Golfer’sTee Times
20 Years of grea t golf 1991-2011 P
w
VOL 22, NO. 2
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Great Golf All Around
SUMMER 2011
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Tournaments to Play, Players to Watch, Places to Enjoy 2010 Barclays Defending Champion Matt Kuchar
SUMMER SIZZLER OFFER INSIDE
Plainfield Country Club, home of The Barclays 2011 & 2015/ The First Tee of Plainfield Point and apply your Smartphone and it will take you to our website www.passportnjgolf.com
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SUMMER 2011
Letter from the Editor
Dear readers: I recently had the opportunity to meet baseball’s Hall of Fame player and retired NY Mets great, Tom Seaver, at a small gathering at Citifield. Seaver was there, not to speak about baseball, but about his new foray into the wine business. When listening to Seaver speak, one easily recognizes what made him special, and why he was a winner for twenty years in the major leagues. He does not answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no” but takes the time to explain each answer with the same passion and focus he showed us on the mound. Seaver has long moved on from the baseball industry and speaks with the same passion about the wine industry as he once had for baseball in the late 60s, 70s, and 80s. It is that ability to see what others couldn’t on the field, that made him better than most. He still has that vision today. That same vision can be seen by many famed golfers. Certainly we know that Tiger had it in his heyday, even though it might not be there now. Spend some time with Annika Sorenstam and you’ll see the same fire in her eyes (the public has a chance to see Annika when she comes to the Forsgate Charity Classic in early October). Hyatt Hills Golf Complex is a full-service facility for serious and recreational golfers of all ages.
They are winners for a reason – and you can be one too. The stage might not be as large for most of us, but the opportunities are there in each of our lives. For some it might be a state championship, or club championship, but whatever your own stage may be, enjoy it and give it your all. We are so lucky to live in up here – within a hour, we have the opportunity to see so many champions playing right nearby. From Derek Jeter and beyond, take a look at what makes a champion and you can be one too.
Driving Range 45 stations (11 covered), practice sand trap and chipping area
With so much to offer, it’s easy to see how you can fall in love with golf at Hyatt Hills.
Happy golfing! Marian Castner, Publisher/ Editor-In-Chief mcastner@passportnjgolf.com (Don’t plan your next Napa Valley visit around a trip to Seaver’s vineyard. It is not open to the public)
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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief.............................................. Marian Hausman-Castner Founder/Senior Advisor.......................................................... William H. Probst Contributing Writers Aaron Bada • Tom Flynn • Jamie Gacos • Bill Hannum • Richard Meyers Dirk Muits III • Nate Oxman • Christopher Schiavone Lowell Schmidt • Eric Shendell • Andrea Stuart PGA Professional Contributors Bill Castner • John Petronis Graphics & Production........................................................... Daria Kenny-Little Webmaster.................................................................................Dan Radcliffe PUBLICATION INFORMATION Golfer’s Tee Times newspaper is published by Golfer’s Tee Times Media Group LLC. 2011 copyright – all rights reserved
For information or to receive additional copies by subscription, please contact us at: GOLFER’S TEE TIMES MEDIA GROUP, P.O. Box 163, Marlboro, NJ 07746-0163 Phone: (732) 577-1995 Visit us at Passportnjgolf.com Email: mcastner@passportnjgolf.com Golfer’s Tee Times welcomes editorial ideas and submissions in writing or by fax or email. We assume no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material. We do not guarantee that work submittedwill be published. Editorial inquiries can be addressed to: mcastner@passportnjgolf.com Phone: (732) 577-1995 Fax: (732) 866-8425
A beautiful 3,216 yard, 9-hole course located in Union County featuring all the amenities you would find at much larger courses.
Golf Pro Staff Lessons from four PGA golf professionals available for golfers of all levels
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Pro Shop Fully staffed and featuring the latest styles in equipment and apparel
Hyatt Hills Golf Complex
1300 Raritan Road, Clark, NJ Tel 732-669-9100 • www.hyatthills.com
SUMMER 2011
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Ulster County Golf: Just a Short Drive Away
By Richard Skelly, staff writer
Looking for some place unconventional yet close to home to have your next golf escape? Look no further than Ulster County, New York, home to twelve public and semi-private layouts, great mountainous scenery and an array of interesting birds and small animals. And, if you’re a music fan, Ulster County is also home to the Woodstock Museum – which commemorates the legendary rock festival and the spirit behind it— and Levon Helm’s legendary “Midnight Ramble� concerts, which he hosts in his home studio in Woodstock. The downtown areas of Woodstock, Kingston and New Paltz, all offer unique shopping areas, in the event you are travelling with non-golfers. There are lots of other non-golf-related things to do in these downtowns as well. “What makes golf in Ulster County appealing is that our greens fees are affordable and there’s literally no waiting times at any of our dozen daily-fee golf courses,� explains Ulster County Director of Tourism Rick Remsnyder, himself an avid, skilled intermediate golfer. “We have golfers who drive here from all parts of New Jersey and New York who find that our greens fees are half what they may pay at home and our courses are beautiful, offering varied scenery. To them, it’s worth the drive,� he explained over our rain-shortened match at Apple Greens, a sprawling, 27hole facility set, not surprisingly, in an equally sprawling apple orchard. Remsnyder points out that Ulster County is larger than the state of Rhode Island, very historic and with a population of just 190,000 people. It encompasses three exits on the New York State Thruway, each spaced about 18 to 20 miles apart, south to north: New Paltz, Kingston, [near Woodstock,] and Saugerties. The largest city is Kings-
ton, which has about 30,000 residents, he said, and New Paltz, with its famed [French] Huguenot Street, advertises itself as one of the oldest towns in North America, with stone houses dating back to the early 1700’s. Aside from Apple Greens, other courses in Ulster County include Rondout Golf Club, the Hudson Valley Resort, Shawangunk CC, and the newly-built Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club. All of these facilities are 18 holes. But the county also sports an unusual abundance of quality 9-hole, regulation-length fa-
in Kingston, which may be just a few years older than Mohonk. “There are no courses here that offer views of the Hudson River,� Remsnyder explained, “but we’ve got great views of mountains and valleys here. There have been development companies that have come in and talked about building golf courses and resorts along the Hudson, but it hasn’t happened as of this point,� he added. How much can golf and music be a draw for tourists? “Between the Woodstock Museum
cilities: the historic Mohonk Mountain House Golf Course, the Fallsview Golf Course at Honor’s Haven Resort, the Alapaha Golf Links, Green Acres Golf Club, New Paltz Golf Course and Stone Dock Golf Club, among others. “There’s been a move underway at some of these facilities to expand them to 18 holes,� Remsnyder noted, adding Mohonk Mountain is a semi-private facility where 9 holes were closed because the terrain was too mountainous. It’s likely the oldest golf course in Ulster County is either the Mohonk Mountain Club course or the Twaalfskil Golf Club
and Levon Helm’s Rambles, we do have a lot that is of interest to music fans,� Remsnyder said, “And if they’re music fans who also play golf, so much the better. No doubt there’s a connection. Levon Helm’s not a golfer, but his rambles do draw a lot of people who play golf, and it’s a natural connection.� Although Woodstock Country Club is a private 9-hole facility, the nearby Bearsville Theater offers concerts on a regular basis throughout the year, he pointed out. “And there are a lot of great restaurants and retro shops in the village of
Woodstock, itself.� Based on what I saw at Apple Greens in Highland, N.Y., if you like golf courses with hills, you’ll have fun with many of the courses in Ulster County. While the new 9 holes across the street from the original 18 holes at Apple Greens is not suitable for walking, you can walk the original 18-hole layout easily enough. If you are walking, you’ll get a suitable workout, as a number of holes here have 12 and 15 degree upgrades or downgrades. The 10th hole at Apple Greens is especially memorable for the large expanse of water in front of the tee that golfers must clear or avoid by playing to the right. Golfers hit here to an apple shaped 10th green. Many of the greens here sit on plateaus and are cleverly bunkered, and there are plenty of streams and ponds around the course to keep things interesting. In early September, a second nine will open at the Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club Village in Saugerties, N.Y., and that facility is just five minutes off the New York State Thruway. The Lazy Swan offers a walking route with hills, reflecting ponds, rock outcroppings and scenic views of the Catskill Mountains. There are numerous motels and quaint bed and breakfasts to stay. The Hampton Inn or any of the other hotels in downtown Kingston make a good place to base yourself and your foursome for a few days while you make your way up and down the New York State Thruway. For more information on the wealth of golfing opportunities available less than two hours’ drive from northern New Jersey, point your web browser to: www.ulstercountyalive.com or www. newyorkstategolfersguide.com. You can also order information via mail by calling (800) DIAL–UCO.
“TEE IT FORWARD� Coming to a Course Near You To help golfers have more fun on the course and enhance their overall experience by playing from a set of tees best suited to their abilities, The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association have partnered to support “TEE IT FORWARD,� a new national initiative to be proposed for golf facilities nationwide. TEE IT FORWARD encourages all golfers to play the course at a length that is aligned with their average driving distance. Golfers can speed up play by utilizing tees that provide the greatest playability and enjoyment. “Simply put, TEE IT FORWARD can make golf much more fun for millions of people,� said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “We believe that by moving up to another set of tees, golfers will experience an exciting, new approach to the game that will produce more enjoyment and elevate their desire to come back and play even more golf.� Barney Adams, the founder of Adams Golf, provided the concept that led to TEE IT FORWARD. By playing from forward tees, amateur golfers have the chance to play the course at the same relative
distance as a touring professional would over 18 holes. The playing field is leveled by giving golfers the opportunity to play from distances that are properly aligned with their abilities. With many more golfers hitting approach shots with 6- and 7irons instead of hybrids and long irons, their chances for enjoyment increase. Also, playing from forward tees should result in fewer overall shots, shorter distance traveled on each hole, and potentially, fewer lost balls. TEE IT FORWARD is not necessarily about creating a new set of tees -- many facilities already have multiple tees in use every day. It is about changing the mindset of golfers in a positive way -- encouraging people to consider setting aside playing from 6,500-6,700 yards and moving up to a length of 6,000-6,200 yards or moving from 6,000-6,200 yards to 5,700-5,800 yards. The hope is that the new initiative will create not only a fast round, but a more pleasant golf experience. This chart is a guideline to help golfers align their average driving distance with the course length best suited to their abilities.
SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA‌Opens In Theatres September 2, 2011 SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA follows the story of Luke Chisolm (Lucas Black), a talented young golfer set on making the pro tour. When his first big shot turns out to be a very public disaster, Luke escapes the pressures of the game and finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas, home to eccentric rancher Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall). But Johnny’s more than meets the eye, and his profound ways of looking at life force Luke to question not only his past choices, but his direction for the future. Based on David L. Cook’s best-selling book Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia, SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA also stars Melissa Leo, Deborah Ann Woll, Brian Geraghty, Jerry Ferrera, Joseph Lyle Taylor, KJ Choi and Kathy Baker.
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SUMMER 2011
PLAINFIELD COUNTRY CLUBBy Marian PROUDLY HOSTS THE BARCLAYS Castner
The Barclays, the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, contested at Plainfield Country Club, the famed Donald Ross course in Edison, NJ in late August, presented an interesting challenge as the field competes for the illustrious Fed Ex Cup. “It’s always a great opportunity to compete in a tournament on a Donald Ross course,” said Matt Kuchar, during a visit to the course in late July. “I just wish I could once defend a title on the same course that I win on,” he added jokingly. Kuchar, as some will remember, needed a one-hole playoff to defeat Martin Laird last year at Ridgewood Country Club. And quite the champion Kuchar is. A graduate of Georgia Tech, Kuchar was already a star player in high school and won the 1997 US Amateur while in college. He graduated in 2000, and turned professional soon thereafter. In 2002, he captured is first PGA Tour title with a win at the Honda Classic.
In recent years, Kuchar has been one of the most consistent American players. In 2010, besides winning The Barclays, he had 11 Tour-leading top-10 finishes and was a member of the US Ryder Cup team When asked his thoughts about the overall strength of US players, given so many of the recent “major” wins have been international players, he saw no weakness in the American’s games. He felt that the absence of Tiger Woods was really a blessing in disguise for the PGA Tour, as it allowed other players to be showcased. “If Tiger had remained dominant, we might not have gotten to know some players like Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson or Rory McIlroy. That’s not to
say that people are not still crazy over Tiger.” Kuchar is just one of those players you want to be around. He has an infectious smile and great personality. He is not your typical top player who surrounds himself with “handlers” and is only accessible on his terms. Kuchar is definitely a family man, travelling to most tournaments with his wife, Sybi, and their two young sons. This year’s FedEx Cup Playoffs is real open horserace. There are so many players who have won this year, without a real dominant one. The Barclays, which was now seems to have established a four-course rotation, came to Plainfield for the first time. Plainfield has not hosted a tour event since 1987, when the US Women’s Open was contested there. It also was the site of the 1978 US Amateur, won by now Champions Tour player, John Cook. There is so much history at Plainfield that it is hard to know where to start. A key battle in the American Revolution, “The Battle of Short Hills” was fought on and around the present site of Plainfield Country Club. Leighton Caulkins, a Plainfield Country Club member, established the foundation for the modern-day handicap system as far back as 1905. The course was designed and built by famed Scottish golf course architect, Donald Ross in 1921. It is widely regarded as one of his masterpieces and Top 100 courses in the world. Construction began in 1916, was delayed during World War I, but resumed and completed in 1921. Gil Hanse, has been involved in the
recent restoration in staying true to Ross’ philosophy. The Barclays has been a part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1967 when Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural event at Westchester Country Club. Since that time, some of the greatest players in the game have earned the title including World Golf Hall of Famers Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller, Raymond Floyd, Seve Ballesteros, Hale Irwin, and Curtis Strange. Many of the world’s current top players have won the event, including two-time champions Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia, and fourtime champion Vijay Singh. As the first of four playoff events, The Barclays plays a leading role in the FedExCup, the season-
long competition that is the centerpiece of the PGA TOUR season. Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 144,000 people. Under the leadership of CEO Robert Diamond, Barclays has been very active in support golf on an international scale with annual tournaments in the United States, Scotland, and Singapore. They are also involved in many charities in the area. The principle charitable beneficiary of The Barclays is The First Tee program; additionally over 100 local charities benefitted from ticket sales through the Tickets For Charity program. Barclays recently announced the extension of its sponsorship through 2016, as the tournament will follow a new four-year rotation: Bethpage Black (2012 and 2016), Liberty National Golf Club (2013), Ridgewood Country Club (2014) and a return to Plainfield in 2015. Even as the international economy is in much flux, Barclays remains one of the strongest sports sponsors around. We thank them for their continued support.
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SUMMER 2011
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Mix ‘n Match…and Medal By Christopher Schiavone
Based upon my own informal survey, more clubs in New Jersey (and elsewhere in the US) use a match play format in determining their Club Champions than use medal play, though the field for match play is often chosen through a medal play qualifying round. But why is this the case? The USGA, PGA, LPGA and R&A all use medal play as the means of deciding the best players in the world. Who knows tournament golf better than those guys? The US Open, British Open and PGA & LPGA Championship are all medal play (the PGA was match play in its early days, but eventually “got with the program“). And while contestants for a club championship may not be among the world’s best golfers, they are nevertheless competing to be the best of their peers. All four Majors are medal play, so your club’s “major” should be too, right? On the other hand, the US Amateur, America’s number-one prize for the non-professional, is a match play tournament. So is the US Senior Amateur (I have first-hand knowledge of this as a participant in 2009...alright, it was as a caddie, but that’s still participating) and other top amateur events. Club players are amateurs, so the club championship should
mirror such amateur championships, correct? In trying to logically analyze this to determine the best format for a club championship, I found a strong case could be made for both formats. But putting aside what golf’s governing bodies may prefer, I looked at the attributes of golf’s two dominant styles of competition. Match and medal play place different demands on the competitor, and therefore test the golfer in different ways. Medal play is about the player’s total score, and requires more consistent good play throughout a round, or series of rounds. That is why many consider it the best method for choosing the best player in a field. Match play, however, asks the golfer to be bold at times, knowing that a lost ball or hazard can never cost more than one hole. The strategy employed by the player is important, since he or she does not need to have fewer strokes to win, but simply win more holes. Taking all this into account, I decided last year to alter the format of the Club Championship at one of the country clubs we run. We have the medal play qualifier like many clubs do, and the 15 qualifiers and the reigning Champion then begin match play, with 16 yielding 8, then 8 yielding 4 through two round of
matches over one weekend. But instead of semi-final and final match play rounds that take four down to one winner, we now have the final four play 36 holes of medal play to determine who gets the title…and the designated parking space all great champions covet. As with almost any change at a country club, it had its detractors. But it combines the challenges of both match and medal play, includes a modicum of analysis and effort on my part, and so I am sticking with it.
Match play can test your mettle; Some golfers like it best. But medal play, it has no match As the players’ truest test! Christopher Schiavone is the President and Chief Executive Officer of RDC Golf Group Inc.
FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON TO HONOR LEW RUDIN AT THE FIRST TEE OF METROPOLITAN NEW YORK’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION Former President Bill Clinton will pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Lewis Rudin, founding Trustee of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (www.thefirstteemetny.org) , at the Chapter’s 10th anniversary gala celebration on Wednesday, October 5th at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Mr. Clinton, a personal friend of Mr. Rudin, will speak about Rudin’s philanthropic vision as a founding Trustee in this program that teaches positive values such as honesty, integrity and perseverance to young people through the game of golf. Mr. Rudin’s passion for educating youth through The First Tee is shared by his son, William, and his grandson, Michael, a current member on the Chapter’s board of directors. Nicknamed “Mr. New York” for his enthusiastic promotion of the city he loved, Mr. Rudin was integral in the establishment of The First Tee at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx, and the learning center at this location was posthumously dedicated in his honor in 2001. During its first 10 years, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York Chapter has gone from a dream of Mr. Rudin and its other founders, to a program that boasts more than 5,000 active participants at six facilities and more than a dozen affiliate sites. The remarkable growth, according to Barry McLaughlin, executive director of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, was made possible through the support of its founding partners: the Met PGA and Metropolitan Golf Association, along with the financial support of corporate sponsors at the PGA TOUR, including The Barclays and MasterCard, and the United States Golf Association. Also to be honored at the anniversary celebration will be more recent Trustees: the Ryan family, represented by Kevin Ryan, and Len Wilf, whose years of support have helped allow the Chapter to spread its positive message to many children and others who have supported The First Tee’s mission. The First Tee of Metropolitan New York currently serves ten locations stretching from Edison NJ, through Metropolitan New York City, Long Island, Westchester and up to Fairfield County, Connecticut. Several chapters have been featured on television for their various innovative programs, such as the latest one, PATH TO COLLEGE. In 2009, Plainfield Country Club, host of the 2011 Barclays tournament was the first private golf course to have a dedicated First Tee chapter. In just two short years, participation has increased dramatically, and the program recently started its own Path to College program with College Prep (SAT) classes for participants from Plainfield and Newark. Many participants have gone on to win national recognition, including Brittany Georgalas, a young 17-year old from Merrick, NY, who recently won The First Tee’s RBS Achiever of the Year award. Brittany overcame a challenging heart and vision medical conditions as a young child, through developing a passion for golf and animation. “Countless individuals, organizations and corporations have given us the ability to serve youth through The First Tee over the past decade,” McLaughlin
said. “This event will allow us to say thank you to a number of those who have made our Chapter into the far-reaching organization that it is today and also to gain additional partners for the future to allow the organization to further develop in the years ahead.” For more information on the nearest First Tee chapter near you, visit national First Tee website, or details about the 10th Anniversary celebration at www.thefirstteemetny.org.
Balance Out Your Game!
T
he word balance, as defined in the Webster’s dictionary is having an equal amount of weight evenly distributed throughout. Additionally it may mean to find a state of harmony. My hope is that this article will convince you that to achieve your potential in this game is to pursue both definitions. You can't have balance in your swing motion if your set up is incorrect. Your posture should be "athletic" in appearance with the weight on the inside of your feet. Your back should be flat in appearance; your backside should be behind your heels so as to counter the weight of the upper body tipping forward from the waist. Notice that the tour players are CHIN UP as opposed to HEAD DOWN in appearance. An excellent self check for this correct head position is whether or not you can see the brim of your hat while looking at the ball. The benefits of a correct posture position will help determine your distance from the ball resulting in more consistent results. Having your weight initially on your heels is a setup too near the ball resulting in a shift to the toes in the swing, thus resulting in a cause of the “shanks” or “fat” shots. Having your weight initially on the toes at address is a position too far from the ball resulting in a shift to the heels in the downswing, generally resulting in a cause for “topping” the ball.
I
f you find yourself doing an Elvis Presley impersonation as you swing, then the next suggestion is for you. Try practice without your golf shoes, keeping your heels close to the ground through the swing. Shifting weight laterally to create energy is a flawed concept at best. The trend on tour, and something that I have taught for the past 3 decades, is a relatively quiet swing center. Be aware that ours is the only sport where the object we are hitting at is not in motion. Balance relative to your game also refers to the strength of the individual components that make up your game. In interviewing tour pros they will often comment that essentially there strength is that they have no weakness. That is to say that there is a balance to the overall skills of their game. The key to achieving this balance is to realistically assess your ability in driving the ball, iron play, short game, special shots, game management skill, and mental focus. I recommend grading yourself in these categories. After doing so attack your weaknesses with the help of a certified PGA professional. More importantly, have them put together a program for training your game in a fashion that reflects your game on the course. Referring to a pie chart is my favorite recommendation, where putting represents 36% of the outcome, driving 14%,approach shots 20%, short game and trouble shots the rest. Monitor and use your practice time accordingly. Notice in the pictures the drills that can help give you the feeling of a perfectly balanced golf swing.
Gary Ostrega PGA, Teaching Professional Hyatt Hills GC Clark, NJ Lesson Appointments Call 732-669-9100 www.garyostregagolf.com
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SUMMER 2011
Ulster County Golf Courses Rondout Golf Club Whitfield Road, Accord, NY 12404 888 894-9455, 845 626-2513 cottikill@aol.com www.rondoutgolfclub.com Breathtaking views, 3 ½ star rated 18-hole golf course. Sunrise-sunset. Golf lessons and group packages available. Full menu restaurant and bar.” Shawangunk Country Club 38 Country Club Road,Ellenville, NY 12428 845 647-6090 A well-conditioned nine-hole course, with spectacular views from every hole. March-November, weekdays 7:30AM-6PM; weekends 7AM-6PM. The Golf Course at Honor’s Haven Resort and Spa 1195 Arrowhead Road, Ellenville, NY 12428 845 210-1600 wlupinski@honorshaven.com www.honorshaven.com 9 Holes of championship golf designed by Robert Trent Jones. Driving range, golf school and packages. Stone Dock Golf Course 12 Stone Dock Road , High Falls, NY 12440 845 687-7107 stonedockgolfclub@verizon.net www.stonedockgolfclub.com Enjoy breathtaking scenery on this competitive course, complemented by friendly people and the Tapp Inn, with full restaurant and bar serving lunch and dinner. Golf course open daily, 7AM-6PM.
Swing Into Ulster County A Unique Golfing Experience.
ARTS & CULTURE
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Just a 90 minute drive from Manhattan are more than a dozen beautifully manicured golf courses awaiting your challenge. Come experience breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley at historic golf settings and courses designed by acclaimed
Apple Greens Golf Course
architects including Robert Trent Jones. No waiting, reasonable rates and convenient tee times –it’s the perfect golfing getaway. For a complete list of golf courses and more information, visit UlsterCountyAlive.com or call Ulster County Tourism at 1-800-342-5826.
161 South Street, Highland, NY 12528 845 883-5500 applegrn1@aol.com www.applegreens.com 27-hole public golf course. Driving range. Outings available. Scenic views, restaurant on premises. March - mid-December. 7AM to dusk. Hudson Valley Resort and Spa 400 Granite Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446 888 948-3766, 845 626-8888 info@hudsonvalleyresort.com www.hudsonvalleyresort.com Challenging 18-hole, par 71 championship golf course, as demanding as it is beautiful. Opens at 7AM daily. Alapaha Golf Links 190 Sawkill Road, Kingston, NY 12401 845 331-2334 9 hole executive golf course. Grass tee area and driving range. Mid-March - October. 7:30AM Dusk. Green Acres Golf Club 250 Harwich Street, Kingston, NY 12401 845 331-2283 duck101963@hvc.rr.com Nine holes of golf, reasonably priced. Senior discounts available. Daily. April - mid-December. 7AMDark.
A world of adventure Hudson Valley/Catskill Regions
Mohonk Mountain House Golf Shop 1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz, NY 12561 800 772-6646; 845 256-2154 bbomba@mohonk.com www.mohonk.com Historic Scottish-style golf course. Golf packages. Tee times required. New Paltz Golf Course 215 Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY 12561 845 255-8282 tob@newpaltzgolf.com www.newpaltzgolf.com “Best 9 holes in the Hudson Valley”-Golf Link USA. March-November. Dawn-Dusk. Call for weekend tee times. Pro shop, driving range and lessons available.
The Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club Village
turtlecreekgolfcourse@gmail.com www.turtlecreekgolf.net Picturesque 9-hole course of well-manicured 2,900 yards of golf with sand traps, grass bunkers and water hazzards on 5 holes. 7 days a week. Lunch available at the Grille. April - November.
1754 Old Kings Highway, Saugerties, NY 12477 845 247-0075 info@thelazyswan.com www.thelazyswan.com A new 9-hole championship-caliber golf course located just five minutes off of the New York State thruway in Saugerties. A unique golf experience with incredible views of the Catskill Mountains. Turtle Creek Golf Course at the Garden Cathay 219 Plattekill Ardonia Road, Wallkill, NY 12589
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SUMMER 2011
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A Disciplined Approach Outlasts Hopefuls at Sybase By Richard Skelly, Staff Writer
In the end, the difference between winning and losing the LPGA Sybase Match Play Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone may well have been the drills that Suzann Pettersen was working on throughout her semi-final and final rounds. Several times during the final rounds Cristie Kerr and a morning round that paired her with Na Yeon Choi, Pettersen practiced putts using only her left arm and hand. She sank several eight footers this way. Spectators also observed the 30year-old Pettersen tuck a wood-head cover underneath her right arm to keep her swing on plane during practice swings. She would let the cover fall to the ground and then hit her calculated shots to the green. From the outset of the final rounds on Sunday, Pettersen had a determined look in her eye and an unshakeable presence as she walked down the fairways. She seemed unusually focused, even in her morning round against Choi. Battling back to the top of the rankings has been difficult for Pettersen, who has been plagued with injuries the past two seasons. The Sybase Match Play Championship was the Oslo-raised Pettersen’s first win on the LPGA Tour since the 2009 Canadian Women’s Open. Pettersen now has seven career wins, but this was only her second since a streak of victories in 2007. The weather the final day of the Sybase Match Play Championship may have reminded Pettersen of conditions back home in Norway, as it was overcast with no rain but temperatures sank through as the afternoon wore on at Hamilton Farm. In a post-round press conference, Pettersen explained her practice drills: “I put the head cover under my right arm to make sure the right arm stays in front of me. In most tournaments, I try to get away from the technical parts, but not this time.” Pettersen drained a 15-foot downhill putt on the 18th hole at Hamilton Farm to clinch the championship. In accepting her trophy, she told the assembled crowd around the practice putting green it’s been a long time since she’s had a victory. “We really had to play a lot of golf in the last four days. This is a great golf course and I love it even more now, these fairways are fairly wide, but thanks to the volunteers for helping us find the balls in the rough,” she said, adding, “we look forward to being back here next year.” Pettersen received a check for $375,000, her first place share in the $1.5 million purse at the Sybase Match Play Championship. “It’s been a long wait for me,” Pet-
tersen told assembled golf media at her post-round press conference. “ I worked awfully hard for my second victory. I felt very good coming into the back nine. I don’t know if it was a lot of golf, or a few mental errors late in the day, but we both left a little bit out there, and Cristie gave me a 2 up lead on number 15,” Pettersen recalled. “And it came down to number 18 again. Number 18 has been awfully good to me,” she said of 15-foot putt she rolled in for birdie on the 18th green. “I really dug deep for this one and I’m so happy. Number 18 is a par 5 and it’s not an easy lay-up, you have to be able to feel it and I wanted to have a better third shot in hand,” she said, “and I made a great putt there.” Runner-up Christie Kerr admitted she got tired on the back nine at Hamilton Farm. “I feel like I played well, but my putting on the back nine really killed me, because my eyes got really tired and it was hard to see the line. But, no excuses. I fought hard and really battled. [Suzann] played well. I wasn’t able to capitalize when she got in a little trouble on the back nine. The putts I missed, I hit bad putts. They were shoved or pushed. It all comes down to putting, and she putted better than I did,” Kerr said, adding, “It’s not only a test of golf at this point. It’s a test of physical and mental endurance. I just ran out of gas a little bit. I will try to learn from it, especially if I’m in this situation again, like in the Solheim Cup.” Asked what it was like to go 20 months without a win, Pettersen said it didn’t feel like 20 months, it felt a lot longer. She shared a laugh with the assembled press persons when she recalled her ball rolling through some bird dung on the 15th green. “I handed it to my caddie and he just looked at me and said, ‘Maybe this is good luck.’” In the end, Pettersen was gracious in accepting her victory, as both players showed signs of fatigue. Because of heavy rain earlier in the week, players had to play 36 holes on Saturday and Sunday. “Being healthy, being fit, is an advantage when you have to play 36 yesterday and 36 today,” Pettersen related. “It’s a real challenge when you have to play like this. In match play, you never know what to expect, and you never know where it’s going to end, every shot and every putt is on the line,” Pettersen added. “So, I’m not going to play golf tomorrow.” Look for the Sybase Match Play Championship to return to the Hamilton Farm venue in 2012, as the tournament enters its final year of its current threeyear contact.
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SUMMER 2011
Can It Be? More Fine Golfers from Ireland — Met J.D. Guiney By Tom Flynn
There must be something magical about Irish golf. By now, everybody knows that Rory Mcllroy won the 2011 US Open and Darren Clarke won the British Open, and with three out of the last six “major champions” coming from a country of just over two million, one might say they have played some magical golf. Is this just a coincidence or is the Irish ganging up on us? First it was Graeme MacDowell winning the 2010 US Open; now McIlroy and “Everyman’s Golfer” Darren Clarke shine this year. Are they simply assuming their rightful place as the best in the world? But it’s the name, J.D. Guiney, that most people haven’t heard of but just four days after Mcllroy’s dominating performance at Congressional Country Club outside of Washington DC, J.D. Guiney also of Ireland, won the Courier-Post Camden County Amateur Golf Tournament with a recording tying score of 142, for the 36-hole tournament at Ron Jaworski’s Valleybrook Golf Club. Guiney shot 68 in the first round and followed it with a 74, but he admits he kind of “lost it on the back nine. I haven’t played much this year, eight or nine rounds.” He still set the tournament record with his combined score. So why are these two players linked? Well, these two Irish lads spent some time together just prior to the US Open at the world renown Pine Valley Country Club, also in lower Camden County. Actually, the explanation is a lot simpler than, say, a Sherlock Holmes murder mystery. McIlroy’s agent, Chubby Chandler was looking for a spot for his client to practice for the Open and picked Pine Valley because of its proximity to the nation’s capital. McIlroy also played at Bayonne Golf Club the day before doing a outing for one of his major sponsors on his way to Congressional.. And Guiney happened to be a caddy there this summer. While Matt Raudenbush, son of Pine Valley’s long-
time head professional caddied for McIlroy, Guiney was able to caddy for some of the other players with McIlroy and his agent. Guiney, now a 26-year-old remembered the 22 year-old McIlroy from some junior tournaments that they had both competed in back in the Emerald Isle. Questioned about whether they knew one another, Guiney honestly gave an answer that any mother would understand, “No,” he said, ”I was 18 then and he was only 14.” What 18 year old hangs with a 14 year old? The golfer and the caddy finally found some common threads among their pasts. They remembered playing in a couple of Irish national junior tournaments but they had played in different divisions because of the age difference.
Guiney recalls asking his fellow countryman about the mechanics of his swing. McIlroy paused for a few seconds and then shrugged, “I just swing it.” It was the same thing later when Guiney inquired about his preparation before putting, McElroy had the same answer, “I just hit it.” As a matter of fact he never takes a practice stroke with his putter.
But Guiney was charitable toward his countryman and excused his lack of detailed conversation, saying, “He looked a little tired. He had just come in from Haiti where he spent a couple of days.” McElroy had been a guest of the UN relief forces and he had toured the island which is still recovering from last year’s hurricane. Guiney’s arrival in Camden was far more circuitous than McIlroy’s. He came to the United States from Ireland several years ago as a student at a junior college in Scottsdale, Ariz., but transferred to Rollins College in Orlando (yes, the same college that recently turned professional, Joanna Coe attended) for his sophomore year. In 2009, while playing for Rollins, he earned a spot on the All-Sunshine State Conference second team, having three top-10 finishes for the Tars on the season, playing in all but one tournament. In 25 rounds, he has posted a 73.60 stroke average with a low round of 68 at the 2009 Sunshine State Conference Championships. Guiney earned SSC All-Tournament honors. But Guiney found juggling the academics and golf a bit too much and eventually did not play golf, he added “because the professors were a lot more demanding.” He graduated Rollins this past December. “Maybe once or twice a week,” he said, with surprise in his voice, “The rest of the time you were expected to write papers or study.” Soon after graduating he landed a job as a caddy at Pine Valley through a working relationship between the famous NJ course with Guiney’s home course, Ballybunion. Guiney, a native of Ballybunion, says he played golf the first time at age 14. “I just fell in love with the game.” He competed in amateur tournaments in Ireland for several years before coming to the United States. “Back home, they have tournaments in the north and south and then in the east and west. Everybody in Ireland plays golf.” He is surely right now and probably for a longtime to come.
Kevin Foley: 2011 NJ State Open Champion delights in his first major win By Richard Skelly Staff Writer
Twenty-four year old Kevin Foley of Somerville, an assistant golf professional who plays out of Neshanic Valley -- the jewel of Somerset County’s rubric of countyrun golf courses -- played like a superman through his final round at the 91st New Jersey State Open Championship, contested this summer at Hollywood Golf Club. Foley fired a three round total of eight-under- par 205 to win the championship at Hollywood, which was playing to a par 71 at 6,962 yards from the back tees. The runner-up was Sam Kang of Farmstead Golf Club, who finished with a score of 210, followed by Rumson Country Club Head PGA Professional and defending champion Brian Gaffney, who shot a 211. Frank Esposito, the Head Professional at Brooklake Country Club came in fourth place with a 212. Low amateur was Michael Stamberger of nearby Spring Lake Golf Club, who finished at even par with 213. Foley told a small crowd that had assembled after the final round that the warm summer breezes – Hollywood is minutes from the ocean -- on the final day of play made the course tricky. “I knew it would be tough, with the winds and the hole locations. It made it very very hard to get it close to the flag; for one you had to be driving it in the fairway, and then from there you still had to hit absolute great golf shots, to give yourself looks inside 10 feet,” Foley said. “I wasn’t disappointed with giving myself 30-footers coming through the back 9 there,” Foley said, “It was tough. There were some scoring opportunities, but I wasn’t surprised with the scores out there, it was tough conditions.” Asked about what he’d do with the $15,000 first place check, Foley said he’d put it to good use this winter in Florida, as he attempts to qualify for the PGA Tour. “It’s a great title to add to the résumé’. Being from New Jersey, I take great pride in where I’m from, to add this on to the résumé’ there is a start, and the fifteen grand will go a long way toward my ultimate goal of getting on the Tour,” Foley explained. “It’s five grand for entry to qualifying school, and then you have your travel costs for each stage, so at the end of it, it could amount to about an $8,000 investment,” Foley explained. Foley, the youngest of eight children, began playing golf as an 8-year-old. He thanked his mother, who watched from the sidelines along with one of his sister’s, and his brother, Jimmy, who caddied for him over the course of three days at the State Open. He credited his older siblings, brothers and sisters, with sparking his interest in golf, since it was something the family could do together. He played college golf for Penn State University, where he earned Big Ten Fresh-
man of the Year honors and lead his team to its highest ranking ever, sixth in the nation. He was a three-time All American and finished 23rd in the NCAA Championship in 2008. He won the Ike, the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Stroke Play Championship, in 2008 and also won the prestigious Sunnehanna Invitational in Pennsylvania in 2009. As mentioned, he hopes to qualify for the PGA Tour this winter. “We come from a big sports family, but golf is a passion, something we can do together,” Foley explained, noting his father was working on the final day of the Open championship. “It always feels good to win, whether there’s money involved or not,” Foley said before going over to the patio at Hollywood to pick up his check and the coveted C.W. Badenhausen Trophy. The State Open typically has one of the strongest fields of the season. There were 127 players in this year’s Open, including 80 professionals and 47 amateurs. Three former PGA Tour players were in the field: Jim McGovern (finished in 7th place), now the head professional at White Beeches Golf Club, Bill Britton, who is a Trump International – Colts Neck, and Bobby Gage, from Forsgate, who both tied Kevin Foley putts out on the 16th hole at Hollywood Golf Club for 12th place. Winner, Photo by Richard Skelly.
SUMMER 2011
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Annika Sorenstam and Ken Griffey, Jr headline the 2011 Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic
By Marian Castner
LPGA Hall-of-Fame superstar Annika Sorenstam and former major league baseball slugger Ken Griffey Jr. will headline the upcoming 2011 Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic. The exciting two-day event will again be held at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe, NJ on October 3rd and 4th. The Charity Classic is a wonderful event for sponsors and tournament players to interact with the celebrities while playing the classic Banks course. It also allows for the public to participate in the Celebrity Skills Exhibition and watch the Skins Game on Tuesday afternoon. Annika Sorenstam returns for a second straight year after delighting the crowd last year with her witty demonstration and banter with the crowd. While she retired as an active player on the LPGA Tour in 2008, she is still very active in the golf world. She now concentrates on her other golf endeavors including her Orlando golf school, ANNIKA clothing line, fine wine, financial lines and being a mother of two
young children. Before “stepping away” from competitive golf, she had won 90 international tournaments as a professional, making her the female golfer with the most wins to her name. She had won 72 official LPGA tournaments including ten majors and 18 other tournaments internationally, and she tops the LPGA career money list with earnings of over $22 million— over $8 million ahead of her nearest rival. Annika is a weekly guest on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive, and will serve as a vice-captain for The 2011 European Solheim Cup Team at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland, before she comes to Forsgate. She gave birth to her second child, Will, who was born 13weeks premature, earlier this year. Ken Griffey Jr. makes his first appearance at the Charity Classic, and brings a unique combination for baseball and a low-handicap golf game. Griffey, who played in the major leagues for nearly twenty years, was one of the most prolific home run hitters (#5 on the all-time home run list) and defensive players in baseball history. Along with his father, Ken Griffey, Sr., they were the first father/son duo to simultaneously play in the majors together and to subsequently hit back to back home runs. The primary beneficiary of the Charity Classic will be the ANNIKA Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by Sorenstam in 2007, one year prior to her retirement from competitive play. The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation and several other New Jersey-based children’s charities will also benefit from this year’s event. Since the Charity Classic began in 2003, it has raised over $250,000 for The Forsgate Foundation, which distributes funds to various organizations including: the ANNIKA Foundation, March of Dimes, Special Olympics, Make a Wish, P.L.A.Y. For Pink, and the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Foundation. A limited number of tournament playing positions are available on the classic Banks Course for $1000 (individual) and $4,000 (per foursome). Past participants may play this year for $900 (individual) and $3,600(per foursome). In addition to playing 18 holes on Forsgate’s legendary Banks Course,
tournament participant privileges also include the opportunity to meet and take photos with the event celebrities, preferred admission to the VIP Sponsor Reception, with its Live and Silent Auction on Monday evening October 3th, and all of the events on Tuesday October 4th, plus an exclusive gift package and a VIP parking pass. At 1 pm on Tuesday, Sorenstam will greet school children and direct a golf and exercise clinic designed to increase their awareness of eating right and staying healthy. The general public is invited to attend the Celebrity Skills Exhibition (2pm), followed by the Skins Game ($15/per ticket). There are all levels of sponsorships available from hole sponsorships to title sponsorship of one of the Classic’s premier events. For more information, call 732-656-8911 or log on to www.forsgatefoundation. org.
Senior Professional Golf Tour at Eagle Ridge Golf Club The New Jersey Senior Masters at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club from August 23-26. This is part of the Sunbelt Senior Tour, which is the largest and longest running Senior Tour in the country under the Champions Tour. In fact, many of the Champions Tour Members participate in the Sunbelt Senior Tour events when they have an off week. This event will be played the week following the Constellation Energy Senior Championship in Westchester, NY. Many players coming off the PGA Tour or European Tour come play the Sunbelt Tour to keep their games sharp in preparation for moving onto the Champions or European Senior Tours. “With over half of our members having current or past status on one of the major tours it provides for very strong fields every week in our events” according to tournament director Tom Eubank. “The New Jersey Senior Masters is part of our series 4 which has the largest prize money and best fields of the year so far”. This promises to make
the tournament at Eagle Ridge Golf Club, one of the top facilities in New Jersey, a great success. The Tournament Charity will be the New Jersey Golf Foundation. The New Jersey Golf Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2004 as the official charity of The New Jersey Section PGA. The mission of the NJ Golf Foundation is to create an opportunity to grow the game of golf in New Jersey, and teach life lessons through the game. The NJ Golf Foundation has been working diligently to give people, across the state, their introduction to golf by offering free lessons, instilling the values associated with this great game, and most importantly, proving that golf can be fun for people of all ages and backgrounds. This year the NJGF will have reached over 25,000 kids through our in-school programs; many of which are held throughout inner city school districts that wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to experience the game. There will be a FREE Clinic on Tuesday August
23th at 5:00 pm open to the entire community. We will be offering hands on lessons to the juniors and sponsors during this clinic but all spectators are welcome at no charge. At 6:30 pm the same day there will be a cocktail party business mixer for all players and sponsors at the Eagle Ridge Clubhouse. This is free to all sponsors and players in the pro-am, and guests from the local community are invited for a small fee to cover food and beverage. The pro-am will be a full day of festivities on Wednesday August 24th. The Professionals will continue to play through Friday August 26th and the public is welcome to come out and watch all the action FREE of charge. Please additional information, contact the Eagle Ridge Golf Club directly for information on the event or the clinic at (732) 901-4900 or go online to www. eagleridgegolf.com Come on out and see some world class golf and support a great charity in your local community!
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SUMMER 2011
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SUMMER 2011
AT&T National Offers Fans Chance to Walk Historic Golf Course by Richard Skelly Staff Writer
K.J. Choi had a determined look on his face throughout Saturday’s third round at the AT&T National at Aronimink Golf Club in suburban Philadelphia. Meanwhile, up-and-comer Rickie Fowler delighted the galleries with his friendly, easy-going manner and the bright colors he wears, courtesy of Puma. By Sunday afternoon, with temperatures in the low 90’s, the tournament was not won by either Fowler, a popular player, or the rock-steady Choi, who paused mid-round on Saturday to devour a banana while on the 10th tee, in between sips of ice cold bottled water. Instead, the Liberty Bell trophy went to Nick Watney, who won with a 4-under par 66 on Sunday afternoon, holding off Choi for a twostroke victory. Watney pocketed a cool $1.11 million dollars for his efforts, while runner-up Choi didn’t do too badly at all with a second place net of $669,600. Sadly, this is the last year the AT&T National is currently slated to be held at picturesque Aronimink, designed by Donald Ross. The tournament will move to Congressional Country Club near Washington, D.C. for the next few years, at least. Aronimink has hosted several national championships, including the 1962 PGA Championship, the 1977 U.S. Amateur, the 1997 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2003 Senior PGA Championship. Ross also designed Plainfield Country Club in Edison, the site of this year’s Barclay’s tournament, to be held Aug. 23-28. In 1948, 20 years after the course opened in its current location, the Scottish-born Ross returned to look at Aronimink and said: “I intended to make this my masterpiece, but not until today did I realize that I built better than I knew.” Ross’ quote is memorialized in stone block near the 1st tee here.
The Philadelphia-area galleries were different from galleries you can find out on Long Island or other parts of suburban New York City. Here, they
were [mostly] enthusiastic but polite. At one point in Saturday’s round, Choi’s playing partner, Chris Riley of San Diego, hit a fairway wood up to about a foot from the pin on the par 5 16th hole. “Shot of the day! Shot of the day!” yelled several gallery members in the stands alongside the green, as a smiling, waving Riley and his caddie walked up to see his tap in for eagle. After Saturday’s round, during which he was tied for the lead going into Sunday’s final round, California-based Rickie Fowler, 22, was asked about the bright colors he wears. Several ladies I stood next to in the gallery commented on how good he looked in turquoise. “Yeah, I like to wear bright colors, and I’m glad they liked it,” Fowler explained, “I’m not trying to please anyone or make anyone dislike me because of what I wear. Puma was a great fit for me and they’re
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moving along with their clothing line. They’re getting bigger and it’s just a great fit. I love to wear crazy stuff, and it’s definitely non-traditional, and that’s kind of who I am.” The AT&T National benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia. Since 2007, the AT&T National has raised more than $10M for many local organizations in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, including the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and the Tiger Woods Foundation. Just prior to the tournament it was announced that there would be a new Tiger Woods Learning Center in Philadelphia starting this Fall. AT& T National Results: Aronimink Golf Club Newtown Square, Pa. Yardage: 7,237, Par 70 Top 10 Finishes: Nick Watney 70-69-62-66 267 K.J. Choi 69-64-69-67 269 Charlie Howell III 68-68-69-66 271 Jeff Overton 71-65-68-67 271 Adam Scott 66-71-66-68 271 Robert Allenby 71-68-68-65 272 Chris Stroud 70-68-66-68 272 Bryce Molder 69-67-68-69 273 Chris Kirk 70-71-63-69 273 Webb Simpson 69-70-64-70 273
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FAMILIAR PLAYERS RETURN TO WESTCHESTER FOR A “MAJOR” SENIOR TOURNAMENT: Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship By Andrea Stuart
For the first time since 1993, the Champions Tour returned to Westchester, NY with the recent playing of the 29th annual Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship. It was the third venue change for the event in the past five years, although certainly not a new one for most of the Tour players, who were familiar from it when various PGA Tour events (Westchester Classic/Buick Classic/ The Barclays) was played there from 1963-2004. Westchester Country Club was originally founded by John McEntee Bowman as a luxury resort hotel, with golf as almost an afterthought, but quickly became the driving purpose for the popular private club. Bowman hired Walter Travis to design two championship courses, which opened in 1922. The result was the West Course, which hosted the TOUR events, and the South Course, which was built with the recreational player in mind This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour-which had its first tournament at the Atlantic City Country Club- and is the 29th annual Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship. This year’s final major championship is also the 18th of 24 official events on the 2011 schedule. The Champion Tour’s primary purpose is to provide significant competitive and earnings opportunities for players age 50 and older, to protect the integrity of the game and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world. In 2010, Mark O’Meara made a par putt of just over three feet on the first extra hole to defeat Michael Allen at the TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. O’Meara, who narrowly missed winning in regulation when his 30-foot birdie opportunity finished just inches short on the 72nd hole, hit two near-perfect shots in the playoff and then two-putted from 30 feet for the win. Allen got into the playoff by making up a three- stroke deficit over the final five holes thanks to three birdies. However on the first playoff hole, Allen hit his tee shot into the right rough and could do no better than a bogey5. O’Meara became the 10th player with a Senior Players title as well as at least one major championship to his credit on the PGA TOUR and the first since Craig Stadler in 2003. He was the only player in the field with four consecutive rounds in the 60s at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. Now that many familiar players from For Summer 2011 the PGA Tour have reached age 50, most have begun a “second career” Visor Versa celebrates Best New on The Champions Tour. Players like Tom Lehman (3-Allianz ChampionProduct Award ship, Mississippi Gulf Resort Clasonita Springs, FL – Visor Versa was sic, Regions Tradition) and John Cook (3-Mitsubshi Electric recognized as one of only four Best New Championship at Hualalai, Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am, MonProducts at the 2011 PGA Merchandise and has introduced an exciting new way to treal Championship) both have three victories this year. There Show, accessorize visors to the golf industry. The innovative design allows players to change bands along are no other multiple winners at this point in the season. top of the visor to match and coordinate their · Four different players have won the previous four major cham- the clothing or their mood. Bands are available in a number of patterns to match the solid pionships in 2011. In addition the Lehman (Regions Tradition), limitless colored visors in either coil or clip on styles. 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The bands come in hundreds of varieties including more traditional Photography by David Cannon patterns of argyle, pin stripes, polka dots, and more dramatic style choices feature tory. Watson’s victory at the Senior animal prints, Introduction by Pádraig Harrington with texts by martinis, flip flops, and holiday themes. Sir Nick Faldo and Peter Allis PGA Championship made him the et started with the Visor Versa package – choose one visor color “David Cannon's photographic skills are legendary… he is genuinely oldest ever to win a major since the and 2 bands to match for $27. passionate about his subject matter, and that is why Golf Courses: Great For more information or to purchase Visor Versa visit the website Champions Tour started in 1980. 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The company’s collection combines spectacular heaths of Carnoustie Golf Links, Scotland; from glimpses of grazing sheep days after he turned 50, tying him functionally,design and quality in a way that has given Abcus a very strong at Royal North Devon Golf Club Links, to the breathtaking rocky coastal vistas of international presencein just a few years. with Dale Douglass for the 11th Westin Turnberry Resort. This book's photographs display the exceptional union of nature and course design. youngest champion on the all-time Pictured is the men’s Pitch 59 Full Stretch Rain Jacket Featuring over two hundred sumptuous color photographs in full spreads and gateAbacus’ best and most sold rainwear, the Pitch is made from a four-way list. folds-some measuring over five feet in length, GOLF COURSES: GREAT BRITAIN AND stretch OPT 15,000 fabric for maximum comfort and freedom of movement. IRELAND stunningly captures the singular and unparalleled beauty of the legendary · The Champions Tour’s rookie Available in black and dark grey. Sizes: S-XXL links courses of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales and is sure to be the ultimate Sandy Quilted Jacket luxury gift book of 2011. class in 2011 includes Steve Low- The Abacus Sandy is a diamond quilted jacket in a poly high density Rizzoli / Hardcover / 264 pages + 8 single and double gatewith softshell sleeves and push buttons on the cuffs. It is warm ery, Kenny Perry, Ian Baker-Finch, fabric folds / 16” x 12” 200+ color photographs / ISBN: 978-0-8478butbreathable, water repellent and alos windproof. The Jacket has two 3572-0 / $195.00 US / September 2011 Jim Gallagher, Jr., Mark Brooks, Steve Pate, John Huston front pockets and a feminine belt in the waist. Available in navy, and black and Brad Faxon who just turned 50 at the beginning of August. Sizes: XS-XL. The Swing Solver (www.swingsolver.com) It is surely exciting to have these well-known players playing The is coming to golf and will change the way we learn and practice golf. Do competitively in our area again. We hope the tournament deDavid any of these areas sound like a potential problem in your golf swing? cides to keep this venue for many years to come. Leadbetter
GOLF Essentials
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V V G
Send Your Hole in One’s, Scores and Tournament info mcastner@passportnjgolf.com to be included in the next issue
Correct Grip Golf Glove
If you are one of those people who love to try the latest training aid, but also want to spend less than twenty dollars, you might consider the latest "David Leadbetter Correct Grip Golf Glove." This is an "all-in-one" glove, which helps with both club and grip placement. The line placement is meant to ensure that you will not have an incorrect grip again, and allows for more wrist mobility for more powerful shots. Made from Grade "A" leather, the glove should last you 2-3 times longer than other gloves and is also approved for use in competition. Gloves come with an informative CD and can easily be purchased online for $19.95 each. It might be a good idea to pick up one or two to help your game! Website/Purchase at: www.correctgrip.com, or call John Grasha at 216-577-9711.
• Creating proper Alignment of the Body during set-up • Correct Ball positioning and Lie Angle during set-up • Learn to take the Club Back along the TargetLine • Early Extension • Eliminate Swaying and Sliding in the Swing • Hanging Back in the Swing • Discouraging Early Release of the Club Face • Reverse Pivot • Reducing the Forward Lunge • Maintaining Posture throughout the swing • Reducing Reverse Spine Angle
Use for One or Two Plane Swings Additionally, the Swing Solver is a terrific tool in improving several putting faults, including better aim of the putter-face, a more consistent putter path and body alignment. Great tool for both golf professional and the golf student of all levels. For a full video demonstration of the Swing Solver, go to www.swingsolver.com or view them on YouTube at "SwingSolver."
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My Experience at the Atlantic City Golf Open: Great Golf, and New Friends
SUMMER 2011
By Richard Meyers
The Greater Atlantic City Golf Association hosted their first “amateur golf open” this past June. It all began with a registration on Sunday evening, followed by three days of golf. Most of the participants travelled from New York, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and of course New Jersey. Each golfer received a small welcome bag containing a logo hat, towel, and golf logo divot tool set, at the registration, followed by a wine and cheese buffet. The opening round was played at Blue Heron Pines, Galloway Township, NJ. When I awoke that morning my adrenaline was pumping. Blue Heron Pines had won numerous awards from various golf publications, and I was anxious to get play there. What I quickly learned was that course management, not length, is the key to success on this Stephen Kay-designed course. The next morning we were headed to round two
at Twisted Dunes in Egg Harbor, This is a links-style course of twisting landscapes, dramatic elevations and rolling fairways. There are deep ravines and towering grass covered sand hills. Accuracy is certainly the key to a good round here. On the final day, we were off to Harbor Pines, lo-
cated in Egg Harbor. This is a true resort-style course, which was for me, a golfer’s heaven. With five sets of tees (The new PGA’s,” Tee It Forward” program, is ideal here), it enables golfers to enjoy the course from the right distance. Nearly seventeen acres of water makes this track picturesque. The greens putted true to speed, and the course was in good shape. You will want to come back and play this course over and over again. At registration, and the following two nights, we got to sample some of the local casinos, as they hosted us with a small cocktail party after we played. It was a nice way to recover from those tough rounds of golf. The tournament field was divided into groups by age and gender. There were three divisions: Men 59 and under, Men 60 and over and women. Additionally there was a 2-player team best-ball division. After the third round, each of the top golfers received a trophy, and they went on to played a fourth round The Pines Course at the Seaview Golf Club. Kevin Flynn of Springboro, Ohio was the overall champion and the 2-player grand champions were Jim Peluso and Karl Leopold from Northport NY. Each winner received $500 each. The Atlantic City area is a wonderful location to have such a event. Between the many top-notch golf options, casinos, beaches and great variety of shopping, this is a terrific idea for golfers who want to play some competitive rounds, without the hassle of long driving or flying. I know my partners and I will be back in 2012 for the challenge, the gambling, and to see the new friends we made. Final Round – Championship winners: Individual – Grand Champion Kevin Flynn (from Springboro, Ohio) = Net 71 Two Player Team – Grand Champions Jim Peluso and Karl Leopold (from Northport, NY) = Net 65 Flight Winners (after three rounds): Men’s Individual (59 and under) Flight 1st Place – Stu Silverstein (from Dayton, NJ) = Net 213 (-3 after three rounds) 2nd Place – Kevin Flynn (from Springboro, Ohio) = Net 215 (-1 after three rounds) 3rd Place – Ryan Fraser (from Linwood, NJ) = Net 227 (+11 after three rounds) Senior Individual (60+) Flight
1st Place – Anthony Vivona (from Levittown, NY) = Net 202 (-14 after three rounds) 2nd Place – Richard Lopiccolo (from Baldwin, NY) = Net 205 (-11 after three rounds) 3rd Place – Candido Perez (from Woodbourne, NY) = Net 225 (+9 after three rounds) Women’s Individual Flight 1st Place – Beliza Furman (from Rumson, NJ) = Net 234 (+18 after three rounds) 2nd Place – Anjali Nagpal (from Plainsboro, NJ) = Net 238 (+22 after three rounds) 3rd Place – Elizabeth Ponton (from Frederick, MD) = Net 238 (+22 after three rounds) Two Player Team Best Ball Flight 1st Place – Ascanio Grimaldi and Frank Puccio (from Bensalem, PA) = Net 188 (-28 after three rounds) 2nd Place – David Smith and Patricia Smith (from
Bedminster, NJ) = Net 189 (-27 after three rounds) 3rd Place – Kimber Aderman and John Connell (from Bolton, CT) = Net 192 (-24 after three rounds
“Family Tees” at New Jersey’s Forsgate Country Club Offer Fun for Golfers Big and Small Interested in getting the entire family involved in the game of golf? Look no further than the private Forsgate Country Club in Monroe, New Jersey, recognized as New Jersey’s “No. 1 Family Club” in a recent GolfStyles magazine reader poll. The club’s members are enjoying the first full season of play on a newly built set of Family Tees located on the front nine holes of Forsgate’s Palmer Course, one of two, 18-hole courses at this renowned facility. The Palmer Course is a shot maker’s dream with its traditional design and tree-lined fairways.
Golf Program is spearheaded by Director of Golf Carolyn McKenzie Andrews, recognized as New Jersey’s only “Master Kids Teacher” by U.S. Kids Golf, a leader in the youth golf market.
Forsgate created a scorecard especially for the Family Tees and has integrated the new tees into club events, including its Junior Club Championship.
Says McKenzie Andrews, “The new Family Tees allow us to take our junior instruction from the range and actually integrate it onto the course so that our ‘future stars’ will be able to see the benefits of all of their hard work. For me and my staff, watching the self-esteem and confidence that grows within a child because of improvements in his or her game is what makes the job so rewarding.”
“We hope our Family Tees add value and additional recreational privileges for our membership and their families,” said Forsgate General Manager Det Williams. “Our hope is that by providing the Family Tees as well as a golf program that is targeted toward our youth, some may develop a lifelong interest in the game and ultimately contribute to the overall health of the sport.” The construction of the Family Tees is yet another example of Forsgate’s commitment to making golf accessible to juniors. The Forsgate Future Stars Junior
Kids aged 4-15 receive expert instruction from McKenzie Andrews and other golf staff members that include former PGA/Nationwide TOUR player Bobby Gage and PGA Golf Professional Mark Mazzola.
Forsgate is currently offering a Sports/Family Membership that includes access to the club’s pool; casual and fine dining; fitness center; extensive family event calendar; and limited golf rounds. For more information on Forsgate, visit the club on Facebook or YouTube, its website www.forsgatecc.com, or call Carol Rutherford at (732) 656-8914.
SUMMER 2011
By Tom Flynn
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Little Mill Country Club Produces Some of our Best Amateurs
South Jersey golfers have played some of the best amateur tournament golf in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania this season. Not only did they sweep top three places in the New Jersey State Amateur Championship at Trump National in Bedminster, but they followed up by taking the Philadelphia Amateur title at Manufacturer’s CC. the following week. Spearheading the rise of the South Jersey golf contingent has been Little Mill Country Club, located in Marlton, NJ, which captured the Golf Association, of Philadelphia (GAP) team matches earlier this year. Looking back over the past six years, a golfer from a southern New Jersey course has captured the New Jersey State Amateur title four times, including the most recently, Dave Sanders of Laurel Creek CC. Equally impressive was the fact that second and third places went to Ben Smith and Mike Hyland, both of Little Mill and tied for fourth was Mike Meisenzahl, also from Lille Mill. It seems to have started back 2006 when Little Mill’s Chris Gold won the New Jersey State Championship and it was in full bloom in 2008. Although Gold has left Little Mill for the professional ranks, the parade had started. Bill McGuinness and Tom Gramigna of nearly Tavistock Country Club won respectively in 2007 and 2008, with Gold and Hyland finishing in the top 20. Both McGuinness and Gramigna are considered two of the best amateurs in the state, with Gramigna reaching the finals of the 2011 NJSGA Mid-Amateur before losing to Kevin McSorley of Charleston Springs Golf Course. In 2008, when the state amateur championship was played at Little Mill it was the first time in thirty five years, that the NJSGA had ever held its state amateur championship in south Jersey. Little Mill is certainly well known in the competitive circle of South Jersey and Philadelphia area golf. It hosted the South Jersey Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships in 2007 and the 2008 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship. In addition, the Philadelphia Section of the PGA has held its Section Championship at Little Mill three times, and will its prestigious Match Play Championship there in October. One of the state qualifiers from the State Open was played there in May. With its 27-hole layout at Little Mill, the nines are
known as “Devil’s Glen” (front) and “Little Mill” (back) and are carved out of heavily wooded areas with dramatic elevation changes. When championships are held there, they generally use the white and the red nines, which play to a combined 6,800 yards, and features demanding tee shots and five distinctly different par-3’s. This year at the NJSGA State Amateur Championship, Sanders outplayed Smith and Hyland in the 100-degree heat. At one point during the final round, Little Mill players held all three top spots. Hyland was one shot ahead when he reached the 15th, a par 5 that’s 532 yards long. There was trouble on both sides of a narrow fairway. Hyland pushed his shot in a wooded area on the right side. By the time he left the green Hyland had taken a double bogey seven and Sanders had birdied the 13th hole for a swing of three shots. It was all over for Hyland but Smith continued to press Sanders, who refused to wilt. The winner was sailing along in good fashion when he missed a par putt on the 17 that brought Smith within one. On the 18th hole Smith missed a 20-foot putt for birdie and Sanders closed it with a par that gave him the championship by one over Smith and two over Hyland. The following week at the Philadelphia amateur championship Meisenzahl, a recent graduate of James Madison University, claimed medalist honors in the qualifying round. After an easy opening round of match play, he ran into Hyland who prevailed as he did throughout the tournament, eventually winning 1-up in the 36-hole final against
Stephen Hudacek. Earlier this season, the Little Mill team head by Ryan McCarty, the defending club champion who did not play the state amateur because of an upcoming bar association examination, and which includes Meisenzahl, Smith, Hyland and several other low handicap players won the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) matches for the first time. Benjamin Smith, runner-up at the State Amateur placed 13th in the recent NJ State Open, will Director of Golf George Frake made the 36-hole cut. What has triggered the emergence of Little Mill as a golf powerhouse? Several of the players, including Hyland, McCarty, and Meinsenzahl, grew up playing as junior golfers at Little Mill. “Others were attracted by it quality of the 27-hole layout at Little Mill and the high caliber of the players,” according to Frake. Frake added that while there are several good young players under 25 years old there is a strong nucleus of players in their 30’s and 40’s as well. “The team is not just a small handful of players who get most of the attention” Frake said. He’s quick to point to Mike LaGrasso, Jeff Zalis, Scot Bergeron, Norm Charles worth, PJ Tighe, as well as John Horner, Matt Gaffney, Rob Lodivici and Greg Marcus as solid contributors, although not as well known as some of the others. He also pointed out that some very good players including Jaime Slonis and Sean Leonard had been lured away from Little Mill by other nearby clubs. “I guess that good players tend to flock together,” Frake says. “They enjoy the course and they enjoy the competition.” Chris Fintus, PGA Head Golf Professional at Little Mill pro, couldn’t explain Little Mill recent dominance either but offered a revealing insight. He recalled an incident prior to the GAP matches. “There were several of the players around the practice green and they were playing a game called Up and Down. Each one had a wedge and a putter. The point of the game is, of course, not to make a three. You needed a deuce to win. They were having a great time. I knew they were going to win that day. They just seem to bond together.”
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Heard Around the States
SUMMER 2011
WILDWOOD INVITATIONAL PRO-AM
This event has grown in leaps and bounds in the past six years and has become one of the Philadelphia PGA‚s premier golf tournaments. For example: In last week‚s Variety Club Tournament of Champions event held at Whitemarsh Valley CC, the winner, Wildwood Golf & CC‚s ˆ John Appleget earned $3,000 for his winning efforts with rounds of 6968˜137. That event was held over two days. The Wildwood Invitational ProAM held on Tuesday allocated $3,500 for the winner for a one day event with $1,800 allocated for second and paying nicely down to tenth place. With a cozy field of just 23 professionals (19 of them playing with three Wildwood Golf & CC members), the
Wildwood Golf & CC, Cape May Court House, NJ quality of the field was very strong with burg, PA. and Don Allan from Woodcrest almost half of the players in the top 20 CC, each receiving $750. Five players in the points standings in the Philly PGA tied for 5th which was worth $400 each while six of the players had just finished and they were: Matt Crowley of Stone in the top ten at the Variety Club event Harbor Golf Club, J.C. Boggs of Stone last week. Harbor Golf Club, Mike Burke from The John Appleget of WG&CC and Dave U.S. Naval Academy Golf Club in AnQuinn from The Links Golf Club in napolis, MD , Ethan Pauxtis from CavaMarlton, NJ tied for first with rounds of liers CC and Bucky Kenneff from Greate 73. First and Second Place monies were Bay CC. added and split evenly between them The winning Pro-AM team (two betand each received $2,650 for their ef- ter net balls of four) was Mike Burke forts. Jeff Bonicky, from Sea Oaks Golf ($500), his father David Burke, Dennis Club (who had shot 70 in the Philly Open Roberts and Ed Sweeney with each of qualifier at Riverton CC in the morning) the amateurs receiving $200 in Pro Shop came down to Wildwood and shot 74 to credit. tie for second with Rob Shuey of Olde It was a classic day at Wildwood Golf Scotland Yard Golf Center near Harris- & CC with the golf course in immaculate
ROYCE BROOK LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAMS Get Ready Golf & Golf Fore Women Royce Brook Golf Club – managed by Billy Casper Golf (BCG) – has launched “Get Golf Ready” and “Golf Fore Women” programs as part of a powerful, nationwide grow-the-game initiative. Designed for adults who have never played golf, have minimal previous connection to golf or need rejuvenation after a hiatus, both programs at Royce Brook provide opportunities to learn fundamentals. Royce Brook instructors conduct a series of five, 90-minute lessons in comfortable, low-pressure and zero-intimidation settings. Golfers then transition with confidence to playing opportunities with PGA and LPGA professionals as on-course mentors. Small-group instruction consists of golf history, etiquette, rules, reserving tee times, fitness, scorekeeping, short game, iron play, using a driver and fairway woods, and golf course elements (tee boxes, roughs, fairways, greens, bunkers, hazards, out-of-bounds). Enrollment in either program is $99 per golfer. Royce Brook also offers an Instant Golfer Package ($249) that includes a set of Top Flite XL Series Golf Clubs, a $100 golf shop gift card, shoes, balls, tees, gloves, driving range pass and five buyone-get-one-free twilight passes. “’Get Golf Ready’ and ‘Golf Fore Women’ allow for learning the game in a fun, non-threatening environment with like-minded peers,” says Dan Guinle, General Manager of Royce Brook. “This approach is sure to infuse a lifelong love of golf.” “Royce Brook is 100-percent committed to these programs,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG. “Breaking the barriers of entry is an obstacle the golf industry faces, and meeting it head on ensures a healthy future for the sport.” “Golf Fore Women” is an exclusive, proprietary BCG program adapted from “Get Golf Ready” under the PGA of America’s “Play Golf America” umbrella. In 2009, BCG committed to three years of support for “Get Golf Ready” and the World Golf Foundation’s “GOLF 20/20: Vision for the Future” program.
ALEXIS THOMPSON TAKE JUNIOR GIRLS “UNDER HER WING” AT CRYSTAL SPRINGS Crystal Springs Golf Resort in northern New Jersey recently hosted a day with the LPGA’s raising star, called “Red Bull Under My Wing with Alexis Thompson.” Through this mentoring program, Lexi inspired and literally, give wings to a group of local young girls in a unique, day-long gathering. The 16-year-old Lexi was joined by eight top-level junior girl golfers from New Jersey. The day included a clinic with Lexi, treeside chat, cliff jumping and biosphere. One of the United States’ most decorated amateur golfers, Thompson, a product of Coral Springs, Fla., was named Golfweek’s 2009 Women’s Amateur Player of the Year and the 2009 Junior Girls Player of the year. Along with being the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, she has represented her country in the Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Solheim Cup, and was the youngest winner ever of the Junior PGA Championship in 2009. One of her older brothers, Nicholas, plays on the PGA Tour.
condition and the course playing tough with the southwest wind kicking up a bit in the late afternoon preventing this quality field of professionals from beating Old Man Par. This event has been successful primarily due to the efforts of our Platinum Sponsors, Buck Purdy and Ken Battista along with our Club President, Robert Johnson. Without them and their contributions, this event would not attract the caliber of players that is has in recent years. Their goal is to continue to grow this event and make it one of the Philadelphia Section PGA majors events. They are certainly on the right track.
Mattawang Golf Club Staffer Successfully Defends New Jersey Public Links Title Kristina Wagner First-Ever Repeat Champion Mattawang Golf Club had much to celebrate with Kristina Wagner’s impressive victory at the 2011 New Jersey State Golf Association Women’s Public Links tournament. Wagner, who plays out of Mattawang, shot a six-over-par 78 on July 6 at the Francis Bryne Golf Course in West Orange to earn her second straight Women’s Public Links title, following a one-hole sudden death playoff. She is the first repeat champion in the history of the NJSGA Women’s Public Links Championship. A former student of Mahlon Dow, Mattawang’s Head Professional and Manager, Wagner is working this summer in the club’s pro shop and as an assistant instructor in Dow’s popular junior clinics. Dow runs the largest junior camp program in New Jersey. “Kristina is a pleasure to watch play,” said Dow. “She has an excellent golf swing and a wonderful temperament for the game. At the Mattawang junior camps, Kristina is a popular instructor and I think she is one of the reasons, we have seen a lot of growth in younger girls attending our camps.” Last year, Wagner carded a 75 in the New Jersey Women’s Public Links at the Valley Brook Golf Club in River Vale. Wagner just finished her sophomore year on the women’s golf team at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. A graduate of Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough, New Jersey, Wagner was a two-year varsity letter winner and named to the First-Team All-State in 2008. She was the first place finisher in the 2008 and 2009 Skyland Conference Tournament, the 2008 East Brunswick Invitational and the 2009 Cougar Classic.
Shore Gate Ranked #2 Public Golf Course in New Jersey Shore Gate Golf Club in Ocean View (Cape May County), NJ, was recently ranked as New Jersey’s number two public golf course by Golf Digest. The rankings are part of the magazine’s biennial Best in State rankings for 2011-2012 and appear in the May 2011 issue of the publication. Of the top 20 courses ranked in New Jersey, 18 were private clubs. Among public courses, only Atlantic City Country Club and Shore Gate made the list. Shore Gate has also been named among Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play,” a state-by-state compilation of the nation’s top public golf courses. The subject of national acclaim since its opening in 2002, Shore Gate is the only golf course at the Jersey Shore to have been named to both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine’s lists of best new public golf courses in the United States. Designed by Ron Fream and David Dale of Fream and Dale Golfplan, Shore Gate is a unique combination of parkland and Scottish links-style golf. Heralded for its scenic beauty, Shore Gate also features dramatic elevations and rolling terrain not usually associated with the Jersey Shore.
SUMMER 2011
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Heard Around the States
Preston wins Women’s Amateur in a battle of 17 Year-Olds Scotland Preston defeated close friend and high school rival Alexandrea Hershberger to win the 86th New Jersey State Golf Association Women’s Amateur Championship. Preston, who plays out of Echo Lake Country Club where her father is the head golf professional, defeated Hershberger from Twin Brooks Country Club, 4 and 3, in the championship match at Hackensack Golf Club. The 17-year-old Preston also captured the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament of Champions this spring. Yet compet-
ing in the state women’s title forced her to take her game to another level. After earning the second seed for match play with a one-under par 73 in stroke play qualifying, she ran a gauntlet of four matches in three days, including the 36-hole final. Along the way, she defeated Karen Bouloucon of Crystal Springs, a twotime finalist in this event, 3 and 2 in the quarterfinals. “Stamina is definitely a big point,” Preston said. “Thirty-six holes two days in a row is tough.” The 17-year-old Hershberger, who played for the girls’ NJSIAA championship team at Ridge High in
SMALL CLAIMS THIRD SENIOR AMATEUR Allan Small of Fairmount Country Club added another significant achievement to one of New Jersey’s most impressive amateur golf records when he took home his third NJSGA Senior Amateur Championship played at Bedens Brook Country Club. Small pulled away from the field with a sparkling four-under par 68 in the second round of the 36-hole stroke-play competition after he and Tom Hyland of Little Mill Country Club tied for the lead with 73s in the opening round. When he moved out to three-under par while Hyland struggled on the second day, Small could play conservatively, hitting crisp irons to the center of greens and putting quite precisely to finish 73-68—141 for a seven-stroke margin of victory. Meanwhile, Jerry Horton of Forsgate Country Club posted the second low round of the day, 70, to slip into a tie for second with Ron Vannelli of Metuchen, who matched his first-day 74. Hyland wound up fourth with 73-77—150, one stroke better than Andrew Abramson of Mountain Ridge. A competitor’s caddie said of Small, “He put on a clinic out there.” And he did. Small had become the first player to win the NJSGA Amateur, Mid-Amateur and Senior Amateur championships when he claimed the Senior Amateur in 2008 at Crestmont to complete the “Amateur Slam.” He also won the Senior Amateur in 2009 at Rumson and finished third last year at Trump National–Colts Neck. He became Amateur champion in 2004, and collected Mid-Amateur titles in 1986 and 2006. GSWGA 2nd Annual Pro/Lady Champtionship Wednesday, August 10, 2011 @ Rock Spring Country Club Pinehurst Format yardage: Pro 8,590 yds Female Pro 6,034 yds Ladies 5,479 yds Gross:
Sue Skowronski/Christopher X. Marinaro (Upper Montclair) 68 Karen Marzulli/Jason Lamp (Deal) 68 Liz Hickey (Spring Lake)/Baker Madera (Rock Spring) 69 Donna Cortina/Alan Bowman (Cherry Valley) 70 Jesse Clancy/Jason Poyner (Essex County) 71 Terri Kirk/Chris Dymek (Manasaquan River) 72 Barbara Hulke/Todd Hojinacki (Roxiticus) 72
Net Liza Martin-Garrubbo (Plainfield)/Frank Esposito (Brooklake) 65 Jane Linn/Vince Pullizano (Hamilton Farm) 67 Cynthia Mangiafico/Jim Beadle (Rockaway River) 67 Sue Blasi/Mike Yevchak (Pine Barrons) 68
GOLFERS GIVE BACK TO THE MILITARY For the fifth consecutive year, golf courses and their PGA Professionals will salute the military on Labor Day weekend (Sept 3-5) with fundraising efforts for the Folds of Honor Foundation. The Folds of Honor Foundation salutes the sacrifice of fallen and disabled service members by ensuring their families are not left behind. Through scholarships and other assistance, we provide healing and hope to these families and seek to rally the nation in support of those who have served and sacrificed for our country. Check with you local Pro Shops to see what activities they have planned to salute our military.
Basking Ridge last spring, shot a 77 in qualifying to earn the fourth seed for match play. Her most impressive win prior to the finals was a 3 and 2 decision in the quarterfinals over the reigning Garden State Women’s Stroke Play champion, Alicia Kapheim of Hopewell Valley. Kuriko Tsukiyama, last year’s winner was available to defend, and there were no past champions in this year’s field. The event moves to Crestmont Country Club next year.
Totland Makes Her Mark at National Events Taylor Totland, the 16-year-old junior golf star at Red Bank Catholic is blazing a trail of her own. In early August, the twotime Shore Conference Champion and winner of the 2010 NJSGA Tournament of Champions finished second in the Trusted Choice Big “I” National Championship at Reunion Golf & Country Club in Madison, Miss., hitting a 69-75-76-73 and finishing with an score of 293. Totland was just nine strokes behind rising Mississippi State freshman and tournament winner Ally McDonald. The Trusted Choice Big “I” Championship is one of the biggest showcases for young women golfers and was played at Olde York Country Club in NJ last year. Totland also was a last minute entry into the US Women’s Amateur, where she shot a respectable 79, but it was not enough to reach the match play. Just days before, she gained valuable advice from rising LPGA Tour star, Alexis Thompson, who is also 16-years old, and recently hosted a special day for juniors at Crystal Springs.
JUST GOLF- Men’s Better Ball Vineyard Golf at Renault-July 26, 2011 Gross Team Place Competitors Home Club Score BB Gross 1 Huda, John Fountain Green 78 64 Kaufman Jr., Kevin Fountain Green 67 2 Palmore, Jim Fountain Green 80 68 Walsh, Ed Fountain Green 75 Net Team Place Competitors Home Club Score BB Net 1 Burdick, Bruce RiverWinds 69 60 Hicks, Chuck Blue Heron 69 T-2
Galati, Al Links Rowand, Bruce Links
T-2 4
Casale, Tony Moorestown Field 77 63 Witczak, Ed Golden Pheasant 71 Bada, John Town & Country 71 64 Schaffer, Bruce Valleybrook 78 JustGolf Stableford Tournament Willow Brook Country Club Monday, June 6, 2011 Results: Ken Metzger and Nick Russo (Pitman) combined for a twoman net Stableford total of 72 for a first place finish at Willow Brook Country Club in the inaugural tournament of the new golf association called JustGolf. Kirby Carter and Jack Sharkey (Springfield) placed second with a 71, and Ron Amey and Al Buksar (RiverWinds) finished third with a 69. Results 72 – Ken Metzger and Nick Russo (Pitman) 71 – Kirby Carter and Jack Sharkey (Springfield) 69 – Ron Amey and Al Buksar (RiverWinds)
JustGolf Modified Scramble Rancocas Golf Club , August 8, 2011
1 Kaufman, Kevin Fountain Green 68 Palmore, Jim Fountain Green *Won match of cards. See explanation below. 2 Gomba, Greg Springfield 68 Miller, Al Springfield Net Place Competitors Home Club Score 1 Bada, John Town & Country 60 Schaffer, Bruce Valleybrook T-2 Lyons, Jack Running Deer 63 Perkins, Homie Running Deer T-2 DeBlasio, Charlie Springfield 63 Dolan, Tim Springfield
74 69
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Hidden Creek Golf Club – A Modern Classic www.golfers-tee-times.com | GOLFER’S TEE TIMES | www.passportnjgolf.com
SUMMER 2011
By Dirk Muits III
A short ride from the hustle and bustle of Atlantic City is a South Jersey golf gem. Secluded in the pines of southern Jersey is an exclusive, for-members-only golf club, Hidden Creek Golf Club. Hidden Creek opened in May of 2002 and was designed by renowned golf course architects Bill Coore and two-time Master’s champion, Ben Crenshaw. Hidden Creek has been honored as one of Golfweek’s “America’s Top 100 Modern Golf Courses in the U.S.” for eight consecutive years. It’s also been among Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses in the U.S.”, and was ranked the #3 private golf club in the United States in GolfWorld’s inaugural Readers’ Choice Awards in 2009, behind only Pine Valley and Augusta National. Hidden Creek held a U.S. Open area qualifier in 2010 with only one golfer finishing under par. The 18-hole “healthland” style course offers its members three sets of tees playable for golfers of all skill levels. The forward tees measure 5,486 yards, member tees are 6,562 yards and championship tees stretch to 7,023 yards. Every hole has its own distinct character, visually pleasing and offers the golfer a new challenge. Carved out of 750 acres of mature woodlands with natural rolling terrain that is uncharacteristic for the Jersey Shore, lush fairways, strategically positioned bunkers, and exceptional green complexes, this is truly a golfers’ sanctuary. Right from the start you know that this course will test your game in every facet. As you might expect with a high-end private club, the course is immaculate and the conditions superb. The course has generous fairways and numerous fairway bunkers, which pose little trouble if you are reasonably accurate, but add greatly to the aesthetical appeal. The edges of some of the fairways and around many of the bunkers are the dreaded fescue grass waiting to capture your wayward tee ball or approach shot. The greens and the frequently shifting winds through the pines make scoring consistent with one’s handicap a real challenge. In this age of modern architectural contrivances, it is refreshing to play arguably the finest example of a modern classical course that we have in New Jersey. Here are some examples of several standout holes on the course: Hole 4: After a relatively soft opening to the course, you exit the 3rd green and are greeted by the signature hole. The par 3, 202-yard fourth is a downhill one-shotter that intimidates the eye. The Redan-style green sits in a natural valley, sloping from front right to back left with a large ominous bunker guarding the entire left
side of the green. Ideally, the tee shot should be played toward the right center of the green and let the natural contours feed the ball into most pin locations. Hole 8: The par 4, 273-yard eighth is reachable under the right conditions. For a conservative play, the small fairway bunker located 210 yards away in the center of the fairway must be avoided. A well-placed tee shot will leave a little wedge into a wide green that features a lot of undulation as befitting a drivable par 4. Hole 16: The par 4, 450-yard sixteenth is the last
of the three long par 4`s on the back 9. The most demanding tee shot on the back nine requires both length and accuracy. A well-positioned tee ball will leave you anywhere from a fairway metal to mid iron approach. Large bunkers, both left and right, will collect short shots. Hole 18: The par 4, 388-yard eighteenth is a slight dog-leg right. A well-placed tee shot on this home hole will leave a mid to short iron second to a green with a false front that will penalize any approach shot that comes up short.. You have to be careful with the opening shot here - any shots that are not shaped with the dog-leg could run through the fairway and into the trees. The green is guarded on the left and front right by formidable bunkering. The practice facility at Hidden Creek Golf Club provides the player with the opportunity to fine tune any area of the game. It features a large putting green nestled between the clubhouse and the caddy building, a dual sided driving range and a short game specialty area. The warm-up tee affords the player a chance to hit a few balls and loosen up before play. The short
game specialty area allows the player to be creative by using the three bunkers and approach area. Hidden Creek offers plenty of amenities for golfers. Customer service is their number one priority to all their members and guests, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience. The club’s no tee time or gratuity policy lends to a hassle free environment where members can come and go as they please. The club house design is reminiscent of the old world charm, displaying a palette of deep greens, rich earth tones, stone accents, and walnut and mahogany woods to promote that warm, comfortable feeling. Within the club house is a fully stocked pro shop with all the leading golf equipment brands and apparel. The Player’s Grille serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual atmosphere with a full service bar. The Crenshaw dining room features fine dining in an elegant setting overlooking the 9th green, and The Coore banquet room is ideal for small private parties. The club also offers, full service men’s and women’s lockers rooms with card rooms, state of the art fitness room with personal trainer, steam, sauna and massage services. The Lodge at Hidden Creek, with its eight guest rooms is an extraordinary complement to the golf course Warm, rich earth tones create the palette for each distinctive great room inclusive of an oversized fully equipped granite-topped galley bar, huge rich wooden dining/conference table, and handsomely appointed living room with burnished leathers, comfy fabrics, oriental carpet, fireplace and large flat screen TV. Flanking each great room are four cozy bedrooms on each of the two floors - each with two queen-sized beds, plasma TV, writing desk/table and chairs with wireless internet capability. Overall, Hidden Creek Golf Club is a world-class establishment, truly worthy of all the accolades it has received. Only 40 memberships remain at Hidden Creek, and, beginning September 1 thru October 31, the club is running a special membership promotion. Benefits of this special offering include: · Annual dues waived until March1, 2012 · Only 40 percent of the membership due at time of joining · Option for the initial deposit to be refunded in full. National memberships are also available for those who live outside a 50-mile radius. For more information, or to schedule a tour of Hidden Creek, contact membership coordinator Lori Burke at (609) 909-2990, or email lburke@hiddencreekclub.com. Also, visit www.hiddencreekclub.com.
Balance & Fitness for Golf By Eric H. Shendell
We all know how important a proper routine is for one’s golf game. Well balance is an integral part of that routine and will help you perform better under pressure. Did you know that it takes 21 days for muscles to memorize a position? A great way to condition your swing for consistency is by practicing the proper balance techniques so that your muscles can take over if your brain takes off. Balance has everything to do with golf. In fitness, the kinetic chain connects three key systems in our bodies – skeletal, muscle and nervous. The alignment of these systems results in proper balance. Like a tree, stable roots (your core) create
stable branches and an upright trunk (your body and limbs). In golf, when our bodies are properly balanced (aligned), our posture, grip and stance are ready for a great swing. Core stability is a key to balance. A Swiss ball (also called a fizo ball) is a perfect balance tool. Use a Swiss ball instead of a bench for weights, sit-ups, push ups, stomach and back exercises to isolate and strengthen your back and core. Bosu balls (semi-circle balls) can be used to train your core with standing, jumping and light weight resistance workouts that truly challenge your posture. Yoga and Pilates are great for all – around balance boosters which helps
training your muscle memory as well as your awareness, and focus. Like a tight rope walker, who needs to focus and balance from one end to another, a golfer needs to complete a flawless swing from start to finish, but without a safety net! When it comes to keeping fit for golf, keep it simple, creative and fun. Enjoy your game, enjoy your life! Eric H. Shendell is a master fitness trainer, specializing in golf fitness. He is principle of EHS Fitness, LLC. He trains in Garwood and Edison, NJ. You can contact him at eric@ ehsfitness.com
SUMMER 2011
www.golfers-tee-times.com | GOLFER’S TEE TIMES | www.passportnjgolf.com
110th Amateur Championship Contested at Trump National’s New Course, Bedminster by Richard Skelly Staff Writer
Twenty year old David Sanders from Laurel Creek Country Club in Mount Laurel won this year’s New Jersey State Amateur Championship with a one stroke victory over fellow South Jersey player, Benjamin Smith. Smith, 24, and amateur veteran Mike Hyland, both play out of Little Mill Country Club (see additional article) in Marlton. The weather was certainly a factor at this year’s tournament, as temperatures soared close to 100 degrees and humidity was so high the last day of the championship, the top players finished just 90 minutes ahead of a boisterous thunderstorm. The tournament utilized the four-year-old New Course at Trump International, which was designed by Tom Fazio II. The course is known for its extremely wide fairways, tall fescue, bunkers and water on nearly half the holes. In a post-round press conference, Sanders said was not the first time he had charged from behind to win a tournament. He birdied four of his last six holes at Trump International-- New Course. “Out of the 150 tournaments I’ve won, probably 100 of them were come from behind victories, and I told my caddie that at the beginning of the tournament, so I was feeling confident. I knew if I shot a pretty good round on the front, I could shoot a couple under on the back because the back is a little bit easier and has a lot of birdie opportunities,” Sanders explained. Recounting the rest of his round, and his string of four birdies in the last six holes, Sanders added, “The first birdie was on 13, I didn’t really know what to hit on that hole, I bombed a driver out there, hit a lob wedge to
about 10 feet, I got a good look at his putt and drained my putt. On number 14, the par 3, I tried to play it safe and hit it to about four feet, drained that, and on number 15, I hit a 6-iron into that green, I had a little flop shot, flopped it to like 4 feet, made birdie. The next hole, this morning I went for it and hit it absolutely perfect, and I was about 5 feet off the green hit it to like 2 feet, tapped in for birdie, and by 17-18, I knew I pretty much had it locked up, so I hit a driver down the middle, an 8-iron to about 30 feet, and hit a good lag putt to about 3 feet and I just misread it, and it slipped out,” Sanders said. “I felt good, I’m proud of myself, I worked hard, I got a lot of support from my family and I had a lot of guys come up from the club,” Sanders said. “The heat was tough. I drank a gallon of water last night to prepare myself for today.” Saunders currently plans to go to Q-school in the fall. New Jersey State Golf Association 110th Amateur Championship Trump National Golf Club (New Course) – Bedminster, New Jersey FINAL RESULTS David Sanders, Laurel Creek C.C., 69-74-71-70--284 Benjamin Smith, Little Mill C.C., 73-70-70-72--285 Mike Hyland, Little Mill C.C., 72-75-67-74--288 Pat Wilson, Panther Valley G&CC, 71-72-73-72--288 Matthew Finger, Darlington G.C., 71-76-70-72--289 Mike Meisenzahl, Little Mill C.C., 72-71-73-73--289
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Ken Griffey Jr. Sponsored by:
SUMMER 2011
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s #ELEBRITY 3KILLS %XHIBITION s 4HE "UD ,IGHT 3KINS 'AME
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