Northern Golfer magazine #59 - November 2017

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NOVEMBER 2017

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EAGLES LAND IT EAGLESCLIFFE DUO WIN THE NORTHERN GOLFER MATCH PLAY PAIRS

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EDITOR Paul Robertson editor@northerngolfer.co.uk EDITORIAL Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk EVENTS Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGER Doug Brolls 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk Laura Charlton 01661 844 115 laura@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk

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EDITOR’S NOTE AND CONTENTS It is always keenly fought but this year’s Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs was closer than ever.

Hosted by Middlesbrough Golf Club, which is also the subject of this issue’s course review, Eaglescliffe’s Matt Sibley and Dave Wainman overcame a fast start by opponents Luke Eustace and Mark Kelly of Sleby to lift the trophy in the event’s 15th year.

It was a fitting end to a competition which has attracted golfers from across the North East and Yorkshire - thank you to all who participated and to all the clubs which have supported the tournament.

Matt and Dave will be in Portugal this month and we’ll report on how they do in the next issue - for now congratulations to them both.

Congratulations are also due to Adam Chapman for his maiden victory on the EuroPro Tour, which secured a step up to the Challenge Tour for 2018, and to David Hague for winning the North of England Open Championship.

One of our favourite themes at Northern Golfer is highlighting the success of young players and there is certainly plenty to shout about this month.

On page 8 you can read about two young golfers - Arron Mansfield and Andrew Griffiths - who enjoyed meeting their heroes and being in the spotlight at the incredibly successful British Masters held at Close House in September.

Meanwhile, eight-year-old Tom Hartshorne has kept dad Ally on his toes at Rockliffe Hall, while 10-year-old Alfie Baldwin proved to be too much for the men at Wilton.

This month we also Jonathan Ward in A Round With - a tireless champion for junior golf in Durham.

We also defy anybody to play the ball where it was lying after Ann Green’s drive - check out the picture in From the Bunker on page 46.

Well done to all the winners picking up trophies from club competitions this month and good luck to those taking part in the various winter leagues.

Remember to support your club through the winter months and let us know of any successes we can share with our readers.

Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

04-13 TEEING OFF

Success for Chapman and Hague, Rebecca marches on, plus father like son

14-20 TEEING OFF

Alfie triumphs, Darlington shine, girl power and Yorkshire’s fantastic hat-trick

29 DEAN BAILEY Goes after the bandits

30 PRO-FILE

Whitburn’s Greg Jobling

31 TOUR LIFE

Chris Paisley looks ahead

32 A ROUND WITH DCGU’s Jonathan Ward

42 TIPS

Avoiding the dreaded sh***** with John Harrison

FRONT COVER

How this year’s Match Play Pairs was won

44 COMPETITIONS

Pages 24-26

34 MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB

Golf to be won at Burgham Park, Close House, Hartlepool and South Moor

36 LATEST WINTER GOLF GEAR

46 FROM THE BUNKER The long and short of it, a rare bird and a treemendous drive

NORTHERN GOLFER 03

TEEINGOFF

Seventh heaven

Mike Ure Mike Ure has clocked up a magnificent seven with his latest win in the Teesside Alliance Championship.

The Billingham pro first won the championship as a 21-yearold amateur in 1984 - when it was played over 36 holes - and he’s gone on to win it on a regular basis with victories in 1989, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016 and now 2017.

Club champion five times at Billingham, Ure also played more than 40 times for Durham, picked up successive Durham County Championship titles in 1983 and 1984, and was also in the successful Durham side which won the Northern Counties Big Six title and went on to narrowly miss out on the national crown at St Enodoc.

He turned pro in 1989 and has won more than 40 PGA events - including the North East and North West PGA Championship and has qualified twice for the Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex, the second time this year for the event at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales.

“I suppose it’s a pretty long record, but I just like playing,” said Mike.

His latest Alliance title came, fittingly, over his home course at Billingham when he posted a round of 70 to edge out Teesside Golf Club’s Stewart Pilgrim by one shot.

Founded in 1923, the Alliance brings together amateurs and professionals from clubs across Teesside for regular events each summer.

04 NORTHERN GOLFER

David Hague receives the Championship Trophy from John and Gill Shaw

Hague finishes in style

D

avid Hague wrapped up a stunning season with success in the North of England Open Championship.

The Malton and Norton-based player came through in style to win the final event on the 2017 England Golf Order of Merit at Alwoodley on the outskirts of Leeds.

In difficult conditions, Hague posted a score of one over-par (285) to win by two shots from Darlington’s Andrew Wilson.

The win saw the England cap clinch fifth place in the England Order of Merit table and the honour of being the highest placed Yorkshireman.

A level par first round of 71 on a

David Hague

very blustery day saw him tucked in behind Nick Poppleton (Wath) who shot a great 68 and Fulford’s James Cass.

Poppleton added a second round of 73 with Hague recording another 71 before seizing his chance with a 69, to go one shot ahead of Poppleton.

In the final round, Hague kept his nose in front with a round of 74 as Wilson posted a one under-par round of 70 to take the runners-up spot on a total of 287.

The win capped a year in which Hague represented England at home and abroad, won the Lagonda Trophy, and won the York Rose Bowl as well being runner-up in the West of England Strokeplay Championship, the Yorkshire Matchplay Championship and the Yorkshire Amateur Championship.

Cumbrian club champions Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club outlasted clubs from across Cumbria to win the county’s Inter-Club Match Play competition for 2017.

The season-long knockout competition sees teams of four compete head-to-head with this year’s finals taking place at Eden

Golf Club. Kirbky Lonsdale saw off Carlisle A in their semi-final – Jake Woof and Liam Mason teaming up to win 7up in their foursomes match as Ryan Crayston and Ian Robinson lost their match 2dn. In the final, Woof and Mason’s 2up win was enough to seal victory.

l-r: Ian Robinson, Ryan Crayston, Mick Reid, Jim DeRosier, Jake Woof and Liam Mason

TEEINGOFF

Champion Chapman

C

umbria’s Adam Chapman led wire-to-wire to win the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour Sky Sports Tour Championship and earn a full Challenge Tour card for 2018.

Chapman won the event in style with a nine under-par three-round total in the £97,980 event – including an ace on day two at the Oceanico Faldo Course on The Algarve.

Based at Carus Green Golf Club, Chapman started his final round in less than convincing fashion with two bogies and just one birdie in his first six holes while MK Kim (Golfmind Korea) made three birdies to tie the lead.

“In a way, it put my mind off the title and made me get a grip of myself,” said Chapman.

“I preferred being level trying to chase the win; I almost felt too comfortable with a four shot lead.”

After picking up an ace in his second round he almost repeated the feat on the 11th hole in the final

round. “I wasn’t attacking the pin as it was 163 yards into wind, but I pulled it. As I hit it I really thought this can’t happen again,” added Chapman.

He restored his lead to three shots heading into the final stretch thanks to birdies at 11 and 14 before making four pars to close out the win.

“I’m absolutely delighted with my win,” he said. “For the first time in my life I was speechless and still think I’m dreaming! I was due a big win and with the weather windy, conditions really suited my play.”

With the win Chapman received the £22,540 winner’s cheque as well as a brand new Motocaddy S3 PRO electric trolley with lithium battery, Bushnell Pro X2 Range Finder and Bolle sunglasses.

His first win of the EuroPro season launched him to third in the seasonlong order of merit having started the

week just inside the top-60 field in 54th place.

Joining Chapman on the Challenge Tour in 2018 will be order of merit winner Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire) – who claimed top spot thanks to three wins in 2017.

For full results go to www.europrotour.com

Adam Chapman

Ramside golfers defied atrocious weather to help raise £6,000 for St Oswald’s Hospice.

Entry fees from teams representing companies from both Northern Bear and their clients kept the funds coming in while sponsors, Durham car dealer, Pullman Volkswagen offered a new Polo for anyone who managed a hole-inone – sadly not won.

NORTHERN GOLFER 05

NORTH EAST & NORTH WEST PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION ANDALUCÍA PRO AM 2018

TEEINGOFF

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Callum Tarren

So near but so Farr

C

allum Tarren came close to claiming his first European Challenge Tour title in only his second appearance.

The Darlington-based pro carded a seven under-par round of 65 to lead after the first round of the Foshan Open but had to settle for fifth place as Oliver Farr claimed his second Challenge Tour title and book a return to the European Tour with a five-shot victory.

Tarren, who is a regular on the China Tour, bagged six birdies and one eagle in just his fifth round on Europe’s development tour.

He’s also currently in the top 10 on the China Tour’s Order of Merit after playing in eight events across the country this season.

While he was unable to maintain his first round form with rounds of

71, 70 and 72 in the Foshan event, he did pick up a cheque for €21,043.

He also finished 10th in his first ever Challenge Tour appearance at the Hainan Open the previous week.

“I feel as though I have been playing really well over the last year or so and in particular over the last four weeks. I came third then second on the China Tour then 10th after a bogey-free weekend.

“I only had one bogey in that 65, a three-putt from 20ft on the 16th, but apart from that it was a really good day’s work. I holed out for an eagle from 118 yards at the eighth which is always a bonus.

“I have been competing in China for over a year now. I’m based in Darlington and try and travel out to play there in four week blocks and get as much golf in as I can.”

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It’s been a hugely successful season for the Fitzpatrick brothers.

Tour star Matt claimed his fourth European Tour title at the Omega European Masters while younger brother Alex completed a county amateur hat-trick with a win the Yorkshire matchplay championship at home club Hallamshire.

The 18-year-old had already won the Yorkshire Boys and Men’s titles before beating England international David Hague (Malton and Norton)

Alex Fitzpatrick 3&2 in the final of the matchplay.

Meanwhile, his 23-year-old elder brother emerged victorious from a playoff with Australian Scott Hend courtesy of three pars on the 18th to make it three consecutive winning seasons on the European Tour.

TEEINGOFF

Lost in France

Charity champions

C

ity of Newcastle finished third in the European Men’s Club Trophy in France.

City qualified for the event by winning the Northumberland County First Division title, which took them into the English Club Championship at East Devon.

Victory there saw them off to the Golf Du Medoc Resort in Southern France where Mark Wharton, Alex Dixon and Phil Ridden gave it their best shot to finish third in the team event while Dixon finished in a tie for fourth place in the individual championship with scores of 72 68 and 71 - three behind winner Adrien Dumont de Chassart of Belgian.

Wharton’s rounds of 75, 70 and 72 saw him tie for 11th spot while Ridden posted rounds of 72, 73 and 75 to tie 24th. A good second day saw them figure on the team leaderboard in

l-r: Jim Screen (president), Phil Ridden, Alex Dixon, Mark Wharton and John Franklin (captain) second spot and they went on to push the leaders hard on the front nine of the final day.

In the end a fantastic performance over the week was rewarded with third place overall on 424, one behind Galway Golf Club with Racing Club France La Boulie worthy winners on 414. There were 24 national champion golf clubs and defending champions Golf Saint Germain en Laye competing with the best two individual scores

from the three players each day counted for the team aggregate score.

Racing Club de France La Boulie clinched the trophy for a fifth time with a 12 under-par total to become the most successful club in the history of the event.

In the English Club Championship, City of Newcastle achieved a remarkable 14-shot victory to book their place in France - their first victory in the annual event.

Members of Wensleydale Golf Club reached a landmark in their fundraising efforts by surpassing £25,000 earlier this year.

Members of the club have played a big part in helping to fund the Phoenix House rehabilitation centre at Catterick Garrison in the last six years – raising more than £25,000.

This year the club chose to support MacMillan’s new palliative care centre being built at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton – including taking part in the Macmillan 72-hole Challenge in June (pictured above), which raised more than £3,000.

NORTHERN GOLFER 07

TEEINGOFF Andrew and Rory McIlroy

Greame Storm and Arron

Arron with Martin Kaymer

Arron meets Kiradech Aphibarnrat

John Glenn presents Arron with his kit

Meeting their heroes The British Masters at Close House was a major success in many ways. Alan Hedley reports

B

esides attracting massive crowds the European Tour, Sky Sports and Close House with host Lee Westwood came up with a quality field and a series of innovative events such as the

Arron Mansfield is becoming something of a veteran in the television golfing world at the tender age of just nine.

The Stanley youngster was a social media sensation earlier this year after the aspiring golfer was given a surprise birthday present by the European Tour after dad Gavin contacted them.

He met up with major winners Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Martin Kaymer alongside Andrew ‘Beef ’ Johnston during a journey from his home to Wentworth ahead of the BMW PGA Championship in May. During the British Masters at Close House, Arron was back in front of the cameras alongside Sky Sports Nick Dougherty and PGA instructor John Glenn to demonstrate a new visual tool called Colour Path Golf, which is being used to inspire the next generation of golfers.

With Arron as the pupil, Glenn explained the thinking behind the new exercise with coloured shapes which helps simplify the swing and Arron obliged by thumping a great drive down the middle visibly impressing Dougherty.

Arron also met up again with Martin Kaymer during the Hero Challenge and was given a signed ball - one of eight he got from players including Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett, Andy Sullivan, Graeme Storm and Alexander Levy plus a signed glove from Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Storm joked with Aaron why he wasn’t one of his favourites when he listed the players during his Wentworth taxi ride and said he would love to see Arron play in the Graeme Storm Junior Open next year.

Finally, Glenn gave Arron his own kit to use and is currently doing some videos with Arron using the kit for use on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Arron, who plays out of RLI Golf Academy at George Washington Golf Club, has his own Instagram page @am7golf where you can follow his progress.

08 NORTHERN GOLFER

Andrew with Lee Westwood

Junior Masters, Hero Challenge and Sky Zone masterclasses at this year’s British Masters. Two youngsters Andrew Griffith and Arron Mansfield - had a whale of a time and they share their experiences with us here...

Andrew with Graeme McDowell

Andrew with Sergio Garcia

Andrew Griffiths had a week to remember at Close House.

After winning the under-12 category in the Junior Masters, the Thorp Academy student ended up caddying for Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez during the Hero Par 3 Challenge.

Andrew, who works with European Tour golfer Graeme Storm at Thorp Academy, was then asked to appear in front of the cameras with Nick Dougherty at the Sky Swing Zone.

It didn’t stop there for the 11-year-old from Seaton Delaval as he was invited to take on Graeme McDowell at the par three fifth hole in the Beat the Pro event and managed to beat the former US Open champion! The video is on the Sky Sports website and the shot won him a set of custom-fit PING clubs.

“It was just fantastic,” said Andrew. “Lee congratulated me when I won my category at the Junior Masters then I got to carry his bag when he played alongside Miguel Angel Jimenez on the night in front of lots of people at the Hero Challenge. I was quite nervous but got a ball from him at the end.

“I also got to meet Rory McIlroy on the Wednesday because my friend, Henry Joynson, won the overall category in the Junior Masters so he got to meet him in the pro am and I was with him.

“Then I got to do the interview with Sky Sports and play with Graeme McDowell. I was really happy. It was a really nice experience.

“Graeme was really nice. He helped me to line up my putt and I beat him on that fifth hole, over the water, and there was plenty people watching. You can watch it on the internet. He didn’t need to do that, and he was really nice.

“There was a lot of pressure when I was on the tee but it felt good. It’s made me feel like I can handle things now. I want to be a professional golfer when I am older and this has made me want to do it even more.”

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For further information please contact the Club Manager Brian Rumney, on 0191 2362794

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www.arcothall.co.uk • email: arcothall@yahoo.co.uk Arcot Hall Golf Club, Dudley, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 7QP 10 NORTHERN GOLFER

Alnmouth makes its mark

E

or e-mail gsd@georgewashington.co.uk

FROM NOW UNTIL 31ST MARCH 2019

l-r: Club manager Peter Simpson, chairman Richard Gee, lady captain Jane Hindmarsh, assistant pro Mark Penny, GolfMark lead Steve Kelly and England Golf club support officer Phil Graham

ngland’s fourth oldest club, Alnmouth Golf Club, celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.

It will now do so with the prestigious England GolfMark listed among its achievements underlining its status as a forward-looking, inclusive golf club.

GolfMark is an official seal of approval for clubs which successfully work to develop the game by attracting new members and encouraging existing members to play more. The accreditation assesses business planning to develop the club, offers of coaching and playing opportunities for all golfers and ensures safeguarding policies are in place.

Alnmouth was awarded GolfMark

status after working hard to maintain and enhance its first-class golfing facility.

Club chairman Richard Gee said: “Alnmouth is one of the great golfing venues in the North East of England.

“The club is very friendly, welcoming and forward-thinking.

This award helps us to spread that message and to tell people that children are safe and secure here and that we understand how to encourage beginner golfers.”

The award was presented

by Phil Graham, England Golf ’s club support officer for Northumberland. “I’m delighted that Alnmouth has achieved GolfMark and that its efforts to grow the game can be nationally recognised,” added Phil.

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Telephone the Manager John Robinson on 0191 2684247 Visitors welcome on Saturday’s after 11.00am Telephone 0191 2689131 for course availability, information and events Email: backworthminers@gmail.com • www.backworthminers.co.uk/golf The Hall, Backworth, NE27 0AH

TEEINGOFF

Paisley back on top

T

he North East & North West PGA calendar has moved into its autumn swing with more success for our region’s top professionals at home and further afield – including the first Pro Pairs event at Rockliffe Hall and a return to the winner’s circle for Andy Paisley.

A highlight of every season, the region’s pros headed north for the two-day Archerfield Autumn Pro Am this month with 30 teams making up the field. Paisley returned to the top spot for the first time in 2017 with an 11 under-par total – six shots clear of the field with a four under-par round on the Fidra course and a seven underpar score on the Dirleton course. ”I’ve been working on my game a lot this season and playing some solid golf when I can get out,” said Paisley.

“My attitude was good on day two – I

Andy Paisley

knew I needed to keep pushing with such a strong field and went out and attacked the golf course. I played nicely and putted well in both rounds which was the key.

“This shows working with so many good players can rub off on you at times!”

Stephen Kyle and James Harper finished in a tie for second place as Paisley also led his team of Ian Crawford, Gary Neal and Ian Paxton to the team title on 37 under-par.

The first event in a new series of professional betterball tournaments saw Sharpley’s Simon Robinson team up with Teesside’s Vince Guest to win at Rockliffe Hall with a seven underpar total.

Home pro Jon Stacey teamed up with Tom Perry from Abbeydale to tie for second place alongside Northern Golfer columnist John Harrison and Tynedale pro Martin Forster – both pairs finishing on four under-par. The second Pro Pairs event takes place at Cleveland Golf Club on November 20.

A full report from the Portugal Pro Am – featuring this year’s Match Play Pairs champions - will be in our next issue.

Rockliffe Hall has launched its first ever Winter Sprinter League. The event consists of eight rounds, which will run throughout the winter months, and is open to members and nonmembers. The final order of merit will be based on individual stableford scoring and all entrants will need to play a minimum of four rounds to qualify for the grand final, which will take place in early 2018.

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TEEINGOFF

Thirsk third

l-r: Julia Czechowska, Connor Stout, Harry Collinson, Joe Hay, Richard Fawcett and Ben Collinson Thirsk and Northallerton clinched third place in the final of the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Championship at Clitheroe.

In appalling conditions with driving rain, swirling winds and a very wet course, the Thirsk youngsters were edged out of the runners-up spot by just one shot.

Winning the Harrogate and District Union of Golf Clubs Junior Inter-club League saw Thirsk invited to enter the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Championships.

Didn’t she do well

N

orthern Golfer Ladies Champion of Champions Rebecca Ferguson continued her winning season with a trip to Trump Turnberry for the Titleist Order of Merit Grand Final powered by HowDidIDo. Rebecca, representing England in the event, finished third in the elite field of 16 men and women from across the UK having led qualifying through the season-long points race.

She also took home second place in the women’s event with her score of 34 points in tough conditions having claimed the Champion of Champions title earlier this season in the Lookers Renault-supported event at Ramside Hall. “Going to Turnberry for a national final was an unbelievable

Rebecca at Turnberry experience,” said Rebecca – who was cheered on by her mum Gillian, dad Neville and uncle Neville in Scotland.

“I seem to play well whenever my mum is watching,” added Rebecca, who played the back nine in two under-par to add 21 points to a disappointing opening nine of 13 points. Having led the national order of merit for a second time and won the Ladies Champion of Champions this season, Rebecca is looking to

Rebecca and partner Stewart with Ramside Hall’s Helen Roseberry and Lookers Renault’s Anth Wills add to her titles in 2018 as she sets out on a career in the golf industry by gaining her Titleist Performance Institute qualification.

“I want to keep playing as an amateur while working in the golf industry,” Rebecca explained. “I’ll be helping out my uncle John McKenna with the Get into Golf programme at Tynemouth and I’ll be competing in more national events and hoping to get my handicap down to plus-three next year.”

Winter Membership to end of March 2018 - £125 Join and receive a voucher for £125 to use of full membership for 2018/19 Golf Society Bookings now being taken for 2018 From £23 weekdays / £26 weekend with discount for 12 and more players Weekday Winter Green Fee Offer £12 Sat/Sun £14

Membership available – We have a category of membership to suit your lifestyle from Country Member, Twilight to 7 day membership Not played Bolden GC recently – Contact Steve Watkin (Club Manager) for details and flexible payment details Boldon Golf Club, Dipe Lane, Boldon NE36 0PQ E: info@boldongolfclub.co.uk T: 0191 5365360

12 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEEINGOFF

Like father, like son

W

e’ve had a number of successful couples and family partnerships in the North East this season but Rockliffe Hall’s Tom and Ally Hartshorne may well be the most successful yet.

Eight-year-old Tom and his dad Ally have filled the family trophy cabinet this year with success at their home club and further afield.

Tom won the Durham County Junior Tour Order of Merit for 2017 with a win, which included the tour’s first recorded eagle, at Seaton Carew and a runner-up finish at Bishop Auckland in the five event series.

He was also able to reduce his nine-hole handicap to five and join the Durham team to play other northern counties in the tour’s finals at the end of the season.

“He’s had a great year and seems to be enjoying his golf more and more every time he plays,” said Ally on Tom’s success.

“He was walking at 16-months-

old and had a golf club in his hands straight away.

“He may be a bit unorthodox right now but he’s so keen to hit balls we’re just letting him enjoy the sport - every thing he knows he’s picked up from an old Phil Mickelson DVD. “When he’s older he may want to play more seriously but for now he’s just happy being on a golf course,” added Ally – a former Durham county player who’s own form has improved thanks to Tom’s love of golf.

“I’ve gone from playing once a week to playing up to five times a week,” added Ally.

“It’s great to spend so much time with Tom and he drags me out every chance he gets. It’s amazing to have something he loves doing and I can be a part of.”

Ally has added his own successes this season - reducing his handicap from six to three while winning four events at Rockliffe en route to the club’s player of the year title.

“I’ve played some good golf this year

Tom and Ally Hartshorne – including shooting under-par for the first time in 10 years,” added Ally.

“It’s been an amazing year for us as father and son – we may not repeat it though as I think I’ve peaked and Tom’s definitely on his way up.”

Skipton father and son Peter and Chris Simpson narrowly missed out on the American Golf Family Championship national title.

Taking on qualifiers from across the UK and Ireland, the pair secured a third place finish at fourtime Ryder Cup venue The Belfry earlier this month.

NEWBIGGIN GOLF CLUB

Winter Membership 1st November 2017 to 31st March 2018 Men option 1. £175 Monday to Friday only Option 2. £100 + £6 per round 7 days Ladies option 1. £150 Monday to Friday only Option 2. £100 + £6 per round 7 days Our homely and comfortable Clubhouse is open to all the community, so come down and enjoy a drink or bite to eat. The Clubhouse is also available for hire, for functions from Weddings to Christenings.

For more information, call 01670 817344 ext. 4 E-mail pro@newbiggingolfclub.co.uk Terms and conditions apply

NORTHERN GOLFER 13

TEEINGOFF

Away days

All about Alfie

T

A scheme to encourage new women golfers is to be extended to include Northumberland.

The Academy Away Days ran in three counties this season - Durham, Cheshire and Hertfordshire - and attracted more than 300 players, bringing them together for on-course outings to grow confidence and make new friends.

Next year the scheme will run again in the three counties and will be extended to five new ones - Northumberland, Worcestershire, Suffolk, Devon and Hampshire. The Academy Away Days have been developed

by England Golf as part of its commitment to growing game among women and girls.

Alfie Baldwin

en-year-old Alfie Baldwin has shocked members of Wilton Golf Club by winning the men’s club knockout event.

Alfie, who has been playing for three years and has reduced his handicap to 34, beat older and lower handicapped players as he won the Road to Wilton – a stableford series from which eight players compete in matchplay to decide the champion.

“It’s an incredible achievement for a 10-year-old,” said Alfie’s dad Gary. “It’s been great watching him playing golf and enjoying it. All he wants to do is play golf – whether that’s practising in the back garden or playing in the pouring rain.”

Alfie’s year has also included several junior wins at Wilton, a pair of wins as part of Ross Jackson’s junior tour series and winning the American Golf Junior Championship northern qualifier in Manchester before finishing ninth in the national final at Gainsborough Golf Club.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing all over the country and winning lots of events,” said Alfie, who is coached by James Kraus at Wilton Golf Club and James Atthey at Stokesley Golf Range. “The American Golf final was definitely the best because I got to be on Sky Sports.

I would love to grow up to be a tour player like Rickie Fowler and be on TV all the time one day.”

Castle Eden Golf Club 18 Hole picturesque parkland course

2018 OPENS Gents 4BBB Stableford - Saturday 12th May Gents 4 Man Team Stableford - Sunday 13th May Mixed Open Team Stableford - Saturday 2nd June Ladies Team American Scramble – Friday 22nd June Seniors Open 1 - 4BBB over 55s – Thursday 7th June Seniors Open 2 - 4BBB over 55s – Thursday 26th July Ladies Team of 4 Stableford – Tuesday 4th September Senior Open 4 man team over 55s – Thursday 20th September Visit our website www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk or Golf Empire for application forms To book or for further details telephone the Pro Shop on 01429 836689

Castle Eden Golf Club, Castle Eden, TS27 4SS www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk 14 NORTHERN GOLFER

EXPERIENCE THE OFFICIAL VENUE OF THE 2017 BRITISH MASTERS 365 DAYS PER YEAR Join Close House before May 1, 2018 to be part of an exclusive golf day with attached professional Lee Westwood and have the chance to tee it up with the former world number one and Ryder Cup legend in 2018*

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Memberships available from £60 per month. Corporate membership options also available.

See www.closehouse.com for the full range of membership options and members’ benefits.

For more information contact Craig Wright, email craig.wright@closehouse.co.uk or tel 01661 85 22 55 *Terms and conditions apply. Up to 18 Close House members will get the chance to play alongside Lee Westwood on the Colt Course in 2018. Date to be confirmed.

CLOSE HOUSE, HEDDON ON THE WALL NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE15 0HT Tel: 01661 85 22 55 | www.closehouse.com

TEEINGOFF

In full swing

Bentham ladies Get into Golf As children headed back to the classrooms this autumn and parents breathed a sigh of relief, Isabel Marshall launched an initiative to help them discover fresh air, fitness and friends on the fairways.

The scheme at North Yorkshire’s Bentham Golf Club has proved successful with a group of mums becoming avid golfers. “Golf offers access to a more active lifestyle without too much physical strain and the social aspect definitely appeals,” said Isabel.

Girl power

G

irls golf in Co Durham has produced some remarkable results in the last few years and the structure now in place looks set to continue that success.

With young golfers like Alex Stevenson, Briony Bales and Jessica Hall (pictured right) starring on the local and national stages, county junior girls organiser Bobby Giffiths is keen to attract and support the next generation of top female players to join the county system.

“We’ve had a remarkable year,” says Bobby. “As well as all the individual success for the girls at home and nationally, we’ve had very good results in the girls league matches and at the Junior Jamboree.”

As well as overseeing the girls’ county matches, Bobby organises the county’s coaching programme

in which elite players are coached

by Andrew Nicholson at Wynyard’s Leadbetter Academy, Sharpley’s Simon Robinson and Headlam Hall’s Steve Carpenter. The jamboree squad, for girls with handicaps of more than 15 is filled with the next generation of elite players and is coached by Andrew Betts at Wynyard.

“The mix of coaching and working with four experts at three very different and brilliantly equipped facilities has been a big part of our success,” adds Bobby.

“We’ve also been able to bring the girls together regularly for practice and competitions. That competitive spirit from the jamboree girls through to the elite squad is fierce and drives the girls to improve every week.

“We’ll be looking for more success next season. We’ll also be doing all we can to ensure we have the funding in place for the coaching.”

For more information about the county programmes and how girls can take part contact Bobby Griffiths, email b.griffiths093@btinternet.com

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB

40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 2018 DRIVING RANGE Keep your Golf red hot this winter - Visit our State of the Art Driving Range at GWGC Experience our : • 16 HEATED Floodlit Bays • 6 Power Tees • Indoor HEATED teaching Bay with our PGA Proffesional , Ryan Ingram , providing 1 to 1, group and academy coaching and FREE Custom Fitting service using Flightscope. visit his website www.RLIGolf.co.uk for more details and services.

• Relax with a Coffee in our heated Cafe area • Range Open 9am till 9pm every day • Discounted Loyalty Cards and Range tickets available in the Golf Shop 9am till 6pm or use cash at the Range (accepts £2, £1 , 50p coins) For more details contact the Golf Shop on 0191 417 8346 or e-mail gsd@georgewashington.co.uk 16 NORTHERN GOLFER

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Darlington take top spot

WINTER WARMER GREENFEE TEA OR COFFEE, BACON ROLL OR SAUSAGE SANDWICH, 18 HOLES OF GOLF

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Darlington’s successful junior team

D

arlington’s commitment to junior golf is paying off.

The Haughton Grange club’s youngsters have won the Durham County Southern League Championship for the first time after a sparkling season including 10 wins and just one defeat.

Team manager Alun Bell said: “The season has seen a fantastic effort from all the juniors. Team spirit has been the driving force to our success.

“The team has been a pleasure to manage with great commitment and I could not have wished for a better group.”

Ella Crang, Matty Bell, Olly Millichap, Jack Atkinson, Leon Austin, James Phetmalaikul, Jack Cheeseman, Harrison Hodgson, Ben Pilkington and Callum Moncur played their part throughout the season.

Added to the league success, the club also saw Hodgson and Millichap selected for North of England Boys squad.

Together with Bell, they

Telephone: 0191 236 3322 info@parklandsgolf.co.uk | www.parklandsgolf.co.uk Parklands Golf Club, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HP

Golf in the Scottish Borders

also represented Durham this term while Crang captained Durham juniors.

The success is based on the work of the club’s JLOs and Saturday morning coaching classes run by professional James Cousins and his assistants Simon Calvert and Laura Harvey.

The club has developed an intermediate group of 30-plus handicappers who play on the Durham County Tour while it is also building a strong 7-10 years beginners group. Both groups also play in internal competitions every Sunday, playing off red and blue tees.

Anyone interested in joining the Darlington junior group should contact James Cousins, tel 01325 355 324 ext 2.

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Yorkshiremen miss out There was heartbreak for Normanton pair Scott McGovern and Callum Gaughan in the Lombard Trophy Final in Portugal.

The Yorkshire duo missed out as Hart Common’s Steve Parry holed a 6ft putt for a birdie at Vila Sol to snatch the £12,000 first prize.

Parry and his partner, 16-handicapper Andy Picton, gate-crashed the sudden death playoff when the former’s seven iron approach to the 18th came to rest just 6ft from the hole.

Parry’s birdie putt then dropped

Traditional Country Inn ideally situated for playing MINTO, HAWICK, THE HIRSEL AND ROXBURGH plus many more. 12 en-suite bedrooms with tv, wi-fi, tea/coffee making facililties, Sky tv. Restaurant and bar serving cask ales (good pub guide)

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PGA North secretary Jonathan Paine with Steve Parry in for the pair to post a 10 under-par score of 134 for the two rounds.

Parry is unlikely to forget the end to his season as he added another £1,800 to the pot by topping the leaderboard in the PGA North’s MTS Group Final at Carus Green.

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NORTHERN GOLFER 17

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB

40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 2018 FANTASTIC MEMBERSHIP DEALS WINTER MEMBERSHIP NOW TILL END OF MARCH 2018 includes 3 Free Lessons & £15 Range Balls - ONLY £150 17 MONTH DEAL NOVEMBER 2017 - MARCH 2019 includes 5 Free Lessons & £25 Range Balls - ONLY £757 16 MONTH DEAL DECEMBER 2017 - MARCH 2019 includes 4 Free Lessons & £20 Range Balls - ONLY £703 15 MONTH DEAL JANUARY 2018 - MARCH 2019 includes 3 Free Lessons & £15 Range Balls - ONLY £650 THAT’S 3 MONTHS FREE GOLF (Payment in Full or use our NO FEE Direct Debit facility) For these and other Great Flexible Membership packages designed for the 21st century Golfer call: Bill Michie on 0191 417 8346, e-mail: gsd@georgewashington.co.uk for more details Come along and join us at one of the most improved Courses in the County.

The boys team

The seniors team

White Rose triple crown

Y

orkshire ended the golfing year with a fantastic hattrick in national events - taking the women’s, boys and seniors titles as the men’s team narrowly missed out on the champion county crown.

The men’s team did hey did however have the consolation of winning the Northern Counties League Championship again.

The boys powered their way to

victory in the English Boys County Championship Final beating Berkshire and Buckinghamshire before thumping Oxfordshire 7-2 in the final day’s title decider at Northamptonshire County Golf Club.

Team manager Philip Woodcock said: “The boys have done really well and I am absolutely chuffed.”

There was a nailbiting finale to the English Women’s County

Championship as Yorkshire beat Gloucestershire 5-4 with the last putt on the 18th green at North Devon.

Nicola Slater rolled her ball from behind the green to within six inches of the cup to confirm her 1up win and Yorkshire’s victory and the celebrations began as her teammates bowled her over.

Olivia Winning cradled the trophy and remarked: “This is the only one I’ve ever wanted, I’d

The ladies team give up all my other wins for this.”

That’s some statement from an international who has twice won the Scottish Open title and helped England to European gold.

The third leg of the hat-trick came when Yorkshire won the English Senior Men’s County Championship for the first time after a rollercoaster ride 5-4 triumph over Warwickshire at Goswick, in Northumberland.

MEMBERSHIP DEAL JOIN NOW AND GET 17 MONTHS FOR THE PRICE OF 12!

MESSAGE US ON FACEBOOK TO RECEIVE YOUR QUOTE OR CONTACT sophia@rytongolfclub.co.uk

WINTER OPENS

Monday 18th December Winter Texas Scramble £15 per pair Monday 29th January Winter Texas Scramble £15 per pair Monday 26th Febuary Texas Scramble £15 per pair Address Ryton Golf Club Clara Vale, Ryton, Tyne & Wear, NE40 3TD

Contact Email: secretary@rytongolfclub.co.uk Phone: 0191 4133253 Website: www.rytongolfclub.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/RytonGolfClub NORTHERN GOLFER 19

(© Leaderboard Photography)

TEEINGOFF

TEEINGOFF Accountants across Yorkshire and the North East are being invited to swap their balance sheets for a golf scorecard. Starting next June, the FORE Accountants Golf Tournament 2018 will feature accountants, their colleagues and key clientele competing in teams of four for the chance to be crowned national champions with events taking place across the region.

Alex drives for the big time

A

lex Robertson is making a name for himself on the world long driving scene.

The 25-year-old from Hartlepool made his mark with an impressive third place finish in the Under 45 category of the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship.

Robertson blasted a series of enormous drives – including one of 414 yards - to finish in the top three among the best long drivers Europe has to offer. He just failed to make it through to the final at Heythrop Park in one of the most hotly-contested semi-finals in the history of Long Drive events ever recorded.

With a win in the Long Drive European Tour event in Slovenia and a runners-up spot in Austria, Robertson arrived at Heythrop as one of the in-form players aiming for a place in the in the World Championships in the USA as well as the national title.

In the quarter-finals he produced drives of 406 and 404 yards to see off Max Armstrong. In the semi-finals he

MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE AND

SUR

E

R FA

1879

TYNESIDE

GOLF CLUB

3 months (five days)

faced Dan Konyk - who went on to win the title - but it needed a massive 430-yard effort from the American with his final drive to knock out Robertson who opened with a 414yard effort which looked like it might be enough until Konyk’s killer drive.

Robertson said: “I had an amazing week. Coming into the American Golf Long Drive event on the back of my first victory on the European Long Drive Tour gave me real confidence.

“The standard in the finals has

£99

2018 OPENS

TYNESIDE GOLF CLUB MENS ‘Spring’ OPEN 4BBB STABLEFORD WEDNESDAY 7th March 2018 Age 18+ Entry fee: £25 per pair includes coffee & bacon sandwich

MENS OPEN 4BBB STABLEFORD SATURDAY 21st April 2018 Age 18+ Entry fee: £25 per pair

MIXED OPEN 4BBB STABLEFORD

1879

TYNESIDE

GOLF CLUB tynesidegolfclub.co.uk

SUNDAY 5th AUGUST 2018 Age 18+ Entry fee: £25 per pair

JUNIOR OPEN MEDAL

MONDAY 6th AUGUST 2018 Age under 21 (Girls/Boys) Entry fee: £7.50 per player

LADIES OPEN

SENIORS OPEN 1 4BBB STABLEFORD

SENIORS OPEN 3 4BBB STABLEFORD

SENIORS OPEN 2 TEAM OF FOUR

MENS OPEN 4BBB STABLEFORD ‘Autumn’

MONDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2018 Age 55+ Entry fee: £22 per pair FRIDAY 19th OCTOBER 2018 Age 18+ Entry fee: £25.00 per pair includes coffee & bacon sandwich

Enter here: www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk / www.golfempire.co.uk

TYNESIDE GOLF CENTRE

Includes practice facilities and a challenging 6 hole par 3 course 20 NORTHERN GOLFER

SUR

TYNESIDE GOLF CLUB

FRIDAY 17th AUGUST 2018 Entry fee: £40 per team of Four (4)

TUESDAY 17th JULY 2018 Age 55+ Entry fee: £48.00 per team

AND

MENS OPEN 4BBB STABLEFORD

SUNDAY 3rd JUNE 2018 Entry fee: £24 per couple

TUESDAY 12th JUNE 2018 Age 60+ Entry fee: £22 per pair

R FA

been incredible. Everyone was consistently hitting over 400 yards and pushing each other to the next level.”

Robertson, who plays off a handicap of one and is a member at Wynyard Golf Club, added: “I’m a competitor on the Long Drive European Tour now and have finished second in Austria.

“Some of my fellow LDET players were in the final so I knew that the standard would be very high.”

E

DURING THE WINTER MONTHS

For example:

Alex Robertson (© LDET by Raquel Mateos)

Westfield Lane, Ryton, Tyne & Wear, NE40 3QE

0191 413 2742

secretary@tynesidegolfclub.co.uk

BEAMISH PARK

A PARKLAND CLASSIC

Winter Special Green Fee Offer from 16th October through to 31st March 2018 The cost is £15 including a bowl of our Chef’s legendary homemade soup.

Special Buggy offer of £10 if conditions permit usage.

Function Room

Free use of our panoramic 120 max person Function Room for your Special Celebration.

We can provide a range of services to help make your day a memorable occasion. Please enquire for details.

Full Catering Facilities

Our Chef is renowned for his quality and delicious food menu, including a choice of Gluten Free meals.

Tailored menus to suit all occasions.

Membership Offers

We offer a range of Ladies and Gents Membership Options from £200 and Juniors from £49 a year For further information please Contact: The Secretary’s Office 0191 3701382 Beamish Park Golf Club, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 ORH

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Beamish Golf Club

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB

40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 2018 CHRISTMAS OFFERS GWGC GOLF SHOP THINKING ABOUT NEW CLUBS FOR CHRISTMAS All the latest models in for Ping, TaylorMade & Callaway, Great prices and FREE Custom Fitting FANTASTIC BARGAINS ACROSS THE SHOP AND IN PARTICULAR OUR GREAT CLOTHING BRANDS: J. Lindeberg, Oscar Jacobsen, Adidas, Greg Norman & Proquip LOOK OUT FOR OUR BLACK FRIDAY SALE WEEKEND, 24th , 25th, 26th November 2017 with up to 50% off some lines.

To book or get more details contact the Golf Shop on 0191 417 8346 or e-mail gsd@georgewashington.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 21

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22 NORTHERN GOLFER

Andrew Scott

GAUNTLET OFFERS YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT AND SPECIAL PRIZE Ensuring good practice on the course has never been higher priority for golf clubs and their members, according to golf health and safety consultant Gauntlet, which points to an increase in litigation in recent years with consequences for both clubs and players.

The most recent court case has seen a club pay £125,000 to a player injured 10 years ago when struck by a wayward ball. The club’s risk mitigation measures didn’t measure up.

Accompanying an increase in litigation are the recently updated sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences. Now, breaching health and safety legislation or failing to act to address risks can lead to significant fines - even if no injury or fatality has occurred. Fines are also now based on the responsible organisation’s turnover and not set according to an adjudicator’s decision. They can be significant.

Gauntlet Health & Safety manager Andrew Scott says: “It has never been more important for golf clubs to get

their health and safety arrangements right, yet we know many still struggle to audit risks and create policies and procedures to mitigate them.

“We deliver a service which offers bespoke risk assessments and provides clubs with an ongoing service which guides greenkeepers, clubhouse employees and managers throughout the year.

“We also have Gauntlet e-learning, which can be sampled at www. gauntlethealthandsafety.com, and allows club employees to learn at their desks when it suits them in a variety of aspects from food safety to control of hazardous substances, legionella, fire safety, working at height, lifting operations and a host of other areas.

Modules are easy-to-use and utilise 3D animations and video to assist safety message retention.”

Knowledge can also be tested in a ‘Name That Golf Course’ competition at www.golfclubhealthandsafety.com where a £100 Amazon voucher awaits someone who can crack the clues.

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HIGH GOSFORTH PARK, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE3 5HQ T:0191 2364480 E:INFO@PARKLANDSGOLF.CO.UK W:WWW.PARKLANDSGOLF.CO.UK

Welcome to Parklands Golf Club… set on the grounds of the beautiful Gosforth Park estate, Parklands Golf Club has seen many changes since it was established in 1966. It was originally known as the John Jacobs Golf Centre and at the time of opening there was just a driving range, until 1971 when a nine-hole course was opened and renamed Wideopen Golf Club.

This was just the beginning and through constant development and investment over the years by the estate owners Arena Racing Company (ARC), Parklands was created and continued to grow to become the modern golfing facility that you see today.

With an 18-hole golf course, a 28-bay floodlit driving range, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a sixhole pitch and putt course, a comprehensively stocked golf shop as well as a vibrant bustling clubhouse – all of which are open to the public, Parklands Golf Club has it all.

The 18-hole golf course has seen ever

increasing investment with particular focus on drainage as well as the major playing surfaces including tees, fairways, bunkers and of course the greens which led by the golf course manager, Jon Watson, and his team, have continued to develop into putting surfaces that are as good as any golf club in the county. The course layout is challenging, playable and enjoyed by all abilities of golfer. New member, visitor and society packages are all available.

Everyone is welcome to visit the bar and restaurant in the clubhouse and try out the new menu. So whether you fancy visiting for breakfast, or enjoying a delicious panini, trying the delicious chicken curry, rice and chips or tasting the new fish finger sandwich, there is something for everyone. Children’s meals are also available.

The golf shop offers an extensive range of equipment from golf’s leading club manufacturers including PING, Titleist, TaylorMade and Callaway as well as leading clothing and accessory

brands including Galvin Green, Adidas, FootJoy, Glenmuir and many more.

There is expert advice on hand for all your golfing needs as well as a comprehensive custom fitting service available, so come and see the great choices on offer and take advantage of the ‘guarantee to beat the price of the local competitors’ and get a great service at great prices.

The floodlit driving range features 28 bays with a range of targets, flags and distance markers to add interest and variety for every shot.

In addition, the driving range uses the highest quality golf balls and mats for your enjoyment.

If you’re looking to take up the game, there are qualified instructors on hand for coaching and tuition plus men’s, ladies and junior golf academies.

Whether you fancy brushing up on your teeing off skills at the range, playing a few rounds on the course with friends, spending time with the family for mini-golf fun or simply enjoying the clubhouse menu there’s something for everyone at Parklands. Open to both members and non members all year round Parklands has everything your golfing needs desire.

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Parklands Golf Club, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HP Telephone: 0191 236 3322 | info@parklandsgolf.co.uk | www.parklandsgolf.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 23

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

Game, set and match Dean Bailey relives the 2017 Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs final with winners Matt Sibley and Dave Wainman

A

fter a nail-biting final, Eaglescliffe Golf Club’s Matt Sibley and Dave Wainman were crowned 2017 Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs champions at Middlesbrough Golf Club.

Having progressed through seven months of matches, including playing three of their four matches before the semi-finals away from home, 19-handicapper Matt and 10-handicapper Dave overcame Selby Golf Club’s Luke Eustace and Mark Kelly 2up in a close and nervy final at Brass Castle.

“The event’s been a great experience all the way through,” said Matt following the final.

“The final was competitive throughout with some great golf to start with and some nervy stuff towards the end,” added Dave.

“We managed to have two balls in play most of the back nine and that proved really important. We holed some clutch putts – including two huge ones at six and seven to stay 2dn when we could have given ourselves too much to do before the turn.”

Matt added: “The semi-final and final were quality experiences on a great course and although there were some nerves we managed to scrape through against two great lads and we’re over the moon to be champions.”

With the win Matt and Dave secured a place in the North East & North West PGA Portugal Pro Am in November, which we’ll

have a full report on in December, as well as their place as the 15th winners of the event which began in 2002.

Having won the first with a long birdie putt from Dave, the Eaglescliffe pair were quickly down in the match as a combination of long driving and excellent recovery from Luke and Mark – including a chip-in par from the back of the green from Luke to win the second, a two-putt par from Mark to win the third and a birdie three from long range from Mark to win the fifth - saw the Selby pair 2up through five holes.

A run of solid pars followed – Matt and Luke halving the tough dog-leg sixth with nett birdies and sharing the seventh with excellent two-putt pars before Dave and Luke made another pair of nett birdies to half the short par four eighth.

At the ninth, needing to regain momentum heading for the turn, Dave produced one of the best single holes of the match as he split the fairway with his drive before playing up to 6ft and holing out for birdie to get back to 1dn through nine.

The easiest hole on the course, the driveable par four 10th, saw Matt and Mark make good pars from tricky positions around the green before Matt and Dave got back to all square for the first time since the second hole with Dave’s solid par at the par five 11th.

The Eaglescliffe pair then took the lead back at the 12th as Dave produced another

“THE EVENT HAS BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE”

24 NORTHERN GOLFER

NORTHERN GOLFER 25

MATCHPLAYPAIRS top quality iron shot followed by a solid putt for birdie to take a 1up lead with six holes to play.

Nerves began to show as the match reached its final stages with all four players missing the green at the par three 13th and failing to get up and down – Mark’s scrappy bogey good enough to return the match to all square.

With pressure mounting, solid golf became key to both teams. Holes 14, 15 and 16th were all halved – Dave and Luke making par at the 14th before another scrap around the green at 15 saw Mark’s bogey five just good enough to make the half as neither Matt or Dave could hole out for a nett par on the toughest hole on the course. At the short 16th, playing just 120 yards, all four players again failed to capitalise from the tee however all four produced superb shots from around the green as the hole was halved in unlikely pars – Dave’s bunker shot and Luke’s pitch from the back right the pick of the up and downs.

With the sun dropping below the trees Matt and Dave delivered the deciding blow on the 17th. As Mark drove into a tree to the left of the fairway and found an unplayable lie his partner Luke could only manage a bogey five having found trees from the tee. Matt meanwhile produced one of the recoveries of the match having driven his ball left over an adjacent fairway before making a superb up and down from short of the green for par as Dave made another solid two-putt par to take a 1up lead down the final hole.

With the trophy, and the trip to Portugal, still in the balance both Mark and Luke hit stellar drives down the last before neither could find the green from short range. Dave’s shot from the greenside bunker to within 5ft of the hole proved good enough to seal the 2up win and the title.

“It was a great final,” said Luke. “I thought we’d done enough early on getting to 2up and putting together a string of good pars but they clawed us back around the turn with some good putts.”

“When we’re losing holes to birdies it’s

Winning duo Matt and Dave

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always going to be tough,” added Mark.

“The standard was high and the boys were great company and they deserved to win with the better golf late in the day.

Hopefully we can go one better next year!”

“I’d recommend every club golfer who can to enter next year,” added Matt.

“We’ve had six great matches at some top clubs with some top-class pairs and will definitely be back next year,” added Matt.

Northern Golfer editor Paul Robertson added: “The Match Play Pairs is our oldest event and one which produces excellent golf each season.

“Congratulations to Matt and Dave, I am sure they will enjoy the prize provided

by Kevin Batty from GolfingHolidays.org.

A huge thank you to Kevin and the PGA;

and to Gordon Cattrell, Bryan Sloper and the team at Middlesbrough Golf Club for hosting this year’s semi-finals and final with the course in excellent condition.

“We look forward to welcoming more pairs to compete in next year’s event and add to a long list of deserving champions.”

In this year’s semi-finals, also staged at Middlesbrough Golf Club, Matt and Dave overcame defending champions John Potts and Graeme Robson 2&1 as Luke and Mark beat 2006 champion Steve Slater and his partner Andy O’Neil from City of Newcastle 4&3.

Entries for the 2018 Match Play Pairs event will open next month with full details in the December/January edition of Northern Golfer.

MAGDALENE FIELDS GOLF CLUB Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1NE

NEW MEMBER SPECIAL OFFER

October 2017 to January 2018 Adult £300 Seniors £280

Telephone: 0191 236 3322 info@parklandsgolf.co.uk | www.parklandsgolf.co.uk Parklands Golf Club, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HP 26 NORTHERN GOLFER

Excellent Visiting Party Packages For further details telephone the Secretary on 01289 306130 e: secretary.m.f.g.c@hotmail.co.uk www.magdalene-fields.co.uk

CHESTER-LE-STREET GOLF CLUB

MEMBERSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE Pro rata memberships available to the end of the year.

Join a club which is investing in its course.

WORK HAS COMMENCED ON MAJOR RE-DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THREE MORE HOLES OPENS 2018

SENIORS – Wednesday 18th April MIXED – Sunday 5th May MENS AMATUER – Saturday 26th May LADIES – Wednesday 30th May SENIORS – Monday 11th June SENIORS – Tuesday 31st July 4 PLAYER TEAM CHALLENGE – 18th August LADIES AM-AM – Wednesday 22nd August Contact: Secretary 0191 388 3218 or email: clsgco�ce@tiscali.co.uk | PGA Professional 0191 388 2333 Chester le Street Golf Club, Lumley Park, County Durham, DH3 4NS

www.clsgolfclub.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 27

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DEANBAILEY

Dean Bailey

Bandits!

The scourge of every open and invitation day – how do we stop them?

W

e all know a bandit, or if you’re very unlucky you know more than one of those guys who spend the summer months tying their horses up outside clubhouses for every weekday open and riding off with the top prize with an unadjusted handicap of 24.

“He used to play off seven you know,” proclaims one after said bandit has left the building. “He does this all over the county,” cries another – too late to change the result or recapture the attention of the majority of the day’s players. But what can we, the golfers who pride themselves on maintaining a truly accurate handicap which reflects our ability (or lack thereof) do about it?

The handicap system is inherently flawed when it comes to those who artificially inflate, or are selective with the rounds which count toward, their handicap. CONGU rules require a player to submit just three competition cards each calendar year to maintain an active handicap. This is also the only measure a club or tournament can use to track the eligibility of players in their events.

The clubs and members of clubs in camp which don’t even bother to check are doing all honest players a dis-service. To allow a player with a completely fabricated handicap to tee it up is akin to allowing one player a mulligan on every tee.

It couldn’t be simpler to check a player’s handicap is active and really is a must in the modern climate where so-called ‘professional bandits’ can pick up thousands of pounds a year in prizes and sweep money. So what do we do to fix the problem of inaccurate, but official, handicaps?

First make every open, sweep and away day qualifying if it can be. You’re playing the same course as the members of that club with a set standard scratch so why should you tee it up without a handicap adjustment on the line?

Second of all, and one every golfer can be part of - make sure these players know what they’re doing isn’t acceptable.

Golf is a game of integrity – one of the few where players call penalties on themselves and administer the rules within their group. Make it clear that abusing the system isn’t what this game is about and bandits will quickly run out of playing partners to mark their cards.

Finally, more needs to be done to ensure handicaps are more robust. It may not be an easy thing to achieve but players who play competitively outside of their own club’s events should be implored to submit more than just three rounds to maintain an accurate handicap. Ensuring events are qualifying is a start, as is an expansion of the supplementary score system – which may be used to more accurately track a players performance than three cards submitted in April before a full season of prize-winning golf around the county. There will sadly always be people willing to abuse the system for personal advantage. What we need to do as honest golfers is watch out for those players and make them aware that their behaviour is not acceptable. We then need our clubs and officials to back that up by putting robust checks in place.

Then we have a fighting chance of being in the prizes should we play better than our hard-earned handicaps rather than watching the bandits ride off into the sunset for another year.

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

PROFILE

PRO -FILE

MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANE

GREG JOBLING

Telephone 01642 311766 /311515 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk

2018 OPEN DATES:

Gents 4BBB Stableford - Sunday 27th May Seniors 4BBB Stableford - Wednesday 4th July Ladies Team Open - Friday 13th July Junior Open - Friday 27th July Mixed 4BBB Stableford - Sunday 29th July Gents 4BBB Stableford - Sunday 30th September

Entry forms available on website

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AGE: 33 TURNED PRO: 2013 (HCP 0) HOME CLUB: Whitburn Golf Club CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 2010 Newcastle and District League Player of the Year 2011 Morpeth Golf Club club champion 2013 Received first County Cap for Northumberland “I have also helped develop the junior section at Durham City by attracting several junior golfers into the game via taster sessions at primary schools. At Whitburn, I have managed to attract more than 20 juniors to the club and hope I to keep them in the game for a long time.”

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SEASON? “It has been a transitional season having taken over the head professional’s role at Whitburn and completed my third year of PGA exams.

“Looking ahead into the off-season and 2018 I will be working hard on my game and looking forward to getting back to the high playing standards I displayed when I turned professional and competed in the NE/NW PGA events and some EuroPro events. I have also enjoyed my first four months at Whitburn helping several of the members improve their own game with many of them having handicap reductions over the summer.”

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE GAME? “I got into the game at a very young age thanks to my parents and my older brother Martyn, who is also a professional at Morpeth Golf Club. My parents live across the road from Morpeth so I spent many evenings as a youngster walking around with my dad and hitting a few shots on the course until I was old enough to join as a junior member.”

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? “I expect to be at Whitburn for many years and to establish and grow my own business and teaching reputation in the region. I will be aiming to have a purpose-built teaching facility at the club in order to offer teaching in inclement weather and offer full customfitting options to customers. I also aim to grow the game by kick-starting the junior section at Whitburn as we currently have no junior competitions or junior league team.”

INTERESTING FACT I have regularly attended Salsa classes (thanks to my fiancée) and yoga sessions, and I can recommend it for those wanting to improve their golf game!

30 NORTHERN GOLFER

CHRISPAISLEY

City of Newcastle Golf Club

Chris Paisley

0191 2851775 info@cityofnewcastlegolfclub.com

Captains Trip Special Offer for 2018

Superb packages available, register your interest and we will provide a package to suit your specific needs. info@cityofnewcastlegolfclub.com

Winter Opens

TOUR LIFE

ACCESS TO NEXT YEAR Just to make this clear before I get going, I have retained my European Tour card for the 2018 season. I thought I’d explain because a lot of people are not aware of how I kept it. I finished outside the top 100 this season but came second on the Access List - a separate order of merit which excludes all points earned in Rolex, WGC and major events. It was designed to help players with a lower category; however, I was a beneficiary of this new list because I made most of my money in ‘regular’ events. The tour did not publicise this separate order of merit, probably because it’s boring and complicated to explain, as you now know!

It’s been a strange season. On one hand I am delighted to have a job next year. The competition is so fierce now that just maintaining playing rights is an achievement. On the other hand, there is a tinge of disappointment. I had a great start to the season but then totally lost my game over the summer, which cruelly coincided with most of the major events…very annoying! I then picked myself up and had some big results towards the end to secure my card - a third place in Denmark the highlight. I really thought I could kick on and get into the Race to Dubai or win a tournament but it wasn’t to be.

The main focus for next season is to improve the manner of my practice. I am quite an organised and routine-based person, which means it is easy for me to go through the motions when I practice. I always put the hours in and do all the right things but often my brain isn’t as engaged as it could be.

To counteract this tendency we are introducing pressure and forfeits into my training. For example, if I don’t complete a certain drill or test I have to do a forfeit - such as sprints or go pillow shopping with my wife (if that doesn’t get my brain engaged nothing will!). The introduction of pressure-based training is to try and mimic the feelings golfers often experience when competing in tournaments.

I feel genuinely excited about the 2018 season.

Next up is a quick two-week trip to Hong Kong and Australia at the end of November.

Tuesday 21st Nov – Pairs Texas Scramble £25/pair Monday 18th Dec – Pairs 4BBB Stableford £25/pair Tuesday 23rd January – Pairs Texas Scramble £25/pair PLEASE NOTE BACON ROLL INCLUDED ON ARRIVAL. Book on our website under visitors.

Monday 7th May – Mixed Texas Scramble £40/team

Book online at www.cityofnewcastlegolfclub.com

NORTHERN

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS FROM GOLF IN THE NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE AT WWW.NORTHERNGOLFER.CO.UK @negolfer

/northerngolferuk

@northerngolferuk NORTHERN GOLFER 31

ROUNDWITH

A ROUND WITH...

Jonathan Ward The Durham County Golf Union secretary takes to the hot seat to share his favourite golfing memories

H

eading up golf in Co Durham is a big job - just ask Jonathan Ward. As well as organising matches, practices and travel for the county’s men’s and boy’s teams, Ward oversees elite competition for 44 clubs and 17,000 male golfers - from the County Championship through to team events and handicap competitions. With a busy summer - covering 25 consecutive Saturdays of events it’s no wonder he’s relishing the winter months and having the chance to get out to some of the fantastic clubs in his patch. Here’s more...

1 With a packed schedule how do you fit golf in?

It’s not easy fitting much in during the season with most golf tending to be social midweek rounds and away trips, or a round with some of the county team lads on the practice day before a County away match. I do get a bit more in over the winter months and will try and play at least once a week.

2 How did you get into golf?

I come from a golfing family; my grandmother being a club ladies secretary and my grandfather was a scratch golfer, county captain and county matchplay champion in 50s. Unfortunately, he died before I was born so my father introduced me to golf at South Shields Golf Club when I was eight years old.

3 Which is your favorite course in the North East?

I will always have an emotional tie to South Shields having started there and been a member for 30 years before joining Durham City Golf Club when I moved to Durham. I have always also liked playing Seaton Carew, Brancepeth Castle and my home course Durham City.

4 And further afield?

I’ve just got back from a few days golf in Portugal playing Vilamoura Old Course, which is one of my favourites. I also got to play at Poipu Bay, where Tiger Woods won seven PGA Grand Slam

32 NORTHERN GOLFER

Championships while on my honeymoon in Hawaii. That is a special place with the best views you will ever get on a golf course!

5 What’s your best ever round?

A three under-par 68 to win the Alexander Cup at South Shields a few years ago.

6 Which is your favourite golfing memory?

Making a hole-in-one to win a league match for South Shields away to George Washington.

A great moment but also a costly one with so many players and caddies around.

7 What about embarrassing moments?

Flying the County Flag upside down at one of my first events as county secretary and not noticing it until I came to take it down. I don’t think anyone noticed - but now everyone will know!

8 Do you have any superstitions?

I can’t say I have, but for some reason I always prefer white tees - probably so I can find them as it’s one thing I hate buying.

9 What are your strengths on the course?

My short game as it’s the only part of my game that hasn’t suffered too much with a lack of playing.

10 And your weaknesses?

Length off the tee for sure - but I’ve always been quite straight so keep it in play more than most.

13 Do you/have you played any other sports.

Do they help your golf?

With a young family, running a couple of times a week is the best option to keep fit these days.

I did the Great North Run for the first time this year. I used to play a bit of squash but it messed up my swing...

14 Who is your favourite tour player?

Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros were my golf idols growing up but these days I enjoy watching Sergio Garcia for his ball striking, flair and emotion. I also like to follow the career of home grown talent like Graeme Storm as he has supported the County over the years and still spends some time with our team each season.

15 Which event do you enjoy watching/ attending the most?

I’m sure most people say the Masters or the Open Championship and I can appreciate why, but the Ryder Cup is my favourite golfing event to watch as I like the team element and the passion. I have never attended one but it’s on my bucket list.

16 Which sportspeople do you admire?

A hard one! Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus did so much for the popularity of golf without spoiling their legacy by making headlines for the wrong reasons.

11 Which is your favourite club?

Probably the putter. I have only had three in all the years I have been playing and have had my current Scotty Cameron for more than 10 years.

17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball?

Sergio Garcia as I’d love to watch him strike the ball from close by, Peter Kay to add some humour and if I could time travel, my Grandfather who I never got to meet but have heard so many great golfing stories about.

12 Who is your best golfing friend?

Having played since childhood and worked in golf for a few years now, I have made too many golfing friends to pick one, but I still often play with my oldest golfing friend Mark who I grew up playing with at Shields in the 80s.

18 If I could offer you a lottery win or a scratch handicap, which would you take?

The lowest handicap I’ve held is three and the holy grail for many golfers is to be off scratch so I’d take that - though a lottery win is much more likely these days!

ROUNDWITH

NORTHERN GOLFER 33

COURSEREVIEW

Bold as Brass

Alan Hedley visits Middlesbrough and finds the historic course in great nick

M

iddlesbrough Golf Club’s reputation as one of the premier clubs in the North East was born when James Braid was asked to design the Brass Castle Lane course.

Five times Open champion, Braid produced an impressive layout but that hasn’t stopped the club pursuing a consistent improvement programme which still continues today.

The course enjoys stunning views of the Cleveland Hills and is a joy to play. It’s not long, but with a par of 70 it’s enough to test most.

There’s a gentle introduction with a short par four - only one bunker menaces the drive with an approach to a well-bunkered narrow green.

The same can be said of the dog-leg par five second as there are no bunkers to catch the drive but there are three cross bunkers around 80 yards from the front of the green if you go for it in two.

34 NORTHERN GOLFER

The third is a stern test and plays longer than it looks over a hill and into the prevailing wind to another well-bunkered green.

A longish par three of 197 yards follows with two big bunkers left of the green. Par both the third and fourth and you’ll be happy.

You need to favour the left on the dog-leg fifth and big hitters need to be aware of the ditch which runs along the bottom of the fairway.

The approach is uphill to a well-bunkered sloping green.

Another long dog-leg par four follows and accuracy off the tee is essential on this tree-lined hole while the par three seventh may look short but it’s dangerous - the sloping green is fronted by a big swale.

The signature hole is undoubtedly the eighth (see fact file).

Fairway bunkers make for a demanding tee

shot at the ninth and the approach is to a narrow well-bunkered green.

The back nine starts with a classic risk and reward par four of around 260 yards. This is a great birdie chance if you manage to avoid the four bunkers.

The aggressive line at the dog-leg par five 11th is over the corner but beware - two ponds and a ditch await.

A tricky dog-leg par four follows with a treelined sloping fairway and the approach shot demands one more club than you think.

The 13th is a downhill par three to a green protected by four bunkers and the dog-leg 14th, which requires an accurate tee shot, is the start of an excellent closing stretch. A good tee shot will still leave a long approach but be careful, there’s plenty of trouble through the green.

The toughest hole on the course awaits and the

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE

CONTACT Middlesbrough Golf Club Brass Castle Lane, Marton Middlesbrough, TS8 9EE Office manager (Karen Smith) 01642 311 515 Professional (Gordon Cattrell) 01642 311 766 www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk enquiries@middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk GREEN FEES Every day (with a member) £25 Every day (without a member) £35 Special deals for visiting parties of 12 or more. Please contact professional.

TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,350 yards Yellow Tees 6,035 yards Red tees 5,674 yards FEATURES Covered five-bay driving range Two practice areas Putting green Well-stocked pro shop with custom fitting Superb clubhouse with bar, refurbished lounge and dining rooms Sky TV and BT Sport Free wi-fi Snooker table Changing rooms and lockers left side of the fairway will give the best shot uphill to the green. Middlesbrough’s shot but tricky 16th follows and it’s a birdie chance if you treat this well-bunkered hole with respect - all the trouble is at the front of the green.

At 438 yards, the tree-lined 17th is another demanding tee shot and, for all but the longest hitters, the approach is blind to a tricky green.

The home hole is not long, but it is a dogleg into the prevailing wind and you must avoid the fairway bunkers to have an approach to a long narrow green with out of bounds close to the left-hand side.

Opened in 1939, the Brass Castle course has continued to evolve while remaining true to James Braid’s original design.

Over the last 10 years, ponds and bunkers have been added and tees extended while a new fivebay covered driving range opened recently opened with professional Gordon Cattrell at the helm.

Gordon undertook a complete shop refit and his teaching facilities include the latest technology as well as an indoor teaching bay.

Accredited with the England GolfMark Award, Middlesbrough is recognised as having one of the North East’s foremost junior development facilities, and the club hosts the prestigious North of England Youths Open Championship

CADDY’S TIP Accuracy from the tee is the key SIGNATURE HOLE The signature hole is the superb par four eighth. From the back tees it is more than 400 yards, though it is usually played around the 360-380-yard mark. The drive needs to be straight and flighted to carry the ditch at 260 yards while the green is guarded by large trees and slopes heavily from back to front. Good luck!

OUR VERDICT One of the North’s best courses with facilities to match - well worth a visit

NORTHERN GOLFER 35

GOLFERGEAR

Winter warmers This month we’ve been able to spend a lot of time looking at new gear thanks to darker nights and wetter days. Over the next three pages we bring you new irons from Callaway and TaylorMade, a new golf ball from Mizuno, winter fashion from Under Armour and Oscar Jacobson, two new flatsticks from PING, 16 new bags from Sun Mountain and three new push trolleys from Motocaddy…enjoy

TOUR READY

FORGED PERFORMANCE AND MUSCLE POWER

TaylorMade P730 and P790 irons RRP: from £1,049 www.taylormadegolf.eu

Callaway X Forged and Apex MB irons RRP: £1,049 (seven irons) uk.callawaygolf.com

When they’re put straight into the bags of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Dustin Johnson, you know TaylorMade’s new irons are going to be good. The latest additions to the P-700 series, the P790 irons are billed as “a forged players distance iron” with SpeedFoam Technology inside the cavity to provide forgiveness within a forged look. The P730 - a traditional blade modelled on the 2011 and 2014 Tour Preferred MB irons – offers a clean look at address and has proven popular with McIlroy and Rose playing a milled version of the iron while Johnson plays with a forged version (available at retail).

Callaway’s latest iron models, the X Forged and Apex MB, boast a strong tour success rate already and are now available in pro shops. The X Forged irons feature tour-proven technology throughout – from centre of gravity progression to enhance shot making and accuracy to the right amount of cavity back forgiveness in each iron. Triple net forging provides exceptional feel while the classic head shape looks great at address. Meanwhile, the Apex MB irons offer the precision and looks of a tour-proven muscleback. With CG positioning geared toward aggressively flighted shots and a thinner topline the Apex MB has proven popular with the best players.

36 NORTHERN GOLFER

GOLFERGEAR

UNDER WRAPS

Under Armour Autumn/Winter 2017 apparel RRP: from £45 www.underarmour.co.uk If it’s good enough for Jordan Spieth, Under Armour’s latest range of clothing for the winter months is well worth checking out. A number of the new garments feature industry-leading adaptive ColdGear Reactor fabric, which responds to climate and effort level to keep you at the optimum temperature. The range includes the ColdGear Infrared Reactor Jacket (SRP £125) and Vest (SRP £80), and ColdGear Reactor Hybrid ½ Zip (SRP £65).

PUSHING FORWARD

Motocaddy P360, CUBE and P1 push trolleys RRP: from £129.99 www.motocaddy.com Motocaddy has unveiled three additions to its push trolley range. The P360 features a 360° rotating front wheel for increased manoeuvrability plus a one-step folding mechanism for easy packing and unpacking, and Motocaddy’s leading technology from bag mounts to quick-release wheels. The CUBE model features a two-step assembly system which allows it to fold more than 45% smaller than traditional push trolleys.

LOOKING GOOD

Oscar Jacobson AW 2017 apparel RRP: from £18 www.oscarjacobson.com If you’re looking for some winter fashion inspiration, check out Oscar Jacobson’s latest apparel releases. This year’s range is full of technology – starting with the ZIP-IN system, which combines a wind and rainproof outer layer with different insulating mid-layers, from the new Primaloft ® padded Brick jacket and Caleb gilet, to the Kerry stretch fleece zipped cardigan. The line-up also includes the popular Primaloft sport insulation and Cashwool knitwear ranges.

The 2017 kit comes in the sharp Scandanavian style you’d expect from Oscar Jacobson with three distinctive colour palettes. The range is completed with wet weather gear from full waterproofs to an updated shower-proof garments.

CARRIED AWAY

Sun Mountain 2018 bags RRP: from £130 www.sunmountaingolf.co.uk

Sun Mountain’s extensive range of golf club transportation options has every golfer covered this season with nine stand and seven cart options.

Combining the brand’s leading technology with popular and increasingly striking designs, the range moves from the lightweight and waterproof H2NO Superlite at just 1.9kg through to the Four5 LS which offers tons of storage to the H2NO Superlite waterproof cart bag.

NORTHERN GOLFER 37

GOLFERGEAR

IN THE BAG

with back-to-back Alfred Dunhill Links champion Tyrrell Hatton

FAMILY VALUES

PING Sigma G mallets RRP: £175 www.ping.com

Driver: PING G400 LST 8.5˚ Englishman Tyrell Hatton hit top form as the European Tour made its turn towards the end of the year. Two top-10 finishes at the Omega European Masters and British Masters at Close House were followed by two wins in as many weeks in October – defending the Alfred Dunhill Links title in Scotland before winning the Italian Open at Golf Club Milano. Following a tie for 11th place in the WGC HSBC Champions in China the 26-yearold rose to 17th in the Official World Golf Ranking and to fifth in the Race to Dubai. Here’s what was in his bag in Scotland…

PING’s Sigma G family of putters has two new additions – the classic Craze-E and eye-catching Tyne H designs. Both mallet-type putters feature a multi-piece face construction which aims to offer increased feel, easier alignment and overall putting performance. The Craze-E design has been ever-popular in PING’s putter ranges thanks to its ball-width centre sight line and heel-toe and back weighting promoting high MOI, while the Tyne H is best suited to a slightly arcing stroke.

3-wood: TaylorMade M2 2016 16.5˚

Utility: PING G400 3 Crossover

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Wedges: PING Glide 2.0, 50˚SS, 54˚SS & Titleist Vokey SM6 58˚

Putter: PING Vault Oslo Slate

38 NORTHERN GOLFER

MICRO MANAGEMENT

Mizuno JPX golf ball RRP: £25 per dozen golf.mizunoeurope.com Mizuno has added a new, softer two-piece JPX golf ball to its improving range. Following the success of the MP-S and MP-X models, and the JPX range which includes the JPX Platinum five-piece ball, the Japanese brand has added the mid-range, low-compression core ball to the line-up. The JPX promises a mix of greenside feel and explosive distance thanks to a unique micro-dimple cover which features 512 dimples and aims to generate a mid-to-high trajectory for longer hang-time and increased stability.

ADRIAN AND WARREN MARSHALL

CLASS A PGA PROFESSIONALS AND CUSTOM FIT SPECIALISTS

HEWORTH GOLF CLUB, GINGLING GATE, HEWORTH, GATESHEAD, NE10 8XY, TELEPHONE: 0191 4384223

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ADVERTORIAL

WEARSIDE GOLF CLUB

OPENS ITS NEW ACADEMY COURSE AND PRACTICE FACILITIES Wearside G.C. is celebrating its 125th anniversary by investing heavily, with the help of a grant from Sport England in a state of art, 9 hole par 3 course and a Himalayas type short game practise area complete with bunkers and chipping area. The recently opened facility is proving to be very popular with existing members well as hosting Junior coaching and get into golf schemes. The facility will also enable some of our older members to prolong their playing careers in a challenging environment, with plenty to chat about in our newly decorated clubhouse. The facility is open to the public in a pay as you play scheme as well as yearly and daily memberships.

MENS OPENS

SENIORS OPENS (OVER 55 YEARS )

DATE

COMPETITION

FEE

DATE

COMPETITION

FEE

SAT. 19TH MAY 2018

FOUR BALL BETTER BALL STABLEFORD

£20 PER PAIR

THURS. 5TH APRIL 2018

FOUR BALL BETTER BALL STABLEFORD

£20 PER PAIR

SAT. 25TH AUGUST 2018

FOUR MAN TEXAS SCRAMBLE

£40 PER TEAM

THURS. 7TH JUNE 2018

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SAT. 8TH SEPTEMBER 2018

FOUR BALL BETTER BALL STABLEFORD

£20 PER PAIR

THURS 5TH JULY 2018

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£40 PER TEAM

DATE

COMPETITION

FEE

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FEE

THURS. 24TH MAY 2018

FOUR BALL BETTER BALL STABLEFORD

£14 PER PAIR

FRI. 27TH JULY 2018

SINGLES STABLEFORD

£5 PER PERSON

SAT. 11TH AUGUST 2018

FOUR BALL BETTER BALL STABLEFORD

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THURS 20TH SEPTEMBER 2018

TEAM OF 4 AGGREGATE STABLEFORD

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Cox Green, Sunderland, SR4 9JT. Telephone: 0191 5342518 40 NORTHERN GOLFER

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18 holes of Golf £18 per person Coffee, bacon roll & 18 holes £20 per person Coffee & bacon roll, 18 holes followed by 2 course meal £27 per person

SEE ADVERT ON PAGE 9

MONDAY TO FRIDAY MUST BE PREBOOKED MINIMUM 4 PLAYERS

Available from Mon 30th October till Fri 15th December then 8th Jan till 23rd March

Limited Winter Memberships available telephone the Club Manager on 01429 267473

HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB, Hart Warren, Hartlepool, TS24 9QF hartlepoolgolf@btconnect.com www.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 41

GOLFERTIPS

John n Hteal 01r66r1i8s86o400 om tfenhall.c www.ma

THE DREADED SH**** ‘The 45 degree hossle rocket’ or dreaded shank can be devastating to your game and to your confidence – but there are a few simple things you can change to get your swing back on track fast.

In the simplest terms, a shank is caused by the club returning to the ball further away than the point at which it started. This movement in the clubhead’s position is caused by one or both of the following: your weight moving toward your toes or your arms being thrown away from your body in the downswing.

Rather than trying to stand further away from the ball (which will increase the chances of these two movements taking place) take a leap of faith and try to stand a little closer. This will encourage your arms to move closer to your body on the downswing. From here, think about keeping your weight slightly towards your heels through the downswing – allowing the grip of the club to return to its position at address.

These two thoughts should eliminate those horror shots in no time.

42 NORTHERN GOLFER

HIT LONGER, HIT STRAIGHTER Have your clubs correctly fitted

NORTH EAST TROLLEY REPAIR SPECIALIST

FREE LA BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW L FULL REPORT ON: Grips | Shafts | Lofts | Lies UMBRE R E HOLD VERY WITH E ADDY MOTOCTROLLEY RIC ELECT s 31.12.17) d n (e

We’re Open 9am - 5.30pm Mon - Sat T: 0191 2702362 E: info@zflgolf.co.uk www.golfgear4less.co.uk Unit 8d, North Tyne Ind. Estate, NE12 9SZ – Opposite ASDA Benton.

Two minutes from A19 Whitley Bay Exit on A191 Old Coast Road

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GOLFERCOMPETITIONS

win Northern Golfer competitions are also listed on our website www.northerngolfer. co.uk/competitions Alternatively, you can enter via email at competitions@ northerngolfer.co.uk (mark the competition name in the subject field) or post your entry to: Competitions, Northern Golfer, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL

WIN GOLF FOR TWO ON THE COLT COURSE FOLLOWED BY DINNER IN N0.19 AT CLOSE HOUSE

Please include your contact details and telephone number.

Closing date Thursday December 7, 2017. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

Close House, official venue of the 2017 British Masters, is offering Northern Golfer readers the chance to win a round of golf for two people followed by a three-course dinner for two in No.19. T&Cs apply.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the 2017 British Masters?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT BURGHAM PARK

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT SOUTH MOOR

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT HARTLEPOOL

Set in the beautiful, rolling countryside of Northumberland, Burgham Park has matured well beyond its years and is one of the finest championship golf courses in our region.

Host of three consecutive PGA North Region Championships in the past, the course measures 6,804 yards.

The Dr Alister MacKenzie-designed South Moor layout is one of Co Durham’s finest with its rolling landscape making for a stern test punctuated by gorse, heather and bracken.

Many of the county’s finest players have been produced by South Moor and the club has a long tradition of hosting national events.

The Durham and North Yorkshire coast is strewn with golfing gems and Hartlepool Golf Club is among the best of them. Expect fantastic conditions long into the autumn on the Teesside course, which measures 6,298 yards from the back tees and tests every aspect of your game.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Which course will host the 2018 US Open Championship?

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the Olympic golf medal for golf in Brazil in 2016?

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Which Englishman was the last to top the Official World Golf Rankings?

Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Beamish Park: Anthony Hudspith of Stockton • Newbiggin: Alec Ramsay of Hexham Chester-le-Street: Steve Liles of Yarm • Whitley Bay: Harry Little of Morpeth 44 NORTHERN GOLFER

WIN YOUR CHANCE TO

GARMIN X40 GPS BAND WORTH

£199

LAST MONTHS WINNER MICHELLE BOSOMWORTH.

QUESTION : WHO IS SET TO MAKE A RETURN AT THIS MONTH’S HERO WORLD CHALLENGE? A : NICK FALDO

|

B : TOM WATSON

|

C : TIGER WOODS

EMAIL YOUR ANSWER TO: COMPETITIONS@ORIGINALGREEN.CO.UK COMPETITION CLOSES 30.11.17. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND NOTIFIED BY EMAIL OPT IN CLAUSE AVAILABLE ON ENTRY TO RECEIVE FUTURE PROMOTIONAL EMAILS FROM ORIGINAL GREEN

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from the

bunker

Ann Green from Sitwell Park Golf Club in South Yorkshire reminded us of the great Bernhard Langer’s famous escape in the Benson & Hedges International Open at Fulford Golf Club in 1981 with this picture. She said: “I recently played at Low Laithes Golf Club and thought you might like to see my treemendous drive. This has to be more

Ahead of this year’s Match Play Pairs final we received a tweet from coach Michael Whitfield showing Matt Sibley working on his game. @MWhitfieldGC: @Matthew_Sibley_ 46 NORTHERN GOLFER

Welcome to your reader feedback page. We want to hear your likes, dislikes and funny golfing stories, and if you’d like to make suggestions about Northern Golfer, let us know. We want to hear from you!

difficult than a hole-in-one (which I haven’t achieved in 33 years of golf). Just look at the size of that squirrel hole and the ball never touched the ground! I had to play three off the tee, couldn’t even do a Bernard Langer!”

Incredibly unlucky Ann – though you do get to star in From the Bunker this month. Got a great picture to share?

Email editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

working on changing paths to hit draws and fades during tune up before his @negolfer Match Play Pairs final #playwell The hard work obviously paid off as you will see in our cover story!

We’ve seen many great images from the British Masters at Close House in recent weeks though this one made us smile in the Northern Golfer office.

Britain’s tallest man and former Harlem Globetrotter Paul Sturgess took part in the pro am ahead of the event and PGA professionals and former Northern Golfer cover stars JJ Vallely and Andy Paisley managed to grab a picture with him.

We’ll leave the captioning up to you…

The rarest of golfing birds made an appearance in the Barnard Castle Pro Am in September when Michael Nesbit made an albatross from 260 yards on the par five 13th hole. The three under-par score for the hole set up victory with a superb 63 – though he did have to share the top prize with Sharpley’s Simon Robinson.

BIG SAVINGS IN OUR CHRISTMAS SALE NOW ON SAVE £££S £££S

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PRICE PROMISE

AS ALWAYS WE GUARANTEE TO BETTER ANY COMPETITORS PART EXCHANGE DEAL ON IRONS/ WOODS SEEN A PRICE OR DEAL, CALL IN AND SPEAK TO US YOU WON’T BE DISSAPOINTED

A BIG THANK YOU

TO ALL OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS THIS YEAR, HAVE A GREAT XMAS & BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW 2018 GOLFING SEASON

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS £5.. £10.. £20.. £25.. £50.. £100

WE PRICE CHECK ALL OUR STOCK ONLINE TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE LOWEST PRICE ALWAYS (PRICE PROMISE) How to find our superstore Leave A1 (m) at junction 63 Chester-le-Street and follow B693 to Stanley, turn left onto B6532 (Asda roundabout), follow road to end and turn right, pass Blomfomtein School and follow sign to South Moor Golf Club

Your No 1 Discount Golf Store

Shaun Cowell PGA Golf Professional - Tel: 01207 283 525 South Moor Golf Club Superstore, Craghead, Stanley, DH9 6AG

Open Mon - Sun 9am - 5pm Early opening at weekends All major credit cards accepted

WRECKING BALL? One misplaced golf ball can wreck a club’s reputation and a player or employee’s life.

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DON’T BE HANDICAPPED BY RISKS!