News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 37

NEWS-PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1992 5C Why does it take so darned long to hit a golf shot? FIRST off, let's start by saying that golf is not rocket science. It isn't even algebra, or geometry orsimple multiplication. No, hard as it may be for many of you to understand, golf is a game. And a relatively elementary one at that. You hit the ball.

You go find it. And then if you're lucky enough to locate it, you hit it again. After the ball drops into the hole, you count up your shots, write down your score and move onto the next tee. Like I said, golf is not brain surgery. So how come so many of you take so excruciatingly long to hit even one golf shot? What are you doing, anyway? Computing the exact barometric pressure? Calculating the effect of the jet stream on the expected flight of the ball? Plotting the exact position of your shoulders, elbows, knees and eyeballs at the very moment club meets ball? And all those practice swings what's the deal with those? Could it be you have forgotten how to swing since your last shot? And if so, do you Formerly known as the Aetna Challenge, the Challenge runs from Feb.

8-14. The pro-am is a 36-hole, two-day event to be held Feb. 1 0-1 1 and amateurs will play with a different senior tour player each day. The cbst is $3,000 per individual and $11, 000 -for a foursome, with a percentage'of that money going directly to charity. For more information call 1-8001-457-PROS.

Tommy Tolles, a graduate of Cape Coral High School and for the, last couple of years a regular on the Ben Hogan Tour, did not qualify his PGA Tour card at this week's PGA Tour School at The Woodlands near Houston. After an opening- round 71, Tolles shot75-75-81 and missed the 72-hole cut by 1 2 shots. At the Senior PGA Tour qualifying at Rancho Mirage, Marion Heck' of Fort Myers Beach, Bill Kennedy of Cape Coral and Jim Jamieson of Port' Charlotte are giving it a go. The top 16 players will earn their cards. Scoff Korzenowski is a NeWfS-Pressstaff writer.

'I simple game more complicated than Back to the Future II. Of course, this problem is hardly unique to us hackers. The professionals the ones who treat a sticky lie as if it was a tragedy the equal of Third World starvation are the real culprits. At last year's Masters, for example, I watched Nick Faldo (the slowest of the slow) spend nearly seven minutes planning a shot out of the bunker behind the 1 2th green. And then, after all that time, he chunked the thing into another bunker.

Hah. And a couple of years before that, there was Scott Hoch. Remember, he had a 2-foot putt to win the 1 990 Masters on the first playoff hole, but after looking at it from every conceivable angle, he somehow convinced himself that this tap-in was impossible. Not surprisingly, he missed it. Well, in an effort to speed play and otherwise save these players from their overactive minds, both the United States Golf Association and the PGA Tour have instituted new rules regarding slow play.

pointers: No. 1 Quit trying to remember everything you read in the last golf digest. Even if you could remember it all, and you can't, trying to do 73 different things at once isn't going to improve your game in the least. No. 2 If you're having trouble deciding between clubs, choose the one with the smaller number.

Let's say you're between a 4-iron and a 3-iron. Quit debating with yourself and just hit the 3, chances are you'll mishit the thing a little bit anyway. No. 3 Quit taking practice swings. I know, like smoking, it's a tough thing to give up.

But trust me, once you do, you'll feel liberated, not to mention, rested. No. 4 Never, and I mean never, read a putt from both sides of the hole. And if you do, assess yourself a two-stroke penalty. And No.

5 Lighten up. Remember, this isn't nuclear physics we're talking about here. Spots in The Challenge Senior PGA Tour pro-am event at the Vineyards Country Club in Naples are now on sale. Bear in mind, neither of these governing bodies has made radical changes. If you know anything about golf, you know that it is considered radical to wear anything but white shoes.

But at least they are steps, albeit small ones, in the right direction. Basically, what both groups have done is limit a player's preparation time before a shot to 40 seconds. And if a player is deemed to exceed his allotted time, he will be warned, and then penalized. In a USGA event, the penalty will be two strokes (after three warnings) on the PGA Tour the penalty will be $1,000 and one stroke (after just one warning). Somehow, however, this time frame still seems a bit excessive.

After all, the Miami Dolphins destroyed their entire season in just 38 seconds last year. But for now, it's a start. And since the rest of us don't rely on golf for our livelihood, I suggest we set a shot-preparation limit of 10 seconds or, at the very most, 20. If you're having trouble dealing with this, I'll give you a few helpful Local PGA chapter hands out honors AROUND SWF COURSES HE Southwestern Florida Chapter of the South Florida PGA on Wednesday night named Pelican's Nest director of golf Bill Ciof oletti as its 1992 Professional of the Year. Cioffoletti was cited by his peers for his all-'round and outstanding contributions to golf.

"He's the epitome of what a golf professional should be," said chapter secretary Todd Strane, director of sports activities at Cape Coral Golf Tennis Resort. "He knows his business, he's accommodating, a fine administrator, everything the PGA tries to instill in its members. I couldn't be more pleased that he received this official recognition by our chapter." Art Soderholm, an executive with Mark Distributors of Fort Myers, and an avid supporter of chapter programs and activities, was named its Amateur of the Year. Other award-winners announced at the chapter's annual Christmas banquet and party at Olde Hickory Golf Country Club included Jeff Sarver, Olde Hickory's head professional, recipient of the Club Realtions Award; Jim Kurtzeborn, head professional at Foxfire, winner of the Education Award; Jeff Bosox pitcher Taylor helps build complex On SWF GOLF SCOTT KORZENOWSKI actually expect to jog your memory with one dress rehearsal? Face it, if only you would come to the realization that two things, and two things alone, can happen when you hit the ball either you hit it where you want or you don't you could play this game a lot faster than you do. I could play a lot faster than I do.

We all could play a lot faster than we all do. But for some reason we continue to dilly-dally and tinker and ponder and plot and otherwise do everything in our power to make this relatively on GOLF BILL KILPATRICK Heilman of Bonita Bay, named Teacher of the Year; Art Smithwlck, director of golf at The Sanctuary, named Merchandiser of the Year at a private facility; Cioffoletti, Merchandiser of the Year at a resort facility; and Rich Lamb, director of golf for the City of Fort Myers, Merchandiser of the Year at a public facility. Named the chapter's Junior Golf Leader for the year was Spanish Wells head professional Tal Buchanan. Joe Donnelly, head professional at Kelly Greens Golf Country Club, was named the chapter's Player of the Year. Donnelly earned the honor by accumlating the highest number of points based on his finishes in chapter-sanctioned tournaments Oil SWF PEOPLE GLENN MILLER His battle begins in February when the team reports here.

Meanwhile, Taylor's working out and looking for more work. "You don't know anybody in town who needs somebody for like three weeks for a job?" Taylor asked. Keeping score Fort Myers Miracle president Mike Veeck, General Manager Roger Wexelberg and assistant general manager Lee Smith will attend baseball's winter meetings at Louisville this weekend. Fort Myers racquetball player Jason Waggoner, ranked No. 14 in the nation, lost a five-set exhibition 2-1 1, 1 1-3, 1 1-4, 6-1 1, 8-1 1 last Saturday to Mike Ray, the top-ranked player in the country.

"I feel good about my game," said Waggoner, who termed the experience "an inexpensive lesson." As you may know, Fort Myers native Deion Sanders does not talk to Atlanta sports writers. At least one Atlanta writer returned the favor. According to a newsletter of the Professional Football Writers of America, Sanders asked an Atlanta Falcons official to contact Len Pasquarelli of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Sanders reportedly wanted to get something in the Atlanta paper. Pasquarelli's response? "Tell Deion I'm not talking this week." Have you heard this about Fort Myers mayor Wilbur Smith? He's leaving Fort Myers to become mayor of St.

Petersburg because that city needs somebody to get a team for its stadium. Smith's not really leaving. That's just a feeble joke going around town. The mayor spearheaded the effort to build City of Palms Park and lure the Red Sox to hold spring training there. St.

Pete, meanwhile, has an empty stadium and no team. Glenn Miller is a News-Press staff writer. and Hill Boswell. The Challenge Cup format calls for an 18-hole morning best-ball round followed by an 1 8-hole two-man scramble. Pairings will be announced at a cocktail party scheduled for the evening before the event.

On tap for Dec. 1 2, at Pelican's Nest Golf Club in Bonita Springs, is the 5th Annual Mike Calbot Tournament of Charities, an event that has as its goal the raising of funds on behalf of Southwest Florida's underprivileged children. The charities involved are Lee Memorial Hospital's Child Life Specialist program, the Special Olympics, the Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association's underprivileged children program, and various Health and Rehabilitative Services programs devoted to the welfare of children. As in past years, prior to play, PGA Tour star Nolan Henke, along with LPGA Tour player Terry-Jo Myers and Mike Calbot himself, will conduct an instructional clinic. Calbot also will perform some of the incredible trick shots for which he enjoys an international reputation.

The per-player entry fee is $85, which includes not only the player's financial contribution to the outing's cause, but also a brunch, greens and Cape Coral men's 3-on-3 and a youth league for players ages 7-to-9. Info: 772-4232. BOATING Dec. 15 Captain license tests will be given at the Sea School of St. Petersburg.

Info: 305-536-6548 or 1-800-237-8663. FISHING Saturday, Sunday "Back Country Grande Slam" release tournament sponsored by Millers Marina in Boca Grande with a $1,000 first prize. Open to everyone Including guides and captains. Entry fee: $100. Info: Michael at 964-2232 or 697-8693.

Dec. 12 Fishing tournament on Captiva Island to benefit Big BrothersBig Sisters of Lee and Collier Counties. 8 a.m. to Noon at South Seas Plantation. Info: Paul Caron at 472-5111, ext.

3447, FOOTBALL Sundays The Caloosa Crew, a local Tampa Bay Buccaneers' fan club, is coordinating bus trips for the home games against Chicago (Sunday) and Atlanta (Dec. 13). Trip and ticket package: $30. Non-members are welcome. Info: 278-1212.

GENERAL The Olde Grey Rugby Club is 'looking for players. Info: John Bet-telli 939-3630. The Chiquita Boat Lock hours of operation are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. -5 p.m.

on weekends. Sports injuries and arthritis lecture by Dr. Abbott (Bo) Kagan at the Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center's Community Health Care Auditorium in Fort Myers. Info: 939-3200. SOCCER MondaysWednesdays The CapeMyers soccer team is looking for competitive players for its fall league.

Team practices 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at Pelican Field In Cape Coral. Info: 283-0252. SOFTBALL Registration Is under way for Cape Coral men's, women's, church and coed leagues. Info: 772-4232.

SWIMMING TuesdaysThursdays Swim Florida will offer extra training or stroke technique for all ages and levels from p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Cypress Lake High School pool. Fee: $25 per month plus annual registration. Mac Kennedy will coach the program. Info: 482-6600.

Registrations are being accepted for the Fort Myers Recreation Team, which will hold daily practice sessions for all ages at 4 p.m. Those who seek professional experience will be coached. Info: 936-4680 or 939-2200. Send Sports Calendar items to News-Press Sports Calendar, P.O. Box 10, Fort Myers, Fla.

33902 or FAX to 334-0708. throughout the year. He is the chapter's reigning match-play champion. The 14-man teams forthisyear's Challenge Cup, to be played Dec. 1 9 at Cape Coral Golf Tennis Resort, have been announced.

Playing for the professionals will be Pete Beringer of Wildcat Run, Todd Brown of Lochmoor Country Club, Joe Donnelly of Kelly Greens, Mike Dopslaf of Del Tura and Del Vera, Mark Hamstra of El Rio, Tom Harlin of River's Edge, Gary Keating of Ox Bow, Joe Keef of Lake Fairways and Pine Lakes, Kevin Kenny of Cypress Lake, John Lee of Imperial, Todd Strane of Cape Coral Golf Tennis Resort, and Nevin Sutclif of Lehigh's Mirror Lakes. Named the team's senior representatives were Marlon Heck of the Naples Beach Hotel Golf Club, and Bob Kinnard of Boca Grande. Named to the team of amateurs were Mark Arrington, Lee Booker, Tom Case Pete Hartmann, Gary Lewis, Bill Lovett, Chris Matarese, Mark McCabe, Jim Osburn, Joel Velasco, Joel Velasco and Mike Womble. The amateur team's senior players will be Larry Cunningham CALENDAR BASEBALL Saturday, Sunday Little League registration at Rutenberg Park from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open to boys and girls ages 6-15.

Players should bring birth certificates. Saturday, Dec. 10 Early registration for American League division of Cape Coral Little League at Gleason Field Complex. Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 107 p.m. to 9 p.m. Open for children 5 to 12. Info: Lynn Sandford 574-7523 or Richard Honyoust 772-1742.

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 12-13 The Dunbar Little League will be holding registration for boys baseball and girls Softball at the Stars Complex from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays.

Fee is $30. The league is looking for coaches, umpires and volunteers. Info: Lorenso Swain 694-2451 or Pete Brady 332-4952. Saturday-Dec. 13, Jan.

9-16 Registration for 1992 American Little League at Ted Ferrelra Complex on Linhart Street. Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Dec. 12 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m.; Dec. 13 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Jan. 9 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Jan.

10 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Jan. 16 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info: Philip A.

Kreig 482-4761. Dec. 12-13: North Fort Myers Little League will hold registration at two locations Dec. 12: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

at Hancock Park and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bayshore Elementary School. Dec. 13, registration takes place from noon to 4 p.m.

at Hancock Park only. Fee is $35 with a copy of birth certificate needed for new players only. Info: 995-0345. Dec. 19, Dec.

21-23, Dec. 28-30 John Cedarburg's second annual Major League Experience and Winter Baseball Camp, at Rutenberg Park. Dec. 19 for Major League Experience: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. seminar for youths of all ages given by major-leaguers.

Fee Is $20. Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30 for Winter Baseball Camp: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. instruction to youths aged 5-18 on the fundamentals of hitting, pitching, catching, throwing, infield and outfield play by Edison Community College coach Cedarburg and assistant coaches Pat Campbell and Alex Sotolong.

Fee is $50 ($60 if youth wants to attend Major League Experience and one week of camp). Info: 489-9486 or 489-9489. Dec. 28-31 Ted Corbin of the Minnesota Twins and George Evangelista of the Texas Rangers will help be featured guests at the Southwest Florida Baseball Camp, held at the Lee County Sports Complex and Veteran's Park in Naples. Open to children ages 7 to 18.

Fee: $85. Info: Mark Marsala 353-7169. Tuesdays The American division of the Cape Coral Little League is looking for coaches and managers. Applications are available at the Little League complex in west Cape Coral from p.m. Tuesdays.

Info: Ray Brotbeck 772-8582 or Kim Landis 945-0129. BASKETBALL Registration is under way for I BONITA BAY CLUB I The Florida State Golf Association has named Bonita Bay Club the 1992 Club of the Year. Bonita Bay was recognized for Its contributions to FSGA activities and tournaments, namely for hosting both the Florida State Amateur and Florida State Senior Amateur championships this past year. I GATEWAY GOLF CLUB I Entries are being accepted for two different Southwest Florida Senior events at the club. The first Is the annual Member-Guest tournament Feb.

8. The entry fee Is $125 per team. The second is the Damon's Southwest Florida Seniors Two-man Best Ball Championship on Feb. 15 and 22. The entry fee is $108 per player.

For more information on both tournaments, contact Ken Young at 768-1 106. I PELICAN'S NEST GOLF CLUB I The club will host the fifth-annual Mike Calbot Tournament of cart fees, awards and prizes. The day's activities will start with the 10: 1 5-1 1 :30 a.m. clinics. Brunch will be served from 1 1 2:15 p.m., with play scheduled to start under a 12:30 p.m.

shotgun. Gulf Coast two titles in HE Gulf Coast Cycling Club recently completed its third season of organized bicycling by notching two victories and other top finishes at the West Coast Criterium in Clearwater. Cape Coral's Earl Hilger, the current Florida Time Trial Champion in the 50-54 age group, won his age-division race by launching an early solo attack and eventually lapping the field. Port Charlotte's John Bird placed sixth in the same race. Plant City's Josh Fuller, the current Junior (ages 15-16) Road Race Champion and one of Florida's top triathletes, also picked up a victory in his division.

Buckingham's Holly Grabe was second in the Women's Race, as was Lehigh Acres' Dawn Coursin in the Open Women's Race. Punta Gorda's Pat Cramer von Clausbruch was seventh in the Category 4 race. The Gulf Coast club is in the midst of hosting a series of 1 0-kilometer (6.2 miles) and 20K (12.4 miles) Time Trial races near the Orangetree development in north Naples on County Road 858. Hilger had the fastest overall time in Nov. 22 trial on the 20K course, with a time of 29 minutes, 39 seconds, and set the course record for the men's 50-54 age group.

Other course records were set by Marco Island Mark Lambert, who had a 31:33 in the men's 30-34 age group; and Naples' Bill Galman (31:39) in men's 35-39. The other two races in the series, which are open to all ages and abilities, will be held Dec. 20 and Jan. 17. For more information, call 693-0580.

Formed in January 1 990 to provide a means for the development and support of bicycle racers and the sport of bicycle racing in Southwest Florida, the Gulf Coast club is a member of the United States Cycling Federation. The club began with only five members but mushroomed to 50 this year. The membership not only includes riders from Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties, but also from Sarasota, Plant City, Panama City and even Atlanta. Here's a look at some members and their accomplishments: Vanderbilt Beach's Todd Pearce got the club's first-ever race victory the Florida Junior (age 1 5-1 6) Time Trial Championships and went on to place ninth at the Junior Charities on Dec. 12.

PGA Tour player Nolan Henke, LPGA Tour player Terry Jo Myers and teaching pro Calbot will perform a clinic from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Brunch will follow and the players will tee off In a 12:30 p.m. shotgun. The tournament is best ball foursome using full handicap and the cost is $85, with proceeds going to underprivileged children in Southwest Florida. For more i Information, call 1-800-952-6378.

QUAIL WEST Renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter will open a Naples Golf Academy at Quail West. Known for his work with Nick Faldo, Nick Price and David Frost, among many others, Leadbetter will be at the Naples course on Tuesday to officially open the facility. Only members and their guests are welcome, however. 77 you would like news from your club or course printed send it to Scott Korzenowski," News-Press, P.O. Box 10, 33902.

For more information regarding this always-popular event, call 1-800-952-6378. Bill Kilpatrick is a News-Press columnist. Club takes Clearwater ON CYCLIflG BOB PETCHER Nationals in San Diego. Pearce again won the state championship in 1991, and qualified and entered the Senior National I Time Trial Championships this season. Pearce, along with Golden)--Gate's Doug Faas, Naples' Paul Carbone and Marco Island's Mark 1 Lambert, qualified as a time trial .) team forthe Olympics Trials this season.

However, Pearce broke his collarbone this season, keeping him out of the Junior Nationals and preventing him from defending his -state championship. Next year, the, club is looking to place him on -another team for better exposure oh the regional level. Cape Coral's Hilger emerged on the cycling scene in 1 99 1 winning his first club race and eventually placing fourth at the World In 1992, Hilger won numerous races, including the State Time Trial Championship and two other gold medals. He plans to compete at Masters' Nationals next season. Grabe, essentially a track racer, was one of only two Floridai cyclists invited to the Olympic 1 FestivalatLosAngelesinl991.

In 1992, Grabe captured two races: the Tour of Gainsville and the Daytona Criterium. Grabe is expected to return to track racing next season. She has collected 1 1 State Track Racing 1 Championship medals in four seasons in Washington and Indiana, and was twice Indiana District Sprint Champion. She also competed in the 1985 and '87 Senior Track Nationals. High school juniors Rich Farr of Sarasota and Fuller captured thje Junior (age 15-16) Criterium and the Junior Road Race Championship, respectively.

Golden Gate's Sean Melvin, another Junior class rider, emerge' as a 1 5-year-old rookie in 1 992, but unfortunately was struck by a car and was lost for the season. Melvin is expected to compete and be a factor in his division next season. Fort Myers' Rick Fett won the Bodybuilders' Expo Criterium in Tampa and the Tour of Gainsville in the Category 4 race this season. He has now been upgraded to Category 3 because of this year's results. Bob Pctcber is a member of the News-Press sports staff.

OU probably haven't heard of Scott Taylor. You may hear a little bit about him during spring training. Taylor has lived in Fort Myers only two months. His claim to fame as an athlete is the four games he pitched for the Boston Red Sox late last season. When the Red Sox's organization moves into its new Fort Myers spring-training camp in February, Taylor will have a unique perspective.

For several weeks after he moved here in October, Taylor worked on the construction crew at the Red Sox's minor-league complex. What's this? A major-league pitcher working as a common laborer, complete with sweat on his brow? Don't big-leaguers spend offseasons counting their millions, jetting around the world on exotic vacations and generally lording it over us poor folk? "I came down hoping to get a job to help put food on the table because in the offseason I don't have any income," said Taylor. As a veteran of four major-league games, Taylor, 25, hasn't earned millions. He doesn't want to reveal his salary but as a pitcher who spent the entire Class AAA season with the Pawtucket (R.I.) Red Sox of the International League last season, Taylor probably made no more than $2,000 a month. He's also married and has two children.

"If you're in the minor leagues working your way up and you have a family, it's tough to make a living," he said. "You have to find a job in the offseason to even hope to get by." Taylor's job this offseason was at the complex. His duties included shoveling, pushing wheelbarrows filled with dirt and helping move large, heavy rocks. In the evenings, he works out at a local health club. Taylor said he was let go at is job Monday.

He's now working as a handyman at his apartment complex and concentrating on working out. Tuesday, he began throwing. His catcher is his wife Pam. Taylor's primary goal is getting ready for the spring. Boston has four left-handed pitchers on its roster.

Veteran Frank Viola is the team's No. 1 lefty. Tony Fossas is Boston's only lefty in the bullpen. Taylor's competition to make the team as a left-handed starter is Joe Hesketh and Matt Young. At Pawtucket, Taylor was 9-1 1 with a 3.67 ERA.

In four big-league games, Taylor was 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA..