October 13, 2022
Some say that everything happens for a reason. In San Martin resident Alicia Meiner’s case, it was simply a matter of being out on the course one fateful day.
Back in the late 1900’s, while serving as a narrator (observer) for a course rating at San Juan Oaks GC in Hollister, a chord was struck with Meiners.
“I was very curious about it all. How it worked,” recalls Meiners.
Not long after, Meiners officially popped the question: How does one become a course rater?
There to with the answer was then-Pacific Women’s Golf Association official Kay Kuffner, who mailed a course rating to Meiners.
“I got the manual, and after that there was a class scheduled at Corral de Tierra Country Club in Salinas. I’ve been doing it ever since,” Meiners said.
For Meiners, 75, her years as a course rater is now at 26. The learning, joy and intrigue haven’t stopped.
“It’s very interesting to me. The different courses and layouts,” Meiners said. “And there’s the people. You meet so many different people.”
It’s never too late to become an NCGA volunteer. Consider the case of San Mateo resident Joe Cioni.
Just over a decade ago, Cioni was competing in the NCGA Senior Championship. As he went to turn in his score, he took particular attention to the atmosphere.
“The officials in the scoring area looked like they were having fun,” Cioni said. “So I asked them about becoming a volunteer. They told me to email (NCGA COO Ryan Gregg) and here I am.”
Now in his 11th year as an NCGA tournament official, Cioni, 83, says he can’t imagine not being a volunteer.
“I’ve been on the course for 60-plus years now either as a competitor or volunteer,” Cioni said. “I love the game and being out on the course.”
Known to some players as the official with the cigar, Cioni has four words for those who have or are considering being an NCGA volunteer: Give it a shot.
“The NCGA, all the local head pros, the people at the courses, they’re all great to work with,” Cioni said. “If you love golf, and being around the game, you will love being a volunteer.”
John Nakamura–40 years of service!
Former NCGA president John Nakamura received an award for 40 years of service as a tournament official. Joked Nakamura when he was told that he was being honored for his 40 years of service, “Oh, I thought they were just recognizing me as the oldest volunteer.” Nakamura has been recognized by the USGA with the Ike Grainger Award for his service.
Vic Ventura
Suzanne Olsen
Mark Posson
Debbie Mackey
Five Years of Service
Tournament Officials
Richard Soria Bill Miller
Richard Jones Rosie Hayashi
Pam Dowd Joan Gooder
Scott Clements
Jeanne Benedetti
10 Years of Service
Tournament Officials
Richard Fong Bob Goldstein
John Kiely Linda Minehan
Greg Galardy Kent Hirose
Ed Henton
Dennis Barbata
David Tanaka
Clark Fuller
Course Raters (10 years)
Lee Metsker
15 Years of Service – NCGA Gold Logo Pin
Tournament Officials
Roger Gray Paul Layrac
Maureen Early Gene Young
Chuck Hancock Byron Washburn
20 Years of Service – NCGA Gold Watch and NCGA Gold Logo Pin
Tournament Officials
Vic Ventura Tyler Tharpe
Jim Stein (21 Years)
Course Raters
Dru Schutz
25 Years of Service – NCGA Gold Logo Pin
Tournament Officials
Bill Downs
Course Raters
Steve Maclraith
30 Years of Service – NCGA Gold Logo Pin
Tournament Officials
Gary Nelson
Bob Burt
40 Years of Service – NCGA Gold Logo Pin
John Nakamura