Teeing Up in Union County

LOCAL GOLF PROS PROVIDE SOME TIPS FOR GETTING BACK INTO THE GAME.

By Kim Ann Zimmermann

It is always difficult to get back to an athletic endeavor after some time off. That’s why baseball players go through spring training. No matter what your playing level, experts recommend that golfers go through their own version of spring training before they get back on the course.

“It is early in the season, but many golfers have already been working to tune up their game,” says Wayne Sciscio, director of instruction, North Jersey Regional Manager and Professional Golf Association (PGA) member with GolfTEC in East Hanover. “Today, with heated driving ranges and high-tech indoor golf programs, you can be working on your golf game all year long.”

But if your game has been on ice along with the icy weather, now is the time to grab your bag and hit the links. Experts suggest that you can benefit from some time with a PGA professional.

Mark Bryson, PGA director at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune, says proper stretching is crucial at all times and especially important at the beginning of the season.

“You don’t want to pull a hamstring or do anything else that is going to get you injured and have you out of commission for any time during the season,” he says.

The first thing to disappear after a long lay off, Bryson says. “It is important to work on your putting and chipping when you first come back. If at all possible, I recommend that golfers chip or putt around a little in the off season to keep up their skills.”

When seeking a professional to help you with your golf game, Sciscio suggests asking about the technology they use to help evaluate your swing.

“The technology has really evolved. There are sophisticated motion analysis systems available. At very least, the golf pro needs to employ use of high speed digital video.”

NEW EQUIPMENT
One thing that is very popular, according to golf pros, is the hybrid. According to the Web site LearnAboutGolf.com, the main idea behind the hybrid wood is to be interchangeable and utilize the characteristics of both an iron and a wood. The resultant club is typically easier to hit with less effort than a traditional long and lower lofted iron. The term “long iron” normally describes all the clubs from a two iron through five.

“These are a terrific addition to any player’s bag,” says Bryson. “Basically the hybrid replaces the long iron in your set with a club that has the physical attributes of a wood but the look of an iron. The true test is that even tour players are using these hybrids.”

According to LearnAboutGolf.com, the features you will find on the hybrid are:

• Flatness of the face on the hybrid wood. Woods have a curve on the face but the hybrids are flat just like an iron.
• Weighting that is distributed throughout the club like an iron or fairway wood. Most woods have the focus of the weight distributed towards the front.
• A wide sole like a fairway wood, with a club length similar to an iron rather than a wood.

The attributes of the hybrid clubs address some common problems that golfers have, including not being able to make a complete shoulder turn on the backswing and swinging too hard as to throw off the tempo of the swing.

The Cleveland Hi-Bore is another club to have in your bag, according to Sciscio. “Basically what they’ve done is re-shape club head to produce a lower spin,” he says. “The goal when driving the golf ball is for the spin to be as low as possible.“

BASKING RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
This season Basking Ridge Country Club is proud to be celebrating its 20th anniversary as a private facility. The non-equity club is conveniently located one-half mile off of Rt. 287 at exit 30A. Amenities include 6,906 yards of beautiful and challenging play, 18-hole course, driving range, putting area, new short game facility, and a fully outfitted pro shop. The facility also has a restaurant, Bamboo Grille, which offers indoor and outdoor dining and live entertainment during peak season.

Swim memberships are also available, offering a family friendly atmosphere for children of all ages. The facility has a kiddie pool and a playground area, as well as a swim team and individual lessons. There truly is something to offer every member of the family at Basking Ridge County Club.

The Men’s and Women’s Associations offer a complete schedule of golf tournaments, for both the competitive player, as well as the more social player. The club also hosts an assortment of social events throughout the year, including everything from poolside barbeques to formal cocktail receptions.

Whether your interest in our club membership is intended to afford you leisure time with your friends and family, or to provide an impressive setting for entertaining business associates and clients, you will find the environment at Basking Ridge Country Club to be both friendly and flexible enough to satisfy all your needs.

The Golf Academy at Basking Ridge offers a variety of instruction options; private lessons, group clinics, and numerous junior programs ranging from a three-day clinic to a three week, all-day summer camp. Clinics and instructional programs are for players of all ages, abilities and experience levels. Membership is not required to
participate in the golf academy.

It is not too late to join for the 2006 season. There is no bond, sponsor or initiation fee required. There are several different membership packages available to accommodate various lifestyles and budgets.

Contact Kara N. Bosi, Director of Marketing and Membership, Basking Ridge Country Club, at 908-766-8200, ext. 114.

UNION COUNTY TEENS TAKE TOP SPOTS IN JUNIOR TOURNAMENT
The winds were whipping at 30-to-35 miles per hour at the Sea Oaks Golf Course in Little Egg Harbor, NJ, but that didn’t stop Junior Golfers from across New Jersey from competing in the first of 25 Spring/Summer tournaments.

Mike Graboyes of Watchung edged Jake Storako of Laurel Springs in a sudden death round to win the Boys 8-9 Group. Both shot a 41.

Steven Myers of Garwood took second place. The eighth grader from the Arthur L. Johnson School pushed Dave Hartgen of Toms River into third by one stroke.

Chuck and Ginna DiLeo of Englishtown, NJ established the New Jersey Junior Golf Competition in 2000, changing its name to Junior Golf America in 2006. Junior Golf America is designed to provide a place for junior golfers between the ages of 8 to 18 to compete in a series of tournaments across New Jersey, while providing national exposure for college-bound golfers. Junior Golf America is dedicated to providing tournaments to junior golfers of all skill levels while teaching them the game of golf.

For more information, visit www.jrgolfamerica.com or call 732-683-9042.

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