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Issue 223 | July 2013

INSIDE CHARLEY HULL EDDIE PEPPERELL COMPETITION WIN A ROUND WITH SOREN KJELDSEN

MUIRFIELD MAGIC P28-29

PLUS+ Travel Ewen Murray James Bond

Mickelson claims Claret Jug with majestic final round

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July 2013 / Issue 223

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Issue 223 | July 2013

Golf News, The Studio, 14 Deanway, Hove, East Sussex BN3 6DG. Tel: 01273 556377. email: info@golfnews.co.uk. Website: www.golfnews.co.uk Managing Director Matt Nicholson matt@golfnews.co.uk

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Editor Nick Bayly editor@golfnews.co.uk

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Photography Kevin Murray (kevinmurraygolfphotography.com) Action Images, James Cheadle

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INSIDE CHARLEY HULL EDDIE PEPPERELL COMPETITION WIN A ROUND WITH SOREN KJELDSEN

Published by BlueGreen Media Contributors Paul Mahoney, Clive Agran, Ewen Murray, Denis Pugh, Alistair Tait

MUIRFIELD MAGIC P28-29

PLUS+ Travel Ewen Murray James Bond

Mickelson claims Claret Jug with majestic final round

WHEN IT COMES TO GROOVES, EVERY TEN-THOUSANDTH OF AN INCH COUNTS.

Follow us on: Twitter@golfnewsmag

The decision to start milling the Gorge™ Groove on our new Tour wedges in-house was easy. It was the only way our engineers and machinists could ensure the precision you need for higher spinning, more consistent wedge shots. Then we added three sole designs to help match your swing and playing conditions. For more spin and control in your wedge game, find Tour wedges at your golf shop or ping.com. ©2012 PING 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071

Milled to perfection by PING® machinists in Phoenix, Arizona.

Three sole widths (WS, SS, TS) in multiple lofts fit your swing and playing conditions.

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© Copyright Golf News 2013. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

Editor’sview email: editor@golfnews.co.uk

An Open and shut case

A

s is the norm whenever The Open is hosted by a club that allows only men to join, there were plenty of ‘shock horror’ headlines in the mainstream press about golf being out of step with the times.

While I’m not overly keen on single-sex clubs, they seem to have existed quite peaceably for many decades, and given that they make up less than 1% of the total number of clubs in the UK, I don’t think that it’s ever in danger of getting out of hand.

Yes, it’s regrettable that the tournament that receives the most coverage sometimes gets

held at clubs such as Muirfield and Royal St George’s, where women members aren’t allowed – but turn up at any of these venues on any given day and you’ll still find plenty of women and girls playing them.

You only need to drive down to your local club – providing its isn’t Muirfield, of course ­­– to find out the real story, which is one of club’s up and down the country running thousands of taster sessions for women and girls, many of which are free, to help take the game to a wider audience.

Golf is obviously not in a position to be complacent about any part of its public

image, but there are other more pressing matters, such as affordability, that need to be addressed before we tear down the barricades and force what amounts to only a handful of clubs into allowing women to pay subscription fees.

The R&A could take matters out of Muirfield’s hands by moving the Open elsewhere, but I’d be prepared to wager a large bet that by the time the East Lothian club next comes up for consideration, its membership structure will have changed, or it might have to say goodbye to ever hosting The Open again.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

News in Brief

GOLF PAYS TRIBUTE TO BERNARD HUNT The golfing community was in mourning last month following the death of Bernard Hunt, one of the most successful post-war golfers of his generation.

Hunt, who passed away after a long illness on June 21, aged 83, was a towering figure in British golf during the 1950s and 60s, playing in eight Ryder Cups between 1953-69, and captaining the side in 1973 and 1975. He was a key member of the team that famously won the cup at Lindrick in 1957, at a time when America dominated the biennial match. It was Great Britain and Ireland’s first triumph in the biennial contest since 1929 and proved the last before the team, then supplemented by players from mainland Europe, won at The Belfry in 1985.

A formidable opponent in the singles, Hunt lost just three of ten matches, with four wins and three halves, while alongside his brother Geoff, he was part of the second set of siblings to play in the Ryder Cup in 1963, after Reg, Charles and Ernest Whitcombe in 1935.

LINGFIELD TO HOST OPEN DAY

Golfers of all ages and skill levels are being invited to come along with the family to enjoy a day of free activities at Lingfield Park Golf Club on September 22. The Open Day activities will include free golf lessons at the Right Sided Academy, crazy golf competitions, spa & health club sessions, free consultations and children’s competitions. The opening hours are 10am-4pm and entry is free.

ALDWICKBURY RAISES £4K

Aldwickbury Park’s annual charity day raised £4,100 for the Herts Air Ambulance Service. Seventysix golfers braved poor weather conditions to take part in the event, which was won by Neil Carlile from St Albans with 40 Stableford points.

WYCOMBE OFFERS PAR 3 MEMBERSHIP

Despite having a short, but powerful swing that was once described by the legendary Henry Cotton as ‘awful’, the Warwickshireborn Hunt won the Order of Merit no fewer than three times, and collected more than 30 titles during his long career, including the Egyptian, Belgian, German, French and Brazilian Opens, and two British Masters’

Cottesmore back in family hands Andy Hiseman

Wycombe Heights Golf Centre has launched a new Junior Par-3 Membership which gives youngsters unlimited access to its 18-hole short course. The new membership is available for golfers aged 13 and under and costs £99 for 12 months. The short course features holes ranging from 77 to 157 yards. The club’s Saturday morning Junior Par-3 Club takes place from 9.30am–10.30am and costs £5 per person.

Hunt’s brilliant short game helped him win over 30 titles

SOCIETY RAISES £5K AT ABBEY

Seventy-one members of the RHC Golf Society raised more than £5,000 for the Willen Hospice and Cancer Research UK following a charity golf day held at Abbey Hill Golf Centre near Milton Keynes.

The day’s events included an 18-hole team and individual competition on the Main Course, plus a four-man ‘100-Hole Heroes’ golf marathon, which teed off at 4.20am with a target of completing 100 holes before nightfall. The quartet of Steve Cooper, Tim Lawman, John Marshall and Jason Beckett completed their golfing marathon by 8pm.

TRAINOR ON TARGET

enormously respected by all of his fellow players, as was evidenced when he was appointed Ryder Cup Captain in 1973 and 1975 and Captain of the PGA in 1966 and again from 1995 to 1997. We extend our deepest sympathy to Meg and all the extended Hunt family.’’

Sandy Jones, chief executive of the Professional Golfers’ Association, said: “It was with great sadness I learned of Bernard’s passing. He was one of the gentlemen of golf and his record on the course is one of the best in the British game. He will be missed greatly by those who played with and against him during those halcyon days. For me personally, I spent many happy and enjoyable hours with him when he was PGA Captain. He was a pleasure to be with and my thoughts and sympathy go out Meg, his wife, and three children, Matthew, Sophie and Viv.” A memorial service to celebrate Hunt’s life is taking place on July 29 at the Holy Trinity Church in Lyne and Longcross, with a reception being held at Foxhills Golf Club.

Harris and Benson share the spoils at Sand Martins Jamie Harris and Ian Benson tied for victory in the Sand Martins Pro-Am after shooting three-under-par 67s.

Taking winners’ cheques for £875, the hot duo was two shots ahead of nearest rivals, Paul Newman and Guy Woodman, from East Berkshire, who carded 69s.

Only these four broke par, confirming the Sand Martins’ challenge on a windy day.

Harris described his round as the ‘worst 67 ever!’ The Nevill-based professional said: “I missed a two footer, hit the pin at the sixth, three putted the ninth, missed a five-foot birdie putt on the 13th, had two more lip-outs, and took three from off the edge of the greens at both the 16th and 18th. I played well, but my short game wasn’t quite on target. The course was immaculate, but as ever the greens were very tricky, and one or two putts actually broke sideways.”

Praising the condition of the Sand Martins course, joint winner Benson, who is the head professional at Hindhead, added: “The owner and club pro Andrew Hall always lays on a great event and a fun day out. And while both Jamie and I could have shot much lower scores, I know we were both delighted to end up winners!”

It’s a full house for Corbett Classic!

The fifth annual Ronnie Corbett Charity Classic in aid of Prostate Cancer UK was held at The Addington Golf Club in Surrey on June 13. With 32 teams taking part, the event was once again a complete sell-out.

The day’s 18-hole team Stableford kjphotographic.com

Irishman Barrie Trainor won the third East Region order of merit event of the season on the New Course at the Essendon Country Club in Hertfordshire, which is now the home of the PGA East Region Championship. The 32-year-old from Old Joe’s Golf Range in Suffolk finished the 36-hole event on seven-under par, helped by second round 66.

Cottesmore Hotel, Golf & Country Club in West Sussex is now back in the hands of its landlord following the expiry of a lease taken on by golf operators Crown Golf nine years ago.

The 36-hole venue, which operates as a successful private members’ golf club, with a 21-bedroom hotel and health club, reverted back to the Rogerson family, who originally built the club in 1975.

Current general manager Matthew Hazelden, who has been in charge at Cottesmore for two years, will remain at the club, and will continue to manage the facility’s day-today operations. Estate and finance manager Johnny Porter will, in addition to his normal duties, manage the transition between owners, and both will work with landlord Matthew Rogerson on the future development of the club.

Crown Golf, the UK’s largest owner-operator of golf clubs, has traded at Cottesmore since 2004, when the company bought American Golf and its portfolio of properties. On the decision to return the club to the original landlord, Crown’s chief executive, Stephen Lewis, said: “When we bought Cottesmore, we inherited nine remaining years of a 15-year lease. Matthew Rogerson had always intended to take the club back under his family’s control when the initial lease expired, so after our successful period of stewardship I am pleased that the club is reverting to family ownership. .”

After the transfer of ownership, members at Cottesmore will continue to enjoy ‘Open Play’ playing rights at all Crown Golf courses as one of their chief membership benefits.

titles. By the time The European Tour was launched in 1972, Hunt was well into his forties, but he still finished in the top 20 on the money list in 1973.

A brilliant putter, his best season in terms of prize money came in 1963, when he won £7,209. Although he never won a major, Hunt enjoyed four topfive finishes in The Open

Championship, and had a particularly good record at St Andrews, where he was tied fifth in 1955, tied third in 1960, and fourth in 1964.

Hunt followed in his father John’s footsteps as head professional at Hartsbourne Golf Club in Hertfordshire, and later became the first head professional at Foxhills Golf Club in Surrey, where he served for 25 years and where one of the courses bears his name.

Hunt was also a founding member on the European Senior Tour when it was launched in 1992, but his opportunity to make an impact at this level was limited, as he was 62 by then. Nevertheless, he still came 15th in the Order of Merit in 1994. Away from his playing career, he twice captained the PGA, first in 1966, and again from 1995 to 1997.

Paying tribute to his impact on the game, George O’Grady, chief executive of The European Tour, said: “‘Bernard was one of Britain’s truly great Champions and has been a steadfast ally to all of us involved in the growth of The European Tour. He was

Ronnie Corbett with the winning team

competition was won by the Addingtonn members’ team of Stuart Ashby, Eddie Bell, Chris Harrington and Robin Harrington with a score of 76, with the best two scores on each hole counting. The competition was followed by a gala dinner, a prize giving, and a charity auction hosted by the 81-year-old comedian, which raised over £6,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. Corbett, who received a CBE in 2012, and has supported several charities throughout his career, including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Variety Club and Comic Relief, said: “This event just gets better and better. It’s a great day in support of a great charity, and I can’t wait until next year!”

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July 2013 / Issue 223

News in Brief

Penge triumphs in McGregor Trophy

GOODWOOD GOLFERS FAIL TO CASH IN ON ROSE Goodwood’s offer to deduct the number of shots Justin Rose finished under par at The Open from the green fee on the club’s Park Course sadly went astray for golfers, after the US Open champion missed the cut at Muirfield. The West Sussex venue, which sponsors Rose, offered to reduce the cost of a round at its pay-and-play course throughout August by the amount that he finished under par in the Open Championship, but the Ryder Cup star ended up on 10-over par.

Thankfully, the offer didn’t work in reverse, so golfers can still play the course for £25 during the week, rather than £35!

SEWELL BURNS UP BBO RIVALS Two-handicapper Phil Sewell (Castle Royle) won the BB&O Seniors Championship by six shots after firing rounds of 71 and 73 at Burnham Beeches on July 12.

He beat David Niven (Newbury & Crookham) into second, with Adrian Donkersley (Gerrards Cross) in third.

CENTURION CLUB OPENS FOR PLAY One of the most eagerly-awaited new golf courses in England was unveiled earlier this month when the Centurion Club, near St Albans, opened for play.

“July 1 was a proud day for all of us,” said The Centurion’s managing director Scott Evans, who, together with chairman Graham Wildish, and Dutch businessmen Bert Pronk and André Hendriks, purchased the property three years ago with the intention of turning it into one of the leading private members’ clubs in the south east of England. “Over the last few months, the weather has not been conducive to putting the finishing touches to the course, but everyone has worked very hard, and we’re delighted with the results.”

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He added: “We’ve also been very pleased with the feedback we have been receiving since our membership sales office opened last October. Interest in the club is very high, and membership continues to build at a pace. We always said that our location would be one of our biggest plus points, and that has been borne out by the fact that we’ve been attracting members from north and central London, Middlesex and all over Hertfordshire.”

The club is currently offering three different memberships categories: Senate, Centurion and Corporate. Prospective members should call 01442 510 520 to arrange a guided tour, or visit www. centurionclub.co.uk.

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After winning the Fairhaven Trophy, leading the qualifiers in the Sussex Amateur Championship, and finishing second in the Irish Boys’ Championship, Horsham’s Marco Penge extended his remarkable season by becoming the English Boys U16 and U15 champion at Seacroft Golf Club on the Lincolnshire coast.

Final day rounds of 67 and 73 gave the Sussex youngster a 72-hole aggregate of 283, one under par, and a three-stroke winning margin from his England colleague Bradley Moore and Lincolnshire’s own Billy Spooner.

Taking both titles meant Marco has collected four titles this year, but the most significant to date is the Under 16 McGregor Trophy, as it means he is a national champion and joins an illustrious Roll of Honour that includes the likes of Justin Rose and several other who have gone on to be tour professionals.

“It’s been a great year

Marco Penge

for me so far,” said Penge.

“But this is big. It’s a national title, and follows my win in the Fairhaven. I didn’t play great, especially off the tee, so I was just trying to get it down the fairway. but my short game was good. I had a lesson with Ryan Fenwick at Goodwood after the European Boys Team Championships and that seems to shake off the rust.”

Earlier in the month, Penge went close to winning another major junior event when he was pipped into second place in the Irish Boys’ Championship after losing in a play-off to Faithlegg’s Robin Dawson.

Penge shot rounds of 69, 72, 72 and 69 at Lisburn Golf Club to catch Dawson, but lost out in a three-hole play-off after lipping out on the 18th hole.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

News in Brief

Richmond renovation wins design award Hot Miller bags Euro Long Drive title Hertfordshire’s big-hitting Joe ‘The Total Package’ Miller stormed to victory at the 2013 European Long Driving Championship, after producing a 363-yard drive in the finals held at PGA National in Malmo, Sweden.

The powerful 28-yearold added the European title to the world crown he won three years ago, then followed it up with victory at the Czech Open a week later.

Miller said: I’ve been building up to the European and upcoming World Matchplay Championship all season and winning in the Czech Republic Open proved the hard work is paying off nicely.”

Members of The Richmond Golf Club in south-west London have known that the renovation of their course was a great success, since they started playing the new-look course last spring, but now the work has received the seal of approval from the influential US magazine Golf Inc., which has named the project the best private club renovation in the world for 2012.

Richmond’s success in the Golf Inc. awards is all the more remarkable since the renovation had the lowest budget of all entries in the competition – with the entire project completed at a cost of only £123,000.

The work was carried out by Surreybased design firm Thomson Perrett & Lobb, whose principal architect, Tim Lobb, said: “We’re extremely proud to see our project at Richmond named the best renovation of 2012. We were able to make a small budget go a long way – we reconstructed 56 bunkers and altered two greens, as well as some tree work – because of the great relationship we had with the club, and especially the fantastic work done by Richmond’s greenkeeping team, who carried out all the construction work. In particular, general manager John Maguire and course manager Les Howkins were a great support all the way through the project – and in Les, we discovered a shaper of real talent. The reason the bunkers look so good is down to his

work. I knew we’d be facing guys who had spent $5 million or more, but we thought we did some pretty nice things.”

Golf Inc.’s citation highlighted the ‘stellar transformation of the course’s bunkers, which have gone from major liabilities to course hallmarks’.

One judge added: “This shows, in

SE PAIR REACH FINAL QUALIFYING

The new bunkering at Richmond has been heaped with praise

Wentworth amateur Annabel Dimmock and Woburn’s Lauren Taylor were among 26 players to win a place at final qualifying for the Women’s British Open International after coming through a pre-qualifying event held at The Berkshire. The pair finished one and two shots respectively behind England international Meghan MacLaren, who fired a 69 to lead the qualifiers, who now go through to final qualifying at Kingbarns in Scotland on July 29.

ENGLAND FOURTH IN EURO BOYS dramatic fashion, how bunkering defines a course. For the club or owner wanting to make a statement, but faced with limited funds, this is a great example to follow.”

Richmond’s general manager, John Maguire, said: “When we started on this project back in 2008, we knew we needed to partner with a professional architect who could help us get the best results possible at a sensible

cost. We’re delighted that Golf Inc. has honoured us in this way, but in reality the best testimony is the feedback we’re getting from our members and visitors.

South West London is an incredibly competitive golf market, and clubs that don’t improve are going to struggle. We believe this renovation has set us up well for the future, and it’s good to see independent industry figures agreeing with us.”

England put up a disappointing performance in the European Boys, Team Championships, finishing fourth after losing the third-place match 4½-2½ to Italy at Murcar Links in Scotland. After losing both foursomes, the England team was always up against it, and wins from Jack Singh Brar and Marco Penge were not enough to turnaround the deficit. Edoardo Raffaele Lipparelli secured Italy’s vital point when he beat Bradley Moore by one hole.

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News in Brief TP TOUR COMES TO GATTON Gatton Manor Golf & Country Club in Surrey is hosting a TP Tour event on August 21, with entry open to all visitors. The day, which is played under full tournament conditions, costs £120, and includes breakfast, 18 holes on the 6,600-yard championship course and a buffet lunch. With TP Tour events attracting some wellknown names from the pro ranks, it is a great opportunity to play alongside some top-class players.

The day is free for spectators, who are welcome to attend from 8am.

STOKE PARK SCHOLARSHIP Stoke Park Golf Club in Buckinghamshire is hosting a try-out day this autumn in a bid to uncover the next generation of young talent. Launched last year, the successful candidates from the trials will be offered a junior scholarship at the exclusive Stoke Poges-based club, which will include a golf bag and uniform, one group less and one private lesson per month, alongside equipment and fitness screenings.

The Junior Golf Scholarship, which is open to children aged between 9-16, is part funded by the club’s members. The next try-out day is taking place on October 5. To book a place contact Stuart Rank on 01753 717184 or email srank@ stokepark.com.

HALL BOOKS SOLHEIM DATE Georgia Hall, Europe’s top-ranked amateur, has been selected to take part in The Ping Junior Solheim Cup, which is to be played at The Inverness Golf Club in Colorado, on August 13-14. The Dorset-based teenager will join 11 other players representing eight European nations, including fellow England squad member Amber Ratcliffe and Scotland’s Bronte Law, to take on their on their American counterparts in the biannual match. The European team is being captained by former Solheim Cup player Janice Moodie. The event was first launched in 2002, with the series currently standing 3-2 in America’s favour.

July 2013 / Issue 223

It’s a lot less bovver with a hover!

Golf News editor Nick Bayly trials an adventurous alternative requiring a combination of leaning and turning to the boring old golf buggy – meet the Hover Buggy A video clip of 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson enjoying a round of golf in a hovercraft that had been converted into a golf buggy caught the imagination of the golfing world in April.

The footage went viral in a matter of hours, and drew three million hits and plenty of jealous responses from viewers.

The £15,000 buggy was built by Neoteric Hovercraft in Indiana, which modified one of its basic models for duty on the links. Despite plenty of enquiries, the company said it had no plans to make them available for public use on the golf course.

However, the video was also seen by a British hovercraft manufacturer based in Kent, who thought there might be a market in the UK to sell bespoke models to golf clubs with lots of water hazards. Which is how I found myself at Mid Sussex Golf Club earlier this month to try one out for myself.

The club gave over the use of its driving range to a mini Marlin hovercraft made by

Nick Bayly takes to the fairways in an unmodified hovercraft

Kent-based company Flying Fish Hovercrafts. Capable of seating a driver and two passengers, they have a top speed of 45mph, and are equally as happy on fairways, as they are in rough or on the water, kicking sand – and plenty of air – into the face of the boring old stick-tothe-path golf buggy. An entry level model costs from around £9,000, although they can be pimped up to almost any spec you like.

While I didn’t risk flipping it over in one of Mid Sussex’s various ponds, I did give it a spin around the

Bubba Watson in action on his pimped-up version

Gee undone by charging Calmels Scoring dispute ends in shaft stabbing Despite firing three consecutive rounds of 66 in the Czech Challenge Open, Surrey tour pro Adam Gee had to settle for second best after he was overtaken in the closing holes by charging Frenchman Francois Calmels.

Gee, 32, looked all set to get back to winning ways as he led the field by two shots heading into the final day of the D+D Real Czech Challenge Open held at Golf & Spa Kuneticka Hora. However, after two birdies on the front nine, his challenge stalled with a run of pars

on the easy-scoring course, which allowed Calmels to come storming past him with six consecutive birdies from the ninth to finish on 22-under par, following an 11-birdie 65.

Calmels, who also won on the Challenge Tour in April, needs just one more win to follow in the footsteps of American Brooks Koepka, and automatically qualify for the European Tour.

Gee, whose best placings on the Challenge Tour previously were thirds in 2010 and 2007, was disappointed not to have finished the job off, but

BRAVE HART Kent pro Michael Hart (The Nevill) claimed his maiden victory as a professional by winning The London Golf Club Pro-Am with a one-under-par 71. Taking his first winner’s cheque for £750, Hart pushed James Marshall (Westerham) into second spot.

driving range, much to the amusement – or annoyance ­– of members who were trying to tee off on the very adjacent first hole. Despite the almost deafening noise of the fan, above which the sound of ‘fore’ and far less polite words could not be heard, it was a dream to drive, and felt like a cross between riding a quadbike and a jet ski, without any of the unpleasant bumpiness.

In fact, it was more like being transported on a rather noisy flying pillow.

Changing direction was a far from simple task,

the handlebars, while also trying to take account of the wind, to negotiate tight corners. One experienced pilot clattered over the 200-yard marker during our demonstration, while two of the club’s PGA pros had to take evasive action when miscalculating the craft’s turning circle, which, shall we say, isn’t quite like that of a London cab.

“Several golf clubs in the States have ordered customised hovercrafts following the Bubba Watson stunt, and I wanted to test the waters to see whether there would be any interest among clubs in the UK,” said Graham Manchester, a sales representative for Flying Fish, whose entry-level craft are mainly used for private recreational use among yacht owners. “One club in the UK

has already placed an order to use one to sweep the dew off its greens in the morning, but I am keen to find out whether it is a viable product to use as a fun alternative to a golf buggy. The noise is obviously an issue, but there are ways of making them quieter, as well as restricting the speed.”

The noise, and the skill required to drive them safely, are clearly issues facing the hovercraft’s use within the golfing environment, but while I don’t see them replacing golf buggies any time soon, they would certainly add to the fun of a captain’s golf day or a corporate golf event, and they would also come in rather handy if your club happened to have an island green with a drop down kerb!

For more information, visit www.flyingfishhovercraft. co.uk or call 01304 619820.

Surrey’s Adam Gee has rediscovered his form following a quiet spell

was satisfied that it was his opponent’s hot streak that had ultimately cost him victory, rather than his own collapse. He shared second with good friends Rob Dinwiddie and Sam Walker, and earned a much needed €12,800 for his efforts.

Currently ranked 40th on the Challenge Tour’s money list, Gee finished 14th in this month’s Karten Open in Switzerland, and is hoping to make the Challenge Tour’s grand final, which takes place in late October, when he will have a chance to earn back a European Tour card.

“I did not have six on that hole!”

If you thought golf was a genteel game played between fair-minded people, then you might think again after hearing about a man in America who was stabbed in the chest with a broken shaft following a scoring dispute.

Police were called to the Westwynd Golf Club in Detroit last month following a report that one golfer had attacked another on the course after an argument broke out about the number of shots that one of the players had taken on a hole.

Glenn Lott, 59, had taken offence to being questioned about his score on the 12th hole by his 65-year-old playing partner. Enraged by the line of questioning, he snapped the head off a 5-iron and stabbed his playing partner in the arm with the broken shaft. Two other men, who were playing with the pair as a foursome, reportedly held Lott down while the victim sped off in a golf cart to the clubhouse for safety. Lott eventually broke loose and gave chase in a second cart screaming he was ‘going to get him’, according to eyewitnesses.

The victim required stitches in his arm, but was expected to make a full a recovery, while Lott was charged with common assault and was banned from playing golf until further notice.

/9

July 2013 / Issue 223

Left Handed Golf moves Place your bids on to Silvermere superstore celebrity chair!

Almost 10 years after it opened at its orginial base at Kingswood Golf Club, specialist equipment retailer Left Handed Golf has moved to a new home at Silvermere Golf & Leisure, one of the best known and most accessible golf centres in the South East.

The move represents a big step forward for its owner, PGA Professional Terry Sims and his team of four fellow pros, who have seen the business enjoy considerable growth over the past decade. Despite being given little chance of taking on the much larger high street operators and online retailers, Sims has been happy to prove his detractors wrong, by building up a large and loyal following among the left-handed golfing community, many of whom travel from all over country to check out his stock and test all the latest equipment that is often hard to find in pro shops and high street outlets.

The growth of the internet, and consumers’ willingness to buy products online, resulted in Sims developing a successful online operation, while his relationships with all the major manufacturers has allowed him to get the best possible prices for his customers, with regular clearance sales providing some superb value offers.

The launch at Silvermere was celebrated with the first custom fit of the day for Australian tour professional Richard Green, a three-time winner on the European Tour, who kitted himself out with a new set of

Lefty Tour pro Richard Green at Silvermere

Titleist AP2 irons following a fitting on a Flightscope monitor.

Sims said: “Moving to Silvermere, which is one of the most popular and accessible golf centres in the country, is a perfect move for us. It already has a reputation of being a Mecca for golf equipment buyers, and our presence will hopefully only add to that reputation, while offering something unique to golfers.”

For more details or to shop online, visit www.lefthandedgolf.co.uk, or pay a visit to Silvermere, which is located a mile from junction 10 of the M25, on the A245 to Byfleet.

One of the most unusual pieces of golfing memorabilia – a white plastic chair – is up for sale to help raise funds for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

The property of former Golf News columnist Howard Spencer, the chair is covered with autographs of the world’s top golfers, including Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Peter Alliss, Christy O’Connor, Nick Faldo, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, and many others.

The chair is being put up for auction because soon after he retired from Golf News, where he interviewed eminent stars of the golfing world, Howard himself was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Now, two years after life-saving surgery and chemotherapy, he is helping to raise funds to increase the awareness of the disease and help family doctors recognise symptoms as early as possible.

Howard’s unique chair, and its cast iron provenance, could, he feels, ‘contribute a good wedge’ to the cause. He added: “I’ve already been offered £1,500 for it, so it will surely appeal to serious autograph collectors, or to someone who wants to make a realistic contribution towards the early diagnosis of what used to be known as ‘the silent killer’.”

Serious bidders should get in touch with Howard at howard@pickwickpictures.co.uk.

News in Brief MANNINGS AXES LADIES FEE To celebrate hosting the 2013 English Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship from August 6-8, Mannings Heath Golf Club in West Sussex is waiving its joining fee to the first 13 women who take up membership – representing a saving of up to £750. The offer runs until the end of the year.

ESSENDON PLANS NEW RANGE Work has started on building a new driving range and short game area at Essendon Country Club in Hertfordshire. The project, which is expected to be completed

by August, is the latest phase of an ambitious long-term plan to transform the 45-hole complex into one of Hertfordshire’s premier facilities. The club features two 18hole layouts, 6,808-yard Old course and the 6,938-yard New Course, as well as a 9-hole pitch and putt course.

Tiger Woods is one of many stars to have signed the chair

You don’t have to pay a king’s ransom... ...to be treated like royalty Special offers on society packages until the end of September start from £30 per person. All packages can be tailored to meet any requirements.

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Treat Yourself... We’re More Than Just A Golf Club Chislehurst Golf Club, Camden Place, Camden Park Road, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5HJ | t: 020 8467 2782 | e: thesecretary@chislehurstgolfclub.co.uk | w: www.chislehurstgolfclub.co.uk

10 /

July 2013 / Issue 223

Memberships Available

Join in July or August and receive of Free Gifts T’s & C’s Apply

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Lewis checks in with Marriott Hertfordshire-based Tour pro Tom Lewis has signed terms with Marriott to become a brand ambassador for the worldwide hotel group.

Under the arrangement the former Walker Cup player and Tour winner will wear the Marriott logo on his sleeve and will represent the brand on his travels around the world.

Marriott currently operates 11 championship venues across the UK, with its flagship venue being at Hanbury Manor, which is just a few miles from Lewis’s UK home in Welwyn Garden City.

“We are delighted to announce that Tom Lewis has signed a deal to act as a brand ambassador for Marriott,” said Alison Ainsworth, Senior Director for Golf Europe. “He is one of Britain’s brightest rising stars and as such is well-placed to promote the Marriott name wherever he plays.”

The 22-year-old first made himself known when he won the British Boys Championship in 2009, but as an amateur he is best remembered for carding a stunning 65 in the first round of the 2011 Open

Love Golf?

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"Golf is a game in which you yell 'fore', shoot six and write down five!"

Three off the tee: the 100th and final hole of a long day

CAMBERLEY TRIO’S MARATHON EFFORT

Championship at Royal St George’s, which was the lowest score ever recorded by an amateur at The Open and helped him towards winning the Silver Medal awarded to the leading amateur.

He bowed out of the amateur game after being part of the winning Great Britain & Ireland team at the 2011 Walker Cup, and then made an immediate impact on the professional scene when he won the Portugal Masters on only his third outing on the European Tour.

Lewis has struggled with his form since this season, making just five cuts from 17 events, and is currently ranked 199th in the Race to Dubai.

Camberley Heath Golf Club’s captain Richard Broderick is enjoying a well-earned rest after successfully completing a 100-holes-in-a-day challenge as part of the famous Surrey club’s centenary celebrations.

Richard was joined by club professional Stephen Speller and committee member John Busby in the marathon effort, which took place on June 25. The tireless trio teed off at 4.30am, and got off to a fast start, with the first 10 holes completed within 50 minutes. The following five full rounds averaged out at two hours per round, and the players were welcomed back to the 18th hole at 8.30pm with a well-earned celebratory glass of champagne.

The scores for the day, although immaterial, were very consistent, with Richard and John both peaking early, with their first full rounds being their best, at 34 and 36 respectively, while a total of 27 birdies were notched up on the day.

Head pro Stephen, whose best round was 40 points, said: “It was a hugely enjoyable day, although playing over five rounds and walking over 30 miles was a big challenge. Well done to John and Richard, and I’d like to thank the members who supported the event, and raised over £3,300 for Help for Hero’s and the Lt Dougie Dalzell MC Memorial Trust.”

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are you a golfer who may not want to join a golf club and become a member immediately because you do not know if you have enough time to commit, will enjoy the club or may already be a member of another club?

Then ConneCt, Lydd’s inTroducTory membership may be for you! if you would like to apply or learn more about connect membership at Lydd, please contact carole on 01797 320808 or email golf@lyddgolfclub.co.uk

/ 11

July 2013 / Issue 223

Join Wrighty and friends at Heythrop Park!

Tilgate Open Weekend proves a big draw Over 60 players took part in a special competition organised to celebrate the opening of a new clubhouse at Tilgate Forest Golf Centre in Crawley earlier this month.

Although the British summer tried its hardest to put a dampener on proceedings, the players rose to the challenge magnificently and a great day was had by all, with the championship course standing up superbly to the inclement weather.

Players competed for a £500 prize fund, including Nike golf bags, FootJoy shoes and Titlest caps, while an electric blue BMW 1 Series 335 M Sport, worth £30,000, was put forward by Vines BMW Group for the first hole-in-one, which sadly went unclaimed.

Guests were treated to a hot buffet lunch in the newly-opened Nineteen Bar & Kitchen, and the sun came out just in time for the arrival of the mayor of Crawley, councillor Bob Burgess and his wife, as well as councillors Duncan Crow and Vanessa Cumper.

News in Brief BULLEN CLAIMS COLTS’ TITLE Worthing youngster Michael Bullen won the Sussex Colts Championship after shooting rounds of 66 and 79 on a windy day at his home club. His six-under par 66 on Worthing’s challenging Lower Course was one of only four scores in the 70’s.The runner-up was defending Champion David Wicks (Sedlescombe), who finished two shots behind.

Mayor Bob Burgess opens the new building

The mayor was joined by Colin Chilvers, manager of Tilgate Forest Golf Centre, and Jon Dummett, general manager of Glendale Golf’s two flagship properties, Tilgate Forest and her sister course Richmond Park Golf Course, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Chilvers commented: “The weekend was a fantastic success. On Sunday we sold each green fee for £1, and every single tee time sold out from 6am to 6pm. It was a great showcase for our new facilities, two very busy days with many new faces seeing what we can offer not only golfers, but anyone who wants a relaxing meal, a drink, or to book our excellent venue. I am really proud of my staff for their hard work in making the event such a success.”

The stylish new clubhouse at Tilgate Forest

Amateur golfers are invited to take part in the Ian Wright Golf Classic, a charity golf event, which is being held at Heythrop Park Golf Resort in Oxfordshire from September 20-22.

Guests will have the chance to tee off alongside Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who will be joined by fellow footballers and celebrity friends to raise funds for the Willow Foundation, a national charity co-founded by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson, and his wife Megs.

Sporting celebrity guests Lee Mears, Ray Clemence, George Graham, and golfer Carly Booth are among those expected to join Ian and Bob at the event, with more to be confirmed. This special golfing weekend, which costs £3,000 for a team of four, includes two nights’ accommodation at Heythrop Park, two rounds of golf, an evening with Ian Wright hosted by Bob Wilson, a gala dinner, and a prize giving. Guests will also enjoy a BBQ dinner on Friday night, with pre-dinner drinks.

For more information or to book a place, visit www. willowfoundation.org.uk or call 01707 259 777.

REYNOLDS ROMPS TO SENIORS’ TITLE Littlestone’s Chris Reynolds romped to a 10-shot victory in the Kent Seniors Championship after firing rounds of 71 and 69 at Wrotham Heath. Played in windy conditions, Reynolds coped best with the weather to finish a long way clear of runner-up club colleague Ross Galgut, with Royal Cinque Ports’ Steve Dorritt taking third. Reynolds also won the Godden Salver for the best gross score in the over 60s section.

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12 /

July 2013 / Issue 223

Society Rates 1st October until 31st March 2014* *Excludes December 2013

From

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Two GreaT Venues, Two superb ChoiCes

Hazelby in action at the French Open

Hazelby savours French affair A little-known professional from Kent got to rub shoulders with some of the greats of the game earlier this month after qualifying for the French Open at Le Golf National in Paris, venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup. Thirty-one-year old Greg Hazelby earned his place in one of the European Tour’s most prestigious events after winning a local qualifier held by the French Golf Federation.

Hazelby, who was first introduced to the game by his father, who used to take him up to the public course at Lullingstone Park, shot a six under par round at Golf d’Apremont to earn his invitation to the Alstom Open de France, which offered €500,000 to winner.

Sadly, Hazelby, who is used to competing for considerably less than that on the EuroPro Tour, missed the cut at Le Golf National by some way, shooting rounds of 84 and 73 to finish 146th in a field of 156 players.

The Sevenoaks-based player, who is currently based at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent, has been competing all over Europe since turning professional in 2008. The former Knole Park assistant has experienced spells on the on Faxé Tour in Denmark and the Ecco Tour in Sweden.

Since then, Hazelby, who funds his travels with a part-time career as a lift engineer, has

been playing on the EuroPro Tour and several other mini tours in the South East, building up competitive experience along the away, as well as working on his swing with renowned tour coach Matt Belsham.

Hazelby said: ”I joined Chart Hills at the beginning of the year, as I knew I needed to be at a club that has a championship course and facilities in order to keep improving my game during my practice sessions. To date it’s been a very positive decision and makes the 50-minute journey from Sevenoaks worth it.”

He added: “It’s been a difficult few years trying to combine working with competing.

I have to work part-time so that I can afford to compete in a few events during the year, which is hard, but this is the only way I can stay competitive. After nearly two years of hard practice and sacrifice, I’ve now started to realise the possibilities of my potential.'

He continued: “It was a great experience to play in the French Open. It was hard not to be overawed by the scale of the event, and after my poor first round, I was pleased to come back in close to par. It was a great insight to playing at the top level, seeing how the players operate, and I’m keen to get another taste soon. I will now have a few starts on the Challenge Tour and I have my sights firmly fixed on getting my European Tour card.”

Cowper gallops to Epsom success

Society Rates 1st October until 31st March 2014* *Excludes December 2013

From

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Epsom-based PGA stalwart Craig Cowper (Horton Park) carded a five-under-par 65 to win a rainsoaked Epsom Pro-Am. Despite dropping a stroke at the 17th, Cowper’s performance was still good enough to snatch victory by a stroke from Guy Shoesmith (West Hill), Guy Woodman (East Berks) and Alan Lovelace (Merrist Wood), and take one the winner’s cheque for £1,100.

Cowper, a full-time teaching pro, was thrilled to come back after an early start, 18 holes spent in the rain and wind, and enough time for two more coaching lessons in the afternoon at Horton Park, to find that his score had put him in first place.

“I can’t say I’m practising hard,” Cowper said, “as it was more a case of trying to warm up before going out, but I got away to a cracking start, increased the momentum, and held on.

I’ve never putted so well around Epsom either.

The course was in great nick, and the rain helped slow the pace of the greens and make them a bit more straightforward.”

Starting with a birdie at the dangerous opening hole, Cowper had a couple of birdie putts lip out before birdying the sixth and eighth to be out in three-under. He then birdied the 10th, and eagled the 11th, needing just a 2-iron, a 6-iron, and ‘a nice long putt!’ to stretch his lead

into potentially unassailable territory. A solid par on the 18th left Cowper plenty of time to deal with two lessons back at nearby Horton Park, while he reflected on his performance.

“It’s a very well run event and I’m really pleased to win,” he said, “I haven’t been playing well recently, so it’s good to get some form back, as I’m playing in all the Virgin Atlantic Order of Merit events, even though I’m doing a lot of teaching now.”

Cowper is also looking forward to the mid-July opening of a major development at Horton Park, a new adventure putting park that combines crazy golf-style putting with all sorts of animal characters – an innovation aimed at attracting children and their parents to golf.

“We’re going to be even busier from midJuly onwards, but this win shows me I can still perform against the best in the region.”

July 2013 / Issue 223

/ 13

Batsman Butcher bags a hole-in-one and a Merc!

Dummer is located near Basingstoke, Hampshire just off Junction 7 of the M3.

Post Code RG25 2AD

B U L C F L O G R E M M DU CIALS SPE R E M M U S IDWEEK UST

4M Butcher picks up the keys to his hole-in-one prize

Ex-England and Surrey cricketer Mark Butcher won a brand new Mercedes-Benz A Class after scoring his first hole-in-one at Burhill Golf Club during a charity day hosted by Olympic gold medal-winning rower James Cracknell.

The opening batsman, who excelled for club and country in a career spanning 17 years, aced the 178-yard fourth hole on Burhill’s New Course to win the £22,000 car.

Describing the magic moment, Butcher said: “I played a 7-iron hoping to hit a soft fade into the front of the green. Unbelievably, the ball came off the club exactly as intended, which is a rarity. When it landed it looked close, but none of us on the tee could be sure. When I got to the green I tiptoed up to the hole and there it was. I jumped into the arms of one of my

playing partners, and we proceeded to dance a jig around the green. I think it’s the most excited I’ve been in my life!”

The whole day, which was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Brooklands and Mont Blanc, raised £9,000 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and Kingston Grammar School Sports Legacy, of which Cracknell is a former student.

The day was attended by numerous sporting legends, including Sir Steve Redgrave.

Hugh Knowles, Burhill’s golf operations manager, said: “News of a hole-in-one spread quickly around the course, and as Mark was playing in the last group, everyone was ready and waiting in the clubhouse when he finished. It was a fitting end to a magnificent day’s golf.”

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Grove launches caddy service The Grove Hotel & Golf Resort in Hertfordshire has ramped up its golf offering by launching a caddy service to visiting golfers.

The five-star venue near Watford, which hosted the WGC American Express Championship in 2006, has hired a handful of expertly-trained caddies to offer invaluable local knowledge during a round on the Kyle Phillips-designed 7,152-yard championship course.

Commenting on the new service, Anna Darnell, The Grove’s Director of Golf, said: “We have always strived to go the extra mile for our guests, and I firmly believe the introduction of our team of highlytrained caddies will give an added dimension to what is already a memorable experience. Having looked at some of the other great British golfing venues, we saw that caddies were a common theme and something we could add to our offering. With the team we have in place, and the caddies we have assembled, I am truly excited to see the programme take shape and become a standout service feature at The Grove.”

The scheme is also being supported by Nikon, the industry leader in range-finding technology, ensuring only the most precise yardages are shared between the caddie and the golfer. “When you combine our specialists’ passion for the game, along with their vast experiences, golfers are going to get more enjoyment out of their games with a caddie,” commented John Glenn, caddie master. “Throw in a few stories from the world of golf, the freedom of having someone carry your bag and looking after you for the day, and I think we have a great initiative here.”

7 day members

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14 /

July 2013 / Issue 223

COMPETITION WIN A ROUND AT WOBURN AND TICKETS TO THE TRAVIS PERKINS SENIOR MASTERS!

SUMMER AT THE RIDGE NEW HALF PRICE 5 DAY MEMBERSHIP First payment £78, thereafter £35 per month

HALF PRICE 7 DAY MEMBERSHIP

Only 50 Memberships available, first payment £85.75, thereafter £43.75 per month First payment includes admin fee & union fees

SUMMER GOLF SOCIETY DEALS 1 APRIL 2013 TO 31ST OCTOBER 2013 ST

Prices start from £26

SUNDAY 4 BALL - INC. BREAKFAST £100 GREEN FEES FROM JUST £16 - OR FROM £12.50 AFTER 3PM

To JOIN THE CLUB or BOOK A GOLF SOCIETY call free on: 0800 024 8730 THE RIDGE GOLF CLUB, CHARTWAY STREET, SUTTON VALENCE, MAIDSTONE, ME17 3JB. TEL: 01622 844382. WEB: WWW.THERIDGEGOLFCLUB.CO.UK

The Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters returns to Woburn Golf Club for the 13th consecutive year from August 30 - September 1, and Golf News has teamed up with the organiser to offer you the chance to win a round on the Duke’s Course, with lunch, for you and three friends, plus four season tickets to see the stars of the European Senior Tour in action. A pair of season tickets is also being offered to eight runners up.

The Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters is one of the biggest tournaments on the European Senior Tour, with a prize fund of £300,000. Last year’s event attracted record crowds of nearly 23,000 to the Duke’s Course, as Irishman Des Smyth held off the challenge of 2011 Order of Merit winner Peter Fowler and 1999 Ryder Cup Captain Mark James to win the title for a second time in three years.

New Lane, Sutton Green, Nr Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7QF Tel: 01483 747898 email: admin@suttongreengc.co.uk

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An impressive field of former Ryder Cup players and European Tour winners is expected to assemble for this year’s tournament, which has become one of the most popular on the Senior Tour with both players and spectators. Travis Perkins plc is also laying on free putting and swing lessons for members of the public, making it a great day out for everyone.

Recent winners of the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters include the Senior Tour’s most successful player, Carl Mason, champion in 2006 and 2007, Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone (2009), former Ryder Cup player Gordon J Brand (2008), and Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit, whose 2011 triumph came in between Smyth’s two victories.

For more details, please visit the tournament home page on www.europeantour.com.

COMPETITION For a chance to win a midweek fourball on the Duke’s Course (subject to availability), plus a clubhouse lunch (excluding drinks), or one of eight pairs of season tickets, please answer the question below, and email your answer to info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Woburn Competition’ in the subject line. Please include a contact telephone number and your address. The closing date for entries is August 9, 2013.

QUESTION: The 2013 Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters will be played over Woburn’s Duke’s Course, but what is the name of the club’s other 18-hole championship course? a) The Duchess b) The Princess c) The Marquess Terms & Conditions: Entrants must be 18 or over. The winner will be notified within seven days of the closing date of the competition. The midweek fourball round of golf must be taken before December 31, 2013. The editor’s decision is final.

July 2013 / Issue 223

Boyce Hills orders bunker refurb

/ 15

Boyce Hill Golf & Country Club in Essex has appointed local firm Swan Golf Designs to conduct a detailed audit of the bunkering on its 18-hole course, and to make recommendations for its improvement as part of a long-term renovation project of the South Benfleet-based venue.

Founded by a group of members from nearby Leigh Park Golf Club, golf was first played at Boyce Hill in 1922 on a layout designed by local professional FG Steel.

However, the course was redesigned by James Braid just three years later, with the reconstruction carried out by Taylor & Hawtree Ltd. The course has remained largely the same since, with only a few new tees and bunkers added over the years. Today, measuring just over 6,000 yards, the course represents a stiff challenge to those looking to match the par of 68.

Boyce Hill is now set to become the latest Braid-designed course to be renovated under the supervision of Ongar-based Swan Golf Designs, joining a long list that includes The Downs Course at Goodwood, Tyrrells Wood and Kingswood.

YOUNG ROSE BLOOMS AT THE MANOR US Open champion Justin Rose took time out from his preparations for this month’s Open Championship to celebrate his daughter’s christening at The Manor House Hotel & Golf Club in Wiltshire.

Family and friends joined golf’s newest Major winner at the Castle Combe venue on July 6 to see his second child, 18-month-old Lottie, christened.

Rose has a close association with The Manor House, having married his long-time girlfriend Kate at the five-star hotel in 2006. And to mark the occasion of his return, the club presented the Ryder Cup star with honorary life membership, making him only the second person ever to receive the honour after World Cup rugby union winner Mike Tindall.

Dillon Ariyaratne, conference and banqueting manager at The Manor House Hotel, said: “It was great to meet Justin and his family so soon after his US Open win. It was a privilege to host another family occasion for him; everybody had a lovely day and he even gave me the chance to hold the US Open trophy.”

The Manor House is owned by the Exclusive Golf group alongside Mannings Heath Golf Club in Horsham, West Sussex. Steve Slinger, Exclusive Golf’s manager, said: “We were delighted to welcome Justin back and help him and his family celebrate such a special day. Watching him win the US Open was very special and no one deserved to win a Major more than him. He is a fantastic ambassador for the game, and giving him honorary life membership of The Manor House was a fitting way to mark his great achievement and celebrate such a special occasion.”

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July 2013 / Issue 223

KENT LINKS SHINE AT AMATEUR CHAMPS

The magnificent links at Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s Golf Club in Kent played a starring role in the 118th Amateur Championship, which saw an elite field of 288 amateurs tackle the two courses from June 17-22.

After five days of gruelling stroke and match play golf, Northumberland’s Garrick Porteous emerged triumphant in the Amateur Championhip, having beaten Finland’s Toni Hakula 6&5 in the 36-hole final played at Cinque Ports in brutal conditions.

The 23-year-old became the first English winner of The Amateur Championship since Gary Wolstenholme in 2003, and staked strong claims for a place in the Walker Cup team this September when he won one of the amateur game’s most prestigious events.

After losing the first hole of the morning round, Porteous surged into a four-hole lead against his 21-year-old opponent on the front nine, and was never again behind in a final which saw many holes won with bogeys, as both players battled through winds gusting up to 40mph.

Porteous, who hails from Bamburgh Castle, coped with the conditions better, and claimed the title on the 13th hole of the afternoon round. Victory secured him places at the Open Championship at Muirfield and next year’s US Masters, which is all the motivation he needs to remain in the amateur ranks for one more season.

Prince’s Golf Club proved a suitably challenging layout for the world’s best amateur golfers

“It’s quite a surreal feeling,” said Porteous, in the immediate aftermath of his win. “I know there are a lot of famous names on that trophy. To be alongside them is pretty humbling. I felt confident coming into the week, but I never got ahead of myself. I just played one shot at a time and it worked. I’m delighted to be teeing it up in The Open. It is just over an hour away from my house, so there will be a lot of local fans coming out to watch. I played Muirfield four years ago in The Amateur, and it will feel pretty special to tee it up there in The Open.”

The final was the culmination of a dramatic week of golf played out over two of Kent’s finest tracks, with Prince’s Golf Club co-hosting the two qualifying rounds of stroke play on its challenging Shore and Dunes layout. The course has recently benefitted from newly-revetted and re-positioned bunkering, while pristine putting surfaces tested all facets of the elite amateur competitors’ games.

The leading score in the first round at Prince’s was a level par 70, while the second round, which was played in easier conditions, saw Scotland’s Paul Dunne knock it round in a seven-under par 65 – breaking the previous course record set by Prince’s own Robert McGuirk. The top 64 players then proceeded on to the

Amateur champion Garrick Porteous

match play stages at Cinque Ports.

Paul Baxter, the R&A Member in Charge for The Amateur Championship, was full of praise for the layout and overall presentation of the course. “The delightful Prince’s course proved to be a great challenge to the world’s best amateur golfers. This true links course, with its fast-running fairways and firm greens, presented in first class order, received praise from all the competitors. One always receives a warm and friendly welcome at Prince’s and we look forward to our return.”

Prince’s general manager, John George, was delighted with the amount of positive feedback he received during the week about the condition of the course. He said: “We have been working tirelessly in the lead-up to co-hosting this prestigious event, so naturally it is extremely gratifying to hear so many positive comments from the players and the R&A. The enhanced course layout, fantastic new bunkering, exceptional conditioning, and overall improved challenge, are all testament to the combined effort of our greenkeeping team and Troon. We are striving to put Prince’s firmly on the international map, and tournaments of this stature certainly help to showcase our first-class facilities on a global stage.”

July 2013 / Issue 223

/ 17

Ablett’s ace secures West Hill win

Lee-on-Solent professional James Ablett enjoyed a profitable month on the PGA South region circuit, after winning the West Hill Pro-Am and the Lee-on-Solent Pro-Am in a three-week hot spell.

The Hampshire stalwart shot a two-under-par 67 to win at West Hill by a stroke, but needed a hole-in-one to lay his hands on the title.

On a fast running and windy day, Ablett produced the best round of the day, dropping just the one shot at the 16th courtesy of a three putt. Starting with a smooth run of pars, Ablett made a birdie four at the fifth, and then continued his par run for another seven holes m the 1st October 2012 to 31st March 2013 until the 13th. “I got a good read from the two amateur partners who went before me. I hit a & Bacon Sandwich knocked down seven iron, aiming to pitch short to the downhill green, which funnelled slightly s gg & towards Chipsthe flag. It wasn’t until we got to the green that we could see my ball was resting against the flag.” per personHeMonday to Friday continued: “West Hill was in great condition, the greens firm and fast with pin positions that meant you(tee had off to try to 11am) keep the Weekends and Bank Holidays after ball below the flag or risk three putting. Being 4 people (for groups over 8, deposit will be required) heather, the rough isn’t exactly a spa treatment either, and with a strong gusting breeze as well,

West Hill was a real test.”

He pushed the 68s of Paul Nessling (Cooden Beach) and Gareth Edwards (Leaderboard) into second place to claim one of the biggest club pro-am cheques of the season – £1,500.

Finding his winning touch again, Ablett also took the winner’s cheque at his home club, producing five birdies and back-to-back eagles for a 63 to win the Lee-on-the-Solent Pro-Am from Andy Raitt and Nick Redfern.

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DAY 1

24th September 2013

Full Breakfast. Pro Am brief and introduction to Team European Tour professional Each team will have a 1 hour teaching clinic with team European Tour Professional Team Photos taken on the first tee One round of competition golf at Princes Golf Club (Shore/Dunes) Drinks and snacks provided on the course.

Distributed by SGH staff on Golf Cart Trick shot exhibition presented by Paul Barrington, 2005 World Golf Trick Shot Champion and 2 x British Long Drive Champion

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The Berkshire is just three Andrew Harding, outhdown Road, Seaford, B N25 4JS. miles from Ascot racecourse, co-founder of Your Golf : www.seafordheadgolfcourse.co.uk and there was naturally a Travel, said: “It’s always Frankie Dettori hosted the day strong horseracing theme our aim to create the best to the day, with YGF racing possible experiences for ambassador and three-times Flat racing our customers, and having the support of the champion Frankie Dettori hosting proceedings. likes of Frankie help us to continue to do that.

After golf, and before a superb carvery, a trio of Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable day’s racing tipsters – Richie Persaud, Mick Fitzgerald golf, and with such a great course, it was great and Gina Bryce – went through the Royal Ascot start to a great week’s racing.” racecard, offering tips and form guidance to The next Fairway to Furlong Golf Day takes guests for the week’s feature races. places at Goodwood on August 2, with nine Dettori, who plays off a handicap of 18, holes of golf on Goodwood’s Downs Course in joined 20 other teams out on The Berkshire’s the morning and racing in the afternoon. For fabulous 6,379-yard Red Course, which was more details visit www.fairwaytofurlong.com.

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Taylor on top at Poult Wood Junior golfers from across Kent and Sussex excelled themselves in this year’s Poult Wood Junior Open Golf Competition, achieving fantastic results in all categories of the competition.

More than 50 young golfers from clubs across the country entered the competition, which is run by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, and is now in its 18th year.

The aim of the competition is to give boys and girls aged between eight and 17 the opportunity to test their skills on the ninehole and 18-hole courses at Poult Wood Golf Centre.

The overall winner of the tournament was

28-handicap Cameron Taylor of Hever Castle Golf Club with a nett 65. Ollie Hyland’s 74 was the best scratch score on the 18-hole course, while David Jones won the 9-hole competition with a nett 26.

David Copsey, head professional at Poult Wood, said: “It was a fantastic day, and I was delighted to see so many young people enjoying showing such skill and sportsmanship. I was particularly impressed with how they all coped with the adverse weather conditions. I would like to congratulate all those who took part, and look forward to following the progress of these young golfers in the years to come.”

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18 /

July 2013 / Issue 223

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Cleveland Golf and Srixon are offering a unique opportunity for Golf News readers to win an 18-hole round in the Three Generations Tournament, playing as a team of two alongside European Tour player and Cleveland Golf and Srixon staffer, Soren Kjeldsen and his son Emil.

The Dane is a three-time winner on the European Tour, having picked up some coveted titles throughout his career, including The Diageo Championship at Gleneagles, the Volvo Masters and the Open de Andalucia.

The inaugural Three Generations Tournament will take place at Foxhills, Surrey, on August 26, 2013.

As part of your prize, you will also receive a Srixon goodie bag, two further complimentary family tickets to the event, and an overnight stay at the Foxhills hotel for a family of four, which includes breakfast and full use of all sport and leisure facilities on the day.

The competition closes on Wedneday, July 31. You will be required to play as a team, spanning two generations of your family in accordance with the competition rules.

To enter, please email rparker@vivaesprit.com with your contact details.

The Three Generations Tournament is open to dads and daughters, grandads and grandsons, mothers and sons. or any other family combination you wish to enter.

There are three different competitions on the day with a 9-hole, 18-hole and 9-hole par 3 competition that you can take part in. With a host of fabulous prizes to be won on the day, and a raft of fun activities from putting competitions, golf clinics and beat the pro challenges, this is a great event for golfing families to take part in.

If you’d like to know more about the Three Generations Tournament, visit www.vivaesprit.com.

July 2013 / Issue 223

/ 19

Goodwood invests in PuttLab system

Jack and Max Norwood

Hever pair claim bro’s tournament The 35th renewal of The Brothers Open Foursomes was held at Chislehurst Golf Club last month, with sibling golfers travelling from all corners of the country to test their skills and put their rivalries to positive use under the intense pressure of competition.

The tournament was played over two days, beginning with an 18-hole qualifying foursomes Stableford on the first morning. The top eight qualifying pairs then moved into the quarter-finals of the matchplay knockout for the Brothers Open Trophies, with the next eight pairs qualifying for the Plate.

On the opening day, weather conditions were very testing, with winds reaching 30mph in the afternoon. The course was in superb condition, but the deep, wet rough and tight fairways meant it would have been hard for even the best of players. Despite the difficult conditions, the scoring was excellent and the quarter-finals featured only one pair of previous winners, who were defeated at that stage.

It left day two with the certainty of new winners, and under blue skies and lovely golfing conditions David and Michael Roberts (Hever) won a very close semi-final against Ian and Stuart Reader (Redlibbets & Horton) to set up a final against David and Philip Matthews (West Malling & Falkham), who had defeated Barry and David Nixon (Calderbraes & Redlibbets) in their half of the draw.

The deciding match was a nervy affair, with the lead changing hands several times before the Roberts brothers won the 16th and 17th holes to seal a 2&1 victory.

The plate event produced two firsts for the Brothers event, with David and Bill Norwood, who won the event in 1988, meeting David’s two sons Jack and Max in the final.

David managed a hole-in-one at the seventh hole to give the senior pairing a slender lead.

The match ebbed and flowed with the junior pairing leading going down 18, but a three-putt error resulted in sudden death. Fate was quick to settle the match when the first drive down the par-five 19th hole was never found, despite only missing the fairway by a few feet, thus handing the trophy to the youngsters.

Members and visitors to Golf At Goodwood are set to enjoy the benefits of the very latest coaching equipment, following the installation of a new Science and Motion PuttLab system at the Chichester-based club.

The state-of-the-art system is used as a training and analysis tool, with accurate ultrasound measurements analysing the 28 most important parameters of the putting stroke, and displaying the results in easy-to-understand graphic reports.

In the hands of the club’s team of expert PGA professionals, the SAM PuttLab reveals the smallest flaws in the putting stroke, and allows them to work with pupils to develop improvement and training strategies.

An introductory one-hour PuttLab session costs £45 if booked before July 31, after which it will cost £60. For enquiries, email christian.fogden@goodwood.com.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

PROPER CHARLEY Singled out for success at an early age, teen star Charley Hull is living up to her billing, following a stellar start to her professional career. Words by Alistair Tait

Charley Hull doesn’t need much to motivate her. A nice handbag will do.

Hull went shopping with sister Nicole at Milton Keynes Shopping Centre in February, and eyed up a handbag she thought might look good on her shoulder. That inspiration has helped lead the 17-year-old prodigy to five straight second place finishes, and third on the Ladies European Tour order of merit, with nearly €80,000 in official earnings. She is also tenth on the European Solheim Cup rankings, with a real chance of making the team that travels to Colorado next month.

“I saw this really nice handbag that cost £120 when I was out shopping with my sister,” Hull says. “I told her I was going to make enough money to be able to buy it. Thankfully I made enough in my first tournament to go back and get it.”

That first tournament was in Morocco in March, the Lalla Meryem Cup. The North African country hadn’t been too kind to the Woburn Golf Club member. Hull missed her LET card at the qualifying school held in December in Morocco. A poor last round saw her receive only conditional status on the LET. She was determined to put that failure behind her – and earn enough money to buy that must-have accessory. Four further runner’s up finishes followed, to place Hull at the top of the LET pecking order for a spell, before she recently dropped to third.

“When I missed getting my card at Qualifying School, my only goal was to make sure I didn’t have to go again this year,” Hull says. “I took care of that by finishing second in my first event, so that took a lot of pressure off me and I was able to relax and just play.”

The Buckinghamshire teenager’s rise to fame has been meteoric by anyone’s standards. Not many amateurs go from playing in the Curtis Cup to having a live chance of playing in the following year’s Solheim Cup, but the precocious

teenager has that chance. She has some strong backing, too. Former Solheim Cup captain Mickey Walker went on Sky Sports recently to say she believes Hull should be picked if she doesn’t qualify automatically.

Hull was part of a recent training squad session in Colorado with European captain Lotte Neumann and other Solheim hopefuls. “It was a really good experience. I played in the Junior Solheim Cup under Lotte when she captained us in Ireland in 2011. I have a lot of respect for her, and know her really well. I played on the winning Curtis Cup team last year, and to play on a Solheim Cup team so soon after would be unbelievable.”

Hull was part of the Junior Solheim Cup team that drew 12-12 with the US at Knightsbrook in Ireland. Part of that deal was that the team then got to see the senior match afterwards. The then 15-year-old turned up on the first tee at Killeen Castle with European flags painted on her face to cheer the home team on to a famous victory. To think two years later she might be playing in the match is hard to believe.

Hull began the game as most children do, by tagging along with her father on trips to the local club (Kettering) at the age of five. She later joined Woburn at age nine, and was impressing members there for a long time before she began to get wider acclaim. Along with 2011 Ladies’ British Amateur champion Lauren Taylor, Hull is one of a handful of promising female golfers at Woburn, which is turning into a breeding ground for young talent. Both have received financial support from a fund set up for girls by Woburn’s lady members.

“She took to the game straight away,” says Charley’s father, Dave. “I never had to push her, because ever since she started playing it is what she has wanted to do. She just loves it. She can’t get enough of it. She’s very single minded. She knows what she wants and just goes for it.”

Hull has had some pretty influential people working her corner for a few years. She benefits from an association with Ian Poulter, who has had a long attachment with Woburn. “He’s been really good with me,” Hull says. “He was a big help in last year’s Curtis Cup. He told me to be respectful but ruthless, and to expect the unexpected in match play, and other things that really helped me in my matches.”

The Poulter connection goes deeper.

Hull works with John O’Gaunt Golf Club’s head pro Lee Scarbrow, who was Poulter’s one-time coach and boss. “I’ve been working with Lee now for about two years and he’s really changed my swing,” Hull reveals. “I’m much more consistent now. I’m really confident every time I step on the course.”

Poulter knows a thing or six about the confidence game. He sees a little bit of himself in his younger club mate.

“She’s just class,” Poulter says. “She hits it really well. She’s a strong player who just goes after everything full tilt. She’s got a lot of confidence and I’m not surprised she’s had success. She’s a winner and will win lots of tournaments.”

Former Ryder Cup captain Tony Jacklin has also taken Hull under his wing. “I first met Tony when I was 13 and played in the British Par 3 Championship,” Hull recalls.

“I go and stay with him in the winter in Florida and play a lot of golf with him. Tony’s been a big help.

He’s helped me to stay in the present and not get ahead of myself. I listen to everything he says. I’ve also played a bit with Hollis Stacy in Florida. She’s a legend and has been a big help too.”

Needless to say, after five straight seconds, Hull has her sights set on going one place higher. “I’ve played really well so far this season, and would love to get that first win. I’m playing well enough, so there is no reason why it can’t happen. If I keep giving myself chances, then I can hopefully get over the line.”

As for the future, the 17-year-old has set her sights on the LPGA Tour in America. That circuit does not permit under-18s to play.. Hull can receive invitations, although she will need to get permission from the LPGA to attend this year’s Qualifying School.

“I’ve written for tournament invites, but haven’t heard anything yet. I’ve also petitioned the LPGA to attend the Qualifying School for next year, since I don’t turn 18 until March. I think my game is suited to playing in America, because I enjoy playing on fast greens..”

As for what she intends to with the rest of her earnings, Hull isn’t in a hurry to spend it all on handbags. “I’m not really into shopping. I’d rather enjoy time with my friends and play golf. I suppose I’ll treat myself to something at the end of the year, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS WITH

CHARLEY HULL

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you? Toothpaste, toothbrush and a hairbrush.

Tell us something you hate doing?

Flying.

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be? Perfume.

Tell us something people don’t know about you? I’m a quarter Polish. My mum’s mum and dad are Polish, but she was born in England.

Who would be in your dream foursome? Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Gary Player.

What’s your biggest accomplishment to date? It felt pretty good when I shot 68 in the Kraft Nabisco.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? California.

Favourite snack? Cashew nuts.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? Enjoy it.

What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?

Snails.

Favourite shop? It’s a toss up between Zara and Topshop.

Favourite song on your iPod? Champagne Showers by LMFAO. Favourite car? California Mustang.

Favourite film? 21 Jump Street.

Favourite TV show?

Merlin.

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22 /

July 2013 / Issue 223

Hoebridge Golf Centre manager awarded elite qualification

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Hoebridge Golf Centre’s Mike O’Connell has become the first manager of a public pay-and-play centre in Europe to be awarded the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) qualification.

O’Connell, the senior general manager at Hoebridge, joins an elite group of 28 club managers across the continent to have received the accreditation from the Club Manager’s Association of Europe.

Recognised as the global industry benchmark for golf club managers, the CCM requires a comprehensive knowledge of 10 core club management competencies, including club governance, food and beverage management, accounting and financial management, and membership and marketing.

In a month of awards for the Surrey-based venue, Hoebridge has also become the first public pay-and-play facility in the UK to achieve the prestigious international sustainability award, GEO Certified. The centre joins an elite group to be among the first 100 golf facilities in the world to have earned golf’s internationally

recognised distinction awarded by the Golf Environment Organisation. GEO Certified recognises golf businesses which demonstrate a commitment to the three core principles of sustainability – planet, people and profit.

Jonathan Smith, GEO chief executive, said: “This is an outstanding example of how the people running a golf facility can maximise their joint environmental and community efforts as a way to strengthen business We applaud BGL Golf’s leadership and commitment – and in particular the way its group wide policies have turned into practical action, as demonstrated at Hoebridge.”

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Leatherhead professional Michael Lowe taught his younger rivals a lesson after shooting rounds of 65 and 67 around Lindfield to win The Golf College Challenge.

Now a five-time winner in 2013, Lowe finished on four-under par at the West Sussex venue, which is home to The Golf College.

Lowe’s solid performance in the second Nikon PGA South A&T Order of Merit event earned him a cheque for £550, a Nikon laser range finder, and the lead in the Nikon PGA South Assistants & Trainees Order of Merit.

Lowe finished three strokes in front of the

leading pack, comprising Paul Nessling (Cooden Beach) and Golf College students Zac Morgan and Dom Chincharo on one-under-par.

Commenting on his victory, Lowe said: “I played well, but my putting’s not quite there.

There were some putts I left short and threeputted, but the pace was tricky. The course was in good shape, but it was easy to get out of position. It’s always nice to win, and I want to try and do well in the remaining Order of Merit events - but I’ll have to sort out the putting first!”

Head PGA Professional of The Golf College and Lindfield GC, Paul Lyons, was delighted with the way things were going for his enterprise. “I’m very pleased that two of our students managed to tie for second place, as Michael’s a very strong golfer,” he said. “The PGA tournament is a big part of our year and the students always look forward to it, as it’s their first chance to mix it with the big boys.”

Lyons added: “I’d very much like to thank all the PGA Professionals that made the effort to come here and take part. The Golf College is doing very well now, and I’m delighted that we’re nearly full in terms of recruits for our next year starting this September.”

Menzies pair complete four-country challenge The director of golf at a club in Warwickshire went the extra mile to raise over £4,000 for his club captain’s charity last month, completing four rounds of golf in four different countries within the UK – all within a single day. Dan Hacker, who heads up the golf operations at the Menzies Welcombe Hotel Spa and Golf Club in Stratford upon Avon, successfully completed his annual challenge for his club captain’s chosen charities, Breast Cancer Care and Prostate Cancer UK. Having completed four rounds at the hotel in one day in a previous challenge, Hacker and club captain John Burton (pictured right) ramped up the stakes this year by playing 18 holes at clubs in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, before returning to England to play the final round at their home club.

Aided by local pilot Mike Roberts from Take Flight Aviation, who offered his six-seater Piper plane free of charge, the pair hopped between countries on June 19, starting off at Faughan Valley in County Derry at 4.15am. Two-and-a-half hours later they took the short flight to Campeltown in Scotland, and were soon underway at Machrihanish Links, where club pro Ken Campbell had ensured a clear path. Next stop was RAF Valley in Anglesey, and a rapid round at Anglesey Golf Club, followed by a 90-minute flight back to Warwickshire, teeing off for the final 18 holes at Menzies Welcombe at 7.15pm. The final putt was sunk at 9.27pm in front of a crowd of 40 jubilant members.

July 2013 / Issue 223

/ 23

Aston Martin’s full range of cars was available to test drive

Over 280 guests enjoyed a gala dinner at Stoke Park

MOVE OVER CONNERY, THERE’S A NEW BOND IN TOWN You only putt twice: Nick Bayly and team recreate the famous scene from Goldfinger on the 18th green at Stoke Park

Nick Bayly reports from the inaugural James Bond Golf Day, held at Stoke Park Golf Club, which ended in team triumph and a lot of Bond memorabilia to take home

With Auric Goldfinger’s vintage Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and James Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 parked outside the clubhouse, a giant golden gun 007 logo beside the first tee, and Vespa Martinis – shaken not stirred – served for pre-dinner drinks, Stoke Park Golf Club proved the perfect venue to host the inaugural James Bond Golf Day on June 28.

As the setting for arguably the most iconic golf match in cinematic history, between Sean Connery’s Bond, and Gert Fröbe’s Goldfinger, Stoke Park partnered with EON Productions to host the Bondthemed event, with the £30,000 profits from the day donated to the charity Spinal Research.

With hat-wielding Oddjob thankfully failing to make an appearance, the 25 teams set out for 18 holes around the classic Harry Colt layout without fear of losing anything more than a few golf balls. As early rain turned to bright sunshine, a great day was had by all, although scoring was not easy in the rainsoftened conditions.

The winning group, rather awkwardly, was my own Team Octopussy, which came in at 10-under par.

We had the benefit of Stoke Park’s Director of Golf Stuart Collier and PGA Professional David Novell’s experience to call upon, ably assisted by Daily Mail Plus sports editor Richard Copeman, who playing off 14, enjoyed a run of pars around the turn that

Auric Goldfinger’s vintage Rolls Royce

Which way to the first? The famous 007 logo points golfers in the direction of the first tee. Should it be 001?

Team Octopussy collect their prizes from Bond actor Colin Salmon

got the team into contention. With the VPar scoring system keeping us in touch with what the rest of the field were doing, a pair of birdies (nett or otherwise) was required on the final hole, which were thankfully achieved courtesy of two nervy long distance twoputts from the amateurs on the 420-yard, par-four 18th. After recreating the famous picture from Goldfinger, we headed back to the clubhouse.

After golf, players were invited to test drive one of half a dozen brand new Aston Martins, including the Vantage, Rapide S, Vanquish and DB9. I hitched a lift in the Rapide – just £150,000 on the road – and was soon turning heads around the leafy lanes of Stoke Poges as I revved up the six-litre V12 engine and managed all of 60mph before hitting rush-hour traffic.

The day’s entertainment ended with Vespa cocktails (gin, vodka, and half a measure of Kina Lillet) and Bollinger Champagne on the terrace before a sit-down dinner for 280 guests in a huge marquee, where

There was a strong Bond theme to the day’s events

guest of honour Bond film producer Barbara Broccoli, was joined by a host of Bond actors, including Colin Salmon (Charles Robinson in Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day), Fiona Fullerton (Pola Ivanova in View To A Kill) and Goldie (The World Is Not Enough). After the prize giving and dinner, guests danced the night away to live music from five-piece band Candy Apple Blue, before the curtain closed on an unforgettable day.

Stuart Collier, Director of Golf at Stoke Park, said: “We are very proud of our Bond heritage at Stoke Park. We have had two Bond films shot here. Besides Goldfinger, scenes from Tomorrow Never Dies were also filmed in our ballroom. The idea behind the golf day was to celebrate that heritage, and to create something truly unique and authentic. I think we can definitely say we achieved that, and we’re looking forward to doing it again next year, which will be the 50th annniversary of Goldfinger’s release in the cinemas.”

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July 2013 / Issue 223

News in Brief

Eyes down for an open house at Epsom

TRILBY TOUR PAIRS EVENT

Although the qualifying tournaments for the 2013 Trilby Tour are sold out, there are still spaces available for the Trilby Tour Pairs Championship, which is taking place at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club on August 19. The event will be filmed and shown on Sky Sports as part of the Trilby Tour series. It costs £550 to enter a team of two. For more details visit www.williamhunttrilbytour.com.

LADIES RAISE LOTS AT LUTON Golfers came together at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa on June 27 for the fourth annual charity golf day hosted by the Chiltern Region Lady Taverners. Despite only fielding 11 teams, an impressive total of £3,600 was raised on the day to help children with special needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Team members included former Australian test cricketer Jeff Thomson and West End show producer Kenny Wax, who kindly donated tickets for the show ‘Top Hat’ to the auction.

AIR RAISING AT ALDWICKBURY

Aldwickbury Park’s annual charity day raised £4,100 for the Herts Air Ambulance Service. Seventysix golfers braved poor weather conditions to take part in the event, which was won by Neil Carlile from St Albans with 40 Stableford points.

SURREY’S SYED WINS US KIDS U12 TITLE Surrey U13 player Adam Syed won the 12-year-old’s section at the US Kids, European Championship, after shooting three sub-par rounds at Gullane in Scotland. The Foxhills youngster finished three shots clear of his nearest challenger, Sheffield’s Barclay Brown, after rounds of 71, 68 and 69 on Gullane’s slightly-shortened No.2 course. English players also took the top three places in the Under 10s section, with Slough’s Conor Gough taking the title by six shots from Dominic Clemons (Cambridge), and Max Hopkins (Bishops Storford) a further shot back in third.

POULTER SHARES PRO-AM SPOILS Daniel Poulter shot a three-underpar 68 at West Essex Golf Club to tie for first place with Ely’s Andrew George in the West Essex Pro-Am on July 8. The 39-year-old brother of Ryder Cup star Ian is currently enjoying a solid season, following a victory in last month’s Knebworth Golf Club Pro-Am, which he won by six shots.

Captain Shoesmith saves his best for Stoke Park Guy Shoesmith, the captain of The PGA in England (South), won the JDRF Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Stoke Park Golf Club with an outstanding eight-underpar 63.

Played at the course favoured by Bond and Goldfinger when playing for high stakes, the event is now in its third year, and the unique scoring format for the charity event means the professionals only start earning money if they make birdies (£75) and eagles (£100).

JDRF funds the research to cure, treat and prevent type one diabetes, so the day was all about raising as much money as possible through the Pro-Am and both a silent and a live auction, with the net result that over £82,000 was raised.

Shoesmith’s stellar performance left no less than six of the region’s stars – Neil Reilly, William Hodkin James Harris, Craig Cowper, Richard Wallis, and Benn Barham – trailing in his wake by three shots, all having shot 65.

Following a shotgun

start, where he started on the 11th, Shoesmith was delighted with his performance, commenting: “It’s a long time since I’ve had six birdies and an eagle! I birdied all the par fives and made a couple of good putts, one at the 12th from 25 feet and another on the short seventh – the one McKenzie used for the famous 12th at Augusta – of 18 feet.”

This was Shoesmith’s first Pro-Am win in two years and followed a lay-off for three months due to keyhole surgery, so he was delighted to be competitive again. He added: “As the captain of the region it’s great to finally make the winner’s speech, rather than introduce the winner and watch him make his! The course was in fabulous condition, and special thanks are due to Stoke Park’s director of golf, Stuart Collier, for making this a brilliantly successful event once more, and to Colin Brumpton, who got 32 teams playing for some fantastic prizes, and to the headline sponsor LDC, whose team it was a pleasure to play with.”

There was a good turnout for Epsom Golf Club’s open weekend in June, which saw a large number of local golfers take advantage of the facilities at the popular Surreybase club. Among a number of competitions held on the day was one to win a free three-month ‘Pathway’ membership, which was won by David Taylor form Tadworth.

The club is hoping to host another Open Weekend in October, although before that comes the club’s inaugural Open Week, which takes place from September 10-15.

The week features a variety of competitions, including Captains’ Open, Ladies’ Open, Seniors’ Open, Men’s Open, Mixed Open and Men’s Invitation, and provides the ideal opportunity for visiting golfers to experience the club’s unique 18-hole layout and excellent off-course facilities.

The club also held its annual PGA South Pro-Am on June 28, with 49 teams competing for a range exciting prizes. The winning team, which came from the host club, comprised Eddie Jones, Ray Burton and Jamie Debrou, who joined forces with Merrist Wood pro Alan Lovelace to score 16-under par and win a four-night golf holiday to Marbella, sponsored by CostaLessGolf.

Despite the morning’s rain all the

teams thoroughly enjoyed the day, which culminated in the prize giving ceremony and gala dinner. Epsom’s Director of Golf, Stuart Walker, said: “I was really pleased with the condition of the course, which provided the competitors with a great challenge. Everyone had a great day, despite the typical British weather. We are very proud of our Pro-Am here at Epsom, and look forward to next year’s event, which coincides with the club’s 125th anniversary.”

Following a grant from England Golf, the club has recently launched free group junior lessons open to boys and girls aged from four to 14. The two-hour coaching sessions with a PGA Professional will cover all aspects of the game in a fun and relaxed environment. The sessions will take place from August 27-30 from 10am-12. For more details, or to book, call 01372 741867.

Route 66 for Wallis at Kingswood Richard Wallis underlined his PGA South Region championship ambitions by posting a course record-equalling six-under-par 66 to win the Kingswood Charity Pro-Am on July 5.

The Walmer & Kingsdown pro, who enjoyed a start in this month’s Scottish Open, timed his return to winning form immaculately. His flawless golf around the recentlyrenovated course earned him £1,000, while the event itself helped raise over £10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

With four wins already this year, Leatherhead’s Michael Lowe pushed Wallis hard, but despite making six birdies, a bogey at the awkward 10th hole resulted in his carding a fiveunder-par 67.

“I really like Kingswood,” said Wallis. “It’s a course that suits my game, and you have to think your way around it. The course was in terrific condition, and my only regret was missing the six-foot putt on my final hole for an eagle to set a new course record.”

Wallis added: “The whole day was very well run by the club’s general manager, PGA professional Mark Stewart, and it was great to partner one of the main sponsors, Chris Glass of Morgan Stanley, on my way to a good score. This win has set me up very nicely to defend my PGA Surrey Open title at Richmond Park.”

Honours even for East Brighton twins Sibling rivalry in one Sussex golfing family has reached new heights, as twin brothers are going tit for tat during the season.

Oli and Toby Graves, from East Brighton Golf Club in East Sussex, have been keeping the engravers busy by claiming major competitions for fun this year.

Oli, born one minute before Toby in 1996, won East Brighton’s Junior Spring Meeting with a 35ft eagle putt on the 18th, before he added the club championship to his trophy cabinet, becoming the second-youngest winner in the club’s history.

Meanwhile, Toby visited The Dyke Golf Club to represent East Brighton at the Champion of Champions day, and pipped his brother with a fine round to become Junior Champion of Champions.

The boys’ father, Phil, said: “There are proud dads and proud dads; I am the proudest of them all.”

The pair have been playing at East Brighton since they were nine, and their handicap has never drifted more than two shots apart, with Oli currently playing off four and Toby five.

Of his win, Oli said: “I can’t say that I was really nervous over the last few

holes as I had confidence in my game and I knew what I had to do. It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride having led the championship after day one, then going three shots behind after 11 holes on day two and being all square going down the last.

I did have some fun with my playing partners on the way round though, as we all play in the scratch team together.

My brother and I are the youngest ,and they tend to look after us. The most nerve-wracking part of the day was the winner’s speech after the presentation, but I think I got away with it!”

The brothers play in the

same Brighton College team that is now ranked 12th in the UK, and gracious in defeat, Toby joked: “I’m pleased for my brother, as he would always be my first choice if I didn’t win. I keep reminding him that I was only four shots behind him and that I aim to beat him next year.”

The boys are ranked in the top 30 players in the Independent Schools’ Golf Association, and both have ambitions to continue their education and golf in the US College system.

Phil said: “I always harboured thoughts of one of them winning the club

championship at some stage; never did I think it would happen at 16. The golf club and the members have been brilliant, with congratulatory messages from so many people from all sections of the club. The irony is that two of the club’s previous winners, Danny O’Rourke and Paul Plant, are both family friends and babysat for them many years ago – now they can give them a decent game!”

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July 2013 / Issue 223

NickBayly

GNeditor reveals what has caught his eye in the golfing headlines in recent weeks

Golf and tennis is no love match On the face of it, professional golf and professional tennis have a lot in common. Both involve a coterie of international jet-setting millionaires travelling the world to take part in a seemingly endless series of money-filled tournaments, which, two or three times a year, gains the attention of the rest of world.

Playing on the tennis circuit is a lonely existence, so it’s perhaps no surprise that a lot of love matches are struck up between fellow players, helped by the fact that men’s and women’s tournaments run side by side. Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi are perhaps the most famous tennis couple, but they didn’t ‘get it on’ until they had both retired.

Of the current crop, Maria Sharapova is stepping out with top 30-ranked player Grigor Dimitrov, while world No.1 Serena Williams is dating her

Rory at Eastbourne

coach, Patrick Mouratoglu, and there must be countless other couples who are keeping their relationships under the covers – so to speak.

Golf is a similarly singular existence, and there have been many cases of mixed and same sex pairings – no, not Faldo and Fanny – down the years. While these relationships have obvious benefits, as the couples in question can practise together and not be in danger of boring each other to death with ‘shop talk’, a crossover between the two sports comes with a whole other set of problems, as Rory McIlroy

Caroline at the Masters

and Caroline Wozniacki are discovering.

The latter popped up at the Masters, and various other tournaments this season, to see her partner in action (or not, as has been the case for much of this season), while whenever Rory misses the cut, he hurries across the world to sit courtside and watch his true love exit in straight sets. Since they began dating in 2011, McIlroy’s form has taken a slide by his own high standards, while Wozniacki has slipped from No.1 to No.9, with that ranking set to tumble further following her first round defeat at Wimbledon.

You’d have thought that the sorry tales of Greg Norman and Chris Evert, Sergio Garcia and Martina Hingis, Adam Scott and Ana Ivanovic, and Hank Kuehne and Venus Williams, would have provided strong enough evidence to Rory that no good will ever come out of a meeting of golf club and racquet.

It’s understandable that fit young athletes in the prime of their lives are attracted to other single-minded sportsmen and women, but the demands of the professional career surely dictate that the need to keep up the normal elements of a relationship are somewhat strained by time zones and continents, despite the advent of texting and Skype, and the time-saving benefits of private jets.

Tiger Woods, meanwhile, is dating a Lindsey Vonn, a professional skier. And there’s only one way that relationship can go – downhill, fast.

Break down boundaries don’t build them Static caravans don’t hold much interest for me at the best of times, but an item of news about these semipermanent structures caught my attention earlier this month, and set some alarm bells ringing.

It seems that Royal Troon, host venue for the 2016 Open, has been granted planning permission to build a 500-foot long sand dune to block out view of the adjacent Prestwick caravan park. The two leisure venues have happily co-existed for the last 75 years, however, due to what the club called ‘course maintenance and security issues’, it is now deemed acceptable to build a 13-foot high wall of sand, which will block out all views of the course, and the coastline beyond, from guests staying at the park.

Having just returned from a trip to Royal Portrush,

Prestwick Caravan Park

whose majesty is somewhat spoiled by being overlooked by a massive caravan park, I don’t like the sight of these architecturally-challenged units any more than the next Kevin McLeod, but they have as much right to be there as the golf courses they overlook.

I would never be given permission to build a 15-foot high fence in my back garden to block out my neighbour’s trampoline, so what gives golf courses the right to think that their views are any more important than anyone else’s?

It’s just the kind of elitist, snobbish attitude that sets golf back centuries.

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09/07/2013 14:23

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July 2013 / Issue 223

Play with a pro at Prince’s!

Amateurs looking to rub shoulders with up and coming professional stars, as well as some of the most established names in the game, are being invited to take part in a two-day Pro-Am being held at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent this September.

The event will see 15 teams of three amateurs paired up with a professional from the Challenge Tour or European Seniors Tour over 36 holes of golf at Prince’s, the host venue for the 1932 Open Jamie Elson

Championship. Among the pros from the European, Challenge and Senior Tours scheduled to take part are Peter Mitchell, Jamie Elson, Steve Tiley, Glenn Ralph, George Ryall, David Griffiths, Mark Belsham, Kevin Spurgeon, Chris Gane and Francis McGuirk.

The package, which costs £385pp, features a host of other activities, including a one-hour teaching clinic with a European Tour professional, all drinks and snacks on the course, a trick shot demonstration by 2005 world champion Paul Barrington, a golf yoga class, plus one night’s dinner, and B&B in one of the luxury apartments at the Prince’s Lodge.

The dates for the tournament are September 24-25. For more details call 020 3287 8889, email info@ selectgolfholidays. com, or visit www. selectgolfholidays.com.

Golf mourns loss of Beeston Field’s owner John Mitchell John Mitchell, the owner and president of Beeston Fields Golf Club in Nottinghamshire for more than 40 years, died last month, aged 90.

The Late John Mitchell with daughter Philippa

Mitchell lived at Beeston Fields for 87 years, having moved there with his family when he was just three years old. He took over the management of the golf club from his uncle, Fred Mitchell, when he died in 1970.

Together with his wife Peggy, Mitchell oversaw the development of the course and clubhouse at Beeston Fields, and under their stewardship, the club developed into one of the most respected in the county.

An accomplished golfer, John played in the British Boys’ at Carnoustie in 1939 at the age of 16. He was captain of Beeston Fields in 1956, and captain of the Nottinghamshire County Second team in the 1950s. He played off a handicap of three for many years, and played his last game with at Beeston Fields two weeks before he died in May.

Osborn makes hay at Hayling West Hill’s David Osborn made the most of some good fortune by shooting a sizzling six-under-par 65 to win the Hayling Pro-Am. Taking the winner’s cheque for £800, Osborn edged recent winner Chris Gane into second place, with the latter shooting 66, which included an eagle and three birdies.

Osborn got two eagles of his own, although the second involved a slive of good fortune, as his third short was a thinned approach with a wedge that shot well past the hole, only for it to roll back off one of Hayling’s trademark swales into the cup.

Osborn was delighted, as he felt a good score had been on the cards. “I’ve been

News in Brief NEW-LOOK NAZEING IN THE SPOTLIGHT Two new tournaments are set to throw the spotlight on course improvements that have taken place at Nazeing Golf Club in Essex. The popular parkland venue, which has had £40,000 spent on it, will host the regional qualifier for the new PGA England and Wales County Championship on August 27. A day later it will stage the Callaway Cup, a new PGA in England (East) event, where one professional and three amateurs from the same club will play foursomes over 36 holes.

WATKINS DESTROYS BICESTER RIVALS

playing well and putting so so, but my putting was really solid today. I got the long putts dead, and holed several short ones.

Hayling was immaculate, in the best shape I’ve ever seen it. What they’ve done to open it up is terrific. It’s easily the best links course on the South coast now.”

Laura Watkins remains the woman to beat at Bicester Golf Club after cruising to her ninth successive club championship. Rounds of 76 and 81 at the Oxfordshire-based club saw the 23-year-old onehandicapper finish 26 strokes clear of her nearest challenger, Vicky Shepherd. Last year, Watkins won the title by 44 shots.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

LEFTY FINDS THE MISSING LINK Phil Mickelson joined an exclusive list of players to have bagged five major titles following his dramatic victory in the Open Championship at Muirfield. Here, he reveals how he finally learned to love the links

How does it feel to come from five behind, play what you described as the ‘best round of your life’, and win the Open Championship?

It is just an amazing feeling to win this great championship, and to play probably the best round of my career, and hit some of the best shots that I’ve ever hit. I certainly putted better than I’ve ever putted before in a major. I knew that I needed to bring my absolute ‘A’ game to win this, and play my best golf – and I did. I played some of the best golf of my career. And then, to make it even more special, to have my family here – Amy, Amanda, Sophia and Evan – to share this with Bones and me, is amazing. To have my manager, Steve Loy, who’s been with me from my college days, and to have my coach, Butch Harmon, here to share this moment, is really something special.

It’s a day that I’ll always, always remember.

How did you get your momentum going in the final round?

I was behind, obviously, the whole day. And I was oneover par for the championship on the 13th. And I hit a really good 5-iron in there, and it left me with a putt that was going to make the rest of the round go one way or another. I thought that if I made it, it would give me some momentum, get me to even par for the championship, a score I thought had a good chance of being enough to win. And that putt went in and it just gave me a nice momentum boost, because it was very hard to make birdies. I came right back on 14, where I had a good opportunity to make another one and I did. I made some good pars on 15 and 16, and when I was walking up 17, that was the moment that I had to kind of compose myself, because I hit two of the best 3-woods I’ve ever hit. That is exactly why I didn’t have a driver in the bag. Those two 3-woods were the two best shots of the week, to get it on that

July 2013 / Issue 223

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green. As I was walking up to the green, I realised that I had the championship in my control. I was getting a little emotional. I had to slow down my walk and try to regain my composure. Because not only did I still need a two-putt birdie, but I also needed to make a par on 18. Fortunately I made a birdie on both.

Were you watching the leaderboards all day?

Yes. When I got to the 17th green I saw one-under was leading, and I had a chance to get a two-shot lead if I were to two-putt. I believe this is the first year we’ve had electric scoreboards here at the Open, and I was able to see one right there on 17th green.

You were quite critical of the course after the opening day. Has your opinion softened now?

I thought it was set up perfectly over the last two days.

It’s very difficult to find that fine line between hard but fair, and going over the edge. And I thought that the last two days were perfect, because it gave a player like myself the chance to make birdies and to pull away. And I also saw a lot of guys who hit less-thanperfect shots make bogeys and doubles and fall back.

I think that’s what you’re looking for. I thought the last two days were great.

What about the first two days?

Well, I think the tournament committee was excited about the conditions because of how firm the golf course was playing, but some of the greens were dying, and some of the pin positions during the first round were on edges of slopes that the ball just simply wouldn’t stay on. The watering helped slow things down and the pin positions on Sunday were a little friendlier.

The conditions favoured not using a driver. How did that play into your hands, with your decision to have just a strong 3-wood in the bag?

I don’t know where I would have hit driver, other than maybe the fifth or the 17th.

But even then I was more comfortable with a hard 3-wood. The 3Deep allows me to work

the ball in both directions, while sacrificing almost no distance.

Can you explain how playing in the Scottish at Castle Stuart helped prepare you for Muirfield?

Winning at Castle Stuart was a big win for me at the time. But in seven days it has gone down considerably in my list of achievements! It was a special week for me because It gave me confidence heading into The Open. It was exactly what I needed to propel me into this championship. And playing well in that final day, in difficult conditions, gave me the confidence that I could play some of my best golf under links conditions.

What is it about links golf that you have found so challenging?

Well, I did enjoy links golf when I first played at the Walker Cup in 1991 at Portmarnock. It was a wonderful test. I played well. But the conditions and the penalty for missed shots in The Open are much more severe than we played then. Although I’ve come close maybe twice, I have not really played my best golf in the Open. It’s taken me a while to figure it out.

Over the last eight or nine years I’ve think I’ve started to play better links golf. I’ve got better at playing in bad weather, and better at playing shots along the ground. It is still a huge challenge for me, as it’s not something that I grew up doing, but I think I identified the couple of reasons why, and it was finally time to hit the shot I’ve spent the last 20 years working on.

What have you specifically been working on to become a better links golfer?

What I’ve found about links golf is that you have two factors: You have the ground affecting the ball, and you have the wind affecting the ball. When the wind gets strong, you want to get it on the ground as fast as possible, so that the ground affects it more than wind. That’s not hard to do. It just takes a little getting used to getting the ball on the ground as fast as possible. It’s not hard to hit it a couple of feet off the ground and get it running. It’s not difficult. But it just is different. The challenge has been the importance of angles; something that we don’t think about back home, because we are able to fly the ball to the hole, whether it’s over a bunker or what-have-you. The mental switch that has to take place is the importance of angles into pins, positioning off certain sides of the fairways to be able to get to pins, or to be able to get on the green relative to winds, because you have to plan for 40, 50 yards of release oftentimes, and I think that was the biggest adjustment. I would put myself in spots where I really didn’t have a shot. It wouldn’t be my inability to hit a 6‑iron over a bunker and stop on a downslope. It was my inability off the tee to put the ball in the right spot to where I could run up a shot and get it close.

After the heartache of missing out at the US Open, how does it feel to bounce back and win a major that many said that you could never win?

Losing at Merion was heartbreaking, so, as you can imagine, it’s been a huge turnaround in emotions for me. I managed to channel that defeat and use it as motivation, to use it as a springboard to push me to work a little bit harder. So to turn it around in a matter of a month feels amazing. I

thought that it could go either way. You have to be resilient in this game, because losing is such a big part of it. And after losing the US Open, it could have easily gone south. But I looked at it and thought I was playing really good golf. I had been playing some of the best in my career. And I didn’t want it to stop me from potential victories this year. And I’m glad I didn’t.

There were some emotional scenes with your caddy, Bones, on the 18th green, How would you describe his input into your career?

Yeah, he was getting choked up in the locker room.

This is really special for both of us. It’s a special moment to be part of the great history of this championship. It’s a great accomplishment for us as a team. We’ve been together 20 years now, and he’s a lot more than just a caddie to me. In my opinion, he’s the best at what he does. He’s great under pressure.

He’s decisive. He doesn’t waffle. He’s right more times than I am. You know, when we have a difference of opinion, 80 per cent of the time he’s the one that’s right, and I’m the one that’s off. He just really thinks clearly on the golf course. He reads putts great, but he just is very good under pressure.

The list of Open champions at Muirfield is like a roll call of the game’s greats. How does it feel to be part of that history now?

No matter where it’s played, to be able to capture the Claret Jug feels terrific. The past champions here at Muirfield are exceptional, and to be part of that feels great.

You’ve got three out of the four majors now, and six second places in the US Open. Do you think this puts you up there as one of the greatest players in the game?

I think that if I’m able to win the US Open and complete the career grand slam, that’s the sign of the complete great player. And I’m a leg away. And it’s been a tough leg for me, but I think that’s the sign.

I think there’s five players that have done that. And those five players are the greats of the game. You look at them in a different light. And if I were able to ever win a US Open, and I’m very hopeful that I will, then I might just get there.

Was the defeat at Merion tougher to take than the previous ones?

Very possibly, mainly because I think it was my best chance. I had plenty of opportunities to make birdies, and I gave myself plenty of chances, but nothing dropped. This defeat was probably the toughest for me, because at 43 and coming so close five times before, it would have changed the way I looked at the US Open altogether, and the way I would have looked at my career record.

Word has it that you told your wife before the final round that you were going to bring home the Claret Jug. Is that true?

No, I didn’t make any predictions. I just felt like I was playing really well. I mean, playing some of the best I’ve ever played. I just wanted to put it all together and play a good round so we could try to get something we didn’t have, which was a Claret Jug. But there were no predictions, because you just don’t know what’s going to happen. You don’t know what the winning score is going to be. You don’t know what the other players are going to do. This is just a day and a moment that I will cherish forever.

This is a really special time, and as fulfilling a career accomplishment as I could ever imagine.

30 /

July 2013 / Issue 223

Storybehindthepic St Mellion Resort, Cornwall July 10, 1988

I

f it’s July, and golfers are wearing waterproofs, you know you’re in England. Here we see four slightly damp legends of the game – Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Sandy Lyle and Nick Faldo – braving the Cornish summer weather at the official opening of the Nicklaus Course at St Mellion some 25 years ago.

The Fab Four boasted 27 Major wins between them at the time – Nicklaus having already bagged his 18, Watson eight, and with Lyle fresh from his US Masters win just three months earlier, and Faldo about to defend the Open Championship title he won at Muirfeld in 1987.

Of the quartet, Lyle looks to have weathered the most in the intervening quarter of a century, with the others barely having changed a bit.

However, 63-year-old Watson may age rapidly in the run up to next year’s Ryder Cup, where he will be attempting to lead Team USA to an unlikely away win at Gleneagles.

St Mellion was the first Nicklaus-designed golf course in the UK, and his decision to locate it in Cornwall was greeted with surprise at the time. However the persuasive powers – and deep pockets – of St Mellion’s charismatic owners, Herman and Martin Bond, ensured that the Saltash-based resort attracted plenty of media attention when the new course first opened.

After the official opening match, which won by the home side, Nicklaus reportedly said: “I knew it was going to be good, but not this good.

It’s everything I hoped for and more.” Never shy to promote his own handy work, Nicklaus’s skills at

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transforming an old potato field into a championship golf course nevertheless proved a big draw for promoters and players alike. It hosted the Benson & Hedges International Open on six occasions from 1990-95 – which resulted in

large crowds watching stars such as Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and José Maria Olazabal record notable victories.

With the recession taking its toll, the Bond brothers sold the resort in 1998 to

American Golf for £14m, who then sold it on to its current owners, Crown Golf, in 2004. Still being talked up as a possible future Ryder Cup venue, the resort staged the English Seniors Open in 2006 and 2007, won by Carl Mason

xxx

and Bill Longmuir, and then underwent a £100 million redevelopment in preparation for the staging of the 2009 English Open, which resulted in a brand new hotel, along with major investment in the club’s two courses, following the transformation of the Old Course into the 18-hole Kernow Course, which reopened in 2010.

Sadly, the next recession began to bite just as the project was being finished, and the English Open was cancelled as the developers ran out of money.

Although it is unlikely to see a return to hosting top-flight professional golf any time soon, St Mellion is very much the jewel in Crown Golf’s portfolio, and remains one of the most popular destinations for UK golf breaks, following the rise of the ‘staycation’ and Cornwall’s reputation as a hip holiday venue.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

/ 31

GOLD MEMBERS

ENJOY GLORIOUS DAY AT

GOODWOOD

The Virgin Atlantic team enjoyed Goodwood’s ‘woodies’

The Downs Course at Goodwood proved a fitting venue for the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Swingers’ Gold members’ golf day, with glorious sunshine welcoming guests at the exclusive Sussex-based club The day started with massages from Virgin Atlantic’s beauty therapists, a relaxing breakfast, and a trick shot competition on Goodwood’s driving range, which was won by Gary Atkinson. When the real fun began on the course, guests soon realised that hitting it straight would be the order of the day.

Although the hole-in-one ‘Little Red’ car remained unclaimed, players got to indulge in ‘hole-in-one’ Krispy Kreme donuts while waiting for their chance to claim the prize. There was also a fun challenge on the 14th , where course designer ‘James Braid’ made a welcome return from the past to challenge guests to a nearest-the-pin competition.

The testing Downland course lived up to its reputation as one of the most challenging layouts in the country, with Sam Loxton’s score of 35 Stableford points proving the best on a day where fast greens and punishing rough took their toll on the scores. Loxton, who plays his golf at Woking, beat Brian Cox (34 pts) into second place, with Antony Rushton taking third with 33, to earn his place in the European team for September’s final at Gleneagles.

Off the course, a number of Gold members attended a tuition clinic, which included a target challenge where a half set of Cleveland golf clubs was up for grabs. Andy Fox showed he had learnt some new skills over the morning by claiming this fantastic prize.

New York, New York!

Prize guys: Some of the happy winners onthe day

Goodwood’s halfway hut was a welcome sight for players The hole-in-one prize sadly went unclaimed

Buggies were needed for the Downs Course on a hot day

There were plenty of prizes on offer at the Virgin Flying Club day

Earlier this month, but 3,000 miles further west, saw the inaugural US Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Golf Day held at the exclusive Manhattan Woods Golf Club in New York. This stunning venue is normally only open to members and their guests, but select Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members and Swingers were lucky enough to tread the immaculate fairways in a golf day that will live long in the memory. Situated 25 minutes outside of Manhattan, the club provides a service which any Virgin Atlantic Gold member would be accustomed to, with valet parking, personalised lockers and forecaddies to take care of your every need on the course.

There was some stunning golf played across the day from a mixture of Americans, British ex-pats, and some global members, including three-time Swingers Finalist PK Dhawaan, who travelled from India to compete in the day. However, he was pipped to the top prize by Nilesh Dawda, who played the round of his life to claim the Gleneagles prize with a superb 43 points.

Register now at www.flyingclubgolfleague.com to get the opportunity to battle it out for a place at Gleneagles in Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Swingers’ Final, one of the world’s most unique amateur golf events.

Before registering you will be asked to join as a Flying Club member, which is free of charge.

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32 /

July 2013 / Issue 223

EddiePepperell’s TOUR DIARY

Our intrepid Tour pro reflects on his week at the US Open at Merion, the first Major of his fledgling career, and reveals his secret to coping with nerves It¹s not often you walk off a golf course beaten and humbled, yet still able to acknowledge its beauty. Merion is a rare phenomenon. Another rare phenomenon is missing 21 consecutive cuts.

There has been lots of talk about Justin Rose¹s early days – rightfully, as it is what has made his victory at the US Open so popular and special.

I have nothing but admiration for him. Unfortunately for you JR fans, however, this diary is predominantly about me! So I will try to enlighten you, while providing a swift portrayal of Merion, and an insightful take on my first visit to a major.

Describing Merion is a tough task. When people try to explain, say, Augusta¹s contours and nuances to me, I find it impossible to grasp the images they are conjuring, as I have never been there.

So with that in mind, I¹ll go no further. Some places are indescribable, the only way they can be appreciated is by visiting. Merion, I believe, is such a place.

So what runs through your mind when you¹re standing over your first ever tee shot in a major championship?

Nerves?

Excitement?

Well, for me it was rather normal. To me, astatic emotions depend on what can be called a ‘magnitude relation’. That is, the relation between your expectations and the importance of the event in your mind. When you raise your expectations and actively demand more of yourself, pressure appears faster and closer on the radar. Likewise, if you talk up the scenario, more pressure arrives.

Many people attempt to play down the situation.

I¹ve heard countless top sportsmen say things like ‘I’m going to treat it like any other day’. However, in Olympic 400m champion Michael Johnson¹s book, Slaying The Dragon, he identifies the reality of these scenarios with extraordinary brutality.

When he steps onto the

track in an Olympic final, he acknowledges that it isn¹t normal, it’s a special time and he must step up accordingly.

This is his magnitude relation. He ratchets up the importance of the event and demands incredible inner strength.

Admittedly, it is easier to do this for 10 seconds than five hours!

Personally, I’ve found that adding pressure can really help, at the correct time. I think I can speak for most golfers when I say that doing it on a Thursday is more often than not detrimental. But on a Sunday afternoon, coming down the stretch, I believe it is important to realise the magnitude of the situation and revel in it. That’s when, as a golfer, you feel most competitive.

After my performance at Wentworth, I had a number of people comment on my apparent unflappability. I want to confirm that I was

Shock and awe: Eddie learnt alot from his first taste of Major golf

as nervous as I have ever been while in contention.

But nerves can become something far less terrifying when other things align.

This is where life beliefs and golf cross paths in my experience.

Honestly, I was surprised at the lack of nerves I felt at Merion. For my first major championship, I was feeling enormously calm.

On reflection, it struck me how it might stem from my beliefs about life, not golf. I believe we only live once. I believe we’re a minute, tiny fraction of humanity, and therefore largely unimportant.

Some people may find that distressing, others, especially religious folk, may disagree entirely. The truth becomes irrelevant, the fact remains that my beliefs have an immediate impact on my golf. Situations that would normally contaminate the body and mind with a rush of blood and anxiety, like the US

“I was surprised at the lack of nerves I felt at Merion. For my first major championship, I was feeling enormously calm” Open, don’t anymore, due to my outlook on life.

A big part of my life has been honesty. I believe it is so tremendously important, and sharing beliefs and ideas is what much of life is about.

Weeks like Merion provide you with a platform to look closely at yourself. Missing 21 cuts does the same. To me then, it is utterly fitting that Rose blossomed at a place like Merion, in a US Open.

Cheers, The Wise Old Owl

Justin Rose was a deserved and fitting winner at Merion

July 2013 / Issue 223

/ 33

Kevin Murray

MEET THE PRO In the second of our series of interviews with club professionals in the region, we catch up with Andrew Smith, the general manager and senior PGA professional at Mid Sussex Golf Club in Ditchling, East Sussex How long have you been a professional?

I turned professional in 1995.

What is your role at Mid Sussex?

I’m the general manager and Senior PGA Professional. I manage the golf shop, the custom fitting/teaching facility, and course operations, with roles in human resources, administration, and most importantly, trying to create new business and increase membership.

What can someone who has never played the course before expect?

A thoroughly nice surprise! On top of that, a great condition course and very tricky greens.

Can you tell us something about the facilities?

We have six PGA Professionals, with two stateof-the-art custom fitting studios. We have two Flightscope X2 launch monitors, and Gasp and C-swing software for coaching. Woods, wedges, irons and putters can all be fitted and then made by one of the nine manufacturers we stock. Our latest offering is a Titleist Scotty Cameron putter fitting centre, with over 30 models to try out.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Everything, but mainly the daily challenges thrown down, and above all, seeing happy golfers. I also relish making golfers better and seeing an improvement by using ‘factual data’, both in technique and the club fitting process.

Are there any unique challenges to maintaining the condition of the course?

Yes, the bunkers. Also, in recent years the greens have suffered with a disease called nemotodes, which has now nearly completely disappeared.

Also, with the course covering a 156-acre site, that’s a great deal of grass to maintain How has the poor run of weather affected the club in recent years?

Very badly indeed. Our greenkeepers keep statistics on rainfall, which showed that in 2012 we had 1150mm of rain, compared to an area average of 700mm. This has led to pretty unprecedented conditions to say the least!

In a tough economic climate how do you keep existing members and attract new ones?

By investing in the facilities and investing in people. By improving the golf course and making every aspect of the facility first class. We try to give the best customer service and competitive pricing throughout the club.

How do you balance attracting green fee and society income and keeping members happy?

xxx

Become a golf coach

We always have the members’ best interests at the forefront, while running a commercial business.

What do golf clubs need to do to attract the next generation of players?

Welcome new golfers of every age, gender and background, and create a modern, inclusive environment, while upholding golf’s traditional values. Off peak and Academy membership categories are part of the future of our survival.

We have just finished a 10-week course working with the local council teaching students with severe autism, and I feel that it is important to embrace the whole community.

The affordable professional alternative

What’s your best score around Mid Sussex?

A three-under par 68.

How have you reacted to the growth of online retailers in the equipment market?

We check prices daily, and always try to match the price wherever applicable. However, we pride ourselves on giving unrivalled sales advice and after-sales service. We have a loyalty card and email our databases with news, tips, events and special offers.

If there were one rule in golf you could change, which one would it be?

The two-club length rule on the tee – you should be able to go back as far as you’d like to, as you’re only making the hole longer.

What’s your favourite golf course in the UK, and your favourite course in the world?

In the UK it would be the Ailsa Course at Turnberry, while in the world it is a tie between Pebble Beach iand Apes Hill in Barbados.

Who would be in your dream fourball?

Peter Sellers, Bill Gates, and Seve Ballesteros.

For more information about the club, visit www.midsussexgolfclub.co.uk or call 01273 846567. Visitor green fees start from £25.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

EwenMurray

Sky Sport’s voice of golf speaks out on issues of the month

MUIRFIELD SERVES UP AN OPEN TO SAVOUR As was widely predicted, Muirfield produced an Open Championship to savour. The R&A endured the odd negative comment about the firmness of the course, and some suspect pin positions, but I believe they were unfounded.

The dry summer had the course hard, bouncy and fast, and as befits greatest major in the game, the examination should be thorough.

Watching the action over the four days, reminded me of the hot summer of 1976, when Seve made his introduction to the major stage. The puff of dust when players pinched their irons off the magical turf; tee shots careering down the parched fairways; while the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ rang out from the packed galleries, as the players experienced their highs and lows.

Come Sunday, the R&A had identified the best players and heralded another great Muirfield champion in Phil Mickelson, who is now only shy of his national title in his quest to join the elite who have the complete collection of major titles to their name. At the halfway point in the final round, ten players had a chance, and eight of them were major winners, World Golf Championship winners, or both, confirming Muirfield as the theatre of champions.

With so many courses on tour today similar to one another – and many of them too easy – what a joy it was to see golf in its rawest form, and a course that required no changes, despite advancements in technology. It was a test of skill and nerve, patience and

perseverance. No doubt, it was extremely tough, but then the prize is most coveted, and long may the R&A run the Open the way it sees fit. Combined with Mother Nature, it gives us a championship to be extremely proud of. My only criticism was the cost of tickets – £75, with no reduction for pensioners, is too much.

There were many talking points throughout the championship, among them the continuing worry about what has happened to Rory McIlroy. Everyone had their say, with Nick Faldo suggesting that Rory simply had to ‘knuckle down for the next 20 years and think of nothing but golf’. That worked for Faldo, but Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player, who won 34 majors between them, chose to combine their sport with successful family lives. The pictures of Mickelson with his family after his victory confirms he is the same. That worked for them.

Spurious comments about his tennis-playing girlfriend aside, another view was that his swing has broken down. Rory’s swing is inbuilt, and will stay with him for the duration of what will be a superb career. So what has gone wrong? His problems off the course, I believe, are the cause of the ones on it. At 24 years, he has two majors and has hired and fired two management companies. There are law suits in progress. His life right now is one of destructive volatility. But it won’t always be. These issues will pass, hopefully sooner rather than later, and when stability returns to his world, he’ll be back winning majors again. Don’t be surprised if that’s as early as next month’s US PGA Championship.

Casey’s class comes to the fore

Jean van de Velde is overseeing Le Golf National’s preparations for hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup

Van’s the man to give France a Ryder Cup to remember!

Le Golf National took another giant step closer to its Ryder Cup date in 2018 when it staged another superb French Open earlier this month. And if the powers that be present the course in the same way in five years time, the Ryder Cup will be a fine spectacle indeed.

In recent decades, the matches have been played on courses that have had the money and the infrastructure that is necessary to host this golfing spectacular, but not necessarily the golfing pedigree. France has all that, plus a truly outstanding course at Le Golf National.

In Jean van de Velde, the venue has made the perfect appointment to oversee the development of the course in the run up to the match.

Another vital component

was the appointment of Alejandro Reyes at the turn of the year. He is one of the top greenkeepers and agronomists in Europe, and the transformation of teh course in just over six months is astounding.

Originally designed by a landscape gardener, the brilliant architect Robert Von Hagge subsequently stamped his class on what was, in a previous life, a landfill area.

There is not a weak hole on it, and the layout boasts four of the finest closing holes in the world. But it was the set-up that caught the eye this year.

Van de Velde has overseen the reshaping of the fairways and the proper grading of the rough. With the emphasis on straight driving, that was a good starting point. The greens are large, so they were made

less receptive, firmer and faster, so those who hit the fairway had a huge advantage over those that didn’t.

Alejandro, with undoubted skill, carried out the instructions to the letter, and it was no surprise that the tournament came down to two of the best ball-strikers on tour – South Africa’s Richard Sterne and the eventual winner, Graeme McDowell.

Both were in the top-ten in the driving categories, both were in the top-five in greens in regulation. In short, the set up identified the week’s best players.

There will undoubtedly be the odd tweak here and there in the five years ahead, but France is already ahead of the game and in position to take the Ryder Cup to a whole new level.

In my previous column, I mentioned Paul Casey’s turmoil during the last few years. Injuries to his ribs and shoulder took a long time to heal, and some personal problems had taken their toll on the former world no.3.

Having watched his 64 at Walton Heath in qualifying for the US Open, I suggested he was not far away, and would win soon. Little did I know just how soon that would be. Great players never forget how to win when the opportunity comes along. A closing eagle at Carton House to win the Irish Open put Casey back where he belongs.

No doubt he was inspired by the brilliant win of Justin Rose at Merion, and I would suggest he will win again before the season is out. At the start of the week in Ireland, he was ranked 169th in the world. By the end of the year it would not be a surprise to see his name inside the top 30.

Phil Mickelson adapted to the testing conditions like a true champion

The magnificent links at Castle Stuart

Castle Stuart did Scotland proud, but where’s our English Open?

An early candidate for ‘Tournament of the European Tour season’ has to be the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart. Four glorious days on the links by the Moray Firth shoreline was enjoyed by close on 70,000 spectators.

The first year of this event at Castle Stuart was all but washed out with torrential rain, so it was fitting that the sponsors were presented with a superb championship this time round, and with that, a great victor in the ever-popular Phil Mickelson.

Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, has his doubters, but he supports his country, as well as being fiercely proud of it. His government involvement, added to that of Turkish Airlines and Aberdeen Asset Management, not only made this a fabulous event, but their combined work, enthusiasm and belief has secured the tournament for at least another four years.

It is estimated that the tournament brought a minimum of £5 million to the Highland economy, with hotels, restaurants, franchises and various travel organisations among many to benefit. Other areas of Scotland will get their opportunity in the years ahead.

Compare that to England, which does not currently boast a domestic Open, and hasn’t staged one since 2002, when Darren Clarke won at the Forest of Arden.

David Cameron was at Wimbledon to cheer on the brilliant Andy Murray, who ended over seven decades of waiting to have a male British champion. A few seats away from our leader sat Justin Rose, who himself, last month, ended England’s 43-year wait for a US Open champion. Now, I’m no politician, but with sport continuing to frequently lift the nation and, in the process, produce champions we can be proud of, why can’t Mr Cameron follow the lead of Alex Salmond and ignite the return of the English Open? Over to you, Sir.

July 2013 / Issue 223

/ 35

Kennedy cleans up at ESN Challenge Tour player Lloyd Kennedy won the third 36-hole TP Tour event of the season after shooting rounds of 66 and 72 at East Sussex National on June 14-15.

The former European Open venue attracted a classy field, including former Ryder Cup star and six-time European Tour winner Paul Broadhurst.

Starting the back nine of his first round at level par, Kennedy, who is based in Chelmsford, proceeded to burn up the East Course’s homeward holes for an inward score of 30, and a phenomenal round of 66, considering the conditions of heavy rain and near gale force winds.

A steady 72 the next day on the West Course sealed victory for Kennedy by six strokes from Ben Martin, and the the first prize of £3,000.

Earlier in the month, the TP Tour visited Langley Park in Beckenham, where several

Lloyd Kennedy

former European Tour winners, including Gary Emerson and Mike McLean, tried their luck.

However is was Moor Park’s Nick Algate who took the spoils, shooting a four-under par 68 to win by tow shots from former Asian Tour winner Chris Rodgers. Emerson finished in third with a 71.

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Social Golfers have a blast at Bletchingley TheSocialGolfer.com’s annual Open Championship, which was held at Bletchingley Golf Club in Surrey last month, saw over 60 golfers, 10 of whom were disabled, take part in the event.

The event was staged to raise funds for BALASA Golf, a charity which promotes golf to the disabled community, with over £1,000 being collected on the day.

The main event, the coveted Halliwell Cup, was won on countback by Cambridge-based TSG member Barry Hill, with the Ladies Trophy

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Ian Mullins, managing director of TheSocialGolfer.com, an online golfing community, said: “We were hugely impressed with the way Bletchingley organised the event in 2012, so it was an easy decision to return to venue again this year. It has the facilities, the location, and the course to make this a great day for our members and their guests.

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Raitt and Redfern all square at Camberley Heath Andy Raitt and Nick Redfern tied for victory in the Camberley Heath Centenary Pro-Am, shooting rounds of 68 to take their winners’ cheques of £775.

While Raitt cruised around Camberley for his bogey-free 68, ex-PGA Surrey Open champion

Redfern’s round was a slightly different story.

Three under after the 12th, he then bogeyed the par-five 13th, but bounced right back with a stunning birdie two at the 13th to grab his share of pole position.

Raitt and Redfern were both satisfied with their rounds. “I’ve been a bit hit and miss this season,” explained Raitt, “and had the worst round for a long time last Saturday, so I practised quite a bit on Sunday. But it wasn’t a spectacular round, just a good steady one with one poor drive, which I got away with, and solid putting. I holed the crucial par putts, but nothing much more.”

Redfern was equally upbeat about his performance. “I played well and was delighted to make up for that dropped shot on the 12th at the next hole. The greens were the best we’ve played on so far this year, and you really know all about your putting stroke on surfaces as good as these. Well done Camberley Heath, and thanks very much!”

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July 2013 / Issue 223

LEFTY GETS IT RIGHT In the absence of longed-for Major victory from Lee Westwood, the mercurial Phil Mickelson proved a more than capable alternative Open champion Words by Nick Bayly

The scene around Muirfield’s 18th green as the 141st Open Championship reaches its climax

Red or dead: Tiger once again failed to mount a major weekend assault

If you closed your eyes as Phil Mickelson holed his majestic birdie putt on the 18th green at Muirfield, you could have been forgiven for thinking that the 43-year-old from California had taken on temporary British citizenship.

Such was the cheer that rang out around the grandstands as the putt almost inevitably dropped, that Phil must have wondered whether he was back at Pebble Beach, or maybe Merion. Only this time it was different. He was putting to claim a Claret Jug, not chipping from off the green to try and force a play-off in the US Open, as he was last month.

The ball was his to drop this time, so to speak, but instead he hung on to it for dear life, and achieved arguably the most significant victory of his 20-year professional career. It was an ‘away win’ of monumental proportions.

So if the fans couldn’t have Lee Westwood as their Open champion, then Phil Mickelson did very nicely. As he walked down the 18th fairway, the Muirfield gallery gave him the sort of reception that is usually reserved for one of their own. Which, in fact, is what he is. Mickelson is everyone’s second favourite golfer. He’s the player you cheer for when all your other bets have gone down, and the other challengers have cried enough. Phil is your go-to man in a crisis.

It’s the way he plays the game that has captured the imagination of the golfing public. Taking on pins, hitting full wedges from 20 feet, and spinning the ball like a top.

Mickelson’s second shot to the 18th was pure theatre.

The crowd held its breath as the ball headed towards the greenside bunker, fearing the worst. Only Phil new better, as it caught the edge of the hazard, checked and

Brave heart: Ian Poulter’s Sunday charge got the home fans excited

ran out to within 10 feet of the flag. As he stood over his putt, a reverential hush descended. Lefty ambled up to the ball, as only he does, had a second glance, settled, and rolled it straight into the cup – as only he does.

A swashbuckling final round of 66, and a three-shot margin of victory. Job done.

At 43, and with a lifetime of deep lows and supreme highs behind him, Mickelson is without doubt The People’s Champion. He may not be one of them, but he wears his heart on his sleeve more than any of player of his tight-lipped generation, and takes you along for the ride. Polite and supremely self-effacing, he has built up a rapport with the crowd that Tiger Woods has never sought or managed to achieve, offering his thanks and touching his cap in appreciation whenever he is cheered on to tee or a green.

As the winning putt dropped, Mickelson clenched his fists, looked to the skies, fought back a tear, and hugged his caddie, Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay. ‘Bones’ has been with him since 1992, and shared in all of his five Major triumphs.

That is the sort of loyalty Mickelson inspires. Then he was off to join adoring and adored wife Amy, his two daughters, Amanda and Sophia, and son Evan, in a family group hug that seemed to go on for an eternity. The look of joy on their faces said it all.

Amy later revealed: “When he left the breakfast table today, Phil said: ‘I’m going to bring you home a Claret Jug’.

I knew he was going to win after he’d got through 15 and 16 at one under par – I just got goose bumps from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.”

But veteran TV commentator Peter Alliss perhaps summed it best when he said: “Mickelson is a worthy champion and, if it doesn’t sound too old-fashioned, a really decent bloke who cares about people, and cares

The First Family: Mickelson had strong support from his close-knit family throughout his two-week stay in Scotland

July 2013 / Issue 223

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In she goes: Mickelson holes the birdie putt on the 18th that sealed a remarkable win

about the integrity of the game. All round, it’s a great day for the sport.”

And not a bad few week’s work for the Mickelson bank balance either, since his Muirfield win, coupled with his earlier victory at the Scottish Open, earned him £1.5million for the fortnight.

Amid the joy in the Mickelson household, there was sadness for Westwood, who finished tied for third alongside the rampaging Ian Poulter and Aussie Adam Scott, and once again came up just short in his bid for a longed-for first Major.

“Lefty ambled up to the ball, as only he does, had a second glance, settled, and rolled it straight into the cup – as only he does. Job done.”

Leading by two at the start of the final round, a birdie at the par-five fifth sent the 40-year-old Worksop man three shots clear of the field. It was 3.15pm and he was seemingly set fair for the Claret Jug. By 3.47pm the picture had changed completely. Sloppy bogeys at seven and eight, and suddenly Westwood was in a threeway tie at with Scott and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

At this stage, just one shot separated those three from Mickelson, Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan.

Another birdie by Scott at the 11th gave the Australian

the outright lead. And now it looked like the 33-year-old Masters champion would make up for last year when he handed The Open to Ernie Els by blowing a four-shot lead. Scott then dropped three shots in the next three holes, and his race was run.

Tiger Woods had been expected to take on Westwood for the title, but the world No.1 dropped three shots on the opening nine, and never posed a threat in finishing tied for sixth with Johnson and rising Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama. Stenson’s challenge had also faltered, as he leaked shots at the 12th and 13th, and eventually finished second.

But, hard as he tried, this was just not to be Westwood’s day. Time and again his approach shots ended short and, unlike the opening three days, his putter had gone cold.

He’ll live to fight another day, one hopes, but it could so easily be the best chance he ever had.

As nerves and fear gripped his rivals, the vastly experienced Mickelson steamed through, almost unnoticed. Two over par at the start, and still trailing Westwood by four at the sixth, he was suddenly on their shoulders and then pulling clear. Two huge blows with is trusty 3-wood put him on the green at the 575-yard 17th and, two putts later, he led by two.

Then came that final birdie at the 18th, and the eight players out on the course behind him were just there to make up the numbers. ‘Lefty’ – the people’s champion – had done it at last, ending a 20-year hunt for an elusive Claret Jug, and exacting swift revenge for the heartache of Merion.

Last man standing: Mickelson takes a tight hold of the elusive Claret Jug, representing the fifth major of his career

Exit stage left: Lee Westwood’s radar was some way off during the final round

Once again, more players trusted FJ shoes at the 142nd Open Championship than any other manufacturer.

TM

Explore footjoy.co.uk and sign up to The Comfort Zone, our free e-newsletter Source: Darrell Survey.

FJ. #1 SHOE AT THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. CHAMPIONSHIP. GolfNews_FJStripTheOpen13_262x90.indd 1

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July 2013 / Issue 223

Seve Trophy in doubt

Despite all the promises made about Seve Ballesteros’s legacy in the immediate wake of his passing in 2011, there are doubts about the Seve Trophy’s continued existence.

Due to take place this October, there is still no venue for the event slated on the European Tour’s schedule, and there are rumours circulating among players that the biennial match could be in danger of being cancelled.

French media company Vivendi is the named sponsor, having taken over in 2009. The past two matches have been held at Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, near Versailles, but the venue’s name is currently listed on the Tour’s website as ‘TBA’.

“It would be a great shame if we lost this event,” said Jose Maria Olazábal, Ballesteros’s lifelong friend and former captain of the Continental Europe team.

“I would love to see a commitment from the top players, as their involvement would help in terms on sponsorship, TV, and making it a bigger spectacle.”

He added: “The Seve Trophy is a fantastic event in terms of being a stepping stone for the Ryder Cup, not only for some of the players, but also the captains. Paul McGinley has been a great supporter of the event and has learned a lot about captaincy from it. Monty did as well. And there’s also the bond that it creates between the players, which they can take into the Ryder Cup. It would be a real shame if it went.”

Current Ryder Cup captain McGinley said: ‘It’s a competition that carries huge importance for European golf. It has been a significant contributing factor to all the success we’ve had at the Ryder Cup. Put simply, I don’t think I would have become Ryder Cup captain if I hadn’t had the chance to show what I could do captaining the British and Irish side at the Seve Trophy.”

PARK ON COURSE FOR WOMEN’S GRAND SLAM South Korean Inbee Park has won her third Major tournament in a row after bagging the Women’s US Open by four shots from I.K. Kim at Sebonack Golf Club in New York.

The victory gives 24-year-old Park her second Women’s US Open title, having won the event in 2008, and keeps her on course for an unprecedented Grand Slam in the Majors this season, with the Evian Masters and British Open still to come.

Park has now won six tournaments this season, and has extended her lead at the top of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

Winning the first three

Majors of the season also means Park has achieved a feat only recorded once before in history by Babe Zaharias back in 1950.

Speaking about her achievement, Park said: “I’m just very glad that I can put my name in history. Putting my name next to hers means just so much. I thought I would never get there; it’s somewhere that I’ve never dreamed of. But all of a sudden, I’m there.”

Park will try to do what only Mickey Wright (1961-62) and Tiger Woods (2000-01) have done in the modern era — win four consecutive major championships – when the Ricoh Women’s British Open takes place at The Old Course, St Andrews, from August 1-4.

MAXX ROYAL HOSTS TURKISH OPEN Maxx Royal in Antalya will play host to its first ever professional golf event at the Turkish Open in November. The Colin Montgomeriedesigned course, located on Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline in Belek, will stage the first ever European Tour event in the country and one of four tournaments to make up the inaugural four Final Series of the European Tour’s 2013 Race to Dubai.

APP TRACKS TOUR PLAYERS

Casey comes good at Carton Woods shells out £2.6m to stage World Challenge Tiger Woods is set to spend £2.6m on the World Challenge golf event that he hosts every December to cover the operating costs.

The 37-year-old began the tournament in 1999, and with his backing the tournament is still scheduled for Dec 5-8 at Sherwood Country Club in California.

After the event lost the funding of previous sponsor, Chevron, last year, and a deal for a new sponsor fell through last September, it was up to Woods to step in.

The event has raised more than £16.4m for collegeaccess programmes through the Tiger Woods Learning Centre in California, as well as the Earl Woods Scholarship

programme.

“There wasn’t a doubt whether we could stage it.

The question was whether we could get the necessary corporate support,” said Greg McLaughlin, the president of the Tiger Woods Foundation.

“We’re happy that we have a lot of support for the event that we’ve been able to generate the last few months. This event is very important to Tiger, for our foundation – it’s the first event we ever did.”

The tournament has attracted top players over the years, including 2012 champion Graeme McDowell, Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, and Ian Poulter.

Paul Casey returned to form in sensational style with a brilliant closing round in tough conditions at Carton House to win The Irish Open.

The 35-year-old, who has had problems with form and fitness since winning his last European Tour title two and a half years ago, finished with a five under par 67 in strong wind, heavy rain and finally sunshine to finish 14 under for the week. That was three better than overnight leader Joost Luiten, who went round in 74, and Robert Rock – whose 71 saw him finish as a runner-up for the second time in this event after he was beaten in a play-off

by Shane Lowry in 2009.

Casey started the day four behind Luiten, and when he reeled off seven consecutive pars at the start of his round there was little indication of what was to come. But five birdies in six holes followed to give him a three shot lead, which was reduced to one with bogeys at the 15th and 16th.

Casey’s advantage looked precarious coming down the par-five last, but he found the green in two and signed off in style with a spectacular 45 foot eagle putt for a 12th European Tour title.

“It’s incredibly sweet,” said Casey, who finished second to Thomas Björn at Carton House in 2006. “It’s been a while, and when that putt went in, half of it was relief and half of it was satisfaction. What a grandstand finish - winning an Irish open is an absolute dream.”

Victory saw Casey rise from 169th to 102nd in the official world rankings.

Extra club ends Higgins’s Open dream Irish tour pro David Higgins’ hopes of taking part in the Open Championship were shattered earlier this month when he realised he was carrying 15 clubs during a sudden-death playoff at a final local qualifying event.

Higgins posted rounds of 70 and 67 at North Berwick to make the play-off, but a mix-up resulted in him taking 15 clubs onto the tee for the first extra hole. Two from three were to advance from the play-off, but the two stroke penalty imposed on Higgins

News in Brief

meant Gareth Wright and George Murray both booked their places at Muirfield with birdie and par respectively.

Higgins’ s caddy put the clubs in his car after the end of the round, as the duo expected to miss out, and he also placed an extra fairway wood in the bag at the same time, which was not removed before the play-off. Higgins realised the error on the green of the first extra hole and notified the match referee immediately.

A new app that allows fans to track their favourite players on the course has been launched. GREENi, gives users detailed information about a tournament on their smartphone or tablet, including the location of every player in the field, shown on a map of the course. The app also gives live scoring, player profiles, and interaction from integrated social media feeds. Initially conceived to manage the speed of play, GREENi was in use at last month’s Irish Open and will be available at future European Tour events. The GREENi Club App is available for a variety of devices as a free download on iTunes and Google Play.

LAWRIE LAUNCHES NEW EVENT Scottish tour stars Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher are to captain two sides in a Ryder Cup-style event for the business world, which is to be held at the Renaissance Club, in East Lothian, from Sept 19-20. The competition will see the two players lead their respective foundation teams – made up of prominent business people and foundation supporters – in fourballs on day one, followed by singles on the second day, where Gallacher and Lawrie will play against each other.

BROOKS EARNS PLACE ON EUROPEAN TOUR American Brooks Koepka shot rounds of 69 and 65 at Sunningdale to earn one of nine places on offer for the Open Championship in the European edition of International Final Qualifying. The 23-year-old American topped the leaderboard just one day after winning his third Challenge Tour event to earn an instant promotion to the European Tour. The remaining places went to Oliver Fisher, Gregory Bourdy, Richard McEvoy, Alvaro Quiros, Gareth Mabyin, Niclas Fasth and Scott Jamieson and Estanislao Goya.

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THE GEAR EFFECT WINNERS’ BAGS ON TOUR KEN DUKE Travelers Championship DRIVER: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 (9.5) FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 (14.5) TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 (18.5) IRONS: TaylorMade TP MC (3-9) WEDGES: TaylorMade TP MC (48, 52, 58) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 BALL: Titleist Pro V1

July 2013 / Issue 223

There’s nothing wrong with the tools, Rory!

Fresh from winning the Irish Open while playing with a full set of Nike Golf equipment, Paul Casey chose the moment to express his support for the brand

– and have a gentle dig at fellow Nike staff player Rory McIlroy.

Casey, who has been with Nike since 2005, was winning for the first time in two-and-a-half years in Ireland, following a dip in form. Having never attributed his poor

ERNIE ELS BMW International Open DRIVER: Callaway RAZR Fit Xtreme (9.2) FAIRWAY WOODS: Callaway RAZR Fit Xtreme (15), Callaway RAZR Fit Xtreme (18) IRONS: Callaway X Utility (21, 24), Callaway RAZR X MuscleBack (5-9) WEDGES: Callaway RAZR X MuscleBack, Callaway X Series JAWS (52, 60) PUTTER: Odyssey Tank #7 Versa belly BALL: Callaway HEX Black Tour BILL HAAS AT&T National DRIVER: Titleist 913D2 (8.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist 913 (15) HYBRID: Titleist 913H (17) IRONS Titleist CB (3-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Spin Milled (54), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x PAUL CASEY Irish Open DRIVER: Nike VR Pro Limited Edition (10.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Nike VR_S Covert (15) IRONS: Nike VR_S Forged (3), Nike VR Pro Combo (4-PW) WEDGES: Nike VR Pro (52, 56 and 60) PUTTER: Nike Method 006 Prototype BALL: Nike 20XI INBEE PARK Women’s US Open FAIRWAY WOODS: Srixon XXIO7 (13), TaylorMade RBZ (14.5) HYBRIDS: TaylorMade Rescue 11 (16), TaylorMade Rescue TP FCT (22) IRONS: Srixon XXIO Forged (5-9) WEDGES: Srixon XXIO Forged (47), Cleveland TA 588 TZG (51, 57) PUTTER: Odyssey White Ice Sabertooth BALL: Srixon Z-Star

results to his tools, the 35-year-old world No.102 rounded on those who blamed Nike equipment for the

what he’s working on or what he’s been struggling with equipment-wise. We have so many different specs. He’s using a different golf ball to me.

It’s a different shaft, and a different head. There are so many variables.”

McIlroy, who bent one of his wedges in frustration during last month’s US Open, met with Nike’s club fitting staff earlier this month to try and find the right specifications for his driver.

Despite criticism of the world No.2 being inconsistent off the tee, McIlroy’s performance statistics don’t bear that out, with the figure of 60% of fairways found off the tee this season being the highest it has ever been in

his career – although he is averaging a full 11 yards less distance off the tee than he did in 2012.

The 2011 US Open champion didn’t play a competitive round between his missed cut at the Irish Open and his appearance at The Open, leading to criticism that he wasn’t playing enough tournaments to play himself into form.

Nike, meanwhile, has launched a new tour truck to help service the equipment needs of its growing number of players on the European Tour.

The 16.5-metre ‘workshop on wheels’ is equipped with all the technology required to build a full set of clubs from its components, as well as carry out repairs and adjustments.

Bloodhound goes in search of long driving record A group of Formula 1 engineers are hoping to break the world record for how far a golf ball can travel when hit by a driver.

A company called Zen Golf has put together a team of engineers – including Richard Noble, who himself set a land speed car driving record of 634mph in 1983 – to create a new car, the Bloodhound SSC, which is built to break the 1,000mph barrier in 2015. The team will create a new driver using ‘the same DNA’ deployed in the car.

A spokesman said that the clubface ‘gap’ and side fins would aid aerodynamics, head velocity and stability, and it would feature advanced composite materials and the latest aerospace manufacturing technologies, and would ‘be a natural extension of the athlete’s body and challenge all current thinking about driver design’.

“The club will be a completely new design, with grip, shaft and club head all being created from the archetypal clean

GRAEME MCDOWELL French Open DRIVER: Cleveland Classic 290 (9) FAIRWAY WOODS: Cleveland Launcher FL (14) HYBRID: Adams Idea a7 (22) IRONS: Cleveland 588 TT (3, 4), Srixon Z-TX (5-9) WEDGES: Cleveland 588 (48, 52), Cleveland 588 RTX (58) PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot #7 BALL: Srixon Z-Star XV JONAS BLIXT Greenbrier Classic DRIVER: Cobra ZL Encore (8.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade RBZ (15) HYBRID: Cobra Baffler T-Rail (18) IRONS: Cobra S3 Pro MB (3-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM4 (54), Cobra Tour Trusty (61) PUTTER: Yes! Donna II BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

world No.2’s recent loss of form.

“It really frustrates me when I read negative press about Nike and their equipment,” said Casey.

“They are a legitimate golf brand, a legitimate golf company, and people don’t necessarily see what I see behind the scenes with the research and development, and the people that are making fantastic golf products.”

He added: “I have the fullest confidence in Rory, and I think I would agree with what I’ve been reading, which is that Rory is a streaky kind of player, but I have 100% confidence in him being back in the winner’s circle very, very soon. I talk to Rory on the range, but I don’t know

The design team at Zen Golf

sheet of paper,” said Nick Middleton, founder of Zen Golf. “This is an opportunity for British design and engineering to show that it still leads the world – and in the most spectacular way possible.”

“I’m really excited see how these emerging technologies can be harnessed to break barriers in golf engineering,” added Noble.

Karl Woodward, who set the world carry record of 408 yards and 10 inches in 1999, will also be involved in the project.

He said: “My record has stood for more than 10 years now, which is very unusual considering all the attention being paid to golfers’ athletic abilities and technological developments. For me this project is about much more than the driver, so I’m really excited to be involved in something that will potentially change every aspect of the game.”

Jack Nicholson

Jack splashes £50k on new set of clubs In the game of golf there is one only Jack – Mr Nicklaus – but there is a man with a similar name that is just as famous as the Golden Bear who dabbles in the game.

Jack Nicholson, a reported 12 handicap, enjoys his country club days in Los Angeles, and when you have all the money in the world to spend, you enjoy the game a little more.

Last month, it was reported that Nicholson spent ¢75,000 – the equivalent of an upmarket country club membership in LA – on 14 clubs made by the Japanese club manufacturer Honma.

The company describes the set, which is decorated with platinum and 24-carat gold, as the work of golf ‘artisans’ and involved more than 100 craftsmen in the production of each piece. The set, which comes under the brand’s five star series, was created to celebrate Honma’s 55th anniversary, with only 550 set being made worldwide.

Businessman Donald Trump and actor Danny DeVito are among the celebrity owners of these limited edition clubs, which are sold separately from a golf bag, which comes in at Honma’s Five Star series set an eye-watering $8,000.

July 2013 / Issue 223

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Hot hybrids inspire a generation The next time you stand over a hybrid feeling selfconfidence flowing through your very being, it’s all down to psychology. Well that and the fact that you’re holding one of the most forgiving clubs in the bag.

A worldwide survey carried out by Sport Psychology Ltd has revealed a hit list of clubs that give us goosebumps with

Monty steps out in Lambda Colin Montgomerie made an encouraging start to his senior career at the US Senior Players Championship in America last month, where he finished tied ninth, 11 shots behind winner Kenny Perry.

The eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner, who turned 50 on June 23, has signed a number of new sponsorship deals as he embarks on the second part of his career, including one with footwear brand Lambda Golf.

The former Ryder Cup captain, who will be wearing the company’s shoes and acting as a brand ambassador, said: “I am very happy to be associated with Lambda Golf, as it is a respected brand in the market which creates high quality and high-tech classic golf shoes. As a golfer I am on my feet all day, and having a comfortable and durable pair of shoes is hugely important to me.

I am confident that these shoes can provide me with everything that I need and I love their classic designs.”

Lambda was established in 2008, and was built from a European Group of family-owned companies with more than 40 years of shoe manufacturing experience. Lambda makes all of its shoes in Europe, using only locally-sourced materials.

Lambda Golf’s CEO Paulo Freitas said: “The partnership with Colin is a great fit for us, because he is a talisman for European golf and mirrors all of our brand values. It makes us feel great that someone as experienced as Colin has chosen to wear our shoes as he embarks on his career on the Seniors Tour.”

excitement and anticipation, and those that bring us out in a cold sweat of fear and selfloathing.

The results of the study of amateur club golfers showed that just over a quarter of all respondents (26.7%) said that they had most confidence when using their hybrid or utility clubs. The next club that most players were happiest

with was the putter (19.4%), while the driver took third spot, with 18.3% of those questioned saying that it inspired the most confidence.

However, the driver is a double-edged sword for most golfers, with the survery revealing that just over a fifth of us (21%) regard the ‘big dog’ as their second least favourite club.

And the least favourite?

The club we most love to hate and fear the most? It was the innocent-looking fairway wood. A staggering 37.8% of respondents indicated that the lofted metal wood filled them with the highest levels

of fear before a shot.

A spokeman for Sports Psychology Ltds said “While the results on the whole, were not that surprising, what it does show is that manufacturers need to up their game around fairway wood design or consign them to history by designing more lower lofted hybrid clubs.”

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July 2013 / Issue 223

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July 2013 / Issue 223

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P WITH WEDGES Having complete control over your wedge distances is the key to lowering your scores, says Cleveland Golf and Srixon short game ambassador, Ben Clayton The key to scoring from inside 100 yards is consistency. Knowing the distances you hit your wedges will help you to lower your scores and knock shots off your handicap with a few simple practise steps down at the range.

A common mistake I see among amateur golfers when trying to hit the ball to a certain yardage is that they take the same length swing, but then decelerate through the ball. This is a big no-no for me. You want to be able to make a swing at the ball that you know will go the length you want every time.

SAME TEMPO, LONGER SWING To achieve this all you have to do is practise three different shots with your wedge, keeping exactly the same tempo in the swing of each. All you are doing is lengthening the swing as you work further back from the flag.

This is an incredibly simple way to effectively learn your wedge yardages. When I practise this with my 56-degree wedge, I’ll pick a target no more than 50 yards down the range. What I am now trying to achieve is to practise a shot that goes the required distance. I do this by swinging to about pocket height as demonstrated in the first picture. By practicing this length of swing, when I head out onto the course, and leave myself a tricky 50-yard pitch shot, I know that by replicating the swing I’ve practised, that it will go the exact distance I need to hit it.

The next stage to this drill is to pick a target at around the 75-yard mark. All you are doing now is lengthening the swing slightly to generate the extra distance you need, without altering your tempo. At this length we are swinging the club to slightly above chest height, as you can see from the second picture. Get this swing locked into the memory banks and note down your yardages before moving onto the next stage.

We’re now at full swing stage, typically at around 100 yards.

Again, it’s the same tempo swing, just lengthening the swing to shoulder height, as you can see in the third picture. Practise it, write down your yardage, and take that knowledge out onto the course with you.

MIND THE GAPS Once you’ve got these yardages for your 56-degree wedge, you can apply the same drill to your 48, 52, 58, 60 or whatever degree wedges you carry in your bag. There’s no rule against writing these yardages down on a piece of paper and taking them onto the course with you, or even taping them to the shaft of the club. A properly gapped set of wedges will also help you to eliminate tricky yardages from inside 100 yards.

If you find yourself regularly facing these sorts of yardages it might be worth looking at carrying more wedges in your bag.

Cleveland Golf is offering a trade-in promotion on the new 588 RTX wedges in 2013. The promotion is now running until September 30, and allows you to trade in your old wedges and get £25 off each new wedge. You can trade in up to three wedges at any one time, regardless of the make, model or age of the wedge you’re trading in.

Cleveland Golf 588 RTX wedges feature the new Rotex Face technology, designed to impart maximum spin and control on wedge shots of all types, thanks to directionally-optimised laser milling and 16% larger U-Grooves on the clubface.

What’s more, by visiting your nearest Cleveland Golf fitting location, you can get properly fitted out for your wedges and tailor them to your game.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

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Odyssey ProType iX putter RRP: £279 Contact: odysseygolf.com

Nike Golf 360 app

The new ProType iX range of forged-milled putters combines the precision of a milled putter with the highly-popular White Hot insert and adjustable weighting.

An improved White Hot Pro insert is engineered for a more consistent sound, feel and performance across the striking surface, while a new laser-milling cutting process has allowed Odyssey to achieve extremely tight tolerances for more consistency.

It comes with three sets of customisable weights (10g, 15g and 20g) to fine-tune a preferred head weight and customise feel based on different playing conditions, including green speeds. The weight wrench also doubles as a divot tool.

Finished with a hard-wearing, non-glare PVD, the ProType iX is available in three head shapes (heel-toe blade, high-toe blade and toe-weighted flanged blade, RH only) with a choice of 33, 34 or 35-inch shafts.

RRP: Free Contact: itunes.com The fact that the Nike Golf 360 is free is not necessarily the best part of this new app for the iPhone or iPad, although that surely enhances its appeal. Its key function is to act as a tool for improving your golf game by focusing on your game itself, your swing and your body.

Scorecards for more than 3,000 courses in the UK can be downloaded on to your phone for the purposes of keeping score (for up to four players) and recording statistics (fairways hit, greens in regulation and putts per hole). The stats can be kept and tracked over several rounds to gauge progress, or simply to show areas of one’s game that need the most work. It also enables the user to upload videos of his or her swing that can be analysed by coaches and clubfitters. It also comes with golf-specific workout videos and training tips, including some impressive footage of Paul Casey doing things with a medicine ball.

Inputting the stats is quick and easy, although on the downside, there are no stroke indexes on the scorecards, so the app can only work out your gross score and not your Stableford points. An app that will work with other brands of smartphone is also in the pipeline.

SHOP

Big Max iDry Aqua golf bags RRP: £179.99-£189.99 Contact: bigmaxgolf.com Trolley specialist Big Max has launched a new range of waterproof golf bags. Available in both cart and stand bag models, the iDry series is completely waterproof and features seamsealed zips that will keep gear dry whatever the weather.

The iDry Aqua cart bag features a 14way divider top, cooler pocket and glove, towel and umbrella holders, and weighs just 2.3kg, making it one of the lightest golf bags on the market. It is available in black, white or black/white.

The stand bag tips the scales at just 2.6kg, delivering both functionality and light weight for those who prefer to carry. The colour options include green, white/red/navy stripes, black, checked black printed, and checked white/blue printed.

Serengeti Duccio sunglasses RRP: £197 Contact: serengeti-eyewear.com Serengeti’s Genus Collection features the first and only sunglasses to use advanced Trivex material for both frame fronts and exclusive Polar PhD lenses. Specifically designed for driving, the lenses are polarised, photochromic and feature an exclusive spectral control filter. Colours and contrast are enhanced and eyestrain and eye fatigue are reduced in all weather conditions.

TaylorMade Black R1 Driver RRP: £349 Contact: taylormadegolf.eu For those golfers who found the bright, white head of the original R1 driver too much to handle, TaylorMade has launched a new all-black version. Boasting all of the same adjustable technologies as its predecessor – including 12 loft-sleeve settings and seven face-angle positions, as well as two moveable shot-shape weights – the limited edition R1 Black features a polished finish to the crown, and is fitted with an ultra-light Aldila RIP Phenom shaft as standard. A Tour Preferred version, which costs £399, is also available.

July 2013 / Issue 223

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Ecco Women’s Collection RRP: £105-£150 Contact: ecco.com/golf Ecco’s new collection of women’s golf shoes is guaranteed to get its wearers noticed on and off the course, with the complete range available with spikeless soles.

Available in regular and bootie models, the collection features new designs for the Golf Street (£105), Biom (£175), Biom Hybrid (£150) and Classic Hybrid (£150) models, with a combination of traditional and patented leather uppers dyed in a range of bold colour palettes.

The Street features the famed hybrid outsole with approximately 100 moulded traction bars and 800-plus traction angles, while the Hybrid is the first and only performance hybrid shoe made specifically for women, and features low-profile, superior cushioning, and outstanding stability via patented traction and natural motion technologies. The Classic Hybrid is available in three different leather types and upper patterns – including an eye-catching kiltie – each with a distinctly refined look and feel.

FootJoy Contour Casual MyJoys

GolfBuddy VT3 Smartwatch

RRP: £140 Contact: footjoy.co.uk FootJoy has widened the scope of its popular MyJoys programme by including the spikeless Casual Contour range as an option.

Enjoying a huge growth in the on and off-course market, the Casual Contour is as happy around the clubhouse as it is on the fairway – so making it possible to tailor them to personal colour and design preferences seems like a good move.

The MyJoys programme offers a mind-boggling 1.6 million colour and design combinations, with the base, saddle, side panels and laces all available to personalise to suit your style. Regardless of what colours you choose, the ultra-lightweight Contour Casual features full grain leather uppers, a cushioned fitbed and a spikeless rubber outsole.

Motora Golf M1 Sprint trolley RRP: £599 Contact: motoragolf.co.uk The M1 Sprint power trolley features a unique wireless control system that enables the user to start, stop, control speed, and operate the preset distance control via remote control, giving the user freedom to walk the course without the need to remain in contact with the trolley at all times.

Also able to be operated manually, the M1 Sprint is constructed from an ultra-lightweight high-grade aluminium alloy and is powered by a whisper quiet 200watt motor. Complementing the trolley is the latest generation 36-hole lithium battery, which weighs just 1.5kg and comes with a full five-year warranty. The entire trolley weighs less than 10kg and thanks to its patented folding front wheel, it is also one of the smallest folding trolleys currently on the market.

It is available on its own (with battery), or with a complete accessories package, which includes a trolley storage bag, leather golf bag, automatic umbrella, umbrella/ scorecard holder, wood covers, iron covers, and a tri-fold golf towel for an additional £130, representing a saving of over £200 if the items were bought separately.

RRP: £229.95 Contact: gpsgolfbuddy.eu

TRIED &

TESTED Callaway FT Optiforce driver Rating: RRP: £329 Contact: www.callawaygolf.com Designed with an aerodynamic head shape and a lightweight shaft, the new OptiForce driver and matching fairway woods are built to deliver fast clubhead speed, which translates into more distance.

Featuring a 195g forged composite head matched with a 46-inch, 43g PX Velocity shaft, the driver also offers an adjustable hosel, which allows players to alter the loft and the directional bias to dial in their preferred shot shape.

The lightweight head, which is available in either 440cc or 460cc head sizes, has been streamlined to offer 23% less drag than Callaway’s X Hot driver, while a combination of the company’s VFT and Hyperbolic Face Technology creates a larger sweet spot and increases ball speeds across a wider section of the titanium face.

It is available in 9.5° and 10.5° stated lofts, which can be adjusted minus one degree or plus two, giving each head four loft settings. For each loft setting there are two lie settings, standard and upright, which set the club up with a neutral or draw bias. The larger 460cc head has more MOI, making it more stable, while a slightly higher centre of gravity creates a slightly higher-flying shot, compared to the smaller headed option.

The matching stainless steel fairway woods (£179, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9), which are not adjustable, have a low and forward centre of gravity, to give them the high-launching, high-spinning characteristics of Callaway’s RAZR Fit Xtreme woods, with the ball speed advantages of the X Hot range.

Weighing just an ounce and measuring only 1.7 inches wide, Golfbuddy’s new VT3 will prove popular with the smartphonecarrying population, as it combines screen-swipe technology with a GPS rangefinder, and packages it all up in a handy piece of wearable tech.

The VT3 can be worn in three different ways - on the wrist, attached to a retractable cord, or clipped to a hat, belt or shirt pocket – and features an LCD display showing distances to the front, middle and back of the green on more than 36,000 courses worldwide.

Users navigate through all the device’s functions via a TouchSwipe screen, which accesses all of the functionality options, including the ability to move the position of the pin, view distances from your angle of approach, track scores, and measure shot distances, as well as all the normal functions of a wrist watch.

The VT3 has an 11-hour rechargeable lithium battery, and requires no annual subscription.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

2. Scotty Cameron Futura X

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RRP: £279 Contact: www.titleist.co.uk

1. Odyssey Versa #7 RRP: £119 Contact: www.callawaygolf.com Used by a significant number of tour pros, including Luke Donald, Ernie Els and Rickie Fowler, the Versa #7 is one of the more attractive high HOI designs, combining its extended weighted prongs with high-contrasting black-and-white colours that accentuate the face angle from address through to impact. The head is available in black/white/ black or white/black/white colour combinations to suit personal preference. The 343g clubhead also features a new laser-milled White Hot insert, which offers soft, responsive feel, with a more pronounced ‘click’ at impact. The shaft is available in 33, 34 or 35-inch lengths.

The Futura X, which goes on sale on August 1, is the heaviest and highest MOI model in the Scotty Cameron range, with its mallet-shaped head featuring perimeter weighting that provides exceptional stability and forgiveness, with solid feel.

Used by Adam Scott during his Masters victory, it is milled from high-grade aluminum, and combines a rear balance bar with four heel-toe weights, plus perimeter weighting under the face. The resulting deep centre of gravity provides stability throughout the stroke. The weight is located behind the axis of the shaft, and not directly under the golfer’s hands, making the Futura X feel stable, but not heavy, during the stroke.

2

Never miss a short one again with the latest high-stability putters

STRAIGHT SHOOTERS 6. Nike Method Core Drone 2.0

7

7. TaylorMade Ghost Spider Daddy Long Legs RRP: £129 Contact: www.taylormadegolf.eu Designed to provide the stability, feel and performance of an anchored putter, but with a standard-length shaft, the DLL features a 16-piece clubhead made from eight different materials, a Pure Roll face insert, and a 15-inch grip that weighs 130g, and is almost twice the weight of a standard grip. This distribution of mass moves the balance point of the club closer to the player’s hands, which makes it easier to control the head and square it at impact. The extra-long grip, which is available in 35- to 38-inch lengths, also allows players to choke down, and thus take full advantage of the counter-weighted design.

6

3. Yes! Golf Sandy-12 RRP: £129 Contact: www.yesgolf.com The Sandy 12 features the highest MOI of any model within the Yes! range, with two extended wing tips helping to stabilise the 350g clubhead. The use of contrasting white and black coloured metals, as well as a thin black line across the topline, helps with alignment. Patented C Groove technology, which comprises a series of concentric grooves across the centre of the clubface, gets the ball rolling with topspin 40 per cent more quickly than with a nongrooved face, while a new TPU face insert material offers a soft, but responsive feel at impact. It comes with a 34-inch double bend shaft.

4

4. S-Blade BlackEye1e RRP: £95.95 Contact: www.s-blade.com

RRP: £109-£119 Contact: www.nikegolfeurope.com The mallet-shaped Drone 2.0 is an extreme MOI design that features two tungsten weights placed in the wing tips of a rear steel section and the centre of the putter face to optimise the centre of gravity, preventing twisting and promoting a smooth, accurate stroke. The main body is made from lightweight aluminum to exaggerate the effect of the rear weights. The Drone also features Polymetal Groove Technology in the face to generate a faster forward roll at impact and eliminate backspin. A long sightline extends from the face to the rear, making it easy to align the putter square to the target.

The BlackEye1e is a striking high MOI 440g mallet that offers extreme stability and forgiveness. It is available with three shaft options: standard (30-36 inches); belly (37-43 inches), and broomhandle (up to 51 inches).

Each S-Blade features a vertically-curved face, with its radius precisely measured so the putter’s point of impact with the ball is always above its equator. This gets the ball rolling with topspin and negates the skid and bobble that can be caused by typical flat-faced putters. A gentle lateral convex curve also runs along the length of the face, which widens the sweet spot and increases the chances of the ball holding its line.

5. Ping Nome TR RRP: £239/£259 Contact: www.ping.com

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The Nome features extreme perimeter weighting for added stability through impact, while a distinctive alignment bar and contrasting sightline make it easier to line up putts. The 350g head comes with three different neck options to suit various swing paths, and a choice of a fixed or telescopic shaft, the latter of which can be adjusted between 31 and 38 inches. The grooves are milled directly into the face, and are variable in depth, with the deepest in the centre. This design aims to deliver a 50% increase in ball-speed consistency when measured from nine different points across the face, resulting in improved distance control.

July 2013 / Issue 223

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THE FATHER OF SPIN

Roger Cleveland, Callaway Golf’s legendary chief club designer, discusses the company’s new range of Mack Daddy 2 wedges and reveals what it is like to work with Phil Mickelson

Top to bottom: U Grind, S Grind, C Grind

MACK DADDY 2 WEDGES The new range of three Tourgrade Mack Daddy 2 wedges features a traditional tear dropshaped head combined with an aggressive groove pattern, and increased surface roughness, to create an unparalleled scoring club. A new 5V groove pattern provides 39% larger grooves and 25% more spin than the previous Mack Daddy model. A laser-milling processes create micro grooves on the face provide more friction with the ball. Forged from carbon steel the wedges offer soft feel.

Three different sole grinds – standard, C and U – offer increased playability from a variety of lies, while each model is also offered in a choice of chrome or slate finishes, the latter of which oxidises over time. The range is available in a range of eight lofts, from 47 to 64 degrees, with a variety of bounce options, ranging from 10-14 degrees, depending on the model. They cost £99 per club.

For more information visit www.callawaygolf.com.

Where did the ‘Mack Daddy’ brand name come from?

Mack Daddy was, at first, a nickname given to a wedge groove that we created some years ago, with input from Phil Mickelson.

When Phil became a Callaway player he asked me to design the biggest, most aggressive grooves possible, that would still conform to the rules of golf. I came up with a groove that I was happy with and when we manufactured this into a club head, and asked Phil to give it a try, that was when the ‘Mack Daddy’ story started. I clearly recall Phil hitting his first lob wedge featuring the new groove. It was a shot of about 30 yards, but such was the ferocity of the spin, it left a large white mark on the face of the club, a bit like a tyre track, where it had impacted with the golf ball. The ball hit the green and ripped back about 30 feet, and Phil immediately said, “Now, that is my Mack Daddy groove!”

Phil had come up with a pretty cool name, and we subsequently stamped ‘MD’ on the hosel of our X Forged Wedges, the first Callaway clubs to feature this innovative groove in 2009. Moving forward to 2013, we decided that our new wedges, the Mack Daddy 2 range, would draw on this performance heritage.

What are the key features of the Mack Daddy 2 wedges?

These new forged wedges are all about the performance of the grooves and how they manage spin, trajectory and distance. The wedges are available in two different finishes - a slate finish and soft chrome. The slate head looks like it has just emerged from the workshop. The milling pattern on the back of the head and its beautiful patina of ‘gunmetal blue’ is something our staff pros really love.

We also offer a more traditional chrome appearance that has a satin finish that, like the slate model, resists glare in bright conditions. Another important touch is the addition of Laser Milled Micro Grooves on the surface of the face – this ‘rough’ finish further enhances spin and also helps focus the eye on the hitting area of the clubface. This complements the face grooves that, in our own tests, generate 25% more spin compared to our previous X Forged Wedges. Each loft option has a beautiful ‘tear-shaped’ tour-tested appearance that is as much about function as it is about looks. Of course, it was imperative to create a wedge family that was visually appealing and looked confident at address, but we also needed to have the performance to match.

Can you explain the different bounce set-ups?

Three different geometries are available are Standard, U-Grind and C-Grind – and I would always recommend golfers be fitted for a wedge and grind that matches their specific swing characteristics. If your swing path is steep, and you retain this angle into the ball, you will require additional bounce to stop the club digging into the turf. Our Standard Mack Daddy 2 wedges will help the majority of steep-swinging golfers alleviate this problem and generally perform well in most conditions, and for all golfers. However, if you predominantly play courses that feature soft bunker sand, the wider soles of our U-Grind would be really helpful. Golfers can open these wedges right up, effectively creating more bounce, so the club has the ability to stay on top of the sand more easily, giving consistent performance.

If you play courses where the turf is firm around the

Roger Cleveland at work in Callaway Golf’s tour truck

“Wedge play is one of the great satisfaction areas in golf. There are few better feelings when you hit a shot over a bunker, stop it on the green and save par.”

Mickelson chips over Cleveland’s head from two feet

green and the bunker sand is also firm – a links course is a good example of this – the narrower sole of the C-Grind works better, as the leading edge gets into the back of the ball much quicker.

What influence has Mickelson in the Mac Daddy development of these wedges?

Phil is hugely interactive with Callaway. He lives very close to our test centre in California and visits quite often.

He is always full of ideas and works to improve the clubs he has in his bag. Phil had a lot of input into the sole design of the Mack Daddy 2 and specifically the version that has a concave appearance, the U-Grind. He really liked that. In this particular model, the toe and the heel is quite relieved and even though it has a relatively wide sole, Phil is still able to open it up without too much heel sticking out, and effectively remove the bounce. This makes for a club that is very adaptable, which was really important feature for Phil.

How have the changes in groove rulings affected the design of Mack Daddy 2 wedges?

The original Mack Daddy grooves we created wouldn’t have conformed to the rules we have now, but with Mack Daddy 2 we have gone right to the limit of what’s possible – and legal – and have brought back almost all

of the spin we had with the original Mack Daddy groove.

Technology plays a huge part in this. We mill the face, we mill the groove, and we have an edge radius cutter that machines the exact radius of each groove to make it as sharp as we possibly can. All this attention to detail helps create spin and reinforces the incredible performance of the new Mack Daddy 2.

Can you have too much spin in a wedge?

It is always a fine balance. We have the maximum spin in our lob wedges, and this drops slightly as the lofts decrease. What we don’t want to do is create a club that helps a player fire a shot into a back pin position, for example, only to see the ball spin back too far, and away from the hole. We’ve put a lot of work into this part of the Mack Daddy 2 performance, and we think we’ve got the spin rate calibration just right throughout the range.

How important is the shaft in a wedge?

You want feel and resistance in a wedge shaft and the True Temper S300 steel shaft is perfect for the Mack Daddy 2 range. Use too light a shaft, and you can’t feel the resistance of the club, especially when you are trying to swing slowly. The S300 is a terrific wedge shaft and perfectly marries the two requirements of feel and resistance. It also has a soft tip that works well with the Mack Daddy 2’s forged head, helping to accentuate feel.

How did you get into the club-making business?

I was a pretty good junior player in my youth, but used to miss my fair share of greens. Because of this, I always loved to tinker and work with wedges and I found myself grinding club heads and trying different things.

I learned a lot about how wedges work, and from the great feedback I also got from top players, I managed to convert this knowledge into my designs. Wedge play is one of the great satisfaction areas in golf. There are few better feelings when hit a shot over a bunker, stop it on the green and save par.

Did you ever have a moment of doubt when Mickelson hit that wedge shot over your head from two feet in front of you?

Not really. He has just an incredible technique, bags of confidence, and, of course, years of practice under his belt. He did it while he was still talking to me and kind of took me unawares. I did blink though!

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July 2013 / Issue 223

Grab a break at Gatton

Sizzling summer offers in sunny Dorset

Situated within striking distance of the popular coastal resorts of Poole and Bournemouth, The Dorset Golf & Country Club offers two quality golf courses and superb accommodation, making it the ideal destination for anybody who fancies a ‘stay and play’ break this summer.

In addition to two stunning golf courses, the resort has a dozen luxury Scandinavianstyle log homes in which to relax and unwind after your round. The houses, which have a Visit Britain Gold Award to go with their five-star status, are made entirely from trees grown in the Nordic forests of Finland, and combine simplicity with luxury.

Available to rent from two days to four weeks, each house

sleeps up to eight people and features a fully-fitted kitchen, wood-burning stove, sauna, verandah, and golf trolley shed.

For smaller groups and one-night stays, The Dorset Golf Hotel, located opposite the clubhouse, offers 16 twin rooms, all of which have ensuite facilities.

The club offers two excellent courses, with The Lakeland, which was designed by the renowned architect Martin Hawtree, on record as being the longest in Dorset. It measures over 7,000 yards off the championship tees, although that is reduced to a more manageable 6,580 yards off the whites. The Lakeland is an excellent test of golf and will have players of all abilities scratching their heads trying to work out the best way to

score well.

The par 66 Woodland Course is shorter – being just 5,032 yards long – but is equally demanding. Accuracy in driving is essential if you want to play anywhere near your handicap as the fairways are lined with rhododendrons and tall trees.

After golf, guests can enjoy the superb clubhouse, which has a fully air-conditioned restaurant, offering lovely views over the Purbeck Hills and a large patio area for alfresco eating.

‘Stay and Play’ packages start from £64.95pp/pn this August, based on four people sharing a house (minimum stay two nights), with dinner, breakfast and golf included. For bookings call 01929 472244 or visit www. dorsetgolfresort.com.

Gatton Manor Hotel & Golf Club is set within 200 acres of picture postcard Surrey countryside and is the ideal retreat for a relaxing golf break. Located just a few miles south of Dorking, it is within easy reach of London, the south coast and the motorway network.

The stunning 18-hole woodland course provides a great test for golfers of all levels, with no two holes alike and, for those who like a real challenge, it also boasts the longest hole in the South East, with the 17th hole measuring 645 yards. Streams, lakes, and tree-lined fairways with water coming into play on 10 of the holes make the 6,600-yard layout an entertaining round for any golfer.

A range of excellent accommodation is available in the 18-bedroom hotel, which offers a mixture of en-suite twin or double rooms, many of which are situated in the manor house, which dates back to 1728. Choose from Deluxe Manor rooms through to Clubhouse rooms, with room prices to suit all budgets.

The hotel has much to offer the non-golfer, including an on-site gym and an in-house beauty therapist, while there are plenty of rural walks to be enjoyed around the area, and the shopping delights of Guildford are not far away.

One-night golf breaks during August and September start from just £65pp, including bed and breakfast and 36 holes (based on two sharing in a Clubhouse room). For the latest special offers, visit www.gattonmanor.co.uk or call 01306 627 555.

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To discuss your exclusive golf package call 01822 618181

We have over 15 years experience of organising golf breaks throughout the UK and Europe

July 2013 / Issue 223

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Your Golf Travel launches ‘Greatest Shot’ photo comp

www.dorsetgolfresort.com The DorseT Golf hoTel anD luxury loG homes for renT FREE GOLF Air-conditioned clubhouse facilities l Restaurant offering an extensive menu l On site accommodation in the Dorset Golf Hotel 16 twin rooms l From £67.95 pppn including Dinner, B&B and FREE GOLF l l

and condition of the 6,288yard course, which provides a challenging and entertaining game for players of all abilities.

After your round, the hotel’s clubhouse has a bar offering refreshments and a brasserie serving up some wonderful food, and provides stunning views over the course.

Golf Escapes is currently offering two rounds here, with one night’s dinner, B&B, from just £119 per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Breaks must be taken before October 31, 2013.

For more details visit www. golf-escapes.com or call 01342 811777.

auGusT 4ball offers:

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FREE GOLF At The Ashbury Golf Hotel The UK’s Largest Golf Resort

Set in the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, Devon.

The Ashbury Golf Hotel is the ideal venue for your golf break.

Oakwood 16th 172 yards, Par 3

Ashbury 6th 410 yards, Par 4

Forest 8th 442 yards, Par 4

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*Minimum stay - 3nts

use in mind and with relevant information. We also want to make sure consumers get the desired experience, which our unique rating system will help guide.”

To celebrate the launch, the first 1,000 people to sign up to the site will be entered into a prize draw to win a golf holiday at one of GolfBoo’s five-star featured resorts. All golfers have to do is sign up to GolfBoo for free which will allow them to post their very own reviews from their own golf experiences to share with other site users.

GolfBoo has thousands of courses and resorts featured on its site, while many of the main tour operators are using it to promote their latest packages.

For more information, visit www.golfboo.com.

Golfers looking to combine a weekend break with a trip to the birthplace of England’s greatest ever playwright, should book up a trip to the Menzies Welcombe Hotel, Spa & Golf Club, which is located in the heart of Shakespeare Country, just a few miles from Stratford-upon-Avon, where William Shakespeare was born.

The magnificent hotel stands in 157-acres of stunning English countryside, and combines a beautiful Jacobean-style building with the modern facilities you would expect from a four-star hotel.

Originally constructed in 1886, the Welcombe Hotel is a magnificent house whose grandiose character is still very much in evidence. The façade has not changed, and the oak-panelled lounge and four-poster suites exude extravagance, but all this is perfectly complemented by the contemporary style of the garden rooms and the spa facility. The hotel offers 78 ensuite bedrooms, each furnished to a high standard, while there are a number of leisure facilities on offer, including health spa, swimming pool, gym and tennis courts.

The hotel’s 18-hole parkland course is a true delight in the heart of England’s countryside. The par-70 championship course is home to beautiful lakes and rolls seamlessly through the hills of Warwickshire. Having hosted the European Seniors Tour in 1998, guests will not be disappointed with the quality

27 holes of fantastic golf

!

Last month saw the launch of a new website to help golfers make more informed decisions when booking golf holidays.

GolfBoo is a new online community and search engine site that has been designed to connect golfers and provide all the information needed for them to make the right choice for their needs when booking their next golf break.

Dubbed ‘golf’s answer to TripAdvisor’, the GolfBoo site has thousands of packages available to view online, all of which are easily searchable by price, rating and availability.

With advice and reviews from fellow golfers, as well as GolfBoo’s own unique rating system, the site provides seamless links to booking tools.

“People have become accustomed to using search engines for a variety of day to day necessities, and we believe the golf industry is ready for a search engine of its own,” said Fabio Peral, GolfBoo’s commercial director and co-founder, with Antonio Conde, who have over 20 years collective experience in the golf travel business. “We have developed a state-of-the-art platform that is set up for golfers to find essential information for their next golf holiday at the click of a button. We have worked tirelessly on making sure the project is designed with ease of

Menzies offers a warm Welcombe!

Please visit our new website

yd NE ro W Sp a

Book your breaks with GolfBoo

Awarded 5 Star Gold Award by British Tourist Board

H

With golf courses across Europe bathed in sunshine and looking picture perfect, Your Golf Travel is seeking to find the best of this summer’s golf course images in its new ‘Greatest Shot’ photography competition.

Running until the end of July, this competition encourages golfers everywhere to take a snapshot of their favourite summer golfing moment and submit their entry to the Your Golf Travel ‘Hall of Frame’, with plenty of prizes up for grabs for the cream of the crop.

Entries will be shortlisted at the end of July, when awardwinning golf course photographer Kevin Murray will head a judging panel to select the winners.

Twitter entries can be made to @yourgolftravel by entering hashtag #greatestshot with your name and that of the venue, or alternatively via email to greatestshot@yourgolftravel.com.

0800 389 9892 ashburygolfhotel.com All rooms en-suite • Full board • Child rates • Party discounts

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July 2013 / Issue 223

Royal Portush commands stunning coastal views

BEAT THE RUSH The famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

The dramatic rock formations at the Giant’s Causeway are a must-see for all visitors to this corner of Northern Ireland

If you’re looking for classic links golf and traditional Irish hospitality, then Northern Ireland’s ‘Causeway Coast’ is hard to beat.

Words by Nick Bayly

July 2013 / Issue 223

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Dunluce Castle in Portrush

A typically well-hidden green at Royal County Down

Royal Portrush looks destined to host an Open Championship

When my inbox pinged with an invitation to play Portstewart, Royal Portrush and Royal County Down on a three-day trip to Northern Ireland, it took all of 10 seconds to clear the diary, inform my wife, and tell the kids that ‘Yes, of course Daddy loves them, but he has to go off and do some ‘work’.

Although I’d played RCD some 12 years previously, it was a dim and distant memory, and with the two unplayed ‘Ports’ still to tick off from my bucket list, it was simply too good an offer to miss. The fact that 2011 Open champion – and Portrush resident – Darren Clarke was also going to be joining us for a hole or two – was a mere amuse bouche to the main course provided by three such stunning links courses. Throw in a few nights in a nice hotel, a visit to the Giant’s Causeway, and a tasting of Bushmills’ world-renowned whiskeys, and you had the makings of a memorable trip. And that was how it turned out.

Northern Ireland’s status as a world-class golfing destination has taken a huge step forward in recent years. Aided by a trio of homegrown major champions – take a bow Graeme, Darren and Rory – and the successful staging of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush in 2012, the principality’s star is very much in the ascendant. And with half a dozen courses that deserve to be on every serious golfer’s must-play list, combined with traditional Irish hospitality, and some stunning places to visit away from the links, the hour-long flight from London seems just too short for the complete change in pace that a trip here offers.

Portrush and RCD are undoubtedly the top two reasons any links enthusiast beats a path to this corner of the United Kingdom. Both are permanent fixtures in the world’s top 20, and make for arguably the finest short break destination in the world. My three-day trip took in both venues, plus Portstewart, a 54-hole venue located a mile around the bay from Portrush.

Portstewart took bold steps in becoming a must-play links by adding seven new holes to its Strand Course in 1992, which are set along some of the Causeway Coast’s most stunning dunesland. It features one of the best opening tee shots in Ireland, an elevated shot overlooking the beach and town to a fairway tucked behind a sand wall. Only after you turn the corner, about 240 yards out, is the green finally revealed to the right. The second is no less spectacular, with a 100-foot dune wall framing the left side of the fairway in menacing fashion, and the green also tucked away in a guarded corner. And so it goes on.

The back nine is slightly less thrilling, but still presents a stiff challenge, with the two short holes – 12 and 15 – being a particular highlight, hitting from elevated tees to well-guarded greens. Playing in winds gusting up to 40mph, and in fear of running out of balls before we took on Royal County Down, we took shelter in the clubhouse after the 16th (which, somewhat strangely, comes back to the clubhouse) in search of warmth and sustenance, both of which were found in equal abundance in the stunning building, which has floor-to-ceiling views of the course on one side and the Irish Sea on the other.

After a good night’s sleep in the Ramada Inn, which

is within walking distance of all of Portrush’s legendary watering holes, we headed to Royal Portrush with high hopes of taming this legendary links, host of the 2012 Irish Open. Those hopes were pretty slim, as only two pros managed to break 70 during last year’s tournament, but not every golfer has found the venue as difficult. In the North of Ireland Amateur Championship in 2005, Rory McIlroy shot 61, recording nothing worse than a 4.

Playing off plus-4 at the time, his score was adjusted to 65.

Playing off 14, my hopes of a nett 65 were thinner than the approach I played to the opening par four, which scuttled into a bunker that required a stepladder to get in and out of. Sadly, it wasn’t to be my last trip to the sand.

Before the round, I asked Gary McNeill, the club’s head professional (and the 1991 Irish Amateur champion) how I should tackle the course. “The Dunluce course remains the fairest links I have ever played,” he said. “It will test every club in your bag, and each hole will present you with its own unique challenges. Sacrificing a little distance for accuracy, particularly if the wind blows, will give you every chance of playing to your handicap. That is, if you can keep your eyes off the majestic scenery.”

The Dunluce course might indeed be fair, but it’s also quite deceptive. Because the dunes mostly sit back from the fairways and the terrain doesn’t appear too intimidating, you’ve often got less room than you think.

Although it doesn’t look too tough, the rough is punishing.

And with the golf ball bouncing unpredictably off the mounded fairways, you’ll spend more time off them than on. But McNeill was right in that the views over the Atlantic Ocean, across to Portrush and inland to the mountains, was as unforgettable as some of the holes. The best include the fifth, a wonderful par four that sweeps downhill to a green that sits above the sea, and 14, a frightening 200-yard uphill par three, which is aptly-named Calamity Corner.

Darren Clarke certainly found it too intimidating for his liking, and chose instead to play the far more friendly 165yard 11th with our group. First up, I wafted a 7-iron to 10 feet and must have looked pretty pleased with myself until Darren lobbed one in to six feet with an 8-iron. Despite a good read from the man who grew up playing the course, I sadly pushed my birdie attempt an inch wide, while Dazza canned his with the kind of contempt that comes from having played the hole more times than he cared to remember. A quick handshake and a few ‘good lucks’ from us – unfortunately he missed the cut at Carton House later that week – and he was off to play the hole again.

BOOK YOUR BREAK READER OFFER

Your Golf Travel has a range of short break packages to Northern Ireland, including two nights’ B&B at The Ramada in Portrush, with rounds of golf on Royal Portrush (Dunluce), Portstewart (Strand) and Royal County Down cost £579pp in August & September, and from £439 in October. The same break staying at The Bushmills Inn costs £529pp. Swap RCD for Castle Rock, and the price is £499 (Aug/Sept) and £399 (Oct).

For all the latest packages contact www. yourgolftravel.com, call 0808 163 9280 or email info@ yourgofltravel.com Aer Lingus (www. aerlingus.com) flies into Belfast seven times a day from Gatwick and Heathrow, and if you book through Your Golf Travel you’ll receive free club carriage on bookings made before August 31 for travel any time.

Your Golf Travel competition winners pose with 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke

Portrush’s finish isn’t the most spectacular, but it’s no simple task to walk off with a four at 18, a 450-yarder with half a dozen bunkers protecting the fairway and the green.

Once inside the modern clubhouse, famous names are to be found in every corner. The honours boards are littered with household names, from Clarke, who won the same championship as McIlroy in 1990, to Portrush-native Fred Daly, who became the only Irishman from either side of the border to win the Open until Padraig Harrington captured it in 2007. And with rumours rife that the club might get the nod to host the Open Championship in 2018, this quiet corner of Northern Ireland might be about to get a whole lot busier once the word gets out.

Visitors staying in Portrush should also add in a round at the Mussenden Course at Castlerock, which is located on the other side of the Bann River from Portstewart.

The course boasts greens that are among Ireland’s best, and its quintet of par fives make it almost unique in links golf, where long holes are few and far between. The area is shortly to gain another landmark course when the controversial Bushmills Dunes Golf Resort & Spa opens in a few years time. Located between Bushfoot Golf Club and the Giant’s Causeway, the proposed resort will feature an 18-hole links course designed by David McLay Kidd.

It’s been a hotly-debated project, given its proximity to the magical Giant’s Causeway, but it will certainly provide some welcome jobs, as well as adding to the attraction that this blessed golfing region already possesses.

While Royal County Down is 90 miles south of Portrush, you won’t regret the journey, and it makes for a fitting finale for any trip before heading back to Belfast City airport. Framed by the mystical Mountains of Mourne on one side and the Bay of Dundrum on the other, there’s no questioning the natural beauty of its location, although as a golf course it’s definitely the more rugged-looking brother to Portrush.

Darren Clarke’s one criticism of RCD is the amount of blind shots that are required. I have to concur with him on this point, especially given that a lot of golfers will be playing this course just the once in their lifetime.

There must be six or seven holes where you have to hit the ball in the air without having much of a clue where you’re going, or, more importantly, where the ball will end up, which isn’t my idea of fun. What’s more, a lot of the greens are domed, with fearsome run-offs, which makes life even tougher, as do the many ‘bearded’ bunkers. Given that we played it on a windless day, I dread to think of the scores you could rack up should it choose to blow, as it often does in this corner of the world. That said, true championship courses are designed to test the best, and if your best isn’t good enough, then raise your hand and admit defeat – which I did. There are without doubt some spectacular holes, such as the long par three fourth, and the majestic par-four 9th.

With such sublime golf, and the added attractions of Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle and the Bushmills Distillery, as well as the bright lights of the capital city of Belfast, a golf trip to Northern Ireland should be at the top of your golf holiday bucket list. Just tell them Darren sent you.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

THE PERFECT PLACE TO RELAX AND UNWIND, WITH SOME GREAT GOLF Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, a Rocco Forte property, is one of Europe’s most exciting resorts. Located on the south coast of Sicily, just over two hours from London Gatwick, in 230 hectares of olive groves, boasts two Kyle Phillipsdesigned championship golf courses. The resort offers a luxurious and relaxing five-star contemporary hotel, with uninterrupted views across the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, and it is the perfect location for a golfing break away.

The resort is an 80-minute drive from the airport on the south coast of Sicily, near the seaside town of Sciacca. Sicily is blessed with warm weather year round, March through to June, and in October to November temperatures range from 15˚C to 26˚C. July and August are blessed with glorious sunshine and average temperatures of around 28˚C. The five-star resort offers 203 fully-equipped rooms, looking

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out onto the Mediterranean Sea from a private terrace.

The décor of the whole hotel captures the art of simple luxury. Furnished in a fresh contemporary style that reflects the essence of Sicily, the guest rooms at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort provide an elegant and relaxing space. The rooms are in two distinct styles of building – Courtyard and Landscape, woven subtly into the landscape and offering a real sense of privacy and space.

With four different restaurants and four bars, plus private dining options, overseen by the famous two-Micheiin stars Fulvio Pierangelini, guests can choose the perfect venue for every occasion. This rich Sicilian and Italian culinary heritage is celebrated at Verdura, from a family seafood barbecue at the beachside Amare restaurant to a romantic, clifftop dinner at Liolá, where you can feast on freshly-baked pizza or authentic Sicilian specialities, watching the sun disappear into the ocean. Verdura has

VERDURA GOLF & SPA RESORT 5* SICILY four bars – set in different locations around the resort; providing a relaxing and stylish environment throughout the day and evening. Guests can enjoy a coffee or a cocktail at La Granita, a drink or two at the Pool Bar, try a fruit cocktail in the Spa Bar, or enjoy a drink before or after their round of golf in the Torre bar.

Host of the 2012 Sicilian Open, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is home to two 18-hole championship golf courses and a short Par 3 course designed

by leading golf architect Kyle Philips, set amongst the phenomenal views of the Mediterranean Sea. The resort has excellent practice facilities including a double-end driving range, putting green, chipping green and practice bunkers.

The East Golf Course has more undulations than its sister course, with some cleverly designed features to throw golfers when playing a round. The first nine is a surprising challenge, and with a short par 4 3rd and early water hazards at the 5th and

6th hole to challenge golfers from the start to finish – this course takes no prisoners.

There are some tricky holes along the back nine – some of the most memorable being the par-3 12th, with a ridge to master, and the penultimate holes, which take the golfers up and down the coastline, particularly the elevated 18th above the rocks. With such a range of interesting and fun holes, with panoramic views to match, this certainly is a golf course any golfer will enjoy.

The West course is also

delight to play for golfers looking for some incredible views. The final four holes steal the show, with the 15th and 17th being relatively short holes with views of the sea to complement them, while the 16th and 18th are right along the coastline, with longer fairways to push the strength of your drive. Other memorable holes that offer more than just great scenery, include the par-5 4th, which allows a more strategic approach to score well, and the par-4 5th, which is laid out across a pronounced natural depression.

Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is the perfect place to relax and unwind, set in beautiful scenery. with a tranquil atmosphere, along with some great golf. Speak to Golfbreaks. com’s experienced and knowledgeable sales team for advice on the perfect golf break to Verdura.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

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Top packages at magical Monte Rei There are some great value packages to be had at the world-class Monte Rei resort in Portugal’s Eastern Algarve this summer.

The venue is arguably the no.1 course in the country and is the handiwork of the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Meandering over 70 hectares of gently rolling hills and valleys, with water coming into play on 11 of the 18 holes, the course features a challenging series of eight par 4s, five par 3s and five par 5s in a distinctive and memorable layout. Fairways and greens are boarded by several lakes, with indigenous plants, native grasses and trees adding drama to the landscape. The course is always in tip-top condition and provides a memorable round of golf, with stunning panaromic views.

Jack Nicklaus has created a masterpiece at Monte Rei - but watch out for the buunkers

Fabulous views and fabulous food is on offer at Monte Rei

The impressive 4,000m² clubhouse, set in landscaped gardens and courtyards, is built in a ‘Mediterranean revival’ style, with its cool interior offering a welcoming haven after a hot day’s golf.

The current range of packages includes a two-night stay in a luxury one-bedroom villa with one round of golf, including buggy, daily breakfast, one tapas lunch and one fine-dining dinner, from €560pp until the end of August.

To book, visit the resort’s new website at www.monte-rei.com.

Golf and marriage come together at Evian Golfing couples looking for a bit of competitive fun at one of Europe’s most exclusive resorts should consider entering the International Couples Challenge, a unique couples-only event which is being staged on the new course of the Evian Resort Golf Club in France from October 4-6.

The three-day event begins with a warm-up round on the recently-redesigned Evian course, home to the Evian Championship, the fourth Major in the women’s professional golfing calendar which takes place from September 12-15.. That will be followed by two more days of competitive golf, with the formats requiring couples to play Texas Scramble on the first day, and Greensomes on the second day. The field will be divided into three playing categories: Silver for those couples who have been married longer than 25 years; Crystal, for those who have been together for less than 25 years, and Partner, for those couples who are not married.

The tournament will also include a welcome cocktail party and dinner on the first night, gala dinner on the second night, and a cocktail party and a prize-giving ceremony on the final evening.

The package includes two nights B&B at the Hotel Ermitage; all green fees on the Evian Resort course and all the evening activities. The price per day in a double occupancy room at the Hotel Ermitage is from €861pp. For more information call +33 (0)4 50265050 or visit www.evianresort.com.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

It’s golfing paradise at del Garda!

Palazzo Victoria, one of Italy’s most unique boutique hotels, has teamed up with Paradiso del Garda Golf club to offer a two-night package aimed at culture-loving golfers.

Until November, guests booking Palazzo Victoria’s golf package will experience an unforgettable stay in the luxury hotel in the centre of Verona, combined with a trip to one of the area’s finest golf clubs and a three-course meal at Borsari 36 restaurant.

Paradiso del Garda, located near the famous Italian Lakes, offers an 18-hole championship course surrounded by the region’s most breath-taking vistas and designed by famous American architect Tom Fazio.

The course offers an array of challenges to satisfy even the most demanding play, while a swimming pool and a spa make Paradiso del Garda a relaxing place for non-golfers too.

On arrival at the hotel, guests will be welcomed with a complimentary cocktail in the hotel’s atmospheric Victoria Club, while the package also invites guests to enjoy a complimentary room upgrade subject to availability.

Encapsulating the very best

of Italian culture and luxury living, Palazzo Victoria is home to 71 rooms, which feature dramatic high ceilings and traditional Veronese décor and antiques. The hotel also offers an outside courtyard and an internal garden, a vibrant lounge, and a brasserie style restaurant, Borsari 36, set against a backdrop of ancient ruins.

Palazzo Victoria’s golf package costs from €430 per room per night and includes two nights’ B&B accommodation in a deluxe room, return transfers to Golf Club Paradiso del Garda, and a three-course dinner at Borsari 36.

For more information, or to book, visit www. palazzovictoria.com.

Paradiso del Garda

The opulent rooms at Palazzo Victoria in Verona

Laranjal

Suite dreams Monte da Quinta Golf Escapes is offering three nights’ accommodation at the fabulous Monte da Quinta suites, and three rounds of golf on a selection on Quinta do Lago’s top tracks, for just £339pp during October.

The package, which is based on four people sharing a twobedroom suite, includes daily breakfast and three rounds of golf at Quinta do Lago Laranjal, Quinta do Lago South, and Quinta do Lago North, with a shared buggy included in the latter course.

Opened in 2008, the luxury property offers one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with the highest levels of comfort and furnishings. The suites contain every modern convenience, such as flat screen televisions, and there are kitchen facilities in all units. On-site there are a number of dining options, an

extensive kids’ club, and the Magnolia Spa. The huge pool is a great place to exercise away the fabulous breakfasts on offer, and there is a good choice of restaurants five minutes away. The beach is a long walk through the pine forests, while the clubhouse at Quinta do Lago is a ten-minute stroll away.

As well as the self-catering suites, the resort offers a range of two- and three-bedroom townhouses and villas, all of which have private pools. For further information, or to book, visit www.golf-escapes.com.

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July 2013 / Issue 223

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Me&MyTravels Olympic boxing gold medalist Nicola Adams has caught the golfing bug between bouts and is looking forward to ripping it up at St Andrews My most recent golf trip was to...

Lumine in the Costa Dorada, Spain.

I’ve just come back from there and it was fantastic. I’m just learning at the moment, so to have a few lessons in the sun at the club’s performance centre was a huge bonus, and really got me excited about getting on the course.

My favourite golf course is… De Vere Oulton Hall, which is very close to my home in Leeds. Everyone there is incredibly friendly and they look after me very well. It’s set up perfectly with the course, practice facilities, and the lovely on-site hotel. I was there recently and was lucky enough to stay and use the spa. If this is what golf is like, I want more events like it!

I’d love to play…The Old Course at St Andrews. It’s the home of golf and I really like the idea of playing a golf course with all that history behind it. They’re also holding the Women’s British Open there in August, so it would be good

to see how much better female professionals play it compared to my score!

Maxx Royal, Antalya, Turkey

I always pack…my running shoes and training kit. There’s never a day off when you are competing, so I have to take them everywhere I go.

in as I was still training! It was just a really nice chance to unwind when I had finished training.

My favourite city in the world is…

London. After last year I cannot say anywhere else. Winning gold at the 2012 Olympics was the pinnacle of my career, and to do it in the capital, in front of the home crowd, was an amazing experience. Everyone in the city was so friendly, and to see everyone unite and get behind the Olympic team was special.

De Vere Oulton Hall The Hills, Lumine, Spain

My most embarrassing moment on a golf course was…when I topped the ball in front of a few people that had come out to see me at Oulton Hall. I was so embarrassed I just had to walk onto the next shot. I do get nervous when playing, it’s strange to get those feelings back, but then it’s also kind of nice to know I can still get them. It just makes me want to get even better.

The best hotel I’ve stayed in is…

The Maxx Royal in Antalya, Turkey.

I was fortunate enough to go to a while back. It’s a fabulous hotel with so much to do. The beach is beautiful and it even has its own nightclub, although I wasn’t allowed

My most memorable ever round was…my first game. I was hooked instantly and can’t wait to get out on the course or driving range at every spare second I get. I had a bit more time when I wasn’t training, but I’m back in full training to defend my title at the European Championships next month.

My best gross score was…just over 100 (I’m not counting). It’s still early days, but I’m really hoping to get a handicap in the teens. I

suppose my boxing has helped me focus and stay driven, so I’m looking forward to breaking 100, then 90, and then hopefully 80.

I’ve modelled my golf swing on…

Annika Sörenstam. She’s fantastic and to have led in her sport for so long is such an achievement. Her swing is effortless and definitely something I’d like to try and recreate. I love Michelle Wie’s power as well!

My dream four ball would include…Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali, and Usain Bolt.

I’m planning a golf trip to…Las Colinas in the Costa Blanca. There’s an academy there, so I’m off for some practice and hopefully a round or two. There’s also a new sushi restaurant in the clubhouse, so I will definitely be booking a table for one of the nights.

My golfing hero is…Tiger Woods – what a player and what a talent.

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