SOYUZIVKA SPORTS ROUND-UP: Second annual Soyuzivka Golf Tournament features competition on four courses (09/26/99)

SOYUZIVKA SPORTS ROUND-UP

Second annual Soyuzivka Golf Tournament features competition on four courses

by Roman Hawryluk

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The second annual Soyuzivka Golf Tournament produced a larger turnout and quite a competitive four days in the foothills of the Catskills on four renowned golf courses with ideal weather conditions.

Over a four-day period (August 30 through September 3), the 17 registered participants (last year there were 12) played Apple Greens in Highland, N.Y., the Nevele Country Club in Ellenville, N.Y., Roundout Valley Country Club in Accord, N.Y., and Hudson Valley Resort Golf Club in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

The increase in the number of participants this year assured a competitive environment, with players coming from Illinois, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Canada. The age group varied from 11 to 78 years old.

The tournament provided ample opportunity to win assorted individual and team prizes. Prior to day one, teams were selected, courses were chosen, time schedules assigned and eight categories of major prizes were set as goals for the tournament.

After four enjoyable days of link play, the results were tallied and prizes were given at a luncheon held at Soyuzivka's Trembita Lounge, where both players and their spouses or friends participated in song and golf stories of the past few days.

The participants included: Alex Popovich, Taras Jaworsky, Orest Bilous, Ihor Zwarycz, Roman Hawryluk, Orest Kyzyk, Roman Kyzyk, Andri Kutchtaruk, Kenny Kolakoski, Andrei Olexy, Wolodimir Hajdar, Dr. Alex Gudziak, Jarema Shuhan, Andrew Futey, Alex Puzyk, Bohdan Puzyk and Danko Dykyj.

All scores were recorded in a database for accuracy and quick availability for the players who were able to view the standings on a daily basis. The database will also be used to establish handicaps for future tournaments.

Major prizes were awarded to the winners for the following:

Low gross: Mr. Popovich (77 at the Nevele Country Club - the most challenging of the four courses played);
Individual low net: Roman Hawryluk;
Team low net: Orest Kyzyk/Mr. Hawryluk;
Longest drives: Mr. Hawryluk/Orest Kyzyk;
Closest to the pin: Dr. Gudziak/Mr. Kutchtaruk;
Most number of birdies: Bohdan Puzyk (6)
Most number of pars: Mr. Popovich (23); and
Best etiquette on the golf course: Roman Kyzyk.

In addition, for the first time the teams participated in what is called a Blue Ball competition. Each foursome started with a marked ball. Whichever foursome ended up with the starting ball was eligible for an extraordinary prize. The foursome that won with 13 holes played was Messrs. Bilous, Hawryluk, Shuhan and Orest Kyzyk.

Based on a unanimous vote, Blue Ball will be included in next year's tournament.

During the course of the luncheon many other miscellaneous prizes were handed out; a final lottery provided prizes to all participants. The prizes ranged from a Sprint PCS cellular phone and traveling golf bag to golf balls and umbrellas. Each of the wives and/or friends also received a gift as a token of appreciation for allowing their golf enthusiasts to take part in this four-day event.

All prizes were donated by private corporations, and Roman Kyzyk, Bohdan Puzyk and Messrs. Zwarycz, Bilous, Shuhan and Popovich were thanked for their effort in obtaining these prizes for the tournament. Participating corporate sponsors included Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Citigroup, Instinet, Reuters, Bridge Information Systems, Lucent, Coty, IBM, IBJ Whitehall, IPC, NYSE and Bloomberg.

The committee of Messrs. Popovich, Bilous, Orest Kyzyk, Hawryluk (secretary) and Zwarycz (consultant) expressed thanks to the participants of the second annual Soyuzivka Golf Tournament for their enthusiasm, camaraderie and competitive spirit. The committee is already looking toward the next millennium to expand the tournament as part of Soyuzivka's traditional activities for Labor Day weekend.

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