By Josh Worisek
Sorin Samanta grew up in Romania. As a kid he played soccer. After college he and his mother moved to California in 1983 because the U.S. offered better jobs than Romania due to the poor economy of Romania.
In California he learned to play bridge where he became a masters bridge player, where he met his wife Luciana, who is also from Romania and didn't come to the U.S. until 1988. Sorin and Luciana came to Rochester in the mid-90's for Sorin's work. Sorin worked in town for Hitachi.
Sorin didn't start playing golf until he was in California, then became serious about game when he came to Rochester. He joined NH men's club and that is where a lot of us got to know him. The first time I met him was in the 19 man shootout where he won it. I will never forget the 13th hole of that event, Sorin drove his ball to far and was in the weeds through the fairway. In fact he was almost in the creek, I thought for sure that he was out of the hole but he made a unbelievable shot from there onto the green and stayed in the shootout. Sorin at the time was a 14 handicapper. Through the years many of us would of seen him in the evenings working on his game at the driving range. He continued to improve and lowered his handicap to a 5. Sorin is a past Soldiers field club champion. Sorin along with his wife would travel all around the U.S. playing tournaments. Luciana was his biggest fan, she would ride along and take pictures while Sorin played in the tournaments.
I along with Bill Lund, and Keven Knudson played every Wedsday night in the NH men's club events with Sorin where we all became good friends. Sorin was a very good hearted person. From his bridge playing days he figured that he could play Texas Holdem on the computer and due well. I asked him one day how well he did and he told me that he make about 8 thousand a year doing that. He then told me that he owned a house in Romania where he housed Orphans and that he used all the money that he made from cards and put it towards the house and the orphans. We always played in the Mini-foundation tourney each year, and it was his decision to make a pact with Bill and myself to give any money we made back to the foundation.
We have lost a very special friend in Sorin, and will be sorely missed.
I remember 4 or 5 years, Sorin and I played in the Soldiers
Field Men's Club Championship. On the last day I was in the last group
but Sorin had played earlier. When I finished I thought I had won.
However, Sorin had played a fantastic round and he won the club
championship. I was very disappointed but Sorin was such a gracious
winner and I could tell how much it meant to him that I was happy he
won. He was always a tough competitor but he was a gentleman too and he
never lost sight that golf was just a game.
When I moved to Rochester in 2003 One of the people who met me feel at home at Nothern Hills Mens club was Sorin. We became good friends despite my poor Golf game - my handicap was 20. Our relationship grew in the Golf course and he talked me to joining the 2 mens clubs (Soldiers and Northern Hills) which I did and finally talked me to joining all the three Mens clubs. We Played together in almost all the 2 Men events at all the clubs in the last three years
and other tournaments outside the clubs. The last was the Twincities golf this Spring at Big Fish GC in Hayward, WI which we had a good time with his Loving Wife
Luciana.
It was shocking to get a note from Sorin end of July saying he had been diagnosed with Colon Cancer. He had the highest hopes that the miracle hands of God was going
to walk him through it. All He asked for was Prayers. Thanks for those of You who signed the get well soon cards for him during the Men's club Championship . I took them to him and for the first time I saw Sorin Cry. You guys meant a lot to him and he was looking forward to one day say Thank you in person . Thank you on his behave.
He was going through a lot of pain and did not want anybody See him go through but was hopefull. On Tuesday last week I received the sad news that he had passed on.
To cut my story short He made me a better person not forgetting the free lessons he gave me to be a better golfer; His golf etiquette exceptional.
His generosity is unmeasurable ; His willingness to hep and make a difference was seen by all who met him and the orphanage in Romania. The Orphans have lost their bread winner,
I have lost a great Friend. We have lost a great leader and member of our golfing family.
I'm hoping to fly to Romania (awaiting Visa) to Pay my last respect and Lay Sorin Samanta in Peace.
Kennedy Cheruiyot
Sad News
Thursday November 18, 2010 @ 10:01 amBy Josh Worisek
I've been told that one of our members, Sorin Samanta, passed away on Tuesday.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 18, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and
from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes.
There will be a funeral service on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes.
Burial will take place at Herastrau Cemetery in Bucharest, Romania.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes
5421 Royal Place NW
55th Street & 18th Avenue NW
Rochester, Minnesota 55901
Phone: (507) 289-3600 or (507) 282-2738
Fax: (507) 289-5873
Mystery Tees Update!
Thursday October 14, 2010 @ 3:16 pmBy Josh Worisek
Just a quick note that the the Mystery Tees event this Sunday will tee off at 10am (not 9am).
October News
Tuesday October 12, 2010 @ 6:00 pmBy Jim DeLongpre
Well, this is it. Another season is almost finished.
For those who have qualified, the 19 man shootout is this Saturday, October 16, starting at 11:00. If you haven't qualified, tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day, so take one last crack at it. If you don't make it, it is still an interesting event to watch. All 19 players play number 1 together, and the highest net score on the hole is eliminated. The remaining 18 proceed to number 2, with one person eliminated each hole until only two players remain to play 18.
Sunday October 17 is the mystery tees event, a cross country tournament with a 9:00 shotgun. For example, last year, one "hole" went from the bank behind 18's green to 9's green. Call or stop in at the clubhouse by Thursday to sign up. The clubhouse will create teams for the best shot event.
Friday October 22 is the final event of the season, the fall banquet. We will be at the Elks club, with social hour at 5:30 and the business meeting at 6:30. There will be snacks and each member gets a drink ticket for a beer or well drink. Among other things, we will be looking for 4 new members of the committee to replace the four that are finishing their three year term. If you are interested in having a hand in running the Men's Club, you can nominate yourself at the meeting.
A couple reminders:
You must spend your chits by October 31, this has been extended by the clubhouse.
You can still buy 2011 memberships at the clubhouse, call for details.
Thank you all for a very memorable season, and I look forward to seeing you all next year.
September Event and More
Tuesday September 14, 2010 @ 5:54 pmBy Jim DeLongpre
Reminder: The September Event, the 1 man best shot, is this weekend, with a 9:00 AM Sunday September 19 Shotgun start. Call or visit the clubhouse to signup by Thursday.
There will be breakfast served in the clubhouse beforehand, a 50/50 raffle, and a drink ticket for each player. You are strongly encouraged to get carts to help speed play, and if players with carts could collect wayward shots for players who don't have carts, that would help also.
There will be a signup for the last Wednesday steak dinner of the season at the course tomorrow (Sep 15) and at the tournament this weekend. The dinner will be on September 29th. The steaks are great and you can cook them how you like them.
In other news:
You can still qualify for the 19 man shootout with a net 70 or better. It is $3.00 to enter a score (pay before you tee off). The shootout is October 9, with qualifying open until the Thursday before.
The Mystery Tees event is October 17 and the fall banquet is October 22 at the Elks Club.
Northern Hills won the Duel at the Jewel on Friday, but we had to have help from some Eastwood players because we didn't have enough of our own. We need to fix that for next year so we don't have to share bragging rights with them.
You MUST spend your prize chits by October 15 or lose them. You also get a discount on merchandise as a men's club member.
You can get course memberships for next year right now at the clubhouse at a discount off what the price will be next spring:
Single: $495
Young Adult (under 30): $350
Patron: $180 (I think this is a considerable price drop)
NHMC August Update
Wednesday August 18, 2010 @ 9:11 amBy Josh Worisek
Don't forget that the Club Championship is BOTH days this weekend. On Saturday you will have to schedule your own tee time (between 7:30am and 11am). Sunday you will be placed in your flight for a shotgun start. This year there will only be skins, CTP, etc for the Sunday round. There will be food following the Sunday round. You must be signed up by THURSDAY if you are interested in playing in the Club Championship.
There will be a steak dinner night next Wednesday Aug 25... See the clubhouse to sign up for it.
We are still looking for members to play on the Northern Hills team for Duel at the Jewel on Friday September 10. Signup is at the clubhouse.
19 Man shootout qualifying has started and will be $3 per try.
Calcutta Reminder
Monday July 19, 2010 @ 9:10 amBy Josh Worisek
Just a reminder that sign up for the Calcutta will be cut off this Thursday night. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! If you don't have a partner let the clubhouse know and they can help you find one.
And don't forget about the auction Friday night starting at 5:30 at The Elks Club.
Also, the current matchplay brackets are up on the website and updated as of July 17.
NHMC July Update
Wednesday July 14, 2010 @ 9:33 amBy Josh Worisek
Our event this month is the Calcutta on Sunday July 25 (8:30 am shotgun start). You are free to select your own partner for the event but you MUST REGISTER BY THURSDAY JULY 22!!! This is a strict deadline for the event so that Mike and Jeff can get everything set for the auction. This years Calcutta Auction will start at 5:30pm on Friday July 23 at The Elks Club.
Another upcoming event to sign up for is the Dual at the Jewel. It will take place Friday September 10 against players from Eastwood and Soldiers. The first 16 PAID players will be accepted... for more details contact Mike or Jeff.
I am behind in getting the 2 man combo results up... Those should be in by the end of the weekend. I also should have this years matchplay brackets up on the website soon.
June Update
Monday June 14, 2010 @ 9:26 amBy Josh Worisek
Just a reminder that our second event, the 2-man combo, will be taking place this coming Sunday June 20th with a shotgun start at 8:30am. A meal will be included follwing the event.
If you are interested in playing, please let the clubhouse know ASAP. Thursday June 17th is the last day to register for the event.
May Update
Thursday May 13, 2010 @ 9:22 pmBy Josh Worisek
If you want to play in the Red, White and Blue you must sign up by Thursday May 20 at the pro shop. If you haven't paid your membership dues, YOU MUST PAY PRIOR TO THE FIRST EVENT (Sunday May 23).
Wednesday May 19th the restaurant plans to put on a meal night (Steak Potato Salad Liquor) for $9. Call the Pro shop ASAP if you are interested. If there is not enough interest it will be pushed back one week to May 26th.
We have a work day set for this Saturday at 9am. Will work on leveling and laying sod around the new cart paths as well as clearing tree/creek areas. If you can make it, the help would be greatly appreciated.
Also, there is still sign up for Match play... if you are interested contact the Pro Shop.
First Tee and Weekly Event announcement
Monday May 3, 2010 @ 9:17 amBy Josh Worisek
This week will be the start of the weekly events.
Also, the First Tee and Park and Rec are sponsoring a free golf day for parent and child on Saturday May 15 at Hadley Creek Golf Learning Center. For more info, check out this link: http://northernhillsmensclub.com/img/first_tee-May15_2010.gif
Event Signup
Saturday May 1, 2010 @ 9:59 amBy Josh Worisek
Just an early reminder that the Red White and Blue (Sun. May 23) signup has begun. Everyone is encouraged to sign up early to allow for more time to set up the groupings.
Also, we are still looking for people interested in matchplay. Matchplay will begin on June 1. You can sign up for both at the clubhouse.
We'll send out another reminder the week of the Red White and Blue event.
Ice Breaker 2010
Sunday March 28, 2010 @ 8:04 pmBy Josh Worisek
Just a quick note about the Ice Breaker. It will be at Whiskey Bones (http://www.whiskeybonesroadhouse.com/) with a social hour starting at 5:30 and the meeting starting at 6:30.
Payment for Mens Club this year must be by cash or check only.