2013 season - chelsea piers
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A Publication of the Golf Club at Chelsea Pierswww.chelseapiers.com/gc
2013 SeASon
SAnDY WHo?The Golf Club Reboundsfrom Superstorm Sandy Golf: A lifelong Sport
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Dear Golfers,
What a year it’s been! As our regular customers know,
the past year has brought on several significant changes
and developments around the Club; most significantly the
rebuilding of the Golf Club after the devastation brought
by Superstorm Sandy. In this issue, we share the whole
story of how the Chelsea Piers community pulled together
to bounce back after five to six feet of water flooded
the facility.
On another note, the popularity of golf has continued to
grow. Case in point — golf will become an Olympic sport
when the nations of the world gather in Rio de Janeiro in
2016. To truly emphasize the nature of golf as a lifetime
sport, we’ve rolled out two new programs this spring. Tots
Golf offers our littlest golfers the opportunity to learn
the fundamentals of the game with activities designed
specifically for early learning. On the opposite end of the
spectrum, our Senior Golf School provides a supportive
environment for mature golfers to develop greater distance
and consistency. Golf is a sport for all ages, and we’re
working to make sure our program offerings reflect the
lifetime nature of the sport.
This spring, we’ve also named a new leader of our Golf
Academy. Marjorie Jones, a 7-year Golf Club veteran, is
the new Head Golf Professional and Director of Instruction
at the Golf Academy. We’re extremely excited to see
how Marjorie utilizes her skills and expertise to make the
Academy even better.
We’re committed to providing the highest quality of
service possible and are always open to suggestions,
comments or concerns. We look forward to serving you
throughout the season and beyond.
Best Regards,
David Beltre, General Manager 2013
Cal
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A note from the GM
The Golf Club has planned a variety of great events and
special offers for you and your family to enjoy throughout
the year. Schedules are subject to change, so for the
most up-to-date information please call 212.336.6400
or visit chelseapiers.com/gc.
MAY
Member-Guest Days. Tuesday, May 7, and Tuesday,
May 21, from 6:00-8:00pm. Master, Platinum and
Off-Peak Members are invited to bring a guest and enjoy
side-by-side stall reservations, unlimited range balls, and
complimentary swing instruc-
tion from a Golf Academy
professional. RSVP required.
THe PlAYeRS Championship. May 9-12.
Refreshments will be served on Friday from 3:00-6:00pm
and Sunday from 1:30-4:30pm.
Moms Play for free. On Sunday, May 12, Moms
receive a free $20 ball card when a son, daughter or
partner purchases any ball card.
Hawaiian Airlines Swing Tip Station. Visit the Swing
Tip Station and enjoy complimentary swing instruction
Saturday, May 18 from 12:00-4:00pm.
All Golf Club customers can enter for a
chance to win a trip for two to Hawaii.
friday night Swings. The popular Friday night social
outing continues through the month of May. Check the
website for scheduled Fridays from 6:30pm-8:00pm.
Enjoy open beer & wine bar with light refreshments, open
hitting, instruction from our Golf Professionals, and use of
the Full Swing Simulators along with the chance to win
contests and raffle prizes! RSVP at chelseapiers.com/gc.
May Promotion. Sign up for a school and receive two
complimentary tickets to the 2013 Women’s U.S. Open.
JUne
Summer Golf Camp Starts. June 17 - August 30.
Junior golfers ages 6-12 years can enroll for 1, 2 or
more weeks of camp! Visit chelseapiers.com/camps for
more details.
Performance Golf Summer Camp. June 17 - August
9. Intended for more advanced golfers ages 10 & up. For
more information, visit chelseapiers.com/camps.
SponSored by
SponSored by
Schedules are subject to change.
June Promotion. Purchase a Learn to Play
package and receive two complimentary tick-
ets to the 2013 Women’s U.S. Open.
Member-Guest Day Clinics. June 7
and June 21, 12:00-1:00pm. Members are
encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a
complimentary clinic
taught by a Golf
Academy Professional. RSVP required.
US open Championship. June 13-16.
Refreshments will be served on Friday from
3:00-6:00pm and Sunday from 1:30-4:30pm.
Dads Play for free. Purchase any ball card
on Sunday, June 16, and we’ll give Dad an
additional card worth $20.
Hawaiian Airlines Swing Tip Station.
Visit the Swing Tip Station and enjoy compli-
mentary swing instruction Sunday, June 16
from 12:00-4:00pm. All Golf
Club customers can enter for
a chance to win a trip for two
to Hawaii.
friday night Swings. Check the website
for scheduled Fridays from 6:30-8:00pm.
JUlY
Member-Guest Mornings. July 8-12, from
6:30-11:00am. Master, Platinum and Off-
Peak Members are invited to bring a guest
and enjoy side-by-side stall reservations,
unlimited range balls, and complimentary
swing instruction
from a Golf Academy
professional. RSVP required.
Summer Golf league. Starts Tuesday, July
9, and runs for 8 weeks.
Member-Guest Short Game Clinic.
Friday, July 19, from 12:00-1:00pm. Members
are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a
complimentary clinic taught by a Golf Academy
Professional. RSVP
required.
July Promotion. Sign up for a school this
month and receive two complimentary tickets
to the Barclays 2013.
Hawaiian Airlines Swing Tip Station.
Visit the Swing Tip Station and enjoy compli-
mentary swing instruction Saturday, July 20
from 12:00-4:00pm. All Golf
Club customers can enter for
a chance to win a trip for two
to Hawaii.
friday night Swings. Check the website
for scheduled Fridays from 6:30-8:00pm.
AUGUST
learn To Play & Get A Gift! Purchase a
Learn to Play package and receive a putter
courtesy of Cleveland & Srixon.
PGA Championship. August 8-11.
Refreshments will be served on Friday from
3:00-6:00pm and Sunday from 1:30-4:30pm.
Hawaiian Airlines Swing Tip Station.
Visit the Swing Tip Station and enjoy compli-
mentary swing instruction Sunday, August 18
from 12:00-4:00pm. All Golf
Club customers can enter for
a chance to win a trip for two
to Hawaii.
friday night Swings. Check the website for
scheduled dates, Fridays from 6:30-8:00pm.
SePTeMBeR
Member-Guest Clinic. Friday, September
20, from 12:00-1:00pm. Members are
encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a com-
plimentary clinic taught by a Golf Academy
Professional. RSVP
required.
Junior fall Programs Begin. Tuesday,
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday Programs
begin the first week in September. Check out
our website for a schedule of dates and times.
friday night Swings. Check the website for
scheduled dates, Fridays from 6:30-8:00pm.
fall Golf league. The weather may be
cooling off, but Golf League is just warm-
ing up. Leagues available on Tuesdays &
Wednesdays, starting September 24.
Session I:
Tuesdays at 7:30-9:00pm
September 24 - November 12
Session II:
Wednesdays at 7:30-9:00pm
September 25 - November 13
oCToBeR
Customer Appreciation Week. October
7-13. Enjoy Swing Tips, Complimentary
Clinics, Giveaways and Special Promotions.
Golf outing. Details to follow. For more
information, please visit chelseapiers.com/gc.
noVeMBeR
Holiday Shopping. Get a head start on your
holiday shopping with Golf Club gift cards.
Holiday Parties. The Golf Club’s country
club setting is the perfect spot for your corpo-
rate event or private holiday party.
Cleveland & Tommy Hilfiger Promotions.
Be on the lookout for holiday promotions from
Golf Club Sponsors.
DeCeMBeR
Gifts Within Your Range. A gift card from
the Golf Club is the perfect gift for the golf
enthusiast (or novice) on your holiday shopping
list. Online ordering and overnight shipping
available at chelseapiers.com/golfgifts.
School Break Golf Camps (ages 6-16).
Keep your kids active during their school
break. For details visit chelseapiers.com/gc.
2013 Season | The Golf Club at Chelsea piers | page 3
SponSored by
SponSored by
SponSored by
SponSored by
for the most up-to-date information, visit chelseapiers.com/gc or call 212.336.6400.
SponSored by
SponSored by
SponSored by
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A Class A PGA and LPGA Professional,
Marjorie was named one of Golf Digest’s 50 Best
Women Teachers in America in 2010 and was
awarded the LPGA Northeast Section Teacher of the
Year in 2007. Marjorie is also an accomplished player,
having played on both the LPGA and European Tours.
She has been a Legends Tour Member since 2002 and
was named the Metropolitan PGA’s Woman Player of
the Year in 2011.
We recently sat down with Marjorie to learn more
about what she has in store for the Academy.
What excites you most about taking on this new role?
I am as excited today about golf as I was when I
first picked up a club at age 11. It was a challenge from
the beginning, but I fell in love with it right there and then. I’ve
always found golf to be a very personal game — a game that
could be molded into anything I wanted once I learned the basic
fundamentals. It can be competitive or social, a walk in the park or
a business tool. You can be very analytical or artistic and free. You
can learn a lot about yourself and other people through the sport.
I am always happy to get a chance to play and can’t wait
to introduce the game to new people. It’s a thrill
when I see my students start to get hooked. It’s
also very fun to help existing golfers improve so
they are able to get more out of their own games.
Improved shot making is always going to lead to
less frustration and greater enjoyment.
As the new Head Professional and Director
of Instruction, I am really looking forward to
working closely with the Chelsea Piers team to
build on the solid foundation of programming we
have. We will constantly be updating existing
programs and implementing new ones when
needed. Nothing makes me happier than the
opportunity to bring new students to the game of
golf and to give greater enjoyment to those that
already play.
Do you have any particular plans you’d like to implement?
Goals you’d like to attain?
Absolutely! My number one priority is to make learning
golf an enjoyable experience for all students so they want to
learn more and keep playing the game. This can be done by
implementing a teaching philosophy focused on the positive
academy:
Meet Marjorie Jones New Head Professional and Director of Instruction
Marjorie Jones, a Senior Professional at the Golf Club
with over 30 years of professional experience, has been
named the new Head Golf Professional and Director of
Instruction of the Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers.
“Golf is an amazing game that has something for almost
everyone. I believe that by bringing out the most in my
students they can learn to really enjoy the game.”
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by providing students with a road map for success and result-
oriented instruction.
By enhancing this positive learning environment, I expect the
Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers to earn nation-wide recognition
for creativity and innovation in offering high quality, state-of-the-
art, relevant golf programs.
How do you see the Academy growing and developing over
the next few years?
We already have a solid reputation and unique position
in the New York marketplace. Just as we are unique, so are
our students… they represent New York at its best. We need
to keep our programming fresh and in touch with what is
happening in the golf world in order to provide our customers
with the highest quality instruction and programming available.
This philosophy will keep the Academy growing, and we will
continue to attract all levels of golfers to our facility.
Above left: Marjorie at the LPGA Teaching & Club Pro National Championship at Kingsmill, Williamsburg, VA.
Lower right: Taking a shot at an International Tournament at Chateau des Vigiers, France.
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Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed for a
lifetime. The addition of two new programs
at the Academy this spring emphasizes
the all-encompassing nature of the game,
reaching two important age groups with
a wider range of developmentally-specific
program options.
Senior Golf School
The Senior Golf School is a 4-week instructional series cus-
tomized for men and women of all skill levels, ages 55 and
over. This program specifically focuses on achieving greater
distance and consistency. Flexibility and gradual strength
training exercises are incorporated to complement swing
fundamentals and technique.
from the academy:
Golf “fore” every AgeLearn the Game at the Golf Academy
55+ years
What makes golf agood sport for seniors?
Golf truly is a lifetime sport. Adults and children alike can enjoy the game regardless of age or gender. Due to the focus on health and well-ness in today’s society, seniors are interested more than ever in staying active, making golf the perfect activity.
Stay fit and Healthy
Golf is often considered a leisurely sport. However, lose the cart, and it’s a great workout! Walk any course, and you’ll easily log between four and eight miles. This increased cardiovas-cular activity can also lower cholesterol levels, improve muscle tone and reduce body fat.
Improve Mood and Decrease Stress
Any form of exercise results in an endorphin rush. Golf is no different! Endorphins are chemi-cals in the body released into the bloodstream during exercise. When this happens, the body experiences a boost in mood and wellbeing, resulting in reduced stress levels, moderated pain levels and longer lifespans.
Credit: Southernhillsgolfcourse.com
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What makes golf a good sport for children?
By playing golf, children learn tons of valuable life lessons that can translate into everyday life. Fair play, etiquette, sportsmanship, concentra-tion and an appreciation for the great outdoors all help make golf an ideal game for kids.
Honor and etiquette
Golf is about following the rules on your own. There is no referee around to make sure everyone plays fairly. Golf also requires certain etiquette, taking turns, staying quiet during an opponent’s swing, respecting the grounds and even wearing nice clothes. Children introduced to these lessons early on are likely to carry that sense of honor into the classroom and in life.
Patience, but not Boredom
If there is one sport that demands patience and self-control, it’s golf. Focus and a clear mind are as important to success as the correct grip and a balanced swing. Also, though golfers take turns throughout the course of a match, the wait between shots is never too long. Golf keeps you moving.
Anyone Can Play!
Unlike other sports, where certain body types tend to excel, golf works for little kids and big kids alike. Children of all builds and body types can find success and self-confidence on the golf course.
A Hobby for life
Golf provides the basis for a lifelong connection to a constructive influence. Lessons learned on the golf course stay with children as they grow, and the experiences created on the golf course always carry a special meaning for those who love the game.
Credit: Livestrong.com
4-5 years
Tots Golf SchoolDesigned specifically for children ages 4-5, Tots Golf serves
as a comprehensive introduction to the game of golf. Young
students learn the fundamentals of the game while develop-
ing skills, knowledge and etiquette in a safe and nurturing
environment.
Throughout each 4-week session, our experienced teaching
staff introduces and develops the elements of grip, stance,
posture, and swing technique to young golfers. All activities
and exercises are specifically designed for early learning. The
goal of Tots Golf is for each child to come away with a love
for the game, and with the skills necessary for future growth.
Visit the Golf AcademyOur friendly staff is always on-hand to inform you about programs at
the Golf Academy. To learn more or to register, call 212.336.6400
or email gcacad@chelseapiers.com.
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On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy
ravaged the Greater New York City area.
Though minor flooding was expected at
Chelsea Piers, no one was prepared for the
nearly five feet of water that washed through
the facility, causing tremendous damage
throughout the 28-acre sports complex.
As news of the pending Hurricane
Sandy grew increasingly alarming, the own-
ers of Chelsea Piers knew their riverside
sports and entertainment complex would
not survive the “super storm” unscathed. In
preparation for the storm, electronics were
moved onto tables, outdoor fixtures were
secured, sandbags were placed along every
doorway and corridor, and an overnight crew
was assigned to keep an eye on the expan-
sive complex.
Nevertheless, the damage left was more
than they could have ever imagined.
David Beltre, General Manager of the
Golf Club, was a part of the overnight crew
that braved the storm. “As I watched the
Hudson River creep in toward the tee line, I
decided to head inside and inspect the rest
of the facility,” explained Beltre. “When I got
inside, the water was already rushing in. We
took in three feet of water during about a
20-minute time period. It was unbelievable.”
By the end of the storm, five feet of water
had rushed through Chelsea Piers, causing
millions of dollars in damage. Though only
ground-level businesses suffered structural
damage, the electrical systems for the com-
plex were completely flooded, requiring the
entire facility to remain closed while repairs
were made.
“In the aftermath of the storm, it was
obvious that the rebuild would be a tremen-
dous effort,” stated Beltre. “We knew we
needed to get to work and open our doors
as soon as possible for our customers.”
And that’s exactly what the Chelsea
Piers team set out to do. On Wednesday,
October 30th, just one day after the storm,
200 Chelsea Piers employees — from
San
dy
Wh
o?
Reb
uild
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afte
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e w
ater
rec
eede
d.
The flooded entrance to the Golf Club.
A car drives out of the facility at 18th Street.
Waterline almost to the door handles at the Golf Club entrance.
The morning after the storm. The height and strength of the water left docks airborne.
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hockey coaches and personal trainers to security
guards and administrative staff — showed up in work
clothes to begin the massive clean-up.
Everything had to be gutted. It took the first three
weeks alone to remove all the debris and complete
the demolition made necessary by Sandy.
Chelsea Piers’ employees continued to toil away,
working around the clock in order to try to meet their
aggressive reopening goal. Miraculously, they did it —
the majority of Chelsea Piers’ businesses reopened
to customers on December 3, 2012, a mere five
weeks after the storm; the Golf Club reopened on
December 15th.
Although the damage to Chelsea Piers was crip-
pling, Beltre spoke fondly of the immense outpouring
of both customer and employee support. “All of
our patrons were so compassionate and understand-
ing. We received many letters of support — some
even offered to lend a hand if needed. Though
Sandy was a terrible disaster, it was a true testament
to the character of our employees, customers, and
the amazing camaraderie we have here in the
Chelsea Piers family.”
Chelsea Piers would like to extend its most sincere
gratitude to our valued customers for their compassion
and understanding during the time it took to rebuild.
The morning after the storm. The height and strength of the water left docks airborne. Damaged fairway and targets rearanged by the currents. Massive clean-up and recovery begins in the lobby.
Immense rebuilding efforts underway in the first floor hallway.
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One of the nation’s leading year-round golf teaching academies,
the Golf Academy prides itself on providing a wide variety of programming
to serve every golfer, whether you are new to the game, haven’t played
in years or are just trying to brush up on your skills!
BeGInneR BASICS
Golf 101 is a one-day, 90-minute school specifically designed
to be your first step to playing golf. The class focuses on golf’s
fundamentals with the ultimate goal of giving you a basic under-
standing of the golf course layout, equipment and etiquette
so that you can begin learning with confidence. Offered most
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am.
foR THe neW GolfeR
Each Beginner School (I and II) consists of 90-minute classes
that meet at the same time once a week for 4 consecutive
weeks. They are designed for golfers to learn and execute the
fundamentals of various golf swings and strokes. Golfers also
participate in one-on-one video swing analysis with the teaching
professional for an in-depth study of the student’s swing. Upon
completion, golfers should feel prepared to get out onto a golf
course and make solid contact with the ball. 90-minute class
once a week, 4 consecutive weeks.
foR AnY GolfeR
One of the most popular items at the Golf Academy, 5 and
10 packs of 1-hour private lessons are customized around
the student. From beginners to low handicappers, anyone can
benefit from a series of lessons with the Academy’s world-class
instructors. Packages are ideal for those that prefer individual
instruction and more scheduling flexibility.
THe ToTAl PACKAGe
The Learn to Play Package is designed to introduce novice
golfers to the game. Students progress though a series of
schools to gain the skills necessary to play confidently on a
course. The package culminates with a one-hour private lesson.
With the Learn to Play package, new golfers receive 14.5 hours
of instruction at a 20% discount. Packages expire one year from
the date of purchase and include:
• Golf 101
• Beginner or Women’s School I
• Beginner or Women’s School II
• One hour private lesson
The Golf Academy has several other offerings including
specialty schools and TPI fitness screenings. for more
information and a complete class listing, please visit
chelseapiers.com/gc.
from the academy:
DRIVe SAfelY, SCHOOL’S IN SESSION
Purchase a learn To Play Package &
receive two Chelsea Piers Passports.
Passports allow you to enjoy all the other sports
that Chelsea Piers has to offer! (a $120 value)
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Wild Turkey Golf Course at Crystal Springsby Tim Townsend, Senior PGA Chelsea Piers Professional
The Wild Turkey Golf Course in Hamburg, New Jersey, is truly
one of my favorite courses in the area. A part of the renowned
group of Crystal Springs championship courses, Wild Turkey is
highlighted by breathtaking views of the New Jersey countryside.
The topography is best described as “basin & ridge,” and the
layout combines sheer expansiveness with rugged, multi-elevated
terrain. Year after year, Wild Turkey is consistently rated as one of
the best public golf courses in New Jersey.
For advanced players, the championship tees can create a
challenging day at the links, but the forward tees make it playable
for golfers of all skill levels. The course is
spacious, and each hole has great char-
acter. The conditions are always pristine,
and the greens are undulating and true.
If you like golf, give this course a try — it’s
certainly worth the trip.
Tim Townsend is a Senior PGA Professional and has been at Chelsea Piers for over 12 years. To book a lesson with Tim, call 212.336.6444.
Course Review
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from the academy:
Advice from the Pros
The Golf Academy’s staff of experienced teaching professionals offers some
helpful insights into some of golf’s most common questions and topics.
HoW To PlAY In WeT ConDITIonS
Marjorie Jones, Head Pro
I recently played in a golf tournament where it rained the
entire week. My best advice is to be
prepared for rain by bringing extra
towels, rain gear, waterproof shoes, an
umbrella, and food and drinks. It makes
golfing in bad weather much easier
and really quite fun. It also helps to
familiarize yourself with the rules. You
are allowed to get relief from casual water, which is a temporary
accumulation of water that is visible before or after you take your
stance. Most people don’t realize that they can move the ball,
which usually ends up costing strokes. Being prepared for the
weather conditions and getting yourself more comfortable with
the rules will help with the enjoyment of the game.
SHARPen YoUR SHoRT GAMe
Allan Renz, Director of Schools
Haven’t played in a while? Shake off
the rust and see how you can improve
for the upcoming season. Maybe it’s the
driver, maybe it’s your approach shot.
My bet, however, is that almost every
golfer really needs to sharpen his or
her short game to get the most out of
the golf season.
Regardless of your handicap, a sharper short game can help
chisel strokes off your scorecard more quickly than anything.
Take my advice and work from the hole, backwards.
Master the short putts. By becoming proficient from 6’-8’
and in, you can take a lot of heat off of your chipping and
pitching. This is where the break is usually minimized. Then, it all
boils down to stroke mechanics.
Become a better lag putter. The only way to practice this
is on the putting green. Take two balls and choose putts of
varying lengths, roughly 15’-45’. Putt the first one and learn from
it, then hit the second. Work on getting your eyes and hands to
work together.
Quiet hands for better chipping and pitching. The biggest
mistake I see amateurs make on their short shots is getting the
hands too involved. Chips and short pitch shots require the wrist
action to be minimized so the club path and speed are controlled
by the body core rotation.
Work on these short game basics and see your scores drop!
new to golf, or just want to sharpen your gme? Contact the Golf Academy at 212.336.6444.
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PUTT BReAKS John Hobbins
There are three factors
that control the break of
a putt: 1) The distance
of the putt to the hole;
2) The angle of the ball to the hole
relative to the uphill; 3) The speed of the
green. Once you identify these factors,
you can determine how much break
to play.
THe DRIVeR Tim Townsend
The driver is one of the
clubs you have to hit
well to have a decent
round. It’s the longest
and least lofted club in the bag, which
exaggerates even the slightest error. As
you swing the driver, the shaft should
be on about a 45 degree plane. Most
people slice the driver because they
are swinging the club too vertically.
Ideally, you want to sweep the ball off
of the tee with the club coming in low
to the ground.
GReen SPeeDS Tom Guy
To avoid unnecessary
three-putts, it’s very
important to understand
that different greens
have different speeds. The best way
to gain understanding of these speed
variences is to walk out 10, 20, and
30 feet on the putting green, place
a tee at each spot, and practice
hitting putts to each distance. This will
accustom you to the various conditions
and green speeds. The ability to judge
distance on putts is more important
than accuracy.
fAIRWAY BUnKeR Chance Scheffing
If you happen to land in
a fairway bunker, always
be sure to take a club
that can get your ball
over any obstructions, such as a high lip.
If you have a clear shot, take an extra
club and choke up about a 1/2”. Then,
move the ball back in stance and strive
to hit the ball before the sand.
PRACTICe PlAnS Chris Stoudt
I often see amateurs
practicing without a
plan. However, without a
plan, you won’t improve.
Practice sessions shouldn’t consist of
hitting shot after shot at the practice
range with no target. Create a routine
and establish clear cut goals for what you
want to accomplish. You’ll be happy to
see your scores drop much more quickly.
GReenSIDe BUnKeR Joshua Myers
Most average players
radically change their
technique for greenside
bunker shots. Instead,
keep it as simple as possible. Pretend
you’re hitting a 50-yard shot from the
grass… with a bunker setup. Open the
face a few degrees, position the ball
two inches forward from the middle of
stance, and aim your body slightly left of
the target. Make a normal full swing, with
some speed, and slap the sand two to
three inches behind the ball. Be sure and
finish with the club behind your neck, and
allow your chest and eyes to turn and
face the target. Remember, the goal is to
be putting on your next shot!
GRIP PReSSURe Jeffrey Anderson
One of the most
basic, but overlooked,
fundamentals in the
game is grip pressure.
Typically, when the grip pressure is
too tight, it forces the club face open
and leads to shots missed to the right.
Conversely, if it’s too soft, it will allow the
clubface to over rotate, causing a miss
to the left. Experiment with your grip
pressure to straighten out your ball flight.
WeIGHT SHIfT Clayton Balch
Making solid contact with
the ball mainly derives
from one thing—weight
shift. To increase the
probability of making solid contact with
the ball, it is essential to have most of
your weight on your front side at impact.
Try eliminating any weight shift from
the backswing; then, move forward just
before starting the downswing. This will
help you strike the ball better every time.
BoDY RoTATIon Andia Winslow
Proper turn mechanics
are crucial in establishing
consistent swings. One
way to create, and
maintain, a proper “shoulder turn” or
“spine angle rotation” is to imagine one’s
sternum as captain of the proverbial ship.
At address, the sternum faces the ball.
While maintaining proper posture, the
sternum rotates the torso away from the
ball during the backswing, once again
faces the ball at impact and finally leads
the body down the target line and into a
tall balanced position to finish the swing.
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Since the start of their work with Chris, brothers Luke and
Andrew Sample have competed in dozens of junior tournaments
in the region as well as several national invitational events. Luke,
just nine years old, notched his biggest victory in September
when his scores of 77-76 edged a national and international
field to win his age group in the 2012 Seaview Open in Galloway,
New Jersey. This spring, Luke transitioned to the International
Junior Golf Tour’s (IJGT) 14 and under division, competing on
6,200-yard layouts against players five years his senior. In March,
a seven-year old Andrew earned a remarkable third place finish
against a field of 8-12 year olds on the IJGT’s Discovery Tour.
Mainstays on the US Kids Junior Golf Tour, the brothers will
compete for the third straight year among the world’s best in
their respective age groups at the US Kids World Championships
in Pinehurst, North Carolina this August.
Chris has been a tremendous coach to the young golfers,
but he insists that their success is no accident. “Three times a
week the Sample brothers can be found at the Golf Academy
developing their game,” says Chris. “They work hard and their
results show it.”
Every week, both Luke and Andrew come in for their lessons
and go through an extensive practice routine that Chris has
set into place. Everything is done with specific goals in mind,
and they work strategically to achieve them. Chris keeps a log
of every round, tallying every stroke to track their success and
monitor their progression.
Their father, James, has been very impressed with the results
he has seen in his sons. “Chris’s knowledge of the golf swing is
outstanding, but his humble approach is never overbearing in
the slightest,” says James. “As a teacher, he combines excellent
foundational methods with modern technological tools in a way
that is profoundly effective.”
Chris’s instruction extends beyond the Piers, as he is always
in close communication with James. He even accompanies
the boys to many of their tournaments, serving as their coach
on the course.
“Chris is so much more than a great swing coach; he has
become a close family friend and a trusted mentor. When the
boys compete in tournaments, they go from the 18th green to
the scoring area to turn in their cards. Then, they immediately
seek James or me to borrow a cell phone because they can
hardly wait to call Chris. When kids are that enthusiastic
about someone, you know the person is truly special.”
— Joanne Sample, Mother of Luke and Andrew
The Sample brothers’ hard work continues to pay off as
Luke and Andrew have already experienced great success
early in the 2013 season. They are poised to take on the rest of
the year with a schedule already filled with tournaments across
the country.
junior golf spotlight:
A Perfect Trioby Peter verDorn
Two years ago, Chelsea Piers Teaching Professional, Chris Stoudt, took on the challenge of coaching two very talented junior golfers. Little did he know just how much the boys’ passion and ability would grow as they trained with him at the Golf Academy.
2013 Season | The Golf C
lub at Chelsea Piers | Page 15
The Golf Club is an ideal location for your next event. our private event spaces can host receptions,
parties or meetings for as few as 4 to as many as 80, with full-service technological capabilities,
state-of-the-art presentation equipment, and beautiful views of the Hudson river.
With its riverside views, country club setting, and one-of-a-kind activity offerings, there is no better
place to celebrate with friends, close the big deal, or bond with your team.
The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers 212.336.6400 www.chelseapiers.com/gc
EvEnTs aT ThE Golf Club
©20
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