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Nutritional Information: Digest news, reviews, fashion & interviews in the most stylish magazine designed to feed your golfing appetite
LANGER’S LEXICON Fitness, Faith, Family, Finesse, Focus & Fifty
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006 WELCOME
ISSUE 11 1st of 5 editions for 2008
Editor’s Letter Welcome to the first edition of Eat Golf! for 2008, and a Happy New Year to all our readers! During the course of putting together this edition we’ve been doing a lot more travelling than we ordinarily would, having visited Murcia, Portugal and Madrid. Whilst on these trips I must admit to playing more golf in the last couple of months than probably the whole of 2007 combined, but promise it was all in the name of work! However I also came to the conclusion that I’m not happy with my irons - they’re just not giving me any confidence. Maybe I’ve got a bad swing, but I’m sure it’s always better to blame something other than yourself, so I’m on the market for a new set of clubs! Having used forged blades for the last 3 years I found David Poulton’s article (page 56) particularly interesting, and hope it will prove useful to you if you’re thinking of making any changes in the new year.
I’m also happy to announce that we’ve signed up Anna Rawson for 2008, who will again bring us more of her simple to follow tips on how to improve our game, as well as our fashion sense! (see pages 48 & 54).
Nick Senior Editor & Publisher ➲ www.eat-golf.com ➩ nick@eat-golf.com ✆ +34 699 958 528
Big news comes in the form of The Dubai World Championship in our new business section. This in particular will have a dramatic impact on the Costa del Sol, from where we produce this magazine, as it will mean the very sad loss of the Volvo Masters, one of the coasts most prized possessions. The effects it will have on the tour and the players are detailed on pages 82-86. We sincerely hope that a new tournament can be found to be played in this region. Valderrama is certainly a course which deserves to host the finest golf competitions in the world, but for now, at least we still have the final Volvo Masters to look forward to this year.
Michael Denker Publisher & Acc. Manager ➲ www.eat-golf.com ➩ michael@eat-golf.com ✆ +34 635 024 358
Nick Senior, Editor & Publisher.
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008 IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURES
016
GOLF GEAR
040
YOUR GAME
048
From Fashion and Player Interviews to articles by The PGAs of Europe, Ladies European Tour and more.
The latest equipment on the market. If you’re searching for a new club or gadget you’ll find it here.
Advice to improve your golf game including sports psychology, fitness, club fitting and pro tips.
GOLF & TRAVEL
GOLF BUSINESS
EVENTS & LIFESTYLE
064
Reviews of the finest golf courses plus ideas about where to go on your next golfing holiday.
082
An in depth, behind the scenes look at the people and businesses involved in the game we play.
SPECIAL THANKS
Golf tournaments to play, how to relax after your round, news and events to watch out for.
090
www.callawaygolf.com
010 CONTRIBUTORS
DENNIS SHAW l PGAs of EUROPE Currently Media consultant for the PGAs of Europe, having previously been UK sports writer for a number of national and provincial newspapers, including, for several years, Midland correspondent for The Times. A British Sports Journalist winner and also a Midlands Sports Writer of the Year. Author of two football books as a ghost-writer and formerly editor of Football Today. BETHAN CUTLER l LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR Media Manager for the Ladies European Tour. Bethan is the principal news and features writer for the Tour’s official website and responsible for the overall production of the Tour’s annual media guide. She also contributes to numerous publications as a photo journalist. Media point of contact for access to all players and officials. MIKE WILSON l FREELANCE WRITER Mike Wilson is a freelance journalist and copywriter based in Scotland. He travels extensively, covering golf and a range of other sports including sailing and tennis and works on behalf of blue-chip corporate clients including Volvo and Rolex as well as contributing to sports, lifestyle and in-flight magazines worldwide. GARY FIRKINS l WRITER & BROADCASTER Gary is also a golf public relations consultant with more than 10 years experience working in the media. He wrote for national consumer magazines for seven years, focusing on special interest titles and was deputy editor of Golf World magazine. He also has experience as a freelance journalist, editing an industry magazine and writing for a variety of publications and newspapers, including The Sunday Times. SUE WELBROCK-SMITH & GEOFFREY FARMER Sue (Freelance Writer) has been writing about golf since 1990. Recognised as a European Golf & Travel Media writer and member of IAGTO’s Golf Travel Writers’ Association, she travels extensively with photographer partner; Geoffrey Farmer specializes in coverage of European Tour events on behalf of their major sponsors, and has contributed to various international publications. AIDAN BRADLEY l GOLF COURSE PHOTOGRAPHER Aidan was born in Cork, Ireland, where he lived for 21 years. He now resides in Santa Barbara, California, from where his work takes him to places that the most passionate golfer dreams of. Whatever the assignment, Aidan’s focus on light and the surrounding natural environment consistently produces images that evoke a mood that even non-golfers find attractive and compelling.
➲ www.pgae.com ➩ info@pgae.com ✆ +44 (0)1675 477 899
➲ www.ladieseuropeantour.com ➩ mail@ladieseuropeantour.com ✆ +44 (0)1625 611 444
➩ makingwordscount@btinternet.com ✆ Office: +44 1875 870 707 Mobile: +44 7780 924 440
➲ www.landmark-media.com ➩ gary@landmark-media.com ✆ +44 (0)1780 752 790
➩ s-g-farmer@iol.pt ✆ +351 917 820 111
AIDAN BRADLEY Golf Course Photography
➲ www.golfcoursephotography.com ➩ aidan@golfcoursephotography.com ✆ +1 805 962 8466
012 INSTRUCTION
ANNA RAWSON l PROFESSIONAL TOUR PLAYER Having recently qualified to compete on the LPGA Tour, Anna has a unique story - excelling in two very different careers - modeling and golfing. Now Anna combines all her passions, by wearing designer pieces such as Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Gucci and Tom Ford glasses while playing. She is a rarity in sports, with the perfect mix of femininity, raw athletic talent, and intelligence. ALLISON DYER l TOTAL SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY BSc MSc CPsychol, British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Accredited Sport Psychologist and British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Psychologist. Allison works as a consultant sport psychologist to the PGA EuroPro Tour, and Positive Golf (Elviria), the official winter training ground for players on the EuroPro Tour. SAM PLESHETTE l PGA PROFESSIONAL Sam started his career as a golf professional in October 1999. A trainee at Abbotsley Golf & Country Club in Cambridgeshire, UK, he began his PGA training in September 2002. After passing his final exams in October 2005 Sam was elected to full membership of the PGA in May 2006. He has since been working in Spain, and is now based at the El Chaparral Golf Academy. DAVID POULTON l KZG WORLD TOP 100 GOLF FITTER David was selected by KZG, the world’s leading manufacturer of custom pro-line golf equipment, as one of the World’s Top 100 Club Fitters. The top 100 represent those who are the most skilled, the most knowledgeable, and the most committed to the process of custom fitting golf equipment, marrying technical expertise with a distinctly personal touch. PATRICK BRADY l PGA PROFESSIONAL Patrick’s professional career began in 1991 at Sutton Coldfield golf club in Birmingham, UK. In 1996 he started work at Swingers driving range. After 5 years as a teaching pro working at Lavender Park golf center in Ascot, he moved to Holland based in Drenthe, coaching groups of people for the GVB exam. His dream to move to Spain was realised in 2003. JUAN BARBERIS l FITNESS & NUTRITION EXPERT Juan works with amateur and professional golfers to improve their “golf shape”. He conducts thorough assessments and provides individualised fitness and nutrition programs that enable golfers to enjoy the game more by remaining pain and injury free and also by hitting drives further and more accurately on a consistent basis.
If you have any questions for Anna, you can email her at: ➩ AskAnna@annarawson.net She will answer a couple of questions a month, and post the answers on her website: ➲ www.annarawson.com
➲ www.sportpsychologist.org.uk ➩ totalsportpsychology@fsmail.net ✆ UK +44 (0)7718 208 942 ✆ Spain (+34) 662 070 787
➲ www.golfelchaparral.com ➩ sam@golfelchaparral.com ✆ Spain (+34) 669 643 427
➲ www.golfimprovementcenter.nl ✆ Spain (+34) 685 990 138
➲ www.golfimprovementcenter.nl ✆ Spain (+34) 607 827 021 Appears in association with ➲ www.golf-us.com
➲ www.mygolfadvantage.com ➩ service@mygolfadvantage.com ✆ Spain (+34) 670 565 590
014 COMPETITION
FIRST 100 READERS WIN
HOW TO ENTER Simply log on to our website: www.fairwaylife.com and register your details. The first 100 entrants will win a sleeve of 3 Top-Flite golf balls. Winners will be notified by email after close of entry on 28/02/08. A valid postal address in Europe is required to send out the prize. Only one entrant per household allowed.
FREE TOP-FLITE BALLS!* Yes, that’s right! The first 100 readers to register their details on our website www.fairwaylife.com will win a free sleeve of the latest Top-Flite golf balls in our exclusive competition. We’ve been fortunate enough to demo the new range with a sneak preview, and think you’ll be amazed at the performance and feel they deliver. More information about the ‘Freak’ and ‘Gamer’ balls is available on pages 42-43 of this issue, so have a read and then log on for the chance to have some delivered straight to your door!* *Please note that this offer is limited to readers with a postal address in Europe.
For more information about Top-Flite® visit: ➲ www.topflite.eu
www.fairwaylife.com Fairwaylife is an on-line golf portal providing a full range of services to both golfers, and would be golfers alike. Home to EAT GOLF! on-line, you can access the content of all our previous issues, as well as entering our competitions. A new Event section keeps you up to date with tournaments we are involved in, including leaderboards and more!
The lucky winner of a G5i series putter courtesy of PING® Golf in our issue 10 competition was: Peter Pavey He answered correctly that the Volvo Masters recently celebrated it’s 20th Anniversary.
016 FEATURES
Ladies European Tour NEW STAR MONEYLIST 2007 Order of Merit, Final Standings Sophie Gustafson’s win at the De Vere Ladies Scottish Open was one of many highlihts in a season which saw her crowned European number one for the third time. Photo ©Tristan Jones / LET
1. Sophie Gustafson (SWE) 222,081.47 2. Bettina Hauert (GER) 219,863.10 3. Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 207,824.97 4. Trish Johnson (ENG) 202,467.75 5. Maria Hjorth (SWE) 198,282.54 6. Catriona Matthew (SCO) 178,750.61 7. Annika Sorenstam (SWE) 170,794.70 8. Linda Wessberg (SWE) 158,960.38 9. Martina Eberl (GER) 155,473.74 10. Joanne Mills (AUS) 150,809.20 11. Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (FRA) 150,658.30
30, 50, 100
12. Laura Davies (ENG) 149,302.44 12. Lisa Hall (ENG) 149,302.02
Our contributors have covered the entire spectrum of golf and the ages this issue. Firstly, we offer congratulations to our contributor Anna Rawson on achieving her card on the LPGA Tour, and wish her the best of luck. From Anna’s new beginnings, Mike Wilson talks to Bernhard Langer, perhaps only in the middle of his illustrious career having recently celebrated his 50th birthday, while Gary Firkins reports on Britain’s oldest regular golfer, aged 100 years!
The Ladies European Tour is also celebrating it’s 30th anniversary, after completing their 2007 season with the Dubai Ladies Masters played on the Emirate’s Majlis course. Won by Annika Sorenstam, who spent much of the year battling a succession of neck and back problems, Sweden seems to be a hotbed of ladies professional golfing talent, producing 4 of the top 10 on the New Star Moneylist 2007, including the winner, Sophie Gustafson.
14. Iben Tinning (DEN) 147,798.40 15. Becky Brewerton (WAL) 145,085.93
Full list of standings available on: ➲ www.ladieseuropeantour.com
018 FASHION
urban chic
URBAN CHIC 019
Opposite Page Esabel wears : TAG Heuer 27 Degree Air Sunglasses FootJoy ‘Red Label’ Short Sleeve Golf Shirt FootJoy ‘Team DryJoys’ Wrist Band
This Page Esabel wears : TAG Heuer 27 Degree Air Sunglasses FootJoy ‘Red Label’ Rain Vest Marie Válois Pants, supplied by Golf’us Ecco Golf Shoes
020 FASHION
ThisPage Esabel wears : TAG Heuer 27 Degree Air Sunglasses Chervò Body Warmer, supplied by Golf’us Nubeo watch, supplied by Gomez & Molina
Opposite Page Esabel wears : J Lindeberg Peaked Cap FootJoy ‘Red Label’ Short Sleeve Rain Shirt Chervò Top, supplied by Golf’us PING G2 Putter Eberhard watch, supplied by Gomez & Molina
URBAN CHIC 021
022 FASHION
This Page Esabel wears : Chervò Polo Neck, supplied by Golf’us MacGregor MACTEC NVG2 460 Driver
www.eatgolf.tv
“If I wasn’t a golfer, I would no doubt be a movie star.” Nick Dougherty, European Tour Professional
in association with www.quanvision.com
024 FEATURES
Langer’s Lexicon
Fitness, Faith, Family, Finesse, Focus and Fifty
Ryder Cup star and winning captain, 42 European Tour titles including a brace of ‘majors’ in 31 years as a professional golfer, Bernhard Langer turned 50 in 2007 and, as MIKE WILSON discovers, the evergreen German golfer is still very much up for the game, winning in only his third outing on the US Champions Tour.
Looking back on the life and times of Bernhard Langer, the tableau is one of gritty determination. 80% application, 20% inspiration, achievement over adversity, but what achievements they are. Born and raised in Germany, in a family and a country with no golfing pedigree, overcoming an illness in infancy that threatened not just his sporting potential but his very life followed by back trouble during his national service, all make his subsequent conquering of golf’s worst affliction, the ‘yips’ look like child’s play. Several key themes permeate time spent with Bernhard Langer. Modesty, faith, strength - physical and emotional - industry, ambition, a fierce competitiveness, dogged determination, integrity and intelligence. Traits, one suspects, forged in the austerity of post war Germany, all packaged into a compact, neat and tidy parcel of German golfing greatness.
The third and youngest child of Willy Langer and his wife - Willy escaped from a Russian prisonerof-war train bound for Siberia, reportedly spending three months hiding in the Bavarian forests before emerging and settling in the small town on the outskirts of Munich where he worked as a bricklayer.
Having recovered from the ‘fever cramps’ that afflicted and restricted his pre-school years, the young Bernhard would follow his sister and brother to the Augsburg Golf and Country Club just outside his village and, like many a great golfer, caddying was to be the conduit to success.
“Certainly life was never easy for us as children. My parents were always working just to put enough food on the table, but the other truth is that we were loved and happy. Still it was hard as a small boy to look in the window of the sweetshop but rarely go inside”, reflects Langer almost half-a-century on, the man who has won US$10million stateside and twice that on the European Tour.
“I’d carry some bags, just to make a little money, learn the game and I enjoyed it, got good at it,” he recalls, leaving school without qualifications - something he regrets to this day - to be told by the authorities his wish to become a golf professional was, ‘not an official profession,’ and that he should aim for a more, ‘decent’ occupation.
“It is why I suppose I have never let the large amounts of money I now earn affect me much and why I am careful with it,” admits the man with the reputation of being careful, as distinct from miserly.
But the teenage Langer had overcome much stronger forces than officialdom and he followed his dream, his indomitable work ethic apparent even then. “I was told to work 10-12 hours each day, I did not complain as it was
LANGER’S LEXICON 025
Photo: ©Stefan von Stengel www. golffoto.vonstengel.de
026 FEATURES
“It really is a combination of both the mental and the physical side of the game, but it is also a desire to be competitive...”
Photo: ©Stefan von Stengel www. golffoto.vonstengel.de
LANGER’S LEXICON 027
normal, my parents had very little and worked anywhere from 16-18 hours every day, except Sunday.” Aged 16, Langer turned pro and qualified for the European Tour in 1976, but it was far from a case of instant success, four years passing before his debut win, a five-shot margin of victory at the 1980 Dunlop Masters, a winner’s cheque for £10,000 (approx. US$21,599) the order of the day, the names of Faldo, Lyle, Norman and Trevino trailing behind him on the leaderboard. The European Tour was in its infancy back then, a far cry from the multi-million dollar, multiple choice culture today’s pampered pros enjoy, but, despite being one of the ‘famous five’ who built the foundations of the circuit’s success, Langer, typically, is keen to deflect praise in other directions. “First of all I would pick the threesome of Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle, because they really were the first players to blaze a trail for Europe across world golf,” he says.
Observes George O’Grady, European Tour chief executive whose own career has spanned the ‘Langer years,’ “Bernhard was not only an outstanding player [but also] one of a distinguished group of ‘major’ champions, a leader in the growth of the Tour and also a successful Ryder Cup player and captain.” Second only to Bernhard Langer’s fecundity in his native Germany (in a career far from over that has seen 42 European Tour titles to his name) is his record in Spain. Half-a-dozen victories including two Volvo Masters titles, both at Valderrama, the consequence of a blistering second round course record 62 in 1994. The second, famously shared with Colin Montgomerie eght-years-later. And it was largely with Monty, again at Valderrama, this time in the 1997 Ryder Cup that Langer
dropped just a single point. The German’s 2&1 win over American Brad Faxon in the middle of the order was considered by many to have broken the back of American resistence. “I love Valderrama, it suits my game and I have many happy memories from both the Ryder Cup and the Volvo Masters,” he says, admitting, “As a player in 1997, I learned so much from Seve’s leadership, some of which stood me in good stead for my own winning captaincy, this time on US soil at Oakland Hills in 2004.” Langer’s contribution to European golf was indeed significant, winning the European Tour Order of Merit twice, in 1981 and 1984, the US Masters in 1985 and 1993, 42 European Tour victories with three more on the PGA Tour. But he is a quiet man who prefers to let his golf do his talking.
“But then I would pick another three in Ian Woosnam, José Maria Olazábal and Colin Montgomerie who followed them. I choose those two groups of three players because you simply need to look at their results. They have all been ‘major,’ winners apart from Colin who has been very unfortunate not to win a one but on the other hand, winning The European Tour Order of Merit eight times as he has, is a phenomenal achievement.” Concludes the Florida-based German, “They all have great personalities and the attraction of those personalities has helped the game of golf grow to where it is now.” No Sweat - Coolness under pressure is Langer’s hallmark. Photo: ©Chris Turvey for Rolex
028 FEATURES
“It really is a combination of both the mental and the physical side of the game, but it is also a desire to be competitive and to do everything to my very best and to perform to the very highest level all the time - this is the way I have been all my career.” That is the 50year-old’s analysis of his success, adding, “What helps me achieve this is the basic fact that I love the game of golf and that helps me when I have to go to the range and practice, or to the course and play.” A deeply religious man and a devout Christian, faith and family are at the heart of Langer’s life now, but that was not always the case. He recalls, “In ’85 I’d been married for a year to my wife Vikki, and I was very single-minded on
my golf, but nowadays, I have four kids and I need to be their father. I have the the same wife and I want to keep it that way.” Langer’s dry but engaging humour belies an on-course demeanour that defines the term ‘focus,’ a steely determination to concentrate on the job in hand, but he denies he is anything like the stereotype of the dour Teutonic typecast reflected in certain sections of the media. He says, “When I play golf, I still practice hard and focus on my game [but] I can have the most fun of anybody,” adding, “I crack jokes and play games and that’s really more my nature than being cold.” Bernhard Langer is a winner, a hightensile tungsten-tipped golfer who
says, “Golf is not about records, it’s about winning,” but is one of a rare breed of sports champions - others include tennis star Roger Federer and fellow golfers Palmer, Nicklaus and Player who, one feels would excel in any chosen walk of life. Indeed, the German is almost as successful an entrepreneur as he is a player, his Langer Sports Marketing GmbH promoting the Mercedez-Benz Championship on The European Tour. Langer Golf and Langer Design, his golf business and design vehicles respectively, are run by his elder brother Erwin. Loyalty is another keyword in the Langer lexicon and he never forgets the contribution made to the man who caddied for him for 22 years, helping him win what he considers
Low Profile - Despite huge success, Langer has never sought the limelight. Photo: ©Chris Turvey for Rolex
LANGER’S LEXICON 029
“When I play golf, I still practice hard and focus on my game [but] I can have the most fun of anybody,... I crack jokes and play games and that’s really more my nature than being cold.”
Photo: ©Stefan von Stengel www. golffoto.vonstengel.de
030 FEATURES
to have been, “The two US Masters victories, the highlights, what you dream about,” his erstwhile caddie, the redoubtable Pete Coleman of whom he says, “It’s hard to compare anything with a veteran like Pete Coleman. He did everything right, there wasn’t anything he could have done better.” The pair parted company after the 2003 British Open when the German decided on playing most of his golf in the United States, his 17year-old son Stefan on the bag for his then 49-year-old father’s World Cup win (his second team and third overall victory in the event) with compatriot Marcel Siem. Could a Langer ‘Mark II’ be about to be unleashed on the golfing world? “Stefan is a good player, plus-1 [but] he’s got two-and-a-half years of high school and four years of college ahead of him, so I wouldn’t let him turn pro right now” says the unashamedly, “disciplined, strict father,” adding with a hint of regret, “I was a bad example, I didn’t go to college.” Either side of the ‘Big 50,’ Langer almost won on the regular US Tour in 2007, losing to Rory Sabbatini in a three-way play-off including Jim Furyk, the South African 20years Langer’s junior, and then registered his first Champions Tour victory in just his fourth outing. The man who has won just about everything there is to win in world golf has one, not so much regret, but a nagging sense of unfinished business. “I would like to think another ‘major’ is still a possibility, and the one I would want to win is The British Open. Several times I have finished just short of winning
it and as a European golfer, that is the one I would want.” Runner-up twice and third on four occasions, it would be one of golf’s greatest stories were he to become the first fifty-something to win a ‘major’ championship. Beyond that, he sets out his goals, “Long term my main focus will be the US Champions Tour and the European Seniors Tour, but I do have cards for all four major Tours next year which is unique in golf and I definitely intend to play in all four - The European Tour, the European Seniors Tour, the US PGA Tour and the US Champions Tour in 2008. That is a unique achievement and something I am very proud of. I may not be able to play on all four for very long but while I am able to, I will.” If ‘focus’ is Bernhard Langer’s watchword, to the golfing purist and to the man himself, there are three other ‘F’ words, ‘fitness, ‘ ‘finesse,’ and ‘faith,’ that sum up his on and off course modus operandi. “There are so many youngsters and they all seem to be tall and strong and athletic and can whack it 300yards-plus. That seems to be the future, and it’s totally different from when I grew up,” he reflects in a less than censorious way, adding, “I work hard on my fitness to keep in shape and I weigh only five-pounds more than I was 30-years-ago.” “But,” he adds, “I was - still am - more of a finesse player, shaping the shots, whereas they learn to hit it far and control it.” And, when it comes to his faith, Langer’s philosophy is simple, explaining, “I just try to treat everyone well and honour God with all the gifts that He’s given me.”
An honorary Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006 for his services to the European Ryder Cup cause, 10 appearances as a player, five times on the winning side and what Colin Montgomerie called, “A magnificent, precise and controlled but inspiring captaincy,” in Europe’s record nine-point margin of victory over the USA in their own back yard, Langer looks back on the Oakland Hills experience with pride. Preferring to let his players take the credit in the afterglow of dispatching the Americans by 18.5 points to 9.5 points, Langer simply said, “I had faith in [the] guys and [the] guys had the leadership. We just gelled great together from the first shot to the last.” But his sense of integrity and occasion still shone through when asked about future Ryder Cup captaincy possibilities, “I think there’s other guys who deserve a shot at it and I don’t want to take that opportunity away from them.” As a difficult dawn turns full circle into the twilight of a colossal career, whether there is to be a fairytale ending with another ‘major’ victory is anyone’s guess. But few would bet against Bernhard Langer defying the odds again in the second half-century of a quite remarkable life. A legend he already is, but that British Open victory he craves would surely elevate him to the status of ‘Saint Bernhard.’ Bernhard Langer is a Rolex testimonee. Photo opposite page: Captain Sensible - as with everything Bernhard Langer does, his Ryder Cup captiancy was immaculate. ©Chris Turvey for Rolex
LANGER’S LEXICON 031
the young pretender
0HOTO Ú0AUL ,AKATOS FOR 6OLVO %VENT -ANAGEMENT
When Bernhard Langer turned professional in 1976, Germany was more in hope than expectation that the then 19-year-old unknown might make his mark.
The Life & Times of Bernhard Langer s "ORN THE YOUNGEST OF THREE CHILDREN IN !NHAUSEN 'ERMANY TH !UGUST s %NDURES ILL HEALTH IN HIS PRE SCHOOL YEARS s 2ECOVERS WELL TO TAKE UP GOLF THROUGH CADDYING AT THE AGE OF SEVEN s 4URNS PROFESSIONAL IN QUALIlES FOR %UROPEAN 4OUR FOUR YEARS LATER s -AKES COMPETITIVE DEBUT AT 3WISS /PEN s 2EGISTERS lRST PROFESSIONAL TOP lNISH WITH lFTH PLACE AT THE -ADRID /PEN s 7INS 'ERMAN .ATIONAL /PEN THE lRST OF VICTORIES IN THE EVENT s 7INS lRST %UROPEAN 4OUR EVENT THE $UNLOP -ASTERS THE lRST 'ERMAN TO WIN ON THE CIRCUIT s 7INS 'ERMAN /PEN EN ROUTE TO BECOMING lRST 'ERMAN EVER TO WIN %UROPEAN 4OUR /RDER OF -ERIT REPEATING THE FEAT IN s )N BECOMES lRST 'ERMAN GOLFER TO REPRESENT %UROPE IN 2YDER #UP THE lRST OF APPEARANCES AS A PLAYER FEATURING IN MATCHES AGAINST THE 53! WINNING AND DRAWING s 7INS lRST TOURNAMENT IN !SIA THE #ASIO 7ORLD /PEN s -ARRIES WIFE 6IKKI IN s 7INS lRST OF TWO 53 -ASTERS TITLES IN RECLAIMING THE 'REEN JACKET EIGHT YEARS LATER s %XPERIENCES 2YDER #UP VICTORY FOR lRST TIME IN AT 4HE "ELFRY s &IRST OF FOUR CHILDREN *ACKIE BORN IN s 7INS ON THE %UROPEAN 4OUR IN SUCCESSIVE YEARS BETWEEN AND s 7INS lRST OF THREE 0'! #HAMPIONSHIPS IN s 7INS 7ORLD #UP TEAM TITLE WITH 4ORSTEN 'IEDEON IN AND INDIVIDUAL CROWN THREE YEARS LATER s 7INS (ONG +ONG /PEN IN (ONG +ONG -ASTERS IN s INDUCTED INTO 7ORLD 'OLF (ALL OF &AME AND FAMOUSLY SHARES 6OLVO -ASTERS TITLE WITH #OLIN -ONTGOMERIE s #APTAINS %UROPE TO RECORD NINE POINT VICTORY OVER 53! IN 2YDER #UP AT /AKLAND (ILLS s !WARDED (ONORARY -"% AND ,IFETIME -EMBERSHIP OF %UROPEAN 4OUR IN s 7INS 7ORLD #UP OF 'OLF FOR 'ERMANY FOR SECOND TIME PARTNERED BY -ARCEL 3IEM WITH SON 3TEFAN AS HIS CADDIE s ,OSES PLAY OFF TO 2ORY 3ABBATINI ON 530'! 4OUR THREE MONTHS BEFORE HIS TH BIRTHDAY s 0LAYED WITH SON 3TEFAN IN $UTCH /PEN ON %UROPEAN 4OUR s "ECOMES ELIGIBLE FOR %UROPEAN 3ENIORS 4OUR AND 53 #HAMPIONS 4OUR BY TURNING ON TH !UGUST s 7INS lRST #HAMPIONS 4OUR EVENT IN /CTOBER ON FOURTH OUTING HIS TH CAREER VICTORY WINNING ON ALL lVE CONTINENTS
YEARS DOWN THE LINE TALK OF AN @HEIR APPARENT TO THE MASTER HAS BEEN A MATTER OF FACT FOR MANY YEARS lRST !LEX #EJKA WHO FOLLOWED ,ANGER TO 6OLVO -ASTERS GLORY AT 6ALDERRAMA IN -ARCEL 3IEM WITH WHOM ,ANGER WON THE 7ORLD #UP IN "UT NOW THERE IS A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK ONE WHO LOOKS THE REAL DEAL YEAR OLD -ARTIN +AYMER WHO HAS ACHIEVED SOMETHING THE MAN HE CALLS SIMPLY h4HE GOLlNG 'OD NEVER ACHIEVED BECOMING THE lRST 'ERMAN TO WIN THE %UROPEAN 4OUR 2OOKIE OF THE 9EAR NAMED THE 3IR (ENRY #OTTON 2OOKIE OF THE 9EAR h-R ,ANGER v AS +AYMER REVERENTIALLY REFERS TO THE MAN MORE THAN TWICE HIS AGE h7AS STILL IS MY ROLE MODEL ALWAYS PROFESSIONAL ALWAYS COMPETITIVE GIVING NOTHING LESS THAN AND REMAINING A VERY NICE PERSON TOO v 4HE RECENT 6OLVO -ASTERS SAW +AYMER ADD ANOTHER TOP TEN TO HIS SECOND YEAR IN THE TOP mIGHT SIXTH ON HIS 6ALDERRAMA DEBUT SHOOTING THE LOWEST ROUND OF THE WEEK A lVE UNDER PAR IN THE THIRD ROUND EVOKING MEMORIES OF ,ANGER IN ALL HIS !NDALUCEAN POMP HIS Ñ PRIZE CONTRIBUTING TO SEASON EARNINGS OF Ñ AND ST PLACE ON 4HE %UROPEAN 4OUR /RDER OF -ERIT 3O WHAT DOES THE TWO TIME 53 -ASTERS AND 6OLVO -ASTERS CHAMPION THINK OF THE YOUNG PRETENDER h(E S EXCITING HAS ALL THE SHOTS AND THE MENTALITY TO DO WELL AND PROVIDING HE CONTINUES WORKING HARD AND GAINING EXPERIENCE HE HAS A GREAT FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM v ! DEBUT %UROPEAN 4OUR WIN LET ALONE @MAJOR VICTORY AND 2YDER #UP APPEARANCES ARE ALL IN THE FUTURE FOR -ARTIN +AYMER AND LET THERE BE NO DOUBT IF HE IS TO BECOME THE GREATEST 'ERMAN GOLFER OF ALL TIME HE HAS A HARD HARD ACT TO FOLLOW
032 FEATURES
‘You play golf for FUN... Yeah! Baby...’ By Dennis Shaw, PGAs of Europe
It’s been my privilege to attend the last three PGAs of Europe Teaching & Coaching Conferences, in Munich (2003 & 2005), and more recently in Malmö, Sweden…and although there in a professional, media, capacity it is impossible not to also wear one’s hat as a senior, high handicap golfer.
My use of the word ‘privilege’ is because while the speakers have been engaged to address an auditorium populated by, in this case, 600 PGA Professionals, yours truly is able to mentally take on board almost limitless golfing advice and instruction from some of the world’s leading experts. This year the TCC followed directly after Golf Europe in Munich, the largest and longestestablished trade-only golf exhibition east or west of Orlando, a three-day golfing showcase that featured a programme of seminars for PGA professionals including a presentation by Dr. Karl Morris entitled Does the Brain Help Your Game? Clearly the ‘mind game’ topic is now up there with ‘swing technique’ in an essential ‘chickenand-egg’ debate on whether a bad attitude wrecks your swing or does a bad swing wreck your attitude? Dr Morris surprised his audience of coaches by expressing
the view that the golf swing is not a mental exercise at all, but is ‘one hundred per cent physical’. His view is that golfers should mentally draw a line two or three yards behind the ball. Any thinking that goes on should be before stepping over that imaginary line. Once the ball is addressed the mind should be as clear of swing thoughts as possible on the basis that: ‘the greater the cranial activity, the poorer the shot…’ That, indeed, was food a thoughtprovoking precursor for the tasty smorgasbord of coaching titbits that lay ahead in Sweden to feed the appetite of the hungriest of Eat Golf! connoisseurs. This 8th version of the increasinglyinfluential TCC was staged under the heading of ‘Aiming to Simplify’ and was comprised of talks on The Mind Game, mental attitude, physical readiness, preparation for golf, equipment and many allied subjects.
Unlike previous TCCs there were no technicalities of the golf swing. All that stuff is for the practice ground and driving range, pretty much as Karl Morris suggested. Out on the golf course, if you’re a handicap golfer with no aspirations to be an elite amateur or a professional tournament player, the object of the exercise is to have fun. As leading US coach Chuck Hogan put it succinctly with a laid-back drawl like John Wayne before, he went out fighting the ‘injuns’; “Has anybody ever called you and suggested you go work some golf? “No they don’t. They call you and say ‘let’s go play some golf. Golf is a game. Nobody’s ever been able to tell me what good comes from getting mad on a golf course. I’ll tell you The Secret of Golf,” he claimed (to much stirring of anticipation from an audience hanging on his every word.) “The Secret of Golf is: You only get emotional at your good shots...
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“You nail a drive down the middle of the fairway, you say ‘yeah, baby...’” “Whad’ya say?” he beseeched his audience. “Yeah, baby...” some responded, slightly embarrassed at using the Americanism. Now, realising that not even Tiger Woods is going to celebrate eighteen ‘yeah! baby’ tee shots, he had to answer the unspoken question that hung in the air: So what about when you hit a bad shot? “You say, very slowly, and it’s important to say it slowly... ‘oh! dear... I’ve knocked... my ball... into... the trash...’ And that’s it. End of story, it’s no good getting mad. Always remember: you only get emotional at your good shots.” You’re out there to have fun...
Such entertaining verbal desserts abounded during three days of presentations from charismatic speakers with the ability to hold an audience’s attention for up to two hours at a time, and none more so than the 2007 Solheim Cup Captain, Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson. Helen was known to be something of a rebel during her younger, highly successful playing days, a fact she put down to difficult teenage years when, for a while, she was ‘on her own’. On the Tour she was known as ‘Crazy’ by the rest of the players and to confirm rather than disown the reputation she started her talk on ‘What Good Coaching Meant to Me’ by confessing that she was ‘the oddball of every
tournament I played in’ and emphasised how much similar ‘difficult and different’ players need coaches who understand them. She was clearly a self-confessed disorganised individual who didn’t easily fit into other people’s schedules. “I’ve hardly ever turned up on time,” she admitted. “I never book a hotel in advance, I’ve always questioned everything… I’ve been thrown out of two airports for arguing. “I think coaches need to let young players, in particular, be who they are. Find out what they want to do, ask them how they feel they can improve their game, and help them to do it. The coaches that helped me most were the ones who understood me.
“You say, very slowly, and it’s important to say it slowly…‘oh! dear… I’ve knocked… my ball…into… the trash…’ And that’s it. End of Story.”
Helen Alfredsson
Dr Karl Morris
034 FEATURES
“As Solheim Cup captain I wasn’t going to tell Annika (Sorenstam) that I thought she’d prepared wrongly. She knows best about herself. You don’t tell Wayne Rooney how to play football: he’s different but he’s good. “We all know how John Daly looks and how he lives his life but nobody helps people more than he does, nobody does more work for charity. You can’t change him…” Helen’s engaging talk proved to be one among several in an engaging conference that sent us all off home with plenty to think about beyond the confines of ‘am I hinging my wrists at the right time’ or some such mysterious intangible. Just remember: it’s all down to ‘only getting emotional at your good shots’. Yeah! Baby... In the ‘equipment part of the conference, American club-fitting
expert Tom Wishon, has sounded an emphatic call for ALL golfers to use custom-fitted clubs as an essential aid to their game. In a presentation aimed at destroying a whole catalogue of ‘myths’ that he perceives as affecting the average golfer’s attitude to purchasing their golf clubs, he insisted that ‘standard’ clubs’ use a ‘one-size-fits-all’ philosophy that ‘doesn’t work any more’. “Such factors as shaft length and loft and lie angles need to be personalised to take into account size, strength, athletic ability and swing characteristics. The way to get more fun out of playing golf is to go get yourself custom fitted,” he said, a subject he enlarges upon in a small booklet he has produced, along with colleague, Tom Grundner entitled ‘12 Myths That Could Wreck Your Golf Game.’
Among these ‘myths’ that he regards as being prevalent among golfers is that custom fitting is only advantageous to the elite. “Professional custom fitting brings more improvement to middle/ high handicappers than to the low handicap player in helping their shot-making ability,” he stresses. “The pros and very low handicappers are skilled enough to be able to play well with almost any golf club. You (the higher handicapper) are not: which means YOU need properly fitted golf clubs even more that THEY do. You need custom fitted clubs to maximise your swing strengths.”
The 9th PGAs of Europe Teaching and Coaching Conference will be hosted by the PGA of GB&I and staged in Birmingham on October 22-24, 2009.
“We all know how John Daly looks and how he lives his life but nobody helps people more than he does, nobody does more work for charity.”
Tom Wishon
Chuck Hogan
036 FEATURES
ladies european tour CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY By Bethan Cutler. Photo by Tristan Jones / LET
The Ladies European Tour (LET) turns 30 in 2008 and is celebrating growth from a predominantly British based tour into a fully fledged global sports organisation.
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With more new tournaments in 2008, including in Ireland, Turkey and Germany, many more celebrations are guaranteed over the next year.
From its creation with the formation of the Women’s Professional Golf Association (WPGA) in Britain in late 1978, and its first run of tournaments in 1979, the LET has become a modern, cosmopolitan and international golf tour. In its first decade, the WPGA had been part of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) but by 1988, the WPGA had grown so strong with almost 200 members and £1.5 million in prize money, that its membership voted to separate from the PGA and form its own independent company: the Women Professional Golfers’ European Tour Limited. The new company immediately moved its headquarters to Tytherington in Cheshire, England, where it remains today with its current title: the Ladies European Tour Limited. Over the past seven years and the last five in particular, the LET tournament schedule has grown steadily. In 2007, there were 26 tournaments on four continents with more than €11 million in prize money, the most in LET history. The Tour is growing stronger every year. In 2006, the LET’s executive director Alexandra Armas
announced a five-year plan to establish 23-25 events each year inside Europe. This expectation has already been surpassed and the LET will be releasing a healthy 2008 schedule very shortly. The LET is proud of its players, who are the LET’s greatest ambassadors and have undoubtedly contributed the most to the Tour’s successes over the last 30 years. England’s Laura Davies was its first superstar, winning the US Open in 1987. Davies has since won three further major championships and secured 68 titles worldwide over two decades. She has also been the leading LET money winner seven times, including most recently in 2006, when she won more than €471,000 in Europe. Sweden’s Liselotte Neumann followed Davies as US Open Champion in 1988, inspiring several younger European players to turn professional, including Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam, arguably the all-time greatest female player. Sorenstam topped the LPGA Tour’s money list in 1995, 1997, 1998 and every year from 2001 to 2005, opening many doors for women’s professional golf in Europe.
Davies, Neumann and Sorenstam’s names are synonymous with The Solheim Cup, and the LET has staged five of the 10 editions of the event over the last 17 years since the inaugural tournament in 1990. Most recently, it staged The 2007 Solheim Cup at Halmstad Golf Club in Sweden which witnessed record crowds of more than 100,000, despite bad weather. The support of elite women’s golf amply demonstrates its increasing appeal to members of the public. With more new tournaments in 2008, including in Ireland, Turkey and Germany, many more celebrations are guaranteed over the next year. Congratulations to Sophie Gustafson, the winner of the 2007 New Star Money List and Louise Stahle, the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year in association with the Bill Johnson Trophy. The players will enjoy a few weeks off before the season begins again in January 2008, with the World Cup of Golf in South Africa. For the latest news, notes and action, be sure to log on to: ➲ www.ladieseuropeantour.com
038 FEATURES
from cradle to grave By Gary Firkins
Congratulations to Charles Viner, Britain’s oldest golfer, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday by teeing it up and belting a drive 175 yards down the 1st hole of his home course.
Mr Viner, who took up the game age 19 in 1926, plays twice a week during the summer at The Shropshire Golf Centre, with the help of his caddie, John, his 71-year-old son-in-law. When he started playing, Charles used only a driver, a brassie, a mashie niblick and a putter and says he could approach from any distance with any club because he would feel the shot and work out the trajectory, shape and
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Charles never felt the need to attain a handicap, instead preferring the simple pleasures of hitting a golf ball around the golf course...
distance needed. These skills helped him score the first of his two holes in one - the other, Charles says, was plain luck. Amazingly, Charles’ hero in his early golfing years was JH Taylor, who won five Open Championships between 1894 and 1913. But Charles, a retired Art Teacher from Wolverhampton Grammar School, by no means lives in the past. He keeps a sharp eye on Tiger Woods’ game (it all goes wrong when he hits it too hard, Charles says) and the young golfers coming through at The Shropshire Golf Centre. “They hit the ball and they must take responsibility for what happens to it,” says Charles. “Golf teaches you an important lesson about being responsible and accepting the consequences of what you have done. It has so much to offer everyone.” Charles’ swing remains agile, his mind is razor sharp and he is an inspiration to us all. At 37 years old, I would like to think that I will still be playing golf at 100. Having been lucky enough to grow up in a family that produced four golf professionals, including my father, it was a matter of course that I would take up golf as soon as I could walk. My father says that my swing now is virtually identical to the one I had when I was two years old. So, it is fascinating for me to see that without any coaching or cajoling, my five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son have themselves developed great little golf swings and a delight in thwacking plastic balls around
the practice area of my home course. And when they’re bored with that, they play with the sand in the bunker, or the ‘bonker’ as my little girl insists on calling it. How long will it be, I ask myself, before my three-month baby boy also catches the golf bug?! Yet I also wonder if, or perhaps when, my budding little golfers will experience the prejudice that is still, sadly, prevalent in some quarters and puts off so many young people from golf? I experienced it myself as a youngster and, on one occasion, remember walking away from the 1st tee, tears in my eyes, having being told to push off by a silly, self-important and selfish old man. Interestingly, The Shropshire Golf Centre, where Charles Viner plays, encourages golf for all ages. As well as special concessions for senior golfers, like Charles and his friends, there are coaching schemes for juniors and their families, plus easy passage to membership. Operated by Burhill Golf & Leisure, a forward thinking group owned privately by members of the Guinness family and which runs 10 golf centres across the UK, this is what golf should be about – a fun, healthy game to be enjoyed by all. So I was delighted to hear, during a trip to the European Golf Course Owners Association Conference in Amsterdam, of a new idea to bridge the gap between those starting golf and those developing their game to become regular golfers and club members. You won’t have heard of FIRSTGOLF yet, but keep an eye out for it, because it is winning the backing of key organisations and figures in golf ahead of its launch.
Gill Wilson, the energetic owner of Rye Hill Golf Course in Oxfordshire and a former deputy chief executive of the Ladies European Tour, is the inspiration behind FIRSTGOLF - and having seen, during a previous visit, how the venue’s three-hole academy course was transformed into a children’s course with colourful plastic trees, bunkers, water hazards and oversized putting cups, I know that Gill and her colleagues are onto a winning formula with FIRSTGOLF. As a concept to make golf inclusive for all ages and both sexes, I think it is an excellent idea. I have no doubt that it is the sort of idea that Charles Viner might approve of. After all, Charles never felt the need to attain a handicap, instead preferring the simple pleasures of hitting a golf ball around the golf course and enjoying the company of his playing partners. It strikes me that we get too worked up about golf, and lead new golfers into thinking they need a handicap as soon as possible, pushing them towards competitions and the pressure of medal rounds. But perhaps if we all took the time to smell the flowers along the way, as Charles Viner has done for the past 81 years, we all might be living and playing golf at 100. For more information on Burhill Golf & Leisure visit: ➲ www.burhillgolfandleisure.co.uk
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STYLO GOLF SHOES
One of Britain’s best known golf shoe manufacturers is back on course with a brand relaunch and a comprehensive redesign of its products. The Stylo Typhoon (pictured) is a contemporary, sporty styled performance golf shoe offering exceptional value for money. RRP: £39.99 (UK) ✆ +44 (0)116 2542079
MINI-HUMMER
HELP OR HINDRANCE?
The Roadster Featuring custom tail lights, four wheel brake system, and a forward speed of 22 mph, The Roadster is unique and available in Rosso Red, Suprfly Yellow, Monterey Blue or Arctic White. RRP: from £6,995 (UK) ➲ www.minihummereurope.com
SCOTTY CAMERON Are the clubs you’re playing with helping you to get the most out of your game, or are they just making life on the course more difficult than it needs to be? If you have an old set of irons or woods then perhaps it is time to invest in some modern technology - you may well find that you’re a lot better golfer than you thought! Starting next issue acclaimed club fitter David Poulton and Eat Golf! editor Nick Senior are going to go through the process of building a
set of clubs from scratch. The first in a series of features will start with swing analysis and player requirements, and progress each issue through to the final product, from setting up the correct lie angles to choosing the right shaft and clubheads to suit your game. With so much choice, and many manufacturers now offering some form of custom fit options, we hope that this insight will help you understand what you might gain from a personalised fitting.
The Putter Studio The Studio is a place of creation, where Scotty Cameron design, experiment, test and produce their putters. For lots of interestng information, including a studio tour, log on to the website: ➲ www.scottycameron.com
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Design ©Eat Publishing S.L.
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Top-Flite Freak & Gamer Balls
GET A FREE SLEEVE OF BALLS! See page 14
Top-Flite Freak should be used for: Tee box intimidation; Bombing drives past your friends; Scrambles - every scramble needs a Freak; Reaching long par 5’s in two. Top-Flite Gamer features: Resilient low compression core for great feel; Mantle layer designed to reduce driver spin; Soft, thin cover for incredible greenside spin; Dimple in Dimple™ cover for maximum distance.
The Freak and Gamer are due to be launched January 15th, 2008. RRP : €17.99 (Freak) and €19.99 (Gamer) ➲ www.topflite.eu ➲ www.callawaygolf.com
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nasty distance and chilling control Golf is turning ugly in 2008 with the introduction of two outlandish TopFlite golf balls – Freak and Gamer. Featuring the acclaimed Dimplein-Dimple Aerodynamics that generated scintillating performance and soaring global sales for the Top-Flite D2 Golf Ball in 2007, both the Freak and Gamer take this smart technology to the next level, with scary results. Freak produces out-and-out nasty distance. The Dimple-in-Dimple Aerodynamics maintains spin longer throughout the flight, allowing the ball to hold its line and sustain lift, increasing overall carry. Meanwhile, the optimised formulation of the High-Velocity Core produces ball speeds that go right up to the allowable limit. Add a resilient ionomer cover and the result is freakishly long distance - and on-the-tee intimidation. Gamer is scary long, too - but with chilling control around the greens. While the Dimple-in-Dimple Aerodynamics reduce drag and
maximise distance for a wide range of swing speeds, the ball’s threepiece construction - combining a large, low-compression core, firm boundary layer plus soft, thin ionomer cover - produces superior short game feel and spin control. “Top-Flite Freak and Gamer Golf Balls build on the technological breakthrough of Dimple-in-Dimple Aerodynamics of D2,” says Neil Howie, Managing Director of Callaway Golf Europe, Top-Flite’s parent company. “We’ve taken the performance and character of these golf balls to the edge.” “Whether golfers want the pure outrageous distance of the Freak, or prefer to tame the greens with the Gamer, they have the choice of two outstanding balls that won’t hurt their pockets.”
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Callaway FT-i Squareways
Callaway Golf, the first company to introduce the square headed driver to the golfing world in the shape of the FT-i are following it up with a set of matching woods, known as the Callaway FT-i Squareways.
DRIVER ‘BEST ON TEST’
EDITOR’S CHOICE 2007
With an unparalleled resistance to twisting, resulting in greater forgiveness and straighter shots, FT-i Squareway Woods combine Callaway Golf’s market leading Inertial Design and Fusion Technology.
Positioning weight in the extreme corners of the steel and carbon composite head creates enhanced stability at impact and longer distance.
Expected in stores early 2008. ➲ www.callawaygolf.com
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Prototype Callaway X-Muscle Irons After helping Callaway Golf Staff Professional Phil Mickelson win a threeway play-off at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, and boosting Thongchai Jaidee (pictured) to a strong 2nd place finish a the UBS Hong Kong Open, Callaway’s new prototype X-Muscle irons have caused major interest amongst golf professionals, industry journalists and equipment junkies alike, who can’t wait to find out when Callaway’s first foray into the blade sector will officially be launched. Mickelson won the tournament in China after using the prototypes for the first time, while Jaidee commented, “I loved the irons so much that after just two practice rounds with the new set, I put them straight into play.” And after seeing and hitting the muscle-backs at Callaway’s Test Centre in Chessington, World Number 5 Ernie Els could hardly contain his excitement and could not wait to add the clubs to his bag for his trip to South Africa in December 2007. The irons promise to be an exciting addition to the Callaway Golf line up, and are anticipated to be available in stores in Summer 2008. ➲ www.callawaygolf.com
Odyssey Marxman™ X-Act Putting Wedge
Rules of Golf 2008-11 As independent bodies The R&A and the United States Golf Association have worked closely together since 1952 to produce a uniform code of rules so that wherever the game is played the same laws apply. Every four years the two governing bodies agree any necessary amendments or clarifications and the main thrust of their work is in reviewing, revising and clarifying the rules so that they can be more easily understood and applied. The New ‘Rules of Golf 2008-2011’ are available as a free download from the R&A website. Meanwhile ‘Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009’ is considered an essential reference book for all those involved in the administration of the game. The 2008-2009 Decisions book assists in the interpretation and clarification of the Rules and it includes the new Rules effective from January 1, 2008. Containing over 1,200 question and answer style Decisions, the 2008-2009 edition includes 37 new Decisions and 59 Decisions that have been substantively revised. In addition, another 133 Decisions have been revised, either to take account of the Rules changes or to provide greater clarity. Lists of the new and revised Decisions are available to review on the web, and in due course, a fully searchable application of the Decisions book will be available online. ➲ www.randa.org
The Odyssey Marxman X-Act putting wedge has been developed as a new short game option that utilises the same alignments technology found in Odyssey’s Marxman Putters. The Marxman X-Act is designed to function like an approach putter, providing an easy-to-hit solution which plays perfectly between a putter and a wedge for those tricky shots around the greens. Featuring a Hi-Def Alignment System for better aim, a Hybrid-like sole design that moves through the turf smoothly for less stubbed chips, and 37 degrees of loft to get the ball in the air quicker. Advice : Use when off the green, stroke like a putter, lower your score and hit first at the next tee box! ➲ www.odysseygolf.com
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Q-Link SRT3 Pendants
Worn by over 250 PGA Tour Players including several Ryder Cup members, the Q-Link has helped secure 50 Tour titles since 2000 including 3 recent Majors. No longer the PGA Tour Players Secret Weapon: it can be yours too. Do you lose your temper when you miss a putt? How do you deal with your nerves on the golf course? How often does your mental state control your game? As all the world’s top golfers know, the key to playing great golf is to control your mental game. The hottest new product on tour, the Q-Link pendant can deliver that mental focus and concentration you need to perform at your best on the golf course. Available in Black, White (pictured), Blue, Titanium, ‘Pebble’ and Silver (polished or brushed).
Long time Q-Link wearer Justin Rose made sure to clinch the 2007 European Order of Merit with his win at the end of season Volvo Masters. Rose, who has moved up to No. 7 in the world rankings and top of The Ryder Cup points list for Europe says of Q-Link, “You can walk up and down this range looking for drivers, putters, wedges, but there’s not that many products that have been as successful as the Q-Link in terms of victories on the PGA Tour”
RRP : from 135 € ➲ www.qlink.es ✆ +34 902 887 183
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20th Edition
Eberhard & Co.
Peugeot Golf Guide
The European Tour Yearbook 2008
120ème ANNIVERSAIRE
Europe’s Top 1,000 Golf Courses. 2008-9
Padraig Harrington’s memorable triumph in The 136th Open Championship at Carnoustie and Angel Cabrera’s stunning victory in the US Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club are two of the many highlights in the 20th Anniversary Edition of The European Tour Yearbook on sale now. The Yearbook has been an integral part of The European Tour for the past two decades and the 20th edition once again captures all the excitement and emotion of a momentous and historic year as well as celebrating the phenomenal growth of the Tour since 1988. Also featured are chapters outlining a record breaking season on the European Seniors Tour for England’s Carl Mason, how Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera emerged as the Number One on the 2007 Challenge Tour Rankings and who won the season’s Golfer of the Month and Shot of the Month Awards. This Official Publication makes a wonderful addition to your golfing library, highlighted by the Major Championship victories of Harrington and Cabrera, who feature on the cover with their respective trophies. RRP : £25.00 (UK) Or you can order the 352 page full colour European Tour Yearbook as a visitor to: ➲ www.europeantour.com for only £14.00 (excluding postage and packaging) through: ➲ www.europeantourshop.net
The 9th edition of the 2008/2009 Peugeot Golf Guide to Europe’s Top 1,000 Golf Courses, a reference work for all European golfers, is fresh off the press. The book is a meticulously amassed store of information supplied by “inspectors”, who for the past 12 years have “ghosted” their way down the fairways of all the golf courses in Europe.The team is one of around sixty inspectors made up of professional golfers, amateur champions, journalists specializing in golf course architecture or enlightened enthusiasts hooked on this wonderful game. It’s time to celebrate an era. Eberhard & Co. celebrates 120 years of history, of great tradition and steady innovation with a very special chronograph - it’s “Chronographe 120ème Anniversaire”- dedicated to this event. ✆ +34 952 817 289 ➲ www.gomezymolina.com ➲ www.eberhard-co-watches.ch
The aim of the book remains first and foremost to introduce as many people as possible to the cream of European golf courses. With 7 million golfers and over 6,000 courses, golf is still Europe’s number one individual sport where the economic stakes are often high. The Peugeot Golf Guide takes a leaf out of the Michelin Guide, to become the reference for golfers of all levels and players who love the thrill and excitement of discovering new courses. RRP : 34 € Michelin distributes the Peugeot Golf Guide to “Europe’s Top 1,000 Golf Courses” and in bookshops across Europe. The book is also on sale at leading golf stores and selected pro-shops. ➩ contact@peugeotgolfguide.com ➲ www.peugeotgolfguide.com
048 YOUR GAME
EAT GOLF! TV Here are some basic guidelines to put your best foot forward on the course when it comes to fashion. Let’s face it - when we feel good, we play well!
Meet the Stars - Experience the Lifestyle - Feed your Passion. Watch the preview trailer of our latest project. Send us your feedback & await further developments! ➲ www.eatgolf.tv
FAIRWAYLIFE
ANNA RAWSON’S FASHION TIPS
Home of Eat Golf! on-line, view articles from past issues, book discounted golf, and even keep up to date with the latest weather reports! ➲ www.fairwaylife.com
FISCHER OPEN GOLF SERIES Stick to Neutrals Right now fashion for both men and women has moved away from bright fluorescent colors. Fashion is currently focused on blacks, grays, whites and neutrals. This should be easier on everyone’s wardrobe because everyone typically owns the core basic colors, and it will be much easier to match everything now. Several pairs of pants and shirts can create many outfit combinations for the golf course. But definitely save those bright colors. Just pack them in a box and file them at the back of your
wardrobe for now. More than likely the will come back in again. Toss Your Prints Prints and patterns are also not in style right now. The only exception is simple stripes and argyle, which never goes out of style. Store away the floral and geometric patterns. Rather than going for prints, you can experiment with textures like wool, cashmere, silk and micro fiber. Soft cashmere shirts are great for cooler weather. They also look and feel amazing when wearing them.
Register to compete on the finest golf courses the Costa del Sol has to offer and keep up to date with the progress of the coveted Fischer Order of Merit. ➲ www.fischeropen.com
050 YOUR GAME Club used: X-Tour Wedge
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PRO ANALYSIS 051
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052 YOUR GAME
HIT THE FADE To fade the ball, as you are looking down at the ball at address, you need to create some clockwise spin in order to create that left to right curve. Try: s Weakening your grip a little, (showing 2 knuckles at address (pictured above). s Aim your feet to the left of target. s Swing along the line of your feet in the downswing, creating the required out-to-in swing path sIn the follow through feel that the shaft is pointing to the right, this delays the release of the club for a fraction of a second helping you get the clockwise spin that you need. The ball may not fly as far as usual, and also a little higher, so be aware of this when selecting your club.
WHEN TO
shape it By Sam Pleshette, PGA Professional
Your ability to shape your shots can really improve your score in a round of golf. Knowing how to draw and fade the ball can put you in better positions from the tee, manoeuvre the ball around obstacles, combat windy days and help attack pin positions to give you better birdie chances. Practicing this educates your hands, helps you understand why the ball curves and improves your general control of the golf ball. Plus your ability to control
the golf ball rather than the golf ball controlling you goes a long way in determining your success as a golfer. It’s good fun too! On this page I am approaching the 7th green at El Chaparral. You can see how this approach shot suits a fade, a shot coming in from left to right. You can tell this by looking at the shape of the hole. If the hole is shaped left to right, it will suit a shot of the same shape. Attempting a draw from this situation runs the risk of
ADVANCED TIP 053
HIT THE DRAW To draw the ball you need to create anticlockwise spin, similar to a Beckham free kick. To do this try: s Strengthening your grip to show at least 3 knuckles at address (pictured above). s Aim your feet to the right of target. s Swing along the line of your feet in the downswing to create an in-to-out swing path. s Feel that the club shaft points to the left in the followthrough. This will encourage a more aggressive release of the club, creating that elusive anticlockwise spin required to make a draw. When drawing the ball you effectively take loft off the club, so the shot will tend to fly a bit lower and a little further than usual. Again, be wary of this when selecting your club for the shot.
hitting the tree to the right of the green, and shooting off the down slope short of the green, as the effective landing area and size of the green coming in from the wrong side is much smaller. Pictured above, I am now on the 15th tee, and as you can see from the shape of this hole, a draw shot will help me get around the corner of the dogleg, while keeping my ball away from the trees on the left hand side putting me in great position for my approach shot.
Everybody has a natural shape whether that be a draw (not too common) or fade (more likely!), so in order to create the opposite one can be quite difficult. Experiment and practice all the points above in order to know exactly how much you can draw or fade the ball with different clubs. If you are struggling with either shape, exaggerate any or all of the points, and even try gripping the clubhead slightly open (to fade) or closed (to draw). Now go and practice it to add some fun to your practice sessions!
Sam Pleshette is a PGA qualified Teaching Professional at El Chaparral Golf Academy. 9 hole playing lessons are available for 95€ with greenfee included. For more information contact: ✆ (+34) 669 643 427 ➩ sam@golfelchaparral.com ➲ www.sampleshettegolfacademy.com
054 YOUR GAME
When you watch the pros, they always hold their finish...
hold your swing By Anna Rawson LET & LPGA Tour Player Amateurs always want swing advice. But the most common thing amateurs do not do is hold their finish. This results in unfinished swings that can send the ball sailing way offline. When you watch the pros, they always hold their finish, and therefore their shots rarely fly offline. Not holding your finish can come from having doubt or worry about the shot at hand. Be decisive. Pick your shot, trusting it all the way to the finish, and watch your ball sail closer to the pin.
ANNA RAWSON’S CORNER 055
conquer bunkers Stay Tall and Relaxed The first thing I see most amateurs do in bunkers is dig themselves deep into the sand. This usually results in a digging swing where they get a lot more sand than ball resulting in inconsistent shots. The key for me in bunkers is to stay tall while putting most of my weight on my left side. My stance is always open, and I swing along my feet line. My shoulders are tilted backward, and I try to slice the top of the sand. I then accelerate through the ball keeping my hands high and open. Before stepping into the bunker I try to imagine throwing a high ball. The follow through on the throw is how I want my hands to accelerate through the shot. This will result in a nice highball flight, which stops quickly on the green. Just like chipping, don’t forget a spot for the ball to land.
056 YOUR GAME
forged or cast? By David Poulton, PGA Professional KZG World Top 100 Club Fitter 2007 Clubmaker of the Year Spain 2007
Forged clubheads have been used by professionals for decades because of their superior feel, consistency and control of distance, especially with the medium/short irons and wedges. Yet for over 30 years the cast stainless steel cavity back iron has been the dominant choice among amateur golfers.
The major brands all mass produce cast heads, firstly because it’s cheaper, and second because they can produce a clubhead that can be made bigger in order to redistribute weight. The process of making them involves pouring molten metal straight into a mould, and the resulting clubheads are durable, strong and very hard. Forging irons involves taking a piece of soft steel and stamping or pressing it into shape. The material used is much softer due to the carbon content, which gives forged clubheads their wonderful feel. In the past, iron head designs featured one piece construction which offered the ultimate in
consistency but didn’t offer the designer much flexibility. Traditionally this meant that they came in the form of blades (no cavity) which were less forgiving, whilst the process of making them also meant that the size of the clubhead was limited. It was therefore often assumed that forged irons were only for professionals. The selection available to the amateur looking for a forgiving iron, and who may be interested in a forged clubhead used to be virtually nonexistent, but this is no longer true. New multi-piece clubhead construction designs have brought massive advances in weight distribution around the
CLUB FITTING 057
If you are using a cast wedge or sand wedge with a big cavity in the back you should really switch to a forged wedge...
clubhead. This is because a bigger head enables the designer to put more weight at the bottom of the club, making it easier to get the ball airborne. It does not mean the sweet-spot is 10 times bigger. There has been an emergence of forged cavity back clubs which has given golfers the benefit of both worlds. A high handicap golfer can now get an oversize head (more confidence), with a lot of weight at the bottom (increased launch angle) and a wide sole (forgiveness at impact) whilst enjoying the feeling of a forged clubhead. Although blades are still going strong in the professional ranks, there has now been a
significant shift to the cavity back by a large number of pros, as they can now have a forged clubhead or forged face. If you are using a cast wedge or sand wedge with a big cavity in the back you should really switch to a forged wedge to appreciate how many shots you are losing. All pros use at least 2/3 forged wedges not 17.4 stainless steel wedges (very hard) which I often see amateurs using. Many golfers who don’t appreciate club fitting and buy their clubs from the shelf often come unstuck. When adjustments need to be made to their cast clubs they find only minor changes can be
made to the lie angle when a big adjustment might be required. If you have your cast clubs custom fitted correctly and the cast clubs suits your budget then you don’t have anything to fear. But they are not the best quality available in the market place today.
058 YOUR GAME
REFLECTION ON APPROACHES TO
sport psychology By Allison Dyer BSc, MSc, C.Psychol
The majority of the sport psychology work I do with my golfers tends to take place on the range, during practice sessions with their coach, throughout practice rounds, before a tournament or after a round.
www.sportpsychologist.org.uk www.sportpsychologyonline.com
TOTAL SPORT PSYCHOLOGY 059
Working with the golfer in real golfing environments, as opposed to sitting down in an office for example, is extremely beneficial.
Working with the golfer in these real golfing environments, as opposed to sitting down in an office for example, is extremely beneficial. Working within the individuals climate provides me with invaluable information. I can gain a real insight into the golfer and the factors that contribute to their performance. The more information I have about the golfer, the more insights I have, the more I understand them and so the more impact I am likely to make!
Working through and alongside the players coach has proven vital. This way, we are all clear as to the areas the golfer is working on and where appropriate I can help reinforce the coaches messages in my own sessions. Likewise the coach can do the same with my input. It is essential that the sport psychologist and coach provide an integrated, collaborative approach. A support network that the golfer can trust and rely on.
Observing the player in their practice environment is a great opportunity for picking up on habits, patterns and routines that are both helpful and unhelpful to the player. Humans tend to be habitual, we tend to do the same things in the same way without reviewing and challenging our processes because that is what we are comfortable with doing – its easier. Often my observations and reflections will provide an objective and alternative perspective to the individuals approach to practice.
Integrating with the players partner, family and friends, where appropriate, can be useful. These individuals will often provide you with a perspective on the golfer that you have not seen before or perhaps describe an example or experience that sheds light on a particular value, belief or approach the player holds. If the player has a caddie, I become their new best friend! These guys tend to have an extraordinary insight into the golfer and the types of decisions they make in competitive conditions. It can be useful to liaise with the caddie (with consent from your player of course) to outline the key competition goals or processes the player is working towards so these can be supported throughout the round.
Along with the coach we reflect on what we need to improve and how and what we are pleased with and what we can do to help ensure we repeat these experiences. Where the standards are good we work out how to maintain those or even the new standards we are now going to set ourselves! Golf practice can be lonely and sometimes boring. We may work out ways of making each practice session as interesting, challenging, realistic and fun (very important!) as we can. Obviously everyone is different, we all have our own preferences, goals and ideals so these drive the decision making.
Working with and observing a player in their practice round can be vital. Typically we discuss game plans, identify chance and respect holes, identify marker points for reality checks (usually every three holes). We discuss the different scenarios the player could encounter throughout the round or tournament (a good or ugly start, horrific weather,
negotiation of a tricky hole, leading the tournament etc.) and chat through action plans for these “What if…” scenarios. We work out what the player could do and how they will choose to react should a particular scenario arise. What we think we are doing and what we are actually doing can often be two very different things which is why observing the golfers I work with in competition environments is essential. Do they live the behaviours they talk about? Do they stick to their game plan and competition goals? How do they deal with errors? What is their response to leading, a great hole or a great shot? How do they react? Observing their warm up can also be useful to understand how they prepare themselves mentally and physically. I look at the content, its timing and structure. Typically golfers will move on after a round without reflecting squarely on their rounds. They will tend to focus on the things that didn’t go so well. We look at what they have learnt, what they were pleased with, their consequent action plans. Many of my golfers engage in week after week of competition, travelling, living in rented accommodation, eating foreign food, in demanding environments. Not only are they playing for their keep so to speak they are functioning without their usual support networks, their partner, family, friends and often their coach. Living the same environments as the golfers through working on the different PGA tours has helped my understanding of the world these players are dealing
060 YOUR GAME
www.sportpsychologist.org.uk www.sportpsychologyonline.com
with, the tiredness, frustrations and so. These stressors can have a huge impact and shouldn’t be underestimated. Of course the elation, the sense of achievement and the excitement are part of the job too! I help the golfer manage these inevitable highs and lows.
I believe it is generally accepted these days that our mind set makes a huge impact on our game, and so working with experts trained in managing minds sets makes sense.
It is this type of support, integrated and holistic, that a world class golfer could expect. I believe it is generally accepted these days that our mind set makes a huge impact on our game, and so working with experts trained in managing minds sets makes sense. Not just for the professionals but also amateur golfers. Sport psychologists are no longer seen as shrinks but expanders! Sport psychology is certainly a growing field though there are few fully accredited golf specific sport psychologists in Spain or the UK. The two UK governing bodies that accredit sport psychologists are the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). Fortunately, since the birth of the internet, performance coaching services are now available on-line. This means we can all access accredited sport psychologists relatively easily.
accredited sport psychologist who develops an individualised mental skills program based on their specific requirements. Via the secure server, the golfer can chat online with their personal sport psychologist at flexible times that fit around their schedules.
I have become involved with an online service called Sport Psychology Online: www.SportPsychologyOnline.com It provides live, individualised mental game consultancy services to golfers of all standards and provides practical and easy to use, golf specific, mental toughness guidelines. On making an appointment through the Sport Psychology Online website each golfer is assigned their own
If you are interested you can find further information on the website (www.SportPsychologyOnline.com). You will find a free online mental toughness questionnaire. Within 72 hours of completing the questionnaire you will receive a summary of the key mental skills it is recommended you work on (based on your responses to the questionnaire). For many golfers (both amateur and professional) this website has opened up a new, flexible and accessible world of learning. Costs are reduced, as neither the golfer or sport psychologist needs to spend time and money travelling to a location to attend a session or meeting. The online nature allows the individual
to access learning when they want it, wherever they want it from expert sport psychologists. The downside to working with a sport psychologist online is that the golfer does need to be relatively adept with computers and the internet to benefit from this learning opportunity and of course that face to face contact that is so useful is lost. However, I have found that the individuals I have worked with online can be more open and honest about the strengths and weaknesses of their game. There is a level of anonymity that can allow the individual to be frank and to the point about their golf. Sport Psychology Online have found that a combination of on-line sessions, telephone sessions and face to face meetings can be really useful. On-line versus face to face, two very different approaches to sport psychology, both ways of potentially reducing that handicap!
062 YOUR GAME
the five factors INFLUENCING YOUR GAME
By Juan Barberis Internationally Certified Golf Fitness Trainer 1. The Golf Course 2. Your Natural Talent 3. Equipment 4. Mental Attitude 5. Physical Condition and Ability The first factor, the golf course, cannot be altered. The golf course has an inherent physical layout and presents challenges according to its design. The second factor, your natural talent or golf acumen, can only be altered slightly. You are born with a certain amount of hand-eye ball coordination, the key to conducting the golf swing properly and consistently. Only with regular lessons and lots of practice will you witness an improvement. With regards to equipment, a large percentage of golfers change their clubs on a regular basis only to witness little to no change in their game. As to mental attitude, golfers read articles and books on the ¨mental game¨ and how to ¨will¨ the ball into the hole, only to realize that they actually have to hit it in when the pressure is on!
Most golfers share one goal: to have fun and get the ball in the cup in the least number of shots without injuring themselves. Sounds simple, but let’s first understand the five factors that influence a golf outing and your game:
The final factor, physical condition and ability, is in most cases the least explored although it offers a proven path towards improving your game and decreasing your chances for injury. With the assistance of a reputable golf fitness trainer, you can learn how to improve your stamina, stability, strength, flexibility, balance, and ultimately your golf skill. You will learn about your individual deficiencies and how to correct them in order to attain the fundamental attributes of a good golf swing: symmetrical balance and core strength, with the ability to transfer your weight from one side to the other effectively and powerfully. If you have any questions, please contact me as I am happy to assist! Your in health, Juan
The biggest (and at the same time smallest) golfing craze to come out of Germany is now available on the Costa del Sol courtesy of
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064 GOLF & TRAVEL
2008 IAGTO Award Winners in association with Hertz:
Golf Resort of the Year, Europe: Carton House, Ireland Golf Resort of the Year, North America: Ginn Reunion Resort, Orlando, Florida Golf Resort of the Year, Rest of the World: Arabella Sheraton Western Cape, South Africa Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year: Vietnam Golf Destination of the Year, Africa & Gulf States: Mauritius Golf Destination of the Year, Asia & Australasia: Malaysia Golf Destination of the Year, Europe: Turkey Photo ©Aidan Bradley
THE MONTGOMERIE AT CARTON HOUSE, IRELAND
Golf Destination of the Year, Latin America & the Caribbean: Argentina Golf Destination of the Year, North America: Arizona
The IAGTO Awards in association with Hertz are the official annual awards for the golf tourism industry. The 2008 gala Awards evening took place at the Gran Melia Cancun, Mexico during the International Golf Travel Market in December 2007. Peter Walton, IAGTO Chief Executive comments: “The annual golf holiday is the highlight of the golfing year for many of the world’s 50 million players, and the IAGTO Awards serve to reward a few exceptional contributions to this world of golf travel.
There is certainly no shortage of candidates worthy of recognition. Many individuals, companies, organisations and destinations have excelled in delivering a great golfing experience to the golf traveller - the ultimate goal for all involved in golf tourism. Each year we recognise the performance of three of the world’s leading Golf Resorts, the flagships of our industry, and the ceremony culminates in the presentation of our Honorary Award in tribute to the achievements of one extraordinary individual.”
IAGTO Honorary Award: Annika Sorenstam
➲ www.iagto.com
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STOCK AND ASSIGNMENT OVER 2,500 GOLF PRINTS
AIDAN BRADLEY Golf Course Photography
066 GOLF & TRAVEL
Carne #17PM - Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland
north by north west IRELAND
By Sue Welbrock-Smith. Photos by Aidan Bradley. “Some of the Irish links, I was about to write, stand comparison with the greatest courses in the world. They don’t. They ARE the greatest courses in the world, not only in layout, but in scenery and ‘atmosphere’... and that indefinable something which makes you relive again and again, the day you played them.” Henry Longhurst.
Ireland’s golfing tradition is long and proud and stretches back to 1880 - the Golfing Union of Ireland, founded in 1881, is the oldest on record. This is a country which boasts over 440 golf courses spread throughout impressive countryside. They include 150 of the true links courses of the golfing world, which are, for purists, the only true ‘classics’. Breathtaking in the harsh ruggedness of its natural beauty, legacies of its glorious past are visible at every turn. Truth and legend are recorded in songs and tales, folklore and mysticism. It is not, therefore surprising that this is a country which has cradled many famous sons and daughters, writers, poets and musicians. As you travel around,
IRELAND 067
Ballyliffin #14 The Old Course - Inishowen, County Donegal, Ireland
you will see ancient monuments, crumbling castles, ornate stately homes and imposing cathedrals all attesting to a wealth of culture. Visitors cannot fail to be amazed by the spontaneity with which they are welcomed in the towns, villages, pubs and restaurants dotted along Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard. It has always been my experience that the people of this enchanted land know how to live life to the full, which makes it pretty certain that, as their guest, you will truly have the time of your life. Making your way around and down the coastline the countryside seems to become more and more breathtaking. Stark cliffs give way to low-lying boggy plains and rugged mountains inland. Roads
are near deserted, bordered by banks of fuschia, small homes dot the landscape, while cattle and sheep graze peacefully. Cascading streams tumble from high peaks, feeding eventually into huge tracts of water where nature provides a home for wild brown and rainbow trout and sleek salmon, while man has created oyster and mussel-breeding grounds. The waters take on an almost golden hue as they fall against the dark chocolate colour of the peaty soil, and this, over thousands of years, has provided fuel and fertilizer so essential to the region - not to mention giving that rare and distinctive flavour to the waters used in the distillation of local whiskies. Perhaps this is also redolent of
the Nation’s other famous liquid product, which usually comes in a straight-sided pint glass bearing the emblem of a harp. There are 53 of the world’s 151 Championship links golf courses in Ireland, making it an obvious and, hopefully, more than once in a lifetime destination for any golf enthusiast, from anywhere around the world. Here, too, you will find that fabled welcome. These are golf courses which, in spite of their exceptional quality, make no pretence to emulate many of those built more recently. Indeed, in that very word lies the essential difference between those designed and constructed by man and those whose very existence is entirely due to the
068 GOLF & TRAVEL
Ardglass #2 - Ardglass, County Down, Ireland
land provided by Nature herself. Towering dunes covered in the treacherous, long marum grass, with flowing valleys between and natural waterways, provide classic links land which is always playable - even during the often inclement winter months. A true test of the game in all its varying aspects, and with the elements thrown in for good measure Along the length and breadth of this golfing paradise which is the ‘Emerald Isle’, you will find golf (and accommodation) at affordable prices on an unsurpassed variety of courses. Some of the greatest links anywhere in the world are dotted around the coastline, complemented inland by a range of parkland courses and municipal ‘pay and play’ facilities.
Green fees range between 30 and 70 euros depending on the season - the product has has not lost its way in the all too manicured and glamorous world of golf increasingly portrayed. It is good, solid and honest and will make your heart sing at its very sight! The north / north west has increased in appeal to overseas golfing tourists in recent years. Courses like Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Bundoran and Murvagh, Rosapenna and Ballyliffin, Portsalon and nine holes at Cruit Island have become firm favourites. East of Derry, you pass west and southwards through the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Connemara and Galway - regions literally ‘littered’ with championship courses, challenging links and
a range of nine hole courses. The car ferry across the mouth of the Foyle, linking Donegal with the north Antrim coast, where such gems as Portrush, Castlerock and Portstewart are to be found has only served to increase the attractions of the region as a golfing destination. Eleven golf courses come under the promotional banner of the North & West Coast Links occupying some of the most beautiful and unspoilt scenery in Europe - scenery which has a raw beauty all its very own. Ardglass, Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Ballyliffin, Portsalon, Rosapenna, County Sligo, Donegal’s ‘Murvagh’, Enniscrone, Carne and Connemara. The Fáilte Ireland North & West Coast Links Golf Bureau provides information
IRELAND 069
Royal Portrush #13 - Portrush, County Antrim, Ireland
on both golf and accommodation, offering a comprehensive golf bookings service. As yet, this writer has been fortunate enough to play all but three of the above, and can honestly review those which follow.
Pure links, it is perhaps his finest architectural achievement, regularly ranks in the world top twenty and has had the honour of hosting the first Open Championship to be held in Ireland in 1951.
Portrush was built back in 1888. ‘Royal’ since 1892, the Club comprises two magnificent tests of links golf - the Dunluce and Valley courses - and is definitively one of the natural wonders of the golfing world. (A 9-hole ‘pitch and putt’‘The Skerries’- course has proved highly popular with holiday visitors, since both clubs and balls may be hired on site from the ticket office).
The layout is on the higher, more open ground, with views out over the sea on all but two or three of the holes. You will find no trees - in a sense no rough - just tees, fairways, sand dunes and greens. Of the par fours, only three could be really described as straight - the rest are dog-legs requiring solid play and a high degree of accuracy off the tee. Positioning the ball to permit clear sight for the second shot is essential to avoid hitting your approach with barely a tantalizing glimpse of a flag fluttering on a distant, invariably small, wickedly-contoured green!
At 6,845 yards, par-73, the Dunluce Links is a championship layout, redesigned in its present form by Harry S. Colt back in 1947.
It’s an uphill walk to the tee of the par-3 third named ‘Islay’ - a 159 yard hole from which you can see the entire extent of the links. The stage is set as the coastline stretches before you - the White Rocks, castle ruins, nearby hills, offshore island of Ratlin and the Skerries, together with (if you’re truly blessed) the darker, more distant shape of Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre. (If things are going reasonably well, you may take time to notice the masses of wild dwarf roses waiting to claim an erratically-played shot...) The Valley - also a championship course of 6,304 yards, par 70, is laid out on natural seaside turf in what is referred to as the old War Hollow. The ground is fractionally more sheltered here, somewhat lower and remarkable in so far as
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Portstewart Golf Club #15 - Portstewart, County Londonderry, Ireland
the layout only includes twenty bunkers - a fact which is more than compensated for by the natural hazards and small, cunningly sited greens! The par-5 fourth is the aptly-named, 534 yard ‘War Hollow’, playing from a long, high tee, over the ridge into a hollow stretching a further 300 yards even after a reasonable drive. Interestingly, it is Ladies golf which owes a considerable debt to Portrush, when in 1895 it became the first course outside England to host the British Ladies’ Championship. Since the extension of a magnificent main building, termed the Rathmore Club House, the Ladies revel in their own separate facility where ‘tea, tlc and homemade buns’ are always on hand!
Castlerock was founded over one hundred years ago in 1901. The original layout was expanded to eighteen holes in 1908 by the reputable Scottish Professional Ben Sayers, from North Berwick, with Harry Colt later introducing a number of changes in 1925. A few miles across the River Bann from Portstewart there are spectacular views up and down the coastline, with the impressive headland of Inishowen, in Donegal, in the distance to the west. The Championship Mussenden course (par-73, 6,747 yards) is again a classic links layout and will test every shot in your game. The signature hole here is probably the 200 yard par-3 fourth, ‘The Leg o’ Mutton’. Bordered by a local railway to its right (out of bounds!) and
burn to the left - wind speed and direction will inevitably influence club selection off the tee. The 9-hole Bann course incorporates a stunning par-5, which runs virtually along the river’s edge. To give you some rough idea, ‘Banview’ has been described as one of the most scenic holes in Irish golf... Lying approximately mid-way between the two is Portstewart. Again you will find classic links golf at its very best. The Strand Championship (par-72, 6,895 yards) is dominated by towering dunes with magnificent views at every turn - the blue hills of Donegal, rolling Atlantic and tranquil River Bann. The second course - The Riverside (par-68, 5,725 yards) is by contrast almost parkland, laid out skirting the banks of the Bann and just a little more ‘user friendly’!
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Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Links OTM - Downings, County Donogal, Ireland
The Strand opened in 1922, and the subsequent addition of seven new holes amid the dunes resulted in the Championship course as it is played today. From the moment you step onto the hugely elevated and intimidating first tee - a par-4 of 427 yards, stroke index 11 - the stage is set. A magnificent starting hole - as if the dunes themselves were not challenge enough - the course incorporates wickedly-sited bunkers. On those (rare!) gentle days when the fairways allow a good amount of run on the ball and the breeze is just ‘a breeze’, with careful course management, it should, however, still be possible to post a respectable score... And if you thought the first tee was impressive, just wait until you climb up onto the second... Well worth the visit!
Rospenna Golf Links, Donegal, lie at a point where the bays of Sheephaven and Mulroy converge at Downings. ‘Dun na nGall’ means, in Gaelic, ‘the fort of the foreigner’. Here you will find two great links golf courses, outstanding for their amazing golfing pedigree - The Old Tom Morris and Sandy Hills. The Old Tom Morris Links (named after the St. Andrew’s winner of 4 British Opens in the 1860’s) is reputed to have been staked out by him in 1891, immediately upon visiting the region and before returning home to Scotland. Word of his ‘discovery’ spread quickly and Rosapenna became a place of pilgrimage for golfers at the turn of the century. Harry Vardon and James Braid subsequently made modifications of their own, lengthening the course and creating
more detailed bunkering, but wisely leaving the wonderful natural greens. Their design holds true even now, while refurbishments which have since taken place make it a must play course. Fully 100 years later Rosapenna’s present owner Frank Casey entrusted his dream of a second 18 holes to designer Pat Ruddy, and Sandy Hills was born. The course has been referred to as the ‘most difficult golfing challenge in Ireland’. Those difficulties are, however, amply compensated by the magnificence of their surroundings and complemented by a suitably welcoming hotel which overlooks the Bay. Here tradition and elegance combine to provide the perfect atmosphere in which to relax at the end of your day.
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County Sligo Golf Club #3 - Rosses Point, County Sligo, Ireland
County Sligo at Rosses Point has a long and venerable history, and has been home to the West Ireland Championships since 1923. Three huge beaches keep the Altantic at bay to the west, while inland there is the towering shadow of Benbulben. The winds off the sea are the overriding factor when playing here, compensated in some small measure by downhill drives from the elevated 3rd, 5th ,10th & 14th tees. While it’s fair to say that the fairways are relatively generous, bunkers and rough are punishing. Apart from a few blind shots, it’s truly up to the player to pick a way through! Laid out over, and with the least possible disturbance to the dunes of the Murvagh Peninsula on lands leased from the Forestry
Department, Donegal ‘Murvagh’ is an outstanding course. It is the longest in Ireland at 6,764m and one of the longest in Europe. Ruddy’s work has further enhanced the course by upgrading many of the greens and introducing new fairway bunkers. Also by cutting a narrow opening through the dunes at the 18th, he has redefined this par 4 as the signature hole of the course. Enniscrone is one of Ireland’s finest links courses set in the scenic splendour of Killala Bay, with two of the par 4’s running along Scurmore beach. A Championship venue, this is the ultimate golfing experience with dramatic dunes and breathtaking views. Steel’s expert and inspired design for the additional 6 holes,
wending their way through the mountainous dunes, has added an exciting dimension to the 27 hole layout. (The addition of 3 new holes to the 6 which were thereby relinquished has provided a further quality 9 holes). Telling the human story behind Carne Golf Links is as worthy as a description of the course itself, beginning as a consolidated community project - an effort to bring some sort of prosperity to an economically-depressed area. In accordance with Hackett’s credo, this is yet a further example of the crafting of land, sculpted through centuries into eighteen golf holes with as little disturbance as possible to the natural landscape. His last design, it is now considered by many to be his
DON’T MISS OUT!
Royal Portrush #5 - Portrush, County Antrim, Ireland
best. The course lies in magnificent, unspoiled dunes overlooking the rocky Atlantic coastline of Blacksod Bay near Belmullet, County Mayo. With breathtaking views over the legendary islands of Inos Glóire and Inis Géidhe, the course is challenging in its 6,120 m. The names of the holes are taken from local history and the legends surrounding it - links at its wild and very best! Connemara Championship Golf Links was originally a traditional 18 hole links, nestling between the Twelve Bens Mountains and the Atlantic in one of the most splendid settings imaginable, to which in 2000, a further 9 holes were added. A combination of dramatic, rocky outcrops and unique coastal dune-land give the sensation that one might be playing on a lunar landscape, with waves crashing in the distance. The first few holes seem relatively benign (for these parts!) but by the 8th you begin to appreciate the real test ahead. This, along with the 9th and 13th are true gems. The author would like to thank the following for their unstinting support which has been pivotal in the preparation of this article: North & West Coast Links Golf; Fáilte Ireland - West; Discover Ireland.com; All of the Golf courses reviewed above (“A great welcome, great soup & sandwiches!”); SAS Radison & Clarion hotels, Sligo; Moylett’s family-run Downhill House /Inn & Eagles Leisure Club at Ballina (professional hoteliers, who still believe service counts for everything); Abbey Glen (“the party’s not over till they move the piano indoors!”) at Clifden; Foyles Hotel (with its excellent attention to detail and glorious food) also at Clifden; John Glynn’s Clayton Hotel, Galway. (“Great Gala Dinner!”); Wilson’s new Dx2 Soft Ball (“How many did you lose??”); Glenmuir (who made sure there were long sleeved polos against the wind).
North & West Coast Links Golf ✆ +353 (0)91 868642 ➩ wclgolf@iol.ie ➲ www.northandwestcoastlinks.com Castlerock Golf Club, ✆ + 44 (0)28 708 48314 ➩ info@castlerockgc.co.uk ➲ www.castlerockgc.co.uk Portstewart Golf Club, ✆ + 44 (0)28 8083 2015 ➩ bill@portstewartgc.co.uk ➲ www.portstewartgc.co.uk Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort ✆ +353 (0)74 91 55301 ➩ reservations@rosapenna.ie ➲ www.rosapenna.ie County Sligo at Rosses Point ✆ +353 7191 77134: ➩ countysligo@iol.ie ➲ www.countysligogolfclub.ie Donegal ‘Murvagh’ ✆ +353 7497 34054: ➩ info@donegalgolfclub.ie ➲ www.donegalgolfclub.ie Enniscrone ✆ +353 96 36297 ➩ enniscronegolf@eircom.net ➲ www.enniscronegolf.com Carne golf Links - Belmullet Golf Club ✆ +353 97 82292: ➩ email: carngolf@iol.ie ➲ www.carnegolflinks.com Connemara Championship Golf Links ✆ (+353) 95 23502/23602: ➩ links@iol.ie ➲ www.connemaragolflinks.com Royal Porturush Golf Club ✆ + 44 (0)28 7082 2311. ➩ info@royalportrushgolfclub.com ➲ www.royalportrushgolfclub.com
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la serena golf MURCIA, SPAIN
In a region which is said to have one of the lowest annual rainfalls in Spain, the last thing you would expect to find is a golf course which has water on 16 of its 18 holes. La Serena Golf has been uncompromising in its vision to create a unique and playable American style course with ‘agua’ as its primary focus.
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La Serena Golf is a par 72 layout designed by past European Tour professional Manolo Piñero, and encircles the 500 year old ‘Torre del Rame’ which was originally built to keep watch for pirates who took refuge in the tranquil waters of the Mar Menor. As with most areas in Murcia, the course is situated on a very flat piece of land, making it a great place for golfers who like to walk, whilst the plentiful water features combined with carefully positioned bunkering give the course its definition. You might imagine that with so many hazards that La Serena is going to be extremely challenging, but the trouble is always clearly in view, bar one tee shot on the short par 4, 13th. It is also relatively easy to navigate the many lakes by playing within your limits, as bail out areas are plentiful and spacious. Water must be crossed, however, on three of the par 3’s - the 3rd, 9th and 17th - and the tee shot of the 1st. Probably one of the hardest holes on the course if you’ve got a slice - it might be best to play stableford - as the first could be an intimidating start and wreck your card before you’ve even got going!
Once past this obstacle you’re in luck, as the par 4 second favours a fade. Aside from the ever present water, the fairways are generous and well shaped, making this a good drivers course. There’s a great deal of variety on offer here, with different length par 4’s ensuring players should find themselves requiring the use of many different clubs to approach the greens.
The putting surfaces are already in fantastic condition, extremely true and running at a good pace. The majority of greens are also quite large, with subtle undulations and a few steps where appropriate. Whilst their size might make them easier to hit, there are also some potentially very long putts to be found! The course has fantastic facilities, including a Golf Academy and a spacious clubhouse which is home to a stylish restaurant that makes excellent use of the first floor terrace. Serving Mediterranean cuisine with an innovative twist, views of the Mar Menor and course, the restaurant and golf at La Serena offer a great day out we can happily recommend.
La Serena Golf, Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain. ✆ +34 968 575 576 ✴ +34 968 170 173 ➩ info@laserenagolf.es ➲ www.laserenagolf.es
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on the right track NICKLAUS GOLF TRAIL
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Polaris World may be a familiar name to many golfers, having established itself as a residential golfing empire in the Murcia region of Spain. Perhaps lesser known is the fact that it is destined to be the location of one of the largest networks of Jack Nicklaus designed courses. Conveniently called the Nicklaus Golf Trail, there are currently three courses open with a further six planned and in development. Mar Menor was the first Polaris World to be developed, featuring a nine hole course which is to be revised and expanded to eighteen holes. Perhaps the most outstanding feature at Mar Menor however is the palatial chic and contemporary comfort offered by the Intercontinental Mar Menor Golf Resort & Spa. Anyone looking for a place to stay whilst sampling the golf courses could certainly do no better than the elegant rooms and suites of this 35 million euro hotel. Five star service, luxury and amenities are backed by diverse dining options which use only the freshest local produce, serving modern Spanish and World cuisine.
For more information visit: ➲ www.polarisworld.com
So once fed, watered and relaxed, you’ll be wanting to play golf. Detailed on the following pages are the two 18 hole Nicklaus designed courses currently open for play La Torre and El Valle Golf Resorts.
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La Torre Golf Resort A classic American style resort layout, La Torre winds its way through the Polaris World development with homes almost always in sight, but never in play. La Torre is visually appealing, and even with some challenging holes, this is an extremely fun golf course which can be enjoyed by players of all levels. That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of hazards to catch you out, because bunkering and water hazards are an integral part of the design.
The course is a par 68, with six par 3’s and just two par 5’s, one on the front and one on the back nine. Both are potentially reachable in two shots for the biggest hitters, but are protected by sand traps from the tee as well as the approach to the green, making the lay-up a more sensible option.
red tee) are particularly tricky due to a raised green on the former and a large lake awaiting to the right of the latter. The 5th hole (pictured above) shows the typical bunkering of the course, but gaping expanses of sand like this are sensibly reserved for areas where you should be playing a mid to short iron.
The par 3’s are a great mixture of length and difficulty, requiring anything from a mid-iron to a wood. The 3rd (164 m yellow, 134 m red tee) and 11th (170 m yellow, 114 m
It is not until the round is completed that you might realise there were less par 5’s than on a traditional layout, and this is possibly due to the fact that
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Nicklaus has built two fantastic risk and reward par 4’s which can be reached by a long and accurate drive. The first opportunity comes at the 6th hole (261 m yellow, 214 m red tee), where only a gaping bunker fifty metres shy of the green will stop those too tempted to try and carry it. If you failed to hit the 6th, then perhaps the 16th (276 m yellow, 210 m red tee) will bring more luck. A sharp dogleg right formed by a lake means that although any attempt at the green shortens the hole, it must
carry water all the way. Both of these holes have ample space to lay-up for a short approach into the green, and there is always more than one way to make a score without taking the risk. Stroke index 1 and 2 are both par 4’s. After a steady opening hole, the 2nd (383 m yellow, 311 m red tee) sees it’s difficulty in length, also played into the prevailing wind. The approach to the raised green of the 14th is not made any easier by the bunker waiting for a drive down the
left, and a knoll on the right which can leave the player with a blind shot. Par on either of these holes would be a good achievement! Even though La Torre is a par 68, it is a balanced design which flows exceptionally well. Clever shaping combined with the surrounding housing means that it never as flat as you might assume from the landscape, rather it ensures an easily walkable golf course. Think resort, playable and fun, and you have a good grasp of La Torre.
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El Valle Golf Resort A true desert style layout moulded on the designs found in places such as Arizona, El Valle is a smaller and more secluded development to La Torre. It succeeds in giving the impression of being in the middle of nowhere, especially when playing from the desert pan after a wayward shot! The course meanders it’s way through white housing, which is again far enough from the fairways to be out of range, yet helps in giving El Valle its own definitive feel.
A slightly more traditional par 71, many of the Nicklaus design characteristics which were evident at La Torre appear again here, though with an arid and more sandy make-over. Four par 3’s and three par 5’s might sound more manageable, but don’t be fooled, the par 3’s are certainly no push-over, whilst two of the par 5’s have a bit more bite to them. The par 4 first hole is a relatively gentle start providing you hit a good drive but, like La Torre, the
second (400 m yellow, 320 m red tee) could revoke any ideas you might have about setting a new course record. This is a long hole, slightly uphill with a raised green that will spit anything short back down to its base leaving a devilishly difficult chip to contend with. Although the fifth hole measures just 303 metres from the yellow blocks, a vast and deep trap is to be avoided down the left, whilst the boundary wall on the right is out-of-bounds. This creates a
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feeling of claustrophobia from the tee, and is perhaps the only disappointment in an otherwise fantastic 18 hole layout. Being a desert course, water only really comes into play on the 13th, 14th and 17th holes. The 13th (331 m yellow, 280 m red tee) in particular is a mischievous par 4 with a lake on the left encouraging you to drive own the right. This is not necessarily the best approach to come into the green however, as a stream running diagonally up the
right side of the green effectively makes for a smaller target, and perhaps a satisfying bogey... Thankfully this hole is surrounded by some other scoring opportunities, such as the short and driveable par 4 11th (260 m yellow, 186 m red tee). Played from a highly elevated tee up on the rocks, and offering great views, those that take the risk need to avoid the bushes on the right of the putting surface or they could well be teeing up again after a lost ball!
The closing stretch is set up by a par 3 measuring just 157 m from the yellows, and 115 m from the red tee. The elevated green is hidden behind a bunker, and from experience we can say that going long here is better than being short! After the uphill par 5, 16th, the two final par 4’s are a welcome sight, and serve to round up another excellent place to enjoy a round of golf. Nicklaus has made his mark in Murcia, and we look forward to seeing what his next build brings.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Thomson Perrett and Lobb Golf Course Architects Peter Thomson has described the desert site at Ain Al Emarat - location of his first signature golf course in the Middle East - as one of the best he’s seen in his 40-year golf course design career. ➲ www.tpl.eu.com
MOSELLE, LUXEMBOURG
THE EUROPEAN TOUR LANDS IN DUBAI
Kikuoka Country Club Golf architect Steve Marnoch has designed a six hole compact course featuring fully contoured synthetic sand filled greens with three synthetic tees per hole. ➲ www.golfmarnoch.com ➲ www.kikuoka.lu
NEW QUALIFICATION IN EUROPE It would be easy to criticise The European Tour for taking its most prestigious tournament away from Europe. But consider the offer made to them (detailed on the following pages) more carefully, and it becomes apparent that it is an opportunity too good to miss. Yes, it all comes down to euros at the end of the day, but who is at fault for this? Is it the Tour for creating a competitive structure based around money, or the players for participating in the tournaments that have the greatest financial rewards?
Regardless, money is part of the nature of modern golf and what drives it forward, and to attract the greatest players in the world to play on The European Tour rather than on the USPGA Tour they require huge investments. Consider also that to win the largest tournament purse in world golf players must compete in at least 11 events on The European Tour, and there is a greater chance than ever before we could be watching the likes of Phil Mickleson or Tiger Woods in Europe on a more regular basis. And that has to be a good thing.
The Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) has announced the introduction into Europe of an internationally recognised professional qualification for club managers. Pictured: Jerry Kilby, Jim Singerling, John McCormack and Joe Perdue. ➲ www.cmaeurope.org
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The European Tour and Leisurecorp, the company developing Dubai’s leading residential golf community at Jumeirah Golf Estates, have revealed a wide-ranging partnership which will create The Dubai World Championship, the world’s richest golf tournament with a US$10,000,000 prize fund. The partnership will run initially for five years, with an option to extend for a further five years, and will include the creation of the end-ofseason Dubai World Championship; an additional annual US$10,000,000 Bonus Pool; significant support for selected European Tour events; funding of The European Tour’s Physio Truck; the construction of a new International Headquarters for The European Tour at Jumeirah Golf Estates; and the creation of a global property company, in a joint initiative with Leisurecorp, to develop new tournament venues around the world.
George O’Grady and Alan Rogers (left), CEO of Istithmar World Real Estate on the Burj Al Arab hotel helipad
major developments ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR The world’s richest golf tournament has been revealed in perhaps one of the most significant moves The European Tour has made since establishing its partnership with Volvo in 1970.
The inaugural Dubai World Championship will take place from 19-22 November 2009, on either the Fire or Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, UAE, with the winner earning US$1,666,660 from the US$10,000,000 prize fund. The Dubai World Championship will provide a thrilling crescendo for spectators as it brings together the players numbered from 1 to 60 from The Race to Dubai formerly The European Tour Order of Merit - comprising all events on The European Tour International Schedule. The Race to Dubai, which for The Dubai World Championship
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem : Chairman of Dubai World “At Jumeirah Golf Estates we are creating the world’s leading residential golf community based around four of the world’s leading courses. It is absolutely fitting therefore that we should welcome the world’s leading tournament. “This deal is yet another step in Dubai’s evolution as one of the most important golf centres anywhere in the world.
From golf tourism to world-beating golf communities to world-class tournaments we can claim to offer it all. “It also marks an important step forward in extending the Leisurecorp brand across the globe. Leisurecorp already has assets around the world, and it will become an ever more important name in the golf and wider leisure industries in the coming years.”
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2009 will start in November 2008, will provide an annual Bonus Pool starting in 2009 at US$10,000,000. The Number One player will receive US$2,000,000, the runner-up US$1,500,000 and the thirdplaced player US$1,000,000, with prizes down to the 15th player, who will earn US$250,000. From 2010 it is anticipated that The Race to Dubai will commence in January and The Dubai World Championship will complete the season in November. The first five years of the partnership between the two organisations - which will officially start in January 2008 - will see the relationship being further cemented by the creation of a new International Headquarters for The European Tour. The purpose-built facility at Jumeirah Golf Estates will include a “Centre of Excellence”, providing a unique base for European Tour Members to practice and train at any time of the year.
across the world. Its portfolio includes Jumeirah Golf Estates; Pearl Valley Golf Estates, South Africa’s leading residential golf community, host to the December 2007 South African Airways Open; a major shareholding in Island Global Yachting, the premier owner, developer and manager of luxury marinas; a stake in Troon Golf, the world’s leading luxury-brand golf management, development and marketing company; and a shareholding in GPS Industries, the provider of Wi-Fi enabled global positioning systems (GPS) for golf and residential communities. The PGA European Tour, a company limited by guarantee, operates a broad range of business initiatives essential to its primary mission of administering professional
tournament golf. It is a unique business which generates profits for the benefit of the Members - the tournament players - who receive their dividends by way of competing and winning prize money. Former world number one golfer Greg Norman is designing the Fire and Earth courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates. According to George O’Grady, Norman has been talking about his plans for the last four holes and what he thinks he’s putting into this golf course to make it exciting. “He wants these holes to be really spectacular from a player’s point of view. But also, really good to watch from a spectator’s point of view, and also designed so the TV camera brings out the drama and the excitement that we need.”
The state-of-the-art fitness centre at The European Tour International Headquarters will also reflect Leisurecorp’s sponsorship of The European Tour Physio Truck, which will provide Tour Members with outstanding facilities on The Race to Dubai. Leisurecorp is a Dubai World company, supervising and managing a portfolio of businesses for the Dubai Government. Leisurecorp, which was established in July 2006, is responsible for identifying, acquiring and developing leisure and lifestyle related investments in Dubai and Jumeirah Golf Estates
George O’Grady : Chief Executive of The European Tour “This is so much more than a tournament sponsorship. It is a long term partnership which will see The European Tour and Dubai joining together to significantly enhance the game world-wide and take golf to a new level for spectators everywhere. “The scale of this agreement is testament to the vision of Dubai and its ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum who has recognised the dynamic role golf can play in developing the global profile of this amazing city. It is also testament to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who has been instrumental in turning that vision into reality. “The Race to Dubai will bring a new dimension to The European Tour, creating great drama and theatre throughout the year...”
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fantastic over there. It’s going to be a great end of season event for the European Tour and I think they’re really going to start attracting the top players and it’s going to turn into something quite serious.” Tim Clark, who currently plays on the USPGA Tour, said: “It’s certainly made me look at my schedule and reconsider joining the European Tour!” “It’s important that the European Tour continues to go from strength to strength because it fuels the USPGA Tour, it fuels golf worldwide, so it’s a big step. I think it’s great for them.”
players support dubai Leading players voiced their support for the new Dubai World Championship, the richest tournament in world golf, and the new Order of Merit, The Race to Dubai, at the South African Open, staged at Pearl Valley Golf Estates near Cape Town in December 2007. Retief Goosen led the plaudits, saying: “I think it’s been great. I’ve played more in Europe this year than I’ve played in America so it’s definitely great to see The European Tour getting what it deserves. I think it’s about time for America to see that there are other Tours out there.”
Pearl Valley Golf Estates : About A Jack Nicklaus-designed, 170-hectare championship golf course (par 72) set in the heart of the Cape Winelands. This magnificent course combines the architectural talents of golfing legend Jack Nicklaus with the stunning backdrop of the Drakenstein Mountains. ➲ www.pearlvalley.co.za
“We all know that Dubai is the big growing place in the world and the golf courses are great.” His fellow South African, Trevor Immelman, said: “I think it’s quite incredible what they’ve done, for Dubai World to come in and have this partnership with The European Tour. It’s obviously really going to be a shot in the arm for The European Tour to have this end-of-season tournament that’s worth so much money. “When you go to Dubai, the facilities are so fantastic over there and the golf courses are so
Greg Norman (pictured) said he believed the new events were of major importance for the game - and he welcomed The Race to Dubai as a way to attract the best players: “It’s the most positive thing I’ve ever seen happen to the game of golf... It’s not built around one player, it’s built around a process to get to the biggest tournament in the world and that process is you have to play 11 events on The European Tour, no matter who you are, and to get there you have to do it.” “It stimulates the game of golf on a global basis.” David Spencer, chief executive of Leisurecorp, which owns both Jumeirah Golf Estates and Pearl Valley Golf Estates, said he was delighted with the reactions of the players: “We’re very, very excited. We’ve done something together with The European Tour which really enhances golf in Europe the Middle East and Africa. I think these reactions endorse that view.”
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troon in greece
Troon Golf®, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing has announced that the Bay Course at Navarino will be designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jnr. The legendary golf course designer recently made his first working visit to the site to meet with Captain Vassillis C. Constantakopoulos, Founder and Chairman of Temes, the developer of luxury mixed-use resorts at Navarino in Greece. Captain Constantakopoulos signed the world renowned golf course designer to lead Greece in its quest to become a premier European golfing destination.
The Bay course at Navarino, to be managed by Troon Golf, promises to be a challenging yet fair test to golfers of all levels. Located along the idyllic western coast of the Peloponnese in the peninsula of Messinia, the course will meander through natural rolling hills and lush olive groves. Its beachfront position offers stunning views of the Ionian Sea and the historic Navarino Bay from the majority of the holes. “Just as marble sculptures of the classical period emerged from ancient Greece, we hope to sculpt a golf landscape worthy of the test of time on a site I
believe to be the best in Europe,” commented Robert Trent Jones Jnr. “This land is particularly gifted for that purpose, where the famous winds of the Greek isles will play across it, cooling the landscape. The course will provide unpredictable tests for all golfers while challenging championship play with flagsticks tucked behind hazards to defend them. We will keep the timeless traditions of ancient Greece and the Olympics in mind as we craft the Bay Course at Navarino for everyone to enjoy.” The first phase in the developing destination of Navarino will include two individual sites, spreading over a total of 270 hectares. This initial phase will incorporate four 5-star hotels, managed by international premier partners, several state-ofthe-art spas, luxurious villas, two signature golf courses and other numerous amenities. The Dunes course, designed by former Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer, in association with EGD, is also under construction and will be managed by Troon Golf. The Bay course and The Dunes course are both scheduled to open during 2009, and together with the favourable climate conditions, will establish Navarino as new highend year-round golf destination. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Navarino is committed to preserving the authenticity of the area, for guests to enjoy what has been part of the landscape for hundreds of years. Therefore only eight percent of the total land area will be developed, while, more than 4,500 olive and orange trees will be replanted.
Troon Golf : Company Info Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Troon Golf EMA is committed to developing Troon Golf’s presence in Europe, Middle East and Africa. This rapidly expanding division now oversees operations at 29 courses in nine countries including Dubai, Portugal, Spain and England with further expansion planned across all regions.
With global headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon Golf is the world’s largest golf management company, overseeing operations at more than 190 courses located in 32 states and 29 countries. Additionally, 35 Troon Golf facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon Golf properties include Castiglion del Bosco, Tuscany, Italy; The
Westin Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, Scotland; Classic Club, Palm Desert, Calif; The Montgomerie, Dubai, U.A.E; Brookwater Golf Club, Queensland, Australia; Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Algarve, Portugal; Palmilla Golf Club, Los Cabos, Mexico; and The Grove, London, England. ➲ www.troongolf.com
088 GOLF BUSINESS
madrid golf A HUGE SUCCESS FOR ALL
Eat Golf! spoke with Fernando Moreno, the organiser of Spain’s biggest golf fair about his success, and ambitions for the future.
How do you think the general perception of the fair has been? In general I think this year madridGOLF has achieved its consolidation. The fair has received 12,000 visitors, over 3,000 of them were professionals. Also this year we have had the support of golf material brands and we created two large driving ranges where people had the opportunity to test all the material and buy a made to measure club. We also had the Tour trucks here, in addition to numerous putting greens throughout the fair. It was a great event to attend, and seemed a lot bigger than last year. Was that the case? This year we have almost doubled the surface of the fair, going from
6,200 m2 to 10,500 m2, and for next year we will have 14,000 m2. The increase of the surface of the fair is a consequence of the success of the previous editions and the improvement of the attractions of the fair. How were the attendance figures this year compared to last? Would you say that the popularity of golf is growing in Spain? Precisely. Golf in Spain is growing significantly. Nowadays it is the third most popular sport in terms of number of federated players, and with this growth it will soon beat basketball. Also we are fortunate to have good weather that allows us to play all year round, and that doesn’t happen in the
north of Europe - making Spain the main tourist destination for Northern Europeans in winter. There were a large number of foreign companies at the fair. Is Spain a growing attraction for the foreign markets? With the increase of golf in Spain our market has become very attractive to everyone, and many of the foreign companies that have attended this year agree. The companies which attended this year have been extremely impressed with the Spanish market, so much so that most of them will repeat next year, and we will have even more new ones.
Stand of the Show : Single Home Transforming their stand to recreate the look and feel of the luxurious Finca Cortesin Golf Clubhouse in Casares (Costa del Sol), developer Single Home even went to great efforts, planting a real olive tree to mimic the flora of the course. Whilst the stand would not allow the spaciousness of the clubhouse to be fully conveyed, it provided a cosy place to view a scale
model of the development whilst enjoying a glass of wine from the bar. The Cabell Robinson designed golf course has been extremely well received, and a wide range of homes are available within its grounds. ➲ www.singlehome.es ➲ www.golfcortesin.es ✆ +34 915 934 070
MADRID GOLF SHOW 089
What makes Madrid the best place to host a golf event such as this? Madrid is the capital of Spain and has the best meeting centre in the country - and one of the bests in the world - a magnificent hospitality offer and it is located in the geographical centre of the country. For all those reasons we believe this is the best place to organise the fair, and also because over a quarter of Spanish golf players live in Madrid. Of the people that attended the Fair, would they be mostly from Madrid or form other regions as well? Logically, most of them live in Madrid, but they come more and more from other provinces and even from abroad. For example, from the Spanish professional visitors -of whom we have reliable data- 41,8% were from other provinces, and we received visitors from 13 countries. How does it look for the future? Have you set a date for the third edition of the Madrid Golf Show? The third edition of the fair will be larger, with 14,000 m2, more fun and we will have more material brands, larger Driving Range... it will be better in all aspects. Our ambition is to become the golf fair of reference in Europe and we believe we are on the right track to achieve this.
Product of the Show : Golf Bone Golf Bone is an original innovation by Sheffield born PGA professional Paul Fields (pictured) who patented the concept in 1998. A semi rigid suspension arm replaces the conventional single or double strap carrying systems. The device is unique in locating the ultimate 50/50 balance point, providing the only effective solutions associated with golfers back stress,
posture and fatigue. A single-handed loading operation leaves the golfer free from the cumbersome task of threading any arms through straps to create the world’s most advanced carry system. RRP : £39 (UK) Available early 2008. ➲ www.golf-bone.com ✆ +44 (0)114 2449248
090 EVENTS & LIFESTYLE
European Tour ORDER OF MERIT 2007 Final Standings 1. Justin Rose (ENG) €2,944,945 2. Ernie Els (RSA) €2,496,237 3. Padraig Harrington (IRL) €2,463,742 4. Henrik Stenson (SWE) €2,014,841 5. Niclas Fasth (SWE) €1,919,339 6. Angel Cabrera (ARG) €1,753,024 7. Andres Romero (ARG) €1,741,707 8. Søren Hansen (DEN) €1,692,054 9. Retief Goosen (RSA) €1,478,245 10. Lee Westwood (ENG) €1,420,327 11. Nick Dougherty (ENG) €1,409,658
PLAYING WITH THE PROS
Message from the editor. Nothing can prepare you for the experience of standing on the first tee next to Retief Goosen and Paul Broadhurst, facing a par 3 measuring 220 metres, up-hill, into the wind with the pin tucked tight back left of the green behind a bunker. Just to ‘lighten’ the mood, Wayne Grady and the Sky Sports TV crew are there to broadcast it, and just in case film isn’t a permanent enough medium, press cameras are out in force to capture your potential mistake. Throw in the crowd who
got wind of this little gathering for good measure, and first tee nerves begin to take on a whole new light. The pros, who put up with this kind of commotion on a weekly basis, are as relaxed as you might be for a Sunday four ball with your friends. For those tour players starting a Sunday final round in contention for the first time, I have new found admiration. My first shot at the 6teesix pro-am in Portugal will make any other golf shot I play easy by comparison. Would I do it all again? Sure, who wouldn’t?!
12. Colin Montgomerie (SCO) €1,403,293 12. Paul Casey (ENG) €1,389,887 14. Richard Sterne (RSA) €1,366,545 15. Sergio Garcia (ESP) €1,228,267
Full list of standings available on: ➲ www.europeantour.com
UNTIL FEBRUARY 28TH 2008
18 HOLES, 45.00 € ANY TIME - ANY DAY 2 PLAYERS & BUGGY
ONLY 90 EUROS
EARLY BIRDIE BEFORE 10.00 9 HOLES INCLUDING BUGGY & BREAKFAST ONLY 30.00 EUROS
Design ©Eat Publishing S.L.
TWILIGHT AFTER 15.00 9 HOLES INCLUDING A BUGGY ONLY 25.00 EUROS PER PERSON
ESTEPONA GOLF Arroyo Vaquero, Ctra. de Cádiz Kn 150. Aptdo. 532 Estepona Tel: (+34) 952 93 76 05 / Fax: (+34) 952 93 76 00 www.esteponagolf.com / information@esteponagolf.com
092 EVENTS & LIFESTYLE
6teesix GOLF PICKS UP THE PACE
How do you promote a new format of golf competition? Easy, get six of the top players from the European Tour to do it for you! 6teesix is the brainchild of William Anderson, and has been designed for golfers who don’t have the time to play a full round, but still want to be competitive when they get the chance. Intended to take just 60 minutes, two teams of six play in 3 pairs matchplay matches over six holes. A ‘pairs scramble’ format encourages faster play, as each time a pair hit a shot they pick the ‘best shot’ of the two and play from there. They then repeat this process for every shot over the entire 6-hole round. The ‘modified matchplay’ format sees one point scored for each hole won against the opposing pair and the 6 person team with the most points wins.
The lauch of this exciting new format took place on Oceânico’s Millennium course at Vilamoura prior to the Portugal Masters on 16th October 2007. Sponsored by Oceânico Group, 10,000 euro was on offer to the Captain of the winning teams charity of choice. Darren Clarke, heading the Rest of the World team, took the prize which he donated to the Darren Clarke Foundation to help fight breast cancer. The event was broadcast on Sky Sports, and the European Tour Weekly have kindly sent us their footage which you can watch on www.eatgolf.tv For more information on how you can set up a 6teesix competition, or to take part in the 6teesix Pairs Knockout taking place at venues across Britain in 2008 visit: www.6teesix.com
Above: England Team (from left to right) Paul Broadhurst, Nick Senior (Eat GOLF!), Lee Westwood (Captain), Peter Dixons (The Times), David Howell & Kevin Brown (Today’s Golfer) Below: Rest of the World Team (from left to right) Retief Goosen, Jock Howard (Golf World), Darren Clarke (Captain), Shane O’Donogue (Journalist), Paul McGinley, Bernie MaGuire (Irish Times)
6TEESIX 093
Results (England vs ROW) Lee Westwood & Kevin Brown 2 points vs Darren Clarke & Jock Howard 4 points David Howell & Peter Dixons 1 point vs Paul McGinley & Bernie MaGuire 5 points Paul Broadhurst & Nick Senior 4 points vs Retief Goosen & Shane O’Donogue 2 points Final Scores England 7 points vs Rest of the World 11 points
094 EVENTS & LIFESTYLE
40th anniversary ATALAYA OLD COURSE, 1967 - 2007
In beautiful weather, the celebration day started with a two shot-gun start Pro-Am competition at 08.00h and 13.00h on the Old Course due to the high interest of members and VIP guests. Forty foursomes, each with a Pro, battled for the attractive prizes. The course was in excellent condition and the greens faster than normal, to everyone’s delight, thanks to head greenkeeper Manolo Cuadro and his team. After the prize giving all proceeded to the Salon Malaga, for the Gala Dinner, where event organiser Frank Beckmann welcomed the members and guests of honour, including Antonio Mena Castilla (Mayor of Benahavis), Rafael Montesinos (Deputy Mayor of Estepona), Miguel Troyano Fernández, (Deputy Mayor of Marbella and Mayor of San Pedro Alcántara), Angel de la Riva Gómez (President of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation)
and two personalities very closely associated with the Old Course: Verena Thost, daughter of Bernhard von Limburger and Derek Strachan, Atalaya golf professional since the opening of the Old Course. Unfortunately none of the past Golf Directors were able to attend, but Derek Brown, Jan Sonnevi and Mel Pyatt sent letters of congratulations. Mel Pyatt wrote “May I send my personal best wishes and offer my sincerest congratulations to Alex Hanschke, the board of directors and members of the Atalaya Golf Club on the 40th Anniversary. 21 years have passed since I had the pleasure of running the Club but it is extremely satisfying to see how the Club has progressed. Many congratulations and have a wonderful evening.” Angel de la Riva recalled his first round on the Old Course,
Top: (from left to right). Andrés Sánchez Garcia (General Manager of Atalaya Golf & C.C.), Mr. Angel de la Riva (President of the Real Andalucian Golf Federation) with Juan Rosa Rueda (President of the Association of Profesionals in Andalucia). Above: (from left to right). Prize giving party: Joaquin Martínez (Pro), Juan José de la Peña (Golf 56), Andoni Basterrachea, Pedro Mena Garcia with the prize sponsor, Mr. Erikkson. Opposite page: Top: 7.30 a.m preparing for the first shotgun at 08.00h.. Middle: View of hole 12 with the players. Bottom: Lady members enjoying the gala dinner at Atalaya Park Hotel.
ATALAYA OLD COURSE 095
Results 1st Place (126 shots) Joaquin Martinez Rueda,Pedro Mena Garcia, Andoni Basterrechea Palacios, Juan José de la Peña 2nd Place (130 shots) Victor Manuel Fernandez Martin, Luz Engleman, Francisco Sanchez, Jose Julian Lara Ruiz. 3rd Place (135 shots) Daniel Seron Lopez, Gerit lecompt, Lee Bristol, Salim Manji. Leading Professionals Daniel Quieros (70) Joaquin Martinez (70) Nearest to the Pin Andoni Basterrechea (hole 2) Bjarne Gronmark (hole 16)
remembering his first round on the Old Course when he was very impressed by the number and the size of our bunkers. He presented a silver plate commemorating the anniversary to Alexander Hanschke, President of the Company. Mr. Hanschke, in his speech, looked back into the history of the Old Course quoting Ben Wright who on March 7th, 1967 wrote in the Financial Times: “It is probably the most ambitious and exciting golf project in the world... and it will transform the Costa del Sol into best golf complex in Europe... Mr. von Limburger, a German whose idea was for the players to place their drive to the exact spot from where the elevated green, protected by bunkers, can be reached”. Mr. Hanschke expressed his strong feelings for the unique atmosphere
of friendship and sportsmanship that reigns between the members of many nations at the Club, and congratulated the Old Course on its 40th birthday, wishing it all the best for the next 40 years. During the dinner, commemorative trophies were given by the Company to past Presidents and other personalities who have contributed to the success of the Club, especially Juan Rosa Rueda, President of the Andalusian Association of Professionals for his contribution in organising the Pro-am and the many years that he worked at Atalaya Golf. The hotel Atalaya Park had prepared a fantastic dinner satisfying the tastes of all present. Members and guests sat together talking and drinking until the early hours of the morning. (It is understood that many cars remained parked at the hotel during the night!)
096 EVENTS & LIFESTYLE
A COMFORTABLE PARADISE The design of the houses at Bahía Golf follow the concept of elegance, harmony and tradition, carefully blended with the unique beauty of traditional Andalusian architecture. Built to exceptional specifications, with the highest standards of materials, finishes and exclusive details; not to mention the convenience of so much luxury, with items like automatic roller blinds throughout and security door with rustic finish. Top quality electrical appliances include a hydro-massage bath tub in master bathroom, front door video-intercom unit, refrigerator, washer-dryer unit. Bahía Golf also incorporates the latest domotic technology: alarms, water supply solenoid, connection for air-conditioning control and centralised blind control. The stamp of quality of Bahía Golf extends to the services and facilities that complement your lifestyle.
Bahía Golf Estepona Avda. del Litoral, 3 29650 Estepona ➲ www.bahia-golf.com ➩ comercialestepona@pallahnos.com ✆ (+34) 951 31 84 16 ✴ (+34) 951 75 88 49
EL HIGUERAL OPENS IN BENAHAVÍS A picturesque new 9 hole course nestled on the gentle slopes of the foothills in Benahavís, El Higueral is described by designer Roderick Bastard as “a par 36 resort course designed to maximise the players enjoyment of the game.” With natural lakes and black slate used to surround the man-made lakes, mountain views and island greens, the course has many unique features and vistas which surprise at every turn. El Higueral is sure to become a hidden gem for the area, with an extremely walkable and fair layout. The greens are already in immaculate condition, making for a memorable round that golfers will wish to play time and again. Pictured: Hole 3, Par 3. Hcp 4. 147m (white), 124m (yellow), 94m (red).
El Higueral Golf Urb, Capanes Golf Km. 3,7 Ctra. de Benahavís, 29679 Benahavís, Marbella, Malaga ✆ (+34) 639 79 35 42
098 PREVIEW
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