Caliendo Winter Tour Nears Successful Conclusion of 59th Season
By Mike Moretti
Photo (l-r): Dan Ryan, Frank Vnuk, Tim Macken (president), Mike Friedman, Al Padovano
Other than weather-related cancellations, it’s been another successful season for the John Caliendo Winter Golf Tour.
“The Tour is as strong as it’s ever been,” said president Tim Macken of the Caliendo Tour, now in its 59th year. “We have had no COVID-19 cases in the four-plus months we’ve been playing, and everyone is abiding by the rules. We’ve been very happy with the way things are going.”
Under normal circumstances, 128 players would be able to tee off in a double-shotgun format at the weekly Thursday events. These days, only 106 players are allowed to play with tee times. We ask them to stay in their cars until 30 minutes before their tee time,” said Macken, now in his fourth year as president.
“The most important thing is keeping members safe because the average age is 63.”
For the 2020-21 season, four events on the 23-date schedule have been canceled. The event on Nov. 12 at Copper Hill Country Club was rained out. Three other events were canceled due to snow. They will not be rescheduled. The championship is set for next Thursday, April 1 at Copper Hill in Ringoes.
The 2019-20 season ended prematurely in mid-March, wiping out the final two events and the championship. The Caliendo Tour resumed on Nov. 3, when the championship, originally scheduled for April, was finally held at Rumson Country Club. Two days later, the 2020-21 season officially kicked off at Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes.
Membership is again at capacity with 155 golfers. About two dozen were turned away.
“I’m not surprised by the turnout, even though we have to reduce the number that can play each week. People love to play golf, and we’ve been lucky that we had very few cancellations of events because the previous two winters had been very mild,” said Mark McCabe, tournament administrator.
Two weeks ago, on Thursday, March 12, the Caliendo Tour arrived at stately Spring Lake Golf Club for the first time in Tour history. John Stickle, a Spring Lake member, and a long-time Caliendo Tour participant, was instrumental in making it happen.
“Having these players here is good for everybody,” said Spring Lake PGA head professional Matt McKeon. “John (Stickle’s) involvement had a lot to do with it. It’s just nice to work with another association and bring in golfers from around the state. It’s nice to show off the course.”
The participants also enjoyed a mild day in the mid-60s at the Shore-area club.
“It’s a great opportunity for our guys. Seventy percent of them would never have an opportunity to at a club of this magnitude,” Macken said.
“This is one of the nicest courses we’ve ever been on,” said Chip Sweeney, who has played Caliendo golf for 30 years.
Add Mark Dobrynski of Jackson, another long-time member, “Normally, we would never be able to play on a course this magnificent. Generally, that is why I’m out here when it’s 20 degrees, for an opportunity to play these great courses.”
