| 2011 CNYgolfhome.com Spirit Award |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| CNYgolfhome.com |
| CNYgolfhome.com |
| Big Nick Regan stands tall in aftermath of family tragedy |
Little Falls senior Nick Regan (holding plaque) poses for a photo with coach Joe Doyle (far left), Chad Golas and
Brandan Gardinier (far right) after receiving CNYgolfhome.com's Inaugural Spirit Award Thursday at
Leatherstocking Golf Club in Cooperstown.
Brandan Gardinier (far right) after receiving CNYgolfhome.com's Inaugural Spirit Award Thursday at
Leatherstocking Golf Club in Cooperstown.
| Little Falls senior garners Inaugural "Spirit Award" |
June 3
COOPERSTOWN - On April 20th, Nick Regan
was enjoying his senior year and the
beginning of his final season playing on the
Little Falls golf team.
A day later, his life was turned upside down
when his father Dennis died suddenly at age
48 after an unexpected health issue.
Through the tears and mourning - that are
sure to continue for some time - Regan, who
was as close to his father as a son could be,
kept his life as normal as he could. He also
continued to play golf, not missing a match.
Nick, a two-way lineman on the Mounties
football team, is listed at 6-3, 365 lbs. His
broad shoulders aren't what makes him stand
out. It's his kindness and ability to persevere.
Thursday Regan was presented as the winner
of CNYgolfhome.com's Inaugural "Spirit
Award" at the Center State Conference
Medalist Tournament at Leatherstocking Golf
Club in Cooperstown.
"It's unbelievable to win this," Regan said. "I'm
happy to have something like this. I'll cherish it
and I'm very proud to represent this award."
Regan kept playing in honor of his father who
got him hooked on the game at an early age.
"We played together since I was seven,"
Regan said. "After a few years, he couldn't
beat me for the longest time. ... He stopped
playing for a while, but started getting back
into the game and he just started being good
enough to beat me again."
Regan recalled his dad recently shooting a 38
while playing with Little Falls' head golf coach
Joe Doyle.
For Doyle, it wasn't just a loss of a player's
father. Joe and 'Denny' were very close
friends throughout high school. After Doyle
moved out of town after college, the two lost
touch, but reconnected in 2009 and were
back to being close friends, golfing and
spending time together the past two years.
"By 2010 we were together doing something
just about every day," said Doyle, who was
with Denny hours before his death. "And
because my mom still lived in the same home,
her house became the meeting place for us
and other friends again. It was almost as
though the 20-plus years we spent not in
contact with each other never even
happened."
Doyle, however, wasn't sure what course of
action was best for Nick following Denny's
death.
"In the beginning I was really worried about
him, and wondered if he should play," Doyle
said. "But I think golf and being with his
friends and teammates on the course helped
him and made a big difference.
"I'm impressed for someone that age to
handle himself that way," Doyle said. "How he
did it, I'm absolutely amazed."
Fellow senior, Chad Golas has played with
Regan and has probably the best perspective
of what Nick went through.
"He's a great person," Golas said of his close
friend. "To go through what he did, I can't
even imagine how difficult it must be. It was
hard enough on me and the rest of the team.
We were very close to Nick's dad. His dad was
a great guy and it was a tough loss for the
entire team.
"We have played together for the past four
years and have shared some of the best
memories of our lives and we'll always
remember them."
Regan, admittedly didn't have his best year
on the course, but just being there and being
a teammate was a huge victory.
"I can't thank my team enough," Regan said.
Everyone of them loved my dad and they
were with me through it all."
Regan plans to work hard over the summer
and begin another chapter of his life in the
fall, as he heads to Utica College for his
freshman year.
And yes, he will be bringing his clubs with him
as he plans on continuing his golf career.
If he's watching, I'm sure that is something his
dad is proud to hear.
Dennis "Denny" Regan - Life Legacy
COOPERSTOWN - On April 20th, Nick Regan
was enjoying his senior year and the
beginning of his final season playing on the
Little Falls golf team.
A day later, his life was turned upside down
when his father Dennis died suddenly at age
48 after an unexpected health issue.
Through the tears and mourning - that are
sure to continue for some time - Regan, who
was as close to his father as a son could be,
kept his life as normal as he could. He also
continued to play golf, not missing a match.
Nick, a two-way lineman on the Mounties
football team, is listed at 6-3, 365 lbs. His
broad shoulders aren't what makes him stand
out. It's his kindness and ability to persevere.
Thursday Regan was presented as the winner
of CNYgolfhome.com's Inaugural "Spirit
Award" at the Center State Conference
Medalist Tournament at Leatherstocking Golf
Club in Cooperstown.
"It's unbelievable to win this," Regan said. "I'm
happy to have something like this. I'll cherish it
and I'm very proud to represent this award."
Regan kept playing in honor of his father who
got him hooked on the game at an early age.
"We played together since I was seven,"
Regan said. "After a few years, he couldn't
beat me for the longest time. ... He stopped
playing for a while, but started getting back
into the game and he just started being good
enough to beat me again."
Regan recalled his dad recently shooting a 38
while playing with Little Falls' head golf coach
Joe Doyle.
For Doyle, it wasn't just a loss of a player's
father. Joe and 'Denny' were very close
friends throughout high school. After Doyle
moved out of town after college, the two lost
touch, but reconnected in 2009 and were
back to being close friends, golfing and
spending time together the past two years.
"By 2010 we were together doing something
just about every day," said Doyle, who was
with Denny hours before his death. "And
because my mom still lived in the same home,
her house became the meeting place for us
and other friends again. It was almost as
though the 20-plus years we spent not in
contact with each other never even
happened."
Doyle, however, wasn't sure what course of
action was best for Nick following Denny's
death.
"In the beginning I was really worried about
him, and wondered if he should play," Doyle
said. "But I think golf and being with his
friends and teammates on the course helped
him and made a big difference.
"I'm impressed for someone that age to
handle himself that way," Doyle said. "How he
did it, I'm absolutely amazed."
Fellow senior, Chad Golas has played with
Regan and has probably the best perspective
of what Nick went through.
"He's a great person," Golas said of his close
friend. "To go through what he did, I can't
even imagine how difficult it must be. It was
hard enough on me and the rest of the team.
We were very close to Nick's dad. His dad was
a great guy and it was a tough loss for the
entire team.
"We have played together for the past four
years and have shared some of the best
memories of our lives and we'll always
remember them."
Regan, admittedly didn't have his best year
on the course, but just being there and being
a teammate was a huge victory.
"I can't thank my team enough," Regan said.
Everyone of them loved my dad and they
were with me through it all."
Regan plans to work hard over the summer
and begin another chapter of his life in the
fall, as he heads to Utica College for his
freshman year.
And yes, he will be bringing his clubs with him
as he plans on continuing his golf career.
If he's watching, I'm sure that is something his
dad is proud to hear.
Dennis "Denny" Regan - Life Legacy
Nick Regan tees off during and April 25 match against West
Canada Valley at Little Falls Municipal Golf Course. The match
was four days after the death of Nick's father, Denny Regan.
Canada Valley at Little Falls Municipal Golf Course. The match
was four days after the death of Nick's father, Denny Regan.