Golf club getting into the swing


Mount Snow’s golf management team includes, from left, merchandise manager Linda Doty, Fairways restaurant manager Melissa Sutton, pro shop supervisor Jenny Darrigo, head pro Matt Conroy, assistant superintendent Frank Santoro, and head superintendent Bryan White. Photo by Randy Capitani

DOVER- Golfers in the valley have been ready to get out on the local links this spring. They won’t have to wait any longer, as the Mount Snow Golf Club opens Friday, May 18.
According to head pro Matt Conroy, the course survived the winter just fine and is ready for the summer season.
“We’re excited about it opening. The course is coming out of winter pretty nicely, with no major damage,” said Conroy. “It’s a nice course, it plays nicely, and it’s a good challenge.”
Conroy said one thing has been added to help average golfers address some of that Mount Snow challenge and make it more player-friendly.
“We’ve been adding some forward tees to shorten it up for the shorter hitters. That helps its playability. It helps shorten the course, so that a player can hit a shorter iron in their approach shot to the green.”
“Players love it,” added Conroy. “They think it makes the course more friendly, and they are enjoying their rounds a lot more.”
Conroy credited maintenance chief Bryan White and the grounds crew for integrating the tees into the course and for getting it through a difficult winter. “All the credit goes to him and his team for the great condition of the course.”
Conroy, who hails from Pennsylvania, has been at the Mount Snow club for five years, and has been the head pro for the past four.  He’s very excited about the opportunities coming this summer for players to get out on the course, and to sharpen their game.
“We’re going to have a great ladies clinic. It is a free one-hour lesson for intermediates or beginners on Wednesday afternoons.” Conroy added the clinic begins at either 3 or 4 pm and is followed by the Wednesday ladies league. The cost for the league is $25, which includes nine holes of golf and a cart.
There are also plans in the works for a weekly junior golf clinic for 7- to 15-year-olds. Conroy said the final details are not done yet, but the cost will be $20 per week for an hour to hour-and-a-half class.
Of course, for golfers who want a more intensive training session, The Original Golf School at Mount Snow is gearing up for another summer. Founder Jay Morelli is offering a number of two-day tuneup programs until July 8.  They include five hours of instruction, course play, carts, and on-course and video analysis.  The golf school is also offering the Nike Junior Golf Camp June 24 to 28, which includes both day and overnight options for young golfers.
Conroy is excited about the youth golf programs, saying “junior golfers, they’re the next generation.”
As far as course play goes, the Thursday night mens league has proven to be quite popular. Last year, according to Conroy, there were 54 participants in the league. One reason is probably the cost, which is $85 for the summer, with a nominal fee for weekly play. The fees include an end-of-the-season dinner and prizes at the dinner.
There will be an information and sign-up session for the mens league June 1 at 5 pm.  
Other affordable deals include a Friday night “nine and dine,” which is $75 per couple and includes nine holes of golf, a cart, and a lobster dinner. There are $29 specials on Wednesday afternoons and early season rates are $40 midweek and $60 weekends until May 31.  Season memberships are also available for juniors, midweek, families, and unlimited play.
For tee times, to sign up for lessons or for more information call the pro shop at (802) 464-4254 or visit mountsnow.com. To sign up for The Original Golf School programs or more information call (800) 240-2555 or visit theoriginalgolfschool.com.

The Deerfield Valley News

797 VT Route 100 North
Wilmington, VT 05363

Phone: 802-464-3388
Fax: 802-464-7255

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