Monster In Redesigning
Stages
The world famous "Monster" Golf Course most likely will be
in the redesigning stages soon by the golf course design firm of Rees
Jones.
Jones, son of legendary golf course designer Robert Trent
Jones and the younger brother of golf course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. has
had his redesigned venues hosting numerous major championships earning him the
nickname, "The Open Doctor."
Concord Monster Director of Golf Mike Stoltz revealed last
week in an exclusive interview with us that Jones has been brought on board by
property owners Entertainment Properties Trust to "update the 'Monster' to
new play-ability for golfers of all levels."
Entertainment Properties Trust is a specialty real estate
investment trust that invests in properties in select categories which require
unique industry knowledge and offer stable and attractive returns.
Stoltz indicated that this would include rebuilding the cart
paths, installation of a new irrigation system and possibly some redesigning of
this famous course which has been rated by Golf Digest as one of America's 100
greatest golf courses.
Stoltz showed us the converted and completely redesigned
former Ski Chalet which is presently serving as the "Monster" Course Club House
and added that part of the course new additions would include a totally new club
house. This present club house facility houses the pro shop, conference rooms,
rest rooms, an outside B-B-Q area with both indoor and outdoor seating
facilities, a newly added food and beverage area managed by Janet Ball which
offers snacks, beverages, hot-dogs and hamburgers.
The "Monster" Director of Golf also pointed out that " in
the past this course has received high praise from Jack Nickolas who gave
indications that a major PGA tour tournament could easily be played here."
Stoltz said that a couple of years ago he had met with representatives from the
Nationwide Tour on the possibility of holding a major event on this historic
course.
Mike has been a part of the Concord Monster-International
facilities for some eight years now and has Henry Bosch, who just qualified for
the Westchester Open, as one of his assistant professionals along with son
John Stoltz, 27, who has won the Met Open and is going to the PGA Qualifying
school in this fall.
Also making his presence known at the "Monster" club house
and making himself very well known is a Pomeranian Poodle named "Taylor." Seems
Taylor, who is owned by Mike and his son, is a Katrina survivor and was rescued
by John when a rescue boat brought Taylor and other pooches from a kennel in New
Orleans to Miami. The love affair between the Stoltz's and Taylor is very
evident as he has become a friend to all golfers.
The nostalgia in the "Monster" club house is very evident
with large photos of Jimmy Demerit and Sam Snead hanging on the
walls.
Mike said that new facility construction will start with a
November ground breaking and that there has been already a total of $150 million
invested in the project at this time. The process at this time includes getting
final approvals from the Town of Thompson.
The main project will be build around the championship golf
course with a world class hotel and the new destination resort is expected to
include a casino, harness racetrack, specialty lodging coupled with retail,
dining, entertainment and recreational uses and new residential
communities.
World renowned planner, designer and architect Hart Howerton
is the master planner for this entire project which includes Empire Resorts ,
Inc. owners and operators of Monticello Raceway and Casino who are joining this
project and will be moving the Raceway and Casino to this new location as part
of the redevelopment of the former Concord Resort property.
The planned family and entertainment destination is expected
to create over one thousand jobs and includes hundreds of millions of dollars of
investment in the county.
Additional photos of the world famous golf facility
including a tour of the "Monster" golf course are available at http://bght.blogspot.com
Ed's
Outlook
A November ground breaking for the redevelopment of the
former Concord Resort property that will transform the 1500 acres into a family
and entertainment destination is reminiscent of the Catskill's rich
history.
The now present Concord "Monster" golf course will be a big
part of the new development plans for providing guests with a championship golf
experience.
Golf Course Architect Joseph S. Finger of Houston, Texas,
originally designed the "Monster" which has certainly lived up to its label as
"the world's greatest golf challenge.
At 7,650 yards from the "Monster" black tees, this par 72
challenges every golfer with length, extensive bunkering and a variety of water
hazards.
The "Monster" is truly a world class golf experience but
when the redesign work by the golf course design firm of Rees Jones is finished
the updating will produce new play-ability
for golfers of all levels.
Additional photos of the remodeled club house and
facilities at the "Monster" are available at http://bght.blogspot.com
Ed Townsend is a consultant to the sport of golf. If
you have league scores, tournament info, a hole-in-one or score your age Ed can
be reached at 845-439-8177, by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at
845-205-4474. View this column at
http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on
Facebook.
The
Golf Tip
By
Robert Menges
Rain & Golf:
Invariably at one time or another, some moisture is going to
ball on us while we are enjoying a tour of the golf course.
Playing in the rain is full of distractions and some advice
for playing in the rain is important. It can become a distinct advantage for
players gifted with powers of concentration stronger than their physical
abilities.
With the assumption that you at least have your rain suit
handy, here are a few extra arrows for your wet quiver.
1. Have you tried Latex gloves? Rubber on rubber doesn't
slip. Pulling them out at just the right time can be fun too. I like the
yellow-colored ones the best. Naturally, it takes a plop, but you can do it. The
"rain gloves" made by several manufacturers are another option if you lack some
chutzpah.
2. Wear your contact lenses, if you have them. It's tough
to hit the ball when you're seeing three of them because of the raindrops on
your glasses.
3. Bring several towels. They'll come in handy for a
variety of reasons.
4. Bring several hats. many golfers can't hack the
drips.
5. Re-read the casual water rule.
6. Always dry your ball and your putter blade before making
the stroke.
7. Remember shots out of the wet sand always go
farther.
8. Bring a baggie for your score card.
Robert Menges is the golf pro at the Swan Lake Golf
& Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private
lessons and if you have a question you would like covered, he can be reached at
845-292-0323 or via email at
menges@hughes.net
The
Putting Doctor
Putting Tips
By Joe
Bermel
In putting I link organization with strategy.
The strategy component is easier than you might think,
involving:
1. Picking a distance based on the current realistic skill
from which a golfer can reasonably attempt a one-putt....say 10 to 12
feet.
2. With all putts longer then say, 12 feet, the thought is
to get the first putt close enough to the hole to get a 2-putt
result.
Remember 2 putting is good putting for the average
golfer.
Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group,
corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How
To Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1394, at his
Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at
joe@theputtingdoctor.com
Identification of photos from top to bottom
The Concord "Monster" Director of Golf Mike Stoltz and his
Katrina survivor Pomeranian Poodle "Taylor" standing next to a nostalgic photo
of the great Sam Snead (in the center of the photo on the wall) located in the
lobby of the present club house. Identification of those in the photo with
Snead, who made many trips to the "Monster" golf course, was not
available.
The new snack bar and indoor dining area at the redesigned club house.
Janet Ball mans the BBQ and is the food and beverage attendant in the club house. She makes a great cheeseburger.
The outdoor dining area at the club house.
The remodeled and redsigned former Concord Ski Chalet is now the temporary club house at the Monster Golf Course. An outstanding facility.
A great irrigation system is what keeps this Monster Golf Course and greens in excellent condition.
Our foursome who took battle to this long and great Monster Golf Course included from the left, Paducah, Ky golfer George Korth, Liberty golfer George Labouseur, Liberty golfer Charlie Winters and Livingston Manor golf and columnist Ed Townsend.
The Monster Signature Hole, the 422-yard 10th hole.
Liberty golfer George Labouseur tees off on the 185-yard par 3 (14th) hole and was the only one in our foursome to snare a par score
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