GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS

A One Stop Golf Complex

  Myrtle Beach is labeled as the  "golf capital" of the world and part of this golf wonderland is the Harborview 18-hole executive par 3 golf course that is also lighted for night play.
  Harborview is located near the picturesque fishing village of Little River, South Carolina and close to many restaurants and shops near the Intercoastal Waterway featuring the quant shops and restaurants of Calabash, North Carolina, just a short drive over the North/South Carolina border.
  This par 3 executive course, managed by Rita Kreutter, has been voted No. 1 in the Carolinas and the course is in a class by itself.
  Holes range from 100 yards to 154 yards and these holes wander through a beautiful tree filled course and with lights the facility is open until 11 p.m.
  With the average distance for holes being between 125 and 130 yards the course is more than just a pitch and putt.
  Club selection plays an important role here plus sharpen up your putting skills if you want to get anywhere near the 18-hole par score of 54.
  This fun-filled 18-hole course can be played in about 2.5 hours and tee times are not required and rental clubs and riding carts are available.
  Golfers looking to sharpen their short game will also appreciate the availability of a qualified instructor.
  Each hole on this beautiful  course has two sets of tees available 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  Harbour View also features a driving range which was voted in the top 50 ranges in the U.S. and the Tribal Island Miniature Golf course with play thru caverns and beneath waterfalls and an active volcano.
  The driving range offers practice off turf or mates, has target greens, sand bunkers and a chipping area.
  This golfing complex offers affordable rates, group discounts and winter memberships.
   When visiting the Myrtle Beach area the course is located at 901 Highway 17 N next to the Sleep Inn Motel.
   Sullivan County can learn by the success that the Myrtle Beach offers...... the golf industry should consider offering a par 3 lighted golf facility.

Ed's Outlook

  What would you do if you were a spectator at a Professional Championship tournament and a professional golfer needed a caddie because  he had just fired his professional caddie?
  Veteran PGA Tour Golfer Robert Allenby is once again making headlines for something other than his golf scores after firing his caddie in the middle of the first round at the RBC Canadian Open.
  Allenby said after the round that he fired his caddie, Mick Middiemo, after he completed nine holes following a verbal confrontation on the course.
  A fan standing nearby heard Allenby talking to a course official and volunteered to carry Allenby's bag and the golfer agreed to go along with it.
  The verbal confrontation allegedly came after Allenby and his caddie disagreed on a club choice on the approach to the par-5 13-th hole, his fourth hold of the day.
  Allenby, not in a very good frame of mind due to an earlier penalty, was already hitting his fourth shot on the hole and the approach, using the club suggested by his caddie, ended up in a creek.
  The fan, identified as Tom Fraser noted that he didn't do much to try and assist Allenby and got a lot of help from the other caddies in the group and where to stand and lay the bag.
  Allerby went on to shoot 81 in the opening round but withdrew afterward.
  Would you as a spectator step up to the plate and volunteer to be a caddie for a professional golfer?

  Ed Townsend, a PR Consultant to the sport of golf, 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, 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 Stance For Chipping
  Is is very important to setup to any shot correctly. This lesson is a golf stance tip to help you setup correctly every time. A good solid setup will help make hitting your short game shots closer to the hole.
  This in turn will give you shorter putts for your next shot.
  The key to any setup is to place your club head behind the ball before you set your body into position. This is the only way to be sure that you are aiming correctly. The chip shot in particular relieve heavily on proper aiming.
  You are trying to get the ball as close to the hole as possible.....and therefore you are aiming at the smallest target there is in golf....the hole.
  When you put your club on the ground keep your feet together. This is a little trick that will allow you to keep your focus on aiming your golf club first.
  Keep your club in it's position and spread your feed so that your heals are no more than 6 inches apart....you can be less than 6 inches if that is more comfortable for you, however you should not get wider than that.
  A narrow stance naturally makes your swing a little steeper....this is good for chipping because it helps ensure a downward strike on the golf ball and a downward strike is the only way to make good contact.
  You should have plenty of balance because the swing is so short and you don't need a lot of power.
  With feet spread slide your left foot away from the ball, bend knees slightly, push your butt backwards, keep your shoulders square, lean some of your weight onto your left foot and make sure your hands are slightly ahead of the ball.
  Follow these steps and you will develop a rock solid chipping setup position.
  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 by email at menges@hughes.net

Putting Tip
 By Joseph Bermel Jr.

   This week we are offering several tips on how to improve your putting skills.
   The first tip is to get it within two feet...simply putting the ball within a two-foot radius from the hole.
   Try to leave yourself with an easy uphill second putt. Try to stay away from a downhill putt which includes a break..
   Take the putter back a lesser distance and speed up through the ball...gives increases control that is gained through acceleration.
  Keep it basic......take the blade of the putter back and hit the ball squarely at impact...the more basic this is the more consistent you may become.
  On lengthier putts concentrate on the target which should be two inches off to the right of the hole anticipating the break of the green being two inches. Other factors that could influence break are speed of the greens, how the grass lies following cutting and powerful wind.
  Joe Bermel Jr. is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" and his 2015 Golf Tips Calendar are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com