May
10
SUPER STUDENT SHOTS
May 10, 2007 |
This is perhaps the best page on our website! This will be an avenue to celebrate great successes by our students. When you do something of note please add your feats to this page, for it to be enjoyed by all!
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17 Comments so far
CONGRATULATIONS to ART REBELLO; Art just had a hole-in-one (his fourth) on May 5 at Green Valley Country Club, in Portsmouth, RI. Playing into a very stiff wind, Art aced the 147 par-3 12th. hole, with a 6 iron. Art, was a very good player when we first had the chance to work with him four years ago: he is a now a 1 handciap.
CONGRATULATIONS: DANA DAVIS; Dana had a hole-in-one on May 10, at Deep Cliff GC, on the 18th. hole. Here are his words:
“I admit being quite shocked. It was a #7 Callaway Heavenwood Hybrid from 162 yards out to a slightly elevated green. The ball went dead at the stick, hit the green about 5 feet in front of the pin and rolled in. My partner and I both thought that it had come to rest just behind the pin, but when I got up to the green I found it in the cup! Way cool. Fortunately for me, it was about 9AM, and Deep Cliff doesn’t have a bar, otherwise my wallet would be a lot lighter. However, I am sure my friends will be quite willing to soak me for a few drinks.”
CONGRATULATIONS: to CAROLE MEREDITH. Carole had a hole-in-one while playing in the Cedar Creek Women’s Association, on Tuesday, April 24. Carole made her ace on the 3rd. hole. Carole, who is a student of Sharon Miller’s is doing great things with her game and in her words “this is all such a joy to me. My good play is no longer a memory-it’s here!”. Keep up the great work, Carole!
CONGRATULATIONS to BARB LACY: Barb just recorded her best ever score of 77. In her words “I am so happy about the improvements in my game. the school was such a great exprience.” Having had the chance to watch Barb make the cahnges that she did, we are certain that this is just the start of something big!
While not a hole in one — Lee would have been impressed to see me make a 30 foot putt to save par this past weekend. He’ll remember that putting was my weakness in early March when I came to Wild Horse Pass. Now, I find myself saying, “Lee would have liked that putt”, or “Lee would have fussed at me about that one”. If he could have seen my long stoke, measured tempo, and the ball roll into the cup on Saturday he just might have graduated me!!
Mizoh; that is DEFINTELY worthy of inclusion! Keep up the great work!
The following is an exerpt from the Journal Times in Wisconsin. The young man being highlighted, Brian Glines, is a student of Jim Samsing’s. Brian has made some huge leaps with his golf game in the past two years and has the potential to become a very fine player. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, Brian!
CRUSADER INVITATIONAL: Brian Glines of Prairie battled the wind and a highly-competitive field at Broadlands Golf Course. Glines, a junior, shot a 3-over-par 75 to place second overall in the 10-team event. Glines was at even par with four holes to play. He finished his round with three bogies.
“It’s kind of an open course and the wind can affect your play,” Prairie coach Kevin Will said. “But Brian did a good job with that and played really well.” Brian’s performance helped Prairie finish fifth with a 339 total. Host Catholic Memorial was first at 311, followed by Pius XI at 322 and Marquette at 332. St. Catherine’s finished seventh at 345. The Angels’ top golfer was Brandon Pana, who shot an 83. Teammate Max Oakes shot an 86.
UPDATE: May 23, More conratulations are in order for Brian as he has qualified (individually) for the Wisconsin High School State Championships.
CONGRATULATIONS: to SHERRY MAINE. while at her school, with Shelley Hamlin, Sherry made a hole-in-one! playing at Whirlwind (Cattail) on April 19, Sherry aced the par 3, 3rd. hole, from 101 yards, using a wedge. “The ball went straight at the flag, landed and made two short bounces and then rolled into the cup”. WELL DONE, SHERRY!
CONGRATULATIONS! To Chris Harwood. Chris, who is in his Junior Year of High School in Indiana, just recorded a personal best and shot an even par, 36, in a match against their arch-rival, Bishop Chatard. Chris has made huge strides with his game and we think that he is going to become a very a very fine player. Keep up the great work, Chris!
This is an e-mail that we received from, Warren Dyer. CONGRATULATIONS, Warren! “As you know, I have just completed another school with Jim and Bird Golf. As you and Jim are well aware, I am not much for practicing with the exception to the week I spend with Jim which is enough to hold me over through the short golf season in Alberta. I have just reached ANOTHER milestone; my first round under 80! I shot a 78 on par 72 course measuring 6400 yards. In building my “model”, Jim has stuck to the plan of working on one skill at a time and this year’s focus was on starting down with the hips and releasing the club. The reason this needs to be mentioned is because when I actually get these two skills right I can hit the ball a ton (metric). The golf course I played is called the Nursery and is a very gimmicky course with a lot of doglegs left and right. With my new found talent to actually get some trajectory on my drives I was able to take a short cut over the trees leaving me a wedge into most greens and even chipping on a couple. The second revelation is my understanding of the Double Connexion, that I am a “Driver” and I play my best when I am scrambling. Without this eye opener, I would not have been as aggressive and perhaps would have shot in the mid 80’s, driving home thinking…..”if only”!!!!
One thing is for sure, to Jim and yourself I owe, my short game (saves me; so many times) which is a necessity with my aggressive play. Combined with the “mental strength”, Clear Key, has given me on the course, it takes a lot to get me off how I play. Recognizing “how I should play” is one of the biggest reasons I have been able to drop my average score from 110+ to low 80’s and now into the 70’s. To some people this may not seem that impressive, but for a guy that loves the game but does not get to play that often and practices even less, this is great!”
Warren Dyer
Calgary, Canada
As Ed Sullivan would have said, “Really good shew, there” Warren. Glad to see there is a Driver willing to consistently stick with the clear keys. Glad to see you are on a steady diet of getting better as you go. No doubt you are taking pleasure and enjoyment from the game as never before, too.
Cheers,
Carey (keygolf)
CONGRATULATIONS TO; George Yost! George, an 8 handicapper (but not for much longer!). In his words:
“Wanted to drop you a line and let you know I am playing so well this year, I can’t believe it!
I just finished the second sub per round I ever played. I shot 70 at Red Rocks CC., hitting 12 greens in reg., and had 29 putts (made Eagle on 18).
Anyway, I am enjoying golf more than ever this year.”
Playing at his home Club, Breckenridge Golf Club, on September 29th., Chris Basset did not one, but two remarkable things. Chris had a hole-in-one on the par 3, 8th. hole on his way to a one under, 35, on the front 9. Then, despite a double bogey on the last hole finished with a superb 75. Chris is a true student of the game who has worked extremely hard on his swing during the last three years and richly deserves these fantastic feats!
Hi Jay, I received your note today. Thank you!
We had a great time at the golf school and at Wildhorse Pass; it exceeded my expectations significantly. Jim is a remarkable teacher and his patience and knowledge are phenomenal.
I know he was a little disappointed that I was not quite getting it together on the golf course; well on the last couple of holes we played together it started happening. After Jim left, I stayed out until dark and just let it happen; I had simple swing images (no clear key yet) in my head and I truly just did the best swing I could for each shot. Suddenly hitting fairways and greens was routine; the consistency of the practice tee was coming out.
Over the next 4 days we played Cattail, Devil’s Claw and The Duke and I went 74, 80, 75. The thing that is remarkable for me is that these were OK (Cattail), terrible (The Duke) and great (Devil’s Claw) ball striking days; my differences between good and bad scoring is becoming my proficiency at chipping and putting, my misses are becoming much better. My fairways hit average was 72% and my GIR were (8/18); (4/18) and (13/18).
Please pass this on to Jim and thank him. I also would like the list of ‘misses-to-faults’ to fine tune my practice and continue on my progression.
Interestingly, I went out and practiced today … the 7-iron photo below was the result of a group of warm up swings on clear-key; they were all pretty much clubface center, 175 yards and within 5 yards of target …. hmmm maybe there is something in this clear-key stuff after all.
Best regards,
Chris
Jim and myself (wearing a Bird Golf hat)
1st practice session back in Seattle(using clear key)
Devil’s Claw - 75 (+3)
The Duke (+8)
Cattail - 74 (+2)
CONGRATULATIONS TO: Hub Donald (who is taught by Jim Samsing), as he relays this wonderful news:
“My first hole in one was on June 22 2008, at Calvert Crossing Golf Club in Calhoun, La. It was on the 8th hole, a 143 yard par three, uphill to a blind green. I hit a 5 iron and saw it bounce once. My friend playing with me, [Ed Lepp],said ,”That went in the hole’. I said ,”It probably rolled to the back of the green”. His shot was off the green so when we got to the green and saw no ball on the green, he said ,”I told you it went in”. I said, “I’m going to look in the hole first”. And there it was!
Great feeling! Seems like I’ve been playing all my life for that feeling.”
Hub has also been doing great things with his swing for the last few months and is playing the best golf of his life. Well done, Hub and keep up the awesome work!
P.S. You owe Jim a “cocktail”!
This wonderful news comes to us from Jon McMahon, who we first met three years ago. Jon, at that time was 20 handicap who was passionate about the game. Jon has remained just as passionate except now he is becoming a very good player. Jon was one of the winning team members at the 2007 Invitational, but on June 24 2008, he found himself in some unchartered waters (he will be getting a lot more used to being there now!).
Playing at the Ash Brook Golf Course in New Jersey with his regular group, magic happened. Jon was one under for the first 9, and finished with a one over par, 73. Jon’s friends commented on “how easy it looked”, which is kind of like when people watch Tour players and make that same remark. The harder you work at something and the better you get at it; the more effortless it looks. Jon has worked very hard on his golf game (his current handicap of 9 is surely coming down, again) and his success is so very much deserved.
Jon’s teacher, Tim Peightal, is certain that Jon is going to become a very fine player, and that this is just the start, of something, special.
Great job, Jon!
We have just received this marvelous news from John Samerjan, who has been to two golf schools with Shelley Hamlin, reported the following story below. CONGRATULATIONS, John!
Dear Jay, Shelley and Carey:
Yesterday, I had my biggest win ever; the District Senior Amateur at Trenton District Golf Association (encompasses 22 clubs in the area and boasts some very high caliber senior players). I won in a driving rainstorm after a six hole playoff with the Champion of the host Club.
As it got tenser my Clear Key got louder: I was “Singin’ in the Rain”! After a pushed drive on the final playoff hole in the pouring rain I hit the best under pressure trouble shot of my life (a punched 5 iron out of a grove of trees to 10 feet to seal the win).
Shelley; it took until September but it came together yesterday. I hit 13 greens in regulation, in the rain and in a big tournament. My best iron play in years; just “swinging to the target, baby!”
Here’s the story from this morning’s Trenton Times (we are re-printing this excerpt with the permission of the Trenton Times):
Samerjan, Czenis enjoy TDGA Senior success Saturday, September 13, 2008 BY HARVEY YAVENER Special to the Times PRINCETON TOWNSHIP — John Samerjan couldn’t imagine having a bigger thrill on the golf course than the hole-in-one he carded here yesterday in the Trenton District Golf Association’s Senior Championship.
And then he trumped his ace.
Hours later, in the rain and quickly gathering darkness, the 56-year-old Samerjan, three-time seniors champion at Hopewell Valley Golf Club, completed a not-so- sudden-death championship playoff victory that took six extra holes before he defeated Jim Byer of host Springdale Golf Club.
“Nothing beats winning,” said the Montgomery resident, “especially a tournament like this, with the best senior players from 19 different clubs. I’ve played most of my life, back to growing up in Michigan where it was my mother who was the star golfer of the family, but I never won anything this large. In fact, I never won much of any golfing events until I turned 50. Maybe this will encourage other seniors to take up the game.”
Stan Czenis doesn’t need such encouragment. Czenis, the 75-year-old former longtime coach of many sports at Hightstown High and for the past 14 years executive director of the TDGA, repeated as champion of the 65-and-over super- seniors champions’ division, with a sparkling round of 78 despite a triple-bogey on the first hole, his score barely higher than the 76s posted by Samerjan and Byer. Since turning 65, Czenis has played the best golf of his life.
Czenis had one advantage yesterday. By playing early, he avoided almost all of the rain that not only dogged later starters but was the major factor in 23 of a banner field of 128 throwing in the sponge. That number included the lowest-handicapper in the field, scratch golfer Alan Roatche of Doylestown Country Club, who quit early and was heard declaring, “Enough is enough.”
But 18 holes weren’t enough for Samerjan and Byer, the 64-year-old Hun School headmaster who has been a major player on the local scene since his high-school days. Byer forced the playoff by holding on in the rain to match his opening 38 while the weather helped claim favorites like Beden Brook’s Dave Alampi. In sudden death, Byer and Samerjan opened with pars on the new No. 1 at the Springdale course renumbered this year after a dazzling multi-million dollar clubhouse was opened on the site of the former driving range.
They then each bogeyed the next two holes, parred the fourth and bogeyed the fifth. The end came at No. 6, which used to be No. 1 when the club entrance was at the course’s west end. Byer looked in good shape with a perfect drive, but his second shot fell just short of the green and rolled back. Meanwhile, Samerjan, who drove into a grove of trees, smiled that it was like being home at wooded Hopewell Valley, as he punched a five-iron he called, placed himself on the green where he got home in two putts. Byer didn’t, missing a par putt, and the long day ended.
Samerjan, for years a top aide to Bob Mulcahy at the Meadowlands and now back there as vice president for public affairs and communications of the NJSEA, saw his day turned earlier at the 13th hole when, after bogeying both the eighth and ninth, he drove 15 feet beyond the pin at short 13, using a 52-degree gap wedge, and saw the ball roll back straight into the cup.
“The only other ace I ever shot,” he said, “also was on the 13th hole, at Hopewell, a 146-yard hole-in-one on July 4, 2004. I guess 13 is my new lucky number.”
As for Czenis, his emergence as more than just the TDGA’s popular driving force, is a tribute to athletic skills he first showed as an all- state soccer player at Trenton Catholic. From there it was a memorable four years as baseball and basketball captain at Alliance College. When he came home, he was a standout softball player for years. At 29, he took up golf, while be coming a coach including a state soccer champion at Hightstown. Remarkably, his golf game keeps getting better, which he credits to strong wrists developed in baseball. And the putting touch of a lot younger guy.
TDGA Senior Championship Age-Flight winners
50-54– Jim McMacken (T) 77, Bill Hellman (Y) 80, Tom Beer (T) 80, Rocco Cuozzo (F) 81, Mark Inman (CV) 81, Don Slick (OY) 81. Net– Slick 71, Norm Staub (SR) 71, Hellman 72, John Tarnecki (R) 73, McMacken 73.
55-59– John Samerjan (HV) 76, Mike Bohard (OY) 78, Mike Brazin (R) 79, Don Lilly (R) 79, Dave Alampi (BB) 79, Jeff Stemple (OH) 80. Net– Samerjan 72, Bill Stone (HV) 73, Lilly 73, Bob Bruschi, 73, Ed Harlukowicz (OH) 73, Rick Brooke (HV) 74, Sam Steber (JN) 74.
60-64– Jim Byer (S) 76, Dave Anderson (OH) 79, Norm Linker (OY) 79, Rich White (JN) 79, John Forker (R) 79, Doug Watson (S) 80. Net– Forker 64, Anderson 72, Bill Staub (SR) 72, Bob Fitzsimons (R) 72, Byer 72.
65-69– Clark Pidcock (R) 80, Gerry Gatt (F) 80, Conrad Gack (JN) 86, Bob Dolan (R) 87. Net– Pidcock 70, Gatt 71, Cliff Maurer (P) 75, Gack 75.
70-Plus– Stan Czenis (P) 78, Don Cripps (P) 87, Bob Cox (P) 87. Net– Czenis 72, Ted Kopp (S) 73, Bill Kane (S) 73, Bill Hardesty (T) 74, Don Kentis (SR) 76.
©2008 Times of Trenton
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