JESTER PLACED ON WEBSITE HEADER

  Jester Placed On Website Header

                                                             

                                                              

  DRYDEN--Neversink resident and 2013 MVP Tri-Valley Central School shortstop Rodney "Taylor" Jester has received the honor of having his picture placed on his college's website header, facebook and twitter accounts.
  Following a successful freshman year at Tompkins-Cortland Community College (TC3) where he batted .333 with an On Base Percentage (OBP) of .349 and a Slugging Average (SLG) of .405 Jester will report for the fall league season on August 27.
  TC3 Sports Information Coordinator Peter Voorhees noted that the college's website header "is the most visible image we have in athletics and it is the header on our website and the cover photo on our facebook and twitter accounts."
  Voorhees said, "we generally keep the same image up for about a year."
  "When it comes to the individual photos, we try to select students that we feel best represent our College and their respective teams," and "we start out looking for the best  returning player on each team." Voorhees added.
  The Sports Information Coordinator pointed out that, "all three of the images on this year's banner," men's baseball player (Rodney T. Jester, Tri-Valley H.S./Grahamsville, soccer player Hannah Wildenstein, Dryden H.S./Freeville and men's basketball player Joshua Spence, Bayard Rustin H.S./Brooklyn) "have great eyes and body angles that make the college logo or name visible and are good representatives of what we want our student-athletes to be.....a winning trifecta."
  Jester last week completed summer collegiate travel baseball with the Northeast Pride Collegiate team. 
 

 

SOUTHERN GREENS

Youth & The Beauty In Our County

                                      

  In traveling throughout Sullivan County and after interviewing and taking pictures of four community Renaissance projects one gets a great feeling about  Sullivan Renaissance and the beautification efforts brought forth by so many volunteers and Renaissance interns.
  Of course all of  this would never be possible without this beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation and sponsors like Bold Gold Media Group/Thunder 102, Fisher/Mears Associates, Kristt Company, Robert Green Dealerships, Sullivan County Democrat, The River Reporter, Thompson Sanitation and WSUL/WVOS.
  There is pride in our communities and volunteers are hard at work on their projects that makes a big difference to both year-around residents and visitors/tourists to our county.
  Sullivan Renaissance sponsors sixteen interns who work in their communities taking care of gardens and other public projects including small planter boxes to established gardens to park enhancements and Main Street revitalization and these young people work alongside community volunteers to make a big difference in their communities.
  The Sullivan Renaissance Youth Development and Leadership Program is a partnership between Sullivan Renaissance and the Center for Workforce Development that provides paid work experience for Sullivan County youth between the ages of 16 and 20.
  This outstanding Youth Development program deserves a lot of credit and a big pat on the back as the interns participate in weekly meetings where they discuss current issues, meet with local leaders, develop their own leadership skills and explore career options.
  We tip our hat in admiration and thanks for what Sullivan Renaissance does and in providing a goal where youth can develop a sense of place and find their voice on issues that are important to them.

A Family Golfing Tradition

                                             

  Family traditions run deep and strong in the game of golf and such is the case with Sullivan County's McNamara's golf course maintenance family.
  Last week we highlighted information about Patrick McNamara, the new golf course superintendent at the Town of Fallsburg Tarry Brae and Lochmor Golf Course.
  Leadership as a golf course superintendent has been a major part of this family and it all started as a post Army mechanic's job for Ray McNamara in 1957 at the former Homawack Lodge on Route 209 near Ellenville.
  As local golf history reveals Ray's three sons, Mike, Pat and Terry all began their golf course maintenance careers at the Homawck.
  When each of the boys turned 14 they went to work on the course doing work that did not involve using power tools but started out by raking bunkers, weeding and helping wherever they were needed.
  In addition to working on the course dad Ray thought the boys needed an appreciation of the game so he taught them to play.
  Mike, the oldest, is presently the superintendent at Grossinger's Country Club where he started as a seasonal employee at the age of 18, after already working for his dad for four years.
  Mike graduated from Delhi in 1977 and became an assistant at Grossinger's and after seven years became the superintendent in 1984.
  As we mentioned last week Patrick, before taking the superintendent's job at Tarry Brae and Lochmor was superintendent at Kutcher's. He, of course,  also worked with his father and also worked courses at Mohonk, Paupack  Hills, Swan Lake and Apple Greens.
  Terry, the youngest son, spend 10 years in the hotel technology business in Atlanta, Ga. and returned to Sullivan County and went to work for his brother, Mike at Grossinger's and also worked at the Mohonk House and held the superintendent's position at the former Pine's Hotel golf course.
  Dad Ray still works at the Big G (Grossinger's) as does Terry.
  Over the years this well-known golf course maintenance family always collaborated with each other on problems and projects and they always were able to lend equipment and expertise.
  Everyone at these golf resorts benefited from this family that shared their experience.
  The four McNamara's always possessed a strong interest in keeping up with the changes and challenges in golf course construction and maintenance and had many opportunities to add their imprints to the courses they worked at.
  This family of golf course maintenance experts have always been very supportive of professional organizations like the New York State Turfgrass Association and the Golf Course Superintendents Association.
  And yes, the family still gets together to play a friendly but competitive round of  golf ..... where there are no gimme putts.

  Ed's Outlook

   Several upcoming golf tournaments to report on this week.
   The Steve Lagoda Scholarship Golf Tournament will be  held August 25 at the Villa Roma golf course. This event will have a 1 p.m. shotgun start. A putting contest is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Four person captain and  crew format.
  Contact Brian Starr, PO Box 115, Lake Huntington, NY 12752 or call 845-397-2939.
  The Roscoe Kiwanis Club's 23ed annual tournament is set for July 27 at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club.  For information call 607-498-5000.
  The Lockmor LTGA Ladies League is holding a special "Goofy Golf" Disney Classics Ladies Invitational on Wednesday, July 23 starting with a 7:30 a.m. Continental breakfast and registration.
  Tee time is 8:30 with a 18-hole shotgun start featuring a format of 2 player best ball of foursome with handicaps. There will be prizes, raffles, free give aways and a special prize for the best costume.
  A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Allyson Whitney Foundation. For information call the Lochmor Golf Course at 845-434-1257.

  Ed Townsend is a PR Consultant to the sport of Golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177 or 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com, fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

  The Golf Tip
  By Robert Menges

  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 is 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 golfers have a pitching wedge that comes with the set. This club has about a 47-49 degrees of loft.
  You have a choice to make for the other two wedges. A gap wedge comes with about 50 to 53 degrees of loft and a lob wedge is about 60 to 64 degrees of loft. I would choose between these two clubs depending on how far you hit the ball.
  A lob wedge will save you shots around the green and a gap wedge will help you  with the in between yardages in the fairway. You should always carry a sand wedge that has 54-57 degrees of loft.
  Some touring Professionals will carry four wedges in their bag. The next time you play a round of golf, count how many strokes you take from 100 yards in to the hole. I think you find 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 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 by email at menges@hughes.net

  Putting Tip
  By Joseph Bermel Jr.

  A special key to good consistent putting is finishing the putting stroke.
  Most golfers do not finish and then they wonder why they are short of the hole.
  You start the stroke.......you must finish and hold the finish.
  Finishing means the putter head is a minimum 2 feet past the ball and this helps the momentum and the ball will roll end over end and will reach the hole.
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, goup, corporate, organizations and golf show/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" and his Putting Calendar are available at 631-589-1384, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com

The Future of Major Championships

  Pinehurst No. 2 was nothing but perfect for the U.S. Open.....at least in the traditional sense of major championships in the United States.
  Many are wondering if we may have seen the future of golf courses with many golfers indicating that Pinehurst No. 2 had some thinking British Open.
  In watching the U.S. Open you immediately got the feeling that it looked like a yard that had not been watered in a month.
  Sandy areas replaced thick rough off the fairways and looked like this was partially covered with weeds but Pinehurst Resort officials called it "natural vegetation."
  The new look course showed edges of the bunkers ragged, the turf was uneven just off some of the greens and instead of those usually nice major championship fairways golfers were greeted with a blend of yellow, green and brown.
  This was the plan all along but initial reaction from some local golfers I talked to was negative.
  Been told that the new design required a big percent less water but USGA executive director Mike Davis plainly stated, "brown is the new green," and that a course doesn't have to be sparkling green to be enjoyable.
  Shortly after this Donald Ross gem was awarded its third U.S. Open in 15 years, the fabled No. 2 course went through a gutsy project to restore it to its natural look from yesteryear......before the notion that the condition of a course had to be perfect.
  In talking with several local golf course superintendents their general feelings were that in our area they were more concerned with getting rid of water than putting it down and that drainage systems are very important for maintenance here.
  An interesting fact about the new look U.S. Open course is that the new design requires 74 percent less water and a substantial savings on fertilizer and pesticides and golf course maintenance folks have been cognizant of costs as budgets get squeezed at golf courses.
  As for the idea of a major U.S. tournament being played without a rough golfers at the U.S. Open pointed to clumps of grass in the sandy areas along with the wireglass bushes and of course some weeds.
  Reality is that there was rough very evident on this course and it's probably what rough used to be like before irrigation.
  What the new look Pinehurst No. 2 U.S. Open course restoration project involved was the removal of some 35 acres of sod and keeping only 450 of the 1,150 sprinkler heads.
  Are golfers giving this new look their approval as they look back in the past......we don't expect many local superintendents to give us this new look until golfers think it's OK or budgets force them to do so.

Ed's Outlook

  Rory McIlroy took to Twitter recently to ask about his missing golf clubs.
  It seems they were lost in transit as he traveled from the U.S. Open in Pinehurst N.C., where he tied for 23rd., to
Dublin, Ireland for the start of the Irish Open June 19-22.
  "Hey@United," he tweeted. "Landed in Dublin yesterday morning from Newark and still no golf clubs.....sort of need them this week.....can someone help?"
  To United's credit, the airline got back to him via Twitter and then followed through on getting his clubs to the course.
  Ah, the power of social media.
  It might have been just as well had United not found the clubs. McIIroy only played the first two days of the tournament. He got the weekend off having missed  the cut.

  Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, cell at 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

  Yes it does rain on the golf course.
  As much as we would like to avoid rain some moisture is going to fall on us while we are enjoying a tour of the golf course.
  Additional advise for playing in the rain is important because the rain is full of distractions. It can become a distinct advantgage for players with powers of concentration stronger than their physical abilities.
  With the assumption that you at least have your rain suit handy, here are a few extra arrows for your wet quiver.
  * Have you tried Latex gloves? Rubber on rubber doesn't slip. Pulling them out at just the right time can be fun too. I like the yellow-colored ones the best. Naturally, it takes a plop, but you can do it. The "rain gloves" made by several 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'r 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..... golfers can't hack the drips.
  * Re-read the casual water rule.
  * Always dry your ball and your putter blade before making the stroke.
  * Remember shots out of the wet sand always go farther.
  * Bring a baggie for your scorecard. It's nice to show your opponent how badly you "out mudded" then once you return to the 19th hole.
  Robert Menges is the golf pro at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question you would like covered. He can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Putting Tip
By Joseph Bermel Jr.

  In putting I link organization with strategy.
  The strategy component is easier than you might think, involving:
  A. Picking a distance based on the current realistic skill from which a golfer can reasonably attempt a one-putt, say 10 to 12 feet.
  B. With all putts longer than say, 12 feet, the thought is to get the first putt close enough to the hole to get a 2-putt result.
  Remember, 2 putting is good putting for the average golfer.
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" and 2014 Golf Tip Calendar is available by calling 631-589-1394, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com

Nulligans & Par 3 Challenge

                                                               

                                                                         

                                                                

                                                          

                                                          

                                                             

                                                                

                                                                 

                                            

  Have you ever played the game of golf using tennis balls or putting on a green with the hole surrounded by a toilet bowl seat?
  If not you missed the most unique fun-filled par 3 Fun Tournament ever staged in Sullivan County and it all took place July 19 at the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club (TVGC) which transformed it's nine-hole course into an 18-hole par 3 extravaganza.
  Tournament manager Ralph Kirchner (you remember Ralph on the radio years ago telling the listening audience that his car dealership in Roscoe was "worth the trip from anywhere," redesigned the nine hole TVGC course that proved to be not an easy par 54 round of golf.
  Eleven foursomes (44 golfers) competed in this two-member team best ball tournament that was held to benefit the TVGC that featured mixed and men's teams including six-year-old Drew Gerber, the youngest player all the way from Tampa, Florida (Ralph's grandson).
  The tournament committee also sold nulligans to golfers and this permitted golfers to take away a good shot from their opponents in their foursome......just the opposite of a mulligan which allows a golfer to shoot a replacement ball eliminating a bad shot.
  Here are a few of the not routine golf shots golfers faced:
  * Had to replace your golf ball with a tennis ball on hole # 4 and if you think this was easy go out and try hitting a tennis ball with a golf club.....saw a lot of high scores on this hole.
  * On hole # 6 after reaching the green you had to putt with a putter provided at the green which had a hole in the middle of the putter and you placed your ball in the hole and had to putt without striking the ball with the front of the putter...go ahead and try this one.
  * On hole # 8 right handed golfers had to tee off left handed using a left handed five wood and left handed golfers had tee off using a right handed five wood....some interesting shots resulted here.
  * On hole # 15 you had to tee off from a sand trap.
  * On hole # 16 you had to tee off a cone
  * Golfers on hole # 17 had to tee off sitting on a stool.
  * On hole # 18 each team had to use only one club.
  And  lets not forget the toilet bowl golf hole which featured the hole being surrounded by a toilet bowl seat......go ahead and figure this one out.
  A fun chipping contest featuring trying to get your ball into a plastic pool some 30-yards away and a bumpy putting contest took place at the Courtyard Restaurant deck area where there was also light refreshments and drinks and at the end of the tournament a buffet with pasta, pizza, salad and drinks.
  Surviving this tournament as champions were in the men's category, Ed Guthrie and Jim Sackett, mixed couple winners were Mary and Tom Knickerbocker, Ron Shulte won the putting contest and Ed Guthrie and Mary Knickerbocker won the closest to the pin contests.
  Next year's event is in the planning stages.

Ed's Outlook

   We compliment R & A's decision to extend Tom Watson's exemption by a year so he could compete at St. Andrew's and......perhaps.....end his career in this championship at the home of golf.
  Watson thought the 2010 Open and walk across the famous Swilcan Bridge  was his last. He was 60 and had another four years through this year due to his runner-up finish the year prior at Turnberry.
  Watson thought his walk across the bridge would be his last and it was a less-than-satisfying sendoff since he ended up missing the cut on a day that saw a lengthy delay due to strong winds which meant his round didn't finish until nearly 10 p.m. but still light out before sparse crowds.
  He recalled being "sad" at that time, knowing it was his last walk across the bridge, but that all changed for the 65-year-old who will get to play one last Open at St. Andrews in 2015.
  "I appreciate the R & A more than you know," said Watson, a 5-time winner of the Claret Jug. "It's very special to be able to finish out my career," and "that's the place I want to
 finish my career in the Open Championship, 40 years from the first time I played."
  A fond farewell gesture.....nice things happen to nice people.

  Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177 or 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

  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 the width or arc of the back swing. 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 conection is an extra move that must be made in less than a second of real time. However, trying to keep the elbow in close to the body 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 in 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 across the ball from the outside to inside the target line at impact. Which is to say, with the right elbow in close to our side at impact, you are less likely to hit a slice. Indeded there is a very good chance you will get a nice little draw on the ball.
  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 by email at menges@hughes.net

The Putting Tip
By Joseph Bermel Jr.

  "Keys to good consistent putting"
  1. Organization of our mind.
  2. Use the successful Putting Doctor System, GAP (Grip, Alignment, Ball Position, PPR (Pre Putt Routine) 100% of the time.
  3. Always stay focused.
  4. Use Correct Strategy for every putt.
      A. Realistic 1 putt attempt or
      B. Putt closest to the hole for 2 putt result.
  5. Visualize shape of the putt when reading and at address.
  6. Feel the speed with your eyes, mind and hands.
  7. Look 5X (five times) at the distance between the ball and the hole before putting.
  8. Always remain confident in your ability.
  9. Finish every putting stroke.
  10. Practice putting sessions-30 minute sessions 5-6 times every week.
  11. Remain patient always....your 1 putt opportunities will happen.
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" and his 2014 Putting Tip calendar are available by calling 631-589-1384 at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdotor.com

Pride Competes Against Former Pro

  The Northeast Pride Collegiate travel team in their inaugural year competing in the Hudson Valley Collegiate Baseball League recently competed against a former professional major league baseball  scouts knowledge as they weighted their chances in  making the league playoffs.
  Maintaining tradition and keeping an older professional active in the amateur collegiate sport of baseball is certainly a big part of the Wappinger Yankees team success as was evident after witnessing 76-year-old Eric Gluck working with pitchers on his team giving them both offensive and defensive strategy.

                                                               

  Eric serves this team as vice-president of player personnel and also works with the pitchers and catchers providing them with his 50-years of baseball knowledge including 20 years of major league experience as a scout for the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. He also provides help with defensive mechanics.
  During his professional scouting years he scouted many well-known players including Roy Smith, Al Leiter, Shawon Dunston and Manny Ramirez.
  Gluck  noted that as a youngster he grew up in game of  baseball as "my dad was a tremendous athlete and he taught me the basics from day one."
  Eric pointed out that he played the outfield in high school baseball and is a graduate from Yonkers High School and went on to graduate from Ithaca College but did not play college baseball.
  He indicated his baseball skills did not meet college standards and that "I was more concerned about academics where I obtained my degree in Health Science and Human Performance and received my Master credits at City College in New York and started my scouting career at the age of 20."
  Gluck pointed out that he never would have become a professional baseball scout if it hadn't been for " Ralph DiLullo who was one of the most famous baseball scouts this sport has ever seen and when DiLullo spoke baseball managers listened to him."
  "He spent a lot of time with me and taught me what I needed to know and  it was he who opened the door for me with the White Sox," Eric said.
  DiLullo had a book written about him and made TV appearances on the David Letterman show.
  Eric said he was mentored by DiLullo who was a professional baseball player, manager and scout whose career in the sport spanned some 60 years and received the high honor of being elected to the Professional Baseball Scout's Wall of Fame.
  Gluck is also associated with a baseball instruction academy, has been inducted into the Dutchess County Baseball Hall of Fame and is about to be inducted into the Dutchess County Sports Hall of Fame.
  In the recent game against the Yankees played at the SCCC General's Field two pitchers both bearing 44's on their jerseys, Pride's Jeff Prouse (Brockport State) and Yankees Brandon Nylin (Onondaga College) hooked up into a pitching dual through the top of the sixth inning when the Yankees scored one run on a double to center field by Billy Sablinski (Westchester Community College) who then stole third base and scored on a sacrificed fly to right field.
  Pride got right back into the game in the bottom of the sixth when Bray Curreri (Eldred Central High School) doubled to left field and scored on a ground ball error at second base.
  Pitching again took over and the 1-1 tied game continued to the top of the ninth when the Yankees scored four runs to take a 5-1 lead off a single, safe at first on a bunt, another single, a stolen base, three walks with one resulting in a run and a balk which also brought in another run.
  Pride attempted a comback in the bottom of the ninth with a hit batter. three walks and three runs scoring on three passed balls getting by the Yankees catcher.  Two costly strike outs ended the game with the Yankees putting the 5-4 victory into their win column.
  Team advisory member  Jared Carrier when asked about the Pride's playoff hopes said, "we are on the outside looking in concerning the playoffs, " with the "top four teams from the nine team league advancing." 
  He added, "we would need to win at least six of our last eight games and get some help to have a shot at the playoffs."
  Long time HVCBL member, The Sullivan Spartans,  merged this season with the Pennsylvania based Northeast Pride and is comprised of players primarily from New York and Pennsylvania.  

                                      PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME