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Issue 231 | April 2015
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RO RY ’ S RETURN World No.1 bids to retain BMW PGA Championship at star-studded Wentworth
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APRIL 2015
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Editor’sComment BY NICK BAYLY
GOLF THRIVES ON RIVALRIES – REAL OR IMAGINED
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I
t’s in the job description of a golf journalist to talk up supposed rivalries between the top players. It makes for good headlines, even though the paragraphs that follow are usually somewhat thin on hard evidence of two players wanting to actually punch each other in the face, let alone shoot a lower score in a fourround stroke play tournament. Let’s be honest here, golf is not a combat sport (despite what happened at Kiawah Island in 1991 and Brookline in 1999). More often than not, the protagonists’ paths rarely cross and, on the occasions when they do, you don’t see them knocking each other’s golf bags over or coughing in their backswings. In fact, as we witnessed at Augusta, when Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose were paired All professional sport in the final group on Sunday, they were more stretch’ with Rory, demands red-hot rivalries to often to be seen offering now that his major increase public interest a gentle tip of the cap or career was up and a polite nod and a ‘well running. played’ whenever their To his credit, rival pulled off a good rather than shot, than they were to be seen blanking their answering ‘Rory who?’, on the basis of the opponent with a steely stare into the distance. six-shot difference that lay between the two Most golfing rivalries are induced by leading players’ scores at the end of the week, Spieth questions at post-match press conferences, talked eloquently about the depth of talented where heat-of-the-moment comments are young players on tour at the moment, and how twisted into the ‘Rory, I’m gonna take you down, the systems of college and amateur golf made it sucker!’ headlines that make absolutely no sense much easier for young players to make a name to those that know the players or the nature of for themselves much earlier in their careers. He the game. also said, quite rightly, that he had quite a bit of Professional golfers face 156 opponents almost ground to make up on Rory in both major and each and every week, so to pick out one as a career wins (Rory’s 4-1 up in the majors and 16-5 bigger ‘rival’ than any other is considered rather up in professional wins) before he could consider disrespectful to the other 155; and you’ll be hard himself on anywhere near a level footing. pushed to find a player who likes talking about But with Tiger’s powers on the wane, and another player, let alone singling them out as others tripping over themselves in the melée, potential equals. it behoves us to find a new man to shake Rory’s But all professional sport demands red-hot gilded cage, and judging by his record-breaking rivalries to increase public interest. Formula 1 performance at Augusta, and a good many would be even duller than it already is without impressive showings before that, Jordan Spieth is the Hamilton/Rosberg hate-hate relationship just the man for the job. that is currently bubbling up rather nicely, while He may not yet have quite the personality or virtually all football matches would be rendered the showmanship to win over the adoring crowds pointless if it weren’t for the long-standing like a Mickelson, or the raw power of a Woods, animosities that seem to exist between owners, yet the quiet, polite, and extremely professional managers, players and, of course, the fans of way he goes about his business will attract its each and every team. own following. But you won’t find him swearing, So it should perhaps come as no surprise that or spitting, his way around a golf course any time one of the first questions that our newly-crowned soon, and for that, at least, we must be grateful, Masters’ champion was asked was whether as we seek to get more young people into this he was looking forward to ‘battling down the great game of ours.
THE UK’S NO1 GOLF NEWSPAPER
Issue 231 | April 2015
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RO RY ’ S RETURN World No.1 bids to retain BMW PGA Championship at star-studded Wentworth
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NEWS IN BRIEF PESTELL HITS TOP FORM AT TOOT HILL
Chelmsford professional Andy Pestell kicked off his season in style with a comfortable win at the East Region’s Pro-Am held at Toot Hill Golf Club in Essex. He fired seven birdies for one-under par score 69, which was good enough to win by two shots from Mark Baker (Colchester) and Richard Miller (Rayleigh). In the proam event, Jason Levermore combined with amateurs Barney Cameron, Martin Gillett and Mark Guerny to win by two points with a nine-under score of 81.
MID HERTS RAISES £8K FOR ALZHEIMERS A successful captains charity night held at Mid Herts Golf Club last month has raised £8,150 for the Alzheimers Society. Club captain Phil Bunbury, who nominated the charity for the many fund raising events organised throughout his captaincy year, expects the total amount to be in excess of £9,000.
LEE–ON–SOLENT TO BUILD NEW ACADEMY COURSE
Gosport Borough Council has agreed to donate £5,000 towards the construction of a new five-hole academy course at Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club in Hampshire. The project, which is aimed at encouraging more youngsters to take up the game, will cost £32,000 in total and will take around three years to complete.
NORTH MIDDLESEX LADIES DIG DEEP The ladies’ section of North Middlesex Golf Club raised over £3,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society following a charity tournament held at the club last month.
NORTH HANTS HOSTS THE HOG The best players in the men’s amateur game will converge on North Hants GC on April 19 for the 59th renewal of the Hampshire Hog. Won in the past by such stars as Sandy Lyle, Justin Rose and, more recently, Andy Sullivan, the tournament has been a stepping stone for many top players since it began in 1957. The most recent winner was Sam Edwards and he will be back this year in an attempt to become the first player to win back-to-back titles since Major D.A. Blair in 1967.
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APRIL 2015 | NEWS
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GOLFER TO STAND FOR PARLIAMENT IN BID TO SAVE BECKENHAM PLACE A golfer from South East London is standing as Lewisham West and Penge’s next member of parliament in a bid to save inner London’s only public golf course from being lost forever. At an awareness-raising open competition on March 15, David Hansom announced he would be standing as an independent for Lewisham West and Penge in May’s election on behalf of the ‘Save the Beckenham 18’ campaign. His move omes after Lewisham Council announced it had secured £4.9m in Lottery funding to redevelop Beckenham Place Park – at the expense of its 107-year-old golf course. But campaigners say the council’s consultation process was flawed; the golf course is used by a larger, more diverse group of people than claimed and it has been allowed to decline through local authority neglect. Mr Hansom, who will face a tough battle against incumbent Labour MP Jim Dowd, said he hoped to raise the profile of his campaign ahead of a full council consultation on the controversial plans. He said: “The problem with the way Lewisham behaved with
Beckenham Place Park is under threat of closure
David Hansom is to stand as an MP
Sir Nick Faldo has leant his support to the campaign
the park issue is they’ve rather assumed what people want. Their consultations were poor. It feels like local government from the top down. That’s the general feeling in the local area anyway – of an agenda being dictated to people.” Alongside the golf course, the 66 year old from Sydenham said his 35 years’ experience in market research would help him get to the core of what other
issues were really important to voters. He said: “When you elect me, I’ll ensure that as your MP I’m guided by you rather than telling you what I think you should hear.” Earlier this month, Lewisham Council said it was trying to develop proposals ‘to attract more people of all ages to visit the park, that focus on restoring much of the park’s heritage
features and vastly increasing the opportunities for leisure and recreation for visitors from Lewisham and beyond’. A petition against the closure has been signed by 1,914 people, including six-time major winner Nick Faldo. To sign up, visit the epetitions’ website or the ‘Save Beckenham Place Park golf course’ Facebook page.
Donald tipped to bring British Masters to Walton Heath A future renewal of the British Masters – which returns to the European Tour schedule for the first time in seven years later this year Woburn – could be held at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, when it is the turn of Luke Donald to host the tournament. The popular event, which was last played in 2008, returns in October this year, when Ian Poulter, who is attached to Woburn, will play host at the Buckinghamshire venue. But Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood have also been chosen as future hosts and Donald, who has no official attachment to a club in England, has said that Walton Heath is among the former world no.1’s favoured options. “We’ve been going on about England having another event for long enough and it’s great that it is finally going to happen,” said Donald. “We’ve all seen how the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth has grown over the years. It’s now one of the best events we play, and I’m sure the
Harry Casey will have to wait until July to replay the Madeira Open
Casey’s tour debut washed out by rain fans would flock to a good tournament in October. It seems like a perfect fit I think I’ll have to get back to the UK and play a few of the courses and see which one would suit me, but Walton Heath springs to mind.” Walton Heath has a rich history of hosting top-flight events, from the Ryder Cup in 1981 to the Senior Open Championship in 2011. It last held the European Open from 1978 until 1991. It also opens an international qualifying event for the US Open. Boasting two Herbert Fowler-designed courses, the 7,462-yard Old and the 7,062-yard New, the former is rated as one of the top 100 in the world.
Middlesex professional Harry Casey’s debut on the European Tour ended in disappointment last month after the Madeira Islands Open was postponed following four days of almost constant rain, wind and fog. The 21 year old from Enfield Golf Club earned his first appearance in the top-flight circuit after winning last year’s Order of Merit on the Alps Tour. But his long-awaited debut proved something of a damp squib, as the tournament was cut short after just one round, with all the scores being scratched. The scheduled 72-hole event was cancelled when tournament officials decided that there was no chance of the requisite 36 holes being completed in time, before players had to leave to take part in the following week’s Hassan II Trophy in Morocco. The tournament has been rescheduled for July 30-September 2, where Casey will get another chance to make a first impression at the elite level.
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APRIL 2015
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
All-star senior cast set for MONTY LEADS showdown at Sunningdale LONDON SCOTTISH The Senior Open Championship, which returns to Sunningdale Golf Club in July, will have no fewer than four victorious Ryder Cup captains in the field. Defending champion Bernhard Langer will line up alongside Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam and Sam Torrance on the Berkshire club’s Old Course from July 23-26. Langer, who could become the first player to retain the title in 15 years, said: “It’s one of the all-time great courses. It’s a wonderful heathland course and it’s always in great condition. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like Sunningdale.” Montgomerie, last year’s runner
INTO 150TH YEAR London Scottish
Sunningdale’s Old Course
up, said: “I’ve always said it’s a gorgeous place to be, not just for playing golf, but to just walk around. It will be a great success.” Torrance, who is a longstanding member at Sunningdale, is hoping experience will help him better a fifth place finish in 2009, the last time the venue hosted the Senior Open. “I love the golf course,” he said. “I’ve been there for the last 44 years, I was assistant pro there in 1971,
so there’s not a blade of grass that I’m not familiar with. It’s obviously our biggest tournament of the year and the best field by a mile, so it’ll be fantastic.” The tournament was last held at Sunningdale in 2009, when American Loren Roberts came through a play off to win. Adult tickets cost £25, while U16s go free with a paying adult. For tickets, visit senioropengolf. com.
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Colin Montgomerie has accepted the honour of being captain of London Scottish Golf Club in Wimbledon to mark the club’s 150th anniversary. Members of the historic southwest London club, which is the third oldest in England, voted the eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner into post at its annual general meeting, after he accepted the offer to become captain for 2015/2016. Montgomerie will be the second former Ryder Cup captain to be associated with London Scottish, as George Duncan – a member of the club in the 1920s – captained the all-British team that won the cup 7-5 at Moortown in 1929. While Montgomerie now spends a large part of the season competing on the Champions Tour in America, officials at London Scottish are confident that the 53-year-old Scot’s forays on the European Senior Tour will ensure he is able to make several appearances at the club during his year as captain. “Colin’s a busy man, and of course we’re not expecting him
to play the full role that a captain normally does, but we’re truly honoured that he accepted the offer, and it’s a great way to celebrate our 150th year,” said London Scottish’s vice-captain David Groom. One of Montgomerie’s first duties will be to address the annual Club Supper in May at which prizes are awarded and members sit down to a traditional Scottish meal of haggis, ‘neeps’ and ‘tatties’. Although Montgomerie will be in America at the time, he is recording a message to be played on the night. The club has a number of special events planned for its 150th year, including a hickory match on the common, in which players will use ancient clubs and wear old-fashioned clothing.
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Wildernesse to host Open qualifying Wildernesse Golf Club in Kent has been selected as a Regional Qualifying course for The Open Championship for the next five years. The Sevenoaks-based club will hold the qualifier on June 22, when up to 100 hopefuls will begin a journey that, for a lucky few, may end with a coveted place in the starting line up for the 144th Open Championship at St Andrews on July 16. Wildernesse has previously hosted a number of prestigious competitions, including the British Seniors’ Championship,
and last held Regional Qualifying status between 1998 and 2003. Its return in 2015 reaffirms the 6,500-yard parkland course’s reputation as one of the best inland layouts in the South East. The staging of Open qualifying is also a welcome birthday present for the club, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. A packed calendar of events and activities for members and guests is planned, details of which can be found on the club’s website at www. wildernesse.co.uk.
NEWS | APRIL 2015
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[9]
Brocket Hall has suffered financial difficulties
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Debt-ridden Brocket Hall seeks new buyer Brocket Hall Golf Club in Hertfordshire, one of the most exclusive venues in the country, has gone into administration after its owner fell behind on lease payments. The troubled Welwyn-based club has been in and out of the headlines since its former owner, Lord Charles Brocket, was sent to prison in 1996, after hiding a number of sports cars in bunkers on the club’s Melbourne Course as part of a £4.6 million insurance fraud. Since then, the estate – which comprises two 18-hole courses, a golf academy, a 46-bedrooom hotel, conference centre, and fine dining restaurant – has been operated by Brocket Hall International Ltd, a Germanowned consortium which sort to restore its status as one of the top clubs in the country. With an annual membership fee of £3,500, the club has been unable to keep up its member numbers during the recession, with many golfers deserting it to join other clubs in the area, including the recently-opened
Centurion Club in nearby St Albans. Although the club went into administration on March 31, joint administrator Peter Holder of Alix Partners said the business will continue to trade while a buyer is sought for the 18th century estate, and that all bookings for societies and corporate golf days would be honoured and golf club membership unaffected. The golf operation is currently being run by experienced industry operator John Weir of Cornerstone Golf. Holder said: “Brocket Hall and its magnificent grounds represent a fantastic
opportunity in the luxury hospitality and leisure sector. We are confident there will be a significant number of parties interested in acquiring this truly unique and historic estate. We would also like to go on record to thank the staff for their continued support and professionalism during this process.” The winding up petition was issued by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, but the trust, chaired by Lord Brocket, which owns the freehold, claims it is owed more than £280,000. Lord Charles Brocket is campaigning to regain control of his 543-acre Hertfordshire family seat, and the 63-year-old former Etonian looks certain to be among the front runners to mount a bid for the estate. Brocket, who has appeared in numerous reality TV shows in recent years, was banned from entering the estate last year after attempting to remove antiques and paintings from the main house. He maintains that he simply assisted an agent of the trustees to reclaim the items – some of which he owned personally – but they were later intercepted by the police and he was forced to return them.
Channels to open new-look 18-hole course Construction of a new golf course at Channels Golf Club in Essex began last month, after planning permission was granted in late February. The new-look course, at Little Waltham, near Chelmsford, will see a modern, 18hole course designed for golf in the 21st century, with more water and buggy paths. The new-look 6,670yard, par-72 course is expected to be open by 2017. The course – which will be immediately to the north of the current site – will feature 13 new holes, while five from the
existing design will be adapted to complete the lay-out. The design is being carried out by Ongar-based architects Swan Golf Designs. And, as part of the design brief, 18 holes will be open at all times in order to minimise disruption to the club’s large membership. Speaking about the new project, Swan Golf Design director William
Swan said: “Over the last couple of years we have been working through the detailed planning application process, which has involved consulting with Chelmsford City Council, Essex County Council and the Environment Agency, as well as several other environmental, ecological and archaeological consultants. Throughout this process we’ve been making minor design alterations to the proposed golf course layout to take into account their advice, but without compromising the objective of producing the finest golf course in Essex.”
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[10] APRIL 2015
McGowan back in business on MENA Tour
Surrey tour professional Ross McGowan ended a three year wait for another tour win with victory at the opening event on the 2015 MENA Golf Tour, the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Open in Kenya. Six shots behind overnight leader Manuel Trappel from Austria, the Banstead-born 32 year old carded a brilliant five-under 68 to reach three under for the tournament and seal his second win on the Middle East-based tour following the Abu Dhabi Open in 2012. “I played really well and got a bit lucky in the end to win the tournament,” said McGowan after receiving the trophy and a winner’s cheque for $9,000. “Six behind overnight, I needed a decent start to get the round going. As luck would have it, I birdied three of the first five holes and kept the momentum rolling all the way through,” said the Englishman, who lost his European Tour card at the end of the 2011 season after being plagued by injuries. “Making an eagle on the 10th, when I hit a hybrid from 235 yards to within eight feet, proved be the turning point, and it was just a case of holding onto the advantage on the way. I putted solidly and that, in the end, made the difference.”
Order your Society Guide now! The Ultimate Guide to Society & Company Golf has been a musthave publication for every golf societyand company day organiser for many a year, and the 2015 version is bigger and better than ever before. Featuring many of the country’s finest clubs and courses, predominantly located in the South East, this indispensible, handy- sized, fullcolour handbook provides all the information you’ll ever need to make your golf day a success. Among details included are up-todate prices and packages for societies/ corporates and visitors, information on tee time restrictions, comprehensive directions, and local accommodation tips, as well as detailed descriptions of all the courses, with photographs. As well as being available in print format, the 2015 guide can also be viewed at golfdayguide. com making it even more user-friendly. For your free hard copy of the Ultimate Guide, email your society/company name, number of members in your group, name and address to: info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Golf Day Guide’ in the subject line.
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Hever pro picks up top coaching qualification Hever Castle Golf Club head professional Peter Parks has become one of the first professionals in Kent to achieve the ASQ Level 3 qualification in golf coaching. As well as performing the normal head professional duties, Parks, who has been at Hever Castle since 1992, also runs Castle Golf School, which delivers coaching to members and visitors of all ages and abilities. The Level 3 qualification requires coaches to take a close look at their coaching philosophies, sit additional swing exams, and have real-life lessons reviewed by an assessor. “The Level 3 qualification has been a very worthwhile process,” said Parks. “As coaches, it is important to constantly review and reflect on what we do and
why we do it, so that we can help our players in the most effective way. The process has helped me become a better coach, and some of the lessons I have
learned throughout the past two years’ study will be used within the future coaching programmes we offer at Hever Castle.”
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[11]
Sign up for Walnut Tour to raise funds to fight prostrate cancer Golfers looking to team up for some fun yet competitive golf, and raise funds for a charity close to all men’s hearts, are being invited to sign up for the 2015 Walnut Tour. The aim of the tour is to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK, while also hoping to uncover the best men’s four-ball team in the country through a series of qualifying tournaments. The Walnut Tour consists of 17 events, which are played in two fun formats – Texas Scramble and Twister. While the former is a well-known game format, Twister is less common, but requires each team to play from a different tee box on each hole, rotating through the white, yellow and red tees throughout the round. Each event will have its own prizes, as well as offering the chance to earn points towards an order of merit, and ultimately the grand final, which is being held at the Nottinghamshire Golf Club in September. The winning team at each event will win exclusive entry into the final. There will also be a ‘Chip in Challenge’ at each event, where golfers can raise funds for the charity and get their name onto a leaderboard. Each professionally-managed event costs £50pp to enter (£200 for fourball), which includes green fees and food. Entries are limited to 20 teams per venue. To secure your team’s place for an initial deposit fee of just £40, go to www.walnuttour.co.uk and sign your team up now.
Clarke and Austwick spring Sunningdale Foursomes’ surprise
Membership this Spring... Essex club professional Jack Clarke and his partner Charlotte Austwick from Fulford became the third mixed pair to win the Sunningdale Foursomes’ title, after beating the all-pro pairing of Matthew Southgate and Simon Wakefield on the 18th hole of Sunningdale’s Old Course. Jack Clarke is the head professional at the Rayleigh Club in Essex, while Yorkshire-based 23-year-old amateur Austwick graduated from university in 2013, and has her eyes on joining the professional ranks this year. Clarke and Austwick raced into a three-hole lead within the first five holes of the final against Southgate and Wakefield, but were pegged back to all-square by the 11th. The mixed team then went one up, when Austwick holed from 10 feet for birdie on the par-three 15th, and then after losing the 16th, regained the lead on the 17th when their opponents three-putted from the fringe. A 50-yard, up-and-down for par at the last sealed the match for the unproven pairing, who reached the third round in 2014. “It’s hard to believe we won,” Austwick said. “We have both been struggling with our games recently, so this has been a bit of a surprise. I changed my coach after a series of poor performances, and that seems to have done the trick. It’s fantastic to get our names on a trophy that has been won by so many great players, and I’m sure it will give us both a big boost heading into the new season.” The winners had started the week as long shots in a field studded with experienced tour pros, including the likes of Kenny Ferrie – who reached the semifinals playing alongside his wife Lisa – while former PGA Championship winner Andrew Oldcorn was also in the starting line up, alongside fellow former European Tour players such as Andrew Sherborne, Jamie Spence, Steve Tiley, and Benn Barham. The all-star pairing of Dame Laura Davies and Barry Lane made a brave run for the title, but their route to glory was ended at the quarter final stage by the Ferries. The all-amateur pairing of Marco Penge (Goodwood) and fellow England Elite squad player Luke Johnson reached the semi-finals, before being knocked out by the eventual winners 3&1.
[12] APRIL 2015 | NEWS
NEWS IN BRIEF
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PIN HIGH UNVEILS PLANS TO Mowsbury opens TURNAROUND TRADITIONS refurbished range
HART ELECTED ESSEX PRESIDENT The Essex Golf Union appointed Mike Hart as its new president following its annual general meeting held at Upminster Golf Club last month. A resident of West Bergholt, Hart is a member of Colchester Golf Club, and is the third man from the club to host the president’s post, the most recent beiing Bill MacMillan in 1986.
Growing golf course operations company Pin High Golf has expanded its portfolio in the south east following the purchase of Traditions Golf Course in Surrey from Crown Golf. The new owner has outlined sizeable investment plans scheduled for the West Byfleet-based venue, which first opened in 1999 and boasts a 6,300-yard parkland course designed by Peter Allis and Clive Clark. Predominantly operating as a pay and play venue, the course is renowned for having among the best-conditioned greens for a public course. Pin High has already drawn up plans to undertake substantial investments to improve the condition of the course and the facilities in the clubhouse. This includes
SOUTHERN STARS SECURE FALDO FINAL PLACES Sussex’s Marco Penge shot a closing 68 in tough conditions at Pyle & Kenfig to claim victory in the Faldo Series Wales Championship. The 16 year old England Boys squad member shot 71 and 76 in the opening rounds, but a stunning back nine of 30 during the final round, which included five birdies, pulled him clear of his rivals to win a place in his third Faldo Series Grand Final. Charlie Strickland (Ham Manor) dominated the Boys’ U16 section, while England Girls squad member Samantha Fuller (Roehampton) won the girls division by three shots to qualify for her second Faldo Grand Final.
plans to renovate the bunkers, improve course drainage, upgrade machinery, and bring in a whole new fleet of buggies. Further investment will also be made in the bar and shop areas. Speaking about the acquisition, Pin High Golf’s managing director, Tony Healy, said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted that we have been able to add Traditions to our portfolio. This course feels extra special to me, as this was the base for one of my first senior roles within American Golf. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the club to witness the big changes that will be taking place. We will also be re-branding the club, and look forward to involving the local community in the process of finding a new name for it.”
Mowsbury Golf Centre in Bedford has reopened its popular driving range following a £25,000 makeover. The 13-bay floodlit range was officially reopened by the Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson. The refurbishment of the 13-bay floodlit range was carried out by Fusion Lifestyle, which operates the centre in Cleat Hill in partnership with Bedford Borough Council. The £25,000 investment included refurbished bays, new carpet, bunkers, yardage signage, and a cashless payment system. Hodgson said: “It is great to see how the investment in the driving range has been used to enhance the facility. We look forward to seeing more people of all ages using Mowsbury Golf Centre to play golf and enjoy events here.” The centre’s manager Paul Jeyes added: “The refurbished driving range further enhances the customer experience at the area’s only public golf facility, and I am looking forward to the local community coming to practise their swing.” The driving range is open Monday to Friday for 7.30am to 10pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 6.30am to 9pm. A basket of 20 range balls costs £1.
Temple manager backs defibrillator campaign The manager of Temple Golf Club in Berkshire is backing a campaign to put defibrillators on every golf course after the device saved his life. A week after the club installed an automatic external defibrillator, Matthew Welling suffered a cardiac arrest.
“I passed out in the office,” he explained. “Luckily the club secretary, Keith Adversely, whose idea it was to buy the defibrillator, was around and he used it to restart my heart and save my life. He and other members of our staff had just completed a training
course on defibrillators so he knew exactly what to do. If we hadn’t bought it and organised the training I probably wouldn’t be here to tell the tale.” Following the emergency in 2009, Mr Welling is promoting the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s call to fit all clubs
with the equipment and train staff. The campaign is also being backed by former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher, whose life was saved by a defibrillator last year, after the 64 year old suffered a heart attack during a public speaking engagement in Aberdeen.
Society days in style... by the sea! OPE NT OA
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To celebrate the opening of our new £1.7m clubhouse we are offering some great Society and Golf Day packages.
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■ Full English Breakfast + Coffee ■ 18 Holes ■ Selection from Society lunch menu £31.00 pp (Midweek) £34.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)
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■ Coffee & Bacon Roll ■ 18 Holes ■ Selection from Society lunch menu £28.00 pp (Midweek) £31.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)
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Trick-shot specialist Davis in pole position with Williams Trick-shot supremo Dean Davis is on track for one of his most successful season’s yet after signing a new equipment sponsorship deal with Williams Racing Golf, the golfing arm of one of the most successful teams in the history of Formula One racing. A popular figure on the trick-shot circuit for over 17 Dean Davies years, Davis has teamed up with Williams to add some super-charged firepower to his unique oneman show, which has been entertaining and thrilling golfers from around the world. Williams Racing Golf produces an extensive range of equipment and accessories that draw design and performance inspiration from one of the most successful in Formula One racing teams over the last 30 years, with parts of the golf clubs being constructed from similar materials as those used in the exhaust systems of the Williams race cars. Ricardo Gali, chief executive of Williams Racing Golf, which is based in Oxfordshire, said: “Thanks to our extensive team of engineers, and our access to unique prototyping and testing equipment, we’ve been able to produce one of the most technologically sophisticated, performing and playable clubs in the market in a very short space of time. He added: “We
are delighted to welcome Dean Davis to the Williams Racing Golf family. Having a golfer with his incredible skills on board is a validation of the strength of the products we have created. The current range includes three models – the Player, Gold, and Women series – that will suit all types of golfer, and not just golfers with Dean’s unique talents.” Davis said: ‘’I am absolutely delighted to become associated with Williams Formula One’s golf division. The quality of the products and the attention to detail is like you have never seen before, and the distance generated through the aerodynamics is simply amazing.” He added: “It is great to be associated with a British manufacturer, coupled with the fact they are based in my home county. Williams is one of the world’s leading Formula One teams, and is today recognised as one of the most enduring and successful brands in global sport. I am extremely honored to be part of their team and to be using their products to perform my trickshot shows around the world and I am very excited as to what the future holds.” Davis, who has just finished three days of demonstrations at the Scottish Golf Show, has a packed schedule of events for the year ahead. For bookings visit www. golftrickshots. co.uk.
Poult Wood’s new coach Nick Terry
Are you up for the Poult Wood short game challenge? Poult Wood Golf Club in Kent has boosted its teaching team with the appointment of experienced PGA-qualified coach Nick Terry. A consistent winner throughout his career in Kent and the South region, Terry recently competed in the European Senior Qualifying School in Portugal and intends to combine his seniors and regional tournament schedule with his new role at Poult Wood, where he will be available for individual coaching, Get into Golf groups, and junior tuition on the driving range and out on the golf course. Known for his immaculate short game, Terry will be specialising in offering nine-hole playing lessons that come with a special challenge. Once you are within 50 yards of the green, he will drop a ball next to yours and play out the hole. Any player that can beat him from within 50 yards over the nine holes, will win a new set of Bridgestone J15 forged wedges. The nine-hole playing lesson costs £50 for one player, or £60 for two. To book an appointment, call Poult Wood on 01732 364039.
(1st April To 25th October 2015)
£145.00 per person
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For availability and to make your booking call our reservations team on 01737 832188 or email sales@kingswood-golf.co.uk
Surrey pro James Johnson shot a five-under-par 63 at Swinley Forest to win the penultimate round of The PGA in England (South) Winter Series. The Broadwater Park professional, who is a first year assistant at the Godalming-based club, won the £330 first prize as well as a ball, glove and shoe contract as the leading assistant from sponsors Titleist and FootJoy. Johnson finished three shots clear of Order of Merit leader Max Brackley (Manston), Michael Lowe (Leatherhead) and Matthew Rice (Purley Downs).
POP-UP PUTTING COURSE TO OPEN IN READING A temporary nine-hole adventure putting course has opened in Reading for the summer. The Jurassic Park-themed course, which is located by The Riverside in Reading’s town centre, is open from now until the end of September, with rounds costing £4.50 for adults and £3 for children.
YOUR F1RST MEMBERSHIP There are THOUSANDS of nomadic golfers throughout the country. Many clubs offer “Academy Membership” but the emphasis is on teaching rather than playing.
The “F1RST MEMBERSHIP” is a combination of tuition with structured access to the golf course,
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NEWS IN BRIEF RICHARDS CLAIMS HANTS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Conor Richards won the Hampshire Junior County Championship after shooting rounds of 68 and 71 at Hockley Golf Club on April 8. The 17-year-old from Shanklin & Snadown Golf Club finished one shot clear of Josh Oddy (Westridge), with Jordan Sundborg, also from Shanklin, in third. The handicap prize was won by Bramshaw’s Joe Buenfeld on 134.
HODGE WINS GRAND MEDAL QUALIFIER Hampshire’s Dawn Hodge topped the leaderboard at the South East qualifier for England Golf’s Grand Medal Final. The 11-handicapper from Shanklin & Sandown fired a net 71 at Royal Blackheath to book her place in the final along with nine other players. The other qualifiers were Terri Linskey (Wrotham Heath); Deidre Ann Hope-Gates (Lindfield); Melanie Newport (Sutton Green); Judy Ames (Royal Winchester); Stephanie Marshall (Birchwood Park); Jo Elder (Wimbledon Common); Junko Moriuchi (Hendon); Lynda Guppy (Cuddington) and Pat Whitty (Hever Castle). They’ll play off with qualifiers from five other events to find the country’s top handicap golfer at the Grand Medal Final at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire on August 13. It will be a feature of the new Golf Week festival, staged by England Golf to create a national grand finale for a host of handicap and team championships.
ANDERSON IN SEVENTH HEAVEN IN ALABAMA
Hertfordshire amateur Tomasz Anderson secured the seventh win of his US college career when winning the Grub Mart Intercollegiate at Silver Lakes in Alabama. The 22-yearold international, who is a member at Brocket Hall Golf Club in Welwyn, is a student at Jacksonville State University and is enjoying a golden run of form in America. Anderson shot rounds 71, 69 and 70 during his latest victory and tied for medallist honours with Western Kentucky’s Brandon Beckham on sixunder par. He also won this event last year and his seventh win extends his own college record of career victories.
[14] APRIL 2015 | NEWS
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Golfing friends join Jacobs to celebrate 90th birthday Peter Alliss was among members of the golfing establishment who paid tribute to John Jacobs at a surprise 90th birthday celebration held at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club in Hampshire last month. As well as his children, John and Jo, there were colleagues from the world of golf, and also his fishing companions, and friends from his village. Following a succession of birthday speeches, which included Alliss and former European Tour chief executive, Ken Schofield, there was a presentation of a portrait of Jacobs painted by former chairman of the PGA, Dr Philip Weaver. “John often talks about how lucky he has been to be able to spend his life in golf, but the reality is that golf has been very, very lucky to have had John Jacobs,” said Dr Kyle Phillpots, joint chief operating officer of the Professional Golfers’ Association. And while surprise parties aren’t the norm for most 90 year olds, Jacobs is no ordinary man, with a reputation as arguably the most influential golf coach of all time, as well as combining a successful playing career with his job as a club professional. Jacobs, who won both his matches in the 1955
Grey proves gold standard in Georgia
Ryder Cup, was also a businessman who set up a string of golf schools and brought the concept of driving ranges to Britain. Later on in his career, he took on the role of Ryder Cup captain in 1979 and 1981, and was instrumental in setting up the European Tour, where he was its first chief executive. But his real love has always been coaching. Whether through his many books or videos, or face to face, Jacobs helped thousands of golfers and coaches to understand the modern principles of
coaching. Whether a top players in the world or an enthusiastic amateur, he was able to see immediately their problem and with a few simple words explain to them how to make things better. At his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000, Butch Harmon said of him: ‘John Jacobs wrote the book on coaching. There is not a teacher out here who does not owe him something’. Even now, in his tenth decade, Jacobs is sought after by those seeking his sage advice. Recent visitors to his cottage include Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and Rory McIlroy’s coach, Michael Bannon. Although not as spritely as he would wish, having to use a walking stick means that Jacobs has a readymade teaching aide that he can turn upside down and use to demonstrate his point.
Windmill Hill hosts first pro tournament in 25 years Windmill Hill Golf Centre hosted its first professional tournament in nearly 25 years when the Thomson Tour hit the fairways at the Milton Keynes-based club on March 24. The competition saw 50 professionals take part in the 18-hole event, including Windmill Hill’s own former head professional Danny Poulter. The event was won by Northants’ pro Simon Lilly, who fired a four-under par 69 to win by a shot from Hertfordshire’s James Watts. The Thomson Tour was started 30 years ago and was one of the first tours where players competed for their own money. It gives all PGA members. including head pros, qualified assistants and registered trainees, the opportunity to play competitive events during the winter months. Former members have gone on to make the European Tour, including Ian Poulter, Simon Khan, Mark Litton and Daniel Brooks. Hosting the Thomson Tour is a testament to the dedication of the team at the centre, run by Milton Keynes Council, which has
Kent junior Jonathan Grey is continuing to rewrite the record books at Georgia State University in America, where he has become the first undergraduate to win four titles. The 22 year old from Hever Castle’s latest success came at the 36-hole Southern Intercollegiate held at Athens Country Club, where he shot rounds of 72 and 68 to win the individual title by one shot on four under par, and lift his team into second place in the team event. Grey made eight birdies during his second round, including a stretch of four in a row on the front nine. It was his second straight top-two finish this season. One of the oldest college tournaments in America, the Southern Intercollegiate has been won by a who’s who of golf, including Arnold Palmer while a member of the Wake Forest golf team. Grey followed up his win with a runner-up finish at the Tiger Invitational, presented by Jason Dufner and the Furman Intercollegiate, shooting rounds of 71, 66 and 72 to lead his team to a 16-stroke victory. Grey led or shared the lead for most of the final round before Auburn’s Michael Johnson, who is ranked among the top 100 in the country, made four back-nine birdies to win the 54-hole tournament. Grey, who is in his third year of studying psychology, won three times during the 2014 season, and became the first Georgia State student to earn Freshman All-America honours in 2013. This month he was voted the Sun Belt Conference Golfer of the Month, the fourth time he has achieved the award in the last three years. Georgia State’s head golf coach Joe Inman said: “Jonathan is taking the country by storm. Other coaches comment to us on everything he does on the course – his poise is incredible, he just does not get rattled and his ball striking is amazing. I expect him to continue to only get better as his career continues.”
Race to Burhill tees off at Birchwood worked hard to bring the course and facilities up a high standard worthy of hosting such an event. The council took over the running of the centre in 2013 to ensure it could remain open to local golfers. Since then, the club has grown in size and the quality of the facilities has improved. Councillor Liz Gifford, who has responsibility for the area’s community services, said: “It’s great news that Windmill Hill has been considered suitable to host a tournament of this stature. The centre is a valuable asset to Milton Keynes, and enables golfers to play on a high quality course for an affordable green fee.”
Birchwood Park Golf Club in Kent hosted the first event in this year’s Race to Burhill, a year-long series of competitions open to disabled golfers throughout the UK. Brian Parsons was the day’s winner, bagging 39 points and taking the top spot on countback from Hampshire’s Rob Grant, with Surrey’s Martin Jelley in third. Parsons, who has Parkinson’s Disease, also won last year’s event at Birchwood, and all of the top three finishers qualified for the Race to Burhill final, which takes places at Burhill in October.
EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL GOLF CLUB
An experience you will treasure LIMITED MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
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[16] APRIL 2015
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SPRING INTO ACTION AT SILVERMERE If you’re looking for a challenging, yet entertaining game without breaking the bank, then your next round should be at Silvermere Golf & Leisure, where continued investment in the course and the facilities is paying dividends at the popular Surrey venue
A
s you sit on the terrace at Silvermere’s Inn on the Lake, sipping a cool drink, and watching a procession of golfers attempting to hit the semi-island green that provides such a thrilling finale, it’s easy to forget you’re in Surrey. Without a cloud in the sky, and the sun beating down, you could be forgiven for thinking you were on holiday in Florida. Occupying a leafy spot half way between Cobham and Byfleet, Silvermere has been part of the golfing landscape in this corner of the country for three decades. Regardless of where you’re from, and what level of golfer you are, or aspire to, it prides itself on living up to the words written on its entrance sign, of being a place ‘where everyone is welcome’. Offering a superb 18-hole course set among mature woodland and parkland, Silvermere is one of the best-maintained and most challenging public courses in the country. In addition to the quality of the layout, the superb practice facilities – which include a brand new two-tier driving range – the renowned Doug McClelland Golf Superstore, and the wonderful hospitality on offer, it is the personal service and attention to detail that makes Silvermere such an attractive destination for all golfers, from absolute beginners to seasoned tour pros. If it’s been a while since you’ve played here,
The par-four fifth require an accurate drive to avoid finding the trees
Caption
you’ll be surprised at how much the challenging layout has matured since Neil Coles and Brian Hugget first designed it over 30 years ago. The trees that were little more than a nuisance back then are now extremely mature, and make for a testing challenge. Golfers of all handicap levels often find the first six holes quite tough, as distance and accuracy off the tee are crucial, and although the fairways are quite generous, the rough and the rhododendrons are not quite so forgiving – so if you can walk off the sixth green with your card reasonably intact, there is still hope of compiling a decent score.
The tone is set from the off, with the opening hole, a 485-yard par five, playing down a straight, tree-lined fairway before making a sweeping turn to the green that is protected by a ditch and a bunker short right. The par-three second places an early emphasis on accurate iron play, with the 189-yard hole playing to a raised, tiered green where the back pin position can be a devil to reach. At 420 yards, the third is a brute – being one of seven par fours measuring over 400 yards – and plays every inch of its stroke index three. A tight driving hole, the second shot may be downhill, but you’ll need a hybrid or well-struck long iron to reach the narrow putting surface. The sixth, the final of the woodland holes on the opening stretch, is another tester, with the camber of the fairway feeding down to a couple of well-placed bunkers on the right before dropping down to a small green that has run offs right and left. As you cross the road to play the seventh, the layout opens out a bit, but still requires a good long game to score well, especially on the par fours, such as the 8th and the 10th, both of which are over 440 yards off the back tees. The par-five 13th will also test your mettle, with a hefty blow required to carry a pond off the tee, then an blind uphill shot towards the vicinity of the green. The course is constantly being primped and preened, and a dozen holes have recently
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
APRIL 2015
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The green on the par-five opening hole is well-guarded by bunkers, while a ditch will catch loose second shots
The Inn on the Lake is a great place for food at any time of the day
The brand new two-tier driving range boasts 52 bays and is floodlit for nightime practice
SILVERMERE OFFERS GREEN FEE PROMOTIONS Golfers can enjoy an 18-hole round for £20pp during April for one hour of tee times per day, representing a saving of £10 on the standard green fees. The same offer on weekends is £30 (down from £40). Tee times booked for before 9am cost just £20pp, while those who don’t have time for 18 holes can enjoy a 9-hole round for just £15. The standard weekday green fee is £30, and £40 at weekends. To book your round, call 01932 584305.
SUMMER GOLF DAYS Silvermere has a range of group and society packages designed to cater for all sizes of golf day, starting from just £24 per person. With a wide variety of menus available, packages can include breakfast, lunch and dinner options. And for groups of 20 or more, the organiser enjoys a free place. For further information and bookings, please call 01932 584305, email sales@silvermere-golf.co.uk, or visit www.silvermere-golf.co.uk.
benefitted from a bunker remodelling programme, which not only makes them more visually appealing, but also makes the lips more visible from the tees. The remaining traps earmarked for renovation over the coming months, which will serve to add to the enjoyment – well, if you like playing from sand! There has also been investment in new paths, which has considerably smartened up the appearance of the course. Silvermere’s two finishing holes are legendary. Both feature water, and both have the potential to make or break a round. The par-three 17th, at 175 yards off the whites, requires a nerveless shot over the Silvermere Lake, where I don’t suggest you attempt to recreate the testing for Barnes Wallis’s bouncing bomb which took place here during World War II. Even if you reach the putting surface, a wickedly sloping green makes a two-putt no formality. The notorious 18th, a 336-yard par four, requires little more than a hybrid off the tee for placement, but it’s your approach shot that has to carry the
130-140 yards over water to the famous island green. It’s not the time or the place to brag about my birdie here, but safe to say I walked off the green with my chest ever so slightly puffed out as the golfers on the Inn on the Lake’s terrace looked on in awe. It’s impossible to resist joining the gallery, as a drink and a bite to eat in the Inn on the Lake is all part of the experience. As popular with local residents and businesses as it is with golfers, it serves a range of hot food and tasty snacks throughout the day, and the number of people thronging the terrace tells you all you need to know about the quality of food and service on offer. And with a number of meeting rooms and conference facilities, it also makes an ideal venue for company away days and private functions. So whether you’re looking to play the superb parkland course, buy some new gear, take a lesson, hit some balls, or simply pop in for lunch or a drink, the new-look Silvermere has all the bases well and truly covered.
The approach to Silvermere’s fourth hole is protected by a ditch
[18] APRIL 2015
Former England striker and Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker reveals his love of all things connected with a game involving the smaller white ball Interview by Shaun Curran
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GARY ON GOLF
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peaking as a golf enthusiast, as well as a former BBC golf presenter, what was your reaction to the BBC losing live TV coverage of The Open? Well, that’s the decision that the R&A has made. I was personally very surprised by it, because golf’s popularity is on the wane, and not as many youngsters are taking up the game as they used to. The Open was one of the few golf tournaments that was on terrestrial television, and to lose that is, in my view, a big blow for the sport. While Sky covers golf very well, it will get nothing like the viewing figures that it gets on the BBC. On those grounds alone, I thought it was a very surprising decision for the R&A to make. Should any sporting events be protected from pay-per-view only stations? Certain events are protected, and I’m very surprised that the Open isn’t one of them. What are your memories of watching the Open growing up? I’ve watched it on TV since my early teens. I’d get up early on Thursday morning and not move from the sofa until the end of play on Sunday. My earliest memory is watching Nicklaus and Watson slugging it out at Turnberry in 1977; then seeing Seve punching the air when he won at St Andrews in 1984; and, from a spectator’s point of view, being behind the green when Nick Faldo won at Muirfield in 1992. Lots of my more recent Open memories come from covering it, which I’ve done for quite a few years. I particularly enjoy doing the highlights show, rather than the main show, because when you do the live show you’re stuck in a studio for about 12 hours and don’t really see much golf; whereas when I did the evening highlights show, I used to be out on the course all day, walking inside the ropes, and watching my favourite players in action. Seeing Tiger Woods in his prime, or friends like Darren Clarke or Paul McGinley, was a real thrill. Who was your idol? I was always a Tom Watson fan, and followed him for years. I had a few bets on him and he was
always profitable. Then it was Nick Faldo. I liked his mechanical approach – boring, like me – though Seve was always a hero too. These days I’m a big fan of Rory [McIlroy]. He’s such a wonderful talent. He handles himself so well, and he’s so good for the sport.
handy when other places are busy. I live in Esher now. What was your best round? I shot a 68 on the Old Course at Sunningdale and a 67 at St George’s Hill, but most memorably I shot 71 to beat Ernie Els 2&1 at Queenwood – and he only gave me six shots. I should say he has had his revenge many times since then.
When did you start playing golf? I played a little bit as a kid, when I was 16 or 17, but when my football got serious, it had to take a back seat. I hardly played at all after that, until I went to Japan towards the end of my playing career, and started playing more. How low was your handicap? I got it down to five at one point, but I’ve suffered a few back injuries recently, and these days I rarely get to play. It drove me to distraction, and I much prefer watching it than playing it now. I probably played too much after I retired from football – it got a little bit compulsive really. I had some great experiences with golf; I travelled the world playing, and it’s been a real buzz. But as my TV commitments grew, I got less and less time to practise and play, and therefore the frustrations grew. Nowadays I play so badly that I want to get off the course after a few holes! What are your strengths and weaknesses? A bit like my football: I’m best from close in. I’m a good putter, with a good short game. My driving is a hook waiting to happen. Can you compare the pressures of football and golf?
Seve was one of Gary Lineker’s golfing idols
I can’t think of anything tougher than being a journeyman golfer who has to make cuts to make a living. In football you have 10 teammates to bale you out. Who are the best golfers you’ve played with? I’ve been lucky enough to play some of the world’s greatest courses alongside the likes of Faldo, Montgomerie and Ballesteros – and all without completely embarrassing myself. The thing I love about golf is that with the handicap system you can play, in theory at least, with the top players in the world on their patch. As a good amateur footballer you couldn’t play with Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford. Where do you play? I used to live near Sunningdale and I am a member there. I also play at Queenwood, which is quiet and
You presented golf on the BBC for four years. How did you find the transition from covering a sport you’d played as a professional to one that you enjoyed as an amateur? It was a big learning curve. I had a good chat with Steve Rider, my predecessor, before I presented the Masters in 2006. He said it was the toughest task in broadcasting, and he was right, because the pictures were totally out of our control. The Americans whizzed off to interviews, some feature or adverts with three seconds’ notice, and all of a sudden we were back in the studio ad-libbing about the leaderboard. I wouldn’t say I was out of my comfort zone, because golf is my passion, but I was learning as I went along. Did you ever get to play Augusta? I did. One of the members kindly invited me to play, saying it would be useful to do so before presenting the BBC’s coverage. It was hugely beneficial from that point of view, but I got completely beaten up. The new tees were way too far too back, and you can’t be hitting fairway woods and long irons into those greens. Why did you stop presenting golf?
It was before the World Cup in 2010. I knew that I’d have a lot on my plate that year, and wanted to give all my focus to football. Something had to give. Do you think Rory has the ability to go after Tiger and Nicklaus’s major records? There are so many other great players playing golf at the minute, but he’s certainly got the talent to go and win loads more majors. It’s probably a little bit early to start talking about breaking Nicklaus’s record. We all thought that Tiger was going to walk past Jack, and look what happened to him, but hopefully Rory will continue to win. Golf is suffering a bit of a drop-off in public interest. What would you do to make it more attractive for people to play? Well, you’ve got to make it interesting to young people. It takes such a long time to play 18 holes, so I suppose something that would make playing it quicker. Making golf clubs more approachable and less expensive would also help. You’ve been the face of Walkers Crisps for over 20 years now. How long do you think it will go on for? I just thought it’d be a one-off when I did the first one back in 1994, but it’s just kept going. I must say though, it has been great fun, and, of course, a real success for Walkers. I reckon I must be one of its longest-serving employees! Watch Gary’s latest ad for Walkers by visiting YouTube.com/ WalkersCrisps
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Wright bids to get back on track at Goodwood Hampshire’s Darren Wright has joined a growing list of young tour professionals at Golf At Goodwood as he bids to take his game to the next level. The 26 year old was previously a member at Rowlands Castle in Waterlooville, but has decided to switch his allegiance to Goodwood as he prepares to tackle a full season on the EuroPro Tour. Speaking about the difficult decision to leave the club where he had played since he was a junior, Wright said: “I’ve been at Rowlands Castle since I was about six or seven, but it’s time to work out what is best for me moving forward. It was tough decision, but I hope we can come to an agreement where I can still go down there and play, because I have a lot of friends there who have helped in the past.” Speaking about his newlyadopted club, Wright added: “I’ve
played at Goodwood a lot, and the place has everything. They’ve got all the facilities you need – it’s the whole package, and I felt I wanted to be a part of it.” Wright, who won the Brabazon Trophy in 2010 and the Welsh
Amateur in 2011, has found it hard to make a decent living from the professional game since leaving the amateur ranks four years ago, and has been working in his father’s property development business over the Darren Wright is hoping to rekindle his pro career with a move to Goodwood
winter to help fund another season on tour. He is expecting to play in every event on the PGA EuroPro Tour this season, with a view to a top-five finish and passage to the Challenge Tour – but he admits it is a constant battle to cover the expenses and chase prize money. “It’s been a slower journey for me than for some, but I’m not going to give up, because I know I am good enough,” he said. “I’m going to do a full season on the EuroPro Tour and see where that takes me. As with most young pros, the big thing that is holding me back is the financial side of things. I had pretty much run out of money by the end of last season, so I got to a point where I couldn’t afford to play in the next tournament.” He added: “This year is a big year for me. If I don’t push on and make a bit of money, then I
have obviously got to have a look at it again; but if I play as well as I know I can play, the money will look after itself.” Although TaylorMade helps him with equipment, without a main sponsor, Wright has been saving up the cash over the winter to give himself the best chance of rising through the ranks. And after a reasonable campaign on the EuroPro Tour last year saw him finish in 43rd place, he is looking for improvement when the new season kicks off in May. “I had a handful of top-10 finishes, including missing out on a victory at Astbury Hall by one stroke,” said Wright. “I was pretty close in a few tournaments, but didn’t cross the finishing line. I have played most of the courses on the circuit now, and I feel like I’m in a good position going into the season.”
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WATERLOO SKIPPERS BAG BRACE OF ACES Two former captains of Waterlooville Golf Club faced a hefty bar bill last month, after they both hit a hole-in-one while playing together in a monthly medal at the Hampshire venue. Malcolm Reed and Steve Millett were playing in the same group in the monthly winter aggregate competition and were both celebrating an ace within just five holes of each other. Reed, 70, who is a retired policeman, is on a remarkable hole-inone streak, having hit two other aces in the last 14 months, with the 13-handicapper’s latest achieved with an eight-iron at Waterlooville’s 131-yard third hole. Less than half an hour later, 60-year-old Millett then matched his club colleague with a six-iron at the 145-yard seventh hole. Reed said: “I hit mine pretty well, then it caught the back edge of the bunker and rolled gently up to the hole and dropped in. There was just stunned silence. It was unbelievable. I had been playing for 42 years and never had one, but now I’ve got three in just over a year. Then four holes later, Steve got one!’ Millett, who plays off 14, had had one previous ace in his career – at Waterlooville’s third hole – before his latest effort. He said: “I hit it to the middle of the green with a bit of a fade on it. It pitched once and rolled about four or five feet straight in the hole. We all saw it go in. We’ve seen it happen occasionally over the years, but not two in the space of about 25 minutes.” According to a recent study, the odds for two players in the same fourball achieving a hole-in-one in the same round are 1.3 million to one. And Millett, the 1998 club captain, confirmed that traditions had been followed at the 19th hole. He said: “We bought a bottle of brandy and a bottle of Scotch, and we got through them both with the help of the other members in the clubhouse!”
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
APRIL 2015
[21]
Richmond to repeat ‘Race to Algarve’ The winner of a weekly winter golf league held at Richmond Park Golf Course in Surrey is preparing to jet off to Portugal after winning a week’s holiday in Vale do Lobo as the first prize. Eight-handicapper Phil Taggart (pictured second left) picked up the prize, which is worth over £800, with a flawless performance over the Race to the Algarve league’s 15 games. Runner up was Martin Currie, who won the latest Motocaddy S1 digital trolley, while third place went to
Namjun Kim, who received a GolfBuddy GPS watch. Nick McArthur, sales manager at Richmond Park, who presented the winners with their prizes, said: “We’re delighted to present such a fantastic prize, supplied courtesy of Owners Direct. Phil got off to a great start and fought off fierce competition to be the eventual league winner. He’s now got some more amazing golf to look forward to in Vale de Lobo!” Following the popularity of the Race to
the Algarve Winter League, Richmond Park is launching a new summer series starting in May. League games are played every Thursday over a 10-hole version of the Prince’s Course. There will be prizes for every weekly game and Owners Direct is providing the grand prize of a week’s stay in Vale de Lobo for the league winner. The Race to the Algarve league tees off on May 14, with green fees costing £16. For more information call 0208 876 3205 or go to www.glendalegolf.co.uk.
‘Girls Golf Rocks’ aims to get more Essex girls into golf
Twelve members of the Essex County Girls squad have been trained as mentors to run a project promote the game to a brand new audience with the help of four of the county’s golf clubs. The project, which is being led by the Golf Foundation and supported by England Golf and Active Essex, has seen the county girls’ squads – all of whom are aged between 12 and 17 – encouraged to communicate the social and health benefits of the game, and to help break down some of the barriers for new players. The ‘Girls Golf Rocks’ campaign teed off with a big taster session in April at each of the four clubs taking part – Little Channels, Crowlands Heath, Playgolf Colchester and The Rayleigh Club. Three county squad girls will be helping out at each club, and following the taster sessions – in which local schoolchildren will be welcomed by the PGA Professional – there will be a four-week structured coaching programme provided by the clubs, before a final all-inclusive competition takes place on the par-3 course at Channels in May, where new young players will play with their mentors. Katie Moggan, regional development officer for the Golf Foundation, said: “The Essex County Girls really do deserve great credit for launching ‘Girls Golf Rocks’, and it is very much their project. As young, athletic players who love this game, and who exhibit a great sense of fun when playing golf, you really couldn’t find better ambassadors for this sport.”
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[22] APRIL 2015
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LOST COURSES ROYAL ISLE OF WIGHT
EVEN ROYAL STATUS CAN’T NECESSARILY GUARANTEE A CLUB’S SURVIVAL, AS JEREMY ELLWOOD DISCOVERED WHEN DELVING INTO THE HISTORY OF A NINE-HOLER IN BEMBRIDGE WHICH CLOSED IN 1961
W
hen I first took an interest in the subject of lost courses, it never occurred to me that any club bestowed with Royal status might have suffered the ultimate fate. So when I discovered that Royal Isle of Wight in Bembridge had succumbed back in the early 1960s, I assumed it had to be the only one. Wrong again, as I then learned there had also been a Royal Cornwall Golf Club on Bodmin Moor during a long chat with John and Marie Llewellyn, who have devoted over 25 years to compiling the ultimate reference source for lost golf courses with their fascinating website, golfsmissinglinks.com.uk, inspired by the discovery of a lost course right on their doorstep at Towynon-Sea. Back to the Isle of Wight, and the little nine-hole links in Bembridge was actually one of the very earliest courses in England (the sixth to be built outside of Scotland) playing over a modest plot of linksland by a sea wall called the Duver, near the village of St Helens. Formed in 1882, the course was the brainchild of Captain Jack Eaton, a keen local sportsman and sailor, who was also pretty handy
NOW
THEN at golf, having won the Kennard Gold Medal at Hoylake in 1875. Using the existing sand dunes and gorse bushes as hazards, the turf for the fairways and greens was brought in from as far afield as Cumbria to create the links, although the majority of it came from nearby Bembridge Down. Built by a group of Scottish groundsmen, the first ball was struck by the wife of the club’s first captain, Dudley Hambrough. In August 1883, HRH Prince
Edward agreed to become president of the fledgling club, and in September its Royal status was confirmed in a letter from Queen Victoria, whose summer residence, Osborne House, was 13 miles away. Membership quickly grew to 50 by the end of 1883, and by the start of the World War I had ballooned to 170. Although starting out a men-only course, it became mixed after the war, with ladies being fully integrated into the club in 1918.
Thanks to its royal patronage, the club also boasted some illustrious members, including Prime Minister Arthur Balfour (1902-1905) and Lord Brabazon, while many of the game’s great players made the journey over to the island to play the course. Harry Vardon, James Braid and JH Taylor – the Great Triumvirate – were all known to have played the course, as did 1920 Open champion George Duncan. After his round, Vardon commented: “It’s a beautiful course, but very difficult, and from some of its tees it’s like driving down a gas pipe.” Despite it’s modest length – 2,901 yards – and only having nine holes, the club was deemed worthy of hosting the Hampshire Championship in 1885, 1898, and again in 1903. It was a compact plot, and as such there was some criss-crossing of holes and a number of doglegs, with the fairly perfunctory hole names, such as Mill Dam, Church, Ferry, Quarry,
Gap, Fort and Column, drawn from local landmarks or the topography of the land. The longest hole was aptly-named opening Far Hole, which measured 448 yards, while the shortest was the par-three 7th, Punchbowl, at 137 yards. But even Royal status could not guarantee its survival, and the beginning of the end came with World War II and a change in the holidaying habits of the British, no longer drawn in such numbers to large hotels on the coast. By 1961, the club had just a dozen or so members, who ultimately decided to hand the land and the clubhouse over to the National Trust for the general enjoyment of all, with the club’s honours boards and trophies passing into the custody of Sandown and Shanklin Golf Club, while the clubhouse became available for guests to rent as a holiday cottage. Visitors to the site today can quite clearly make out that it was once a golf course, although 25 years have now elapsed since Sir Peter Allen commented in his excellent ‘Sunley Book of Royal Golf’: ‘And yet – and yet – it could all come back, I think. The course could be recovered’. Sadly, as with many of our lost courses, that is likely to remain merely wishful thinking.
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APRIL 2015 [23]
Hindhead wins Surrey Scratch Plate
Scade eases to victory at Essendon Ingrebourne Links professional James Scade gave a firm hint that his game is once again in fine fettle with a three-shot triumph in the PGA East Region’s Qualifying School held at Essendon Country Club in Hertfordshire. Scade won back-to-back victories in the 2012 and 2013 Assistants’ Championships, but last season a serious thumb ligament injury to his left hand checked his progress. Happily, the 25 year old appears to be back on track, judging by two days’ excellent work over Essendon’s New Course, with rounds of 71 and 66 giving him a seven-under par total and a threeshot victory over Andy Shakespear (Warren), with Noel Quinn (Whipsnade Park) in third. The last four to earn full playing rights for this year’s Order of Merit were Mark Alexander (MA Golf), Tom Allen (Old Fold Manor), Douglas Henderson (Stockwood Park) and David Griffith (Oxhey Park).
The final of the 2014 Surrey Scratch Plate was won by Hindhead Golf Club after a near six-month delay. The tournament was due to be held in October last year, but bad weather forced it to be postponed, with a date in early March being the only time that the teams from Hindhead and Malden could get together again. The teams finally clashed over Wentworth’s East Course last month, where Hindhead’s scratch team of Dougie Hunter, Ian Rennie, Scott Pluthero , Jason Allocca and George Theodore prevailed 4-1, with Hunter the only player to suffer defeat in a convincing victory.
Prize guys: Hindhead’s mens’ scratch team
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[24] APRIL 2015
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
KHAN-DO ATTITUDE
Essex-born Tour player Simon Khan reveals the reasons for his stop-start 2014 season, and why he’s gunning to add another BMW PGA Championship title to his CV
T
Can you talk us through your 2014 season? It was a bit of a year off for me in the end. I had a decent 2013, finishing second at Wentworth, although I didn’t quite finish off the season as I wanted. But I made the Final Series, so it was a decent year considering that I had a few weeks off at the start. Then my wife, who had ruptured her diaphragm, had to go in for more surgery at the start of 2014, so I didn’t play for four months until Morocco. When I came back I had some niggly injuries at first, but then a shoulder injury later on that I thought might need surgery. But I’ve done some work on that and hopefully avoided the need for an operation. So golf took a back seat in 2014, with everything else that was going on. I knew I had the exemption from winning the PGA in 2010, and this is my last year of that. So if ever there was a right year to have some time off, it was last year. But I’m feeling fitter now, and my wife’s on the mend.
Do you still enjoy the grind of life on tour? Yes, the desire is still there. I think that’s the main thing. I’m 42 now, but I still feel like I want to work hard to reach my potential, and I’ve still got some goals left to achieve. Do you have to look after the body more carefully as you get older? I think so. I started out on tour 15 years ago – although I’ve been a pro a lot longer – and the information is much better now for the younger guys, in terms of what they need to do to keep themselves in physical shape. I neglected that over the last few years, and just did my own thing. But I think you’ve got to do the rehab stuff, because we’re bent over the ball for so long every day that you’ve got to get yourself straight again afterwards. How hard is it keeping up with the young guns? I’m below average in the distance stakes, but that’s never really been my strength anyway. It’s always been about hitting fairways
and good iron play for me, and certain weeks are always going to suit me more – like the PGA at Wentworth or an Open, where the premium is more on accuracy and shot-making. The French Open is another one I like, but you can’t just turn up and dismiss your chances; so I feel like I can compete any week when I’m on my game. Experience still counts for a lot in golf – thankfully! Why the love affair with Wentworth? A lot of English players look at the West Course fondly, having grown up watching the World Match Play and the PGA. I think there’s something about the trees and the atmosphere, and obviously the crowds are brilliant. There’s something about the course visually that I like too. It suits my eye and what you need to do on each hole really stands out to me. There are a couple of holes where distance does help, but generally, everyone is hitting it to the same position; even if you’re hitting driver, while others are hitting long irons or 3-woods. Rather than it
being about distance, it’s more about positioning the ball, which is what I enjoy doing. What’s your take on the course changes? They obviously had to be tweaked again, with big changes to 18, but they changed the composition of the greens, too. If they had been the same type of greens as before and then raised up, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem. But because they became so much firmer and then raised, it was a double whammy. There are probably a couple of other holes that I’d be slightly critical of, but saying that, the course is now settling in and there are a lot of good things on the front nine which I feel are real improvements, particularly the third and seventh greens. On the whole, I think it’s been a good thing. It’s definitely made the course tougher, and 12 under is now winning, as opposed to 17 or 18. I love it – I won’t ever fall out of love with that place. Do you ever look at that course and think, ‘If I could just
reproduce this form everywhere’? Yeah, but it’s hard to recreate it sometimes. I try to think of our tour now like the Tour de France or something like that, where not every week or stage is going to suit you, and you just try to get a result. That’s how I’m thinking of it this year – to try to be more consistent. Malaysia, for example, is blinking hot, and if you’re of a slighter build than me you can perhaps handle it a bit better. But I still believe I can go there and do well, because at the end of the day, it’s still golf. Have you set yourself any goals for 2015? It’s really about consistency – that’s what I’d like this year. Everyone wants to win again, but I feel with golf, getting yourself in the frame again a few times helps. But thinking back to 2013, I had quite a few weeks off, and then came to Wentworth and almost won. The thing with golf is that it comes back very quickly, and I know that when I get in position again, I won’t shy away from it. It would be great to win again.
NEWS | APRIL 2015 [25]
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Richings opens Footgolf course
Vintage comedy golf trophy raises funds for children’s charity A Victorian golf trophy inscribed with the names of famous comedians has been auctioned off for a children’s charity after being discovered in a loft in a family home in Essex. The silver embossed cup, thought to be more than 100 years old, was found in the attic of a founding member of the Comedians’ Golfing Society. Entertainer Patrick Jacobs, of Great Bardfield in Braintree, said: “The cup was rediscovered by one
of our members, and it is rather large and a bit too worn for use as a modern day prize. There are 12 plaques inscribed with the names of the winners of the cup around the base, and it transpires the plaques are made out of silver, dated all the way back to 1907. He added: “Some of the recognisable names inscribed on the plaques are comedians Mike Read, who lived near Dunmow, and Stan Boardman. Actor Bob Curtiss, black and white minstrel
BB5-TRADE-15-trims-A4bleed:Layout 1
Richings Park Golf Club in Buckinghamshire has become the latest club to join the FootGolf craze. The Iver-based venue has built a dedicated 18-hole FootGolf course, which was trialled by members of Wycombe Wanderers’ Football Club last month. The course, which measures just over 1,700 yards and has a par of 70, officially opened to the public over the Easter bank holiday weekend, with rounds costing £15 for guests and £12 for members of the golf club. Lizzie Price
PRICE TO SKIPPER SUSSEX GIRLS Nevill Golf Club’s Lizzie Price has been announced at this year’s Girls Sussex Junior captain following the Spring Meeting played at Sweetwoods Park on March 31. The 16-year-old student, who currently plays off a handicap of 4.8, is delighted to have been picked for the role. “It’s a great feeling to be worthy of the job, as I was proposed by both my team mates and the Junior Organiser. I am very excited to be chosen, it has made me very happy – I can’t wait for 2015 summer golf to start!” Pat Johns, Sussex’s junior organiser, said: “Lizzie was a natural choice, because she is an excellent role model for younger players and never appears to get flustered on the course. She is able to motivate and encourage girls of all standards with her witty sense of humour.”
10/3/15
15:14
John Warwick, and impressionist Steve Tracey are also named.” The Victorian bronze cup, originally covered with gold gilt, which has mostly worn away, raised £400 at an auction held Bocking Arts Theatre in Braintree on March 25. The Comedians’ Golfing Society, which was founded in 1977, raises
Page 1
money for people in need, often providing specialist wheelchairs and other equipment for children with disabilities. Mr Jacobs, who captain’s the society, said: “The society plays golf courses in Gosfield and Stisted and we were founded nearly 40 years ago. Famous members have included Roger De Courcey, Brian Connolly and Bobby Davro.”
[26] APRIL 2015
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
MATT FORD’S
TOUR DIARY
A SECOND-PLACED FINISH IN THE AFRICA OPEN HAS GOT OUR HOME-GROWN HERO’S SEASON OFF TO A FLYING START, BUT HE’S NOT ABOUT TO SPLASH OUT ON ANY FAST CARS OR LUXURY HOLIDAYS WHEN THERE’S STILL A CARD TO BE EARNED
I’
m delighted to report that just days after writing last month’s column, I headed to East London for the Africa Open, spent the whole week around the lead, and eventually finished runner up to earn my biggest ever cheque of €120,484. I jumped to around 40th on the Race to Dubai, and climbed 363 places in the world rankings from to 402nd. March was a very good month! It wasn’t a bombers’ course, like some I’ve played, and there wasn’t much advantage to hitting the ball 300 yards. We were back at sea level, so it was a bit windy, and there was no real benefit to hitting the ball high. It was more about keeping the ball lower – and that’s just my cup of tea. I’ve had some good first rounds, so my opening 67 wasn’t anything new; but to still be leading after my second-round 66 was quite a big step. Being in the last group for the third round was probably the biggest thing, because although I was leading for much of round two – even holing a full wedge on the 12th for an eagle two – I didn’t get much TV coverage. So the third round was where it really became a new experience for me. I was nervous and excited.
You’re obviously happy you’re up where you want to be, and the pressure and the nerves are something you want, so they’re not really negatives. But dealing with heightened levels of anxiety and emotion, and everything that was going on, was new. Overall, I think I handled it pretty well. There were a couple of little mistakes, but I kept it going quite nicely to shoot three under. I
63, 64 and win by five, but I had plenty of birdies too – including one on the last – to shoot 67 and finish runner-up, three clear of third place for that career-high cheque. But the Order of Merit is the most important thing. Those are the cheques you need – big chunks from top-10 finishes – and I’ll need a couple more of those before my card is secure for next season. That said, it’s a big step in the right
Dealing with heightened levels of anxiety and emotion was a new experience for me, but overall I think I handled it pretty well
direction. I said in my last column that the money situation can prey on your mind, so it definitely takes a little bit of weight off your shoulders. If I go a few months missing cuts, I start thinking ‘Am I covering the mortgage? Am I paying my bills?’ Now all of a sudden I don’t have to worry about that for a few months, and hopefully, longer, depending on how well I keep playing. No treats for myself or my family just yet though. If I’m going to spend any money, it will probably be out of
wasn’t too aware of what Trevor Fisher was doing until I walked down the 18th and saw he was two clear. That third round was really important, because going into Sunday I’d had all those new experiences on Saturday, so being in the hunt in the final round wasn’t quite such a shock to the system. Trevor obviously had the weekend of his life to shoot
the next cheque, not this one! I missed the cut in the next tournament, the Tshwane Open, by one, but I don’t think it was a direct knock-on effect of the previous week’s success; it was more to do with the four weeks before. It was my fifth event in a row, and I was feeling drained, although I’m sure the excitement of the previous week added to the draining effect. Missing the cut by one is one of worst things in professional golf; even more so having birdied the last two holes. I gave myself lots of chances, but just didn’t hole anything outside 15 feet for two whole rounds, which was disappointing. But overall my game wasn’t that bad - it just wasn’t quite there. Sadly, that big result doesn’t make much difference to my schedule, as the only way to really change your category is by winning. I still won’t know about China in April until two weeks before – and as for Wentworth, that’s going to be tight. Last year, fourth at Qualifying School was last man in, but going on Abu Dhabi this year, I may end up missing out by two or three spots – unless something happens, like a top-ten the week before in Spain… or a win, of course, between now and then!
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WENTWORTH CLUB, SURREY, 19-24 MAY 2015
YOUR SPECIAL BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
[28] APRIL 2015
BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
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Wentworth Club once again provides a fitting stage for the European Tour’s showcase event, the BMW PGA Championship, where world No.1 Rory McIlroy will be bidding to defend the title he won in such style 12 months ago
STARS COME OUT TO PLAY THE PGA SPECTATOR INFORMATION ADVANCED TICKETS Daily Ticket - Adult Tue 19 May, Practice Day £8 (Gate Price £10) Wed 20 May, Celebrity Pro-Am £13 (£15) Thu 21- Fri 22 May, 1st & 2nd Rds £36 (£40) Sat 23 May, 3rd Rd £41 (£45) Sun 24 May, 4th Rd £46 (£50) Seniors, Disabled £21/£26/£31 (£25/£30/£35) All under 16s go free with a paying adult (max 4 per adult) Season Ticket (Thurs 21–Sun 24 May) Adults: £81; Seniors, Disabled & Unaccompanied Juniors: £56 Weekend Ticket (Sat 23–Sun 24 May) Adults: £71; Senior Citizens, Disabled & Unaccompanied Juniors: £40 BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.EUROPEANTOUR.COM/TICKETS OR TELEPHONE 0800 023 2557
GRANDSTAND SEATING Reserved seating in the 18th green grandstand will be available for pre-booking over all four days of the Championship. Thursday and Friday tickets are priced at £10; £15 for Saturday, and £20 on Sunday. There will also be free grandstands at the 7th, 14th and 16th holes on the opening two days. PROGRAMME The official programme, which includes the daily news and a draw sheet, will be available to purchase for a voluntary donation of £2. All of the money raised from donations will be given to the Teenage Caner Trust, a network of 28 specialist units around the county, including the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey, which provides care, support and treatment for children diagnosed with the disease. CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Whether entertaining clients, colleagues, or friends and family, the Clubhouse, Championship and Player packages offer great valiue for money. The Clubhouse Package (£360+VAT) is available for the third and fourth rounds only, and offers up to 12 guests access to a private table located in the Clubhouse Ballroom, including reserved VIP parking; breakfast; prelunch champagne reception; a three-course lunch with wine; complimentary bar; and afternoon tea. The Championship Package (£295+VAT), which is available for the first and second rounds, offers up to 12 guests a private table in the Championship Village, starting with hot breakfast rolls; a free bar; champagne reception; and a three-course lunch with wine, followed by afternoon tea. The Player Package (£185+VAT) is available for those looking to take advantage of informal hospitality. For bookings, call 01344 840538 or email rgordon@ europeantour.com.
CHAMPIONSHIP VILLAGE BMW and the European Tour are staging a number of activities and events for spectators throughout the week, including themed displays in the Championship Village. Besides all the latest BMW models on display, there are BMW Longest Drive simulators to try out, and an EA Sports
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BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
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here’s something extremely satisfying when the best players win the biggest tournaments, and although Rory McIlroy didn’t know it at the time, his fabulous four days over the West Course last May signalled the beginning of a stunning season that doubled his major tally – courtesy of wins at The Open and the US PGA Championship – and returned him to the top of the world rankings. Incredibly, McIlroy’s victory at last year’s BMW PGA Championship was his first on UK soil, but there was no more fitting place to break that particular duck than at Wentworth Club, home of
the European Tour. In front of yet another full house, the young man from Northern Ireland showed that he was as comfortable chasing down the pack as he was leading from the front. In this instance, he came from a seemingly impossible seven shots behind third-round leader Thomas Bjørn to take the spoils, shooting a magnificent final round 66 to finish on 14 under par. But all that is history now – albeit recent history ¬– as the cream of European golf once again assembles at the European Tour’s spiritual and physical home to find out who will be crowned BMW PGA Champion for 2015. McIlroy will no doubt have a large part to play in determining who that champion will be, but the 25 year old will have to bring his very best game to the table if he is to join Colin Montgomerie, Sir Nick Faldo and Luke Donald and become only the fourth player in the 61-year history of the tournament to successfully defend the PGA Championship. Although the historic title itself is always the main draw for the players, the prize money isn’t too shabby either. Thanks to BMW’s generous backing, the fund for this year’s renewal has hit the magic €5 million mark. As well as ensuring a hefty pay day for the winner – a life-changing sum for many – those finishing in the top dozen or so can go a long way towards securing their cards for the following season with four good days’ work over the West Course. As well as attracting strong
CATERING There is a wide range of bars and catering facilities in the Theatre of Food, including the Nespresso Connoisseur Club and the Lindt Chocolate shop. There is plenty of seating in front of two big screens, and a hole-by-hole scoreboard for fans to keep up with all the on-course action. There is also a merchandise tent, and a free public crèche sponsored by BMW. START TIMES Play starts at 7am on May 21-22. Other times are subject to numbers making the cut. The Celebrity Pro-Am on May 20 consists of two shotgun starts at 8am and 1pm. PARKING A limited amount of on-site parking, at a cost of £10 per day, is available for customers who pre-book tickets online. There will be no parking charge for BMW owners and official badge holders. A free Park & Ride system will operate between 6.30am and 8.30pm from two locations – one near Sunningdale, carrying traffic from the West (M3 and M4) and one at Ascot Racecourse. Both parks are operating a free shuttle bus service to Wentworth every five minutes, with the journey time taking around ten minutes.
Trailer, as well as remote-controlled cars for younger drivers. There is also the HSBC Road Hole Bunker Challenge, the Mega Putt Challenge, and numerous hitting nets for visitors to have their swings analysed by a team of PGA Professionals.
TRAIN Virginia Water is served by regular trains from London Waterloo, which take 41 minutes. A free on-course bus shuttle service will be operating from the station to the course during tournament days.
support from the players, the BMW PGA Championship has also grown as a spectacle, with tens of thousands of fans making their way to Wentworth to soak in the atmosphere of one of the summer’s greatest sporting occasions. The PGA’s Celerity has become something of a hot ticket in itself, with stars from stage, screen and sport queuing up to join the game’s top players in taking on the West Course. With shotgun starts at 8am and 1pm, the Pro-Am provides a great chance to get up close with your favourite personalities. This year’s event will feature over 50 celebrities, including Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Allan Lamb, Sir Ian Botham, AP McCoy, Jamie Redknapp, Tim Henman, Peter Schmeichel, and Sir Matthew Pinsent. The entertainment doesn’t stop after the golf has finished either, with live concerts from Kenney Jones from The Who and The Faces, with The Jones Gang after play on Saturday night, while the All Stars will be providing the tunes on Sunday evening, all thanks to generous support from Long Reach Insurance. But if it’s the stars of golf that you’ve come to watch, then this year’s Championship offers an opportunity to see many from last year’s victorious Ryder Cup team in action on European soil for the first time since their magnificent win at Gleneagles. In addition to the world No.1 and defending champion, fans will be able to see Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell,
APRIL 2015 [29]
Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, Stephen Gallacher, Jamie Donaldson and Victor Dubuisson in action. This year also sees a member of US Ryder Cup team making the trip over from the States, with Patrick Reed looking to silence the home fans on his next overseas sortee. Top courses have a tradition of bringing out the best in top players, and there’s no doubting the star of the show at Wentworth is its majestic West Course. Following its £6.5 million renovation in 2009, the historic layout has been transformed into one of the toughest inland courses in championship golf. And with further alterations having been made in recent seasons, the 2015 version of the West Course will provide a testing, yet fair challenge to Europe’s finest players. While the course’s overall yardage remains at 7,302 yards, deep and strategically-positioned bunkers, tough pin positions, run-offs, and undulating putting surfaces will ensure that whoever wins the coveted title will have to be at the very top of their game. Last year, almost 100,000 fans came to watch the action unfold, and that number looks set to be matched this year, as a golden generation of European golfers fight it out for the honour of being crowned BMW PGA Champion. Who will emerge triumphant remains to be seen, but it’s guaranteed to be an enthralling contest that should not be missed.
GOLFNEWS’ TIPS FOR THE TITLE IF NOT RORY, THEN WHO? JUSTIN ROSE The former US Open champion chased Jordan Spieth all the way in this month’s Masters, and the 34 year old has more than enough form over the West Course – including runner up finishes in 2007 and 2012 – to suggest that he will be able to do himself justice in a tournament that he would dearly love to add to his already glowing CV.
LUKE DONALD The former world No.1 knows the West Course like the back of his hand, and enjoyed two of the finest moments of his career here when winning back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. Although his form has slipped over the last 18 months, the 37 year old from Beaconsfield will be gunning to add a third PGA title to his impressive record.
BMW UK
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THE BIG HITTERS ARE BACK. BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP. WENTWORTH CLUB, 21–24 MAY 2015.
europeantour.com/tickets
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COMPETITION | APRIL 2015
FIVE PAIRS OF SEASON TICKETS FOR THE 2015 BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE WON!
G
olf News is delighted to offer five lucky readers the opportunity to win a pair of season tickets for this year’s BMW PGA Championship, played over the famous West Course at Wentworth Club, Surrey, on May 21-24.
These season tickets are worth £162 a pair, and the lucky winners will be able to attend all six days of the championship, including the practice day, the Pro-Am day, and all four days of the tournament. With a prize fund of €5 million, the BMW PGA Championship is the flagship event on the European Tour and always attracts the cream of European golf. Last year saw Rory McIlroy bag the title in thrilling style, and this year he will be bidding for further glory at Wentworth alongside a stellar cast list of stars of the European game, including many of last year’s Ryder Cup team.
To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets, all you need to do is answer the question below correctly, and email your answer to: info@ golfnews.co.uk, with ‘BMW PGA Competition’ in the subject line, and including your name, address and contact telephone number. The closing date for entries is May 5, 2015. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. QUESTION: What score did Rory McIlroy shoot in the final round to win the 2014 BMW PGA Championship? For more information on this year’s BMW PGA Championship, go to www.europeantour.com/ tickets or telephone 0800 023 2557.
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[31]
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MEET THE PRO | APRIL 2015 [33]
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
MEET THE PRO MARK WOOD
Patshull Park Golf and Resort Hotel APRIL 2015 [33]
Pattingham, Nr Wolverhampton WV6 7HR
DALE HILL HOTEL & GOLF CLUB, WADHURST, EAST SUSSEX
How long have you been a PGA professional? I have been a fully-qualified PGA Professional since 1999, and got my PGA Advanced Professional status in 2006. I have been with the club since 2002 as the head teaching professional.
We are pleased to announce the following great golf offers:
What is your day-to-day role? Providing first-class tuition to my clients at Dale Hill. What’s the best thing about your job? Working with great clients and being able to utilise the latest teaching technology, such Flightscope and V1 video analysis, to help them to achieve their goals. I am very fortunate to meet a fantastic diversity of people every day, while pursuing my passion. And the worst? British winters are not the most productive climate when it comes to coaching golf. However, I have an indoor swing and putting suite to help deal with this, which takes the sting out of those bitterly cold days. Tell us about the facilities... At Dale Hill we are very proud of our two 18-hole courses – the Ian Woosnam-designed course and the Dale Hill course. Both are positioned in over 350 acres of undulating hills and historic woodland, with stunning views. Each course has been designed to offer something for everyone. Woosnam described his course as ‘challenging enough to test the pros, yet accessible enough to be enjoyed by amateurs’, which just about sums it up. There’s also a driving range, indoor swing and putting suite, two practice putting greens, a practice bunker, and a fleet of 40 buggies. It has a hotel with conference suites and 35 ensuite bedrooms, an indoor heated pool and a gym. There are also two very nice restaurants – the Eighteenth and the AA Rosetteaward Wealden View. What is the club doing to attract junior and female golfers? We have been giving away free junior membership to existing adult members to draw more youngsters to the club. Our junior section is run by two junior organisers. We also offer weekly group coaching sessions and individual lessons for juniors. I coach at a couple of the
Two Night Golf Breaks local schools and this works very well as an outreach for the club. We also offer weekly group coaching sessions for women, as well as individual lessons throughout the year. The competitions for women members often attract over 60 players, and this provides a really nice social platform. What do you think would stimulate more people to take up golf? I feel more people would take up the game if we concentrated on pushing the fitness and social aspects of the game. It’s a sport you can play from eight to 80, and is not only good for business, but is great for life-long friendships. How should clubs go about retaining existing members? I think clubs sometimes lose sight of the lifetime value of a member, as, on average, a member stays a at a club for 10 years. So once you add up the 10 years’ worth of subs, the spend behind the bar, the spend in the pro shop, bringing guests to play, attending club functions, fees for club competitions etc, value is very important and should not be overlooked. How much time do you spend teaching? Eight hours a day in the summer and slightly less in the winter. What’s the most common swing fault you have to correct? Slicing. I am lucky enough to use the latest technology, so this becomes an easy fault to fix for the golfer, as they understand why the slice occurs and how we can easily fix it. What’s being selling well in the pro shop recently? We had a good year in the shop in 2014. Callaway had some strong products in their range last year, and this year looks really good as well so were hoping for even better
things. Most of the Big Bertha products are now available, with the new XR range. What’s the best swing tip you’ve ever received? It is not a swing tip really, it was more a piece of advice. Set yourself some goals short term and long term, and write them down where you can refer back to them on a weekly basis. As you reach your goals set new ones. This drives you as an individual to better yourself at anything you do. What has been your career highlight as a player? Equalling the course record in a pro-am. I shot an eight-under par 63. However, as I am full-time teaching professional, my highlights these days are more likely to come from my clients’ achievements. Who is your golfing hero? Seve Ballesteros. I remember watching him play when the European Open came to East Sussex National in the early 1990’s. I was lucky enough to be a steward on the first tee and his presence was massive. Watching how the crowds reacted to him, and the aura around him, was very special, and inspired me to become the best golfer I could be. Who inspired you to take up golf? It was more a case of ‘what’, rather than ‘who’, as when I was a youngster my parents moved to a house that was directly opposite Seaford Head Golf Course in Sussex, and within six months I was out there in all weathers. Which three other people would be in your dream fourball? Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
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w w w. p a t s h u l l - p a r k . c o. u k
[34] APRIL 2015
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
After waiting patiently in the wings since playing his last Ryder Cup in 2006, Darren Clarke is fighting fit to tackle the challenge of leading the European team into battle at Hazeltine in 18 months’ time
DARREN’S MOMENT
The way Paul McGinley did things at Gleneagles pretty much created the blueprint for the way that it should be done.
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APRIL 2015 [35]
Clake has served two stints as vice captain, including under José Maria Olazabal at Medinah in 2012
W
here exactly were you when you were offered the captaincy? I’d played 18 holes with my son, Tyrone, in the morning, and we had come back home to wait for the news with Alison [his wife]. It was a very long couple of hours. I didn’t know which way the committee was going to vote, so although I was hopeful it would go my way, I couldn’t say I was certain. I was obviously delighted when the call finally came through and they asked me to be captain. How long have you wanted this job? The more I played in the Ryder Cup, the more I wanted to become captain and, to be honest, if I could have chosen where and when, then it would have been America and now. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing in the States, and I have always felt very welcome, so I am particularly delighted that everything I wanted has come to fruition. Europe has a chance to make history by winning the Ryder Cup for the fourth time in
succession, and I am absolutely thrilled to have that opportunity. But whatever happens, I will do everything in my power to ensure the good name of the game, and the true spirit of this incredible match, is carried forward. How do you rank this honour against winning The Open? Winning the Open was obviously a very personal thing. Being afforded the honour of being captain of the Ryder Cup is a team thing. I’m only there to try and help the players. The Ryder Cup has been so special to me for so long, and obviously it’s part of my golfing career; so to be given this opportunity is very special to me and means a great deal.
maybe bring a little bit of that to it, that would be great.
You’re captaincy bid had the support of a strong group of players, including Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. How much of a difference do you think that ultimately made? It meant an awful lot that those guys were supporting me and had the trust in me to be their captain. Hopefully I’ll be able to repay them in any small way that I can as captain going to Hazeltine. Following Paul McGinley’s successful tenure, are you looking to adopt an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach in terms of number of the wildcards and assistants? Everyone knows how good a job Paul did at Gleneagles, and how successful that whole event was, so I think it would be very stupid to move away from that. I will obviously consult with other past captains, and try and get as much information as I can as to what was successful; but I think the way Paul did things at Gleneagles pretty much created the blueprint for the way that it should be done. How much are you relishing the challenge of captaining an away leg? Our recent run of wins was always going to create some sort of backlash, so the Americans are always going to be up for it, and want to get it back home more than ever. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in matches both home and away. They are totally different events. On a home soil match, the supporters are extremely partisan, as you’d you expect. That’s all part and parcel of the Ryder Cup. And even more so in recent years, when the noise has been getting bigger and bigger. Most of our prospective Ryder Cup team – and indeed the ones that played in the last Ryder Cup – live and play in America, so the US fans are used to watching them compete. It’s still 12 guys against 12 guys playing match play, but the home advantage is definitely something that should be taken into consideration.
I know it’s a bit early to be talking about the line up of the team, but how good would it be for you personally to see Lee Westwood in the final twelve? We’ve been very good friends for a very long time, and Lee’s support to me over the years has been invaluable. He was my partner on the first tee at The K Club in 2006, and I wouldn’t have wanted to stand beside any other man. He’s a very good friend. If you look at how he’s playing now, he’s still one of the best players in the world, and with the experience that he has, I can only hope that he makes the team again. Clarke battled heartbreak to win his singles in the Ryder Cup at The K Club in 2006
No team on either side has won four times in a row. How confident are you that you can keep the ball rolling? With the players that we have at our disposal, I think it’s definitely an achievable feat. But it will be difficult going to America, there’s no question about that. The home crowd always makes the difference. Medinah was very special, the way the guys performed on Sunday, doing what they did, coming back from where they did. But I would expect a very stern test from the Americans. Which qualities do you feel you’ll bring to the captaincy? My role is to make the players feel as comfortable as they possibly can. I’ve got to try and help the guys enjoy it, and play their best that particular week. But at the end of the day, it’s not about me. It’s about the players. It’s about the team – and I’ll try and make sure that the team has an enjoyable week, which is quite difficult in a stressful atmosphere like the Ryder Cup. But if the guys are relaxed and enjoy themselves, that always helps a little bit more. Certainly with the teams that I’ve been involved in – both as a player and as a vice captain – that has been a huge factor. Hopefully if I can
What was your reaction to the PGA of America reappointing Davis Love as captain? I think most people were expecting Fred Couples, but they’ve gone with Davis and I’m delighted for him. There isn’t more of a gentleman in the sport, and he’s a good friend and has been for a long time. Having said that, friendships are put on hold on that first tee on the Friday morning of the Ryder Cup. Europe will be there to win, and that will be our only goal. The captaincy is obviously a very timeconsuming role in the run up to the matches. How is it going to impact on your own schedule as a player going forward? It’s been well documented that my own competitive instincts haven’t been too good of late, so it might actually be a blessing in disguise in terms of my golf, because it will take my mind away from practising too hard, and I’ll have a lot of other things to focus on. This year, I don’t think it will make an awful lot of difference, but that will obviously change next year as things begin to wind up towards the match. Your weight has dropped quite a bit recently. Are you now going to keep it at that weight so that all the Ryder Cup kit fits you? Yes, I don’t plan to put any more back on again! I may have to socialise a little bit more with the captaincy, but I’ll try my best to keep my weight as it is.
NEWS IN BRIEF HEWSON HOLDS ON TO CAPTURE HAMPSHIRE ROSE Hertfordshire’s Alice Hewson followed in the footsteps of Charley Hull and Georgina Hall by winning the Hampshire Rose at North Hants. The 17 year old from Berkhamsted finished on one-over par for 36 holes after round of 71 and 76, and finished one shot clear of Inci Mehmet (Royal Mid-Surrey) and Sophie Keech (Parkstone). Hewson was cruising on four-under after 28 holes, but then ran up a string of bogeys after some wayward driving, but just managed to hold on over the closing holes to take the prestigious title. A member of the England Golf women’s squad, Hewson is going to college in America in September after winning a place at Clemson University in South Carolina.
JOHNSON RETAINS BERKHAMSTED TROPHY England international Luke Johnson has become only the second player to successfully defend the Berkhamsted Trophy. The 22 year old from Kings Lynn retained the trophy in difficult conditions at the Hertfordshire course with 36hole total of level par, which gave him a one-shot win over a group of three other players. He opened with a two-over par 73 and was four shots off the halfway pace, set in by Simon Richardson of Spalding, who had a hole-inone with his first shot of the competition and followed up with 17 straight pars. However, in the afternoon Johnson shot a two-under par 69, while Richardson slipped back with 74, finishing on oneover, alongside Taylor Carter (Rochford Hundred) and David Corben (Hindhead). Johnson, a member of the England Golf men’s squad, won in a play-off last year, having been eliminated in another play-off in 2013..
ELLIS TUNES UP FOR WENTWORTH Great Yarmouth & Caister professional Ian Ellis cruised to a 10-shot triumph in tough conditions at the PGA in Norfolk Strokeplay Championship. Ellis, who has qualified to play in next month’s BMW PGA Championship, shot rounds of 73 and 68 at Weston Park to close out at three-under for 36 holes and land the title in emphatic style.
[36] APRIL 2015 | NEWS
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POULTER HEADS UP NEW Roehampton joins rebranded ‘World INDOOR GOLF VENUE The UK’s newest multi-screen indoor golf centre, iPlayGolfUK in Buckinghamshire, has appointed PGA Professional Danny Poulter as its director of golf. Poulter is heading up a three-man team of pros at the recentlyestablished centre on the outskirts of Newport Pagnell, which boasts six simulator screens, two coaching bays, a retail shop, and an advanced custom-fitting centre. The 41-year-old Poulter, who is the brother of Ryder Cup star Ian, has been coaching golfers from beginner level to European Tour winners for over 20 years, and previously worked at IJP Design and Windmill Hill Golf Centre. Poulter’s team at iPlayGolfUK will create a new retail, custom-fitting and coaching environment for the region’s golfers. “iPlayGolfUK offers year-round, allweather, late-night golf entertainment for anyone with a passion for the sport, and I’m excited to join what must be one of the most forward-thinking new golfing ventures in the country. This place is truly amazing – in fact, it is golfing heaven,” said Poulter. “As a personal golf experience, it is second to none. As soon as you walk through the door, it’s all about golf, and you’re among friends.” iPlayGolfUK’s managing director, Neil Wilcox, said he was delighted to have such an experienced professional as Poulter join the staff. “Danny’s arrival gives us a
Danny Poulter (left) and his team at iPlayGolfGolfUK
huge boost, and we are surely now one of the best places in the region to improve your golf,” he said. “We are now the biggest independent custom-fitting facility in Buckinghamshire, and having retail accounts with all the major brands means we can kit golfers out with everything they need to shoot their best scores.” Wilcox set up the new facility after selling his share in a financial management consultancy. He said: “We wanted to create a place where all golfers could play, practise and buy the latest kit. We tried the golf simulator at Woburn and realised that the technology could be what we were looking for. We then spent eight months trying to find a suitable venue, before settling on Interchange House in Newport Pagnell. The atmosphere we are seeking to create at iPlayGolf is Golfing Heaven. If you love green grass golf, you will love iPlayGolf.” iPlayGolfUK also offers a SAM Puttlab and a luxury VIP room, where parties of golfers can experience the facilities in a private environment.
of Leading Golf’
Roehampton Club has become the first new member of the recently rebranded World of Leading Golf, a corporation representing some of the globe’s most exclusive clubs. Formerly known as Leading Golf Courses of Europe, it was renamed World of Leading Golf to better reflect its worldwide influence. Roehampton Club, a 100-acre private sports complex located in South West London, is the first venue to be accepted as a member since the change of identity. Roehampton, which first opened in 1901, was originally formed as a polo and croquet club. These days, it is more akin to an American-style golf and country club, as in addition to a 6,300-yard parkland golf course, its members benefit from wide range of other sports facilities, including 30 tennis courts, four croquet lawns; five squash courts, two swimming pools, and a gym and fitness studio. The club also offers an art studio, bridge room, snooker room, and a crèche. The joining fee for adults is currently £3,000, with a £2,500 annual subscription. World of Leading Golf’s general manager, Claus Feld, said: “Roehampton is only the second English club to join our organisation, and the first since we became World of Leading Golf. It follows Stoke Park, and it is testament to the standards we set in our organisation that two such prestigious, high-quality venues should choose to become members.” Roehampton’s chief executive, Marc Newey, said: “The international approach pursued by the World of Leading Golf really is a convincing concept. While we are confident we will meet the exacting quality standards laid down, we do appreciate how important it is to attract new international members who are moving to London - one of the most exciting world cities to live and play sport in.”
Dorset Resort boosts green credentials
BGL bags sustainability award BGL Golf, owner of 10 courses predominantly located in the south of England, has become the world’s first multi-site golf course operator to achieve the international sustainability award, GEO Certified, at each of its venues. A wide-ranging variety of innovative community engagement, nature enhancement and protection and resource efficiency measures in place across BGL’s courses are recognised by this award. In 2012, BGL Golf announced its ambition to become the first multicourse owners in the
world to put all its courses through the OnCourse programme and become GEO Certified. With the accreditation of The Shropshire in late 2014, BGL has achieved its goal. Among the sustainability initiatives carried out include the construction of a selfsufficient irrigation reservoir at Birchwood Park; scholarships to talented local youngsters at Ramsdale Park; a programme for troubled youths at Abbey Hill Golf Centre, and improvements to river habitat quality at Redbourn Golf Club in Hertfordshire. BGL’s golf course and
club managers celebrated the achievement at a dinner hosted by the company’s chief executive Colin Mayes, at Burhill Gol,f Club last month. Speaking at the event, Mr Mayes said: “We have been delighted by the passion, commitment and innovation shown by the staff at each of our venues, and by the value it has brought to our business. “We won’t be resting here, we will continue to move forward and to bring even more value to our businesses and to the environments and communities within and around each facility.”
The Dorset Golf Resort has always been an environmentally-sensitive club, given its beautiful and unspoilt location, but the Bere Regis-based venue has taken its green credentials one step further this month, following the switching on of two new biomass boilers and the installation of a large area of solar panelling. The popular Dorset venue, which boasts 27 holes and a wide range of accommodation, will draw all of its power needs from the new energy-saving devices, delivering electricity across the complex, from the large air-conditioned clubhouse and panoramic restaurant to the hotel and internationalstandard bowls arena. “As one of the largest Golf Resorts in the South of England, it’s important that we try to do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint,“ said the resort’s general manager, Graham Packer. “We’ve also invested in a fleet of 20 electric buggies, which represents a significant saving on our petrol consumption. Many of our guests stay with us solely to enjoy the course and the area of outstanding natural beauty the resort sits in. Our aim is to keep it that way for many years to come.”
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APRIL 2015 [37]
STORY BEHIND THE PIC CECILIA LEITCH | ROYAL ASHDOWN FOREST GOLF CLUB, WEST SUSSEX | MAY 19TH, 1932
T
he ladies had never seen anything so long. Golfing journalists from as far afield as New York descended on a small Sussex village for the grand opening match of the longest designated women’s golf course in Britain. The picture right shows four-times Ladies’ Amateur Champion and Curtis Cup player Cecilia, more commonly known as Cecil, Leitch taking an awkward stance whilst playing her approach to the first green at Royal Ashdown Forest’s Ladies’ Course – the Royal warrant having been received just a few weeks earlier. Designed by the famous architects CK Hutchison and Stafford Hotchkin – who created Woodhall Spa – over 4,000 spectators thronged the fairways to watch Leitch and three more of the country’s finest women golfers play. Leitch partnered the great Joyce Wethered, widely regarded as one of the finest women players of her generation. Bobby Jones said of her: “I have not played golf with anyone, man or woman, amateur or professional, who made me feel so utterly outclassed.” Their opponents were the big-hitting Curtis Cup player
Wanda Morgan, and Diana Fishwick, the Ladies’ Amateur champion of 1930. Leitch and Wethered won by 3&2 to win the Inauguration Trophy that is still played for by Ashdown ladies today. Sadly, during World War II, the course was used for troop training and, after 1945, only three or four holes were in any fit state to play. The clubhouse had fallen into disrepair and, with the club facing severe financial difficulties, in 1950 amalgamation of membership with the main club or closure was the only choice available for the Ashdown ladies. Things were not to get much better during the 1960s, although the owners of the Ashdown Forest Hotel agreed to restore the wildly overgrown holes to provide a full 18 again, with priority for hotel guests. and to become known as The Hotel Course and open to both male and female golfers. It was not until 2000 that the hotel – by then empty with the previous owners bankrupt – was bulldozed for new housing. The hotel course had been renamed the West, by which it is still known to this day. A new clubhouse was built, attached to the club’s existing Victorian building, which opened in 2004, by which time the holes had been
reconfigured, with the 15th becoming the new first, and making the long par-four 14th hole, where Cecil Leitch had hit a two-wood to within a few feet to birdie all those years ago, the last. Back then, the great golf writer Bernard Darwin wrote: ‘The 14th will, I think, become famous, or even, in some jaundiced eyes, infamous, for it is a terrifying and magnificent
WORDS BY STEVE KILLICK
hole. The obvious comparison is to some of the holes at Carnoustie and particularly, perhaps, to the 17th.” With the Swalebrook meandering gently across the fairway and the forest either side, the course remains every bit as magnificent and every bit as terrifying as it was back then. When the Sussex golf professionals held their recent tournament here, only one of
them managed to break the par 68, while three even failed to break 80 on the 5,606-yard track, conclusively proving that courses do not have to be long to be challenging. As Royal Ashdown head pro, Tim Cowley, says: “Accuracy is so important with small greens and some fiendish run-offs. The West is every bit as tough as our Old Course, but just in a different way.”
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THE SPIETHAL ONE Young Texan Jordon Spieth tore up the record books en route to a runaway victory in the 79th Masters Tournament
W
hile all the preMasters’ talk surrounded Rory McIlroy’s bid to win a career grand slam, and whether Tiger Woods would be knifing wedges into the galleries, the only story at the end of four days at Augusta was just how many more green jackets 21-year-old Jordan Spieth might claim, following one of the most dominant displays in the history of the game. With Spieth leading for all four rounds of the season’s first major, not one of the world’s best players were able to land a serious blow, and his ultimate four-shot margin of victory was small by comparison to the gulf in the quality of golf that the young Texan displayed over one of golf’s most testing venues. Spieth compiled rounds of 64, 66, 70 and 70 around Augusta’s twists and turns to finish on a record-equalling 18 under par, with three-time Masters’ champion Phil Mickelson and former US Open champion Justin Rose sharing the runners-up spot
on 14 under. Displaying a maturity way beyond his 21 years, and the smooth putting touch that would have delighted fellow Texan and mentor Ben Crenshaw – who played his final competitive round at Augusta on Friday – Spieth re-wrote whole chapters of the Masters’ history books. And while McIlroy showed guts and class to climb up into fourth place with a final round 66, it was the new world no.2 – and the Northern Irishman’s likely rival for the top spot over the coming years – who was wearing the famed green jacket when darkness fell on Sunday night. Holding such a commanding lead, and playing with the confidence of a man twice his age, Spieth ensured Augusta’s back nine was a strangely quiet place to be on Sunday afternoon. Bar the cheer that went up when Mickelson holed his bunker shot on the 15th hole for an eagle, there was an eerie hush around the tees and greens, as the patrons held their collective breath and waited to anoint their new champion-elect.
Playing alongside Justin Rose in the final round, in what was effectively a two-ball match for the green jacket, Spieth extinguished any hopes the chasing pack harboured of him crumbling under all the weight of expectation with birdies at the first and third holes. Rose, to his credit, never backed down Jacket time: Spieth holes out to secure his first major title by four shots from the challenge, bagging birdies of his MASTERS JORDAN SPIETH’S own at the opening two holes, in MASTERS BY NUMBERS LEADERBOARD what was an electrifying start for the final group. The Englishman saved an excellent par on the 1. Spieth -18 64 Lowest first round score fourth, but it was clear that he 2. Mickelson, Rose -14 130 Lowest 36-hole score could not afford any mistakes, and 4. McIlroy -12 200 Lowest 54-hole score bogeys on the par-three sixth and 5. Matsuyama -11 270 Joint lowest 72-hole score par-four ninth cost the former US 6. Casey, Poulter, D Johnson -9 28 Most birdies at the Masters Open champion the chance to truly challenge his younger rival. 9. Z Johnson, Mahan, Hoffman -8 21 Second youngest Masters Instead, the American champion effectively put the tournament 5 Fifth winner to lead for all beyond reach around the turn, honours. four rounds sinking birdie putts on the eighth Tiger Woods, for all his huffing and 10th to open up a six-shot and puffing, managed a more lead. than creditable tied 17th place on Master stroke: Spieth hits Rose had rallied late on in the five under par, but his wayward a stunning chip to secure third round, making birdies in five driving, and lack of match practice par on the 18th hole during the third round of his final six holes, and he again with the putter, eventually took found form from the 13th, picking their toll over the closing holes. up three successive shots to close Playing with his Nike stablemate the gap to four; while Mickelson in the final round, and 10 strokes was also on the hunt, holing out behind the leader, the generation from a bunker on the 15th for an gap was very much in evidence, eagle that saw him close to within with McIlroy pulling seven shots four. clear of his rival to reinforce the Spieth, though, responded with different trajectories of their a birdie on the 15th that made respective careers. him the first player in Masters’ Shooting rounds of 68 and history to reach 19 under par. 66 over the weekend, McIlroy Had he held that until the can take some comfort from finish, it would have set a new bagging his best ever result in Masters’ record for the lowest the Masters, but even he knows winning score and equalled that he fell a long way shot of the Woods’s record for any major, set brilliance shown by Jordan Spieth, at the 2000 Open, but a bogey who looks every inch a serious on the last sadly denied him both rival for many years to come.
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APRIL 2015 [39]
MASTER AND COMMANDER In his post-victory press conference, Masters’ champion Jordan Spieth explains why Augusta suits him to a tee, and how he is relishing the battle with Rory McIlroy for the world No.1 spot How does it feel to be the 2015 Masters champion? It’s incredible. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt and is unquestionably the greatest day of my life. To join Masters history, to see my name on that trophy, and to have this green jacket forever, is something that I can’t fathom right now. It’s something I’ve always dreamt of, so to join those names on the trophy is a real honour.
How much did your performance in last year’s Master last year spur you on? I think it was not only last year, it was also last week – a combination of the two. I was already hungry from last year, having let a chance to win the tournament slip away from me. And then having a chance to win in the last couple weeks, and not quite pulling it off, also gave me an added incentive. I knew I was playing well, I just needed to be rested enough to do myself justice. So the combination of the two allowed me to keep my head down, not worry about anybody else, and to play my favourite course in the world – Augusta. What was the hardest part of maintaining a lead for so long? Managing the mental side of the situation. I knew physically that I could be there, but it was keeping my concentration and my emotions in check that was difficult. At what point did you feel like you’d done enough to
The key moment came at the 16th. It was that late. That was certainly the most important putt I’ve ever hit in my life
win? The key moment came at the 16th. It was that late. Before that, I still felt pretty comfortable, and that I could walk up 18 stress-free. But on 16, when Justin had that birdie putt, then I had that slider for par – that’s when I really felt like it could get out of my hands if I wasn’t careful there. That was certainly the most important putt I’ve ever hit in my life. How have you found a way to tame Augusta in such a short space of time? I’d put it down to imagination. I have a very feel-based way of playing. I grew up playing a lot more on the golf course than I did hitting balls on the range, so I learned how to play a lot of different shots, rather than hitting the same shot over and over again. I like to see lines and shapes, especially on the greens, and I like putts that break. I like being able to let the ball feed in to a hole and be very focused on speed. And that’s what Augusta gives you. From the minute I first played it, I felt like iAugusta really suited my game, and I’m really happy that this major comes here every year! What are you expecting of yourself after such a performance? Maybe not as much next week! But the ultimate goal is to try to become the number one player in the world. I’m still chasing that goal. It’s going to be very difficult, but to be a large step closer is huge. I don’t know what necessarily to expect. I don’t expect to change the way
I’m playing. I’m just going to try and enjoy my season of being Masters’ champion. How excited are you about the potential rivalry with Rory? There’s an incredible amount of young talent coming through and I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of them, Rory included. It seems that the younger guys are more mentally prepared to play on tour these days. Amateur set-ups, college golf, and junior golf tours are all so much better organised now, and that prepares the guys better for life on the PGA Tour. As far as a rivalry with Rory goes, he’s got four majors and a hatful of wins, and that’s something I can still only dream about. I’ve never hit it as far as he does, so I have to make up for that somewhere else. I’m looking forward to getting in the heat of the moment with him in the near future and see if we can battle it out and test our games. Looking forward to the season’s other major, have you played St Andrews before? Yes I have. I played there before the Walker Cup in 2011. We stopped off at St Andrews and played the Old Course before going to Royal Aberdeen. To go to the Home of Golf as the Masters’ champion is going to be really special and I’m looking forward to enjoying the whole experience of playing in an Open Championship at St Andrews. Hopefully, at that point, I’ll be trying for the third leg of a Grand Slam! You can’t win four unless you win the first one, right?
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NEWS IN BRIEF DUBAI DUTY FREE BACKS IRISH OPEN The Irish Open has received the backing of Dubai Duty Free, which will take over as the title sponsor for the tournament, which is being staged at Royal County Down from May 28-31. The tournament, which is being hosted Rory McIlroy, has already attracted a strong field, with Rickie Fowler, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood already confirmed to join Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke in the line up. More than 80,000 spectators are expected, and tens of thousands of tickets have already been sold for the event, which is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland. Advance tickets cost £30 per day and can be purchased online at www.irishopen.ie.
WALKER TAKES CHARGE IN TEXAS
Texan Jimmy Walker fired a final-round 70 to complete a convincing four-stroke win at the Valero Texas Open. Beginning the last day at TPC San Antonio four strokes clear, the 36 year old carded a closing 70 to see off a late charge from Jordan Spieth and become the first twotime PGA Tour winner of the season. Walker, who stormed to a nine-shot win at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, was never seriously threatened during the final round.
RAMSAY RETURNS TO FORM IN MOROCCO Richie Ramsay clinched his third European Tour title with a one-shot victory over Romain Wattel in the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco. The Scot fired a final round 69 to secure his first pay cheque of the year, after struggling with a back injury for the early part of the season.
NOCERA NOTCHES 13TH TOUR WIN Gwladys Nocera edged out English duo Melissa Reid and Felicity Johnson and South African Nicole Garcia to win the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco. The 39-year-old Frenchwoman shot a closing 70 to finish two shots clear on 13-under and claim her 14th Tour title. Johnson hopes of victory end with bogeys on two of the last three holes. Charley Hull, who won the tournament last year, finished eighth after a closing 66.
[40] APRIL 2015 | NEWS
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HOLMES LIFTS HOUSTON TITLE
American JB Holmes captured the fourth PGA Tour victory of his 10-year professional career with a play-off win at the Houston Open in Texas. The 32 year old from Kentucky began the final round six shots behind the leaders in 18th place, but made seven birdies in his first eight holes, going on to compile an eightunder par 64, to finish on 16 under for the tournament. His total was matched by overnight leader Jordan Spieth and fellow American Johnson Wagner, but Holmes won with a par at the second extra hole. Holmes mastered the cool, damp conditions at the Golf Club of Houston with his lowest final round on the tour containing nine one-putts. Long after Holmes had completed his round, Wagner, the 2008 champion who has
lost his full-time playing privileges on the PGA Tour, holed from 25 feet to birdie the last. Spieth had also reached 16 under with successive birdies from the 13th, and saved par at the last for a 70, after his second finished on an awkward downhill lie in thick rough above a bunker. But at the first play-off hole, the 18th, Spieth bowed out after finding a precarious spot on a slope near the water and being disturbed by cameras playing from the bunker, which all resulted in a bogey. Wagner produced a sublime escape to save par, but when the 18th was played again for the second extra hole he threeputted for a bogey. Paul Casey fared best of the British contingent, finishing ninth on 12-under par, after a closing 71.
Stenson rues threeputts as Every defends Bay Hill title Henrik Stenson was enraged with tournament officials after two late mistakes cost him victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. The hot-headed Swede had seen his twoshot overnight lead turned into a two-shot deficit in the space of eight holes, but fought back to reclaim the outright lead with six holes of the final round to play. However, the Ryder Cup star three-putted the 15th for a bogey, and did the same for par on the 16th after finding the green in two. American Matt Every took full advantage of Stenson’s lapses with a birdie from 15 feet on the 18th to complete a closing 66, which made him the third player in the tournament’s history to successfully defend the title. Stenson was unhappy at being timed for slow play on the back nine, which he said
caused him to hurry his putts. “I’m obviously a little disappointed with the outcome. I’m as much disappointed with the PGA Tour officials for putting us on the clock on 15. It’s busy enough trying to close out a tournament without being on the clock. I did not see the reason for that really.”
Turkey pulls out of Ryder Cup race
Turkey has withdrawn its bid to stage the Ryder Cup in 2022, leaving five nations in the running following inspection visits from tournament officials which took place last month. Ahmet Agaoglu, president of the Turkish Golf Federation, said: “We have greatly enjoyed working on this project and assessing whether we would be in a position to launch a viable bid to host the 2022 Ryder Cup. Although we believe that Turkey is now an established golf destination, with a collection of world-class courses, it has not proven possible to secure the necessary logistical arrangements in order to proceed and so we have reluctantly decided to withdraw from the process.” Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria hosted site vists from Ryder Cup Europe officials at the end of last month, while there is no date yet confirmed for the visit to Portugal.
European Tour backs Doncaster course for future tournament The world’s best golfers could be teeing it up in Yorkshire in the not too distant future, after the European Tour backed plans for a course to be built at Rossington Hall near Doncaster. The scheme will see a tournament-quality course constructed on a 500-acre site under the European Tour Destination banner. In addition to the course, there will be a second nine-hole layout, a clubhouse, leisure facilities, and 500 new houses. Rossington Hall is a Grade II-listed Victorian stately home that was built in 1773. It was converted into a special needs school in the 1950s, but has been functioning as a boutique hotel since it was bought by private owners in 2011. David MacLaren, director of venue development at the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to offer our support to the Rossington Hall project, and hope to bring top-flight professional golf to the venue once it is developed. We see huge potential with both this development and the region, and look forward to a prosperous partnership.”
Lincicome beats Lewis in play-off to claim season’s opening major Brittany Lincicome won her second major by defeating fellow American Stacy Lewis on the third play-off hole at the ANA Inspiration tournament in California. The 29 year old from Florida eagled the 72nd hole at Ranco Mirage to finish on nine under and set up a playoff with the two-time major winner. Lewis had three chances to win on the 18th hole. She missed birdie putts from 13 feet in regulation, 15 feet on the first extra hole, and 12 feet on the second. But on the third extra hole, she left her 103-yard approach from a sand-filled divot short of the green, and her chip stopped 12 feet in front
of the pin. Her par putt came up an inch short, and Lincicome finished it off, holing out from 18 inches for the title that she also won in 2009 with a final-hole eagle. “It took the same slope like it did in 2009, which is pretty crazy,” she said. “To roll down to almost the same spot it was six years ago is really crazy. It just must have been my day.” Morgan Pressel finshed third, while Sweden’s Anna Nordquist fared best of the European contingent in fourth. Seventeen year old world number one Lydia Ko shot a final round 73 to finish in a tie for 51st, ten shots behind the winner.
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SIGN UP FOR A SILVERMERE CLEVELAND WEDGE FITTING!
SPECIAL FITTING EVENT TEES OFF AT SURREY VENUE ON MAY 2 Cleveland Golf and Srixon is bringing another major demo event to the UK to kick off the 2015 golf season, as it announces a new date for golfer’s diaries at Silvermere Golf & Leisure on Saturday, May 2. The event marks the beginning of a new partnership between Cleveland Golf and Silvermere, as it opens up as the first Cleveland Golf National Wedge Fitting Centre in its commitment to helping golfers improve their short games. Visitors to the demo event can book wedge-fitting appointments in advance and receive a goody bag with any purchase of wedges on the day. The only brand in the UK currently offering a comprehensive wedge fitting service with interchangeable heads, Cleveland Golf has devised the new CG Fit system, making it easy to accurately fit golfers for the wedges they need in their bag. This comprehensive system makes it easier than ever for any golfer to build a wedge set that maximises performance based on turf conditions, playing preferences and skill level. With 65% of all golf shots played from within 125 yards, Cleveland Golf has developed the perfect range of scoring tools with the widest array of loft and bounce options to help golfers knock shots of their handicaps. Cleveland took the number one wedge spot in the UK in 2014, with the 588 RTX, and has improved on this with the release of the 588 RTX 2.0. Developed through hundreds of hours of testing and feedback generated by the world’s top players, 588 RTX 2.0 wedges have advanced spin performance from its predecessor thanks to roughest clubface Cleveland Golf has invented to date. Players can choose from a cavity or blade designs, both of which are made from carbon steel, as well as a choice of satin or black finishes. Both feature Cleveland’s Rotex face
technology, which enhances the surface roughness for added spin, and are available in a range of 10 lofts from 46-64 degrees, with either True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shafts or Rotex graphite wedge shafts as standard. They are also available in a variety of bounce options to suit various turf conditions and angles of attack. The bounce expressed in dots – one dot offers low bounce and is ideal for players with a shallow angle of attack that typically play courses with firm conditions; two dots is a standard bounce that offers all-round playability for most playing conditions; while three dots is a high bounce option with full sole width, making it ideal for players with a steep angle of attack, as it will stop the club from digging in. If you’ve never had a wedge fitting before, you’d be surprised at the difference it can make to your game when you have the correct wedges built into your bag. On average, golfers with handicaps of 12 or lower carry three wedges, while 12-19 handicaps carry two, and 19-28 only carry one, demonstrating that carrying more wedges will help lower your handicap. Further to this, 87% of tour pros have different specifications in their wedges than in their irons, highlighting a common mistake made by the average golfer in only being custom fitted for clubs at the top end of the bag.
TO BOOK YOUR FITTING TODAY, PLEASE CONTACT SILVERMERE GOLF CLUB ON 01932 584 300. TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NEW RANGE OF CLEVELAND GOLF RTX 2.0 WEDGES, PLEASE VISIT WWW.CLEVELANDGOLF.COM.
[44] APRIL 2015 | EQUIPMENT NEWS
THE GEAR EFFECT WINNERS’ BAGS ON TOUR JORDAN SPIETH Valspar Championship DRIVER: Titleist 915D2 (9.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist 915F (15)HYBRID: Titleist 915Hd (20.5) IRONS: Titleist AP2 714 WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM5 (48, 52, 56, 60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron 009 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x GEORGE COETZEE Tswhane Open DRIVER: Titleist 915D3 (10.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist 915F (16.5) IRONS: Titleist CB 714 (3-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM5 (52, 56, 60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Select Newport 1.5 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x SO-YEON RYU World Ladies Championship DRIVER: Honma Tour World 717 455 (9.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Honma Tour World 717 (15) HYBRID: Honma World Tour 717 UT (19, 25) IRONS: Honma World Tour 717V (5-PW) WEDGES: Honma W105C (50, 54), Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (58) PUTTER: TaylorMade Ghost DA-12 BALL: Titleist Pro V1 MATT EVERY Arnold Palmer Invitational DRIVER: Callaway Big Bertha V-Series (9) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway X2 Hot 3Deep (14.5), Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 (18) IRONS: Callaway X Utility (2), Callaway Apex Pro (4-9) WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47, 54, 60) PUTTER: Odyssey Milled Collection BALL: Callaway Speed Regime SR-3 JIMMY WALKER Valero Texas Open DRIVER: Titleist 915D2 (9.5) FAIRWAY WOODS: Titleist 915F (15, 18) IRONS: Titleist 712U (2), Titleist MB 714 (4-9) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM4 (48), Titleist Vokey SM5 (54, 60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2 303 GSS BALL: Titleist Pro V1x RICHIE RAMSAY Hassan II Trophy DRIVER: TaylorMade JetSpeed (9.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade JetSpeed (15) HYBRID: Adams Pro Mini (20) IRONS: TaylorMade RBZ Tour (4-7), TaylorMade RSI TP (8-PW) WEDGES: Cleveland 588 RTX (52, 55, 60) PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot XG #7 BALL: TaylorMade Tour Preferred X
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
PING UNVEILS ALL-NEW APPAREL RANGE
Celebrate golf’s iconic major champions with Slazenger’s Legend Series
Ping has launched the first range of clothing to be designed and manufactured exclusively under its own direction, rather than under licence. The 2015 Ping Spring/Summer Collection features a new ‘Eye Mark’ logo and utilises performance fabrics to help golfers play their best in all conditions. The Eye Mark logo takes its inspiration from the iconic Ping Eye 2 iron, which enjoyed a huge following in the mid-1980s. The logo showcases each garment’s refined qualities, reflected through clean colours, innovative fabrics, and a tailored fit. “At Ping, we never stop thinking about golf. That allows us to concentrate solely on engineering our products for golfers and only golfers,” said Andy Solheim, vice president of brand development. “The 2015 apparel range is aesthetically pure, performance driven, and tailored for the modern game. We’ve engineered each garment to meet the challenges of the game head on. The resulting performance, combined with a refined visual appearance and cut, has produced a very exciting line.” Among the key pieces in the collection is the Latimer polo shirt (£65). This Merino garment has a water-resistant finish, a creasefree gauge, UV protection, and anti-bacterial properties. Other signature shirts include the Bancroft (£55) and Gilden (£45), which offer a premium feel through a soft-touch cottonfeeling polyester, twinned with colourcoordinated stripes in the Bancroft, and button-down collars in the Gilden range. Supplementing the shirts is the slim-leg Dean chino (£70), which combines the
To mark the achievements of some of the game’s greatest champions, London-based bespoke tailor Anthony Sinclair has teamed up with Slazenger to re-issue a collection of the most recognisable sweaters worn by the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tom Weiskopf during their most famous major triumphs. Highlights of the limited edition collection include the sky blue V-neck worn by Nicklaus during the final round of The Open at Muirfield in 1966 (inset); the natty red number that Johnny Miller sported when capturing the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale in 1976; and, of course, the dark navy jumper that Ballesteros wore on his march to victory at St Andrews in 1977. Anthony Sinclair owners, Richard Paine and David Mason, came up with the idea after re-launching the Slazenger burgundy v-neck sweater worn by Sean Connery during the golf sequence in Goldfinger in 1964, as part of the film’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2014. The Slazenger Legend Series is made from the finest merino wool and is available in a number of limited edition colours, all of which sport the original Slazenger panther logo that first appeared in 1963. The sweaters, which cost £180 each, come in a commemorative box and can be ordered online at www.anthonysinclair.com.
cut and feel of a traditional chino with four-way stretch and crease-resistant properties. It is available in a choice of six colours to coordinate with other items in the collection, including the Dunbar 100% Merino sweater (£70). Many of the products feature Ping’s Sensor technology, which keeps the wearer in a climate-controlled environment. Each garment is injected with either Sensor Dry, Cool or Warm properties to ensure long-lasting comfort and protection, whatever the conditions. Ping has also unveiled a new range of women’s clothing, with every garment featuring a new Ping ladies’ logo, which is also found on the Rhapsody range of clubs, bags and accessories. The women’s collection features soft-touch fabrics in a range of colours. The entire collections is available to buy in store or online at www. pingcollection.co.uk.
McIlroy goes it alone for new EA Sports game
Powakaddy powers up new Freeways PowaKaddy’s latest range of electric Freeway trolleys features a host of design enhancements. The FW3 (£299), FW5 (£349), FW7 and FW7 EBS (£399) models all benefit from the addition of larger 11-inch wheels with low-profile tyres, with a
completely-redesigned front wheel to enhance the sporty appearance. The lightweight frame has also been reshaped in order to allow the handle to be raised by an inch, which makes it more comfortable to use for taller golfers; while the folding mechanism has been improved with the construction of new latches for smoother operation. The FW5 comes with a new yellow trim, while the top-of-therange FW7 and FW7 EBS models feature a grey trim to further distinguish them as the premium models in the Freeway family. All models include a ‘Plug ‘n’ Play’ battery system and a progressive range of digital features. They are available with lead or lithium batteries, with the latter claiming to offer 20% more power than its closest like-for-like competitor.
If you were looking for any more signs that Tiger Woods’s days as the acceptable face of professional golf are over, then it was last month’s announcement from EA Sports that the latest generation of its multiplatform golf game is called ‘Rory McIlroy PGA Tour’. There’s not even a hint of Woods in this latest installment, which is all about the new world number one ‘representing a new generation of players for a new generation of consoles’. The latest version of the game, which goes on sale in June for Xbox One and PlayStation consoles, is the first to be made using Frostbite design software. This allows for even more life-like renditions of golf courses and players, and also significantly speeds up load times between shots.
SUPERSTROKE EXPANDS GRIP RANGE SuperStroke, one of the most popular brands of putter grip on tour, has expanded its range to cover woods, irons and wedges. The new SuperStroke TX1 Tour Extreme grips incorporate a proprietary blend of two highquality rubber compounds melded into one grip. The top portion is a soft cord-infused rubber, while the bottom section is a softer, non-cord rubber. Available in black/white, red/white, blue/white, grey/white, and green/white colour options, the TX1 Tour Extreme grips come in standard and mid sizes and cost £14.99 each. For details on where to buy them, visit www.brandfusionltd.co.uk.
CE L E B R AT I NG O V E R
8YEARS* For nearly a decade, one name has been fighting to protect players from the perils of poor performance. The ultimate great-feeling, all-ability ball, the AD333’s extraordinary powers come from Spin Skin™ Technology for increased friction between ball and club face, for greater greenside spin and short game control; Energetic Gradient Growth™ core for explosive ball speeds off the tee, with reduced spin for maximum distance; and our ultimate Speed Dimple Pattern for penetrating flight through the air… Almost as fast as a speeding bullet.
www.srixon.co.uk * SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC & GOLF DATATECH RETAIL AUDITS, June 2006 to December 2014.
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[46] APRIL 2015 | SHOWCASE
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
TAYLORMADE AEROBURNER
CALLAWAY XR IRONS RRP: £549/£699 (ST/GR) CONTACT: CALLAWAYGOLF.COM The cavity-back XR irons bring together the 360 Cup Face technology traditionally found in Callaway’s fairway woods and hybrids, and combines it with an internal sole weight that precisely positions the centre of gravity for improved playability and accuracy. The face cup wraps the face over the crown and the sole, and acts like a trampoline on shots that are hit low on the face – a popular area for miss-hits – to increase ball speeds. Vibration dampening technology in the head softens the feel off the face, and while the topline is not as wide as you’ll find on most distance-orientated irons, there is still some workability built into the design.
RRP: £599/£699 (ST/GR) CONTACT: TAYLORMADEGOLF.EU Incorporating TaylorMade’s Speed Pocket technology to promote higher launch angles and more ball speed, AeroBurner irons are specifically designed to offer more forgiveness on shots hit low on the face. A longer blade length, more offset, and a thicker topline provide a confidence-boosting appearance at address, while a dark, matt finish reduces glare while delivering a sleek look. A COR face design maximises ball speeds, while a low centre of gravity generates high launch. The high-MOI cavity-back head design allows weight to be moved to the perimeter for increased forgiveness, while optimised loft and centre of gravity placement help promote consistent gaps though the set.
MIZUNO JPX 850 IRON RRP: £100 PER CLUB CONTACT: MIZUNO.EU Mizuno’s JPX 850 forged irons see the introduction of boron into the grain flow forging process that enables these irons to overcome the distance limitations of traditional forged irons. The new material is 30 per cent stronger than traditional steel billets, allowing for a thinner face and extreme ball speeds. The result is an iron that combines forged precision and feel, with the ball speeds of a modern distance iron. The thinner boron face is reinforced by a power frame cavity, which enables it to flex over a wider area. A shorter top edge to the CNC Milled pocket on the 4-7 irons increases launch angle.
IRONS TO INSPIRE Six irons guaranteed to go the distance
COBRA FLY-Z IRONS RRP: £549 (4-PW) CONTACT: COBRAGOLF.CO.UK Cobra’s new Fly-Z irons feature a speed channel in the sole and behind the clubface – a technology borrowed from the Fly-Z woods – to create faster ball speeds and increased distance on shots struck across a wide area of the clubface. Enhanced feel is provided by a urethane insert located behind the face that dampens vibration at impact, while a deep cavity undercuts the heel and toe for greater forgiveness on off-centre hits. They are available in stock black or a choice of four colours (white, blue, orange, red) and come with two hybrids and seven irons (3-4h, 5-GW), but can also be ordered in a variety of iron and hybrid combinations.
PING G30 RRP: £86/£100 PER CLUB (ST/GR) CONTACT: PING.COM The G Series has always been about forgiveness, and in that respect the seventh generation G30 was never going to stray too far from this very successful formula. Borrowing features found in the i25 and Karsten irons, the G30s offer slightly oversized heads that deliver on the forgiveness, distance and height that is the Karsten trademark, combined with the sole contours and bounce profiles of the i25. Ball speeds are enhanced by the introduction of a thinner face on the longer irons (4-7), which also feature a slightly longer blade length to increase stability on off-centre hits, while a customtuning port in the cavity is positioned lower to help increase launch angle, as well as improve feel. The set, which is cast from stainless steel, is progressively offset, and features loft gaps to offer ideal distance increments.
YONEX Z-FORCE RRP: £499/£349 (GR/ST) CONTACT: YONEX.CO.UK The Z-Force irons feature a deep under cut in the cavity of a larger head and strong lofts that move the weight further back to deepen the centre of gravity and increase launch angles for longer, higher ball flight. The irons also boast a thin 3mm face that increases the trampoline effect for higher ball speeds, while the larger head size is designed to inspire confidence at address. Yonex is one of the few companies that make its own shafts, and the new M60 hi-stability graphite shaft has a slightly more flexible butt section to allow golfers to load the shaft properly for a more stable swing path, while the stronger tip offers added stability for maximum distance.
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The original Rotex technology changed the face of spin, and we engineered Rotex 2.0 to take spin control to the next level. It starts with sharper Tour Zip Grooves for better channeling of debris and moisture, creating cleaner contact. Our enhanced 2-pass micro milling pattern is strategically designed to add more friction and even more spin. The final step is Laser Milled Technology to fine-tune surface roughness across the face. It all adds up to more spin and better scoring than ever before, no matter the conditions. This is Spin 2.0.
ROTEX . MILLING rotex 2.0 MILLING
* Source: Units sold in the UK market, on & off course channels according to Golf Datatech Europe retail audit January to December 2014. Cleveland Golf, Cleveland, CG logo and Rotex are registered trademarks of Cleveland Golf / Srixon. WHERE SCORING MATTERS and 588 are trademarks of Cleveland Golf / Srixon.
clevelandgolf.com/588RTX2.0 *Source: Units sold in the UK market, on & off course channels according to Golf Datatech Europe retail audit January to December 2014. Cleveland Golf, Cleveland, CG logo and Rotex are registered trademarks of Cleveland Golf / Srixon. WHERE SCORING MATTERS and 588 are trademarks of Cleveland Golf / Srixon.
tour zip grooves
laser milling
[48] APRIL 2015 | PROSHOP
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
G/FORE GALLIVANTER SHOE RRP: £139 CONTACT: TRENDYGOLF.COM
GOLFBUDDY BB5 RRP: £199.95 CONTACT: GOLFBUDDY.EU It was only a matter of time before one of the golf GPS companies came up with a band-style unit, so hats off to GolfBuddy for winning this particular race with the BB5 in the same month that Apple launches its iWatch. Significantly slimmer than any of the golf GPS watch designs on the market, but without the ‘green view’ graphics that some provide, the BB5 delivers distances to the front, middle and back of the green on over 37,000 courses via a ‘tickertape-style’ LED dot display. Users can also measure shot distances, count steps and – praise the lord – tell the time with it. The water resistant band has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery which offers up to 13 hours use in golf mode. It comes with two sizes of band (S/M and L/XL), and there are six different colour bands to choose from as optional extras.
TRIED + TESTED While the Pro version of Nike’s new Vapor driver is in Rory McIlroy’s bag, a large percentage of us mere mortals will be better off taking the Speed version for a test drive, given its altogether more forgiving and higher-launching properties. While the lurid green ‘volt’ colour scheme on the sole isn’t visible at address – or when you’ve got the clubhead cover on – it certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste, but then that, my friends, is Nike in a nutshell. Out on the range, the deeplooking face feels springy thanks to a compression channel that is placed across the entire width of the sole, and it really lets you know when you’ve hit one out of the screws, while not producing too much of an aftershock or wild trajectories on those less-than-perfect strikes. The sound at impact is a lively and reassuring ‘thwack’ – solid and satisfying, yet not the kind of noise that turn heads in adjacent bays at the driving range, as previous models were wont to do. It’s a naturally mid-to-high launching driver, and produces midrange spin rates, which, and when combined with a 50g Mitsubishi Fubuki shaft, all adds up to significant distance gains at the business end, once you’ve dialed in your ideal launch
NIKE VAPOR SPEED DRIVER
The new Gallivanter shoe combines an athletic fit with water-resistant performance. Boasting a lightweight, shock-absorbing sole, its raised lugs are positioned to provide maximum traction throughout the swing, while tuned grooves give additional flex where it’s needed most. It also features a washable, quick-drying footbed; an extra-cushioned blown rubber outsole, and a non-slip tongue. There are five new styles in the men’s range for 2015, including the nubuck leather Espresso; the highperformance micro-fibre Delta Force Olive; nubuck and patent leather Onyx Cap Toe; plus the full-grain and nubuck leather Snow Phantom and Medial Profile.
SERENGETI BRERA RRP: £197 CONTACT: SERENGETI-EYEWEAR.COM Designed for driving – both on and off the golf course – Serengeti sunglasses feature an exclusive spectral control technology which selectively filters the light spectrum to enhance the ‘driving’ colours – red, green and yellow – allowing drivers to react to hazards such as brake lights and traffic signals more quickly. The impact-resistant, photochromic lenses are made of high-grade optical glass which is ground with diamond wheels into perfect spheres and polished to remove any imperfections. Anti-reflective coatings also reduce the back reflection that causes squinting and eyestrain, while polarised lenses eliminate glare. All models are available with prescription lenses.
RRP : £249.99 CONTACT: NIKEGOLFEUROPE.COM
MIZUNO MP BALLS RRP: £50 FOR 12 CONTACT: MIZUNOEUROPE.EU
parameters with the new FlexLoft system. The latter is 5g lighter than the one found in the Covert 2.0, and is simple to adjust, with a combination of three face angles and five lofts between 8.5 and 12 degrees on offer. All told, the Vapor Speed is certainly one of the longer drivers I’ve hit this year, and while I’m probably not ‘youff’ enough to use it from an aesthetic viewpoint, I certainly wouldn’t put anyone else off from giving it a bash. Who knows, a little bit of Rory’s magic driving dust might just rub off on you.
Previously only available in Japan, Mizuno has unleashed two new tour-level balls on the great British golfing public in the shape of the MP-S and the MP-X. Featuring a soft urethane cover, the threepiece MP-S produces exceptional traction around the green, while a large core combines with a highly-resilient inner cover to produce high initial ball speeds. It features a 318-dimple cover, with each dimple being large and shallow, which creates a mid-trajectory, stable ball flight that is ideally suited for better players. The MP-X, which is being played on tour by Chris Wood, features a four-piece construction with a dual core design, which reduces driver spin, and makes it ideal for more powerful ball strikers. A new, thinner urethane cover enhances initial ball speed, while a 330-dimple configuration creates a highly efficient flight.
PROSHOP | APRIL 2015 [49]
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
PRO SHOP BUSHNELL TOUR X RRP: £419 CONTACT: BUSHNELLGOLF.EU
ADAMS RED HYBRID RRP: £169 CONTACT: ADAMGOLF.EU With a head that measures only 95cc, the Red hybrid is aimed squarely at better players wanting more of a precision look to their hybrid, and a club that can nip the ball off the fairways, as well as cut through semi-rough without fear of twisting at impact. Adams’s iconic ‘upside-down’ head shape is there, but in a much smaller package, while a speed slot in the sole helps generate faster ball speeds across the face. Three transferrable weights on the sole – one 25g and two 2g – can be switched around to adjust shot shape. It is available in five different lofts (16°, 18°, 20°, 23°, and 26°)
TAYLORMADE GHOST TOUR BLACK PUTTERS RRP: £139 CONTACT: TAYLORMADEGOLF.EU TaylorMade’s new Ghost Tour Black Series putters are inspired by the company’s four most classic shapes and updated with a new deep-milled aluminium insert to deliver the perfect blend of performance and craftsmanship. The Ghost Tour Black series comprises two blade styles: Daytona (shown) and Indy, as well as two mallet styles, Maranello and Monte Carlo. All feature a matt black, glare-resistant PVD coating, while a contrasting white line on the trailing edge makes for easy alignment. A deep-milled aluminium insert delivers a crisp feel off the face and a smooth, accurate roll. The rough surface of the insert softens the noise at impact, but offers wider variance in sound off the clubface, allowing players to more accurately determine how well they’ve struck a putt. “With Ghost Tour Black, we’ve taken tour-proven, classic designs and updated them with an all-new milled aluminium insert to give golfers precise auditory feedback,” said Clay Long, TaylorMade’s Director of Putter Product Creation. “These putters have been meticulously engineered to deliver golfers the sound, feel and performance sought by the best players in the world.” Ghost Tour Black Series putters are available in 33”, 34” and 35” lengths for each model, and are equipped with a Golf Pride rubber red cap grip.
Bushnell’s new Tour X laser rangefinder features two interchangeable faceplates, giving golfers one device that is legal for use in all forms of competition. When the black faceplate is engaged it conforms to USGA and R&A rules, while when users switch to the red faceplate, it provides adjusted distance readings based on elevation changes that aren’t allowed under tournament conditions. Capable of measuring up to 450 yards to a flag, the Tour X features Bushnell’s unique JOLT technology, which issues a short vibration when the laser is locked onto the target. Another standout feature is its dual display technology, which allows users to toggle between a bright red display or a crisp black display for ease of use in all light conditions.
WILSON STAFF D200 DRIVER RRP: £229 CONTACT: WILSONSTAFF.COM Tipping the scales at just 268g, Wilson’s new D200 driver is one of the lightest adjustable drivers on the market. By dint of its reduced mass, it is also one of the fastest, allowing golfers with slow swing speeds to crank up their yardage without having to swing as hard. This dramatic weight loss has been achieved through Wilson’s Right Light technology, which sees a chemically-etched thin crown attached to a variable thickness face, which gets thicker towards the centre for structural support and durability. The head, which weighs just 189g, is attached to a 44g UST Mamiya Elements Chrome shaft, and a 25g Golf Pride Tour grip. The adjustable hosel features three loft and three draw settings to tailor launch angle and ball flight, while there are three standard loft settings (9°, 10.5° and 13°) for right-handers and a 10.5° option for lefties.
ECCO TOUR HYBRID RRP: £150 CONTACT: ECCO.COM/GOLF The latest generation of Ecco’s stylish Tour Hybrid collection is ideal for those golfers who have to head straight from the boardroom to the golf course, or vice versa. The classy range includes wingtip models featuring hand-crafted Kara leather uppers, which offers a distressed finish to a brogue-style design. Worn on tour by Ecco staff players Ernie Els and Thongchai Jaidee, each pair boasts a moisture-wicking leather lining, removable insoles, and E-DTS outsole technology, while a tanned-in Hydromax treatment offers waterproof protection for the lifetime of the shoe. Choose from walnut, black or white in Yak leather or marine blue, dark clay and dark blue in Kara leather.
[50] APRIL 2015 | BREAKS
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Snap up Carnoustie’s dream ticket With the fairways in tip-top condition following four months of play off mats, there has never been a better time to pay a visit to Carnoustie, arguably one of the most accessible Open Championship venues in Britain. The Championship course on which Padraig Harrington enjoyed one of his finest hours in 2008 – and which hosts the Open again in 2017 and the Amateur Championship later this summer – has been described as the ‘supreme test’, and was praised by Walter Hagan as the greatest course in the British Isles and one of the top three in the world. The course – which at 7,421 yards is the longest in Open history – is a fair but severe test, with one of the toughest closing stretches in world golf. With over 60 bunkers to snaffle any less-than-perfect tee shots and approaches, and huge, lightning quick greens which make threeputting almost par for the course, this is a links that puts pressure on every element of your game. If there’s a weakness in your golfing armour, you will be found out. However, the Championship course is just one of three layout at Carnoustie Golf Links, with the Buddon and the Burnside courses combining to offer three superbly differing, yet equally enjoyable tests of links golf. The Buddon has recently received a major redesign, with architects Ebert & Mackenzie brought in to reconfigure the course after its opening par four had to be reduced to a par three following
CORNISH CREAM
the construction of the town’s new £2m golf centre. The overall length of the course has been increased from 5,420 yards to 6,088 yards, and the par from 65 to a challenging 68. All in all, it makes for a much more complete course, although the six par-three holes, still make it possible to scoot round in three hours, have lunch and then play the 6,208-yard Burnside, which has been used as an Open Qualifying venue on a number of occasions, including in 1953, when Ben Hogan won the Open title at his first and only attempt. Golfers wishing to take on all three courses should snap up a Combination Ticket, which offers 18 holes on each course for just £195. Considering that a peak season green fee to play the Championship course is £160, a further £35 secures 36 more holes on top-class courses. It also represents a saving of 30 per cent on the cost of individual green fees for Carnoustie’s three courses. Four-star accommodation can be found right behind the 18th green of the Championship course at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel, which has 75 bedrooms and 10 suites – many of which offer stunning views of the golf courses – as well as the excellent Dalhousie restaurant serving a variety of locally-sourced food. A one-night stay, including a full Scottish breakfast on both days, a three-course dinner, and a round on the Championship course, costs from £262pp. To book a combination ticket, go online to www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk. For hotel bookings visit bespokehotels.com or call 0844 815 9833.
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2 NIGHTS B&B at The Metropole Hotel DAY 1 Cradoc G.C 18 holes DAY 2 Llandrindod Wells G.C 18 holes DAY 3 Builth Wells G.C 18 holes
2 NIGHTS B&B at The Royal Sportsman DAY 1 Porthmadog G.C 18 holes DAY 2 Nefyn & District G.C 18 holes DAY 3 Royal St Davids G.C 18 holes
2 NIGHTS B&B at Woodhall Spa Hotel 3 DAYS 1 x Hotchkin Course*
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We have over 15 years experience of organising golf breaks throughout the UK and Europe
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[51]
There are no bunkers at Luton Hoo but there is a fair deal of water
LAP UP LUXURY AT LUTON HOO Bought by Elite Hotels in 1999, Luton Hoo has been transformed into a five-star hotel, spa and golf resort over the last 10 years, with over £60 million invested into making it the impressive facility which visitors find today. The hotel, which was modelled on The Ritz in London, was finally opened in 2008, and today offers guests the chance to take a step back in history, to a time when the house entertained royalty and the political elite. The interiors of the Grade I-listed mansion are spectacular, with triple-height ceilings, huge tapestries, and ornate staircases. The dining room features entire walls made of marble, while cutglass chandeliers provide a feeling of timeless elegance. The food is as impressive as the setting, with executive chef Kevin Clark producing a fine dining menu that offers a stunning combination of traditional British classics made from locally-
TheManor House
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sourced ingredients. The 39 bedrooms within the main house offer vast suites featuring four-poster beds and boast many original features. There are 144 other rooms in separate annexes, including above the clubhouse, which is a five-minute walk from the house in a converted stable block. Luton Hoo’s 7,100-yard golf course, built partly in the Capability Browndesigned park, was built under quite heavy constraints, with little in the way of earth moving – and nothing in the way of bunkers – allowed on the opening and closing stretch. Playing a course without bunkers is something of a refreshing change, but while there is no sand to contend with, there are plenty of trees to block your route to the green, as is evident on the first hole, a brutal 440-yard par four, which the card has it as the most difficult on the course. Luton Hoo’s five par-five holes are a strong collection. The 11th, the last
of a series of holes playing back and forth over the row of ponds at the lowest point of the site, is a clever three-shotter. After your round, a rub down in the spa or a swim in the 18-metre swimming pool might be considered essential for some, but a pint and a sandwich in the clubhouse will keep most golfers happy. Away from the golf, there is tennis, cycling, clay pigeon shooting, and miles of walks around the estate, though a short amble round the formal gardens will be as much as many guests will find the energy to do. Golf breaks start from £129pp, including 36 holes of golf; dinner in Adam’s Brasserie; accommodation in a Parkland or Flower Garden deluxe room; full English breakfast; use of the country club facilities. For further information call 01582 734437 or visit elitehotels.co.uk/ lutonhoo.
FREE GOLF at
“I’ve never played such fantastic courses”
The UK’s Largest Golf Resort
Stephen W - Trip Advisor
Set in the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, Devon. The Ashbury Hotel is the ideal venue for your golf break. At least 27 holes of FREE golf with each night of stay! Pines 17th 442 yards, Par 4
Oakwood 16th 172 yards, Par 3
Beeches 5th 419 yards, Par 4
13/7/15 - 26/8/15
Kigbeare 15th 415 yards, Par 4
• FREE Unlimited Golf • ½ Price Buggies
Early July Breaks from: 3nts Weekend £195pp • 4nts Midweek £220pp
PLUS unique Craft Centre featuring 17 tutored crafts, including Pottery, Woodwork, Glass Engraving & Hot Press Printing
0800 389 9892
Par 72 Par 72 Par 69 Par 68 Par 69 Par 71 Par 54
6528 6400 5803 5502 5775 6111 1939
ashburygolfhotel.com
• All prices per person • All rooms en-suite • Full board • Party discounts •
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Sports Racket Sports Leisure Ranges Family Bowls Swimming Funhouse Tennis Archery Table Tennis Badminton Spa & Sauna Gamezone Air Pistols 5-A-Side Snooker Waterslides Air Rifles Squash Basketball Short Tennis Ten-Pin Lasers Play Area
Kigbeare Pines Beeches Oakwood Ashbury 9 + Pines Front 9 Ashbury 9 + Pines Back 9 Willows
H
Additional Facilities FREE to residents of our hotels
[52] APRIL 2015 | TRAVEL
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Essaouira opens up easy route for golfers heading to Morocco Next month sees EasyJet open a new route from the UK to Morocco that will make it even more convenient for golfers travelling to courses on the country’s Atlantic coastline. The first flight to the coastal town of Essaouira leaves Luton on May 1, with Friday and Monday flights creating the opportunity for a variety of stays, from three to 14 days. Although golf has been played in Morocco for almost a century, it is only within the last decade that this county has established itself as a serious golf destination, with over 30 courses now available to play around the main centres of population in Agadir, Casablanca, Rabat, Tangiers, and Marrakesh. Speaking at the launch of the new Easyjet service at a media event organised by tour operator Your Golf Travel, The Moroccan
PLAY EUROPE’S BEST NEW COURSE AT QUINTA DO LAGO Co-designed by European Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley, Quinta do Lago’s North Course is one of the new stars of European golf and holiday golfers can enjoy the layout for themselves this spring – with prices starting from just £335 per person for a three-night, threeround break. The North Course has earned widespread praise since officially being re-opened by McGinley last autumn, including being named ‘Europe’s Best New Golf Course’ at the 2014 World Golf Awards. A regular visitor with his family to the prestigious Portuguese resort for the last 20 years, McGinley redeveloped the course in close collaboration with renowned American golf architect Beau Welling, with the new venue being completed in the space of just ten months. As well as featuring a round on the North Course, the attractive new breaks also include 18 holes on Quinta do Lago’s two other championship golf courses, Laranjal and the South Course, an eight-time host of the Portuguese Open. Prices, which are based on two people sharing a room, include bed-andbreakfast accommodation at the luxury Monte da Quinta Resort nearby, and packages can be booked until October 31, 2015. Alternatively, golfers can also enjoy exceptional value when booking one of Quinta do Lago’s new golf-only packages for 2015, with 18 holes on its North and South courses and Laranjal available from only £210 per person. Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of European golf for the last four decades, with its three award-winning championship courses matched by outstanding practice facilities, including Europe’s only Paul McGinley Golf Academy, a state-of-the-art TaylorMade Performance Centre and a new short game area. Set among 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, there’s plenty to keep guests occupied away from the fairways at the resort, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the extensive leisure activities available. To make a booking enquiry call 00 351 289 390700 or visit www.quintadolago.com.
National Tourist Office’s UK director, Amine Boughaleb, said: “The UK golfing community is an important target for the Moroccan golfing industry that has been deploying substantial efforts to position The five-star Sofitel Essaouria Mogador Morocco as one of the most promising destinations on the golf map. With enjoy breaks to destinations such over 30 golf courses across the as Sofitel Essaouira Mogador country, and 10 additional ones Golf & Spa. Located in Diabat, under construction, the country a quiet village about 4km from is on the right path to becoming a Essaouira, Mogador boasts two 18wonderful golfing playground.” hole Gary-Player-designed courses, Your Golf Travel has an existing and was ranked 15th among the programme of golf holidays in world’s top 20 best new courses Morocco, focused on Marrakech, last year. Your Golf Travel has a Agadir and Casablanca, but the range of packages, with threetwice-weekly departures to night breaks starting from £279pp. Essaouira will make it even easier To book, visit yourgolftravel.com for golfers in the South East to or call 0800 0436644.
Shoot and score with soccer legends in Turkey Golfers with a passion for football should waste no time in signing up for a Celebrity-Am tournament that is being hosted in Turkey this autumn. The Signature Tournament, which is being run by former Arsenal and England midfielder David Platt’s own company, Major Golf Events, will see teams of amateur golfers rub shoulders with a host of former footballing greats. The 72-hole tournament takes place at the exclusive
five-star Gloria Serenity Resort in Belek, where teams of four, consisting of three amateurs and a different celebrity each day,
will play three rounds of golf on three different courses. The package includes all airport and transfers, and also comprises seven-nights all-inclusive accommodation in a twin room at the Gloria Serenity Resort. The price for an amateur team of four players is £4,760, while teams of three with a celebrity guest playing alongside cost £6,600 per team. For bookings, visit www.majorgolfevents.co.uk/ signature or call 01782 409788.
we’re the golf holiday experts www.chakagolf.com
Make this English run unique B&B your base when golfing in South Carolina
MAURITIUS
FLORIDA
from £1,695 PP
5* Belle Mare Plage
5* Marriott Marco Island
1 week b&b, $200 resort credit per room
12 nights Half Board from £1,695 PP
4 rounds of golf including buggy
12 nights All Inclusive Package from £2,235 PP
unlimited golf, incl. flights & transfers
TENERIFE
from £1,730 PP
Incl. flights & 4 evening meals
ABU DHABI
from £595 PP
from £1,295 PP
5* Las Madrigueras
4* Crowne Plaza Yas island
Excl. flights & transfers
Incl. flights, airport & golf transfers
5 nights b&b 2 evening meals & unlimited golf
MEXICO
5* Moon Palace Resort
7 nights b&b 4 rounds of golf plus shared golf cart
SOUTH AFRICA
from £1,875 PP
MADEIRA
SEYCHELLES
from £1,895 PP
12 nights b&b 6 rounds of golf on 6 courses
Incl. flights & transfers
Incl. flights & car hire DUBAI
SPAIN
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ITALY
IRELAND
£349* for 7 nights B&B incl. 3 rounds of golf with buggy
Want to stay a second week? Add 7 more consecutive nights B&B and 3 more rounds of golf for an additional £300*!
2 weeks Garden Route & Cape Town
2 weeks All Inclusive Unlimited golf on 2 courses
An Inn on York Street specializes in golf holidays and catering to visitors from the UK and Europe. Innkeepers Mark & Sandie Woodier, originally from the UK, can help with your travel plans and advice on flights and local car rentals. We can organize group golf competitions, presentation dinners and can assist with any of your needs to make your golf holiday at An Inn on York Street the perfect escape.
£495* for 10 nights B&B incl. 4 rounds of golf with buggy
*Rates are per person based upon 2 people sharing and assuming an exchange rate of £1 to $1.55) MOROCCO
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TURKEY
TRAVEL | APRIL 2015 [53]
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
LAS COLINAS IS CALLING!
Boasting one of Europe’s most highly-rated new courses and a variety of quality accommodation, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has quickly established itself as one of the most popular destinations for golfers looking for year-round sunshine and first-class Spanish hospitality The Cabell B Robinson course is always Boasting one of Europe’s presented in pristine condition most highly-rated new courses and a variety of quality accommodation, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has quickly established itself as one of the most popular destinations for golfers and second home owners looking for year-round sunshine and first-class Spanish While offering a stern test off the back hospitality. If you’re looking to tees, multiple teeing options give get away after Easter, holiday golfers to chance to score, look no further than the stunning Spanish while pristine fairways and smooth coastal resort of putting surfaces make it a joy to play Las Colinas Golf & at any time of the year Country Club, with its easy access from both Alicante and San Javier airports and reputation for being in 17th is free of any water hazard. and smooth Abubilla Villa in the tournament-ready condition every The course is laid out in two putting Enebro Community day. returning nines – making it ideal surfaces Located in 330 hectares of for playing a quick nine – which make it a joy stunning woodland, the exquisite turn out and back along the floor to play. Troon-managed resort provides of the valley, with the back nine Just as the design and a relaxed environment for the offering a rare balance of three presentation of the course is perfect golf holiday experience, short holes, three par fours, and among the very best, so too is ensuring the hustle and bustle three par fives. While there are the service offering, for which of daily life becomes a distant several challengers for the title Troon is renowned for its exacting memory from the moment you of signature hole, the 644-yard standards the world over. arrive. 18th is a serious contender, with a Golfers can expect to find a Designed by acclaimed architect fairway that snakes past a small pyramid of TaylorMade balls to Cabell B. Robinson, the 18-hole lake short and right of the final warm up with on the superb layout only opened in 2010, but green. practice facilities, which include a is already ranked amongst the The five short holes also offer a driving range, manicured putting Top 100 courses in Continental superb variety of challenges, from green, and a superb short game Europe. the intimidating 250-yard 17th, to area, while chilled bottles of water Blending naturally into the the dinky seventh, which although will be waiting in your buggy surrounding landscape, the only measuring 100 yards, is a before you set off on a round. course occupies a secluded valley, perfect example of why short Away from the fairways, Las creating a feeling of tranquillity, holes don’t have to be long to be Colinas offers a myriad of other with many of the holes routed challenging – and, above all, fun! attractions for all of its guests and around a handful of lakes, which Although a stern test off the property owners, including tennis serve to stiffen the challenge, back tees, multiple teeing options and paddle courts; a state-of-theparticularly over the closing six give holiday golfers to chance art gym; miles of natural walking holes, where only the par-three to score, while pristine fairways and cycling trails around the
Las Colinas has a wide choice of luxury apartments and villas in which to stay
800-acre estate; a falconry school; two fantastic on-site restaurants situated within the clubhouse, the UNiK Café and the enso Sushibar; and for those bits and pieces that you always need on holiday, there is also a mini supermarket on site. For the more adventurous traveller, the resort also boasts a range of excursions that enable guests to make the most of the stunning beauty of the region, from sailing, fishing and diving outings on the Mediterranean Sea and Mar Menor, to hot air balloon trips taking in stunning aerial views of Alicante and Murcia. It’s not enough for guests to merely enjoy an extended break at Las Colinas. Instead golfers from a variety of nationalities have purchased their own plot of land and villa within the secure estate,
ensuring the flexibility of returning whenever they wish. Following a successful sell-out of a plethora of properties since 2010, guests are now being given the opportunity to purchase and design bespoke properties *as pictured in a variety of communities around the estate to fulfil their every desire. For visiting golfers looking for the perfect stay-and-play experience, the stylish Las Colinas Residences offer a choice of luxury apartments and villas that offer classy accommodation for visiting golfers. With either private gardens or large terraces, they offer hotel-style accommodation in a homely environment – and all within a pitching wedge of the golf course. There is a wide range of great value packages for golfers, including early summer specials available until the end of June, which are loaded with added value extras, from free buggies and hire clubs, to complimentary use of the leisure facilities and gift vouchers. To book your stay at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, visit www.lascolinasgolf.es Email reservations@lascolinasgolf.es or call 00 34 965323786.
[54] APRIL 2015 | TRAVEL
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
SarahStirk
W
hen I think of golfing paradise, two destinations spring to mind, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Keen readers of my travel column will know that if I’ve got great golf courses, the sun on my back, and spectacular beaches, I’m a pretty happy bunny – and these two destinations certainly tick all those boxes. After visiting Mauritius in 1896, American writer Mark Twain is claimed to have described the magical tropical island in the Indian Ocean as ‘God’s blueprint for Heaven’. Twain was a man ahead of his time in many ways, but he was certainly ahead of the curve when it came to planning his holidays, as it is only in the last 25 years or so that this enchanting island paradise, which is located 500 miles east of Madagascar – and a 12-hour flight from the UK – has been on the map as a serious holiday destination. Golfers have had to be even more patient, as with the glorious exception of the Gymkhana Golf Club, which dates back to 1844, there was nothing worth travelling half way around the world to play before the opening of Belle Mare Plage’s Legend course in 1994. Since then, the golfing floodgates have opened, and golfers can now take their pick from no fewer than ten 18-hole championship layouts, and several excellent nine-hole courses. And with the island’s unrivalled reputation for luxury facilities and friendly service, it is no wonder Mauritius is the destination of choice for many of today’s discerning golf tourists. Constance Belle Mare Plage has been the most popular golf resort in Mauritius over the last 20 years and has the advantage of having two golf courses, the Links and the Legend, both of which are included in the hotel rates. Beautiful beaches, luxury accommodation and fine dining are just a fraction of the Belle Mare Plage experience. As with any top-rated property on the island, the service is superb, providing just the right amount of attention, without being overbearing. Belle Mare is situated on the east side of Mauritius, on the Island’s best bay, and is around an hour’s transfer from the international airport. You can pick from six different styles of accommodation, including suites and villas with private pools, and there’s a choice of seven restaurants and six bars. There’s also a sumptuous spa for that all-important post-round massage. The other Constance hotel on the island is the Prince Maurice, a popular spot for honeymooners and the ultimate in exclusivity. The Legend course, designed by
SARAH STIRK KICKS OFF HER BEACH SANDALS AND DONS HER GOLF SHOES FOR A WHISTLESTOP TOUR OF THE BEST GOLF RESORTS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS OF MAURITIUS AND THE SEYCHELLES
South African Hugh Baiocchi, is the jewel in the resort’s crown. It’s a great test of golf, where finding fairways is key, but the varied tee positions ensure it is playable for all standards. The opening hole immediately alerts you to the fact that the Indian Ocean isn’t the only place you’ll find water in Mauritius. The other unavoidable truth is the somewhat intimidating proximity of impenetrable jungle. So, unless you come equipped with both a snorkel and machete, the priority is to keep the ball in play. The signature hole, the 17th, is a feast for the eyes and a test of the nerves. You play across a lagoon, and although the target is a fairly large green, it’s tricky to read, so if you walk off with a par you should
Constance Muria Resort in The Seychelles
ISLANDS IN THE SUN
Le Touessrok occupies its own island off the coast of Mauritius
Belle Mare Plage is home to two magnificent championship courses
Unless you come equipped with both a snorkel and machete, the priority is to keep the ball in play
be very happy indeed. Notwithstanding the misery that comes with losing balls, the handicap golfer will enjoy the numerous doglegs and thorough examination that this course presents. And there’s a good chance that you will be able to buy back the balls you dumped in the water quite reasonably from the pro shop when you return to gain revenge. The second course, the Links, really put golf in Mauritius firmly on the golfing map when it first opened in 2002. With wider fairways and generous greens, it’s a rather less intimidating test than the Legend; and this Peter Alliss/Rodney Wright creation is an imaginative attempt to provide an altogether different experience. Although the imposing piles of black volcanic rocks are not the type of thing you are likely to encounter on a more traditional links, the genuine attempt to create something resembling a rolling, hillocky terrain with a linksy feel has succeeded. Of course, Mauritius isn’t just popular with holiday golfers, as it now boasts two professional tournaments. The AfrAsia Bank
Mauritius Open became the first tri-sanctioned event endorsed by the Sunshine, European, and Asian Tours, and will be held at the Heritage Golf Club from May 7-10, while Belle Mare Plage now hosts the European Senior Tour’s final event, the MCB Tour Championship, which will take place from December 11-13. While Belle Mare Plage is where the pros play, for sheer unadulterated holiday golf, there are few golf courses on the planet that can touch the spectacular Le Touessrok. Only accessible by helicopter or boat, this James Bond of a course occupies its own private island, Ile aux Cerfs, which is named after the deer that once roamed in its forests, and now provides a truly unforgettable experience for all who set foot on its pristine fairways. Designed by Bernhard Langer, the 7,000-yard layout twists and turns its way through an exotic volcanic island, featuring mangrove swamps
and dense tropical vegetation, before colliding with the sea in a series of stunning holes that run alongside white sandy beaches and rocky outcrops. It’s truly breathtaking stuff, which will leave you wanting to start all over again as soon as you come off the 18th green – providing you haven’t already run out of balls on this ultra-demanding layout. After a round, golfers can hop back on the boat to the five-star One&Only resort, which boasts a number of elegant suites overlooking the eastern coast back to the golf course. If you can drag yourself away from the golf course, sun loungers and all-inclusive buffets, the island offers a number of excellent excuses to venture out. The capital, Port Louis, features a bustling central market and the historic CitadelFort Adelaide, while the Caudan Waterfront is great for shopping for local crafts. And if you like a flutter on the horses, Champ De Mars, the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere, has racing every
weekend from May to November. While Mauritius is one of my favourite golfing destinations in the world, there’s plenty to like about the Seychelles too. The Constance Lemuria Resort is home to the championship par-70, 18hole layout, and is considered a tough challenge for any level of golfer because of its elevated tees, undulations and water hazards. The 15th hole is spectacular. The tees are perched high on a rocky ridge, offering stunning views, and there’s a breathtaking 50-yard drop to the green in the valley below. Again, like Constance Mauritius, there are no green fees for guests of the resort. Along with the championship golf course, it’s a sport lover’s paradise, with tennis courts, windsurfing, and trips to the best reefs for snorkeling. The resort has a three level swimming pool, bike rental, and it goes without saying the scuba diving is world class. Golf in paradise? You can’t go wrong with either Mauritius or the Seychelles, and if you don’t have your ‘A’ game with you, just relax and take in the views!
TRAVEL | APRIL 2015 [55]
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
Me&MyTravels My first holiday… was in Dubai, about 12 years ago. I had been given a riding suspension for a week and had nothing better to do, so I jumped on a plane. My favourite hotel... is Sandy Lane in Barbados. The service is superb, and the golf courses are top class. It also helps that I get on quite well with the owner, JP McManus! I always travel with... my mobile phone. I can’t ever be out of contact with my agent, trainers or owners (or my wife), so I have to carry it with me everywhere. For example, I was on holiday in Spain a years ago and was told I had to be riding a horse the following day off my lowest weight, so my agent rang me to tell me to stop eating immediately and get on the next plane home! I am not interested in... doing nothing, sightseeing or taking part for the fun of it. I hate lying on a beach, but I also hate sightseeing, so golf is a great way of doing something active and relaxing at the same time. My favourite meal abroad is… chicken and chips with mayonnaise. I know it doesn’t sound very exciting, but race riding requires a constant battle with your weight and
I can’t afford the luxury of a three-course meal, let alone a pudding. One of the things I’m most looking forward to after I retire is not getting on the scales every day. As a jockey, I have to weigh around 10 stone, so food is not my favourite subject, but it will be soon! My favourite golf course... the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. The weather is always good, even if my golf isn’t. I’m planning a trip to... the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s a different kind of horsepower, but it’s without doubt one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. The worst holiday I’ve ever had... was the enforced one I took after breaking my arm
TONY MCCOY, THE MOST SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL HUNT JOCKEY OF ALL TIME, IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SWAPPING HIS RIDING BOOTS FOR A PAIR OF GOLF SHOES WHEN HE HANGS UP HIS SILKS FOR THE LAST TIME NEXT MONTH
would be a solid replacement.
The Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course
I never go on holiday without... my mobile phone and my wife Chanelle and the kids – although not necessarily in that order! My top travel tip would be... to get some else to organise your holidays for you and always get picked up from the airport – it takes all the stress out of finding your way around a strange place.
a few years ago. Going on a golfing holiday with your arm in a sling isn’t much fun.
AP McCoy is playing in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth Club on May 20. To book tickets call 08000 232557 or visit www.europeantour. com/tickets.
My ideal golfing partners Sandy Lane Hotel would be... Mick Fitzgerald, Carl Llewelyn and John Francome. Mick thinks he’s Tiger Woods, Carl is always in the woods, and John’s probably got more money than Tiger Woods. If either of those three couldn’t make it, actress Charlize Theron
Sandy Lane Hotel
South Carolina
Monaco Grand Prix
Kiawah Ocean Course #18, Kiawah Island
It’s golf season all year long.
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