100 Holes of Golf to benefit youth ranch
Anyone who says "I just can't get enough golf" might want to check with some East End stalwarts after they leave the course a week from Tuesday. Each golfer will play five rounds, and then 10 more holes after that, in one day at Olde Vine Golf Club in Riverhead. Their 100 Holes of Golf will raise funds for the Timothy Hill Children's Ranch (www.timothyhillranch.org).
"What they do at that ranch is just amazing," said Cliff Clark, proprietor of the Shelter Island-based South Ferry and a board member at the Riverhead ranch, which is for youths who have been abused, neglected or in crisis. Clark, 68, is among those who will tee it up 100 times.
He has been playing golf only for the past eight years, but has a passion for it. Having raced against Steve Prefontaine at the 1972 U.S. Olympic Trials, Clark still is in great shape, which will help. Every golfer will have his or her own cart to move things along, but that still is a lot of bending, moving and concentrating.
"The secret to playing 100 holes is to look at it as a 12-hour workday. Stay focused, don't waste any time looking for lost balls," Clark said, "and do what you're supposed to do anyway: Swing easy."
LIers seek Open spots
It has been a busy week for Jim Liu of Smithtown, what with final exams at the Knox School. But he has had time to squeeze in practice at Stonebridge Golf Links near his home, preparing for Monday and his shot at the U.S. Open.
He and several other Long Islanders are seeking the chance of a lifetime in the 36-hole sectional qualifier at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J. "I'll be playing with my future teammate at Stanford, Cameron Wilson," said Liu, who is spending the weekend at Canoe Brook. Liu does not graduate high school until next year, but has already committed to Tiger Woods' former college. Wilson, of Rowayton, Conn., is a Stanford sophomore and former Met Amateur champion.
Liu's fellow teen, Matt Lowe of Farmingdale, said his practice this week at Colonial Springs Golf Club in East Farmingdale has produced a breakthrough. Others have been able to prepare by competing. Dylan Crowley of Glen Cove and St. John's qualified this week for the Ike and Sean Quinlivan, head pro at Piping Rock, played well, tying for third at 1 under in the Met PGA Head Pro Championship.
In any case, tomorrow will be a long, intense day. "Seventy-three golfers going for four spots," Lowe said the other night, on his way to an awards banquet. "Just let it fly."
Chip shots
Befitting its title, the Long Island Open is open to spectators, without charge, at Bethpage Red Tuesday through Thursday. Fresh Meadow head pro Matt Dobyns is the defending champion . . . Chloe Altchek of Harvard, daughter of Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek, is the defending champion of the Women's Met Amateur, to be held Tuesday at Stanwich in Greenwich, Conn. . . . Final Words: Signs outside the former Links at Shirley say nothing about golf. They refer to a final subdivision application to go before the Brookhaven Town Planning Board at 4 p.m. Monday. The signs, in front of wildly overgrown fairways and greens cite a plan to build 73 homes on the property.
