Kroll remembered as wonderful golfer, fun playing partner
BY BOB WEINER
Nancy Kroll was born into a golfing family and made that sport her passion throughout her life, eventually becoming one of the most accomplished players in Capital Region history.
The longtime teacher at Goff Middle School in East Greenbush remained extremely competitive on the links until recently, when her struggle with lung cancer ended last week at the age of 62.
Kroll, whose father, Ed, was the longtime head pro at Leatherstocking Golf Club in Cooperstown, learned and refined her game there before moving to Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida to play year-round. She earned her degree in education at Florida Atlantic University and later got her master’s degree at The College of Saint Rose.
An extremely accurate player with a sensational short game, Kroll was extremely comfortable on the golf course. Her long career included 10 holes-in-one, a record seven Northeastern Women’s Golf Association Championships and perhaps her ultimate achievement of winning the New York State Golf Association’s Women’s Senior Amateur Championship in 2014.
Along with numerous other tournament victories, Kroll was also the first winner of the revamped Schenectady Women’s Classic at Schenectady Municipal Golf Course in 2017. She played a major role in recruiting local women to play in that event. She also competed in the first-ever USGA Team Championship and took part in season championship of the now popular NYSGA Amateur Series.
Once married to Mohawk Golf Club head pro Rick Wolcott, she often helped out in the pro shop and around the course. She later was a member of Pinehaven Country Club but the Rotterdam resident played mostly at Schenectady Municipal Golf Course in recent years.
Outgoing NEWGA president Deb DiMaggio knew her well after Kroll returned to the game after a long hiatus.
“Nancy and I have been friends for the past 10 years, so I came into the picture on the ‘comeback’ portion of her golf career, after her 15-year hiatus from golf,” DiMaggio said. “She stepped away a champion and returned to quickly resume that status without missing a beat. That takes talent. Nancy’s short game was magic. Having grown up in the sport, she knew the game inside and out and was always very generous in sharing her knowledge if you went seeking her advice on how to tweak your game. She helped me tremendously.”
DiMaggio said she always enjoyed Kroll’s company on and off the course. “Nancy was always fun to be around and to play golf with, full of funny stories and anecdotes, mostly involving her Dad, who she lovingly referred to as Fast Eddie. We laughed through many rounds. Nancy was a fixture, in my opinion, a legend, in our Capital Region golf community,” DiMaggio added. “[She was] a champion well known and respected by men and women alike Her death leaves a tremendous void in our golf community, with hundreds who will mourn and miss her, not only as a golfer but as a friend.”
Schenectady Municipal Golf Course head pro Matt Daley, who is also president of the NENY PGA, was a huge fan of Kroll.
“Obviously, Nancy Kroll passing away had a profound effect on everyone who knew her,” Daley said. “She was not just an outstanding golfer but an incredible person, as well. Nancy was a multiple winner of our Ladies Schenectady Classic here at Schenectady Municipal Golf Course, and aside from her victories during those years, I witnessed her spend a large majority of the time rooting on her opponents, as well. That is sincere sportsmanship and integrity.
“I always enjoyed our talks in the golf shop and our friendship,” Daley continued. “Nancy was a true giant in the game, and she will be missed terribly.”
Karen Feldman, a NYS Women’s Super Senior Amateur titlist, Schenectady Women’s Classic champ and multiple NEWGA champion, knew Kroll very well.
“She was a terrific player. We won many 4-Ball tournaments together,” Feldman said.
Cindy LaFleur, another one of Kroll’s best friends, remembers Kroll’s support for all levels of players.
“Nancy was generous and encouraging on the golf course and enjoyed playing with friends of all abilities,” LaFleur said. “She must have told me 100 times, ‘OK, make that putt.’”
LaFleur recalled Kroll’s love for her original home course. “She loved Leatherstocking and any time she could get a deal, she would organize a trip. The last time I played with her there, which was early on in her illness, we were admiring the views from No. 10, and she reminisced about running on that hillside as a child while they were manually irrigating. I will always think of her as a carefree spirit on that beautiful hole, which will assuage the inevitable double [bogey] coming up,” LaFleur said.
Pinehaven CC member Mary Scatena, who once beat Kroll in a playoff to win the Schenectady Women’s Classic, also remembers her regular playing partner fondly.
“Nancy was one of my favorite people to play golf with, whether it be as a partner or competitor. Her sportsmanship and respect for the game were always evident,” Scatera said. “One thing I will always remember about Nancy is her perspective on golf. She never let a bad round get under her skin. She loved the game and was truly appreciative of how it enriched her life, and in return, she gave so much back to further the opportunities for the women of the Capital District golf scene and beyond. We are going to miss her presence both on and off the course.”
Susan Kahler, also one of the region’s elite players with five NEWGA crowns, two NYS Women’s Senior Amateur titles, a NYS Super Senior Women’s Amateur win and a pair of NYS Senior Mixed Amateur victories to go along with 25 or so club championships at Ballston Spa CC, was originally from Rome, but after she moved to the Capital Region she studied Kroll’s game and demeanor very closely.
“When I first came to this area, she was someone I looked up to. She was one of the gold standards in golf,” Kahler said. “She was a great lady. She went way too fast.”
Kahler said that only a few local players knew of Kroll’s health problems.
“She had small village of wonderful friends. I texted her on few occasions to see how she was doing,” Kahler said. “She didn’t want a lot of people to know. It’s really sad. It was a great loss as a friend and for the golf community for sure.”
Reach Bob Weiner at Weindog58@gmailcom.