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Members of Meadowlands Country Club since late June have been enjoying rounds on their renovated course in Blue Bell, Montgomery County.
Seven of the 18 holes are "brand new" after a reconstruction program that started last August, according to Meadowlands professional Jay Friedman. The work was supervised by architect Tom Clark of Ault-Clark Associates.
The holes involved in major changes are the first, third, sixth, seventh, eighth, 14th and 17th.
The par-five 17th, for example, was shorted by about 70 yards to 482 yards from the back tees and 475 from the middle tees. "This makes it a real risk-reward hole," said Friedman. "After two good shots, the average player now may have a shot of 100 yards
to the green instead of 200, but it will be a downhill lie. For the good player, the challenge is off the tee." A strong drive will leave a risky 195 to 225 yards to a green now protected by water.
The par-three sixth now requires a 220-yard shot from the back tees, 205 from the middle, to an elevated green with water in play on the right and out of bounds left.
Other major work resulted in bunker renovations at every hole, the removal of about 500 trees and the widening of fairways from an average of 25 yards to 35-40 yards.
'We wanted to add some excitement to the course and also make it more user friendly," Friedman said. "It's possibly a little easier now than it was, but when the greens firm up, it will be a fair test."
Meadowlands opened in 1951. It has about 235 golfing members with no waiting list at present.
Staff Writer
To the weekend player. golf may not seem like a strenuous game, but playing the sport at a high level takes its toll on the body. Waynesborough Country Club assistant Miguel Biamon noticed the warning signs two years ago,
"I had arthroscopic surgery on my knee," the 34-year-old Biamon recalled. "Then I injured my knee playing basketball. I did some rehab, but I couldn't stay motivated. I struggled through 1994 with my knee hurting and then decided to try something differen
t."
That something was USA Rehab, a Conshohocken-based organization that specializes in helping patients rehabilitate in a positive, uplifting environment.
"It's an environment that's exciting," said USA's Howard Aaron. "There's a lot of energy."
USA Rehab's approach is different from many other rehab services in that it brings services to the customer rather than the other way around. The company leases space in health clubs, gyms and other facilities and uses its own staff of fitness experts to
work directly with its clients.
"It's not just a clinical environment," Aaron says. "Our patients are like gym members. They see other people working out, and it helps motivate them."
Biamon, a two-time Philadelphia PGA champion, has established a regular workout regimen. "I start with a 10 minute aerobic workout to warm up, then I do 45-55 minutes of squats, leg extensions and other things to strengthen my legs," he said. "The entire
workout takes a little over an hour. The center is near my home, and I can go there and work out and then go out to the club."
Biamon likes USA's approach to rehabilitation: "They're very aggressive. It's almost like having a personal trainer. They're pushing you to make the time you're spending worthwhile. You see the payback."
Another local professional who has seen the benefit of the USA Rehab program is Lulu's Jack MacCarty. The 48-year-old had been plagued by shoulder and elbow problems before seeking help. "Everybody else in the gym is doing something, too," McCarty said. "
It's easier to stick with it." McCarty now works out three days a week.
Biamon says the workout program has given him a sense of renewal: "I'm in better shape physically but I'm also more confident. I feel more confident on the lesson tee, dealing with people, about everything."
