GOLF NEWS AUTUMN 2020

THE UK’S NO.1 GOLF NEWSPAPER

ISSUE 286 | AUTUMN 2020 | TWITTER: @GOLFNEWSMAG | WEB: GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

INTERVIEWS

EQUIPMENT

Justin Rose Xander Schauffele Viktor Hovland Bryson DeChambeau

Spotlight on Callaway’s new Big Bertha range + Chrome Soft balls Ping Winter Apparel

TRAVEL & BREAKS Me & My Travels with Jamie Redknapp Travel News

Win a Motocaddy Electric trolley worth £750

Masters Preview Who will win the green jacket?

Georgia

HALL “ THE HARD WORK HA S PAID OFF ” COMPLIMENTARY COPY Est 1994

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AUTUMN 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

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NEWS | AUTUMN 2020

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EDITOR'S LETTER

NICK BAYLY

on end, and then spending four days on a course where the only sound to be heard is the thwack of metal on urethane and the birds chirping in the trees. On the odd occasion when a course happens to be located on a residential estate, the slow hand clap of homeowner from their back garden can sound more than a little sarcastic amid the silence, but it hasn’t gone unappreciated by the players, who often react with a friendly wave or an overly-theatrical bow.

For young and inexperienced tour pros, the absence of a crowd, especially at the big events, has probably helped settle their nerves, allowing them to focus on the shot in hand, rather than worrying about whether they’re going to shank a tee shot into the galleries off the first tee, or feeling the pressure of thousands of pairs of eyes boring into them as they stand over a five-footer for victory. However, the old stagers, and those who feed off the appreciation of galleries and the adrenalin, have spoken of finding the whole exercise of playing golf without fans rather pointless.

Yes, they’re still playing for more money than most of us could every dream of, and they’re grateful for the opportunity to carry on making a living, but the absence of spectators has, for many players, turned tournaments, and even Major championships, into little more than card-carrying rounds with a nice pay cheque at the end, rather than the edge-of-your seat experiences that playing in front of 100,000 fans provides.

Thankfully Sky has resisted the temptation to add its own crowd backing track to its golf coverage, with shouts of ‘mashed potato’, “babbabooyee’ and the timeless ‘get in the hole’ not at all missed by the TV viewer, but I have to say that I’ve felt a little sad for pros at all levels of the game who have won tournaments since the tours resumed with little more than a ripple of polite applause from the attending officials and the odd caddy to mark their finest hour.

I guess it’s something we’re all going to have to get used to in the ‘new normal’, whatever that might be, but it won’t ever feel normal not to hear fans roaring from the grandstands, and I for one will carry on cheering – and jeering – from my sofa until I’m allowed back to do it in person.

■ THE MASTERS WON’T FEEL LIKE THE MASTERS WITHOUT THOUSANDS OF FANS LINING EACH AND EVERY HOLE AT AUGUSTA

SILENCE ISN’T ALWAYS GOLDEN Having got fed up watching re-runs of Master Chef and Midsummer Murders, seen the entire contents of Netflix, and watched most of the Donald Trump lip-synch videos on YouTube, it’s fair to say that I’ve watched quite a lot of sport on telly during ‘lockdown’.

Give or take the odd socially-distanced test event, where one or two thousand home fans have been let into watch a football, rugby or cricket match, almost all elite sport has taken place behind closed doors since the end of March. At most events, armchair fans – and we’re all those now whether we like it or not – have been presented with the option of having a fake soundtrack of fans cheering laid over the top of the pictures in order to provide a bit of atmosphere. While I started off quite liking the ebb and flow of a football match being echoed by the virtual crowd, it soon got very irritating and I’m now much happier – when I’m watching football at least – to just listen to the commentators and their all-to-frequent apologies for all the swearing that is now echoing around the empty stadiums for all of us sat at home to hear.

Robbed of the atmosphere, and the clapping and booing, most top level sport has the air of a training ground practice session about it, with goals, tries, wickets, centuries, and, in golf’s case, putts holed and tournaments won, celebrated in a far more muted fashion, with none of the grandstanding and increasingly emotional outpourings that are such an integral part of sporting success these days.

Professional golf, that already most socially distant of activities, has had to follow the same rules as other sports operating under Covid conditions, with players and caddies living in tournament bubbles for weeks

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

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AUTUMN 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

InBrief

Walton Heath to host Women’s Open in 2023

■ WALTON HEATH

KNIGHT TAKES ESSEX SENIOR CROWN ★ Paul Knight won the Essex Seniors Championship after shooting rounds of 72 and 71 at Chelmsford Golf Club. The Wanstead player’s score was matched by Mike Partridge (Thorndon Park), but Knight won on countback. The competition, which was played in wet and windy conditions, attracted a field of 66 players.

PORTEOUS POWERS TO ESSEX BOYS TITLE ★ Max Porteous won the U16 and U18 Essex Boys Championship after firing rounds of 68 and 71 at a breezy Burham on Couch Golf Club. The Thorndon Park youngster’s opening round included seven birdies, but a double bogey and three other bogeys ensured he had to play his best in the second round to hold off the challenge of Henry Styles, and win with a gross score of 139.

WRIGHT WINS BONNALLACK TROPHY ★ Lewis Wright won the Sir Michael Bonnallack Trophy and the Essex Colts Championship after shooting rounds of 67 and 73 in testing conditions at Thorpe Hall Golf Club. Wright, a regular county team player, was seven under par after 22 holes, but a bogey at the fifth hole of his second round, followed by doubles at the 8th and 9th, saw his lead swiftly eroded, and it required three further birdies, including a vital one at the 36th hole, to take the title by one shot from Harley Smith and Dylan Hussey.

KIM WINS PAUL CASEY TROPHY ★ Matthew Kim won Surrey Golf’s U12s Championship for the Paul Casey Trophy after shooting a gross 71 at Milford GC. The six-handicapper from Cuddington finished five shots clear of Aaron Moody (Burhill) and Evan Taylor (Foxhills).

BENNETT TO CAPTAIN PGA IN 2022 ★ Sarah Bennett, the head teaching professional at Three Rivers Golf & Country Club in Essex, has be chosen to captain the Professional Golfer’s Association in 2022. In taking on the role, Bennett, 51, will follow in the footsteps of her close friend and mentor Beverley Lewis when she becomes the second women to captain The PGA.

REES CAPTURES SENIOR STROKEPLAY TITLE ★ Gloucestershire’s Jane Rees won the English Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship by six shots at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire. The 62-year-old from Minchinhampton fired rounds of 71, 69 and 68 for a two-under par total. Laura Webb from East Berkshire and Kate Evans from the host venue finished tied second.

Walton Heath Golf Club will break new ground by hosting the AIG Women’s Open for the first time in 2023.

It will represent only the second major championships to be played over the Surrey club’s Old course following the men’s Senior Open in 2011.

The R&A announced that next five venues for what was known as the Women’s British Open will be Carnoustie (2021), Muirfield (2022), Walton Heath (2023) St Andrews (2024) and Royal Porthcawl (2025).

The decision to award the top women’s tournament to Walton Heath – the only English venue in that five-year cycle – is a huge compliment to a club with a long and distinguished history of hosting leading

amateur and professional events. It also endorses Walton Heath’s initiative in becoming the first golf club in Surrey to sign up for the R&A’s ‘Women in Golf Charter’ last year. The charter aims to inspire a more inclusive culture within golf around the world and Walton Heath embraced this enthusiastically, developing a range of initiatives focussing on encouraging more women and girls to play golf and stay within the sports as members of clubs.

Walton Heath chairman Dr Alastair Wells welcomed the opportunity to bring the world’s best female professionals to this part of Surrey, saying: “Hosting the AIG Women’s Open is a great honour for Walton Heath and will add

Cope claims English Amateur title Gloucestershire’s Jack Cope added his name to an illustrious roll call of champions after winning the English Men’s Amateur Championship at Woodhall Spa. The 21-year-old from The Players Club in Bristol lifted the famous trophy thanks to a 4&3 victory over Lancashire’s Callan Barrow in a final that produced some outstanding moments of golf in the Lincolnshire sunshine.

In the morning, Barrow and Cope racked up a total of 10 birdies between them. Cope was quick out the traps and was four up through seven holes of the morning round thanks to birdies at the third, fifth, sixth and seventh. After 18 holes, Cope was five up, helped by shooting a seven-under 66 without a blemish on his card.

Yet the Lancashire man refused to give

up. He birdied the first hole of the afternoon to get one back, but then lost the next. A birdie-two at the fifth offered hope again, but Barrow still found himself six down with nine to play. A Barrow birdie at 10 and then another 14 kept the match alive, but a par four on the 15th sealed with a tricky six-foot putt down the slope clinched the title for Cope, Cope now joins the likes of Sir Nick Faldo, Tommy Fleetwood, Danny Willett and Paul Casey as a winner of the British Amateur title.

“It feels fantastic – I’m very honoured to be alongside the names on the trophy,” said Cope, who had a spell away from the game recently after breaking his arm. “The last two years have been exceptionally tough, on and off the golf course, and I have to

‘Legends Tour’ seeks to reboot Senior circuit The European Tour’s men’s senior circuit, formerly known at the Staysure Tour, is to be rebranded the Legends Tour and come under a new ownership structure as part of a new agreement between the European Tour and Staysure founder Ryan Howsam.

Under the agreement, Howsam, who founded insurance firm Staysure in 2004, will take a majority equity share in the Legends Tour and will oversee the Tour’s commercial strategy. The new ownership structure is the first time in golf that an individual will have a controlling stake and leadership role in a major Tour. Howsam will work alongside the head of the Legends Tour, Mark Aspland, and the current Tour staff, with the aim of ‘releasing as yet untapped commercial potential of the Legends Tour’.

Paul Lawrie, Paul McGinley, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Colin Montgomerie, Michael Campbell, Mark James and Tom Lehman have all been named the new-look Tour’s official ambassadors, and will

each play a central part of growing the popular alliance format which gives amateurs the chance to play alongside some of golf’s great names in tournament conditions.

McGinley said: “Being an ambassador for the Legends Tour is a unique opportunity to be a part of a ground-breaking shift in the golf tour model. There is a real emphasis on putting players at the forefront of the brand, while engaging amateurs through the alliance format and Legends Club, and I am excited to see how the Tour grows and develops moving forward.”

A newly-formed ‘Legends Club’ will help enhance the amateur experience and will include a dedicated amateur Order of Merit, where amateurs can compete for a place in the

to our rich golfing heritage. We were proud last year to sign up to the R&A Women in Golf Charter and we very much hope that this event will provide a great boost for women’s golf both locally and internationally.

“We all enjoyed seeing large crowds on the Heath for the British Masters two years ago and the AIG Women’s Open provides another opportunity for golf fans in the county, and further afield, to watch world class women’s golf.”

thank my parents, coach Russell Covey and Gloucestershire County Union and I hope this a big leap in the right direction. I always knew I had ability, but it’s about producing it when it counts. I played the West of England fourball at the weekend before this and was asked about my form. I said a big win was close the way I was playing. I finished second in the stroke and won the match play.”

end-of-season Tour Final by playing in three-day alliance events at some of the best golf courses in the world.

The additional focus on the amateur experience, which includes a selection of Celebrity Pro-Ams aimed at bringing together the legends of golf with legends of sport, music and entertainment, is part of the Tour’s greater commercial focus, which is aimed at driving increased playing opportunities and playing opportunities for Legends Tour members.

Howsam said: “This unique structure in the world of professional golf will spearhead a new vision for the Legends Tour, putting the Ryder Cup captains and players at the forefront of the brand, engaging the mature affluent European market in a way that will drive bigger sponsors and partners.

"We will continue to build the alliance format which I believe offers the best amateur experience in golf, whilst we will commercialise across other golf markets, including holidays and equipment. Staysure has been involved with the tour since 2017 as a title sponsor, and I believe the untapped commercial potential that the Legends Tour has to offer is unlimited.”

NEWS | AUTUMN 2020

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AUTUMN 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Chart Hills Relaunch

on track for Spring

Chart Hills Golf Club has confirmed that major redevelopment works at the Kent destination are running on schedule, and the club is on course for a spring 2021 reopening.

Led by Director of Golf, Anthony Tarchetti, and Course Manager, Neil Lowther, the team has been working to implement a total renovation across the property. The golf course was fully closed from mid-July to allow green staff, industry-leading contractors and shapers to work on the championship layout.

The first steps in the process included extensive irrigation work and sand-capping of the fairways, with over 30,000 tonnes of sand deposited across the course. The seeding team then covered the sanded areas with creeping ryegrass, designed to deliver a better overall grass coverage, with the final seed due to go into the ground this autumn.

Off-course, there is an all-new golf entrance leading directly into the newly constructed professional shop that is equipped with an espresso machine, HD televisions and a wide selection of clothing, hardware and accessories.

Moreover, all corridors in the clubhouse have been redecorated with the addition of sleek, new, colour-coordinated signage. Work has also begun on the development of the driving range and short game areas, with new green targets cut into the range.

“We are making really good progress,” commented Tarchetti. “Our project is right on schedule and we will continue the hard work over the next few months to prepare the venue ahead of its relaunch in spring.

“Our owners, Ramac Holdings Ltd have made a significant investment since taking over, and it is exciting to see the project moving in the right direction.”

In the coming weeks, work will continue across the site, with additional projects planned to target other areas in the clubhouse, the halfway hut and car park.

Fuller wins

English Women’s Amateur

Surrey’s Annabell Fuller won the English Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play title after shooting six under par for four rounds at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset.

Scores of 71, 68, 73 and 70 saw the 18-year-old from Roehampton Golf Club finish three shots clear of nearest challenger Emma Allen.

Despite wet and windy conditions, Fuller avoided big scores on her card, holed clutch putts and was deservedly left holding the silverware after a testing few days on the links, including 36 holes on the final day.

With Fuller tied with Allen after two rounds, the Surrey star’s chances of victory looked slim when she bogeyed the first three holes of her third round. But she bounced back with an eagle on the fourth and birdies at five and seven to limit the damage and sign for a 73 to Allen’s 70.

Fuller was fast out of the blocks for the final round, firing four birdies in the opening eight holes, while Allen dropped four shots in the first five holes, to leave the

Surrey star in the lead.

Allen birdied 7 and 8 to close the gap, but Fuller reached the turn two shots to the good. The pair traded bogeys and pars on the back nine in the difficult weather, but five dropped shots by Allen, offset by a single birdie, enabled Fuller to ease to a comfortable win despite bogeying the last.

“My approach heading into the final round changed slightly,” said Fuller. “I tried to make sure that in the beginning I didn’t drop on the front nine, as it’s a lot easier playing down wind. I tried to make a couple of birdies which thankfully I did and that got me rolling on to the back nine.”

She added: “It’s definitely one of my best wins – the English Women’s Open is such a huge title. I came here not really knowing how I would perform and now I’m coming away with the title. Only one person wins out of 120, so it’s a great achievement.”

■ SAND-CAPPING THE 18TH HOLE AT CHART HILLS

NEWS | AUTUMN 2020 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Hall leaves lasting legacy at Sand Martins PGA Professional Andrew Hall, the former owner of Sand Martins Golf Club in Berkshire, and a former chairman of the PGA South Region, sadly died in July at the age of 62.

A hugely popular figure on the golf circuit in the south, where he was a successful player, Hall was appointed head professional at Sand Martins in 1994, after having served his PGA training at The Berkshire and worked at various clubs in the region, including Blackmoor and Blacknest in the intervening years.

Having played a large hand in turning around Sand Martin’s fortunes, Hall was rewarded with

a share of the business, and, when the club’s founder and owner, Edward Fox, fell ill, he took the decision to buy the club from him in 2005 in order to avoid the club being sold to a property developer.

Hall put up £2m of his own money and raised the majority of the rest from a members’ consortium in what at the time was the first joint management and membership buy-out in UK golf. Shareholders received a return on their investment in the form of a discount on the annual subscriptions and a number of other benefits, as well as a 25% stake in the club.

Despite the demands of owning and running Sand Martins, Hall served on regional PGA Committees, became PGA

Brooks takes route 56 at Whittington Heath

While there have been a dozen sub60 rounds shot on the PGA Tour, and one on the European Tour – take a bow Ollie Fisher – few pros have managed to go any lower than that, barring Jim Furyk, who shot a 58 at the Travellers Championship in 2016.

Well you can now add Staffordshire tour pro Ryan Brooks to even more rarified club after he shot a 14-under-par 56 during a social round during lockdown at his home club, Whittington Heath in East Staffordshire.

Brooks, who plays on the Clutch Pro Tour, chalked up the record-breaking round earlier this summer, while playing with his coach and two friends.

His stunning round included 10 birdies and two eagles (one of which was a hole-in-one at the 4th), as he put together a flawless round off the club’s back tees.

Brooks, who got his handicap down to +4 before turning pro

South chairman and was an accomplished coach. He sold the club six years ago, but stayed on in a consultancy role for the new owners.

A tribute published on the club’s website shortly after his death said: “Andrew’s hard work, passion, dedication and love over the years made the club what it is today. He was the consummate professional, player, coach and businessman, and his legacy will long live on at Sand Martins Golf Club.”

Hoebridge and Redbourn join TrackMan Range revolution Hoebridge Golf Centre in Surrey and Redbourn Golf Club in Hertfordshire have become the first golf facilities in England to offer TrackMan Range technology at their driving ranges.

The two clubs are owned by Burhill Group Ltd, which operates 10 golf sites across the country.

The TrackMan Range system allows players to track their shots through in-bay monitors and engage in a variety of different game modes.

The monitors also display ball speed, carry distance, launch angle and more, allowing users to practice with purpose and learn more about their game.

Hoebridge Golf Centre features 27 Trackman bays and two VIP hitting bays, while Redbourn, boasts a fully upgraded range, with 26 TrackMan-fitted hitting bays.

last September, negotiated the front nine in just 27 before finishing birdie, birdie, eagle on the back for 29 and a total that will surely never be beaten at the Harry Colt layout.

“I once shot 60 off winter tees, but 56 off the backs is pretty ridiculous. It was like playing golf on a PlayStation.”

He added: “I just kept giving myself loads of chances and seemed to hole everything.

I got on a bit of roll where I didn’t think I could possibly hit a bad shot. You have days now and then where you don’t think you can miss. I actually missed a six-footer on the 11th for a birdie and missed another six-footer on the 14th. But it was eight- to 10-foot on 16, a 20-footer on 17 and then another 20-footer on the last. By the end we were just laughing.”

Brooks, who is on the hunt for sponsorship, has put together some good Clutch Tour performances since the restart, including a top-10 finish at The Shire, and is hoping to find his way onto the EuroPro Tour in the near future. But, like most players on the mini tours, he is in a bit of limbo as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt sport.

“I’m going to play a couple of Jamega Tour events, just to play some two-dayers,” he said. “There’s no European Tour Qualifying School this year, so I can’t go to that. It’s like we’ve lost a year.”

Guy Riggott, Operations Director at BGL commented: “TrackMan Range technology boasts an abundance of features that allows our driving ranges to appeal not only to seasoned golfers, but nongolfers and beginners alike. We see the gamification of golf through technology as the future of the driving range, and TrackMan Range will help us on this path.”

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AUTUMN 2020 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Young wins scholarship to help fund tour career

be a great ambassador for the game, and Sports Marketing Surveys are proud to support her.”

On accepting the award, Young, who is attached to ■ LIZ YOUNG

Ladies European Tour player Liz Young, one of the driving forces behind this summer’s Rose Ladies Series, has been awarded a £7,500 scholarship by Stephen Proctor, chairman of Sports Marketing Surveys.

The generous prize, which is intended to offer financial support to a player striving to get on to the LPGA Tour, is the concept and personal gift of Proctor, who, along with former European Tour chief executive Ken Schofield and golf writer Lewine Mair, judged Young as the most deserving player who competed on the Rose Ladies Series this summer.

Hampshire-based Young, 37, whose original initiative sparked the interest and support of Justin and Kate Rose, was by a considerable margin the best non-LPGA performer across the series, with two second-placed finishes and a string of other consistent results.

Announcing the award, Stephen Proctor said: “We are delighted that Liz has accepted our offer of support. It is thoroughly deserved on the basis of her play, and happily also acknowledges her initiative without which so many aspiring players would have had no competitive play. Liz will

Cleeve Hill to close after 130 years Cleeve Hill Golf Club in Gloucestershire is set to close next March after Tewkesbury Borough Council’s decided to end the course’s licence due to its financial unviability.

The club, which currently has 170 members, first opened in 1891, and its 6,400-yard course, which overlooks Cheltenham and occupies the highest point in the

Cotswolds, was designed by Old Tom Morris.

An independent report commissioned by Tewkesbury Borough Council into the club’s long-term viability concluded that golf ‘could not be financially sustainable without significant investment and an ongoing subsidy from taxpayers’. The authority also said the current tenant of the club, Share Club Ltd, ended its 25-year tenancy for March 31, 2021, and the land will return to the Cleeve Common Trust on April 1. A council statement said: “Given the difficult financial position facing local government, the council’s executive committee have reluctantly decided to end its licence to use Cleeve Hill Common for the laying

Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club, said: “When Stephen offered me the award, I felt extremely honoured that the award panel had chosen me. The Rose Ladies Series has been an amazing journey and I am so grateful for the support from Stephen and Sports Marketing Surveys, which will help me reach my full potential.”

While it is well known that the LET lags behind the LPGA in terms of commercial clout, Young believes that English female golf pros are in a particularly awkward situation when it comes to sponsorship.

“For English LET players, there just isn’t the sponsorship.

The continental Europeans always seem to have sponsors, while Scottish players have the help from big companies such as Aberdeen Assets and SSE Power, and the Scottish Government. Being English and female is a bad combination in golf,” said Young, who won just €5,000 for finishing eighth at last month’s Swiss Open.

“Each tournament costs about €1,000. If you don’t make the cut, you are down €1,000 and when you are starting off with no support, there is a lot of pressure on you. You could find yourself being unable to get to the next tournament because you haven’t got any money.”

She added: “I am hoping the Rose Ladies Series will grow and that maybe we can have the series again next year, but on a bigger scale. Hopefully next year Covid will be gone and we will be able to have spectators and the British public will be to see what we can do.”

out of a golf course from March 31, 2021. The council, which owns the clubhouse, has been exploring options for the club’s site. There are no plans to redevelop it, although the poor condition of the building means there is no other affordable option other than for it to be demolished.

It added: ”Our aim is to see the continued use of the site for community benefit whilst protecting the general taxpayer. We are open to discussions with any interested parties who may be able to support this aim.”

A campaign to save the club was launched on Facebook in September, with the ‘Save Cleeve Hill Golf Course’ page currently boasting over 2,400 signatories.

NEWS | AUTUMN 2020 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Bullen bags PGA Kent Open at Prince’s

Rustington Golf Centre’s Michael Bullen had to produce what he described as ‘one of the rounds of his career’ to deny Angus Mottershead outright victory in the PGA Kent Open held at Prince’s Golf Club.

The pair completed the two-round Stableford format event at the famous links locked on 78 points, each collecting more than £1,000 as a result of sharing the prize money as the leading trainees. In addition, Bullen won £200 for posting the best score in the second round.

And how he needed it after ending round one on 35 points, three adrift of his rival from Hampton Court Palace. Bullen, who won PGA Play-Offs and PGA Assistants’ Championship last year, followed up with a seven-under 65 over the Dunes/Himalayas loop to ensure a share of first place.

Bullen, who warmed up for the event by playing in the European Tour’s Betfred British Masters at Close House, said: “That was one of the best rounds of my career.

To knock it around Prince’s in seven-under is really pleasing.”

The 27-year-old was similarly enamoured by the course and added: “It’s one of my favourite links, so it was nice to do it justice in round two. It was in awesome condition. After lockdown, I was begging to get back to playing somewhere good and this was perfect.

They’ve made a few changes – for the better. And I was lucky enough to play with Ronan McGuirk, a PGA Assistant at Prince’s, and he talked me through the changes on the course and their plans, so that gave me a good insight.”

G ETHIS S BALL E V CHANGES E R Y TEVERYTHING HING

Cooden Beach house

is every golf-lovers dream Golfers dreaming of living just a pitching wedge away from the first tee of a classic links course could turn that into a reality if they buy ‘Fairway’, a fabulous four-bedroom architectdesigned house that overlooks the 18th fairway at Cooden Beach Golf Club in East Sussex.

Boasting a modernist design, with state-of-the-art interiors and 21st century technology, the jaw-dropping property offers views of the golf course from every angle and is flooded with natural light.

The high-spec house, which was highly commended in the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2019, is spacious and wellbalanced, with considerable interior design on display with an open plan living area, spectacular bespoke kitchen and dining area. On the first floor there is an impressive master suite, which comprises

a large double bedroom with far reaching views across the golf course; an en suite bathroom, which has been luxuriously appointed with high quality fitments and a dressing room. There are three further double bedrooms and two bathrooms which have been finished to an equally high standard.

Other luxury touches including a 4K 120-inch cinema room with a Bowers & Wilkins sounds system; 14-zone underfloor heating with geo location; an underfloor heated garage; air conditioning to the master bedroom and two of the other bedrooms, and a swimming pool with an air-sourced heat pump. There is a custom-integrated sound system in the living area, electric rain sensing skylights, and an array of integrated appliances in the Watson & Gabb designed kitchen, including

an ice machine, tower glass-fronted wine fridge, downdraft extractor hob, Quooker hot tap and a video intercom for the electric front gates.

The house, whose exterior integrates quartzite rock from Northern Ireland, black cladding and white render, is set back from the road behind a stone wall, ensuring complete privacy and seclusion. There is a gravel driveway with electric car charging DOC, parking for multiple cars and a large garage.

The gardens have been beautifully landscaped and wrap around the house, being mainly laid to artificial lawn with black limestone sun terraces, a contemporary gas mains fire pit and Teak seating area. A ridged electric roller cover slides back to reveal a pool and water feature. A south-west facing first floor balcony looks up and across the 18th green from which you can soak of the last rays of the day, with Beachy Head as a backdrop. fThe property is on the market for £1,625,000 through Knight Frank. For details, visit www.knightfrank.co.uk.

■ 'FAIRWAY' DIRECTLY OVERLOOKS COODEN BEACH GOLF CLUB

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

Tee times in high demand as UK ‘golf boom’ continues The UK’s pandemic-inspired golf boom has continued over the summer, with the number of rounds played in July up by more than 40% on average compared to the same month last year, while August’s figures were up by 60%.

While a little shy of the increases seen in previous months – June was up by 70% – the latest figures show there is still strong demand for tee times despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

For many people, golf has been a key social outlet, as well as a way of preserving mental and physical health through the crisis. Widespread working

from home has also meant that many commuters now have an extended morning or evening without the pressures of a long journey to and from work, making early morning or twilight nine or 18 holes more achievable than ever before. July and August’s positive numbers were also helped by fewer people travelling abroad on holiday.

With golf breaks to traditional European destinations largely off the cards, iconic UK golf resorts such as The Belfry and Celtic Manor have been packed out with stay-and-play bookings that have been switched from European holidays, while short breaks to the likes of St Mellion, Hanbury Manor, Slayley Hall and Forest of Arden have also seen significant increase in guests over the last three months.

The latest SMS data is based on a sample of nearly 250 golf clubs spread throughout the UK. Richard Payne, who spearheads SMS’ Golf Research department, said: “It’s immensely pleasing

to see that the rounds played recovery going from strength to strength. We know how hard golf courses across the UK have worked to make themselves Covid-secure and welcoming to members and visitors alike, so they more than deserve to reap the rewards of that now.

“There’s been a lot of talk about the ‘new normal’, both good and bad, but we believe that busy thriving golf courses can become a part of that new normal, and the challenge for the industry is to keep up the good work and convert new players to the

©2020 Callaway Golf Company. Callaway, the Chevron Device, Chrome Soft, Chrome Soft X are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Callaway Golf Company.

Davies tees up 40th anniversary celebrations at Women’s Open Dame Laura Davies marked another milestone in her incredible career when striking the opening tee shot at last month’s AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon to mark her historic 40th appearance in the championship.

Ahead of starting proceedings, Davies was presented with an official painting of the famous ‘Postage Stamp’ 8th hole at Troon by R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers to celebrate the occasion and her longevity in the game.

Davies began her run in the event as a 16-year-old amateur in 1980 at Wentworth, quickly going on to win the Women’s Open in 1986 at Royal Birkdale in only her second year on tour.

The 56-year-old from Surrey, who teed off in the company of 22-year-old Northern Ireland amateur Olivia Mehaffey and Canada’s Alena Sharp, said: “It’s a great honour. Martin

mentioned that Monty had done it at The Open and I didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes’. I’m just delighted to have enjoyed longevity in my career.”

Slumbers added, “I think it’s a great honour for Laura, she is the finest female golfer of her generation. Forty times playing in this event is a tremendous achievement and I wouldn’t put it past her to be hanging around there on Sunday. We’ve done this at The Open for the last few years, started it here with Colin. I think the first tee shot of the championship is something to really celebrate and I couldn’t think of a better person to hit that tee shot.”

Sadly, Dame Laura wasn’t able to conjure up the magic that saw her capture 87 professional wins in her 35-year professional career during the tournament, firing rounds of 80 and 74 in difficult conditions to miss the cut by three shots.

■ DAME LAURA RECIEVED A PAINTING OF THE POSTAGE STAMP IN HONOUR OF HER 40TH WOMEN'S OPEN APPEARANCE

game to make that a reality.”

Out of a survey of 1,500 golfers across the UK, 76% rated the safety of playing golf within social distancing guidelines as either nine or 10 out of 10. In contrast, only 4% said they would feel just as safe playing team sports and only 3% said the same about going to the gym. Another encouraging finding for the future of the game is that 45% of core golfers have tried to encourage more of their family and friends to play golf since courses were allowed to re-open.

NEWS | AUTUMN 2020

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Willett conquers ‘parks and peaks’ to raise funds for Golf Foundation PGA Professional Luke Willett has two completed extreme golfing challenges over the last two months to help raise funds for the Golf Foundation.

In early August, Willett, who is attached to Hampstead Golf Club in London, and has adopted the nickname ‘The Iron Golfer’, raced around a trio of Surrey courses – Worplesdon, West Hill and Woking – in just 2 hours 47 minutes in 35-degree temperatures as part of his latest fundraising effort for the Golf Foundation. He shot rounds of 75, 81 and 77 around the three tracks respectively, and his overall time included running between each course.

Starting out just before sunrise, Willett had completed his challenge shortly after 8am, just as golfers at Woking were setting out for their first hole of the day. Speaking after completing the challenge, Willett, said: “Creating a little piece of history is a lot of fun. Playing 54 holes on foot, carrying my clubs, and running the roads between

■ LUKE WILLETT TEES OFF IN THE RAIN AT WINDERMERE GOLF CLUB DURING HIS THREE PEAKS GOLFING CHALLENGE IN CUMBRIA

the courses, sounded like a challenge that suited me down to the ground. Wow, two hours and 47 minutes is fast. That has got to be a record!”

Three weeks later, he went to even more extremes when climbing the three highest peaks in Cumbria – Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw – and playing 54 holes on three Lakeland courses, all in just 23 hours and 34 minutes.

He kicked off the challenge by taking three hours to climb and descend Scafell Pike – with a golf bag on his back – and then play 18 holes at Windermere Golf Club in 42 minutes with a score of 75. He then took two hours to tackle Helvellyn, after which he went around Keswick Golf Club’s 18-hole course in 55 minutes, shooting 80.

Finally, he climbed up and down the 931-metre Skiddaw in three-and-a-half hours, then took 49 minutes to shoot 76 at Cockermouth Golf Club. The overall journey, which was carried out in driving rain and high winds, covered 47km and involved climbing over 2,900 metres.

Last year, Luke cycled 830 miles around the UK to play all 14 courses on The Open rota, carrying his four clubs on his bike in all weathers, in just 10 days.

To donate to Luke’s fundraising efforts, visit https://bit.ly/2lFLQbS

Branston unveils £1M renovation Branston Golf & Country Club in East Staffordshire has unveiled a £1 million renovation of its facilities that has been carried out over the last five months.

Originally planned to take place over a five-year period, the renovations at the Burton-on-Trent venue have been fast-tracked during the Covid-19 lockdown. The overhaul of the club comes following a management buy-out in December, with owners Steve Sharp, Francesca Sharp, Ben Laing, Abby Litting and Marcus Litting committing to long-term investment and development of the club’s facilities.

Managing Director Ben Laing, said: “When we were told to close our doors in March, we made the decision to make use of a time that we knew the club would be empty. We wanted to create a place that our members could really look forward to returning to.”

Among the renovations included an update to the reception area, where a dated, wooden and dim reception area has been modernised with pale grey walls, white marble reception desk, contemporary lighting and stylish sofas.

The Clubhouse Bar & Restaurant, which overlooks the 18th hole, was given a complete overhaul, including a new conservatory area and booths for private dining, while the new St Andrew’s Sports Bar and Terrace Room Restaurant will soon be open for booking by non-members, something the club has never done. A new sauna and steam room has been added to Branston’s poolside offering, although members will have to wait government guidelines change before they can experience them. There have been measures put in place around the gym and spinning room to adhere to social distancing and sanitation stations at every other piece of equipment.

The driving range has been fitted out with Toptracer, a shot-tracking technology that provides instant shot replays and statistical feedback on interactive game screens in the bay.

Tom Storrar, Branston’s Golf Manager, said: “The feedback from members since their return to the club has been overwhelmingly positive. The improvements were a huge surprise to some and they’re proud to be members of a club that is so dedicated to investing in its future.”

■ BRANSTON'S NEW OWNERS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE LOCKDOWN CLOSURE TO RENOVATE THE OFFCOURSE FACILITIES

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

n As a golfer who plays a very small number of competitions, I suspect I will not have 20 scores recorded over the last two years. Can I still have a Handicap Index?

Those players who do not have the full 20 scores at transition will have a Handicap Index allocated by the same process as an initial Handicap Index. Moving forward, you will be able to submit both social and competitive scores to build up a fully developed handicap record. Players are encouraged to return sufficient scores during 2020, either in competitions or by supplementary scores, to reach the required 20 scores. n For how long are my last 20 scores valid?

Scores will not expire. Your Handicap Index will only be valid if you are a member of an affiliated golf club.

ARE YOU RE ADY FOR THE WHS? On November 2, your CONGU handicap will be consolidated into a single portable index under the new World Handicap System. Here's all you need to know to help you make sense of everything from playing and course handicaps to slope ratings and handicap allowances... n Why is the World Handicap System being introduced? There is one standard set of rules in golf, so it makes sense to unify the six different handicapping systems currently in operation. In Great Britain & Ireland, the current handicapping system, which is maintained by CONGU, will be replaced by one single, global system. It is designed so golfers will be able to obtain and maintain a handicap index and use this to compete on a fair and equal basis across any format, on any course around the world. n When will handicaps switch over to WHS? The WHS launch date is Monday, 2nd November 2020 n Do I have to be a member of a club to have WHS handicap? Yes – a recognised Handicap Index is a benefit of being an affiliated member. n How will my new handicap be calculated?

Start with your Handicap Index. This will form the basis for your course and playing handicap. Every score in a player’s handicap record will be converted to a score differential.

This is calculated by multiplying the difference between your gross score and the course rating by 113 and dividing by the slope rating of the tees that were played. That figure then goes forward into a pool of the player’s 20 most recent scores. The best eight are then selected and a simple average is taken to calculate every golfer’s Handicap Index. n

What is a Slope Rating?

The Slope Rating indicates the difficulty of a course for a ‘Bogey Golfer’ relative to a scratch golfer. The Course Rating indicates the number of strokes a scratch golfer is expected to take from a set of tees under normal conditions.

The course is also rated for a ‘Bogey Golfer’ and it is the relationship between the two ratings which indicates the slope rating.

n

What is the range of the Slope Rating values? Slope Rating values range from 55 through to 155

n

What’s the difference between ‘course handicap’ and ‘playing handicap’? Slope rating and course rating are used to determine your course handicap, which represents the number of strokes a player receives from any given set of tees prior to the terms of the competition. If a handicap allowance is applied, the adjusted course handicap is defined as a playing handicap, which represents the number of strokes a player gives or receives for the competition.

n How will my Course Handicap be calculated?

Clubs will either provide you with a ‘handicap calculation conversion table’ or you will be directed to your golf union’s website, where all slope ratings will be listed and a calculator is provided. You will also be able to do it manually by multiplying your handicap index by the course’s slope rating, divided by the “neutral” slope of 113. n How is a golf course’s slope rating calculated?

All courses are rated under the USGA Course Rating System.

There are five main factors that are considered for each hole. These are: Roll, Elevation, Wind, Forced lay-up and Dog-leg. There are 10 further factors considered, including: Topography; Fairway; Green target; Recoverability and rough; Bunkers; Crossing obstacle; Lateral obstacle; Trees; Green surface; Psychological. Each ‘obstacle’ is given a numerical value from 0 to 10 (0 being non-existent, 10 being extreme).

The process is repeated on every hole and for every tee.

Through this data, a scratch and bogey rating is achieved. n How do I obtain a Handicap Index?

Scorecards totalling 54 holes (3 x 18 holes, 6 x 9 holes or a combination of both) need to be returned before an initial Handicap Index can be awarded. A player’s Handicap Index is calculated to one decimal place. When the Course Handicap is calculated it will be rounded to the nearest integer. n Can I use my Handicap Index abroad?

Yes – you will be able to convert your handicap index to a course handicap for the tees you play from overseas. If preregistered, these scores can be returned to your home club for handicap purposes. n What is the maximum Course Handicap if the maximum Handicap Index is 54?

The Course Handicap will likely exceed 54 if playing a course with a slope rating of 114 or higher. There is no maximum Course Handicap. n If I think my Handicap Index is wrong what should I do? First of all, speak with your club, as they have the option to complete a handicap review if an index is not representative of playing ability. n Do I enter competitions using my Handicap Index or my Course Handicap? Competition entry should be based on your Handicap Index. This will be clarified in the terms of competition.

n How will WHS prevent handicap manipulation?

Event organisers still have responsibilities to manage and administer events which are fair to all competitors.

Under WHS, if a player fails to submit a score the handicap committee will investigate and take appropriate action.

The committee has the option to apply penalty scores, reset a Handicap Index, consider disciplinary procedures, or withdraw a Handicap Index for an agreed period.

What will happen to my handicap if I have a good round?

The score will very probably become part of the ‘best eight calculation and you will likely see a reduction in your Handicap Index. An additional ‘exceptional score’ reduction maybe applied depending on how good your score was compared to your current Handicap Index.

n I’m struggling to play to my current handicap from white tees. Will the new system make things even more difficult for me?

Not at all. With an averaging system, your Handicap Index will be responsive to your current ability. You should also be encouraged to play from a shorter tee set, as the system will calculate a Course Handicap from your Handicap Index for that set of tees. n What formats are acceptable for Handicap purposes?

Competition or social scores from Medal, Stableford, Par/ Bogey and Max Score – as a single golfer. Team and pairs formats are currently not acceptable. If other formats are played outside GB&I and are acceptable in the jurisdiction in which they were played, then they will also be acceptable for your handicap record. You will be able to return scores from any tee that has a course and slope rating for your gender. n What do I need to do when I arrive to play golf?

Register or sign in as normal. Utilise the resources available to determine your Course Handicap for the set of tees being used. Check the Handicap allowance according to the terms of competition or format of play (i.e. full handicap, percentage of handicap) and calculate your Playing Handicap for that event. Once play is complete, return your score for processing in the system. n

Will buffer zones still exist?

No. Buffer zones are not part of the World Handicap System.

n Will there still be a competition standard scratch score? No, but a playing conditions calculation (PCC) will adjust score differentials when abnormal course conditions cause scores to be unusually high or low. This will be based on how players have performed compared to their expected performance on that golf course. n Can players still N/R and gain a 0 .1 increase?

There are no 0.1 increases under WHS. A hole that is started but not completed will be recorded as a net double bogey.

Any holes not played will be allocated as a net par. The adjusted score is added to the player’s record. n When playing other courses can I submit a score card to my home club?

Yes – you can record all pre-registered scores that follow the rules of golf and are authorised formats of play. n Will all golf courses in Great Britain & Ireland have their slope and course ratings completed in time?

England Golf expects to have rated 80% of courses by November 2020. The remaining courses will be assigned a provisional rating in the short term and rated in 2021 To find out more, visit www.englandgolf.org/whs

NEWS | AUTUMN 2020 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

[13]

Better Together

Registered charity Get Golfing is set to transform the golfing experience for members and visitors alike at its collection of eight popular clubs in the South of England. Get Golfing’s core values are: top quality course presentation; fun; inclusion and providing a positive experience for all golfers.

P

ost lockdown has seen Charity Get Golfing CIO complete the takeover of a further six golf sites, taking its portfolio of courses to

eight.

Joining Redlibbets in Kent and Warley Park in Essex are three clubs based in Surrey — Hampton Court Palace (Kingston on Thames), Oak Park (Farnham) and Pyrford (Wisley) — along with Hampshire’s Sherfield Oaks (Basingstoke), Hertfordshire’s Mill Green (Hatfield) and The Bristol Golf Club in Gloucestershire.

Set up two years ago by former England amateur Ed Richardson, Get Golfing is a charity that aims to encourage greater participation in golf and deliver a positive impact on the physical and mental health of those who play. It also brings much-needed operational discipline to previously struggling clubs to reverse the worrying trend of course closures.

Richardson says, “I have personally benefited so much from golf. I have travelled the world working within the industry and playing the game. I have met some amazing people and had so many amazing experiences.

“The expression ‘life begins at 40’ didn’t apply to me as I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Myelofibrosis shortly after turning 40 and it took me a long time to recover after lots of chemo and a double bone marrow transplant. During my illness, I thought about my travels and the people I met and began to realise how much I owed to the game. I truly believe that my successful recovery was down to all the rounds of golf I had played and the health benefits that come from it.”

Richardson is a seasoned operator in the golf industry. He has worked for both the PGA and European Tour, as well as for FIFA in the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Over his career, he has worked for Club Corp., the largest operator of private members’ clubs in the world, Valderrama Golf Club, as well as Nicklaus and Ballesteros Design. He

■ GET GOLFING’S TOP PRIORITY IS TO ENSURE QUALITY COURSE CONDITIONS AT ALL OF ITS EIGHT VENUES

played a significant role in the 1997 Ryder Cup bid and delivery for Valderrama.

When he turned 50 he decided to give something back to the game and those who play it: “It’s a game that has so much to offer anyone of any standard. The health benefits are obvious but the opportunity to meet new people from different walks of life and the friendships that come from the game are immense. The idea was that members and visitors could enjoy excellent facilities and be served by staff with a proactive, can-do attitude.

I wanted our club’s to be all about great COURSE PRESENTATION, INCLUSION when it comes to the membership, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for both staff and members and GIVING BACK to the local community. The vision is to encourage friendship

THE IDEA WAS THAT MEMBERS AND VISITORS COULD ENJOY EXCELLENT FACILITIES AND BE SERVED

BY STAFF WITH A PROACTIVE, CAN-DO ATTITUDE. THE VISION WAS TO ENCOURAGE FRIENDSHIP AND POSITIVE EXPERIENCES AND AVOID STIFLING PEOPLE WITH ARCANE RULES. and positive experiences and avoid stifling people with arcane rules.”

His aim is to create a corporate structure that benefits the staff while developing a rigorously customer-focused culture that is all about finding ways to say yes, rather than hiding behind artificially created barriers.

He says, “We really concentrate on developing an environment that enables our staff to develop a clear career path. We spend a lot of time training and educating our staff to deliver a genuine personal customer service and give them the skills that will stand them in good stead in any work

environment.”

Richardson, who has a degree in Turfgrass Management from the US, is also fanatical about course conditioning: “Get Golfing’s number one objective is to ensure that golfers play a course in the best shape possible. Our philosophy is to make sure we invest properly in the staff and machinery, so that they have the tools to deliver. The course always comes first!”

SOCIETIES In addition to serving members and visitors, Get Golfing is passionate about supporting friendly competitive golf.

All of its sites are specialists when it comes to organising golf days, whether a regular society, a corporate day or a fund-raising charity event. Each club provides a dedicated host to make sure the organiser is fully supported all the way through the event. This includes organising welcome goody bags to all visitors and support for larger groups with prizes.

And, as a way of saying thank you, each Get Golfing site invites its golf day organisers (and a friend) to play in its Society Masters Day. “This is really a society organisers day on steroids. All the golf and food is provided by Get Golfing, along with an amazing goody bag for each competitor and brilliant prizes that includes the winning team going on an all-expenses paid trip to Le Touquet in northern France next year to play against all the other Get Golfing society organiser winners.

For more information, go to www.thesocietymasters.co.uk

FEATURE | AUTUMN 2020

C O U R S E

P R O F I L E S

Thames, Surrey, KT1 4AD

REDLIBBETS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB www.redlibbets.com; General Manager Mike Rees (mike@ redlibbets.com); Tel: Club - 01474 879190; Address: Redlibbets Golf and Country Club, Manor Lane, Ash, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 7HT

The delightful Hampton Court Palace Golf Club is a must play. Set in the world-famous grounds of Hampton Court Palace, this 200-acre site offers all year golf with excellent drainage within the settings of a gradually undulating deer park. In addition, it has one of the largest grass teeing area ranges inside the M25 and two large putting greens. The clubhouse was built in 2004 and has all the services including an extensive patio area offering views across the park. This is a hidden gem. Introductory offer: use GETGOLFING10 to get 10% off your online green fee at Hampton Court Palace during October.

Get Golfing’s story began with its takeover in 2018 of Redlibbets Golf & Country Club, near Brands Hatch in Kent. Since taking over the course has been completely renovated and now has an excellent reputation (TripAdvisor 4.5/5). It is an 18-hole, par-72 course where risk and reward plays a significant role in how you score. The large clubhouse features a spacious balcony overlooking the course and is loved as a suntrap. As good as Redlibbets now is, the welcoming, helpful nature of the staff culture is what always draws the most positive comments. Introductory offer: use GETGOLFING10 to get 10% off your online green fee at Redlibbets during October.

MILL GREEN GOLF CLUB www.millgreengolf.co.uk; General Manager Phil Stokes (phil@ millgreengolf.co.uk); Tel: 01707 276 900; Address: Mill Green Golf Club, Gypsy Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4TY Mill Green Golf Club has an 18-hole course that has a reputation for being amongst the best greens in the county and an excellent 9-hole par-3 course. It’s an excellent layout with a mix of woodland, parkland and lakes. Introductory offer: use GETGOLFING10 to get 10% off your online green fee at Mill Green during October.

OAK PARK GOLF CLUB www.oakparkgolf.co.uk; Golf Director Bradley Potts (bradley@ oakparkgolf.co.uk); Tel: 01252 850850; Address: Oak Park Golf Club, Heath Lane, Crondall, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 5PB

THE BRISTOL GOLF CLUB www.bristolgolfclub.co.uk; Golf Director / General Manager Matthew Basey (Matthew@bristolgolfclub.co.uk); Tel: 01454 620 000; Address: The Bristol Golf Club, St Swithins Park, Blackhorse Hill, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS10 7TP

With 27- holes on offer, Oak Park Golf Club lies just outside Farnham, set within quiet, beautiful woodlands, but less than 20 minutes from the A3 and M3. There is also a busy range and large putting green and short game area that has a signature fountain! This is a really popular club and is known for its relaxed atmosphere. Introductory offer: use GETGOLFING10 to get 10% off your online green fee at Oak Park during October.

The Bristol Club sits just off junction 17 of the M5 on the outskirts of the city with wonderful views across to the Severn Estuary and Bridge. The club boasts an 18-hole championship course, a well-equipped, floodlit range and a 9-hole par-3 course, and a Grade II-listed clubhouse that has a reputation for its excellent food. Introductory offer: use GETGOLFING10 to get 10% off your online green fee at The Bristol during October.

PYRFORD GOLF CLUB www.pyrfordgolf.co.uk; Golf Director Dan Lucking (Dan@ pyrfordgolf.co.uk); Tel: 01483 723 555 (Lines open 9 to 5 Monday to Sunday); Address: Pyrford Golf Club, Warren Lane, Pyrford, Woking, Surrey, GU22 8XR

HAMPTON COURT PALACE GOLF CLUB www.hamptoncourtgolf.co.uk; Golf Manager Andy Brett (Andy@hamptoncourtgolf.co.uk); Tel: 0208 977 2423; Address: Hampton Court Palace Golf Club, Home Park, Kingston Upon

This is another must play — a classic Florida course in Surrey!!! Near Woking and only a few miles from the A3/M25. This beautiful 18-hole course has 23 acres of lakes and is recognised as a unique golf experience in the area. Naturally free draining, it offers a great test of golf and has a delightful clubhouse with a large patio area. Introductory offer: use GETGOLFING10 to get 10% off your online green fee at Pyrford during October.

WARLEY PARK GOLF CLUB www.warleypark.co.uk; Golf Manager Paul Fileman (Paul@ warleypark.co.uk); Tel: Club: 01277 224891/Pro Shop: 01277 200441; Address: Warley Park Golf Club, Magpie Lane, Little Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3DX Over in Essex, Get Golfing runs the golf side of Warley Park Golf Club, which offers 27 holes cutting through numerous lakes and mature trees on a naturally free-draining site less than 10 minutes from the Dartford river crossing.

Introductory offer: use GETGOLFING10 to get 10% off your online green fee at Warley Park during October.

SHERFIELD OAKS GOLF CLUB www.sherfieldoaksgolf.co.uk; General Manager Luke Welham (luke@sherfieldoaksgolf.co.uk); Tel: 01256 884 100; Address: Sherfield Oaks Golf Club, Wildmoor Lane, Sherfield on Loddon, Hook, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG27 0HB Finally, Sherfield Oaks Golf Club, near Basingstoke in Hampshire, offers 36 holes of fine quality golf. Regularly used by Hampshire Golf for championships and training, it has a deserved good reputation for excellent practice facilities with a full-size range with a huge grass teeing area. Introductory offer: use GETGOLFING10 to get 10% off your online green fee at Sherfield Oaks during October.

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[16] AUTUMN 2020 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

DRIVEN TO

SUCCEED

Viktor Hovland is hoping to put himself –­ and his native Norway – on the world’s golfing map with his mixture of stunning stroke play, cool temperament and a willingness to go the extra mile….

W

hile Norway hasn’t enjoyed much luck in the Eurovision Song Contest down the years – with most people thinking the country is called ‘Norvege Nul Points’ – mainland Scandinavia’s least populated nation has higher hopes of getting a player on the European Ryder Cup team in the shape of 23-year-old Viktor Hovland.

Born and raised in Oslo, Hovland is currently hovering around the top 30 in the world rankings and looks almost certain to make his debut in the biannual matches when, pandemic aside, it hopefully returns next September. If it comes off, it will not only be a proud moment for Norway and himself, but also Hovland’s father, Harald, who got first got his fouryear-old son interested in golf when he returned from a business trip to America with a set of junior clubs.

Without too many local golfing heroes to follow, the young Hovland’s inspiration was YouTube, where his passion for the game was driven by watching endless clips of Tiger Woods, including his infamous chip-in at the par-three 16th at Augusta in 2005 en route to winning his fourth green jacket.

A talented golfer from an early age – he won the 2014 Norwegian Amateur aged 17 – Hovland and his family knew that if he was to pursue a career in professional golf he would have to study in America, away from the freezing winter temperatures of Oslo.

Thus in 2017, aged 18, he moved out to the US to study and play golf at Oklahoma State University.

He soon found his feet on the college circuit, where he was a three-time All-American, but he really leapt into the national and international spotlight in 2018, when he won the US Amateur at Pebble Beach - the first Norwegian to do so. That victory earned him coveted spots at the Masters, US Open and the Open

■ VIKTOR HOVLAND WON HIS FIRST TOUR TITLE AT THE PUERTO RICO OPEN IN FEBRUARY

VIKTOR’S GEAR DRIVER: PING G410 LST (9°) FAIRWAY: TAYLORMADE M5 (15°) UTILITY: CALLAWAY X FORGED UT (21°) IRONS: PING I210 (4-PW) WEDGES: PING GLIDE 3.0 (50°, 55°, 60°) PUTTER: PING PLD PROTOTYPE ‘HOVI’ BALL: TITLEIST PRO V1

Championship in 2019. After winning the low amateur prize at the Masters, where he finished tied 32nd, Hovland finished tied 12th at the US Open, where his four-under-par total of 280 broke Jack Nicklaus’ US Open scoring total record of 282 for an amateur that he set in 1960.

Buoyed by those stunning results, Hovland turned professional at the end of last summer – giving up his chance to play as an amateur in the US PGA – and after a run of excellent results in his early forays on tour – including for top-20s in his first five starts – he wasted no time in losing his rookie status when winning the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open in February of this year.

His new status as a winner on tour soon had him teeing it up in the top groups, including rounds with major champions Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed.

“Growing up in Norway, I would wake up early in the morning and watch the European Tour, even the Asian Tour and then at night I would watch the PGA Tour,” says Hovland. “I was watching so much golf and watching all these names and then suddenly I’m hitting balls right next to them on the range and then playing alongside them. So that was pretty crazy.”

Hopeful of continuing his form into the new season, Hovland, like every other professional golfer, had to endure the three-month pandemic lockdown in mid-March and had to bide his time while waiting for conditions to enable the restart in early June.

In a bid to avoid catching the virus, Hovland, who lives in Oklahoma, not far from where he went to college, took the unusual step of driving between events in the early run of tournaments, clocking up over 4,000 miles in his car criss-crossing the states.

After driving three hours to the first tournament back at the Charles Schwab Challenge in nearby Texas, where he finished 23rd, he then embarked on a 16-hour drive to Hilton Head in South Carolina to play in the RBC Heritage (tied 21st). He then stayed at the home of his caddie, Shay Knight, in Charleston, before the two of them drove 13 hours to get to Connecticut for the Travelers Championship (tied 11th). It took another 12 hours to get to Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage (tied 12th), and then a three-hour trip to Ohio for the Memorial Tournament (48th). After staying there for two weeks, it took the well-travelled Norwegian another 13 hours to drive all the way back

to his home in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Asked why he put himself through it, and how he passed the time on those long journeys, he replies: “You get so used to just packing the bags, going to the airport, going to the next stop and then just playing golf. So I kind of enjoyed those moments in the car when you’re in the middle of Mississippi, Louisiana or Pennsylvania, and you’re just kind of going: ‘What on earth am I doing right now?’ It just made it a little bit more memorable; getting some life experiences and mixing it up a little bit.

How did he pass the time on those endless roads?

“I listened to a lot of music and loads of podcasts,” he adds. “When I was driving through the night, I got pretty tired, but I just kept my playlist going and suddenly three hours flew by.”

Although the road trip was a way of making the journeys a little bit more memorable, he's since been letting the plane take some of the strain in the latter half of the season. He flew to San Francisco to take part in the PGA Championship for the first time, where a final round 66 took him up into a share of 33rd. Since then, he has played in all three FedEx Cup play-off events, finishing 18th at the Northern Trust, 40th at the BMW Championship and 20th at the seasonending Tour Championship, and a hugely impressive tied 13th in the US Open at Winged Foot, where five dropped shots in the final three holes on Sunday cost him a chance of top-threee finish. He ended his first season on the PGA Tour 41st on the money list with $1.98m in win and place prize money. Not a bad 11 month’s work, when you factor in the layoff.

“I believe that with where my game is right now, I have a chance to win anywhere,” says Hovland, with the kind of confidence that only comes from youth mixed with innate self-belief, and a large helping of talent. Asked about his goals for 2021 and beyond, he says: “There’s a lot of things I would like to do – win on the more Tour events, win a major, play in the Ryder Cup, stuff like that, but I take a lot more pleasure in just seeing my game improve – the rest of it will take care of itself.”

With such a down-to-earth attitude, and a willingness to put in the hard yards on and off the road – Hovland’s early career success suggests he could be having a lot more fun on his particular sporting journey.

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

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FEATURE | AUTUMN 2020 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

[19]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

With four PGA Tour wins to his awkward-topronounce name, two FedEx Cup runner’s up finishes, and an enviable record in the Majors, 26-year-old Xander Schauffele is one of the most consistently high-performing players in the game and looks destined for further honours

MR CONSISTENT J

ust four short years ago, Xander Schauffele was fighting for his professional life on the lower rungs of the Web.com Tour, having missed missing nine of his first 12 cuts in the second tier of America’s pro circuit. Ranked 1,743rd in the world, the former San Diego University student could only watch on with a mixture of envy and frustration as his peers, including Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, stormed golf’s upper ranks and became the poster boys for the new generation of American talent on tour.

“I’ve had doubts at every stage of my career,” says Schauffele, who, following the conclusion of the 2020 PGA Tour season, is currently ranked the seventh best golfer in the world and has banked almost $4m in prize money over the last 12 months. “Coming out of college, you never really know how good you are, you’ve never played for money, you’ve put all your eggs in one basket and your whole life revolves around it.

For a while, I didn’t think I was going to be good enough.”

Golf can be a humbling sport and Schauffele has often had to come within touching distance of failure to rise above it. When he qualified for the 2017 US Open, just 72 hours before the event was due to begin, he was on the verge of losing his PGA Tour card. And yet, in his first round at a major championship, he shot a flawless six-under-par 66 and went on to finish fifth. Later that year he won his maiden event at the Greenbrier Classic, and just three weeks later followed it up by becoming the first rookie in PGA Tour history to win the Tour Championship, scooping over $12 million in the process.

He ended the year as world no.32, and the golfing world knew his name – and some even learned how to pronounce it.

Since then, Schauffele has won another two more PGA Tour titles, finished in the top-10 in eight of the 19 majors he has competed in to date and peaked at sixth in the world, one up from his current position following another impressive season which, although yielding no wins, saw him finish second in the FedEx Cup for the second year running and miss a top-25 spot on just one occasion in the last 20 events.

He ended the PGA Tour’s 2019-2020 wrap-around season last month with second place at the Tour Championship, after shooting four rounds in the 60s, and then just last month finished fifth at the US Open at Winged Foot – which was his fourth consecutive top-10 at the tournament.

However, the way the self-effacing Schauffele chooses to manage his newfound status as 'a contender' is to almost ignore it, even going as far as to tap into those old feelings that he's not quite good enough. “I feel a little anxious before

■ DRIVEN MAN: SCHAUFFELE HAS BEEN THE MOST CONSISTENT PERFORMER IN THE MAJORS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS

I TRY TO PLAY THE COOL CARD AND HAVE ZERO EXPECTATIONS. THAT WAY, IT'S NOT HARD TO STAY PATIENT most tournaments,” he says. “I feel anxious because I want to do well. It’s the same every time I care about something. Once the tournament starts, though, the nerves tend to go away.”

He adds: “I expect a lot from myself but, over time, I’ve learned to tame that. I try to play the cool card and have zero expectations. That way, it’s not hard to stay patient. It’s great to have come close to winning a major, I’ve contended in the final round and I think I’m more than capable of winning more than one major, but golf is a weird game and you quickly learn it’s not good to expect anything.”

Raised in a quiet suburb of San Diego in southern California, Schauffele credits his ‘competitive nature’ to his father, Stefan. A former German Olympic hopeful in the decathlon, Stefan’s dream was shattered by a head-on collision with a drunk driver that left him blind in his left eye. A dead ringer for Miguel Angel Jimenez, Stefan had the tendency to bark

WHAT’S IN XANDER’S BAG? DRIVER: CALLAWAY MAVRIK SUB ZERO TRIPLE DIAMOND (9) FAIRWAY WOODS: CALLAWAY ROGUE SUB ZERO (15, 18) IRONS: CALLAWAY APEX PRO ’19 (4-PW) WEDGES: CALLAWAY JAWS MD5 (52), TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM6 (56), SM8 (60) PUTTER: ODYSSEY STROKE LAB SEVEN (WHITE HOT INSERT) BALL: CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT X

thickly-accented orders from the kitchen table – and now from behind the ropes on the fairways – as he transferred his athlete’s competitive mentality into his children.

The message didn't fall on deaf ears. Carrying his dad’s European love of football, Schauffele quickly discovered how much he hated losing and searched for a new sport where he could channel his energies on his own time. Schauffele Snr had become interested with golf after stumbling on a simulator in Tokyo and became a scratch player in little over a year after joining the San Diego Golf Academy. He began to pass on his passion for golf to Xander, likening the swing process to a javelin throw, and had him thrashing 300-yard drives before he turned 13.

When Schauffele played in junior tournaments, his father wouldn’t pander him like some of the other parents. Instead, he wouldn’t accompany Xander any further than the car park.

“My dad was always very hard on me when it came to sports,” Schauffele says. “He always used golf to teach me life lessons. That could be tricky at first, but now I’m a little bit older, I’m nothing but grateful. He’s been a massive influence on me.”

It’s too early in Schauffele's career to weigh him down with the tag of being 'the best player not to have won a major', but he’s getting pretty close to it given the consistency he has shown in the big events. And, as each Major hoves into view, Schauffele knows the pressure is building to get his head in front and keep it there.

At last year’s Masters, he held the lead for all of two minutes on Sunday before Woods stream-rollered into town and took the title from under his nose. With this year’s delayed Masters just five weeks away, how does he feel he’ll cope with an Augusta devoid of fans and atmosphere?

“Last year was amazing. The noise around the course as Tiger moved into contention was incredible, and it was an extraordinary event to be a part of. I did have my 30 seconds in the sun with the lead, and it was a really cool feeling, but it proves to that I know I can contend and that I can win at Augusta if things fall into place. You can’t control what others do around you, but I know that I have the game and the temperament to get it done.”

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

”I ’ M

STILL HUNGRY

FOR

SUCCESS”

After turning 40 in July, Justin Rose is committed to getting his game back on track after enduring the longest period without a win over the last decade

INTERVIEW | AUTUMN 2020

[21]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Y

ou went into lockdown on the back of some rather indifferent form. What things were you able to work on during those three months away from tournament golf, and did the break help you to work out what was going wrong?

I worked pretty hard during the tournament shutdown. I felt that I needed to. My golf’s been poor for the last year, to be honest, but I’ve been in a work phase for the last three or four months and you don’t always see the results immediately. But I know they’re coming and feel in a much better place than I did 12 months ago, that’s for sure.

From a golfing point of view, the enforced break came at a good time for me and enabled me to reset. It was obviously less than ideal circumstances, but you’ve got to make the most of it, and that’s what I tried to do. I certainly came back rested.

It was hard to know where my game was at when we returned in June. Initially, I was pleased with the way it all kind of kicked back into gear, especially my short game and my putting, some of the stuff that is hard to practice without pressure, but I’m still some way short of where I need to be in terms of my overall consistency.

It’s not fun to not play great golf. I’ve been tweaking my swing here and there, trying to make a few changes to improve. I had a putt to force a playoff at Colonial. When I’ve played well, I get myself right up there, but it hasn’t been consistent enough.

The better years of my career, around 2017 and 2018, were built on consistency, so I’m looking for that level, but I’m seeing all aspects of my game show up at times. I drive the ball well. I can putt well. My iron play has been much better, I’ve just got to put it all together in one week.

You split from your long-time coach Sean Foley over the summer. Was that as a consequence of the lockdown?

Partly. Because of the lockdown, I had to spend three months working on my game at home on my own. I made a lot of progress and wanted to keep that momentum going when I returned to competition in June. I felt it was a good time to take complete ownership of my swing and game. That idea is something Sean has always wanted for me.

I've been with Swan for 11 yeatrs and I am grateful for the successes I had under his tutelage and the career goals I was able to achieve. The door is open whenever I have questions or want his guidance, as he continues to be one of my closest friends.

How are you finding playing tournament golf under Covid-19 conditions and without crowds?

It’s been strange, but then again, it’s also interesting how quickly it becomes the new normal.

Tournaments almost feel like a series of competitive practice rounds. But we all know what’s on the line, and we all know what we’re playing for. The fields have been very strong, but I definitely miss the fans. They provide a ton of energy and atmosphere that can’t be replicated. But as a professional, I love going up against the best players, and that’s what we’ve been able to do these past few months. It’s great to compete again, but obviously the fans are missed, and it won’t feel normal until they return.

I took a while to get my head around the new guidelines and the new routines around social distancing and testing. I definitely made some mistakes early on, as old habits die hard, but I’m very conscious of what I touch and who touches that next and how that’s dealt with. I’ve been impressed with all the protocols in place and haven’t felt in anyway unsafe, but you never know. It’s not easy, but we’re definitely doing our best to adhere to all the guidelines.

Has turning 40 last month given you any added motivation to get the best out of your game over the next few years?

Definitely. My 30s were obviously amazing, having kids and building the bulk of my career, but although outsiders might think, ‘Well, he got a great life, the major, the gold medal, the Ryder Cup status, all those other garlands, what’s left?’ it’s nothing like

that. I’m actually still very, very hungry.

I get miserable when I’m not playing well, and it’s in everyone’s interest I rebound. It doesn’t matter what you have, golf has been my passion from eight years old, it’s part of me. I can come across as laidback, but I’m driven and get very frustrated.

The way I’m looking at it is there are three majors I haven’t won and I dearly want to. We’ve got the Masters in November, and then we go again, soon after, in 2021. We’ve effectively had seven majors to play in 11 months – that is a career’s worth of opportunity and we are lucky to be playing for it.

Talking of playing opportunities, what did it mean to you to be able to sponsor the Rose Ladies Series of tournaments in England over the summer?

It wasn’t about earning brownie points, but I just felt very aware that I was coming back out on Tour and had this opportunity to resume my career and get going, yet some other professional golfers, especially the ladies, didn’t seem to have that opportunity. The prize money was relatively modest, but as professional golfers I just felt that it’s important to have an outlet, somewhere to play, something to practice for, to sharpen your skills. Professional athletes have to keep their skill

■ JUSTIN ROSE'S MOTHER, ANNIE, PRESENTS GEORGIA HALL WITH A TROPHY AT THE ROSE LADIES SERIES EVENT HELD AT THE SHIRE THIS SUMMER THIS SUMMER

Honma, what clubs have you got in the bag now?

I spent a lot of years at TaylorMade, so I felt like I needed just to get a bit of a baseline on my game, and using the SIM driver, SIM 3-wood, and I've also got a Cobra 5-wood in there, which has been a nice find. It’s amazing out of the rough and obviously I can fade it up and draw it, so that’s a versatile club.

Then I’ve got TaylorMade P730 irons and Vokey wedges, and then my Axis1 putter, which has been a staple for me the last couple of years.

GOLF HAS BEEN MY PASSION SINCE I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD – IT’S PART OF ME. I CAN COME ACROSS AS LAIDBACK, BUT I’M DRIVEN AND GET VERY MISERABLE AND FRUSTRATED WHEN THINGS AREN’T GOING MY WAY

You’ve played alongside Bryson DeChambeau a couple of times since the restart. What do you make of his physical transformation, his US Open win, and how it has changed his game?

Yeah, I saw a massive difference. One, in his physique for sure. I mean, he’s huge. I’m not small, but at 6ft 3in and 190lbs I kind of felt pretty small out on the golf course alongside him. My ball speed off the tee is probably around 170mph, and when I hit it well I carry it 300 yards, and I was 40 yards behind Bryson when I played with him. It’s a pretty significant difference. You can tell the practice swings are very intentional. He’s obviously trained for pure clubhead speed. But the other elements of his game still look in control and that's how he was able to win the US Open.

sets going. That was my thinking really, how do we create something that gives the ladies something to work towards so when the big tournaments came along later in the year, as thankfully they have done, that they were ready to go. I’m delighted that it was so well received by the players, and that other sponsors were able to get involved to help boost the prize funds further.

To have Georgia Hall and Charley Hull decide not to go over to the States and instead compete in the whole series was a huge boost, but was not just about them, because Gemma Dryburgh won back-to-back events and then went out to the LPGA Tour with a ton of confidence and finished in a tie for sixth, her first ever top-10 on that circuit. That’s exactly what we intended – to get their games going. Yet it turned into something even bigger and we couldn’t be prouder.

You’re also a free agent on the equipment front now after coming out of your contract with

■ ROSE SWITCHED UP HIS EQUIPMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IN THE HOPE OF REDISCOVERING HIS OLD FORM

JUSTI N AGE: 40 LIVES: BAHAMAS

It’s obviously very disappointing not to be able to hold the Ryder Cup this year. What were your thoughts on the postponement?

My initial thoughts were that it took a long time to make the call. I think there were definitely rumblings around that it was going to happen, but my initial thoughts are 2021 is going to be a busy year, especially with the Tokyo Olympics added in there.

But more importantly, I think for the Ryder Cup, the fans do make that tournament. I wasn’t against playing without fans just based on the fact that I still think there could have been a lot of intensity between the players, but the Ryder Cup is about the crowd. As a European I think we probably would have accepted no fans, it might have made life a bit easier, but the Ryder Cup just wouldn’t be the Ryder Cup without the fans from both sides.

ROSE

C V

TURNED PRO: 1998 CAREER PRIZE MONEY: $54.4m

TOURNAMENT WINS: 24 (1 Major, 2 WGC, 7 PGA Tour, 8 European Tour, 2 Asian Tour, 2 Sunshine Tour, 1 Japan Tour, 1 PGA Tour of Australasia) BEST MAJOR FINISHES: US Open: 1 (2013); Masters: 2nd (2015, 2017); US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: 3rd (2012); Open Championship: 2nd (2018) MAJOR RECORD: Played: 64; Cuts made: 46; Top 10s: 17 OTHER ACHEIVEMENTS: 2007 European Tour Order of Merit winner, 2016 Olympic gold medal winner, 2018 FedEx Cup winner.

RYDER CUP APPEARANCES: 5 (‘08, ‘12, ‘14, ‘16, ‘18) RYDER CUP POINTS WON: 14

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

STORY BEHIND THE PIC JACK NICKLAUS • 50TH MASTERS, AUGUSTA NATIONAL • APRIL 13, 1986

N

obody gave 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus much a chance when the 1986 Masters came around, and few got excited when he teed off on Sunday with the likes of Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Nick Price, Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman ahead of him.

In his seven starts on the PGA Tour in 1986 he had missed the cut in three of them, withdrew in another, and his best finish was a tie for 39th in Hawaii. He hadn’t won a PGA event in two years and hadn’t won a major in six years. As much as perhaps the greatest golfer in the history of the game can be, Nicklaus was not much more than an afterthought heading into the 50th Masters.

For the first two rounds, that played out true to form. Nicklaus shot a 74 on Thursday and a 71 on Friday. He had made the cut, but was already six shots behind the leaders, headed by Ballesteros.

Saturday morning dawned overcast and humid, but the winds that had bothered many of the players during the first couple of days were gone. Nicklaus, going out well ahead of the leaders, played well, breaking 70 for the first time that week with a three-under 69. He had clawed within four of the lead, which was now held by Norman. However, despite being only four back, he trailed Ballesteros, Langer, Watson and Kite, and with seemingly too many good players in front of him, few gave the five-time Masters champion much hope of overturning the deficit.

Nicklaus played the first eight holes of the final round in even par, which, although not damaging, hardily gave the impression that he was about to set the world alight, let alone Augusta National. But It was on the ninth that the Golden Bear began to make his move.

He made a birdie there, and when he did the same at the 10th and 11th, a murmur went around the galleries that Jack was on the charge. He couldn’t, could he?

Sandy Lyle was Jack’s playing partner for that final round, and Lyle has a hundred stories about that day playing with Nicklaus. One of them happened on 13, when Jack turned to Lyle and said, “Did you hear what Jackie just said to me?” Jackie, Jack’s son, was on the bag that weekend as his caddie. “He says this is too much for his young heart to handle? What about me?

I’m 46!”

A bogey at the short 12th looked to have derailed Nicklaus's chances, but a birdie at the par-five 13th,

followed by an incredible eagle on the par-five 15th, where he holed out from 12 feet, and the dream of bagging a sixth green jacket was well and truly alive.

The par-three 16th had its usual Sunday accessible pin location, and Nicklaus took advantage, sticking his tee shot from 175 yards to just inside four feet and making the birdie putt.

On 17, he was faced with an 18-foot putt for birdie, a putt he simply had to make if he had any chance of claiming the most unlikely of victories. As he was lining up the putt, Nicklaus heard a huge groan from the crowd at the 15th, where Ballesteros had just hit his second shot into the water.

Nicklaus knew exactly what had happened, and buoyed by the Spaniard’s error, he holed the putt, raising his putter to the heavens as he acknowledged the crowd, who were, at that point, going wild.

Needing to par the last for a 65 – and a back nine of 30 – Nicklaus duly obliged, fading a 3-wood off the tee to the centre of the fairway and hitting a 5-iron to the green, to complete 72 holes in nine under par for the clubhouse lead. He then could only sit back and wait patiently as the rest of the field completed their rounds and tried to catch him.

But catch him they couldn’t. Watson shot a 71 and finished on -5. Price shot a 71 and finished on -6.

Ballesteros shot a 70 and finished on -7. Norman shot a 70 and finished tied for second with Kite, who shot a 68. Nicklaus had won his sixth green jacket and his 18th major championship.

It would be his last victory on tour – but oh what a victory.

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NEWS | AUTUMN 2020

[23]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Historic Isle of Wight club closes

Xanh wins English Girls’ Amateur at Sandy Lodge Davina Xanh from Mendip Spring Golf Club in Bristol won the English Girls’ Open Amateur Stroke Play title after winning a play-off against Surrey’s Abbi Rowlands at Sandy Lodge Golf Club in Hertfordshire.

With rain wiping out the first round, the tournament had already been reduced from 72 to 54 holes ahead of the scheduled 36 holes of stroke play. However, after the morning round was completed the intervention of thunder and lightning made it impossible for all the competitors to finish the third and final round, which meant the scores after 36 holes stood - with Somerset’s

Xanh and Rowlands tied for top spot on level par.

The play-off was settled when Xanh’s tee shot landed 10 feet from the pin and she holed out while Rowlands’ birdie attempt stayed above ground.

“We were a bit unsure of what was going to happen when we were all called back in,” admitted the champion. “We didn’t think we were going to do a playoff, but the great greenkeepers here were able to get the course ready for us. There was a little bit of nerves standing over the final putt, but I’m really happy to have won.”

Linksbook Network kicks off in style at North Hants Linksbook, the new online golf networking platform, successfully hosted its first Network Day at North Hants Golf Club last month.

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, there was much enthusiasm on show at North Hants, where there were plenty of opportunities for members to make new golfing friends and grow their network of contacts.

Fresh from hosting the Rose Ladies Series, North Hants was in fantastic condition and with members attending from all over the country, there were many visiting this beautiful course for the first time.

Linksbook is proud of its association with some superb brand partners, eager to back the new concept in golf networking. All guests were treated to a fantastic goody bag, including Titleist golf balls, a Linksbook golf towel and a Hayman’s gin miniature. There were also some superb prizes up for grabs, including an overnight golf trip at East Sussex National from Your Golf Travel, Bushnell GPS watches and rangefinders, Skechers Golf shoes, a Stewart Golf R1-S trolley, Titleist Pro

Browns Golf Course on the Isle of Wight was forced to close last month after 88 years of providing entertainment to residents and visitors.

The historic Sandown-based club, which offered two nine-hole pitch-and-putt courses and two 18-hole putting courses, closed on September 27, along with its café.

The club, which changed hands in 2013, with Clare Oatley, John Deacon and Cheryl Brazer at the helm, attracted 15,000 visitors during the eight-month season that it was open in 2019.

A statement on the club’s Facebook page read: ‘‘Sadly. with the future of Browns in

jeopardy, and no real security to be able to project the business forward, the time has come for us to hang up our aprons and retire our mowers. We would like to thank all of our staff for the dedication they have given us, for working with us and their continued loyalty, "To our customers that return weekly (some daily), monthly and yearly, many thanks for supporting us. We close our doors with sad hearts, but incredible memories."

Despite having a population of less than 150,000, the Isle of Wight has seven golf courses.

Golf day at The Dyke proves unbridled success for Sussex children’s charity

V1s and Dirty Dog eyewear.

There were no run-away winners on the day, with both the team and individual competitions proving to be incredibly close. The winning team, a family who had travelled all the way from Yorkshire, were Glyn and Karen Andrews, Neil McRae and Anthony Gavin. Neil himself also won the individual competition with 38pts. The ladies’ competition was won by Morag Hutcheon with 32 points.

Linsksbook, which is hoping to offer a full programme of one day and residential events next year with a potential overseas final. Linksbook is free to join. To sign up, visit www.linksbookgolf.com.

A golf day held at The Dyke Golf Club in Brighton in August has helped raise thousands of pounds for children’s charity Rockinghorse.

Best known as the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, Rockinghorse raises money for sick and disadvantaged children across Sussex.

The TPG Sports Events Golf Day attracted a field of 112 golfers, who played in an 18-hole competition at the popular East Sussex-based venue held under strict Covid safety guidelines, with staggered starts and social distancing measures in place.

Barnets /JMS Connections won the team event and received a £75 voucher for The Dyke pro shop and a £75 voucher

towards Par 3 Golf Breaks Holiday Travel.

Toby Graves, the 24-year-old professional golfer and managing director of TPG Sports Events (pictured above), organised the golf day in support of Rockinghorse and to aid him in his professional career.

Graves is looking to grow TPG Sports Events in 2021, with a number of golf days planned in Brighton, Eastbourne, Worthing and Crawley, ranging from charity events to networking golf leagues. For more details, visit www. tpgsportsevents.com

Strike it Rite!

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[24] AUTUMN 2020

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GEORGIA ON HE R MIND Georgia Hall, the poster girl for British golf

since winning the Women’s Open at Royal Lytham in 2018, talks about winning her first LPGA Tour event, life in lockdown, the pressures of playing two tours, and why having a boyfriend who is also her caddy has helped her stay relaxed

irst things first – congratulations on winning your first tournament on US soil at the LPGA Tour's Portland Classic. How does it feel to have finally got that on you CV? Yes, it’s definitely a relief to get past that hurdle. It’s been one of my goals to win in America for several years now, and while the circumstances of playing tour golf are pretty wierd right now, it feels like the burden of my own expectations has been lifted a little bit with the win.

I always knew it would be harder to win over there on the LPGA Tour, so it’s a big relief to finally get it done, and hopefully I can take that confidence with me into what remains of the season and beyond.

F

You looked a little shocked when you came off the final green and you found out you were in a play-off. Did you not keep tabs on the scores?

I was feeling pretty nervous over the last nine holes, and for whatever reason I never looked at the leaderboard once, so I had no idea where I was until right at the end. To bogey the last and fall back into a play-off was devastating, and I had to try and regroup and make sure I won the play-off.

I’ve never been too obsessed with scoreboards.

Sometimes it’s good to know where you stand, and sometimes it isn’t, but in this instance I’m quite happy I didn’t look, although it was just a relief to win the play-off.

Of course, your last win – and your first tour win – came at the Women’s British Open in 2018.

As great and as life changing as that was, how important is it to be able to move your story on from that? Obviously it was amazing to win my first major, let alone my first event. Then I had a so-

so kind of year last year, where my first half wasn’t very good and my second half was better. It's obviously a bit of a cliché, but I’m just taking one tournament at a time and not really focusing too much on the future. But my goal this year was to win in America, and I’m really glad I’ve done that.

It’s obviously been a difficult year for everyone, but how has 2020 being for you under Covid-19? Where we you when lockdown was announced in March and how were those three months off? I was playing in Australia when I heard, and I came straight back to England. Like everyone else, I couldn’t leave the house for six or seven weeks except for an hour of exercise a day, so initially it was pretty tough for someone who normally spends most days outdoors.

I did a lot of running and some more anaerobic exercises, weights and stuff, and I would say that I’m stronger and fitter now than I’ve ever been.

When I was allowed out to hit balls I soon noticed that my irons were going five to seven yards further, and although that doesn’t sound much, it feel good to be that bit longer. Better fitness has also given me more energy and that’s really helped me since tournament golf came back.

While the lockdown was horrendous for a lot of people, for me it was a way to slow down, be at home a little bit more, and catch up with some things around the house. For one thing, I’m now a professional-level painter and decorator. We painted about six or seven rooms, so that’s a skill I didn’t have before!

A lot of top European players headed over to America as soon as the LPGA Tour started back in July. What made you decide not to stay at home? I didn’t want to go all the way over there

and have to quarantine for two weeks, and then come straight back and play the Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Open straightaway. I was quite happy here. The weather was pretty good and I really wanted to make my return back at the Scottish Open.

How worried were you about playing in America given the situation with the pandemic over there?

Obviously I take these decisions very seriously, but so far I’ve been impressed with the protocols that are in place, and I’ve not heard or experienced anything that made me think it’s the wrong thing to do. Fingers-crossed, things will get much better in America as we go along, but if it comes to a situation that I’m stuck out there for a bit, then I will have to stay out there and try and make the best of it.

■ GEORGIA WON HER FIRST LPGA TOUR EVENT ON US SOIL AT LAST MONTH'S PORTLAND CLASSIC

How important was it to have the Rose Ladies Series to compete in over the summer?

Initially, I wasn’t sure if I was going to play in the series at all and instead just practise hard for when the Tours resumed. But I played in a pro-am in Worplesdon soon after golf re-opened in May and I absolutely loved having a scorecard in my hand again, and I quickly decided that I should play in as many of the series events as I could.

They were very different events, only being one round, so you had to get off to a quick start to have any sort of chance. But it gave me something to practise for every week, and it was really good just to get out there with a scorecard in my hand and compete. I’m really grateful to Justin and Kate Rose, and to Liz [Young] and everyone who helped support and organise those events. It meant a lot to all of us.It’s funny, I really missed the other girls – Charley [Hull] and Bronte [Law] and I go way back – and it was great to see them

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

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■ HALL WON TWO EVENTS ON THE ROSE LADIES SERIES IN THE SUMMER WHICH HELPED KEEP HER GAME IN SHAPE WHILE THE MAIN TOURS WERE SUSPENDED

■ HALL WAS USING A FULL SET OF CALLAWAY CLUBS FOR HER LATEST VICTORY ON THE LPGA TOUR

You’ve got your boyfriend, Harry Tyrrell, on the bag this season. How important has he been not only in his professional role, but also being there to support you? Playing professional golf is a team effort – people forget sometimes how much we travel and how much time we spend away from home. It can get very lonely if you are on your own, so it is great to have Harry with me, not just as a boyfriend and a caddy, but also as a travelling companion.

He definitely helps me be more relaxed on the course. We are still boyfriend and girlfriend, but we just stay focused on the golf. He truly wants me to play well and I know he is someone I can speak to about everything and anything, as I do get a bit stressed at times. He can be a bit too laid-back, but I think I can be a bit too much the other way, so we balance each other out well.

As a caddy, he does all the yardages with me, double checks that we have the right number of clubs, all that kind of stuff, but in terms of the green reading, I have always done that myself.

WHAT’S IN GEORGIA’S BAG?

I'M STRONGER AND FITTER NOW THAN I'VE EVER BEEN, AND I'M HITTING THE BALL 7-10 YARDS FURTHER THAN I WAS BEFORE LOCKDOWN all again. But we are all competitive and want to beat each other, so it was great to win at Bearwood Lakes and The Shire after finishing second in the other three.

Obviously things didn’t quite go to plan at Troon for the AIG Women’s Open. What were your thoughts on that week? I was a tough week that’s for sure. With the wind and the rain and the long rounds, it turned into a real slog. They put on a great event and it was great to get back to competing against worldclass players on an amaxing golf course, but it was only my second event back, so I felt like I wasn’t as match fit as I might have been. I was pleased with the way I finished off the weekend, but it was a difficult week.

How did you feel about playing with no fans? It was very strange, especially because I’m used to having quite a lot of fans watching me in when I’m playing in the UK. I definitely do feed off the crowd

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There was lot of focus on you and women’s golf in the UK after your victory at Lytham in the British Open in 2018, but do you think it has had the impact that you would have hoped for female golf participation in Britain?

I think it had much bigger impact than I thought.

Even six months later I had messages from girls on social media telling me that they’d taken up golf because they had watched me win. That’s a great feeling that I got to have a lot more youngsters into golf, and if I can continue that, that would be great.

How hard is it to adjust between playing the LET and the LPGA Tour? The LPGA Tour is a big change from the LET - the pins are a lot harder and the courses are a lot longer than in Europe, and, of course, the fields are stronger. There can be some big distances between venues, and time differences, so you have to factor all that in to.

We obviously play for a lot more money in America, but it also costs a lot more to get out there and stay out there. If you are not playing well and missing a lot of cuts, it is extremely expensive. You have to pay for a visa to get over there, flights are even more expensive nowadays, and if there is a week where there isn’t a tournament, you still have to pay for accommodation. It is expensive, but if you do play well, the rewards are there.

Golf was one of the first professional women’s sports to come back. Do you think this is a chance women’s golf to step into the spotlight? Definitely. As you say, not much women’s sport is going on at the moment, so it would be great for us to make more headlines and for people to see us around the world more and the UK. Obviously as players, we’re going to do the best we can to showcase the best golf to the public around the world. So I think it’s a great opportunity. I think maybe more people can relate to women’s golf a little bit more, because we don’t hit it 350 yards. We are kind of more about hitting fairways and greens and putting well. I think if they can take that from it, it would be a positive.

Slow play has been an issue in professional golf, and women’s golf in particular, in recent years. What more do you think needs to be done to speed things up? Are you in favour of harsher penalties? If someone is being slow and holding up play, then I believe that they should get penalised, whether it’s a warning, as a first-off, or some sort of penalty for habitual offenders. I don’t think it should matter whether it’s the last round or the first, if someone is being slow, they need to be told to hurry up or face a penalty. I don’t think there necessarily needs to be a change in policy, but players do need to be told more often by officials to get a hurry on. It doesn’t make for great viewing on TV or help the other players when players are extremely slow. It can be hard when the weather’s bad and the wind’s blowing, like it was in Scotland, but otherwise there are no excuses really.

and it helps get the adrenalin going, but I guess it’s something we’re going to have to get used to until things get back to normal, but it could be a while.

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

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INTERVIEW | AUTUMN 2020

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

England Golf shelves plan

back to it in the future, but at the momen t it’s not something we’re looking at.”

Some club managers had expressed concern that their members would leave their clubs to join the scheme, although the proposal stated that golfers could not join if they had been a member of a club within the previous 12 months.

Last summer, Philip Harvey, county secretary for The Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, wrote to England Golf chairman Nic Coward to say there was widespread opposition to the proposal within the industry.

“Access to a recognised handicap which can be used to play competitively, measure performance and compete against others remains a key reason for golfers to join clubs and retain their memberships,” he wrote. “Of course there are other benefits to their membership, but we believe there would be strong resistance to allowing non-members access to competitions and creating a virtual membership option, whilst leaving the club member as the main source of the funds which are essential to maintaining the courses and other facilities which the sport needs to operate.”

The plan, which was debated at an autumn meeting at Woodhall Spa, would have also seen England Golf run the scheme centrally, with independent golfers registering through the England Golf website. It was proposed that the scheme would be introduced in 2021.

For all the details of the new World Handicapping System, see the feature on page 12.

for ‘nomadic’ handicap membership A proposal to create handicaps for golfers in England who are not members of golf clubs has been dropped.

Last autumn England Golf was reportedly considering introducing a scheme similar to ‘Flexiclub’, which operates in New Zealand, in which pay-and-play, or nomadic, golfers join a virtual golf club for a fee, and in return receive an official handicap and other benefits. However, the controversial idea, which was said to have been proposed by England Golf’s then CEO Nick Pink, who no longer works for England Golf, appears to have been shelved just as England prepares to launch the World Handicapping System on November 2.

In a digital Q&A on the World Handicap System with nearly 200 golf club managers, England Golf’s handicap and course rating manager, Gemma Hunter, suggested that the plan had been dropped this year.

“Eighteen months ago there was a lot of discussion around this,” she said. “In probably the last seven or eight months that’s been canned. We’ve taken it off the table. We’re not actively working on anything regarding the ‘Independent Golfer’ [the name the project was given]. Maybe we’ll come

Thornhill rolls back the years to shoot her age at Walton Heath If it’s true that age is only a number, then 78 is the perfect figure for Walton Heath Golf Club’s most illustrious honorary life member, Jill Thornhill.

Winner of the British and English Ladies Amateur Championships during the 1980s, Jill has just completed the remarkable achievement of equalling her age of 78 for the first time by winning her club’s Ladies Autumn Meeting Gold Medal by one stroke over the demanding Old Course.

If that isn’t impressive enough, consider the fact that Mrs Thornhill was actually winning the Autumn Meeting Gold Medal 57 years after she first won the competition as a mere 21-year-old in 1963.

Jill, whose roll call of achievements reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of women’s golf, said: “It had been a goal of mine for a couple of years now to break or equal my age and I’ve been

close to achieving it. However, each time I managed to get ahead of myself. Coming to the last few holes I knew I was in touching distance and tried to draw on what I did well in my younger day. It s the oldest cliché, but one shot at a time is the best strategy and I knew a five at the last would help me shoot my age.

A two-putt five duly sealed the deal on the 18th – and earned a cut in her handicap from six to five.

A former Lady Captain of Walton Heath, Jill has been winning national and regional titles for 50 years. Her finest moment came at Silloth-on-Solway in 1983 when she beat Regina Lautens to claim the British title. She said: “That was the highlight, since it opened so many doors and earned me selection for the Curtis Cup side.”

She represented Great Britain and Ireland in three winning Curtis Cups against the United States and also captained the side in 1990. At regional level, she was Surrey County Champion 15 times and helped Surrey win the County Championships on eight occasions. At her peak she played off plus three and continues to enjoy the competition. However, equalling her age has created a huge stir at the club, much to her surprise.

“I am finding the attention quite amazing,” she said.

“In my hey-day, if your achievements didn’t get into the press, it didn’t appear anywhere. Now, with social media, everyone seems to know about my 78. I feel like I’ve won the ‘British’ all over again! Everyone at Walton Heath has been so kind and I have to admit I’m quite enjoying it.”

So, can Jill go one step better and actually break her age over the acclaimed Old Course? She laughs: “Well, some of my friends have said that when I am 79, I only have to shoot 78. However, the other side of the argument is that I’ll be another year older, so it might be harder. I will certainly keep trying.”

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Rusper Golf Club closes Rusper Golf Club in West Sussex closed its doors for the final time on September 20.

The family-owned club, which is located a few miles north of Horsham, re-opened following the lockdown in May, but closed down last month due to financial difficulties and is to be returned to farmland.

Built in the early 1990s, Rusper started out life as a nine-hole parkland course that was designed by its farmer owner, Tony Blundon. Open by Tony Jacklin in 1992, it proved such a success that

within just eight years more land was reclaimed from the farm to extend it to 18 holes.

Despite having no track record in course design, Mr Blundon, who died in 2004, carved out a challenging 6,724yard parkland layout that meandered through a densely wooded area, mixing in narrow tree-lined holes, small greens and a collection of pretty water features that tested every part of a player’s game.

The club remained in family ownership under the management of Clive and Sara Blundon until its closure.

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

MA JOR POWER Bryson DeChambeau divides opinion with his ‘bomb and gouge’ approach, but it proved a hugely effective method when bagging his first Major title at the US Open at Winged Foot, where the 27-year-old American’s combination of huge drives, deft chipping and precision putting proved an unbeatable mix How rewarding has it been to see all your hard work on and off the golf course pay off with a major victory so soon after your transformation?

Bryson DeChambeau: It’s amazing. It’s just a very surreal moment. I did it. I did it. As difficult as this golf course was presented, I played it beautifully. Even with the narrow fairways and deep rough, I was still able to manage my game and hit it to the correct sides of the greens and kept plugging away. My putting was immaculate, and my speed control was incredible. I relied on the science so many times, and it worked every single time.

How exciting is it to be talked about as changing the face of golf, and the way it can be played?

I think I’m definitely changing the way people think about the game. Now, whether you can do it, that’s a whole different situation. There’s a lot of people that are going to be hitting it far. Matthew [Wolff] was hitting it plenty far enough, so he’s definitely got the firepower to do it. There are a lot of young guns that are unbelievable players, and I think the next generation that’s coming into golf hopefully will see this and go ‘hey, I can do that too’.

Given how hard Winged Foot was set up, do you think by winning here that you’ve proved that you’re not just a one-dimensional player?

I think I’ve got a lot of creativity and I showed that this week. I knew that if I hit it in the rough, I was going to have to get it up and down quite a bit. So I made sure that I practiced those shots coming into the week, and I did that beautifully, and I felt super comfortable out of the rough no matter what the situation.

How much has your putting improved over the last 12 months?

My putting has gradually improved over the course of my

whole career. I was dead last in the stats when I came out on Tour four years ago, but I’ve got a little bit better over time. I’m somewhere inside the top ten now. I don’t know how much better I can get, but I’m going to keep trying.

How have you managed to achieve so much in a year that so many players have virtually written off?

I felt like it was an opportunity, not a lost year at all. I felt like it was an opportunity to do something great – change my lifestyle, make it healthier, make it better. When you have time, when you have that little free moment, don’t squander it. Look at it as an opportunity to make yourself better. That’s what I think I did this year, and I’m going to keep trying to do that.

If the USGA had a debriefing meeting to talk about how this US Open was won at Winged Foot, what do you think they’d talk about?

They’d be saying that distance won it. There’s no doubt that it was a tremendous advantage this week. I kept telling everybody it’s an advantage to hit it farther. It is an advantage. They made the fairways very narrow this week and length won it. If they’d made the fairways too wide, length would still win it. There’s obviously a fine balance to be found between the widths of fairways and how the hole plays, but that’s for them to work out.

It’s tough to rein in athleticism. We’re always going to be trying to get fitter, stronger, more athletic, and Tiger inspired my whole generation to do this, and we’re going to keep going after it. I don’t think it’s going to stop. Will they rein it back? I’m sure something might happen. But I don’t know what it will be. I just know that length is always going to be an advantage.

How much is athleticism and how much is down to science and equipment technology?

Well, the Coefficient of Restitution for a driver’s face was locked in back in 2000 or something like that. You could only have it come off the face so fast, right? So, it’s been that way ever since. The rules haven’t changed. People have just gotten a little longer with their driver. The shafts have become better for sustaining higher swing speeds, and we’re constantly trying to just hit it as hard as we possibly can. I don’t think that science is big of a role in the market today. Athleticism probably playing a much bigger role in distance gains on tour. I’ve gain 25 yards through getting stronger, not using different clubs.

How much further can you take your game?

Next week I’m going to be trying a 48-inch driver. We’re going to be messing with some head designs and do some amazing with things with Cobra to make it feasible to hit these drives maybe 360, 370 [yards], maybe even farther.

I don’t know how things will pan out, but I’m not going to stop trying to push the boundaries of what is achievable within the rules of golf.

My goal in playing this game is to try and figure out what is a very complex, multivariable and multidimensional game. It’s very, very difficult, but it’s a fun journey for me.

With the Masters just six weeks away, have you thought about how you might to tackle Augusta National?

Well, length is going to be a big advantage there. I know that for a fact. It’s always an advantage pretty much anywhere, but given that fact, I’m going to try and prepare by testing a couple things with the driver. I mean, by that, it’s 48 inches, and I’ll also do something with the face to account for the new speed that I’m going at Then I’ve got to get better with my iron play a little bit. I felt like it was great this week, but definitely the driver needs to go straighter.

That’s really my main focus still.

[30] AUTUMN 2020 | MASTERS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

GREEN JACKET REQUIRED Nick Bayly previews the 84th Masters Tournament at what promises to be an eerily quiet, patron-free Augusta National

■ THE CROWDS WILL BE ABSENT FROM THIS YEAR'S MASTERS, BUT THE FIELD WILL BE AS STRONG AS EVER

I

t’s going to feel strange to have the 84th Masters be the swansong to the 2020 Major season – in fact almost the entire season – rather than the opening number, but it will certainly help to light up our TV screens as winter begins to set in once more.

The Masters always captures the imagination of the golfing world and the betting public alike, and given the hiatus we’ve had in golf, it will be an even more ‘must-watch’ TV event as we social distance our way towards the end of 2020.

In a year of uncertainty, one thing for sure is that whoever emerges as champion on November 15 will be the shortist reigning champion in the history of the tournament, given that the 85th Masters winner will be crowned just 153 days later on April 10, 2021.

With all the factors surrounding the pandemic, and the lateness in the year, there are plenty of known unknowns about the 84th Masters, and plenty of questions to be answered.

Can Bryson DeChambeau blow the field away like he did at Winged Foot? Can Rory McIlroy complete the major grand slam? Can Tiger Woods become the first player to successfully defend the Masters since 2002? Can Brooks Koepka return from injury and win his fifth Major title in four years? Can Jordan Spieth rediscover his form at his beloved Augusta? Can Justin Thomas capture a second Major title or can the likes of Patrick Cantlay, Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm or Xander Schauffele win their first? Will one of the marshalls yell out ‘Mashed Potato!’ when DeChambeau smacks another 400-yard drive down the fairway? Will the Champions Dinner buffet be replaced with a Covid-secure Pot Noddle?

With or without the patrons, golf’s leading lights will be gunning for Major glory when the action gets under way on November 12, so while none of traditional ‘ooohs’ and ‘argghs’ will echo around Augusta’s hallowed fairways, you can bet that come the back nine on Sunday afternoon, all those in contention will be playing their socks off to get hold of that green jacket.

Being the only major held at the same venue each year, all the reasons that the Masters is arguably the best golf betting heat of the year also make it the least appealing

from an ante-post point of view. It’s less likely we’ll find a player who has been completely overlooked, because Augusta form is there to see, and so are decades’ worth of trends which give us a good indication as to what to look for in a potential winner. These are great when it comes to finding the winner in the spring, but they make the prospect of finding a winner in November, at what will be the end of the season, somewhat harder.

Since the course at Augusta was re-modelled in 2008, the par-72 layout now measures 7,435 yards off the back tees, but as all the fairways are traditionally mown against the hole direction to minimise driving distance, it effectively plays closer to 7,800 yards, so pure yardage is way more important than creating the right angle into the flag.

WHILE NO 'OOHS' AND 'ARGHS' WILL ECHO AROUND AUGUSTA'S FAIRWAYS, YOU CAN BET THAT SUNDAY AFTERNOON WILL THROW UP ITS USUAL MIX OF THRILLS AND SPILLS Other challenges include huge and heavily-contoured Bentgrass greens which can bamboozle the inexperienced and poor putters alike. Rating at anything up to 14 on the Stimpmeter, these sub-air fuelled surfaces are like little else the world’s best golfers face across the rest of the season.

Birdie chances are restricted to the smallest of target areas, many of which are only accessible by using the natural contours of the green. Difficulty is also ratcheted up by Augusta’s infamous run-off areas that surround all green complexes. The lack of rough creates indecision when missing greens with scrambling percentages suffering as a result. Too many options can confuse players, so course experience and a patient outlook pays.

Time was that any player with course experience driving down Magnolia Lane

■ THE PAR-3 12TH WILL NO DOUBT CLAIM ITS SHARE OF VICTIMS, BUT WITHOUT THE GROANS FROM THE GALLERIES

had a real chance of capturing the Masters title. Indeed, between 2007-2010, Zach Johnson, Trevor Immelman, Angel Cabrera and Phil Mickelson captured green jackets with a combined two top-10 finishes between them in the immediate run-up to the tournament. Since 2011 though, in-form players have dominated, with Adam Scott in 2013 being the only player to feature with as little as a single top-10 as part of a deliberate pre-Augusta schedule that contained just three stroke play tournaments.

He was third at the WGC at Doral, so was clearly peaking for his target event. Recent winning prices of 16/1 (Woods), 55/1 (Reed), 45/1 (Garcia), 66/1 (Willett), 12/1 (Spieth), 28/1 (Watson), 28/1 (Scott) and 55/1 (Watson) tells its own story. In general, it’s players slightly further down the market who triumph here.

US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau quite rightly goes into the tournament as the joint-favourite with Rory McIlroy at 10-1, given his extraordinary performance at Winged Foot, but the completely different nature of the set up at Augusta - which has little in the way of rough, means that his strength from the cabbage is negated. McIlroy will be making his seventh attempt to complete the major slam, but the Northern Irishman’s chances of getting hold of a green jacket seem to get further away with each passing year..

Patrick Reed’s odds of adding to his victory in 2018 are hard to ignore, and he can be backed at 40/1, while Tiger (16/1) will have his loyal supporters in his search for back-to-back Masters’ titles. The fact he can almost play the course with his eyes closed is a help, but his fitness worries and poor performances since lockdown should be of more concern to his supporters.

Jon Rahm (12/1) will no doubt be heavily backed to break his Major duck here, and he comes brimming with confidence after a fine run of form during lockdown, with the world No.2 bagging wins at the Memorial and the BMW Championship. The Spaniard’s length off the tee and precision iron play is well suited to Augusta and he looks nailed on to improve on this 9th place finish in 2019.

With Augusta having never hosted the Masters this late in the year, it’s hard to know what the weather will be like or how long the course will play, but the SubAir green system will ensure the greens will be as fast as ever. All that will be missing are the flowering Azaleas – and 40,000 fans.

INTERVIEW | AUTUMN 2020

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The Masters

BY NUMBERS As Augusta National prepares to host the 84th Masters Tournament from November 5-8, we trawl through the archives to give you some fun facts, figures and stats about the world’s most famous golf tournament and the club that hosts it

The Masters was co-founded by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, with the inaugural edition, ‘The Augusta National Invitational’, held in 1934, which was won by Horton Smith. The event was officially changed to ‘The Masters’ in 1939.

There are three bridges dedicated to players at Augusta: the Sarazen Bridge at the 15th honours Gene Sarazen’s albatross there in 1935; the Hogan Bridge at the 12th green honours Ben Hogan’s then record score of 274 in 1953, and the Nelson Bridge at the 13th tee honours Byron Nelson’s birdie-eagle scores at the 12th and 13th holes when he won in 1937. There are several other plaques around the course, with one honouring Jack Nicklaus which is fixed to a drinking fountain between holes 16 and 17, and another to Arnold Palmer at a fountain behind the 16th tee.

The 1934 Masters was the first 72-hole tournament to be held over four days. Previously, the last two rounds of major championships were played on the final day.

The tradition of Augusta members wearing green jackets began in 1937, when jackets were purchased from New York’s Brooks Uniform Company. The idea was that Masters’ patrons easily could pick out members if they had a question to ask. In 1949, the first Green Jacket was awarded to that year’s Masters champion, Sam Snead.

The white overalls worn by Augusta caddies were first introduced in 1940.

The Masters Club for tournament champions was founded in 1952 and the inaugural Champions Dinner was hosted that year by Ben Hogan, the 1951 winner. The menu for the dinner is traditionally decided by the previous year’s champion.

Each hole at Augusta National is named after a plant or shrub that grows on the estate. For example, the third hole is called Flowering Crab Apple. An estimated 80,000 plants have been added since the course was first built.

The first Par 3 contest was held on the eve of the 1960 Masters, with Sam Snead claiming the inaugural title. The event has become very popular for the players and their families, but it has also become a jinx with no golfer yet winning the Par 3 and going on to win the Green Jacket in the same week.

The Masters has been won by 22 international players, with South African Gary Player became the first in 1961.

He went on to add two more titles in 1974 and 1978). Seve Ballesteros was the first European to win with his victory in 1980.

Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most wins, six. (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986), more than any other golfer.

Woods has five.

Only three players have won consecutive Masters titles: Nicklaus (1965, 1966), Nick Faldo (1989, 1990) and Tiger Woods (2001, 2002).

Arnold Palmer played in his 50th and final Masters in 2004.

The prize money for the inaugural tournament was $5,000.

Last year, Tiger Woods won $2.07 million. As well as the green jacket, the winner receives the Masters’ trophy and a gold medal. The runner up receives a silver medal, while the low amateur receives a silver cup.

The Masters was first televised in 1956, with coverage of the last four holes only, which attracted an audience of 10 million. The last round of the 2019 Masters was watched by a peak audience of 18.3 million in America. This year will be the first that the BBC will not show any live coverage.

Sports Illustrated writer Herbert Warren Wind named the run of holes at 11, 12 and 13 ‘Amen Corner’ while covering the tournament in 1958. He borrowed the name from an old jazz song called “Shouting at Amen Corner”.

Jack Nicklaus and John Harris are the only living professional golfers who are members of Augusta National. Arnold Palmer, who died in 2016, was also a member. Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and private investment banker Darla Moore became the first women admitted as members in 2012.

Tiger Woods became the the youngest player to win the Masters when he one in 1999 aged 21 years, 3 months and 14 days. He won with a record low total of 18 under par 270 (matched by Jordan Spieth in 2015) and a record winning margin of 12 shots. Jack Nicklaus became the oldest winner following his victory in 1986 aged 46, 2 months and three days.

The food of champions

Reigning Masters champion Tiger Woods has ordered sushi and sashimi followed by steak and chicken fajitas for the traditional Tuesday night Masters Champions dinner, adding to a history of Augusta menus that speaks volumes about the players’ personalities, as well as their favourite food choices Words by Nick Bayly

■ HOW MANY COURSES? TIGER WOODS WILL BE HOPING TO SERVE UP A MASH UP OF CULINARY STYLES AT THIS YEAR'S CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA – IF SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES ALLOW IT TO GO AHEAD

■ CHARL SCHWARTZEL DONNED HIS PINNY TO SERVE UP A SOUTH AFRICAN BBQ IN 2012

I

f the old cliché about ‘you are what you eat’ holds any truth, and what you put in your shopping basket reveals more about you then any psychometric test ever can, then Patrick Reed’s choice of menu for last year’s Masters Champions’ Dinner spoke volumes.

Reed, whose victory in 2018 was greeted with little more than a polite round of applause by the galleries surrounding the 18th green, is not, shall we say, the most popular guy on tour. In fact, only Bubba Watson, another player short of close locker room buddies, made a point of coming out onto the final green to congratulate Reed on his first major victory.

So it should perhaps comes as no surprise to learn that Reed went on something of a culinary charm offensive to win over his fellow Green Jacket winners at last year’s Champions’ Dinner. He ordered a veritable smorgasbord of menu options that should have tickled the tastebuds of even the fussiest of eaters. Teeing off with a inoffensive caesar salad, he went all in with a crowd-pleasing combo of bone-in rib eye steak, mac ‘n’ cheese, grilled chicken, creamed spinach and creamed corn. He is also understood to have added some vegan options, and even some seafood to keep the troops happy.

“I just want to please everyone there, and I want everyone to have a great time,” said Reed, sounding a little more desperate with each added course.

The tradition of the Masters Champions’ dinner was started by Ben Hogan in 1952, although winners didn’t start to personalise their culinary choices until the mid-80s, with Bernhard Langer kicking things off with a main course of wiener schnitzel in 1986.

In the ensuing years, champions have stuck to national stereotypes, with José Maria Olazabal opting for paella and tapas in 1995, while Ben Crenshaw choose a Texas barbeque the following year. Sandy Lyle went all-out Scottish with Haggis and Neeps in ’87, while Nick

■ NICK FALDO SERVED UP A CLASSIC FISH AND CHIP SUPPER FOLLOWING HIS VICTORY IN 1996

■ SURF 'N' TURF: WOODS HAS CHOSEN CHICKEN FAJITAS AND SUSHI FOR THIS YEAR'S DINNER

Faldo went ‘Full British’ with good old fish ‘n’ chips in ’97.

Tiger Woods struck a blow for the youth when opting for cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes in 1998. Subsequent wins in ’02 and ‘03 saw a more grown up menu of sushi and Porterhouse steaks, while his win in ‘06 resulted in a Mexican-themed meal of fajitas and quesadillas. This year he’s gone for a confusing mix of sushi and sashimi, followed by steak and chicken fajitas, all washed down with milkshakes, showing that his tastebuds are perhaps not maturing as fast as his hairline is receding.

Without a national cuisine, American-born Masters champs seem to have adopted an allyou-eat buffet mentality at the problem, chucking in as much red meat and shellfish at the issue in the hope that some of it hits the target.

Charl Schwartzel went so far as to get his hands dirty when donning an apron and BBQ tongs to serve up a South Africa braai in 2012, while fully paid-up Yorkshireman Danny Willett not surprisingly asked for roast beef and all the trimmings following his win in 2016.

Bubba Watson, the winner in 2013 and 2015, lost points for originality by serving exactly the same dinner, including grilled chicken and mashed potatoes, on both occasions, while the hero of 2017, Sergio Garcia, flew the culinary flag for Spain when opting for a lobsterbased paella followed by a traditional Spanish sponge cake that followed a recipe given to him by his mum. Full marks for playing the family card there, Sergio.

It remains to be seen whether Woods’ culinary choices will cause as many ripples in the golfing circles as his momentous victory did in 2019, but you can bet that they’ll be telling him what a great menu it was regardless of their real thoughts. After all, without Tiger, they’d all be dining off scraps.

■ PATRICK REED OFFERED RIBEYE STEAK ON LAST YEAR'S BUFFET-STYLE MENU

■ SANDY LYLE STILL HASN'T BEEN FORGIVEN BY MASTERS CHAMPIONS FOR DISHING UP HAGGIS IN 1988

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

BERTHA'S BACK! Find more fairways and hit more greens with Callaway's new B-21 range

CALLAWAY CB

The easy-to-hit wedge with added spin control

WIN A MOTOCADDY M5 GPS TROLLEY! SPIN MACHINES

New wedges in focus

POLISHING CHROME

The inside scoop on Callaway's next gen Chrome Soft balls

[34] AUTUMN 2020

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE GEAR EFFECT

TRIED & TESTED

INSIDES THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR

MOTOCADDY M5 GPS TROLLEY

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU US OPEN

DRIVER: Cobra King Speedzone (5.5˚) FAIRWAY WOODS: Cobra King LTD Black (12.5˚), Cobra King F8+ (17.5˚) IRONS: Cobra King One Utility (4-5); Forged One, (6-PW) WEDGES: Artisan Prototype (50˚, 55˚, 60˚) PUTTER: SIK Tour Prototype BALL: Bridgestone Tour B X

DUSTIN JOHNSON

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER: TaylorMade SIM (10.5°) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SIM Max (16°, 21°) HYBRID: TaylorMade SIM Max (19° & 22°) IRONS: TaylorMade P730 (3-PW) WEDGES: TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 (52°,60°) PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider Tour BALL: TaylorMade TP5x

GARRICK HIGGO

OPEN DE PORTUGAL DRIVER: Titleist TS3 (10.5°) FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist TS3 (15°) HYBRID: Titleist 818 (17°) IRONS: Titleist T100 (4-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM8 (52°, 56°, 60°) PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider X Navy BALL: Titleist Pro V1

GEORGE COETZEE

PORTUGAL MASTERS DRIVER: Titleist TS2 (10.5°) FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist TS3 (16.5°) DRIVING IRON: Titleist 712U (2) IRONS: Titleist 718 CB (4-PW) WEDGES: Titleist SM8's (50°, 56°, 60°) PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Newport BALL: Titleist Pro V1X

MIRIM LEE

ANA INSPIRATION DRIVER: TaylorMade SIM (9°) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SIM Ti (15°) HYBRID: Callaway Rogue, (18°) IRONS: TaylorMade P790 (4-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM8 (50°, 54°, 58°) PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

RASMUS HOJGAARD UK CHAMPIONSHIP

DRIVER: TaylorMade M5, (10.5°) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SIM Max (15°) HYBRID: TaylorMade SIM Max (3) IRONS: TaylorMade P770 (4), TaylorMade P7MC (5-PW) WEDGES: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52°, 56° and 60°) PUTTER: TaylorMade TP Patina Ardmore 3 BALL: TaylorMade TP5

Equipment Editor Dan Owen takes Motocaddy’s latest GPS-enabled electric trolley out for spin around the links Playing golf as a kid, the idea of using an electric trolley would have horrified me. Big, ugly contraptions for old men that needed to be permanently left on charge, and they could still threaten to conk out mid-round. It was much easier to carry a bag back then. But I’m not 15 years old anymore, and 27 holes is my daily maximum at a stretch.

During a recent overnight trip to Prince’s Golf Club in Kent, the Motocaddy M5 GPS got a runout over 36 holes (not in the same day – don’t be ridiculous), and maybe the biggest advantage over previous electric models was apparent straight out of the car boot. It’s super compact. And it’s easy to unfold and get ready for the course.

My two playing partners were both using older generations of Motocaddy trolleys. We had an older S1, which in comparison was much bulkier, while other model was an older M1. Compared to the M5, it was like trying to play with a Transformer toy without an instruction book. In comparison, the latest M5 has just two touchpoints to get the trolley

unfolded and ready for action.

My sample also came with Motocaddy’s Dry Series golf bag. While it’s a goodlooking, spacious, fully waterproof bag, its big advantage is the Easilock base.

With two screw-in prongs, the bottom of the bag securely clicks into place on the M5 trolley, and while there is a bungee strap for the top of the bag, it’s very unlikely that the bag would ever come off once clicked into place. It’s one of those little additions that make a much bigger difference than you would ever expect.

Out on the course, the trolley was fantastic. Lightening my load, the speed dial made it very easy to adjust the trolley as required, with the added benefit when you realised you’re dropping back from your playing partners, crank it up a notch faster than you’re walking and you quickly catch them up!

The touchscreen was a big improvement over previous trolleys.

As an average golfer, I’ve often found that laser rangefinders are a step too far for me. I find them difficult to use accurately, and I’m not good enough to benefit from the added accuracy. I’m not a huge fan of GPS watches, as wearing a watch while playing is definitely an acquired taste. And more traditional GPS

DT ENERGY ELECTRIC TROLLEY BATTERY Lithium-Ion batteries have changed the electric trolley industry. Lead Acid batteries were heavy, unwieldy, and needed constant charging.

Modern Lithium batteries are much smaller, more efficient, and hold their charge for much longer.

But it doesn’t mean there isn’t still room for improvement.

I took out a new trolley recently. At the end of the round, it still said I had a full battery. Brilliant. So I didn’t put it on charge for the round the next day.

Within a couple of holes, the battery was at 50%.

Although I finished the round without the battery conking out, it can be frustrating when you don’t

know exactly how long you have left on the battery.

A bit like when your mobile goes down from 10% to 1% in a matter of minutes, but takes hours to go from 100% to 10%.

DT-Energy offer a smart battery, that connects to its own smartphone app, so rather than rely on a vague power bar, you can see exactly how much power you have left, if the battery is overheating, and how many power cycles the battery has left giving you a real idea of the longevity of the battery, not just the current charge.

For more details on the complete range of DTEnergy batteries, visit www.dt-energy.com.

options can feel bulky in the pocket. For me personally, a GPS built into a trolley is the perfect option. The screen gives you yardages to the front, middle and back of the green, as well as hazard carry distances, plus the pin can be moved to the correct point to try and narrow down the yardage. Plus, it works even with a glove on!

If you do find you need more detail, the Motocaddy App adds flyovers and a better look at the hole layout. The touchscreen can also be set to show phone notifications, which personally I wouldn’t use too often, but for others, it’s perfect for seeing any important work messages. The Lithium battery was good for two full rounds of golf and was easy to keep stored in the trolley, while there is also a USB charging port for the phone if you need it.

When it comes to most golfers enjoying the game more, it’s far easier to recommend the purchasing of an electric trolley over a new driver. You’ll get more from it, especially if you haven’t used one previously. With its added colour touchscreen GPS, the M5 GPS will be the perfect compact combination for many golfers and is worth the added cost for it’s all in one package.

RRP: £749, motocaddy.com

TRIED & TESTED

EQUIPMENT & GEAR AUTUMN 2020 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Come To Daddy!

Callaway Golf’s new Mack Daddy CB wedges offer all the spin and short game control you’ll ever need in a uniquely player-friendly design It’s always been something of an anomaly in the world of golf equipment that while 80 per cent of golfers play with cavity-back irons, only a small minority of those players use cavity-back wedges.

The reason behind that is a combination of factors – firstly, that most golfers, regardless of their skill level, want to play with the same clubs that tour players use, and the bladed wedges that pros have in their bags have traditionally been seen as much easier to hit than say, a 3-iron. Secondly, the standard wedges that form part of a traditional set of cavity-back irons don’t often have the same spin and groove technology or the loft, bounce and grind options offered by a specialist set of bladed wedges.

But the jump from a chunky cavity-back pitching wedge to a skinny bladed gap wedge can be quite severe, with correspondingly inconsistent results, which is why Callaway Golf has launched new range of wedges that aims to bridge that gap, offering all the benefits of a cavity-back wedge, but with the spin characteristics of a bladed wedge. Meet the Mack Daddy CBs.

SEAMLESS TRANSITION DESIGN The Mack Daddy CB wedges are designed to offer a seamless transition from a cavity-back set of irons through to the highest lofts.

The lower lofts (46°-52°) feature regular grooves and a full sole grind before transitioning up into the higher lofts (54°-60°), where the design changes into full face grooves and a slightly lower leading edge to allow you to open the clubface. One reason you would normally open the face is to increase the bounce and make the sole less prone to digging, but that isn’t required here. The super-

wide soles mean there is much more resistance with the ground at impact, so if you catch it slightly early you can still get away with it.

Putting weight in the perimeter of the clubhead makes the Mack Daddy CB wedge much more forgiving than traditional bladed wedges, so shots hit slightly off-centre achieve far more consistent distances than they would with a blade.

Looks-wise, the head is slightly larger – 4% bigger than Callaway’s MD5 wedge – the topline a touch thicker, and the leading edge slightly rounder than a traditional player’s wedge, but they are still attractive, classiclooking wedges behind the ball, with the satin finish working well in varying light conditions.

PLAYER-FRIENDLY SOLE GRINDS The Mack Daddy CB utilises two sole grinds, both engineered to promote consistency.

The low lofts feature a full sole, that gives the club react a more iron-like turf interaction. The mid and higher lofts feature a modified W Grind that enhances bounce to add forgiveness out of bunkers and thick rough.

The W Grind also has a low leading edge if you need to open the face around the green.

The wide soles also mean that Mack Daddy CB wedges are very effective out of bunkers, helping the club get through the sand while maintaining speed instead of diving down too deeply, too early.

AGGRESSIVE SPIN AND ENHANCED CONTROL Any wedge with the Mack Daddy branding has a bit of Phil Mickelson’s short game DNA. One thing he wants is spin, and lots of it. So, the Mack Daddy CB wedges feature Jaws grooves which have precise edges for the maximum legal spin. Like Mickelson’s wedges, the sand and lob wedges both feature grooves that go right across the face for a consistent strike wherever you make contact with the ball. There are eight loft/grind to choose from in loft options from 46°-60° degrees, in two-degree increments.

PREMIUM SHAFTS & GRIPS There has been no skimping when it comes to quality components, with KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 105g shafts helping to create spin for golfers who play a steel shaft, while there is an all-new KBS Hi-Rev G for those who prefer a graphite shaft.

Golf Pride’s 11.5-inch SG-1 grip – which was developed in collaboration with Callaway – allows the golfer to grip down the club for improved control on those delicate chips around the green.

Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedges have a retail price of £119. For more information, and to find your nearest retailer, visit www.callawaygolf.com

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[36] AUTUMN 2020

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Big Bertha is back…

and better than ever!

Boasting ground-breaking slice and spin reducing technologies, Callaway Golf’s new Big Bertha B-21 range of clubs is guaranteed to help you find more fairways and greens, says Golf News equipment editor Dan Owen The original Callaway Big Bertha driver was a game-changer in golf club design when it hit the shelves in 1991, with its oversized head dwarfing its competition at the time.

It helped instill confidence into a generation of golfers who had never known what it felt like to stand on a tee and not be scared out of their wits. Up until then, golfers had been relying on delivering a miniscule sliver of wood to the ball, in the vain hope that some part of the gnarled, screw-filled face would make contact with a scrap of balata. But all that changed with the arrival of the Big Bertha.

The name soon become synonymous with forgiveness, and that holds as true to today as it did over almost years ago. But the all-new Big Bertha B-21 range, which hit the pro shops last month, has been designed to not only give the club golfer all the forgiveness they need, it also helps counteract the dreaded slice. And they’ve managed to do it a way that they believe will help that golfer hit the ball further too – a win-win for a wide range of golfers.

Here’s a guide to the B-21 range and what it can do for you. Don’t forget, there’s also a complete offer for women, in the shape of the Big Bertha Reva, which shares many of the same technologies with the specifications optimised for the female golfer.

BIG BERTHA B-21 DRIVER £449 Callaway has layered technology on technology in recent years to make its drivers some of the hottest in golf.

Jailbreak, Triaxial carbon crowns, A.I. designed Flash Face

■ BIG BERTHA REVA LADIES RANGE

SS21. You name it, and Callaway has packed it in.

But the biggest change to the new B-21 driver is that Callaway has managed to move the weight forward to lower the spin, while making it heel weighted to fight a slice.

While the Big Bertha B-21, like most anti-slice drivers offers draw-bias and is a bit upright, the overarching premise behind the design is to reduce your slice by cutting spin. To kill spin, Callaway relies on a low-andforward centre of gravity location. Because its face retains more off-centre speed than conventional designs, Callaway is able to pull the centre of gravity forward and push it lower to create low and more consistent spin and, ultimately, a totally different kind of anti-slice/antispin driver.

As Dr Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s head of R&A, says: “B21 is more of a spin reducer than a slice killer. It’s a very forgiving, draw-biased spin reducer.”

BIG BERTHA B-21 FAIRWAY WOODS £279 Fairway woods aren’t the easiest clubs to use proficiently, so Callaway has gone to some tried and trusted formulas to help make these easy to hit high and straight.

A shallow face and TC2 Triaxial carbon crown places the centre of gravity low to help get the ball airborne, while the A.I. designed Flash Face and Jailbreak combine for fast ball speeds.

The fairway woods – offered in 3, 5, 7 and 9 models – feature offset, which not only helps fight the slice, but also helps launch the ball higher. There’s even a hint of

the legendary Warbird sole design to help with turf interaction on less-than-perfect lies.

BIG BERTHA B-21 HYBRIDS £229 Featuring similar design characteristics as the B-21 fairway woods, namely A.I. designed Flash Face, Triaxial Carbon Crown, Jailbreak technology and increased offset, the hybrids add MIM’ed Tungsten weights which will help golfers who struggle to hit and hold the green from longer distances. The range is offered in six models from 3-8.

BIG BERTHA B-21 IRONS £899 STEEL, £999 GRAPHITE Callaway has cracked the distance equation when it comes to irons. Having played the Epic Forged this season, Callaway has added effortless distance to their iron designs. The new Big Bertha B-21 do that in a super forgiving, confidence-inspiring package. Plenty of offset, wide soles and thick toplines.

For the first time Callaway has also added an A.I. designed Flash Face to produce high ball speeds and consistency from shot to shot. A Visible Tungsten Energy Core places the centre of gravity low and deep makes them super easy to launch, while it also helps soften the feel with its urethane microsphere construction.

For more details on the complete Callaway Golf range, and to find your nearest stockists, visit www.callawaygolf.com.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR AUTUMN 2020

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

CALLAWAY MACK DADDY 5

CLEVELAND RTX ZIPCORE

PING GLIDE 3.0

RRP £149, CALLAWAYGOLF.EU

RRP £139, CLEVELANDGOLF.COM

RRP £139, PING.COM

The fifth generation of the MD Jaws wedges boast a sharperedged groove configuration that combines with ‘Groovein-Groove’ face technology for superior spin and precise control on a variety of shots. Similar to its predecessor, the lower-lofted models (46°-52°) have a less aggressive groove for controlled spin on full shots. Made from mild carbon steel, the MD5s are offered in lofts ranging from 46°- 64° in platinum chrome or a tour grey finish. There are five different bounce options, including a new low-bounce W grind and an updated C grind, to make it easier to play a variety of greenside shots.

ZipCore wedges feature a low-density core that moves the centre of gravity deeper, while also boosting MOI for more consistent distance and spin control from shots hit high and low on the face. New ‘UltiZip’ grooves are 11% sharper and 7% deeper than previous Zip grooves, while also being 7% closer together for more contact area, to generate increased and more consistent spin. The range is offered in a midbounce for all lofts (46-60 degrees), a low bounce option for lofts between 56-62 degrees, and full bounce for models between 54-60 degrees. They are offered in tour satin, black satin and raw finishes.

Ping’s Glide wedge has been completely redesigned from previous models to create a higher-spinning, more forgiving wedge. Wheel-cut grooves creating more friction for improved spin, while four different sole grinds – standard, wide, Eye2 and thin – ensure there are models to best match a player’s angle of attack. There are seven lofts between 46° and 60°, with the four highest lofts featuring an extra ½ groove at the bottom of the face to impart more spin.A new Dyla-wedge Lite grip, which is ¾-inch longer than a traditional grip, features a reduced taper, which allows players to choke down for more control.

COBRA KING MIM

MIZUNO T20

RRP £109, COBRAGOLF.CO.UK

RRP £140, GOLF.MIZUNOEUROPE.COM

Cobra uses a unique metal-injection molding process to construct these new wedges, rather than the usual forging or casting, whichkeeps the integrity of the sole shaping and weighting for more consistent performance. The MIM wedges also feature a notch design in the back that helps keep the leading edge closer to the ground, while a versatile sole grind features a soft leading edge and heel and toe relief. The face boasts a spiral-milling pattern which provides surface roughness on square- and open-face shots.

T20 wedges boast a teardrop-shaped head made from forged mild carbon steel. Each wedge is spin-weighted, with the weight discreetly placed high within a tapered blade for increased spin and vertical stability on off-centre strikes.

Hydroflow micro grooves are vertically etched into the face to help maintain spin in damp conditions, while CNC-milled grooves ensure consistent levels of spin. They are offered in satin chrome, blue ion, and raw finishes. Grind options range from standard bevel to subtle M, and aggressive C grinds.

MIND THE GAPS Load up on the latest highperformance wedges if you want to hit it closer

TAYLORMADE MILLED GRIND 2

TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM8

WILSON STAFF MODEL

RRP £149, TAYLORMADEGOLF.EU

RRP: £160, TITLEIST.CO.UK

RRP £99, WILSONSTAFF.COM

Hand ground from soft carbon steel, the standard MG range is offered in seven lofts from 48°-60°, while there is also a Hi Toe model in the 58°, 60° and 64° lofts which features enhanced toe and heel relief, and a higher, more centrallylocated centre of gravity, which launches the ball lower, while generating more spin and control from a variety of lies.

New grooves feature 38% steeper sidewalls that reduce launch angle and increase spin rate,. The standard wedges are available in chrome or bronze finishes, while the Hi Toe is bronze only.

The SM8 wedges shift the centre of gravity to a position that is located ‘virtually’ in front of the face. This boosts MOI by up to a 7% in the higher lofts, producing a clubface that wants to square up at impact. This has been achieved by lengthening the hosels and counterbalancing that weight with tungsten low in the toe. Spin Milled grooves remain, but there are more custom options, including six sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D, as well as four finishes – Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel and Jet Black, plus a Raw finish. Offered in nine lofts from 46° to 62°, the SM8s can be custom ordered with a wide range of specifications and extra personalisation options, including a choice of shafts, grips, shaft bands, ferrules, stampings and paint fills.

Wilson introduced two new wedges for 2020 – the Staff Model and the Staff Model Hi Toe. The Model wedges have been constructed with soft-forged carbon steel head and machine-engraved score lines to create high levels of spin and control, while the Hi Toe model combines a high toe and wide sole for ultimate creativity around the green. The Staff model features tighter spacing on the milled grooves than previous iterations to enable the ball to engage more groove edges at impact for enhanced spin. The Staff Model is available in seven lofts from 48°-60°, while the HT version is available in 56°, 60° and 64°.

[38] APRIL 2019 | INTERVIEW GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Polishing up

C

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Callaway Golf says its new Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X golf balls offer unmatched distance, unbeatable feel and controllable spin, but don’t take their word for it – here’s what the top tour pros are saying about them…

W

hile Callaway has been a hugely popular golf ball brand with players at all levels of the game ever since it first launched the Rule 35 ball back in 2000, the company took its acceptance among elite players to new levels when it introduced the Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X balls in 2015.

Now, four generations into its lifespan, the latest versions of the Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X promises the ultimate in all-round performance – offering more speed and more distance off the tee, while delivering great feel and a spin profile that promotes low spin on

full shots and high spin around the green.

That winning combination has seen Chrome Soft balls find their way into the bags of some of best players in the world, including Phil Mickelson, Xander Schauffele, Danny Willett, Alex Noren, Marc Leishman, Erik Van Rooyen and Georgia Hall, to name but a few. These stars of the game demand high performance from every element of their equipment, and the golf ball is no exception.

But while the Chrome Soft performs brilliantly in the hands of tour players, they have also been designed to work well for the average swing speeds of club golfers.

Once your club speed gets above 95mph you should be looking at playing the Chrome Soft, and anything over 105mph, you really should be looking at the Chrome Soft X. And if you want to hole more putts – and let’s face it, who doesn’t? – you should also consider opting for the Triple Track version – which provides all of the performance benefits of the regular Chrome Soft, but with an alignment technology that has been proven to hole 15% more six-foot putts than those without it.

That's the ultimate win-win on anyone's scorecard.

New Chrome Soft

New Chrome Soft X

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

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

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

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

• Significantly larger SoftFast core promotes faster ball speed.

• 15% thinner cover lowers spin on full shots to promote distance.

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

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

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

RRP: £39.99 for 12

RRP: £39.99 for 12

INTERVIEW | APRIL 2019

[39]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Xander Schauffele ”I’m using the new Chrome Soft. I just feel more comfortable with it"

Danny Willett

Francesco Molinari

“Chrome Soft X's consistency of spin is brilliant, even in windy conditions”

"I've seen significant improvements through the bag since switching to the new Chrome Soft X. As soon as I put it in play, I saw more ball speed and even better control with my driver"

Phil Mickelson

Thomas Detry

‘“I hit so many bombs with my driver, and I have a ton of confidence in my golf ball’

‘It’s better through the wind, I have more control and I love the feel it offers around the greens”

Erik Van Rooyen 'It’s great off the driver, less spin, which gives me that rainbow flight, but it’s also great around the greens – I like it a lot”

David Horsey ‘It’s awesome, it’s quite tough to make a big leap in performance in this day and age, but this ball does it. I have gained 2-3mph ball speed, so I am really excited to use it”

Guido Migliozzi “It was an easy switch, I feel very comfortable with it”

James Morrison “I am very excited to use it, I have gained about 2mph ball speed on the driver and the spin is amazing – it’s so consistent”

[40] AUTUMN 2020

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TAYLORMADE SPIDER FCG PUTTER £299, TAYLORMADEGOLF.COM The latest addition to the Spider range promises to offer blade-like performance from a mallet-style head. In traditional mallets, much of the weight is in the perimeter and rear of the head – which helps to increase MOI and enhance distance control. With the Spider Forward Centre of Gravity putter, two-thirds of the head weight is located in the front section, which encourages a free release of the toe (like a blade) through the stroke. This makes it a decent option for golfers with an arced stroke who still seek forgiveness and help with alignment. A 25g copper face insert adds further front weight, while 45-degree Pure Roll grooves increase topspin and improve forward roll. A True Path T-Sightline enables the user to line up putts with the front edge and/or the vertical line, creating a perpendicular alignment aid. It is available in three different hosels, each meant for a different style of putting stroke.

MIZUNO JPX 921 IRONS £150/£120 PER IRON, GOLF.MIZUNOEUROPE.COM Mizuno’s new JPX 921 irons feature Chromoly steel in a full body forged iron for the very first time. Chromoly steel, which contains chromium and molybdenum, is stronger than traditional carbon steel, which enables it to be used to make thinner clubfaces and produce more ball speed.

The range comprises Forged, Tour, Hot Metal and Hot Metal Pro irons. The Forged irons offer a sleek compact profile, with a short blade length, a bevelled trailing edge and reduced offset. Additional perimeter weighting with toe bias maximises performance from offcentre strikes, while a 6.4% wider CNC-milled slot further increases stability.

Grain flow forged from mild carbon steel, the Tour irons maintain the JPX 900 Tour’s fusion of precision with stability from off-centre strikes, but the head is even thicker behind the sweet spot for a softer feel and more distance.

PRO SHOP

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GEAR TITLEIST TOUR SPEED BALL £40 FOR 12, TITLEIST.CO.UK Tour Speed balls boasts a three-piece design with a urethane cover that promises exceptional distance in the long game and precise short game control. Key technologies include a new high-speed core, which is combined with an ionomer casing layer to increase speed and low long game spin. A new urethane cover is generates greenside spin with soft feel, while a new quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design provides penetrating flight for long distance with tight dispersion.

BEAVER GOLF GLOVES £17.80, BEAVER-GOLF.COM German brand Beaver Golf produces a wide range of high quality golfing accessories, including a collection of premium Cabretta leather gloves that feature no synthetic materials and come in recyclable packaging.

Offered in a choice of stylish colours, including white, brown and pink, the gloves are made from 100% AAA Cabretta leather and provide a soft, comfortable and firm connection with the club. Available in sizes XS to XXL for left and right hand, they cost £17.80 per glove or £48.97 for a pack of three. All postage from Germany is free to the UK. Beaver Golf also produces a range of sustainable bamboo tees, stylish 100% wool baseball caps and wooden ball markers.

SRIXON ZX IRONS £899/£999 (ST/GR), SRIXON.CO.UK The two new models in the ZX irons range, the ZX5 and ZX7, complement the existing ZX irons, and have been designed using AI technology to optimise speed. New to the ZX5 irons is the Mainframe design, which sees a number of channels and grooves milled into the back of the face to enable it to flex at impact for faster ball speeds. The ZX7 irons are forged, and the combination of mass behind the sweet spot and the thin topline give them the look and feel of a blade, but with a lot more forgiveness.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR AUTUMN 2020

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FOOTJOY FLEX LE3 £99.99, FOOTJOY.CO.UK Following in the footsteps of FJ’s Flex LE1 and LE2, the limitededition Flex LE3 is a spikeless design that boasts a 3D moulded foam upper with stretch fabric uppers. Further comfort is provided by the ‘River Rock’ Fitbed, while a splash of colour is added to the VersaTrax outsole in the form of an eye-catching Camo effect. Traction is provided by FJ’s POD configuration which maximises grip. They are offered in navy or grey in men’s and women’s models.

ADIDAS SUPERSTAR £84.99, ADIDAS.COM Adidas’s new Superstar Golf shoes are Inspired by a design that proved popular with basketball players and hip hop bands back in the 70s and 80s from the original Superstar shoes distinct design, including a rubber shell toe, three stripes in the midfoot, and a prominent Superstar logo in gold foil lettering along the side. True to the original, if you didn’t see the spikes on the soles you’d be forgiven for thinking these were trainers. But the leather uppers have been made waterproof, spikes added to the sole, as well as additional lugs for extra traction to make this work as well on the course as the originals do off of it.

They are offered in white with a black stripe in sizes 7-12.

TAYLORMADE P700 IRONS £1,299, TAYLORMADEGOLF.COM TaylorMade has added three new sets of irons to its P700 range in the shape of the P770, P7MB, P7MC irons. The P770 is a slightly more compact version of the P790s, although its smaller head shape and thinner topline will suit better players, while also offering more feedback, while its higher launch angle with long irons and additional spin will also meet the performance demands of lower handicappers.

Boasting a forged hollow body made from carbon steel, urethane foam is injected inside the head to boost speed and improve feel, while progressive Inverted Cone Technology expands the sweet spot and minimises the negative effects of common miss-hits. Tungsten weights are positioned towards the toe for precise centre of gravity placement and increased forgiveness. The P7MB is a muscleback design that features a thin topline, minimal offset – even less than the P730 irons – and a narrow sole. Based on the P750, the P7MC is a muscle cavity with minimal offset for control and precision, while perimeter weighting offers an element of forgiveness.

CALLAWAY BIG BERTHA B21 DRIVER £449, FAIRWAY WOODS £249, HYBRIDS £229, CALLAWAYGOLF.EU Callaway’s range of Big Bertha B-21 woods and hybrids take the Big Bertha brand to back to its ‘super game improvement’ roots, with clubs designed for those that need the most help from their equipment.

In an attempt to combat the excessive spin rates that anti-slice drivers tend to create, Callaway has moved the centre of gravity low and forward in its B-21 driver, which aims to reduce some of the side spin that can lead to wayward shots. It also features Flash Face technology to boost ball speeds on off-centre strikes, while Jailbreak technology behind the face increases stability. It is offered in 9, 10 and 12.5-degree lofts and comes with RCT shafts with an active tip section to further increase launch angles.

The four B-21 fairway woods (3, 5, 7 and 9) and six hybrids (3-8) are also designed to reduce slicing, with shallower faces, increased offset and large heads to encourage high launch, draw spin and added distance. As with the driver, the fairway wood and hybrid crowns are made from carbon fibre and also feature Flash Face and Jailbreak technology. The hybrids also boast tungsten weights in the sole, which will help golfers who struggle to hit and hold the green from longer distances.

HONMA TR21 HONMAGOLF.COM Honma has expanded it Tour Release range with the introduction of TR21 fairway woods, hybrids and irons. The TR21 BIG-LB fairway wood (£349) features a multimaterial construction that incorporates a heavy steel sole to provide a deep and low centre of gravity, a thin, fast titanium face and sole slot designed to increase ball speeds and deliver high launch and explosive distance. It has a loft of 14° and is fitted with the brand’s hand-rolled 60g VIZARD wood shafts.

The TR21 fairway wood (£309) also features adjustable sole weights to control launch and spin for optimal distance and accuracy in a sleeker profile. It comes in 15°, 16.5°, 18° and 21° lofts. The TR21 H hybrids (£269) are offered in 18°, 21° and 24° lofts and feature a low centre of gravity location for improved launch and spin, and a narrow sole for clean turf interaction.

The TR21 X irons (£175/ £210 st/gr) boast the same muscleback design as the TR20 B irons, but in a larger, more forgiving profile.

A hollow body design, low tungsten weighting, and a foaminjected screw port combine to deliver fast ball speeds in a head shape that will appeal to a wide range of players, while also making them perfect to mix with TR20 irons or even be used as a utility in the lower-lofted irons.

[42] AUTUMN 2020

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

PING MEN’S COLLECTION PING MEN’S COLLECTION S2 ZONED JACKET (£130)

While there is a fully quilted Norse S2 jacket, our pick of the PING range is the S2 Zoned Jacket.

Insulated on the top half with high-tech Primaloft Gold Insulation, the jacket is designed to keep your core warm. Packed with stretch, the jacket is warm while being thin and incredibly easy to swing the club in.

NORSE S2 VEST (£110)

Featuring the same Primaloft Gold insulation as the S2 Zoned Jacket, the Norse S2 Vest features the material over the entirety of the body. By being sleeveless, it removes a barrier some golfers find from wearing to many bulky layers.

NORDIC MID-LAYER (£70)

This lightweight fleece is the perfect golfing mid-layer. Use on its own on a mild day or in conjunction with one of the Norse products when it gets colder. The jacquard styling makes it stand out on the course, while it has the added benefit of being water resistant, making it the perfect option when you’re caught out on the course in a passing shower.

VISION TROUSER (£90)

We’ve all been guilty of wearing the same golf trousers throughout the year, but it makes sense that a pair of thin chinos might not cut it over the winter months.

The Vision Trouser will keep your lower half warm without turning you into Michelin Man. Thin, but warm, the Vision utilises Thermolite All Season technology, which will keep you warm, is fully breathable, and is water resistant.

Ping has winter wrapped up Keep on swinging in the rain – and the cold winds – with Ping’s latest apparel range

We’ve had an incredible summer of golf, and as I write this in mid-September, it’s still 22 degrees outside, but despite with the worst effects of global warming, this Indian summer can’t last forever, and it will soon be time to crank up the thermostat and dig out your favourite winter togs as the temperature drops.

Thankfully, those good people at PING have unveiled

PING WOMEN’S COLLECTION Style and technology go hand-in-hand in the PING Autumn/ Winter 2020 women’s apparel range, which has been designed to inspire golfers to both look and play their best.

The collection blends premium performance fabrics with the latest seasonal print and colour trends that offer women golfers comfort and protection to play through the seasons and in all conditions. Featuring PING’s innovative Sensor performance fabric technologies, SensorWarm, SensorDry and SensorCool, the range focuses on the Pattern Play feminine geometrics that are a key trend for the season.

KIRA TOP (£60) AND FARROW TROUSERS (£80)

A perfect winter layering piece, the Kira top is lightweight, stretchy and fully breathable, and with its stylish Inky design, it’s a bold statement piece to build your outfit around.

Paired with the distinctive Farrow trousers, they’ve been engineered with SensorWarm technology to keep your legs warm in a slim leg design.

their latest apparel collection for autumn and winter, and once again it’s packed with stylish and practical clothing and accessories that will help keep you warm and dry on course this winter, without adding bulk.

Rather than struggling to swing freely in chunky knitwear, PING has produced a selection of high-tech layering garments in their SensorWarm and SensorCool

platforms that utilise premium technologies to keep you warm yet comfortable, and all without restricting your backswing.

We’ve selected some of the best products from the new season’s collection to keep your swing on point during those cold, damp rounds.

To order online, visit www.pingcollection.co.uk.

GLOW JACKET (£85)

A wind and water-resistant hybrid jacket with diamond printed panels designed to provide protection from extreme weather on the sleeves and body. Engineered with SensorWarm technology for cold weather, the Glow Jacket also features a water-resistant stretch fleece for freedom of movement, as well as a premium metallic silver front zip and two front pockets.

FLORRIE FLEECE JACKET (£80)

The Florrie is a 3D jacquard full zip fleece that will keep you warm on the course.

Fully stretchable, the fleece jacket delivers warmth, water resistance, and freedom of movement.

EQUIPMENT & GEAR AUTUMN 2020 [43] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

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

PL AYING

&

S TAYING

AT

PRINCE ’S GN REVIEWS THE NEW-LOOK LINKS

LATEST GOLF BREAK DEALS

FINDING THE BEST GOLF TRIP FOR YOU.

ME & MY TRAVELS

JAMIES REDKNAPP'S GOLFING GOALS

[44] AUTUMN 2020

EQUIPMENT & GEAR GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

ROOMS

WITH

A

V I E W Nick Bayly enjoys a weekend's golf at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent, where 27 holes of stunning links and luxury lodgings await

I

t’s getting to that time of year when a golfer’s thoughts turn to the links. Although freedraining coastal courses are great all-year round venues, it’s when the nights start to draw in, and more pertinently, when the parkland layouts begin to get a bit more spongey under foot, that the joys of playing links golf on dry, springy turf comes into its own. Well, it does in my book.

With the greens still fast and true, yet with an element of hold, there’s little to beat a breezy day on the links to blow the cobwebs away and remind yourself about what’s most important in life, especially in these unprecedented times.

Kent is blessed with some stunning examples of links golf, from the two celebrated Royals – St George’s and Cinque Ports – to the less celebrated, but equally enjoyable, such as North Foreland, Littlestone and, of course, Prince’s. While the ‘Royals’ are certainly worth their lofty status, and should be on anyone’s golfing bucket list, I strongly recommend putting Prince’s at the top of any golfing itinerary to the Garden of England.

Prince’s, like its next door neighbour St George’s – the two courses are separated by nothing more than a wire fence – has a long and established relationship with the Open Championship, having hosted the tournament in 1932, and is a Final Qualifying venue for whenever the Open is held over the aforementioned fence, which it will be next year following its postponement in July.

Sharing the same stretch of natural links land, Prince’s 27 holes combine to create a magnificent day’s golf, with the three loops of nine – the

■ THE STUNNING PAR-3 2ND ON THE NEW-LOOK DUNES COURSE

OCCUPYING A STUNNING SPOT OVERLOOKING THE GOLF COURSES AND SANDWICH BAY, THE LODGE IS THE RITZ OF ALL DORMY HOUSES

Shore, Dunes and Himalayas – offering a superb challenge, with holes heading off in all directions, ensuring that the wind is helping and hindering in equal measure, whichever way it is blowing.

While the 6,680-yard Shore/Dunes is the recognised main 18-hole layout, the Himalayas nine makes for a very tasty starter, even more so following its stunning redesign in 2018. Overseen by course architect Martin Ebert of Mackenzie & Ebert Ltd, whose recent work includes the stunning reimagining of Turnberry’s Ailsa course, the transformation of the Himalayas is nothing short of spectacular. The new nine, which now plays to a par of 36, features two completely new holes – the par-three fifth, which plays between 120 and 160 yards from a raised tee over a waste area towards Pegwell Bay, and the par-five second, which combines the second and third holes of the old layout, and can be stretched to a whopping 615 yards.

To recognise the historical significance of the site, a replica Spitfire propeller has been installed by the third tee, paying tribute to the heroics of fighter pilot PB ‘Laddie’ Lucas.

A former Walker Cup captain and son of one of the founders of Prince’s, Lucas made a forced landing on the site in July 1943, after his aircraft was badly damaged by enemy fire as he returned to RAF Manston from a mission over northern France.

The fifth, which has been named ‘Bloody Point’ in reference to the great naval battle that took

TRAVEL & BREAKS

AUTUMN 2020 [45]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ COASTAL RETREAT: WITH ITS SUPERB GOLF AND EXCELLENT LODGINGS, PRINCE'S IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A GOLF BREAK AT ANY TIME OF YEAR

■ GENE SARAZEN WON THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT PRINCE'S IN 1932

place in Sandwich in AD851 on the land where Prince’s now sits, is the only hole on the nine that plays directly towards the English Channel, while the others play north-south, or south-north.

Elsewhere, there have been extensive changes made to the bunkering, which now combine two basic styles, natural and ragged edge when placed on the edge of fairways, and revetted pots when surrounded by tightly mowed grass and near greens. Both are visually impressive and really help to focus the mind off the tee and when playing into greens.

The designers have also introduced a series of exposed sand areas and extensive wetlands, both of which provide significant habitat for wildlife – indeed, Prince’s staff and members have reported sightings of bird species previously unknown to the site – as well enhancing the golfing challenge.

The wetlands are perhaps most notable at the eighth, which has become a short, drivable par four, with water laid out either side of the fairway keeping you honest off the tee.

All in all, it’s like a breath of fresh seaside air has blown through the course, with smart new raised teeing areas offering superb views of the holes.

With no blind holes to contend with, the trouble is all in front of you, hiding in plain sight. There’s more than a hint of the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island about the overall feel and look of the course, which can be no higher compliment given that is one of my all-time favourite tracks.

Following the success of the Himalayas redesign, the family-owned club wasted no time in commissioning McKenzie & Ebert to sprinkle its magic on the Dunes and Shore nines, with the work starting in the winter of 2018 and being completed this Spring, just before golf went into temporary lockdown.

Back open in May, the new-look holes have proved a huge hit with members and visitors alike. A tactical reconfiguration of the bunkering on several holes, as well as the addition of several new tees, has not only provided more balance between the back tees and members’ yellow tees, but increasing the length of some holes has brought the fairway bunkers back into play for elite players. Much the same as the changes made to the Himalayas, new open natural sand scrape areas add an attractive landscape feature, while also providing a natural habitat for rare coastal species of flora and fauna.

The highlight of the changes on the Shore is new par-three fifth, ‘Smugglers’ Landing’, which replaces the old eighth, and breaks up the direction of the layout facing north east out towards the sea. To set the scene for the history of the Sandwich Flats and the fight against smuggling in Sandwich Bay, for which the hole is themed, the club have installed a replica scene by the walkway to the tee. The four peninsula tees provide a variety of different yardages to play to the tricky green

DESPITE ITS RELATIVE SHORTNESS, THE GREEN AT SMUGGLER’S LANDING IS NOT EASY TO FIND, ESPECIALLY IF THE WIND IS BLOWING SIDEWAYS complex, ranging from 103 yards from the red tee through to 158 from the blues at the back. It’s a stunning hole, and despite its relative shortness, it’s not an easy green to find, especially if the wind is blowing sideways.

As well as being the perfect place to play, Prince’s is also a great place to stay. After a challenging day on the fairways, there’s no better place to kick back and relax than at the club’s Lodge, which is located on the site of the club’s former clubhouse. Occupying a stunning spot overlooking the golf courses and Sandwich Bay, it provides the ideal base for any golfing trip to the region. Featuring 38 en-suite bedrooms, including a mix of family rooms, suites and two-bedroom apartments, all of which come with kitchens, sitting rooms and golf bag storage facilities, the Lodge is The Ritz of all dormy houses.

It is also home to a superb restaurant, the Brasserie on the Bay, where two AA Rosettewinning chef Michael Fowler focuses on serving traditional Kentish produce with a modern twist,

■ TOP: THE PAR-5 6TH ON THE HIMALAYAS IS THE CLOSEST TO THE SEA, WHILE THE FIRST ON THE DUNES (ABOVE) REQUIRES ACCURACY FROM THE TEE TO ITS CONTOURED GREEN

as well more traditional golfer’s fare. Such is the Brasserie’s exalted reputation that diners without much of an interest in golf are travelling to sample Michael’s magnificent menu – which includes plenty of locally-sourced produce, including salt marsh lamb and Kent-caught crabs.

Other facilities in the Lodge include a large lounge and bar, terrace and snooker room, all of which should keep a golfing group thoroughly entertained until a day spent in the Kent fresh air finally takes it toll and sends you off to bed dreaming of outrageous up-and-downs and unlikely hole-in-ones.

With winter green fee rates starting on November 1 – where £50 provides unlimited golf for the day from Monday to Thursday, and some fantastic stay-and-play packages on offer – now is the time to book up your next game, whether it be an away day with some friends, or an extended stay-and-play break. And, if you happen to be lucky enough to live locally, a membership might also prove a tempting proposition.

GOLF BREAK PACKAGES

Golf breaks start from £140pp for one night’s B&B in The Lodge at Prince’s, with two rounds of golf and a two-course dinner.

For the very latest offers, as well as membership enquiries, visit www.princesgolfclub.co.uk or call 01304 611118.

[46] AUTUMN 2020

TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ PALHEIRO GOLF

MADEIRA REMAINS SAFE HAVEN FOR UK GOLFERS WHILE MAINLAND PORTUGAL has temporarily been removed from the UK government’s travel corridor for quarantine-free travel, the Portuguese island of Madeira remains on the safe list, ensuring golfers can return to the UK after their holidays without having to self-isolate for 14 days.

Not surprisingly, the island has experienced a boost in golf numbers, with its two mainland courses, Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra both enjoying an influx of bookings in recent weeks.

The island is blessed with a small but stunning choice of courses, including the par-72, 6,656-yard layout at Palheiro, which is nearly 1,640ft above sea level and enjoys dramatic views of Madeira’s mountainous skyline and the ocean, as well as the island’s capital, Funchal. The original course at Santo da Serra, dating from 1937, was redesigned in 1991 by Robert Trent Jones Snr, who created a new and spectacular 27-hole complex. The third and fourth holes of the Machico course are

CASTELFALFI SERVES UP A TASTE OF TUSCANY WITH ITALY CURRENTLY FEATURING ON THE UK government’s list of European countries that are safe to visit under Covid restrictions, now could be as good a time as any to book a golfing trip to Tuscany, where the five-star Toscana Resort Castelfalfi is offering a great selection of short golf breaks this autumn.

Located less than an hour’s drive west of Pisa airport, the resort is set on a stunning 2,700-acre estate and boasts 27 holes

of championship golf and a luxury hotel.

The 18-hole, 6,351m Mountain course, which first opened in 1991 and was redesigned in 2010, is a more challenging option for experienced golfers, offering a combination of woodland and parkland holes with a smattering of water, while the 9-hole, 3,171m Lake Course is more open and suitable for improvers and beginners alike. Both courses offer a beautiful setting, with the stunning clubhouse occupying a central spot overlooking the two.

The clubhouse has been recently benefitted from its own renovation, and has been carefully restored using sustainable materials, including recycled oak and reclaimed stone and marble. Offering panoramic views across the golf courses and

QHOTELS OFFERS F&B DISCOUNTS ON BREAKS UK GOLFERS LOOKING FOR A MIDWEEK GOLF BREAK in the UK this autumn can whet their appetite at one of the 21 luxury hotels managed by the QHotels Group across the country, with the added bonus of enjoying 50 per cent off food and soft drinks on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until the end of November.

The UK’s largest golf resort operator has extended the Eat Out to Help Out offer, which was initially brought in by the government throughout August to get the hospitality industry up and running following the national lockdown. The initiative allows visitors to get 50 per cent off food and non-alcoholic drinks up to a total value of £10 per person if they eat or drink in on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and was due to end on August 31. But the QHotels Group has seen the value in the scheme and will be extending the

offer for any hotel guests between September 1 and November 30, including existing bookings and new bookings, with the costs being covered by the company, rather than the government.

The discount will be available at all QHotels Group-managed hotels across the UK, which include a variety of country houses; city locations; resort properties with amazing leisure, spa and sporting facilities; and rural manor houses with expansive grounds on the edge of renowned beauty spots.

The offer will be available at Belton Woods, Dunston Hall, Oulton Hall, Slaley Hall,Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort, and Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort.

For booking calling 0845 074 0064 or visiting www.qhotels. co.uk/golf.

regarded as the signature holes, sitting atop cliffs more than 2,200ft above sea level, providing views of the bay of Machico, where Portuguese navigators first landed in 1419.

The 27-hole, Severiano Ballesteros-designed Porto Santo Golf is a short plane hop away. The par-72, 7,036-yard course, which opened in 2004, comprises two distinct nines. The southern route - a US-style layout - is dotted with lakes, requiring a long and precise game; while the northern route is atop fantastic cliffs, near the stunning beach of the same name.

The best way to enjoy these superb courses is with a Madeira Golf Passport – available from most hotels and golf clubs – which entitles the bearer to five rounds of golf across the two mainland-based tracks.

For a comprehensive selection of the latest golf break packages to Madeira, visit premiergolfholidays.com or call 01604 765131.

the estate, the clubhouse boasts its own fine dining restaurant with the menu including a wide range of regional dishes prepared with locally produced ingredients and organic wine from the estate’s vineyards, while there is also a more rustic bar area to relax in after your round.

The hotel offers 50 spacious guest rooms, many with golf course views, along with a spa, tennis courts, swimming pool, fitness centre and hamman. The Via del Sale restaurant offers a wide selection of Tuscan, Italian and internationally inspired dishes.

A three-night break, including daily breakfast, one fourcourse meal, two complimentary green fees and unlimited spa access, costs from £721 per person. For more information, visit www.castelfalfi.com.

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AUTUMN 2020

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Come and play golf in LISBON Portugal Landscape of ocean, beaches, rivers, cliffs, dunes and lakes make this a truly exhilarating experience, Lisbon is a capital city like no other, in a truly magical setting • Daily flights all year around • Mild weather all year around • High standard of golf courses • Mediterranean atmosphere • Combination of golf with culture, entertainment, winery and gastronomy • Value for the money • Service quality and golf friendly services

Lisboa top golf courses 1. Clube de Golf Qt. Marinha 2. Golf do Estoril 3. Oitavos Dunes 4. Belas Club de Campo 5. Lisbon Sports Club 6. Penha Longa Resort 7. Pestana Beloura Golf Resort 8. Aroeira I and II 9. Montado Golf 10. Qta. Peru Golf & Country Club 11. Troia Golf Course 12. Ribagolfe I and II 13. Guardian Bom Sucesso Golf 14. Dolce Campo Real Lisboa Golf 15. Praia D´el Rey Golf Resort 16. Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort 17. West Cliffs Golf Course 18. Golf Aldeia dos Capuchos

www.visitlisboa.com Over 20 golf courses to suit every kind of golfer.

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TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

UK GOLF RESORTS ENJOY STAYCATION BOOM HOLIDAY BOOKINGS AT UK GOLF RESORTS more than doubled from early June to early September, compared with 2019, according to new data.

Many golfers who would normally have booked golf holidays abroad have opted to play at UK venues instead.

Golf holiday firm Glencor Golf says it has seen a 120% year-on-year increase in domestic bookings for UK golf breaks. Overseas golf holidays, meanwhile, have dropped from 89% of all trips booked to just 55%.

“During the summer, we saw a lot of golfers looking to arrange a last-minute getaway as lockdown measures were eased,” said Corrie Renton, director at Glencor Golf. “Booking a UK break was in keeping with the staycation message the government communicated so many people

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY TO COSTA NAVARINO GOLFERS LOOKING TO ENJOY TOP-CLASS GOLF matched with superb hospitality should consider booking a trip to Costa Navarino in Greece, which has just completed its peak summer season buoyed by occupancy rates, positive guest reviews and a Covidsecure operation that blended safety with relaxation.

As golfers from northern Europe survey a fastdiminishing choice of short-haul sunshine destinations to visit this autumn, Costa Navarino is experiencing increased demand for October and November, all of which are perfect months for play on the Messinian coast. Furthermore, a host of direct flights into nearby Kalamata are on hand to service demand, with options available from London Heathrow, Manchester and London Stansted. A wide range of flights are also available to Athens International Airport.

Despite the global pandemic, the development of two new golf courses stretching over 150 hectares at Navarino Hills, is on track for a spring 2022 opening, with seeding on the West Course already underway.

Overlooking The Bay Course and the historic Bay of Navarino, the two new 18-hole courses, both designed

by José María Olazábal, offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, the fertile Messinian landscape, dotted with olive groves, fragrant citrus orchards, rosemary and lavender scrubs, the mountains and local villages and the sapphire-blue Ionian Sea. Navarino Hills’ two new courses, complementing the signature layouts at The Dunes Course and The Bay Course will boost Costa Navarino’s position as one of the world’s most environmentally-friendly golf destinations.

Costa Navarino already features two luxury fivestar hotels – The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino – Costa Navarino Residences, a collection of luxury villas for private ownership; Anazoe Spa, a 4,000m2 spa and thalassotherapy centre; and a variety of gastronomy venues, sports, outdoor and cultural activities.

For more information on the resort, and details the latest holiday packages, visit www.costanavarino.com.

focused on the domestic courses. A number of our clients have rearranged their 2020 European breaks for spring 2021 and then looked to fill the gap with a UK break until international travel returns to normality.

“Here in the UK, we are fortunate to be blessed with a lot of incredible golf courses and resorts on our doorstep and many customers are discovering them for the first time this year. The destinations that have proven the most popular are the two former Ryder Cup venues – Celtic Manor and The Belfry. Both of these resorts have multiple courses on-site, as well as great bars, restaurants, spas and gyms. The facilities appeal to both golf fans looking to play bucket-list courses such as the Brabazon and the Twenty Ten Course and also couples looking for a relaxing break.”

Other venues to attract increased visitor bookings from staycation golfers over the last few months include Forest of Arden, Slaley Hall, East Sussex National, Rockcliffe Hall, Oulton Hall, Breadsall Priory, Prince’s Golf Club, Forest Pines and Telford Hotel & Golf Resort. For bookings, and the latest prices on stay-and-play packages to these venues and others, visit www.glencorgolf.com.

SICILY BREAK BECKONS AT NEW-LOOK VERDURA WITH THE TRAVEL CORRIDOR STILL CURRENTLY OPEN TO SICILY, golfers are still able to book golf breaks to the stunning Verdura Resort, which boasts championship golf and a worldclass hotel.

Although it is open to guests now, the resort is set to be even better next year when its second 18-hole championship course reopens next summer following a major renovation.

World-renowned course architect Kyle Phillips returned to Sicily last year to start work on improving his original design after a freak flood damaged a number of the championship layout’s holes along the coastline at the end of 2018. Having completed all the design and construction work last autumn and winter, reseeding of the fairways, greens, tees and rough began at Verdura this summer. The resort – home of the European Tour’s Rocco Forte Sicilian Open – will give the course plenty of time to grow in over the coming months but, providing everything goes according to schedule, it aims to reopen its second layout next summer.

Phillips said: “In early 2019, plans were assembled to conform the new landscape and shoreline configuration.

The intertwined nature of the layout of the resort’s 36 holes required that the layout of the course remained intact, but there were significant adjustments to the specific design of each hole.

“Players returning to Verdura will be most likely to notice the changes that have occurred along the coastline and how we have incorporated them. All of which will add to the drama, and pleasure, of the course. They will also appreciate playing what is, effectively, a new course, with new surfaces on the greens, freshened bunkers and new turf in the fairways and roughs.”

Verdura boasts 203 rooms and suites, all with a sea view, including six villas with their own private swimming pool. In addition, the venue is set to add to its luxury accommodation portfolio in September by opening eight new private villas.

Away from golf, guests can enjoy an extensive array of other luxury sports and lifestyle facilities, as well as the opportunity to sample a wide variety of gastronomy, wine, history and culture.

For the latest golf break packages, visit roccofortehotels. com/verdura-resort.

QUINTA DA MARINHA RAMPS UP PRACTICE FACILITIES WITH NEW RANGE Golfers at Quinta da Marinha will be able to take full advantage of technology and data at the refurbished practice facilities at the stunning hotel in Cascais, Portugal.

The hotel itself underwent a €5m overhaul of all 198 bedrooms, many communal areas and updated décor throughout as it celebrated its 20th birthday earlier this year. But the practice facilities also enjoyed a major upgrade with €150,000 spent on the range with new mats, a grass area to hit from, new targets and a practice bunker

to sharpen skills out of the sand. In addition, Trackman technology can also be booked for swing analysis under the guidance of the in-house PGA pros to work on all areas of the game.

Quinta da Marinha sales director, João Pinto Coelho, said: “A good golf course also needs excellent practice facilities and it’s an important investment for us. These are excellent new facilities and if golfers spend enough time there with the right guidance from our professionals, they will see big

improvements.”

A 30-minute drive from Lisbon in stunning Cascais, Quinta da Marinha is part of the ‘Great Hotels of the World’ portfolio, with its Robert Trent Jones-designed par-71 golf course offering outstanding views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Mountains.

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Jamie Redknapp Former Liverpool, Tottenham & England midfielder Jamie Redknapp reveals why you’re most likely to find him on the golf course when he’s not commentating on football

Travel with

My dream holiday fourball would be…

Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and my dad.

That would be a lot of fun.

The thing I most love about golf is… how hard the game is. I love the fact that it is so difficult, and you will never be able to master it.

From one day to the next, you just don’t know what’s going to happen. The other great thing is you can play golf for the rest of your life, or for as long as your body lets you. I can’t play football anymore because of my knee, but I can hopefully play golf for the rest of my life.

My earliest memory of playing golf… was with my dad when I was a kid at a club close to where we lived near Bournemouth. We used to pitch up when the club had closed and play a few holes. Dad gave me a cut-down seveniron, and I have some great memories of those days.

My home course is… Queenwood in Surrey.

I try to play there a couple of times a week with a few friends. They are a good group of guys and good players as well. With my job, I’m very lucky to have some time off during the week.

It’s a nice way to spend a few hours – get to the course early, have a bit of breakfast with the lads, and talk about the football from the night before.

My most memorable experience on the golf course was… I’ve been really lucky to have played in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship a few times, so I have some great memories from that. I played with Luke Donald when he was world No.1. We had a great fourball with Lee Westwood - who was world No.2 at the time - and Johann Rupert.

■ JAMIE, WHO IS A MEMBER AT QUEEENWOOD (ABOVE) IS A REGULAR ON THE PRO-AM CIRCUIT, WITH THE DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP BEING ONE OF HIS FAVOURITE EVENTS.

Luke and I both played really well and made the cut. Luke shot 62 that day, which equalled the course record. Luke and I played alongside Rory McIlroy and his dad in the final round at St Andrews, which was just incredible. So those are my two stand-out favourite rounds with pros.

My favourite golf resort in the world… has to be Pebble Beach in California. I go on a golf trip there every year with seven other friends.

We play Cypress Point, Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. That’s about the greatest trip you could ever go on, and if you’re ever lucky enough to visit the Monterrey Peninsula, it’s well worth it.

My favourite hotel… The Sandy Lane Resort in Barbados. Great golf course, amazing hotel, and I remember that when my kids were young, they had the best kids’ club in the world. It’s just a very luxurious holiday and a real treat.

My best piece of travel advice is… don’t over-pack. I always take too much stuff.

■ THE 18TH HOLE AT PEBBLE BEACH

[50] AUTUMN 2020

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