tristate golfer magazine summer 2011

spring 2011

golfertri-state summer 2011

A daily fee course with all the amenities of a private country club

The mosT read golf publicaTion in The Tri sTaTe area

Combines Superb Conditions With Awesome Amenities

golf club

cenTer square

TSG

Tri-STaTe Golfer MaGazine

inside This issue • summer 2011tri-state golfer

5cenTer square golf club Super Conditions & awesome amenities

14from The lesson Tee– lou guzzi

lose those Bunker Blues

15-16exTra holes

incredible options abound–Talamore family of Clubs

Any opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily rep-resent the views of the publisher or Tri-State Golfeer Magazine. The information in this issue was accurate at the time of publication. All should be confirmed with the golf facility before making tee times and reservations.

Tri-State Golfer is published quarterly with issues in January,

april, July, and September.

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5 Tri-STaTe Golfer • SuMMer 2011

Daily-fee golfers in Montgomery County are quite lucky.

it’s been claimed that there are more golf courses per square mile in Montgomery County than any other county in the country. while there are many first-class private facilities scattered throughout the area, the quality of daily-fee golf courses is just as impressive.

Thanks to immaculate on-course conditions, a rolling parkland-style layout, and award-winning amenities - not to mention a prime location - Center Square Golf Club in norristown, Pa. has remained a longtime local favorite since opening its ed ault-designed golf course in 1963.

“it’s a golfer friendly golf course,” said Center Square GC Head Professional keith oldham. “The greens are big. The fairways are wide. and it’s always in great shape. everything is very well manicured.”

That can be a difficult task on a heavily-trafficked course, but Course

Superintendent Dale Berton and his staff work tirelessly to keep the 148 acres, of what was once a cattle farm, situated just off route 73 (Skippack Pike) in lush condition.

The 6,304-yard (blue tees), Par 71 course is highlighted by a terrific variety of short par 4s characterized by significant elevation changes and, in several instances, tremendous vistas. included in the grouping is the 386-yard par-4 first hole where the fairway climbs uphill and bends ever-so-slightly to the left, leaving an approach into a green

guarded by a trio of bunkers.The 360-yard fifth is a sharp dogleg-

left par 4 with a grove of trees protecting the dogleg and a wide bunker protecting any pins on the left side of the green. and, similar to the first hole, the 375-yard ninth climbs uphill to a green guarded by three bunkers.

while nos. 1 and 9 feature intriguing changes in elevation, the majority of the holes on the front side are flat and, save for the doglegs at nos. 5 and 8, forgiving.

The opposite is true on the back nine, where tree-lined fairways, dramatic rises and falls, and one picturesque water hazard fronting the 18th green test all aspects of a player’s game.

Case in point, the 519-yard par-5 12th featuring a blind first shot from a low-lying tee box to a fairway that is framed by trees and climbs uphill, forcing a blind second shot as well until one reaches the crest of a hill, where players can stop and soak in one of the most stunning backdrops in the tri-state area.

Beyond an unblemished green dotted

By Nate Oxman

combines superb condiTions WiTh aWesome ameniTies

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golf clubcenTer square

with three bunkers, players are treated to views of the french normandy-style clubhouse and restaurant, and the sparkling pond planted between the 17th and 18th greens.

“it’s a one-of-a-kind view from the top of the hill,” said oldham.

although there are only a pair of par 3s on the back nine, both are outstanding. The first is the 205-yard 14th that plays to a slightly elevated green and offers a backdrop that rivals the 12th with its natural beauty.

while the best views must wait until the fall when an array of colors fill the club’s many trees, a clear sky provides golfers standing on the tee with an unobstructed view that stretches all the way to the Philadelphia skyline nearly 30 miles away.

in fact, the 14th hole begins a stretch of five finishing holes that are as dazzling as they are demanding.

The 378-yard par-4 15th is a dogleg left that requires a well-placed tee shot in order to avoid the towering trees running down the left side and the out

of bounds lining the right. However, even those who do find the fairway aren’t free from peril just yet as the short grass surrenders very few flat lies, thus making the spectacular approach into an elevated green guarded by bunkers all around even more intimidating.

The 308-yard par-4 16th may tempt long hitters from pulling out the big stick, but it also punishes wayward tee shots of all sorts with trees on either side of a fairway that slopes severely from right to left. That makes navigating the uphill approach into a narrow, but deep green from off the fairway anything but easy.

The 528-yard 17th is the most difficult

of Center Square’s three par 5s, with trees running down the right side of the fairway forcing a well-placed second shot down the left side in order to set up an approach into a green fronted by a beastly bunker.

The second one-shotter on the incoming nine is the closing 146-yard par-3 18th, which requires a carry over a sparkling pond.

Tri-STaTe Golfer • SuMMer 2011 6

Perched beyond the final green is a beautiful outdoor patio and gazebo, a setting enjoyed throughout the year both by golfers following play and those attending any one of the many functions Center Square is capable of hosting.

“Golfers like to sit out there and watch their friends finish,” said oldham. “a little bit of heckling is common too. overall it’s just a great finishing hole.”

with several excellent options for accommodating parties of 35 to 200 guests, including the ballroom, patio, Players room and Champs Sports Bar - highlighted by its high ceilings and exposed beams - Center Square GC is more than just a unique golf course.

Set in a converted barn decorated with six TVs including a massive 60-incher, and featuring a menu loaded with traditional sports bar favorites like burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, and pasta dishes, Champs Sports Bar is a popular spot for both golfers and the general public.

The bar also hosts weekly Texas Hold’em Poker tournaments on friday (8:30 p.m.), Saturday (8:30 p.m.) and Sunday (7:30 p.m.) and Patio Parties throughout the summer.

add in one of the area’s few, and perhaps the most expansive, all-grass practice ranges that stretches to roughly 500 yards, and it’s easy to see why Center Square remains a local favorite.

while the course can certainly be enjoyed by golfers of all types, it’s a popular spot for ladies and seniors thanks to the aforementioned generously-sized fairways and greens

and navigable length, as well as a playable cut of rough.

“anybody can play it,” said oldham. “no matter your age or playing ability, you can come here and enjoy a round of golf. we have a big women’s association here. we’re a very women-friendly golf course.”

Center Square continues to hold that reputation both locally and nationally as well, having hosted the united States women’s amateur Public links Championship in both 1980 and 1997, and hosting a local qualifier for the event each year.

affordability is yet another attraction at Center Square, especially with early bird (6 to 8 a.m. and twilight (1 to 6 p.m.) rates set at $20 to walk and $35 to ride.

“The golf course speaks for itself,” said oldham. “and we have all of the amenities. we have a great restaurant and banquet facility. we have a snack bar. we have everything you need for a great day at a golf course.”


For more information about Center

Square Golf Club, including golf rates,

banquets/special events, visit

www.centersquaregolfclub.com

To book tee times or lessons with

Professional Keith Oldham,

call 609-926-3900

it seems strange that a club sitting just off a major state road could offer a

luxurious golf retreat, where patrons can traverse 180 acres of pristine South Jersey farmland and completely forget the outside world.

But that’s exactly what Town & Country Golf links in woodstown, n.J. provides daily-fee golfers: an opportunity to escape without having to venture far from home.

Just a quick 45-minute drive from Philadelphia and its southwest suburbs, only 30 minutes from the wilmington, Del. area, and an ideal spot to stop for those from all over the tri-state area when heading to atlantic City or the Jersey Shore, Town & Country Gl is a must visit.

Transformed from what was once Cream Valley Dairy farm by r.e. Pierson Construction Co., courtesy of a layout conceived by Carl Gaskill at fralinger engineering, Town & Country Gl opened its distinctive design in 1999. in a South Jersey golf scene dominated by courses carved out of pinelands, the club delighted local golfers by offering something quite different.

“it’s a links-style course, but on the back nine we do have some holes that negotiate some trees,” said Town & Country Head Professional Craig wolfe. “Many people really enjoy the distinct features of the layout and we’re very, very fortunate to have an excellent superintendent so our course is always green and lush.”

The course, which offers extremely reasonable peak rates and tough-to-beat

twilight rates as low as $30 including cart, can stretch to 6,496 yards from the black tees and play to a Par of 71 or 72 (depending upon where the tee is at the third hole). Most players, however, will wisely choose to tackle Town & Country from the 6,000-yard blue or 5,678-yard white tees (Par 71), both of which provide plenty of challenges throughout, with many of the course’s seven ponds- as well as some well-placed fairway bunkers and fescue areas hidden from view on the tee.

“it gives the appearance of being wide open and forgiving, especially on the front nine,” said wolfe. “But people quickly find that there are definitely places where you can hit it and there are definitely places you can’t. and that’s not uncommon with links-style courses. But after coming out and playing it a few times you really get a better feel for how to get around the golf course and then you’re really able to start scoring well.”

The course opens with a 400-yard (blue tees) dogleg-left par 4 that commands two long, accurate shots in order to avoid a big number as a creek slivers up the left side and out of bounds runs up the right. it’s the first of several stern early tests before you come to a spectacular stretch of holes to close the front nine.

The 355-yard par-4 sixth requires a well-placed tee shot to find a narrow fairway protected by a small stream skirting the left side and out of bounds further left. a front-right pond guards a deep green and gobbles up any approach shots that miss the target right.

although short the 360-yard par-4 seventh is a downright brute. accuracy is essential off the tee as the fairway narrows severely at the 150-yard mark, forcing many to opt for the safe route up the left side instead of testing the elevated green guarded by a bunker in front.

The 145-yard eighth hole is highlighted by a fantastic view from an elevated tee, forcing players to select the right club in order to tame a severely back-to-front sloped green flanked by bunkers on either side.

“we do have some undulations on our greens,” said wolfe. “and as you play more you learn where to place the ball on the green so you have the best chance to make a putt.”

leading players back to the clubhouse, the formidable 533-yard par-5 ninth features a creek that snakes up the left side and slices across the fairway roughly 100 yards from the green, pressing players to lay up with their second shots and leaving a short approach into another well-sloped green surrounded by grassy mounds.

another par 5 (490 yards) awaits at the 10th where fescue grass and out of bounds lurk left off the tee and on the second shot. a pond planted in front of the green is hidden from sight while standing on the tee and forces the meek to take the safe route up the left side.

acres of lovely farmland tend to mesmerize both first-time visitors and Town & Country regulars behind the tee and to the left of the 317-yard 11th hole, a short, straight par 4 featuring a large mound hiding any pins positioned on the left side of a narrow green that slopes from

a golf retreat awaits at Town & country golf linksBy Nate Oxman


day Trippin’


back to front.another short par 4 awaits at the 320-

yard 12th where trouble comes into play should you stray left off the tee as a pond separates the hole from the signature island green at the 144-yard 13th.

“everybody enjoys the island green,” said wolfe. “it’s a pretty forgiving, fairly large green, but you still have to hit it onto an island and that’s usually enough to catch people’s attention and force them to really think about the shot.”

That early back-nine stretch of holes 10 through 12 will get a facelift this season as the club has purchased an additional 200 acres, most of which will be preserved as farmland. four acres, however, will be used to add length to the first three holes on the incoming nine.

“we’ve acquired a little bit more land so that we are able to stretch out and add some character to holes 10, 11 and 12, to give the back nine just a little bit more meat to it,” said wolfe. “The back nine right now is more of a shot maker’s nine, but i’m really excited about these changes. Those three are going to be really strong holes and they’re really going to make the back nine play more like the front nine.”

The 465-yard 14th is a reachable dogleg-left par 5 that appears unassuming off the tee until you get a look, which inevitably turns into a gaze, at your approach, where a wall of fairway bunkers frame the left side.

Holes 15 through 17 provide somewhat of a different feel at Town & Country as all three are set within a grove of trees, although carefully selecting your target and then executing the tee, shot remain the case.

featuring a tee shot through a chute of trees to a tiny target, the 16th hole boasts an elevated green that sits atop a tunnel.

“Sixteen is my favorite par 3,” said wolfe. “it’s a three-tiered green and it can play anywhere from 100 yards at the forward tees back to about 175 yards. The trees frame the hole nicely. it’s a very challenging hole. you have to be on the right tier to have a legitimate shot to make a birdie.”

one final test awaits at the 375-yard par-4 18th.

“it’s not super long, but it is as tough of

a finishing hole as you’ll find,” said wolfe. “you have to hit a well-placed tee shot and then your second shot requires a carry over water. and then when you get onto the green, you’re not finished. The green is full of undulations. The 18th is a great challenge, a great way to finish your round.”

while Town & Country features several greens guarded in front by imposing hazards, such as the 18th, all also offer an alternative route to accommodate shorter hitters.

“Some of the shorter players play the approach as a lay-up shot,” said wolfe of the 18th . “There’s a fairway that wraps all the way around the water and runs up to the green. So it’s not all or nothing. There are all kinds of ways to make par.”

while the pond fronting the 18th green is home for many lost golf balls, it’s also a favorite spot for the bald eagle that frequents the golf course.

Herons, deer, turtles, as well as the occasional longhorn bull wandering over from a neighboring farm, add to the serenity at Town & Country.

“Part of the allure of the course is its natural beauty and the way the holes were designed around the farmland and the wildlife that we have here,” said wolfe.

Town & Country also attracts daily-fee golfers with a first-class practice facility that’s home to the island Green Golf academy, where wolfe, recently named one of the top 100 united States Golf Teachers federation professionals in the country, and the other two full-time instructors: Tom foster and fred Miller, operate one of the most highly-regarded learning centers in the tri-state area.

“we have a very well-established golf academy here,” said wolfe. “Golfers come from all over the area to get instruction here. we run great junior camps and other junior programs here, plus we do a large number of lessons with adults. Many of our students continue to come back to see us on a regular basis because we really have a great rapport with our students.”

The facility features a private club-quality practice range with covered hitting bays that can be lighted for night practice.

“it’s really an awesome facility to practice on,” said wolfe. “we have both mats and real grass. we have a practice

bunker as well, plus a putting green with chipping areas so that we can cover everything within our golf schools and also allow those coming here just to practice to work on all of the different areas of their game.”

The island Green Golf academy offers an array of outstanding junior camps and clinics as well as adult clinics for beginners and ladies, who are well represented at Town & Country by a dedicated women’s association. individual lessons are also available seven days per week. for more information, call 856-769-8333 or visit www.tcgolflinks.com.

Complementing the golf at Town & Country is the club’s Creekside inn, a full-service restaurant open to the public that serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. a diverse menu is highlighted by signature homemade crab cakes as well as a multitude of steak, seafood, and pasta options. Banquet facilities are also available to host special events of all sorts with the Creekside inn’s private dining room entertaining groups of 50 to 125 people and the modern event tent accommodating up to 200.

enticing golfers from far and near with a unrivaled golf retreat Town & Country Gl has carved out a special niche in the golf business despite its infancy.

“it’s grown into a great place for golf,” said Co-owner/General Manager karen Pierson. “everything has filled in beautifully.”

For more information about Town &

Country Golf Links, the Island Green

Golf Academy, or the Creekside Inn, visit

www.TCGolflinkS.CoM

or call 856-769-8333.

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in all my years of teaching i have found the Bunker Shot to be the hardest shot

to teach. as golfers, we are all trying to hit the golf ball with the best possible contact during practice and play. But, golf is a game of misses, so golfers always need to be prepared to scramble, hitting chip shots, punch shots and the dreaded Bunker Shot. This shot is not as hard as players make it. when executed properly, we will contact the sand a minimum of 3 inches behind the ball using a swing that hits a regular shot 50 to 70 yards. But, because of the resistance from the sand, this swing now produces a shot that goes about 30 to 50 feet. That is hard for the average golfer to accept and commit to and that is why so many fear the bunker shot.

The best thing we can do to make greenside Bunker Shots more enjoyable is to understand the design of the Sand wedge and how it works through the sand, along with the overall technique of hitting this shot. when hitting a Bunker Shot you can use any of your wedges, but for this article i am going to use the standard 56-degree Sand wedge used by a right-handed golfer.

now that you have the proper Set-up, you are ready to make your swing and hit a beautiful Bunker Shot. Make the size of your swing 3-quarters back and 3-quarters through with a full wrist hinge in both directions, keeping your arms and hands relaxed and your grip pressure just firm enough to keep the club from twisting in your hands. look 3 inches behind the ball and make contact with the sand, accelerating the club through the sand and into the 3-quarter finish position (See Photo: Bunker Swing in action).

remember, once in your Set-up position you will be making this swing just like you are trying to hit the ball along your Swing line. with the clubface in an open position and contact 3 inches behind the ball, your shot will go to the line of Play, not the Swing line.

in closing, i need to bring up some important statistics about Bunker Play at the PGa Tour level. in 2005, the best Bunker Player to successfully get the ball onto the green and make the putt (up and down), was at 63%. The average Tour Player gets it up and down less then that. now that we know these statistics what should we expect when hitting these greenside bunker shots?

My advice is to get the ball onto the green safely with good technique, make no more than two putts and you will be as good as the tour players 50% of the time, and who knows, maybe more up and downs will just find their way into your game.

lose those bunker blues

For more information, you can contact Lou at Lou Guzzi Golf Academy at Talamore Country Club.

www.louguzzi.com

lou guzziPga DIrector of InstructIon

talamore country club

A GOLF Magazine “Top 100 Teacher in America”

2003 & 2010 Philadelphia Section “PGA Teacher of the Year”

A Golf Range Magazine “Top 50 Instructor in America”

Listed as one of Golf Digest’s “Best Teachers in Your State”

National PGA Instruction Committee – Member

Nominated- National PGA “Teacher of the Year”

Philadelphia Section PGA Teaching Committee - Chairman

By Lou Guzzi


from The lesson Tee

when touring applecross, the latest addition to the Talamore family of

Clubs, it is easy to be impressed.not only had nicklaus Design crafted

a first-class golf course that would provide an ideal complement to its Montgomery County sibling at Talamore, but lead designer Michael nicklaus, Jack’s youngest son, had done so while keeping the focus on playability.

while applecross Country Club, located at 170 zynn road in Downingtown, winds its way through acres of tranquil Chester County countryside, challenging all golfers with its sweeping doglegs, sparkling water hazards and stark wetlands, it also offers options galore.

The most evident options are around the greens.

The nicklaus design team has literally hundreds of designs under their belt spanning multiple decades. They have played a major role in the development of “modern golf” and are on top of the latest trends. with those trends in mind, greens at applecross have been designed with bailouts. for those unwilling to fire at flagsticks tucked on top of bunkers, there are friendly lanes of fairway running up from multiple sides, not just the fronts.

in essence, that’s what the Talamore family of Clubs is all about: options.

after acquiring applecross CC in 2009, Talamore began offering the area’s premier Multi-Club Membership.

Talamore Members were ecstatic. They were immediately Members of a jaw-dropping facility that included the Philadelphia area’s only nicklaus Design. and it was all included at no extra charge and waiting just a 40 minute drive away.

“How can you not be excited when you hear that?” said the Talamore’s GM Jon Hazelwood. “we didn’t add any other layer of charges and added another level of value. These days, with the way that the economy is, value is the number one word on the planet. Value is not necessarily the best price, it’s the best overall package. and what’s unique about our Membership. we actually have the best overall price and we clearly have the best overall value. at that

we offer the most modern facilities and the most diversity.”

as if Talamore didn’t spoil its Members enough. Before the addition of applecross, Talamore already provided a Multi-Club Membership thanks to the

highly-acclaimed Talamore Golf resort in Pinehurst, n.C. and its two championship golf courses: the Talamore resort Course designed by rees Jones and the private Mid South Club penned by arnold Palmer.

after applecross came along, the number of courses in the Talamore family grew to four and the number of first-rate amenities became countless.

“Most clubs have one option for golf, limited or aging amenity options and very few choices for Membership,” said GM Hazelwood. “we have multiple plans for Membership designed to fit every lifestyle and budget. four highly acclaimed championship golf courses. all of our clubs have pools. all of our clubs have fitness centers and tennis. on top of all those facilities we have a very active social

and golf lifestyle, extremely active with more than 30 social and 30 golf oriented events at eaCH of our Clubs every year.”

what’s impressive to the Membership is that all of the additions match the majesty of the original.

Talamore Country Club opened to rave reviews in 1995, roughly 70 years since golf was first played on the 340-acre property off route 63 in ambler, Pa. when the course was first known as Pine run Golf Club, later to become known as oak Terrace Country Club. it’s a little known fact that Talamore was designed by its owner Bob levy, Jr. in conjunction with land planner David Cavanaugh. This was levy’s second course after a few years earlier constructing the rees Jones-designed Talamore resort Course in Pinehurst.

The Montgomery County club, known for its abundance of aesthetically pleasing, yet punishing hazards in the form of creeks, ponds and wetlands, provides a stunning setting for golf. The par-71 layout can be tackled from one of five sets of tees, stretching to a deceptively sinister 6,700 from the black tees and a beginner-friendly 5,000 yards from the greens.

The five sets of tees allow Members to steer clear of monotony, providing plenty of options for golfers to attempt to tame Talamore. That task will become a little less daunting when current golf course renovation work, influenced by that initial visit to applecross, is complete.

“we’re in the middle of a multi-year program whereby we are taking a scalpel to the canvas to fine tune the Talamore design to be more in keeping with today’s standards and expectations of our Members,” said Superintendent John roedell who is supervising all work with his own crews.

roedell went on to add, “we’re actually taking what we’ve seen here at applecross and adapting to match the new trends in golf course design. Talamore was designed in the early 90’s and the design philosophy for golf courses back then was pretty much

incredible options abound at the Talamore family of clubsBy Nate Oxman


exTra holes

The newest addition to the talamore family of clubs


a single lane approach to well bunkered/guarded greens. what we learned out here from the applecross design is that golfers that don’t want to attack the pin want to have a bailout option. So what we’re doing at Talamore is going back and taking out some bunkers around greens, and softening the golf course in certain ways so the average golfer can have an easier time around the greens. we’re doing this hole by hole without interrupting so much as an hour of play and without any temporary greens. it is a very well thought out project that has already achieved stunning results with absolutely no disruption to our Members.”

when it comes to golf instruction and practice facilities Management is taking what has been successful at Talamore and bringing it to applecross as well.

Since coming to Talamore in 2008, the lou Guzzi Golf academy has grown into one of the leading golf instruction facilities in the tri-state area.

led by Guzzi, a nationally recognized instructor who recently was awarded his second Philadelphia Section PGa Teacher of the year honor (2010) and named one of the top 100 teachers in the country by Golf Magazine, the lou Guzzi Golf academy prides itself on providing unrivaled personalized instruction to golfers of all ages and ability levels. Junior programs and beginner clinics for men and women are also available. instruction is available to Members and non Members. lessons can be booked online at louguzzi.com.

Students can take advantage of its state-of-the-art 2,000-square-foot teaching center year round and also Talamore’s exquisite five-acre short-game area. The teaching center at Talamore features two teaching bays, with doors that open out onto Talamore’s driving range to allow for

foul and cold weather instruction, and internal offices to analyze a student’s swing via high-tech video and discuss individual goals. along with its indoor-outdoor capabilities, the teaching center is complete with a wood burning stove for wintertime lessons and even a fire-side chat and glass of brandy with lou himself.

on the heels of the academy’s success, applecross will be getting its own teaching center. once a similar teaching center is constructed this summer on the expansive bent grass driving range complete with bunkered target greens, former Philadelphia Section Teacher of the year and applecross Director of instruction eric MacCluen will have the resources to offer another outstanding option for golf instruction for applecross Members and non Members.

known for his work with junior golfers, MacCluen, named one of the Top 50 Teachers in america by uS kids Golf, leads a talented group of golf professionals at applecross including Mike Tobiason who qualified this year for the uS open at Congressional, Pete lovenguth, former Head Professional from Downingtown CC and kristen McCurdy who brings numerous junior and collegiate golf accolades with her.

“we’re very fortunate to have lou Guzzi and eric MacCluen, both Philadelphia Section PGa teachers of the year” said Justin Meyers, the GM at applecross. “we’re a big believer in the idea that golf instruction is at the root of how to grow the game for new players and enhance the game for existing Members. we made a big investment at Talamore and applecross in constructing the area’s premier indoor/outdoor teaching centers. our commitment to growing the game and teaching golf to all levels is unparalleled.”

Changes are also on the way in the restaurant/banquet sector at both clubs.

Talamore is in the final planning stages for major Member Dining improvements,” said Senior food and Beverage Director ed rubin. “we’re looking at redesigning and expanding our Member dining areas to take care of each of our Member groups including families, golfers and casual diners so we can provide an overall better Club dining experience.”

when applecross reaches 500 homes in approximately 2015 a new clubhouse will be constructed to include multiple dining areas, expansive decks overlooking 18 and modern day Member locker facilities. Current amenities at applecross are awe inspiring as they include an all-season recreation center boasting an olympic-size outdoor swimming pool, an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, lighted tennis courts and a 10,000-square-foot Sports Pavilion with state of the art cardio and weight-training equipment and exercise studio for group classes.

“Those are all of the things we’re doing to stay on pace and be recognized as the premier modern day country club in the area. in order to keep pace today you’ve got to really look at and understand your Member and their Club needs. Today’s Member is totally different than a Member from 20 years ago,” said GM Hazelwood.

Together they truly make the Talamore family of Clubs the area’s most diverse golf Membership.

For more information about Talamore

Country Club or Applecross Country

Club, visit

www.TalaMorePa.CoM

exTra holes

talamore teaching academy talamore resort’s world-class pool

The incredible aCe Club, a Gary Player designed championship golf course from 2003 was the venue for

the Golfweek amateur Tour Philly Metro tournament on Sunday June 5th, 2011. Thirty-four tour members in five flights competed on an overcast afternoon. The Philly Metro Tour was pleased to welcome members from the Metro ny and Charlotte tours to the event. The golf course was in immaculate condition, and tested everyone’s game, particularly the CHaMP flight who played it from ‘the tips’ at 7,471 yards! PGa Professional kris Catalano performed trick-shots on the range and entertained the field before the tournament. The event raised $185.00 for the Golfweek amateur Tour’s charity partner, Stand up 2 Cancer.

in the Championship flight, Michael Mann eeked out a 1 stroke victory from ‘the tips’ with a great round of 81, which included 2 birdies. Tour newcomer Mike Carr was one stroke back with an 82.

The a flight, which played from ‘only’ 7108 yards, went to a two-hole playoff. Derek isbrandt and Dennis Begley both carded rounds of 84, with one birdie each. isbrandt’s Par 4 on the second playoff hole gave him the victory, his first on the Golfweek aGT.

in the B flight, which played a course of 6702 yards, anthony white won with a round of 79, giving him a 3-stroke victory over Phil VanGeersdaelen (who plays on the Charlotte, nC tour). white carded an excellent even-par 36 on the front nine, which included a birdie on the 4th hole.

The C flight champion Tim Turner distanced himself from the field with a round of 85, for a 10-stroke victory over ken wilson. Turner made a nice birdie on the Par 4 8th hole; he was 3 over par on the front nine! The C & D flights played from 6,284 yards.

in the D flight, kyle Mazza made our tour’s first ever eagle when he holed a 100 yard pitching wedge on the Par 4 5th hole for a ‘2’. kyle also made birdie on the Par 3 14th hole for a round of 90, which included a 2-stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball on the 18th hole! He won the flight by 2 strokes over Dan Carter.

The Philly Metro Tour moves on to Bellewood Golf Club, a private course near Pottstown, Pa for the Golfweek aGT open on Saturday June 18 at 12:00 PM.

The ace club challenges gWaT philly metro members & guests June 5th 2011


Walk $13 - Ride $18Monday - Thursday 5:15 Start Time, Friday - Sunday 4pm Start Time

TwilighT RaTes- UnlimiTed Play

ThRifTy TUesdayWalk 9 Holes– $10 Ride 9 Holes–$17

Walk 18 Holes– $17 Ride 18 Holes–$24

dRiving Range OPenmembeRshiP available

Greg Jarmas, Cobbs Creek GC and ari flaisher, McCall G&CC clinched the 44th

Philadelphia Better-Ball Championship with as Greg Jarmas rolled in a 12 foot birdie putt on the last to top Steve owens, Jr., John f. Byrne GC and Chris Thude, Torresdale-frankford CC, by a shot. it was the first PPGa for both flaisher and Jarmas.

early in the round, owens and Thude looked like they would be hoisting the trophy at the end of the day as they sprinted four shots ahead of the eventual champions after eight holes with a front-9 score of 30, highlighted by an eagle two by owens at the 297-yard par-4, eighth. owens, who will defend his Publinks Championship in two weeks at Jeffersonville GC, is not stranger to the PPGa winners circle as he emerged victorious in the 1998 Philadelphia open amateur Championship in addition to last year’s Publinks Championship. for owens and Thude, it is their second runner-up finish of the season in as many events, also finishing second in the Publinks Better-Ball Championship at Turtle Creek GC in May.

for Jarmas, a sophomore-to-be at Princeton university and a 2010 PPGa College Scholarship recipient and flaisher, assistant Golf Coach at rosemont College, they entered the week with high expectations and hoped to be in the conversation coming to the back nine on Sunday. Paired with owens and Thude in the final group on Sunday, the eventual winners knew exactly what they had to do. finding themselves four-shots behind with only seven holes to go, they were helped by back-to-back bogies by owens and Thude on the long 614-yard, par-5 twelfth and the difficult 447-yard par-4 thirteenth to trim the lead to two. a birdie at the 275-yard par-4 fourteenth by flaisher trimmed the lead to a single stroke. another bogey by owens and Thude and the teams were tied with three holes to go. after trading pars on sixteen and birdies on seventeen, the stage was set for Jarmas. after lacing his hybrid down the middle of the fairway, Jarmas lofted a 9-iron from 123 yards to twelve feet setting up the dramatic clinching putt. after dodging misses for birdie from 20 feet by Thude and 15 feet by owens, Jarmas calmly drained the winning putt.

Playing in their first PPGa event, the father-son duo of Scott Mcneil and his father John finished third, firing a final round 68, tying Jarmas and flaisher for the low round of the day. Gordon Dunlop iii and Steven Gerhart of Bensalem CC finished fourth while Jason and Steve loehrs finished in a three way tie for fifth with ken Gaskill and Mark Battista and Tony Carroll and Jim Durante.

in the senior division, ken Gaskill and Mark Battista successfully defended their senior championship with a score of 4-under par, 138. Gaskill and Battista jumped out early again this year grabbing the first round lead by three with a 3-under par 68. The 68 was highlighted by an eagle two at the fourteenth by Battista, who last year made it through qualifying for the uSGa Senior open Championship played at Sahalee CC in Sammamish, washington. The winners carded five birdies in round two against two bogies and a double bogey for a final round 1-under par 70 which was enough for a three-shot victory over Tony Carroll and Jim Durante. richard Timbrell and Denis Johnson finished third in the senior division with a score of 3-over par 145.

Jarmas and flaisher capture philadelphia better-ball championship



robert kleckner fell in love with linfield national Golf Club when the

former owners recruited him to the daily-fee facility in linfield, Pa. in 2001.

Prior to arriving at the Montgomery County club located between routes 422 and 724, kleckner had honed his skills as a PGa golf professional at some of the most prestigious private clubs in the Philadelphia Section PGa.

Successful stints as an assistant professional at Cherry Valley Country Club in Skillman, n.J., Commonwealth national Golf Club in Horsham, and Gulph Mills Golf Club in king of Prussia as well as a childhood spent soaking up countless bits of wisdom from his parents, prepared kleckner for a future running his own club.

“i credit my mom and dad for giving me a great upbringing, a great foundation,” said kleckner. “and then the head professionals who i’ve worked for: Steve oltman, Steve Philbrook, Terry Hertzog, willie Scholl, and Dave Craig have given me wonderful ideas and things that i can implement in this business.”

kleckner was given the reigns to the day-to-day operation at linfield national GC, where he served for 10 years as both general manager and head PGa professional until april 1, when he added yet another hat to his rack: owner.

“i’ve worked at four other clubs in the Philadelphia area and they have each provided a great platform to help me make this transition,” said kleckner, who also spent time at Middletown Country Club, a highly-respected public course in langhorne, Pa.

kleckner is ecstatic about the future of his club and its centerpiece, a 6,365-yard, Par 71 layout chock full of dramatic elevation changes and challenging golf holes. a former cattle farm that was transformed into Sycamore ridge Golf Course by the original owners in 1997, linfield national GC was born in 2001 after a new ownership team took control,

constructed an adjacent adult golf course community, and gave the golf course a facelift as well as a new name.

“it’s not just a cut-out track,” said kleckner. “There are some elevation changes. There are some very difficult holes of various lengths. The greens are always in great condition. i feel like it’s a course that you can play over and over again and not get tired of. it makes you want to come back and play again.”

To ensure that longtime linfield national customers keep coming back, klecker said his first priority is “…getting the golf course to be one of the best-conditioned golf courses in the area.“ it’s a task kleckner knows is essential to linfield national’s long-term success.

“with over 60 golf courses in Montgomery County, we need a reason why a golfer should come back here more than once,” said kleckner, who also operated Heritage links Golf Course, a nine-hole public course in ocean View, n.J. “They want great conditions. They want a great atmosphere. and they want a great value. Those are my goals to provide to my golfers.”

kleckner also provides golfers with affordable rates, highlighted by an array of enticing specials - including a customer/business person appreciation rate of $20.11 to ride 18 holes (or more) on Mondays after 2 p.m. (11 cents of each special booked goes to Greenfield Charities), a friendly, neighborhood bar atmosphere in Mulligan’s Bar & Grille, and a fully-stocked pro shop.

Just three months into his new venture, kleckner is already heading a staff dedicated to fulfilling his vision and he’s

quickly shown that he’s not above taking on any task himself, whether it’s checking in golfers behind the pro shop counter, tending bar at Mulligan’s or touring the golf course to ensure all is running smoothly.

“i think that i’m more of an operating owner,” said kleckner. “i don’t even take it as i’m the owner. This is a team effort. i never ask any of my employees to do anything that i wouldn’t do myself. you have to be hands-on in this business in order to be successful. you need to be here to see the overall day-to-day operation of the club. it’s a big commitment.”

loyal linfield national patrons can rest assured knowing kleckner can handle the job. after all, much like he did during his childhood, he has a family of his own to lean on.

“if it wasn’t for the support of my wife [wendy], who gave me the opportunity to follow my dreams, because there are a lot of people who don’t have that opportunity, i wouldn’t be where i am today,” said kleckner. “Her support has been unbelievable.”

an ecstatic kleckner takes ownership of linfield national golf clubBy Nate Oxman

To contact Robert Kleckner or for more information about Linfield National Golf Club, visit www.linfielDnaTional.CoM,

call 610-495-8455, or send an email to [email protected].

under neW oWnership

tristate golfer magazine summer 2011

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