PLYMOUTH – Six new members, three of them former ladies scratch club champions at Canasawacta Country Club, were inducted into the Greater Norwich Hall of Fame earlier this month.
Joan Porack, Dianne Lewis, and Kathi Wagner enter in the “Players” category; the late Michael Csigi of Greene in the “Masters” division; and Dick Milner along with Joseph “Chief” Taranto in the “Contributors” category.
Porack, Lewis, and Wagner were contemporaries who battled each other for years in C.C.C.’s biggest tournaments. It was Porack who racked up 11 women’s club championships – scratch and handicap – and established her dominance on the heels of Hall-of-Famer Jane Eaton’s accomplishments in the mid-’70s. Beyond her play, Porack was diligent working at improving her game, and was truly supportive of fellow ladies.
“Two words come to mind: Persistent and humble,” said Amy Spittler, a Hall-of-Famer who gave Porack’s induction speech. “Joan has a true love for the game. Just recently we played in our year-end golf league tourney and a woman in my foursome hit a great tee shot – straight down the middle. What did she yell out? ‘Thank you, Joan Porack.’ That comment says it all.”
Wagner, in addition to winning one scratch championship and placing second numerous times, is the C.C.C. women’s course record holder shooting an even-par score. She is a former member-guest champion and has holes-in-one at C.C.C. and Bluestone Golf Course in Oxford. Earlier this decade, Wagner rolled a 300 game in bowling and added one of her two aces – in the same year.
“Kathi has worked tirelessly on the Ladies Member-Guest and Ladies Invitational tournaments, and is always ready to help another golfer with her advice,” said her presenter, Doug Wilson.
Golf has been a life-long love for Lewis, who began playing at the age of 10. Not only has she proven a championship-level player, but she has spent many years as the chairperson of several tournaments including the Chenango County American Cancer Society tourney for 18 years. She is presently the chairperson of the Southern Tier Ladies Golf Association, and has overseen the tournament’s yearly stop at Canasawacta Country Club.
Among her playing accomplishments are four ladies scratch championships, two handicap club championships, a five-time Ladies Invitational winner, and numerous member-guest titles with longtime partner Darlene Bianco, while also winning several other county-wide tournaments with Bianco.
Lewis has over 30 career wins with Bianco as her playing partner, and she still maintains one of the lowest women’s handicaps at C.C.C.
Richard “Whitey” Milner is an ubiquitous presence at any and all tournaments of note at Canasawacta Country Club, and has volunteered his time for over 30 years at the course.
Be it editing the C.C.C. monthly newsletter for former head professional Fred Zahner or serving as a scorer at the men’s member-guest tournament, “Whitey” is front and center ready to help out.
