Northern Golfer magazine #52 - April 2017

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WHITE ROSE

SPOTLIGHT ON YORKSHIRE REVIEWED

BEVERLEY & EAST RIDING CHAMPIONS

BRILLIANT NEW EVENTS

CHINA IN HIS HANDS CALLUM TARREN SHOWS FAR EASTERN PROMISE

WIN FOURBALLS AT BOLDON, HOBSON, MOOR ALLERTON AND RIPON

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EDITOR Paul Robertson editor@northerngolfer.co.uk EDITORIAL Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk John Harrison 01661 886 400 john.harrison@matfenhall.com MATCHPLAY PAIRS Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGERS Doug Brolls 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk Graeme Heads 07591 961 888 graeme@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk

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EDITOR’S NOTE AND CONTENTS The season is well and truly under way now we have been moved back to the competition tees and Sergio Garcia has won the year’s first major.

The thrills and spills of Garcia’s popular win in The Masters at Augusta National should certainly whet the appetite - alongside some good spring weather - and encourage players old and new to walk the fairways of the many fantastic courses in our region.

In this bumper 80-page issue we have a special feature on the White Rose county, looking at just some of the best places to try out - our team certainly enjoyed their springtime trip around Yorkshire.

Our cover star has travelled further afield to taste success - tens of thousands of miles to be precise. Callum Tarren gives a fascinating insight into life on tour in China, which he hopes will be a stepping stone to achieve his ultimate ambition of making it to the European or PGA tours.

We also feature a number of early season winners, take a look at some upcoming charity events, pick out the latest gear to get your season off to a great start, visit new facilities at a number of clubs and peek at some of the things you can do to get fit for golf.

Durham and England cricketer Graham Onions took some time out of his pre-season preparations to talk us through his golf, while Dean Bailey uses his column to question the role of TV viewers as referees following the harsh penalty incurred by Lexi Thompson - who looked destined to win her second major championship before a fan intervened from their armchair.

We also review Beverley and Cocken Lodge, while Wynyard hosted a thrilling finish to our Matchplay Pairs competition for 2016 and there is still time to enter this year’s event on page 76.

We are also proud to announce the addition of Champion of Champions events for men and women alongside our successful junior event, with all three to be played on the two magnificent courses at Ramside Hall in Durham - more details available on page 4. We hope every club will be represented by their champions this September.

Until next issue - good luck in getting your handicaps down and enjoy your golf.

04-17 TEEING OFF

Champion of Champions, The Masters and wonder Webb

20-35 TEEING OFF

Burgham reborn, plus news from around the region

30 TOUR LIFE

Chris Paisley on the value of downtime

38 DEAN BAILEY Rules are rules but...

45-55 TOUR DE YORKSHIRE

We visit some of Yorkshire’s finest golf courses

56 A ROUND WITH...

Publishers: Jane Pikett & Gary Ramsay Address: Offstone Publishing Unit 1, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield Northumberland, NE43 7AL Tel: 01661 844 115 E: enquiries@offstonepublishing.co.uk Twitter: @offstonepublish Facebook: /offstonepublishing

Durham Cricketer Graham Onions

Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

62 CHARITY CHAMPS Golf for good causes

FRONT COVER

65 GEAR

Callum Tarren on life in China and his hopes for the future

The latest releases, plus In the Bag with Brooke Henderson

Pages 40-42

70 TIPS

Coiled to spring into action When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it ©Offstone Publishing 2017. All rights reserved.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All information contained in this magazine is as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press.

Offstone Publishing cannot accept responsibility for errors of inaccuracies in such information. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Offstone Publishing a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine. All material is sent at your own risk and although every care is taken, neither Offstone Publishing nor it’s employees, agents or subcontractors shall be held liable resulting for loss or damage. Offstone Publishing endeavors to respect the intellectual property of owners of copyrighted material reproduced herein. If you identify yourself as the copyright holder of material we have wrongly attributed, please contact the office. Offstone Publishing do not guarantee the insertion of any particular advertisement on a specified date or at all.

18 BEVERLEY & EAST RIDING GOLF CLUB

61 COCKEN LODGE GOLF COURSE 72 COMPETITIONS

Win fourballs at Boldon, Hobson, Moor Allerton and Ripon City

74 MATCHPLAY PAIRS Winners crowned and 2017 entry deadline extended

NORTHERN GOLFER 03

TEEINGOFF

Girl power

2016 Northern Golfer Junior Champion of Champions winner Briony Bayles Girls golf will be rocking again in Durham and Yorkshire when the successful Girls Golf Rocks campaign returns this month.

Free taster sessions will be on offer at clubs throughout both counties followed by group coaching courses with PGA professionals supported by young ambassadors from the county squads.

This year Girls Golf Rocks will be launched in Durham at Seaton Carew on Saturday April 29, 3-5pm; George Washington - Saturday May 6, 11am-1pm; Eaglescliffe - Sunday May 21, 11.30am-1.30pm and at Sharpley on Sunday May 21, 12.30–2.30pm.

The campaign will also launch in Yorkshire with taster sessions at: Ghyll Beck Driving Range, Howley Hall, Malton and Norton, and York.

To book visit www.getintogolf.org/GGR. Following the tasters, the clubs offer a fiveweek coaching course with PGA professionals and all the girls are given a seven iron to use.

History maker Alex Keighley made history when she was appointed the first female captain of the PGA North region.

The Huddersfield professional said: “I was delighted to accept.

I enjoy being a club pro and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Alex had an impressive amateur career ahead of joining the paid ranks in 2003, representing Great Britain & Ireland and playing in the Ladies British Open, which she considers her finest achievement.

She is also a director of TGI Golfer Partnership and at 34 is thought to be the youngest professional in the North region to take on the captaincy.

04 NORTHERN GOLFER

Champion of Champions 2017

Search for the North East and Yorkshire’s best male, female and junior golfers set for Ramside Hall this September

F

ollowing the success of the Northern Golfer Junior Champion of Champions events in 2015 and 2016, we have decided to expand the format to reach the best female and male adults from our region in 2017.

The three invitational tournaments, which will be open to reigning club champions from across the North East and Yorkshire, take place over the Prince Bishops and Cathedral courses at Ramside Hall in Co Durham this September.

Helen Roseberry, director of golf at Ramside Hall, said: “We’re excited to host the Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events across our two wonderful courses this September.

“The timing couldn’t be better, coinciding with our 21st birthday celebrations and we can’t wait to

welcome the best male, female and junior golfers from our region to Ramside for what are sure to be three memorable tournaments.”

Paul Robertson, editor of Northern Golfer, added: “I would like to thank Helen and the team at Ramside for their support in making these tournaments happen. The success of the Junior Champion of Champions inspired us to develop the Champion of Champions to incorporate golfers of all ages. The return of the men’s event, which has had many notable champions, and the first ladies event will be highlights in a busy year for golf in our region.”

Club champions from Northumberland, Co Durham and Teesside, and selected clubs in the Scottish Borders, Cumbria and Yorkshire within Northern Golfer’s circulation area, will be invited to the events this summer. Letters will be sent to

2016 Northern Golfer Junior Champion of Champions winner James Wilson

club secretaries in April with full details of the event and how to register for tee times.

For more information contact Dean Bailey, email dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk tel 01661 844 115

JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Saturday September 9 Cathedral Course at Ramside Hall Tee times from 12.30pm followed by dinner and presentation LADIES CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Saturday September 9 Prince Bishops Course at Ramside Hall Pastries and tea or coffee on arrival, tee times from noon followed by dinner and presentation MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Saturday September 16 Cathedral Course at Ramside Hall Bacon rolls and tea or coffee on arrival, tee times from 8am followed by dinner and presentation

TEEINGOFF

Spanish master

T

he golfing world paid tribute to one of the most popular players in the world as he claimed a maiden major title at The Masters.

On what would have been the 60th birthday of his idol Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia saw off Englishman Justin Rose on a dramatic Sunday at Augusta National to win his fist major championship.

Yorkshireman Danny Willett handed over the green jacket to Garcia, who said: “When I first came here as an amateur in 1999, I felt like this course was probably going to give me at least one major. I’m not going to lie, that thought kind of changed through the years, because I started feeling uncomfortable here.

“I came to peace with it the last three or four years and I accepted what Augusta gives and takes. I think because of that I’m able to stand here today. It never felt like a horror movie.

A little bit of a drama maybe, but now with a happy ending.

Sergio Garcia (© Chatchai Somwat-Shutterstock.com)

“Seve did come into my mind today,” he added. “I’m sure he helped a little bit with some of those shots and some of those putts.

“To do it on Seve’s 60th birthday and to join him and Olazabal, my two idols in golf my whole life, it’s something amazing.”

Rose, who came within inches of a second major title, said: “Lots of good things happened today. It was a wonderful battle and if there is anyone you want to lose to it’s Sergio.

He deserves it, he’s had his fair share of heartache.”

Meanwhile, Northern representatives had a mixed opening major of 2017.

Lee Westwood remains the longeststanding active player on either the PGA or European Tour without a major to his name having now started 75 majors. His 18th place finish at one over-par was two shots better than Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick, while defending champion Willett missed the cut on his return to Augusta National.

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Castle Eden Golf Club, Castle Eden, TS27 4SS www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 05

TEEINGOFF Left: Jonathan Ward with the Fred Caroe Trophy Right: David Proud

Perfect ReWard

D

urham County secretary Jonathan Ward showed he can still play the game to a high standard when he won England Golf ’s Fred Caroe Trophy.

The trophy, played for each year since 1999 by the male and female county secretaries from across England on the day before their national conference at Woodhall Spa, is named after the late Fred Caroe - a past president of Cheshire’s union who was also president of the English Golf Union in 2005.

The competition was played over the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Sap, which was playing very long due to being wet from overnight rain and Ward was

the only competitor to play to their handicap. A five handicapper, Ward covered the back nine in level par with a birdie at the 442-yard 18th to win the event.

“It was a very good win,” admitted Ward, made more special as he partnered England Golf president-elect John Williams.

Meanwhile, Durham County Golf Union has appointed David Proud as its new treasurer.

Proud’s appointment follows the death of John Bosanko shortly before the union’s AGM in January.

An accountant for more than 40 years, Proud is also a past treasurer of Darlington Golf Club and was elected to the county executive in 2014.

Change on merit

Durham County Golf Union has revamped its county order of merit for the new season.

This year the order of merit will be split into two section to remove bias toward county team players.

The new County Order of Merit includes events which any category one golfer can enter such as the two county championships, the North Yorks and South Durham Championship and the series of 36-hole club scratch opens.

The Player of the Year title will be based on the two county championships, Northern Counties Leagues results and the Northern Counties Teams Championship known as the Big Six.

• 31st May - Seniors Open 4BBB £18 pair • 17th June - 36 Hole Individual Scratch Medal £25 each • 24th June - 4BBB Stableford £18 pair • 23rd July – Individual stableford (Peter Metcalfe) £12.50 each • 2nd August – Ladies 4BBB Stableford £15 pair • 15th August - Seniors Open 4BBB £18 pair • 28th August – Mixed Open £18 couple • 2nd September – Junior Open Stableford £5 each

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

06 NORTHERN GOLFER

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Hetton LeGolf Hill Club ELEMORE SUPERB JONATHAN GAUNT LAYOUT

Mathew Webb

Webb is Wizard in Oz

M

athew Webb’s journey to Oz is paying dividends. The 27-yearold Bedlingtonshire pro has racked up five top 20 finishes, including a joint first place on the Tasmanian pro am circuit.

Webb’s golf has been steady rather than spectacular. He shot 71 to tie for 10th place in the James Boag Port Sorell Pro-Am; 73 for tied 12th place in the Storage City Devonport event; and 71 for a sixth place finish in the Tasmania Statewide IGA Pro-Am at Prospect Vale.

Another 73 saw him tie for 15th place in the Launceston Pro-Am at Mowbray. In the Goodstone Group Pro-Am at Ulverstone he shot 72 to share first place - a better putting round might have seen him take first place on his own, but he’s more than satisfied with his first competitive foray in Australia.

Young guns Bedlingtonshire is one club that is doing its bit to promote the game and encourage young golfers.

The Northumberland club has built a platform for golfers as young as four to come along and learn how to enjoy the game.

The Junior Development Club, which is free of charge, was setup in June 2015 and aims to create a safe environment where children can learn how to play golf and, more importantly, provide support to

Webb will return to home soil for his first EuroPro Tour event of 2017 at Close House April 26-28, and he aims to play in as many PGA and EuroPro Tour events as he can as well as some Australian tournaments. He is also hoping to qualify for his PGA Tour China card. Webb could also get a couple of European Challenge Tour starts but may pass on those depending on his placings in the China and EuroPro Tour money lists.

Webb’s win at the 2016 Calvin Green PGA Assistants Championship entitled Webb to play in the PGA of Australia National Futures Championship last October at Ballarat Golf Club in Victoria. He won the weather-disrupted event by an impressive four shots - his rounds of 74, 71 and 76 enough take the title.

He has been based at Bayview, near Sydney, during the British winter in order to hit the ground running this season.

Bedlingtonshire youngsters

NEW MEMBERS for 2017 £300 Adult Members £415 Seniors Over 60 yrs £350 Student & Intermediary £100 Juniors £50 Pay & Play £15 per Round Seniors £12 Students £10 Telephone 0191 5173061 or email hettoncgc@gmail.com Hetton le Hill Golf Club Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QT

EAGLESCLIFFE GOLF CLUB Founded 1914

Nestled beside the River Tees with the Cleveland Hills as a backdrop, the course has been described by Golf Monthly magazine as a ‘hidden gem’ of English golf.

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ensure they develop a long-lasting love for the game.

To back this up Bedlingtonshire includes free coaching sessions as part of a reduced junior membership fee and has built a team of support staff dedicated to the junior section.

To find out more about junior golf at Bedlingtonshire contact the club on 01670 822457 or email professional@bedlingtongolfclub.com

For all enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact Martin Ball on 01642 780238 or email secretary@eaglescliffegolfclub.co.uk

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NORTHERN GOLFER 07

TEEINGOFF

Season opener The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour season begins at Close House at the end of April as Europe’s best young golfers return to the North East.

The Lookers Championship marks the third occasion the tour has visited Close House and will be the first time the tour has shared a course with the European Tour in the same year.

Both previous EuroPro Tour winners at Close House – Marcus Armitage and Richard James – went on to finish the season inside the top five on the Order of Merit. Those finished secured a category on the following year’s Challenge Tour, a good omen for whoever collects the £10,000 winner’s prize this season.

The tournament begins on April 26 with the final round played on April 28.

Entry is free for spectators and highlights will be shown on Sky Sports in May. Jonathan Greenwood, general manager & PGA professional at Close House said: “It is unique to have both the EuroPro and the European tours in the same year we look forward to 5201 and Tyneside.pdf 1 22/03/2017 hosting two top-class events.”

Belt back on tour

A

lex Belt led the way for golfers from our region at the Final Stage of Qualifying School after producing an impressive performance to guarantee full playing rights on the 2017 HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour.

Flamborough-based Belt was a 10:28 EuroPro Tour winner at Collingtree

Park in 2013 but, having not played a full season last year, had to go back to Q school to regain his playing rights. His rounds of 70, 69 and 72 were good enough for a tied for 13th place and a full card.

Adam Chapman (Carus Green Golf Club) finished in a tie for 33rd place after completing his 54 holes in one under-par.

James Simpson (Close House

AND

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MEMBERSHIP

R FA

1879

Alex Belt

Golf Club) was in contention for a top 10 finish but a final-round 73 meant he finished in tie for 40th place.

The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour visits our region three times this year - returning to Longhirst Hall July 5-7 and Moor Allerton Golf Club September 13-15 as well as opening the season at Close House April 26-28.

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TEEINGOFF

Rockliffe’s hat-trick

Rockliffe Hall Rockliffe Hall has picked up a hattrick of awards.

The Greenkeeping and Estate teams headed by Jon Wyer and Davy Cuthbertson won the coveted title of Greenkeeper of the Year at the 59Club Awards at The Belfry.

The golf course has also been awarded Gold Flag Status, reinforcing Rockliffe as one of the top venues in the industry alongside Gleneagles, The Grove, The Emirates and Dubai Creek.

On top of that, Rockliffe Hall has been named the number one golf resort in the UK and third in Europe by leadingcourses.com.

Eamonn Elliott, chief executive at Rockliffe Hall, said: “Our team works tirelessly to be the best. To win these three awards in such close succession is a fabulous achievement.”

Kevin Gow at Burgham Park

Burgham reborn

K

evin Gow has gone full circle and returned home to Northumberland in an effort to return one of the North East’s most popular courses to its former glory.

Forced to close its clubhouse after Burgham Park Golf and Leisure Club Limited called in the administrators at the end of last year, the golf course remained open throughout the winter. Now the course and clubhouse have been taken over by a new company, Burgham Park Properties, with Kevin taking over the lease.

The clubhouse has been redecorated and the complex is up and running with Kevin and his family in charge.

Kevin started his professional career at

Seb so close Cumbria’s Seb CrookhallNixon came within a whisker of winning the San Francisco City Championship.

The title came down to the last hole of the 36-hole final with recent University of San Fransisco graduate Crookhall-Nixon facing Mitty High School (San Jose) player Brian Ma. Crookhall-Nixon’s lengthy downhill birdie putt finished 10ft away while Ma pitched up to 15ft before holing his putt to win the match.

“I hit a good putt on the last and thought it was in but it just caught too much of the hole and lipped out,” said Crookhall-Nixon.

10 NORTHERN GOLFER

Greg Jobling

Just the Job Whitburn moved quickly to appoint Greg Jobling as head professional following the departure of Kevin Gow to Burgham Park.

Jobling, 32, who has been assistant at

Bedlingtonshire in 1981 and has worked at Morpeth, Houghton, Whitburn and in Sweden.

He also ran Cocken Lodge Golf Course, near Durham for five years before moving to Whitburn Golf Club.

“The opportunity at Burgham Park was far too good to miss and I couldn’t say no. I could have seen myself staying at Whitburn for many years as it’s a very friendly club with a very proactive committee,” he said.

He will be assisted by his wife Jacqui, daughters Samantha and Georgia and younger brother Jason in his bid to restore Burgham’s fortunes. Designed by Andrew Mair and former Ryder Cup captain Mark James, Burgham, just north of Morpeth, opened in 1994 and has hosted a number of PGA events.

Durham City and was previously at Close House, moves in at Whitburn on April 27.

His immediate priority is to find an assistant. Meanwhile, Whitburn’s plans to improve the clubhouse and course are ongoing.

Following the installation of a biomass boiler, a new toilet and shower block - a new downstairs bar and dining area is being built.

The club is also reaping the benefits of a rolling programme of improvements to drainage, greens, trees and bunkering and the recent purchase of a True Surface green roller has made a big difference as has work on the cub’s two practice areas.

New tee signage, course furniture, paths and bunker work - including re-modelling of the fearsome 17th bunker - and new trees have also vastly improved the appearance of the course in recent months.

INTRODUCING

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TEEINGOFF

Sky’s the limit for British Masters 10,000 free Sky Sports Thursday tickets snapped up in less than half an hour

M

omentum is building around the region as the British Masters at Close House edges ever closer.

Tournament host and Close House attached professional Lee Westwood is already counting down the days until the European Tour returns to the North East and makes its first visit to the Colt Course.

“The course looks good, the tweaks we’ve made should test the players and everything is falling into place really well. The team at Close House is putting a huge effort into making sure everything is perfect. Between them, the Tour and Sky Sports it’s going to be a fantastic tournament,” said Westwood.

The free tickets were offered by tournament sponsors Sky Sports following the success of the giveaway at The Grove last year.

“The British Masters really has become

the people’s tournament over the last couple of years. With the tickets being available this year on a first-come, first-served basis it means everyone has the opportunity to come along, particularly if they haven’t been to a golf tournament before,” added Westwood.

“The event will be a great showcase for the North East and I know the players who are already confirmed are looking forward to coming up to Newcastle, sampling the famous hospitality and playing the golf course.”

As part of this year’s British Masters, the Junior Masters will see qualifiers from seven events across the North of England compete on the Filly Course on the Tuesday of Masters week – with the winner joining the professionals and celebrities in Wednesday’s pro am.

“I was keen to get the juniors involved in

For more information on the Junior Masters, including how to enter the qualifying events this summer, visit www.closehouse.com/ events/junior-british-masters-close-house 12 NORTHERN GOLFER

Lee Westwood is hosting the British and Junior Masters at Close House

the tournament and was inspired by something similar at last year’s Italian Open,” added Westwood.

“There was a big group of kids on the putting green who were playing a tournament on the course next door and to see the juniors mixing with the professionals and getting some tips was really inspiring.

“To get the kids involved and let them meet their heroes will be a great memory for them, and they will get a card in their hands and put a score down in a big event as well.

“We need to inspire kids to become the next Lee Westwood, Justin Rose or Danny Willett, and give them more opportunities to play golf.”

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HONEST GOLF

On course Lee Westwood has praised the National Golf Club Challenge’s support of the On Course Foundation.

The Close House attached professional is patron of the NGCC, which organises the UK’s largest amateur golfer charity event in support of the On Course Foundation.

One of the their biggest fundraisers this year is set to be an online auction which can be viewed at www.ngccauction.com.

Prizes include the chance to play golf with former Newcastle United player and manager Kevin Keegan as well as memorabilia donated

by Westwood, Tom Watson, Justin Rose, Marc Warren, Oliver Wilson, Ian Poulter, Jack Nicklaus, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance, Phil Mickelson, Billy Foster, Terry Mundy

and Dominic Bott.

Westwood said: “The National Golf Club Challenge Team continues to do an outstanding job and they have done amazingly well putting this fabulous online auction together to support On Course Foundation.

“I am so proud to see how the game we all love has come together in this unprecedented way to make a significant contribution to the lives of our injured soldiers as they continue to work to rebuild their own lives after suffering life-changing injuries protecting our way of life.”

Golf breaks at some of the most prestigious resorts are on offer and as well as the chance to play alongside Keegan, there are rounds with tour players and celebrities including Simon Khan, Oli Wilson, Vinnie Jones, Alan Hansen, Nick Dougherty and Matt Le Tissier.

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Andrew Waple

Green shoots Carus Green has stepped in to help the development of Cumbria’s junior county squad.

The 20-strong team, who make up the U16 and U18 county elite, will be undertaking intensive training sessions at the Burneside-based club in April and July with PGA professional Andrew Waple.

It’s not the first time Carus has hosted the county junior squad, having also provided the use of its world-class facilities in 2014.

The club also offered the men’s county team full use of the practice

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facilities in 2016, in addition to the expertise of the on-site PGA pros.

The sessions at Carus will include on-course play, skills tests and a focus on the mental aspects of the game.

“Carus really is a weatherproof golf centre. You can practice and play year-round at the Gary Wolstenholme Academy which is absolutely key in a county like Cumbria,” said Waple.

“We’re delighted that the youngsters will, once again, be able to use the fantastic facilities.

ES 20 16-17 Tynedale

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Graeme Storm and all the winners

Graeme Storm and young competitors with Paul Lawrie’s Open Championship trophy

Golden moments

T

he reaction of Jamie Skinner when he won a Rio Olympic Flag signed by gold medallist Justin Rose at the Graeme Storm Junior Open said it all.

While Rose was battling for the Masters title 4,000 miles away in Augusta, young Jamie was racing through the packed Hartlepool clubhouse to pick up his prize for finishing third in the 7-10-year-old category plus the Olympic flag - the grin on his face as wide as the Tees.

A field of 158 young players played Hartlepool’s testing links course bathed in glorious sunshine and the scoring was phenomenal. A nett 58, 61 and 64 were recorded as well some excellent gross scores, including a 70 by Ben Bailey.

Proceeds from the tournament, ran in conjunction with Dyke House Sports and

Dyke House bag third Golf scholars did Dyke House College proud at a prestigious competition - and got a helping hand from Graeme Storm’s Tour caddy along the way.

Gary Malia, the man on Storm’s bag when he travels the world, walked the Fleetwood course with the Dyke House golfers on the eve of the British Schools and Colleges Northern Links tournament.

The experience helped with Dyke House performing well on the day to finish third behind the defending champions Balby Carr. A second Dyke House group also earned a respectable seventh place.

The Dyke House squad, all wearing new clothing courtesy of sponsors Smith and Graham Solicitors, had a third team which finished sixth in the nett competition.

Sixth Form student Ben Bailey earned fifth place in the Northern Open Individual Gross 14 NORTHERN GOLFER

Technology College and the Northern Echo, saw £5,000 go to the Finlay Cooper Fund.

Storm was particularly grateful to his friend Rose and former Open Champion Paul Laurie who sent his personal replica of the Claret Jug - something which proved popular with the youngster who were queuing cup to have their photograph taken with it.

“There is no prouder Brit than Justin and he was overwhelmed to win gold in Rio last summer. It was a great gesture for him to send this piece of history as it was for Paul Lawrie to send down his Open Championship trophy.

“It’s been an unbelievable day - what a tournament. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported it, especially my home club Hartlepool, my wife Sara and all the volunteers, and all the sponsors for providing the prizes.”

GRAEME STORM JUNIOR OPEN WINNERS 7-10 mixed Adam Dews 35pts, Ben Brown 35, Jamie Skinner 33.

11-14 Boys Best nett: Kieran Hall 58, Harry Etherington 61. Best gross: Daniel Norman 73.

Girls Best nett: Ella Jackson 64, Emily Atkinson 66. Best gross: Libby Bell 81.

15-18 Boys Best nett: Matthew Booth 61, Ryan Mackie 64. Best gross: Ben Bailey 70.

Girls Best nett: Ella Crang 71, Emily Baxter 71. Best gross: Amy Sutheran 84.

Ben Bailey, Will Skipp, Graeme Storm, Jack Ainscough, Andrew Betts, Jack Burton, Gary Malia, Amy Sutheran and Briony Bayles

after shooting 75 - eight shy of eventual winner and England international Barclay Brown.

Fellow Dyke House student Jack Ainscough was four shots further back on 79, with Will Skipp and Briony Bayles part of the five-strong group of those who carded 80s. Skipp was the

Under-15s gross runner-up. The youngest Dyke House player on show was year seven golfer Jack Burton from Seaton Carew.

He finished a fantastic tied third in the individual nett after shooting 69. Amy Sutheran also contributed to the team performance.

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Storm force Graeme Storm’s incredible resurgence has won him the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month award.

The 38-year-old from Hartlepool was named the January Golfer of the Month thanks to his playoff victory over Rory McIlroy at the BMW SA Open.

Storm emerged victorious after the third extra hole thanks to a par four on the 18th. It marked an incredible resurgence for Storm, who had seemingly lost his European Tour card by just €100 at the end of the 2016 season only to be handed a reprieve after Patrick Reed was removed from the Race to Dubai rankings having not played the requisite number of events.

Storm said: “It’s a very big honour to be awarded the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month, I don’t think I’ve ever received this award before in my long career. The win in South Africa has been a great turning point in my career, I’ve continued to play well after it too and it’s nice to be back playing well again.

“The whole experience beating Rory was unbelievable, it still hasn’t really sunk in to be perfectly honest.”

Elite coaching

E

uropean Tour champion Graeme Storm is backing a new Elite Performer Programme at Durham County’s Thorp Academy.

Along with Olympic swimming silver medalist Nick Gillingham, who also won golds at World and European Championships, and former Sunderland footballer Gary Bennett, Storm was at the launch of the programme.

All three will have a handson roles along with Julio Arca and Keiron Brady, who also played for Sunderland as well as ex-Middlesbrough defender Dean Gordon.

There are also links being forged with Durham County Cricket Club and Durham County Rugby Union as well as Northumberland’s Close House course, venue for this year’s British Masters as the Academy, based at Ryton Secondary School

Graeme Storm, Gary Bennett and Nick Gillingham with some of the Thorp Academy students and Sixth Form College, gears up for its September intake .

Storm, will be involved in a mentoring and coaching role, much as he is at Dyke House in Hartlepool. He said: “I get a real buzz from getting involved in things like this. I’m very keen that we identify and help young golfers in the North East to make sure we

have future tournament players coming along able to play at the top level.”

Storm, Bennett and Gillingham all spoke to a packed audience at the launch and Danny Evans, the Elite Performer Programme’s coordinator, said: “It’s great we have Graeme, Gary and Nick involved as well as the rest of the guys.”

Wynyard Golf Club

An exceptional golf experience

Summer Society Packages • SOCIETY PACKAGE - £47 PER HEAD, PACKAGE INCLUDES COFFEE & BACON ROLL, 18 HOLES OF GOLF, FOLLOWED BY STEAK & ALE PIE. (MIN OF 12 GOLFERS) • SUMMER 4 BALL - £159 PER 4 BALL, PACKAGE INCLUDES COFFEE & BACON ROLLS, 18 HOLES OF GOLF. • SUMMER 2 BALL - £89 PER 2 BALL, PACKAGE INCLUDES COFFEE & BACON ROLLS, 18 HOLES OF GOLF. • AVAILABLE FROM 1ST MAY 17 – 30TH SEPTEMBER 17.

Contact Golf Bookings on 01740 644399 ext. 22 or email proshop@wynyardgolfclub.co.uk to reserve your tee time www.wynyardgolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 15

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Boost for Bedale

Bay in play

Bedale Golf Club Bedale has joined the growing number of clubs opening an academy and swing studio thanks to a £70,000 Sport England Inspired Facilities grant.

The state-of-the-art swing studio is already open to members and will be opening its doors to the public soon.

A three-hole short academy course will be ready around June.

The swing studio has been fitted with the latest GC2 and HMT systems allowing the game to be played or practised indoors.

The next stage will be to open up the academy course, developing the practice area next to the fifth and sixth holes.

W

hitley Bay Golf Club president Lord Hastings officially opened the club’s new state-of-the-art indoor golf studio and congratulated the club on the success of the project.

Built with the help of a £75,000 grant from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund - the balance being contributed to by the club themselves - the project has taken more than three years to complete.

Lord Hastings said: “I know from experience how time consuming and difficult obtaining grant funding can be and the club should be very proud of their efforts and the success they have achieved.”

Lord Hastings opened the studio with the Mayor of North Tyneside Norma Redfearn in attendance and a large crowd of club members.

Club chairman Keith Atkinson, Lord Hastings, North Tyneside mayor Norma Redfearn and club captain Alan Gair Club chairman Keith Atkinson said: “The studio will enhance the major improvements to the course currently under way and allows us to encourage more people to play golf from juniors to seniors.”

The purpose-built studio has two teaching, assessment and practice

bays - one with swing analysis and simulated golf technology.

The second is split into two driving bays, one also with swing analysis technology.

The studio has full disabled access and state-of-art GC2 and Skytrak launch monitors.

Teesside Golf Club Est. 1901

Ladies Membership Offer NO JOINING FEE !!!!! *Availability limited up to 25 New Lady Members

For more details please contact: Steve Wood Secretary at Teesside Golf Club 01642 616516 or visit www.teessidegolfclub.com

TEESSIDE GOLF CLUB - 2017 OPENS SENIORS OPEN 4BBB STABLEFORD – FRIDAY 14th April 2017 Entry fee £20 per couple MENS OPEN 4BBB STABLEFORD – MONDAY 29th MAY 2017 Entry fee £20 per couple - Sponsored by PARK ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTORS LADIES AM-AM STABLEFORD – WEDNESDAY 28th JUNE 2017 Entry fee £40 per team of 4

16 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEESSIDE GC PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT – FRIDAY 23rd JUNE 2017 4 Man Team (1 Professional and 3 Amateurs). Entry fee - £225 for the Amateurs MENS OPEN 4BBB STABLEFORD – SUNDAY 9th JULY 2017 Entry fee £20 per couple - Sponsored by ADENGLOW LTD LADIES OPEN - TEXAS SCRAMBLE – WEDNESDAY 9th AUGUST 2017 Entry fee £40 per team of 4

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SENIORS 4BBB OPEN – MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 2017 Entry fee £20 per couple For Mens tee times please ring the Club Professional on 01642 673822 or email teessidegcshop@btconnect.com For Ladies tee times please contact Mrs Margaret Copland on 01642 645830 or email teessidegcladies@gmail.com Please send fees to Teesside Golf Club, Acklam Road, Thornaby, TS17 7JS. (Include contact telephone number and email address)

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Wynyard swings into action

W

ynyard Golf Club has further improved its excellent practice facilities with the opening of the Performance Centre Swing Studio with GC2 technology provided by Foresight Sports - a system backed by top coach Butch Harmon.

Harmon, who has worked with many tour players including Greg Norman, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, uses the Foresight Sports GC2 system at his teaching facilities.

The system is now widely used for teaching and club fitting and a growing number of clubs in the North are installing it in their indoor swing studios.

Recently Whitley Bay and Whickham joined the list of clubs with indoor studios and swing analysis technology, and more are in the pipeline.

As well as providing vital information for custom fitting and teaching, there’s a fun element too as groups of players can also play a variety of courses around the world including many top PGA Tour and Open Championship venues including Torrey Pines, Hazeltine, Castle Stewart, Carnoustie, Troon and Celtic Manor by using the simulator.

Wynyard has also installed the latest FSX software, which means players can create an

Wynyard’s Performance Centre studio

online account to keep a record of their games and practice, which can be linked to online skills and performance tests at the Foresight Sports website.

The club has also expanded its pro shop, almost doubling in size, to provide more space and

products for members and guests.

For more information and to book go to www.wynyardgolfclub.co.uk or contact club professionals Andrew Betts and James Harper, tel 01740 644 399.

NORTHERN GOLFER 17

COURSEREVIEW

Beautiful Beverley Dean Bailey heads to East Yorkshire and finds a stunning course with a fascinating history

D

rive towards the town of Beverley in East Yorkshire, down a lot of motorways in my case, and as the grand Beverley Minster pierces the skyline in the distance you’ll reach the Westwood – an expanse of green to the west of the town where Beverley and East Riding Golf Club shares pastureland with the famous racecourse, and cows in the summer.

Laid out across the rolling moor, the course isn’t long by modern standards at 6,017 yards but its thick rough, ever-changing playing direction and the wind whipping across the Westwood can make it a tough test.

The rough, which grows deep in the summer, is managed by the cows for much of the season – the club owning just a portion of the expansive landscape, while the greens are ringed with wires to keep the cattle off them.

The fences rarely come into play, our fourball struck the wire just once, and players have the 18 NORTHERN GOLFER

option to replay the stroke without penalty or play their next from where the ball lies.

The first is a simple enough opener played slightly uphill. The line from the tee is the pylon in the distance - anything right of this will leave a tough approach to a small green over a deep bunker in the front right corner.

The second, a 462-yard par four, is a more difficult proposition with trees left of the fairway and a large, round green sitting below the fairway. The 574-yard par five third is a good birdie chance if you can avoid the deep bunker at the front left of the green, while the par three fourth is a tricky hole with a long iron to a thin green.

Though short at 327 yards, the fifth can be difficult with a drive over gorse bushes to a fairway which slopes left to right. Out of bounds waits left over the tan gallop – a remnant of horse training on the Westwood before the expansion of the racecourse.

Like many greens here, the slopes on the fifth and sixth – a downhill par three which came second on our picks for signature hole – are subtle and near-impossible to decipher early in the round.

Heading to the turn, you must reach the corner of the dogleg right at the long seventh to see the small green for the approach, while the par three eighth plays much longer than its 183 yards when the wind blows.

Reaching the turn, the tee shots at the ninth and 10th are both difficult – the first requiring a long drive up the hill. The fairway at the 10th falls left to right and anything hitting the right side risks falling down into the rough and leaving a tough shot over trees to the green.

At the 11th, take your line on the Minster if you’re laying up or the Black Mill if you’re trying to drive the green. Two bunkers protect the front of the green at this excellent risk and reward hole.

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE CONTACT Beverley and East Riding Golf Club Anti Mill, Westwood, Beverley East Yorkshire, HU17 8RG Tel 01482 868 757 www.beverleygolfclub.co.uk

Difficult tee shots remain the theme through the back nine. The 12th plays uphill with a dogleg left and thick rough waiting for a hooked tee shot. The green sits through a narrow gap in bushes with a swale catching any short approach shots.

The 13th got our pick for signature hole (see fact file).

The closing stretch begins with the 376-yard 14th, a downhill par four flanked with trees and gorse - one of the most intimidating tee shots on the course. The par five 15th is a good birdie chance if you can thread your approach between the front bunkers, while the 16th is the toughest of the par threes – particularly when the flag is tucked behind the bunker at the front right of the green.

The 17th has a real links feel, with wind blowing across the swales and gorse which cover the fairway as you stand on the tee.

Drive over these and you’re left with around 100 yards to a generous green. The 18th, back across the road and shortened to a par three over the years, is the simplest of the short holes at 144 yards. The large green features steep drops off and three bunkers should you miss the putting surface.

Though its history is long and storied on the Westwood, stretching back to 1889, Yorkshire’s oldest inland club isn’t one for dwelling in the past. Funding has been secured to upgrade areas of the clubhouse this year, while greenkeeper Neil Burnley has made big improvements to the putting surfaces in the last five years and head professional Stewart Fraser has recently added a swing studio to his excellent pro shop

GREEN FEES (until August 31, 2017) Mon-Fri £20 Sat-Sun £25 TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,017 yards Yellow tees 5,696 yards Red tees 5,260 yards FEATURES Large clubhouse and dining room Locker room and changing facilities Professional’s shop and tuition Indoor swing studio Putting green CADDY’S TIP Being in the right position in the fairway is key – attacking the green from the correct side is often more important than being closer to it.

SIGNATURE HOLE The 343-yard 13th plays uphill from a raised tee box and you must avoid the gorse bushes right of the fairway. The second shot plays a club longer than the yardage because of the slope to a green protected by a deep bunker at the front right. Many will play past the flag to avoid it - leaving a tricky downhill putt.

OUR VERDICT A stunning landscape, with a high quality golf course laid out across it. You have to experience golf and the history here NORTHERN GOLFER 19

Golf in the Scottish Borders

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2017 V/P bookings available. Contact Pro for details 2107 OPEN DATES: Ladies Open - 14th July - £70.00 per team | Junior Open - 28th July - £5.00 per person Mixed Open - 30th July - £70.00 per team | Mixed Team Open - 1st October - £70.00 per team North of England Youths Championship 7, 8, 9, 10 August - Entry forms on Club Website.

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20 NORTHERN GOLFER

Darren Grey (left) with captain Alan Henderson at Tynemouth

Event returns to Tynemouth

T

he World One-Armed Golf Championship is heading back to Tynemouth Golf Club in June.

Royal Ashdown’s Nick Champness won the title when it was last played at the club in 2006 and went on to win it another three times before Darlington’s Darren Grey was victorious at Nairn Dunbar in 2010.

Grey also won the English and Welsh Championship at Tynemouth in 2013 to add to his World Championship title, and it’s hoped Grey and reigning World Champion Robert Paul will be in the field June 5-9.

Entries from South Africa, France, Sweden, Ireland and the US are also anticipated, and Keith Dewhurst, golf convenor for the One-Armed Society, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Tynemouth for our 2017 Championship.”

Tynemouth has a strong link with the society through former captain Mike Lobban, a good friend of Ravensworth’s Don Reid, a noted one-armed player and secretary/treasurer of the society for many years.

The Society of One-Armed Golfers was founded in 1932, principally for golfers who had lost

an arm in World War One. Since then it has evolved and now includes golfers who have lost the use of an arm through conflict, road or industrial accidents, birth defects or neurological reasons.

The championship counts towards the world rankings and team selection for the Fightmaster Cup – the one-armed equivalent of the Ryder Cup. When Grey won in 2010 he went to the top of the world rankings and played in both the Fightmaster Cup and for the Rest of the World against the North American One-Armed Golf Association.

Darren Grey

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Skipton Golf Club’s beginner lessons for women got off to a flying start when 20 female players signed up for the month-long initiative.

Club professional Peter Robinson was on hand to offer the ladies expert advice in the basics of the game before helping them get into the swing of things.

Skipton Golf Club pro Peter Robinson with, from left, Claire Gains, Susan Bunney and Rosie Singleton

Six of the best

B

arry Parkes has clocked up his sixth hole-in-one at Seaton Carew Golf Club at the age of 77 - and some 40 years after

his first.

The former Hartlepool United footballer aced the 187-yard 15th hole, or Cosy Corner, at the famous links course for a hat-trick of aces at the hole.

His first ace came at the third hole in in 1977, which he has aced twice. He has also holed out at the 12th as well as his trio on the 15th.

His latest hole-in-one was during the England versus Ireland match which takes place at Seaton every year ahead of the start of the season.

In his younger days, Barry was a forward for Hartlepool United between 1960-63. He said: “I was a bit of a footballer, I wasn’t really any good! I played for Pools a couple of years full-time. I was at Ashington, Queen of the South and was on Reading’s books for a year.

“I have enjoyed life and I love my golf now, playing on a great course and at a great club like Seaton.”

Barry Parkes

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NORTHERN GOLFER 21

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Dan Brown (© Leaderboard Photography) & Will Whiteoak

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orkshire duo Dan Brown and James Walker have been named in the England men’s squad for 2017 - and Will Whiteoak made it a white rose hat-trick by being picked in the A squad.

English champion Brown, from Masham Golf Club, retains his place in the England squad while Walker (The Oaks) is included for the first time.

Brown, 22, won the English Amateur Championship at Ganton in 2016 to become the third

Yorkshireman in a row to hold the title. He also won the North of England Amateur crown.

Walker, also 22, helped England beat France in their biennial international, won the Selborne Salver, reached the semi-finals of the Spanish Amateur and had a string of top 10 finishes in prestigious events.

Shipley’s Whiteoak, also 22, was in England’s winning team at the Costa Ballena quadrangular tournament against Finland, Germany and Spain last season.

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Jenny Davies receives her award from England Golf chairman Graham Yates (Image © Leaderboard Photography)

Jenny’s award Jenny Davies has been honoured with England Golf’s Volunteer of the Year Award.

Jenny, the junior organiser at Yorkshire club Bondhay, was presented with the award at the England Golf Awards at Lord’s.

The runner-up was Simon Bacon of Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club, Nottinghamshire.

The Awards shone the spotlight on great moments and achievement at all levels of English golf and Jenny was honoured alongside Olympic champion Justin Rose, Yorkshire’s

Masters champion Danny Willett and Solheim Cup player Charley Hull, as well as other players and heroes from the grass roots game.

“I’m part of a phenomenal team and I’m accepting this for all volunteers,” said Jenny.

“It’s the strength of volunteers which makes golf such a great sport.”

Jenny was a founder member when Bondhay opened 25 years ago and although she likes to keep a low profile, she volunteers widely in the club and is also the vice-chairman.

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Future of golf

Jason Budd

A

rcot Hall hosted a key golf forum to discuss the way forward for junior golf in Northumberland.

England Golf regional manager Jason Budd, Golf Foundation regional manager Ian Harvey, Northumbria Junior Golf League chairman and secretary Marcus Chisholm and Northumberland Academy coach Marcus Webb were the keynote speakers.

Most of the county’s clubs had representative at the forum where Budd and Harvey outlined the help and support available including junior organiser training.

Chisholm also highlighted the worrying decline in the number of clubs fielding teams in the NJGL - from 24 down to 18 - while North Northumberland now has no junior league and the NJGA has also experienced a drop in competitive numbers.

Chisholm said: “Club managers,

professionals, parents and junior organisers need to pull together to halt this decline as failure now will be devastating in the future.”

Key factors discussed included restrictions on when youngsters can play and the need to provide competitive golf that is fast, fun and relatively cheap, including six and nine hole events.

York’s Aldwark Manor Golf and Spa Hotel has appointed Stewart Woodeson as its new general manager.

Woodeson brings more than 20 years’ experience to the role, having worked as a general manager for some of the UK’s most well-known hotel brands.

He also has a wealth of experience in catering and golf, including a role as food and beverage resort manager at Wales’ 2010 Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor Resort.

He said: “I look forward to working with the team to showcase what Aldwark Manor has on offer.”

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TEEINGOFF

Stokes’ power strokes

Legend talk-in

B

en Stokes pitched up at Sunderland Golf Centre recently - and astonished onlookers with the sort of power hitting he normally serves up for the England cricket team.

The Durham CCC all-rounder is known to like a game of golf, plays off a handicap of 12, and certainly impressed Sunderland Golf Centre owner Chris Pope on his visit to the 42-bay floodlit driving range as part of a Callaway and American Golf custom-fitting day.

“As you might expect, Ben plays left handed,” said Chris, “and he gives a real belt. He hit a seven iron all of 225 yards while warming up on the range.”

The England vice-captain joined his skipper Joe Root to take part in a longest drive competition at Woburn last season and Stokes won with an impressive 295-yard shot.

He also launched a drive out to 313 yards at the American Golf Cricketer’s Cup competition, which suggests he might have a future in their annual long-driving competition.

Stokes recently became the Indian Premier League’s most expensive foreign player in a £1.8m deal for the 2017 season.

!

Eddie Gray

England star Ben Stokes with Sunderland Golf Centre’s Chris Pope

Football legend Eddie Gray is headlining a night of sporting entertainment at Houghton-leSpring Golf Club.

Hosted by BBC Tees Radio host Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough, Gray - a keen golfer - will regale members and guests with memories of his fabulous career during the successful Don Revie era at Leeds United.

Britain’s Got Talent finalist, after dinner speaker and impressionist Les Gibson will also entertain guests.

An evening with Eddie Gray is on Friday April 29. Tickets are £25 including dinner and can be booked by contact Ann Young, tel 07889 460 072 or Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club, tel 0191 584 1198.

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1

04/04/2017 15:19

TEEINGOFF Pro golf in the North is on course for its busiest campaign for years.

The Leeds Cup returns to its spiritual home Cobble Hall this year, the PGA North Region Championship will be played at Bolton Old Links for the first time, and the long-running James Brearley Lancashire Open remains at Blackpool North Shore. The endof-season Order of Merit will be settled at Carus Green.

Seniors Leeds the way

S

ome of the biggest names in European Seniors golf will be taking part in a new event at Leeds Golf Centre next month.

Ryder Cup players, European Tour winners and PGA Tour champions are on their way to the Leeds Seniors Masters May 30-June 1.

Players already confirmed include Andrew Oldcorn, Paul Wesselingh, Peter Baker, Gordon J Brand, Gary Wolstenholme and Bob Cameron, who was a junior member at Gateshead club Whickham.

The Leeds Senior Masters is aimed at professionals over the age of 48 and is part of the Senior Masters Tour, which stages regular tournaments for players outside of the European Seniors Tour.

The three-day event will begin with a pro am on the first day. The event is the first of its kind in Leeds since the Ryder Cup reunion in 2009 and it will have a prize fund of at least £25,000 .

The event has been created by Nigel Sweet, operations manager at

Gordon J Brand and Nigel Sweet at Leeds Golf Centre’s tournament launch Leeds Golf Centre, who joined the senior circuit for the first time in 2016 after playing the game for 38 years and he hopes to make it an annual event.

Nigel urged anyone interested in playing in the pro am or in sponsor opportunities to get in touch: “I’m absolutely delighted that Leeds Golf

Centre will play host in what will be the biggest event outside the European Seniors Tour. The European Seniors Tour only allows a 54-strong field.

“I know there is a still a huge appetite for playing against a 72-man field and can’t wait to see so many big names here this summer.”

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TEEINGOFF

Backworth Golf Club 2017 MEMBERSHIP STILL AVAILABLE PRICES ON APPLICATION SUMMER VISITOR FEES 18 HOLES £18 | 9 HOLES £10 Telephone the Manager John Robinson on 0191 2684247 Visitors & Societies Welcome Telephone 0191 2689131 for course availability, information and events Email: backworthminers@gmail.com • www.backworthminers.co.uk/golf The Hall, Backworth, NE27 0AH

MAGDALENE FIELDS GOLF CLUB

Malcolm Crowson and Kevin Taylor

How did we do?

Y

orkshire duo Mal Crowson and Kevin Taylor claimed the senior pairs title at the prestigious Morocco Matchplay Championship at Palm Golf in Marrakech.

However, there was disappointment for Newton Aycliffe coachbuilder Neil Stein when he just missed out in the singles final.

Retired police officer Malcolm, 62, and forklift driver Kevin, 51, from Oulton Hall lost their first round-robin match to Coventry pair Roger Moran and Chris White in the HowDidiDo championship final, but won their next two to earn the chance to face their conquerors again in the final.

Dan’s the man Masham’s Dan Brown (pictured) fired three rounds in the 60s to place third in the South African Strokeplay Championship at Kingswood Golf Estate on the Western Cape.

The English Amateur Champion posted scores of 70, 67, 67 and 68 to finish three shots back of winner Edgar Catherine of France, and only one shot off a tie for second place with Ireland’s Robin Dawson.

The Oaks’ James Walker tied 50th with scores of 75, 68, 71 and 73.

Meanwhile, Fulford’s Charlie Thornton is carrying last season’s form into 2017.

Thornton, who topped England

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The second time around, they gained revenge with a 3&1 victory.

Kevin said: “It was nip and tuck all the way through, 1up, or 1dn. It was a very good match all the way though until about 16 when one of the guys completely lost his swing and struggled a bit. He missed a few fairways while we were straight.”

Malcolm added: “I lost my swing on the first hole and never really had it at all. Kevin pretty much carried me all the way round.”

Meanwhile Stein, a 43-year-old 12-handicapper who plays at Ramside, won two of his matches at the Robert Trent Jones-designed course to finish third in the singles event.

Golf’s Boys’ Order of Merit last year, has won the Portuguese Intercollegiate Open by seven shots.

He finished level par in the 54hole under-21 event played on the Robert Trent Jnr course at Sintra’s Penha Longa Golf Resort. Thornton fired rounds of 72 70 and 74 to lead the 63-player field.

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TEEINGOFF

Jenny teas off

T

he North East’s most successful female golfer was back on home soil recently to talk about her career and her incredible family history.

Newcastle’s Jenny Lee Smith – now Jenny Lucas and a best-selling author – was the guest speaker at an event organised by Whickham ladies captain Pam Appleby and her committee.

Billed as an afternoon tea, it was a lot more than that with nearly 100 people packed into the Hollinside clubhouse including several former Northumberland Junior Golfing Society teammates of Jenny - Ken Saint, Les Ives, Ken Greatbatch and former John Jacobs Driving Range colleague Audrey Mills.

Jenny’s ground-breaking career included victory in the inaugural 1976 Women’s British Open, winning the WPGA Order of Merit twice and being the first British professional to play on the LPGA Tour.

Her on-course success has since been overshadowed by an emotional rollercoaster after she discovered

Jenny Lucas with Ken Greatbatch and Ken Saint she was adopted. It led her along a traumatic, but ultimately joyful path, as she discovered she had a twin sister, Helen, from whom she was separated at birth.

Their incredible story is told in a best-selling book My Secret Sister and now Jenny and Helen are in talks with a producer who hopes to turn it into a film.

Jenny’s extraordinary golf career started on the links at Embleton where she played as a youngster thanks to her adoptive parents Sid and Connie.

In 1965, John Jacobs opened a golf centre in Gosforth – now Parklands - and Jenny began working there.

“One day he asked me what my handicap was and I told him it was 28 and he told me ‘one day young lady you will play for England’ and he was right,” Jenny told her audience. A glittering amateur career was followed by a successful professional record but, sadly, injuries curtailed her career and she played her last tournament in 1984.

The Northumberland Junior Golf Association’s new boys captain is Aidan Topham (Seahouses) with William Wilkinson (Westerhope) named vicecaptain. The girls captain is Charlotte Pickering from Whitley Bay with vice-captain Francesca Chilton from Matfen Hall.

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28 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEEINGOFF The PGA North enters new territory when it administers the Furness Golf Club Pro Am on May 5.

England’s third oldest links, which opened in 1872, is regarded as one of Cumbria’s finest courses boasting a stunning backdrop of the Lakeland hills and impressive views across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man. The par 71 course offers a fair but challenging test.

Tour for youngsters

I

ngleby Barwick’s Ross Jackson is doing his bit to boost junior golf with the launch of a tour specifically aimed at youngsters in the North East.

Jackson has won awards for his dedication to junior golf development and this year’s tour includes 10 tournaments.

“The rationale of the tour stems from the lack of junior tournaments or tours which cater for all juniors golfers irrespective of age or playing ability,” said Jackson.

The tour kicked off with a tournament at Catterick at the start of April and further dates are: April 23 Hunley Hall Hotel and Golf Club; May 28 Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Centre; June 4 Wilton; July 9 Billingham; August 5 Richmond; August 13 Eaglescliffe; August 20 Saltburn; September 3 Ingleby Barwick Golf Academy; September 24 Romanby Golf and Country Club.

The tour utilises innovative teeing systems, appropriate course setups and shorter round durations.

Ross Jackson This includes nine-hole (0-36 handicap) and six-hole events (37+) open to all golfers and all ages from 5-18 in five categories (0-12, 13-24, 2536, 37-54 and non-handicaps).

There will be a prize presentation at each event and the entry deadline is six days prior to an event.

It costs £10 for tour membership and £5 entry per event.

For more information and entry forms contact Rachel, tel 07791 471 376 or email rachel@rossjacksongolf. co.uk. Keep up-to-date with Ross Jackson Golf Junior Tour on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

GRAEME STORM MASTERCLASSES IN ASSOCIATION WITH

AT CLOSE HOUSE AND TYNESIDE GC Graeme Storm invites you to his masterclass in association with Thorp Academy at Close House and Tyneside.

Two-time European Tour winner and reigning South Africa Open champion Graeme Storm hosts two FREE masterclasses for boys and girls aged 8-16 at Tyneside Golf Club – Thursday May 4, 5-7pm Close House – Thursday May 11, 5-7pm Email devans@thorpacademy.org to confirm your place. *All golfers need to bring their own clubs to the sessions.

There are now golf scholarships available at the Ryton-based academy. For further information check out www.thorpacademy.org

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

TOURLIFE NORTHERN

Chris Paisley

TOUR LIFE DOWN TIME - REST, TRAINING AND PREPARATION

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS FROM GOLF IN THE NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE AT WWW.NORTHERNGOLFER.CO.UK @negolfer /northerngolferuk @northerngolferuk 30 NORTHERN GOLFER

Since I am coming to the end of a five-week break from tournament play, I thought it would be a good time to give an insight into my time away from the European Tour.

For me, off weeks are just as important as tournament weeks; they allow me to live a normal life, recharge physically and mentally, hit the gym a bit harder and continue developing my game. Most importantly it allows me to spend time with my wife and family - after all they are the ones that make all the traveling and hard work worthwhile.

A typical break for me is split into three equal parts. First is rest - I like to put my clubs away and get away from golf as much as possible. After two months on the road the last thing I want to do is talk golf! Recently, I’ve been really into cooking and I love spending my evenings trying out new recipes. We have also been spending a lot of time making our new house a home. I love this time, because I forget that I am a golfer and I just get to do what I want (as long as the wife allows it).

The next phase is training. I ease my way back into practice and build up to a pretty intense level of work. I love to hammer the gym and get stuck into any technical work with my game. This is probably the most boring, disciplined and tiring phase, but I love it. I recently had my coach over to Florida and we grafted for five full days. It was exhausting but very satisfying. I get a lot of self-belief from feeling like I am outworking my competition.

The last phase is preparation. Here I bring the intensity down a notch and I become more focused on scoring well. When you have a phase of hard technical work, you can lose your sharpness so it’s important to get that back going into a tournament.

I arrange as many competitive games as I can with a few pros in the area. We’ll throw in some money and after a few games the sharpness comes back because it stings if you get whipped by your mates!

Having the right balance of down time and hard work is so important. I feel that it’s the quality of your work in these periods that will ultimately determine how successful you will become.

TEEINGOFF

Tributes to David Beardall

N

orth East golf turned out in force to mourn the passing of David Beardall, writes Alan Hedley.

A former president and captain of Northumberland County and a Wallsend Boys Club legend who helped launch the careers of Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Michael Carrick and Steve Bruce, David was also a stalwart of the Scouting movement and a talented director of the Newcastle Gang Show.

Golfers will remember with fondness David’s passion for the development of players including the likes of 1986 British Amateur Champion and Walker Cup player David Curry and three-time European Tour winner Kenneth Ferrie - he would often caddy for them and was on Curry’s bag when he won his British Amateur title.

Players, past and present, alongside England Golf officials and several presidents of both Northumberland and Durham, attended David’s funeral at a packed West Road crematorium

David Beardall with the Gerald Micklem Trophy

David Curry and David Beardall and a wake held in his honour at City of Newcastle Golf Club afterwards.

Born in 1938, David was raised in Benton and attended Kings School in Tynemouth. He worked as a TV salesman before studying to become a youth leader at Leicester College in 1965 and taking up that role at Wallsend Boys Club. He was also instrumental in setting up the Forest

Hall scout group and became a prime mover in the staging of the Newcastle Gang Show. David was a member of the Backworth, City of Newcastle and Northumberland golf clubs and was a stalwart of the Northumberland Junior Golf Association and the England Golf Junior Committee. He was presented with the Gerald Micklem Award by England Golf for his contribution to

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the sport in 1990. He also served on the EGU’s tournament committee and was instrumental in bringing the England Under 18 Carris Trophy to the Northumberland Golf Club.

Although he didn’t play much in his later years, he did play off a two handicap and at the age of 44 he was the second youngest Northumberland president.

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TEEINGOFF

May 2017 Next month we’ll be visiting clubs in Dumfries & Galloway and Cumbria.

To be part of these special features contact our team: Dumfries & Galloway

Cumbria

Doug Brolls, Graeme Heads E: doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk E: graeme@offstonepublishing.co.uk T: 07721 031 482 T: 07591 961 888

Allendale Golf Club juniors

Juniors are thriving

A

llendale Golf Club is flourishing thanks to its juniors - who account for a third of the club’s playing membership.

Juniors have been more than 20% of the membership for the last five years and through them parents have come back to golf or joined and started to play.

In 2009 a group of volunteers decided to develop a programme suited to youngsters and have continued to build on it year-on-year.

The key is having a course that can accommodate young golfers, the equipment to support those new to the game and a team of trained, adult volunteers who, together with our visiting PGA professional Martin Forster, are committed to providing an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Working with local schools and the community, the club provides free

regular taster sessions plus coaching sessions with Forster. There is also junior workshops and a programme of junior competitions played over three, six, nine and 18 holes designed to suit all ages and abilities as part of the Golf Roots Junior Golf Passport award.

The club was one of five venues selected to host the 2016 Northumberland Golf Tour and will do so again this year on July 30.

The club will also host a county match for the first time when Northumberland Girls take on Lancashire this summer.

Another first will be the MKM Junior Nine-Hole Open on June 17, which is for boys and girls under 14 (separate competitions with or without handicaps). Entry is £5.

Entry forms are on the website www.allendale-golf.co.uk - go to members, then juniors and then MKM Junior Open or call 01434 683 438.

Sand revamp on course Huddersfield has completed the first phase of a bunker renovation project led by architect William Swan.

Swan was hired by the Yorkshire club to advise on bunker maintenance in 2014. This led to long-standing course manager Ben Turner filling in six bunkers in the winter of 2015 and rebuilding two bunkers on the practice green/ winter relief hole in early 2016 as a prototype exercise.

After the success of that exercise, the club decided to proceed with a larger programme 32 NORTHERN GOLFER

of bunker reconstruction. Profusion Environmental have built 10 new bunkers and filled four more on the first, sixth, seventh and eighth holes.

The project plan calls for another 23 bunkers to be built or renovated and nine more to be filled in with completion of the project planned for late 2018.

As well as this bunker work, Swan and Turner have embarked on a landscape restoration programme.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield is to stage one of the qualifying tournaments in the new English Seniors Championship on June 1.

L

ong-serving professional Ralph Givens has retired after 40 years at Darlington’s Blackwell Grange Golf Club.

Givens, who was born in Scotland, started work at Blackwell as assistant to Nigel Sumner having left college behind in Preston. When Sumner left in 1981 Givens was given the opportunity to become Blackwell’s head pro.

“I am going to play golf a lot more now,” said Givens. “I will play a bit more tennis at Blackwell Grange Tennis Club as well, but I am looking forward to actually playing some more golf. I will play different courses because I have my PGA card, so I can still use that. I have not played much over the last 20 years. I used to play in

the North Region stuff in the 1980s. I was a member of that for years and I used to play in all the pro ams as well.”

Givens, 57, spent 24 years at Blackwell Grange before moving across the road to Stressholme.

In a twist of fate, the two clubs joined together and he became the head professional with his original club once more when Blackwell became the lead name.

A large portion of his life has been in Darlington, where he married his late wife Lesley while their daughter, Ellie, has been on the Ladies European Tour for the last five years.

“For Eleanor to be on Tour as long as she has been already is great, for her to maintain her career like that is a great achievement,” he said.

Plans have been released which could see Yorkshire course Temple Newsham drastically altered to attract more players to the game.

Leeds Council is suggesting the Temple Newsham’s 36 holes be reduced to 27.

The two 18-hole courses at the council-owned club would be replaced by a full-size course and a new nine-hole section for beginners and younger players. The council has opened a public consultation to allow people to comment on the plans.

G

Givens his all

O

D ITE

Ralph Givens with one of his pupils, Durham County’s Ella Crang

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ADVERTORIAL

FROM THE PGA GRAND SLAM OF GOLF TO ROSEBERRY GRANGE NICHOLAS MANSELL SWAPS BERMUDA FOR CO DURHAM – AND BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE WITH HIM What do you do when you find out the former agronomist for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf is a regular at your club?

You ask him to join your team!

Jason Storey, Head Greenkeeper at Roseberry Grange Community Golf Club did just that - and Nicholas Mansell is now part of the team.

Nicholas, who has a degree in Golf Course Operations and close to 30 years’ experience in the industry hails from the Island of Bermuda, though his family is from Gosforth. When asked what brought him back to the North East he says “the weather,” with a broad smile.

“I was lucky enough to grow up in Bermuda – an island with more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world. I started playing aged 10 and have represented Bermuda all over the world.

“When I finished my secondary education, it was only natural to pursue a golf-related career.”

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf arrived in Bermuda in 2007 and was played on the island for eight years. Nicholas joined Port Royal, the event’s host course, in June 2011 as Director of Agronomy, and worked on preparing the course.

In 2013 he made the decision to turn professional. “We spent two years in the US. I taught and played on the Sunbelt Senior Tour and the SwingThought.com Tour while my wife Susie ran our golf event management company. As our children were preparing to take their GCSE’s and A Levels, in 2015 we decided it was time to come home and here we are.”

Having joined Roseberry Grange Nicholas has already cast an expert eye

over the golf course.

“It’s a fantastic course” he says, “and the people here are so friendly and welcoming. You are made to feel like family from the moment you walk through the door.

Left-right: Ian Lavelle (Complete Amenity Turf Services), “When looking Nicholas Mansell, Susie Mansell (business manager), for a course to play Jason Storey and Tony Finnigan (treasurer) many people bypass tournaments, then they definitely should the municipals and not be discounted! community courses as they mistakenly “I’m looking forward to working with believe that they are of an inferior Jason and the team as we endeavor to standard. The majors have been played overcome the stigma behind municipals on municipal courses – Chambers Bay, and community courses, and put The Old Course at St Andrews, Pebble Roseberry Grange on the map as one of Beach, Royal St Georges. If municipal the top courses in the North East.” courses are good enough to host major

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Roseberry Grange Golf Club “The Friendly Golf Club” Grange Villa, Chester le Street, County Durham, DH2 3NF Tel: 0191 3700660 (club) or 0191 3701757 (shop) | Email: roseberrygolf@gmail.com | Web: www.roseberrygrange.com 34 NORTHERN GOLFER

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TEEINGOFF

Driving Force: Dom Felton, coach John Downie and England Golf’s Paul Whittaker with the OP-V-Golfers at the N1 Golf Range in Morpeth Jim Holborn receives his prize from coach John Downie along with England Golf’s Paul Whittaker, John Taylor and Dom Felton

Stress buster

G

olf ’s a life-saver. Just ask exserviceman Dominic Felton, who reckons taking up the game did just that.

He now devotes his time helping others in the North East overcome PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) by encouraging them take up the game.

The 53-year-old Bedlington Golf Club member setup OP-V-Golf and is the driving force behind the programme which uses golf as a vital aid in the recovery of injured service veterans.

The scheme was awarded a Certificate of Merit in the North East Disability Sports Awards and Dom is now looking to widen the programme.

Injured by an IRA bomb while serving with the Army in Northern Ireland in 1992, Dom experienced years suffering from PTSD which made his reintegration into civilian life difficult.

“My mental and physical health deteriorated slowly over the years,” he said.

“I was self-medicating with alcohol to help deal with the flashbacks, nightmares and disrupted sleep patterns. I couldn’t use public transport or do just about anything that most people would take for granted such as go out with family or interact normally with other people.”

He left the Army in 1994 without any real diagnosis of his problem. In 2010 he learned he had PTSD and began rehabilitation with Combat Stress and Help for Heroes.

While at Combat Stress’ Holly Bush House in Ayr that he was introduced to golf.

“I experienced almost instant success in using golf as therapy. I then started going to the local driving range thanks to the On Course Foundation.”

Proof of how much golf helped came when On Course arranged for a group of veterans to go to Minorca and play golf.

“The fact they managed to get me on a plane was testament to how much golf had helped me, given the fact that I had not been able to get on a bus since 1994.”

Dom Felton and England Golf’s Paul Whittaker

Dom joined Bedlington and found support from pro Marcus Webb and decided he wanted to pass on his experience to veterans with similar problems - setting up OP-V-Golf with help from England Golf regional development officer Paul Whittaker.

With sponsorship from Northumberland Sport, On Course Foundation, and support from N1 Golf Range Morpeth and pro John Downie, he launched a 12-week course for service veterans and the final event took place recently at Longhirst when Jim Holborn emerging as the winner.

Dom is currently looking to get more partners involved to ensure the project continues. “Golf has a major part to play in the recovery of injured service personal,” he said. “I hope there are others out there who think it’s worth supporting.”

NORTHERN GOLFER 35

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Tim Cockill teaching at Close House’s PGA Academy

Looking to the future

W

ith the UK’s golfing landscape shifting as the game’s average age creeps higher and there is more pressure than ever before to get juniors into the game, Close House has teamed up with national motor dealer Lookers to deliver a programme of taster sessions to local schools.

PGA professional Tim Cockill plays a big part in introducing new players to the game at Close House, both young players through regular sesions and summer camps and adults through Get into Golf. He believes reaching out to schools and giving youngsters the opportunity to try the game in a fun format is the key.

“I take a lot of pride in developing golfers, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing people enjoy playing golf,” said Tim. “We want to grow the number of

people playing the game and to have the funding in place from Lookers to do that is fantastic.”

The programme, which is being delivered in 10 schools, introduces pupils to golf for the first time. The sessions start with plastic clubs and progress through to visiting the PGA Academy at Close House - the only facility of its kind in the North of England.

“The pathway is clearly laid out and the kids can try as much as they want to. The hope is that it inspires them to play golf, and we have the right pathways in place here for them,” added Tim. As well as working in schools, Tim delivers junior coaching at the Academy and is developing a new programme to deliver coaching each night of the week. For more information contact the PGA Academy at Close House, tel 01661 844 115.

Open progress Work is continuing at Royal Portrush this summer ahead of the 2019 Open Championship.

A £500,000 development for the town will include re-development of its railway station, while on the course two new holes on 36 NORTHERN GOLFER

the renowned Dunluce Links are under construction.

The new holes will replace the current 17th and 18th holes on the Dunluce Links - freeing up space to accommodate the spectator village and championship infrastructure.

TEEINGOFF

Date for TOMA

Gary Wolstenholme and his Carus Green team

Victory for Shacklady

D

avid Shacklady ran away with the PGA North Region PGA Pro Am Series in Portugal.

The Mossock Hall pro never looked back after an opening 66 and eventually won the series - played over four courses in Vilamoura - by eight shots, although Cumbria’s Gary Wolstenholme had the consolation of doubling up on the runners-up spot in

the individual and team events.

The Carus Green pro shot rounds of 69, 71, 72 and 75 to Shacklady’s 66, 72, 70 and 72 and was delighted to finish second while leading his team from Carus Green to the runners-up spot in the team event.

Andrew Mattinson and father and son duo Bob and Liam Mason formed Gary’s team as they played Monte Rei, Laranjal, Victoria and Quinta Do Lago.

Pros Guide GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB & ACADEMY RYAN INGRAM

“The team did extremely well and we were in contention right from the very start which kept us all feeling positive,” said Wolstenholme.

“I have now played in this competition for more than five years.

It’s great fun and escaping the British weather was also a bonus! Coming second out of 22 teams is a real achievement and we are delighted with the result.”

Our guide to the region’s PGA pros

Want to work on your game? Your local PGA pro is the go-to for advice, tuition and retail experience

TEESSIDE GOLF CLUB STEWART PILGRIM CLASS AAT PGA PROFESSIONAL

PGA HEAD TEACHING PRO Making Your Swing Perform Better. RLIGolf bespoke coaching packages available. Free initial assessment to plan an individual package to suit your game.

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The annual TOMA Fund Charity Golf Day returns to Gosforth Golf Club on May 31.

Last year’s event raised more than £3,700 for the charity with 20 teams taking part.

The event, which is organised

by Walbottle Campus, raises money to support children, teenagers, young people and their families in the North East and Cumbria who have been affected by a diagnosis of childhood cancer.

The charity is dedicated to the memory of Jordan David Thompson, a student at Walbottle, and Sophie Ela Atay.

Fully stocked Pro Shop with leading brands • Authorised custom fit centre using GC2 launch monitor technology • Lesson packages available 25% off a lesson by simply quoting Northern Golfer

T - 01642 673822 E - spligrim@tgigolf.com Stewart Pilgrim’s Golf Pro Shop and Coaching @stewartpilgrimsgolf

BISHOP AUCKLAND GOLF CLUB MICHAEL PILGRIM CLASS AA PGA PROFESSIONAL Fully stocked pro shop with many leading brands at very competitive prices.

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NORTHERN GOLFER 37

DEANBAILEY

Dean Bailey

Rules are rules...

Golf’s rulemakers giveth in March with proposed changes, then taketh away in April with more TV replay madness

W

hat a difference a double edition of Northern Golfer makes. Exactly four weeks ago I sat at my desk and began this column, gushing with praise for the forward-thinking set of revisions the old boys at The Royal & Ancient had proposed for the new set of Rules to be bestowed on us in 2019.

Now, with more sunshine has come yet another farce and a 22-year-old woman, a face and attitude perfect for making golf modern and approachable around the world, missing out on the biggest moment of her career to-date because the Rules of Golf are archaic and just bloody silly at times.

Instead of adding her name to the list of double major champions, American Lexi Thompson may now add her name to the list of people punished by TV replay – an illustrious list which includes one Eldrick Woods and current world number one Dustin Johnson. Surely, making the game more accessible to the casual viewer, and

38 NORTHERN GOLFER

Image Credit: BUGNUT23 / Shutterstock. com

ultimately, introducing more people to the sport is the goal here folks? Rather than being part of the sports bulletin on Radio 2 because we all look a bit daft again.

Why, a day and most of the final round of a major championship later, did officials have to add four strokes – two for misplacing her ball on the putting green and two more for signing for an incorrect score? Surely common sense prevails somewhere?

Now I consider myself a bit of a rules aficionado nowadays, but even I wouldn’t have spotted that one in the Sunday medal - nor did the thousands of people on-site that week or the referees.

So, the ladies and gentlemen of The R&A up at St Andrews, and their counterparts over at the USGA, can we add a bit more to the suggested revisions please? Can we get rid of the ability for tens of millions of people watching slow motion replays in high definition to alter the outcomes of what are, in the main, enthralling sporting events?

You’ll not find this anywhere else in life.

I’ve never, to my knowledge, been snapped

having a sweetie from the Pick ‘n’ Mix while I fill a pink stripy bag – though I am available on @deanbailey92 on Twitter if you have one.

The rule change can be nice and simple, just remove the ability for viewers to influence the result – leave it to the officials on the field and at their TV screens like every other sport does. Do that and we may, if we’re lucky, not look like the last of the dinosaurs come 2019.

All of that aside, I am a fan of many of the suggestions proposed for a revised set of Rules. Being able to repair spike marks on the green; removing the penalty for accidentally moving the ball or touching a loose impediment in a hazard; and being allowed to drop outside a bunker under a two-stroke penalty are all moves in the right direction for professionals and amateurs.

Add in trusting a player’s judgement when it comes to estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance and it feels like maybe, just maybe, golf might actually reach a point of not being ridiculed on Radio 2.

There’s hope in the quiet corners of that big old clubhouse, somewhere…

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MADEINCHINA

40 NORTHERN GOLFER

MADEINCHINA

All the tees in China Callum Tarren reflects on a successful first year on the PGA Tour China and looks ahead to the new season with Dean Bailey

A

t the highest level, golf is truly a global game. World Golf Championships are now played in Mexico and the Far East while the best players in the world make annual pilgrimages to Australia and the Middle East to escape the worst of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

For 26-year-old Callum Tarren that world seemed a million miles away 12 months ago.

Back at Rockliffe Hall having started his season in March with two events on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Callum reflects on the route to finding his feet as a tour player in 2016.

“I was working and practising at Rockliffe in December 2015 and was really struggling to find a balance between working and playing. I got talking about China and thought it was a great idea to get away and concentrate on playing tournament golf.”

Callum flew out for January’s Qualifying School and secured full playing rights for the PGA Tour China with a fourth place finish - giving him access to the 13 events on the third-tier tour which offers Web.com Tour cards to the top five players on its season-ending order of merit.

“Getting a full card on a satellite tour was always the plan for 2016,” he says.

“It’s hard not knowing when the next tournament is or where the next cheque is coming from, but you have to accept the pyramid and know that getting to the top is worth the hard work.

“I had worked and played when I could with the money I had, but to compete with the guys who are playing these tours full-time I had to give myself the time.

Getting that card in China meant I could concentrate on playing golf.”

Returning to China in May for the first run of six events, Callum admits the tougher golf courses and the quality of each field was a shock to the system.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I first went out there other than seeing pictures of the golf courses online,” he says.

“The standard of the tour is so high and the courses out there are designed to be as tough as possible. It’s a race to see who has the most difficult course so you have to play well to be up there each week.”

In his first three events Callum found himself battling around the cut mark with one poor round in each four-round event costing him progress through the field.

His first top 10, a sixth place finish in the Cadillac Championship at the end of May, boosted his confidence ahead of returning to the UK for the first break in the season.

“I got it to five under-par through

NORTHERN GOLFER 41

MADEINCHINA nine in the final round and jumped up to second place. I tried to push on but made a silly mistake at the 10th which cost me a double bogey. Though I fell away from the lead down the stretch, that tournament was a big experience.”

Buoyed by his first top 10, he returned to Rockliffe and sought the advice of experienced tour players, including European Tour winner Graeme Storm.

“I was pushing too hard on the weekends,” admits Callum. “I spoke to a few guys about how they coped with it and things really improved when I flew back out.”

On his return Callum found his stride, recording 40th, 12th and ninth place finishes in his next three events to jump to 21st in the Order of Merit.

“I didn’t push too hard in that second spell. I was more relaxed and just let things happen really,” he says. More good results followed as Callum set his sights on securing a top five finish and a spot on 2017’s Web.com Tour.

Heading into the final four events of the season he knew a win or series of top five finishes would be enough to secure his step up. Another top 10, eighth in the Putian Open, was followed by a course record 62 at the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club en-route to a second place finish in the penultimate event of the season.

“That second place finish gave me a huge confidence boost. The goal all week was to stay patient on a really tough golf course as people were having high numbers and getting flustered around me.

I was over the moon to play so well at the sharp end of the season.”

Finishing the season with a tie for second place at the Buick Open to be just outside the Web.com Tour cards in eighth place, Callum was happy with a year of incredible experiences and finding his feet as a tour player.

“I had my back up against the ropes a bit at the start of the year and grinded through to get some good results. I managed to work out how I could get the ball around and stay in a tournament without having my best game. I then added to those with some really good scores when I did have my best game.”

That progress, which has been added to with a winter of practice back at home in Darlington - he admits he was back on the range within two days of the end of his season - is sure to serve him well on his return to China this season.

“I’m a better player now. I’d played at a decent level for 10 years but I hadn’t learned how to compete without my A game every week.

42 NORTHERN GOLFER

Callum Tarren at Rockliffe Hall

“I’ve been burnt enough times now and thrown events away by going for everything. Last year gave me a better understanding of tournament golf; it’s not about one round, one lot of nine holes, or even one hole – it’s about putting 72 holes together.”

With the season just around the corner, Callum can’t wait to head back to the Far East having worked with ex Middlesbrough Footballer Stuart Parnaby during the off season.

“After a really good first year I’ve

learned a lot about the Tour and my game.

I now want to push on and win the order of merit. The dream is the same as it was when I was 15 years old, I want to make it the PGA or European Tour and be on there for a long time.

“It would be awesome to be out there playing with the best players in the world. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully this year will be a big year for me.”

With a return already set for this month, there’s not long to wait now.

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YORKSHIRETOUR

Tour of Yorkshire This month we visit some of Yorkshire’s finest courses – from classic English parkland designs to coastal masterpieces

RIPON CITY GOLF CLUB NORTHERN GOLFER 45

YORKSHIRETOUR BEDALE GOLF CLUB Our tour of begins in the heart of North Yorkshire at Bedale Golf Club – a classic English course within walking distance of the historic market town.

Opened in 1894, the course is set in the stunning countryside of the Yorkshire Dales with tree-lined fairways presenting a tough prospect from the tee on many holes and well-bunkered greens making scoring tough. The signature hole, the 409-yard par four 13th, showcases Bedale perfectly with a tough drive over or around water to a narrow fairway before an approach to a tricky green protected by three front bunkers.

The clubhouse is very welcoming here, with food served daily, and provides great views out over the first and 18th fairways from the balcony.

A new swing studio was opened earlier this month, adding to the new academy course which gives members and visitors a chance to sharpen their short game skills before their round.

Just three miles from Junction 51 of the A1, a visit to Bedale is a must.

Bedale Golf Club, Leyburn Road Bedale, DL8 1EZ, tel 01677 422 451 www.bedalegolfclub.com

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Clubhouse, Leyburn Road, Bedale North Yorkshire DL8 1EZ T : 01677422451 E : secretary@bedalegolfclub.com 46 NORTHERN GOLFER

YORKSHIRETOUR Former Head Professional of Moor Allerton Peter Alliss: “Moor Allerton is a golfing experience larger than life”

GOLF SOCIETY OFFER:

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD GOLF CLUB FLAMBOROUGH HEAD GOLF CLUB Heading out to the east coast, Flamborough Head offers a yearround treat with this clifftop links course affording breathtaking views out across the North Sea from nearly every hole.

Measuring just 6,198 yards, Flamborough is not the longest links course in the region but it is a demanding test.

Avoid the rough at all costs, it is deep and will take a great shot to escape from, while the greens are

large, undulating and fast in the summer months.

The clubhouse at Flamborough, beside the historic lighthouse, offers stunning views of the golf course and out to the North Sea as well as a warm welcome and great food.

Flamborough Head Golf Club Lighthouse Road, Flamborough East Riding, YO15 1AR tel 01262 850 333 www.flamboroughheadgolfclub. co.uk

18 Holes – Sausage sandwich with hot drink on arrival – Chef’s Special Lunch/ Dinner – all from just £47.50 pp

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YORKSHIRETOUR

MOOR ALLERTON GOLF CLUB MASHAM GOLF CLUB Both Peter Allis and Bing Crosby have noted Masham Golf Club as one of the friendliest clubs they have visited, and we can certainly agree.

The nine-hole course has a storied history dating back to 1895, added to in 2016 when Dan Brown won the English Amateur Championship. Sitting in picturesque parkland alongside the River Burn you’ll find the course in excellent condition year-round thanks to its sandstone base. Tree-lined fairways protect

this relatively short course though few are brave enough to try and overpower it from the tee.

You’ll also find top quality ales on tap from Masham breweries Black Sheep and Theakston while PGA professional Andy Marshall has a fantastic shop here.

Masham Golf Club, Burnholme Swinton Road, Masham, Ripon HG4 4NS, tel 01765 688 054 www.mashamgolfclub.co.uk MOOR ALLERTON GOLF CLUB When it comes to golfing history in Yorkshire, few clubs can

compete with Moor Allerton. Sight of European Tour events featuring the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Tony Jacklin to name a dew.

Meanwhile, the storied list of club professionals which includes Howard Clark and Peter Allis, a visit here is a must just to take in the history.

Testing the UK’s best young players each year on the EuroPro Tour, the Robert Trent Jones Sr design - his only UK course – remains a stern challenge.

The rolling Yorkshire

countryside creates a number of tactical challenges, while strategic bunkering and large, contoured greens ensure only the best all-round players can build good scores here.

As well as great history and a superb 27-hole golf course, you’ll find top quality food from the club’s new catering team - making this one of the finest all-round golfing experiences.

Moor Allerton Golf Club Coal Road, Wike, Leeds, LS17 9NH tel 0113 266 1154 www.moorallertongolfclub.co.uk

MASHAM GOLF CLUB NORTHERN GOLFER 49

YORKSHIRETOUR

May 2017 Next month we’ll be visiting clubs in Dumfries & Galloway and Cumbria.

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PONTEFRACT & DISTRICT GOLF CLUB

RIPON CITY GOLF CLUB Beautiful parkland course • Superb greens Excellent home cooked food

PONTEFRACT & DISTRICT GOLF CLUB For more than 100 years Pontefract & District Golf Club has been offering superb golf and a warm Yorkshire welcome.

Established in 1904, the course remains true to its original Dr Alister MacKenzie design, with tall trees bordering the tight fairways and fast, undulating greens defending the course from the length of modern drivers and punishing the overaggressive players with penal rough, well-placed hazards and challenges escapes.

Pontefract & District is primarily a tactical course and it will take a number of visits to unpick the best lines and positions, and many more to unravel the secrets of MacKenzie’s greens.

An easy walk on undulating parkland, you’ll find top food and drink in the clubhouse after your round, while you share the many stories of holes played with precision, and the mistakes punished by this classic course.

Pontefract & District Golf Club Park Lane, Pontefract. WF8 4QS tel 01977 792 241 www.pdgc.co.uk

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Great introductory offers this spring T 01765 603640 (EXT 1) E admin@riponcitygolfclub.com W www.riponcitygolfclub.com 50 NORTHERN GOLFER

PONTEFRACT & DISTRICT GOLF CLUB

YORKSHIRETOUR RICHMOND (YORKS) GOLF CLUB RICHMOND (YORKS) GOLFÂ CLUB One of the shortest courses on our list, Richmond makes up for its lack of length with a mix of five stunning par threes, which may well be the best mix of short holes in the region.

The key to good scoring at Richmond, which was founded in 1892 and has been situated on the current site at Bend Hagg since 1904, is a sensible approach from the tee and a hot putter. The undulating greens offer a great deal of defence.

The finishing hole at Richmond offers a great story for the end of every visit. A par three played through a narrow gap in the thick trees to a green sitting on the edge of the clubhouse veranda; birdies are met with warm applause, while not making it out of the trees may result in a few laughs from your playing partners.

Richmond (Yorks) Golf Club Bend Hagg, Richmond DL10 5EX, tel 01748 823 231 www.richmondyorksgolfclub.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 51

YORKSHIRETOUR RIPON CITY GOLF CLUB Set in beautiful parkland, the 6,084-yard course at Ripon City Golf Club aims to challenge players of all abilities while offering a number of scoring opportunities.

The rolling Yorkshire landscape again provides natural elevation changes and frames many of the holes, while a combination of water hazards and bunkers will punish players who are too aggressive or find themselves out of position.

The finest example of this is found at the par three 14th. This 162-yard hole is played over water to a green protected by a bunker at the front left corner. Members and visitors in the clubhouse behind make this an even more daunting prospect.

Improvements to the course in recent years have added to the classic English parkland design, while maintaining the original style of the course and its architecture.

Ripon City Golf Club, Palace Road Ripon, HG4 3HH tel 01765 603 640 www.riponcitygolfclub.com

RIPON CITY GOLF CLUB

RICHMOND (YORKS) GOLF CLUB 125TH ANNIVERSARY OFFERS

It has never been easier to become a member at Richmond ( Yorks ) Golf Club...

Join from 1st April 2017 until 31st March 2018 for £365

ONLY £1 PER DAY Limited Availability Terms & Conditions Apply

VISITING PARTIES PARTIES OF 16 OR MORE WILL RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY FOUR BALL VOUCHER

OPTION

OPTION

OPTION

• Coffee & Bacon Roll • 18 holes • £20pp midweek • £25pp Saturday

• Coffee & Bacon Roll • 18 holes • Meal of the Day (main) • £27pp midweek • £32pp Saturday

• Coffee & Bacon Roll • 9 holes • Soup & Sandwiches • 18 holes • Meal of the Day (main) • £35pp midweek • £40pp midweek

1

2

3

For bookings and enquiries call 01748 823231 secretary@richmondyorksgolfclub.co.uk | www.richmondyorksgolfclub.

52 NORTHERN GOLFER

YORKSHIRETOUR

WHITBY GOLF CLUB

WHITBY GOLF CLUB 2017 marks the 125th anniversary of Whitby Golf Club, now laid out over the spectacular clifftops between Whitby and Sandsend.

From its commanding position on the edge of the cliffs, and with views around the North Yorkshire coast to Kettleness and across to Whitby harbour and pier with the Abbey ruins dominating behind, it can be tough to concentrate on getting your ball around the course.

Not too long, nor too difficult, the layout punishes the wildest players with thick rough, while bunkering and run off areas will catch out many players who are not used the firm and fast conditions in the summer.

As with all links courses, the true difficulty of the course is defined by the wind – benign conditions will yield good scores here while a stern test awaits should the wind blow across the clifftops.

Whitby Golf Club, Low Straggleton Sandsend Road, Whitby YO21 3SR, tel 01947 228 892 www.whitbygolfclub.co.uk

WOODHALL HILLS GOLF CLUB OPEN EVENTS 2017 Woodhall Lane, Pudsey, Calverley, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UN 0113 255 4594 e: office@woodhallhillsgolfclub.com www.woodhallhillsgolfclub.com

SPRING AM-AM

Friday 21st April 2017 £80 per 4 Person Team Including a One Course Meal Shotgun Start 2.00pm ¾ hcp 24 Limit

MIXED OPEN Sunday 14th May 2017 £25 per couple, Start Times 10am - 2.30pm - Stableford 4BBB

LADIES OPEN AM-AM Friday 21st July 2017 £50 per team of 4 Start Times 10am - 2.30pm Stableford, Complimentary Pimms and Cakes

SENIOR’S OPEN Thursday 10th August 2017 Open to over 50s, 4BBB Stableford, £25 per Pair, Prizes for Non-Members Pair and Combined age over 130 pairs.

SUMMER AM-AM Friday 18th August 2017 £80 per 4 Person Team Including a One Course Meal – Shotgun Start 2.00pm ¾ hcp 24 Limit

GENTS 4BBB OPEN Saturday 23rd September 2017 £24 per Couple, Start Times 7.00am – 2.30pm, 4BBB Stableford, 9/10 hcp 24 Limit

GENTS TEAM OPEN

Visiting Parties welcome from £19pp 2017 Membership Now Available All open events are bookable on the clubs website.

Sunday 24th September 2017 £50 per Team of 4, Start Times 8.00am – 2.00pm, Stableford, ¾ hcp 24 Limit

LADIES FESTIVE FAYRE Thursday 16th November 2017 Tri-Am, £25 per Team (3) 10am Shotgun Start, Complimentary Mince Pies

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YORKSHIRETOUR WOODHALL HILLS GOLF CLUB Ending our tour of some of Yorkshire’s finest courses for this month, Woodhall Hills sits between Leeds and Bradford in 130 acres of moorland with stunning views all around.

Founded in 1905, a number of layout changes have been made in the club’s history while continued investment ensures you’ll find a superbly presented course.

Many of the fairways are flanked by mature trees here, while a mixture of bunkers, hazards and tactical challenges will test every part of your game – as will the rolling moorland which features on every hole and will come into play a number of times during your round. The spacious clubhouse, where a warm welcome is guaranteed, retains many of its original features while being relaxed and comfortable for members and visitors.

Woodhall Hills Golf Club, Woohall Road, Calverley, Pudsey LS28 5UN, tel 0113 255 4594 www.woodhallhillsgolfclub.com

WOODHALL HILLS GOLF CLUB

This is a very special year for

WHITBY GOLF CLUB

and we look forward to celebrating it with you

£12.50 Anniversary Green Fee Quote ‘NG1892’ when booking, tee times subject to availability. The £12.50 rate is valid all day Monday and after 2pm Tuesday–Friday.

T&Cs apply

Green Fee/Meal Package from £25 per person Discounts for groups of 8 or more (8 for 7, 16 for 14 etc)

Whitby Golf Club, Sandsend Road, Low Straggleton, Whitby YO21 3SR tel: 01947 600660 | email: office@whitbygolfclub.co.uk | www.whitbygolfclub.co.uk 54 NORTHERN GOLFER

All visitors receive a Whitby Golf Club memento and copy of commemorative brochure

Masham Golf Club

M G

C

Founded 1895

A gem of a golf course set in the heart of North Yorkshire www.mashamgolfclub.co.uk

Home club of Dan Brown English Amateur Champion

Masham golf club was founded in 1895 and in the ensuing century it has become renowned throughout the north for its hospitality and friendliness. The course sits in mature parkland with the central feature of the River Burn always a hazard to contend with.

In its rich history the course has been changed considerably with most of the major changes taking place in the last 25 years. The current layout was last amended in 1995 with the extension of the fifth hole and creation of the new sixth.

These two holes have added considerably to the length of the course as well as creating a tougher test for the golfer.

AT MASHAM ✘ We NEVER play on temporary greens ✘ We NEVER use fairway mats ✘ We NEVER close the course * ✔ We use buggies all year round ✔ New members and visitors welcome ✔ Flexible membership options New for 2017

At Masham we recognise that the golfer with a young family cannot always find the time for 18 holes, likewise the more mature golfer, who still loves the game, finds 18 holes takes up too much time. We therefore have introduced a 9 Hole Membership for only £395. * The course is only closed for safety reasons i.e. fog or lightning

OPEN EVENTS FOR 2017

Saturday 6th May - Rabbits Open Spring Open Weekend: Friday 2nd June - Ladies Saturday 3rd June - Men Sunday 4th June - Mixed Wednesday 14th June - Seniors Open Friday 7th July Open AM-AM Autumn Open Weekend: Friday 8th September - Ladies Saturday 9th September - Men Sunday 10th September - Mixed

Book via Golf Empire or see our website for details - online booking coming soon

ROUNDWITH

A ROUND WITH...

Graham Onions Durham CCC fast bowler Graham Onions on why he loves golf, his dream fourball, and his best and worst golfing moments

D

urham cricketer Graham Onions has reached the pinnacle of his profession as a fast bowler, helping England win The Ashes in 2009 and winning three County Championships with Durham since making his county debut in 2004. Now 34 and with the 2017 season on the horizon, we caught up him to talk about his other great sporting passion…

1 With a packed season about to begin and a young family at home, how often do get to play golf?

Not as much as I’d like to. The English cricket season is long and we do a lot of travelling so I like to spend a lot of my time at home with the family. I’d play two or three times a week if I could but I usually fit in a couple of games a month in the summer.

2 How did you get into golf?

There were a lot of golfers in the Durham team when I started and every morning of a Twenty20 game Gary Pratt, Gordon Muchall, Phil Mustard and I would jump in the car and play at Slaley Hall. It was great to get out there, loosen up and get our minds away from cricket for a little bit.

It was good fun, even though I was rubbish and playing a really tough golf course having just picked up a club for the first time.

GRAHAM ONIONS OF DURHAM CCAC AND ENGLAND 2000 Onions makes his debut for Durham Second XI aged 18 2006 Gets his first England call up 2009 Onions made his Test debut versus West Indies and later that year his One Day International debut against Australia 2008, 2009, 2013 County Championship winner with Durham 2013 Controversially omitted from the England Test squad having fought back from injury

56 NORTHERN GOLFER

6 Your favourite golfing memory?

I’ve got good memories of playing well over the years but the ones that really stand out are the trips away with the team. We go away at the end of the season and it’s always a great experience.

7 What about embarrassing moments?

Playing in a pro am at Slaley Hall and starting at the eighth off the back tees, I pulled my first tee shot into the trees and lost the ball. I walked onto the ninth and made a six, which I was quite happy with. I then walked up to the first tee and topped it onto the ladies tee before nailing a three wood, hitting a wedge to 2ft and holing out for a four. The pro didn’t know what was going on!

8 Do you have any superstitions?

I have a little shuffle before I putt, which a few people have said looks like I’m dancing.

9 What are your strengths on the course?

I’m handy with an eight iron down to the wedges and I’m not a bad putter.

3 Which is your favourite course in the North East?

I’ve played a lot of golf in the North East so that’s tough. Longhirst is good fun on a nice day - though it’s too hard for me when it’s windy. My go-to would have to be the Priestman course at Slaley Hall.

4 And further afield?

We played The Grove quite bit when I was in the England team and that’s a really special place. I’ve been lucky enough to play at Loch Lomond with Paul Collingwood which is spectacular.

5 You’re about a 12-handicapper – what’s your best ever round?

Playing at South Shields Golf Club with the lads, I shot seven over-par using a ladies driver which was too short for me, a putter we shared between us, a set of irons I won on a golf day and the same ball for 18 holes.

10 And your weaknesses?

I played a lot of tennis and badminton as a kid so I have days when I’ll hit a few duck hooks off the tee.

2017 The 34-year-old will play a key role in Durham’s quest to return to the top division following last season’s demotion enforced by the ECB

11 Which is your favourite club?

My 56° Titleist Vokey wedge, I use it from inside 80 yards and have a lot of confidence with it.

12 Who is your best golfing mate?

I play a lot of golf with the Durham guys, though I have a couple of close friends who I tend to get away for a few games too.

13 How does your sporting background help your golf?

I think every professional sportsman has that competitive edge, which can be good and bad depending on whether you’re playing well or not. I do try and turn that off and get away from being too competitive and enjoy my sport when I can.

14 Who is your favourite tour player?

Phil Mickelson is a favourite - he’s a little bit unorthodox and his ability to get himself out of trouble around the greens is incredible.

The way Dustin Johnson hits the ball is amazing and I always look out for Rory McIlroy during the majors - he’d probably be my top pick.

15 Which event do you enjoy the most?

I try and watch a bit of golf when I can and find it really relaxing to see guys make it look so easy. The Ryder Cup is the number one the competitive edge between the two teams is great to see. Both teams are giving their all to win - I admire that in any athlete.

16 Which sportsmen do you admire?

Darren Gough - who gave me my England cap. I grew up watching him and I always admired what he did on and off the field.

And Dale Steyn, the way he celebrates wickets, his desire to put in performances is really admirable.

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

American actor Will Smith, I think he’s a genius. Michelle Keegan, though I’m not sure she plays golf. And Rory Mcilroy to be able to watch him up close.

18 If I could offer you another County Championship or a scratch handicap, which would you take?

It would have to be a County Championship.

I love Durham. I would choose a Championship over a scratch handicap because I know how much it means to the club and to the lads. I’d be really happy to be a single figure handicapper.

ROUNDWITH ROUNDWITH

NORTHERN GOLFER 57 NORTHERN GOLFER 57

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NORTHERN GOLFER 59

Northern Golfer- the best way to reach golfers in the North of England With more than 11,000 copies of the magazine distributed free every month and a growing online audience, Northern Golfer is the ideal way for businesses to reach the affluent golf market in Northumberland, Durham, Tees Valley and Yorkshire.

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COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE CONTACT Cocken Lodge, Cocken Road, Leamside Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 6QP tel 0191 5841 053 www.cockenlodge.co.uk

Short and sweet Dean Bailey visit Cocken Lodge and finds a fantastic short course

W

hether you’re making the jump from the driving range to the golf course, or sharpening your skills around the greens, a short course is a fantastic stepping stone – though they don’t often look and play like Cocken Lodge.

Opened in 2000, the nine-hole loop around the floodlit driving range is truly special – with USGA specification greens surrounded by stadium course mounding to create a fantastic course of 1,486 yards with two par fours and seven par threes.

A game should take between an hour and 90 minutes, ideal for a quick golf fix in the evening while the large greens with multiple tiers and daunting slopes will test the best players.

Beginners and youngsters will enjoy the shorter holes while low handicappers can sharpen the most important part of the game – those shots from inside 100 yards which make up around 70% of every round.

The greens are well defended by mounding and small, well-placed bunkers while there are a number of candidates for signature hole. The par four third is 233 yards with out of bounds

to the left side and a fairway bunker to the left, while the large green is dissected by steep slopes and runoffs – a daunting pitch shot awaits every time you play this one.

The par four eighth, a 261-yard dogleg right would sit perfectly on any course in the region with a near-impossible target for those taking on the green over bunkers and water. Laying up to the fairway doesn’t make things much easier with a long iron into the fairway leaving a pitch to a green protected by two bunkers to the right and water left, with a green which will gather the ball back towards the hazard.

The ninth would also be well placed on any course, it’s huge amphitheatre-like green with Durham Cathedral in the distance, protected by bunkers at the front left and front right and steep mounding on three sides.

Away from the course, the recently refurbished clubhouse/café is very welcoming with hot drinks, sandwiches and draught beers, while the 18-bay driving range (12 covered bays) has recently been upgraded with LED lighting and is open until 9pm daily. The club is also home to PGA professional Doug Brolls and PGA assistant professional Phil Maitland.

PRICES 9 holes - £10 18 holes - £15 Juniors – half price Seniors (Mon-Fri) – half price Loyalty card – pay for six games and get seventh free 50 balls £3 Four tokens for £10 TOTAL DISTANCE Yellow tees 1,486 yards Red tees 1,340 yards FEATURES Nine-hole course Floodlit driving range Chipping and putting greens Large clubhouse and café PGA professional tuition

NORTHERN GOLFER 61

CHARITYGOLF

Grand gesture

Martin Spink (right) presents the cheque to Martin McKibbin Leeds Golf Club has raised more than £1,000 for the Ophthalmology Trust Fund in memory of Claud Sharp.

Born and educated in Leeds, Claud worked as an eye surgeon in Sunderland - his father was also an eminent eye specialist in Leeds and his grandfather was the personal physician to Queen Mary.

In 2015 he gifted two valuable artefacts from the club’s early history back to Leeds Golf Club and it was agreed that two new competitions would be held to play for the trophies with the entry fees going to support the Ophthalmology department in Leeds.

The artefacts are a gold cigar case and match box which were given to the first president of the Leeds club, William PenroseGreen, in 1910. The Sharp and Penrose-Green families were friendly and Claud Sharp was a close friend of Vera Penrose-Green, William’s daughter.

The first competition, held last year, raised £1,065 and the next event is already planned this year.

A cheque for the money raised at the inaugural competition was presented by the 2016 captain Martin Spink to consultant Martin McKibbin, whose family used to live next door to Claud Sharp’s family in Sunderland.

To feature your charity golf day in Northern Golfer send details and pictures to editor@ northerngolfer.co.uk 62 NORTHERN GOLFER

Sports stars line up at the start of the COCO Steve Cram Celebrity Golf Day

John Regis at the Steve Cram Celebrity Golf Day

Mark Bright (right) and TV presenter Manish Bhasin (centre)

Make a date with COCO

T

he 13th Steve Cram Celebrity Golf Day in aid of COCO is being held on the Hunting and Priestman courses at Slaley Hall on June 22.

Teams of four cost £500, or £800 for three plus a celebrity, at the popular event which has so far raised £210,000 for the charity.

Celebrities expected to play this year include Andy Buist, Eve Muirhead, Phil Brown, Marc Hynes, Pete Graves and Steve Harper.

Sponsored by Grovesnor Casinos, the winning teams will be presented with their prizes during a three-course presentation dinner at Slaley Hall.

Lucy Philipson, CEO of COCO said: “Our golf day allows you

to personally connect with Steve, some of our fantastic celebrity supporters and the team at COCO. It is a chance to relax in the stunning surroundings of Q Hotels Slaley Hall and to network with other businesses who support COCO in an informal setting. We’re sure that by the end of the day you will feel part of the COCO family and your guests will have had an experience to remember.”

COCO’s purpose is to provide education to create the opportunity for children to break the cycle of poverty. It is currently working with communities in remote areas of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

For more information and to register a team visit www.coco.org.uk

CHARITYGOLF

Tim takes centre stage

T

im Healy is taking to the golf course to help with care costs for a stricken friend who started his career with the North East actor back in the 1970s.

The inaugural Tim Healy Celebrity Classic, sponsored by PinPoint Health and Social Care, will take place at the MacDonald Linden Hall, Northumberland on September 7.

All proceeds will go towards helping the family of actor Dave Whitaker who now needs constant care after suffering a stroke in 2012.

“Dave is a very good friend of mine,” said Tim. “We started working with the Live Theatre Company in 1973 and we’ve been pals ever since.”

Tim is best known for playing Dennis Patterson in the television series Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Lesley in the ITV comedy-drama series Benidorm, and Gastric in Still Open All Hours.

“I was devastated when I found out Dave had had a stroke and needs 24-hour care,” added Tim. “It’s put a tremendous strain on his family having to find additional care costs and that’s why we want to raise as much money as possible.”

Snooker legend Willie Thorne, football’s Cyrille Regis, three-times world darts champion John

Tim Healy with fellow players Phil Thornton-Brown, former Newcastle United player John Beresford and singer Cole Page Lowe, Game of Thrones actor Clive Russell, comedian Jason Cook, Adam Gillen - who plays Tim’s son in Benidorm, plus other cast members of Benidorm have already agreed to play. More names are to be confirmed.

Teams of four tee off at noon in a shotgun start, followed by a prize giving, gala dinner, live

Eve Peet (right) presents the cheque to Sarah Thompson

Happy landing

C

umbria’s Carus Green Golf Club has raised £1,421 for the North West Air Ambulance.

The cheque was presented to Sarah Thompson, the North Lancashire and South Cumbria regional fundraiser at the club’s ladies annual meeting.

Lady captain Eve Peet and club captain Derek Oldfield chose the North West Air Ambulance as their 2016 charity of choice with funds raised through raffles, a tombola and various events during the course of their

captaincies. “We chose the North West Air Ambulance as our charity of the year because it’s such a worthy cause and provides a vital service across the region”, said Eve. “We are so pleased that the club has raised this amount to help keep the service in the air.”

Eve, who has now passed the lady captain’s baton to Greta Farnsworth, described her year as extremely enjoyable, despite passing very quickly. Her gift of a bound year in pictures book from members of the ladies section rounded off a memorable tenure.

music and auction with celebrity guests. For those who do not wish to play golf, tickets are available separately for the gala dinner.

To book a team or a table at the dinner go to www.officialtimhealy.com/book-here, email info@connectvips.com or contact Karen, tel 0191 251 2222 and 07782 109 758.

Catterick captain Brian de la Haye and Lady Captain Val Pringle celebrated the end of their year in office by presenting the Friarage Hospital MRI Scanner Appeal with a cheque for £2,462.

The money was raised by holding events throughout 2016 and through the generosity of the members.

NORTHERN GOLFER 63

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All golf breaks include: Dinner, bed & breakfast Golf on your choice of two courses 10% discount on food & drink in The Clubhouse 1 in 12 play & stay for free

* All offers are subject to availability. Prices vary based on day of week and high / low seasons.

To book or for further information visit www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk or call us on 0191 386 5282

GOLFERGEAR

Season openers With The Masters in the record books for another year, the golf season is officially in full swing and we have more equipment and apparel to keep your game sharp and you looking good. This month we feature funky custom Callaway wedges, a new Bushnell rangefinder, one of the smallest PowaKaddy’s ever, new looks from Oscar Jacobson, PING and Mizuno, and more.

LOOK GOOD, PLAY GOOD Oscar Jacobson SS17 Collection RRP from £50 www.oscarjacobson.com The stylish folks at Oscar Jacobson are back for the 2017 season with a new apparel collection which looks great on and off the golf course. The new line sees the return of old favourites and the addition of new apparel – including the Torex Fieldsensor polos, which offer better comfort in the summer sun thanks to a number of new technologies. The Wyatt V-neck sweater and Rutger V-neck slipover return while the collection also features updated trousers, jackets and accessories for men and women.

WALK THIS WAY FootJoy Energize shoes RRP £95 (laced), £110 (BOA Closure System) www.footjoy.co.uk FootJoy has announced the latest addition to its tour-leading footwear line. The new Energize footwear features a full grain leather upper and thin-spiked outer with TourLock Pulsar Cleats and is aimed at players looking for a combination of comfort, flexibility and style. They are also available in laced and BOA Closure System options.

FEEL LIKE A PRO Callaway Custom Wedges RRP £149 uk.callawaygolf.com/more/callaway-custom-wedges Callaway is offering to bring your wedge game one step closer to the professionals with a custom wedge design service available online. Starting with an MD3 Milled or MD Forged head as a blank canvas, you can add to seven zones on each clubhead with the online Configurator. Options include stamping lettering, numbers and symbols in a variety of styles and colours as well as customising the four weight ports in eight colours options.

NORTHERN GOLFER 65

GOLFERGEAR

ON THE NUMBER Bushnell Tour V4 laser rangefinder RRP £339 www.bushnellgolf.eu Bushnell has unveiled a new version of the fourth generation Tour V laser rangefinder. The Tour V4 SHIFT features Slope-Switch technology for the first time, which makes moving between normal distances and those which compensate for gradients effortless.

Faster and 30% lighter than the Tour V3, the newest version makes switching between tournament-legal yardages and those that utilise Bushnell’s Slope Technology easier than ever before thanks to the logoed button on the side of the unit.

NEW LOOK Mizuno SS17 apparel and Nexlite SL shoes RRP from £50 golf.mizunoeurope.com Mizuno’s new line of apparel and new ultra-light golf shoes are available now. The spring/summer collection for 2017 is inspired by a simple, classic look and features Drylite, Warmalite and Windlite technologies across five polos, shorts, trousers and a range of outerwear including wind jackets and vests. The spikeless Nexlite SL golf shoes weigh just 275g and feature the same Mizuno Wave Platform you’ll find in the brand’s running shoes.

66 NORTHERN GOLFER

SMALLER IS BETTER PowaKaddy Compact C2 electric trolley RRP: £599.99 www.powakaddy.com One of PowaKaddy’s easiest to use and smallest electric trollies ever – the Compact C2 – has been announced.

The new trolley, which requires just two folds to pack and unpack, has been designed to save space and time and is one of PowaKaddy’s lightest trolleys available. Features aren’t compromised though – with a full colour display and USB charging port powered by lithium batteries available in 18 and 36-hole options.

GOLFERGEAR

AN OLD FAVOURITE

IN THE BAG

With world number 13 Brooke Henderson

MacGregor DCT Elite driver, fairway woods and hybrids RRP from £49.99 www.macgregor-golf.co.uk One of golf’s oldest brands, MacGregor, has released a new line of drivers, fairway woods and hybrids offering power, forgiveness and value for money. The MacGregor DCT Elite driver has been designed for the perfect combination of distance and forgiveness with an ultra-thin face helping generate faster ball speeds.

The DCT Elite fairway woods are available in 15º and 18º options with the hybrids coming in 21º and 24º variants.

SUITS YOU PING SS17 Men’s Performance Polo Collectio RRP from £50 www.ping.com PING’s newest line of Performance Polos in available now, featuring performance fabrics throughout the brand’s most advanced range ever. The collection’s flagship Brett and Harris designs incorporate Coolmax All Season technology, which transports moisture away from the body to keep the wearer cool and dry on hot days while the fibre structure provides insulation on colder days. The collection also includes the Ronan and Easton polos which benefit from a refined aesthetic and modern fit – as preferred by tour players Louis Oosthuizen (pictured) and Brandon Stone.

Canadian Brooke Henderson became the youngest winner of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June 2016 at the age of 18 – having claimed her first LPGA title the previous year.

Having finished in a tie for 10th place in the US Women’s Open aged just 16, Brooke now has eight professional titles to her name, and following a 14th place finish in this year’s first major – the ANA Inspiration at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, here’s what’s in her bag…

PING G 9°

PING G Stretch G 12° & PING G30 18°

PING G30 (H4) PING Arna

PING i200 (5-PW)

PING Glide 2.0 (50°, 54° & 58°) NORTHERN GOLFER 67

GETFIT

Get fit for golf Ahead of the season, and with some of us in need of a bit of help, we asked five fitness experts to share their best advice for golfers Jordan Watson

Chris Kirk CORE POWER Jordan Watson, personal trainer, Matfen Hall The key muscles for golf are in your core - the muscles surrounding your stomach area, round to your back and down to the tops of your legs.

These muscles connect the legs, which create most of your power, to your arms. This exercise will improve your core strength.

Rotational alternate leg lunge – Holding a medicine ball straight out in front of you and keeping your shoulders back and head straight, lunge forward and twist 90 degrees across your leading leg. Perform three sets of 12 lunges on each side with a 30 second recovery between each exercise. www.matfenhall.com

Rachel Guthrie

68 NORTHERN GOLFER

Shawn O’Neil

IN MOTION With Chris Kirk, CKElite Personal Training A lack of motion through your golf swing can hinder power and leave you walking off the golf course in pain. Here’s a simple hip exercise to help increase power and highlight any tightness.

Hip rotation exercise - Place a resistance band around your left foot (right foot for left-handed players) then pull it across to the right shoulder.

The focus here is on winding up through the back swing - look to draw your right shoulder up while rotating the hips. The band will feel like it is snapping you back down, resist this and control yourself back down to the start. Complete 10 reps then take the band off and do a further 10 reps. www.ckelite.co.uk

POWER PLANT With Shawn O’Neil, TPI-certified personal trainer An efficient swing which is powerful and repeatable requires mobility and stability, and this deadlift exercise is excellent for developing strong hip extension and power. It is also great for developing the core strength needed for maintaining a good posture.

Deadlift exercise – Using a weight you’re comfortable lifting multiple times with relative ease, set your feet shoulder width apart. Keeping your back straight, use your legs to lift the bar up to your thighs until you’re standing up straight.

Complete three sets of 10 reps with 30 seconds rest between each set. www.facebook.com/shawnoneilfit

BRIDGE FOR SUCCESS Rachel Guthrie, fitness manager, The Spa at Ramside Lower back pain is common complaint among golfers and this simple exercise will help strengthen your gluteal muscles (in your bum) and stabilise your pelvis properly during the swing, transferring power better and staying in posture through your swing.

Glute bridge - Lie on your back with your feet hipwidth apart while keeping your hands and forearms on the ground. Lift your hips off the ground until your knees, hips and shoulders form a straight line. Hold your bridged position for 3-5 seconds before easing back down. Do three sets of 10 with 60 seconds rest between each set. www.ramsidespa.co.uk

GETFIT

“The keys to good golf are strength and flexibility”

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IN A TWIST With Dan Gardner, leisure manager, George Washington Fitness programmes are tailored to each individual, though there are a range of exercises which will help every golfer improve their core stability and their scores. Here’s a simple exercise which can benefit players of all ages and abilities.

Russian twist - Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground (preferably held in place). Lean back so your thighs and torso create a V shape. Holding your arms infront of your chest (add weights as your strength improves), twist your torso to the right, hold for a second, then rotate back to the centre. Twist to the left, hold and return to the centre. Perform three sets of 10 twists with 30 seconds rest between sets. leisuremanager@georgewashington.co.uk

Quote “Golf CKElite” for 15% off your first session.

Web: ckelite.co.uk Tel: 0785 4035 406

www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk – 0191 3865282 NORTHERN GOLFER 69

GOLFERTIPS

John Harrison tel 01661 8 86 400 www.matf enhall.com

GOOD POSTURE, GREAT COIL Consistently getting into the correct posture will help many aspects of your golf swing, and most importantly will allow you to create an efficient turn and coil for more power and improved speed control.

Here’s a great drill to incorporate on and off the golf course to ensure your posture is perfect.

THE DRILL Stand up straight and take your grip while keeping your arms in front of you and pushed together.

Flex your knees slightly (don’t bend them) keeping your spine perpendicular to the ground.

Bend forwards from your hips (not your shoulders) until the clubhead engages with the ground – you’ll need more bend as the length of the club you’re using decreases.

Find the perfect spine angle by making sure your left eye is inline with the middle of your stance.

This will allow you to make a good rotation without having to turn your head in the backswing.

70 NORTHERN GOLFER

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GOLFERCOMPETITIONS

win

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

Closing date Thursday May 4, 2017. Usual competition rules apply – available on request.

Winners will be published in our next edition.

.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT MOOR ALLERTON GOLF CLUB. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr, Moor Allerton is one of Yorkshire’s finest inland courses. Set in 220 acres of Yorkshire countryside, the three loops of nine feature large contoured greens, challenging shots and stunning views.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the 2017 WGC Dell Technologies Match Play?

.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR .WIN GOLF FOR FOUR .WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT BOLDON GOLF CLUB. AT HOBSON GOLF CLUB. AT RIPON CITY. Designed by six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon, Boldon Golf Club remains one of the North East’s finest courses.

Accurate driving is required over this classic mature parkland layout, while your short game will be tested around small, undulating greens.

A classic English layout, Hobson Golf Club was opened in 1979 and is an all-round test with generous fairways protected by banks of trees and beautifully presented greens.

The club is also well known for its warm welcome and high quality practice facilities and driving range.

Ripon City Golf Club is setup to challenge golfers of all abilities over the 6,084-yard parkland course.

The rolling landscape is home to a mix of challenging par fours and plenty of birdie opportunities should you manage your way around the course.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Which European course will host the 2018 Ryder Cup?

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the 1997 Masters Tournament at Augusta National?

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: How old was Jack Nicklaus when he won his 18th major?

Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Garesfield - Richard Young of Hexham • Stocksfield - Roy Tozer of Hartlepool Wynyard - Irene Hall of Choppington 72 NORTHERN GOLFER

WIN YOUR CHANCE TO

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2017

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MATCHPLAYPAIRS

Trophy Wynners Dean Bailey reports on a great final to the Northern Golfer Matchplay Pairs

J

ohn Potts and Graeme Robson from Ramside Hall lifted the Northern Golfer Matchplay Pairs trophy for 2016 following a close final over the Wellington Course at Wynyard Golf Club.

Playing in spring sunshine in Teesside John and Graeme held off the team of Richard White and Malcolm Lumsden from Centurion Park to add their names to the list of champions stretching back to 2003 with a 2&1 win – Graeme sealing the win with a birdie two at the 17th.

“It was a really close game to finish off what’s been a great year of matches,” said John.

“We’ve only had one home tie and we’ve played some fabulous courses around the North East and Yorkshire,” added Graeme. “There are so many stand out moments from our matches this year and to finish it off with a birdie to win the final was a great feeling.”

74 NORTHERN GOLFER

Delayed from the end of 2016, the final was close throughout with just one hole between the pairs until the 14th.

Richard and Malcolm got off to a fast start – Malcolm’s nett birdie at the par five first hole putting them 1up. John responded with the only nett par at the second having found trees from the tee before reaching the green with a three wood for his third shot.

The match remained close through the front nine, John’s nett par at the sixth good enough to take the lead for the first time with a great putt down the hill from 5ft. Richard levelled the match at the short par four eighth with an excellent two putt for his par and the pairs made the turn all-square.

The momentum swung to the Ramside pair at the 11th, where Graeme’s excellent four iron from the rough found the edge of the green and his putt ran close for birdie. Par was good enough to return

MATCHPLAYPAIRS to 1up – a lead they would not give up. The Ramside pair wobbled in the middle of the back nine, though Richard and Malcolm couldn’t take good chances at the 12th and 13th as John and Graeme both scrambled well to maintain their lead.

At the 14th, having missed the green short, John’s up and down was enough to take a 2up lead, though he and partner Graeme would stumble at the 15th - finding the right rough and left hazard respectively to gift the hole back.

Both then went close at 16 with birdie chances at the par five before Graeme hit a superb approach to 15ft at the par three 17th and made the first birdie of the match across the slope to close out a 2&1 victory.

• The final was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. Congratulations to John and Graeme. If you haven’t entered this year’s event turn to the next page for full details.

Wynyard’s Wellington course hosted a great final

Winners Graeme Robson and John Potts with runners up Richard White and Malcolm Lumsden NORTHERN GOLFER 75

MATCHPLAYPAIRS MATCH PLAY PAIRS APPLICATION FORM For your chance to win a top prize in amateur golf, simply fill in this application form and send it to: Dean Bailey, Northern Golfer, Offstone Publishing, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: MONDAY MAY 1, 2017

LEAD PLAYER PLAYER NAME

HANDICAP GOLF CLUB

ADDRESS POSTCODE TEL (DAY)

TEL (EVE)

PARTNER

HANDICAP GOLF CLUB

ADDRESS POSTCODE TEL (DAY)

TEL (EVE)

EMAIL

PAYMENT:

ENTRY FEE

I have enclosed a cheque made payable to Offstone Publishing for £25  Or I authorise Offstone Publishing to debit my Mastercard/Visa/Maestro/Delta card by £25 only

£25



Card Number Issue No:

Valid from:

(Maestro only)

Exp date:

T

he Northern Golfer Matchplay Pairs will begin this May – and you now have until May 1 to enter one of the North’s biggest matchplay tournaments.

There will be no preliminary round this year – with the first round of matches announced on Wednesday May 3. The deadline for confirming the results of those matches will be Sunday May 28.

This year’s winning pair will once again receive a trip to the NE/ NW PGA Pro Am in Portugal – with flights, accommodation and golf at the stunning Onyria Palmares Beach Golf Resort.

This year pairs can enter online

back of your card)

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

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

14. No extensions will be given.

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

6. The maximum handicap is 24.

Cardholders Signature:

Please fill in the name and address the card is registered to: Inital

Surname

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

8. Matches to be played off the tees of the day.

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

Address

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

11. No player can enter the competition more than once.

Northern Golfer would like to keep you informed of our news, offers and competitions. If you prefer NOT to recieve our newsletter please tick this box 

076NORTHERN 76 NORTHERNGOLFER GOLFER

at www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ match-play-pairs or via post.

Played throughout the season, teams are drawn against one another in a knockout format, played with 90% handicap allowance, with the final four teams making it to Middlesbrough Golf Club for the semi-finals on Sunday October 8. The final will be played at Middlesbrough Golf Club on October 15 with the winning pair heading to the Algarve in November.

For more information go to www.northerngolfer.co.uk or contact Dean Bailey, dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk, tel 01661 844 115.

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

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

CSC: (3 digits on the

Title

Matchplay Pairs 2017

Entry deadline extended to May 1

EMAIL

PLAYER NAME

Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort

12. 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.

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

16. Should a match be tied after 18 holes, the result will be decided by a sudden-death play off commencing at the first hole.

17. 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.

18. No correspondence will be entered into.

19. The prizes are not transferable.

20. Distance Measuring Devices permitted.

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

22. The Semi-Finals and Final are to be played at Middlesbrough Golf Club. The dates for these matches are Sunday October 8 (semi-finals) and Sunday October 15 (final).

23. Date and venue of the NE/NW PGA Pro Am has yet to be confirmed.

ADVERTORIAL

BRANCEPETH CASTLE

THE CLUBHOUSE, BRANCEPETH, DH7 8EA. TEL: 0191 3780075 OPTION 2 E: ENQUIRIES@BRANCEPETH-CASTLEGOLF.CO.UK | WWW.BRANCEPETH-CASTLE-GOLF.CO.UK

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club rests on the gentle hills and ravines of Mid-County Durham in the magnificent shadow of the castle itself A Harry Colt classic, Brancepeth Castle is known for its rolling fairways, firm greens, and spectacular views. Established in 1924 Brancepeth Castle Golf Club has long been a benchmark of quality championship golf in the Durham parkland, most recently hosting an England Golf Championship in 2015. It is a stern and treacherous test of golf, with exciting par 3’s and devilish little hollows persistently examining the mental fortitude and short game prowess of those who play. However, it is eternally fair, rewarding those who play with patience and sense with opportunities to score.

Starting gently with the short first hole, the course quickly roars to life with a dramatic carry over the ravine. The remainder of the front nine will see you navigate your way through some of the most beautiful parkland terrain in the Northeast,

culminating with an infamous 9th. The 9th at Brancepeth is widely regarded as one of the toughest holes in the world, and as such offers sweet reward for those who manage to tame it.

From the medal tees Brancepeth measures only 6400 yards, though do not be fooled. Five of the toughest par 3’s in the country loom along with only three very well-protected par 5’s to yield.

A good day on the course deserves a warm time in the clubhouse, and Brancepeth Castle certainly provides. Sitting inside a beautiful historical structure, a close and comfortable bar affords the ultimate atmosphere for reliving triumphs – and misery – from the course. Our bar and catering staff are some of the friendliest and most welcoming around, making every time a time to remember at Brancepeth. With new membership categories available this coming

season and openings for all membership categories, we hope you’ll decide to call Brancepeth home.

TOTAL DISTANCE

Blue Tees 6,400 yards White Tees 6,234 yards Yellow Tees 6,169 yards Red Tees 5,599 yards

FEATURES

Buggies and pull trolleys available Fully stocked bar and restaurant Snooker table PGA Pro with fully stocked pro shop and Swing Centre Practice area, putting green & chipping green

BRANCEPETH CASTLE GOLF CLUB SPECIAL OFFER

4 BALL INCLUDING COFFEE AND BACON SANDWICH £110 PLEASE TELEPHONE 0191 3780075 OPTION 2 TO BOOK A TEE TIME QUOTING BCGC2017 OFFER Subject to availability Weekdays and Sundays.

Telephone - 0191 3780075 Option 2 or email enquiries@ brancepeth-castlegolf.co.uk Competition & Golf bookings available online at www.brancepeth-castle-golf.co.uk THE CLUBHOUSE, BRANCEPETH, DH7 8EA NORTHERN GOLFER 77

from the

bunker

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

Head greenkeeper Andrew Wood before and after the rough trimming Seaton Carew’s fearsome reputation as one of the toughest and oldest links courses may be softened after the North East links had a bit of a trim.

In a bid to speed up play the 10th oldest course in the country, the course has been made slightly easier - although some may not agree!

Ed Thompson, chairman of the club’s greens committee, said: “The long rough has not been managed and this has resulted in areas just off the fairways so dense that finding your ball is improbable, resulting in slow rounds. This is not what an enjoyable round of golf consists of.”

Head greenkeeper Andrew Wood and his

Congratulations to Mark Watson of Tyneside GC, pictured right receiving his Galvin Green jacket from Carl Nicholls of Original Green following our competition in the February/ March edition. Enter this month’s competitions on pages 72-73.

78 NORTHERN GOLFER

team have been knocking back the dense stuff with the Amazone cutting machine that Seaton has invested in.

Wood said: “The plan is to make the roughs more aesthetically inviting, while speeding up play because it shouldn’t take as long to find a ball.”

Replacing the thick rough with wispier grass will not eradicate the difficulty completely because Seaton want to retain the tag of being a tough track. The course was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, famed for designing the Augusta National where The Masters is held, and has been rated regularly in the Top 100 in England.

Let us know how you get on!

We toured some of Yorkshire’s finest clubs in March and April – and charted our progress on Instagram. Take a look at some of the highlights here – and keep up to date with the latest golf news and views @northerngolferuk – and on Twitter @negolfer and Facebook @northerngolferuk

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