MGA Media Guide Now Online

The Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) promotes and preserves the interests of the game by serving more than 565 clubs representing 140,000 golfers in the NY metro area. Virtually every round of golf in the region is connected to the MGA in some way, making it a nationwide leader of the game.

For the complete story, check out the 2011 MGA Media Guide. It includes material that covers the rich history of the MGA and its prestigious championships that will be sure to provide exciting golf action once again across the Met Area.

You can also keep up with the MGA on Facebook and new this year, on its Twitter page. Follow @MGA1897 for up-to-date tournament news and results from the MGA.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Betsy King Brings Golf Fore Africa To GlenArbor

I have a deep interest in Africa, having visited several countries on that continent, campaigned to raise awareness of conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and written about it extensively (including my novel, Heart Of Diamonds), so when I heard about Golf Fore Africa, I had to get on the bandwagon to spread the word about this excellent cause.

Betsy King, whose Hall of Fame career produced 36 LPGA tournament wins including six major championships, has dedicated her life to helping others in need. In 2007, King founded Golf Fore Africa to heighten awareness of the terrible plight of children who were orphaned as a result of the devastating AIDS pandemic that is so prevalent throughout much of the African continent. The year before, King had made a trip to Africa with the World Vision organization and was deeply affected by the suffering and desperate living conditions she encountered.

Golf Fore Africa is dedicated to bringing hope and support to African children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS. Funding is made available to a wide range of critical projects necessary to improve the quality of life, such as access to medical care, education, agricultural assistance and clean water resources.

On May 23rd, King will host a limited field event at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford, New York, to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the communities in Africa that her charity supports. King will be joined by an impressive list of active LPGA golfers including Jiyai Shin, who was No. 1 in the 2010 Rolex Rankings, Brittany Lincicome, Stacey Lewis, Katherine Hull and Azahara Munoz, LPGA rookie of the year in 2010.

The per person entry fee is $3,000, which includes breakfast, lunch and a clinic with Betsy and the LPGA pros. Each participant will have the opportunity to play with three different pros.
GlenArbor, designed by the legendary Gary Player, enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest private clubs in an area known for some of the country’s most historic and iconic golf clubs. GlenArbor welcomes the Golf Fore Africa intimate event, particularly as the club supports the improvement of educational and living opportunities for underprivileged children.

For more information regarding playing spots in this exceptional event for a worthwhile cause, please contact Debbie Quesada at (408) 284-5818 or debbie@golfforeafrica.org.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Scavino Launches Event To Benefit The Eric Trump Foundation

Put this on your calendar--but first reserve your spot in this great event.

It's Dan Scavino's 1st Annual Golf Classic to benefit the Eric Trump Foundation in support of St. Jude Children's Hospital. This top-notch opportunity to help a great cause while enjoying a fabulous golf course is taking place on Tuesday, July 26th at Trump National Golf Club, Hudson Valley. It's a 1:00 pm Scramble Shotgun. A foursome is $1,200 or just $300 per golfer. Dinner only is $125. Great food, prizes, and auction items, plus a chance to play one of Donald Trump's newest courses.

For more info, contact lpatton@trumporg.com. But you should hurry--last time I checked, the event was nearly sold out!

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Pound Ridge Give-a-way at Chelsea Piers

Pound Ridge Golf Club – the daily fee Pete Dye course in Westchester County – has a treat for golfers who visit its exhibit at the 2011 Golf Fest at Chelsea Piers Golf Club Saturday, April 30, from noon to 6 p.m.

One of the Big Apple’s most-anticipated golf season kickoff events, the eighth annual Golf Fest is a two-day celebration featuring club demos from top club manufacturers, kids activities, contests, clinics, refreshments and more.

Pound Ridge is offering attendees a complimentary drawstring logo bag, yardage book and brochures, and is giving away a round of golf at New York’s only Dye-designed layout. Metro golfers are invited to stop by and learn more about the course that garnered “Best New” recognition from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, Golfweek and LINKS.

Jason Ekaireb, director of sales and marketing, will bring Pound Ridge to life with a slide presentation and by sharing his personal and professional insights of working closely with Dye during the 10-year construction process.

“Pound Ridge occupies a unique niche in the Metro area golf landscape and we look forward to sharing its fascinating back story, groundbreaking design concepts, and host of new player programs and rates with Golf Fest attendees,” says Ekaireb.

Admission to Golf Fest is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Hotdogs and beverages are complimentary for children. For more information and to register in advance, visit www.chelseapiers.com/golffest.

For more information about Pound Ridge visit www.poundridgegolf.com or call (914) 764.5771.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

PowerPlay Golf: Nine Holes - Two Flags - Go-for-broke Scoring

Golf’s global ambassador Gary Player will headline a field of other headline-makers set to launch an intriguing new format for golf on May 30 at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. It's the first of a series of three unique televised tournaments featuring PowerPlay Golf, a new short form of the game designed to make it more exciting, telegenic, and--most importantly--faster to play. Joining Player in the initial event will be reigning U.S. Open Champions Graeme McDowell and Paula Creamer, Ryder Cup stars Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, and Major Championship winners John Daly, Ian Woosnam and Helen Alfredsson.

PowerPlay Golf is played over nine holes where two cups are cut into each green. Players use a limited number of "PowerPlays" to score extra points when playing for the harder black flag in a scoring format based on the Stableford system. Players who score a net birdie or eagle on a "PowerPlay" get double the Stableford points of the player who goes for the white flag. Each player must designate three of the first eight holes for "PowerPlays" before teeing off.

It's decision time on the ninth tee. The player can either protect his or her score and play it safe to the White Flag or go for a final bonus PowerPlay to the Black Flag for a potential last-hole points boost scored as a normal PowerPlay. The kicker is, if they score net bogey or worse on that hole, they get hit with a three point penalty. It should make for some exciting finishes.

This initial tournament, PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and other networks elsewhere. The second event will be held November 7 in Asia and November 25 in the US. Saab sponsors the initial telecast and IMG Sports is backing the venture in partnership with Convers Sports Initiatives, a Russian sports promotion firm.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

What Makes A College Golf Program Great?

Duke, Stamford, and Arizona State have nothing on St. John's University when it comes to successful golf programs. Read Chuck Stogel's well-researched explanation of the reasons for their success in the latest issue of The Met Golfer.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Timeless Swing Instruction From Tom Watson

Tom Watson not only has a timeless swing, he's written a timeless instruction book, too. He and collaborator Nick Seitz (along with photographer Dom Furore) have produced a collection of straightforward, clearly illustrated concepts that will help golfers of all levels. It's all packaged in a clean, clever design that makes it a pleasure to thumb through as well as read.

Watson's style as an instructor mirrors his style of play. There's no double-talk or jargon; no overlap between knowledge and ego. Watson tells you how to play the game in no uncertain terms. He takes his own swing apart for you, explains how it works, and shows you how to make it work for your game.

The first two concepts, how to find the bottom of the swing arc and how to set and maintain your spine angle from address through impact, form the basis for everything from the grip to the follow-through. It's easy to understand--and remember--what you should do when it's related in that way.

Once Watson gets past the basics, he spends the last half of the book explaining how to apply them in different circumstances for maximum effect. Beginning with Chapter 4, "Be A Shotmaker," he shows how to control and maneuver the ball. The illustrations are particularly useful in understanding how to draw or fade the ball on command as well as how to hit it high, low, or with just the right amount of backspin. The player who takes these lessons to heart--and practices them diligently--will distance himself from the competition.

For those of us of a certain age, Watson includes a great chapter titled "Swing Younger." He begins by telling the reader how he hits the ball farther himself, then gives seven simple techniques that will help you bomb it like the big boys, too.

Golfers of all ages and skill levels will find this book useful. Simon and Schuster gave me this book several weeks ago to read in connection with its sweepstakes. I've had it for several weeks and find myself digging into it again and again. Every time I open it, I find a passage or an illustration that enlightens.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Brian Crowell's Insightful Commentary On First Round At Augusta

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

How To Avoid Golfer's Elbow This Season

A guest post from Dr. Michael Hausman, Orthopedic Surgeon and Specialist on Hands and Upper Extremities and Chairman of Orthopedics at Mount Sinai.

Each golf season, numerous golfers unknowingly continue habits which result in golfer’s elbow. Golfer’s elbow, also known as medical epicondylitis, is similar to tennis elbow, but occurs on the inside, as opposed to the outside of the elbow. It is usually a pain or discomfort that forms where the tendons of one’s forearm muscles attach to the bone on the inside of the elbow. The pain may spread into one’s forearm and wrist. Most common at the beginning of the golf season, this injury is typically due to the repetitive activity and increased duration.

The pain of golfer’s elbow doesn’t have to keep you out of the game or hinder the start of the season – if you keep in mind a few easy tips:

1. Golf Clubs - It is crucial to make sure that you are using golf clubs that are sized properly, including grip size.
2. Stretching & Exercises - Some simple stretches and exercises reduce the symptoms of golfer's elbow. These exercises should not cause pain. By strengthening the muscles and tendons involved with golfers' elbow, you can help prevent the problem from returning.
3. Anti – Inflammatory Medication - If you do feel persistent pain in the elbow area, using an anti – inflammatory medication is suggested to control the pain and inflammation.
4. Alternatives - A cortisone injection is another option if other methods have not helped to subside the pain; however, if a patient has tried more than two cortisone injections and has not felt relief, it is unlikely such injections will benefit the patient.

Dr. Michael Hausman has appeared on national and local TV and radio, as well as in many print outlets as a resource on orthopaedic care and injuries specifically on the hands and upper extremities. Dr. Hausman is currently the Robert K. Lippmann Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Mount Sinai. He is an internationally recognized upper extremity surgeon who treats disorders of the hand, elbow, shoulder and peripheral nerves.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.