AND OUTDOORS AUGUST 31, 2016
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Fall brings football White Bear Lake Area High School plays its first football game of the season at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1. They face Rosemount at home at South Campus stadium.
Mahtomedi's first home game is 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 against St. Thomas Academy. Look for the Fall Sports Preview in next week's paper for schedules.
WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS
3B
4th annual White Bear Water Ski Tournament 39 skiers, including 16 kids, competed Aug. 28
SPORTS BRIEFS Swim team info After the United States' success at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics in both swimming and diving, how about giving the White Bear Lake Area Schools High School teams a try? The girls season is in full swing, with official practices that started Aug. 15 – but there is still time to join. The boys season begins mid-November with captain's practices and the official start the last week of November. The swim teams are open to all eligible students in grades 7-12. Please see the White Bear Lake Area Schools website at www.whitebear.k12.mn.us/wblahs, the girls team website at wblgirlsswimanddive.weebly.com or the boys website at wblahs.wixsite.com/ wblboysswimanddive. You can also contact head girls and boys coach Jake Mueller at jacob.d.mueller@gmail. com for more information.
Archery team information meeting The White Bear Lake Area High School archery team is having a meeting Thursday, Sept. 22, 7-9 p.m. at South Campus. The first hour is for new members and the second hour is for returning members.
CHRISTY WOLGAMOT | SUBMITTED
Back row from left: Giovanni Bloyer, Vito Bloyer, Ryan Malvey, Isak Nightingale, Jack Alaban, Walker Netland. Front row from left: Nicola Barkwell, Riese Bloyer, Hailey Wolgamot, Lola Wolgamot, Kaili Malvey, Taylor Barkwell.
Fall is a great time to buy golf equipment and are the most offset. Players with slow clubhead I’m often asked by clients if new speed and shallow angles of approach will get the clubs will help them play better. most distance and better launch angle with this The answer in most cases is yes. design. Technology has advanced so far so It’s personal choice as to how many hybrids you fast that it’s often worth investing in carry in your bag. I think higher handicappers new clubs every 5 years. A good set benefit from swapping out their 3, 4 and 5 irons for will run you anywhere from $1,500 hybrids. It’s a better launch angle and they’re easito $2,000. That’s a lot of money but I er to hit out of the rough. look at it this way: If you play twice Tee Time I also think players would benefit by using a week for five years (22 weeks a something else besides the standard pitching and season is 44 rounds, which is what with Coach sand wedge that comes with every set. Remember, an average golfer plays) the cost will wedges are your scoring clubs so an investment in be $7 to $9 per round. That’s less Betsy Larey two or three wedges will knock strokes off of your than a sleeve of balls! game. Two companies own the wedge market, and The next question is always which they truly are superior over their competitors: Titleclubs to buy. Most people are swayed by the names ist and Cleveland. they hear all the time. Callaway, Taylor Made, Titleist and Ping. Bye bye Nike. That’s because they spend more money on advertising than everyone else put together. The best clubs to buy are the ones you hit the best. The only way to determine that is to try them. If you’re going to spend that kind of money, find a reputable club fitter. I’ve had many clients this summer that don’t need or want a full set. If you walk, you may only want a couple of woods, a hybrid, 4 irons, 2 wedges and a putter. If you’re only going to replace part of your set, I’d do irons fi rst. In addition, if money is an Hugo White Bear Lake Forest Lake Woodbury issue you can also get fitted for used clubs. Many times an average golfer is more accurate off Rpz Certified | License #060924 PM | Licensed/Bonded the tee with a 3 or 5 wood. So I’m not a believer that everyone has to hit a driver off the tee. I’d give up 20 yards in distance to be in the middle of the fairway any day of the week! I’m often asked where to go for clubs. I send all my clients (and myself!) to 2nd Swing in Minneapolis. They are, hands down, the best club fitters I’ve ever worked with. They use the same equipment as the Tour Van, which fits LPGA and PGA Professionals. I prefer these guys over the big box golf stores because they have better fitting equipment, a lot more experience, and they are not trying to sell you something they have in stock. You also don’t have to have the same brand for • Comprehensive Family Dental • Comprehensive Family Care Dental Care all the clubs in your bag. I play with a Tour Edge • Same-day Emergency Appointments • Same-day Emergency Appointments driver and fairway wood, Adams hybrids, Calloway irons and Titleist Vokey wedges. Different compa• Cosmetic Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry Kristen S. Eklund, DDS nies specialize in different clubs, so you may love the driver and hate the irons. • Most Insurance Accepted • Most Insurance Accepted When choosing irons, you have three options. • Always Accepting New Patients Player irons have a very narrow sole and are made • Always Accepting New Patients of forged steel. Back in the day, they were called • Zoom! Whitening Same• Tooth Day Crowns Zoom! Tooth Whitening Same Day Crowns blades. These are designed for better players who Patrick J. Merritt, DDS want to be able to work the ball. Game improvement irons have a somewhat wider sole with a larger cavity back. These irons can hide quite a few problems in a players swing, but you still need On the corner of Hwy 61 & 147th St. N, in Hugo to compress the ball at impact to hit good shots. www.hugodentalcare.com Super game improvement irons have the widest sole
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So if you are in the market for new clubs, the end of the season is a great time to fi nd deals. Just make sure you find a good club fitter, and don’t just buy them because you like the way they look. This column is my last for the season. I have truly enjoyed writing for you, and a big thanks to all of you who sent encouraging words. I will be here through October so if you’d like one last look at your swing, please get in touch. Betsy Larey is an LPGA Teaching Professional who has been working with adults and juniors for over 20 years. She is available for lessons at Keller Golf Course in St Paul and Shadow Ridge in Lino Lakes. You can reach her directly at betsylareygolf@gmail. com or call 651-470-2297. Follow her on Twitter: @ betsylareygolf.
Job Searching? Check the employment section in the Classifieds to see who’s hiring!