Forsgate Country Club hosts golf writers with third annual Writer Cup Tournament

Tomorrow marks the third annual "Writer Cup", a tradition begun by Forsgate Country Club to celebrate golf writers of the MET/GAP regions.

There are two courses at Forsgate CC, the Banks and Palmer Courses. We're invited to play the historic Banks Course which is lush and deeply bunkered as compared to the Palmer Course which is laden with water hazards. I prefer sand to water any day on a golf course!

Designed in 1931 by Charles “Steamshovel” Banks, the Banks Course is a par 71 which stretches to 6,844 yards from the tournament tees and is a true test of skills for the above average golfer. This is probably why I'll stick with the forward tees during this tournament!









Here are some recent accolades about Forsgate Country Club:

• Jersey Golfer Winter 2006 Magazine ranked the Banks Golf Course at Forsgate Country Club #10 among the top 50 Best Golf Courses in the state of New Jersey.
• "The Met Area's Top 50 Courses", The Met Golfer, April 2007
• "The Best of Northeast Golf"; 2007: "Best Conditioned Golf Course" and "Best Overall Course" Lists
• Named "2007 Club of the Year", by the NJ Chaper of National Golf Course Owners Association

Prior to the round there will be individual and team short game skills competition and an instructional clinic. At last year's event I received a great drill from golf professional Gia Bocra-Liwski.

Yes, I'll enjoy the golf (no matter how well I score) but, honestly, I can't wait for the renowned Steak and Lobster Dinner. Served in the Main Clubhouse, Forsgate CC goes to great lengths to provide a memorable time for the golf writers.

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New Hampshire Lodging and Dining from 1785

After about a five and a half hour drive from New York, it was refreshing to finally enter the North Conway area in Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire. Main Street is an eclectic mix of restored beauty brimming with both antique and contemporary shops. It's a "must-see" village for anyone wishing to experience what it was like to live during the times of our nation's independence!

The Eastern Slope Inn was "home" for the first leg of our trip and is a graceful yet imposing structure on the National List of Historic Places. Dating back over one hundred years, Eastern Slope Inn blends history with modern amenities.


We stayed in the newly built Whitaker House "Suites". This part of the resort is only accessible to the Inn via a long tunnel. The drive around the building to our door and the entry into the room from the parking lot felt more like a motel than the cozy ambience we anticipated when we first checked in. Also our window shades remained drawn and the air conditioner was used (instead of breathing in that fresh mountain air) because of the ground floor "view". Portions of the Inn are said to "overlook the duck pond and orchard with views of the golf course and Cathedral Lodge." I noticed some really nice views while walking around the Inn.

The Whitaker House room at the Eastern Slope Inn is large, very clean, has a full kitchen, gas fireplace but also has a pull-down Murphy bed as the main sleeping arrangement! This type of bed is not for everyone (better for the kids) as we found out the next morning after an uncomfortable night's sleep.


Dinner at Delaneys-Hole-In-the-Wall that night was a short walk from the Eastern Slope Inn and had a welcoming pub atmosphere after our long drive.


North Conway Country Club abuts the Eastern Slope Inn and, even though we could have "hoofed it" carrying our golf bags the next morning, we chose to drive! Beautiful mountain views greeted us at the course and, after a round of golf, we decided to take a 55-minute ride on the North Conway Railway located adjacent to the course.


Dinner reservations were at the 1785 Inn, one of the oldest picturesque Bed and Breakfasts in the Mt. Washington Valley, North Conway area. Built by Captain Elijah Dinsmore, the 1785 Inn Restaurant has won several distinctions like the "Golden Fork Award." I found the Salmon Ravioli and homemade Blueberry Pie to be delicious.


One more night's stay at the Eastern Slope Inn and then we drove eight miles to Attitash Mountain Village. This 60-acre condominium resort is an affiliate of RCI (timeshare ownership) and is located a few miles closer to the White Mountain National Forest.

"Zealand House", located within Attitash Mountain Village, is basically a large, remodeled second story condo which offered us a fluffy king-sized bed (thankfully), small appliances, a gas fireplace and deck.



That being said, here are a few thoughts regarding our stay:



Maid service is available for an extra fee, a front desk phone call was necessary for soap and shampoo, there was no dining area but there was a big tub in the room. The over-sized DLP TV was difficult to watch positioned in front of the foot board. The deck was filled with sawdust: after the remodel no one bothered to clean up.


Zealand House was walking distance to a busy outdoor pool. With ski trails and a wealth of outdoor activities on the premises and within driving distance, Attitash Mountain Village is designed as a "kid-friendly" resort.


Lunch was spent in Jackson, NH, at the J-Town Deli, a Country Store that offers freshly cooked food (and great WIFI reception) with a smile from John and Genn, husband wife owners.



Genn told us that people come from miles around to purchase the Chocolate Mint Brownies. We had one brownie and one raspberry square but wish we could have taken several more home because it was a delicious, mouth-watering experience!


For dinner we ate at the Darby Field Inn Restaurant, nestled into a secluded road just six miles from North Conway. The guest rooms are intimate and upscale with a charm that oozes warmth. The mountain view from the restaurant was relaxing and the food was fresh and tasty. The home baked dinner rolls, in particular, were stupendous!


Golf at the Omni Mount Washington Resort's Donald Ross course in Bretton Woods was scheduled for the following day. Sweeping vistas of the Resort and mountains were at every turn. The golf course was in superb condition and, as per my tweets, I think my golf ball found every bunker and most trees! The fairways are undulating and the greens and course are in "Resort" condition.






That being said, we spent a few hours afterward lounging on the huge veranda with a cold brew and sandwich taking in the scenery and the fresh mountain air!



Depending on whether you are looking for romance or a place to spend time with your children, there is a wealth of dining and lodging options to choose from in the Mt. Washington Valley area. The food is fresh and abundant and the people are charming and welcoming making this area in New Hampshire worth the visit!


A Technology Note:


Traveling within New Hampshire may feel a bit like going back in time if you are a techie. Low WIFI signals were common in a few of the Inns, hotels and surrounding the mountains.


A special "thanks for the hospitality" goes to:


Joe Berry, owner Eastern Slope Inn,  Attitash Mountain Village


Dave Delaney, owner, Delaney's Hole-in-the-Wall


Larry and Kathy Gallagher, Nancy Stewart, North Conway Country Club


Charlie Mallar, co-owner, 1785 Inn


Genn & John, J-Town Deli, Jackson, NH


Marc and Maria Donaldson, innkeepers and owners, Darby Field Inn, Albany, NH


Sam, Assistant Pro, Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, Golf Course, Donald Ross design

Marti Mayne, MaynelyMarketing.com


Ryan Triffit,  Mt Washington Auto Road and Guided Van Tour 


(featured in our New Hampshire Nature Blog...coming soon)

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New Hampshire's Turn of the Century Charm

Our turn-of-the-century adventure began at the Eastern Slope Inn Resort, a North Conway, New Hampshire landmark National Historic Landmark since 1864. It sites smack-dab in the middle of the Village and exudes charm right from the street.

We traveled about three blocks or so down the road to the North Conway Country Club, a public "welcoming" golf course in which several generations were represented.  The front nine was created in 1895 but the back nine was not added on until 1976 with the Clubhouse finally erected in 1985.


North Conway CC is scenic right off the first tee. Take a look and you decide:

Here are some impressions of North Conway Country Club. The fairways are undulating and the greens are deceptive. You might think that there is a lot of break on the front nine greens but I found it easier to aim right for the hole. The back nine has more breaks on the green than on the front nine. It is flat and walkable but a cart is recommended to keep the foursomes moving along.

The course was busy and there was a group following closely behind us. That made me keep looking behind backward but Barry said, "you shouldn't allow them to disrupt your game. This is your game, this is your 18 holes. You shouldn't allow them to take away this beautiful day." Wise words but I could still use some help with the strength of my mental game.

Thanks to Larry and Kathy Gallagher for making us feel welcome!

After the round of golf, we took a ride on the Conway Scenic Railway sitting in an original revamped 1898 Pullman car. We were offered the rare chance of seeing the Pullman car reconnect with the engine car, just as it was done in New Hampshire over 100 years ago. We also sat in the reserved seating outside as you can see from our videos below:



Locomotive train coupling with 1898 Pullman car




Sitting behind locomotive in original 1898 Pullman car

Our trip back through time also included a dinner at the charming 1785 Inn, once owned and operated by Elijah Dinsmore. If you happen to be in New Hampshire, a dinner here should include the Salmon Ravioli appetizer with Gruyere and for dessert the unrivalled Blueberry Pie.

Between the incomparable mountain views, the old world charm of New Hampshire and the great dining options in North Conway, a few days here passes quickly. The Auto Road to the top of Mt. Washington and zip-lining are among other features of New Hampshire but we'll save that review for the nature blog!

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Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire - Main Street USA

Five and a half hours from New York quietly sits Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire. As you can see from the photograph below, it has an old town feel with antique shops, eateries and the beautiful view of the mountains hanging over the horizon.

Hungry after a long trip and right near the Eastern Slope Inn is a typical-looking bar/restaurant called Delaney's Hole in the Wall. Their website claims that they have the "best wings in New Hampshire" and so we put them to the test. 

The bartender told us to try the "double-baked honey hot wings" even though they weren't on the menu (in other words, they'll make them for you if you ask nicely.) Simply put, we agree! The wings are large and very flavorful, so much so that may be picking up an order for the ride home!  

Main Street, North Conway, New Hampshire in Mt. Washington Valley

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Five Minutes to Tee-Time...Are YOU Ready to Play Golf?

Most golfers at one time or another have raced to the first tee without preparation, hoping for the best. "Maybe it'll only take a few holes before I get my swing going," we may think to ourselves but that sort of thinking can cost you strokes!

The "5 Minutes to Tee-Time" website makes an interesting point, that "the average golfer “gives away” anywhere from 3-5 strokes in the first few holes of the golf round, not because they are bad golfers…but because they are NOT prepared to swing the club."

Here are a few Sample Movements from their website designed to get the blood flowing and shake off the effects of sitting behind a desk all day.


Stretching will not only help you physically before a round of golf but it will also give afford you increased confidence and better consistency right from the first tee.

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Mickelson and Woods blowing in the wind at British Open?

Will Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods take a back seat to Oosthuizen at this year's British Open?

"I need some luck," said a dejected Phil Mickelson after his second round of the British Open concluded. Disappointed that he wasn't driving the ball very well, a little bit of luck could have meant that he hoped the rest of the crowd didn't fare much better, and they didn't yesterday, with not a single player breaking par after Mickelson left the 18th green.

Tiger Woods, when asked by a journalist yesterday if he was "willing to cut out all those tantrums this week and respect the home of golf?" Tiger responded, "I'm trying to become a better player and a better person, yes."

Yes, Tiger Woods, tantrums and outbursts just won't be tolerated. A calm steely attitude could go a long way at St. Andrews, especially on moving day.

Early this morning, out of the thirty golfers completing the second round, three came out in red numbers, including amateur Jin Jeong (70), Alejandro Canizares (71) and Darren Clarke (70).

And who is this little known South African, Louis Oosthuizen (sounded like 'whisthasen' when he pronounced it), who has totally left the rest of the golfers blowing in the wind? Nicknamed Shrek (because of a headcover he used to use), his full name is Lodewicus Theodorus Oosthuizen and he won the Open de Andalucia in March. He's the 54th-ranked player in the world and is 22nd on the European Tour money list.

We have seen this scenario many times before, when relative unknowns come out of nowhere to win major tournaments, from Lucas Glover (2009 U.S. Open) to Zach Johnson (2007 Masters)...wouldn't it add an element of surprise if Tiger Woods creeped up the leaderboard and forced Oosthuizen into a playoff?

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