Eat Golf! 13

FEATURES: BY THE PGAs OF EUROPE & LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR. YOUR GAME: ANNA RAWSON, CLUB FITTING, CHI-POWER GOLF FASHION SPECIAL: J.Lindeberg, BOTTICELLI GOLF. PLUS: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SUPERMODEL & ACTRESS INÉS SASTRE

FREE - ISSUE THIRTEEN - 2008

Nutritional Information: Digest news, reviews, fashion & interviews in the most stylish magazine designed to feed your golfing appetite

NEW HORIZONS

FOR ANNIKA SORENSTAM

“If I wasn’t a golfer, I would no doubt be a movie star.”

Nick Dougherty, European Tour Professional

in association with

www.quanvision.com

Meet the stars - Experience the lifestyle - Feed your passion

A look at some of the best events on the Costa del Sol. Take a sneak peak inside Callaway’s European Tour Truck.

Follow Eat Golf! on their ‘Urban Chic’ fashion shoot. Find out what’s in the bag of professional Niclas Fasth.

Design ©Eat Publishing S.L.

Course management tips with Sam Pleshette. In-depth interview with a Valderrama greenkeeper.

...all on your complimentary DV D! Also available to view on-line at: www.eat-golf.com

A classical parkland course formed by a series of superb, wide-open fairways with strategically-placed bunkers and elevated greens.

Plot your way through a natural enclave with stunning views.

A genuine test; as much for beginners as for established players.

Atalaya Golf & Country Club, Ctra. de BenahavĂ­s Km 0.7. 29688 Estepona, Costa del Sol, Spain

Design ©Eat Publishing S.L.

Tel: (+34) 952 882 812 • Fax: (+34) 952 887 897 • info@atalaya-golf.com • www.atalaya-golf.com

006 EDITOR’S LETTER

Golf is changing. Not so many years ago the sport was largely associated with badly dressed men.

Today, image is one of the strongest pieces of ammunition the game has to help grow its popularity. Partly due to major fashion labels adding golf clothing to their ranges, golf fashion has advanced so much that many teenagers now see it as trendy. The fact that celebrities are increasingly being seen playing the game wearing these brands, including some of the coolest actors in Hollywood, helps.

Brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and La Perla have added golf lines, whilst established golf names like FootJoy and adidas are introducing performance fabrics that challenge the games traditional look. European labels Peak Performance, J. Lindeberg and Golfino are increasingly appealing to men and women looking for high quality and a stylish fit, and upstart labels such as Par 72, Golf Refugees and Bunker Mentality are geared toward the young, fashion-crazed consumer.

And so we lead into our feature interview this edition. Supermodel and actress Inés Satsre (the face of top brands such as Lancome, Lacoste and Mango, and one of Spain’s most loved models) is one

ISSUE 13 3rd of 5 editions for 2008

of the aforementioned stars that is passionate about her golf. Could stars like Inés be a part of a golf brands image in the future?

Talking of change, we’ve got a fantastic couple of new items to introduce you to this edition, one of which I’m sure you will have noticed already. In a first for this magazine, and, as far as we know, a first for any free magazine, we present a DVD containing a thirty minute show with 100% original content produced exclusively for Eat Golf!

Eat Golf! TV is a project initiated by quanvision, an audiovisual company with a keen interest in golf and a desire to translate the style of the magazine into moving images and sound. We would very much like to hear your thoughts on the show, which is also available to view on-line at: www.eat-golf.com. You can email us with your feedback via: postmaster@eat-golf.com Finally a warm welcome to our newest contributor, Jayne Storey, who joins us to talk about Chi-Power Golf. In our next edition Jayne will reveal how meditation can be used to improve your game. In the meantime we wish you a calm and relaxing couple of months.

Nick Senior Editor & Publisher ➲ www.eat-golf.com ➩ nick@eat-golf.com ✆ +34 699 958 528

Michael Denker Publisher & Acc. Manager ➲ www.eat-golf.com ➩ michael@eat-golf.com ✆ +34 635 024 358

MORE INFORMATION The articles appearing in this publication represent the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.

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008 IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURES

014

GOLF GEAR

042

YOUR GAME

050

From fashion and player interviews to articles by The PGAs of Europe, Ladies European Tour and more.

The latest equipment on the market.

If you’re searching for a new club or gadget you’ll find it here.

Advice to improve your golf game including pro tips, club fitting, Chi-Power Golf and fitness.

GOLF & TRAVEL

GOLF BUSINESS

EVENTS & LIFESTYLE

070

Reviews of the finest golf courses plus ideas about where to go on your next golfing holiday.

086

An in depth, behind the scenes look at the people and businesses involved in the game we play.

SPECIAL THANKS

Golf tournaments to play, how to relax after your round, news and events to watch out for.

094

010

CONTRIBUTORS

DENNIS SHAW l PGAs of EUROPE Currently Media consultant for the PGAs of Europe, having previously been UK sports writer for a number of national and provincial newspapers, including, for several years, Midland correspondent for The Times.

A British Sports Journalist winner and also a Midlands Sports Writer of the Year. Author of two football books as a ghost-writer and formerly editor of Football Today.

BETHAN CUTLER l LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR Media Manager for the Ladies European Tour.

Bethan is the principal news and features writer for the Tour’s official website and responsible for the overall production of the Tour’s annual media guide. She also contributes to numerous publications as a photo journalist. Media point of contact for access to all players and officials.

Mike Wilson l FREELANCE WRITEr Mike Wilson is a freelance journalist and copywriter based in Scotland. He travels extensively, covering golf and a range of other sports including sailing and tennis and works on behalf of blue-chip corporate clients, including Volvo. Mike also contributes to sports, lifestyle and in-flight magazines worldwide.

GARY FIRKINS l WRITER & BROADCASTER Gary is also a golf public relations consultant with more than 10 years experience working in the media. He wrote for national consumer magazines for seven years, focusing on special interest titles and was deputy editor of Golf World magazine. He also has experience as a freelance journalist, editing an industry magazine and writing for a variety of publications and newspapers, including The Sunday Times.

Sue Welbrock-Smith & Geoffrey Farmer Sue (Freelance Writer) has been writing about golf since 1990. Recognised as a European Golf & Travel Media writer and member of IAGTO’s Golf Travel Writers’ Association, she travels extensively with photographer partner; Geoffrey Farmer specializes in coverage of European Tour events on behalf of their major sponsors, and has contributed to various international publications.

AIDAN BRADLEY l GOLF COURSE PHOTOGRAPHER Aidan was born in Cork, Ireland, where he lived for 21 years. He now resides in Santa Barbara, California, from where his work takes him to places that the most passionate golfer dreams of. Whatever the assignment, Aidan’s focus onlight and the surrounding natural environment consistently produces images that evoke a mood even non-golfers find attractive and compelling.

➲ www.pgae.com ➩ info@pgae.com ✆ +44 (0)1675 477 899

➲ www.ladieseuropeantour.com ➩ mail@ladieseuropeantour.com ✆ +44 (0)1625 611 444

➩ makingwordscount@btinternet.com ✆ Office: +44 (0)1875 870 707 Mobile: +44 (0)7780 924 440

➲ www.landmark-media.com ➩ gary@landmark-media.com ✆ +44 (0)1780 752 790

➩ s-g-farmer@iol.pt ✆ +351 917 820 111

➲ www.golfcoursephotography.com ➩ aidan@golfcoursephotography.com ✆ +1 805 962 8466

Design ©Eat Publishing S.L.

The cream of the crop

El Higueral is the picturesque new 9 hole course nestled on the gentle slopes of the foothills in Benahavís.

A par 36 resort course designed to maximise your enjoyment of each round, unique features and vistas will surprise at every turn.

Beautifully manicured greens & elegantly styled lakes ensure an experience so memorable you’ll want to play here time and again.

Urb. Capanes Golf. Km. 3,7 Ctra. de Benahavís, 29679 Benahavís, Marbella, Malaga, Spain Tel: (+34) 951 242 139 / 639 793 542 • reservas@elhigueralgolf.com • www.elhigueralgolf.com

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INSTRUCTORS

ANNA RAWSON l PROFESSIONAL TOUR PLAYER Currently competing on the Ladies European Tour, Anna has a unique story - excelling in two very different careers - modeling and golfing. Now Anna combines all her passions, by wearing designer pieces such as Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Gucci and Tom Ford glasses while playing. She is a rarity in sports, with the perfect mix of femininity, raw athletic talent, and intelligence.

JAYNE STOREY l Chi-Power GOLF™ Jayne Storey has been training in the Eastern martial and spiritual arts of Chi Kung, Meditation and T’ai Chi since 1987 and is now Europe’s leading teacher of these Eastern practices to golfers and athletes from a wide variety of sporting disciplines. Jayne is a member of The Fitness Professionals and is the T’ai Chi representative for the Runnymede Sports Council.

SAM PLESHETTE l PGA PROFESSIONAL Sam started his career as a golf professional in October 1999. A trainee at Abbotsley Golf & Country Club in Cambridgeshire, UK, he began his PGA training in September 2002. After passing his final exams in October 2005 Sam was elected to full membership of the PGA in May 2006. He has since been working in Spain, and is now based at the El Chaparral Golf Academy.

DAVID POULTON l KZG WORLD TOP 100 GOLF FITTER David was selected by KZG, the world’s leading manufacturer of custom pro-line golf equipment, as one of the World’s Top 100 Club Fitters. The top 100 represent those who are the most skilled, the most knowledgeable, and the most committed to the process of custom fitting golf equipment, marrying technical expertise with a distinctly personal touch.

PATRICK BRADY l PGA PROFESSIONAL Patrick’s professional career began in 1991 at Sutton Coldfield golf club in Birmingham, UK. In 1996 he started work at Swingers driving range. After 5 years as a teaching pro working at Lavender Park golf center in Ascot, he moved to Holland based in Drenthe, coaching groups of people for the GVB exam.

His dream to move to Spain was realised in 2003.

JUAN BARBERIS l FITNESS & NUTRITION EXPERT Juan works with amateur and professional golfers to improve their “golf shape”. He conducts thorough assessments and provides individualised fitness and nutrition programs that enable golfers to enjoy the game more by remaining pain and injury free and also by hitting drives further and more accurately on a consistent basis.

If you have any questions for Anna, you can email her at: ➩ AskAnna@annarawson.net She will answer a couple of questions a month, and post the answers on her website: ➲ www.annarawson.com

➲ www.chipowersports.com ➩ jayne@jaynestorey.com ✆ UK +44 (0)7986 447 250

➲ www.golfelchaparral.com ➩ sam@golfelchaparral.com ✆ Spain (+34) 669 643 427

➲ www.golfimprovementcenter.nl ✆ Spain (+34) 685 990 138

➲ www.golfimprovementcenter.nl ✆ Spain (+34) 607 827 021 Appears in association with ➲ www.golf-us.com

➲ www.mygolfadvantage.com ➩ jbarberis@mygolfadvantage.com ✆ Spain (+34) 670 565 590

014

FEATURES

ECCO GOLF

Casual Cool Hydromax line Taking its lead from high-street fashion the Casual Cool Hydromax has been manufactured from a combination of ultra-soft leather uppers and advanced ECCO comfort technologies. ➲ www.eccogolf.com

LA PERLA

GOLF GETS GREENER

Oceano Collection Oceano beachwear opts for striking finishings, vinyl features and sculpted shapes. For a techno-summer characterised by the overlapping of styles and the use of pure colour. ➲ www.laperla.com

COMPETITION WINNER Unless you’ve been stuck in a bunker for the last few years you would be well aware of the environmental issues that surround golf, and the topic has featured on numerous occasions in our previous editions. Now a clothing manufacturer aims to help the cause by producing ethical and environmental golf apparel. Golf refugees apparel is a 100% organic product, certified

by The Soil Association and The Carbon Trust - but crucially their ethically made T-shirts and Polo shirts are manufactured solely

using renewable green energy generated from wind and solar power. The Carbon Trust calculated that their Men’s large size T-shirt cuts CO2 emissions by over 89%.

All apparel carries The Carbon Trust reduction label, announcing that its use reduces the users contribution to climate change, and is packaged in 100% recycled Soil Association produce sacks.

Organic cotton, carbon neutral Polo shirt - RRP: 48 euros Organic cotton, carbon neutral T-shirt - RRP: 28 euros ➲ www.golf-refugees.com

Peak Performance The lucky winner in our issue 12 free prize draw was Richard Matti.

He receives a stylish Peak Performance Golf Lite Jacket, which is designed for maximum freedom of movement on and off the course. ➲ www.peakperformance.com

WIN 1 of 5

Free Prize Draw

BD Tour Edition Polo shirtS as worn by the

Tour staff

These shirts cannot be bought in stores!

Simply send an email to: competition@eat-golf.com - Referencing: JL Competition This is a free prize draw. The winners will be chosen at random from all entries, and notified by email. We will print the winners names in the next issue of Eat Golf!

016

FASHION

Background image Š Pavel Losevsky | Dreamstime.com

J.LINDEBERG

Golf Fashion J.Lindeberg Golf. 2008 Spring Summer COLLECTION

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FASHION

J.Lindeberg is the 21st Century lifestyle brand for the modern consumer.

With four collections for Men and Women - J.Lindeberg Mainline, Tailoring, Johan by J.Lindeberg and J.L by J.Lindeberg, the company has established a unique global position of innovation and progressive development.

J.Lindeberg is recognized worldwide, with distribution in over 20 countries and available at flagship stores in New York, Los Angeles, Stockholm, Tokyo, Kyoto and Hong Kong. Johan’s vision to create an international prestige life style brand is fast becoming a reality.

With over 10 years at the forefront of golf fashion, J.Lindeberg continues to introduce high fashion and the latest technical fabrics to golf.

Background image Š Pavel Losevsky | Dreamstime.com

J.LINDEBERG

The new spring summer collection reflects an overall movement to a cleaner more sophisticated image, and is predominantly made up of two looks.

Technical Sports wear: Attention to detail, colour blocking and logo driven garments make up the basic formula, still young and sporty at heart but with a more mature image to appeal to all ages. Various fits are available.

Key garments include Troon pants, Lewis and Brandt shirts.

Chic Fashion forward: These fashionable non technical garments can be worn on or off course with a definite classic, retro and preppy feel. Mixing stripes, cardigans, tuxedo pants and ties are this seasons flavour. Key garments include Creed Pima, Markie Tux Pants and Lymac Cardigan.

Colours: The colour card is made up of subtle shades of grey, black, white, red and blue to maintain a sophisticated yet summery feel. ➲ www.jlindeberg.com

The colour card is made up of subtle shades of grey, black, white, red and blue...

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InĂŠs for Yo Dona. Photo by Nacho Pinedo

020 FEATURES

FAS

HI

ON

MEETS

GO

LF

INÉS SASTRE

Inés Sastre Supermodel, actress and keen golfer - Inés Sastre has had the privilege of being invited to play golf with many of the leading Tour professionals.

Eat Golf! met with Inés to discuss the pressures such opportunities put on her game, to hear her views on golf fashion, the future and more.

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InĂŠs for Yo Dona. Photo by Nacho Pinedo

022 FEATURES

INÉS SASTRE 023

“I play off 20, though it can vary from 14 to 24. I am pretty up and down!”

How long have you been playing golf?

Since I was eight or nine years old. I had to sit through my sisters lessons for a couple of years. I remember sitting and watching her, and that increased my desire to start playing golf. Seeing my sister play, and not being able to myself.

When you are young it obviously makes you want to play more.

My mother and father also play.

Have you introduced your son to the game?

Well as you know kids in Spain start when they are very young.

My young son already has a putter, a little plastic one. He goes with me to the golf shop and looks at all the things.

What handicap do you play off?

I play off 20, though it can vary from 14 to 24. I am pretty up and down!

Does your career allow you to play much golf?

Not much. But I play pretty regularly during summer, and there are some other periods of the year that I can play with a bit more regularity. But it is very difficult to fit it in with work.

Being a famous model and actress must come with certain social responsibilities and expectations. Do you sense these when you step onto the tee?

I always refer to something Michael Douglas once said. “We are capable of doing amazing things.” In acting we do crying scenes, screaming and having nervous breakdowns in front of a lot of people. And suddenly when we have to tee off on hole one we are all so scared, you know?

And you think why? Golf is pretty scary - especially as an amateur!

024 FEATURES

“...there is a lot more choice available for women who wish to be well dressed on a golf course.”

I think it is a great way of meeting up with people. New people. At the end of the day, as my friend Covadonga says “Everybody is there for the same reason - to do as little as possible!”

about being comfortable, but also technicalities and texture.

Do you enjoy the fashion side of golf?

I love it! More than that, I am very interested in it. It is something that I would like to get involved in, and it is a huge market, especially for women. I was recently at the Stanford International Pro-Am, and was wearing Lacoste and Noumi. Fashion is work for me - but it is also a huge passion.

Do you have a favourite golf fashion designer or brand?

I am always interested in new things. It can be from Lacoste, Noumi, Burberry and Prada. I think Ralph Lauren make wonderful clothes. I find a lot of things in my cupboard that I did not think I could use, and I am now taking them out for golf. The market is definitely becoming more open, and there is a lot more choice available for women who wish to be well dressed on a golf course.

Where do you see golf fashion going?

I think it is growing incredibly.

It is a big deal - especially these days when there are more and more women playing, and they want to look prettier and prettier on the course. Now it is not just

Where is your favourite place in the world to play golf? Do you have a favourite golf course?

I enjoy Sotogrande In Andalucia, where I bought my house a couple of years ago. It is a golf paradise.

In the summer I also like Biarritz,

Inés for Kailis

INÉS SASTRE 025

InĂŠs for Yo Dona. Photo by Nacho Pinedo

026 FEATURES

INÉS SASTRE 027

in the south of France. I have been going there for the last twelve years. I very much enjoy the links in Scotland, especially Kingsbarns and the Old Course at St. Andrews.

I also enjoy the tournaments I get to play, such as the Mandela in South Africa last year. Golf is a wonderful way of travelling.

You recently played in the LPGA Inaugural Stanford International Pro-Am. Who did you play with?

With Lorie Kane and Grace Park.

Lorie Kane was my professional partner, and Grace was in the same team. I also had a chance to meet Annika Sorenstam, and had dinner with her. So I got to know the LPGA Tour a little better. Before I had only really played the Lancome Ladies Cup, which were played in Madrid. I fully admit that I was not so informed about women’s golf before now. It is more usual to have competitions with men, and to know more about them. Also men’s golf is televised more. So it was interesting to see how ladies professional golf is developing, and what the future holds.

Do you play many celebrity Pro-Ams? I manage to play some of them, but unfortunately because of my work and the age of my child I don’t

“It is like an incredible lesson just to be able to play and walk with these guys.”

get out of the house that often.

My dream would probably be to play the AT&T, which I have heard very nice things about. I also miss very much my Lancome Trophy in Paris that I hosted for ten years.

wonderful when we won the tournament in South Africa. It was a really nice moment. We had a great time at the Mandela in South Africa, and it is a shame that it was cancelled this year.

Of all the stars you have played golf with, who would be your favourite?

When I was Involved in the Lancome Trophy, my favourites were obviously the Spanish golfers.

I have played with Jimenez, and a couple of times with Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia. They were all very nice to play golf with.

And you know sports wise I get kind of patriotic! I enjoyed very much playing with Jacquelin in the Dunhill. On the first year it was also very nice playing with Constantina Roca - we had great, great fun together.

What are your future plans?

My contract with Lancome has been signed, so I will be the face of the perfume “Miracle” from this fall, which Uma Thurman and Diane Kruger used to represent.

So we will start shooting very soon.

I will continue with Kailis, and most importantly take care of my son.

Do you manage to pick up many golf tips from the pros that you play with?

You do, you get to pick up stuff, like getting out of bunkers - things like that. I think you get security.

It is like an incredible lesson just to be able to play and walk with these guys. Especially in a serious tournament where they are playing for money - more than in certain other Pro-Ams. I think it’s a great opportunity. Lee Westwood was

028 FEATURES

Birkdale the Stage for

A Right Royal Open Drama

By Mike Wilson l Images of Royal Birkdale Golf Club courtesy Alan C Birch

oto courtesy

ton. Ph draig Harring

Pa

Wilson Golf

tretched to has been s

its limits as

the Open

on dale . Mike Wils Royal Birk in a decade e m ti t rs fi n for the or Australia hip returns American n a r Champions e h it e f o on the side h there is a at history is ks, althoug suggests th lin e ir h s ca on the Lan ear. e Claret Jug than last y collecting th one better g in o g ia rgio Garc case for Se compelling

When the British Open returns to Royal Birkdale in July this year for the ninth time, history might suggest an American or Australian champion. Curiously, only golfers from those two countries have ever held the Claret Jug aloft at the magnificent links layout on the Lancashire coast of England.

Established names such as Arnold Palmer in 1961, Peter Thomson in 1954 and 1965, Johnny Miller in 1976 and Tom Watson in 1983 have alternated with relative outsiders such as Australian Ian BakerFinch in 1991 and Mark O’Meara in 1998, the last time the event was played at Royal Birkdale.

THE OPEN 029

Of course, the winner of the forthcoming 137th Open Championship will need to navigate 72 holes of torrid links golf over the 7,170-yard, Par-72 Southport course, and will find things somewhat more difficult than those encountered

by O’Meara a decade ago.

Each of its nine British Open championships has thrown up reminiscences that live long in the memory, from Australian Peter Thomson’s first title which kick started a remarkable three-in-arow, through to the then 17 year old Justin Rose offering a vision of the future with the Silver Medal and fourth place as a raw amateur when veteran Mark O’Meara took the title a decade ago.

The course modifications see 16 of the 18 holes altered, including a new 17th green and six new Championship tees. Twenty new hazards, sixteen of which are fairway bunkers, were described by R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson as “A challenge to the modern-day player” and part of a “Programme of significant change” to the roster of British Open venues.

The legendary Arnold Palmer won the 1961 Open at Royal Birkdale, the loyalty of the man from Latrobe, Pennsylvania almost

But the changes have not been as roundly well-received as those occupying the edifice of offices at St Andrews might have hoped, members of the media criticising the R&A for caving-in to club and ball manufacturers and new technology. One outspoken opponent, ex-player turned pundit John Huggan ventured, “Expect the worst, an Open devoid of subtlety, artistry and imagination.”

Strong words of censure indeed, but sentiment plays no part in the modern game. The romance of bygone years has been consigned to the archives in the pages of old books, and Royal Birkdale has more memories than most.

Sergio

Garcia

single-handedly keeping the oldest open in the world afloat by crossing the Atlantic every July. The first of his two British Open titles is memorable for a remarkable six-iron recovery from a bush en route to the Claret Jug, which he was to retain in his pomp the following year.

Maintaining the Australian and American axis, Thomson provided perfect symmetry in 1965 by rounding-off his remarkable relationship with the Claret Jug - a fifth and final title back where it all started 11 years earlier.

030 FEATURES

Lillian Tipping even visited Lu in Taiwan, and he recalls, “We played golf a couple of times - she was a good player - and we kept in touch

by Christmas cards after that.”

Justin

America prevailed again at Royal Birkdale five years later when Johnny Miller outgunned Seve Ballesteros to win by six and the USA made it three-in-a-row in their private battle with the Australians over Birkdale. Tom Watson won a fifth and, for him, final British Open, edging out compatriots Andy Bean and Hale Irwin, the latter ‘hitting’ one of the most memorable and expansive ‘shots’ in Open history - a fresh air shot as he went to tap in on the short 14th in the third round, another chapter in the rich and colourful legend of the Lancashire links layout.

Rose

1971 evoked great drama and comedy as laughing ‘Super Mex’ Lee Trevino marched to victory on the Lancashire links. He too, like Palmer, was to go on to successfully defend for a second and final Open Championship.

But much of the attention was to be focused on a small man from the Orient, Lu LiangHuan, he of the ‘pork pie’ hat and his impeccable manners, even in the face of adversity.

Mr Lu, then 34, brought Asian golf to the world that year, and more, much more as he miscued his tee shot on the 18th and struck a spectator, local lady Lillian Tipping on the head, concussing her and sending her to hospital for stitches.

Speaking from his home in Taiwan, now 72-years-old and a grandfather of three recalls, “It seems like it was only yesterday, so clear is the memory. I hit her really badly but when I went to check how she was she said, ‘Mr Lu, go on and get a birdie for me.’ Which I did and finished second to Lee Trevino.”

He continues one of the most emotive tales etched in Open Championship folklore, “A few days later, I was playing in the French Open and Mrs Tipping cabled me to say she had a headache but was OK. That was great for my soul and the next day I shot 63. The following day she cabled again to say she was fully recovered and I shot 62 and won the tournament.”

But Australia recalibrated the rivalry back to three-all with one of the most unexpected British Open victories before Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton came along in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Now a highly-respected TV commentator and course designer, Baker-Finch’s form fell to pieces after holding the Claret Jug aloft, the Australian PGA Championship his only subsequent, significant success.

A decade ago and the most recent chapter in Royal Birkdale’s rich and colourful British Open archive, the 1998 British Open conjured-up not one but two fairytales - the story of a raw rookie and a gnarled veteran.

17-year-old Justin Rose, English out of South African stock, making his Open debut shot 72, 66, 75, 69, the second round a course record and the lowest ever by an amateur in an Open Championship. He won the Silver Medal and finished fourth, just two off the lead, and the rest, as they say, ‘is history.’

THE OPEN

“I was probably seven years old when I first started dreaming of winning the Open,” recalls Rose, who is flying high in the world’s top 10, but it was not ever thus, 21 consecutive missed cuts after turning pro the very next day after posting his name on the lips of a nation at Royal Birkdale.

“I think just hard work eventually paying off, really. There was no defining moment where suddenly everything clicked. It was a long process of just working hard, gradually improving, working on my technique with [my coaches and] my dad, and just a gaining of confidence over time.”

Reflecting on what was clearly the toughest of times for Rose, he continues on the same theme, reflecting, “Deep down I had the belief I was eventually going to get there. I didn’t know how long it was going to take me [but] I never doubted the fact that I was going to eventually get where I wanted to be.”

Fast forward a decade and looking for the next great fairytale in the litany of links legend that has been Royal Birkdale, reading the golfing tealeaves for a clue as to who might drink from the Claret Jug this year is as elusive as ever.

Because the unexpected is exactly that, foreseeing fantasy is a torrid task, but if the American dream or the Australian aspiration is to continue, Tiger returning from surgery or Adam Scott finally fulfilling his potential would barely register on the yardstick of yarns.

So, here are three, a trio of divine deeds that would tip the tachograph of golf into the red, raise the temperature to boilingpoint, fire the imagination.

First, following the exploits of Mr Lu, Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wenchong becomes the first mainland Chinese player to qualify for the British Open.

“I’m looking forward to it and am very proud to be playing in such a great event, but can I win it? Of course, otherwise I would not be going,” he insists but Confucius says, ‘Too much, too soon,’ for the 29-year-old who missed the cut in his maiden Major appearance at the Masters this year.

A decade after bursting onto the scene there’s Justin Rose, the horrors of his early days in the paid ranks firmly behind him.

His worst finish in the four 2007 Majors was 12th, and the Volvo Masters champion could seemingly be a genuine contender for a fairytale flight of fancy right to the very summit of world golf.

But the Englishman is talking down his chances, playing a cautious game when it comes to the expectations of the British public and media.

“I’m conscious of it, yeah. But do I let it put pressure on myself?

No, I don’t think so,” he says, explaining, “I try to curb those expectations and I try to really simplify it so it’s back down to me and the golf course and that’s what I’ve got to go do and play,

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and that’s what worked well in the past is going out and keeping things simple and going out and playing as hard as I can.”

For the third and final part of the prospect of Royal Birkdale serving-up another piece of golfing mythology, look no further than the Spanish matador, the recentlycrowned Players Championship winner, the fifth unofficial major.What are the prospects of 28-year-old Sergio Garcia banishing the memories of last year’s Carnoustie capitulation?

“I think I still had an open door before this [Players’ Championship victory,” insists Garcia, adding, “It’s just at the end of the day, I’ve always said it; I have to believe in myself.”

That self-belief must have been lower than a Sawgrass snake’s stomach after last year’s suddendeath loss to Ryder Cup team mate Harrington - but the man from Castellon remains upbeat.

“I know what I can do, and what I can achieve, and it’s just a matter of being able to go out there and do like I did this week.

You know, believe in myself the whole week, and even when things were not going right, still believe that I could do it.”

Whilst gazing into the British Open crystal ball offers few pointers as to the identity of the 137th Open, one thing is certain - Royal Birkdale will be centre stage to another high drama as the plot unravels in July.

031

032 FEATURES

annika sorenstam 033

New Horizons After a brilliant 15-year professional career that saw her re-write the record book in women’s golf, Annika Sorenstam announced that she will be stepping away from competitive play at the conclusion of the 2008 LPGA season.

Annika, who turns 38 in October, will continue to play a full LPGA schedule through the remainder of 2008, finishing with the season-ending Lexus Cup.

Photo © Walter Iooss Jr. / Sports Illustrated

“After much consideration, I have made the decision to step away from competitive golf at the end of this season,” said Annika, who has added three more victories to her career total so far in 2008.

“Because I love the game so much, this is obviously a hard decision to make, but it feels like the right one. I made this decision because I have a number of other priorities in my life, including starting a family, that I want to be as dedicated to as I have been to playing golf and it was always important to me to go out on my own terms.”

034 FEATURES

“I will continue to be very involved and engaged in the game of golf.”

Widely regarded as the most dominant player in LPGA history, Annika raised the profile of women’s golf to an unprecedented level while compiling a list of records and accomplishments that are second to none. After turning professional in 1992, and beginning play on the LPGA Tour in 1994, Annika has recorded 88 career wins (72 on the LPGA), including 10 major championships; earned a record eight Rolex Player of the Year awards; a record-tying eight money list titles; six Vare Trophies for the lowest scoring average; was named Golf Writers Association of America Female Player of the

Year eight times, and became the first player in LPGA history to cross the $22 million mark in earnings. She has participated on eight Solheim Cup teams and was inducted into the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame in 2003.

“I am very proud of what I have accomplished as a professional golfer, and while I will no longer be playing competitively, I will continue to be very involved and engaged in the game of golf,” Annika said.

“I want to ensure that I am always giving back to the game that has given me so much and I feel like I can best do that by helping develop young golfers through the growth of my Academy, my Foundation, my continued promotional programs with my corporate partners, and by continuing to serve as an ambassador for women’s golf.”

The ANNIKA Academy opened at Ginn Reunion Resort in Orlando last year as a way for Annika to share her passion for golf and fitness,

along with her own personal coaches. The all-encompassing, ‘boutique style’ academy features teachings by Annika’s personal golf instructor, Henri Reis, and fitness instructor, Kai Fusser, who have helped make Annika one of the top female athletes in history.

“There are so many people I would like to thank for the role they have played in my career, but I would especially like to thank my parents and sister, my fiancé, Mike, my agent, Mark Steinberg, my caddie Terry, my tremendous sponsors and advisors, everyone at the LPGA, and the fans and media who have been so supportive of me and women’s golf,” Annika said. “I am very proud of the state of women’s golf today and I’m thankful for the chance to be a part of the growth of the game. Whenever I considered timing for this decision in the past, it was always important to me that the game was strong and I know that women’s golf has a very bright future ahead of it.”

annika sorenstam 035

Annika has continued to expand her brand with business ventures off the course. She authored her second book ‘Golf Annika’s Way’ in October 2004 and has partnered with Cutter & Buck to develop the ANNIKA Collection, her very own apparel line. Annika has started a Golf Course Design business and has numerous projects under construction around the world. She also plays host to tournaments on both the LPGA and Ladies European Tours.

Photo © Tristan Jones / Ladies European Tour

As part of her continuing legacy, the ANNIKA Foundation was created in 2007 to provide educational and financial resources that will help children of all backgrounds realise their full potential. The Foundation will create and partner with programs that teach the importance of living a healthy active lifestyle through nutrition and physical fitness, and offer experiences and opportunities that enable aspiring junior golfers to pursue their dreams.

036 FEATURES

How Bangladesh can ‘Win’ at The Open Championship!

By Dennis Shaw l PGAs of Europe

Mr and Mrs Golfnut and the two kids are planning a superb day out at The Open Championship. A shade pricey maybe, but it will be worth every penny.

PGAs of EUROPE 037

Golf Development Programme

Countries who have been supported in the joint-initiative between The R&A and the PGAs of Europe, or where aid is being considered, include: Bangladesh, Barbados, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, Estonia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iran, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Pakistan, Peru, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Uruguay and Venezuela.

True, the kids are admitted free of charge, but then there’s two adult entry fees, car parking, a couple of programmes, food, drink, ice creams. Not much change, if any, out of a hundred pounds... but, no matter, the Golfnut’s family budget can stand it, and they’ll hope to be back again next year.

No one would deny that, with the escalation of TV income allied to worldwide interest, The Open has become an annual moneymaking machine, with millions of pounds each year being shovelled into already well-stocked bank accounts.

‘The R&A lining their pockets again,’ some cynics might say... and they would be right IF that were the end of the story. Happily, it is distinctly NOT the end of the story but, thankfully for the growth of the game worldwide, merely the start.

When, for example, Padraig Harrington registered his heartwarming victory at Carnoustie last July, at the end of a week of jangling cash registers, a sizeable proportion of those profits were destined to benefit various regions where most of us didn’t even realise that golf was played. The same will take place this year, and every year into the foreseeable future.

How much golf, for instance, do YOU reckon is played in Jordan? Bangladesh?

Iran... Israel... Guatemala...

El Salvador? Not a lot, eh?

It’s changing, though, and all due to those Open Championship profits. The fact is that a substantial amount from this particular R&A income stream will be funnelled into an account for their Golf

Development Programme and will end up helping to build golf on solid foundations in the countries just mentioned, and plenty more.

For many aspiring players in countries with no golfing heritage, it is the start of something big.

Something exciting. Something that this particular golf nut believes singles out The R&A as, perhaps, the world’s most benevolent sporting authority.

If any sport offers more grants than golf, via The R&A, (and also by the Ryder Cup European Development Trust Fund, remember), to support its global community, then it has escaped the notice of this well-seasoned observer.

At the last count up to 30 underdeveloped golfing nations had been supported by the Golf

038 FEATURES

The 18-year history of the PGAs of Europe is available for download at: ➲ www.pgae.com/e_newsletter.php

Development Programme a ‘jointinitiative’ project that is as simple as it is gloriously successful.

This is how it works: the secretary of, for example, the Golf Association in Trinidad and Tobago, recognises that if the sport is to grow there, qualified help is required, the sort of help that is beyond the scope of a limited budget.

In response, The R&A satisfies itself that the golf association, federation or union is itself structured on reliable lines (in order to ensure that any support they provide will be well-administered).

It then asks the PGAs of Europe to recommend a suitable Consultant/ Tutor to travel to that country and spend some time exploring the best way forward for them.

He then submits a Report and Recommendation to The R&A, who consider what level of grant is required to underwrite a, say, three-year development programme, involving a series of annual visits by the consultant/ tutor...and the process is underway.

On the agenda will be suitable coaching for groups ranging from

To understand how the PGAs of Europe fits into the structure of golf it is necessary to appreciate that while the PGA European Tour specialises in the needs of the touring professionals, the PGAs of Europe caters for the needs of those professionals employed by clubs and driving ranges who concentrate on teaching and the whole range of other duties and activities. Another major difference is that the members of the PGAs of Europe are countries not individuals, and with that membership now totalling 37 countries, the principle has been established of some 15,000 PGA professionals, sharing their knowledge and speaking with one voice.

PGAs of Europe Members:

the elite national amateur squad down to, at best, slots in the curriculum of the local schools.

If a PGA exists in the country in question then the amateur and professional bodies are encouraged to work together to the advantage of all.

One of sport’s most distinguished luminaries, Sir Michael Bonallack Kt. OBE, the former Secretary of The R&A, has described the way that golf is being spread around the world in this way, driven by Open Championship surpluses as ‘...a wonderful exciting story... exciting and exhilarating...’

The ultimate here is for the PGA to begin its own education for training its own professionals to PGAs of Europe unified standards and thus, in time, to become more or less self-reliant as a golfing nation.

As a result, around the world, at such unlikely locations as the mountains of Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay, the scorching plains of India, or a variety of baked landscapes in Africa, and similar far-flung locations, young people, and not so young, are being taught how to swing a golf club.

The Golf Development Programme is described briefly in the 18-year history of the PGAs of Europe, (entitled Coming of Age and designed by Eat Golf!). It can be accessed online at www.pgae.com.

A case study of the work with Trinidad and Tobago can be found in the May issue of Working Together at the same address.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain & Ireland (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales), Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.

PGAs of Europe International Members: Brazil, India, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa, United Arab Emirates.

Further talks have been held recently between The R&A and the PGAs of Europe, to discuss how the scheme will continue and the signs are of growth rather than of any reduction in the programme.

Trinidad and Bangladesh are among those countries visited most recently while other countries currently on the agenda for either first visits or revisits include Jordan, Slovakia, Israel and Uruguay.

This brings us back to all those thousands of golfing enthusiasts who, in one way or another, aim to enjoy The Open Championship.

It is, perhaps, quite a satisfying thought for Mr and Mrs Golfnut and the kids that in so doing, they’ll maybe help some youngster in Bangladesh, Jordan, or Israel or elsewhere to join our wonderful, international sporting network.

Photo ©Tristan Jones l LET

040 FEATURES

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR

Meet New Star Rookie

Emma Cabrera-Bello

By Bethan Cutler l Ladies European Tour

Emma Cabrera-Bello is one of twenty four first year players on the Ladies European Tour in 2008 and she is also a “New Star Rookie”. This means that she is one of three lucky first year players to be sponsored by New Star Asset Management, which also sponsors the Tour’s money list.

Emma may be a rookie but she joins the Tour with vast competitive experience. As an amateur, not only did she play in five LET events, she was also a member of the Junior Ryder Cup Team, a two-time member of the PING European Junior Solheim Cup team and played in the Vagliano Trophy three times.

Having played on the LET so much in the past, understandably, Emma says she doesn’t feel much like a rookie: “I’m also a rookie on the LPGA and I feel more of a rookie over there than I do here,” says Emma, who comes from Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria. “When I come and play here I see most of the girls I used to play with as an amateur. That doesn’t happen on the LPGA and I feel more new.”

Emma, who is 22, speaks more like a veteran who has seen the LET develop. “The Tour has been improving so much and I have had the chance to see how it’s improved throughout the years,” she says. “You can actually tell how the level has improved, how there are more sponsors out there for the players. You can see the players wearing different brands out there on the T-shirts. You see it is a little bit more professional

every time. It’s getting better. The facilities you get are also better like the physiotherapist and the media tech van out there.”

Emma, whose brother Rafael plays on the European Tour, has played in three events so far in her first year on Tour with mixed results. She tied for 61st at the MFS Women’s Australian Open and tied for 63rd at the ANZ Ladies Masters before missing the cut at the Spanish Open, her first event of the year on European soil. However, with 24 tournaments yet to be played in 2008, she is excited to see what kind of results she can produce.

“I’m very excited to be playing on the LET full time. I’m looking forward to playing well and feeling comfortable out there on the course, getting to know the courses and getting to know about LET events. I played a lot of LET events throughout the years as an amateur but it’s not the same.

I’m on the other side of the barrier now. I’m a professional!” she said.

“Some things change. Now the putts are a bit more expensive than they were before. Getting into the routine of organising the travelling is hard because I’m a disaster at that kind of stuff.”

Emma’s expectations for the year are high, but also realistic.

She said: “A superb year would be holding the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year trophy; that would be a superb end to the year.

Feeling that I’ve played well and been able to cope with the LET’s standards and what I expect from myself is what I want to see.”

Emma is lucky in that, in addition to her abundant talent on the golf course, she can understand four languages, has a great sense of humour and is also academic. She studied business management at university and was a successful student. She said: “I wanted to have something that would back me up if for some reason I didn’t like it as much. I just wanted to have more chances in life.”

Emma would like to see herself in the top 20 on the New Star Money List at the end of the year, but if that doesn’t happen, she will work hard to improve further.

Talented, sassy and academic, Emma has many attributes which will help her to achieve success as a professional. For the latest updates and to see how Emma’s year on the golf course is unfolding visit: www.ladieseuropeantour.com

041

042 GOLF GEAR

ON THE ROAD

The Mercedes Benz 1851-510 BHP V8 Mega Space truck will be the biggest on the European Tour.

A 65 gallon fuel tank allows it to travel over 20,000 miles a year.

Hi-Tech features include an Alpine Satellite Navigation 8” Touch Screen with reversing camera.

ON THE TOUR

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’

The truck also features 4 hydraulic levelling legs for when stationary at events. Coach style lockers all fitted with lighting and 3 Mounted air conditioning/ heater units in the office and workshop area all help to make for a comfortable environment.

ON BOARD TaylorMade-adidas Golf recently unveiled their new European Tour Truck at Wentworth Golf Club, home of the European Tour. The truck which has twin slide out pods, and is the first of its kind on the professional golf circuit was manufactured by JS Fraser, a company famous for its work on trucks for the leading manufacturers in Formula 1. The truck weighs over 34 tonnes and features a hi-tech workshop area which includes loft/ lie machines, a gripping station, metalwood adjusters, shaft cutters, belt sanders and more.

“The Tour Truck has become an increasingly vital part of life on Tour for the players. The new TaylorMade truck is a welcome addition to the offering from TaylorMade and will help the tour staff immensely to service all the players needs”, Darren Clarke stated, “Equipment is so vital in the modern game so to have a facility of this quality that enables the team to build and tweak product is extremely beneficial. It is quite breathtaking when you see the Truck up close and it’s going to generate a lot of interest...”

The truck carries a staggering amount of equipment, including: 2,500 TaylorMade clubheads 7,000 shafts 4,000 grips 100 pairs of adidas Golf shoes 500 caps 30 windshirts 30 waterproofs

044 GOLF GEAR

Powakaddy RoboKaddy 1 2

3

Features

The neatest, lightest, powered cart that obeys your every command by remote control.

You simply direct operations via the pocket sized transmitter, while the two whisper quiet motors drive the independently controlled rear wheels. Just as impressive is that the whole, super lightweight AMST™ alloy† unit folds up completely in a few seconds to store easily in the boot of your car. For the ultimate in ease and manoeuvrability on course, you won’t find a better caddy than the RoboKaddy.

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5

1. Removable flexible antenna.

2. The pocket sized handset transmits your instructions: forward, left, right, faster, slower, stop or emergency stop.

In reverse it’s equally manoeuvrable.

A green and red diagnostic LED light in the handset combined with two on the cart constantly check communication between your handset and RoboKaddy.

3. Tough, lightweight AMST™ alloy† chassis available in silver or metallic black.

7 6

4. Centrally mounted high power 36 hole battery with neat carry bag as standard.

5. Removable anti-tip wheel for extra stability with stow away storage position.

6. Each of the rear wheels is powered by its own independantly controled motor, with a drive coupling system for a smoother, quieter ride.

7. Quick release sports wheels. Also available with Air wheels. (May be subject to restrictions - check with your club professional.)

†Aluminium Magnesium Silicon Titanium

READER OFFER 045

Freeway Titanium SPECIAL READER OFFER

In just seconds, with two simple actions, the Freeway Titanium Compact and All Terrain open and fold completely. There’s nothing to assemble or dismantle - the whole unit just clicks into position.

The Freeway is simply the most compact and convenient buggy you can buy and, thanks to a state of the art AMST alloy† chassis, it’s the lightest and strongest, too.

The Compact is precisely what its name suggests, and quickly and easily folds down to fit into the smallest car boot. While the wide wheelbase All Terrain is ideal for rugged, hilly courses.

Special Reader Offer: Powakaddy Freeway Titanium just €599* including a free trolley bag worth €137. *This offer is only available through Eat Golf!

Quote reference: EatGolf001 when enquiring.

Hill Billy SL has been trading successfully for many years in Spain offering great products and service, and as of February this year they also took over the distribution for Powakaddy in Spain. A new state of the art showroom in Cancelada carries a full range of both Hill Billy and Powakaddy Trolleys as well as all accessories and replacement parts.

All new trolleys now come with a 2 year guarantee. A professional, friendly and experienced staff are available, offering a fast turnaround on repairs which can normally be done while you wait.

The showroom is open Monday - Saturday. Offering fantastic promotions, Hill Billy SL have already slashed prices that were available from the previous distributor.

In 2006 they established the first Hill Billy website in Spain: www.hillbilly.es and they now also have the Spanish Powakaddy website available for the first time: www.powakaddy.es Both of these sites carry the full list of products and prices, and customers can buy on line.

Websites are available to view in both Spanish and English

The New Hill Billy All Terrain will be available soon. This is Hill Billy’s newest trolley, completely redesigned, and featuring a contoured frame with the option of an 18 or 36 hole battery at an introductory price of just €475 for the 18 hole version, and €525 for the 36 hole version. Demand for this trolley will be extremely high and Hill Billy SL are already taking orders. Initial shipments will go fast so to book your new All Terrain with a small deposit by contacting the showroom now. ✆ (+34) 952 882 688 ➲ www.hillbilly.es ➲ www.powakaddy.es

046 GOLF GEAR

GEL Paul Hurrion Signature Range Designed by sports biomechanist and putting coach Dr Paul Hurrion in conjunction with GEL Golf, the Signature Range incorporates the innovative groove and insert technology that defined the original GEL Groove Putter Range and reflects over 10 years of research and development by Hurrion into the art and science of putting.

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Scientific testing has proved that the use of groove technology in putters creates instant forward roll on the golf ball, thus reducing the unwelcome effects of skidding and giving a truer roll.

Models

Meanwhile Hurrion’s biomechanical analysis of putting has proved that the performance of a golf ball during the first portion of the roll is the most crucial element to direct the ball towards the intended target, ensuring that grooved putters will always outperform all other putters.

1. REGO (Straight) A modified alignment, face-balanced blade with an inline weighting, perimeter weighting with a centre shaft and no offset. Weight alignment arms create unique weight distribution within the putter face.

Three-line alignment system squares the putter face to help focus the putter to the target. Loft 3.0 degrees.

Lie 73 degrees. Standard shaft length: 32” to 35”.

431 stainless steel material. (380gm head weight)

cavity-back, blade-style head design. Loft 2.5 degrees.

Lie 73 degrees. Standard shaft length: 32” to 35”.

431 stainless steel material. (365 gram head weight)

2. SCINDO (Split / Separate) A modified alignment, face-balanced blade, with an increased club head offers more weight and maximum forgiveness. A centre-shafted, no offset,

4. SEDO (Smooth) A heel-toe, weighted blade with a goose neck and slight offset.

Loft 3.0 degrees. Lie 73 degrees. Standard shaft length: 32” to 35”. 431 stainless steel material. (370gm head weight)

3. SEDO II (Smooth) A heel-toe, weighted modified blade with a ‘crankneck’ hosel and full shaft offset. Loft 3.0 degrees. Lie 73 degrees. Standard shaft length: 32” to 35”.

431 stainless steel material. (380gm head weight)

PAUL HURRION 047

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Scientific testing has proved that the use of groove technology in putters creates instant forward roll on the golf ball.

In this latest range, GEL’s unique groove technology, using a firm, multi-layer aluminium insert over a larger area, has allowed Hurrion to position weight around the perimeter of the club head creating a high moment of inertia (MOI) so increasing the forgiveness and creating an even truer roll of the ball.

“Working with golf technology company GEL, I have designed the Paul Hurrion Signature Range of putters to help golfers enjoy the key benefits Tour players look for on the greens. That is, a putter designed with horizontal grooves to impart forward roll, peripheral-weighting that maximises the sweet spot across the putter face and heel-toe weighting to increase the MOI for improved resistance to twisting on off-centre hits,” explained Hurrion, who works with a host of European Tour and Ryder Cup players.

“Based on the biomechanical principles that I have studied, the new GEL range of putters creates stability at impact in the area of the game that matters most,” he concluded.

The result quite simply is that the Paul Hurrion Signature Range delivers great feel, exceptional feedback and creates immediate forward roll ensuring that good putts are rewarded.

GEL Golf, which introduced its first range of GEL groove putters in 2007, has produced four models in the Paul Hurrion Signature Range, namely the Sedo, Sedo II, Scindo and Rego. All retail at the same price of UK £165.

“All the testing that has been undertaken on putters proves that grooved putter faces produce greater grip with the golf ball at

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the moment of impact, therefore enhancing a putter’s ability to produce the desired topspin roll on the ball,” added Alec Pettigrew, Managing Director of GEL (Groove Equipment Ltd).

“GEL has further improved groove technology by introducing horizontal, precision-cut grooves to generate an even better topspin roll and now that we have drawn on Paul’s scientific expertise for the Signature Range, I am confident that we have developed one of the best ever putter ranges on the market.

“Given the number of strokes that putting can add to a round of golf, and the beneficial effect that grooves can have on a player’s putting, the potential for grooved putters is enormous.”

The Paul Hurrion putters are all fitted with WINN grips and the distinctive electric blue inserts.

GEL Putters are distributed in the UK by Assay Golf, based in London.

For more information visit: ➲ www.GELGolf.co.uk

048 GOLF GEAR

TAG Heuer Professional Golf Watch Movement : Extra flat, RONDA 1005 high quality quartz for optimum reliability and exceptional precision.

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds.

Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflection coating on both surfaces Case : Mixture of finely brushed grade 2 titanium and solid stainless steel for a light and strong watch.

Dimensions : 37.5 mm (6 to 12 o’clock) x 36.7 mm (3 to 9 o’clock) x 10.5 mm thick.

Dial : New elegant design with a golf ball design. Luminescent hour markers and hands for optimum legibility.

Date at 3 o’clock. Coloured TAG Heuer logo. Mention: Professional Golf.

Crown and caseback : At 9 o’clock to avoid wounding the wrist during a swing.

Tiger Woods logo on the caseback.

Bracelet : Black silicon with exceptional elasticity for optimum comfort Clasp : Double safety (pushbutton at 10 and 2 o’clock) integrated in the case using a patented system Water-resistance : 50 m

The first watch for golf professionals developed and worn by Tiger Woods to meet golfers’ special requirements. Its high-tech materials and carefully studied ergonomic design means that the TAG Heuer professional golf watch will never bother a golfer during the swing.

➲ www.tagheuer.com

TAG HEUER 049

The first watch for golf professionals developed and worn by Tiger Woods to meet golfers’ special requirements.

050 YOUR GAME

STRONG GRIP

A strong grip is when your hand at the top of the club is rotated clockwise on the handle. This is the grip I prefer. Strong grips make it easier to draw the ball. I prefer the strong grip, so I don’t have to rely on my hands being active. Instead I simply turn my body through the swing resulting in a more consistent and reliable ball flight.

WEAK GRIP

ANNA RAWSON ON Men’s Fashion

On and off the course : This year, accessories aren’t just for women, they are hitting big for men too.

Aviators are still the sunglasses of choice, and key brands to look at are Ray-Ban, Gucci, and Dior. It adds the stylish and sleek feel to any ensemble. Scarves and ties come in at a close second as the most cutting edge of current season accessories. It’s okay to add a little flair to the outfits with solid colours but just remember not to go too loud, unless you have a simple

neutral colour outfit that you want to dress up. We might also see a comeback of contrast-collar polos.

Grey is definitely the colour of the season, and you will see a lot of basic blues. You can even match several different shades of blue in your outfit, and as we’re approaching summer, lighter blues are quite popular. When thinking shoes, look for textures like snakeskin. Just remember, stay away from patterns and bright prints. Anyway, it will be too distracting on the golf course!

A weak grip is when the hand at the top of the club is neutral or rotated anti-clockwise. Most amateurs that slice the ball have a weak grip. Having a weak grip means your hands and arms have to be really active in order to square the clubface at impact. I don’t find this to be as consistent because I am relying on my hands and arms to rotate the same amount each time. I believe this makes it extremely difficult to be precise, especially under pressure.

052 YOUR GAME

TO HIT SOLID

stay still

By Anna Rawson l LET & LPGA Tour Player

Turning without moving

Without head dip

ANNA RAWSON’S CORNER 053

The biggest mistake that I see in inconsistent players is how much their head moves throughout the swing. The most common errors are a lateral shift away from the ball in the takeaway or a dip in the head in the follow through.

Without lots of practice and perfect timing both result in fat or thin shots. A stable head allows the

body to swing the club on plane.

When I have inconsistent contact, meaning fat or thin shots, the first thing that my coaches look at is my head movement. When I stay still my contact is consistent allowing me to be aggressive with my swing. Simply keep an eye on your head movement and watch those scores lower.

Moving off the ball

“The biggest mistake that I see in inconsistent players is how much their head moves throughout the swing.”

Dipping the head

054 YOUR GAME

...use your left arm to chip and roll the ball into the hole

chip & run HOW TO KEEP THE CLUB LOW THROUGH IMPACT

My instructor Dave Stockton has me hit chip and runs with just my left arm. This allows me to consistently hit down on the ball and keep the club low through impact. The key to the chip and run is to keep your weight firmly on your left side. Your hand should be forward and try to hit the shot mainly with your left arm, the right hand is only there for guidance. Remember to finish with the club low to the ground.

056 YOUR GAME Club used: X-Tour Wedge

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PRO ANALYSIS 057

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icture 1. aking in p wrist is m b away ng the clu e Nick is taki to avoid th s lp e h hich the n o steeply, w ss ra g ging the club snag urages a g, and enco in w ks bac ck into the ta at f o angle v-shaped ture 2 that ic p n see in t the ball, ball. You ca tempt to lif at o n is re the pt firm. rists are ke and the w s p the hand tial to kee It is essen clubface all the way e ahead of th t in order to retain ac p im h g u thro

4.

e picture 3 th the club. In s. d an h e th the loft of d asn’t passe r in the club still h b tighte u cl e th g d can Grippin ur left han gers of yo n . fi 3 rm fi k ac st b wri ep the left help to ke ke enough ple don’t ta situation. You Most peo is th in ings e practice sw e resistance of th th l ice e need to fe hands, so take pract h. ur g u yo ro in e ss gra eep into th d o g at th swings urs just any amate ss.

I see too m g the top of the gra n o al g in g swin

058 YOUR GAME

flop shot EXECUTE THE

By Sam Pleshette l PGA Professional

This is a useful shot to have in your locker when you’ve missed the putting surface and don’t have much green between you and the hole.

The flop shot is a high floaty shot with little forward roll, and is sometimes your only option to get the ball close to the hole from this position.

The first thing to remember with this shot is that you can only play it when the lie allows - you need space under the ball for the club to pass. From the semi rough, as I am here in the picture, it’s OK - but forget it if you have a tight fairway lie.

So if the lie allows, grab your most lofted club (at least 56°) and set up similar to a bunker shot. Grip the club a little open to increase the loft further, and account for that by opening your stance up to the target by the same amount.

Widen the feet, play the ball slightly forward of centre, and have extra flex in the knees to lower your centre of gravity and get more height out of the shot.

Now for the swing itself. Take a long swing and accelerate smoothly through the ball - it should almost feel like a “lazy” tempo. Be sure to swing down parallel to your toe line for the ball to travel towards your target.

ING EVA L SW

TION UA

CLUB &

060 YOUR GAME

PART 1

starting from scratch THE COMPLETE FITTING EXPERIENCE

By David Poulton l PGA Professional KZG World Top 100 Club Fitter 2008 Clubmaker of the Year Spain 2007

David Poulton takes us through the complete club fitting and building process from beginning to end, using Eat Golf! editor Nick Senior as an example client.

Step 1. Interview Nick: Currently playing off a handicap of 9, my aim is to improve my consistency. Like many golfers, my good rounds are OK, but my bad rounds are dreadful.

I am looking to make my good rounds great, and my bad ones acceptable - hopefully lowering my handicap in the process!

David: After talking with Nick I discovered that he has two main problems with his golf game.

(1) He has two bad shots (right or left). (2) He has never had a sustained run of consistent golf.

Step 2. Club & Swing Evaluation Nick: I have been using TaylorMade Muscle Back irons for a few years now, which are very much a blade style club. When I’m on my game, they feel great - but are very unforgiving when not hit from the middle of the clubface.

CLUB FITTING

Finding and fixing the faults

1

David: When Nick started to hit balls with his present clubs it became obvious that his game would continue in this vain without some drastic changes in his equipment, and his understanding of a good shot pattern. Jimmy Demaret (3 times Masters Champion) once said that you have to eliminate one side of the course to be a champion. Nick had both sides to worry about.

2

By showing Nick his set up and backswing on video he could see why it was so difficult for him to consistently start the ball in the right direction. The illustrations above captured from video show a bad posture at address - his weight is sat back in the heels, and the hands are too close to his legs (pic 1). This was leading to the club being taken away on the inside (pic 2) where the

...it became obvious that his game would continue in this vain without some drastic changes in his equipment...

3

4

club would cross over at the top, leading to his inconsistent golf.

In the form of a demonstration (exaggerated) I asked Nick to grip right down the grip in order to shorten the club (pic 3). This helped to put him in an improved posture, and I asked him to make a few backswings which I showed him on video. Within minutes we had drastic changes to his backswing plane and line (pic 4).

Nick then went on to hit balls from this exaggerated position and immediately started hitting balls dead left (remember the lie angle had not been adjusted). I showed him his changed impact angle with the aid of sole tape - good things were happening and fast.

061

062 YOUR GAME

Problems with present irons: Clubs too long - causing weight to sit way back in heels and dragging the club on the inside.

Clubs too upright - forcing Nick to react on the follow through.

Clubhead needs a cavity and slightly wider sole - giving more margin for error.

Capturing the swing on video

Sole tape reveals the change in swing angle

I am recommending that we shorten the length of Nick’s irons in order encourage him to achieve an improved posture...

Nick: Because David is a PGA Professional as well as a club fitter, his explanation of my swing faults and the cause of them was very clear and thorough. The impact of video evidence to back this up cannot be underestimated - I was quite astounded at how much changing the length by gripping the club lower down made.

David: I then checked the present specification of Nick’s clubs for length, lie angle, dead weight and swingweight so that I could build the first demo iron.

demo clubs will help to fix many of the problems this process has revealed about my swing.

I have been amazed at just how far my swing plane is off line, and that this can be the result of having the wrong equipment.

I am now looking forward to the next step of trying the demo club, and am intrigued to see how great a change it will make.

As a result of the first fitting session I am recommending that we make some changes by shortening the length of Nick’s irons in order encourage him to achieve an improved posture, and give him more room to swing the club freely. This will ensure that Nick can improve his take-away, with the club passing through his right shoulder as opposed to coming on the inside as he does presently.

Nick: Rather than feeling disheartened by my swing faults, I am feeling positive that the Checking the swing weight

David: In the second fitting Nick will start to see a more consistent shot pattern - eliminating the shot that starts to the right of the target. Nick will also be giving me his feedback on the feel and the cosmetics from a selection of demo clubs. Normally this would be the next, or later the same day. I’ll go through this session in the next issue.

Golf Clubmakers Association Member (GCA) International Professional Clubfitters Association Member (IPCA) Qualified Mastercraftsman (GCA) Accredited Advanced Clubmaker (GCA) Accredited Clubmaker and Clubfitter (Diamond Golf) Top 100 Worldwide Clubfitter 2006-2008 (KZG) Clubmaker of the Year Spain 2007 Spanish PGA Member (APGE)

Design ŠEat Publishing S.L.

Class 'AA' British PGA Member

For a perfect finish. Every time.

Contact David Poulton : (+34) 685 990 138

064 YOUR GAME

Chi-Power Golf AN INTERVIEW WITH JAYNE STOREY l EUROPE’S LEADING TEACHER IN THE EASTERN MARTIAL & SPIRITUAL ARTS OF CHI KUNG, MEDITATION & T’AI CHI

CHI-POWER GOLF 065

Can you tell us a little bit of your background, and how you got in to golf and Martial Arts?

I’ve been practising martial arts now for over 20 years - mostly the internal art of T’ai Chi, which is more subtle than harder, external styles like Karate. I run a T’ai Chi school in England, and being a keen sports-woman (golf and triathlon) around 2002, I turned my attention towards working predominantly with athletes and my golf-specific coaching method Chi Power Golf - which is based on T’ai Chi - is now part of the PGA’s Professional Development programme.

T’ai Chi is an art which is based on the philosophy that stillness is the master of motion. In T’ai Chi the mind sets the intention for the movement and the body responds to the mind’s intent. Also, the body is used quite differently than in other martial arts and sports, as the T’ai Chi practitioner seeks to empty the upper body and stay grounded or rooted in the lower body, while moving from their centre of gravity - the T’an Tien - located about two inches below the navel.

The T’an Tien is the seat of power for the martial artist. Concentrating the mind at this point increases lower body stability and helps to free the upper body to respond to what the lower body is doing. In effect, this is what David Leadbetter is getting at, when he says that in the golf swing, the bigger muscles should lead the movement and the smaller muscles should follow. He explains it as “the dog wagging the tail, not the tail wagging the dog!”

“T’ai Chi is rooted in the feet, moves through the waist and is expressed in the hands.”

I got into golf myself a few years ago, and realised that everything we’re trying to do in the marital arts and all the ways we have of developing our mind~body connection can be applied immediately to help the golfer gain more awareness (one of the key elements Fred Shoemaker writes about in “Extraordinary Golf”).

In the marital arts we spend a lot of time just standing still. This is an art in itself - called I Chuan or Mind Boxing - and it’s fair to say that if a person lacks stillness, or the ability to remain still, they will generally lack awareness and with a lack of awareness can come the inability to really feel what’s going on in the swing. Again, Fred Shoemaker explains that the golfer will only really start to develop according to their potential, when they can narrow the gap between what they

think they’re doing in their swing and what they’re really doing - and the key to this is awareness.

Chi Power Golf sounds very dynamic. What are its influences?

One of my biggest influences is Jack Nicklaus, who said that “golf is played with the feet”. He explained further by saying that the golf swing starts in the feet, moves up the legs, into the waist, and then down the arms and into the hands. The club is the last thing the golfer needs to be concerned with, as it responds entirely to what the body is doing and the body responds to what the feet, legs and waist are doing.

This immediately struck a chord with me as Yang Chen Fu, one of the most famous of all T’ai Chi masters, actually wrote that “T’ai Chi is rooted in the feet,

066 YOUR GAME

moves through the waist and is expressed in the hands.”

So immediately, you can see the parallels between the two arts.

You’re right to say that Chi Power Golf is a very dynamic system, as this ground force energy (“golf is played with the feet”) results in an extraordinary and effortless amount of power. In fact, there’s even a golf shoe manufacturer who’s unique selling point for their shoes is that the “power comes from the feet”.

In T’ai Chi we use ground-force energy (Peng) to use the energy of the earth rather than our own limited physical strength to move an object. In the case of the martial artist, this would be your opponent - for the golfer, obviously this is the ball.

You can imagine what ground force energy is like if you stand with your back against a wall while trying to push a heavy object. With the immovable force of the wall behind you, your body is capable of using far more strength than if you relied on muscle power alone. So in golf, the more a golfer can become rooted in the feet, the further they will hit the ball and with a lot less effort.

What aspects of a golfer’s game do your methods benefit?

There are two main areas which I believe Chi-Power Golf can benefit golfers the most, and they are the mental game and what I call performance biomechanics. We’ve touched a little on the use of the body in T’ai Chi and it’s definitely this whole area of stillness

Jayne performing Chi-Power Golf with a PGA Professional

and grounding that is the most important in terms of the golfer using their body more efficiently and developing an acute level of awareness. A lot of my work is about helping golfer’s sink their mind to the T’an Tien, which helps the breathing become slower and deeper in the body. This means greater lower body stability and as the mind is gently focused on the breath, greater detachment from mental interference.

What are the similarities and differences between your methods and, say, more traditional methods?

I would say that Chi Power Golf is radically different to traditional methods and that is really its advantage. I’m not a golf coach; I’m a martial arts instructor, applying martial arts training to golf. The biggest difference is that I ask golfers to put away their clubs while they first start training with me. Only after they have mastered some basic principles of the Chi Power Golf system “emptyhanded” can they then apply it, first to short strokes like putting and chipping and later to the full swing. My whole methodology from a physical point of view is about working with the golfer’s body and breathing, so they learn to stay relax and be centred, even under pressure - if they can do this, their swing will be natural and easy and be endlessly repeatable.

Do you have to be a top athlete to perform the exercises?

No, they are simple principles that can be learned and practised by anybody, and the benefits are

CHI-POWER GOLF 067

pretty much instantaneous. You can practise the principles two or three times a week, for between 20 and 40 minutes per session. What I find works best is for the golfer to find the particular drills that they enjoy - it might be Chi Kung (deep breathing exercises), I Chuan (standing meditation), Silk Reeling (moving from the T’an Tien) and so on - and pick three things that work best for them and commit to practise them during the week.

Can you perform Chi-Power just before a game?

Absolutely, but you would also need to make the drills part of your daily routine first, as the skills need to become part of your mind and body and can’t just be pulled from the bag along with your clubs on the morning of the game! I take all my athletes through a progressive training programme of practising the exercises at home, then learning to practise while preparing to play, and then practising while actually playing.

What about the mental aspect of your teaching? How similar is it to sports psychology?

Chi-Power Golf is a much simpler and more direct approach to helping the golfer master key mental game skills. I’m not against sports psychology at all but even positive thoughts are still thoughts and leave the golfer in the realm of the mind, when it’s really best to be centred in the body.

Martial artists take the view that the mind, body and breath are one entity, so in Chi Power

Golf, when we train the body, for instance to gain rooting power through standing meditation, we are simultaneously training the mind to acknowledge distractions - like the internal dialogue or the conditions of the external environment - without giving them energy and attention.

Interestingly, a Buddhist monk practising meditation and a golfer playing “in the zone” where actions are automatic and instinctive - both enter the realm of the alpha-state, in which the everyday mind or “monkey mind” is temporarily switched off. It would make sense therefore, for golfers to start practising meditation, if they want to access this elusive realm and become immersed in their game, rather than being hampered by all kinds of mental interference.

Certainly the skills that can be developed from my system will enhance the techniques of sports psychology and give an extra dimension to gaining fundamental skills like attention control, relaxed concentration and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Many elite players now are practising meditation, including Tiger Woods and Justin Rose, the world number one and Europe’s number one respectively.

Do you have classes to attend and learn more?

I will be hosting two workshops in Spain in June, aided by Peter Millhouse, PGA pro from Sotogrande Golf Academy who is a big advocate of Chi-Power Golf.

The first workshop is “The Tao of the Mental Game”, Saturday 14th June and will cover the role meditation has to play in mastering key mental game skills and you will learn how to incorporate meditation into your daily life, and your pre-shot routine.

The second workshop is on “Performance Biomechanics” and that takes place in Sotogrande on Sunday 15th June. In this workshop we’ll look at the role I Chuan (Mind Boxing) plays in developing relaxation, lower body stability and ground strength and you will also learn drills to develop the ability to move from the T’an Tien – all of which help to develop effortless power in the swing.

For more information and bookings, contact Jayne directly: ✆ +44 (0)7986 447 250 ➩ jayne@jaynestorey.com Jayne will be writing some special features in future issues of Eat Golf!

There are also free downloads and Special Training Reports available at: ➲ www.chipowersports.com

068 YOUR GAME

The King is Dead!

By Juan Barberis l Titleist速 Certified Golf Fitness Teacher

The Titleist速 Performance Institute (TPI), considered by many in the golf community as the leading research institution regarding golf fitness and conditioning, recently conducted a golf fitness seminar in Sweden in which I was fortunate to participate.

GOLF FITNESS 069

As most golfers spend a vast amount of time sitting, the glutes become inhibited or no longer recognised by the brain as the key muscles necessary for proper walking...

Although I learned much about the most recent studies regarding the human body and how they relate directly to swing faults, perhaps the most important fact that I learned is that for most golfers, “the king is dead!�.

So, you may ask, what is the king and why is it dead? According to TPI, the king or the kings are the glutes, or butt muscles. As most golfers spend a vast amount of time sitting, the glutes become inhibited or no longer recognized by the brain as the key muscles necessary for proper walking and for golfers, the most important muscle in maintaining golf posture throughout the swing. Once these muscles become inhibited, they cause a chain reaction whereby the stomach muscles, or abdominals, also become inhibited. The glutes and the abdominals are two of the most important muscles that provide golfers with the necessary stability to swing the club properly. So, the answer is to bring the kings back to life!

Since all muscles of the body are controlled by the brain, the

first thing that must be done is to reactivate the use of the glutes through brain - muscle exercises. In a comfortable and private environment, such as quiet fitness facility, start by assuming golf posture, closing your eyes, and focus on contracting your right glute for five seconds and then releasing. Follow this up by contracting your left glute for the same amount of time and then releasing. Repeat this sequence for five or six times and do it daily for a week or two. This simple activity will reactivate the brainmuscle connection with your glutes. If you are not able to do this activity regularly in a fitness facility, it can also be done while you sit behind your desk. The key is to simply retrain the brain to remember about these muscles and engage them when you are walking or at golf stance.

Once this reactivation has taken place, you can start a series of exercises that will strengthen your glutes, abdominals, and other muscles in your core to provide you with the necessary stability and mobility to perform well on

the golf course. As always, I recommend that you seek the advice of reputable golf fitness and conditioning teacher before undertaking an exercise routine. Under the guidance of an experienced health care professional, you will be properly assessed and learn proper techniques at a much faster rate than if you do it on your own.

TPI´s web site, www.mytpi.com is available to all golfers as a reputable source for general and specific information on golf fitness and conditioning. It also has a section for locating a certified golf conditioning expert in your local area. With proper exercises tailored to your specific needs, in as little as two to three months, you will witness greater stability and an improved golf swing.

The latest research by TPI clearly points out that muscle imbalances are the foundational reasons for all swing faults. By undertaking a golfspecific fitness program, you will be correcting the foundations of your game while also improving the quality of your life. Yours in health!

070 GOLF & TRAVEL

SOMETHING TO READ

Bentley and Bond Bentley Motors and Penguin Books are releasing a special limited edition of the new James Bond book Devil May Care, costing UK£750 each. Only 300 copies will be available from the website: ➲ www.penguin007.com

SOMETHING TO CARRY

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SOMETHING FOR HOME This year is turning out to be highly successful for European Tour golf in Spain and Portugal - having seen the MAPFRE Open de Andalucía

by Valle Romano at the Aloha Golf Club; followed by the Estoril Open de Portugal at the Oitavos Dunes, Estoril. Plus we were treated to the Open de Espana at the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla.

All of this before the Tour returns for a procession of tournaments starting with the Madrid Masters at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid (09-12 Oct); followed by the Portugal Masters at the

Oceânico Victoria Clube de Golfe, Vilamoura (16-19 Oct). Then it’s back to Spain for the Comunitat Valenciana Masters Castellón Costa Azahar at the Club de Campo del Mediterráneo (23-26 Oct); before the last ever Volvo Masters at the mighty Valderrama (30 Oct-02 Nov).

Rumours are circulating that Finca Cortesin may be host to the 2009 World Match Play Championship - normally held at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. Be sure that we’ll bring you full details as soon as anything is confirmed!

Lumina for Maserati An exciting fusion of form and technology has created a luminous jewel that is both elegant and stylish: the Maserati Lamp.

The lamp evokes the celebrated lines of the iconic Maserati grille. ➲ www.maseratilamp.com

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ESTEPONA GOLF Arroyo Vaquero, Ctra. de Cádiz Kn 150. Aptdo. 532 Estepona Tel: (+34) 952 93 76 05 / Fax: (+34) 952 93 76 00 www.esteponagolf.com / information@esteponagolf.com

072 FEATURES

GOLF CLASS

Burhill Golf Club

By Gary Firkins

GOLF CLASS 073

Not a lot, you might think. Casey, with his Popeye arms, is best known for bombing drives around golf courses on the European Tour.

Sir Barnes Wallis, meanwhile, was the celebrated aircraft engineer whose ‘Dambuster’ bouncing bomb destroyed Germany’s industrial Moehne and Eder dams during World War II. Dick Turpin, on the other hand, didn’t bomb anything - but he was a damn nuisance.

The sheep rustler turned murderer, executed in 1739, was immortalised as ‘Dauntless Dick Turpin’, the dashing highwayman with his horse Black Bess in the novel Rockwood, published a century after his death. The story couldn’t have been further from the truth - Turpin and his ‘Essex Gang’ specialised in raiding remote farmhouses and terrorising their female occupants. That and hiding in a cave in Epping Forest, robbing anyone who happened to pass by.

What do Ryder Cup star Paul Casey, Barnes Wallis, creator of the bouncing bomb, and legendary highwayman Dick Turpin all have in common?

Bizarrely, Burhill Golf Club, near Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, is the missing link to all these stories. Casey played his junior golf at Burhill, becoming the Surrey Junior Champion in 1995; Barnes Wallis worked on his bouncing bomb at Burhill when the Ministry of Aircraft Production

requisitioned the clubhouse in 1940; and Dick Turpin once hid in the old, higgledy-piggledy brick cottage between the 14th and 15th holes... after running onto the fairway and telling two startled lady golfers to ‘stand and deliver’.

(It’s possible my facts and timings may not be absolutely accurate with this last point, but Turpin definitely was here, they say.)

Despite such famous (and infamous) connections, not to mention one of the finest and grand clubhouses in the UK - a magnificent Georgian mansion dating back to 1726 - Burhill Golf Club is undeservedly less well known than some of its more showy Surrey neighbours. While it is undeniably classy (the house and estate remains the property of the Guinness family), Burhill is also understated, welcoming and buzzing with a passion for golf.

There are two courses - the Old and New. The Old Course was designed by Willie Park Jr, widely regarded as the first true genius of golf courses architecture, and opened in 1907. The course is a classic, mature parkland layout - not long at 6,479 yards, but a tactical challenge that requires a route to be plotted from each tee.

074 FEATURES

As part of the club’s centenary celebrations last year, the bunkers were restored to their Willie Park era pomp and once again pop up along the fairways to deceive and attract the eye. Like the tee shot at the 9th where a trio of gaping sandy hollows sit in the bend of the dogleg ready to devour anything that is half hit or strays right. I love the intentionally scraggy backs of these bunkers, ragged and natural.

The New Course, opened in 2001, was built on the site of Burhill’s former South Course, which went under the plough during the War. A longer, more open course, it is an excellent complement to its elder sibling. The signature hole is the picturesque 18th, a par-3 over the River Mole to a two-tier green overlooked by the clubhouse bar terrace. For golfers who have already topped their ball into the water and then three putted, it’s a wonderful place to sit and sip gin and tonics, watching other incoming golfers cock-up in similarly comical fashion.

www.burhillgolf-club.co.uk

Standing on the 18th tee, framed by the trees, the vista to the grand, old clubhouse is magnificent.

Originally built as the residence of a wealthy London merchant, the house and estate changed hands several times before being bought

by Sir Edward Cecil Guinness, the future 1st Earl of Iveagh, in 1885. It has remained in the family ever since and is now the flagship venue of Burhill Golf & Leisure, which owns and operates 10 golf courses, including seven highly successful pay-and-play centres throughout the UK.

As well as Paul Casey, the club has cultivated other successful juniors and its coaching and introductory programmes, not to mention its encouragement of young people, serve as a model for all golf clubs.

European Tour legend Neil Coles was a young assistant professional here and still lives close by.

The genial director of golf is Pip Elson, the former European Tour professional whose own son Jamie had an outstanding amateur career, including playing in the victorious 2001 Walker Cup team, before joining the professional ranks.

The clubhouse walls are lined with old black and white photographs, including pictures of Guinness family gatherings and the early days of the golf club, a fascinating and intriguing portrait of this historic estate. Family, it seems, has always been a strong feature of Burhill and the club’s Family Foursomes golf tournament for father-and-daughter or mother-and-son pairings is one of the best known in the UK.

While my golf is a little ragged, my day at Burhill ends in perfect evening sunshine, highlighting the rich green tones of spring on this lovely, old course and reflecting the splendour of the clubhouse.

I may not have bombed any drives like Casey today, or skipped any shots across the water like Barnes Wallis, but I have had to stand and deliver - but just the cost of a round of drinks for losing our game.

076 GOLF & TRAVEL

home of golf SCOTLAND

By Sue Welbrock Smith l European Golf & Travel Media Association

Scotland’s Heartlands region comprises the counties of Perthshire, Angus, Dundee and the Kingdom of Fife, bounded to the north east by the North Esk river, to the north west by Loch Ericht and the mighty Firth of Forth to the south. Second only in numbers to the Central region, in and around Glasgow, with 120 courses, it offers 109 quintessentially different golf venues...

SCOTLAND 077

Along the coast, rich wetlands support a whole range of bird species, with the occasional glimpse of Roe Deer.

Links, heath and park land - this is some of the finest golfing country in the world incorporating the ‘hallowed grounds’ of St. Andrew’s, Gleneagles and Carnoustie.

Here, a considerable number of the golf courses were created by Mother Nature and helped by the genius of a few brilliant designers!

The region is easily accessed by air. Edinburgh International airport is approximately 1 to 1¼ hours’ away by road, while an excellent network of motorways and major roads connects Scotland northwards to the Highlands and southwards to England.

Unlike many other golfing destinations which have found a place in the hearts of the golfing fraternity, ‘Scotland - Home of golf’ enjoys that essential, defining characteristic of the game - the weather!

The climate on the east coast is generally less harsh than on the west, benefiting to no small degree from the peripheral effects of the Gulf Stream. The Tay valley offers rich and protected grazing for sheep and cattle, with fields bordered by distinctive, indigenous blue-grey fir trees. The majestic river gives its name to a variety of raspberry - the tayberry - popular with up-market restaurants in England, but is probably best known for its sleek salmon, happily omnipresent in excellent local cuisine.

This is a treasury of fauna and flora. In late spring the countryside is ablaze with gorse in bloom, while (and perhaps coming as somewhat of a surprise) fields of golden daffodils stretch away into the distance, grown and picked for cut flower markets around the country. Along the coast, rich wetlands support a whole range of bird species, with the occasional glimpse of Roe Deer.

With such a wealth of golf courses from which to choose, and while we may initially conclude that other than devoting several months to exploring the region, if you are restricted by time, careful planning should permit the enjoyment of a good cross-section of golfing venues. As always, the best option is to select a specific area in which to stay and then choose a strategic number of courses at which to play... easy!

It’s a good idea to take advantage of one of a number of great value Golf Pass Packages, which offer discounts on various combinations of courses in any one area.

While it is undoubtedly true that most visitors will flock to the Kingdom of Fife’s St. Andrews Old Course, eager to experience the buzz of excitement universally expressed by the world’s greatest players, don’t exclude others to your detriment.

078 GOLF & TRAVEL

Added to which comes the extraordinary quality of the actual terrain, and the way the courses play ‘firm and fast’ Angus lies north of the Tay estuary, and there you will find the mighty Carnoustie - almost ‘plonked’ on a piece of land, open to all weathers. ´St Andrews has history, Prestwick has character and Dornoch has charm. Muirfield is classy, Turnbury is pretty and Carnoustie...? Carnoustie is a “great big shaggy monster”!

Not only that, Carnoustie sits at the very heart of a plethora of top-class links courses. Panmure, Montrose and Monifieth, for example, are all finals qualifiers for The British Open. So if it’s golf, golfing history and tradition you seek, this is a very good place to start your pilgrimage.

More than any other, links golf is defined by the weather. Played on exposed land, adjacent to the sea, every shot - with the way it’s executed - will determine strategy, and should force you to think carefully before playing. Added to which comes the extraordinary quality of the actual terrain, and the way the courses play ‘firm and fast’ which makes their playing so endlessly challenging... ”Nae wind,... nae golf!”

Take a base in or around the vibrant Port and City of Dundee - great for sightseeing - Captain Scott’s famous polar exploration ship RRS Discovery, shopping and fabulous food - I recommend you try The Ship Inn Restaurant at the quayside! A natural selection for accommodation for that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience is Oxford Hotels & Inns’ Carnoustie Golf Links Hotel. This offers all the facilities looked for in an hotel of international repute: extensive conference facilities, fabulous cuisine, together with the facilities of a Leisure club, with pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym and treatment rooms in which to seek to put indulgent gastronomic wrongs to right! Never have ‘haggis, neeps and tatties’ found such enviable sophistication…

Access to those other courses, mentioned above, is maximum of ½ an hour’s drive.

Carnoustie The Championship Course A classic links from a rudimentary 10 holes first designed in the mid19th century by legendary player

Allan Robertson: subsequently with sweeping changes by Tom Morris, James Braid (1926), with the closing 3 holes altered again in 1937, by James Wright. Perhaps its greatest strength is that it has no weaknesses and what sets it apart from its main rivals - north or south of the border - is its exceptional closing stretch.

The course is well established as one of the world’s finest tests of the game. Tiger Woods, for one, believes it to be “one of the best courses in the world - If not the best”. The final three holes must represent one of the most dramatic finishes anywhere. The 16th - 230 yard, par-3 - to a heavily bunkered green; the 17th fairway is an island, amid the twists of the Barry Burn and the 444 yard, par-4, 18th!

When Padraig Harrington won The Open in 2007, spectators were treated to the playing of one of the most dramatic finishes in the Championship’s history. While...

Sacré bleu!... word has it that Jean Van de Velde (runner-up in 1999) has since returned to play the hole in a mere 5... with a putter!

Burnside Course Created in 1892; extended to 18 holes in 1914. Shorter than its prestigious older companion and laid out on similar terrain which is invaded by the sea from time to time, bunkers are the main

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hazards here. The par-3’s at 5, 9 and 14 will not be bettered anywhere.. Never underestimate the ‘Burnside’ - accuracy will reap its own rewards, but careless drives will be punished.

Monifieth Evidence shows that golf was played here in the mid-17th century, though the first signs of a ‘real’ course are two centuries later, when a group of businessmen from Dundee & District leased land from the Earl of Panmure and play took place on a 9 hole course for the first time in October 1845.

The Medal Course Long recognised as an excellent test of golf. Avenues of trees planted in the 1950’s, have now reached maturity, greatly defining and enhancing the early layout. Somewhat more recently, a programme of upgrading, supervised by head green keeper Scott Rennie, has produced narrow, running fairways, lush semi-rough, deep revetted bunkering and fast, consistent greens. ‘Out of bounds’ at the busy coastal DundeeArbroath railway line forms the boundary to the first six holes, firmly setting the watchwords for the round -‘brains not brawn’.

The Ashludie Although barely over 5000 yards, this James Braid layout is compact, challenging and will

reward thoughtful shot making.

Accurate iron shots to the greens are essential. This is the perfect course to play either on its own, or as the second round of a day’s golf.

Montrose Founded in 1562, this is the 5th oldest golf course in the world - hallowed ground, indeed!

Ben Crenshaw so aptly described Montrose as a “magnificent stretch of marvelously natural ground, which depicts how the game was born”. That really says it all. More recently, one of my golfing companions climbed onto the bank, to the seaward side of the 6th green and observed “Just as well the wind isn’t really blowing - there’s nothing here between Norway and us!”.

The Medal Course Willie Park Jnr.’s original, 1903 design still holds good today.

Deep bunkers, fairways which feel so wonderfully soft, towering dunes covered in wild grasses and which shape both winding fairways and greens - all the components in true tradition and which go to make up a great links course. When the onshore wind

blows, it becomes a veritable giant. The course has played host to the Scottish Professional Championships (1967, 1970); The Scottish Amateur Championships (1975): the British Boys’ Championships and Internationals (1991) and was ranked 38/100 top courses in UK & Ireland, by ‘Golf World’ magazine (1999) The Broomfield Course Originally 9 holes, the present-day 18-hole course dates from 1919, and, as the name suggested, is crafted between clumps of gorse and broom. The course is eminently suitable for families, juniors and beginners, since there are no long carries off the tees, but small greens make accurate approach shots essential.

Panmure Golf Club Ben Hogan had one essential thing in common with Panmure - privacy!

When certain of the early members at Montrose, just next door, felt that ‘their’ golf club was being infiltrated by too many members, they quietly purchased a nearby piece of land and, in 1899 the new club at Panmure was formed. Steeped in history, it remains eminently

Scott Rennie has produced narrow, running fairways, lush semi-rough, deep revetted bunkering and fast, consistent greens.

080 GOLF & TRAVEL

Steeped in history, it remains eminently private to this day, although you will get a very warm welcome if you visit to play. private to this day (restricted access at weekends), although you will get a very warm welcome if you visit to play. Quiet efficiency pervades, in an atmosphere which is reminiscent of a grander age.

well protected and while putting is tricky, it’s never impossible.

The clubhouse is a replica of that of the Calcutta Golf Club, resulting from the close association between Panmure and the Calcutta Jute Trade’s large numbers of ex-Indian wallahs who’d been Panmure members. The Main Lounge retains a strict dress code and is one of the finest in the country: around the walls, showcases evidence the grandeur of its past.

Letham Grange A little further north, towards Arbroath - (famous for its ‘smokies’) - lies Letham Grange Resort, voted 15/18 of Scotland’s ‘Hidden Gems’, in a recent survey conducted by ‘Bunkered’ magazine in conjunction with Visit Scotland.

Here are two courses offering a complete contrast to those already described. Laid out within the grounds of Letham Estate, this is parkland at its tranquil best indeed, it’s difficult to remember you’re still actually in Scotland!

Panmure The course truly does not fall far short from featuring in the same class as its neighbour, Carnoustie - it has become, quite simply, overshadowed by it and you should certainly not miss the opportunity to play here. Somewhat hilly, crafted out of oddly-shaped dunes, ‘bump and run’ is generally a very good tactic, depending on the strength and direction of the wind. Maintained in excellent condition, the greens are extremely

The Old Course A pure inland golf course, incorporating natural water hazards, narrow fairways and undulating terrain, with focal points provided by internationally renowned landscape artist, Mr. Shunmyo Masuno who introduced massive stones, said to invoke the ‘spirit of Zen’ bringing good luck to those who come into contact with them. Since that time (1996), the course has, slowly, but surely, gained a staunch following with

those who see its ultimate and excellent potential. Water comes into play at the par-3 8th and again at the tricky par-4 10th, which plays from a hugely elevated tee towards an albeit generous landing area, with lake beyond.

Leave the driver in the bag off the tee here, perhaps? Thereafter, a meandering stream provides an omnipresent hazard as you continue the back nine, for home.

The Glens A gentle parkland option...

“Perhaps just another 18 ?” before retiring to enjoy welcome refreshments in the Clubhouse bar, in the gracious surroundings of the restored baronial mansion.

Letham Grange Hotel offers a range of comfortable accommodation, making it ideal for golfing groups.

The original building probably dates from the mid-16th century and it is still being gradually and fastidiously restored. If you are unable to survive without the clinical anonymity of modern, 5 star hotels, imposing ‘optional’ service charges for no service, this is certainly not for you! On the contrary...

If you are happy to sink back into an armchair or settee, redolent of faded decadence, revel in the workmanship of lovingly-carved wooden paneling of yesteryear and thoroughly appreciate being cared for by a team which treats you as

SCOTLAND The Carnoustie Golf Links 20 Links Parade, Carnoustie Scotland. DD7 7JF ➲ www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk ➩ golf@carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk ✆ +44 (0) 1241 802 270 ✴ +44 (0) 1241 802 271 Championship Course: 6,941 yards - S.S.S. 75 Burnside Course: 6,028 yards - S.S.S. 71 The Carnoustie Golf Hotel The Links, Carnoustie, Angus Scotland. DD7 7JE ➲ www.oxfordhotelsandinns.com ➩ reservations.carnoustie@ohiml.com Monifieth Golf Links Medal Starter’s Box, Princess Street, Monifieth, Dundee Scotland. DD5 4AW ➲ www.monifiethgolf.co.uk ➩ monifiethgolf@freeuk.com ✆ +44 (0) 1382 532 767 ✴ +44 (0) 1382 535 816 Medal Course: 6,655 yards – S.S.S. 72 Ashludie Course: 5,123 yards – S.S.S. 66 Panmure Golf Club Barry, Angus Scotland. DD7 7RT ➲ www.panmuregolfclub.co.uk ➩ secretary@panmuregolfclub.co.uk ✆ +44 (0) 1241 855 120 ✴ +44 (0) 1241 859 737 Panmure: 6,501 yards – S.S.S. 72 Montrose Golf Courses Montrose Golf Links Ltd., Traill Drive, Montrose, Angus Scotland. DD10 8SW ➲ www.montroselinks.co.uk ➩ secretary@montroselinks.co.uk ✆ +44 (0) 1674 672 932 ✴ +44 (0) 1674 671 800 Medal Course: 6,544 yards - S.S.S. 72 Broomfield: 4,825 yards – S.S.S. 63 Letham Grange Resort Colliston, by Arbroath, Angus Scotland. DD11 4RL ➲ www.lethamgrangegolf.co.uk ➩ lethamgrangegolf@yahoo.co.uk ✆ +44 (0) 1241 890 373 ✴ +44 (0) 1241 890 725 Old Course: 6,968 yards - S.S.S. 74 Glens Course: 5,528 yards - S.S.S. 68 Blairgowrie Golf Club Rosemount, Blairgowrie, Perthshire Scotland. PH10 6LG ➲ www.theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk ➩ office@theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk Rosemount Championship Course: 6,600 yards – S.S.S. 72 Lansdowne Championship Course: 6,826 yards – S.S.S. 74 The Wee Course: 4,704 yards – S.S.S. 63

Further information: ➲ www.visitscotland.com/golf ✆ +44 (0) 845 22 55 121

simply ‘one of the family’, and for whom nothing is too much trouble while you are within its walls, this is it! Private groups are catered for and the kitchen produces meals to the highest of culinary standards... breakfast is to fry for!!

If, however, you are staying here for a couple of days, eating out is generally a matter of knowing where. Gordon’s restaurant, in nearby Inverkeilor, by Arbroath is a treat not to be missed at any cost. Family run, it occupies a long low building, at the roadside and if you didn’t know about it you might pass it by and that would be a very great shame!

Blairgowrie The Rosemount Although a little further away, north of the historic city of Perth, the Blairgowrie ‘Rosemount’ course is considered by many to be one of the best inland courses in Britain.

Dating from 1889, the course was designed by Alister MacKenzie (the architect who helped Bobby Jones create Augusta National), with later alterations by James Braid.

The overwhelming sensation here is one of quiet; each hole is separated from the others by thick avenues of firs and pines and the wildlife and flora make this an idyllic place in which to play golf.

The closing four holes are classic, from the short 129 yard par-3

fifteenth, which has the Black Loch as a backdrop. Sixteen sees the loch come into play as you drive uphill over its edge, to the narrow, angled fairway, which is right on the limit as a par-4. Seventeen is yet another fine par-3 and probably one club more than you think to reach the two-tiered green.

The 390 yard finishing hole is more of a dog-leg right than is evident from the tee. While members appear to favour a tiger-line which uses the 1st fairway as a landing area, a good drive will actually set up a chance of reaching the green in regulation, before retiring to the comfortable, recently rebuilt and refurbished Clubhouse at the end of a memorable day’s golf.

It’s undoubtedly true that with money to spare, you can move mountains, create lakes and sometimes even opt to change what nature has so elegantly provided. What you won’t change is the weather and the passage of the seasons.

Sometimes courses are snowbound in winter… sometimes it rains... sometimes the wind plays havoc. What never changes is the exhilaration which comes from a game well played. When you come here to play the game, you will live and breathe it and revel in the experience which is Scotland - Home of Golf.

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082 GOLF & TRAVEL

Atalaya Golf COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN

If we were trying to sum up golf on the Costa del Sol by looking at just one club, then perhaps Atalaya Golf would be a perfect example. Two 18 hole layouts - the Old and the New - each pose a very different challenge and style. In this issue we take a closer look at the Old Course.

Atalaya owes much of its charm and beauty to the fact that it was created back in 1968, before the rash of golf urbanisation development that has seen courses spring up all over the Costa del Sol. It was a slower pace of life in those days, when the design of a golf course was the priority rather than packing in apartments on the edge of every fairway.

Skilled ground staff have not only maintained the quality of the courses over the years, but created a perfect ambience around the clubhouse with pretty fountains surrounded by richly-coloured

ATALAYA GOLF 083

...it is the perfect oasis of tranquillity on the otherwise bustling and vibrant Costa del Sol.

German Golf Championship winner who became his country’s finest golf course architect of the time.

With wide fairways and large elevated greens, this championship course provides a challenge to golfers at all levels. Elegant and mature, with spectacular views of the magnificent La Concha mountain, it is the perfect oasis of tranquillity on the otherwise bustling and vibrant Costa del Sol. With gently sloping fairways, the apparently benign parkland aspect of the course makes it the ideal venue for the average club golfer - but plentiful bunkers filled with

beds of flowers. The fact that it is a members’ club open to green fee paying guests ensures that there is always a convivial buzz around the club-house and golfers are made welcome on the terrace or in the bar.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Blanca mountains, it’s central location is easy to find on the road to Benahavis, close to the beach and within a short drive from some of the most luxurious hotels in the region.

The course was designed by Bernard von Limburger, the 1925

sparkling ‘marmolina’ sand, fast greens, lush vegetation and fairways lined with olive, pine, cactus and eucalyptus trees prove a challenge for single-figure players as well.

The Old Course features one of the finest opening holes on the Costa del Sol. A gentle introduction at just 309 meters, like many of the holes here it offers the player a variety of choices from the tee. Although a well placed drive will ensure a simpler approach to the green, the encroaching trees to the left suggest that keeping the driver in the bag could prove just as successful.

084 GOLF & TRAVEL

Though the course offers many different challenges, the raised greens are a consistent feature, and any wayward shot can feed off into the well placed bunkers.

The course is a fantastic blend of long and short holes. Except for the 8th, the par 5’s are long enough to make them ‘three shotters’ for the vast majority of golfers, and getting through the par 3’s level to the scorecard would be an accomplishment even for the professionals.

Though the course offers many different challenges, the raised greens are a consistent feature, and any wayward shot can feed off into the well placed bunkers.

Atalaya Old Course Hole 1. Par 4. Hcp. 17 313m • 309m • 277m

The par 4, 10th combines virtually every challenge Atalaya has to throw at you into one hole, and is perhaps one of the best holes on the course. With tall trees lining the fairway on both sides, a dog-leg left is located at the point where a good drive is likely to land - forcing the longer hitters to draw the ball with a driver if they are to avoid getting trapped in the trees on the right.

The Old Course opens with a classic par 4. A gentle downhill, slight dogleg left allows the player to take a long iron or 3 wood for position. Playing out to the right just leaves a short iron approach, but anything too far to the left can be blocked out by the trees.

With the wind in the players favour it is possible for the more adventurous to take on the green with a driver. A strategic hole full of risk and reward.

Many may favour this approach, as this is such a tricky green to hit in regulation due to it being a two tier, kidney shaped putting surface with a bunker guarding the front, and another lying in wait at the back. Judgement and control of distance is vital in order to be left with a birdie putt, which if successful should leave any golfer proud of their day.

ATALAYA GOLF 085

Make no mistake, there are plenty of scoring opportunities around the Old Course, and the fairways are generally very wide and open despite the abundance of trees. This is a classic parkland layout, making it a refreshing alternative to the dramatic, tight and hilly courses which have increasingly become a feature on the Costa del Sol in recent years.

Get ready to use every club in your bag, play a course that genuinely does not require a buggy, and enjoy a round of golf the way it was meant to be played - on foot and with the space to hit a few wayward shots -the challenge is just between you and the course.

Atalaya Golf & Country Club Ctra de Benahavís Km 0.7 29688 Estepona, Spain ➲ www.atalaya-golf.com ➩ info@atalaya-golf.com ✆ (+34) 952 882 812 ✴ (+34) 952 887 897

086 GOLF BUSINESS

JEEV MILKHA SINGH

India’s number one golfer Under an exclusive six-figure sponsorship deal , Singh will sport the Jumeirah Golf Estates branding on his headwear and clothing throughout the season, with an option for both parties to renew at the end of the year.

PETE DYE

SERGIO - BACK IN BUSINESS

Golf World Hall of Fame Pete Dye has been elected in the Lifetime Achievement Category.

One of the most famous golf course architects alive today, his reputation is that of a creative genius, and amongst the most imaginative course designers in the world.

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES Leisurecorp recently hailed the fantastic success for two of the course designers at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai’s premier residential golf community, and from 2009 the home to The European Tour’s International Headquarters and the Dubai World Championship, the richest tournament in world golf.

Hall of Fame; whilst Sergio Garcia won a play-off with Paul Goydos to win The Players Championship at Sawgrass in Florida, USA, the $9.5 million tournament known as “the fifth Major”. It is the biggest tournament win of Garcia’s career and he becomes only the second European to have won the TPC.

Pete Dye, one of the three designers of the Wind course and the man known as “the father of modern golf course design”, is to be inducted into the Golf World

Leisurecorp was established by Dubai World in July 2006 to identify, acquire and develop leisure and lifestyle related investments in Dubai and across the world.

Wind Course Wind is one of four courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates. In a unique collaboration, Pete Dye is working with Sergio Garcia (working on their first Middle East project) and Greg Norman on the design of the course.

088 GOLF BUSINESS

Italian style Botticelli Golf

Italian shoe manufacturer Botticelli was founded by Aldo Botticelli in 1941. With many years experience, his talent and hard work turned a workshop into a factory.

The golf division of the company is run by Luca Botticelli, with his sights set on taking the Botticelli Golf brand to a higher level. Eat Golf! caught up with Luca to find out more.

What role do you play within the Botticelli company?

I started to work with the company last year. My responsibilities are with marketing the sport section of the brand, mainly golf.

Do you feel equipped for the job?

Yes I hope so. I finished a Masters in general management and have a degree in economics.

How did Botticelli become involved in Golf?

We started with golf 20 years ago, producing golf shoes. Last year we wanted to push the line further.

We got involved in sponsorship of the Italian Open, and started to develop an entire line of golf shoes.

What is behind the inspiration of the line that you have today?

We have specialised in shoes for sixty years, and are now using this knowledge of high quality shoe making together with our fashion knowledge. We are making all of our shoes in Italy. They are hand made, and go through 40 phases of construction. We do not use imported fabrics, such as China or anywhere else. Our speciality is obviously the quality of the

leather - and the technicalities are overlooked by professionals. We are trying to keep the range very sporty, but with a lot of taste.

What more can you tell us about the range?

We have introduced two lines, where one is more fashion orientated and one is more classic, English if you like. We presented our main logo that will be used on all our new line of golf clothing and shoes.

By combining the fine leather, which is very classic, with new materials, we aim to make our designs appealing to an exclusive audience.

BOTTICELLI GOLF 089

The Roberto Botticelli brand has become recognised for making traditionally hand crafted shoes in cooperation with world famous designers.

090 GOLF BUSINESS

Roberto Botticelli shops are located throughout the world, including Italy, Holland, Russia, UAE and Spain. The Spanish stores can be found in Madird and Puerto Banus

BOTTICELLI GOLF

ve people ask if “As the shoes look so nice, they play well. They play

How many designers do you have in your team?

About a dozen - where two are focusing solely on the golf line.

How do the clothing and shoe lines fit together?

It is necessary to combine the two. Although our core business is shoes, the new line of clothing will follow the shoes. It will obviously be Italian made, and follow the high quality of the shoes. A combination of technical details and style.

Which Tour players do you sponsor?

We started this year with sponsorship, and in Spain we have Jose Manuel Lara and Tania Olósegui, amongst others who are wearing our shoes. We have started here in Spain and want to develop this further to other countries, such as the PGA Tour in the States and the Asian Tour. Another market we are looking to introduce the brand

el l . . . w ry

”

is the Challenge Tour for younger players. We are going to sponsor three people on the Challenge Tour.

As the shoes look so nice, people ask if they play well. They play very well - and we want to prove it by having professionals wearing them.

Do the Tour players help you to develop the shoes?

Yes, especially Jose Manuel Lara. He offers some technical advice for the designers.

Where do you see Botticelli going in the future?

We want to grow substantially over the next two to three years, during which time we hope to be synonymous with high quality golf shoes. Our approach into different markets such as UK, Spain, Holland, Dubai and Japan are going really well and we have already gained a great foothold in these markets.

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092 GOLF BUSINESS

Portugal by Knight Portugal enlisted the help of multi-award winning photographer Nick Knight in the creation of their newest promotional campaign, which is about discovering a modern, cosmopolitan and entrepreneurial country located on Europe’s West Coast - an ideal location for investment, creativity and relaxation.

In this first stage of the campaign, the two main lines of communication are renewable energies and young Portuguese talent. Occupying a leading position at the world level in terms of renewable energies, Portugal has made a firm commitment to the wind and the sun as natural energy sources. The country has one of the highest growth rates in use of aeolic energy and has the world’s largest photovoltaic power station - located in the Alentejo region.

Eight leading Portuguese talents who have an inherent energy and creative capacity that has enabled them to reach the forefront of their respective professional areas at the world level, are highlighted to promote a modern and successful country. Cristiano Ronaldo, José Mourinho, Mariza, Nelson Évora, Vanessa Fernandes, Miguel Câncio Martins, Maria do Carmo Fonseca and Joana Vasconcelos are the faces of the new campaign, photographed by Nick Knight.

Knight is perhaps best known as a fashion photographer, though his work has been exhibited at many high profile galleries including Tate Modern, Hayward Gallery and the Saatchi Gallery.

Joana Vasconcelos, fine artist

PORTUGAL 093

Cristiano Ronaldo takes up the case for golf in Portugal, boldly stating: “My country is the best golf destination in the World.”

Cristiano Ronaldo takes up the case for golf in Portugal, boldly stating: “My country is the best golf destination in the World.”

The Algarve is certainly one of Europe’s top golfing destinations, and has firmly established its reputation among golf enthusiasts. Over thirty high quality golf courses reside in this region, and have played host to many high profile events.

For more information visit: ➲ www.visitportugal.com ➲ www.visitalgarve.pt

On the Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort in Portimão has hosted the Algarve Portuguese Open, whilst Quinta do Gramacho in Carvoeiro, which was designed by Ronald Fream, hosted the Algarve Ladies Open of Portugal, an event that forms part of the Ladies European Tour.

The Eastern Algarve sees courses such as the Vila Sol - Beach, Golf & Country Club in Quarteira, who organised the Portuguese Open for two years running. This event has also been played at Quinta do Lago on eight occasions, and Vale do Lobo in Almancil. The Victoria Clube de Golf in Vilamoura is currently the host to the Portugal Masters, while the PGA European Senior Tour has visited Quinta de Cima in Vila Nova de Cacela.

Miguel Câncio Martins, architect

094 EVENTS & LIFESTYLE

Clare Queen

“It was great fun being involved in such a unique event and as The Carrick’s touring pro you could say I had an advantage but I can’t say I have ever hit a ball from a yacht in the middle of the Loch before! It was certainly a unique experience and I am more than happy to take part in events like this if it helps publicise the Ladies Tour.”

Lynn Kenny

SCOTLAND: 3 - SWEDEN: 0

Playing partner Lynn Kenny was surprised how difficult the challenge was: “It was difficult to take aim as the boat was moving around and the distance was really hard to judge as we kept drifting. What a fantastic prize to win, the De Vere mansion looks awesome. I hope this win is a good omen for the week!”

De Vere Deluxe resorts

The Ladies Scottish Open got off to a spectacular start on the banks of Loch Lomond in May, courtesy of the event’s host venue The Carrick on Loch Lomond. Home favourite’s Clare Queen and Lynn Kenny took on European #1 Sophie Gustafson and fellow Swede Johanna Westerberg in a unique challenge on board De Vere’s luxury yacht; the Celtic Warrior.

The challenge involved the players boarding the Celtic Warrior and hitting 100 yard shots from the bow in a closest to the pin, Scotland

versus Sweden team challenge to the picturesque 15th green.

The winning pair would win a 2 night stay in the luxurious De Vere Deluxe mansion house, overlooking the 15th hole on The Carrick course.

Scotland’s Clare Queen was first up against 2007 Ladies Scottish Open winner Sophie Gustafson and came out victorious with a two nil victory, going close on both attempts.

Then Lynn Kenny closed out the challenge with a one nil win over Sweden’s Johanna Westerberg to take the prize for the home team.

Set in breathtaking locations and exuding charm and flair, De Vere Deluxe resorts are the epitome of quality and individuality. Each of the destinations offers an intensely luxurious experience, based on an appreciation of the finer things in life and with a uniquely modern British character that’s refreshingly different.

096 EVENTS & LIFESTYLE

Forest of Arden LAUNCHES Corporate GOLF Offer

One of the leading championship venues in the UK, the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club has just announced a fantastic corporate golf offer for groups of 12 people or more.

This special offer for Corporate golf from £99.00 per person includes everything you will need for your golf day: Driving range tokens, Coffee and bacon rolls on arrival, 18-holes of golf on the championship Arden Course, strokesaver course guide, longest drive and nearest the pin competitions and 3-Course meal in a private room after golf. Offer and tee-times are subject to availability and require a minimum booking of 12 golfers.

The Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club is one of the UK’s leading golf destinations and has staged numerous European Tour

and prestigious Amateur events, including the English Open, British Masters and 2007 Brabazon Trophy.

Beyond the greens, this elegant country retreat holds even more pleasures: a blissful spa, tennis, a fitness centre, a pool, even a croquet lawn. At the end of each day golfers can retreat to a well-appointed guest room, featuring luxury bedding and high-speed Internet. The hotel has two restaurants, the Broadwater, featuring the very best in international cuisine and fine wines, and the Long Weekend Cafe Bar, ideal for more casual dining. Set on 10,000 acres of parkland in the heart of the Midlands, this distinctive Warwickshire resort is close to the motorway & rail networks, and is just 10 minutes from Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

Marriott Golf, the golf management division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), currently manages 60 golf courses at 45 facilities in 14 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is currently the largest resort golf operator in the both the United Kingdom and the United States. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises.

For information about Marriott Golf and the Forest of Arden, visit the Marriott Golf website: ➲ www.MarriottGolf.com For more information, or to book this offer, call the hotel directly on: ✆ +44 (0)1676 522 335

098 EVENTS & LIFESTYLE

Sotogrande A unique experience since 1962

With its unrivalled location in the South of Spain, Sotogrande is a place designed with style, and inspired by a special way of understanding life. Founded in 1962 by American Joseph McMicking, Sotogrande is an area with good transport connections, high quality infrastructures, and a warm climate throughout the whole year. Famous for its golf courses and polo fields, it has become an exceptional place to live and enjoy its many charms in any season.

All facilities imaginable can be found on its more than 2,000 hectares: wide avenues, two beach clubs, the best hotels, a multi-coloured Marina and all kinds of services: restaurants, an international college, shops, banks etc. reflect the cosmopolitan atmosphere of this very special location.

From golf at some of the finest courses in Southern Spain (including the magnificent La Reserva) to polo and sailing, all sporting needs are taken care of. Sotogrande also offers the perfect opportunity to relax, with many restaurants, luxurious spas and beach clubs. ➲ www.sotogrande.com ➩ sotogrande@sotogrande.com ✆ (+34) 956 790 300

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