Our March 2026 ‘Sponsor Spotlight’ recognizes our second year ACE Sponsor, Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel and Vice President Ryan Hasenauer. We appreciate Batavia Downs for all they do to support growing golf in the Rochester area, especially women’s golf. We also appreciate all the fundraising that they do in the Western NY Region. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize Batavia Downs and allow our members to get to know them and Ryan a bit better.

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is a casino, hotel, resort, and half-mile horse racetrack with live horse racing from July to December, located in Batavia, NY. Conveniently located off New York State Thruway Exit 48, Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is the area’s premier entertainment destination. Enjoy gaming, shopping, dining, and live racing daily from Monday thru Thursday 8am–1am | Friday thru Sunday 8am–3am in their non-stop-fun atmosphere.

 Have the time of your life as Batavia Downs has a little something for everyone (over the age of 18) –

• Over 943 of the hottest and most in-demand games,
• Four (4) on site restaurants
• Live Harness Racing from the end of July through December
• Simulcast racing all year long
• A Show Stopping Summer Concert Series (see details below)
• Don’t want to pack all the entertainment in one night? Stay longer by taking advantage of Batavia Downs on-site luxury hotel accommodations.

Getting to Know Ryan

What is your current occupation? 

"Vice President of Business Development at Batavia Downs. I started as the Promotions Manager in 2008, was promoted to the Director of Marketing in 2010 and became a Vice President in 2024."

What do you love most about your industry, company or occupation? 

"I enjoy the fast paced working environment. The Gaming Industry competes in the gaming and entertainment space, so there are always new things to try and learn and develop."

What’s one thing — either industry-related or not — you learned in the last month?  

"I recently learned how to change the faucet fixtures in our bathroom. YouTube is a great resource to help you DIY home projects to save some money!"

What’s a recent project or initiative you’ve been involved in that you’re particularly proud of? 

"We’ve implemented a few changes to our Marketing Plan and held some more diverse events here at Batavia Downs. With those changes, we enjoyed our busiest year ever in 2025, both in the amount of people that visited the property and money taken in and distributed to our member counties and cities."

What’s one thing you wish people knew about Batavia Downs? 

"An interesting thing to note is that we are owned and operated by Western Regional Off Track Betting, which makes Batavia Downs part of a public benefit corporation. We have contributed millions to New York State education and the 15 counties and 2 cities we serve. Since the inception of OTB in the early 70s, and continuing with the opening of the Batavia Downs Gaming in May of 2005, Western OTB has contributed Hundreds of Millions of Dollars to NY State Education, the pari-mutuel racing industry and revenues net of expenses are distributed to the Counties of Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and the Cities of Rochester and Buffalo. These contributions help lower property taxes and contribute to community improvements."

How long have you lived in the Rochester area/Western NY? Where are you from originally? 

"My parents are Rochester Natives and I grew up in Rochester, living in both Irondequoit and Fairport through high school. I moved to Buffalo in 1999 to attend college and pretty much never left the Western New York Area."

Do you golf? 

"I do, we have 2 golf tournaments put on by Batavia Downs each year, but I also enjoy playing in a few charitable tournaments that we sponsor throughout the year. We have a family golf tournament called the “Hogan Open” that we’ve been doing for over 40 years at the Shadow Lake Executive Course each summer."

Who got you in to the game of golf and when did you start playing golf? 

"My grandfather, Pete Hasenauer was a ranger at Shadow Pines after he retired from Kodak. He would bring me to get lessons from Diane Wilde at the driving range and he’d take me out to golf at Shadow Lake’s Executive course and sometimes golf a few holes on the “BIG” course. Pete is 101 and still golfs with us for the family tournament!"

• Interesting coincidence, Diane Wilde will be teaching some of our learning clinics this summer.
  

What are your hobbies? 

"I enjoy watching sports, including seeing my 11 year old son as he plays a variety of sports including Golf! I also love flipping things I find at estate sales and garage sales online.

Items I have for sale can be found

at":  https://www.ebay.com/usr/ryanh7681 and https://poshmark.com/closet/ryanh7681

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day? 

"Just hanging with my family and watching sports or our favorite shows."

There is always something fun going on at Batavia Downs, all year long! Many of their events are tied to a fundraiser and support a very good cause. Visit Batavia Downs Event Calendar for a glimpse of their yearlong events.

https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/events/events-calendar/

Batavia Downs has announced their Rockin’ The Downs 2026 Summer Concert Series which features a very diverse lineup with artists spanning country, ‘80’s rock, classic rock, Motown and disco --

The Spinners – June 26

Quiet Riot – July 10

Village People – July 17

John Waite – July 24

Jump: America’s Van Halen Experience – July 31

Rumours ATL – A Fleetwood Mac Tribute – August 7

Jo Dee Messina – August 14

 The Summer Concert Series are held on Friday nights, outdoors in the center of the Batavia Downs horse racing track. For more information or to buy tickets go to the link: https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/events/concerts/

Be on the lookout for information regarding our 2^nd Annual Batavia Downs Social Event. Last years event was so much fun and included Friday night harness racing, dinner at the track, gaming, overnight at Batavia Downs hotel, and Saturday golf at Stafford Country Club. We are already planning a similar event for 2026! We sincerely thank Batavia Downs for their support!

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is a short (less than an hour) drive from the greater Rochester area

8315 Park Road

Batavia, NY 14020

585-343-3750

https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/

Our February 2026 Sponsor Spotlight highlights FarView Golf Course and its Owner James (Jim) Millar. We so appreciate FarView and Jim and all they do to support growing golf in the Rochester area, especially women’s golf. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize Jim and FarView and allow our members to get to know them a bit better.

FarView Golf Course lies in the heart of the Genesee Valley, just 20 minutes from downtown Rochester. FarView offers one of the most beautiful and interesting layouts in Livingston County. The greens at FarView are some of the largest and best manicured in the area. The course is kept in championship class condition.

Jim built FarView with his brother Stewart (who is now retired) and opened 9 holes in 1992 and the full 18 holes were completed and opened in May of 1995. FarView presents a rare variety of challenges, hills and dales, water and doglegs. The forward, red tees are 4,645 yards so it is not an overly long course. For those ladies looking for longer yardage the green tees are 5,211 yards. FarView offers some of the most spectacular scenic views in all of Rochester.

Getting to Know Jim

• What is your current occupation?

“My current occupation is Owner and Operator of FarView Golf Course in Avon New York.”

•  What do you love most about your industry, company or occupation?

"The thing that I love most about FarView and my job is the personal impact that it has had and continues to have on the players who come to the course, their enjoyment of the course itself and how they are treated when they walk thru the doors. Being a little family business, they appreciate that we are very grateful of all their support.”

• What’s one thing — either industry-related or not — you learned in the last month?

“Having just turned 60!!.....How important my family is and to enjoy time with them as much as possible.”

• What is a recent project or initiative you’ve been involved in that you’re particularly proud of?

 “That would be my 2 year membership program that I initiated several years ago, $389.00 Monday-Friday/$479.00 any day play that is 2 full seasons. Being in the industry for a while now, I know how expensive golf has become; I decided to offer a program for golfers that is affordable without breaking the bank. I have many players telling me they wouldn’t be able to afford to play on a regular basis if it wasn’t for this program, it has been a great success.”

• What’s one thing you wish people knew about FarView Golf Club?

"One thing that I wish people knew about FarView is that during construction a prehistoric dinosaur, a wooly Mammoth, was found on the Course…. one of the most complete finds in the world. It is now an exhibit at the Rochester and Science Museum.” 

•  How long have you lived in the Rochester area/Western NY? Where are you from originally?

“I have lived in the Rochester area since 1992, my family is originally from Scotland.”

• Do you golf?

“I do golf, when you own a Course it is a must.”

• Who got you into the game of golf and when did you start playing golf?

“I got into the game of golf around 6 years old, my brother and father were golfers, guess it runs in the family.”

• What are your hobbies?

“My hobbies are golf and weight training, spending time with my family.”

• What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?

“After a busy day at the course, my favorite way to unwind……that’s a tough one as I work around 60-70 hours a week so for me going home and getting as much rest and sleep as possible, I’m not getting any younger!”

As Jim mentioned, FarView offers a 2-Year Membership Special at a great value --

$389/person: Monday – Friday Play

$479/person: Any Day Play

 FarView also offers several types of leagues – including women, mixed and seniors as well as 9 or 18 hole morning, afternoon and evening leagues.

 In closing, we want to sincerely thank Jim and the entire staff at FarView for all of your support of our LPGA Amateurs Rochester Chapter. You are a valued sponsor as well as a supporter of our 1^st Annual PINK tournament, which raised over $5,000 for The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. We look forward to playing many rounds of golf at FarView in 2026!

 If you are interested in memberships, leagues, or tournaments please email Jim at info@farviewgc.com for more information.

 FarView Golf Course

2419 Avon-Geneseo Road

Route 39

Avon NY 14414

Phone: (585) 226-8210

Email: info@farviewgc.com

We start our 2026 ‘Sponsor Spotlight’ by recognizing our biggest Sponsor to date, RDGA and its Executive Director Tim Vangellow. We so appreciate RDGA (Rochester District Golf Association) and all they do to support growing golf in the Rochester area, especially women’s golf. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize RDGA and allow our members to get to know them and Tim a bit better.  

 RDGA was founded in 1929 and started with 12 Founding Clubs. Today RDGA has a close relationship and supports -- 

• 7 Counties in and around Rochester 
• 75 Member Clubs 
• 66 Courses 
• 21,000 Member Golfers 
  

RDGA is a subsidiary and leading Allied Golf Association of the USGA and strives to provide “great service and support to ALL of our golf community.” 

RDGA’s major focus moving into 2026 is – 

• GROWING THE GAME OF GOLF 
• A primary goal is to grow the number of people enrolled in having a handicap through GHIN 
• Tim encourages all of our members to enroll in GHIN as having and keeping an active handicap has proven key benefits – 
• Having a GHIN is the best way to IMPROVE your golf game 
• A GHIN equalizes the play with other golfers and allows you to fairly play and compete with a golfer of any skill level 
• BRINGING GOLF TO OUR YOUTH, GIRLS AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES 
• RDGA will emphasize the FUTURE of Rochester Golf for Boys and Girls under the age of 18 through the following services and programs – 
• Junior Golf Membership 
• The cost is only $40 per year 
• Since their focus on Junior Golf, RDGA has grown Junior membership from 400 to 2,400 Junior Members 
• Youth on Course 
• Allows our youth to play at 15+ local golf courses for only $5 
• During 2025, 8,000 Youth on Course rounds of golf were played by RDGA Junior Members 
• Jerry Stahl Scholarship Program 
• 50 children will receive access to First Tee programming and RDGA Junior Membership with Youth on Course program. These students will come from YMCA of Rochester, Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester, and the Monroe County Youth Bureau. The program will be provided free for disadvantaged youths who want to learn to play golf. 

Mary Kay Masters and Tim Vangellow.                                                                        RDGA's Staff (from left): Dave Eaton, Ty McHerron, Cody Dubiel, Tim LaGeorge, & Tim Vangellow

  Our Past and Current President's Patty Pitts and Mary Kay Masters at Locust Hill RDGA Event                  RDGA 2025 US Kids Boys 8 Division Winners

Getting to Know Tim

What is your current occupation? 

• Executive Director of RDGA. Tim started with RDGA 15 years ago, as the first full time paid staff person. In the beginning, Tim was blessed to learn from a group of Board members, teachers and mentors from RDGA.  
  

What’s one thing you wish people knew about RDGA? 

• “That we are so much more than an organization that runs golf tournaments.” The RDGA promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf. 
• RDGA is committed to enhancing the golfer experience in the Greater Rochester Area and GROWING and improving the long-term health of the game we love. They play a significant leadership role in Rules, Golf Genius, Handicapping (GHIN), RDGA Foundation, supporting Girls Golf and much more. 
• RDGA Foundation 

 What is a recent project or initiative you’ve been involved in that you’re particularly proud of? 

• “Our US Kids Junior Tournament Program. It is a super fun, family-friendly beginning competitive program for girls and boys ages 6 to 18. It features the parent caddying for the player and helping all the way in a fun and teaching atmosphere. We have been doing it now for 8 years and I have seen so many young juniors grow into lots of very good golfers and become fantastic young people. It is a joy to experience it!” 

 How long have you lived in the Rochester area/Western NY? Where are you from originally? 

• Tim was born & raised in Pittsford NY. He attended Sutherland High School and was Captain of the Golf Team and played Ice Hockey at Sutherland High School.  
• He attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. 

 Who got you into the game of golf and when did you start playing golf? 

• His parents, who were members at Monroe Country Club and he began golfing at a very young age. 
  

Favorite place that you have golfed? 

• “My greatest golf experience was playing Pebble Beach and shooting a 78 from the back tees on a gorgeous, sunny perfect day!"

What are your hobbies? 

• Tim’s hobbies include golf, working out and having fun with his two children, a daughter who lives in Florida and works for the PGA Tour Valspar Championship and a son that lives in Boston and enjoys the game of golf…..”I am so blessed with two great kids!” 

 We close our Sponsor Spotlight with some “you heard it here first” information from Tim. The 2026 RDGA Tournament schedule will be released on Thursday, January 15th and Tim has informed us that the Tournament focus is playing on Rochester’s Premier Private Clubs. In addition, the Women’s Open is scheduled for Monday, August 24th and will be held at the historic, private Donald Ross-designed Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford. Mark your calendar now! 

 Today RDGA has a staff of five paid employees, three paid summer interns and the all-important 120 Volunteers that lead and assist on a daily basis. The other four staff members include – Cody Dubiel, Junior Golf Director & RDGA Foundation Administrator; Dave Eaton, Communications & Marketing Director; Ty McHerron, Director of Rules & Competition; and Tim LaGeorge, Director of Handicapping & Course Rating Department. 

 If you are interested in volunteering, Tim encourages you to contact the RDGA offices at (585) 292-5950 or email info@rdga.org. 

 We leave with a great quote…..”Golf is Rochester’s Major League Sport – we truly are a special golf community” 

--Tim Vangellow, Executive Director RDGA 

 Thank you Tim and the entire RDGA staff and volunteers for your unending friendship and support of the game we love and respect so much….GOLF. Especially growing the game of golf among girls and women!