Northern Golfer magazine #74 - June 2019

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74

JUNE 2019

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KEEPING UP APPEARANCES The art of modern greenkeeping with Whitley Bay Golf Club’s green team WIN A SWING SPEED GOLF TRAINING CLUB

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EDITOR Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk John Harrison Matfen Hall 01661 886 146 EVENTS Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGER Doug Brolls 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk

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WELCOME&CONTENTS There was once a time when the pages of Northern Golfer featured very few stories from the women’s game.

Today, we dedicate an ever-increasing amount of space to the women’s game thanks to the talent and dedication of the women and girls from our region who compete on the regional and national stage. This month we include three female county champions, several national honours and the record-breaking success of Whitley Bay Golf Club’s Rosie Belsham. Rosie, an England international and the reigning Northern Golfer Junior Champion of Champions, produced a fine week of golf at the Fairhaven Trophy to break the girls’ scoring at the event by 11 shots.

She also beat the lowest ever score by a male competitor by four shots.

You can read the full story on page 6.

This month we also celebrate the return of the Champion of Champions events, which will take place in September. The events will be hosted in partnership with Brewin Dolphin for the first time and we can’t thank Brewin, and our hosts Ramside Hall, enough for their support. All the details are on pages 4 and 5.

It’s been an interesting month for golfers all across the region - from those who have captured county titles to remarkable wins and holes-inone for talented youngsters. It’s also been interesting for our Tour Life columnist Chris Paisley, who came through one of the more stressful weeks of his career with a superb fourth place finish at the Made in Denmark event on the European Tour. His column is on page 29.

For this month’s cover interview, I got the chance to spend some time with Simon Olver and the team at Whitley Bay Golf Club. The experience was a fascinating one, which gave me a chance to learn about what goes into preparing a golf course, the teamwork needed and the passion with which the team carries out the work. Every club golfer should take time to read what Simon had to say and learn a little more about how golf courses are prepared.

It was also great to catch up with David Edwards this month. David is one of golf ’s most interesting characters and his stories make for a fascinating Round With... on pages 34-35.

They say success breeds success.

If that’s the case, we’ve got another exciting month ahead. Until then...

04-08 TEEING OFF

Rosie Belsham breaks Fairhaven records, Champion of Champions returns and Storm hosts junior open

09-21 TEEING OFF

County champions crowned, pros break records around the region and more

29 TOUR LIFE With Chris Paisley

31 DEAN BAILEY Dress to impress

34 A ROUND WITH...

Golf entertainer David Edwards

36 MATCH PLAY PAIRS Round one continues across the region

Dean Bailey, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

FRONT COVER Simon Olver discusses the art of modern greenkeeping

42 TIPS

Take aim with John Harrison

Pages 24-26

44 PROMOTIONS When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it ©Offstone Publishing 2019. All rights reserved.

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32 ROCKLIFFE HALL COURSE PROFILE

39 THE LATEST GEAR NEWS

Win a Swing Speed Golf training club, plus rounds for four at Rockliffe Hall and Boldon Golf Club

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Golfing tales from our readers NORTHERN GOLFER 03

CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS

Champions events heading back to Ramside Hall The Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events will return this September in partnership with Brewin Dolphin and hosted by Ramside Hall

T

he Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events will return to Ramside Hall this September thanks to a new partnership with Brewin Dolphin.

The events - for men, ladies and juniors - will be played at Ramside Hall for a third consecutive year. This year’s events will be staged in partnership with Brewin Dolphin, one of the largest British investment management and financial planning firms, for the first time.

Gary Fawcett, divisional director at Brewin Dolphin’s Newcastle office, said: “We’re really excited to be involved with the event. As a company, we’re always looking to associate ourselves with events that reflect our focus on quality and continuous improvement.

“This event for elite amateurs has grown over the years and this year looks like being the best yet. By partnering with Northern Golfer, we hope to raise awareness of Brewin Dolphin’s services, which inform, guide and support people with their finances throughout their whole lives.”

The 2019 ladies and junior events will take place on Saturday September 21 over the Cathedral Course at Ramside Hall.

The men’s event will take place on Saturday September 28 with another strong field expected to compete for the trophy over the Cathedral Course.

The 2018 Champions of Champions have each added to their success in recent months. Having triumphed in the men’s event, James Glenn has gained his PGA EuroPro Tour card and joined the professional ranks.

Meanwhile, junior champion Rosie Belsham and ladies champion Jess Baker have been named in the England Girls squad and continue to feature among the best female amateurs in the country. Past winners of the events include 2017 men’s champion Stew Fell and 2017 ladies champion Rebecca 4 NORTHERN 04 NORTHERNGOLFER GOLFER

Ferguson of Tynemouth Golf Club, and 2017 junior champion Joseph Robson of Hexham Golf Club.

Northern Golfer launched the Junior Champion of Champions in 2015, with James Wilson winning the first event before Briony Bayles lifted the trophy in 2016. The ladies event was added in 2017, along with the return of the men’s event, which had been run

by The Journal from 1968-2013. Past winners of the men’s event include David Moffat, Jimmy Hayes, Peter Deeble, Shaun Philipson, David Clark and Michael Nesbit.

The support of Ramside Hall has been a key part of the events’ development over the last three years and Ramside’s director of golf, Helen Roseberry, is looking forward to welcoming the region’s best players back to the club this September.

“We’ve hosted two fantastic Champion of Champions events at Ramside so far and we’re delighted to have the events back at the club this year. Our partnership with Northern Golfer is a very strong one, which has grown year on year. We can’t wait to welcome the region’s best amateurs back for two more memorable occasions at the end of the season.”

The Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events welcome an elite field of amateur golfers from across the North of England each year. The events - for men, women and juniors - are open to reigning club champions from clubs in Northumberland, Co Durham and Teesside, and selected clubs in the Scottish Borders, Cumbria and Yorkshire within Northern Golfer’s circulation area.

Invites will be emailed to clubs in the coming weeks with champions asked to register for their tee times online at www.northerngolfer.co.uk.

Thanks to the support of Brewin Dolphin and Ramside Hall, there is no charge for competitors at the events.

CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS 2018 champions Jess Baker and Rosie Belsham 2018 men’s champion James Glenn

2017 champions (from left) Stew Fell, Rebecca Ferguson and Joseph Robson

2016 junior champion Briony Bayles (left) and 2015 junior champion James Wilson (right)

Ladies and Junior Champion of Champions Saturday September 21 Ramside Hall Cathedral Course Red and yellow tees from 11.30am

Men’s Champion of Champions Saturday September 28 Ramside Hall Cathedral Course Blue tees from 8.40am

NORTHERN GOLFER 05

TEEINGOFF

Rosie runs away with Fairhaven title Gary Donnison

Back at the top Gary Donnison returned to the amateur ranks with an impressive five shot win in Northumberland’s North & South Trophy at Longhirst Hall Golf Club.

Gary, the former professional at Whitley Bay Golf Club, returned to the amateur game to lift the season’s first individual title in Northumberland with rounds of 71 and 75 in tough conditions at Longhirst. Craig Penny finished in second place with a two round total of 151 as Aiden Smith and Sandy Twynholm tied for third place, one shot further back.

R

osie Belsham won the girls’ Fairhaven Trophy in Lancashire, her first national title, in

great style.

Rosie, the reigning Northern Golfer Junior Champion of Champions, set a number of personal firsts as she shot a 23 under-par total and recorded a 20 shot win over Darcey Harry of Wales at Fairhaven Golf Club.

In the boys’ event, Callum Macfie, from Lindrick in Yorkshire, birdied the last two holes to complete a two shot victory.

It’s the biggest win to date for Rosie, who had the added pleasure of beating par over 72 holes for the first time, and the vindication for making swing changes over the previous fortnight. The score beat the low score by a girl in the event by 11 shots, and was four better than the lowest score by a boy in the tournament’s history.

Playing against a par of 75, Rosie shot rounds of 70, 68, 69 and 70. Her seven under-par 68 is her lowest-ever score and, over the championship, she had four eagles.

“I’m very pleased,” she said. “It’s my first win in a national event so I’m very happy.”

The 17-year-old decided to make

Callum Macfie and Rosie Belsham significant swing changes recently and has worked hard on the range to groove them. “It really paid off,” she added.

“I knew my short game was in really good shape, I just didn’t have any expectation of my long game.

But after the first round I was playing good!”

Rosie was also part of the winning

England team at the event, which included George Leigh (Trevose, Cornwall) and Dominic Clemons (Hanbury Manor, Hertfordshire).

Following the win, Rosie has been selected as one of the eight players who will represent England in the German Boys’ and Girls’ Open at St Leon-Rot. Callum will also represent England at the event.

Andrew Wilson

Fast start for Andrew Andrew Wilson got his PGA EuroPro Tour season off to a fast start with a second place finish at The IFX Payments Championship at Brocket Hall.

Andrew, who is attached to Rockliffe Hall, shot a closing round of 65 to climb up the leaderboard and finish two shots behind winner Todd Clements.

06 NORTHERN GOLFER

The new 11th hole

Blackwell’s back in play

l-r Neil Sayers, Bridget Hall, Jon Bradley and Peter Raine

Following extensive work over the winter, Blackwell Grange Golf Club has opened its three remodelled par three holes.

Club captain Jon Bradley took the opening shot at the ninth hole alongside lady captain Bridget Hall, club chairman Neil Sayers and head pro Peter Raine. The

the three holes, which make an exciting improvement to the course. This is part of our investment programme since our move to Snipe Lane, the next phase of which is already underway with the construction of a short game practice area and state-of-the-art swing studio.”

ninth, 11th and 13th holes have been designed by Jonathan Gaunt Golf Design with the groundworks carried out by NLS Contracts. The holes have been setup for play by head greenkeeper Richie Pybus and his team.

Neil said: “We are delighted with the design and layout of

TEEINGOFF

Girls’ success continues

W

hile Rosie Belsham captured the headlines this month with her victory in The Fairhaven Trophy, Northumberland’s best female amateurs had another successful month around the country.

Reigning Northern Golfer Ladies Champion of Champions Jess Baker reached the semi-finals of the English Women’s Amateur at Saunton in Devon. Jess, who was beaten by fellow England international Lily May Humphreys, came through tough matches throughout the week, including an opening match which went to the 23rd hole.

At Fairhaven, Jess finished in a tie for third place on four over-par as Matfen Hall’s Zara Naughton finished in sixth place and Close House’s Maggie Whitehead finished in seventh place. Gosforth Park Ladies’ Libby Bell finished 9th.

Jess Baker (left) and Zara Naughton (right) with Rosie Belsham at The Fairhaven Trophy In the Girls U16 Amateur Championship at Fulford Golf Club, 12-year-old Maggie produced one of the best performances of her young career, playing in the final group alongside winner Francesca Fiorellini en-route to finishing in a tie for fifth place. She was joined in the six-way tie for fifth by Libby as both players finished with a three round total of two over-par. Arcot

Libby Bell Hall’s Rachel Gourley finished in a tie for 11th place at the event as Zara finished in a tie for 22nd place.

Meanwhile, Libby and Rachel have been named in the England U16s squad to take on Spain at Woodhall Spa. The mixed team of eight will take on Spain’s best juniors over two days - we’ll have a full report on the match in our next edition.

Leeds Golf Centre will host the Senior Masters competition for the third time this June. The club will welcome more than 70 senior professional golfers and amateurs to compete over three days from June 25-27.

Confirmed players include Dave Shacklady, Paul Streeter, Andrew Oldcorn and Andrew Sherborne.

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For further information please contact the Club Secretary Dawn Ridley on (0191) 252 0180 or email whitleybaygolfclub@virginmedia.com For more course related informnation, follow us on facebook (Whitley Bay Golf Course) and Twitter (@WhitleyBayGC)

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Whitley Bay Golf Club NORTHERN GOLFER 07

TEEINGOFF

The Ramside Hall team

Durham’s champions Ramside Hall’s team have won through to the England Golf Team Championships in August with victory in the Durham County qualifier at George Washington Golf Club.

The Ramside quartet of John Reach, Paul Hargreave, Pam Nield and Sherry Fairbairn put together a team score of 91 points to book their place in the final at Woodhall Spa on August 16. They finished four points ahead of Hobson Golf Club as Brancepeth Castle Golf Club and Ryton Golf Club finished in third place.

Graeme Storm with some of this year’s competitors Graeme Storm and Will Skipp

A round with Sphere Sphere Golf Society will host a charity golf day at Ramside Hall on July 12 in aid of the Children’s Heart Unit Fund, based in Newcastle.

For more information and to book your place, email spheregolfsociety@hotmail. com or go to facebook.com/ spheregolfsociety 08 NORTHERN GOLFER

Storming success for junior open

M

ore than 100 competitors competed for the Graeme Storm Junior Open trophies at Hartlepool Golf Club, helping raise £1,855 for The Percy Hedley Foundation.

There was some exceptional scoring at Hartlepool across the four categories, including a round of 67 by Durham County Boys captain Will Skipp to win the gross prize in the boys 15-18 section.

Meanwhile, Tynemouth Golf Club’s Freddie McKenna shot a superb round of 68 to win the boys 11-14 group. In the nett events, Benjamin Waite (Howley Hall) won the 11-14 boys title with a score of 62, while Joe Maloney (Eaglescliffe Golf Club) shot a nett score of 61 to win the boys 15-18 title.

In the girls’ categories, Boldon Golf Club’s Neve Pearson won the 11-14 nett title with a score of 74 and Imogen Williamson (Delamere

Forest) won the gross prize in the 11-14 group with a score of 88. In the 15-18 category, Hexham’s Lois Blythe won both the gross and nett titles with a score of 79 for a nett 67.

Following the success of this year’s event, Graeme is looking forward to growing his stable of junior tournaments next year.

He said: “We are always looking at ways to improve and develop the junior competitions and very much hope that there will be new ones in the future… Watch this space!”

Along with running the Storm Junior Open, Graeme is also hosting a Mini-Storm Trophy Series for the first time this year with events at Rudding Park, Consett Golf Club and Wynyard Golf Club.

The series ends in June and we’ll have a full report on the event, and the final standings in the series, in our next edition.

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TEEINGOFF Three Yorkshire players have been named in the GB&I squad for this year’s Walker Cup. The squad of 26 features 12 England players, including Hallamshire’s Alex Fitzpatrick, Lindrick’s Bailey Gill and Malton & Norton’s David Hague. The 47th Walker Cup match will be played at Royal Liverpool September 7-8.

Hague makes history

E

ngland international David Hague proved a worthy winner of the Seaton Salver in the event’s 50th anniversary.

David, from the Malton & Norton Golf Club in Yorkshire, showed superb form to shoot a second round 66 following an opening round of 70 to win the event, which is part of the Durham and Yorkshire order of merits.

With little wind early on, scoring was low and home players dominated the leaderboard after the morning’s play. Scott Phillips and Cameron Wallace tied for first place with opening rounds of 68. They were closely followed by three more Seaton-based players - Chris Gilbraith, Ian Hendry and Phil Nicholson.

The wind increased during the second round and with a continuous drizzle, scoring became more difficult.

David Hague A scrambling 73 saw Scott’s chances dissolve, but another steady round of 68 by Cameron left only a handful of players with a chance of catching him.

Playing in the final group, David required a five under-par 66 to take victory and produced a birdie,

birdie, par finish to finish tied with Cameron on a score of 136, lifting the trophy thanks to his better second round score.

Scott took third place, five shots back, as Ian finished fourth. Phil finished fifth and Ramside’s John Kirkpatrick took sixth place.

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TEEINGOFF

Alex wins county crown

A

lex Stevenson produced a superb run of form to lift her first Durham County Ladies Championship trophy.

Alex, 18, cruised into the final of the matchplay event with a series of impressive victories before beating Hobson Golf Club’s Stacie Morton 2&1 in the final at Whitburn Golf Club in bitterly cold and windy conditions.

Alex, who is based at Beamish Park, led the qualifying rounds for the event with a 36-hole total of 153, while Consett Golf Club - represented by Annette Walton, Marie Spence and Ann Bowen - took home the team nett and gross titles at the event.

Alex will follow in the

footsteps of past champion Jessica Hall when she takes up a golf scholarship in the US later this year at West Kentucky University.

She is hoping to have a career in golf afterwards. “I’ll be studying sport and management, and I’d like to do something in golf. Hopefully playing as a professional will be an option,” she said.

The win follows Alex captaining the Durham Sixth Form College team in the British Schools and Colleges finals at the Forest of Arden, where she finished top girl with rounds of 71 and 78.

Alex Stevenson

Tom Smith (left) and Mike Henson (right) receiving their county colours from captain Simon Robinson

Counties round-up Durham came close to claiming a rare win over Yorkshire in the opening fixture of the Northern Counties Golf Union season. Durham fell just short with a 8-10 defeat at Castle Eden Golf Club as Mike Henson and Tom Smith were awarded their county colours.

Elsewhere, Northumberland lost a close match against Cumbria at Gosforth Golf Club 8.5-9.5 while Cheshire beat Lancashire 10.5-7.5 at Wallasey Golf Club.

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TEEINGOFF

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Phil Redpath

Homecoming for PGA pro Phil

R

amside Hall has appointed PGA professional Phil Redpath to its academy team.

Phil, from Newcastle, joins Ramside after six years working overseas at prestigious golf venues in Dubai and Qatar.

A class AA PGA professional, Phil worked at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, and The Pete Cowen and Mike Walker Golf Academy at Doha Golf Club in Qatar.

He is now looking to further his career at Ramside Hall.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Ramside Golf Club and Academy to continue my development as a top-class golf instructor and coach. I’m looking forward to being based at an

outstanding range with quality short game facilities, two putting greens and 36 holes of championship golf,” said Phil.

His role will see him work with private clients, deliver group

coaching for juniors and women, and assume a lead coach role with Durham Sixth Form Centre Golf Academy, whose students train at Ramside.

Phil’s career began at City of Newcastle Golf Club as a trainee PGA professional. He graduated with the PGA’s foundation degree in Professional Golf from Birmingham University in 2013, and used it as a springboard to land a role at The Emirates Club.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work at two European Tour venues in the Middle East and to learn the philosophies of Europe’s best golf coach in Pete Cowen. I’m excited to bring my knowledge and skills to Ramside to benefit golfers in the North East that are looking to improve their game and achieve their potential,” added Phil.

Phil joins PGA professional Steve McNally and golf coach Robert Lister at Ramside.

TEEINGOFF

Pro am record breakers

R

ecords have fallen at Prudhoe and Linden Hall following visits by the region’s best professionals.

At the Prudhoe GC Breast Cancer Pro Am, invitee Liam O’Neill (Leeds Golf Centre) led the field with a nine under-par round of 60, which included seven birdies and an eagle two at the par four sixth hole. Liam finished two shots clear of nearest rival Ken Ferrie (Matfen Hall), who posted a seven under-par 62. South Moor’s Mark Ridley took third place with a five under-par 64.

Meanwhile, Morpeth Golf Club’s David Clark won the Northumbrian Water WaterAid Pro Am at Linden Hall with a new course record of nine under-par. David’s round of 63 included birdie twos at each of the course’s four par three holes and saw him finish five shots clear of nearest challenger James Maw of Dinsdale Spa Golf Club.

David also finished in top spot

David Clark

Liam O’Neill in the Pro Series event at Barnard Castle with a round of 68. He was two shots clear of James Harper (Wynyard) and James Wilkinson (Penrith Golf and Footgolf Centre) .

Following the latest Pro Series

event, James Harper sits top of the order of merit with 498 points. David Clark is in second place with 477 points while Craig Goodfellow is in third place with 368 points.

Meanwhile, at the NE NW PGA

Pro Am at Rockliffe Hall, Matfen Hall’s Jonathan Levey, Craig Goodfellow (Carlisle Golf Centre) and Thomas West (Rockliffe Hall) tied for the top prize with a score of 71, one shot ahead of the field.

In June, the professionals will head to Maryport, Ramside Hall, Whickham, Teesside, Alnmouth and Cockermouth for pro ams while the Northumberland and Durham Open will take place at Brancepeth Castle on June 10.

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TEEINGOFF

County champion Back row l-r Kevin Kelly, Trevor Robson, Geoff Wilkinson, Ian Davison, Dave McColl, Steve Binks and Nigel King. Front row l-r Geoff Dunn, Keith McAllister, Gilbert Golightly and David Conway

Fab four The Durham County Seniors team has been strengthened with the addition of four players.

Heworth Golf Club-based David Moralee joins Ian Hendry (Seaton Carew), Mark Wardle (South Shields) and Andrew Stewart (Ramside) in the squad, which has been sponsored by Pulman Group for a third year.

Pulman have provided the team with new shirts and caps for this season, and will help with expenses for matches in the Northern Counties League.

N

iamh Lendrum returned from university in the US to lift her first Northumberland Ladies County Championship at Gosforth Golf Club.

This year’s County Championship field included a number of talented girls from club around the county and Niamh, from City of Newcastle Golf Club, produced a string of strong performances to lift the trophy following a close final with Matfen Hall’s Zara Naughton.

Niamh, 20, said: “It was great to come home, have a little break and then play really well at Gosforth.

I’ve just finished my second year at college so I’m looking forward to relaxing at home while playing a little bit of golf. County Match Week is sure to be a big highlight of the summer and I think we’ve got a great chance of doing well there this year.”

Zara, 13, progressed to the final by beating Close House’s Maggie

Niamh Lendrum with county captain Sian Oakley (left) and county president Margaret Pickard (right) Whitehead, 12, as Niamh progressed to the final with victory over Tynemouth’s Rebecca Ferguson.

Following the event, the Northumberland team for County Match Week was selected. The team will include England internationals Rosie Belsham, Jess Baker, Libby Bell

and Rachel Gourley – all of whom were away representing England during the county championship – along with Niamh, Rebecca, Zara, Maggie, June Lomax and Judith Moore. County Match Week takes place at Seaton Carew Golf Club, June 24-28.

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14 NORTHERN GOLFER

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TEEINGOFF

No match for Michael

M Harriet Barker

Cumbria’s champions Harriet Barker has been crowned Cumbria Ladies County Strokeplay Champion for 2019 as Katie Sibley won the County Championship title.

Carus Green Golf Clubbased Harriet led the 36-hole qualifying event for the County Championship with a one overpar score at Silloth on Solway Golf Club. Meanwhile Katie beat Rosie Waller in the matchplay final to win the County Championship trophy.

ichael Thompson’s tenacity proved the key to lifting the Durham County Matchplay Championship trophy at Chester-le-Street Golf Club.

Michael, from Seaham Golf Club, showed real grit down the closing stretch at Chester-le-Street to beat defending champion Will Marshall (Heworth Golf Club) in the semifinals before overcoming Castle Eden’s Thomas Harbord in the final.

Both matches finished on the 18th hole, with Michael edging out Will 1up before beating Thomas 2up in the final. Thomas made a costly error at 17, finding a bunker with his approach to the green before missing the 18th green and conceding Michael’s putt on the final green having failed to hole his chip shot.

“We both weren’t quite on the top of our game, but we played pretty well in the middle of the round,” said Michael. “We made a few birdies

Michael Thompson here and there, but there wasn’t much in it all the way round. It all came down to the putting and I was able to hole a few important ones.

“I know Thomas was the favourite

Boldon Golf Club Opens 2019 29th June

Peter Metcalfe Memorial (Singles) 13th July Junior Race to Wynyard 27th July 36 Hole Scratch - DCGU Order of Merit 7th August Ladies Open 4BBB 15th August Seniors Open 2 4BBB

26th August Mixed Open 4BBB 31st August Gents Open 4BBB 2nd October Autumn Seniors Open 12th OctoberAutumn Team Stableford Open (2 from 4 any combination)

Now available to book on line at Boldon Golf Club Website www.boldongolfclub.co.uk/brs.aspx?type=visitor or download form from Golf Empire.

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T: 0191 5365360 E: info@boldongolfclub.co.uk Boldon Golf Club, Dipe Lane, Boldon NE36 0PQ 16 NORTHERN GOLFER

going out there but anyone can beat anyone on the day. Having stopped playing after winning the Durham County Junior title, it’s nice to get my hands on the senior trophy.”

Book your tee time online via our website

www.boldon golfclub.co. uk

TEEINGOFF

Vince Guest (above), John Harrison (left) and Mark Ridley (right)

Seniors’ moment

T

hree of our region’s professionals have booked their places in the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at The London Club in August.

South Moor Golf Club’s Mark Ridley, Teesside Golf Club’s Vince Guest and Matfen Hall’s John Harrison all booked their places in the Staysure Tour event by finishing in the top 15 at the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Foxhills.

Mark led the way for the North East contingent with a fourth place finish – seven shots behind winner Neil Cheetham. Mark shot rounds of 74, 72 and 71 to finish one under-par for the event, three shots ahead of Vince, who posted rounds of 73, 75 and 72.

Meanwhile, Northern Golfer Tips pro John will return to the European Seniors Tour for the event having

finished in a tie for 13th place with rounds of 76, 73 and 74.

John said: “My goal was to make it to The London Club and I’m looking forward to heading back for another tour event. It will be great to be teeing it up with Vince and Mark representing the region.”

Mark added: “It’s great to be heading back to the Seniors Tour event this summer, I’m looking forward to getting back out there and trying to repeat the success of last year – when I reached that event and played in the Senior Open Championship.

“It was great to see three of us from the North East make it through to The London Club, it’s a great boost for our PGA region. My game is in good shape, I’m playing some good golf and hopefully that will continue into qualifying for the Senior Open, and for the rest of the summer.”

NORTHERN GOLFER 17

Cocken Lodge Golf Course Everyone’s talking about the newly revamped driving range at Cocken lodge driving range, Leamside DH4 6QP Driving range balls (90 compression) • Range memberships available • New mats and tee’s Discounted rates available on the course for seniors / students and juniors Lessons available from our Golf Professionals Doug Brolls and Phil Maitland Please ring 0191 584 1053 for further information Opening hours: Mon - Thurs 8am - 9pm, Fri, Sat & Sun 8am - 7pm

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18 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEEINGOFF

American dream for youngsters

T

hree North East youngsters are heading to America to compete in the US Kids Golf World Championships.

Benjamin Miller, Millie Hixon and Autumn Buchanan will be competing with youngsters from 60 other countries at Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina after qualifying for the event.

Benjamin will represent the UK in the boys under eight category after coming through qualification at the British Wee Wonders Final at St Andrews. Meanwhile, Millie will represent the UK in the girls under nine category and Autumn will compete in the girls under seven event just two years after getting her first set of clubs.

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l-r Autumn Buchanan, Benjamin Miller and Millie Hixon

Benjamin has been playing golf since he was four years old has been coached by Mark Rayson and Andy Paisley. “I’m so excited and practising hard so I can enjoy it,” said Benjamin. “I just hope to do my best. I have made lots of friends from all over England, Northern Ireland and Scotland playing golf and I’m looking forward to making more from different places in the world.”

A member at Chester-leStreet Golf Club, he added: “I’m just so happy to be going, I’ll try my best and if I can come in the top 20, I’ll be delighted.”

Meanwhile, Millie is coached by Simon Robinson from Rockliffe Hall and is part of the Durham County Girls Elite Squad. Her dad,

Sean, said “She was ecstatic when the news came through that she’d qualified, she has just about calmed down. She has made so many friends through golf, including Benjamin and Autumn, and she’s made to feel welcome by everyone at Wearside and Heworth, where she plays.”

Autumn, a member of Matfen Hall and Heworth, has recently become an ambassador for Girls Golf Rocks and is helping to attract more girls to the sport.

When asked how excited she was about the World Championships out of 10, Autumn said: “10 million out of 10. I’m looking forward to playing with players from all over the world.”

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NORTHERN GOLFER 19

TEEINGOFF

Brad’s back to school

Eddie’s early success A seven-year-old junior golfer from Oulton Hall is celebrating after scoring his first hole-in-one.

Eddie Claughton (pictured), is one of around 150 juniors taught weekly at Oulton Hall by Thomas Devine. And the tuition clearly paid dividends when he visited Leeds Golf Centre to play the 12-hole Oaks Course, holing out with his tee-shot on the 123-yard third hole.

Eddie, who has been playing for three years, started playing with his father Peter and has completed his first two 18-hole rounds this year.

N

orthumberland-based amateur Brad Robinson has accepted a job as a graduate assistant coach at Lincoln Memorial University.

Brad, who is based at Westerhope Golf Club and Close House when he’s back home in the UK, will take up the post in August having completed his undergraduate studies in Sports Management and Psychology at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina over the last four years.

Brad said: “I’m really looking forward to heading back to the US and taking up the coaching job. I know a lot of the guys from Lincoln Memorial already having played against them in our conference, and I’m looking forward to learning as much as possible from the college’s director of golf Travis Muncy.

“There’ll be a lot to do alongside my masters degree, but it’s a chance to learn from a well respected coach in the college system and

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Brad Robinson support a talented team of players.

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the college coaching system.

He added: “I’ve had a pretty successful college career with two wins, 10 top fives and 20 tops 10s and I’m looking forward to building on the great experiences I’ve had in the US so far. I’d love to be able to do something in the college coaching system in the future and this is the first step on the ladder.”

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TEEINGOFF

Good win for Michael

M

ichael Goodwin proved golfers of all ages and abilities can compete against one another when he produced 44 points at Seaton Carew to win a club event.

Michael (pictured), who lost his left arm in a motorcycle accident in 1996, led a field of 100 players.

The 56-year-old, 26-handicapper, said: “The handicap system makes for a relatively level playing field for golfers of all abilities. I lost my left arm when I was 33 years-old and I found it difficult to come to terms with what had happened, but I realised I was the one who had to overcome the problem.”

Michael returned to work at Hartlepool Pipe Mill and continued to play golf, relearning how to swing the club with just his right hand.

He added: “We all have the ability to overcome adversity and need to realise that we have the potential to succeed, no matter the odds.”

Wynyard Golf Club

Saltburn Golf Club members Darren Nalton and Neil Russell will play 125 holes on June 25 to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary year and raise money for two causes Epilepsy UK and the six-year-old daughter of Chris Allinson. Chris, 28, was a member of the club and died last year following a seizure in his sleep.

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1st May – 31st October £99 per 2 ball For More Details or To Make a Booking, Please Contact The Professional’s Shop on 01740 644399 Ext 22 email proshop@wynyardgolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 21

PROFILE

Next month, ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, we’ll be celebrating the region’s finest links courses in a special focus. We’ll be heading out to the coastlines of Northumberland, Co Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire and Scotland to find the best seaside courses to visit this summer.

To be part of this feature contact Doug Brolls, E: doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk T: 07721 031 482

PRO -FILE

DOUG BROLLS AGE: 47 TURNED PRO: 1989 HOME CLUB: COCKEN LODGE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Runner up in Scottish Boys Championship in 1989 Winner of Lombard Trophy in 1998 in Portugal Multiple time winner on the North Region and North East & North West PGA circuits WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO? “I’m spending most of my time as the account manager on Northern Golfer these days. I also teach at Cocken Lodge a couple of evenings a week, and have been there for a little more than eight years now. I was the club professional at Wearside Golf Club for 17 years, until 2011, having worked for Alan Hartley at Roseberry Grange for six years before that. Having the mix of working on the magazine and still getting to do some teaching is perfect for me. I love coaching and to do it at a facility like Cocken Lodge is great.”

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE GAME? “I grew up playing golf with my dad at Lockerbie Golf Club. My dad was a decent player and I grew up around good players so got into it quickly. We moved down to Cumbria and eventually ended up in Chester-le-Street, and I played a lot of my junior golf at Roseberry Grange.

I played in everything as a kid and by the time I turned 17, Alan Hartley offered me a job at Roseberry.”

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? “I’m working with a great mix of players and I’d like to see them continue to improve. It’s going to be great to see Cocken Lodge develop even further in the next couple of years too. The Holmes family have some great plans and it will be one of the best practice facilities in the North of England in the near future. Personally, I’ve got a couple of years until I turn 50 and I’d love to be able to spend some time on my game and play in some PGA senior events. I haven’t played tournament golf since I left Wearside so I’d like to get back out there.”

22 NORTHERN GOLFER

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COVERINTERVIEW

Green team Dean Bailey meets Whitley Bay Golf Club’s course manager, Simon Olver, to learn about the art of modern greenkeeping

24 NORTHERN GOLFER

COVERINTERVIEW

W

hile we’ve all seen greenkeepers mow greens and rake bunkers, few golfers understand the intricacies of agronomy, the science that goes into preparing a golf course and the passion with which greenkeepers carry out their work. While we don’t see much of the work, greenkeeping is far more than just riding a mower and wielding a rake.

Simon Olver, course manager at Whitley Bay Golf Club, is one of the region’s most respected greenkeepers. Having trained at Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club on the Northumbrian coast, he headed the team that transformed Percy Wood in the early 2000s before moving to Whitley Bay in 2014 to oversee the course’s development into one of the finest conditioned courses in the region.

Having trained on the coastal links from the age of 16, Simon has seen a huge shift in the industry.

Gone are the days of working on intuition alone.

Instead, Simon and his team of five at Whitley Bay collect huge amounts of data daily on green speeds, smoothness, moisture, growth rates and more.

“I was a passionate golfer growing up and I fell into an opportunity to train under Ken Day at Dunstanburgh just after turning 16, which was a fantastic experience,” Simon explains.

“I was head greenkeeper by the time I was 19 and if I’m honest, I didn’t have much of a clue what I was doing. It was a great experience, learning as I went on a great piece of land. From there, I learned a lot about the business of managing golf courses while at Percy Wood, something which greenkeepers have had to become more and more involved in as their roles have expanded.

“The industry is very different from when I started. The job has become far more professional, we now have a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses along with hundreds of training opportunities. There is a lot more communication too, from national and international

bodies like BIGGA and The R&A as well as between clubs, which is improving practices all around the world.”

The passion of the team at Whitley Bay has been a huge part of the course’s improvement.

The team arrives at 4.30am each morning in the summer, carrying out the main tasks on the course before golfers have even reached the car park.

Lunch is around 10am before a mixture of machine maintenance, office work and on-course projects are carried out until 2pm. At Whitley Bay, all this work is documented on management software as well as the team’s Facebook page and Twitter accounts – platforms which the team has embraced to communicate with their members and share practices with greenkeepers around the world.

“Teamwork has always been really important in the industry and we have a tremendous team,” Simon adds. “You see it in the way they complete a task together so they can take their breaks at the same time, or how they’ll pick up on areas where they can improve. That’s an essential part of our success.

“Greenkeeping is a customer-facing industry and we have to play a part in helping to educate golfers on our work and manage their expectations. No golf course will be at its absolute best 365 days of the year, but greenkeepers need to have the knowledge and data available to inform golfers, and the skills to get that message out.

“Building understanding together is the only way to improve the golfing experience for everyone.

Mental heath is a growing issue in the sports turf industry due to increased levels of pressure, and more golfers need to be educated on what goes into preparing courses and understanding that no greenkeeper wants to present the course in substandard condition; sometimes those things are simply outside our control.”

Since arriving at Whitley Bay, Simon has overseen a number of major projects. The biggest was the remodelling of holes six to nine. That work

NORTHERN GOLFER 25

COVERINTERVIEW

started with the design and reconstruction of the ninth green within five weeks of his arrival.

The green complexes on holes seven and eight followed. In his third year, the sixth hole was remodelled along with 10,000m2 of fairways, tees and rough to improve the design aesthetic of the four holes. The team has also completed a project to reshape the crossing point between the 15th and 16th holes, including work around the Briar Dene which runs between the two holes.

While those projects are clear to see, the team has also improved the course away from the areas we see. The course no longer requires winter greens – a process which has involved four years of extensive work on the greens’ subsurfaces. Improvements have also been made to the sustainability of the course to reduce the use of chemicals and invasive practices, along with better management of the site to improve the playing conditions – through increasing the areas of managed rough - and better managing the course’s overall environmental impact. This work has led to the club finishing runner-up two years in a row at The Golf Environment Awards.

“When I moved here, the possibilities were very exciting. The level of investment in the pipeline was always going to give us the opportunity to create something very special.

“We’re just reaching the position where we can focus on consolidation and making marginal gains in detailing standards and performance.

26 NORTHERN GOLFER

The Whitley Bay team - l-r Mark Hollingsworth, Simon Olver, Robbie Griffith, Grant Burton, Allan Curtis and Ben Potter

It took a lot of nerve to hold our own when we were carrying out major works, but the club is now benefiting from that work and the feedback has been great. There were a lot of challenges around the major work; it caused a lot of disruption and gave me a few headaches as we had to micro-manage each new green differently. However, the improvement on what was there before makes it all worth it.”

While he acknowledges more golfers are taking the time to learn about the challenges of greenkeeping, Simon says many golfers still set their expectations for golf courses too high and this can have a damaging effect.

Among the biggest challenges the industry faces, Simon lists rising expectations from golfers based on what they see on television. He explains that what we see on television is created by team of 50-plus greenkeepers working in peak conditions for that part of the world, all with the goal of presenting a course for just four days. For club greenkeepers, having data and a library of images and reports will be key to managing expectations going forward, ultimately improving the experience of members at each individual club, he adds.

Climate change has also brought a number of challenges, including last summer’s drought and this year’s cold, dry

spring. These periods, combined with a mild winter which allowed more golf to be played, have caused a great deal of stress on golf courses. Simon predicts conditions will continue to become more extreme, meaning greenkeepers will have to continue to adapt.

They will have to do so without access to many of the chemicals which are key to the industry, as legislation limits how the sports turf industry controls disease and pests.

A talented golfer, Simon holds a handicap of four, and he admits he’d love to spend more time playing, but a young family and devotion to his work leave little time to practise and play.

“Choosing greenkeeping over accounting was definitely the right decision; I love what I do every day. I spend roughly 20 hours a week at home on top of my work at the golf course, doing research, gaining more qualifications like the R&A scholarship and my degree in Sports Turf Science and Management, and investing time in the job.

Greenkeeping is more research and sciencedriven than ever before and we need to stay at the cutting edge to continue to improve.”

The next time you head out onto the course, take a moment to look around and take in the work the greenkeepers have put into preparing the course for your round. It’s far more than just cutting the grass.

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410

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TOURLIFE

Chris Paisley

In the driving seat This month, Chris Paisley makes another change and finds instant success in Denmark

A

fter a disappointing British Masters, where I comfortably missed the cut, I had a week off to prepare for the Made in Denmark - one of my favourite events of the year and one where I have had some success in the past.

My driving has been really inconsistent of late, even though the rest of my game has been strong. With that in mind, I spent a morning with my coach Andrew Nicholson trying and get to the bottom of it. We found that my swing was fine, but my driver just wasn’t setup right for me. Among other things, there wasn’t enough spin on the ball, which makes it very difficult to drive the ball straight. After consulting the guys at Callaway, they sent out some new drivers and I began testing straight away.

Eventually I found one that felt great and

Equipment can make a huge difference at every level of the game - including the very top as Chris Paisley found out this month

was much more forgiving. I felt ready to get back to form in Denmark!

After some delays and a sprint through Amsterdam airport, we barely made our connection and of course our luggage didn’t make it to Aalborg. Our suitcases arrived the next day but there was no sign of my clubs. A golfer’s nightmare!

Fortunately, the folks at Callaway came up trumps again and made me a whole new set.

Footjoy even managed to find some Paisleysized pro-SL shoes! The new clubs felt good and I wasn’t too stressed about missing my own. Without any warning my clubs turned up at 7am on Wednesday, about 30 minutes before I teed off in the pro am. My clubs going missing turned out to be a blessing; the new driver Callaway made up was even better than the one I had tested! It just goes to show, everything happens for a reason.

After a couple of poor swings in the first round, I really settled into the tournament and drove the ball the best I have in a long time. I have often struggled in left to right winds with my driver, but with this club I found I could hit a nice draw up against the wind, and barely missed a fairway doing so. It’s amazing how these things work out. My clubs going missing ended up being a good thing, along with finding a swing feeling, and playing at a venue I love.

I shot a bogey-free 65 in the final round to finish in a tie for fourth place - a huge boost of confidence and plenty of Race to Dubai points. The past few weeks are a great example of how fickle golf is, and that it is so important to see obstacles for what they are – so often they are there to show you the way forward.

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

CELEBRATING

10 YEARS OF CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF AT ROCKLIFFE HALL

This summer marks ten years since the first ever golf ball was struck on the resort’s brand new championship golf course. We have two very exciting events to celebrate!

Rockliffe Hall is the perfect venue for society groups, golf days or golf breaks.

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GOLF DAY WITH RONAN RAFFERTY Sunday 30th June Celebrate the golf course’s 10th anniversary with a golf day to remember hosted by Ronan Rafferty. £450 team of four

MCWARE ROCKLIFFE OFF THE TIPS Sunday 8th September Join double World Long Drive Champion, Joe Miller, to play Rockliffe Hall from the gold tees. £600 team of four

To find out more about these exciting events or golf at Rockliffe Hall please call 01325 729999, email enquiries@rockliffehall.com or visit www.rockliffehall.com/golf

www.rockliffehall.com Hurworth-on-Tees Darlington County Durham DL2 2DU

+44 (0)1325 729999 enquiries@rockliffehall.com

COLUMNIST

Dean Bailey

Dress to impress Dress codes – it’s time for a change

G

olf club dress codes have been an issue for many golfers over the years – from the teenagers made to walk through the clubhouse in their socks rather than in a pair of trainers or those playing a casual evening round in August in full waterproofs rather than upsetting someone for having incorrect shorts on.

Sadly, dress codes continue to be enforced at many of our clubs and they continue to be a talking point which reflects badly on the game.

While some forms of dress might not be the most appropriate for golf, why should an archaic idea of appropriate dress stop people from accessing the game?

Surely, in 2019, people should be encouraged to support clubs and relax in clubhouses after their rounds rather than being chased away by the jacket and tie brigade?

The idea for this column came from Thomas Devine, the director of Oulton Hall’s FUEL golf (FUture ELite) programme, who received criticism on social media for allowing juniors participating in the programme to attend in hoodies and tracksuit bottoms. While Thomas

received thousands of positive tweets after posting the picture, some people, who I can only assume have returned from the 19th Century, took it upon themselves to criticise him. I think Thomas is doing great work introducing as many youngsters as possible to the game.

Around the same time, it was great to see some of the pictures from this year’s Girls Golf Rocks programme, which encourages girls to try the sport and includes instructions to wear something you’re comfortable in.

Golf clubs up and down the country are facing the challenge of fewer people playing the game and ageing memberships. Fewer golfers are joining clubs and the archaic rules in clubs are certainly not helping recruit players. While some may not like another golfer playing in a t-shirt or trainers, should they be allowed to stop that person enjoying the game?

Surely those people are now in the minority among golfers and we can relax dress codes in our clubs. Even better, let’s get rid of them completely, on the course and in the clubhouse, and tear down those ridiculous signs on the way to the first tee too.

NORTHERN GOLFER 31

COURSEPROFILE

Ten years at the top Dean Bailey heads back to Rockliffe Hall as the course celebrates its 10th birthday

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his summer marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of Rockliffe Hall’s golf course. The course has been the stage for many memorable moments in those 10 years, from the annual Northern Masters tournament to the English Senior Open in 2013, and the golf course remains a challenging modern layout renowned for its stunning presentation.

Designed in a modern resort style, the layout is capable of challenging the best players at its full 7,879 yards – though those tees are rarely used.

A more modest 6,822 yards from the white tees, which we played on this visit, it’s a very playable layout from here, from the yellows at 6,455 yards or from the reds at 5,812.

Set in 375 acres of rolling countryside on the banks of the River Tees close to the village of Hurworth, and designed by Hawtree’s Marc Westenborg, the course is one of our region’s finest examples of championship-level golf.

Good scores here are built over the opening six holes, which offer a mixture of generous fairways and accessible greens.

At 415 yards, the first is a long par four but a solid drive will run down the hill and leave a mid to long iron to a generous green. Stay left with

32 NORTHERN GOLFER

your approach to the green as the ball can run down to the lake, while a bunker in the middle of the front edge of the putting surface will catch any approaches which come up short.

At the long par three second, another front bunker is the primary defence while swathes of sand guard the front left and back right of the green. Take note of the pin placement here, front right pins are the most accessible.

Two good birdie chances follow at the 522-yard par five third and 388-yard par four fourth. Both are generous from the tee but reward those who take on the trickier route to the green – to the right on the third towards the fairway bunkers and right again at the fourth, taking on the longer carry over the edge of the lake.

The par three fifth hole, with its island green, got out pick for signature hole (see fact file).

At the par four sixth, take note of the fairway bunkers. Some can carry the ball over the sand on the right side but those who can’t must choose between laying up behind the bunkers or navigating between them to leave a short iron approach over a huge bunker at the front left corner of the green.

You’ll find the most challenging holes at

Rockliffe in the middle of the round. This stretch will examine every part of your game, calling for great drives and supremely accurate approaches.

The seventh can be stretched to one of the longest holes in the UK at 664 yards, though it plays a more approachable 553 yards from the white tees. A long iron or wood will finish short of the cavernous fairway bunkers which flank the fairway, but will leave two long shots to reach the green. A driver from the tee must fly over the left bunker to leave an approach to a fairway which runs left-to-right towards a lake. A sloping lie for the third shot makes finding the right section of the green, with a single bunker at the front, tough.

Water is very much in play at the long par four eighth. At 436 yards, your drive must find the fairway here to leave a long approach shot to a long green featuring a single bunker in the front left corner.

The ninth and 10th holes each demand accuracy from the tee. At the ninth, a long drive will leave a far simpler approach uphill to the green while a right-to-left flight is required to find the 10th fairway with driver, though beware the water lurking on both sides of the fairway. The right side of the 10th is protected by the lake and pins on the

COURSEPROFILE

FACT FILE right side of the green are toughest as anything which lands short will find the water.

At the 411-yard 11th, riskier drives are rewarded. A drive down the left side, closest to the lake, leaves a shorter approach over a set of deep bunkers on the left of the green while those avoiding the water have more space but risk running into deep fairway bunkers which leave no chance of reaching the green.

The 182-yard 12th offers little respite with a devilishly undulating green which feeds the ball off in every direction, before the 513-yard par five 13th hole gives a chance to relax a little. Two solid shots are required to reach the landing area, which is more generous than it looks from the fairway. A pitch to a generous green should yield a good birdie chance.

At just 371 yards, the 14th is another good birdie chance, particularly for those who find the narrowest part of the fairway beside the fairway bunker on the right side.

The 190-yard 15th is the toughest of the par threes with water lurking on the right side enroute to the green. Another huge bunker will catch anything to left of the green.

The closing stretch will reward those who continue to find fairways. The par five 16th provides plenty of room on your way to the green; just don’t get too close to the bunkers in the landing area. Water is again in play at 17, though in practice the bunkers to the right side are the real trouble as they catch anything blocked away from the lake. Large trees on the 18th force you to play the dogleg-left hole at its full length. Lay up just inside the fairway bunkers to have a good look at the green. From here, take enough club to avoid the bunker and swale at the front of the green, and leave a birdie chance infront of the clubhouse.

CONTACT Rockliffe Hall Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, DL2 2DU tel 01325 729 999 www.rockliffehall.com GREEN FEES From £35 TOTAL DISTANCE Gold tees 7,879 yards Black tees 7,233 yards White tees 6,822 yards Yellow tees 6,455 yards Red tees 5,812 yards FEATURES Five-star resort with hotel, restaurants and spa Driving range with grass and covered tees Pro shop Buggy and trolley hire Clubhouse with restaurant

The five-star Rockliffe Hall resort is one of the region’s finest with its stunning golf course, 19th Century hotel, spa and leisure facilities. The spa has been upgraded this year while the level of service throughout any visit here is exceptional – from your arrival and welcome from the golf services team through to the service in the clubhouse, three restaurants, bars and hotel, the team takes great pride in making every visit a very special occasion.

CADDY’S TIP Long, accurate driving is essential here SIGNATURE HOLE The 162-yard par three fifth will require a mid-iron for most with a generous green guarded by two bunkers on the front edge – easy enough. The difficulty, and the reason the hole gets our pick for signature hole, comes from the lake surrounding 99% of the green complex. An imposing expanse of water, this hole is a real challenge, and a stunning setting for a par three.

OUR VERDICT A special resort and true five-star experience from the moment you arrive, a day on the golf course doesn’t get better than this.

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ROUNDWITH A ROUND WITH...

David Edwards The world-renowned golf entertainer shares his favourite golfing memories, selects his favourite courses in the region and beyond, and chooses between a Claret Jug and a Green Jacket

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avid Edwards’ golf trick shot show has become popular around the globe in the last 20 years, entertaining golfers at events in more than 50 countries, including Ryder Cups and Solheim Cups.

David has won thousands of fans around the world, from Martin Kaymer to Bubba Watson and many, many more - and he once had the terrifying task of hitting a golf ball from a tee peg being held in Rory McIlroy’s mouth by Louis Oosthuizen.

The son of a Royal Signalman, David picked up the game on practice grounds from Catterick Garrison to the Fanling Club in Hong Kong. A PGA professional, he continues to wow crowds all around the globe with a busy schedule of shows at tournaments, corporate events, golf days and club events, and we got the chance to share a round with him to learn more...

1 You travel all over the world with your show, where have you been performing recently?

It’s been a busy start to the year. So far in 2019, I’ve performed in Mauritius, Morocco, Denmark and Jordan, and I’ve just returned from Grand Cayman.

There’s more travel planned too!

2 How did you get into golf?

I started playing golf at Catterick Golf Club while my father was stationed there in the army. We moved to Hong Kong shortly after I started out and I continued to play as I grew up before turning professional.

3 Which is your favourite course in the region?

Up in the North East, Seaton Carew Golf Club has always been a favourite of mine. My overall pick in the region would have to be Ganton Golf Club venue of many great championships over the years.

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4 What about further afield?

It’s a tough one but I’d have to pick The Concession Golf Club in Sarasota, Florida, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin following the memorable conceded putt in the Ryder Cup in 1969.

10 And where do you focus your practice time?

In the early days of doing the show, I would practise on the range at Scarborough South Cliff for hours.

Nowadays I try to play golf as often as I can to keep the rhythm going.

5 Do you have a favourite performance from the 20-plus years of doing your show?

Having performed my show at events all over the world, it’s hard to pick out just one. That said, the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010 was an amazing experience.

11 Which is your favourite club in your bag?

PING are my club sponsors and I really like the G410 driver - they are amazing in anything from 2-8ft-long drivers.

6 Which is your favourite golfing memory?

Getting to play in the 2010 Open Championship at Royal St George’s Golf Club while I was the club professional at Catterick Golf Club was very special.

7 What about embarrassing moments?

While I was the professional at Scarborough South Cliff between 19861993, I was informed by a member of staff that Rosy - “a member” - had died. I arranged for the club flag to be lowered and a notice to be displayed in the clubhouse. I returned to the pro shop and was looking out onto the first tee, and Rosy appeared to my left with his wife! He asked if I knew who had died and I replied “you”. Luckily he took it well and boomed his drive down the first before shouting back, “Tell them I’m alive and kicking, and I’m still ready to take a tenner”.

8 Do you have any superstitions?

I like to use white tees in my shows.

9 What are your strengths on the course?

My driving is probably my strongest part of my game.

12 Who is your best golfing friend?

Eddie Bullock, whom I have known for many years.

13 Which event is your favourite to play in?

These days, the Super 60s tournament, which is held annually. It’s a great chance to meet up with old colleagues.

14 Who is your favourite tour player?

Jack Nicklaus is my favourite alltime player. From the modern era, it’s Tiger Woods.

15 What’s the best part of your job?

Getting to travel. As a PGA professional, I’m very proud to travel the world bringing laughter and growing the game.

16 Who do you admire?

The Voice of Golf, Peter Alliss, for his humour and knowledge of the game.

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

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson.

18 If I could offer you a Green Jacket or a Claret Jug, which would you choose?

The Open as I would love to have a Claret Jug on the shelf.

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MATCHPLAYPAIRS 2019 finals venue - Wynyard Golf Club

Seconds out... round one

Match Play Pairs 2019 is underway across the North East and Yorkshire

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he Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs 2019 tournament is underway across the North East and Yorkshire with teams competing for the coveted title.

A total of 72 teams will compete for this year’s title, a prize of £600 for the winning pair and a place in the region’s golfing record books.

Played throughout the season, teams are drawn against one another in a knockout format, played with 90% handicap allowance. This year’s preliminary round has now been concluded and the remaining matches in round one will be played by Sunday June 30. The draw for round two will be made on June 31.

The final four teams will make it to Wynyard Golf Club for the semifinals and final in October.

Keep up to date with all the results and round draws at www. northerngolfer.co.uk/match-playpairs-2019-draw-info For more information go to www.northerngolfer.co.uk or contact Dean Bailey dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk tel 01661 844 115 36 NORTHERN GOLFER

Preliminary Round draw Preliminary match 1

Preliminary match 5 Michael Hughes & Stephen Turnbull (Crook) BEAT Paul Gray & Phil Oware (Sharpley) Result: 3&2

Kevin Hill & Michael Rowell (Arcot Hall) BEAT John Strachan

& Trevor Dunn (Burgham Park) Result: 5&4

Preliminary match 6 Craig Tetley & Allan Bendelow (Romanby) BEAT Micheal Beverley & Karl Dullaghan (Warkworth)

Preliminary match 2 Stuart Mcintosh & Craig Watts (Wilton) LOST TO Nick Sibley &

Result: 6&5

Geoff Cruickshank (Eaglescliffe) Result: 2up

Preliminary match 7 Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby) LOST TO

Preliminary match 3 Martin Seccombe & David Seccombe (Bedlington/ Newbiggin) LOST TO Stewart Breckon & Stuart Whithorn (Bishop Auckland) Result: 1st extra hole

Duncan Foster & Neil Timbey (South Moor) Result: 1up

Preliminary match 8 Dan Hutchinson & Andrew Dixon (Durham City) BEAT

Round of 64 Match 1 Neil Morrison & Ross Muirhead (Boldon) VS Kevin Hill & Michael Rowell (Arcot Hall)

Match 2 Craig Tetley & Allan Bendelow (Romanby) VS Colin Mackay & Les Gutteridge (Wallsend)

Match 3 Dean Findley & Mark Dobson (Durham City) VS John Jamfrey & Robert Ellison (Roseberry Grange)

Match 4 Duncan Foster & Neil Timbey (South Moor) VS John Barnes & David Wailes (Arcot Hall/Bedlington)

Jonathan Rennoldson & Darren Richards (Seaham/Hobson) Preliminary match 4 Ashley Coveney & Andrew Howard (Crook) BEAT Martin

Crossland & Patrick Ward (Matfen) Result: 4&2

Result: 1up

Match 5 Richard Wallhead & Peter Rudd (Rothbury/Whitley Bay) LOST TO Vaughan Raine & Shaun Elliott (Crook) Result: 4&2

MATCHPLAYPAIRS Match 6 Barry Cranston & David Hornsey (Consett) BEAT Ray Pipe & Simon Crowther (Rockliffe Hall/Slaley Hall) Result: 6&5

Match 7 David Malston & Rob Coulson (Whickham) BEAT

Match 15 Ashley Coveney & Andrew Howard (Crook) VS Steve Weldon & Alan Saunders (Westerhope)

Match 25 Paul Foster & Dan Williams (Romanby) VS Alan Slater & Anthony McKeown (Ramside)

Match 16 Ray Glendinning & George Freeman (Hobson) VS Steve Slater & Colin Henderson (City of Newcastle)

Match 26 David Pringle & David Naunton (Houghton le Spring) VS Martin Mayoh & Stephen Eltringham (Houghton le Spring)

Match 17 Ray McCarthy & Ian Phillips (South Moor) VS David Cameron & Rodney Martin (Beamish)

Match 27 Mark Laverick & Jon Douglas (Stocksfield) VS Stephen Bell & Ian Duff (Hobson)

George Longthorn & John Littlejohns (Crook) Result: 1up

Match 8 Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City) VS Bob Hughes & Stewart White (Chester-le-Street)

Match 9 Sean Durran & David Adam Twiss (Brancepeth Castle) BEAT Adam Bates & Dean Bates (Darlington/Blackwell Grange) Result: Bye

Match 10 Peter Simpson & Barry Walker (Alnmouth/Bamburgh Castle) VS Michael Hughes & Stephen Turnbull (Crook)

Match 11 David Thompson & Terry Buckley (Billingham) VS Malcolm Cregan & Rob Shanks (Prudhoe/Westerhope)

Match 12 James Guy & James Melville (Crook) VS Dan Hutchinson & Andrew Dixon (Durham City)

Match 13 Adam Murphy & Brendan Murphy (Tynedale) VS David Robison & Harry Iveson (Whickham)

Match 14 Stewart Breckon & Stuart Whithorn (Bishop Auckland) VS Will Herron & Cameron Bowman (Bedlingtonshire/Newbiggin)

Match 18 Kevin Broadfoot & Paul Stocks (Close House) VS Malcolm Crowson & Ian Towell (Oulton Hall/ Low Laithes)

Match 19 David Jenkinson & Edmund Thompson (Houghton le Spring/ Wearside) BEAT Ian Rand & Justin Flannigan (Billingham) Result: 5&4

Match 20 Ben King & Michael King (Bellingham) VS Brian Crampton & Andrew Williams (Durham City)

Match 21 Johnny Harrison & Adam Reid (Bishop Auckland/Wynyard) VS James Carr & Adam Richardson (Tyneside)

Match 22 Nick Sibley & Geoff Cruickshank (Eaglescliffe) VS Paul Scott & Trevor Hodge (Newbiggin/Morpeth)

Match 23 Paul Whittaker & Murray Newell (Tynemouth) VS Alan Anderson & Paul Smith (Ryton)

Match 24 Richard Woods & Peter Holland (Whitley Bay) VS James Ogden & Kevin Nixon (Tynemouth)

Match 28 Keith Muldoon & Phil Fitzimons (Durham City) VS Steve Buxton & James McCullagh (Romanby)

Match 29 Matthew Dowdall & Richard Mains (Cleveland) VS Peter Newman & Jason Green (Brancepeth Castle)

Match 30 Colin Arthur & Ralph Brown (Oakleaf) LOST TO Simon Watson & Russell Taylor (Longhirst) Result: 3&2

Match 31 Tom Craven & James Lagan (Romanby/Rockliffe Hall) VS John Buxton & Gareth Hold (Wilton)

Match 32 Matthew Sibley & David Wainman (Eaglescliffe) BEAT Gary Donnison & Keith McGreevy (Gosforth) Result: 7&6

MATCHES TO BE PLAYED BY SUNDAY JUNE 30

RULES A Pairs Match Play competition to be run in conjunction with Northern Golfer for its readers within its circulation area.

Entry forms, illegible or incorrect may result in the entrants being disqualified.

At each match, if courtesy is not given, green fees will be shared by both home and away teams.

All entry forms are to be directed to Northern Golfer with the entry fee.

The minimum age for the competition is 18, there is no maximum.

The maximum playing handicap is 24.

Matches to be played using 90% of the difference of the handicap taken from the lowest handicap as per COGNU rules.

Matches to be played off the tees of the day – (Home players may choose, depending on each club’s policy).

This competition is open to golf club members with a valid handicap.

Handicap certificates should be available at all matches for opponents to inspect if requested.

No player can enter the competition more than once.

Once a team has registered their home club, they cannot transfer to another club without notifying Northern Golfer and a transfer will only be accepted once a check has been made that the players have fully complied with COGNU handicapping rules.

The home drawn pair to offer three dates and times to their opposition.

No extensions will be given.

In the event of being unable to arrange a date, both teams will be disqualified.

Should a match be tied after 18 holes, the result will be decided by a sudden-death play off commencing at the first hole. In a play off, shots are received at the appropriate stroke indexes as they were during the normal course of the match.

A panel consisting of representatives from Northern Golfer will adjudicate any disputes in conjunction with the Rules Office of the R&A. Their decision will be final.

No correspondence will be entered into.

The prizes are not transferable.

Distance Measuring Devices are permitted.

All players must agree to being photographed and included in Northern Golfer should the occasion arise.

The semi-finals and final are to be played at Wynyard Golf Club in October 2019.

NORTHERN GOLFER 37

GOLFERGEAR

All the gear This month we bring you a beautiful new set of forged irons from PING, the return of TaylorMade’s mini driver, alignment technology added to Callaway’s tour-level golf ball, an ultra-low spin Titleist driver and a look at a new training aid aiming to boost your swing speed…

SOMETHING BLUE

PING Blueprint irons RRP: £219 per iron w/steel shaft www.ping.com

THE ONE?

TaylorMade Original One Mini Driver RRP: £369 www.taylormadegolf.co.uk TaylorMade has released details of a new mini driver. The Original One follows in the footsteps of 2014’s SLDR Mini and 2015’s AeroBurner Mini, and features a 275CC head - fitting perfectly between a driver and a three wood. TaylorMade’s latest innovations feature in the new design, including a tri-material body and a carbon composite crown to enable the centre of gravity to be positioned lower; and Twist Face technology and Inverted Cone technology to help increase ball speeds on offcentre hits. The Original One comes with 13.5 degrees of loft, which can be adjusted up or down by up to two degrees.

PING has unveiled a new set of irons aimed at highly skilled players and based on work with the brand’s tour staff. The forged-blade style Blueprint irons are designed to deliver workability and precision. Fully forged, the irons are made from 8620 carbon steel with shorter blade lengths, less offset and narrow sole widths to offer great feel and shotmaking potential – all key factors that came from the tour staff. Meanwhile, a tungsten toe screw increases the MOI for additional forgiveness and is combined with an internal heel weight to provide precise swing-weight tuning. The new irons are available in 2-PW.

ON TRACK

Callaway Chrome Soft X Golf Ball featuring Triple Track Technology RRP: £39.99 uk.callawaygolf.com Callaway has announced details of the new Chrome Soft X Golf Ball, which features Triple Track Technology for the first time.

After its launch on the ERC Soft ball, the Triple Track Technology will now be available on the brand’s tour-level ball. Used by Phil Mickelson, the design helps players with alignment, improving on the traditional single line design with three lines, including a thick red centre line. Meanwhile, the new Chrome Soft X will feature the same technology introduced in 2018 ball, including the graphene-infused outer core which allows Callaway to produce a thinner, lighter outer core allowing for a larger inner core, which produces more ball speed, less spin and increased launch.

NORTHERN GOLFER 39

GOLFERGEAR THE NEED FOR SPEED Titleist TS4 driver RRP: £499 www.titleist.co.uk

IN THE BAG with Dustin Johnson

POWERING UP

Swing Speed Golf Training Kit RRP: £89.99 www.swingspeedgolf.com

If you’re looking for more swing speed without hitting the gym, the Swing Speed Golf training club may be the perfect training aid for you. The training aid is designed to facilitate overspeed training, allowing you to gradually increase speed with the support of the interchangeable weights on the end of the training club. Regular practice, following the eightweek programme, helps train your muscles to move faster when you return to hitting golf balls. As you work through the training programme, the weight on the end of the shaft increases, helping build your core strength and the overall speed of your movement. The makers, based in Consett, Co Durham, estimate the training aid and eight-week programme will help the average golfer boost their swing speed by up to 8%.

40 NORTHERN GOLFER

© L.E.MORMILE Shutterstock.com

Titleist has announced the next iteration of the TS design, the TS4. The new design takes the gains made with the TS2 and TS3 models and adds an ultra-low spin driver. The TS4 is aimed at players looking for ultra-low spin and features an Ultra-Thin Titanium Crown, which allows weight to be redistributed low and forward for reduced spin. Technology in the TS4 also includes the fastest driver face Titleist has ever made, a streamlined 430CC head, a low and forward centre of gravity for a more piercing flight, and Titleist’s SureFit hosel featuring 16 independent loft and lie settings.

Dustin Johnson almost managed to chase down Brooks Koepka at the PGA Championship in May, but fell just short on Sunday as Koepka won his fourth major title.

Johnson has a pair of runner-up finishes in the first two majors of the year along with wins in the World Golf ChampionshipsMexico Championship and Saudi international. A TaylorMade player since 2007, Dustin is a regular face on top of the world rankings here’s what was in his bag…

Driver: TaylorMade M6 (10.5° Fujikura Speeder Evolution 661 X Tour Spec 2.0 shaft) Fairway wood: TaylorMade M5 (15° - Project X HZRDUS Black 6.5 X shaft) Three iron: TaylorMade P790 (Dynamic Gold X100 shaft) Irons: TaylorMade P730 DJ Proto (4-PW - Dynamic Gold X100 shafts) Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (52° & 60° - KBS Tour 120 S shafts) & TaylorMade Hi-Toe (64° - KBS Tour 120 S shafts) Putter: Taylormade Spider X Ball: 2019 TaylorMade TP5x (#1)

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TAKE AIM

Alignment is one of the areas where amateurs of any level can be just as good as the world’s best players. It is also an area where you can cut a lot of shots off your scores with little work.

Poor alignment generally stems from two things - either you’re compensating for a fault in your swing or you think you’re aligned properly but you haven’t practised and checked enough to know you’re not.

To be perfectly aligned, your feet, shoulders and hips should all be parallel to the target line – as demonstrated here using two sticks.

A great way to visualise this position is to think of the line along your feet and the line from the ball to the target as two train tracks. The clubface should be at a right angle to these lines. From here you’re in the perfect position to hit shots to your target.

42 NORTHERN GOLFER

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NORTHERN GOLFER 43

GOLFERPROMOTIONS

win Northern Golfer competitions are also listed on our website www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ competitions Alternatively, you can post your entry to: Competitions, Northern Golfer, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL Please include your contact details and telephone number. Closing date Thursday June 27, 2019. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT ROCKLIFFE HALL The five-star Rockliffe Hall resort mixes on-course fun with off-course luxury. The golf course, which has hosted the European Seniors Tour, is a challenging layout which can measure more than 7,000 yards from the back tees while offering an accessible test for players of all abilities.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the Betfred British Masters at Hillside Golf Club?

WIN A SWING SPEED GOLF TRAINING CLUB

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT BOLDON GOLF CLUB

The Swing Speed Golf training club helps you increase your swing speed through overspeed training. See page 40 for more information.

Designed by six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon, Boldon Golf Club remains one of the North East’s finest courses.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Which course will host this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open?

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who is currently top of the European Tour’s Rolex Series?

Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Dumfries trip – Tony Gray of Chester-le-Street Castle Eden – Kris Lauder of Blaydon • Burgham Park – Tina Atkinson of Blyth

Exclusive Northern Golfer reader offer from Golf Escapes Sheraton Parco De’ Medici Rome Hotel 3 nights + 2 rounds | B&B + 1 dinner July & August 2019

£285 per golfer

For more information and to book go to https://www.golf-escapes.com/book-package/?id=30421 44 NORTHERN GOLFER

ADVERTORIAL

DO YOU WANT MORE DISTANCE? Introducing the Swing Speed Golf Overspeed Training aid for Increasing Speed and Distance!

Other than hitting the ball straight and keeping it on the fairway, what is the one thing the average golfer wants to do off the tee – hit the ball further!

The Swing Speed Golf training aid is designed to improve swing speed while providing a core muscle workout.

This increases performance and improves sequencing in the golf swing to give extra distance off the tee.

By using our bespoke training club with interchangeable weight adapter and following our unique training and exercise programme golfers could gain 20 yards or more of distance.

Swing Speed Golf follows proven

methods used in athletic sports to improve performance through overspeed training. We estimate after only 6-8 weeks of training for 10 minutes, 3 times a week an average of up to 8% increase in swing speed.

For all golfers having more yardage in their game not only brings a feel good factor, it also means better approach shots to the greens and improved scores that ultimately leads to a lower golf handicap.

Contact us directly for more information and to arrange a demonstration on 01207 659508 or email info@swingspeedgolf. com. Alternatively call into The Golf Factory and speak to Ronnie or Gav.

NORTHERN GOLFER 45

from the

bunker

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!

Well done to the greenkeepers at Tyneside Golf Club, who took full advantage of their opportunity to play havoc with the course setup for a one-off Texas scramble event.

The setup featured a number of hazard left behind on the greens, sprinklers left on to challenge players’ approaches, holes cut on the fringes and more. Congratulations to the winning team of James Carr, Micky Baker, Adam Richardson and Scott Cannon, who posted a score of 53.6.

Regional Qualifying for the Open Championship returns to Goswick Golf Club later this month. The 18-hole qualifier on June 24 will see some of the region’s best players compete to advance to Final Qualifying. Entry is free and it’s a great opportunity to see top quality golf up close.

46 NORTHERN GOLFER

Our sincere apologies to Amy Burton, pictured below, after her picture didn’t appear with the story of her triple success last month. We inadvertently ran a picture of Henry Price alongside Graeme Storm last month in its place.

Well done to Chester-leStreet Golf Club’s James Lusk and Lucy Nimmo, winners of the Inter-County Mixed Pairs event at Ryton Golf Club.

They teamed up to shoot a score of 68 in the event, beating Cassidy Hamilton and Ben Mawson by two.

They’re pictured below receiving the trophy from Durham County Golf Union Juniors vice chairman John Tarn.

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PURCHASE ANY POWACADDY FW3S, FW5S, C2I, FW7S BEST PRICE GUARANTEE + FREE GIFT THIS MONTH

GOLF BAGS GALORE ...

WE HAVE PROBABLY THE BEST RANGE IN THE NORTH EAST SAVE £££S ON MANY GOLF BAGS POWAKADDY, MOTOCADDY, LYNX, TAYLOR MADE, MIZUNO, CALLAWAY, TITLEIST, COBRA, BIG MAX, CLEVELAND AND MORE

NEW FOOT-JOY SHOES IN STORE FANTASTIC SAVINGS ON NEW STOCK PRICES

FROM ONLY £44.99

(SELECTED BAGS % OFF MRRP)

MANY BARGAINS ON 2018/19 GALVIN GREEN, WATERPROOFS, INSULA GARMENTS, SHIRTS ETC SAVE UP TO 40% OFF

NEW COBRA KING F9 WOODS /FAIRWAYS/ RESCUES IN STOCK NEW COBRA F9 IRONS IN STOCK (KING F9 SPEEDBACK IRONS) BEST PRICES & PART EXCHANGE GIVEN

NEW EPIC FLASH DRIVERS FROM CALLAWAY

LITHIUM BATTERIES IN STORE

TAYLOR MADE M CGB IRONS

NEW SPIDER X PUTTERS FROM TAYLOR MADE

(6 YEAR GUARANTEE)

CLEARANCE PRICE 1/2 PRICE THIS MONTH

WERE £189.00 NOW FROM ONLY £149.00

HARD TO BEAT PRICES / DEALS

TOP PRICES GIVEN WHEN PART EXCHANGING YOUR PRE-OWNED EQUIPMENT WE HAVE ALL THE LEADING NAMES TO CHOOSE FROM WITH ALL DEMONSTRATION SHAFTS / WOODS / IRONS TO TRY!!!

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 Crook Golf Club, Low jobs Hill, Crook, DL15 9AA, tel no 01388 762429

Open Mon - Sun 9am - 6pm Early opening at weekends All major credit cards accepted

CLUBS. CLOTHES. COMMITMENT.