News

JAMESVILLE, N.Y. – The New York State Golf Association (NYSGA) recently promoted two staff members effective January 1, 2022. 

Jack Travers has been promoted to the Assistant Director of Rules and Competitions. In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing the NYSGA’s support of regional golf associations in our Allied Golf Association (AGA) territory; which currently includes Syracuse, Buffalo, and the Capital Region. He will take a much larger role in the association’s Rules and Competitions department, with oversight of the internship program, administrative duties of competitions, acting as the staff in charge at certain NYSGA and affiliated golf association championships, qualifiers, and the Amateur Series. He will also assist with instructing Rules of Golf workshops and other educational seminars.

“We are excited Jack has accepted this new leadership role within the NYSGA. His recent work with the BDGA has cemented our view that he will bring a dedicated energy and fresh perspective as we look to grow and enhance our programs for the amateur golfers in NYS," mentioned NYSGA Assistant Executive Director, Andrew Hickey.

Prior to the promotion, Travers was in a dual-role as Executive Director of the Buffalo District Golf Association and the NYSGA’s Manager of Competitions. During this time, he worked out of the NYSGA’s satellite office in the Buffalo area.  He was a two-year participant in the USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. program, serving as the Syracuse District Golf Association intern in 2018, and took on a larger role in 2019 while interning for the BDGA.

“It has been extremely refreshing to see the growth of golf over the last few years. I am excited to use the positive momentum to continually grow amateur golf throughout the entire state of New York,” said Travers.

Deb Spilman has been promoted to the Manager of Special Events and Volunteer Operations. In this new position, Spilman will become the lead staff member of the association’s special events, which includes the Hall of Fame, Annual Meeting, Educational Seminars, Volunteer Trainings, etc., along with volunteer programming throughout each season. In addition to these new duties, she will continue to be responsible for day-to-day management of the NYSGA office.

Spilman previously served the organization as the Office Manager since 2015.

“This new role will position Deb at the forefront of the great men and women who selflessly serve our golf community, enhancing their experience and helping us to grow. Deb is the perfect fit for this position, having developed great working relationships with our volunteers since her start with the NYSGA,” Hickey mentioned.