Here's a great opportunity for senior golfers to learn the secrets of senior power golf. Bill Galloway, former PGA Tour Member, and myself will be hosting a golf clinic exclusively for seniors at Dutch Hollow Country Club. Friday the 13th of July could be your lucky day.

The program starts at 9 a.m. with a clinic on the mentioned topic, followed by nine holes of golf with cart included so you can try out your new swing keys, a free lunch and a discussion on the golf swing. Cost for the entire entire package is $25 per person, and the clinic is limited to the first 40 registrants. Call 784-5052 to register and be sure to bring a lawn chair for the clinic.

The spring 2007 issue of the NYSGA (New York State Golf Association) News contains some very interesting articles. One discussion by Joseph Nestor dissects the topic of who is the greatest golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods. Nestor goes on to say that when using the term “greatest,” you must include everyone who could be considered, and brings Ben Hogan into the equation. Nestor quotes an article by Dave Anderson that was printed in the Aug. 1, 1997, issue of Golf World, shortly after the death of Hogan.

Anderson compares major records of all the great champions, just as Tiger Woods was beginning his “magnificent journey into golf greatness.” What conclusion did Anderson reach? “Hardly a man is now around who could compare to Bobby Jones, Hogan or Nicklaus at their best. But before the U.S Open at Southern Hills, I asked Tommy Bolt... to compare Nicklaus to Hogan. He thought for a moment then cast his vote. 'All I know, I've seen Nicklaus watch Hogan practice. I've never seen Hogan watch Nicklaus practice.” The final conclusion: Remember and treasure all the great champions for the great moments they have provided.

Fifteen years ago, 1986 NYS Junior champ Tom Scherrer advanced to the finals of the U.S. Amateur before losing to Justin Leonard 8 and 7 at Muirfield Village G.C. in Dublin, Ohio.

Do you have any tournament results that you would like printed. Send the results to jllombo@verizon.net to get them in this column. Do you know your course record under tournament conditions or otherwise? Send the record numbers with your course name and record setter and we will get them in.

The major factor in rating a golf course is the Effective Playing Length of the course as a scratch and bogey golfer would play the course with their respective abilities. The measured course yardage is adjusted by the rating team's determined effect of roll, elevation change, doglegs and layup shots, and for a few New York courses above 3,000 feet, wind and altitude. Obstacles are also taken into account in the proximity of the line of play and the landing areas for tee shots, and include lie and stance topography, fairway landing area, green target size, recoverability and rough, bunkers, extreme rough, water hazards, trees, green surface contours and speed, and the possible psychological effects of all obstacles on any given hole. An interesting process. Thanks to the NYSGA News.

See you on the links!