Northern Golfer magazine #82 - Summer 2020

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82

SUMMER 2020

GOLF’S BACK WITH A BANG The European Tour returns with the British Masters at Close House as golf’s summer swing continues across the region

Introducing the new Durham County Card One FREE* County Card for ALL golf club members in Durham From April 1, 2020 ALL playing members of clubs in the Durham County Golf Union and Durham County Ladies Golf Association will be eligible for a new County Card as a benefit of affiliation.

This includes all Men, Ladies, Seniors and Juniors in playing membership at clubs in Durham, who will receive a reduced green fee at over 1,200 participating clubs throughout Durham and England.

For more information go to www.durhamcountygolfunion.co.uk/county_card *At no additional cost to the annual affiliation fee that members pay with their club membership subscription

Free* for all members of Durham golf clubs

Available to Men, Ladies, Seniors and Juniors

Access to reduced green fees at 1,200+ clubs in Durham and England

As a member of an affiliated club, you also have access to: county membership scheme, talent development, championships for all abilities, club team events and the chance to represent your county.

Visit www.durhamcountygolfunion.co.uk and www.durhamladiesgolf.org.uk for more information.

golfer N OR T H E R N

EDITOR Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS 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 PHOTOGRAPHY Cover image Paul Severn/Close House Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk

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Publisher: Gary Ramsay Address: Offstone Publishing Bearl Farm, Stocksfield Northumberland, NE43 7AL Tel: 01661 844 115 E: enquiries@offstonepublishing.co.uk Twitter: @offstonepublish

WELCOME&CONTENTS The European Tour has returned with a fantastic event at Close House, the number of people playing golf has grown massively, and Northern Golfer is back with this special digital Summer 2020 edition to support and celebrate clubs, retailers and golfers across the region.

The excitement of March, those final days before the season begins, was pulled out from underneath us this year. We are all still trying to come to terms with and manage the devastation caused by coronavirus. Lives, communities and businesses in every industry, including golf, have been rocked by the global pandemic.

Since golf returned, the game has provided a chance for thousands to relax and exercise in the fresh air – something we’re incredibly thankful for and celebrate in this special edition. Following the reopening of courses, retailers and clubhouses have also reopened and golf is providing a welcome slice of normality. Golf is booming across the country, with a industry-wide survey recently reporting a 70% increase in the number of rounds played in June 2020 compared to June 2019.

Our goal remains, as it has been for the last eight years, to entertain our readers and support the game of golf in every way possible in the North East, North Yorkshire and beyond, and we’ve got a lot to cover.

The highlight of the North East’s golfing calendar in 2020, the British Masters at Close House, is the perfect launchpad for this first post-lockdown edition. Renato Paratore’s win was a sensational way to kickstart the European Tour season and whet our appetite for a packed schedule of top-level golf across the UK, and on pages 20-22 we look back at the success of the British Masters.

We’ve also caught up with columnists Chris Paisley and Simon Olver, put together a round-up of new gear releases as possible, and filled our pages with positive stories from clubs and golfers around the region.

We hope this edition entertains you, and that you continue to support our clubs and retailers in the weeks and months ahead.

Stay safe, and enjoy the rest of the season.

Dean Bailey, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

04-06 TEEING OFF

Ellie Givens makes history, Lamb returns with a win, and Jess is Durham’s best

07-09 TEEING OFF

Girls back in winning form, a green future, and Storm launches Richmond academy

10-12 TEEING OFF

An international call up, PGA honours, and a proud return to Seaton Carew

15 TOUR LIFE

The latest from the European Tour with Chris Paisley

17 ON COURSE

Simon Olver on the Golf Course 2030 initiative

FRONT COVER

Renato Paratore wins the 2020 Betfred British Masters at Close House

19 COLUMNIST

Dean Bailey on the importance of getting into the detail

Pages 20-22 When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it ©Offstone Publishing 2020. All rights reserved.

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24 THE LATEST GEAR NEWS 26 MATCH PLAY PAIRS 2020 prelim round results and the round one draw

30 TIPS

Think like the pros

32 FROM THE BUNKER Readers’ tales from around the region

NORTHERN GOLFER 03

TEEINGOFF

Tom Hartshorne

Young Tom wins again Tom Hartshorne, a 10-year-old golfer from Eaglescliffe, has won another major competition at Rockliffe Hall.

The Durham Lane Primary School pupil won The Rockliffe Masters members’ competition with a score of 77 stableford points over 36 holes.

Tom, who now holds a handicap of 12, qualified from 130 players in the first round before leading the way on day two. Tom’s dad, Ally, said: “Tom played brilliantly on the Saturday and many members texted me that evening saying they expected him to go on and win. Once again, I’m incredibly proud.”

Tom, who also recently made a hole-in-one on the 15th at Rockliffe, said: “It was a great weekend and what I love most is that my dad won the same competition in 2017, so both our names will be on the trophy.”

Tom is part of the Steve McClaren Programme at Rockliffe Hall, where he receives regular coaching from the club’s head of instruction Simon Robinson.

Ally added: “Tom’s game has come on leaps and bounds since he started on the programme. Several juniors on that programme were in the top 10 after the first round at the weekend, which is a credit to Simon and the team.”

Martyn Stubbings, director of golf at Rockliffe Hall, said: “It comes as no surprise to any of us here that Tom won the Rockliffe Masters. He is an exceptional player and a delightful young man who I’m sure will go on to great things.”

04 NORTHERN GOLFER

l-r Rockliffe Hall’s Martyn Stubbings, Andrew Wilson and Ellie Givens

Marcus Armitage

Level playing field

R

ockliffe Hall-based Ellie Givens landed her first professional win and became the first female winner of the gender-equal 2020protour at her

home club.

Ellie shot a four under-par round of 68 in the Rocket Yard Classic at Rockliffe to finish top of the leaderboard alongside fellow Rockliffebased pro Andrew Wilson.

She said: “It was a really good day and a pleasure to play the event. I’m really grateful that the 2020protour gives men and women equal playing opportunities so close to home. I’m thrilled to get my first professional win and for Andrew and I to be tied at the top is a great way to represent Rockliffe.”

Andrew followed up his first win on the tour with a sensational nine under-par round of 63 at Worsksop Golf Club to share the winner’s cheque with Ashton Turner.

Some of the region’s top professionals have competed in 2020protour events so far this season. Bamburgh Golf Club’s Garrick Porteous, Howley Hallbased Ben Hutchinson and

Malton’s David Hague were part of a five-player tie for the title in the sixth event at Wakefield Golf Club. David also picked up a tied win in the third event of the season at Cleckheaton Golf Club.

Moortown’s Nick McCarthy topped the leaderboard at Howley Hall in the fifth event with a four under-par 67, while Howley-based Marcus Armitage won the season’s fourth event at Oulton Hall.

After eight events, Wath-based Nick Poppleton sits top of the order of merit with Nick McCarthy in second place. David Hague is in third and Marcus Armitage is in fourth.

Andrew Wilson sits in fifth place with his two wins.

The events are open to male and female professionals and amateurs, and Northumberland’s Zara Naughton has competed in three events so far – her top finish coming at Oulton Hall, where she finished in a tie for 16th place with a round of 70. The tour was launched by European Tour professionals Chris Hanson and Adam Walker to give women an equal footing with men in a golf tournament – playing for the same prize money, under the same rules and terms of competition, with the only difference being the placement of the tees.

For full results from the 2020protour go to the website at 2020protour.co.uk

TEEINGOFF

John Kirkpatrick

Seniors moment

Matty Lamb

Lockdown lessons lead to win for Lamb

M

atty Lamb says lockdown sharpened his appetite for golf – and allowed him to cut loose and claim victory in the Tillman Trophy at Foxhills Golf Club

in Surrey.

The England men’s squad member from Hexham Golf Club saw off a challenge from international teammate Ben Schmidt with a four round total of 12 under-par.

Matty posted rounds of 69, 69,71 and 67 to lift the trophy, following in the footsteps of four-time major champion Ernie Els. Matty, 22, said: “To be honest I didn’t play that well, but obviously I scored well. It was a bit scrappy from tee to green, but the putter was hot all week and I holed out really well. It just felt so good to be back out playing competitive golf again.

“In an odd way the lockdown maybe helped me.

I began to appreciate golf again and when we were allowed to come back to the course I enjoyed it a lot more.

“The break may have come at a good time. I was able to work on technical things by hitting into a net in my garden and was also able to talk about things with my coach Andy Paisley. I was able to practise things I wouldn’t have done had I been out playing all the time and it’s paid off.”

A birdie at the 72nd hole sealed the win and followed up his success last season in the Hampshire Hog and Home Internationals with England.

He added: “Now I just want to kick on and make the most of what’s left of the season. I had always planned on staying focused on my amateur career until after the 2021 Walker Cup, so my long-term plans haven’t changed with this year’s disruption. It’s a case of building on this week.”

Ramside Hall’s John Kirkpatrick produced a superb win in the Northern Counties Seniors Championship at Fulford Golf Club, overhauling former British Seniors champion Trevor Foster with a second round score of 69.

John, a past winner of the English Senior Men’s County Champion of Champions, shot an opening round of 73 to lie three shots adrift of Lancashirebased Trevor before posting a flawless second round 69 to win by one shot from Trevor and Cheshire’s county captain Gareth Bradley.

There was also a good performance from Durham City’s Graeme Marchbank, who shot two rounds of 75 while Northumberland Golf Club’s David Row was the best placed Northumberland player with rounds of 76 and 79.

Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club’s junior team finished a credible eighth in the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter-Club Championship final in Portugal after winning the Northern team title in 2019.

NORTHERN GOLFER 05

TEEINGOFF The trophy winners at this year’s Durham Ladies County Championship

Alex Wrigley

Alex back on Adu Dhabi podium Two-time European PGA Cup team member Alex Wrigley’s success in Abu Dhabi continued earlier this season with a third place finish in the AESG Pro-am.

The Hartlepool golfer shot closing rounds of 69 and 68 to finish two under-par as serial winner Chris Gane triumphed for the third time with a 10 under-par total.

Alex added a third place to his record in the event, which includes a win in 2017 along with runner-up finishes in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Top jobs for county stalwarts Neil Graham has been named Northumberland County Golf Union’s assistant captain while Wearside Golf Club’s Peter Dewar has been named president elect of the Durham County Golf Union.

Newcastle United Golf Club-based Neil will join Northumberland captain David Gilroy in leading the county side in 2021. The county side is looking to build on winning the Northern Counties Qualifying Championship (AKA the Big Six) and finishing second in the national finals in 2019.

Meanwhile, Peter will succeed Tony Garrity as Durham president in 2021, having joined the county executive in 2008 and served as starter for many county events.

06 NORTHERN GOLFER

Jess Hall

Durham’s best

J

ess Hall lifted the Durham Ladies County Championship trophy for the fourth time at Hartlepool Golf Club.

Jess, from Bishop Auckland Golf Club, beat Wynyard Golf Club’s Shannon O’Dywer on the first extra hole of the final, having led qualifying for the matchplay rounds with a morning round of 70 and a course record 63 in the afternoon to lead the field by 16 shots.

Jess, who last won the event in 2018, said: “It’s a great feeling to be Durham’s county champion again. I played really well all week, equalling my lowest ever round in qualifying and then finishing it off with a win in a really close match against Shannon.”

Jess returned from college in the US early this year, arriving home in March.

Since then she has used her time at home to work on swing changes and prepare for a busy second half of the

2020 season.

“I’ve worked on some really good swing changes; which I didn’t think I would get to do for a while.

“The break in competitive golf has definitely helped me and I’ve got a busy season ahead with a lot of events before I’m due to head back to college.”

Faye Wheatley and Ella Crang were beaten in the semi-finals at Hartlepool, while Lucy Ashworth, Stacie Morton, Cara Weddell and Kitana Hollins made it to the quarter finals.

In the strokeplay qualifying event, Jess was also the leading nett qualifier while Faye Wheatley was the leading junior. Wynyard’s team of Shannon O’Dwyer, Kitana Hollins and Amy Sutheran won the team nett and gross titles.

TEEINGOFF

Lilly Davis and Calow Stephenson with their fathers, Paralympic gold medallist Josef Craig and Steve McDonnell

Helping hand for youngsters

Girls back at the top Rosie Belsham receiving the Bridget Jackson Bowl Jess Baker

N

orthumberland’s best female golfers have picked up where they left off in 2019 with wins for Rosie Belsham and Jess Baker, and top finishes for Zara Naughton, Rachel Gourley, Libby Bell and Maggie Whitehead.

Whitley Bay Golf Club-based Rosie has picked up two wins already this season. She took the top spot in the Faldo Series’ North East Championship

at Slaley Hall with rounds of 70, 73 and 73 to add to her win in the Bridget Jackson Bowl at Handsworth Golf Club, which included a course record 65 in the second round.

Meanwhile Jess, from Gosforth Park Ladies Golf Club, won the Pleasington Putter with a three under-par round of 71 – beating Rosie on countback.

The Faldo Series event at Slaley Hall’s Hunting course brought the county’s best girls together. As Rosie took the title, Pontelandbased Zara finished second and Arcot Hallbased Rachel Gourley finished third. Libby, from Gosforth Park Ladies, finished in a tie for 15th place, while Close House-based Maggie finished tied 21st.

Top girls picked for England squads Four of our region’s best female golfers have been included in England Golf’s girls’ squad for 2020.

Jess Baker (Gosforth Park Ladies), Rosie Belsham (Whitley Bay), Rachel Gourley (Arcot Hall) and Caitlin Whitehead (Carus Green) were named in the squad alongside Surrey’s Rafiah Banday and Lottie Woad, and US-based Ellie Gower.

Huddersfield’s Charlotte Heath was also named in the four-strong women’s squad for 2020.

Caitlin Whitehead

Two lucky youngsters will enjoy a year’s free tuition at the The Players Lounge thanks to Steve McDonnell.

Steve, who opened the indoor golf coaching centre on Dukesway, Team Valley in Gateshead earlier this year, has grown junior participation at several clubs since returning to the region in 2012, and is looking to continue that work with the launch of his new business.

The Players Lounge, which has two teaching bays, two putting greens and a big screen with simulator technology, gives Steve an indoor space to work with players of all ages and abilities.

Since reopening, Steve has awarded a year’s free coaching and practice time at The Players Lounge to 11-year-old Lilly Davis, a member at Durham City Golf Club, and 14-year-old Calow Stephenson, who plays at Whickham Golf Club.

“I wanted to put something back into golf in the North East,” said Steve. “As well as free lessons, Lilly and Calow will receive free golf balls for the year from Srixon.

“When I moved back to the North East, I realised there was a need for growth in all areas.

I opened The Players Lounge as part of the thought process to cater for golfers 12 months of the year without the British weather causing issues.”

NORTHERN GOLFER 07

TEEINGOFF

The future’s greener at Whitley Bay Golf Club

W Former Northern Golfer Men’s Champion of Champions James Glenn finished runner-up in a thrilling final day of the BUCS/SSS Fife Tournament at St Andrews Kittocks.

Robert Foley (Stirling) took the title after starting the day three shots back, shooting one under-par while Durham County player James finished five shots back.

EuroPro set for October return The PGA EuroPro Tour will return in October 2020 with Qualifying School for the 2021 season.

The tour’s prize fund will be increased to more than £900,000 in 2021 with a first place finish in the Tour Championship worth £25,000.

First Stage will take place in September and October with events at Formby Hall, Luton Hoo, Mannings Heath, The Players Club and Donnington Grove. Final Stage will take place in October at The Oxfordshire and Studley Wood.

08 NORTHERN GOLFER

hitley Bay Golf Club has joined an elite group of clubs in the UK after becoming a Golf Environment Organisation Certified Golf Facility.

Currently held by fewer than 50 clubs in the UK, the worldwide accreditation recognises advanced sustainability in golf, having made important contributions in protecting nature, conserving resources and strengthening communities.

Whitley Bay’s course manager Simon Olver said: “The GEO accreditation is quickly becoming an essential benchmark for the golf industry and I’m delighted to have been part of the team that has worked hard to achieve it at Whitley Bay.” As part of the nature element of the accreditation, the team has transformed areas of mown grassland into managed grassland habitats, including nurturing one of the highest orchid populations of any golf course in the UK. Simon added: “Our goal has been to create a blend between

highly managed fine turf and unmanaged habitats. We’ve added bird boxes and insect hotels, created dead wood areas and reduced managed rough to move to a far more diverse site which changes from intensively managed to unmanaged areas with various corridors for all kinds of wildlife, flora and fauna.”

The club has also reduced the carbon impact of its machinery and reduced fertiliser, chemical and water use on the course. Local sourcing of products has been increased across the business, as has the reduction of waste. The club has switched to LED lighting and installed solar panels on the roof of the greenkeeping building.

Meanwhile, there are plans to increase the number of electric and hybrid vehicles in its fleet from one third to 100%.

In the club’s wider community, Whitley Bay has increased the involvement of volunteers at the club from within its membership and the wider community – including working with groups to identify orchids on the course

and teaming up with The Wildlife Trust. The team also works with the Friends of Briar Dene group to improve the environmental corridors leading to and from the golf course.

The club works to attract new golfers across all ages, and welcomes the wider community to use all of its facilities while communicating regularly with the wider golfing and local population.

Simon added: “Whitley Bay Golf Club has a far wider, and more positive, impact on its wider community than ever before and we want to continue that work going forward.

“The GEO accreditation is an important step on that pathway, and we’re striving to do more and continue improving all the time.”

Club chairman Stuart Lynn added: “Protecting the environment is something we take very seriously at Whitley Bay, and I am delighted that the great work across our club has resulted in this certification from the GEO foundation.“

Stuart Lynn and Simon Olver

TEEINGOFF

2019’s Durham and Northumberland county champions

New dates for county events

Chris Lamb and Graeme Storm

Storm’s ahead with Richmond academy

G

raeme Storm has committed to supporting golf ’s growth further with the launch of his own academy at Richmond Golf Club.

Graeme, a two-time European Tour winner, has been an active part of Durham County Golf Union’s junior coaching programme in recent years and has run successful Graeme Storm Junior Opens and Junior Series events in the region. He has also been working with young golfers at Dyke House College, where the team won the English Schools Teams Championship last season.

“I see this as a new and exciting chapter in my golfing career,” said Graeme on the launch of the academy.

“I hope to be able to build on my reputation as a European Tour player and step further into coaching. My passion has always been to grow the game, I love it at all levels, and I believe I can support this further through the academy at Richmond.”

Richmond Golf Club chairman Chris Lamb added: “We are absolutely thrilled that Graeme has joined Richmond. He will bring a significant presence to our club and we’re sure his coaching skills will attract considerable interest from our membership and potential newcomers.

Graeme’s role as ambassador for the Golf Foundation and his enthusiasm for junior golf will undoubtedly attract youngsters to our club as well.”

County golf is back with shortened seasons scheduled for Northumberland and Durham.

While county matches have been cancelled in 2020, individual events are set to take place throughout August, September and October.

Ladies golf is already back in Durham, where Jess Hall won the Durham County Ladies Championship at Hartlepool (see page 6). The Durham Ladies County Golf Association will also host the Vine Trophy at Durham City Golf Club on Aug 10, along with the County Charity Competition at Hartlepool Golf Club on Sept 7. The association’s Bronze Championship (Greener Cup) will take place at South Shields Golf Club on Oct 8.

Meanwhile, the Durham County Golf Union will host the men’s County Strokeplay Championship at Hartlepool Club on Aug 1416. For 2020, this event will also double up as the qualifier for the matchplay championship, which will be held at Woodham in September.

The County Boys championships – across three age categories – will take place at Billingham on Aug 21, while the County 2nd/3rd/4th Division Handicap championships take place at Wearside Golf Club on Aug 22. The County Seniors Championship will also go ahead at Bishop Auckland Golf Club on Aug 27.

Six club scratch opens, along with the North Yorkshire and South Durham Championship organised by the Teesside Union on September 20 at Middlesbrough Golf Club, will also go ahead in Durham’s order of merit.

In Northumberland, the men’s County Strokeplay Championship will take place at Dunstanburgh Golf Club Aug 6-8. For 2020, this event will also incorporate the three age categories of the Boys County championships as well as doubling up as the qualifier for the County Championship, with the matchplay rounds taking place at Newcastle United Golf Club on Aug 15 and 22. The Northumberland Seniors Championship will also go ahead at Burgham Park on August 20-21.

The Northumberland Ladies County Golf Association will not host any of its championships in 2020.

NORTHERN GOLFER 09

TEEINGOFF

Simon Robinson

McClaren launches academy Steve McClaren is lending his support to Rockliffe Hall’s new golfing initiative for talented young players.

The former England, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United manager has teamed up with Rockliffe Hall’s head of instruction Simon Robinson to set up the Steve McClaren Golf Programme.

Six young players - Callum Brown, Callum Moncur, Millie Hixon, Tom Hartshorne, Toby Mitford and Freddie Walker will take part in the programme.

Simon, who won the European and World Boys title as a teenager before playing on the European Tour, heads up the programme, offering coaching and game management. Meanwhile, former Middlesbrough footballer Stuart Parnaby will look after strength and conditioning, and Steve’s 23-year-old son Josh will handle sports psychology.

Simon said: “Being involved in this programme has been amazing. The commitment and energy of the kids is inspiring.

The kids and I can’t thank Steve enough for this opportunity.”

Steve added: “I thought it would be a good idea to get five or six of the best in this area, form a little academy, and see if we can take them right through by giving them the very best opportunity to reach their potential. If they work hard and are dedicated, we will see where it goes.”

10 NORTHERN GOLFER

Jonathan Jones, Eric, and caddy Chris Mills

National call-up for Whitley Bay’s Jonathan

W

hitley Bay Golf Club’s Jonathan Jones has been called up to represent GB&I in an updated format of the Phoenix Cup - disabled golf ’s version of the Ryder Cup. Jonathan’s victory last summer in the British Open secured him a spot in the Phoenix Cup match, which will take place over five courses – Gleneagles PGA, Panmure, Blairgowrie Rosemount, Carnoustie and the Trump International Golf Links - from September 16-21. He will join Europe’s top disabled players in the 25th anniversary of the event - which will pit GB&I against Europe rather than the traditional Europe vs USA match as the American team are unable to travel due to coronavirus restrictions.

Jonathan, 30, who works for North East housing association Bernicia, lives with Arthrogryposis, a disability resulting from a fusing of wrist bones from birth which limits his wrist movement.

His condition means Jonathan has had to work on creating maximum body rotation during his swing while not turning his wrists. The result is an exceptionally accurate golf game.

Four-handicapper Jonathan held off the challenge of 60 players from across the UK and Europe to lift the Disabled British Open at Stratford Park Golf Club last summer. He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get the call up to play, it really cements what a great win the British Open was last year for me. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the great talent we have in Europe once again.”

TEEINGOFF

Local pros share PGA honours

T

he NE/NW PGA circuit is back up and running, and professionals from across the region have already picked up titles.

The circuit’s first professional tournament of 2020, the NE/NW PGA Championship at Tyneside Golf Club, was won by Morpeth’s David Clark with two excellent rounds of 68 and 62 in strong winds and heavy rain.

The circuit returned with a pair of Pro Series events, with four players - George Cowan, Craig Goodfellow, John Harrison and Nicky Tibbetts shooting 67 to share top spot at Bellingham Golf Club. At Bishop Auckland Golf Club, David shot 67 to win the title, beating Westerhope’s Michael Nesbit by a single shot.

In the first pro am of the season, at Seaton Carew Golf Club, Paul O’Hara shot a superb round of 64 to lead the field by five shots. Tim Dykes and Nicky Tibbetts shared second place as Paul’s team of Adam Scott, Kenny Scott and Willie Vallance took the team title.

In the SG Petch Blackwell Grange Pro Am, Ryan O’Neill’s 65 was good enough for a one shot win over Darren Crowle as Craig Goodfellow finished one shot further back in third place.

Meanwhile, Steven Harrison has been appointed secretary of the NE/NW PGA. Steven turned professional in 1999 and was based at City of Newcastle, his home club, with Steve McKenna before being head Professional at Stocksfield for almost 15 years, has taken over from the late Tom Flowers.

Captain of the NE/NW PGA in 2011, Steven said: “I hope I am more than qualified to understand the needs of the local club professional. I’m keen to revamp our fixture list over the coming seasons and ultimately play in better events for larger prize funds.

“The transition may not be Steven Harrison easy and everything may not go perfectly to plan, but I will be doing my best for things to run as seamlessly as possible. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas, I’d be delighted to hear them.”

The circuit continues in August with the Northumberland and Durham Open on August 18 at Linden Hall along with pro ams at Bishop Auckland, Brancepeth Castle, Hexham, Bamburgh Castle and Goswick.

David Clark NORTHERN GOLFER 11

TEEINGOFF Tom Coulson

Rhys Thompson and Paul Mackings

Sponsorship deal for Rhys Boldon Golf Club-based professional Rhys Thompson has received some welcome financial support for the 2020 season from Wynyard Hall CEO Paul Mackings.

Rhys has been a Boldon Golf Club member for 15 years, competed at national level as an amateur and won the Durham county strokeplay title before turning pro.

He said: “I can’t thank Paul enough; he is chairman of Boldon Golf Club and is a very inspiring figure. Paul is forever challenging the youngsters in the club and sets high standards which he likes us all to keep. His record as a respected businessman across the country speaks volumes. I can’t thank him enough for reaching out to support me.’’

Rhys had planned to join the PGA EuroPro Tour in 2020 but has switched his focus to mini tour events on the 2020protour and 1836 Tour this season.

Paul said: “I am a big believer in inspiring the youngsters and Rhys is very talented and has a fabulous work ethic. I keep telling him to stay focused, believe, work hard and recognise that with the right attitude anything is possible.”

Heworth Golf Club’s Will Marshall produced superb rounds of 68 and 69 to beat an elite field to the Cobble Hall Trophy at Leeds Golf Club.

12 NORTHERN GOLFER

Homecoming for top greenkeeper Tom

A

greenkeeper with Open Championship pedigree has turned his attention to restoring Seaton Carew Golf Club to its “former glories”.

Tom Coulson has returned to Teesside, and Seaton Carew, to become head greenkeeper at the 146-year-old course. He returns to the region having worked at Royal St George’s Golf Club – which will host the Open Championship in 2021.

Tom, 34, said: “It’s a real honour to get the head greenkeeper’s position at a course with the authentic links character that Seaton Carew has, and the championship pedigree is clear to see. I want to push the course forward in a sustainable manner and bring back turf surfaces

that Seaton was famous for in the past. It’s all about taking the course and club back to its former glories and hopefully elevating it to a new level. I’d like to make the course unquestionably one of the best courses in the north and awaken the sleeping giant that is Seaton Carew’s golf course.”

Tom started at Cleveland Golf Club 17 years ago and has worked at eight venues, including prestigious links courses such as Southerness Golf Club and Royal St George’s.

He returns to the North East after a spell as deputy head greenkeeper on the world-famous Sandwich links. Tom, a plus-two handicapper, has worked with golf architects Mackenzie & Ebert, who

have advised many of the most highly ranked courses in the world including Pebble Beach, but it was a dream of his to come and enhance Seaton Carew’s own reputation.

“Seaton has always been one of my favourite courses having visited on a great number of occasions and as a past member,” added Tom. “My main aim is to get Seaton Carew not just to the standards of the glorious past, but to a level that will send ripples through the golfing landscape, as I believe the potential of the land at Seaton Carew is sufficient to present a truly exceptional links golf course and one that stands shoulder to shoulder with the highest ranked courses in the UK.”

TIM JENKINS GOLF STORES

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play SOUTH SHIELDS GOLF CLUB Cleadon Hills, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE34 8EG

Main Office: 0191 456 8942 Pro: 0191 4560110 Email: manager.southshieldsgolf@gmail.com

Welcome to a club that celebrates the finest British golfing traditions

THE NORTHUMBERLAND GOLF CLUB 14 NORTHERN GOLFER

HIGH GOSFORTH PARK NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE3 5HT e: admin@thengc.co.uk w: www.thengc.co.uk

TOURLIFE

Chris Paisley

Back to work

I

Chris Paisley on his four-month lay-off and the European Tour’s return

’ve spent the past four months at home in Florida with my wife and daughter, practising, training, and wondering if I’d ever get back to work.

It has been a tough period for many, many people, but I would consider myself one of the lucky ones. To be able to spend so much time with my two girls was amazing. I am certain there is nothing more miraculous in the world than watching a child grow and develop. That being said, I have definitely had an itch to get back to competitive golf .

I think we can all agree that it was fantastic to have the European Tour back in action at Close House. For me personally, it was the perfect place to start… Home.

To say things are back to normal would be far from the truth. The European Tour looks very different to when I last played in March. It’s stripped back with a focus on testing and safety. Everywhere I looked was a reminder of the lengths the tour has had to go to make the UK Swing a reality.

Everything from testing, to social distancing, to masks, to marking your own card was a reminder that this is different.

The atmosphere at the event was strange.

With such strict protocols, life off the golf course was unfamiliar. I’m glad I get on with my caddy as well as I do, given he’s the only person I’m allowed to socialise with! Once we were on the course, it felt normal again.

Other than having to stay two metres from your playing partners, and a few other small protocols, there was only one big thing missing - spectators.

There was such a difference compared to the 2017 British Masters, when it was absolutely packed! To see what an event is like with huge crowds and then no crowds is eye opening. All the players were excited to get going, but there was definitely a lack of buzz about the place. The 2017 event was just incredible, I remember being shocked at how busy it was, and it was thrilling to play in front of a home crowd. The 2020

event was a reminder of the importance of spectators in bringing atmosphere to an event. The buzz was certainly missing.

Unfortunately we won’t have any spectators for the foreseeable future, but I for one am just glad to be back. I played poorly and missed the cut by two shots at Close House and I was gutted, but there is certainly a greater sense of appreciation for how lucky I am to be able to play golf for a living. To have that taken away for a short time was a good reminder for all of us.

I have to say a huge well done to all involved. Close House was in the best condition I have ever seen it. The European Tour didn’t leave anything to chance, they rose to the challenge and ran an amazing event without a hitch.

It was also great to see Graeme Storm play so well. He has had a tough time with a wrist injury for while now and it was lovely to see him back where he belongs.

Stay safe folks!

NORTHERN GOLFER 15

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ONCOURSE

Simon Olver

Golf Course 2030

Simon Olver on how golf courses are preparing for the future

A

s the world and the game of golf evolve, we will be presented with a number of challenges.

In golf, challenges such as climate change, resource constraints and changes to regulations will affect every club, of every size, everywhere around the world.

If key areas are not strategically addressed, future generations may not be able to enjoy the game as we know it today. Businesses may be lost, employment within the industry may be reduced, and current course conditions may become unachievable.

Futureproofing the game relies on changing the attitudes and behaviours of key stakeholders within the

sport, through quantifiable research, ongoing education and transparent communication.

This task is not being left to a small number of forward-thinking businesses, influencers and associations. The R&A, which governs the game around the world alongside the USGA, continues to work to understand the scale of the challenges we will face in the future.

In the last few years, vast resources have been made available to investigate the current situation, uncover new solutions which could mitigate future challenges, and prepare the sport for the future.

In 2018, the R&A established Golf Course 2030 (GC2030), an industry initiative to consider the positive and

negative impacts climate change, resource constraints and the impact any future regulation could have on golf course condition and playability. The goal of this work is to create a road map which comprehensively considers potential future challenges and details a range of scenarios at different levels of severity to help us overcome them.

Of course, challenges lie ahead and they will not be restricted to golf.

Undoubtedly, the greatest challenge will be convincing businesses and golfers of this need for action. At Whitley Bay, and at clubs up and down the country, we will continue to work with The R&A to deliver that framework and support the industry moving forward, so we can all continue to enjoy every part of the game we all love.

For more information on the Golf Course 2030 initiative, go to www.randa.org/Sustainability/GolfCourse2030

NORTHERN GOLFER 17

Wynyard Golf Club

An exceptional golf experience

COME AND PLAY For More Details or To Make a Booking, Please Contact The Professional’s Shop on 01740 644399 Ext 22 email proshop@wynyardgolfclub.co.uk

A warm welcome awaits

Contact: Secretary 0191 388 3218 email: clsgcoffice@tiscali.co.uk | PGA Professional 0191 388 2333 Chester le Street Golf Club, Lumley Park, County Durham, DH3 4NS 18 NORTHERN GOLFER

COLUMNIST

Dean Bailey

Going the distance Dean Bailey on the importance of getting down to detail

T

he lockdown gave us all plenty of time to think over the winter season, put our pencil bags away, clean our clubs, shoes and everything else golf-related several times, and think about our priorities for the 2020 season.

One of my priorities for 2020 was improving my approaches to the greens, and in March, just before the start of the season was put on hold, I got the chance to do some detailed work with the Flightscope GCQuad launch monitor at Cocken Lodge with Northern Golfer’s own Doug Brolls.

We spent a couple of hours working through the whole bag, looking at carry distances of all my clubs using new software available on the GCQuad, tweaking lofts where necessary, and putting together a detailed set of numbers for each club.

The Flightscope software does all the hard work and the data is churns out is incredible. It tracks every shot, asks you to select the ones you want (which allows you to get rid of any bad ones) then compiles the data into a print-out, including a section you can cut out and stick in your pocket.

Having that detail to hand is a fantastic resource on the course – provided you’re swinging the club with some consistency and have remembered to take your rangefinder out of the boot of the car, which I didn’t manage my first game after doing all that work.

Getting down to this level of accuracy and going from estimating what you’re doing to knowing it can transform how you look at shots and work out which club to hit. If you have access to a facility like this, it makes the whole process super easy as well – all you need to do is hit the shots. Of course you could also stand on the practice ground at your club and work through your bag, but the ease and accuracy of a system like GCQuad makes the whole process so simple, while working indoors eliminates any inconsistency of wind, lies or how much the ball is running out on the range.

The price of sessions like this, available at facilities across the North East, is also very reasonable.

Now all I need to do is find some of that pre-lockdown consistency again...

NORTHERN GOLFER 19

© Getty Images 20 NORTHERN GOLFER

BRITISHMASTERS2020

Young master Italian Renato Paratore captures his second European Tour title as Europe’s best golfers make a triumphant return to Close House

R

enato Paratore produced a dominant display of front running to claim his second European Tour title with a three shot victory in the European Tour’s first event of the summer - the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House.

The 23-year-old converted his one stroke overnight advantage with a two under-par final round of 69 to finish on 18 under-par. Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard, 19, finished runner up on 15 under-par – reversing the result in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in December, where Rasmus beat Renato in a playoff.

Following his guard of honour from fellow players while leaving the final green, and a Skype call with his mum having holed the final putt, Renato said: “I am really happy. I played very solid and I didn’t expect to come back and win my second title after the lockdown. I have worked really hard over the last year and I am really happy to win again.

“I never thought about it today because if I start to think about it, I am going to make a bogey. So, I just told myself to play good and try to win the tournament. It was really windy and really difficult, and when I made the first bogey, I made a really good birdie after to stay in the tournament.

“Both of my wins have been tough fought on my part. In Sweden, the last

day was rainy and windy, so both were tough conditions, but I think that helped me because there weren’t low scores, and I was playing really good, so I was able to focus myself to stay in the lead.

“The European Tour has done a really great job, it is not easy to come back to tournaments with this situation, and they have been good with the restrictions at the golf course and the hotel. It is not easy because you have to do golf clubhotel, hotel-golf club, but we have to do this for the benefit of the tour and to play more events.”

The tournament marked the full resumption of the European Tour campaign behind closed doors following a four-month suspension, but Renato showed few signs of rust, making just two bogeys all week – both in the final round – as he shot rounds of 65, 66, 66 and 69.

The win was Renato’s second on the European Tour following the 2017 Nordea Masters. At Close House, he became the second Italian winner of the British Masters following Baldovino Dassu in 1976.

Meanwhile, Graeme Storm produced the strongest finish among the local favourites, posting a final round 67 to finish in a tie for 10th place.

Graeme, who made his return to the tour earlier this season following a second wrist surgery, said: “I’m thrilled to get a top 10 after such a long time off and multiple setbacks with the wrist

NORTHERN GOLFER 21

BRITISHMASTERS2020 injury. My aim was to get back on the course and make a cut at Close House, and it was great to be able to climb up the leaderboard over the last couple of days and come away with a really strong result. Taking the last couple of years into account, it’s definitely up there with the best performances of my career.

“The lockdown wasn’t great for anybody, but it did allow me to do some more strength work and get back to match fitness, which was something I hadn’t quite managed to do before I went back out on tour at the start of the year. I still get some stiffness and I have to manage my wrist through a tournament week, but it’s improving all the time.

“I’m looking forward to building on a good result and putting together some more good finishes.

I’ve got a bit of a free hit this season, with my medical exemption for 2020 being the same in 2021, so I’m looking to make the most of it and get back into competing week to week on the European Tour ready for 2021.”

Bamburgh Castle-based Garrick Porteous also made the cut, reaching seven under-par after the third round before dropping down the field with a disappointing closing round on Saturday. Host Lee Westwood also made the cut at his home club, while Chris Paisley and Marcus Armitage missed out on the final two rounds.

Renato was not the only winner at the first event of the UK Swing, with the European Tour’s #GolfForGood initiative and sponsors Betfred raising more than £135,000 for the event’s official charity, the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation. The total included a £50,000 contribution from sponsor Betfred following Jack Senior’s hole-in-one on the 14th hole in round three along with a further £16,000 - £1,000 for each birdie posted by host Lee Westwood throughout the week.

Sir Graham said: “The British Masters was incredibly successful on a number of levels – firstly the health and safety of all the players, caddies and staff on site. Everyone followed the guidelines without fault and, on that side of things, the event was a huge success.

“The feedback on the golf course, from the players and from those who watched on TV, has also been excellent.

22 NORTHERN GOLFER

© Getty Images Tournament host Lee Westwood, Renato Paratore and Sir Graham Wylie

© Getty Images

Lee Westwood Sir Graham Wylie and Jack Senior

© Getty Images

Renato Paratore leaving the 18th

© Getty Images

“The amount raised for my foundation was superb, and I can’t thank the European Tour, Betfred and all those who took part in the online auction enough for their support. The money raised will be put to good use and lots of children in the North East will benefit from it.

“Renato played superb golf throughout the week. Lee had said before the event that the players who kept the ball on the fairways would do well, and that’s exactly what Renato did. He used driver sparingly, played the course the way it should be

played, and showed some tremendous skill in the number of approaches he hit close – a near-faultless performance over four days.”

Meanwhile, Betfred has agreed a new two-year extension as title sponsor of the Betfred British Masters following the conclusion of this year’s tournament at Close House. The tour’s UK Swing continues this summer with events at Forest of Arden, Hanbury Manor followed by two events at two events at Celtic Manor before the tour returns to The Belfry.

SEIZE THE FUTURE Amazing memories lie ahead when you’re properly prepared for the future. We’ll help you get on the right path, with long-term financial planning, designed around you.

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GOLFERGEAR

Summer lovin’

This month, we’ve got a lot to catch up on, including new apparel from PING, two new distance measuring devices, Mizuno putters and balls, and new shoes from ECCO. If you’re looking to update anything in your bag, be sure to pay a visit to your club’s pro shop or one of the region’s excellent retailers.

ON THE NUMBER

ZOOM Focus X rangefinder RRP: £219.99 www.zoomgolfproducts.com New laser rangefinder brand ZOOM has released its first model - Focus X. Offering premium features at the affordable end of the distance measuring device market, Focus X offers six times magnification, 600m range and a continuous flagpole scanning mode to make picking up a target quick and simple. Distances, which can be displayed in metres or yards, are accurate to +/- 0.5m and a slope-adjusted distance option is included as standard (slope-adjustment can be turned off to make Focus X legal for tournament play). The laser rangefinder also features a rechargeable lithium battery and is available in white or charcoal colour options.

2020 STYLE

PING performance apparel & 2020 bag collection RRP: various www.ping.com PING has released its Spring/Summer 2020 apparel collection along with a new bag line-up for 2020. The new clothing collections offers golfers more engineering, performance, style and choice than any previous PING range. Innovative fabrics and manufacturing techniques feature in a full range of men’s and women’s clothing incorporating PING’s Sensor Technology Platform, which ensures golfers can perform at their highest level whatever the weather while seasonal patterns, prints and designs offer functional and fashionable styles on and off the course.

Meanwhile, PING’s 2020 bag line-up offers new designs alongside ever-popular options. The new range is led by the waterrepellent Hoofer Monsoon carry and Pioneer Monsoon cart bags, which have been redesigned with new neon styling and block panel accents. An updated Moonlite Sunday bag offers a super-light carrying option, while the Tour Staff bag has been updated to meet the needs of the world’s best tour professionals.

24 NORTHERN GOLFER

NUMBERS GAME

Shot Scope V3 & G3 GPS watches RRP: £209.99 (V3), £169.99 (G3) www.shotscope.com Shot Scope has unveiled details of its new high-performance V3 watch. Available in five colours, the V3 is Shot Scope’s most powerful innovation yet, combining automatic performance tracking with GPS technology. The V3 features a new daylight readable colour screen as well as ClubSense and PinCollect technologies, which automatically detect shots and putts on the course. Accurate to 30cm, the V3 comes preloaded with more than 35,000 golf courses and users have unlimited access to performance statistics with the touch of a button with more than 100 different analytics available via the Shot Scope V3 mobile app or Shot Scope’s online dashboard. Meanwhile, Shot Scope’s new G3 is a GPS-only option with the same features as the V3, with the exception of the shot tracking technology.

GOLFERGEAR

IN THE BAG

With Travelers Championship winner Dustin Johnson

PUTT FOR DOUGH

Mizuno M.CRAFT putters & RB balls RRP: £249 (Putters), £25 (RB566 per dozen) £35 (RB566V per dozen) golf.mizunoeurope.com Mizuno has returned to the putter market and released two new golf balls with the launch of the M.CRAFT line of putters alongside the new RB566 and RB566V balls. Forged from premium 1025 mild carbon steel and CNC milled to create its precise shape and alignment, the M.CRAFT putters are available in three classic shapes. A weight kit including two 3g weights and two 13g weights, which can be interchanged with the 8g fitted weights, allows each putter to be adjusted to a variety of putting conditions. As well as the new putters, Mizuno has unveiled two new golf balls for 2020 - RB566 and RB566V. The RB566 and RB566V represent Mizuno’s next generation of soft compression golf balls. Featuring unique 566 dimple patterns and large, high-energy cores which reduce driver spin and increase launch for efficient, stable flight, the RB566 and RB566V balls deliver balanced performance and extra hang time. The RB566 is Mizuno’s softest compression ball while the three-piece RB566V is designed for maximum velocity at launch.

WALK THIS WAY

ECCO GOLF S-Three shoes RRP: £180 golf.ecco.com

Dustin Johnson picked up his 21st win on the PGA Tour in June at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands. Dustin has won in each season since he started his PGA Tour career in 2008 and shot a careerlow round of 61 on Saturday before putting together a three under-par 67 on Sunday to finish one shot clear of Kevin Streelman. Here’s what was in his bag…

Driver: TaylorMade SIM Max (10.5°) Fairway: TaylorMade SIM Max (16°) Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM Max (19° & 22°) Irons: TaylorMade P730 DJ Protos (4-PW) Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 (52° & 60°) Putter: TaylorMade TB1 Truss Ball: TaylorMade TP5x

ECCO GOLF’s S-THREE shoes promise next-generation zonal support thanks to industry-first technology.

A hybrid model which blends on-course performance with offcourse style, the S-THREE shoes feature the latest breakthrough in direct injection innovation, Zonal Fluidform Technology, creating a moulded midsole with three distinct zones of softness to ensure the right balance of cushioning and stability. The shoe’s uppers are made from ECCO Soft Calf Nappa leather with 100% waterproof GORE-TEX technology that keeps feet dry in all conditions while the ECCO Dynamic Traction System outsole design provides more than 100 traction bars and 800 traction angles for excellent grip in all playing conditions.

NORTHERN GOLFER 25

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

Northumberland Golf Club

Match Play Pairs is back The 2020 edition of Northern Golfer’s regionwide pairs tournament is underway

T

he Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs 2020 tournament is back across the North East and Yorkshire this summer with teams competing for a place in the finals at Northumberland Golf Club, where one pair will lift one of the region’s most coveted amateur titles.

A total of 54 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. The final four teams will make it to Northumberland Golf Club for the semi-finals and final in October.

Keep up to date with all the results and round draws at www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ match-play-pairs-2020 For more information go to www.northerngolfer.co.uk or contact Dean Bailey, email dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk 26 NORTHERN GOLFER

Preliminary match 5 Martin Sleight & Tom Dolan (Cleveland) LOST TO Paul Scott & Jai Scott (Newbiggin) SCORE: 2UP

Preliminary match 10 Colin Mackay & Les Gutteridge (City of Newcastle/Wallsend) BEAT John Jamfrey & Robert Ellison (Roseberry Grange) SCORE: 1UP

Preliminary match 6 Jonathan Rennoldson & Darren Richards (Seaham/Hobson) LOST TO Greg Giles & Steve Vickers (Crook/Knotty Hill) SCORE: 1UP

Preliminary match 11 David Pringle & Gareth Dawson (Houghton-le-Spring) BEAT Ian Whittington & Chris Baker (Stocksfield) SCORE: 3&2

Preliminary match 7 Robert Hughes & Stewart White (Chester-le-Street) LOST TO Keith Muldoon & Phillip Fitzsimons (Durham City) SCORE: 1UP

Preliminary match 12 Andrew Dixon & Kevin Hodgson (Durham City) BEAT Nigel Fletcher & Peter Mathews (Barnard Castle) SCORE: 1UP

Preliminary match 3 Robert Davison & Francis Carrigan (Longhirst) LOST TO Michael Trippett & Gary Tough (Seaham/ Castle Eden) SCORE: 1UP

Preliminary match 8 Edmund Thompson & David Jenkinson (Wearside/Houghtonle-Spring) BEAT Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City) SCORE: 19th hole

Preliminary match 13 Paul Whittaker & Murray Newell (Tynemouth) LOST TO Steve Slater & Andy O’Neil (City of Newcastle) SCORE: 4&2

Preliminary match 4 Raymond Glendinning & George Freeman (Hobson) LOST TO Brian Robinson & Tim Carney (Woodham) SCORE: 2&1

Preliminary match 9 Andrew Stokoe & James Cockburn (Backworth) LOST TO Dan Younger & Alan Slater (Hexham/ Ramside) SCORE: 19th hole

Preliminary round results Matches completed by Sunday August 2

Preliminary match 1 Steve Weldon & Rob Armstrong (Whitley Bay) BEAT Anthony Dixon & Andrew Charlton (Chester-leStreet) SCORE: 3&2

Preliminary match 2 Vaughan Raine & Shaun Elliott (Brancepeth Castle) BEAT Mark Webb & Noel Hanlon (Arcot Hall/ Longhirst) SCORE: 19th hole

Preliminary match 14 Trevor Smith & Gary Stoker (City of Newcastle/Newcastle United) BEAT Martin Mayoh & Steve Eltringham (Houghton-le-Spring) SCORE: 3&2

MATCHPLAYPAIRS Preliminary match 15 George Longthorn & Tom Littlejohns (Crook) LOST TO Gareth Hold & John Buxton (Wilton) SCORE: 3&2

Preliminary match 16 Stephen Hetherington & David Turner (Hobson) BEAT Jason Emmerson & Gary Davies (Chesterle-Street) SCORE: 1UP

Preliminary match 17 Alex Patton & Christopher Parker (Birtley) LOST TO Andrew Sharp & Martin Quince (Prudhoe) SCORE: 4&2

Preliminary match 18 David Wailes & John Barnes (Bedlington/Arcot Hall) BEAT Duncan Foster & Neil Timbey (Beamish Park) SCORE: 2UP

Preliminary match 19 Steven Dodds & Neville Wanless (Durham City) BEAT Brian Crampton & Andrew Williams (Durham City) SCORE: 2&1

Preliminary match 20 Karl Dullaghan & Micheal Beverley (Morpeth/Warkworth) LOST TO Ian Messenger & Michael Monk (Longhirst) SCORE: 19th hole

Preliminary match 21 Nicholas Sibley & Geoff Cruickshank (Eaglescliffe) LOST TO Michael Hughes & Stephen Turnbull (Crook) SCORE: 3&1

Preliminary match 22 Alan Clark & Robert Richardson (Beamish Park) BEAT Neil Mole & Ian Curry (Longhirst) SCORE: 5&3

Preliminary match 23 Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby) LOST TO Cameron Bowman & Adam Wright (Newbiggin) SCORE: 22nd hole

Preliminary match 24 Steven Garbutt & Michael Purcifer (Billingham) BEAT Adam Murphy & Brendan Murphy (Tynedale) SCORE: 3&2

Preliminary match 25 Andrew Howard & Ashley Coveney (Brancepeth Castle) BEAT Paul Gray & Phil O’Ware (Sharpley) SCORE: 5&4

Round one Matches to be played by Sunday August 23

Match 1 Brian Robinson & Tim Carney (Woodham) VS Paul Scott & Jai Scott (Newbiggin)

Match 2 Andrew Howard & Ashley Coveney (Brancepeth Castle) VS David Pringle & Gareth Dawson (Houghton-le-Spring)

Match 3 Steven Dodds & Neville Wanless (Durham City) VS James Guy & James Melville (Brancepeth Castle) Match 4 Edmund Thompson & David Jenkinson (Wearside/Houghton-leSpring) VS Steve Bell & Ian Duff (Hobson)

Match 5 Colin Mackay & Les Gutteridge (City of Newcastle/Wallsend) VS James Ogden & Kevin Nixon (Tynemouth)

Match 6 Alan Clark & Robert Richardson (Beamish Park) VS Greg Giles & Steve Vickers (Crook/Knotty Hill)

Match 7 Steven Garbutt & Michael Purcifer (Billingham) VS Steve Weldon & Rob Armstrong (Whitley Bay)

Match 8 Rory McNally & Lee Small (Longhirst) VS Michael Hughes & Stephen Turnbull (Crook)

Match 9 Keith Muldoon & Phillip Fitzsimons (Durham City) VS Dan Younger & Alan Slater (Hexham/ Ramside)

Match 10 Simon Watson & Rusell Taylor (Longhirst) VS Ian Messenger & Michael Monk (Longhirst)

Match 11 Michael Trippett & Gary Tough (Seaham/ Castle Eden) VS Gareth Hold & John Buxton (Wilton)

Match 12 Trevor Smith & Gary Stoker (City of Newcastle/Newcastle United) VS Andrew Dixon & Kevin Hodgson (Durham City)

Match 13 Stephen Hetherington & David Turner (Hobson) VS David Cameron & Rodney Martin (Beamish Park)

Match 14 Steven Akers & Anthony Coates (Durham City) VS Andrew Sharp & Martin Quince (Prudhoe)

Match 15 Vaughan Raine & Shaun Elliott (Brancepeth Castle) VS Steve Slater & Andy O’Neil (City of Newcastle)

Match 16 Cameron Bowman & Adam Wright (Newbiggin) VS David Wailes & John Barnes (Bedlington/Arcot Hall)

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

Illegible or incorrect entry forms 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 is 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 playoff commencing at the first hole. In a playoff, 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 Northumberland Golf Club in October 2020.

NORTHERN GOLFER 27

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 5b, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL Please include your contact details and telephone number.

Closing date Thursday September 10, 2020. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT SOUTH SHIELDS GOLF CLUB The coastal layout at South Shields Golf Club brings together elements of heathland and classic links with stunning views out across the North Sea. The course – a combination of original work by James Braid dating back to 1893 and later work by Dr Alister Mackenzie – sits on a stunning piece of the Cleadon Hills with views over the North Sea, Cheviots and Durham coastline.

The course lies between suburban South Shields, Cleadon and Whitburn and features drystone walls, wicked gorse, temperamental wind and excellent bunker designs which give it a links and heathland feel – especially when the wind is blowing, which is often.

While the 6,295-yard course sits astride the Cleadon Hills, it is reasonably flat and easy walking. You’ll find challenging par fours, delightful risk and reward short par fours, and some cracking short holes here.

For your chance to win answer the following question: What is the name of Tiger Woods’ tiger headcover?

Congratulations to the competition winners from our last edition, who have been contacted by email.

28 NORTHERN GOLFER

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB

WELCOMING VISITORS OLD AND NEW Come along and join us at one of the most improved Courses in the County.

Call Bill Michie on 0191 417 8346 or e-mail: gsd@georgewashington.co.uk for more details

Stone Cellar Rd, Washington NE37 1PH

PLAY A HIDDEN GEM

Bellingham Golf Club Boggle Hole Bellingham NE48 2DT admin@bellinghamgolfclub.com

www.bellinghamgolfclub.com VISITORS WELCOME 7 DAYS A WEEK

BOOK NOW ON 01434 220530

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

GOLFERTIPS

THINK LIKE THE PROS One of the fastest ways to improve your scoring is to think about a round of golf in the same way the professionals do.

Improving your shot selection can lead to huge improvements in scoring – and you can do it without hitting any shots.

Each par four and par five does not automatically require driver from the tee, and the best players assess each hole before choosing a club on the tee. Are there hazards at your driving distance?

Can you find the green with your second shot while taking that trouble out of play? Is there a better angle to the green if you play to a specific part of the fairway?

You should apply the same process on your approach shots. Look for bunkers, water and run-off areas, and assess where you can and can’t miss the green.

Also think about the club you’re using for your approach and factor in your shot tendencies. From there, work out whether it’s best to play to the flag and risk a tricky up and down or aim for the centre of the green in the knowledge that a less than perfect shot will leave you with a putt for birdie rather than a difficult chip or bunker shot.

Doug Brolls PGA Profe ssio

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Alex Noren © shutterstock.com / Mai Groves 30 NORTHERN GOLFER

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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!

Alistair Collin’s Top 100 Heart Challenge in aide of The British Heart Foundation is back underway following a two-day fundraiser at his home club.

Alistair hosted two events over the Filly and Colt courses at Close House with 88 players helping to raise £5,000 for the charity.

Alistair will continue his challenge to play all of

the Golf Monthly Top 100 Golf Courses in the UK and Ireland in August with visits to The Berkshire, West Hill and Walton Heath. To date, the challenge has raised more than £12,000 for The British Heart Foundation.

Well done Alastair, we’re looking forward to hearing more from the challenge later this season.

Wakefield Golf Club has appointed its first female club captain in its 120-year history.

Elizabeth Newton already has several firsts to her name at the club, including becoming the first woman to be elected to the management committee in 2002 and becoming the first female club secretary in 2004, a position she held for 14 years before retiring in 2017. Elizabeth said: “While Wakefield Golf Club is very proud of its history and traditions, it is also acutely aware of the need to move forward. I’ve never encountered any problems with the male/female divide in golf, despite what appears in the media. I hope my appointment helps to dispel the perception of golf being an elitist sport played by men in Argyle sweaters; a thought so far from the truth in today’s game.”

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Congratulations to Joe R on winning the first ever Junior Masters Tournament – and his own green jacket – at Blackwell Grange’s Academy Course.

Joe beat 32 juniors to win the event with a two round total of nine under-par.

The event, run by PGA professional Aaron Cox, was played over the new Academy Course at Balckwell Grange, which is sponsored by Darlington BM.

Wilton Golf Club has elected its first father and son team.

The club’s new captain John Buxton is following in his father’s footsteps by becoming club captain in 2020/21.

His father, club president Norman, has been a member of Wilton’s committee member since 1968 and was captain in 1997.

Best of luck John and Norman.

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We’ll be back in September with a printed edition of Northern Golfer reaching clubs across Northumberland, Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, the Scottish Borders and Cumbria

TO BE PART OF THE NEXT EDITION, CONTACT DOUG BROLLS, Tel 07721 031 482 or email doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk www.northerngolfer.co.uk