Monday, June 9, 2008


A small brook running in front of the 1st green at the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club makes this 315-yard par 4 hole very interesting.

Stoddard New Pro Shop Manager At SCGCC

Michael Stoddard is the new Pro-Shop and Operations Manager at the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club on Route 52 in Liberty.
Stoddard, 46, took on his new job in April. His family has been a member of the club for over 50 years and Michael noted he has been playing this course since he was 10-years old.
He is a graduate of Liberty Central High School and received his BA from Manhattan College in 1984.
Michael worked in the insurance industry as an insurance claims adjuster and in 2001 opened Cobblers Restaurant on Liberty's North Main Street where he served as owner, chef and general manager until the popular restaurant was closed in 2007.
Stoddard started cooking for the new 52 Steakhouse in 2008 when "Nick" opened this restaurant at the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club. In addition to being the Pro-Shop and Operations Manager Michael continues to cook at this restaurant several days a week.
Michael noted in an interview at the golf course last week that "the opportunity presented itself to place a bid for operation and management of the pro shop. I won the bid and now cook part time at 52 Steakhouse and as an independent operator run the pro shop for the membership."
The Sullivan County Golf & Country Club is owned by members who are stockholders and a board of directors. John Burke is president of the board of directors.
Clay Huebsch is the groundskeeper for the club.
Stoddard said that his goal for this season "is to let the general public know that Sullivan County Golf & Country Club welcomes all players from beginners to experienced players and that everyone can have fun here."
He pointed out that the course offers a beautiful view and is a challenging course with affordable green fees.
The Sullivan County Golf & Country Club is also the home of Sullivan County's newest Steak House, the 52 Steakhouse, serving a full lunch and dinner menu.
The Club offers dine and golf packages with the 52 Steakhouse where you can play 18 holes of golf with a cart and have lunch for $32 and 18-holes of golf with a cart and dinner for $45 and the special includes a beverage and dessert.
Special group rates of 20 or more is also available.
The course also offers company outings for employees including golf, lunch and dinner as well as tournaments for fund raisers.
Clubs are available for rent and the pro shop is equipped with all the items needed for your next round of golf.
Membership on this course that was opened in 1925 has grown this year and both certificate and seasonal memberships are available.
The course plays host to three leagues, Monday Men's, Ladies league on Tuesday and Men's open league on Wednesday. In June a couples league will start on Thursday.
New at the course this year is the 8th tee menu which is attached to all golf carts and offers golfers out on the course to use their cell phones and call in an order which will be ready when them make the turn or come in to the dining room or lounge.
Golfers who would like to get on the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club e-mail list may do so by sending an e-mail to scgccproshop@gmail.com
Sullivan County Golf & Country Club has 30 carts for rental and green fees for 18-holes is $14 Monday through Friday and $22 on Saturday, Sunday and holidays....after 1 p.m,. on these days the rate is $16.
Cart rates for 9 holes is $8 and $13 for 18 holes. A special weekend rate for 18 holes and cart after 1 p.m. is $25.
A Sullivan County Golf & Country Club Champions board located in the cocktail lounge contains names of club champions from 1935 to 1988 with 13 club championships won by the late John "Jack" Coughlin, a true gentleman and outstanding golfer.
This nine hole golf course offers a whole set of different tees for holes 10-18 and plays to a total yardage of 3,006 yards for nine holes from the men's tees. Par is 36.for men and 39 for women.
Hole No. 1 is a 315-yard par 4. Straight down the middle over the directional flag will put your second shot into the green and the opportunity for a par. Don't hit it short on the second shot as a small stream runs in front of this green.
Hole No. 2 is a 295-yard par 4 and the its uphill off the tee. Take your drive to the left center portion of the fairway and play to the upper half of green on your second shot as the green slopes left to right.
Hole No. 3 is a 400-yard par 4 with the fairway sloping down hill right to left. Better to play right center for a good second shot to the green.
Hole No. 4 is a 152-yard par 3 with an elevated tee taking your tee shot down hill left to right. Club selection is key to a par on this hole.
Hole No. 5 is a 280-yard par 4 with water to the left. Take your drive right center for a good approach shot to the green which has bunkers left and right.
Hole No. 6 is a 275-yard par 4. Depending on where the tee box is you will have to play left or right of the tall tree at the start of the fairway. A small stream runs just below the start of the fairway. A good tee shot here can produce a birdie score.
Hole No. 7 is a 422-yard par 4 with an open fairway so let it all out on this tee. A good tee shot and second shot to the green also makes this a possible birdie score.
Hole No. 8 is a 545-yard par 5 making is the longest on on this course. Open fairway to the left and c enter and woods on the right. Tee shot should go center of the fairway and club selection is key on the second shot to the green or your approach shot.
Hole No. 9 is a 395-yard par 4 with Route 52 and trees on the right. a left center tee shot makes for a better approach shot to the green with traps on the right and rear section of the green.
Periscopes are installed on the 1st and 7th tees to give golfers a view further down the fairways and this avoids golfers hitting into each other.
Tee times and information is available by calling 292-9584.

Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

Many things can lead to inconsistent putting results, but distance and direction are the a reas we should always have at the top of our "How can I be more consistent?" list. Distance is the biggest cause of inconsistency, because it equates to the "feel" of the putt and also ends up controlling the direction after impact. as we've all learned, more speed equals less break, and less speed leads to more break.
On the other side of the coin, direction is the control we have in getting the golf ball started in the right direction before gravity and undulation take over the roll and path of the ball. Mixed in with all this is the factor that these two distinctions have to work together, if we are to enjoy any success in putting.
Another way of looking at this is to think of our hands as the rudder and the engine/propeller of a boat.
The rudder of the board contorts the direction, while the engine/propeller generates the speed and distance.
When putting, our lead hand is the rudder.....it's along for the ride, but is also makes sure you are staying square to the target. The trail hand, which is usually our dominant hand, is the engine/propeller and determines how far the ball goes.
So, each "part" has its own function....and a very important function....but one working without the other is either a board going in circles (no rudder) or simply going nowhere (no engine).
An important key to developing more reliability with our distance and direction is to minimize hand and wrist movement, which, in turn, will maximize feel and control.
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 by phone at 292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

Golfers who are looking to save an average of $22 on every round of golf need not look any further then the Hudson Valley Golf Pass.
Ken Cohen and owns and operates Run Publishing in Jeffersonville has put together the Pass Book which is the fastest-growing golf discount program in the Northeast with more than 1,000 members.
An outstanding golfer and strong supporter of golf, Ken started the Golf Pass book in 2007 to help match golfers with golf courses by offering them specially-negotiated fees for what is now 60 participating courses in four states.
Cohen noted that a year-end survey of members of the Golf Pass revealed that they each saved an average of $300 on greens fees in 2007 and several courses enjoyed increased play because of the Pass Book and innovative Internet communications.
Cohen points out that what really distinguishes Hudson Valley Golf from any other discount program in the Hudson Valley is that they have invested heavily in specialized Internet tools which allows golf courses to be able to communicate immediately with his membership. "That means they can adjust discounts and offers from day to day, week to week and month to month.....a huge difference from standard discount programs which publish a discount at the beginning of the season and never change it," Cohen said.
This "real time" approach allows courses to market to their needs and tee sheet.
In addition, non-golf businesses like Monticello Raceway & Gaming has partnered with Hudson Valley Golf. offering members specially-priced meals.
At a time when the economy is down, golf courses are hurting and golfers are looking for value, Hudson Valley Golf is a business that is actually helping boost the golf industry in the Hudson Valley region and beyond.
Cohen also noted that they have just published their Hudson Valley Golfer annual guide which is distributed at most of their 60 courses.
To purchase or get more information about the Golf Pass Book, call 845-339-4200 or go to http://www.hudsonvalleygolf.com/

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






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