Saturday, September 14, 2013

Golfing Highlights Column 9-13-13

4 Called To "Hammer" Tee Box

  At a recent "Ting" the Hammer decreed that the following "Past Friends of the Links" be called to the tee box, Mr. Winfield "Win" Barley, Mr.  Miles Ellison Sr., Mr. Frank Finn and Mrs. Irene Wale.
  It has been further decreed that Mr. Fred "Fritz" Mungeer, receive the prestigious title of "Royal Alchemist and Keeper of the Elixir." 
  This journey along with much tradition continues Saturday, September 28 when the 7th Annual Hammer outing take 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, 2011 and 2012.
  Past Friends Of The Links include, Keith Hamlin (first one called), Harold Reynolds, Fred Stabbert Jr, Alice Steinberg, R. D. Yaun, Richard Benton, Bertram Eisenberg, Robert Mullen, Richard Altbach, John "Jack Coughlin, Thomas Kelly, Andrew Rorhback, Fred Willi, Edward "Mike" Kelly, Robert Klugman, Richard "Dick" VanEtten, Jack Baker, Ellsworth "Bucky" Buck, Sydney Benton, Kathy Stoddard. 
  Hammer tradition declares that the four noted in the first paragraph 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 lthis 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."
  A realization of the thoughts and words of the late Keith "Hammer" Hamlin this event takes place through 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 as described in the Lore and Traditions of the Outing as an outing that takes place in the fields of play "that so many of us have waled, talked and played upon togethere," and "shall be an outing of joy, not remorse, an outing of brother and sisterhood, an outing to renew old friendships."
  The Lore and Traditions point out that it has been left to The Hammer" to find that beautiful course in Heaven an 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 the past "Friends of the Links" to be admitted, as members, at this enchanted Links course.
  The use of the word "Ting" comes from the fact that leaders of the villages in anchient 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.
  There are no pre established teams in this outing and tournament directors make up the foursomes consisting of an A, B, C and D player based on current handicaps. Players are accepted in the order their RSVP's are received.
  Tournament information may be obtained by calling Susan Hamlin at 845-292-2420 or email at thehammer@thehammerouting.com 

 TVGC Cash 
 Raffle Party

  The annual Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club cash raffle party with a top prize of $2,500 will be held at the Rockland House on Sunday October 20.
  Tickets are $100 and entitles one person and a guest to a three-hour open bar and buffet dinner.
  Additional prizes will be offered based on the number of tickets sold.
  Club members who purchase their tickets by Oct. 1 will be eligible for an additional chance to have his or hers 2013 membership paid in full.
  A limited number of tickets are available by calling Chuck Husson at 607-498-5557.

Clam Bake
Tourney Sun.

  A new golf tournament has been added to the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club schedule.
  The Sam & Clam  tournament will be held Sunday, Sept. 15 featuring a 10 a.m. shotgun scramble.
  Tom and Annie Willi are doing the Clam Bake and Sam Adams is furnishing the beer.
  Call Bob Menges for information at 845-292-0323

Ed's Outlook

  Golf Course superintendents work extremely hard keeping their golf courses in top notch playing condition and we applaud this week the efforts made by Jimmy Bowers at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Country Club where we recently found the playing conditions outstanding. 
  Director of Golf Bret Reimer pointed out that the course this summer has seen an increase in play and that golfers have now realized that Tennanah Lake is not a private club and is open to all golfers.
  Reimer said that Tennanah Lake has attracted a number of well-known county tournaments this year and attributed it to "trying to do as much as we can  to help cater to the local people, being fairly priced and have a golf course that is in excellent condition."
  The Director of Golf noted that Tennanah has "new flags, new pins, new yardage markers, new water coolers, improved cart paths on the back nine, new masonary stone  work at different locations, drop down ponds, pond in front of the present signature hole No. 12, added 75 new golf carts, greens are all repaired and we have offered special lunch and dinner rates on different days of the week."
  Next year Reimer noted that there are plans for a new signature hole to be constructed  with a pond at the 14th green and there could be an additional men's league on Tuesday's.
  Mary Wagner is the new accounting/bookkeeping general manager and Casey Tallman continues serving up great food as the club food service manager.
  Club information can be obtained by calling 607-498-5000.










  This will be our wrap-up column for this season of golf  and we want to thank  everyone who provided us with tournament, league and special golf events information. 
   God willing and the creek don't rise we'll be back next spring with Golfing Highlights. Next week starts our Bowling Highlights Column. 

Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

  The Golf Grip
  One of the first things a golfer does is grip the golf club.
  Your grip should be in the fingers of both hands not the palms.
  Most of the grip pressure should be felt in the last three fingers of  your left hand (for right handed golfers). There is much less pressure in the right hand and there should be  no pressure at all in the thumb and forefingers of the right hand.
  Keep your overall grip pressure light and don't, as they say, squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube."
  Make sure your grip is strong enough, with both V's pointing over your right shoulder and remember that a strong left hand grip produces  solid shots.
  Additional help should include keeping hands close together and for low ball flight keep grip pressure firm throughout swing.
  Several additional tips with the grip include keeping the left grip firm and the right grip light to promote a fade.
  Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club on Mt. Hope Road in 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 email at menges@hughes.net

Putting Tip
By Joe Bermel

  Push The Ball Forward
  Many players take the putter back too far and then decelerate through impact without even realizing it.
  Here is a drill to ensure you are accelerating through impact.
  Standing a few feet from the hole, set up to the ball as you would a regular putt.
  Instead of taking the putter back, limit your stroke to just the follow-through motion.
  You are basically just "pushing" or "rolling" the ball to the hole. This forces you to accelerate into your follow through.
  There are additional benefits to this drill as well. You will notice that the ball has more forward roll, which keeps it on line much better.
  This drill also encourages the left wrist to remain firm instead of breaking down.
  You will not only enjoy keeping the ball on line better, but improve distance control as well. 
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His two special edition DVD's "How To Putt Well" are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 

INFORMATION FOR THE ABOVE PHOTOS                                       

Newest member of the Tennanah Lake Golf & Country staff is Mary Wagner, center,  who takes over as accounting/bookkeeping general manager. She is flanked on the left by Clubhouse Assistant Andy Taggart and on the right by Director of Golf Bret Reimer. 

Our recent threesome at Tennanah Lake, Ed, Jim and Ed with Director of Golf Bret Reimer

Photos of this outstanding course in great condition.

                                                                  

  

 
  

No comments: