The Tee Times

Ramblins' From the President

 

The Board of Directors is undergoing a change in its makeup. Tom Miner Sr, 8 year veteran, and Nancy Lanni, 3 year veteran, have tendered their resignations from the Board, citing personal reasons. As required by the SGC bylaws, replacements must be named as soon as possible, with a maximum limit of 60 days to continue to do business. At the last Directors' meeting, Evelyn Johns was named to replace Tom Miner Sr. and Steve Sibbern was named to replace Nancy Lanni. Both appointments will take effect immediately and they will be attending their first Board meeting on August 4. We thank Tom and Nancy for their dedicated service to SGC and will miss their active participation in the functions of SGC and Board meetings. At the same time, we welcome Evie and Steve and will try to bring them up to speed as soon as possible. SGC is a business that must pay its own way and it takes a focused group of Directors to accomplish this. Evie and Steve should fulfill this requirement with ease.

 

The Queen of the Catskills Tournament, 2010 edition, is now in the history books and once again, it was a rousing success. As always, a full 72 player roster participated on a very warm, but dry Saturday in July. You will find a great deal more information about the tourney elsewhere in this issue, but I mention it here for a reason. The Stamford Women's Golf Association sponsors this tournament and as such, the money raised goes to their association. They do, however, pay SGC the standard tournament rate for greens fee and cart for all participants. In addition, the association regularly "invests" back into SGC with funds for things that don't fit into the regular budget items. Examples of recent "investments" would be the flower beds that magically appeared near many of our tee boxes and also, the three new water closets to hold the water jugs we have around the course. Shortly, you will see a brand new sign down on the corner of Route 10 and Taylor Road. For all of these, we owe thanks to our Ladies organization.

 

We are nearly ready to begin the project of running electricity from the pole near the cart barn up to the new snack bar. An estimate of the cost has been obtained and to keep costs in check, the laying of the cable will be done by the club, hopefully with the support of some physically fit volunteers when the time comes. Firm dates are not yet set, but it is hoped that this might be accomplished before the Invitational Tournament. If you are interested in helping out, stop in the golf shop and let Ken know.

 

The annual Stamford Invitational Tournament is just around the corner. For those of you who are sitting on the fence, there are still openings, but it's time to sign up because time is running out. Also, forty teams are already confirmed for the Fall Scramble in September. This is a limited entry tournament, so don't wait to long send in your entry or it could be too late.

 

Thanks for listenin',

FHJ

 

STAMFORD GOLF SHOP & SAVE The Shelves & Hangers Are Full of Everything That Will Make You Look, Feel and Play Good! And Remember Every Day is Daylight Saving Day! We Will Welcome Your Suggestions or Requests… Call Ken or Barb at (607) 652-7398

 

Tale of the Turf

 

Looking at the calendar, it's difficult to believe that we are half way through the golf season. but so we are. Since the middle of June, we have had some great golf weather with lots of sunshine and adequate rainfall arriving in the overnight hours (with a few exceptions, of course).

 

The course is lush and green despite the high temperatures and more than adequate humidity. This type of weather brings on an increased chance of "disease" occurring on our greens, but our new sprayer has made it much easier to control. We are even making some progress in knocking back the
moss that has plagued us for several seasons as the sprayer allows for more even coverage of the greens with products that were not available in granular form.

 

As you may have observed, we did not core aerate the greens this spring, instead trying to verticut the greens at least once per month. So far, we have verticut twice, but have not had the ideal weather to get the process done in the month of July. With the heat and humidity, the greens are already under some stress and verticutting on top of that would be a gamble. Mike has elected to wait for a forecast three or four day stretch of drier, cooler weather to thin out the greens. Hopefully, we will get the opportunity before the Invitational in the middle of August.

 

Mike and the crew would like to thank Gordie Faulkner for his dedication to keeping our tee boxes in great shape this season. Gordie applies his expertise on a regular basis, removing weeds and repairing divots with seed mixture and the tee boxes definitely show the results of the tender loving care. They would also like to thank another of our members, Charlie Palm, for his timely work in our sand traps. Charlie's magic touch keeps the sand evenly spread throughout the traps and loosened up
so that play is possible out of any area, should your ball find its way onto the "beach".

 

As a reminder to all our members and their guests, you do have a responsibility to replace the divots that you create on the golf course and repair ball marks that you make in the greens. If you find one that was missed by someone else, do the next golfer a favor by repairing that one also. Either process only takes a few seconds of your time. We could also use your help in saving our mowers by picking up your broken tees and placing them in those little square boxes that you see on nearly all our tees. These broken tees have a tendency to put nicks in our mower blades which then requires sharpening at a cost of about $500 per machine.

 

'Til next time,

Greens Committee

 

Picture courtesy of Bev Hartwell

 

THANKS TO THE LADIES OF THE SWGA, LUCY JESSEN, VICKI JOSHPE, BEVERLY HARTWELL ALONG WITH SOME OF OUR JUNIOR GOLFERS FOR A GREAT JOB!

 

Because of them the Stamford Golf Club was patriotically represented and made us proud and look good in the Annual Stamford Flag Day Parade June 14th. Way to Go!

 

 

Results of Headwaters Scramble June 12th.

The day started off, and for the most part, a great golf day but later turned into more like a soggy soccer day. However, the winners didn’t seem to mind and for the losers there is always next year.

 

1st Lamport Farms
KEN COLE, JOHN LAMPORT, RUSS
ASHLINE & JOHN SOULE 63

2nd NICK SAVIN, MIKE VlRGIL, &
MARK DUPRA & GARY JACOBSON 65

3rd BABE McCULLY, CHRIS MEYERS
& KATIE MEYERS 68

Congratulations to ALL the winners and we look forward to seeing you all in 2011.

 

Stamford Open Winners June 19th - 20th

A - Flight
1st GOV GOVERN, CAREY
TRAPPENBURG 159
2nd MEL BURGER, JOE LAMBERT 166
3rd JON BARBER, WALT SHAPIRO 167

B- Flight
1st JOHN MICHALOWSKI
TONY MICHALOWSKI 170
2nd VICTOR JESSEN, ROB TURNER 173
3rd LEON & GREG JOHNS 175

C- Flight
1st JOHN WISNIEWSKI, DAVE HOFFMAN 182
2nd BOB JESSEN, JOHN WYBERANAC 188
3rd BARRY & CHUCK HENDEE 192

Also, congratulations to the winners and our condolences to the losers.

Tuesday Nite Leader Board as of 6/15

1. TIM CLARK/PETE VLAHAKIS 11.5
2. WAYNE LORD/VIC MULLEN 10
3. JOHN WISNIEWSKI/CARL BECKER 9.5
4. BOB LOESEL/KEN CAMPISI 9
5. STEVE SIBBERN/DON STONE 9
6. TOM MINER JR/DON VAN ETTEN 9
7. DAVE HARTWELL/HARLEY PALM 9
8. GORDIE FAULKNER/TOM MINER 8.5
9. JIM CRAIG/LARRY FRAZEE 6
10. ART SPRAGUE/CHRIS BARKER 6
11. TONY MICH/WILLIAM NICH 6
12. DAVE HOFFMAN/BOB SPENCER 5.5
13. KEN COLE/IRA FYFE 5
14. DAVE BARBER/LARRY JOHNSTON 4.5
15. DUCAN AXTELL/AL HIGGINS 4
16. JIM NATALE/LARRY TOMPKINS 3.5
17. TED ARCHIBALD/RANDY JARET 3.5
18. JIM LAMPORT/JOHN REED 3
19. JOSH & RANDY ROE 3
20. JERRY WARNER 1&2 2
21. JOHN GIBBONS/BOB COMENZA 1
22. RUSS ASLINE/JOHN SOULE ,5

 

THANK YOU ALL! FOR YOUR EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY & UNDERSTANDING FOR THE LOSS OF OUR DEAR MOTHER DOROTHY MAY COLE. JUNE 4, 2010 KEN COLE & FAMILY

 

It was great to see the Coles we hadn’t seen in years together at T&T’s, we just wish it had been under happier circumstances. May God Bless.

 

Queen of the Catskills Tournament

No Room at the Inn. If you haven’t already signed-up for the July 24th Tournament you are out of luck and a great time- it’s full up. Unless of course someone can’t make it, but then you wouldn’t want that to happen!

 

2010 Stamford Women's Golf Schedule

 
Sat - Jul 10 9:30 a.m.- Queen Meeting

Fri - Jul 23 5:30 p.m.- Set up for Queen of the Catskills Tournament

Sat - Jul 24 9:00 a.m.- Queen of the Catskills Tournament – Members and Non-members. Limited Space

Wed - Sep 8- Rally for the Cure Tournament (ladies and men)

Sun - Sep 19- Two Woman Better Ball – Members Only, Sign Up Required

Sat - Sep 25 9:00 a.m. - SWGA Closing Meeting – Election of Officers

Please Check The locker Room And/or Pro Shop For Additional Information Concerning These Activities And Other Events Available To Women Golfers.

 

 

Sign-up now for the Stamford Golf Club 73rd Annual Men’s Invitational Golf Tournament August 13th, 14th, & 15th   Dedicated to Pete Songdale & Charlie Axtell Entry Fee $100. - Member & $150. Non Open Bar & Hors d’ oeuvres Saturday Evening 5:-7 Additional Entries will be placed on waiting list in order of receipt. Fees will be returned to those unable to be accommodated. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (607) 652-7398

 

 

In Memory Of Charlie Axtell and Pete Songdale.

I am sure both Pete and Charlie would be pleased to know this years Men’s Invitational will be dedicated to them. In the past year we lost two good men and loyal supporters of the SGC. I also los two super neighbors and long time friends. Charlie I first met over 50 years ago and Pete I had the privilege to tend bar with at Scotch Valley in the 60’s. There are many fond memories of both. Charlie and I will no longer engage in our game of dueling lawn mowers, he was always one mowing ahead me. As for Pete, it brought an end to our cocktail parties and our trips to Saratoga. Those memories only scratch the surface. International Paper couldn’t supply enough paper to put them in writing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's The Soldier

I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at Valley Forge as he holds his musket in his bloody hands. He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war. He stands tough with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this….”I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it. I fought in the snow barefoot to give you freedom to vote and you stay home because it rains. I left my family destitute to give you freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues because it might be bad for business. I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people.”

   It’s the soldier not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press.

   It’s the soldier not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech

   It’s the soldier not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate

   It’s the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows protesters to burn the flag!!

 

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they, have and now, protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Author: anonymous

 

KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS 8TH ANNUAL Fr. Whalen Golf Tournament FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2010 $95. PER PERSON Includes: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner & Beverages Call for Tickets: George Bergleitner (607) 652-3311

Remaining 2010 Schedule

July

1    President’s Cup – play by 7/31
2- 5  July 4th Holiday weekend
6    Junior Golf – Day 2
10  Junior Golf Elite 8
9-11  Men's County Tournament @ Delhi
11  Captain & Crew Mixed Tournament
13  Junior Golf – Day 3
16  Knights Of Columbus Tournament
17  Junior Golf Elite 8
17  Fool's Open
20  Junior Golf – Day 4
24  Junior Golf Elite 8
24  Queen Of The Catskills Tournament
27  Junior Golf – Day 5
31  Junior Golf Elite 8

August

1   Junior Golf Tournament/Picnic -- 1PM
4   Ladies Inter-County – rain date 8/11
13-15  Men's Invitational Tournament
20  Robinson Terrace Tournament
21-22  Men's/Ladies Club Championship
24  Ladies League ends
29  President’s Cup Final – 1 Day

September

3-6  Labor Day Weekend
8   Rally for the Cure Benefit
10-12  Men's Fall Scramble Tournament
18  Joe Beck Memorial Tournament
19  Ladies Best Ball Tournament
26  Pig Roast Scramble

October

3    Impossible Pin Tournament
10  Fall Frolic Fundraiser
16  Closing Dinner/Dance
31  Last Day – 2010 Season

 

"THE NEW HARRY"

By

Randy Jaret

 

 

Like we agreed to do last fall when we played our last round of golf, Harry and I met in early May at Stamford Golf Course to play our first round of the New Year. To be honest with you, it wasn’t a championship round, as the winter rust was very evident. Harry hit his balls into the woods on the right and I hit mine into the woods on the left. Harry three and four putted all day and I had a hard time just getting onto the green. I guess you could say we were playing like the high handicappers we are.

Exhausted from playing the first 18 holes of the year, we decided to re-energize ourselves with a few Coors Lites while sitting in the Adirondack chairs on the club house patio. As we relaxed I asked Harry how his winter had been.

“Oh, just peachy,” he answered. “While a lot of you guys spent your winter basking in the Florida sun, I was here shoveling and plowing snow for four months. You wouldn’t belief how deep the stuff was. The little woman, Harriet, was lost for two days in it when she went out to the mailbox.”

“You’re kidding, right?” I asked. “Is she ok?”

“Yeah, she’s ok, but I gotta tell you, it was the best two days of the winter for me,” Harry replied with a big grin on his face.

All of a sudden Harry jumped up and yelled, “great putt, great putt,” as one of the ladies in the foursome on the 18th green sank a 20 footer. “Remember when we used to get all uptight coming up number 18 knowing a bunch of guys would be hootin and hollering and commenting on our shots when we got to the green?”

“What do you mean used too? I still get uptight. I don’t know which is worse, teeing off on number one or coming up number 18,” I replied.

“Ah man, you gotta lighten up,” Harry said. “You gotta have fun out there. My New Years resolution is to stop getting angry at myself when I don’t play well and just have fun. 2010 is the year of the New Harry. Look at me – I hit the ball all over the place. Into the woods. Behind trees. Into the stream on number 9 and then again coming back on number 12. Do you see me getting mad? Do you see me getting angry?”

“Ah - yeah. I do as a matter of fact,” I replied. How about the time last year when you teed off on number two and sent a screamer into the guys garage directly across the road from the tee box. I believe your $400 Callaway driver is still stuck in one of the trees behind the tee.”

“Yeah, maybe it wasn’t all that hilarious at the time, but you have to admit it was one great shot,” Harry answered. “A number of guys have made a hole in one on the course, but how many can say they drove one into that garage?”

It was quite intriguing listening to Harry talk about changing his ways on the course. I don’t think I have ever seen him as serious about anything else before. It was apparent he spent all winter analyzing his golf game and came to the conclusion that he needed to make a few changes so he could enjoy the game more. If he had only asked me what he could do to enjoy himself more I would have gladly told him to sell his clubs and take up bowling. It would be easier for him to get his ball to go straight and he wouldn’t lose it in the woods. Then again, I’m talking about Harry here. I can just picture him bouncing the bowling ball off the gutter and having it roll out the door of Vasta’s Bowling Lanes, down the street, across the parking lot of the Catskill Craftsman and getting lost in the Upper Delaware River.

Harry ordered up two more Coors and continued talking about his new change of fun and laughter. “Ever read Golf Digest or Golf Magazine?” He asked me.

Before I could answer he continued, “Of course you have. How many freakin’ articles have you read about how to bomb your drive 25 yards further? Or, how about the articles like, - 100 golf tips from 100 golf instructors around the country. Who can remember all those freakin tips anyhow? You know what? This year I’m just going to forget that stuff and just go up and hit the damn ball. Then I’ll go find it and hit it again. If it ends up in the woods, so be it. I’ll just laugh at myself and have a good time.”

Harry had a good point. Golf should be about having fun. Sure, it’s nice to strive to improve your game and try to lower your handicap, but you have to have fun doing it. It should be about good times, good friends and good memories. If Harry holds true to his promise of having fun and not getting angry, playing with him will be a bit different. I have witnessed his tantrums, club throwing and cussing many, many times and, to be honest, I enjoyed them. It was fun. For me – not him. I’ve known Harry for quite a while and I know he is serious about laughing at himself and having fun, but Harry is Harry and it won’t be long before he forgets about this New Harry stuff. Soon I will be watching clubs in the air and hearing all sorts of four letter words echoing off the
mountains. Then, the game will be fun for me again. The End…for now!