MARCH 2022 GOLF NEWS

THE UK’S NO.1 GOLF NEWSPAPER

ISSUE 294 | MARCH 2022

WIN SHOT SCOPE’S NEW PROS LX+ LASER/GPS UP FOR GRABS!

MA S TE RS IN MIND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH 2016 MASTERS CHAMPION DANNY WILLETT

TOP MAN Exclusive interview with world No.1 Jon Rahm

DRIVING FOR SHOW 8 BIG STICKS FOR THE NEW SEASON

WELSH WIZARD Ian Woosnam relives his moment of Masters’ magic

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Celebrating 120 years of The Stage Golfing Society

GOING ROGUE Spotlight on Callaway Golf’s new family of big-hitting drivers

ME & MY TRAVELS WITH LEE WESTWOOD

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MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

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NEWS | MARCH 2022 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EDITOR'S LETTER

MONEY TALKS BUT WILL PLAYERS WALK? Johnny Goodman. Does the name ring a bell? No? Me neither. But when I googled the question “Who was the last male amateur golfer to win a Major Championship?”, up popped good old Johnny Goodman.

The 24-year-old from Nebraska won the US Open back in 1933, lifting the title at North Shore Golf Club in Illinois after beating 21-year-old American pro Ralph Guldahl by a shot.

Since then, no other male amateur has won a major title.

Some have come close, but there have been no cigars.

Plenty, well half-a-dozen, have won PGA Tour events while still in the unpaid ranks, the last being Phil Mickelson when he won the 1991 Northern Telecom Open while still a student at Arizona State. Since then, nada, nil, zilch, zero.

Over 30 years of professional dominance.

My point being that the gulf that now exists in the game between even the very best amateurs and today’s top tour players has never been wider. And it will carry on getting wider as a combination of practice, fitness and technological advancements creates a race of super-humans for whom regular-length golf courses have been turned into mere pitch ‘n’ putts.

Equipment debates aside, ever since the R&A decided to offer prize money to those competing at the 1894 Open Championship at Royal St George’s, the amateur and the professional games have been heading in vastly different directions. It’s certainly been quite some time since a professional competing at The Open had to rush back to their club at the weekend to help serve the members.

The latest developments in the world of professional golf have only further served to underline the mindboggling gap ‘us’ and ‘them’. Most of us would be delighted to pick up £30 for winning the two’s pot on a Tuesday afternoon at our home club, so imagine what it would feel like to bag the cool $3.6m that Cameron

NICK BAYLY

Smith collected for winning this month’s Players’ Championship, or a share of the massive $25m prize fund that is being offered at eight tournaments being organised by Greg Norman’s new Saudi-backed LIV Golf International Series. That’s $25m per event, not for all eight. The total prize fund is a frankly staggering $255m.

The same week of the first International Series event, which, somewhat incongruously, is being held at Centurion Club in Hertfordshire, the European Tour will be offering a total prize fund of $2m for a mixed tournament in Sweden. Ten times more cash will be on tap at Centurion for Norman’s event, which will be limited to 48 players and will have no cut, so everyone earns, while half the field in Sweden is guaranteed to go home empty-handed.

While Rory McIlroy is one of the few players who has openly railed against the Saudi-funded exercise – and I hope he holds out for as long as he can – he says that as far as inflated prize funds go it’s just market forces finally coming into play in golf in the same way that it has happened in football, basketball, American Football, Formula 1 and plenty of other sports in recent years.

As a game played by self-employed freelancers, professional golf has always been a precarious way to make a living, so why shouldn’t those who reach the top of such a difficult game earn the big bucks? And, putting aside Saudi Arabia's horrific human rights record, which some players seem so easily capable of doing, who wouldn’t want a bit of guaranteed paid work, such as being offered by Norman’s gang? Footballers get paid whether they score a goal or keep a clean sheet or not, so why shouldn’t golfers get paid for turning out to provide entertainment for global TV audiences? If you or I did two days’ work and someone said, ‘sorry we’re not paying you for that’, you be a bit ticked off, so why should players that miss the cut come away with nothing but a massive bill for hotels and flights?

Small field events, where everyone gets a share of the prize fund, will seem like a decent option for players outside the world’s top 50 who don’t regularly get to play in the majors and the World Golf Championship events. But will TV audiences switch on to watch these lesser lights compete for such riches? Only time will tell, but the landscape of professional golf is set for a significant shake up in the months to come, of that you can be sure.

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

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MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

InBrief SURREY DUO EARN CURTIS CUP SQUAD CALL UP ★ Surrey players Annabell Fuller and Lottie Woad have been named in an initial squad of 12 players who are in contention for selection for GB & Ireland’s Curtis Cup team. The biennial team matchplay event is being held at Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania from June 10-12.

Fuller, from Roehampton, is hoping to be selected for her third Curtis Cup and is joined in the squad by five of her 2020 teammates, including Hannah Darling, Louise Duncan, Lauren Walsh and English duo Charlotte Heath and Caley McGinty. Players looking to earn their first Curtis Cup team selection include Farnham’s Lottie Woad, who won the girls’ and the women’s England Golf Order of Merit last year, while Northern Ireland’s Beth Coulter and 2020 English Women’s Amateur champion Emily Price are also in the frame to make their debuts. The top-two GB&I players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking on April 21 will automatically gain selection to the team with the six remaining players announced on April 26.

FRILFORD HEATH TO HOST CHALLENGE TOUR ★ Frilford Heath Golf Club is to host a Challenge Tour event this autumn following the announcement that the Oxfordshire venue has been chosen to stage the English Trophy from September 8-11. The tournament, which is being played on the club's Red Course, is being run in partnership with the Clutch Pro Tour, which features a mix of male and female professionals and some of the UK’s best amateurs.

ROYAL CINQUE PORTS TO STAGE OPEN FINAL QUALIFYING IN 2023 ★ Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club in Kent has been unveiled as one of four new venues in the UK that have been chosen to host Final Qualifying tournaments for the Open Championship from 2023-26.

The famous Kent links, which hosted The Open in 1909 and 1920, has previously been a venue for Final Qualifying, as well as staging the Amateur Championship on three occasions, most recently 2013. It also hosted the R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship last year.

The Deal-based club replaces Prince’s Golf Club in nearby Sandwich on the qualifying schedule in the south of England, with the latter having hosted Final Qualifying since 2018. The other three venues announced were Burnham & Berrow in Somerset, Dundonald Links in Scotland and West Lancashire in Liverpool.

London Golf Club in pole position to host 2031 Ryder Cup London Golf Club is the clear favourite to host the 2031 Ryder Cup after a rival bid from a yet-to-be-built golf resort in Bolton was scuppered when local planners turned down permission to build a course on the proposed site.

With The Belfry already having withdrawn from the bidding race, and plans for proposed Bolton site now quashed, it leaves London Golf Club as the last venue standing to become the first club in England to host the biannual competition since The Belfry in 2002. A final decision on the venue for the 2031 matches will be announced by Ryder Cup Europe in July.

London Golf Club has a long and successful association with the European Tour, having hosted numerous top-flight tournaments since it first opened in 1994. The Heritage Course staged the European Open in 2008 and 2009, and the Cazoo Open, a tournament that was formerly known as the English Open, in 2021. The International Course hosted the 2014 Volvo World Matchplay Championship and the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship in 2018 and 2019.

Zane Scotland takes on diversity role to help grow the game among ethnic communities

The Brands Hatch-based club was left as the front runner to host the 2031 Ryder Cup after revised plans to develop the 800-acre site at Hulton Park in Great Manchester were rejected by a margin of 15-1 by Bolton Council, with the planning committee citing the impact on the greenbelt land on which the venue would have been built.

A spokesperson for Ryder Cup Europe said: “We have received considerable interest in staging future editions of the Ryder Cup from several countries and venues across Europe. Discussions with all interested parties will continue in the months ahead before any decision and announcement is made.”

The next two Ryder Cups on European soil will be at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome in 2023, followed by Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027.

caused during a car accident in 2003, will be assisting with the interpretation of research to understand the challenges that exist for ethnically diverse communities and identify actions that can be taken to break down barriers and make golf more welcoming and appealing.

He will also play an important role in engaging with active golf societies, including British Black Golfers and the Muslim Golf Association, to foster valuable relationships and generate involvement in future activity.

As part of his involvement, Zane and his father Bernie, whose family roots are from Dominica, have taken part in five-part video series for YouTube that highlights the positive benefits of golf as a sport for everyone.

The series features the work of British Black Golfers and the Muslim Golf Association, and also shows Zane introducing his cycling group to golf, as well as listening to the views of elite amateur golfers making their way in golf.

Speaking about his new role, Scotland, who retired from the tour in 2017 and now runs his own elite coaching academy, said: “I have said before that golf needs more diversity and

Former European Tour player Zane Scotland has accepted a new ambassadorial role with the R&A to support the development of initiatives that encourage more people from ethnically diverse communities to take up golf.

Surrey-based Zane, 39, who competed on the EuroPro Tour, the European Tour and the MENA Tour during a competitive career that was interrupted by a neck injury

■ PL ANS FOR A NE W RY DER CUP COURSE IN BOLTON HAVE BEEN RE JECTED

challenged those running the game to step up and address the imbalance. I’m really encouraged to see the R&A taking the initiative and making positive steps forward in this area.

“I see our partnership as another means to build on the good work already being done by the likes of the Golf Foundation and within golf societies to open up the sport. I know that there is still a long way to go, but I firmly believe that golf stands to benefit greatly if we can change perceptions and show that it is a fun and welcoming activity for everyone.”

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said: “Our research is clearly showing that powerful role models like Zane are influential in encouraging more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds into golf and creating more positive perceptions of what the sport can really offer to participants.

“Zane’s knowledge and experience will be invaluable in informing education for the industry and developing initiatives that proactively position the sport as inclusive for everyone who wants to play it, not only on the course but also the many other alternative forms of golf off the course that are crucial to attracting new participants from all backgrounds. We look forward to working with him.”

■ ZANE SCOTLAND

The Buckinghamshire to host Women’s Open qualifier The Buckinghamshire Golf Club is to a host qualifying tournament for the 2022 AIG Women’s Open this summer.

Pre-Qualifying will be played across 18 holes at The Buckinghamshire on July 11, while Final Qualifying will take place on August 1 at North Berwick in Scotland, where three golfers will earn a place in the AIG Women’s Open, which is being played at Muirfield from August 4-7.

The Buckinghamshire, which was

designed by former Ryder Cup captain John Jacobs, is home to the Ladies’ European Tour and has previously hosted professional championships, including the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf in 1997-98. More recently it hosted Open Regional Qualifying from 2011-15, the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters on four occasions and two Rose Ladies Series events.

Zoe Ridgway, Championship Director of the AIG Women’s Open at The R&A said:

“The Buckinghamshire is an outstanding championship venue and will present a tough, but fair challenge to the players aiming to qualify for the 2022 AIG Women’s Open.”

NEWS | MARCH 2022 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

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MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Trilby Tour returns under new ownership The Trilby Tour is gearing up for its long-awaited return with the announcement of its 2022 calendar as the iconic event prepares to debut its revised look under new owners, Darwin Escapes.

The revamped tour, which was brought by Darwin Escapes from Savile Row tailor William Hunt last year, will feature a number of significant changes – most noticeably the addition of female amateurs who will go head-to-head with their male counterparts for the first time.

The changes have been introduced to give the event a more professional tour feel, with a focus on improved TV production for the tour’s return to Sky Sports and clothing supplied by Glenmuir for competitors.

The 2022 Trilby Tour will be played across a series of venues in the Home Counties and the north of England and Scotland, with the best players from each event qualifying for the Grand Final in September at the recently upgraded Dundonald Links, Darwin Escapes’ flagship course, where a field of 60 will tee it up.

The three-month schedule begins on June 13 with the Trilby Tour Championship of Oxfordshire at The Springs

■ THE SPRINGS RESORT

IN OXFORDSHIRE

Resort & Golf Club, before heading to Carus Green on June 27 for The Trilby Tour Championship of Cumbria. Next up comes the Trilby Tour Championship of Yorkshire at Kilnwick Percy on July 4 and the Trilby Tour Championship of Ayrshire at Dundonald Links on August 15, with the top 15 players from each event – 10 men and five women – returning to Ayrshire to compete in The Grand Final on September 19.

Players will receive an array of benefits as part of the £260

entry fee, including Glenmuir clothing, a practice round, food and prizes on the day and a voucher booklet for special offers at Darwin Escapes’ golf venues, plus the chance to feature on Sky Sports who will be broadcasting all the events in a highlights package.

Sky Sports Golf presenter, Sarah Stirk, commented: “I’m thrilled to be part of the all-new Trilby Tour for 2022. The game is in really good shape right now, and it’s great to see the Trilby Tour moving forward since Darwin Escapes purchased it last year. Not only is it now fully refreshed, with some great new partners, it also has women playing head-to-head with the men for the coveted title of Trilby Tour Champion. I can’t wait to be part of the show.”

Ashley Pheasant, Head of Golf for Darwin Escapes, commented: “We can’t wait to get going with the 2022 Trilby Tour. When we set out on this journey, we wanted to make this the best amateur golf tour in the country.

“With the changes we have made, we are providing additional value for competitors and are thrilled to see all our championships return to Sky Sports. It is fitting that we will have both men and women competing for the first time at Dundonald Links, the home of the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open.”

Entries are now open for the 2022 Trilby Tour and for more details and to book, visit www.trilbytour.co.uk.

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Fuller retains place in England Women’s Squad Surrey’s Annabell Fuller is looking forward to testing herself on the European and world stage again after being named as one of six players in England’s women’s squad for the 2022 season.

Fuller, 19, who is a member at the Roehampton Club, will proudly fly the flag for England alongside Rosie Belsham, Charlotte Heath, Caley McGinty, Mimi Rhodes and Amelia Williamson.

All six players were involved as either playing members or reserves in the squads which struck gold at last summer’s European Ladies’ Team Championships at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland and then retained the Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa. In addition, Fuller, Heath and McGinty all featured for GB&I in the Curtis Cup clash with the USA at Conwy Golf Club in August.

Last year saw Fuller, who is currently studying at

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the University of Florida, compete at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and will head there once again in April alongside McGinty to represent England at one of the most prestigious events in women’s golf. McGinty won five times on the college circuit, while Rhodes also claimed her maiden collegiate title.

This year England will look to retain their Home International crown at Ballyliffin in Ireland and also the European title when they defend at Conwy in Wales. The squad will then head to France for the World Championships aiming to become the first English team to lift the Espirito Santo Trophy in this 29th staging of the event.

Jennifer Henderson, assistant performance manager for women’s golf, said: “After a challenging few years, 2022 promises to provide ever greater coaching and competitive opportunities. With an exciting year of golf ahead, these players remain committed, ambitious, and determined in the pursuit of excellence. Whilst elite female amateur golf continues to become ever more competitive, this group of players will have every opportunity to add to their already successful amateur careers in 2022 – we can’t wait to see how they get on.”

NEWS | MARCH 2022

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

End of an era at Seldson Park as course closes following DeVere sale Ninety-two years of golfing history came to an end at Selsdon Park Golf Club in Surrey on December 31 when the course on the historic Croydon estate closed for what is believed to be the final time.

The 150-room hotel and its 200 acres of grounds, including the parkland golf course, were sold by De Vere Hotels to hospitality group Aprirose for an undisclosed sum at the end of last year, with the new owners undertaking a major renovation of the property before re-opening, although no date has been set.

Aprirose has made no comment about the future of the golf course, which first opened in 1929, but it looks

unlikely that it will ever re-open. A letter sent by the club’s golf manager to members late last year advised that there would be ‘no more golf after the end of December’.

Manish Gudka, chief executive of Aprirose, said: “As part of our ongoing strategy to grow our portfolio of high-quality hospitality and leisure assets, we are pleased to have acquired Selsdon Park Hotel. The estate represents a great fit for Aprirose – it’s a large, welllocated site and we’re excited by the potential to develop and enhance the existing amenities.”

Aprirose currently manages 21 properties for brands

such as Delta Hotels by Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton and the 19-strong QHotels portfolio, including Oulton Hall in Yorkshire and Slaley Hall in Northumberland.

In 2018 Aprirose also invested in a separate lifestyle concept, Birch, which is believed to BE the chosen management team to run Selsdon Park in its new guise.

Principal Hotels bought Selsdon Park in 1997, and over the next 20 years spent over £3.5 million on various refurbishments and expansions, particularly of its health club, and re-branding it the De Vere Estate. But in the middle of the latest £1 million works, in 2020, Covid hit, with unsustainable losses leading to the sale.

ROGUE ST - Golf NEWS STRIP - 120x560mm.indd 2

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Membership fees on the rise as golf boom continues An annual survey of golf club finances has revealed that golf club membership remains on the rise over the last 12 months, as has the cost of a round of golf.

The annual survey of 99 private and proprietary golf clubs across the country, which was produced in partnership with accountants Hillier Hopkins, the UK Golf Federation and the Golf Club Secretary newsletter, showed a sharp rise in the number of golf club members in 2021, together with increasing waiting lists.

However, the sport remains the preserve of older male members, with 74% of club members being men, and 64% of all members being aged over 50.

The golf boom saw an average of 29,000 rounds played at each club that participated in the survey, while over half of the clubs (53%) reported having a waiting list for new

Luton Hoo resort sold to Arora Group

members, up from just 22% in 2019.

The increased demand for membership and for visitor rounds over the last two years has enabled clubs to increase membership fees and green fees, with 80% of clubs planning to increase fees for the new season, while the average cost of a visitor round at the clubs surveyed has risen to £58.

Matt Bailey, a senior manager at Hillier Hopkins, said: “2021 has been a much better year for golf clubs, with 79% of members clubs and 88% of proprietary clubs reporting growth in the year. However, club should be concerned that almost three-quarters of members are aged over 50, and a third aged over 61."

Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa has been sold

by Elite Hotels to the Arora Group for an undisclosed sum.

The 1,000-acre Bedfordshire-based estate was bought by Elite Hotels in 1999 after its previous owners went bankrupt and left the Grade I listed mansion to fall into disrepair.

The hotel, which offers 228 guest rooms, re-opened in 2008 after a £60m investment, which included the opening of an 18-hole golf course. Luton Hoo’s 7,107-yard course, which was designed by Mike Smith of Mass Designs, hosted the Bridgestone Challenge in 2017 and 2018.

Originally known as a specialist airport hotel operator, Luton Hoo is the Arora Group’s first property in the golf sector. Surinder Arora, CEO and chairman of the Arora Group, commented: “Our acquisition of Luton Hoo continues to support our strategy to diversify our hotel portfolio and we are excited to build on the already significant investment and development by Elite Hotels. We are excited to welcome the Luton Hoo team to the Arora Group and are looking forward to the opportunities ahead for our expanded family.”

Graeme Bateman, Managing Director of Elite Hotels, commented: “Naturally, we are sad to be parting company with Luton Hoo Hotel, but we do so in the knowledge that we have passed the custodianship of this wonderful property into safe hands. We wish Surinder Arora and his team every success as they move Luton Hoo Hotel into a new era.”

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MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Girl power to the fore at Sunningdale Foursomes Surrey’s Lottie Woad and Northumberland’s Rachel Gourley became only the seventh all-female pairing to win the Sunningdale Foursomes when the amateur England squad duo captured the famous championship after beating professional duo James Ruth and Paul Hendriksen 6&5 in the final.

The 88th renewal of the championship at the famous Berkshire club attracted 128 pairings, with Woad and Gourley, aged 18 and 17 respectively, being the only all-female combination. The talented teenage pairing, who are both studying at colleges in the States, enjoyed a virtual armchair ride to the final, breezing through their opening two games in impressive style, securing 6&5 and 7&6 wins to book themselves into the last 32. From there, a 3&1 win followed before their closest game against Surrey tour professionals Adam Gee and James Heath yielded a 2-up victory in Woad and Gourley's favour. In the quarter-final, the duo defeated Thalia Kirby and Jake Ayres 3&2, before they booked their places in the final with a 2&1 victory over Kent amateurs Ed Richardson and Tom Sherreard.

The final, which was played in heavy rain, was nip

and tuck in the early exchanges, with Woad and Gourley getting off to a fast start when taking the opening two holes. However, Ruth and Hendriksen, who were giving away 10 shots to their amateur rivals, fought back, producing a birdie and a par at the 3rd and 4th to tie the match up. The girls received shots on the next three holes and took full advantage to get back to three up after seven, and with Ruth and Hendriksen winning the eighth, it wasn’t until the par-4 9th that the first hole was halved as Woad and Gourley duo took a 2-up lead into the back nine.

The weather conditions deteriorated as the round progressed, but that didn’t put off Woad and Gourley, who won four holes on the bounce from the 10th, with Gourley rolling in a 10-footer for birdie on the 13th to claim the title 6&5.

Woad, who is a member at Farnham Golf Club, said: “We are both very happy. Looking at the names who have won it before we are in good company. This year there were loads of great pairs and obviously we are very happy to come out on top. We had some great matches.”

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Finalists named for England Golf Awards 2022 Weybrook Park in Hampshire and Farleigh in Surrey are on a shortlist of clubs that have been nominated for an England Golf Award.

Weybrook Park is up for the coveted Club of the Year title and will be up against stiff competition from Bowood Park in Cornwall, Clitheroe GC in Lancashire and Hazel Grove GC in Cheshire.

Croydon-based Farleigh Golf Club, which is a sister venue to Foxhills, has been nominated for the Sustainability Project award and will be judged against projects submitted by Beacon Park in Lancashire. Drax Golf Club in Yorkshire and Edgbaston Golf Club in Warkwickshire.

Farleigh reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives by signing up to the Operation Pollinator programme, which saw the club commit

14/03/2022 11:02

to establishing a minimum of 0.5 hectares of new wildflower habitat around the golf course. Operation Pollinator provides the experience and advice to help landowners replace habitats essential for all pollinating insects and is recognised as one of the world’s leading environmental initiatives.

James Ibbetson, Farleigh’s general manager, said: “We are really pleased to be a part of such a fantastic initiative. With so much land, flora and vegetation, it would be almost selfish of us not to share this with the animals and insects which are so vital to our environment. By creating the best possible habitat for them to continue their essential cycling of nutrients, pollination, dispersion of seeds, as well as maintaining soil structure and fertility, all of which is beneficial to the world and the golf course, we’re doing our bit to hopefully prevent the extinction of some of our critical pollinating insects, such as bumblebees, and continue the growth of grass and crops.”

An expert panel of 46 judges, made up of England Golf staff, as well as industry and media experts, will decide the winners, with the results scheduled to be revealed

at a virtual ceremony hosted online by BBC broadcaster Naga Munchetty on April 20. The show starts at 6.30pm and be broadcast live on England Golf’s YouTube channel.

In other categories, Kent, Middlesex and Cambridgeshire are in the running for the County of the Year award, while Lee -on Solent PGA Professional Kevin Caplehorn and Old Ford Manor’s professional Beth Scott are two of the four nominees for the Participation and Development Coach of the Year title.

Essex’s Harley Smith and Buckinghamshire’s Rosie Bee Kim have both earned nominations for the Performance of the Year category. Smith enjoyed a superb 2021 season, winning both the McGregor Trophy and the Carris Trophy, while among Kim’s highlights was a victory the R&A’s Girls U16 Amateur Championship.

Farnham Golf Club in Surrey is up for the Tournament Venue of the Year award, while Christine Rixson (Addington Palace), Alan Plumb (Strawberry Hill) and Sandy Burrell (Weybrook Park) are all vying for the coveted Volunteer of the Year title.

■ ROSIE BEE KIM HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A PERFORMANCE AWARD

Commenting on the list of nominees, Jeremy Tomlinson, England Golf’s chief executive officer, said: “It was a real privilege to read through so many amazing stories from groups and individuals who go that extra mile to make a difference to the game we all love.

“This is a chance to shine a light on those individuals, groups, counties and clubs who don’t seek publicity for the great work they do, but who deserve to be honoured and recognised.

“To read about such levels of passion, creativity and dedication being shown by so many from our golfing community is truly inspirational.

NEWS | MARCH 2022

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Centurion set to host world's richest golf tournament Centurion Club is to host the world's richest ever golf tournament this summer when Greg Norman's Saudi Arabia-backed golf operation begins with a $25m event at the Hertfordshire-based club in June.

The LIV Golf International Series will include eight 54-hole events across Europe, America and Asia. The field in each event will comprise 48 players split into 12 teams, with players playing for a $20 individual prize fund and a $5m that will be split between the the top three teams. The tournaments have no cut and will have a shotgun start with all competitors starting their rounds simultaneously.

No players have been announced for the Series, but it is being regarded as the first incarnation of the proposed breakaway Super League.

Greg Norman, chief executive of LIV Golf Investments, said: "Our events are

truly additive to the world of golf. We have done our best to create a schedule that allows players to play elsewhere, while still participating in our events. I believe players will make progress in achieving their right to play where they want. We will help in any way possible and will provide golfers with opportunities to achieve their full potential."

Further events will be held at Pumpkin Ridge in Oregon, (July 1-3); Trump National Golf Club, New Jersey (July 29-31); The International, Boston (Sept 2-4); Rich Harvest Farms, Chicago (Sept 16-18); Stonehill Golf Club, Bangkok (Oct 7-9), Royal Greens GC in Saudi Arabia (Oct 14-16) and a Team Championship at a yet to be decided venue (Oct 28-30).

Both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have previously threatened lifetime bans on players who play in a breakaway league, but neither has issued a statement about the LIV Golf International Series and it remains to be seen how they will react to their members taking part in this series. There are currently no details about which players have committed to the series, although it is understood that invitations have been sent out to at least 250

■ CENTURION CLUB IS TO HOST TWO SAUDIBACKED TOURNAMENT THIS SUMMER

across the global tours.

Centurion is also to host the first leg of a new series of Ladies European Tour events – the Aramco Team Series – from June 18-20.

Lexi Thompson, Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist and Emily Kristine Pedersen are among those confirmed for the three-day event, which has a $1 million prize fund. The three-day tournament will also offer amateur players the chance to play alongside some of the biggest

names in women’s golf.

Hall said: “It’s a really great addition to the Tour. It’s a new format and it’s different – and will only be a force for good in women’s golf. Investment like this is fantastic to see and to be able to take the game to new venues around the world and inspire the next generation of young golfers is a really wonderful thing to be part of. Starting in London will, for me, make it extra special.”

Official Partner

ROGUE ST - Golf NEWS STRIP - 120x560mm.indd 4

Duke of York resigns from R&A as golf clubs distance themselves from tainted royal Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has relinquished his Honorary Membership of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and given up all of his royal patronages in the wake of the allegations made as part of the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.

A spokesperson for The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews said: “The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has received notification that the Duke of York will relinquish his Honorary Membership. We respect and appreciate his decision.”

A member of the R&A since 1992, Prince Andrew is the only member of the royal family to have served at committee level, having been a member of the Amateur Status Committee from 1999 to 2003. He drove into office in September 2003 and was captain during the year in which the club celebrated its 250th anniversary.

The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy, a tournament for junior amateur players that Prince Andrew launched in 2001, was wound up in April 2020 shortly after details of the allegations first appeared.

Prince Andrew was also an honorary member at over 20 golf clubs throughout the ■ THE DUKE OF YORK HAS GIVEN UP UK, including Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and Royal Liverpool, all of which ALL HIS GOLF CLUB PATRONAGES, have ended their connections to the Queen’s second oldest son.

INCLUDING ROYAL LIVERPOOL

14/03/2022 11:02

[10] MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NGL Golf enters exciting new era under new management team NGL Golf, one of the UK’s leading corporate golf events companies, is entering a new era of its 43-year history following the retirement of its founder former PGA Professional Nick Lunn.

The company, which was set up in 1979, remains in good hands, however, as it is now being run by two of NGL Golf’s longest-serving employees, Rob Cooper and Mike Pearce. Specialising in high-end corporate and charity golf projects, the company has been involved in notable events such as the BMW Golf Cup International, which is the largest amateur golf tournament in the world, and the headline UK Cancer Research Charity Golf Day, NGL Fore Charity partnered by AT&T, which to date has raised nearly £800,000 towards vital research.

“I have been part of NGL Golf for 30 years and have fantastic memories of all the events and projects that we have been part of,” said Rob Cooper. “Nick is a great friend and has dedicated his career to the success of this business.

■ THE NGL TEAM WITH JUS

TIN ROSE AT A ROSE SER

IES EVENT

I know that working alongside Mike, and the rest of the team, we can build on the already established notability of NGL Golf and take the business forward into a new era.”

Through the transition of ownership, the new directors have already made some significant changes to the operational management due to Covid-19. Unable to offer golf events, the branding and graphic arm of the business was promoted to offer a complete solution for companies requiring Covid-19 physical assets. This has continued

to build momentum, as clients return to face-to-face meetings and events, and an area that will be developed under the new management.

“With our refreshed focus and outlook this is going to be a very exciting time for NGL Golf,” said Mike Pearce. “Our goal is to grow our portfolio of clients and diversify our offering to make our services more accessible.

We have a very experienced team and feel that this should be available to businesses regardless of their size.

“Having already been through the difficult Covid-19 period, we are determined to drive forward and ensure NGL Golf sets a clear benchmark within the industry. I would personally like to thank all our clients and partners that have made this opportunity possible and look forward with a renewed energy to making this a success.”

With events, management and branding at the core NGL Golf are now looking to enhance their offering to existing clients and to source new markets where they can continue to forge relationships and grow the business.

For more details visit www.nglgolf.co.uk or call Rob Cooper on 0118 932 4235.

West Sussex installs full irrigation system West Sussex Golf Club has installed a full course irrigation system in order to avoid losing swathes of fairways during hot, dry spells.

The club’s previous irrigation system, which was 40 years old, only covered tees and greens, leaving the fairways to be hand watered. This led to the fairways often being lost during extended hot spells, as happened in 2018, with grass being killed off during that summer’s drought.

The new system included the laying of over 27,000 metres of pipework and the installation of 958 sprinklers that now cover the entire course. The high-tech system can be controlled remotely from an mobile App that allows specific areas to be targeted at specific times.

Kerr Rowan, course manager at West Sussex Golf Club, explained the need for

■ COURSE MANAGER KERR ROWAN IS DELIGHTED WITH THE PLAYING CONDITIONS AT WEST SUSSEX FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION OF FULL FAIRWAY IRRIGATION

the new system, which was provided by Toro. “We are fortunate to be one of a small number of traditional heathland golf clubs in the country. Our players gravitate towards the firm, fiery and fast fairways. By their very

nature, these areas turn brown, particularly in summer, and there was concern from the club that a new irrigation system would make them too green. However, the incredibly hot summer of 2018 proved that rather than

turning areas green, irrigation was vital to keeping those naturally dry areas alive. As a result of that hot dry weather, we lost a lot of grass and it highlighted the importance of having a premium irrigation system in place.”

He added: “The project required an advanced level of diligence and care. This is because a large part of the course is within a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and therefore Natural England insisted that water should not be sprayed or allowed to leach on to the heather areas, falling only on the fine grass fairways. Water throw had to be carefully calculated so a three-row system was installed on the fairways instead of a two-row alternative. This provided greater accuracy and efficiency. We couldn’t simply install pipe wherever we liked, it had to be planned with precision and out of respect for the natural surroundings. Plus, as the site is not blessed with an incredible amount of water, we had to design a system that was efficient and sustainable for the club.

"We can now spot-target areas that need it and when we do water, we water less, so the water goes exactly where we want it. This makes a significant cost-saving to the club.”

NEWS | MARCH 2022 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

The Shire London to host Ryder Cup-style match for golfers with a disability A new Ryder Cup-style team matchplay event between golfers with a disability from Europe and the USA is to be held at The Shire London this spring.

The inaugural Cairns Cup is scheduled to take place from May 11-13, with fourball, foursomes and singles matches being played on consecutive days. The tournament will be part of week-long Disability Golf Festival, with a Charity Am-Am event taking place on May 9 and a Disability & Inclusivity Open Day on May 10.

The organisers are aiming to raise awareness of disability golf and provide a platform to raise funds to promote golf as a sport for all. Each team will bring a squad of 16, although only 12 will play on any given day. Each team will have players with at least six different disabilities and WHS handicaps ranging from scratch to 54, making the event truly inclusive and available to all golfers who have a disability.

The European team will contain disabled golfers from England, Wales, Germany, Holland and Portugal, the US team features players from North Carolina, Florida, Oregon, Alabama, Georgia and Indiana.

Among those competing on the European team is 43-year-old former soldier Mike Browne, who had his left leg amputated below the knee after a motorcycle accident in 2011. Mike (pictured right), got his handicap down from 28 to four in just 18 months after taking up the game in 2014 and turned

American Golf takes the reins at Barnehurst Golf retailer American Golf has taken over the operation of Barnehurst Golf Course in Kent and is set to re-open the Bexleyheath-based venue in the next few months.

Barnehurst closed in 2020, with previous operator Mytime Active ending its lease at the end of March 2021 after operating the

professional last year. He has won national disabled championships in France, the Czech Republic and South African and has competed on the Gecko MiniTour in Spain, as well as European Disabled Golfers Association events.

“I’d always thought golf was a sport for posh old men, but it draws people in from all walks of life,” said Mike.

“It’s played a massive part in my rehabilitation and might even have saved my life. I have met so many amazing people and had so many fantastic experiences which I would not have enjoyed if I still had two legs. I’m really looking forward to playing in the Cairns Cup and shining a light on the fact that disability does not have to stop you from leading a full and active life.”

The Cairns Cup will be a biannual event, with future matches set to be held in Michigan in 2024, Celtic Manor in 2026, Florida in 2028 and San Roque, Spain in 2030.

Golf News is proud to a be the media partner for the event, Any businesses wishing to lend their support or to get involved should contact Ian Mullins on 07961 198966 or email thecairnscup@gmail.com.

site since 2009. It blamed financial pressures around Covid closures as the reason behind the lease termination.

American Golf, which owns 95 retail stores across the UK and runs driving ranges at Rossendale, Hemingford Abbots and Wythall, has submitted plans to enhance the venue, which already has a 9-hole golf course, by refurbishing the 16-bay driving range with Toptracer Range, adding a new sports lounge, and a new retail space with custom-fitting services. There are also longer-term plans to add an Adventure Golf course.

American Golf CEO Gary Favell said: “We are looking forward to being part of the Barnehurst community and to welcoming past and new members to the club when we open our doors in Spring.

The acquisition of Barnehurst Golf Club supports our wider vision to make golf accessible and fun for everyone. We want to break down the barriers to entry and to inspire as many people as possible to try golf for the first time. We are looking forward to announcing details around membership in the coming weeks.”

Open qualifiers for 150th Open Championship Scratch golfers aspiring to qualify for the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews can now submit entries for Regional and Final Qualifying events taking place at clubs all over Great Britain and Ireland in June this year.

Players who already have an exemption into the Championship, which is being held on the Old Course from July 14-17, can submit an entry form via TheOpen.com, but everyone else with a handicap of 0.4 or lower who fancies trying to gain one of the 12 qualifying spots on offer will have to enter Regional and Final Qualifying events taking place on June 20.

Approximately 1,350 golfers are expected to compete across the 13 Regional Qualifying events on for a place in Final Qualifying. The venues are Alwoodley, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Burhill, Caldy, County Louth, Fairhaven, Frilford Heath, Kedleston Park, Minchinhampton, Moor Park, Northamptonshire County, Panmure and Rochester & Cobham Park.

A combined starting field of 288 players will then compete in Final Qualifying events taking place at Fairmont St Andrews, Hollinwell, Prince’s and St Annes Old Links on June 28.

Those golfers wanting to play in Regional and Final Qualifying can view the entry criteria and submit an entry form via TheOpen.com.

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[12] MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

‘Long Socks’ takes a break from bag duties John McLaren, the Surrey-based caddie famed for his flamboyant on-course attire, has called time – for now ­– on his 30-year career on the professional tours in order to spend more time with his young family.

McLaren, who earned the nickname ‘Long Socks’ on account of his penchant for wearing extended hosiery in order to protect his legs from a childhood burns injury, has hung up his tour bag after a career that saw him work with many of the game’s finest players, including Luke Donald during his time as world No.1, and latterly with Ryder Cup star Paul Casey.

After 30 seasons, 18 wins and a dozen players, the popular 55-year-old has decided to take a step back from caddie duties. The Saudi International, alongside Casey, marked McLaren’s final event as he reverts to family commitments. Had coronavirus not struck, McLaren estimates that he

would have carried on working for another three years.

“My children are eight and nine,” said McLaren. “My son broke his arm during the last Ryder Cup and I wasn’t there. My daughter was born during The Open at Lytham in 2012, and because of the timing, I have never really been there for her birthday since.

“Covid travel became so much more difficult. I am mentally more tired because of travel and anxiety of testing positive after a two- or three-week trip then being stuck in a country when I have young kids. Similarly, I go home and they are in school and I worried about not

being able to get back out to work. That created a lot of uncertainty I’d rather not have to deal with.”

McLaren will be missed, including by Casey on account of his career rejuvenation after turning to the experienced bag man in 2015. McLaren cites the “unbelievable experience” of the Rio Olympics, with Casey, as a career highlight. He was also with Luke Donald for the 2012 Ryder Cup. “Luke was at the pinnacle of his powers,” McLaren recalls. “I had a great sense of knowing what to do for him at that point. There was great security there.

I will miss aspects of this. The camaraderie, the competition. I can’t say I haven’t got an ego because there’s enough of that in there to still make me want to be better than everybody else at this job. It rubs your ego when you do well.”

McLaren refuses to rule out a return to the fairways, however, albeit after a decent rest. “Firstly, I am going to do school runs,” he says. “I will be on the touchline for kids’ games at school. I will be back on my bike training like I used to. I’ll play a bit more social golf. I know for the next six to eight months there is pretty much no chance I’ll be back out here unless a world No.1 to 8 calls and says they would like my help to be better. For the foreseeable future, I will be at home.”

Mytime Active appoints new chief executive Mytime Active, which operates 12 golf centres across the UK, has appointed Jason Stanton as its new chief executive.

Stanton, who takes on the role from Marg Mayne from April 1, joined the company in 2015 as golf operations director before being promoted to group operations director in 2016. His extensive career in the golf and leisure industry has encompassed both private operators such as Parkwood Leisure, as well as charitable social enterprises such as Leisure Link and local authorities.

Mytime Active currently operates a number of clubs in the South-East, including High Elms Golf Course in Bromley and Orpington Golf Centre in Kent. Run as an independent social enterprise, Mytime’s mission is to improve wellbeing through its range of more than 100 accessible services. These include golf, swimming, gyms, bowling, social and health programmes at 23 locations across the UK. Speaking about his new role, Stanton said: “It’s both an honour and a privilege to be asked to be the new CEO of Mytime Active. Having worked for Mytime Active for over six years, I know the hard work and dedication that exists within our team. We are clearly operating in very challenging times, but Mytime Active has proved resilient throughout the crisis. I am confident we are emerging stronger than ever and will be fully prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

New golf superstore opens in Milton Keynes Golf retail business AFGolf has expanded its portfolio of stores in the UK with the opening of a new shop near Milton Keynes.

The new AFGolf store, which is located on Granby Trade Park in Bletchley, promises to offer golfers of all standards the same state-of-the-art customer experience that is already available to visitors to its flagship store in Cambridge since 2019 and its sister location in Peterborough, which opened in 2020.

The new 4,500 square feet store is the largest golf retail space in Milton Keynes and is the ideal destination for golfers of all skill levels looking to try out all the latest equipment, receive coaching from a team of experienced PGA Professionals and

receive free custom fittings from experts using the very latest technology. The store is open seven days a week for equipment purchases, coaching and fittings.

Comprehensive coaching support will be offered

by Lead Coach Elliott Appleby, who will work with customers to identify potential improvements in their game or assist in selecting the correct equipment for their style of play. Golf lessons encompass one-on-one tutorials and are conducted in a state-of-the-art swing studio using Trackman technology and video analysis software.

For lessons and custom fitting bookings, call 01908 476177.

NEWS | MARCH 2022 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

P L AY W I T H S T Y L E A L B A R T R OSS .CO M

LUXU RY G O L F S H O E S & ACC E SSS O R I E S

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[14] MARCH 2022 | NEWS

SE T TING THE STAGE FOR ACTS

OF

PU RE GOLFING THE ATRE The Stage Golfing Society, founded almost 120 years ago, has brought together many of our favourite actors, comedians and stars of film and television in a shared love of the game. April Tod charts the history of one of the UK’s oldest golf societies and finds out about the exploits of its famous players and their stories

■ THE STAGE GOLF SOCIETY'S HEADQUARTERS AT RICHMOND GOLF CLUB IN SURREY HAVE PROVIDED A GOLFING HOME FROM HOME FOR MANY OF THE UK'S FINEST ACTING AND COMEDY TALENTS

W

hile football seems like an appropriate sport for actors to play in their spare time, given the level of amateur dramatics and feigning of injuries that takes place in most professional league matches these days, it is the Royal & Ancient game of golf that seems to have proved the most attractive leisure pursuit for ‘artistes’ down the years.

From Bob Hope and Bing Crosby to Ronnie Corbett, Bill Murray and Ant & Dec, there is something about swinging a club and walking the fairways that has proved an irresistible attraction for generations of actors, comedians, film stars and all-round entertainers.

Whether it’s the show-off nature of holing a long putt or smashing a booming drive, or the conviviality of the post-match clubhouse revelrie, most recent Oscar, BAFTA or TV Choice award ceremonies could probably pull together a decent scratch golf team at short notice if the circumstances required.

While many British actors happily ploughed their own lone golfing furrow for years, it wasn’t until 1903 that the popularity of the game among the UK's thespian community grew to

the extent that a society was formed to provide an opportunity for those that ‘trod the boards’ for a living to share each other’s company – and the fairways – in a more formal setting.

The Stage Golfing Society as it was known, and still is to this day, was founded 119 years ago as a means of offering many impoverished actors a less expensive way to play golf and to exploit the cheaper green fees that were offered to societies.

Letters were sent out to 213 prospective members inviting them to join the new golf society, with a view to attracting a maximum of 100 founding members, all of whom were required to pay a guinea for the privilege. All but one replied, although not all in the affirmative, with the only non-respondent being the comedy actor Fred Leslie, who, somewhat ironically, went on to become one of the society’s best known and most successful golfers. In a subsequent letter, new members were instructed to ‘play like gentlemen, not actors,’ a requirement that remains to this day, although the gender-stereotypical language has since been updated.

Back in the early days it was only those who worked on stage – which at that time was virtually the only source of public entertainment – that were able to apply to join. But today's membership is slightly more well-healed than it was over a century ago, with its selection criteria having long since expanded to those working in all facets of the entertainment industry, including TV, film and radio.

NEWS | MARCH 2022 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ THE SOCIETY'S STUNNING COLLECTION OF TROPHIES IS HOUSED AT RICHMOND GOLF CLUB

■ ACTOR PHIL GLENISTER IS AN SGS REGULAR

Open to men and women who have been creatively involved in the entertainment Industry for at least two years and are able play golf ‘to a reasonable standard’, the Stage Golfing Society continues to thrive today, with 80-100 active golf members among a total membership of 400.

In those early years, Bushey Hall Golf Club in Hertfordshire – which sadly closed in 2019 – was the only club affiliated to the society, and it wasn’t until after the First World War that ties with more clubs were established, with the likes of Ashford Manor, Beaconsfield, Foxhills, Moor Park, Richmond and Sandy Lodge being among the early supporters.

And it wasn’t until over a quarter of a century from its founding that the SGS held the first of its now legendary annual dinners, with members gathering at The Savoy Hotel in London in 1929 to toast that year’s winners. The dinner was attended by several high-profile guests, including the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Birkenhead, Lord Brabazon and Sir Anthony Eden. An impressive fourball if ever

■ DOUGRAY SCOTT WON THE SOCIETY'S GOLFER OF THE YEAR TITLE IN 2003

there was one.

During the Inter-War Years the society was headquartered, somewhat salubriously, in The Salisbury, a Soho pub that was popular with actors of the time, and it wasn’t until 1948 that a more suitable setting was found to conduct business when The Richmond Golf Club in Surrey invited the society to make the club its permanent home, where it remains today.

The SGS has been given its own room inside the historic clubhouse, The Stage Room, whose high walls are covered with heavy wooden honours boards bearing the names of past winners of the society’s many competitions, along with handdrawn cartoons depicting the antics of some of the society’s most famous members. Glass cabinets full of historic silver trophies – over 50 at the last count, many of which have been competed for a century or more – are also on show.

Cast your eye down the list of past competition winners, past presidents and captains, and you

come across a veritable Who’s Who of actors, entertainers, TV stars and musicians, with the likes of Eric Sykes, Ronnie Corbett, Albert Finney, Christopher Lee, Michael Refern, Jason Connery, Garfield Morgan, Tom Courtenay, James Bolam, Des Lynam, Philip Glenister and Dougray Scott all with their names in gold paint. The late Sir Peter Alliss, the doyenne of golf commentators and a thousand after-dinner speeches, pops up as president in 1990, while former Yes keyboard player Rick Wakeman performed the same duty in 2005.

Although social golf is popular among the membership, it is the competitions that attract the most interest, with the SCG competing for 52 trophies over 48 annual competitions, with 21 matches scheduled every year. The oldest is the Bennett Edwardes Trophy, which was established in 1904 and is presented to the winner of the summer knockout competition, the final of which is played over 36 holes at Richmond.

The Gold Cup, which was first presented in 1922, is widely regarded as the most elegant of the trophies competed for and is played for in a

MOST OSCAR, BAFTA OR TV CHOICE AWARD CEREMONIES COULD PULL TOGETHER A DECENT SCRATCH GOLF TEAM IF CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRED Medal competition at Richmond in June; while the Tudor Owen Golfer of the Year Trophy is a replica of the famous Claret Jug, with the winner having accrued the most points for top-five finishes in a number of competitions held throughout the year. Recent winners include musical theatre actor Scott Mobley (2017), actor/director Stephen Rayne (2018), while Dougray Scott took the honour in 2003. A mission possible.

A name that crops up more than any other, though, is that of Sion Tudor Owen, a Welsh actor and producer, now aged 63, who won the society’s Scratch Prize a total of 16 times in the 20-year period between 1987 and 2007. Dig a little deeper and you find that Sion played county golf for Surrey in his youth, and clearly held onto his skills during the intervening years of playing minor roles in Emmerdale, Midsomer Murders, The Bill and Casualty.

The society broke new ground in 2017 when journalist and broadcaster Philippa Kennedy became its first woman to captain. One of her duties, as it is for all SGS captains, is to produce the annual stage show in October for members of Richmond Golf Club - an event that she remembers all too well.

“Every captain has to do this and it’s always a worry, but there are plenty of people to help and it always goes down well,” says Kennedy, who was also captain of the Press Golfing Society 20 years ago. “Golf has given me so much and it’s a great privilege to have captained two of the oldest golf societies in England. We now play an annual match against the PGS and it’s great to see how well these two groups of people get on. Actors always need an audience and media people are great listeners.”

Although Covid put paid to members competing for trophies for the past two seasons, the society’s schedule of events will be back with a bang in 2022.

As every decent actor knows, the show must go on.

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[16] MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

InBrief BEARWOOD LAKES TO HOST £40,000 WESTCOAST PRO-AM ★ Bearwood Lakes Golf Club is to offer the largest first prize in one-day UK professional golf when it hosts the Westcoast Pro-Am at Bearwood Lakes on July 18.

PGA Professionals from all over the country will descend on the Berkshire-based course for one of the biggest and most recognised Pro-Am events in the country.

For 2022, the total prize fund will be just shy of £40,000, with the winner pocketing a cool £20,000 for their efforts. Last year saw Golf at Goodwood’s Chris McDonnell

Fire destroys Beaverbrook clubhouse A massive fire has completely destroyed the clubhouse at the exclusive Beaverbrook Golf Club in Surrey.

The emergency services were alerted just before 10pm on March 7 after the fire was discovered at the Leatherhead-based resort. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the scene but little could be done to save the burning structure or its basement.

Specialist crew and eight engines arrived within minutes, and some were still there the folllowing morning to ensure it presented no further danger. Investigations are continuing into what could have sparked the enormous blaze which raised the historic building to the ground.

A source at the club, which opened in 2016, said: “The fire has significantly damaged the clubhouse, but thankfully nobody was hurt. It did not affect the hotel, the spa, the restaurant or the pro shop, so they have been able to stay open as normal.”

Jorge de Jesus, Group General Manager, thanked the emergency services for their swift help. He said: "I want to express our deepest gratitude to the Surrey Fire & Rescue Service for their professional response.”

Beaverbrook Golf Club is part of the Beaverbrook estate, which was converted into a luxury hotel and golf resort five years ago.

■ EIGHT FIRE CREWS WERE CALLED TO TACKLE THE BLAZE AT BEAVERBROOK, WHICH LEFT THE CLUBHOUSE IN RUINS

and ProAgenda.com’s Guy Woodman shares the spoils, with each player winning £11,500, with Woodman’s team also securing the prestigious team honours.

An anticipated field of 156 amateurs and 52 PGA Professionals will battle it out for the 2022 title. The cost of the event is £1,200 per team, which includes breakfast and a two-course meal after your round.

There will also be amazing prizes on offer from our other sponsors, including Mizuno and Tag Heuer.

For details email S.Dalgliesh@ bearwoodlakes.co.uk or call the pro shop on 0118 30482.

READING GOLF CLUB HOUSING PLANS GET GREEN LIGHT ★ Plans to build 223 homes on the land formely occupied by Reading Golf Club have been approved by Reading Borough Council. The revised plans were put forward by developers RGC and Fairfax, which initially had a development of 257 homes turned down. Reading Council planning officer Matt Burns recommended approval on the condition developers invest in local health care facilities and improvements to local roads.

CHILTERN FOREST TO ENHANCE WOMENS' FACILITIES WITH HS2 GRANT ★ Chiltern Forest Golf Club near Aylesbury has received a grant of £27,326 from the HS2’s Community & Environment Fund. The fund was created to add benefit to communities along the high speed train’s route that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of HS2. The club has said the money will be used to refurbish its female’s changing rooms, as part of an overall project that Chiltern Forest is launching to increase the participation of women in golf.

Get Golfing launches new Pro-Am schedule featuring all-female pro line up A series of Pro-Am events that will feature an all-female cast list of professionals is being launched this summer which will help to raise funds for local charities and raise the profile of some of the UK’s leading top women golfers.

The Charity Pro-Am tournaments will run across six clubs managed by Get Golfing, starting at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey on May 9, and finishing with a grand final at Redlibbets Golf Club in Kent on October 3.

Each event will have a professional prize find of £3,500, with an Order of Merit pot of £5,000. Thai beer brand Singha have been unveiled as the title sponsor of the series, which aims to encourage more women and girls to take up golf.

Ed Richardson, CEO of Get Golfing, said: “It is time to change the perception of golf, we need to encourage more diversity to the game. I hope that more golf operators out there will follow suit and change the way that traditional golf is run.”

The money raised from each event will be added to one overall fund which will be split equally between the club captain’s chosen charity for each club, which include several children’s charities. The events are open to male, female or mixed teams, with the chance to play with a female professional golfer.

In between events at Hampton Court and Redlibbets, Pro-Ams are scheduled for Warley Park (June 27), Mill Green (July 25), Pyrford Lakes (August 15), and Sherfield Oaks (September 12).

Female professionals interested in taking part should email yvonne@getgolfing.org, while those keen to enter a team should email events@getgolfing.org. For more details about the venues, visit www.getgolfing.org.

Linksnet launches Season 3 with bigger and better prizes and a princely final!

Linksnet launches its new season this month and it promises to be an exciting time ahead for the online golf platform and community.

Linksnet has quickly built an enviable reputation working with some of golf’s leading brands to offer members a truly unique opportunity to build a network of like-minded golfers who share the same passion for golf, whilst competing for some great prizes.

With 18 Network Golf Days to choose from, including three days in Ireland, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the Order of Merit to claim a spot in the Ryder Cup-style team final at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent this autumn. And that’s just one of several ways to qualify.

This year there are Pairs and Singles Bushnell Matchplay tournaments where the winners also go through to the team final, and the season-long leaderboards where scores from rounds played at your home club or on your travels count towards your total.

There’s also an incredible array of prizes to be won – including a fiveday golf holiday for two with flights included to the 5-star Costa Navarino Resort in Greece, courtesy of Golf Escapes. Stewart Golf is providing a top-of-the-range Q Follow trolley and experience day at their Gloucester headquarters; plus there’s custom fit SIK Golf putters to be won, Bushnell GPS watches and lasers, Skechers Golf shoes, Glenmuir clothing, Titleist Pro V1 balls and accessories, Hayman’s Gin, Merser Rum and much, much more!

But it’s not just about prizes. Linksnet provides golfers from all over the world with the opportunity to meet and network with like-minded golfers. It is free to join, but to unlock additional benefits, including discounted access to the exclusive network golf days and sponsor offers, members can upgrade their membership level to gain additional benefits and exclusive members gifts.

Golf News, the UK’s best-read free golf magazine, will be reporting on all 18 network golf days and other Linksnet news as the season progresses.

To start your Linksnet journey, and to join the ever-growing number of golfers on this exciting network, visit www.linksnetgolf.com.

HONMA TRADITION MEETS HIGH TECH If scoring is your goal, arm your game with TW757.

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When Honma tradition meets high-tech, the result is the TW757 family of multi-material irons, delivering speed, stability, spin control, and steady distance.

[18] MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

“ NOT A DAY GOE S BY WHE N I DON ’ T THINK ABOUT WINNING THE MA S TE RS” Six years after his stunning victory at Augusta, Danny Willett is bidding to get his game back into top gear as he returns to the scene of his finest hour and embarks on his 14th season on tour

A

s he heads off to the airport to travel to Augusta next month, there must be a moment when Danny Willet has to pinch himself that he is a member of exalted group of 90 players who have earned the right to call themselves a ‘Masters champion’.

But whatever else the 34-year-old Yorkshireman is able to achieve in the rest of his career, nothing, perhaps baring a victory in the Open Championship at St Andrews next month, will come close to the elation, and the global recognition, that comes with bagging that cherished title.

“There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think about winning the Masters,” he says. “I can remember almost every shot I hit, and I remember how I felt at each point throughout the week. It’s amazing how you get the same feelings on weeks when you win or do well. Clearly it’s not easy to replicate that feeling, but that week in April was unforgettable to say the least.”

Willett, while acknowledging that the win in Georgia back in 2016 changed his life for ever, is also mindful that it signalled the beginning of what has been a very frustrating period of what, by any standards, has been an extremely

successful career which began on a council-run course in Sheffield and has so far yielded a major title, seven European Tour wins and almost €20m in prize money.

By his own admission, winning the Masters was both the pinnacle of his career and a curse. While he had achieved his childhood dream, the many lucrative and high profile opportunities which subsequently came his way pushed his already fragile back to breaking point.

“I was on painkillers when I won the Masters,” he reveals. “Back then it was becoming an issue, but not a huge issue. And then I played and travelled a lot more than I’d planned. I went and played in America, Asia, and my body didn’t cope great with it. In the back of my mind I constantly knew that there was an underlying problem, and any moment it could spring up and hinder my performance. So I was competing and almost waiting for something bad to happen, instead of being completely clear of thoughts, and just actually enjoying the game.”

As the pain worsened, so did the results.

Over the course of the next two seasons his world ranking dropped from a high of nine to something in the highs 400s, and there were

times, Willett says, when he was almost too ashamed to show up for tournaments.

“I got to a point where I was feeling like there was almost no point actually playing, because I wasn’t gonna play any good,” he recalls. “I wasn’t living to up to the stature I’d created for myself. It’s embarrassing when you pitch up at golf events and people are expecting you to play pretty well, you’re a Masters champion, and you don’t perform. I was just taking spots and making numbers, which is never a good thing if you’re trying to be a professional golfer.”

Eventually, Willett took drastic steps. He split with his long-time coach and caddy, both of whom had been with him since he started out on the tour, and turned to Canadian golf instructor Sean Foley. Over the course of the next 18 months the pair slowly rebuilt Willett’s golf swing to reduce the strain on his back.

“I kind of rebuilt the whole team to focus entirely on working on the movement patterns of the golf swing,” he says. “It took a long, long time to sift through all the underlying areas that were causing problems, which meant it took the best part of two months before I was fully pain free again. It’s only been over the last two seasons that

INTERVIEW | MARCH 2022

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I’ve actually been able to focus on performance again. The scores haven’t always been that great, but just being pain-free means I can see that I’m going in the right direction.”

While his physical health has slowly improved over time, Willett says it wasn’t always easy to watch his ranking plummeting. By the time it had dipped into the 400s, he simply tried to see the funny side.

“There were times I’d look at it and you’d just have to giggle because you know the player that you can be,” he says. “But it got to a stage where it was so poor that there was no point really paying attention to it. It’s how the rankings work.

It’s easy to drop a long way down when all your points come off from when you were playing well, but it’s also easy to jump up pretty quickly. Lee Westwood fell all the way down and then came back to no 1; Henrik Stenson has had a couple of topples in his career and came back, Sergio [Garcia] the same. And, of course, Tiger fell all the way down and came back up to the top, before he got injured again.”

Woods’ remarkable rise back in 2018 proved a source of inspiration for Willett. And just like Woods, Willett slowly began to mount something of a comeback. At the end of the 2018 season he won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai to break back into the world’s top 100, and the following year he won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, beating Jon Rahm by three shots, to further remind himself, and the world, that he wasn’t quite ready to wave the white flag.

The last two seasons, both of which were disrupted by Covid – which he also caught himself – have yielded some inconsistent results, but Willett rounded out the 2021 season with a confidence-boosting win at the Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews, the eighth of his 14-year career on the European Tour.

“I know that my results have been a bit mixed in recent seasons, but I moved out to America full-time with the family in 2018, and it’s taken some time to find my feet on the PGA Tour.

It was a bit of a learning phase, trying to find which courses I liked, how to go about things, but the wins, although achieved in Europe, have underlined that when things click, I still have the game to compete, and more importantly, to win.”

Willett describes himself as being on a clearer path these days which has helped him with the mental side of the game. In the past he’s often referred to a battle with ‘inner noise’ while out on the golf course, and he says that at times during past season he was hitting shots whilst inwardly questioning whether he would ever play again.

“It’s a strange old game when you’re not playing well,” he says. “Everything seems to be against you. You get the bad breaks, and everything that could go wrong, goes wrong. And in the past when I wasn’t playing very good, I’d find myself asking questions like, ‘How good are you ever gonna be?’, ‘Are you going to give up?’

But being technically better has allowed me to think so much clearer out there.

“For me, the mental side of golf is a chicken and egg thing. If I’m playing great, then there’s no reason why I should be in a bad place.

While if I’m struggling with my game, then the psychology part is a pretty tricky one, because you end up asking yourself a lot of questions that you don’t really know the answers to. And that’s when it gets hard to actually concentrate on the game, because there’s so many other things going on in there!”

But having gone through such a tough period, Willett now feels he’s a lot more resilient through the bad patches, as he attempts to make his way back up to the top 100 and beyond.

“Before, everything was based around me playing good golf, but

■ WINNING THE MASTERS CHANGED DANNY WILLETT'S LIFE IN SO MANY POSITIVE WAYS, BUT IT ALSO BROUGHT ITS OWN PRESSURES AND EXPECTATIONS

“I’VE COME TO REALISE THAT IF I HIT A COUPLE OF BAD SHOTS, IT’S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD now I’ve come to realise that if I hit a couple of bad shots, it’s not the end of the world,” he says.

“Everyone hits bad shots. If you’re relying so heavily on results to keep you happier on a golf course, that’s a pretty vulnerable place to be.

Now I just feel that if I keep doing the right things, inevitably something good will come of it.”

Can Willett avoid being a permanent one-hit wonder, and add to his tally of major titles? While he dreams of once again being in contention down the final straight, for now he’s simply enjoying the thrill of competing pain-free.

“I’ve not really got any long term goals,” he says. “Out of all the sports, I think this is one of the most difficult, because you can’t control what other people are doing, what the weather’s doing, so I think career goals is a completely pointless aspect.

“But it’s a big difference to be able to play without pain again, and know that what

WHAT’S IN DANNY’S BAG? DRIVER: CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX LS (9°) FAIRWAY WOOD: CALLAWAY EPIC SPEED TRIPLE DIAMOND HYBRID: CALLAWAY APEX UW IRONS: CALLAWAY X FORGED UT, CALLAWAY X FORGED CB WEDGES: CALLAWAY JAWS MD5 (46°, 52°, 56°, 60°) PUTTER: ODYSSEY TOULON DESIGN DAYTONA BALL: CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT X LS

you’re working on has helped you to get that way. I was 29 when me and Foles got together, and I wasn’t sure how long my career was gonna be. But now my body’s in good shape, I’ve got maybe another 10 years, which is a pretty long time. That’s the main thing really, this is my 14th year of being a professional, and I want my career to be as long as it possibly can and as good as it possibly can.”

Asked whether a return to St Andrews for this year’s Open Championship, scene of two of his European Tour wins, might bring about a second major title, Willett remains cautious, but upbeat.

“I played alongside Zach Johnson the year that he won in 2015, and I finished sixth. I like the golf course and I enjoy the set up for the Open. It’s an interesting golf course. It gives you ways out.

If you are nervous, you aim down the left on any hole you want. If you’re out of position a little bit too much, you can’t get to a few of the flags. But, as I said, I like the course and I’ve had some good experiences around there, so it will be interesting to give it a shot.”

In the meantime, Willett has the small matter of preparing for a return to the Masters, in what will be his eighth appearance at the season’s first major. The tournament has not been kind to him since his win with four missed cuts from five attempts, although a tied 25th in 2020, gave him a lift.

After that, Willett will be back on hosting duties at the British Masters at The Belfry in May, a role he enjoyed last year when it was also hosted at the iconic Midlands venue. Being a proud Englishman, it’s a tournament he would dearly love to win, but it’s a feat that has so far proved elusive to its hosts, with Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood all unable to present themselves with the trophy.

“I can see why others haven’t performed well on the course when they’ve hosted,” says Willett.

“You want to try and play well and put a good performance in, but you also want to make sure the week goes as planned for other people as well as yourself, so it’s a tricky one. I can see why guys have struggled in the past, but fingers crossed I can change that and have a nice week.”

We’ve all got them crossed, Danny.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

STORY BEHIND THE PIC IAN WOOSNAM • APRIL 1991, MASTERS TOURNAMENT, AUGUSTA NATIONAL

H

aving recently decided to hang up his Masters’ boots for good, it seems only fitting that we revisit Ian Woosnam’s finest hour, which, of course, came with the Welshman’s stunning victory at the 1991 US Masters.

Woosie arrived at Augusta that year at the very top of his game, with only defending champion Nick Faldo ahead of him in the world ranking. With five top-10 finishes at the Masters already on his CV, the ‘Welsh Wizard’ was certainly not without a shout, although he probably wasn’t on many people’s betting slips outside his home town of Oswestry.

Five off the pace after a steady, if unspectacular, opening 72, Woosnam responded with six-under-par 66 on day two which got him within two strokes of halfway leader, and home favourite, Tom Watson, who had recorded back-to-back 68s.

Woosnam carried that good form into Saturday, firing a five-under-par 67 which was good enough to earn him the outright lead on 11 under, one ahead of Watson and three clear of José-Maria Olazabal.

The Welshman had extended his advantage to three by the turn on the final day, but a bogey at the 10th and another at the par-five 13th, which Olazabal birdied and Watson got the home fans off their seats with an eaglethree, saw his advantage all but disappear.

Olazabal birdied 14 to draw level, and both birdied the next as Watson rolled in another eagle putt at 15 to make it a three-way tie for the lead and set up a pulsating finish.

A play-off looked a certainty with the leading trio still tied at the top playing the 18th, but Olazabal bogeyed and, with Watson struggling to save par, Woosnam missed the green left and pitched to six feet. Watson, winner of the green jacket back in 1981, failed to save par, and Woosnam was left with a tricky six-footer for a chance of golfing immortality. He held his nerve to

YOU KNOW IT'S YOUR TIME WHEN YOU'VE GOT A PUTT AND YOU CAN JUST SEE THE LINE STRAIGHTAWAY. IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A SIMPLER PUTT

■ WOOSIE SINKS TO HIS KNEE S AS HIS MAS TERS-WINNING PUTT DROPS ON THE 18TH GREEN AT AUGUSTA

stroke in the curling putt for the winning par and as the ball hit the cup he crouched down and pumped his fist before being swept off his feet by caddie Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey, creating another iconic Masters image.

Recalling the final hole years later, Woosnam said: “Well, I’m not much of a fader of the ball, so I tried to hit it straight off the tee, but the wind was off the right. I was pretty pumped up, so I felt that I could carry the left-hand bunker, and I knew there was going to be no trouble down there. I knew José Maria [Olazabal] had taken a bogey – I watched him hit it in the trees – so I was playing to a safe area to basically try and make a par.

"I hit my second shot to just off the edge of the green.

If it had been earlier in the week, I would have chipped

it, but I looked at the grain and I thought ‘no, there’s all these people around, it’s not a good time to stub one’, so I got the putter out. I thought it was going to go to the left a little bit, but it jumped across the grass and went six-foot past. But you know it’s your time when you’ve got a putt and you can just see the line straightaway. It was one ball outside the right, couldn’t have been a simpler putt. I said to myself, ‘This is your chance’ and hit the putt. Fortunately, it went in. You dream of holing a putt on the last hole to win the Masters, and my dream came true.”

Woosnam’s Masters win was his one and only Major triumph. He came close a few times, finishing one shot behind Curtis Strange at the US Open in 1989, and, most notably, when finishing third at The Open in 2001, where he was penalised two shots at the first hole of the final round for having one too many clubs in his bag. He finished four shots behind the eventual winner, David Duval, but dropped shots at the third and fourth holes, no doubt caused by his earlier setback, did for him in the end.

Still, 52 career wins, including 29 on the European Tour, two European money list titles, 50 weeks as world No.1, entry in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017, and an OBE, make for pretty good reading for a man who stands at just 5ft 4 inches in his spikes.

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

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LOOKING AF TER N 0.1 Rising to the rank of world No.1 last summer was a fully deserved reward for the ultra-consistent Jon Rahm, but the 26-year-old Spaniard always knew that winning Majors is what really counts when it comes to measuring greatness in golf. And now he has one, courtesy of a stunning victory at the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines, he’s hungry for more

I

t took Phil Mickelson until he was 34 to win his first major, but you did it at 26 with your US Open win last summer. Did you feel like a weight of pressure building up as each major came and went?

No. It’s very easy to get into a mindset of think that only Majors count, and that nothing else matters. I mean, we all know that winning a Major is not easy, and that’s why only a select group of people have done it. I arrived at last year’s US Open hoping to play well, but a little bit of me was relaxed about it all. You know, I could use my Covid result and my lack of practice as an excuse for not playing well.

As I've gotten older, my mindset has changed a bit, and I’m a bit more relaxed on the golf course mentally than I used to be. Bad shots bother me still, but I don’t let them ruin my round or my day.

Since becoming a father, I know that I have to be more of an example to my son, although I know he’s too young to understand, but I have to be a better role model to him and to other kids out there. I’ve done some stuff in the past on the golf course that I’m not proud of, and I wish I could erase that, but I can’t and I’ve got to move on.

In the past I’ve got frustrated in the US Open.

I’ve made a lot of birdies and a ton of bogeys and double bogeys, but at Torrey Pines I was able to

kind of switch it up and I made more birdies than bogeys and got it done.

How will you judge success this year given how good last year was? What are your parameters? What are your goals?

My goal is always to do better each year. But, you know, it’s hard to say. Last year I had some very consistent results, but I only had one win, so I could tell you right now that I would gladly take a little bit more inconsistency if I was able to have more wins. So, it all depends on how you look at it. Being consistent, with top-five finishes every week, will get you to world no.1, but so will

INTERVIEW | MARCH 2022 [25] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

winning every week. With so many other good players out there it’s hard to only count wins as successes, just because it’s a sport where winning doesn’t happen that often, unless you happen to be Tiger, back in the day. You can’t just think about a second place as a loss. So, getting back to your question, my goal is to try and have a better year than I did last year. How that manifests itself remains to be seen.

Which is more important, being no.1 or winning more Majors?

Well, I’ve got both now, so it’s all good! Becoming world No.1 is a consequence of playing really good golf for a very long time, while winning a major championship is performing really well for just one week. The odds of someone just coming in and just having a better week than you are very short, but to do that over a much longer period of time is a lot harder, so I was very proud of getting to No.1 so early in my career, with or without a major.

Of course, I want to win more tournaments, and hopefully win some more Majors, but I also want to be the best and most consistently high performing golfer I can be. Everything else is pretty much out of my control.

I do feel like there’s some magic formula that some people are instantly able deal with the added pressure and stress of a major, and it has taken me some time to figure out what that was.

Jordan Spieth, for example, seemed to discover that formula early in their careers, while some, like me, have taken longer. But it’s something you’ve got to figure out. Each time I’ve played in a major I’ve felt more comfortable and have given myself better chances, and I eventually got to a point where all the stars aligned and I was able to get the job done.

Do you enjoy having the No.1 target on your back?

Yeah, well, it goes with the territory. I’m world no.1 because of how I played in the past, so if I want to stay here I’ve got to keep playing at that level and trying to get better. At the end of the day, I can only focus on myself, and try to improve my game. If I can do that, and I play the way I know I can play, everything else should take care of itself.

Put it this way, I’m not constantly looking at the ranking and checking out what other players are doing and wondering whether X, Y or Z are coming for me, and whether I need to do this or that. No, I’m trying to play the best that I can and hopefully win a few tournaments.

How pleased are you with the way your decision to change equipment and join Callaway has worked out? Judging from your results last season, it seemed like a pretty seamless transition.

You know, if you asked me when I was switching manufacturers at the end of 2020 that I was going to have the kind of year I did last year, I would have believed you, but I was prepared for the first few months to be a bit of a struggle.

Despite everything right away – new clubs, new golf ball – I was confident that things would work out, but I was also still trying to be realistic that it might not be as straightforward as it has been.

The new ball and the new irons have allowed me to hit certain shots that I simply wasn’t capable of before and it showed up in my performances, and I’m hoping I can have another quality year this year and hopefully win a bunch of tournaments.

You’ve got the new Callaway Rogue ST Max driver in the bag. Can you talk about the switch to this new club?

I did some testing at home during the off-season and I’m really liking it so far. My spin rate seems to be a little bit more consistent with the misses.

Obviously the better the miss can be, the better it’s going to be for me. So that’s what I’ve seen so far from my Trackman numbers, and I seem to be hitting it well on the course, so all the signs

JON RAHM IS GUNNING FOR MORE WINS IN 2022 AS WELL AS LOOKING TO HOLD ON TO HIS NO.1 WORLD RANKING

I WANT TO WIN MORE TOURNAMENTS AND MORE MAJORS, BUT I ALSO WANT TO BE THE MOST CONSISTENTLY HIGHPERFORMING GOLFER I CAN BE look good.

I also like the overall look of it. I’m a very big fan of matt colours – I have a matt black car – so I like the Rogue’s matt black crown. Plus, I really like being able to see the carbon fibre that runs through it. It reminds me of a Formula 1 car, and I think it looks really slick.

You took two-and-half months off from golf after the Ryder Cup. Did you feel like you needed a bit of a battery re-charge after such a busy year?

Yes, it had been a long 18-month run or so since we came back from Covid in June 2020, and what with the travel, the birth of my son, the change of equipment, the Ryder Cup, and all the tournaments, I just needed a bit of a break, and so did my family. I just wanted the time to be a dad, be a husband and just be there for my wife and my son.

I’m really glad I did it. I wanted to be more involved in those early months. I really enjoyed having to wake up a couple times a night and take care of my son. To be able to be there in the morning, give him a bath, feed him and just enjoy the simple things of parenthood. I really wanted to cherish those moments. I know I’m not going to regret any time I decide to spend more time with my family and that was what that decision was based on, and I couldn’t be happier that I made that decision.

During your time off, did you keep an eye on what was happening on Tour? Did you watch Tiger playing with his son, for example?

Of course I did. I’m a golf nut and I watch alot of golf on TV. It was really cool to see Tiger playing golf again, and to see that connection between father and son and how much of Tiger is in Charlie. It’s just inspiring for other fathers out there, so hopefully I can be playing with Kepa [his son] and contending for that event one day.

Charlie has clearly got a lot of talent – certainly a lot more than I did at the age of 12. So, if he keeps working hard, which I’m sure he will, I

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wouldn’t doubt for one second that we’ll see him competing out here one day.

As a golfer who plays all over the world, what was reaction to the proposed Super Golf League ,and what was your reaction to Phil Mickelson’s comments about the PGA Tour and what he deems to be ‘obnoxious greed’?

Listen, I try to stay away from those things. I’m here to play golf, and that’s about it. Phil has been on Tour for a very long time, and I’m not here to judge anybody. Phil said what he said. That’s it.

He’s still a great friend of mine. I don’t know why he said what he said, but all I can say is I support him as a friend, yet I don’t agree with everything he said.

I can count myself lucky to be where I’m at in life. I’m a PGA Tour member and it’s going to stay that way. Hopefully I have a long career ahead of me on the PGA Tour. They [the PGA Tour] has done such a great job and I’m thankful for what they’ve done and what we, as competitors, have to play for.

You finished runner-up in your first tournament back from your break, the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January, despite shooting 33 under par. Did you ever think that you’d go that low for 72 holes and still end up not winning?

Yeah, it was a bit of a bittersweet feeling, because you can’t help but feel good about your game when you shoot those numbers, but I still finished second by one shot. It was a bit of an odd week to say the least, but it was a great start to the year, so I have to look at the positives!

How do you keep in shape physically and mentally?

I don’t want to talk too much about my specific routines, but I can tell you that I work out in the gym every single day. It’s not so much a fitness or a weight loss regime, but I’m working out to be the best golfer I can be. So, I have routines that I do every morning and every night to work towards that goal.

I also do a lot of mental work as well. I’m very keen on journaling. I like to write. It helps me to focus and to restructure my thoughts and emotions. When I’m finished I get almost the same sense that I do when I’m meditating or practicing mindfulness, because I’m so in the moment thinking about what I’m feeling. It’s a great for my mental wellbeing and it’s something I do every day.

[26] MARCH 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

InBrief TIGER WOODS ENTERS HALL OF FAME

TOURNEWS

★ Tiger Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame earlier this month. The 45-year-old, 82-time PGA Tour winner and 15-time major champion’s induction was held at the PGA Tour’s headquarters in Florida.

Joining Woods as part of the 2022 induction class were 11-time LPGA Tour winner Susie Maxwell Berning; former PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, and golf course designer Marion Hollins.

BALE TO HOST CAZOO OPEN AT CELTIC MANOR ★ Football superstar Gareth Bale is to host this year’s Cazoo Open at Celtic Manor, with Wales’ national open returning to The Twenty Ten Course from August 4-7. Bale, who has made 100 appearances for Wales, is an avid golf fan and, after lending his support to the Cazoo Open in 2021, the 32-year-old will

MICKELSON TAKES TIME OUT AFTER SAUDI BACKLASH

assume the role of tournament host at this year’s event.

MAGUIRE MAKES LPGA HISTORY FOR IRELAND ★ Leona Maguire became the first female Irish player to win an LPGA Tour event when capturing the LPGA Drive On Championship held at Fort Myers in Florida from February 3-5. The 27-year-old from County Cavan shot rounds of 66, 65 and 67 to finish on 18 under and win by three shots from Lexi Thompson.

Maguire is no stranger to the record books after being the first Irish player to play in the Solheim Cup at last year’s renewal, where she went unbeaten in her five matches, winning four and halving one.

US WOMEN’S OPEN DOUBLES PRIZE FUND AFTER SIGNING HEADLINE SPONSOR ★ The UGSA has signed up a headline sponsor for the US Women’s Open that will allow it to nearly double this year’s prize fund to $10 million. ProMedica, a US health care company, has been brought in as the first-ever titular sponsor of a USGA championship.

This will allow the governing body to boost the overall prize money offered at the championship by $4.5 million to a total of $10m. The year’s winner will bank $1.8m, the most money ever offered as an individual first prize at a women’s golf tournament. The 2022 US Women’s Open presented

by ProMedica is being held Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in North Carolina from June 2-5.

Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has decided to step away from competing on any of the world’s tours for an unspecified period following the 51-yearold American’s controversial statements and involvement with the prospective Saudi-backed golf league.

Mickelson lost the support of many of his biggest and longest-standing sponsors and commercial partnerships in the wake of his comments, with Callaway, Workday, KPMG and Heineken among companies that have either ended or paused partnerships with the left-hander.

Mickeslon has been one of the players most closely associated with the possible rival to the PGA Tour, which is being spearheaded by the former world No 1 Greg Norman. But he received widespread condemnation from his sponsors and fellow players, including Rory McIlroy, for justifying his relationship with the Saudi government – a regime Mickelson conceded that had a “horrible human rights record” and executes

STENSON AND JOHNSON TO CAPTAIN 2023 RYDER CUP TEAMS Henrik Stenson and Zach Johnson have been named captains of the European and US teams respectively for the 44th Ryder Cup, which will be played at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy next September.

Stenson has enjoyed an impressive Ryder Cup career, helping Europe to victory in three of five of his appearances as a player before going on to bring his experience to the role of vice-captain in 2020.

The 45-year-old, who becomes the first Swede to lead Europe, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be the European Ryder Cup Captain – it is a huge honour. I will leave no stone unturned in the quest to get the Ryder Cup

“people over there for being gay”—as a means of leveraging his position with the PGA Tour.

Mickelson released a statement on February 22 acknowledging the comments he made in an interview he gave to golf journalist Alan Shipnuck in November were ‘reckless’. The statement, which Mickelson posted on Twitter, read: “Although it doesn’t look this way now, given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans.

I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions. It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I’m beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.”

Mickelson said he would now be taking some time away from the game “to work on being the man I want to be.” He has, to date, given no date for his possible return to competition, but will miss the Masters.

■ HENRIK STENSON

■ ZACH JOHNSON

ROMERO PASSES AWAY AT 67 The death of legendary Argentine golfer Eduardo Romero was announced last month following a brief illness.

Romero, 67, whose nickname was ‘El Gato’ (The Cat), is widely considered to be one of the greatest South American golfers of all time.

After starting his professional career in 1982 playing on the Tour de las Americas, Romero joined the European Tour in 1985 and won eight times during a 20-year spell, starting with the Trophée Lancome in 1989 and finishing with a play-off victory at the Scottish Open in 2002 when he was 47, which, at the time, made him the third oldest winner on the European Tour. Wins at the French, Spanish and Italian Opens were among his other highlights.

He went on to win seven titles on the senior circuits in Europe and the US, including the US Senior Open in 2008.

A prolific winner in South America, where he collected more than 80 titles, including eight Argentine PGA Championships, Romero represented Argentina at the World Cup of Golf 14 times, finishing second on home soil alongside Angel Cabrera in 2000.

His highest world ranking was 20.

European Tour Group chief operating officer Keith Waters, who played alongside Romero, said: “Eduardo was an important part of a special group of Argentinian golfers to have played on the European Tour in the 1980s and 1990s and then on the Seniors Tour in the 2000s, and he was a fun guy to be around who always played golf with a smile on his face. We shall all miss him greatly.”

back in European hands.”

Johnson made his Ryder Cup debut in 2006 and has played in five matches and also served as a vice-captain in 2018 and 2021. The 46-yearold’s playing record reads eight wins, two draws and seven defeats, although he has only played on one winning team, which came at his last appearance in 2016.

Johnson said: “To lead the US team for an away leg – after what we accomplished last year at Whistling Straits – is simply the greatest honour of my career. We have not won on the road in three decades, so I’ve no illusions about the challenge that lies ahead. I am anxious to dig in and begin the process of putting our team in the best possible position to succeed.”

In his first act as captain, Johnson named Steve Stricker as the first of his vice captains.

Only six of the 12 places on the US team will be offered through automatic qualification. The other six remaining slots will be captain’s picks and will be announced by Johnson following the 2023 Tour Championship.

MARCH 2022 | WWW.GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/EQUIPMENT

GOING ROGUE Meet Callaway’s stunning new range of Rogue ST drivers and find out which one will take your game to the next level

PRO SHOP

All the latest equipment launches

DRIVER SHOWCASE

This year's best new big sticks

GOING THE DISTANCE

Spotlight on Ping's new i525 irons i

[28] MARCH 2022 | EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE GEAR EFFECT INSIDES THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR CAMERON SMITH

EQUIPMENT NEWS

PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER: Titleist TSi3 (10°) FAIRWAY WOODS: Titleist TSi2 (15°, 21°) IRONS: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi (3), Titleist T100 (5-9) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM9 (48°, 52°, 56°, 60°) PUTTER: Scotty Cameron by Titleist 009M BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

PABLO LARRAZÁBAL MYGOLFLIFE OPEN DRIVER: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS (10.5°) FAIRWAY: Callaway Epic Speed (15°, 18°) UTILITY: Callaway X Forged UT (24°) IRONS: Callaway Apex TCB (5-7), Callaway Apex MB (8-PW) WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy 4 (48°, 56°, 60°) PUTTER: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft X Triple Track

NICOLAI HØJGAARD RAS AL KHAIMAH CLASSIC DRIVER: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (10.5°) FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade SIM2 Max (16.5°, 18°) IRONS: TaylorMade P7TW (4-PW) WEDGES: TaylorMade Hi-Toe (52°, 56°, 60°) PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Fastback 1.5 BALL: TaylorMade TP5

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER PHOENIX OPEN + BAY HILL INVITATIONAL DRIVER: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (8°) FAIRWAY WOOD: Nike VR Pro LTD 3 (15°)

HOLE OUT LIKE A PRO WITH PING PLD MILLED PUTTERS Ping has introduced a new range of Putting Lab Designed Milled putters which feature models used by many of its leading staff tour professionals.

PLD putters have their roots in equipment used by the tour

staff. The DS72 is the putter favoured by Viktor Hovland, while the Anser is an all-time classic that changed the design of putters forever.

The putters are machined from a fully forged block of stainless steel. This combination of stainless steel and milled face gives the putters a precise feel. Each putter takes over four hours to be milled, producing some of the finest putters on the market.

As well as the Anser and DS72, there is an Anser 2, and a Prime Tyne 4 model. Having four models with different neck styles cover most bases and there should be a PLD putter for you. At £399 a pop, PLD putters aren’t cheap, however, in the right hands, they could result in a significant improvement in putting performance – and they look and feel amazing.

IRONS: Srixon ZU85 (3,4), TaylorMade P7MC (5-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM8 (50°, 56°, 60°) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron prototype BALL: Titleist Pro V1

THOMAS PIETERS ABU DHABI CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER: Titleist TSi2 (10°) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SIM Max (15°) UTILITY: Titleist T100 (3) IRONS: Titleist 620CB (4-9) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM9 (46°, 52° & 56°, 58°) PUTTER: Scotty Cameron TourType SB-2 BALL: Titleist Pro V1

LUKE LIST FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN DRIVER: TaylorMade SIM2 (9°) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15°) UTILITY: Callaway X Forged UT(19°) IRONS: PXG 0311 ST Gen4 (4-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54°, 60°) PUTTER: Odyssey O-Works 1W BALL: Titleist Pro V1

VIKTOR HOVLAND DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC DRIVER: Ping G425 LST (9°) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SIM (14.5°) HYBRID: Ping G425 (19°) IRONS: Ping i210 (4-PW) WEDGES: Ping Glide Forged Pro (50°, 56°), Ping Prototype (60°) PUTTER: Ping PLD Prototype ‘Hovi’ BALL: Titleist Pro V1

MOTOCADDY LAUNCHES NEW BAG RANGE Motocaddy’s new bag range features three new models designed specifically for trolley users.

The 2.9kg Dry-Series (£249.99) is 100% waterproof and features nine pockets, including dry valuables and food and drink options. Boasting 14 full-length dividers, it comes with a char-coal base colour and four trim options ¬ blue, red, lime and fuchsia.

The feature-packed Club-Series (£169.99) is a lightweight cart bag that includes nine pock-ets – an increase from seven on the previous model – a dedicated putter well and an inter-nal umbrella sleeve. The anti-twist bag base ensures maximum stability when placed on a trolley, while other features include 14-full length dividers, a waterproof rain hood, a towel hook and pen holder. It comes with a choice of blue, lime and red trim at an RRP of £169.99.

Constructed from a lightweight nylon fabric, the new Lite-Series (£139.99) is the lightest (2.3kg) and most compact bag in the range. Featuring a spacious top layout with 14 dividers, it features seven pockets and comes with blue, lime or red trim.

The new range also includes models carried over from last year, including the luxury M-TECH; the premium Pro-Series; the PROTEKA, which features individual noise-reducing club slots; and the HydroFLEX carry bag.

TRY OUT WILSON’S NEW TRIAD Wilson’s new three-piece Triad ball is designed to produce reduced spin with the driver off the tee, while increasing speed through the air for a long and stable ball to help higher handicap golfers find the fairway more often.

The Triad boasts an 85 compression and features Wilson’s thinnest-ever urethane cover which offers high levels of friction for maximum clubface interaction on short shots and extra spin with mid-to-low irons to attack pins. To help the ball fly straighter through the air and on the green, weight has moved from the core to the outside of the ball which increase MOI. The Triad comes in a choice of coated or uncoated ‘raw’ finishes and costs £39 per dozen.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR | MARCH 2022 [29] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

FITZPATRICK STEPS OUT WITH SKECHERS Footwear brand Skechers has expanded its roster of global tour staff with the signing of Matt Fitzpatrick to a multi-year sponsorship deal.

The 27-year-old from Sheffield, who competes on both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, will be wearing Skechers GO GOLF Pro 5 Hyper footwear on the course and the Skechers logo will appear on the side of his headwear.

“I’ve been wearing and testing Skechers GO GOLF for some time now, and this innovative footwear offers the comfort and performance that I need on the course,” said Fitzpatrick, who is currently ranked 26th in the world. “Now that this partnership is official, I look forward to representing the brand on tour and working with Skechers on ideas and innovations that can help players at all levels with their game.”

Fitzpatrick joins Brooke Henderson, Colin Montgomerie and Billy Andrade on Sketchers’ tour staff.

KEEP YOUR COOL ON THE COURSE WITH ECCO’S NEW BIOM C4 Ecco is concentrating on offering comfort throughout the round with the addition of the latest BIOM C4 model to its footwear line up. Designed to keep your feet cool and dry, the C4 adds 360-degree breathability to the successful Biom last.

Taking the best aspectvs of the Biom Hybrid, the Biom C4 allows your feet to move naturally and keep them closer to the ground. The TPU posts on the outsole add stability.

A Gore-Tex surround construction is combined with an exhaust grid that draws in fresh air towards the sole of your feet. This combination keeps the inside of the shoe airy, while any moisture is able to be wicked away.

The shoes feature a progressive outsole that has three different sections providing traction, stability and rotational support.

The Biom C4 has an RRP of £210 and are available in four colour options for men at launch.

OGIO ROLLS OUT EYE-CATCHING NEW TRAVEL COVER RANGE OGIO has launched a new range of golf bag travel covers featuring a lively collection of patterns and inventive designs that are all guaranteed to turn heads.

The smallest cover size, Alpha (£140), includes two brand new prints in the 2022 range. Whiskey features bright red compression straps and is covered in multicoloured miniature whiskey glasses, while Neon Charcoal features a black base with neon yellow compression straps and handles. Terra Texture boasts an ethereal pattern in black, while travelling golfers wanting something brighter can opt for the vibrant blue and white Warp Speed design which comes with royal blue straps.

The Alpha Mid (£200) is offered in four colour designs – black, mid haze, Terra Texture and Warp Speed – with practical features including a skid plate for abrasion protection, extra padded club protection and integrated handles.

All OGIO travel covers are generously sized to fit both cart and stand bags, as well as extra items such as shoes, balls and clothes.

The largest bag size, Alpha Travel Max (£250), is available in two colourways – black and a new Digi Camo option. These covers have been created using OGIO sled technology, reinforced foam padding wrap and can accommodate extra-large tour bags.

For more details visit, eu.ogio.com.

PING ENHANCES GLIDE WEDGE WITH NEW GRIND OPTIONS Ping has enhanced the versatility of its latest range of Glide wedges, with an expanded range of loft and bounce configurations enabling golfers to fine tune the type of contact and spin they want for precision shots around the greens.

Cast from a softer carbon steel than the Glide 3.0 wedges, the latest series offers 17 loft/bounce combinations across four distinct sole grinds. The S grind is available on seven lofts from 46-60 degrees and features heel and trailing edge relief and a rounded leading edge. The T grind, a low-bounce option for the higher lofts, features a higher leading-edge bounce and increased bounce in the centre. The W grind, a wider sole for more forgiveness on steeper swings, is ideal for square-face shots and bunker shots. Finally, the E grind evokes the higher toe shaping of the iconic Eye2 design with a tapered hosel, dished sole and improved leading edge for better bunker play.

An elastomer custom tuning port located within the back cavity is 36% bigger than the one featured in the Grind 3.0 and offers even more feel on all shots. The shape of the grooves is based on loft, with the lower lofts featuring a steeper sidewall for better control on full shots, while the higher lofts use a groove where the wall angle is eight degrees more open, exposing a sharper groove edge radius. That delivers better spin on finesse shots around the green. The face also includes a high-friction emery finish first seen in last year’s Glide Forged Pro models to impart even more grip.

They have an RRP of £160/£170 per club (st/gr) and are available for custom fitting and pre-orders from all Ping stockists.

[30] MARCH 2022 | EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

R E L E A S E

Y O U R

INNER ROGUE Callaway’s new Rogue ST driver is the hottest ticket in equipment town right now, but finding which of the four models will work best for you is the key to unlocking your driving potential. Golf News Equipment Editor Dan Owen guides you through their designs and asks the questions that will help your narrow down your search

C

allaway has been on an epic roll with its drivers in recent years, as the company has continually innovated to improve performance, with the use of Artificial Intelligence and Jailbreak Technology being among the recent technological enhancements that have proved such unbeatable combination.

Tour professionals have used Callaway drivers to win multiple majors in recent years, including staff player Jon Rahm, the world’s No.1 golfer and reigning US Open champion, who currently has new Rogue ST in his bag, while Callaway is

currently the most-used driver brand on the DP World Tour, further underlining the company’s popularity with the world’s best players.

The new Rogue ST (Speed Tuned) is Callaway’s most comprehensive ever driver line up. Available in a choice of four different models, Callaway has focused on offering individualised performance for each design, rather than having to manage the extra weight that is required to deliver adjustability in some other brand’s models.

WHICH CALLAWAY ROGUE ST DRIVER WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU? The answers to a few simple questions will help you find out which model of Rogue ST driver will maximise your performance off the tee….

Do you use the whole face of the driver?

Do you need help getting the ball airborne?

Do you have an inconsistent shot pattern?

Do you need a very forgiving driver?

If you’ve ticked most of these boxes, the Rogue ST MAX is the driver for you and will be the best fit for the widest number of golfers, fitting everyone from high handicaps to tour pros alike. High launching, mid Forged Feel spinning, maximum forgiveness, and ever With a forged 1025 mild carbon steel body,draw biased. This is a driver for so slightly the Apex 21 irons both feel soft,everyone. and are easily adjustable in a custom fit. Urethane microsphere help produce the soft, solid feel and sound every golfer prefers.

Is your normal miss to the right?

Do you often shout ‘fore right!’?

Would you consider yourself a slicer?

Do you wish you could hit a fairway, even just once?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you probably need to bag yourself a Rogue ST MAX D. While similar at address to the MAX, there are significant differences. It’s more upright, it has less face progression, and boasts a heel-biased weight. It does everything it can to help you avoid the right-hand side of the golf course.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR | MARCH 2022

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WHAT’S UNDER THE HOOD?

ALL-NEW A.I DESIGNED FLASH FACE Each model of Rogue ST driver has a new refined A.I. designed Flash Face 22.

Where previous models concentrated on ball speed, the new faces have had improved launch and lower spin added to the parameters that the A.I. is trying to maximise. Clever stuff.

JAILBREAK SPEED FRAME

From last year’s Epic Speed line, they’ve added the A.I. designed Jailbreak Speed Frame. This provides stability in the horizontal and torsional direction across the face. What does this mean? All your shots, wherever they are struck on the face, will retain more ball speed.

TUNGSTEN SPEED CARTRIDGE TITANIUM UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION

The one-piece body of the driver improves stability and lowers the centre of gravity. The Triaxial Carbon crown and sole saves weight that can be used elsewhere to improve forgiveness.

The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is key to their forgiveness, moving up to 26g, dependent on the model, to where it is needed to maximise performance in the driver’s head. By putting this weight as low and far back as possible in the head, ball speed robustness, or reducing how much slower ball speed is on miss-hits, is maximised.

BOOK A CUSTOM FITTING Getting your Rogue ST driver custom fitted by an expert will ensure you not only find the right model, but also the correct set up for that model, so make sure you book a fitting appointment with a trained Callaway fitter so that you can nail down your precise specifications and maximise your performance.

And don’t think that just because you have always played with a certain type of driver, or a certain set up, that a different onve won’t suit you.

Chris Courtneidge, Custom Fitter & Product Trainer at Callaway’s European

Do you need to lower your spin to unlock distance gains?

Do you still need and want a forgiving driver?

Do you want a neutral driver that you can move both ways?

Do you want a driver that will offer some forgiveness when you decide to go after one?

If this ticks any of your boxes, you probably need the Rogue ST MAX LS. Retaining most of the forgiveness of the MAX, whilst lowering the spin, this will be a good driver for the high-speed player who still needs some help and the average golfer who hits down on the ball and generates too much spin.

Performance Centre in Chessington, Surrey, has had fantastic success so far with an unexpected model.

“The Triple Diamond LS has been the model that’s surprised us the most, as lots of golfers of all abilities automatically assume that a ‘Tour-calibre’ driver simply would not work for them. Roughly 50% of golfers so far who I have fitted here at our European Performance Centre are getting best-in-class performance from this head and are pleasantly surprised to see it go in the bag.”

Do you prefer a classic look at address?

Is your miss up and down the face rather than side to side?

Do you prefer a lower ball flight?

Do you consider yourself a decent ball striker?

APEX PRO 21

The If Apex Proanswered 21 features an to all-new Creating you’ve 'yes' most design. of the above, an then iron that offers distance forgiveness, while the Rogue ST Tripleand Diamond LS could appealing to option. a singleTriple figureDiamond golfer, is drivers a tricky be your best proposition.

Callaway has cracked codebut by were previously reserved for tour the players, combining 1025it steel hollow body design this timeaitforged has been has been made available with an AI-designed Flash Face.

The Apex Pro 21 to the general public.

With a smaller footprint uses upato 90g of tungsten in the long more and mid-launch with low spin, thisirons, will be than any otherfor Apex model, improving launch, the choice many of Callaway’s tour staff, and massively forgiveness. including worldincreasing No.1 Jon Rahm, but it will also appeal to all decent amateurs and elite players looking for shot-shaping capability and a penetrating ball flight.

[32] MARCH 2022 | EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

"This driver is so consistent" MATTHEW JORDAN

"This is one sexy thing" ERIK VAN ROYEN

"I love this driver" ALVARO QUIROS

"I put it straight in the bag and then it worked well on the golf course" DANNY WILLETT

M E E T T H E R O G U E G O L F E R S Callaway's Tour Professionals are loving the new Rogue Drivers and how it’s improved their game, and so will you

"It’s as simple as this – it’s probably the best club I’ve ever hit" MATT WALLACE

"I like what it does.

I like the look of it, having a matt black driver. I’m a very big fan of matt colours. I always try to have a matt black car and it’s something that I love. Plus being able to see the carbon fibre throughout it, as a Formula 1 fan, it’s something that I really enjoy.

It looks really slick.”

JON RAHM

"Incredible performance" HENRIK STENSON

"Great looking and performs well too" SAMI VALIMAKI

"It only took a few balls to know this driver was going to fit my game" XANDER SCHAUFFELE

EQUIPMENT & GEAR | MARCH 2022

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TAYLORMADE STEALTH

CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX

PING G425 MAX DRIVER

£469, TAYLORMADEGOLF.EU

£479, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

£450, PING.COM

I’m not sure exactly why TaylorMade called its latest driver ‘Stealth’ as it’s one the most eye-catching designs out there, but what’s easy to understand, however, is why it has called it their first 'Carbonwood' driver, as it features a 60-layer carbon fibre Twist Face and a carbon crown. The carbon face saves weight compared to titanium that is used further back in the head to increase forgiveness. The unique Nanotexture Face Technology is a coating that makes the carbon usable by adding durability and helping add spin on miss-hits to add consistency. Stealth + is available for golfers looking for lower spin, while the Stealth HD is a draw-biased option.

The original Rogue was one of Callaway’s most successful recent driver models, so it’s no surprise to see the name return.

Where the Epic driver had a focus on adjustability, Rogue ST concentrates on pure performance. Powered by a Tungsten Speed Cartridge, up to 26g is moved to where it is needed to maximise performance. Putting it further back in the head helps retain ball speed on miss-hits. Combined with the AI-designed Jailbreak Speed Frame and the new AI-designed Flash Face, this driver is focused on providing the fastest,and most consistent drives. Plus, there are three other head options to fine-tune your fit – Max D, Max LS and Triple Diamond LS.

Despite it entering its second season, the G425 is still one of the top drivers on the market. Ping has a recipe for making super stable, easy to hit drivers. We can tell you they’ve not messed up that formula with the G425 MAX. The highest MOI driver they’ve ever produced, it features a 26g movable tungsten weight that shifts mass lower and further back and can be adjusted to help encourage a draw or fade. It also features a fully-adjustable hosel, and is offered with a choice of four stock shafts to dial in for a precise custom fit.

XXIO 12

WILSON LAUNCH PAD

£699, XXIOUK.COM

£305, WILSON.COM

Combining forgiveness, distance and a lightweight design, there isn’t anything else quite like XXIO 12 on the market. It features ActivWing stabilisation that alters aerodynamic forces at work in the first half of the downswing. The airfoil generates lift, guiding the club to its optimal impact angle for maximum speed. A combination of a heavier clubhead and a lightweight shaft increase ball speed and swing speed at the same time.

A Weight Plus design positions mass under your grip to help you find the ideal spot at the top of your swing and makes the downswing more consistent.

The Launch Pad driver is designed for golfers who struggle to get the ball airborne and fight the dreaded slice. One of the lighteest drivers on the market, it comes with a lightweight EvenFlow shaft to create effortless swingspeed.

It is designed with a Peak Kinetic Response face, created using advanced computer modelling, resulting in a Tourproven geometry and improved ball speed across the entire face. This works in conjunction with an offset hosel and a 2˚ upright lie angle to help fight a slice.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE The latest drivers are designed to help golfers of all experience levels to hit it further and straighter

COBRA KING LTD X

HONMA TW757

CLEVELAND LAUNCHER XL

£399, COBRAGOLF.CO.UK

£559, HONMAGOLF.COM

£379, CLEVELANDGOLF.CO.UK

Cobra’s King LTD driver was so good that some of the company’s tour players were still playing it six years later.

The LTD X takes what was good with that model but adds modern forgiveness and uses up to 30% more carbon fibre to save weight elsewhere in the head. PWR-COR Technology moves that saved weight low and forward, right behind the face to transfer maximum speed to the golf ball at impact with reduced spin. Weight at the rear of the head added forgiveness and consistency. Three models are available for a perfect fit.

For golfers looking for a combination of technology and Japanese craftsmanship, Honma's TW757 might be the driver you’re looking for. While the drivers feature classic lines behind the ball, they are powered by Carbon-Slot Technology. The carbon reinforces the slot, allowing for a thinner slot which increases ball speed. A carbon crown saves weight, while feel and sound have been improved, while two internal ribs transfer energy more efficiently.

Offered in 455cc and 460cc heads, both feature front and back adjustable weighting.

The latest Launcher XL is arguably Cleveland's best ever driver, and undeniably the most forgiving it has created.

Featuring a higher MOI than previous models, it is designed to increase launch and be more forgiving. Borrowing technology from sister brands Srixon and XXIO, the Launcher XL features a Rebound Frame, alternating areas of flexibility and stiffness to direct more energy into the ball. The adjustable hosel offers 12 different options, while the grip features an Action Mass CB weight. This helps square the clubface more consistently.

[34] MARCH 2022 | EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX IRONS

PING I525 IRONS

£849, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM While the Rogue ST drivers are grabbing all the headlines, the accompanying irons are certainly no slouches either. Callaway is known for its forgiving irons for mid-handicap golfers, and this is its latest. Key to the firepower is the A.I. designed Flash Face Cup, manufactured from high strength steel. Like the drivers, the A.I is now tasked with finding the optimal ball speed, launch and spin.

Each model has Speed Tuned Tungsten Weighting with what Callaway calls 'Player Optimised CG', using the optimum centre of gravity located specifically for optimal launch in each iron through the set. Urethane Microspheres are used to improve the club’s feel and sound.

£180 PER CLUB, PING.COM The i525 has been designed as the replacement for the i500, but it has the potential to appeal to many more golfers as Ping has worked hard on improving the feel. Featuring a forged, maraging steel face the strength of the variable-thickness, maraging steel allows for a thinner, hotter face. An internal sole undercut in the 17-4 allows for the face to flex more to launch the ball quicker and higher. The big change is the addition of EVA polymer strategically placed inside the head. While other manufacturers feature fully-filled cavities, Ping believe this gives the benefit of improving the feel and sound without slowing down ballspeed.

PRO SHOP

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GEAR

TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM9 WEDGES

TAYLORMADE STEALTH PLUS FAIRWAY WOODS

£169, TITLEIST.CO.UK Vokey wedges dominate on both the tour and in the bags of amateur golfers. With more grind options and finishes than any of their competitors, it’s easy to see why, but they are packed with technology to improve your short game. The wedges feature a raised centre of gravity with a centred sweet spot by putting more weight high and towards the toe. This encourages a lower launch with more spin as preferred by the Titleist tour staff. A new Spin Milled cutting process in the SM9 models produces sharper grooves, with lofts specific designs to increase spin dependent on the wedge and shot type.

£349, TAYLORMADEGOLF.COM There are a lot of forgiving fairway woods, and a whole bunch that are pretty hot too, but very few use a titanium face to ramp up that firepower. The Zatech Titanium face is exclusive to TaylorMade and only manufactured in small batches. It’s extra strong, which allows the engineers to make it thinner for faster ball speeds. A larger carbon crown saves more weight, which is put into a heavy 80g V-Steel sole weight that lowers the centre of gravity for forgiveness and ease of launch, as well as making it get through the turf easier.

SRIXON Z-STAR DIAMOND £39.99, SRIXON.CO.UK The Z-Star family of balls has been popular on tour for a long time. A third option, and being used on tour by Brooks Koepka, the Z-Star Diamond is arguably a combination of the other Z-Star models. It’s designed to produce the distance off a driver tour players require, while offering more spin with the mid-to-long irons for more precise approach shots. The FastLayer Core starts soft in the centre and gradually becomes firm around its edge, giving high-speed players exceptional feel and plenty of ball speed. A new, thicker thermoplastic urethane cover features a durable coating with flexible molecular bonds which digs deep into wedge and iron grooves, maximizing spin for more control and stopping power.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR | MARCH 2022

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MOTOCADDY S1 TROLLEY £599, MOTOCADDY.COM As electric trolleys become more popular, and they are used by younger and better golfers, how they look takes on more importance. And the new S1 looks amazing. But looks will only get you so far. Featuring a one-step folding mechanism, the S1 is as simple to set up as any electric trolley on the market. A ‘click ‘n’ connect’ lightweight lithium battery will get you around the course with ease while being easy to use with its lack of cables. Clever design disconnects the battery when folded while offering a quick access port that allows it to be charged without being removed. The S1 features a full-colour LCD widescreen that is viewable in all conditions.

ODYSSEY TRI-HOT 5-K PUTTER £379, ODYSSEYGOLF.COM The Tri-Hot 5K was created with the intention to produce a blade that could outperform a mallet. Odyssey has moved the centre of gravity positioning forward and used stainless steel, tungsten and aluminium to create the performance they were searching for. With an inertia level exceeding 5000 IZZ for incredible forgiveness, Odyssey has moved the CG closer to the face to improve speed control and consistency, as well as improve the endover-end roll. To appeal to a broad selection of golfers, Odyssey has used the tour favourite White Hot insert, while it also features the Red Stroke Lab shaft that is even lighter and stiffer than the original.

POWAKADDY CT8 GPS £999-1,049, POWAKDADY.COM PowaKaddy continues to push the boundaries of lightweight, ultra-compact trolley design with the launch of the new CT8 GPS, which boasts a fully-integrated GPS, accessible via a new 3.5-inch full-colour touch screen, making it the smallest, most intelligent ultra-compact GPS golf trolley on the market. Featuring a pre-loaded bank of over 40,000 courses worldwide, it folds down 20% smaller than the previous C2i model, and 35% smaller than its closest competitor, while a new widescreen display shows the scorecard, stroke index information, green shape and the precise distance to any pin position. Offered in gun metal with a carbon trim, it comes with a standard or extended lithium Plug’n’Play 30v battery, and an optional electronic braking system.

ADIDAS GOLF TOUR360 £160, ADIDAS.COM The most iconic golf shoe in adidas history is back with a fresh new look and some new technology.

The shoes feature a ‘Feet You Wear’ last giving your feet and, in particular, your toes, room to move freely while helping you get closer to the ground to generate more power. A full Boost midsole brings the comfort you’re looking for, while a new permanent injection moulded spike design offers the grip the world’s best players demand.

HONMA TW757 P IRONS £159/£169 PER CLUB (ST/GR), HONMAGOLF.COM Honma's TW757 P is a modern player’s distance iron designed for distance while retaining the feel the Japanese brand is renowned for. Tungsten weighting in the toe and sole centre the sweet spot and are used in combination with an under-cut cavity to create a surprising amount of forgiveness for the size of the iron head. A reduced face thickness throughout the set increases helps create faster initial ball speeds.

2022 | TRAVEL & BREAKS [36] MARCH MAY 2019 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

H O L LO W

VIC TORY Promising significant distance gains, exceptional forgiveness and solid feel, Ping’s second generation of hollow-bodied player’s distance iron, the i525, is ready and waiting at your nearest pro shop

W

hen Ping introduced its first ever hollowbodied iron, the i500, all the way back in 2018, it was marketed as a players-distance iron with a heavy emphasis on the distance part of the equation. In creating its replacement, the i525 – whose launched was delayed a year by the pandemic – the design goal was to enhance the distance, but do so in a manner where it was more predictable while preserving the forged-face construction and giving the player more of a refined look.

Ping’s engineering team discovered that the best way of achieving this was to use a forged, variablethickness maraging-steel face with a stainless body plasma welded together in a hollow construction. The high strength of the maraging steel allows the face to flex, but that rebound is enhanced through the use of an internal sole undercut.

“The i500 was long from heel to toe and we slimmed this down to make it more pleasing at address,” says Ryan Stokke, Ping’s director of engineering. “We wanted to make it as ballistic as possible, but in the right fashion, with the proper balance of blade length, offset and top rail thickness.”

He adds: “The undercut we use in this design allows stress to move deeper into the sole. That reduces stress on the face to allow not only for more bending,

but more uniform bending in the centre of the face.

That not only pushes ball speed, but makes a high ball speed more predictable, which is what players in this category want.”

So, what can you expect from the i525s? Well, there’s no better person to give the lowdown than PING President John K Solheim. He says: “The i525 is clearly for the golfer in search of more distance. But it offers so much more performance, including exceptional forgiveness concealed in a players-style head. Its size and shape are beautifully crafted, and it’s packed with tremendous technology on the inside, which makes it very appealing to a wide range of golfers.”

He adds: “What’s most satisfying from an engineering standpoint is how our team has been able to maximise the flexing of the metal-wood-style face structure, while creating a pleasing sound and feel. As golfers know who’ve played this type of iron design, they often sacrificed some of the feel for more distance.

That’s not the case in the i525, as we’re able to provide golfers a solid-feeling iron with the increased ball speed they need to hit longer, higher shots that hit and hold the green. We’re seeing some incredible results as a lot of golfers are a club stronger or more, including Tour pros who are attracted to the compact look and increased ball speed of the longer irons.

KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS FORGED MARAGING STEEL FACE - The strength of the variable-thickness, maraging steel allows for a thinner, more dynamic face structure with an internal sole undercut in the 17-4 stainless steel body to increase flexing for more ball speed and shots that launch faster and higher with distance control.

SOUND ENGINEERING - A polymer is precisely injected onto the inside of the face to improve feel and sound without interfering with face deflection, the source of its increased ball speed.

EXTREME WEIGHTING – Tungsten toe and shaft tip weights combine with a tiered, dynamic face structure and cavity to expand the perimeter weighting while preserving ball speed through greater face deflection for added distance and improved accuracy. The moment of inertia has increased in the vertical and horizontal axes to provide tighter dispersion and increased forgiveness.

FRICTION FACE WITH MICROMAX MILLED GROOVES - Introduced in the i59 iron, the i525’s precision-machined face has MicroMax grooves for tighter spacing and a geometry that results in an average of four extra grooves on each club to reduce fliers in the short irons and preserve spin in the long irons for greater control and consistency.

SPECIFICATIONS & RRPS AVAILABLE 3-9, PW, UW in 10 colour codes (lie angle), RH & LH. Black colour code is standard.

Loft options: Standard, Power Spec and Retro Spec STOCK SHAFTS: Project X IO (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), PING AWT 2.0 (R, S, X), PING Alta CB Slate (SR, R, S), Alta Distanza Black 40, UST Recoil 760 ES SMAC (A), 780 (R, S) STOCK GRIP: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet (six sizes) RRP: £180/£190 per club with steel/graphite stock shaft.

TRAVEL & BREAKS | MARCH 2022

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MARCH 2022 | WWW.GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/TRAVEL

THE

ALGARVE' S

FINEST QUINTA DO LAGO HITS 50 IN STYLE

TRAVEL & BREAKS

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GOLF HOLIDAY OFFERS AT HOME AND ABROAD

ME & MY TRAVELS

LEE WESTWOOD PICKS HIS FAVOURITE HOLIDAY HOTSPOT

[38] MARCH 2022 | TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

M A G I C A L

Q U I N T A Set among 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and located just 15 minutes from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago offers residents and guests an unparalleled location benefiting from a year-round temperate climate, a variety of lifestyle pursuits and a strong sense of community

I

t’s not only the Queen who has a landmark anniversary to celebrate this year.

Just as the world’s most famous lady prepares to mark 70 years on the throne this summer, somewhat fittingly, plans are continuing to gather pace at Quinta do Lago in Portugal to commemorate 50 years of the resort – an established member of the Europe’s golfing royalty.

You might think the comparison is a bit farfetched, but the idea is not as fanciful as it would first appear.

Just as the Queen has realised the need to adapt and change in recent years to keep up with an everchanging world, Quinta do Lago has also embraced the need to constantly evolve and modernise in order to maintain its position as Europe’s premier golf, leisure and lifestyle resort.

You only have to look at the venue’s forwardthinking attitude to the environment and sustainability and the recent €7m upgrade of its iconic South Course for proof of how seriously it takes its commitment to delivering the best experience possible to meet the needs of its residents, members and guests.

It seems incredible to think that it was way

■ QUINTA DO LAGO CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR

back in 1972 that the Quinta do Lago’s founder, property developer André Jordan, first surveyed this magnificent corner of the Algarve and set about planning what would ultimately become one of the world’s elite golfing venues.

“It was a day I will never forget,” Jordan recalls. “I sat on the hill, looked across the marshlands and I had a vision of what would become the Quinta do Lago masterplan.”

The hill on which Jordan sat when he first set eyes on the site is now the refined setting of the resort’s Casa Velha restaurant. Then, it was just a crumbling 300-year-old farmhouse, with earth floors inside, inhabited by Maria and her husband José.

“Sometimes when you look at a property you have an instant view of what you are going to do,” Jordan says. “There was no road access to Quinta do Lago, so I had to drive along trails and through pine woods until I came to a high point overlooking it, with the ocean on the horizon. Within 10 minutes I had the concept for the whole project in my mind. I wanted to create a high-quality resort that reflected local character and style.”

Ever the forward thinker, Jordan set about his new project with relish, and the final result is a lasting

testament to his dream and vision.

Nestled within the privacy and security of the stunning Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and just a 20-minute drive from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago is the place to play golf in Europe, and it is little wonder that golfing royalty including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have all spent time playing and relaxing at the resort in recent years.

Featuring an array of world-class golf, sports and leisure facilities, not to mention the outstanding real estate and the small matter of 14 different bars and restaurants serving up a range of local and international cuisine, you’ll struggle to find anything that the resort doesn’t have.

It’s been my privilege to be a regular visitor to Quinta do Lago since my first trip 15 years ago, and every visit brings something new and exciting to explore.

My trip last autumn brought the opportunity to experience the new-look South Course, part of the resort’s impressive golf offering which also includes two other 18-hole championship courses – the North Course and Laranjal – a Paul McGinley Golf Academy and the only TaylorMade Performance Centre in Southern Europe.

TRAVEL & BREAKS | MARCH 2022 [39] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Already a firm favourite among Tour professionals after hosting eight Portuguese Opens, the South Course is now looking forward to an exciting future after undergoing a major development to restore the layout to its rightful place at the forefront of European golf.

While most venues chose to consolidate and halt any development work in light of the Covid-19 global pandemic, Quinta do Lago was the opposite and took advantage of the enforced lockdown to give the par-72 course a major overhaul – the centrepiece of a multi-million Euro golf investment undertaken by the resort.

Among the changes made, all of the South Course’s fairways, bunkers, tees and green surrounds have received an upgrade, with subtle changes also being made to a number of holes to enhance the golfing experience.

To help provide a consistent playing experience, all the fairways, approaches, greens collars and tees have been resurfaced with a hybrid type of Bermuda grass.

All 48 bunkers on the course have been restored to their original size, with new drainage and sand added and compacted, while several bunkers previously within the pine tree canopy have been adjusted to give access to the green and two bunkers relocated to favour the modern game.

In addition, the lakes on the third and 17th holes

■ THE RECENTLY RENOVATED SOUTH COURSE IS A TRUE CHAMPIONSHIP TEST

■ THE NORTH COURSE WAS RENOVATED BY PAUL MCGINLEY IN 2014

have been upgraded with new retaining walls giving a sharp modern look consistent with the other lakes on the course; the fairway on the eighth hole has been softened and a number of pine trees relocated to allow greater access to the green; and golfers will face a new challenge on the 16th hole with the lake behind the green brought into play, adding drama to the closing holes.

Carried out with sustainable goals in mind and with Quinta do Lago golf course superintendent Mark Tupling and his team working with the Golf Environment Organisation Foundation, a state-ofthe-art irrigation system has also been installed – maximising efficiency and reducing the use of non-renewable resources. In addition, a planting scheme of native species has been adopted to increase biodiversity, with the resort partnering with local conservation association Vita Nativa to further enhance the biodiversity message to residents and guests.

Named as Portugal’s Best Golf Course at the 2021 World Golf Awards, the alterations made are a big improvement and have eradicated many of the South Course’s old previous weaknesses. Already having been chosen to host the 2022 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship – junior golf’s unofficial Major – the layout seems destined for great things in the future.

Away from the South Course, the North Course – which was the subject of a €9.6m overhaul by Paul McGinley, a regular visitor to the resort since he was a child, and Beau Welling in 2014 – and Laranjal have also undergone significant maintenance improvement programmes since last spring. The latter has also benefitted considerably from the switching around of its two nines, with the finishing hole now a classic risk-and-reward par-five that has

■ LARANJAL HAS SWITCHED AROUND ITS NINES TO OFFER A STRONGER FINISH

QUINTA DO LAGO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT, WITH LESS THAN 10% OF THE ESTATE HAVING BEEN DEVELOPED, WITH REST DEVOTED TO GOLF, WATER AND GREEN SPACES the potential to make or break any round.

To underline its its long-term commitment to preserving the environment, Quinta do Lago has also adopted a new eco-strategy to boost its sustainability credentials, and such have been the recent strides that it has made in this area that it was named as the proud recipient of the 2021 International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) Sustainability Award for Resource Efficiency.

With its privileged position in the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, Quinta do Lago has always been passionate about the environment – only nine per cent of the resort has been developed with the rest devoted to golf, water and lakes and green spaces.

Working closely with the GEO and following its ‘On Course’ environmental stewardship programme,

To book the Magnolia Hotel, visit www.themagnoliahotelqdl.com or email book@themagnoliahotelqdl.com

Quinta do Lago multi-tiered eco-strategy focuses on three key aims: to foster nature, conserve resources and support the community.

As well as improving sustainability on its three 18-hole courses, the acclaimed Portuguese venue has adopted an enhanced approach to conservation across other business sectors of the resort including at its world-class sports hub The Campus, The Magnolia Hotel, all its bars and restaurants and general resort services.

With such a commitment and desire to constantly invest adapt and change, it’s easy to see why Quinta do Lago continues to be a favourite destination for some of the most famous names in sport.

Ireland’s rugby union squad became the latest high-profile team to head to the resort for a warmweather training earlier this year ahead of the 2022 Six Nations Championship and there are likely to be numerous well-known faces in attendance at the calendar of events that are being arranged to celebrate the venue’s golden anniversary.

Whether Tiger and Rory are among them to join in the celebrations remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure – if Quinta do Lago’s good enough for them, it’s definitely good enough for me.

For more information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, call + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com

[40] MARCH 2022 | TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

OLLIE’S NEW COURSES RAISE THE BAR AT COSTA NAVARINO

CLASSY CARROSSA OFFERS GATEWAY TO MALLORCA’S GOLFING DELIGHTS MALLORCA has always had a reputation for being a top-of-the-range golfing destination in Europe and that standing soared even further following the opening of the five-star Carrossa Hotel back in 2018.

Located near the charming town of Artà, in the north-east of the island, the Carrossa is one of the island’s newest luxury boutique retreat, and one that enjoys breathtaking views of the bay of Alcúdia and rolling hills of Llevant.

Over €500,000 has been invested in upgrading the already impressive facilities during the pandemic, and guests can be assured of the very best hospitality throughout their stay.

And while the converted old manor house is a haven of tranquillity, courtesy of its stunning outdoor infinity pool, state-of-the-art spa and array of treatments, as well as fine dining complete with panoramic views, the Carrossa is also the ideal base to experience the best golf courses in Mallorca.

The Carrossa enjoys a great relationship with a host of nearby clubs, offering guests a range of exclusive stay-and-play packages and discounted green fees at the likes of Alcanada, Capdepera, Canyamel, Pula and Son Servera.

Alcanada, a multi-award-winning course, is one of the most prestigious clubs on the Balearic island and the only one next to the sea.

Capdepera, which is less than 10 miles from the Carrossa, provides a real contrast, with the layout winding through both a valley and the scenic Llevant Hills, with its signature 15th hole one of the most memorable on the island.

Canyamel is a stunning 6,764-yard par-73 course that is known for high quality in a natural environment with sea views. Pula Golf Resort was originally founded in 1995 and redesigned by José Maria Olazábal just over a decade ago. The parkland Son Servera course is a scenic 18-hole course that winds its way below a range of pine trees and mountains with beautiful views over the bay of Cala Millor.

For more details on the latest golf breaks to the Carrossa Hotel, please visit www.carrossa.com.

ADVENTUROUS GOLFERS looking to try their hand on a choice of four world-class courses in the same destination should consider booking a trip to Costa Navarino in Greece.

The luxury coastal resort already had two superb courses in the Dunes and the Bay, which opened just over a decade ago, but it now has 36 more championship holes to play following the opening of two layouts designed by two-time Masters champion José Maria Olazabal.

The new 36-hole Navarino Hills golf development comprises the International Olympic Academy Golf Course and the neighbouring Hills Course, both of which enjoy breaktaking views over the Bay of Navarino and the Ionian Sea. Measuring 6,366m, the International Course received widespread acclaim when it was played for the first time at the fifth Messinia Pro-Am in November. The Hills Course is slightly shorter at 6,280m. Other golf facilities include 60-bay driving range and a 15,000m² short game practice area.

Olazábal said: “Costa Navarino ranks among the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Over the past five years, we have worked hard to shape two courses that not only respect the stunning surroundings but that also fit as naturally as possible into the terrain.

“The two courses are distinct in character. Golfers will find the International Olympic Academy Golf Course to be more polished in style and full of spectacular views across the Bay of Navarino while the Hills Course offers more of a rural feel, where we take you out through the gently rolling hills.

Costa Navarino offers a wide choice of luxury accommodation, including The Westin Resort, and the brand-new W Costa Navarino which is opening this summer at the Navarino Waterfront. For more information, visit www.costanavarino.com.

■ ALCANADA

■ NAVARINO HILLS

QHOTELS ENHANCES HEALTH AND FITNESS FACILITIES ACROSS GOLF RESORT PORTFOLIO GOLFERS WHO LIKE to keep themselves in shape between rounds while on a golf break can do so in style after QHotels announced the completion of a multi-million-pound investment in the health and fitness clubs at its portfolio of hotels and resorts in the UK. Working with industry leader Life Fitness, the upgrade works began at the beginning of the year and are now fully complete across the 16 hotels.

Belton Woods, Oulton Hall, Forest Pines, Telford Hotel – all of which offer golf courses – are among eight venues to have

received a full gym & health club upgrade, with new high-spec technology and top-of-the-range equipment.

The fitness refurbishments include Discover SE3HD interactive cardio machines, SPARC Trainers, PowerMill Climbers, IC7 indoor cycle bikes along with various strength and cable machines and lifting areas. Every health club member now has access to the Life Fitness Connect app – allowing users to track their workouts and progress.

Commenting on the recent investment, QHotels Golf, Leisure & Spa Director Keith Pickard said: “It has always been our desire

to offer the best gyms, fitness and leisure activities in the country. Now, after two years of planning, that vision is real. We’re delighted to reopen and welcome hotel guests, existing health club members and new members to explore the upgraded facilities. This is the company’s most significant investment in over two decades, so it’s tremendously exciting to have completed the rollout and see the positive feedback from guests and health club members.”

TRAVEL & BREAKS | MARCH 2022 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

CLUBS TO HIRE EXPANDS TOUR AMBASSADOR TEAM AS GOLF TRAVEL GETS BACK INTO FULL SWING LEADING GOLF EQUIPMENT RENTAL COMPANY Clubs to Hire has expanded its team of tour ambassadors following the signing of a multi-year partnership with Germany’s Hurly Long.

Long joins David Howell as a brand ambassador for the company, which specialises in renting out golf clubs for travelling golfers.

Both players compete on the DP World Tour, an area where Clubs to Hire services most of its clients. Long, 26, graduated to the DP World Tour this season after securing a top 20 place on the 2021 European Challenge Tour.

He picked up a first Challenge Tour victory at the 2020 Italian Challenge and represented Germany alongside Max Kieffer in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Speaking about his new role, Long commented: “When I first heard about the Clubs to Hire service being offered to the travelling golfer, I thought it was a brilliant idea. Imagine being able to rent a top set of clubs from €40 per week and not having the hassle of dragging them onto the plane. It really is the perfect solution both financially and for convenience.”

Howell added: “I think Clubs to Hire is a fantastic business that allows the travelling golfer the opportunity to try out all the latest hardware in the market, including my own favourite brand, Callaway, for a fraction of the cost. As tour professionals we get to try all the latest clubs, now traveling golfers can do the same by choosing from the sets available at Clubs to Hire.”

Clubs to Hire offers rental sets from top brands like TaylorMade, Callaway, PING, PXG, Srixon, Titleist and Wilson. The company provides the option to pick up the sets from their outlets in Faro, Malaga, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca with the added bonus of being able to pick your own putter on arrival. Alternatively, delivery to your hotel or golf course can also be arranged.

Outside of the outlets in the Mediterranean, Clubs to Hire also services various other airports through a network of agents, delivering upon arrival. With destinations outside of Spain and Portugal, like Turkey, Ireland, Cyprus, South Africa and Thailand, you will be able to rent your set and save yourself the hassle and risk of taking your own set. For more details, visit www.clubstohire.com

TWO SOTOGRANDE HOMES FOR SALE FOR ONLY £695K

GOLFERS LOOKING FOR GUARANTEED SUNSHINE and access to one of the best golfing regions in Spain, are being offered the chance to grab their own slice of golfing heaven with the sale of a superb pair of villas in the heart of Sotogrande in the Costa del Sol. The two properties, which are on the same

THE POINT AT POLZEATH ADDS MORE PROPERTIES THE POINT AT POLZEATH, which boasts an award-winning 18-hole golf course and views over Pentire Point in North Cornwall, has expanded of its accommodation portfolio to include high-quality properties in the surrounding areas of Polzeath, Daymer Bay and Rock.

The Point is a year-round holiday venue within walking distance of Polzeath beach. In addition to the golf course, it also has tennis courts, a fitness centre with swimming pool, gym and spa, a restaurant and sports bar. There are plenty of walks and other activities for non-golfers to enjoy in the area, and as the friendly team at this family-run business all live in north Cornwall, ■ GUESTS CAN CHOSE FROM they know all the best local places for guests to visit.

A WIDE RANGE OF COTTAGES, The Point Holidays now offers one of the best choices of APARTMENTS AND HOUSES holiday rental accommodation in North Cornwall, from onebedroom apartments to family houses sleeping up to 16 people – all close to The Point’s golf course and the neighbouring courses at St Enodoc and Trevose.

For more details, visit www.thepointholidays.co.uk or call 01208 863000.

plot of land, were built by a British builder in 2010, who is now selling them on due to imminent retirement.

Located 12 miles from Gibraltar and with easy access to dozens of world class courses, including San Roque, Almenara, Valderrama, Alcaidesa and the two courses at Sotogrande, the air-conditioned villas are separate, making

them ideal for guests, rental income from long and short lets. Facilities include a 10m x 5m swimming pool, four private patio areas for dining and entertaining and parking for up to a dozen cars.

Priced at £695,000, interested parties should email john@colomendy.co.uk or call John on 07785774590 for further details

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[42] MARCH 2022 | TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Lee Westwood Lee Westwood has played in almost every part of the world during his 25-plus years on tour, but there’s one place that he enjoys to play and stay above all others – Thailand

Travel with

hunting for specific local restaurants when I’m playing in tournaments, so often it will be a meal in the hotel, but we do occasionally get to go out and try more off-the-beaten-track places. I love Thai food, as I like a bit of spice, so I always like to try something new whenever I get the chance.

You’ve travelled all over the world during your career. If you could narrow it down to one country, which would it be?

I’ve travelled a lot, and seen lots of amazing places, so it’s hard to narrow it down to one, but I’ve always loved playing in Thailand, especially in and around Bangkok. I’ve won few tournaments there and I’ve always loved it. Not just the golf courses, but the country as a whole.

What specifically sets Thailand apart?

More than anything, it’s the people and the culture. The Thai people are just so unbelievably friendly and welcoming wherever you go. Not just at tournaments and hotels, but whenever you’re out and about.

The hotels and resorts are incredible, and so is the food. And, if you like it hot – which I do – the climate is superb too, so it ticks a lot of boxes for me as a golfer and as a holiday destination.

Which courses in Thailand stand out for you?

Amata Spring Country Club, where I’ve been lucky enough to have had a couple of wins, is obviously one of my favourites. It’s about an

■ THE ALPINE GOLF CLUB IS ONE OF LEE'S FAVOURITES IN THAILAND, WHILE HE'S ALSO KEEN ON TRYING THE LOCAL FOOD

hour’s drive outside of Bangkok. It hosted the Royal Trophy a couple of times, but I also won the first Thailand Golf Championship there in 2011 and 2014, so I have some good memories there. There’s also a superb course at Alpine Golf Club, which is 20 minutes outside Bangkok, which I really rate.

It was originally built on a flat piece of land, so all the hills and elevations are man-made, but it a really fun course to play. I won the Johnnie Walker Classic there in 2004, and I remember it being very lush, and made you almost feel like you were playing around a tropical garden. Once again, water is a big feature of the course, and I recall a couple of cracking par threes to semi-island greens.

Are you keen to try local foods when you travel to more exotic destinations?

I don’t get a lot time to see the sights or go out

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Which is your favourite hotel in Thailand?

I’ve stayed at the St Regis in Bangkok a few times, and it's of my favourite hotels in the whole world. It occupies an amazing spot right in the heart of the city and overlooks a golf course and a horseracing track – which is another favourite sport of mine. The rooms are huge and the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a great view of the city, which looks even better at night.

What are the ingredients for your perfect holiday?

Nice beach, warm sea, decent weather – the usual suspects. While I do like to chill out when I’m on holiday, I also need plenty of places to see and things to do, along with a good choice of restaurants.

■ THE ST REGIS HOTEL IN BANGKOK

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