Thursday, August 21, 2014

CATSKILL BREWERY NOW OPEN


  Environmental advocacy and bringing a new exciting business that will survive and increase tourism and recognition for Livingston Manor and the region is what the now open new Catskill Brewery is all about.
  The dreams and efforts of dedicated businessmen and Brewery partners Ramsay Adams, Randy Lewis, Kirt Gunn and Dana Ball are providing a state of the art craft brewery that is located at 672 Old Route 17 (County Route 178)  no more than a half-mile from downtown Livingston Manor.
  Brewery partners have made it very clear that their passion for beer and the local community leads the reasons why they started this business venture several years ago.
  One of the Catskill Brewery logo's on their beer bottles says "Honest Hard Working Beer," and uniquely enough the power trio who hatched the idea of this type of craft brewery came as a result of drinking a beer during a spring barbeque.
  Ramsey Adams, who also serves as the founder and Executive Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, an Environmental Advocacy Organization,  when referencing how this all started, noted "we were talking about how incredible the Town of Rockland and the Catskill Park are, and we realized we need a brewer here."
  The Brewery partners posses diverse skill which allowed them to pursue their concept. Adams' activism, Lewis is President of Global Natural Food, Gunn is a branding advertising executive and Ball has years of experience in the beer industry.
  The craft brewery in growing in this country and while is produces just five percent fot eh beer consumed in America the industry employs about 50 percent of beer company employees.
  At the present time the Catskill Brewery employs two full time men and anticipates expanding to possibly eight in the first five years.
  The facility presently is providing their own distribution of their lager and ale to the region's restaurants and bars
 in kegs only for sale as a tap beer. At the Brewery location a 64 oz. and a 32 oz. growler is for sale for home use only and growler hours from 5-7 p.m. Those buying the growlers can return with them for refills.
  A growler is a special container that is traditionally used to transport draft beer.
  The two craft beers presently being produced by this brewery include the Floodwatch IPA India Pal Ale and the Ball Lightning  a Pilsner Lager.
  The brewery owners noted that their facility will not be a bar or brewpub.
  Along with the purchase of growlers their are tours of the facility and gifts emblazoned with the brewery's logo.
  A key factor in any brewery is the Brew Master and the duties  he perfoms. Ben Brotman introduced himself telling us he was self taught in the art of brewing and that he originally was born and raised the Philadelphia and but now makes his home in Ithaca.
  Ben, accompanied by by Dana Ball who's business card lists him as a co-founder, partner and VP is sales and operations, took us through the process who how this brewery make their beer.
  The barley is first put into the malting stage which includes steeping, germination and kilning. From there the product goe do the roller mill where milling takes place which includes water added to the mash  mixer which is then transferred to the lauter tun where the spent grain is eliminated.
  Into the brewing stage and the brewing kettle the hops are added then to the whirlpool separator and the plate heat exchanger which provides a cooling process. Fermentation is the next step and that takes place in the fermentation vessel which yeast in added and excess years revoved.
  The"green" beer is then transferred to the maturation tank then to the filtration unit and finally the process is completed by putting the beer in kegs and any bottled beer. The entire process takes about 10 hours and the "fresh" beer is ready to drink.
  The business acumen and technical savvy of the partners are very much apparent in the branding power of the buildings design and the strategic vision integrated into the plan for this state-of-the-art eco-friendly business and all that it encompasses.
  The low-impact "green" building includes the thermal-bridge design, free envelope design,  natural day-lighting whereby the light in the building is controlled by what outside light is coming into the building, stack effect ventilation, all-permeable site paving, green roofs, solar photovoltaics and solar hot water systems, ground source pumps for heating and cooling and refrigeration and native plantings.
  The Manor Brewery is presently waiting for LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED prerequisite requires building standards to meet top energy performance. 
  The building size of the new micro brewery is 5,200 square feet and is located a 0.61 acre site which parking for approximately 20 cars. The brewery occupies 3.500 square foot of the entire structure.
  The building is also the home of Global Natural Foods, a wholesale business owned by Randy Lewis, one of the Brewery partners. Mr. Lewis wanted it emphsized that there is no retail sales in this business which he formerly operated out of his Lew Beach home and that  somewhere in the future his part of the building will become part of the operational functions of the brewery including a bottling/canning line.
  Although total extimated costs of this new business would not be disclosed an earlier story in the Sullivan County Democrat stated "that the bulk of their $950,000 investment is being privately financed," but that the trio was "looking to land $300,000 in grants from the state.
  This new business in it's early stages gained approval from the Town of Rockland Planning Board and the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency gave approval of $48,000 in sales-tax breaks and $50,663 in property tax breaks.
  County and town chamber of commerce representatives give high praise for the new brewery which is promising a great brand and a high-end consistent product that will  in time incorporate local ingredients.
       
 
   


















 

CATSKILL BREWERY PHOTOS

                                                    

The process used by the Catskill Brewery to brew their beer is explained in detail for visitors in their tour of Sullivan County's newest craft brewery.
                                                 -
                                                        

The Catskill Brewery logo on one of their growlers (bottles).
                                         -

                                                     

Co-Founder Dana Ball, left, and Brew Master Ben Brotman standing next to the breweries milling roller mix.
                                                      
                                                        

Bags of malt presently fed manually into the brewing system will soon be replaced by a bulk automatic system.
                                                      
                                                            

Fermentation, maturation and filtration units put the finishing touch in the brewing process.
                                                          
                                                        

Employees and partners in the development and operation of the Catskill Brewery are, from the left, David Walton, Ben Brotman. Randy Lewis, Dana Ball and Ramsay Adams. The new state-of-the-art eco-friendly building is seen in the background.

                                                           
 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Golfing Highlights Column


  Lochmor Has Interesting History

   History about Sullivan County golf courses is one of the more interesting aspects we enjoy when writing this golf column.
  Interesting history we obtained recently when we visited the Town of Fallsburg Lochmor Golf Course is that the present 18-hole golf facility was originally designed on a smaller scale. 
  Lochmor was first built in the early 1950s by the hotels that were in the area and originally it did not start out as a town owned and operated facility.
  The course originally had about 12 holes when the Town of Fallsburg took over the project in 1958 and the Mitchell-designed course was completed with 18-holes by town employees.
  The newly designed course was officially open  for play in 1961. 
  Today the 18-hole 6,550 yard course is popular for open play and league play.
  Par for the front nine is 35 and par for the back nine is 36 for a total par of 71. 
  A total automated water system for the greens, fairways and tees has helped the course receive a three and one-half star rating from Golf Digest magazine.
  Glenn Sonnenschein is the head PGA Pro, Michael Decker is the Assistant Head Pro and Patrick McNamara is the Golf Course Superintendent.
  Rates at Lochmor include the weekday lunch special which includes 18-holes of golf with a cart and lunch. After 1 and 3 p.m. the golf and cart rates go down.
  The golf and lunch special is very popular.
  The golf pro shop at Lochmor offers a nice variety of golf equipment and accessories.
  The golf course can be reached by calling 434-1257 or at their web site at www.lochmorgolf.com 
  The course offers four set of tees for each hole which makes the course playable to all caliber of golfers. Black tees are recommended for men with a 0-8 handicap, green tees for men with up to a 20 handicap, gold tees for men with 21-25 handicap and ladies with a 0-10 handicap and yellow tees for men with handicap of 36 and above and ladies 11 and up.             We found this golf course in excellent shape and very well maintained. Greens are nicely groomed and tend to be a little fast. A great job by the grounds crew.
  In playing from the black tees the yardage on the front nine runs 3,190 yards.
  The front nine looks like this.
  Hole No. 1 is a 334-yard par 4 and pretty much straight. Take your tee shot left center. The green has 3 traps.
  Hole No. 2 is a 362-yard par 4 with a slight dogleg left. Stay center of the fairway. Traps are left and right of this green and keep your approach shot from going over this green.      Hole No. 3 is a 388-yard par 4 and fairway runs pretty much straight. Trees are on both sides of the fairway. 
  Hole No. 4 is a 209-yard par 3 with the beautiful Morningside Lake in the background. Proper club selection here can get you your par. Traps are left and right of this green.
  Hole No. 5 is a 467-yard par 4 with a dogleg left. There is a trap on the left side and water on the right of this green. A nice golf hole with opportunities for a birdie after a good tee shot. 
  Hole No. 6 is a 495-yard par 5 with water off the tee and a dogleg right. Take your tee shot right center. Proper club selection on your second shot can get your ball up and on this elevated green for an eagle or birdie. Traps are left and right on this green.
  Hole No. 7 is a 380-yard par 4. Fairway is pretty much straight and the second half of the fairway runs uphill. Traps are left and right on this green.
  Hole No. 8 is a 390-yard par 4. Stay in the center of fairway on this hole. There is a pond about 200-yards on the left. Trap is on the left side of the green.
  Hole No. 9 is a 165-yard par 3. Again club selection is the key to your birdie or par.
  An entertaining and comfortable golf course to play.                                                               
 
  Ed's Outlook

  The McNamara Memorial Golf Tournament, hosted by Terry McNamara, will be held on Saturday, September 13 starting at 11 .a.m.at the Grossingers Country Club.
  A portion of the proceeds will be given to the Wounded Warrior Project.
  Golf, cart, lunch and dinner $100 per golfer. There will be prizes for closest to the pin and for the longest drive.
  Call 845-292-9000 to reserve an entry or if you have any questions.
  Singles are welcome as they will team you up with another single.
  Golfing in Russia appears to be for the wealthy.
  For many Russian billionaires golf represents a part of the ultimate opulent lifestyle. As a result, some Russian tycoons have had courses built, but they're not marketing them to the public. On the contrary---they're designed and cater exclusively to the country's wealthy elite.
  Moscow's first golf course was built in 1990. Today they have nine 18-hole courses and three nine-hole courses.....most of which are more or less empty.......after all, the capital only has about 3,000 regular golfers and just two publicly accessible courses.

  Ed Townsend is a PR Consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177 or 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column at http://bght/blogspot.com We are on Facebook and Twitter.
Golfing Tip 
By Robert Menges 

   Buried Bunker Lies. 
   To blast the ball out of the sand, your club needs to swing  more up and down to create a steeper angle of attack.
  To help illustrate, have someone stand (or picture a wall) several feet behind the ball. In the backswing, hinge your wrists early to get the club up more, avoiding the person (or wall). 
  Also make note of the length of the backswing. It should almost be a full swing. In order to create enough speed and energy to blast the ball out of the sand, avoid taking a short and /or low backswing.
  From this position, you will be able to swing the club into the sand on the downswing. It's imperative that you strike down into the sand 1 to 2 inches behind the ball and finish with the club low to the ground.
  Amateur golfers often try to scoop or help lift the ball out of the sand. This usually results in the club hitting the sand too far behind the ball and either missing it completely or taking too much sand and leaving the ball in the bunker. Or, the club misses the sand and strikes the top of the ball, resulting in a topped shot that can go anywhere.
  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 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net   

    
 The Putting Tip
 By Joe Bermel Jr.

  Here is one of the best putting drills since "sliced bread was invented.
  Drill # 2..... A Quadrant Drill
  1. Take 1 golf ball.
  2. On practice green, establish on one hole at four foot distance only.
  3. Ist putt straight uphill.
  4. 2nd putt straight downhill.
  5. 3rd putt right edge slight right to left.
  6. 4th putt left edge slight left to right.
  Every golfer has these 4 putts many times every round. Do this drill again and again.
  Make yourself make 3 consecutive putts at each quadrant.
  This will make you a better 2 putt per hole average.
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" and his 2014 Golf Tip Calendar are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com   

  

Here & There Column


  Great Media Memories

  Memories are so valuable......we all should cherish them and hold them close to us.
  Does getting older bring memories any closer to us?
  Just thinking the other day about the news media in Sullivan County and the so many reporters, writers, columnist, editors and publishers we have had the pleasure to know over the some 71 years that I have been penning articles for various news media.
  Yes......you read that number correctly folks.......I started writing at the age of 8 while attending the Liberty Elementary School on North Main St. and remember well how I started.
  My uncle Cliff Sprague, who owned and operated Sprague Printing and published the Liberty Gazette along with his brothers, asked me one day to pen a column about what was going on in the elementary school some several blocks down the road from their printing plant.
                                                               
   
  I was a frequent visitor to the Liberty Gazette as my aunt and uncle lived four houses down the street from our house on Winslow Place and I would go down to the Gazette office and wait for a ride home with my uncle.
  Since I was always asking Cliff what he was doing (he was the Linotype operator) he introduced me to Hazel Leroy who was famous in Liberty for writing the Liberty locals column and she and Cliff taught me how to write a column......so the beginning of a long and very rewarding career.
  I wrote in high school, college and was a Journalist in the U.S. Navy where I served as sports editor of the China Lake military base newspaper.
  After serving four years in the military I worked in advertising at Radio Station WVOS and announced high school basketball games.
  Then worked as a reporter and columnist for Harold and Clara Schue at the Liberty Register, served as assistant editor when Dick Rosenbaum took over as editor following the passing of Harold, worked  with Don and Emily Battey at the Livingston Manor Times and had a joint venture with them in the purchase of the Liberty Ad-Visor and Sullivan County Press from Harrison Krum, worked as a reporter, advertising sales rep and later as editor of the Hancock Herald replacing editor Paul Fagan, served as advertising manager with Ruby Katz of Southern New York Publishers who printed a weekly shopper and three weekly newspapers including the Republican Watchman and Liberty Evening News.
  Worked with some outstanding newspaper people at Southern Publishers including great writers  like Art Sugarman and Les Woods.
  Served a number of years as a photo-journalist for the Times-Herald Record working with well-known photo-journalist Charlie Crist.
  Also around that time Bruce Wells was a popular news announcer for WVOS.
  My association with the Stabbert family and this newspaper tops my list with cherished times I spent with Fred Stabbert Jr. particularly at the summer picnic and Christmas party when Fred and I could sit off in the corner or in his office and reminisce about some of the same things I have mentioned in this week's column.
  Cherish these memories..... see ya at the next event.

Golfing Highlights Column

 Thunderstorms & Lightning On The Golf Course

  When thunderstorms and lightning interrupts your golf game you should heed golf course warning systems and get off the course........and please don't try to weather out the storm under a tree.
  Golf Courses throughout the country have installed lightning detection devices to help them determine if it is dangerous to be on the golf course.
  Lightning  is a severe hazard that must be viewed seriously.
  When a bolt of lightning flashes across the sky players must immediately stop play and seek shelter even if a signal has not been sounded.
  Golf courses equipped with warning systems will sound the suspension of play that included one to three prolonged blast on a horn.
  The main detection unit is usually on the clubhouse roof or porch balcony and some golf facilities have a second horn located by the Greens Maintenance building.
  Golf course clubhouse personnel we talked to request that after hearing the warning blast that all players immediately leave the course and return to the clubhouse.
  Many golf courses also have posted safety  warning recommendation signs in the clubhouse that advise golfers during thunderstorm and lighning conditions to keep a safe distance from tall objects such as trees, hilltops and telephone poles and avoid projecting above the surrounding landscape.
  If you can't make it to the clubhouse golfers during these storm should seek shelter in low lying areas such as valleys, ditches and depressions and it's very important to stay away from water and objects that conduct electricity such as tractors, golf carts, metal fences and lawnmowers.
  Avoid being the highest point in an open area and the swinging of a golf club or holding an umbrella can make you the tallest object and a target for lightning.
  At one of our outings at the Fallsburg Municipal Tarry Brae Golf Course on Pleasant Valley Road in South Fallsburg we arrived there with a weather report in our hands that showed "a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m".
  Golf Professional Glenn Sonnenschein was johnny on the spot as we walked into his office where he was viewing that day's weather activity on the Internet Doppler Radar.
  The Doppler system showed storms west of the Buffalo area and Glenn felt comfortable that it would be a pleasant day on the golf course with the beautiful sunshine we were experiencing at the time of our arrival. .
  Glenn remarked that this radar predicting system has become a "valuable tool in golf course management and if we are aware of severe weather and thunderstorms we send people right out on the course to get golfers back to the clubhouse."
                                                                           
Glen at the Computer 

  The Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club last year installed an alarm that is triggered by clubhouse personnel and gives three blasts on a speaker that is mounted high on the outside porch section of the deck closest to the golf course.
  Twin Village Board of Directors Treasurer Chuck Husson said, "this has become an important safety issue and we also can use the system to talk over the system  to golfers on the course.
  "It helps us clear the golf course when lighting and thunderstorms arrive on the course," Husson noted.
  Golf Professional Bob Menges at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club said "we do track storm on the computer and we use wunderground and intellicast.
  Swan Lake also uses a horn that blows a warning to get people off the course "and if need be we will go get them off before the storm hits," Menges noted.
 

  Ed's Outlook

  Wow....... where has this summer gone....... hard to believe we are already in the second week of August and in a couple of weeks many golf leagues will be over for 2014.
  September and early October provide decent weather for fall golf leagues but these leagues also require early starting times because of shorter daylight hours......a late Saturday morning golf league could work and we are somewhat surprised that local golf courses don't suggest this.
  One of the entertainers preceding the July 27 Toby Keith show at Bethel Woods featured Colt Brown  who definitely attracted the "Red Neck" crowd with his rap and down to earth country music but it was more interesting to learn that prior to getting into country music Colt was a former professional golfer who played on the Nationwide Tour.....it was a little difficult putting the professional golfer and rap and country music entertainer together as the same person.
  A golfer who I have known for many years was talking to me recently and he noted that he had been shopping in a Dick's Sports Goods store and that one of the sales reps told him that the game of golf is declining much faster then one thinks and that the game has lost over 400,000 participants last year. 
  We are attempting to follow this information up and hopefully will be able to confirm these stated facts  with additional information in one of our future columns.

  Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even score your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177 or 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
                                                         

   The Golf Tip
   By Robert Menges  
 
  How To Attack Buried Bunker Lies
  To blast the ball out of the sand, your club needs to swing more up and down to create a steeper angle of attack.
  To help illustrate, have someone stand (picture a wall) several feet behind the ball. In the backswing, hinge your wrists early to get the club up more, avoiding the person (or wall). 
  Also make note of the length of the backswing. It should almost be a full swing. In order to create enough speed and energy to blast the ball out of the sand, avoid taking a short and/or low backswing.
  From this position, you will be able to swing the club into the sand on the downswing. It's imperative that you strike down into the sand 1 to 2 inches behind the ball and finish with the club low to the ground.
  Amateur  golfers often try to scoop or help lift the ball out of sand and this usually results in the club hitting the sand too far behind the ball and either missing it completely or taking too much sand and leaving the ball in the bunker. Or, the club misses the sand and strikes the top of the ball, resulting in a topped shot that can go anywhere.
  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 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

  Putting Tip
  By Joe Bermel Jr.

  Using Your Eyes
  Outstanding putters use their eyes in many ways for maximum benefit.
  The key to proper alignment is seeing with your eyes the 2 imaginary lines, one between the ball and the hole (target line) and the other imaginary line formed at the ends of your toes, parallel to the target line.
  Now you are in correct alignment to your intended target and as a Professional Putting Expert instructing for 28 years if you follow this tip you will see more of your putts dropping in the cup.
  Joe is available for private lessons,  group, corporate, organizations and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well and his 2014 Putting Tips Calendar are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com



 
 
                                                                 

Thursday, August 7, 2014

HERE & THERE COLUMN


 Protect Our Bee Population                                                       
 
  Agriculture as we know it today might be in trouble if our bee population does not improve.
  Out bees help produce more than 100 types of crops in the United States....everything from watermelons to almonds.
  There is a serious plea being sent out for bees because without them we'd lose more than just honey.
  The facts are our country's most efficient pollinator, the domesticated honeybee is in decline  and this was first noticed some 10 years ago.
  The mortality rate of bees is today at high levels where whole hives are disappearing and each year we continue to lose an average of 30% of our colonies.
  What is happening here....... bee experts think it's caused by the equivalent of bee flu because when bees are sick they leave the hive to prevent other bees from getting sick.
  Now the question arises is why are the bees succumbing to flu and to a combination of other viruses.
  We asked bee keepers to be truthful about this question and they answered us by saying the three biggest factors are increasing pesticides and poor nutrition which weaken the bees' immune system.
  As land is developed, bees are having a harder time finding food and pesticide use is pervasive both in agriculture and in our homes.
  Studies have found 21 different types of pesticides in pollen.
  We support the need to restoring habitat near farms, making our outdoor garden space pollinator-friendly, provide nest sites for bees including bamboo tubes, boxes or hollow logs and go organic to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and other harmful chemicals. 
  Protect our eco system....we seriously are in need of our bee population.

Southern Greens


GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS


Golf Shows Promote This Sport
                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
 
    Targeting golfers when they can't play golf has proven why Joe Stegh meets with success in the presentation of the North Coast Golf Shows from mid-January through  mid-March.     
    Tri-state golfers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania flock each year to the Somerset, NJ show held annually in the Garden State Exhibit Center.

    After many years of attending Joe's shows which previously were held at the Rockland County Community College, Syracuse, NY and now at Somerset we finally were able to get together and meet the President of this great golf show.

  Joe, 50, was born and still resides in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. He's married with a stepdaughter and the family also has four dogs.

  Joe's wife Tracey works with him selling booth space and handling exhibitor relations.

  An avid golfer, Joe started playing at an early age and now plays a couple times a week during the summer months. He formerly played in local Cleveland USGA amateur events when he was a member of a club where he was a 9-time club champion. The club was sold and went public so he can no longer enter these events. His current USGA index is 0.7.

  He held his first golf show in 1986 in Cleveland and the original concept for the show was to gather all of the local golf professionals together at the end of the season to sell their remaining pro shop inventory.

  The show's concept has now evolved into something much different where golfers can shop, compare and save on a huge selection of golf equipment, apparel, accessories, where you can plan your next golf getaway to fabulous resorts, where you can compete in skills competitions and win valuable prizes, where you can test, hit and compare the newest golf clubs, where you can enjoy entertaining stage presentations and demonstrations and where you can receive free instruction from PGA professionals. 

  His North Coast Golf Shows start out in mid-January and run through mid-March with  shows in Baltimore, New Jersey (Somerset), Indianapolis, Washington, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh.
  Moving the show from one location to another involves transporting  tons of equipment in four trucks. Joe brings with him to each show a staff of 11 people and he also hires an additional five or six people locally as well.
  His own staff of employees are mostly involved in setting up and dismantling all of their interactive features and displays and they also staff the long drive contest, demo range and long putt areas.
  Each show averages about 150 exhibitors which fills around 250 booths.
  The golf  entertainers selected for the shows are professionals who are popular with golfers and are good speakers.
  The only show we have missed in many years was the result of a severe snow storm that hit this area several years ago ....... we certainly can attest to the fact that Joe Stegh's North Coast Golf Shows bring an outstanding, professionally run golfing event which is certainly refreshing and welcome to area golfers.

Ed's Outlook

  The World Golf rankings has Tiger Woods listed in 10th place and Adam Scott of Australia in 1st place followed by Rory Mcllroy in 2ed.
  Those Americans ahead of wood include Matt Kuchar in 6th, Bubba Watson in 7th and Jim Furyk in 8th.
  So do these rankings have any bearing on Woods being picked for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
  If it were up to Jack Nicklaus Woods would be an easy decision as a pick for the team but Nicklaus recently pointed out, "I couldn't imagine Woods not being on a Ryder Cup team....unless he does absolutely nothing in recovering from his game between now and then."
  Wood expressed his desire to be on the team following his 69th-place finish at the British Open.
  U.S. Captain Tom Watson also said he would like to pick Woods, but suggested he needs to show some form in his remaining starts....basically meaning that Woods likely needs to average top-3 finishes in tournaments he enters.
  Woods did not fare well in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and there is some doubt that he will be selected for this years U.S. Ryder Cup team.
 

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

  One of the most overlooked aspects in the game of golf is called "course management". 
  There are two different components that control the game of golf, mental and physical. Course management falls under the mental side of the game. Golfers of all ability levels can learn to shave strokes off their game by thinking. 
  Even the greatest golfers in the world hit errant shots once in a while. While some of them make fantastic miracle shots to get out of trouble the smart safe play is forgotten because it does not make the highlight reel. 
  I see golfers try to hit shots they are not capable of and it ends up costing them strokes instead of saving them. If you use good course management, sometimes it is better to pitch out to the fairway and then hit to the green.
  When you are playing a par 5 you may want to lay up with your second shot and then try to make a birdie by using a good wedge game. 
  If you find yourself in trouble on the course, make sure you go through all your options before you hit your shot. By using good course management you are able to keep a big number off of your scorecard.
  You may feel like you are giving up, but sometimes a smart safe play will save you strokes and improve your score.
  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 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net 

The Putting Tip
By Joe Bermel

  Confidence in your putting ability is a huge key.
  4 step process.
  1. Motivation to improve.
  2. Practicing the correct elements of putting including 4 putting drills.
  3. Quality, diligent practice putting sessions will bring good results.
  4. Good results will give the golfer the CONFIDENCE to continue the practice and building of putting skills over time.
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" and his 2014 Golf Tips Calendar are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or my email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 
  

 

HERE & THERE COLUMN


Ya Gotta Love Country Music

                                                            


  The Toby Keith concert at Bethel Woods July 27 had everything.
  Everything means plenty of tailgateing parties, gals in short shorts and cowboy boots, jam-packed parking lots, all shapes of cowboy hats, a crowded lawn audience and lots and lots of good old fashioned country music.
  Tody Keith of course is one of the top country stars today and you could tell the crowd was just waiting for his popular hit "Red Solo Cup"....filler up and lets have a party.
  Krystal Keith did a fine job opening the concert and we especially enjoyed Jason Farris Brown known professionally as Colt Brown who definitely attracted the "Red Neck" attendees with his rap and down to earth country music along with his strong support of the American flag and our military.
  It was interesting to discover that Colt is a former professional golfer who played on the Nationwide Tour but later turned  his interest to country music and hip hop.
  He has  released four albums via Average Joe Entertainment which he co-founded.
  Definitely very talented Colt has charted six times on the  Hot Country Songs charts and co-wrote with Brantley Gilbert "Dirt Road Anthem." After assuming the stage name Colt Ford, he released his debut album "Ride Through the Country."
  Several of his popular songs, "No Trash in My Trailer" and "Ride Through The Country" proved to energize the concert crowd as did patriotic songs from his album "Declaration of Independence."
  The rain held off and country music captured the hearts of everyone at this great concert ... and once again a great job done by Bethel Woods  and their entire staff.
 

 

GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS

 Putting Doctor Steals The Show
                                                     
 
  Golfers from Sullivan County, the tri-county area and the tri-state area make their annual trek to Somerset, NJ in late January and sometimes early February and although these early months of each year might appear as the middle of the winter to area golfers and some local golf professionals its time to show what is new in the game of golf.
  The North Coast Greater New Jersey Golf Show held at the Garden State Exhibit Center is always a must show for this columnist as we get an advanced look into the world of golf and there is always the new look in golf clubs and accessories.
  Whether golfers are looking for the latest equipment, planning their next golf getaway or looking to improve their game, the North Coast Golf Show always has it all.
  We always find time to meet and discuss with exhibitors their newest equipment and this year we had time to spend a good half-hour with our friend, Joe Bermel Jr. "The Putting Doctor" from Long Island, NY.
  Joe proved to be a very interesting and knowledgeable instructor on the subject of "How To Putt Well."
  Bermel showed that he is very passionate about putting. His study of the putting game, disciplined approach, and most importantly, commitment to practice, initially helped him maintain a single digit handicap over the past 30 years.
  This dedication and resulting success helped him develop easy to learn methods to share and teach others to be successful at putting and thereby shoot lower golf scores.
  Not everyone hits a bucket of balls before each round and less people practice putting before a round but the "Putting Doctor" religiously practices putting before each round and regularly spends more than an hour putting on days between rounds.
  Putting and taking putting lessons are important to Joe as he has literally taught hundreds of people on Long Island, various club organizations, Golf Expos, Golf Shows and golf adult education programs through local community programs.
  When Compaq Computer held a World Putting Championship in 1996, "The Putting Doctor" literally beat dozens of New Yorkers head to head before sharing the New York state title.
  A good putting method make for better golf scores and a more enjoyable round of golf.
  In addition to offering group and individual lessons Joe put together a very informative special edition of "How To Putt Well" on a DVD which gives a basic, easy to follow, successful method for good consistent putting.
  The DVD is outstanding and Joe's 28 years of teaching putting is very evident in the DVD as he shows you how to develop and build a consistent putting skill.
  Joe reminds us all that 43% of the average golfers' score is putting and with the DVD you will learn a basic, easy to follow method for good consistent putting, a successful grip, alignment and ball position and a reliable pre-putt routine that will build putting skills, lower your scores and enable you to enjoy your golf game.
  Whether through a private lesson, or series of lessons, or via a group or corporate clinic and Joe's "How To Putt Well" DVD, you are guaranteed to come away a better putter.
  Information on lessons, a group or corporate show and his DVD can be obtained at the web site, www.theputtingdoctor.com by telephone at 631-589-1384 or via email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com

Ed's Outlook

  The Villa Roma Golf Course featuring some of the best fairways and greens in the region will  challenge the talents of the area's finest amateur golfers starting today as the annual Sullivan County Democrat two-man better ball tournament gets underway with competition through Sunday.
  Built in the late 1980's and opened for play in 1988 Golf Digest has referred to this course as "A Little Slice of Heaven."
  This par 71 course has a total yardage of 6,458 from the black tees and most golfing expeerts agree it is a perfect challenge for the expert. The front nine totals 3,183 yards and the back nine 3,275 yards.
  Built by David Postlevaite this course is in excellent condition and pin placements for this premier tournament will present a challenge.
  Good luck golfers, winners of this event are true champions.

  Ed Townsend is a PR Consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177 or 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.  

Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

  How To Practice Efficiently
  Practice anytime will always help your golf game.
  We recommend that golfers start with a good practice routine.
  If you want to improve your game, it is important to set some goals, and map out a practice schedule.
  I would like to offer you a few suggestions on how to practice. You must first realize there are different areas of the game where you can focus on becoming a better player. Most golfers consider hitting a bucket of balls before their round as practice.
  Obviously, you want to work on your full swing, but you need to look at what is considered the scoring area of the game, the short game.
  Putting, chipping, pitching and bunker shots are just as important as a 300-yard drive. Most golfers ignore this part of the game when they practice. I feel you should spend t least twice the amount of time practicing your short game as you do your full swing.
  Try to put aside a minimum of one hour a week to devote to your short game practice. If you have a chance to go to the range after work you can spend a half hour on the range working on your full swing, and then take another night and spend one hour on the practice green working on your short game.
  I bet you will find if you improve your short game you will see an improvement in your overall score. Also, in order to work out any kinks in your game, it is a good idea to make an appointment for a lesson with your local Golf Professional.
  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 by telephone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Putting Tip
By Joseph Bermel Jr.

  If you want to score well you must learn to putt well.
  Without a doubt the #1 key is "organization of your mind."
  To ask and answer the questions, "what are we going to do and how are we going to do it?"
  Remember the challenge in putting, in golf, and in sports in general is coordinating the mind and the body.
  To do this keep your mind organized throughout the entire game.
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" and his 2014 Putting Tip Calendar is available by calling 631-589=1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com