Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 66

ASBURY PARK PRESS, Feb. 9. 1975 C9 fReaV Golfers Brave Weather to Play in Winter League Hy Kill KODI. Prrss Slaff Writer DOVER TOWNSHIP "We're probably mils although no one wants in admit It," offered one red- Anybody can play the Green Monster at Doral in Miami or one of the Pino-hurst, N.C., courses in midwinter, but It takes a hearty corps of golfers to brave the rugged weather to part id-pale In these weekly rounds. It's growing group ut lhat.

"You'll find the real golfers out here, battling 40-511 mile winds, (iuys lhat go out in the winter are the ones that are the real golfers," said Huss Bodino of Long liram-h between sips of hot coffee to chase the chill from his bones. "Anybody can come out here in the summer in a T-shirt and play. It's entirely different with frozen greens. "We played Mountain View (near Trenton) one time in a hail storm. The golf ball would end up like a snow ball on the putting green, getting bigger and bigger as it rolled.

"I love the game and just don't want to sit home with my clubs in the attic." growth since the time John Cafone, Manasquan River; Angelo I'elraglla, Spring Meadow; Roddy Newman, Homestead, and Andy Slkora, Beacon Hill, took advantage of a "nice" afternoon to enjoy a round of golf. That was in and it wasn't long before this foursome was attracting oilier golfers to their courses. "After we played each other's course, others asked if they could play with us," recalled Cafone. "We started inviting IX1A members and members from different clubs, which is what we do now. "We started inviting a lot of pros, not just from this area.

We had them coming from as far as Stalen Island and Philadelphia. We even had one from Canada, who would spend a month's vacation here." As one of the original members, Cafone dug back into his memory to recall some of the rugged weather that golfers played in. "Once we played Lakewood and it was only eight above," grinned Cafone. The ground was frozen like a piece of ice. "Last year (Jan.

3) we played on a cold, rainy day at Sharon, near Princeton. I remember the top of my umbrella was coated with a piece of ice. I had to bring it inside to thaw it out. Yet, we had 90 golfers. "How do you say it? 'It Slops like Medford Village, near Cherry Hill; Sharon and Yard ley, are hardly near the Shore area geographically.

Participants regularly come from the Atlantic City and North areas, as well as from Pennsylvania. Father John Murphy, whose parish is in Allenlown, is a regular participant and makes the longest trip to get his weekly round. "We had a couple of golfers come in from Schenectady, N.Y., each week. They would fly into Newark and somebody would meet them at the plane and bring them to the tournament," added Caliendo. The field is a diverse group from school teachers to barbers to mailmen to the retired.

It even serves as a family reunion for the four Roussell brothers Bob from Wall Township, Ray of Ocean Township, Maurice of Holm-del Township, and West Iing Branch resident Don. Bob Roussell has been in it the longest lfi years, while Maurice became a member about two years ago. "I just play golf once a week, and enjoy the outing. It's like a day off. I joined a year after it started and, only miss it if there isn't a game," said Bob.

There are a lot of Bob Rouslls out there. They only miss if the weather makes it impossible to play the course. And that's not too often. wasn't fit for man or THERE'S A certain pride among the golfers for having missed playing very few weeks. The stop at Fort Monmoulh was the first postHinement after II straight weeks of playing and the only break in the schedule to date.

After the first year, the league started growing rapidly, and it soon became apparent, with the influx of new members, Jhat the league needed a rohesiveness to make the weekly tournaments run smoothly. John Caliendo, now a retired Long Branch mailman, entered the scene as tournament director. In addition to setting up tee times and dispensing prizes, he helped to correlate the 24-week schedule. Caliendo has attacked his position with enthusiasm and is a fervent record-keeper. "Through the first 12 tournaments, we're averaging 10(1 amateurs and 23.5 pros," explained Caliendo, reaching for one of his record Ixioks stacked by his right hand on a makeshift work area in the Bey Lea clubhouse.

Thumbing through the pages, Caliendo added "Here. Our biggest field was 133 amateurs and 30 pros at Fiddler's Elbow. That beats by one the previous high also at Fiddler's Elbow." THE LEAGl'E has actually outgrown its name "Shore." 1 9 -UITli IIH Ml Mill. Checking over scores as the golfers finish are (left to right) John Caliendo, West Long Branch, tournament director; Bob Housen and Syd Brooke. (Press Photos) Allan Conover, Weehawken, gets ready to swing off tee during Winter Golf League action.

Conover, 79, is the oldest man competing in this weekly league. nosed golfer heading into the clubhouse before tackling the back nine ut Bey Lea Coif Course during a recent round of the Shore Winter (Jo If 1 -ramie. February. That is the time when the NFL teams finish drafting players and sign free agents. It is also the t'me when Princeton tabulates the results of first semester exams, taken by students late in January.

Thus it came as no real surprise that Princeton tight end Bob Harding, ho caught 21 passes for 333 yards last fall, signed a standard three-year contract as a free agent with the New England Patriots. Harding, averaged 15.9 yards per catch last year and scored a pair of touchdowns. He is also a pitcher on the Tiger baseball team. The 215-pound senior received offers from Cincin-natti and Dallas before Tenacious R. E.

Turner, Atlanta, 47.7042. Robin, Ted Hood, Marblehead, 46.5012. Ramrod, Dr. D. Flitman, Miami, 46.4131.

Fortune Hunter, Cameron Oresinger, Washington, I). 45.3462. One-ton Class Stinger. Princeton Athletes Sharing February Follies Spotlight T1IK GOLFERS needed more than clubs to attack the blustery Bey Lea course in that round two weeks ago. Standard equipment for most included thermal underwear, fur-lined gloves, muffler, heavy sweater, parka and woolen hat.

Yet, at times the golfers undoubtedly felt under-dressed during these weekly sojourns. There was the round at Jumping Brook in Neptune when the temperature was 17 as the golfers were driving from the first tee. THE WEEKLY Pro-Ams have enjoyed remarkable to assistant registrar Robert Van Vranken. "We were shocked and stunned," was Coach Dave Benjamin's reaction to the announcement. As a result of losing Bottger, Benjamin has moved the eight remaining Tiger starters up one notch, with sophomore Blair Richardson rejoining the 6-0 squad that shared the national co-championship with Harvard last year.

Bottger, who came to Princeton from Bala-Cyn-wyd. may appeal his expulsion to the University's Committee on Examinations, GIANTS SIGN MONTEFUSCO SAN FRANCISCO -John Montefusco, the former Brookdale, N.J. Community College star who compiled a 3-2 pitching record for the San Francisco Giants in the latter stages of the 1974 National League baseball campaign, has signed his 1975 contract. Montefusco was one of seven Giants' signings announced yesterday. Also agreeing to terms were NL All-Star shortstop Chris Speier, pitchers Jim Barr, Gary Lavelle and John Morris, and first basemen Steve Ontiveros and Tony Pepper.

Golf the 27-year-old pro makes for you to dig up. By JIM BARRON PRINCETON The annual February follies opened like clockwork hero this week. The announcement that Princeton's top two football players and number one squash player were in the news was notable because it meant that neither would be around here again. Their pending disappearance from Princeton starting lineups almost confirms as a tradition what has happened in the last several years that at least one Tiger athlete will sign with a pro football team, and at least one Princeton competitor will, flunk out. With predictable regularity, both pieces of news usually come out early in accepting the patriots contract, saying the New England club offered him "a little better money." Harding would not discuss the details of his salary agreement, which is contingent upon making the team, but he will receive $200 per week for room, board, and expenses while' he attends training camp this summer.

Meanwhile, Harding's teammate Walt Snickenber-ger, the star halfback, also is negotiating with several NFL teams. According to Coach Bob Cascinla, Snickenberger, picked as an All-American by the Associated Press this year, will make a decision sometime this week. On the sadder side of the aisle, Princeton's top squash player, sophomore John Bottger, has flunked out, putting in peril the Tigers' hopes of remaining undefeated as they take on Harvard and Penn later this week. Bottger, fourth-ranked nationally as a freshman, returned to Princeton last September on academic probation after poor grades forced him to take a leave of absence last spring. Failing to meet the requirements of his probation, Bottger was asked to leave the school again, this time permanently, according i 3 Stinger Winner Of Yacht Race 'VP- Connors, the current Wimbledon and U.S.

Open champion, recently beat Rod Laver in a challenge match and Is generally accepted as the world's top player. First-round singles and doubles play is scheduled for today and tomorrow. Connors is not expected to begin play before Tuesday Tournament director Bill Riordan, ulio manages Connors, lists players from 19 countries In the IH-inun field. For the first time In the tournament's 77-year history Russia will be represented, by Alex Mctreveli und Tim kvkulla A Forrest Bennet, Long Branch, watches flight of ball after taking tee Russ Bodine, Long Branch (right) wait their turn to tee up. Action shot while playing partners Don Sordan, Winfield Park (center) and was at Bay Lea Golf Course, Dover Township.

Reflections of a Rookie9 Is Recommended Reading snapped the heads off all four of his woods. Fortunately, Australian David Graham came to his rescue and repaired the clubs for the tournament. But Ben missed the 36-hole cut by seven shots with 75-78-153. Scene but we'll leave them League tournament is at Bamm Hollow Jim Ulozas, who was playing out of Madison where his brother, Tommy, is head pro, has joined Charlie Huckaby's staff at Forest Hill. Charlie is the current PGA champion Look for the Shore area to have its first lady professional actively teaching this year.

The announcement should come soon. Connors Expected For Indoor Play By JOE LEE Press Staff Writer Recommended reading for the golf fan is Ihe article, "Reflections of a Rookie" in the Jan. 24 issue of Golf World. Don't miss it if you want an in-depth look at the pro tour, covered as well as has ever been done on a question-and-answer basis with tour sophomore Joe Inman. The young man who was among the top (10 in the 1974 PGA tour point standings to win exemption from Monday qualifying this year, is a Wake Forest graduate who turned pro in 1972, and missed out in his first try at the PGA tour qualifying school.

But he gained enough experience on the mini-tours to gain his. card the following year and went on to make the exempt list last year. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Stinger, a 35-foot sloop owned by Dennis Conner of San Diego, appeared to be the winner yesterday in the 403mile St. Petersburg to Fort Lauderdale Yacht Race.

Stinger had a corrected but unofficial time of 43.6271 hours in the handicap event of the Southern Ocean Racing Conference. It defeated two similar 35-foot vessels, Country Woman and Inflation. The SORC racing committee was to meet this morning at Lauderdale Yacht Club to hear protests and announce the official standings in the 81 -boat race around the Florida coast from the Oulf of Mexico to the Atlantic. It began Wednesday. Country Woman, owned by Robert Barton of Stanford.

posted a time of 43.9751 in finishing second in the overall standings. Inflation, owned by Dick Nordstrom, Honolulu, Hawaii, had a corrected time of 43.9HI5 for third place in the unofficial positions. Larger yachts yield lime allowances to smaller competitors In the ha ndicap race. A stiff norther which whipped up seas overnight Friday greeted the fleet on its stretch run into Fort Lauderdale, and boats were still coining In late in the day. The first boat to arrive was Klaloa III, a 79-foot ketch, which crossed the finish line Friday night.

Il ws the biggest in the event. Unofficial winners by classes: A Fiierza del Destine, Norman Rabeii, Mama-roncck, N. 50.2IH!). 1 ALTHOUGH THE economy has slipped the past few months, sponsors and the players are happy after the Phoenix and Tucson events. Since 14 of the top 15 money-winners turned out in Phoenix, daily ticket sales rose 20 per cent over last year, and the advance sponsorships showed an increase.

The excellent condition of the course was a tribute to the work of agronomist Allan MacCurrach, a new addition to the Tournament Players Division field staff. Ho helped the course personnel plan and prepare for the event. At Tucson, attendance rose 38 per cent over the previous year, and the benefitting charities took home over 30 per cent more. Considering the fact the total purse money rose $50,000 to a $200,000 total, the increases are remarkable. What could be a major factor is that most of the name players plan to compete in more tournaments than they did in the past.

They recognize that they can help boost crowds and that such increases pay them in the long run. Irwin summed it up: "As the U.S. Open champion, I do feel I can help in some way. We all owe a certain responsibility to the tour. That's why we are all here, so I'm planning to play in close to 30 tournaments." THE THIRD World Invitational Pro-Amateur Championship will again be contested over the Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill courses on the Monterey Peninsula in California Feb.

25-27. Defending their Etonic Trophy will be a team from Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club in Orlando, against 43 other teams from the U.S. and Canada. Larry Wheeler, Golden Horseshoe, Williamsburg, will defend his individual pro title in the competition for $2,500 in purse money. The winner gets $500 and the Pipers Scotch Trophy, in the 54-hole event.

Dick Farley, recently named director of golf at Fred Waring's Shawnee Inn and Country Club near Strottds-burg. is handling the tournament again. TWO REASONS FOR the unusual poor showing by Ben Crenshaw in the first couple of tour events might be the two-stroke penalty he suffered for hitting the wrong ball (Hale Irwin's) in the Phoenix Open, and the accident in the Dean Martin Tucson event. In the latter, during a practice round, he drove a cart under a spectator-control rope and SALISBURY, Md. (AP) -Despite a bothersome left knee, Jimmy Connors is expected to be on hand for the the U.S.

National Indoor Tennis Tournament opening here today. Connors, who was forced to withdraw from the Arkansas International Tournament last week, is the top domestic seed for the week-long tournament. Romanian Hie Nas-tase is the top foreign seed. Connors Is expected to play despite the an inflammation in the area of his left knee He withdrew from Ihe Arkansas event after taking a first-round singles victory and going down to defeat in a first-round doubles match OF INTEREST to the amateur player is one phase of Joe's philosophy concerning choking that familiar feeling when you "have" to make a big putt or pull off a shot. Listen to this: "Choking is a matter of wanting it too bad.

When you want to do good so bad and you don't know how to temper it, you choke. Hut you have to reason it out. Only two things can happen when you hit a putt. You can make it or you miss it. What else can happen? Just stand up there and hit it.

I used to get up and just agonize over a big shot so much, and I'd end up hitting an awful stroke because I wasn't even thinking about Ihe stroke. I was afraid of what would happen." There are lots of other interesting points DIVOTS Thursday's Shy re Viraet 7.