offers course at practice
Seniors work to bring
golf games up to par
Manalapan Senior Center
offers course at practice
DAVE BENJAMIN Teaching professional Bob Corbo gives instruction to Stanley Franklin at the Hole In 1 Golf Center, Millstone Township, during a program being offered by the Manalapan Senior Center.
facility in Millstone Twp.
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
With their eyes on the ball, a group of Manalapan seniors are enjoying a course in which they are learning how to play golf.
The course is being taught at the Hole In 1 Golf Center, Route 33, Millstone Township, by Bob Corbo, the teaching pro at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. The Hole In 1 Golf Center, which is owned by Ming C. Kong, features a par 3 course, a practice putting green, a practice chipping area and a covered, heated driving range.
On a recent morning when the seniors were getting their instruction, Corbo was joined by Rich Masi of North Bergen, who currently plays on the Canadian professional golf tour.
The golf program is sponsored by the Manalapan Senior Center with a federal grant administered by the Monmouth Office on Aging. According to Elaine McNamara, director of the senior center, after the program ended last year there was a lot of positive feedback. She said more people asked for the golf program to be continued.
McNamara said the program has five sessions for a beginners group and five sessions for an intermediate group. Each session lasts an hour for the 12 people at each of the two levels.
"For the beginners, it’s an introduction to the very basics, holding the golf clubs, and posture," McNamara said. "(For) the intermediate (group), they give very individualized attention to the different skill levels. They just try to improve their game."
The program, now in its second year, has been very well received by the seniors and by the teaching staff, she said. The program began last year at the Battleground Country Club, but due to ongoing construction at that facility it was moved to the Hole In 1 Golf Center in neighboring Millstone.
"The golf pros really enjoyed offering the program to the seniors," McNamara said. "The seniors really did appreciate having the opportunity to learn the basics of the game and to get an introduction to golf."
In beginning a lesson, Corbo told the seniors that, "Golf is all structure. It’s a technique game. If you don’t get the structure correct it’s really very difficult to progress with the game."
Taking a golf club in hand, Corbo noted that the biggest part of the structure is the grip.
"The grip is the No. 1 most important single thing in the golf plan," the instructor said. "Without a good grip on the golf club it becomes very difficult to get it in the right spot."
Posture and balance were the next things for the seniors to think about, followed by their alignment with the target.
Corbo reminded the seniors that the aim of the game is not to just hit the golf ball, but to hit the ball to a target.
"Hitting the target is the most important thing," said the instructor.
The participants then queued up for their practice strokes.
"This has been a phenomenal experience for me," said Alice Luzzi. "The gentleman who teaches us has given us time and patience. He doesn’t make us feel that we are not up to par."
Jean Hering said, "It’s been a wonderful experience, and it’s been very enlightening."
Hering said she hopes to be able to play a real game of golf soon. She complimented Corbo and the Hole In 1 Golf Center facilities.
Golfer Roz Gnatt said, "Bob Corbo has been an inspiration to me. After 20 years of not holding a golf club in my hand, due to a bad back, he’s not only given me the confidence to hold it and learn, but he’s given me the hope that I can go on to the next level and really become a golf player."
Gnatt said she appreciated the course being offered by the Manalapan Senior Center.
McNamara said she is hoping to expand the golf program, which is in addition to the other programs, such as strength training, writing and crafts, that are sponsored at the Manalapan Senior Center, Route 522.
"I hope, down the road, there is always the potential to apply and receive more money through the grant," she said. "Maybe we could offer a spring program (in golf) also. It’s very popular and it’s something they can take away and have for the rest of their lives."