Bob DeStefano, Author at Shelter Island Reporter

06/11/17 11:00am

Eye on the Ball: Island of champions

COURTESY PHOTO
Matthew, left, and Brian Feinstein.

Through the years, Shelter Island has been proud of its golfers. The way this year is panning out, that’s not going to change. Golfers continue to show we can play darn good golf right here on this little island.

Through the years we’ve enjoyed accomplishment after accomplishment and not just on our Island, but throughout the state and country. Just last week 61 year-old Jay Sessa was playing in a national event as the oldest player in the field. The week before that and the week after, Jay “Jake” Card III finished second in two major tournaments. (more…)

British Swifts, Congressional Country Club, Fiske Field, Lions Club, Long Island Father & Son Championship, Metropolitan Boys Championship, National Junior Championship, North Fork Ospreys, Riverhead Tomcats, Sag Harbor Whalers, Shelter Island Bucks, Springfield Country Club, the American School Boy tour, the Ballyhack Golf Club, The Club at Creighton Farms, The Virginia Open Championship

Featured Story

05/09/17 12:00pm

Jay Card III shoots sizzling rounds in prestigious tournament

by Bob DeStefano

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COURTESY PHOTO Jay (Jake) Card III teeing off.

This past weekend at the challenging Naples National Golf Club in Naples, Florida the club kicked off its Terra Cotta Invitational. This tournament has been held since 1996 and is ranked 79th in the world in men’s amateur events.

Being an invitational, the club makes it clear that it encourages applications that are carefully reviewed by the selection committee. They look at things such as world amateur rankings as well as college tournament performances. This year, with a little help from Gardiner’s Bay Country Club member Bryan Hanypsiak and the cub’s golf professional, Leigh Notley, Shelter Island’s Jay (Jake) Card III secured one of the 75 invitations for the tournament. (more…)

Belle Haven Four Ball Invitational, Gardiner's Bay Country Club, Jay (Jake) Card III, Leigh Notley, Matthew Feinstein, Naples National Golf Club, Terra Cotta Invitational, United States Golf Association

Columns

04/10/17 2:07pm

Column: A Masters to remember

by Bob DeStefano

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COURTESY PHOTO Living the dream — Islanders Bill Hannabury and his son Shane at the 2015 Masters in Augusta, Georgia.

When you talk about the four major professional golf tournaments, the Masters is talked about the most. Maybe that’s because it’s the first major of the year. Or perhaps it’s the most beautiful venue. Or possibly that it’s held at the same course every year, the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. (more…)

Justin Rose, Lexi Thompson, LPGA, Sergio Garcia, Seve Ballesteros, Sid Beckwith

Columns

04/01/17 3:00pm

Eye on the Ball: March Madness, Island style

by Bob DeStefano

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COURTESY PHOTO From left, Jon Kilb, Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum and Darrell Griffith outside the Barclays Center during the ACC Tournament.

I suppose when you’re watching a sport and not playing it, people label you a fan. But since I only watch playoff games — World Series, Super Bowls, March Madness and major golf tournaments — I don’t feel I should be called a “loyal” fan.

However, here on Shelter Island, I know a man who qualifies as what I call a “true” fan of all sports. (more…)