“Honey, I’m going to the driving range tonight at the WolfHollow Golf Club.”

The golfer’s wife gives a bemused look as she picks up thedishes from the evening meal. “How the heck can you play golf atnight? Where exactly are you really going?”

The husband, amazed by his wife’s inquiry, recognizes thatdoubtful tone in her voice.

“Honest, honey. I’m going to the Wolf Hollow Golf Club. They’vegot lights on the driving range!”

Really.

“Then how about dropping me off at Wal-Mart so I can do someshopping while you hit golf balls?”

It’s a done deal.

Even better, the golfer can hone his game despite the blisteringheat of summer. The temperature actually drops below 90 degreesafter the sun sinks low in the western sky.

Ronny Ross, PGA Director of Golf at Wolf Hollow, is looking fora new way to promote the game. On Tuesday nights, the Wolf Hollowdriving range will be open for business.

As a bonus, Ross will instruct golfers free of charge as theywork on their individual games. The only cost is a bucket ofpractice/driving range balls.

“I am looking for ways to promote the game of golf,” said Ross.”Being a PGA Professional, that is what we strive to do. Throughpromotions like Play Golf America, I have come up with a uniquepromotion.”

It will be known as Tune Up Tuesdays. Ross turns on the lightsTuesday nights, allowing golfers to beat the heat.

“Tuesday seems to be a good night to do it because there is nota lot going on,” said Ross. “With football (season) approaching, itmay be the only free night that we have.”

Ross plans to continuously walk up and down the range and givepeople tips to improve their games. Wolf Hollow members willreceive half price balls that night.

“My hope is to get more people involved in this wonderful gameof golf,” said Ross who also serves as Co-Lin’s golf coach.

The Third Annual MS/LA Junior Golf Championship, played twoweekends ago at Wolf Hollow, is one of Ross’ pet projects. Itattracted nearly 100 junior golfers from Mississippi andLouisiana.

Wolf Hollow’s challenging layout received some rave reviews. Thegreens were slick and the playing conditions were great but it wastough on the players who had to walk 18 holes over the hilly layoutin 90-degree weather.

Heck, that sounds like a cold wave, compared to this latest weekof 100-degree scorchers. Preseason football practice is under wayand it has been tough, almost dangerous to practice in theafternoon heat.

Picture Days have been a sweat-soaked challenge for me and myNo. 1 assistant, Richard Dube. Coaches and players are not fond ofPicture Day and the heat compounds the difficulty.

Last Friday we were at Enterprise. Not a leaf was stirring at 2p.m. as rivulets of perspiration trickled down my legs. Can youimagine trying to run and tackle in this heat?

Unfortunately, air conditioning comfort has spoiled us. In thegood old days, most homes just had an attic fan to pull humid airthrough the building. Every home had screen doors which welcomedthe smallest breeze.

Growing up in Dallas, I remember sleeping outside under thestars during the summer with some of my elementary school friendswho lived in the neighborhood. The heat didn’t seem to bother usmuch because we played outside all day long.

Our prayers and condolences to Preston Berry’s family. TheCopiah Academy football player was killed in an automobile accidentAug. 5, along with one of his older friends.

Berry was a big, strong lineman with an even bigger smile on hisface. Copiah Academy head coach Scott Cline said his team is tryingto cope with the loss. It’s been a sad, difficult experience forfriends, teammates and family.

Berry’s No. 73 jersey number will be worn as a decal on the backof each Copiah helmet this season. Cline said Berry’s jersey willbe kept on the sidelines during games. A memorial at the mainschool building also will be featured.

Berry (6-0, 235) was one of 10 seniors dedicated to successfullydefending the Class AA state championship the Colonels capturedlast December. This season will be played in his memory.

Copiah hosts a 10-school jamboree today, starting at 5 p.m. andlasting until 10 or after.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com