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Issue 225 | September 2013

INSIDE: JUSTIN ROSE ROSS FISHER HENRIK STENSON COMPETITION MATT LE TISSIER

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September 2013 / Issue 225

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Issue 225 | September 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 For Advertising enquiries please call 01273 556377-07885 673258 or matt@golfnews.co.uk

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Published by BlueGreen Media Contributors Paul Mahoney, Ewen Murray, Alistair Tait, Sarah Stirk, Eddie Pepperell

SHOWTIME! Three-day golfing spectacular returns to London this autumn P6

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Follow us on: Twitter@golfnewsmag

TRUE ROLL INSERT

The Scottsdale® TR™ putter’s new insert has consistency down to a science.

Its variable depth grooves, machined into an aerospace grade 6061 aluminium insert, create unmatched distance control. Whether you hit it dead centre or toward the heel or toe, your putts travel nearly the same distance. Add even more consistency with an adjustable shaft (optional) in one of 12 models. Visit a PING® Fitting Specialist or ping.com.

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

How many is too many?

I

found it rather odd that the judge presiding over the case regarding the plans to build a new golf course at Cherkley Court in Leatherhead (see page 8 for the full story) cited an over supply of golf courses in Surrey as one of the reasons for throwing out the project.

It may not have been the deciding factor, as there were a lot of environmental and historical issues also at stake, but a great deal was made during the court case about the county already having 140 courses, so that a 141st was

surplus to requirements.

Not only do I find it odd to draw such distinctions between counties, given that golfers from Sussex, Kent and Middlesex could drive to Leatherhead in less than 20 minutes, but who is to say that the 140 clubs already in existence are any more or less deserving to be there than the 141st? How many is too many? And should an ambitious, well-funded project be quashed just because 140 other clubs got there first?

It’s also comparing apples with oranges. Apart

from nearby Queenwood, and perhaps the recentlyopened Centurion Club in Hertfordshire, I can’t think of too many other members’ clubs in the home counties that have been built in the last 15 years specifically to appeal to high net worth individuals, rather than those looking for more of an entrylevel experience.

Perhaps that, in the end, did for Cherkley Court’s group of high profile investors, who, I might add, look certain to take the case to appeal.

Nothing winds the public up more than the word ‘private’.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

News in Brief WINFIELD WINS TRAINEES’ TITLE Abbey Hill assistant pro Joe Winfield won the 2013 PGA Assistants & Trainees Championship (South) after shooting a 14-under par total over two rounds at The Drift Golf Club in Surrey. After finishing second in 2012, Winfield went one better courtesy of a closing 63, which saw him finish three shots clear of Ben O’Dell, Mark Hillson and Robert Gowers.

MORGAN CLAIMS COLTS CROWN

Frilford Heath players filled the first three places in the rescheduled BB&O Colts’ Championship held at Huntercombe. After the original date in May was cancelled due to heavy rain, the competitors tried again on August 20, with Toby Morgan prevailing by three shots after shooting a three-under par 69. Fellow Frilford members Jordan Williams and Dean Newbold took second and third places respectively.

Gallacher suffers heart scare New Kidd Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack on August 29.

The 64-year-old Scot was attending a function at a hotel in Aberdeen when he he was taken ill. He was immediately taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he underwent an operation, before being placed in a medicallyinduced coma. His condition was described at the time by a hospital spokesperson as ‘critical’, although it is now stable, and is not thought to be life-threatening.

Members of Gallacher’s family, including his daughter Kirsty, his wife Lesley, brother Jamie and sister Laura, all rushed to the hospital to be at his bedside.

Kirsty had been in Spain with her parents before returning to the UK early with her family to attend Sam Torrance’s 60th birthday celebrations. Gallacher and his wife had stayed in Spain for a few more days before flying back home.

Current Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, was one of many leading figures in

the game to offer support.

“I’m thinking about him like everyone else, and hoping he will pull through. He is a guy I know pretty well; he lives near me in Sunningdale, and I have played golf with him many times. I’ve spoken to him about the Ryder Cup captaincy, and he is a mine of information. My thoughts are with him and the family.”

Colin Montgomerie, who made his Ryder Cup debut under Gallacher in 1991, added: “All we can do is wish him well. Our thoughts go out to him and his family, and let’s hope he makes a speedy recovery.”

Gallacher, who was born in Edinburgh, but now lives in Ascot, took up golf at the age of 11. He turned pro in 1967, and was named rookie of the year the following season.

He made the first of his eight Ryder Cup appearances as a

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player in 1969, defeating Lee Trevino 4&3 in the singles at Birkdale. He then went on to captain Europe in 1991, 1993 and 1995. The first two contests ended in narrow defeats, before a memorable one-point win at Oak Hill.

In recent years, Gallacher has become a successful broadcaster, reporting for BBC Radio 5 Live on last year’s Ryder Cup. Gallacher was also the head professional at Wentworth for more than 25 years, and served as captain at the famous Surrey club in 2000. Still a regular visitor to the Surrey venue, his association is commemorated by a bronze statue beside the first tee, which was unveiled in 1998.

Speaking on September 3, Wentworth’s chief executive, Julian Small, said: “It was such a shock, because Bernard is such a strong and fit man who regularly works out in the Wentworth gym. We were all distressed to hear about his collapse. Thankfully the doctors are pleased with his progress, and hopefully his fitness that will help him make a full recovery. We are certainly praying for that outcome.”

up at Brocket

Supermodel Jodie Kidd will be bringing a touch of style and glamour to Brocket Hall Golf Club having become the new ambassador for the Hertfordshire venue’s ladies section.

A useful 15-handicapper, the 34-year-old former supermodel has swapped the catwalk for the fairways and will be at the forefront of the future development of ladies and junior girls’ golf at the club.

As part of her role, Kidd will help promote and expand Brocket Hall’s growing female membership, which already includes rising England international Gabriella Cowley and professional Tara Dayer-Smith, a winner on the Jamega Tour this season.

Kidd said: “I’ve loved playing golf ever since I first tried it after my father bought me a lesson as a Christmas present as a child, and there are few grander or more beautiful places to play at than Brocket Hall. It is a stunning location and the club has everything that a golfer could want with some outstanding facilities. It’s a great honour to have been asked to join the club’s ambassador programme and promote it to a wider female audience.”

Kidd joins a growing list of Brocket Hall ambassadors, which also includes European Tour player Simon Khan and European Long Driving champion Joe Miller.

Club manager David Griffin said: “We are dedicated to the future growth of the women’s game at Brocket Hall, and are delighted to have Jodie on board to lead this and encourage women to enjoy their golf at the club and develop all aspects of their game.”

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September 2013 / Issue 225

News in Brief

Monty wins at Woburn to kickstart ‘second career’ Colin Montgomerie took just 69 days to register his first victory as a veteran golfer after strolling to a six-shot win at the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters, held at Woburn Golf Club.

The former Ryder Cup captain returned to the winner’s circle at the Bedfordshire venue a full six years and 55 days after his last professional win at the 2007 European Open, taming the Duke’s Course with a trademark display of straight driving and accurate iron play.

And while the €52,299 on offer for first prize was

a long way off the sixfigure sums he picked up for fun during his earlier career on the European Tour, the knowledge that he still has the game to win golf tournaments will be more than the enough for the popular Scot. He sealed victory at Woburn with a final round 70, for a 10-under par total that saw him pull clear of his closest pursuers, Miguel Angel Martin and Paul Wesselingh, who shared second place on four under.

After beginning the final day three clear of past winner Carl Mason,

Large galleries witnessed Montgomerie’s first Senior win

Montgomerie got off to the perfect start when he got up and down from a greenside bunker for birdie at the long first, before delivering the coup de grâce at the parfive fifth, where a stunning four-iron to six feet set up an eagle three and a lead that was never challenged.

Montgomerie completed a highly impressive 41st professional victory in front of record Woburn crowds that numbered more than 23,000 across the week.

“It feels great,” said an elated Montgomerie, who had his old caddy, 57-yearold Alistair Mclean, back on bag duties. “Anybody with any competitive blood in them knows that it is nice to win, to come out on top. This course has suited me down to the ground for years. I had a couple of great finishes on the main Tour, so it’s nice to come back here and finally win. The standard out here is very good, and I’m delighted that it is, because it means that when you do well, it’s meaningful. I’ve still got a lot to work on, and I’m going away to carry on getting it right.”

Bassingbourn closes for Libyan army A Hertfordshire golf club that was closed down by the government earlier this year is to be used to train members of the Libyan army.

The nine-hole course at Bassingbourn Golf Club borders land that was handed over to the US Air Force during World War II, where it was used as an airfield that was home to the Memphis Belle. It then fell under British military control, most recently as the home of the Army Training Regiment, until 2012.

Last year the land passed into the ownership of the Ministry of Defence and all British soldiers left the site.

The golf club’s members were told at the time that they would no longer be able to access the site. The club then met with MoD officials to claim that its loss would hurt the local community and that its members could run the club

themselves – preventing the need for the golf club to be closed down.

“To our astonishment, the MoD refused point blank to consider any options,” said Des Downey, committee member at Bassingbourn.

“It was very evident that any public interest factors, such as the loss of community leisure facilities, had not been part of their thinking.

To compound it all, taxpayers see community leisure assets to the value of perhaps £1 million destroyed.”

Other sports’ clubs at the site, such as a hockey club and a yachting club, have also closed down, although a dry ski slope remains open.

It has now emerged that up to 2,000 Libyan army personnel will arrive at the site later this year for training, and the sports clubs will not be allowed back to use their facilities during the period of army training.

LAWSON BAGS 4TH BBO TITLE

Tom Lawson picked up his fourth BB&O Amateur Championship title after playing four solid rounds at his home club, Stoke Park. Leading by two shots after the first day, when he fired rounds of 71 and 72, he slipped back into second after the third round, which saw Ashley Watkins take the lead by two shots with a 68. However, the long-hitting Lawson fought back with a 69 in the final round to win by three shots.

COLES CAPTURE FAMILY 4SOMES

Kika and Peter Coles won Burhill Golf Club’s hotly-contested annual Family Foursomes tournament.

The mother and son duo beat 30 other pairs to the title at the Surrey venue, sealing victory with a 2&1 win over Stephanie and Jeremy Williams in the final.

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News in Brief MITCHELL IN CHARGE AT CHELMSFORD Neil Mitchell of Bury Golf Range posted a two-under-par 66 to beat a strong field in the Chelmsford Golf Club Charity Pro-Am. Mitchell, with five birdies, saw off the challenge of Mark Hooper (Rayleigh Golf Range), Jason Levermore (Channels) and Andrew Pestell (Chelmsford) by one shot.

COOPER CLAIMS FIRST WIN Mike Yorke Golf Academy’s Lea Cooper shot a five-under-par 67 to win the Bletchingley Pro-Am by one shot from Jamie Harris.

Cooper, whose up-and-down round included three bogeys, two eagles and four birdies, took home a cheque for £750 to celebrate his first win of the season.

STANDING HITS THE HEIGHTS Holly Standing won the Kent U18 Girls Championship after firing rounds of 77 and 74 in the 36-hole competition held at Sweetwoods Golf Club. Her 151 total tied with Burhill’s Shannon Flynn, but Standing, who plays at Chart Hills, won on countback following her better final round.

MIKE FERRIES ASHFORD TO TURKEY FINAL

Ashford Golf Club captain Mike Luetchford produced a shipshape performance to reach the Golfplan Insurance PGA ProCaptain Challenge in Turkey. The former ferry company salesman partnered PGA Professional Paul Sherman as they dominated the qualifying event at Kings Hill in Kent. The Ashford pairing carded a 12-under-par round of 60 to win by two shots ahead of Matthew Stock and Graham Loveless from Surrey National. The Kent duo will now play in the £25,000 final at Antalya Golf Club, Turkey, from November 21-22.

September 2013 / Issue 225

Gear up for the London Golf Show!

Golfers looking to try out the latest equipment, check out a holiday destination, take a lesson from a pro or watch some of the game’s leading trick short artists in action are being asked to book off the weekend of November 8-10 and take a trip to Earls Court to visit the 2013 London Golf Show.

Now in its ninth year, the show will once again provide an interactive indoor experience for golfers of all ages, all under one roof, and protected from the unpredictable British weather.

With expert advice, PGA tuition, an indoor driving range, custom fitting, club testing, simulators and the latest golf gadgets, all the worlds leading brands will be present, including TaylorMade, Titleist, Nike, Yonex, Callaway, Mizuno, Cleveland, Cobra, and Wilson. Visitors will be able to test and buy the newest equipment provided by retail partner the Internet Golf Store, which will have a 3,000-square foot store on site.

In addition, there are trick

Three-day golfing spectacular returns to London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre this November shot displays, competitions, prizes, cars, the latest fashions, retail advice, as well as plenty of fun for golfers who wish to indulge their senses, skills and passion.

Damian Benstead, managing director of the Golf Show Group said: “This will be our third show at Earls Court and we are going to give our visitors the best experience ever in November. The London Golf Show is one of only a few opportunities for our exhibitors and visitors to spend time together face to face, and with new exhibitors

Ford snatches Prince’s prize Matthew Ford shot a final round 75 to snatch the C+K Group PGA Kent Open Championship from Richard Wallis at a windswept Prince’s Golf Club.

In an unexpected turn of events, Ford, who is also sponsored by C+K Group, fired two birdies over Prince’s difficult closing stretch to finish on a total of fourunder-par 212 (68, 69, 75) to take the £2,000 first prize, which is largest winner’s cheque of the season on the Virgin Altantic Order of Merit.

His two birdies at the 15th and 16th edged out a great performance by Leatherhead’s Michael Lowe, who shot 69 for a total of three under par.

After dropping four shots in the last six holes, Wallis finished with a 79 to take third place.

The Walmer & Kingsdown player had dominated the first two rounds of the 54hole tournament, firing 66 and 69 to be nine under par, but he was undone over the closing holes.

After playing 15 rounds of tournament golf in 16 days in three different countries, Ford was fighting tiredness as well as the wind, but

despite being four strokes behind on the 12th, dug deep to keep his ball in business and reach the finishing line in good shape.

“I made a couple of great up and downs on the 13th and 14th, a good two putt birdie on the par-five 15th, and hit my approach to six feet for another one on the 16th,” he commented, “which put me all square with Richard after he’d made bogeys at the 13th and 15th.”

Despite Ford’s second major win, Wallis still leads the race for the 2013 Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit, and with Ford abroad for the Tylney Park Classic on September 23-24, Wallis will be aiming to capitalise, as will Lowe who is looking for a top-three finish and a place in the Titleist PGA Play-Offs.

signing up for their first ever London Golf Show, and existing clients returning year on year, we have something for all ages and abilities.”

The London Golf Show also recently announced

a partnership with Golf Monthly as their official media partner at the London 2013 exhibition.

Sales & Marketing Manager, Dominic McMullan said: “We set out with the

objective of achieving a greater focus and more highly targeted campaign to deliver the maximum number of opportunities to be seen by golfers, to sell tickets and to deliver a more valuable audience to all of our exhibitors. We’re delighted with the deal, which compliments our advertising with the other leading golf publications we support.”

As an additional incentive for visitors, everyone attending the show can claim up to 4 rounds of golf worth over £200 courtesy of The Leaderboard Group, who’s courses are The Oxfordshire, Sandford Springs and Dale Hill. Simply visit their stand at the show for details.

The show is open from 10am to 7pm on Friday, from 10am-5pm on Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sunday.

Tickets cost £11.50 per person, or £9 each for multiples of two people, and £48 for groups of six.

Afternoon-only tickets (from 3pm on Friday, cost £7.50.

The ticket hotline number is 0844 858 6749 or for more information visit www. londongolfshow.com

Wimbledon unveils new bunkers Wimbledon Park Golf Club has recently completed a major renovation programme under the supervision of London-based design firm Thomson Perrett & Lobb.

The club, which first opened in 1898, is located directly opposite the world-famous All England Lawn Tennis Club, and serves as its overflow car park during Wimbledon fortnight every year. Although the money comes in handy for the club, the weight and number of cars presents their own headaches, as course manager David Langheim knows only too well. “Each year we spend a significant amount of money on turf and additional greenkeeping resources to get the course back in play after the tennis championship is over,” he said. “In a wet year, the job is made even more difficult. One of the goals of the renovation project was to make the job of repairing the golf course each year as easy as possible.”

In order to take tackle the problem, the architects planned in new sub-surface drainage, as well as introducing a new irrigation system, which is helping to keep the course in outstanding condition. Under the guidance of Thomson Perrett & Lobb’s

principal architect Tim Lobb, the course has been entirely rebunkered over the past two winters, while a number of teeing grounds have also been modified.

“Despite challenging conditions throughout the renovation project, we’re really proud of what we have achieved at Wimbledon Park,” said Lobb. “Nigel Wyatt and the bunker renovation team did a tremendous job through two very difficult winters, and the course has been transformed. The members will see a much-improved course for years to come.”

“The club is thrilled with the new-look course, and so am I,” said Langheim. “Not only will it be far more playable and interesting; it will be much easier for my team to keep it in the best possible condition.”

Wimbledon Park is a par 66 course, measuring 5,483 yards. It features six par threes, and 12 par fours, with the longest hole being the 447-yard 13th. Badly damaged by bombings during World War II, the club’s fourth and current clubhouse was built in 1952.

Current visitor green fees are set at £70 per round on weekdays only, although residents of the borough of Merton can play for £35.

8/

News in Brief YOUNG CLAIMS HANTS TITLE Brokenhurst Manor’s Martin Young won the Hampshire Mid-Amateur Championship after shooting rounds of 68 and 66 at Stoneham Golf Club. His ten-under-par total saw him finish one shot ahead of Stoneham’s Ryan Henley.

RICHARDSON’S SUSSEX OPEN

Ed Richardson won the 67th Sussex Open Championship after shooting rounds of 71 and 65 at Highwoods Golf Club in Bexhill.

The Rye amateur’s four-under par total saw him finish two and three shots clear respectively of the professional pair of Paul Nessling and Ben Skelton, both of whom are from Cooden Beach.

MIGLIOZZI WINS DUKE OF YORK

Italy’s Guido Migliozzi held off a final day challenge from Hampshire’s Jack Singh Brar to win the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Kent. The young Italian began the final round of the 54-strokeplay event with a four-stroke lead, but had to hold his nerve all the way to the 18th, before sealing a narrow one-shot win in one of the most prestigious amateur events at U18 level. The Italian Boys’ champion shot a final round 72 for an aggregate of 215, one ahead of Brar, who signed off with a 69 to equal the low round of the week.

BEARWOOD PAIR’S BENTLEY PRIZE

Competitors for the annual men’s invitational at Bearwood Lakes Golf Club were given incentive to play well this year courtesy of a generous prize put up by sponsors Bentley Berkshire. The winning pair of Ker Anderson and Mark Lavender, who carded 45 points in the better ball Stableford competition, were awarded a two-day trip to Archerfield Links in Scotland, with flights, acccomodation, golf, and a chauffeur-driven Bentley transfer from both airports all included.

JOHNSON JOY

Connor Johnson won the Sussex Boys U15 Championship after shooting a gross 72 at Mannings Heath. The eight-handicapper from Worthing finished two shots ahead of George Ounstead (Nevill), with Arthur Drake (Mid Sussex) taking third with a 75.

September 2013 / Issue 225

Millions lost after Cherkley plans thrown out Millions of pounds of investment money look all but lost after a High Court judge threw out plans to turn the former home of the late press baron Lord Beaverbrook, Cherkley Court near Leatherhead, into a hotel and golf resort.

The shock announcement, which was made on August 28, means that unless a final appeal is successful, all the work that has already been carried out on the 375acre chalkland site by the developers, Longshot Ltd, will have to be reversed.

Longshot is run by partners Joel Cadbury and Ollie Vigors, and is involved in a range of hospitality and leisure ventures, including ownership of London’s famous Groucho Club.

Cherkley Court’s other investors boasted a number of high-profile names, including Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, who put up £500,000 of his own money, while advertising mogul Sir Frank Lowe is understood to have invested £250,000 in the project. Both will lose their investments should a final appeal be rejected, as seems likely.

Cherkley will have to be returned to its original condition

Andy Murray invested £500,000 in the project

Summing up his reasons for quashing the planning permission that had been given to Longshot by Mole Valley District Council last year, Justice Haddon-Cave said that Surrey already had an adequate supply of golf clubs – there are 141 clubs already in existence – and there was no public requirement for another.

“The more exclusive the golf club, the less public need is demonstrated. It is a zero sum game,” he said.

“Pure private ‘demand’ is antithetical to public ‘need’, particularly very exclusive private demand. Once this is understood, the case answers itself.”

The Beaverbrook Golf Club would have been the 141st course in Surrey, which has a population of just over one million people.

The judge therefore upheld the legal challenge and overturned the decision of the council to grant planning permission to build the golf club, which was to be called The Beaverbrook Golf Club, in honour of the estate’s previous owner.

Justice Haddon-Cave added that the council had ‘at best paid lip service to the green belt policy, but did not apply it’. He said the decision to grant planning permission on such an Area of

Clayton claims Surrey PGA title Hindhead Golf Club PGA professional Ben Clayton proved that he practices what he preaches, after winning the Surrey PGA Championship at Cuddington Golf Club on August 22.

Clayton, who is much in demand as a coach, is the Cleveland Srixon Short Game ambassador, and regularly appears in the instruction pages of Golf News.

After a first round of 69, Clayton was three strokes off the lead set by Chris Gane with a 66, but he delivered a magical back nine performance in the second round to claim the championship.

One-under-par at the turn, he charged through the back nine with birdies on the 10th, 12th, 13th and 17th to card a 66 – the equal the lowest round of the day. His seven-under par total of 135 saw him finish one shot in front of Grant Guerin (World of Golf), while Andy Raitt (St. George’s Hill) and David Callaway (Milford) tied for third.

Clayton has been a professional for 16 years and has recently been awarded status by the British PGA Advanced Membership. He also works with a number of County Associations in a short game advisory role.

Jacklin struts his stuff on Strictly Dual Major champion Tony Jacklin has swapped his golf spikes for a pair of twinkly dancing shoes, after it was announced that the 69-year-old is one of 12 celebrities competing in this year’s series of hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.

The hero of Lytham and Hazeltine, and the most successful European Ryder Cup captain of all time, will be appearing alongside the likes of Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden, TV and readio presenter, Vanessa Feltz, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, actress Fiona Fullerton and rugby star Ben Cohen.

The popular series, which regularly attracts an audience of eight million viewers, aired its first show on September 7, where Jacklin wowed the judges with his nimble footwork. The live shows begin at the end of the month.

Jacklin is no stranger to the world of showbusiness, having released an album in the mid-1970s on which he covered a number of classis songs, including Fly me to the Moon and San Fransico.

Tom Watson was part of the course design team

Outstanding Natural Beauty was ‘perverse’, and that the council had ‘erred in law’.

Mole Valley District Council allowed the project to go ahead against the advice of its own planning officers and warnings from environmental experts.

A prepared statement from Longshot’s legal representative, Christopher Katkowski QC, said that the developers were ‘appalled and amazed’ by the decision, and will appeal against it. “The announcement has left Cherkley Court’s entire legal team as amazed as they are appalled to learn that the judicial review against the council has been successful,” he said.

“The judge has reached a flawed decision here. We are confident that the Court of Appeal will overturn the decision”.

Campaigners opposed to the development, including the National Trust, and Council for the Protection of Rural England, hailed the ruling as a ‘great victory for all who care about the countryside’, although they expressed fears that the estate had already suffered irreparable damage.

Cherkley Campaign chairman Tim Harrold said: “The judgment shows that we were entirely justified in pursuing this legal action and we are deeply grateful to all those members of the local community who rallied round and supported us.

It is particularly gratifying having the court so explicitly recognising that what may be profitable for developers is not necessarily in the public interest.”

He added: “The next step is for the developers to explain how they will go about repairing the appalling damage that they have already done to the landscape of the Leatherhead Downs.”

Frilford continues Pepperell support

Frilford Heath Golf Club in Oxfordshire has announced that it is to continue sponsoring European Tour rookie Eddie Pepperell for the 2014 season.

The 22-year-old, who has already secured his card for next year thanks to a series of high finishes earlier in the season, including a top-10 at the BMW PGA Championship in May, will carry the Frilford Heath logo on his tour bag and be attached to the club as its touring professional.

Alistair Booth, executive director of Frilford Heath, said: “We are delighted we have reached this agreement with Eddie. We have had a long association with him during his junior years at the club, and to continue it into his professional career is very exciting for all concerned.

Eddie is a credit to himself, the club and his profession.”

Pepperrell is currently ranked 70th in the Race to Dubai, and is hoping to get into the top 60 in order to play in the last four tournaments of the season, culminating in the grand final at the DP World Tour Championship in November.

After tying for 12th at the Scottish Open, Pepperell finished 28th in the Johnnie Walker Championship, and 68th in the Wales Open, but needs strong performances over the next month in order to make the cut for the European Tour’s new Final Series, which begins with the BMW Masters in China on October 24-27.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

Mystery tankard sets off Haywards history hunt

Belfry architect Thomas leaves lasting legacy Dave Thomas

The world of golf mourned the loss of one of its most popular characters last month, following the death of former Ryder Cup player Dave Thomas at the age of 79.

Newcastle-born Thomas played in the Ryder Cup four times between 1959 and 1967, and followed an illustrious playing career, in which he twice finished runnerup in The Open, by becoming a renowned designer of more than 100 courses.

As a player, he represented Wales 11 times in the World Cup between 1957-70, and captured more than 20 titles, including the Belgian Open (1955), the Dutch Open (1958), the French Open (1959), and the PGA Match Play (1963). In 1958, he tied with Peter Thomson for The Open at Royal Lytham, before losing the 36-hole play-off, and in 1966 he finished tied second behind Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield.

After arthritis brought a premature end to his playing career, Thomas immersed himself in his other great passion of course design.

Together with Peter Alliss, he designed The Belfry’s famous Brabazon Course on which The Ryder Cup was played in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002. He also designed a host of less well-known clubs, including several in the South East, including Old Thorns, Donnington Grove and Batchworth Park.

In the latter stages of his career, he worked almost exclusively overseas, and completed courses at Abama in Tenerife, St Leon Rot in Germany (host venue for the 2015 Solheim Cup), and many layouts in the emerging destinations of Japan, China and Russia.

European Tour chief executive George O’Grady, who presented Thomas with honorary life membership of the European Tour earlier this year, led the tributes. “Dave became a household name in the 1950s and 1960s, when he helped to build the game in Britain and all over the world. Wherever the Tour has travelled, at home or abroad, we have played on courses designed by Dave, and both as a player and an architect, he leaves a lasting legacy to the game he truly loved.”

Peter Alliss, who co-designed many courses with Thomas, said: “David’s death saw the closing of a major chapter of my life, both on and off the golf course.

We met in the mid 1950s and remained friends until his passing. We played hundreds of rounds together in exhibition matches and tournaments throughout the length and breadth of the world. Dare I say, we knew each other’s innermost secrets. We designed over 50 golf courses together, though perhaps our partnership was rather forgotten over the latter years. He was good company and over indulged, certainly on good food and good wine. How he lived to be 79 is a miracle of the human spirit. He leaves behind a big footprint, which I’ve always been delighted to walk alongside.”

Thomas is survived by his partner, Carol, and two sons, Michael and Paul.

His wife, Robbie, and another son, Philip, predeceased him. A funeral service was held in Sotogrande, Spain on September 2, which was followed by a reception at the San Roque Club.

Haywards Heath Golf Club in East Sussex is listed in the R&A handbook, and the club’s own records, as having been founded in 1922, but the veracity of that year has been brought into question, following the discovery of a trophy that precedes that date by almost a decade.

Haywards Heath club secretary Graham White first got wind of this discrepancy in the club’s timeline when a heavy Pewter pint tankard found its way onto his desk inscribed with the words ‘H.H.G.C. Eclectic Competition.

August 31, 1913’.

As the tankard reached its centenary at the end of last month, Mr White searched high and low among the club records and the memory banks of past and present members in order to find out whether the trophy referred back to a previous Haywards Heath Golf Club, or whether it was related to some other sporting competition.

“We are not aware of any other type of sport that commonly runs Eclectic competitions,” said Mr White.

“The history of the trophy can only be traced back 30 years. It was bought in a junk shop in Lindfield in 1974 by Grace Bayley, who lived in Danehill. Her daughter, Alyson Persson, who lives in Cranleigh, has given the tankard to the club, where it is now sitting proudly in the trophy cabinet.”

He added: “Members have suggested a few ideas about an earlier Haywards Heath Golf Club. The strongest possibility is that there was a nine-hole course to the west of Haywards Heath around the area of the new Cuckfield bypass and Copyhold Lane. However, apart from a few mounds in the ground, which might be tees and greens, there is currently no further evidence of an older club.”

The club is appealing to any local historians or golfing enthusiasts for information about whether there was a pre-First World War club at Haywards Heath. Anyone with any genuine information should contact Graham White on 01444 414457 or email secretary@ haywardsheathgolfclub. co.uk.

Footballers on target at The Addington The fourth annual Footballers Charity Golf Classic held at The Addington Golf Club saw 28 teams take to the course, with many legends of the game, including Bob Wilson, Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Di Matteo, Gus Poyet, Dave Beasant, Tony Gale and Tony Cottee, taking part. The tournament was won by the team of Shaun Carvalho, Aaron Carvalho, Steve Hackshaw, and former England defender Des Walker, with 81 points. All funds from the day were donated to Bob Wilson’s Willow Foundation.

News in Brief LONDON CLUB LAUNCH APP The London Golf Club in Kent has launched a new phone App, the App incorporates a complete guide to both courses with digital scorecards that can be saved and shared on social media, caddie information and hole flythough.

Visit the App Store or Google Play and download for free.

WENTWORTH HOSTS RYDER CUP DINNER Wentworth Club is hosting a gala dinner for its members and guests on October 20 in honour of the 60th anniversary of the Ryder Cup being held at the Surrey-based venue in 1953. The dinner will take on a historical flavour, with the menu and wine choices replicated from the dinner given to the teams six decades ago. Among the guest after dinner speakers will be Peter Alliss, who was a part of the GB&I team that narrowly lost 6.5-5.5 that year.

WORTHING RETAIN OPTIMUS TROPHY Worthing Golf Club retained the Sussex Inter Club Matchplay Championship – the Optimus Trophy – after crushing Ifield 9-3 in the final held at Crowborough Beacon on September 7. After taking a 3-1 lead in the morning foursomes, the winners of 2012 asserted their dominance with a 6-2 win the afternoon singles. The Plate tournament was won by East Brighton, who turned around a 3-1 deficit in the foursomes to beat Littlehampton 7-5.

GOWERS ON FIRE AT FOXHILLS

Robert Gowers overcame testing conditions and a top-class field at Foxhills to win the PGA Southern Professional Championship. It was the 22-year-old rookie’s first professional title, which came with a winner’s cheque for £1,888.

Gowers shot rounds of 70, 68 and 69 for a nine-under-par 207 total, which put him three shots clear of runner-up James Ablett.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

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For those that haven’t had the chance to play this hidden gem, as well as those that have, and wouldn’t mind repeating the experience, Golf News has teamed up with the Altonwood Group to offer one lucky reader a season ticket to play at all five of the group’s courses, including The Addington in Croydon, Westerham Golf Club in Kent, and the three Surrey-based venues at Woldingham, Surrey National and Godstone.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

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Barham and Trow head for Forest Pines finals Kings Hill Golf Club’s Benn Barham continued his dream year by winning the final Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship qualifier at Epsom Golf Club.

Barham partnered his club colleague Mark Trow (both pictured left) at the Surrey venue, and although they

carded an impressive-10 under-par round of 60, they only won by one shot from the host pairing of David Bright and Alex Vezey.

They will be joined by eight other qualifiers at the £28,750 Championship Final, which will be held at Forest Pines Hotel in Lincolnshire on October 2-4.

For Ex-European Tour

player Barham, his 2013 is going from strength to strength.

He finished third in the PGA Professional Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall back in June, which earned him a place in the GB&I team for next month’s PGA Cup match against the USA, which will be played at the same venue.

Playing partner Trow is also looking forward to representing the Kent club in the final. He said: “It’s been a good year for Benn, and he’s playing well at the moment.

He’ll have a busy few weeks coming up with the PGA Cup and then Forest Pines final.

I just hope he carries me around the same way he did at Epsom!”

There’s Links at the end of the tunnel

SINGH-BRAR WINS WELSH CROWN Fourteen-year-old Hampshire schoolboy Arrun Singh-Brar underlined his ability at the Principality Junior Wales Open, after beating boys four years his senior to claim the overall trophy.

Competing in the Under-15 age group, Singh-Brar shot a superb round of 74 on the Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor to win by three shots from Jack Duncalf, with the recently-crowned Welsh Boys’ champion Kyle Harman a shot further back.

An England Boys’ international, and last year’s England U16 Schools champion, Singh-Brar is accustomed to success, having won a Wee Wonders title at St Andrews within months of picking up a club for the first time at the age of five.

The scratch handicapper said: “I’m delighted to have won such a prestigious trophy. I won the U13 Junior Wales Open title on the Roman Road course when I was 10, so I’m used to competing against older boys and really enjoy trying to raise my game.”

Singh-Brar won a year’s honorary membership at The Twenty Ten Club and there were prizes from Welsh golf merchandise company Asbri for 12 winners in the U18, U15 and U13 categories. In all, more than 300 juniors entered five qualifying competitions, with other preliminary events taking place at Radyr, Langland Bay, Builth Wells and Royal St David’s.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

News in Brief DARTMOUTH INVESTMENT Dartmouth Golf & Country Club is selling one of its highly soughtafter cottages. On the market for £365,000, the three-storey end-of-terrace property is situated on Dartmouth Green, within the grounds of the south Devon resort in Blackawton, near Totnes, and is ideal for people seeking to buy a second home or retirement property.

SENIOR BRONZE AT EURO CHAMPS England’s senior men’s team collected the bronze medal in the European Senior Men’s Team Championships at Pannonia G&CC in Hungary. After qualifying in the top flight, England beat Norway, only to lose to defending champions Sweden in the semifinals. They clinched third place with a 3-2 win over Scotland.

Ireland took the title after beating Sweden 4-1.

Gladiator winner remains unpaid The organisers of the controversial Golf Gladiators tournament that took place at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club on July 15 is still yet to pay out the £50,000 first prize to the winner, despite evidence to show that no rules were broken by any players taking part in the event.

The unique tournament, which attracted a field of 77 aspiring and former Tour pros, promised a £50,000 payout to the winner, but the company behind the event, SIRK plc, refused to make the payment when they thought that the finalists, Sean Whiffin and Matt Wallace, had agreed to share their winnings.

Although this practice is liable to result in disciplinary procedures if carried out at a European Tour-sanctioned event, it is not a condition of competition on most other lower level tours, and the sharing of prize money is a common occurrence in play-off situations where one player stands to win substantially more than the other.

As reported in the August edition of Golf News, the prize structure of the

Sean Whiffin is yet to receive his real £50,000 winner’s cheque

Gladiators event offered £50,000 to the winner, but only £5,000 to the runnerup. The tournament cost £500 to enter and offered guaranteed prize money of £250 for the top 32 players in the stroke play tournament, before a final head-tohead matchplay shootout between the top 16 players.

Following almost two months of argument, Golf Gladiators’ representatives have still refused to pay Whiffin, who won the event, while several other businesses associated with the tournament, including The Buckinghamshire Golf Club, are yet to receive payments incurred through the staging of the event.

It has also subsequently

been revealed that there was no specific rule in the Conditions of Competition that banned the sharing of any prize money, and that the tournament was not played under European Tour rules, but those of the TP Tour, which was involved with the organising of the event on the day, although not responsible for the payment of prize money.

Paul Gilbert, who runs the TP Tour, which operates a separate series of events for professional golfers in the south east, said: “It is widely known that mini tour and development tour players regularly agree to share play-off purses, so therefore if such regulation banning it was to be implemented with

a field such as this, it would have been highlighted in the Notice to Players. The Tournament Committee can confirm that it had no such player regulation in effect for the Golf Gladiators tournament.”

He added: “It is a requirement of tournament administration that all rules and regulations are effectively communicated to players before an event, and the TP Tour does this week in week out. SIRK and its representatives appear to have no experience of tournament administration or of the requirement to publish all relevant rules and regulations to all players in advance. Therefore there were no grounds for disqualifying any of the players, and the only course of action is for SIRK to fulfill its contractual obligations and pay the winner the advertised first-place prize money of £50,000.”

A spokesman for SIRK plc was not available for comment, although the holding page of the Golf Gladiators’ website said that the matter was with its legal team and was making no further statements.

Ryder Cup draws a crowd at Channels Golf’s most prestigious team trophy, the Ryder Cup, made a surprise appearance in Essex last month, when it visited Channels Golf Club in Chelmsford.

The trophy was on display for the president’s pro-am competition, giving visitors to the club the opportunity to have their picture taken alongside it.

Officials at the club were thrilled to be able to show off the legendary trophy in their 14th-century clubhouse. Director Sara Stubbings-Larner said: “It was a real honour for us to have the Ryder Cup for the day. President’s Day is always a popular event here at Channels, and the presence of such an instantlyrecognisable, iconic sporting trophy really added to the buzz around the club.”

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/ 13

September 2013 / Issue 225

Ashdown amateur ace bags 19th hole-in-one!

Most golfers spend a lifetime failing to score a hole-inone, but one skilful – and extremely lucky – Sussex amateur notched up the 19th ace of his long life last month.

Eighty-nine year-old Bob Deakin, who is a member of Royal Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, achieved his magnificent feat at Piltdown Golf Club.

The ace at the club’s 158-yard 15th hole was the icing on the cake of a superb round, which saw the 13-handicapper win the 80-plus category in the Sussex Veterans’ Championship with a nett 68.

Describing the miracle shot, Deakin said: “The ball took a hop and slowed down before hanging over the lip and, whilst my playing partner turned away to get his club, it fell gently into the hole.”

Deakin’s first hole-inone was achieved in 1952 when playing for Kent in a match at Sidcup. “I can’t remember which hole it

King of aces: Bob Deakin

was, but I recall hitting a three-wood to a raised green. We looked for some time before eventually finding the ball in the hole.”

Copthorne’s Doug Arnold won the Sussex

Veterans’ Championship overall trophy for the second time in his career with a gross 71, while the Piltdown pairing of Roger Street and Alan Coulthard won the Foursomes Championship.

Spoils shared at Gatton Pro-Am Gatton Manor member Barry Burchell made good use of his local knowledge to combine with Wentworth pro Steve Brown to win the TP Tour Series Gatton Manor Kronenbourg Open Pro-Am. The pair dovetailed in superb fashion to record a net score of 61 around the challenging Surrey venue – which features water on no fewer than 10 of the 18 holes – to beat of competition from 33 other pairs.

Competition was also extremely tough in the professional section, with Brown sharing the spoils with of Liphook’s Sam Hutsby, after they both carded seven-under par 65s. Each took home a winner’s cheque for £1,450, while Brown added to his winnings with a £400 cheque for the team category.

Among the many professional golfers from across the South East taking part was former Ryder Cup player Ronan Rafferty, who is patron of the TP Tour.

Speaking after the event, Gatton’s golf manager, Sally Moulden, said: “The competition here has been fantastic and spectators and players alike thoroughly enjoyed the day. Our sponsors and contributors have been a great support, and the course was presented in superb condition.”

News in Brief QUAIN BEATS QUINN Hampshire’s Kevin Quinn won the Senior Men South Regional tournament held at Liphook. Two points off the pace at the half-way stage, Quinn thought he had blown his chances when he came in with a second round score of 33 points, but it was enough to give him a total of 70, and a one-point vicotry over Surrey’s Bill Quain and Martin Leo of Sussex.

BROKENHURST ON CALL FOR HANTS After winning he Hampshire Club Team title at the County Championship at Blackmoor, Brokenhurst Manor will be Hampshire’s representative in the English Champion Club tournament, which is being played at Dudsbury near Bournemouth on September 2122. Martin Young, Jack Singh Brar and Jon Young will represent the club in the 36-hole event.

Ronan Rafferty with the TP Tour Pro-Am winners

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News in Brief SMITH RETAINS LIPHOOK CUP Waterlooville’s Kerry Smith retained the Liphook scratch cup with scores of 77 and 70. Charlotte Thompson, who won the event in 2011, opened up with a four-under par 68, but added a second round score of 79 to lose on countback.

STRICKLAND WINS SCOTTISH BOYS West Sussex’s Charlie Strickland won the Scottish Boys U14s Championship at Fortrose & Rosemarkie. The 14-year-old from Ham Manor, who is a member of the England U16 squad, cruised to a five-shot victory after rounds of 70 and 72.

KEECH KEEPS UP WINNING RUN Sophie Keech won her second national title of the year after claiming a five-shot victory in the English girls’ open championship at Oake Manor, Somerset. The 17-year-old from Parkstone in Dorset, who is already the English schools’ champion, finished the 72-hole event on level par with rounds of 70, 68, 73 and 73. Her playing partner, Wentworth’s Annabel Dimmock, was runnerup on five-over, while Emily Slater (Woodhall Spa) was a further shot back in third.

FITZPATRICK WINS US AMATEUR

Matt Fitzpatrick became the first Englishman to win the US Amateur Championship title since 1911, after beating Australia’s Oliver Goss 4&3 in the final at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. The 19-year-old led for the majority of the 36-hole play-off to earn himself a slice of history and a pathway into next season’s majors.

BEMBRIDGE BACK IN WINNER’S CIRCLE

Maurice Bembridge displayed some of the shot-making skills that once saw him hold the course record at Augusta as he and lifelong friend Michael Curley captured the PGA Super 60s at Thorpness Hotel and Golf Club in Suffolk. The 68-year-old former Ryder Cup ace reeled off three straight birdies from the first which helped them card a four-under-par 66 and secured a one-stroke victory in the £10,000 tournament.

September 2013 / Issue 225

Swingers captains prepare for Gleneagles showdown With the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Swingers final about to descend on Gleneagles, both captains are busy setting out their game plans for the Europe versus the Rest of the World contest.

Europe’s captain is fourtime finalist Alastair Price from Woburn Golf & Country Club. With his handicap now down to +2.4, he is officially the lowest ever handicap in the Swingers event, and with his experience and allround golfing ability, he was the obvious choice to lead the Europeans in Scotland.

Alastair missed out on qualifying for last year’s final by the smallest of margins, so he will be keen to ensure the trophy stays on European soil.

“It’s a real dream for me to captain at Gleneagles, venue of the Ryder Cup 2014,” he said. “Flying Club Swingers is like nothing else in golf - I can safely say that the four finals I’ve experienced are among the highlights of my golfing career. The atmosphere is incredible, the people are great, and the golf is competitive. It’s the closest I’ll ever come to playing a Ryder Cup. We are going to Scotland to enjoy ourselves, and to have a great few days, but I am determined to keep the cup on European soil.”

The Rest of the World captain is big-hitting Janus Horn from South Africa,

Janus Horn will captain the Rest of the World team

who is returning for his second final. Sport runs in Janus’s family, with his sister a regular on the WTA tennis circuit for many years now.

In fact, until recently tennis was Janus’s sport too, but he’s now hooked on golf.

“Flying Club Swingers motivated me to make golf my first choice sport and tennis had to take a back seat,” said Janus. “The final is exactly the same as the Ryder Cup. The only difference is that they are pros and we are amateurs.

You get treated like a pro, but you might get reminded every now and then that you are not a pro! Although this is a fun event, it is still extremely competitive. Noone wants to let their team down, and no-one wants to give bragging rights to the opponents.”

But the final won’t just be won by the captains.

Each team has 12 very able

golfers who have earned their right to tread the fairways at Gleneagles.

Amongst them are nine rookies playing in their first ever final. Every corner of the globe is represented, from the west coast of America to Australia and India, and for good measure, there’s even a couple a Scots from just down the road.

Europe are firm favourites on home soil, given their past record – but being the underdog might just suit Janus and his team. One thing for sure, it’s going to be a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Register now at www. flyingclubgolfleague.com for the opportunity to battle it out for a place at in next year’s Season 11 Final. Before registering you will be asked to join as a Flying Club member, which is free of charge.

Walton Heath plans new range Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey has lodged a planning application with the local council to reclaim some common land adjacent to the club in order to transform it into new practice facilities.

The 36-hole club in Walton-on-the-Hill, which hosted the Ryder Cup in 1981, has always lacked top quality practice facilities, and the 550-yard plot of land, known as Beecham’s Field, would provide more than adequate room to accommodate a new range. In return for the loss of the field for public use, the club has agreed to give up an alternative parcel of land on the other side of the property. The club says the project is vital to the development of the venue, although it has caused consternation among some local residents, many of whom want the field to remain in public hands, as it is popular with

dog walkers.

Club secretary Stuart Christie said: “As a world class golf venue, we are bereft of quality practice facilities. By making this exchange, and using the land as a practice ground, we would address those issues. We have had a lot of support from local people.

It is important to stress we are not asking to de-register the whole of Beecham’s Field.

It is two-thirds, so the top end will still be accessible to the public.”

He added: “The exchange land is a superior piece of land, and it is larger by 20 per cent. It is further away, but on balance I do believe it is a fair proposal.”

The club already has planning permission to turn the field into a formal practice area, but has denied suggestions it intends to move the clubhouse to the site.

Groves in the groove at Old Fold Manor Hertfordshire’s Luke Groves ground out an impressive oneshot victory in the Faldo Series UK Championship at Old Fold Manor Golf Club near London.

The 20-year-old compiled two level par rounds of 71 to book a place in the 17th Faldo Series Grand Final, to be hosted

by Sir Nick Faldo at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, USA. “I’m so excited about going to The Greenbrier and meeting Sir Nick. It is an experience I will probably share with my grandkids one day!” said an ecstatic Groves from West Herts, who only took up golf five years ago.

Thomas Farrow-Smith (Boys’ U16) from North Hants and Knebworth’s George Williams (Boys’ U18) also booked their places in the Grand Final at The Greenbrier, a World Amateur Golf Ranking event to be held in the USA for the first time in October.

Two other age-group winners heading to the finals is Burhill’s Elizabeth Prior (Girls’ U16) and 2009 finalist Miranda Brain (Girls’ U21) from Gog Magog.

Redfern wins Croham Pro-Am Former PGA Surrey Open champion Nick Redfern shot a flawless six-under-par 64 to win the Croham Hurst ProAm in Surrey by three shots.

His nearest rival at the Surrey venue was Russell Buxton (Hassocks), who was one of only five players to break par.

Redfern got his winning round off to a fast start, with birdies at the third, fourth, sixth and the eighth, while a par at the ninth saw him out in four under par. Things cooled down a bit with five more straight pars, but he then found the birdiemaking form again.

He said: “My short game was really good, with five or six up and downs. I’d gone there with the belief that if I missed the green, my short game was good enough to get up and down in two shots. That really helped.”

Redfern’s now eyeing up the Tylney Park Classic at the end of the month to get him back into contention. “I’m looking for a top-three finish to get my Order of Merit situation back on track,” he said. “And some more of this sort of form will certainly help matters.”

Free membership up for grabs at Chipstead Open Weekend!

Golfers looking for to get an insight into what it would like to be a member at Chipstead Golf Club in Surrey are being invited to attend an Open Weekend being held on November 9-10.

For £10, guests will be able to play the challenging 18-hole parkland course, make use of all the club’s facilities, talk to club pros and members, and have their name entered into a prize draw to win a free year’s membership.

Chipstead’s Director of Golf, Gary Torbett, said: “We are always looking to encourage new golfers with new initiatives. We know that today’s golfers have an opportunity to experience quality golf at affordable prices, and here at Chipstead we provide both. And as an added incentive to attend our Open Weekend, we will once again be giving away one year’s free membership to one lucky customer.”

To book a place on the open weekend, call 01737 554939 or email office@chipsteadgolf.co.uk.

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16 /

September 2013 / Issue 225

Travis Perkins extends British Senior Masters’ sponsorship Builders merchant Travis Perkins plc has agreed a one-year extension to its title sponsorship of the Senior Masters through to 2014.

The announcement was made on the eve of the 2013 edition, which took place over the Duke’s Course at Woburn Golf Club for the 13th consecutive year, and was won by Colin Montgomerie.

It was the tenth tournament Travis Perkins had supported on the Senior Tour, having first sponsored the Wentworth Senior Masters from 2002-2005, followed by the Senior Masters at Woburn since 2008.

Andy Stubbs, managing director of the European Senior Tour, said: “Travis Perkins’ superb support of the Senior Masters at Woburn has enabled us to collectively develop the tournament into one we are extremely proud of, and one which is very popular with the public. We have had record crowds at Woburn in recent years in an event where the wonderful facilities have helped create

an exciting atmosphere and some notable champions.”

John Carter, deputy chief executive of the Travis Perkins Group, said: “We are delighted to support the Senior Masters for another year, and to see so many of golf’s leading names taking part in the tournament in the beautiful surroundings of Woburn. The continuing superb event management of the European Senior Tour and Woburn Golf Club makes this event a great experience for competitors and spectators.”

Mannings manager to tackle coast-to-coast challenge

CHIPSTEAD GOLF CLUB OPEN WEEKEND 9-10 November 2013

Mannings Heath Golf Club’s general manager is swapping his golf clubs for a bike, a paddle, and a pair of trainers next month to take part in the 2013 Scotland Coast to Coast challenge.

Steve Slinger, who is general manager at the Exclusive Hotels-owned club in Horsham, will be one of thousands of people taking part in the daunting 105-mile event later this month, aiming to run, cycle and kayak their way from the east coast of Scotland to the west.

The challenge, which starts in Nairn and finishes in Glencoe, will take competitors through some of the most iconic locations and amazing views of the Scottish Highlands: Loch Ness, the Great Glen, Ben

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Steve Slinger with training partner Mike Imrie

Nevis and Glen Coe. Competitors must run 22.5 miles, cycle 81 miles, and kayak a mileand-a-half during the event, which features some of the most demanding terrain in the country.

Slinger, who is taking part in the event to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, is hoping to complete it in less than 13 hours. He said: “I wanted to set myself a challenge, and I’ve certainly succeeded in doing that! Macmillan Support is a charity that is very close to my heart after my mother was diagnosed with cancer 13 years ago. I’m pleased to say she is now fit and well, and this is my way of giving something back. I raised funds for them by doing a 465km bike ride two years ago, but I’ve really had to up the training for this one and have engaged the services of Stuart Wilkinson, the personal trainer at South Lodge Hotel, our sister property, over the last four months to help me get into shape.He really has been a fantastic support and has helped me push the boundaries in a constructive way!”

As part of his training, Slinger has been cycling to work once a week (a 39-mile round trip), running half marathons regularly, and cycling and kayaking at weekends. His fitness programme has also involved training sessions at Mannings Heath, much to the amusement of some of the members, but he says all the pain and sacrifice will be worth it next month.

JO’S STROKE OF GENIUS A former captain of Kent County Ladies’ Golf Association won a £10,000 car after aceing the 171-yard eighth hole at Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club during a charity golf day.

Jo Beslee, who is also a member of the club, bagged the hole-in-one at a day held to raise funds for the Stroke Association, and won a Vauxhall Corsa for her efforts.

Over 140 members took part in the day, which raised £4,500 for club captain Keith Hills’s chosen charity.

September 2013 / Issue 225

/ 17

Edwards uses local knowledge to bank Windlesham win Gareth Edwards shot a two-under-par 70 to win the Windlesham Pro-Am, edging out two of the region’s top performers to claim his first regional victory.

The Leaderboard Golf Centre pro’s solid performance, which included four birdies, earned him the winner’s cheque of £600, while the scores of Jamie Harris (Nevill) and Guy Woodman (East Berks) reflected the challenging conditions.

Harris made five birdies, but five bogeys meant a one-under-par 71, while Woodman made four birdies and three bogeys for his 71.

With good results in two BB&O PGA Pro-

Ams the week before, Edwards felt he was enjoying some good form. He commented: “I shot good scores at Bearwood Lakes and Henley last week, and I’m playing pretty steadily at the moment. I used to be a member at Windlesham some 15 years ago, so although it’s changed a bit, I’m familiar with the course, which helped as well.”

As a former member, Edwards was impressed with the impact of the recent investments in the course. He explained: “Windlesham was in fantastic condition. All the playing surfaces, from tee to green, were in really great shape, and the whole day was very well organised.”

Solent pair set sail for Turkey Lee on the Solent Golf Club captain Michael Izzard was on the crest of a wave after reaching the Golfplan PGA Insurance Pro-Captain Challenge final in Turkey.

Izzard partnered PGA Professional Rob Edwards to win their qualifying event at Goodwood, with the pair carding a nineunder-par 62 to pip Alan Lovelace and Rob Scully (Merrist Wood) by two shots.

The duo will now represent the Hampshire club in the £25,000 grand final at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey, in November.

Izzard said: “Rob has had quite a few near misses in the past where he’s lost on countback, so this is a reward for him. He played some absolutely fantastic golf, and I am euphoric about getting to Turkey.”

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Stoke Park searches for future stars 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 lesson and one private lesson per month, alongside

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The Stoke Park Junior Golf Scholarship, which is open to children aged between 9-16, is part-funded by the club’s members.

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18 /

September 2013 / Issue 225

Gavins calls the shots at Dale Hill

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Yorkshire’s Daniel Gavins moved into third place in the 888poker. com PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit following his maiden victory at the HotelPlanner.com Championship held at Dale Hill Golf Club in East Sussex.

The 22-year-old, who is based at De Vere Oulton Hall in Yorkshire, shot a superb finalround 63 to win the tournament by three shots from runner up Dave Coupland, with a 12-under par total. His impressive final round included an eagle on the 11th and six birdies, with his only blemish being a five on the sixth. He picked up £10,000 for the win, a new Motocaddy trolley, and £500 to spend with HotelPlanner.com.

“To be honest, I don’t remember much of that back nine, and I was quite surprised when I was told I’d shot 29,” said Gavins. “I stuck to my game plan of hitting fairways and greens, and tried to keep it going. I have had a few top tens this year and I have been playing solidly, so it is really nice to get the first win on the board. This win is very important, it has got me up to the top five on the Order of Merit, so if I can keep going and have a few more good finishes, I should do well this year.”

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European Tour player Richard Bland called upon all of his skills and experience after 17 years as a professional to win Foxbridge Golf Club’s annual Pro-Am. Bland, who is currently ranked 107th on the Race to Dubai money list after winning his card back in 2012, tied for the title with Woodcote Park’s Kieran Staunton for first prize, after the pair both fired 66s over the Surrey venue’s ninehole course.

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The team event was won by the Mannings Heath’s professional Andy Hailes, who was helped by club members Ed Roberts, Nigel Greenwood and Roy Trewsdale to a team total of 18 under par.

Bland, 40, who rushed off to play in the KLM Open straight after his win, said: “Foxbridge was in great condition, and I take my hat off to the way it was prepared, especially the greens, which were fantastic surfaces to putt on.”

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The UK’s largest specialist golf insurer, Golf Care, has announced a new partnership with golf club operator Glendale Golf. The deal will ensure that visitors to any of Glendale’s eight venues in the UK are suitably covered for public liability and third party property damage.

The single-day insurance will be provided free of charge to golfers, while Golf Care’s insurance is also a key benefit to Glendale’s LoyalTee Plus Membership, which, for £39 a year, members receive reduced green fees, a gift pack and an annual Golf Care Specialist Golf Insurance policy.

“We’re looking forward to working with Glendale Golf. They do a fantastic job

supporting the growth of grass roots golf,” commented John Woosey, Golf Care’s managing director. “The obvious concern for many ‘payand-play’ venues is that many new golfers are unaware of the dangers that exist on a golf course. It is important for golfers to be educated as early as possible. It’s good to see that they recognise the importance of their golfers being properly insured whilst out on the course and have approached Golf Care to provide that specialist cover.”

The agreement is the latest in a long list of strategic partnerships for Golf Care, that also includes De Vere, Marriott, Q-Hotels and Macdonald Hotels, as well as Ryder Cup host venue, Celtic Manor.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

FISHER’S COMEBACK Golf News catches up with Ross Fisher at the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, scene of one his finest hours in the 2010 Ryder Cup, and finds a man looking to get his career back on track after a failed sortie on the PGA Tour

You must have fond memories every time you come back to Celtic Manor?

I do. I only have to arrive at the clubhouse and go into the locker room, and I’m straight away brought back to 2010. All the results of all the games have been inscribed on the lockers. I was obviously fortunate enough to be part of the team, and I have been given the same locker at the Wales Open that I had at Ryder Cup for the last couple of years. It definitely brings back a nice feeling whenever I come back, for sure.

You seemed quite at ease with the whole Ryder Cup atmosphere and the matchplay format.

Was that the case?

I think having played a few World Cups with Ian Poulter, and being paired with him first out on Friday, definitely helped me. I had the chance to sit down with him, and talk about the effect the Ryder Cup has on him. It seems to bring something out of him from deep inside.

It’s just a very different week. You’re not playing for yourself like you are week in, week out as a Tour pro. You’re playing for your captain, your vice-captain, your team, the European Tour, and the whole of Europe.

So it adds that little bit of extra spice to it. For some reason, it brought out something from inside me, which I didn’t know I had. Obviously it was a good thing, because I played very well, and was lucky to have two great partners in Poults and Pádraig [Harrington]. Unfortunately Poults and I didn’t get off to a great start, losing to Tiger and Steve Stricker, but I managed to shake that

off, and put in two really strong performances with Pádraig and get two wins, which was great.

We’re now 12 months away from the next Ryder Cup, and the start of the new points process. How hopeful are you of being in the shake up for Gleneagles?

It’s obviously very exciting stuff – 12 months until next year’s Ryder Cup. I was disappointed to miss the last one. I think a few people said once you play in one, you don’t want to miss any, and that’s exactly how I feel. I would dearly like to make Paul McGinley’s team. I’ve played two, if not three Seve Trophies under his leadership, and been on winning teams each time I’ve played, so I know what he is capable of as a captain. I think he’ll be a great captain for Europe, and he’s one that I’ll relish the chance of playing under in a year’s time.

At last year’s Wales Open you were penalised for slow play when you were in the mix. How much did that affect your season and your attitude on the golf course?

I think the best way to get past that was to come out the following week all guns blazing, and the week after that I finished second in Sweden – so I kind of shook it off very quickly. But, regardless, it was bitterly disappointing. I had a very good chance to win with four or five holes to go, and then to be told that I had been done for slow play was really upsetting, because I don’t feel like I’m a slow player. Yes, I probably did take a little bit longer than I needed to on the 11th, but, hey, the conditions weren’t great, and we weren’t holding anyone up. So, you know, to have a little bit of leeway would have been nice and understandable. But unfortunately I got penalised and that cost me the tournament.

Since last year, I think there have only been two other penalty incidents – one at the Masters and one at the Open. I still don’t think I’m a slow player; in fact, I feel I’m one of the quicker ones out there. I think there are a lot of slower players than me on Tour.

Do you feel that you were perhaps unfairly picked upon?

Ross Fisher will be playing in Europe next year

I’m all for cracking down on slow play, as rounds are taking far too long, but the checks have got to be made consistently, and the rules applied consistently. Over five hours for a three-ball is way too long to take.

If you are going to penalise people for slow play, you need to do it on a regular basis and the rules officials need to be out here more consistently. After I was penalised, I was kind of hoping that they would clamp down a little bit more, but apart from the young Chinese lad in Augusta, and one of the Japanese guys in The Open, there’s not been many. To be one of the first to get penalised in umpteen years was obviously very disappointing.

Your adventure on the PGA Tour in America seems to have ended before it began. What happened?

It’s finished. I played 15 events and didn’t make enough money, so my focus is now solely on playing in Europe.

I gave the PGA Tour’s qualifying school a go last year because it was the last year under that system, and I got my card and gave it my best shot. It was a new experience for me and my family. I’ve not been that unhappy with my overall game. There were really only a couple of tournaments where I didn’t play particularly well. I felt like I played well enough tee to green, but just didn’t hole any putts. The greens are a lot quicker on the PGA Tour, and that took some adjusting to. It was a good experience, and I had a lot of fun, but since returning to Europe I seem to have got my old game back. I don’t think I’ve missed a cut.

Does it help to clear your mind when you’ve only got one thing to concentrate on?

Yeah, a little bit. I have definitely missed playing in Europe. This is my home, so I’m glad to be back.

There’s no more pond‑hopping, so I’m pleased about that. There’s not going to be any more jet lag, and I can concentrate on Europe and hopefully get home on a Sunday if I’ve played well, and see Jo and the kids; Sunday, Monday, and leave on Tuesday, which is great, because obviously being in America, you don’t get that luxury of getting back to see your wife and children.

So it’s been tough this year, but now, like I say, I can firmly concentrate on Europe and put in a nice good finish to the rest of the year.

So is the real Ross Fisher back in business?

I certainly hope so.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

NickBayly

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

Tournament hosts need to raise their game Having been to a few golf tournaments in my time, I’m convinced that the organisers of said events need to seriously spice things up a bit if fans are going to bother to raise themselves off the comfort of their sofas, let go of their Sky remotes, and come through the turnstiles.

Golf as a spectacle has barely moved on from the game that was watched by men in three-piece suits almost a century ago, and the same hushed reverence and polite clapping between shots – even when a player has holed out in for a poorly-played double bogey – still pervade today. It’s nothing short of Mogadon for the masses, and very small masses at that.

Of course, I’m not suggesting that we all start shouting ‘mash potatoes’ and ‘bababooey’ every time someone hits a ball, as seems to be the current craze, but we need little a bit more ‘noise’ at tournaments, in the loosest sense of the word.

Gates at this year’s Open were down on previous years, and

What can be done to make tournaments more spectator-friendly?

attendance at other European Tour venues, baring the BMW PGA Championship, are all pretty mediocre given that the pinnacle of golfing brilliance is on display.

Part of the reason for the poor attendances is, of course, the fact that serious golf fans subscribe to a specific satellite channel that shows wall-to-wall golf. It provides a very comfortable seat to watch all of the action, with some interesting interviews, and expert analysis (you can pay me later, Ewen).

In many ways, especially with the introduction of HD and 3D, watching golf on TV has become almost a live experience, and is a far better way of enjoying the

action when the alternative is paying over the odds to stand in a muddy field watching the caps of faceless pros wandering off into the distance, having hit a 300-yard drive somewhere, although you’re not quite sure where. Most venues have taken to erecting 100ft TV screens in the tented villages so that punters can watch ball-byball coverage if they want to, but it kind of defeats the object of coming to see golfers in the flesh.

While I will always tell people to go and watch golf live to appreciate the power and skill of pros up close and personal, the truth is that you’re never that close, and it’s far from personal.

Few players bother to properly

acknowledge the crowds these days, scurrying from putting green to tee, to car, to hotel without a great deal of interaction with the paying public. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions, and many of the big names spend time signing autographs, but it’s little more than lip service really. But that’s the way of modern sport – the top players are so far removed from the humdrum reality of day-to-day life that they forgotten what it’s like to be the little boy going to their first ever live sports event.

To them, it’s just a job. The wall of secrecy between players and fans needs to be broken down in public, and not just on Twitter.

And, of course, the spectator’s lot needs to be seriously improved.

Ticket prices need to be halved, and the cost of food and drink needs to be seriously reduced.

There are no easy answers to making golf a more palatable spectating experience, but making it feel like a good value day out, rather a succession of walletlightening moments, would be a good start.

If you can’t stand the Tweet…

Lee Westwood’s now infamous post-US PGA Championship Twitter rant taught us quite a few lessons about the pros and cons of social media.

Firstly, never get out of bed the morning after a bad round in a major and start replying to every bit of criticism that comes your way. Secondly, never write anything on Twitter that you wouldn’t say to someone’s face with your mother present.

Thirdly, if you can’t take a bit of stick now and then, amid all the adulation, then perhaps it’s time to come offline. And fourthly, if you are forced into making an apology for said rant, try and make it sound a tiny bit sincere, and a little less like it was written by your management company.

On the flip side, who doesn’t like a moan every now and then? And if Twitter wasn’t invented for the public to have a pop at celebrities, and them to have a pop back, then I don’t know what other purpose it serves. It’s called life, so let’s just all get on with it. The banter may not be edifying or at times coherent, but it’s all good fun.

September 2013 / Issue 225

/ 23

TOURNAMENT GOLF AT ITS BEST

Sawgrass 17th

Former Southampton and England footballer Matt Le Tissier is a keen golfer, with a five handicap. Like most golfers, he likes to play all the top golf courses, so when invited to play a team format competition with a professional golfer, on courses that recently hosted PGA Tour events, he simply couldn’t resist...

Specialist golf tour operator The American Golf Holiday has been hosting its popular Pro-Am Tour for the last 20 years, and Matt Le Tisser has become a regular, and we caught up with him to find out why.

“I really love my golf, and I have always liked team sports, and the camaraderie and banter that goes with it. About a dozen years ago, a local professional golfer, Ben Johnson, made me aware of a golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, straight after the PGA Tour’s Players’ Championship. I had seen the tournament on television, but here was a chance to watch the final round and then play in a Pro-Am the week after, including playing at the world-famous TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course.

A Pro-Am team consists of a professional and three amateur golfers, so along with Ben, I was joined by my brother and a good friend.

Our Sawgrass package included accommodation at the five-star Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, which overlooks the TPC course, and four tournament rounds of golf, including shared carts and range balls, a spacious seven-seater minivan, a welcome drinks reception and BBQ, and a prize-giving dinner.

John and Alison Hooper from The American Golf Holiday host all the events, and are on-site to assist with all the arrangements. They provided fantastic service throughout the week, and their rapport with the competitors contributes to a fantastic atmosphere.

Everyone is made to feel very special, and the experience is probably as close as an amateur golfer is going to get to playing on Tour. Every morning you are met at the golf course, and your clubs are delivered to your golf buggy. Range balls are included and there is plenty of opportunity to use the world-class practice facilities. The tournaments are professionally managed, and most have rules officials from the PGA. On the tee, your name is announced, and then the tournament experience starts. The team format is best two scores from four, and the professionals keep an individual score,

one of my favourite cities. The Pro-Am Tour features a line-up of stunning desert golf courses, and the final round is on the famous TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, which is presented in mint tournament condition. We always go out a couple of days early so we can attend the Saturday – party day – at the WM Open, where the crowds can get as large as 170,000 people, and the atmosphere is tremendous.

The Scottsdale event takes place in early February, and we are already booked for next year. I cannot wait!

On the famous 16th at TPC Scottsdale

as they play for a professional prize fund, which can be as high as $20,000.

I love the team format because even if you are playing badly, you can still make a contribution on the odd hole, so the team can still have a great score and everyone encourages each other.

This becomes very important at holes like the scary par-three 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, where you are looking to get at least two pars on the card, and it becomes exciting to say the least if your first two team mates have hit it in the water!

As well as the Pro-Am competition, the Sawgrass event offers a separate optional challenge day on the Stadium Course. On this day the professionals are challenged to break 80 from the back tees on this notoriously difficult course, which is presented in pristine tournament condition. Successful professionals are rewarded with a $200 bonus, but boy do they have to earn it. The amateurs play a Stableford competition from more forward tees, but trust me, it is still tough. When you play a top course which has been set up to test the world’s best players, you soon find out how good those top professionals really are! With firm, fast greens, challenging rough, and a magnificent Pete Dye design, the player is challenged on every shot.

Believe me, it is a truly unforgettable golf experience to play the course under these conditions. Without doubt, TPC Sawgrass is the best course I have ever played, but I would really only want to play it again straight after The Players Championship, because golf experiences don’t get any better than this.

Stone Eagle in Palm Springs

Another highlight of the week is a drinks reception and BBQ, which offers a great opportunity to mix with the other teams. During the evening the competitors are challenged to play pitch shots, fairground-style, and hit a miniature replica of the famous 17th island green, which is floating about 70 yards out in the lagoon behind the hotel. This is great fun, but I didn’t manage to hit the green on my first Pro-Am Tour event at Sawgrass.

However, I am pleased to report I have since achieved this feat, but it did take me another four events to do it!

As is traditional, the event concludes with a prize-giving dinner, and there are lots of excellent prizes and trophies, and the professionals pick up their prize money.

The American Golf Holiday has been running the Pro-Am Tour for the last 20 years, and every year they host between seven and eight events, all with a similar format to Sawgrass.

Another of my favourite events is The Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am, which immediately follows the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open. Scottsdale is a superb winter golfing destination and

In the past, I have also played in The Pro-Am Tour events in Arizona and California in November. These events are the longest running, and again offer a superb line-up of courses, with some top private clubs that visitors cannot normally play, including Desert Highlands in Scottsdale, and Stone Eagle in Palm Springs.

I have also heard great reports about the annual Las Vegas Classic Pro-Am, which follows straight after the Scottsdale event in February, and every year there are a few different events. In 2014, the Pro-Am Tour will visit Maui in the Hawaiian Islands, which is one of the top tropical island destinations in the world, and offers the chance to play the PGA Tour venue at Kapalua. In early April, the Hilton Head Classic Pro-Am is staged just ahead of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Classic at Harbour Town Golf Links. This course is well up on my wish list to play, and again it is always in peak tournament condition. Competitors even have the opportunity to extend their stay and watch The Masters at Augusta the week after.

But there are two other Pro-Am Tour events which really catch my eye.

The Whistling Straits Classic Pro-Am features play on the spectacular Straits Course, which has already staged two PGA Championships, and will be the host course for the 2020 Ryder Cup. Also every two years, the Pro-Am Tour visits Pebble Beach in California, and I really want to play in this event. Just imagine playing tournament golf over Pebble Beach Golf Links, which has staged several US Opens, as well as Spyglass Hill and The Links at Spanish Bay. I know friends who have played in this event, and they all absolutely rave about it.

Although most of the competing professionals are club pros and satellite tour players, occasionally you will find a European Tour player in the field, and my good friend Richard Bland has even played in a few events.

Unfortunately his team beat us a couple of years back in Scottsdale, but we did have great banter all week with them!

The events are open to all amateur golfers with an official handicap, and lady golfers are more than welcome. Senior golfers have the option of playing from more forward tees, so even though you are playing championship golf courses, the tournament set up is fair and enjoyable for everyone.

To sum up, I have been lucky enough to play in lots of golf events all over the world, but John and Alison Hooper at The American Golf Holiday’s Pro-Am Tour run the best.

Obviously, all this quality comes at a price, but when you consider the amazing golf experience on offer, and how much is included in the package, plus the level of service, the events really are incredible value for money.

Matt Le Tissier travelled with The American Golf Holiday (ATOL 5784) which operates The Pro-Am Tour.

Please visit www.pro-amtour. com for further information or telephone 023 8046 5885.

24 /

September 2013 / Issue 225

JUSTIN’S JOURNEY

From gangly teen sensation to battlehardened major winner, Justin Rose has earned his stripes the hard way.

Words by Paul Mahoney

September 2013 / Issue 225

/ 25

History boy: A teenage Rose reacts to holing his approach shot on the final hole at the 1998 Open

Up for the Cup: Rose played a pivotal role in the historic victory at Medinah

“Deep down I always knew I had the talent.

I simply thought if I put talent and hard work together, it would surely work out in the end”

Pitching in with his last shot as a 17-year-old amateur to finish fourth at the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale.

Missing 21 cuts in a row as he joined the professional ranks. Becoming the first Englishman to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970. It has been quite a journey for Justin Rose, who is now 33 years old and a father of two.

Rose’s success at Merion kick-started a great British summer of sport. The British & Irish Lions left Australia bloodied but triumphant; Andy Murray exorcised the ghost of Fred Perry at Wimbledon; Chris Froome won the Tour de France, and England won the Ashes. Rose, the new World No.3, was invited to sit in the Royal Box to witness Murray’s date with destiny unfold on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. He says he learned a lot from watching the Scot. “It struck me how, at the highest level of sport, the margins are so small. Andy won three sets to love, but even in that final game, when he was advantage down, I think if he had lost that game, the match would have been on a knifeedge. There is one moment all sportsmen have that you need to take. And he took his chance. That’s what I had to do at Merion.”

Rose now knows how Murray felt when he broke his Grand Slam duck last year. “It’s been a long process. You hope you’re good enough, you think you’re good enough, but it’s not until you win a major that you know you are good enough,” he says. “What I took out of Merion is that I am ready to relish the opportunity. I am sure I am going to win some and lose some.”

But when did Rose begin to think it possible?

“I’ve always thought I could win one from early in my career, but you don’t know what’s involved with that,” he says. “I’ve had the talent to win a major since Birkdale ’98. But the reality is something different.

Having the start to my professional career that I had, I think it wasn’t until the last four or five years that I realised what an effect it had on me, from a deeprooted confidence point of view. In the last two years, I’ve thought I’ve been capable of winning a major.

And that’s why I feel relatively lucky that I’ve got the so-called monkey off my back pretty quickly.”

His major eureka moment came at Medinah last September. It was the final stepping-stone from all those missed cuts and self-doubt, in a career of peaks and troughs, to major champion. “The realisation hit me at the Ryder Cup that you can’t play in a more pressurised atmosphere,” he says. “You’ve got the weight of your own expectations, but also that of 11 other players, plus the whole continent. Being able to stand up and produce my best when I really needed it, was evidence that something had changed, and that I could do it at the highest level. And then backing that up in Turkey.”

The Turkish Airlines World Golf Final was an invitation elite matchplay event. Rose beat Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods on the way to claiming

the title. “Even though that wasn’t as much pressure, I really hit the shots when I needed to and, more importantly, holed the putts to win and beat great players. That was a poignant spell for me,” Rose adds. “The other one was in the Dubai World Championship [last November]. I was playing the last hole and looked at the leaderboard and saw I was two ahead. And then I hit a great drive and 3-wood and made an incredible two-putt from the back of the green to really, in my mind, win the tournament.

I didn’t think I’d be beaten. And unfortunately there was a learning curve there with Rory [McIlroy] finishing with five straight birdies. Which is why I wasn’t prepared to get too far ahead of myself at Merion with Phil [Mickelson] still on the course. Those were moments that were evidence I could do it.”

Goodwood’s Touring Professional Rose still dreams of winning the Open Championship. His US Open victory has merely whetted his appetite. “The Open stands out for me,” he says. “I have a special relationship with it. Even going back to when I was 14, and leading my regional qualifying. And we all know what happened in ’98. The Open is the one I’ve dreamed of winning the most. As I play the next 10 years in my prime, the Open is going to be at the forefront of my goals.” As is a career grand slam, he says. “That is getting ahead of myself but, if I am allowed to dream, a career grand slam puts you in a whole different echelon. One of the greats of all time.

That would be amazing. And I think my game suits all four majors.”

It seems such a long time ago since the nation fell in love with a gangly teenager grinning his way around Birkdale in a red sweater that was two sizes too big. “It was a fantastic week that I will always remember,” he says. But he must get fed up of it. “I am a bit,” he adds. “But it was a piece of history. You can’t knock it. But that all feels a lifetime ago. A different me. A fairytale. Those days were all about talent, flair, a bit of luck and no pressure. Now it’s cutthroat, pressure, and demanding schedules. That’s the reality of being a professional golfer.” His first taste of reality were those 21 missed cuts and some jealousy on the practice ranges on the European Tour that saw him dubbed ‘Justinvite’ by those envious of his sponsor exemptions.

Rose made the weekend cut for first time at the European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall in June 1999, 11 months after turning professional. He still finished last. Back then he knew his game wasn’t good enough and that he needed to get fitter and analyse his diet. He won four times in 2002, ousted Westwood as England’s No.1, and climbed into the world’s top 50. “I felt like I had moved up to the next level,” he says. “I was mentally stronger and making fewer errors. I wasn’t panicking now if I had a bad week.

Looking forward to competing in majors. You know, I nearly won one once!”

Rose was on his way. And then his father and coach, Ken, died of leukemia. Rose moved to Florida,

hooked up with David Leadbetter, but lost his way and fell outside the top 100.

He started working with new coach Nick Bradley. “I want to make Justin the best player in Britain and get him into the top 10 in the world,” Bradley said. Rose won the season-ending Volvo Masters in 2007 to clinch the European Tour’s money list and finish the year World No.6. Mission accomplished. But instead of training on, he endured two more years of his trademark peaks and troughs without a victory. And then bang! In a three-week purple patch in 2010, he won two prestige events, his first on the US Tour – the Memorial Tournament and the AT&T National.

“I was the forgotten man of English golf,” he says.

Not any more. He followed up with victory at the 2011 BMW Championship in the US Tour’s FedExCup series, and then upgraded in 2012, winning the WGC-Cadillac Championship. “My career has gone upwards,” Rose said at the end of last year. “Won Jack’s event [the Memorial], won Tiger’s event [AT&T National], won a WGC event [Cadillac Championship].

Feels like it is sequential. Guess a major is the next thing.”

After victory at the US Open, Rose received texts of congratulations from Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Gary Player and Woods. He spoke to Tony Jacklin, too.

“That meant the most after emulating what he did in 1970,” Rose says. “David Cameron, I believe, tweeted me, but I didn’t see it. We were having lunch at Wimbledon and the prime minister joined my table.

I apologised for not replying. He said it gave him his first line to President Obama at the G8 summit.”

Rose had also kept a text that his friend Adam Scott sent him after the Australian won the Masters.

“This is our time,” it said.

The hours of beating balls and self-analysis with his present coach Sean Foley (whom he shares with Woods, Westwood and Hunter Mahan), caddie Mark Fulcher, psychologist Dr Gio Valiante, and wife Kate is taking Rose to the next level. He has also recently joined the same management company as Woods, the final piece of the jigsaw from tournament champion to major champion. Rose says the split from his UK manager was merely a geographical decision, as he spends more time in the States.

After victory at Merion, Rose was asked how it compared with winning the Ryder Cup. “The celebrations are better when you win as a team,” he said. “This is more of a journey. In a way, this is more satisfying as it goes back 20 or 30 years of me dreaming and hoping. This is all about the callused hands. This is more satisfying, because you’ve had to do it the hard way on your own. When I was missing 21 cuts in a row, I was just trying to not fade away.

Deep down I always knew I had the talent. I simply thought if I put talent and hard work together it would surely work out in the end.”

With thanks to British Airways, for whom Justin Rose is an ambassador.

26 /

September 2013 / Issue 225

Storybehindthepic US Presidents Cup team Melbourne, Australia - November 17, 2011

B

esides providing a welcome opportunity to remind ourselves how most normal people look terrible in photographs wearing sunglasses, and how hard it is to recognise professional golfers without their trademark sponsor’s hat and shirt on (and why a striped polo never works with a blazer), this happy family snap of the US team for the 2011 Presidents Cup also serves to recall how eminently forgettable the whole event is.

Like its counterpart, the Royal Trophy, which is played between Europe and the ROW, and, to a certain extent, the Seve Trophy, which is played between GB&I and mainland Europe, all other events that are not the Ryder Cup are merely sideshows.

While it serves to blood American rookies in the mystical ways of international match play golf, in the vain hope that some of the experience might help when it comes to really important matches (like the Ryder Cup), it’s little more than an end-of-season timewaster for the international team, which is drawn from a rag bag collection of continents whose players are thrown together for one week every other year and expected to perform like it means something.

Consequently, it doesn’t work as a spectacle or a sporting contest, where the nature of the outcome should be meaningful to its competitors and the

spectators. “Go, Internationals!” doesn’t really have much of a ring to it, while lord knows what kind of anthem they play during the opening ceremony to rally the troops. The Maori Haka might be a better option, if only they could find a half decent Kiwi golfer to lead the song and dance now that

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Michael Campbell seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. However, with no fewer than five South Africans in the team this year, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika would be the percentage call.

First played in 1994, and now preparing for its 10th renewal at Muirfield Village

from October 3-6, the results of the Presidents Cup make for sorry reading for the International side, with just a solitary victory in Melbourne in 1998 to show for their efforts in nine encounters.

The match at Fancourt in 2003 demonstrates how pointless the whole exercise is. After the teams tied 17-17, a play-off between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els was deemed to be the best way to decide the result.

Three holes into the play-off, darkness fell, with the match still in the balance. So rather than play to the death in the gloom, they all shook hands and called it a draw. That would never happen in the Ryder Cup, or if it did, a draw means

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a win for the side currently holding the cup (hadn’t anyone considered putting that in the rules?).

Another sign of the laissez faire approach to the event is the repetitive appearance of the same team captains, which harks back to the early days of the Ryder Cup, where win, lose or draw, the same guy would be given the job again.

Australia’s Peter Thomson reprised the role three times for the International side, despite losing every match, while Fred Couples will be riding his Team USA captain’s buggy for the third time when he freewheels into Ohio next month, where he will be taking on the tactical nous of newboy Nick Price.

The US team, on home soil, will be overwhelming favourites to claim an eighth victory. But, when all is said and done, it ain’t the Ryder Cup, so who’s keeping score?

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September 2013 / Issue 225

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MEET THE PRO

Be Driven...

Summer golf days

DOWNSHIRE GOLF COMPLEX

In the fourth of our series of interviews with club professionals in the region, we catch up with Neil Darnell, the Head PGA Professional at Mannings Heath Golf Club in West Sussex

How long have you been a professional?

About 16 years now.

What is your day-to-day role at the club?

I have responsibility for the golf operation here at Mannings Heath, so everything that involves golf on a day-to-day basis falls into my remit. This ranges from the daily shop operation to large-scale corporate events.

Mannings Heath’s magnificent clubhouse

What’s the best thing about your job?

The daily interaction with people, and the inevitable banter. I love being a club pro. I fell in love with the job at the age of 13 when I started working in the shop of my home club.

The sense of community and friendship that exists in golf clubs is amazing.

What is the club doing to attract juniors?

We have a strong junior section that has grown through reputation. A lot of our existing juniors started their life with me in the county at the junior development academy.

They are now starting to come of age and winning all sorts of titles.

And the worst?

Not always having the time to talk with everyone that comes through the shop.

How much time do you spend teaching?

A portion of most days is spent on the range. I particularly enjoy coaching and get a real buzz out of seeing people play better.

Tell us something about the facilities…

We have two courses, the Waterfall and the Kingfisher. The Waterfall currently sits in the top 100 in England, and the Kingfisher has been rated the best green fee course in the county. Both offer a challenge, but in different ways. The Waterfall demands a good tee shot strategy and is quite tight, with small greens.

The Kingfisher sits on top of the hill, so tends to be challenged by the elements a bit more!

The clubhouse is stunning and caters for everything from a takeaway coffee and bacon bap, to a high-end wedding functions. We also have a number of meeting rooms that are in regular operation.

What have you done to keep existing members and attract new ones?

About five years ago now, we changed how the club operated, so that we have two very different offerings on our two courses. The Waterfall course is reserved for our members and their guests. The only external golf accessible is for corporate events and residents of our onsite cottage and our sister hotel, South Lodge. The Kingfisher caters for the green fee market and society golf. This change in operation has produced fantastic value for the membership, which has seen our membership grow through this tough time.

Summer golf days for 12 people or more starting from just £19.00 for seniors (over 60 years) and £27.00 for adults Organiser goes FREE with 20 people or more.

Call the office on 01344 302030 for availability and prices.

Downshire Golf Complex Easthampstead Park, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3DH Tel: 01344 302030 Fax: 01344 301020 Email: downshiregc@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Web: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/downshiregolf Facebook: www.facebook.com/downshiregolf

What has been selling well in the pro shop?

Bottles of water! What a summer – we have waited a long time for this one. We always do well with Mizuno irons. To my mind they are the best out there. On the woods front, the new Titleist 913s have been our best seller.

The new Cleveland RTX wedges have been a hugely popular option this year as well.

What custom-fitting facilities are there?

We have a fitting bag from Ping, the Mizuno DNA fitting bag, and a fitting bag from Titleist.

We have demo woods in all three brands and an indoor fitting studio with a launch monitor. We also have a repairs workshop.

Winter society offer AvAilAble OctOber tO MArch

What’s the best tip you’ve ever received?

Control your grip pressure. Tension is a killer for the swing, whether you are technically sound or not. If you control your grip pressure you can control the tension in your swing.

You now have a better chance of producing a smooth rhythm, which we all know is the difference between a performing and nonperforming swing!

What’s your favorite course in the UK? My favorite course in the UK is the one with the best memories for me. It would have to be The Glamorganshire in South Wales, my home club as a junior. And no, I am not Welsh!

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What would you have done if you hadn’t have been a pro?

An architect. Every time I check my bank balance I ask myself why I didn’t choose that career path!

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28 /

September 2013 / Issue 225

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CHART HILLS DAY BOOSTS KENT LADIES’ FUNDS Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent played host to a special fund-raising event for the Kent County Ladies Team on August 29.

The team, which has qualified for the final of the English Women’s County Championship that takes at Wilmslow Golf Club later this month, took to the Nick Faldo-designed championship course at Chart Hills to help raise funds, and were joined by a number of local golfers, as well as sporting celebrities, including former England striker Teddy Sheringham, who were all keen to show their support.

The Kent team, which is captained

by Chris Daniels, comprises Marnie Barber, Sandy Catford, Cloe Frankish, Mollie Lawrence, Ingrid Lond, Fiona McCann, Tita McCart, Ainee O’Connor, Emily Royer, Jerri Sewell and Holly Standing.

Speaking after the day, Daniels said:

“We had the most amazing day and raised over £4,000. The whole team is very grateful to everyone who took part and in particular Paul Gibbons, chairman of the Leaderboard Group, as he donated the course for free to enable us to maximise the amount of

Mannings pro bids to raise funds for Romanian charity Entries from pairs of amateur golfers are being sought by the organiser of a charity tournament to be held at Mannings Heath Golf Club in West Sussex to raise money for underprivileged children in Romania.

The venture is being organised by Mannings Heath’s resident teaching professional Carl Watts (pictured centre left) and will be played over the Horsham-based club’s Waterfall Course on October 1. Proceeds from the Carl Watts Charity Golf Day will be used to help educate children living in a rundown suburb of the city of Brasov, a cause which is dear to Watts’ heart, after he visited the area in 2011 and decided something must be done to help young children there.

The 2012 golf day raised over £16,000 for The Stupini Kids Project, while the total raised since 2011 is well over £32,000, in addition to a £10,000 minibus sponsored

by Royal & Sun Alliance.

The format for the day will involve 100 betterball pairs over 18 holes, with an entry fee of £85 per person, £40 of which will be donated to the charity. The leading five pairs will receive prizes, and there will also beat the pro, nearest the pin, and longest drive prizes. The day will conclude with a two-course meal, followed by an auction and a raffle. For more information, or to book a place, call Carl on 07930 365866.

Youngsters get in the swing at Ingrebourne Links Cup Ingrebourne Valley Links Golf Complex in Essex hosted a special par-three contest for young talent in the country last month, with attracted over 80 youngsters aged between six and 14.

The beautifully-presented links-style course proved a superb test for the region’s rising talent, although there were some excellent scores on the day, including a hole-in-one by Alfie Buttle.

There were prizes for seven age categories, as well as nearestthe- pins on the first and

eighth holes, and there were additional prizes for the best-dressed player and neatest scorecard. Ingrebourne’s club professional, Nick Moncur, was also on hand to provide free advice to the players while they practiced, while a putting competition was also laid on as part of the day’s activities.

The over all winner on the day, who collected the Ingrebourne Links Cup for 2013, was Harvey Sullivan, with Nicholas Mounsey and Callum Hensby taking second and third.

money raised.”

She added: “The course, as ever, was in superb condition, and our sincere thanks go to all the staff at Chart Hills, as well as all the other Kent clubs and local suppliers who donated golf games and prizes for the auction.”

Callaway takes Seve title

Despite enduring driving rain, David Callaway shot a brilliant six-under-par 66 around Foxhills to win the Seve Ballesteros Foundation Pro-Am. The Milford professional’s superb display of four birdies and an eagle at the Surrey venue was just enough to edge out four players on five-under-par, including the newly-crowned PGA Kent Open champion Matt Ford.

Other highlights of the special day included a trick-shot show by Jeremy Dale, while at the evening dinner, Talksport’s Georgie Bingham and Bob Bevan took on the auctioneering and helped the assembled guests raise £35,000 for Seve Ballesteros Foundation’s target charity, Cancer Research.

Twenty-six teams took part in the Pro-Am, and it was fitting that the team representing Dereham Golf Club in Norfolk – which has raised nearly £2,000 for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation – should win the team prize. They were led to victory by LeftHandedGolf’s Chris Gane.

September 2013 / Issue 225

/ 29

WELCOME BACK, HENRIK Nick Bayly charts the rise and fall, and rise again of Sweden’s most mercurial player, Henrik Stenson

What a difference a year makes. In fact, to be slightly more factual, what a difference two years makes. For it was the end of the 2011 season when Henrik Stenson, one of the most gifted players of his generation, was to be found languishing in 230th in the world rankings, after suffering a slump in form that must be the stuff of every professional golfer’s worst nightmare.

From occupying the giddy heights of world No.4 in 2009, following his victory in The Players’ Championship, the 35-year-old Swede tumbled down the leaderboard as if he had lost the use of his limbs.

Fast forward to September 2, 2013, and Stenson is back on top of the world – well almost. After a hot streak of form that is almost unprecedented in recent times, the 37-year-old now finds himself back well inside the world’s top 10, and wishing next year’s majors would come around a whole lot quicker. It’s almost as if he’s been dropped into a marathon with only one mile run.

A win in a weakish event in South Africa last November hinted at a return to form, but largely went under the radar, while a runner-up finish at the Houston Open in March spoke of something ever better. However, a respectable tied third at the Scottish Open, followed by an impressive runner-up finish at the Open Championship, catapulted the mercurial Swede firmly back into the world spotlight.

He then took his form to America, where he tied for second at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, bagged third at the US PGA Championship, and then, to top it all, claimed a long overdue victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship from under the noses of yet another world-class field.

All of which has seen Stenson net well over $3million in the last six weeks, rise up 47 places in the world rankings from the beginning of the year, and sit on top of both the Race to Dubai money list and the Fed Ex Cup rankings. So how did it all go so wrong, and then so right?

In all fairness, Stenson’s career has been punctuated by highs and lows from the very beginning. His curve has never been linear. While most golfers’ form runs in reasonable streaks, Stenson’s chart is all peaks and troughs, from brilliance to blindingly bad in the blink of an eye. He would be a psychiatrist’s dream patient, if he was ever able to sit still long enough to be assessed. How a man can go from beating the world’s best with ease and withstanding the pressures of the Ryder Cup, to missing a fairway by 400 yards remains one of golf’s eternal mysteries, but it never ceases to amaze.

If you dig deeper, the reasons for Stenson’s downward spiral are all too obvious. While the swing problems that have blighted his career were easy and quite reasonable excuses, protracted health problems in 2010 were the cause of much of his troubles, with suspect viral pneumonia cited as the reason, although it was Stenson’s widely-known financial troubles that were at the root of much of his worries.

“When the head is a bit rocky, my patience wears thin, and that’s when it turns ugly”

Stenson, along with Vijay Singh and thousands of others, had invested most of his $6 million career earnings with Sir Allen Stanford, a Texan businessman whose financial empire turned out to be a pack of cards that came crashing down at the beginning of 2009. Quite how much of his savings Stenson lost has never been revealed, but some estimates put it as much as 90 per cent. Whatever the final figure, it clearly had a significant impact on his financial security and his state of mind.

Where once he was playing to top up his healthy bank balance, he was perhaps now playing for next month’s mortgage payments and his children’s education. Putting for dough is never an easy way to make a living.

With his accounts with Stanford frozen, and no prospect of ever recouping those losses, Stenson was required to start from scratch again. Not easy for a man with 18 years of wear and tear under his belt and a generation of eager, hungry players snapping at his heels. Any lingering doubts about his technique or his mental state were magnified to the nth degree, leading to a spiral of decline as the pressure mounted.

Given all these mental and physical challenges, it’s small wonder Stenson hasn’t flipped out more often, and it is to his credit that he managed to keep a lid on his famed temper while it was all going pearshaped. Although that’s not to say that he’s not prone to the odd outburst.

“I am a perfectionist,” Stenson acknowledges. “I’ve always been hard on myself. I don’t like mediocrity with anything, and not with myself, either. When I am in a good shape mentally, my patience is good, and I stay calm. But when the head is a bit rocky, my patience wears thin, and that’s when it turns ugly. I have to let the steam out sometimes. It sometimes

Eyes on the prize: Stenson will be gunning for a Major next season

happens that a clubhead gets separated from its shaft, stuff like that.”

Throughout that traumatic period of his life, Stenson worked with sport psychologist Torsten Hansson, a former diver in the Swedish navy. The pair had first come into contact through Hansson’s work with Swedish amateur golf, and their relationship was tested as never before. “For the first six months things weren’t too bad, in that he wasn’t expecting too much success,” Hansson says. “But after that, he was struggling mentally. At times he felt ashamed of himself. He had guilt, and his ego suffered. He ended up with a real choking problem with the long clubs. For a time he played with his eyes closed, so that he could focus on releasing the club properly. For us both, it was hard work. He could understand the process intellectually, but it was more difficult emotionally.”

Stenson has gone back to working with Hansson this season, and the results have been there for all to see. He also started using a new caddy, Gareth Lord (Robert Karlsson’s former caddy) in January, following the retirement of long-time bag lady Fanny Sunneson, and is also continuing to work with Pete Cowen on his swing – so all is settled in Team Stenson.

Sweden has a habit of producing ‘characters’, shall we call them, when it comes to golf. They broke the mold when they offered us Jesper Parvenik, he of the peaked cap, tight trousers and a taste for eating volcanic ash, but they’ve been creating jokers ever since. To outward appearances, Stenson can come across as a rather serious individual, staring out expressionlessly from behind those trademark wraparound shades, but the truth is he wears them on medical grounds to protect over-sensitive eyes, rather than to block out the outside world. Away from the course, and sometimes on it, he’s known as a happy chap with a reputation for being a bit of a prankster.

There was the time when he walked along the practice range at a tour event asking other players to write down their email addresses so that he could keep in touch with them. The joke being that the pen he gave them was wired up to deliver a small electric shock. There are numerous of instances too many to mention, but he definitely falls into the personality box marked ‘quirky’.

With a PGA Tour win under his belt, and his family alongside him to enjoy his return to form, Henrik Stenson is still quite the joker, only this time the smile is because he is genuinely back in a happy place.

“Of course I’ve been low and frustrated at times,” says Stenson. “But if I let that get into my mind too deeply, I wouldn’t be sitting here now. I’m not giving up. I’m not a quitter. I’ll always bounce back.”

Asked how long he expects his run of form to last, Stenson smiles. “Forever and ever, of course,” he says.

For now, the Swede is looking to finish off the season in style before taking a well-earned rest and planning his assault on next season’s big events.

Watch out world, Henrik’s hungry.

30 /

September 2013 / Issue 225

EddiePepperell’s TOUR DIARY

Ben takes me back to basics A latecomer to the impact of Ben Hogan on the professional game, Eddie finds that self-discovery is the true path to enlightenment when it comes to the mechanics of the modern golf swing It’s taken me all of 22 years and a couple of hundred days to realise the impact Mr Ben Hogan had on the game of golf. Bizarrely – I now think – a month ago I wouldn’t have been able to picture Hogan’s signature moves in his swing, nor tell you that he had won nine Majors (10, really!).

Now, however, few minutes go by without me visualising his wonderful tempo, and his ‘Anton-Du-Beke-like hips!

Forget Mark Ramprakash, Hogan would have nailed it.

But what gives me hope, as a golfer who is always trying to improve his technique, is that when you study Hogan’s

swing in the early days, although it was still aesthetically pleasing, it was not as complete as it would become. Hogan deserves to be idolised due to the nature of his success. He didn’t arrive the best, he became the best.

Thinking about it, if I had have been more aware of my sport’s history then I would’ve come across Ben Hogan years ago. Probably 11 years ago, in fact, as that’s when my dad came home with a young chocolate Labrador called Hogan!

It is fair to say ‘Hogie Bear’ doesn’t glide around with the same mystique.

All would probably agree Hogan’s mystical and reclusive way of doing things helped create the aura of a tenacious and workman-like champion. In today’s world, I think it can be profitable to be this way inclined. Adam Scott appears to be similar to Hogan in this sense, as he plays very occasionally, and remains quiet in the media. It’s an equally good way to sell tickets, rather than talking a lot on social media and the like.

As a player, I have never decided which technical preferences I like to see in my own golf swing, mainly because I have never understood the golf swing. But with the help of my coach, Mike Walker, and now Ben Hogan’s Five Fundamentals, however, I feel I have become far more aware this year of what ‘proper technique’ entails, and what

“I feel I have become far more aware this year of what ‘proper technique’ entails, and what I am after in my golf swing”

I am after in my own golf swing. I think this is important.

My belief is that every great player in history became increasingly aware over time of how they wanted to swing, and only experiences under pressure persuaded them to make necessary changes. I could not agree more with Hogan when he says a great swing is only a great swing if it performs better under pressure than it did under regular conditions.

Great players don’t just earn a lot of money, they win a lot of tournaments. The difference lies in the understanding and robustness of their techniques, and the view that only winning matters – because if it didn’t, they wouldn’t strive to improve faulty mechanics.

To finish, I would like to congratulate Tommy Fleetwood on his maiden European Tour victory at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. I, like many others, am quite sure he will become one of the best players in the world.

Thankfully, however, he doesn’t take my kind words as gospel truth. Rock on Tommy, and I’m sure Ben Hogan’s swing, mystique and legacy will continue to mesmerise many future golfers as it has me.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

TOUR NEWS

Tour News

in Brief

Hull leads from the front as Europe claims Solheim Cup

CHINA TO HOST CHALLENGE TOUR The Challenge Tour will visit China for the first time in five years when the Foshan Open takes place from October 17-20 at Foshan Golf Club in Guangdong. Co-sanctioned by the Challenge Tour and the China Golf Association, the tournament has a $350,000 prize fund. The 126man field will comprise 63 players from the Challenge Tour and 63 from the host nation.

IMMELMAN WINS PGA TOUR CARD Former US Masters champion Trevor Immelman has won back his card for next year’s PGA Tour after winning the Hotel Fitness Championship at Sycamore Hills in the Web.com Tour Finals opener.

The 32-year-old South African who won the Masters in 2008, made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Patrick Cantlay. The top 25 on the Web.com Tour money list are assured of PGA Tour cards for the 2013-14 season.

FARHBRING RISES TO NORWEGIAN CHALLENGE Sweden’s Jens Farhbring claimed his maiden Challenge Tour title at the Norwegian Challenge with a three-shot victory at Losby Golf Club.

The 29-year-old from Stockholm, who is in his first full season on the Challenge Tour, added a final round 66 to a course record-breaking third round 62 to claim the title with a 19-under par total.

LUNA SLAMS SAM AT ST ANDREWS Santiago Luna held off a determined challenge from Sam Torrance to win the Scottish Senior Open at Fairmont St Andrews. The Spaniard, whose single previous tour victory was the 1995 Madeira Islands Open, finished on five under par at a rainswept St Andrews to finish one shot clear of Torrance – who designed the course – and Irishman Denis O’Sullivan, who, at 65, would have become the second oldest winner in Senior Tour history.

PETTERSEN ON WINNING ROLL Suzann Pettersen bagged her third win of the season after claiming victory at the Safeway Classic for the second time in three years. The 32-year-old Norwegian, fresh from her success at the Solheim Cup, took advantage of a final-round collapse by tournament leader Yani Tseng at Columbia Edgewater to win by two shots from Stacy Lewis.

Europe won the Solheim Cup for the first time on American soil after a crushing 18-10 victory over the hosts at Colorado Golf Club.

Five points ahead after a sensational clean sweep of the second day’s afternoon fourballs left Europe 10.55.5 in front, meaning that captain Lotte Neumann’s team needed just 3.5 points from the 12 singles matches to retain the trophy and four to win it outright again.

Wins from 17-year-old Charley Hull – a sensational 5&4 triumph over Paula Creamer – and Carlota Ciganda, as well as a half for Anna Nordqvist against British Open champion Stacy Lewis, took Europe’s total to 13, before the threat of lightning brought the players

off the course.

But after a delay of just under an hour, the visitors banked the crucial 14th point when Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall birdied from four feet at the last to defeat Michelle Wie and ensure that Europe couldn’t be beaten.

The victory completed a remarkable week for Hedwall, who became the first player in the tournament’s history to win five points out of five.

That meant half the job was already done, but Europe still had history to make by wrapping up an outright victory. And the glory of securing the vital half point went to veteran Catriona Matthew, as she knocked in a four-foot putt at 18 to share her match with Gerina Piller and get Europe to the magic number of 14.5.

“I was shaking. My knees were shaking. I knew if I got a half we would win it outright,” said 44-year-old Matthew, who was the senior player in the team following Laura Davis’s ommission. “As a career highlight, it certainly beats winning the Open.

Any time you can celebrate with your 11 team-mates it makes it more exciting, and more fun.”

Europe eventually extended their winning margin to a massive 18-10, after further wins for Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Beatriz Recari, and half points for Suzann Pettersen, Giulia Sergas and Karine Icher.

Hull, who was a captain’s pick, proved something of a talisman for the team, showing a fearless approach to the event, despite her inexperience. She even had the temerity to ask Creamer, her defeated opponent, to sign her ball after the match so that she could give it to a friend back home. “I didn’t really feel that nervous, to be honest,” said Hull. “This is how I always look at golf; I’m not going to die if I miss it.

Just hit it and find it, and hit it again.”

Turkey prepares to host Tour stars

Rockliffe Hall to host English Senior’s revival

The English Senior Open is set to make a welcome return to the European Senior Tour’s schedule, after it was announced that the event is to be staged at Rockliffe Hall in County Durham early next month.

Last played in 2007 at St Mellion, the English Senior Open will take place from October 4-6 at the Darlington-based fivestar resort, and will offer a prize fund of £200,000.

Following June’s PGA Seniors Championship at Mottram Hall, the Senior Open at Royal Birkdale, and the Senior Masters at Woburn, the tournament will be the fourth event staged in England during the 2013 season, marking a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for domestic-based events.

Andy Stubbs, managing director of the European Senior Tour, said: “Over recent years, we have discussed with Rockliffe Hall their ambition of hosting a Tour event, therefore we are delighted that this will now happen with the return of the English Senior Open to the Senior Tour schedule.

“The success of the BMW PGA Championship and The Senior Open Championship this year has demonstrated the appetite for tournament golf in England with great public support, and has helped us to re-establish this tournament in a region renowned for its love of sporting events. The course and hotel facilities at Rockliffe Hall are superb, and the legends of senior golf are certain to enjoy participating at the venue over the next two years.”

The Hawtree-designed 7,879-yard championship course opened in 2009, alongside the Grade II listed buildings, which date back to the 18th century and have been transformed into a five-star hotel and spa resort, with a triple AA rosette restaurant.

Warwick Brindle, chairman of Rockliffe Hall, said: “We are delighted to be hosting a major European Senior Tour event so soon after opening. The English Senior Open will be the biggest tournament of its kind to be held in the North East in recent years, and we are confident the area will support the event in a big way.”

Maxx Royal

Fan ejected after chant A clampdown on fans who shout out during golfers’ swings at professional tournaments began last month when a member of the public who shouted ‘Baba Booey’ during the first round of the Barclays Classic was ejected from the course.

The fan shouted the now familiar phrase during Ian Poulter’s backswing, after which the 37-year-old Ryder Cup star asked for him to be removed.

Last month Poulter tweeted that he would ‘like to Tazer every muppet who shouts out something stupid’, which led to him being targeted by fans. After the round, during which Poulter recorded a seven-over-par 77, he returned to Twitter to report: “The good news of today was only one donut shouted out Baba Booey and he was swiftly removed from the premises.”

The PGA Tour recently said screaming fans would only be removed if it affected competition. “It’s lumped in with any behaviour that affects the competition,” a spokesman said. “Anything that influences the competition in a way that’s disruptive. I’m not sure shouting ‘mashed potatoes’ after a guy hits the ball is disruptive. It might be irksome, but it may not fall into that category of disruptive to the competition.”

Turkey is to join the European Tour’s schedule for the next three years, following the launch of the Turkish Open in November.

The brand new $7m tournament is set to be staged on The Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Belek and will be contested by a limited 78-player field. It slots into the schedule just a week before the season-ending Dubai World Golf Championship.

The tournament, which will be the penultimate event on the European Tour schedule, will be staged from November 7-10, the week before the Dubai World Championship.

Keith Waters, Director of International Policy with the European Tour, said: “We wanted to create a stronger finish to the season and we will have that now with the BMW Masters, the HSBC Champions, and now the new Turkish Open as the last events before the Dubai World Championship.”

The Hong Kong Open and the Singapore Open will be staged as usual next year in the latter part of November, but they will now become the opening events on the 2014 schedule.

Faldo returns to action Nick Faldo is set to make a long-awaited first Champions Tour start in the US at the SAS Championship at the Prestonwood Country Club from October 9-13.

It will be the 56-year-old’s first appearances on the US over 50s tour, barring two starts at the Senior British Open Championship.

“I’m curious,” said Faldo, when revealing why he has decided to start his Champions Tour career now. “I enjoyed the process of training for the Open Championship, and was happy with my effort after limited training. This is the first time I’ve entertained thoughts of committing myself and playing again. I look forward to the preparation, and testing my competitive skills again.”

Earlier this year, Faldo played in the Open Champioship for the first time in three years, but failed to make the cut at Muirfield after rounds of 79 and 78. Away from competitive action, the 2008 Ryder Cup captain is a lead commentator for CBS Sports, and now also provides analysis for The Golf Channel.

September 2013 / Issue 225

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TOM LEWIS TIPS FROM THE TOUR

HOW I SHAPE THE BALL In the second instalment of an exclusive four-part instruction series, European Tour professional Tom Lewis reveals how he shapes the ball off the fairway to find those hard to reach pins

FADE

Tom Lewis is a brand ambassador for Marriott. The photographs were shot at Marriott Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire.

For details visit www. marriott.co.uk or download the Marriott app from iTunes.

The ability to shape the ball is an essential tool in every golfer’s arsenal, as it not only allows you to hold the ball against crosswinds, and get yourself out of trouble when you’re out of position, but it also helps you find the best line into greens, in

order to get close to pins set behind bunkers and other hazards.

Shot-shaping is not just reserved for single-figure handicappers and professionals. Higher handicappers can hit consistent, controllable draw and fade shots by making some simple adjustments to their set up and swing path. Here’s how to do it.

DRAW

Club head at target

Club head at target

Open stance

1. HITTING A FADE There a number of ways you can hit a fade, but the simplest way is to alter your set up to hit the shot you want.

1. The first step is to walk into the ball and aim your clubhead at the point where you want your ball to finish.

2. Once your clubhead is aiming at this point, you need to address the ball so that your feet, hips and shoulders are all open or, in other words, aiming left of your target. If you want to hit a slight fade, you only need to open up your body a little bit. However, if you want to move the ball further from left-to-right, your stance has to be more open, or further left of your target.

3. From that position, all you need to do is to concentrate on swinging along the line you are aiming, which will create a little side spin and help you to move the ball from left to right in the air.

Closed stance

2. HITTING A DRAW When it comes to hitting a draw, you need to do the exact opposite to what you do when hitting a fade.

1. The first step is to walk into the ball and aim your clubhead at your target.

2. Once you are happy that your clubhead is aiming at the point where you want your ball to finish, you need to address the ball so that your feet, hips and shoulders are all closed, or aiming right of your target.

Aim well to the right if you want to hit a big draw, less so if you only want to move the ball a little from right-to-left in the air.

3. Once you are set up correctly, concentrate on swinging down that line. With a bit of practise, you should soon be able to hit a draw whenever you want to.

4. Hitting this kind of shot will naturally de-loft the clubface, as you are closing the face. This will send the ball on a lower trajectory, and also reduce backspin, so you should factor this in when making your club selection.

34 /

September 2013 / Issue 225

EwenMurray

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

Solheim success provides boost for Europe For Europe’s captain, Lotte Neumann, and her 12 magnificent players, history was created high up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In winning the Solheim Cup for the first time on American soil, the Ladies European Tour got the shot in the arm it needed.

Three days of intense competition ended with an emphatic European victory for a young team against their strong American counterparts.

Seventeen-year-old Charley Hull from Woburn was sensational, but it would be wrong to pick out just one player, because every team member was superb. Charley’s win, or should I say thumping, over Paula Creamer set the stage for winning the singles, but the foundation of the victory was no doubt laid when

Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew played pivotal roles in Europe’s victory

Europe whitewashed the USA in the Saturday afternoon four balls.

In Jodi Ewart-Shadof from

Northallerton, we have one of the most impressive players I’ve seen in a while, and if she really

wants to succeed, she has all of the credentials required to do so.

Anna Nordqvist closed one of her games out with the first Solheim hole-in-one, and it was fitting that the irrepressible Catriona Matthew holed the winning putt. At 44 years of age, she has seen and pretty much done it all, and her moment at the Colorado Golf Club will be up there with her triumph in the British Women’s Open at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s back in 2009.

Caroline Hedwall became the first player to win all five matches, and she was ably backed up by her other talented team mates from Germany, Italy, France, Norway, and Spain.

It was a great thrill to be there and to witness golf of that quality alongside Mickey Walker and

12-time Solheim Cup player Laura Davies, who made a very impressive debut in the commentary box.

Christina Kim also joined me in the booth. She’s a charming lady, with a fine sense of humour and, above all, a great passion for the game.

This result is just what the Solheim Cup needed, and it sets up the 2015 event at St Leon Rot in Germany beautifully. I hope the Ladies European Tour benefits from a ripple effect following this win, with more tournaments to boost what is currently a rather sparse calendar.

These twelve players put on a great show both on and off the course and in doing so, no doubt inspired many to make golf their hobby, and for some in the future, their profession.

Monty’s back in business Sparse crowds are a Having enjoyed the company of Colin Montgomerie at various tournaments throughout the year, I was delighted to see him return to the winner’s circle after a gap of over six years.

Over the past two years, we have had the odd game and chat about his golf, which understandably has not been up to the quality of his halcyon years. In recent weeks, Colin has spoken to his former college coach in Houston, Paul Marchand, who also taught Fred Couples. That was a good move, as Paul largely fashioned Monty’s swing, one that has stood him in good stead throughout his fine career. Another good decision was to meet with former major champion Dave Stockton, to have a look at his putting. Both meetings have quickly paid dividends. Colin is the easiest person to teach, as he does not venture into the science and theories of the game. Simplicity and repetition has always been his way.

Victory will do wonders for his confidence and I’m sure that his maiden win in America will not be far away. He retains an admirable zest for golf and is as competitive now as he was when he turned professional. The habit of winning is the best one in golf. He had it, lost it, but has found it again. The win at Woburn will be the foundation of what I’m sure will be an impressive second career.

Sam’s still the man! Brave Bernard is Last month saw Sam Torrance turn 60. At a party organised by his charming wife Suzann, near their home at Wentworth, Sam’s family and friends spoke warmly of one of golf’s most popular figures.

Sir Ian Botham and fellow Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam revealed their affection and admiration for a lifelong friend and, in doing so, voiced their respect for all Sam has achieved in his long and successful career.

I first met Sam when I were seven or eight years old, both caddying for our professional golfer dads, Jim and Bob. At 15 years old, we played in the same Scottish Boys’ team at Hillside in 1970.

Four years after joining Sunningdale as assistant professional to the legendary Arthur Lees, Sam won the first of 21 titles on the European Tour. Many have followed on the senior circuit. In between, those who were fortunate to see him hole the winning Ryder Cup point in 1985 will not forget it and, 17 years on, it was Sam’s day again at The Belfry, this time as captain.

Wonderful memories of a truly fine golfer.

Like all of his friends, I respect Sam for the fact success has not changed him. He is still the same well-rounded lad I knew from his Largs Routenburn beginnings.

Despite Sam having lost out in Scotland last month on another victory on the Seniors Tour by just one shot, I’d suggest there is still a win or two left in this most determined of competitors.

in my thoughts The golfing world was shocked to hear of the illness of threetime European Ryder Cup Captain, Bernard Gallacher, who suffered a heart attack earlier this month, and remains in hospital as I write these words.

Bernard and I grew up together on Edinburgh’s west side, and he was my first golfing idol. The very first tournament I entered was won by Bernard at Ratho Park Golf Club, the PJ Redmond trophy. I was ten, and he was 16.

Down the years, he has been a true friend and a man I’ve enjoyed the company of on many occasions.

Attached to Ifield Golf Club in 1969, he won the European Order of Merit, and went on to be a hugely popular professional for over 20 years at the Wentworth Club. During his spell there, and on the fairways of Europe, he made many friends who will be wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

cause for concern

The galleries at many European Tour events are pretty thin

A crowd of just over 23,000 spectators watched Monty’s win at the British Senior Masters at Woburn last month – which is an impressive figure for a senior tournament.

The numbers present at Gleneagles for the Johnnie Walker Champiosnhip, and the following week at Celtic Manor for the Wales Open, were, on the other hand, very disappointing.

Maybe The Open at Muirfield, which had taken place just a few weeks earlier, had something to do with the poor attendance at Gleneagles, while perhaps Swansea and Cardiff’s presence in the Barclays Premier League stole some of the the attention of sporting fans during the Wales Open.

But whatever the reason, there is some cause for concern.

Sure, most of our high-ranking players are currently in America contesting the Fed-Ex Cup, but I think there was more than enough talent there to attract more spectators than we saw in Perthshire and South Wales – two venues that are easily accessible via the major motorway networks.

Admission prices need to be looked at, as well as the price of food available in the tented villages. Attendance was down at The Open as well this year, so this may be part of a backlash from the golfing public against high entrance charges.

I also think that the players need to up the part they play.

Too often, I see spectators applauding players from whom they receive little response or reaction in return. These are tough times and the Tour has excelled in presenting 47 events. The players are most fortunate to have a full schedule. Better interaction with the fans is not too much to ask.

September 2013 / Issue 225

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HEAD FOR THE HEDGE With state-ofthe-art practice facilities, an extensive golfing superstore, and a team of expert staff, it is no wonder Hedge End Golf Centre is one of the busiest and most successful golf venues in the south

Hedge End Golf Centre is the epitome of everything the modern golf facility should be. The Southampton-based venue offers a welcoming place for golfers of all ages and abilities to come and practise their game, learn new skills, buy new equipment, and met other like-minded people in a friendly and relaxed environment.

The centre has been heavily invested in over the years by its long-standing owners, ensuring that its facilities remain up to date, while continuing to offer the best possible service to its many loyal customers.

The state-of-the-art facilities begin with a 50bay, two-tier driving range, which makes it ideal for practicing all year round. The bays are extra wide, to allow golfers to swing in comfort, and are heated to make them usable even when it’s snowing.

The contoured outfield offers a great variety of targets and yardage markers, including 11 bunkered greens, all of which are illuminated by floodlights in the evenings, as the range is open until 10pm, seven days a week.

Hedge End also has one of the best short game areas in the region, allowing people to perfect the

most important part of the game. It boasts a two-tiered putting green, and a chipping and bunker green with six flags for those wanting to perfect their chipping skills.

And with five fully-qualified PGA teaching professionals on hand, the centre is able to deliver top quality coaching to groups, individuals and juniors.

So whether you are a complete beginner or a scratch golfer, Hedge End’s team of instructors and facilities provide the ultimate combination to have fun and improve.

Regular users of the centre can also join a free loyalty card scheme, which offers a wide range of discounts on range balls, which will add up to significant savings over the year.

One of Hedge End’s key attractions is its golfing superstore, which is without doubt one of the largest and most well-stocked facilities in the south. With expert advice on hand, and a vast array of clubs, balls, accessories, clothing and shoe brands to choose from, it’s a veritable Aladdin’s Cave for the golfing nut. All the staff are highly trained in the features and benefits of the equipment on sale, and with a range of customfitting facilities on hand, and a driving range to test an exhaustive range of demo stock, golfers can be confident that they will be buying clubs that are perfect for their game. The centre also prides itself on being extremely competitive on price, with great offers and discounts available on all of the big name brands.

For those golfers looking to keep their existing kit in working order, the centre also has a expertly-run repairs shop, where golfers can bring in clubs for all manner of repairs, including re-gripping, re-shafting, loft and lie angle adjustments, as well as grinding and polishing.

In addition to the golfing facilities, Hedge End

offers a state-of-the-art health and fitness centre, which comprises a fully-equipped gym which offers studio classes, physiotherapy, conditioning, sports massage and pilates from a team of six specially-trained instructors, as well as two personal trainers. Amenities also include new shower and changing facilities.

To round off the Hedge End experience, the venue also has its own café, which offers a wide range of hot and cold snacks, drinks and tempting treats, all served in a comfortable environment. With free Wi-Fi and satellite TV to keep diners up to date with the golfing action around the world, it’s a great place to spend time relaxing after a work out on the range or in the gym.

And with free and plentiful parking, long opening hours, and easy access to the motorway networks, it’s easy to understand why Hedge End Golf Centre is one of the most popular golfing venues in the country.

Hedge End Golf Centre is located just off Junction 7 of the M27. Follow the signs for Hedge End Village, and the entrance is a few hundred yards on the right. For more information, call 01489 773890 or visit www.hedgeendgolfcentre.co.uk.

The largest independent retail

GOLF SHOP in HAMPSHIRE • Driving Range • Chipping & Putting Greens • Fitness & Health Suites • The Café • Golf Lessons for Adults and Juniors • Repairs 4 Golf

Upper Northam Road, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 4EA

Tel: 01489 773890 www.hedgeendgolfcentre.co.uk

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Nick Bayly offers an insight into the trialling process that goes into the launch of a new generation of Titleist irons, and previews the four sets that make up the new 714 Series

September 2013 / Issue 225

GONE TO SEED It is standard practice for golf journalists to Wyndham Championship with a set of 714 AP2s. receive samples of new equipment launches As part of Titleist’s tour validation process, it handed out 24 sets several weeks, if not several months, before they of 714 irons at the PGA Tour’s AT&T National at Congressional in hit the shelves of your nearest pro shop.

June, which was won by Titleist staff player Bill Haas. From there, However, it is quite rare to receive them as far in word gets out, and players are soon deciding which of the new advance as I did with Titleist’s new range of 714 sets to put in play, and drill down their configurations. irons, which go on sale in November.

Being a slow-swinging 14-handicapper, I was given a set of Under a shroud of secrecy, my UPS delivery arrived at my the new AP1 714 Series irons – which, I should point out, are house in the middle of July in a cardboard box that resembled also played by former Open champion Ben Curtis. These feature any number of similar-sized boxes that now line my garage. The a noticeable cavity, a small offset, and a medium-width topline. delivery man, a keen golfer himself, and who has dropped dozens They’re not hackers’ irons by any means, but are designed for of similar packages to my house over the years, enquired as to the a wide range of players looking for a bit of extra forgiveness, precise contents of this specific box. “Ah,” I said. “I’d love to tell you, distance, and a higher ball flight than is offered by the AP2s, CB but if I did, then I’d have to kill you. It’s your choice.” and MB irons, which complete the new range (see box attached).

Faced with that rather frightening proposition, he made me So, under the cover of darkness – quite literally – I headed down sign the screen – with the usual smudge that to my local driving range to test them under bears no resemblance to my normal signature the floodlights, where no prying eyes could – and headed back to the van none the wiser, see the new weapons in action. I should add but his life spared. ‘Phew’, I thought. ‘My secret that my set had been semi-customised to meet remains safe, for now at least’. my standard set up, which includes a regular The reason for my subterfuge was that I was flex steel shaft which is half-an-inch longer taking part in the top-secret testing process than standard, the lie one-degree upright, and of Titleist’s new range of 714 irons, which a mid-size Golf Pride grip. With specs close to required a wall of media silence. I what I had in my current set, I was couldn’t even tell my wife, or my two confident that I’d get a good tune out extremely inquisitive children, in case I of them, and so it proved – to a point. might jeopardise the entire project.

“The delivery man enquired Although they were a cinch to pick off The ‘seeding process’ as it is known the astro, and were easily as long as as to the precise contents in the business, is when sets of clubs my old set, I was struggling to get the of this specific box. “Ah,” I that are still in the prototype phase of gentle draw that I was used to with production are sent out to selected my current irons. said. “I’d love to tell you, professionals for trialling. These clubs After getting the same result in a but if I did, then I’d have to friendly game at my local golf club, are liable to changes, tweaks, and kill you. It’s your choice.” alterations in response to feedback two weeks later I headed up to Royal from these trusted individuals before Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in the green light is pressed on full Lancashire to continue the seeding production. process. This involved a session on In many instances, few, if any major changes are made to the range under the expert eye of one of Titleist’s experienced the substantive elements of a club, with players merely drilling custom-fitting team, backed up by a launch monitor, a customdown their set make up and exact shaft specifications in order to fitting cart, and, even more impressively, Titleist’s European Tour maximise performance. With the technological breakthroughs of truck – the very same gadget-filled wagon that services the clubs computer-aided design, 3D printing, launch monitors and robot of its tour staff. testing, golf equipment companies pretty much know how a On arrival at Lytham, I was taken to the practice ground to given club is going to perform long before it gets into human loosen up, and then it was time to get fitted. I hit a number of hands. However, this final round of tests by real-life golfers is still a shots off a strike board with tape on the sole of the club, which vital part of the process of launching any new piece of kit. revealed where on the sole I was making contact with the ground.

Titleist, like most of the other major equipment brands on tour, This impact zone partially explains why shots go left or right, and relies on a trickle-down effect from the tours to excite interest in reveals the correct lie angle to ensure the club interacts with the its new clubs prior to consumer launch. It’s what they call ‘Tour turf in the most efficient manner. validation’. Having a big-name player play, and hopefully win Sure enough, the strike board revealed that I was hitting the with a soon-to-be-launched set of irons, or a new putter or driver, ball out of the heel, causing shots to leak right. My one-degree is like manna from heaven for equipment companies – especially if the player in question is gracious enough to mention the new piece of kit as one of the reasons for their success.

Titleist enjoyed its own slice of good fortune last month when Jason Dufner won the US PGA Championship with a new set of the prototype 714 irons, which he used to hit the ball stiff with alarming ease, Titliest’s impressive tour truck was on hand to make final adjustments to our clubs at Royal Lytham while Jordan Speith won the

September 2013 / Issue 225

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MEET THE 714 SERIES 714 AP1

Tour player Paul Waring made an early switch to the new 714 irons

upright set up wasn’t nearly enough to offset this shot shape, so it was decided that it needed to go up to three degrees. This dramatic increase isn’t something that can be done on a range, so I was marched off to the Tour truck to have my entire set bent in a loft and lie machine to the new setting.

Fifteen minutes later I was back on the range with my freshlytweaked AP1s. The effect was immediate and impressive: the ball was coming out of the centre of the clubface – where the sweetspot is most effective – with shots drawing gently back to the centre of the range, despite a cross breeze. Job done.

After a spot of lunch, it was then off to Lytham’s first tee to put the new and fully-fitted irons into practice. A laser-like 6-iron over the flag of the 185-yard par three gave me all the feedback I needed to know that these irons were ready to roll, and that the seeding process was complete as far as I was concerned. Next stop Qualifying School.

The new 714 AP1 irons have undergone their most significant transformation since the 700 series began.

Cast from stainless steel, the head has been made more forgiving without increasing in size of the blade through a combination of progressive weighting in the toe section of the head, which helps increase MOI. As the set transitions form the long to the short irons, the centre of gravity and the overall structure changes, both of which improves ball flight, feel and forgiveness.

The AP1 features a dual cavity construction, with the high density tungsten weight placed low in the sole – but higher than the 712 AP1 iron – to help the ball pop up, while a new support bar behind the face in the long irons improves the sweet spot location, and offers more distance off a wider area of the face.

The sole widths of the AP1 short irons have also been made narrower, with thinner toplines than previous models to give them a much slimmer look at address. The faces were made thicker as well, which not only improves feel, but raises the CG to a higher level.

SRP: £93 (steel shaft) and £107 per club (graphite)

In performance terms, this translates into high-launching long irons (3-6), which offers more distance and better stopping control, while the short irons (7-PW) launch slightly lower, to maintain control while delivering more distance through stronger lofts (the pitching wedge is just 44 degrees).

Other improvements include the addition of more camber to the sole and a pre-worn leading edge to make the irons more playable for different angles of attack, and an improved hosel blend that goes down into the leading edge to reduce the visual offset. The heel height in the short irons has also been adjusted across both models.

714 AP2 Titliest says that the 714 AP2 irons are as forgiving as the original AP1 irons, which represents a huge step forward for a club that is commonly used by Tour professionasl. This has been achieved through a combination of design tweaks, including the use of high density tungsten in the progressivelyshaped heads. creating A total of 43g of tungsten has been placed in a lower, more two areas of the head, in the toe section, and in the penetrating trajectory that most bottom section of the hosel. The wider distance golfers prefer from their higher-lofted between the two tungsten weights gives the irons irons. a higher MOI without having to increase the size of To further enhance ball flight, Titleist the iron — an important consideration for better has strengthened the loft of 6 iron golfers, most of whom prefer smaller-sized iron through to the gap wedge by one heads. The soles of the long irons are also slightly degree, which will make them fly a little wider, moving even more weight to the bottom of lower and further as well. the club.

The AP2s are forged from carbon SRP: A lower CG helps golfers to hit their long irons steel, which gives them a soft, solid £114 (steel) and higher and carry them farther, while the increased feel, and they have the same amount £130 (graphite) MOI gives more ball speed and less club head of offset as previous versions, although per club twisting on mishits. That means that on less-thanit is less visible thanks to a new hosel perfect shots with the 714 AP2’s, the ball will end blend. up closer to the intended target, with a little straighter Compared to the 712 AP2s, the 714s have soles that flight than previous generations. feature slightly more camber, as well as pre-worn leading Adding weight to the top of the AP2’s short irons is key edges, where removal of a small amount of metal from part of the set’s progressive design. Along with the short the front of the sole allows for better turf interaction, irons’ thinner soles, it moves the CG of the clubs higher, particularly in firm conditions.

714 MB & 714 CB Played by a high percentage of Titleist’s staff players, the MB and CB irons have undergone more subtle changes than the AP irons, most significantly to the overall shaping of the head and the sole. While they are very similar to their predecessor — they’re still one-piece irons forged from carbon steel — engineers have made a few tweaks to the design to improve the look and feel of the clubs.

Both have an improved hosel blend that makes offset less apparent at address. They feature slightly straighter leading

My new AP1 irons undergo some significant lie angle adjustment

edges, and the CB has a sole with increased camber to help improve turf interaction.

The CB short irons also have a slightly shorter profile that makes them look more compact at address, which many better players prefer.

Unlike the AP1 and AP2 irons, the MB and CB irons retain their traditional lofts — the 6-iron measuring 31 degrees, while the pitching wedge measures 47 degrees.

SRP: £114 (steel) per club

For more information on Titleist products visit www.titleist.co.uk

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September 2013 / Issue 225

Take Our

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Nike Golf Hyperadapt Storm-FIT Jacket RRP: £219 Contact: nikegolfeurope.com Worn by Paul Casey during his victory at this summer’s weather-affected Irish Open, the new Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket is designed to provide comfort, mobility and protection against the elements. With sweater-like four-way stretch and an impenetrable outer layer, the breathable jacket eliminates restrictions and makes no noise, allowing the golfer to play with complete freedom of movement. It is available in full and halfzip (£199) designs, both of which feature adjustable cuffs, in black, grey/black/volt, and royal blue colour options. A matching pair of trousers is also available for £169.

SHOP

Golfbuddy LR3 Laser Rangefinder

Wilson Staff FG Tour M3 driver RRP: £249 Contact: wilsonstaff.com Wilson has finally entered into the adjustability game with the launch of its new range of FG Tour M3 drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, which give golfers the opportunity to customise the clubs to suit their individual games.

A new Wilson Staff Multi Fit System allows for loft and weight to be adjusted to provide the perfect ball flight.

Each wood has six adjustable hosel settings and three interchangeable sole weights that can be applied to maximise club head and ball speeds, while obtaining the right launch angle and spin rate for enhanced distances.

The M3 driver comes set at an initial loft of 9.5°, but can be adjusted from 8.5° to 11.5° in half-degree increments. Other design features include a variable thickness face to increase ball speed, while the deep face and traditional pear-shaped make the 460cc head appear more compact at address. A matt black finish to the crown provides an understated yet performance-inspiring look.

The three head options in the fairway woods (£179) offer initial lofts of 13.5°, 15° and 17°, which can be adjusted from 12.5° to 19° in half-degree increments, depending on the respective head, while the 17°, 19°, 21° and 23° hybrids (£149) can be adjusted for loft and lie to optimise distance and flight, as well as improve control and turf interaction.

RRP: £219 Contact: gpsgolfbuddy.eu

Ecco Biom Limited Edition RRP: £185 Contact: ecco.com/golf Danish shoe brand Ecco has launched two new special-edition models of its popular Biom range of natural motion shoes that feature a classy matte finish. Inspired by the trenddominating sectors of the luxury car market, these performance models boast an ultra-sleek, athletic look. Both the Black Matte/Lime Punch and White Matte/Fanta options are made using a unique full grain Caldera leather, which is stain resistant, easy-to-clean, and offers a sturdy feel that further enhances foot stability.

GPS specialist GolfBuddy has launched its first ever laser rangefinder ­- the LR3 – which is aimed at golfers who only have eyes for the pin.

Weighing just 200g, it is claimed to be the most compact and powerful rangefinder in the market, and is packed with features to help golfers get the ultimate in on-course yardage accuracy. This includes six-time magnification, accuracy to within one metre, a 5,000 scan battery life, eyepiece focusing, and a seven-degree field of vision.

The LR3 has three operational modes. ‘Scan’ provides a continuous 10-second display of all objects located; ‘Flag’ homes in on the pin and factors out background noise to give precise readings; and ‘Normal’ provides a single distance to any chosen target, from flag to dogleg point, or hazard edge.

Chervo Medego jacket RRP: £199 Contact: chervo.com The men’s Medego jacket is included in the Comfort by Chervò range, manufactured with the very latest, technologically advanced, stretch fibres – Chervò’s four-way stretch technology – allowing maximum freedom of movement in all directions. They are water and windproof owing to the high-tech construction, taped seams and laminated-membrane, which ensures a water column performance of 20,000mm. Durable and fully breathable, with a hydrophilic membrane, the Medego is soft and noise-free thanks to the micro-fibre construction and membrane manufacturing technology and contains an interlock thermo lining. The Medego is available in five colours, in chest sizes 38 to 48.

September 2013 / Issue 225

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Callaway FT Optiforce Fairway Woods RRP: £179 Contact: callawaygolf.com Matching the driver of the same name, although without the adjustability options, the FT Optiforce Fairway Woods - 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9­– are an aerodynamically-designed set of lofted woods that feature a lightweight forged composite material in the crown to increase clubhead speed through the air and ball speed off the face. The construction is designed to produce distance gains similar to Callaway’s X Hot fairway woods, while their penetrating trajectory resembles that of the RAZR Fit Xtreme.

The Optiforce fairways feature a forged speed frame face cup made of high-strength stainless steel that produces significantly hotter responses all across the face. The optimised centre of gravity is accomplished in part through a proprietary design called the Internal Standing Wave, which delivers a higher launch with slightly more spin than the X Hot Fairway Wood, and results in consistent distance from all turf conditions. They are available with two stock shafts, a 53g Project X Velocity, and a Mitsubishi Diamana S+.

TRIED &

Mizuno MP-4 Irons RRP: £120 per club Contact: mizuno.eu Created through a combination of computeraided design and traditional craftsmanship, the new MP-4 iron is Mizuno’s first new forged blade launch for almost two years.

What sets it apart from previous MP irons is a more compact head profile, combined with a bulging muscle pad design that extends higher up the clubface and helps to create a softer feel at impact than you would expect from a traditional blade. The muscle bulge is most prominent in the scoring irons and reduces down through to the slender long irons – where emphasis is placed on creating a quick launch and a steeper landing angle.

“The MP-4 gives real shot-makers the ultimate control over their ball flight – with the very purest feel and feedback possible,” said Tetsuya Kanayama, Mizuno’s manager for golf club development. ”If you want to learn to become a truly great shotmaker, the MP-4 is the best teacher you can have.”

Available in mixed sets, or with MP-H4 long iron replacements, the MP-4 iron has a double nickel chrome finish.

TESTED TaylorMade GOLF SLDR Driver

Mizuno JPX-EZ Irons RRP: £80 Contact: golf.mizuno.eu Mizuno broke the mold when it launched an oversized forged iron in the shape of the Comp EZ back in 1999. They were extremely popular back in the day, so it is perhaps no surprise that the brand is revisiting the concept with the new JPX-EZ Forged irons, which go on sale this month.

With bold orange graphics, and a classy black nickel finish, they look quite unlike any other previous Mizuno iron. Performance-wise, the thin, carbon steel forged face yields a spring-like effect of .800, the highest ever for a one-piece forged Mizuno iron, which translates to 3% higher ball speeds, which makes them half to one club longer in distance terms.

A deep, progressive undercut cavity is visible in the mid to long irons for a lower centre of gravity, while a frame around the perimeter of the cavity has been selectively thickened to control vibrations and enhance feel. The short irons dispense with the cavity to offer better control, and solid-feeling, penetrating shots.

The EZ range is also available in a cast set that features a large cavity in the long irons (4-7) and a smaller deep pocket cavity in the short irons (8-PW).

These will appeal to players who place a premium on forgiveness, distance, and a higher ball flight. The EZ range is available in combination sets, as well as with JPX Fli-Hi long iron replacements.

Rating: RRP: £329 Contact: taylormadegolf.eu The new SLDR driver – which is short for ‘slider’ – features a 20g weight that can be moved along 21 points across the width of the sole, allowing for quick and precise adjustability.

While Mizuno’s 2007 MP-600 driver had the weight rail in the rear of the sole, the SLDR has its rail at the front, which lowers spin rates, while raising the launch angle – which, says TaylorMade, is the key to longer drives.

The positioning of the rail also provides slightly faster ball speeds and more forgiveness, particularly on shots hit low on the face, with 2mph increases in ball speed and 300rpm reductions in spin reported in independent tests.

The loft angle has a three-degree range of adjustability (1.5 up or down), while the range of lofts offered by the four different heads (8, 9.5, 10.5 and 12) extends from 6.5 to 13.5. The SLDR can’t be adjusted for face angle, as the adjustable sole plate would adversely affect the club’s centre of gravity, so golfers with a hook or slice will just have to learn to hit it straight.

I found that I needed to increase the loft by half a degree from my standard set up in order to get the launch angle I needed, and I suspect this will be the case for most golfers with swings below 100mph. Off the face, the feel is soft, almost buttery, and the ball seems to compress and then pop off the face, delivering a penetrating flight, and a mid-to-high launch angle. Shifting the weight across the full width of the rail - which has the words ‘draw’ and ‘fade’ helpfully etched into the sole - causes noticeable changes in ball flight and shape, although it will take time, and perhaps a session on a launch monitor with a pro, to nail down your ideal setting.

On the cosmetic front, the 460cc head has a glossy grey metallic crown that harks back to TaylorMade’s popular 300 Series drivers, and the overall look will win back many fans of the brand who didn’t like the bling white of the R11. With no ‘go faster’ stripes or markings to distract your eye, it certainly looks like a serious bit of kit, and performs and sounds like one too, making it one of TaylorMade’s most impressive drivers in recent years.

FootJoy DryJoys Tour XP Jacket RRP: £200 Contact: footjoy.co.uk Headling FootJoy’s new autumn/winter outwear collection is the DryJoys Tour XP jacket. This Tourproven rainwear features a three-layer bonded fabric construction which reduces weight and improves mobility, while a four-way stretch shell and 20,000mm waterproof, breathable barrier guarantee ultimate protection against the elements.

Other comfort features include a brushed liner, and seam-sealed zippers. Available with a three-year waterproof warranty, the jacket comes in black, black/charcoal/orange, and black/white, with a matching pair of XP rain trousers (£175).

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September 2013 / Issue 225

GETTIN’ GROOVY The latest wedges have grooves within grooves for extra spin

Ping Tour RRP: £113 Contact: pinggolf.com Ping’s Tour wedges feature an innovation called Gorge Groove Technology, which is designed to maximise spin and control.

The grooves are precision-milled at Ping’s own factory, allowing very tight tolerances to top-edge radius, width, depth, spacing, and wall angles, resulting in a groove size and shape that provides maximum spin. The stainless steel heads are available in three sole widths: thin sole (TS), for tight lies, firm conditions and shallower swings; wide sole (WS), for soft conditions, from bunkers, and steeper angle of attack and the standard sole (SS), for most turf conditions. There are seven SS lofts (47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60), four WS lofts (54, 56, 58 and 60) and two TS lofts (58 and 60). The head, which comes with a dark nickel finish, features a custom tuning port in the cavity that increases MOI and contributes to a solid feel across the clubface.

Mizuno MP-T4 RRP: £99 Contact: golf.mizunoeurope.com Made from grain flow forged carbon steel for feel and distance control, the T4 features a re-worked teardrop profile which was modified to be more rounded and pass through the turf in a more consistent fashion. A full-length slot behind the face allows mass to be moved into both the sole and upper portion of the blade, creating a head that pinches the ball from the turf, without ballooning in flight. Spin is enhanced by Quad Cut grooves, which uses different groove profiles on different lofts. A wider, shallower groove is used on 56-60 degree models to assist traction on the shorter, partial strikes, while for lofts of 50-54 degrees, there is a narrower, deeper groove configuration, suitable for fuller shots where the ball has a chance to more fully compress. A high CNC milled face adds even more traction. The T4 is available in black nickel or white satin chrome finishes.

Titleist Vokey SM4 RRP: £102 Contact: titleist.co.uk The latest generation of Titleist’s Spin Milled wedges has been designed to claw back spin lost following the introduction of the new groove rules.

This has been achieved through a variety of design tweaks, including upping the number of grooves from 14 to 17 and altering the geometry of the grooves to create rougher, spin-enhancing edges.

Made from carbon steel, the heads have a slightly larger teardrop profile than found in previous models. They are available in three finishes (Tour Chrome, Black Nickel and Oil Can) and in 21 different loft and bounce configurations, from 46-64 degrees.

Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 2

Wilson FG Tour

RRP: £99 Contact: callawaygolf.com

RRP: £79 Contact: wilsonstaff.com

Designed by wedge guru Roger Cleveland, the MD2s build on a new approach to groove design and microscopically-engineered surface roughness. The forged stainless steel faces feature larger, wider grooves than found in Callaway’s previous wedges, while the groove design incorporates a steeper wall angle – five degrees steeper on the higher lofts – to improve the potential for spin on shots played from the rough.

In addition, the space between grooves feature rows of lasered micro-grooves that are designed to improve surface roughness and enhance friction whether the clubface is positioned square or open to the target. The new range also offers three different sole grinds in the higher lofts, and will ultimately feature lofts ranging from 47 to 64 degrees.

Cleveland 588 RTX RRP: £109 Contact: clevelandgolf.com The 588 RTX wedge benefits from Cleveland’s unique Rotex pattern on the face, which features grooves that are 16 per cent larger than the 2010 model, along with a rougher, more durable laser milling for greater friction and spin.

The U-Groove design also helps deliver more control in wet conditions and from sand. A cavity-back version features a structural cavity that adds a touch of forgiveness, while the other has been engineered from a soft carbon steel for greater feel off the face. An S-shaped sole, which is wider near the heel and narrower at the toe end, improves performance from bunkers without sacrificing versatility. Available in eight lofts from 46 to 60 degrees, the 588 RTX can be custom fitted at any of Cleveland’s Centres of Excellence or custom fit venues.

Wilson’s answer to the new rules governing grooves is the traction control technology found in its latest FG Tour wedge. The faces feature aggressively-milled ‘Y’ grooves, in between which are sets of 11 laser-etched lines.

The grooves are designed to offer more spin on full shots, while the shallower etched lines offer more control on partial swings, where the ball doesn’t compress against the deeper grooves quite as much. It is offered with two different soles: a traditional version, which features a wider sole and camber for a player with a medium-to-steep swing; and a Tour Grind option, which features a thinner sole for players with a shallower angle of attack.

There are also nine different loft/bounce combinations, resulting in 54 unique configurations that can be achieved through custom fitting.

Cobra Tour Trusty RRP: £100 Contact: cobragolf.co.uk The new Tour Trusty wedge offers tour-level performance courtesy of a notch K-Grind, a Tour-preferred shape that provides heel and toe relief versatility around the greens.

The non-offset compact shaping delivers excellent alignment at address, thanks to a much straighter leading edge, and the groove edges and volume have been maximised to the allowable limit. The face of this cast carbon steel wedge has been milled with a variable feed rate process, which consists of two depths of cut to improve spin on all shots.

The Tour Trusty has double the amount of surface roughness than the Trusty Rusty, and wider grooves. It is available in a matt satin and matt black PVD finish.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

EQUIPMENT

Online retailer gives ladies a lift Female golfers who struggle to find a suitable selection of golf apparel and equipment in their local pro shop have been handed a lifeline following the launch of specialist online retailer Ladies Golf Online, which prides itself on stocking a comprehensive choice of women’s clothing, shoes, gloves and clubs from a wide range of desirable brands.

Ladies Golf Online has been set up by experienced PGA professional Simon Buckley, who worked as a coach and club professional for many years, but was keen to develop a niche retail business.

Buckley said: “I’ve been selling golf-specific ladies and mens wear for many years now at the shop I ran my coaching business from, but felt there was a huge gap in the market for a premium

online ladies wear retailer. I’m delighted with how it has taken off already, mainly by word of mouth, but I’m also looking forward to seeing it fully launched on a national basis.”

Ladies Golf Online’s premium brands include Callaway, Yonex, Rohnisch, Sunice, Green Lamb and Lija, with new products from the latest collections constantly being sourced. The website’s summer sale went live just after Europe’s stunning victory in the Solheim Cup, with up to 50% off all items, while the exciting new Autumn/Winter 2013/2014 collections will also be

arriving within the next couple of weeks, which will include new ranges from Under Armour and Catmandoo, and accessories from Skimp.

Ladies Golf Online also stocks a range of Pink Ribbon golf items, which have been developed to raise money for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer in the UK. For every product sold, 10% of the retail price is donated to help the charity undertake ground-breaking research and support for breast cancer sufferers and their families in the UK. For the latest offers visit www.ladiesgolfonline.co.uk.

Swing Shirt offers chance to ‘Play With Padraig’ Amateur golfers are being offered the chance to play a full round of golf with three-time major champion Padraig Harrington as part of a promotion for a new swing training aid.

The Golf Swing Shirt Company’s ‘Play with Padraig’ promotion will give three winners the opportunity to play 18 holes with Harrington, who endorses the product.

The Golf Swing Shirt is a swing training aid that is designed to promote the feeling of connection between the arms and the body throughout the swing, and is claimed to groove a reliable and repeatable swing.

Ray Rapcavage, the Swing Shirt’s inventor, said: “As far as we know this is the first time that a golf-related company has created a global promotion that gives three amateur golfers the chance to play with a golf superstar like Padraig. We are excited to launch this initiative to promote our amazing product and

we know that Padraig is equally keen to connect personally with his fans.”

To enter, contestants simply have to log onto. golfswingshirt.com, register their name and address, and upload a 30-second video of themselves using the Golf Swing Shirt.

The final draw will be held on January 24, 2014 at The PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida.

All three winners will be given the opportunity to play with Padraig on February 11, 2014 in California.

All change at Nike’s Oven There was plenty of hiring and retiring at Nike Golf last month, after its chief club designer for the past 12 years, Tom Stites, announced his retirement, while the brand also unveiled putting coach Dave Stockton as its new consultant putter designer.

Stites has been one of the most influential names in golf equipment over the past two decades, after spending a large portion of his earlier career working for Ben Hogan brand.

He served as chief club designer for Nike when it first began making clubs in 2001, and was

Stites will continue to play a role at Nike

responsible for the company’s first ever set of irons, the Pro Combos, in 2002. Since then, Stites has been involved in the production of every club Nike. Some of his most notable designs have included the squared-shaped SQ Sumo2 driver, the Victory Red TW Blade irons (designed to match Tiger Woods’s irons) and Wood’s latest driver, the Nike VR_S Covert Tour.

Although Stites is stepping back from his day-to-day role, he will continue to be involved in the company. Nike Golf’s new director of engineering for golf clubs is Nate Radcliffe, who joined the company last year after previously working for Cleveland Golf.

Another new signing for Nike is putting guru Dave Stockton, a former PGA Tour player-turned-coach, who will be adding his expertise to the development of Nike’s putter brand. The 71-year-old has coached some of the tour’s top talents, including Rory McIlroy and Suzann Pettersen, both of whom are Nike staff players.

Ping makes gold putter for new-dad Mahan Ping’s long tradition of of awarding a gold-plated putter to professionals who win using a Ping putter experienced a first earlier this month, when Hunter Mahan was presented with a goldplated Scottsdale TR Anser 2, despite not having won a tournament.

The putter was inscribed with his daughter’s name, birthdate and birth statistics.

Mahan was leading the RBC Canadian Open after two rounds last month when he got the call that his wife, Kandi, was in labour in Dallas. Only minutes from beginning the third round, Mahan immediately withdrew from the event and flew home for the birth of his first child, Zoe. “We’ll never know if Hunter would have held on to win that week,” said John Solheim, Ping’s chairman. “But the circumstances were so unique, we wanted to create a lasting memory for Hunter, Kandi and Zoe that would forever remind them of that special day. As is our tradition, we made two gold-plated versions of his Scottsdale TR Anser2 putter. One was given to Hunter, and the other will reside in our Gold Putter Vault with more than 2,800 PING putters in Phoenix.”

VPAR launches iPhone app

THE GEAR EFFECT WHAT’S IN THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS PATRICK REED WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP Driver: Callaway FT Optiforce 440 (9.5) Irons: Callaway X Forged (1, 2, 4) Callaway RAZR X MB (5-PW) Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (50, 56, 60) Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro #3 Ball: Callaway HEX Chrome+ TOMMY FLEETWOOD JOHNNIE WALKER CHAMPIONSHIP Driver: Nike VR_S Covert (8.5) Fairway: Nike VR_S Covert (15) Hybrid: VR Pro (18) Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo Split Cavity (3), Nike VR Pro Combo Blade (5-9) Wedges: Nike VR Pro (47, 52, 56 and 60) Putter: Nike Method prototype Ball: Nike 20XI ADAM SCOTT THE BARCLAYS CLASSIC Driver: Titleist 913D3 (9.5) Fairway: Titleist 910 Fd (13.5) Utility: Titleist 712U 2-iron Irons: Titleist 710 MB (39) Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM4 (49, 53), Vokey TVD-K (60) Putter: Scotty Cameron Futura X Long Ball: Titleist ProV1 GREY BOURDY ISPS HANDA WALES OPEN Driver: Titleist 913 D3 (8.5) Fairway: Titleist 913 F (13.5) Hybrid: Titleist 913 H-D Irons: Titleist 714 prototype CB (3, 4), Titleist 714 prototype MB (5-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM4 (52) Titleist Vokey prototype (60) Putter: Titleist Scott y Cameron Prototype Ball: Titleist Pro V1x HENRIK STENSON DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP

Ever wondered what it’s like to play the final hole knowing you have a lead, or perhaps need a birdie to seal victory, so that you can perform accordingly?

Well, thanks to the newly-developed VPAR App, amateur golfers can enjoy a real-time leaderboard in any competition, ramping up the competitiveness of any round of golf, be it a club medal or a friendly game between friends.

VPAR, which was first launched in 2009, started out life on specifically-designed scorepads, which allowed golfer’s names and handicaps to be entered into a system, and could then be used to input scores against the card. Each handset was linked to create a live leaderboard, which was updated with every new score.

However, the new mobile-based app does away with the need to have a VPAR handset, and allows golfers with a smartphone to download an app which features all of VPAR’s interactive technology, as well as acting as a GPS rangefinder and an integrated scorecard, plus a digital course guide and yardage book.

VPAR’s managing director Jason Stoop said: “Everyone likes competition, but in amateur golf you only get to find out how other players scored after the round is over. You miss out on the excitement while on the course. By using the VPAR app, every player can get that thrill of knowing they are in with a chance of winning during the round and on the closing holes. For example, they will know if they really have to push themselves or whether a couple of steady pars will be enough.”

Another feature with the new VPAR app is that everyone can enjoy the action live online – from colleagues back in the office, to family at home, or friends watching the interactive screens in the clubhouse.

The VPAR app comes loaded with maps of 30,000 courses and provides the usual GPS information about distances and hazard position. It costs £4.99 for a 12-month subscription is available to download on to an Apple iPhone from the App store now, and will soon be available on Windows and Android phones.

Driver: TaylorMade R1 (9) Fairway: Callaway Diablo Octane Tour (13), Callaway X Hot Pro (17) Irons: Callaway Legacy Black Irons (3-PW) Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX (51, 58) Putter: Piretti Cottonwood II prototype Ball: Titleist ProV1x LYDIA KO CN CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN Driver: Fourteen Golf CT-112 (9) Fairways: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 (14.5), Fourteen Golf SF-511 (19) Hybrid: Fourteen Golf UT-612 (24, 27) Irons: Titleist AP2 (6-9) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM4 (48, 56, 60) Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron California Del Mar Ball: Titleist Pro V1 THOMAS BJORN EUROPEAN MASTERS Driver: Callaway RAZR Hawk (9.5) Fairway: Callaway X Hot (18) Utility: Callaway X Utility (21) Irons: Callaway X Utility ( 4-9) Wedge: Callaway X Forged (48, 56, 60) Putter: Odyssey Tank #7 Ball: Callaway Hex Black+ ESTEBAN TOLEDO MONTREAL CHAMPIONSHIP Driver: TaylorMade R11 (9) Fairway: TaylorMade Burner (13) Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro (18) Irons: TaylorMade Burner 2.0 (3), Mizuno MP-60 (4-9) Wedges: Mizuno MP-60 (48), Titleist Vokey Design SM4 (52, 60) Putter: Rife Island Series Aruba Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

42 /

September 2013 / Issue 225

SarahStirk

In the latest installment of her exclusive monthly travel column, Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk raves about the beauty of Bermuda as a golf destination, where emerald seas meet emerald greens

A SMALL ISLAND WITH BIG AMBITIONS

Mid-Ocean Club

Putting the eponymous knee-length shorts, the infamous triangle, and its tax-saving economic benefits to one side, Bermuda is a tiny island with bags of personality. And it quickly went to the top of my list of favourite golfing destinations after I travelled there recently to play in the aptly-named Hackers Cup, a lightly-hearted, but intensely competitive match between a group of celebrities and journalists.

Offering an appealing mix of Caribbean flair and British formality, Bermuda is famously popular among wealthy second-home owners and the corporate world, but I’m not convinced its golfing credentials are as high profile as they should be. There are more courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world here, with seven varied layouts – making up 10% of the island’s surface – on which to test your skills.

Day one of the Hackers Cup took place at the spectacular Tucker’s Point, with captain Sir Steve Redgrave eager to maintain the team’s winning form from last year. The course is set among 200 acres of rolling hillside in Tuckers Town, one of the most sought-after enclaves on the island.

Colour is everywhere in Bermuda.

You get distracted by the myriad of amazing pastel-shaded properties on show, and the ocean views are simply breathtaking. The course design itself is superb – a really good strategic test of golf – but the main attraction is the manicured condition of the course, as the fairways and greens are immaculate. Along with the Mid Ocean Club, they are the island’s two most exclusive courses. Michael Douglas likes to tee it up here, and playing Tuckers Point really did feel like millionaire’s golf. It’s one of the best

“The PGA Grand Slam of Golf has done a huge amount for Bermuda’s profile, and now it’s about building on that exposure”

Tuckers Point

Fairmont Bermuda Golf Resort

resort communities I’ve experienced.

The second day of competition took place at Port Royal, home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the end-ofseason contest between the year’s four major winners. The Grand Slam has done a huge amount for the island’s profile, and now it’s about building on that exposure. I’m hosting this year’s tournament on Sky Sports in October – unfortunately from the cold confines of our London studio – so I’m glad I had the chance to experience the slick greens first hand.

Port Royal, described by the late Robert Trent Jones Sr., as his finest design outside the United States, is

a public course that opened for play in 1970, and underwent a renovation in 2009, extending the par-71 layout to 6,842 yards. The ocean views are simply stunning, and I urge you to find a better-looking par 3 than the 16th anywhere in the world – and that even includes the renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links.

My final golfing jaunt of the week came at Turtle Hill Golf Club, the par 3 course at the Fairmont, Southampton, and Bermuda’s sweetest three-hour drive. It hosts the Bacardi World Par 3 Championship, which counts Tony Jacklin as an ambassador, and it’s a gem of a course. Get working on your short game and go and play it! The Director of Golf, Anthony Mocklow, has big plans and is keen to develop a shortened format of the game, like 20/20 cricket, in the professional ranks.

The quality of the courses on Bermuda means thet can sell themselves, but a major plus is the proximity to each other, because of the size of the island. At just 21 miles long, there’s no lengthy commute each morning, one of my pet hates when on a golfing break. It’s also easily accessible, with daily hops from Gatwick a similar length as to New York. In addition, the pink sand beaches are superb, with Horseshoe Bay being one of the finest in the world. The turquoise water is crystal clear and the rum evidently strong!

For moments of solitude seek out Astwood Cove, nestled among the steep cliffs of Warwick Parish – it’s the perfect escape.

Bermuda isn’t cheap, but for a highend golfing experience to savour, there aren’t many places better. It’s relatively undiscovered as far as golf is concerned, but all that is about to change. The Hackers Cup is set to grow, with a Ryder Cup-style format planned featuring celebrities and journalists from the UK and America.

Oh, in case you wondered, the Sir Steve’s celebrity team won this year’s event. But I’m not bitter!

Xclusive Golf offers bespoke packages to Bermuda, including access to the private Mid Ocean Golf Club, plus preferential rates at the Fairmont Southampton.

For more details contact info@ xclusivegolf.com

The stunning par-3 16th hole at Port Royal

September 2013 / Issue 225

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BREAKS

Golfbreaks offers ‘Early Birdie’ savings Golfbreaks.com has once again launched its popular ‘Early Birdie’ promotion that gives early bookers cash discounts, loyalty points worth up to £600, and even new TaylorMade SLDR drivers.

Now in its 10th year, the Early Birdie promotion rewards groups of four or more who book their 2014 golf trip before September 30. In addition to TaylorMade equipment and Breakpoints, booking early guarantees preferred tee times and the best rates, as well as rewarding groups with a

range of extras such as room upgrades, free buggies, range tokens and exclusive drinks offers. Customers will also be eligible for existing Golfbreaks. com discounts, including free places for group organisers on certain bookings.

Keith Mitchell, marketing director of Golfbreaks.com,

said: “Ever since we started out in 1998, September has been the time when many golfers come to us to help get their group trip arranged for the following year. We’re delighted to once again recognise and reward our loyal customers with great offers and a range of highvalue extra incentives, as well as offering a Best-Price Promise that ensures they will always get the lowest prices.”

To find the latest offers on golf breaks in the UK and overseas, visit golfbreaks.com or call 0800 279 7988.

Taste the best of British with Your Golf Travel Your Golf Travel has been championing some of the UK’s most popular golf destinations this summer, as part of its Great British Golf campaign. The specialist golf breaks company is featuring a select group of the very best golf destinations in Britain, showcasing venues that don’t require you to hop on a plane in order to enjoy a golfing getaway.

The Great British Golf The Belfry collection features a wide variety of resorts and golf hotels that cover all corners of the country and suit all budgets. From Ryder Cup venues such as Celtic Manor and The Belfry, and former Open Championship courses such as Prince’s Golf Club in Kent, to European Senior Tour destinations such Stapleford Park and Rockliffe Hall, there are a host of quality courses to play and stay at.

Packages to Celtic Manor start from just £79, including two rounds on the Roman Road and Montgomerie courses, with one night’s B&B; while over at The Belfry, the same length stay, featuring rounds on the world-famous Brabazon and the Derby courses, start from £99. For bookings visit yourgolftravel.com or call 0800 0436644.

Golfers looking to play the legendary Old Course at St Andrews will have to stump up £160 to play it during the high season next year, following a £5 increase in the green fee.

The St Andrews Links Trust, which manages seven courses in the town, has put up the fees on all but two of its course, with only the £120 fee to play the Castle Course, and the £15 for the nine-hole Balgove Course remaining unchanged.

The fees on the New and Jubilee courses are also going up by £5 to £75 in peak season, which runs from April 14 to October 31, while the price of a round on the Eden and Strathtyrum courses will increase by the same amount, taking the cost to £45 and £30 in the high season respectively.

To make advanced reservations at the St Andrews Links Trust’s courses, visit www.standrews.org.uk.

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The Little Red service, which flies from Heathrow six times daily to Edinburgh, and three times daily to Aberdeen, offers pre-assigned seats, complimentary snacks and drinks, and hot breakfasts on early morning flights.

Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, said: “Our free sports luggage policy is just another way Virgin Atlantic is shaking things up and continuing to deliver exceptional customer service, with thoughtful little extras that have never been available on domestic flights before.”

The free sports luggage policy, which also covers skis, surfboards and other bulky items of sports equipment, also applies to Virgin’s international flights. For details visit www.virginatlantic.com.

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Golfers travelling on Virgin Atlantic’s Little Red domestic flights to Scotland can now take advantage of free check-in for golf clubs.

Those using the popular route from Heathrow to the golfing hotspots of Edinburgh and Aberdeen can take a golf bag weighing up to 23kg in addition to their suitcase – which compares favourably to low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair, both of which charge anything up to £100 to add golf bags to the return ticket.

With savings on average of £40 when flying between Edinburgh and Heathrow, golfers travelling to play some of the best courses in the world will not only know their prized equipment is in safe hands, but will have enough spare cash

Green fee rise at the Old Course

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September 2013 / Issue 225

The opening of championship courses designed by Colin Montgomerie and Nick Faldo, coupled with the development of numerous five-star resorts, has quickly established southern Turkey as one of the fastest growing golf destinations in the world. Words by Nick Bayly

TALKING TURKEY The transformation of Turkey from a place for tourists to enjoy lying on the beach to one where championshipstandard golf courses are attracting high-level professional tournaments, has been nothing short of miraculous.

Fifteen years ago there was barely a pitch and putt course worth getting your clubs out for in this part of the world, and with no local interest – and a clientele that, up until recently, was almost exclusively made up of Germans, Swedes and Russians – Turkey’s arrival as a serious golfing destination for UK golfers seemed about as unlikely as ‘Royame Uni’ ever winning the Eurovision Song Contest again.

But that is all in the past. November sees the hosting of the Turkish Open, the country’s first ever European Tour event, while direct flights to Antalya, the southern region’s main airport, are consistently rammed full of Brits looking to try their luck on more than a dozen championship golf courses that have sprung up in the last five or six years. And with 300 days of sunshine a year, and a thin sweater only required on occasional mornings between December and March, it’s not hard to see what makes it so well suited to golf.

At the forefront of Turkey’s golf boom is the southern town of Belek, a virtually custom-made resort that is home to over 30 quality hotels and most of the aforementioned golf courses. Its accelerated growth resembles that of Dubai, only on a much more concentrated, but less glittery scale. Villa and property developers tried desperately to keep up with the speed at which the courses were being built, and now that the second and third wave of developments have been completed, there are signs that things are settling down.

Belek can trace its golfing history as far back as 1994, with the opening of the National Golf Club, designed by former Irish tour pros David Feherty and David Jones. Marketed as ‘The first and still the best’, the National Course has the feel of a mature layout, and draws inspiration from many of the courses Feherty played during his time on tour. Carved from a pine and eucalyptus forest – like

many of the courses in Belek – no two holes are the same here, and with narrow, tree-lined fairways, gentle dog legs and some threatening lakes, the 6,232-metre layout is far from the gentle resort golf that many might expect.

Luckily for golfers, the National can no longer claim all the bragging rights in Belek, as it has since been joined by a whole host of younger models eager to grab attention. Belfry architect Dave Thomas got in on the act in 1998, when he designed the Nobilis Course at Robinson Golf Club, while fellow English designer Martin Hawtree was responsible for the 27 holes to be found at the visually-stunning TAT International.

Also on offer are the Sultan and Pasha courses at Antalya Golf Club.

The 6,257-yard Pasha is perhaps the most open of Belek’s courses, making it ideal for high handicappers, while the 7,011-yard Sultan, with a dozen water hazards, numerous pot bunkers and tight, rolling fairways, poses a much stiffer test – as was highlighted when eight of the world’s top players, including Tiger Woods, took part in the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final there last year, when Justin Rose beat Lee Westwood by a shot.

Also among the more established venues in Belek are the New and Old courses at the five-star Gloria Resort.

The parkland-style New is both visually attractive and challenging to play. It’s not overly long – measuring 6,300 metres – but it’s undulating, tree-lined setting is shaped by four large lakes and 67 bunkers, making it a hugely entertaining course to play – especially the island green 17th, which was modelled on the 17th at TPC Sawgrass. The Old, which opened in 1997, has seven lakes, 60 sand traps and plenty of those pesky pine trees, while the adjacent 293-room Gloria hotel couldn’t be handier, allowing you to step out of your room and onto the first tee.

The newer generation of Belek courses, which came with slightly more impressive design briefs and budgets, kicked off with Nick Faldo’s first design project in Eastern Europe at the Cornelia Golf Resort, which opened in 2006. Comprising three loops of nine – Prince, Queen and King – the course was built on a sandy, pine-clad site, and features a three-metre high ridge that runs

Belek Cornelia

Cornelia Faldo

The Titanic Resort

Kempinski Hotel

Carya Golf Club

like a spine throughout the layout to offer a number of changes in elevation. Raised greens and tees and long stretches of waste bunkers are a specific feature of the course.

Among the many highlights are some wonderful par-three holes, especially the sixth, while the 11th is one of the best double dog-leg par fives you will ever face.

For golfers looking for somewhere to stay, the Cornelia De Luxe Resort and Cornelia Diamond offer sumptuous hotel and villa accommodation just 2km from the course. Located along a sandy beach, both hotels feature a modern, stylish design and first-class facilities. The allinclusive De Luxe offers four a la carte restaurants, three swimming pools, a spa, kids’ club, nightly entertainment, and very attentive staff.

Following fast behind Faldo into Turkey was Colin Montgomerie, whose Maxx Royal layout, which opened in 2008, has been chosen to host the Turkish Open. This new event forms part of a new series of big money tournaments that earn

Maxx Royal is to host the Turkish Open next month

precious euros towards the final shoot-out in Dubai, so it will be sure to attract a strong field. Set over 250 acres of mature pine forest, the 7,000yard course meanders through the woods and has a total of eight lakes to negotiate.

Alongside the course is the obligatory five-star resort, The Maxx Royal Hotel & Spa, which will prove a welcome retreat for the professionals in November, as well as for less accomplished golfers throughout the rest of the year. In addition to rooms, suites and villas, it offers five restaurants, 14 bars, a spa and 300 metres of private beach. An alternative to the Maxx Royal worth checking out is the Voyage Belek Spa (voyagehote.com), an all-inclusive resort which also enjoys a tie-in with the Maxx Royal course.

A little further up the coast, golfers have been flocking to the superb Lykia World, a 27-hole resort that was designed by Perry Dye (son of the legendary Pete) and first opened in 2007. The course is sold as a natural links, and that is precisely what it is, with the sandy sub-soil giving the undulating fairways that solid linksy feel, while the railway sleeper bunkering is reminiscent of many of the world’s finest coastal courses.

The stretch of holes from 14 to 16, which runs directly along the sea, is particularly stunning, while the subtle borrows and gentle run-offs around the greens will test every element of your short game. The four-star resort, which was taken over by Club Med

(clubmed.co.uk) in the spring, offers 433 hotel rooms and a wide variety of private villas.

Elsewhere, there are two excellent courses to be enjoyed at the Sueno Resort, where the Pines and the Dunes layouts do pretty much as they say on the tin. Opened in 2007, the 7,000-yard Pines is the mustplay of the two, while the shorter par-69 Dunes is less demanding, and provides an ideal break from the trials of the more testing championship designs that abound. The 174-room hotel attached is one of the smaller and more intimate in the region, and is all the better for it.

Finally, any visitor to Turkey’s Belek region should try and fit in a round at Carya, a surprising heathland layout that will have many golfers thinking of Surrey’s famous courses, where the heather creates its own natural beauty – and hazards. More golf club than resort, it’s a refreshing change from the hurly burly of the larger-scale venues, and its stunning clubhouse is a welcoming place to enjoy a post-round meal, where the only thing you won’t find on the menu is turkey.

An all-inclusive package, taking care of flights, transfers, hotel accommodation, food and advance tee times is the best way of enjoying what Belek has to offer, as a DIY experience will only result in headaches. And with the interest in this part of the world only going one way, I suggest early booking to avoid disappointment.

September 2013 / Issue 225

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TRAVEL For more than 40 years, La Manga Club has led the way as Europe’s premier sports and leisure destination, and golfers can enjoy five-star luxury at an eye-catching price at the Spanish resort this winter by competing in the popular Murcia Golf Open.

Lovers of the game can banish their winter blues and head for the sun by taking part in the 13th staging of the event from December 3-7, with packages starting from only €375 per person for a four-night stay, including three rounds of golf.

Competition in the 36-hole Stableford tournament – which will be held over La Manga Club’s North and South courses – is expected to be as fierce as ever across the different handicap categories for men and women, with a selection of luxury golf and leisure breaks and golfing equipment on offer to be won.

AGH celebrates 20 years of top quality Pro-Am golf

La Manga offers winter fun in the sun Tournament packages feature four nights’ accommodation, including breakfast and a welcome pack; a cocktail reception; a gala dinner and prize-giving ceremony, and are available from just €450 per person in the five-star Hotel La Manga Club Principe Felipe, or only €375 per person in the fullyserviced four-star Las Lomas apartments.

Prices, which are based on

two people sharing a room, include tournament entry for golfers, along with a green fee for practice day, 230 range balls, and on-course refreshments during the competition.

All tournament guests will also receive a 25 per cent discount on any spa treatments booked; savings of 15 per cent when eating at any of the resort’s Amapola, Asia, Luigi’s and

La Bodega restaurants and complimentary access to Spa La Manga Club’s fitness centre, indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms.

La Manga is also hosting the 11th Murcia Seniors’ Tennis Open from December 1-6, to run alongside the golf event. For more information or to book, call 00 34 968 17 5577, email reservas@ lamangaclub.com or visit www.lamangaclub.com.

The American Golf Holiday’s Pro-Am Tour will be celebrating the 20th staging of its annual California Classic Pro-Am, November 30 – December 7.

Since its launch, the Pro-Am Tour has grown into a series of eight world-class events, that include Pebble Beach, Sawgrass, Scottsdale, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Hilton Head Island and Whistling Straits. The Scottsdale and Sawgrass events immediately follow the PGA Tour, so that competitors can extend their stay to watch the world’s best players, and then play the course under tournament conditions.

Pro-Am Tour events offer teams of three amateur golfers and one professional the opportunity to compete at golf’s greatest tournament venues, with guaranteed prize money on offer for the pros, and superb prizes and trophies for the amateurs.

For more information visit www.pro-amtour.com, call John Hooper on 02380 465885, or e-mail sales@pro-amtour.com.

Let the Pros Dust off your clubs take the strain! at Domenico

The Lost Palace at Sun City

Corporate golfers and large groups looking to organise golf trips around the world should check out the services of specialist incentive travel company Incentive Pro, a South Africanbased business that has over 12 years’ experience in the smooth running of corporate events and incentive travel all over the world.

The company’s experienced staff has an in-depth knowledge of the best golf courses in South Africa, and has established relationships with all the leading resorts to ensure every trip is a unique and enjoyable experience.

The company offers tailor-made golf itineraries to South Africa to suit individual requirements, with a wide range of destinations and golf courses to chose from, including the majestic links at Fancourt, to the wild coastal layouts at Pinnacle Point and Pezula, and the inland gems to be found at Leopards Creek and The Lost City.

A typical four-night package to Johannesburg would take in rounds at Royal Kensington, Sun City, Glendower and Serengeti, while staying at The Saxon Hotel in Johanessburg, before transferring to the Lost City Palace Resort.

For more details on the latest packages, and for more information, please visit www. incentivepro.co.za or call 00 27 82 8832287.

Golfers looking for a taste of southern Italy mixed in with some autumn sunshine should take a look at the range of golf packages being offering by Borgo Egnazia, a luxury resort located half way between the towns of Bari and Brindisi.

Ideal for couples, groups of friends and families, the resort recreates a traditional Apulian village, but with luxurious add-ons, including a championship golf course, two beach clubs and a spa that bases its treatments on ancient Puglian rituals.

The 40-acre resort features 192 rooms, including 63 in the fort-like main building, and 28 private villas. Rooms are styled with rural romance: almond-filled baskets, bird cages, egg-shaped ornaments and rope-strung keys are just a few of the trimmings.

There are four swimming pools, a crèche and a kids club, while the dining and drinking options include three restaurants and four bars, all offering traditional Pugliese fare.

The adjacent San Domenico golf course has a proven track record of hosting championship golf, with the Challenge Tour’s grand final being held here several times over the last decade. Opened in 2001, the 7,000-yard layout is a parkland links, in that it’s right by the sea, yet offers a flat setting where a smattering of lakes, some large bunkers and several tiers of ultra-tangly rough are the main defences against par. Miss the fairways by more than 15 yards and golfers will more often than not find themselves in scrubland punctuated by olive trees and the odd cacti.

Being a coastal layout, the wind has a huge impact on scoring, as an in-shore breeze can cause all sorts of problems on holes playing into or against the wind.

New for this autumn, Borgo Egnazia has a variety of short breaks aimed at those looking to combine golf and spa facilities. Starting from October 10, a three-night stay costs from €570pp, with the package including two green fees per person at San Domenico with a complimentary buggy, two treatments in the VAIR Spa, daily breakfast, and free use of all the leisure facilities.

For bookings, email reservations@ borgoegnazia.com or visit www.borgoegnazia. com.

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September 2013 / Issue 225

TRAVEL The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship is one of the highlights of the European Tour’s Desert Swing

Free golf in Mauritius Golfing fanatics the world over should head to Mauritius and make the most of Anahita’s free golf – which represents a saving of up to £175 per person per day.

With not one, but two golf course on offer, Anahita The Resort is a golfing paradise; the Ernie Els championship course is a 6,828-metre, 18 hole layout with large fairways and five sets of tees. Built to USGA standards, the course is carefully woven into the tropical sanctuary, set against mountains and fringed by a vast crystal-clear lagoon.

The championship course at Ils aux Cerfs is set within its own private island, providing the golfer with natural undulating topography and volcanic outcrops all punctuated by lakes and gullies. Covering 38 hectares, this Bernhard Langer-designed course is the second longest course in Mauritius, with the 18 holes snaking up and down the length of the island.

Elegant Golf Resorts has a number of packages, which make the most of the free green fees, from £1,899 per person for seven nights at Anahita The Resort. Prices includes the use of a buggy and boat shuttle to Ile aux Cerfs, return economy flights from Heathrow with Air Mauritius, private airport transfers, accommodation on a halfboard basis and free daily golf. For more details visit www.elegantgolfresorts.com or call 0208 421 7626.

Get closer to the action in Abu Dhabi Golfers wishing to combine a holiday with the a chance to see some of the world’s top players in action should check out a new range of ‘Play, Stay and Watch’ packages being offering by Abu Dhabi Tourism.

Designed to increase international attendance at next year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which runs from January 16-19 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the packages are based around three-, five- and seven-night stays, which include varying options for flights, transfers, accommodation, tee times at the emirate’s six courses, and access to most of Abu Dhabi’s leading leisure and culturebased attractions.

Golf fans attending the championship can expect to see Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Luke

Donald, and host of the European Tour’s top stars in action, who will hopefully then inspire them to tackle the stunning layouts at the Gary Playerdesigned Saddiyat Beach and the Kyle Philipsdesigned Yas Links, or the other great golf courses in the area.

Away from the fairways, visitors can enjoy a wealth of leisure attractions – from the thrills and spills of Ferrari World, the newly-opened Yas Waterworld, or the awe-inspiring Zayed Grand Mosque.

To book, or find out more information, visit www.golfinabudhabi.com. Tickets for the HSBC Golf Championship cost £9 for a day pass, and are available via www.abudhabigolfchampionship. com.

Free golf is on offer at the Anahita Resort

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September 2013 / Issue 225

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Me&MyTravels The former Millennium Dome boss, PY Gerbeau, is in love with all sports, but the 47-year-old scratch golfer is never happier than when heading for a game of golf at La Manga My most recent golf trip was to…

St Andrews. I played Kingsbarns, the Castle Course and the New Course.

My favourite golf resort is… La Manga Club in Spain for its quality golf courses, variety and practice facilities. It’s just a golfer’s dream.

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed at was… the One&Only Saint Geran in Mauritius.

My favourite city in the world is…

Paris, of course!

If I had to play one golf course for the rest of my life, it would be…

Augusta – even though I’ve yet to play it – with Turnberry, The Old Course at St Andrews and Pinehurst No.2, all a close second.

My dream holiday four ball would include… Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan.

My most memorable ever

Paris

One and only Le Saint Geran, Mauritius

round was… shooting 65 at The Buckinghamshire and winning the tournament with my good friend Kevin Keegan.

My most memorable meal was… at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, which was hosted by my friend Raymond Blanc, and organised by my lovely wife, Kate, for my 40th birthday.

We then flew to play Valderrama in Spain.

It was a hell of a celebration!

The best piece of golf advice I’ve ever received

was… ‘Just effing hit the damn thing!’ which was said by my great friend, and master professional, Denis Pugh.

My golfing hero is… Tiger Woods.

I’d love to go back to… Pinehurst, but since we have a house at La Manga Club, it’s pretty tough to beat. Two-hour flight, golf cart in the garage, great scratch matches with good mates and pros. It doesn’t get much better!

When I go on holiday, I never leave home without… my golf clubs, of course. Sacreu bleu!

My worst holiday experience was…being anywhere where there was not a world-class golf course!

My most embarrassing moment on a golf course was… shooting a hole-in-one on the Euro Disney golf course and realising I had no money to buy the drinks!

La Manga

Wayne Gretzky

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