BGHT: Golfing Highlights Column 8-31-12

4 Called To "Hammer" Tee Box

The journey along with much tradition continues on Saturday, September 29 when the 6th Annual Hammer Outing takes place at the Liberty Sullivan County Golf & Country Club.

This tradition will keep intact the late Keith Hamlin's expressed desire to hold an outing (now called the Hammer Outing) to share the many pleasant memories of past "Friends of the Links."

The invitation only event in its printed invitation to golfers states that "the Journey Continues...Keith "Hammer" Hamlin is in the Clubhouse at Asgard...with him are several "Past Friends of the Links" that were honored and inducted in the fabled links of Asgard in Valhalla at The Hammer Outings of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011."

"At a recent "Ting" the Hammer decreed that the following "Past Friends of the Links" be called to the tee box, E. "Mike" Kelly, Robert Klugman, Richard "Dick" VanEtten and Fred Willi.....with these honorees, there will be five foursomes playing together as they did in the past."

Hammer Tradition declares that the four will now be playing on that beautiful course in heaven with the mystical name Valhalla Course in the land of Asgard (the highest heaven obtainable and reserved for only the most noble men and women.

Family members and friends will attend this event and will speak about the four departed golfers..

The lore and traditions of the annual Hammer Outing brings tournament golf to what could easily be called a look at a mystical golf course in Heaven where there is reality and faith combined for past "Friends of the Links."

The Hammer Outing is the realization of the thoughts and words of the late Keith "Hammer" Hamlin and the combined efforts of his family and many friends.

Keith was a well-known and highly respected contractor doing business as the Hamlin Construction Co. and loved the game of golf where he achieved the nick name of "Hammer" for the way he drove the ball down the fairway.

The Hammer Outing is truly fulfilling Keith's desire.

The Hammer Outing as described in the Lore and Traditions of the Hammer Outing is an outing that takes place on the fields of play "that so many of us have walked, talked, and played upon together," and "shall be an outing of joy, not remorse, an outing of brother and sisterhood, an outing to renew old friendships."

As to the "past" Friends of the Link's the Lore and Traditions of this event tell the story of the man who asked his priest to find out if there was a golf course in heaven and the priest came back to him with good and bad news by saying there was a course in heaven and it was beautiful but the bad news was the man was teeing off at 7 a.m. the next morning. The Lore and Traditions point out that it has been left to "The Hammer" to find that beautiful course in Heaven and that the mystical course is called the Valhalla Course.

Keith, as would be expected, has a high seat on the governing board (Ting) at Valhalla and has let it be known that he has made arrangements for his past "Friends of the Links" to be admitted, as member, at this enchanting Links course.

The use of the word "Ting" comes from the fact that leaders of the villages in ancient times in the Celtic lands, The Isles, and parts of Europe held meetings to resolve issues of the day and these meetings were called (Tings) or things.

At each future Hammer Outing an additional foursome will be called to the Tee Box and honored as such and these players will be drawn from the roster of "Friends of the Links" that was established at the 1st annual Hammer Outing held October 8, 2007.

The Lore and Traditions point out that the word Asgard is described as "the highest realm in Nordic Lore, where the Gods dwell, the word Ting is the Nordic term for a council and Friends of the Links are honorable men and women who have shared the pleasure of golf together on earth.

This tournament has a unique trophy called appropriately "The Hammer Trophy" which is awarded to the champions but is immediately returned to its resting place, secured and sealed and kept in the Liberty Sullivan County Golf & Country Club Pro Shop. The trophy symbolizes the powerful nature that was Keith's. He is called by all those who knew him as a true gentleman and outstanding businessman.

Again following tradition the trophy presentation follows strict guidelines with the Hammer of Thor being removed from its place of stature, by a worthy representative (Keith's widow Susan Hamlin, presently performs this honor) and the trophy is presented to the chosen captain and teammates of the victorious team. The team, as one, shall hoist the Hammer skyward together and it will be held skyward until a toast, to all that have departed to play on the field of Heaven, has been offered.

Tradition points out that the trophy is then immediately returned by the champions' captain to its resting place where it is secured and sealed, only to be removed at the next Hammer Outing.

There are always great minds behind outstanding events like this and several of the organizers include Keith's widow Susan Hamlin, his son David Hamlin and long time friend and Chief Coordinator of the Legend and Lore of the Ting Robert "Rat" Ratner.

Ed's Outlook

2012 summer golf leagues are drawing to a close but fall golf in Sullivan County offers many opportunities to play.

The Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club Monday Night Men's league finished their season with a buffet dinner at the Rockland House. The league championship was awarded to father and son team Chuck Husson III and Chuck Husson IV. The Husson's won the league with a total of 223 points edging out second place finishers John Evans and Frank McGreevy who finished with 217.50 points.

In winning the league championship Chuck Husson III won a total of 108.50 points while Chuck Husson IV won 89.00 individual points. Husson IV has a 2 handicap while Husson III maintains a 5 handicap.

Third place finishers in this league went to Ken Mooney and Tom Trask.

Brian Thomas received the low handicap award with a 1 handicap. Three league golfers achieving a 2 handicap were Chuck Husson IV, Jim Bowers and Ron Schulte.

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 or any topic you feel would make good reading, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177, by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or by fax at 845-205-4474. View his column at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook.

The Golf Tip

By Robert Menges

How To Start Your Downswing To Become More Consistent

To start your downswing you want to feel as though your hands stay at the top of the back swing and the front leg starts the downswing. Of course this won't happen but that's the feeling you should have.

You should also experiment with different parts of your front leg to start your downswing. I recommend using either your front knee or your front hip. So simply swing back as normal and then feel as though your hands do nothing because it should be your front knee or hip that pulls your downswing into action.

A good drill to get this feeling is to swing back as normal but pull your front foot in so it touches your back food at the top of the back swing. And then to start your downswing simply move your front foot into its normal position and swing through.

This will help to teach you the correct chain of events for the downswing.

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 845-292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Putting Tip

By Joe Bermel

A special key to good consistent putting is FINISHING THE PUTTING STROKE.

Most golfers do not finish and then they wonder why they are short of the hole.

You start the strike, you must finish and hold the finish.

Finishing means the putter head is a minimum 2 feet past the ball. This helps the momentum, the ball will roll end over end and reach the hole.

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 631-589-1384, at his Web Site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com