PITTSFORD, NY (July 5, 2022) – Tuesday marked the unofficial start to the 81st Invitational with a pro-am style Monroe Invitational Blitz, along with an afternoon clinic for 12 aspiring young Rochester area golfers getting instruction from tournament players.

The Blitz featured the top 22 ranked players of the 81st Monroe Invitational field, teaming up with the rest of the paying participants. 

Said Monroe Invitational Tournament Director Mason Grower, “The weather held out and all of the teams had a great time today. The clinic was a major success and we are excited to continue doing our part to grow the game of golf. We can’t wait for the invitational to start tomorrow.”

The Monroe Invitational Committee seized an opportunity to help grow the game of golf by partnering with First Tee and the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester for an afternoon clinic. First Tee is a nonprofit organization that teaches children life skills through purposed golf lessons. Boys and Girls of Rochester, also a non-profit, works to “inspire and enable young people of all backgrounds to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens through empowering Youth programs.” 

First Tee has been partnering recently with the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, with golf sessions usually taking place at Genesee Valley so it was a nice change of pace for the young golfers to experience Monroe Country Club. Said Lindsey Bromley of First Tee, “It is really great to expose more kids to the game of golf in their life skills and hear from the players that are playing at the highest amateur level — learning about the grind they put in day in and day out. Hopefully it inspires the kids.”

Monroe Invitational participants, Justin Hastings (San Diego State), Ryan Ang (Singapore), Scott Turner (Mid-am), and Everett Whiten Jr. (Howard University) all volunteered an hour of their time to help put on the clinic.  The session featured some instruction and tips from the players, along with a question and answer session from some eager participants. 

It was a rewarding experience for all involved. Said Ang, “I volunteered to do this (clinic). I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I mean I flew out to this tournament all the way from Singapore so I have to give to the game that has given back to me so much. I feel like I owe something to the game.” Ang said he began playing the game of golf at the age of five and realizes the importance of keeping the game fun at a young age.

Tournament format

The Monroe Invitational is a 72-hole stroke play tournament played on the par 70 Monroe Golf Club championship layout. Tee times begin at 7:15 a.m. each of the four days. There will be a cut to the top 45 players and ties after the third round (54 holes) on Friday. The awards ceremony will take place following completion of play on Saturday at approximately 1 p.m. The schedule will be as follows:

Wednesday, July 6 – Round 1

Thursday, July 7 – Round 2

Friday, July 8 – Round 3

Saturday, July 9 – Round 4

Admission is free and open to the public!