Here & There Column 7-31-12

New Concert Venue Opens Aug. 16

  Jay Black from Jay and the Americans and Air Supply will be the opening acts for the Wurtsboro Airport Music Festival August 16 on Route 209. 

  The new music venue will hold another Thursday night concert August 30 and the Thursday dates have been selected to avoid conflicts with Bethel Woods.

  Airport developer Shalom Lamm and his partners are bankrolling the concerts and are anticipating crowds in the 5,000 to 10,000 range. A temporary parking lot will be set up on the property and there will be vendors at these events. 

  Lawn seats will start at around $37.50 and VIP meet and greet with the stars which provide lawn chairs will sell for $75.50 near the stage.

  Lamm bought the airport in 2007 and reportedly has spent about $1  million in renovations and clean up procedures.

  Jay Black was second and more widely-known Jay to lead the band Jay and the Americans. Concert goers will quickly remember Jay's hits including Cara Mia, Come A Little Bit Closer, Let's Lock the Door, Only in America, Hushabye and Walkin In The Rain.

  Air Supply is an Australian soft rock duo with popular hits including Love and Other Bruises, Air Supply, If You Knew Me, Empty Pages and Feel the Breeze.

  Depending on the success of these concerts the organizers will book a full schedule of concerts at the airport next summer. 

  Tickets are available at ticketweb.com, ticketmaster.com and at the airport. 

                                                          

Above photo is of Jay Black

GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS COLUMN 7-27-12

Villa Roma Ready For Democrat Tourney

  

  A lack of rain and dryness has effected a lot of course maintenance but continuous watering has kept the Villa Roma Golf Course ready to accept the challenge of our area's top amateur golfers at the 31st Annual Sullivan County Democrat two-man, better ball golf tournament.

  PGA Golf Professional Matt Kleiner noted late last week that course watering has become very important and that this championship course will be "made a little more difficult during the Friday qualifying round." 

  Matt noted he tends to evenly distributes pin placements making 6 easy, 6 medium and 6 difficult and that pin placements will be different each day.

  This premier tournament showcases the talents of the area's finest amateur golfers.

  Built in the late 1980's and opened for play in 1988, the course features some of the best fairways and greens in the region and has been called by Golf Digest "A Little Slice of Heaven."

  This par 71 course has a total yardage of 6,458 from the black tees and most golfing experts agree it is a perfect challenge for the expert. The front nine total 3,183 yards and the back nice totals 3,275 yards. From the blue tees its 3,000 yards on the front nine and 3,034 on the back nine.

  The fairways, greens and tee boxes still offer excellent conditions..

  The course was built by David Postlevaite. 

  Kleiner has been the  PGA Golf Professional at the Villa since 1986 while the course was still under construction. He provides golf instruction by appointments which can be made at the pro shop.

  Democrat golfers will find a Pro Shop that offers a complete selection of name brand men's and women's golf apparel and equipment including Nike, Slazenger, Gear for Sport, Titleist, Foot Joy, Callaway, Ping and Taylor Made.

  The course also offers a driving range, putting greens and practice facilities.

  The front nine of this course is very generous off the tee, but the greens must be read properly with their undulations. 

  Tournament golfers are encouraged to enjoy this beautiful layout and to  take in the magnificent views of the countryside. . Their web site is www.villaroma.com 

  Full details on this 18-hole championship course and a play by play description of each hole is available on my website http://bght.blogspot.com

                                                    Ed's Outlook

  Rally For The Cure is about helping people who are committed to making an impact in the fight against breast cancer. 

  Rally is an awareness program that provides a simple platform for people to educate their friends, family and community about breast health and breast cancer.

  Rally's volunteer organized golf events have communicated the important message that early detection saves lives to over 1.9 million people and have generated over $60 million for Susan G. Komen for the Cure since 1996.

  The Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club is hosting a Rally For The Cure Tournament on Friday, August 3.

  Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

  Teams can be all women, all men or coed. 

  The scramble format includes a continental breakfast, lunch after golf and prizes. 

  Additional details can be obtained by calling Bret Reimer at 607-498-5000 or by email at tennanahlake@aol.com
 .                                                 

  Ed Townsend is a consultant to the sport of golf. If you have league scores, tournament info, a hole-in-one, scoring your age or any topic that you feel would make good reading Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177, by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com, by fax at 845-205-4474. View his column at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook. 

                                                          The Golf Tip 

                                                      By Robert Menges 

  Prepare our mind for a better game.

  We all have different ways of doing things on the golf course, which is why one technique or strategy might work for one person but not another.

  For example, some of us will visualize the shot we want to hit in our mind, because it helps us execute the shot. For others, they have to experience the shot.

  With that said ( or written, in this case), it never hurts to try something new. So here are several "pep talks" you can create to help build your confidence for the next round.  After each round of golf, take 60 seconds to sit quietly and replay your three best shots of the round. Visualize them in slow motion and lock every detail into your memory. They'll come back to cheer you on in the future.

  Tell someone about your best shot of the day, but never talk about your worst shots. Professionals can usually remember every shot during a tournament, but there is one shot they "just don't recall"--it's their worst shot.  Let the bad shots go, and never, ever talk about them.

  After every shot, remember to say, "great shot" and mean it when you say it. the results may not be exactly what you wanted, but the ball went where you hit it. So go and do it again.

  Breathe before every shot or putt, remember to breathe deeply and softly. It will relax your whole body and allow you to focus on the task at hand.

  Make it a part of your pre-shot routine to consciously expect a great shot. As you pull the club from your bag, smile. As you look down the fairway or line up your putt, smile. As you stand over the ball, smile. Expect the best.

  Finally, but perhaps most importantly , have fun our there. Golf is a game. Yes, it can be very challenging and frustrating at times, but it is intended to be a form of enjoyment. Enjoy the day, the weather and the time with friends, Chances are, you'll enjoy the wonderful game of golf as well.

  Robert Menges is the golf pro at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net   

                                            The Putting Doctor  

                                              Tip Of The Week

                                              By Joe Bermel 

  If you want to score well you must learn to putt well.

  Without a doubt the #1 key is "organization of your mind."

  To ask and answer the questions, "what are we going to do and how are we going to do it.

  Remember the challenge in putting, in golf, and in sports in general is coordinating the mind and the body.

  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 

 

VILLA ROMA FRONT NINE

VILLA ROMA FRONT NINE

  The front nine of this course is very generous off the tee, but the greens must be read properly with their undulations. The front nine features two part 5's, three par 3's and four par 4's.

  Hole No. 1 is a 365-yard par 4 which requires a straight drive off the tee and it's better to stay left center as the fairway slopes left to right. The key for a par here is club selection on your second shot.

  Hole No. 2 is a 213-yard par 3 with the fairway sloping downhill. A trap is to the right of this green and an accurate tee shot will determine the par here.Don't stray right here.  

   Hole No. 3 is a 533-yard par 5. Most of the fairway runs uphill and best to keep your tee shot in the center of this fairway. The green has undulations  and staying out of trouble here will get you your par.

  Hole No. 4 is a 408-yard par 4 downhill with a slight dogleg to the right. A good drive here and an accurate  pitch shot has you seriously looking at a birdie. The green slopes left to right .There is a deep bunker at the right front section of this green and a trap on the left side. A nice golf hole.

  Hole No. 5 is a 395-yard par 4. Keep it straight here and in the middle of the fairway. The second half of the fairway slopes slightly downhill. Good shot making will produce opportunities for a par or less here.

  Hole No. 6 is a 400-yard par 4, pretty much a straight shot. Traps are on the left and right front of this green.

  Hole No. 7 is a 171-yard par 3, the shortest hole on the front nine, There is a trap on the left side of the green but your club selection is important in recording your par,

  Hole No. 8 is a 495-yard par 5 and is the most interesting hole on the front nine, Keep your ball right center as this hole plays a slight dogleg right, The important decision on the second shot is to succeed with a long iron or good fairway wood and go for the green or lay-up with the second shot somewhere about 10 to 20 feet from the pong and marsh area, The green has traps on the right and left sides of this green. An excellent golf  hole. 

  Hole No. 9 is a 203-yard par 3 with traps on the left side and right front of this green. An accurate teen shot get you your par.                                                                                                                                   

VILLA ROMA BACK NINE

    VILLA ROMA BACK NINE

  The back nine has a total yardage from the black tees of 3,275. The back nine is longer and more challenging but rewards solidly struck shots.

  The back nine with a par of 36 features five par 4's, two par 5's and two par 3's.

  Hole No. 10 is a 385-yard par 4 with a tree lined fairway that opens up after the tee shot. The fairway slopes downhill and the key shot here is off the tee slightly off center to the left side of the fairway. There is water some 20 to 30 yards in front of this green and a trap on the left side of the green. A good wedge shot puts you in play for a birdie or par.....a real nice golf hole for the start of the back nine.

  Hole No. 11 is a 545-yard par 5, the longest hole on this course. It takes a good tee shot to keep you away from the marsh wet area located center-right off the tee, Keep the tee shot center or left center in the fairway  which slopes right to left. Keep is straight and this long hole rewards you with a par.

  Hole No,. 12 is a 357-yard par 4 with a dogleg left and the fairway running uphill to an elevated green. Keep you tee shot left center for a good second shot to the green. A trap is located on the right front side of the green.

  Hone No. 13 is a 174-yard par 3 which requires accuracy and good club selection. The tee is elevated high above the green so it is an all downhill shot. . Traps are left and right of the green. We really like this hole and your tee shot will determine your birdie or par.

  Hole No. 14 is a 332-yard par 4 with the first part of the fairway sloping downhill and a pond confronting golfers off the tee. Keep your tee shot firm and to the left center of the fairway to avoid a fairway trap on the right. The second half of the fairway slopes uphill to the green, which has a trap on the right front section.

  Hole No. 15 is a 513-yard par 5 with a dogleg right. Traps are on the left and right side of the green.

  Hole No. 16 is a 430-yard par 4 with an open fairway. Best play here is to the left side of the fairway. There is a trap on the right front section of the green. A nice par 4 here is reachable for many.

  Hole No. 17 is a 180-yard par 3 and the tee shot must go over a large pond. Take the water out of play and select the right club for putting the ball in the center of the green and you will have your par 3.

  Hole No. 18 is a 435-yard par 4 and some decision-making is in order for the tee shot. The fairway runs slightly with a dogleg right and there is a pond about 195-yards off the tee. It's about a 240-yard long tee shot to clear the pond so many golfers prefer to lay up in front of the pond. A nicely hit fairway shot from in front of the pond puts you in a good position for the par 4. There are traps left and right of the green. A few good decisions here makes this an outstanding golf hole.

  

HERE & THERE COLUMN 7-24-12

                                      "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

  Jay Siegel and The Tokens singing of the popular sixties hit The Lion Sleeps Tonight" proved to be the show stopper which definitely electrified the audience at the July 14 NY Doo Wop Extravaganza at the Bethel Woods Center For The Arts.

  The Doo Wop crowd really got into this song and sang along as Siegel and The Tokens harmonized beautifully this song which was one of the early sixties biggest hits.

  Siegel of course was the lead singer for The Tokens and they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame. 

  The National Endowment For The Arts, along with The Recording Industry Association of America compiled a list of the Top 365 records of the twentieth century and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" came in at number 159. 

  The Tokens also became well known when they did some recordings with the great Neil Sedaka who at the time of the recordings sang background while Jay Siegel was the lead singer.

  The Tokens first single on Warwick Records, "Tonight I Fell In Love" became a million seller with 700,000 sold copies in the United States and 300,000 copies in Canada and Europe. 

  "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" sold over three million records when it first came out and in four weeks to got to be number one and stayed on the chart for about three months and then it became number one in thirty-six countries all over the world. 

  Siegel and The Tokens lit up the Bethel Woods crowd with this song and many were heard singing this song at the shows end while walking to their cars. 

  Other popular songs sang by these Doo Wop groups who still maintain excellent singing qualities and beautiful harmony included The Excellents and their Brooklyn National Anthem "Coney Island Baby", Linda Jansen and "Till", The Marcels and "Blue Moon", The Elegants and "Little Star", adding that they "don't sing two fast songs in a row unless its at a medical convention", The Tymes and "So In Love" and The Duprees "You Belong To Me".

  Doo Wop songs feature both fast beats as frequently as slow ones and after the outstanding Bethel Woods show it can easily be seen how doo-wop groups played a significant role in ushering in the rock and roll era.

  Great show Bethel Woods, thank you for bringing this era back to Sullivan County. 

   

                                       

Photo Identification

Jay Siegel of The Tokens singing the popular hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".

                                                      

  

Golfing Highlights Column 7-20-12

Teaching Youth Is The Future Of Golf

  Teaching the game of golf to our youth will provide the growth and survival of this great sport.

  Sharing the passion for the game is exactly what the Tarry Brae Golf Programs are doing thanks to the dedicated staff at Tarry Brae headed up by PGA Professional Glenn 

Sonnenschein.

  These youth golf programs also teach kids critical skills that help them throughout their lives

   Sonnenschein pointed out that a number of these skills include:

  1. Honesty and integrity because the game is self-policed with players responsible for knowing the rules and applying them fairly to themselves.

  2. Good sportsmanship along with manners and etiquette are a critical part of the game.

  3. Perseverance because to a large extent golf is a game that requires practice.

  4. Good judgement comes when kids who golf learn to make good decisions.   

  The Tarry Brae Junior golf program offers three different types of program for juniors aged 7-18 and all are one week schools. 

  The camps run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and the first camp was completed July 13. Two additional camps will run July 23-27 and August 6-10. The Tuesday Tournament series is open to any juniors ages 8-17. Golf youth clinics are held Saturday's from 11 a.m. to 12:30 and clubs are provided if needed. 

  Glen's son Ryan Sonnenschine, 21, a golf course employee presently working towards obtaining his PGA certification noted that they divide the young golfers up according to their ability and then help teach them the short game, putting, driving at the range, small course competition, bunker lessons and small course competition where they actually go out on the course and play several holes each day. 

  Glen pointed out that "we try to keep it light and fun and keep it moving."

  Another golf course employee who also helps with these camps is Max Heimowitz who presently is a member of the Monticello High School golf team and went through the Junior golf programs.

  The final day of the July 9-13 camp featured  competition in long and short putting with Oliver McLaughlin, 10, of South Fallsburg winning the long putting, Anna Bittinger, 11, of Monticello winner of the short putting contest, Ari Loewinger, 9, of Loch Sheldrake winning the  closest to the line on the driving range and the chipping contests  and Matt Gabriel, 13 of Eldred winning the 7-hole putting contest. 

  The enthusiasm and the willingness to learn was very evident on the faces of these young golfers at the Tarry Brae Town of Fallsburg Junior golf program. 

                                                   Ed's Outlook 

  The Tarry Brae Golf Course ascends and descends some hilly mountain side terrain with a number of doglegs and tree-lined fairways. A great course designed by architect William Mitchell who also placed many greens which slope back to front.

  The beautiful par 5 signature sixth hole is framed by Echo Lake and superintendents Clark Bartholomew and John Jaycox keep the course in excellent condition.

  PGA Professional Glenn Sonnenschein is available for lessons and tee times for this Town of Fallsburg municipal course are available by calling 845-434-2620.

  We played the course recently and complete details and play by play hole descriptions are available on our Web site at http://bght.blogspot.com 

  This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur-professional sport of golf and to several golf writers associations. If you have league scores, tournament info. a hole-in-one, scoring your age or any topic that would make good reading Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177, by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com, by fax at 845-205-4474. View my full column at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook.                

                                       

                                                                    Golfing Tip 

                                                              By Robert Menges 

   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 (or 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 the sand. This usually results in the club hitting the sand too far behind the ball 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  

                                                                The Putting Doctor

                                                                     Putting Tip 

                                                                  By Joe Bermel 

    Here is one of the best putting drills since "sliced bread was invented.

    Drill # 2..... A Quadrant Drill

    1. Take 1 golf ball.

    2. On practice green, establish on one hole at four foot distance only.

    3. Ist putt straight uphill.

    4. 2nd putt straight downhill.

    5. 3rd putt right edge slight right to left.

    6. 4th putt left edge slight left to right.

    Every golfer has these 4 puts many times every round. Do this drill again and again. 

    Make yourself make 3 consecutive putts at each quadrant.

    This will make you a better 2 putt per hole average.

    Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com                                                   

                                                                       

Identification of the above photos

Participants and champions of the July 9-13 Tarry Brae Junior golf program include, front row from the left, Ari Loewinger, 9, Loch Sheldrake, winner of closest to the line at the driving range and the chipping contest, Oliver McLaughlin, 10, South Fallsburg, winner of the long putting contest, Matt Gabriel, 13, Eldred, winner of the 7-hole putting contest, and Lucian McLaughlin 6, South Fallsburg.  Back row from the left, instructor Max Heimwitz, Anna Bittinger, 11, Monticello, winner of the short putting contest, Hayley Weiner, 11, Fallsburg, Shane Bittinger, 9, Monticello, instructor Brandon Rieber and head instructor Ryan Sonnenschein.                                                     

Hayley Weiner, 11, Fallsburg, putts during the long putting contest held as part of the July 9-13 Tarry Brae Junior Golf program.

                                                              

  

Tarry Brae Front Nine

                                 TARRY BRAE FRONT NINE

   Doppler Radar Plays an important part of the  Fallsburg Municipal Tarry Brae Golf Course on Pleasant Valley Road in South Fallsburg. We arrived one  time at the course with a weather report in our hands that showed "a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m" and Golf Professional Glenn Sonnenschein was johnny on the spot as we walked into his office where he was viewing that day's weather activity on the Internet Doppler Radar.

  The Doppler system showed storms west of the Buffalo area and Glenn felt comfortable that it would be a pleasant day on the golf course with the beautiful sunshine we were experiencing at the time of our arrival.  Glenn remarked that this radar predicting system has become a "valuable tool in golf course management and if we are aware of severe weather and thunderstorms we send people right out on the course to get golfers back to the clubhouse."  Tarry Brae celebrated their 50th year in business last year and there are many reasons why this beautifully designed course is classified by many as a premier golf facility.  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 feet 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 are available by calling the golf course..

   Clark Bartholomew is the golf course superintendent and Jack Jaycox is the assistant superintendent.

    Here we will detail the front nine (1-9) of this golf course.

    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 www.tarrybrae.com