Golfing Highlights Column 9-7-07

A 180-yard shot over a pond makes the (par 3) 18th hole at the French Woods Golf & Country Club on Route 97 near Hancock very interesting.

French Woods Offers Eat Stay & Play Packages

Discount golf packages including a private 1,500 square foot rustic charm lodge along with the ever-popular breakfast or lunch golfing specials have made the French Woods Golf & Country Club near Hancock a popular golfing location.
Brochures and guest information available at the French Woods golf facility suggest to golfers that "after a hard days work on the course you deserve more than a cramped hotel room."
Making accommodations available to their golfers is nothing new in the vacation-golfing industry and Russ and Lynn Bass have added an extra touch for their guests with the construction of 7 private lodges situated throughout the golf course.
And these are not your regular Abe Lincoln log cabins but offer golfers and guests some 1,500 square feed of living space that included all the amenities of a fine home and comfortably sleeps four people in two separate bedrooms. A common area upstairs in these lodges has two twin beds so additional vacationers can also be housed in these cabins that offer a full kitchen, a large dining area, one and one-half baths and a back porch complete withe barbecue grill.
Discount golf packages offer a private lodge overlooking the fairway or the Delaware River for up to four people, a free breakfast in the Clubhouse each day, unlimited free golf (carts not included) for four people and different rates apply to the length of stay and additional fees apply for more than four people.
An attractive clubhouse is also available serving guests breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fine dining in a relaxed and casual atmosphere is a speciality here.
The club special of $28 Monday through Thursday included golf and cart for 18-holes and breakfast or lunch.
The facility is also available for special banquet and party packages.
The Bass family and their staff are always available to customize golf packages to suit every golfers special needs.
Russ and Lynn know the importance of comfortable vacation living and they go out of their way to offer every modern convenience.
The first nine holes of this course opened in 1999 and in 2001 the back nine opened.
The course plays from the blue tees 6,018 yards and is a par 72. The front nine and back nine play to par 36.
Last week we detailed the club history and the front nine.
This week we will describe the back nine which has a total yardage of 3,059 yards from the blue tees.
For tee or dinner reservations call 607-637-1800. Their web site is http://www.golfandxski.com/
Hole No. 10 is a 533-yard par 5. There is water to the right, stay center of the fairway and try to keep your putt below the hole on this slanting green. There are no traps on this green.
Hole No. 11 is a 166-yard par 3 with an elevated green and uphill fairway. This hole plays longer than it looks. The flat green and a well placed tee shot can get you your birdie or par.
Hole No. 12 is a 315-yard par 4 is an uphill dogleg to the left. Try to stay in the center of this fairway for best scoring results. Trap is on the right side of the green.
Hole No. 13 is a 500-yard par 5 with the fairway slanting to the right. Keeps your shots to the left.
Hole No. 14 is a 370-yard par 4 with a dogleg left. Try to stay in the middle of the fairway. There are no traps on this green.
Hole No. 15 is a 335-yard par 4 with a pond left. Take your tee shot to the right of the pond.
Hole No. 16 is a 300-yard par 4 with water to the left. Challenge the tee shot and slam a good drive over the water for a good birdie chance, Playing right center is suggested. There are no traps on this green.
Hole No. 17 is a 360-yard par 4 with a dogleg right. His center left here and choose a three wood on your tee shot. No traps on this green.
Hole No. 18 is a 180-yard par 3 with the tee shot having to carry over a pond. Proper club selection and a good tee shot gets you another birdie. A real attractive finishing hole on a back nine that still needs time to mature.

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

The Importance of Wedges:
In today's ever-changing golf game, most players are under the influence that if they hit the ball longer they will play better.
Even though technology has increased how far the ball will travel, the scores are about the same. There is no doubt that if you hit the ball longer you should have less club to the green and be able to get the ball closer to the hole and make more putts.
I believe this to be true, but you better be able to hit the shots on the green close to the pin. In order to hit the ball close, I feel it is important to carry three wedges in your golf bag. Most people have a pitching wedge that comes with their set. This club has 47 to 49 degrees of loft. You have a choice to make for the other two wedges. A gap wedge comes with about 50 to 53 degrees of loft and a lob wedge is about 60 to 64 degrees of loft. I would choose between these two clubs depending on how far you hit the ball.
A lob wedge will save you shots around the green and a gap wedge will help you with the in between yardages in the fairway.
You should always carry a sand wedge that has 54 to 57 degrees of loft.
Some touring Professionals will carry 4 wedges in their bag.
The next time you play a round of golf, count how many shots you take from 100 yards in to the hole. I think you will find that this will total about 60 percent of your score.
When you are trying to improve your score, it is important to lower the number of shots you take close to the green. I think having three wedges in your bag will help you accomplish a lower score.
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 292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@localnet.com

Ed's Outlook

Wow.......where has the summer of 2007 gone..............and now that's it's September let us not forget that there is a lot more golfing available on all area golf courses.
Also many courses put into play reduced fall rates so lets look for some great golfing in our beautiful fall weather.
This will be our wrap up column for golf for this year and as always we look forward to bringing you Golfing Highlights next spring.
Our sincere thanks to area golf courses and the professionals that manage these facilities for the opportunity to play and highlight their playgrounds.
Golfers who both live locally and visitors who play here are truly a lucky bunch to be able to play golf on the outstanding golf courses we have in the Sullivan County and tri--county and tri--state areas.
No better golf anywhere.......its just a shame we have such a short season from May through the most part of October.
Get out there and enjoy it........it's a long winter.
See ya all in the spring. Join us next week for Bowling Highlights.
Ed's Outlook is provided by Golfing Highlights Columnist Ed Townsend. If you have a topic you would like covered Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177 or by sending an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com Remember to read our Web BLOG at http://bght.blogspot.com/


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Here & There Column 9-4-07

Liberty Central High School student Lacoln LaGattuta babysits her friends cow at the Grahamsville Little World's Fair.

Youth Are The Strength of Little World's Fair

I can't wait each year to attend the Little World's Fair at Grahamsville.
Yes I do enjoy a fair and the Neversink Agricultural Society has a top performance formula that produces a top quality fair.
A fair means different things to different people.
Most of our youth enjoy the midway rides and many of the games while some go to the fair to enjoy the vast variety of food.
Now for not being a person who was born and raised on a farm, but had somewhat of a close relationship with one set of my grandparents who owned and operated the farm that use to take up most of the acreage on both sides of Townsend Road near White Sulphur Springs, I did as a youth get familiar with cows, horses, pigs, chickens etc. etc.
That familiar feeling with farm animals and growing of the different farm crops and grandma's garden has never left me.
I've told this cat story probably hundreds of times but I still remember my wanting to take one of the farm cats home with me where my family lived on Winslow Place in the Village of Liberty. My grandfather told me to take the cat home but don't ever let it get out of the house. I really didn't know what he was trying to tell me but several weeks after bringing the kitty from the barn to our Liberty home somehow the kitchen door was not fully closed one day and my "Pussinboots" got out and my first thought were that I'd never see her again.
About a week later my grandmother called saying my cat was back at the farm in the barn.............now you tell me how a cat knows how to get from the north side of Liberty to the farm which was located where the Agway gas pumps were located on Route 52 near White Sulphur Springs.
My grandfather explained to me that cats have a built in seance of direction and can always find their way back home.......over the years others have told me the same story.
But....back to the Little World's Fair......... one of the fist things I like to see is the horse pulling contests and then its off to see the horses, cows, pigs, chickens (poultry) rabbits, sheep and goats, garden fruits and vegetables, culinary arts, flowers and house plans and quilts and all the knitted items.
Having so many of the youth involved in the 4-H programs and the National FFA organization is what I feel this fair is all about. The folks providing leadership of these youth programs deserve a big pat on the back for the support they give to possibly some of our future farmers and the future of farming as we know it today.
We hope that the rewards of ribbons and citations continue to encourage these 4-H and FFA youth....the strength of the Little World's Fair and future farming.

Golfing Highlights Column 8-31-07

The elevated seventh tee at the French Woods Golf Course gives golfers a beautiful view.

Cabin Fever At French Woods Golf Course

Carved out of the Catskill Mountains, the French Woods Golf Course provides unparalleled vistas and priceless views on it's 18 hole 6,000 yard public course.
The course is also unique in that it offers 7 private lodges situated throughout the golf course with each lodge featuring 2 bedrooms, dining and living room and full kitchen.
Russ and Lynn Bass have worked hard to bring a scenic challenging and enjoyable golf course to all levels of players
The clubhouse overlooks the course and entire valley providing panoramic views that reach out to as far away as 25 miles.
The land upon which the golf course is built is now once again back in the Bass and Bouchoux family whose descendants were some of the first settlers and land owners in the French Woods area....dating back to the mid 1800's.
In 1997, Russell and Lynn Bass (whose maiden name was Bouchoux) were looking to attract interest to the French Woods area. Their decision was to construct a golf course, restaurant and log cabins for rental.
Construction of the front nine of the golf course was started in the spring of 1997. This was not a simple easy project as the entire area was all woods.
Russell designed the course and since he was in the logging business, logging crews came in, cut down trees and cleared the land.
On June 29, 1999 the first nine holes were open. Work continued on the back nine and on June 29, 2001 the back nine opened.
The course is presently home to a Monday ladies league and Tuesday and Thursday ladies leagues. The Hancock Central School and Family School use French Woods as their home golf course for league competition.
The course plays from the blue tees 6,018 yards and is a par 72. The front and back nine play to par 36. The front nine plays a total of 2,959 yards from the blue tees
French Woods Golf & Country Club also offers fine dining in their very well designed modern clubhouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is available along with special banquet and party packages.
Cabin and golf packages are also available.
Golf course superintendent is Dan Wormuth.
The pro shop offers all the essentials of golf and a small bar greets you as you enter the clubhouse. A putting green awaits you just outside the clubhouse entrance.
Club memberships are available at $550 for single and $725 for couples. Family memberships are $790.
The club special of $28 Monday through Thursday includes golf and cart for 18 holes and breakfast or lunch.
For tee or dinner reservations call 607-637-1800. Their web site is http://www.golfandxski.com/
We found the course very interesting to play from the blue tees.
We will describe to you this week how the first nine holes should be played. Next week we will detail the back nine.
Hole No. 1 is a 351-yard par 4, keep you tee shot down the middle and avoid the trees on both sides of the fairway. No traps on this green.
Hole No. 2 is a 135-yard par 3. Short narrow downhill fairway but club selection is important here.
Hole No. 3 is a 423-yard par 5 and best to keep your tee shot in the center of the fairway. This hole plays uphill with a large pond on the left which is visible from the tee. There is a trap on the right front section of this green. Good club selection here can get you a birdie.
Hole No. 4 is a 373-yard par 4 with a sharp dogleg to the left on your tee shot. Stay center right. There is water crossing the fairway about 100 plus yards from the tee. There are no traps on this green. Club selection on the tee is important here.
Hole No. 5 is a 500-yard par 5 with a dogleg left. Hit your tee shot over the fairway flag. There is a trap left front of this green. Good club selection here helps getting a birdie or par.
Hole No. 6 is a 177-yard par 3. Requires a tee shot straight down the middle for a birdie or par.
Hole No. 7 is a 317-yard par 4 and presents a view worth the trip to this golf facility. There is a highly elevated tee which makes this hole just outstanding and our favorite on this whole course.With the green sitting to the left it is best to play to the right side of the fairway. There is a big gully before this green. A nice par hole.
Hole No. 8 is a 360-yard par 4 with a dogleg right. Stay right on your tee shot and do not use the driver. There is some water left.
Hole No. 9 is a 370-yard par 4 with a slight dogleg right. Another nice view from the blue tee. There is a small pond right so play the center of the fairway. Trap is located on the right side of the green.

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

The mental game is important. Make a commitment to improve, and 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 taken 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 no 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 on Mt. Hope Road at 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 e-mail at menges@localnet.com

Ed's Outlook

Local golf icon Ellsworth "Bucky" Buck will be the guest of honor at this years Twin Village Golf Club Annual Dinner Saturday, September 8 at the Rockland House in Roscoe.
Eighty-nine year-old "Bucky" has gone through a quadruple heart by-pass, developed medical problems with his right knee and has battled various other medical problems this past two years but his love for the game of golf gives him that hope and desire to someday return to play the game of golf again.
When Bucky was on the course you couldn't find a better dressed golfer as he sported the Payne Stewart look with knickers-style pants and long socks.
Bucky was and still is an accomplished musician and is a well-known author and writer of poems.
It's always a pleasure to be around Bucky because he is a pure gentleman and always proclaims his strong belief in God and his Christian faith.
We miss Bucky on the golf course with his 48-inch Yonex Titanium Plus driver and his 24-karet golf putter.
It will be a fun evening when the Twin Village Golf Club honors this golfing icon.
The evening will also honor all of the club champions for 2007. An open bar will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 and dinner will be at 6:30 p.m.
Those wishing to be a part of this evening can call Mary Austin for reservations at 607-498-4757.
Ed's Outlook is provided by Golfing Highlights Columnist Ed Townsend. If you have a topic that would make good reading, or have golf scores, standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached by calling 439-8177 or by sending an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
Read our Web BLOG at http://bght.blogspot.com/

Here & There Column 8-28-07

Boston Pops musicians warm up prior to the start of their August 19 performance at Bethel Woods.

HV Philharmonic & Boston Pops Outstanding

Making beautiful music together was certainly the theme for the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and The Manhattan Transfer on the evening of August 12 at Bethel Woods Center For The Arts.
The Manhattan Transfer has been together for more than 30 years and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic (originally called the Dutchess County Philharmonic Orchestra) was formed in 1932 and started to perform its first public concerts in 1934.
At the Hudson Valley Philharmonic began its warm-up session those sitting in the audience might have wondered if several of the orchestra members in the violin section were also going to put on a fashion show for different style hats.
The lead violinist wore an attractive styled straw hat while another violin player sported a white sporty looking headpiece.
Conductor Randall Fleischer noted that a number of the members of this orchestra also play at the New York Opera and the New York Philharmonic.
The audience quickly warmed up to this outstanding orchestra when they played Cole Porter's "Begin The Beguine."
Well known musical hits from top-noted composers filled the evening air to everyone's enjoyment..
The Manhattan Transfer opened the second half of the show with the Philharmonic by singing the popular "Get Your Kicks On Route 66."
The Manhattan Transfer is comprised of talented Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne and their mix of swing music with a jazz twist and pop along with numerous other styles made this evening entertaining and fun.
This was definitely a Manhattan Transfer audience that showed their appreciation for this unique style of music.
In its formative years, the group developed a strong cult following while playing such New York clubs as Trude Heller's, Reno Sweeney and Max's Kansas City.
Bethel Woods and the Boston Pops presented a first for their venue on Sunday, August 19 when the audience took part in a "Cinematic Sing Along" with great songs like "As Time Goes By", Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", "Moon River", "The Way We Were", Que Sera, Sera", "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and "Over The Rainbow."
We truly mean that is does not get any better then the Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart, one of the finest conductors ever to take the podium.
The audience on this night was also treated to three very talented singers, Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley and PopSearch 2007 Grand Champion Maria Perry.
Lockhard conducted this fine very talented group of musicians through a "Tribute To Oscar and Tony" with great hits like Gone With The Wind, Overture to Around the World In 80 Days, Main title from My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, and the balcony scene from West Side Story. "America's Orchestra" again proved to be a big, big hit at Bethel Woods in their second appearance in two years.
Two great shows by Bethel Woods Center For The Arts.

Golfing Highlights Column 8-24-07

A good tee shot on the Villa Roma Club Hole No. 13 will determine your birdie or par. This 174-yard par 3 is an all downhill shot from an elevated tee. A great golf hole on an oustanding course.

Excellent Golf Course--Outstanding Management

Any great golf course has to have excellent management to keep it that way.
Certainly this is the case as the Villa Roma Golf Club where Matt Kleiner heads up a staff for what Golf Digest has called, "A Little Slice of Heaven."
Matt started playing golf in high school as a sophomore and kept improving his game. He became the team's number one player in his senior year at Calhoun High in Merrick.
After turning pro in 1979, he played on the Florid Mini Tour Circuit from 1979 to 1985. He was a teaching professional at Glen Cove Golf Club in Glen Cove from 1979-1980 and from 1984 to 1985.
Matt met his wife, Jill, in 1984 at the GlenCove Golf Club and became head professional at the Villa Roma Resort in April 1985 while the course was still under construction
Matt is described by golfers as an excellent teacher and provides lessons by appointment.
In his 22ed year at the Villa Roma, Matt in recent interviews has said he wants to play more Professional Golf Association (PGA) events and that after turning 50 he is looking to compete in Senior PGA Club Pro Tournaments.
In addition to Kleiner his staff consists of Assistant Golf Pro Gregg Semenetz, an outstanding golfer in his own right, Razor Ransom and Sarah Nebzydoski. Keeping the golf course tees, fairways and greens in beautiful playing condition is the responsibility of golf course superintendent Jeffrey Coccodrilli.
This par 71 course has a total yardage of 6,458 from the black tees.
This golf facility offers a well equipped Pro Shop, a driving range, putting greens and practice facilities.
Last week we outlined the front nine.
This week we look at the back nine with a total yardage from the black tees of 3,275. The back nine is longer and more challenging but rewards solidly struck shots.
The back nine with a par of 36 features five par 4's, two par 5's and two par 3's.
Hole No. 10 is a 385-yard par 4 with a tree lined fairway that opens up after the tee shot. The fairway slopes downhill and the key shot here is off the tee slightly off center to the left side of the fairway. There is water some 20 to 30 yards in front of this green and a trap on the left side of the green. A good wedge shot puts you in play for a birdie or par.....a real nice golf hole for the start of the back nine.
Hole No. 11 is a 545-yard par 5, the longest hole on this course. It takes a good tee shot to keep you away from the marsh wet area located center-right off the tee, Keep the tee shot center or left center in the fairway which slopes right to left. Keep is straight and this long hole rewards you with a par.
Hole No,. 12 is a 357-yard par 4 with a dogleg left and the fairway running uphill to an elevated green. Keep you tee shot left center for a good second shot to the green. A trap is located on the right front side of the green.
Hone No. 13 is a 174-yard par 3 which requires accuracy and good club selection. The tee is elevated high above the green so it is an all downhill shot. . Traps are left and right of the green. We really like this hole and your tee shot will determine your birdie or par.
Hole No. 14 is a 332-yard par 4 with the first part of the fairway sloping downhill and a pond confronting golfers off the tee. Keep your tee shot firm and to the left center of the fairway to avoid a fairway trap on the right. The second half of the fairway slopes uphill to the green, which has a trap on the right front section.
Hole No. 15 is a 513-yard par 5 with a dogleg right. Traps are on the left and right side of the green.
Hole No. 16 is a 430-yard par 4 with an open fairway. Best play here is to the left side of the fairway. There is a trap on the right front section of the green. A nice par 4 here is reachable for many.
Hole No. 17 is a 180-yard par 3 and the tee shot must go over a large pond. Take the water out of play and select the right club for putting the ball in the center of the green and you will have your par 3.
Hole No. 18 is a 435-yard par 4 and some decision-making is in order for the tee shot. The fairway runs slightly with a dogleg right and there is a pond about 195-yards off the tee. It's about a 240-yard long tee shot to clear the pond so many golfers prefer to lay up in front of the pond. A nicely hit fairway shot from in front of the pond puts you in a good position for the par 4. There are traps left and right of the green. A few good decisions here makes this an outstanding golf hole.
The pro shop can be reached for reservations and information at 887-5097. The course Web site is http://www.villaroma.com/

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

Being A Good Mudder:
Invariably at one time or another, some moisture is going to fall on us while we are enjoying a tour of the golf course.
Some advice for playing in the rain is important because playing in the rain is full of distractions. It can become a distinct advantage for players gifted with powers of concentration stronger than their physical abilities.
With the assumption that you at least have your rain suit handy, here are a few extra arrows for your wet quiver:
* Have you tried Latex gloves? Rubber on rubber doesn't slip. Pulling them out at just the right time can be fun too. I like the yellow-colored ones the best. Naturally, it takes a plop, but you can do it. The "rain gloves" made by several manufacturers are another option if you lack some chutzpah.
* Wear you contact lenses, if you have them. It's tough to hit the ball when you're seeing three of them because of the raindrops on your glasses.
* Bring several towels. They'll come in handy for a variety of reasons.
* Bring several hats. In spite of the Redford/Newman glorification of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," many golfers can't hack the drips.
* Re-read the casual water rule.
* Always dry your ball and your putter blade before making the stroke.
* Remember shots out of the wet sand always go farther.
* Bring a baggie for your score card. It's nice to show your opponents how badly you "out-mudded" them once you return to the 19th hole.
Robert Menges is the golf pro at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@localnet.com

Ed's Outlook

No offense to Zach Johnson, Angel Cabrera or Padraig Harrington, but....well...the annual PGA Grand Slam of Golf sure got a boost when Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship to round out the foursome.
The annual event bringing together the year's major championship winners is moving to Bermuda this year for the first time and will be played in October.
Ewart Brown, the Premier of Bermuda, was at Southern Hills and no doubt rooting for Tiger.
"For our island, this will not be a country club tournament. It will be a country tournament," Brown said.
"To be able to get Tiger now means our investment now stands to reap significant returns."
Ed's Outlook is provided by Golfing Highlights Columnist Ed Townsend. If you have a topic that would make good reading, or have golf scores, standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached by calling 845-439-8177 or by sending an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
Visit out Web BLOG at http://bght.blogspot.com/

Golfing Highlights Column 8-17-07

Villa Roma Golf Course staff members include, from the left, PGA Golf Professional Matt Kleiner, pro-shop assistant Sarah Nebzydoski, starter Razoe Ransom and Assistant Golf Professional Gregg Semenetz .

The 213-yard par 3 second hole with the fairway sloping downhill requires an accurate tee shot. Traps are to the right and left of this green.

Villa Roma Can Challenge The Expert

The Villa Roma golf course is one of the newest golf facilities in the Catskills.
Built in the late 1980's and opened for play in 1988, the course features some of the best fairways and greens in the region and has been called by Golf Digest "A Little Slice of Heaven."
This par 71 course has a total yardage of 6,458 from the black tees and most golfing experts agree it is a perfect challenge for the expert. The front nine total 3,183 yards and the back nice totals 3,275 yards. From the blue tees its 3,000 yards on the front nine and 3,034 on the back nine.
The fairways and tee boxes in our most recent play were found to be in excellent condition and the greens were fast. A great job by Golf Course Superintendent Jeffrey Coccodrilli.
The course was built by David Postlevaite.
Matt Kleiner is the PGA Golf Professional at the Villa, a position he has held since 1986 while the course was still under construction.
Gregg Semenetz is the assistant golf pro.
Sarah Nebzydoski is very helpful in the pro shop and in taking reservations and Razor Ransom helps golfers get started on time.
Golf instruction is provided by Matt Kleiner. Appointments for instruction can be made at the pro shop.
The Pro shop offers a complete selection of name brand men's and women's golf apparel and equipment including Nike, Slazenger, Gear for Sport, Titleist, Foot Joy, Callaway, Ping and Taylor Made.
Seasonal golf memberships are available at the cost of $990 per person or $1,500 per couple. Memberships include green fees or the entire season, club storage and locker room, 10 percent off Beechwoods Grill, members tournaments and year-end members banquet.
Golf fees for 18-holes Monday-Sunday for non-guest players is $55 and $65 on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. After 3 p.m. fees are $30.
The course also offers a driving range, putting greens and practice facilities.
The front nine of this course is very generous off the tee, but the greens must be read properly with their undulations. The front nine features two part 5's, three par 3's and four par 4's.
Hole No. 1 is a 365-yard par 4 which requires a straight drive off the tee and it's better to stay left center as the fairway slopes left to right. The key for a par here is club selection on your second shot.
Hole No. 2 is a 213-yard par 3 with the fairway sloping downhill. A trap is to the right of this green and an accurate tee shot will determine the par here.Don't stray right here.
Hole No. 3 is a 533-yard par 5. Most of the fairway runs uphill and best to keep your tee shot in the center of this fairway. The green has undulations and staying out of trouble here will get you your par.
Hole No. 4 is a 408-yard par 4 downhill with a slight dogleg to the right. A good drive here and an accurate pitch shot has you seriously looking at a birdie. The green slopes left to right .There is a deep bunker at the right front section of this green and a trap on the left side. A nice golf hole.
Hole No. 5 is a 395-yard par 4. Keep it straight here and in the middle of the fairway. The second half of the fairway slopes slightly downhill. Good shot making will produce opportunities for a par or less here.
Hole No. 6 is a 400-yard par 4, pretty much a straight shot. Traps are on the left and right front of this green.
Hole No. 7 is a 171-yard par 3, the shortest hole on the front nine, There is a trap on the left side of the green but your club selection is important in recording your par,
Hole No. 8 is a 495-yard par 5 and is the most interesting hole on the front nine, Keep your ball right center as this hole plays a slight dogleg right, The important decision on the second shot is to succeed with a long iron or good fairway wood and go for the green or lay-up with the second shot somewhere about 10 to 20 feet from the pong and marsh area, The green has traps on the right and left sides of this green. An excellent golf hole.
Hole No. 9 is a 203-yard par 3 with traps on the left side and right front of this green. An accurate teen shot get you your par.
While enjoying this beautiful layout take in the magnificent views of the countryside.
We will detail the back nine in next week's column
For information and tee times call 887-5097. Their web site is http://www.villaroma.com/

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

Prepare our mind for a better game.
We all have different ways of doing things on the golf course, which is why one technique or strategy might work for one person but not another.
For example, some of us will visualize the shot we want to hit in our mind, because it helps us execute the shot. For others, they have to experience the shot.
With that said ( or written, in this case), it never hurts to try something new. So here are several "pep talks" you can create to help build your confidence for the next round.
After each round of golf, take 60 seconds to sit quietly and replay your three best shots of the round. Visualize them in slow motion and lock every detail into your memory. They'll come back to cheer you on in the future..
Tell someone about your best shot of the day, but never talk about your worst shots. Professionals can usually remember every shot during a tournament, but there is one shot they "just don't recall"--it's their worst shot. Let the bad shots go, and never, ever talk about them.
After every shot, remember to say, "great shot" and mean it when you say it. the results may not be exactly what you wanted, but the ball went where you hit it. So go and do it again.
Breathe before every shot or putt, remember to breathe deeply and softly. It will relax your whole body and allow you to focus on the task at hand.
Make it a part of your pre-shot routine to consciously expect a great shot. As you pull the club from your bag, smile. As you look down the fairway or line up your putt, smile. As you stand over the ball, smile. Expect the best.
Finally, but perhaps most importantly , have fun our there. Golf is a game. Yes, it can be very challenging and frustrating at times, but it is intended to be a form of enjoyment. Enjoy the day, the weather and the time with friends, Chances are, you'll enjoy the wonderful game of golf as well.
Robert Menges is the golf pro at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@localnet.com

Ed's Outlook

The 4th annual Mansion Ridge Beef & Brew golf tournament will be held Thursday, August 30 with a 1 p.m. shotgun.
The event features prizes, contests, dinner, beer and wine and greens fee and cart for $115 per person.
For information and registration call the pro shot at 845-782-7888.
The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge is located at 1292 Orange Turnpike in Monroe.
Our talks with the many golf professionals at the golf course's we review each year always seems to center around the topic of how important it is to gain chipping skills and how this will improve scoring for the amateur.
The pros tell me that the average amateur is not particularly adept at hitting greens in regulation and in order to make that all elusive par, the golfer must be able to chip the ball close.
Then the conversation always leads to what chipping consists of and they always say that it is a shot in golf no more than 20 years off the putting green which requires touch and creativity in order to make the ball stop as close to the hole as possible.
The pros tell us that the chipping swing should be with the shoulders, that we should use the putting stroke and we should be creative when chipping.
Sound simple doesn't it...... we tried it and guess what.....it works.
Ed's Outlook is provided by Golfing Highlights Columnist Ed Townsend. If you have a topic that would make good reading, or have golf scores, standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached by calling 845-439-8177 or by sending an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com. Visit our BLOG at http://bght.blogspot.com/

Here & There Column 8-21-07

Tournament Manager Dennis Dietrich

Eileen Collins, left, with Analey Dietrich at the Eddie Collins Memorial Tournament

Behind The Scenes Of A Great Tournament

The best of the best softball teams in the Northeast came to Sullivan county the weekend of August 10-12 to play in the 26th annual Eddie Collins Memorial Tournament at the Edward M. Collins Park in Mongaup Valley.
And the games we saw truly proved that these were some of the top men's major modified softball teams in the Northeast.
If you enjoy sports and particularly modified or fast pitch softball then this venue was the place to be on this weekend.
We often talk about activities and events that support Sullivan County's business economy and this annual softball tournament brings players and visitors that eat, sleep and play for three days in Sullivan County.
The overall success of events like this softball tournament is often overlooked but credit for how well run this tournament is must go to Dennis Dietrich and the some 20 volunteer workers he gets to keep the scorebook, work the scoreboard, play music between innings, provide infield maintenance and run two concession stands.
Hours and hours of preparation work also goes into the planning of this great event. Plans for next years tournament starts during and at the conclusion of this years tournament.
And to be sure the tournament teams themselves told us at this weekend event that this is a very well run and managed tournament and that a lot of credit must go to Dennis Dietrich and his many volunteer helpers.
Two of Dennis's daughters, Shannon and Analey are there with their dad working as early as 7 a.m. till early in the morning on the two nights and three days tournament action is taking place. Shannon was even out driving the roller on the Thursday night prior to the start of the tournament the following night.
One of the major spectators taking in the tournament for the past 26 years was Ms. Eileen Collins, mother of Eddie Collins, a 1970 Eldred Central School graduate who was known throughout the area as an outstanding athlete. He passed away from viral pneumonia in April 1981 when he was just 29 years old.
The tournament this year featured a little bit of international flavor as several ballplayers on the Zubi's Lawn Care team of Port Jervis were from New Zealand and Australia.
This tournament featured some premium players that produced a top quality softball tournament and a must see for those who enjoy a good brand of softball.
A tip of the hat to Dennis Dietrich and his crew for staging a top quality sporting event for Sullivan County.