Here & There Column 8-12-08

Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge

Doo Wopp Show Rocks Bethel Woods

Feet were tapping, heads were bobbin and hands were clapping as legendary doo-wopp and rock and roll music filled the Pavilion and surrounding hillside August 2 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
Accolades once again came forth from both the Master of Ceremonies for The Original New York Doo Wopp Show and several of the groups lead singers who called Bethel Woods "the most beautiful venue in the United States, the Recreation of the Summer of Love and This Great Historic Location."
Memories of these great old songs reminded one generation to the early days of Rock and Roll.
And wow......the suits and dresses worn by the Doo Wopp entertainers certainly added a high degree of colorful pleasure which everyone seemed to be enjoying by featured artists like The Sheps, Kenny Vance & The Planotones, The Chiffons, The Teenagers, Speedo & The Cadillacs and the legendary great Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge.
It was easy to sit back and turn back time to remember this music and songs when there was a more simple time then what our generation today is faced with. Yes the good old days of musical innocence, happiness, good times and personal expression was found in the entertainment presented this night to Bethel Woods fans.
Adding to the great memory of Rock & Roll was a talented couple who danced and showed what Rock & Roll dancing was all about.
Great acappella singing (songs sung without background musical instruments) was provided by The Sheps who have been described as the perfect example of classic street corner acappella. Consisting of five distinctive voices they showed their extensive experience singing together to form one of the most unique blends of harmony today.
So many great old Doo Wopp and Rock & Roll songs were sung this night including "Sixteen Candles" by Johnny Maestro, "Gloria" by Speedo & The Cadillacs, "The ABCs of Love by The Legendary Teenagers, "He's So Fine" by The Chiffons and "Looking For An Echo" by Kenny Vance and the Planotones.
Truly a very entertaining evening with many in the audience remarking "hope they come back next year."

Golfing Highights Column 8-8-08

Jeff Becker of Magnetic Connections asembles his hand made magnetic jewerly at a recent golf show.

Golfers Love Magnetic Therapy

Magnetic therapy dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians but American golfers are now becoming one of the leading consumer groups buying magnetic jewelry for pain relief.
A number of local Sullivan County golf pro shops we have been in this year have displays of magnetic bracelets and pro-shop operators say they have become a very popular item.
Magnets have long been believed to have healing powers associated with muscle pain and stiffness. Chinese healers as early as 200 B.C. were said to use magnetic lodestones or "magnetite" on the body to correct unhealthy imbalances in the flow of qi, or energy.
The popularity of magnetic jewelry to golfers was also quite evident at this years New Jersey Golf Show in Somerset, NJ where Jeff Becker and Jennifer Kessel of Magnetic Connections from Rochester, NY had a full display of magnetic jewelry and were actually showing how some of the jewelry is manufactured.
Jeff pointed out that magnetic therapy is becoming more and more widely accepted as an alternative method of pain relief and since the late 1950's, hundreds of studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of magnetic therapy being an effective, non-invasive, drug-free way to help reduce pain and to help increase flexibility and promote the body's own natural healing process.
Becker pointed out that when referring to magnets he is not talking about the type of magnets found on refrigerator doors but biomagnets which are magnets manufactured for physical and mental healing.
"Biomagnets are named after biomagnetism, the science of magnetism and the biomagnet power is measured in terms of Gauss," the Rochester Magnetic Jewelry Company owner said.
The earth's surface is approximately 0.5 Gauss and Becker said that the magnetic closures they he uses in their jewelry range in strength from 7,000 to 14,000 Gauss.
What separates his company from others is that Magnetic Connections jewelry is two to two and one-half times stronger that most products on the market today.
The magnetic bracelet has a long history of use by many famous golfers like the "King" himself, Mr. Arnold Palmer.
Spend a day golfing at your local course and you will find many people who have purchased and are wearing a magnetic bracelet.
Jeff Becker and Magnetic Connections can be reached at 585-247-740 or at their web site http://www.magneticconnections.net/ or by email at jbecker427@aol.com

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

How to find your rhythm is a hurry.
Here's a real simple exercise you can do anytime on the course to regain your rhythm. Simply turn a driver or wood up the other way and swing.
Doing this will make the club very, very light and it will change the feelings that you've been having with the club.
Once you've had a number of swings like this, I suggest you grip the club normally and go back to swinging it the way you normally would. But doing this drill will help you to feel the clubhead and that's critical in the golf swing.
Have you heard the expression "swing the clubhead?" Well, if you have or you haven't....just do it.
Swing the clubhead and not the club. Let the clubhead do the swinging and feel the power you get without forcing it.Keep turning the clubhead over so you can get the feeling of the clubhead more often.
You'll soon regain your rhythm and with it will return your confidence.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by phone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

So many golfers I play golf with have noticed the different grip and swing that I have been using the last two years.
A severe burn I acquired on the index finger of my left hand during March of 2007 forced me to study and start using the National Golf grip and swing.
I have found that the Natural Golf swing is a simple way to hit a ball to my target.
Using the example of driving a nail with hammer I take this theory and use the force of leverage. I simply move my arm away from and toward the nail (ball) while allowing my wrist to hinge. This way I release the weight of the hammer head (golf club) in the direction I want to drive the nail (ball).
I use the same force of leverage in Natural Golf as a power source. This simply means that I use my arms to move the club away from and toward the ball while allowing my wrists to hinge.
I then simply release the weight of the clubhead in the direction I want to drive the ball.
I find that the key advantage to the Natural Golf swing is that I can fully release the force of the club through the ball and right past my body without the need for turning and twisting
This is accomplished because the Single Plane swing positions me at address where I can most naturally return during the swing through impact with my arms aligned with the club shaft.
This allows me to follow the momentum by turning to a stress-free and balanced finish and I can honestly say I'm hitting the ball further and straighter then I ever have.

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 sent an email 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 8-5-08

No Responsibility For Potential Sullivan Flooding

Once again....almost two weeks ago.... flood prone Sullivan County and surrounding area residents had to buckle down with fears of what might take place in light of the warnings that heavy thunder storms and rains were heading their way and county officials put into action plans and warned residents to be prepared and on guard.
Talking with Roscoe area residents on Monday of last week... who have been flooded out the past several years and almost experienced severe flooding two weeks ago...the response we got is "why isn't something done with the streams and flood protection in our area?"
Accusations were made that one government agency doesn't know what the other agency is doing and various state departments can't even provide figures on road and land elevations near the flood prone areas.
We clearly heard folks saying, "there is no responsibility from anyone to prevent potential flooding in our area."
Residents in flood prone areas of Sullivan County have seen a lot of public statements but little action to curb or prevent the actual flooding.
In the past there has been talk about the Flood Assessment Relief Act of 2007 which is a $5 million statewide fund to cover the costs of reducing assessments and would allow property owners to have their assessments reduced by as much as 50 percent if they have been damaged by flooding.
A welcome part of relief for these property owners but residents and those effected the most by flooding are showing and talking about their frustration by the lack of meaningful action.
Government and their agencies are experts in giving folks a "Snow Job" and in having folks fill out form after form when there is really not light at the end of the tunnel.
We all know that there is no way to flood proof everything but residents in flood prone areas are pleading for something to lessen the impact and it is becoming more and more evident that the ongoing failure of government agencies to address the problems waiting to happen.
We give credit to the many agencies out there working on flood issues, flood response and flood prevention but it is also very clear that there's no one agency that is keeping it all together and leading the charge.
The lack of long-term plans to deal with restoring streams that have flooded is a leading question many have. Some ask why can't key players get on the same page concerning floods.
The chronic flooding in the Catskills is causing the region to rise to the top of the agenda when it comes to fixing what's seen as an inadequate flood response system but the real challenge is to get one government agency to take the lead on flood response.
There has to be some responsibility here, promised studies have to be replaced with action.

Swamp Fox Golf & Wyboo Golf Club Are The Best

Lisa Haynes Suggs, Golf Director at Swamp Fox Country Golf in Florence, South Carolina.

The 216-yard par 3 (13th hole) at the Wyboo Golf Club in Manning, SC, is the Signature Hole and it will test your accuracy and club choice with its bunkered and water protected green.

Enjoying the Wyboo Golf Club facilites and hospitality are from the left, Syndicated Golf Columnist Ed Townsend from Livingston Manor, NY, host Wyboo Golf Professional Victor Grubb, Port Jervis, NY golfer Josh Jennings and Narrowsburg, NY golfer Ed Guthrie. The 216-yard par 3 (13th hole) is the signature hole at the Wyboo Golf Club in Manning, South Carolina. A beautiful setting and a challenge to all golfers.

If is isn't the squirrel's stealing our golf galls or the crows taking our snacks out of the golf carts it the geese who just didn't want to let us near our golf balls laying out in the middle of the fairway. They must have thought it was one of their eggs.

Narrowsburg golfer Ed Guthrie, left, and Port Jervis golfer Josh Jennings get ready for the great food at the Creek Ratz in Florence, SC.

While golfing in the Florence, SC area make sure you visit the Creek Ratz restaurant for outstanding food and service. This is a must stop for everyone.

Swamp Fox Golf & Wyboo Offer The Best For Golfers

Many New York State golfers are the same as their counterparts in the Northeast who just can't wait for the winter snows to melt and area golf courses to open so the best alternative they have are to travel south in late March and early April.
Thousands of golfers in the Northeast choose South Carolina as their spring golf destination and their warm-up rounds to get them ready for spring and summer golf leagues throughout the county.
For the past eight years we've joined in this now regular ritual of planning early April golf trips where we can stretch our unused golf muscles and try to remember what to do with a golf club that we packed away in our golf bags sometime in late September of early.
October.
Narrowsburg golfer Ed Guthrie, former Livingston Manor golfer now making his home in Padilla, Ky. George Korth, Port Jervis golfer Josh Jennings of Port Jervis and Golfing Highlights Syndicated Columnist Ed Townsend fortunately have been greatly blessed in handing all of our golfing, motel and breakfast requests over to the "Princess" of South Carolina golf, Lisa Haynes Suggs, golf director of Swamp Fox Country Golf in Florence, SC.
Lisa was born into the game of golf, her father was a golf pro, she started playing golf at the age of 5, scored her first hole-in-one at age 6, stayed close to the game through her high school and college years and became Swamp Fox Golf Director in 2004.
The four of us have quickly learned why Swamp Fox Golf has been labeled "Golf's Super Bargain," because when it comes to thinking golf in South Carolina you hear a lot about Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head, but in the eastern part of the state you find the best bang for your buck with economical golf packages in one of the most beautiful and unhurried areas of our country.
Southern hospitality is also a big draw for Northeast golfers who get to play spring golf in 2009 for rates starting at $62 a day and that includes 18-holes of golf, cart, motel room (2 in a room) and breakfast on 32 different golf courses.

Convenience, along with economical golf packages, has made the Florence area a popular golf location . Located directly off I-95, Florence offers a proud history of providing southern hospitality. Snowbirds traveling from Northeast states or from Florida, find Florence, which is about halfway from either direction, a nice stop for a day or two of golf, which tends to break up the journey.

Swamp Fox Golf was started in 1973 when the owners invited sports writers from Canada and some of the northern states to come as their guests and experience the area with its southern hospitality and good golf offered at very reasonable rates. This started the ball rolling (not a pun) and Fox Country Golf has been going strong for 30 plus years with a mission to offer a golf package that will fit everyone's budget and offer facilities that are top flight and uncrowded and unhurried in an atmosphere of southern living at its finest.

Lodging facilities offered by Swamp Fox Country Golf include the Ramada Inn at Historic Young's Plantation (completely renovated), Days Inn, The Travelodge and Swamp Fox Campground.
I usually check with Lisa in the early fall about courses she would recommend and high on her list last November was Wyboo Golf Club at Manning, SC under the management of Golf Professional Victor Grubb.

Grubb, a PGA member, brings with him to Wyboo over 20 years experience in the golf industry. Having received his apprenticeship at Rolling Hills Country Club in Monroe, North Carolina, he has had two head professional positions in Charleston, South Carolina before coming to the Lake Marion area in 1995. Victor has been affiliated with Wyboo Golf Club since July of 2002.
Unfortunately our regular foursome was cut down to a threesome this year as the result of George Korth being called to his parents home in Livingston Manor because of the illness and ultimately the death of his father Ed Korth.
And what a treasure we found at Wyboo which has received state ratings as the ninth best course in South Carolina. Golf publications have noted that Wyboo Golf Club is one of the state's best little out of the way courses.
We can certainly endorse that statement and enjoyed our conversation with Grubb's following our 18-holes of golf. He was very proud of this facility as it has hosted a few major tournaments and has been the site for a qualification round for the South Carolina Open Amateur Tournament.
This semi-private club has 105 members but invites non-members and guest of Swamp Fox Country Golf and other area golf packages to play their course.
Located 8 miles south of Manning, this Tom Jackson Signature Design course is truly a gem in the heart of the Santee Cooper Lakes area. The course offers a superb game challenge with strategically placed bunkers, water and woods.
The TIF Eagle greens facilitate year round golfing which is always of interest to visitors from the colder climes. The layout offers enjoyment for your level of play from four tee placements. The 216-yard 13th hole with a par 3 is the signature hole and will especially test your accuracy and club choice with its bunkered and water protected green.
Blake Alford is the course superintendent.

This Tom Jackson "Signature Course" opened in October 1999 and has consistantly been namedd the best golf course in Clarendon County. It demands a variety of shots because of its rolling terrain and strategically placed bunkers. Spacious fairways are forgiving for slightly errant tee shots, but the approach shots are a different matter, demanding a high degree of accuracy due to the placement of bunkers and other hazards around the greens.

A par-72 course, Wyboo plays 6,914 yards from the championship tees with a rating of 72.2 and a slope of 124. Middle tees are 6,395 yards with a rating of 69.4 and a slope of 113, front tees are 5,718 yards with a rating of 66.1 and a slope of 107. Women's tees are 4,951 yards with a rating of 67.9 and a slope of 115.
This is a very well maintained golf facility with an attractive well-stocked pro shop and refreshment counter.
Be sure to put the Wyboo Golf Club on your list when you call Lisa and Swamp Fox Country Golf at 1-800-845-3538 for your next golf trip to South Carolina. Their web site is http://www.swampfoxgolf.com/ Lisa can also be reached by fax at 843-662-7682, by regular mail at P.O. Box 3806, Florence, SC 29502 or by email at swampfoxcountrygolf@sc.rr.com

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Here & There Column 7-29-08

The great Tony Bennett

Anthony Dominick Benedetto Changed His Name

"I've been singing for 60 years and Bob Hope gave me my new (stage) name of Tony Bennett," the great 81-year-old singer told the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts crowd of 8,000 on Saturday night August 19.
And when he sang one of my favorite songs, "Because Of You" one could just feel that although he will be 82 on August 3 that his voice is as strong and vibrant as ever.
The one and only Tony Bennett made his return to the Catskills something that all his fans will remember and the reason the great Sinatra called him "the best singer in the business."
The Singer's Singer was introduced to the Bethel Woods crowd as "Mr. Tony Bennett" and this classy entertainer made his on stage appearance dressed is a white jacket, dark pants and white shoes with his opening statement, "Thank you very much for coming by tonight."
And lets not forget his great 4-piece band consisting of a piano, guitar, bass and drums with very accomplished musicians displaying their talents throughout the evenings performance.
While singing the lyrics "Nobody Loves Me," a lady in the crowd shouted out "I love you Tony" and the crowd got a big laugh out of this.
Tony remarked that he got a call from country singer Hank Williams after Bennett sang Williams country hit "Cold Cold Heart" and with this being Bennett's first attempt at a country song Williams joked to Tony saying, "what's the idea of ruining my song."
The 15-time Grammy Awards winner easily moved the hearts and souls of the Bethel Woods audience this night. His popularity has resulted in the sale of over 50 million records worldwide and it was easy to see why Tony was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
One cannot forget that Tony Bennett has also devoted a lot of time and energies to a variety of worthwhile humanitarian and charitable causes and that he is also a very accomplished painter.
In his singing of the song "Just The Good Life" he jokingly said, "I'm dedicating this song to Governor Spitzer."
His accomplished style, great voice and a beautiful variety of his top hits gave everyone attending a great sense of being part of musical history.
Bethel Woods plays host to the Original New York Doo Wopp show Saturday, August 2 at 8 p.m.

Golfing Highlights Column 7-25-08

A completely remodeled club house greets golfers at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club.

One of the smallest openings from the tee to the fairway can be found on the 413-yard par 4 sixth tee at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club

Attractive Club House Greets Tennanah Golfers

Golfers making their first trip to the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club will find a totally renovated clubhouse, both interior and exterior, an enlarged pro show that is very well stocked, 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.
Buffalo Zacks On The Green are operating the restaurant and bar and serve lunch and breakfast Monday through Sunday and dinner in the evening on Friday through Sunday.
The Pro Shop is now under the management of Shannon Bowers. The Tennanah Lake golf facilities also offers a putting green and driving range.
The facilities also include two tennis courts, a heated pool, stay and play packages and catering facilities at Wolf's Catering.
Tennanah Lake is the oldest golf course operating in Sullivan County.
Tee times reservations and information can be obtained by calling 607, 498-5000 or at their web site, http://www.tennanah.com/
Last week we outlined the back nine 10-18 and this week we will take you through the front nine (1-9).
Hole No. 1 is a 355-yard part 4 with a slight dogleg to the left. Take your tee shot to the left center. A trap is on the right front section of this green.
Hole No. 2 is a 547-yard par 5 featuring a narrow opening in front of the tee but the fairway then opens up some 75 to 100 yards from the tee. A straight tee shot is a must here or a lot of trouble will greet you on the left and right. A sand trap is on the left side of the green. A long-straight tee shot and a solid second shot slightly down hill makes this green reachable in two and a good par or birdie possibility.
Hole No. 3 is a 379-yard par 4 slightly uphill with a dogleg left. Best tee shot is right center on top of the hill. From here there is still a slight uphill shot. From 50 to 60 yards from the green there is a small deep ditch and it runs all the way across the fairway.
Hole No. 4 is a 192-yard par 3. Drive it left center and there is a trap on the left side of this new green. Takes a long iron or 3 to 5 wood to reach the green.
Hole No. 5 is a 358-yard par 4 with a dogleg left. Some trees will come into play if you hit left.
Hole No. 6 is a 413-yard par 4 which presents to every golfer one of the smallest openings from the tee to the fairway we have ever seen. After a real straight tee shot the fairway does open up to the left but there are trees to the right. Best tee shot is left center. Some 100 yards from the tee there is another ditch which runs across the fairway. A trap on the left and right side of the green also is a challenge.
Hole No. 7 is a 435-yard par 5 and the fairway runs straight uphill. This is where you let it all out with a long tee shot and a long iron or three wood from the fairway. A trap is on the right side of the green. Long ball hitters can go for the birdie on this hole.
Hole No. 8 is a 312-yard par 4. Sand traps are on the left and right side of the green and a large tree stands almost in front of the green which makes for an interesting approach shot to the green.
Hole No. 9 is a 190-yard par 3 and is slightly uphill and seems to play longer than 190 yards. A tough par 3 with a new green but a good tee shot to the green almost results in a par. Sand traps are at the front and back of this green.

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 advise 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 aplomb, but you can do it. The "rain gloves" made by several manufactures are another option if you lack some chutzpah.
* Wear your 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. many golfers can't hack the drips.
* Re-read the casual water rule.
* Always dry your ball and your putter blade before making a stroke.
* Remember, shots out of wet sand always go farther.
* Bring a baggie for your scorecard. 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 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 845-292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

Received a wonderful message via e-mail recently from a former well known and highly respected lady in the Liberty area. We always enjoyed our conversations with Elaine Grossinger Etess and remember well how she served the community as president of the Liberty Central School Board of Education. Just a wonderful lady that we always had the highest respect for. Elaine wrote in her e-e-mail to me, "Ed, thank you for the lovely recollections about Golf at the G in the July 4 issue. Such fond memories of Frank Kern and that era. We have enjoyed all the descriptions of the course. As the song goes, 'those were the days my friend.' I send you my warmest wishes and thanks, Elaine."
And thank you Elaine for reminding us all that "those were the days my friend."
..............and on another note......Were The Caddies Being Catty?
Tiger Woods is out for the rest of the year, recuperating from knee surgery after his U.S. Open victory. That also send his caddie, Steve Williams, to the sideline. The money Williams makes carrying for Woods--caddie pay is typically based on money earnings--would make him not only the highest paid caddie, but also a bigger revenue earner than many PGA Tour players. But it seems his caddie colleagues, being a caring bunch, decided that they would help out their friend in his time of need. At the recent Travelers Championship, they put up a sign that said, "Steve Williams Benevolent Fund." And what did they use to collect money?.........A Shot Glass.

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 visit the web site http://www.bght.blogspot.com/