Grand Haven Mens Golf Assoc.

Roger started playing golf when he was 45 and has never appreciated the beauty and subtlety of a controlled, slow, rhythmic, on-plane swing with the proper pronation nor even supination. As a result, he uses the Popeye phase to various golf helpers, teachers, advisors and consultants – “I yam what I yam”.

His best golfing experiences were: 1) getting a hole-in-one in NJ at his Club’s biggest event - closest to the pin on the measurement marker read: “Consolla – 0 ft, 0 in” – with his hated boss in the foursome right behind; 2) watching the Ryder Cup “War On The Shore” in person and falling asleep on the edge of a yet to be played vacant green after having been over-served the night before; 3) attending a Masters’ Wednesday practice round including the Par 3 tourney, where an older Sam Sneed hit a shot into the water, turned to his caddy and said in a very loud voice, “let’s get the f___ out of here”.

Worst experiences: getting the putting yips and having to use a putter taller than some fellow players, and then getting the “Kevin Na’s” and doing the hokey-pokey before each shot. 

He was born in New Yawk, dad was a NYC policeman, mom a stay at home, and there was very little cash flow – older sister (lives in Palm Coast and the reason he found this FL gem), younger brother in VA.  Played football and baseball in high school, plus any other sport on asphalt or concrete – but no golf. Went to college at St. John’s in NY his first year when it was still okay for the teams to be called the “Red Men”, but disliked being a day-hop, so transferred to St. Bonaventure in Olean, NY, when it was still ok for the teams to be called the “Brown Indians” (they are now the Bonnies – like some little girls in fluffy dresses – phew!). Worked for a landscape gardener on Long Island summers from ages 12 thru 21 and also was parking lot attendant at the ’64-’65 World’s Fair. 

Roger graduated college in June, 1965, started working for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company in NYC two days later, and married the exceptional Loretta a month after that (so that’s almost 49 years now plus going out for 5 years before that – equals 54 years – she MUST be the first known living saint in the Catholic Church) . They moved from Queens, NY, to VA, then to MD, then to NJ, then to Los Angeles, then NJ again, then Chicago, then Delray Beach, FL, before settling in for the past 10 years in Grand Haven. He worked for various insurance companies throughout that time, and he and Loretta had six kids – Jean (D.C. – 2 kids), Mark (Grand Rapids, MI – 3 kids – [Roll Tide!]), Sue (Silver Spring, MD – 1 kid), Patrick (Tokyo, Japan but soon to be NJ – 2 kids), David (Germantown, MD – 2 kids), and Marisa (Swampscott, MA – 2 kids). Apparently, he didn’t get much sleep. But after moving to Grand Haven, Roger took a job selling appliances for John’s Appliance City here in Palm Coast, a cosmic experience that lasted 6 dreadful months. And as many of you know, he is currently working for ICI Homes as an insurance consultant – does the phrase “billable hour” sound familiar? 

When Roger & Loretta arrived in Grand Haven, the first year was dedicated to fixing up their new home, and getting to know the Grand Haven crowd. Included was starting to play more golf and joining the MGA. He had never experienced a club where “Groups” controlled the tee times, and the MGA was and is the perfect outlet for a regular tee time, plus a chance to meet and play with different guys every week. He enjoys casual competition, especially with Eddie Konikowski, a voice from the past. Back when Roger got his first managerial assignment, being untutored in the fine art of managing people, he did it his own way. At that time, the Shah of Iran was overthrown by factions led by a ruthless Ayatollah; Roger’s managerial style led his employees to coin the phrase, “Ayatollah Consolla”, and some in the reinsurance industry became aware of it and his management catch phrase – “Take No Prisoners”. About 7 years ago, he received a phone call and when answering heard, “Is this the Ayatollah?” – there was no mistaking the Konikowski voice, he also having been in the reinsurance business, and an old friendship was renewed.  

Roger believes that Grand Haven is a lifestyle of its own, and is particularly supportive as we all are going through our aging process. Says it’s a gem and hopes that the vacant condos get turned into Assisted Living quarters so Loretta can wheelchair him around the course on Wednesday mornings forever.