Volume 4| August 2020
2020 Newsletter - Volume 4
Mid -Season Check-in
- Its hot and steamy.... but we are playing golf!
President’s Message

I hope that this newsletter finds you and your family healthy and enjoying the summer weather as much as possible during these challenging times.  
It’s been an interesting season so far and a lot of flexibility has been required on everyone’s part – a big thanks for that.  Our leagues got a later start than normal due to COVID-19 restrictions but we were able to get 5 leagues up and running.  We’ve had some hot weather but it seems like it’s not quite as rainy as last summer was which helps with all our events.  Due to extreme heat, we have rescheduled our popular charity outing for Play 4 Pink and it will now be held on Saturday, October 17th.  This is the 2nd year in a row this has happened, so I anticipate we will schedule this in cooler weather starting next year.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so it really works out perfectly
Speaking of events, we’ve done a few “pop-up events” this year.  These events were not originally listed on our website.  Our Match Play League (which was cancelled) normally plays 4-5 times a season.  Since we had reserved 3 sets of tee times for these league matches, we’ve been able to convert them to outings.  We’ve done this twice so far – at The Meadows and at Rutgers – and plan at least 1 more at Royce Brook.  
There’s still a few months left to our season so get out there as often as you can and stay safe!

Donna Beland
President, LPGA Amateurs, Central NJ Chapter
Golf Events - Some Weekend Fun!

The season has continued with 3 events held as scheduled. As Donna mentions, Play for PINK was rescheduled due to the extreme heat on the day it was originally going to take place, now we will get to enjoy the beautiful fall leaves in October while we play for this great cause!
Our next outing is all booked and will take place on Saturday, August 22nd at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Branchburg. This is our annual joint outing with the North Jersey Chapter, we have 40 golfers participating!
Between now and the end of the season there are several events planned so be on the lookout for emails with registration details!

POP UP EVENTS
As a result of COVID 19 restrictions, the Match Play league was cancelled. However, we were able to keep most of the tee times at some of the scheduled courses and we have been able to offer some rounds of golf in addition to our scheduled events.  
We played the Meadows course on June 13th and Rutgers on July 25th.  Royce Brook will be the next course, we will offer a round of play on Sept 12th. It will be opened to the first 12 players to sign up. Registration will open soon. 
 
RIVER WINDS
On Aug 8th we had an outing at a River Winds Golf Club in West Deptford, NJ which is a new course on our event roster. We were able to share this event with the Philadelphia Chapter. Hurricane Isaias left the course a little wet so it was cart path only. But despite that and the hot humid day, we were able to enjoy this beautiful course that is nestled in the grasslands of Woodbury Creek and the harbor marina on the Delaware River, in which you can see a view of the Philadelphia skyline.     
 
Submitted by Diane Peterson who organized these events.
A big THANK YOU to Diane for her hard work!
Some views of players and the beautiful scenery at River Winds Golf and Tennis Club

Around the Leagues......
After a delayed start, our Chapter has 5 leagues in various locations within our geography. Each league offers a great opportunity to play 9 holes after work and enjoy the companionship of fellow chapter members. As the season has progressed there have also been more opportunities to socialize at the 19 hole, whether its patio dining or enjoying an adult beverage. Here are a few reports from league coordinators and players.

Cranbury Ladies League
We are a group of 14 ladies that play on Tuesdays. The players always enjoy each other's company. So it's nice to be around each other. We usually find ways to entertain each other on the course, especially when our game is not up to par. Our latest escapade is when a ball is headed into the water or sand we sing "Stop in the name of love". It always gets us laughing! After a fun round of golf we usually stay and have a drink or dinner on the patio. Sometimes we enter charitable tournaments together. We have a Great Group of Ladies! 
We wish you all par for the course, stay healthy & safe! 
The pictured players above from left to right are Catherine, Joan, Kathy, Rose, Monica and Janet. 
Submitted by Rose Ferrito, Cranbury League Coordinator

Neshanic League
Greetings from the Tuesday Night Neshanic League!  Like many of our leagues this year, we got off to a late start due to COVID-19 restrictions/delays.  
We have 12 dedicated members who come out and play.  For those of you not familiar with Neshanic, it’s in central Somerset County off of Route 202.  Neshanic is a wonderful facility.  There are 3 different 9 hole courses that when combined for 18 holes, are a traditional par 72 layout.  The Learning Center is at the front part of the facility, and includes the Academy Course, which is our league’s home.  It’s an executive length 9, par 32 course that is perfect for walking.  There are 5 par 4’s and 4 par 3’s, so you can use all the clubs in your bag and get in some good short game work while you’re at it. 
The weather has been a little challenging this year although not as rainy as last year was!  We had 2 weeks of really hot weather, where some of us sat it out, but everyone has made it out to the course at least once this season, which is terrific.   The pandemic, although frustrating, has made it possible for some league players to be able to join – since they are working from home versus their office, they can make it after work.  
Submitted by Donna Beland, Neshanic League Coordinator

Meadows at Middlesex League Wednesday evenings and the Rotator League of Mercer County Thursday evenings

Well the 2020 season has brought many challenges this year to kicking off our league season!  Mother nature has certainly added to the challenges in addition to COVID-19.  This year we added The Meadows at Middlesex to our weekly 9 hole leagues for that relaxing round of golf after a long work day!  We have 16 ladies that are participating in this league and are getting to know the course quite well!  It is a great course for walking and a good stretch of the legs but offers a great challenge to golfers of all levels in approaching the greens as they are bunker happy on the course.   The ladies are enjoying the addition to our roster of courses. Now that some minimal restrictions have been lifted the ability to nurse the "rough" rounds at the 19th hole can be enjoyed.

Thursday evenings takes our 16 strong ladies to Mercer Country where we enjoy all 4 of the county courses - Mercer Oaks East and West, Mountainview and Princeton Country Club! We have a strong showing weekly and the courses are another way to experience different courses and layouts in the county!  We have had a great group of women over the past few years and continue to welcome new members annually.  The courses also are walkable and we have a good number stretching their legs weekly. Our post round routine at Mountainview allowed us to social distance on a beautifully renovated patio!  The restaurant is under new management from last year and all foods are made fresh to order and, of course, the beverages are quite refreshing after a humid round of golf! Bacon Wrapped Shrimp w/Bourbon Barbecue sauce is just one example..... (a personal favorite)!  We have become known over the season as the Thirsty Thursday Rotator League!  *Note*: We are hopeful that with Mercer County Golf's purchase of Hopewell Valley Golf Club that we may have a new addition next season along with hopes of some normalcy in the schedules.

Both leagues have loyal and steadfast golfers through heat, humidity and quite a few raindrops but still get out there to play!  We have so many wonderful new members in our league and organization this year!  I look forward each year watching our leagues and friendships continue to grow as we encourage each other while enjoying this great game we love!!

Submitted by Barbara Curran League Coordinator for Meadows and Mercer County.
13 "Rules" of Golf: You are Probably Breaking at Least One of These....
Came across this tongue in check guide of things to consider when you are at your local golf club. We are all there to have fun, enjoy the great outdoors and company of fellow golfers.
...but the best of intentions can go sideways. Here are some things to remember as you head out for some time on the links; some "rules" to make the experience enjoyable for all.

  1. Showing up less than 15 minutes before your tee time. Most courses prefer 30 minutes. Don't keep your group waiting as you rush to pay and get ready to play.
  2. Putting with too many balls on the practice green. Rule of thumb is to practice with 2-3 balls and be respectful of others on the green.
  3. Cart path only? Carry more than one club to your shot so you don't slow things up.
  4. Looking for a ball longer than 3 minutes.
  5. Talking to someone else's ball. It doesn't help it find the cup and although well intentioned can get annoying.
  6. Standing behind someone when they putt.
  7. Walking in a player's "through line". the putter's line extends 2 - 3 feet past the hole.
  8. Placing a bag on the tee box. Congrats for walking but... placing your bag on the tee box can be distracting and scuff the hitting area.
  9. Speaking of bags...be mindful of where you place your bag at the green. Place it in the most logical place for you to pick up and move forward without being distracting.
  10. On the driving range, establish a divot pattern to minimize damage to the turf. Don't scatter your shots.
  11. If you are terribly behind pick up and move on. You should always be able to see the group in front of you, staying no more than two shots behind.
  12. Checking your phone too much. Checking text messages between holes might be okay but constantly being on the phone is disrespectful. Turn the phone on mute and enjoy some "me time"!
  13. Gimmies. There are two extremes here; not being charitable or going overboard. A gimmie means that you are almost certain the golfer will make the putt and does help pace of play when used prudently.
Based on an article in Golf Digest, published October 2019
I hope you have enjoyed this fourth issue of our 2020 Newsletter. If you have comments or suggestions for future newsletters please send me a quick note: marketing@lpgaamateurscnj.com, would love your feedback!

Until next time -hit 'em straight and stay safe!
Ingrid Brase
Director of Marketing
LPGA Amateurs Central NJ Chapter