GOLF NEWS AUGUST 2021

THE UK’S NO.1 GOLF NEWSPAPER

ISSUE 290 | AUGUST 2021 | TWITTER: @GOLFNEWSMAG | WEB: GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

INTERVIEWS

TRAVEL & BREAKS

Guido Migliozzi Annika Sorenstam

Me and My travels with Andy Caddick

Xander Schauffele

Travel News

FALDO’S FINEST

EQUIPMENT

Playing the new-look Chart Hills

Mallet putters in the spotlight

THE OPEN IN FOCUS

Callaway launch new wedges

Images that captured all the thrills and spills from Royal St George’s

Ecco celebrate 25 years in golf

COLLIN MORIK AWA CH A M PION

GOLFER

OF

THE

Y E A R

COMPLIMENTARY COPY Est 1994

[2]

AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

HIGHER MOMENT OF ENJOYMENT. NEW

2021 PUTTERS

FEEL AND FORGIVENESS. Consistency and predictability in both feel and performance ensure these eye-catching 2021 putters improve results on the greens. They achieve new levels of forgiveness relying on multi-material construction and a soft, responsive new dual-durometer insert across 11 blades, mid-mallets and mallets.

© PING 2021

HIGH-DENSITY WEIGHTS TO OPTIMISE MOI DUAL-DUROMETER PEBAX FACE INSERT

NEWS | AUGUST 2021

[3]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EDITOR'S LETTER

NICK BAYLY

WHAT WILL YOU MISS ABOUT GOLFING UNDER COVID? How have you found your regular rounds of golf since our glorious game was deemed safe to be played under pre-Covid regulations on July 19?

Have you enjoyed seeing the ball disappear down the hole, rather than unsatisfyingly wobbling around on a raised platform 5mm below the putting surface?

Have you taken immeasurable pleasure from removing the flag and letting it drop in a delightfully carefree manner while you hole out that vital six-footer for a nett bogey? Have you revelled in exchanging scorecards again and high-fiving all three of your playing partners in turn after that securing that long-cherished par? Have you rushed back inside the clubhouse to change your shoes and enjoy a wellearned pint in the bar reading your awarding-winning copy of Golf News, all without having to wear a mask while you walk the five yards from the door to your table? Have you delighted in casually perusing the shelves of your pro shop, trying on club sweaters and restocking your ball supply after losing so many in this summer’s knee-length rough?

OK, that’s quite enough unanswered questions to be going on with. Needless to say, there are lots of things about playing under Covid conditions that I will quite miss. Back in May last year, I really enjoyed that first month or so when two-ball only rounds were the order of the day. You know, the ones where you left the house at 10.30, played 18 holes, and were back in time for the lunchtime edition of The Archers (insert your appropriate cultural reference here for a time that amounts to around three hours). Four-ball golf, where you only get to play for 25% of time, is for the birds, and for birds with lots of time on their hands at that.

I will also miss being banned from touching the flag. Although the Rules of Golf changed at the beginning of 2019 to allow putting with the flag in, the pandemic has – I truly, truly hope – served to eradicate many players’ godawful, time-wasting obsession of putting with the flag out even when they – along with everyone else forced to watch this drawn-out sporting fiasco –­ know they have less chance of getting their 40-footer within the same postcode of the cup than they would nailing a blancmange to the ceiling. #Flagshavefeelingstoo, so leave them alone people.

For those members whose clubs had been operating a ‘turn up and play’ system for the last two centuries,

FEEL. LOOK. PERFORM. #IWEARCALLAWAY

#IWEARCALLAWAY

the arrival of online, pre-booked tee times might well be the final nail in the coffin of their continued subscription, but they also might be the saviour of many clubs who previously put off potential members who didn’t fancy having to hang around for two hours before they could get on the course. I for one will not be leaving my 50p over the corner pocket anytime soon in the vague hope of getting some time on the green stuff. #Teetimeequalsmetime.

While I lament ‘The Return of the Rake’ (Mark Morrison’s little known follow-up album), I give thanks and praise for the red tape being cut from those lovely little benches that you often find behind the tees on par threes played from the top of a hill. The ones that shimmer like an oasis in the desert when you’ve reached the Promised Land and your legs are feeling a bit like a boxer whose taken an upper cut from Mike Tyson in the ninth. Now, getting up from both of those things is another matter entirely.

Call me old-fashioned, most people do, but I also welcome the return of the handshake. I’ve never been much of a hugger, back slapper, or indeed one for the double air kiss in mixed company, but I’d rather punch someone straight in the face than do another fist pump, foot rub, elbow nudge, ankle joust or any other form of appendage combat other than the good old hand-to-hand type. Firm, but not tight, and never with two hands. Leave that to presidents and vicars.

In the meantime, while we’re all getting used to new golf under the old normal, or old golf under the new normal, and half-way in between, I hope you’re getting out there and enjoying your golf in all its wondrous and varied forms. Life may never quite be the same again.

Find your nearest store at www.callawayeuropeapparel.com/store.asp

MAPLE HOUSE, THE SPINNEY, HOVE, BN3 6QT

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

DESIGN Creative Corner james@ wearecreativecorner.com

EDITOR Nick Bayly editor@golfnews.co.uk

PRODUCTION Kath Perry ads@golfnews.co.uk

EQUIPMENT EDITOR Dan Owen dan@golfnews.co.uk

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Matt Nicholson matt@golfnews.co.uk 01273 381794 PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images, Kevin Murray, Andy Hiseman

PUBLISHED BY BlueGreen Media REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Clive Agran

© Copyright 2021. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

www.callawayeuropeapparel.com

[4]

AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

InBrief THERE'S A TWIST IN THE TALE AT FARLEIGH ★ Sussex professional Michael Farrier-Twist won the Coca Cola PGA Assistants’ Championship after firing a final round 64 at Farleigh Golf Club to finish on 15-under-par and force a play-off with former European Tour play Kennie Ferrie.

The 29-year-old from Sedlescombe then won the second extra hole with a birdie to take the title and the £5,000 first prize.

GRIFFIN & HOUSMAN CLAIM MIDDLESEX SENIOR TITLES ★ Crews Hill’s Tom Griffin won the Middlesex Men’s Senior Championship played at Mill Hill after shooting rounds of 75 and 74. Playing in his first senior championship, Griffin’s nineover-par total was good enough for a four-shot margin of victory over Mill Hill’s David Sullivan, whose superb opening 73 was let down by a closing 80. The Women’s Senior Championship went to Wyke Green’s Lulu Housman, whose excellent rounds of 76 and 74 for a six-over par total of 150, saw her win by a stunning 19 shots from runnerup Judith Williamson, also from Wkye Green. Both winners will represent Middlesex at the County Champion of Champions tournament at Woodhall Spa in the autumn.

HAWKSBY HOLDS SWAY AT ESN ★ Millbrook Golf Club’s Jack Hawksby won the EuroPro Tour’s PDC Championship held at East Sussex National with a birdie on the final hole. Starting the final round three shots behind the leaders, and with winds gusting over 40mph, Hawkby fired a superb four-underpar 68 to win by one shot from Harry Goddard, who closed with a 71. The result saw Hawksby move up 57 places into the top five in the EuroPro Tour’s Race to Alcanada standings.

FEMALE ROUNDS SURGE DURING PANDEMIC BOOM ★ The ratio of male/female in golf participation in the UK has changed dramatically over the last 18 months, with nearly 1.5 million women playing golf at least once in 2020. The figures, based on research from Sports Marketing Surveys, shows that the total number of people who played a round of golf in the British Isles nearly doubled from 2.9 million to 5.2 million from 2019 to 2020. But of those, the number of women grew from just over 400,000 to 1.46 million, and from 14% of all golfers to 28%. More than 830,000 people tried golf for the first time during the pandemic and 95% said they will continue playing the game.

Hatton hoping for glorious homecoming at wentworth Tyrrell Hatton will be hoping to become the first player to defend his BMW PGA Championship title since Luke Donald in 2011-12 when the Ryder Cup star tees it up at Wentworth’s showpiece event from September 9-12.

Hatton will be joined on the West Course by fellow 2018 Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, as well as the 2020 Race to Dubai champion Lee Westwood and Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter.

The 2019 BMW PGA Championship winner and 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett will also be in action on the West Course, as will world no.23 Matt Fitzpatrick and four-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace.

They will all be hoping to delight the returning home fans at the Surrey venue, which will host some of the biggest stars of world golf in the final counting event for qualification to Pádraig Harrington's European Ryder Cup team, as they attempt to retain the famous trophy against the United States two weeks later at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

Last year, Hatton claimed his first BMW PGA Championship title, courtesy of a dominant fourstroke victory, which took him into the top ten in the world for the first time in his career.

The 29-year-old has since spent every week but one in the world’s top ten, holding his own as England’s highest-ranked male golfer and winning a second successive Rolex Series title at January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“I am really excited about returning to defend my BMW PGA Championship title,” said

■ CROWDS WILL BE BACK AT WENTWORTH TO WATCH EUROPE'S TOP PLAY ERS IN ACTION

Hatton. “To have the fans back at Wentworth is going to be pretty incredible and I’m sure they will create a memorable atmosphere.

“I was over the moon to put my name on the BMW PGA Championship trophy last October as this tournament has meant so much to me down the years. Defending that title in front of the home fans will be an extra special experience.”

As well as a host of tour stars, spectators will also be treated to some big-name music acts, with rock trio Feeder playing after Saturday’s play, while multi-awarding winning pop band Clean Bandit will be staging a DJ set with live vocals after the conclusion of Sunday’s final round.

Tickets to watch the action start from £43 for the opening round on Sept 9, £52 for Friday and Saturday (Sept 10-11), and £57 for Sunday's final round (Sept 12). Tickets for Wednesday's Celebrity Pro-Am Day cost £25. Concessions are available for OAPs and students. For details, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Smith repeats Rose’s feat with McGregor and Carris Trophy double Essex amateur Harley Smith recorded a famous double last month when he became only the second player in history to win the Carris Trophy and McGregor Trophy in the same year.

That impressive feat was achieved by Justin Rose, and it was the former US Open and Ryder Cup star who was among the first to call Smith when news of his doublewinning performance reached him.

Smith, who is a member at The Rayleigh Club near Basildon, and is an England boys’ squad player, won the McGregor (English Open Stroke Play for U16 boys) at Camberley Heath in Surrey on July 15 and added the Carris (English Open Stroke Play for under 18 boys) to his trophy haul the following week after a thrilling final day’s play at Bristol & Clifton Golf Club in Gloucestershire.

Smith fired rounds of 67, 66, 69 and 69 for a 13 under par total to win the McGregor by a shot from England team-mate Josh

Berry. He led from start to finish, and was five shots clear after 36 holes, ■ HARLEY however, he had to fight all the way for SMITH SECURED THE CARRIS the silverware, with Freddie Turnell and AND MCGREGOR Berry both threatening to challenge for TROPHY DOUBLE the title after strong third rounds. But three straight birdies from Smith from the 11th during the final round gave the posting a one-over-par 71 to take the Essex player a cushion that allowed him to prestigious title with an eight-under-par bogey the last hole to seal the deal. total and a three-shot victory over Italy’s “I kind of felt like I didn’t play my best Riccardo Fantinetlli and Scotland’s Calum in the morning,” said Smith. “But I knew it Scott. would be tough for them to shoot another After being contacted by Rose, who won good round with the wind picking up. I was both titles in 1985, Smith said: “I had a voice proud that I did have four rounds in the 60s. call from Justin, which was amazing. Justin It shows my consistency which I’ve been is one of England’s greatest ever players trying to work on these past few months.” and has done so much for the English game The following week Smith kept his run of at all levels and I’m very happy to put my hot scoring going with rounds of 67, 66 and name alongside his in the hall of fame. I 68 in opening 54 holes of the Carris Trophy hope I can just go some of way to achieving at Bristol & Clifton. The early good work what he has done in his career.” allowed him to coast him on the final day,

Bespoke Hotels buys Coulsdon Manor as Croydon council looks to reduce debt Coulsdon Manor Hotel and Golf Club in Surrey has been sold to its leaseholder, Bespoke Hotels, due to the local authority’s financial crisis.

Croydon Council effectively declared itself bankrupt last year, owing debts of about £1.5 billion, and it has been forced into selling off various assets, including the golf club, to reduce its huge debts.

Coulsdon Manor, which boasts an 18-hole golf course and a 42-bedroom hotel, has been owned by the Labour-run council since the 1930s. It has been leased by Bespoke Hotels since 1999, with the golf course let for a rent of around £19,000 a year, based upon a

percentage of the turnover income. The hotel group paid an initial premium of £150,000 when taking on golf course and a £600,000 for the hotel, with the latter subject to a peppercorn annual rent. Both had 103 years remaining on a 125-year lease. No details about how much Bespoke Hotels paid for the freeholds have been released, but both the golf course and hotel are to carry on business as usual.

A council report stated that ‘all assets have been valued by an external valuer and the terms agreed have been approved by the head of asset management before being put through the formal governance process’.

■ COUL SDON MANOR WILL REMAIN OPER ATING AS NORMAL FOLLOWING THE SALE

NEWS | AUGUST 2021

[5]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TAKE CONTROL

NEW 2021

HANDS-FREE GOLF Blending power with precision, the new compact-folding M7 REMOTE features a rechargeable remote handset, removable anti-tip wheel and award-winning Downhill Control technology for the ultimate in responsive control.

FIND OUT MORE MOTOCADDY.COM

#M7REMOTE

REMOTE CONTROL

50M RANGE

MANUAL CONTROL

[6]

AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

InBrief

New handicap scheme launches for England’s 2.3m ‘homeless’ golfers

MANNINGS HEATH TO HOST SLIP! SLAP! SWING! CHARITY DAY

England Golf has unveiled its new online handicap platform, iGolf, which will offer golfers in England the opportunity to obtain and maintain an official WHS handicap without necessarily having to join a golf club.

England Golf says that iGolf will provide a pathway for the approximately 2.3 million golfers in England who are not currently members of golf clubs to input scores, calculate course handicaps and track their performance in the same way club members do under the new World Handicapping Scheme, which was introduced by England Golf last November to England’s 1,800 golf clubs and 630,000 club members.

Golfers will have to pay £40 per year to sign up to iGolf, although personal liability insurance comes as part of the subscription. As an England Golf initiative, revenue generated through the platform will be reinvested into the work being done nationally to help grow the game across all levels, support clubs and the wider golfing community.

★ Mannings Heath Golf & Wine Estate in West Sussex is hosting the Slip! Slap! Swing! charity day on September 15 to raise money for the Melonoma Fund. The day will be attended by former Ryder Cup player Paul Way, while pre-match entertainment will be provided by trick shot legend Jeremy Dale. The golf competition starts at 11.30am, with 18 holes on the Waterfall Course followed by a two-course dinner, live auction and prize giving. Staff from the Melonoma Fund will be on hand to offer free skin checks for guests. Entry for a team of four is £480. For bookings, visit www.

England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson said “iGolf is an exciting progression for the amateur game in England and one that we believe will help safeguard the future of our sport. This new platform will help us connect with a large proportion of the golfing public who we weren’t reaching before, providing a new avenue to grow the game. When people have a measurement for performance in any activity, they naturally want to do it more in order to improve. By providing an official measure of performance for non-club members via a WHS handicap index, we can break down many of the barriers to uptake of the game. " While iGolf is a new form of subscription, England Golf says that it is not designed as a replacement for club membership. It believes that by encouraging increased play among the wider golfing public, iGolf could act as a key pathway to membership as the non-club member segment of the golfing population experience more courses, and the benefits of

■ IGOLF WILL ENABLE NONCLUB MEMBERS TO GAIN A HANDICAP

regular play and practise.

In order to maintain the integrity of handicapping, a system of checks and balances have been included in the iGolf platform, with cards having to be witnessed and signed by a golfer already holding a WHS handicap, while education on the rules and etiquette of golf are also woven into the programme.

To subscribe to iGolf, golfers should visit www.englandigolf.co.uk to get started, pay their subscription, download the My EG app and start entering verifiable scores to obtain a handicap index. Golfers who were previously club members will, where possible, have their handicap index reinstated through their iGolf subscription.

melanona-fund.co.uk.

KIM CLAIMS ENNGLISH GIRLS U14 TITLE ★ Buckinghamshire’s Rose Bee Kim has won the English Girls’

Bramshaw set for ‘Stellar’ future following sale

■ THE BELL INN

Under 14 Open Championship after compiling a 54-hole total of five-over-par at Morecambe Golf Club in Lancashire. A final round 76 gave Kim an eight-shot win over Imogen Williamson and helped go some way to make up for the disappointment of losing out by a single shot to Patience Rhodes in last week’s English Girls’ Under 18 Championship.

RUDGELEY'S BIRDIE BARAGE SEALS ENGLISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR ★ Cheshire's Kirsten Rudgeley won the English Women’s Amateur Championship after beating Bel Wardle at the first extra hole of a playoff at Moortown Golf Club. Rudgeley, who is also the Scottish Women’s Amateur champion, birdied both the 35th and 36th holes to keep herself in the final, before a third birdie putt in succession on the first playoff sealed the title.

GOOD RIDDEN WINS ENGLISH MID-AM ★ Northumberland's Phil Ridden

Bramshaw Golf Club in Hampshire has been sold by the Crosthwaite-Eyre family to new owners, Stellar Asset Management.

The sale, which was for an undisclosed sum, includes the New Forest venue’s two 18-hole courses and The Bell Inn, a boutique pub and restaurant with 28 bedrooms.

Stellar Asset Management already boasts a wide range of hotels and golf clubs in the UK, including near-neighbour Paultons Golf Centre in Romsey and Murrayshall Country House Hotel & Golf Club in Perthshire, as well as numerous hotels around the country Working in partnership with Ben Blackburn Golf, both the golf club and the inn will undergo a number of refurbishments, with the aim of elevating all areas to the same high standard of other Stellar properties.

Jonathan Gain, Chief Executive of Stellar Asset Management, commented: “We are excited to welcome Bramshaw Golf Club and The Bell Inn into our portfolio of leisure properties and we are looking forward to enhancing the potential of the golf course, clubhouse facilities and the inn for the benefit of members and visitors. This is an exciting space for us, and the popularity of both courses to members and visitors offers great potential for our investors.”

Located in the heart of the New Forest, Bramshaw boasts a thriving membership and two 18-hole courses, the Manor, which opened in 1971, and the Forest, which was built in 1865 and lays claim to being the oldest golf course in Hampshire.

The 28-bedroom The Bell Inn is an 18th century coaching inn located alongside the club, surrounded by ancient woodland yet only five minutes away from Junction 1 of the M27. The inn features flagstone floors and large open fires, complemented by stylish furnishings, comfortable lounge areas and spacious dining rooms and a large bar area. In addition, there are rooms to accommodate weddings, corporate events and functions.

■ BRAMSHAW'S MANOR COURSE

“We are delighted to have completed the purchase of these two highly regarded properties which are brimming with potential thanks to their fantastic location in one of the most beautiful parts of the country,” commented Ben Blackburn. “We are also extremely fortunate to be taking over a business that has been well managed by the previous owners and I’d like to thank them for everything they have done and wish them the very best for the future.”

Flitcroft film set to hit the silver screen

won the English Mid-Amateur Championship after shooting a five-over-par total over three rounds at Thorpeness Golf Club in Suffolk. Ridden, a member at the City of Newcastle Golf Club, carded a final round of 75 to end the 54hole championship with a winning score of 215. From a starting field of 144 players aged over 35, Ridden captured the Logan Trophy by one shot from a chasing group of four players – Andrew Minnikin, Simon Richardson, Mike Henson and Ian Kenwright.

A film about the remarkable true story of Maurice Flitcroft, the crane operator from Barrowin-Furness who managed to hoodwink the R&A into letting him take part in final qualifying for the 1976 Open Championship, despite never having played golf before, is set to hit the cinema screens this autumn.

The Phantom of the Open, which sees Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance playing Flitcroft, will be shown in cinemas throughout the

UK and Ireland from November 5.

Flitcroft entered Open Qualifying in 1976 as a professional, despite never having played on a golf course before, and racked up a 49-overpar score of 121 in his opening round before he was rumbled by the R&A, asked to leave the course and banned from future tournaments.

He tried, unsuccessfully, to enter subsequent Open qualifying events using aliases such as Gene Paychecky and James Beau Jolley.

He died in 2007 at the age of 78.

The film is directed by filmmaker and actor Craig Roberts, from a screenplay by Simon Farnaby, who adapted the script from his own book, The Phantom of the Open: Maurice Flitcroft, The World’s Worst Golfer’, which was co-written by Scott Murray.

A statement from distributor Sony Pictures Classics read: “We know audiences will be delighted by this jaw-dropping tale of an underdog which has

■ MAURICE FLITCROFT'S ATTEMPTS TO QUALIFY FOR THE OPEN HAVE BEEN MADE INTO A FILM

been brought to life by director Craig Roberts with the incomparable Mark Rylance and Sally Hawkins, comedic and humane, both at career peak.”

CONFOUNDING

NEWS | AUGUST 2021

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

COMFORT & PULSATING PROTECTION

TEMPO

TEMPO

l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l MESH & TPU FOAM

CUSHION EVA MIDSOLE

l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l SPIKELESS OUTSOLE

[7]

[8]

AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Weybrook Park unveils new-look layout The redesigned golf course at Weybrook Park Golf Club in Hampshire was officially re-opened last month, with former Ryder Cup captain and European Tour legend Bernard Gallagher doing the honours of hitting the first drive on the new-look layout at the Basingstoke venue.

To celebrate the re-opening, 28 teams made up of Hampshire Golf and PGA South and East representatives, and teams from local clubs, took part in shot-gun team event.

The project has been 17 years in making, with course director Sandy Burrell leading planning, design and construction efforts. For the creation of the new West course, Burrell was assisted in design work by Ken Moodie of Creative Golf Design. The impetus for the project was to improve the original ‘pop up’ course built on a shoestring budget in the mid-1990s and address differences in length between the original nines, with the back nine previously much shorter than the front.

A decision was taken to build an entirely new back nine and rework the front nine. The West Course was formed in two parts; firstly, the development of a brand new nine holes on farmland which was completed in 2016. This now forms the back nine holes of the West Course. The

original Weybrook front nine holes were then completely reconstructed between 2016 and 2021 and now form the front nine of the West Course. The original back nine is now used as the nine-hole East course, a par-35 layout that ■ WE YBROOK PARK HAS plays from 2,533 to 2,856 yards.

BEEN TRANSFORMED Located on chalk downland, the course runs FOLLOWING ITS REDESIGN down and across a number of shallow valleys to create differing challenges, while five lakes, four of which are linked by a stream feature on four holes on the back nine. having faith in me and allowing me the chance to plan, Burrell said “Weybrook has a great location on the edge design and reconstruct their golf course.” of Basingstoke and is a fantastic site for golf with great Steve Cox, the club’s general manager and Head PGA views and located on free-draining chalk, which gives all Professional, added: “The West Course is a superb layout year-round playability. I felt that if we could construct a topand a real test of golf. With multiple tees and large greens, it quality course on this site, it would go a long way towards raises the bar in terms of quality courses in Basingstoke and ensuring that the club had a viable future.

North Hampshire."

“This has been a massive undertaking for me personally, He added: "The East Course is a nice 9-hole course in its but also for Weybrook Park, which is a small members own right and is an excellent facility for those members club,” said Burrell. "As a civil engineer, I was lucky to have a and visitors who want a quick round. It is also a great place fundamental understanding of the planning process and to learn to play the game away from the pressure of a busy the approvals needed to take an idea from the drawing main course.” board to the site. I am grateful to the membership for

Rookwood earns stay of execution from housing development

■ GOLFERS CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY ROUNDS AT ROOKWOOD FOLLOWING LOCAL OPPOSITION TO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON THE COURSE

Rookwood Golf Course in West Sussex has been a granted a temporary reprieve from the house building industry’s on-going land grab thanks, in part, to a surge in participation during the past 18 months.

Plans were unveiled early last year for the council-owned course, which lies on the western fringes of Horsham, and next to Warnham Nature Reserve, to be given over to the construction of 1,100 new homes. However, the plans were met with significant local opposition, which led to Horsham District Council revising them several times, including reducing the number of homes, redesigning the scheme, and promising more green enhancements.

This, though, did not stop an online petition opposing the development progressing, and it has now topped 12,000 signatures. The council has now said it is not considering Rookwood for development in the local plan in the immediate

future, partly because so many people are now playing golf. Tony Hogben, Horsham Council’s deputy leader, said: “The council is now under new leadership and enhancing our green spaces and listening to public consultation are vital in building trust in our leadership. Not allocating Rookwood in the local plan is the wish of the public at this stage, following a year that has seen increased golf activity.”

He added: “It is vital that we engage with local groups and find out how we can best use the council-owned land at Rookwood. We are committed to listening and engaging over the next two years before making any longer-term commitments on the future of Rookwood.

"Affordable homes on part of the site could be considered in the future, but the principles of any future proposals would be to enhance the green spaces and to deliver a site for broader community use, not just golf.

NEWS | AUGUST 2021 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Aramco Team Series proves a hit at Centurion The team led by Ladies European Tour professional Olivia Cowan won the London leg of the Aramco Team Series in style as they recorded a final round of 12-under-par to secure a three-stroke victory at Centurion Club in Hertfordshire.

After starting the final day two strokes in front, Cowan and her teammates fellows pros Sarina Schmidt, Diksha Dagar and amateur Andrew Kelsey produced a thrilling back nine as they combined to win with a total of 41-under-par. The result also meant captain Cowan and Schmidt captured their first title on the LET, while it was a second for Dagar – who won the SA Women’s Open in 2019.

Cowan said: “I can’t put it in words how amazing it is. To share it with one of my best friends is just incredible as well. I got really lucky with my team. I knew I wanted to pick Sarina two weeks ago and then to have Diksha on the team as well – I knew

she was a great player and that she could hole some putts. We went out there to win the team event and that’s paid off.”

Team Cowan finished three strokes ahead of Team Skarpnord, who carded a round of 16-under-par on the final day to finish second with 38-under-par. It was an excellent day for captain Skarpnord as she carded a round of 68 to tie with Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul at the top of the leaderboard. The duo headed back up to 18 and on their second time, the Norwegian rolled in her birdie putt to clinch the individual title – her fifth on the LET. Skarpnord said: “It was won with a lot of nerves. On the short putts, my hands were shaking. To win this event is very special.

I think this concept is so, so good and we’ve had so much fun this week. I love the format. It’s so much fun when you’re a team and you have to do well for someone else as well – not just yourself.”

‘Rolex rippers’ target golf club members in the South Two highly professional female thieves have been repeatedly stealing expensive watches from men in golf club car parks in the last year, according to the police.

The duo, said to have either Eastern European or Spanish accents, particularly target lone men in their 70s outside golf clubs and have done this at least 14 times since July 2020.

They typically pose as charity workers with clipboards and steal the watches as their victims sign a petition. They have also attacked the men, ripping the watches off their wrists, and even followed them into cars until they got the watches or jewellery, before escaping via a waiting car.

It is thought the pair have struck seven times in Poole, Wimborne, Wareham, Ferndown, Highcliffe and Poundbury in Dorset in the past two months. One theft occurred in the car park of Ferndown Golf Club while another happened next to a golf club in Poole.

In Hampshire, two robberies took place in golf club car parks. In July 2020, Hampshire Police issued e-fit descriptions of two women who mugged a 78-year-old man of his Rolex watch in Emsworth. At the time police said there had been four similar thefts of Rolex watches.

The recent spate of robberies appears to have begun on May 19 at Stoneham Golf Club, near Southampton, followed by an identical incident a week later at Wellow Golf Club, near Romsey, Hants. Both times the pair got their victims to sign a petition before covertly stealing their Rolexes.Then on July 14 they turned up at Ferndown Golf Club where one of them approached a man aged in his 70s in the car park, grabbed his arm and took the watch from his wrist. She got into a waiting vehicle, believed to be a black Ford Focus, and made off from the scene.

Both women are said to be aged in their 20s or 30s and between 5ft 2ins and 5ft 9ins tall. They both have dark hair and Eastern European accents although some victims have believed them to be Spanish.

Dorset Police have acknowledged ‘a number of incidents of a similar nature’. Police Constable Jim Perks, of Christchurch Police, said: “We have had a number of incidents of a similar nature and I would again remind people to be vigilant if you are wearing any high value watches or jewellery and are approached in suspicious circumstances.”

■ GOLFERS WEARING HIGH VALUE WATCHES HAVE BEEN TARGETED BY THIEVES

[9]

[10] AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

The beers are on me! Morikawa celebrates Open win with lager from the Claret Jug Collin Morikawa celebrated his Open Championship win by downing a pint of beer from the Claret Jug. The Champion Golfer of the Year was seen celebrating his Open triumph in style, as he celebrated his victory at Princes Golf Club - next door to Royal St George’s – after the club hosted the 24-year-old during his trip to the Kent coast.

As a result, the golf club's staff were more than happy to help Morikawa celebrate his win, with a member of the bar staff filling up the Claret Jug with the American’s choice of beer - an Italian Birra Moretti.

Morikawa had hinted he would drink from the famous trophy following his final round, after

explaining he believes he needs to enjoy celebrating his victories a little more.

He said: “It’s so early on in my career and I enjoy these moments. I love it and I think I need to teach myself to embrace it a little bit more, maybe spend a few extra days sitting back and drinking out of this [the Claret Jug]."

Morikawa, who stayed at The Lodge at Prince's throughout his week in Kent, also put his win down to ordering the same hamburger from The Lodge's restaurant every night of the championship. The club is set to rename it 'The Morikawa Burger' in his honour.

Morikawa Interview on pages 22 & 23

Kent, Middlesex and Surrey Ladies sign up to Women in Golf Charter Kent Golf, Middlesex Golf and Surrey Ladies’ County Golf Association have become the latest signatories of The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter and demonstrated their total commitment to promoting female participation on and off the course.

The Charter’s aim is to create a culture of inclusivity and increase the number of women and girls playing the game as well as working in the golf industry. Kent Golf’s drive to sign the Women in Golf Charter is a further sign of positive change in the game.

Cheryl Power, Director, Golf Development and Kent’s Charter Champion, said: “Following the unification of our women’s association and men’s union last November, Kent Golf has been making great strides in a bid to encourage more and more women and girls to become involved in or return to golf and take up golf club membership. Our board’s unanimous decision to embrace and sign up to the Women in Golf Charter and the commitments Kent has made, underline this.

“My colleagues and I very much look forward to working

with our member clubs, our wonderful hard-working volunteers and England Golf to deliver on these commitments and will continue to ensure golf in the county is portrayed and, is indeed, a sport that is accessible to all.”

Kent aims to achieve a minimum 30% female representation on their board, as well as developing their social media platforms for golfers and non-golfers alike, while also driving up participation numbers of women and girls at

■ XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX

its championships and member events and also in junior academies.

Middlesex Golf has pledged to increase the total female membership of golf clubs in the county by 25% by 2024. They have also committed to setting up and running a women’s Order of Merit and delivering three women and girl golf initiatives a year.

Surrey has pledged to deliver four initiatives a year targeting women and girls in order to increase the number playing golf across the county. Sue Wild, county captain of Surrey Ladies, is thrilled that the association has become a signatory. She said: “Throughout our history we have been committed to women’s golf in Surrey and our Charter now sets out targets for the coming year and beyond as we aim to increase participation by women and girls in golf while ensuring the highest standards of governance and safeguarding. We want to give women and girls the opportunity to experience the benefits of golf first- hand and are planning a series of initiatives, working with England Golf, the Golf Foundation, clubs and PGA professionals across the county, to give them access to facilities, taster days and tuition, while continuing to encourage those already involved in the sport. We hope that by signing the Women in Golf Charter we will also encourage more golf clubs in Surrey to follow our example and become signatories to this important R&A initiative.”

NEWS | AUGUST 2021 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Redbourn reveals results of £1m investment programme Redbourn Golf Club in Hertfordshire is nearing the completion of a four-year £1 million investment project designed to significantly improve the club's sustainability, while also elevating its food and beverage offerings and practice facilities.

The redevelopment – funded by club owner and operator Burhill Group Limited (BGL) – began in late 2017, with an initial focus on the overhaul of the club’s bar and restaurant area. Following the indoor renovation work, Redbourn’s maintenance team set about the creation of a large-scale irrigation lake to the side of the 8th and 10th holes. This has enabled the club to rely exclusively on rainfall and a borehole for its water supply. Since completion in May 2019, all water that has been used to maintain the 27-hole venue has come from those sustainable sources rather than water mains.

Less than a year later, the club turned its attention to improving its golf offering, with the installation of TrackMan technology on its driving range. The new state-of-theart facility boasts 20 indoor and six outdoor TrackMan Range bays, allowing up to four players to tee it up at

major championship venues, enjoy practice sessions, challenge friends in innovative game modes, or simply enjoy time with family. The new range also features in-bay seating areas that enable guests to order food and drinks direct to their bay.

Upgrades have also be made to ■ A NEW IRIGATION SYSTEM HAS HELPED all external clubhouse areas, with IMPROVE COURSE CONDITIONS AT REDBOURN new outdoor furnishings and newly laid patios completed in January this investment into the sustainability and quality of our year. operation. The installation of TrackMan Range technology, Most recently, a new irrigation system that will run across paired with numerous other club upgrades has increased all 27 holes on the property has been installed. Efficient our footfall and vastly improved our offering.” sprinkler heads and computerised programming will allow Guy Riggott, Operations Director, BGL Golf, added: the greens staff to implement a watering schedule that will “We are delighted to be continuing our investment into improve the playability of the course all year round. The first Redbourn Golf Club. We are committed to providing the two phases of this installation are now complete, with the best experience for our members and visitors and will final phase set to be finished early next year. continue to ensure this is at the forefront of everything Steve Brown, General Manager of Redbourn Golf Club, we do.” commented: “We are proud to have made such a significant

Horton Park upgrades range experience with InRange Members at Horton Park Golf Club in Surrey can look forward to a new and improved driving range experience following the installation of a new hi-tec ball-tracking technology.

The Epsom-based club has recently installed InRange, an interactive balltracking and entertainment technology into its 26-bay driving range. The software tracks the ball from the moment it’s hit until it comes to a standstill, making it ideal for juniors and beginners who don’t always hit the ball very far and yet still get the satisfaction of seeing their shot on screen in its entirety.

Experienced players can enjoy the practice mode as well as the games, honing their skills for every shot they need on the course. The Inrange mobile app allows them

to take away their progress for analysis at home or with their coach once they leave the range.

Families and groups can also enjoy the skills-based games that Inrange offers and the addition of food and drink available on the range makes for an enjoyable and relaxed time in a golfing environment.”

Matthew Stilwell, at Horton Park, said: “We have a pretty diverse business at Horton Park, attracting a broad spectrum of visitors from families that come for the crazy golf to experienced golfers pushing their game to the next level and we enjoy catering for them all. Having Inrange technology as part of the driving range experience helps us cater for all of these needs, particularly around junior and beginner golfers and groups of golfers looking for a fun pastime.”

[11]

[12] AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Schools Golf launches 2021 schedule Schools Golf, an inclusive national junior golf competition where children compete as individuals and for their school on championship courses, has unveiled is schedule of five tournaments for autumn 2021.

Every event is open to boys and girls aged 10-18 with a WHS handicap (up to 28). Players compete as individuals,

while the best three scores from each school count for the team competition.

There is also a category for the lowest gross score. There are prizes are provided

by Mizuno and each player will receive a meal after their round.

The schedule begins at Kedleston Park GC in Derbyshire on September 19, then moves to Blackwell Golf Club Worcestershire on Sept 30; Trentham GC in Stoke on October 10; Berkhamsted GC in Hertfordshire on October 11, and finishes off at Hollinwell GC in Nottinghamshire on November 3.

For more details and entry forms, visit www.schoolsgolf.co.uk.

■ BERKHAMSTED GC

‘Boxy’ hosts charity fundraiser at Foxhills Sky Sports Golf commentator and former European Tour player Richard Boxall hosted a charity golf fundraiser at Foxhills Golf Club last month that helped raise over £15,000 for the Woking Hospice.

The event was last held in 2019, when over £40,000 was raised for the same charity, with Boxall once again in hosting duties. The Woking Hospice is close to his heart as it was where his late father was cared for, and where a room is now named in his memory.

This year’s tournament attracted a field of over 80 players, with Trident Honda offering up the prize of a brand-new Honda Jazz

Two’s company as Bennett goes on par-3 birdie bonanza Marking a two on the scorecard is always a pleasure, whatever level of the game you’re at, but Farleigh Golf Club member Paul Bennett had the honour of pencilling in that number no fewer than five times during the course of the men’s club championship last month.

Bennett made a birdie at four of the short holes on the combination of the club’s Red and Blue courses in the first round, and achieved the final two on the 16th hole during the second round.

The 52-year-old from Warlingham, who has only been playing golf for 10 years and plays off a handicap of 14, is believed to be the first golfer to achieve the remarkable feat at Farleigh.

Bennett’s day one birdies came on the

third and seventh hole of the Blue loop and the fourth and seventh hole on the Red, with another two on the fourth Red on the final day.

He said: “My playing partners were going nuts when I birdied the final par-three on the 16th – it was only then that I realised the magnitude of what I had just achieved.

Where I was playing well, I was more focussed on getting a good score and didn’t think about anything else.

“I’m prouder of this than I would be if I got a hole-in-one, because it wasn’t just one lucky strike. I holed a 12-foot putt on the third and then a breaking 20-footer on the 16th to cap off a crazy day. My tee shot on the 13th, which dropped within a foot of the pin, was another highlight.

Bennett went on to finish the tournament in 45th place with rounds of 97 and 87.

Hever revives ‘Prosecco & Putting’ introduction to golf programme

SE for the hole-in-one competition, which sadly went unclaimed.

Guests were also entertained by a trick shot show from the legendary Jeremy Dale.

Richard Roberts, Managing Director at Trident Honda, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be supporting the Woking Hospice Charity Golf Day this year. It’s a cause that’s very close to our hearts, as a long-standing trustee of Woking & Sam Beare Hospice, and it was great to see so many people involved and so much money raised for these great facilities.”

Hever Castle Golf & Wellbeing in Kent is offering a relaxed and informal introduction to golf with the return of its popular ‘Putting and Prosecco’ courses this autumn.

Aimed at women wanting to learn the basics or the game and meet like-minded people, while enjoying a glass of sparkling wine, the Edenbridge-based club is hosting six sessions during September. Each 90-minute course will include an introduction to golf led

by Head PGA Professional Peter Parks, followed by prosecco and nibbles at the club’s The Waterside Bar & Restaurant.

Parks said: “We don’t expect players to come dressed head-to-toe in golf attire. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in and get ready to learn something new. If you have ever wanted to try golf, without the pressure of going straight onto the green, here is your chance. The aim is just to have some fun.”

Putting & Prosecco events will take place on September 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 and 24. It costs £25 per person, which includes loan of golf equipment, drinks and snacks. Places are limited to 15 per event. To book, call 01732 700771 or email clubshop@hevercastle.co.uk.

NEWS | AUGUST 2021

[13]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Grass is getting greener at Thorndon Park!

Members at Thorndon Park Golf Club in Essex have enjoyed a welcome and rapid improvement to the condition of its historic course following the implementation of a new seeding strategy, with a switch from fescue to perennial ryegrass resulting in a dramatic recovery of the fairways.

After two years of near-drought conditions and some extensive leatherjacket damage, some of the fairways at the Ingrave-based venue had almost been stripped bare of grass, but with the help of Johnsons Sports Seed the recovery of the fairways has been nothing short of ‘amazing’, according to Course Manager David Byron.

When Byron took over as course manager in September last year, tackling the loss of coverage on the fairways was his first major task. “It’s no exaggeration to say that what we were faced with was really just mud and dust,” said Byron, who heads up a greens team of nine. “After consulting with a specialist seed company we decided on a switch to a bespoke perennial ryegrass mixture to give us quick, strong growth and recovery while we rebuild the soil profile – with the aim of later down the line, re-introducing fescue species.”

Ideally suited for the renovation of high traffic areas, perennial ryegrass delivers improved drought tolerance, high disease resistance and excellent year-round colour, and importantly, fast recovery. “We first sowed the Rye fairway mix in September, so we’re less than a year into the programme and we have already recovered all our fairways – in fact, coverage across the whole course is currently fantastic.”

Nevin wins Walton Heath Trophy by record-breaking margin Cheshire’s Rhys Nevin streaked clear of a top-class field to claim a record-breaking victory in the 2021 Walton Heath Trophy.

Posting four rounds in the sixties over Walton Heath’s challenging New and Old Courses, 23-year-old Nevin was able to cruise to a six-stroke win from Royal Ashdown Forest’s Joe Sullivan and capture the coveted Michael Lunt Salver.

Nevin, an All-American at the University of Tennessee before graduating in politics and sociology this year, saved his best for last with a 66 over the Old – the best score of the final round – to add to his earlier 67, 68 and 69 to show his 119 rivals a clean pair of heels.

“This is a very special day,” said Nevin, who is a member at Sandiway Golf Club in Northwich.

“It’s rare that everything comes together, but this week it did and to create the scoring record adds to the sense of satisfaction. “I’ve always enjoyed playing here. It is one of the best amateur tournaments in the country and I love both courses. The trophy itself is impressive and there are a lot of people who won it before me who have gone on to achieve great things.”

Nevin added: “Playing alongside Tom Thurloway three years ago when he won it really helped me today. Watching how he managed the closing holes with the pressure,, really boosted my confidence and I knew what to expect this time.”

East Sussex’s Sullivan laid claim to the runner-up berth thanks to a spectacular pair of back-to-back eagles at the 13th and 14th in a fourth round 67. Dan Bradbury of Wakefield finished third one stroke behind Sullivan on 277.

■ THESE 'BEFORE AND AFTER' SHOTS SO HOW MUCH COURSE CONDITIONS HAVE IMPROVED AT THORNDON PARK OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS

Greenfield wins Women’s Senior Amateur Sussex’s Aileen Greenfield won the Women’s Senior Amateur Championship following a play-off at Ashridge Golf Club in Hertfordshire.

Behind all the way in the final round to leader Catherine Rawthore from Sale, Greenfield holed from five feet for a birdie at the par-five 18th to force extra time and then a par at the opening hole of the sudden death playoff sealed the title.

Greenfield, who led on day one after a first round, closed with a 77 for ten-over-par total of 229, a score that was matched by Rawthore, who shot 79 on the final day.

In extra time, both players were on the green in two, but Rawthore three-putted from 45 feet while Greenfield two-putted for a solid par four.

The new champion was close to tears as she hugged husband-come-caddie, Trevor,

and she admitted she was absolutely thrilled to have lifted the prestigious trophy that earns an invitation to the US Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in Alabama in September. “I was so nervous and started really badly,” said the Sussex player. “But my putting was much better. I never knew what the position was, or how far I was behind. I told Trevor not to tell me, so it was a bit of a surprise to get into a play-off. It was a good day, and this is definitely my biggest win and it completes a nice treble, having already won the English Stroke Play and Match Play Seniors Championships.”

[14] AUGUST 2021 | NEWS

Felixstowe Ferry markets luxury homes to fund future club development Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club in Suffolk is hoping to safeguard its future with the sale of five luxury homes that it recently succeeded in gaining planning permission for.

The sale of the exclusive properties will fund a wide range of improvements at the 130-year-old club, including the construction of a new clubhouse and a café, a new putting green, toilets and a viewing platform open to the public.

Designed by award-winning architects Wincer Kievenaar, each of the new houses on the four-acre site has been named after an important figure in the club’s history, including former British Prime Minister AJ Balfour, who served as club captain in 1889. The group of buildings has also been named

■ THE NEW HOME S WILL OVERLOOK THE COURSE AND THE SEA

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ HOMEOWNERS WILL GET A TWO-Y EAR FREE MEMBERSHIP AT FEL IXS TOE W FERRY

Balfour Place.

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and overlooking the Deben Estuary, each of the new homes will enjoy coastal views over the golf course and out to sea, while the new owners will be given two free golf club memberships for the first two years as part of the purchase price.

David Spencer, General Manager of Felixstowe Ferry, said: “The redevelopment seeks to safeguard the club’s medium and long-term future now that the current facilities are no longer fit for purpose and are at the end of their useful life. The proposed clubhouse is the way in which the future of the golf club can

be secured, and the proposed five residential dwellings proposed alongside the clubhouse are essential in order to viably enable the clubhouse to be built.”

He added: “The current clubhouse is an original farmhouse building which does not best serve the needs of our members, or attract new players into the game, while the detached pro shop creates a separation between the club’s PGA Professionals and the rest of the club.”

For more details on the homes for sale at Balfour Place, call 01473 234826, email mturner@savills.com or visit www.savills.co.uk.

Faldo comes home to launch 25th junior series Sir Nick Faldo returned to his home club, Welwyn Garden City, last month to celebrate the Faldo Series’ 25th anniversary and launch its largest ever championship.

Held at the beginning of Open week, a record-breaking 375 juniors took inspiration from the same Hertfordshire fairways where Series founder Sir Nick picked up his very first clubs and began his own journey to six Major Championships, including three Open titles.

The first two days saw 282 boys compete on the both the Melbourne and Palmerston courses at Brocket Hall, whilst 93 girls went head-to-head at Welwyn Garden City.

The final day saw both categories come together at Brocket Hall, where the agecategory winners earned an invitation to the 25th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final hosted at Al Ain Golf Club in Abu Dhabi in October.

Those earning invitations were Worcestershire’s Lili Rose Hunt, whose 9-under-par total for 54 holes saw her win the girls U16 event by three shots from Rose Bee Kim, while Lili Horn won the girls U18 category with a one-over-par total of 218. She tied scores with Louise Burke, but won after a play-off. Over at Brocket Hall, the Boys U16 tournament was won by Oliver Drewitt with a six-over-par total for three rounds, which gave him a three-shot margin of victory over Jenson Bull. The Boys U18 section was won by Henry Daly who fired rounds of 67, 72 and 71 to win by three shots from Nathan Woodham; while the U21 Boys category went to Justin Chan from Malaysia, whose six-under total saw him edge out the trio of James Freeman, Jackson Garnett and Robert Holden by a single shot.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Faldo said: “It was a real privilege to go back to Welwyn after all these years and to celebrate with the Faldo Series was the perfect return. There is certainly a sense of nostalgia as I think back to all those hours spent on the course hitting balls and to now be able to welcome the next generation of aspiring juniors here is magnificent.”

He added: “When the Series began back in 1996 it presented an opportunity for me to give back to the game, and to see just how far we have come over these 25 years is quite unbelievable. To now be looking at three courses, completely full of ambitious and talented boys and girls, and hosting a competition with 375 players is mind-blowing, but more so demonstrates the exciting future for golf.”

The opening tournament of the Faldo Europe Series began an action-packed schedule of 10 events throughout the summer. Golf at Goodwood in Sussex will be hosting the England South II Girls and Boys tournament on August 9. For more details, visit www.faldoseries.com

NEWS | AUGUST 2021 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Bond enjoys senior moment at West Essex Former European Tour player Liam Bond won the 2021 Senior PGA Professional Championship at West Essex Golf Club after shooting rounds of 65 and 70.

Bond, who runs his own coaching academy in Chepstow, finished two shots clear of West Country rival Barry Austin (Downes Crediton), with Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) and Michael Watson (Wessex GC) sharing third place.

Watson held a two-shot advantage over Bond after 10 holes, but three bogeys in a row from the 11th and another at the 17th, derailed his victory bid. O’Hanlon was also in with a chance of victory before bogeys at 16 and 17 ended his chances.

Austin drew level with Bond following a two-shot swing at the par-three 15th, but a miscued drive on 17 resulted in a bogey and Bond, taking full advantage, holed a 12-foot putt for a birdie, allowing him the comfort of par down the par-five last to secure a two-shot victory.

“It was a tough day and harder than I wanted it to be,” said Bond. “Michael [Watson] opened up with three straight birdies so I lost the lead after three holes. But I stuck at what I’d been doing all week – which was to keep hitting it nicely, clear of any trouble and hopefully the putts would drop at some point. Unfortunately for me it took until 17 before one did. When it did there was a two-shot swing and that took me into a comfort zone really.”

In addition, to earning £6,000 for his victory, Bond, along with the top 15 finishers in the tournament, has qualified for the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Formby.

“My goal now is to get my category done and dusted on the Legends Tour, so I’ve got somewhere to play for the next few years,” he said. “If I can have a couple of good weeks in those events that will do that for me. It’s great to add another tournament to my schedule for this year.”

Elliott win Senior Amateur Championship After a trio of near misses, America’s Gene Elliot finally found success in the R&A Senior Amateur Championship as the Iowa native placed both hands on the trophy that had proved so elusive over the past three championships.

Elliott returned a closing 70 to go with earlier scores of 74, 76 and 70 for a six-over-par total of 290 to win by one shot over Ireland’s David Mulholland, who closed the last 36 holes with scores of 68 and 70. Trevor Foster, the 2018 champion, finished third on ten-overpar.

Elliott lost in a play-off to countryman Craig Davis at North Berwick in 2019, the last time the championship was played. The 59-year-old was third in 2018 and joint second in 2017 on his debut.

“After coming so close the last three championships, I can’t believe I’ve finally won. I’m almost speechless,” said 59-year-old Elliot. “I rode the wave of emotions today. I felt

comfortable until I shanked a five-iron off the 14th tee and made bogey. I bogeyed the next two and the wheels were coming off, actually they were almost bouncing along beside me down the fairway. But I made a great up-anddown at 17, hitting the best putt I made all week to save par. I knew I needed to two-putt from 20 feet at the last to win, which I did but it isn’t always the easiest thing to do under pressure.”

The two-time Canadian Senior Amateur champion was just one of two US players to make the trip to Ganton for this year’s championship.

Covid-19 protocols meant Elliott had to quarantine upon arrival in the UK. He and wife Dalena spent five days in a London hotel, only being allowed out to get tested. It didn’t help his preparation for the tough test Ganton presented the over 55s, but it made getting his hands on the trophy all the sweeter.

“This is the hardest I’ve had to work to play in a tournament let alone do well, and it wasn’t work practising. I spent five days in isolation before this championship only leaving the hotel to get tested. Now I need another couple of days rest, not quarantining, to let this sink in. This win is up there with the best I’ve ever done.”

Golf Escape — Discover The Grove’s newly-refurbished 300 acre estate, just 18 miles from central London.

Book the Golf Escape and you’ll enjoy: An overnight stay in a Classic Room A 3 course dinner at The Stables 1 round of golf for 2 people Breakfast at The Glasshouse Use of the facilities including the spa To book, visit thegrove.co.uk/golf-escape or call 01923 296010

The Grove | Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire WD3 4TG 01923 296010 | www.thegrove.co.uk

[15]

[16] AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

DODD COMES OF AGE The stars of the over-50s circuit were out in full force at Sunnningdale Golf Club last month as they competed for the Senior Open Championship, which saw Welshman Stephen Dodd capture the coveted Claret Jug in dramatic fashion

■ STEPHEN DODD POCKETED THE £240,000 FIRST PRIZE AND AN INVITATION TO NEXT YEAR'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

W

ith Sunningdale’s Old Course looking at its magnificent best, Major champions of years gone by, including Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Jim Furyk, José Maria Olazabal and Paul Lawrie, were joined by other titans of the game, including Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez, to battle it out for the further elite honours.

And it was 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke, who already has two Champions Tour titles to his name, who took a share of the early lead on day one after shooting a five-under par 65, a score matched by James Kingston. Langer, seeking an incredible fifth Senior title at the age of 61, lurked ominously a shot back on four under, which was matched

by Welshman Stephen Dodd, who was getting back in the swing of things after playing virtually no golf over the last 18 months.

Clarke added a second round 67 on Friday to take the half-way led on eight under, one shot clear of America’s Jerry Kelly and Langer, while Paul Broadhurst, already a Senior Open champion, shot the lowest round of the day, a 65, to move up into a share of fourth, alongside former Masters champions Els, while Woosnam and Jimenez also moved into contention a further shot back after firing a 68 and 67 respectively.

Saturday’s third round belonged to one man, Stephen Dodd, who skipped around the Old Course in just 62 blows, including an outward 29.

Nine birdies and a single bogey saw the 55-year-

who also shared the lead earlier in the round, old Welshman take a two-shot lead over Jerry saw his hopes fade with a bogey at 16 and two Kelly into final round, with Clarke a further shot SENIOR closing pars. back, and Broadhurst, Langer and Jimenez four OPEN FINAL Dodd stood on the 18th tee needing a par to shots back, and seemingly the only other players force a play-off and a birdie to win outright. His in contention.

LEADERBOARD drive on the par-4 hole drifted right off the tee With storms threatening the London area, and found the first cut of rough some 165 yards and rain failing intermittently, the scene was set DODD -13 from the flag. Fortunately, the lie was decent, for a dramatic finale in front of the small, but JIMÉNEZ -12 and the grass bent towards the green. His 6-iron committed galleries who had come to see their approach never left the target and came to rest heroes of old strutting their stuff.

CLARKE -11 10 feet from the flag, which was right at the back And so it proved, as Dodd, seeking a lifeLANGER -9 of the green. With storm clouds gathering, Dodd changing win, set about holding on to his lead in BROADHURST -8 calmly rolled in the putt to close out a battling 68 the face of challenges from a host of big-name and win the biggest title of his 35-year career. players. A birdie at the first hole settled the KELLY -7 Not one for overt displays of emotion, Dodd Welshman’s nerves, but fast starts from Jimenez GONZALEZ -5 quietly raised his putter in celebration and and Clarke, and run of acknowledged the fans who had stuck out the six straight pars from SHORT -4 damp conditions to witness the biggest win the second meant that ELS -4 of his career. Besides the £240,000 winner’s his slender lead was cheque, and the coveted Claret Jug, Dodd can soon reeled in when TSUKADA -4 now look forward to playing in next year’s 150th he bogeyed the par-3 Open Championship at St Andrews, a handsome eighth. A bounce-back reward for a job well done. birdie at the par-4 “I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet,” said the clearly ninth, where he drove overwhelmed winner as he collected the trophy. the green, steadied “It’s been quite a tough day. I wasn’t playing the ship as Dodd great, but I’m sure on the drive home I’m reflect headed into on it all and I’ll be a very happy person. This could back the nine. As the pack be the only chance I get to win, so I tried my best closed in, a bogey at the 13th to hole it. Thankfully for me it went in, looked ominous for Dodd, but so it was a nice way to finish. once again he responded with a “I just wanted to try and enjoy it. I’ve birdie at the very next hole, with played one competitive event in the his eagle putt at the par-5 14th 18 or 19 months, so I just didn’t what to coming up just short. expect this week, but I just ground it out Jimenez, playing in the group NGER ■ BERNHARD LA and made up for a few silly mistakes with ahead, was on the charge with IN SHORT CAME UP JUST A IN W a couple decent shots and some putts.” birdies at 12, 14 and 17 to move TO T HIS AT TEMP OPEN And there you have it – a couple of alongside Dodd, and a par at the FOURTH SENIOR decent shots and a few putts and you last from the Spaniard set the ■ DARREN CLARKE too can be a Major champion. clubhouse target at 12 under. Clarke, FINISHED THIRD ON HIS

I'VE PLAYED ONE COMPETITIVE EVENT IN THE LAST 18 OR 19 MONTHS, SO I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

SENIOR OPEN DEBUT

50

UP TO

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

% OFF

NEWS | AUGUST 2021

[17]

®

WWW.ONLINEGOLF.CO.UK/GOLFNEWS

FREE DELIVERY OVER £30

XXX XXX XXX X

[18] AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE

HILL S

ARE

RE VIVED The restoration of the Nick Faldo-designed championship course at Charts Hills Golf Club has returned the famed Kent layout to its rightful place as one of the UK’s finest inland tracks, says Nick Bayly, who was among the first to play it following its recent re-opening

FEATURE | AUGUST 2021

[19]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

C

losing a few holes at any time of the year for golf course improvements will often cause ripples of dissent among the membership at the best of times, so one can only imagine what the reaction was when the new owners of Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent told the membership back in early 2020 that will were going to close the entire course for up to a whole year in order to carry out a wholescale renovation of the championship layout that first opened to universal acclaim in 1993.

Thankfully, the dissenters were few and far between, mainly due to the quite shocking state of repair that the course had fallen into following years of under investment by a succession of previous owners and a drainage and irrigation system that was simply never up to the job.

The club turned a new chapter in December 2019 following its purchase by Ramac Holdings.

Under the same ownership of Prince’s Golf Club, located some 30 miles away on the Kent coast, Chart Hills has begun an ambitious re-imagining the likes of which has rarely been attempted in the UK. Under the experienced leadership of Director of Golf Anthony Tarchetti, and the expertise of Course Manager Neil Lowther and his tireless greenkeeping team, the first phase of a wholescale renovation was completed earlier this summer.

The sheer scale of the task is quite mind boggling, with the project, which started in June last year, requiring the fairways on all 18 holes to be completely stripped back to the bare soil.

The maintenance team then laid thousands of metres of irrigation piping down before more than 30,000 tonnes of sand was shaped onto the holes to produce a four-inch capping. The finishing team spread a mixture or rye and bent grass seed on each fairway area before the watering and fertilisation processes began.

Given the wet winter, it’s nothing short of a miracle that the job has been done in just 12 months. The initial plan had been to re-open in March 2022, but the various Covid-related

■ ABOVE: THE 18TH GREEN WITH ITS NEWLYFILLED BUNKERS ■ RIGHT: EVERY FAIRWAY WAS LIFTED, OVERLAID WITH SAND AND NEW IRRIGATION PIPES BEFORE BEING RETURFED ■ LEFT: THE VIEW FROM BEHIND THE GREEN AT THE PAR-5 12TH

THE 7,119-YARD LAYOUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BEAUTFIULLY DESIGNED COURSE, BUT NOW IT HAS THE PRESENTATION TO MATCH

■ THE 4TH IS ONE OF A SERIES OF TOUGH PAR FOURS ON THE NICK FALDO-DESIGNED COURSE

It’s fair to say that you need to match your tees for the day very much according to your handicap if you’re not to walk off the 18th green feeling like you need a lie down in a darkened room. It’s proper championship golf from first to last, with a series of lengthy par fours, genuine three-shot par fives, some long short holes, no shortage of water, and those acres and acres of sand all adding up to a severe test. The 100-yard 17th, the island green par three, will always divide opinion, but I still think it adds a bit of light relief to a course that takes itself pretty seriously.

Speaking at the relaunch of the new-look course enforced closures enabled works to progress last month, Anthony Tarchetti said: “The course much faster than expected, with the course being design at Chart Hills has always been brilliant, but returned to the members on June 1, initially like all gems, they occasionally need polishing and, playing off mats to enable the fairways to establish after 25 years, the time had come. This is just the themselves properly, and from the turf from July beginning of a road of continuous improvement 12. There has also been a complete overhaul of at Chart Hills, with plans already in place for Chart Hills’ trademark 100-plus bunkers, and the further developments over the coming years. resulting work has not only returned them to The investment that we are making is being the fearsome hazards that they once significant, but we are confident that were, but more importantly, also being the end result will cement Chart Hills’ playable all-year around. place among the very best golfing The 7,119-yard layout, which mixes destinations in the South-East.” a parkland design with elements of Next up on the programme links, has always been a beautifully of renovations is the restoration designed course, and worthy of of the greens and tees, many of hosting of numerous professional which have suffered the same tournaments back in the day, drainage issues that has plagued but now it has the presentation ■ DIRECTOR OF GOLF ANTHONY TARCHETTI the fairways. Fortunately, this work to match and will offer year-round can be rotated in small groups of holes championship-standard conditions for and can be carried out quickly and with less generations of new golfers to enjoy. interruption to member play.

Having played the course perhaps half-a-dozen Off the course, the entire venue has been times since the mid-90s, but not since 2010, it refurbished, with a completely redecorated was a rare treat indeed to be among the first to clubhouse, new club shop, modernised bar area, be given the opportunity to play off the pristine, improved car park and signage, and upgraded untouched fairways. I say ‘opportunity’, as the practice facilities that include a state-of-the-art course manager will be delighted to know that they simulator room. remained untouched for quite a few of the holes, Following such a sizeable investment, the club’s as a combination of a misbehaving driver and a new owners are, quite understandably, looking hefty crosswind ensured that many of my second to reposition Chart Hills as an altogether more and third shots were played from the fringes, and exclusive affair, a not uncommon approach adopted yes, some from the deep, deep rough, rather the by many private members’ club during a period manicured short stuff. Wayward tee shots aside, the which has seen a surge of new golfers and an course was even better than I remembered, with increased demand for tee times at all periods of the Faldo’s bold design having matured nicely over the week, placing a new emphasis of the benefits on last 28 years and settled into the natural contours of full membership. At £4,000 a year, membership at the landscape, creating a visual masterpiece, as well Chart Hills doesn’t come cheap, but when you have as course that challenges every part of your game. a course of this quality at your disposal, and the offThe fairways twist and turn in all directions, course facilities to match, I believe it will be a price while those 90-odd bunkers threaten on almost that many will be willing to pay. every shot. There’s no respite when you reach the green either, with the huge and undulating surfaces For more details, visit www.charthills.co.uk or ensuring there’s no such thing as a safe two-putt call 01580 292148. from any distance.

[20] AUGUST 2021 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

KENT IS CALLING!

2 / LONDON GOLF CLUB As a European Tour Destination and part of the IMG Prestige network, London Golf Club provides an oasis of golfing tranquillity in 700 acres of idyllic Kent countryside, just 20 miles from London. The Heritage Course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that bears all the hallmarks of the 18-time Major Champion. Host to the 2008 and 2009 European Open, the course provides an exhilarating test for golfers of all abilities. The International course is pure downland and the quick undulating fairways force a links-style approach.

Blessed with many of the UK’s most revered links courses and dozens of pretty coastal towns and villages, the county of Kent is ready to host your next golfing break The Golf in Kent partnership, co-ordinated Boasting beautiful countryside, charming

by Visit Kent, brings together 10 leading golf coastal towns, captivating castles, unspoiled courses across the county, including both London villages, vibrant vineyards and bursting with Golf Club and Royal St George’s, to promote history and culture, Kent offers the perfect the county as one of the UK’s top golf escape to any eager explorer. destinations.

Whether you’re searching to tantalise your taste buds with WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY – THE a new cuisine, spend some HOME OF KENT’S GOLF COAST quality time on a fun-filled Connecting the vibrant, world family break, laze around on a famous town of Dover and its iconic, luxurious retreat, or tackle some ruggedly beautiful White Cliffs, of the UK’s most challenging with the quaint coastal dwelling and links courses, Kent is sure to have former smuggling haunt of Deal, and the something for you.

With great motorway links and Shepherd Neame perfectly preserved medieval Cinque Port of Sandwich, White Cliffs Country is a only a 38-minute train journey from Brewery tour unique destination.

London, Kent is also home to the Here, striking coastline meets fastest domestic and international quintessential countryside, ancient rail links in England. history meets modern convenience, Kent has a range of worldand peace and tranquillity meet class golf courses across the action and adventure. Home to county, including three Open Kent’s Golf Coast, White Cliffs championship hosts in White Country played proud host to The Cliffs Country - Royal St George’s, Open Championship for the 18th time Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s. last month, when golf fans were treated The east Kent coast also offers to four days of high-class action from the incredible links experiences atop Dover Castle world’s best players over Royal St George’s chalky white cliffs with views across revered fairways. the Channel.

Easily reached from London by the Highspeed By contrast, inland Kent with its rich, rolling line, home to a major international cruise port, countryside, is the perfect backdrop to its and offering the UK’s shortest ferry crossing from heathland and parkland courses. Golfers can also Europe, White Cliffs Country is one of Britain’s immerse themselves in the county’s rich history most accessible golfing destinations. It enjoys one playing on the estates of both Leeds Castle and of the warmest and driest climates in the UK. Hever Castle.

1 / ROYAL ST GEORGE’S GOLF CLUB The widely acclaimed Royal St Georges - regularly voted the number one course in England - has hosted The Open Championship 14 times and in 2021 once again staged golf’s oldest major.

Sandwich, as it is also known, is not a traditional out-and-back links layout, with each nine set out in a loose figure of eight that blends beautifully into the surroundings of wildflowers, orchids, dune grasses and the sweet song of the sky lark with views over Pegwell Bay and the iconic White Cliffs.

3 / PRINCES GOLF CLUB Prince’s Golf Club boasts 27 holes of championship links in three 9-hole loops – The Shore, The Dunes and The Himalayas. Each loop has its own unique characteristics that have recently benefited from substantial investment and redevelopment which has seen the course start to rise up the Top 100 lists. An impressive array of 97 revetted bunkers, including the now-famous Sarazen Bunker, rolling greens and seaside breezes make for challenging golf. Prince’s also offers well-appointed apartment accommodation at The Lodge at Prince’s and a contemporary restaurant, Brasserie on the Bay, offering stunning views over Sandwich Bay, surrounding golf courses and beyond.

4 / ROYAL CINQUE PORTS GOLF CLUB Royal Cinque Ports’ 18-hole Championship course is widely regarded as one of the finest links layouts in the world. The club also has excellent practice facilities, including a driving range, putting green, chipping green and pitching greens.

The club has hosted many top-level events, no higher than the two Open Championships it staged back in 1909 and 1920.

GOLF IN KENT 2021 MAGAZINE Ready to start planning your next golf escape to the Garden of England?

Golf in Kent magazine tells the story of the history of The Open in Kent, as well as sharing ideas of golf breaks in the county, highlighting places to play and stay, and 18 tips for other holiday activities.

To view a digital version, visit https://bit.ly/36xFkYS. For more details about booking a golf break to Kent, visit www.golfinkent.co.uk, www.visitkent.co.uk or www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk.

JOIN IN WITH THE #GOLFINKENTCONVERSATION ON SOCIAL twitter.com/GolfInKent facebook.com/GolfInKent instagram.com/golfinkent

[21]

Y E D V W A E O O R M N O O T T IN

INTERVIEW | AUGUST 2021 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Discover an exclusive lifestyle

I N A B R E AT H TA K I N G P E R I O D S E T T I N G The exquisite restoration of this iconic mansion gives you the opportunity to live in Grade I listed elegance on a tranquil historic estate. Surrounded by almost 300 acres of green landscape in one of Bromley’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, it offers you the best of both worlds – a peaceful setting with a thriving town centre and fast transport links to London.

Sundridge Park Golf Club is minutes from The Mansion, where residents can enjoy a year’s social membership free of charge or join the adult seven-day permanent membership ahead of the waiting list^.

EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION OF CONVERSION APARTMENTS IN AN EXQUISITE GRADE I LISTED MANSION

MAGNIFICENT LANDSCAPED GARDENS & 300 ACRES OF SURROUNDING GREEN SPACE

VIEWS OVER SUNDRIDGE PARK GOLF CLUB

25 MINUTES TO LONDON BRIDGE FROM SUNDRIDGE PARK STATION*

UNDERGROUND PARKING & GARAGES

L U X U R I O U S 2 B E D RO O M A PA RT M E N T S P R I C E D F RO M £ 9 0 0 , 0 0 0 – £ 1 , 9 7 5 , 0 0 0 Prices correct at the time of print.*Journey time is approximate. ^Terms and conditions apply.

CONTAC T US TO ARR ANGE YOUR PRIVATE VIEWING

0203 993 4762 sundridge@cityandcountry.co.uk

Show Homes open by appointment.

The Mansion at Sundridge Park, London BR1 3FZ

cityandcountry.co.uk/sundridge

[22] AUGUST 2021 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

T H E

M A K I N G

O F

A

M A J O R

C H A M P I O N Collin Morikawa’s post-round interview after winning the 149th Open Championship at Royal St George’s gave an fasincating insight into the mindset of a player who has won two majors on debut in his first two years as a professional

H

ow does a player with virtually no links golf experience, and never having played in an Open Championship, not only win it, but win it in quite the way you did? What’s your secret?

The secret? Well, I never do this, but I ate a hamburger for four straight days, so my body is probably feeling it. No, seriously, I love what I do and rather than cower away from this kind of opportunity, I think I tried to embrace it and be excited about it. That’s how I looked at it today, especially coming down the stretch, was that I excited to be in a position to win the Claret Jug, and now that I’ve won it, I’m excited to have it.

Honestly though, as a rookie, you have to try not to listen to every piece of advice that comes your way, or at least try and filter a lot of it out, otherwise it can get in your head. Ever since I turned professional in 2019 I’ve tried not to not ever think of myself as a rookie, but to think that I’m here to win like everybody else. I’m not just trying to make cuts or make a top-30, I’m here to win. So, by the time I teed it up at the US PGA Championship at Harding Park last year I had already played in lots of PGA Tour events with all the big-name guys, and it felt just like a normal event.

I came out this week with that same mindset, not worried about playing against everyone else, but just trying to figure out the golf course. Learning links golf is tough because there are so many slopes and subtle breaks, and I’m the kind of player

LINKS GOLF IS A LEARNING PROCESS AND I LOVE THE CREATIVITY THAT IT DEMANDS. IN THAT RESPECT, IT FITS RIGHT INTO MY POCKET that likes to know every little detail and that’s just not possible with links, as there is so much unpredictability with the bounce and the wind and so on. It’s a learning process and I love the creativity that is demands, especially with iron shots. I love to work the ball and love to figure out the different heights you have to hit it. That what’s links golf does and what it tests. I think it fits right into my pocket with that. n You’ve now made history as the first player to win two majors on their debut.

What does that mean to you?

I think when you make history – and I’m 24 years old – it’s hard to grasp, and it’s hard to really take it in.

When Phil [Mickelson] won the PGA Championship this year, I didn’t look at him as this old guy winning

at 50. I looked at him as a rival competitor that could still play really well. If he put everything together, as he did, he could play well and win. So, at 24 years old, it’s so hard to look back at the two short years that I have been a pro and think about what I’ve done because I’m always looking ahead and I always want more. Of course, I enjoy these moments and I love it, and I want to teach myself to embrace it a little more, so maybe this time I’ll spend a few extra days and sit back and have a drink out of this amazing Claret Jug and try and take in what I have achieved. n I think most observers will have been amazed about how calm and collected you looked on the course. Are you actually that in control of your emotions or are you jumping up and down inside?

I’m glad I looked calm because the nerves were definitely there. But you channel these nerves into excitement and energy, and that moves you away from worrying about what might happen into this is something more positive. So that’s how I look at it, especially as we moved into the back nine. Jordan [Speith] was making birdies; Jon Rahm was pushing; Louis [Ooosthuizen] had an amazing birdie on 11.

But you can’t worry about their scores, I had to focus on the shot in front of me. Can I execute it to the best of my ability? Some we did, some we didn’t, and then you move on. So I really tried to just focus on every shot and do my best from there.

INTERVIEW | AUGUST 2021

[23]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ MORIKAWA NOT ONLY BARELY MISSED A FAIRWAY ALL WEEK, BUT HE ALSO DISPLAYED DEADLY DISTANCE CONTROL WITH HIS IRONS

COLLIN MORIKAWA FACTFILE AGE: 24 BORN: Los Angeles, California, USA Lives: Las Vegas, Nevada TURNED PRO: 2019 WORLD RANKING: 3 TOURNAMENTS PLAYED: 51 CUTS MADE: 45 (88%) TOP 10S: 18 (35%) WINS: 5 (2019 Barracuda Championship.

2020 Workday Charity Open, 2020 US PGA Championship, 2021 Open Championship) CAREER PRIZE MONEY: $13.95m AVERAGE DRIVING DISTANCE: 294 yards (114th) FAIRWAYS HIT: 69% (13th) GREENS IN REGULATION: 72% (2nd) PUTTS PER ROUND: 28.92 (99th) SCORING AVERAGE: 69.67 (4th)

but it still had that same turf, the same fescue fairways, so it definitely helped with my ball striking.

I changed the set-up of my irons after the Scottish, which helped with the way the clubhead interacted with the turf, so I was able to strike the ball a little more cleanly and get the trajectories that I wanted. n Was there a specific turning point during the final round, where you really thought that today was going to be your day?

There are so many things that can go wrong at any given point, but the 7th hole was definitely a turning point. At that point I felt like I was hitting quality shots and giving myself good chances for birdies, but nothing was really happening. But to get a good break off the drive on seven and make birdie from there kind of got the round started.

And with Louis making bogey, that two-shot swing moved the round into another gear. It was still way too early in the day to know how things would pan out, but it certainly gave me some forward momentum.

n How important was your experience of playing the Scottish Open the previous week in preparing you to win The Open?

The Scottish Open was huge for me. Even after that start I had in the final round, where I was like fiveover after six holes, I think I finished with four birdies in the last five and managed to build some sort of momentum coming into The Open. The course at Renaissance was quite different to Royal St George’s,

n The stats show that putting is probably the weakest part of your game, or, shall we say, ‘the least strong’, so how do you explain you amazing performance with the putter this week?

Yeah, everything about my stats says I’m not a good putter, but I feel like in these situations everything is thrown off the table. Forget about all your stats, it’s all about who can perform well in these pressure situations. That’s why I think over the past few majors you’ve seen a lot of the same

WHAT’S IN MORIKAWA’S BAG? Here is the equipment Collin used to win The Open Championship DRIVER: TAYLORMADE SIM (8°) FAIRWAY WOODS TAYLORMADE SIM TITANIUM 3 (14°), TAYLORMADE SIM2 5 (19°) HYBRID: TAYLORMADE SIM MAX RESCUE (19) UTILITY: TAYLORMADE SIM UDI IRONS: TAYLORMADE P770 (4), TAYLORMADE P7MC (5-9), TAYLORMADE P730 (PW) WEDGES: TAYLORMADE MG 2 (50°), TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM8 (56°), TAYLORMADE MG2 HI-TOE (60°) PUTTER: TAYLORMADE TP JUNO BALL: TAYLORMADE TP5

names up there, because they believe in their game, they know what they’re doing when they practice, and they’re able to bring it out in these big moments.

It was definitely one of my best putting weeks, especially from inside ten feet. I felt like it was as solid as it’s going to get. I don’t think I really missed many from that distance. And for me to be able to do that on a Sunday when you’re in contention for a Major really kind of surprised me. I’m going to tell ask myself tomorrow why can’t I keep doing that all the time, but it’s certainly a week to put in the old memory bank for the future and know that I can putt well in these pressure situations.

The greens were much slower than I’m used to putting home on the PGA Tour, so it took me a while to adjust my speed, but once I got it dialled in I felt pretty comfortable. I added an extra 10g of weight to my putter after the Scottish Open and that certainly helped get the ball up to the hole a little easier. n Some people said that winning the US PGA without any fans somehow made it easier for you, as a rookie, to contend with the pressure, but now that you’ve won The Open in front of over 30,000 spectators, can we dismiss that idea?

I didn’t feel like I had anything to prove to myself in that respect, but I hope the thing is off the table now as far as the media is concerned and that I’ve showed I can play with fans and without fans and that I can win either way.

I’ve closed out tournaments before when in the final group, although not in a major, but having done so now it will make me a better player going forward and it certainly felt great to see and hear the appreciation of the fans as I walked up 18.

That’s the one thing that will stick in my mind for the rest of my life. n Now that the Major season is out of the way, how much are you looking forward to competing as a team player at the Ryder Cup? Making the team was a huge goal of mine this year, so to have that wrapped up is immensely satisfying and I’m really looking forward to getting together with Steve [Stricker] and the guys and hopefully getting the cup back for the US. Hopefully we can start a new trend of the US hopefully dominating when it comes to the Ryder Cup. But you know, I’ve got to know a bunch of the Europeans already, and they are great competitors, and none of us want to lose at the end of the day. May the best team win, but hopefully it’ll be us!

■ SCORES ON THE DOORS THE OPEN'S ICONIC BIG YELLOW SCOREBOARD SHOWS THE FINAL STANDINGS

■ HAYMAKER - RORY MCILROY PLAYS FROM THE ROUGH ON THE OPENING HOLE DURING THE SECOND ROUND. THE NORTHERN IRISHMAN FINISHED TIED 46TH AS HIS SEARCH FOR A FIFTH MAJOR CONTINUES

THE

149T

OP CHAMPI

The 149th Open Championship failed to plenty of thrills and spills, and saw th Collin Morikawa as one of the most ex

IN ■ AND THEY'RE OFF! ENGLAND'S RICHARD BLAND GETS THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 149TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP UNDERWAY AT 6.30AM ■ 2011 OPEN CHAMPION DARREN CLARKE ACKNOWLEDGES THE CROWD AS HE WALKS UP THE 18TH FAIRWAY. THE HERO OF ST GEORGE'S A DECADE AGO SHOT ROUNDS OF 71 AND 75 TO MISS THE CUT BY FIVE SHOTS

■ BOMBS AWAY - BROOKS KOEPKA PREPARES TO UNLEASH HIS DRIVE ON THE SECOND HOLE. THE FOUR-TIME MAJOR WINNER FINISHED TIED SIXTH AFTER A CLOSING 65

PIC

■ MANY A SLIP - WORLD NO.1 JON RAHM REACTS TO A MISSED BIRDIE PUTT ON THE 16TH HOLE THAT WOULD LEAVE HIM IN A TIE FOR THIRD AFTER A CLOSING 66

TH

■ FORE LEFT! BRYSON DECHAMBEAU WARNS FANS TO WATCH OUT AS YET ANOTHER DRIVE FAILS TO FIND THE SHORT STUFF. THE 2020 US OPEN CHAMPION TOOK HIS TIME TO GET TO GRIPS WITH ST GEORGE'S, BUT RALLIED WITH A CLOSING 65 TO FINISH TIED 33RD

OPEN

EN ONSHIP

produce an English winner, but it offered he continuing emergence of America’s xciting young talents in the game today.

TU RE S

■ THE HILLS ARE ALIVE - CROWDS OCCUPY EVERY INCH OF THE DUNES OVERLOOKING THE SIXTH GREEN. OVER 32,000 SPECTATORS WERE ALLOWED IN EACH DAY AS COVID RESTRICTIONS BEGAN TO BE EASED FOR OUTDOOR EVENTS

■ READ IT AND WEEP - JORDAN SPIETH SIZES UP HIS FINAL PUTT ON SUNDAY AS HIS ATTEMPT TO WIN A SECOND OPEN TITLE CAME UP JUST SHORT

■ TIME TO SHINE- COLLIN MORIKAWA CAPTURED THE CLARET JUG AT HIS VERY FIRST ATTEMPT

STORY BEHIND THE PIC WILLIE HUNTER • THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB, JUNE 1921

T

his year marks the 100th anniversary of the year when Willie Hunter, a member of Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club in Kent, won the Amateur Championship.

With a past winners’ list that includes names such as Bobby Jones, Michael Bonallack, Peter McEvoy, Sergio Garcia and José-Maria Olazabal, Hunter’s achievement was clearly a special one – but that is not even half the story where the remarkable golfing career of this particular Scotsman is concerned.

Willie was the son of Harry Hunter, whose brother Ramsay left the family home in Edinburgh in 1887 to take up a position as the first greenkeeper at the newly created Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich.

Three years later Ramsay offered Harry a position as clubmaker at St George’s and so he too moved south and then, in 1892, Harry was appointed greenkeeper at Royal Cinque Ports, which marked the start of his 45 years of service to the Deal club, mostly as the head professional.

1892 also saw the birth of Willie and, with golf very much in his blood, he was already impressing in local tournaments before his progress was put on hold by the outbreak of the First World War, during which Willie served in the Royal Engineers in France.

When hostilities ended, Willie returned home and started working at Deal Post Office. He also joined Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club and, in 1920, reached the quarter-finals of the Amateur Championship at Muirfield, laying down a marker for what was to happen in the same championship at Hoylake 12 months later.

There, Willie fought his way through to the final where he achieved an emphatic 12&11 victory over Hoylake’s Allan Graham – a winning margin in a final which remains the third largest in the 135-year history of the championship. Walmer & Kingsdown marked his

HUNTER'S 12&11 VICTORY IN THE 1921 AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP REMAINS THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE TOURNAMENT'S 135-YEAR HISTORY

achievement by making him an honorary life member – an extremely rare honour in those days.

Boosted by his Hoylake success, Hunter decided to enter the US Amateur Championship at St Louis Country Club later that summer and managed to reach the semifinals, but it was his quarter-final victory over Bobby Jones that made national newspaper headlines on both sides of The Atlantic.

Jones, then aged 19, had already been picked for the US national amateur team, but Hunter beat the future legend 2&1 in a match which drew record galleries.

The tournament also marked the start of Hunter’s love affair with North America, and the following year he applied for US citizenship and began looking for a job while continuing to enjoy regular victories in amateur tournaments. That persuaded him to turn professional

Golf breaks in the heart of the East Sussex Countryside, stay and play on our championship 18 hole course and enjoy many other facilities The 20 bedroom hotel looks over the course and a short walk from the 1st tee, driving range and clubhouse facilities.

GOLF BREAK One Night Accommodation, Breakfast, Evening Meal, Two Rounds of Golf £140 per person (based on sharing a room) Other packages available.

Tennis court availability and Par three course.

CONTACT US TODAY Sedlescombe Golf & Country Club, Kent Street, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0SG T: 01424 871710 | www.sedlescombegolfclub.co.uk email: bookings@sedlescombegolfclub.co.uk

in 1925 after which he had spells as head professional at three Californian clubs, lastly at the famous Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, a role he was to hold for 28 years.

During his time at Riviera, Hunter gave lessons to a host of legendary Hollywood actors such as Gregory Peck, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracey, Katharine Hepburn and Bob Hope, and it was Hope who hosted the testimonial dinner which the Riviera club staged to mark Hunter’s retirement in 1964. While he was coaching, Hunter still enjoyed success as a player, including finishing runner-up in the Los Angeles Open twice and winning the Southern California Open six times.

Riviera’s connection with the Hunter family lived on after Willie’s retirement, as his son, MacGregor, himself a fine player, succeeded him as head professional and held the post for nine years.

Hunter Snr died in 1968 at the age of 72, with his son paying this tribute to his father: “He never had much money and all he made he spent, but I can never remember Dad refusing anything his family needed and wanted. And his golfing love was Riviera – he called her the greatest of all courses he had ever played and was proud and grateful to have been the head pro for such a long time."

Darren Clarke credits effects of CBD Oil on Senior Open challenge

■ DARREN CLARKE SAID THAT HIS USE OF CBD OIL HELPED KEEP IN THE HUNT FOR THE SENIOR OPEN TITLE AT SUNNINGDALE

Darren Clarke continued his strong run of strong at Sunningdale as he came close to adding The Senior Open title to his list of accolades – with the Northern Irishman citing his use of CBD oil as a contribution to his recent form.

Clarke, who recently bagged two wins on the PGA Tour Champions in the space of just three months, finished in third place at Sunningdale after a strong showing throughout the week and, after the final round, he was quick to champion the benefits of CBD oil which helped him remain focused throughout the four days of intense competition.

“CBD oil has undoubtedly helped my game, especially when it came to recovering between rounds this week at The Senior Open,” he said.

During two busy weeks of competition in soaring British temperatures, Clarke’s ability to challenge for the Senior Open title just days after playing in The Open at Royal St George’s, was testament to his ability to recover and re-focus, thanks largely to his use

of CBD oil.

He continued: “It’s easy to get tired and achy when playing a four-day tournament, but I’m certain that using CBD this week worked to negate that, and also I have never slept better. It’s definitely made a difference.”

Clarke recently launched his own brand of CBD products; Darren Clarke CBD, and the 2011 Open Champion has spoken highly on the difference the oils have made to his game on a personal level.

“I’ve always looked to find marginal gains when it comes to my golf, and we are always searching for ways to improve our personal wellness,” he added. “Darren Clarke CBD gives golfers of all levels a better state of mind to remain calm under stress, allow them to deal with disappointment and keep the focus on the game ahead.”

ALL YOUR FAVOURITE BRANDS

For more information contact us at - sales@golfonline.co.uk or call us on +44 (0) 208 951 6080 or visit us at - GolfInstore, Woodfield House 506-508 Honeypot Lane Stanmore Middlesex, HA7 1JS

*Free delivery on orders over £50 within Mainland UK. Free Returns Service only for apparel & footwear orders within Mainland UK.

[28] AUGUST 2021 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

M AGIC A L

MIGLIOZZI With the Molinari brothers star seemingly in the descendency, it may fall on the slender shoulders of young Guido Migliozzi to fly the flag for Italy at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. And judging by his current form, the 24-year-old from Vicenza looks more than up to the task

W

hen it was announced back in 2015 that Italy had won the bid to host the 2022 Ryder Cup, there few a few raised eyebrows among observers that a country with very little domestic appetite for golf, and so little ‘skin in the game’ when it came to the Ryder Cup, had been given the nod over the powerhouses of Spain and Germany.

One thing in Italy’s favour, in fact two things, in addition to strong governmental support and Rome being a lovely place for a weekend break, were the Molinari brothers. Francesco, the elder of the two, was hovering around the world’s top 50 and improving with every passing season, while his younger brother, Eduardo, was also inside the top 100, although his career was sadly going the other way.

Thankfully, also in the credit side of the Italian accounts was that the pair had famously doubled up to help Europe win the 2010 Ryder Cup and that alone must surely have been worth a few extra points from the judging panel. And then there was golden child, Matteo Manassero, the Verona-born winner of the 2013 BMW PGA Championship, who was also seemingly destined for even greater things.

And the decision to award the matches to Marco Simone Golf & Country Club looked even better when Frankie Molinari captured the Open Championship in 2018, becoming the first Italian to lift the Claret Jug. Overnight, the then 36-yearold from Turin single-handedly took Italy’s standing on the global golf stage to new and unparalleled levels, effectively rubber-stamping

I GREW UP WATCHING THE MASTERS AND THE OLYMPICS ON TV, SO TO GET THE CHANCE TO PLAY IN BOTH IS A DREAM COME TRUE Ryder Cup Europe’s faith that they had backed the right horse. Rolex Series events followed, with the Italian Open enjoying a super-charged prize fund and some unusually strong fields over the next three seasons.

Fast forward to the present day, and we find the hero of Carnoustie having moved out to California for the riches of the PGA Tour – and some decent weather – and currently ranked 146th in the world, while Eduardo has started to climb his way out of obscurity and now sits at 322nd after finishing second in June’s European Open. Mannasero is now languishing at 592nd in the rankings and is carving out a living between the Challenge Tour and the Alps Tour.

But thankfully all is far from lost if you’re a fan of Italian golfers, and also like the idea of the host nation of a Europe-based Ryder Cup having a representative in the team. Step forward Guido Migliozzi.

The 24-year-old from Vicenza in north-east Italy has been kicking tyres, knocking down trees and lighting fires ever since he picked up a golf club. After winning Italy’s national junior championships at U14, U16 and U18 levels, Migliozzi wasted no time in proving himself on the international stage, winning the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy in 2013, the

2014 European Nations Cup in 2014, and the Portuguese International Amateur in 2016.

Turning professional in 2016, aged just 19, he cut his teeth on the ultra-competitive Alps Tour – where Matt Wallace also earned his stripes – and where three wins in the space of 12 months marked him out as a special talent in the making.

Anxious to take his game to the next level, Migliozzi entered the European Tour’s qualifying school at the end of 2018 in the hope of gaining one of the precious 20 cards on offer for the following season’s schedule. He finished 13th after the six-round marathon in Spain and his professional career was properly up and running.

Quickly into his stride, it took the young Italian just three months to open his account on Europe’s top tier, winning the 2020 Magical Kenya Open in March with a score of 16 under par. Three months after that he was dipping his fingers in the winner’s cookie jar again when he won the Belgian Knockout, a somewhat strange combination of stroke play and match play, which saw him beat Darius van Driel in the final, a result that lifted Migliozzi into the top 100 of the world rankings for the first time.

While the pandemic put a temporary brake on his rapid ascendency up the ranks during the middle and latter half of 2020, Migliozzi quickly

INTERVIEW | AUGUST 2021 [29] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ MIGLIOZZI REPRESENTED ITALY IN THE TOKYO OLMYPICS WHERE HE FINIISHED TIED 32ND

GUIDO MIGLIOZZI FACTFILE AGE: 24 BORN: VICENZA, ITALY TURNED PRO: 2016 WORLD RANKING: 68 RACE TO DUBAI RANKING: 10 EUROPEAN TOUR APPEARANCES: 64 CUTS MADE: 35 WINS: 2 (2020 Magical Kenya Open, 2020 Belgium Knockout) TOP 10s: 10 PRIZE MONEY: €1.987m DRIVING DISTANCE: 305 yards (49th) DRIVING ACCURACY: 47.33% (157th) GREENS IN REG: 70% (24th) PUTTS PER RD: 29 (109th) STROKE AV: 69.23 (4th)

■ MIGLIOZZ WON HIS FIRST TOUR EVENT AT THE KENYA OPEN IN 2020

found his stride in 2021, finishing second in the Qatar Masters in February, where he was only beaten by Antoine Rozner’s 60-foot putt at the final green; while in May, he lost out in a playoff to Richard Bland at the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry. Undaunted by that reverse, two weeks later, Migliozzi finished second behind Bernd Wiesberger at the Made in Himmerland tournament in Denmark, with the home favourite making four birdies in the last five holes to take the title from under the Italian’s nose.

Now comfortably inside the world’s elite rankings to earn a Major call up, Migliozzi made his US Open Championship debut at Torrey Pines in June, where he showed incredible temperament, and no shortage of skill, to finish tied fourth. As well as being about as a good a start to a Major career as you could hope for, baring a win, the high placing not only earned him an exemption for the 2022 renewal, but also an invitation to next year’s Masters Tournament at Augusta.

It’s been a lot for the young man to take in, but Migliozzi remains surprisingly level-headed about his meteoric rise over the last 12 months, which now sees him side the world’s top 70 and heading inexorably towards the top 50, where the real magic happens.

Looking back at his Major debut, he says: “It was a wonderful week at Torrey Pines from start to finish It was a monster course, and proved really tough from tee to green, especially over the weekend, so it was even more special to shoot 68 on the Sunday. Heading into the final day six

■ MIGLIOZZI HAS BEEN A CALLAWAY STAFF PLAYER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2020

shots off the pace, I was just hoping to play solid and maybe edge into the top ten, so to end up finishing inside the top five made me very happy.

“I took a lot of pride in seeing my name move up the world ranking the day after the tournament, and I’m also thrilled to be invited to play in my first-ever Masters Tournament in April.

It will just be a dream come true having watched it on TV for so many years!”

Migliozzi’s CV enjoyed another hefty addition just two weeks ago when he gained the title of ‘Olympian’, having earned his selection for the Tokyo Games on the back of his high world ranking. He represented Italy alongside fellow countryman Renato Paratore, who stepped in following Francesco Molinari’s withdrawal due to ongoing back problems.

“Like the Masters, I grew up watching the Olympics on TV, so to be able to call myself an Olympic athlete and to represent the Italian nation was another dream come true for me.”

Managed by Nial Horan’s Modest! Golf, and sponsored for his clubs by Callaway, his clothing and footwear by adidas Golf and his watch

by Omega, Migliozzi is blessed with the good looks that young Italians seem to carry off so effortlessly, and is surely destined to become one of the European Tour’s poster boys for many years to come, and while the Italian Golf Federation will be hoping he can maintain his rise up the ranks to be earn automatic selection for the Ryder Cup matches 2022, he has already given Padraig Harrington plenty to think about for the upcoming matches in 2021, having moved inside the top 10 on the Race to Dubai rankings.

While an away match, especially one that will see no European fans, often calls for experience over youth, it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of fantasy to believe that this seemingly fearless competitor could play a part in Europe retaining the cup in Wisconsin.

GUIDO’S GEAR DRIVER: CALLAWAY EPIC SPEED (8.5°) FAIRWAY WOODS: CALLAWAY MAVRIK PRO (15°) HYBRID: CALLAWAY MAVRIK PRO (20°) IRONS: CALLAWAY APEX PRO (4-6), APEX MB (7-PW) WEDGES: CALLAWAY JAWS MD5 (50°, 54°, 58°) PUTTER: ODYSSEY WHITE HOT OG 1 BALL: CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT X

[30] AUGUST 2021 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

InBrief LA MANGA TO HOST LET QUALIFYING SCHOOL ★ The Ladies European Tour is to host its Qualifying School at La Manga Club in Spain for the next three years. The club, which is home to three 18-hole courses, has played host to five previous editions, the most recent of which was held in January 2020 and won by Wales’ Amy Boulden. For the 2021 staging, the venue’s North and South Courses will host both the four-round PreQualifying Stage on December 9-12 and the five-round Final Stage on December 16-20.

TOURNEWS ■ EUROPEAN TOUR PLAYERS WILL BE ABLE TO EARN RACE TO DUBAI PONITS AT TWO REGULAR PGA TOUR EVENTS NEXT SEASON

HERBERT HOLDS ON TO WIN IRISH OPEN ★ Lucas Herbert won the Irish Open by three shots at Mount Juliet. After opening with rounds of 64, 67, and 70, the 25-yearold Australian began the final round with a one-shot lead, and a composed performance down the stretch saw him come home in 33 to finish with a 68 on 19 under par, three clear of nearest challenger Rikard Karlberg.

JUNIOR RYDER CUP CANCELLED ★ Next month’s scheduled Junior Ryder Cup has been cancelled due to the ongoing travel issues for the European team caused by the pandemic. The match was scheduled to take place at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin from September 20-21, ahead of the main event at Whistling Straits. In place of the matches, members of the US Junior Ryder Cup team members will play an exhibition match at Whistling Straits on September 22. The team will also be introduced at the Ryder Cup opening ceremony and invited to watch the first day’s play on September 24.

BROADY’S BACK IN BUSINESS ★ Paul Broadhurst won the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Formby Golf Club after closing with a threeunder-par 69 to finish one stroke clear of Thomas Levet and John Bickerton. Victory ended a threeyear winless spell for the 55-yearold dual senior major winner.

NEDBANK CHALLENGE CANCELLED ★ The 2021 Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player will not take place as a result of the restrictions placed on events and spectators in South Africa because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 40th anniversary of the tournament was scheduled to take place at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City from November 11-14.

PGA TOUR AND EUROPEAN TOUR BUILD CLOSER TIES WITH THREE CO-SANCTIONED EVENTS IN 2022 The Scottish Open is to be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour next season, and two of the four World Golf Championships are to be scrapped as part of host of major changes announced by the PGA Tour and the European Tour for the 2021/22 tournament schedule.

Korean carmakers Genesis have been confirmed as the new title sponsor for the Scottish Open for the next three years, with the 2022 renewal being played the week before the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July, while the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship will also count towards both the FedExCup and the Race to Dubai from next season.

There will be 50 places on offer for European Tour players at both the Barbasol and the Barracuda, which coincide with the Genesis Scottish Open and the Open

Championship next year.

As part of the new alliance between the PGA Tour and the European Tour, the Irish Open will have its prize fund doubled to $6m, starting with next year’s tournament, the venue for which has yet to be announced.

In other changes, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Texas is currently the only confirmed World Golf Championship event scheduled for the 202122 season.

The WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational is being renamed the FedEx St Jude Championship for next season and will replace Northern Trust as the title sponsor for the start of the FedEx Cup series in August.

The WGC-Workday Championship has been removed from the schedule, while the continuation of the WGC-HSBC Champions event in China is awaiting confirmation.

ELVIRA BREAKS TOUR DUCK AT CELTIC MANOR Spain’s Nacho Elvira beat Justin Harding in a play-off to win his first European Tour title at the Cazoo Open held at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Elvira took a six-stroke lead into the final day on The Twenty Ten Course, but was caught by the chasing pack as Callum Shinkwin, Mikko Korhonen and Harding staked their claims for the title. Of those giving chase, Harding rose to the top as he signed for a 65 to set the clubhouse target at 16 under.

Elvira, who sat on 17 under, and was one under for the day when stood on the 18th tee, found the 72nd green with his third stroke after laying up on the par-five closing hole. The 34-year-old had two putts for victory, but missed a three-footer coming back after sliding his first past the hole, facing a play-off after tapping in for bogey.

On the first extra hole, both found the green in three, but after Elvira missed a birdie chance to win from nine feet, Harding missed his attempt at matching the Spaniard’s par to hand Elvira his first title on his 195th European Tour start.

LEE ENDS MAJOR DROUGHT WITH EVIAN WIN Australian Minjee Lee won her first Major title after beating South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a playoff at the Evian Championship at Evian Resort in France.

The 25-year-old, who started the final round seven shots behind overnight leader Lee6, fired a final round of 64 to set the clubhouse lead of 18-under-par. With three consecutive birdies to close her round, Lee6 forced a playoff which took place on the par-five 18th where both leaders hit the fairway with their tee shots. Lee hit the green in two and Lee6 tried to follow her footsteps, but hit it short into the water, leaving Australian with three putts from 10 feet for victory, for which she only required two.

“I’m speechless. I’ve been waiting for this for so long,” said Lee. “It just feels unreal to have won. I played really well to get myself in the playoff, and I’m just really happy to have won.”

American Yealimi Noh was also in the mix towards the end of her round but missed a birdie chance on the last hole to join the playoff. The 19-year-old carded a final round of 67 to claim third place on 17-under-par.

Further down the leaderboard, Georgia Hall and Ireland’s Leona Maguire joined Lydia Ko and In Gee Chun in the sixth place on 13-under-par. Hall finished her round in style with an eagle on the last to shoot a 64, while Maguire matched the best score ever played in a Major tournament with a final round 10-under-par 61.

■ MINJEE LEE

NEWS | JULY 2021

[31]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Aces high at Hindhead as scoring slip sees Surrey senior’s handicap slashed The new World Handicapping System has been a source of controversy at clubs up and down the country since it was introduced last year, with many players experiencing significant cuts and increases to their handicaps on the basis of just a couple of good, bad or indifferent rounds.

So spare a thought for Surrey amateur John Nash, a longstanding member at Hindhead Golf Club, who last month had his handicap slashed from 20 to 3.4 all in the space of just 18 holes.

Looking at the scorecard in question, the record-breaking round included no fewer than eight hole-in-ones, five of which were achieved on par-four holes, and two on par fives.

His incredible achievement was listed in the Surrey club’s

Hall of Fame page – but not for long. For unsurprisingly, all was not as it seemed.

In posting his score on the club computer, Nash inadvertently entered his stableford points instead of the actual number of shots taken on each hole. So his eight single-pointers were automatically registered as aces – boosting his total of 30 points to an unimaginable 75.

Nash said: “Not bad for an old boy of 72! However, my card went to the pro shop for immediate adjustment – though I did take a screen shot of the web page as a souvenir before the mistake was rectified. I’m glad it was amended before my next round. But at least I can now always claim I was once a 3-handicapper – even if it was short-lived!”

Mortimer Merriweather makes a welcome return Golf fans in search of a bit of light reading relief should hunt out the latest offering from the keyboard of gifted regular Golf News columnist Clive Agran, who has penned an update to his award-winning compilation of letters written by his alter ego, Mortimer Merriweather.

Merriweather is a complex character with virtually ■ CLIVE AGR AN nothing to show for 60 years of golf at the lowest level.

- AKA MORTIMER Decades of abject failure to strike the ball properly, MERRIW EATHER undoubtedly fuelled his frustration and led ultimately to him venting his ire on individuals, companies and organisations connected with the game of golf in a series of letters which are often provocative, frequently offensive, but always absurdly amusing.

From his letter to the British Trust for Ornithology asking them to support his idea for new terms for over-par shots (partridges, great tits and shags), to his missive to former US President Donald Trump, suggesting he give up plans to run for a second term in office and focus on taking over St Andrews, no subject is off limits for Merriweather. Whether it be swing advice for Dustin Johnson, tips on looking happy for Colin Montgomerie, or ideas for new design features on iconic golf courses, Merriweather refuses to hold back.

Accompanied by a collection of excellent cartoon illustrations by Tony Husband, Great Tits on the Front and a Shag up the Last - The Unexpurgated Golf Letters of Mortimer Merriweather, is available from Amazon in paperback for £9.99 or as a digital download for £2.49.

WEBUYANYGOLFCLUB

WE ARE THE COUNTRIES LEADING BUYER OF USED GOLF CLUBS We will consider the clubs the other guys will not

• South East, we can come to you and pay cash • Anywhere else, you can send us your clubs and get paid by cheque or PayPal • Bring your clubs to RG42 3DH for cash

■ HINDHEAD GOLF CLUB WAS THE SETTING FOR JOHN NASH'S 'MIRACLE' ROUND

• We can clear pro shop oldstock • We can hold regular bring and sell days at your club giving members cash to spend in your shop • Available every day throughout the year. Please call in advance to make an appointment

GOLFING UNIT, NESTINGS, JIGS LANE, N.BRACKNELL, RG42 3DH We are the opposite side of the roundabout as TESCO, Warfield Email: graham@webuyanygolfclub.com Tel: 07880 706308

Get Golfing competition gets the blood pumping at Mill Green

■ GET GOLFING'S MILL GRE

EN

Charity Get Golfing has partnered with the NHS Blood & Transplant service as part of its commitment to supporting both national and local charities at its sites.

Get Golfing, which operates seven clubs in the South-East and one in the Midlands, kicked off the partnership at its Mill Green site in Hertfordshire in July with the NHS Blood & Transplant Trophy competition. An NHS Blood & Transplant recruitment team were on hand to talk to golfers about the need for donations of blood, stem cells, tissue and platelets.

Stuart Williams, Get Golfing’s Community Development Officer, said the initiative, which will visit Hampton Court Palace in August, Arkley in September and Pyrford Lakes in October, is just one aspect of Get Golfing’s Community Helping Unlock Barriers programme.

“We want to make a difference in our neighbourhoods, not just in using our facilities to raise funds for other charities but so that local communities feel welcome at all our venues and feel that they can just meet up with friends and family for great social interactions,” he said.

Other initiatives include supporting the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk campaign by hosting a series of social walks around its golf courses this September, and Community Dog Walks aimed at boosting people’s social interaction in aid of good causes such as Battersea Dogs Home.

StrikeititRite!

Rite!

Strike Strike it Rite!

Strike it Rite!

Speed EPICEPIC Speed MaxMax EPIC Speed Max InSpeed stock &Max Demo’s EPIC In stock & Demo’s In stock & Demo’s In stock & Demo’s

PING DEMO CENTRE PING DEMO CENTRE PING DEMO CENTRE PING DEMO CENTRE G425 & i210 G425 & G425 & i210i210

G425 & i210 Srixon Stockist Srixon Stockist Srixon Stockist Srixon Stockist

PING DEMO CENTRE G425 & i210 CHROME SOFT 2018 TRUVIS ARRIVED CHROMESOFT SOFT 2018 2018 TRUVIS CHROME TRUVISARRIVED ARRIVED Srixon Stockist Strike it Rite!

Srixon Stockist CHROME SOFT 2018 TRUVISoffer!!!

ARRIVED PING G400 on special PINGG400 G400 on PING on special specialoffer!!! offer!!!

EPIC Speed Max In stock & Demo’s

COMPONENT CLUB MAKING AT REALISTIC PRICES PING G400 on special offer!!!

COMPONENTCLUB CLUB MAKING MAKING AT PRICES COMPONENT ATREALISTIC REALISTIC PRICES

CHROME SOFTMAVRIK 2018 TRUVIS ARRIVED CALLAWAY ROGUE special COMPONENT CLUB& ATon REALISTIC PRICES CALLAWAY ROGUE &MAKING MAVRIK on special offer!!! offer!!!

CALLAWAY ROGUE & MAVRIK on special offer!!!

PING onhanded special offer!!!

Mens, Ladies and Juniors left G400 and right made to measure or ex stock

CALLAWAY ROGUE & MAVRIK special offer!!!

Mens, Ladies and Juniors left and right handedon made to measure or ex stock

CLUB AT REALISTIC Mens, LadiesCOMPONENT and Juniors left andMAKING right handed made to PRICES measure or ex stock RE-GRIPPING WHILE-U-WAIT! Mens, Ladies and Juniors left and right handed made to RE-GRIPPING WHILE-U-WAIT! CALLAWAY ROGUE & MAVRIK on specialmeasure offer!!! or ex stock PING, CALLAWAY, WHILE-U-WAIT! WINN, GOLFPRIDE, RE-GRIPPING RE-GRIPPING WHILE-U-WAIT!

PING, CALLAWAY, WINN, GOLFPRIDE, Mens, Ladies and Juniors left and right handed made to measure or ex stock LAMKIN, STOCKED -- FROM £6.50 PING, CALLAWAY, WINN, GOLFPRIDE, LAMKIN, STOCKED FROM £6.50 PING, CALLAWAY, WINN, GOLFPRIDE, NEW SHAFT IN 24 RE-GRIPPING NEWLAMKIN, SHAFT FITTED FITTED INWHILE-U-WAIT! 24 HOURS! HOURS! FROM £20 STOCKED - FROM FROM £6.50 £20 LAMKIN, STOCKED FROM £6.50 PING, CALLAWAY, WINN, GOLFPRIDE, YONEX fitting centre & demo’s ………..

Bridgestone balls 24 HOURS! FROM £20in YONEX NEW fittingSHAFT centre &FITTED demo’s IN ………..

Bridgestone balls in stock stock NEW SHAFT FITTED IN 24 HOURS! FROM £20 LAMKIN, STOCKED FROM £6.50 For honest and unbiased expert advice call now on: honest and&unbiased expert advice call now on:in stock YONEXFor fitting centre demo’s ………..

Bridgestone balls NEW SHAFT FITTED IN 24 HOURS! FROM £20 YONEX fitting centre & demo’s ……….. Bridgestone balls in stock

01689 890077

For honest and unbiased expertBridgestone advice call now on: YONEX fitting centre & demo’s ……….. balls in stock

For honest and unbiased expert advice call now on:

01689 890077 01689 01689 890077 890077

For honest and unbiased expert advice call now on: C.T. C.T. Golf, Golf, 1 1 Stanley Stanley Way, Way, St. St. Mary’s Mary’s Cray, Cray, Orpington, Orpington, Kent, Kent, BR5 BR5 2HE 2HE Website: www.ctgolf.co.uk | Email: enquiries@ctgolf.co.uk Website: www.ctgolf.co.uk | Email: enquiries@ctgolf.co.uk

C.T. Golf, 1 Stanley Way, St. Mary’s Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 2HE C.T. Golf, 1 Stanley Way, St. Mary’s Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 2HE Website: www.ctgolf.co.uk | Email: C.T. Golf, 1 Stanley Way, St. Mary’s Cray,enquiries@ctgolf.co.uk Orpington, Kent, BR5 2HE Website: www.ctgolf.co.uk | Email: enquiries@ctgolf.co.uk Website: www.ctgolf.co.uk | Email: enquiries@ctgolf.co.uk

[32] AUGUST 2021 | FEATURE GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

J

THE

GOLDEN CHILD With an Olympic gold medal to go with his four PGA Tour wins, 27-year-old Xander Schauffele now has the hardwear to back up the belief that he truly belongs in the world’s elite

ust five years ago, Xander Schauffele was fighting for his professional life on the lower rungs of the Web.com Tour, having missed missing nine of his first 12 cuts in the second tier of America’s pro circuit.

Ranked 1,743rd in the world, the former San Diego University student could only watch on with a mixture of envy and frustration as his peers, including Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, stormed golf’s upper ranks and became the poster boys for the new generation of American golf.

Fast forward to August 2021, and the Californian-born son of a German father and a Chinese mother is now enjoying global fame having won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. And just as Justin Rose discovered when he won gold in Rio in 2016, life for the current world no.5 will never quite be the same again.

For Schauffele, an unassuming man with an unassuming golf game, victory in Toyko, against a truly world class field, is nothing short of what one of the game’s most consistent performers in recent seasons has deserved. It draws a line firmly in the sand for a player who has often been criticised for being a poor finisher.

And while nerves clearly played their part over the back nine on Sunday in Tokyo, the manner of Schauffele’s victory, leading from the front over the final 36 holes, and closing it out with a stunning up-and-down on the 72nd hole, speak of a man who is finally coming to terms with the depth of his talent and his mental resolve.

“I’ve had doubts at every stage of my career,” says Schauffele. “Coming out of college, you never really know how good you are, you’ve never played for money, you’ve put all your eggs in one basket and your whole life revolves around it. For a while, I didn’t think I was going to be good enough.”

Golf can be a humbling sport and Schauffele has often had to come within touching distance of failure to rise above it. When he qualified for the 2017 US Open, just 72 hours before the event was due to begin, he was on the verge of losing his PGA Tour card. And yet, in his first round at a major championship, he shot a flawless sixunder-par 66 and went on to eventually finish fifth. Later that year he won his maiden event at the Greenbrier Classic, and just three weeks later followed it up by becoming the first rookie in PGA Tour history to win the Tour Championship, scooping over $12 million in the process. He ended the year as world no.32, and the golfing world knew his name – and some even learned how to pronounce it.

Since then, Schauffele has won another two more PGA Tour events and finished in the top-10 in nine of the 18 majors he has competed in. He rounded out the PGA Tour’s 2019-2020 wraparound season with a second-placed finish at the Tour Championship, and then placed fifth at the US Open at Winged Foot – which was his fourth straight top-10 at the tournament. This season he has bagged three second places (CJ Cup, Farmers Insurance Open and the Phoenix Open), finished third in the Masters, seventh in the US Open, and 26th at last month’s Open Championship. With 93 cut made from 114 events, and 31 top-10 finishes, there’s a reason why Schauffele is known as the PGA Tour’s ‘Mr Consistent’.

However, the way Schauffele chooses to manage his newfound status as a perennial contender is to almost ignore it, even going as far as tapping in those old feelings of angst. “I feel a little anxious before most tournaments,” he says.

“I feel anxious because I want to do well. It’s the same every time I care about something. Once the tournament starts, though, the nerves tend to kick away.”

He adds: “I expect a lot from myself but, over time, I’ve learned to tame that. I try to play the cool card and have zero expectations. That way, it’s not hard to stay patient. It’s great to have

FEATURE | AUGUST 2021

[33]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE ONLY TIME I'M REALLY HAVING FUN WHEN I PLAY GOLF IS WHEN I'M WINNING

come close to winning a major, I’ve contended in the final rounds and I think I’m more than capable of winning more than one major, but golf is a weird game and you quickly learn it’s not good to expect anything.”

Raised in a quiet suburb of San Diego in southern California, Schauffele credits his ‘competitive nature’ to his father, Stefan. A former German Olympic hopeful in the decathlon, Stefan’s dream was shattered by a head-on collision with a drunk driver that left him blind in his left eye. A dead ringer for Miguel Angel Jimenez, Stefan had the tendency to bark thicklyaccented orders from the kitchen table – and now behind the ropes on the fairways – as he transferred his athlete’s underdog state of mind into his children.

The symptoms didn’t take long to manifest.

Carrying his dad’s European love of football, Schauffele quickly discovered how much he hated losing and searched for a new sport where he could channel his competitive energies on his own time. Stefan had become fascinated with golf after stumbling on a high-tech simulator in Tokyo and became a scratch player in little over a year after joining the San Diego Golf Academy.

He began to pass on his passion for golf to Xander, likening the swing process to a javelin throw, and had him thrashing 300-yard drives before he turned 13.

When Schauffele played in junior tournaments, Stefan wouldn’t pander him like some of the other parents. Instead, he wouldn’t accompany Xander any further than the car park. “My dad was always very hard on me when it came to sports,” Schauffele says. “He always used golf to teach me life lessons. That could be tricky at first, but now I’m a little bit older, I’m nothing but grateful. He’s been a massive influence on me.”

Given that he’s only played in 18 majors it’s too early in his career to talk of Schauffele being the best player not to have won one, but he’s getting close to earning that tag given the consistency of his results in the big events, and his world

■ SWEET TASTE OF VICTORY: SCHAUFFELE TAKES A BITE ON HIS GOLD MEDAL AFTER WINNING THE OLYMPIC GOLF TOURNAMENT IN TOKYO LAST MONTH

ranking, and as each major moves into view, Schauffele knows the pressure is building to get his head in front at a major and keep it there.

“The only time I’m really having fun when I play golf is when I’m winning,” he says. “Being in the mix is the best feeling in golf, to have that chance, to be under a ton of pressure, there’s nothing more rewarding than pulling it off when you’re under the gun. As players, we live for that moment. If I can give myself a good look on a Sunday, I’m generally happy. I think I’m a pretty good man in that position.”

Schauffele certainly proved that in Tokyo, where he led after a superb second round 63.

Weekend rounds of 68 and 67, which included

some brilliant course management and nerveless execution, showed that when operating under the full glare of the global media spotlight, and playing against the best players in the world, he has what it takes, and more, to get the job one.

Speaking after the medal ceremony in Tokyo, Schauffele revealed the size of the weight that winning has lifted from his shoulders. “I haven’t won anything in quite some time, and that really bothered me. I’ve been knocking on the door a lot, but when the taste of victory keeps getting swiped from under your nose, it can all start to go a little bit sour. So, for me to come out to the Olympics, get a lead, and to see it through to the end is a huge moment in my career.”

WHAT’S IN XANDER’S BAG? DRIVER: CALLAWAY EPIC SPEED DRIVER (9°) FAIRWAY WOOD: CALLAWAY EPIC SPEED (15°), MAVRIK SUB ZERO (20°) IRONS: CALLAWAY APEX TCB 21 (4-PW) WEDGES: CALLAWAY JAWS MD5 (52°), TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM6 (56°), SM8 (60°) PUTTER: ODYSSEY O-WORKS RED #7 BALL: CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT X LS

[34] AUGUST 2021 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

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

INTERVIEW | AUGUST 2021

[35]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Want to receive a free high quality A4 Hard Copy of the upcoming 2022 Golf Day Guide…?

Email the following details to guide@golfnews.co.uk: Name of Organiser Society or Company Name Number in your group Address

O K A G O L F D AY ?

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

[36] AUGUST 2021 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

I'M STILL HITTING FAIRWAYS AND GREENS, BUT I'M COMING IN WITH LONGER CLUBS, SO MY DISTANCE CONTROL HAS TO BE SPOT ON

BACK IN BUSINESS

I managed to play all four rounds, and it kind of sowed the seed in my mind that I could pick it up again. I was totally exhausted by the whole experience, but to have my husband Mike on the bag, and my kids watching on was a great experience.

The swing is still there, but the power and accuracy off the tee is obviously not quite what it was. Thankfully my iron play is still decent, so I’m still hitting greens, but just coming in with longer clubs, so distance control has to be spot on. My short game has had to get better, and it has with a bit of practice. But it’s more a course of managing your way around the golf course. Good course management, and making smart decisions, are both something that I really rely on now.

Despite leading a busy life with her charitable foundation, her role as president of the International Golf Federation and her family, Annika Sorenstam found that turning 50 last year gave her the motivation to see if she could still cut it as a player. An eight-shot win at the US Senior Women’s Championship showed that she can After winning all those major championships and all those tour events in your earlier career, how does it feel to get back in the winner’s circle as a senior?

It is really hard to describe. It’s such a different experience to when I was winning all those years ago. Back then I didn’t have any immediate family, so to have my kids come out and share this win with me is something very special. Just to have them walk the fairways and see what I do for a living, and see what it takes to get there, is amazing. It is a family affair in so many ways and it’s a commitment from all of us.

Given the big lead you had in the final round, were you able to enjoy the last few holes and the reaction from the galleries?

Absolutely. It was nice to have a little buffer, just knowing there were some tough holes coming down the stretch. So yes, I enjoyed it, especially after I made the putt on 16. From then I started to look around a little bit and started to take in what was going on, although you never totally relax until the final putt has dropped.

This victory gets you into next year’s US Women’s Open. Will you be there?

You know, I’m not really sure. I’m still at a time in my life where my family comes first, and obviously my other work and some of the projects I have going on. To play in these big events takes a lot of effort, so I want to continue to focus on my foundation, so we’ll see. One thing at a time, but it’s certainly a nice thing to have to worry about.

When you retired in 2008, there weren’t many

opportunities for senior women to play competitively, but there are now a few.

Did that give you the extra motivation to get back into the swing of things.

It did. When I stepped away from the game 13 years ago I did so without any intention of coming back. I had achieved everything I had wanted to achieve. I got married, started a family, started the foundation and life had moved on.

But when I turned 50, we had a family discussion about whether they wanted to see me play competitively again. And they all said ‘yes, go for it’. My son Will, is into the game and he was right behind me playing again. So, they’ve seen me hitting the balls, they’ve seen me practicing the putts, they’ve seen go out there and really put in the hours and the blood, sweat and tears into it, so it’s great that it’s paid off.

I obviously want to thank them, because without them this would not be possible. It’s certainly been a team effort.

What skills came back the quickest and which ones did you have to work a little more on to shake the dust off?

Thirteen years is a long time to be away from something you’ve lived and breathed for so long. Some things come back naturally and other things take a lot of practice and patience. I played in an LPGA Tour event in Florida in February just to see if I still had it, or at least something to work on.

WHAT’S IN ANNIKA’S WINNING BAG? DRIVER: CALLAWAY EPIC SPEED DRIVER (9°) FAIRWAY WOODS: CALLAWAY EPIC SPEED (15°, 18°) HYBRID: CALLAWAY MAVRIK (20°) IRONS: CALLAWAY APEX 21 (5-PW) WEDGES: CALLAWAY JAWS MD5 (48°, 54°, 60°) PUTTER: ODYSSEY WHITE HOT OG ROSSIE BALL: CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT X

How has your attitude on the golf course changed compared to when you back competing at the height of your career?

Yeah, there’s no doubt I’m in a different time and place in my life. I’m very happy with my family, and that’s what means the most. I have a distance now from golf. Every shot doesn’t mean as much as it used to, even though I care, but I know by the end of the day I’ve got them and I’m living my life. I’m not going to let shots bother me as much. I don’t feel the pressure to perform in the way that I did and that makes it a lot more fun for everyone.

How are you finding your job as president of the International Golf Federation?

I was humbled and honoured to have been asked to succeed Peter Dawson. As an international player, having golf back in the Olympics means so much to me and to our sport. Obviously it’s been a difficult time with Covid, but I’ve really enjoyed working with the IGF Board, the IOC and the governing bodies of golf in their efforts to continue to grow the game globally.

Getting golf back into the Olympics and seeing the support that it has had from the players, and the reaction from fans, has been amazing. I was unable to go to the men’s event as it clashed with the US Senior Women’s Open, but I managed to get out to Tokyo to see the women’s tournament, which was fantastic. To see all the behind-the-scenes activity that has gone on to stage these tournaments was amazing, and the girls put on a great show and a great advertisement for the game on a global stage.

FEATURE | AUGUST 2021 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

AUGUST 2021 | WWW.GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/EQUIPMENT

i

SPIN TO WIN!

Callaway’s new Jaws wedges have some serious bite

PRO SHOP

All the latest launches

BOSS OF THE MOSS Your guide to the latest mallet putters

EPIC YEAR Looking at the Callaway’s success on tour this year

SILVER SHOES

Ecco celebrates 25 years in golf

THE GEAR EFFECT Inside the bags of recent winners

DREAM TICKET i

i

i

Callaway launches behindthe-scenes Range Pass

[37]

[38] AUGUST 2021

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE GEAR EFFECT INSIDES THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR COLLIN MORIKAWA

EQUIPMENT NEWS

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER: TaylorMade SIM (8°) FAIRWAY WOODS TaylorMade SIM 3 (14°), TaylorMade SIM2 5 (19°) HYBRID: TaylorMade SIM Max Rescue (19°) IRONS: TaylorMade P770 (4), TaylorMade P7MC (5-9), TaylorMade P730 (PW) WEDGES: TaylorMade MG 2 (50°), Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (56°), TaylorMade MG2 Hi-Toe (60°) PUTTER: TaylorMade TP Juno BALL: TaylorMade TP5

NACHO ELVIRA CAZOO OPEN DRIVER: Callaway Epic MAX LS (9°) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Epic Speed (15°)

TITLEIST OPENS UK PERFORMANCE CENTRE AT WOBURN Titleist has opened a new custom fitting and performance centre at Woburn Golf Club.

Available for golfers of all levels, the centre boasts industryleading analysis equipment and the same performance evaluation available to the company’s tour players, and will provide golfers with a Tour-level experience to find the best Titleist equipment for their game.

The 10-acre site comprises 2,000 square metres of teeing area and a 370-yard fairway with a large S-shaped green to offer multiple shots and pin placements. This is accompanied by a single storey building featuring two product fitting bays, a club building workshop and a brand boardroom.

Fittings are available on an appointment-only basis and can be made at www.titleist.co.uk.

UTILITY: Callaway X Forged UT (21°) IRONS: Callaway Apex TCB 21, 3-PW WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS (50°, 54°, 58°) PUTTER: Odyssey Toulon Long Island BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft X

CAMERON CHAMP 3M OPEN DRIVER: Ping G425 LST (9.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Ping G425 Max (17°)

SIK GOLF OPENS PUTTING STUDIO AT SILVERMERE Putter brand SIK Golf has opened a state-of-the-art fitting studio at Silvermere Golf and Leisure in Surrey.

The purpose-built venue – part of a UK network of SIK Golf fitting centres – features a Quintic Ball Roll putting analysis system and a SIK fitting component bag. Unique in the golf industry, the component bag holds each style of putter head, a selection of shafts, hosels and components needed to go through the 138 different options involved in the fitting process.

Used on Tour by Bryson DeChambeau, SIK’s patented Descending Loft Technology enables the golfer to present the putter face at a consistent launch angle thereby creating a more predictable ball roll, encouraging better distance control.

Terry Sims, managing director at Silvermere, said: “We are delighted to partner with YUMAX Golf, the UK distributors of SIK Golf putters, in bringing SIK putters to our customer base in a premium style and service. Watching Bryson Dechambeau with his unique style, endorsing and adding credibility to the brand in both product innovation and style makes it a great brand to be involved with.”

To book a fitting, which costs £40, email club.department@ silvermere-golf.co.uk or call 01932 584325.

IRONS: Ping i500 (3), Ping iBlade (4-PW) WEDGES: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe Raw (52, 56, 60) PUTTER: Ping PLD Anser 4 Prototype BALL: Srixon Z-Star XV

SEAMUS POWER BARBASOL CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER: Ping G410 (9˚) FAIRWAY WOOD: Ping G425 MAX (14.5) UTILITY: TaylorMade P790 UDI IRONS: Ping iBlade (3), Ping Blueprint (5-PW) WEDGES: Ping Glide 3.0 (50˚, 54˚, 58˚) PUTTER: Ping PLD 3 prototype BALL: Titleist Pro V1

MIN WOO LEE

ARCCOS LAUNCHES CADDIE APP UPGRADE FOR APPLE WATCH Arccos has launched a new app for Apple Watch which allows Arccos Caddie players to record all of their shot data and access the game’s first Artificial Intelligence-driven rangefinder without having to carry a smartphone in play.

Optimised for use with Apple Watch 6 and SE models, the golfer experience now includes extended battery life, an intuitive interface, A.I rangefinder and caddie club recommendations, more accurate shot detection, seamless shot data syncing, improved hole switching and a one-touch function to mark hole locations.

Arccos Caddie automatically tracks shots while delivering in-round insights and post-round Strokes Gained Analytics. The system includes the world’s first A.I. powered rangefinder, smart distance club averages for each club and caddie advice for any hole.

GARMIN ENTERS LAUNCH MONITOR MARKET GPS brand Garmin has entered the portable launch monitor market with the release of the Approach R10.

Requiring a compatible smartphone or tablet with the Garmin Golf app, the device comes on a tripod and is placed behind the player to track more than a dozen metrics, including clubhead speed, ball speed, spin rates, launch angle, launch direction, smash factor and more. Shots are displayed on a dispersion chart via a smartphone, while recorded video clips of the golfer’s swing with visual metrics can also be similarly viewed.

The R10 also has access to a library of over 42,000 golf courses for simulator play for up to four golfers. It costs £529.99 and can be ordered from www.garmin.co.uk.

SCOTTISH OPEN DRIVER: Callaway Epic Max LS (9°) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero (15°) HYBRID: Callaway Apex Pro (20°) IRONS: Callaway X-Forged CB (4-PW) WEDGES: Callaway MD5 Jaws (52°, 56°), Callaway MD4 (60°) PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot OG 1 BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft X

LUCAS HERBERT IRISH OPEN DRIVER: TaylorMade SIM2 (8°) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SIM (15.0°) UTILITY: TaylorMade P790 UDI (2) IRONS: TaylorMade P7TW (3, 4, 6-PW) WEDGES: TaylorMade MG2 (50°, 56°, 60°) PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider X Chalk BALL: TaylorMade TP5

SRIXON UNVEILS 10TH GENERATION OF THE AD333 The AD333 has long been of the most popular model in Srixon's ball range, offering a soft feel and distance for golfers with moderate swing speeds at a fantastic pricepoint. The two-piece design is now in its tenth iteration, and the latest model comes with a lower compression to help give a soft feel on shots into the green, but more distance from the tee.

Sharing technology with the more expensive Z-Star balls, the AD333 features FastLayer Core

to deliver exceptional feel and ball speed. The cover is coated in Spin Skin with SeRM, with its flexible molecular bonds diggin deep into wedge and iron grooves to maximising spin for more control and more stopping power and giving it performance more akin to a 3-piece ball.

At £25 per dozen, and available in Pure White and Tour Yellow, this is undoutbtedly one the best value golf balls currently on the market.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR AUGUST 2021 [39] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

25 YEARS OF ECCO GOLF ECCO Golf started as a bit of fun. Yet 25 years later it is known as one of the most innovative footwear brands in golf

ECCO Tech: FLUIDFORM

Developed by ECCO over three decades, FLUIDFORM enables the brand to create its ergonomically advanced soles. Unique in the golf industry, it has also enabled ECCO to create durable and reliable golf shoes. Utilising robotic precision, the pioneering technology allows a resilient, shockabsorbent material to be directly injected into the shoe mould as a liquid, bonding the sole to the upper instantly and seamlessly, without compromising the flexibility and wear commonly associated with glued or stitched assemblies. The result is a reliable, watertight and durable connection between the upper and the sole unit that delivers a finely-tuned balance of cushioning and rebound, and a molded foot bed even when the inlay sole is removed.

E

CCO Golf probably wouldn’t have existed if the founder of ECCO Karl Toosbuy hadn’t been a given a set of golf clubs for his 60th birthday.

Along with his son in law and former ECCO CEO Dieter Kasprzak. They learnt to love the game, and decided to create footwear that would let golfers concentrate on their game, rather than their feet. Existing golf shoes were heavy and stiff, and they knew that they could produce something better.

Family Affair

Founded in Denmark in 1963, and still family owned, ECCO employs more than 20,000 people worldwide. ECCO’s success is built on products designed for comfort with a great fit and top-quality leathers; all ECCO GOLF shoes are crafted at company-owned factories, using premium leather from ECCO’s own tanneries. ECCO’s products are sold in 88 countries from over 2,000 ECCO shops across the globe. ECCO Golf is able to leverage all the knowledge and technology from the wider company and utilise it in golf. Controlling the whole supply chain has enabled ECCO to do things uniquely and create footwear other brands would never have been able to. That ECCO Golf has long utiilsed Gore-Tex in its shoes is just one example of how the brand has always looked to make the best performing golf shoes on the market.

The Odd Couples

It was 2010 that ECCO really hit its stride, and truly changed the modern golf shoe. Fred Couples turned up at Augusta for the Masters wearing the ECCO Golf Street, and it’s fair to say it launched the hybrid, spikeless revolution.

Couples looked as comfortable as he did cool, and said it felt like he “was walking on air” as he sauntered down the fairways. While we are all used to spikeless golf shoes now, and importantly trust them to keep us grounded during the golf swing, in 2010 this was a totally alien concept. Now golf shoes that double up as sneakers, and look as smart in the as they are comfortable on the course, are very much the norm.

ECCO Tech: BIOM NATURAL MOTION

Based on the knowledge gained from studying over 2,500 individual foot scans for the most natural shaped last possible, the ECCO BIOM NATURAL MOTION last shape was developed for extraordinary comfort. It enables the foot to move and flex in its natural way, allowing proper torsion. By shifting your landing from the heel to the mid-foot, it allows your foot muscles to move more naturally, eliminating any discomfort and reducing your chance of injury. The result is a shoe that delivers unrivalled comfort throughout the day, working ergonomically with the shape of your foot to deliver low-to-the-ground stability, forward momentum, and a glove-like fit.

[40] AUGUST 2021

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

J AW S F U L L T O E THE

U LTIM ATE

SPIN

MACHINES

Callaway has taken elements from its unique Phil Mickelson grind wedges to create the new JAWS Full Toe line up.

The result? They’re seriously spinny.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR AUGUST 2021 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

C

allaway was the first golf brand to enjoy success with a high toe wedge that featured grooves that went across the entire clubface.

The PM Grind, designed in conjunction with Phil Mickelson, was proof that elite wedge players are more inventive and utilise the entire wedge face for different types of shots.

But the PM Grind wedges were never going to be a hit with everyone with their unusual shape and leading edge. Callaway found that a high percentage of golfers were only using PM Grind wedges for short shots around the greens, and they weren’t trusting them with fuller swings.

So, Callaway’s wedge designers have gone back to basics to create the new JAWS Full Toe wedges, and they’re already making their way into the bags of Callaway’s tour staff.

IMPROVED GROOVES Designed to offer unparalleled levels of spin, Callaway has thrown the proverbial kitchen sink at te Full Toe wedge in terms of technology. First up are the JAWS grooves. Callaway discovered that to maximise spin it’s how sharp the radius of the groove is that matters most, rather than the draft of the groove. It’s not something you can see with the naked eye, but you’ll see the results when the ball stops sharply on the green.

The Full Toe wedges also feature what Callaway calls ‘Groove in Groove’ technology. In between each groove, three micro ridges are milled into the face that give the wedge 84 points of contact with the golf ball to not only maximise revolutions, but also to keep spinning for longer.

Finally, Callaway’s design team has even used the finish as a way of improving spin. The entire range features a raw clubface, but it’s done in two different ways. The Raw Black wedge makes the club appear smaller at address with the whole wedge rusting over time, while the Raw Face Chrome is a first for the brand. The face alone rusts, giving an anti-glare finish, and added friction at impact.

TOE BUSINESS As well as spin, the new JAWS Full Toe wedges aim to add control and consistency too. One of the best ways to improve that is by lowering the ball flight.

The new JAWS toe pad moves the centre of gravity higher in the head, while the Variable Weight Port System moves the centre of gravity away from the hosel and more central on the clubface.

MICRO RIDGES CREATE 84 POINTS OF CONTACT WITH THE BALL TO NOT ONLY INCREASE SPIN RATES, BUT ALSO HOW LONG IT SPINS FOR GROUND CONTROL Roger Cleveland, the father of modern wedge design, is involved with the design of every Callaway wedge. The JAWS Full Toe features the tour-proven C Grind which really enhances performance when opening up the clubface in bunkers and flop shots around the green, but also with the added forgiveness of a little more bounce than normally associated with a C Grind.

SPECIFICATIONS Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner Loft options: 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°, 64° RRP: £159 For more details, visit www.callawaygolf.com

[41]

[42] AUGUST 2021 | NEWS APRIL 2019 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

C A L L A W AY ’ S

EPIC SEASON To say Callaway Golf is having an EPIC season, is something of an understatement. The sustained success is definitely no FLASH in the pan as the equipment brand has gone full SPEED in 2021.

But have they hit their APEX? Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t all true.

With four major victories and an Olympic gold medal, it’s been a banner year for Callaway and the third iteration of its Epic gear.

■ PHIL MICKELSON BECAME THE OLDEST MAJOR CHAMPION OF ALL TIME WHEN HE WON THE 2021 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AGED 50

■ JON RAHM SECURED HIS FIRST MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP WHEN WINNING THE US OPEN IN JUNE

CHROME SOFT’S X FACTOR According to Callaway, the Chrome Soft is a 'the ball that changed the ball'. But it is fair to say that 2021 is the year that truly validated the Chrome Soft range. Having spent millions on its manufacturing plant in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the 2021 Chrome Soft golf balls are the best performing and most consistent ever from the brand with the Chevron.

While the Chrome Soft is the big hit for the club golfer, it’s been the Chrome Soft X and Chrome Soft X LS that have made an impact on tour.

The Chrome Soft X was used by Jon Rahm to win the US Open, Annika Sorenstam to win the Women’s US Senior Open, and Phil Mickelson used the innovative Triple Track version to turn back the years in his PGA Championship victory.

The redesigned Dual SoftFast core has a 34% larger volume inner core and a thinner,

graphene-infused outer core that promotes fast ball speed and increased wedge spin. But the 10% thinner urethane cover promotes less spin on full shots without losing feel – attributes better golfers are often looking for.

Totally new, and requested by Callaway's Tour Staff, the Chrome Soft X LS is a low spin version. Designed for the hard-hitting golfer who wants to bomb it off the tee, it features a larger core that transfers energy better for the high swing speed golfer.

Xander Schaulefle switched into it following increasing his ball speed with the driver, where he found he was spinning his golf ball around 200-300rpm too high.

By switching to the Chrome Soft LS he hit the spin window he was looking for and used the ball in his gold medal-winning performance in Tokyo.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR AUGUST 2021 [43] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EPIC SPEEDS AHEAD

APEX PREDATORS

The Epic Speed took everything Callaway learned with the earlier EPIC models, and made them faster.

Utilising a new A.I. designed Flash Face, optimised for every specific model and loft, this time they set the A.I to work updating the Jailbreak technology. The new A.I.-designed Jailbreak Speed Frame stiffens the driver vertically, horizontally, and torsionally, allowing the golfer to convert more of their energy into ball speed for longer drives While Epic and Epic Max have proved most popular at retail, for golfers looking for more distance though faster aerodynamics and more forgiveness respectively, the biggest change was with the MAX LS. Replacing the Sub Zero drivers, rather than chasing the lowest possible spin rates, the MAX LS is a lower spin model, but that offers plenty of forgiveness and adjustability, and is usable by a much broader range of golfers.

APEX irons have been a huge success since they first launched, but with this year's line up they have unlocked something special.

The first forged irons to feature an A.I Flash face, the APEX and APEX DCB are deigned to help the average golfer hit the ball longer and have been the big hit on the high street. The Apex Pro irons featured a total redesign to create a hollow and hot iron designed for better golfers that feel good and look incredible.

Out on tour, its been the APEX TCB (Tour Cavity Back) that has become the standout performer. The simple forged carbon steel head features Internal and external Metal Injection Molded tungsten weighting to add some help, but these are tour irons designed for tour players.

Used by Jon Rahm to win the US Open, and Xander Schauffele to claim his gold medal in Tokyo, the TCB irons are used by of Callaway’s male tour staff, and at the recent Scottish Open there were 12 sets in play.

ODYSSEY'S DOMINATION Odyssey is number one putter brand in play week-in, week-out worldwide on every professional tour.

With a selection of ranges, and a multitude of models in each range, it’s safe to say they offer the most comprehensive line up of putters in golf. While the Toulon Design range has proven popular amongst traditionalists with their solid milled designs, it’s the Odyssey 2-Ball Ten putter that has become the number one model on the European Tour.

At the recent Scottish Open 55% of the field were using an Odyssey putter, 42% were using one with their revolutionary Stroke Lab shaft. The graphite and steel design moves the balance point to help create a more consistent stroke.

ACCESS ALL AREAS WITH THE RANGE PASS FROM CALLAWAY Callaway has launched a new vodcast, The Range Pass, that dives deep into the world of European Tour golf equipment.

The show is hosted by respected coach and former European Tour player Zane Scotland, with Paul Monks, Callaway’s European Tour Head Tour Technician with 20 years' experience building equipment for the best players in golf. The bi-weekly show concentrates on the importance of the equipment that helps the European Tour players earn their pay cheques.

From replicating players' specific wedge grinds, to building clubs for certain tournaments and the importance of swingweight, every conceivable equipment question will be answered in a way that’s in depth, but easy to understand. The Range Pass is home to all the techy equipment details that just haven’t been made available to the general public previously, offering a deep insider look at life on tour.

As well as the two hosts, episodes feature input from other members of Callaway’s European Tour

■ THE RANGE PASS VODCAST OFFERS IN THE INSIDE TRACK ON CALLAWAY'S TOUR PLAYERS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT

support staff, while other instalments feature interviews with Callaway’s Epic European Tour staff. Available to view now online is an interview with Matt Wallace, talking about what goes into switching manufacturer, the emergency driving iron he had built for The Open, and US Odyssey rep Joe Toulon replicating a putter perfectly for him.

Upcoming episodes of The Range Pass will include chats with Henrik Stenson, David Horsey and Guido Migliozzi, and the relaxed environment offers insights into life on tour that you won’t find elsewhere.

Episodes are available currently at youtube. com/user/MyCallawayEU, and will soon be made available on all the usual podcast apps.

[44] AUGUST 2021

TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TITLEIST T SERIES IRONS £164/£178 PER CLUB (ST/GR), T300 £129/£142

With four distinct models – 100, 100s, 200 and 300 – the new T-Series is all about choice, with each iron capable of enhancing the performance of tour players right through to those battling to break a hundred.

The T100 is designed for elite iron players and offers precise control and a forged feel that will enable better ball strikers to shape and flight their shots. The 3-7 irons also feature a forged dual cavity that supports the face and contributes to slightly more spin and control, while the 8-PW are one-piece irons forged from carbon steel.

T100S irons are identical in size, shape and feel to T100 irons but are engineered for speed and more distance. Lofts are 2° stronger and they have been completely reengineered to maintain the Vokey-designed sole geometry while a Muscle Channel lies beneath the forged face in the long and mid irons to generate extra speed.

The T200 is the most advanced iron in the T-Series line-up with its hollow body design unlocking distance and forgiveness for just about any skill level. A revised Max Impact support structure, a new internal polymer core and a forged L-face insert also enhance performance, while denser tungsten weightings, which are positioned uniquely on every iron to optimise the CG, create perfect launch and spin.

The T300 irons are designed to inspire confidence at address, featuring the longest blade length in the line-up and the most offset, and are made for speed and distance.

And with 40% more tungsten added in each head compared to the previous T300 model, the CG is lowered further to make them effortlessly high launching and highly forgiving.

They also boast a variable thickness face insert and Max Impact 2.0, a cantilevered support structure located behind the badge that works in conjunction with a feel-inducing polymer core.

ZOOM WEATHER STYLE GLOVE £11.95 Zoom is bringing an extra splash of colour to the course with a new line up of colour options in its one-size Zoom Weather Style range of gloves. Men’s options are offered in white, grey, lime, navy, orange, red, royal blue and stone, while women’s models come in white/fuchsia, white/light blue and white/navy. Juniors can take their pick from white, black or red. The Weather Style range boasts one-size FLEXX-FIT technology, which uses a mix of lycra flex zones to fit the contours of a golfer’s hand. The material also maintains the perfect shape of the glove, staying wrinkle-free even after extended use.

PRO SHOP

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GEAR

TITLEIST U505 UTILITY IRON £239 As golf balls spin less, and lofts get stronger, the traditional long iron has become harder to hit. Which is why utility irons have become more popular, as they are simply better designed for purpose. The U505 features a wide sole, a shallow face, and boasts tungsten weights that combine to help lower the centre of gravity to increase launch.

The thin forged L- Face and MAX Impact technology make this Titleist’s hottest and best feeling utility iron to date.

TAYLORMADE 300 MINI DRIVER £369 Taking inspiration from the 300 Series driver that kickstarted the modern TaylorMade era, when the company first pushed past the 300cc barrier, the 307cc ‘Mini’ Driver is small by modern standards, and that’s by intention, as it's designed as a club that’s easy to hit off the tee for the player who struggles with a driver, while also being a powerful second safer option for the stronger golfer. Featuring a carbon crown for a low centre of gravity, the 300 Mini features a midfield V Steel sole to help usability off the deck despite its large size. It is available in 11.5° and 13.5° loft options.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR WINTER AUGUST 2020 2021 [45] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NIKON COOLSHOT RANGEFINDERS £359-£499, NIKON.CO.UK Nikon has updated it rangefinder offering with three new models, the Coolshot PROII Stablised, the Coolshot Lite Stabilized and the Coolshot 50i .

The PROII Stabilized (£499) steadies the ranging laser by counteracting handshake and environmental factors, ensuring a clear and accurate view of the target. Offering accurate measurements up to 500 yards, Dual Locked On Echo technology notifies when the distance to the flagstick has been measured. It features four measurement display modes, including a Golf mode which provides a slope-

adjusted distance. Actual Distance Mode makes it compliant for competitive play.

The Lite Stabilized (£429), which can also measure up to 500 yards, boasts stabilising technology which reduces vibration by 80%. It features LOCKED ON technology, with a visual cue giving the distance to the closest subject. It offers slope-adjusted and actual distance.

The Coolshot 50i (£359), which can measure up to 400 yards for slope adjusted and actual distance, is Nikon’s first rangefinder with a built-in mounting magnet, enabling it to be connected to a golf bag, trolley or buggy. A Dual Locked On Quake function gives a brief vibration when it has locked on to the target.

BUSHNELL PHANTOM 2 GPS

ADIDAS ADICROSS ZX PRIMEBLUE

£139 Bushnell dominates the laser rangefinder market, but it also understands that a lot of golfers prefer GPS when it comes to measuring their yardages.

The Phantom 2, its latest entry-level compact GPS device, is preloaded with over 38,000 courses, and as well as offering front, middle and back distances, it also offers a detailed view of the green, as well as distances to hazards.

It also features a built-in magnet that enables it to grip on to anything metallic such as your golf trolley or the struts of a golf buggy, so you don’t need to keep digging about in your pockets for it. It is offered in a range of colours, including a fun new camo design.

£100 Inspired by the iconic ZX 8000 sneakers, the ZX Primeblue golf shoes are made from at least 50% recycled plastics reclaimed from the oceans. Even the leather used on the upper is made from cut outs that would have usually gone to waste. Elsewhere the shoe uses a Boost midsole for comfort, a Torsion bar for added stability, while the Traxion outsole will keep you secure through the swing. It is offered in three colours combinations, including an eye-catching black/grey/orange design.

BIG MAX DRI LITE HYBRID TOUR £179.99 Sneaker culture is dominating the high street, so it’s no surprise when a golf bag manufacturer tells you they’ve been inspired by sports shoes for their latest golf bags. Some golfers like the option of pushing and carrying their golf bag, so the Dri Lite hybrid Tour has been designed to be as comfortable on your shoulders as it is on your trolley, with a flat base and positioning the stand low on the body of the bag.

It’s fully waterproof and, weighing just 2kg, is also ultra-lightweight for those that like to carry.

TAYLORMADE P790 IRONS £1,149 The P790s have been a hit because they combine great looks with plenty of forgiveness, and most importantly, they’re super long. Carbon steel heads are forged for a soft feel, and they feature a 1.5mm forged teel L-Face for ridiculous fast ball speeds. The magic ingredient though is the SpeedFoam air material that sits between the two parts. At 69% less dense than previous foams used, it’s lightweight which means they can add extra tungsten to the heel and toe for forgiveness, while providing a soft feel and adding support to the ultra-thin clubhead. This third-generation model also happens to be TaylorMade’s best ever looking set of irons.

[46] AUGUST 2021

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TAYLORMADE TP HYDRO BLAST DUPAGE

BETTINARDI INNOVAI 7

£199, TAYLORMADEGOLF.EU

A throwback to the classic major-winning Bettinardi Baby Ben putter, the INNOVAI 7 is a high MOI design that doesn’t sacrifice feel. The milled 303 stainless steel F.I.T. Face gives a soft and solid tour-proven feel, while the contrasting blue half of the head is made from anodized aluminium. This allowed Bettinardi to produce a larger head with the weight concentrated towards the rear of the head for a high MOI.

£299, ODYSSEYGOLF.COM

SIK FLO

COBRA KING 3D PRINTED AGERA

Hydro Blast putters take their name from the new finish which is created by blasting high pressure water at the clubhead to remove any imperfections. Fully CNC-milled from 303 stainless steel, the DuPage is a face-balanced design that features a single alignment aid, with twin cavity cut outs to give an easy-to-aim look at address. TaylorMade’s proven White Pure Roll insert will get your putts rolling smoothly more quickly.

£355, BETTINARDI.CO.UK

£470, SIKGOLFGLOBAL.COM

MAKE IT A MALLET

ODYSSEY 2-BALL TEN TRIPLE TRACK Odyssey has added every technology it has at its disposal with the 2-Ball Ten. First up is the White Hot Microhinge face insert, which is designed to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. Then there is the legendary 2-Ball alignment aid that has helped win hundreds of tournaments. On top of that is the Triple Track alignment, inspired by the same technology that helps pilots land planes. Finally, the Stroke Lab shaft uses graphite to move the centre of gravity to help improve stroke consistency.

Rising to prominence in the hands of Bryson DeChambeau, SIK putters feature a unique face design to help improve consistency. Descending Loft Technology sees four separate lofts milled into the face, with four degrees at the top of the face, down to one degree at the bottom. This neutralises the launch, so a putt hit at the top of the face will roll the same way as a put hit from the bottom. The FLO is the highest MOI design with its extreme winged design.

£269, COBRAGOLF.CO.UK

PXG BATTLE READY BLACKBIRD

PING HARWOOD

MACGREGOR MACTEC X

£375, PINGGOLF.COM

£54.99, MACGREGOR-GOLF.CO.UK

£249, PXG.COM

One of the most forgiving putters Ping has ever created, the Harwood features 93g of tungsten in the four corners of the head to massively increase the MOI of the design. A Dual-Durometer insert features two layers, the soft front layer features shallow grooves to help get the ball rolling and gives a soft touch for those tricky short putts. The firm back layer offers solid feedback and added distance control for longer putts.

MacGregor is out to prove a great putter doesn’t need to cost a small fortune. The MacTex X putters feature an ARC Tech finely milled face insert that delivers a true forward roll and improved distance control. Strong alignment aids help set the putter at address, while the large mallet designs feature a high MOI for extra forgiveness. A model with an extra thick grip option is available for £59.99.

Cobra's new range of King 3D printed putters feature a multi-material construction, the 3D printed nylon insert features a lattice framework and forged aluminium crown that both save weight while adding strength. The saved weight can then be put in the extremities of the head with tungsten for added forgiveness. Cobra has also licensed SIK's DLT face design and incorporated it as an insert to improve consistency on every putt.

Follow the trend of the best players in the world and use a mallet to help you hole more putts

With the military a constant inspiration for PXG products, it should be no surprise that this is named after the famous US Airforce stealth reconnaissance jet. Milled from aluminium and featuring tungsten weighting, the Blackbird features the furthest back centre of gravity of any PXG putter, building in massive stability in the design. The arrow on the heed helps focus your alignment, while the pyramid face design improves consistency on putts hit across the face.

AUGUST 2021 | WWW.GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/TRAVEL

LUMINE ENTERS NEW ERA AS ‘INFINITUM’ THE SPANISH GOLF RESORT FORMERLY KNOWN AS LUMINE has been relaunched under a new name, Infinitum, reflecting the wide range of top-class facilities that are on offer for guests at the Costa Daurada venue.

Located 10 minutes from Tarragona, Infinitum boasts three golf courses, and plays host to the European Tour’s Final Qualifying Stage. It also has a private beach club and four restaurants.

Flamma, which is based at the Beach Club, presents informal sharing plates, with fresh and local products at the heart of each dish; Gusto, the home to Mediterranean Tapas, is a more casual alternative at the Beach Club; The Lakehouse offers an ideal setting for golfers and non-golfers alike to sample healthy and traditional dishes overlooking the golf courses from a panoramic terrace, while Terra, a brand-new gourmet shop, opening in the autumn, will sell a selection of local, high-quality products.

Speaking at the launch of INFINITUM, chief executive Agustin Garcia Pascual, said: “Infinitum brings an entire new lifestyle and experience and will become a leading name in Europe. We are excited to begin this journey and create an experience for guests that is unlike any other. A new lifestyle to aspire to will be created with first-class food, beverage and services, whilst the golf courses will continue to renowned as two of Europe’s finest, hosting some of professional and amateur golfs best events.

“Over the next few years, we want to make Infinitum the preferred destination for Europe’s leading golfers, a destination that will provide a peaceful and relaxing environment that plays a significant role in the positive well-being of our members and guests.”

■ THE RE SORT BOAS TS ITS OW N PRIVATE BE ACH CLUB

For more information, visit Infinitumliving.com.

■ INFINITIUM'S CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE IS A REGULAR HOST OF THE EUROPEAN TOUR'S QUALIFYING SCHOOL

MAKE A BREAK FOR MATFEN HALL WITH 27 HOLES OF CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF attached to a magnificent country house hotel set in the heart of some of Northumberland’s most beautiful countryside, Matfen Hall Hotel & Golf Club makes an ideal choice for a relaxing golf break at any time of the year.

Located near to Hadrian’s Wall in West Northumberland, and just 20 minutes wet of Newcastle, the award-winning venue has recently benefited from a multi-million pound renovation and is ready to welcome back guests for memorable golfing breaks.

The extensive refurbishment is part of the new owners’ pledge to retain the elegance, beauty and history of Matfen Hall, while securing its future as one of the region’s most luxurious and premier destination hotels.

Golf facilities on offer include a 27-hole championship course, a 9-hole par-3 course and a 10-bay driving range and short game academy. The 6,569-yard main course is one of the finest in the region, and offers a challenge to golfers of all levels. Water features on a number of the holes, including the signature par-3 17th.

Each of the hotel’s 53 bedrooms has individual character, combining modern en suite facilities with traditional features.

Finished to exacting standards, every room benefits from satellite TV, radio, direct dial telephone, trouser press and tea and coffee making facilities.

■ THE RECENTLY RENOVATED HOTEL OFFERS 53 STYLISH BEDROOMS

The two AA Rosette Emerald Restaurant, exquisitely furnished with book-lined walls, is much more than a hotel restaurant.

For those who are serious about their food, it is a genuine fine dining experience in uniquely intimate surroundings.

There is a brand new, state-of-the-art spa and leisure club, The Retreat, offers the most sophisticated health and fitness equipment of any independent health club in the UK, and boasts a range of relaxing treatments to soothe away those golfing aches.

An overnight stay in a Classic Room, coffee & bacon rolls on arrival in The Keepers Clubhouse, 36 holes of golf, a full English breakfast and complimentary use of The Retreat Spa, starts from £140 per person. A two-night stay with two rounds costs from £225.

To book, call 01661 886500 or email reservations@ matfenhall.com.

■ MATFEN HALL OFFERS 27 HOLES OF CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF AS WELL AS PAR-3 SHORT COURSE

[48] AUGUST 2021

TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

STAY AT SANDIBAY TO SAMPLE THE BEST OF KENT'S GOLF COAST KENT'S GOLF COAST is very much in the spotlight this summer, with The Open Championship having recently been staged at Royal St George’s for the first time in a decade, and the area is proving a big hit with staycation golfers looking to stay and play at some of the UK's finest links course.

St George’s neighbour, Prince’s, which hosted the Open in 1932, offers 27 holes superb holes of finest links golf, improved further by recent renovations, while Royal Cinque Ports, itself a two-time Open venue, is but a drive and well-struck wedge from St George’s, creating an almost unbroken run of holes from Deal to Ramsgate. Littlestone and North Foreland have also played their part in Kent’s rich golf history as venues for numerous Open Qualifying tournaments and are both well worth a visit if you can snap up a tee time,.

For those looking to stay in the area in the lap of luxury, renting private house seems like the ideal option for those looking to enjoy a proper get-away-from-it-all break, but

enjoy the peace and tranquillity that only a private property can offer. Sandibay, a stunning six-bedroom house on the exclusive Sandwich Bay Estate that leads to sits neatly between St George’s and Cinque Ports, is just that kind of place. Recently built, and kitted out to five-star hotel specifications, the property is tucked away in a quiet back road on the estate and enjoys views out over a nature reserve.

The open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen area provides a superb entertainment space, with acres of space for lounging around on comfy sofas, and a dining table to seat 12. A games room is decked out with a pool table, big sofas and a TV and gaming console. The games room leads out to a A garden, where you’ll find a heated 10-metre swimming pool and a BBQ area with more seating, including two poolside hammocks for lazing around in after a hard morning on the links.

To book your stay at Sandibay, visit www.oliverstravels. com or call 0800 133 7999.

■ SANDIBAY IS THE IDEAL HOLIDAY HOME FOR FAMILIES AND GROUPS LOOKING TO PLAY KENT'S TOP LINKS COURSES, INCLUDING PRINCE'S (BELOW) AND ROYAL ST GEORGE'S (MAIN IMAGE)

DORSET RESORT SERVES UP SUMMER BREAKS The Dorset Golf Resort in Bere Regis has long held a reputation for being a quality golf break destination, thanks to its 27 holes of championship golf spread across its acclaimed Lakeland, Parkland and Woodland Courses, combined with its wide range of five-star accommodation.

The choice of quality accommodation, which includes 14 five-star eco lodge homes, two luxury cottages, and a 16-bedroom hotel, has been attracting stay-and-play golfers for many years, while the condition of the golf courses, and superb catering and hospitality, is clearly a winning combination for visitors.

The Woodland Course, which is cut through a forest of rhododendrons, boasts banks of pink, red and purple flowers through the summer, sparking thoughts of Augusta. The Lakeland and Parkland nine are also blessed with flourishes of rhododendron and cherry blossom, and the views across the huge lakes are spectacular. With a promise of no winter tees or temporary greens, and excellent drainage, the courses are always presented in great condition all year round.

A two-night stay in the hotel this summer starts from £108.45pp (Mon-Thurs), with three rounds of golf, two three-course dinners and breakfast. One-night lodge breaks for a minimum of four people, with two rounds of golf, start from £139pp.

For details, call 01929 472244 or visit dorsetgolfresort.com

■ THE DORSET GOLF RESORT BOASTS 27 HOLES FEATURING WOODLAND, PARKLAND AND LAKELAND NINES

TRAVEL & BREAKS

AUGUST 2021 [49]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Andy Caddick Former Somerset and England fast bowler has fond memories of La Manga and Vilamoura and never leaves home without his golf clubs and his trusty Swiss Army Knife

Travel with

wouldn’t get very far with it in your cabin bag these days!

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed in was...

The Palace Downtown in Dubai.

My favourite city in the world is... Sydney, Australia.

My most memorable meal abroad was…

My first ever golf holiday was to…

during a test match I played in Auckland one year when the lunches we were served each day were Chinese. It was probably more memorable because it wasn’t something we were expecting, rather than the food itself, but it was delicious all the same.

I wouldn’t call it a holiday, but I used to play a bit of golf on pre-season tours with England in the 1990s. Usually in Portugal at Vilamoura.

It was quite nice because the weather was so bad, you couldn’t train in the mornings because there was too much due on the ground, so we used to play the Old Course in the morning and then train in the afternoon. A win, win!

The golf course I most want to play is…

My dream fourball would include...

My most recent golf holiday was to… La Manga. I’ve been on a few amazing golf trips with The Lords Taverners. The last one was the Steve Redgrave Golf Classic in La Manga.

My most memorable ever round was at... during that week at La Manga. I didn’t go to bed, went straight from the bar to the first tee at 7.30am and then beat Peter Shilton on countback by one. It doesn’t get any better than that!

■ LA MANGA RESORT (TOP); THE PALACE DOWNTOWN HOTEL IN DUBAI (ABOVE)

my old England teammate Darren Gough, because it’s easy to wind him up when he starts smacking it to all parts; Seve, because he was an absolute golfing legend; and Michael Parkinson, as he’s just one of the nicest people I know and a long-time friend.

Loch Lomond. I’ve watched countless tour events on TV there, and it always looks amazing, so I wouldn’t mind a game there one day.

My top travel tip is… make sure you have your passport and triple-check your flight time.

My favourite golf resort is...The Address Montgomerie in Dubai. It’s a fabulous place to stay and play golf.

My favourite UK golf course is...

Sunningdale’s Old Course. It’s a heathland classic that I’ll never tire of playing. Proper, old school golf.

I always travel with... a Swiss Army Knife.

It has so many uses, but I always make sure it goes in my checked-in luggage, as you

For all your travel news visit golfnews.co.uk/travel

■ VILAMOURA'S OLD COURSE

In the G425 MAX, total MOI pushes a record 10,000, largely due to a 26-gram tungsten movable weight that shifts the CG and can be secured in the Neutral, Draw or Fade setting.

SPEED GENERATOR All three driver models benefit from a proprietary T9S+ forged face that generates accelerated face flexing and helps add distance.

3 DISTINCT DRIVERS Available in MAX (highest MOI), LST (low spin), or SFT (draw bias) models to fit your game.

©PING 2021

CUSTOM BUILT WITH ARCCOS CADDIE SMART GRIPS