September 11, 2014

Nassau Country Club hosts 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship

This past August, Nassau Country Club (NCC), located right here in Glen Cove, was chosen to host the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Way back in 1914, the Club also had the honor of hosting this very same event. So coming back to Nassau to mark 100 years was indeed very special! And no one could have been happier about this turn of events than Regency resident, Ralph Panetta.
Ralph Panetta Nassau Country Club Ralph Panetta Nassau Country ClubRalph, now an Honorary Member of the Club, was a part of the Golf Professional Staff at Nassau Country Club, both full and part time, for over 60 years. He started out cleaning clubs and caddying in 1934, when he was only 13 years old. He was hired there when he finished school and then went into the service in 1942. When he returned, he began working at Grumman and continued to work at Nassau Country Club on the weekends. In 1996, he retired early from Grumman and went back to work at NCC full time. Ralph held various jobs there but mainly ran the Club Shop and designed and created custom golf clubs.
One of Ralph’s most memorable moments was when he was asked to create a replica of “the most famous club the game has ever known,” the club Bobby Jones used to win the U.S. Open with in 1923, Calamity Jane. Since the famous club was actually “discovered” at Nassau Country Club they decided to name their halfway house after it and wanted a replica for display. Ralph made the replica, hickory shaft and all, and it is still on display at Nassau Country Club to this day! The story goes like this, on the eve of the 1923 Open, Bobby was at Nassau Country Club playing a tune up round with Pro Jim Maiden. When he complained of being “off the stick” Jim handed him a putter he had taken from his shop and asked Bobby to try it. After a few strokes, he proceeded to roll in “six footers” with ease. Bobby immediately wanted the putter. Jim explained that he had been using the club and had named it “Calamity Jane”. After winning the Open with it, Bobby Jones continued to use Calamity Jane until he retired after his Grand Slam in 1930.
Witnessing the 2014 Amateur Tournament was a “big thrill” for Ralph. He remarked, “I am amazed at the skill the young players have today”. It was a beautiful day and Ralph enjoyed the golf immensely. He also enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting some of the new members. It looks like Ralph would agree with Arnold Palmer when he said, “I can sum it up like this: Thank God for the game of golf!”

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