The Metropolitan Golf Association and MGA Foundation deeply regret the passing of a beloved former President, Cornelius E. “Connie” DeLoca, on December 1, 2005 at the age of 75.

A native of Hollis, Queens, Mr. DeLoca graduated from Bucknell University (1952) where he played varsity basketball and competed on the track team. He took up golf in college after a female friend invited him to play at Hempstead Golf  & CC – and beat him badly.  When he returned to college he went straight to the golf pro for lessons–and was instantly hooked.

Mr. DeLoca joined IBM shortly after his graduation and remained with the company until his retirement in 1987.  It was through his affiliation with IBM Country Club on Long Island (now Sands Point) that Connie began to hone his game, eventually getting his handicap down to single digits. IBM relocated Mr. DeLoca to Paris in 1963 and shortly after returning he settled near the company’s offices in Franklin Lakes, NJ and joined The Ridgewood CC. It was here that he became very involved with junior golf, helping the golf professional set up junior clinics which grew into weekly inter-club competitions. Mr. DeLoca also served as President of Ridgewood CC from 1993-1996 and as vice chairman of the 1990 U.S. Senior Open, hosted by Ridgewood.

Connie became an active MGA committeeman in 1980, serving on the Public Information Committee and for many years leading the Association’s many initiatives in youth golf as chairman of the MGA’s Junior Committee.  A member of the Executive Committee since 1991, he served as secretary, treasurer, and vice president before being elected president and Chairman of the MGA’s charitable Foundation in 2000. He was in his second year of the MGA presidency when the World Trade Center was attacked on 9/11 and helped guide the local golf community, which was hit so hard by this tragedy, through some very difficult days.

Connie DeLoca continued to work tirelessly on behalf of the MGA even after his tenure and was particularly active with the MGA Foundation helping to grow and expand its many junior golf initiatives. He never missed the opportunity to be around young people and remained active with the Foundation until his death.

According to MGA Executive Director Jay Mottola, who worked with Mr. DeLoca for more than twenty years, “Connie was a man who got things done. He was more than a volunteer leader; he was a friend and mentor.  His love was junior golf and he was at his best when he was around young people sharing his passion for the game with them.  His many contributions to the MGA and especially his work with the youth programs of our charitable Foundation will have a lasting impact on golf in the Met Area.”

Mr. DeLoca is survived by his wife Ann, five children and nine grandchildren.