Saturday, May 24, 2008

Golfing Highlights Column 5-23-08

Liberty golf fans attending the LPGA Sybase Classic in Clifton, NJ, are, from the left, Tim Yaun, Cindy Yaun, Liberty Golf Professional Nick Yaun who serves as 1st Assistant Golf Professional at the Upper Montclair CC which hosted this event, Katie Yaun and Donald Winters.

Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) golfer Jane Park with Liberty Golf Professional Nick Yaun who serves as 1st Assistant Golf Professional at the Upper Montclair CC which hosted the LPGA Sybase Classic Championship.
Sybase Classic Champion Lorena Ochoa receives the trophy from John S. Chen, chairman and CEO and President of Sybase.
Champion Lorena Ochoa gets ready to line-up a putt on the 18th green at the Sybase Classic
Action around the 18th green at the Sybase Classic.
Golf fans watch the leader board at the Sybase Classic
Sullivan County Golf Fans Enjoy Sybase Classic

The best in women's golf worked their magic over the beautiful fairways and greens of the Upper Montclair Country Club last week and Sunday's championship round of the Sybase Classic was personally viewed by five Sullivan County golf fans who made the short hour and a half trip down to Clifton, NJ.
This columnist along with well known Liberty golfer Donald Winters met up with three other Liberty golf fans, Tim and Cindy Yaun and daughter Katie to witness some of the most outstanding woman's golf we have ever seen.
It may have been the smallest of Lorena Ochoa's three margins of victory at the Sybase Classic, but the Rolex Rankings' number one golfer pulled off her third-straight victory at the event with a one-stroke margin on Sunday, becoming the first player since Annika Sorenstam in 2005 to win the same event in as many years
Ochoa shot a (68-67-71=206, -10) and also with the win supplanted Sorenstam as the fastest player in LPGA Tour history to reach the $12 million mark, as her $300,000 shire of the $2 million purse boosted her across the mark in a little over 5 years. The tournament was presented by ShopRite.
Liberty golfer Donald Winters remarked that he was somewhat surprised when Ochoa opened the door for the five runners-up with a bogey on the 17th hole where she missed a six foot par putt.
We both agreed that the missed putt added to the drama on the 18th green where Lorena really showed her championship form as she rolled the ball in from eight feet to secure her one-stroke victory.
We also met up and shared some time with Liberty Golf Professional Nicholas "Nick" Yaun who is the 1st Assistant Golf Professional at the Upper Montclair Country Club and who also gives all the lessons at this famous club that has hosted 20 PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Champions Tour events with champions from one of those events including Gene Littler, Arnold Palmer, Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley and Lee Trevino.
Taking our position about eight feet from the 18th green Winters and I were able to watch the 90 to 100-yard approach shot of these great lady professionals.
And like in a dart game most of these professionals put their wedge shots within five to eight fee of the pin on a green that is slightly elevated and well-bunkered. This 18th finishing hole is the longest hole (530 yards-par 5) on the course and demanded an accurate tee shot.
Of the eight threesomes we watched the majority of the lady professionals laid up some 100 to 125 yards short on their second shot due to the water guarding this green on the right.
Following the championship round we shared some leisure time with Nick and his family and also had the opportunity to meet Exempt Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) golfer Jane Park from Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Jane is a graduate of the University of California and her rookie year on the tour was 2007. To date she has 9 starts and two finishes in the top 10 for earnings of $208,688.00.
In 2006 she was the United States amateur champion.
Tim Yaun remarked that the lady professionals swing so smoothly and strike the ball so solidly. He added that he has previously played this course "and it certainly was not friendly to my game."
Nick recently received the promotion as the 1st Assistant Golf Professional and in just two months he will receive his Professional Golf Association Class A Professional designation.

Golf Tip
By Bob Menges

Play Golf To Stay Young
The tip: In today's day in age, with modern medicine and advances in science, people are living longer and healthier live. So many senior citizens are exercising and eating right to maintain an active life. Research shows that playing golf can add years to your life and keep the mind sharp.
I believe there is no other way to enjoy nature then being out on the course. Seeing the animals, hearing the birds chirp, certainly gives a sense of appreciation of life. Most golf courses afford gorgeous views, vibrant color and good old fashioned fresh air.There is no better way to spend a few hours with a group of friends while walking, talking and laughing your way around the course.
Everyone knows what a mental game golf is. One of the best ways to keep the mind sharp is to have one use use your mind for the technical side of golf. Golf is the perfect sport for this because you are getting mental stimulation, you are counting strokes and analyzing your next shot.
In your search for the fountain of youth, let golf help you find your way by getting exercise, stimulating your mind and having social interaction....this will truly help you stay young and live longer.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

So does that mean you can lip read?
In a recent interview on Fox Sports Radio, Tiger Woods was asked if he tapes the tournament he plays and then reviews them afterward.
"I usually have my secretary get copies of the telecasts from the PGA Tour and I'll take a look from the swing standpoint," Wood said.
But what about listening to the broadcast to hear what they are saying about you?
"Listen to the commentators, no, never," he added............yeah sure......does that mean Johnny Miller is not getting a Christmas card this year?
Ya just got to love some of the remarks that the pros slip out..

Billy Moran Memorial
Set For July 13

The Billy Moran Memorial golf outing will be held this year on July 13 at the Villa Roma Country Club.
Registration is set for 12 noon with a 1 p.m. shogun scramble.
A 5:30 buffet dinner follows.
If possible golfers are asked to register by June 29.
For information call 845-887-4734 or 845-887-4174.
Golf and buffet dinner is $75 and the buffet dinner only is $25.
Checks and golfers names may be mailed to BMS Golf Committee, #23 County Road 131, Hortonville, NY 12745.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, who is a consultant to the amateur sport of golf and professional golf facilities in several states on the east coast. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league standings and tournament information, please give Ed a call at 439-8177 or send an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
For a much more expanded version of this golf column visit our Web site at http://bght.blogspot.com/

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