News

Amateur golfer is considering suing WMGA after withdrawal drama

Published

8 years ago

Aug 1, 2018

Ben Alberstadt

An “intimidating” amateur golfer is considering legal action against the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association.

23-year-old Yonkers native Marianna Monaco alleges the WMGA forced her to withdraw from a tournament last week.

While stories differ, Monaco says WMGA president, Cheryl Brayman, told her she had to withdraw ahead of the final round of the July 24 Stroke Play Championship. Brayman instructed her she had to write a letter saying she’d WD, which you can see below.

After a back and forth about what she did wrong that, according to Monaco, didn’t yield any substantive accusations, Brayman reportedly said

“Well, the reason is we feel intimidated by you.”

The WMGA says Monaco has been a problem in the past.

A Mike Zacchio and Mike Dougherty report for the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, indicates Monaco was hitting range balls more than the maximum allowed 180 yards at North Shore Country Club. Monaco disputes this, saying she only hit one such ball before stopping at an employee’s request.

She took to Facebook following the withdrawal.

Gotta love driving an hour, showing up to the final round of an event and being told you have to WITHDRAW because you’re…

Posted by Marianna Monaco on Wednesday, July 25, 2018

The WMGA released a statement in response

“When conducting our tournaments, we require tournament participants to abide by the rules of those host clubs,” it read. “When, as was the case with Ms. Monaco at a recent event, a tournament participant flagrantly violates the rules of a host club, the WMGA takes action to prevent additional violations.

“At the event, Ms. Monaco intentionally hit golf balls at the driving range beyond the yardage limits set by the club (beyond those limits is an inhabited public area). Ms. Monaco was requested by the host club to stop her conduct and to conform to their rules. The WMGA reiterated the host club’s request, yet for reasons we cannot comprehend, Ms. Monaco continued to violate the rules and hit balls into the public area.

“It was not the first time the WMGA has had issues with Ms. Monaco violating host club policies. Based on her history of inappropriate conduct, the WMGA asked Ms. Monaco to withdraw from the tournament and the WMGA.”

Monaco told the Journal News she’s considering taking legal action.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

16 Comments

millennial82

Aug 2, 2018 at 11:08 am

Another case of Affluenza. Only reason you will break a rule so easy to follow is.. Fill in the blank with your own opinion because my opinion might offend people would disregard simple rules and respect for others.

Reply Report comment
Ronald Montesano

Aug 2, 2018 at 9:39 am

In 1994, Tiger Woods exceeded the range end at Niagara Falls Country Club, during the Porter Cup. The 8th fairway is beyond the end of the range, and he was asked to hit less than driver when he warmed up.

Reply Report comment
Jack

Aug 2, 2018 at 5:21 am

So she disregards the signs to not hit it past 180 because it interferes with her warm up routine, basically doesn’t show any respect to the course, and expects people to bend to her wishes? Next she will be hitting into the group in front of her because they were in her way. Don’t let those silly golfers stop you!

Reply Report comment
Poot

Aug 2, 2018 at 2:01 am

Make them an offer they can’t refuse.
Wow, that is some serious Mafia type intimidation stuff! Ridiculous

Reply Report comment
DANA POINT

Aug 1, 2018 at 10:11 pm

Two sides to every story, and my guess is the WMGAs version of events makes a lot more sense than Ms Monaco’s

Reply Report comment
- Jamie
  
  Aug 1, 2018 at 11:52 pm
  
  Uh, except for that silly handwritten letter written by the WMGA telling Ms. Monaco what to say. Seriously?
  
  Reply Report comment
Mike C

Aug 1, 2018 at 9:16 pm

I don’t think we have all the relevant facts here.

Reply Report comment
Hawkeye77

Aug 1, 2018 at 7:33 pm

Lots of silliness. She has no grounds to sue anyone, but intelligence doesn’t always rule.

Obviously there is a past history, she wants to push their buttons, violate the rules.

Lucky she got her money back.

There will be no legal action, lol.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Aug 1, 2018 at 5:50 pm

She shouldn’t have to follow any rules she doesn’t want to….this is America, land where individual rights are more important than any rules or laws. If she hit someone in the common area beyond the designated 180 range and injured them, too bad!!!Wear a helmet next time! “Break’n the law, Break’n the Law!”

Reply Report comment
Jamie

Aug 1, 2018 at 5:35 pm

Appropriate response from Ms. Monaco to WMGA, “Please pound sand. I’ve earned the right to play and paid your fee.” Of course the Ameritards that inhabit the coastal areas of the US are a special sort and have no clue what that means, much less stand up for themselves personally rather than through a lawyer. Everything that is wrong with America in one short golf story. SMH.

Reply Report comment
PT

Aug 1, 2018 at 4:35 pm

Yes she should sue them, so we can establish a proper rules of etiquette in competition so that such incidents do not happen, and so that the competition organizers do not have to intimidate a player to quit, so that specific wording could be employed to WD a player. Until then, she should sue, and get them for being a bunch of cowards

Reply Report comment
- Phil D. Snuts
  
  Aug 1, 2018 at 5:29 pm
  
  And anything won in a settlement should be donated to local youth sports.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Published

3 days ago

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Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

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Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

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Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

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Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
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Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
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Alvaro’s Suitcase

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A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

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