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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Ted Perez Sr.'s Mountain of Dreams

By JAY NOMAKEO
The year was 1960. For Ted Perez Sr., a first class toolmaker at the Springfield Armory, golf was a way of relaxing. Away from the rigors of his full-time job. After a round of golf he was driving home with his brother Paul when Paul asked Ted "How about buying some land to build our own golf course?" Those words stuck with Ted for several weeks. At the time there was only a handful of courses such as Southampton, Feeding Hills, Southwick and Shaker Farms. Then one month after that ride home Ted's brother Paul died. By this time the seed had been planted. Ted soon began to look for land to build a course and fulfill his brother's dream.
In 1961 Ted bought the land on East Mountain and would begin to build the course in his spare time and on weekends. His first job was to clear the land of trees. He called the Zielinski brother's of Agawam and asked a favor. Ted explained his plan to build the course but had no money to pay for the removal of trees. He explained to them that he had some building lots in Westfield and as he sold them he would pay them back. They agreed.
Ted was impressed by the manor and speed at which they worked. At the time Ted had two sons in Ted Jr. and Jim. His wife Maria was pregnant with their third child. When asked about Ted's desire to build the course, Maria remembers "I stood by his every decision, was I worried? Of Course." Mark Perez was born in August of 1961. With another mouth to feed Ted began working longer hours to get the job done. He sold some lots to pay the Zielinski brother's.
Ted was a one man construction crew but soon realized he needed to spend more time if he were to finish the job, so he quit his. He left the Springfield Armory after nine years. Now without an income or insurance Ted could devote full-time to finish the project. Deep down Ted relied on his faith that his brother Paul was at his side and that no matter what obstacle was put in his way he would see this through. Ted consulted with Geoffrey Cornish on the design of the course. In their telephone conversation, Geoffrey told Ted of his fifty dollar and hour fee, and Ted replied "Don't worry Mr. Cornish I'll have you out of here in less than an hour." Cornish was impressed by the layout and gave Ted a few tips. Ted's idea was to make the course a working man's walking golf course. Ted credits Mike Losito with helping him finish the project.
On May 29, 1963 the nine hole course course opened (now the back nine). It wasn't long before Ted realized that he could probably make more money if he added a second nine holes. After all some expenses would be the same whether you had nine or eighteen holes. The bank disagreed.
In 1965, Ted needed more land to expand the course. There were a couple hundred acres adjacent to the course owned by Hilda Knox. Ted sent her a letter asking to buy some land from her. Hilda rejected his offer. He then packed up the car and headed to Hilda's house on Long Island. Once inside Ted was getting nowhere with Hilda until Ted noticed a picture on Hilda's bureau, that of Henry Gibson. Ted explained how his family used to feed Henry, thinking he was out of work and on hard times. It turns out that Henry was related to Hilda and because of Ted's family's act of kindness she agreed to sell Ted all the land he needed for $500 per acre. A handshake sealed the deal. Ted went to Westfield Savings Bank hoping to get money to buy the land. He had already started to clear the land when the bank said "No" to the loan. Ted convinced the bank at a second meeting.
In 1966, the second nine holes opened. The first nine (now the back nine) was equipped with irrigation and soon the league players fought to play the front nine because of the plush fairways. The decision was made to irrigate all 18 holes and in 1969 that job was complete.
In the early 60's Ted hired Nino Losito (Mike's brother) to be his first pro for $500 per year. Nino convinced Ted that East Mountain C.C. was the talk of the golf community and Ted could charge a premium price to play. Nino's plan was to charge 50 cents for a glass of beer when everyone else was charging 35 cents. Greens fees were set at $1.50 with a quarter extra if you reserved a tee time. Business was slow. Ted checked with the other courses and found out he had the highest prices. He quickly fired the pro and lowered the prices to $1.00 on weekdays and $2.00 on weekends. Beer was also lowered to 35 cents shortly thereafter people came out in droves.
Ted Jr. was six years old and in first grade when construction on East Mountain began. It was not until he was nine that his dad asked him about playing golf. His dad sent him to Mike Marge at Southwick C.C. for lessons. Ted Jr.'s. first interest was baseball. He remembers his first tournament where he shot 125 for eighteen holes. It was not until High School that he abandoned baseball and chose golf. After completing High School Ted went off to Junior College in Virginia. Ted Jr. learned that school was not for him. He turned pro at age 23 and with a loan from the bank tried the Florida mini tours. He eventually came back to East Mountain and became head pro in 1983. Ted joined the PGA of America and started to attend meetings. He completed the requirements and became an official member in June of 1988. He was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Western Mass Chapter for the 1991 and 1992 seasons. He assumed the presidency the following two years.
Jim Perez remembers as a kid riding the Harley Davidson golf carts, pretending to be on the popular television series (The Rat Patrol). Jim liked the outdoors and some of his first responsibilities at the course were to mow the greens. Jim worked part time for then course superintendent, Donny Brainerd. He also worked at Westfield State College but said, "my heart was always here at East Mountain." Jim attended Turf Management School at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. After he graduated, in 1986, he became the head superintendent at East Mountain. "East Mountain Country Club is built on the Barnes Aquifer so we use a lot of organic fertilizer." said Jim. He oversees a staff of seven that keeps the course in top shape.
In the early 70's a driving range was added. The next major change came in 1982, with the addition of the banquet hall. In the beginning caterers were allowed in to serve the golfers. The fourth child of Ted and Maria, Brenda, was dating Patrick Coggin who was a chef at the Western Mass Hospital, when they decided to marry the banquet hall was expanded to include a kitchen and a bar, now that they had their chef. Brenda is now the banquet manager. Another son Mark, who was born the first year of construction, is the club house manager in charge of operations. His expertise in computers keeps the operation running smoothly. Mark books close to 120 tournaments a year.
The banquet hall has been expanded twice more to it's present size. The latest addition in 1998. The lumber used for the banquet hall was taken from the course. All the Perez children and their families, pitched in. Ted Jr. adds "we had six weeks to complete the project, because we had a wedding booked for February. We finished one hour before the party was to have a rehearsal."
Ted Sr. gives credit to his former partner attorney Frank Pollard, the Zielinski brothers, and Westfield Savings Bank for the trust and support he received when he needed it most.
Ted Perez Sr. wanted to provide for a better life for his family and took a chance on a golf course. Little did he know that his working man's golf course would provide for his children's families as well.
Ted Perez Jr. and the entire Perez family were honored in April at the Annual Tee Party held this year at East Mountain C.C. Did that mean that the Perez family could relax and enjoy the evening? Not until their individual responsibilities at the course were met.

Paul Perez Memorial 4-Ball
It is only fitting that this prestigious 4-ball is held in honor of Paul Perez whose initial spoken word took root in the mind of Ted Perez Sr. shortly after his untimely death in 1960. This year another family golf dynasty in Western Mass was represented in the winning team of Jay DiRico, son of Sharon and PGA pro Tom DiRico, and Billy Patten; First Division Winners - Connolly / Hynck; Second Division Winners - Cormier / Burnes; Third Division Winners - Boman / Colby; Fourth Division Winners -Schempp / Schempp; Fifth Division Winners -T. Perez Sr / L. Perez

Special Holes in One

By JAY NOMAKEO

Bob Kelley, during qualifying for the June Invitational, decided on the uphill 299 yard 11th hole at Springfield CC to use his driver. With his partner safely in the fairway Bob connected on his drive, sending the ball onto the green. The group that was putting out heard the ball land and watched as the ball rolled into the cup. Bob was not the only player to record a hole-in-one on the 11th hole this year. Earlier Mary deRenzy aced the hole from 211 yards with a driver.

WNEC dedicates Downes athletic hall of fame room

By KEN CERINO

Western New England College dedicated its new Downes Athletic Hall of Fame Room on June 5 in honor of former professor and current men's golf coach Arthur William (Red) Downes G'83, who was among the inaugural group inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame named in his honor in 1999.

The Downes Athletic Hall of Fame Room is located on the second floor of the Alumni Healthful Living Center. The room was reconfigured to provide a location where team photos, plaques, and other commemorative items are displayed. The Downes Athletic Hall of Fame has been funded through specific contributions that have been designated for this purpose through the Golden Bear Club.

Downes, a resident of Hampden, was a member of the Western New England College coaching staff and faculty for 31 years. He compiled 190 victories as the men's soccer coach and 100 as the men's basketball coach, but may be best remembered for his love of the game of golf. He resurrected varsity golf at the College in 1987 and quickly built it into one of the strongest Division III programs in New England.

During the 2000-01 season, Downes' team captured both the City of Springfield and Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament titles and just missed qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championship.
"Coach Downes' name is synonymous with Western New England College athletics," said school president Dr. Anthony S. Caprio. "He has remained closely involved with this College and continues to coach golf, inspiring, as always, his team and all of us fortunate enough to be in his presence."

When it came to name the new room, Western New England College athletics director Dr. Michael Theulen said that Downes was the obvious choice. "Coach Downes' influence in Western New England College athletics has spanned over three decades and he has played an instrumental role in the lives of hundreds of students and student athletes at the College. He is Western Hew England College athletics."

Downes, a 1963 graduate of Springfield College, told the crowd of approximately 100 well-wishers that "I've always enjoyed being a teacher coach. It hasn't been work, it's been fun. I love being at Western New England College and I can't thank everyone enough for this special day.
Western New England College's athletics program is going places and I'm glad to be a part of it."

Among those attending the ceremony were current men's golf team members Ryan Bowey of Wolcott, Connecticut, and Paul Winkler of West Springfield. Bowey had the crowd laughing when he said that "We all appreciate everything Coach Downes has done for the team. I know he has been a father figure for me, well, make that a grandfather figure."

Downes and his wife Patty are the parents of four children, Charlene Metcalf '85, Bobby Downes '86 (the head golf professional at Veterans Golf Course in Springfield), Billy Downes (a professional golfer and former Nike Tour player), and Mary Allard '90, and three grandchildren.

92nd MASSACHUSETTS OPEN

Parker wins as Salinetti loses his grip on the title

By Steve Kelly
BOYLSTON - Jim Salinetti finished birdie-birdie in the 92nd Massachusetts Open at Mount Pleasant CC (June 18-20) but he wasn't smiling too much.
He had lost the title by one shot, after leading on the back nine.
Four straight bogies on holes 12-15 meant his one-shot lead became a three-shot deficit, before he closed it.
"Well at least I saved some cash," Salinetti said about his strong
finish.
A wiseguy said he could take his payout in pro shop credit if he'd
prefer that.
"I'll take the cash," the second year pro from Lee said with a grin.
Salinetti has three Massachusetts Amateur titles in the bank and twice won the New England Amateur while playing out of Stockbridge GC.
But he's playing for his place in pro golf's touring pecking order these days with an eye on the PGA Tour and if you don't win, well a check for $4,770 for a few days work makes it easier to hop into the car and head for the next event.
In this case his next stop was an attempt to qualify on June 25 for the Greater Hartford Open, to be played June 28-July 1 at TPC in Cromwell.
The new Mass. Open champion is Rich Parker, 41, who teaches out of Fore-U-Driving Range in West Lebanon, N..H. He's a former Nike Tour player who said he has quit chasing his PGA Tour dreams.
Among his titles are the Vermont, New Hampshire and New England opens.
Parker had an amazing final round with birdies on the first four holes and seven birdies in the first 10 holes to get to 7-under and tied with Salinetti. But Parker was off well before the others contending for the title and after he took a bogey at 16 and missed makeable birdie putts at 17 and 18 to shoot 65 for 207, he had to wait around for well over an hour for the verdict.
Salinetti began the final round tied for the lead at 5-under;. He was 7-under though 11 holes and was bidding to get another birdie at the 533-yard par 5 12th.
But his 3-iron second shot from about 225 yards found sand. He hit a poor shot and that led to a bogey.
Bogeys at 13, 14 and 15 followed and he was in trouble. He had a shot
at a birdie at the par-4 16th but missed then got a couple over his final two holes to finish at 208 to tie with four others.
Bob Giusiti of Halifax, Rhode Islander Rod Butcher, now of Orlando, Fla., Brian Quinn of Rolling Green CC, and Shannon Sykora of Plantation, Fla., also posted 208. Sykora just missed on a curling birdie try of about 15 feet at the 18th.
Parker, who told some writers he had $1,200 to his name and others that the amount was $900, collected $15,000.

"It's not my biggest check but it's the biggest check I've ever won when I had to win a big check," he said.

He told everyone that he had a wife and three kids and needed the cash.
And he got the big prize by coming from five shots off the lead after 36 holes.
Salinetti seemed to have everything clicking and his left-to-right ball flight pattern appeared to be a perfect fit for the course on which almost every dogleg bends to the right.
But troubles hit hard and fast.
"Those four holes (12 through 15) were it. I hit a bad bunker shot, a bad putt, a bad drive and a bad approach," he said in describing the key shot at each hole.
After the flub at 12 he 3-putted the par-3 13th, hitting the hole on the first two putts, then drove into trouble on the par-4 14th, and 3-putted the par-4 15th after leaving his second shot in a bad spot.
Billy Downes of Hampden was in with 68 for 210 and a share of eighth. That was worth $2,437.50
"I hit 18 greens and had 33 putts. I had 32 putts the first day and 33 the second. I'm playing good, I just didn't make any putts," he said.
Downes, who won the Cape Cod Open earlier in the month, was also planning to attempt to qualify for the GHO.
Amateurs Tele Wightman of Holyoke CC and airline pilot Jack Kearney of Elmcrest (via his residence in Peachtree City, Ga.,) were the two other Western Mass. players to make the cut and they had a friendly battle as they were paired.
Wightman's 70 got him in at 213 to tie for 17th (and tie for third low amateur) and he nipped Kearney (71-214) by a shot.
Wightman, 23, was aiming for a GHO spot as well.
He's got a year to go at U. of South Florida before deciding when to turn pro.

His top 20 finish here earned him an exemption into the 2002 Mass. Open to be played at Longmeadow Country Club.

"I'm happy that I'm in for Longmeadow. I may play as a pro by then,"
Wightman said with a smile.
He was cool in the heat all day except for a couple of minutes on the green at the par-4 ninth hole. He escaped a greenside bunker with a stylish explosion but then took three putts from what he said was about 30 inches (first one), then he missed again from about four feet to take a double bogey for a 1-over 37 front nine.
But he rallied to post 33 on the back.
Wightman and Kearney, 46, will be in the field at The Orchards GC in the Massachusetts Amateur to be played July 9-13.
OPEN NOTES - Salinetti's father, Jim, was his caddie and Wightman had his father Via, the pro at Holyoke CC, on his bag . . . Salinetti was bidding for his second pro title. He won the Red Lion pro-am at Stockbridge last fall
. . . Wightman will likely play No. 1 or No. 2 as a senior for South Florida . . . Mount Pleasant is an original Donald Ross design and it was in very playable condition despite being ravaged by winter. Traces of winter kill were present on some greens and the speed was not what some expected. "Maybe it's a good thing they weren't 11 on the stimpmeter or we'd be here all day," one contestant said about the sloping greens.

Strange knocks off Torrance in TV match
at Carnegie Abbey

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange shot a 2-over par 73 to defeat European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance by three shots in a Shell's Wonderful World of Golf Match at Carnegie Abbey in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on June 19.

Strange received the $100,000 first-place check. Torrance earned $50,000.

In an early preview of the upcoming 2001 Ryder Cup match set for Sutton Coldfield, England Sept. 28-30, the players focused their remarks on the sportsmanship, camaraderie and etiquette they anticipate from both the players and the fans at the upcoming competition.

"My 12 guys are going up against his 12 guys on the course and then, we'll all go have a beer at the victory dinner on Sunday night," Strange said.

Carnegie Abbey is the new Scottish style golf course and sporting club created by Peter de Savary, a British entrepreneur, conservationist and America's Cup challenger. The event is the first of its kind to be held in Rhode Island and only the second in the event's history to take place in New England.

The Shell's match will be telecast Tuesday, Oct. 2, on ESPN from 9:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET
Carnegie Abbey, situated on the Western shores of Rhode Island in the town of Portsmouth, consists of 350 acres on the shores of Narragansett Bay, six miles from Newport.

The par 71 course measures about 6,700 yards from the back tees but it
has five par threes so the yardage is deceptive.

Via Wightman gave a lesson to a couple of kids

By STEVE KELLY
Via Wightman, the pro at Holyoke Country Club, got his kids started in the game of golf at early ages with the proper lessons.
Now he could probably handle eldest daughter Sarah, who doesn't play
much since getting married, but he might have a tough time beating son Tele,
23, and daughter Juli, 15. Tele was once the No. 1 player for Chicopee High and could be the No. 1 player this fall at the University of South Florida.
Juli is now the No. 1 player on the Chicopee boys team. Both want to turn pro at some point.
Dad, of course, is proud of both now that there time has come. But, there was a time when Via gave a scoring lesson to few hotshot kids, including PGA Tour standout Fred Couples.
As Via tells it, in 1978 he won the club championship at Jefferson Park municipal in Seattle, Washington and there is a plaque somewhere to prove it.
"I think I was one or two under for 36 holes. Fred was about 17 or 18 years old and he hit it pretty far and he was pretty good. The first time I saw him he was hitting 3-wood shots on the driving over a fence that was 250 yards away.
"I tried it but I couldn't do it unless I used my driver," Via said. "But in the club championship I beat Fred and a few other kids who were really good and planning to turn pro."
Via, born in Samoa, had moved to the west coast and during a career as an entertainer eventually landed in Chicopee after stops in California, Washington and Pittsburgh.
In 1980 he became the pro at now defunct Oxford CC in Chicopee and half a dozen years later he took his current post at Holyoke.
Couples also moved around the country and he did OK, too.

Simple Rhythm

By JIM CLINE
Karsten Solheim tinkered about in his basement and came up with the Anser, one of the most successful putter designs of all time. Scott Cameron copied many of those designs, had the putters milled and sells his wares for a pretty penny. Golfers will fork over big bucks for something that will knock strokes off their game. If it's used by the touring pros it can be even more desirable. It's another plus if you market it correctly.

Daril Pacinella, the head pro at the Country Club of Wilbraham, has stumbled upon a putter design that might net him a few bucks. He calls it Simple Rhythm. It is a long putter that sticks up out of the bag and he gets his share of grief for using it, but, Daril says he's dropping more putts. The other pros at Wilbraham, Anne Marie Hamilton and Frank Leija are singing a similar tune. In fact, these putters are turning up in quite a few bags. Steve Alminas, who is on the golf team at East Longmeadow, was using one during his Mass Am qualifying round. Tom DiRico, the pro at Chicopee, has one in his office. He hasn't used it yet, but Tom goes through a lot of putters. He'll get around to it. Jim Modzelesky, the pro at Oak Ridge, has one. Bruce Lietzke, who is on the Senior PGA tour, has been fooling around with one. Ivan Lendl, who plays professionally here in the Northeast, uses
one, and is thinking of investing in the product.

There are many long putters on the market. This one is different in that it fits under your armpit. You stroke the ball with your shoulders. "Sole the putter correctly, it lays flat so your eyes are over the ball. Your hands can't break down. The only way to move it is with your shoulders," Daril said, "The only thing you have to think about is line and speed." Teachers tell you: Eyes over the ball, pendulum motion, don't break your wrist. This putter was designed from a teacher's standpoint. Daril has used a long shaft to help his students learn to chip. He takes a shaft, sticks it through the butt end of a grip and puts it under the student's arm. The student gets whacked in the ribs if the wrists break down. Daril discovered a long shafted putter used in much the same way keeps the hands from breaking down. The reason we break down is nerves. Nerves come into play when you've got to make a tough shot. We get the yips, the jabs and the stabs. The hands open or close.

There are other ideas built into this club. Most putters are heel-toe weighted to help keep the blade square. This head design has the center mass behind the ball. There is a higher center of gravity to prevent skidding. There are two stabilizer bars on the bottom to help make a smooth stroke. This feature also helps with putts from off the green.

This idea was already out there. Daril says he tried to improve on it and is now looking for a patent which is a lengthy process. He just started making the putters this spring. One of his members runs a machine shop. Will it sell? There is a problem. There is this idea that if you putt with a long putter, it means you can't putt. But Daril says once you get past the ego thing, you must ask yourself: are you're making the putts or not?. For more information check out PGABEAR@aol.com.

John DiNapoli Memorial Golf Tournament

By JAY NOMAKEO

The Second Annual John A. DiNapoli Memorial Golf Tournament was played at the East Mountain Country Club on Monday, June 11. A total of 340 golfers played in the double shotgun event, 52 more that the year before. The event has been labeled by some as the largest community event for Holyoke, outside the St. Patrick's Day Parade. The tournament was followed with a Banquet at the Log Cabin attended by over 550 family, friends, fellow officers and golfing partners of Officer John A. DiNapoli.
As we all know John A. DiNapoli was killed in the line of duty. John had a passion for the game of golf. One of his favorite courses was East Mountain C.C. He enjoyed the way he and his playing partners were treated by the Perez family at East Mountain. After his tragic death his family was looking for the community to come together and remember John. John's children JoBeth and Andy DiNapoli decided that a golf tournament was the best way to do this. Their first move was to appoint someone to oversee the entire tournament. Their choice was Officer Gary Wagner, who worked inside the station with John and was a frequent golf partner. Say's Andy DiNapoli of Gary Wager, �Gary is the Jerry Lewis of fundraising, we could not have accomplished what we have without Gary.�
John was a 1965 graduate of Holyoke Catholic High School. He often played in the golf tournament that raised funds for the school. When the DiNapoli committee met they decided to combine the tournaments and raise funds for students who could not afford the tuition at Holyoke Catholic High School. The first Annual John A. DiNapoli Memorial Golf Tournament raised $43,000.00 and afforded 33 students scholarships to attend the school in John's memory.
With the first tournament a great success the next task was how to improve on it. The first year a total of 288 golfers played. The tournament sold out in five days. In 2001, the format changed from foursomes to fivesomes to allow more players. This year the tournament sold out in three days. �The business community in Holyoke has been great. Anything we ask for, we receive�, said Gary Wagner. �It's all about remembering John�, he added.
This year's tournament raised over $45,000.00, next year's event is scheduled for Monday, June 10.
Major sponsors of the tournament included Commonwealth Packaging Corporation, East Mountain C.C., Holyoke Gas and Electric, The Log Cabin, O�Connell Oil Associates and Peoples Savings Bank.
This years winning team included a late addition, 15 year old Juli Wightman, who qualified for the U.S. Junior Championships. Juli bolstered the squad of Garrison Rivard, Jerry Shanahan, Steve Sances and Mary Reagan to finish at 15 under par. One stroke behind was the team led by Holyoke District Court Judge Daniel Swords and included Dave Sabourin, Jame Muccino, Tom O�Neill and Tom Ginley.

Springfield CC June Invitational

"Debbie Bloom is my idol. She just played great golf" those were the words spoken by Andrea Lucy-Allen after she and Debbie Bloom (Hickory Ridge) captured the 31st Annual Springfield CC Women's Invitational. They were three down heading to the back nine against two time defending champions Karen Podgorski and Marti Cain. (The Orchards)
Three Debbie Bloom birdies in the next six holes were punctuated by a Bloom chip in on 15 hole to tie the match. a costly bogey on 16 put them one down with two to play. On 17 both Karen and Marti were within 10 feet for birdie. Debbie had her team's best chance with 4 ft. for par. Marti and Karen came up short in their chance to steal the match. Debbie's sliding side door putt dropped sending the match to 18. Karen's 35 foot putt just missed on 18 setting the stage for another Bloom birdie from 30 ft. to extend the match. Close to 200 spectators lined the fairways of the first hole. With Karen in trouble off the first tee and Marti over the green in 2 Debbie put her approach to within 7 ft. The match was conceded when her opponents failed to make par.

First Division Winners - J. Garvin and E. Leduc

Second Division Winners - J. Curran and J. McClure

Third Division Winners - C. Keaney and M. Walthouse

Orchards Golf Club prepared for 92nd Amateur Championship

The Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley gets it shot at center stage this summer when the Massachusetts Golf Association stages its 92nd Amateur
Championship July 9-13.
The venerable layout was designed by legendary architect Donald Ross (nine holes) in 1922 and it became an 18-hole course during the redesign and additions done a few years later by Amherst-based Walter Hatch, a Ross associate.
The course owned by Mount Holyoke College was effectively put onto the world-wide golfing map when it hosted the 1987 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, won by current LPGA Tour player Michelle McGann.
The USGA spread the word far and wide that the "Orchards" was one of the hidden gems, preserving many Ross design philosophies.
Two years ago the Ross name was joined with a "King" as the Arnold Palmer Golf Management Co., signed a long-term lease with the college to operate the facility.
Much cash was pumped into the course as sludge clogging the many creeks was pumped out. The old carriage house used for a clubhouse was refurbished and what was mostly a "golfing" course became, with a subtle name and not so subtle decor changes, a "club" with the corporate image front and center. There are more images now of Palmer than Ross inside the clubhouse.
One of the Ross philosophies was to "make each hole present a different problem" and when the Palmer team took over there were many problems, though not created by Ross.
Three greens - 2, 3 and 8 - were poorly redesigned about two decades ago and they've usually needed extra care. The second was redesigned again a
few years ago and it has been in and out of play since then.
Drainage in the lower areas near the many tees on the 18th remains a problem to be dealt with.
However, the Palmer team touch is evident and for the most part the fairways are in fine condition and those who are familiar with conditions as they have been through the years report that the greens are actually showing some speed.
That being the case, solid shot making will be rewarded, on the sloping and in some cases tiered greens. Firing shots above the pins could cause problems.
In the 1987 Girls' Junior the 16th green became so slick, with some players putting right off the surface, that the USGA asked that it not be cut to the same height as the others (remind you of a recent U.S. Open?).
The 150 players who made it through various statewide qualifiers or who were exempt will enter 36 holes of on-site stroke play to determine the 32 who will enter match play with a 36-hole final set for Friday, July 13.
With three-time Amateur champ Jim Salinetti of Lee now playing as a pro it appears to be a wide open run for the title.
Among the favorites are former champ Steve Tasho, who was medalist in qualifying at Thorny Lea, his home course, with 67.
Doug Clapp of Walpole, who played the Orchards GC many times while a student at Amherst College, was co-medalist at 70 in the qualifier at Blue Hill.
Tele Wightman of Holyoke CC led the way in qualifying at CC of Wilbraham with a 6-under 66 and he is primed for a strong showing so near to home.
For what it's worth the MGA asked five writers for their picks to win the Amateur (I wasn't asked but it's just as well since I wouldn't know either).
Jim McCabe of the Boston Globe picked Brent Wanner of Dennis Pines.
Ron Hobson of the Patriot Ledger likes Michael Carbone, also of Dennis
Pines.
Russ Held of the Springfield Union-News chose Larry Nuger of Crestview.
Joe Gordon of the Boston Herald also picked Wanner.
Gary Larrabee, now an author of golf history books, says Ross
Oppenheim of Indian Ridge is a "can't miss" prospect.
Well, of course, one of the joys of match play is that anyone can miss.

DOWN THE FAIRWAYS

Tony Kelley can't repeat CPC drama

A year ago Wyckoff CC pro Tony Kelley, 42, got some TV time and grabbed
a check for over six large in the PGA Club Pro Championship. His tie for eighth also got him into the 2000 PGA Championship. He made his seventh trip to the CPC in late June at Sunriver, Ore., but this time he failed to make the 36-hole cut, which came at 1-over. Kelley was 7-over par with rounds of 75-76, 151. He was four over through five holes in the first round then played the next 13 holes one under, His par-par start in round two gave him 15 bogey-free holes but then came three bogeys in his next four holes and he could not strike for any birdies to mount a comeback. His only birdie in the tournament came from six inches on the 16th hole in round one. His double bogey at the fifth hole in round one came when he drove right, playing slightly safe on a hole with a 240-yard carry over a pond, and he had no shot to the green. It took him three more shots to reach the putting surface. "I could have gotten all of those shots back but I couldn't make any putts. I
had a lot of chances from 8, 10 and 15 feet," he said. He was hampered in round two with back problems and a shooting pain that made it hard for him to take his stance. The elevation of 4,150 feet in Sunriver made the ball fly long distances. "After your hit four or five shots over the greens in your practice round you kind of figure it out," Kelley said. He was back at the Wyckoff pro shop by Sunday and was hoping to keep his date to go back on tour for another week as he prepared for the Greater Hartford Open (June 28-July1), for which he was exempt. It was to be his seventh GHO appearance.
"If my back is like this," he said on Sunday, "I won't be able to play." . . . Former West Springfield resident TOM SUTTER, now of Bronxville, N.Y., made the cut right on the number with 74-71, 145 . . . JOSH HILLMAN of Greenfield got off to a good start in his pro career. In early June the former University of Rhode Island player competed in his second event in which he could win some cash and he was two-for-two after winning the North Atlantic Tour's Western Mass. Classic at Westover Golf Course in Ludlow. Hillman, 23, finished the two-day event in splendid fashion with an eagle at the par-5 18th hole to post a 6-under par 66 and 36-hole total of 137, two
shots ahead of runnerup BILLY DOWNES (72-67) of Hampden. In his first event as a pro, Hillman finished sixth in the Bermuda Open last fall and earned $2,300. He took the winner's check of $1,300 in the first event on the North Atlantic Tour schedule. His in-the-money streak ended later in the month and he failed to make the cut in the Massachusetts Open at Mount Pleasant. He led wire to wire at Westover but led Downes by just one shot at the 17th hole in the final round. Downes had a chance to tie but missed a birdie try of about 10 feet and Hillman then made an 8-foot par putt to hold his edge. On the par-5 18th Hillman cranked a tee shot of more than 300 yards. "I had 260 left and I hit a 2-iron to about five feet," Hillman said. "I had two putts from there to win after Billy made a birdie putt and I made it." Hillman had four birdies (3, 7, 9, 11) and no bogeys on his card. Downes earned $1,000 and JIM SALINETTI (72-69) of Lee took home $650 with a tie for third at 141 . . . Downes and Salinetti went on to the
Vermont Open and they shared third behind two-time champ ROD BUTCHER, a Rhode Islander who has moved to Orlando, Fla. Butcher was 15-under par at 195 at Lake Morey CC in Fairlee to win $8,000. Downes finished with a rousing 64 and Salinetti had 68 as they came in a 202 to earn $3,250 each . . . In the New England Pro Tour's inaugural event Salinetti shot a final round 73 for a 54-hole total of 211, 2-under par, to finish second at Green Mountain National in Killington, Vt. JOE CIOE of Crystal River, Fla. shot 69-210 and collected $8,000. Hillman of Greenfield tied for 12th at 221 and earned $1,000. . . In early June, Downes posted a 54-hole total of 206 to win the Cape Cod Open by one shot. He collected a check for $3,700 and a crystal bowl after shooting 68 at Hyannis GC in the first round then 69-69 in the 36-hole finish at Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds. Two years ago Downes finished second in the event . . . June was a good month for JULI WIGHTMAN
of Chicopee High School and Holyoke Country Club. She shot 75, 4-over par, at Wyantenuck CC to win the Western Massachusetts Girls Individual Golf Championship by seven shots. Wightman, 15, was disappointed when she finished sixth in May in the state individual championship at Onset but she had things working this time and hit seven fairways and 12 greens over the
layout playing at 5,328 yards on the way to equalling the low score in the event posted by former champ STACY WOLEJKO of Smith Academy. She had two birdies, collected a nice trophy and said it was her "best" win in a competitive career in which she has claimed about 15 junior titles. WHITNEY WOLEJKO of Smith Academy shot 82 and KATIE VITELLO of Greenfield took third
at 86. MARESSA GONZALEZ of Sabis shot 96, ERICA DISANTI of Drury had 97, LINDA ECONOMU of East Longmeadow had 101 and CHRISTINA HARBOUR of Sabis had 102. Ms. Wightman then went on to qualify for the USGA Junior Girls' Championship when she shot a 6-over par 79 at The Country Club of finish fifth. That was fine since there were six berths up for grabs for the Championship, to be played July 23-28 at Mission Hills, Kansas. It was her first success in her third try in qualifying in the Girls' Junior. She had
another big hit in the month when she was medalist in qualifying for the Optimist International, to be played July 12-16 at PGA National in West Palm Beach, Fla. . . .
TELE WIGHTMAN, 23, shot an 8-under par 63 to win a one-day North Atlantic Tour event at Chicopee Country Club. The Chicopee resident, a senior to be at University of South Florida, had two eagles and won by three shots. Downes finished third with a 67 . . . SCOTT BAKER, 37, of Amherst shot a 72, two-over par, to win the Amherst Open at Amherst Golf Club. GENE KLOS, a Deerfield resident, shot 73 for second followed by JAY MORGAN and PETER GORDON at 74 . . . NATALIE GALLIGAN of Brae Burn won the WGAM Baker Trophy at Thorny Lea GC in Brockton with a 74-72, 146. That was 3 shots ahead of DANA HARRITY of Ferncroft. BONNIE CATTO of The Orchards GC was the low WMass finisher with 90-82, 172 . . . The Futures Tour makes its East Coast swing in the next several weeks with stops in Vermont at the Green Mountain National GC June 29-July 1, the Capital Region Classic near Albany, N.Y., July 6-8, then its off the New Jersey before a return to New England for the Lincoln Futures Classic at Blue Fox Run in Avon, Conn., July 19-21. Each of the tournaments has a $60,000 purse. The top three players on the Futures Tour money list in 2001 will be fully exempt for the 2002 LPGA Tour. GRACE PARK took that route two years ago. The leading money winner this year is BETH BAUER of Tampa, Fla. She was the 1997 U.S. Girls' Junior champ, a two-time member of the USA Curtis Cup team and a star at Duke University. She had three wins and had earned $41,962 in 10 events. MELANIE CURTIN, the 1999 WGAM
Player of the Year from South Weymouth, was 47th on the money list with $3,876 in 10 events. This is her second year on the Futures Tour and in early June she had a career best tie for 7th . . . TED PEREZ JR. of East Mountain CC shot 72 in mid-June in a 2-spot qualifier for the Greater Hartford Open and he missed a playoff for one of the berths by a shot . . . Downes, who was solid in June, posted a 36-hole total of 144 at Purchase, N.Y., early in the month and missed a playoff for a berth into the U.S. Open by two shots. At the end of May he won the Home City Open at Veterans GC with a 4-under par 68 . . . WILLIAM LINK of Shaker Hills GC led the Richard D. Haskell MGA Player of the Year point standings (through June 22) with 220 points. TELE WIGHTMAN of Holyoke CC had 88 to lead WMass players. JACK KEARNEY of Elmcrest had 65 points, DAN ENGSTROM of Cherry Hill 23, and BILL BARRY JR. of Elmcrest 15.

Senior women starting to cash in

By STEVE KELLY
The Women's Senior Golf Tour is now in its second season and it can claim a thing or two that the LPGA Tour doesn't have.
No, we're not talking about AARP membership cards.
How about Pat Bradley.
Bradley, 50, is a Hall of Fame member with 31 LPGA Tour wins but she hasn't played competitively this season.
That could change any week if she decides to get out there again but she HAS put a September date on her competitive calendar.
Bradley is among those who have verbally committed to play in the WSGT's Fidelity Investments Fall Classic to be played Sept. 22-23 at Pleasant Valley CC in Sutton.
It's a natural for Bradley, a Westford native.
The field at PVCC will be limited to 40 players and some of the biggest names in ladies golf have told unofficial commissioner Jane Blalock that they will show up.
Nancy Lopez hasn't yet said yes but Blalock thinks she will be in the field.
Jan Stephenson, JoAnne Carner, Patty Sheehan, Judy Dickinson, Hollis Stacy, Amy Alcott, and Blalock plan to play.
Many of those former standouts on the LPGA Tour are in semi-retirement.
Others who were in complete retirement have been cleaning their grips
and climbing back inside the ropes.
Barbara Moxness, Barb Bunkowsky-Scherbak, Myra Blackwelder and Joanne Prentice are among the names from the past who have reappeared.
A few years ago Bunkowsky-Scherbak was a regular at the LPGA Tour's Friendly's Classic at Crestview CC in Agawam and she was the house guest of former area radio bigmouth Dan Yorke. Maybe that's one reason she left the tour.
There are many more familiar names returning to competition with the purses offering some REAL cash.
They'll be playing for $375,000 at PVCC.
In the first week of June former LPGA Tour multiple winner Colleen Walker shot 2-under 144 (68-74) to win the Hy-Vee Classic in Johnston, Iowa and she had a check for $75,000 to take to the bank.
Familiar names like Susie Berning, Sandra Palmer and Sandra Haynie (who all shot 157) also played.
When Blalock tried to get the WSGT going there was no acceptance from the LPGA Tour and sponsors were hard to find.
In 2000 there were two events.
This year there are three with PVCC wrapping up the season.
Next year there could be five, or six, events.
This thing seems to be working.
"We had another successful tournament in Iowa. It's educating to the sponsors and the LPGA Tour. Until they see it they don't understand it.
This is excellent for the players," Blalock said.
Blalock will soon meet with the LPGA Tour and they will reach an understanding and an affiliation, though the LPGA Tour will not co-sponsor the WSGT. As part of the deal the senior age will be lifted from 43 to 45 (at the LPGA Tour's request).
So the LPGA Tour has seen the light. At first it did not want any of its aging stars missing its events to play on the WSGT.
"It makes sense to have these women back in front of the public. It's brought a lot of them out of retirement," Blalock said.
Despite a rainy week the event in Iowa drew about 4,000 fans on
Saturday and 10,000 on Sunday.
Now sponsors are seeing the light.
"It's downstream from here. There have been lots of calls from sponsors and there is community interest around the country now," Blalock said.
She thinks there could be 12 events by 2004.
So far all of the events are scheduled for 36 holes with a pro-am on Friday and tournament play Saturday and Sunday.
At PVCC there will be an open qualifier on Wednesday for two spots. All professionals age 43 and up are eligible to try and amateurs with handicaps of 4 or less can give it a shot. Players must join the WSGT first ($200) and play an entry fee ($100) to attempt qualifying.
The top prize at PVCC hasn't been finalized but Blalock said it would be about $50,000. The final money spot will be $3,000.
Tickets are $10 daily.
Information can be obtained by calling 800-466-1133.
Blalock said she's hoping for galleries of 10,000 on the weekend.
"We're the only women's golf in New England with LPGA Tour players,"
said Blalock.
She's hoping that's the ticket to success.

The Orchards Golf Club Women�s Invitational honors Tracy Mehr

By CATHERINE FORREST BEIN

The South Hadley area has long been a destination for fall foliage enthusiasts, antique collectors and newly deemed college students but it is also home of the prestigious Orchards Golf Club. Nestled in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, the old world charm of the Donald Ross room and the ingenious design of the course make this one of golf's more desirable destinations.
The Orchards Golf Club has hosted many tournaments and social events over theyears, catering to a long list of differing talents and organizations. The female members of the club will again this year hold their women's invitational in August on the 6th and 7th.
This year's women's invitational honoree is Mr. Tracy Mehr. Mr. Mehr coached many sports at Amherst College and both the men's and women's golf teams from the 1970's until 1994 when he handed over the reigns to someone he felt was capable and competent enough to do the job. He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and during the 30's and 40's he caddied for his father. He came east to attend college at Holy Cross and when many of his other family members also moved east he decided to stay. Tracy married a Massachusetts girl which shows his good taste and judgement and they had five children. He now lives in Amherst.
The women's golf coach at Amherst nominated Mr. Mehr for this honor because of his long time dedication and contribution to women's golf. He has hosted the NCAA Championship and was also chairman of the USA Junior Girls Championship at The Orchards when they hosted the National Championship. He has been very involved in women's golf and young women's golf. In the 80's his Amherst women's golf team won the National Championship at New Seabury on the Cape. Tracy Mehr is very humble about his accomplishments wishing only that he served his students well.
Mr. Mehr first experienced golf at The Orchards in 1947 which instilled a love for the course that remains to this day. He first joined in 1965 and when his children had grown, he rejoined and has been a member now for nearly a decade.
His deep respect and admiration for The Orchards is evident in his tone when he speaks of the world famous golf course designer Donald Ross, the club's connection to Mount Holyoke College and it's history of dedication to women's golf.
Mr. Mehr is an Irishman and looks to this to inspire him when he takes to the microphone to address the women who are honoring him. He has a wealth of knowledge and an impressive history to aid his Irishness as he gives his audience what I know will be a speech as insightful and inspiring as they're expecting.
Tracy has seen an improvement in the level and quality of play in women's golf but doesn't feel the development of junior women's golf has progressed in turn. He finds it unfortunate that young girls haven't been encouraged to engage in activities such as baseball and basketball that would improve their hand eye coordination. But he is hopeful that the insurgence of interest and support by and for girls in sports like basketball, soccer and lacrosse that do develop hand eye coordination will "rub off on golf".
Tracy notes that the isolation experienced by golfers on the course is hard forwomen because of their natural group orientation, but feels that young girlswould get a lot out of golf because they aren't as burdened by ego and won't putas much pressure on themselves as their male counterparts.
Mr. Mehr is dismayed by the practice on the collegiate level to recruit a large number of their golf talent from overseas, instead of putting more effort into bettering the play of our own girls. Maybe if there were more coaches like Mr. Mehr this practice would not be so wide spread. Best regards to you Tracy and thank you from all of us for your life's work and the difference it has made.

Desimone is turned on to golf again

By STEVE KELLY

The on and off golfing career of Lori Desimone is ON again.
Desimone, 30, played the game for about a year when she was 12 but there were other sports, too. Like just about everything else.
So she gave up golf to play tennis, softball and basketball while going through the Agawam school system.
In 1989 she won the Vi Goodnow Award as the top basketball player in Western Massachusetts.
Then it was on to Boston College where she pursued an accounting degree. There was still no accounting for her dormant golf game.
But in 1991, as a junior, she was a walk-on and made the women's golf team. She was an alternate at first, then she played well enough to make the road trips, and by her senior year she was the No. 1 player.
So it was obvious that golf had become important to her again. Well, sort of, but not really.
She put her clubs away once more and, carrying a degree instead of a golf bag, started a position in Hartford as an accountant.
She did that for several years.
Then the golf bug bit again and in October of 1997 she was packed and on the way to Myrtle Beach, S.C., where soon enough she landed a pro shop job at Arcadian Shores.
Her role expanded and she became involved in corporate golf outings,
too.
She played as an amateur and qualified for the USGA Public Links and USGA Mid Amateur championships.
She was enjoying her job and the competition but had another change of
plans.
Last year she turned pro, at the age of 29.
"I wanted to do something that I really loved and thought there were a lot of opportunities in professional golf.
"So far it's going better than I had expected. I can compete, I teach and use my accounting background (in the business and corporate areas)," she said.
Why did she give up golf after college?
"You know, you start a job and put in a lot of hours. I could have played on weekends. I just wasn't prepared to devote a lot of time to playing golf so I just didn't play," she said.
Her first serious move after turning pro was an attempt to qualify for the Futures Tour. She missed.
Then she decided to plan a trip home to Agawam to celebrate her 30th birthday on June 5 with some competition and entered the Connecticut Women's Open at Yale GC in New Haven.

That was a good move and for her birthday she gave herself a splendid gift by posting a second-round 77 for a 36-hole total of 153 and that brought her a tie for 12th and her first check as a competitor - for $150.
She was very pleased, of course, and that first pro check was as tasty as birthday cake, though she admitted she could have done better.

Lack of practice time hurt.
"I haven't had much time to work on my short game and my putting wasn't that good. My short game let me down," she said at the time.
Desimone has been back at work at Arcadian Shores for the past few weeks but she plans another trip out into the competitive golfing world when she plays in Futures Tour events in July in New Jersey and then closer to home at Blue Fox Run in Avon, Conn., July 19-21.

CONN. WOMEN'S OPEN NOTEBOOK - Defending champ Suzy Whaley of Tumble Brook in Bloomfield defeated Joan McDonald of Winged Foot in a playoff after they posted 144 over 36 holes on the par 70 layout playing at about 5,400 yards. Whaley earned $2,000 and McDonald got $1,500 . . . Amateur
Stacey Wolejko of Crumpin-Fox Club tied for 26th with 79-81, 160 and she received $325 in pro shop credit.

Former Champs Rally For Win

By JAY NOMAKEO

For Cory Chianciola and Jay DiRico their championship division final did not start off all that well. A second hole bogey, a birdie by Jay Lane on 3 and a missed 4 ft. eagle putt for win on 4 left the former champs two down early. After both teams exchanged par wins of 6 and 7 they were still two down going to 8. Then things got worse. Spero Phillips (Springfield C.C.) hit his approach on 8 to 4 ft. and made birdie. On 9 Spero again birdied this time from 18 ft. for a four up lead. heading to the back nine. The strategy for Phillips and Lane were to make pars, for Chianciola and DiRico they had to make some birdies. All four bogeyed 10. After watching everyone miss the par 3 12th green Chianciola took an extra club and hit into the middle of the green. He two putted for the win giving his team some momentum.
On the next hole DiRico hit his drive into the trees on the left of 13. The ball somehow ended up in the fairway 150 yds. away. DiRico's approach landed 20 ft. above the hole. Putting first, DiRico made the putt and suddenly the lead was only two. The next two holes were pars. On 16 a costly bogey by Phillips and Lane cut the lead to one. Chianciola reached the par 5 17 in two and was conceded birdie after Lane could not get up and down from behind the green. The match was now even going to the last hole. On the drivable par 4 18th hole all four players hit good tee shots. Lane's approach went 20 ft. past the hole. DiRico, who drove past the green had a difficult chip over a bunker and straight downhill to the hole, he executed it perfectly, stopping the ball 2 ft. short of the hole. Phillips left his chip short of the green Chianciola chipped to 8 ft. to set up another birdie chance. After watching their opponents miss their birdie putts, Chianciola calmly sank his putt to claim the win. For Chianciola and DiRico this was their second Shaker Farms C.C. title. In their last title they shot 29 on the back 9 to win. This was Chianciola's third, 4-ball title. He won the Bontempo at Veterans last year with Mike Slyne.
In the first division Dave Sheedy and Ray Stoll overcame some erratic drives on the last two holes to beat B. Derosia and P. Couture. On 17 Sheedy drove his ball down the right side of the fairway into a passing columnist's cart lodging next to the steering wheel. He was given a free drop. On 18 he drove the ball to the 10th tee behind a tree. His lob wedge over the trees landed 4 ft. away where he made birdie to win.

Ten more yards

By JIM CLINE

In an earlier issue we talked about gaining an additional ten yards off the tee by changing golf balls. Touring pros hitting the new Titleist Pro VI claim to be getting more yardage off the tee. Some of these pros have also changed drivers. Is it possible the driver is also responsible?

Last year Callaway opened a can of worms when it came out with the Big Bertha ERC driver. Callaway says it's the most forgiving driver it's ever made.
The United States Golf Association says the club is too hot. It supposedly has an ultrathin face that flexes like a trampoline and propels balls farther than normal. It can't be used in tournaments and that includes the PGA tour.
Amateurs using the club can't post scores for handicap purposes.
Interestingly enough, the Royal and Ancient has approved the use of this club and other clubs like it. The two governing bodies are at odds.

Callaway now markets two top of the line clubs. One is the ERC II for those who could care less about the rules. The other is the Hawk Eye, which does conform. Both clubs utilize Callaway's VFT, or Variable Face Thickness, which is said to maximize ball speed. One apparently maximizes more than the other, if that's possible.

Callaway says it will continue to produce clubs that help golfers play better. Callaway does not have a corner on the non-conforming market however. Daiwa's G3 is non-conforming. So is the Hog XTL. There is a growing list of non-conformers. There is also a growing list of drivers are just within the legal limit. That's the claim that Wilson makes with its new Deep Red. The thinner face which is generally forged from Beta Titanium is all the rage. The highly successful Titleist 975D is giving way to the 975J, a bigger club with a thinner face. TaylorMade has not one, but three new drivers that are very popular. They come in three sizes and the center of gravity is in three different locations which makes sense. And yes, they have thinner faces. Mizuno calls it CORTECH(TM)(Coefficient Of Restitution Technology). It enhances the spring-like effect, and it's just barely legal.

One must conclude that there is an exact unit of measure that conforms and as long as that figure is not exceeded, the club is legal. This begs the question: Can companies like Wilson go right up that edge without exceeding it? Tour Edge is a company that has turned out reasonably priced equipment for a number of years. Last year it came up with the expensive Bazooka 320 J. Tour Edge claimed it would market the driver legal or not legal. The USGA ruled it was legal. Did the marketing department know this club would be legal before the USGA ever got to test it?

A couple of months ago Eddie Bender, the executive vice president of Marketing at Spalding, talked about golf balls and golf clubs during his state of the market call. Ben Hogan, which is now a division of Spalding, has been working on a new driver. There are a number of prototypes out there now. Hogan woods are currently in play on the European tour. Those clubs are R&A conforming, but not USGA. Mr. Bender says Hogan woods will not come to market until the company is sure it has a competitive product. He also says Hogan will not bring out a driver that does not conform to USGA standards. He could not tell me whether R&D knows specifically what does and does not comply.

From the For-What-It's-Worth Department, Rankmark has been testing the new drivers and reports that higher handicappers were not getting extra yardage with the non-conforming sticks. It apparently takes a higher swing speed to generate the extra distance. But take heart. This thin-face technology does work. If you've got the bucks and can find the right club, you can buy a better game, even if you're long and in the woods.

Masters will televise entire final round

Welcome to the new millennium.
The folks who run the Masters golf tournament have finally seen the light and that will illuminate the front nine at Augusta National Golf Club.
For its 2002 tournament the Masters is expanding its TV coverage so all 18 holes can be broadcast during the final round on Saturday and Sunday.
"We know that many fans of the Masters want 18-hole coverage, and we expect the expanded broadcast to be consistent with the quality we have had in the past," Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson was quoted by Associated Press.
CBS Sports will televise the final two rounds for the 47th straight year. In the recent past the weekend at the Masters was televised from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT on Saturday, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday.
The new contract with allow CBS to go an extra 30 minutes on Saturday to 6:30 p.m., with final-round coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. to pick up the leaders as they tee off.
The front nine of Augusta National is rarely seen in its entirety because the leaders are on the sixth hole when coverage begins. Masters officials were not trying to keep that part of the course from being shown on television; they wanted to keep the telecast at three hours. The front nine was televised last year in the third round when the leaders teed off two hours late because of a storm delay.
The extra television coverage is the latest significant change under Johnson, who took over as chairman of Augusta National three years ago.
Since then Augusta has gone public with its charitable contributions; added rough and lengthened two holes (Nos. 2 and 17); and is in the process of toughening some of the par 4s for next year's tournament.
The additional TV coverage brings the Masters in line with the other three majors, which televise all 18 holes the final groups play.
The U.S. Open featured 6 1/2 hours of coverage for the final round, the PGA Championship had eight hours of coverage and the British Open typically has 4 1/2 hours of coverage.
The Masters traditionally is the highest-rated TV event in golf. When Tiger Woods won the Masters in April for his fourth straight major, the final-round rating was 13.3, second only to the 14.1 rating in 1997 when Woods won the tournament by a record 12 shots to become its youngest champion.
While coverage will be expanded, Johnson said commercials will remain at only four minutes per hour. Minimal commercial interruption is an integral part of the Masters telecast, he said.

THE PRACTICE TEE
With "Bucky" O'Brien

�TEMPO�

by STEVE KELLY

James "Bucky" O'Brien has been a Class A PGA pro since 1966 and has been the man in charge at Country Club of Greenfield since 1969. He says tempo is a major key to playing golf well.

"If you are not hitting the ball solidly, you might want to work on developing tempo. You may be swinging too fast with too short a backswing. Try to feel the difference between the start of your backswing and the start of your downswing.
As a drill try a count of one (back), and two (down and through). Feel the club go back and to the top.
You'll hit the ball a lot more solidly".

(If you would like to take a lesson from Bucky O'Brien call 413-773-7530).

Wyckoff Country Club pro Tony Kelley has won the Connecticut Section PGA Championship four times and has been Conn. Section PGA Player of the Year for the past two years. If you want to think like a pro and improve your game try his advice:
"Each spring golfers are anxious to get a good start to their seasons. Part of that process is practice.
The mistake most golfers make is they don't practice at all or they have an unproductive practice session.
A large bucket of balls hit with only drivers or just one or two clubs is not good practice.
The following is what I suggest, depending on available time. You'll notice the emphasis is on the short game.
- If you have 30 minutes:
- Hit 10 putts from 3 feet.
- Hit 20 putts from 10 feet.
- Hit 10 putts from 20 feet.
Use only one or two balls and focus on the same routine you use on the golf course.
Then, using a sand wedge or pitching wedge, hit 10 chips from 10 feet off the green, hit 10 chips from 20 feet and 10 chips from 30 feet.
If you have an hour:
- Add 10 bunker shots.
- 10 lob shots.
- 10 full swings with a sand wedge.
- 10 full swings with a pitching wedge.
If you have more than an hour:
Go through your bag and hit all of your clubs, and mix it up, trying different shots.
Use your imagination when practicing. Imagine you're playing your favorite course, hitting clubs you would hit if you were actually playing.
Keep it fun and interesting and remember short game first."

Back to top

Letter from the editor

The season is now in full swing with tournaments happening every day at every course. Keep those e-mails coming, without the local golfer as our eyes and ears our magazine would not be a success.
If you followed our web site in the last month you would have seen stories on the Vermont Open, New England Pro Tour, The North Atlantic Tour, Mass. Open, GHO Qualifier, PGA Club Pro Championship, and the U.S. Girls Championship.
Steve Kelly has done an outstanding job covering the best local talent such as pros Josh Hillman, Tony Kelley, Jim Salinetti, Billy Downes, Bart McCarthy, Frank Leja, and Ted Perez Jr. His coverage of local amateurs making news around the state is unsurpassed. Log on to westernmassgolf.com to follow local amateurs such as Juli and Tele Wightman, Flip Collins, Steve and Jamie Mihalek.
The stage is set for the Massachusetts Amateur Championship this month at the Orchards in South Hadley. The web site will have daily updates and stories on your favorite local players.
Tee Times are available for our next tour stop at Westover on July 10th. This is a two ball event with two new divisions. We have many sponsors who have donated prizes, we just need golfers of all abilities.
I was given the opportunity to explore the new course in Southwick, The Ranch Golf Course. I give it 12 wows! Because I only saw 12 holes. A true test of golf. You can't just hit it. You have to think your way around. Is it worth the hundred bucks? Yea, the first time around then I'll play twi-light for 60 bucks. For those of you who have never hit a 300 yard drive this is a must play. On one par five of over 600 yards your tee shot is straight downhill where even the shortest of hitters can brag of the longest drive of their lives. Have you ever seen a bailout area on a par three? They have one.
Jay Nomakeo