GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS

 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. Eugene "Gene" Ackerley, Mr. Peter "Pete" Gozza, Mrs. Elaine "Sis" Rosch Normanbin and the Hon. Robert "Bob" Williams.

  This journey along with much tradition continues Saturday, September 27 when the 8th 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, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

  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 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."

  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 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.

  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, Kelly Hamlin at 845-798-8498, Clifford Hamlin at 845-292-3262 or John Dunnigan at 845-292-3253 or email at thehammer@thehammerouting.com
  Those who have received invitations are asked to return them to Susan Hamlin at 6135 State Rt. 55, Liberty, NY 12754

 Ed's Outlook

  If the Mohegan Sun bid for a casino at the former Concord Hotel site is selected it would include the revitalization of the 18-hole Big "G" golf course at the former Grossinger Country Club and the redevelopment of Grossinger's including a spa, hotel and vacation homes.

  The father and son team of Chuck Husson III and Chuck Husson IV with a total of 223 points are the 2014 champions of the 18-team Monday Men's league at the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club. Ken Knudsen and Elton Harris took second place with 216 points and third place champions are Ron Schulte and Dennis Bennett with 206 points. Chuck Husson IV received honors for having the most pars at 73 and the most birdies at 26. He also was in the top five golfers winning a total of 106 match points followed by Chuck Husson III with 104 points, Elton Harris and Ken Knudsen with 99 points, Ed Townsend with 98.50 and Jordan Tallman with 94.50. The league's annual dinner was held at the Rockland House on August 25.

This will be our wrap-up column for the 2014 local golf season and we want to thank our local golf professionals, superintendents, product manufactures, Bob Menges and Joe Bermel for their golfing tips and league secretaries who helped in providing league standings. What we do would not be possible without all you hel. Thank you again.
God willing and the creek don't rise we will be back next spring with Golfing Highlights. Visit us next week for the start of our Bowling Highlights Column. 

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 19 from 1-4.

  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.

  A limited number of tickets are available by calling Chuck Husson at 607-498-5557.

  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, 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

  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