Golfing Highlights Column 8-22-08

Monticello golfers, l to r, Judy Bergstrom, Warren Bergstrom and John Hoffmann at the Tarry Brae Golf Course recently.

The 206-yard par 3 (17th) hole at Tarry Brae requires a tee shot over water. A nicely designed hole that requires accuracy.

Tarry Brae & The "Toilet Bowl Shot"

In all the years I have been playing and writing abut the great sport of golf I have never heard of "The Toilet Bowl Shot."
The phrase came about while recently playing nine-holes of golf with two real nice folks from Monticello, Warren and Judy Bergstrom.
While doing a course review story at the Tarry Brae Golf Course in South Fallsburg we had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with Warren and Judy on the first tee and joined them in playing the front nine.
Warren acknowledged that he is a great fan of bicycling, is a retired teacher from Monticello High School and with the encouragement of his wife has taken up the game of golf. Judy pointed out that she also agreed to take up bicycling but the enjoyment these two have with golf was very evident that day at Tarry Brae where they walk the course with their pull carts and are members of Tarry Brae and Lochmor Golf Clubs.
The "toilet bowl shot" phrase came about as a result of one of my putts rimming the cup and then swirling around the cup before it dropped to the bottom of the cup. Judy commented that it was called a "toilet bowl" shot.
We all chuckled about the comment and proceeded on with our golf game.
Terry Brae was first developed in the early1950's and was designed by William Mitchell. In the mid 1950's the golf course was taken over by the Town of Fallsburg.
This beautifully designed course is classified by many as a premier golf facility. The course has a well-equipped pro shop and a snack bar and grill.
P.G.A. Professional Glenn Sonnenschein heads up the staff at Tarry Brae and the Lochmor Golf Course. Clark Bartholomew is the golf course superintendent.
This course features a state-of-the art irrigation system which uses a computerized automatic watering program.
We were not too sure how we would find the course after two days of heavy rain but an improved drainage system installed several years ago put the course in excellent condition with no restrictions on cart use.
The back nine of this course (holes 10-18) plays 3,513 yards to a par 36. This 18-hole course plays to a total of 6,965 yards with a par 72.
This week we will take you on a tour of the back nine.
Hole No. 10 is a 543-yard par 5 with the fairway sloping left to right. Best to take your tee shot left center.
Hole No. 11 is a 201-yard par 3 with the fairway running slightly uphill. The green has traps on the left and right. Hitting the right club off this tee decides a par score.
Hole No. 12 is a 365-yard par 4 with trees on the left side and a fairway trap on gthe right. Best to take your drive in the center of the fairway. There is a big trap to the left and center of this green.
Hole No. 13 is a 433-yard par 4 with a slight dogleg to the left. A fairway sand trap is on the right and green trap is on the left side.
Hole No. 14 is a 408-yard par 4 with an open fairway. Take your drive left center to avoid the fairway trap on the right. There is a trap on the left side of the green.
Hole No. 15 is a 391-yard par 4 with trees and fairway bunkers on the left side. Best to take your tee shot right center. Traps on the green are on the left and right center.
Hole No. 16 is a 425-yard par 4 with a fairway sand trap on the left side. Take your tee shot center of the fairway. There is a small stream about 20 yards in front of this green which also has a sand trap on the right side.
Hole No. 17 is a 206-yard par 3 with a pond on the right and a stream running in front of the green. Careful club selection is the key to a birdie or par here.
Hole No. 18 is a 541-yard par 5 with a sloping fairway running uphill. A nice finishing hole.

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 with about 50 to 55 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 54-57 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 green. 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 andit you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

We are approaching the end of August but remember that some of the late summer and early fall golf is the best there is at our area golf courses. Take advantage of many courses that offer special fall rates.
It sure was a chilling victory at the British Open. Many are still trying to thaw out from their summer foray to England . Many have said that "if this is summer, I couldn't live here," and that is certainly the truth.
The Open Championship will long be remembered for four days of bone-chilling wind and weather that would send most sane folks indoors.
That led to a lot of big numbers, which included both golf scores and sales on hot coffee (wonder if those Brits added anything other than cream and sugar to that coffee?).
Somehow it was fitting that the winner, Ireland's Padraig Harrington, played the final 18 holes in shirt sleeves. The most comfortable guy took home the Claret Jug.

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 email to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit the Web site http://bght.blogspot.com/

Here & There Column 8-19-08

Big Lesson Learned From Little League Experience

When you love baseball and our youth you are bound to be around the great experience of Little League baseball or softball for many years.
The summer months of May, June and July keep Sullivan County youth and their families busy with practice and several games a week. It's fun to watch those youngsters learn the fundamentals of this great game and then work hard until they are finally chosen to represent their leagues in inter-county regional playoffs.
After area youth get selected for their league all-star team its off to the races as our local teams travel to such places as Walden, Pine Bush, Port Jervis, Minisink and Newburgh.
And sometimes parents and strong supporters of their hometown teams make poor decisions that result in just plain bad sportsmanship. We wish everyone who has played and supports this great Little League sport would be given the opportunity to read the sign at the Walden Little League complex that reads, "Remember They're Just Kids."
It's great to see coaches and umpires in Little League go our of their way to support these youth and this game. Loved seeing an umpire recently come into a losing teams dugout and offer encouragement and congratulations to the team who lost. Wow....does that give true meaning to what Little League is all about.
Little League explains their definition as "better than any other youth activity, baseball and softball have become the thread that has sewn together a patchwork of nations and cultures around the world."
In their written explanation as to what Little League is "about us" they note that "baseball and softball embody the discipline of teamwork. They challenge players toward perfection of physical skills and bring in to play the excitement of tactics and strategy. The very nature of baseball and softball also teach that while every player eventually strikes out or is on a losing team, there is always another chance for success in the next at-bat or game."
To all the many volunteer coaches, umpires and those who assist in any way....we thank you for what you do for our communities and for your many hours of dedication to a sport that has such great meaning for our youth.
The Little League baseball World Series will be held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania August 15-26.

Golfing Highlights Column 8-15-08

P.G.A. Professional Glenn Sonnenschein heads up both staffs at Tarry Bray and Lochmor Golf Courses.

The 491-yard par 5 sixth hole has its green with Echo Lake in the background. A great golf hole.

Tarry Bray An Outstanding Golf Course

Pleasant Valley Road in South Fallsburg leads golfers to a very "pleasant" golfing experience at the Fallsburg Municipal Tarry Brae Golf Course.
Each hole on this course has four sets of tees, Black, Green, Golf and Yellow and the recommended tees by handicap men 0-8 Black tee, men up to 20 Green tee, men 21-35 and women 0-10 Gold tee and men 36 and up and women 11 and up Yellow tee.
The expanded tee options gives golfers the opportunity to choose the right tees to match your ability.
The average size green on this beautifully designed course is about 4,500 square feed and golfers will find the course well bunkered with various water hazards that tend to test your abilities.
Tarry Brae was first developed in the early 1950's by some of the hotels in the Town of Fallsburg who felt they needed golf facilities to compete with some of the neighboring hotels who had their own golf course.
Tarry Brae was designed by William Mitchell and in the mid 1950's the golf course was taken over by the Town of Fallsburg. The town completed some of the work on this course and the golf course was officially opened in 1958.
This 18-hole par 72 golf course plays 6,965 yards from the Black tees, 6,389 yards from the Green tees, 5,789 yards from the Golf tees and 5,514 yards from the Yellow tees. The front nine plays 3,452 yards for a par 36.
This course is rated by Golf Digest with three and one-half stars and is considered by many to be classified as a premier golf facility.
While playing this golf course one can certainly consider this facility as very picturesque with enjoyable rolling greens and contoured fairways set in wooded surroundings. The view of Echo Lake of the fairway approaching the sixth green will leave you breathless.
Tarry Brae offers a comprehensive golf shop that carries both golf equipment and men's and women's apparel. A snack bar and grill is available.
Professional Golf Association (P.G.A.) Professional Glenn Sonnenschein heads up both staffs at Tarry Bray and the Lochmor Golf Club and has been associated with these facilities since 1997. He officially became a PGA Pro in 1990 after completing a seven-year PGA program which included a playing ability test.
Glenn offers custom club fitting, private and group instruction, group and tournament assistance and service for all your golfing needs
Green fees at Tarry Brae include a $45 rate for 18-holes with cart on weekends and a weekday special of $37 for 18-holes with cart including lunch.
The course presently plays host to the Wednesday Concord league and the Thursday Traveling league.
Tarry Brae and Lochmor have a combined membership of 280 players.
Clark Bartholomew is the golf course superintendent and Jack Jaycox is the assistant superintendent.
This week we will detail the front nine (1-9) of this golf course and follow up next week with the back nine (10-18).
Hole No. 1 is a 392-yard par 4 with an open fairway and a slight dogleg to the right. A trap on the left side of the green. Be careful with your approach shot to this green and don't go over the green.
Hole No. 2 is a 402-yard par 4 with trees on both sides of fairway which slopes left to right. There is a sand trap in front of a slightly elevated green.
Hole No. 3 is a 438-yard par 4 with a dogleg left. Take you best shot over the tree and fairway trap on the left side of the fairway. There is a sand trap in the front of this green.
Hole No. 4 is a 209-yard par 3 presents an open fairway with green traps left front and right back. Club selection important here for your birdie or par.
Hole No. 5 is a 408-yard par 4 with a two-level open fairway. Water comes into play on the right edge of the fairway. Traps are left and right of the green.
Hole No. 6 is a 491-yard par 5 with trees on the left side of the fairway. Take you tee shot right center. The fairway eventually slopes downhill to the green. Best to stay right shooting down to the green....don't go over the green as Echo Lake is in the background.
This is a real pretty approach shot to this green.
Hole No. 7 is a 169-yard par 3 with traps left and right of the green. Again club selection here plays an important part in getting a birdie or par.
Hole No. 8 is a 417-yard par 4 and best to take your tee shot right center. There are fairway traps left and right side. Pretty much an open fairway.
Hole No. 9 is a 526-yard par 5 with a dogleg right. Take your tee shot right center for better approach shots to this green. A trap on the left side of the green.
For golf course information and tee times call 434-2620 or go to their web site at http://www.tarrybrae.com/

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

How To Attack Buried Bunker Lies
To blast the ball out of the sand, your club needs to swing more up and down to create a steeper angle of attack.
To help illustrate, have someone stand (picture a wall) several feet behind the ball. In the backswing, hinge your wrists early to get the club up more, avoiding the person (or wall).
Also make note of the length of the backswing. It should almost be a full swing. In order to create enough speed and energy to blast the ball out of the sand, avoid taking a short and/or low backswing.
From this position, you will be able to swing the club into the sand on the downswing. It's imperative that you strike down into the sand 1 to 2 inches behind the ball and finish with the club low to the ground.
Amateur golfers often try to scoop or help lift the ball out of sand and this usually results in the club hitting the sand too far behind the bal and either missing it completely or taking too much sand and leaving the ball in the bunker. Or, the club misses the sand and strikes the top of the ball, resulting in a topped shot that can go anywhere.
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

It's hard to not get caught up in the hype. Anthony Kim, 23, has game, as he showed with his second victory of the year at the AT&T National. He became the first player under the age of 25 to win twice in a year since Tiger Woods in 2000.
And he's just in his second year on tour.
But, before we anoint him the next challenger to Tiger Woods, keep a few things in mind. In the 11 tournaments in which they have played the same week, Kim has never finished ahead of Woods.
The saying goes, don't bet against him.....but also don't bet on him.
At the start of the year, Woods declared his chance of taking the calendar Grand Slam as "easily within reason." In March, an Australian sports better put up $200,000 Australian (that a little over $250,000 U.S.) that Woods would win three or more of golf's majors this season at odds that would pay out 6 to 1.
Tiger Woods' absence from the remaining golf majors this year has cost some sport down-under a potential million-dollar payday.

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 have have league standings and tournament information, please call Ed at 439-8177 or send an email to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit the Web site http://bght.blogspot.com/

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.