Let's be Frank

With apologies to Tabasco, look to Frank's Hot Sauce as an iconic and under-appreciated delightfully spicy condiment. For over 90 years, this pepper sauce has quietly delighted fans of anything from fluffy omelets to the original buffalo wings.

We'll share with you a buffalo chicken dip that will be a hit at any NCAA Final Four get together. You can expect to see this crowd pleaser at Islandwood for most major sporting events.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts boiled and drained (or 2/12.5 ounce cans chunked chicken)



• 12 ounce bottle of Franks Hot Sauce



• 12 ounces ranch dressing



• 16 ounces cream cheese



• 1/2 cup minced celery



• 1/2 cup minced red bell pepper



• 12 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

- Use forks to shred the chicken breast (or drain and pat dry the canned chicken)

- Combined chicken with the 12 ounces of hot sauce and spread into a 13x9 baking pan

- Use a saucepan to heat the cream cheese and ranch dressing until warm and smooth

- Pour over the chicken, and top with the celery and peppers

- Bake for 20 minutes and remove from oven. Sprinkle top with the Monterey Jack cheese

- Bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbling and hot and remove from oven

- Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes and serve with vegetable wedges and hearty crackers

Grab a plate, post up, and get involved!

Roland Livingston, Executive Chef, Islandwood C.C.
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Going Green

One of our international members - Emmet O'Hara has taken the "green car" theme to a new level.

In anticipation of the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, he has taken to the streets to promote the game of golf.

You can catch him in New York on the big day, and he'll be "playing through" 5th Avenue among the revelers. O'Hara's message is one of inclusion. In his native Ireland, when times are tough, they gather the masses and hit the links. He has driven across 3 continents thus far, and the message from him has been clear in recent interviews;

"Em, I have a passion for the grand old game. Anything a common lad like myself can do to promote people getting out for a few lashes at the dimpled sphere warms me heart."

No injuries have been reported.

Please do your part this year and play golf and support your local clubs and golf courses and their respected golf professionals. Cheers!

Thomas O'Clooney, Head Golf Professional, Islandwood C.C.

http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

"Hogan!!"

Hello. I am Ben Hogan. I have the best golf swing ever. Thank you for watching.




Much to learn from this short video.

Now I'm off to hit a large bucket........."I Know Nothingk!"

Cary Kearns, Rookie Caddie, Islandwood C.C.
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

The National Golf Links of America

The National was the brainchild of Charles Blair Macdonald, one of the founding fathers of golf in America. Macdonand's idea was to build an "ideal" golf course and he modeled most holes after famous holes in the British Isles from courses such as Prestwick, The Old Course at St. Andrews, Sandwich and North Berwick.

The 70 wealthy sportsmen who contributed $1,000 apiece to get the National under way were many of the major tycoons of the time: W.K. Vanderbilt (railroads), Clarence Mackay (mining and telegraph), Charles Deering (farm machinery), Harry Payne Whitney (streetcars and thoroughbred racing) and Robert T. Lincoln, son of the President (Pullman cars).


A unique and memorable feature on the golf course is a windmill located between the 2nd and 16th holes. It turns out a member once suggested that a windmill would make a nice addition to the course. So Macdonald had one sent over from Europe and sent the member the bill.

The National is also famous for its lunch, which hasn't changed since the course opened.

It is a lobster lunch that includes fresh lobsters, fishcakes, crab cakes, beef and kidney pie, shepherd's pie and macaroni and cheese.

Check out this great article from 1910:

http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/AmericanGolfer/1910/ag43d.pdf


Charles Toth III, Greens Committee Chair
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Designated Driver

The Nike Nordegren Driver

New for 2010: The Nordegren Driver


Featuring technology developed at its Mississippi research facility, Nike Golf has announced their new line of drivers. The club's grip, shaft and head are completely over sized and this model comes with a unique headcover. It extends and protects the entire length of the club to prevent the potential blemishes and discoloration that can occur during and after the course of play.


Nike Golf spokesman Andrew Pinske commented on the new club's design. "With its low facial profile and high torque shaft, this club should help players everywhere avoid those embarrassing short drives that seem to go nowhere as well as drives into trees."


No word yet on when the club will be available for play. "Definitely 2010", was all we could get Nike officials to say.

Tony Sweet, Assistant Pro, Islandwood C.C.
www.IslandwoodCountryClub.com

Join us at Islandwood!

Form Builder by - Privacy

Olds Cool

An Original Muscle Car:

1965 Olds 442
0-60 -- 5.5 sec
Quarter Mile -- 15.0 sec @ 98.0 mph
Engine -- 400ci/345hp

The 4-4-2 convertible was the prize on National Golf Day in 1965 featuring 1964 US Open Champion Ken Venturi.

I owned one for twenty years, and it was always a hit at the drive-in movie theatre.

Leo Tricardi, Head Bartender, Islandwood C.C.
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Pots are Panned

Nobody likes these dastardly hazards. Often unseen from the teebox, pot bunkers can butcher a hole and a round for a player faster than Johnny Miller can say "this one's makeable folks" on any putt or chip inside of 80 feet.

Seriously, the truth in trying to successfully play out of one of these ditches is simply to take your medicine-- and quickly. Unless you are an extraordinarily gifted and confident bunker player, consider some options with better odds.

If you are very anxious over the shot, you should consider whether you can execute a shot either sideways or backwards that would enable you to safely exit the bunker in one shot. If you are worried that you can't do that, you can always declare your ball unplayable under the rules and you will then have two other options-- each of which come with a one-stroke penalty.

First, you may drop your ball within two club lengths of your ball's location and no closer to the hole while still remaining in the bunker. Secondly, you may go back and play your previous shot from as close as possible to that location. Although these two options are not all that pleasant, you can likely avoid a big number on the scorecard.

This low-handicapper got greedy and paid the price:

Be careful and smart out there!

Thomas Clooney, PGA Head Professional, Islandwood C.C. http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Islandwood Chicken Francaise

Our Chicken Francaise recipe should produce 4 servings. If Fleetwood shows up however - all bets are off.

Ingredients:

- 6 skinless chicken breasts
- 1 egg
- juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 can chicken broth (14.5 oz)
- 8 pieces grilled baby corn
- sliced carrot and white grape halves for garnish
- pinch garlic, pinch paprika, parsley flakes

A. Mix together beaten egg, plus half of lemon juice
B. Separately in a shallow dish, combine flour, garlic powder and paprika
C. Dip chicken breasts into egg mixture then into flour coating well
D. Over medium heat, melt butter and cook chicken until golden brown. Set aside.
E. Add more butter to pan and grill baby corn until browning and tender
F. In a mixing bowl combine the broth with the remainder of lemon juice
G. Pour over chicken and corn, and simmer in same pan over medium/low heat for 8 minutes
H. Serve immediately with carrot & grape garnish, and sprinkle with parsley

Great with a glass of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio!

Roland Livingston, Executive Chef, Islandwood C.C.
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Come on Down!!!

For many years before the invention of the television, consumers had to resort to guessing the prices of consumer products and the playing of simplistic games of chance to secluded backyards and vacant lots.

The thrill of sinking a two foot putt after correctly guessing the price of a bar of Ivory Soap proved to be quite alluring. So much so that in May of 1977 the "Hole in One" game on The Price is Right was born [and Bob Barker got to practice his putting at work].

The game is still thriving to this day.





Tom Clooney, PGA Head Professional, Islandwood C.C.
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Hello and Dubai

Three of our very own members were recently able to fit in a round of golf during their business trip to Dubai. They were pleasantly surprised by the amount and quality of available golf courses in the middle-eastern desert country.

This fast developing nation has recently lured the likes of Ernie Els to build high quality golf communities. The Els Club is the latest to open, and the desert links layout measures a generous 7538 yards from the tips.

Our three members: Schwartz, Dileo, and Golic reported that it was first class all the way. They are pictured above. (Notice the Skyscrapers in the background)


Thomas Clooney, PGA Professional, Islandwood C.C.
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Yul Make it, Baby.. Caption Contest

"Come fly with me on this one, Babe. I am one Cat who can really read putts. It's right to left. Just don't hit it like a Dame."

Who's wants to submit a caption for this picture? Winner gets an Islandwood golf cap. Members and guests welcomed.

Leo Tricardi, Head Bartender, Islandwood C.C.

http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

[Winner: "Jerry" Please email your mailing address]

Let's Get This Straight

"The woods are filled with long hitters." ~Harvey Penick

Let's ponder the characteristics of just a few of history's greatest athletes in their respective sports:

Joe Montana- Smart and patient quarterback with a below average arm. Not as physically gifted as many of his peers. Deadly accurate passer.

Wayne Gretzky- Smart and patient center-iceman. Not as physically gifted as many of his peers. Uncanny ability to anticipate where the puck would be. Deadly accurate passer and shooter.

Pete Rose- Smart and patient hitter. Not as physically gifted as many of his peers. Concentrated on only one thing in the batters box- "hit it where they ain't". ... 4,256 times.

The goal for the game of golf can be described as - Get the ball in the hole in the fewest amount of strokes. We think that it is important to break that goal down a little bit further. How about this thinking for instance:

Get the ball in the fairway in the fewest amount of strokes possible - then

Get the ball on the green in the fewest amount of strokes - and then

Get the ball in the hole in the fewest amount of strokes.

It basically comes down to choosing the right strategy and the right club for each shot and situation. When you hand in your scorecard, nobody asks, "how?". They only need to know, "how many".

Leave it to the folks with muscles and the newest drivers and the biggest swings to do the nature walking.

Thomas Clooney, PGA Head Professional, Islandwood C.C.

http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Turkeyburgh

Due to popular demand, we will be bringing back the turkey burger that we introduced last year to the lunch and halfway house menu. We cook them to order, and they are of the stuffed variety. Here's how they are prepared:

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey breast
- 1/4 cup grated Monterrey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup part skim mozzarella
- 1/2 cup diced red pepper
- 1 tbsp low fat mayo
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- dash fresh ground pepper
- salt to taste

• Divide turkey meat into 4 separate portions. Make two equal sized patties out of each of those portions (8 total)


• Sprinkle half of the patties with a generous amount of red pepper and cheeses and then top each with another pattie. Seal the edges of them with your fingers.


• Season with salt and pepper to taste.


• Grill, broil or pan fry for 4-5 minutes on each side until firm and cooked-through.


• Combine mayo and lemon juice in a small Pyrex bowl and top the burger.


• Serve on toasted sesame whole wheat roll.


• Garnish with basil and beefsteak tomato slices.
  

There friends, is your under 300 calorie back-nine belly-filler. Now go make a putt!

Roland Livingston, Executive Chef, Islandwood C.C.

http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

United States Patent # 638920

His name was George Franklin Grant. He was the son of former slaves and born in Oswego, New York in 1847.

Upon moving to Boston, as an apprentice dentist, he eventually earned entrance to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He graduated with distinction, and operated his own practice while being credited with inventing the oblate plate- a device that helped patients with cleft palate.

George went on to also become a professor there and was the very first African-American faculty member at Harvard.

So, what was US Patent number 638920? Well, that would be the wooden golf peg of course!

His original invention actually had a tubular rubber head attached to the wooden spike. It was an improvement over other types of tees, including the metallic based ones being produced in England and Scotland earlier in the 1890s.

You see, Mr. Grant was an avid golfer and even maintained an eighteen hole golf course on his property. He often played with his friends, but grew frustrated with having to pinch a small mound of moistened sand and soil for use as a tee on each hole.

He worked on and developed the pointed wooden peg device to hold the ball. A local manufacturer produced the tees, and in 1899 Grant patented the design and provided them to all of his friends. He never marketed nor made money from them.

Ninety-two years later, in 1991, the USGA recognized Grant's contribution to the game of golf-- So we all can tee it high and let it fly!

Tom Clooney, PGA Head Professional

http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Guinness - Good for You

Like they advertise: "It guards the golfer against that tiredness which so often spoils a card towards the end of the round."

Two for ones all month in the grill room. We prepare to-go pints as well.

Leo Tricardi, Head Bartender, Islandwood C.C.
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Is this Good?

They should have given him this putt. Must have had lockjaw or something...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"A 'gimme' can best be defined as an agreement between two golfers, neither of whom can putt very well." ~Author Unknown


Tony Sweet, Assistant Pro, Islandwood C.C.
http://www.islandwoodcountryclub.com/

Don't Shy Away from the Short Putter

Isn't it amazing how many professional golfers have experimented with the long putter?

Consider these examples of some players you know about, but a few that you probably didn't know used the long flat-stick at one time on the PGA Tour:


Vijay Singh, Davis Love, Sergio Garcia, Fred Couples, Paul Azinger, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Rocco Mediate, Tom Lehman, and Bernhard Langer.


There is way more than One Millllllion Dollars of winnings right there and quite a few major titles in that group, but very few if any with the long putter. Mostly because they eventually come back toward a traditionally fitted "short putter". With the exception of those with a chronic back issue. [Mediate, Couples etc.]

What we recommend for golfers and our members is to get measured for a putter that matches your physical stature and arm length. A length between 32 and 36 inches would normally be the standard range with a professionally fitted lie and loft. As always, consult a PGA Golf Professional.


Thomas Clooney, PGA Head Professional, Islandwood C.C.

www.IslandwoodCountryClub.com

Some like it Hot

Molly's Halfway House will remain open through the off season- offering the typical scaled-down winter fare.

She'll warm you up with a serving of piping hot Coffee, Tea, Cider, or Hot Cocoa.

If you venture out to play a few holes, stop by and say hello. (and when she tells you that same old stale joke about the monkey and the preacher , please pretend that you've never heard it before. She lives for telling that one.) Thank You.



Leo Tricardi, Head Bartender/ Director of Outside Services
www.IslandwoodCountryClub.com

Hit the Green - Here's to 2010!

Champagne Cocktail de Menthe

Try one of these refreshing drinks for a New Years toast. Minty, refreshing, and delicious. (not bad for your breath either)

6 ounces fine champagne

1 ounce Creme de Menthe

Dash of bitters

1 sugar cube

Leo Tricardi, Head Bartender, Islandwood Country Club

www.IslandwoodCountryClub.com