Here & There Column 7-22-08

Donna Summer at Bethel Woods July 11.

Barbara Wade and her daughter Elena Ciccarelli from Utica offered great accolades about Bethel Woods and the Donna Summer show.

Donna Summer Rocks Bethel Crowd

An energized and enthusiastic crowd did a lot of rocking and dancing at the Donna Summer show on Friday, July 11 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
The Queen of Disco in the 70's brought her dance/pop/rock sound to Bethel where her loving fans continually interrupted her with applause and screams.
With a warm gentle summer evening and Donna's hybrid of American soul and European synthesizer-based music one just had to know they were going to be truly entertained.
Her six-piece band entered the Pavilion stage shortly after 8 p.m. dressed in attractive white suits and accompanied by three female backup singers....and we must also add three greatly talented dancers.
Add also five very large well-edited paneled background lighting and Donna's urging to "sing and dance along" with the lively music the audience proceeded to dance the night away.
Donna added interesting background information from time to time and pointed out to the Bethel Woods crowd that "I got nervous when I pulled into a cow pasture and I thank you for coming out."
Her colorful attire throughout the evening changed every set and added to the beauty that her voice brought to every song. Everyone got into the act with her singing of "On The Radio" and "Bad Girls."
As the Bethel Wood's crowd cheered her on she told them, "give it up."
Donna Summer and her entire musical group was more then just entertaining as she brought her musical talent and style to the great Behtel Woods and the hills of Sullivan County.....it just doesn't get any better.
A nice sidebar to the show was a conversation we had with Barbara Wade and her daughter Elena Ciccarelli who traveled all the way down here for this show from Utica, NY and noted that they ate some meals in Monticello and were staying at at the Best Western in Monticello. This being their first time here they offered accolades about Bethel Woods and made sure we knew that they would return for other shows.
This is what it's all about folks and what Bethel Woods has done for the economy of Sullivan County.
Don't miss the one and only Tony Bennett this Saturday July 19 at 8 p.m.

Memorial Tourney Honors Ken Boufford

A great photo by Anna May Husson of Ken Boufford hitting the first ball off the first tee for the afternoon shotgun start of the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club Memorial Tournament. Ken, who is now suffering with ALS (Lou Gehrig disease) was honored at the Memorial dinner for helping to bring over $10,000 to the Roscoe area since 2001 to benefit scholarship funds, flood victims, sick children and the fire deparment and ambulance corps. He didn't know it was one of those exploding golf balls and this photo caught all the action.

Ken Boufford, field representative for Promotion and Services, Inc., Automotive Division Jubilee Group (Daimler Chrysler) was given the honor of hitting the first ball off the first tee for the afternoon shotgun start of the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club Memorial Tournament.

Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club Memorial regular division tournament champions are, from the left, brothers Tommy and Terry Knickerbocker (men's division), mother and daughter Cheryl and Shannon Bowers (ladies division), and mixed division Liz and Butch Hendrickson.

Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club Memorial senior division tournament champions are, from the left, Dan and Gwen Baldo (mixed division), Sally Shea and Mary Day (ladies division) and John Hoffmann and Ed Townsend (men's division).

Heading up the Drive For The Chrysler fund raiser at the Twin Village Golf Club Memorial Tournament were, from the left, Max and Karrie Jara from the Roscoe Kirchner Chrysler dealership and Ken and Phyllis Boufford from the Promotion and Services Inc., Automotive Division-Jubilee Group (Daimler Chrysler).

Memorial Tourney Honors Ken Boufford

The Chrysler Corporation along with Roscoe's Kirchner Chrysler dealership and the Twin Village Golf Club (TVGC) on Sunday, July 13 pulled together to raise over $1,450 to benefit the TVGV Scholarship fund but the highlight of the annual Memorial Tournament and banquet was the honoring of a pure gentlemen who has played a leading part in helping to raise over $10,000 the past eight years to benefit flood victims, sick children, the scholarship fund, fire department and the ambulance corps in the Roscoe area.
The Drive For The Chrysler fund raiser and the Annual Twin Village Golf Club Memorial Tournament annually benefits the Roscoe community and "The Drive" event is always organized by Karrie and Max Jara of the Roscoe Kirchner Chrysler Dealership along with great cooperation from Kenneth Boufford, field representative for Promotion and Services Inc., Automotive Division-Jubilee Group (Daimler Chrysler) out of Greenwich, N.Y.
They set up a test drive (road test) at the golf tournament and each person who drove a new Chrysler or Dodge receives a free sleeve of golf balls and Daimler Chrysler donates $5 for each test drive to the Memorial Tournament fund raiser.
This year disaster almost struck the Drive For The Chrysler fund raiser and for a brief period of time there was great concern as to whether Ken Boufford would be able to attend.
Chrysler as a result of the economy and severe decline in auto sales was cutting down on these type of events and their representative had been stricken with ALS (Lou Gehrig disease).
But Boufford wasn't about to let this disease get him down and he wasn't about to let Chrysler pull the event from Roscoe. Ken's first "Test Drive" event was in Roscoe in 2001 and the Memorial Tournament holds the Chrysler record for signing up 210 drivers several years ago.
Boufford wasn't about to let Chrysler pull out of Roscoe where he has become a popular friend to many folks and although his disease has prevented him from working some 20 other "Test Drive" tournaments he persuaded Chrysler to stay with Roscoe where he said he would finish his career.
Ken was asked to take the first drive (with a golf club) on the first hole of the afternoon shotgun start and was later honored with special remarks by Ralph Kirchner at the tournament dinner. Many wished him the best with hopes and prayers that he would be able to return next year. Ken attended the event with his wife, Phyllis. They make their home above the Albany area.
. Additional assistance and cooperation from the Chrysler Corporation and the Roscoe Kirchner Chrysler Dealership came in the sponsorship of a hole-in-one competition with the winner of an ace of the 175-yard par 3 eighth hole. There were no winner.
A total of over $2,000 in golf packages and prizes donated by area golf courses and other area merchants were awarded to tournament golfers.
This yearly and very popular golf tournament raised money this year for the Twin Village Golf Club Youth Golfer scholarships fund. Tournament chairman is Chuck Husson.
Husson in announcing the total monies raised thanked both the Chrysler Corporation and the Kirchner Chrysler Dealership for their participation in the tournament and their dedication and support of youth golfers.
Boufford said that of all the tournaments that he was involved with, the Twin Village Memorial Tournament gets the most people out for the test drives. He pointed out that this is due to the local dealerships involvement in the local community.
Husson also thanked sponsors who donated prizes, Chrysler Corporation, Grossinger's Golf Course, Terry Brae Golf Course, Lochmore Golf Course, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, French Woods Golf & Country Club, Tennanah Lake Golf & Country Club, Sullivan County Golf & Country Club, Roscoe Diner, Spiro's Countryside Restaurant, Rockland House, Country Store Youth Foundation, Fairway Inn, Live Bait Bar & Grill and Buffalo Zach's Cafe.
Some 77 individuals or local merchants also sponsored holes in this tournament.
The tournament competition this year featured the scramble-best-ball format with foursomes being split up into two-member teams. The par for 18-holes is 64. This event hosted 70 golfers with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Champions of the regular men's division are Terry and Tommy Knickerbocker with a 55, Champions of the regular ladies division are Cheryl and Shannon Bowers with a 65, , Mixed team regular champions are Butch and Liz Hendrickson with a 65, repeat champions of the men's senior division are Ed Townsend and John Hoffmann with a 65, repeat champions of the Ladies senior division are Sally Shea and Mary Day with a 69 and champions of the mixed senior division are Dan and Gwen Baldo with a 65.
Tournament participants along with their guests attended the tournament awards banquet dinner that same evening.

Golfing Highlights Column 7-18-08

Shannon Bowers, left is the new Pro-Shop Manager at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club. She joins her brother, James Bowers, right, who is the course superintendent.

Traps front right and left greet golfers on the 14th green at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club. This 548-yard par 5 is the longest hole at Tennanah Lake.

New Pro Shop Manager At Tennanah Lake

Twenty-two year-old Roscoe golfer Shannon Bowers has been around the game of golf since she was seven years old and this golf season she was named the new Pro-Shop manager at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club joining brother James Bowers who is the course superintendent.
Introduced to the game by her mother and father, Cheryl and Jim Bowers, both well known golfers, Shannon made a name for herself on the Roscoe Central School boys and girls golf teams.
Prior to the start of a girls team Shannon played two years on the boys team and then two years on the girls team which went undefeated in her junior year and gave her a personal third place finish in the regional sectionals.
Her dad coached the golf teams for a number of years and was instrumental in getting a girls varsity golf team started. Her mother is now the golf coach at Roscoe.
Shannon graduated from Roscoe Central in 2004 and is a 2008 graduate from Oneonta State where she majored in Fashion-Merchandising and Business.
She was formerly employed in management with Payless Stores.
During a visit to the pro-shop this week we can attest to the fact that it is one of the most well-kept, well stocked and professionally managed pro shops in this area.
A tour of the golf course this week found the tees, fairways and greens in excellent condition, certainly a tribute to golf course superintendent James Bowers.
Twenty-eight year-old James Bowers has also been around the game of golf for many years, introduced to the game at an early age by his father.
James served as assistant greens superintendent at Tennanah Lake two years ago and in August of 2006was was appointed to his present status.
A graduate of Roscoe Central High School in 1999, James has received golf course maintenance (greens superintendent) training at Cobleskill College and Cornell University. He has completing his studies with Penn State through Internet studies and has become a member of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America.
James was individual champion of the former Western Sullivan League in 1996 and 1998 and was Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1999.
During the spring of 2007 Bowers and his grounds keeping staff built new greens on the fourth and ninth holes and also built new cart paths on the front nine. Several of the tee boxes were also re-sodded and improvements to the bunkers were made last year.
Two years ago Tennanah Lake totally renovated the clubhouse which included an enlarged pro shop, an expanded dining area and grill and the addition of new outside dining decks which offers golfers a 60-mile panoramic view of the magnificent Catskill mountains are all part of a new look Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club. Buffalo Zacks On The Green are operating the restaurant and bar serving lunch and breakfast Monday through Sunday and dinner in the evening Friday through Sunday.
The land for this facility was purchased in 1910 by the Wolf Brothers and opened in 1928.
Alfred Tull did the redesign of the golf course in the 1950's and one of the highlights at the course was the exhibition play of San Snead in 1952 and Sam called the layout one of the longest and most challenging courses he has even played.
When the course was expanded to 18-holes, six of the original nine were utilized in the design.
Tennanah Lake is the oldest golf course operating in Sullivan County. The facilities are presently owned by Love Realty of New York and Florida and its CEO Burton and Lucielle Handelsman who teamed up with Manhattan-based real estate acquisitions firm Walter and Samuels and its chairman David Berley.
A practice putting green and driving range are also available as well as a the full service pro shop.
The facilities also include two tennis courts, a heated pool, stay and play packages and catering facilities at Wolf's Catering.
Tee times reservations and information can be obtained by calling 607-498-5000 or at their web site, http://www.tennanah.com/
Playing the blue course the back nine holes can definitely be labeled as offering golfers some long uphill fairways.
Hole No. 10 is a 373-yard par 4 with a dogleg to the right. Take your tee shot to the center of the fairway. Don't go right or the trees will block your second shot to the green. Sand traps on the left and right front of the green and in the right rear. Your second shot makes or breaks your par score.
Hole No. 11 is a 186-yard par 3 which tends to play shorter than the yardage posted. Sand traps are on the right and left. If you overshoot this green there is a downhill slope in the back of the green.
Hole No. 12 is a 491-yard par 5 with a dogleg right some 100 plus yards off the tee. Keep the driver in the bag on this tee shot. There is water left of the green and traps on the right left front and right side of this green. We classify this hole a "real good" golf hole and your par 5 can be a challenge here.
Hole No. 13 is a 329-yard par 4 with an uphill open fairway with a slight dogleg to the left. Sand traps are in front of the green on both sides.
Hole No. 14 is a 548-yard par 5 and is the longest hole at Tennahan Lake. The fairway runs downhill, there is a pond on the left, keep your ball in the center of the fairway as it narrows going into the green. Stay out of the ditch which runs across the fairway. Traps front right and left.
Hole No. 15 is a 419-yard par 4, uphill and a straight open fairway. There is a unique covered bridge here which connects the 15th and 16 fairways and this tends to be a conversation piece for all golfers. There is a sand trap on the left and right of this green.
Hole No. 16 is a 413-yard par 4 with the fairway running downhill and immediate trees on the left. Stay in the middle of the fairway to keep out of trouble. There is a sand trap on the left and right of this green.
Hole No. 17 is a 196-yard par 3 with an elevated green. Tends to play longer then it looks and it takes a good tee shot with the club of your choice to the this green and score your par. Sand traps are on the left and right front of this green.
Hole No. 18 is a 408-yard- par 4 with an open fairway running uphill. Keep is down the middle. Traps right and left sides of this green.
This back nine runs a total of 3,365 yards and records a par 36. Next week we will detail the front nine.

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

Simple Drill To Improve Your Swing Tempo:
Here's a simple drill to improve your swing tempo.
Go to the driving range and alternate between hitting shots with your short irons and then your long irons.
For example, hit one shot with your wedge and the next with your 3 wood. Hit the next shot with your 8 iron then the next shot with your 3 iron.
Then the next shot with your 9 iron and then hit your driver.
And when your doing this try to make the swing with the longer club the same as your swing with the shorter clubs.
The late, great Payne Stewart used to do this all the time and if you remember his swing, it was as smooth as silk.
So do this exercise and do it often so you too can have a smooth, rhythmical swing from one club to the next.
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 e-mail at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

Tennanah Lake Golf Club Pro-Shop Manager Shannon Bowers this week announced several upcoming golf tournaments and events at this golf club.
On Sunday July 27 the Roscoe Kiwanis Club tournament take place with the rain date set for August 3.
On August 13 the club host the Rally For A Cure golf outing.
The Roscoe Hose Company tournament is scheduled for August 17 and the Catskill Pheasantry Tournament is August 30.
For information on any of these events call 607-498-5000.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, who is a consultant to the amateur sport of golf and professional golf facilities. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league standings and tournament information, please call Ed at 439-8177 or send an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit the Web site, http://www.bght.blogspot.com/

Here & There Column 7-15-08

Klatch Discussion On Natural Gas Drilling

There's gold in them thar hills but from all the fuss that is being made here in Sullivan County the rush is on by national gas companies who give indications that parts of Sullivan County are on the edge of a formation that reportedly contains twice as much natural gas as the rest of the United States.
Our local coffee klatsch was raring to go last week when the topic of folks in the county townships of Delaware, Fremont and Cochecton getting rich on the gas rush.
As we brewed our fresh home made coffee with ground beans and mixed the batter for homemade oven baked donuts one of our members remarked that he had a discussion with a resident of Delaware who is considering leasing a lot of his acreage for between $2,000 and $2,500 an acre where royalties for some could get up to over $20,000 a month.
Several in our group hesitate at statements being made that this gas rush will produce the golden egg dream many are saying will happen.
Two klatsch members pointed out that drilling procedures give very little authority to local municipalities and those regulations only control roads and assessments.
It was noted during discussion on regulations for this industry that there will not be very much federal input but that New York State has some enforcement authority. The federal government may have some power in the area of the Delaware River Basin Commission. The state DEC has some authority but does not monitor air, water or soil quality.
With the second cup of Java and more donuts discussion in our group turned up several concerns associated with gas drilling which uses a massive number of trucks to haul equipment and water to and from drilling sites. This heavy truck traffic might also expose personal vehicles sharing these roads to serious safety hazards. One in our group said that the additional truck traffic also pollutes the air and increases noise along roadways. Gas pipeline ruptures and potential pollutions of sources of water was another concern offered during our talk.
Our klatsch unanimously agreed that we live in a world today that is starving for more energy and given the advantages of natural gas as a fuel, drilling should take place but property owners who agree to leasing arrangements should secure all the protection and legal advise they can get. Municipalities should help and provide additional protection and they should even look into the possibility of what's in it for them and all of Sullivan County.

Golfing Highlights Column 7-11-08

The view from the 352-yard par 4 ninth tee at the Grossinger Country Club "Little G" Vista golf course looks like a challenge but an elevated tee shot over the road to the fairway will help in scoring a par.

The green on the 360-yard par 4 fifth hole at the Grossinger Country Club "Little G" Vista course is fronted by three sand traps making an approach shot just a little more difficult.

The "Little G" Vista At Grossinger Country Club

What use to be a part of the original 18-hole golf course at the Grossinger Country Club is now called the "Little G" Vista.
The nine-hole facility which formerly was referred to as the "back nine" was redesigned leaving some of the holes the same as the original nine.
Houston architect Joe Finger redesigned the Grossinger golf facilities as they are today. The original 18-holes is believed to have been designed by the legendary A. W. Tillinghast..
Todd Barker is presently serving as Director of Golf at both the Grossinger Country Club and Concord Resort.
Mike McNamara is the course superintendent and both he and his staff do an excellent job in maintaining the course.
Rates for the 9-hole Vista course is $20 for nine holes and $27 for 18-holes and if you walk its $12 and $20 both weekdays and weekends.
Tee times and information can be obtained by calling 845-292-9000. The web site is http://www.grossingergolf.net/
This interesting 9-hole course plays like this.
Hole No. 1 is a 360-yard par 4. Better to take your tee shot between the two trees. There is a slight dogleg to the left on the second shot and watch out for the water on the left side of the fairway. The golf club driving range is off to the left of this hole and you are likely to find a number of range balls out on the fairway so make sure you are hitting your golf ball. Thee is a trap center front of this green which slopes back to front towards the fairway.
Hole No. 2 is a 178-yard par 3. Be careful when you are crossing the road from the 1st green to the 2ed tee. The second hole fairway runs uphill and keep your tee shot right center. The fairway runs right to left downhill. There is traps front and left side. Club selection is the key to your par here.
Hole No. 3 is a 376-yard par 4. Take your tee shot to the right side of this fairway which slopes right to left downhill. Your second shot is the key to a par on this hole. Traps are left and right with the green sloping from back to front. Not an easy par 4 hole.
Hole No. 4 is a 372-yard par 4 with an open fairway and trees left and right. Take your second shot to the center of the fairway as there is a trap on the left side of this green. Be careful not to go over this green as the fairway in back of the green runs steeply downhill.
Hole No. 5 is a 360-yard par 4 with trees and out of bounds on the right. Taking your ball flight to the left center of this fairway helps as there are 3 sand traps in front of this green. Your second shot club selection helps in scoring a par.
Hole No. 6 is a 492-yard par 5. Take your tee shot to the center of the fairway which is open but has trees left and right. Lot of traps on this green, one left and three on the right side. Be careful with your shot to the Green as you don't want to go over. A very make-able par 5.
Hole No. 7 is a 545-yard par 5, the longest on this course. Take you drive left center as there are trees and out of bounds on the right. There is a trap on the left side of this green but good golf shots will reward you with a par.
Hole No. 8 is a 233-yard par 3 with the fairway running uphill and traps left and right side of the green. This is one of the more difficult par 3's we have ever played on as one must select the right club to put your tee shot on this green.
A pretty view from this green of Route 17 off in the distance.
Hole No. 9 is a 352-yard par 4 and an elevated tee taking your tee shot over the road to an open fairway. Take your tee shot over the trees in front of this tee box. The fairway runs uphill. There is a trap on the right side of this green which slopes left to right. Truly a beautiful finish to the "Little G."

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

The Flop Shot: With today's golf greens becoming faster and faster, a shot that has become very popular is the lop or flop shot. Golfers are trying to get the ball close to the hole, out of thicker rough, by lobbing it up in the air. The 60-degree wedge is allowing the golfer to throw the ball up in the air higher and land it softer to prevent the ball from rolling too far from the hole.
When you are deciding to use the lop shot, make sure you have exhausted all your other options. Jack Nicklaus had a good theory to use. He always said, "putt eh ball whenever possible, chip it when you can't putt it and pitch is when you have to." If you have to try to hit the ball high and land it soft, here are some guidelines to help you. First, check to see if you have a good lie to be able to make contact. Then when you set up to hit the shot you must open the club face and have a very relaxed grip. How much you open the club will determine how high the ball will go and how much spin you create to land it softly. Because you have opened the club face, you must open your stance to compensate for your aim. You have to make sure you take a good swing and have a good follow through. The biggest mistake golfers make is decelerating on the way down. You must keep your head still and accelerate through the shot.
A good golfer to watch hit the flop shot is Phil Mickelson. He lets his shoulders control the swing, not his hands. Make sure this is the shot to use because you want this shot to help you cut down strokes in your round.....not add strokes to your 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 by phone at 292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

Two very worthy golf tournaments for your consideration.
The Twin Village Golf Club 2008 Memorial Tournament takes place this Sunday (July 13) and has a limit of 80 golfers. There are two shotgun starts at 8:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
A golf fee of $45 includes golf, dinner and a one hour open bar. A small golf cart fee of $15 ($7.50 per person) requires a reservation.
The Drive For The Chrysler event opposite the Rockland House allows you to dive a new Chrysler and you get a free sleeve of golf balls plus Chrysler will donate $5.00 to the Twin Village Golf Club Scholarship fund. The test drive event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chrysler and Kirchner Chrysler of Roscoe also sponsors the hole-in-one contest on the 8th hole. For information contact Chuck Husson at 607-498-5557.
The 2ed Annual Orange & Sullivan County HOSPICE Golf Challenge will take place August 13 at Grossinger Country Club in Liberty and August 18 a Osiris Country Club in Walden.
All levels of play are invited to play this scramble or best ball format Golfers are welcome to participate in one of both days and any team participating in both days will be eligible for the Challenge Cup Trophy. Trophies will be awarded at the Challenge Cup dinner on August 18.
For additional information call Gloria at 561-5362 or e-mail at gloria@hospiceoforange.com

Golf Calendar

August 13, Hospice Golf Challenge, Grossinger Country Club. For information call 561-6362 or e-mail gloria@hospiceoforange.com

August 18, Hospice Golf Challenge, Osiris Country Club. For information call 561-6362 or e-mail gloria@hospiceoforange.com

This column is written by Ed Townsend, who is a consultant to the amateur sport of golf and professional golf facilities. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading r have league standings and tournament information, please call Ed at 439-8177 or send an e -mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit the Web site http://www.bght.blogspot.com/

Here & There Column 7-8-08

Music & Theater In Sullivan County

If one likes music and theater is just doesn't get any better in Sullivan County during the summer months
Having enjoyed a vast musical background during my youth, piano, french horn, drums and choral music, all one has to do is look at the entertainment pages in Sullivan County and you will always find some form of theatre or musical event.
Music in the mountains certainly could be a theme of our now famous Bethel Woods where all types of musical events take place weekly from June into early September. Call 845-454-3388 or visit their web page at www.bethelwoodscenter.org for shows and prices..
If theater is your gig then the best of the best takes place weekly at the Forestburgh Playhouse with great shows like Gypsy, Cabaret, The King & I, The Producers, M Butterfly and Crossing Delancy.
The air-conditioned theater makes for a comfortable evening.
Reservations for the Forestburgh Playhouse can be made at 845-794-1194 and don't forget the Children's Theater and nightly post show cabarets
The Monticello Gaming & Raceway offers a variety of live entertainment. Call 866-777-4263 or go to their web page at www.monticellogamingandraceway.com for all that is happening there.
The Bradstan Country Hotel presents their shows Sunday evenings with two shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and they can be reached at 845-583, 4114 or at www.bradstancountryhotel.com
The Weekend of Chamber Music at Lake Huntington will be held July 8-22. Information is available at 845-932-8527.
The Shandelee Music Festival at Shandelee takes place August 5-19 and paid reservations are required. Call 845-439-3277.
The 129th Grahamsville Little Worlds Fair presents the special performance of Jimmy Sturr & his orchestra on August 15-16 and also spacial shows by country music greats River's Edge and Sommerville. Their web site is www.grahamsvillefair.com
The Delaware Valley Opera presents shows in July and August. Call for tickets and information at 845-252-3136 or visit their web site www.dv-opera.org
Music, theater and entertainment right here in our own backyard, save on gas and support what is featured for the summer of 2008.

Golfing Highlights Column 7-4-08

Hole No. 13 is the "Signature" hole at the Grossinger Country Club. It is 512-yards long and plays to a par 5 with this "island green" sitting out in the lake. An outstanding hole that requires good golf shots.

Water falls, ponds and lakes are added features at the Joe Finger designed Grossinger Country Club championship golf course.

Memories Of Grossinger Country Club

Back before they redesigned the "Big G" golf course at the Grossinger Hotel they didn't have golf carts and caddies made a summer-months living carrying one and two golf bags for 18-holes seven days a week.
And if you were good at this trade you might work 18-holes in the morning and 9 holes in the afternoon. An accomplished caddy in the early 1950's could easily take home several hundred dollars a week and that was considered pretty good pay at that time.
My brother-in-law was a good golfer and while attending college he worked as a caddy at the Grossinger course. As a youngster attending Liberty High School and one who loved the game of golf I was introduced to Caddy Master "Frank" who took a liking to me as I followed the rules and remembered well that if you tipped the caddy master each week he always made sure that you got plenty of work. It also helped to know the game and know how to club the golfers you were working for.
Now when I say "club the golfers" it means you knew what club to give them at certain positions on the golf course. If they scored well you were rewarded with a larger tip.
In my early "caddy days" the head professional at the then 18-hole Grossinger Course was Joe Turnesa, a very accomplished professional and a pure gentleman who was well known in the golf industry.
We all remember the movie "Caddy Shack" but the true meaning of this term was the section of the club house where the caddies sat waiting to be called for work. Caddies were paid a specific fee according to how many bags you carried and how many holes you worked. A good caddy got a bigger tip if he knew his trade.
Many movie-television stars and professional athletes came up to the Grossinger Hotel and most played golf. I had the opportunity to caddy for such greats as World Heavy-Weight Boxing Champion Joe Lewis, comedian Jerry Lewis and singer Dean Martin. Lewis and Martin were a true comedy act even on the golf course.
Remember meeting and becoming friends with one of the "professional" caddies, "Mike" who worked the Grossinger Hotel in the spring. summer and fall and a Florida course in the winter months. He was almost guaranteed two rounds of 18-holes a day with double bags. A class "A" caddy I remember he drove a nice Cadillac and wore the best in golf shoes and clothing. A real professional who added dignity to the game.
Yes, those were some of the "good old days" at the Grossinger Golf Course.
Houston architect Joe Finger redesigned the "Big G" as it is today and he rewarded ball flight and touch rather than brute power and distance but Finger's design makes golfers control their ball from uneven lies.
Each nine holes at Grossinger starts a top a hill, works down into a valley and then back to the top of the hill with many holes having a bend, most right to left and go around water hazards and bunkers.
Green fees for this "Golfers Paradise" on the weekday up to 2:30 is $65 and after 2:30 its $45. Special rates are available with the Hudson Valley Golf Pass and the Golf Card and fall rates go into effect on 10-1 thru closing.
Rates for the 9-hole Vista course is $20 for nine holes and $27 for 18 holes and if you walk its $12 and $20 both weekdays and weekends.
For the special rates and the senior special Monday-Thursday (55 and over) with lunch, call 845-292-9000. The web site is http://www.grossingergolf.net/
Todd Barker is the Director of Golf at both the Grossinger Country Club and Concord Resort.
Last week we outlined the first nine holes of this course and this week we take you through the back nine (10-18). The back nine plays 3,229 yards to a par 36.
Hole No. 10 is a 368-yard par 4 and the key to this hole is keeping your tee shot left center. The second shot is the key to your par and club selection both off the tee and the second shot is important.
Hole No. 11 is a 164-yard par 3 with an elevated tee and a pond directly in front of the green. Bunkers surround this green so club selection is the key to a par.
Hole No. 12 is a 470-yard par 4 with a dogleg left. Take your tee shot right center and a fairway wood on the second shot to a large undulating green with traps in the front left and right.
Hole No. 13 is a 512-yard par 5 and could certainly be called the signature hole on this 18-hole course. It's the "island green" (40 yards in depth and 29 yards in width) and requires a good long tee shot over a small stream and a solid fairway shot that can put you in good shape for the third shot to a green situated out in Grossinger Lake. Yes this hole can be a par with good golf shots.
Hole No. 14 is a 452-yard par 4. Keep the tee shot straight to a narrow fairway. Key to scoring on this hole is getting your second shot over a stream that runs in front of the green. Traps are left side and right front.
Hole No. 15 is a 415-yard par 4 with a dogleg left. Take the tee shot right center towards the fairway bunker. The second shot is all uphill to a large green. Three traps are in front of this green and one in the rear.
Hole No. 16 is a 550-yard par 4 with a dogleg right. Take your tee shot left center to the corner. A mid iron will take your second shot short of the green. A brook runs in front of the green. Traps are left and right on this green.
Hole No. 17 is a 171-yard par 3 and it's all uphill to an elevated green. Traps are front center and left and right. Club selection is the key to your par here.
Hole No. 18 is a 397-yard par 4 with the fairway sloping left to right. Let it all out on your tee shot and the right club takes your second shot to a green with traps in the front and rear.
This 18-hole championship course that once played host to the prestigious New York State Open is certainly one of the elite golf courses in the Northeast.

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

Preventing The Flying Right Elbow: The flying right elbow is one of the game's best known negative touchstones. It occurs in the back swing when the elbow juts out behind the player so the right arm forms the letter V or L, depending on the angle from which you view it. What's wrong with a flying right elbow? It restricts te width or arc of the back swing, for one thing. It also makes it difficult to get the shaft parallel at the top of the swing with the longer clubs, a restriction that reduces power. Finally, you don't want the elbow jutting out in the downswing because this also limits power and adds inaccuracy to the mix. So, you must drop it down and in toward your right side. This connection is an extra move that, must be made in less than a second of real time. However, trying to keep the elbow in close is too restrictive. It prevents a free flowing overall swing motion and narrows the width of the back swing, both of which costs power. The right elbow can move away from the right side in the back swing so long as it remains pointed down toward the ground and in a viable effective position. This will generate fluidity in the swing and allow the elbow to easily and readily return to or near the right side of the downswing. You do want the elbow close to the body in the downswing because it keeps the club moving from the inside. To put it another, more meaningful way, it prevents the club from going "over the top" and cutting the ball from outside to inside the target line at impact. Which is to say, with the right elbow in close to your side at impact, you are much less likely to hit a slice. Indeed, there is a good chance you will get a nice little draw on the ball.
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 e-mail at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

You can't defend if you can't stand............It is rare for the defending champion at a major to skip the tournament.
But that will be the case when Tiger Woods misses the PGA Championship in August--the first time a major champion won't defend since Payne Stewart died in a plane crash four months after winning the 1999 U.S. Open.
No other player has missed defense of the PGA since Ben Hogan, who won in 1948, then was involved in a near-fatal car accident in February 1949, causing him to miss the rest of the year.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, who is a consultant to the amateur sport of golf and professional golf facilities. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league standings and tournament information, please call Ed at 439-8177 or send an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
For a much more expanded version of this golf column please visit the Web site bght@blogspot.com