Golfing Highlights Column 5-7-10

Bob Menges

Warmer Weather Brings A New Golf Season

Weather has been mixed the past several weeks, warm in the beginning of April, then cool and very cool but some nice golf days last week officially welcomes the start of the 2010 golf season in Sullivan County.
The mixed bag of weather has not deterred the launch of the Sullivan County golf season where some golf leagues have started and others are posting their summer schedules.
The grass is growing, some trees are budding so its time to tee it up....hit it straight and long and enjoy our golf season.
Golfing Highlights is back for our 12th season and we will continue to provide you with a column filled with golf league statistics and standings, golf tournament information, golf trips and vacation news, new golf equipment, a tip each week from a local golf professional Bob Menges, Ed's Outlook, golf feature stories and a weekly review of golf courses in and around our area.
Special attention this week goes out to all golf league secretaries and club professionals.....remember to get your weekly golf league highlights and standings to Ed Townsend, PO Box 116, Livingston Manor, NY 12758 or e-mail them to edwardctownsend@hotmail.com Visit out Internet Web Site at http://www.http//bght.blogspot.com

Welcome Back To
Pro Bob Menges
We welcome back to our Golfing Highlights Column for his eighth year, Professional Robert Menges from the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club who will again entertain and hopefully educate golfers with his writing of the weekly "Golf Tip."
Bob, 43, started his golf career as an assistant pro at the Swan Lake Golf Club under then head pro Steve Eisenberg. From Swan Lake he and Steve moved to the Huff House at Tennanah Lake where Steve formed the Steve Eisenberg Golf Academy. The Academy and Bob Menges then moved to the school's locations at Eddy Farms near Sparrowbush and the Town of Wallkill Golf Course near Middletown.
Bob then took his first job as a head professional at the Tennanah Lake Golf Club and two years later became the head professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. He competes in local PGA tournaments, the local Pro-Am tournaments and the Metropolitan local tournaments.
Menges has been playing golf since he was 6 and remembers well starting out at the former Waldemere Golf Course at Shandelee above Livingston Manor.
Married to Kathy, who is a nurse, the Menges' live in the Jeffersonville area.
Menges noted that he will be giving private golf lessons and will conduct Junior Golf Camps during three different weeks this summer. The Swan Lake Golf Club presently has three leagues, Tuesday Men's, Wednesday Men's, Thursday Ladies and is planning a Friday Mixed league also.
Golfers may call Bob at 845-292-0323.

Golf Tip
By Robert 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 lives. 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 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, you can stay younger 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

We once again bring up the topic of Golf Packages that we see taking place throughout various sections of our state along with Virginia and North and South Carolina and sometimes get concerned that more efforts are not being made to being put forth and sell Sullivan County golf with hotel/motel and dining facilities all pitching in and working together to get golfers to visit and golf in our beautiful golf paradise.
Golfers can go to South Carolina in the spring and fall and find packages that offer golf, cart, two in a room motel accommodations and breakfast and dinner for between $70 and $80 a day.
We have started to see some dinner and golf and lunch and golf packages offered in Sullivan and Delaware counties but there has to be more of an effort to get motel/hotel owners, restaurants and golf courses all working on the same page for a total golf package that will attract golfers to our county courses from May through October.
The golf economy here could stand a booster shot and we believe golf packages would help.

Hudson Pass Book
Is A Great Value

One of the best bangs for your golf dollar locally is the 2010 Hudson Valley Golf Pass Book.
It offers golfers the opportunity to enjoy the lowest available rates at more than 75 golf courses in NY, NJ, PA.
Participating area courses include the Villa Roma, Tarry Brae, Kutshers, Swan Lake, Grossingers, Tennanah Lake, Lochmor, Twin Village, Woodloch Pines, College Course at Delhi College, Rondout Country 'Club and the Fallsview Golf Clue at Honors Haven Resort.
The fee is $50.
For information call 845-339-4200. Buy it on line at http://www.hudsonvalleygolf.com/

Early Tournament

Announcements Set

The 2010 Pro-Am Tournament to benefit Occupations, Inc. will be held on Friday June 18 at The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge, a Jack Nicklaus signature course in Monroe, NY.
Occupations Inc., is one of Orange County's largest human services agencies serving nearly 14,000 individuals while improving the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing critical services and employment opportunities.
Golfers play 18-holes with a local professional and have the opportunity to meet PGA Pro Mark Lye from the Golf Channel
Reserve your foursome at 845-692-4454, ext. 101.
The 8th Annual Jake Classic golf outing is set for Saturday, June 12 at the Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information at 845-796-6480.
The Billy Moran Memorial Golf outing is set for August 15 at the Villa Roma. Information call 845-887-5097, 845-887-4734 or 845-887-4174.
The Mother Teresa Cathedral Golf outing is set for May 21 at The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge. Information call 845-782-7888.

Golf Events

May 8--IBEW Tournament, Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
May 14--Mamakating Lions Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620
May 15--St. Thomas Aquinas Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
May 17--Orange County Golf Championships, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-292-0323.
May 21--Marine Corp. GL. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
May 22--Fallsburg PBA Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
May 27--Hub Cup Challenge. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
May 30--Stumpsitters Hunting Club Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845- 434-1257
May 30--Livingston Manor Baseball, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-292-0323.
June 2--Regional Qualifier for the IKE Championship. Grossinger Country Club. Information 845-292-9000.
June 4--Jake Hulse Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-292-0438.
June 4--Monticello PBA Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
June 5--Tarry Brae 50th Anniversary. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
June 5--Grover Herman Aux. Golf Outing, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-932-8596.
June 6--Special Olympics Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
June 11--Pars for Parkinson's Tournament to benefit The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
June 12--"Jake Classic" Tournament-Jake Gunther Memorial. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
June 12--Monticello High School Outing, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-292-0323.
June 13--New City FD Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
June 13--Jeffersonville Lions Club Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-482-4061.
June 18--LGA Junior Tournament. Twin Village Golf Course. Information 607-498-5829.
June 19--SC Realtors Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
June 19--Eastrern Star Tournament, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-439-3357.
June 27--Callicoon Fire Dept. Tournament. Villa Roma Country Club. Information 845-887-4880.
June 28--Bull Pen Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
July 5--Claryville Open Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
July 10--Cornell Co-Op Tournament, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-292-5250.
July 11--Memorial Tournament & Dinner. Twin Village Golf Course. Information 607-498-5829.
July 11--Fallsburg Lions-Alan Steingart Memorial. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
July 16--Scotch Twosome Tournament. Twin Village Golf Course. Information 607-498-5829.
July 18--Liberty Booster Club Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-807-1996.
July 18--Catskill Cup. Villa Roma Country Club. Information 845-887-4880.
July 23-25-Sullivan County Democrat Two-Man, Better Ball Golf Tournament, Villa Roma Country Club. Information call 845-887-5200.
July 24--Swan Lake Fire Dept. Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-789-4456.
July 30, Commissioners Cup, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-292-0323.
Aug. 1--N.A.M.I. Golf Outing, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-754-8742.
Aug. 8--St George's Church Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-482-5625.
Aug. 8--Callicoon Kiwanis Club Tournament. Villa Roma Country Club. Information 845-887-4880.
Aug. 13--United Way Pro-Am Championship. Villa Roma Country Club. Information 845-887-4880.
Aug. 15--Billy Moran Memorial Tournament. Villa Roma Country Club. Information 845-887-5097.
Aug. 15--Rock Hill Ambulance Corp. Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
Aug. 21--EWGA Regional Golf Championship. Villa Roma Country Club. Information 845-887-4880.
Aug. 22--Mahwah Elks Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information 845-434-2620.
Aug. 27--Holiday Mt. Ski Patrol Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
Aug. 30--Sullivan Correctional Facility Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information 845-434-1257.
Sept. 11--Trevor Simpson Memorial Tournament, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information 845-439-5034.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers association. If you have a topic that would make good reading or have league standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177, by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 845-230-8674. For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com/