April 2014

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Ap ril 20 14

Three Rivers www.threeriversclub.com

www.essexgolfer.com ESSEX GOLFER MAGAZINE – SERVING THE GOLFERS OF ESSEX SINCE 1996

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The Home of Golf in Essex

WILL IT BE LUCKY 13 FOR YOU? CHALLENGE YOURSELF ON OUR REDESIGNED 13TH HOLE AT THE WARREN Our refurbishment of the golf course at The Warren by internationally acclaimed golf course architects MacKenzie & Ebert has continued with their complete redesign of the shortest par 4 on the course, the 300 yard 13th hole. Combining strategic positioning and a strong and bold bunkering style, the two new fairway bunkers and two refurbished greenside bunkers will now ask serious questions of any golfer who takes this hole on.

Existing birch on hump.

Extend the ridge and break up the top with hills of different heights.

0.80m

Set first bunker into hump which should be reshaped.

1.0m

1.2m

Lower to create run-ins on both bunkers.

Bunker is shaped around the hump on the edge of the green.

Nose ties into slope on the green.

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2 3

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Tom Mackenzie & Martin Ebert have over forty years of experience in the field of golf course architecture, working not only on new courses but also advising the acknowledged classics. Four out of the nine Open Championship venues have been advised in the last four years, and Tom and Martin have advised almost fifty of the top hundred courses in Great Britain and Ireland during their careers.

Tom Mackenzie

SO HOW WOULD YOU PLAY IT?

Our Professional David Brooks runs you through the options...

The first question you must ask yourself is do you have the length to take the new fairway bunkers on? A straight carry distance of 250 yards is required (1), otherwise you will need to draw your drive off the right greenside bunker and chase your ball in towards the green through the narrowed entrance. For golfers taking a more cautious approach two options are still on offer. A 220 yards tee-shot into the right side of the fairway (2) leaves a short wedge in, but be wary not to turn your tee-shot over!

Safer still is a 175 yard iron shot to the widest part of the fairway (3) which leaves no chance of running into the fairway bunkers, but do you have the short iron skills to hit the ball close from here? Whatever your choice you will need to be on top of your wedge game if you are to avoid the re-positioned greenside bunkers and the new and deep hollows.

Society bookings still being taken for 2014, please contact the Sales Team on 01245 223258 or email sales@thewarrenestate.co.uk The Warren Golf and Country Club, Woodham Walter, Nr. Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RW Tel: 01245 223258 www.warrengolfclub.co.uk

I was talking to a few friends the other day and they were telling me about a visit they had made to a golf course, and how they were disappointed at the low standards creeping into the sport.

The main complaints were noise, dress and a lack of etiquette. Some of the players were wearing T Shirts and Trainers and also Jeans.

While they were playing they were giving a running commentary on many subjects, completely oblivious to other golfers Putting out or Teeing off. It was pointed out to them that they should consider other players, the reply was we have paid our money so what is the problem. It seems that some players are playing on golf courses with no knowledge of the rules of golf and no idea of etiquette.

18 holes of golf and ham, egg and chips

£25 per person Available Monday – Friday Subject to availability

This conversation prompted me to highlight the need for Dress Code.

Good behaviour and a common sense approach to the Etiquette of Golf.

Please call 01245 440005 to reserve your tee time

Tony Hawkins

Essex Golfer Magazine 7c Perry Road, Freebournes Industrial Estate, Witham, Essex CM8 3UD Tel: 01621 815 577 Email:- info@essexgolfer.com www.essexgolfer.com

Channels, Belsteads Farm Lane Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 3PT T: 01245 440 005 E: info@channelsce.co.uk

The opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers.

Copyright.

No part of this publication may be scanned, digitised, reproduced or photocopied, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted, in any way or means, either by recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publishers in writing.

Advertisements created by Essex Golfer remain the property of the company and may not be reproduced in any other publication without prior permission.

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COLCHESTER

Well we certainly had the weather in March to get things going this year.

Courses are recovering and judging by our customer flow, so are all of you!

April brings the Masters, Easter, many big club competitions and hopefully courses with 18 greens, 18 tees and playable rough!!

We have clothing, shoes, trolleys, pull, push and electric (March was a major surprize for us in sales of electric trolleys) and this year we have found a new supplier of batteries which have bought many prices down by as much as 20%. Worth considering replace that lead acid battery with a new Lithium one. While they are more expensive from the outset, they offer longer guarantees, faster recharging time and almost half the weight.

The Irons and woods department is now fully stocked as well so don’t forget we offer both an in store custom fit service as well as a try before you buy service with woods. See in store for details.

4 offers this month that link to our 20th Anniversary with the chance to pick up a deal on wedges, clothing, shoes and balls.

Please remember that all our staff here have been with us for a minimum of 13 years and offer the best impartial advice and ensure you get the right equipment for your game.

Phil

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Buy 20 x Z star ‘trial balls’ and receive 20 free*

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NEVADA BOB’S COLCHESTER 75 LONDON ROAD, COPFORD, COLCHESTER, ESSEX CO6 1LG TEL: 01206 212 752 EMAIL: info@nbcolchester.go-plus.net

COPFORD

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Directions: Store is only 15 minutes from Chelmsford just before Colchester. Come up the A12, turn off at the A120 junction, keep right and go over the A12, take the 1st exit into London Road. Store is 1 mile down this road on the right hand side.

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The Jubilee Cup Update from Jubilee Cup Committee, sponsored by Seabrook Warehousing, and reported by Chairman Phil Redhead The initial matches for Round 1 of the Jubilee Cup are now coming through, and we should be nearing completion at the time of publication.

See the area for round 1 latest: www.jubileecup.com/matches2014/Draw1.htm

qualification details), and the details of the League composition, competition draw, plus match completion dates. The 2014 Rules can be accesses directly from the Internet at www.jubileecup.com/matches2014/rules2014.pdf

Some interesting scores so far but a long way to go just yet!

Good luck everyone!

The Bentley 9 v Rivenhall Oaks 0 Bentley win Benton Hall 6 v Crondon Park 3 Benton Hall wins The Rayleigh 4 v Stockbrook Manor 5 SBM win Check out the website for full details about the Jubilee Cup Competition: www.jubileecup.com including full Competition Rules (such as player

Bentley GC 2013 Winners.

www.jubileecup.com -8-

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Sarah Bennett Golf Come and visit Sarah at Three Rivers Golf & Country Club and learn from a Ladies European Tour & PGA Qualified Professional. Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the industry, a former +4 hcp player, one of the lowest handicap’s achieved in the UK. Sarah was one of a select few British players to win the Moria Smyth Salver (low amateur Women’s British Open).

A certified TPI Junior L2 Fitness Instructor and Jim Hardy Plane Truth Certified Instructor Sarah coaches players new to the game, through to County and the Professional ranks. She is delighted to pass on her first-hand experience to guide and assist her clients with course management techniques incorporating the mental side with her specific qualification.

Lessons available with Sarah: 07719 617 349 E: SarahBennettGolf@gmail.com Follow me on Facebook: SarahBennettGolf Twitter @sbennettgolf

DO YOU MONITOR

?

YOUR GAME

The game of golf is made up of a number of elements and skill sets to aid performance.As golfers we should always try to identify particular areas that we excel and those that we would like to improve. Unfortunately, we tend to constantly focus upon the negatives during and prior to a round of golf which often compounds the situation.

Do you feel like this after a round of golf?

We carry so many technical thoughts with us during a round of golf we actually forget we should be “playing the game not practicing the game” SBG.We could be thinking of our

last lesson with some extra thoughts that we have just read on the internet or over heard in the clubhouse!

We have to try to venture on the course with one set objective, an example would be “Today I am going to perform my pre shot routine on every shot” You will be surprised how difficult that is especially if it is a new concept introduced to your game. This is something that you may have worked on with your Professional and is easily monitored on the course and can be linked to the shot outcome Even if we have not played to our handicaps we must be prepared to look at our round objectively and focus

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on both the positives and the negatives. The next time you are out buy a small note book and design a table of “positives”. There will always be three shots or moments that you can draw upon after each round and it amazing how writing the shots down in as much detail and reading these regularly can assist your mind set.

I always find that too many of us spend energy focusing upon the “negatives” but in doing so we do not possess a strategy to improve on those areas.

BLE

TA THE HAPPY

shots My three best g putt A 10ft par savin

How I felt Confident with the line

THE BURSTEAD GOLF • CLUB

Tye Common Road, Little Burstead, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9SS info@thebursteadgolfclub.com www.thebursteadgolfclub.com

Spring Special 18 holes & Chef Special Weekday £25 / Weekend £30

ball Knew how the the from m fro t ac re An 8 iron shot d ul to within wo ball below feet slope 15 ft shot Visualised the shot to execution A “drawn” tee r io pr ost giving me the m to the flag favourable line

Offer available from 11.00am

We need a balance of identifying the areas of improvement and focusing upon our good shots and strengths.

AREAS TO WORK U PON Areas to work on

How Hitting a greater number Design a practice of fairways game at the range

We are all just getting back into the playing mode now so remember ease back slowly and set your expectations at a realistic level to start with.

One of my favourite quotes which will assist with the consistent mind set.

“Hit the shot you know you can hit, should.” not the one you think you should Dr Bob Rotella

Visitors Welcome Twilight from 1.00pm Monday - Friday £15 Saturday - Sunday £22 Contact pro shop for tee time reservations

If you have any questions please contact me www.SarahBennettGolf.co.uk or SarahBennettGolf@Gmail.com M: 07719 617 349 for any lesson enquiries

For further information on society deals please contact Chris Nunn Director of Golf on 01277 631 171 chris.nunn@thebursteadgolfclub.com

Keep up to date on my new Blog.

www.SarahBennettGolf.blogspot.co.uk - 11 -

THE RULES OF GOLF The new rules of golf at your fingertips New golf rules have been in force since 1st January 2012; it is therefore high time to get a new rule book for your golf bag.

The best choice is “Golf Rules Quick Reference 2012-2015”. The multi award-winning, ring-bound book has already sold more than a million copies and contains the answers to all the rules questions that commonly arise on the golf course. It is intended to be used while on the course, therefore it has a practical pocket-sized format, uses hard-wearing, water-repellent paper and has a sturdy protective cover.

As every rules situation is illustrated (more than 170 graphics), players can find the right solution straight away. To sum it up, this little gem belongs in every golf bag. £11.95 Tel: 01621 815 577

Order now at £11.95 inc postage TEL 01621 815 577 - 12 -

BRENTWOOD GOLF CLUB (Formerly Weald Park) The new owners are pleased to announce that extensive alterations to the Clubhouse will be finished before Easter (April 18th). We have completely refurbished & extended the ‘Spike Bar’, installed a brand new Kitchen and refitted and doubled the size of the Men’s locker room with all new toilet facilities and showers.

THE COURSE

Anyone who has ever played the Course knows what an amazing layout it is; without doubt one of the very best in Essex. Over the past few years the Course has been neglected but that has ALL CHANGED NOW! We have recruited new Green Keeping staff, now up to 6. This has enabled extensive work to be started on the whole course including refurbishing every bunker on the course (and even adding a few new ones!). We have replaced the original irrigation tank with one twice as big! Thus, there will be no problem with irrigation anymore. We have arranged an ‘open’ weekend over the Easter Holidays where we will be showing the changes that are in progress!

Details are below:-

Easter Weekend ‘Open’ (Welcome to anyone with or without a Handicap) Good Friday (18th April) Easter Saturday (19th April) Easter Sunday (20th April) Easter Monday (21st April)

Entry just £10 per person (for 18 Holes of Golf)

Lots of Prizes on offer for all 4 Days To enter simply send us an email or telephone us and request an entry form info@brentwoodgolfclub.co.uk 01277 375 101

GREEN FEES UNTIL THE END OF APRIL 2014 Midweek - £12.50 • Weekends - £17.50

Summer Golf Society Special Monday to Friday On Arrival: Bacon Rolls with Tea/Coffee 18 Holes Followed By: Ham, Egg & Chips ~or~ Burger & Chips

Just £27per person

(£10 extra per person for Saturday & Sunday) *Discounts on Buggy Hire for Societies *12 or more players, we will donate a FREE 4 Ball Voucher

“Brentwood Golf Club, The club that cares about Members” Coxtie Green Road, South Weald, Brentwood, Essex CM14 5RJ

01277 375 101 Email: russell@brentwoodgolfclub.co.uk Web: www.brentwoodgolfclub.co.uk

England Calls

Three Essex year students earned their right to represent England at a prestigious event in Malaga Spain. The event in Antequera was home to the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Final.

Taylor Carter (+1), Mitch Sarling (+1) and Glenn Mann (2) were victorious in selection for their country. To qualify Taylor, Mitch and Glenn had to win preliminary rounds at their club to win the county championships, representing Rochford Hundred Golf Club the students not only won the round to take the county win but went on to win at regional level.

Having won the regional qualification the Students went on to win several more competitions and qualified and won the national championships.

The prestigious and sought after places were awarded to 8 players across the whole of England, 6 team places and 2 reserves were taken out to Spain. To have 3 Lee Westwood Essex Golf School students representing at such a high standard is a truly remarkable achievement.

On talking of his achievements Taylor Carter says he is “Proud of himself and team mates to be achieving at such a high standard; to represent England in this prestigious event was really exciting, the weather was amazing, the competition was tough but the experience was excellent, we were surrounded by picturesque views and a wonderful golf course”. Mitch Sarling won all of his matches and took a possible 3.5 points out of 4.

The England contingent went up against tough opponents who represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland.Although the team were undefeated in their matches as they drew against Abergale in Wales and Belvoir Park in Ireland they won against Pumphurston in Scotland and placed second in their league. The team then went on to the 3rd/4th play off and came out victorious.The team were placed overall third in the entire competition.

Captains Charity Dennis Bailey Captain (2013) of Rochford Hundred GC, presenting a cheque to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. Every year each Captain raises money for his selected charity and in 2013 it was GOSH. Money was raised through various social and golfing events throughout the year and through random donations by generous members of Rochford Hundred Golf Club.

Victory in Mail On Sunday Colchester GC men’s played another local side in their Mail on Sunday second round match, this time hosting Birch Grove GC. Kevin Petch (6) got them off to the perfect start with a 5 & 4 victory. The two young guns of Cai James (6) and Jamie Scott (8) both had tough matches and eventually went down 2 & 1 and 2 down respectively, leaving the home side in a tough position. However, the experienced Alan Hyde (7) won a tight match 1 up and Keith Newnham (6) secured victory with a comfortable 3 & 2 win.

Colchester’s ladies were comprehensive 4 – 1 winners in their Mail on Sunday second round match away at a very sunny Clacton. Ladies Captain Shelley Persent (20) led the way with a stonking 6 & 4 victory. Maureen Devenish (17) followed suit with a 4 & 3 win. Jane Jones (17) was unfortunate to lose a tight match 3 & 1 which swung the momentum back in the home side’s favour. However, Cherie Clark (21) steadied the ship with a 1 up victory and Nikki Bryant (9) put the icing on the cake by winning 3 & 2. Thanks go to Clacton for their superb hospitality.

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Wettest Winter Ever?

Not so at Braintree Golf Club . . . we’ve been closed for just THREE days, with NO Temporary Greens or Tees!

Spring Membership Offer!

FREE 60 day trial offer.

Pay just £149 and get your money back when you become a full member.* Limited number of places available. Apply today . . .

Please call Roger Wright on 01376 346079

www.braintreegolfclub.co.uk

* Terms and Conditions apply

Golf and Breakfast

£10

conditions apply

Monday to Friday before 10am ...

02089 847 373 www.crowlandsheath.co.uk - 15 -

ion eti t om p eC Pr iz

DOES THIS GREAT ESSEX GOLF HOLE

look familiar?

Name the course and have the chance of winning A FOURBALL ON THE MYSTERY COURSE COLCHESTER 12 SRIXON Z STAR GOLF BALLS, courtesy of plus 2 of each VEGAS BALL MARKERS, Golf Rules Quick Reference Book and the Trouble Shots and Quick Fix Guide Please email your answer to info@essexgolfer.com All correct answers will be entered into a draw for the prize Winner will be notified by email. Answer will be published next edition.

Only 1 entry per person. No cash equivalent.

ON ITI R T PE NE M O C WIN

Last month’s winner was Avis Greenaway who recongnised the 16th hole at Thorpe Hall Golf Club

To play at Thorpe Hall Golf Club Call 01702 582 205 www.thorpehallgc.co.uk - 16 -

A friendly welcome awaits you at

Gosfield Lake Golf Club On the Lakes & Meadows Courses Designed by Sir Henry Cotton

Spring & Summer Societies 2014 Prices from £24 for lunch and golf.

Days tailor made to your requirements.

Choices available from coffee, bacon rolls, full English breakfast, lunches and dinners.

18 or 27 holes of golf

Summer 2014 Specials Breakfast or Lunch and Green Fee Lakes Course £25 Meadows Course £20

Membership Opportunities Quality Golf at Affordable Prices Ring Office for details

2013 Hosts Leslie F. Wood Final Curry Cup Final Veterans Challenge Cup Final

For further details please telephone:

Office 01787 474 747 Pro-Shop 01787 474 488 Email: gosfieldlakegc@btconnect.com Or visit our website: www.gosfield-lake-golf-club.co.uk Hall Drive, Gosfield, Halstead, Essex CO9 1SE

Students learn new skills with golf Essex students with learning difficulties have been gaining new skills by ‘getting into golf’.

They’ve been learning to play the game and also developing their teamwork, communication and coordination skills.

The project, which started with one group of 18 teenagers at the Colchester Institute’s Clacton campus, has proved so successful that two other groups have just begun ‘get into golf’ sessions, including one in Colchester. A satellite club has also been set up to offer weekly sessions for those who want to go on playing the game.

The students are all part of the Pathway group tutored by Karl Delaine and he commented:“It was wonderful to see the group participating in a sport that they wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity to try. Each learner developed a range of different skills and accomplished much over the six week course.

“They are greatly looking forward to the new sessions and hopefully the group will be able to build on their newly acquired skills.”

For further information contact: Helen Tarttelin, County Development Officer Essex Golf Partnership helen@essexgolfpartnership.com 07971 097 976 www.essexgolfpartnership.com

Golf professional Tom Hide and his colleagues at the Coastal Golf Academy have been coaching the first group at Millers Barn and Frinton Golf Clubs. He said:“It’s been so rewarding to bring people into the sport and to see them enjoy it.”

The sessions consisted of fun-based golf skills games with students taking to the driving range and putting green, negotiating their way out of the bunker and then taking to the course for practice. After five weeks of coaching at Millers Barn the students visited Frinton for lunch and a competition on the course.

Now, Tom is running the satellite club and working with a second group while fellow PGA professionals at Playgolf Colchester are teaching another group from the Colchester campus.

Active College Maker Sue Wells organised the project with the Essex Golf Partnership, which works to grow the game in the county, the Coastal Golf Academy and with Sportivate funding from Active Essex.“It was brilliant to see the students get a chance to try something new in golf,” she said.

“Their tutors have been able to transfer the students’ enthusiasm to the classroom, for example by referring to score card in maths and encouraging them to write about what they’ve been doing in English.”

FREE coaching

for Disabled Golfers Beginners welcome Friday 9th May & Saturday 10th May Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre would like to welcome any School, Organisation or person who is disabled to contact us and take part in some free golf tuition. We are running some taster sessions for disabled people to TRY GOLF. Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre is looking to become a Centre of Excellence for Disabled Golf.

If anyone you know would be interested know more about Disabled Golf or would like to play Golf please contact Bill Chapman on 01376 510 222 PGA Professional.

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FORRESTER PARK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB BECKINGHAM RD, GT TOTHAM, NR MALDON CM9 8EA

01621 891 406 / info@forrester-park.co.uk

‘CLUB’ MEMBERSHIP: ÂŁ305 ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF FULL MEMBERSHIP BUT YOU ONLY PAY FOR THE GOLF YOU PLAY

GOLF ‘SEASON TICKET’: ÂŁ46.50 PER MONTH GOLF WITH ALL OF THE ADVANTAGES AND NONE OF THE COMMITMENTS

GREENFEES WELCOME E-MAIL US TO FIND OUT ABOUT OUR EXCLUSIVE GREENFEE OFFERS: info@forrester-park.co.uk

www.forrester-park.co.uk

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Matt Stables is a PGA Advanced Professional based at North Weald Golf Club near Epping. Matt played collegiate golf in the USA and today competes in regional and national pro tournaments. As a teacher, Matt is involved with the Essex County Academy Program and is qualified in club making, golf fitness and the mental side of golf. As a golf coach, Matt believes in good fundamentals, including an on plane swing, an understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses, plus an effective short game.

Golf tuition is available from Matt call 01992 522 118 mobile 07808 003 619, or www.mattstablesgolf.com

Easy ideas you use for your next round ...

Pick Elevated targets A good way to help you get focus on where you want the ball to go is to pick an elevated target such as the top of a tree. This will help as when you last look at a low level target the last thing you may see before you swing is trouble. By picking a higher target you won’t see the trouble as much and will be able to make a more positive swing. The smaller the target the better.

Pick out a specific elevated target – Add in small circle on horizon to show elevated target.

Start Behind the ball and make your decision about how you want to play the shot Most good routines start behind the ball and from this position you are looking directly down the target line.This means you are in a good position to decide

on how to play the shot so that you can account for the factors which will affect how you play the shot such as lie, wind, distance, etc. so that you can make a decision on your target and shot selection.

You can then step into the shot and get focused on your target.

Where you put your bag is important If you get into the habit of putting your bag down slightly to the back and to the right of your ball (for the right handed player) you will be in the position to start behind the ball.

Put your bag slightly back and to the right.

Commit to the shot and let it go – Once you have gone through this process the last part of a good routine is to commit to your shot and let go of the result.You want to make of a positive swing to your target and accept the results of the shot if it is good or bad.

I hope these ideas help you when you next play ...

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THE GARY PIKE GOLF ACADEMY Top teaching professional Gary Pike PGA.AP (advanced professional) invites you to his golf academy at Forrester Park Golf Club near Maldon. Gary has over 31 years of coaching experience and is a David Leadbetter trained instructor. He has published over 150 articles on the golf swing. Gary is coach to Walker Cup player Dale Whitnell and was the Essex County Senior Coach from 1998 to 2012 Contact the golf academy on 07801 428 174 or visit www.garypikegolf.com

PITCH WITH THE MUSCLES For consistent pitching it is vital that we eliminate the small volatile muscles of the hands and wrists and turn the task over to the rotation of the body.

Firstly let us eliminate the hands by setting the elbows in the correct position pointing back to the hips, and the hands on the club to the sides of the grip. You can see this quite clearly in Picture 1. It is worth noting that changing your grip for a short game shot is important, as the task is different, in your full swing we employ a grip that is going to create speed and power, whereas in the short game this is the last thing we require.

So the hands being more to the side of the grip quietens them during the swing.

1

The next task is to be able to control the trajectory, here I am going to give you three options, a low trajectory, which will be used with plenty of green to work with, a medium trajectory, for standard use and a hi lob trajectory ideal with no green to work with.

These are created by the shaft position at set up, low trajectory picture 2 the shaft is leaning forward. Medium trajectory picture 3 shaft is pointing straight up and hi lob trajectory picture 4 the shaft is leaning back.

Now as for the swing practice this great drill, take a club and hold as I am doing with the sides of the hands together picture 5, now through the

2

3

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4

5

6

7

backswing remain very still with the lower body picture 6. For the forward swing simply rotate the body to bring the club back picture 7. It is the same swing for all three trajectories.

with huge success, if you would like to improve your short game why not join me on my residential short game school in Hampshire, visit garypikegolf.com for all the details.

I have delivered this method on my tuition breaks

Gary Pike PGA Advanced Professional

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DARREN CLARKE TEAMS UP WITH DONNAFUGATA TO OPEN NEW CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE Darren Clarke’s win at the 2011 Open Championship was one of the most memorable Major victories in recent years and the European Tour star is set to inspire a new generation of golfers by opening a new golf coaching centre at Sicily’s five-star Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa. The Darren Clarke Centre of Excellence at Donnafugata will be the first facility of its kind in continental Europe when it opens early this month.

Available to golfers of all ages and abilities, the new centre will offer expert teaching under the guidance of the resort’s head professional Davide Terrinoni through individual and group lessons, and specially created two, three and seven-night tuition packages.

Clarke, winner of 22 tournaments worldwide, said: “Italy is one of Europe’s up-and-coming countries when it comes to golf after the success of Matteo Manassero and the Molinari brothers in recent

years, so I’m particularly delighted to be opening this new coaching centre at Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa. “The resort has some of the best facilities in Europe and, combined with the great climate that Sicily enjoys, is the ideal venue for players from all over Europe to learn from our expert team of coaches.”

Featuring two 18-hole championship courses and extensive practice facilities – the Parkland and the Links – Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa has won widespread acclaim across the golf industry since opening in 2010 and was the venue for the 2011 Sicilian Open, won by Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin.

For further details on Darren Clarke Golf, visit www.darrenclarkegolfschool.com For more information on Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa or to book a stay, call 00 39 0932 914 200 or visit www.donnafugatagolfresort.com.

Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter Club Championships Final in Antequera, Spain Bradley Bawden, Jack Dyer, Connor Morris, Mitch Sarling, Conor Rogers, Jack Day, Josh Hickling,Taylor Carter and Glenn Mann.

Having being crowned England Junior Team Golf Champions last year, Rochford GC Junior Team supported by more than thirty people competed in the Home Nations Final in Spain.They returned home undefeated. A great competitive

performance by all the squad under the guidance of Darren Morris, Club Vice-Captain and Cadet Master. All Rochford members are proud of their achievement. Well done lads!

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All new spring/summer clothing in stock GC2 simulator with 12 courses

Totally Golf Superstore St James Centre, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2SX Tel: 01279 432288 Email: info@totally-golf.com Mon - Fri: 9.30am - 6.00pm Saturday: 9.00am - 6.00pm Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm

Burnham-on-Crouch Golf Club Private Members Club for All Abilities

April/May/June

7 Day Full Membership

£70 a

£825

pa

Fourball

(£68.75 per month)

Plus Golf Union fees and monthly payment cost if applicable.

(Mon-Fri-conditions apply)

Limited spaces available All games must be pre booked with the office: 01621 782 282.

No Tee Times

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A MEMBERS GOLF CLUB IN A TRANQUIL SETTING LOOK NO FURTHER

For further information call 01621 782 282. www.burnhamgolfclub.co.uk - 25 -

Amber Heath BSc (Hons) ION, ITEC Diploma in Nutrition and Diet Theory.

Amber is a fully qualified Nutritionist working for Bodysense UK Ltd. Amber also works with England Golf and Essex County Cricket Club, with over 15 years’ experience in both Nutrition to aid Sports Performance, and private clients wishing to improve health and wellbeing through Nutritional Management.

Tel: 07801 813 687 / 01245 381 181 www.bodysenseukltd.co.uk

the upsurge in your golf. With ce en m om -c . soon as you re actice and play Get it right as and resume your pr ly, nt ce ith nuts/seeds re s sli re temperatu based mue w mbled eggs, and a t oa g. e. t, as kf scra y brea repare a health nary or wheat free toast with ra G . ilk m d on a. m al g te gar ergising ginsen event ‘blood su green tea or en lf course to pr the first nine, go e th r fo ks ck snac ms on emember to pa ely, avoid very high sugar ite and likely tiv , sweaty, shaky, ra ed pa ad om he C ht s’. lig w g lo in el (fe ia em glyca resulting in hypo for the back nine. and n) io at tr en nc l of dried fruit co lapses in s with a handfu the round and jelly an ec /p ils az br ashews/ during Pack almonds/c blood sugar regulating snack energy starts to decline. if a r ne fo ni s ie ck rr ba be cran of the up to practice the latter part pes in the run ci re w babies towards ne ith w t en rim n optio . Expe njoy your food ne a good carb s aim to combi to ay ta lw po A t . ee ay pl sw d a/ an lemeal past ho /w us co in us ty co (quinoa/ plenty of varie or fish. Include ic with lean meat vegetables (baby corn/organ d salad options an vegetables). ! full of good food ump your body particularly per week, and s od fo nt re the ffe ty and maximise – aim for 35 di ll about variety every week to enhance varie D A NEW FOO s and minerals you consume. plenty in m ta vi s generally and of nt amou wberries/berrie ra st t ea – ism abol ev up your met e thyroid function. ov of FISH to impr body for the to prepare your sleep d an gy er en d sustaine ep and, as nd the day with a good nights sle ng, take A Vogel: t ge u yo re su ni En following day. s neural functio SLEEP to maximise P nsiderably affect deprivation co es before bed to get A DEE ut in m 0 -6 30 next day!

Dormesan itive power the vitality and cogn

Exclusive offer to readers FREE PILATES / YOGA CLASS AT BODYSENSE UK LTD Visit www.bodysenseukltd.co.uk or Tel. 01245 381 181 and quote The Essex Golfer - 26 -

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Nike Golf Introduces the Hyperadapt Wind Jacket Baggy, bigger and bulky used to be the standard go-to for outerwear on the golf course. Nike Golf changed that with the Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket in 2013, and with this year’s new Hyperadapt Wind jacket, extra fabric and noisy, distracting swings are now null and void.The Hyperadapt Wind jacket features the same four-way stretch technology and sweater-like feel as the Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket in a lighter, windproof and rain-resistant version perfect for spring.

“With the Hyperadapt Wind jacket there’s no need to ‘size up’ – it’s designed to fit and move with your body,” says Merritt Richardson, Nike Golf VP of Global Golf Apparel.

“The four-way stretch laminate through the back, shoulders and upper arms maximizes range of motion and eliminates distractions, and the lightweight outer shell provides superior protection from the elements for all day performance and comfort on the course.” www.nikegolf.com

Wilson Staff launches ‘Softest Tour Ball on Market’

Cobra Releases Limited Edition Green Bio Cell Driver Wilson Staff is set to launch the next line of its premium FG Tourball range in the form of a new 4-piece model described as ‘the softest urethane ball on the market’.

In building on the success of its popular lowcompression 2-piece (Dx2 Soft) and 3-piece (Dx3 Soft) golf balls, Wilson Staff has designed the new FG Tour model with four layers for low-handicap golfers who demand a softer-feeling, Tour-quality ball.

The four distinct layers that make up the 70 Compression FG Tour model are proven to work together to boost performance.A soft, rubber-rich core provides ultimate feel and low driver spin, while an inner mantle promotes spin performance and an outer mantle maximum distance. The fourth layer, a cast urethane cover, generates Tourlevel spin and control around the greens. www.wilsonstaff.com

With the 2014 golf season in full swing and the first Major right around the corner, COBRA is helping golfers make a splash on the course with the release of a Limited Edition Green BiO CELL Driver.

COBRA Golf’s BiO CELL Driver, designed to help golfers Go LongTM, is equipped with MyFly8TM, SmartPadTM andBiO CELL E9 FaceTM Technologies to help manage trajectory and provide unmatched distance.

Beginning on March 15, only 2,014 units of the Limited Edition Driver will be available at select golf retailers around the world. Each driver is lasermarked sequentially 0001 of 2014 on the sole for authenticity.

“There is so much buzz in the golf community surrounding the first Major of the year, and the Limited Edition Driver helps bring some of that excitement to the COBRA Brand,” said Tom Olsavsky, vice president of R&D. “This driver showcases our game-changing technologies, including MyFly8,

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SmartPad and E9 Face, that delivers increased distance, while the Limited Edition Green allows us to celebrate one of golf’s premier events.” www.cobragolf.com

Harold Swash Designs New Putter Range for Lynx Harold Swash, one of the world’s foremost putting coaches, has joined forces with UK-owned Lynx Golf to launch an exciting new range of putters.

‘Swash By Lynx’ comprises a collection of four exceptional models, all featuring brand new alignment designs and ball roll technology developed by the short-game guru, known affectionately around the world as ‘The Putting Doctor’.

All the putters feature the new Pyramid Groove Design™ (PGD) – a unique trapezoid shape milled into the gold coloured aluminium face insert where a central section of horizontal grooves is met by two sets of side grooves running at 60 degree angles.

Over three years in design and testing, the revolutionary pattern combats the ‘gear effect’ on off-centre strikes – where impact towards the toe of the putter causes putts to finish short right and impact towards the heel causes putts to finish www.lynxgolf.co.uk short left.

Sundog Eyewear Launches Cutting-Edge Lenses

18

beautiful holes of golf

Set in over 300 acres of undulating parkland, with stunning views of the Essex countryside.

Additional par 3 practice course

Societies welcome (Monday - Friday)

Limited membership available

Sundog Eyewear, the innovative high-tech sunglasses manufacturer, has expanded its range of golf-specific Mela-Lens® glasses to more than 20 models to offer improved vision and reduced eye fatigue for performance-seeking golfers.

The Mela-Lens® technology incorporates synthesized melanin to filter out 98% of ‘Blue’ light, which creates veiled glare in the eye, as well as fatigue.The lens also provides golfers with complete protection from Ultraviolet A, B, and C light to help avoid long-term damage to their eyes.

“The Mela-Lens® has been designed with golfers in mind – it minimises colour distortion and sharpens the definition of details, so players will be able to see more clearly what’s in front of them,” he added. www.brandfusionltd.co.uk.

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Channels, Pratts Farm Lane East Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 3PT T: 01245 440 005 E: info@channelsce.co.uk

www.cliffordsestate.co.uk

Brett Taylor is an experienced PGA Professional as both a coach and player. Based at Crondon Park Driving Range, Brett will tailor lessons to your individual needs, allowing you develop the skills to unlock your potential.

If your serious about improving any area of you game, please contact Brett.

T: 07885 785 570 E: info@bretttaylorgolf.com W: www.bretttaylorgolf.com

This month see’s the first major of the year The Masters and for me the start of the golfing season ...

Watching this event each year always makes me envious and excited to play golf again in the spring, the immaculate golf course and fast running greens will always produce a great event.

Where should you land the ball?

Which side of the hole leaves you the easiest putt?

To find out how to deal with these and many other situations look at the various workshops hosted with Brett Taylor Golf www.brettttaylorgolf.com On a final note have a great golfing season and enjoy watching this years Masters.

Which player do you think will be Masters Champion?

Strategy and Short game With the huge fast rolling surfaces of the greens, the positioning of approach shots becomes of ultimate importance.

Hit a shot into the wrong section of green and a 3 putt looms.

If the green is missed on the wrong side, it becomes near impossible to chip and putt.

The courses we play locally are far from the extremes of Augusta, but at the same time strategy on your approach shots whether a full shot or pitch, are of equal importance.

Start thinking efficiently to improve your golf.

Where will the slope take your golf ball?

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Golf Membership Offer - only £35 joining fee!

www.stokebynayland.com/35-membership Stoke by Nayland Golf Club, Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Colchester CO6 4PZ *This offer is valid until Sunday 8th June 2014 – the final day of the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship.

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Charity Day for Farleigh Hospice The Ray Wilson Memorial Charity Golf Day is taking place at Colne Valley GC on Wednesday 14th May.

The Rotary Club of W Ray Wilso itham n Memori al Golf Da y

This will be the 19th year that the Rotary Club of Witham have organised the event to raise funds for Farleigh Hospice.

Wednesda y 14 th Ma y 2014 The C

Last year’s day raised £1500 for the Hospice and places are now available for this year’s competition.

olne Valle y Golf Clu b, Earls Coln e, C06 2LT Cost - £55

The format is a team stableford, with the best three scores from the four-player team counting and the cost is £55 per player.

Bacon Roll and coffe e on arriv 18 hole te al am Stable ford Best three scores coun t te Dinner- Pr ams of fo ize presen ur tation

Bacon rolls and coffee will be available on arrival, with a dinner and prize presentation afterwards.

Please co ntact

Entry forms are available from Rotarian Roger Hart at roger.w.hart@btopenworld.com or on 01376 501 997

Rotarian Ro ger Hart 01 376 5190 48 or email roger.w.ha :rt@btope nworld.com

Clacton-on-Sea Golf Club New machine Clacton-on Sea GC has finally parted with its 17-year-old Wiedenmann Terra Spike P6 aerator replacing it with a top-of-the range Terra Spike XD6. Head Greenkeeper Alan Smith said he had nothing but praise for his outgoing aerator. “It’s been a great machine and I reckon it’ll go on for at least another ten years but with our schedule of work we were ready to upgrade.”

noticeablyso much quicker and it means that play can resume rapidly. I think we’re now on to our fifth circuit, whereas before, we’d have just got round twice over the winter.

Clacton-on Sea GC www.clactongolfclub.com

The seaside club earmarked reliability, build quality, productivity and back up service as their key requirements and after several demonstrations their search led them to the XD6.This brings the total of Wiedenmann aerators they’ve purchased to three because six years ago they bought a Terra Spike GXi6 specifically for their tees, greens and aprons.

In the five months since taking delivery, Alan Smith reports huge benefits. “It’s been out all winter and done a wonderful job particularly on our fairways.

Despite all the rain, drainage about the course is - 32 -

Essex County News

by Ben Crew, Press Officer, Essex Golf Union Email: crew_ben@hotmail.com Tel: 07763 840 823 www.essexgolfunion.org

As the winter weather subsides and we greet the re-opening of our courses and appearance of some well revered sunshine with open arms it gives me great pleasure to report on the first County team fixture of the year, the annual David Hall Trophy against Cambridgeshire played on Sunday 9th March.

Contested on one of the best days of 2014 so far our Essex men’s side returned victorious, claiming back the trophy lost last year to Cambridgeshire by a 2 point winning margin; 8 ½ to 6 ½. Given that Cambridgeshire are the current Eastern Inter County Foursomes Champions this was some achievement and testament to the excellent play of the team on show and reward for the growing team spirit within the Men’s County side.

After making a strong start to proceedings with an impressive 4 points to 1 lead through the morning foursomes the afternoon singles saw Cambridgeshire fight back hard claiming 4 ½ points from the first 5 matches, a resurgence that earned them a slender lead and left the match finely poised for either side to triumph in the second half of the draw. In the end some excellent golf from Jordan Wallace (Maylands), Ricky Blaxill (North Weald), Scott Hudson (Braintree) and Tom Barker (Channels) saw the Essex side gain the remaining points needed for the win over a

first-rate Cambridgeshire team whom Essex have an excellent relationship with.

Warm thanks and gratitude are passed to all that took part and to the Hall family who attended the evening meal and presented the trophy to the winning Captain. Compliments must also go out to Braintree Golf Club who provided a much improved golf course for this regular fixture to unfold.

The next County team fixture features our U16’s against Bedfordshire at Theydon Bois on Monday 7th April followed by the U16/18’s against Suffolk at Toot Hill on Thursday 10th April.

Meanwhile our men’s side continue their preparations for an away match against Kent on Saturday 26th April at Southern Valley GC.

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Please turn over

Essex County News

by Ben Crew, Press Officer, Essex Golf Union Email: crew_ben@hotmail.com Tel: 07763 840 823 www.essexgolfunion.org

Inter County Cards With the season now beginning to take shape the spring months are an opportune time for County golfers to apply for an Inter County Card and save on green fees across the UK. At only ÂŁ15 a year the Inter County Card offers unrivalled value for money, holders receive discounted green fees at over 1300 courses nationwide covering Counties ranging from Devon to Northumberland and are extended

playing privileges at many private members clubs otherwise unavailable for play.

Application is open to members of all EGU affiliated clubs aged 18 and over participating in the scheme and also to members of non-participating clubs on an Essex only basis.

For an application form and details on participating clubs please visit www.essexgolfunion.org.

Handicap Seminar Following the recent announcement from England Golf on changes to the handicapping system for 2014 alongside the reassessment of all standard scratch scores to fall in line with USGA course rating guidelines the EGU & ELCGA held a joint handicap seminar at The Warren Golf Club on Tuesday 18th March to ensure all clubs in Essex had a clear understanding of the changes.

In all 46 clubs were represented by 94 attendees. Janice Hazledine (Rochford Hundred), Essex Handicap Advisor for the ELGCA, reported on the England Golf changes to supplementary score submissions, 9 hole competitions and annual handicap reviews and was followed by Pat Garner (Thorndon Park), Essex Scratch Score Assessor, who highlighted how the re-rating of all Essex courses will be

handled under the USGA’s system.

Starting at the end of April and continuing over the next 10 years a mixed team of assessors will visit and rate all tees at designated courses at the same time, calculating the new SSS for each tee accordingly.

The evening was rounded off with Rules Official Trisha Wilson (Chelmsford) covering the changes in the updated Decisions of Rules of Golf Handbook 2014-2015 and thanks were handed to The Warren Golf Club for their hospitality in allowing the EGU to host the seminar.

For detailed information on all of the changes listed please visit www.essexgolfunion.org.

Happy golfing!

Ben

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Flexible for golf in fifty seconds Wendy played on the Ladies European Tour from 1992 – 2006; having led several tournaments for the first three days (namely the English & Irish Open) and NOT won; her frustrations have equipped her perfectly to understand and realise her student's dreams. Wendy has worked with leading coaches to achieve her own excellence, and is now based at Little Channels. for private lessons or to join Wendy’s ladies clinics contact Wendy Dicks wendy@gemsgolf.co.uk

POWER WITH

YOUR WRISTS

If you struggle with flexibility in the body, I suggest you make the most of your wrist leverage.

Consider. If you hammered a nail in, you would align the wrist and arm to the nail.

The correct wrist hinge: To align your wrists with your arm in the golf swing, make sure the butt of the club is pointing at the target line, when you are half way in your back swing (as illustrated in Picture 1 when the arms have reached the middle of my chest).

Hold a stick or bamboo cane, together with your club as demonstrated in the pictures below. In picture one I am creating the perfect circle, unlike the other two pictures where the club is not pointing at the target line, leaving the wrists a lot of work for the club head to return to impact position.

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The Notleys Golf Club Black Notley, Essex 01376 329 328

Summer society offer Coffee & bacon roll, 27 holes of golf, ham egg & chips: £22 weekdays or £27.75 weekends 18 holes of Golf including bacon roll and coffee £15 – midweek excluding bank holidays.

Call us for the best value membership prices in Essex or see our website (www.notleysgolfclub.co.uk) - 37 -

Lee Porter, the PGA Professional attached to Hylands Golf Complex in Chelmsford, has been voted Clubmaker of the Year by the Golf Clubmakers Association in the UK. Lee now ranks in the top ten custom-fit clubmakers throughout Europe.

No wonder he counts 8 touring golf pros as customers, including the ever popular local Pro, Robbie Coles.

KILL

WILL EGO THE GAME OF GOLF? I have a theory ...

Over the last month or so I have asked many of my customers, if Tiger Woods turned up at their place of work on a Monday morning how long would it take for him to do a proficient job.

Answers varied from weeks to months and even years in some cases, and it’s this I find most interesting.

Firstly, Tiger Woods is only a example. Let’s widen our list to any of the top ten players in the world, so it's not about the individual it's about their level of skill.

Although it’s difficult to assess each individuals background, I feel it is fair to say that all the top players in the world

all have have some similar characteristics: • They probably started golf at an early age • Over the years they would have taken some level of coaching • They all would have some natural talent, even if it’s as simple as eye ball coordination The list could go on but leave it at those three points for the time being. Let us look at what happens before this level of player competes in a tournament. After having several practice rounds leading up to the event.The day of the tournament

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players would arrive early, warm up and hit some putts before playing. It's here that I start to question the amateur golfer ...

If a player who started golf as a youngster, has a high skill level, and is one of the best players in the world he or she will go through this process,my question is!

• Why does a club golfer believe they don't have to do the same?

• It takes training for the professionals to be competent at the amateurs job, why does the amateur not need a high level of training to ‘play like the professional’?

• Surely the professional would need a different set of tools to achieve their potential to an amateur golfer? A Master Carpenter would probably have a different set of tools to the weekend DIY fanatic?

My point is that I believe many Golfers do not give themselves a chance to play to their best. A few examples: • They play with tools that are way beyond their skill level • Even with limited play and practice many would attempt to play shots only a highly skilled player could achieve • Many Golfers walk on the tee on a Saturday or Sunday morning after not having picked up a club for a week and expect to play well - good luck to them!

I fully appreciate that life gets in the way of golf, Club Golfers are not playing for a living so the level of commitment required to play at a high level is simply not there. But, nobody walks on a golf course to play poorly, surely that's no fun?

If I could have a wish to wave over the golfing population I would ask for: • Players always play within their limitation – playing the game within their skill level • Players use a set of tools that suit their level of play • Players play golf courses from tees that suit the distance they hit the ball Golf is a great game and should be enjoyed but anyone who takes part in it, but playing a game that simply is beyond your means is only going to end in a disaster.

Ego, don't let it destroy your game.

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THE BURSTEAD GOLF • CLUB

Tye Common Road, Little Burstead, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9SS info@thebursteadgolfclub.com www.thebursteadgolfclub.com

The Burstead golf club is a proprietary owned club that carries the values of a traditional members club where visitors and guests are made welcome.

• • •

Societies welcome (Monday – Sunday) Membership available (no joining fee) Membership rates start from as little as £334

For further information on membership or society deals please contact Chris Nunn Director of Golf on 01277 631 171 chris.nunn@thebursteadgolfclub.com

GolfBuddy unveiled two exclusives at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show as it announced the world’s first golf GPS wristband and the market’s only superfast 4″ touchscreen handheld.

The GolfBuddy BB4 – the world’s first golf GPS sportsband – features a comfortable and fashionable lifestyle design. Slimmer and lighter than a GPS watch, its light-up display shows the distance to the front, centre and back of the green and also includes a time mode. Distances are accurate directly from the golfer’s angle of approach, as opposed to some brands who only offer a fixed front centre and back. You can also easily measure shot distance in meters or yards.

This sleek, modern band comes pre-loaded with more than 37,000+ courses worldwide and boasts automatic course and hole recognition so it can be used straight out of the box.

The GolfBuddy PT4 boasts a 4” LCD touchscreen, the largest and highest resolution screen in the handheld device category, with the capacitive screen delivering mobile smartphone levels of speed and responsiveness when touched.

Light taps and swipe gestures are recognised immediately by the screen, allowing the golfer to get instant distances to any point on any colour overhead hole layout, while the Touch ‘N’ Move flag function operates at superfast speeds.

Report by golfbusinessnews.com

Crown Plaza Invitational Five Lakes GC celebrated the England Golf Golf Mark accreditation at the annual Crowne Plaza Invitational competition held at Five Lakes GC for all sections of the golf club on Saturday 8th March.

Guest of honour was Stewart White anchor man of BBC Look East who later presented the prizes and the Golf Mark plaque.

Golf Mark is a national accreditation that identifies and recognises junior and beginner friendly golf facilities.

It involves keys areas of the golf club from, coaching and playing, club environment (including sports equity and ethics) including child protection and duty of care for all members.

Having acquired the GolfMark standard Five Lakes are providing facilities for supported coaching for juniors and new members alike.

Five golfers scored 37 stableford points, Stephen Ward, Jackson Garnett, Phil Robson and Malcolm Pook, however Phil Roblin (14) had a better back

9 score and took 3rd place, 2nd was Neil Shinwell (12) with 38 points, however this year’s winner of the Crowne Plaza Trophy was Frank Taylor (21) with 39 points.

Nearest the pins were won by Alan Hayes on the 8th, Jackson Garnett on the 11th, longest and closest to the line on the 13th hole was Nigel Popper.

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Helping you get back in the swing are e facing the With over 25 years experience, if you ar problem, anxiety of a health pr oblem, Springfield Hospital offers from om your local of fers everything you would expect fr private hospital.

Call now quoting ‘SPR2’ for information on all our physiotherapy services: serviices:

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Vicki Cumberworth has been in the fitness industry coming up to 10 years, working with golfers since 2007 after completing a challenging course in California to become a golf Biomechanic. Vicki has worked with numerous golfers including European Tour Player Dale Whitnell, Gary Carter, Golf Pro at Crowne Plaza Five Lakes and Will Boniface to name but a few. Vicki advises clients on how to improve their golf swing and eradicate faults through flexibility/core/posture while also working on strength and conditioning.

Vicki is based at Crowne Plaza Five Lakes and can be contacted by email on vickipt@hotmail.co.uk or Tel 07921 075 212 web www.vickipt.com

LACK OF GLUTE

STRENGTH

Every single golfer I come across has a poor set of glutes ... if you do not know what the “glutes” are it’s your butt muscles.

The glutes not only stabilise the body but are key in producing power.

Therefore, in golf, the glutes are absolutely vital!!

If I come across someone with back pain I would always check the glutes, if they are not working the chances are the back is doing all the work in everyday life, sport etc and is tired, therefore tight and over long periods of time will “break”. The glutes are reasonably easy to strengthen if you know how ... below are some exercises to get you started: The Glute Bridge:

Lay on your back, knees bent and lift from the glutes into a bridge position. Pay attention to the glutes and concentrate on them doing the work.

Hold for 60 secs and repeat daily.

The Clam: Lying on your side, legs at 45 degrees and keeping the heels together. Lift the top leg, almost like opening a book or a clam shell. 60 secs each side and perform every day.

The exercises above are very basic and aim to fire the glutes and get them working. Seek a good personal trainer preferably qualified in golf biomechanics to help you further the glutes.

Try and make the above 2 exercises part of your daily routine and let me know how you get on!

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Its FREE to advertise anything in Golf Mart, Tel: 01621 815 577 E-Mail:- info@essexgolfer.com Visit our live up to date golf mart page at www.essexgolfer.com FOR SALE: Titleist Vokey spin mill wedge BV48.06 ,RH near new condition £35 Cleveland Hi Bore 15 degree fairway wood ,regular RH Graf alloy blue shaft, with head cover, vgc (no marks) £25 Tel: 01702 302260 (Southend) FOR SALE: Titleist Vokey Pitching Wedge 540 with their famous “oil can finish”! Good condition. £75.00+ will accept £35.00 Tel: 01702 585116 Southend FOR SALE: Mens size 13 half/14 Golf shoes any colour £30, Golf Club Yonnex 3 iron Graphite Shaft £10 Tel: 07875 743286 (Andy) FOR SALE: Ladies left handed Top Flight Tour Edition, complete set plus bag. Irons 5SW, Driver, Fairway Wood, Hybrid & Putter. Hardly used, excellent condition £125 ono.

01702 472418 FOR SALE: Mizuno MX23 Senior graphite shafts. Irons 4 to 56 degree wedge. 7 wood and 9 wood. Trip-hot 2 Odyssey putter. Callaway trolley bag.

Clubs almost new, hardly used due to illness. £250.00 Tel: 07799 376624 Brentwood area.

FOR SALE: Callaway ladies VFT 24 degree hybrid club, exc condition, hardly used £40 Tel: 01277 632928 Billericay.

FOR SALE: Titleist 714 cb irons 4-pw kbs reg shaft, used excellent condition. Faces 9/10 Shafts 9/10. £425 Email me on grantglover@live.co.uk Tel: 07939 572345 FOR SALE: GO LOFT men’s 12 degree Ben Sayers driver MX1, Graphite shaft, Lamkin grip, snazzy head cover. As new condition, not a mark on it. £25 01277 654506 Billericay.

FOR SALE: Full set Golf Clubs Brand new, never used still wrapped £75.00 Tel: 01375 406517 Tilbury.

FOR SALE: Callaway 11 degree Big Bertha driver regular graphite shaft new grip £30.00 Tel: 01708 747880 Romford.

FOR SALE: Full set of Callaway Big Bertha irons 3-SW with new grips, also Big Bertha driver and Taylor Made driver £150 the lot. Also Patterson Kaddy Kart single seater, can go 30 miles on 1 charge. Has new batteries £400 Tel: 01702 290709 Southend.

FOR SALE: Left handed Cleveland HiBore MonsterXLS Driver 10.5 degrees and Cobra Baffler T rail 3 wood 16 degrees.Both virtually as new £50 each Tel: 01277 220511 Shenfield FOR SALE: Mocad MK 2 Electric trolley VGC £40 Tel: 01268 457954 Wickford.

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FOR SALE: Adams Idea RH graphite irons 3-SW with bag and woods £70. Dunlop irons RH 3-SW with bag and woods £45. LADIES Powerbilt RH graphite irons 3-SW with bag and woods £50.

Tel: 01621 874895 FOR SALE: Ladies right hand PING EYE irons 3-SW plus some woods (not PING). £70 Tel: 01708 757612 Romford FOR SALE: Callaway Trolley Bag. Model Euro Chev.

Navy/White.14 dividers,carrystrap and cover.

Discounted cost £91 but as an unwanted gift £45.

Tel: 01702 465104. Southend FOR SALE: Complete set Callaway Big Bertha Irons 4-9, PW, SW - graphite Light Flex Shaft, Callaway X tour 60 degree wedge-r shaft -rusted appearance £150. Nike Machspeed SQ Driver, STR8 FitHL - R flex Graphite shaft Headcover and adjustment tool included £80. Taylor Made RBZ 3 (15degree) & 5 (19degree) woods - Graphite shafts, Flex M - very good condition £70 each or £120 pair. Tel: 01268 697659.

FOR SALE: Ladies - Seniors 3 wood Taylormade rocketballz £90. Ladies Rescue chipper wood £25. Ladies Rescue wood 24-26 degree £15. Trolley bag £30. All VGC. Tel: 01277 654679 Billericay.

FOR SALE: Nike Tour Golf bag one year old ex demo vgc £40 Tel: 01268 755225

New and Pre-owned Golf Buggies From Ernest Doe, Essex’s premier golf buggy distributor

Over 300

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Introducing the new

Roll-in Pro Collector This ingenious hand tool collects up to 70 golf balls in as little as 27 seconds and empties them into a storage vessel in a couple of seconds.

Ideal for collecting balls in all situations in dry conditions in wet conditions under water, in lakes, and on grass, mud or artificial grass surfaces. The Pro collector is the quick way to pick up golf balls from practice nets, practice greens, practice areas and driving ranges. As the Pro collector rolls across the turf to collect golf balls it does no damage to fine turf and leaves no marks. In the current wet weather the Pro Collector is the product of choice for collecting golf balls from driving ranges where use of larger mechanical collection systems is impossible.

07980 884 699 or visit www.iesales.co.uk

This simple and easy to use hand tool is available for immediate delivery. For more information call

See the Roll-in Pro Collector in action on YouTube.

The Essex Ladies County Golf Association’s Ladies and Seniors’ County Championship will take place at Chelmsford Golf Club on Friday 16 May to Sunday 18 May 2014. Chelmsford Golf Club, founded in 1893, is an excellent parkland course that provides a fine test of golf. The Championship is sponsored by Higgins Group PLC who are generously continuing to support the event for the second year.

announce the team who will represent Essex at the 2014 East Region County Week to be held on 16-20 June at Gog Magog Golf Club.

The Essex Girls’ Championship will be played on Tuesday 27 May 2014 at Thorpe Hall Golf Club.

All entry forms are available on the ELCGA website www.essexladiesgolf.org

The trophy presentation will take place at a celebratory tea on Sunday afternoon, when the Champions will be presented with their trophies.

Louella Hitchcock, County Captain, will also then - 46 -

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P R I N T A N D P RO D U C T I O N O F ESSEX GOLFER MAGAZINE BY

F O R A L L YO U R P R I N T I N G R E Q U I R E M E N T S

01376 533 300 s a l e s @c o l t - p re s s . c o. u k w w w. c o l t - p re s s . c o. u k

Royal and Ancient to vote on women members at St Andrews The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is urging its 2,500 members to vote in favour of abolishing its men-only policy.The club, which was formed more than two centuries ago, has only ever allowed men to join.

A vote on proposals to change that rule is scheduled for September.

The early indication is that there is great support said Peter Dawson R&A chief executive.

In advance of that meeting, the Royal and Ancient has written to its members urging them to support a change in policy which would allow women members.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club has been the guardian of the rules of the game since 1754, although in 2004 it devolved responsibility for the administration of the game and the Open to the newly-formed R&A. “It’s a big day for the club,” R&A chief executive

Peter Dawson “We’ve done this really because of our governance role in the game.

“We think it's very good for the governance of golf that we make this move. Sport has been changing, society has been changing and golf is part of that.

“We think it's time this change is made.”

If the vote goes against women members, Dawson said that would be an “undesirable” result. He added: “The early indication is that there is great support. We will have to see what happens.”

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GOLF IN FRANCE HOTEL METROPOLE

Hardelot • Le Touquet • Wimereux • St Omer • Belle Dune • Dunkirk & Nampont St.Martin

£259

SOCIETY PACKAGE - MAY - OCT

£155

OVERNIGHTER SPECIALS DEALS

£245

HARDELOT SEASONAL OFFER 2014

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Choice of Golf courses.;- St Omer, Wimereux, Le Touquet Forest , Belle Dune, Hardelot Dunes.

2 nights Dinner B&B 3 rounds Golf - Mon - Thurs Tunnel Car + 4 persons I night Dinner B&B 2 rounds golf - see above courses.

Tunnel Car + 4 Dates available 27/4, 30/4, 19/5,22/5,29/5, 01/6, 07/9, 10/9 Hardelot Dunes, Pines & Dunes 2 nights Dinner B&B

Offers include: Dinner B&B, Golf, Tunnel - Car + 4 Persons Supps;- Golf - Fri, Sat & Sun.

• All inclusive bar deals available.

• 4 full sized snooker tables.

• English TV for all major football, rugby and sports events.

METROPOLE GOLF BREAKS Call Rosemary 01843 860748 Mobile 0787 2067 406 Email: rosemary@metropolegolfbreaks.com Website: www.hotel-metropole.co.uk

Join the best online golf club today GOLFERS OF ALL ABILITIES ARE WELCOME NO Membership Fees, Pay as you Play Up to 50% Green Fees Discount in April We Organise your Handicap for you Quick and Easy Registration Play in Competitions for Money Prizes* Manage all elements of your golf from entering events, handicap, payment, scores and scorecard submission, results and prizes

REGISTER TODAY - 49 -

*All competition prizes are paid out in the form of vouchers.

www.e19thhole.co.uk

All Events Played on Courses in Essex

Jayne Storey For more information on personal and online tuition, free downloads and monthly newsletter, please visit www.chi-performance.com or contact Jayne Storey on +44 (0) 7986 447 250

Trusting Your

Swing

How do you stop playing “search for a swing” and start trusting the swing you’ve got?

First, you must reduce your internal dialogue (known as mental interference) and secondly, you’ll need to master your bio-chemistry (feelings of nervousness and anxiety).

Jayne Storey, Founder of chi-performance GOLF explains.

Tom Watson (Team USA Ryder Cup Captain 2014) summed it up the best when he said “When I learned how to breathe, I learned how to win”.

Learning how to breathe properly – that is, deeply and slowly accomplishes the following: a) It quietens the internal dialogue, and b) It produces a ‘relaxation response’, which reduces anxiety Both of these things can be accomplished quickly and easily, before and during your very next game, using a technique called Mindfulness; the art of focusing on your breathing.

Bringing it into your game Arrive at the club 20 minutes early for your next tee time, then just sit in the car or locker room and quietly notice your breathing. This will induce your ‘relaxation response’, keep your inner voice to a minimum and ensure you arrive at the first tee unruffled.

Tom Watson, Open Champion 1983

Use this simple technique when going through your pre-shot routine, standing at address, and walking to the ball. Just be aware of your breathing – it will calm your nervous-system, keep you neutral under pressure, stop your internal discourse and help you to trust your swing for a more relaxing and enjoyable game.

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DRESSED TO

D is t r e s s We’re looking to uncover some of the worst dressed golfers in Essex.

Please email us your contenders to

info@essexgolfer.com

The perfect place to practice Lovely Lady Keith Regan,Warley Park Golf Club

22 bay floodlit driving range

Open 7am - 9pm everyday

9 Hole ‘pay and play’ golf course

Clubhouse serving excellent food: Mon - Fri 10am - 3pm & 6pm - 9pm Sat 7.30am - 9pm | Sun 7.30am - 3pm

Little Channels, Pratts Farm Lane West Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 3PR T: 01245 361 100 E: info@littlechannelsce.co.uk

Oggy John Stripped up

‘Saint Patrick’s Day Trophy’ Nice one Richard

www.cliffordsestate.co.uk - 51 -

For your FREE advert in Holiday Golf, E-mail no more than 50 words with your details to info@essexgolfer.com For more listings go to www.essexgolfer.com

FOR SALE: Barham Broom, Norfolk.

Time share.1 bed appartment sleeps 4, 2 Golf Courses, Swimming pool, Gym, Squash, Tennis courts. Week 37 - 2ND Week in September. £435 yearly Maintenance – Paid for 2014 Free Golf for 4. £1000 O.N.O. Contact: 01708 448849 FOR RENT: Wheelchair Friendly villa in the Algarve, Boliqueime, As Casinhas close to Golf and Beaches, sleeping 6 adults. Wheelchair friendly, private pool, fully equipped, air conditioned / heated throughout. This tastefully and thoughtfully designed property is fully accessible for wheelchair users, yet looks and feels totally normal for those not in a wheelchair. www.algarvewheelchairholidays.com FOR RENT:Beautiful 2 bedroom semidetached villa at Mar Menor Golf Resort. 15 minutes from Murcia airport.Secluded southerly faced rear garden with private pool. A 5 minute walk to 1st tee, clubhouse, restaurants and bars.Guests receive residents rate green fees at MMGR and 5 other associated local courses.Gated security around complex.Contact: Andy Jones on 07739 171287 or golfaj@btinternet.com FOR RENT: Hua Hin, Thailand. Luxury 2 bedroom Jacuzzi pool villa on resort with full amenities next to Palm Hills Golf Course. Sleeps 4 at £500 for 7 nights. Golf with transfers arranged at excellent local golf courses. Longstay rates available. Contact Julie Chandler: Tel: 01621 774404 or julie@golfofsiam.com FOR RENT: Costa de la Luz between Seville and Faro, minutes from topclass Islantilla Golf Resort and sandy beaches.

2 bedroom house ( sleeps 4-6) private urbanisation, shared pool, own parking, fully equiped kitchen, living/dining area, 2 WCs, bathroom, two outside patios, BBQ. Details www.miradordelgolf.co.uk

FOR RENT: Parc da Floresta Golf Resort and Spa, Algarve.Lovely villa in a fabulous position overlooking the golf course and pool. Brilliant golf, beautiful beaches, fantastic restaurants, children’s activities – everyone’s happy! Three bedrooms (sleeps 6).Very comfortable.For more details google Owners Direct and then click on our villa ref: P6250

FOR RENT: Beautiful 2 bed, both ensuite, villa in the Palm Springs area, Southern California. Situated on a 27 hole champion golf course. Private pool and spa. Gated community with club house, pro shop, tennis courts, fitness centre, bar and dining room. Price £400 per week. Contact elainemcgilvray@yahoo.co.uk for further information.

FOR RENT: Stunning 3 bedroom villa with communal pool in Villamartin, Costa Blanca. Sleeps 6. Free wi-fi. 5 Championship golf courses within easy reach, walking distance to bars & restaurants, beaches within 15min drive. From £300; contact Elaine for further details at tennis.brimson@btinternet.com

FOR SALE: Golf in the sun! Two ideally located Central Italian Properties. The Properties are set in lovely countryside surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Miglianico Golf Club-1 mile, Beach-3 miles, Pescara Airport-12 miles (Ryanair flights from Stansted) Ski resort-22 miles, Rome-130 miles Property 1: Large Detached House 254sqm: 3 Levels; Two lounges (one could be adapted to a small apartment), Kitchen, 2 Double Bedrooms, Bathroom, 70sqm of Balconies, 1000sqm of enclosed garden (olive/fruit tress) with a natural stream passing through it, Covered Parking.

Property 2: Swedish Eco Cabin and Stables: Cabin 41sqm, Lounge/Kitchenette, Bedroom and Bathroom. 4850sqm land (60 olive trees), Stables and two Sandy Horse Training Yards. The properties are within short walking distance from each other.

There is the option to buy individually or together. For further information please email philfreesports@gmail.com

FOR RENT: Bargain large detached freehold golf villa with 3 double bedrooms and 2 baths in South East Spain. 15 minutes to popular airport and lovely beaches, shops, supermarkets, bars and all amenities. Have a golf bar, Pool bar and a Spanish bar offering an active lifestyle. Situated among orange and lemon groves. Suits retirement and holiday stays. Not in noisy urbanisations offering a quiet and peaceful living environment. Great community of mostly British retirees. Selling at a huge discount price of €139995. Please call for more details on 07957 861887 or email pcfoong@aol.com.

FOR RENT: Spain, overlooking Bernard Langer designed course from front & back terraces, this 2 bed apartment offers the ideal location to explore the peaceful Spanish area of the Costa Azahar, between Barcelona and Valencia. Prices from £200 PW. Offers great value for money, with all mod consand laundry service. Larger groups can be accommodated, please contact 07711 470146 or email nigelmartin2006@hotmail.co.uk - 52 -

FOR RENT: Beautiful 2 bedroom villa with communal pool in Ciudad Quesada, Costa Blanca. Sleeps 4. Free wi-fi. 5 Championship golf courses within easy reach, walking distance to bars, restaurants & supermarket, beaches within 20min drive. From £250: contact Elaine for details tennis.brimson@btinternet.com

Stoke by Nayland GC Charges 1973 Joining Fee Rate To New Members!

Celebrating over 40 years since the founders, Bill and Devora Peake opened the original Stoke by Nayland GC, this well-established family owned Club is still going from strength to strength. And as a special gesture to mark its 40th anniversary last year Stoke by Nayland GC is offering an amazing reduction in the joining fee from £500 to the level that it was in 1973 – £35 !!! Anyone joining the golf club between now and the last putt on the prestigious PGA Seniors Championship being hosted here from 5th to 8th June 2014 will be able to take advantage of this incredible offer!

They would also be joining a club offering TWO championship golf courses and outstanding golfing facilities such as a covered driving range, extensive short game practice area with excellent professional tuition on hand, welcoming clubhouse and brilliant member benefits offered throughout the hotel complex. The annual subscription fee will be payable as normal from the date of joining.

Stoke by Nayland has been selected to host the prestigious PGA Seniors Championship for the third time this June - as well as the Ladies European Tour Access Series from 16th – 18th October, which is all testimony to the strong reputation that the Club has with both the PGA and the European Senior Tour.

For information contact Adrian Bullock, the Golf Secretary on 01206 265815 or email golfsecretary@stokebynayland.com and visit www.stokebynayland.com

www.futuresgolfacademy.co.uk JUNIOR GOLF ACADEMY INSPIRING DREAMS FULFILLING POTENTIAL

Junior Programmes Available Program 1. Every alternate Saturday from 9am to 12pm.

ring into Spri ing in Swin ith rollll with con ro co

Program 2. Every Wednesday evening from 6pm until 8pm

ba EE ba REE FR ve a F eiiv ce ec Re R k green fee at ee w id m y er ev k!!** Belhus Park

Program 3. Prep program under 12’s every alternate Saturday from 1pm until 4pm

Trial days and evenings available please call 01245 361 100 for more information.

*Terms & Conditions apply.

Monday - Friday before 12noon only.

Offer valid 1st - 3oth April 2014.

With this coaching line up helping your child, think how they will improve.

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ial cia ls Spec ials rs Spe cia sters spec Maste ime spe Golf Ma h ttim ch The The Gol unc and llun fees and en fee green for 1 gre 14! joy 2 for 2014!

Enjoy En ril 20 pril Ap h t 4 14t 1 10th een 10t tween be betw

National Golf Month May 2014 COACHING - PLAYING - MEMBERSHIPS across golf clubs in Essex All sessions are delivered by PGA professional coaches equipment will be provided

everyone welcome...

Get into golf To find a session near you go to getintogolf.org/essex or call 0800 118 2766

Professional suppliers of turf to Golf and Bowling Clubs, Landscapers, Construction Companies and the General Public across the United Kingdom Top-quality, weed-free turf at the right price.

Expert assistance and free advice.

We are pleased to welcome you at our depot.

Crowley Turf Supplies Depot: All Seasons Nursery, Folkes Lane, Southend Arterial Road, Upminster, Essex, RM14 1TE Tel: 01277 263988 E-mail: dave@crowleyturf.co.uk Web: www.crowleyturf.co.uk We also supply (delivery or collection) Top Soil, Crazy Paving, Bark and Westmoreland Rockery

SPORTS STARS TEE OFF TO HELP AWESOME HARTSON Foundation golf day in Scotland.

Ex-Westlife star Brian McFadden also joined the line-up and said: “This has been a fantastic day and while it has been a lot of fun, there’s a serious message at its heart. Checking yourself for lumps and bumps should be a regular part of the routine for guys – or even get your partner to do it. The earlier any worrying symptoms are checked out, the better.”

A host of football personalities, from north and south of the border teed off with Celtic legend John Hartson in a charity golf challenge to aid the fight against testicular cancer – and created quite a stir with their awesome outfits.

Sporting outfits supplied by Scotland’s most spectacular golf clothing brand, Royal & Awesome, stars including Strictly Come Dancing favourite and former Wales international Robbie Savage, England’s Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, and former Liverpool hardman Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock were among those playing in the first John Hartson

The charity raises awareness of testicular cancer and supports people with cancer and their families. Last November, the former Wales international presented a cheque for £50,000 to Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, to help provide facilities for families whose children are being treated for cancer at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital For Sick Children.

For further information about the John Hartson Foundation please contact Lorna King on 07795 008 836 or email: lorna@johnhartsonfoundation.co.uk

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Essex PGA Reports

by Secretary, Suzy Garland-Collins essexpga@googlemail.com

Tel: 01277 223 510 www.essexpga.com

Our first event in March was at Aldeburgh for a winter league. This was our forth attempt to get to Aldeburgh and at last we made it! So despite torrential rain in Essex, it was another lovely sunny day in Suffolk which saw a trio of Marks in top spot.!

So Mark Talbott, Mark Stokes and Mark Baker in joint 1st with a level round of 72. Best Amateur was David Yang from Thorpe Hall with 75.

The following week saw us at South Essex for a rescheduled event and Johnnie Fryatt stormed to victory at the South Essex Winter League. His score of 71 included 3 birdies and he won the event by one shot from Mark Stokes. George Evans was best amateur.

Robbie Coles

Conditions suited Andy Pestell whose 39 point score included 6 birdies and 1 eagle was enough to take first prize from Jason Levermore who was 2 behind on 37 points. In the fourball competition Andy Pestell and Matt Stenning won with 44 points, in 2nd was Jason Levermore with Barney Cameron on 39 pts on countback from Scott Rusbridge with Darren Wells.

Johnnie Fryatt

We do so enjoy our trip to Princes and this year was no different. The Kent coastline had suffered very badly with the winter storms but Princes went to an inordinate amount of effort to make it play. Robbie Coles' brilliant winning score of 68 was 4 under par and included 2 birdies and 2 eagles! In second place was Andy Pestell on a level par score of 72 and in joint thrid Mark Stokes and Jason Levermore. In the team competition in 1st place was Mark Stokes with his team of Dominic Adams, Glenn Llangenberg and Warren with 82 points on c/b from Andy Pestell with Ian Morrison, Laurie Baker and Jim Harris.

Our last event of the season was at Frinton for a fourball better ball. That course was in beautiful condition today – with absolute perfect greens.

So, that’s it from us for this winter season. We are looking forward to the Essex Open Championship at Toot Hill on May 15th (Pro/Am is on May 14th). We still have some availability for the Championship. To remind you it is open to all Essex PGA Professionals and Essex based club amateurs with a handicap Andy Pestell of 5 or less.

Our email address is essexpga@googlemail.com or refer to the website www.essexpga.com or if you want to know anything phone Suzy GC on 01277 223 510.

ESSEX GOLF PROFESSIONALS REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR EVENTS AND ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN US FOR A GREAT DAY OUT. - 56 -

TORRANCE APPOINTMENT AN INSPIRED CHOICE Scotland’s finest clubmaker, John Letters, has added its voice to the chorus of approval after brand ambassador Sam Torrance was announced as one of Paul McGinley’s European team vice-captains for September’s 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Torrance, 60, the winning captain of the biennial tournament in 2002 when McGinley’s putt clinched victory, wrote himself into Ryder Cup folklore in 1985 when he sank the winning putt to deprive the USA of the trophy for the first time in 28 years – and, in doing so, provided photographers with one of golf’s most iconic images.

“He’s an inspirational figure with an awful lot of experience in this environment that he can bring to bear for the benefit of all concerned. I’m sure he will prove to be a valuable member of Paul’s team – and it goes without saying that everybody at John Letters will be cheering on Sam, Paul and Europe every inch of the way.”

Torrance, who signed his first professional contract with John Letters in 1971 and re-signed 40 years later when on the Senior Tour, said:“Everyone who knows me, knows how important the Ryder Cup has been in my career – both as a player and as a captain – and I’m over the moon that Paul has given me the opportunity to be involved in this wonderful sporting occasion once again.

Particularly with the event to be played on Scottish soil, and as an ambassador for a Scottish brand in John Letters, it couldn’t be more exciting for me.

He has been playing John Letters on the European Senior Tour since 2011, and brand manager Simon Corp believes the Scotsman will prove to be an inspired choice.

He said: “We are incredibly proud that a John Letters ambassador has been chosen to be part of the management of the European team. Fittingly, for a Scottish brand, Sam is a Scotsman, and vice-captain for the European team in a Ryder Cup in Scotland.

● The 40th Ryder Cup Matches will be held from September 26-28, 2014 on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles.

The SocialGolfer.com announces venues for 2014 ‘Majors’…

TheSocialGolfer.com, the online social networking community for golfers has announced the three venues that will hosts its’ tournaments this year…

The first venue is Warley Park Golf Club in Essex.The inaugural TSG Masters event will be held here on the 3rd May and will see 40 players fight it out for the new title. Entrants to the event are made up of twelve monthly leader board winners from 2013 plus the previous year’s TSG MatchPlay & TSG OPEN champions.Three places will go to those that have made an outstanding contribution to the site in the previous year with the remaining places going to ballot.

The next venue announcement is that of Westerham Golf Club in Kent. The TSG MatchPlay Championship Final (Sponsored by the Altonwood Group) will be held here, as the summer

long tournament culminates in a straight shoot out to find the new winner. Last year’s event was staged at The Addington and saw the match go to a nailbiting play-off hole. This year’s event take place on Sunday 21st September and is again open to 64 golfers from all over the South East.

Finally, it’s the turn of Bletchingley Golf Club in Surrey to once again host the The TSG OPEN Golf Day Championship (in aid of BALASA Golf). This is the third time Bletchingley has been chosen to host the venue. The 2014 will again be in aid of raising funds for the charity that helps disabled golfers with all disabilities.The day has raised more than £3k for the charity over the last three years and this year they hope to raise another £1k on the day.

For more information contact theteam@thesocialgolfer.com or visit www.thesocialgolfer.com

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Membership Questionaire The 2014 Golf Club Membership Questionnaire has been sent to all clubs in England and the results will provide a picture of what is happening within the sport, as well as highlighting trends, key themes and examples of best practice.

It will help support the forthcoming England Golf Strategic Plan, which sets out to inspire people of all ages to make golf a part of their life and aims to reverse the trend of declining club membership.

A national results booklet, collating all the data, will be produced later in the year, together with individual county breakdowns.

Richard Flint, England Golf’s Club Services and Development Director, commented: “The results of this survey will help us support golf clubs in the most effective way and to ensure that any future resources and programmes that are developed focus on creating a healthy and successful sport.”

research has helped England Golf to identify significant changes and challenges facing clubs and to direct finances and resources.

Since the first survey was distributed in 2002 the

England Golf www.englandgolf.org

Great year for Clacton GC Clacton-on-Sea Golf Club Chairman Bert Foster welcomed members to the clubs one hundred and twenty second Annual General Meeting, held in the clubs main lounge on Friday evening. In his address to the members, Foster stated that the club, despite the weather 2013 Captain William McGrath and many other and 2014 Captain Tony difficulties had had a Stevens. very successful year.

The very expensive refurbishment of the club house has been completed, with a new main entrance with access for disabled persons, completely refurbished men's locker room, and new toilet facilities for ladies and men, updated stud bar and an extension to the restaurant area.

On the course, considerable improvements have taken place, as the greenstaff continue with the clubs three year course improvement plans.

Richard Burrell - 58 -