Saturday, September 7, 2013

Golfing Highlights Column 9-6-13

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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