Annual Polar Bear Open Feb. 12, 2012

It’s time to get ready for the first golf tournament of the year at the Burlington Golf Center, Route 4, in Burlington, Connecticut. The Seventeenth Annual Polar Bear Open will be held on Sunday February 12, 2012. The nine-hole event with holes ranging from 150 to 250 yards was established by Chet Dunlop, Connecticut PGA Teacher of The Year, founder of the Burlington Golf Center and Director of The New England School of Golf. The Polar Bear Open began in 1994 as an informal event between Chet and other local pros caught in the deep freeze of a tough New England winter. It proved so popular that Dunlop decided to make it an official annual event. Over the years players have contended with everything from ice and snow, to thunder, lightning and mud. This group of hearty New Englanders seems to revel in the challenge of the elements.

With temperatures some years hovering near 10 degrees a full field of men and women’s and junior divisions vie for first, second, and third place prizes, as they ignore the calendar. Each loop brings the participants back to the Pro Shop for free mugs of hot mulled cider and tasty treats from Hogan’s Cider Mill, also located on the property. Players warm themselves by the wood-burning stove as they discuss their strategy before heading out to brave the elements and the whims of the golf gods. The Polar Bear Open will begin at 10AM and runs through mid-afternoon. Participants must register in advance. Entry fee is $25 per player. The Burlington Golf Center is on Route 4 in Burlington, Connecticut. For more information call 860-675-7320 or email: info@burlingtongolfcenter.com or visit www.newenglandschoolofgolf.com About Chet Dunlop PGA Golf is a sport that anyone can play, and everyone can play better. Chet believes that the game of golf is accessible to every student who wants to play, and his mission is to help each player discover their own ability in a relaxed and supportive environment. He knows he cannot give his student a swing, but he can help that student find their own. It is this approach to teaching that is sustainable as this method allows the student to become their own coach, recognizing their strengths and reinforcing them as they play. As the Director of the New England School of Golf for over 25 years Chet has coached thousands of students utilizing his particular approach to the game of golf. In that time he has been named Teacher of the Year by the CT PGA, while receiving recognition for his coaching ability not only by national publications including Golf Magazine and Golf Digest, but he has also been featured in Japan’s own Golf Magazine. Chet’s impact on his students reveals their natural ability and helps them find their own way into the game. As long time local golfer Norm August explains: “Chet helped me find my natural swing, (and showed me how not to) let all the other stuff that I was trying to do get in the way, and it was perfect … it was just natural.” Chet is pleased to be a part of the Canton Indoor Golf Center Team and looks forward to exploring the game with his students in CT’s own world class practice and teaching venue. Please call 860-675-7320 to schedule an appointment. www.newenglandschoolofgolf.com.