MONTICELLO – After a 30-year absence, Resorts World Catskills has brought the ‘LPGA Legends’ tour to play the renowned “Monster” golf course in Monticello NY. 

Tom Green, head golf pro at the club remarked, “To have the ‘Legends of the LPGA’ choose The Monster as a venue for their tour is a huge honor, and is a credit to all the work that went into the re-imagining of it- through Reese Jones and his crew, and the 40 million dollars that went into the building of this place. It’s a testament to all the work that was done and continues to be done.”

The ‘Legends of the LPGA’ is the official senior circuit of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. It features 120 members who’ve combined for over 750 wins on the LPGA tour. Hollis Stacy, a 3-time US Open champion, was “Really impressed with how Reese Jones had put it together and made a championship quality golf course.”

Assemblymember Paula Kay was among the spectators and she shared, “The work to get Resorts World here and situated, and now to be able to see this incredible world-class tournament, it’s somewhat mind-blowing. And it’s wonderful...to see the crowds and happy faces, and professional golfers here and back in Sullivan County, nothing better.”

The event started with a pro-am tournament on Thursday morning, featuring Legends and first responders. Co-winner of that first day’s event, Brian McGovern, a 12-year veteran of the NYC police force, thought the course played “Very fairly, you’d only get in trouble if you hit a bad shot.” His playing partner and co-winner that day was 2-time LPGA tour champion, Laura Diaz, who won shooting 12-under par. Diaz commended the police officers for the great job they were doing.

On Friday morning, the women got serious with the start of the first round of their tournament. They were followed by a first responders’ tournament. Rock Hill Ambulance Corps volunteer and medical director Jeffery Weinstein, MD was very familiar with the ‘old Concord’ course, but was “Excited and petrified at the same time to be playing the new Monster.” He admitted to being more relaxed knowing that it was a great day to play for a good cause.

Shane Cunningham, White Lake Fire Company volunteer, who also works in the jail division of the sheriff’s office, played in memory of his grandfather Thomas Henderson, who was a member of the fire company for 62 years. It was his first time here also, noting that this course is much bigger than what he is used to.

Resorts World Catskills was buzzing that weekend with a charity poker tournament for the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie taking place. A 178-year-old organization, dedicated to empowering children and families to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Legends Maria McBride and Laura Diaz battled Friday and Saturday for the top spot on the leader board. Diaz held a 3-stroke lead at the end of the first round, but on day 2, it was McBride’s relentless drives and strong approach shots that turned the tide.

McBride sealed the deal with style, sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th green and winning the tournament by 2 strokes over Diaz. When asked about what helped her get the win, she said “I think it was the patience. 

I played really, really good today. I had so many chances, but I didn’t make my putts. My goal going out there today was to finish 8-under.  If I do that, the others will have to play well, and I’ll be close. Both Laura (Diaz) and Angela (Stanford) were on my heels, so I tried to take advantage of the par 5’s and get some shorter shots to the greens, because the greens were a little tricky. But the weather cooperated, it was beautiful, and I’m hoping to be back next year.”

Local Sullivan County residents can play The Monster and enjoy special pricing. Visit https://rwcatskills.com/ and click on The Monster.