MeeT THoRn

By donna newMan

CnySPCA

PHoto ProviDeD by tHe every rose has its thorn, but who ever heard of a dog named Thorn? Tipping the scales at 100 pounds, Thorn looks intimidating, but she’s a gentle giant who loves everyone. she came to the shelter when her family had too many pets. she’s a five year old shepherd/akita mix. She’s calm but has bursts of energy, affectionate but also independent. she’s great on the leash and a pleasure to take on walks. she’s been described as a great snuggler and a wonderful companion. we think she would do well in a home with respectful, older kids. if you have room in your heart and your home for a 100 pound dog, come and meet Thorn today. (and if you adopt her, feel free to change her name!) For more information about adoption, call 315-454-4479, email frontdesk1@cnyspca.org, or visit cnyspca.org.

Tracey Criscione, Cicero

Paige Kennedy, Fayetteville

Meredith Ritter, Fayetteville

Jennifer Schumacher, North Syracuse Good Guy Award

Recognizes a male volunteer who has given extraordinary or uncommon service in his community or in the council

Chris Collins, Manlius

Jason Feulner, Fayetteville

Mark Miller, Manlius

Rising Star Award

Recognizes a first- or secondyear leader who has hit the ground running and made an immediate impact on Girl Scouts

Danielle Cima, Cicero

Sarah Ward, Herkimer

Volunteer Years of Service

Award Pin

Recognizes an adult member for years of active volunteer service at 5-year intervals

20 Years

Kathleen Barling, Cicero

10 Years

Tracy Duerr, Manlius

5 Years

Lana Batick, Manlius

Christina Fox, Skaneateles

Laura Garza, Manlius

Carrie Grooms, Camillus

Stacey Otte, Fayetteville

Jennifer Schumacher, North Syracuse

Lauren Villanueva, Camillus

WANT TO SAVE “4” SHOTS? ELIMINATE “4” THINGS…

Is golf a “MENTAL” game or a “PHYSICAL” game? Because we communicate with each other every week through these articles, you should know the answer to the question. Golf is, of course, both a mental and physical game. The only difference of opinions I read and hear about are how much of the game is mental and how much is physical…on a percentage basis. Even the best players, golf coaches, teachers, psychologists, and trainers in the country can’t agree on the specific percentage. The only thing “all” of them can agree on is…success in golf requires that the percentage must be significantly higher in favor of “MENTAL” skills rather than the “PHYSICAL” mechanics and strength of golfers. Bobby Jones once said, “Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course…the space between your ears”. Arnold Palmer is quoted as saying, “Success in golf depends ‘less’ on strength of body, than upon strength of mind and character”. Jack Nicklaus said, “Golf is 85% “MENTAL” and 15% PHYSICAL”. Rory Mcllroy said, “I need cockiness, self belief, arrogance, swagger, whatever you want to call it…I need that on the golf course to bring the best out of me. Ok, the message to all golfers should be loud and clear…We need to work hard to maintain our “PHYSICAL” potential and never stop trying to develop our “MENTAL attitudes.

Before reading about the “4” THINGS that we need to eliminate in our golf game, in order to save “4” SHOTS, I’d like to challenge each of you to think about and write down the “4” THINGS you believe would accomplish this in “YOUR GAME” first. Then, you can compare. My guess is your “MENTAL” game has more potential than you think and your answers will be very similar to the ones below.

A SHORT PAUSE FOR YOUR ANSWERS...

First, let’s review the facts…

* Not one of the greatest golfers of all time have ever conquered the game of golf. Period! It’s impossible to beat.

* Sometimes you think you are “not” good enough, when you are.

* Sometimes you think you “are” good enough, when you aren’t.

* The game has the uncanny ability to find ways to make you feel as though you are a failure.

* When you feel good physically but are having trouble mentally during a round, you are in a big pile of…”Do-Do”.

I really like what Fergus Bisset has to say on the subject and hope it resonates with you. By the way, Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly and has written two books; “Great Golf Debates” and

“The Ultimate Golf Book”. So, what are the “4” THINGS he says we need to eliminate?…

1. TOO MUCH LOFT - You should eliminate using irons with too much loft around the greens. Most amateur golfers will do better around the greens if they pick a lower lofted iron and perhaps even a putter, when the lie of the ball on the grass permits. The next best option might be a 7 or 8 iron to get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible…like a chip and run. Stay away from any higher lofted wedges because the chances of hitting a poor shot increases significantly. Just because the PGA Players do it on TV, is not a good reason for you to attempt the shot.

2. PULLING OUT A DRIVER - When you are playing a 430 yard, par 4 hole you know you can’t reach in two, that also has a tight tee shot, avoid using your driver off the tee. You can hit two fairway woods with 17-20 degrees of loft and a 9 iron or wedge to the green in three shots and maybe make a par or a bogey at worst, instead of a double or triple bogey.

3. TAKING ON THE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE

- When facing a tee shot on any par 4 or 5 hole with a water hazard in the fairway, avoid trying to carry the hazard unless you are confident you can successfully clear the hazard 9 out of 10 times…not 1 in 20 attempts. The same is true of a shot over a tree on an approach shot. Unless you are confident you can hit a sand or lob wedge over the tree 9 out of 10 times, chip the ball back into the fairway and focus on trying to hit your iron close to save par.

4. GETTING AHEAD OF YOURSELF - When you start your round par, par, par, birdie, it is imperative you avoid starting to think about the “if” word…”If” I can just keep this going into the back nine…I can have a cushion when I play the tough holes. If, I can par holes 7, 8 and 9, I will have a chance to shoot my low round of the year because I always play well on the back side. There is only one way to play golf. You must focus on your next shot.. not the next 3, 10, 15 or 17 holes.

You must stay in the moment.

Ok…how did your list compare to Fergus’s list? I knew you would do well.