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Teacher, you have always shown us the right way. Whatever little we have achieved in your life is because of you only. Thanks for being our guide and mentor. Happy Teachers’ Day!
Remember to thank your teachers this week!
May 2010
Fond Farewell to Lorena Ochoa
Lorena Ochoa retired this week at the age of 28 as the world's #1 female golfer. Ochoa is heavily involved in promoting youth golf, especially in her home country of Mexico, establishing a scholarship fund for young golfers. EAGLE Junior Golf offers a quick look back at an inspiring career. • In her junior career, Ochoa won the U.S. 8-12 Junior World Championship five straight years
• Ochoa began golfing when she was five. By age six, she had already won a state championship, and by seven her first national championship.
• When she got her first tour victory in 2004, Lorena Ochoa became the first Mexican-born golfer to win on the LPGA Tour.
• Holds LPGA Tour records for most birdies in a season (442), most rounds under par in a season (75), and most rounds in the 60s in a season (51), all set in 2004. • Ochoa is the second-youngest LPGA Tour golfer to qualify for the World Golf Hall of Fame via the LPGA points system. She was 26 years, 4 months when she earned her 27th point. Only Karrie Webb (25 years, 7 months) was younger. Visit http://www.lorenaochoa.com/ for more information on Lorena Ochoa.
By Craig Forgash, PGA
Golf is a game that can be frustrating at times. When you are struggling during a round, you are looking for anything positive to help swing the momentum back in your favor. A great way to increase the enjoyment of the game is to learn to be great in one particular area. Pick an area that you really enjoy, and practice like crazy until you are an expert. It doesn’t even need to be something as broad as putting; rather, be great at 15 foot putts or 40 foot chip shots. This will help you get back in the groove during your round. You will inevitably find yourself in that “favorite” position on the golf course, and that practice will pay off. You will get that shot of confidence just when you need it. Sink that 15 footer or stick that 40 foot chip to save par and start yourself on the road to a strong finish…just like Rory McIlroy!
April 2010
Notable Golfer - Brian Davis
As we teach our junior golfers in the second week of class - a golfer is always honest. That fact was proven once again at the Verizon Heritage Tournament this past weekend. On the 18th hole of Harbour Town Golf Links, Brian Davis showed us how a golfer behaves on the course and off. He was shooting from a hazard just off the green when his club grazed a reed during his backswing. USGA rule 13.4 (moving a loose impediment during a takeaway) meant a 2-stroke penalty for Davis for accidentally brushing the reed. Davis had a choice - to be honest and report the infraction or to say nothing and possibly win his first PGA Tour victory. Davis did the right thing and called the penalty on himself, costing him a tournament win but not his integrity. We applaud you, Brian Davis, for being a great example to golfers and golf fans young and old.
Coach's Corner
By Craig Forgash, PGA
When playing shots from around the green, you should always try to use the shortest possible swing to accomplish your shot. In this way, you reduce the chance that a slightly mis-hit shot has tragic results. Attempting that Phil Mickelson super-flop from just off of the green may sound great until that long smooth swing catches the ball a little thin and your next shot is from thirty yards away…in the weeds. Try this general rule for choosing the right shot and even your misses will not hurt you too bad: Putt whenever you can; Chip when you can’t putt; Pitch when you can’t chip. Use a longer swing only when necessary and you will find that you don’t have to hit a bunch of perfect shots to play your best round ever!
Masters Tournament Fun Facts
Thursday, April 8 the Masters starts in Augusta, Georgia. Even with the extra media attention this year, we often forget the facts & history behind this legendary event. Below are a few fun facts to share with your friends and family.
- Bobby Jones & Clifford Roberts organized the first Masters Tournament on March, 22 1934.
- Jack Nicklaus is the oldest player to win a Masters Tournament at 46 and holds the record for most Masters Tournament wins, 6 in all.
- Tiger Woods was the youngest player to win a Masters Tournament at 21.
- No amateur has ever won the Masters.
- The first tournament was held March, 22 1934. It was 1940 when the Masters move to their regular tournament dates, the first full week of April.
- The first Green Jacket was awarded to Sam Snead in 1949.
- The tournament was not played during the years 1943, 1944 and 1945 because of World War II. To help with the war effort, turkey and cattle were raised on the Augusta National Grounds.
- Avid golfer, Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower is the only U.S. president to have been a club member.
- Each hole is named after a plant or shrub.
Thanks to Augusta.com for the great information!
Coach's Corner - Get in the G.A.P.
By Craig Forgash, PGA
The golf swing is an athletic motion that is similar to swinging a baseball bat or a hockey stick. As such, it is vitally important to create a Good Athletic Posture (GAP) to prepare for the swing. Improperly done, the golf swing can put as much stress on the joints and muscles as a minor car accident.
Here’s a drill to help you learn the proper body alignments and club position at address: Try standing up tall with your feet about shoulder width apart. Hold a club in both hands so that your arms hang down from your shoulders and the shaft is parallel to the ground. Start bending at your knees until your kneecaps are directly over the balls of your feet (the front of your shoelaces). Now begin bending at the hips until the shaft of the club is about three inches above your knees (your fingers extended should be touching the top of your knees. Your back should be straight with your tailbone back. From this position, grip the club with the handle of the club directly in front of your belt buckle and the shaft pointing at your spine. Repeat this drill ten times each day and see if you can nail that address position!
Spring Graduations
The first of our Spring Graduations has begun. Congratulations to our Paulding County and Arnold Mill Elementary Graduates - you've done a wonderful job. Now get out there and play some golf!
