Northern Golfer #84 - October/November 2020

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

THE A TEAM Brancepeth duo Ashley Coveney and Andrew Howard win the Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs title

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EDITOR Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk Simon Olver Chris Paisley ADVERTISING MANAGERS Doug Brolls 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk Gillian Corney 07903 500 401 gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk EVENTS Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk

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WELCOME&CONTENTS We may have recently experienced the UK’s wettest day since records began in 1891, but our appetite for golf is still incredibly high.

Golf courses across the region remain busy as we all look to get more golf into 2020. Despite rain, waterlogging and fewer daylight hours, it has been amazing to see how much golf is still being played on our region’s courses - long may it continue!

We’ve squeezed a lot into this month’s Teeing Off pages. As well as all the regular club golf news, the last few weeks have brought us a packed schedule of top events. Leading amateurs Matty Lamb and James Glenn have won again, and the final club champions of 2020 have been crowned. Meanwhile, the North East & North West circuit has been incredibly busy and the 2020protour has reached its conclusion.

Also this month, Simon Olver has taken a look ahead to the winter season and Chris Paisley has pondered a challenge from the golfing gods (one he answered as we went to print - more on that in our next edition).

I’ve always had a lot of fun running the Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs and this year, despite everything that’s going on, it was no different.

A huge thank you to Northumberland Golf Club for hosting the finals in early October and congratulations to Andrew Howard and Ashley Coveney from Brancepeth Castle on winning the event. You can read more about their victory on pages 24-26.

Alan Hedley stayed close to home this month to play Whitburn Golf Club in our Course Profile, while I enjoyed a Round With England Golf ’s Mike Greener. We’ve also put together a Special Focus on driving ranges along with a 19th Hole column on dress codes, and a lot more.

As part of our drive to support clubs and retailers across the region in the coming months, we’re very pleased to welcome Gillian Corney back to the team. Gillian will be working with clubs and retailers in the north of the region, while Doug Brolls continues his work with clubs in Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire. I’m sure all those working in the industry will be as happy as we are to see Gillian back with Northern Golfer.

A huge thank you to all those who got in touch following our comeback print edition in September.

It was great to see it so warmly received by clubs and readers. Enjoy this edition and stay warm out there.

Dean Bailey, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

FRONT COVER

Match Play Pairs champions Ashley Coveney and Andrew Howard Pages 24-26

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04-07 TEEING OFF

Lamb wins Northern title, EuroPro Q School and Glenn tops Durham’s order of merit

08-15 TEEING OFF

Professional wins, team golf and PGA pros on the move

19 TOUR LIFE With Chris Paisley

21 ON COURSE With Simon Olver

23 19TH HOLE

Dean Bailey on dress codes

28 HANDICAPS

Our guide to the World Handicap System

32 A ROUND WITH

England Golf’s Mike Greener

34 SPECIAL FOCUS Home on the range

38 COURSE PROFILE

40 THE LATEST GEAR NEWS

Whitburn Golf Club

42 TIPS

Bunker basics

44 COMPETITIONS

Win a Caddyboo Golf Towel, plus golf for four at Blyth and Hartlepool

46 FROM THE BUNKER Readers’ tales from around the region

NORTHERN GOLFER 03

TEEINGOFF

Zara Naughton

left - Dan Shevill right - Kris Rae

left -Darren Rayner, right Paul Caldicott and Libby Bell

Club champions crowned More top players were crowned club champions around the region as the season drew to a close.

At Heworth Golf Club, Zara Naughton won the junior club championship title with two rounds of 75 as Ethan Smiles won the nett championship.

At Newcastle United Golf Club, it took 90 holes to split Dan Shevill and Mark Wharton after the pair tied over four rounds. Dan went on to win the title in just the third playoff in 128 years of championships at the club.

Meanwhile, Kris Rae lifted the Tyneside club championship title with a one under-par total for 36 holes, while Darren Rayner put together back-to-back rounds of 68 to with the top prize at Castle Eden Golf Club.

At Northumberland Golf Club, Paul Caldicott overcame Ben Jones in the club championship final to retain the trophy, while Libby Bell won the Gosforth Park Ladies club championship title.

04 NORTHERN GOLFER

Matty Lamb

Northern champion

M

atty Lamb won the individual title at The North of England Open Amateur Championship as Northumberland won the Northern Counties Plate.

Matty, from Hexham Golf Club, shot rounds of 71, 68, 71 and 71 to lead the elite field by three shots at Alwoodley Golf Club. Fulford Golf Club’s Charlie Thornton finished in second place as Elsham’s Callum Bruce finished third.

The County Plate, which combines the 36-hole scores of

the leading two players from each county, was won by Northumberland - represented by Matty and Close House’s Christian Brown.

Matty said: “It’s a good feeling to win again given all that’s been going on this year and the limited number of 72-hole events we’ve had. This is the top event for amateurs from the north of England and it was a strong field, so it was fantastic to pick up the win.

“I’m playing some good golf and I’m happy with how my game feels.

I’ve got a light schedule through the

winter and my sights are still set on being picked for the Walker Cup, which is scheduled to take place in May 2021. After that, I’ll reassess where I am and set out my plans for the rest of the season.”

With his plans open following a potential Walker Cup appearance at Seminole Golf Club next season, Matty secured the option to turn professional with guaranteed playing opportunities by finishing in a tie for 22nd place in the EuroPro Tour’s qualifying school. See page 5 for our full report on Q School.

Gascoigne wins Scottish hickory title Neil Gascoigne won the Scottish Hickory Championship at Kilspindie Golf Club with an excellent score in extreme weather conditions.

Neil, who plays off a handicap of two and is a member of Newcastle United Golf Club, led the field by two shots with a round of 76 as winds gusted to more than 40mph on the east

coast. He said: “The conditions were pretty horrendous with strong, gusting winds all day, but I managed to keep the round going and knew a score in the mid-70s would be tough to beat on the day.

“It’s great to win the Scottish title. I’ve now got my sights set on adding the Welsh and English championships to the set.”

Neil Gascoigne

TEEINGOFF

On tour

T

hree of the region’s best young golfers have earned playing privileges on the EuroPro Tour for 2021 following the circuit’s qualifying school.

Having progressed through the first stage of qualifying at one of five venues, the players faced a race for playing categories across The Oxfordshire and Studley Wood Golf Club.

Sam Broadhurst produced a nine under-par final round to win the event by five shots as the leading 30 players plus ties earned the top category available (category three).

Players finishing 31–60 and ties made it into category six while those placing 61-80 and ties got a place in category 10. The categories system is used to prioritise the players who make it into each event.

Sam Broadhurst

Cameron Wallace

Wallace goes low to win NYSD title David Hague

Matty Lamb

Malton & Norton’s David Hague led the region’s charge with a second place finish on 15 under-par as Lindrick’s Bailey Gill finished in a tie for 22nd place alongisde Hexham Golf Club’s Matty Lamb - who will leave his options open for now as you can read on page 4.

Meanwhile, Ramside Hall’s Harrison Proos, Moortown’s David

Houlding, City of Newcastle’s Alex Dixon, Penrith’s Tim Dykes, Chesterle-Street’s Will Nimmo and Leeds Golf Centre’s Ben Firth missed the cut at final stage and will have limited access to EuroPro events as part of categories 12 or 14 depending on their final placing. The 2021 EuroPro season gets underway in May at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa.

Cameron Wallace held off a talented chasing pack to win the North Yorkshire South Durham Championship at Middlesbrough Golf Club.

Dyke House College student Cameron shot rounds of 68 and 66 to lead the elite field and beat Rockliffe Hall’s David Kelly by a single shot.

Tyneside’s Kris Rae shot rounds of 70 and 66 to finish in third place.

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TEEINGOFF

Up to the challenge

C Victor Cooke

Top trio Durham County Golf Union hosted its second, third and fourth division championships at Wearside Golf Club with Knotty Hill’s Victor Cooke winning the division four title for a second time - 21 years after his first win in 1999.

The second division title was won by Eaglescliffe Golf Club’s Tim Abercrombie with a nett score of 68 while the third division title went to Bishop Auckland Golf Club’s Alec Duncan with a round of 65.

onsett Golf Club’s John Kennedy and Aaron Leathley beat more than 200 teams to win the Yorkshire Challenge.

Played over Ryder Cup venues Lindrick, Ganton and Moortown over three consecutive days, John and Aaron led the 208-team field with 123 stableford points - beating Rudding Park duo John Macnamara and Richard Pallister by three points.

John, a scratch handicapper, said: “This was our first time in the Yorkshire Challenge and we’re over the moon to have won the title. The event was incredible, the whole experience was very impressive from the moment we arrived, and the three courses were absolutely fantastic.

“We played some superb golf throughout, but the two holes that stand out for me were Aaron’s birdies on the first hole at Lindrick on day one and on the 18th at Moortown on the final day - both were superb.”

Aaron Leathley and John Kennedy Aaron, who plays off two, added: “It’s a great feeling to win an event of this size over three amazing courses.

It’s a busy few days, but the whole event was fantastic. I’d recommend it to anyone who can get a place.”

John and Aaron recorded 42 points at Lindrick before adding

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41 points at Ganton and 40 points at Moortown on the final day.

Meanwhile, Bishop Auckland Golf Club’s Matthew Sibley and Stewart Breckon finished in 11th place overall and Durham City Golf Club’s Andrew Bell and Craig Bell finished in 16th place.

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TEEINGOFF

Glenn is top of the order

J

ames Glenn completed an emphatic victory in the Durham County Golf Union Order of Merit with four wins this season.

The 31-year-old Texan, who has settled in the North East with wife Amanda - who is expecting twins in February, won Durham’s county championship and matchplay titles along with the Seaton Salver and Bishop Auckland Bowl this season.

“I’m glad it’s been such a good season,” said James, “with twins on the way in February, I doubt I’ll be able play as much golf next year!

“It’s definitely been a purple patch and hugely enjoyable. The key this season has been not getting ahead of myself. I really did take it one shot at a time, telling myself ‘hit it, find it, hit it again, just stay in the present’.”

Victory in the County Championship at Hartlepool Golf Club kicked off James’ winning run.

He went on to pick up his second Seaton Slaver title, overcoming

Ian Hendry and Seaton Carew captain Norman Bagley

Home win for Hendry James Glenn receives the Seaton Salver from Seaton Carew Golf Club captain Norman Bagley blustery conditions at Seaton Carew to make nine birdies in his rounds of 72 and 71, and earn a three-shot victory over Workington’s Richard Mewse. He then finished runnerup in the Leonard Crawley Medal at Brancepeth before winning his third Bishop Auckland Bowl over his home course with rounds of 68 and 67, finishing five shots ahead of Jack Ainscough and Martin McCririck.

James then made absolutely sure of the order of merit title with victory over Ramside Hall’s Adam Charlton in the final of the County Matchplay Championship at Woodham Golf Club.

James topped the order of merit with 1,115 points as Jack Ainscough finished in second place with 460 points and Adam Charlton finished in third place with 440 points.

Ian Hendry followed up a strong run of form by winning the Senior Salver at Seaton Carew Golf Club.

Ian, a scratch handicapper and member of Seaton, shot a round of 69 to finish three shots ahead of Richard Pallister after finishing fifth in the English Seniors Championship at Woodhall Spa and third in the Durham Seniors Championship at Bishop Auckland Golf Club.

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TEEINGOFF ©2020protour/Andy Crook

Callum Moncur

Protour win for Callum Darlington teenager Callum Moncur, 15, claimed the amateur title in the 2020protour tournament at Garforth Golf Club.

Callum, the junior captain of Darlington Golf Club, was the only amateur to finish under par at Garforth, posting a one under-par nett total to claim the first prize of £250.

Callum said: “I feel really proud to win this event and gain the experience of playing on the 2020protour. I was also really pleased to win in windy conditions by being the only player to shoot under par.”

Coached by Simon Robinson, Callum has reduced his handicap to five this season and is a member of Rockliffe Hall’s Steve McClaren Golf Academy.

Nick McCarthy

McCarthy wins 2020protour title

N Michael Brown

Major moment Morpeth Golf Club’s Michael Brown won the Northumberland Seniors Matchplay Championship.

Playing at Burgham Park Golf Club, Michael beat strokeplay champion and clubmate Sandy Twynholm in a close final.

08 NORTHERN GOLFER

ick McCarthy led an elite group of male and female professionals from across the UK as he captured the inaugural 2020protour order of merit title.

Moortown Golf Club-based Nick won four events this season - at Bradford Golf Club, Headingley Golf Club, Worsley Park and Howley Hall - and finished in the top five a further 10 times. In 21 events he amassed 1,646.58 order of merit points, finishing 34.5 points clear of Nick Poppleton.

Nick said: “It’s a great feeling to win, particularly when there was a chance we weren’t going to play any professional golf this season. Chris Hanson and Adam Walker have done a great job setting up the tour, attracting so many top players, and

getting all the events played. I’m looking forward to seeing the tour go from strength to strength in 2021. It’s been a really competitive circuit and I played a lot of very good golf to get four wins and finish in the top five as often as I have.

“I’ve got some work planned through the winter to prepare for the new season, when hopefully I can take up some of the starts I’ve got through my ranking on the Challenge Tour and fill my schedule with plenty of events.”

Wath-based Poppleton finished second in the order of merit and posted a total of 99 birdies throughout the season, finishing just one short of claiming a £20,000 bonus for making 100 birdies.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield’s Nick Marsh finished in third place in the

season-long points race and Penrith’s Adam Chapman took fourth spot.

Rockliffe Hall’s Andrew Wilson finished in seventh place, Blackwell Grange’s Aaron Cox finished in 16th place and Hexham’s Tom Rowland finished in 20th place.

The tour was launched by European Tour professionals Chris Hanson and Adam Walker, and gives women an equal footing with men in its tournaments - playing for the same prize money and under the same rules and terms of competition with the only difference being the placement of the tees.

The tour broke new ground when Ellie Givens picked up her first win as a professional at her home club, Rockliffe Hall, sharing the top prize with fellow Rockliffe-based professional Andrew Wilson.

TEEINGOFF

Castle Eden team in paradise

T

he Durham County Golf Union’s Clark Cup produced another exciting final as Castle Eden Golf Club won the event for the first time with victory over Rockliffe Hall at Boldon Golf Club.

The five-man team knockout title, which was launched in 1953, is one of Durham’s most prestigious events.

In this year’s semi-finals, Rockliffe beat defending champions Heworth - who were chasing a hat-trick of victories - as Castle Eden got the better of Blackwell Grange.

Castle Eden had come close before in the Clark Cup, losing the final to South Shields at Boldon in 1981 before finishing runners-up again in 1984 and 2006. This year Sean Huntington got the team off to a great start with a 7&5 win over Ian Newall. Stuart Brown then beat James Lagan 5&4 before Rockliffe got a point back with James Rogers beating Thomas Harbord 3&2.

The deciding moment came in

The Castle Eden team the match between Castle Eden’s Darren Rayner and Rockliffe’s David Kelly. All square at the turn, the pair traded holes on the back nine before reaching the 18th tee tied once

again. Both players then found the green in two before Darren produced the putt of the match, holing out for birdie from 10ft to pick up the decisive point.

In the final match on the course, Castle Eden’s Nathan Graham and Scott Pocklington agreed to half their game to give Castle Eden a 3.5-1.5 victory.

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NORTHERN GOLFER 09

TEEINGOFF

l-r Max Alexander, Perry Alexander, Jason Budd and Mike Greener

Juniors back on course

The first Northern Junior Golf Tour Junior Open proved a great success at Dinsdale Golf Club.

The event, which raised money for the RNIB, saw 140 juniors take part in 18-hole and nine-hole events with players representing clubs from across the north.

The event raised £700 for the RNIB and saw Ben Cordwell-Smith win the boys’ gross title as Jack Crampton won the nett event. In the girls’ event, Morgan Bailey won the gross title as Amy Burton won the nett prize. In the nine-hole competitions, Lucas Skilbeck and Harry Sheen won the boys’ gross and nett titles respectively as Katie Westmoreland and Millie Burdon won the girls’ gross and nett titles.

Details for the 2021 Junior Golf Tour will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tom Skelton

Tom’s Beamish treble

B

eamish Park’s Tom Skelton had a week to remember to finish the 2020 season, winning his home club’s men’s championship, scratch matchplay and handicap matchplay.

Tom, who plays off a handicap of one, won his first club championship with rounds of 74 and 73 in tough conditions before beating Adam Mottershead in the Presidents Cup scratch matchplay event and overcoming Gabriel Somerville-Smith in the Westwood Trophy handicap matchplay final.

Tom, who is the first player to achieve the hat-trick of titles in the same year, said: “The highlight has to be winning the club championship on one of the toughest weekends of the year weather-wise. I’ve been trying to win the club championship at Beamish for about eight years so to finally get my name on the trophy is fantastic.

“To do it in those conditions - the strong wind on Saturday followed by the rain on the Sunday - was a great feeling.”

Tom followed up his club

championship victory with success in the Presidents Cup, beating Adam Mottershead in a three-hole playoff having tied the first 18 holes of the final. In the Westwood Trophy, just five days after the second round of the club championship, Tom completed the treble with victory over Gabriel Somerville-Smith.

Tom added: “One of the silver linings of 2020 has been the chance to practise more and put in some hard work. That work has really paid off and I’m delighted with the success I’ve had this season.”

Storm launches new Richmond academy Graeme Storm has officially launched Richmond Golf Club’s new junior academy with an open evening and masterclass.

Youngsters watched Graeme in action before getting the chance to show off their own skills.

Graeme said: “This year has been a difficult time for everyone, but I’m happy to see golf is thriving and is one of the few sports that is still very accessible.

10 NORTHERN GOLFER

“It’s great to have the opportunity to bring junior golf to the forefront at Richmond. Saturdays at the club are already buzzing with children and The Golf Foundation’s Golf Passport programme is a proven way to begin a child’s golfing journey through structured learning. I very much hope that more children will visit Richmond and find out about the membership programmes and coaching we have to offer.”

The launch event was also an opportunity to share information about the club’s new Graeme Storm Golf Academy Junior Membership scheme. Junior membership at Richmond is £80 for 12-17-yearolds and includes free coaching on Saturday mornings. The junior coaching sessions are also open to non-members at £6 per hour.

For more information, see the club’s website.

TEEINGOFF

Pro switch at Headlam

P

GA professional Julie Welch has retired after 15 years supporting the game in the North East.

Julie, who held positions at Ramside Hall, Blackwell Grange, Sharpley, Oakleaf and most recently Headlam Hall, is aiming to regain her amateur status and play more golf having worked with players of all ages and abilities since joining the PGA. “I’ve worked hard and really enjoyed my time as a professional since switching careers at the age of 40. It has been a lot of fun introducing golfers, particularly a lot of ladies, to golf.

“There have been so many highlights over the years. I’ve seen some of the Durham girls I coached when I was running their academy go on to college in America and I’ve helped a club golfer get back down to scratch 30 years after he first achieved it as a 25-year-old. I’ve also loved working with disabled

The Beamish team

Beamish juniors win first knockout title

Julie Welch and Darren Pearce and autistic children, which was so rewarding. I intend to play some more golf now. I’ll be playing a little bit of golf with the North East & County Durham Women’s Golf too, which is a fantastic organisation that I want to keep supporting.”

Meanwhile, Darren Pearce has joined Headlam Hall following 26

years at Barnard Castle. He said: “I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in at Headlam Hall, which is a great facility with a fun and challenging nine-hole course, and an excellent driving range. I’ll be concentrating on my coaching here and continuing to play in lots of events around the UK next season.”

Beamish Park Golf Club’s juniors have been crowned Durham Junior Team champions.

The title, secured with a 3.5-1.5 victory over Darlington Golf Club in the event’s final at Boldon Golf Club, was Beamish’s first in the competition.

This season saw 18 junior teams competing for the title in the event, which mirrors the format of the men’s Clark Cup in Durham.

NORTHERN GOLFER 11

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12 NORTHERN GOLFER

David Clark

Craig Goodfellow

No match for Nesbit

W

esterhope Golf Club’s Michael Nesbit produced a fine run of form on the North East & North West PGA circuit, while Morpeth Golf Club’s David Clark secured top spot in the order of merit.

Michael won the NENW PGA Tour Championship at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club with a round of 67 as Mark Ridley and Phil Waugh finished a shot further back in a tie for second place. David picked up a tied-fifth finish in the event to end the seven-event order of merit series with 849 points - nearly 200 points clear at the top after winning the PGA Championship at Tyneside and the Pro Series event at Bishop Auckland.

Meanwhile, on the pro am circuit, Michael led the field at Brampton with a one under-par round of 71 as six players tied for second place.

He went on to share top spot at Bellingham Golf Club with Craig Goodfellow as both players shot five under-par rounds of 65.

In the association pro am at Rockliffe Hall, Ken Ferrie led the way with 42 points as Callum Tarren returned from the US to finish in second place alongside Rockliffe’s Simon Robinson. Ken also picked up the top prize in the Northumberland Golf Club Pro Am with a round of 68 while at Crook, Darren Pearce marked his first pro am since moving to Headlam Hall with a victory - sharing the top spot with Andrew Scrimshaw on level par.

TEEINGOFF

Wilson ready for Grand Final

A

ndrew Wilson is preparing for the final run of Challenge Tour events in 2020, which culminates with the Challenge Tour Grand Final in November.

Andrew, who is based at Rockliffe Hall, will head out to Spain for the final three events of the season aiming to improve his Challenge Tour ranking for 2021. At present, his category - which will stay the same in 2021 should he fail to improve it in the Grand Final with a top five finish - means he has limited access to Challenge Tour events and is not expected to be in the field for next year’s biggest events, which carry the most ranking points.

Andrew, who is in seventh place on the Challenge Tour order of merit with three events to go, said: “I’ve been in some really good form this season, particularly in September when I picked up back-to-back third place finishes on the Challenge Tour.

“I’m looking forward to heading

Andrew Wilson

Will Coxon (left) receiving the Leonard Crawley Medal

Up to scratch

to Spain for the last three events. It will be a good chance to improve my category for next season and get some more guaranteed starts on the Challenge Tour. It’s really important to get those secured starts so I can push on and make it onto the European Tour with a top finish in the order of merit in 2021.”

So far in 2020, Andrew has been in fine form at home and abroad. He

finished in tied-third place in backto-back events on the Challenge Tour in September - shooting 10 under-par in the Northern Ireland Open and 15 under-par at the Open de Portugal. He has also picked up several wins in local PGA and mini tour events in 2020, including shooting rounds of 59 at Bamburgh Castle and 60 at Carus Green on consecutive days.

Will Coxon won the Leonard Crawley Medal at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club on a day of excellent scoring.

Will, who plays out of Carus Green in Cumbria, shot rounds of 68 and 66 to win by two shots from James Glenn.

Will, who was fifth in this year’s Carris Trophy, was also runner-up to Andrew Minnikin in the Whitelaw Trophy at Penrith Golf Club. Andrew, from City of Newcastle Golf Club, led the field with rounds of 69 and 64 at Penrith.

Castle Eden Golf Club 18 Hole picturesque parkland course

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TEEINGOFF

Jones helps GB&I win back the Phoenix Cup

W

Michael Henson

Birdie blitz for Henson Two rounds featuring 14 birdies propelled Bishop Auckland’s Michael Henson to victory in the Dinsdale Tankard.

The Durham county player posted an opening round of 72 with six birdies before posting another eight birdies in a four under-par 68 to tie with Boldon Golf Club’s Gavin Nesbit and take the title with the better second round score.

hitley Bay Golf Club’s Jonathan Jones represented Great Britain & Ireland in back-to-back Phoenix Cup matches in Scotland.

The event traditionally pits the US against Europe in the same format as the Ryder and Solheim cup matches, but the US team failed to make it to Scotland for this year’s event due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the 25th and 26th Phoenix Cups saw GB&I take on the rest of Europe in two separate matches over five of Scotland’s best courses. Europe won the first contest while GB&I won the second.

Four-handicapper Jonathan was part of the GB&I team for the matches over the Gleneagles PGA Centenary course, Panmure, Blairgowrie, Carnoustie and Trump International.

l-r Jonathan Jones, GB&I co-captain Jim Gales MBE and Wendy Chamberlain MP Adam Storrie of Fauldhouse and Jim Gales of Springfield cocaptained the GB&I team and said: “This year’s events provided a great opportunity for our members and friends to play some fantastic courses. We are chuffed and this will be something to treasure for the rest of our golfing days. More than 30 of our disabled members got to play

during the week-long competition and it is undoubtedly a great boost for our profile. We can’t thank the host venues enough for their generosity and hospitality.”

Plans are already in place for matches through to 2024, when the Phoenix Cup will be played over the Old and Jubilee courses at St Andrews.

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TEEINGOFF

Fiddes returns home

P

GA professional Paul Fiddes has returned to the North East and joined Longhirst Hall as head academy coach.

Paul started his career as a PGA professional at Matfen Hall, working under John Harrison before heading to Australia and working in London.

He returns to Northumberland, where he represented the county as an amateur and won the County Championship in 2005. He also represented England at junior level and turned professional in 2005, spending a total of 13 years at Matfen Hall with professionals including John, JJ Vallely and Andy Paisley before leaving for Australia and later London - where he worked for indoor golf company Pitch.

Paul said: “I’m really happy to be back home and I’m looking forward to taking the academy at Longhirst Hall forward. It’s a great facility with the floodlit driving range, short game area and two courses. The

Tim Dykes

Back in the winners’ circle

Paul Fiddes junior section is strong too, so I’ll definitely be doing a lot of work with them in the future.

“I want to help build the reputation of Longhirst as a place

for quality coaching as well as all the other fantastic elements of the business which are already in place.

I’m excited to be back home and raring to get going.”

Tim Dykes kept his cool to turn the tables on defending champion Mark Pilkington in the Asbri Welsh National PGA Championship at Cardiff Golf Club.

Tim, who is attached to Penrith Golf Club, finished tied-third behind Pilkington at Conwy in 2019. This year, Tim posted a two under-par total to claim the £1,500 winner’s cheque ahead of Mark.

At Seaton Carew Golf Club we’re raising our game!

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www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 15

TEEINGOFF

Blyth Golf Club’s new fourth green

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Grand designs

I

nvestment in a new course layout and upgrading equipment has proved popular with members and visitors at Blyth Golf Club in 2020.

Following the sale of a portion of the club’s land to homebuilder Bellway, £250,000 was invested in creating a new fourth hole to return the layout to 18 holes after losing the old 10th hole near the car park.

The new par four fourth is a risk and reward hole played from a treelined tee box. Two fairway bunkers will catch any mishit drives while the new green, with its undulations and surrounding pine trees, fits in well with the existing course.

A new tee has created the new fifth hole, a par three, which is played to the original fourth green.

The new fourth hole was designed

by Andrew Mair and Ken Ferrie of Golf Design International and constructed by Midland Contractors with ongoing maintenance carried out Blyth’s greenkeeping team.

The club has also invested significantly in on-course equipment, including a greens iron

and new mowers, and feedback from members and guests during 2020 has been overwhelmingly positive.

Future plans at the club include a new greenkeeping unit and a clubhouse refurbishment.

Blyth’s business manager Steve Moffett said: “Following the sale of some land, the golf club made the decision to invest heavily in the golf course and we’re delighted with the progress of the main focus of that investment, our new fourth hole.

The feedback since the hole opened has been very positive, as has the feedback on the conditioning of the whole course this summer. Credit goes to Andrew Mair and Ken Ferrie, and Midland Contractors for their fantastic work designing and building the new hole, and most importantly to our course manager Tom Pattison and his team for their work this season.

“We are now progressing into the medium and long-term plans for the golf course, which will see continued investment on the course and we look forward to seeing it take further steps forward.”

Bishop Auckland Golf Club retained the TSU League First Division crown for the first time in the club’s history with an unblemished record. Playing six games at neutral venues in a shortened season, Bishop’s 100% record gave them 103 points as Castle Eden Golf Club finished in second place with 84 points. Rockliffe Hall won the division two title while Hunley Hall won the third division trophy.

16 NORTHERN GOLFER

golfer Keep your ball rolling into 2021 N OR T HE R N

Golf in the region is booming. Membership numbers are up with many clubs reaching record levels, green fees are as strong as they have been in years, and the golf industry must now prepare to build on that momentum in 2021.

We’re building on that momentum at Northern Golfer by welcoming Gillian Corney back to the team to help support clubs in the north of the region in the coming months. Now is the time for you to capitalise on that momentum too and the Northern Golfer team is here to help.

As well as publishing Northern Golfer and promoting clubs through advertising and editorial, we are here to support clubs in any way we can. We can support digital projects including social media content and training as well as developing industry-leading websites and email marketing campaigns – all utilising the years of experience in our team of golf and marketing experts.

To keep your ball rolling into 2021, contact the Northern Golfer team today

DEAN BAILEY Editorial enquiries, marketing and social media editor@northerngolfer.co.uk 01661 844 115 DOUG BROLLS Club support and advertising – Durham, Teesside and Yorkshire doug@offstonepublsihing.co.uk 07721 031 482 GILLIAN CORNEY Club support and advertising – Northumberland and Borders gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk 07903 500 401 DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT...

Northern Golfer has been an essential part of our marketing mix for eight years and is a proven way of reaching golfers in the region. The team is always incredibly supportive and open to helping our business in any way they can, and we can’t thank them enough for sharing their time, knowledge and expertise over the years.

SHAUN COWELL, CUSTOM FIT GOLF Northern Golfer has always had a strong relationship with Close House and has helped us to develop the facility. JONATHAN LUPTON, CLOSE HOUSE Northern Golfer is a key part of my marketing strategy, offering wide regional coverage and excellent value for money. ANDREW LEACH, ZFL In these days of point, click, put it on social media, forget it in 24 hours it’s great to sit down and relax with Northern Golfer. The content is always current and relevant, and the team are always flexible and very helpful. THE CHESTER-LE-STREET GC TEAM

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TOURLIFE

Chris Paisley

Rising to the challenge Chris Paisley ponders a question from the golfing gods

S

ince I last wrote my Tour Life column, I’ve had a frustrating month with three missed cuts.

The first came in Portugal, an event I have had a lot of success at in the past. I had battled back from a poor first round and was on the cut mark playing the tough 18th, but a pull left into the water followed by a visit to the hazard by the green added up to a triple bogey and a weekend off.

I also missed the cut at both the Scottish Open and BMW PGA. I am not one to make excuses, but I was certainly on the wrong side of the draw both weeks.

My side of the draw was a full four shots harder in Scotland and a couple of shots at Wentworth. This combined with a very average performance meant another couple of free weekends. The weekends off don’t get any easier to accept.

The BMW PGA was a particularly sore one because I have missed the cut there every single year. I was convinced I was going to get that monkey off my back, but I just didn’t play well enough. One day I will have my vengeance!

As I write, I’m in St Andrews for the Scottish Championship at Fairmont.

Despite my poor run of results, I feel positive about my game. Nothing has stood out as being particularly poor, but it certainly hasn’t been at a high enough level to shoot low scores.

It has generally been a battle to get any momentum going lately. There are a lot of quality players out here and a small drop in performance usually means you are battling to make the cut. I seem to have been doing a lot of that lately, which is frustrating, but these periods are so important. My brother Andy said

something to me about how I’m doing that struck a chord. Responding to one of my rants about my game, he said, “It’s just the golfing gods’ way of asking you, how badly do you want it?”

It’s so true. Every golfer is constantly being tested in one way or another. The tests start out small, but as you move up the ladder the challenges get harder and harder. Our job is to see the challenges for what they are and rise to them. If you do, then you have proven that you are worthy of the next one. The challenges I face as a golfer pale in comparison to what some people are going through, but they are my challenges and I know I am lucky to have them.

I hope you are all doing well in the face of what could be a long winter. I’ll do my best to bring a little bit of golfing happiness to North East in the weeks ahead.

NORTHERN GOLFER 19

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ONCOURSE

Simon Olver

A season of two halves Simon Olver reflects on a challenging 2020 season and looks ahead to 2021

T

he ongoing high demand for golf has delivered a muchneeded financial boost to the golf industry. Membership numbers have grown and bookings from visiting golfers remain high at clubs across the country, bringing in funds which could secure the future of many clubs. If membership renewals are strong in 2021, clubs should be in a very strong position heading into the season - though we must remain grounded and plan based on the situation we find ourselves in right now.

The initial lockdown saw club members lose part of their golfing year. Since the restart of golf in May, it has been important for clubs to try and give them back as much as possible. At Whitley Bay, our approach to maintenance work has been amended and reduced to allow members to enjoy summer playing

conditions well into October. Future maintenance may need to be increased in certain areas during 2021 to compensate, but it was important to provide as many high-quality playing opportunities as possible in 2020.

Ongoing restrictions regarding course furniture, bins and rakes have allowed greenkeepers’ work patterns to be adjusted and focus on core areas on the golf course. Although it has sometimes been hard to accept that routine standards have not been achievable, particularly in the bunkers, new rules from England Golf have ensured competitive golf has taken place and the vast majority of golfers have embraced the situation we find ourselves in.

As we move towards the colder months, teams will begin to switch focus towards winter tasks. Finances may still

be limited as clubs move cautiously and staff begin to recover from a stressful summer season, which may result in minimal project work in favour of maintaining what is currently in place.

I can say from my own experience, and from conversations with friends in the industry, it has been a tough season for greenkeepers. We’ve gone from having the season taken away from us, to maintaining empty golf courses, to working around an incredibly busy schedule of golf. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to recuperating ready for what is sure to be another busy, and incredibly rewarding, season in 2021.

Let’s hope by the time we’re watching the 2021 Masters that Covid-19 is behind us. Until then, continue to enjoy getting out for a game and remember to remain safe.

NORTHERN GOLFER 21

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19THHOLE

Dean Bailey

Dress to impress

T

Are we seriously still talking about dress codes in golf ?

his month I want to set my stall out early, so…

Dress codes are a ridiculous barrier to golf which should be eradicated immediately.

Golf was divided on the subject of appropriate dress again following Tyrrell Hatton’s four-shot victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Tyrrell wore a garment so offensive it inspired a club in our region to immediately contact members and post on its website to say hoodies are not an acceptable form of attire at their club. If you were watching Tyrrell on Sunday and that was your reaction, I truly believe you’ve missed something.

Tyrrell wearing a hoodie while winning the European Tour’s flagship event showcased how stylish golf attire can be in 2020 and showed that golf isn’t just for older people.

While some cling to their sun-bleached windcheater or moth-eaten cords, brands like Tyrrell’s sponsor Adidas are moving the sport forward and reflecting the desire for younger golfers to wear clothing closer to what they wear off the golf course. Wearing a hoodie or shorts with one too many pockets might cause offence to some on the golf course, but I’m far more concerned about the etiquette of

the person and their respect for the golf course than I am about what they’re wearing.

Brands have blurred the lines of golf attire for a long time now. Spikeless shoes look just like trainers because that’s what people want to wear. Hoodies are available from the golf branches of brands like Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Adidas, Nike and many others because they reflect the desires of the people those brands target. If a golf club doesn’t allow a person to wear those items of clothing, does that club reflect the desires of that golfer?

Unless it is so ridiculous as to be detrimental to the course, such as wearing football boots [a story for another day], then why shouldn’t you be allowed to wear a hoodie on the golf course if you want to? I saw someone on the course in early October in shorts when the rest of us were in waterproofs and woolly hats. I would argue that was far more inappropriate than someone having a hood on the back of their jacket.

It’s time golf got over itself and moved into the 21st Century. Give me a hoodie over a sun-bleached windcheater and moth-eaten cords any day.

©European Tour Getty Images NORTHERN GOLFER 23

24 NORTHERN GOLFER

MATCHPLAYPAIRS2020

Game, set and match Brancepeth Castle’s Ashley Coveney and Andrew Howard crowned Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs champions at Northumberland Golf Club

A

fter six rounds of matches in a fast-paced 2020 schedule, Ashley Coveney and Andrew Howard from Brancepeth Castle Golf Club added their names to the region’s golfing history books with victory in the Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs tournament.

Ashley and Andrew, who were one of 57 pairs in this year’s event, overcame Woodham-based duo Brian Robinson and Tim Carney in the final at Northumberland Golf Club with a 4&3 victory.

After holing the winning putt on the 15th hole, 21-handicapper Andrew said: “It’s a great feeling to be champions after playing in the event for four years and never reaching the later stages.

“I played some of my best golf of the year in the final, which managed to keep our momentum going all day.

“We’ve dovetailed really well this year, Ashley pulling us through games early on and me playing well in the final. That sort of teamwork was always going to give us a good chance of winning games and has proved really important all the way through the event.

“We signed up to play a bit of competitive golf away from our home club and we’ve had a lot of fun. To win the final at such a fantastic course is a really good feeling and it will be good to see the trophy at Brancepeth with our names on it.”

Ashley, who plays off a handicap of 11, added: “This is our fourth year in the event and we’ve always enjoyed it. This year is of course even more enjoyable as we’ve come through to the final and won the whole thing.

“The final was a lot of fun and the course was excellent - a tough challenge but good fun at the same time.

“We have played really well as a team this year, both of us putting in a big performance when it was needed.

“Apart from the final, the quarter final against Alan Clark and Robert Richardson from Beamish Park was a real highlight. All square standing on the 18th tee, we were both a bit nervous and under pressure but we made solid pars to see the game out. Winning that hole was really important and stands out as a key moment.

“We’ve met some great lads and had some brilliant games in each of the last four years, and we’ll be back to defend the title in 2021.”

Playing in the event for the first time, Brian and Tim reached the final with some superb golf, including a semi-final win over Durham City’s Steven Akers and Anthony Coates. Brian said: “It will always be disappointing to miss out in the final match, but the event has been terrific. All our opponents have been good company and we’ll be back to try and go one step further next year.

Tim added: “We didn’t play our best

NORTHERN GOLFER 25

MATCHPLAYPAIRS2020

golf in the final, which is a bit disappointing, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the whole event. I’ll definitely be doing it again in 2021.”

In the final, Andrew and Ashley won the first hole with Andrew’s par four and never looked back.

Andrew won the third hole with another par to take the Brancepeth team 2up before Tim hit one of the shots of the day at the par three fifth hole, leading to the hole being conceded and the Woodham pair halving the deficit.

The sixth and seventh holes were halved before what proved to be the pivotal period of the match. At the short par four eighth, Andrew two-putted from the front edge of the green to make par and win the hole before Ashley won the ninth hole with a par five. Andrew then hit another superb tee shot at the par three 10th as Brian and Tim failed to make par and the Brancepeth pair went 4up with eight holes to play.

Ashley and Andrew extended their lead to five with Andrew’s nett birdie on the tough par four 12th before Brian staged a late rally, making a nett par on the long par four 13th before hitting his best shot of the day at the 14th to set up a par and win the hole.

However, 3dn with four holes to play proved too much to overcome as Andrew made a nett par five to close out the match 4&3 at the 15th.

26 NORTHERN GOLFER

l-r Andrew Howard, Ashley Coveney, Tim Weightman, Tim Carney and Brian Robinson

Northumberland Golf Club captain Tim Weightman was on-hand to congratulate the players following the match. He said: “Congratulations to all the players who have been part of this year’s event, and to Ashley and Andrew on winning the final.

We’re incredibly proud to host the event and have worked hard to accommodate as much golf as we can in what has proved a complicated and very busy year. It’s always great to showcase our course and hearing how much the players have enjoyed playing here is fantastic.”

A huge thank you to all the players who

have been part of this year’s tournament, which saw six rounds of matches completed within just four months.

Northern Golfer’s thanks also go to all the clubs which have given courtesy to visiting players for their matches throughout the season. A special thank you also go to the management, greenstaff and members of Northumberland Golf Club for hosting this year’s finals and presenting the course in superb condition.

Match Play Pairs will return in 2021 and further details will be published in our next edition.

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB

30

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WORLDHANDICAPSYSTEM

The new World Handicap System Handicaps in the UK are changing on November 2 with the implementation of the World Handicap System, but what does that mean for you?

T

he World Handicap System will come into force in the UK on November 2, bringing players’ handicaps in line with the rest of the world in a new global network. The change is a big one for club golfers used to having a handicap which

has tracked a lifetime of playing golf. There is a lot of change happening in one go, so we’ve brought together the main points along with key information from England Golf over these four pages. You will receive further information from your home club and more detail is available at www.englandgolf.org/whs

The World Handicap System has been developed by The R&A and USGA, supported by the world’s handicapping authorities including CONGU in Great Britain & Ireland, to encourage more people to take up the game, to make golf easier to understand, and to give all golfers a handicap which can be used worldwide.

The good news is club golfers won’t need to do anything to facilitate the switch to the World Handicap System - the change will be seamless with information being distributed by clubs regarding players new Handicap Indexes.

The biggest change under WHS is the way handicaps are calculated.

For regular golfers, the system will use the average of the eight best scores from their last 20 rounds. New golfers will have to submit scorecards totalling 54 holes (in any combination of 9 and 18 hole rounds). For those between those two options, an adjusted average is calculated based on the number of rounds in your record. From there, all players will be provided an initial Handicap Index.

That Handicap Index will take into account the adjusted Gross Score (Score Differential); the Course Rating (which replaces Standard Scratch); any Playing

28 NORTHERN GOLFER

Conditions Calculation (which replaces Competition Scratch Score) adjustments; and the Slope Rating of the tees played.

New Course Ratings and Slope Ratings have been produced by skilled teams of assessors around the world to create a standardised ranking of the difficulty of golf courses. Each course has a Course Rating and a Slope Rating which takes into account the length of the course and the obstacles a player will encounter. The Course Rating indicates the number of strokes the scratch golfer is expected to take from a set of tees under normal playing conditions while the Slope Rating indicates the difficulty of a golf course for the bogey golfer relative to the scratch golfer.

As well as moving to an averagebased system, the WHS replaces the system of adjusting scores based on Standard Scratch in favour of calculating a player’s Course Handicap before play.

This calculation will be made easy by conversion tables available at every club and a new app - though you can also work it out using this formula: Handicap Index X (slope rating ÷ 113) = Course Handicap. While a Handicap Index is calculated to one decimal place, a Course Handicap is always a whole

number. It’s a simple three-step process your Handicap Index is converted into a Course Handicap and then you play.

As well as being used for competitions, the World Handicap System will allow general play scores to be recorded on a player’s record, in line with current rules regarding acceptable formats and the requirement to register the intention to submit a score before starting your round.

The system is protected from manipulation or large swings based on a period of poor play by the Soft and Hard Caps. These are based on a player’s lowest Handicap Index in a one-year period. If a player’s handicap goes three shots above the low index, further rises are reduced by 50% (known as a Soft Cap). If a player’s handicap moves 5.0 strokes above the low index in a 12-month period, it cannot rise any further (known as a Hard Cap).

Those are the key changes to the handicap system you’ll see from November 2. We’ve also brought together some of the frequently asked questions from England Golf on the following pages to provide more detail, and all the WHS information can be found online at www.englandgolf.org/whs

WORLDHANDICAPSYSTEM

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

WORLDHANDICAPSYSTEM

WHS frequently asked questions England Golf has put together a full set of frequently asked questions on the World Handicap System and we’ve picked out some of the most common ones for you. You can find a full set of questions and answers on the England Golf website Why are things changing?

There is one standard set of rules in golf so it makes sense to unify the six different handicapping systems in operation. This will make the game more inclusive and equitable across the world.

What is a Course Rating?

Course Rating is an evaluation of the difficulty of a golf course for scratch golfers. More specifically, the number is an estimate of the average scores of the best 50% of rounds played by scratch golfers at the course.

What is a Slope Rating?

The Slope Rating indicates the difficulty of a golf course for the bogey golfer relative to the scratch player. The Course Rating indicates the number of strokes the scratch golfer is expected to take from a set of tees under normal playing conditions. The course is also rated for a bogey golfer and the relationship between the two ratings which indicates the Slope Rating.

What is a bogey golfer?

This is a term used when carrying out a Course Rating. It represents the ability of a golfer (20 handicap for men, 24 for women) on a course of average difficulty.

What do I need to do when I arrive to play golf ?

Register or sign in as normal. Utilise the resources available to determine your Course Handicap for the set of tees being used. Check the Handicap Allowance according to the Terms of Competition or format of play (eg full handicap or a percentage of handicap) and calculate your Playing Handicap for that event. Once play is complete, return your score for processing.

What is the maximum Handicap Index?

54.0

30 NORTHERN GOLFER

What will my exact handicap be?

A player’s Handicap Index is calculated to one decimal place. When a Course Handicap is calculated, it is rounded to the nearest whole number.

How will WHS prevent handicap manipulation?

Event organisers still have responsibilities to manage and administer events which are fair to all competitors. Under WHS, if a player fails to submit a score the Handicap Committee will investigate and take appropriate action.

The committee has the option to apply penalty scores, reset a Handicap Index, consider disciplinary procedures, or withdraw a Handicap Index for an agreed period ( following relevant processes and procedures).

I suspect I will not have 20 scores recorded over the last two years. Can I still have a Handicap Index?

Yes. Those players who do not have the full 20 scores at transition will have a Handicap Index allocated by the same process as an initial handicap would be allocated and developed.

Moving forward, you will be able to submit both social and competitive scores to build up a fully developed handicap record.

How long are my last 20 scores valid?

Scores will not expire.

Do I have to be a member of a golf club to have a WHS handicap?

Yes. A recognised Handicap Index is a benefit of being an affiliated member.

Can I use my Handicap Index abroad?

Yes. You will be able to convert your Handicap Index to a Course Handicap for the tees you play from overseas. If pre-registered, these scores can be returned to your Home Club for handicap purposes too.

WORLDHANDICAPSYSTEM

Who do I contact if I have a handicap query?

The first point of contact will be your Home Club. They should be able to assist as they have been educated and provided with various WHS resources. They will have access to the county handicap adviser for further advice if needed.

How do I obtain a Handicap Index?

Score cards totalling 54 holes need to be returned to the handicap committee (in any combination of nine and 18 hole rounds). An initial Handicap Index will then be awarded.

As a plus handicap golfer, how do I calculate my Course Handicap?

Your Handicap Index will have a minus value and the same calculations will be applied using the tables or other resources.

Do I have to record all scores?

Players should submit all singles competition scores and have the ability to pre-register and submit scores from social games played in accordance with the Rules of Golf. Accuracy of a player’s Handicap Index will be improved the greater the number of scorecards submitted.

How can my golf society access and use the WHS calculations?

In short, it can’t. WHS Handicap Indexes will only be available to affiliated golf club members.

Will buffer zones still exist?

No - buffer zones are not be part of the World Handicap System.

Can players still N/R and gain a 0.1 increase?

There are no 0.1 increases under WHS. A hole that is started but not completed will be recorded as a nett double bogey. Any holes not played will be allocated as a nett par. The adjusted score is added to the player’s record.

What happens if I do not complete my round?

If you are playing a nine-hole round, all nine holes must be played for the score to be included in your record. If playing an 18-hole round, you must complete at least 10 holes for the score to be returned. Any holes not played will be allocated a nett par or nett par plus one before the score is processed.

What formats of play are defined as acceptable for handicap purposes?

Competition or social scores from medal, stableford, par/bogey and max score as a single golfer. Team and pairs formats are currently not acceptable.

NORTHERN GOLFER 31

ROUNDWITH A ROUND WITH...

Mike Greener

We play 18 holes with the England Golf handicapping & course rating co‑ordinator and Durham County Golf Union captain

M

ike Greener is a man of many hats. England Golf ’s handicapping & course rating co‑ordinator, Mike is part of the team delivering the move to the World Handicap System, which will officially take place on November 2. As well as his England Golf role, Mike is captain of the Durham County Golf Union and part of the county executive. When he isn’t working on golf, you’ll probably find him at Rockliffe Hall where he holds a handicap of three. Here’s more from our round with Mike…

5 What’s your best score ever?

I’ve shot 66 at Rockliffe. It was the only time I’ve felt anything like a professional golfer.

1 How much golf do you get to play?

Not as much as I would like! I play every weekend as long as there isn’t snow on the ground and try to play or practise a couple of times through the week.

7 What about embarrassing moments on the course?

I think I’ve been very lucky as I can’t remember anything too embarrassing.

I’ve missed plenty of short putts while trying to knock them in with the back of the putter, but I think everyone has done that.

2 How did you get into golf?

My father, uncle and grandfather got me into playing golf when I was 11. I started out at a nine-hole course in Billingham called Greenwood Road, which isn’t there anymore, then joined Billingham Golf Club and was there for a long time.

I’ve moved around a little bit since then but I’m now settled at Rockliffe Hall.

3 Which is your favourite course in the North East?

We’re fortunate to have so many great courses in the North East, so it’s hard to choose just one. My favourite right now is Rockliffe Hall - it’s my home club and I really enjoy the challenges the course presents.

4 And further afield?

There are lots of those too! I love to play Goswick in Northumberland and Carnoustie is a real favourite for links golf. I also really enjoy visiting Ganton in Yorkshire as well. I’m also very lucky to be able to play a fair bit of golf at Woodhall Spa whenever I’m down at England Golf HQ, which is always a fantastic experience.

32 NORTHERN GOLFER

6 Which is your favourite golfing memory?

In 2018 I was invited to the R&A clubhouse overlooking the Old Course at St Andrews. It was amazing to see the original Claret Jug and take in all the history of the R&A. If you ever get the chance to go inside, definitely take it up.

personally and professionally, who I always enjoy playing with.

13 If you weren’t working for England Golf, what would you be doing?

I’d probably be doing something with fast cars, possibly working for a rally team. That said, I’ve had a varied and interesting career and I now get to be part of the game I love so I wouldn’t change it.

14 Who is your favourite tour player?

Nobody has been able to match the golf shots Tiger Woods has hit and he’s still my favourite player to watch. I also have a lot of respect for those starting out on their professional careers, and the sacrifices they make to try and make it up the golf ladder.

8 Do you have any superstitions?

If I find a golf ball, I never use it in a competition round. If a ball has been lost, it’s meant to be lost so I only ever practise with balls I find.

15 Which event do you enjoy attending the most?

It has to be The Open. I always enjoy attending the event, the atmosphere is brilliant, and I really enjoy seeing the best players in the world in action.

9 What are your strengths on the course?

I can get the golf ball around the course most of the time. I do have good rounds and bad rounds, but generally I can figure out a way around the course.

16 Who do you admire?

The volunteers in golf are amazing.

Without them, club golf and golf events wouldn’t exist. People who give up their time to support the game do brilliant work at every level.

10 And your weaknesses?

I don’t hit it far enough. I’m pretty straight, but I’m definitely not long.

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

I’d pick Seve Ballesteros because his flamboyant style really inspired me as a young golfer. Then I’d go for Mo Norman and Ben Hogan for their reputations as the best ball strikers ever.

11 Which is your favourite club in the bag?

My Cleveland putter. It’s not too fancy, but I enjoy the challenge of putting and really like that club.

12 Who is your best golfing friend?

I couldn’t pick just one. I’ve got a great group of regular playing partners, both

18 If you could have one mulligan, when would you have used it?

I wouldn’t use it. I don’t have any regrets and always try to learn from what’s gone on in the past, on and off the golf course.

ROUNDWITH

NORTHERN GOLFER 33

ONTHERANGE

Home on the range Our region is home to some fantastic practice facilities to help keep your swing in shape, improve your game and learn from some of our best coaches. Looking to sharpen your game this winter? Try these…

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Having a plan and sticking to it can make your time on the range worthwhile and ultimately improve your scores when you get back out on the course.

There are two types of practice – technical, using drills and training aids – and real practice, using targets, your pre-shot routine and analysing each shot. A combination of these in each session is key to getting the most from your time.

PROPER PLANNING

Write down your plan for the session and stick to it, working on specific areas of the game or drills

PACE YOURSELF

Don’t just drag and hit – analyse what you’re doing.

If you find this tough, place your basket of balls against the back wall and walk to get each one

FOCUS ON THE BASICS

Pick a target and ensure your alignment is correct – this is the biggest cause of the classic ‘I can’t take my range game to the course’ idea

CHANGE IT UP

Random or variable practice is a great way to change things up and gets you out of hitting the same shot to the same target. Try switching clubs and targets every second or third shot to better replicate the rhythm of a round of golf.

34 NORTHERN GOLFER

ONTHERANGE

BLACKWELL GRANGE Blackwell Grange’s driving range is the ideal place to hone your swing over the winter months. The 13-bay covered driving range is part of the club’s extensive practice facilities, which also include a short game practice area. A new practice putting green outside the pro shop is due to open in 2021. You’ll also find an academy course and well-stocked pro shop here along with a state-of-the-art swing studio, which offers the chance to hit balls inside and out onto the range using Trackman technology with expert tuition from professionals Peter Raine and Aaron Cox. Blackwell Grange Golf Club, Snipe Lane, Darlington, DL2 2SA, tel 01325 464458, www.blackwellgrangegolf.com

Rain stopping play?

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

Keep dry in our �lexible indoor/outdoor swing studio with simulator, or covered driving range to keep your swing going over the winter months • Trackman® technology giving access to dozens of international Championship courses • Custom club �itting for PING, Callaway and Taylor Made • Golf lessons from £30 with Head Professional Peter Raine • Lesson/driving range packages and gift vouchers available • Covered �loodlit driving range • All operating to COVID-19 guidelines

Contact : Pro’s Shop 01325 464458 (option 2) Email : peter@peterrainegolf.co.uk www.blackwellgrangegolf.com NORTHERN GOLFER 35

ONTHERANGE

LONGHIRST HALL Open to members and the public, the driving range and academy at Longhirst Hall is one of the finest practice facilities in the North East. The floodlit range offers 14 bays with power tees along with a teaching studio, where you’ll find new head academy coach Paul Fiddes. The academy is also home to a 360-degree short game practice area with space to practice chipping, pitching and bunker play. Academy membership is available for £20 per year and includes discounts on purchases, a free round of golf and social membership of the club.

Longhirst Hall Golf Club, Morpeth, NE61 3LL, tel 01670 791562, www.longhirstgolf.co.uk

NORTHUMBERLANDS FINEST

LONGHIRST HALL GOLF COURSE 36 HOLES OF CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF & PUBLIC DRIVING RANGE JUST NORTH OF MORPETH 5 MINS FROM A1

DAWSON COURSE AND LAKES COURSE OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND PUBLIC DRIVING RANGE WITH POP UP POWER TEES AND QUALITY SRIXON BALLS LAST FEW MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW. TELEPHONE: 01670 791562 EMAIL: INFO@LONGHIRSTGOLF.CO.UK

WWW.LONGHIRSTGOLF.CO.UK 36 NORTHERN GOLFER

ONTHERANGE GEORGE WASHINGTON The Golf Academy at George Washington is a real all-rounder allowing you to work on all aspects of your game. The 16 heated bays in the floodlit driving range include six bays with power tees and a teaching suite. Inside you’ll find another teaching bay with FlightScope. There is also a practice putting green and short game area on offer to keep all aspects of your game sharp. PGA professional tuition is also available making full use of the superb facilities. George Washington Golf Club, Stone Cellar Road, Washington NE37 1PH, tel 0191 402 9988 www.georgewashington.co.uk/golf

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB

Keep your Golf red hot this Autumn/Winter Visit our State of the Art Driving Range at GWGC Experience our : • 16 HEATED Floodlit Bays • 6 Power Tees • Indoor HEATED teaching Bay with our PGA Professional, Ryan Ingram , providing 1 to 1, group and academy coaching and FREE Custom Fitting service using Flightscope.

Visit his website www.RLIGolf.co.uk for more details and services.

• Range Open 9am till 7pm every day • Discounted Loyalty Cards and Range tickets available in the Golf Shop 9am till 7pm - Card payment only no cash accepted.

For more details contact the Golf Shop on 0191 417 8346 or e-mail gsd@georgewashington.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 37

COURSEPROFILE

Taking in the sea air Alan Hedley heads to the coast to play Whitburn Golf Club

W

hitburn Golf Club may be one of the shorter courses in the North East, but it’s also one of the most enjoyable and it’s no pushover when the wind blows.

Laid out on the coast overlooking Marsden Bay and the mouth of the River Tyne, while it’s not a links course, Whitburn very much feels like one with its fast, undulating greens and often challenging winds. The course also drains well thanks to its location and is invariably in great condition through the winter months when many other courses are less fortunate. Visitors here will always find a friendly welcome in the clubhouse, which offers superb catering.

On the course you’ll find a mix of birdie chances and testing holes with five of the best par threes in the area, which are the key to a good score along with the signature hole.

Many will be happy with par at the 363-yard first hole, which has out of bounds left and two 38 NORTHERN GOLFER

fairway bunkers to negotiate along with a large gully fronting a blind hill-top green. A 191-yard par three follows with more out of bounds left, trees right and a well-bunkered green.

There is a good birdie chance at the 339-yard third if you avoid the big bunker and mound on the left, while the 168-yard fourth is probably the easiest of the short holes should you manage to avoid the two large bunkers guarding the green.

Avoiding the three fairway bunkers at the 350-yard fifth hole will make you think a birdie is within reach, but the severely sloping green is flanked by two more bunkers and a drystone wall, and can be a nightmare to negotiate.

Another par four of less than 350 yards follows.

A blind drive must avoid out of bounds left and be careful at this cleverly bunkered, sloping green.

The 318-yard seventh is a real birdie chance, just avoid the swale front left of the green and the deep bunker right. At the first of the par fives - the relatively short 484-yard eighth - it’s tempting to

have a go in two, but the hole narrows the closer you get to the slippery raised green with a big front bunker. Out of bounds and trees await left.

A genuine three-shot par five follows, though the pin here can be accessible with a short approach to the two-tier green.

The longest of the par fives at 534 yards, the 10th requires a good drive between two drystone walls.

Beware of the massive bunker short of the green, which tends to gobble up anything which lands short. The raised green is truly treacherous.

The uphill 11th measures 408 yards and another good drive is required to avoid the left bunker. The second shot is played uphill to a narrow green.

Following the signature 12th (see fact file), the short 13th measures just 155 yards but is a real test of accuracy. Played from a raised tee, the narrow green is ringed with bunkers.

The short 14th, the first hole across the road which splits the course, requires an accurate tee shot to a fast green which slopes left to right. Aim

COURSEPROFILE

FACT FILE

CONTACT Whitburn Golf Club, Lizard Lane South Shields, NE34 7AF Tel 0191 529 2144 Web www.golf-whitburn.co.uk Facebook @WhitburnGolfClub Twitter @whitburn_golf GREEN FEES £15 with a member Under 14s free with a paying adult Weekdays: £20 online (£22 shop); fourball £72 online (£80 shop) Twilight: £15 online (£20 shop) Weekends: £25 online (£27 shop); fourball £80 online (£90 shop) Visiting party rates are available on the website. Contact the secretary or professional for further information TOTAL DISTANCE White tees - 5,877 yards Yellow tees - 5,685 yards Red tees - 5,300 yards

left of centre here and beware of coming up short, the chip up the green is a quick one.

The 15th is another good birdie chance, but a new pond just short of the green has stiffened the challenge considerably.

A cracking 186-yard par three follows with a long bunker and a ridge left. Many play for the ridge, but miss it too far left and you’ll be left with a wicked chip back to the green.

Miss right and you’ll find clinging rough and a deep bunker.

The 316-yard dogleg 17th is proper risk or reward hole. It’s drivable, but there is heavy rough and trees plus a swale and huge front bunker to carry to a narrow raised green set in the cliff side. When opting for the sloping fairway you must carry the two bunkers to setup a short iron approach which must stop quickly after clearing a fearsome bunker.

The spectacular cliff-top tee at the 18th affords breathtaking views of Marsden Bay and the Tyne and, on a good day, the coastlines of North Yorkshire and Northumberland. At 271 yards, it’s definitely drivable, but there are many who have gone for it and ended up in the quarry left, which is out of bounds, or in the big bunker fronting the undulating green - on which there are no gimme putts.

Whitburn has never been afraid of change. The course was built in the 1930s by John Morrison of Colt, Alison and Morrison - who was born in Newcastle, played cricket for Cambridge University and Somerset, played football for Sunderland and represented England in golf. Many changes have been made over the years to Morrison’s design with ongoing tree planting, remodelling of bunkers and improved green drainage. A new clubhouse was built in 1979, replacing an old wooden pavilion, and today it is an excellent twostorey space with a large upstairs bar, downstairs bar and pro shop.

FEATURES Superb clubhouse and food Practice ground Short game practice area Putting green Pro shop Buggy hire available CADDY’S TIP Practise your putting to prepare for the fast greens. Having the ability to control your ball flight in the wind is a huge advantage here SIGNATURE HOLE The 446-yard 12th hole is an iconic par four. Out of bounds on the right, and two bunkers and trees left make a straight drive essential. The lake in front of the green makes the approach tough, particularly when played with a hybrid or long iron from a downhill lie. Be sure to make the carry to the putting surface as anything short will roll back into the lake and the green slopes severely from back to front. Par here is a fantastic score

OUR VERDICT

Whitburn if proof that a course doesn’t have to be long to be a test. The greens here are among the very best NORTHERN GOLFER 39

GOLFERGEAR

Winter warmers

This month we have plenty of new clothing to keep you warm from PING, FootJoy, Mizuno and Ocean Tee, plus we have new clubs from Callaway and Titleist, and there’s new footwear from ECCO. Be sure to pay a visit to your club’s pro shop or one of the excellent retailers featured in this edition.

IF THE SHOE FITS

ECCO GOLF AW 2020 updates RRP: Various golf.ecco.com ECCO GOLF has introduced a selection of new twists on both their men’s and women’s collections for autumn/winter 2020.

The most notable update has been made to the uppers of the men’s BIOM G3 (£200), which are now made using Soft Calf Nappa performance leather for a smoother look and feel. The leather is strong and abrasion-resistant while offering high levels of breathability, a remarkably soft hand feel and 100% waterproof GORE-TEX technology.

Among other updates, the men’s and women’s S-THREE collections (£180) have been reworked with fresh colourways while new colour options are also available in the the men’s BIOM COOL PRO (£210) and the women’s COOL PRO (£200).

NEW LOOK

PING AW20 apparel RRP: Various www.ping.com PING has released a new line-up of autumn/winter clothing for male and female golfers building on its innovative technology platforms and the latest fabrics. The range features revolutionary PrimaLoft Gold Insulation with Cross Core Technology alongside PING’s Sensor platform, which is designed to ensure every garment is specifically engineered to respond to the body’s requirements and demands of the game.

A contemporary palette of shades for the collection sees the continuation of blues, reds and greens as key colour trends, and the men’s range is headlined by the Norse S2 styles, which includes a new jacket, zoned jacked and vest.

Meanwhile, the new women’s apparel range is led by the Glow Jacket and Vest, which feature wind and water-resistant diamond printed panels to the body and sleeves. A brushed-back stretch fleece ensures warmth, freedom of movement and comfort.

40 NORTHERN GOLFER

TOP OF THE RANGE Titleist CNCPT irons RRP: £500 per club www.titleist.co.uk

For those looking for equipment at the most exclusive end of the market, Titleist has launched the new series of CNCPT by Titleist irons.

For the brand’s engineers, CNCPT is an ongoing challenge to pursue manufacturing and material technologies the game has never seen, regardless of cost, to deliver a new level of performance.

The latest models in this programme - the CP-03 and CP-04 irons - are priced at £500 per club. The CP-03 design offers a balance of power and control in a progressive midsize muscle back profile while the CP-04 design aims to deliver ultimate speed in a player’s improvement head shape.

GOLFERGEAR

JAPANESE STYLE

Mizuno AW20 apparel RRP: Various golf.mizunoeurope.com Mizuno’s new clothing line promises ingenious performance fabric technologies matched with practical and stylish designs for golfers.

A range of performance fabrics and technologies are showcased within the collection - from Mizuno’s heatgenerating Thermo yarn, which captures vapour as it leaves the body to retain heat while maximizing breathability to Move Tech, a four-way stretch fabric which allows golfers excellent freedom of movement and Techfill, which maintains volume and keeps golfers warm in the harshest conditions.

The range features new polo shirts, base layers, gilets, jackets and accessories, including Breath Thermo Bobble Hats and Beanies.

PLAY IN ALL WEATHERS

FootJoy AW20 apparel RRP: Various www.footjoy.co.uk

FootJoy has unveiled its most technologically advanced performance apparel range to date.

Following the success of the brand’s HydroKnit launch last year, the range has been expanded to include trousers which are equally waterproof and versatile. The range also features new colour options with black, navy and charcoal styles available in the Men’s pullover (£180), accompanied by a choice of black or navy trousers (£160). The Women’s Full-Zip Jacket option is also available in both red and navy (£200).

The full rainwear range has been updated with more new jackets and trousers for men and women along with thermal and midlayers and a number of accessories, including new StaSof winter gloves (£55).

ZERO WASTE

Ocean Tee Wobbegong sweater RRP: £84.99 www.oceanteegolf.com

NEW KIT

Callaway X Forged Utility Irons and Mack Daddy CB Wedges RRP: Various eu.callawaygolf.com Callaway has added the X Forged Utility Irons and Mack Daddy CB Wedges to its line-up.

The X Forged Utility Irons have proved popular on tour already with their hollow body construction producing high ball speeds thanks to AI-designed Flash Face Cup architecture.

Meanwhile, the Mack Daddy CB Wedges offer game improvers enhanced forgiveness with precise control and spin around the greens, even when you don’t make perfect contact, thanks to a slightly larger head and thicker top line in the cavity back wedges along with Callaway’s proprietary JAWS grooves.

Sustainable golf brand Ocean Tee has launched its latest product - the Wobbegong sweater.

The premium knitwear highlights innovative recycling techniques that turn unwanted clothing and textiles into new fibre. The result is an incredibly soft, unique sweater that aims to deliver comfort and warmth on and off the golf course.

The Wobbegong’s fabric is made using The Loop Project, a recycling process which uses a mechanical procedure to break down the fabrics of recycled clothes, obsolete inventory and leftover fabrics. The shredded fabric is then merged with sustainable products - in the case of the Wobbegong a certified organic cotton - to create a new and unique fabric.

NORTHERN GOLFER 41

GOLFERTIPS

GETTING BACK TO BASICS

Many amateurs believe they have to create a very aggressive angle of attack to escape greenside bunkers, and this tends to lead to inconsistency as the leading edge of the club digs too deep into the sand.

If you find you’re inconsistent from the sand, try taking a wider stance in the greenside bunkers. This should help create a shallower angle of attack, bringing the club into the sand behind the ball more consistently and allowing you to extract it easily.

From this position, I find hitting bunker shots with just your right hand (for the right-handed golfer) really helps groove the feeling of the club releasing, carrying its speed through the sand, using the bounce correctly and popping the ball out consistently.

Doug Brolls PGA Profe ssio

nal

Š Pal2iyawit Shutterstock.com 42 NORTHERN GOLFER

THANK YOU

2 0 2 0 H A S B E E N A N E X T R AO R D I N A RY Y E A R FO R E V E RYO N E .

W E A R E V E RY G R AT E F U L FO R A L L O F T H E S U P P O RT W E H AV E R EC E I V E D. We would like to thank and convey best wishes to all of our: Members // Staff // Visitors //Sponsors // Partners // Suppliers

W E H O P E T H AT YO U A N D YO U R FA M I L I E S A L L R E M A I N S A F E A N D W E LO O K FO R WA R D TO S E E I N G YO U I N 2 0 2 1 .

CHESTER-LESTREET GOLF CLUB www.clsgolfclub.co.uk

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 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 5b, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL

Please include your contact details and telephone number. Closing date Thursday December 3, 2020. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN A CADDYBOO GOLF TOWEL We’ve teamed up with Caddyboo to offer Northern Golfer readers the chance to win one of three Caddyboo Golf Towels this month. The pocket-sized microfibre towel sits inside a leakproof outer shell which is held closed with a magnet. Simply wet the towel before you play, pop it in your pocket and it’s on-hand every time you step onto a green. www.caddyboo.com For your chance to win answer the following question: Who became the first European player to score five points in a single Ryder Cup in 2018?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT BLYTH GOLF CLUB The parkland layout at Blyth has been improved further in 2020 with substantial investment on the golf course and a return visit is highly recommended in the coming months.

For your chance to win answer the following question: The 11th, 12th and 13th holes at Augusta National are collectively known by what nickname?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB The Durham and North Yorkshire coast is strewn with golfing gems and Hartlepool is among the best of them. Expect fantastic conditions throughout the year on the Teesside course.

For your chance to win answer the following question: Tiger Woods was born in which US state?

Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Seaton Carew - Terry Duffell of Choppington Arcot Hall - Steven Thompson of Barnard Castle • Longhirst Hall - Gary Leighton of South Shields 44 NORTHERN GOLFER

Stay and Play Packages available

Society Golf 2021 On a Braid/Mackenzie Classic Famous for its all year-round playability BOOK BY DECEMBER 31ST TO GUARANTEE YOUR OUTING AT 2020 RATES Bacon Bap, Coffee and Round of Golf £24.50 – Midweek £29.50 – Weekend PM*

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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

NORTHERN GOLFER 45

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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!

Anne Gibbons

Elaine Milor

Liz Walton

Aces came thick and fast at City of Newcastle Golf Club as Anne Gibbons, Liz Watson and Elaine Milor recorded holes-in-one in a single week.

Anne set the ball rolling on the 12th hole with her third ace before Liz followed suit with her first hole-in-one. Elaine then completed the hat-trick with an ace at the second hole.

George Washington’s Bill Michie with Adrienne Mason and Leigh-Ashley Scott from Washington Mind The fundraising efforts of George Washington’s members are worthy of high praise.

The club raised £3,100 for Washington Mind with its NHS Charity Day in August and has raised £700 for Marie Curie with a Senior Section Charity Day. The fundraising follows the success of 2019 captain Stephen Slater, who raised £2,000 for Children with Cancer during his captaincy.

Well done to all the members at George Washington.

46 NORTHERN GOLFER

Beamish Park professional Chris Cole and Jim Cockburn have now raised more than £74,000 for the Charlie Bear Cancer Appeal.

This year’s annual golf day raised another £6,000 with 28 teams taking part.

Well done Chris and Jim, and good luck for next year’s event.

Thank you to Desmond Duffy for writing to us last month. He wrote: Excellent article on the time to change in your September edition.

In my year as president of England Golf in 2018, I took the opportunity to stress the plague of slow play and the effect it was having on golf. Five hours for a round of golf is totally unacceptable. Two of the foremost players on the LPGA Tour have recently called for an end to this five-hour nonsense and at the same time accused their officials of not addressing the problem.

England Golf’s Championship Department report an improvement brought about by Ready Golf along with other monitoring measures, and the European Tour state that they have improved somewhat, but make no mistake, we are not talking about sizeable reductions as yet.

Please keep up the good work bringing the problem to the attention of your readers and hopefully at club level we may see a much-needed improvement.

Thank you for the comments Desmond, we’re passionate about improving the pace of play at all levels and will continue to promote playing faster.

Our congratulations and best wishes to Graham Border, who has retired as head greenkeeper at Castle Eden Golf Club after 38 years of loyal service.

Winner of the 1998 Durham County Matchplay Championship, Graham has been made an honorary life member of the club and we hope he will have a long and enjoyable retirement with plenty of golf.

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