MIAMI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB IS BACK I recently played at the refurbished Miami Country Club and could not believe my eyes. They have transformed this troubled course in to a respectable venue. My compliments to Richard Orr and his staff, they have done wonders. I had a great lunch, too.

TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS (MARK YOUR CALENDARS) (1) The Grove Ridgerunner Band is having a tournament August 22nd at The Peninsula (Shangri-La). For sign up and more details contact Joannie Higgins at 918-257-8602. (2) My Shangri-La friends Jack and Jackie Moore are having a tournament September 20th. The tournament benefits Mary Moore and the Special Olympics. The specifics are 7:30 Driving Range, 8:30 Registration with a 9:00 shotgun start at The Peninsula (Shangri-La). The entry fee is $100 per player. Lots of prizes and awards as well as lunch.. To sign up or get more details contact Jack Moore at 918-257-5255. (3) ATTENTION ROTARY CLUB MEMBERS - A district Rotary Golf Tournament is scheduled for September 25th at the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin. Lunch and registration is at 11:30 am. Shotgun start is at 1:00 pm. The top 2 teams per flight win prizes as well as the traditional closest to pin, etc. Any Rotary member can play. Contact me for sign up. $100.00 per player (includes lunch, green fee and cart).

SATURDAY LADIES CLINIC INFO: We are stopping the Saturday ladies clinics at Patricia Island for the season. Thanks to the last 5 ladies that came. We will start back up in the spring.

GOLF TIP of the WEEK Driver Help: Do these 3 things on the practice range and I guarantee theyll help you. (1) Feel your weight evenly distributed, then shift at least to 70% back. Feel egg shells under the front foot. (2) Take the club back LOW and SLOW, then (3) try to hit the ball about 80 to 90% of potential distance.

LOCAL GOLF NEWS - I heard that Zack Hamilton over at The Coves had a Hole in One recently, congrats. - Another OTour tournament scheduled for October. Local players are encouraged to sign up. Patricia Islands Andy Stewart has announced that The Oklahoma Individual Golf Tour is bringing their tournament to Patricia Island October 25th and 26th. To get more information go to www.otourgolf .com. Any further questions call Andy at Patricia Island, 918-786-3338.

GOLF JOKE OF THE WEEK From my friend Jim Baird, again THE GOLFER'S POEM In my hand I hold a ball.... white and dimpled, rather small.... Oh, how bland it does appear.... this harmless looking little sphere.... By its size I could not guess.... the awesome strength it does possess.... But since I fell beneath it's spell.... I've wandered through the fires of hell.. My life has not been quite the same.... Since I chose to play this stupid game.... It rules my mind for hours on end... A fortune it has made me spend.... It has made me swear and yell and cry.... I hate myself and want to die.... It promises a thing called par.... If I can hit straight and far.... To master such a tiny ball.... should not be very hard at all But my desires the ball refuses.... and does exactly like it chooses.... It hooks and slices, dribbles and dies.... and even disappears before my eyes.... Often it will take a whim.... to hit a tree or take a swim.... With miles of grass on which to land.... it finds a tiny patch of sand.... Then has me offering up my soul.... if only it would find the hole.... It's made me whimper like a pup.... and swear that I will give it up.... And take a drink to ease my sorrow.... but the ball knows..... I'll be back tomorrow!!!!

Keep it in the Middle! Steve