RORY MCILROY
AARON RAI
LEGENDS TOUR CHAIRMAN
RYAN HOWSAM
COMPETITION
GOLF PRIDE & 007
JACKET SHOWCASE
NEW GEAR LAUNCHES
OGIO SHADOW
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hard to argue that is possible to have too much of something you like, but after enduring the gol ng marathon that was the DP World Tour and PGA Tour’s schedule for 2024, I’m going to have to admit that even I am nding wall-to-wall tournaments too much to stomach.
‘Have a little of what you like’ is often the advice given to dieters, and I would hesitate to suggest that the various gol ng organisations around the world could take a little of this to heart when they draw up the tournament schedules in years to come.
The globalization of the men’s professional game has now grown to the extent that on any given week, baring the 18-day break for Christmas and New Year, there is an opportunity for an elite male professional golfer to play for money somewhere in the world.
And while LIV Golf has served to dilute the overall gol ng product by luring a dozen or so players of note to a meaningless sideshow, the established mainstream tours have also done a pretty good job of watering down their own beer. And by that, I mean litany of events where a sighting of a world top 100 player is a rare bird indeed.
With even the most committed DP World Tour player only able to manage to compete in 28-30 of the 48odd events on o er, which often comes at a heavy cost to their mental and physical wellbeing due to mileage they are required to travel, surely there has to be an argument that never having an ‘o button’ is slowly killing the golden goose.
And while DP World Tour players rack up millions of air miles as they endlessly crisscross continents and time zones in search of their next tee time, the top competing solely on the PGA Tour almost down tools completely once the Tour Championship is concluded at the end of August, never to be seen again until The Sentry ‘champion of champions’ event kicks o in Hawaii in early January.
A quick glance at world no.1 Scottie Sche er’s schedule shows that he hasn’t swung a club in anger, baring the Presidents Cup, since September 1, while world no.2 Xander Schau ele has played just one event in that same period, with the reigning Open champion making a random appearance at the ZOZO Championship at the end of October. Rory McIlroy, conversely, has had quite a busy time of it since nishing tied ninth at the Tour Championship, playing in ve DP World Tour events during the autumn, with impressive form gures of 2, 2, 25, 3 and 1. Having played 26 tournaments in 2024, alarm bells should be ringing in many tournament sponsors’ headquarters following Rory’s announcement that he plans on
cutting back his schedule next season to a number closer to 20 in a bid to stay fresh for the majors.
With so many top players reining back on their appearances, it is no wonder that The Fall Series, which occupies the PGA Tour’s schedule from September to the end of November, is thin fare indeed. But at least it o ers the chance for household names like Patton Kizzire, Kevin Yu, Matt McCarty, Nico Echavarria, Rafael Campos and Maverick McNealy (no, me neither) to get their name on a trophy and bank $1.3m for beating another bunch of relative nobodies.
Due to the lack of stars on show, even those who have shelled out hard cash for Sky subscriptions –although let’s face it, 99% do so for the football – are tuning out of golf programming. To be honest, I’m getting to the point where I’m slightly jealous of people who don’t have Sky and are in the enviable position of getting a genuine feeling of excitement when highlights packages of the Masters and The Open are beamed into their homes free of charge (minus the license fee) via the Beeb. Starved of the opportunity of watching players grind out six-hour rounds for 357 days of the year, these viewers are drawn to the action as if the sport had only just been invented.
The reason I get excited about such events as The Ashes, the Olympics and the World Cup, is that they only come round infrequently. And although I’m not advocating reducing the DP World Tour and PGA Tour schedules to a handful of tournaments, I really think that for the sake of the health of our golfers, and their relationships with their families and friends, that the season should be reined in.
Thankfully, the lack of genuine reasons to switch on the golf gives us all more time to go out a play the darn game, which provides all the gol ng entertainment that most of us need. So here’s to a year where we watch less and play more. Your sofa will be thankful for the break.
★ Alastair Kinnaird won the Surrey Masters, the county’s final order of merit event of the season, after shooting a level-par 72 in supremely testing conditions at Walton Heath. Played in 40mph winds and driving rain over the club’s New Course, Kinnaird finished two shots clear of Jacob Aaholm, with Kristian Taylor a further two shots back in third. Will Dugdale had already accumulated enough points to be crowned the Men’s Order of Merit winner for 2024, although Kinnaird’s win gave him enough points to secure second place, while Jack Sutherland finished third for the second year in a row.
★ Essex-based PGA Professional Sarah Bennett has been voted Women’s PGA Professional of the Year at the 2024 Women in Golf Awards, the ceremony for which was held at Foxhills on November 29. Sarah has dedicated herself to golf’s growth throughout her 34year career, focusing on inclusion and bringing more women into the game. She has been Essex Girls Head Coach since 2012, worked in a voluntary capacity for the WPGA and on the PGA Executive Committee and was recently PGA Captain,.
★ The Hampshire PGA hosted at Pro-Am at Cams Hall Estate this autumn to raise funds for the Golfers with Disabilities Society. The format was a Texas Scramble with 16 teams taking part combining a PGA Patron or County trainee, two amateur Patrons and a member of the GDS. The winning team was headed by PGA Master Professional Peter Dawson, who shot an an 11-under par 60 gross.
★ Kent golfer Danny Holmes won England Golf’s Senior Men’s Order of Merit after a top-five finish at the English Senior Men’s Stroke Play and reaching the semi-finals of the English Senior Men’s Amateur Championship. Holmes, who is a member at Rochester & Cobham Golf Club, said: “I decided to take some time off in the year of my 60th birthday to see how I would get on playing in the major senior amateur events in the UK. Somehow, everything seemed to come together for me, I played well, met so many great golfers and played lots of fantastic courses “
The England Golf’s Senior Women’s Order of Merit was won by Hertfordshire’s Jackie Foster, who won the Senior Women’s Order of Merit after a season which saw her win the English Senior Women’s Amateur title, finish second in the Senior Women’s Amateur, and claim fourth at the English Senior Women’s Stroke Play.
Sussex-born DP World Tour professional Marco Penge can look forward to his second year on Europe’s top tier tour after securing his card with a gutsy performance at the nal event of the season in South Korea.
The 26-year-old from Horsham, who won promotion from the Challenge Tour to the DP World Tour last year after topping the points list, found himself needing to make the cut at the Genesis Championship in order to keep his playing privileges for next season after enduring a tough year which had yielded just 10 cuts made from 29 events.
And amid the fading light at the end of the second round at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Korea, Penge arrived at the 18th hole needing a birdie to avoid an 11th cut and losing his card.
into the arms of his caddie and celebrated in the knowledge that he had given himself the chance to rise up the rankings with a solid couple of weekend rounds.
The shackles o , he duly achieved that, shooting 69 and 67 to nish tied 22nd and move up from 115th to 110th in the points list, with only the top 114 keeping their cards.
“It’s probably the most nervous I’ve ever been,” Penge later revealed about that second-round putt. “I was so relieved when it went it. My body was shaking, I felt really emotional.
Through the back of the green of the par- ve hole in two, the 2023 Portuguese Open champion needed to get up and down to secure his place among Europe’s elite and avoid another trip to Qualifying School. The chip skipped across the green and settled four feet from the pin. A tough distance for any player to hole with con dence, let alone someone whose living was on the line.
Moments later, as the ball disappeared into the cup, Penge collapsed
“It’s probably the best I’ve played all year,” he added. “To play the way I did under the pressure I was under, I’m just over the moon that it is done. My son was born four months ago, and I feel like I’ve been with him for about a week. These times are worth it.”
While relieved to have secured his card for next season, Penge admits that it his rst season in Europe’s top division has been a struggle at times, with nerves often preventing him from playing his best golf.
“I su er with performance anxiety,” Penge admitted. “It is just who I am as a person, it is how I was born. Certain scenarios I nd really tough when I’m out on the course. The pressure that you have to deal with is immense out here, especially when you are trying to keep your card.
“This was my rst year at the top level and I don’t want to fall back, as I’m loving every moment and have made some good friends out here. I feel like I deserve to be here and feel like I’m good enough. The past six weeks have been a bit nervy, but I just worked as hard as I possibly could and hoped that would take care of everything else.”
Police have launched a hate crime investigation after antisemitic messages were raked into bunkers at Hendon Golf Club shortly before the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.
The North London club noti ed the Metropolitan Police after it was the victim of a race-related attack. Large antisemitic messages were written in several bunkers at the club. In videos and images posted on social media, antisemitic words and symbols can be seen drawn in the sand.
In a statement, the Community Security Trust, a charity that works to protect British Jews from antisemitism, said: “For this to occur in the heart of the Jewish community shortly before the onset of Yom Kippur is utterly disgraceful.
“We are in regular contact with the police and have urged them to thoroughly investigate this hate crime, and we ask anyone with any information about it to contact CST and the police.”
Hearing about the incident, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan commented: “I’m sickened by the rise in antisemitism in our city. Hate crime is a criminal o ence and has no place in London. I’ll continue to work with the police and community representatives to tackle antisemitism and support those a ected by such abhorrent abuse.”
Police have urged anyone with information to call 101 or contact the @ MetCC X account, quoting CAD1690/11Oct. Anonymous calls can also be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
The Club Company, owner of one of the biggest chains of country clubs in the UK, has hired bankers to oversee the sale of the business, which operates 17 sites across England.
Epiris, the private equity rm that bought The Club Company in 2018, has appointed investment bank DC Advisory to nd a buyer for the business.
Informal conversations with prospective buyers are said to be already underway, although details of who is in running has not been released, nor a valuation for the business.
The Club Company operates 17 golf clubs across the UK, including Nizels in Kent, Woodbury Park in Devon, Castle Royle in Berkshire and Chartham Park in West Sussex, each of which boasts a championship-standard golf course, as well as health and tness facilities, bars, restaurants and accommodation.
The clubs have a combined membership of more than 40,000, with the majority of its venues either owned outright by the company or on a long leasehold basis.
Since buying the company six years ago, Epris has added four new clubs to its portfolio – Cams Hall, High Legh Park, Ches eld Downs and, most recently, Greetham Valley, which it acquired in May this year.
The Club Company has yet to issue a statement on the proposed sale.
Clive Smith, a quali ed accountant who was a driving force in the golf course development business in the southeast in the 1980s and 90s, has died at the age of 82 following a short illness.
A ne golfer in his own right, and a member at Camberley Heath, Walton Heath, Royal Porthcawl and Wentworth at various points in his life, Smith turned his hand to building golf courses after an early career spent working as an accountant for leading car manufacturers Chrysler and Ford.
After turning his passion for golf into a business, he transformed a former racecourse at Hawthorn Hill in Maidenhead into an 18 -hole course which opened in 1982 and later he sold to a Japanese operator in 1991.
The new owners changed the name to Bird Hills and is still operational today, Smith also designed and built an 18-hole course at Pine Ridge Golf Centre in Frimley, Surrey, which opened for play in 1992. Smith’s rst golf centre was the 9-hole course at Windlemere Golf Course in Woking which opened in 1978 but closed in 2017.
All three clubs were operated on a pay-and-play basis and were designed to target the daily fee golf market, his business model at both Hawthorn Hill and Pine Ridge included oodlit ranges, restaurant and function facilities.
Being of a higher standard than most other public or municipally run courses at the time, the aim for all of Smith’s venues was provide good quality golf at an a ordable price, which proved to be a winning formula, enabling many of those new to golf to develop a lifelong interest in the game.
Keen to encourage amateur golf at all levels and to bring on the next generation of future stars, Smith founded the Lagonda Trophy, an elite boys’ amateur tournament open to players with a handicap of 1.4 or better. First played for in 1975 at Camberley Heath Golf Club in Surrey, where Smith served a club captain, the trophy for the winner was a miniature replica of a 1930s Lagonda Tourer sports car which was Smith’s pride and joy.
The tournament was held at Camberley until 1989, after which it moved to Gog Magog Golf Club in Cambridgeshire, where it is still played to this day.
Past winners include a roll call of players who went onto enjoy success in the both the amateur and professional game, including Peter McEvoy (’80), Russell Claydon (’88), David Gilford (’86), Lee Westwood (’92), Luke Donald (’97), Gary Wolstenholme (’02), Andy Sullivan (’10), Kennie Ferrie (’98), Oliver Fisher (’04) and Dale Whitnell (’08). This year’s Lagonda Trophy – the 49th renewal – took place at Gog Magog in May and was won by Brandon Skidmore from Cotswold Hills with a 72-hole score of 275.
■ 2024 LAGONDA TROPHY CHAMPION BRANDON SKIDMORE WAS PRESENTED WITH THE TROPHY BY CLIVE SMITH ■
Spain looks set to host the Ryder Cup for the second time in the history of the biennial matches after it emerged that Camiral Golf & Wellness, the Costa Brava resort formerly knowns as PGA Catalunya, has been hot tipped as the preferred venue to host the event in 2031.
Although an o cial announcement has yet to be made, sources have con rmed that the venue, which has hosted numerous European Tour events over the years, including Final Qualifying School, is the preferred choice to host the matches in seven years’ time.
The resort, which is located 10 miles from Girona on Spain’s northeast coast, was originally built with the intention of hosting the 1997 Ryder Cup before delays to its construction meant that the event had to be transferred to Valderrama.
Opened in 1999 as PGA Catalunya, the resort boasts two championship 18-hole layouts, the Stadium course and the Tour course, and it is understood that the 2031 Ryder Cup will be staged on a composite course combining both. This was the preferred option to building a third course.
One of the losing bidders for the 2023 Ryder Cup, Camiral is owned by Irish businessman Denis O’Brien, who bought the venue in 2007 and has invested many millions in upgrading the facilities, with a new hotel, restaurants, spa, and an expansive residential property development.
Spain’s win is England’s loss, with bids from Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire and the London Golf Club in Kent being parked in favour of the Catalan venue, meaning that it will be at least 11 years at the earliest before the Ryder Cup could potentially return to UK shores in 2035.
The rules regarding general winter play, including when preferred lies can be applied, have been updated by England Golf, bringing an end to an problem that a ects many golfers over the years.
The preferred lies rule, which allows players to take free relief in the fairway, was previously only in place during the winter months – generally October 1 to April 30 – but now it can be used at any time during the season.
Clubs who had to deal with inclement conditions outside of that seven-month period had to ask their county unions for permission to bring in the Local Rule on a temporary basis. Now that barrier has been removed and, if circumstances require, England Golf say clubs can use it throughout the year.
Most importantly, golfers will still be able to post acceptable scores under the World Handicap System when preferred lies are active.
What was formerly known as the Winter Checklist has now been replaced by the Adverse/ Extreme Weather Reference Guide, which is being introduced to help clubs not just through winter, but all year round.
A statement from England Golf said: “Exception MLR E-3 Preferred Lies no longer has a de ned period for use, and a club may, if conditions require it, utilise this Model Local Rule throughout the year. Winter Rules is not a term stated within the Rules of Handicapping. Therefore, the guidance has been adapted to be focused on periods of extreme or adverse weather.
“Clubs must use the Model Local Rule appropriately and on areas of the course where it is required. They must also be removed as soon practicably possible.”
Changes have also been made to guidance on temporary greens, the use of fairway mats, water- lled bunkers and closed holes.
England Golf has unveiled its 13-player National Men’s Squad and ve-player National Boys’ Squad for the 2024/25 season.
From last year’s Men’s Squad,
James Claridge (Enville, Sta ordshire) and Charlie Crockett (Addington Palace, Surrey) have turned professional, while Zach Chegwidden (Orsett, Essex) is also expected to follow suit in the coming weeks, showcasing the route available to players by being part of the England Golf Player Performance Pathway.
Lindrick’s Tom Osborne is a new addition to this year’s Men’s Squad, while Ben Bolton and Daniel Hayes have progressed from the England Boys’ Squad. Harley Smith, who was part of the squad in 2022/23, is back in the team for 2024/25 after a stellar 2024 season.
The grand nal of the 2024 PING Junior Masters took place at Close House, with over 70 junior golfers gathering to showcase their skills on the Northumberland club’s championship Colt Course.
In a thrilling and close contest, the winners of the six categories were separated by just three shots, with 10-year-old Havish Aravind from Brampton Golf Club in Cumbria being crowned as the overall champion, as well as the U12 winner, with a Stableford score of 39 points.
The other age group winners were Henry Murphy (Boys U18), Kayla Hill (Girls U18), James Henderson (Boys U15), Amelia Hothersall (Girls U15), and Lily Jane Morgan (Girls U12).
Ryder Cup legend and former world no.1 Lee Westwood, Close House’s a liated professional, was instrumental in the early development of the Junior Masters, and he was on hand to present the prizes to each category winner, as well as hosting a postcompetition Q&A session.
“It is great to see so many junior golfers competing,” commented Westwood. “I’m thrilled to be involved with the series and it’s great to see how it has grown over the past seven years. Thanks to Close House, PING, and of course the parents who have supported their children in their gol ng journeys so far.”
This year’s event once again saw PING provide all the prizes at the grand nal, helping to make it a truly memorable experience for the juniors involved.
Dave Fanning, PING European Marketing Director, commented: “We’re delighted to support the PING Junior Masters and pleased we can provide support whilst increasing the outreach of junior golf. We applaud the work the team at Close House does on an annual basis to host this fantastic event.”
■ LEE WESTWOOD WITH ALL THE PING JUNIOR MASTERS AGE GROUP WINNERS AT CLOSE HOUSE
Berry (Royal Liverpool) and Tyler Weaver (Bury St Edmunds) are named in the squad for the second year running, while Dylan Shaw-Radford (Hudders eld) and Josh Hill (Trump Dubai, UAE) prepare for their third year. Jack Bigham (Harpenden) is set for his fourth season representing England Men.
In the Boys’ Squad, all ve players – Harry Cox (Welwyn Garden City), Charlie Croker (Abridge), Oscar Lent (Walton Heath), Sam Marshall (St Neots), and Charlie Rusbridge (Colne Valley) are new to the squad after impressive seasons.
them all improve so they have the best possible platform to go on and achieve great things in the game.
Will Hopkins (Belton Park), Matthew Dodd-
England Golf Men’s Performance Manager Ben Gorvett said: “It’s been another good year developing players and helping them realise their potential, with several going on to reach professional status. We’re excited to work with some very talented golfers over the coming 12 months and hope to help
“It’s also an exciting year ahead with the likes of the World Junior Championship, World Amateur Team Championships and Walker Cup, which will provide some unforgettable tests for many of these players, and hopefully they cannot just challenge for, but win, medals across competitions.”
Tracy Park Hotel & Golf Club near Bath closed in October after being after being sold to a private buyer.
Boasting two championship 18hole golf courses and Grade II listed 40-bed hotel, the venue had been on the market with a guide price of £12m.
The 240-acre estate was the home of the Tracy family for 300 years until it was developed into a golf hotel in 1974.
In an email to members announcing the closure, general manager Greg Shaw, whose family owned the estate, said: “As a family, when starting the new chapter at Tracy Park in 2019, our full intention and focus was to develop Tracy Park into a premier golf and leisure destination, yet after £300,000 investment in planning applications, we have received very little sign of encouragement or belief that this ambition will be realised under current planning constraints.
“Over the past few months, many potential purchasers and operators have viewed the property and had access to the historical trading gures and planning applications. Regrettably, all leisure operators have concluded that under the planning constraints and current business model, Tracy Park is not a viable operation. However, the current ownership has been approached by a private individual and a sale of Tracy Park has been agreed. All business operations on the property are to cease as of September 30.
“I understand that this will be a massive shock to many members and will undoubtably cause a great deal of sadness and for this I am truly sorry. We are absolutely heartbroken to have to leave Tracy Park, where we have started our young family, and had dearly hoped that this would be where we would raise that family, but sadly it will not be the case.”
The cost to attend a single day of next year’s Ryder Cup in New York has been set at $750 (£580) for the most basic package, resulting in accusations of price gouging by the PGA of America, which runs the matches for USbased renewals.
That gure is almost three times the £212 that was charged to attend one day of action at last year’s Ryder Cup in Italy, which made brought in from sponsors and ticket sales and made an operating pro t of $9.2m for the DP World Tour.
While the price of tickets for top-level sporting events has risen almost exponentially in recent years, it has generally been accepted as a direct consequence of supply and
demand, but the PGA of America’s decision to charge a minimum of $750 for fans and even $392 just for the chance to work as a volunteer for the week of the matches has also attracted wide levels of criticism.
Defending the decision to increase prices for both spectators and volunteers, tournament director Bryan Karns said: “We looked at pricing and we were able to tap into data from all these di erent sports events. And we were able to see what people pay, and that really drove this.
“In terms of our position in this landscape — where do we feel ourselves? There are people who have the Ryder Cup on their bucket list in the same way someone
Golfers across England are being invited nominate their candidates for the 2025 England Golf Awards, the winners of which will be announced at a special ceremony to be held in Manchester in April.
For this year’s awards there will be 12 categories, the winners of which will be revealed at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
The categories for the awards include are Club of the Year; Facility; County; Sustainability Project; Lifetime Service; Volunteer; Young Person (previously Young Volunteer of the Year) ; Participation & Development Coach; Women & Girls Trailblazer, and Respect in Golf (previously Diversity & Inclusion Champion).
There are also awards for Performance of the Year and Tournament Venue of the Year, both of which are voted for by a panel of experts, as will the new Hall of Fame inductees.
England Golf Chief Executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “We’ve celebrated and enjoyed a very special Centenary Year, as well as of course heralding another progressive year for promoting the sport of golf in England. Our England Golf team alongside clubs, counties and thousands of volunteers continue to inspire not only more people to participate, but also more people who are happy to refer to themselves as golfers.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the shining lights of 2024 to the awards in April, where we will celebrate all the performances and amazing work of the countless volunteers within the game.”
To book tickets for the England Golf Awards on April 2, which cost £99 per head, visit www.eventsforce.net
would have a Yankees opening game of the World Series on their bucket list.
“Ultimately that’s where we felt like we are. We’ve got a lot of people, the demand is at an all-time high for this event, and so we wanted to make sure we priced it appropriately.”
In an exclusive interview with Golf News, Ryan Howsam , chairman of the Legends Tour, talks about the on-going transformation of European senior circuit and reveals his ambitions to see the over-50’s tour enjoy further global growth in the coming years
What is your business background?
I left home at 14 and went to live with my grandmother, as I didn’t get on very well with my dad. At 17, I had bills to pay, so I got a job doing door-to-door sales, first selling double glazing, and later house alarms. By the time I was 19 I was the top salesperson in the country and was running a sales team of 150 people.
Over the next 20 years I enjoyed a rollercoaster ride of business successes and failures. I created several fast-growing, multi-million-pound companies, one of which was a coupon business, and another was a holiday booking website. I made a lot of stupid mistakes and lost everything
several times, but I learned a lot of valuable lessons along the way and maintained my positive attitude through it all.
At 39 I barely had a penny to my name, but I pulled myself up by the bootstraps and started again. I went on to found Staysure, a global travel insurance business, which is now one of the market leaders in the sector. We employ over 135 people and have an annual turnover in excess of £480m.
How big a role does golf play in your life and how big a factor was your passion for the sport when it came to investing in the Legends Tour?
I have always been a very passionate golfer. I played football and golf to a decent level as a teenager. When I was 16, I had the opportunity to become an assistant club professional, but I chose to go out and work and started selling double glazing.
I played on and off through the early part of my twenties, but then stopped completely when I was about 26-27, and it was not until I was in my late forties that I really fell back in love with the game. When I started playing competitively again there was a natural synergy between golf and the over50s insurance market and it seemed the right area to target.
There were lots of commercial assets that could be monetised better, and if you combined the Staysure database with the Legends Tour, there was a lot more value that could be offered to sponsors. So very quickly it went from being a sponsorship discussion to being a much wider strategic move. I saw first-hand the untapped commercial potential that the Tour has to offer. I set out to build it up and create a special brand that has an elevated feel to it, for pros, amateurs, spectators, promoters and sponsors alike. I want to take it up another gear – great courses, more legends playing, and creating a brilliant amateur experience.
What input did you have in changing the name to the Legends Tour?
I was very hands on and was looking at it with two
hats on: one as the chairman of Staysure and the other from a senior golf perspective. The Staysure brand adds a lot of value, and the Legends name came about purely because it really does what it says on the tin – it is icons and legends and we wanted to project that in the brand. We wanted to utilise the ‘Legends’ as a central part of the rebranding.
How much of an influence do you have on the Tour’s operations, including the scheduling of events, choice of venues and attracting sponsors?
I am passionate about the project and like to be involved as much as possible. But my own personal business experience is supported by a brilliant team. We brought Phil Harrison in as the CEO, but ultimately when we look at the key stakeholders – the players, fans and sponsors – it was crucial that the tour had to go to destinations that offered good, challenging golf courses, but also the kind of place they would want to stay and visit. A lot of these players are travelling with wives and family, and while they are still playing competitively, they want to be playing in a nice place where they feel comfortable experiencing the culture.
Given your numerous other business commitments, how much time are you devote to your role with the Legends Tour?
I don’t have a fixed schedule, but I’d say I probably spend about half a day to a full day each week on Legends Tour matters.
How pleased are with where the Legends Tour is now compared to where it was when you first came on board as a headline sponsor in 2017?
I think we’re in a pretty good place, not just in terms of this year, but where we are overall. When we took over, especially during the COVID period, the Tour needed a fresh direction. We’ve completely rebranded and elevated its position. From an external perspective, I think it’s compelling what we’ve accomplished. There’s still work to be done, but the big picture of where we’re heading is very exciting.
The Legends Tour recently hosted an event in India and has tournaments taking place in Mexico and Vietnam. Is international expansion where you see the potential growth of the tour?
Yes, definitely. The Tour was traditionally more European-focused, but we’ve been working to take it global. There’s growing interest in markets like India, where the response was off the charts. We’re also in talks about potentially holding events in the US, which would open the Tour up to a much broader audience and attract sponsors with global ambitions. It’s all about expanding the brand internationally and creating more opportunities.
Would you like to see more Legends Tour tournaments in the UK?
Yes, ideally. We currently have events in Ireland, Scotland, and England, and we’re looking at adding one in Wales as well. Our aim is to have about 15 premier tournaments globally rather than 25 smaller ones. It’s all about finding the right balance to reach the best global audience.
Given that there is often a long gap for some pros from when they’re no longer competitive on the main tour to when they hit 50, do you see a time when the age limit to qualify for the Legends Tour drops from 50 to maybe 45? That has been discussed, but it’s complicated. Changing the age limit would affect a lot of players who are currently in that 50-plus range, and it would require approval from the Players Committee. So, while it’s been considered, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon, especially with many top players extending their careers well past 50.
■ HOWSAM HAS PLAYED A VERY ACTIVE AND VISIBLE ROLE ON THE LEGENDS TOUR, OFTEN PLAYING IN PRO-AMS
How has the amateur experience element of the Legends Tour’s schedule improved this year? It’s been a fantastic evolution. From a standing start of not offering this kind of experience at all to where we are now is a huge leap. If you haven’t played in one of these events, you really should. The energy, especially at our flagship events like the PGA at Trump Aberdeen, is incredible. It’s a different experience playing alongside pros, and we’re constantly improving it ¬– things like having professional caddies to enhance the quality of the event for our participants.
■ HOWSAM IS LOOKING TO ATTRACT MORE AMERICAN PLAYERS TO THE LEGENDS TOUR SUCH AS JOHN DALY
Is there a possibility that we will see more live coverage of Legends Tour events on Sky? We’re looking into that. It comes down to live versus highlight coverage. Right now, we’re primarily a highlight show, but we’re working on getting snippets and leaderboards into larger broadcasts like the PGA Tour’s main programs. Next year, we’re considering moving the tournament days to Monday through Wednesday when there’s less competition from other live golf. That would help us secure better commercial deals for live coverage, so that’s something we’re working on.
What’s your relationship like with the PGA Champions Tour in the States? You mentioned taking a few events to the US and the possibility of creating a Senior Ryder Cup. Our discussions with the Champions Tour have been positive. We’ve explored co-sanctioned events, and they’re open to our format. Regarding the possibility of a Senior Ryder Cup, it’s been a long-standing goal of mine. There’s some resistance because of concerns that it might devalue the Ryder Cup brand, but I don’t agree with that. The players want it, the fans want it, and I’m confident it will happen. We’re aiming for 2027 or 2028 to launch the event.
Speaking of player pathways, do you approach players who are nearing 50 about joining the Legends Tour?
Yes, especially those big-name players who are approaching that eligibility window. There’s also the LIV players who aren’t eligible for the Champions Tour, which is a real opportunity for us. We’re working on creating a pathway for them to join the Legends Tour, and we’re having some productive discussions around that.
How important is it to have players like Ian Woosnam and Colin Montgomerie put their weight behind the tour?
They are legendary players who have achieved so much in the game, and it is so important to have those names on board to help promote the product. They are still seriously good at
this game and playing on the Legends Tour is a serious business for them. There is a level of professionalism we want to project and these guys are seasoned winners who want to keep playing competitively. We want those names front and centre, but the Legends Tour is also about creating great stories for other players who did not have that same level of success on the regular tour.
How do you see the Legends Tour’s business model evolving?
The truth is, making money solely from running a tour is tough – whether it’s the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour, most of the money gets funnelled back to the players. So we’re thinking bigger. For example, we’re about to launch our first Legends Tour Resort, a project worth £600 million. We’re also exploring branded academies, real estate opportunities tied to golf courses, and even apparel lines. We want to create an ecosystem around the Tour that taps into various revenue streams beyond just the tournaments.
The discourse around professional golf, certainly in the men’s game, has been dominated by prize money and the vast amounts that players can earn. Do you think the public is getting tired of the constant focus on money?
There’s a lot of money in professional sports generally — look at football or Formula One — and I don’t think people are necessarily fed up with it. The challenge is making sure tournaments remain commercially viable, especially with all the competition from entities like LIV Golf.
We’ve grown our prize fund on the Legends Tour significantly since I took over, from $3.9 million to around $8 million this year, and we’re aiming for $10 million next year. By 2030, we want to have 15 tournaments with $2 million prize pools each, plus the majors. It’s ambitious, but we’re building an ecosystem to support that growth.
Can you tell me about your relationship with the Trump organisation?
It’s been fantastic. Eric Trump, in particular, has been very supportive of our events, and the team at Trump Aberdeen did a phenomenal job with the hosting of the PGA Seniors Championship.
Donald Trump himself even took the time to send a personal message to the players before one of our tournaments and called the winner afterwards, which was a nice touch. Say what you will about Trump, but the people in his organisation are top-notch, and they’ve been great partners for us.
Finally, where do you play your golf and do you have a favourite course?
In the UK, Wentworth and Beaverbrook are my clubs. Wentworth is my home club and I love the West Course. Beaverbrook is a private members club near Leatherhead in Surrey where the whole environment is something really special. I spend quite a lot of time in southern Spain and Finca Cortesin is my home club when I am based over there. A little bit like Beaverbrook, it has a special feel to it. I absolutely love it there!
Essex have won the English Men’s County Championship for just the second time ever, and the rst time since 2009, after a tense win over Gloucestershire at Whittington Heath Golf Club in Sta ordshire.
After Essex edged the morning foursomes, Lincolnshire meanwhile were looking to win their rst – and only – title since 1974, but needed to beat Cumbria and hope Gloucestershire could do them a favour. There was still hope for Cumbria and Gloucestershire, who could still win the event themselves if results went their way.
Lincolnshire went about their business with a ne 6-3 win over Cumbria, which saw four of the six games go to the wire, meaning all eyes were on Essex who needed to win 5-4 overall against Gloucestershire.
With three games in the balance, Will Horne fought back from 3-down to win 2&1 which sealed the title for Essex, and it proved to be pivotal as the nal couple of matches went Gloucestershire’s way. It meant Lincolnshire nished second, while Cumbria pipped Gloucestershire to third.
Essex Captain Paul Prebble said: “I’m unbelievably proud. It’s a fantastic team that we had, and we came here with great hope. It means a hell of a lot to win because reaching this level of golf for Essex is a huge achievement and it’s something that has happened so rarely that it becomes even more special.
“Every single match was just ridiculously close, and I’ve got no ngernails or nerves left! It was obviously our time.”
Essex player Zach Chegwidden, who was playing in his last amateur event before turning professional, added: “To play for Essex one last time and for us to win the Men’s County Finals is unbelievable. It’s really special to nish my amateur career alongside some really good friends of mine from my home club and home county. We’re Essex boys, so there’ll be some proper celebrations – although probably not tonight, as it’s a school night!”
Hampshire’s Liz Young secured the second Ladies European Tour title of her career after she pipped Belgium’s Manon De Roey to the Women’s Indian Open title.
Trailing De Roey and compatriot Alice Hewson by one shot heading into the nal round at DLF Golf & Country Club, the 42-year-old from Brockenhurst was still a shot behind De Roey after 14 holes, but the turning point came at the par-5 15th when Young’s patience paid o and she carded an excellent birdie.
Two holes later and the treacherous 17th proved decisive again as De Roey dropped a shot to give Young the lead heading down the last.
Then, drama. Young’s third shot from the rough found the water as a playo looked to be on the cards in Delhi. But after De Roey was unable to get up and down from short of the green, Young dialled in a fantastic wedge shot from the drop zone to salvage a bogey and clinch a one-stroke victory with a closing level-par 72.
I’m in shock,” said Young, whose only other LET victory came at the Swiss Ladies Open in 2022. “It’s my second win,
Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent has opened the doors to its new on-site accommodation o ering, The Barn, which will provide golfers with the option of a relaxing stay in luxury surroundings before and after a round.
but it’s still as important as any other. They don’t happen very often as a professional golfer. It’s never easy to beat a friend, but Manon had one a win earlier this year, so it was my turn!”
Young’s only previous win on the Ladies European Tour came at the Swiss Ladies Open in 2022, some 13 years after she rst turned professional.
Young nished 12th on the 2024 LET Order of Merit after a season that included ve other top ve placings, in addition to the win.
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the rst tee of the club’s championship course, The Barn can accommodate up to eight guests in a range of four suites named Faldo, Lilypad, Oak, and Gold – re ecting core themes on the golf course, as well as paying homage to the designer of the course, Sir Nick Faldo.
The Barn o ers a range of other amenities, including a communal lounge, a private garden with outdoor seating, an arti cial putting green, and high-speed wi- . Guests can also request custom-stocked fridges, beauty essentials in every room, and enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the clubhouse bar.
“We’re thrilled to unveil The Barn at Chart Hills, as part of our ongoing commitment to o ering the best possible experience for our members, guests, and visitors,” said the club’s general manager Anthony Tarchetti. “In recent years, we’ve made investments across multiple areas of the golf club, and The Barn is another exciting step forward. It expands our o erings with stay-and-play options, adding yet another dimension to the Chart Hills experience.”
The club has introduced a range of winter stay-and-play packages that o er a chance to sample the new accommodation, as well as play the course.
Running until March, the winter rates are £199 per person midweek and £239 on weekends and include free use of the facilities on-site for two days, including breakfast before your tee time.
Winter B&B packages will also include free access to ‘The Loop’ – the club’s new six-hole par-three course – and full use of the driving range and practice putting greens.
Popular indoor golf business Pitch is set to open a new agship venue in London early next year, which will take the company’s portfolio in the capital to three.
Golfers playing either of the London Golf Club’s two championship golf courses can ride the fairways in comfort and style following the arrival of a brand-new eet of buggies at the popular Kent venue.
The club has recently taken delivery of a eet 50 Club Car Tempo golf buggies which promise a supremely quiet driving experience thanks to their powerful electric motors.
Each buggy is also equipped with a state-of-the-art Visage V4 GPS unit, enabling users to get an overview of every hole and get instant and accurate yardages to all the key features and ags on any given hole.
This latest investment re ects the club’s dedication to delivering a high-quality gol ng experience for its 1,300 members and visiting guests, ensuring they have the best on-course equipment available.
In addition to existing venues in Soho and the City, Pitch Wharf will open in January at Churchill Place in Canary Wharf, with the multi- oor venue spanning 14,500 square feet and featuring 11 hitting bays, two bars, a restaurant, retail store and a lounge for events and entertainment. It will also boast a waterside terrace for outdoor hospitality.
Catering to all levels of golfer, including complete beginners, the venue o ers multiplayer games and virtual challenges on world-renowned courses including Pebble Beach and St Andrews. It also employs a team of PGA Professionals for coaching and custom tting. Clubs are supplied by Callaway Golf for game play, although golfers can also bring their own equipment.
The Canary Wharf outlet shares its building with WeWork, a workspace designed for freelance workers and small companies. In addition to exclusive access to Pitch Wharf, WeWork members will enjoy special privileges and discounts.
It has been another hugely successful year for the MASHIE Members Club, the UKs premium golf society.
With a total of 30 events, beginning in April and ending in October, MASHIE visited some fantastic venues over of the season, with competition rounds played at dozens of renowned courses, including Sunningdale, Swinley Forest, New Zealand, Hoylake and Royal Birkdale to name but a few.
The series’ winners across the gross and nett categories were royally rewarded for their e orts, with £2,000 worth of Golfbreaks points given each to player spend on golf holidays of their choice.
The venues for the 2025 have already been con rmed, with a new Pairs event – being held at quality venues such as Dundonald Links, Alwoodley, Little Aston and St Annes Old Links – taking MASHIE Members to even more quality courses all over the UK as the events side of the club continues to expand.
Ben Stimson, Director of Golf at London Golf Club, said: “We are always looking at ways to improve our overall experience, and that includes making sure we have the best available equipment for visitors, members and sta . Our new eet of Club Car Tempos ensures that is the case. Our new buggies are already enhancing the e ciency of turnaround in our buggy park and are helping all navigate our courses seamlessly with the latest Visage V4 GPS units.”
MASHIE now boasts 11,000 members – more than double the number from 2022 – and it now has over 130 partner clubs in the network, all of which can be accessed privately by members via the bespoke MASHIE App and serviced by the MASHIE concierge team.
Recent additions to the portfolio include Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, Princes Golf Club in Kent, Hayling in Hampshire and E ngham Golf Club in Surrey, with three championship links venues in the Southport area due to be con rmed shortly.
Dan Jackson, MASHIE’s recently promoted Club Partnerships Director, said: “MASHIE has grown enormously in all areas since I joined the business two years ago. We have all been on a very exciting journey which will continue heading into 2025. I look forward to adding more quality clubs, especially in the midlands and further north to the MASHIE network to complement our strong portfolio of partners in the south of the country.’
Nick Hovey, Mashie’s managing director, added: “Dan has done a great job of growing our club partnerships, so he thoroughly deserves this promotion. He will be devising a strategy to replicate our success in the south by adding some great new partners further North and taking MASHIE as a business to a bigger UK audience via our club partnerships. We have a very strong and committed team in place now and are very excited for the next phase of our growth as we head into 2025.”
For more details on how to join MASHIE Golf, and to check out events planned for 2025, visit www.mashiegolf.co.uk
Stapleford Park, a historic Grade I listed country house hotel near Melton Mowbray, ceased operations in October after its owners, DreamR Group, called in liquidators due to ongoing nancial challenges.
The owners of the four-star hotel and country retreat cited “adverse trading conditions” as the reason for the immediate closure. DreamR Group, which acquired the property two years ago, has now enlisted insolvency practitioners Leonard Curtis, to handle the company’s voluntary liquidation.
In a statement sent to members, the hotel announced its closure and the termination of all club memberships, e ective immediately. The email read: ““Unfortunately, as a result of adverse trading conditions and the nancial position of the operating company, Stapleford Park cannot continue to operate, and management have little option but to cease trading with immediate e ect, including club membership.”
Stapleford Park’s 6,944-yard, par-73 course, which was designed by Donald Steel and opened in 2000, had already been closed in 2020, further signalling the venue’s nancial di culties in recent years.
After earning his PGA Tour card in 2021, England’s AARON RAI has wasted little time in establishing himself on the US circuit, bagging six top-10 finishes this season before enjoying a breakthrough win at the Wyndham Championship, which moved him inside the world’s top 25 for the first time. Here, the 29-year-old from Wolverhampton talks about his rapid rise up the ranks and how his idiosyncratic two-glove look has not only helped elevate his game, but also his profile among golf fans and the media alike
Aaron Rai has come a long way, both guratively and geographically, in the last 25 years, from hitting balls at Three Hammers driving range in Wolverhampton as a ve-year-old wannabe Tiger, to his current lofty standing inside the top 25 in the world ranking as he shows o his skills on the global pro circuit.
The 29-year-old Midlander – who started out life wanting to be a racing driver – inspired by the achievements and competitive spirit of Michael Schumacher – has taken a few more years than some of his peers to nd his way in the world of professional golf, but slowly, yet surely, he has followed his own idiosyncratic path to success.
Whether it’s the oft-touted tale of him using headcovers on his irons to protect the shiny new clubs that his dad bought him as a kid – a habit that he continues to this day despite no longer having to pay for his equipment – or his penchant for wearing two gloves to get a better connection after hours spent practicing in the rain when he was growing up – Aaron Rai is nothing if not his own man, with his own way of doing things.
Despite career earnings of over £10 million since turning professional in 2012, Rai eschews the trappings of the modern sportsman, preferring to drive a distinctly practical Mitsubishi Evo rather than a ashy sports car, and doing without an agent or even a social media presence. Instead, he prefers to y below the radar as he e ciently and expertly goes about his business, which lately has been banking cheques after a breakout season on the PGA Tour which has seen him win over $4.6m in prize money.
From 25 events on the US circuit this year, he only missed four cuts, had six top 10s, 13 top 25s, and enjoyed his rst victory at August’s Wyndham Championship. He nished o the season by earning a place in the Tour Championship, reserved for the tour’s top 30 players, where he acquitted himself well in nishing 19th and taking him up to a new career high 20th in the world ranking.
Explaining his choice of wheels reveals a lot about the young man’s psyche. “I loved the Japanese cars in the 90s,” he says. “I was in a position where I could a ord to spend a bit more, but I wanted it to have meaning to me, and I like what it represents. They were built on a budget. There were no ashy interiors or anything like that, they were just pure and focused. Those are the values I believe in.”
Despite his seemingly sudden rise into golf’s elite ranks, Rai’s journey to the top has been far from instant. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he had to grind his way up to the top tier, starting out his professional life on the bottom rung of the ladder on the now sadly defunct EuroPro Tour back in 2014, after turning pro in 2012. Two seasons later, in 2016, the then 21-year-old won promotion to the Challenge Tour, Europe’s second tier tour, after finishing fifth in the 2015 Order of Merit.
It took him a couple of seasons to nd his feet at this higher level, but 2017 saw Rai win three times on the Challenge Tour, including an emotional victory at the Kenyan Open. His mother, Amrit, who was born in Kenya, but was making her rst visit to the country for over
45 years, ran onto the green to celebrate her son’s success.
Those three wins earned Rai automatic promotion to DP World Tour in 2018. Finishing the year in 58th in the order of merit, he then enjoyed his breakthrough win on Europe’s top tier tour at the Hong Kong Open that same year, which marked the start of the 2019 season. The following year Rai further further advanced his credentials as ‘one to watch’ when beating Tommy Fleetwood in a play-o for the Scottish Open, which boasts one of the strongest elds of the season.
Yearning to test himself against the world’s best, Rai entered the Korn Ferry Tour Finals in the US in 2021, where he nished sixth in the rankings to earn his PGA Tour card for the 2022 season. In his rst year he made 19 cuts from 28 events to comfortably keep his card thanks to two top 10s,
Age: 29
Lives: Jacksonville, Florida
Turned Pro: 2012
World Ranking: 21
2024 FedEx Cup ranking: 23rd
PGA Tour Appearances: 92 Cuts Made: 67 Top 10s: 11
DP World Tour: 122 Cuts Made: 81 Top 10s: 18
Wins: 7 (2016 Kenyan Open, 2016 Andalucía Costa del Sol Match Play, 2016, Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge 2018 Hong Kong Open, 2020 Scottish Open, 2024 Wyndham Championship)
Career prize money: $8.53m (PGA Tour), €5.2m (DP World Tour)
Highest major nish: 19th (2021 Open Championship, 2024 US Open)
I ALWAYS TRY TO TAKE THE POSTIVES FROM THE NEGATIVES, AS THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE YOU A BETTER PLAYER
while the 2020-23 season saw him nish 73rd in the money list with 22 cuts made from 32 events.
This season has seen Rai move into top gear, with the aforementioned top-10s, 14 consecutive cuts made, and the all-important win. As a mark of his consistency, he was the only player to make the Tour Championship without having played in single of the eight ‘Elevated’ events which o er the really big bucks.
Asked what he puts his success down to, Rai says: “I feel like I’ve been playing well tee to green for large parts of this season, but it was only towards the latter half where I felt I like started putting better, and that’s generally the di erence between okay results and good results. I started working with John Graham [one of the leading tour putting coaches], and that has really helped to just gel things together on the greens. Pulling all that together has de nitely translated to improved results on the course.”
After a couple of near-misses on the PGA Tour, Rai was naturally thrilled to nally get over the line at the Wyndham Championship this summer.
“It truly is a dream come true to win out here on the PGA Tour against some of the world’s best players,” he says. “It’s so hard to win on tour at any level, but when you get the chance, you have to take it.”
Being the cool customer that he is, Rai says he didn’t look at the leaderboards throughout the nal round of the tournament, and didn’t know where he stood against the eld as he was on the cusp of victory.
“I didn’t really look and didn’t ask to know that information,” he admits. “I think that was probably a good thing as it helped me just to focus on the process and not the result. I was playing well, and I knew that if I nished o well then I would have a chance.”
Rai’s hopes of victory were admittedly given a huge boost when nal round leader Max Greyserman su ered a quadruple bogey on the 14th hole, but the Wolverhampton man was there to pick up the pieces when his rival buckled under the pressure, and Rai’s closing 64, including a nal-hole birdie, spoke of a man who his capable of holding his own when the heat is on.
“I’ve had a couple of close calls, and put myself into positions to win tournaments and not closed
them out, so I’ve learned from those experiences and that has helped make me a stronger player and tougher mentally,” he says. “There is always a ne balance between trying to want it a little bit too much, to a point where it’s easy to get in the way of yourself, and in the way of performance. But learning from those losses adds another layer to you game and builds another layer to the mental side of things. I always try to take the positives from negatives as that what ultimately makes you a better player.”
One man who has a massively positive in uence on his career is his dad, Amrik, the man who took him to the driving range when he was just four years old, the man who bought him that rst set of clubs, and the man who used to clean those same clubs after every round and range session to keep the grooves sharp.
“I have so much to thank my dad for, it’s hard to know where to start. I grew up in very much a working-class family, and golf has always been a very expensive game,” Rai says. “My dad used to pay for my equipment, my club memberships, my entry fees, everything. And it wasn’t money that we really had, to be honest, but he’d always buy me the best clubs. When I was about seven or eight, he bought me a set of Titleist 690 MB irons, and they were like £800 back then. I cherished them. When we used to go out and practice, he used to clean every single groove afterward with a pin and with baby oil.”
Not long after, Rai’s father went out and purchased a set of iron covers to protect the investment.
“He thought it would be good to put iron covers on to protect them. I’ve pretty much had iron covers on all of my sets ever since just to appreciate the value of what I have, and it all started with that rst set. Although I get given equipment, [keeping the headcover] it’s more out of principle. The value of not losing perspective of what I have and where I am. The covers are going to stay on, I’m sorry.”
Twenty years on, and Rai’s father is still very much present in his son’s life, although with Rai junior living in Florida now, and his family still living in the Midlands, they see less of each other than they used to. ”Unfortunately, I don’t get to spend as much time with dad now as I used to now that I’m living in the States, but he comes out a few weeks during the year to Jacksonville, and he always comes to watch me when I’m competing in the UK. He’s still pretty hands-on with me at every session when he’s there. I really enjoy having him around. I think he enjoys being around. We’ve got a nice relationship on and o the course.”
While Rai has close family ties, he admits that he has struggled to strike up close friendships with others players on tour and nds life living out suitcases a struggle at times.
“It de nitely gets lonely,” he says. “It may seem to the outside world a little bit spoilt or unappreciative and, to an extent, that’s correct. But at the same time, it’s extremely solitary. You’re travelling a lot without many people around you, a lot of time away from family and friends. Mix that in with bad form and the e ects can be very overwhelming.”
Thankfully that bad form, such that it was, looks like a dim and distant memory, and the future has never looked brighter for the man with two gloves, shiny irons and a quiet determination to be the very best that he can be.
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9°)
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Qi10 3 (15°), 5 (18°)
Hybrid: Titleist TSR2 (24°)
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW (5-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46°, 48°, 54°, 60°)
Putter: TaylorMade TP Dupage
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Gloves: MacWet rain gloves (left & right)
Westerham Golf Club has committed to further investment in its 18-hole, par-72 golf course over the autumn and over the winter that will improve the longterm quality of the playing experience at the popular club located on the Kent/Surrey borders.
The club’s on-going woodland management programme is now in its fourth year and in the past month some stunning new views have been opened up and the playability of holes has improved signi cantly.
The latest works have focussed on the course’s 12th and 15th holes, where an area of pine trees between these two holes was mostly covered by broadleaf tress and
undergrowth. The pine trees are now fully visible, and some stunning views have been created. The fairways on both these holes now receive far more light and air ow, which will improve the playing surfaces.
Work has also started to remove some of the bunkers that are largely out of play, with those to the left of the 15th fairway having been recontoured into a grass swale, while on the 9th hole the bunkers to the left of the fairway are also being removed. Weather depending, additional work will be taking place through the winter months to remove, refurbish and add additional bunkers on the course.
O the golf course and into the clubhouse, Westerham’s
England Golf has announced the appointment of Martha Brass as its new Chair.
Brass, who previously served for four years on the England Golf Board as Senior Independent Director, replaces Ian Pattinson, who recently took up the role of Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
In taking up the position, Brass becomes the rst female Chair of the national governing body.
Currently Chief Operating O cer of BBC Studios Productions, American-born Brass is also a non-executive director of the European Tour and is Chair of PGA European Tour Productions.
On being appointed England Golf Chair, Brass said: “I’m thrilled to be rejoining the Board of Directors of England Golf. I admire the work of England Golf – calling out the success of the Respect in Golf movement and initiatives such as iGolf and iPlay, in engaging the full spectrum of golfers. I am very passionate about making the game more accessible and welcoming for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities”
She added: “I look forward to working with the board, executive leadership team and all county stakeholders to further the game of golf in England.”
Brass is a member of Guildford Golf Club in Surrey, where she was lady captain and a member of the board in 2020 and 2021. She is also a member of Eagles Mere Country Club in her native Pennsylvania.
main bar is getting a makeover in January, with large bifold doors being installed to open up the space into the patio area, providing a stunning view across the course. The bar will be rebuilt and made larger, accommodating an additional till, helping to speed up service during busy times.
A new large TV will also be installed so that the top sporting events are always on show and the club’s Gamebook golf day scoring service can be displayed in another area in the clubhouse.
Work will shortly commence on the driving range to increase the number of bays and atten the main landing area, while TopTracer ball tracking technology will be installed in all bays.
Looking forward to the new year, work will continue in car park and driveway, again uncovering an abundance of pine trees, while resurfacing work will take place and electric car charging points installed.
Leading golf equipment brand PING has announced the launch of the PING Junior Golf Tour as the company further strengthens its commitment to growing junior golf across the UK.
This new initiative builds on a 15-year partnership with the Northern Junior Tour, expanding the tour’s reach to a national level, and providing competitive and enjoyable gol ng opportunities to a greater number of junior golfers.
While doing so, the tour remains committed to preserving its community-driven spirit, introducing innovative and inclusive initiatives that will allow young players to develop their skills and grow within the sport.
“We’re delighted to be launching the PING Junior Golf Tour in 2025 and further expanding our support of junior golf in the UK,” commented Matt Clark, European Marketing Manager at PING Europe. “We have a great relationship with Jason Budd and Mike Greener, the founder and tournament director of the Northern Junior Tour, and they’ve done a fantastic job in creating an incredibly strong gol ng community.”
The PING Junior Golf Tour caters junior golfers aged 6-21, with the Grand Final taking place at Thonock Park in Gainsborough.
For more information on next year’s schedule, visit www.pingjuniorgolftour.co.uk
Book your 2025 society day at Bearsted Golf Club
Golf News has teamed up with luxury Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma to offer two lucky readers the chance to win a pair of golf shoes from the company’s latest performance-enhancing collection.
For men, we have the BERNARDO, which is part of Duca del Cosma’s premier tour footwear range, up for grabs, while for women we are giving away a pair of ALGARVE winter boots, which are ideal for keeping your feet warm and dry when playing during those colder winter months.
The BERNADO (pictured left) is a Tour-level golf shoe made from premium quality Nappa leather and features the comfortable, breathable ARNEFLEX memory foam insert sole and waterproof sock system. The midsole delivers lightweight, durable shock absorption and incorporates Softspikes Pulsar golf spikes, which, coupled with the advanced technology of a lightweight, yet sturdy Airplay 6 outsole, ensures unrivalled stability and comfort on the course. Available in black or white, it is o ered in adult men’s sizes 6-13 (RRP £239).
A great option for women golfers over the winter months, the all-new, fashion-forward ALGARVE boot (pictured above right) ticks all the boxes in terms of functionality to deliver a super stable stance and ensure your feet remain exceptionally warm and dry during the round.
Made from waterproof Nappa leather, these boots feature a soft eece lining and a supremely breathable ARNEFLEX memory foam insole to deliver all-day comfort
In the heart of Kent, Bearsted GC is the ideal venue for a society day, with easy access from the M20 and next to Bearsted railway station. A beautiful parkland course, with a fabulous selection of holes, great food and facilities.
Book before the end of February and the organiser will receive a free place, and your group will be given a 10% discount on the green fees.
Full details and prices available from the website.
straight out of the box, while the premium Airplay 15 outsole, with strategically positioned nubs, o ers sturdy grip on all ground conditions. Available in brown or black, it is o ered in adult women’s sizes 3-9 and has an RRP of £219.
To be in with a chance of winning one of these great prizes, simply answer the question above and email your answer to info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Duca del Cosma Competition’ in the subject line. Please include your name, contact details, and where you picked up your copy of Golf News from or whether you read it online. The closing date for entries is January 31, 2025.
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In a year that saw him suffer another near-miss in his quest to add a fifth major championship to his CV, yet also enjoy four wins and a sixth Race to Dubai title, RORY MCILROY reflects on his 17h full season as a tour pro and how he hopes to change up the script in 2025
How do sum up a season that has seen you enjoy so much success around the world, yet will ultimately be judged by some as simply another year where you failed to add to your tally of major championship wins?
It’s been quite the year, no doubt about it. But you know, I’m super happy with where I am in my career and in my life, and I feel like everything’s worked out the way it was supposed to.
I know how some people are going to view my year – and I view my year similarly in many respects – but at the same time, I still have to remember I won four times and I won my sixth Race to Dubai. I accumulated a lot of big nishes and big performances, and the two guys that had better years than me have had career years.
Xander [Schau ele] won two majors, and Scottie [Sche er] has won seven times, including The Players Championship, the Masters, and an Olympic gold medal. They are the only two guys this year that I think that have had better years than me, so I have to remind myself that while it wasn’t a great year, it was still a pretty decent one.
Of course, I could be sitting here with a fth major title, and I am not. So that stings and that’s something that I have to come to terms with, but at the same time I’ve got plenty more opportunities in the future. But I’ve really just tried to focus on the positives this year of consistently performing at the highest level.
I’ve prided myself on my consistency throughout my career, but especially over the last few years. If I’m not winning, I’m close to winning, or I’m in the top five or top 10. Sometimes that can get criticised because people think I don’t win as much as I should, but it’s competitive out here and I feel like I have a pretty good win percentage compared to my peers. It’s been a consistent year and the only thing that’s missing is a couple more wins.
Does each passing year that you don’t win another major make you more determined to prove your critics wrong?
It’s certainly a motivation, but I think I need to nd that motivation from within. I’ve never been one to look externally for motivation. Sometimes, but for the most part, I think you need to nd it within yourself, that motivation to go on and achieve what you want to.
Ultimately, I just want to be the best golfer that I can be. That’s what I’ve always wanted, and I’ve never knew where that would get me. But it’s got me pretty far. So it seems like a recipe that I should keep going with.
But yeah, I think I do a good job of setting myself goals throughout the year, I’m much better at setting little short-term goals and trying to work my way through those, and then hopefully by the
end of the year it sort of adds up to something bigger than that.
As long as I’m feeling healthy and feeling like I have the game to compete at the highest level, I’m going to try to get the best out of myself up until the point I feel like I’m to longer good enough to compete at the highest level.
What does it mean to you to win a sixth Race to Dubai title and equal Seve’s record of European money lists?
Yeah, it’s a huge achievement for me personally. It felt like it was on the cards over the last two rounds in Dubai, but it never really hits you until it actually happens.
To win the European points list might not mean that much to anyone else, but it means an awful lot to me, and it’s something I’ve tried to target towards the end of each season.
Just thinking about what Seve meant to the game, to this tour, and to the European Ryder Cup team, gets me very emotional, so to sit alongside him in having won six titles is hard to get my head around.
We sit in the locker room at the Ryder Cup, and the place is just lled with Seve quotes, every wall you look at. We had a changing room last year in Italy with the last shirt he ever wore when he played the Ryder Cup at Oak Hill in 1995. That’s what he means to European golf.
It’s always nice to end the year on a positive note, so I’m glad to have done that by winning the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai.
Are you now targeting Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Order of Merit wins?
I think I’ve probably got a good ten years left in me, so as long as the Race to Dubai is happening and there’s an Order of Merit to be competing for, then I’m going to want to win it. So, yeah, I’ll be looking to chase down Monty’s record for sure.
I’ve just won my third in a row, and I’ve really made it a priority of my schedule over the last few years to give myself the best chance coming into the end of the year to win the Race to Dubai. I don’t see that being any di erent for the foreseeable future.
to that number, but I’m not going to miss the big tournaments in the Middle East, I’m not going to miss Wentworth, the Irish Open or the Scottish Open. There were a few events I played in America this season that I don’t typically play and I think that’s where I’m going to have to trim it a little bit.
Given all the back and forth that has gone on this year with LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, how do you see things panning out in the months ahead?
I’d thought that by the end of the year we’d be a step closer to knowing what the landscape will look like somewhere down the line, but I don’t see anything changing in the immediate future.
I think all the main tours are going to keep trucking along and doing their own thing for a while yet, and I think the best thing we can maybe hope for is a bit of crossover between them, and
I’M MUCH BETTER AT SETTING SHORTTERM GOALS AND TRYING TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH THOSE, AND THEN HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE YEAR IT SORT OF ADDS UP TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THAT
You’ve played 27 tournaments this year, which is a lot by anyone’s standards, but particularly a top-10 player. What are your plans for 2025 in terms of your schedule?
Yeah, it’s been a very busy year, playing on both tours and trying to build in some rest in between the big events. If I can trim it down to 22 or 23 next season that will be good for me in the long run. I’ve been on tour for 17 or 18 years, and although I’m not slowing down, I just have to take care of myself and my body a little bit more.
Of course, something will have to give somewhere in the schedule for me to get down
then maybe while that is happening over that period of time, whether it be one year, two years, three years, just trying to gure out the rest.
I think the hard thing is there are legal precedents that have been set in America and here in Europe, and that makes it very di cult. No-one likes to see lawyers getting involved – I certainly don’t – and that’s a big part of the issue. I think there is a willingness from all parties to get some sort of agreement, but you’ve got a ton of lawyers in the middle of it.
It was reported that you weren’t quite on the same page as Tiger Woods on a number of issues relating to the future direction of the tours and that he voted against you re-joining the PGA Tour’s Policy Board. How are things between you now?
I think friends can have disagreements, or not see things eye to eye on things, and still be friends. There’s no strain there. I think we might see the future of golf a little bit di erently, but I don’t think that should place any strain on a relationship or on a friendship.
I’m not on the policy board, but I’m involved in the transaction committee. I don’t have a vote, so I don’t have a meaningful say in what happens in the future.
You’re about to start playing alongside Tiger in the new TGL indoor league in January. How excited are you about that and what do you think fans will make of it?
Golf is so rooted in tradition, and that’s a great thing, but it also important to try to deliver golf to a younger demographic. I’ve always been big on that. I come from a place where golf has always been really accessible, and I’d love to see more kids play the game.
TGL is taking a bold step into the increasingly tech-fuelled future of sports. It will tap into the appeal of team golf within an exciting, fan-friendly environment, comparable to sitting courtside at an NBA game.
I am con dent TGL will widen the appeal of golf to younger and more diverse fans and serve as another avenue to introduce people to the game I love.
Golf was played in Charleston more than 100 years before the United States even became a country. The legendary 1991 Ryder Cup, deemed the “War by the Shore”, was contested at the famed Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, as was the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championship. Now the stage is set for the PGA Championship to return to the Ocean Course in 2031.
Learn more about playing any of the 20 championship courses in the Charleston area, by visiting EnjoyCharlestonGolf.com
Matt Nicholson recounts an unforgettable day in Mallorca alongside a DP World Tour winner at the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final Pro-Am
Playing in the Pro-Am at the Rolex Grand Final on the Challenge Tour was an experience beyond anything I could have imagined. It was made even more extraordinary by the privilege of partnering with seasoned pro Joakim Lagergren.
Playing at Alcanada Golf Club in Mallorca, the day unfolded like a perfect scene, with lush fairways after record rain fall just a few days before and the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop. This iconic course, with its breath taking views and challenging layout, was the ideal place to witness Joakim’s talents up close.
With the pressure off – he’d already secured his DP World Tour card for the 2024-25 season – Joakim was relaxed, allowing me a rare opportunity to learn from his game in a calm, informal setting. He even flew in a number of family and friends over in a rented house only a 100 yards from the entrance.
But the excitement of the day didn’t end with just playing alongside Joakim. Our team was playing directly behind none other than Hans-Peter Porsche, the owner of Alcanada Golf Club and a prominent member of the legendary Porsche family dynasty. Known worldwide for their contributions to the automotive industry, the Porsche family has a legacy of excellence and luxury. True to form, Hans-Peter Porsche was
of the standout moments was the professionalism and smooth operation of the club itself, overseen by Alcanada’s longtime club director
For details, visit golf-alcanada.com and europeantour.com/ challenge-tour
Follow Joakim Lagergren on Instagram @joakingen
zipping around the course in a custom Porsche golf buggy, a fitting nod to his heritage. Adding to the atmosphere, it was his birthday, and there was a celebratory buzz around the course, which continued later in the clubhouse during the prize giving ceremony. It was surreal to witness such a larger-than-life figure enjoying the day like any other golf enthusiast, surrounded by friends and fellow players.
From the very first tee, Joakim made me feel completely at ease with his down-to-earth attitude and friendly nature. Throughout our round he shared advice, insights, and little anecdotes from his career, which kept the mood light and enjoyable. Joakim wasn’t just focused on his own game, he genuinely wanted to help me improve, too. At every hole, he offered pointers on everything from club selection to stance to reading the greens.
Watching him navigate his way around Alcanada’s narrow fairways and well-guarded greens was a golfing masterclass. Each shot seemed calculated and precise, yet effortless, and I couldn’t help but be inspired.
Alcanada was in immaculate condition, considering the course had to call up 35 greenkeepers from other clubs to help them pump the water from record rainfalls this year. Known for its tight fairways, fast greens, and challenging layout, the Robert Trent Jones jnr designed-course is as beautiful as it is demanding. I gained a whole new appreciation for the intricacies of course management, a skill that Joakim has clearly mastered. At the par-5 13th hole, which offers panoramic views of the Alcanada lighthouse and the sea, Joakim shared his approach for navigating this scenic but tricky layout. His guidance made a significant difference, helping me manage shots that I would have otherwise struggled with.
Both. Having been with the club for over 20 years, Kristoff runs Alcanada like a well-oiled machine. The attention to detail was evident everywhere, from the condition of the course to the friendly, efficient staff who made the day flow seamlessly. Kristoff’s presence was felt throughout the experience, and it’s clear that his leadership and dedication have made Alcanada a world-class golf destination. The club truly reflects his commitment, blending luxury and organisation with the charm and hospitality for which Mallorca is known. Joakim’s approach to the game was equally eye-opening. One lesson that stuck with me was the importance of maintaining a steady routine. Watching Joakim approach each shot with the same level of care and focus, regardless of the hole or the situation, was an invaluable insight. I recorded most of his tee shots on camera and on average he stands over the ball for between 10-12 seconds before he’s ready to go. His consistency and methodical approach to each stroke reinforced that good golf comes down to preparation and mindset as much as physical skill. He reminded me not to rush, to trust my swing, and to stay calm –especially after a wayward shot.
Another memorable moment came on the 16th hole, a challenging par-4 with bunkers strategically placed to trap any drive that’s even slightly offline. With Joakim’s advice on club selection and course management, I managed to hit one of my best shots of the day, finding the fairway with precision. Joakim’s encouragement and his calm, reassuring attitude made all the difference. “That’s how it’s done!” he said with a grin, giving me a pat on the back. Playing with someone of his calibre made me want to rise to the occasion, and moments like these felt like small personal victories.
As we wrapped up our round, the day was capped off with the prize-giving ceremony in the clubhouse, where a festive atmosphere had settled in. Hans-Peter Porsche, still celebrating his birthday, joined the other players in raising a glass. It was a surreal experience to see such a well-known figure celebrating right alongside us, sharing in the camaraderie of the day. The clubhouse was filled with laughter, conversation, and the hum of golf stories being exchanged – a perfect end to a perfect day.
Reflecting on my time at Alcanada, I couldn’t have asked for a better Pro-Am experience. Playing alongside Joakim Lagergren was not only a privilege but a learning experience that will stay with me for years. Beyond the technical tips, Joakim helped me see the game from a different perspective, one that values consistency, focus, and enjoyment above all else. His insights and encouragement made me feel more confident and capable, and I left the course feeling both inspired and deeply appreciative.
Castle Royle Golf Club’s men’s team has won the English Men’s Champion Club title after battling through tough conditions over three days at Stanton-on-the-Wolds Golf Club in Nottinghamshire.
Representing Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire, the Castle Royle team of Tim Shin, Nick Scrutton, and Tom Wilde shot a combined oneover-par to leapfrog overnight leader The South Sta ordshire to win by two strokes.
Heavy overnight rain and a poor weather forecast led to the nal round being reduced to nine holes.
Unbeknown to them at the time, the par-5 ninth and their nal hole of the round became pivotal, with all three players making birdie.
When asked about the strategy heading into the nal round, Wilde said: “I decided to get a little bit more aggressive. Yesterday felt a bit tighter. We have a lot of experience in our team, given that we’ve all played the game quite a long time. So today I tried to play with a bit more freedom and that kind of came through.”
Shin added: “I knew it was going to be a grind all day so I was mentally prepared for that as soon as I woke up this morning, and just went out and hit the ball around.”
Scrutton, meanwhile, was keen to praise his teammates: “Tom and Tim didn’t have their A games with them yesterday, but they really dug deep to get themselves back in it. When I was coming down nine today, I just thought, just two solid shots.
“We’ve played a lot of golf together and they’re two fantastic players. It was not an easy hole, we’d spoken about di erent tactics on it, and I think we played it three di erent ways today.
“What’s win it for us is our putting as the greens here are presented absolutely beautifully. The water they’ve taken on, to play the way they have done, credit to the greenskeeping sta .”
Shin, who has been a member at Castle Royle and part of the elite coaching program since he was a teenager, worked as the club’s Golf Operations Manager until 2022, while Scutton and Wilde have been members for over 15 years and have also represented the club on many occasions.
Speaking of how the club has supported the team towards success, “Facility-wise it’s the best in the area. We’ve always had amazing membership support - they’ve looked after us and this has always felt like home.”
The club’s general manager Daniel Hawkins said: “We are incredibly proud of our team - all three players have played a massive role over the years in spearheading the highest quality amateur golf, not only at the club but also representing on a county level and now delivering on a national level. It gives us as a collective club – membership, coaching and management team – a huge sense of pride to be able to support such a talented group of players and have them represent Castle Royle on the biggest of stages.”
The team then headed on to represent both their club and country at the European Championships at Le Pian-Médoc in France on 24-26th October, a respectful 12th place nish from the team who competed well in a eld made up of the best club players from all corners of Europe, eventually won by the French trio on home soil. Congratulations to Tim, Nick and Tom on representing the country with such pride.
A total of 32 teams from as a far a eld as West Sussex and Sta ordshire travelled to Cornwall last month to take part in the inaugural Links Team Challenge, which took place at Perranporth and Trevose.
The fourball team event was ercely contested, with 160 points across the two rounds, which included the best two scores from each team, needed just to get into the prizes.
This year’s winners were Mark Durnall, John Tremain, Henk Ferreira and Tom McIntyre with a combined score of 168 points, with prizes o ered all the way down to fth place.
Nathan Gilpin, General Manager at Perranporth, said: ‘We know we have some wonderful golf in this region and to be able to work with the team at Trevose to host this event has been fantastic.
“Perranporth’s pro le has grown over the past few years and to be able to collaborate with an iconic venue such as Trevose can only further our reputation. We feel the courses complement each other well and show o the very
best of what great links golf the Cornish coast has to o er.”
Henry Alliss, golf events manager at Trevose, added: “It’s great to be able to collaborate with Perranporth on an event like this. We know the quality of our courses is high and to be able to use an event like this to showcase what we have is fantastic.”
Links Team Challenge was supported by wide range of sponsors, including apparel brand Kjus, equipment company TaylorMade and St Austell Brewery.
Details on how to enter the 2025 Links Team Challenge, which is hoping to expand to accommodate more teams, will be unveiled shortly.
Over hundred years of gol ng history is set to come to end at North Oxford Golf Club next year after it was announced that the club is to close in order to make way for a major housing development.
The club, which was founded in 1907, is located just three miles from Oxford city centre, and has been selected to be part of a development of 1,180 homes to help meet the city’s housing shortage.
The club’s 450 members were informed that the club will be closed on October 31.
Ian Middleton, who represents Kidlington South on the district council, and is opposed to the housing development, said: “Even though I’m not a golfer, I appreciate how precious this course is to the members of the club. It’s been maintained and nurtured for well over 100 years and provides a valuable resource for those seeking some gentle recreation. This is especially important for older people, particularly women who I know regard the club and the course as a haven that allows them to exercise in a safe and secure environment.
He added: “Many of the trees have been there since the course was rst laid and represent a vital carbon sink in an area surrounded by roads and other proposed developments that will generate harmful emissions. A signi cant amount of this vital green infrastructure is likely to be lost during the development which I think would represent an act of wanton environmental vandalism.”
Jill Northover, who has been a member at North Oxford since 2001, says the closure of the club will have a devastating impact on many of the members, particularly the older ones.
She said: “We are going to close, we are accepting that, but there is an awful lot of sadness about the fact that they’re going to build houses and destroy the green land, but there is also a wider issue. For a lot of people, coming here is a lifeline. It’s not just about houses, it’s about people and their lives. One member who is 90 comes here every day. It’s people like him I just feel so sorry for. The loss of spaces like this can lead to increased isolation and a decline in physical and mental well-being.”
Brian Huggett, the former head professional at Romford Golf Club, whose name was synonymous with the Ryder Cup, passed away in October at the age of 87.
Born in Porthcawl in South Wales, Hugget’s family moved to Surrey in 1950 when, Brian’s father, George, was appointed head pro at Redhill & Reigate Golf Club.
Having turned professional a year later at the age of 15, Brian joined his father at Reigate and learned the skills of a traditional club professional, before later moving to Romford Golf Club, where he worked from 1960-66 as head professional, by which time he was forging a career as a successful tour player.
Huggett claimed 16 victories on the European Tour, and made his Ryder Cup debut in 1963 and although the USA won the match convincingly 23-9, he was GB & Ireland’s leading points scorer, with two wins and a half.
He went on to make five more appearances in the Ryder Cup, the last coming in 1975.
Hugget was appointed captain for the 1977 match at Lytham & St Annes in what was the last time a GB & Ireland team would compete for the trophy.
He also served as an ambassador for the 2010 matches at Celtic Manor, which saw the match played in Wales for the rst time.
n a sport that saw the 100th best player on the PGA Tour earn over $1.6m million this year, it’s easy to think that golf, as a professional sport, has always been awash with cash. It’s certainly been the case since the arrival of Tiger Woods in 1997, which, almost overnight, elevated golf into a global sport whose top players could start to earn the kind of sums that even professional footballers would take notice of. But it has gone to a whole new level again following the injection of Saudi money into the game over the last three years, which has served to bump up prize funds across the board to levels verging on the obscene.
While the likes of Palmer, Nicklaus and Player did very nicely out of the game during the 1960s and 70s, their bulging bank balances owe more to their o -course business acumen than any great accumulation of prize money. But rewind a hundred years or so and you’ll nd a world where club pros taking part in the Open Championship used to squeeze in two rounds on the nal day just so that they could rush back to attend the needs of their members over the weekend.
At the turn of the 20th century, the winner of The Open received just £90, and it took a near-strike by the players the following year for the top prize to be raised to the princely sum of £115. The paucity of prize money on o er through the main tournament channels led the game’s top players taking part in a number of special events backed by private sponsorship, which brought together a select group of top players in a modern version of Pro-Celebrity Golf, where local businessmen stumped up large sums to see the game’s greats play on local courses.
Such was the case with East Brighton Golf Club in East Sussex, which hosted a number of high-pro le tournaments during the inter-war period. In 1933, the great Walter Hagen teamed up with fellow American Densmore Shute
to beat Alf Padgham and Charlie Parsons 6&5 in an exhibition match which saw huge crowds turn out to watch their heroes in action in such unfamiliar surroundings.
The club also staged the News Chronicle Tournament between the great and wars for several years after, with the £1,000 prize pot – equivalent to over £45,000 in today’s money, and twice what was being o ered to that year’s winner of the Claret Jug – not surprisingly attracting some of the game’s leading stars, including Padhgam, and other Open champions, including Henry Cotton and the brothers Reg and Ernest Whitcombe. Padgham was serving as head professional at Sundridge Park Golf Club in Kent at the time, and was the reigning Open champion when this picture was taken, having won at Hoylake in 1936.
Like many top players of the era, Padgham lost what might have been some of his best competitive years due to World War II, so had to play in events like these in order to supplement his income. He eventually succeeded in winning the News Chronicle Tournament in 1939.
In addition to famous players, East Brighton, which was founded in 1893, boasts an impressive cast list of high-pro le connections, with the Downs-based club enjoying many
celebrity and royal members during its 130-year history. One of its rst vice-presidents was Billy Butlin, founder of the eponymous holiday chain, while the Duke of Norfolk was president for more than 30 years. Among famous former members include Prime Minister Lloyd George, who joined in 1911, along with foreign secretary Arthur Balfour, and Field Marshall Earl Haig, who lived in Brighton during the 1920s. While East Brighton’s heyday might well be behind it as far as famous members are concerned, its picturesque 6,402yard downland layout remains one of the nest tests in the county and the club continues to enjoy a healthy patronage from local golfers who no doubt gain as much enjoyment from the historic venue as their illustrious predecessors once did.
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Coming o one of her most consistent seasons to date, CHARLEY HULL is entering 2025 in buoyant mood, with the world no.11 looking to take her strong form into the Majors as she begins her 12th season on tour while still in her twenties
Charley Hull has been grabbing headlines ever since she burst onto the women’s professional golf scene in 2013, but even by her standards 2024 has seen the 28-year-old from Kettering generating more column inches – as well as ‘clicks’ and ‘likes’ – than ever before following a season that has seen her speak candidly on a wide range subjects that most players shy away from.
Unapologetic about calling how she sees things, Hull might not have won many fans among the slow coaches and snails on the women’s tours when she half-jokingly said that players should ‘instantly lose their cards’ for repeated instances of slow play, but to her legions of followers on tour – and on social media – she is like a breath of fresh of air in a sport that often seems short on relatable personalities.
While many tour pros are happy to let their clubs do the talking and keep their opinions to themselves, Hull is happy to let both get their fair share of airtime, and while it might cause some people’s feathers to be ru ed, it’s water o a duck’s back to a player who has never been afraid to stand her ground on and o the golf course.
While Hull’s willingness to speak her mind makes her one of the women’s game’s strongest assets – it also makes her an easy target for critics. The images of Hull pu ng on a cigarette during the Women’s US Open earlier this summer went viral in minutes, causing a huge divide between those who thought it looked a bit edgy and cool to those who thought it presented a terrible look to the younger generation of fans.
The smoking gun, so to speak, followed her to the Olympics in Paris just a few weeks later when some critics pointed out that the ban on athletes smoking at the games had been somehow responsible for her rst round 81 and for subsequently failing to win a medal for Team GB. That she bounced back strongly with three subsequent rounds in the 60s to move from last to 27th place, was barely reported, but it’s all part of parcel of being in media spotlight.
has never been one to adhere to any perceived ideals of how a sportswomen should look or behave.
Diagnosed with ADHD several years ago, she says that besides going to the gym, smoking is just one of the ways that she uses to help cope with a condition that provides bouts of complete clarity of mind, followed by ’fuzzy’ moments where she struggles to focus on anything. Another of Hull’s coping mechanisms is drinking lots of water when she’s out on the golf course, but that has its own obvious side e ect of needing to make use of the oncourse facilities more often.
AGE: 28
BORN: KETTERING, NORTHANTS
HOME CLUB: WOBURN GC
TURNED PRO: 2013
CURRENT WORLD RANKING: 11
HIGHEST WORLD RANKING: 7 TOUR APPEARANCES: 257 (LET 91, LPGA 166)
CUTS MADE: TOP 10 FINISHES: 80 (42 LET, 38 LPGA) WINS: 6 (4 LET, 2 LPGA)
CAREER PRIZE MONEY: LPGA
been on four winning teams. Sadly, things did go Europe’s way for the away leg in September, but the 15.5-12.5 defeat was not unexpected given the current strength of the US squad, but a win in the Saturday fourballs with Georgia Hall, and a 6&4 thrashing of world No.1 Nelly Korda in the singles, showed that Hull is a hard nut to crack when playing her own ball. This format allows her to play to her natural strength, which, as she admits, is being aggressive.
Like many women of her generation, Hull shares much of her life on social media and is particularly fond of Instagram, where she has more than 600,000 followers. The platform provides her with a chance to tell her own un ltered story and reach her fanbase directly. While many sports people have spoken of negative experiences online, Hull seems happy to take the rough with the smooth.
“You can either hate or love social media. But you just got to use it to an advantage,” she says. “People say, ‘oh, you can’t go on social media, there’s too many bad comments’, but at the end of the day, if you are in the public eye, you’ve got to accept everyone’s allowed their opinion, positive or negative. And you’ve just got to be strong-minded enough to laugh at the bad ones and think ‘fair pay’ to the good ones. You are not going to please everyone, and you’re going to get trolls on social media, but who cares what they say, really?”
Smoking cigarettes is perhaps an odd habit for someone who so clearly spends a lot of her time working on strength and tness, but then again Hull
“A doctor told me I’m selfmedicating by drinking water because drinking helps people with ADHD,” she says. “So, it is why I drink so much water because when I feel anxious, I drink some and I feel better.”
Thanks to her immense talent and hard work Hull remains one of the best women’s golfers on the planet, and at 11th in the world she is currently by far the best British player, with her good friend Georgia Hall being the nearest ranked player to her all the way down in 58th in the Rolex ranking.
IF I CAN KEEP PUTTING MYSELF INTO CONTENTION, I KNOW THAT I CAN WIN A MAJOR
“I get bored on the golf course if I’m making pars,” she says. “So, if I make a bogey, I then use it as a challenge to then make a birdie. It’s just like tricking my mind. I’ve often been criticised for playing a bit too aggressively sometimes, but I’m quite an aggressive person on and o the course, if I’m honest. If I want something, I’ll go and get it. That’s kind of my mentality.”
Hull is coming o a solid 2024 season, by her own high standards, with eight top 10 nishes from 22 starts, including a fourth win of her career at last month’s Aramco Team Series event in Saudi Arabia, and runner-up nishes in three other events, including the ANNIKA Tournament in Florida in November.
Her results in the majors continues to be a source of frustration, and after nishing second twice last year, a 23rd at the Chevron Championship, 19th at the US Open, 16th at the PGA Championship and 20th at the AIG Women’s Open speaks of steady, if unspectacular, performances in the sport’s biggest events.
Looking back on her performances in 2024, and her current position in the women’s game, Hull says: “I feel that I’m making progress in the right direction. That’s evidenced by my steady rise up the world rankings, with some tournament wins along the way. I was only 16 when I turned pro, so I didn’t have any xed expectations about what I might achieve in the game, I just set out to enjoy myself and play the best golf I could, and that rings true today.
“As for my results in the majors, I feel that if I keep putting myself in contention, I believe that I can win a Major. The more I get used to being in those positions, the more I can relax and enjoy the situation, and hopefully that will bring a win.”
While Hull has enjoyed plenty of success as an individual, it seems that where she truly comes into her own is in the team environment, as she has shown in her performances in the Solheim Cup, in which she has already chalked up seven caps and
Asked what it felt like to take down Korda in her prime, and why the Solheim Cup seems to bring out the best in her, she adds: “I know that you have to play unbelievable golf to beat Nelly. I was 7-under par for the 14 holes in our match, so it was a pretty cool moment for me, especially going rst out for the team. I just love playing under pressure. I absolutely love it. That’s why I always feel like I play well in the Solheim Cup. I love big events, playing in front of big crowds on hard tough golf courses. That’s something I just love doing.”
With no Solheim Cup to qualify for in 2025, Hull says she is looking forward to playing a slightly more relaxed schedule and organising her diary so that she gets enough downtime between events, especially between long-haul trips to the Far East, Australia and the US.
“I’m de nitely someone that likes to play less rather than more, as I need the time at home to recharge myself,” she says. I’ll be looking to play a couple fewer tournaments next year, as I like to space things out so that I’m not away for more than three weeks at a time.”
Often held up as an inspiration to future generations of female golfers, Hull is pleased that the pathways for young girls to get into golf have opened up signi cantly since the time when she was rst drawn to the game.
“It’s great to see so many new opportunities and pathways for girls to get involved in the game, such as Girls Golf Rocks, #ThisGirlGolfs, The Shires Junior Golf Tour and the Underrated Tour. If we can give school kids more access to golf that would be great. I feel that most golf club and facilities have become more relaxed and welcoming, which is a big step forward, as people need to be able to come along and have fun.
Putter:
“Golf is also a great way to get some fresh air and exercise with your friends. I was lucky that there were a great group of guys I played with when I was growing up, and we all got on really well, although it probably helped that I was better than them!”
And with that parting shot, Hull is o to show the world that she is still a good deal better at golf than almost everyone else.
While James Braid’s talents as a professional golfer were undeniably impressive, his most enduring legacy to the golfing world is to be found in the fairways and greens of the more than 250 golf courses that he designed and renovated during first half of the 20th century
If you were to draw up a list of people who have had the most impact on the game of golf, you would expect to nd the likes of Old Tom Morris, Frank Stapleford, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Karsten Solheim, Ely Callaway and, of course, Tiger Woods, well inside the top ten. But also near the top of that list of greats, you would also nd James Braid.
Braid, who was born in Scotland in 1870, not far from St Andrews, shaped the modern gol ng landscape of the United Kingdom like no other. Not content with having won ve Open Championships during a ten-year period between
1901-1910, and being one of the founding fathers of the Professional Golfer’s Association, Braid used his knowledge of course strategy as a player to design and renovate over 200 courses during a 40-year period between 1910-1950.
After moving to London in his early 20s, during the height of his playing powers, Braid landed his rst club professional’s job at Romford Golf Club in Essex. Two years later he moved south of the river, to Walton Heath, a new course in Surrey designed by Herbert Fowler. He remained with the club for a further 45 years until his death in 1950.
In the midst of his five Open Championship successes – during which time he dominated the game with JH Taylor and Harry Vardon to form the ‘Great Triumvirate’ – Braid found time to put pen to paper in explore his thoughts on the game, its playing, and most interestingly, golf course design. Advanced Golf, first published in 1902, is a book any golf course architect or serious student of the game should not fail to have on the shelves of their library. Braid dedicated two chapters of the book to course design – ‘The Planning of Course’, and ‘The Character and Placing of Teeing Grounds, Bunkers and Putting Greens’ – and fascinating reading they make for those who think about of the strategy of what makes a good golf hole.
He wrote: “It is both necessary and desirable that the holes should be laid out as suggested by the lie of the land, every natural obstacle being taken care of. There should be a complete
variety of holes – not just in length, but in their character – the way in which they are bunkered, and the kind of approach shot that is required. The greens should be well guarded. The shorter the hole, the smaller the green, the more closely guarded. The bunkering and general planning should be carried out with the specific object of making it necessary not only to get a certain length, but more particularly to gain a desired position…and the player who does not gain his position should have his next shot made more difficult.”
Braid, who is widely credited with the invention of the dogleg, rmly believed that longer holes should present safe and brave options o the tee. “There should as frequently as possible be at least two possible alternative methods of playing the hole – an easy one, and a di cult one – and there should be a chance of gaining a stroke when the latter is chosen.”
Braid was also a fan of a grandstand nish, with the closing holes placing increasing demands on the player as the round reaches its climax. “The last two or three holes should be of good length in order to induce a good nish,” he wrote. “At the long holes, the bunkering should not be too severe. In the case of the shortest of the short holes, I would have no cross bunkering, but bunkers all around it.”
■ LIKE MANY GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS OF HIS ERA, JAMES BRAID WAS ALSO A TOP-LEVEL PLAYER
Some contend Braid was guilty of over-penal bunkering, and being too tough on the player, but others argue that he was, at heart, a strategist. “Long bunkers right in front of a green are not a good form of hazard,” he propounded. “Bunkers are not placed on a course haphazard, but they are made in particular places to catch defective shots. Whilst every assistance should be given to the bunker to enable it to catch its own kind of shot, and the player punished by having to play out of it, generally there should be a fair chance of playing forward.”
Braid’s prolific architectural work is all the more impressive when you consider that he was operating in a time when there were no planes or helicopters, a sparse rail network and poor roads. It didn’t stop him from completing projects all over the British Isles, however, from St Enodoc, Royal Porthcawl and Aberdovey in the west, to Littlestone and Goodwood in the south, to Berkhamsted, North Hants, Royal Blackheath, Walmer & Kingsdown in the south
■ HENLEY GOLF CLUB’S 18-HOLE COURSE OPENED IN 1908, THE SAME YEAR THAT BRAID WON HIS FOURTH OPEN CHANMPIONSHIP
east, and to his beloved Gleneagles in Scotland, where his magnificent Kings and Queens courses are among the finest inland courses anywhere in the world, to the classic links at Carnoustie, one of the Open Championship’s toughest layouts.
Of course, Braid can’t have been a constant presence at many of these constructions, and most of his restoration projects probably required no more than a fleeting visit to assess the lie of the land, but such was his expertise that he only needed a brief look at detailed relief maps to know what was required to create a decent golf hole.
While he created many brand-new courses, Braid was often called in to update some very established venues, none more so than Royal Blackheath in south-east London, which is recognised as being the oldest golf club in the British Isles, having been founded over 400 years ago. The club was forced to move from its original heathland site in 1923 after traffic on what is now the A2 road into London made it dangerous to carry on playing. Blackheath joined forces with nearby Eltham Golf Club to form a new club, with Braid being invited to update the course, which he did, with his plans calling for modification of the ‘hummocks’ throughout the course and alterations to bunkers, enlarging some, reducing others. Braid’s work laid largely unchanged for almost a century at Royal Blackheath, before Ken Moodie undertook a five-year renovation plan that was completed in 2019. His changes – among which included remodeling 77 bunkers, constructing two new greens, extending another five putting surfaces, creating several new tees – firmly brought this fine parkland course into the 21st century and has ensured that it remains a challenging test for
the modern golfer.
Braid was also often called upon to officially unveil the courses he worked on, with one of the more notable occasions coming at the opening of Henley Golf Club in 1908. Braid, who was paid the handsome sum of £15 6s 6d for his design efforts, took on Rowland Jones, the head professional at Wimbledon Park Golf Club, who was a late replacement for Harry Vardon –who reportedly cried off with the flu. Refereed by Harold Hilton, twice Open Champion as an amateur, records show that Braid won the 36hole match with scores of 77 and 74, with both rounds taking just two hours to play.
Like many Braid courses, the layout at Henley has changed somewhat over time, mainly due to advancements in equipment technology, but Braid’s legacy very much lives on here, with all
BRAID WAS ALSO OFTEN CALLED UPON TO OFFICIALLY UNVEIL THE COURSES HE WORKED ON, WITH ONE OF THE MORE NOTABLE OCCASIONS COMING AT THE OPENING OF HENLEY GOLF CLUB IN 1908.
subsequent course renovations carried out in the trademark Braid style. It is somewhat apposite that one of Henley’s members, Michael Herriot, should run The Association of James Braid Courses, and together with the other 300 clubs, and the good work of the James Braid Golfing Society, is playing an important role in ensuring that the skills of this most multi-talented of men should be cherished for years to come.
Today there are many Braid-based golf tours that fans of his work can undertake, with none more popular than the Highland Golf Trail, which takes in the seven wonderful Scottish courses to be found at Boat of Garten, Inverness, Muir of Ord, Fortrose and Rosemarkie, Golspie, Brora and Reay.
To see a full list of the Association of James Braid Courses member clubs, or to download the new mobile Android app for free, visit www.sites.google.com/ site/ajbmap
Two 18-hole courses that can be played on the same day during a single visit. The par-70 championship Cawder Course is recognised in Golf World’s GB&I Top 100 for £65 and under, and the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards Best Course Finalist under £75. The par-68 Keir Course provides a different, but equally entertaining, challenge.
Tel: 0141 761 1281 Web: cawdergolfclub.com
Nestled on the outskirts of Henley-on-Thames, one mile from the river and 40 minutes from the centre of London, Henley Golf Club boasts the outstanding golf course in the area. Home to The Association of James Braid Courses, it is one of Oxfordshire’s finest pieces of natural golfing terrain.
Tel: 01491 575742 Web: henleygolfclub.com
Set in a seaside location, the neighbouring Gulf Stream ensures year round links golf, while the romantic peaks of Arran present a stunning backdrop to the landscape. It was over the links land of Scotland that the game of golf was born and still today the true links experience is unparalleled the world over.
Tel: 01294 275979 Web: theirvinegolfclub.co.uk
This beautiful golf course in North Yorkshire was established in 1897. Modified over the years to take technology advances into the account, the 6,274-yard course retains its original James Braid layout. The outward and inward holes overlook Filey Bay, with the remainder of the course landscaped with mature trees.
Tel: 01723 513293 Web: fileygolfclub.com
Founded in 1889, Ludlow GC is the oldest course in the Union of Shropshire and Herefordshire. The 18-hole course was developed on firm, free draining ground within Ludlow Race Course in 1927 by the legendary architect James Braid and still retains many of its original features and charm.
Tel: 01584 856285 Web: ludlowgolfclub.com
Located in the heart of St Albans, winter packages at Verulam start from £52.50pp, based on eight or more players. Summer packages from £80pp, based on 12 or more players, are available Mon–Fri. Extensive golf day opportunities are available on request. For details, contact Nick Clutton, Operations Manager.
Tel: 01727 853327 opt 2 Web: info@verulamgolf.co.uk
Bush Hill Park Golf Club boasts a rich history and an enduring reputation for excellence. The golf course, originally designed by legendary player Harry Vardon in 1895 and later redesigned in 1925 by fellow icon James Braid, is set on nearly 100 acres of picturesque parkland.
Tel: 020 3146 9890 Web: bhpgc.com
A James Braid course founded in 1893, the gently undulating moorland terrain offers a varied layout of holes and is playable for all, but a challenge for the best. The professional’s shop offers a comprehensive range of products from popular brands and club, trolley and buggy hire is available on request.
Tel: 01436 674173 Web: helensburghgolfclub.co.uk
Founded in 1774, Royal Musselburgh is the sixth oldest golf club in the world, located at the beginning of ‘Scotland’s Golf Coast’ in East Lothian, Royal Musselburgh is a stunning example James Braid’s finest work. It is a relatively short parkland course measuring 6254 yards, with four Par 4’s over 400 yards and one par 5 at 477 yards.
Tel: 01875 819 000 Web: royalmusselburgh.co.uk
The 18-hole course is a stunning picturesque rolling parkland paradise just outside Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. Set in a valley among mature trees, flanked by the River Gala, and divided by the Borders Railway line. Green fees start from just £45 a round, with food packages and EZ-GO electric buggies available.
Tel: 01896 752260 Web: torwoodleegolfclub.co.uk
GOLF PRIDE TEAMS UP WITH 007 FRANCHISE FOR BESPOKE COLLABORATION
JACKETS REQUIRED 8 OF THE BEST WATERPROOF TOPS TRIED & TESTED OGIO SHADOW STAND BAG THE GEAR EFFECT Inside the bags of latest tour winners
INSIDE THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR
MAVERICK MCNEALY
RSM Classic
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5°)
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (16.5°, 21°)
Irons: TaylorMade P7CB (4-9),
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46°, 50°, 54°, 58°)
Pu er: Odyssey Toulon Design prototype Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
AUSTIN ECKROAT
World Wide Technology
Championship
Driver: Ping G430 LST (9.25°)
Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max (15°)
Irons: Ping Blueprint S (3), Ping Blueprint T (4-PW)
Wedges: Ping Glide Forged Pro (50°, 54°, 60°)
Pu er: Ping PLD DZB custom Ball: Titleist Pro V1
JEENO THITIKUL
CME Group Tour Championship
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple
Diamond Driver (9°)
Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
MAX Fairway Wood (16.5°)
Utility: Callaway Apex UW (19°)
Irons: Callaway X Forged Star (4-5), Callaway X Forged Irons (6-PW)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Forged Wedges (48°, 54°, 58°)
Pu er: Odyssey White Hot Versa 7
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X
RORY MCILROY
DP World Tour Championship
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Qi10 3, 5
Irons: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9)
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 \ (45°, 50°, 54°), Titleist, Vokey SM10-WW Proto (59°)
Pu er: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Ball: TaylorMade TP5X
PAUL WARING
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Driver: Ping G430 LST
Fairway Woods: Ping G430 (3,15°), Titleist TSi2 (5,18°)
Utility: Wilson Sta Model Utility
Irons: Wilson Sta Model CB (5-9)
Wedges: Wilson Sta Model ZM (46°, 50°), Titleist Vokey SM10 (56°, 60°)
Pu er: Odyssey 2-Ball Tour Lined Eleven Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Le Dash
NELLY KORDA
The Annika
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (10.5°)
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15°, 21°)
Hybrid: Ping G425 (26°)
Irons: TaylorMade P·770 (5), TaylorMade P·7MC (6-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 (50°, 54°)
Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (58°)
Pu er: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
RAFAEL CAMPOS
Butterfield Bermuda Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (10°)
Fairway wood: Titleist GT2 (13.5°)
Utility: Titleist U505 (2)
Irons: Titleist T150 (4-5), Titleist 620 MB (6-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46°, 50°, 54°, 60°)
Pu er: Sco y Cameron TourType Timeless
Bu onback prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
MATT MCCARTY
Black Desert Championship
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5°)
Fairway Woods: Ping G410 3 (14.5°), Ping G430 Max 7 (21°)
Irons: Ping Blueprint S (4-PW)
Wedges: Ping Glide Forged Pro (50°, 54°, 60°)
Pu er: Ping PLD Custom Tyne C
Ball: TaylorMade TP5
Zero Torque putters have been the in thing on tour for the last couple of years among players searching for a significant change. L.A.B. Putters have come out of nowhere to gain popularity, but now putting powerhouse Odyssey has entered the fray.
Galvin Green is making a bold play for fashionconscious golfers with the launch of its new CONCEPT sub-collection.
This fresh range combines modern streetwear vibes with Galvin Green’s signature technical performance, o ering a stylish twist on versatile golf apparel.
The CONCEPT collection features 14 unique garments and accessories with eye-catching patterns and colours, themed around a sleek camo look in duck green, orange and black. It spans all the brand’s layering categories, including waterproof DRYVR jackets and pants, windproof INTERFACE-1 tops,
Among the standout pieces is the ARGUS jacket (£399), crafted from 100% waterproof Pertex Shield Stretch fabric. It’s not just functional but also stylish, with square panelling, an adjustable hood with a front collar, and oversized sleeve cu s. Available in Black or a bold duck green/black combination, it o ers a versatile look that works on the course and beyond.
Pair it with the ADRIAN pants (£299), designed for maximum comfort and style. These pants feature an elasticated waist and zip-free pockets, setting them apart from traditional waterproof trousers. Like the jacket, they come in duck green or black, giving golfers the choice to mix and match for a standout out t.
The DANTE crew neck (£119) in solid orange is also a worthy addition to any on-trend wardrobe, and could just as easily be worn while out on the town as on the golf course.
What is Zero Torque, you ask? Centering the shaft on the centre of gravity plane results in putters that rest with the toe pointing up, which is the opposite of a traditional putter, where the toe hangs down. This design promotes a square face throughout the stroke.
Odyssey has chosen three of its most popular models to introduce in the Square 2 Square concept – the Jailbird and #7 mallets, and the Double Wide blade. As well as being Zero Torque, the putters encourage a forward press. The 3.3° of forward shaft lean presets the hands in a forward press position, eliminating the opening of the face that often happens when golfers forward press.
All three putters, which are priced at £249, also feature Odyssey’s groundbreaking Ai-ONE insert that includes a White Hot Urethane face, with an AI-designed aluminium backer to improve the consistency of putts struck across the face.
The lightweight steel SL 90 shaft o ers 20-30g of counterbalance weight in the butt end for more stability throughout the stroke.
Zero Torque putters aren’t for everyone, but if everything you’ve tried so far isn’t working, these toe-up putter designs o er something that other putters don’t. If you don’t have to worry about the face twisting, that’s one less thing to focus on while trying to hole out.
Titleist has wrapped up the DP World Tour season on top once again, leading the way as the most played driver, iron, wedge and ball brand on the tour.
Across 38 events spanning four continents, more players trusted Titleist than any other brand when it came to golf balls. The iconic Pro V1 and Pro V1x were the clear favourites, with 72% of players choosing them – six times more than their closest competitor.
It was a big year for the brand in the majors too. The Masters winner relied on his Pro V1 for a second green jacket, while the US Open champion used a Pro V1x Left Dash to take victory at Pinehurst.
The launch of the GT driver series saw immediate success, with Titleist becoming the most played driver on the DP World Tour, used by 37% of players. Titleist irons also shone, used by stars like Antoine Rozner and Matteo Manassero, both of whom earned spots on the PGA Tour next year. Titleist irons were teed up 1,829 times this season, far outpacing the nearest competitor.
Meanwhile, Vokey Design SM10 wedges made a splash, debuting at the Dubai Invitational and ending the year as the most played wedges on tour (47%). They also claimed three major titles, helping champions secure their spots in golf history.
Leading golf apparel brand Stromberg has all the bases covered when it comes to kitting you out to keep you swinging in comfort and style this winter.
It co-ordinated range of midlayers, jackets and trousers can be mixed and matched to battle all the elements, whether it be wind, rain, cold – or a combination of all three – and all at affordable prices.
Key pieces in the collection include the Weathertech Jacket (£80) which is made with a waterproof and breathable fabric that features built-in stretch to allow you to move freely. Fully taped seams and waterresistant zips to prevent water ingress.
Offered in black, this jacket can be matched with the Weathertech Trousers (£49.99) to create a full waterproof suit. Made from a 3-ply fabric the outer layer has a water-resistant finish, the middle layer acts as a breathable waterproof membrane, while the inside
layer acts as a thermal layer helping to keep you warm.
For those extra cold days, the Kick Quilted Jacket (£59.99) is a great option, with thermal panels around the chest and shoulder area adding an extra layer of warmth in a full stretch fabric that enables an unrestricted swing.
For playing when showers are forecast, the Marl Half Zip (£49.99) ticks plenty of boxes, with its waterresistant finish providing protection from light rain, while its raised neck and thermal properties will keep you warm on those milder days.
For the ultimate in wet weather protection opt for the Bandit Waterproof Jacket (£99), which is made from Stromberg’s most water-resistant and breathable fabric without sacrificing freedom of movement.
To check out the Stromberg apparel range, visit www.americangolf.co.uk
Matt Nicholson lets OGIO’s premium carry bag take the strain
The OGIO SHADOW standbag brings an intriguing mix of style and function to the golf course, blending a classic look with modern touches inspired by luxury sports car design. This limited edition model is crafted for golfers who value a sleek aesthetic paired with high-performance features, and OGIO delivers with premium materials, thoughtful engineering, and refined details.
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
The first thing that stands out about the OGIO SHADOW is its sophisticated design. The bag features aerodynamic lines and an elegant, minimalist look, OGIO has opted for a premium synthetic leather material, giving it a luxurious feel while maintaining durability for the rigors of the course. The overall presentation of this bag is refined and tasteful, appealing to golfers who want an understated, high-end look without compromising on functionality. Just don’t be surprised when your golfing pals continuously ask you where you got your bag from.
TECHNOLOGY & FUNCTIONALITY
OGIO has equipped the SHADOW with a robust 4-way top with full-length dividers, ensuring easy club organisation and preventing shafts from tangling. This is complemented by carbon fibre legs that are lightweight yet strong, offering excellent stability on uneven surfaces. The bag has a premium stitched handle for effortless lifting and adjusting
If you’re worried about how you measure up on the golf course yardage-wise, then it might be worth checking out the latest driver distance stats released by performance tracking company Arccos. Its latest Driver Distance Report draws on data captured in 2023, a year in which Arccos saw nearly four million rounds played with its tracking system by hundreds of thousands of golfers in over 160 countries. For that period, the average driving distance for men across all handicaps was 225 yards, while women averaged 178 yards.
Interestingly, distances have remained quite stable over the past six years, increasing by just one yard for men and decreasing 1.1 yards for women compared to Arccos data in 2018.
As in previous years, the report, which is free to download, also explores the impact of age and skill level, so you can see how you measure up against golfers with similar handicaps and age.
For more details, visit www.uk.arccosgolf.com
on and off the cart.
One of the standout features of the OGIO SHADOW is its nine thoughtfully organised pockets. These pockets are designed to accommodate a golfer’s every need, from a large apparel pocket to a dedicated valuables pocket lined with Nylex for added protection. The magnetic accessories pocket is a convenient touch, allowing quick access to frequently used items. There’s also a zippered valuables pocket, two elastic mesh pockets, and a designated water bottle pocket, making organisation easy and efficient.
COMFORT AND WEARABILITY
I’ve used the bag both carrying and with an electric trolley and comfort is clearly a priority in the SHADOW’s design. The bag includes a premium double padded strap with EVA and Fit Disk technology, which evenly distributes weight and minimises strain on the shoulders Additionally, the molded hip pad with perforation enhances breathability, making the bag feel comfortable even on hot days.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
OGIO has also included several thoughtful extras, such as a towel loop, key clip, pen and tee sleeves, and an umbrella holder. These small, yet practical additions contribute to the bag’s overall ease of use. Each zip pull and piece of
hardware is also made with premium materials, highlighting OGIO’s attention to detail.
FINAL VERDICT
The OGIO SHADOW is an ideal choice for the discerning golfer who values both style and substance. This bag delivers on all fronts: it’s visually impressive, highly functional, and designed with comfort in mind. It’s not just a golf bag; it’s an accessory that elevates the entire golfing experience.
For those looking for a premium option that blends classic elegance with cutting-edge features, the OGIO SHADOW stands out as a top contender.
RRP: £369 | www.eu.ogio.com
The most overlooked aspect of a set of golf clubs is the grip. As the only part of the club you have contact with, it’s vital that you find the right one for your game. We caught up with Eric Gibson, Chief Commercial Officer at Golf Pride, to find out what grips will help improve your golf
Why are Golf Pride grips considered to be the best in the business?
I believe our quality has stood the test of time. Consumers worldwide tell us that they can always rely on us for consistent, dependable performance. They know they can get a replacement grip that matches what they’ve been using.
Secondly, golf is a sport driven by innovation, and what sets us apart is our ability to directly address the needs identi ed by our customers. We don’t innovate for the sake of innovation, but to solve real challenges within the gol ng community, whether that’s improving con dence when standing over the ball or enhancing the performance of their swings.
Finally, our brand’s validation at the professional level is key. Since our rst major championship win in 1955, we’ve seen 75 consecutive years of victories, and none of those players have been paid to use our grips. They choose Golf Pride because it gives them the con dence they need to succeed in their careers.
How many di erent types of grip does Golf Pride make?
In terms of the swing side of the business, we likely have close to 300 di erent variations worldwide. This number varies depending on your location and whether you’re a tour player or not!
We create products speci cally for professionals at the highest level, and we also make products for regions like Asia that aren’t available in North
America or Europe. I would say our portfolio is as extensive as it needs to be to meet the demands of golfers. The size of the portfolio isn’t our primary concern; what matters is ensuring that consumers can easily nd the right products.
What makes your ‘Tour-only’ grips di erent to ones that regular golfers can buy?
The quality is exactly the same as you can buy in a pro shop. However, on tour, you’ll see grips with speci c tapers and di erent textures, often tailored to the preferences of individual players. Some grips have internal ridges, which are our own version of externally ribbed grips. While consumers have access to our Align technology, professionals also have access to the internal rib versions of Align. Aside from that, the Tour Velvet Cord, which was used by Tiger Woods in all 15 of his major victories, is the same product any golfer can purchase in any store.
What criteria a ects grip choice and how important is it to get professionally tted for a grip?
I think this is an area where we, as a brand, haven’t fully satis ed how easy it is for golfers to navigate grip choices. We also haven’t done enough to equip PGA Professionals with the knowledge to guide their students e ectively. But this is something we are working hard on in the background, and we’ve got some really cool ideas to implement to simplify this process.
For now, I suggest a two-step process. The rst step is psychological, focusing on feel and size, and the second is more technical, centred around grip technology.
The size component can be more technical, but it’s important to start with comfort – if a golfer isn’t comfortable holding the grip, whether it’s too rm, too soft, too large, or too small, they won’t perform well. Comfort is key before they even take a swing.
Golf Pride’s inspired collaboration with maker of the James Bond lm franchise has enabled golfers to indulge their passion for all things 007 while also enjoying the bene ts of the No.1 grip brand’s game-enhancing technology
Leading grip brand Golf Pride has partnered
Leading grip brand Golf Pride has partnered with EON Productions, the company behind the James Bond franchise, to create a limited edition 007-themed golf grip kit.
Paying homage to the 60th anniversary of the release of the 1964 lm Gold nger, this unique kit includes 14 custom grips and a specially crafted gold bar collector display.
Golf Pride applied its vast experience with design and material innovation to build the base performance for this product, before tackling the fun challenge of bringing to life a grip that embodies the cultural phenomenon that is James Bond.
I recommend starting with the Tour Velvet grip. It’s our most balanced grip, o ering a good mix of texture and rmness. If you prefer a rmer feel, you could opt for the MCC or Z Grip. For golfers who tend to grip the club too tightly or want a softer feel, the CP2 or CPX collections are ideal.
Once you’ve found the right feel, you’ll need to determine your size. You should aim for a grip size that allows you to hold it comfortably, like you’re holding an egg in your hand.
A trend we’re seeing is golfers moving towards larger grips, and this is where psychological meets technical. The two main technical choices are taper (standard or +4). The +4 taper simulates the e ect of adding four extra layers of tape in your lower hand, which is useful if you have an overly aggressive right hand that tends to close the clubface, or if you prefer a more solid taper throughout the grip.
Lastly, why is important to have fresh grips on your clubs?
Another technical choice is whether you want more consistency in your hand placement, which can be achieved with our Align technology. This feature helps ensure a more consistent grip on the club.
As well providing a more consistent and solid connection between your hands and your clubs, new grips will also help you hit the ball farther. We recently undertook a study on the performance bene ts of having new grips and the results concluded that fresh grips o er an increased average carry length of 2.3 yards on full shots, while players found that their average ball speed increased by 1.3mph. Both of those can be achieved with no extra e ort on the golfer’s part.
The tuxedo-inspired grip represents the best of Bond, a tribute to the character’s impeccable style and re nement as he has evolved over the last six decades, while a 007 embossed surface pattern with lapels from the Gold nger era merges seamlessly with a diamond quilted design, evoking the white dress shirt of a modern secret agent. A black grosgrain bow tie and gold accents complete the look, mirroring the suave style of GoldenEye.
“While we’re a performance equipment brand at heart, and this grip certainly carries the innovative and high-quality hallmarks of Golf Pride, we really wanted to have fun with this one,” said James Ledford, President of Golf Pride.
With the James Bond kit, Golf Pride continues to nd new ways to marry golf and culture in the form of unique product experiences. Early this summer, Golf Pride launched a collaboration with NBA star Steph Curry.
“Whether it’s partnering with a legendary lm franchise like James Bond, or a global sports icon like Stephen Curry, we want to o er golfers unique ways to connect to the game through their passions,” added Ledford.
The 007-themed golf grip kit retails for £189 and is available to buy online at www.007Store.com It is also being displayed at the 007 Store in Burlington Arcade, London until December 31. For more details on the complete Golf Pride grip range, visit www.golfpride.com
Golf Pride has a grip for all seasons and all reasons. Here’s a quick guide to the brand’s product range and how they can tackle common problems
What is the best Golf Pride grip for a golfer who is prone to sweaty hands?
The answer depends on whether the perspiration is due to natural factors or the climate. If you naturally have a higher level of sweat on your hands, regardless of the weather, you’ll likely nd our MCC collection most suitable. If you don’t want the full rmness, the MCC Plus4 grip o ers a slightly softer material in the lower hand, providing a comfortable alternative.
For golfers playing in hot, humid conditions, the MCC will still perform well. However, if you have a more aggressive swing speed, you’ll bene t from grips with more texture and control. In this case, the Tour Velvet Cord or the Z Grip collections would be ideal, as they provide excellent grip stability throughout the swing.
What grip would you recommend for a golfer with arthritic or weak hands?
Golfers with arthritic hands typically prefer to grip the club with lighter pressure, but they still need a grip that supports their ability to swing aggressively at their natural speed. For this, I recommend starting with our CP2 range.
The CP2 Wrap is an excellent choice as it o ers a softer material for comfort while maintaining enough texture to allow for con dent, aggressive swings. If the wrap style isn’t preferred, the CP2 Pro or CPX grips are great alternatives.
The CPX grip, introduced in 2022, features a diamondquilted texture in the lower hand, providing enhanced tactile feel and additional control compared to the CP2 Wrap or Pro options.
What is the best grip if you need to change or manipulate swing weights?
If you’re looking to adjust swing weights the Tour Velvet collection is your best option. This range o ers the greatest exibility when it comes to weights, tapers, and core sizes, making it ideal for precise adjustments.
Something to remember is that most grips have a standard 60 core size. If the core size is smaller, the grip will expand slightly when installed, rming up the material. Conversely, larger core sizes will contract, softening the grip.
What grip would you recommend to a golfer looking to hole more putts?
The Reverse Taper grip, introduced earlier this year, is our latest innovation designed speci cally to improve putting consistency. Most amateur golfers struggle with inconsistent hand roles during the stroke, whether they use traditional, claw, or other grip styles.
The Reverse Taper design addresses this issue by promoting better balance between the hands, allowing each to perform its speci c role more e ectively.
This balanced interaction helps the hands work more harmoniously, which our studies have shown improves the likelihood of squaring the clubface at impact— ultimately leading to more holed putts.
What grip would you recommend for golfers who are looking to improve their wedge play?
For golfers aiming to enhance their short game, we’ve noticed a trend towards using larger and softer grips on wedges, even if these di er from the grips used on the rest of their clubs.
Many amateurs struggle with inconsistency closer to the green. A lack of con dence often leads to gripping the club too tightly, which can impact performance. Switching to a softer, midsize grip, like the CP2 Mid-Size, on wedges can help reduce tension and improve control.
For example, players who typically use standard grips like MCC or Tour Velvet may nd better results by opting for a CP2 Midsize on their wedges for shots inside 100 yards. This adjustment allows for a more relaxed grip and improved precision around the greens.
£299, BRANDFUSION.CO.UK
The one-size-fits all Ridgeline 3 push trolley features all-new Vertical Fit Technology which enables the upper bracket to slide up and down to accommodate any size of golf bag, from junior models all the way up to you biggest tour bag, while offering incredible stability.
The three-wheel design ensures smooth manoeuvrability, while its fully adjustable setup provides a tailored experience for every player. It is offered in six colours.
£125 FOR 50 SD-01, £55 FOR 50 SD-15, SEEDGOLF.CO.UK
Testing out Seed golf balls earlier this year I was hugely impressed by their performance, especially at the quoted price point. But now they’ve made them even more affordable. Customers can buy bundles of 50 or 100 balls, packaged in low-cost, low-waste boxes, delivered straight to their door.
The ‘Loosies’ bundles reflect Seed’s commitment to passing savings to consumers, making golf more affordable. Loosies also advance Seed’s sustainability goals by reducing the packaging and lowering their carbon footprint.
Available for the SD-01 and SD-15, they come in standard white or YellowAF, an anti-glare yellow ball for better visibility.
£399, EU.DUNLOPSPORTS.COM
Bringing back the name of a legendary, if somewhat unusual, driver is a genius move from Cleveland, as they’ve released a new, unusual driver. Featuring a unique triangular chassis and geometric angles, the HiBore XL is designed to maximise forgiveness, distance, and sound.
Utilising AI simulation, Cleveland optimised the shape by positioning weight low and deep, tapering the rear, and incorporating an extralarge face for a 19% larger sweet spot than the Launcher XL 2. Offcentre hits are less punishing, while solid contact enhances ball speed and straighter, longer drives.
ActivWing technology, placed at the crown’s heel, boosts stability during the downswing, improving consistency and distance.
Equipment editor Dan Owen casts his expert eye over the last equipment launches
£1,129, COBRAGOLF.COM
The KING Tour Black irons are back with a sleek diamondized black metal finish, offering exceptional durability and a satin look that resists wear while reducing glare.
These tour-proven irons combine soft feel and playability with forgiveness and ball speed, while CNC undercuts in the back cavity reposition weight for better launch and stability in the long irons and improved control in the short irons. Filled with TPU material, the undercuts dampen vibrations for superior sound and feel. With a 5-step forged construction and compact cavity back design, these irons are perfect for a lower handicapper who wants just a bit of help with their lessthan-perfect strikes.
£429, PXG.COM
PXG has left no stone unturned in creating the Allan putter, packing it with every type of tech imaginable. Featuring Zero Torque Balance Technology, it keeps the putter face square through impact, no matter your stroke style.
With a hollow body construction filled with S COR polymer, it offers incredible stability, a soft feel, and reduced vibrations.
The innovative S-hosel improves balance and eliminates twisting, while the pyramid face pattern ensures consistent ball roll and a satisfying sound. It also features a handy Pick Up Pocket, which enables golfers to pick the ball off the ground without having to bend over.
DELUXE TRAVEL COVER
£49.99, MACGREGOR-GOLF.COM
Offered in blue, black and this eyecatching camo pattern, MacGregor’s newest travel bag is a snip at under £50 and provides all the bells and whistles needed to safely transport your precious clubs. With additional padding around the clubhead area, heavy duty internal straps and a tough nylon construction it is designed withstand the rigours of airport baggage transfers. Inline skate wheels and sturdy handles make it easy to manoeuvre, while a large zip storage pocket with two compartments offers extra storage for all your golf travel essentials.
£25, PINGEUROPE.COM
An essential bit of kit for all winter golfers, Ping’s colourful Bassett Striped Knitted Hat delivers the perfect blend of style and comfort for chilly rounds. Boasting SensorWarm technology to keep your noggin toasty, it features a turn-up cuff, a fluffy bobble and Ping’s distinctive Eye Mark badge. Offered in a stretchy, one-size-fits-all design, it is available in three striped colour combinations – Navy, Airforce Blue and Dark Mushroom –to suit your favourite Liquorice Allsort preference.
£1,999, EU.CALLAWAYGOLF.COM
Callaway says that the Apex Ti Fusion is its ‘most advanced iron ever’ – and who are to argue? Designed without compromise, it’s ideal for golfers seeking the holy trinity of ball speed, feel, and control.
The standout feature is an industry-first forged titanium face, delivering faster ball speeds and enhanced power. Combining the benefits of traditional one-piece and twopiece irons, the Apex Ti Fusion offers higher ball speeds than steel irons, while its titanium face and hollow construction provide extraordinary fee. The AI Smart Face ensures consistent speed, spin, and tight dispersion for precision shots into the green.
£249.99, ZEBRAGOLF.CO.UK
Zebra’s new Milled Series features four precisionengineered putters crafted from a single billet of carbon steel for exceptional feel and consistency. The range includes two blade designs, a mallet, and a high-MOI fang style, catering to various putting strokes. Each model features two adjustable 10g sole weights, with additional 15g and 20g weights available for enhanced customisation.
A premium Zebra Winn VSN mid-size grip and a KBS
Stable-Stepped shaft completes the impressive, yet very affordable package.
£180, FOURTEENGOLF.COM
Fourteen probably make the best wedges that you’ve never heard of. With a track record that includes major wins, the brand has long had a cult following on the PGA Tour. The FRZ is their latest evolution. Designed to maximise spin, the grooves are crafted beyond industry standards, then feature a laser milling between the scorelines to enhance spin in tricky lies. The Milled Taper blade design moves the centre of gravity to maximise versatility, while three sole designs fine tune the wedge for every player.
CALLAWAY APPAREL STORMLITE II
£100, CALLAWAYAPPAREL.COM
The StormLite II jacket has had a serious upgrade for 2024/25, offering top-level, lightweight all-weather performance. It features Swing-Tech Technology in the shoulders for unrestricted movement, making every swing feel effortless. It’s packed with practical details like Velcro cuffs, an adjustable toggle hem, Aquaguard waterproof pockets, and a two-way zip with a chin guard further enhance protection against the elements. And, at £100, it represents tremendous value for a high performance waterproof jacket.
£150, OSCARJACOBSONGOLF.CO.UK
OJ’s timeless Swedish style always looks the business, and the Pinewood jacket also performs well too. Lightweight, waterproof, and breathable, this quarter-zip jacket delivers excellent all-round weather protection. Adjustable cuffs with a windproof inner layer keep the elements out, while an elasticated hem cord ensures a personalised fit that won’t get in the way of your swing. Stylish and practical, it’s a must-have for golfers who want to look good while staying comfortable during winter rounds.
£180, PROQUIPGOLF.NET
Part of Proquip’s Performance-Xtreme Series, the StormForce offers cutting-edge rainwear technology with a lifetime waterproof guarantee. Its ultra-soft, lightweight outer fabric and four-way stretch provide unmatched comfort and freedom of movement. It also features advanced breathability, a quiet ‘Swing Silent’ construction, and a fine mesh lining for easy wear. Practical details include waterproof zips, side adjuster tabs, a cushioned collar, and crease-resistant fabric for effortless packing and smart style.
£275, FOOTJOY.CO.UK
Storm-ready and built for cooler rounds, the HydroTour combines innovation with performance. Made from waterproof, breathable 3-layer fabric (20,000mm/15,000 g/ sqm), it keeps you dry without sacrificing comfort. Those numbers mean it’ll keep you even dryer, and even more airy than many other waterproof jackets. Features include underarm zip vents for added airflow, a DrySeal collar for extra rain protection, and four-way stretch fabric for unrestricted movement. Backed by a three-year warranty, it’s your reliable companion for wet and windy rounds.
£225, PINGEUROPE.COM
Made with a three-layer stretch woven fabric, this fully waterproof jacket delivers top-level protection (20,000mm) and breathability (20,000 g/m2). Its seam-free underarm design enables complete freedom of movement, while an adjustable cord hem and adjustable cuff tabs ensure there is no flapping about in the wind. Subtle Ping logos on the shoulder and neck add a touch of class and the Ping Eye Mark printed inner lining is another stylish feature. A five-year warranty makes it a reliable choice for golfers who demand performance and comfort in all conditions.
£170, GLENMUIR.COM
Defy downpours in this ultra-lightweight and fully waterproof jacket. A 4-way stretch fabric is ergonomically engineered to enhance freedom of movement through your swing. Soft to touch, breathable and silent, with a sealed seam construction, it features an inner storm flap, a chin guard, cord-adjusting high neck, waterproof lock-down front and side pocket zippers, and anti-snag Velcro tab adjusters at the cuffs and waist. Reflective branding keeps you seen in low light conditions. it also comes with Sunderland’s lifetime waterproof guarantee.
£319, GALVINGREEN.COM
The Ames is the first Galvin Green jacket to feature PERTEX Shield Stretch Technology. Made from 100% waterproof, windproof, and highly breathable fabric, it offers top-tier protection without limiting your swing. Thoughtful details include adjustable chest tabs, elasticated cuffs with touchand-close fasteners, a repositioned side seam to reduce friction, and an easy-to-adjust drawstring hem. Its PFC-free water-repellent treatment and ‘slide and glide’ interior make it practical for layering. Built for serious golfers, it’s your go-to in unpredictable weather.
8 of the best waterproof jackets to help you stay on course this winter
£140, UNDERARMOUR.CO.UK
This 100% waterproof and breathable jacket is designed to keep you dry, comfortable, and focused on your game. Made from 2.5-layer bonded fabric, it’s lightweight with a smooth, durable exterior and windproof construction for all-weather protection. Features include fully taped seams, breathable mesh lining, secure zip pockets, and adjustable cuffs and hem for a tailored fit. Reflective piping adds visibility in low light, making this jacket as practical as it is stylish.
There’s something exhilarating about visiting a place for the rst time, especially when it’s somewhere as historically rich and vibrant as Belfast. My part-gol ng and part sightseeing adventure began early in the morning, catching a ight from London Gatwick to Belfast, and touching down just after 10am. My day was packed, with only one night to take in as much as possible of Northern Ireland’s captivating capital.
Once I arrived, I headed straight to the King sher Country Estate at the DoubleTree by Hilton Templepatrick, a scenic property that’s only a short drive from the bustling city centre. Nestled in the serene greenery of Templepatrick, this estate o ered a peaceful retreat for my brief stay. My room was a perfect blend of comfort and style, with views of the golf course I would tackle tomorrow.
Before diving into Belfast’s sights, it was time for lunch at the Dormy Bar and Grill, located right
on the estate grounds. Their menu had a tempting variety, but I went for the classic burger, a delicious choice that didn’t disappoint. Perfectly seasoned and cooked just right, it set the bar high for the rest of the day. Northern Ireland just gets food right.
After lunch, I headed to one of Belfast’s premier attractions: Titanic Belfast. Constructed at a staggering cost of £97 million, Titanic Belfast opened its doors in 2012 and has since become an iconic landmark. Built on the exact site where the Titanic was designed, constructed and launched, this stunning structure resembles the bow of a ship and is a tting tribute to Belfast’s industrial past.
The exhibit spans nine immersive galleries over four oors, each bringing a di erent facet of Titanic’s story to life. From the bustling energy of Edwardian “Boomtown Belfast” to the lives of the workers and passengers, the Titanic Experience transported me back in time. The exhibit was recently enhanced with a £4.5 million refurbishment, introducing four new galleries and an illuminated 7.6-metre scale model of the Titanic that rotates from the ceiling, creating a striking focal point. I was especially captivated by the live streaming of the Titanic wreck on the ocean oor – a haunting yet beautiful reminder of the ship’s tragic fate.
After the Titanic Experience, I made my way to Waterman House, Northern Ireland’s leading cookery school. The school’s warm, inviting kitchen o ered a hands-on cooking experience with a distinctly Irish twist. Under the guidance of local chefs, we prepared Guinness bread and Irish stew, each dish carrying the hearty
avours Northern Irish cuisine is known for.
The experience was both entertaining and educational, as I learned about the ingredients and culinary traditions of the region. We were lucky to meet Northern Ireland culinary royalty Niall McKenna, the owner, and he showed us around the six event spaces’ two oors.
Conveniently located across from some of Belfast’s nest pubs, I couldn’t resist popping into the nearby Duke of York pub afterwards. Boasting a unique charm and a collection of artifacts and memorabilia covering every inch of wall space, I felt like I could return a thousand times and still nd something new. After a couple of pints and soaking up the lively atmosphere, it was time to head back to Templepatrick, a short cab ride away.
After a restful night, I woke up to a traditional full Irish breakfast, fuelling up for a round on Templepatrick Golf Club’s King sher course. Spread across 220 acres of lush parkland, this par72 course was designed by former European Tour players David Jones and David Feherty. Its challenging 7,000-yard layout, complete with grand oak trees and water hazards on 13 holes, o ers a dynamic experience for golfers of all skill levels. The par 3s are all very good, with the 7th being my personal favourite.
Playing here in October turned out to be a treat; the greens were in pristine condition, some of the nest I had played on all year. I found myself reaching for nearly every club in the bag, a sign of a well-designed course that tests your skill and adaptability. The weather was kind, with a crisp autumn breeze and golden sunshine illuminating the scenery. I enjoyed the challenging holes, especially those with water hazards that required strategic thinking and careful shot placement.
After my round, I settled down for a relaxing lunch on the terrace, soaking up the last bit of autumn sunshine. Re ecting on my whirlwind experience, I realised how much Belfast had to o er in such a short time. From the city’s rich history, to its culinary delights and stunning landscapes, my brief visit had given me a taste of Northern Ireland’s heart and soul.
I knew that this rst visit to Belfast would not be my last. There’s so much more to explore, and I’m already planning my return – next time, for a longer stay to dive even deeper into everything this wonderful city has to o er.
Now taking bookings for 2025
DEAUVILLE APRIL 2025
3 Days’ Golf: St Cast • Des Ormes • Dinard
Based on 4 sharing 4-berth inside cabin: Portsmouth – St Malo Caen – Portsmouth
2 nights at the Hotel Univers, St Malo – B&B, twin rooms
Price from £399 pp
3 Days’ Golf: Omaha Beach X 2 • Caen
Based on 4 sharing 4-berth inside cabin: Portsmouth – Caen Caen – Portsmouth
2 nights at the Hotel Ibis, Port-en-Bessin – B&B, twin rooms
Price from £445 pp
3 Days’ Golf: Deauville • St Julien • Caen
Based on 4 sharing 4-berth inside cabin: Portsmouth – Caen Caen – Portsmouth
3 nights at the Hotel du Golf, Deauville – B&B, twin rooms
Price from £579 pp
Matt Nicholson discovers the rich history and revitalised charm of one of Portugal’s most iconic 36-hole golf resorts
In the 30 years I’ve been visiting Portugal to play golf, I don’t think its golf offering has been in a better place. I recently had the pleasure of visiting one of the most iconic golf venues in the country – Aroeira, now rebranded as PGA Aroeira Lisboa. Stepping onto the grounds of this renowned 36-hole golf resort for the first time, I could sense the deep history while experiencing its fresh, new
identity. They’ve done a great job with the rebrand and this represents not only a name change, but a major step forward for this celebrated golf destination, which has long been known as the ‘Wentworth of Lisbon’ since its opening in the 1970s.
The rebranding as PGA Aroeira Lisboa is part of a significant investment in both the golf and leisure facilities. This partnership has earned Aroeira the prestigious status of being the only PGA National in Portugal, putting it in the same league as legendary venues like Gleneagles in Scotland and The Belfry in England – both previous Ryder Cup hosts.
Nuno Sepulveda, co-CEO of Details, the company managing the resort, shared with me that this rebrand marks the start of a new era for Aroeira. With an ambitious vision, the resort is blending tradition with innovation under the esteemed PGA banner. Sepulveda emphasised that the world-class facilities, paired with the beauty of the two championship courses, are designed to attract golfers from around the globe. After spending a couple of day here, playing both courses, I couldn’t agree more – this place is truly something special and will only get better.
Richard Barker, executive director of business development for The PGA, highlighted how PGA Aroeira Lisboa now stands as a premier golfing destination, competing with the best offerings in Portugal. The new partnership also brings the opportunity for hosting future PGA events, which is sure to enhance the profile of golf in Lisbon even further.
Aroeira’s two championship 18-hole courses have been given new names to align with their PGA branding. The classic Aroeira Pines course, which has long been recognised as one of the best layouts in Europe, is now PGA Aroeira 1. The course had just opened in October after a major renovation, but I could already see how the course will look coming into the 2025 season. The upgrades were substantial, with enhancements made to tee boxes, bunkers, and the introduction of a new irrigation system aimed at reducing water usage.
I saw first-hand the course’s transformation into a modern, eco-friendly masterpiece. Designed by Frank Pennink in 1972 the course hosted the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997, with Sky Sports own Wayne Riley winning in 1996. There isn’t a weak hole on the course, with holes 11,14 and 15 being particularly memorable. The back
nine is more undulating, but still easily walkable. My favourite hole on the hole was the dogleg par-four 17th, requiring an accurate tee shot and a wedge to a small green. The 18th nishes below the charming wooden clubhouse, where you can enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes and very e cient sta .
The second course, Aroeira Challenge, originally designed by leading golf architect Donald Steel in 2000, is also undergoing a refresh and has been rebranded as PGA Aroeira 2. This course o ers a di erent challenge with its larger greens and ve strategically-placed lakes. Both courses maintain their natural beauty, winding through tall pine trees and surrounded by wildlife, creating an environment that is as peaceful as it is challenging for golfers. The highlight of the round for me was trying to hit the par-4 16th over a lake in one, of which only one of our group managed to do. The course has also hosted the Ladies Portugal Open on the LET soon after the course opened.
a cutting-edge irrigation system to the planting of drought-resistant Bermuda grass, these e orts are designed to reduce water consumption while maintaining pristine playing conditions.
The introduction of bentgrass on the greens, known for its smooth and fast surfaces, will also add to the exceptional gol ng experience.
Beyond the golf courses, PGA Aroeira Lisboa is also expanding its real estate and leisure o erings. During my visit, I learned about the new range of luxury villas and apartments being developed.
These properties o er the perfect blend of style and functionality – ideal for anyone looking to invest in a holiday home or even a primary residence. With top architects involved, the designs are contemporary yet in harmony with the surrounding landscape.
One of the things that struck me most about PGA Aroeira Lisboa was its commitment to sustainability. The resort has taken extensive measures to ensure that the renovations are environmentally friendly. From the installation of
The new leisure facilities include a revamped clubhouse, restaurants, and cafés, all aimed at enhancing the overall experience for residents and visitors alike. For those seeking more than just a golf trip, Aroeira also o ers a variety of other sports and recreational activities. I was
particularly impressed by the familyfriendly atmosphere, which makes it more than just a golfer’s retreat – it’s a complete lifestyle destination.
Managed by Details – Hospitality, Sports, Leisure, PGA Aroeira Lisboa is part of a larger portfolio of golf and hospitality properties across Portugal. The group also manages several other prominent courses, including Vilamoura and Lagos (Palmares), as well as 15 hotels across the country. With this impressive portfolio, it’s clear that Aroeira is set to shine even brighter in the future as part of a growing network of premium golf and leisure destinations.
My time at PGA Aroeira Lisboa was nothing short of memorable. The blend of rich history, state-of-the-art facilities, and commitment to sustainability makes this venue stand out as one of Europe’s premier golf destinations. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking for a luxurious getaway, PGA Aroeira Lisboa o ers a top-notch experience that is hard to match. As they continue to innovate and invest in their facilities, I can only imagine the heights this remarkable venue will reach in the years to come.
Golfers looking to book a break to France or Spain should check out the fantastic range deals on o er with Bonjour Golf, a specialist tour operator founded by Graham Ruth, one of the golf travel industry’s most experienced professionals.
Bonjour Golf’s extensive programme o ers self-drive breaks to the nest courses in Brittany, Normandy, the Loire and beyond to Northern Spain, with hand-picked hotels and return ferry travel, departing from the UK’s south coast ports.
Whether it’s enjoying seaside golf and Celtic culture in Brittany, combining stunning courses with WW2 history in Normandy, or maybe a round at a top course in Pays de la Loire with visits to nearby wineries, Bonjour Golf’s expert team can help plan all aspects of a gol ng trip to the continent. Golf trips can be as short as one night, so all
budgets and group sizes are catered for.
Northern Spain is also proving a popular destination for Bonjour Golf customers, with new packages to play the outstanding courses of Pedrena, Larrabea and Uraburu giving golfers the chance to follow in the footsteps of the great Spanish champions like Seve Ballesteros, José Maria Olazabal and, most recently, Jon Rahm.
New for 2025, Bonjour Golf is also o ering breaks to the Dordogne, along with an exciting new venture with P&O and Eurocamp, which will o er unbeatable value and open up golf in Holland, as well as the Nord Pas de Calais region of France.
St Andrews Links Trust has announced the dates of ‘Old Course Reversed’ in 2025 when the famed layout will be played anticlockwise for six consecutive days.
The unique nature of the design of the course means it can be played in either clockwise or anticlockwise direction, and for many years it was played in both directions until the current clockwise routing became the norm in the 20th century.
From April 3-8 golfers will have the chance to step back in time to experience the Old Course Reversed with the return of the historic routing. Golfers will play from rst tee to the 17th green, and from the 17th green to the 16th green, and the third green to the second green, and so on.
The inaugural event – launched as part of St Andrews Links Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations – saw 591 golfers ock to the course. It is now set to be an annual event which Links Trust chief executive Neil Coulson hailed as ‘a unique experience at the Home of Golf’.
Golfers will have several ways of seeking to access a tee time through the daily ballot and digital singles list, as well as an advanced three-round public package for the Old Course, Old Course Reversed and the Castle Course which will cost £750.
For more details, visit www.standrews.com/o ers-and-packages
Golfers looking to play enjoy some winter sunshine on some of the world’s best courses are being invited to check out the itinerary for the 2025 season being o ered by Solos Holidays, a company which specialises in hosting trips for single travellers.
Despite its name, Solos Holidays is keen to challenge the assumption that solo travel is purely for singles, and its golf trips are attended by a wide range of people, many of whom are in relationships, but whose partners
Bonjour Golf also organises a number of friendly golf tournament breaks, where players of all skill levels and ages are welcome, with its trip to St Malo in France in March always proving popular with a wide range of golfers.
The company works closely with a number County Unions across England and organises a variety of PGA Professional tuition breaks for golf club members, along with bus golf tours lead by club captains and professionals.
All packages are fully bonded through Protected Travel Services, o ering complete nancial protection.
For more details, email golfdesk@bonjourgolf.com. call 01822 618181 or visit www.bonjourgolf.com
don’t want to go on a golf holiday. From Cape Town to Turkey, Gran Canaria to Lanzarote, Solo Holidays’ new winter golf packages combine championship courses designed by award-winning architects with some big travel ticket items such as spotting the ‘big ve’ on safari in South Africa or simply stretching out on the golden beaches of Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria. With no single supplements, a ready-made group of enthusiastic golfers, organised tee times, ights, transfers, accommodation and various dining options included, all golfers need to do is brush up on their swing.
Among the upcoming itineraries
includes seven nights in Lanzarote in February, taking in four rounds of golf and staying at the VIK Hotel San Antonio in Puerto del Carmen, for £1,989.
Solos Holidays is teeing up a brand-new golf escape for 2025 at the luxurious Porto Carras Grand Resort in Northern Greece. This ve-star beachfront retreat is set on the Sithonia Peninsula. Golfers can look forward to playing on Northern Greece’s only championship course, a par-72 gem that combines challenging design with inspiring scenery. The 7-night, 4-round trip, departing April 22, costs from £2,389pp and includes return ights. For details and bookings call 020 8951 2900 or visit www.solosholidays.com/uk/
Golfers wishing to combine a golf trip with a luxury cruise experience should take a closer look at a bespoke itinerary being o ered by Regent Seven Seas Cruises next summer.
Among the voyages planned for 2025 include a 14-night cruise around the British Isles and Ireland that is being hosted by former women’s world no.1 Annika Sörenstam.
The legendary 11-time major champion and Solheim Cup star will be on board the company’s newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, which is sailing from Southampton on June 23.
practice their putting on the ship’s putting green; enjoy a question-and-answer session with Sörenstam about her life and career, and have ringside seats at an onboard fashion show featuring apparel from the Swedish star’s clothing partner, LOHLA Sport clothing.
The cruise also includes a two-night landbased programme before the departure from Southampton, with guests treated to an overnight stay at The Goodwood Hotel in West Sussex before taking part in the inaugural RSSC Golf Tournament on Golf At Goodwood’s championship Downs Course.
Onboard, guests will enjoy personalised service from a friendly and professional crew, and all-inclusive access to a range of speciality restaurants and al-fresco dining venues, ne wines and spirits, and world-class entertainment.
Golfers on the two-week cruise will get to play some of the UK and Ireland’s most iconic courses, including Royal Lytham & St Annes and Formby Golf Club in England, Trump Turnberry and Dundonald Links in Scotland; and rounds at Portstewart Golf Club and Royal Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Golfers will also have the chance to experience driving demos on Seven Seas Grandeur’s top deck;
“I am thrilled to host this exclusive Spotlight Voyage with Regent,” said Sörenstam. “I can’t wait to bring my family and share my passion and story with fellow golf lovers on board this incredible cruise around some of the most iconic gol ng destinations in the world.”
Outside of the optional gol ng activities, guests can take advantage of free shore excursions in Belfast, Douglas, Liverpool, Dublin, Cork and Waterford.
Prices for the Golf Spotlight by Annika Sörenstam start at £11,589pp. For information, call 023 80821390 or visit www.rssc.com/spotlight-voyages
Experienced PGA
Professional Jacques Gous is hosting a desert-style golf trip to Southern Spain in March that is sure to put a spring into your gol ng step.
An expert coach and a superb guide, Jacques has been hosting overseas trips for years and has a loyal following among his regular clientele. This March he is inviting golfers of all skill levels and experience to join him on a ve-night tuition breaksto Desert Springs, Europe’s only desert-style golf resort, located in sunny Almería, Spain.
Just three hours from the UK, Desert Springs o ers a unique golf experience in a stunning landscape. On this sunny golf escape you’ll play three rounds on Desert Springs’ superb Indiana Course. Designed to mirror desert courses found in the American Southwest, it features pristine fairways, strategically placed hazards, and views of the surrounding rugged terrain. Additionally, a day out at the Valle Del Este Golf Club is included, o ering a di erent challenge with its scenic layout and excellent playing conditions.
Accommodation is in well-equipped apartments, with dinner included each evening. If you prefer, villa options are also available upon request. With expert tuition available from Jacques, this trip t is perfect for golfers who want some winter sun, great golf and the company of like-minded people.
The dates for the trip are March 15-20, with ights on EasyJet from Gatwick to either Almeria or Murcia. Price for ve nights accommodation, with dinner and all golf fees, including buggies, are £1,375pp (sharing a double room) or £1,650pp for a single room. The non-golfer rate is £1,500. For all inquiries and to reserve your place on this, and a range of other tuition golf breaks, email info@ africagolfsafari.com or visit www.africagolfsafari.com
A golfer’s paradise, the Algarve offers everything you would want from a holiday. With superb courses to the East such as Monte Rei and Quinta da Ria, Palmares and Espiche to the West and the three famous Quinta do Lago courses in the centre of this wonderful region. You are also spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation, with packages at Pestana Hotels & Golf Resorts and Boavista Golf & Spa Resort both offering a wonderful experience at great value. Or, if you’d like to be in the heart of the golfing action, opt for a stay at the luxury Ria Park Hotel & Spa or the Magnolia Hotel, surrounded by a number of the region’s top courses. With great weather almost year-round, easy access from the UK and packages to suit all levels of golfer, the Algarve is the perfect destination for an unforgettable golf escape.
Welcome to PGA Aroeira Lisboa, the only PGA National Portugal, just 25 minutes from the heart of Lisbon. Revered as the "Wentworth of Lisbon" by industry experts, this is where golf and nature converge.
Discover more at www.pgaaroeira.com T. +351 212 979 110 | E. info@aroeiragolf.com
Home to two exceptional courses, including the newly renovated PGA Aroeira No.1, the club has proudly hosted iconic tournaments such as the European Tour’s Portuguese Open and the Ladies European Tour’s Ladies Open of Portugal.
Discover this destination with the Stay & Play packages, where world-class golf meets premium accommodation along the breathtaking Costa Azul. Explore the charm of Lisbon, making every moment unforgettable.
Travel with
When did you rst pick up a golf club?
That would have been when I was at Arsenal as a 17 year old. The club had playing rights at South Herts Golf Club. it’s a very nice club and Dai Rees was the professional there. He captained the Ryder Cup ve times and played in the event nine times. Dai was a big Arsenal supporter, and we even had our pre-match meals there before we played at Highbury.
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
My brothers used to play football as well and played for Queens Park Rangers and Millwall. Me and my mum and dad used to come over from Dublin and watch them play in London in August and early September - so that felt like a holiday,
What’s your favourite golf resort?
I’ve been lucky to have visited many resorts over the years, but Quinta Do Lago in the Algarve is a bit special, as is Casa De Campo in the Dominican Republic, where all courses on the resort are designed by Pete Dye. The signature course is called ‘Teeth of the Dog’ and is voted the No.1 course in the Caribbean for a reason. The views are stunning alongside the stretch of holes along the ocean. I’ve played their twice now and can’t wait to go back and play it again.
Who would be in your ideal holiday four-ball?
I was the youngest of the boys in our family, but If I could turn back the clock it would be with my brothers Frank, Ray and Pat, who sadly aren’t around now. My ideal two-ball would be with my wife Sarah – we play a lot of golf together.
The former Arsenal, Juventus and Republic of Ireland legend reveals his favourite places to play and stay.
What’s been your most recent golf holiday?
I just been to Quinta Do Lago with a few mates, we stayed in a villa and played the South and North courses, but we also teed it up at Pinheiros Altos nearby as a friend of mine is a member there. The courses are always in great condition and the whole area has a great atmosphere.
What you most memorable round?
My best round of golf was when I shot a ve-overpar 77 at the Green Monkey Course at Sandy Lane in Barbados, I was playing with a couple of Irish friends and my wife Sarah. I’m currently playing o a 14 handicap, so I’m not sure I will be able to repeat that again anytime soon!
Favourite golf course in the UK?
I’ve a couple which I can’t separate, rstly Sunningdale Old Course in Berkshire and Turnberry Alisa Course in Scotland, I played Sunningdale in August and Turnberry in September, and both were great experiences. Both very di erent, but I can’t separate the two.
I SHOT A FIVE-OVER PAR AT THE GREEN MONKEY COURSE AT SANDY LANE IN BARBADOS.
What’s your favourite holiday hotel?
It has to be Sandy Lane in Barbados, everything is just beautiful about it – the food, the service is on a di erent level, and the golf courses are all in tip top condition.
What’s your favourite city in the world?
I’m probably bias, Dublin is my home-town, but I lived in Italy for seven years whilst I played at Juventus, Inter Milan and Ascoli, so Rome takes some beating, I haven’t been for a while but we’ve talking about it, we go to Italy quite often but haven’t visited Rome in a while.
What’s your favourite meal on holiday?
It has to be the Sunday brunch at Sandy Lane, it’s the most fantastic bu et you can ever imagine, with oysters and great seafood. I’m also very attached to a seaside resort in Italy called Alassio, where the people of Milan and Turin go to holiday and it has so many great restaurants that you just can’t go wrong there.
What’s your top travel tip?
I always try and avoid eating while I’m ying. I try and have a nice meal before I y or soon after I land. I seem to have worked out jetlag from across the pond by having a couple of hours’ sleep as soon as I get home – that seems to get me back onto a regular sleeping pattern.
