Looking Ahead to an Exciting 2026 Golf Season! |
Leadership, Integrity, and the 2026 Season! |
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Dear Members, As we look ahead to the 2026 season, Carol and I are genuinely excited about what lies ahead for Sleepy Hollow and energized by the positive momentum we are seeing across the club. We are aligned in both purpose and outlook as we begin the 2026 season, and I am grateful and proud to serve as your Men’s Captain in the first year of this two-year term. I would like to formally introduce the Men’s Section leadership team. I am joined by Joe Vitale, our First Vice Captain, and James Gardiner, our Second Vice Captain. On the Ladies’ side, Carol Trewin is your Ladies’ Captain, supported by Nicole Robinson, Erin Lindsay and Judy McDougall. Together, we are committed to working closely with Kurt, Anthony, Paul, and the broader Sleepy Hollow management and professional staff to strengthen the overall golf experience at the Club. Just as importantly, we see our roles as representing you—the membership. We welcome feedback and open dialogue, and we ask that it be framed constructively and in the spirit of improving our club wherever possible. Our contact information is included below, and we encourage you to reach out and add us to your contacts. As the Club has shared, our collective focus for 2026 is Integrity, Respect, and Community. These are not abstract ideals; they are the foundations of a healthy and enjoyable club culture. Carol and I will be jointly focused on Integrity this season, because fairness, trust, and shared standards are essential to meaningful competition and strong participation across both the Men’s and Ladies’ sections. At its best, golf is a self-governed game—built on honesty, knowledge of the rules, and respect for fellow competitors. When those fundamentals erode, even gradually, confidence in competition can suffer and participation may decline. To avoid this from happening, we must address together. Our approach will be measured, fair, and consistent. We intend to lead with education and clarity, ensuring members understand expectations around rules, handicaps, and competitive play. At the same time, we will support stronger accountability, so that everyone can compete on an even playing field and with confidence in the integrity of our events. This is about ensuring trust and fairness—not policing—and it requires shared responsibility from all of us. Since the Club’s recent communication, I have already heard from members who are encouraged by the renewed emphasis on fairness and accurate handicaps. That feedback reinforces the importance of the direction we are taking. Joe Vitale will focus on strengthening Community, with an emphasis on engagement and participation across events and formats. James Gardiner will focus on Respect, reinforcing the standards of conduct, etiquette, and consideration that make Sleepy Hollow a club we are proud of. Both Joe and James will follow up with their own communications to share more about their respective priorities. The Ladies’ Executive will focus on decisions and activities that align with and reinforce the principles of integrity, respect, and community. Their efforts will support the members of the Sleepy Hollow Ladies’ section, with emphasis on increasing participation, pace of play, and commitment to the Rules of Golf. This leadership structure exists to provide continuity, clarity, and stewardship, and we take that responsibility seriously. You can expect further communication in the coming months as initiatives are rolled out and additional details are shared. We are optimistic and excited about the season ahead and confident that, working together, we can build on the many good things happening at Sleepy Hollow, while continuing to strengthen the culture that makes our club special. Thank you for your engagement, your sportsmanship, and your commitment to the game. Warm regards, Paul Parsons – Men’s Captain |