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History of The FGA
Jan. 2014; Updated Jan. 2018
History of Fellowship Golf Association (FGA)
The Beginning, 1964
In May of 1962, RAMBLEWOOD Country Club opened for play. The club was originally structured as a private club with all the facilities, including a dining room serving full course dinners to members and their guests. After the first two years, club management decided to structure RAMBLEWOOD as a semi-private club open to the general public. Although the club operation changed, most of the members remained, with a large number of new friendships forming.
These core members formed a very popular scats group for golf, and as they continued their memberships at RAMBLEWOOD, a desire for an additional social atmosphere emerged to enhance their “fellowship” in the semi-private club environment. To this end, twenty members held a meeting in March of 1964, laying the ground work for things to come. By April, they had written By-Laws, formed a Charter and established the Fellowship Golf Association (FGA)!
The following RCC members became the charter members of the FGA:
William Bond
Thomas Friel
James McGee
Robert Boyd
Dr. Robert Hanson
Richard Lewis
Robert Bozian
John Henry
William O’Neal
Joseph Conver
Russell Holman
Marvin Passwater
George Faulkner
Joseph McBride
Donald Roy
John Fitzpatrick
Lester McCaughey
James Shaeffer
The charter members then elected the first officers of the FGA.
President - Joseph Conver
Vice-President - Dr. Robert Hanson
Secretary - Robert Bozian
Treasurer - John Henry
A chronological listing of FGA Presidents is provided below:
FGA Presidents Date in office
Brian Stillwagon 2023
William McLeer 2018 - 2022
Robert Weinstein 2015 - 2017
Joseph Garbarino 2014
Gary Koopman 2006 - 2013
Vince Lobascio 2005
Lew Williams 2004
Stan Mazur 2003
Chuck Barley 2002
Malcolm Gealt 2001
Al Dipierno 2000
Dave Yarnall 1999
George Mandakas 1998
Larry Leith 1997
Joe Centrone 1996
Leon Domzalski 1995
Paul Cechovic 1994
Ames Blasingame 1993
Bob Killian 1992
Jon Mabry 1991
Frank Babusik 1990
Joe Adukewich 1989
Ed White 1988
Dan Archibald 1974
Joe Minnichbach 1975
Frank Rosell 1974
Lou Lombardi 1969
Joe McBride 1968
Tom Friel 1967
George Faulkner 1966
Bob Boyd 1965
Joe Conver 1964
The basic formula of activity devised by the club’s Golf Chairman was to organize golf outings at other courses and to have social events with the wives and friends at various times during the year. One of the by-laws of the club set the maximum membership at forty members.
In July of 1966, the Fellowship tried a new approach to its social activities. It held a “Roaring Twenties” evening where all those attending had to dress in the mode of the times. The next social was a “Western Night”. During one of the monthly meetings held at Bob Boyd’s home, Lou Lombardi cooked a spaghetti dinner that became an annual event. Each season ended with an Annual Banquet, usually held at various restaurants in the Mount Laurel area.
In 1967, two members became officers of the Fellowship; namely, Tom Friel, President and Joe McBride, Treasurer. Tom Friel continued his service to the Fellowship over the years in such an exemplary manner he was unanimously elected to the status of Honorary Member in August 2008. Joe McBride, after participating in Fellowship activities and contributing his talents in various offices passed away in 2012. He also attained the highest honor accorded to deserving members, Honorary Membership. Their names are now enshrined on the FGA Memorial Cup.
FGA historical data is somewhat incomplete for the early decades; however, the history of the organization is well documented with member photographs taken during special golf events and social activities to recreate the story of the Fellowship. Personal accounts (i.e., episodic memory) of senior members also contributed to the factual events of those years. To acknowledge the importance of documenting the club’s history, a special committee was formed in the mid-1980 s to document our activities. Ed Watson and Joe McBride served as Chairmen of this office for many years documenting our golf outings and social events. With the advent of computers and internet communication, the officers of the Fellowship were able to communicate much more effectively with the membership via monthly newsletters. In fact, the monthly newsletters now provide a depository of major events for members to access readily. Currently, the Fellowship also employs a Web Site, Twitter and Facebook accounts to communicate with members.
As the years progressed, the Fellowship prospered in its relationship with RAMBLEWOOD CC. Our members supported the Club under the management of John Goodwin and the various Club Pros that conducted the golf programs in those years. Our “in-house” events were conducted under the direction of such outstanding pros as Stan Dudas, Nick Manari, Sean Cooke, and Bill McCoy.
We continued our basic format of weekend “scats” play at Ramblewood CC with monthly away events at such prestigious courses as: Asbourne CC, Galen Hall, Tattersall, Makefield Highlands, RiverWinds, Great Bay, Blue Heron Pines, Frog Hollow, Wedgewood, Sea Oaks, Running Deer, Scotland Run, and Pennsauken, to name just a few. Galen Hall represented an annual bus trip to Pennsylvania with the appropriate cases of beer and hoagies to get the players in the proper frame of mind to handle the hilly fairways of that venue.
Our social calendar was filled with cookouts, pig roasts, steak dinners for selecting new officers, the Memorial Cup Dinner, and the Annual Banquet. On occasion, special events such as Monte Carlo evenings and nights at the Races were conducted. Many members were hosts to these events, but none stand out to the extent of George Mandakas, a former President in 1998, and a beloved member who opened his home to the Fellowship to the absolute enjoyment of members and their families! George epitomized the spirit of the Fellowship; his presence on the golf course and at FGA functions is greatly missed.
Another member who represented the spirit of the Fellowship was Bill Godwin. Bill was an excellent player and a man of many talents. Foremost, was his wood-carving expertise which he used to reward our Scats Champions over the years as he enjoyed his retirement in Florida. It was always a great treat to receive Bill’s tree-honed wood carvings with built-in clocks and the appropriate inscription of the individual champion each year!
The history of the Fellowship cannot be complete without reference to the contributions of Dan Archibald. Dan became a member in the late 1960s and President in 1974. He initiated the concept of the Memorial Cup Tournament in which deceased FGA members would be remembered during an annual Memorial Tournament held in their memory. This tournament epitomizes the basic tradition of the FGA. Fellowship! The Memorial Cup Tournament is now a mainstay of our annual tournament season and continues as the ultimate trophy all members strive to achieve.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
The officers and members of the Fellowship Golf Association (FGA) with great honor and pleasure, herewith present to Daniel Archibald, this token of the FGA’s sincere appreciation, gratitude and recognition for his forty-four years of loyal and dedicated service to the organization. Dan joined the fellowship golf association in1964, and during his tenure as a member has served terms in every officer position in the organization’s governing structure. We now remember and honor his contributions by conducting the annual Dan Archibald Ryder Cup Tournament, one of the Fellowship’s most enthusiastically attended and contested events.
During that same period of concern for the FGA’s future, finding candidates willing to accept Officer responsibilities also became an issue. One member came forward to address this malaise, accepting the nomination of FGA President with enthusiasm and energy, Gary Koopman. Gary assumed the Presidency of the Association in 2006. He served in this office for 8 years, during which his dedicated service and leadership revitalized the membership into a growing and viable organization. In recognition of his service to the Fellowship, Gary was awarded a Distinguished Service Award designating him as our first President Emeritus and assigning him Honorary Membership, with all of its privileges.
No discussion of FGA Golf Chairmen would be complete without recognition of the contributions made by Dan’s friend and the individual that carried on Dan’s legacy, Len Rayca. Len originally came to RAMBLEWOOD CC with the Rancocas group. The Rancocas golfers would tee off right behind the Fellowship players for several years. During that period, Len became friends with Dan Archibald. This friendship eventually evolved into a rivalry between the two groups, and thus the “Rancocas Boys vs. Fellowship” Ryder Cup history began. In time, Len joined the Fellowship and in 2008 became FGA Golf Chairman in support of his ill mentor, Dan. With Dan’s death, Len re-established the Ryder Cup event in Dan’s honoras it is now designated the “Archibald Cup”. The Archibald Cup and the Memorial Tournament represent the foundation of our tournament season.
In 2012, Fellowship members with the leadership of Len Rayca and Joe Garbarino (President 2014) were able to pay tribute to a fellow member, Larry Gardner, for his military service in Vietnam. Joe Garbarino solicited Pennsylvania Congressman Bob Brady to provide a symbol for this occasion. Congressman Brady obtained a USMC Flag previously flown over a Marine encampment in Afghanistan to mark this very special ceremony. The photo attached depicts the raising of this flag by FGA President and RCC Head Pro Bill McCoy onto the RAMBLEWOOD CC flag pole with a group of Fellowship members witnessing the ceremony.
In 2008 the Fellowship authorized activation of an FGA web Site to enhance the communication process for members and to provide a marketing tool for approaching the current “web smart” golfer. Member Brandon Traister presented the original concept and established the web site, managing its initial period of operation. Hal Swindell then refined the site.
The site provided easy access, user friendly operation, quick access to current FGA information such as: recent newsletters; tournament results; planned events schedule; FGA Bylaws / Constitution; FGA Local Golf Rules; “Hole-in-One” Rules; FGA Member Roster, including photographs, prospective member application information; and, a summary of FGA historical information for new/prospective members. Appropriate links were provided to the GHIN system for member convenience in accessing/entering their USGA handicap; RAMBLEWOOD CC; and the USGA Web Site.
Integration of the FGA site with the RAMBLEWOOD website was eventually accomplished. This move promised to be mutually beneficial to both organizations and reflected the spirit of cooperation between each that has remained steadfast from the beginning. Hal Goodwin (RCC President) and Bill McLeer (FGA), our current President, coordinated this venture with great success.
In accord with the recently approved Bylaw revisions, nominations were taken for all FGA Officer positions at the October 2013 monthly meeting. The action returned Fellowship proceedings to the normal / annual “change-over” of Officers that existed throughout the past history of the FGA. This was now possible because the organization was vibrant with a new generation of members ready and eager to contribute their time and talents in a spirit of fellowship to ensure its future success.
Golf Chairman, Jim Kress led the FGA’s 2013 golf program to a new standard of excellence by blending the “tried and true” events with novel and exciting new golf ventures. The season-ending “Shoot-Out” event was a sensational success! Jim’s leadership during his tenure as Golf Chairman increased member participation during this transition period.
Under the leadership of President Gary Koopman (2006 – 2013), the Fellowship continued to grow in membership and participation. In appreciation of Gary’s many contributions and achievements during his presidency, the Fellowship awarded him Honorary Membership status and granted him the title of President Emeritus.
During the tenure of FGA President Joseph Garbarino (2014), the Fellowship celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a very special Banquet Dinner that recalled our annual dinner celebrations of the past. Members’ wives were invited to this special celebration to enjoy musical entertainment provided by our very own and talented Gary Koopman’s Band. A nostalgic video presentation of past events and members was given by then Secretary Bill McLeer to the delight of the attendees.
As we entered the 2015 season, Bob Weinstein was chosen as President after serving as Vice-President and By-Laws Chairman. Two significant events occurred during Bob’s first year in office: first, Ron Jaworski purchased the course, and secondly, Justin Graff graciously accepted the golf chairmanship’s responsibilities. Justin’s talents as a leader were immediately recognized by the President and have been evident over Justin’s tenure to this day as he begins the 2018 golf season.
The Fellowship’s relationship with the new ownership has been very positive. The course improvements and social enhancements made to the property have been beneficial to the Fellowship in the area of member recruitment
(approximately 80 members currently) and golf course playability.
This cooperative effort enjoyed between RAMBLEWOOD CC and the Fellowship Golf Association (FGA) for the past 50+ years must be cited as a unique and mutually beneficial arrangement for both organizations. It is based on mutual respect, support and cooperation. Our new member brochure states “we are a club within a club” that enjoys full cooperation with RCC management and the RCC Head Golf Pro.
This relationship has resulted in a unique opportunity for a select group of RAMBLEWOOD golfers to experience golfing activities in a structured environment. The Fellowship Golf Association looks ahead to the next 50 years with great expectations based on this viable association with RAMBLEWOOD CC.
As we enter the 2018 season, our President, Bill McLeer has energized the membership with his plans to bring the Fellowship into a renewed era of success for the coming years. His staff of Brian Stillwagon, Vice-President, Dave Foster, Secretary, and Jim Fencl, Treasurer, have all demonstrated their talents and enthusiastic support for Bill’s program. The Fellowship Golf Association looks ahead to the next 50 years with great expectations!
