Her First Major Golf
Experience
Twenty-nine year-old former Kenoza Lake resident Jen Bernhardt
does not play the game of golf but loves to watch it and her first major
attendance at a major tournament came recently at the PGA Championship at Oak
Hill Country Club in Rochester.
We met Jen a number of years ago when her mother, Amy Bernhardt
was one of the directors of the Sullivan County Pageant. A 2002 graduate from
Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School Jen went on to graduate in 2006 from
the State University of Oswego with a major in elementary
education.
She now works for the Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company
in Syracuse and lives in East Syracuse.
Single, but in a relationship with boyfriend Scott Corfield,
Jen has never done any journalistic writing but admits she is an avid
photographer and is always taking pictures.
Upon learning that Jen and Scott had attended the PGA
Championship I asked Jen to write what her experience was like.
She explained that the weather forecast was perfect and "that it
was a day I have been waiting for since a year ago.....a day I would be going to
my first major golf tournament."
While make the hour and a half trip to Rochester Jen said,
"excitement filled the air and as we got close to our destination my heart beat
with anticipation as to what will it be like....who will I
see."
After reaching the parking lot and waiting for the next shuttle
they were soon getting their tickets scanned and "were free to roam and explore
this unknown territory known as Oak Hill," Miss Bernhardt
noted.
A photographer took a souvenir picture of Scott and Jan as they
passed a huge merchandise building containing hats, shirts, paintings and much
more......they purchased items and headed for the course.
"The first golfer I spotted was Graeme McDowell who was
practicing his putting as the crowd yelled 'good luck Graeme' and 'go get em'
and we watched several golfers on the driving range and I tried to put myself
in their shoes knowing they had a long, pressure filled day ahead of them," Jen
said.
Jen noted sighting the television booth and that "I felt myself
starting to shake with eagerness and delight but the first thing on my agenda
was to find Phil Mickelson and upon learning he was on the 8th hole we arrived
at the 10th hole to see him make his way down the 10th
fairway."
"I couldn't believe I was really there seeing my favorite golfer
and witnessing it live at the PGA Championship......that glimpse of who I
consider to be the very best in the sport of golf," she added.
Scott and Jen again had the opportunity to see Mickelson at the
13th hole which features Allen's Creek running right through the middle of the
fairway.
Other golfers Jen noted seeing were Brandt Snedeker, Rickie
Fowler, Jason Day, and Sergio Garcia.
Lunch for two turned out to be more than they expected noting
the costs were very high.
Following lunch it was back to golf and at the 13th hole Jen
pointed out that "it was a spectacular site with the clubhouse on top of the
hill which made for a perfect backdrop and on the steep hill spectators had
placed their chairs and blankets to catch the perfect shot from up
above."
The 13th hole produced a long par putt for Ian
Poulter.
Wanting to get another glimpse of Mickelson they rushed to the
18th green and heard the roar of the crowd as he made his final putt. "He had a
rough day but he was still smiling.....such an inspiration and one of the many
reasons I consider him to be the best," Jen said.
On the 18th green Scott and Jen witnessed what was probably the
best shot of the day......she described the action...."Rory Mcllory was in
trouble, his shot off the 18th teen hadn't made it into the fairway but instead
was in the rough just shy of a few trees up ahead....as he got ready the crowd
drew silent as the amazing shot landed in the fringe off the back of the
green.....then came his chip shot which he holed for a birdie."
Several other enjoyable events that day included sitting and
watching play on a par 3 (15th) hole which appeared to be "a nice relaxing hole
yet it offered so much danger to those who wanted to go right for the flag," Jen
pointed out.
Upon leaving the tournament her final comments included
statements like "seeing Phil up close, Rory's great chip shot, amazing golf
shots, great weather, beautiful course, awesome memories that had been made, can
wait to to to another tournament, memories to last a lifetime, an experience I
will never forget and my first major golf tournament will always hold a special
place in my heart."
Identification of pictures:
Jen Bernhardt and Scott Corfield and Jen's photo of Phil Mickelson, left, walking down the fairway in front of Jen and Scott.
Ed's
Outlook
Great to see someone who does not play golf enjoy
golf tournaments and follow the game as closely as former Sullivan County
(Kenoza Lake) resident Jen Bernhardt just did.
Her enthusiasm for the game and her great interest
in various professional PGA players hopefully may someday lead her to become an
active golfer.
Hope our readers enjoy her take on the recent PGA Tournament in
Rochester. Nice job Jen.
Summer golf leagues have ended or are in their final stages but
there is plenty of fall golf left on our beautiful Tri-County area golf
courses......the only time golf stops is when it gets too cold or snow and ice
take control.
Call your local golf course for fall rates.
The
Golf Tip
By
Robert Menges
The Mental Approach.
The mental game for golf is important.
Make a commitment to improve and do not make
excuses.
Before you make an attempt to improve your game, be sure you are
ready to commit to the time and work required. Otherwise, you may set yourself
up for failure or give in to convenient excuses.
For example, make sure that you have the necessary time and
resources available.....that other duties and distractions are take care of, and
that you aren't depending on anyone else (a teaching pro, mental coach, playing
companion) who can't be counted on to follow through with their part in your
plan for improvement.
The commitment and the planning must be such that if you don't
succeed, you have not one to blame but yourself.
Indeed, it would be better to wait until you are absolutely
ready than to make a half-hearted commitment to the challenge before
you.
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
The Putting Tip
By
Joe Bermel
Finish The Putting Stroke.
Think smoothe, just as if you are painting a brush stroke steady
and smooths on the follow thru, to about 23 inches past the ball and hold the
finish.
Now you can let your eyes turn towards the ball and watch it go
in the hole.
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
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