GOLF NEWS July/August 2020

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Me & my Travels with Brian Jacks Celebrating 10 years of Ecco Street

Spirited away Your guide to golfing in Madeira

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EDITOR'S LETTER

NICK BAYLY

CAN WE CALL IT A BOOM?

for years has been hastily cleaned up, dried-up golf shoes given the once over, and rusting trolleys cajoled back into action, as the prospect of getting out of the house for four hours of fresh air and a bit of sporting camaraderie proved slightly more appealing than cleaning out the loft again or walking a reluctant dog around same well-trodden route for the millionth time.

With the number of rounds played in June up by an average 40% year on year, waiting lists re-appearing for first time in ages, and tee sheets jam packed seven days a week, there’s no doubt we’re experiencing a significant golf boom. It’s not quite rolling back to the mid-1980s, when people slept in their cars overnight in order to secure a 6.30am tee time at their local muni, but it’s not far off.

While running a golf club will remain challenging while social distancing measures are in place, even if a small percentage of the golfers that have come back to the game in lockdown stay with it for the long haul, golf has the chance of coming out of the pandemic in a better position than when it started.

Clubs, of course, will have to be flexible, and work with members to come up with ways and means of making sure that they can preserve their memberships by offering payments by instalments or deferred credit.

Some club are already offering 15 months ‘ membership for the price of 12, and other add-ons to sugar the pill of the course being closed, but each club will have to come up with its own solutions. In return, club members will have to support functions when they return, eat out in the clubhouse, and make sure that when they need some new set or irons or a golf lesson, they spend their money in the pro shop. All of this will help to repair some, although not anywhere near all of the damage that the pandemic has inflicted.

Of course, who knows what life will be like once the virus has been contained, and life begins to return to the new normal, as it surely will, but for golfers, at least, it will feel a whole lot more normal if the club they have been a member of for however many years is still around to enjoy for them and the generations to come.

Way back in the mists of lockdown time, before Zoom was a thing and my sourdough starter had yet to properly ferment, I wrote an editorial for our website – www.golfnews.co.uk – about how important it was that golf club members renewed their subscriptions in order to ensure the long-term future of their clubs.

Well – with or without my encouragement – it looks like many of you did. And some. Absence, it seems, does make the heart grow fonder – at least when it comes to getting out for 18 holes with your mates.

Following the near two-month shut down, golf clubs up and down the country have seen their membership ranks swell to levels not seen since the 1980s, while tee sheets have been rammed from dawn until dusk ever since courses were allowed to reopen on May 13.

With many clubs rightly allowing member-only play in the initial stages of reopening, the only way for a green fee visitor to get on a course was to know a member or become one. For those cushioned by the furlough scheme and facing months off work, the latter option seems to have been the preferred choice, with many clubs reportedly signing 30-40 new members during May and June, while one club in Scotland, which was understood to be on brink of collapse pre-lockdown, recruited over 300. While some of these ‘new’ members are no doubt lapsed members returning to the game, a good percentage are first-time joiners, which is a cause for optimism.

While amateur team sports were banned, gyms shut and no professional matches to attend, golf, with its pandemic protocols in place, has proved the perfect lockdown activity for many people who might have previously viewed the game with mild indifference or even with a hint of disdain. Golf equipment that has been gathering dust in garages and garden sheds

LESS RESTRICTION MORE MOVEMENT

■ GOLF HAS PROVED THE PERFECT SOCIALLYDISTANCED ACTIVITY DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

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TEL: 01273 381794 EMAIL: info@golfnews.co.uk WEBSITE: golfnews.co.uk FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @golfnewsmag INSTAGRAM: golfnewsmagazine MANAGING DIRECTOR Matt Nicholson matt@golfnews.co.uk

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Spotlight on Callaway’s new Mavrik irons, Chrome Soft golf balls & Odyssey Triple Track putters

Me & my Travels with Brian Jacks Celebrating 10 years of Ecco Street

Spirited away Your guide to golfing in Madeira

PUBLISHED BY BlueGreen Media REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Stirk, Clive Agran

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SUMMER 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE HILLS ARE REVIVED A bold decision to close the Nick Faldo-designed course at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent for a year-long renovation looks destined to pay dividends for one of the UK’s finest championship venues

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losing a few holes at any time of the year for golf course improvements will often cause ripples of consternation among the membership, so one can only imagine what the reaction was when the new owners of Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent told the membership that they were going to close the entire course for up to a whole year in order to carry out a major renovation of the championship layout.

Well, so far so good, and, despite some understandable initial misgivings in some quarters, the project is well under way, with the members fully behind the grand vision that the management team at Ramac Holdings, led by the club’s general manager James Cornish and Director of Golf Anthony Tarchetti, have drawn up for the polishing of Nick Faldo’s masterpiece, which first opened back in 1993.

Voted the best new course in the UK that year, Chart Hills quickly became a must-play course for all serious golfers, with the showpiece design attracting huge interest among the local and wider golfing community. It proved an instant hit not only as members’ club, but also as a corporate, society, and, of course, professional tournament venue.

The 7,119-yard layout, which mixes a parkland design with elements of links, earned plenty of plaudits from the off, and it wasn’t long before its quality attracted the attention of the professional circuit. The Ladies European Tour brought the Kronenbourg 1664 Chart Hills Classic here in 2000 and returned again in 2004 with four consecutive

■ THE FAIRWAYS HAVE BEEN CAPPED OFF WITH OVER 20,000 TONNES SAND AND RESEEDED, WHICH WILL COMPLETELY RIVTALISED THE PLAYING SIURACES, AS WELL AS IMPROVE DRAINAGE, AHEAD OF THE COURSE'S REOPENING NEXT YEAR

■ NICK FALDO DESIGNED CHART HILLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE

years of the Ladies English Open, while the European Tour held the opening stages of final qualifying here for many years.

But all that is history now, as the club turns a new chapter in its story following its purchase by Ramac Holdings in December last year. Under the same ownership of Prince’s Golf Club, 30 miles towards the coast in Sandwich, Chart Hills is undergoing an ambitious re-imagining the likes of which has rarely been attempted in the UK. From mid-June the course was completely closed – although the driving range and clubhouse will remain open – to allow the green staff and contractors to carry out extensive work on all 18 holes, with the renovated course expected to be ready for play at the start of the 2021 season, or sooner if growing conditions allow. The initial plan has been to re-open in March 2022, but the two-month Covid-19 lockdown enabled works to progress much faster than expected.

The first steps taken to elevate the visual and playing aspects of the course included extensive irrigation and sand-capping to the fairways with over 20,000 tonnes of sand. Once seeded, grown and manicured, the new fairways will enable members, guests and visitors to enjoy improved playing surfaces year-round.

During this period, Chart Hills will also be making large-scale changes to the remainder of the club, including the construction of a new driving range, upgraded short game area, additional practice

■ DIRECTOR OF GOLF ANTHONY TARCHETTI IS HELPING TO OVERSEE THE COMPLETE RENOVATION OF THE NICK FALDODESIGNED COURSE AT CHART HILLS, WHICH IS SET TO REOPEN IN 2021

putting green and a refurbished clubhouse.

“It is extremely exciting to see this project get underway,” said Tarchetti. “The investment that we are making is significant. It is going to take time, but we are confident that the end result will cement Chart Hills’ place among the very best golfing destinations in the South East.”

He added: “The course design has always been brilliant, but like all gems, they occasionally need polishing and, after 25 years, the time had come.

Below the surface the course wasn’t in great shape.

The drainage wasn’t designed for use in this climate and the moisture was eaten up by leatherjackets which live on grass roots and consequently destroyed all the fairways. The process to repair that requires digging a foot down with a trenching machine and lay a perforated pipe so water can escape to the catchment areas, and then take off two-and-a-half inches of the fairway which was covered in moss and thatch, recap it with four inches of sand and then re-seed it with a mix of rye and bent grass. It takes around 13 weeks from this point to get to a playable surface, but we will give it the winter to bed in with a view to opening for the new season in March 2021.”

All told, Chart Hills very much remains a work in progress, but it’s definitely progressing, and those prepared to accept that could be joining the rebirth of one of the UK’s best clubs at just the right time.

NEWS | MARCH 2020

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SUMMER 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Senior Open to return to Sunningdale in 2021

Following the cancellation of this summer’s Senior Open Championship, which was due to be held at Sunningdale Golf Club from July 23-26, the tournament will now be held there in 2021 instead.

Europe’s only Senior Major Championship will be played at the iconic Berkshire venue from July 22-25, 2021.

The R&A and Staysure Tour will transfer over tickets and hospitality packages purchased for 2020 to 2021. Purchasers who no longer wish to attend in 2021 can apply for a full refund.

Mark Aspland, Head of the Staysure Tour, said: “The decision to cancel The Senior Open was extremely difficult, however we would like to thank all of our stakeholders and fans that continue to support us during these extraordinary times. We are delighted that we will return to Sunningdale in 2021 for this prestigious championship.”

Paul Sedgwick, captain at Sunningdale, added: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to host this prestigious event for a third occasion at Sunningdale and we look forward to welcoming the world’s finest over-50s golfers as they test themselves over the renowned Old Course in 2021.”

GOLFERS DON’T AIM WELL.

Get Golfing buys six clubs from Crown Golf

Crown Golf has sold six of its golf clubs in the south of England to rival golf group Get Golfing, as Crown continues a ‘strategic restructure’ of its portfolio of venues.

The sale, which is mix of freehold and leasehold properties, comprises three clubs in Surrey - Hampton Court Palace, Oak Park and Pyrford; Sherfield Oaks in Hampshire; Mill Green in Hertfordshire, and The Bristol Golf Club in Gloucestershire.

Stephen Towers, CEO of Crown Golf, said: “The sale of these courses is the culmination of a strategic restructure, which allows us to focus investment on core sites with both golf and leisure, as well as development opportunities. We have greatly enjoyed being custodians of these clubs, and are very pleased to have found a buyer who is committed to the game of golf, and to taking the clubs on the next stage of their golfing journey.”

The sale leaves Crown Golf with 11 clubs in its portfolio – Pine Ridge, Addington Court, Merrist Wood, Mill Green, Milford, South Winchester, Sunbury, Wickham Park, Batchworth Park and St Mellion.

Get Golfing was set up in 2018 as an incorporated charity with the specific purpose of increasing participation in golf. The company took over the lease of Warley Park Golf Club in Essex in April this year, and Redlibbets Golf Club in Kent in December 2018, with the latest purchases taking its portfolio of golf clubs to eight.

Ben Allen of HMH, the property agents which handled the sale, said: “It is encouraging for the golf market to report this landmark sale, especially at times of uncertainty. This acquisition makes Get Golfing one of the country’s leading golf operators.”

■ PYRFORD IS ONE OF SIX CLUBS THAT HAVE BEEN BOUGHT BY GET GOLFING

NEWS | SUMMER 2020 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Hatton to host Junior Masters at Harleyford

■ TY RRELL HA TTON WILL BE BACK AT HARLEY FORD IN SEPTEMBER TO HOST HIS JUNI OR TOURNAMENT

The 2020 Tyrrell Hatton Junior Masters returns to Harleyford Golf Club in Buckinghamshire for its fourth renewal on September 12.

Hatton, one of the stars of the European Tour, and currently ranked 15th in the world, has been a member at Harleyford since he was 11. He first launched the event in 2017, and the 28-year-old Ryder Cup star will be on hand to present the prizes once again.

The format will be 18 holes of stroke play, limited to a field of 72 players, with no entry fee. There are three age categories, U14, 14-16 and over 16, and subsequent handicap restrictions for all entrants. For each age category there will be a prize awarded for first and second best gross, along with a nearest-the-pin and longest drive. Each category winners will also receive a pin flag signed by Hatton.

“I’m delighted that we will be able to stage the Tyrrell Hatton Junior Masters this year,” said Hatton. “After months without competitions, I’m hoping a lot of juniors will enter and it will be a great day, and maybe some of them will be lucky enough to go on to enjoy success in the game as I have.”

Last year’s event was won by Frilford Heath junior Luke Perkins with a four-under-par 68. The inaugural event in 2017 was won by Harleyford’s own Taylor Paul with a sevenunder-par 65, a score that matched the course record previously set by Hatton himself.

For entry forms, visit www.harleyfordgolf.co.uk, call 01628 816177 or email proshop@ harleyfordgolf.co.uk.

MANY GOLFERS AIM IS OFF BY MORE THAN 1 DEGREE

Grove completes bunker renovation and unveils new loyalty golf scheme The Grove in Hertfordshire has finished a renovation and redesign project that has seen major enhancements to every bunker on its 18-hole championship course.

Working in close consultation with the course’s original architect, Kyle Phillips, and several external contractors, the resort’s greens staff has renovated all 90 bunkers across the course, enhancing playability and aesthetics on each one. The work was undertaken across a 10-week just before the lockdown period that saw the team re-address bunker shaping, repair damaged edges, review grassing lines and re-affirm mown and natural areas surrounding each trap.

In addition to the bunker work, a new tee has been built on the par-4 5th hole, and a 200m2 extension has also been added to the practice putting green.

The resort has recently introduced a new points-based programme that offers savings on green fees, tuition, retail and hospitality to its most regular customers. An evolution of its Green Book scheme, the Clarendon Collection programme is managed via its own online portal and app, where customers can use their points from one of two available packages - Hyde (800 points, £3,200) or Villiers (1,500 points, £6,000) – to pre-book tee times at preferential rates. The Hyde packages offers up 50 rounds of off-peak golf or 20 peak-time round. The package also includes including a complimentary playing lesson from one of the PGA Professional team, a Trackman game analysis session on the range, further discounts on future golf lessons, savings on food and retail, and the ability to hold a handicap at the club.

180!

Middlesex golfer completes 10 rounds in a day

Plenty of golfers manage 72 holes in a day for Longest Day Challenges, but one Middlesex golfer took the challenge to a new level last month when playing 180 holes in a day.

Chris Woolsey, a former British Army, officer, marched his way around West Middlesex Golf Club’s 6,119-yard course no fewer than ten times on June 20.

In doing so, he raised over £1,500 for the Army Benevolent Fund, which supports veterans, their families, and serving soldiers.

Chris teed off for round one at 5am and holed his final putt on the 180th hole at 8.40pm after covering over 34 miles. He was supported along the way by Middlesex Golf Club’s men’s and ladies’ captains, Steve and Gina Chamberlain.

The highlights of Chris's day were a oneover-par 70 for the seventh round, and a five-over 74 in his final round. He had eight birdies and two eagles.

It is not the first time Chris has attempted such a charity challenge, having completed

100 holes and 150 holes in a day over the last two years. Speaking after his latest mararthon effort, he said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their donations and support, and I would encourage club golfers across the country to consider their own golfing challenge of whatever scale to help raise funds for charities at this difficult time.”

■ CHRIS WOOLSEY CELEBRATES COMPLETING HIS 180TH HOLE

IF YOUR AIM IS 1 DEGREE OFF FROM 10 FEET YOU’LL BE AIMED OUTSIDE OF THE HOLE

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[10] SUMMER 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Magnolia Park to close Magnolia Park Hotel & Golf Club in Buckinghamshire has closed permanently, just weeks after it re-opened following the COVID-19 lockdown.

Despite signing up several new members last month, the owners of the 200-acre Aylesbury-based venue, Magnolia Park Trading, issued a statement on June 5 to say that the club, and the 18-hole golf course, would be closed for good from July 31.

Magnolia Park closed on March 23 when the lockdown was announced, and then reopened on May 15. However, while the course was open, the clubhouse and the 40-bedroom hotel has had to remain shut for the past three months, resulting in a huge loss of income from the hospitality and events side of the business.

A statement issued by Magnolia Park Trading said: “Taking account of ongoing Coronavirus restrictions, and the longterm repercussions for the hotel business, the owner has confirmed that both the hotel and golf course will then remain closed until further notice and plans will commence for the redevelopment of the hotel and grounds. The decision to close the hotel comes after careful consideration and consultation, and any redevelopment will be respectful and sympathetic to its neighbours and the surrounding countryside.”

Magnolia Park’s par-73, 6,946-yard course was designed by Jonathan Gaunt and first opened in 1999.

■ MAGNOLIA PARK CEASED TRADING ON JULY 31 AFTER 20 YEARS

WITH TRIPLE TRACK THEY AIM BETTER...

Longhurst’s stunning Sussex windmill home is up for sale

Golf fans with a sense of history – as well as deep pockets – will be queuing up to take a look around the converted Sussex windmill that was formerly the home of renowned golf writer and broadcaster Henry Longhurst, which has recently been put up for sale.

Boasting exceptional views across the South Downs, the quirky and unique property, which is on the market for £3 million, brings together a Grade II listed 19th century windmill and attached roundhouse, a converted granary, and an architect-designed 20th century mill house set in almost two acres of grounds.

The original windmill was built in 1866 as one of a pair, known locally as ‘Jack’ and ‘Jill’. The main house, completed in 2016, sits between the two mills and is based on the original dwelling. Longhurst bought the windmills in 1953 and initially lived in Jack

■ THE MILL HOUSE ENJOYS SUPERB VIEWS OVER THE SUSSEX DOWN

Windmill itself, and then in a house built for him by the architect Peter Farley, who also designed Brighton Marina, in 1963.

The present owners have lived at the windmill since 2012. The Mill House and Granary were built for them by architect Sarah Featherstone of Featherstone Young in 2016.

The Granary retains the historical beams and original footprint of the 18th century granary, while the Mill House is a reconfiguration of Longhurst’s house. Together, the buildings connect Jack and Jill windmills on a straight axis, opening up views throughout the site.

Inside the mill house is bright and spacious, with a stunning living area that looks out across the South Downs, complete with a suspended log burner.

Outside the open-plan kitchen, a large terrace leads down to the garden, a walledcourtyard and the granary – a open space which includes an entertainment room. A tunnel, currently used as a wine store, leads underground to the Jack windmill. The garden has a stone-walled dining area, a pizza oven and an orchard.

For more information, visit www.themodernhouse.com.

NEWS | SUMMER 2020

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Clutch Pro Tour returns to action

The Clutch Pro Tour started up its 2020 season again following the latest relaxation in the Covid-19 restrictions, with the first events on the revised schedule taking place at Notts Golf Club on June 29, Goodwood on July 10, and Stoneham Golf Club on July 16.

The UK-based tour, which is open to both men and women professionals, offers £10,000 to the winner, with total prize funds of £30,000. Entry fees for standard events are between £125-£150, while the tour’s Majors, which offer £25,000 to the winner, cost £400 to enter.

Zimbabwe-born Ben Follett-Smith picked up the £10,000 first prize at Notts with a six-under-par 66, while the Goodwood event, which attracted a field of 95 players, was won by Billy McKenzie with a five-under 67. The Rowlands Castle player also won £10,000.

The revised schedule includes eight more events this season, including Camberley Heath (Aug 6), The Springs (Aug 20), Cavendish GC (Sept 5), Kedleston Park (Sept 3), Frilford Heath (Oct 1), Sonning (Oct 8), Berkhamsted (Oct 21), Woodhall Spa (Nov 9).

For a full list of the revised 2020 schedule, and details on how to enter, visit www.clutchprotour.co.uk.

TRIPLE TRACK TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES YOUR AIM.

■ NINE NEW TEES HAVE BEEN BUILT AT LECKFORD TO CREATE AN 18-HOLE EXPERIENCE

MacLaren blooms

at Moor Park

Meghan MacLaren won the second Rose Ladies Series event at Moor Park Golf Club in Hertfordshire.

The two-time LET tournament winner fired a three-underpar 69 to finish two strokes clear of fellow professional Liz Young and amateur Samantha Fuller, as temperatures hit 31c on the hottest day of the year in the UK. MacLaren made the perfect start with a birdie on the first hole, and then eagled the long fourth. She birdied the short 10th to reach six under and then recovered from a double bogey on the 11th, where she played the wrong ball, followed by two further bogeys on 12 and 13, with a brilliant birdie at 15, which cemented her position at the top of the leaderboard.

She was presented with a cheque for £5,000 and posed for photos with the Rose bowl alongside her sister Becky, who acted as her caddie.

Johnson offers support to Beaverbrook staff While some Premier League footballers have been criticised for refusing to take a salary cut to help out their clubs during the Coronavirus pandemic, news has emerged of a former top-flight player who pledged to help fund the wages of staff at his golf club during the lockdown.

Former Chelsea, Liverpool and England defender Glen Johnson has promised to support furloughed staff at the exclusive Beaverbrook Golf Club in Surrey, where he is a member.

Speaking during an interview aired on TalkSport radio, Johnson said that he was enjoying a meal in the clubhouse following a round with some friends on March 23 when news of the lockdown was announced by the prime minister. This, in effect, meant the temporary closure of the golf club, and the potential furloughing of all the staff.

Johnson said: “The night Boris Johnson announced the lockdown we were sat in the golf club. We’d just had a round of golf and we were just waiting for this speech.

We were just sitting there without a care in the world, a few bottles of wine and a nice lunch, about eight or ten of us. All the staff had gone into their back room to watch the speech and they’ve all come back out

crying their eyes out, because they all rely on this job and, like most people, they work month-to-month.

“So, we sat them down with us and we just said: ‘Look, don’t worry about it. This place is only so good because of you guys being here, the way you treat us and what you do for us’.

“We all agreed there and then that whatever the shortfall was, we were going to find enough money to keep them fully employed, however long it’s going to be. We wouldn’t love it there so much if it wasn’t for them, so we’re going to work with the golf club and cover the gap.”

Beaverbrook re-opened for its golf members on May 13 and for its hotel and restaurant visitors from July 4.

[12] SUMMER 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Prince’s completes major renovation Prince’s Golf Club in Kent has celebrated the completion of a major renovation project at the 27-hole venue with the opening of Smugglers’ Landing, a completely new par-three hole.

The three-year project, which was undertaken by course architects Mackenzie and Ebert, began with the ‘reimagination’ of the Himalayas nine, completed in Spring 2018.

Since then, significant course improvement works have been completed on both the Shore and Dunes nines, leading up to the opening of the new par-three 5th, the final checkpoint in the club’s master development plan.

Rob McGuirk, general manager of Prince’s Golf Club, commented: “The last three years have been an important step in the history of Prince’s, and the transformation of the courses, under the guidance of Martin Ebert and our Links Superintendent Sean McLean, has been spectacular. Culminating with the opening of Smugglers’ Landing, the entire project is something for everyone involved with the club to be proud of. We’re thrilled with the outcome and the dramatic improvement in the visual and playing aspects of all 27 holes."

The new hole plays as the fifth on the Shore nine, replacing the current eighth, and breaks up the direction of the layout facing out towards the sea. To set the scene for the history of the Sandwich Flats and the fight against smuggling in Sandwich Bay, for which the hole is themed, the club have installed a replica scene

by the walkway to the tee. The four tees provide a variety of different yardages to play to the tricky green complex, ranging from 103 yards from the red tee through to 158 from the blues at the back.

Commenting on the finalised works, course architect Martin Ebert said: “Following the creation of a new short hole on the Himalayas nine, it was equally exciting to do the same with Smugglers’ Landing on the Shore.

"The challenge was to create a hole with a different character to Bloody Point and the away-sloping green has achieved that, not to mention the extensive bare sand areas in the carry and to the right of the hole.

"The creation of these sand areas throughout the entire landscape of the Shore and Dunes nines in this phase of work has created so many stunning links vistas, but none better and more impressive than for Smugglers’ Landing."

■ THE NEW PAR-3 FIFTH HOLE IS A STUNNING ADDITION TO PRINCE'S LINKS OFFERING

SOMETIMES EVERYTHING JUST LINES UP.

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Faldo Series comes back with a bang at Brocket Hall The 2020 Faldo Series made a welcome return after the lockdown with the hosting of the biggest ever field at in its history at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire for the England South II Boys & England Girls Championship.

The restart of the 24th Faldo Series schedule saw a record-breaking field of 156 elite juniors play 54 holes over Brocket’s Melbourne Course, as they bid to earn a place at the Europe Grand Final hosted at Al Ain Golf Club in Abu Dhabi in November.

In the Boys Championship, it was Corey Neville who prevailed after three superb rounds of 71, 67 and 69 that proved good enough to secure a five-shot win in the U21 category. Jack Bigham finished in a respectable second place overall with a four-under par total to claim the U18 category, while Welwyn Garden City member Reis Suart posted scores of 74, 71 and 70 to capture the Under-16 category.

Commenting after his win, Neville said: “It’s great to be back playing competitive golf in the Faldo Series, and

% OF GOLFERS ARE BETTER ALIGNED WITH TRIPLE TRACK TECHNOLOGY.

■ STEPPING UP: THE FAL DO SERIES CATEGORY WINNER S AT BROCKE T HALL

back on a golf course rather than practicing in my garden hitting in to a bedsheet hung on the washing line! The Melbourne course can really punish you, especially the thick rough, so I played very strategically, avoiding taking too many risks, which I am glad paid off. All being well in the world, I’m excited to return to Al Ain, and hope I can improve on my top-three finish in my category last year.”

In the Girls Championship, Ellen Hume’s rounds of 74, 68 and 72 saw her pip Hannah Screen by a single shot in the

U18 section, with both players earning a spot at the Grand Final.

Rising star Louise Burke, who, like Screen, had being playing on the Rose Ladies Series, stormed to victory in the U16 category, shooting 76, 70, 82 to claim a Grand Final spot once again, where she will defend her category win from last year.

Matthew Faldo, Director of the Faldo Series, said: “It’s amazing to kick off the Series, and this week at Brocket Hall has really set the tone for the rest of the season. With a record-breaking field, and some truly talented players, it is exciting to have the Faldo Series back with such optimism in light of the current circumstances.”

The revised Faldo Series schedule for 2020 saw the England Midlands Championship held at Kedleston Park Golf Club from July 13-15, and events in Scotland, Ireland and Wales throughout July and August. The England South I Championship returns to Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club from August 18-20, while the England North Championship is being staged at St Annes Old Links Golf Club from August 24-26.

The Faldo Series team have been working closely with the respective venues to ensure each event closely follows the guidelines and social distancing measures in place under the respective government’s current Covid-19 regulations.

NEWS | SUMMER 2020

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

McGinley sets new putting world record

Alliss puts retirement on hold

at Centurion’s Pro-Celebrity shootout Former Ryder Cup player and captain Paul McGinley set a new world record for the most number of twometre putts holed in 60 seconds while taking part in the Paddy Power Golf Shootout held at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire last month.

The 53-year-old star of the 2002 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, where he holed the winning putt, showed that he has lost none of his touch with the flatstick when he holed 19 putts in 60 seconds during one of the challenges that formed part of a two-hour live Pro-Celebrity event, which was held at the Centurion Club.

McGinley’s world-beating effort eclipsed that of Tommy Fleetwood, who, just moments earlier, had set a target of 16 to become one of the briefest holders of a world record in sporting history.

Fellows professionals Thomas Bjorn, Andrew Johnston and Carly Booth all fell short in their efforts, as did the amateur celebrities, who included Piers Morgan, Harry Kane, Jamie Redknapp, Peter Crouch and Andrew Flintoff. Kane and Rednapp faired best, with seven putts a piece.

Legendary golf commentator Peter Alliss has postponed his intended retirement for another year after this year’s Open Championship at Royal St George’s was cancelled.

‘The Voice of Golf’, as Alliss is widely known, was planning to hang up his BBC microphone at the 150th Open at St Andrews in 2021, but the coronavirus pandemic has seen this year’s Open at St George's pushed back to next year, so the landmark Open at the Home of Golf will now take place in 2022, when Alliss hopes to call it a day – 12 months later than previously planned.

The 89-year-old former Ryder Cup player is also hoping to be at the rescheduled Masters this November, after being booked in earlier this year for Augusta, but with strict non-essential travel restrictions in place and cases of the virus still on the rise in America, it is not clear whether it will be possible for Alliss to make the trip over.

Allis said: “Hopefully I can live long enough to make the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews. Maybe someone can carry me on a sedan chair and people will enjoy what I have to say.

They can perch me up on the balcony where I can see who has a funny walk or a bloody awful pair of trousers.”

■ NINE NEW TEES HAVE BEEN BUILT AT LECKFORD TO CREATE AN 18-HOLE EXPERIENCE

Cottesmore opens new restaurant and bar Members and visitors to Cottesmore Golf & Country Club in West Sussex can now enjoy a post-round drink or a meal in the club’s stunning new 44-cover restaurant and bar, which opened last month as part of the club’s two-year rebuild following a fire in 2018.

The impressive oak-beamed Phoenix Bar & Restaurant at the Pease Pottage-based venue boasts and balcony and a panoramic view of the club’s Griffin course and serves a wide-ranging menu, including classic gastro pub-style dishes made from locallysourced ingredients. Both the bar and dining area have been open since July 4,, with restaurant bookings taken by phone, email or via the club’s website. Like many venues, it is operating under strict Covid guidelines, with a full table service for drinks and food.

The restaurant is open until 8pm.

Johnny Porter, the club’s general manager, said: “We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel following the rebuilding work which has resulted in a truly stunning venue. Most of the weddings booked for 2020 have postponed for 2021 due to the pandemic, which has left great availability for golf days and golf breaks in our 26 hotel rooms for the remainder of this year. I would encourage any golfer to come and enjoy our challenging course, superb clubhouse and welcoming hospitality.”

■ THE STUNING NEW RESTAURANT AT COTTSEMORE OFFERS FINE VIEWS OVER THE GRIFFIN COURSE

[14] SUMMER 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

n How does the Champions Tour measure up to the regular tour? Does it give you the same buzz?

Yes, it does. I wouldn’t be doing it otherwise. I’d be out walking the dogs instead. The thing is I’m playing against the same players I was 20 years ago – Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh and Davis Love. I wanted to beat them then and I want to beat them now. The competitiveness in me hasn’t changed. When you lose that drive and will to win, I think you’re in trouble. n You’ve often said that you’ve treated your senior major wins on the Champions Tour as major titles. Have they made up for any regrets you had on the regular tour?

Very much so, even though I don’t have many regrets from the regular tour. What people don’t realise is they are still major championships and the feeling on the final hole of winning a senior major is damn close to the real thing. Stricker said that.

Couples and Watson, too. I’ve won three of them and want to add to that this year. once we get back to competing again. n The 2006 US Open at Winged Foot was clearly your most painful near-miss in a major. What’s it like when you go back there? Do you get flashbacks?

Well, I will this year, won’t I? Look, Phil Mickelson and I both messed it up that day, but the way I look at it is that it was great to be there and thereabouts in so many majors, and I choose to take great solace in that. If there was one shot I could hit again, it would be that approach shot there, of course, on the 72nd hole. But I don’t have any real regrets.

CALLING COLIN Having lost 40lbs in lockdown, Colin Montgomerie is chomping at the bit to get back to competitive action as the Champions Tour resumes its 2020 schedule in the US n How did you spend the four-month lockdown and how much are you looking forward to getting back to competing on the Champions Tour?

I was at my home in London, and didn't leave the house for a few months. I changed the habit of a lifetime and invested in a practice net for the back garden, which was a first for me. So I was able to do a bit of work on my swing, and I also did some work on my fitness, too.

I took up pilates to build up a bit of core strength and flexibility. Intially my instructor and I couldn’t work together, so we had to do classes online and then eventually we figured out that she could come into the garden at my home and stay safely a few metres away. Beyond that, I am stretching, so my flexibility is good, and I’ve been doing strength work on my bike and on the treadmill.

I've also tried to eat more healthily and I've lost about 40lbs in all, which was good, as I needed to do that. Losing weight is one thing, but then you can lose everything with it, the power, the muscle and the ability to play the game, so you have to keep up strength too.

I’ve never had a break this long. I’ve never spent my birthday at home, I’ve always been on the road somewhere, so I’m a little bit anxious to find out what my first score will be. I hope it’s in the 60s, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be, but it’s just a matter of getting back into it. n What's your schedule looking like for the rest of the year?

I am currently in quarantine out in Florida preparing for the first event back on the Champions Tour. They've got around dozen events scheduled, so I'll be staying out here for rest of the season, because if come back to London in between tournaments I’d have two weeks quarantine and then I’d need two more weeks quarantine coming back to America again. So, unless things change, I won't be back in the UK until after the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix, which finishes in the second week of November. n Are you worried about staying and playing in the US, given the current spike in Covid-19 cases there?

To be honest, I've no anxiety about getting back onto the golf course. Percentage-wise, I think there have been very few tests coming back positive on the PGA Tour, and I just hope

that we can follow suit on the Champions Tour. They were the guinea pigs in many ways for all sports, because it was really only horse racing and football and then we were the next to go. I think it’s worked very well, and I’m looking forward to continuing to watch live golf and then returning myself. I think as long as the US doesn’t close its doors and the governors don’t say 'no sport and no more outdoor activities' then we should be OK.” n Do you think postponing the Ryder Cup was the right thing to do?

The Ryder Cup without fans is not the Ryder Cup, so I think it was definitely the right decision. The only reason to hold it behind closed doors would have been for financial motives, and providing that they can economically afford to delay it a year then that’s the right decision.

It’s already been shown that we can play professional golf tournaments without fans, but the Ryder Cup is a unique event and in that way we need fans. It was delayed because of 9/11 in 2001, and we all accepted that. Everything’s been put back a year – the Olympics, the European Football Championship, so why not the Ryder Cup? Of course, it’s disappointing for all concerned, but a lot of big international events have been put on hold or cancelled, so we just have to accept it and move on. n What do you think will happen at Whistling Straits ?

It’s a long way off now, and we don’t know what the shape of the teams will be like in 15 months’ time, but away matches are always difficult. The course set up is becoming more effective. I expect there will be very little rough and the greens will be firm. America want it back, for sure, and have some great youngsters coming through. What’s happened the last three Ryder Cups is that the home team has won. America should have won in 2012, too. Home advantage is getting bigger and bigger..

■ MONTY SPENT THE LOCKDOWN PRACTICING IN HIS BACK GARDEN AND FOLLOWING A NEW FITNESS CAMPAIGN

n What do you consider to be your biggest achievement?

Two things spring to mind. In a playing sense, my three PGA Championship wins at Wentworth from 1998 to 2000. Nobody has done that before, so I’m very proud of that record.

Especially doing it in Europe’s flagship event. In a non-playing sense, it would be the Ryder Cup captaincy. Getting the trophy back to Europe was a fantastic feeling, and to captain that team was a fabulous experience. n The game has clearly changed alot since you were winning all those tournaments. What do make of the current crop of players and the way they are playing the game, and what do you make of Bryson DeChambeau's physical transformation?

We weren’t as athletic as they are today and add in the clubs and balls right now, it’s all got out of control. They have to do something. We can’t keep buying more land. I’m an advocate of what Jack Nicklaus proposes – a tournament ball for pros that goes only 80 to 85 per cent as far. A tournament ball would be a massive step, but the R&A is wary of creating one set of equipment rules for pros and another for amateurs.

As far as Bryson is concerned, his transformation has been amazing. I could not believe what I saw when I switched on the TV in the first round at the Charles Schwab Challenge in June. Bryson played with Dustin Johnson for the first two days and he was giving him 25 yards off the tee – and Dustin is no slouch. Extraordinary. He is huge.

It’s great to see athleticism in the game, but to see him carrying it 330 yards in the air is getting unreal, something we haven’t seen before. The game has changed dramatically. It’s now brute force and a sand wedge. It won't always win you trophies, but it certainly won't harm your chances. n As a lifelong Leeds United fan, how pleased are you to see them heading back to the Premier League. Will you be in line for a season ticket at Elland Road next season?

I had a season ticket as a child when I was growing up in Yorkshire. I’d love to start going again. It’s a great atmosphere up there. It’ll be great to see them playing in the Premier League for the first time. They blew it last year, so I’m delighted that they not only held on this time, but did it style. They deserve their place back in the top-flight. n Talking of the Premier League, what do you think of the Premier Golf League? Does it have any legs?

I don’t know too much about it, but I am so glad that Rory [McIlroy] came out and said no straight off the bat. There’s nothing wrong with the PGA Tour. It’s in great health. I don’t see the point of the Premier Golf League. It tried to happen 10 years ago, and nothing came of it. I think the pandemic has put paid to its chances of success.

I think with the PGA Tour being so dominant now, it’s difficult for other tours to operate. We see sometimes in Europe, where a top player is coming through, and the next minute they’ve moved to the PGA Tour. If we could combine all the tours, including the Australasia Tour, it could be good. But, then again, if the PGA Tour’s not broken, we don’t need to fix it.

INTERVIEW | SUMMER 2020 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

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[16] SUMMER 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

InBrief DRYBURGH DOUBLES UP AT ROSE LADIES SERIES ★ Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh bagged back-to-back wins in the Rose Ladies Series, after winning events held at The Buckinghamshire and Royal St George’s. A three-underpar 69 saw her edge a stroke ahead of Georgia Hall and Cara Gainer at the LET’s headquarters, while the same score at the 2021 Open Championship in Kent venue saw her finish one shot ahead of Hall and Charley Hull.

Hall finally ended a run of three seconds in the series when winning at Bearwood Lakes with a one-underpar 71.

ACES HIGH AT WORTHING ★ Members of Worthing Golf Club in West Sussex have bagged an impressive tally of nine hole-inone, over its two courses since the club reopened for play on May 13.

Five of them were achieved in the same week. The aces were recorded

by Keith Gilbert (5th Vardon), Paula Carver (14th Colt) Malcolm Consterdine (12th, Vardon) and David Cook (3rd Colt), Derek Utton 2nd, Vardon); Philip Albon 5th, Vardon); Keith Albon (9th, Colt); Ben Colbourne (9th, Colt); Paul Atterbury (9th, Colt).The only consolation for the nine players was that with Covid-19 restrictions in place the bar was empty, so they saved themselves a hefty drinks bill.

West Hove range teed up for all weathers West Hove Golf Club’s driving range has been weather-proofed with the addition of eight undercover bays.

The East Sussex venue has used a £98,000 funding package from NatWest to build a roof over eight of its 20 bays, protecting golfers from poor weather conditions.

The popular driving range is open all year round, but previously business would fall during periods of bad weather, with the club’s management estimating up to 100 days of trade were affected per year due to rain.

With the addition of covered bays, the club hope to increase visitor numbers, as well as host more golf lessons during the winter months and reduce the number of cancellations caused by wind and rain.

While the golf club itself is for private members, the driving range is open to the public and has around 30,000 users every year.

Following the relaxation of the lockdown regulations, West Hove’s courses and driving range reopened ■ WE ST HOVE'S NE Win mid-May, while the restaurant LOOK DRIVING RANG E reopened on s July 4.

Gary Salt, General Manager at West Hove Golf Club, said: “Prior to the “A simple change like adding a roof over addition of the covered driving range bays, some of our bays will make a big impact to we would see a real dip in visitor numbers our business and to the people who use our on the driving range over the winter months. facilities. The last few months have been Our driving range has a prevailing south challenging for us, but we’re looking forward westerly wind, so bad weather would have a to welcoming new and returning golfers to significant impact on the number of golfers our updated driving range.” who would come to use the facility.

British Golf Show set for October return The British Golf Show, which was due to take place at Wycombe Air Park in May, has been moved to a new date in October.

The two-day event was due to take place from May 15-16 but will now be held from October 2-3 at the same venue.

The show was originally sold out to exhibitors, but new brands have come on board since the date change was announced.

The British Golf Show is co-located with The Elite Events – London luxury lifestyle exhibition, with visitors begin able to visit both shows for one price.

Alex Ayling, managing director of Elite Events, said: “In light of the outbreak of the Coronavirus we took the difficult decision to re-schedule our events. These new dates will give both exhibitors and visitors confidence to attend the show and enable the event to go ahead. It is hard to navigate the unknown, but we are fully committed to delivering the show, while respecting the health and safety of everyone involved.”

He added: “The unprecedented appetite for golf since the lockdown has eased will make for a tremendous atmosphere..”

DETRY'S ON THE MONEY AT WORPLESON PRO-AM ★ French European Tour pro Thomas Detry won a star-studded Charity Pro-Am held at Worplesdon Golf Club.

European Tour players Andy Sullivan and Paul Waring spearheaded the fundraising initiative at the Surrey club on June 25, which featured a number of leading pros from the European Tour, Staysure Tour and Ladies European Tour, including Paul Broadhurst, Thomas Detry, Ross Fisher, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Slattery, Georgia Hall and Charley Hull.

Detry’s seven-under-par 64, saw him beat Steven Brown, Sam Broadhurst and Jake Burnage by one stroke.

The winning team, led by Essex tour professional Dale Whitnell, fired a best ball score of 59. The tournament helped to raise over £50,000 for Dan’s Fund for Burns and the Rainbow Trust’s Covid-19 Emergency Appeal.

STAPLEFORD PARK TO CLOSE GOLF COURSE ★ Stapleford Park Country House Hotel and Sporting Estatel in Leicestershire is to close its 18-hole golf course for good at the end of October. The 6,944-yard, par-73 course, which was designed by Donald Steel and first opened in 2000, hosted several European Senior Tour events, and at one time had Sam Torrance as its attached tour pro.

A hotel spokesman cited 'declining membership and visitor numbers' as the reason for the golf course’s closure. The resort’s 48-bedroom hotel and spa will remain open.

Linksbook golf platform off to a flying start Since launching at the end of May, a new online golf networking platform called Linksbook has already grown a loyal following of nearly 600 members who have entered more than 1,300 scores, despite the current lockdown restrictions.

Linksbook is the brainchild of the founders

of the successful Virgin Atlantic ‘Swingers’ programme and provides golfers from all over the globe with the ability to organise their golf calendar with fellow users at the click of a button. Golfers are able to see their personal progress against others online, whilst building up a whole new network of social and business golfing contacts.

Leading brands such as Titleist, Your Golf Travel, Stewart Golf, Dirty Dog and Glenmuir, have signed up to be partners and are providing fantastic prizes to play for throughout the season. In addition, Linksbook have teamed up with former World Golf Trick Shot Champion Geoff Swain who will be providing unique content, video commentary and good humour for members throughout the season.

There’s a Linksbook Ambassador and Networker chosen every month who wins a dozen Titleist Pro V1 balls and a fourball voucher at Stoke Park courtesy of Your Golf Travel.

Members are also competing in pairs for the Matchplay Pairs Trophy with a final later this year at Stoke Park, plus there is also an

Rutherford joins Royal Mid-Surrey Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club appointed experienced golf club administrator Carl Rutherford as its new general manager.

Rutherford began his new role on July 6, succeeding Luke Edgcumbe, who was general manager for the past seven years, and recently started a new role at Tandridge Golf Club.

The former managing director at Bearwood Lakes Golf Club in Wokingham for 14 years, Rutherford has extensive experience in managing quality golf facilities, as well as an in-depth of knowledge of the food and beverage industry.

He was a Director at Caversham Heath for four years and most recently, managing director of the Point Golf Club at Polzeath in Cornwall. He began his golfing career as an Assistant Pro at Caversham Heath, before progressing into club management.

“Carl brings a wealth of golfing and golf managerial experience to Royal Mid Surrey and joins the club at an exciting time," said club chairman Chris Holt. “He will provide valuable leadership as the club gradually starts to return to the new post-Covid normality.”

Rutherford added: “I feel very privileged to be in a position to help the club as it embarks on the next stage of its evolution. With two world-class courses, excellent facilities and an amazing team in place, we have the perfect foundation upon which to build as we stake our rightful claim as one of the very best clubs in England.”

Inter-Club Championship to crown the top golf club in the UK, where one member will win a fantastic trip to Vila Sol in Portugal for themselves and three club mates.

And if that’s not enough, just for entering six valid scores during the season there’s a full set of custom fit Titleist T Series clubs, bag and Pro V1 balls to be won, plus end-of-season prizes based on your position on the leaderboards.

Luke Parry, Director of Milestone Event Management is excited about the future for Linksbook, commenting: “Having run a hugely popular programme with Virgin Atlantic, we know there’s a real appetite for a golf networking platform and we are thrilled with the initial response from our members. We are also delighted that some big names in the golf industry recognise the potential of Linksbook and we look forward to working with these brands in delivering something unique and exciting for golfers during these difficult times and beyond.”

To sign up to the platform for free, visit www.linksbookgolf.comor. For more details, email support@linksbookgolf.com.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT YOUR NEEDS

Individual Members can include a Junior under the age of 18 in their membership without any additional charges

Members in this category enjoy full use and access to all the facilities on offer at London Golf Club, including our various social events, exclusive fitting days, and more.

Members also enjoy privileged rates at some of the best golf courses around the world.

For more information please contact the LGC Golf Sales department on 01474 875752 or email dominic@londongolf.co.uk JOIN THE CONVERSATION

[18] SUMMER 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Donnington Valley scraps membership in favour of pay-and-play Donnington Valley Golf Club in Berkshire is scrapping its membership scheme to become a payand-play venue.

The Vineyard Group, the parent company that owns the Newbury-based club, has blamed the coronavirus crisis for costing the overall business millions of pounds in revenue. Consequently it said it is no longer able to support the club’s finances with funds from hotel guests and corporate events.

Company flagship The Vineyard Hotel and Spa is currently open on a part-time basis, while the Donnington Valley Hotel remains closed.

Writing in a letter sent to club members, Andrew McKenzie, managing director of The Vineyard Group, said: “Due to the catastrophic impact on the company’s finances caused by Covid-19, we have assessed all the options available and have decided that as of July 17, Donnington Valley can no

longer run on a membership basis and will revert to exclusively pay-and-play. Members who have prepaid will receive immediate refunds, with free play extended to August 22 to compensate for the period the club was forced to close.”

The letter added: “We will review our position over the coming months and investigate all avenues that may enhance golfers’ enjoyment of the facility, including pre-payment with discounted green fees, the ability to offer handicaps and various other options including, potentially, competitions. We aim to conclude this review at the end of September when the full consequences of lockdown are clearer.”

McKenzie concluded: “I appreciate this will come as a huge shock and disappointment for many of our longstanding and loyal members, but the unprecedented nature of this pandemic and its financial impact, coupled with many members’ reluctance to re-join on the same basis as before, has called for this drastic action.”

Trower backs cancer awareness campaign after undergoing life-saving operation PGA Professional Chris Trower, the co-owner of the Pro Am Tour, which organises tournament holidays all over America, is counting his blessings, and the professionalism of the staff at St George’s hospital in south London, after recovering from a potentially life-threating cancer diagnosis during the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chris, 35, (pictured right and below) who worked at The Wisley Golf Club in Surrey for nine years before taking over the Pro-Am Tour in 2018, was admitted to St George’s in Tooting in late April after suffering severe abdominal pains, which he initially thought might have been kidney stones. However, a CT scan revealed a much more serious diagnosis – a stage 3 cancerous growth on one of his kidneys.

After further tests, and several days of increasing pain, Chris was rushed back into hospital three days later, and had his entire kidney removed. It proved to be a life-saving operation, as if left unchecked the cancer would have moved onto Stage 4, from which the chances of survival are drastically reduced. Two months on from the operation, Chris is feeling healthy again and thankful for how things have turned out.

He is also grateful for the support of family and friends, and particularly for the advice he received from fellow professional golfer Benn

Barham, who went through a similar illness and operation in 2011, from which he went on to make a full recovery.

Chris is now hoping to raise money to increase awareness of the importance of early testing and diagnosis of all forms of cancer, and has set up a JustGiving page, the proceeds of which will be donated to Cancer Research UK. Speaking to Golf News, Chris said: “Had my tumour not began to bleed into my urethra, I might have not been diagnosed until the cancer had reached Stage 4, which is a very different fight. Early cancer detection makes a huge difference to your prognosis, so I’m hoping to raise awareness of this. I emailed ‘Stand up to Cancer’ and spoke to a few people before being directed to Cancer Research UK.” He added: “Men really only get a heath check at 60 for bowel cancer, while women have cervical screenings every three years and breast

screening from the age of 50. I feel something needs to change in this department. If I got it at 34, someone else will. Benn [Barham] was also 34. I have no doubt that with the right funding someone will find a cost-effective way of early diagnosis. With 1-in-2 people getting some form of cancer, finding it early is so important.”

Chris will be back in hospital in early August for a scan and will have bi-annual check-up for the next five years to make sure he’s clear of the cancer, but in the meantime he’s busy reorganising the Pro-Am Tour’s US tournament schedule, which has been hugely effected by the pandemic.

For more details of the Pro Am Tour’s 2020-21 schedule, which includes events in Arizona, California and Florida, as well as a return to 2021 Ryder Cup venue Whistling Straits next September, visit www.pro-amtour.com or call 020 8050 2969. To support Chris’s JustGiving page, visit fundraise. cancerresearchuk.org/page/pro-am-tour-helping-early-cancerdetection-1.

Golf club available to lease in Southern France Golf de la Grande Bastide, an established golf club located in the beautiful region of Châteauneuf-de-Grasse in the south of France, is seeking an operator to lease the venue on a 15-year basis.

The club, which is owned by the towns of Grasse and Châteauneufde-Grasse, is located on a 50-hectare site in the foothills of the Niçoise hinterland, 15km north of Cannes.

The club, which first opened in 1990, boasts an 18-hole championship golf course designed by renowned American architect Cabell B Robinson; a spacious clubhouse with a bar ; a 130-seater restaurant and terrace; modern changing rooms ; pro shop ; eight-bay driving range, and a maintenance area. Accommodation is offered in two separate three-bedroom apartments.

The entire club and its facilities are available on a 15-year lease.

All interested parties can obtain full details of the property and the leasehold requirements by visiting www.marches-securises.fr before September 15, 2020.

FEATURE | SUMMER 2020

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

STORY BEHIND THE PIC SEVE BALLESTEROS • THE OVAL, LONDON. JUNE 30, 1977

A

lthough Spain doesn’t have a particularly rich cricketing pedigree, Seve Ballesteros was never one to miss out on a sporting challenge – or a photo opportunity – so it’s hardly surprising that he leapt at the chance to get padded up in front of the cameras for a Slazenger-sponsored photo shoot at The Oval during the long hot summer of ’77.

Other images from this shoot show the young Seve – he was just 19 at the time – taking a lesson from Surrey and England spin bowler Pat Pocock, but I’m sure Seve would have had his own ideas about how best to swing the bat. The follow-through is classic Seve, but I fear his inability to play a straight bat – technically and metaphorically – could have been his undoing should he have ever wished to switch sports.

Slazenger had a virtual sponsorship monopoly on all the top cricketers at the time, including Gary Sobers, Viv Richards and Geoff Boycott, while it soon dominated the golfing ranks, with Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Watson and Johnny Miller all using the brand’s equipment and clothing at some point during their early careers.

Seve was to become a poster boy for Slazenger as his career progressed, and after finishing 15th at the Open Championship at Turnberry just two weeks later, his relationship with the brand rose to iconic status when he lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Lytham & St Annes wearing his trademark navy blue v-neck Slazenger sweater – instantly sending it to the top of Christmas present list for golfing dads all over the country.

Seve’s untimely death in 2011, aged just 54, is still felt keenly throughout the golfing world, but his influence on the game will live on forever.

Welcome to Walton Heath REUNITE ON THURSDAY 13TH AUGUST AT WALTON HEATH! Forget life in lockdown by enjoying a day at Walton Heath.

It’s time for friends to reunite and appreciate an unrivalled day out at one of the world’s leading courses, with a special, one off experience day.

Our Club is extending a warm Walton Heath welcome to visitors to enjoy a round of golf over the acclaimed Old Course following by a casual (socially distanced!) BBQ in relaxed surroundings. Whether you’ve played before or it’s your first visit, we hope you will come and share in the experience.

For £185 per person, you can enjoy Breakfast roll and tea/coffee Complimentary range token 18-holes of golf with start times from 9.30am BBQ on the terrace Walton Heath branded gift Option to play the outstanding New Course at a preferred rate in the afternoon

Bookings are to be made in 4 balls and paid for in advance by contacting Jemma Overing on 01737 817632 or by email on jovering@waltonheath.com

SEVE'S INABILITY TO PLAY A STRAIGHT BAT - BOTH TECHNICALLY AND METAPHORICALLY – COULD HAVE BEEN HIS UNDOING IF HE HAD EVER WISHED TO SWITCH SPORTS

[20] SUMMER 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

A SAFE HAVEN FOR GOLFING STUDENTS The Golf College in West Sussex has been successfully preparing young men and women for careers in golf for over 15 years. With the next intake arriving in September, Golf News editor Nick Bayly finds out what measures are in place to ensure students continue to receive the college’s high-quality educational experience under Covid-19 restrictions

I

t’s clearly an uncertain time for all of us, but especially so for the current generation of 16and 18-year-olds looking to take the next stage of their educational journey. With question marks hanging over what sort of teaching contact time they will have, and how large social gatherings can take place, it’s no wonder that so many prospective college and university students are being cautious about how to proceed.

Some prospective higher education students are deferring their places until next year, by which time a Covid-19 vaccine might have been found, but college-age students have little option but to carry on regardless and hope that the colleges they attend will have measures in place to ensure they can conduct their studies safely, while still enjoying all that student life entails.

One centre of learning that is confident of being able to do just that is The Golf College, an award-winning college located in the leafy village of Lindfield in West Sussex, which is preparing to welcome new and existing students back in September under the new Covid-19 guidelines.

Paul Lyons, The Golf College’s founder and director, is adamant that he and his experienced team will be able to teach the classroom and golf course-based syllabus while strictly adhering to the new Covid-19 protocols.

He said: “Unlike a lot of further education colleges, we know that we will be able to deliver the full teaching programme to our students through our exam-free education next term. With small class sizes and large elements of the curriculum based outdoors, we can assure students that their safety will be paramount at every stage of the way during these difficult times.”

The college, which Lyons set up in 2005, currently offers a two-year BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport for 16-17 year-olds (which is equivalent to three A Levels), and a three-year BA Honours Degree in International Golf Management or International Business Management for 18 year olds, both of which provide a superb platform to develop a career in all areas of the golf industry, as either as tournament professionals, PGA Professionals, administrators and beyond. Many BTEC students go on to other universities in the UK and America, proving that The Golf College provides an allround education to match any academic institutions.

As Lyons alluded to, one of the benefits of The Golf College’s size – it has never had more than 84 students

■ GOLF COLLEGE STUDENTS HARD AT WORK ON THE DRIVING RANGE AT LINDFIELD

on its books at any one time – is not only the personal, pupil-led nature of the teaching, but also the ability to accommodate the socially-distanced learning that is currently in place. Class sizes of typically around 15 make it easy to keep students apart in the classroom setting, while the largely outdoor nature of the syllabus means that students will be out in the fresh air and able to be coached, practice and play in as safe an environment as is possible.

The college accepts a broad range of skill levels, but with plenty of one-to-one tuition and personal mentoring, each player is treated as an individual, with realistic goals set between staff and pupils to ensure everyone is working in the direction that they want to go, and at the speed they want to go.

The two-year course, which accepts up to a maximum of 30 students each year, is split into three terms, starting off in September through to midDecember, the end of January through to Easter, and from mid-April until the end of June. Students are housed with local families – from where they are picked off and dropped off by bus every day – and divide their time between the golf course, the practice facilities, the gym and the classroom.

One of key draws for students considering the Golf College is the term spent abroad over the winter. This sees BTEC students and staff base themselves at Castro Marim Golfe and Country Club in Portugal for nine weeks between January and March, while the degreecourse students spend their term in Spain.

Students at both venues remain on site throughout their stay, sharing a number of private villas and benefiting from the purpose-built facilities which enable them to switch between educational lessons and golf tuition in a matter of minutes. It makes for a superb ‘boot camp’ environment, with the consistent weather allowing uninterrupted coaching and the superb practice facilities and championship golf courses helping to prepare players for the competitive summer season ahead back in the UK. Whether in the UK or at the term spent abroad, students receive expert one-to-one tuition from Lyons and his dedicated team, including regular instruction from tour coach Denis Pugh, who is one of the college’s founding fathers, alongside experienced PGA-qualified coaches Tim Spence and Jack Bado. Fitness is vital for the modern pro, and the college has a well-

t OPEN DAYS Prospective students interested in joining the college this September are invited to attend Open Days being held on August 8 and August 22. To book a place, or to arrange a visit at any time, call 01444 484467 or email info@ thegolfcollege.com.

For more information visit www.thegolfcollege.com

■ MASON ESSAM, WINNER OF THE THE 2019 GOLF COLLEGE OPEN, RECEIVING THE TROPHY FROM GOLF COLLEGE DIRECTOR PAUL LYONS

■ THE GOLF COLLEGE OFFERS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO TAKE YOUR GOLF TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND GAIN GLOBALLLY-RECOGNISED ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

equipped gym on site at Lindfield, while the spacious clubhouse provides a home from home for the students to relax in during rare breaks in activity.

The college has virtual free run of the facilities at Lindfield Golf Club, and the club’s 6,200-yard layout provides a good test of the student’s abilities, with water featuring heavily on the undulating parkland course. Competition is extremely keen between the students, and every Wednesday they tee it up in a hotly contested Order of Merit competition which runs throughout the year. The college also hosts The PGA South Region’s Golf College Challenge in July – which was postponed due to the pandemic this year, which gives the students a chance to test themselves against some the region’s top professionals – and often outperform them!

The college has produced a decent number of elite level players in the men’s and women’s game – including the likes of 2009 Faldo Series winner Jonathan Bell (who is now working as a caddie on the European Tour for the likes of Tyrrell Hatton and Tom Lewis), while George Groves is currently the top-ranked disabled golfer in the world. The college also prides itself on producing students ready to work in the industry. Former pupil Tim Cowley became one of the youngest head professionals in the country following his promotion at Royal Ashdown Forest in 2013, while another graduate, Jack Laws, was appointed Director of Golf at Les Bordes in 2018, which is one of the most exclusive clubs in France.

Shannon Flyyn Hanley, who is now a PGA-qualified coach working at Silvmere Golf & Leisure in Surrey, is one of the many students who have thrived in The Golf College environment. She said: "My three years at The Golf College was the best and biggest learning curve of my life. I joined playing off a four handicap, and left playing off plus-two. Having the opprtunity to play and receive top-class coaching every day, along with the winter term spent abroad, made a huge difference to my game. There is no better college to to go if you're serious about becoming an elite player."

So whether your future lies on Tour, in a pro shop, or at college or university, the Golf College’s motto, ‘Be the best you can be’, is what underpins all that they try to achieve. And with such a highly qualified team of staff, matched with some superb facilities, The Golf College provides the perfect springboard to take your career to the next level and beyond.

■ THE NINE-WEEK TERM SPENT ABROAD PLAYS AN INVALUABLE PART IN HELPING STUDENTS TO DEVELOP AS GOLFERS AND INDIVIDUALS

NEWS | SUMMER 2020

[21]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ THE NEW BUNKERS WILL ENHANCE THE PLAYING EXPERIENCE AT REDLIBBETS

Redlibbets completes bunker renovation project

Redlibbets Golf & Country Club in Kent is undertaking a major renovation of its 18-hole course that will see it return to its rightful place as one of the top clubs in the region.

The Sevenoaks-based club, which was acquired by Get Golfing CIO just over 18 months ago, began a major renovation of its 6,572-yard course in February.

The main focus has been re-profiling the entire network of bunkers, which included removing obsolete traps, introducing new ones and renovating existing ones. Each of the 60 bunkers on the course has now been lined with a 30mm layer of a porous rubber crumb material and filled with new sand, ensuring a consistent and high-quality playing surface throughout the year.

With members and visitors unable to play for seven weeks between late March and mid-May because of the Covid-19 lockdown, the club’s greenkeeping team, working with

specialist contractors, have been able to complete this vital project, along with the installation of a new irrigation system for the greens and approaches. Other improvements to the course will include the construction of a new tee on the ninth hole, which will significantly improve the playing experience of this 386-yard par four.

Ed Richardson, chief executive of Get Golfing, said: “Having acquired a long lease from the previous owners some 18 months ago, Get Golfing set out to make Redlibbets a club that golfers wanted to join and a course that visitors would want to play, while at the same time providing a family-focused facility. Since taking on the lease, Get Golfing has made major improvements to the clubhouse, which are on-going, and we are delighted with the progress made out on the golf course.

With other significant initiatives and investment planned, we’re excited about what the future holds.”

Liphook embarks on major redesign

Women’s Golf Day

Liphook Golf Club in Hampshire is embarking on the second phase of a major re-routing project this summer, as the club builds towards celebrating its centenary in 2022.

The club began the first phase of the redesign of its historic heathland course last year with the construction of two new holes – the 8th and the 9th – a new green and tee, and significant heathland and wetland creation.

Tom Mackenzie of Sussex-based golf architectural firm Mackenzie & Ebert, who drew up the plans for the works, has recently started the second phase of a project, part of which involves merging of the 10th and 11th holes to create one hole, and the removal of the 14th hole.

As part of the project, Mackenzie has devised a rerouting of the course, allowing the club to eliminate the problematic road crossing between the 14th and 15th holes and to keep its second nine starting point near the underpass.

“The crossing over the old A3 after the 14th has long been a thorn in the side of the club,” said Mackenzie. “We found a way to reroute the course so that this is eliminated but keeps the 9th green and 10th tee close to the new underpass. The three resultant new holes – 8th, 9th and 10th – achieves this and produces a run of three strong, enjoyable and attractive holes.”

“The holes being lost are the 10th and 14th,” said Mackenzie. “In fact, the 10th and 11th are being run together, so the 10th is being dropped out with new tees brought forward, eliminating the blind tee shot on the current hole. The hole then plays to the current 11th green, so the present 11th tees are being removed.

We later found out that Tom Simpson, the course’s original designer, had suggest something similar in the 1930s when there was a plan to widen out the old A3.

“The new 8th and 9th were built last year, and we also built a new green on the present 12th (new 11th) to create the longest par five on the course. We are now merging the tenth and eleventh to form the new tenth and re-aligning the 15th to use a different crossing under the railway. The 11th tees are also being adjusted as well as the removal of the present 12th green. It sounds terribly complicated, but it is quite logical.”

Huw Waters, chair of Liphook’s course committee, said: “There is a real excitement to see how the new holes will play. They will be a great addition to the course at this exciting time in the club’s history. Horrible though the coronavirus pandemic is, it has offered us the chance to bring forward the completion of the work, which will allow the new course to open later in the summer, which is incredibly exciting. We are entirely happy that the work can be completed safely.”

This year's Women’s Golf Day has been set a new date for September 1, and, in a bid to help clubs in their recovery from the impact of COVID-19, the organisers are waiving the registration fee for venues signing up before August 1.

All registered venues benefit from marketing support and resources in the lead up to the event date, including a listing on the new WGD website, which can be upgraded to a featured location.

This year, WGD golfers are also being offered the chance to enhance their events with the addition of golf tip books, Ahead hats, custom silk scarves and a range of logoed merchandise, including a capsule

■ THE REROUTING OF THE COURSE HAS ALLOWED THE AWKWARD CROSSING OF THE A3 TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PLAY

set for September 1

collection from campaign partner SwingDish. The collection includes a branded bag, garments and accessories.

Elisa Gaudet, founder of Women’s Golf Day, said: “The sense of belonging golf offers feels even more valuable right now, which is why we are keen to go ahead with an event on September 1.”

For more details on local WGD events and how to host an event, visit www.womensgolfday.com.

[22] SUMMER 2020 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

VAN ' S

THE

MAN Following a long line of talented South African golfers to make it on to the world stage, Erik Van Rooyen is making a big impression wherever he plays – and not just with the cut of his sporty joggers

S

outh Africa has unquestionably punched above its weight when it comes to producing truly world-class golfers over the last 50 years. With one foot in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, its place on the map has created globe-trotting stars, with Bobby Locke, Gary Player and Ernie Els being the biggest stars of them all.

Throw in the likes of Retief Goosen, David Frost, Tim Clark, Trevor Immelman, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel – and you have a pretty impressive roll call of players who have brought golfing glory on a nation that prides itself on sporting achievement.

With the later grouping probably past the peak of their powers, a new generation of South Africans was required to keep South Africa’s golfing flag flying. And flying it they are. Branden Grace, George Coetzee, Brandon Stone, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Haydn Porteous, Thomas Aitken, Darren Fichardt, Zander Lombard and Dylan Frittelli are just a few of the players currently doing very well for themselves on various tours around the world. And you can, of course, add Erik Van Rooyen’s name to that lengthy list.

Currently on the cusp of breaking into the world’s top 40 before the pandemic broke out in March, Van Rooyen’s route to the top echelons of the game has started off relatively slowly, before moving into the meteoric. Beginning his golfing journey as a seven-year-old chipping golf balls around his grandparents’ home in Cape Town, he followed that with a stint caddying for his father at Pretoria Country Club; and it was only in 2009, aged 21, that he first left South Africa to pursue his dream of studying in the US. With three offers on the table for golf scholarships, he eventually chose the University of Minnesota to pursue his golfing and academic career.

After enjoying four years as a ‘Gopher Golfer’ - the nickname for UoM players – he graduated with honours in 2012 and turned professional the following year. Returning to South Africa, he ducked around on the Sunshine Tour for several seasons, before making his first foray into Europe on the Challenge Tour in 2017, where he won the Hainan Open in China and went on to finish third in the order of merit and earn his European Tour card for the 2018-2019 season.

After finishing runner-up in the Joburg Open that same year – which earned him a place in his first Open Championship – he went on to bag four further top-10s in 2018 en route to finishing 38th in the Race to Dubai rankings.

With that experience under the belt of his trademark trousers, Van Rooyen was fast out of the blocks last year, securing runnerup finishes in Qatar and Morocco before he achieved his first European Tour win at the Made in Denmark tournament in August.

Needing to sink a 12-foot birdie putt to win the title, he did so with the calmness of a seasoned pro, and the shackles were finally off.

That breakthrough victory heralded a superb run of form that culminated in a runner-up finish at the Turkish Airlines Open – where he lost out to Tyrrell Hatton in a record-breaking six-man play-off. Tenth place in the 2019 money list was fair reward for his impressive efforts and gave notice that the world another late-developing South African talent on our hands.

That notice was given wider stage when he took third place in the WGC-Mexico Championship in March – his first taste of WGC golf – where he celebrated his 30th

WHAT’S IN ERIK’S BAG? DRIVER: CALLAWAY MAVRIK SUB ZERO (10.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: CALLAWAY EPIC FLASH SUB ZERO (16.5) HYBRID: CALLAWAY APEX UTILITY IRON: CALLAWAY X FORGED UT (21) IRONS: CALLAWAY APEX MB (4-PW) WEDGES: CALLAWAY JAWS MD5 (50, 54, 58) PUTTER: ODYSSEY STROKE LAB MARXMAN BALL: TITLEIST PRO V1

birthday by shooting a course record 62 during the second round en route to bagging his biggest ever pay day – $555,144. His improved ranking earned him a place at the Masters and the Players Championship, both of which were postponed or cancelled as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic finally hit the sporting world, leaving Van Rooyen all dressed up but nowhere to go.

Fast forward to June, and Van Rooyen, like all players, was itching to get back into competition, so after sitting at home with is wife in his home in Florida for two months practising his beloved electric guitar, he made the decision to head back out onto the PGA Tour.

“It was a very strange to have to put my clubs away in March, just after the result in Mexico, and just as I was sort of playing the best golf of my life with all these big tournaments ahead of me,” he says. “The course where I’m a member in Florida was closed for five or six weeks, and all the other courses around me were only allowing members to use the facilities, so there wasn’t much I could do golf-wise. I sort of treated the time as a second off-season, something we don’t normally get to do, and I enjoyed the time at home, spending time with my wife, getting fit and generally making sure I was in shape for when golf was able to return.”

Having lost a bit of the momentum that he built up at the start of the year, Van Rooyen’s results have been patchy since the restart, with two missed cuts sandwiched either side of a 14th place at the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head. However, he’s confident that an upcoming run of tournaments, including a return to his adopted US hometown of Minnesota for the 3M Open, will bring about a change in his fortunes, and hopefully earn him enough prize money to upgrade his temporary playing privileges on the PGA Tour to a full-time card.

“Although I missed the cut at a couple of events, I’m feeling good mentally and technically, and I’m just excited to get some more game time in, play some events in a row to build that momentum back up,” he says. “My main goal right now is to earn that full-time card over the next few events, and then I can start to plan my 2020-21 season.”

Further down the line, appearances in the delayed US PGA Championship, the US Open, and a debut at the Masters, which has been pushed back until November, is also high in his thoughts. Although details of whether fans will be able to attend or not are yet to be finalised, it’s certainly not going to be your traditional first-time appearance at Augusta for the South African.

“I visited Augusta during my time at college, and I was able to walk down a few of the fairways, so to get the chance to play there, and hopefully follow in the footstep of some my boyhood heroes – Ernie, Louis and Charl – is going to be incredible,” he says. “Of course, it would be even better if my family and friends could be there to see me do it, but it will be special nonetheless. It’s a magnificent place, so the excitement will just keep building and the delay means it will be even greater when we eventually do get there.”

Will he be asking a for few tips off his Florida neighbour Ernie Els ahead of his appearance at Augusta? “Ernie has been a friend and a mentor to a lot of the younger generation of South Africans coming through, me included, and if I have any questions or need any advice, I know he’s always been happy to answer them. In fact, down here in Florida I’m surrounded by lots of players from back home – Louis, Charl, Brandon [Grace] all live nearby, as do players like Shane Lowry, so I’ve got lots of people to lean on for advice – it’s just a great environment for golf generally."

He adds: “I sometimes have to pinch myself that I’m living this life – I’m competing against the best players in the world, playing in all the top events and hopefully about to earn my PGA Tour card – so it’s pretty much as a good as it gets right now.”

NEWS | SUMMER 2020 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

[23]

[24] SUMMER 2020

TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

“ I ’ M

STILL

HIT TING BOMBS! ”

With 51 wins to his name, including five majors, and 12 Ryder Cup caps, Phil Mickelson has done it all during his 28 years on tour. But despite turning 50 in June, the PGA Tour’s elder statesman is still enjoying competing with the new generation and shows little sign of wanting to join the senior circuit

INTERVIEW | SUMMER 2020 [25] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

H

aving reached the milestone of 50 last month, and been on tour for almost three decades, how motivated are you to carry on competing at the highest level?

The simple answer is that I love what I do. I love my job. I love trying to play and compete.

I know it’s a cliché, but I’ve always felt that age is just a number. I feel like I’m in the best physical shape I’ve been in for years and there’s nothing holding me back from potentially playing some of my best golf.

I also enjoy playing and learning from the young guys coming through, and I enjoy trying to play my own game and compete against them regardless of my age. I still feel like I’ve got the game to compete, and when I stop being able to do that, I’ll try something else.

more on plane, striking it more solid, hitting the ball longer, and swinging the club faster than I have in many, many years. I know that there’s a lot more to winning than just hitting bombs, and I’m trying to put all those pieces together and I’m enjoying the challenge. So I don’t know if I can answer that directly. I would rather just show what I believe is possible and keep grinding away.

It’s obviously been a strange season due to the impact of the pandemic. How did you cope with the lockdown and now that the PGA Tour is back, what has it been like to play with no fans?

Yeah, it’s a unique feeling to be playing in front of empty galleries, but I feel like the PGA Tour has done an amazing job of creating a safe environment, given how many people are out

You perhaps weren’t in the greatest shape back in your 30s, yet you still won a lot of tournaments during that time, so clearly your success isn’t all about fitness?

Whenever I watch TV highlights of tournaments that I’ve won or played well in 15 or 20 years ago, it’s kind of embarrassing the way I looked and the way I didn’t really take much interest in my health. It just wasn’t something that a lot of players paid much attention to back then.

Now I take a much greater care about my health and fitness – you have to if you want a longer career – and I feel a lot better than I did 15 years ago. As I said, there’s nothing stopping me from being able to play and practice as hard as I can to play well out here. Now it’s all on me.

Can I get the best out of me again? I believe I can, and I’m excited for the challenge ahead. The greater the challenge, the greater my interest level. I respect and understand how talented and great players these young guys are, but I also enjoy the challenge of beating them, and I think I’m ready to do that.

Have you given any thought on whether you’ll enter any Champions Tour events this season or is your focus still 100% on the PGA Tour?

It’s nice to have the option to move over to another tour, but I feel there’s still a lot of unfinished business on the PGA Tour. I still want to play in another Ryder Cup, and I still feel like I can compete at this level for a few more years.

When I stop hitting bombs maybe I’ll play the Champions Tour, but I’m hitting some crazy bombs right now. I still have a decent swing speed, and I hit the ball every bit as far as I used to, if not further.

Usually, as guys move into their mid-40s, they regress, but I had a 5mph clubhead speed increase last year. A little bit of commitment in the gym, a little bit of work ethic, and all of a sudden there’s no reason that physically I can’t do today what I did 15, 20 years ago – in fact I’m doing more – so hopefully I can be competing on the PGA Tour for a few more years yet.

Having said that, I am looking forward to competing on the Champions Tour, whenever that time comes. I grew up playing with a lot of those guys, so having a chance to compete against them again is going to be a lot of fun.

I’ll probably play two or three senior events a year, because I want to support it, but I feel like if you want to successful on a tour you have to commit entirely to that one tour. So, I don’t see myself oscillating back and forth between the two.

Not many players get better once they pass 50. What makes you think that you can be the exception to the rule?

As I said, I believe that I have the tools to carry on playing at an extremely high level, I just need to show it. Physically, I’m swinging the club better,

bubble of the PGA Tour, I don’t believe players should be punished or discouraged from continuing to try and get better.

What did you consider ‘a bomb’ back when you first came on tour compared to what it is today?

When I first came out on tour, in 1993, I was 25th in driving distance at 269 yards, and in 2003 I was 25th in distance at 299 yards, so there’s a 30-yard difference there. These days, I’m averaging 303 and I’m down in 50th spot, so there are a lot more guys who hit the ball long.

There are many ways to win a golf tournament, but you cannot dominate the sport without speed. You might be able to do it for a year or two, but you can’t out-perform everyone consistently without clubhead speed. These days,

I FEEL LIKE I’M IN THE BEST PHYSICAL SHAPE I’VE BEEN IN FOR YEARS AND THERE’S NOTHING HOLDING ME BACK FROM POTENTIALLY PLAYING SOME OF MY BEST GOLF

■ GREY POWER: MICKELSON IS STILL HITTING THE BALL OVER 300 YARDS OFF THE TEE

here competing. It’s great that we’re able to still play, even though it’s very quiet and we don’t have a lot of people out here.

Of course we miss the fans, and I can’t wait for them to be allowed back in, but at the same time it’s also still a job for us, so to be able to carry on working during what has been a terrible time for so many people, has been a bonus and hopefully we will have provided some entertainment for fans watching at home on TV. The game has changed in all manner of ways since you joined the tour in 1992, but what do you make of the distance some of players, most notably Bryson DeChambeau, are able to hit the ball these days? Do you think it might hasten the USGA into changing the rules governing equipment on tour?

I personally don’t feel that you should punish athletes for getting better. I don’t think that we have had massive equipment improvements in recent years, we have just had players that have been able to take advantage of the equipment more so than they were able to in the past. And I hate to see that discouraged.

If you look at what Bryson has done to make his improvements – getting in the gym, lifting weights, changing his diet etc – and now you’re talking about trying to roll it back because he’s made himself a better athlete? I don’t know if I agree with that.

I understand the impact distance is having on golf course design, but from the small little

hitting a bomb means flying the ball 315 yards and getting 182mph ball speed with ideal launch conditions. That level of speed allows you to put more spin on the ball, it allows you to hit the ball longer, make carries come in higher and softer into the greens. It allows you to do more with a golf ball than if you don’t have speed, so the best players in the world are going to have to have speed.

However, I believe there is a point of diminishing returns at about 182mph ball speed, which is going to equate to about 122mph clubhead speed. You usually have about a 1.5 smash factor, 150 per cent energy transfer, but if you start going faster than 182mph with your driver, you start losing a little bit of control and that’s why you’ll find all the top guys right in that area.

I used to struggle to get 170mph, but now I can get it up to 182mph pretty much at will, so distance isn’t holding me back. It’s maybe my accuracy with my iron play or my putting. But if I didn’t have the speed to start with, it wouldn’t even give me a fair chance.

How much do you want to play in another Ryder Cup? Well, Steve [Stricker] knows how badly I want to be on the team, but I don’t want to be a captain’s pick, I’ve got to earn it. If I play to the level that I believe I’m capable of I’ll make the team. But if not, you’ve got to give those spots to some younger guys that haven’t had the chance to play and compete the way I have.

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[26] SUMMER 2020 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

GOLF ’S MAGIC POTION E N HANCE YOU R GA M E A N D YOU R LIFE WHAT IS CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the flowers of the hemp plant. CBD was once over-shadowed by THC (the compound in cannabis sativa that causes a buzz) but in the last five years there has been a dramatic increase in scientific research into CBD. Much scientific research is currently being undertaken, all around the world, into CBD and the other cannabinoids, and in the next five years we will likely see an exponential rise in the numbers of users of these non-intoxicating and fascinating substances.

Will taking CBD help with my illness?

Unfortunately, we are not able to give medical advice as our CBD products are sold as food supplements to help support and maintain a healthy body and mind and it’s always important to do your own thorough research-depending on what you are using CBD for, before trying it out, There is lots of reading material on the internet just type CBD for then your problem and you can start researching from there.

With that said, you do not have to be ‘ill’ to use CBD it is for everyone no matter how healthy you may be.

It provides a source of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, healthy fatty acids like Omega-3, protein and it’s organically grown too. Regardless of your age, CBD has dozens of wellness benefits. Many of us realise the important of “balance” in our daily lives. Balancing work and play is a critical part of our physical and mental health. Using CBD as a daily supplement is a great way to support your bodies Endocannabinoid system and keep it in balance so why not use it as a preventative!

Can I take CBD with other meds?

With taking anything new we would always suggest speaking with a medical professional, CBD can interact with some medicines but only at very high

levels so it is on the whole very safe to take and we find lots of our customers actually reduce the amount of prescription drugs they take especially pain killers.

Is it legal?

CBD is legal, because hemp is legal in the UK. Hemp is a plant that is safe, natural, and non-toxic. It can be used for almost anything. There need not to be any grey areas when it comes to CBD. When it comes to cannabis, however, it is still illegal to use it or possess it. Maybe this is why people tend to get confused. Cannabidiol (CBD) though, is not considered a controlled substance in the UK. It is therefore 100% legal and can be freely distributed in the UK without restrictions.

If you want to use CBD products it is TOTALLY legal to do so.

Will I fail a drugs test?

No as drug tests are looking for traces of THC which is the psychoactive cannabinoid that is illegal in the UK and our products contain less than 0.2% THC or zero and we stringently test our products and supply on request 3rd party certificates of analysis that show what is exactly in our products.

Is it addictive?

Just because the cannabis plant can be known for recreational use that does not mean that it automatically makes it addictive. It is true however that you can become addicted to cannabis but what about CBD, which is made from the other cannabis plant which is hemp.

CBD is categorically not addictive, so let your worries fade away!

A report last year by the World Health Organization declared that CBD is non-addictive, writing, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential” and that “CBD is well-tolerated and safe for human consumption.”

CBD is not addictive as it contains no/very little THC. THC is the ingredient that causes cannabis to be addictive in some people.

How much do I need daily?

Each person’s endocannabinoid system works differently and reacts differently with each person body. There is no straight, solid scientific information that states how much CBD you should be taking at any one time, always start off with a small dose and work your way up. Height and weight play a part as well as the quality of the CBD oil. If you are bigger or taller than the average person you may need more and visa versa. Also, if you have smoked cannabis in the past you may feel like you need more. Either way we advise you do not go over the daily dosage recommendation of 200mg.

Is it safe to drive on CBD oil?

We believe that many of the people asking about driving under the influence of CBD haven’t tried it yet! Once you do, you will realise that there is a minimal relaxation that occurs with cannabidiol administration, that can’t even be described as sedation. The relaxation is more of an easing of the mind and body, nowhere close to an inebriating experience.

We can’t talk about the CBD driving laws, because there aren’t any!

Cannabidiol products are non-intoxicating, and will not influence your ability to operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery. This is one of the principal reasons to do research on your chosen product. So long as the item in question is THC free, you will be clear to drive and will function at your best while enjoying the many CBD oil benefits.

While all of the above information is valid, keep in mind that some law enforcement agents may not be educated on the difference between CBD products and cannabis. They will never know that you are on a CBD regimen unless you tell them.

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NEWS | SUMMER 2020

[27]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

AMERICAN GOLF UNVEILS STYLISH UPGRADE to flagship Surrey store American Golf has reopened its store at World of Golf, New Malden, Surrey following a £500,000 facelift.

The big investment in the Surrey venue signals the nationwide retailer’s intent to develop a number of stores to ‘Flagship’ status, with several venues across the UK already identified for similar expansion. The state-of-the-art facility will employ up to 20 people and features the latest club fitting and swing analysis technology, along with a shopping experience more akin to that of a high street department store.

“The first customers to the store have described the experience like an up market West End shopping experience, and that’s exactly the feel we were aiming for when we designed the store,” commented Lember Gordon, Retail Marketing Manager at American Golf. “We’ve combined open spaces for browsing our widest range of men’s and ladies’ apparel and footwear with the latest golf clubs and equipment from the biggest manufacturers in the game. Add in our two dedicated fitting bays that are filled with the latest technology and the New Malden store really does have something for every golfer.”

The store also features two custom-fitting bays equipped with Foresight GCQuad launch monitors a SAM Putt Lab technology, while in-store kiosks allow customers to browse the whole American Golf range.

Golf industry pays tribute to

■ THE NEW RETAIL OUTLET AT WORLD OF GOLF NEW MALDEN IS STOCKED WITH ALL THE LATEST APPAREL AND EQUIPMENT RANGES FROM THE GAME’S BIGGEST BRANDS

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MR 60LFR (PRESENTED AS MR GOLFR)

Former European Tour player John O’Leary, who was the former resident professional and non-executive director at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club, died in March aged 70 following a long illness.

Dublin-born O’Leary, who moved to London when he started out on tour, made a huge contribution to growth of the European Tour in his role as a director for 34 years, and was a hugely popular figure on both sides of the Irish Sea. The highlight of his individual playing career came with victory in the 1982 Irish Open at Portmarnock, where he held off Maurice Bembridge by a stroke to win the £13,000 first prize in front of his home fans. He also won the 1976 Greater Manchester Open, while his first win as a professional was in the 1975 Royal Swazi Sun Open on the South African circuit. His best finish in a Major was in the 1979 British Open, when he finished 13th.

In terms of team golf, the highlight of his career was playing on the Britain & Ireland team in the 1975 Ryder Cup at Laurel Valley in the United States, where he played four matches, but failed to win a point. He was one of three Irish players on the team, along with Eamonn Darcy and Christy O’Connor Jnr. The USA won the match by 21-11. O’Leary also represented Ireland in three World Cups (1972, 1980 and 1982).

On finishing his playing career, he served as a director of the European Tour from 1985 until 2019, attending his last meeting in March of last year. Among his many achievements in office, he is credited with playing a significant part in bringing the Ryder Cup to Ireland for the first time in 2006, when Europe won at The K Club.

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[28] SUMMER 2020 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

The postman K N O C K S Again After spending time with his family and working on his fitness during the lockdown, a re-energised Ian Poulter has set his sights on moving back up the world rankings and earning a seventh Ryder Cup cap at Whistling Straits next year EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

BY NICK BAYLY

H

ow was lockdown in Florida for you?

I don’t want to belittle the situation, as it has clearly been horrendous time for a lot of people, but I enjoyed not going anywhere for eight weeks or so and just staying at home with the family.

I’ve been on tour for 25 years now, so, while the circumstances were not how anyone would want them to be, it was good to spend some quality time with my wife and kids and just do nothing for a while.

I put the clubs away initially, and then maybe played three or four rounds at most as we were coming out of lockdown. The golf course at Lake Nona was open throughout, as were the practice facilities, but I didn’t make use of them. I’ve got an indoor studio at home with Trackman, a Zen Green Stage, a balance plate and few other bits of kit, so I had all I needed to keep my game ticking over.

But, honestly, it was nice to not have to think about golf for a while and press the reset button. I did do quite a bit of fitness work though, and I feel fitter now than I have done in years.

What’s it been like to be back playing again under Covid restrictions? How safe do you feel?

It’s good to back out competing again, although under somewhat strange circumstances. We had just over a month to prepare for the first event back, the Charles Schwab in early June, which was plenty long

enough, so I don’t think I’ve ever been as prepared for an event as I was for that.

I’ve been very impressed with the way the PGA Tour and the host venues have handled the situation and enabled us to get us in a position to play, and where we, as players, feel comfortable to play. I think they’ve done an incredible job. I feel very comfortable with all the measures that have been put in place, and I’m taking all the necessary precautions to try and keep myself safe.

There was a video of you on social media undergoing the Covid-19 test. How uncomfortable was that?

It’s just a bizarre sensation. It’s not painful. It’s just you don’t want that swab going as far back as it goes.

It’s over within ten seconds, and then your fingers are crossed for a negative test. It’s not something I’m going to get used to, but it’s small price to pay to be able to carry on doing your job.

How does it feel to be playing without the galleries and the fans?

It’s still very strange to be honest, and I’m hoping this won’t be the future for professional golf, or any other professional sport. I, like a lot of players, feed off the fans, and enjoy the reactions, whether they’re positive or negative. Hearing the cheers gets the adrenalin going and I definitely miss that. When you hole a bunker shot or play a great approach, it

feels odd to be met with a wall of silence, or perhaps the odd ripple of applause from a family looking out over their garden fence. You get used to it, but it’s not how I want it to continue. They’re looking at getting fans back as soon as it’s safe to do so, whether that’s this season, at the US Open, the Masters, or whenever, no-one quite knows.

You’ve enjoyed a decent start back, finishing 14th at the RBC Heritage and fifth at the Workday Open in Ohio. What kind of shape is your overall game in now, as you move into your mid-40s?

Swing-wise I feel like my game’s in a good place.

I’m technically where I want to be and I’m swinging the club pretty well. The difference between an ‘ok’ week and a decent week for me is generally down to how well I’m putting, so when that’s on I feel like I can compete.

I’ve shot 12 rounds in the 60s in four events I’ve played since the restart, but the scoring has been incredibly low, so you need to be aggressive, yet not make too many mistakes. It’s a fine balance, knowing when to push and when to back off, but the cuts have been around four and five under, so if you don’t make a good start you can soon find yourself chasing it.

Fitness-wise, as I said, I feel like I’m in better shape than I have been for ages I have got no injury issues, so hopefully I’ve got a few miles left on the clock.

A lot of the younger guys on tour are smashing it

INTERVIEW | SUMMER 2020 [29] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ POULTER HAS FOUND IT STRANGE NOT TO BE PLAYING IN FRONT OF FANS, ALTHOUGH SOME LOCAL RESIDENTS AT THE WORKDAY CHARITY OPEN AT MUIRFIELD VILLAGE STILL MANAGED TO GET THEIR MESSAGES ACROSS

I FEEL LIKE I’M IN BETTER SHAPE THAN I HAVE BEEN FOR AGES. I 'VE GOT NO INJURY ISSUES, SO HOPEFULLY I’VE GOT A FEW MILES LEFT ON THE CLOCK a long way off now, so we’ll see how things pan out. The Ryder Cup has given me some of the most memorable moments of my career, and I’d like to add a few more.

When will you be back playing in the UK again?

I won’t be back for the summer swing, but I’m planning on playing in the Alfred Dunhill, the Scottish Open and then the BMW at Wentworth in October. You really can’t be travelling back and forth in the current situation, and although I am keen to support the European Tour in any way I can, there are just too many risks associated with switching back and forth. I’ve not seen my parents since Christmas, as they’re in lockdown, so I’m hoping to catch up with them too when I come back.

■ POULTER WILL MAINLY BE PLYING HIS TRADE ON THE PGA TOUR AS HE ATTEMPTS TO EARN HIS PLACE ON THE 2021 RYDER CUP TEAM

350 yards off the tee these days – does that make it harder for you to compete?

I’ve never been particularly long off the tee, but then again, I’m not particularly short either. I might be 40 yards behind some of the longer guys off the tee, but I know the strengths and limitations of my game and I know how to get my ball around the golf course. You only need to look at the stats to know that it’s not the guy who hits it farther that wins every week. Every facet of your game has to be on to win, and so while a lot of the top players are hitting it miles, they’re not dominating the game or winning every week.

You, like everyone, must have been disappointed with the postponement of the Ryder Cup, but do you feel like it gives you a little more breathing space to earn your place on the team next year?

No-one wanted to play a Ryder Cup without fans – there really would have been no point, so it was definitely the right decision to delay it a year.

Hopefully they’ll have found an antidote to the virus by then and everyone can be there.

Of course, I would love to make the team, but that comes as a result of playing consistently well for a long period of time, peaking for the right events, and then everything takes care of itself. If I don’t get in the automatic spots, I hope I’ll be close enough for Padraig to consider me for selection, but that’s

WHAT’S IN IAN'S BAG? DRIVER TITLEIST TS3 (9.5) 3-WOOD TITLEIST 917 F2 (16.5) HYBRID TITLEIST 816 H2 (21) IRONS TITLEIST U500 (4), TITLEIST 718 AP2 (5-PW) WEDGES TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM8 (52, 56), TITLEIST VOKEY WEDGEWORKS (60) PUTTER ODYSSEY STROKE LAB 7 BALL TITLEIST PRO V1X

It’s clearly going to be a tough time for the European Tour given its geographical reach.

How do you think things will play out?

Playing in as many different countries and continents as the European Tour does is definitely going to affect how it operates in the current crisis, but I really hope that it can come out of this in good shape.

I hope to support as many events as I possibly can, but it’s clearly a difficult situation for everybody.

Players who only play in Europe have clearly missed some competitive opportunities, but the European Tour looks to have got a decent schedule moving into the summer and early autumn, so hopefully it can bounce back.

Ian was speaking to Golf News ahead of the launch of 2K’s new PGA Tour 2K21 game, which is out on August 21 for PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch and Google Stadia. Ian is one of 12 PGA Tour professionals that players can compete against across 15 licensed PGA Tour courses to become the FedEx Cup Champion. To find out more, head to www.pgatour.2k.com.

[30] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ OUT IN FRONT: RENATO PARATORE LIFTS THE BRITISH MASTERS TROPHY ALONGSIDE TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS

WELCOME TO GOLF’S ‘NEW

N O R M A L’

Italy’s Renato Paratore triumphs in the Betfred British Masters at Close House as the European Tour unveils tournament golf under Covid-19 restrictions

There were no crowds to witness it, and no cheers ringing around the 18th green, but rising Italian star Renato Paratore will have good reason to remember his second victory on the European Tour, which was achieved with a dominant, front-running display at the Betfred British Masters at Close House, near Newcastle.

The 23-year-old from Rome, whose first win came in Sweden three years ago, doubled his tally of Tour victories with an 18-under-par total that saw him finish three shots ahead of another rising star of the European circuit, 19-year-old Dane Rasmus Hojgaard. South Africa’s Justin Harding was one shot further back in third.

Paratore showed few signs of rust following his four-month enforced competitive lay-off when playing the first 62 holes of the tournament without dropping a shot. The youngster finally showed he was feeling the pressure on the back nine on Sunday, which was played in windy conditions,

when he dropped shots at the ninth and 11th, but a birdie on the tenth, and a further gain at the par-five 17th saw him cruise to a comfortable victory.

In keeping with the ‘new normal’, the winner was treated to a socially-distanced guard of honour by his fellow players as he went to pick up the trophy and the cheque for £187,000 that came with the win. Although extremely welcome in these difficult times, the first place prize money was almost a third of the £530,000 that last year’s winner, Marcus Kinhault, received for winning at Hillside, reflecting the heavy financial pressures that the European Tour is under in staging tournaments with no spectators, no corporate hospitality and little in the way of commercial support beyond the main sponsor.

Still, the European Tour’s return to action for the first time since mid-March was widely welcomed by the players, many of whom hadn’t earned a penny all year. Essex’s Dale Whitnell, who finished tied fourth with fellow Englishmen Robert Rock

and Andy Sullivan, fell into that category, having not finished higher than 109th since the beginning of 2020. The 31-year-old from Colchester, who shot a second round 64 to move up the leaderboard, was delighted to have been given the chance to compete, and the £44,500 prize money will come in handy as he bids to carry his form into the summer’s run of UK-based tournaments.

Played under strict Covid-19 restrictions, which required the players, caddies, media and tournament officials to stay on-site at Close House throughout the week, not all the players were comfortable with pro golf’s new normal, with Andrew Johnston pulling out of the tournament just nine holes into his first round after feeling unhappy with the environment he found himself in. “Being confined to the hotel and the course, and not being able to bring my family, is not what I want at this moment,” he admitted. ”I’m struggling to get my head around it all. One minute I’m coming out of lockdown, going out for dinner, and then the next I’m back in lockdown in a hotel room.”

Lee Westwood, Close House’s touring pro, who was the official tournament host, was another high-profile player who found getting into the competitive spirit hard under the new regulations.

The former world no.1, who finished plumb last of those that made the cut after a closing 79, praised the tour for getting golf going again, but said that the lack of fans and the health regulations required had made concentrating hard and taken the fun out of competing. “The European Tour and Close House have done an amazing job,” said Westwood, who was the only player inside the world’s top 50 in the field. “When I turned up on Monday, I was surprised how thorough everything was. I knew we were going to be in lockdown, but the testing protocol we have all been through has been a success.”

He added: “I feel like I should play in a few of the UK Swing events to support the European Tour, because they have done such an unbelievable job of putting on these tournaments, but having said that, it’s just not the life I’m used to. I’m struggling for motivation out on the golf course. Whenever I come out and play in tournaments now, it is almost more about seeing my mates, and the sociable element of it all, and you’re not getting that at the moment. I’ve never seen so many players on the range at eight o’clock at night trying to avoid being in their hotel rooms on their own. For the young guys starting out, it’s not such a shock to the system, but I’m too long in the tooth for that now.”

Shock to the system or not, it looks likely that professional golfers are going to have to get used to playing in front of empty grandstands for many months to come, as the virus continues to spike is different parts of the UK and mainland Europe.

The tour now moves on to the English Open at the Forest of Arden (July 30- Aug 2) and the English Championship at Hanbury Manor (Aug 6-9), before Celtic Manor hosts back-to-back European Tour tournaments – the Celtic Classic (Aug 13-16) and the Wales Open (Aug 20-23). The UK Swing will then conclude with the UK Championship at The Belfry from August 27-30.

■ TOURNAMENT HOST LEE WESTWOOD, PICTURED WITH PARTNER AND CADDY HELEN STOREY, DIDN'T ENJOY THE BEST OF WEEKS ON HIS RETURN TO COMPETITION

■ RENATO PARATORE'S FELLOW PROS GAVE HIM A SOCIALLY-DISTANCED GUARD OF HONOUR AS HE CAME OFF THE COURSE

SUMMER 2020 | WWW.GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/EQUIPMENT

POLISHING CHROME

Callaway rebuilds Chrome Soft ball range from the ground up

STREET TALK

Ecco Golf celebrates 10 years of its best-selling hybrid shoe

SMASH 'N 'GRAB

How Bryson DeChambeau turned his game around

TRIPLE THREAT

Hole more putts with Odyssey's Triple Track putters

BE MORE MAVRIK!

Callaway's latest irons push the boundaries of performance

[32] SUMMER 2020

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE GEAR EFFECT INSIDES THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR MARC WARREN

EQUIPMENT NEWS

AUSTRIAN OPEN

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GOLFPRIDE ‘TEAM UP’ FOR COLOURFUL GRIPS

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU

ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC

Golf Pride has expanded its popular MCC family of hybrid grips with the launch of the new MCC Teams collection, which gives golfers the chance to show their true colours – sporting or otherwise – out on the course with a choice of no fewer than 15 colour combinations.

Used for over 250 professional wins on tour, the MMC grip mixes rubber with cord for a combination of feel and traction. They are available in both standard and midsize and cost £12 and £13 respectively.

DRIVER: Cobra King Speedzone (5.5°) FAIRWAYS: Cobra King Ltd (14.5°), Cobra King SZ Tour (13.5°) UTIILITY: Cobra King One Length (4, 5) IRONS: Cobra King Forged Tour One Length irons (6-PW) WEDGES: Artisan Prototype (47°, 52°, 58°) PUTTER: SIK Prototype BALL: Bridgestone Tour B X

DUSTIN JOHNSON

TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER: TaylorMade SIM Max (10.5°) FAIRWAYS: TaylorMade SIM Max (16°) HYBRIDS: TaylorMade SIM Max Rescue (19°, 22°) IRONS: TaylorMade P730 DJ Proto (5-PW) WEDGES: TaylorMade MG (52°, 56°, 60°), MG High Toe (63°) PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider X Chalk BALL: TaylorMade TP5X

WEBB SIMPSON RBC HERITAGE

DRIVER: Titleist TS3 (10.5°) FAIRWAY WOODS: Titleist TS2 (15°), Titleist 913Fd (18°) HYBRIDS: Titleist 913Hd (21°), Titleist 915Hd (23.5°) IRONS: Titleist 620MB (5-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design Raw SM7 (54°), Titleist Vokey Design Raw SM5 (60°) PUTTER: Odyssey Tank Cruiser V-Line BALL: Titleist Pro V1

DANIEL BERGER

CHARLES SCHWAB CHALLENGE DRIVER: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero (10.5°)) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Epic Flash (15°) IRONS: Callaway Apex 16 (3), TaylorMade MC Forged 11 (4-PW) WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy Forged (50°, 56°); Callaway Mack Daddy 4 (60°) PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider X Chalk BALL: Titleist Pro V1

EVERYONE NEEDS A WINGMAN

ARCCOS FINDS THE MISSING LINK

Bushnell Golf’s Wingman is the golfing gadget you never thought you needed but probably can’t live without – a mobile Bluetooth speaker that doubles up as a golf GPS device.

Designed to be mounted on a golf buggy or a trolley, the Wingman GPS Speaker provides audible yardages to the front, centre and back of the green with the simple press of a button, while playing the music of your choice through a mobile app. Golfers can pair their smartphones with the Wingman and the Bushnell Golf app.

As part of the Wingman rollout, the Bushnell App has been updated, and now offers the yardages for over 36,000 courses, offering 3D flyovers of holes, as well as scoring and shot tracking. And it’s free to use for anyone using a Bushnell Golf rangefinder.

The Wingman has a battery life of up to 10 hours and costs £149.

Data has become king in the battle to improve your golf, and Arccos has been at the forefront of data collection.

Its popular Caddy Sensors have helped change the way many golfers think about their game, bringing statistics to the club golfer’s game like never before.

Many players, however, don’t like the idea of carrying a mobile phone in their pocket for this system to work. Thankfully, Arccos’s new Link solves this. Lightweight, and with a 10-hour battery, the Link is designed to sit on your belt, waistband or pocket the caddie link connects to your phone seamlessly via bluetooth to collect all your shot data.

When using the Link, it’s worth remembering that you’ll still need access to your smartphone if you want to use the A.I. GPS rangefinder.

The Link is compatible with previous Arccos sensors, including all Cobra and Ping smart clubs, Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors and Arccos Caddie Smart Grips.

TITLEIST EXPANDS WEDGEWORKS RANGE Titleist already offers more custom options within its Vokey wedge range than any other brand, but it has expanded on that still further with the introduction a new T grind option for its SM8 wedges, as well as building a new dedicated custom build unit at their St Ives headquarters.

The SM8 T grind is popular among Titleist’s team of Tour players because of its versatile low bounce grind that is well suited to firmer conditions.

Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are just two of the names who have put it into play on the PGA Tour.

The new dedicated wedge build cell allows Titleist to offer the tour experience to its fans. As well as additional grind options, players can choose from a multitude of bespoke options, including custom paint fills and custom shafts, ferrules and grips. And for those looking for the ultimate custom wedge, hand-ground raw wedges are available.

For more details, visit www.titleist.co.uk.

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TAYLORMADE ROLLS OUT CUSTOM WEDGE PROGRAMME TaylorMade has launched a custom wedge offering to add to its personalised putter programme.

Inspired by trends seen on the PGA Tour, where players often personalise their wedges with logos, initials and other personal touches, TaylorMade is now giving all golfers the ability to make each wedge their own.

Golfers can select from four different finishes – cobalt nickel, chrome, black and raw – and custom stamping options include personalised text and initials, as well as dozens of images. There are 13 different paint fills, while customers can also choose the grip and shaft, and the full range of custom lofts, lie and length. The cost per wedge is £189.

Similar to the original Milled Grind wedges, and also found in the P·7TW irons, MyMG2 wedges feature CNCmilled faces. Orders can be placed at www.taylormadegolf.co.uk and from authorised TaylorMade stockists.

SAMSUNG TEES UP GPS WATCHES Sports technology distributor Second Chance Ltd has partnered with Samsung to sell an exclusive new range of GPS golf watches.

The Galaxy Watch Golf Edition and Galaxy Watch Active2 Golf Edition offer all the capabilities and functions of Samsung’s existing Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active2 with the addition of the Smart Caddie App, which comes pre-installed and with a lifetime premium subscription worth £76. The app provides real-time information to help users elevate their performance on the course.

The Golf Edition (£359) comes preloaded with 40,000 course maps, offering full-colour aerial shots, and distances to the front, middle and back of greens from the player's angle of approach. It also offers shot tracking and a digital scorecard. It has a touch-sensitive screen and a rotating bezel for easy access to calls, emails, and other notifications.

The Golf Active2 Golf Edition (£339) offer the same performance capabilities as the Golf Edition, but comes in a lightweight aluminium body and two size and colour options — 44mm with an Aqua Black strap, and 40mm with Pink Gold strap. It features a rotating touch bezel to advance screens so users can easily select their favourite apps. (RRP £339).

Both products are available from www.samsung.com, Amazon and selected retailers.

SUN MOUNTAIN UNVEILS ECO-LITE BAGS MADE FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC BOTTLES

SHOT SCOPE HITS THE TARGET WITH NEW GPS WATCH RANGE Shot Scope has launched two new GPS Golf watches, the V3 and the G3, which are as stylish as they are technologically advanced.

The new V3 watch (£209.99) combines automatic performance tracking with accurate GPS technology in a fashionable new design. Featuring a streamlined 10mm casing and sporty band, it boasts a new daylight readable colour screen, as well as ClubSense and PinCollect technologies that automatically detect shots and putts on the course.

Using the latest satellite technology, Shot Scope’s distance reading is accurate to 30cm and it provides dynamic distances to the front, middle and back of greens, as well as front and carry distances for every hazard on over 35,000 pre-loaded courses, all of which are automatically loaded once the sattelite locks on to your location.

Using the supplied tags, which are fitted into the butt-end

of each club, users have unlimited access to Tour-quality performance statistics, with more than 100 different analytics can be reviewed via the Shot Scope V3 mobile app or Shot Scope’s online dashboard on different clubs, tee shots, approaches, short game and putting.

The functions are navigated using the four buttons in the corners, all of which are clearly labeled so it’s easy to switch between modes. And because it isn’t a touch screen, you don’t need to worry about accidentally touching the screen and inputting a score or moving on a hole. The V3 also has a watch mode, making it wearable on and off the golf course, and is available in a choice of five great colours.

The G3 watch (£169.99) offers all the same GPS features as the V3, but without the shot-tracking technology.

Both models are available to buy now at www.shotscope.com, as well as most major golf stores and online retailers.

Sun Mountain has boosted it green credentials by launching a range of golf bags made from recycled plastic bottles.

The brand developed the water-resistant ECO-LITE bags in a bid to reduce harmful waste and give golfers a more environmentally-friendly option to carry their clubs around in.

Around 25 plastic bottles (20oz-sized) are recycled into highly durable fine threads to form the durable fabric of each stand bag. Weighing less than 2kg, the ECO-LITE stand bag features a dual strap system, a four-way top, six pockets, including a large apparel pocket, a velour-lined valuables pocket and a drink bottle sleeve.

The ECO-LITE cart bag, which is made from up to 30 recycled bottles, incorporates a 14-way divider and separate putter well, eight forward facing pockets, including a velour-lined valuables pocket and an insulated cooler pocket.

The ECO-LITE stand (£199) and cart bags (£219) are available in five colour combinations: Rush Green/Green, Navy/Red/Cobalt, Cadet/Inferno/ Gunmetal, Black/White/Gunmetal/Red and Black.

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MAVRIK THINKING Equipment Editor Dan Owen casts his eye over Callaway’s ground-breaking, AI-designed Mavrik range of irons, which offers models to suit all types of player Irons have evolved a lot since the first cavity back was created in the late 1960’s. From simple cast designs to modern multi-piece, multi-material constructions, the modern iron is easier to hit and hit the ball further than those that came before.

So how can you evolve iron design and performance still further? You bring in the machines.

Step forward Callaway’s Mavrik irons, the first in the industry that have been designed with the help of A.I. Following the success of the Epic Flash

driver last year, Callaway’s first club that was designed with the help of A.I., Callaway has used a super-computer to help them design the perfect iron face. Well, not just one. One for each specific iron across every model of iron.

There are fourirons in the Mavrik range – the ‘standard’ Mavrik, Mavrik Pro, Mavrik MAX, and Mavrik MAX W Lite for women. While the same technologies are used across each model, they boast distinct differences that affect trajectory and distance potential.

360 Cup Face TungstenInfused Weighting

Urethane Microspheres

WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES? A.I. DESIGNED FLASH FACE

360 CUP FACE

TUNGSTEN-INFUSED WEIGHTING

Callaway’s designers used Artificial Intelligence to create a different face for every iron in each set. This helps boost ball speed, which is an obvious benefit.

Long irons, in particular, are built for launch and speed. The mid-irons are designed for speed and spin consistency. While the short iron faces are designed for spin and control.

The Flash Face designs also help with spin robustness.

What does that mean? Miss-hits will spin more like wellstruck shots. For example, a thin strike will spin more like a solid strike, which gives consistency to shots other irons cannot compete with.

Flash Face Cup creates a unique ‘face architecture’ for every single loft across the range. This an engineering feat which has never been seen before in the golf industry, once again highlighting Callaway’s boundarypushing ‘maverick’ way of thinking.

In this instance, the whole of the face, plus the material that curves around to the topline and the sole, is one piece of metal. This allows Callaway’s designers to use thinner, stronger materials than if there was no cup face. It also allows for the bottom of the face especially to be more flexible, which helps generate more height and spin on thin shots.

Callaway precisely locates the centre of gravity by using custom tungsten-infused weights. Tungsten is twice as heavy as steel and allows for a lot of mass to be concentrated in a small area. The end result is optimal launch conditions, trajectories, spin rates, and land angles throughout the set.

URETHANE MICROSPHERES Urethane microspheres provide the benefits of urethane – absorbing unwanted vibrations and improving sound and feel – while still retaining the very high COR of the Flash Face Cup. The microspheres also absorb vibration for better feel.

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WHICH MAVRIK IRON WILL SUIT YOUR GAME? MAVRIK A game improvement distance iron that will suit the widest spectrum of golfers, the standard Mavrik iron features a mid-sized blade with a medium thickness topline, a modicum of offset and a cavity that is noticeable at address to give that added level of confidence. It produces buttery soft feel off the face, is easy to get the ball up in the air, and the feel is immensely satisfying. It’s also long and, for the most part, you get the added distance without compromising with a lower ball flight. So if you want a modern game-improvement iron with a ton of distance, great forgiveness and superb feel, definitely give these a try.

MAVRIK PRO A.I. Designed Flash Face

Callaway has a long history of offering forgiving irons in a player’s package, going all the way back to the Callaway X-12 Pro Series. But this isn’t just a case of the same design with less offset. The Marik Pro features a totally different head shape, that’s shorter heel to toe, features a thinner topline, and significantly less offset. The Pro is very much an iron for a traditionalist who is looking for some help. They feature weaker lofts, as these are designed to offer control as well as distance.

MAVRIK MAX The Mavrik MAX irons are based on a similar design to the standard Mavrik model, however, they have been ‘maxed out’ for easier distance. With a larger head, wider sole, lower centre of gravity and weaker lofts than the standard model, the MAX is designed to help the player who struggles to get the ball airborne, especially those with slower swing speeds. The Max features the same longer shafts than the Pro, which help to generate a little more speed and distance for golfers who struggle in that department.

MAVRIK MAX-W LITE The Mavik MAX-W irons are designed specifically for women and feature a larger body design and a deeper centre of gravity for increased forgiveness, easy launch and added distance. Offered as six-club set, any model can be switched out for Mavrik hybrids.

They come with UST Helium graphite shafts available in 40g and 55g options.

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CLEVELAND RTX ZIPCORE WEDGES

HONMA TR20 DRIVER £599, HONMAGOLF.COM Looks are subjective, but there's a strong argument that Honma's TR20 drivers are among this season’s best-looking models on the market, with a classic shape, a simple black-and-gold colour scheme, and a throwback satin face. But despite the retro-classic appeal, the 440cc and 460cc models are packed the latest tech. Around 60% of the clubhead is made of carbon fibre, which saves weight to be used elsewhere, while three adjustable weights can be used to fine-tune launch and spin, but also add draw-bias for the golfer who needs some help fighting a fade.

£139, CLEVELANDGOLF.CO.UK Cleveland‘s new RTX ZipCore wedges feature a low-density core that moves the centre of gravity deeper, while also boosting MOI for more consistent distance and spin control from shots hit high and low on the face.

New ‘UltiZip’ grooves are 11% sharper and 7% deeper than the Zip grooves found of the RTX4 wedges, while also being 7% closer together to add in two more grooves to generate increased spin on all shots and from all lies.

As well as being sharper, they’re also more durable thanks to a new heat treatment process that strengthens the carbon steel head.

The range is offered in a mid-bounce for all lofts (46-60 degrees); a low bounce option for lofts between 56-62 degrees, and a full bounce for models between 54-60 degrees. They are offered in tour satin, black satin (£139) and raw finishes (£159).

PRO SHOP

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GEAR ODYSSEY STROKE LAB WOMEN’S £239, 2-BALL £269, ODYSSEYGOLF.COM It was only last year that graphite putter shafts hit the mainstream with Odyssey’s Stroke Lab range. Fast forward a year and they come as standard in every Odyssey putter. However, this is the first time they have been incorporated in a line of putters specifically for women. While the bulk of the design elements remain the same – Stroke Lab putter shafts help create a more repeatable stroke; Micro-Hinge inserts improves roll, while and a two-tone design aids alignment – there are some changes. Most obviously, the black finish has been replaced with navy blue; stock shafts lengths are shorter; and thinner, more female-friendly grips have been installed. Three popular head shapes are offered – 1, 7 and 2-Ball.

PXG 0811 X PROTOTYPE DRIVER

CALLAWAY MAVRIK HYBRID £249 Choosing the correct hybrid depends if you’re looking to replace a fairway wood or a long iron, or whether your looking to hit down on the ball or sweep it. If you’re looking to replace an iron, Callaway’s Mavrik hybrid is a great choice.

It’s mid-sized, with a square toe and is designed to blend in seamlessly with a set of irons.

Featuring an AI-designed Flash Face and Jailbreak technology for fast, consistent ball speeds and high MOI, the standard Mavrik hybrid is offered in 18, 20 23 and 26-degree lofts, while there is a Pro version which features a more rounded toe, a flatter lie and a smaller head, and a Max model for high handicappers, which boasts a larger footprint than the standard model, with a bigger face and a higher CG.

BUSHNELL TOUR V5/TOUR V5 SHIFT £299, BUSHNELLGOLFGLOBAL.COM Golfers tend to be split into two camps when it comes to dialing in their yardages. Those that prefer GPS-based DMDs and those that prefer a laser-based rangefinder. For the latter group, Bushnell’s Tour V5 is one of the very best. Accurate to within a yard, it can find the flag from 400 yards, with the Visual JOLT technology giving haptic confirmation. The optics are twice as bright as the V4, which make it easier to see the distances, while the V5 Shift model (£359) allows you to factor slope into your yardages, although that can be turned off for tournament play. Both models boast a powerful magnetic mount, which enables the unit to be attached securely to a golf buggy or other metallic surface.

£399, PXG.COM Until now, PXG has achieved more success with its irons than they have with its woods, but the 0811 X could change all that. While the basic ingredients may be similar to previous PXG drivers – carbon crown, titanium face and adjustable weights – the PXG team believe the recipe is significantly different to see some real improvements. Gone are the tiny adjustable weights, to be replaced with four concentrated weights that are designed to fine-tune spin between front and back, as well as add draw or fade bias. The PXG 0811 X is a low-spin offering, designed for players with a negative angle of attack, while the 0811 X+ is a mid-spin model for those who have a positive angle of attack.

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BETTINARDI BB PUTTERS PUMA RS-G £90, COBRAGOLF.CO.UK/PUMAGOLF When I was a kid – which was quite a long time ago – I really hated those old-fashioned golf shoes. Why couldn’t they look more like the trainers I’d wear away from the course? Step forward Puma’s latest RS-G golf shoes, which are inspired by their RS lifestyle range. While the shape remains the same, it has been re-engineered to work as a golf shoe, with a seam-sealed waterproof upper, strategic rubber lugs for traction, and a foam-filled midsole for comfort.

£289, BETTINIARDI.CO.UK Modern golf clubs are packed with technology. And for most of us, we need all the help we can get. But when it comes to putters, feel is far more important to some golfers than improved topspin or a high MOI. It’s about that purity of the moment, with the intangibles being far more important than the scientific proof. The Bettinardi BB range are precision CNC-milled, one-piece putters, manufactured in soft carbon steel, and feature Super-Fly face milling. These are as elegant as a putter can get while being made to the industries most exacting standards. The BB1 is the pick of the bunch, with its classic Anser inspired shape and Glacier Black finish, this is pure putting simplicity.

LYNX PROWLER VT DRIVER WITH SFT £369, LYNXGOLF.CO.UK Lynx’s Prowler VT driver is a ground-breaking development in driver adjustability, as the entire hitting face is completely removable.

It comes with an array of detachable faces with different lofts available to choose from, so you can simply remove one face and replace it with another of a different loft.

Loft and face angles are among the most significant contributors to launch angles and spin rates and Lynx’s SFT means you are always playing with true loft. The loft angle stated on each face is the loft angle that is always presented at address, while keeping the clubhead square to the ball.

Driver face plates with 1-2 degree open and closed settings are also available for those preferring a draw or fade bias in conjunction with a true loft setting.

There are at least 25 different true loft and face angle options available, meaning custom-fitters and golfers will be able to experiment with and assess precise, accurate combinations from 8° loft and 2° closed, to 12° loft and 2° open, and an array of combinations in between. Lynx also says that tech allows weight to be repositioned around the perimeter of the clubhead to boost the MOI and forgiveness.

SKECHERS GO GOLF TORQUE TWIST £99, SKECHERS.COM Dial-closure golf shoes have become more popular in recent years, but they tend to be more expensive than their traditional laced counterparts. The Torque Twist from Skechers GO GOLF keeps the price under £100 without skimping on the details. For that you get a fully waterproof shoe featuring the Torque Twist closure for a perfect fit, plus GOGA Max cushioning for comfort. They are offered in black/white, grey/lime or white/grey.

PING MONSOON GOLF BAGS

MOTOCADDY M7 REMOTE

£230/£250, PING.COM Ping has a huge new range of golf bags for 2020, but we’ve focused on their two top-ofthe-range Monsoon models here.

Sharing a water-repellent construction, the Hoofer and Pioneer bags both feature seam-sealed pockets to ensure everything stays dry. The Hoofer (£230) boasts an attached hood, saving space in the pockets and making it easily deployable whenever it’s needed. The adjustable straps are easily converted for use on one strap and are constructed with a moisture-wicking SensorDry fabric to avoid ugly sweat stains.

The Pioneer (£250) features a 15-way top and 12 pockets, eight of which are seam-sealed, plus two extra ventilation pockets for drying off wet gear. The Monsoon bags are available in three bold colours – Atomic Orange, Electric Lime and Azure Blue.

£999, MOTOCADDY.COM Electric trolleys are great, they make the game easier for anyone that walks and help increase the pace of play. But what’s better than an electric trolley? A remote-controlled electric trolley.

Using the same compact frame as the other trolleys in the M range, the M7 Remote will fold up into the smallest car boot, while the super-lightweight lithium-ion battery can be charged without being removed. It features a wider wheelbase for added stability, plus a removable anti-tip wheel at the rear. The remote has a 50-metre range and features a new handset lock function, while it can be switched to manual mode for operation as a standard power trolley. It has nine speed settings, automatic downhill control, and the anti-glare screen offers a speed indicator and battery meter.

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CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT • Redesigned Dual SoftFast core with a 34% larger volume inner core and a thinner, graphene-infused outer core promotes fast ball speed and increased wedge spin.

• New mantle system formulated of proprietary, high-energy ionomer to promote fast ball speed.

• 10% thinner urethane cover promotes less spin on full shots to promote distance while maintaining soft feel and excellent greenside spin and control.

• New lower drag aerodynamic dimple pattern promotes higher launch, higher flight and long-distance.

• Yellow, Tru-Vis and Triple Track options.

CHANGING THE BALL THAT CHANGED THE BALL Equipment Editor Dan Owen finds out how Callaway improved its Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X golf balls with new designs and a $50 million factory renovation Callaway became the second biggest golf ball brand in the world by producing a ball, the Chrome Soft, that measurably different from its competitors. It wasn’t a case of the emperor’s new clothes – the Chrome was a unique product in the marketplace that performed better than anything that Callaway had previously manufactured.

“If you go back in our company’s heritage, our raison d’etre has always been about producing demonstrably superior and pleasingly different products,” says Jason Findlay, Callaway‘s Director of Brand and Product Management. “And that’s what Chrome Soft is. It’s different from any other tour golf ball on the market. Before Chrome Soft, every tour ball was designed to be fast off the driver with spin around the green, but we took a different approach to the golf ball and thought about how people actually play golf.”

He continues: “There’s a lot more to golf than driving. Golfers hit all sorts of shots during a round. We took a ‘strokes gained’ approach to how golfers work their way around the golf course and making sure that we’re maximising the performance along the way.”

Following the success of the previous generation of Chrome Soft balls, it would have been easy for Callaway's ball R&D team to have rested on its laurels, in fact they've done quite the opposite.

The new versions of the Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X have been redesigned from the inside out to be faster than the previous models – and speed is everything in golf.

Findlay continues: “We wanted to make Chrome Soft faster. People say soft golf balls are slower, they aren’t saying soft is short. They can be longer, because it’s more forgiving, and because it’s lower spinning on full shots. Ball speed is just one area, however, it is one we wanted to improve with the latest Chrome Soft. The new ball offers high launch and low spin throughout the bag where you need it, and it’s soft too, which is going to generate more forgiveness. So you will lose less ball speed and have better miss-hits with the Chrome Soft.”

Last year saw Callaway become an official partner of the European Tour, and, as part of that deal, the brand also became the official range ball for the Tour, which has helped them gain more feedback on their golf balls, and what their Tour players require.

Stronger, more powerful players often found the Chrome Soft X too soft, so Callaway has placed special emphasis on producing a ball that will appeal to them. That feedback has led to the new Chrome Soft X, which features a completely new design.

“We really focused this year more on the demographic of this type of golfer more than in any other year that we have with Chrome Soft X,” said Dave Bartels, Callaway Golf's senior director of golf ball research and development. “We really felt like we were missing something that was critical to the success of this product.

"Through testing with Tour players, and a lot of elite amateurs, we discovered that we really needed to focus on absolute raw ball speed. A lot of the better golfers have different needs, but they all do want more speed when they hit the ball in the centre of the face. That was the genesis of a solid piece core with a dual mantle system.”

CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT X • Significantly larger SoftFast core promotes faster ball speed.

• Fifteen percent thinner cover lowers spin on full shots to promote distance.

• New mantle system combines a softer inner mantle with a firmer outer mantle, both consisting of proprietary ionomer blends, to promote faster ball speed.

• Firm outer mantle works with the new, thinner cover to promote increased greenside spin and control.

• New lower drag aerodynamic dimple pattern promotes a penetrating flight and longer distance.

• Truvis and Triple Track options available

CALLAWAY PRESSES FACTORY RESET One of the key strengths of Callaway’s golf ball business is having direct control of its manufacturing. It's factory in Chicopee, Massachusetts has been in operation a long time, formerly belonging to Spalding, manufacturing Top-Flite and Ben Hogan balls, but is now solely focused on producing Callaway balls.

“Because it was an older facility, we were aware we needed to bring it up to date,” says Jason Findlay, Callaway‘s Director of Brand and Product Management. “We’ve spent over $50m on the project. We’ve pretty much ripped it up and started again. We added a new state-of-the-art rubber mixer. We had to take out the roof of the building to get it to fit, but it was vital, because that’s where it all starts. As well as improving the quality of the ball, as our ball business has grown we’ve needed to grow our capacity to manufacture more balls. Four years ago the plant had around 160 people working there. We now have over 400.

Improving the consistency of the ball was a key factor in the improvements.

“We’ve introduced multiple checks along the entire production run,” says Findlay. "Mixing rubbers is kind of like baking a cake, you have to make sure the ingredients are just right to get the desired outcome. Our biggest addition is adding 3D X-ray technology at our plant. Every single golf ball is now X-rayed in three dimensions, which will allow us to see any internal imperfections. And that leads to more consistent performance."

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TRIPLE THREAT Golf News Equipment Editor Dan Owen explains how to choose the right Odyssey Triple Track putter for your game

Odyssey’s Triple Track range of putters has been designed to help everyone hole more putts. Inspired by the technology used to help land planes on aircraft carriers, Vernier Hyper Acuity alignment helps you aim the putter in the correct direction every time, and if you add a Triple Track golf ball into the mix, it’s virtually foolproof.

All models feature a White Hot Microhinge Star insert. After feedback from golfers, this new version has a slightly firmer feel, offering more of a ‘click’ at impact to provide the enhanced audio feedback that some golfers prefer. The micro hinges engage with the ball to help lift it and create more topspin for more consistent distance control.

Part of Odyssey’s identity now, the Stroke Lab shaft is 40g lighter than a traditional steel putter shaft, made possible by an innovative multi-material shaft design that combines graphite with steel that weighs just 75g. The 40g weight is redistributed to the head and grip, which leads to a smoother, more consistent putting stroke.

Now we’ve got the science out of the way, here’s our guide to the differences between the different models of Triple Track putter.

To find your near Odyssey Golf stockist, or to find out more about the entire Odyssey range of putters and accessories, visit www.odysseygolf.com.

ODYSSEY TRIPLE TRACK MARXMAN The Marxman is a double bend, facebalanced mallet that is best suited to a straight-back and straight-through putting stroke. It blends a relatively simple, symmetrical shape for a mallet with the Triple Track alignment.

ODYSSEY TRIPLE TRACK TEN The Triple Track Ten is the highest MOI model in the range, with two weights placed in the rear of the head back to help keep the face square on putts that aren’t out hit out of the centre of the putter face. Available in a face-balanced and a heel-shafted model, there is a version to suit all types of putting stroke.

ODYSSEY TRIPLE TRACK SEVEN One of the most popular head shapes in the Odyssey range over the last decade, the #7’s two-fanged design appeals to golfers who love that straight-angled alignment aid. The Triple Track version has an extra shelf added to house the alignment feature. Available in face balanced and short-necked hosel mode to suit both straight and arc putting strokes.

ODYSSEY TRIPLE TRACK 2-BALL 2-Ball owners have been drawing their own tramlines on the top of their putters for years, so the addition of Triple Track technology is a welcome combination for this iconic design. Face balanced, the 2Ball is best suited for those with minimal face rotation to their stroke.

ODYSSEY TRIPLE TRACK 2-BALL BLADE

If you love the 2-Ball, but have an arcing stroke, then then 2-Ball Blade is the putter for you. It’s the only Triple Track available with an Anser-style plumber’s neck hosel.

ODYSSEY TRIPLE TRACK DOUBLE WIDE

The Triple Track range is designed around alignment, so it makes sense there isn’t a model as small as a typical Odyssey One. However, if you prefer that simple Anserstyle head shape, the Double Wide offers that with a bit more heft. It is available in face-balanced and flow-neck models.

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THESE STREETS ARE MADE FOR GOLFING ECCO Golf is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its spikeless Ecco Street shoes with the STREET 10, while moving its hybrid footwear forward with the all-new S-THREE Ten years ago, we’d only just seen the first iPad. Avatar had turned the box office blue, and Tiger Woods was dealing with the consequences of crashing into a fire hydrant. And while that little accident may have changed the face of golf, someone else was about to change the feet of the game at the 2010 Masters.

Fred Couples turned back the clock at Augusta National, shooting a first round 65 to take a share of the lead at 50, and would be right in the mix all week, eventually finishing sixth. And despite his tremendous golf, the biggest talking point from the commentator was the shoes on his feet. With his Ecco Street shoes on it looked like he’d rocked up to the course late and didn’t have time to change into his spikes.

When actually he was at the forefront of a revolution. Spikeless golf shoes weren’t entirely new, but you can trace their mainstream acceptance it back to that first round at The Masters.

“It was ECCO that started this ball rolling. At the time, people were saying to me ‘What are those?’ They thought they were tennis shoes or something,” Couples recalled. “The shoes are a big deal, because if you look at every pro tournament that’s played, I think 80 per cent of the guys are wearing hybrids, and that’s amazing.

The footwear in golf has completely changed in the last 10 years, and that’s because of ECCO. The hybrid shoe has caught on fast. Just a few years ago, no-one was wearing shoes like these.”

“When Monday came, our call centre was in meltdown because everybody in the world was ringing and asking for the shoes,” explained Michael Waack, ECCO’s head of Global Golf. “We were totally sold out.

That Monday, the words ‘Fred Couples’ and ‘ECCO’ were the 11th most Googled words around the word. On eBay, a pair of the shoes was selling for $500, around four times the recommended retail price. It was really crazy. We couldn’t supply the shoes to everyone who was asking for them. For three years, our hybrid shoes were sold out. There’s not a marketing campaign in the world that could have made this grow any quicker than Freddie did with his performances at the Masters. The world was watching, and saw it was possible to play golf without cleats at the highest level.”

To celebrate that success, ECCO is releasing a limited-edition Golf Street 10. An almost completely white shoe, it’s set off by bronze detailing on the lace tips and eyelets, and a bronze screen-printed HYBRID 10 logo. Crafted from leather sourced from ECCO’s own tanneries these feel silky to the touch. An updated PU Fluidform midsole ads comfort and extra bounce to the step, but essentially this is the same shoe, including the same Dynamic Traction System outsole as the original pair. “I’ve never stood over a shot and worried about slipping,” Couples said of his shoes. Nor should you.

ECCO S-THREE The latest ECCO S-THREE shoe use te same E-DTS outsole used in the original Ecco Streets. The design has stood the test of time, with over 100 traction bars, and 800 traction angles, keeping you attached to the ground and steady in all playing conditions. ECCO are the instigators of the hybrid shoe revolution, and while some technology is still relevant, they haven’t just rested on their laurels.

While the S-THREE looks very different to the STREET, it is still built around comfort. And with its Zonal Fluidform Midsole, maybe the best combination of comfort and stability yet.

Three materials are injection moulded at the same time, each setting together to from the midsole. The polyurethane in the heel is medium soft for comfort, the central part is firmer for stability, while the forefoot is softer for flexibility when walking. Made from ECCO’s soft calf nappa leather they are GORE-TEX lined, making them fully waterproof and totally breathable. Worn on tour by Erik van Rooyen and Henrik Stenson, it’s yet more proof of the acceptance of spikeless golf shoes at Tour level.

Some golfers still prefer spiked golf shoes. ECCO, despite being the spikeless pioneers, still make them, but the market shifted forever that Masters weekend 10 years ago, when a 50-year-old stepped out in his Streets.

■ ECCO STAFF PLAYER HERNIK STENSON IS WEARING THE S-THREE SHOES ON TOUR THIS SEASON

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TESTED

ECCO S-THREE HYBRID SHOES Golf shoes are an incredibly considered purchase – or at least they should be. Not only do you need to like the way they look, but they need to feel comfortable and they need to perform on the golf course. Many a time has a pair of shoes felt incredibly comfortable when first tried on, only for them to make your feet feel exhausted 18 holes later.

The zonal fluid form midsole is the first thing you’ll notice about Ecco’s new S-Three shoes. The three distinct colours indicate three different materials with varying degrees of firmness, to help make the shoe comfy while walking, but stable while swinging. And these felt great. Even with the new technology, they are firmer underfoot than most of today’s golf shoes. They don’t offer that sink-in softness that seems to be the all the rage now, but I’ve found shoes that feel overly soft more tiring on

the feet after 18. My feet felt great after a round in these - and I never once lost my footing.

As someone who struggles with shoe width, I’d suggest going by the European sizing rather than the conversion. I’m a 45 in Nike trainers, and a 45 in these is perfect, but according to Ecco that makes them a 10.5-11. It’s a small detail, but an Important when trying to get the correct fit.

The fit is snug around the ankle, which is great for support, and with more width towards the toes, which allows for a bit more spring in the swing.

They also come with a removable insole to help with in-between sizes and to add additional shoe width.

So, if you're looking for a well-made pair of golf shoes that will last and help look after your feet, then the S-Three Hybrids will fit the bill perfectly.

RRP £180, golf.ecco.com

[18] JUNE 2019 | NEWS

PR A K-T I S

TESTED

PING HEPPLER KETSCH PUTTER With eight head shapes, plus different options for stroke-type, including an armlock version, and different hosel options for different strokes, Ping’s Heppler is one of the most comprehensive putter ranges on the market.

One of the key selling points of the range for me is the adjustable shaft, which can be set up from as short as 32 inches, to as long as 36, all with the simple turn of a wrench. This is brilliant for fitting, but also for those times when a change is as good as a rest and you want a different feel to your flatstick.

I picked out the Ketsch, a refresh of an earlier Ping design manufactured from high-pressure aluminium and steel, in a black and copper colour scheme. It’s a large mallet, but with a relatively simple head shape, with no broken lines or slots through to the turf. Not classic, but definitely classy. Other personal favourites are the classic Anser, and the hi-tech Tomcat 14.

Feel-wise, it’s on the firmer side. The first Ping putter in a long time without any face milling, these putters are great for golfers who struggle to get the ball to the hole, as the firmer face generates more propulsion than the more common inserts and grooved designs.

As a fan of shorter putters, it’s sometimes a struggle to find one off the rack that works, so being able to dial the shaft down was a great feature. At the longer lengths there’s a little bit of shaft flex, however this has been made much firmer than Ping’s first-generation adjustable shaft. I’m not a massive fan of the stock putter grips that are designed to work with the adjustable shaft, but you may feel differently.

Price-wise, it’s not a steal – few premium putters are these days – but with its adjustability and range of head options, I’m convinced that any golfer properly fitted into a Heppler putter will find themselves holing a lot more putts.

RRP £275, ping.com GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

M A K E S

PE R F E C T

The award-winning range of Prak-tis training aids will improve your technique and save you shots around every part of the course

T

hey say that that simple ideas are often the best, and this is certainly true of Prak-tis, which won Golf Monthly’s award for best training aid in 2019. Designed by former European Tour player and respected tour coach Jeremy Bennett, who worked with Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer, and now with the current generation of European Tour players including Oli 'Mr 59' Fisher. Prak-tis was created to help golfers of all skill levels perfect every shot in the bag.

Suitable for right and left-handers of any age and gender, the versatile and easily transportable Prak-tis offers a set of tools that can help you find greater consistency in your game by establishing a more reliable set-up.

Made in the UK from recyclable polypropylene, Prak-tis can be used at the driving range or even at home indoors – in fact, wherever you can swing a club safely or have space to pull out a putter.

The aid lays flat on the ground and uses a vertical and horizontal system of extended two-dimensional guidelines to help consistently guide a player into their perfect set up. There are recommended distances from the ball ‘zones’ on the vertical rule, whilst the ball position, width of stance and foot angles are provided on the horizontal rule. It gives you instant feedback on your stance and alignment and makes it very easy to correct any faults swiftly and effectively.

Prak-tis is available in a variety of options to suit the areas of the game you want to work on – Prak-tis Consistent is ideal for creating the perfect set-up, for use in

practising tee to green; Prak-tis Putting Template and Perfect Putting Kit for use on the practice green, and the Prak-tis Pro complete Kit for long game, pitching, chipping, bunker play and putting.

The Perfect Putting kit allows you to check that backswing and follow through are online and it allows you to carry out a range of drills at strategically-placed holes. Simple to use, it will enable you to set up identically and optimally every time, perfect the path of stroke, and help with pace control and green reading.

The kit comes with two dummy holes to use indoors or outside and nine ball markers to help visualise the break of any putt. It also comes with a handy storage wallet to keep your template flat.

Bennett said: “I’ve been using these tools to coach my clients for over a year now, and the transformation I’ve seen in players has been incredible. Getting the basic set up and posture for each shot is so important, and once that has been ingrained through using the Prak-tis templates, players have shown vast improvements.”

■ PRAK-TIS IS DESIGNED TO INGRAIN THE IDEAL SET UP FOR EVERY CLUB IN THE BAG

PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW! Consistent Set Up £19.95; Perfect Putting Kit £24.95, Putting Template £19.95; Pro Complete Kit £39.95.

For more details, and to place your order now, visit www.prak-tis.com

CONSISTENT SET UP

PERFECT PUTTING KIT

PUTTING TEMPLATE

PRO COMPLETE KIT

20% off the Pro Complete Kit at check out by entering code GN2020

[42] SUMMER 2020

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BEEFED UP BRYSON:

THE FUTURE OF GOLF?

A

part from the Coronavirus pandemic, much of the talk that has dominated the PGA Tour’s return to action over the last two months has been about the 20lbs of bulk that Bryson DeChambeau has put on during the lockdown and the 326-yard driving average he has achieved in the half-a-dozen tournaments he has played in so far.

The 26-year-old American spent the enforced three-month hiatus eating like a horse and working out constantly in a bid to build up weight and muscle in order to increase his clubhead speed. And the results have been astonishing.

His driving distance average his gone up from 301 yards to 326 since Last season and he has consistently been smashing drives of over 350 yards – distances more akin to the Long Driving world than the PGA Tour. He has also increased his swing speed by 20mph since his amateur days.

And the tournament results haven’t been too bad either, with DeChambeau winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic in early July, tied second at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in the first event back from the lockdown and tied eighth at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town, he has now bagged seven consecutive top-eight finishes

DECHAMBEAU’S DISTANCE AVERAGE DRIVER: 325 YARDS 3-WOOD: 295 YARDS 4-HYBRID: 275 YARDS 4-IRON: 255 YARDS 5-IRON: 235 YARDS 6-IRON: 220 YARDS 7-IRON: 205 YARDS 8-IRON: 190 YARDS 9-IRON: 175 YARDS PW: 160 YARDS 47-DEGREE WEDGE: 145 YARDS 53 DEGREE WEDGE: 127 YARDS 58 DEGREE WEDGE: 110 YARDS

LAST WEEK I REACHED A 542-YARD PAR FIVE WITH A 3-WOOD AND A 5-IRON. I NEVER THOUGHT I'D DO THAT IN MY LIFETIME since March. Which is a tour record in itself. The run came to an end at The Memorial, where a 10 at par-five hole showed that things can go spectacularly wrong when he doesn't quite nail it.

A long-time Cobra staff player, DeChambeau has been using a modified version of the brand’s King Speedzone driver to achieve these prodigious distances off tee. He has had the loft cranked down to just 5.5 degrees, only 1.5 degrees more than a standard putter loft, as his swing speed creates so much spin that anything more lofted would balloon too high.

Other changes to his driver set up include using a 2g headweight in the sole, as opposed to the standard 14g weight, which lowers the overall clubhead weight to 184g and enables him to generate more clubhead speed. The shaft, which is made by LA Golf, has also been stiffened considerably to cope with the huge torque produced in the downswing.

DeChambeau has also lowered the lofts of his other clubs and is currently looking to add a 10-degree 3-wood to his bag, which is five degrees stronger than the average 3-wood and closer to most tour player’s driver loft. His Cobra irons are all the same length, which allows him to maintain the same height and set up on all his shots, which, he says, lead to greater consistency.

Speaking about his new-found distance, DeChambeau says: “I’m extremely excited to showcase what I’m able to do with this added length. While I’m much longer with the driver, I’m also hitting it one to one-and a-half clubs longer with my irons, so it’s just a complete quantum shift for me that allows me to go at things that I usually am not able to go at. For example, last week I was able to reach a 542-yard par-five with a 3-wood and a 5-iron, and I never thought I’d be doing that in my lifetime.”

Nor did we, Bryson, nor did we.

■ MR WHIPPY: DECHAMBEAU GENERATES HUGE AMOUNTS OF TORQUE WITH HIS 130MPH+ SWING SPEED

WHAT’S IN BRYSON’S BAG? DRIVER: COBRA KING SPEEDZONE (5.5O), FAIRWAY WOODS: COBRA KING LTD (14.5 O), COBRA KING SZ TOUR (13.5 O) UTIILITY: COBRA KING ONE LENGTH (4, 5) IRONS: COBRA KING FORGED TOUR ONE LENGTH IRONS (6-PW) PUTTER: SIK PROTOTYPE BALL: BRIDGESTONE TOUR B X

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SUMMER 2020 | WWW.GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/TRAVEL

S W E E T O N M A D E I R A ESCAPE TO PORTUGAL’S STUNNING ISL AND RETRE AT

ME & MY TRAVELS

WITH JUDO LEGEND BRIAN JACKS

GOLF BREAKS AT HOME & ABROAD

[44] SUMMER 2020

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Magical

MADEIRA

Clive Agran enjoys a pre-pandemic trip to Madeira, where the sloping fairways on the island’s championship courses provide the backdrop for a relaxing break amid the dramatic volcanic landscape

A

lthough it lies a few hundred miles off the west coast of Africa, in many ways Madeira is not unlike the UK, which perhaps partly explains its popularity with British tourists. Coming from an island, we love other islands and around this one, the sea is a lot warmer. Indeed, the pleasant year-round weather is a major part of Madeira’s appeal.

We’re lucky to be able to fly there as finding a spot flat enough to land an airplane on its rugged and rocky volcanic landscape proved problematic but, with the help of some impressive engineering, Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, to give it its full name, receives flights from across Britain and around the world. If you don’t fancy flying, countless cruise ships stop over at the pretty port in downtown Funchal – although I doubt many are operating in the current pandemic.

There’s more impressive engineering to admire on the 25-minute ride from the airport into town and all over the island in the shape of decent

roads and countless tunnels. Unfortunately, when it comes to courtesy and consideration, driving would appear to be one significant activity where any positive British influence isn’t apparent.

But there are other, possibly more important areas, where we have evidently played a constructive role. For example, in the design and layout of the numerous glorious gardens where the fertile volcanic soil supports a brilliant range of colourful and sweet-scented plants.

Elegant country houses are scattered about the steep hillsides enjoying panoramic views over the steep-sided slopes. Many have been sensitively converted into hotels. My first two nights were spent in one such lovely place, Casa Velha Palheiro. Sepia photos of King Carlos playing tennis confirm its regal connection and, since it has a king-sized bed, I fantasised His Majesty may even have slept in my room.

Its wonderful garden, tea-house and croquet lawn hint heavily at British influence, which is further fortified by the adjacent golf course.

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Not unsurprisingly, Palheiro is a hilly 18-holer where flat lies are rare and straightforward putts even rarer. Although not everyone does, you can be forgiven for taking a buggy. If you don’t want to spoil a good walk by having to miss-hit a ball every so often, Madeira is endowed with dozens of wonderful hikes of varying lengths. Many follow the route of levadas, which are old irrigation channels hewn from the rock some centuries ago.

There are nearly 2,000 miles of these weaving through lush tropical forest, alongside ravines, next to waterfalls and amongst spectacular scenery.

For the even more energetic, there’s mountain biking. You might think it would be too hot to cycle, but thanks to the combined influence of the Gulf Stream and Canary Current, it’s a surprisingly moderate climate, with mild year-round temperatures that average out at a near perfect 20°C. Most of the rain falls between October and April, when snow settles on the mountain peaks.

Always rather suspicious of so-called micro-climates, I have to confess that Madeira proved me wrong.

Having moved from Casa Velha Palheiro into Funchal’s latest luxury hotel, the Savoy Palace, a taxi took me from a sun-soaked city up into the hills and dropped me at Santo da Serra Golf Club, where the cloud and rain had reduced visibility so much that even I, a modest striker of the ball, could have hit it out of sight. I’m glad I returned to try again the next day, because the sea views are sumptuous on this wonderful 27-hole layout that has hosted the Madeira Open on innumerable occasions.

Although golf is arguably the UK’s greatest gift to the world in general and Madeira in particular, there are others, not least of which is magnificent Madeira wine. As with port in mainland Portugal, Brits have made a significant contribution to the production and development of this popular tipple. The Blandy family in particular appear to have played a pivotal role and a tour around Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal is both fun

■ PORTO SANTO GOLF CLUB

■ ABOVE: A TUTORED TASTING OF MADEIRA'S FORTFIED WINE IS NOT TO BE MISSED. ■ LEFT: THE SAVOY PALACE HOTEL IN FUNCHAL PROVIDES A RELAXING BASE FOR A GOLF TRIP

ALTHOUGH GOLF IS ARGUABLY THE UK'S GREATEST GIFT TO THE WORLD, AND MADEIRA IN PARTICULAR, THERE ARE OTHERS, NOT LEAST OF WHICH IS MAGNFICENT MADEIRA WINE

■ SANTO DA SERRA GOLF CLUB

■ PALHEIRO GOLF

and fascinating. Provided the cork is replaced, Madeira doesn’t go off in the same way regular wine does when opened and it ages much better.

Consequently, remarkably old wines dating back to the 18th century can be bought with confidence as they are certain to taste great. And the Blandy family have also aged pretty well so that today the seventh generation is running the show.

Just in case you were wondering, Madeira cake is only indirectly connected to the island as it was developed right here in the UK as a compliment to accompany the wine.

Wandering, possibly weaving, around the Old Town district of Funchal after visiting the Wine Lodge, you should focus on the charming, narrow, cobblestone streets and quaint buildings. Fish is a favourite in most of the restaurants and if you fear you might be sobering up too quickly, a traditional ‘poncha’ containing, amongst other things, brandy and lemon juice, should keep you cheerful for a few more hours.

Provided you’re not the envious type, strolling around the marina admiring the multi-million dollar yachts is a pleasant way to kill an hour as is a ride on the cable-car that lifts you nearly 2,000 feet

TRAVEL ADVICE: Madeira and the Azores are exempt from UK Government advice against all non-essential international travel.

However, the requirement to self-isolate for

up the mountainside. Although there’s no snow at the top, you can toboggan back down the steep streets on a wicker sled guided by two ‘gondoliers’.

I spend my last couple of nights in the Castanheiro Boutique Hotel, which is slap bang in the middle of town. Up early the next morning to catch the car ferry over to Porto Santo, which is the only other occupied island of the four that make up the archipelago. After a couple of hours at sea, you disembark onto a wild, craggy, remote and wonderfully atmospheric narrow island that is surprisingly full of fascinating curiosities.

Apart from the spectacular beach, perhaps the greatest attraction on the island is the glorious Seve Ballesteros designed golf course, Porto Santo Golfe. It takes you on a thrilling roller-coaster ride through gorgeous scenery with jaw-dropping views down to the rocky coast below. Its wowfactor is right off the Richter scale, which, if you’ll pardon the expression, gently jogs me to mention that, on my last night in Madeira, I experienced my first and probably last ever earthquake.

Madeira really is full of surprises, nearly all of them extremely pleasant.

14 days on your return to the UK remains in place as Golf News went to press on July 27.

For the very latest advice, go to www.gov.uk/ foreign-travel-advice/portugal.

[46] SUMMER 2020

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LOOKING TO BO • D E TA I L E D D E S C R I P T I O N O N E A C H C LU B • T H E L AT E S T PA C K A G E S • G R E AT I M A G E R Y • V I D E O F O O TA G E ( O N S E L E C T E D C LU B S ) • EVERY THING YOU NEED TO KNOW

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FOR THE BEST SOCIETY & C O R P O R AT E D AY V E N U E S

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LA FINCA FINE-TUNES ITS FIVE-STAR FACILITIES LA FINCA RESORT IN SPAIN HAS REOPENED ITS DOORS to domestic and overseas visitors following a €6 million renovation which has seen the golf courses and restaurants undergo major redevelopments.

The significant investment at the luxury Costa Blanca venue includes the introduction of three new restaurants and a winery, all of which opened for the first time on July 30.

SUMMER BREAKS AT THE BELFRY Golfers disappointed to miss out on going to this year’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, or watching it on the telly, can make some golfing history of their own by booking a break to the only four-time venue for the biennial matches – The Belfry.

The Warwickshire resort is synonymous with truly special golfing moments and is steeped in tournament history. The two stunning Championship courses, the Brabazon and the PGA National, sculpted from 550 acres of lush North Warwickshire countryside, have provoked some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the sport.

The Belfry is hosting the UK Championship on the European Tour’s rescheduled summer swing from August 27-30, which will be held behind closed doors, so no fans will be able to watch, or indeed stay at the hotel during that week.

The 324-bedroom, four-star hotel offers an impressive range of facilities, including a selection of bars and restaurants, an extensive gym and leisure club, spa, the ever-popular Bel Air nightclub, and the largest pro shop in Europe.

Guests can also benefit from world-class golf tuition at England’s only PGA-branded Academy, where resources include private custom-fitting suites, a 34-bay floodlit driving range, and a short game area.

Golf breaks this summer start from £165pp, including an overnight stay, breakfast and rounds of golf on both the Brabazon and the PGA National courses. One-night packages, playing the PGA National and the Derby course, start from £119pp.

To find out more, visit www.thebelfry.com or call 01675 238600.

LA MANGA TEES UP SAFE SUMMER HOLIDAYS LA MANGA CLUB, one of Europe’s premier golf resorts, reopened last month, ensuring families and golf groups can enjoy their summer holidays and golf breaks in a safe and controlled environment.

The Spanish resort’s management has committed to all guarantees around safety, hygiene and quality, guided throughout by national health authorities and the World Health Organisation.

The venue’s three golf courses – La Finca, Villamartín and Las Ramblas – have also undergone an extensive enhancement project, including the renovation of all the bunkers on La Finca and Villamartín, and the green complexes on all three courses, as well as a restoration of the 16th hole of La Finca.

Forty rooms at the resort’s hotel have been renovated to ‘club’ level, while a new hotel bar and terrace, The Hub offers guests a leisurely all-day dining environment, while the revamped Citrus restaurant specialises in Mediterranean cuisine.

A new Mexican and Italian fusion restaurant, Frijolino, is set to open in August, followed a few weeks later by the new La Finca Bodega Winery. A paella and brasserie restaurant will also open later this year.

For details on the latest break offers, visit www.lafincaresort.com.

The first guests were welcomed at the resort’s five-star Principe Felipe Hotel on July 1, with both North and South golf courses open, as well as the golf academy and driving range areas. Tennis fans can also get back in the swing at the resort’s 28-court centre, with the tennis academy serving up worldclass tuition for all ages.

Elsewhere, La Manga’s Mediterranean cove beach will be open with a lunch service at its famous La Cala seafood restaurant. Further dining options will be available at Amapola and Sol y Sombra, and the hotel’s Piano Bar will be open for preand post-dinner entertainment.

Flights are available from across Europe into the airports at Murcia (25 minutes) and Alicante (1 hour). Bookings are now open, with the cost for a week’s stay for a family of four starting from €1,350. For more information, go to lamangaclub.com.

Q HOTELS LAUNCHES ‘GREAT BRITISH BREAKAWAY’ THE Q HOTELS GROUP, which owns seven golf properties in the UK, has now reopened all of its hotels following the latest relaxation of the hospitality lockdown regulations, and is ready to welcome back golfers again.

Belton Woods, Dunston Hall, Oulton Hall, Slaley Hall, Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort and Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort are all available for golf break bookings.

Each resort will be following thorough cleaning regimes and strict hygiene regulations to keep all guests and staff members safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The resorts will be operating the Clean+Safe programme, which covers everything from ensuring any barriers are open at all car

parks when guests arrive, to a no-checkout policy when they leave. Leisure, pool and spa facilities will be open, with social distance rules in place.

Q Hotels has launched a reopening offer across all of its seven golf venues, where golfers will be able to enjoy an overnight stay with breakfast, 36 holes of golf, a bucket of beer in their room on arrival and a packed lunch for each guest. 'The Great British Breakaway' package is available until September 30 and costs £93 per person. For bookings, call 0845 074 0064 and quote ‘GBBGOLF20’.

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Brian Jacks Former British judo champion Brian Jacks spends most of his time in Thailand, where he plays golf as often as he can, and continues to raise money for the Royal Variety Club

I love golf because… it’s a great way to exercise and to get outdoors – preferably in the decent weather. I say that because I spend most of my time in Thailand these days, where the sun shines almost every day. I’m very lucky as we have some superb golf courses very close to where I live. After 25 years in which judo dominated my life, I only took up golf in my 30s, but I instantly feel in love with the game. I’m naturally competitive, but I get most enjoyment from the camaraderie and friendships you build up on the course.

My favourite golf course in the world is…

Pinnacle Point in South Africa. It’s around 400km east of Cape Town, near Mossel Bay. Darren Clarke helped design it and it’s a stunning place , with the majority of the holes overlooking the Indian Ocean. When I last played there, we were lucky enough to see a group of whales jumping out of the sea.

■ LOS ARQUEROS IN SPAIN

Travel with

goes about the game. Nigel and I won team Superstars together and we’ve been great friends for years. Callaway once presented me with a set of custom-made Ryder Cup golf clubs, which I put in one of the Variety Club auctions. Nigel paid £25,000 for them and I think they’re in his museum. Mike, who is sadly no longer with is, was a great friend from the Variety Club. He was a great guy and he would have kept our four-ball in stiches with a constant stream of jokes.

My favourite post-round meal would be… pie

Championship. I shot seven-over and won the Variety Club's coveted ‘Green Jacket’. I’ll always remember that day. The late great Sir Henry Cooper introduced me to the Royal Variety Golf Society about 40 years ago and I try to play in their events as often as I can.

and mash with liquor sauce. You can’t beat it and anyone reading this from the east end of London will know exactly what I mean.

My most recent golf holiday was to… Los Arqueros in Spain. I’ve had quite a few golf holidays here, as a good friend of mine, Terry Mancini, who played for Arsenal and the Republic of Ireland, used to have a house there, where I often stayed. Los Arqueros means ‘arrows’ in English, and believe me, you have to be straight if you don’t want to lose your ball on almost every hole! Over the years I’ve played a lot of golf in and round Marbella with Terry, the late Mike Reid, and quite a few of the boys from the Royal Variety Golf Club.

The course I’d most like to play is…TPC

My most memorable round was… at

My dream holiday fourball would include…

Wentworth back in the mid-80s, when my son Philip, who must have been about 14 at the time, caddied for me during the Royal Variety

Rory Mcllroy, Nigel Mansell and Mike Reid.

Rory is a phenomenal player, and I just love everything about his swing and the way he

My favourite post-round drink would be… a pint of Guinness with blackcurrant followed by a Bacardi and coke.

Sawgrass in Florida. I've watched it loads of times on TV and would love to play it one day. It looks amazing.

■ PINNACLE POINT IN SOUTH AFRICA

TWO PATHS TO THE HOLE. [50] SUMMER 2020

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FEEL THE DIFFERENCE.

©PING 2020

Two putter families strikingly different in look and feel, yet equally amazing at getting the ball in the hole.

Get your hands on them today; start making putts tomorrow.