You Can Feel It.

Spring turning into summer, with the hope of great golf weather to come. This spring has been wildly inconsistent, with one week of gorgeous weather followed by a week of showers and downpours, leading to more than a few postponed outings and rounds with your buddies. That’s why we need to make every nice golf day count. And what better way to do it than with free greens fees.

In this issue, we profile the 10 Long Island golf courses that are a part of this year’s Golfing Magazine ‘Free Golf’ program. With words and glorious photos, we give you a taste of these varied and terrific courses, all of which offer unique challenges for enjoyable rounds of golf. There’s still time to subscribe and get in on the action. If you’ve played these courses before, no doubt you’re eager to return… and if there are courses on the list you’ve never tried, this is a perfect opportunity to experience a new venue.

Also in this issue, we have our cover story which spotlights someone who has become synonymous with Bethpage State Park. The longtime director of the park, Dave Catalano, has retired after 45 years with State Parks and a list of accomplishments that includes hosting two U.S Opens at Bethpage Black. For the tens of thousands of us who, in person, watched golf’s best try to tame the Black on two separate occasions, along with all of us who’ve tried to do the same ourselves, we owe a large debt of gratitude to Dave for all his incredible work over the years. We caught up with Dave at his recent retirement party which was held – where else – at Bethpage’s Carlyle on the Green.

As for YOUR golf game, you’ll find information in the pages ahead that are designed to sharpen your skills, with instructional tips for the physical, mental, and even nutritional aspects of the game.

When it comes to equipment, it might just be time to look at the clubs in your bag, and think about getting some new ones. Many of us have thought about doing it the ‘right way’ – to actually be custom fit for a new set – and in our “Breakfast Ball” column, our own David Weiss shares his own custom-fitting experience with us. David calls it an ‘eye-opening, educational and somewhat sobering experience.’ Yes, the monitors and computer read-outs will tell you where your deficiencies are, but you also learn how new, custom-fit clubs can make a substantial difference. Listen… if this can help David, it can help anyone.

This issue also includes our updated ‘golfing planner’, with a list of upcoming Charity Outings and recaps of some successful outings already played. Don’t forget about the important information from the Executive Women’s Golf Association, also known as the EWGA, with the largest chapter on the country thriving right here on Long Island.

So, we’re off and running. We’re well into the 2011 golf season, with many great rounds ahead of us, and much to do. As always, we’re here to help, because any day you can get out there to play is indeed a day to remember.