By Liz Page
STAMFORD – It's been awhile since there has been a Professional Golf Association Pro at the Stamford Golf Club and they are happy to welcome Mike Bell as the new golf pro. He came on board toward the end of last season and finds that Stamford is a convenient midway point between his children and his winter job at Hunter Mountain.
He lives nearby the course and it allows him to spend quality time with his kids on the weekends and be on hand at the golf course.
Bell has been delving into the history of the club along with two longtime club members, Gordie Faulkner and Richie Beers. They are excited to learn the course, or at least a few of the holes on the course were designed by a renowned course designer - Walter Travis. The club was originally laid out at the Rexmere Hotel in 1897 and moved to property on the former Terry Farm.
If you have never visited the course, it is in a beautiful, peaceful hilltop setting that overlooks the village and sits across the way from Mount Utsayantha. If you don't golf, the porch (veranda) makes a beautiful setting to enjoy a cocktail or a meal. There is always a cool breeze.
Bell is the director of golf and brings 20 years of experience in teaching folks to golf at some of the country's most renowned facilities. His philosophy is based on creating a repetitive swing, using simple fundamentals based on body movements. He has worked with all levels of golfers, from Division I collegians to beginners of all ages.
He is able to design a program that specifically fits a broad range of skill levels, whether you are looking to improve your game or just have more fun playing - just ring for Bell!
He believes people are coming back to the game of golf after the pandemic. Membership at the club is up this season and the next event on tap is the Senior Scramble set for June 22 at the club. It is a two-player scramble with three divisions 55-64 from the white tees; 65-plus from the green tees and Ladies 55-plus from the green tees. Cost is $25 per member with a cart plan, $40 non-members with a cart plan, $60 per guest, and prizes are included. The tee times have been switched, so players may play at any time they like (prior to 1 pm) as long as they are playing with another team on the field. We have also added a 55 - 64 year division for those Junior Seniors, along with a Ladies' division (55 +). Sign up in the Golf Shop or email me at stamfordpro1897@gmail.com.
Each week there is Monday Madness where four people can play for $100. Wacky Wednesday features seniors, where anyone over age 65 can play for $25. Monday nights feature the Ladies League, Tuesday is the Men's League and Thursday is Couples Night. All leagues tee off at 5 p. m..
With membership up, Bell is looking to bring stability to the club. He does private lessons to one-on-one course play and he provides lessons to juniors. All the information can be found on the website at stamfordgolfclub.com. He also offers specialty or corporate clinics. If you have an organization that wants to sign up for some lessons, give him a ring.
The course is in excellent shape, which he attributes to the excellent grounds crew. There are opportunities to host an event at the course. Bell said you provide the golfers and they will do the rest. He is available at the pro shop (607)652-7398 or by emailing stamfordpro1897@gmail.com. The Worcester Fire Department has an event coming up.
Junior Golf Camp will be held right after graduation on July 8-11 and then there is the Junior Club Championship on July 11, followed by the Club Championships on July 13 and 14, the South Kortright Open is set for July 20 and the Queen of the Catskills women's tournament will be held July 27. The major event of the summer season is the 87th annual SGC Men's Invitational Aug. 9-11.
There are new proprietors in the restaurant, The Peppercorn on the Hill, which has been getting good reviews. They also rent the facilities in the clubhouse for all sorts of events. The number for the Peppercorn is (607) 652-3380. It is open daily from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. with exception of Monday, when they open at 3 p.m. and Sunday when they close at 5 p.m.. You may follow them on Facebook @peppercornon the hill.
The new pro is ready to welcome golfers at the pro shop, which is fully stocked. He will sign you up with a tee time and has already developed a good rapport with the regulars.
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