Category: MGA

2026 Jack Brady Saint Patrick’s Day Open

With temps set to climb into the 50s today, we’re hoping for the course to re-open very soon and, with only a few days left in February, sign-ups are now open for the Jack Brady Saint Patrick’s Day Open which is set to be played Saturday, March 14th with a 10:00 AM shotgun start. We’ll be playing a 4-Player Scramble and the tournament is open to all NGC members and their guests.

Jack, who passed away on February 21, 2023, was a long time NGC member and, alongside his wife Maureen who you’ll often see out hitting balls, was a stalwart of our golf club. He was a wonderful friend to all those who had the privilege of knowing him. His interest in his fellow members was sincere, he would make useful suggestions on the practice range, and he had great stories with a tremendously sharp wit.

Saint Patrick’s Day was Jack’s favorite holiday and, to honor him, let’s have a great day of camaraderie and celebration!
Please sign up with your team of 4 online — if you do not have a team of 4, let us know at [email protected] and we’ll help get you set up with a group.

2026 Jack Brady Saint Patrick’s Day Open: Saturday, March 14th — 10:00 AM shotgun start
Format: 4-Player Scramble with Gross + Net Divisions
Online Registration Portal: https://mga.golf/JB-2026
Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 12th @ 8:00 PM

To confirm your team’s registration, please check the online leaderboard.

MGA Membership at NGC

It’s been a long and snowy winter but, with hints of spring emerging, it’s time to start thinking about the golf season!

On behalf of the Men’s Golf Association (MGA) at National Golf Club, we’d like to invite you to join the MGA for 2026. Our $85 yearly membership dues—to be billed February 28th by the club—allow the MGA to conduct organized golf and golf-related social activities for the benefit, pleasure, and recreation of all MGA members. Last year, we had 92 MGA members take part over the course of 9 tournaments and 31 Men’s Nights for a grand total of 1,358 MGA rounds played. Our 2026 Schedule is attached below and we are excited for an exceptional 2026 MGA season!

All MGA members who opted into the MGA last season will be signed up in the NGC billing system for 2026 and will be billed at the end of this month. To change your MGA membership status, please contact [email protected] and [email protected] before February 26th.

Starting in April and running through October, the MGA will host eight weekend tournaments as well as a season-long Match Play bracket. While MGA tournaments are generally on weekends, they are open to full as well as weekday members. In addition to weekend tournaments, we conduct a robust program of Men’s Nights held every Thursday. All MGA play includes net divisions with handicaps and the Rule of 75 for gold tee players. More information about the MGA can be found on our website: https://mga.golf/

The MGA is here to enhance your experience at NGC and we are open to more suggestions on sponsored golf or social events. For additional information, questions, or to join our MGA email list for the latest tournament and event updates, send a note to [email protected] — We hope to make 2026 a fantastic year at NGC and hope that you will join the MGA!

Sincerely,

– Your 2026 MGA Board

Weston Happ – MGA Chairman
James Hsiao – Vice Chairman
Patrick Escalambre – Social Chair
Will Keyes – Handicap Chair
Mike Reynard – Treasurer
Leo Goff – SMGA Representative
Members At Large:
   Tom DePonty
   Matt Doherty
   Silas Nichols

14th Annual Mike Miller Golf Tournament at NGC

Team sign-ups are now open for the Mike Miller tradition which is back for this New Year’s Day, January 1st, 2026!

A famous line in golf, “A tradition unlike any other,” has been coined for the Masters, but the same can be said for the playing of New Year’s Day golf at National Golf Club. For years, players of all ages and abilities have taken to the course on January 1st to ring in the New Year with a fun 18 holes. There are stories of shoveling the driving range and impromptu get-togethers just to say golf was played on January 1st at NGC.

Mike Miller was an ambassador of the January 1st tradition and would host a party at his home following the event. Mike left us January 24th, 2013 but we continue the tradition in his memory. 
This year we celebrate the 14th annual playing of the Mike Miller Tournament. We hope you can join us — all NGC members and guests are welcome!

Please sign up with your team online here.

14th Annual Mike Miller Tournament: Thursday, January 1st, 2026 — 11:00 AM shotgun start with annual champagne tee shot off 1st tee at 10:45 AM
Format: 4-Player Shamble — All players in foursome tee off, select the best tee shot to play 2nd shots from and, from the selected tee shot, all players play their own balls into the hole recording individual gross scores. Awards in Net + Gross divisions for both Individual and Team categories.
Online Registration Portal: https://mga.golf/Mike-Miller-Sign-Up/

Please sign up online as a complete team foursome if possible. If you do not have a team of 4, sign up online with as many as you have and we will set you up with a group!

To confirm your team’s registration, please check the online leaderboard.

A Little History of January 1st Golf at NGC

Longtime NGC member and friend, Maureen Brady, put together and shared the following fantastic writeup which details the history of New Year’s Day golf at NGC:

Today, the Mike Miller Tournament is our way of welcoming the New Year.  It’s a very important welcoming too.  However, the New Year’s Day Tournament has not always been the Mike Miller Tournament.  Yes, Mike played in the tournament many times.  However, he played as a “Wet Shoe.”  It used to be the “Wet Shoes New Year’s Day Tournament.” 

Let me explain: 

In the Early 70’s the first group of men to tee off on weekends was known as the “Wet Shoes.”  It was a good name.  The course was usually still wet that early in the morning, so the name was very appropriate.  The group played every weekend, and sponsored a couple tournaments.  Their most famous tournament was the New Year’s Day Tournament.  

They played it every year.  Rain, snow, sleet, sun, had no effect.  It was 18 holes, and you played.  

There were rules.  For example, you had to drink on every hole, or you could not win.  Drinks were already on every hole by the time the group teed off.  

Originally, ladies were not allowed to play.  We ladies provided food in several fairways.  For example, I had ham biscuits on the first hole.  Carolyn Lecrone had goodies beside the 8th green.  Betsy Smith also took care of her hole which was number 10.  Eventually, we did get to play, however, not with the men.  We started on the back.  

Since the kitchen was closed, Frank Bryan, a wet shoe, took care of lunch.  He worked for a food service company, and as soon as he finished playing, he went in a warmed up soup, and put out sandwiches.  

Mike Miller was a part of this. Not in the early 70’s, but as soon as he became a Tantallon member he joined the wet shoes.  And, as time progressed, and we were not allowed to use the club’s kitchen, Mike invited us to lunch at his house.  

Some memories still make us smile.  Dick Ruane (lived on the 8th green) hit his tee shot on 18 and then walked straight out to the green.  Thank God the pond was frozen. When he teed off, Tom Nunno still had on his Tux from the New Year’s Eve party. There was no time to change before teeing off. 

I don’t know how many decades the Wet Shoes lasted.   Members moved, passed away, or were unable to play golf in their twilight years.  However, I am happy that the Mike Miller Memorial Tournament keeps the Wet Shoes’ Tradition going forward.  

Happy New Year.  Enjoy.  Mike is proud of us.   

Thank you so much, Maureen — this is the NGC history that we all cherish as we celebrate by playing golf on January 1st!