THE UK’S NO.1 GOLF NEWSPAPER ISSUE 298 | SEPTEMBER 2022 COMPLIMENTARYCOPY WIN! BUSHNELL’S LATEST GOLF GPS WATCH! GREENSAVERS Must-have mallet putters “ONE FOR THE GOOD GUYS" SHANE LOWRY BAGS THE BMW Est 1994 INTERVIEWS LukeRyderEuropeanCupcaptainDonaldAdamScott HOW CASH BECAME KING IN PRO GOLF’S NEW WORLD ORDER MONEYTHEGAME GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Designed to optimise friction for the high spin and control you need to save strokes and lower your scores.
©PING 2022
Writing this, as I am, just a few days after what was formerly known as the European Tour staged the BMW PGA Championship at its Wentworth headquarters, it is it impossible to ignore that Europe’s top tour is in a major state of flux due to the power struggle that is currently being played out in the law courts both in the UK and the United States.
While BMW can probably be kept sweet for as long as Rory et al can be press-ganged into attending the PGA Championship at Wentworth, it’s hard to see why some of the tour’s other blue chip sponsors will be willing to shell out millions for sub-standard fields in events that few are attending in person or watching on TV.
WE GAMETHEFIT TEL: 01273 381794 EMAIL: info@golfnews.co.uk WEBSITE: golfnews.co.uk FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @golfnewsmag INSTAGRAM: golfnewsmagazine MAPLE HOUSE, THE SPINNEY, HOVE, BN3 6QT © Copyright 2022. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing. PUBLISHED BY BlueGreen Media CONTRIBUTORSREGULAR Clive Agran ENQUIRIESADVERTISING Matt 01273matt@golfnews.co.ukNicholson381794 PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images, Kevin Murray, Andy Hiseman MANAGING DIRECTOR Matt matt@golfnews.co.ukNicholson EDITOR Nick editor@golfnews.co.ukBayly EQUIPMENT EDITOR Dan dan@golfnews.co.ukOwen DESIGN Creative Corner wearecreativecorner.comjames@ ■ THE BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP FELT LIKE A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE DP WORLD TOUR AND LIV GOLF
While Europe’s top tier tour – which is now known as the DP World Tour, following a major sponsorship deal with a Dubai-owned logistics company – has been second best to the PGA Tour for decades in terms of prize money and field strengths, it has, up until now, been relatively content with its bridesmaid status, helping to provide a platform for hundreds of players over the years to break onto the world stage. There was a time, during the Seve/Langer/Faldo/Woosnam era of the 1980s and early 90s, when a European Tour pro could play 90% of their golf in Europe and still get to the top of the world rankings.Sadly, those days are long gone, and you have cast your eye down as far as 58th in the world rankings to find a European golfer – Poland’s Adrian Meronk, winner of July’s Irish Open – whose ranking has been earned without competing on the PGA Tour. And thanks to the DP World Tour’s new strategic alliance with the PGA
No wonder that Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who we speak to in this issue, is having a few sleepless nights wondering where his firepower is going to come from when he leads Europe into battle in Rome next year. While the American quad is also likely to be denied access to LIV golfers such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed, such is its strength in depth that their absence will barely be noticed.Theschism that currently exists among golf’s global tours is denying golf fans the opportunity to see the best compete against the best on a regular basis outside of the majors and serves to further dilute what is already a diluted and some might say, bloated, product that even the most ardent follower will find increasingly hard to digest. Heads may need to banged together to sort out this mess. And fast.
LETTEREDITOR'S
Although playing second fiddle to November’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in pure cash terms for the last decade or so, ‘The BMW’ continues to be the showpiece event in Europe’s golfing calendar, attracting huge crowds, a decent field, a classy off-course experience, and a chance for fans to have a snoop around one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the UK. This year’s renewal succeeded in selling out over the weekend, and saw the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and, of course, the winner, Shane Lowry, add a touch of stardust to the field, but one can’t help but feel that this year has been a tipping point as far as the erstwhile European Tour’s place in the firmament of world golf is concerned.
Atlantic.Andthe
rot shows no sign of stopping. In the face of competition not only from the PGA Tour, but the new LIV Golf Series, which has succeeded in luring away Europe’s admittedly older generation of Ryder Cup stars (Poulter, Stenson, Casey, Westwood and Garcia), the DP World Tour is in real danger of becoming little more than a feeder tour, replacing the Challenge Tour as the place that aspiring young tour professionals start out their careers.
The DP World Tour’s real enemy might not be LIV Golf, but the very tour which it is supposed to be in alliance with, the PGA Tour. In the face of competition from Saudi Arabia’s deep pockets, the PGA Tour is set to raise its prize funds by almost $200m next year, offering a staggering $20m fund at no fewer than 12 events, while almost doubling prize totals at some of its showpiece tournaments, such as The Players Championship. Meanwhile, the DP World Tour staged more than a dozen events this season that offered total prize money of $1.75m or less.
NICK BAYLY
Tour, which will see the top 10 players in Europe being offered a PGA Tour card, Adrian will no doubt be packing his bags for Florida next season, thus depriving European fans the chance to watch another rising star in action on this side of the
DASH FOR CASH LEAVES GOLF FANS THE POORER
★ Surrey golfers Florence Smith and Kari James emerged slightly soggy but proud following their victory at the finals of 2022 Women’s England Golf Trust Stableford Championship held at King’s Norton near Birmingham. With heavy rain affecting the later starters and causing a delay in play, it was tough going for the 28 teams that made it through to the finals day. The players battled gainfully through the conditions with the winning pair from Effingham Golf Club delighted to take the victory in this four-ball better ball competition with 45 Stableford points. Legendary amateur golfer Bridget Jackson presented the cup,, along with two crystal bowls. The winning pair also received a golf bag each donated by PING, which also provided other prizes on the day.
Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent have announced plans for the construction of an all-new Sir Nick Faldo-designed par-3 course, and a new putting green, as phase two of the club’s extensive redevelopment plan begins.
SURREY PAIR CLAIM VICTORY AT ENGLAND GOLF TRUST FINALS
Hazel Irvine, Eddie Butler, Andrew Cotter and Judy Rankin; DP World Tour deputy CEO Guy Kinnings, and Jean Van de Velde, the golfer whose spectacular implosion at the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie tested Alliss’s commentary skills to the full.
the imagination and vocabulary of a poet and the timing of a great stand-up comedian. And I cherish the moment when he described one particular player who was fiddly, neurotic and nervous in his pre-shot routine. Peter likened him to a wet Labrador trying to get comfortable in front of a log fire.”
EUROPE HISTORICSECURESDOUBLE AT VAGLIANO & JACQUES LEGLISE TROPHIES
Tributes were paid by a wide range of golfing figures, including PGA Captain Sarah Bennett, fellow BBC broadcasters Steve Rider,
Fullbrook, a member at The Melbourne Club in Hertfordshire, produced the round of her life when it mattered most to secure a miraculous comeback.
claw back the deficit, but also go on to win by two shots from the luckless Gardner with a 13-under-par score for 72 holes.
Alliss remembered at St serviceAndrews
Sophia Fullbrook fired a spectacular final round of 62 to claim the English Girls’ Open Amateur Championship title at The Wilmslow Golf Club.
[4] SEPTEMBER 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
After the service, St Andrews’ North Street was closed off to allow a lone piper to lead guests to a reception.
With 18 holes to go, Fullbrook trailed Ireland’s Rebekah Gardner by 10 shots. By the finish, Fullbrook produced a quite astonishing 10-under par round to not only
round. It was a bit more stressful coming down the back nine, so I was trying to do my best to hold myself together.”
The six-hole par-3 course will be the first of its kind designed by Faldo, and will feature holes ranging from 50 to 100 yards. Inspired by the career of the former world number one, the short game loop will offer huge variety, with specific design features drawn from iconic holes at St Andrews, Augusta National, and the main course at Chart IrregularHills.contouring around the greens will be sure to challenge golfers as they take on the new layout, however minimal bunkering will put the focus on playability and encourage variety in shot making, along the ground and through the air. The multi-functional layout will allow play of two three-hole loops or use as a short game range. Designed to be accessible for all players, the course will further enhance the golf offering that Chart Hills can deliver to both members and visiting golfers.
England girls’ squad player Olivia Lee took third after a final round 69, while Imogen finishedWilliamsonfourthand was awarded the Hazards Salver for the top performing U16 player.
course and putting green. This announcement comes a year after the completion of a total fairway renovation project that lasted more than 12 months. Since Ramac Holdings acquired Chart Hills in 2019, the team, led by General Manager Anthony Tarchetti, have been working tirelessly to extensively redevelop and improve all aspects of the entire 250-acre property.“Weare really excited for this latest project to get underway at Chart Hills,” said Tarchetti. “These installations signify the next step on our continued road towards improvement at Chart Hills. Our goal from the outset was to cement Chart Hills’ place among the very best golfing destinations in the South East, and we are confident that the addition of this totally unique Sir Nick Faldo-designed par-3 course will provide our members and visiting golfers with yet another phenomenal golfing experience here.”
Simon Alliss, one of Peter’s three sons, read out a poem he wrote called ‘I’m famous you know’, referring to his father’s self-deprecating reaction to being approached for an autograph or engaged in unsolicited conversation by a stranger.Rider,who worked with Alliss for 30 years, recalled: “Peter told me that what he wanted to do was illuminate the eccentricity and innate silliness of this glorious game of ours. He had
InBrief
The veteran broadcaster had been due to hang up his microphone at the end of 150th Open Championship, which was due to be held in 2021, but the cancellation of the 2020 event and, of course, his death shortly after commentating on the delayed 2020 Masters, put paid to those plans.
■ PETER'S WIFE JACKIE
Faldo to design new par-3 course at Chart Hills
Sir Nick said: “I am thrilled to see my first par-3 short course design come to life at Chart Hills The course will boast USGA specification greens, and the design has been hugely influenced by some of the most significant holes from my career. Chart Hills is the home of my first Signature Course in Europe, and it has been a joy to watch the major refurbishment of the venue over the past 18 months. This next phase of redevelopment is equally exciting, and I really hope that the club’s members and visiting golfers enjoy challenging their short game over the new
■ ALLISS'S MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS ATTENDED BY HIS FAMILY AND MANY GOLF INDUSTRY FRIENDS
A thanksgiving service to celebrate the life of legendary golfer and commentator Peter Alliss was held on the eve of the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.
Fullbrook, who fired rounds of 72, 67, 74 and 62, was overjoyed to have claimed the title. She said: “It feels insane to be English Girls’ champion. After my third round, I knew I had to go low if I wanted to do it and, luckily, I managed to do just that. The eagle on seven was when I knew that it could be a good
■ SIR NICK FALDO
Fullbrook takes route 62 to win English Girls’ title
Over 400 guests, including family, friends, colleagues and golf industry professionals, attended the ceremony held at the University of St Andrew’s Younger Hall to remember the life and achievements of Alliss, who died in 2020, aged 89.
In addition, a 668-square metre putting green, also to be carried out by Faldo Design, will be installed beside the first tee. The design will deliver both functionality and fun, once again featuring key elements of Sir Nick’s favourite greens from his major wins at St Andrews, Augusta Nationtal, and Muirfield – including its very own valley of sin.
★ A determined singles performance from England saw them edge out Ireland to win the first-ever combined team format for men and women in the R&A Home Internationals held at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Ireland. Trailing 4-3 from the morning foursomes, England responded by winning six of the 14 singles, halving four more and losing just four to edge out the home side 11-10. The important victories came from Lottie Wood, Hannah Screen, Oliv Huggins, Josh Berry, Harley Smith and Jack Bingham. Ireland won the women’s competition with two points from three, while England also won the men’s competition. In the final day’s other match Wales edged out Scotland 11-10, a result which saw them finish third in the combined standings with Scotland ending the event without a victory.
★ The Continent of Europe achieved a historic double by securing victory over Great Britain and Ireland in the Junior Vagliano and Jacques Léglise trophies at Blairgowrie Golf Club in Scotland. Marking the first time that the matches have been played alongside each other, the Europeans continued their dominance in the Junior Vagliano Trophy to take the match by 10-8 after the afternoon singles finished three points apiece. The keenly contested Jacques Léglise Trophy was won by 13½-11½ but the visitors, but they were pushed all the way by a gritty GB&I team.
ENGLAND WIN MEN'S AND WOMEN'S INTERNATIONALSHOME
Hazel Irvine added: “Peter’s voice will never leave my head and I’m very grateful for that. When you look back on some of the key moments in the history of golf, what Peter said about them is as much a part of our memory as that which we actually saw. Not many broadcasters are as closely woven into the fabric of their sport as was Peter Alliss.”
■ THE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE AT CHART HILLS IS SOON TO BE JOINED BY A NEW PAR-3 COURSE DESIGNED BY SIR NICK FALDO
Harnessing the cellular connectivity offered by M5 GPS and M-TECH GPS models, the cutting-edge Performance Plan takes trolley technology to a new level. Available through a no obligation free trial, the great value subscription plan unlocks a host of performance-enhancing features, including Full Hole Mapping, Performance Tracking & Automatic Updates SUPERCHARGEYOURGAME NEW Free Trial
LEARN MORE #PERFORMANCEMOTOCADDY.COM
NEW GPS PERFORMANCE PLAN
★ Leicestershire & Rutland claimed a historic first win at the English Boys’ County Finals after a day of drama at Furness Golf Club in Cumbria. The Midlands champions only reached the 2022 national finals by virtue of a countback victory at the regional qualifier. But after a 5-4 win on day one against Gloucestershire and a 5.5-3.5 defeat on day two against Yorkshire, a 6-3 victory against Kent on the final day of the round robin event was enough to seal the glory for the team. Gloucestershire finished the week as runners up, with Yorkshire third and Kent in fourth spot.
Ahead of the tournament, the course has undergone several minor upgrades, including new tees at the 12th and 14th holes which extend the course to over 7,000 yards for the first time.
All of the 47 bunkers have been reshaped, while significant additional drainage works and a new rrigation system has been installed. The fairways have also been top-dressed with 500 tonnes of sand to improve surface drainage and year-round playability.DavidMoon, Director of Golf at St Mellion Estate, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the British Challenge at St Mellion Estate and welcoming spectators of all ages to this free, ticketed event. Sports fans will once again enjoy elite golf on their doorstep and have the opportunity to watch the next generation of golf stars up close at one of UK’s most revered courses.”
Years of arguing between Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis Club and those opposing the expansion onto land bought from Wimbledon Park Golf Club looks set to be decided by local planners later this month.
The 55-year-old Welshman, who played in the 2002 Ryder Cup, picked up the coveted title and the £50,000 first prize after beating Sunningdale Heath professional Tom Reid in a play-off.Bothplayers tied on 7-under-par for 27 holes, forcing the tournament into over-time before Price secured the win at the second extra hole.
Price is right at British Par 3 Championship
St Mellion to host British Challenge
with each receiving £86,000.
Attracting a host of stars from across the professional game, Ian Woosnam finished in a share of tenth with Simon Khan, Costantino Rocca and Gary Wolstenholme, while Charley Hull was the highest placed of a strong female contingent, finishing on +4 in tied 20th.
Two local MPs whose constituencies straddle the project — Conservative Stephen Hammond of Wimbledon and Labour’s Fleur Anderson in Putney – have called for Merton and Wandsworth councils to hold planning meetings dedicated solely to debating the project. The MPs' statement has annoyed the AELTC by describing a proposed new 23-acre public park on the golf course as ‘a small part of the development which will not have any protection against future development’.AnAllEngland Club statement read: ‘The Wimbledon Park Project proposals aim to deliver on two core objectives: to maintain The Championships at the pinnacle of sport and to provide substantial year-round public benefit to our local community.
The golf club is due to move off the site at the end of this year, regardless of the decision, after 82% of the 750-strong membership agreed to the sale back in 2019, when the land was sold to the AELTC for £63m. Members shared out the massive pay out,
This year’s trophy was a replica of the most successful British player of his generation, Tony Jacklin, in honour of him hosting the tournament this year.
Played in hot conditions, and with firm greens, the course proved a real challenge to the 62-strong professional field, with only nine players managing to finish under par. Matt Cort took third place on six under, and then there was a three-shot gap to fourth, which saw a three-way tie between Fraser Mann, Clark Dennis and 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie.
Battle over Wimbledon Park development set to have its day in court
The LET Access Series has announced a new event on its 2022 calendar with the Rose Ladies Open, which will take place at The Melbourne Club at Brocket Hall later this month.
The British Challenge will take place on the Nicklaus Signature Course, designed by 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus and host of the B&H International Open six times from 1990-95.
Brocket Hall to host Rose Ladies Open
■ THE MELBOURNE COURSE
LUKE GODDARD WINS PGA EAST ORDER OF MERIT
ATSTEALSSHAW-RADFORDTHESHOWCARRISTROPHY
★ Hendon’s Luke Goddard captured the 2022 PGA East Region Order of Merit crown after a fine season in which he finished ninth, first, third and third in the four counting events. He signed off for the series in the manner of a champion, shooting a six-under-par 64 at Colne Valley, en route to finishing third behind winner Sam Forgan. Goddard’s sole win came at Three Rivers Golf & Country Club in July, when he carded a second round 62 to win the tournament by five shots. Goddard ended up comfortably clear in the overall rankings with Harry Casey (The Shire) runnerup and Michael Vandenberg in third place. All three earned a berth in the PGA Play-Offs, which brings together all the top PGA professionals from its seven regions across Britain and Ireland.
Three-time European Tour winner Phillip Price won the 2022 Farmfoods’ British Par 3 championship after coming through a play-off at Nailcote Hall in Warwickshire.
Following on from the success and growth of the Rose Ladies Series over the past few years, Kate and Justin Rose felt it was a natural and necessary progression to increase their support of the professional ladies game with a tournament on the LET Access Series. As such, the Rose Ladies Open is the next step on the journey.
Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire will play host to the 54-hole stroke play tournament from 23-25 September, which will boast a prize fund of €65,000 – the largest prize fund on the Access Series this season outside of the Grand Final. A field of 108 players will be teeing it up on the par-72 Melbourne Course, which was designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark.
opportunities to play competitively and provide them the chance to compete for larger prize funds so that we can continue to work towards change and the drive for equality and help provide the pathway to the Ladies European Tour.”
Tickets for the event are free, and spectators are welcome to come along for all three days.
Central to these proposals is the opening up of previously private land to be enjoyed by thousands of local residents in Merton and Wandsworth. The benefits include the creation of a new public park, a new boardwalk around Wimbledon Park lake, and community use of the proposed new courts and facilities during the year.’
[6] SEPTEMBER 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
InBrief
★ Yorkshire’s Dylan Shaw-Radford won the Carris Trophy after compiling rounds of 70, 65, 71 and 67 for a 15-under-par total at Silloth on Solway. The 17-year-old Huddersfield player won by three shots from Scotland’s Niall Shiels Donegan. Italian duo Marco Florioli and Filippo Ponzano were tied for third place on -11. Shaw-Radford was also part of the England team that won the Nations Cup at the championship. He teamed up with Josh Berry and Tyler Weaver to claim that prize ahead of Italy. The Hazards Salver for the top under 16 boy from GB&I was won by Thorndon Park’s Charlie Croker on -3. Next year’s Carris Trophy will return to its spiritual home of Moor Park Golf Club from 25-28 July.
St Mellion Estate in Cornwall is to host the British Challenge presented by Modest! Golf Management when the event returns to the European Challenge Tour from October 6-9.
LEICS & COUNTYCAPTURERUTLANDFIRSTBOYS’TITLE
The forthcoming meeting might not even be the end of the matter, as there is also the chance of the plans being referred to the London Mayor’s office or to Secretary of State level.
Buzzing off the back of his spectacular win, Price said: “I was fortunate to win the play off really, but I’ve got a beautiful trophy, a wheelbarrow full of cash and a happy family!”
■ PHILLIP PRICE
“We are really excited to announce the Rose Ladies Open,” said Justin Rose. “Building on the success of the Rose Ladies Series, we wanted to continue growing and developing the ladies’ professional game by creating this new tournament, as part of the LET Access Series.“Our motivation remains the same: we want to give the female pros more
■ THE JACK NICKLAUS SIGNATURE COURSE AT ST MELLION
Wimbledon’s plan for an £100 million expansion faces its day of reckoning later this month as local opposition becomes more concerted. The decisive local authority planning hearings are being scheduled for late September to determine whether 39 new courts, including one large stadium, can be built on neighbouring land currently occupied by Wimbledon Park Golf Club.
18 holes of Jack Nicklaus designed championship golf Play InternationaltheCourse It is undoubtedly one of the finest downland courses in Europe with fast, undulating fairways that allow you to chase the ball into position. The course is punctuated with exciting risk and reward tee shots over water that really get the heart pumping. 01474 879 899 | www.londongolf.co.ukgolf@londongolf.co.uk
A copy of the book, which costs £50, can collected from the club or be sent out by emailing gm@haywardsheathgolfclub.co.uk.
★ Italy’s Alessia Nobilio won the English Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship after beating Denmark’s Christina Thouber at the third extra hole in a play-off at Beau Desert Golf Club in Staffordshire. Nobilio conjured up birdies on the final two holes of regulation play to force the shootout, with rounds of 74,68, 74 and 71 taking the Italian onto the same +7 score posted minutes earlier by Thouber, who herself had birdied two of the last three holes. A ftwounder par round of 68 followed on from Thouber’s previous scores of 72, 72 and 75. Bishop Auckland’s Jess Hall finished one shot further back after a closing 72, with a three-putt bogey at the last denying her a place in the play-off.
★ Hannah Screen and Robert Holden won the ladies and men’s events at the inaugural English Under 25 Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship held over the Duchess Course at Woburn Golf Club. England international Screen fired a four-under par round of 69 to finish on level par and win by seven shots from Kings Hill’s Ellena Slater. Holden, who plays out of Letchworth, but has country membership at Woburn – earned a one-shot victory in the men’s event. Holden pipped Freddie MacArthur from Ullesthorpe Court thanks to a brave par on the final hole for a -4 total.
She added: “I thought it was going to be close after the morning round, but I got a few good birdies and holed some putts to give me some breathing room in the afternoon. I didn’t really miss a fairway in both rounds and was hitting approach shots close to make the putts. We both played well, so it perhaps looks a bigger win than it was, as we did exchange birdies. There was no real wind, so perfect scoring conditions.”
one of the world’s leading golf photographers, to create the book, which we believe will create a new benchmark for golf club books.
Woad, who is a member at Farnham Golf Club and plays off a +7 handicap, arrived at the championship in fine form, having won the Sir Henry Cooper Masters in April and played a leading role in England women’s victory at the European Ladies’ Team Championship and the Home Internationals.
‘The Club – 100 Years of Ups and Downs at Haywards Heath Golf Club’ has been written by experienced golf writer Tim Southwell, with new course imagery by world renowned photographer Kevin Murray, both of whom are members of the club.
Popert pips Lawlor to G4D title Wentworthat
OXFORD GOLF CLUB HOSTS DIALYSISTRANSPLANTEUROPEANANDGAMES
Speaking after the biggest win of her career, Woad said: “It’s amazing to add my name to the trophy, I can’t believe it. Winning the gold medal at the Europeans with England was the highlight of my career, but this tops it now. It’s been a good year with a busy run of events. I’m glad to finish it off with victory in my last junior event.”
and not only chronicles the events at the club, but also, in a break with tradition from centenary tomes, gives a snapshot of what was happening in the world in general, including innovations in golf, technology, culture and science.
NOBILIO CLAIMS ENGLISH WOMEN’S STROKE PLAY TITLE
Kent golfer Kipp Popert claimed his third G4D Tour title of the season as he overcame world no.1 Brendan Lawlor to win the G4D event held at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
“It feels really good to have won at such an iconic course as Wentworth’s West Course, and to hole that putt on the last was nice,” said Popert, who has cerebral palsy of the lower body. “I’ve been playing really well this summer, and it’s all finally starting to come together.”
park and open landscaping.
InBrief
In a statement to members, the directors of the club said: “Due to the uncertainty with the crossing, the directors have decided to accept an offer for the land currently occupied by the golf course. It is therefore with regret that we announce that after more than 20 years of operations, we will be closing the business. We would like to thank you all for your support over the years and wish you all happy and successful golfing.”
[8] SEPTEMBER 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Surrey’s Lottie Woad captured the 93rd Girls’ Amateur Championship beating Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio from Spain 7&6 in the 36hole final held at Carnoustie in Scotland.
Haywards Heath celebrates centenary with high-quality book
A comprehensive guide to the history of Haywards Heath Golf Club in West Sussex has been published to celebrate the club’s centenary.
The club, which first opened in 1999, currently has 300 members, all of whom have been notified of the imminent closure.
Southern Valley Golf Club in Kent is to close at the end of August after the venue’s owners agreed to sell the club to make way for a proposed new road crossing to link Kent and Essex.
★ Golfers from across Europe descended on Oxfordshire’s oldest course last month as part of the biannual European Transplant and Dialysis Games 2022. Thirty-five competitors from 10 countries took part in a two-day tournament at Oxford Golf Club, with Ireland’s Michael Dwyer and Marie O’Connor winning the team event. Great Britain’s Charles Lewis won gold in the men’s individual event while Amanda O’Neil from Ireland won the women’s event. With more than 6,000 people waiting for an organ transplant in the UK at any given time, the Games aim to raise awareness of the life-saving benefits of organ donation, the importance of staying active post-transplants and showing appreciation for and remembering donors and their families.
Popert’s double-bogey on the sixth hole during the final round saw Lawlor and Englishman Mike Browne move into contention, as all three shared the lead on the tenth hole. But Popert hit back with four birdies on his back nine, including one on the famous par-five 18th hole, to card a three-under 69.
The land at Southern Valley would be used for the southern tunnel entrance and new road connecting to the A2/M2, as well as a new public
Martin Jones, club captain for the centenary year, commented: “We are delighted and grateful to be able to celebrate 100 years of golf at Haywards Heath Golf Club, a course originally laid out by James Braid. We have also been fortunate to have both Tim Southwell, the founder of GolfPunk, and Kevin Murray,
The book unfolds decade by decade from HHGC’s formation in 1922 to the present day,
Popert, who is a member at Wildernesse Golf Club, held a one stroke lead after an opening level par-72 on the West Course
at Wentworth, despite having opened the tournament with back-to-back bogeys.
HOLDEN AND SCREEN CLAIM ENGLAND U25 TITLES AT WOBURN
The win is Popert’s third in the space of five months, adding to his successes at G4D events at the Betfred British Masters and the Porsche European Open. He has already secured his place at G4D Tour Series Finale which is being held alongside the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November.
ValleySoutherncloses
The golf course occupies a site which is planned to be built on by the Lower Thames Crossing, a new £8 billion road construction project that will cross the Thames estuary close to the Dartford Crossing. If built, the proposed 14-mile road will pass through the districts of Thurrock and Gravesham, supplementing the existing Dartford route and easing congestion on that route.
Matt Palmer, executive director on the crossing scheme, said: “We are sorry for the impact our proposals would have on the Southern Valley Golf Club, which is unavoidable due to the selection of a route that aims to reduce the impact on nearby homes and sensitive habitats such as ancient woodland.“Wehave been engaging with the owners of the land for a number of years and are currently in active discussions with them to reach a voluntary agreement to purchase the land, which we are aiming to complete at a time and in a way that best supports the landowners.” KIPP POPERT
Woad wins Girls Amateur
■ SOUTHERN VALLEY IS MAKING WAY FOR A NEW LINK ROAD FOR THE LOWER THAMES CROSSING ■ LOTTIE WOAD ■
The win secures Woad exemptions into the Women’s Amateur Championship, the US Girls’ Junior, AIG Women’s Open Final Qualifying and, by tradition, an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“We like to think we have managed to capture the colourful moments, people and personalities who have all contributed to the history of the club to date and it is great to come out COVID with a solid achievement to pave the way for the next one hundred years.”
Preloaded with 38,000+ courses, it also has auto-course recognition and automatically advances from hole-to-hole.
The sleek, modern design allows it to also be worn as an everyday timepiece with a visual clockWater-resistantface. and lightweight, the ION ELITE Golf GPS watch is available in a choice of two colours – black or white –and has an RRP of £199.
The ION ELITE’S built-in 'Slope' feature offers more precise compensated distances to account for a hole’s change in elevation, providing golfers with even more precise yardages. A clearly visible blue surround is shown on screen to inform the golfer that slope distances are calibrated and being displayed. Slope Technology can also be disabled to make it legal for tournament play.
A scoring feature enables you to enter your strokes and stats on your wrist and upload your scores to the Bushnell Golf Mobile App for post-round review and analysis. The Bushnell Golf Mobile App also provides all course updates so that you know you’re playing the very latest course set up.
To
be in with a chance of winning the BUSHNELL ION ELITE Golf GPS watch, simply answer the question above correctly and email it to info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Bushnell Competition’ in the subject line. Please include your name, email address, contact telephone number, and where you picked up your copy of Golf News, or if you read it online. The closing date for entries is October 30, 2022. COMPETITION ■ QUESTION HOW MANY GOLF COURSES ARE PRELOADED ONTO THE ION ELITE GOLF GPS WATCH? A) 25,000+ B) 35,000+ C) 38,000+ Play, dine, socialise...meet Make Centurion Club your home from home At Centurion Club we blend the rich history and traditions of golf with a modern, creative and progressive edge to create a welcoming and relaxed environment for our members and their guests. Proud hosts of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational and the Ladies European Tour, Aramco Team Series 2022 Become a member centurionclub.com/membership0(44)1442510520enquiries@centurionclub.co.uk Golf News - Ad - Sept_Oct22.indd 1 24/08/2022 07:46:32
TO ENTER
NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2022 [9] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
BUSHNELL’S NEW ION ELITE GOLF GPS WATCH TO BE WON!
Boasting a full colour touchscreen display, slopecompensated distances and preloaded with 38,000+ courses around the world, Bushnell Golf's Ion Elite watch is the key to lowering your scores wherever you play.
On the course, it offers large, easy-to-read front, centre and back distances, GreenView with moveable pin placement and GreenView, which provides accurate distance based on a golfer’s line of play. HoleView provides access to a visual layout of the current hole in play allowing you to understand what lies ahead for blind shots or doglegs.
It also offers a 12-hour+ battery life; a shot distance calculator, and the ability to get up to six hazard distances per hole.
Golf News and teamed up with GPS and laser rangefinder specialists Bushnell Golf to offer the chance to win its latest feature-packed golf GPS watch, the all-new Ion Elite.
For more information on the extensive range of distance measuring devices available from Bushnell Golf, visit bushnellgolf.com.
GUYS!”GOODTHE FORIS“THISONE
With the second-round leaders on -12, that was never going to be good enough to win, but it set a solid benchmark for the later starters in terms of what scores were out there should they get hot with the Amongputter.those who did just that was Jon Rahm, who was making a rare appearance at the championship following a three-line whip from the DP World Tour. The burly Spaniard bullied the West Course into submission with a stunning SHANE
The absence of a cut and only 54 holes to decide the winner certainly served to create some added excitement with so many players still in contention, but it wasn’t an ideal scenario for the DP World Tour, which has emphasised in recent months that 72-hole golf is the only true format of theRegardlessgame. of the number of holes placed in front of him, Lowry played them flawlessly, and ran out a thoroughly deserving winner after managing to negotiate the West Course three times without dropping a single shot. The rain-softened conditions made low scoring essential, and that certainly proved the case on Sunday, when first Patrick Reed, one of 15 LIV golfers in the starting line-up, fired nine birdies for a final round 63 to set the clubhouse lead at 14 under.
Shane Lowry captured the DP World Tour’s showpiece event, the BMW PGA Championship, to secure his first win since the 2019 Open, and in doing so repelled the challenge of the LIV golfers who had threatened to spoil the party at the European Tour Group’s HQ
FROMTO5-IRONWITHSETGRANDSTANDS;INPGAVICTORYCELEBRATESLOWRYHISATTHEBMWCHAMPIONSHIPFRONTOFPACKHEUPTHEVICTORYASTUNNINGAPPROACHTHE18THGREEN210YARDS
Speaking to the media shortly after being presented with the trophy, Lowry expressed his delight at having ensured a LIV golfer wasn’t celebrating on Sunday night. He said: “I made no secret as to how I felt about the whole thing at the start of the week. I wanted to go out and win this tournament for myself, first and foremost, but I think for this tour. Everyone that’s stayed loyal to this tour and everyone that’s done everything for this tour. I feel like this is one for the good guys.”
play out the second round.
Going into Sunday’s final round the field was much more tightly grouped than it might have been due to the second round being cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. As soon as the news of Her Majesty’s death reached the course the first round was suspended with 30 players still out on the course, and the players only returned early on Saturday morning to complete their first round and then
hile there was no outright animosity shown to members of LIV Golf who felt it was the right thing to play in a tournament whose Tour they had turned their back on, Shane Lowry, winner of this year’s BMW PGA Championship, made no secret of the fact that beating members of the Saudi-backed series proved an added incentive when it came to trying
■
W
Lowry, without a win since his Open Championship triumph in 2019, but playing some of the best golf of his career, cruised around Wentworth’s West Course, dropping no shots but firing an eagle and 15 birdies en route to a 17-under-par total and a one-shot margin of victory over Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.
to win the DP World Tour’s showpiece event. And win it he did.
FEATURE | SEPTEMBER 2022 [11] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
■ EAGLE TIME: JON RAHM FIRED A FINAL ROUND 62, INCLUDING A STUNNING THREE AT THE LAST, TO SHARE SECOND PLACE WITH RORY MCILROY
He’s not the only one.
outTheahead.”performances of Lowry, McIlroy and Rahm, three of the highest ranked DP World Tour members in the field, will have caused a collective sigh of relief in the corridors of power within the DP World Tour, many of whose officials no doubt feared that one of the LIV golfers in the field would win the title at the tour’s headquarters.
■ RORY FORCEDISPBELIEFREACTEDMCILROYWITHASHISEAGLEPUTTTOAPLAY-OFFREFUSEDTODROP ■ TWO MINUTES SILENCE WAS HELD ON SATURDAY MORNING AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL LEADERBOARD POS NAME RD1 RD2 RD3 TOTAL PAR 1 S LOWRY 66 68 65 199 -17 2= R MCILROY 68 65 67 200 -16 J RAHM 70 68 62 200 -16 4 T GOOCH 70 64 67 201 -15 5= S KJELDSEN 68 64 70 202 -14 V HOVLAND 64 68 70 202 -14 T DETRY 68 65 69 202 -14 P REED 70 69 63 202 -14 9= R CAB-BELLO 68 65 70 203 -13 F MOLINARI 69 65 69 203 -13 B HORSCHEL 68 68 67 203 -13 M PAVON 68 70 65 203 -13
McIlroy, another player to have voiced his unhappiness at LIV golfers playing at Wentworth, was also delighted that the man to beat him was a friend and fellow DP World Tour player. “I think Shane winning softens the blow. If it had of been someone else, I might not have felt as comfortable with it as I am,” he said.
McIlroy, playing in the group behind, had an
display of bold driving, aggressive iron play and a brilliant touch around the greens, the latter of which was typified with a superb eagle at the last, where he rolled in a 30-foot putt down the slope that dropped into the cup with virtually its final roll to see the world no.3 sign for a 10-under 62. Cue ebullient celebrations, although he must surely have thought that 16 under par might only be good enough for a play-off.
Lowry, who is prone to wearing his heart on his sleeve, said: “Winning this championship means so much to me. I love it here and I’ve contended in the past, so it’s great to finally get over the line. It’s been a good year, but I’ve felt like I’ve been close a few times and I felt like I was running out of time to win this season. Obviously, this one is right up at the top the list, so I’m delighted to have come
Lowry smote his drive on 18 over the trees lining the right-hand side of the fairway, leaving himself 218 yards to the pin, which was tucked away on the left side of the green. Pulling out a 5-iron, the 35-year-old Irishman hit a majestic approach to within 20 feet of the flag and calmly two-putted for birdie and the clubhouse lead.
And it almost proved that, but only almost. Starting the final round on -10, Lowry made an eagle at the very gettable par-5 4th, and further gains at 7, 8, 10 and 12 took his score alongside Rahm’s with six holes still to play. Still, Wentworth’s closing stretch has destroyed the hopes of many a previous champion elect, and after making pars at 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, Lowry needed a birdie or better to beat Rahm’s score, while Rory McIlroy was still out on the course and very much in touch with the leaders.
eagle putt of his own at the 18th which would have forced a play-off, but the Northern Irishman’s 23-foot effort just stayed above ground, leaving him marooned in second on 16 under alongside Rahm, and handing Lowry his first victory in a tournament that been previously been a rewarding if unsuccessful hunting ground in his previous 12 attempts.
I WANTED TO GO OUT AND WIN THIS TOURNAMENT FOR MYSELF, FIRST AND FOREMOST, BUT ALSO FOR THIS TOUR AND EVERYONE THAT HAS STAYED LOYAL TO IT
For more details, visit horshamgolf.co.uk or email info@horshamgolf.co.uk.
[12] SEPTEMBER 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
The St George’s Cup consisted of 20 participating clubs, represented by fourplayer teams from the USA, Australia, South Africa, Ireland and the UK.
Holding a one-shot lead heading into the final round, Young, who is in her 14th season on tour, recorded a nervy bogey on the first, but bounced back with birdies on the third and seventh holes to put her firmly in contention to break her losing streak.
Horsham Golf has expanded its custom fitting and coaching services following the opening of a new putting studio at the West Sussex-based facility.
She had a stroke of luck on the par-4 10th, when her second shot finished inches from going out of bounds, after which she made a superb recovery to make par. Two further birdies on 11 and 14 gave her a two-shot lead with four holes to play, and a par on the last was enough to seal a longawaitedSpeakingvictory.after coming off the final green, an emotional Young said: “I can’t believe it! I’ve been out here a while and haven’t had a win, so to do it here in Switzerland is just fantastic. I tried to keep in the moment, and I didn’t look at scoreboards until the 18th because I wanted to focus 100% on every shot, and see where that left me.”
HoleMorePutts is the world’s most comprehensive putting measurement and improvement system. It includes the only system that makes independent putter recommendations by brand and model, based on the player’s stroke.
Young had enjoyed a solid season coming into the tournament, with two top-10s and two further top-15 finishes, and she knew her game was trending in the right direction. “I did feel it was coming, I knew my game was good,” she continued. “I took two weeks off after playing in the Aramco Team Series in Spain and got my game back in shape.”Young, who is board member of the LET and helped found the Rose Ladies Series, added: “I said I’d keep playing as long as I’m enjoying it, and as long as I keep getting better – 14 years later and I’m still here. To finally get across the line is amazing. I hope my daughter was watching, who knows when I’ll be able to do it again!”
Young claims first Ladies European Tour win at 39
Horsham Golf opens puttingnewstudio
Pine Tree wins inaugural St George’s Cup
TheClub.winning Pine Tree team of Chris Cocozza, Rod Trump, Allen Thomas and Will Davenport were presented with the St George’s Cup by eight-time Ryder Cup player Neil Coles, who is an honorary member of St George’s Hill.
Hampshire’s Liz Young secured a long overdue first victory on the Ladies European Tour after winning the Swiss Ladies Open. The Brockenhurst-based pro, who has played on the elite level tour on and off since 2008, fired a final round of 69 at Golfpark Holzhäusern to finish on 12 under par for the week, and a one-shot win over Swedish star Linn Grant.
Capto is a hi-tech sensor that uses cutting edge technology to provide accurate, detailed and reliable data on the putting stroke. It uses advanced software to display the data intuitively and in real time. The Capto sensor works indoors and outdoors for the ultimate in real-golf simulation.
Fittings cost £25, with the fitting fee refunded upon purchase of a putter from a stock of over 100 models, including the latest models from Odyssey, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, PING, Cobra, Toulon Design, plus many more.
The two-day tournament was played over 45 holes of St George’s Hills’ Harry Colt-designed course, with Pine Tree pipping Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania to the title, with third place going to Long Island’s Shinnecock Hills Golf
coach every level of golfer..
A team from Pine Tree Golf Club in Florida has won the inaugural St George’s Cup, a new international inter-club tournament hosted at St George’s Hill Golf Club in Surrey.
Designed to offer a one-stop shop for putter fittings, putter customisation and coaching, the new studio is kitted out with a 12-foot synthetic putting mat with data capture powered by the latest technology from CAPTO and HoleMorePutts. The two systems will provide the club’s team of PGA-qualified fitting and coaching experts all the knowledge they need to help fit, customise and
W E E K E N D A V A I L A B I L I T Y B U G G Y H I R E A L L Y E A R R O U N D N O T E M P O R A R Y G R E E N S G U A R A N T E E D N O T E M P O R A R Y T E E S G U A R A N T E E D F R O M £ 3 0 P E R P E R S O N ALTONWOODGROUP.CO.UK WINTER GOLF DAYS T O M A K E A B O O K I N G P L E A S E C A L L M I T C H . D O W L I N G @ A L T O N W O O D G R O U P . C O . U K 0 1 8 8 3 7 4 0 2 2 6 SURREYNATIO NAL .CO.UK W E S T E R H A M G C . C O . U K WOLDINGHAM GC .CO . UK
■ THE MONEY SHOT: PHIL MICKELSON TEES OFF AT THE OPENING LIV GOLF EVENT AT THE CENTURION CLUB
transformed into a three-hour, floodlit game played by pyjama-wearing advertising vehicles who play for the highest bidder. It was only a matter of time before someone, or in this case, some country, decided that golf was ripe for the picking as a sport for a 360-degree revolution.
The level of investment that LIV Golf has pledged to get its ‘start-up’ league off the ground is simply staggering, with the Saudi-backed business set to spend/invest over $2.4 billion over the next four seasons.
While Saudi Arabia’s motives for investing in golf are somewhat clouded by cries of ‘sportswashing’, if it hadn’t been LIV Golf, with its unimaginably deep pockets, then it would have been someone or something else – remember the Premier Golf League? – who would have attempted to get a slice of the action currently enjoyed by the PGA Tour and the European Tour Group. These two entities have enjoyed a cosy cartel for close to almost 50 years and they’re not about to give it up without a fight.
■ TIGER WOODS WAS OFFERED $700M TO JOIN LIV GOLF
Other players, especially the younger ones, could be forgiven for not feeling quite so magnanimous, given how rich the PGA Tour has become on the back of their abilities. To sample a few other more current players featured in the report, fourtime major winner Rory McIlroy would have banked $373m in prize money and bonuses under the new rewards structure, compared to his current figure of $65m; while Jordan Spieth would have accrued $240m. Even
Many of those players that have spoken out against LIV Golf and remained loyal to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, have done so from a comfortable financial position. They talk of ‘not biting the hand that has fed them’ so generously, while also mindful that their continued allegiance is also proving something of a useful bargaining chip when it comes to squeezing a few extra dollars out of the PGA Tour’s burgeoning coffers.
RORY MCILROY WOULD HAVE BANKED $373M IN PRIZE MONEY AND BONUSES UNDER THE PGA TOUR'S NEW PRIZE STRUCTURE INSTEAD OF HIS CURRENT $65M
(CONTINUED OVERLEAF)
As for Woods, the tour opted against using him as a data point because not many players can realistically hope to replicate his career. But it’s entirely possible that Woods would have won the Player Impact Program every single year from 1997-2021, the year he won it despite not hitting a single shot in a PGA Tour event, and all those first-place prizes would’ve added up to hundreds of millions of dollars in bonus money – not including on-course earnings. All of a sudden that $700 million figure thrown around by LIV Golf doesn’t look so outrageous.
■ LIV GOLF CEO GREG NORMAN ISTHE PUBLIC FACE OF THE SAUDI-BACKED TOUR
FEATURE | SEPTEMBER 2022 [15]
The projection figures are staggering; the PGA Tour claims that if Jim Furyk – a major champion and winner of 17 PGA Tour titles – was a rookie in 2022-23 and had the same 28-year career that he had, in which he made $71m in on-course earnings, his total earning from the tour would exceed $620m. In his best year, 2006, Furyk would have earned $70m in prize money and bonuses under today’s funding structure, compared to the $7.2m he won back in the day. Despite reading about the money he could have made, Furyk is not bothered in the slightest.
have taken LIV Golf’s money, but very few of us in such a position would have found it easy turn down the opportunity of a guaranteed income – there are no cuts in LIV Golf’s 54-hole events – and a hefty signing-on fee for some, as well as the chance to play less golf for more money. Quite how long the Saudi’s will be committed to funding what is currently a loss-making exercise remains to be seen, but no-one should be in any doubt of the seriousness of their intentions to disrupt the current status quo.
With prize money set to increase by 3.5% each year and the Player Impact Program – a data-led ranking that rewards players at the end of the season based of their popularity with golf fans and the media
players of the pedigree of Ryan Palmer would be good for $100m, while 48-yearold Jason Gore, with just one PGA Tour win to his name, would have earned $21m compared to his current $6m.
It’s easy to criticise the aforementioned players, and all those 50-plus others, who
■ MONEY BAGS: JIM FURYK WOULD HAVE WON OVER TEN TIMES HIS EARNINGS IF HE HAD STARTED HIS CAREER UNDER TODAY'S REWARD STRUCTURE
Tiger Woods, who has made around $120m (£100m) in on-course earnings during his 25year career on the PGA Tour, was reportedly offered $700 million to join LIV Golf. And that for a 46-year-old who can barely walk, let alone compete for major or minor titles anymore. Other players with more recent major wins to their names, namely Phil Mickelson ($200m), Dustin Johnson ($150m), Brooks Koepka ($100m) and Bryson DeChambeau (¢100m), were all offered, and accepted, vast sums to jump ship from the PGA Tour and join the LIV machine, and in doing so have created a rift not just between tours, but between fellow players and friends, and have threatened the integrity of future of shop-window events like the Ryder Cup. Currently 12 of the world’s top 50 are LIV golfers, with several more high-profile players, including world no.2 and current Open champion Cam Smith, among the most recent signings.
As a direct consequence of LIV Golf’s arrival, the PGA Tour has mounted a rear-guard action to shore up support from its membership and has asked players to focus not on what riches they’ve accumulated in the past, but what they can earn in the future. Last month saw PGA Tour officials begin circulating a document that outlines projected earnings for a sample of players if they started their career in the 2022-23 season. The calculations are based loosely on a 4% year-on-year growth in total earnings, with continued added investment in its three bonus programmes – the FedEx Cup, the Comcast Business Tour Top 10 and the Player Impact Program.
“We started hearing about all these increases years ago,” Furyk said, when he read the report. “A lot of people think this came out of nowhere given the recent happenings in golf, but we’ve known for a while that the money was going to go up considerably. The last thing I want to sound like is bitter that I’m not 23 years old right now. The purses are going to continue to rise, the younger guys are going to continue to make more money and the FedExCup is going to continue to grow. I think that’s wonderful.”
set to hit $100m next year, the PGA Tour is setting out a very attractive package for young golfers coming through the ranks who are looking to see where they might best ‘turn a dime’ in the future.
PGA Tour by numbers
■ THEAFTERPICKEDRORYTOALLSMILINGTHEWAYTHEBANK:MCILROYUP$18MWINNINGFEDEXCUP ■ DP WORLD CHIEF EXECUTIVE KEITH PELLEY IS UNDER PRESSURE TO IMPROVE PRIZE FUNDS FOR EUROPEAN GOLFERS ■ PGA TOUR COMMISSIONER JAY MONAHAN HAS BOOSTED PRIZE FUNDS TO COMBAT LIV GOLF
“We wanted to give our players, particularly our young players who are starting out, a better idea of how much money they will be able to earn by playing on the PGA Tour — which does not include the player’s endorsements or other off-course earnings,” a PGA Tour executive said of the projection documents. “Our bonus payments have outpaced our prize money in growth in the past few years, and we have focused our efforts on boosting those.”
121.7m Total prize fund for the 38 DP World Tour events in 2022 (not including Majors, WGCs or JP McManus Pro-Am) 3.2m Average total prize fund per event in 2022 2m Minimum prize fund at events solely sanctioned by DP World Tour in 2022 1.5m Minimum prize fund at co-sanctioned events in 2022 Average prize money earned by a top 50 DP World Tour player in 2021 10m Total prize fund for the 2022 DP World Tour Championship DASH FOR THE CASH SOME OF THE HEADLINE FINANCIAL FIGURES COMING OUT OF THE WORLD’S PROFESSIONAL TOURS (ALL MONETARY FIGURES EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
267.7m Total prize fund for 30 events in 2021-22 (not including Majors, WGCs, FedExCup, Sentry of Champions) 8.9m Average total prize fund per tournament in 2022 (not including Majors, WGCs, FedExCup, Sentry of Champions) 483m Total prize fund for 43 events in 2023 (including Majors, WGCs, FedExCup, Sentry of Champions) 11.2m Average total prize fund per tournament for 43 events in 2023 25m Total prize fund for The PLAYERS Championship in 2023 (up from 12.5m) 20m Prize fund per tournament for 12 designated events in 2023 75m FedExCup bonus pool in 2023 (up from $60m) 100m Value of Player Impact Program in 2023 (up from $40m in 2022) 1.5m Average prize money earned by a PGA Tour player in 2021 0.5m Guaranteed minimum earnings for PGA Tour members in 2023 who play 12 events 5,000 Payment awarded to players missing the cut in 2023
[16] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK SEPTEMBER 2022 | FEATURE LIV Golf by numbers 620 bn Total value of Saudi Public Investment Fund, backers of LIV Golf 2.4 bn Total Saudi PIF plans to spend on LIV Golf between 2022-2025 225m Total prize fund for 8 LIV Golf Series events in 2022 405m Total prize fund for 14 LIV Golf Series events in 2023 25m Total prize fund on offer at each event 200m Phil Mickelson’s signing on fee for joining LIV Golf 4m Guaranteed individual first prize at each event 3m First-place team prize money split between four players 120,000 Prize money for the last-placed player
DP World Tour by numbers
It is, however, hard to view the PGA’s projected earnings document outside the context of LIV, which has reset the market for professional golfers with its offers of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in guaranteed money to its players. Until now, The PGA Tour did not include any guaranteed money in its projections, but all that changed the week
Tour’s new requirement for its top 20 players in the Player Impact Program to commit to playing in these 12 ‘enhanced tournaments’, it remains nothing short of window-dressing when you have players in the top 20 in the official world rankings banned from competing on the PGA Tour.
■ SWEDE DREAMS: HENRIK STENSON BANKED $4M AFTER WINNING THE LIV GOLF EVENT IN NEW YORK JUST DAYS AFTER RESIGNING FROM THE CAPTAINCY OF THE EUROPEAN RYDER CUP TEAM
package that included a series of 12 tournaments with guaranteed $20m prize funds, a minimum $500,000 income for anyone competing on the tour who plays at least 15 events, while also offering a $5,000 payment every time a lower-ranked player misses a cut in order to cover their travel and hotel expenses whenever they have a bad week on the course. These parachute payments are designed to make the transition from the US feeder tour – the Korn Ferry – and most likely, those players who come across from the DP World Tour, an easier one.
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Putting all the law suits, suspensions, fines, anti-trust legislation and in-fighting to one side for a moment, what most golf fans are interested in is whether they will still be able to watch the best players playing against each other on a regular basis, and whether events like the Ryder Cup will still involve the best 12 players from either side of the Atlantic, or whether these events and teams will be only be populated by golfers who have remained ‘loyal’ to their paymasters. And while the PGA
As things stand, a lot of golfers are set to get a whole lot richer, while golf fans and the TV viewers are getting a diluted product that leaves nothing but a rather bitter taste in the mouth.
At the heart of this argument is whether professional golfers are regarded, in the eyes of the law, as independent, freelance contractors or full-time members of nonprofit organisations. If it’s the former, then they should be free to choose to play when and wherever they like, be it the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, LIV Golf or whatever other tour comes along; if it’s the latter, they are nothing more than employees with a contract to fulfil. And until that is made clear, the waters will remain muddied.
■ CAM SMITH AND MARC LEISHMAN ARE THE LATEST PLAYERS TO JOIN LIV GOLF
Altonwood Group continues programmeimprovementcourse
Royal sustainabilitycelebratesMid-Surreyaward
Featuring Astroturf greens and tees and with no hole longer than 100 yards, the short course is ideal for beginners and new golfers, as well as for fun rounds for families.
Sally Haygarth, director of Maple Leaf Golf, said: “We’re thrilled to launch Hounslow Golf Park and bring this exciting attraction to the local area. By offering a family-friendly, fun facility that is open to all levels of experience, we hope to open the sport up to people who have never tried it before.”
Club chairman Stephen Fowler. said: “GEO Certified is the symbol of a great golf environment and it confirms that Royal Mid-Surrey satisfies all relevant criteria in the areas of nature, resources and community, while being committed to continual improvement and adaptation to wider sustainability issues. The club is delighted that this accolade recognises the outstanding work of the course management team and clubhouse staff and we are all excited to continue striving for excellence in sustainable golf.”
She added: “We’re passionate about making golf accessible to all and we’re proud that across our existing sites, over 50 per cent of our new golfers are women. We can’t wait to welcome a diverse range of golfers, from pros to complete beginners and families.”
The Altonwood Group has undertaken a significant programme of investment across its portfolio of golf clubs in the South-East, with Westerham, Woldingham and Surrey National each benefitting from improvements to their courses in order to enhance the year-round playing experience at these popular venues.
The works are being carried out by club staff working alongside course architect and PGA Master Professional Alan Walker and tree works by John Nicholson Associates.
This new venture also includes the change of use of part of the previous golf course to a nature area, which provided a unique opportunity to improve the site in an ecological context and to provide habitat and species enhancements that will be of benefit the local ecosystem.
approaches to greens, while an upgrade to the network of paths across the course is also in the pipeline.Offthe golf course, the club has installed solar panelling on the clubhouse roof, which will help to offset the rising cost of electricity and provide more sustainable energy solution going forward. Westerham has continued its tee redevelopment programme, with four tees enlarged and rebuilt this summer, including at the second and 13th holes, to go with the four that were refurbished last
The GEO certification is awarded by the GEO Foundation, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to delivering programmes that help people on the ground to evaluate, improve and credibly communicate their sustainability work.
The centre closed in 2016, but the owner of the site, Maple Leaf Golf, recently secured £4m of funding to transform the venue, which is now called Hounslow Golf Park.
Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club has achieved official recognition for its commitment and efforts to achieve a credible standard for sustainable golf both on and off its two 18-hole courses.
Run by husband-and-wife team Richard and Sally Haygarth, the 10-hectare site has created 40 jobs for the local area. The launch follows the success of the couple’s three other Maple Leaf Golf sites in Chichester, Worthing and Epsom.
The venue, which officially opened on July 11, features a two-storey, 55bay driving range kitted out with agesavailable‘KnockAbout9-holeandcoursesthemedfloodlitplayball-trackingstate-of-the-artandgametechnology;two18-holedinosaur-adventuregolf–‘Cascades’‘Eruption’;plusashortcourse,the9’,whichisforgolfersofallandskilllevelstoplay.
Among the measures that the club has taken to enhance its environmental and sustainability credentials include increasing the areas of rough around the course and linking areas to create ‘wildlife corridors’; retaining standing deadwood and forming log piles from fallen trees to provide habitats for insects, and installing bird boxes made from recycled pallets to offer nesting options for more than 80 species of birds observed on the courses.
A multi-million pound golf facility featuring a 55bay driving range, a nine-hole golf course and two adventure courses has opened at the site of what used to be Hounslow Heath Golf Centre in West London.
Thewinter.greenkeeping
team at Woldingham have also been busy out on the course, with the remodelling of the approaches and green surrounds on holes 8, 9 and 18 serving. to improve playing conditions. Renovations to three more tees are currently being carried out to go with the three that were enlarged and rebuilt earlier this year, which included the 11th and the 15th.
[18] SEPTEMBER 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Off the golf course the club has installed six charging points for electric vehicles in the members’ car park; fitted solar panels onto the clubhouse roof, and reduced the number of single-use items in the clubhouse by removing plastic cups from water dispensers and swapping plastic water bottles for resealable cans of water.
Hounslow Golf Park swings into action
Open until 10.30pm every night, Hounslow Golf Park also features a café and a bar overlooking the adventure golf courses, with all golf facilities
The grounds team at Surrey National has continued with its woodland management programme over the last 12 months, which has served to improve the views from the tees and
available to book online at hounslowgolfpark.com. ■ HOUNSLOW GOLF PARK BOASTS A 55-BAY, GOLF18-HOLETWODRIVINGDOUBLE-TIEREDRANGEANDFLOODLITADVENTURECOURSES ■ ROYAL MID-SURREY GC SUSTAINABILITY LEAD CLAIRE SILVER HOLDS THE GEO CERTIFICATE IN THE COMPANY OF THE GREENKEEPING TEAM ■ THE NEW 13TH TEE AT WESTERHAM GOLF CLUB ■ AREAS OF ROUGH AROUNDTEES HAS CREATED MORE PLACESFOR WILDLIFE TO FLOURISH
The company has invested over £300,000 in new course machinery this season, which has helped to elevate course conditions at all five clubs in the Altonwood Group, which also includes The Addington and South Godstone.
STORY BEHIND THE PIC
Asked about his achievement of winning 20 consecutive club championships, Taylor said: “I’ve had a letter from the people who publish the Guinness Book of Records that they will treat this is a world’s best performance. I have certainly never heard of anything better anywhere in the world.”
Word has it that Mr Taylor’s doctor told him that it was time to be taking it ‘easy’, although I doubt that was word that the patient in question had much truck with given his unrelenting desire to win.
And nor have we, Bunny, nor have we.
His lowest score for the 36-hole competition was the 146 strokes he took when taking the title in 1953, aged 41, and the highest was a 161 in 1951. For the final defence of his title in 1962, Taylor attacked the course like a man possessed. Known for his unerring iron play and brilliant short game, he one-putted the 6th, 7th and 8th holes to turn in 37, and then came home in 36 after bagging four more one-putt pars, including a 12-footer at the last, for a one-over-par 73.
RMW ‘BUNNY’ TAYLOR • DYKE GOLF CLUB, EAST SUSSEX, 1960
W
After opening up an eight-shot lead at the half-way point, Taylor took his foot off the gas in the afternoon, and a cold putter saw him coast to second round 83 and an aggregate winning score of 156, seven shots ahead of his nearest challenger.
“The greens were a good deal faster after than in the morning round, but although 83 sounds like a lot, I was never in trouble all day,” said Taylor, with the confident air of a man for whom winning club champs was like shelling peas.
■ BUNNY TAYLOR STANDS IN FRONT OF THE HONOURS BOARD AT THE DYKE GOLF CLUB IN BRIGHTON, WHERE HE WON 20 CONSECUTIVE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
While sporting records are there to be broken, and often are, it’s hard to imagine any golfer being able to eclipse the achievements of Sussex legend RWH ‘Bunny’ Taylor, who, between the years of 1937 and 1962, and the ages of 24 and 50, managed to win the club championship at The Dyke Golf Club in Brighton a barely believable 20 times in a row.
hile there are numerous amateur golfers who have won their home club championship in two, three and sometimes four different decades, few are able to produce the goods on the day consistently enough to win consecutive championships over extended periods.
"I'VE HAD A LETTER FROM THE PEOPLE AT THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS THAT THEY WILL TREAT THIS AS A WORLD'S BEST PERFORMANCE"
After bagging his third title on the trot in 1939, he broke off hostilities with his fellow club members – and his job as a branch manager at a Londonbased milliner’s firm – to battle with the Bosch, before resuming normal service with victory in the championship in 1946. He then extended his unbeaten run for 16 more years until he generously decided, aged 50, to give someone else a go when retiring after securing his 20th and final title in 1962.
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION ON EACH CLUB • THE LATEST PACKAGES • GREAT IMAGERY • VIDEO FOOTAGE (ON SELECTED CLUBS) • EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW LOOKING TO BO
FOR THE BEST SOCIETY & CORPORATE DAY VENUES OK A GOLF DAY?Wanttoreceivea free high quality A4 Hard Copy of the upcoming 2022 Golf Day Guide…? Email the following details to Societyguide@golfnews.co.uk:NameofOrganiserorCompanyNameNumberinyourgroupAddress
I can’t pretend that I wasn’t disappointed when I wasn’t selected first time around in March, as I thought I was in with a decent chance, but I’m delighted, excited and extremely honoured to have been given the chance to lead the team into Rome in
Given the shorter lead time that you will have as captain, what’s the most pressing thing to get sorted ahead of the next year's matches?
it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but how does it feel to be a second choice Ryder Cup captain?
With Henrik Stenson being stripped of the 2023 Ryder Cup captaincy following his switch to LIV Golf, it has fallen to Luke Donald to pick up the baton to lead Europe in Rome. Here, the Hertfordshire-born 45-year-old lays out his thoughts on taking the captain’s reins, the on-going issues around team selection, and how he plans to win back the cup
circumstances around Henrik’s situation are well known, but it is what it is. Sometimes in life we’re given second chances, and I’m thoroughly looking forward to making the most of the one that I have been handed.
Iknow
I’m not here really to talk about LIV Golf and whether they will be eligible or not. That remains to be seen, as there are legal appeals currently going on, but part of my role as captain is to create a strong and unified team, and I’ll be working on that as we build towards the matches. Hopefully, we’ll soon have some clarity on the situation [regarding LIV Golf players] and we can start making some decisions about the team when the picture becomes clearer.
We are all focused on reclaiming the Ryder Cup in Rome next September and this qualification system gives us the best opportunity of doing just that.
Given that the American Ryder Cup team may lose a third of its 2021 winning team due to LIV Golf, how balanced do you think that the two teams might be in 2023?
As far as the European Points List is concerned, modifying the points allocation will give an improved chance for DP World Tour members playing predominantly on the DP World Tour to make the Ryder Cup team through one of the now three spots available from that list. We have also moved the end of the qualification period
What is your personal position as to whether those players who have gone to LIV Golf should be available for selection for the Ryder Cup team, either as players or vice-captains?
Obviously,2023.the
Well, it’s hard to answer hypothetical questions. I think our top guys against their top guys match out pretty well, to be honest. I think there’s room for some great young players to show form over the next year, and I’m glad we do have a year
“I’VE ONLY BEEN INVOLVED IN ONE LOSING RYDER CUP TEAM AND I DIDN’T LIKE IT”
You’ve opted for six wildcards, with three automatic places from the world points list and three from the DP World Tour points list, as well as some changes to the points weighting behind some of the events. Are you confident that will give you the strongest team? The changes to the qualification process follow in-depth analysis with the team at Ryder Cup Europe and I’m delighted that when we presented our thoughts to the Tournament Committee, they were 100% behind them. The revised overall process removes the need for points multipliers in the last few months of the qualifying period, and the six picks give me flexibility to ensure we have the strongest line-up at Marco Simone in terms of in-form players, players with Ryder Cup experience and potential pairings.
I think we will have plenty of time to get everything in order. There are obviously some unknowns right now, but I’ll have to just deal with those as they come along. First and foremost, we needed to sort out the qualification criteria and we’ve done that now.
I’ve been involved in six Ryder Cups – four in a playing capacity and two as a vice-captain – and I’ve learnt a lot along the way. Some of the best experiences of my career have been at Ryder Cups, so I’m excited. I’ve got 12 months ahead of me and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.
forward to give the players the right amount of preparation time once they have made the team.
This is something I’ve always wanted to do, so when I was offered the chance, I grabbed it. I’ve had amazing experiences in Ryder Cups, and in many ways this [the captaincy] feels like a lifetime achievement award; a reward for everything I’ve done in my Ryder Cup career, so to be a part of it again is truly special.
INTERVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2022 [23] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
There are always shifts in the make-up of Ryder Cup teams, we saw that with the American side last year, and I think we’re probably going to see that with our team next year. I think that’s just a natural shift that happens in Ryder Cup teams. We certainly had a lot of experience at Whistling Straits, but I’m sure those more experienced players still feel like they are capable of making the team. Then again, this is a great opportunity for the younger guys to qualify. So if I was a young European competing on the DP World Tour, I would be very excited about the opportunity to show how good I am and if what I’ve got is good enough to make the European Ryder Cup team.
Having been at Whistling Straits as a vicecaptain, how would you sum up the size of the task on your hands on a purely playing perspective to get that trophy back?
Well, I think the European Tour and the Ryder Cup Committee have a great template in place. We have had a lot of success over the years. We’ve won seven of the last ten, nine of the last 13, so last year’s defeat was very disappointing. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
I’ve been fortunate to be a part of five winning teams, so the celebrations at the end are always fun. I got to play Oakland Hills last week for a corporate thing, and that was my first Ryder Cup in 2004. I remember the party in the Irish bar afterwards was pretty memorable.
It was the first time I was ever on a losing team and it’s not nice. But sometimes failure can really motivate you, and I certainly know that the players will be motivated to win back the cup, and I will be doing everything I can to get those guys in the right frame of mind to put us in a position to do that.
From a personal playing standpoint, maybe the 7-iron I hit into the 17th at Medinah against Tiger and Steve Stricker when I was playing with Sergio. Maybe the bunker shot on 17 at Medinah, too, against Bubba Watson, and putting that first point on the board leading out Europe.
Your last Ryder Cup as a player was at Medinah in 2012. Is it a source of frustration that you haven’t been in the team as a player in recent years?
As an individual player, you always have aspirations of playing at the highest level, but my golf has not been as good as I would have liked the last few years. I’m 45 now, but I know that other players are still playing decent golf at that age, but just hasn’t been the case for me. If you had asked me after Medinah whether that would be my last Ryder Cup, I would have said
such comparisons between something like the Lionesses and the Ryder Cup. I’m sure I’ll be reaching out to many people who have had a lot of success in that team environment, one being Sarina.TheLionesses made history, and they will inspire a generation. And that’s what really inspires me about the Ryder Cup – the chance to inspire future generations. I certainly remember a lot of my shots in Ryder Cups much more than I do in individual tournaments, because we are playing for something bigger than ourselves.
The hardest part for me will be to get these 12 guys into the team room in a very motivated, unified way. There are obviously some distractions going on, but there’s been lots of Ryder Cups where there have been issues for captains to deal with. We saw that last year with the pandemic and then in 2001 we had to deal with the fall-out from the terrorist attacks of 9/11. You know, these things happen, and we’ll just have to deal with them in the best possible way.
to find those players. The Ryder Cup has always come down to fine margins, even when the final points tallies have been skewed one way or another. I know last year wasn’t that close judged by the end result, but it felt like the matches were a lot closer out on the course. Ryder Cups are always close, no matter where the players are in the rankings, and we’ll certainly be ready to take on whoever the US has in its team.
You played in last year’s Italian Open at Marco Simone, host venue for the 2023 Ryder Cup. What sort of a test do you think that course will present for the teams?
What’s your most abiding memory from the six Ryder Cups you’ve been involved in?
I THINK I'M A ANDBETWEENSOMEWHEREOUT.FIGURESPERSON.ORIENTATEDDETAILED-ILIKETOTHINGSI'MPROBABLYLANGEROLAZABAL
right frame of mind that this could be a new opportunity for a new generation to step up and make this team. I’ll be trying to really persuade them to be stepping up their schedules and playing some good golf.
I was flying back from Detroit during the Euro finals, so I didn’t watch the match, but obviously we’re all extremely proud of what the Lionesses achieved. Any time I can talk to someone who is able to have such a success around a team is going to be worthwhile. I think you can see
you were crazy. That’s how fickle this game is. I still have aspirations of competing and doing well at the highest level, but I haven't put in the performance to justfy selection as a player.
You’ve played and worked alongside six different Ryder Cup captains. What kind of captain will you be and who do you think of those past captain’s you’re most like?
I think there’s a lot of young talent out there. We’ve obviously got a lot of guys who played last year. We have some experienced players like Thomas Pieters, Thorbjørn Olesen, and some younger guys, like the Højgaard twins. Obviously, I would love Francesco [Molinari] to make that team. To be in Italy, that would be an amazing thing for himself and for me.
Yes, I played last year, and I’ll be playing again this year. I think it’s going to be an amazing golf course and an amazing venue. There are lots of great vantage points for crowds to watch the action. Obviously, I’ll be meeting with my vice captains and the Ryder Cup Committee over the next few weeks, and at the Italian Open, and thinking about how we can set up the course, but I think it’s going to be a great venue.
Who are the younger players that you think might break through into the team next year?
Did LIV Golf approach you to join their tour? They have not approached me with a contract to play on the LIV Golf Series, but they did reach out to me very early on in the process about being a broadcast commentator, which I quickly said I wasn’t interested in. That’s all in the past and right now I want to keep moving forward. I’ve been gifted this opportunity to be Ryder Cup captain and this is my only goal, my only interest, over the next 14 months.
How much of a challenge is it going to be to get to know the young guys that are going to be the new era for Europe, and how much time will you spend on the DP World Tour? I certainly plan to be over in Europe more than I usually would do, and I’ll be meeting the guys and getting to know them better. I obviously know a lot of the players that have played in previous Ryder Cups, but it will be important for me to get over to Europe and catch up with these younger guys and really get them in the
I suppose I’m somewhere between Langer and a José Maria Olazábal. I think I’m a detailoriented person. I like to figure things out in my head without blurting them out. José was certainly more of a quiet leader, and I think that will be kind of my stance. That’s my nature. Between those two, I’m guessing I’ll be on the phone to both of them and getting some ideas for my captaincy.
What do you think is going to be the hardest part of your job?
■ EDUARDOFORMERHARRINGTONCAPTAINFORMERWILLBACKROOMDONALD'STEAMINCLUDERYDERCUPPADRAIGANDPLAYERMOLINARI
Several past Ryder Cup captains have sought advice from managers and leading figures in other sports. I wonder whether Sarina Wiegman, manager of the Lionesses, might be on your ‘to-call list’ after England’s win in the Euros?
We had some things going against us last year, obviously COVID, and not having the travelling support that we usually do at an away match. So hopefully this time will be a little bit easier in terms of having great crowd support. I’m excited for it to be in Rome. The Italian fans are very passionate and I’m sure we’ll lots of fans travel from all over Europe.
Do you feel like this could be a major changing of the guard in terms of how the European team looks going forward?
Well, I enjoyed having my first Ryder Cup under Bernhard Langer in 2004. He certainly crossed all the t’s and dotted all the i’s. I felt like I always knew where I was with him. He was very detail orientated, and I think a lot of the players, including the rookies, were very motivated to play under him.
PLAY WITH STYLE ALBARTROSS.COM LUXURY GOLF SHOES & ACCESSSORIES
The Majors are really what golf careers are defined by, more so than ever. I’d love to win more and be a multiple winner. At this point I need to be greedy because I don’t have much time. Certainly, the Open Championship is unfinished business for me, but I’m not going to be picky – I’ll take any of them!
Adam Scott reflects on a 22-year career that has so far yielded 31 wins, a world no.1 ranking, and a coveted major championship victory at the 2013 Masters. Despite his advancing age, the 42-year-old Australian still feels he has time – and the desire – to add to his already impressive CV
■ YOUNG AT HEART: ADAM SCOTT IS THE OLDEST PLAYER INSIDE THE WORLD'S TOP
30
As it did for many people, the pandemic has changed a lot of things for me. Previously I had a very global team, and we had become used to being able to operate and to live wherever we wanted. My trainer was in Hawaii, my coach was in London, and I was living in Switzerland, and during Covid no-one could get to one another to see each other. I spent very little time with my coach, and I don’t even work with that trainer anymore because it was just not possible to do that. So there’s been a lot of changes, and until last summer I felt like a lot of balls were up in the air and nothing was very consistent and I was always juggling something. But you’re constantly learning in this game. And for me it’s been a good time to have a hard reset on many things. I feel like I’ve dealt with a few things that were tougher to deal with, and at least I feel like I’ve come out of it in a better place.
My game is in a very good place at the moment, and it’s in a place where I feel like I can get results and that has been born out this year, with six top-10 finishes from 18 starts and getting through to the Tour Championship after finishing fifth at the St Jude Championship and the BMW Championship. I’m in a good spot physically and mentally, and I’m still in what I would still call the prime of my career. I’ve got a lot of experience behind me, so it’s time to take advantage of everything I’ve put into my career at this point and hopefully I get into some situations where I can make it go my way on Sunday and win some big events and maybe tick off a couple of those boxes I have left.
I probably set my expectations a little wrong at the start of last year, but when you’re competitive it’s very hard to lower them. I expect to play at a very high level and if I don’t I’m not really even going to have a job. You can make a lot of excuses, but I don’t think excuses get you very far in. this game, so you just have to figure out a way to deal with whatever situation you find yourself in. After being on Tour for 20 years I know that things don’t always go your way, because it’s a difficult game. So, although I’ve been frustrated when I haven’t played as well as I want to, I have never let it take me to a breaking point.
effect on everything getting better through the bag. I was hitting the driver better, and because of that the confidence got a bit better, and it’s so crazy that a little thing like that just helped. The driver is an important club for me. When I look at last year, from February to July, I felt like I was driving it into the rough all the time, but when I’m swinging well I drive the ball very well and that confidence filters through the bag. And as I got into the back end of last year and adjusted some of the golf aspects like my driver, I could start seeing the positives again. That was obviously very helpful and made it easier to adjust my attitude of ‘I’m over this’ to ‘I’m looking forward to playing and getting stuck into a new season’.
Watching Phil Mickelson win the US PGA at the age of 51 certainly gives me hope that I can still play at a high level for another five years at least. I know he’s put an incredible amount of work in to being able to do that and I’m not taking that for granted, but I feel like I like I’m in pretty good shape physically and hopefully I can still be a top player.
I'VE GOT A LOT OF SOMETHATIT'SBEHINDEXPERIENCEME,SOTIMETOTAKEADVANTAGEOFANDTICKOFFOFTHEBOXESTHATISTILLWANTTOACHIEVE
Even at my age, It’s fairly easy for me to stay motivated because I haven’t really achieved everything I want to achieve in the game. There are still a few boxes to tick, and that’s my focus now for as long as I stay out here.
After more than two decades on tour, I’m all about trying to get the right balance in my life between work and family. I moved back to Europe during Covid and settled my family in Crans sur Sierre in Switzerland. I have to do things now to make things as easy as possible for me get around to the tournaments that I want to play, while also not being too far from my wife and the kids. I’m still playing a global schedule, mixing tournaments on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, but I’m a bit more picky about where and when I play.
I managed to turn my game around in the back end of last year when I was able to sort out my equipment. Because of Covid, I hadn’t seen the guy who fits my clubs at Titleist for about 18 months, and I was using a driver that he didn’t particularly like for me. I saw him last summer, and just changing that had a trickle-down
GREAT SCOTT!
INTERVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2022 [25] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
PETTERSEN NAMES
Lee Westwood fired an 8-under 62 in the final round, but he bogeyed his last hole to miss the play-off by one and finish joint fourth alongside Open champion Cameron Smith, who was making his LIV debut, finished tied fourth.
Former PGA Tour players who have switched to LIV Golf have been informed that they are ineligible to have their tour memberships renewed for the 202223 season, which got under way at the Fortinet Championships on September 15.
★ David Howell became only the third player in European Tour history to chalk up 700 tournament starts when he teed it up at the Cazoo Open in Wales last month. The 47-year-old from Swindon also became the youngest player in the tour’s history to reach the milestone, as Sam Torrance did so at 52, while Miguel Angel Jiménez was 55. A dual Ryder Cup player (‘04, ‘06) Howell has held his tour card for 27 consecutive seasons, with his first of his five European Tour wins coming at the Dubai Desert Classic in 1999 and his most recent at the Dunhill Links Championship in 2013. He also won the BMW International and HBSC Champions in 2005, and the BMW PGA Championship in 2006. His highest world ranking was 11th.
InBrief
Under the revised selection process, six players will qualify automatically – three from the European Points List and the three leading players on the World Points List – while the remaining six players will picked by European team captain Luke Donald. This is the same number of captain’s picks that will be available to US team captain Zach Johnson.
Another change sees a modification in the points allocation that places a greater weight on points won in DP World Tour events.
SOLHEIM CUP VICECAPTAINS
★ European Solheim Cup Captain Suzann Pettersen has named Anna Nordqvist, Laura Davies and Caroline Martens as her three vice-captains for the 2023 Solheim Cup, which will be played at Finca Cortesín in Spain next September. Davies previously served in the same role in 2019 and 2021, although Nordqvist and Martens are new to the backroom team. Nordqvist has played in seven Solheim Cup matches going back to 2009, although Martens has not played Solheim Cup golf.
TITLEPGA TOUR SUSPENDS LIV GOLFERS MEMBERSHIPS AHEAD OF NEW SEASON WILSON’S BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Rory McIlroy came from six shots behind in the final round of the Tour Championship to win the $18m tournament and become the first player to win the FedExCup three times. McIlroy fired a closing 66 at East Lake to finish on 21 under par, a shot ahead of Im Sung-jae and third round leader Scottie Scheffler.Scheffler struggled to a 73 to blow his chances of lifting both titles, and McIlroy took full advantage to claim a dramatic victory, having started the week six shots behind the world No.1 under the handicap scoring system.
★ Ashleigh Buhai defeated In Gee Chun after a play-off to win her first major title in the British Women’s Open at Muirfield. The 33-year-old South African let slip a five-shot overnight lead with a closing four-over 75 – largely due to a triple bogey at the 15th – to finish level with Chun on ten-under-par. However, Buhai held her nerve to win with a par at the fourth time of playing the par-4 18th to secure her biggest career win. Ranked 84th in the world, and with three previous Ladies European Tour wins to her name, Buhai denied Korea’s Chun a fourth major victory.
A hearing is taking place in London in February next year to determine whether LIV Golf members can carry on playing events on the DP World Tour. LIV golfers with DP World Tour playing rights are currently able to enter DP World Tour events without fines or suspensions.
Wilson, who broke down in tears on the final green, said: “It’s pretty special. I’m so proud of myself. I’ve got a great team around me and there are other people who have helped me get to where I am today. Everybody who knows me has been pulling me along to help figure this game out. I don’t think I’m there yet, but I feel like there’s a lot ahead of me, and I’m so pleased to get win number two. I guess it was my day, but I feel like I deserved it. I missed a bunch of short putts today, but I guess 18 years’ experience helps you to hang in there and to get it over the line.”
TOURNEWS
DONALD TO HAVE SIX CAPTAIN’S PICKS FOR RYDER CUP
The 41-year-old Englishman, whose last win came at the Dunhill Links in 2014, fired a final round 67 to reach a 21-under-par total and beat Ewen Ferguson by a shot.
[26] SEPTEMBER 2022 | NEWS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is to have six wildcard choices at his disposal for next year’s matches in Rome following the unveiling of a raft of changes to the qualification process for Team Europe.
BUHAI
Oliver Wilson claimed a long-awaited second victory on the European circuit when winning the Made in HimmerLand tournament in Denmark.
Although a number of LIV golfers, including Dustin Johnson (pictured below) and Patrick Reed, have already resigned from the tour, there are 22 players, including Phil Mickelson and Bryon DeChambeau, who did not formally or voluntarily give up their PGA Tour memberships. Those players received letters stating, “The Tour cannot enter into a membership agreement with a player when, as here, it reasonably anticipates the player will not perform the material obligations under that agreement. Accordingly, your PGA Tour membership cannot and will not be renewed for the 2022-2023 season.”
He added: “I have to thank the team at Callaway for helping me get to where I am. They have spent a lot of time over the last two months working with me on my driver set up. Changing equipment is not my cup of tea, but I’ve done a lot of work with them and it’s really started pay off in the last couple of weeks.”
MCILROY CLAIMS THIRD FEDEXCUP
HOWELL HITS 700 ON EUROPEAN TOUR
The qualification period for European players will began at this month's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and will conclude on September 3, 2023, three weeks ahead of the Ryder Cup.
DJ BANKS THE BIG BUCKS IN BOSTON
OPENBRITISHWOMEN’SWINS
All tour members who signed with LIV Golf and played in a LIV event have been given suspensions by the PGA Tour for failing to obtain releases from conflicting events as required by the tour’s rules. Additionally, Mickelson was given an earlier suspension for recruiting players to LIV Golf and received added time to that suspension for playing in the first two LIV Golf events.
★ Dustin Johnson holed an eagle putt at the first play-off hole to win the LIV Golf International in Boston and land the first prize of $4m. Johnson carded a closing 65, beat Joaquin Niemann and Anirban Lahiri in a three-way play-off after they all finished the 54-hole tournament on 15 under.
“What a week, what a day,” said McIlroy, who has now won a combined $43m for his three FedExCup victories. “I didn’t really give myself much of a chance teeing off today, I thought six behind was going to be really tough to make up, but my good play and Scottie’s not-so-great play meant it was a ball game going into the back nine.” Further down the leaderboard, Xander Schauffele, who looked the most likely player to topple Scheffler, shot a final round 69 to finish fourth, with Max Homa, who fired a second round 62, finishing tied fifth with Justin Thomas after closing with rounds of 66 and 69 respectively.
Eleven suspended players filed an antitrust lawsuit against the tour in August protesting against their suspensions, although four of those have since withdrawn their names from the suit. Mickelson, who is one of the players who has remained in the lawsuit, has asserted that because his lifetime membership was earned and that it shouldn’t be taken away. A date for summary judgment has been set for July 23, 2023, where the tour is likely seek to dismiss the antitrust case, with a trial date expected to begin on January 8, 2024.
SEPTEMBER 2022 | WWW.GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/EQUIPMENT PUTTING ON THE STYLE HIT THE LINKS WITH CHERVÒ'S ON-TREND TECHNICAL APPAREL FLATSTICKSFORGIVING The best mallet putters showcased TRIED & TESTED Ping's new Chip R + Callaway Jaw Raw wedges THE GEAR EFFECT Inside the bags of Tour winners
box containing the answer to all my prayers –or so I Straighthoped.out of the box, I was certainly impressed. The weight, the quality of the components, the looks and the finish all spoke of a club that had ambitions far loftier than any chipper I'd ever previously seen or tested.Apart from the ‘Chip R’ lettering on the clubhead it could easily pass for a Ping longiron. Offering 42 degrees of loft, it’s essentially a 9-iron, but the shaft is shorter, more like a standard putter, and is upright, also like a putter, to help you stand nearer the ball and prevent the heel from digging in. It doesn’t have the exaggerated wide sole that is a feature of some chippers, which some people lacking confidence with their short game might find it a problem, it didn’t bother me. Out on the course, the Chip R’s design revealed its strengths – and weaknesses – as each scenario unfolded. On contact with the ball, it feels solid, offering a sharper, more iron-like response, rather than the soft feel
IRONS: Callaway Apex TCB 21 (6-PW)
IRONS: TaylorMade P750 Tour Proto (5-PW)
Divots fly or shouts of ‘Fore!’ ring out as another one flies at knee-height towards the clubhouse windows, or worse still, a complete duff sees the ball pretty much remain where it is.
IRONS: Ping i210 (5-UW)
THE EFFECTGEAR
PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot OG #7S
There really shouldn’t be a place in the bag for the Ping Chip R for decent short game players, but for the multitude of us for whom four wedges is probably two too many, it could be the answer to your prayers. Amen. RRP £170, eu.ping.com.
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54°), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58°)
FAIRWAY WOODS: Ping G425 (14.5°), Srixon ZX (18°)
easily, while a smooth hosel transition and squarish toe help frame the ball perfectly. They are simple to look at and there are no distracting features that get in the way. Technology-wise, they feature what Callaway claims are the most aggressive grooves in golf. The unplated raw finish ensures the groove edges remain sharp, while the offset milled micro grooves in between the grooves help maximise spin. In the sand and lob wedges, tungsten weighting is used to centre the sweet spot. Out on the course the proved total spin machines. Playing on rock-hard links turf at the stunning Royal St Georges, I was still able to stop the ball when I needed to. However, the onus was on me to hit them properly. Coming from using Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, these are noticeably less forgiving on slight miss-hits, but that is to be expected
in a spin over Callaway’s latest performance wedges
TRIED & TESTED Owen gets
DRIVER: Ping G400 (9°)
PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot OG #7 BALL: Srixon Z-Star XV
DRIVER: Callaway Epic Max LS (8.5°)
BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron 009M Prototype
BROOKE HENDERSON
The Jaws Raw wedge range is his latest creation and there is a convincing argument for these being the best-looking wedges currently on the market. My sample set came in a black raw finish – they also come in chrome – ramping up the contrast between clubhead, ball and grass, but whatever option you opt for, the straight leading edge makes it feel like you can get to the bottom of the ball
CAZOO CLASSIC
THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR
CHEZ REAVIE
While I’m a reasonably confident wedge player from 90-130 yards out – give or take the occasional thin and chunk – get me within 5-30 yards of the short stuff and a devilish spell possesses any sort of highlofted club and turns it to jelly in my hands.
A LOOK INSIDE THE BAGS OF
I need some more time with these to see if they make my golf bag permanently, but I liked the versatility of the classic design, but feel extra forgiveness may be more beneficial for my game than the extra spin and beautiful looks. £169/£159 Chrome/Black
It also has the benefit of looking like a proper club, and not one bought on eBay for a fiver.
DRIVER: TaylorMade SIM (8°)
IRONS: Srixon ZX5 (5-PW)
3-WOOD: Titleist TSi2 (15°)
HYBRID: Ping G425 (26°)
HYBRIDS: Callaway Apex Pro (20°, 23°)
AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN
that you get from a wedge. The ball comes off the face with a lively click and rolls out nicely. The important thing is to hit it as you would a putter – standing upright, rotating the shoulders and keeping the arms straight and avoiding any wrist hinge.
WEDGES: Ping Glide 4.0 (52°, 60°)
WEDGES: Callaway JAWS MD5 (52°, 56°, 60°)
HYBRID: Srixon Z H85
HERO OPEN
from a more traditional players’ wedge design.
TRIED & TESTED
Golf News Editor Nick Bayly tests out Ping’s answer to golfer’s short game woes – the Chip R. It’s a chipper, of course, but not as you know it Equipment Editor Dan
FAIRWAY WOODS: Ping G400 Stretch 3 (14°), Ping G400 5 (17.5°)
WEDGES: Cleveland RTX ZipCore (50°, 54°, 60°)
While the 50° and 54° models are offered in an S grind (10° bounce), the 60° featured a low bounce Z-Grind, which featured relief in the heel and toe, as well as a leading-edge grind, and was perfect for the tight links ground. But on a normal parkland course, I think it would be getting stuck in the ground. Fortunately there are three other grinds available, so there is a good chance one of those would be close to perfect for the courses I normally play.
PUTTER: Ping PLD Anser 2 prototype BALL: Titleist Pro V1
DRIVER: Titleist TSR2 (10°)
DRIVER: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (9°)
It’s not designed, like some chippers, to be whacked from 120 yards, although no doubt some owners will give it a go, and you’re not going to use it from semi-rough or over a bunker unless you have a lot of landing room on the other side, but any shot from inside 30 yards where 20-30% of its journey needs to be aerial, then the Ping Chip R is your club. It has the weight to get the ball moving and just enough loft to get it up out of the grass.
RICHIE RAMSAY
PUTTER: Ping Cadence TR Ketsch C BALL: Taylormade TP5X
FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway MAVRIK Max (15°)
JAWS RAW WEDGES
EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
[28] SEPTEMBER 2022 | EQUIPMENT & GEAR
I’ve played Callaway wedges over the years, and believe Roger Cleveland is one of the bestwhen it comes to wedge design. He understands how a wedge should look behind the ball and, perhaps more importantly, how a wedge should best get through the turf.
NEWSEQUIPMENT
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 Jet Black (46°, 52°, 56°), Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks Proto Jet Black (60°)
FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15°, 19°)
HYBRID: Callaway Apex Pro (21°)
BALL: Titleist Pro V1
3M OPEN & ROCKET
MORTAGE CLASSIC
CAMERON SMITH
ASHLEIGH BUHAI
PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot XG #7
RRP:
DRIVER: Ping G425 LST (7°)
So, it was with great excitement that I heard that Ping was bringing out a new club designed to lend a helping hand to those who struggle to make a decent connection when within near touching distance of the flag. No sooner had the press release revealing the product details of the Chip R ‘pinged’ – quite literally – into my inbox, I was on the phone to my contacts to request a sample. Thankfully, the ‘powers that be’ were all too aware of my shortcomings in the short game department and just days later a UPS van pulled up outside my house with a brown
CALLAWAYR
FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Rogue ST (14°)
IRONS: Nike Vapor Fly Pro (3), Ping Blueprint (4-PW)
PING CHIP
IRONS: Mizuno Pro Hi-Fli (3), Titleist T100 Black (5-9)
BALL: Titleist Pro V1
UTILITY: Callaway X Forged UT 21 (24°)
DRIVER: Callaway Epic Speed (10.5°)
PUTTER: Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K One BALL: Srixon Z-Star 7
WEDGES: Ping Glide 4.0 (50°, 56°), Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks Proto (60°)
SEAN CROCKER
FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade Stealth Plus 3 (13.5°), TaylorMade M6 5 (18°)
IRONS: Srixon ZX7 (3-5), Srixon Z-Forged (6-PW)
TONY FINAU
WEDGES: Cleveland RTX Zipcore (52°, 56°), Cleveland Rotex 2.0 (60°)
Precision Golf, the UK’s leading independent club fitting facility, has expanded its Surrey headquarters to become the largest independent golf performance studio in Europe.
Famed for his milled stainless steel putters, Scotty Cameron’s new Special Select Jet Set putters (£599) feature two new designs to maximise forgiveness in a traditional blade design.
The expansion at the West Byfleetbased facility, the official opening of which was carried out by long-time customer Colin Montgomerie, takes the number of Trackman-powered fitting bays up to six, along with one of the most advanced putter fitting studios in Europe, a cutting-edge custom build workshop, a fully equipped gym, and a biomechanics and chiropractic studio.
TaylorMade have introduced a new range of equipment specifically targeted at the female golfer looking for lightweight speed, easy launch, and maximium forgiveness.
■ MONTY WAS
■ THE NEW-LOOK FACILITY OFFERS SIX FITTING BAYS WITH TRACKMAN
“Trusting your game is made easy when you know you have the right equipment in your hands, said Montgomerie, who has been using Precision Golf to fine tune his golf equipment since 2007.
PRECISION GOLF OPENS EXPANDED CLUB-FITTING FACILITY AT SURREY HQ
The result of Cameron’s research in bringing the benefits of higher MOI to blade putter shapes, the line’s ‘Plus’ models introduce slightly wider profiles than standard to create a more forgiving putter. The putters feature a Tour Black finish, and a specialised Pistolini Plus grip, shaft band and headcover.
in between the width of a traditional blade and our Squareback flange width,” explains Cameron. “The Special Select Jet Set Newport Plus and Newport 2 Plus offer those desired sizes and happen to be the first we’ve created for everyone. Limited releases like these new Special Select Jet Set models are for those who want a high-performance putter, but also that littleTheextra.”Plusmodels feature an aluminium weight in the sole that has enabled them to move more weight further out to the perimeter of the putter, while all four models feature adjustable tungsten weights to fine-tune head weight.
Leading the line-up is the driver (£379), featuring a weight-saving carbon crown and carbon sole plus a 22g steel rear back weight, the Kalea Premier is engineered for advanced forgiveness by combining a low and back CG with an ultra-lightweight head construction that promotes faster swing speeds. Repositioning the inertia generator towards the heel encourages optimal launch and spin to fuel distance at moderate and slower swing speed. The matching fairway woods (£219) and hybrids (£179) feature larger heads than the previous Kalea product, and the fairways feature a lightweight carbon crown to drop the centre of gravity for easy launching shots. All the fairways feature the same 180cc design for added consistency, while the fairways and hybrids share a V-Steel sole design for better turf interaction.
“I developed this ‘tweener’ size working with a few Tour players who wanted something
He added: “We now have six full time club-fitters, more on-site club-building and an expanded operations and after-sales team. On top of this, our golf performance team of Stuart Cartwright (tourlevel coaching), Kate Davey (sports fitness) and Stuart Robinson (biomechanics) can all now operate from expanded and superbly appointed facilities. We can now realise our dream of offering the most holistic and comprehensive golf performance centre.”
EQUIPMENT & GEAR | SEPTEMBER 2022 [29] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
TAYLORMADE JOINS THE PREMIER LEAGUE WITH ALLNEW KALEA WOMEN’S RANGE
Precision Golf offers products from all the main golf club manufacturers, as well as difficult-to-find boutique brands, alongside the most comprehensive selection of shafts and grips in Europe. With many thousands of possible head and shaft combinations, the expert team at Precision Golf have the know-how to improve every golfer’s game.
SCOTTY CAMERON JOINS THE JET SET
“Precision Golf provides bespoke solutions ensuring that, whatever your ability, clubs can be built or adjusted to complement your game allowing improvement without the handicap of ill-fitting equipment. This fantastic facility is the best of its kind anywhere in the country.” For more details, visit precisiongolf.co.uk or call 01932 977777. RIBBON-CUTTINGONDUTIES
“We realised last year that, coming out of lockdown and with demand for our services growing, we simply had to find a way to again increase capacity,” explained Davey. “When we learned that the adjoining business unit would become available towards the end of 2021, we knew the perfect solution had materialised, and we pounced. With the additional space, everything is bigger and better.”
Precision Golf was established in 2004 by James Davey and Simon Cooper with the aim of helping golfers gain better enjoyment of the game and playing better golf. The completed facility is over ten times the size of its original set up.
Irons (£122 per club) feature a low centre of gravity for high launch, while inverted cone technology helps retain ball speed on miss hits. The set is finished off with a Spider putter (£229) that features all their tour-proven technology and adds a graphite shaft to lower the weight while retaining a high MOI. A matching bag is also available.
FAIRWAY WOODS: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond (15°, 18°)
UTILITY: Titleist T200 (2,3)
THE EFFECTGEAR
For more extreme conditions, the Kenley compression base layer is made from a lightweight technical fabric, with amazing next-to-skin comfort. As well as delivering maximum thermal protection, its moisture wicking capabilities will keep you cool.
IRONS: Callaway Apex TCB ’21 (3-PW)
Four models make up the range, with RRPs from £159.99-£199.99.
dominating out on tour, with the top three players in the world using Ventus shafts, 23 wins on the PGA Tour this season. But Ventus shafts are three years old now and it’s time for the brand to extend the line-up with two new TR shafts to add to the Blue TR unveiled earlier in the season.
For farahgolf.com.details,morevisit
WEDGES: Callaway JAWS Raw (46°, 52°) Callaway JAWS Full Toe (58°)
PUTTER: Srixon
D+D CZECH MASTERS
FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist TSR3 (13.5°)
WILL ZALATORIS
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x
IRONS: TaylorMade Rors Proto (4-PW)
IRONS: Srixon ZX5 (4,5), Srixon ZX7 (6-PW)
Ventus TR Red and TR Blue are more stable designs that fit in the spaces between the current models. The Black is the lowest launching shaft in the line-up, while the TR Red sits between the original Blue and Red models.
HYBRID: Titleist TS2 (21˚)
DRIVER: Srixon ZX5 (9.5˚)
While VeloCore Technology remains to provide an incredibly stable overall platform, an added layer of ultra-strong and ultra-lightweight spread tow carbon fabric reinforces the mid/handle section to increase torsional stiffness. Each VENTUS TR profile provides a similar feel to its original counterpart, but with enhanced stiffness and reduced launch and spin.
CALLUM SHINKWIN
UTILITY: Srixon ZXU (20˚)
Among the key pieces in the line-up are the Warren, a stylish quarter-zip midlayer with a technical jacquard body and rib sleeve. The fabric has a soft handle and offers maximum heat retention without sacrificing freedom of movement, allowing for an unrestricted swing.
BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
WEDGES: TaylorMade MG3 (54°, 60°)
DRIVER: Titleist TSR3 (9°)
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50°, 56°, 60°)
TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
UTILITY: TaylorMade Stealth UDI (16°)
PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider X Hydro Blast
Shot Scope has developed a new feature of its data capture software that further enhances the experience of users of its golf GPS devices.
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM7 (46˚, 52˚) Titleist Vokey SM9 (56°, 60°)
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 11 BALL: Titleist Pro V1
JOOHYUNG KIM
PLOT YOUR PATH TO LOWER SCORES WITH SHOT SCOPE
On rainy days, the shower-proof Parker top features a striking camo print and a slim fit design, while the Abbott and Kala offer a more traditional look. The Abbott is lightweight, constructed in technical fabrics offering elevated levels of breathability and comfort whilst stretch binding at the hem and cuff maintain a flawless fit for prime performance. The Kala is a highperformance wind stopper perfect for blustery days out on the course. The softshell construction offers excellentprotectionwater-repellentwhilstbeinglightandcomfortabletohelpyouplaytoyourmaximumpotential.Itistheperfectouterlayertoprotectagainstchangingweatherconditions.
Fujikura is
CAZOO OPEN
IRONS: Titleist T100 (4-9)
58˚)
FEDEX ST JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP
The new ‘Shots Plotted’ feature enables golfers to see a historical snapshot of where tee shots have finished up and the club that was used, providing the means to create a strategical plan for every hole.
IRONS: Titleist 718 AP2 (4-9)
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46°, 52°) Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (60°)
IRONS: Callaway Apex MB (3-9)
FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SIM2 (15˚)
PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball BALL: Titleist Pro V1
The new feature allows golfers to identify the best strategy to play each hole based on past performance. With a new way to visualise performance, users will have the ability to delve into their golf game in as little or as much detail as they want. Individual club used, end location of the shot, score, and an individual strokes gained benchmark score are some of the filters that can be applied so that golfers can analyse their game through a different lens each time.
DRIVER: Titleist TS3 (9.5˚)
DRIVER: TaylorMade Stealth Plus, (7.5°)
FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist TSR2+ (13°)
DRIVER: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS (9°)
PATRICK CANTLAY
HYBRID: Titleist 913H (19°)
BALL: TaylorMade TP5x
A LOOK INSIDE THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR
DRIVER: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS (10.5°)
RORY MCILROY
FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist 915F (15˚)
FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade SIM2 TI (15°), TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19°)
Odyssey White Hot Pro 2-Ball BALL:
First introduced in 1976, the Zebra putter was way ahead of its time, with its mallet-shaped head, adjustable weight system, and unique black-and-white stripe alignment aid proving an instant hit with tour professionals and club golfers alike.
FUJIKURA EXTENDS VENTUS SHAFT RANGE
Farah Golf’s first Autumn/Winter collection comprises a range of garments that will enable golfers to enjoy their game in comfort and style, no matter the weather.
WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP
DRIVER: Titleist TSR3 (8°)
Z-Star XV
START STRIPING YOUR PUTTS WITH ZEBRA
SHANE LOWRY
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
PUTTER: Odyssey Toulon Madison BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft X
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron TourType Timeless GSS BALL: Titleist Pro V1x
UTILITY: Titleist T200 (3)
BMW
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50°, 55°), Titleist WedgeWorks Proto (60°)
WEDGES: Cleveland ZipCore (50˚,
FAIRWAYS WOOD: Callaway MAVRIK Sub Zero (15°)
For more details, visit shotscope.com.
WRAP UP THIS WINTER WITH FARAH
MAX KIEFFER
[30] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK SEPTEMBER 2022 | EQUIPMENT & GEAR
In addition to the striped alignment system, each model also features a grooved face insert that precisely controls the friction at impact needed to deliver the correct amount of topspin to the golf ball to ensure consistent distance control across a wide portion of the face. The grooves not only work with the stroke to impart topspin, but they also serve to lower the launch angle to minimize skidding and get the ball into the ‘roll phase’ more quickly, which is vital when controlling a putt’s overall distance.
The ‘Shots Plotted’ feature can be used by golfers who own Shot Scope’s PRO LX+ laser/GPS, as well as any of its data tracking V2 and V3 watches via the Shot Scope app.
Two years in the making the latest models to carry the iconic Zebra name have been reinvented for the 21st century with highquality components and performance-enhancing design elements. Integral to the relaunch has been Austie Rollinson, Odyssey’s long-serving putter guru, who consulted on the designs with the aim of creating the ideal balance between alignment, forgiveness, weighting, feel, and roll to help all golfers putt their best.
IRONS: Titleist T100 (4-9)
L
The new screen is perfect for golfers on the course, with industry-leading quality and contrast ensuring that maps, scores, and statistics will remain visible even in strong sunlight, thanks to a strong contrast ratio. The watch has technical improvements across the board, with a battery life 30% longer than previous Connected models, perfect for tracking golf through the day. It offers a full day of battery life on each charge, even after five hours of using golf functions.
FEATURED PRODUCT
The watch features a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope to automatically detect swings to allow users to track their performance in the app without having to activate the function by hand. This function is currently limited to tracking the first shot on each hole, so users can only track their tee shots, not their entire performance.
Synchronising data to and from a phone is a lot faster thanks to Bluetooth 5.0. It offers data transfer at twice the speed, so sharing data with the paired app becomes faster and smoother. The watch itself has undergone a full redesign as part of the new generation
uxury Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer has launched a new version of its golf watch, the TAG Heuer
Connected Watch Calibre E4 - Golf Edition, with technical improvements including a new automated shottracker, redesigned golf software and a magnetic ball marker built into the strap.
of Connected watches, with a striking new sporty look in a 45mm watch. The crown (which is used to scroll the map in TAG Heuer’s built-in golf app) has a large diameter and stands out from the watch so it can be controlled easily using just a fingertip while on the golf course.
Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood is one of number of leading tour pros that wears the watch. He said: “TAG Heuer Golf Edition allows golfer of every level to improve their game. The new Drive shot-tracking feature helps you track your most important shots and the integrated ball marker is so easy to use and store away.”
The 45mm model has a sporty design and a ceramic bezel which gives it the feel of a traditional high-end timepiece, highlighted with the iconic green of the Golf Edition. The iconic 18 holes bezel provides an immediate scorecard during a round with colour-coded segments showing on each hole if you are above, on or below par.
The automatic shot detection ensures users also have more information on the performance of each of their clubs, with the app automatically recording accuracy and distance for every tracked shot. This means that the app’s trademark club recommendations are more precise and information- packed than ever before.
The watch interface has been redesigned to enhance the watch’s unique 2D maps, allowing golfers to track hazards and distances on 40,000 golf courses around the world. There is now more screen area available to view a 2D overhead map of the course, and more information is displayed on screen at once, with distances, club information, scores, and hole numbers displayed clearly on screen as users play.
EQUIPMENT & GEAR | SEPTEMBER 2022 [31]
When the user moves the crown of the watch, the maps move up and down with it, allowing users to see the layout of each hole. When users press on the distance on screen, they can access all the important information about the hole like par, distance to start and end of greens.
Designed for on- and off-course wear, the E4 - Golf Edition features a redesigned interface to make it easier to control the watch’s golf functions, including highresolution 2D maps showing hazards and distances on more than 40,000 golf courses around the world.
The automatic shot tracking also enhances existing features of the watch, such as the Driving Range feature, by providing the app with more data (as it’s activated automatically). The Driving Range feature offers a ‘heat map’ for every hole, which shows where shots landed on previous rounds. Over time, this allows golfers an overview of the strategies which work for them, helping them to pick the perfect club and the perfect route to each hole.
RPP £2,200, tagheuer.com
A redesigned buckle features a built-in magnetic ball marker emblazoned with a distinctive TAG Heuer logo in bright, contrasting colours to improve visibility. There is also a spare ball marker provided in the case.
TAG HEUER CONNECTED WATCH CALIBRE E4 - GOLF EDITION
The watch comes with exclusive watch faces inspired by golf, and it also comes with an additional black strap, allowing wearers to pair the watch with different outfits.
Once golfers have finished a round, they can review their performance in 3D via a companion app paired to the watch, giving a dramatic visualisation of the details stored by the watch in a simulated 3D visual of the shot showing the trajectory of the ball. This feature is currently available only for iOS devices.
ITALIANCHOOSESTYLE
As the leaves on the trees begin to change, premium Italian brand Chervò’s eagerly awaited Autumn-Winter 22/23 luxury collection has everything you need for staying warm and dry on the golf course over the coming months
THIS AUTUMN & WINTER
Touches of brightness and colour blocking are matched with unique fabrics and knits, enabling the more exuberant golfer to introduce a sparkly pop of colour to a more classical style such as blue or vanilla. A more delicate palette also finds its space in a muted line of garments, where neutral nuances find their home with iconic looks which guarantee high performance and sportier outfits. A similar idea is brought to the men’s collection. Light blue stands out as the prominent feature of this modern colour scheme, whilst blue navy and dark grey embody the ever-lasting coolness of Chervò’s sportswear.
Chervò’stechnologyAqua-blockensuresgarmentsarebothwaterresistantandwindproof,protectingyoufromthetraditionalBritishwetweather
Agile and magnetic with its spotted coat, the snow leopard inspired the most iconic items for
The third and final new collection, technical performance and unlimited comfort are the soul of the Golf Vibes range – available to both men and women. The women’s line is all about colour with pink taking the centre role, complemented by varying nuances such as cerise or Pompei pink.
The nature of the pro-therm material ensures that Chervò’s garments help you stay warm through extremely high levels of thermal insulation while also not being bulky and movementlimiting
The challenges of winter and the search for absolute comfort and movement inspired Chervò to design the Marmorized Saxum men’s mood, a collection that carries all the technical requirements of great golfing sportswear, in addition to a combination of textiles, colours and patterns that draw inspiration from a strong, powerful natural element such as marble.
www.chervo.com
own unique style.
Countless combinations are possible, with green and gold meeting the more understated hues of black and grey, ensuring golfers can express their
C
EQUIPMENT & GEAR | SEPTEMBER 2022 [33] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
women in the Snow Leopard collection. The line features warm garments with nature-inspired colours extending from black to white and rosewood to grey, without shying away from more daring custom animal prints. Touches of gold and fur textures are the ultimate emblems of luxury, while the sporty details, fabrics and performancedriven cuts are Chervò’s own stamp of guarantee for the collection’s practicality.
hervò has looked to push boundaries for 40 years. Combining comfortable clothing with increasingly technical and innovative materials, the Italian brand has always offered a unique take on golf wear. You’ll therefore find it unsurprising to hear that its eagerly awaited Autumn-Winter 22/23 collection is no different. Released with autumn here and winter on the horizon, the latest collection has taken inspiration from nature’s diverseCombiningelements.the latest in aqua-block, stretch, wind-lock and pro-therm fabric technology, three new lines - Snow Leopard, Marmorized Saxum and Golf Vibes - see a range of products released that every golfer needs as the weather continues to change, including warm sweaters, waterproof jackets and stylish gilets.
It has an inviting address profile, longer blade length and wide sole, creating a generous hitting area that inspires confidence. A rounded heel toe radius enhances playability and turf interaction. The weight is positioned in the sole, creating a lower centre of gravity and making it more playable and easier to launch than a traditional iron. That lower CG creates a higher launch than Stealth UDI, giving players the option to choose the launch that best suits their game.
£139, TAYLORMADEGOLF.CO.UK
The DHY is available in 17°, 19°, 22° and 25° lofts in RH and 19° and 22° in LH, is are fitted with Aldila ASCENT Black shafts (75S, 65R, 55A) and Super Stroke S-Tech (50g) grips.
BIG MAX DRI LITE SEVEN
When you watch tour players hit wedge shots in person, it’s amazing how much lower they flight them. And how much spin they generate too. The TaylorMade High Toe 3 is designed to help your wedge shots perform like those of a tour pro. The high toe raises the centre of gravity to help launch the ball lower, while the milled grooved raw face feature raised micro ribs between them to generate more spin. A versatile four-way sole grind and fullface grooves ensures a wider effective hitting area. An aged copper finish adds a premium aesthetic which will blend seamlessly with the RAW face as it rusts over time.
TAYLORMADE STEALTH DHY
£219, TAYLORMADEGOLF.CO.UK
While TaylorMade’s Stealth UDI driving iron is designed to hit low bullets, the DHY is a utility iron that offers much more than just a safe option off the tee.
Fully waterproof, the seven-inch bag is compact but still offers enough room to carry a full set if required.
£109.99, UK.BIGMAXGOLF.COM
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
The softest ball in Srixon’s current line-up, the UltiSoft is a two-piece model with a 42 compression and is designed for golfers with slower swing speeds. A fastlayer core is designed to generate more speed and works like a core with thousands of layers as it gradually transitions from a soft core to a firm outer edge. The 338 speed dimple design helps increase lift for maximum carry, while a soft, thin cover provides more greenside spin and softer feel on all pitches, chips and putts.
£164.99/£159.99, FOOTJOY.CO.UK
FOOTJOY STRATOS
First introduced last autumn, the Stratos brought cloud-like comfort, debuting StratoFoam underfoot cushioning, to the brand’s leading range. Offered in models for men and women, the new-and-improved design builds on its comfort features with an all-new sculptured heel piece and moulded heel inside to enhance in-shoe comfort while offering a more athletic look. The shoe’s exterior construction features soft, luxurious leather uppers for a premium feel combined with the VersaTrax+ outsole for the ultimate in on-course traction and off-course versatility. The StratoFoam midsole offers energy return as well as soft underfoot cushioning.
SHOPPROYOUR LATESTTOGUIDETHEGEAR
TAYLORMADE HIGH TOE WEDGES
SRIXON ULTISOFT
Summer is over and the weather is changing. I don’t want to sound too pessimistic, but it won’t be too long until trolley bans kick in on wet golf courses. Rather than carrying a full bag, the Dri Lite Seven is the perfect option for those winter months.
£28 FOE 12, SRIXON.CO.UK
£210, ECCOGOLF.COM
A first for Bushnell, the ION ELITE is the first GPS watch to feature Slope technology. Slope offerscompensated distances to account for a hole’s elevation, providing golfers with even more precise yardages. It features large, easy-to-read front, centre and back distances, GreenView with movable pin placement. It also features HoleView. A simple tap provides access to a visual layout of the current hole in play allowing you to understand what lies ahead for blind shots or doglegs.
ORIGINAL PENGUIN INSULATED PUFFER
£109, SKYMAXSPORT.COM
£139.99, ORIGINALPENGUIN.CO.UK
£199, BUSHNELLGOLFGLOBAL.COM
CALLAWAY STORMFLEECE PRO II JACKET
£110, CALLAWAYEUROPEAPPAREL.COM
Promising ‘athletic performance in a premium, progressive and sporty design’, Ecco Golf’s latest addition to the Biom range features a cleated sole, not something we’ve come to expect from the Danish brand which carved out a niche for offering shoes that could be worn from clubhouse to course. Zarma Tour spikes are combined with hybrid grooves deliver traction and stability, while premium leather uppers with a waterproof Gore-Tex construction offer year-round play.
Part of the expanding Polar Pete collection of on-trend layering and outerwear pieces with great performance for golfers playing all year around, the Insulated Puffer uses PrimaLoft thermal insulation for warmth and is made from a water-repellent, 100% nylon durable micro-ripstop. It can be worn on windy and cold days on the golf course, but will look just as smart down the pub or when out walking the dog.
ECCO GOLF BIOM G5
BLUE TEES PLAYER WIRELESS SPEAKER
EQUIPMENT & GEAR | SEPTEMBER 2022 [35] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Music on the golf course can be divisive, but there are definitely golfers who love playing with some music in the background. The Player is a Bluetooth speaker with a 100ft range and features a 360-degree sound for optimal acoustics on and off the golf course. Fully waterproof, and featuring a 12-hour battery life, the gamechanger over a traditional Bluetooth speaker is the ultra-strong magnets that allow it to be stuck to a golf cart or trolley without fear of it falling off mid-round.
BUSHNELL ION ELITE GPS WATCH
Not simply a fleece, this jacket features Singtex Stormfleece, a material that Callaway Apparel believe is the best in the business. The StormFleece Pro II is lightweight yet designed to defend the wearer in tough weather conditions. It makes a great layering piece with the added bonus of a low carbon footprint, made from 93% recycled polyester with a 7% smattering of spandex for in-built stretch.
FLUIDFORM technology ensures a finely-tuned balance of cushioning and rebound energy so that you walk off the 18th green feeling as fresh as you did on the first tee. It comes in five styles for men and five for women in a choice of lace or BOA closures.
£379, ODYSSEYGOLF.COM
BETTINARDI INNOVAI 6
If Rory McIlroy needs the help of a mallet putter, there is a good chance your game could benefit from one too, says Equipment Editor Dan Owen
TITLEIST SCOTTY CAMERON PHANTOM X 11
£179.99, ZEBRAGOLF.CO.UK
TAYLORMADE SPIDER GT
Mallets are more forgiving and offer better alignment than traditional putters. But a Blade putter will often have a better dispersion. Odyssey has combined the performance of both in the Eleven 2-Ball, with a unique mallet shape, but with tungsten weighting just behind the face that moves the CG forward to help your putts stay on line. For a tour-proven feel it features the White Hot insert, while the 2 Ball alignment is available both with and without alignment lines.
The original Zebra was the first mallet putter I ever saw. And everything that made it easy to use then still holds true today, the multitude of striped alignment lines make it exceedingly difficult to aim in the wrong spot. While it features a larger head than the original, it’s the most classically-shaped mallet putter in this line up. A steel insert is backed with urethane for a soft but responsive feel, and the sole features interchangeable sole weights to dial in the feel.
MALLETITMAKEA
Spider putters have always been designed for forgiveness and stability, and the GT is no different. What is different is the look. While loosely based on the popular fang shape, the Spider GT features a steel side weight design, so only 18% of the putter weight is in the centre of the putter. This massively increases the MOI and forgiveness. The lightweight aluminium top plate covers most of the open spaces in the design and makes for a very modern look at address.
ZEBRA AIT1
ODYSSEY TOULON DESIGN DAYTONA BEACH
For fans of milled putters, the Toulon range is one of the most advanced on the market. Featuring a Deep Diamond Face Mill, it’s designed for a soft feel and improved roll. The graphite and steel Stroke Lab shaft is designed to make the putter more stable and consistent. Finally, Odyssey has taken some inspiration from the rest of its putter range, placing weight towards the face to help improve roll consistency.
PING PLD MILLED
£399, EU.PING.COM
ODYSSEY ELEVEN 2-BALL
PRIME TYNE 4
Ping’s PLD putters have taken the tour by storm, with Tony Finau finding huge recent success with the Anser 2D model. Featuring a 100% CNC milled 303 stainless steel head, each putter takes over four hours to mill. The Prime Tyne 4 is a mallet design built for forgiveness and ease of alignment but features a heel slant neck for a strong arc stroke to appeal to golfers used to more traditional putters.
£375, BETTINARDI.CO.UK
Bettinardi has had a momentous year so far, with the highlight being Matt Fitzpatrick’s US Open victory using one of its models. Specialising in milled pitters, the company’s latest Innovai 6 is a refinement on what it offered before. Featuring a black and silver finish, rather than the original blue, and a 5% smaller head for a better look at address, the Innovai 6 is incredibly easy to line up. Available with three neck options there should be model here to suit your game.
£409, TITLEIST.CO.UK
Designed for maximum forgiveness while retaining that famed Scotty Cameron feel, the Phantom 11 features a milled 303 face topline and body, with an aluminium flange. The winged design adds forgiveness, but it’s been added in a clean way to make it appeal to a broad section of golfers. The 11 features a single bend shaft, while a 11.5 option has a slant neck for golfers who have more arc in their putting stroke.
SIK FLO M
£475, SIKGOLFGLOBAL.COM
[36] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK SEPTEMBER 2022 | EQUIPMENT & GEAR
Used by Bryson DeChambeau, Sik putters feature a unique Descending Loft Technology face. DLT mills four different lofts on the face, with the most loft at the top, down to the least at the bottom. That way, however you strike the putt it should launch at a consistent angle, leading to more consistent distances and a smoother roll. The FLO M features a smaller head and a lighter weight than the standard FLO to appeal more to golfers who traditionally use a bladed putter.
£329, ODYSSEYGOLF.COM
£329, TAYLORMADEGOLF.EU
El Prat boast 45 holes, divided into five nine-hole loops, each built to USGA specifications. Designed by Greg Norman,
EL PRAT TEAMS UP WITH LA MOLA TO OFFER STAY-AND-PLAY PACKAGES
the Spanish Open layout is a combination of the Abjao and Arriba nines, which can play as long as 7,300 yards from the back tees, although there are multiple teeing areas to ensure it is playable for all golfers. The holes have been built across generally flat land, although there are some significant changes in elevation in places to raise the challenge. Much of the course is tree-lined on the front nine, before it opens out on the back nine to offer wide vistas and more generous fairways. The greens are big and feature lots of subtle borrows and tricky run-off areas.
“I’m super excited about the course and it is pretty much finished,” said McLay-Kidd. “We are around seven months from a soft opening and, in the next few months, we’re going to be trimming up the bunkers and setting up the course so that it’s ready for players. And as part of that, I get to play to see how it feels after quite a few years of working on this project.”
THE OPENING OF THE NEW COURSE designed by one of the world’s most respected and influential golf course architects is set to prove a major draw for travelling golfers when it opens next year.
GOLFERS CAN NOW ENJOY A COMPLETE RESORT EXPERIENCE by playing the exclusive Real Club de Golf El Prat near Barcelona, a 10-time host of the Spanish Open, while staying in La Mola, the perfect base to enjoy one of Spain’s most highly rated golf courses.
board, including breakfast, daily aperitif with wine, cava and and snacks, as well as unlimited beer, soft drinks and tea/ coffee throughout their stay.
Guests can take advantage of La Mola’s semi all-inclusive
He added: “It’s a lot of fun, but it’s not easy by any means, but you can get in back in play if you happen
For more information, visit www.comporta.com. COURSE HAS BEEN 12 YEARS IN THE MAKING AFTER THE INITIAL PROJECT WAS SHELVED DUE TO THE
■ THE DUNAS
FINANICAL CRISIS ■ HOW THE NEW CLUBHOUSE WILL LOOK ■ LA MOLA RESORT
Complementing The Dunas Course will be a new clubhouse and golf academy. Away from the fairways, an array of lifestyle activities will be available, including horse riding, sailing, with a wide range of plots for hotels and residential properties also on offer.
The four-star hotel boasts 185 bedrooms, three bars, restaurant, spa, infinity pool, steam baths and fitness centre.
A three-night stay on a semi all-inclusive basis in a double room, plus two green fees, starts from €364pp. Five nights with three green fees costs from €576, while a seven-night stay with five rounds begins at €864. For bookings, visit www. realclubdegolfelprat.com.
DUNAS COURSE SET TO RAISE THE BAR FOR GOLF IN THE LISBON REGION
McLay-Kidd originally launched the links-style Dunas Course, which is situated one hour south of Lisbon, in 2010, and is thrilled that the project is finally coming to fruition 12 years later.
The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta will be first course in Continental Europe to be designed by Scottishborn David McLay-Kidd, whose famous layouts include Bandon Dunes in the USA, Queenwood and Beaverbrook in England, and Machrihanish Dunes and the Castle Course at St Andrews, Scotland
The exclusivity agreement between the two venues has further strengthened El Prat’s portfolio of hotel partners and has made it easier for visitors to enjoy its Tour-proven facilities by partnering with the on-site hotel.
McLay-Kidd has teamed up with Vanguard Properties
to get into trouble. With amazing weather, plus with the great beaches, the cafés, the food, the people – it’s all beautiful and I would encourage anyone to visit.”
Situated on Lisbon’s coast in a secluded setting on the edge of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, the Dunas Course is one of two 18-hole championship layouts that is planned at the multi-million euro development. Created over 84 hectares of natural, sandy terrain, the par-71 Dunas Course has been built using the highest sustainable practices and is predicted to quickly become of Europe’s must-play golfing venues when it opens.
– the largest real estate developer in Portugal – on his latest design project, with the eagerly-awaited layout set to be unveiled in July next year.
EQUIPMENT & GEAR | SEPTEMBER 2022 [37] GOLFNEWS.CO.UK SEPTEMBER 2022 | WWW.GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/TRAVEL
Rodrigo Ulrich, director of golf at Terras da Comporta, added: “What David has created here is truly special and golfers are in for a real treat. The course adheres to all his design principles – to create a layout that is as natural, seamless and sustainable as possible – and the way he has made full use of the terrain and location is incredible.”
Golfing diehards who like football – or football fans who like golf – should take a look at an unbeatable sporting package that is being offered by The Grove, the luxury estate located in Hertfordshire. The package includes a two-night stay in a double or twin
facilities, including swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.Upcoming package dates include October 30-November 1, taking in Arsenal’s evening fixture against recently promoted Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, October 30; while the Gunners’ 3pm match against Manchester United on Saturday, January 21 is part of the programme for a break from January 20-22. Package prices cost from £1,018.50pp based on double occupancy in a double or twin room.
The ’Hero Experience’ Collection of golf holidays will see the former US Open champion Michael Campbell, Women’s Open champion Catriona Matthew, and PGA European Tour star Simon Wakefield host a series of immersive golf clinics for guests at one of the top golf resorts in Europe.
In addition to all green fees and tuition, the package, which costs from £2,100 per person, also includes return flights to Cyprus from Manchester or Gatwick, five nights’ B&B accommodation in a deluxe garden/pool view room at Aphrodite Hills, and all transfers.
FROM TOP PROS AT APHRODITE HILLS ■ THE GROVE'S CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE ■ ARSENAL FC'S EMIRATES STADIUM ■ A TYPICAL WEST WING DOUBLE ROOM ■ THE PGA NATIONAL COURSE AT APHRODITE HILLS ■ CATRIONA MATTHEW
LEARN
With access to three magnificent courses – including two rounds at Aphrodite Hills’ prestigious PGA National Cyprus Golf Course, plus one round at the superb layouts to be found at Secret Valley and Minthis – the legendary trio will share tips and tricks between rounds to improve the fundamentals of your game – the full swing, chipping and putting – during the course to two-hour clinics held on each of the four days of the trip.
The season tees off with all three players on call at Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus from October 2-7, where there are just a handful of places left for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
room in the five-star hotel’s West Wing, two rounds of golf on the resort’s superb championship golf course – venue for the 2016 British Masters and the 2006 WGC-American Express Championship – and a ticket to watch an Arsenal FC Premier League game of your choice from the comfort of The Grove’s Executive Box at the Emirates Stadium.
For all bookings and enquiries, visit www.thegrove.co.uk or call 01923 296010.
If you want to be the best, it pays to learn from the best. And that’s certainly what’s on offer to golfers who join a brand-new series of tuition holidays launched by Amathus Active Golf, which has acquired the services of a host of bigname tour players to help pass on the tips that took them to the very top of the professional game.
This superb double sporting header also includes luxury coach transport to and from the stadium; dinner in one of The Grove’s award-winning restaurants on one night, and dinner in the executive box before the football match. Breakfast in The Grove’s Glasshouse restaurant is also included in the package, as is complimentary access to all the resort’s spa
GUNNERS & GREENS: THE GOLFINGFOOTBALLTEESGROVEUPULTIMATEANDGETAWAY
After golf, guests can mingle with the players over cocktails and dinner for one of the five nights and enjoy all the five-star facilities that Aphrodite Hills has to offer.
For more details and bookings, call 0800 810 8420 or visit www.amathusholidays.co.uk/amathus-active/golf.
Designed to suit all golfers, from total beginners to experienced amateurs, these bespoke tuition packages are carefully curated to ensure every guests reaches their full potential.
[38] SEPTEMBER 2022 | TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
As previously mentioned, the bulk of the 18 holes are thankfully laid out on the bottom of a valley, rather than the fearsome slopes that rise up steeply on both sides, with only a few holes – most notably the stretch from the third to the sixth – requiring a bit of effort to progress up the fairways. At over 1,400m above sea level, the ball travels 10 per cent further than normal, which is handy for those playing off the back tees, which take the course close to 7,000 yards, although there is a choice of tees for less powerful hitters that reduce it to 5,800 yards at its shortest.
At least four more hotels are planned, one of which will be family-orientated, while another will be designed to cater for the golfers who Savarri hopes will be flocking to play the course that he had specially built to keep residents and visitors happy once the snow has melted.
The first stage of the transformation took place in 2013, with the opening of the 123-room Chedi Andermatt, one of the most dazzling five-star hotels in the Alps. It was followed in 2017 by the opening of the aforementioned 240-room Radisson Blu, which also boasts a state-of-the-art 650-seater concert hall and a conference centre. And it’s not hard to see where the money has been spent elsewhere, with a corner of the town filled with dozens of brand-new residential blocks –there are to be 42 when complete – whose luxury studios, spacious apartments and penthouses are selling like proverbial hotcakes long before they have been completed.
With restaurants, piazzas, cafés and retail outlets all included in the masterplan, there is every chance that the site will enjoy a more lived-in feel once completed in 2024, but for now it feels very much like a work in progress.
Already boasting over 90 golf courses, Switzerland is no newcomer to the honourable game, with many of its established layouts having been round for over half a century. And while it has so far failed to produce a world-class player – apologies to 1995 Cannes Open winner André Bossert – this land-locked country is making a bold bid to offer something alternative to simply breathing in fresh air or hiking in the hills for its summer visitors.
If that wasn’t enough of a golfing fix, a mile or so further up the valley is a wonderfully bonkers 9-hole course at Andermatt Realp, a rollercoaster of a layout that climbs dramatically up and down the side of the mountain, with stunning views from every angle give you just enough time to get your breath back before the next shot.
Two nights in a double room at the Raddison Blu Reussen, including breakfast, plus 18 holes at Andermatt Swiss Alps and 9 holes at AnderMatt Realp costs from €295. For bookings, visit radissonhotels.com. Walk-on green fees at Andermatt Swiss Alps start from CHF65 (£55) rising to CHF150
Highlight holes include the 7th and 14th, both of which play from hugely elevated tees, while the short 13th runs along an escarpment and plays to a very small target. Water dominates the finish to both ninehole loops, with lakes lining the fairways at the 9th and 18th, which share the same green so that golfers can play the long or short versions of the game.
With a stream train chugging its way along the valley floor, and a group of classic Jaguars snaking down the windy Furka Pass road made famous by Sean Connery’s Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger, it really was the stuff of fairytales. All I needed was for Julie Andrews to spring out from behind a bush singing ‘The Hills Are Alive’ and the picture would have been complete. Oh, hang on a minute, that was in Austria….
Thus, it was with a great deal of interest that I boarded an EasyJet flight from Gatwick to begin my journey to Andermatt, a little-known resort in the southern Swiss Alps which first dipped its toes into the golf market with the opening of Andermatt Swiss Alps Golf Club in 2016.
he Toblerone-style typography and eightmonth-a-year snowfall found in the Swiss Alps dictates that it will never rival Spain’s Costa del Sol or Portugal’s Algarve when it comes to attracting the golfing hoards, but if you’re looking for stylish resorts, refined service, clean air, and are fit enough to climb the odd vertiginous fairway, then Alpine golf has plenty going for it.
The Radisson forms part of a major hotel and residential development that is helping to breathe new life into a local economy which had previously relied on a Swiss Army training centre for which every male citizen has to pass through as part of their threeyear national service duties. The base provided much of the employment in the area up until it was wound down in the mid-90s, and although the sound of new recruits jogging through the streets can still be heard, the town has succeeded in reinventing itself thanks to the investment of Samih Sawiris, a wealthy Egyptian businessman whose dream is to turn Andermatt into one of the world’s most talked-about mountain
For more details, visit forSwissForswissalps.ch/en/activities/golf.www.andermatt-moreinformationabouttheAndermattAlpsdevelopmentandthepropertiessale,visitwww.andermatt-swissalps.ch.
T
After a 75-minute flight to Zurich, followed by a delightful 90-minute train journey skirting the edges of Lake Zurich, and a short transfer by car up the sort of hairpin-filled, winding road that one often sees on Top Gear, I found myself checking into the four-star Radisson Blu Reussen Hotel.
Located just a short walk from the Radisson Blu, the golf course at Andermatt Swiss Alps has been open just over five years and occupies a stunning valley floor location where the lush, green fairways stretch across the landscape like a rumpled carpet. The golf season, like the ski season, is at the mercy of the climate in these parts, with the course generally open
[39]TRAVEL & BREAKS | SEPTEMBER 2022 GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
resorts. To date, his company, Andermatt Swiss Alps, has spent over £1 billion realising his vision, and the handful of cranes that tower above the village is a clear indication that his vision is still taking shape.
ANDERMATT STAY & PLAY GOLF PACKAGES (£130) during peak times during summer.
MOUNTAIN HIGH, GOLFING DEEP
All in all, it’s an extremely entertaining golfing experience, where the quality of the design plays second fiddle – only by a small margin – to the stunning backdrop of the snow-capped mountains. The clubhouse – an impressive double-height chalet –offers a restaurant and a bar with fabulous views over the course and provides a wonderful spot to relax in before or after a round.
Golf News Editor Nick Bayly travels to the charming Swiss town of Andermatt, where the opening of a championship golf course and the building of a major hotel and residential development has played a significant role in transforming the once sleepy Alpine village into a year-round leisure destination
A MIXTURE OF NEW AND OLD, WITH LUXURY HOTELS AND NEW ANDTOWNTHESITTINGAPARTMENTSALONGSIDECHARMINGOLDWITHITSBARSRESTAURANTS ■ THE 18-HOLE COURSE AT ANDERMATT IS LAID OUT ON THE VALLEY FLOOR AND IS OPEN FOR PLAY FOR EIGHT MONTHS OF THE YEAR
from early April and closing at the end of October, although the impact of global warming is helping to shift the balance in favour of more golfing time.
Taking place at the award-winning Greek venue from November 24-27, the inaugural event will feature the exclusive opportunity to join Olazábal and his professional friends in an up-close experience, playing the two new courses at Navarino Hills, which were designed by the Spanish legend and opened in February.Featuring a maximum field of 18 teams, with each team comprising one professional and three amateurs, the event will include a practice round and two separate 18-hole competitions on the world’s first International Olympic Academy Golf Course and the Hills Course.
Golfers can now clearly identify all areas of play, along with the contrast given by the different tones of grass and cutting heights. Bermuda Grass has been installed across all the greens, fairways and tees, restoring them with improved aesthetics and increased water efficiency to provide quality year-round conditioning.
STAY AND PLAY IN STYLE AT SOTOGRANDE
[40] SEPTEMBER 2022 | TRAVEL & BREAKS GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
TEE OFF AT DOM PEDRO’S NEW-LOOK LAGUNA COURSE
GOLFERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INDULGE in the Sotogrande lifestyle with the introduction of a ‘Stay & Play’ package that enables guests to experience the world-class triumvirate of Real Club Valderrama, La Reserva Club and Real Club Sotogrande while enjoying a luxurious stay at the five-star SO/Sotogrande Hotel.
The upgrade of the popular Algarve course was designed to create a consistent look and feel throughout the layout and enhance the playing experience for all golfers.
GOLFERS WHO HAVE BOOKED OR ARE ABOUT TO BOOK A GOLF HOLIDAY to the Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection in Portugal can look forward to playing the resort’s Laguna Course after it re-opened last month following a major renovation.
JOIN JOSÉ AND FRIENDS AT COSTA NAVARINO PRO-AM
Social events, a prize-giving lunch and a golf clinic are also included, with all proceeds of the event being donated to Sport Mundi, the Spanish non-profit organisation chaired by Olazábal which supports children in need.
Four-night breaks start from €2,450pp, For more details, visit so-sotogrande.com
Olazábal said: "I am proud to be able to bring our new charity pro-am to Costa Navarino. My team and I have enjoyed a wonderful relation with Costa Navarino during the past years when we built the two new courses at Navarino Hills. I am thrilled to continue to be a part of the Costa Navarino story with our new event. Our goal is clear, we want to give back and raise as much money as we can for underprivileged children.”
The four-night package has been crafted to highlight the region’s premier golf offering, with rounds of golf at three of Spain’s finest courses all included. Guests will tread in the footsteps of some of the games’ greats as they tee it up at 1997 Ryder Cup host venue and Europe’s number one ranked course since the 1980s, Real Club Valderrama, as well as Aramco Series host La Reserva Club, and the globally renowned Real Club Sotogrande.
There are three outdoor swimming pools, while a Wellness Centre, featuring a state-of-the-art spa, offers a wide range of pampering treatment options and a sgym.
For more information about the Olazábal and Friends Charity Pro-Am, and to book, visit www.olazabalandfriends.com.
Rui Grave, Head Greenkeeper at Dom Pedro Golf, added: “Golfers will now find a Laguna course that has been restored to its original design. The greens have become faster and firmer, the bunkers revitalised, and the rough made more consistent for a better overall playing experience.”Tofindoutthe latest offers for Dom Pedro golf breaks, visit dompedrogolf.com or call +351 289 310 333.
■ THE LAGUNA COURSE HAS BENEFITTED FROM A MAJOR RENOVATION ■ THE BAY COURSE AT COSTA NAVARINO ■ LA RESERVA CLUB ■ THE HOTEL HAS 152 GUEST ROOMS AND SUITES ■ SO/ SOTOGRANDE HOTEL ■ JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL
La Reserva Club’s stunning Cabell B Robinsondesigned championship golf course, which first opened in 2003, has benefitted from significant investment in recent years, and that is reflected in its most recent rise up the ranking of respected website top100golfcourses.com, and now sits at 63rd in Continental Europe’s Top 100 and looks certain to rise still further.
In addition to 54 holes of championship golf, guests will enjoy a number of exclusive services, including private transfer shuttles and TrackMan practice sessions with PGA qualified professionals. At La Reserva Club, each golfer will also receive a personal locker room containing a La Reserva Club and TaylorMade Golf goodie bag. There will be physio sessions available as well as an open bar for
As part of the Sotogrande Golf Experience guests will be treated to four nights’ accommodation in the five-star SO/ Sotogrande hotel. This new hotel offers a spectacular setting overlooking the foothills of Sotogrande and the Mediterranean Sea. With the main building converted from a typical Andalucian country house with land overlooking the Mediterranean, the hotel offers 152 guest rooms and suites which are dotted around the landscaped property in cottages and contemporary lofts. The latter boast a living space with sliding doors onto a private terrace, a master bedroom with doors onto a garden, and a huge bathroom with a sunken bath and outside private terrace. Guests can take their pick from a wide choice of bars and restaurants, including El Cortijo, a contemporary Spanish restaurant, which is also where breakfast is served. Hi-So, an outdoor terrace restaurant with tables set on shaded poolside terraces with sea views and a wood-burning grill, while Social Club is an elegant café bar located next to La Reserva’s clubhouse.
In addition, the course has seen an entirely new irrigation system fitted to increase coverage and reduce water consumption by up to 30%, whilst all bunkers have been renovated with a fresh new layer of white sand for greater shot consistency.
guests to enjoy food and drink during their visit.
COSTA NAVARINO has teamed up with two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal to launch the Olazábal and Friends Charity Pro-Am this autumn.
or lareservaclubsotogrande.com.
Pietro Dal Fabbro, Chief Executive Officer at Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, said: “The Laguna course has been subject to continuous improvements over the years, but we figured that the pandemic presented a good time to carry out a more wholesale renovation of the course, raising its quality across the board, as well as enhancing its sustainability features.”
My top travel tip is... always wear comfortable clothes while travelling. Joggers all the way!
Travel with
Theadaptors!best
My favourite golf resort is... The K Club in Ireland. I’m giving the place quite a few plugs here, so I hopefully might get a few freebies down the line!
■ CELTIC MANOR'S TWENTY TEN COURSE
My best round of golf was… at my local course where I used to live in Oldham about four years ago. I shot 10-over-par on a really windy day, which I was dead chuffed with. My game can be quite erratic, but when it comes together it’s not too embarrassing.
■ THE INN AT THE SPANISH STEPS IN ROME ■ THE K CLUB IN IRELAND
My ideal holiday fourball would include... Tiger Woods, because he has to be there; my brother, because on the rare occasion we play together I always play well, and if you’re playing in front of Tiger, you want to play well! And then, just for good measure, Rory McIlroy.
I always travel with... a mobile phone charger and all the different types of plug
Allepisodesof‘Kelvin’sBigFarmingAdventure’canbewatchedonBBC’siPlayer.
The golf course I most want to play is… Augusta. Isn’t it top of everyone’s list?
My most recent golf trip was to… The K Club in County Kildare for a charity golf event. I got a plane there, drank a lot of beer, played two rounds of golf and stayed in a nice hotel, so that must count as a golf holiday!
hotel I’ve ever stayed in was.. a little place called The Inn At The Spanish Steps in Rome. Nothing too fussy, just a great location and a lovely feel about it.
Kelvin Fletcher
My first ever golf holiday was to… the Algarve in Portugal. I can’t remember where it was or where we played because it was part-golf trip, part-stag do! I just remember my golf was terrible, but the occasion was amazing. I must get back there again under more sober conditions.
Former Emmerdale star and 2019 Strictly Come Dancing winner Kelvin Fletcher is a big fan of The K Club, and is looking forward to next year’s Ryder Cup in Rome – his favourite city
My favourite golf course is... The K Club was sensational, but I’m also a big fan of The Belfry and Celtic Manor, where I played in the Celebrity Cup a few years ago. They’ve all got that Ryder Cup connection, so the chance to follow in the footsteps of the greats of the game is very appealing.
My favourite city in the world is... Rome. The food, the wine, the history and the romance of it all. I’m hoping to get out there next year for the Ryder Cup, although I might leave my clubs at home and let the pros get on with it.
New season apparel now available at your local PING stockist or online. www.pingeurope.comAllregisteredtrademarksarethepropertyofKarstenManufacturingCorporation.
UNRIVALLED PROTECTION, AGAINST THE ELEMENTS
