The View Point

"Our lakeside chalet was one of the most comfortable accommodations ever! Beautiful setting, including the majestic Mt. Shasta." ~ Cameron & Lisa
 

 April should be full of promise. We have the “Masters Sweeps” coming up on Saturday April 7^th and we are still accepting entries for our Match Play Championship beginning in May. On those rainy days in March, we set up an indoor practice area in the Pro Shop. We even gave video lessons to some of our members. We agreed not to post those videos on You Tube;  however, they would have been very entertaining. Speaking of entertaining, we have some fun little tournaments planned for our members this year. We will have a Mr. and Mrs. Championship, a Flag Tournament, a Nutshell Championship, a Blind Partners event, a Goat Tournament, and the ever popular “Beat The Pro” series. Stop by the Pro Shop and we’ll give you all the details.
 

 What if you were playing in the Club Championship Tournament finals and the match was halved at the end of 17 holes. You have the honor and hit your tee shot down the middle on the par five 18th, but not that far. Your fellow competitor hooks his tee shot way left into the trees. Being the golfing gentleman that you are, you help your opponent look for his ball. Just before the permitted five minute search period ends, your opponent says, “Go ahead and hit your second shot and if I don’t find my ball in time, I’ll concede the match.”  You hit your second shot and leave yourself a wedge to the green. About the time your second shot comes to rest, you hear your opponent exclaim from the trees to the left, “I found it”. Then you hear the sound of a club striking a ball. The ball comes sailing out of the woods and lands a bit closer to the green than you. You proceed to hit your third shot and end up with a ten foot putt for birdie. Your opponent hits his third shot no more than six inches from the hole. Now, here is the ethical dilemma. Do you pull the cheating opponents ball out of your pocket and confront him with it, or do you keep your mouth shut?
 

 During our recent inclement weather, we  became creative and set up an indoor    practice area in the Pro Shop. It became quite popular with resort guests as well as some of our members. Little Kelly Johnson and Bill Lachenmyer were given video lessons by the Pro and found it to be very helpful. Afterwards, we all viewed the swings on TV and were able to offer some free advice. Some golfers don’t want to see their swing in action.

 

Senior players often struggle with their golf swing due to lack of flexibility. They just have a hard time making a full shoulder turn on their backswing. For maximum power, you should try to feel like your left shoulder is pointing behind the ball as you complete your backswing. A good drill is to stand erect and cradle a sack of potatoes in front of you, both palms facing up of course. Now slowly turn so your back is facing the target. Now, slowly turn forward until your tummy faces the target. You’ll notice a distinct weight shift back and through. You’ll also develop some flexibility in your torso and hips.

 A friend told me that his wife had a terrible habit of staying up till two o’clock in the morning. I asked him what she was doing at that time of morning. He said, “Waiting for me to come home”.
 
The driver swing speed of an average lady golfer is 62mph. An LPGA Professional averages 96mph.
 
The driver swing speed of the average male golfer is 84mph. A PGA Professional averages 108mph.
 
Tiger Woods averages 130mph. Men in the National Long Drive Championship average 150mph.

 Guy Crispi and Don Gray are part of a regular group of members that play here at MSR at least twice a week. Their swings are quite different in style, but their handicaps are nearly the same.

Guy has been a member here since 1997 and Don has been a member since 1994. They are both full of fun and excitement on the golf course and always bring a ready smile. Guy has a swing that is a little long and aggressive. Don’s swing is a bit more conventional and stylish. Either player would serve as a good partner in a two man better ball or a scramble. They are both good putters and ete with the right attitude.
 

 Stop by the Pro Shop and let us know who you think will win the Masters and what their four day total might be. If you select the correct player and come closest to his final score, you will win a new Taylor Made putter. By the way, all of our new merchandise for 2012 will arrive no later than May 1^st. Come in and use some of those gift certificates you’ve been saving.