golfnews_april_2012

Read the UK’s no.1 golf paper online at www.golfnews.co.uk

Issue 209 | April 2012

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SERGIO GARCIA ‘I’m not good enough’ pages 28 & 29

EQUIPMENT All the latest gear and soft shoes

SPECIAL PULL-OUT Callaway launch new RAZR X irons

COMPETITIONS Win a set of Callaway irons Tickets to BMW PGA FootJoy makeover

TRAVEL & BREAKS

Westy ‘The BMW PGA is the fifth major’: page 14

Sir Steve Redgrave Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Northern France Golf in Phoenix

BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Four-page preview pages 21-24

INTRODUCING

IRON

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PROGRESSIVE DESIGN The progressive set design of the i20 Iron allows for high-launching long irons and penetrating short irons. This enables the golfer to execute even the most demanding shots and ultimately get the most from their game.

The multi-metal composition aids overall performance, helping golfers to hit precise yardages.

For more information visit PING.com

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chr is g an e p4 8 - 4 9 | E W EN M URRAY p 52 | TOUR NEWS p 54-55 | P ro S h op p 60- 61 | TRAV E L p 66

06/02/2012 15:25

April 2012 / Issue 209

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Read the UK’s no.1 golf paper online at www.golfnews.co.uk

Golf News, The Studio, 14 Deanway, Hove, East Sussex BN3 6DG. Tel: 01273 556377. email: info@golfnews.co.uk. Website: www.golfnews.co.uk

SERGIO GARCIA ‘I’m not good enough’ pages 28 & 29

EQUIPMENT

Design www.71degrees.com

Managing Director Matt Nicholson matt@golfnews.co.uk Editor Nick Bayly editor@golfnews.co.uk Advertising Production Kath Perry ads@golfnews.co.uk

Photography Kevin Murray (kevinmurraygolfphotography.com) Action Images, James Cheadle Published by BlueGreen Media

Contributors Paul Mahoney, Clive Agran, Ewen Murray, Denis Pugh, Alistair Tait

All the latest gear and soft shoes

SPECIAL PULL-OUT Callaway launch new RAZR X irons

COMPETITIONS Win a set of Callaway irons Tickets to BMW PGA FootJoy makeover

TRAVEL & BREAKS

Westy

Sir Steve Redgrave Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Northern France Golf in Phoenix

‘The BMW PGA is the fifth major’: page 14

BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Four-page preview pages 21-24

INTRODUCING

IRON

Follow us on: Twitter@golfnewsmag

PROGRESSIVE DESIGN

MIXED OPEN

The progressive set design of the i20 Iron allows for high-launching long irons and penetrating short irons. This enables the golfer to execute even the most demanding shots and ultimately get the most from their game.

The multi-metal composition aids overall performance, helping golfers to hit precise yardages.

For more information visit PING.com

© Copyright Golf News 2012. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

C H R I S G AN E P4 8 - 4 9 | E W E N M U R R AY P 5 2 | T O U R N E W S P 5 4 - 5 5 | PR O S H O P P 6 0 - 6 1 | T R AV E L P 6 6

Sunday 5th August 2012

Editor’sview

18 hole mixed texas scramble n Teams to consist 2 Gentlemen and 2 Ladies

email: editor@golfnews.co.uk

n Stableford 10% handicap allowance n Gentlemen to take minimum 4 drives each

Why the grass isn’t always greener Course managers in the UK must dread the US Masters. While for us golfers it signals the awakening of a new season, and the prospect of warm spring days and longer evenings enticing us out on to the course, for the worldweary greenkeeper it spells nothing but trouble from members with unrealistic expectations.

It’s as predictable as a Man Utd comeback that club golfers tuning into the coverage from Augusta will return to their clubs the following week and wonder why their course isn’t quite so picture perfect. With the stimp running at 13, and fairways smoother than a cashmere codpiece, comparing Augusta to almost any other course in the UK at this time of the year is like putting a polished apple up against a crusted cowpat (i.e. not very similar).

It’s long been known that the groundstaff at Augusta dyes its ponds blue to hide the algae, and spray-paints its grass green to disguise the occasional lack of spring growth, but these

are not steps the average course manager can take when he or she is looking to smarten up their golf course.

So please don’t give your hard-working greenkeepers any lip about why your course isn’t up to Tour-standard conditions in the middle of April. By all means have a pop if the badgers have dug up the 12th green (again), or if the flag has been put two inches from the front bunker at the testing short 4th, but the length and the quality of the grass is down to Mother Nature at this time of year, not human error.

On the flip side, I would encourage course managers to open up better lines of communication with the members, posting regular updates about course conditions on club websites and on noticeboards, explaining why things are the way they are, and what members can expect in the future. Knowledge is power, and ignorance is not always bliss.

There’s Links at the end of the tunnel

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April 2012 / Issue 209

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The finest downland course in Sussex...

Former Ryder Cup star Thomas Levet and twotime European Tour winner Pablo Larrazábal will add a continental flavour to this year’s Golf Live, after it was announced that they are to join the all-star cast being assembled for May’s event.

Frenchman Levet and Spaniard Larrazábal, two of the more flamboyant members of the European Tour, will line up alongside the likes of Ryder Cup winning captain Colin Montgomerie, South African legend Gary Player and Paul Casey at the London Golf Club from May 18-20.

As well as being available to offer useful advice and tips to visitors, the pair will put their skills to the test in a series of challenges and clinics at the London Club – the southeast’s premier golf destination.

Levet is arguably the most successful player in French golfing history having triumphed six times on the European Tour and helped win the Ryder Cup in 2004. In 2002, the 43-yearold came agonisingly close to becoming the first Frenchman to win The Open since Arnaud Massy in 1907 when he was beaten by Ernie Els in a play-off, and he claimed an emotional win at last year’s French Open – although the joy of victory was tempered when he fractured his leg jumping into a lake to celebrate.

Larrazábal made his big

Colin Montgomerie headlines the cast of stars for this year’s event

breakthrough at the French Open three years earlier, when his maiden victory helped him win the coveted European Tour Rookie of the Year award, and he enjoyed his best year to date in 2011. After finishing third in front of his home fans in the Spanish Open, and fourth at the Saab Wales Open, Larrazábal claimed the biggest win of his career at the BMW International Open

Bookings now being taken for our Dormy House open March to November 2012 Twin bed en-suite rooms with a five course dinner, bed & full english breakfast, including two rounds of golf from £80 in March to £143 in high summer per person per night Green fee visitors welcome Green Fees from £35 County Cards £28 Twilight Tickets £22 For a brochure and more information call Sue on: 01323 892442, e-mail: sue@seafordgolfclub.co.uk or visit: www.seafordgolfclub.co.uk

June ‘Late Booking’ Offer - £119 Limited availability - to book call:

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Seaford Golf Club SEAFORD GOLF CLUB, FIRLE ROAD, SEAFORD, EAST SUSSEX, BN25 2JD

when he beat compatriot Sergio Garcia in a sudden death play-off.

Joining them at the threeday interactive show – the largest of its kind in the world – will be European Tour colleagues Rhys Davies and Oliver Fisher, victorious Solheim Cup captain Alison Nicholas and Ladies’ tour stars Melissa Reid, Henni Zuel and Carly Booth.

Levet said: “I love spending time with the golfing public as it’s not something we get to do very often in our daily lives. Golf Live is a fantastic opportunity for us as professionals to give something back to the game.

The camaraderie is great and the whole three days promise to be a lot of fun.”

James Goode, Golf Live’s

Lewis makes US debut Hertfordshire pro Tom Lewis made his professional debut on the PGA Tour last month, as he seeks to build on his successful rookie year on the European Tour in 2011.

The 21-year-old from Welwyn received a special invitation to take part in the Transitions Championship, held at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Florida.

He shot 72 and 73 in the opening two rounds, which included six birdies, but seven bogeys and one costly triple bogey pushed him out of the tournament, which was won by Luke Donald following a fourman play-off.

“I was really grateful to the organisers of the Transitions tournament for giving me the opportunity,” the Hertfordshire golfer said.

“I know I’ve got a two-year exemption in Europe, which gives me the opportunity to play in America and see what standard I need to get to. Although it was disappointing to miss the

cut, it was more important to leave having learned more about where my game is at, rather than the importance of overall result.”

Lewis, who won the Portugual Masters in October last year, insists he is still on a steep learning curve on the professional circuit. He has recorded one top-20 since his victory, with a highest finish of 11th in last month’s Sicilan Open at Verdura.

“The win came too quick for me in a way, but it meant good things, because I was doing well,” Lewis said. “If I want to be as good as I possibly can, I am going to have to get used to that. I’m kind of settling down now, getting more and more used to the way it’s going to be, and I would not change the situation I am in.”

April 2012 / Issue 209

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Golf Live managing director, said: “It’s wonderful news that Thomas and Pablo will be joining us in May. They are two of the most popular figures on Tour and will really enhance this year’s line-up.

English golf may be flying high at the moment, but it’s important that we recognise the contribution that France and Spain have made in developing the game in the last few decades.”

Pete Cowen, coach of world number three Lee Westwood, will also be on hand to share his swing methods and secrets, while consumers will have the chance to try out the latest in golf club technology from the game’s top brands.

Leading manufacturers, including TaylorMade, Callaway, Wilson, Cleveland, Mizuno, Yonex, and Cobra, will all be present to demonstrate their latest equipment on the show’s 30-bay outdoor driving range. In addition, the likes of Gleneagles, Oakley, Sandals, Tommy Hilfiger Golf, Sun Mountain, Snooper, Archer Golf, Turnberry Resort, and Lambda will be among the impressive cast of companies involved.

And, as well as being able to watch, listen to and ask questions of the star-studded cast during the three-day show, people also have the chance to play alongside the Tour professionals with Golf Live’s Heritage Hospitality Package available for just £375 plus VAT per person.

Tickets for Golf Live cost just £20 for adults, while under-18s can gain free entry by registering on Golf Live’s website. To enquire about booking a hospitality package, phone 020 7471 1080, and for more information or to buy tickets visit www.golfliveevent.com.

Westwood makes West End debut World No.3 Lee Westwood is making his debut on the West End stage later this month, although sadly, for his fans, he won’t be singing or dancing. Instead, Westwood will be taking to the stage with his manager, Chubby Chandler, to take part in a uniquely interactive evening, involving an hour-long Q&A session with a group of paying guests, who will also get the chance to see the former World No.1 take on his favourite 10 holes in world golf on an indoor simulator.

The event, which is being held at the luxury May Fair Hotel in London’s West End, will start with drinks and canapés before moving into the conference room for the rest of the evening’s entertainment. There will be plenty of prizes on offer, including a set of customised clubs from Westwood’s equipment sponsor, Ping, which is also offering an exclusive tour of its UK headquarters. For tickets, which cost £225 plus vat per person, call 0208 123 5028 or email mark@theworldstage.co.uk.

Warren put up for sale The Warren Golf Club in Essex has been put up for sale after its owners, Durham Fruit Farms Limited, was placed into administration on February 15. The Maldonbased private members’ club, which was founded in 1902, is continuing to be operated as a going concern, while a new buyer is being sought by administrators FRP Advisory.

Durham Fruit Farms also owns two further nine-hole public courses nearby, Badgers and Bunsay Downs, which are also being put on the market by Christie & Co, along with a holiday lodge business. Facilities at The Warren include an 18-hole, par 70 course with clubhouse, bar/restaurant and a pro shop.

The sale also includes two 9-hole courses, which have its own clubhouse, and a four-bedroom detached house set in 20 acres. Christie & Co is inviting freehold offers for all or parts of the businesses for sale, with a second round of bidding for bona fide applicants expected.

Homes pressure builds on Botley Park Plans to build a housing development on land currently occupied by Macdonald Botley Park Hotel, Golf and Country Club in Hampshire have been met with strong resistance from local residents, who fear the loss of one of the region’s most popular golf courses.

Eastleigh Borough Council has earmarked almost all of Botley Park’s 18-hole course and surrounding area to have 1,400 new homes built on it, to meet the area’s

housing shortage.

Macdonald Hotels has stated it is in favour of promoting the development of the site. In order to counter the loss of the course, the council is planning to build a new championship course near the Rose Bowl stadium, which is currently being considered as the site for new hotel, conference and leisure development.

However, a survey of Boorley Green residents

found that 65 per cent use the golf course for recreational facilities and 98 per cent oppose it being converted into housing.

One opponent to the plans said: “It would be a shame if the golf course was to be affected by this.

There aren’t many decent golf courses around this area, and to lose Botley Park to more housing would be a shame. Golf courses do not only provide enjoyment and exercise, there are also walks around the footpaths on the course to enjoy the scenery, wildlife and peace and quiet, bar the odd shout of fore!”

Council leader Keith House said the borough needed more than 500 homes a year over the next 17 years to meet needs.

“There are difficult decisions to make, but it is important that we face up to our responsibilities,” he said.

Society and Corporate Golf Days Start from £39.50 per person At Dale Hill Golf Club in East Sussex

Contact the golf office on 01580 201800 Email: golf@dalehill.co.uk Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club Ticehurst, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 7DQ www.dalehill.co.uk

06 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

News in Brief

Vandals force Hampton to close

Ford takes pole at Langley Birdies on three of the last five holes helped Challenge Tour regular Matt Ford shoot a twounder-par round of 67 to win the Langley Park Sprint.

After bogeying the first and the fourth holes, Ford’s round was looking somewhat out of tune, but five birdies between the eighth and 17th holes turned into what proved to be the best score of the day.

C&K backs Kent Open C&K Specialist Cleaning Group is the new sponsor title sponsor of the PGA Kent Open, which is taking place at Prince’s Golf Club on August 15-16. Speaking about the new sponsor, PGA Regional secretary Sam Smith said: “The PGA Kent Open has become a firm favourite with pros in the South, and Prince’s calibre always shows in the excellent standard of golf the event always seems to generate.”

Hampton Golf Course in Surrey has taken the unprecedented step of closing its course to the public after suffering a spate of attacks from vandals in recent months. David Lloyd Leisure, which owns the nine-hole course, has reported incidents of vandalism on an almost daily basis since the new year, with damage to flags, course furniture and machinery.

The course’s irrigation system has been damaged over a dozen times in the last year, while the course’s greens have been torn up by motorcyclists. Additionally, intruders have held overnight parties on the course, forcing staff to clear up litter and discarded drug needles.

The club said in a statement: “Following several further incidents of vandalism and health and safety issues, David Lloyd Leisure Hampton has regretfully taken the decision to close access to the golf course, which is not a public right of way, but leased property for which we are responsible.”

The decision to close the 70-acre site to the public has proved unpopular with local residents, as it prevents access to a popular dog-walking path, while golfers have also expressed disappointment. Rivermeads Residents’ Association has collected about 500 signatures for a petition opposing the move. The club met officials at Richmond Council at the end of last year to try to find a solution. Although vandals have targeted the grounds for many years, it said that the problem has got worse over the last 12 months.

Zane Scotland produced two scorching back nines at The London Golf Club to tie for the lead in the final individual PGA Winter Series event supported by Titleist and FootJoy. The Woodcote Park professional managed to tie with Glyn Bateman (Eastbourne Park), although the latter was left to rue a missed three-putt on the last for outright victory.

Scotland made five birdies in his round, but dropped a couple of shots on the front nine to offset two fine birdies at the sixth and seventh to be out in level par. He got fired up again through the back nine with two birdies on the trot through the 13th and 14th, and then pulled a stunning birdie two out the hat on the 207-yard 17th to reach three-under-par and share the lead.

Starting on the 10th, Bateman made an early move with a birdie on the 11th and then again on the 13th, but things cooled down for a few holes until he produced another at the 18th to go three-under-par.

He then birdied the second to reach four-under and stayed in the lead until he three putted the ninth to

Scotland lead on London

finish in a tie with Scotland.

Bateman reflected on a successful day. “I played my front nine really well, holing some great putts after switching to my belly putter. The back nine wasn’t quite as tidy, but I held on well and made some good recovery shots. Threeputting on the final green

from 30 feet was a pain, but it was my only one on greens that everyone was saying were superb and really quick.”

With only the Titleist & FootJoy Assistants’ and Trainees Betterball ProAm at Farnham left in the schedule, four players are in hot contention for the

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April 2012 / Issue 209

ds raid

overall Winter Series Order of Merit title. Bateman is in the lead, but Jordan Godman (Rochester & Cobham) is only a handful of points behind him. The leading assistant and Order of Merit winner is in line for a custom-fit Titleist driver, custom-fitted FootJoy MyJoy shoes and a cheque for £250.

/ 07

Kimsey claims Rye record England Boys’ international Nathan Kimsey carded a record two-under par total of 270 to win the South of England Youths Championship held at Rye Golf Club.

The 18-year-old from Woodhall Spa fired final rounds of 66 and 67 to collect the 2012 Darwin Salver, beating his nearest rival by four shots, and the previous competition record by three shots.

Kimsey finished four strokes ahead of fellow England teammate Max Orrin (North Foreland, Kent), who was runner-up for the second successive year, and five strokes ahead of another Kent player, Alfie Plant from Rochester & Cobham.

Wentworth’s Curtis

Nathan Kimsey

Griffiths set the first day pace to lead on 136, one ahead of Kimsey and Orrin.

But while Kimsey stormed

in front with his third round 66, Griffiths dropped out of contention with 74, and the challenge was taken up by

Orrin and Plant.

Kimsey, winner of the McEvoy Trophy last year, when he also finished fourth on the Titleist FootJoy EGU Boys’ Order of Merit, wasn’t to be denied, and his closing 67 saw him out of reach of his pursuers.

After his record win, Kimsey said: “It has just been about confidence. I played well at the Portuguese and Spanish amateurs, but missed both cuts by a couple of shots. I was choosing spots on greens that were safe, but didn’t set up obvious birdie chances, but the ball was going exactly where I was aiming, so I knew that I just had to be confident that this would happen when chasing pins and it did.”

Stay in touch with Golf News on Twitter!

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Retweets from many of the region’s top clubs reveal the latest playing conditions, details on open days, and last-minute offers, while free tickets to next month’s Golf Live event at The London Golf Club have also been given away on the feed. And with regular prizes for new followers, and news from amateur and professional golf, it makes sense to stay in touch with your No.1 golfing newspaper – @golfnewsmag.

News in Brief Essex launches junior OoM The Essex Golf Union has launched a new Order of Merit for boys aged under 12, 13 and 14. Sponsored by the Norman Garon Trust, a series of competitions will take place throughout the summer at various courses across the county.

Foursomes win for Wentworth teenAGERS Surrey teenagers Annabel Dimmock and Inci Mehmet proved a formidable partnership in the London Foursomes held at The Berkshire. The Wentworth pair, both members of England’s Select South squad, beat Worplesdon’s Lisa McGowan and Katie Fewster 4&3 in the final. During the knockout match play event, they also beat Castle Royle 5&3, Henley 9&7, Ellesborough 2&1, Woking 5&3, and Guildford 6&5.

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08 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

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Visitors to the former Elstree Golf and Country Club in Hertfordshire are going to have to get used to calling it by a different name, following the decision to change its name to Radlett Park Golf Club. Although the course hasn’t moved location, golfers who haven’t been to the club in recent years will barely recognise it, following the opening of a spectacular new clubhouse, which offers panoramic views of the golf course.

The popular Hertfordshire club has also undertaken some major changes to the challenging 18-hole parkland course during the last two years. These improvements include the extension of the water feature in front of the 11th green, and the construction of a new threetiered green on the 18th hole, which has been changed from a relatively straightforward par five to a tough par four.

With the refurbishment of the existing driving range into a new state-of-the-art floodlit range due to open in Spring 2013, it certainly is an exciting time for the club and the membership.

Members had an added reason to be excited just before Christmas, when US Open champion Rory McIlroy dropped in to the club to

Visit: www.westmallinggolf.com

The stunning new clubhouse

take part in a filming session for The Sports Personality of the Year Awards. Members were delighted to see the Irish superstar hitting balls on the fifth hole, after which he happily posed for pictures, and signed caps and anything else that members could lay their hands on during his brief visit.

Cleveland ‘Centre of Excellence’ opens at Magnolia Park Leading equipment brands Cleveland Golf and Srixon have opened a brand new custom -fitting Centre of Excellence at Magnolia Park Golf & Country Club in Buckinghamshire.

The state-of-theart fitting facility is stocked with the latest Cleveland and Srixon products, giving golfers of all abilities the opportunity to get fitted for the right equipment to suit their game.

The new fitting centre opened in response to the huge demand for custom fitting for Cleveland equipment, which resulted in over 1,000 golfers passing through the doors at Cleveland’s Centre of Excellence in Maidenhead.

Cleveland Golf/Srixon European marketing manager, Ben Davis, said: “We are excited to be opening our second custom-fitting facility in the UK. It is a testament to the quality of our product, and the service that our customers already receive at our popular Centre of Excellence, that demand is high and we have been able to respond to that.

We are delighted to be partnering with

Magnolia Park Golf & Country Club, where the superb facilities already on offer will complement our new state-ofthe-art Centre of Excellence. We look forward to offering many more golfers the high level of service they have come to expect from our expert custom-fit team.”

One of the key features in the fitting studio is a 3D Motion Golf data capture system, combined with a high-tech GC2 launch monitor that tracks the golfer’s ball-flight with absolute precision. Using a combination of high speed cameras and special gear for the golfer to wear, the system shows the customfit technician everything they need to know about the golfer’s game – swing speed, launch angle, spin rate, and much more – enabling them to provide the perfect custom fit solution for every club in the bag.

Each custom-fitting session lasts 90 minutes and costs £99. Golfers can book an appointment online at www.magnoliapark. co.uk/club_ cleveland or by calling 01844 239700.

April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 09

A totally NEW flexible golf membership from Gatton gears up for Surrey Open The staff and members at Gatton Manor, Hotel & Golf Club are gearing themselves up in preparation for hosting the muchanticipated PGA Surrey Open Championship in June.

The 54-hole tournament, which is generously sponsored by Kronenbourg 1664, is now in its third year, and the club, which changed ownership last year, wil be looking to build on the huge success it has enjoyed since first staging the competition in 2010.

The Surrey Open is one of the oldest British golf tournaments, which was first played in 1926, and has been

won by some of the greats such as Neil Coles, Dai Rees, and most recently in 2011 by Nick Redfern, who carried off the title last summer.

This year’s renewal takes place from June 27-28, with the opening round played by a full field of 132 PGA Professionals. A cut will be made after the opening round, with just the top 32 players taking part in two rounds over the final day to determine who will be crowned PGA Surrey Open Champion for 2012, and win the £12,000 first prize.

As in previous years, the tournament will be preceded by a Pro-Am on June 26,

club where a maximum of 42 teams of three amateurs have the opportunity to play alongside a PGA professional for 18 holes.

It always proves a popular day, so those interested in getting a team together should call Gatton Manor’s general manager, Colin Cole, on 01306 627 555.

Besides the 18-hole Stableford event, players will be able to take part in all sorts of competitions and prize draws, as well as enjoy a rolling post-match barbeque. There are also a number of sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses.

Wentworth hosts Tour’s 40th celebrations The great and the good of European golf gathered at Wentworth on April 11 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the European Tour.

The famous Surrey course, which will play host to the BMW PGA Championship next month, staged a special challenge match over the West Course between representatives from BMW, The European Tour, Wentworth, the BBC and Sky Sports. The European Tour began life on April 12, 1972, at the first round of the Spanish Open at Pals Golf Club in Girona – a tournament won four days later by the host nation’s Antonio Garrido.

Following on from that, a month later – May 1972 – saw the establishment of BMW M GmbH, one of whose first models was the iconic M1.

To recognise both occasions, John Jacobs, the founding father of The European Tour and the Tour’s first director general in 1972, was joined by the Tour’s current chief executive George O’Grady and professionals Sam Torrance and Michael King, who both played in the early years of the Tour, for a commemorative photograph around an original gleaming red BMW M1 parked outside the Wentworth clubhouse.

“This is a very special occasion and I can’t quite believe it is 40 years ago that

L-R: John Jacobs, Sam Torrance; George O’Grady and Michael King

The European Tour began – time does fly, doesn’t it?” said the now 86-year-old Jacobs who aside from being instrumental in the birth of the Tour, is also recognised worldwide as one of the game’s great coaches.

Jacobs was at the helm for three years until handing over the reins to Ken Schofield in 1975. The Scot guided the Tour for 30 years before stepping aside for O’Grady in 2005, and Jacobs paid a glowing tribute to his two successors.

“I moved aside because I wanted to get on with my own career, but Ken was a natural and I knew the whole business was in safe hands,” he said. “If you look at where the Tour started when Ken took over and where it was when he left, it is almost unbelievable, and George has followed that on by moving things even further forward. Great credit must go to both of them.”

One of the players who

benefitted from Jacobs’ foresight in the early years was Torrance, who finished 37th on the 1972 Order of Merit before going on to record 21 Tour victories in a glittering career which, to this day, sees the 58-year-old Scot still hold the record for most European Tour events played with 706.

“I am very honoured to have been a European Tour professional for 40 years, and very proud to be here to help celebrate this unique anniversary,” said Torrance, who now plies his trade on the European Seniors Tour where, on three occasions, he has claimed the Order of Merit trophy which bears John Jacobs’ name.

The result of the golf match saw the combined team from The European Tour/BMW/Wentworth Club defeat the combined team from BBC Television/Sky Sports by 5½–4½.

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News in Brief

Abbey Hill chips in for Sport Relief Abbey Hill Golf Centre mascots Chip the Bear and Pirate Chip were on hand to help golfers raise money for Sport Relief last month. Golfers turned out in force to take part in a special competition and complete a Sport Relief Mile over the facility’s Par-3 Short Course.

More than 50 golfers took part in the competition – which was won by Kathy Shaw and Dave Wilson with a stableford score of 53 points – and helped to raise in excess of £200. During the competition golfers were able to complete their Sport Relief mile as the one-mile point was marked out on the fairway to indicate when golfers had covered the distance.

Sverdloff WINS COLLEGE title Essex teenager Dulcie Sverdloff has won the British Colleges Sport national championship.

The 17-year-old from Garon Park claimed the women’s title in the final at the National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa, and also won the Open event that was run alongside it. Sverdloff, who is studying for A levels at Seevic College in Essex, shot one-over par 74 on the Hotchkin course, followed by one-under 71 on the Bracken. She finished two clear of Samantha Meese (Enville), while Rebecca Horner (Woodham) was third. “It’s nice to shoot a couple of good scores and give myself a quick start to the season,” said Sverdloff, who plays for Essex and won the Abraham Trophy in 2010, contested by England’s most improved girl golfers.

April 2012 / Issue 209

Clubs left high and dry by drought regulations With seven counties in the UK bringing hosepipe and sprinkler bans into force from April 5, many golf clubs in the regions affected remain unclear as to what water they can and cannot use to maintain their courses.

The manager of one Essex golf club has appealed to England Golf to urgently enter into negotiations with water companies ahead of forthcoming restrictions on water usage, amid fears that this could devastate golf courses throughout parts of the UK. He has also called for guidance on what clubs are allowed to do and how they can survive a dry spring and summer.

Meanwhile, a second Essex club manager has stated he has experienced aggression from people angry about golf clubs’ consumption of water.

Many clubs are confused about how the hosepipe ban will be applied

David Bowles, secretary at Theydon Bois Golf Club in Essex, has said that he is unclear as to how the bans will apply to golf clubs, although his head greenkeeper has heard that he will be ‘banned

from watering the course and filling up storage tanks’.

He added that his water company, Veolia Water, has not contacted the club to detail what the restrictions will involve.

Greenkeepers at other

clubs in the last few weeks have also complained about a lack of clarity and information from water companies regarding how the hosepipe bans will affect them.

“With a dry spring and

summer, not watering the course could result in serious damage being caused to the greens,” Mr Bowles said.

A spokeswoman for Veolia Water said that clubs can only irrigate their grass from systems connected to a meter from April 5. She added that water drawn from the mains supply into tanks other than hand-held receptacles for subsequent watering of the course will not be permitted.

“Watering areas of grass used for sport or recreation using a hosepipe is covered by the ban,” she said. “This includes all golf courses.

It applies to both publicly and privately-owned facilities; both can be large users of water, but some may have private water supplies. Golf courses can still be watered using other sources of water.”

Teenager aces Belfry’s brutal 10th

Free trial rounds at Chipstead Chipstead Golf Club in Surrey is offering two days in April when golfers have the opportunity to play the course for free.

On April 22 and April 29, potential new members can book in and play the 18-hole course in Coulsdon for no charge, saving the normal £32 weekend green fee. Chipstead director of golf, Gary Torbett, said: “We make no secret of the fact we would like to have a few more members. What better way than to offer a free round of golf, so that you can experience what is on offer. The course looks good and is playing great. There are a number of special deals on at the moment to encourage membership. On the two free days, we will have a team of people available to explain the various options available to men, women and junior players.”

Those interested in coming need to pre-book by calling 01737 555781 or by sending an email to office@chipsteadgolf.co.uk, as we are expecting a good response to this unusual opportunity.”

A handicap certificate is not required, but players must have their own clubs and golf shoes.

Hundreds of thousands of golfers, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and the late Seve Ballesteros, have taken on the worldfamous 10th hole at The Belfry’s Brabazon course over the past 35 years, but not one could claim a holein-one – until Welsh threehandicapper Dan O’Connor came along last month and

beat them all.

Playing the course for the first time, 19-year-old O’Connor from Maesteg amazed his three playing companions by firing his drive straight for the middle of the green and into the cup from the white tees, some 301 yards away.

It marks the first time any golfer has aced the 10th hole

Dan O’ Connor is presented with a bottle of champagne from Gary Silcock

since The Brabazon course was opened in 1977. Since then, the hole has figured in four Ryder Cups and 11 European Tour events.

“It’s my first hole-in-one, and definitely the highlight of my golfing career so far,” said the assistant at Southerndown Golf Club in Bridgend. “So many amazing players have tried to reach the 10th, but no one has actually aced it before, so it’s made the feeling even more special.”

The Belfry’s Director of Golf, Gary Silcock, presented Dan with a bottle of Champagne to celebrate after his round. He said: “We’ve seen over one million attempts to ace the hole, and are delighted that young Dan has achieved what so many great legends of the game couldn’t quite do here.”

Heythrop academy hunts out future stars The new golf academy at Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire is teaming up with the Golf Foundation’s Golf Roots programme to encourage young people into golf.

Free taster sessions using Tri-Golf adapted equipment have been offered to all local primary schools, with all children receiving a free voucher to attend one of Heythrop Park Junior Golf Academy’s try out sessions on Saturday mornings or Wednesday evenings.

Over half of the schools that received the offer have signed up, and several schools have also booked The Heythrop Park Junior Academy to run an after school-club

Mark McGeehan (left) and Jonathan Shipstone at Heythrop Park Resort

for them during the summer term.

PGA professional Jonathan Shipstone, the academy’s new Junior Golf coordinator, has a wealth of experience working with children.

He started out his career as a primary school teacher and chose to specialise in coaching children on graduating from the PGA foundation degree programme.

“I am delighted with the response so far and am looking forward to developing positive working relationships with schools and community groups,” he said. “It is great to be able to start up the new academy at Heythrop Park. It is a friendly and welcoming place and I am looking forward to helping golfers. young and old, improve and enjoy their golf.”

The academy’s other lead coach is PGA AA Professional Mark

McGeehan, who has recently returned from Gran Canaria, where he has been developing his coaching skills, including working with recent Tour winner Rafael Cabrera Bello. Mark said: “There is no better place to learn and hone your golfing skills than Heythrop Park. The facilities are amazing and we offer a variety of packages to meet the needs of the golfer.”

Heythrop Park Resort is also offering young golfers the opportunity to join the club with several membership options available, with costs starting from £19 per month. For more details call on 01608 673 488.

April 2012 / Issue 209

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Putters bare all for cancer charity

Naked ambition: There was nothing miniature about these naked golfers, although they had to be crazy!

In a scene befitting one of the saucy postcards to be found on the end of Southend’s famous pier, a group of brave golfers barrd their souls – and a whole lot more – in a recording-breaking nude charity golf tournament at the resort last month.

A total of 30 people stripped down to just their trainers for the hour-long ‘Pitch and Butt’ event held at Adventure Golf, an 18-hole crazy golf course located on the Essex resort’s iconic seafront. The event, which set a new world record for the most naked people to

play miniature golf in one hour, raised more than £3,000 for Prostate Cancer Charity.

Speaking after a day of birdies, bogeys and bare buttocks, Adventure Island’s managing director, Marc Miller, said: “It was an absolutely superb day, with everyone enjoying the chance to do something memorable, have some fun, and raise a large amount of money for a fantastic charity, of which we are proud to be patrons. People travelled from as far afield as Durham, Devon and Birmingham to take part, and we heard

some amazing stories from so many who have been directly, or indirectly, affected by cancer and wanted to give something back.”

He added: “I am really proud Adventure Island could offer them this opportunity. And as Southend is officially the warmest and driest part of the UK, we enjoyed superb weather for those brave souls who stripped off.”

Adventure Island is already a naked world record-breaking venue with 102 people stripping off to set the record for most naked people on a rollercoaster in August 2010.

Have a go at Hever

Golfers looking to find out what Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent has to offer new members should take advantage of a special £20 preview round of golf being offered by the 27-hole Tonbridge-based venue.

To book a preview round, contact membership manager Peter Holder on 01732 701004 or email pholder@hever.co.uk.

For more information about the club, including some video tours, visit www.hever.co.uk.

Oli and Joe turn heads at Burhill

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Heads were turning at Burhill Golf Club last month when former Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson and World Long Drive champion Joe Miller were showing off their skills.

The duo were at the club for a film shoot for leading equipment manufacturer Callaway, and spent the day hitting golf balls on Burhill’s New Course, the driving range, and the short game academy. Miller, whose 414-yard drive captured him the 2010 World Long Drive Championship, was impressing onlookers with his enormous tee shots, while Wilson – a member of the European 2008 Ryder Cup side – spent time being photographed on the first tee of the New Course.

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12 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

Substantial investment in the course, the club continuing to attract members and visitors to where the golfer always comes first Built on a prime piece of undulating parkland just five minutes from junction 3 of the M3, Windlesham Golf Club has always enjoyed a privileged location. Easy to get to from all corners of the South East, it proved an instant hit when it first opened in 1994, breathing fresh air into the somewhat stuffy world of suburban Surrey golf.

Despite stiff competition from a variety of nearby heathland gems, and the cold winds of an economic recession, Windlesham has not only survived in recent years, but positively thrived, with new members continuing to join a club that has earned a reputation for putting its customers first, while refusing to settle for anything approaching mediocrity.

‘Obsessive perfection’ is an easy catchphrase to use, but much harder to put into practice, yet it’s one that has been instilled in all the staff at Windlesham, from the course manager and club professionals, to the bar staff and chefs. They are only interested in ensuring that every golfer who plays the course, has a lesson on the range, drinks at the bar, or eats in the restaurant, leaves wanting to return

First among equals again in the near future.

As we enter the new season, the club finds itself in something of a niche position – which is always a good place to be in a recession – offering a quality golfing experience at an affordable price. In these chastened financial times, the club that knows its market, and delivers what the customer wants, is well placed to ride out the storm, and Windlesham is just that club.

A healthy number of new members has joined the club since the new year, while member retention, which is massive issue for many clubs these days, is equally impressive, providing further evidence that the club has got its product right both on and off the golf course. But that’s not always enough these days, and ‘the product’ is constantly being developed and improved here, so that members know that their hard-earned subscription fees are being invested in giving them a better experience.

To that end, the last 12 months has seen some serious expenditure on enhancing the course. Behind the scenes, the purchase of a new fleet of state-of-the-art Toro greenkeeping equipment has ensured that the groundstaff has the very latest tools with which to manage and enhance the playing conditions, while planning permission has recently been given to develop a new greenkeeper’s complex. It goes without saying that

happy greenkeepers make for even happier members!

Out on the 6,650-yard championship course, new tees have been constructed, while the third and the fourth holes have been completely redesigned as part of a 10-year rolling course renovation being carried out in conjunction with respected architects Hawtree Ltd. Charged with ensuring the course continues to improve is new course manager Alastair Higgs, who has recently joined Windlesham from Donnington Valley. Alastair, a sixhandicapper golfer himself, has already begun restructuring his team and the way it goes about setting the course up for play, and has also started a monthly newsletter to keep members informed of developments and improve their knowledge of greenkeeping practices, which has been already very well received.

Speaking about the task that lies ahead, Alistair said: “Coming to Windlesham is an opportunity

April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 13

bhouse and quality staff is Windlesham Golf Club,

to work with a club which has a clear membership strategy and is investing heavily in its facilities. Its culture of improvement, backed by an enthusiastic and forward-thinking management team, makes Windlesham a good fit with my personal ambitions.”

In addition, the club has planning applications pending for the development of the teaching facilities to include undercover bays and a state-of-the-art academy, where the club’s eight PGA Professionals will be able to offer an unparalleled level of coaching. Back at the already spacious clubhouse, there are plans to extend the building, with a new porch and entrance lobby, as well as a new extension to the pro shop and restaurant, and a new balcony overlooking the course.

Commenting on the exciting plans, Peter Lumley, Windlesham’s managing director, said, “We are well aware that our ongoing investment in the club’s buildings and grounds bucks

the trend of UK clubs that seem to be battening down the hatches. However, during austere times, we believe that it’s even more important to improve our offering to our members, so that they can relax and enjoy their golf and leisure. The granting of this permission will help protect a valuable green belt area by providing outstanding facilities within the 155 acres of lovely golf course, and reflects the management team’s commitment to delivering a top class venue that will enhance the experience for our local golfers and attracts visitors to the area.”

The course is the starring role in any club, and Windlesham’s 18-hole layout is not to be overshadowed by its impressive clubhouse.

Designed by former Ryder Cup star Tommy Horton, the 6,650-yard course was constructed by Southern Golf, a highly respected operation that can count The Wisley and The Oxfordshire on its corporate CV. Horton’s approach when designing Windlesham was to

develop a course that ‘excites and tests all standards of golfer’, with gentle slopes and streams forming the main difficulties for all players.

It’s definitely a challenging course to play, with the two loops of nine holes testing out all the shot-making skills in the bag, as well as forcing golfers to engage their golfing brains off virtually every tee. The greens and tees are all in immaculate condition, while the fairways are shaped and cut to look aesthetically pleasing.

Length has never been the course’s main defence – although it is plenty long enough – because it requires careful management and skillful shot placement to score well here. The first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, 13th, 16th, and 17th all require a ditch and/or water to be negotiated at some point, with lay ups off the tee, or daring shots to the greens, required to go for birdies.

The size of the USGA-specification greens makes them slightly easier to hit, but can also leave massive putts across undulating slopes.

All in all, it’s an entertaining course to play, getting better the more you play it, and represents excellent value at £60 a round for visitors on weekdays and £65 at weekends. Societies are equally well catered for here, with summer 18-hole packages including coffee & bacon rolls and a two-course meal, costing just £70 per head for groups of 12 or more.

There is currently a waiting list for the £1,575 five-day membership, while seven-day membership costs £1,995 (including £175 loyalty card credit). There is a joining fee of £750, but this is currently being waived for those that join before July 1, and also golfers who join any time after that and commit to the club for a minimum of two years. As an added incentive to remain with the club, a members’ loyalty discount scheme sees members receive 1% loyalty discount against each renewal year that they have at the club, up to a maximum discount of 15%.

Members enjoy priority use on the course at all times, with mornings exclusively blocked out for members’ tee times (up to 11am weekdays and noon at weekends). In addition, the club has an online booking facility, with bookings up to 14 days in advance for members, while allowing visitors to secure tees times outside peak hours.

Windlesham’s pro shop has long been a draw for golfers from all over the region, with its impressive stock of top-level brands at competitive prices making it one of the most successful golf retail businesses in the South East. June last year saw the shop re-launched, with the management company taking back the running

of the shop and directly employing the staff. This included a complete refurbishment, further enhancing the customer experience, and a bigger choice of brands, including a wider selection of equipment and apparel for men & women. The shop, which has also been chosen to be the first golf retail outlet to stock a range of sportswear and accessories from luxury brand Porsche Design, is staffed by a team of experienced professionals, who are able to offer expert advice on purchases as well as offering a bespoke custom-fitting service. A new fleet of 10 electric buggies was also purchased to further enhance the golfer experience at the club.

Juniors are the lifeblood of any club, and certainly the future, and Windlesham, which was one of the first in the region to be awarded GolfMark status, continues to build on its reputation for developing junior talent.

The club has always worked closely with the Surrey Futures Programme, Sport England, and the County Union, while a new in-house junior scholarship programme for boys and girls is helping to fund the coaching and development of a handful of young talent. This year’s scholarship prize winners are Thomas Hall, Freddie Offley, and Callum May, each of whom has received free membership to the club for the year and is entitled to 20 hours’ free tuition from the club’s team of PGA professionals. In addition, three girls’ scholarships have also been awarded to Windlesham members Georgia Christie, Vicki Patel and Sarah Wilmore, and this lead is in response to county and national efforts to increase girls’ participation in golf.

The club holds monthly ‘new member’ welcome days, which provide an opportunity for new members to quickly become involved and meet other club members in a relaxed environment, while enjoying a round of golf and some renowned Windlesham hospitality. So whatever stage of life you’re at, or whatever the standard of your game, Windlesham is definitely worth closer inspection. You certainly won’t be disappointed, and you might even be surprised.

Windlesham Golf Club Grove End, Bagshot, GU19 5HY Tel: 01276 452220/451122 (Pro), Email: admin@windleshamgolf.com Website: windleshamgolf.com, Social Media: twitter.com/windleshamgolf; Facebook.com/windleshamgolf, and youtube.com/windleshamgolfclub.

Windlesham members are benefitting from the investments that have been made to both the course and the clubhouse

14 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

After enduring another near miss at Augusta, Lee Westwood reveals how he’s dealing with a cold putter and explains why he’s not throwing in the Major towel just yet vast majority of Masters, was your emotion one of pride or frustration?

Well, I always felt like I could win here.

I always felt like the golf course suits my game. But when you come close like that, it gives you an extra boost of confidence. I played all right that last day there. It’s just Phil [Mickelson] played really well, and shot 67.

Sometimes there’s nothing you can do about that.

Sergio Garcia said that he didn’t think he had it in him to win a major.

You’re obviously not in a place like that, so are you just going to keep plugging away?

Well, yeah, just keep plugging away and working out. I’m certainly not throwing in the towel. I don’t feel like giving up just yet.

Fred Couples, David Duval and Ian Woosnam all became world number one without having won a major, and then they all went on to win one. Are you a superstitious man?

I’m not a superstitious man, but I was aware of that, yeah. I would obviously rather be a major champion. It’s something I can’t control, but I’d like to put it right and join that club by winning a major this year.

Wishing & hoping You had a great run at the Masters. How do you sum up your overall performance?

The story of the week was that you have got to putt well to win the Masters, and I didn’t putt well. I came out for the final round very much in contention and inexplicably missed a two-footer on the third hole, and that is not the kind of thing that will give you confidence for the rest of the round. I just didn’t really make any lengthy putts. The longest I made was 10 foot on 18, but that was too late to matter. I was hitting it close to the flag all week, so I didn’t have many long putts, but I missing short ones as well.

I shot four under on the back nine on Sunday, which I’m pleased about, but I just gave my self too much to do.

What were you thinking on the 15th hole on Sunday, when you had that eagle putt? Did you know how close you were to having a good chance to still win?

Yeah, I thought that if I made eagle at 15 I would was looking at maybe needing a couple of birdies on the last few holes, and I might get into a play-

off. The putt on 15 was a good putt that just didn’t go in.

Although you ultimately didn’t win, can you take any satisfaction from being in with a chance on the back nine at Augusta on a Sunday?

Yeah, I’ve been in there a couple times the last four years, and it’s a great experience. It’s a nice place to be. As a professional golfer, it’s the arena you want to play in. When the weather is as good as it was this year, there is nowhere quite like it, I don’t think.

How do you feel about Augusta now?

Is it beginning to irritate you?

No, I’ve always looked forward to playing Augusta, and I feel like the course should suit me. I came close in 1999, and obviously came really close in 2010, and played all right the year before that, played all right last year. I seem to be getting the hang of it. It’s a very special week, and, you know, it has the history and tradition, and it’s a major championship.

When you look back on your performance in 2010, when you shot a score that would have won the

Obviously golfers are capable of winning majors into the 40s, but when another season comes around how hard is it for you to be patient in the Majors and just sort of let things happen?

It’s quite frustrating when you keep coming so close. I think we, as golfers, keep ourselves fitter than probably we used to. So I think there’s greater longevity in our careers now. You can play better and longer into your career. Obviously Darren [Clarke] is a perfect example of keeping yourself fit well into your 40s! So it’s no surprise that the likes of Steve Stricker, Darren, Vijay [Singh] a few years back; Kenny Perry came close here. I see that trend continuing. We are almost more athletes now than we used to be, even though I don’t personally associate myself with the word ‘athlete’.

There were times last year where you were really down about your short game. How do you cope with it, given how well the rest of your game is?

It’s frustrating when you are hitting a lot of good shots tee-to-green, because that ought to be the hardest part of the game to get right, when you’re playing well enough to win the tournaments, but I’m not making the putts. I had a lot of putts between

10 and 20 feet for birdie, and it is easy to get frustrated out there. And sometimes I’m not subjective enough that when I have a lot of putts. I’m obviously going to miss more birdies than most people, because I give myself a lot of chances. So sometimes you have to step back and look at it from a clearer point of view really.

What thoughts go through your mind when you’re standing over a clutch putt?

I just remind myself that I’ve holed thousands of putts like that during my career. That’s it. That’s what you put all the practicing in for. That’s why you stand for all the hours on the putting green. When you get into that situation, you just click into autopilot, and have confidence in your ability.

Were you at all annoyed by the media hyping the Masters as the ‘Tiger versus Rory’ story? Did it act as a motivator for you?

Well, I don’t really read anything, to be perfectly honest. You know, something like that, we all know what articles like that are, basically. But, you know, Rory has never won at Augusta, and Tiger’s not won since 2005. So I think everybody would have to have been extremely naïve to think it was going to be a two-horse race, wouldn’t they?

You’re teeing it up at Wentworth next month for BMW PGA Championship, which you famously called the ‘fifth major’ last year. What would it mean to win that tournament after going so close in 2011?

The BMW PGA Championship is the biggest title that I play for outside of the Majors. It’s bigger than the World Golf Championships, because of what the tournament represents for us as The European Tour. It’s the Tour’s showcase event and obviously I’d love to win – it is always a great event to play in and it would be nice to win a BMW tournament for the first time and it is certainly a high priority for me in any season.

What was your visit to Buckingham Palace to collect your OBE like?

It was something I never experienced before. I’ve been to Buckingham Palace, but to accept an OBE from the Queen was a special moment. It was nice to share it with everybody. And obviously it’s a reward for having a fairly long, successful career. We had a little chat about traveling, weather and golf. No swing tips. I would rather talk to her about race horses, and she’d rather talk to me about racing.

16 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

Join now at www.golfnews.co.uk/greensaver or call 01273 556377

The organisers of a charity golf day to raise funds for Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio are looking for golfers to sign up to this very worthwhile event.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio is run entirely by volunteers who operate a 24/7 radio station for the patients and staff.

Some of the patients in the spinal unit have been hospitalised for over three years, and this is a vital support for them, especially if they are a long way from home.

The golf day is being held at The Oxfordshire Golf Club on September 27.

The cost of entry is £90, which includes a £40 donation to the radio station, which is then cash-

Sign up for Stoke Mandeville charity day matched by Barclays Bank.

The day includes bacon rolls and coffee on arrival, an 18hole Stableford tournament,

and a two-course evening meal, with prizes and evening entertainment.

If you would like to enter

a four-ball, or play as an individual, please call Stella Withey on 01296 431310 or 07870 319316.

Pros get mobile with new PGA app

As seen on BBC TV Croham Hurst Golf Club, Croham Road, South Croydon, CR2 7HJ

0208 657 5581

The launch of a revolutionary PGAbacked mobile app that will appeal to both players and PGA coaches is poised to hit the smartphone market this spring.

PGA Swing Guru, an allencompassing smart phone application that provides a wide range of facilities including coaching, admin, drills and online tutorials, at

the touch of a button, is expected to revolutionise the daily coaching and practice regime of PGA professionals and players across the globe.

The app, which will be available for iPhone, iPad, and the android smartphone market, is in the final stages of testing with a view to being available to purchase very soon.

Among its other features are a ‘find your pro’, and the ability for pros to communicate and keep up-to-date

with any pupils who also buy the product, as each will have a ‘personal locker room’ on the app.

As every PGA professional’s basic details are logged in the app, there is a great marketing opportunity for all PGA professionals to get their details onto the mobile market by registering ahead of the launch.

For more information please go to www.myswingguru.com or log on to the Apps Store.

www.chgc.co.uk clubmanager@chgc.co.uk

Everything points to... PEDHAM PLACE

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ome and play our inland links Par 72 championship golf course designed and constructed to the highest specifications. A warm welcome is guaranteed in our new clubhouse and also try out our 36 bay covered driving range before you play...and only two minutes off the M25 (J3) not if you would know when your on the course.

Spring Golf Day package (April-June) Spring Chicken & Chips and 18 Holes £25.00 (Mon - Fri and after 1.00pm at weekends/b/hols. Minimum 8 players)

On all Pedham Golf Day packages 24 or more and 4 play free We are very conveniently located at Junction 1 – M20 / Junction 3 – M25.

Pedham Place Golf Centre Ltd, London Road, Swanley, Kent BR8 8PP. Tel: 01322 86 7000. Email: info@ppgc.co.uk

Website: www.ppgc.co.uk

April 2012 / Issue 209

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Home Rule for Hayling in Hampshire Bowl Hayling’s Club Professional Mark Treleaven teamed up with club captain Paul Wiltshire to win the Hampshire Alliance Challenge Bowl round their home course on March 20. The Hayling duo shot a 12-under-par total to take victory by a single shot from the Hockley pairing of Gary Stubbington and Danny Francis, with Shaun Hall and Dan Green in third.

Stubbington and Hampshire PGA Captain Steve Richardson (Lee-on-the-Solent) were the best

professionals, both carding three-under-par for the 28-hole competition. The best amateur pairing were Bernard Brombley (Hockley) and Rob Styles (Hayling).

A total of 56 competitors enjoyed their day on the magnificent Hayling links, providing a fitting end to another successful Hampshire Alliance season.

It was Brian Young’s last event as Alliance Captain, Basingstoke’s Club Professional Danny Fisher now takes over the role.

Egyptian ace for marvellous Margarett!

A grandmother from Sussex achieved a golfing landmark that many professional golfers would have been proud of, after bagging a hole-in-one on a par four while holidaying in Egypt.

Sixty-eight-year-old Margarett Stally, who is a member at Seaford Golf Club in Easy Sussex, achieved the unlikely ace on the 283-yard 11th hole at Madinat Makadi Golf Club in Hurghada.

Recounting the story of her miracle shot, Mrs Stally said: “The 11th hole is downhill all the way to the green, so during the week I was getting it close. On the last day, I thought I would aim it a bit to the right. My husband Pete was on the green, and we were looking for ages to find

my ball. As I was walking back up to the tee to hit another ball, he asked what ball I was playing with. I told him a Titleist, and he said it was in the hole. I was shaking so much with excitement that I could barely hit my tee shot on the next hole.”

She added: “It’s rare to get a hole-in-one on a par three, never mind a par four. My husband has been playing for more than 30 years and hasn’t got close. He is pig sick. We don’t know any other woman golfer that has done it, and the county association doesn’t either.”

Nikki Terry, the women’s captain at Seaford Golf Club, said: “Margarett is the talk of the golf club. I’m not sure many of the men believe her!”

YourGolfTravel backs the Disabled Open The fourth annual Disabled British Open takes place at East Sussex National in August – and for the first time it has a title sponsor, Europe’s largest golf travel company, yourgolftravel.com.

Henceforth, the events will be known as the

yourgolftravel.com Disabled British Open 2012 and the yourgolftravel.com Junior Disabled British Open 2012.

Lindsey Horton, project manager with tournament organisers’ Remarkable Events, said: “Having yourgolftravel.com as a title

sponsor is a huge fillip for everybody involved with the tournament.”

Ross Marshall, yourgolftravel.com’s CEO, explained: “The company’s ethos has always been to make golf more accessible, and this event has adopted the same attitude since its inception. It shows golf is available to all, and the skill on display last year, when I first saw the tournament, was awe-inspiring and humbling in equal measure. We are delighted to lend our support and wish all the competitors well in their endeavours.”

The Disabled British Open 2012 returns to East Sussex National on August 24-26, when a full field of competitors is expected in the senior tournament. Surrey’s Duncan Hamilton-Martin was the winner last year, and the 54-year-old plans to defend his title this summer.

News in Brief Naylor chairs Kent Union Simon Naylor has been installed as the new chairman of the Kent Golf Union following Christopher Tappin’s resignation from the position last month following an emergency meeting of the KGU committee.

Braby beats them all Royal Mid Surrey’s James Braby won the Surrey U18s Championship for the Millard Quaich after firing rounds of 75 and 68 at Hindhead. His tworound total of 143 saw him beat Andrew Horgan, Jamie Debrou and J Giddins by two shots.

Drinks on Round!

Samantha Round claimed her third Oxfordshire County Ladies Championship after winning a play-off against Frilford Heath’s Abi Laker in the final at Chipping Norton. The Cotswold Hills player, who also won the title in 2006 and 2008, was taken to extra holes after the 17th and 18th were halved with birdies.

18 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

Following a major renovation of its championship course, Kingswood Golf & Country Club in Surrey is attracting a whole new generation of members and visitors to its stunning parkland venue Kingswood Golf & Country Club is clearly a club on the move. Thankfully, the 85-year-old club, which is located a few miles east of Walton Heath, has no plans to shift its glorious setting overlooking the Chipstead Valley, but is merely moving with the times. And nowhere is this philosophy more clearly shown than out on the 18-hole championship course, which has been transformed over the last two years into something of a modern masterpiece.

Built in 1927, and designed by legendary architect James Braid, Kingswood has recently undergone a carefullyconsidered and professionallyexecuted renovation programme that has seen the course updated to maintain its status as one of the finest courses in the region, with a challenge to match.

The Dwellcourt Group, which took over the ownership of the

Kingswood a club on the move

club just over 20 years ago, has invested heavily, and wisely, in bringing the clubhouse and the course, up to standards befitting of such an historic club, making it both relevant and attractive to the needs of the modern golfer.

Located on top of the North Downs, Braid’s parkland layout was an instant classic when it opened. But, as with all good things, time and technology took their toll, and owner Tom Hilliard made the bold decision to implement a complete review of the course to see how it could be updated, while still retaining the characteristics of Braid’s original design.

Under the guidance of Essex-based architect Howard Swan, the course has seen a raft of improvements to the playing conditions, including an extensive re-bunkering programme, which brings strategic thinking to the fore.

The result is that the 6,954yard layout is now punctuated with exciting risk-and-reward shots, making the course both memorable and challenging.

It proved a fitting venue for last year’s British Senior Open Championship regional qualifier, while a significant number of charity golf days, including the Household Cavalry, Variety Club, Shooting Stars, and the Kingswood ProAm, have all discovered what a superb venue it is for hosting large-scale events.

And, at almost 7,000 yards off the back tees, distance is also a big factor in any round here. The par four eighth, at

442-yards off the whites, is quite understandably rated as the hardest hole on the course, while the 16th, which measures a fearsome 470 yards, is another fine example of why power and precision is required in equal measure to score well here. The short holes are no less exacting, with the third, at almost 200 yards to a twotiered green, being a particular challenge. However, with no hidden trickery or blind shots to contend with, it is possible for even the first-time visitor to put together a good score.

Week day green fees for the coming season have been set at £65 (£195 for a four-ball) reflecting the sheer quality of the experience on offer here, while mid-afternoon (£38) and twilight (£30) green fees are also available to visitors, making a game here even more affordable.

With a strong membership, plus a busy society and corporate calendar, the club is buoyant and buzzing.

And any club for which that can be said in these ultra-

competitive times is clearly doing things right. Reflecting the diverse requirements of its members, the club now offers three different types of full membership, starting with a £699 annual subscription that offers a heavily discounted green fee every time you play.

The next level up is a £1,399 package that allows unlimited golf during the week with discounted weekend green fees, while the £1,999 membership offers unlimited golf at all times.

This year the club has extended the age range of its discounted intermediate Colt membership, which is now available to those aged between 18-30, making golf more affordable for the younger generation. In other exciting developments, work is shortly to begin on the construction of a boutique-style health and fitness suite, which will offer something new to the membership, and provide another great reason to be a part of this forward-thinking venue. So if you’re thinking of joining a club, or perhaps organising a day out within striking distance of the capital, think Kingswood – a club that is moving with the times.

For details on membership or tee time bookings, visit www.kingswood-golf.co.uk, email sales@kingswood-golf. co.uk, or call 01737 832188.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

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Worthing lays on the water works

Worthing Golf Club in West Sussex has just completed a major overhaul of its irrigation system that will ensure that the tees, greens and approaches to its Lower and Upper courses can be watered to keep the playing conditions at their best during the summer months.

The complete re-design of the club’s main pumping station and a new loop of pipes have helped to increase the pressure available at the sprinkler heads and keep the free-draining Downland course well watered. The cost of the

improvements has been funded by the club’s members, who agreed to a £30 annual levy for a three-year period, which is now in its final year.

Course manager George Barr and his team of greenkeepers are also shortly to enjoy a long-awaited move into a new maintenance facility, following the recent successful planning application, which has proved a difficult process, now that the whole of the club’s land has been incorporated into the South Down’s National Park.

Tour pros out in force for Chart Hills’ academy launch European Tour professional Oliver Wilson hosted a special clinic for guests who attended the launch of the Leaderboard Golf Performance Centre at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent.

The former Ryder Cup star was joined by local tour professional Benn Barham, who held a putting clinic. Also attending the launch was Simon Naylor, the chairman of the Kent Golf Union, who also was there to present Chart Hills with an award for being a Coaching Centre of Excellence.

“Chart Hills is regarded as one of the premier courses in Kent and, with its excellent facilities, provides the county with ideal surroundings in which to coach some of our best junior players,” said Naylor.

“I hope that, together, we can continue to nurture this talent, and produce golfers of all ages who will be able to represent the County in the future.”

The Leaderboard Golf Performance Centre sees three professionals from different fields combine their skills to create an

Oliver Wilson (centre) with the Chart Hills academy team

opportunity for golfers of all levels to work on all aspects of their game.

“Professional golfers look at the whole of their game, it is much more than their skill with a club,” said Cornish, Chart Hills’ Director of Golf, who is heading up the new performance centre. “A good mental attitude is vital, as is the importance of protecting and conditioning your body.

We have bought together experts in these three areas to offer all golfers, complete beginners to professionals, the opportunity to improve their game. We want to help people reach their realistic goals. Ultimately it’s about

Terms & Conditions apply

Call Gary on 01959 533225 or email

!

brokehill-events@crown-golf.co.uk

e! e r F s e Go r e is n a g Or ly. e. Terms & conditions app cher the organiser goes Fre vou this of tion duc pro On

Just off J4 M25, Sevenoaks Road, Halstead, Kent,TN14 7HR We are located 5 minutes from junction 4 of the M25 with a mainline rail station with fast links into London a 3 wood from the clubhouse entrance

Golfing with Glendale has its rewards Glendale Golf is re-launching its free golf loyalty scheme this spring, which offers great savings at its eight UK golf courses, including Tilgate Forest in Crawley and Richmond Park Golf Course in Surrey. The LoyalTee reward

scheme is offering double points throughout April, with all points going towards earning free rounds of golf.

With 500 points available just for signing up, golfers only need to accumulate 100 points by hiring a buggy, or

improving your golf game and that could be down to technique, conquering negative thought, or working on flexibility or conditioning.

At the Leaderboard Golf Performance Centre, we can address it all.”

Joining Cornish are sports psychologist Karl Steptoe, body conditioning expert Rob Goldup, and fellow PGA Anthony Froom. Along with the professionals, the new centre of golfing excellence has a fitness/conditioning area, classroom and private rooms for one to one counselling. To find out more, email lgpc@charthills. co.uk, or call 01580 292222. treating their partner to an allday breakfast, to earn a free 18-hole game at any of the eight Glendale courses.

Tilgate Forest has one of only a few public tree-lined courses in the South East, and its business as usual at the popular Crawley venue while the new clubhouse is built in time for opening in spring 2013.

Richmond Park will also shortly to embark on the construction of a new eco-friendly clubhouse. The course boasts two 18-hole courses, side by in the Royal Park, while the clubhouse project which is due to commence this summer, will create a luxurious payand-play facility.

Special Bmw Pga Championship 4-page preview Wentworth Club, Surrey, 24th-27th May 2012

Donald bids to defend title Take a look at the new West Course Great savings on advanced tickets

STAR ATTRACTION Don’t miss your chance to see the world’s best players battle it out for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth

22 /

BMW PGA Championship

This year’s BMW PGA Championship provides a fitting stage for a titanic tussle for world supremacy, as defending champion Luke Donald battles it out for top honours against the cream of European golf over the iconic West Course at Wentworth Club

Luke Donald hits a stunning approach to the 18th green during the play-off with Lee Westwood at the 2011 BMW PGA Championship

There’s more than a hint of added spice on offer at this year’s renewal of the BMW PGA Championship, with the prospect of four golfers who have been ranked No.1 in the world in last two years taking each other on at the European Tour’s headquarters at Wentworth Club.

The ‘clash of the titans’ looks set to draw in yet another bumper crowd to this leafy corner of Surrey, where the majestic West Course provides the canvass on which these true artists of golf are set to play their strokes.

The BMW PGA Championship has always been judged to be one of the crown jewels of England’s sporting schedule, but this year’s tournament promises to shine brighter than ever, with arguably one of the strongest fields in recent history due to line up for the European Tour’s flagship event.

With Europeans dominating the official world rankings – including

CLASH OF THE TITANS holding the top four places and seven of the world’s top 20 – many of the sport’s top performers will be collectively on show in the UK for the only time this year outside of The Open Championship.

Thanks to the generous backing of BMW, which is now entering its eighth year as title sponsor, the PGA Championship is always a highly anticipated event in the European Tour’s calendar, but next month’s tournament not only brings together two current major winners in Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke, but also world No.1 Luke Donald, and numbers three and four, in the shape of Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. And let’s not forget world No.8, Justin Rose, who came so close to claiming the PGA crown in 2007, and 2009 PGA Champion Paul Casey, who is bidding to get back in the winner’s circle following a recent injury lay-off.

Donald, who seems to have started where he left off in 2011, when he topped the money lists in Europe and America, is back to defend the title he won so impressively last year, follow a nail-biting play-off against fellow

Englishman Westwood.

But this tournament isn’t just about the big name stars. The BMW PGA Championship also offers a chance for glory for a select group of 20 PGA club professionals, who have earned their places through the PGA’s regional order of merit events. While none has so far gone on to win the title, just teeing it up in front of huge crowds and a worldwide TV audience is honour enough, while making the cut can lead to a life-changing payday.

Although the tournament has thrown up the odd surprise winner in recent years – with the likes of Simon Khan (2010), Scott Drummond (2004), and Andrew Oldcorn (2001) all belying the bookmakers’ odds – the roll call of past champions reads like a Who’s Who of Golfing Greats, with Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, José Maria Olazabal, and Colin Montogmerie all having triumphed here on more than one occasion over the last 30 years.

Top courses have a tradition of revealing top champions, and there’s no doubting the star of the show at Wentworth is its famous West

Course. Following its £6.5 million renovation in 2009, the historic layout has been transformed into one of the most majestic inland courses in championship golf. And with further alterations made over the last two years, the 2012 version of the West Course will provide a testing but fair challenge to Europe’s finest players.

And while the course’s overall yardage remains at 7,308 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, over 25,000 fans lined the fairways on the final day to witness Luke Donald claim the prestigious PGA title, the £750,00 first prize, and the coveted no.1 world ranking.

This year that number looks set to be smashed as golf fans flock to see a ‘golden generation’ of British golfers fight it out in front of a domestic audience. Who will emerge triumphant remains to be seen, but it’s guaranteed that we won’t be able to take our eyes off them.

BMW PGA Championship

TICKETS: The prices are for tickets bought before May 20.

Tickets, which include free parking, can also be bought on the day (see price in brackets).

Parking: Car parking is free.

Customers who pre-book tickets online should select from the car parking pass options given. BMW owners should follow the signs to the BMW Owners’ Car Park.

Season Ticket (Thurs 24 – Sun 27 May): Adults £60 (£65); Seniors, Disabled & Unaccompanied Juniors £40 (£40).

Directions: By car: From London follow the M4 west, taking exit 4B to the M25 heading towards Gatwick. At exit 13, A30 Staines, follow the A30 towards Egham and Bagshot and follow the signs to the relevant car park.

Weekend Ticket (Sat 26 – Sun 27 May): Adults £45 (£55); Senior Citizens, Disabled & Unaccompanied Juniors £30 (£30).

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

Daily Ticket - Adult: Wed 23 May - Pro-Am Day/Practice Day (£8). Adult Single Day (Thurs 24 – Sun 27 May) £30 (£35); Seniors, Disabled & Unaccompanied Juniors £17.50 (£20).

keep up with all the action on the course.There’s also an exhibition and merchandise tent, while this year sees the addition of driving bays and a golf school for juniors.

Grandstand Seating: Saturday, May 26 (£10) Sunday, May 27 (£15) CORPORATE HOSPITALITY The Moet Brasserie package is already sold out.

Hospitality packages within the clubhouse, which cost from £324pp, and require a minimum of eight people, are available on all four days. For bookings call The European Tour’s Hospitality Department on 01344 840483 or email tickets@europeantour.com.

By 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 during tournament days.

New Traffic Plans: Please note that there is a new Traffic Plan in place

for the 2012 BMW PGA Championship. Parking will be allocated through four separate entrances.

Entrance 1 – Car Parks 4, 6, 7 (includes BMW Owners) Entrance 2 – Pre-paid ticket holders, Car Parks A-E Entrance 3 – Pay on the gate, Car Park F-I. Entrance 4 – Car Parks 1, 2, 3, 5 (Players, Wentworth members and VIPs) Wentworth Fact File Opened: 1926 Original Architect: Harry Colt Par 73, 7,308 yards Course Record: 62 (Robert Karlsson, BMW PGA Championship 2010) Key tournaments: HSBC Matchplay, 1964-2007; BMW PGA Championship, 1984-present day; Ryder Cup, 1953; Canada Cup 1956.

Visitor Green Fees: April 1-May 31 £245; June 1-Oct 31 £360.

Golfnews’ Tips for the Title Tented Village With BMW as hosts, there will definitely be an automotive theme on offer for visitors to Wentworth’s tented village. Besides all the latest models on display, there will be a range of state-ofthe-art driving simulators

for spectators to try out, offering a variety of motoring experiences. Also contained within the tented village is a wide range of bars and catering facilities. Plenty of seating in front of the big screen TV and a hole-by-hole scoreboard will allow fans to

PETER HANSON

LEE WESTWOOD

MATTEO MANASSERO

THE STAR OF THE SHOW 1st – 473 yards, par 4 A long opening hole for the pros, which requires an accurate tee shot between the fairway bunkers, allowing an iron shot over the deep valley to a green protected by deep bunkers at the front and on both sides. The green, which has been made slightly smaller in recent years, has many subtle borrows.

The West Course has undergone some dramatic changes over the last few years, making it one of the most testing layouts on the European circuit.

Here are some of the key strategic challenges that the pros will face at the 2012 BMW PGA Championship The testing par-four15th

3rd – 465 yards, par 4 This long, uphill par four takes no prisoners. A straight drive between the four fairway bunkers is required, while the multi-tiered green will test the putting ability of any player if the second shot does not finish on the same level as the flag.

8th – 391 yards, par 4 An accurate tee shot played to the right side of the fairway or over the bunker is needed at this demanding par four. Any second shot coming up short will find the pond, which now extends so that the green sits on the water’s edge.

The green itself has been flattened to make it more receptive to shots, while the greenside bunker has been made significantly shallower.

9th – 449 yards, par 4 A tough hole, with the railway line running down the left, it demands a long, straight drive. An underhit shot may find one of the front bunkers and with swales and a ditch to the right and out of bounds to the

The 8th green is more receptive to approach shots

under-hit, although a raised lip at the back will prevent anything too strong from rolling onto the 11th tee.

left, finding the green is the key to making a good score here. The green is tilted slightly towards the player.

10th – 184 yards, par 3 An attractive par-3 made tricky by the green, which sits at an angle.

Two front bunkers protect anything

12th – 490 yards, par 4 Normally a 531-yard par-five for members, during the tournament this will play as a 490-yard par four.

Bunkers on the right side of the fairway at 280 and 310 yards will swallow up anything leaked off the tee. The raised putting surface has a false front, which will see anything short spin back down the slope, while deep greenside bunkers will gather anything slightly off target.

15th – 489 yards, par 4 A good tee shot down the left-hand side is essential for this tough par four, as it will give a clear view of the green and avoid the meandering ditch to the right-hand side of the fairway. An accurate iron shot is then required, as the flag on this sloping green is usually positioned on the right behind a deep bunker.

16th – 383 yards, par 4 A deceptive par-four, which demands plenty of respect. The tee-shot, often with a 3-wood or a long iron, is played to the right of

/ 23

the fairway, avoiding the bunkers.

The green is surrounded by deep bunkers, while the putting surface is contoured to take into account that the approach is just a flick with wedge.

17th – 610 yards, par 5 The tee shot on the course’s longest hole must be directed down the left, with the ball breaking to the right, off a sloping fairway and away from neighbouring gardens.

The green is virtually unreachable in two now, and with the entrance to the front being so tight, many choose to lay up and hope to oneputt to make birdie.

18th – 539 yards, par 5 A long sweeping dog-leg right that demands an accurate tee shot between the fairway bunkers.

The smallest green on the course, which has been lowered several feet since 2010, it requires a high, soft landing shot from around 240230 yards out to fly the brook and hold the green, so expect to see plenty of players lay up and hope to get up and down with a deft wedge for their birdie.

April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 25

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DryJoys Tour shoes blend traditional upper styling with cutting-edge stability technology, while maintaining comfort and flexibility. Also included in the prize are three SciFlex gloves, which provide optimal feel and improved grip performance, as preferred by many of the world’s leading players, including world No.3 Lee Westwood.

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26 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

Master your game at Pedham

great golf, great value...this summer

£20 £30 £35 midweek

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Golfers looking to tune up their swings for the new season should head over to Pedham Place Golf Centre in Kent, where the P Golf Coaching academy is proving a big hit at the popular Swanley venue. Catering for the needs of all golfers, from beginners and juniors to more experienced players of all ages, the coaching staff at the P Golf academy is headed up by former European Tour player Tim Milford, who has just begun a two-year stint as captain of the Kent County PGA. Milford, who is also the joint Kent County first team coach, mixes his elite level coaching with individual and group beginner lessons for regular club golfers.

Individual lessons cost from £25 for a 30-minute session, while extended six-week courses, which are organised on a rolling basis, start from £70.

To book a lesson, or for more details, call 01322 867000.

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Tim Milford

The search for the next generation of talented young golfers has begun once again, following the launch of Golf Factor 2012.

The competition, which is sponsored by Direct Golf and the John Letters Golf Academy, has been running for three years, and has proved extremely successful at finding talented youngsters, many of whom have previously had little formal connection with the game.

Organised in association with the Chris Gill Junior Golf Foundation, Golf Factor is open to all golfers under the age of 18. Entrants need not be a member of a club or have an EGU handicap.

Players will be required to hit a variety of shots in front of a panel of expert judges, who score the candidates’ performances. Successful applicants progress through to a boot camp, which is a more intensive set of skills tests, and both the regional and grand finals are played on a golf course.

Winners and runners up receive a package of golf support, including equipment and swing coaching provided by Direct Golf UK and John Letters Golf Academy, as well as being invited to attend a

Search begins ‘X Factor’ cha

behind-the-scenes look at The Open and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

To become a winner, junior golfers must progress through four stages and have every aspect of their games tested

by a panel of expert judges, which last year included Challenge Tour professional Chris Hanson and awardwinning Junior Coach of the Year, Tom Denby.

Last year, the organisers

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April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 27

s for ampion introduced a Champion of Champions event to determine the very best player from the regional heats, and produced a worthy champion in 14-year-old John Paul Ralph from Merseyside.

John Paul, said: “Golf Factor is the best thing I have ever done, and the support I have received since winning the final has really improved my game. It’s great fun and a good test of your golf under a little bit of pressure!”

To register for the Golf Factor auditions, which begin in June, visit www. johnletters.com/golf_factor, pick up a leaflet from Direct Golf UK stores, or email golffactor@johnletters.com for an application form.

Amber swings the judges at TopGolf TopGolf’s Chigwell site is no stranger to playing host to groups of talented young women, as its game-centred driving range has always appealed to both genders.

However, last month saw the popular venue staging a different kind of female-orientated competition, as the 80 finalists for Miss Essex 2012 battled it out to find the county’s most

beautiful woman. The final comprised of three rounds, with each girl required to wear an eco-friendly outfit she designed herself; step out in a sporty outfit; show off her golf swing; and finally, glide down the catwalk in an evening gown.

Among the esteemed panel of judges were The Only Way is Essex star Chloe Sims, and former England striker Teddy

Sheringham, both of whom were in agreement that 20-year Amber Zakrzewski from Chingford was a worthy winner. Sheringham, who played in his fair share of finals during his career, said: “It was a great night – all the girls looked fantastic and no one fell over on the catwalk!

I wish Amber the best of luck for Miss England Finals.”

Glamour model and reality TV star, Miss Sims said: “The standard of girls was really, really high. Amber shone out, though, and will make a great role model for Essex girls. She will do Essex proud at the Miss England Finals and, after that, who knows?”

Over 80 girls entered the competition staged

by TopGolf Leisure, which launched in November 2011.

TopGolf manager Michael Hay said: “It’s been a fantastic competition for TopGolf to be a part of. All the girls in the final put on a great show.

It is a shame there could be only one winner, but we wish Amber the best of luck in the Miss England pageant.”

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Tee it up in the Tweet Cup A charity golf tournament organised by golfers who met on Twitter is to be launched later this year. The inaugural Tweet Golf Cup will be held at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire on August 24. Organised by six prolific Twitter users, the tournament, sponsored by 12 golf clubs and St Andrews Links, is open to 80 golfers – who do not have to have Twitter accounts – on a first-come-first-served basis. All money raised will be donated to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

Sergio Garcia seems on the road to recovery following two wins in Spain last year, but the question remains whether he has what it takes to win a Major, following his latest capitulation at the US Masters Words by Alistair Tait

Highs and lows: Garcia looked destined for top honours when going close at the US PGA Championship in 1999, but his major career has faltered since then

Tiger Woods isn’t the only one on the comeback trail these days. Lost amid the hype surrounding the former World No.1 is the resurgence of the man who was once expected to pose the most serious challenge to Woods – Sergio Garcia. The difference in Garcia this year, as opposed to 12 months ago is tangible. Last year, he turned up for the Dubai Desert Classic short on form, low on confidence, and somewhat lacking in patience. His mood was so dark that he snapped at a journalist who hadn’t clocked on that he’d adopted the claw grip.

This year, he arrived at his pretournament press conference for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship smiling like a Cheshire cat. He was everyone’s friend, shaking hands with all and sundry, and generous with his time.

Amazing what a couple of wins can do.

Garcia has experienced every side of golf since he turned professional in 1999 off a plus-five handicap. He’s come close in major championships, with 15 top-10s, including three seconds.

Included in that trio was his famous shot from against a tree root at the 1999 USPGA Championship, when he finished behind Tiger Woods. Who’d have thought back then we’d still be waiting for the Spaniard to join the major club some 13 years later?

He’s had two great opportunities to join that exclusive band of brothers.

He missed a 10-foot par putt on the 72nd green to win the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie, and then lost in a play-off to Padraig Harrington.

He also might have won the 2008 US PGA Championship, if not for stuttering

Oh, Sergio! down the home straight.

Garcia went from a career high of world No.2 to a nadir of 82nd, shortly after last year’s Dubai Desert Classic.

No wonder he was a bit grouchy in his press conferences. Anyone wanting to trace Garcia’s fall might do well to start with the break up of his relationship with Greg Norman’s daughter, Morgan, in May 2009. “It definitely didn’t help my game, because I felt my head wasn’t where it needed to be,” Garcia said at the time. “I really didn’t feel much like playing golf. I was thinking about other things when I was on the course, instead of thinking about playing golf.”

Suffice it to say, the Spaniard probably didn’t think it would take too long to get over the break-up. Yet he went nearly three years without a victory. Garcia was pretty much a complete non-entity during the

2009 and 2010 seasons. He started showing signs of revival last year, when he posted three consecutive top-12 finishes in the last three majors. Then he returned home to Spain, and reeled off back-to-back victories in the Castello Masters and Andalucía Masters, to take his European win tally to 10.

There are physical and metaphysical reasons for his recent resurgence. “You can probably say that chipping and putting is what’s improved,” Garcia says.

As for those metaphysical reasons, he adds: “Probably my mental approach is what’s improved the most, because you go from kind of being a little bit screwed up in the head, to really knowing what you want to do on the course, and are willing to be there. Your thought process kind of changes a little bit. So that probably made everything else get better.”

April 2012 / Issue 209

Don’t underestimate the importance, though, of Garcia’s switch to the claw grip. He’s gone from looking like a quivering wreck over four footers, to someone who actually thinks he can hole them. “The claw grip has definitely improved Sergio’s action on the greens,” agrees former European Tour pro turned short game guru Mark Roe. “He’s making a much better stroke now. I think that renewed confidence on the greens has fed through to the rest of his game, and improved his mental outlook.”

As for the two wins last year, Garcia feels it was part of a process that had been building all season long. “I felt like I was doing a lot of good things throughout the whole year, and it was getting better and better,” he maintains. “And that was giving me the confidence to then end up winning twice. But the way I played at the US Open, the way I played at the British Open, even at the US PGA, and some of the other tournaments in Munich (the BMW International Open), and stuff like that, those kind of things were just build-ups for my confidence, and to help me with my game.”

If not seeing Garcia’s name at the top of the leaderboard for nearly two years seemed strange, then his involvement in the 2010 Ryder Cup was even odder.

After five consecutive appearances in the biennial match, Garcia found

/ 29

himself in a strangely unfamiliar role at Celtic Manor – as one of Colin Montgomerie’s vice-captains. It’s not a role he wants to repeat.

“It was different. It was great to be a part of the team in the way that I was.

But at the same time, I would not like to do that again, because even though you try to help as much as you can, you feel like you’re useless. You can’t do anything. You can’t say anything. You

the next Ryder Cup, and he’ll probably play as key a role in Chicago as he has in the past. He’s been massive in Ryder Cups, and he will be again.”

Indeed Garcia looks very much like seeing action inside the ropes when the teams meet at Medinah Country Club in Chicago later this year. At the time of writing, he is fourth on the World Points List. “I’m just hoping that I’m able to be on the other side of the draw, I guess,

“I’ve been trying for 13 years, and I don’t feel capable of winning a Major. I’m not good enough” can just be there and support them and keep it up, and this and that, but you can’t help them with any clubs, you can’t help them with any putts, you can’t help them with anything. So it feels like you kind of have your hands tied behind your back.”

Garcia’s spirit had sunk so low at the time of that Ryder Cup that some even wondered if the Spaniard would ever play in one again. Although that thought hasn’t crossed Ian Poulter’s mind. “Sergio’s too good a player, and will be back in Ryder Cup teams,” Poulter says. “He is class, and you can’t keep class down. You watch, he’ll play in

and I’ll be playing, and I’ll be hearing the support from other vice-captains instead of myself,” Garcia says.

It seems odd to think it’s now 13 years since Garcia was running up Medinah’s 16th fairway in pursuit of his first major championship. Much has changed in the intervening years.

“You can’t be the same when you’re 32, as when you’re 18 or 19,” Garcia points out. “You obviously have more experience. You know what’s going on more, not only about golf, but around the world, and around your world, you might say. And it obviously changes you a bit. I try to be like I was when I

was 18 or 19 – but I try to enjoy the game as much as I did then, and just try to play it as free-wheeling as I can.”

Of course, the major question will dominate Garcia’s life until he joins golf’s most sought-after club and wins that first one. His outpourings following his third round collapse at this month’s US Masters, where he publicly admitted to ‘not being capable of winning a Major’, should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt – but it showed a worrying lack of self-confidence from someone who has enjoyed so much success.

“I’m not good enough for the majors, and today I know it,” he said. “I’ve been trying for 13 years, and I don’t feel capable of winning. I don’t know what happened to me. Maybe it’s something psychological. I’m not good enough for the majors.”

It’s hard not to feel sorry for a man who has endured 54 consecutive defeats in the majors, but the fact remains that the Spaniard is too good a player not to carry off one of the titles that really matter. Maybe not this year, maybe not even next, but there’s no doubt that he will one day ‘claw’ his way to major championship glory. He still has time on his side.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

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Golf 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 24-27 These season tickets are worth £110 a pair and the lucky winners will be able to attend all four days of the championship and the Pro-Am, and will be able to take advantage of the fantastic facilities available in the Tented Village, including an Olympic-themed display and a showcase of BMW’s latest models.

With a prize fund in excess of €4.5million, the BMW PGA Championship is the flagship event on the European Tour and always attracts the cream of European golf.

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Question: Who won the 2011 BMW PGA Championship? a) Lee Westwood b) Luke Donald c) Tiger Woods Terms & Conditions: The closing date for entries is 15th May 2012 and the winners will be contacted by May 01st.

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For more information on this year’s BMW PGA Championship go to www.europeantour.com/tickets or telephone 0800 023 2557

April 2012 / Issue 209

Pepperell blows home advantage Eddie Pepperell admitted to feeling ‘slightly disappointed’, after coming third in the second event of the Jamega Pro Golf Tour Winter Series, which was held at his home club, Frilford Heath.

After a promising start to 2012, with a second and a fifth place on the Hi5 Tour in Spain under his belt, Pepperell looks set to further his success this year. Playing on his home course, he shot a four-under-par 68 to finish a shot behind joint winners Tom Haylock, from Red Golf Management, and Ryan Brown, from Worksop. After his round, Pepperell said: “Once the fog lifted, there were perfect conditions, with no wind whatsoever. Four under par is a good score on any course, but as I know this one so well, there is a hint of disappointment and frustration that I didn’t pull in a few more birdies to end up with a 66 or 65.”

Benka for president

Former Curtis Cup player Pam Benka has been selected to become president of the newlyformed governing body of amateur golf in England.

Benka, who will take on the role in 2013, will be the first sole president to take office since England Golf was created earlier this year by the merger of the English Golf Union and the English Women’s Golf Association. The England Golf presidency is currently held jointly by Paul Baxter and Sue Johnson.

Benka’s late husband, former Walker Cup player Peter Benka, who died several years ago, was president of the EGU in 2006.

“I am very honoured and privileged to be asked to do this job,” she said. “It’s very exciting to be involved with our new organisation, which brings together men’s and women’s golf. I have been involved with women’s golf all my life and, through Peter, I was fortunate to see the men’s side. I hope it will all stand me in very good stead.”

Benka, 58, grew up in a golfing family in Sussex, where she is a member of West Sussex and Worthing golf clubs, and has been county champion.

She won the British and French girls’ championships in the mid-1960s, and played in the Curtis Cup teams of 1966 and 1968, and in the Vagliano Trophy of 1967, when she also represented England. The following year she became the Portuguese ladies’ champion.

After her playing career was over, Benka became involved with elite training, and then as a national and international selector. She captained the GB&I Curtis Cup team of 2002, and the England team at the European lady juniors’ championship. The following year she captained the team for the Commonwealth Trophy, now the Astor Trophy.

/ 31

Saunders secures third Watson Trophy Dartford’s Michael Saunders has won a record third Watson Trophy after beating 40 fellow club champions from Kent to the prestigious title. Making the most of home advantage, Saunders, who is also the current Kent county champion, won by one shot from Darren Timms (Mid Kent), with Leigh Ferris (Lamberhurst) a further shot back.

Watson also won the title in 2010 and 2011, thus completing a memorable hat-trick.

England players Max Orrin (North Foreland) and Connor Fletcher (Chart Hills), and top County players Charlie Wilson (Sene Valley) and Danny Holmes (Langley Park), also produced some brilliant golf on the testing Dartford layout.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

“I just like to play Bubba Golf” How does it feel to be the Masters Champion?

I’ve never had a dream go this far, so I can’t really say it’s a dream come true. I don’t even know what happened on the back nine. I know I made bogey on 12, and then I birdied four holes in a row. I was nervous on every shot, every putt. Went into a play-off. I got in these trees and hit a crazy shot that I saw in my head, and somehow I’m here with a green jacket on.

Masters Champion Bubba Watson provides an insight into his unique approach to golf I watched the Masters as a kid, watched it growing up, we talked about this tournament. I played here once a year at the University of Georgia, but I never dreamed about actually winning it.

How did you steady yourself for that shot on 10? The first time I

ever worked with my caddie, Boston, six years ago, I told him : “If I have a swing, I’ve got a shot.” I’m used to the woods. I’m used to the rough. And we were walking down here and I said, “We hit it close here already today”, because I was in those trees earlier. I saw it was a perfect hook. Even though the tower was in my way, I didn’t want to ask if I get relief or anything, because it just set up for a perfect hook. That’s what we did. I hit my 52-degree wedge and hooked it about 40 yards. Pretty easy.

SHOT

You took your time over that last putt. You know, I hate to say this, but I was thinking about the young lady who missed that short putt to win the Kraft Nabisco last month. I thought about it, and I wanted to make sure I focused hard on that putt, because I know how delicate these situations are, and how it may never happen again.

MASTER Bubba Watson witnessed one of the greatest shots

Can you just describe your playing style? My caddie has always called it ‘Bubba Golf’.

We always say it walking down fairways. I just play the game, the game that I love. And truthfully, it’s like Seve played. He hit shots that were unbelievable. Phil Mickelson hits the shot, he goes for it. I just try to have fun and goof around.

in Masters history when fellow PING pro Louis Oosthuizen made a final-round albatross on Augusta National Golf Club’s 2nd hole. But it was Bubba’s electrifying escape from the trees on the second play-off hole with Oosthuizen

You’ve said in the past how golf often got you frustrated. How have you managed to overcome that problem? A few years ago, I was living the wrong way. Every golf shot was controlling how mad I got, and how I was on the golf course. But off the golf course, outside the ropes, as soon as I signed my scorecard, I didn’t care if I shot 90 or 60. I was the fun guy, joking around with everybody. But on the golf course, I was just going the wrong way, because I thought that I was good enough to be where I am.

I was so wrapped up in what everybody else was doing. Why is he beating me? Why can’t I make putts?

Why can’t I make the cut? Why can’t I do this? It was driving me mad.

My caddie said that he was going to walk away from me, even though he knew I was a good player, and that he knew that he could make some money off of me. He said he was going to walk away, because he didn’t want to see a good friend go through that struggle. And so I sat down with my wife, my caddie, and some of my close friends, and they told me that I was going the wrong way. If you’re going to live your life as a Christian, which I have done since 2004, you can’t live your life that way. And so I had to change.

It’s been a slow process, but I’ve been working hard. And this year, it’s gotten better. Last year was a little better, and this year is better, and hopefully, in the years to come, it will get better and better.

that most agreed was the shot of the day and earned him the title of Masters Champion. Congratulations on your first major title, Bubba, from all your friends at PING.

Learn more at ping.com

And what’s next for Bubba Golf?

Major Champion, I think I’m done, right? I mean, can’t do any better than this. Hopefully I’ll keep trying and keep crying. Hopefully, I’ll keep having the passion to play golf and keep doing what I’m doing.

© 2012 PING P.O. Box 82000 Phoenix, AZ 85071 GW412

Bubba Masters Win ad_262x360.indd 1

11/04/2012 09:48

April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 33

Although the Masters was billed as a match play tournament between Rory Mcllroy and Tiger Woods, nobody told the mercurial Bubba Watson, who drove Augusta National – and his rivals – into submission The old saying ‘It’s not how, it’s how many’ could have been written for Bubba Watson, the popular winner of the 76th US Masters, after the 33-year-old from Florida slashed and burned his way around the testing Augusta layout to lay claim to his first major title in thrilling fashion.

If Augusta is one of those horses-forcourses layouts, then Watson proved the perfect jockey, with his wild eyes and even wilder swing providing a counterbalance to the smooth tempo and unruffled demeanour of Louis Oosthuizen, his partner during the final round, and rival in the two-hole play-off that ensued, after the pair were locked together following 72 holes of regulation play.

The South African and the American were paired together throughout a classic final day at Augusta, slugging it out like a pair of polo-wearing pugilists – the stocky Oosthuizen decked out in Springbok green shirt, while Watson was resplendent in an all-white ensemble straight from the wardrobe of An Officer and a Gentleman.

Although ultimately a plucky loser, the Oosthuizen etched his name into the Masters’ record books with a history-making approach on the par-five second hole that found the bottom of the cup for an albatross – only the fourth in the tournament’s 76-year history. The shot saw him rocket into a two-shot lead from overnight leader Peter Hanson, with Phil Mickelson, Watson et al in close pursuit. But while Hanson looked tentative, and Mickelson all but threw his chance away with a triple bogey at the par-three fourth, the tenacious Watson declined the invitation to fade out. He gradually chipped away at

Oosthuizen’s dream of a second major ends

The shot that won the Masters

Hubba Bubba!

Mickelson’s challenge was derailed by a triple bogey at the fourth

Oosthuizen’s day-long lead, bagging four birdies in a row from the 13th, until they walked off the 18th green tied on 10 under par, with the hapless Hanson and a spent Mickelson following somewhat forlornly behind in the final pairing.

Although teaching professionals around the world won’t be trying to get their pupils to swing like Watson, they would certainly like to know how he manages to drive like a demon, yet chip like an angel, switching between raw, untamed power and ultimate finesse at the touch of a button.

Brilliant and bonkers in equal parts, the American finally gave in to his better instincts at the second extra hole, hitting an astonishing shot from trees to the right of the 10th fairway that won him his first green jacket.

Hitting out from a corridor of spectators, and with no view of the green some 140 yards away, his ball spun violently right after touching down on the putting surface and finished 10 feet from the flag, leaving him with two putts for the win after Oosthuizen’s bogey.

He took both and immediately burst into tears, as the relief and tension poured out of his body.

It would be overstating it to say this win was overdue, but it would be true to say one of the most extraordinary natural talents in the game has finally been rewarded. After losing to Martin Kaymer in a play-off for the US PGA Championship in 2010 – where he hit his final approach into the rubbish in true Bubba style – this was redemption on a major scale and will send minor shockwaves around the world.

The story of the also-rans had a whiff of déjà vu about it, with Lee Westwood citing himself the unluckiest loser, having topped the greens in regulation stats by a mile, but failed to convert those birdie opportunities into red numbers. That he finished 59th in putts per round, out of a possible 62 players, tells you all you need to know about his week on Augusta’s super-slick greens.

Westwood tied for third with Hanson, whose third round 65 had propelled him into a lead that he seemed unprepared to shoulder, alongside the flat-swinging Matt Kuchar, who looked a genuine contender before a missed tiddler on 16 proved his undoing, and Mickelson, who parred 17 and 18 when birdies were required.

The tournament’s pre-match poster boys, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, tied for 41st, leaving them to limp back to their respective homes to ponder what went so badly wrong. The former still looked haunted by his experiences on the greens from 12 months ago, while the Woods swing looked a million miles away from holding up to the pressure of a Major – the only tournaments he really seems to care about these days.

Of the other top-10 finishers, Padraig Harrington put himself into the hunt courtesy of a couple of early birdies, before his putter went cold, while Ian Poulter, whose fighting qualities and brilliance on the greens always give him a puncher’s chance, just came up short in the final holes.

Meanwhile Justin Rose came from off the pace with a final round 68 to bag a share of eighth, after being becalmed with three previous rounds of 72. However, among a litany of what-ifs and might-have-beens, only Bubba Watson’s story will be remembered in the years to come.

It’s the legend of how Bubba the Blubber tamed the beast of Augusta and lived to tell the tale.

Top 10

Master’s Leaderboard 1

2

3 3 3 7 8 8 8

Watson

- 10

(Won at 2nd extra hole)

Oosthuizen Westwood Kuchar Hanson Mickelson Poulter Scott Rose Harrington

- 10 -8 -8 -8 -8 -5 -4 -4 -4

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02/04/2012 15:09

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April 2012 / Issue 209

NickBayly Don’t take it personally Arnie While I can understand why Arnold Palmer was a teeny bit upset that Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy decided to give his tournament at Bay Hill a miss last month, as they sought to recharge their batteries in preparation for the Masters, I really think that, at 82, Palmer should be grown up enough to know that he’s not God reincarnated in beige slacks and a sweater.

Rather than sound off to the media about how disappointed he was, while reminding everyone that he appeared at every tournament he was ever invited to, I think he should have respected their decisions and kept his counsel. And besides, his silence on the matter would have spoken volumes.

No top golfer can play every week, and while many will do their best to turn up at the bigger events, especially if they are defending a title, with the exception of the Majors and WGC events, few strokeplay tournaments are

‘must-plays’ in any of the top players’ schedules these days.

When you’ve got enough money in the bank, and have a few wins to your name, it’s Majors that offer the potential for a place in the record books.

Palmer, more than anyone, should understand that, and to come over all surprised as to why certain players should want to prepare for a Major in their own way is rather lame.

Some players play more

golf in the run-up to a major, others less. It just so happens that Luke and Rory have been playing almost nonstop since the middle of January, and something had to give. Palmer should have understood that, and not taken it quite so personally.

Thankfully, Tiger went and won his first tournament in 900-odd days, and everyone forgot who wasn’t there (almost).

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For more information and available dates contact Louise Harrison on 01403 753255

Wildwood Golf & Country Club Horsham Road, Alfold (Nr Cranleigh), Surrey GU6 8JE Tel. 01403 753255 e.mail louise@wildwoodgolf.co.uk www.wildwoodgolf.co.uk

GNeditor reveals what has caught his eye in the golfing headlines in recent weeks

Given the meager crumbs of personal insight that Tiger Woods has deigned to offer up to the media, and therefore the public, over the last 15 years, any book written by someone who actually knows him was bound to generate a storm of interest. The Big Miss, the book written by Woods’s former coach, Hank Haney, will no doubt sell plenty of copies and generate thousand of column inches, but I am betting that it will mainly be bought by those looking for further sticks with which to beat Woods, rather than genuine fans.

Genuine fans are simply happy for their sporting heroes to be very good at their jobs. What they say, or do, outside of that arena is frankly none of their business, and of no subsequent interest.

Big Miss reveals our own flaws Alex Higgins, Lester Piggott, Mike Tyson, George Best and countless other brilliant, but somewhat flawed individuals, were never paragons of virtue or moral leaders, but each, in their own way, were impossible to take your eyes off. I’ve long since given up expecting my sporting heroes to be nice people.

It’s a bonus if they are, but it’s not essential.

Having sat through countless press conferences given by Woods over the years, I can exclusively reveal here that he never reveals anything – well, anything of interest – although the same could be said for 80% of golfers on Tour. He might tell us what club he hit to the 12th green,

or give some detailed medical diagnosis of his latest injury, but as far as offering up any depth of personal insight, forget it.

I don’t have a problem with this. He’s a free agent, and can say what he likes to whom he likes, whenever he likes. It’s great that some players ‘give good interview’, but I don’t have an issue with those that don’t. It’s not their job to be interesting. Admittedly, it’s been golf’s loss that arguably the greatest player to ever have played the game isn’t prone to public confessions, but it’s not in the job specification, as much as his sponsors or the media would like it to be.

So by all means buy The Big Miss, and take what you will from it, but as you turn the pages, eager for more salacious gossip, or tales of prima donna-type behaviour, imagine how a book written all about you by someone close to you would turn out.

ULTIMATE IRON GUIDE

www.callawaygolf.com

In Association with

YOU’VE MET THE RAZR DRIVERS NOW MEET THE RAZR X IRONS! DENIS PUGH ASSESSES THE NEW RAZR X RANGE DOC HOC: MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE RAZR IRONS

POWER & PRECISION SPECIAL 8-PAGE SUPPLEMENT

TESTING, TESTING: SIX IRONS, SIX GOLFERS WIN A SET OF CUSTOM-FIT RAZR IRONS!

02 /

Dr Alan Hocknell, Senior Vice-President for Research & Development at Callaway Golf, talks about the technology behind the RAZR iron range

British-born Dr Alan Hocknell has been responsible for the creative design and technological innovations found in Callaway Golf’s RAZR range of woods and irons

Could you start off by explaining the concept behind RAZR Technology and what benefits it offers to the average player?

Extensive hit distribution mapping with irons revealed that most golfers hit the ball relatively low on the face, so we developed RAZR Technology to reposition mass lower and deeper. With the RAZR X irons, for example, we moved 30g (which is 12% of a 6-iron’s weight) to increase launch angle on shots hit lower on the face. Irons with RAZR Technology offer various performance benefits to an average golfer, most importantly adding playability and workability to a golfer’s game without sacrificing iron forgiveness and power.

Beyond that, RAZR Technology allows us to offer the forgiveness characteristics of wider sole irons with the appearance of a thinner sole. The unique shape of the sole gives great turf interaction, and helps golfers execute shots from all areas of the golf course. By incorporating RAZR technology into the design, we were also able to strengthen the lofts of the RAZR X irons compared

to the previous X Series irons, making them play slightly longer.

There are a lot of very new ideas in the RAZR X iron family. It’s a very bold step for Callaway, and it is a completely fresh approach to how we engineer where the weight goes in the head.

This approach has taken the RAZR X range to a completely different place, and hopefully one that results in better shots, shorter putts and lower scores.

With the RAZR iron family having grown to six, from an initial three, can you explain the specific design concepts in the new HL, XF and X Black irons, and how they fit into the overall RAZR range?

The RAZR X irons family revolves around the RAZR X iron. That’s the centre of the Callaway irons’ universe. The RAZR X is a game improvement iron. Our line-up stretches to different player types in each direction from that centre point. In the direction of better players, we offer increased control and workability with reduced amounts of forgiveness.

At one extreme of this direction, we are designing for elite amateurs and Tour professionals. In the opposite direction, we are designing more forgiveness and power into the irons.

These are generally known as the super game improvement types of irons.

RAZR X Black is a game improvement iron similar to the RAZR X iron, but it takes one step in the direction of a better player, with increased control and workability. To attain this, the iron has a slightly shorter blade length, and a longer hosel to redistribute the weight in the head slightly.

RAZR X HL is more of a super game improvement iron. It offers a wider sole (12% wider than X Black) for forgiving

INTRODUCING

RAZR X FORGED

™

THE PRO

The tour pros spoke. We listened. With its forged design, the RAZR X FORGED delivers enhanced feel on impact. And with RAZR Technology, it affords golfers more distance with long irons and more consistent distance control with shorter irons.

WHICH RAZR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

turf interaction, and the centre of gravity is considerably lower than, say, a RAZR X Black iron, which makes it easier for this type of golfer to get a higher trajectory. The RAZR X HL is optimised for consistent distance, and is designed to deliver forgiveness and power.

The RAZR XF iron takes an extra step into the super game improvement category by using additional technology (including a two-piece forged construction and high-strength steel face) to increase the overall forgiveness.

This is accomplished by lowering the total weight and redistributing the weight in the head for larger MOI. Callaway has developed some specific design elements to its irons over recent years. Do any of these well-known attributes figure in the new RAZR irons?

The standard RAZR X model certainly has some of the key elements seen in the previous X Series irons. For example, both a short, straight, hollow hosel (S2H2), and Variable Face Thickness (VFT) technology have been used.

Importantly, VFT has been reinterpreted to allow more of the hitting area to be compliant on the lower part of the face, allowing for greater ball speed in the area where golfers hit most of their shots. We’ve also re-engineered the cavity. It’s not a 360-degree undercut cavity any more, it’s now nearer 330 degrees, and we’ve put weight back into the undercut in a very specific place – it’s a more high-definition approach to designing the cavity. Also we’ve worked quite extensively with the sound and feel engineering.

Have you used any new materials or manufacturing processes in the creation of any of the new irons?

/ 03

All three new RAZR X irons for 2012 feature a new medallion technology that improves the club’s feel. These medallions are injection-moulded and contribute to the weighting refinement system. New PVD finishes are also a feature on RAZR XF and RAZR X Black irons. Also, you’ll notice an advanced construction on the RAZR XF. This iron offers a forged carbon steel body and a high strength steel face insert. It’s thinner, lighter, and allows us to distribute more weight to the perimeter to increase forgiveness of miss-hits, while making it easier to get the ball airborne. It is a lot of exciting technology in a single iron.

Have you found that any of Callaway’s Tour-level players have been drawn to any of the new clubs, or are they sticking with the RAZR X Forged and RAZR X Tour irons?

Most of our players are quite happy with the irons in the further reaches of the better player design spectrum. Irons that are forged offer narrower soles, and smaller blade sizes get the most tour play. But Tour pros are still looking for distance and distance consistency, so some of the RAZR design principles still apply; they are just blended in different amounts. We have been pleasantly surprised by a number of better players who have found they perform really well with RAZR XF, and like the feel and ease of hitting this iron.

Colin Montgomerie is one example. Arnold Palmer sunk his 20th ace with a RAZR XF 5-iron a few month’s back.

With six irons in the range, there are obviously going to be certain elements of performance crossover.

How have you made each iron have a significant point of difference?

It’s difficult to be totally prescriptive in terms of exactly which iron will optimise the game of an individual player. We recommend going for a

INTRODUCING

RAZR X TOUR

™

THE PLAYER

Just what the doctor with a single-digit handicap ordered. The RAZR X TOUR’s shorter blade length, sharper leading edge and less offset look, give more advanced players everything they’re looking for. From traditional style to excellent shot shaping ability.

WHICH RAZR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

custom fitting or at least attending a local demo day to try the clubs and learn what works best for your game. The RAZR range reflects our knowledge of the game and golfers, however, it is then an altogether different task to navigate players into the right iron for them.

In addition to promoting testing, we do have certain online tools available to help players understand the type of golfer they are, and what iron might be best for them. For some, the way an iron appeals to the eye will be an important element of differentiation.

How do the RAZR hybrids fit into the RAZR family?

We have three different hybrids available this year, each with characteristics to seamlessly complement our iron sets.

The RAZR XF hybrids are the most forgiving of miss-hits, featuring the largest amount of shaft offset, largest head size, and largest MOI. They are also slightly lighter than other hybrids. RAZR X HL hybrids feature some game improvement characteristics, such as shaft offset and a low centre of gravity, but the heads are quite compact. Similar to the irons, the RAZR X hybrids are the centre of our hybrid design spectrum, and feature the correct blend of forgiveness, workability, and loft range for the majority of golfers. RAZR X Tour has a considerable amount more Tour influence in the design, including input directly from Phil Mickelson. They are smaller, with less shaft offset, and a greater sole camber. Most of our RAZR X hybrids (with the exception of RAZR X Tour) feature a Zero Roll face design, which increases the launch angle low on the face for improved trajectory and distance.

Which iron do you play with?

I play a lot of different irons to keep my product knowledge up to date. However, as a five handicapper, I normally play the RAZR X Tour irons.

www.callawaygolf.com

04 /

Callaway Golf has been at the forefront of iron technology ever since it brought out the first range of Big Bertha irons in 1994. Its latest innovation is RAZR technology, a unique weighting system that revolutionises the way a club head can be designed in order to offer both forgiveness and playability. For many golfers, finding an iron that offers power and accuracy, but doesn’t look too chunky at address, has often been a bit of a compromise, but that looks to be a thing of the past judging by the new RAZR range of irons.

I had the opportunity to hit all six models, all of which feature RAZR technology to greater or lesser extent, and I have no hesitation in saying that they are without question the most comprehensive and most technologically advanced line-up of irons Callaway has ever produced. Every golfer out there will find a RAZR iron that suits both their eye and their performance requirements. From the tour player through to the absolute beginner, and the wide variety of golfers that exists in the handicap spectrum, the RAZR family has all the bases covered.”

Shot on location at The Wisley Golf Club (www.thewisley.com).

Photography by Nick Bond

razrSHARP

Tour coach Denis Pu Callaway Golf’s RAZ

RAZR X HL

RAZR XF

RAZR X

MAXIMUM DISTANCE, MAXIMUM FORGIVENESS

ULTIMATE TECHNOLOGY, MAXIMUM POWER

ULTIMATE PLAYABILITY, ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE

Fitting into the category of ‘super game improvement’ irons, the RAZR X HLs are packed with features that offer maximum distance and forgiveness for high handicap golfers. HL stands for High Launch, and these irons feature a lower centre of gravity to help launch the ball with the minimum of effort.

The stainless steel heads feature a wide, confidence-inspiring sole, while an undercut cavity keeps the centre of gravity low and deep to help get the ball airborne and maximise ball speeds.

A medallion on the back of the head fine-tunes sound and enhances feel.

The RAZR XF iron is a premium forged iron aimed at mid-to-highhandicappers. Containing Callaway’s most advanced multi-material design, it features technology normally reserved for Tour-level golfers, and is ideal for those seeking maximum distance and accuracy, without compromising on feel. A forged carbon steel body attached to a Carpenter steel insert face combine to produce fast ball speeds for added distance, while retaining a high degree of feel. A multimaterial medallion in the head aids feedback and dampens vibrations, while the black PVD finish makes the heads look more compact and reduces glare, but maintains the traditional confidence-building features of generous offset and a wide sole design.

The first iron to feature RAZR technology, the RAZR X is designed to offer the distance and forgiveness of a wide sole iron, with the playability and shot-making control of a sleeker design. RAZR technology shifts the centre of gravity 12% lower and 15% deeper by redistributing 30g of weight in the back cavity lower and deeper in the clubhead. They also contain Variable Face Thickness technology, with an undercut cavity that enables weight to be precisely positioned for maximum ball speed on all shots. Golfers who struggle with their long irons can switch RAZR X Hybrids into their set in club lengths where their confidence and consistency starts to drop off.

DENIS SAYS: I’m extremely familiar with the RAZR XF, as it’s the club we use in the Sky Sports Shot Centre – and for good reason, as it’s so easy to hit. The size, weight and feel – in fact everything about this club, inspires confidence. It’s got the ideal balance of forgiveness and playability, matched with high balls speeds and shot control. I can see why this is Colin Montgomerie’s iron of choice, and it’s one I’d be happy to have in my bag, too, as it’s the ultimate game improvement club – whatever your skill level.

DENIS SAYS: The RAZR X is the Holy Grail of irons for midhandicap golfers – a powerful iron that is also extremely playable.

The white grooves at the bottom of the face are where a lot of club golfers strike the ball, and this is where most of the weight in the back cavity has been placed, to help launch the ball easily and with maximum ball speed. It’s exceptionally long on centre strikes, and very forgiving on slight miss-hits, while its narrower sole makes it playable from all types of lies.

DENIS SAYS: High handicappers, and those new to the game, often find it hard to get the ball airborne, and this is where the RAXR X HL can help. It’s deep centre of gravity and wide sole helps the club slip seamlessly under the ball, and launch it high and long. It’s ideal for players that often hit the ground just before the ball, as its forgiving sole design will ensure the clubhead doesn’t get snagged up in the turf, allowing you to swing freely through the ball, and maintain height and distance.

INTRODUCING

RAZR X BLACK

™

THE MAVERICK

Make room for style and performance in your repertoire. The RAZR X BLACK offers the performance characteristics that come with RAZR Technology along with a stylish black PVD Finish that reduces glare.

WHICH RAZR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

www.callawaygolf.com

/ 05

ugh, head PGA professional at The Wisley Golf Club, casts his expert eye over ZR family of irons, which promises performance gains for every standard of golfer

RAZR X BLACK

RAZR X tour

RAZR X FORGED

MAXIMUM PRECISION, EASY LAUNCH

MAXIMUM PLAYABILITY, MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

ULTIMATE FEEL, ULTIMATE CONTROL

The X Black sits between the RAZR X and the RAZR Tour model, and will appeal to those who like an element of offset to help with their shot making, but in a more compact design.

This advanced game improvement design offers a shorter blade shape and longer hosel than the RAZR X to redistribute the weight in the head slightly, helping to deliver both power and playability that will appeal to the better player. A small amount of offset, combined with a mid-width sole and RAZR weighting, makes it very easy to get the long irons airborne, while a stylish, anti-glare black PVD finish gives it a premium look at address.

The X Tour is aimed at low-to-mid-handicappers looking for a combination of playability and workability. The compact head profile will appeal to better players, but the head size belies the technology packed into each club.

RAZR technology is still evident, with more weight added to the rear of the club for a slightly higher launch, but the rear of the sole is bevelled, so it plays like a thinner-soled iron.

A small undercut cavity moves weight to the perimeter for more forgiveness, and to allow the precise placement of the centre of gravity in each iron and maximise ball speed across more of the face.

Crafted by Callaway chief designer Roger Cleveland, the X Forged irons are hand-shaped and forged from soft carbon steel to offer elite players a club that optimises feel.

Featuring a thin topline, narrow sole, and short blade length, the head has a high, squared-off toe and a sharp leading edge for precision shot-shaping.

A unique three-step forging process yields superior feel and enables high-performance Tour CC grooves to be precisionforged into each face. This produces 40% more grooves than on any other model in the range, providing golfers with increased spin for aggressive shot-making control.

DENIS SAYS: As the name suggests, the compact head makes the X Tour appealing for low handicappers and some Tour players, while there is some perimeter weighting in there, and a small offset, to offer an element of forgiveness that even skilled players will appreciate. I like the narrower top edge, thinner sole and precise leading edge, all of which give the look and feel of a classic-looking player’s club, while offering that extra bit of help for less-than-perfect strikes.

DENIS SAYS: The X Forged is designed to meet the exacting demands of skilled golfers, and it does exactly that. The extra grooves on the face give more spin and control, while the overall design will please those who like a clean-looking clubhead framing the ball. There’s a purity of strike and buttery soft feel that only a forged club can offer, and it looks ideal for nipping the ball off all types of lies. It’s the sort of club I would have used in my prime, and I’m glad to say I can still get a tune out of it!

DENIS SAYS: The X Black will appeal to those players who like a bit of offset to help with their shot-making, but in a more compact design. It’s got all the advantages of RAZR technology, while still retaining plenty of control for better players.

It feels very stable through impact, and offers a soft, yet very solid feel. The topline and sole width offers confidence at address, yet feel very workable, while the dark finish offers a stylish look.

Overall, it’s the ideal club for mid-handicappers looking to take their game to the next level.

INTRODUCING

RAZR X

™

THE ORIGINAL

The perfect blend of distance and accuracy. The RAZR X is designed to provide the forgiveness and distance of a wider sole iron, while still offering the playability and turf-interaction of a narrow sole iron. It’s the best of both worlds.

WHICH RAZR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

www.callawaygolf.com

06 /

Callaway Golf’s RAZR range features six irons designed to suit every level of golfer. We put them to the test by six club golfers to find out which ones fit their game

SIX OF THE BEST The Venue: Mid Sussex Golf Club, Ditchling, East Sussex.

T: 01273 846567. Website: www.midsussexgolfclub.co.uk.

The Facilities: Mid Sussex is a Callaway Golf OptiFit Centre with two customfitting suites, featuring Flightscope Kudu and Flightscope X2 ball flight systems, C-Swing and GASP teaching software, with six high definition video cameras for instant playback. To book a lesson or a custom fitting, call 01273 846567.

ANDREW SMITH Senior PGA Professional Andrew, who turned professional in 1994, has specialised in club fitting for the last 12 years, and has been custom fitting Callaway clubs for over 10 years. He is also the joint general manager at Mid Sussex Golf Club.

MARK FAIRHALL PGA Professional Mark has been a PGA Professional for 14 years. He played for Sussex as an amateur and competed on the EuroPro Tour. A skilled teacher, he has been a qualified custom-fitter for over 10 years, and is competent in all aspects of the fitting of putters, wedges, irons, woods and hybrids.

Test Protocol Each player hit 10 shots with their own 6-iron, and then 10 shots with two clubs from the Callaway RAZR range (RAZR X Forged, RAZR X Tour, RAZR X, RAZR XF, RAZR X Black, RAZR X HL) according to their handicap.

Each shot was recorded on a Flightscope X2 ball flight system.

Shafts were switched to fit each player’s specifications using Callaway’s OptiFit system, before making a final selection according to test results, pros’ advice, and player preference.

INTRODUCING

RAZR X HL

™

THE FORGIVER

Narrow your focus with the benefit of a wider sole. The RAZR X HL is a wide-format iron perfect for developing players who want help getting the ball up in the air and could use a big, generous sweet spot.

WHICH RAZR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

HUGH MASON

GWYN JAMES

age 48 | handicap: 6

age 59 | handicap: 15

Years playing: 15. Plays twice a week Shot shape: High draw/hook Carry with 6-iron: 185 yards Swing speed/ball speed with 6-iron: 87mph/123mph Launch Trajectory: 20 degrees Smash factor: 1.39 Areas for improvement: Lower trajectory, more consistency Current irons and set make up: TaylorMade Burner, stiff flex steel (85g). 4-PW

Years playing: 18. Plays three times a week Shot shape: Straight and low Carry with 6-iron: 127 yards Swing speed/ball speed with 6-iron: 75mph/101mph Launch Trajectory: 13 degrees Smash factor: 1.33 Areas for improvement: More distance and higher trajectory Current irons and set make up: Mizuno MX23 (4-SW), Regular Lite flex

Pro’s Comment: Hugh hits his irons miles already, but where he struggles is with his launch angle, which is off the charts, while his swing speed varies by as much as 10mph from shot to shot.

His current irons have quite a bit of offset, which leads to him turning over the ball when he gets too quick. The RAZR X Tour and RAZR X Forged irons have much less offset, and after hitting both clubs, we narrowed it down to the Forged iron and fitted him with a heavier 120g KBS Stiff shaft, which led to a much more consistent, lower ball flight. He gained five yards of distance, but more importantly, his shot dispersion was much tighter as a result of the improved control offered by the combination of the new shaft and lack of offset.

Pro’s Comment: Although Gwyn’s typical shot is straight, its low launch angle was costing him distance, especially in the winter when the ball doesn’t run very much.

We fitted him for both the RAZR X and the RAZR X Black irons, as the extra weight in the lower part of the clubface helped raise the launch angle, giving him back valuable distance. Both irons raised the launch angle to 16-17 degrees, resulting in an impressive 20 yards of increased carry.

Although his swing speed remained a constant 75mph, his ball speed improved to 107mph with the Black iron, with his smash factor up to 1.45, leading to a far more efficient swing.

Hugh says: I really loved the feel and feedback that the RAZR X Forged irons gave me, and it was great to find that lower ball flight, as it will help when playing in the wind. They felt really precise and powerful, and felt like a quality iron. I would compare it to driving a Mercedes rather than a Ford – it was that good!

Clubs Tested: Callaway RAZR X Tour and Callaway RAZR X Forged.

Gwyn says: I was amazed that I could gain 20 yards without having to change my swing. The Black irons felt really solid, and I loved the look at address. Can you lend me £600?

Clubs Tested: Callaway RAZR X and Callaway RAZR X Black irons.

www.callawaygolf.com

/ 07

JIM Chandler

TONY Dougall

CHARLIE Beadell

REX Norris

age 78 | handicap: 27

age 79 | handicap: 23

age 20 | handicap: 3

age 72 | handicap: 15

Years playing: 15. Plays twice a week Shot shape: High with slight draw Carry with 6-iron: 122 yards Swing speed/ball speed with 6-iron: 66mph/82mph Launch Trajectory: 19 degrees Smash factor: 1.23 Areas for improvement: More distance Current irons and set make up: Cobra Gravity Back (5-PW), Reg Flex

Years playing: 18. Plays twice a week Shot shape: Low fade Carry with 6-iron: 100 yards Swing speed/ball speed with 6-iron: 70mph/82mph Launch Trajectory: 14 degrees Smash factor: 1.21 Areas for improvement: More distance, less fade Current irons and set make up: TaylorMade RAC (5-PW), regular flex graphite

Pro’s Comment: Jim’s current set of irons are almost 15 years old, so don’t have any of the technology that is available in the latest irons, which would help him with consistency and distance.

We tried two of the most forgiving irons in the Callaway range, the RAZR XF and the RAZR HL, and both produced average yardage gains of over 15 yards.

By switching him to an A flex shaft we lowered his spin rates, but upped his swing speed to 70mph, while his ball speed shot up to 94mph with the RAZR HL irons, leading to a smash factor of 1.38 – meaning he was getting a more powerful ball flight without any increased effort.

Pro’s Comment: Tony clearly wasn’t getting the distance he wanted off his current set, and it was quickly apparent that the regular flex in his shafts wasn’t helping him. We switched him into an A flex shaft in Callaway’s RAZR XF irons, which are packed with performance-enhancing technology. His ball speed immediately jumped up 10mph, to 93mph, which translated into 25 yards of extra carry. The lower weight of the XF irons raised the trajectory by two degrees and as the clubhead got through the ball more efficiently at impact, it resulted in straighter shots. His smash got up to an average of 1.37.

Years playing: 14. Plays 4-5 times a week Shot shape: Draw Carry with 6-iron: 175 yards Swing speed/ball speed with 6-iron: 86mph/118mph Launch Trajectory: 14 degrees Smash factor: 1.40 Areas for improvement: More ball flight control Current irons and set make up: Muira Forged, Nippon NS Pro stiff flex steel shaft (4-PW)

Years playing: 40. Plays 2-3 times a week Shot shape: Slight fade Carry with 6-iron: 120 yards Swing speed/ball speed with 6-iron: 73mph/91mph Launch Trajectory: 24 degrees Smash factor: 1.24 Areas for improvement: More distance, lower flight Current irons and set make up: Callaway Big Bertha (06), Lite flex Graphite shaft (4-PW)

Pro’s Comment: Charlie is a skilled player who hits a solid ball with a nice draw, however he wanted to find a bit more control over launch angles and overall workability. We tested both of Callaway’s Tour models, and it was quickly obvious that Charlie preferred the lesser offset in the Forged model, which gave him a much better ball flight. We switched in the KBS Tour shaft, which was a ½-inch longer than his own set. His swing speed went up by 3mph and his carry went up 10 yards to 185 yards.

Jim says: The heads of the RAZR X HL irons were slightly bigger, and felt a bit heavier than my current set, but they gave me a great feel, and you can’t argue with another 15 yards at my age!

Tony says: I’ve never had a custom-fitting before and was very impressed with the technology. It was interesting to discover I was using the wrong shafts, and I can’t believe I was hitting it 25 yards further. I liked the look and feel of the XF irons, and I’ll need to give this some serious thought!

Charlie says: I wasn’t unhappy with my current set, which I had custom-fitted at an indoor centre in London, but I was really impressed with the extra control I was able to find with the RAZR X Forged irons.

They sat nicely at address and gave a really solid feel at impact, while the lack of offset stopped me from turning the ball over.

Pro’s Comment: Rex’s old clubs were producing high spin rates, which was costing him distance, while his light flex graphite shaft was too light, and was not helping him transfer power to the ball. After hitting both the RAZR X Black and the RAZR X irons with a regular flex graphite shaft, the RAZR X produced by far the best results, with a lower spin rates of 6,000 and a higher launch angle of 24 degrees combining to offer a full 15 yards increase over his old set, with a much tighter shot dispersion.

Rex proves that not all senior players benefit from senior flexes.

Rex says: I was delighted to find the extra distance, although slightly annoyed that I’ve been playing with the wrong flex shafts all these years! I’ve never been customfitted before, and was very impressed with it. Can you buy the irons individually? Might be looking at getting the 6-iron to wedge!

Clubs Tested: Callaway RAZR XF and Callaway RAZR X HL irons.

Clubs Tested: Callaway RAZR XF and Callaway RAZR X HL irons.

Clubs Tested: Callaway RAZR X Tour and Callaway RAZR X Forged.

Clubs Tested: Callaway RAZR X Black and Callaway RAZR X.

INTRODUCING

RAZR XF

™

THE ULTIMATE

As our most advanced iron, the RAZR XF features both two-piece forging and a high strength 455 Carpenter steel face. Together they make for a club that’s easier to get up in the air and help golfers achieve impressive, consistent distance.

WHICH RAZR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

www.callawaygolf.com

08 /

competition

win

a set of CUSTOMFITTED RAZR Irons!

Stunning new TV ad featuring Callaway Staff player Tommy Gainey kicks off RAZR iron launch

‘TWO GLOVES’ RAZRS THE ROOF IN VEGAS! Following on from the headline-grabbing TV adverts for the launch of Callaway Golf’s RAZR Fit driver, which saw Alvaro Quiros’s amazing 310yard drive over the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, and Phil Mickelson’s spectacular shotmaking to a floating green with Callaway’s HEX Black Tour golf balls, the film crews returned to the city in December to record a new advertisement to announce the arrival of the new RAZR family of irons.

The latest ad in the ‘Epic Demo’ campaign sees PGA Tour star Tommy ‘Two Gloves’ Gainey take to the skies in a helicopter golf cart to play a uniquely daunting dog-leg par four laid out on the rooftops of some of Las Vegas’s most iconic buildings.

Teeing off with a RAZR X iron from the Luxor Hotel, Gainey ‘lays up’ to the right-hand tower of the adjacent Excalibur Hotel, before hitting his approach to a green on top of the left-hand

To celebrate the launch of the new RAZR iron family, Callaway Golf is giving Golfnews readers the chance to win a set of custom-fitted RAZR irons The winner will be able to choose a set from the complete line up of six RAZR irons – from the ultra-forgiving RAZR X HL irons, and the power and playability of the RAZR XF and RAZR X, through to the sharp-shooting RAZR X Tour and RAZR X Forged irons played by many of Callaway’s tour staff.

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tower, where he holes out for a birdie to wild applause from the crowds, with the catchline ‘accuracy finds a whole new playground’.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

Derek Howe, one of the most respected administrators in the Sussex golfing establishment, is bidding a fond farewell to the industry following his retirement from the position of general manager at East Sussex National Hotel and Golf Resort.

Howe, who started his professional life as a quantity surveyor, has been involved in golf club management for over 30 years, and leaves behind many fond memories of a career devoted to managing some of the south east’s finest clubs, including West Malling, Ifield, Singing Hills, Stoke by Nayland, and for the last 10 years, East Sussex National.

Howe first climbed onto the golf management ladder at West Malling Golf Club in Kent in 1978, where he had been a founder member.

The club was in serious financial difficulties at the time, and one of the members, Keith Hunt, took over the club and set about developing the complex. Howe, who also ran a building company, was awarded a contract to construct six new squash courts, quickly forming a business relationship with the owner, and was subsequently invited to take over the management of the club.

Howe’s next move was to Ifield Golf Club, a private members’ club near Crawley where he was faced with a somewhat overpopulated committee. “I remember at the first committee meeting, I was greeted by 88 committee members of varying responsibilities,” recalls Howe.

“Thankfully I was able to streamline the administration structure to an committee of just 12 members – which was slightly more manageable!”

Towards the end of the 1980’s, Howe was introduced to Hove-based businessman Michael Hunt, who was in the process of creating a new golf course at Albourne, which was later to be known as Singing Hills. Howe joined the club at the very beginning, and thus began a 20-year relationship with Hunt that culminated with his landing the general manager’s job at East Sussex

/ 43

Derek Howe (left) welcomes Steve Graham to East Sussex National

Howe hangs up management hat National in 2002.

In between working for these two Hunt-owned clubs, Howe spent several years working as a golf club consultant, assisting proprietary clubs to maximise their profitability and at the same time helping those clubs that were in financial difficulties. This led to him buying Mid Dorset Golf Club out of receivership in the mid-90s, a business which he later sold on.

In 1997 he returned to club management when he took over the running of StokeBy-Nayland in Suffolk, before making his final move to ESN just over a decade ago, following its purchase by a consortium led by Hunt.

Over the last 10 years, ESN has developed into one of the UK’s finest clubs, with two championship-standard courses. It officially became a resort in 2006, following the opening of a hotel and conference facility.

“The best part of my job has been the challenge

of keeping up our high standards of service, so that the hotel retains its reputation as one of the leading golf resorts in Europe,” says Howe.

As in his time at Ifield, Howe has been instrumental in managing the ESN scratch team – which he guided to success in the Davis & Tate Championship – and has achieved the notable distinction of winning the Sussex Scratch Team Championship with all three sponsors of this event.

An active member of the Golf Club Managers’ Association, together with a short period on the Sussex County Committee, Howe remains above all a golf fan, and is looking forward to continuing his association with the clubs and their members for many years to come. Steve Graham former Secretary of Littlehampton GC will take the reins from Derek Howe, with Ian Evans, formerly of Ifield and Copthorne, taking the Littlehampton post.

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The CharityGiving800 Golf Marathon, which is being held for the first time on May 16, will see up to 800 golfers, including celebrities, individuals and teams, competing against each other on the resort’s two championship courses. Entrants are being asked to find their own sponsors by organisers CharityGiving, although the individual winner’s chosen charity will receive a £5,000 donation, and the team winner’s charity will get £2,000. The entry fee is £15 per person.

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44 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

Broome Park

Virgin Swingers’ awards honour golf’s real stars

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Flying Club Swingers, Virgin Atlantic’s online golf league, has announced the first of its monthly Swingers ‘Good for Golf’ Award winners.

Designed to recognise the unsung heroes of the game, whether it is the pro, a greenkeeper, a committee member or a junior coach, Virgin Atlantic wants to honour their dedication and effort.

Any registered Flying Club Swinger can nominate someone for an award, and the monthly winner receives a superb trophy, £100 of Marriott vouchers, and a pair of sunglasses from Serengeti.

Nominators can also win £100 of vouchers from trolley specialists Stewart Golf.

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new Flying Club Swingers season is Brian Griffiths from Cotswold Hills Golf Club in Gloucestershire. After serving on the club committee for many years, Brian has spent

the last three years tirelessly working to manage the club’s junior section, and it has certainly been thriving under his control. But for Brian, it’s not all about organising

competitions and matches.

He has spent valuable time with the youngsters teaching them how to conduct themselves on and off the course, and generally giving them the grounding that will serve them well in the years ahead.

In accepting his award, Brian was quick to praise all those who have also provided help at the club. “The junior section at our club is thriving due to the hard work of our members and the general committee, who are dedicated to the future of golf through young people,” he said. “All our juniors are taught the fundamentals of golf, not just by playing, but by learning and obeying the rules and, most importantly, the social aspects that are associated with golf.”

To nominate some one for the Swingers ‘Good for Golf’ Award make sure you join Flying Club Swingers now by visiting www. flyingclubgolfleague.com.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 45

Disabled golfers swing into Wycombe

John Rodriguez (centre), Wycombe Heights’ course ranger, welcomes two golfers from the Disabled Golf Society

Wycombe Heights Golf Centre rolled out the red carpet to welcome a group of amazing golfers recently as the Disabled Golf Society visited the public payand-play facility. Disabled golfers from as far afield as Suffolk, Portsmouth and Bedfordshire teed up on the 18-hole Main Course for a keenly-contested Stableford competition.

Aynsley Doherty from Windsor, who has learnt to play golf with just one arm as part of his stroke recovery, was crowned the winner after a superb score of 33 points. Second place went to Chris Reed from Kent with 32 points on countback from Peter

Butler of Lightwater, Surrey.

Graeme Robertson, the Disabled Golf Society’s national events coordinator, said: “This was a fabulous start to the season for DGS. The course was a real gem, with wonderful views and great access for disabled people to all areas of the facility, including the driving range, clubhouse and course.”

DGS is a pan-disability, not-for-profit organisation, membership is free and event costs are kept low so they are always looking for sponsorship for events.

More information is available at www.disabledgolfsociety. com with events all over the country in 2012.

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Forget all the glamour and glitz surrounding the new Olympic golf course planned for Brazil in 2016, the real battle for gold, silver and bronze is taking place much closer to home in 2012.

The manager of a golf club in Essex has decided to capitalise on this summer’s sporting spectacular in London by launching his own version of the golfing Olympics. Neil Sjoberg (pictured left), owner of Epping Golf Course, feels that golf clubs should use 2012 as an opportunity to attract visitors who are in the country due to the Olympics. He said: “Many people will visit the UK this year to see the Olympics, and they will doubtless have time on their hands and want to play sport. So we at Epping are starting the ‘Spectator Olympics’. For a nominal cost of entry, plus green fee, visitors and play an 18-hole round of golf and return a gross score. Each participant will receive a certificate to say they have represented their country in the UK in 2012 in golf. We will collect their names and addresses, and the best three scores during July and September will receive a gold, silver or bronze medal through the post, depending on which category – including juniors, females and seniors – they fall into.” Sjoberg added that he is producing a poster, certificate, 18 medals and a ribbon to help him run the Spectator Olympics.

Book online at www.rookwoodgolf.co.uk Robin Hood Lane, Warnham, West Sussex RH12 3RR 19/03/2012 11:44

46 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

Storybehindthepic Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Ohio, 1962

H

alf a century ago, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player shared all four majors in the same season. Branded thereafter as ‘The Big Three’, they became lifelong friends while remaining fierce rivals. Although long retired from the cut and thrust of tournament golf, they reunited as joint honorary starters at this month’s US Masters, completing a circle that began back in 1962.

The three men in question, pictured here at a tournament in Ohio in September of that year, collected 13 green jackets between them in the space of 28 years from 1958-86, and without their historic exploits over Augusta’s hallowed turf, it is safe to say that the four Majors would not enjoy today’s exalted status.

Back then, the concept of the modern ‘grand slam’ was taking hold. The idea was that the Masters would tee up the four-month programme and propel it through to the US Open, Open Championship and PGA Championships.

Perhaps the principle reason why the idea captured the imagination so swiftly, and so permanently, was the way in which these four great championships unfolded in 1962. Each one was a

collector’s item, and once the dust had settled on the season, the four titles were duly shared between Palmer, Nicklaus and Player.

Palmer arrived at Augusta in April 1962 hell-bent on setting the record straight following his last hole lapse 12 months earlier, which had cost him the tournament. Scores of 70, 66 and 69 gave him a four-shot lead over Player going into the final round, but fellow American Dow Finsterward was

sandwiched between them in second place, just two back. A closing 75 from Palmer, 73 from Finsterwald, and 71 from Player, meant that all three players finished tied on eight under, taking the tournament into its first three-way 18hole play-off. It was one-way traffic for Palmer the following day, as he reeled off a blistering back nine 31 that sealed his third green jacket.

Two months later, Palmer found himself in another playoff – for the US

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Open at Oakmont against his soon-tobe nemesis, the 22-year-old Nicklaus.

After three rounds, he was two shots clear of Player and Nicklaus, who at that stage had still not won since joining the paid ranks. Player struggled, closing with a 74, however, Nicklaus, who had finished second and fourth as an amateur in the two previous US Opens, was made of sterner stuff. His final round 69 meant that Palmer’s level-par 71, which on most occasions would have been more than enough to secure the title, only earned him a place in an 18-hole play-off with his young rival.

The atmosphere when the championship entered extra time was electric. Palmer, who missed a 10ft putt on the 72nd green to win outright, enjoyed partisan support from his local galleries, whereas Nicklaus, seen as a brash and unwelcome threat to The King’s crown, was jeered unmercifully.

Not for the last time, though, the ‘Golden Bear’ displayed a fortitude that refused to allow the catcalls to undermine his concentration, and after six holes of the play-off, he held a fourstroke lead. Palmer, naturally, rallied with some birdies of his own, but in the end capitulated by three strokes, 71-74.

Palmer made amends at The Open Championship at Troon the following

month, shooting rounds of 71, 69, 67 and 69, to win at a canter by six shots.

It was Palmer’s second consecutive Open victory, and his popularity that week with the spectators was such that the R&A were forced to introduce stricter crowd control measures to keep back The King’s legion of fans.

Less than a week later, Player, who had already earned himself the nickname of ‘The Black Knight’, was back on his charger and setting the record straight at the PGA Championship at Aronimink, Donald Ross’s 7,000-yard masterpiece in Philadelphia. And it proved a fitting stage for Player’s third Major victory.

Trailing by one to Doug Ford at the halfway stage, Player edged ahead with a third-round 69, and then held off the fast-finishing Bob Goalby by a single shot, with a closing 70 for a two-under par 72-hole total.

Fifty years later, Palmer, Player and Nicklaus – now aged 82, 76 and 72 respectively – are the living evidence of the heritage that the four Major championships embody. And, as witnessed at the Masters earlier this month, they can all still hit a mean ball.

Edited from Arnold Palmer’s Guide to the Majors 2012, which is on sale now.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 47

Stoneham Golf Club member Stuart Palmer fulfilled almost every golf fan’s dream by taking a trip with a group of friends to watch the Masters Tournament at Augusta as part of his 40th birthday celebrations For as long as I can remember, it has been a plan of mine to organise a holiday that would take in a week’s golf with my best buddies, mixed in with a few days spent watching the world’s best players in action at the US Masters.

Most of us never get past the dreaming stage, let alone the planning, but I used the excuse – if any were required – of my impending 40th birthday as the perfect opportunity to turn my particular dream into a reality.

After a quick internet search, I chanced upon the UK-based American Golf Holiday, which was promoting a range of tailor-made Masters’ packages.

It offered a choice of accommodation in Augusta, as well as the option of adding extended stays in nearby golf destinations such as Hilton Head, Kiawah Island and Myrtle Beach, which was ideal for our group of golfing obsessives.

Before I knew it, the dreaming was over, and I’d booked a package for a four-night stay in a five-bedroom house located just 15 minutes from Augusta National’s hallowed gates.

After a great flight over to Atlanta from the UK, we arrived on the Monday of Masters week and were met at the airport by a representative from The American Golf Holiday Company, who had the keys to our house. And what a house it turned out to be! We had a bedroom and bathroom each, a large outdoor swimming pool, and a fantastic decking area with a barbecue. What more could you need?

After a quick shower and change, we are headed off to our recommended restaurant for the evening, T-Bonz Steakhouse, which has the reputation of being the unofficial 19th hole of The Masters. Buzzing with fellow golf fans who had come to get a bit of pre-

The five-bedroom villa that Stuart stayed in

Living the Masters dream Masters atmosphere, it was easy to see why it attracts the players and caddies.

We spotted Lee Westwood tucking into a big steak, before our group did likewise. After dinner, we chatted with several golf fans, which only heightened the excitement and expectation of what was to come.

Our package included admission on

The majestic 10th hole at Augusta

Tuesday – when you can take a camera – and Thursday. We had decided to skip Wednesday’s Par 3 contest in order to play golf at a local course.

Driving to Augusta National couldn’t have been easier, as the local police seemed to have everything well organised, and we were directed into a huge, free car park a short walk from the main entrance.

From here, we walked past the most amazing practice facility you could ever imagine, with multiple chipping and putting greens, and a wide driving range with easy spectator viewing. Further on, we passed the enormous merchandise shop, which had over 80 checkouts to cope with the thousands of fans who were looking to take home a souvenir of their trip to this historic tournament.

Even though we arrived at 9am, we saw dozens of fans already tightly clutching bags full of goodies branded with the famous Masters logo.

Further on we came across the main scoreboard, before the course opened up in front of us in all its majesty. My first impression was simply ‘wow’. Augusta is by far the bestconditioned course I have ever seen.

The layout seemed more open than I had ever imagined from watching it on television, with a huge open space between the first, ninth and 18th holes.

The course is also far more hilly and undulating than the impression given on the small screen, and I made a mental note to invest in an new 3D TV to see how realistic it appears with the new technology!

Given how far we’d come, we decided to walk the entire course and check out some of the holes on the front nine that you don’t often get to see on television.

Arriving at the 10th tee, we saw Tom Watson, one of my all-time favourite players, playing alongside Rory McIlroy, the most exciting and talented young golfer I’ve ever seen. The banter between them was superb – ‘Age before beauty’ announced McIlroy to roars of laughter from the galleries.

The beautiful 10th and 11th holes drop 175ft in elevation to the gorgeous 12th hole, and for the first time I noticed the lack of colour in the fabled azaleas.

A mild winter followed by an early, hot spring meant that everything had flowered too early, but the course was still magnificent, and the players and spectators provided plenty of colour.

By lunchtime, the temperature had tipped into the mid-eighties, so we

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stopped at one of the purpose-built concessions where food and drink could be purchased at unbelievably good value prices. A sandwich, drink, crisps and a cookie cost just $6 – and I even got a souvenir Masters tumbler to keep. The atmosphere was friendly among the fans, as we ate and chatted beneath the Georgia pines.

Everyone was impressed by the course conditions, the immaculate sloping greens, the brilliant white bunkers and, of course, the perfect fairways. Allegedly, if you find a weed on the course, Augusta National Golf Club will give you a $100. I don’t think they have ever paid out!

Down the right of the 13th, one of the best holes I have ever seen, we got close to the spot where Mickelson played his famous shot from the pine straw on his way to victory in 2010.

‘Phil the Thrill’ the Americans call him, we could see why.

It is a tradition at the 16th for players to play skim shots across the pond onto the green, and this provided some fantastic entertainment for the huge crowds. We did not want the day to end, but at least we had the Thursday to look forward, when the real excitement would start!

Stuart Palmer travelled to the Masters with The American Golf Holiday. For full information on their 2013 Masters’ packages telephone 02380 465885 or visit www.americangolfholiday.com.

48 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

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It’s one of the strange quirks of the current European Tour schedule that, having played their socks off to earn a card, a large percentage of Challenge Tour graduates have to sit around for months waiting to be able to do their jobs. With too many players chasing too few spots at the daylight-restricted early season events, the supply-and-demand curve leaves many lower-ranked players simply kicking their heels on the sidelines.

“There are times when I feel like I’m unemployed,” says Chris Gane, as we sit in the clubhouse at Sundridge Park Golf Club in Kent, pondering what the season has in store for the tall left-hander. “I often have to remind myself that I’m a professional golfer, rather than a stay-at-home dad!”

Gane was one of 20 players to make the leap up to the top rung of the professional ladder at the end of last season, but rather than getting straight back out there to try an earn a share of the bigger prize money on offer, he’s been on the sub’s bench desperately waiting for a call-up.

After two early sorties to South Africa in January, which yielded two missed cuts and no financial return, Gane has twiddled his thumbs at home in Bromley, playing in the garden with his two young sons, Oliver and Theo, and practicing his short game at Sundridge Park.

Unless Gane wanted to travel to India and Columbia – which he didn’t – there was no other professional golf on offer, with his first competitive round since January 19 coming at the Sicilian Open at the end of March, where he missed the cut.

Not only did this lengthy gap mean that he was not match fit, but it also piled on the pressure to find form quickly, in order to earn enough money to keep a card for next year. Given this state of affairs, it’s easy to see why so many players spend their lives going back and forth between the European Tour and the Challenge Tour. It’s unsettling, both psychologically and financially. Still, you won’t find Gane complaining, as he says, “It beats working” – even if he doesn’t get to play as often as he’d like.

The 37-year-old, who grew up in Hertfordshire, has good reason to be in a positive mood, after earning his way off a three-year stint on the Challenge Tour by finishing eighth in last season’s rankings.

Although tempted to try and improve on his category status by going to the European

Tour Qualifying School in December, he decided to give it a miss following previous bad experiences, which had left him slightly demoralised, as well as heavily out of pocket.

“I’ve only ever once earned my card through Tour School, in however many tries,” he admits.

“It’s one of those things. Three other guys who had the same ranking as me tried and failed this time, and I know from experience that it’s just too much of a lottery to gamble on, especially when money’s tight. If you start your first round with a couple of bogeys, you just stand there thinking ‘Why on earth did I bother

April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 49

No pain, no Gane doing this?’, and it’s downhill from there.”

Instead of stressing himself out in Spain, Gane spent the off-season with his young family in Bromley, where he moved six years ago so that his partner, Louise, could be nearer to her own family. “Since I’m away a lot during the season, it’s good to have that support network around her,” says Gane, whose children are both under five.

In between kickabouts in the garden, he has been working on his game with longtime coach, Stuart Dowsett, who is the head professional at Sundridge Park. Gane has been attached to Sundridge for three years now, and has become a popular figure among the membership, who stop by during our chat to wish him well for the new season. In return, he often gives up his time to play in the club’s big events, and generally makes himself available when the opportunity arises.

While the practice facilities at Sundridge aren’t quite Tour standard, they suit Gane just fine, although he’s excited about a planned upgrade to create a new teaching academy at the driving range, which is to be fitted out with all the latest swing analysis technology, including a Trackman system for measuring ball flight.

Gane also practises at nearby Pedham Place, where good friend Tim Milford, who is the golf director at the Swanley-based club, lets him to use the facilities. He also enjoys the occasional knock around the London Golf Club with Tour mates Benn Barham and Robert Rock, while the odd foray down to the coast at Prince’s, where Challenge Tour friend Francis McGuirk is the head professional, also helps relieve the boredom of hitting balls on the driving range.

Gane, who was born in Harrow, followed a familiar path into professional golf. Taking up the game aged 14, his early years were spent

Londoner Chris Gane is looking forward to another shot at the big time, after winning back his European Tour card at the tender age of 37 Words by Nick Bayly honing his skills around Pinner Hill Golf Club in North London. Like many precocious talents, he didn’t see much point in following the amateur route into the game, and turned professional aged 18, when, like contemporary Ian Poulter, his handicap was still four. He spent his formative years working as an assistant pro at a variety of clubs around London, including spells at Airlinks in Hounslow, Bushey Hall in Watford, and Silvermere in Chobham.

While learning his trade, he played in numerous South Region and Surrey PGA events, winning the Surrey Assistants in 1998 and the Surrey Open in 2000. He reached the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at the third attempt in 1999, but missed the cut. He enjoyed arguably his best year in 2001, his first full season on the Challenge Tour, when he won twice – the Austrian Open and the International Open Padova – en route to finally earning his European Tour card, having finished ninth in the Challenge Tour rankings.

Gane’s rookie year on the main tour proved a steep learning curve, ending up 146th on the Volvo Order of Merit, but he bounced back up instantly through the Qualifying School in 2002, finishing in 16th place, thanks to a final round 65 at Emporda. Since then he has grinding away on and off the tour, looking for that next win. He’s come close – twice – firstly in the cash-rich event that is the Kazakhstan

Open in 2009, where he finished runner up to Eduado Molinari, and most recently at last year’s Madeira Open, where he filled the bridesmaid’s spot behind Michael Hoey.

Leading the tournament after an opening five-under par 67, Gane went out in the penultimate group on the final day, but after a couple of early bogeys, was happy to bag the €60,000 runner’s up prize thanks to a gutsy sixfoot birdie at the final hole.

It all points to a career of grafting and grinding, where the odd missed putt and missed cut provide the thin dividing-line between making a good living and scratching around. Asked whether all the stress has impacted on his game, Gane replies: “I try not to over-analyse things too much, otherwise I’d never leave the house, let alone my hotel room. I can’t afford to dwell on the might-have-beens. I once worked out that a three-putt in Kazakhstan cost me €7,500, but it doesn’t pay to do the sums too often, otherwise you’d never sleep at night!”

Gane is notable for being one of the few left-handed golfers on the European Tour, although it’s not something he feels is much of a disadvantage. “I can’t say I’ve noticed any particular set-ups favouring me or hindering me,” he says. “If you can shape the ball either way, it doesn’t matter which side of the ball you’re standing on.”

Built in the mould of the modern tour pro – tall and thin – Gane has thankfully remained fit throughout his career, although, like all tour pros, he has to be careful to look after his back, especially when practising on the cold winter mornings,when the back muscles tend to stiffen up. His playing strength, he says, is his straightness off the tee, which is why he seems to do well on courses such as the one in Kazakhstan, where the rough is very penal – although his relative lack of distance off the tee is clearly costing him dear on courses where players can ‘grip it and rip it’ without too much thought to the consequences. Is ageing catching up with him?

“I don’t think so. I feel fitter than I have at any time during my career – perhaps even more so given how much time I have to go to the gym these days. I’ve never been a massive hitter, I’m more of stroke player really, and in that respect it’s perhaps a bit of shame that equipment is so bloody easy to hit these days, as it all comes down to a putting competition. I’d rather we were all using blades again!”

And with that he’s off to join his mates, Benn and Rob, at the London Club, where he will hopefully take a few quid off someone who has just picked up almost £300,000 for winning the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. He could be jealous, but Gane seems genuinely pleased for the man. Perhaps his turn will come one day.

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News in Brief

Charnwood captain rises to challenge Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey put himself back into the hunt for a Ryder Cup debut with a three-stroke victory at the Hassan Trophy in Morocco. Nine shots behind the leaders after his opening 74, the 33-year-old grabbed his fourth European Tour victory - and second of this cup campaign - with two superb closing rounds of 65. Former British amateur champion Hoey took the £207,737 first prize with a 17-under-par total.

Herne range reopens Herne Bay Driving Range in Kent reopened last month after an £85,000 revamp following an arson attack, which gutted the building in December.

Owners Stuart Clark and Andrew Brealy said the range will now be open seven days a week, from noon to 8pm. A bucket of 30 balls costs £2 and clubs can be rented for £1.

Bell rings the changes at Birchwood Birchwood Park Golf Centre’s new course manager, Mark Bell, joins the public pay-and-play centre in Kent having cut his teeth on two of the country’s most famous golf resorts.

The 28-year-old has joined the Dartford-based facility having previously maintained the pristine fairways at The Belfry and European Tour venue The London Golf Club.

Now, Bell wants to utilise the experience he has gained to enhance the 18-hole Main Course and short Par-3 Orchard Course at Birchwood Park, and continue the centre’s hard work in making its facilities environmentally sustainable.

April 2012 / Issue 209

Rock polishes Leatherhead European Tour star Robert Rock took time out of his busy playing schedule to drop into Leatherhead Golf Club last month to see how the renovations at the Surrey club are coming along.

Rock and James Edwards of James Edwards Golf Design have been contracted to oversee a five-year course renovation programme at the popular Surrey venue.

Upon seeing the work already nearing completion, Rock, who won the prestigious Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in February, said: “I’m really pleased with where things are at the moment. We really wanted the starting holes to stand out a lot more, but without being overly penal for the average club member, and I think that what James and I have put in place achieves that.”

He added: “I am a great fan of the traditional styling of some of the older courses, and having the opportunity to work on a 100-yearold Surrey course is really

Tour star Robert Rock is part of the team working on the redesign of Leatherhead’s historic course

exciting, especially as I am a great fan of Colt and Mackenzie-style courses.”

The design partnership has definitely made some changes, with the introduction of a new laserlevelled day tee, banking on the left hand side of the fairway, new fairway and greenside bunkers, closure of a cross ditch, the reopening of an old ditch 20 yards shy of the green, and the introduction of a

Swan to revamp Gerrards Cross Essex-based architects Swan Golf Designs has been appointed to carry out a major renovation programe on the par 69 course at Gerrards Cross Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.

The company has been asked to modernise the 6,243-yard woodland course, which was first established in 1922, which will include implementing a new bunker strategies to strengthen the course against improvements in equipment technology.

A spokesman for the

club said: “The course is renowned for demanding accurate play, placing a premium on control rather than the flattery of distance.

As the club prepares for their centenary, Swan Golf Designs has been chosen to make improvements to the golf course to enhance these historic characteristics, whilst ensuring that the course is protected against recent advances in playing equipment.

“Working alongside course manager Lee Robinson, Swan’s William

see my future when I stop playing,” said Rock.

The academy in Lichfield has three full-time instructors, all teaching Rock’s swing philosophy.

“I really like to work closely with my instruction team, and I am constantly in touch with my two lead instructors, Danny and Patrick,” he added. “I’m really excited about our latest addition to the team, Liam, who came over to Doral with a friend of mine. I got him a range pass at the tournament, so that he could help me out a little. It was great to see him spend time discussing the mechanics of the golf swing with the other instructors, like Pete Cowan.”

Although tournament golf is his priority over the next few years, Rock’s passion is to introduce more children to the game of golf. “At the moment I’m looking for a sponsor to help with our schools programme within the Birmingham area,” he said. “I am determined to get more youngsters into this great sport which has given me so much over the years.”

new pond – and all on the first hole alone.

Rock commented: “James has overseen some terrific additions to the course which we discussed in some detail on my last visit. I am particularly pleased with the cross bunkers on the fifth hole where we wanted to re-establish the Swinley Forest-type bunkers, which were originally there when the course was first opened.”

Rock has been very busy

this year, having played in eight events, accumulated winnings of nearly £500,000, and currently sits sixth in the Race to Dubai rankings.

As well as his interest in golf course design, Rock is committed to his fledgling golf academy business. The Robert Rock Golf Academy in Lichfield is the first of many that he plans to open over the coming years.

“I’ve always enjoyed teaching, and it’s where I

Swan has overseen the implementation of new bunker strategies for the 16th and 17th holes, with the construction being carried out by an in-house team from the green’s staff.

After two weeks of shaping and drainage, final prep and turfing is now underway.

The works are scheduled to be brought back into play before the start of summer.”

Swan added: “The course at Gerrards Cross has a little bit of everything that we look for when designing a golf course – including variety in hole lengths, several changes in direction, topographical features and a strong landscape context. We are delighted to have the opportunity to refine its challenge, improving aesthetics and playability through the working with the club on the implementation of their long-term course development plan.”

PGA qualifiers eye £100,000 jackpot After the three hard-fought qualifying schools, 75 players have won places on the PGA South Region 2012 Virgin Atlantic Order of Merit schedule. They join the 25 exempt players from the 2011 season, and the top three from last year’s SkyCaddie A&T Order of Merit, for what is shaping up to be the South region’s best schedule yet, with a six-figure prize fund to play for. The winning scores at each venue were shot by Craig Sutherland (Cherry Lodge), Tom Fleming (Frilford Heath) and Paul Sherman (Ashford). Sutherland turned down a home advantage at Cherry Lodge to shoot a brilliant five-under-par 67 at the lengthened course at Kingswood Golf Club, with two eagles on the back nine providing the fireworks of the round.

After shooting a potentially disastrous double-bogey six on the 13th, Fleming birdied the last three holes for his excellent 65 around the tricky course at Sand Martins Golf Club, but it was Paul Sherman who provided the best finish of the lot, with an eagle two on the 281-yard last hole at Cherry Lodge.

Among the 75 qualifiers are former and current European and Challenge Tour players Ally Mellor (Willingdon), Andrew Butterfield (pictured) (Sundridge Park) and Zane Scotland (Woodcote Park).

Benson wins play-off for Kenyan victory Surrey’s Seve Benson claimed the third Challenge Tour title of his career after he saw off Denmark’s Lasse Jensen in a play-off for the Barclays Kenya Open. Benson, who is attached to Wentworth Club, birdied the 18th in regulation play to tie with Jensen on ten under par at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, and he did the same

again at the first extra hole while Jensen could only manage a bogey.

Three off the lead at the start of the final round, the 25-year-old stormed to a five under par 66 with birdies at the second, fourth, seventh, tenth, 11th and 18th, recovering well from a bogey at the first. Joint overnight leader Jensen thought he had done enough for victory as he stepped on to the 18th tee, believing that he just

needed a par to win, but his two under par 69 also left him on ten under, and when the pair went head to head, he came up short.

The victory will taste particularly sweet for Benson, as he suffered a severe back injury in 2010, which curtailed his season and left him struggling for form and fitness for most of 2011. He finished 163rd in The Race to Dubai last year, but already has a return to

the top flight in his sights after just three events on the Challenge Tour this season.

“I’m delighted,” he said. “I knew I had to shoot a good score today because I didn’t think it was likely that the leaders would be coming back towards me. I knew Lasse would be thinking he was still leading when he teed off the 18th and would take an iron. That makes it harder to birdie, so I was expecting a play-off.

April 2012 / Issue 209

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April 2012 / Issue 209

Ewen’sMasters

Sky Sport’s voice of golf gives you his personal diary of the US Masters

I

’m aware that Masters’ week is perhaps the most special week in the golfing calendar, and no doubt the others I saw making their way to Atlanta felt the same. The first person I saw at the airport was Newcastle football legend Alan Shearer. I had the pleasure of Alan’s company on a trip to Sardinia a couple of years ago. Once a competitor, always one, and Alan’s determination on the golf course is the same as it was on the premiership football fields.

I then met up with my Sky Sports colleague Denis Pugh, coach to the Molinari brothers and Ross Fisher, and alongside him, my presenting partner for the tournament, Colin Montgomerie. For Colin, it is a strange week. Normally he has his clubs with him, but this time, just his case and the metal box that is never far away from his side – the one that contains the Ryder Cup. On the Monday and the Tuesday after the Masters, Colin had two corporate days in Atlanta to raise money for the foundation and hospice he supports in Scotland.

It is something that is very close to his heart, and he spends many days in faraway places, where money is raised to help others less fortunate than the majority. As for me, I looked forward to his company in the box.

His ideas are fresh and he talks frankly and with honesty.

The plane was full of golf fans from all over Britain. For some, it was trip that had been planned for a lifetime.

As we cruised down the eastern seaboard of the United States, I was just praying that we would get through Atlanta’s Hartfield airport security in under three hours.

Thankfully we did, and the Masters, for us, had begun.

The Tuesday and the Wednesday of Masters week are taken up with preparation for the four days of play ahead, but you can’t help taking a wander down to Amen Corner and sampling some of the unique atmosphere. There is nowhere like it in the world of golf. If you ever get the chance to go to the Masters, then cancel everything, and go.

A compelling duel

Bubba Watson’s Masters win shook up the world order of golf

Despite his win at Bay Hill, Tiger is a long way off returning to top form

Westwood’s woes continue

Day one produced an entertaining opening round, and hopes were high that the impressive Lee Westwood would end his run of close misses in majors. Sadly, it was not to be, and he now has seven top-three finishes – the most of any player still waiting to join that exclusive club.

I have watched a lot of Lee’s golf over the past six months, and nobody has come close to matching his ball striking. The flow he enjoys in his long game allows him to have total control of his trajectory and spin. But 20 yards from the green that enviable flow stops, and it’s replaced by a scientific, mechanical action. He has worked tirelessly on his pitching and putting and that, partly, is the problem. The hours he has spent

Westwood’s form with the putter ended hopes of bagging an overdue Major win

analysing has made him too methodconscious, and the natural feel all great players have has been taken away from him. There is nothing particularly wrong with his action, but he is thinking of ‘how’, rather than trusting his feel. His four to get down from the edge of the last on Friday had the writing on the wall. In fields of this quality, no one can afford such lapses. He had another on the ninth green on Saturday, taking three putts from eight feet, and missing from less than a foot in the process. He would finish just two shots outside the eventual play-off. This was another Major that got away.

Tiger cuts a lonely figure

This Masters was billed as a shoot out between Rory and Tiger. Quite simply, that never materialised. I thought Tiger would win, or at least contend, and Rory also.

They finished side by side, but no one expected that to be in a tie for 40th. McIlroy bounced back after an opening double bogey on Thursday, only to fall away on Saturday. Tiger played the worst golf I’ve seen him play, with his best connection all week the one where his right foot collided with his 9-iron on the 16th tee on Friday afternoon.

I never thought I would live long enough to see him perform as poorly as he did during all four rounds.

After the years of feast, he’s close to famine – at least when it comes to the majors.Since he arrived on the scene in the mid-90s, he has fiercely guarded his privacy – even giving that name to his yacht. All of that seclusion is fine when the trophies are accompanying you home on Sunday evenings. The high of winning has fuelled Woods year in, year out.

However that has now changed,

despite his impressive victory at Bay Hill last month. There is nowhere Tiger feels more comfortable than at Augusta, but he finished 15 shots behind Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen, and, for the first time in his career, was totally lost.

Everybody has low points in their lives, but the important thing is to have support to get you through them. I felt sorry for Woods, as I had never seen someone look so alone.

He would have left the course in the evening and gone back to his residence, to do what? Does he have any close friends?

Does Tiger have what we know as mates? His ex-wife and children wouldn’t be there. One of the worst feelings in the world, I imagine, is not having someone to share success with. The worst feeling surely is not having anyone to talk to when you need guidance and to share your problems. There is no doubt it’s a hazardous path going through life alone. The very thing Woods has craved from the beginning might well be the destruction of him.

Sergio accentuates the negatives

The comments of Sergio Garcia – “I’m not good enough to win a major” – surprised and shocked many at Augusta, and probably around the world. Sergio, who shared a third-round meltdown with Rory, spoke after the second round. His interview seemed to centre on the negatives, and not on some of his finer moments. Here is a player who was ranked second in the world after his Players Championship triumph at Sawgrass as recently as 2008.

Sergio is wrong. He has all of the tools to win a major, and I believe he will. It’s maybe a good thing he spoke and got his feelings out in the open. It can then be dissected and discussed, and some positives may come out of it. I’ve a lot of time for the 32-year-old Spaniard, and he won many friends after his hug with Rory by the edge of the 12th green on Saturday. Both enduring an awful day, they birdied the 12th, and the reaction was spontaneous. ‘Is Rory a good cuddler?’ Sergio was asked in his post-round interview. “Not bad, but I hope you noticed I kept my hands high!” was his response. He might be a little down in the dumps on the course, but at least his sense of humour is still intact.

Last year’s Masters was thrilling, and the climax of this one turned out to be similar. Six players were still in it with half a dozen holes to play. Matt Kuchar three-putted the 16th, while Westwood’s run for glory came just too late. Peter Hanson’s start hurt him, and despite being over par once in the last two rounds, the triple bogey at the fourth hole on Sunday proved to be Mickelson’s undoing.

That left us with Louis and Bubba.

A compelling duel set amid the golf’s most elegant setting.

Bubba’s win will be good for golf.

For too long, too much talk has centred on the search for the perfect swing. Along comes the Masters champion who does the opposite to the majority. He plays each shot with a bend, determined never to hit a straight shot. I’m fairly sure he found the recovery shot at the second play-off hole as easy as he found any shot all week, because, for him, it was a normal one.

Watson did not win many friends on his visit to last year’s French Open, but it was difficult not to warm to him when he said so humbly, “my dreams never went this far’”.

Watson is an emotional and complex character, and with floods of tears in his mum’s arms, the emotional gate opened wide. He was close to the father he lost last year, and two weeks before the Masters he and his wife adopted a baby boy after four years of going through the process. Much of that has happened in a short time and added to the elation of winning, so it was no surprise he unashamedly bared his soul on Augusta’s 10th green.

This year’s Masters will be talked about for a long time because it had everything. On a final day that will go down in history, we had the hole-inones at 16 of Bo Van Pelt, who, with his 64, enjoyed the lowest round of the week, while Adam Scott’s final round 66 secured his invitation to next year’s tournament. Gene Sarazen became the first man to score an albatross in the Masters, and Oosthuizen lit up the tournament with the first albatross, or double eagle as the Americans say, at the second hole. It was the loudest roar I’ve ever heard on a golf course.

On retrieving the ball from the hole, the former Open champion surprisingly threw it to a spectator.

But that’s not where that story ends. Within a few moments, some Augusta officials arrived in a buggy to identify the man who received it. The patron’s name was Wayne Mitchell, vice-president of a chemical company in Pennsylvania.

Mr Mitchell was invited to the clubhouse, and it was announced the following day that the ball would be mounted and placed alongside the one of Sarazen, and those of Bruce Devlin and Jeff Maggert, who achieved the same feat at the 8th and 13th holes respectively. I think Mr Mitchell now has a lifetime ticket to the Masters.

There is nothing like this event, because it’s so different from the rest, and everything runs with the precision of a Swiss watch. It’s also true, that the theatre as much as the actors, make the Masters what it is.

April 2012 / Issue 209

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Joke of the month After being reassured that his 80-year-old caddie had perfect eyesight, the golfer hits his tee shot deep in the right-hand rough on the first hole.

“Did you see it?” the golfer asks as they walk off the tee.

“Yep!” Old Eagle Eye replies with confidence.

“Well, where is it?”

“I can’t remember.”

PIC OF THE MONTH

KERB crawlers spotted at the Masters! There’s a rumour that they paint the grass green at Augusta National to make it look nice for the TV cameras and the ‘Patrons’, so while they’re at it they paint almost everything else green too, including the winner’s coveted jacket. Which, incidentally, is run up off the Peg at the Hamilton Tailoring Company in Cincinnati for the princely sum of $250.

competition

SPOT THE BALL

Does your husband play?

If the best you can come up with is ‘never up, never in’ when your partner leaves one short, it’s time to update your golf slang vocabulary. Here’s a couple of new(ish) ones currently doing the rounds…

Tweet your golfing idioms to @golfnewsmag before April 30 and our favourite will win a sleeve of Titleist Pro V1s.

An Aaron Lennon A Sandro Raniere An Arsene Wenger A Mo Farah A Salman Rushdie A Rihanna A Concorde An Anthony Perkins A David Beckham A Wan Kenobi A Cuban A Boris Johnston A Ken Livingston A Nick Clegg

A speedy five-footer A slow six-footer Everyone saw where it went except you A drive that keeps on running An impossible read (Also a ‘Salman Rushdie’) A bit chunky, but on the dance floor Looked good in the air, but landed too steeply Looked like going straight, but didn’t Looked like a going the other way, but didn’t Out of Bounds (i.e. OB Wan Kenobi) Ball needed one more revolution Too far right A touch left Looked like it was going down the middle, then went left, before ending up going right

IN ASSOCIATION WITH SRIXON GOLF

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

uick questions with Paul Casey

Favourite course.

Cypress Point.

Favourite thing to do when you’re not playing golf.

Hanging out at home or out on the mountain bike.

Dream car.

McLaren F1.

Childhood sporting hero.

Sir Ian Botham. As a kid, I wasn’t great at the cricket, but I saw myself as an allrounder like Beefy.

He could almost win a match by

himself and for that I thought he was a legend. He’s not bad at the golf either.

Best place in the world for a holiday.

Anywhere there’s

not a golf course.

Snowboarding in Jackson Hole Wyoming would be a really good candidate.

Favourite meal.

Aromatic duck from the Good Earth, a chinese restaurant in Esher.

If you weren’t a golfer, you’d be…

Unemployed.

I’m not qualified for anything else.

Ever had a proper job? A bartender at Sullivans Wine Bar in Weybridge. It’s still there. I poured drinks. Worked in the evenings or winter, played golf in the summer.

Pet hates.

None. I love pets!

Do you have any fears? Heights.

Favourite movie Usual Suspects.

What other sports do you watch?

I don’t watch much sport on TV, but I’ll watch any sport live.

I’ve been lucky to attend an FA Cup final, Wimbledon (it rained), British Grand Prix and a few other great sporting events.

The Phoenix Coyotes NHL team is always entertaining for some great hockey and a fight or two!

15 16 A

B

C

D

E

F

G

Give us your idea of exactly where the golf ball is in this shot hit

by US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, and the winner drawn at random from the entries will be sent a dozen Srixon Z Star Tour Yellow balls – the Tour-performance ball that you just can’t miss.

Tests have shown that at distances of 275 yards, the yellow ball is spotted over 60% of the time, compared to just 21% with the white ball.

In addition to its enhanced optics, the Z Star’s threepiece construction ensures maximum lowspinning distance off the driver, consistent control and spin from the short irons, and

H

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superb feel off the putter face.

To enter, simply email info@ golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Spot the Ball’ in the subject line, including the grid reference of where you think the ball is (i.e. D12, H7 etc.), and your name, address and daytime telephone number.

Good luck and happy spotting!

And teams do you support?

Phoenix Coyotes and I have a soft spot for Reading FC. Favourite golf hole The 18th on the Old Course at St Andrews.

P

For more information visit: www.srixon.co.uk

54 /

The man who designed the course at Castle Stuart in Scotland has been appointed to create the 2016 Olympics golfing venue. American Gil Hanse has beaten competition from the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Greg Norman and Martin Hawtree to design the new course, which will see golf played as an Olympic sport for the first time in 112 years.

Castle Stuart (pictured) was such a successful design that within one year of it opening in 2010 it was hosting the Scottish Open. Hanse, who also designed Craighead Links, has recently been asked

by Donald Trump to redesign the Blue Monster Course at

April 2012 / Issue 209

Archer hits the target as

Hanse to design Olympic course Doral, host of last month’s Transitions Championship.

“The fact Castle Stuart was so well received gave them a level of proof that

we could build a golf course from scratch that would be accepted by the players and also able to handle a championship,” said Hanse,

who will be teaming up with Amy Alcott, a five-time women’s major winner, to create the Rio de Janeiro venue.

Englishman Phil Archer claimed the third Challenge Tour title of his career after he held his nerve and holed a tricky four-foot putt to win the inaugural Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic with a twounder-par round of 70.

The 39-year-old from Warrington was two shots clear at one point during an enthralling final day at Country Club de Barranquilla in Colombia, but superb performances down the stretch from Bristol’s Chris Lloyd and Denmark’s Morten Orum Madsen meant Archer

Woods in seventh heaven at Bay Hill

Tiger Woods secured his first PGA Tour victory in almost two-and-ahalf years with a five-shot win over Graeme McDowell at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Florida. Chasing a seventh victory in the event, Woods held a one-shot lead over McDowell going into the final round, and carded two-under 70 to wrap up his 98th professional win.

Woods, who moved up to sixth in the world rankings with the win, had pulled out of the previous week’s tournament with an Achilles tendon strain, but he was seemingly back to full fitness at Bay Hill, showing no signs of discomfort during his four rounds that initially seemed likely to threaten his participation at Augusta.

McDowell, who came from four shots back to beat Woods at the 2010 Chevron World Challenge, never really got a blow in against the former World No.1, with his cause not helped by a doublebogey six at the second hole. The gap was never closer than three shots, and several missed short putts meant that Woods was never under serious pressure. “He really nailed home his comeback,” said McDowell. “It was great to have a front-row seat watching maybe the greatest of all time doing what he does best – winning golf tournaments.”

Ian Poulter, recovering from a recent bout of pneumonia, finished third, his best finish of the year, but Ernie Els, needing to finish third or better in order to earn a place in the US Masters, shot a final round 75 to miss out on Augusta.

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02/04/2012 15:30

April 2012 / Issue 209

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Dougherty begins career comeback Neumann to skipper Solheim Cup team had to birdie the final hole to avoid a play-off.

When Archer drove into the rough to the left on the parfive 18th, he knew he would have to do it the hard way, but his second shot nestled just shy of the green, before a solid up and down sealed what he claimed was his ‘best win yet’.

It was a different story for fellow Englishman Nick Dougherty, who was starting his career again after losing his European Tour card last year. Beginning with rounds of 71, 70 and 68, the Liverpudlian was

one shot clear of the field going into the final round, when a double-bogey on the opening hole virtually killed off his chances, and he closed with a 73 to finish tied for fourth. The threetime European Tour winner, who made just one cut in 34 events last year, picked up €10,000 for his efforts.

New captain: Liselotte Neumann

Sweden’s Liselotte Neumann is to succeed England’s Alison Nicholas as Europe’s Solheim Cup captain.

Nicholas stepped down after leading the Europeans to a dramatic 15-13 victory over the United States in

Ireland last year. Neumann, who has won 27 tournaments worldwide, will lead the team in Denver in 2013.

The Europeans, who have never won on United States soil, trail 4-8 in the biennial series. Neumann said she accepted the prestigious role only after long consideration.

“I think everybody will be really fired up to hold on to the trophy and try to win it on US soil for the first time,” said the 45-year-old.

“I did think it over. I actually found out in November I was put on the list to be considered for the captaincy, and I accepted to start with and kind of changed my mind about five days later.

I took my name off the list and a few months later I ended up getting a lot of very nice emails and text messages from a lot of the players and from friends and family. It really sort of got me thinking that I might never get the opportunity again, and I put my name back on the list.”

The 13th Solheim Cup will be played in Denver from 1618 August next year.

Sun-young wins Nabisco play-off

South Korea’s Yoo Sun-young sunk a 15-foot put in the first hole in the sudden death play-off to lift the first women’s major of the year, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, in California.

Yoo, 25, won her first Major title after compatriot Kim In-kyung missed a one-foot putt to win in regulation.

World No.1 Yani Tseng was joint leader with Sweden’s Karin Sjordin after the third round, but slumped to a closing 73 to finish one shot behind the play-off spot. Defending champion Stacy Lewis came from way off the pace to bag a share of fourth place with a best-of-the-week 66.

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew was the topplaced British player in tied 15th, while 16-yearold Charley Hull, from Woburn, ended her first professional tournament in tied 38th. Her one-over par total included a third round 68, although a second round 77 saw her make the cut with nothing to spare.

Louis bounces back in style

GOLF APPAREL

Louis Oosthuizen recovered from his Masters disappointment to win the Malaysian Open. The South African beat Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher by three shots as he bounced back from his play-off defeat by Bubba Watson at Augusta. The former Open champion finished 17 under par at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

The 29-year-old had been struggling with the jetlag of travelling across 12 time zones from Augusta to Malaysia to make the event, but surprised himself with the speed of his recovery.

“I thought I was going to be a lot more tired,” he said. “I played well. I had a good week at the Masters, and I am looking forward to the US Open.”

Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello closed with a 71 for a 12-under total to share third with England’s Danny Willett and American David Lipsky.

the very latest high-tech performance fabrics and golf-conscious construction, ensuring the entire collection provides the perfect complement to your game.

GolfNews_FJApparel_DPS.indd 2

02/04/2012 15:30

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News in Brief

Ping to sell Bubba’s pink driver Riding high on the back of Bubba Watson’s success in the US Masters with his all-pink Ping G20 driver, Ping is to release a limited edition run of 5,000 of the eye-catching big sticks. The driver will retail for £339, with five per cent of the proceeds going to an Arizona-based charity as part of the ‘Bubba & Friends Drive to a Million’ initiative launched by Watson in January. In addition to a pink crown, the driver also has a bright pink shaft and matching pink headcover.

Bushnell backs Ladies Tour Bushnell, the leading golf rangefinder brand, has announced a sponsorship tie-in with the Ladies European Tour that will see the Chessington-based company’s products become the tour’s official rangefinder for the next three years.

As official supplier, Bushnell will provide rangefinders for use by players during practice rounds and Pro-Ams, as well as featuring prominently in publicity material and branding at all LET events across the world.

Players will be using Bushnell’s recently-launched Pro 1M model, which is capable of giving accurate measurements from distances of up to 500 yards. PinSeeker technology and x7 magnification makes it easy to pick the flag up, while the larger two-handed design makes it easier to hold steady.

A waterproof casing with a RainGuard HD lens coating to ensures the device operates in the rain, while a carry case protects it when not in use.

April 2012 / Issue 209

Di backs return of the Cat! Former Sky Sports’ presenter Di Dougherty is to lend her support to the European comeback of equipment brand Lynx Golf.

The 33-year-old, who left Sky Sports last year following her marriage to tour player Nick Dougherty, has been appointed as a brand ambassador to Lynx – the iconic golf brand that had, until recently, virtually disappeared from pro shops.

Fronting a campaign to rekindle affection for the brand that helped Fred Couples win the US Masters in 1992 and Ernie Els capture the US Open two years later, Dougherty has teamed up with former England rugby stars Austin Healey and Will Greenwood to assist its return to the market, and has recently completed a series of entertaining videos filmed at Wentworth and Burhill Golf Club in Surrey, where all three

Lynx ambassadors Will Greenwood, Di Dougherty and Austin Healey

test the product ranges.

Dougherty, who is a single figure golfer herself, said: “I am really thrilled to be involved in Lynx’s comeback. The company is

Ping goes to new lengths with adjustable putters Ping has become the first major golf brand to offers golfers an adjustable-length belly putter, following the launch of the Nome 405 putter. The length of the shaft can be changed from 37.5 to 46.5 inches by using an adjustment tool which threads into a locking ring on the shaft. Turning the tool loosens the ring, allowing the shaft to slide to the desired length.

Turning the adjustment tool in the opposite direction locks the ring and secures the shaft ready for play.

“Custom fitting is our priority, and with the popularity of belly putters we saw a unique fitting opportunity, because shaft length is so critical to performance,” said Ping chairman John Solheim.

“Adjustability is key because the standard 42-inch belly putter fits a narrow range of people. When the shaft is too long or too short, it alters your distance from the ball, your eye position, and the path of your stroke.

Adjustability lets golfers experiment until their posture is comfortable and their eyes are over the ball, which results in a more consistent stroke and solid impact.” The adjustable Nome putter goes on sale on May 1, priced at £249.

investing heavily in product innovation to deliver competitive edge. Two incredible game-improving clubs for men and women will be launched mid-year;

there are some very stylish clubs and bags for women in the pipeline; a staff player

programme, and beyond this, I will be appearing along with Austin and Will at a variety of golf events.”

Lynx’s managing partner, Stephen Elford, added: “Lynx clubs have always been known for their performance, technical innovation, and groundbreaking designs, and it will be no different this time around. Lynx has also been strong in the ladies’ market, and the new products will really excite women golfers, especially the Tigress G range. Di’s appointment and the use of brand ambassadors like Austin and Will, will enable us to relate directly to our market – club golfers.”

Odyssey launches flippin’ good flatsticks

If you’re one of those golfers that likes to switch between putters according to the speed of the greens, then a clever new idea from Odyssey might make the need for two putters a thing of the past. Through some clever engineering, Odyssey has given golfers another option.

Putters from the new Flip

Face range have a hitting area that can be rotated 180 degrees with the help of a screwdriver. One side houses a new Metal X insert, held in place by a urethane backing layer.

Odyssey says it provides a crisper feel at impact, and the insert’s oval dimples grab the ball and get it rolling faster. A White Ice

insert is on the other side, which provides a firmer, stiffer feel at impact. Like the rules that govern other adjustable clubs, users can’t change the face during play.

However, just like tour pros who occasionally add lead tape or adjust the loft of their putters to compensate for green speeds or conditions, savvy golfers may learn that one side helps on slower greens, while the other is better suited to faster putting surfaces.

The three Flip Face putters, available now, all look familiar at address.

The #1 is a classic heeltoe weighted blade, the #5 is a round mid-size mallet, and the #9 is a toe-weighted blade with an extended back flange.

Nike launches speed trials Nike Golf is introducing speed tests at selected UK stores, offering golfers the chance to compare their own clubs with the new Nike VR-S woods, hybrids and irons. Those who take part could win the chance to play alongside 2011 US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

Each golfer who signs up for the trials between April 9 and May 14 (also in Germany, Austria and Sweden) receives a pack containing two of the latest Tour-level 20XI balls, and will be entered into a draw to win one of 18 invitations to an exclusive VIP golf day with Schwartzel.

To find the nearest VR-S Speed Trial golf shop visit www.nike.com.

ClubstoHire opens Lisbon store Airport-based equipment rental company ClubstoHire.com has increased its number of outlets to nine, followed the opening of a new store in Lisbon on April 1. The Lisbon branch is the third capital city, after Dublin and Edinburgh, in which Paul McGinley’s golf club hire operation has launched.

ClubstoHire director Tony Judge said: “Lisbon airport serves around 13 million passengers per year, and is the seventh most visited city in Southern Europe, so it’s an ideal site at which to open our ninth outlet. It’s also the gateway to an outstanding golfing area, with 19 courses within a 45-minute drive from the airport, including Praia d’el Rey, Bom Sucesso and Penha Longa. So clearly a large number of golfers will be heading there.” The company, which also has outlets in Antalya, Alicante, Faro, Murcia, Dublin, Malaga, Edinburgh, and the Isle of Man, has handled over 25,000 bookings since opening in Faro in July 2010. For details visit www.clubstohire.com.

PRECISE SHOTS REQUIRE PRECISION TECHNOLOGY.

NEW VOKEY SM4 WEdgES. The Advanced Spin Milled Technology in the New Vokey SM4 wedges deliver maximum spin and control that enable players to hit precise shots. Master Craftsman Bob Vokey has covered every detail in this fourth generation of Spin Milled wedges. His experience working with the best players in the world has resulted in a line that represents his most extensive range of options to date, including more choices in loft, bounce and tour-proven sole grinds. Visit Vokey.com and learn more about the science of hitting it close.

Join Team Titleist at titleist.co.uk

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April 2012 / Issue 209

Get the pro at Golf Live w and Clevela 2-PIECE GOLF BALL*

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*Sources: SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC & GOLF DATATECH RETAIL AUDITS

THE UK’S BEST SELLING JUST GOT BETTER

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BY VISITING

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Encouraging participation from visitors, Cleveland Golf and Srixon will be setting up dedicated areas for specific products, including The Driving Zone, Wedge Play Zone and Putting Zone.

The Driving Zone will be stocked with all of Cleveland Golf’s latest drivers, including the Cleveland Golf Classic driver, as used by US PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley, and the CG Black driver and fairway woods.

Those wanting to try out the latest 588 wedges, as well as the new addition to that line, the 588 Forged Black Pearl wedge, will get their chance at the Wedge Play Zone. Expert advice on gapping out your wedges, to help improve your accuracy and distance control, will be available to ensure golfers get the most from their Wedge Play Zone experience.

Those lucky enough to time their visit right will also get the opportunity to have a lesson from the Cleveland Golf and Srixon short game ambassador Ben Clayton.

Never Compromise’s new Sub 30 range of putters will be showcased in the Putting Zone. Cleveland Golf and Srixon’s leading golf experts will help guide golfers through what suits their putting stroke best, helping knock shots off their handicap and their scores.

Being exhibited for the first time in the UK are the Type 10 and Type 20 classic blade models, the Type 30 and Type 40 mid-mallet putters, and the Type 50, which is a two-piece oversized mallet putter.

The Putting Zone will also be the area where everyone can try out Srixon’s market-leading golf balls, and get advice on which model they should be using.

Another big attraction will be the Cleveland Golf European Tour Truck.

Cleveland Golf is opening the doors to its tour truck for the weekend to

Golf Live visitors can pick up some expert advice at Cleveland Golf’s short game area, as well as learn about all the brand’s new products

Cleveland Golf and S be a big hit with visit three-day event com allow visitors to see inside the truck used every week by European Tour players like Graeme McDowell. Not only that but they will also be able to put their own questions to Iain Clarke, club-fitter to the pros on the European Tour.

Clarke will also be giving demonstrations on what goes into building clubs for some of Europe’s best players, with a focus on sole grinding for wedges and custom-fitting shafts.

Cleveland Golf and Srixon’s European marketing manager, Ben Davis, said: “Golf Live is the ultimate day out for any golf fan. Every golfer that is looking for a new item of equipment for their bag knows the importance of being able

April 2012 / Issue 209

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ro treatment with Srixon and Golf

Srixon’s ‘Experience Arena’ is sure to tors to Golf Live, when the annual mes to the London Golf Club on May 18

IT’S BACK. AND IT’S BETTER THAN EVER.

“The Cleveland 588s were always the best wedges ever made.

And with this next generation, they still are!”

Graeme McDowell

to hit it. That’s why we’ve split our ‘Experience Arena’ into zones to allow visitors to test all of Cleveland Golf and Srixon’s equipment.

“Our experts will be on hand to advise golfers on what equipment will suit their game, and show them a few new skills to improve their shot-

making. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Cleveland Golf and Srixon ‘Experience Arena’ at Golf Live.

Book tickets for Golf Live today for just £20 per adult. Under-18s can gain free entry by registering on the Golf Live website at www.golfliveevent.com.

Special offer: Two tickets for £30 using the code ‘golfnews30‘ For more information on Cleveland Golf and Srixon, please visit www.clevelandgolf.com or www.srixon.co.uk.

Experience the legend, re-born at your Cleveland golf retail stockist.

www.clevelandgolf.com

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April 2012 / Issue 209

QUAD-Fit Stockists QUAD-Fit Stockists Poult Wood Golf Centre Poult Wood Golf Centre Tonbridge, Kent Tonbridge, Kent 01732 364 039 01732 364 039

OUTLET OUTLETSTORE STORE

John Letters Master Model irons RRP: £599 (3-PW) Contact: www.johnletters.com Designed for the skilled player, the new Master Model blades, which have been hand-crafted in Scotland, are forged from mild carbon steel for a super-soft feel and exacting feedback.

Utilising its 93 years of club making know-how, the blades feature a concave muscle design for greater power and accuracy. A thin top line, allied with a small sole, ensures the heads are pleasing to the eye of the better player, while still offering a level of forgiveness without sacrificing workability. John Letters offers a full range of custom fitting options, including loft, lie, and shaft preference. Shaft options include Rifle, Nippon and True Temper Dynamic Gold, each in a variety of flexes.

Stuburt Helium Sport shoe

GolfBuddy Voice GPS RRP: £159 Contact: www.gpsgolfbuddy.eu

RRP: £69.99 Contact: www.stuburt.com

GolfBuddy’s new Voice is the world’s first multi-lingual talking golf GPS. Speaking accurate distances to the centre, front and middle of the green on more than 33,000 preloaded courses, the unit is as small as a golf ball, yet light enough – it weights just 1oz – to be clipped onto your belt or hat. Spoken yardages are given simply by pressing a button on the face, while distances are also shown numerically on-screen, alongside the hole number and par. As with all GolfBuddy’s GPS products, the Voice requires no annual subscription or course download charges. It runs on an eight-hour lithium battery and connects to a PC via a USB port for synching when new courses are added to GolfBuddy’s database.

The all-new Helium Sport shoe combines leather uppers with a fully breathable waterproof membrane to provide supremely comfortable and dry conditions for your feet. EVA/Rubber outsoles feature forefoot flex grooves for increased flexibility and cushioning, while stability swing dams surround the outsole for a more stable base through the swing. They are available in black/yellow and white/black/red colour options, in sizes UK 7-12, including half sizes.

Callaway RAZR Lite Stand Bag

Ping Nome putter

RRP: £139.95

RRP: £209-£249 Contact: www.pingeurope.com

Contact: www.callawaygolf.com

There’s no place like Nome. Well, there is actually, it’s a city in Alaska, but it’s also the name of the latest addition to Ping’s already sizeable putter family. The rush to market was somewhat accelerated by Hunter Mahan’s victory in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, where he used his Nome to such devastating effect, knocking in 35 birdies and battering Rory McIlroy in the final to take the title. The putter, which is precision milled from high-grade aluminum, features tungsten weighting in the sole that optimises the centre of gravity and increases forgiveness, while a black alignment bar and contrasting white sightline improve accuracy.

It is available in standard and belly-length versions, with three different shaft bends to fit straight, slight arc, or strong arc putting strokes. Show me the way to go, Nome!

The stylish RAZR Lite stand bag is ideal for those golfers that like to carry their clubs in total comfort.

Featuring a five-way, full-length divider system, the bag is made from durable, water repellent polyester, and contains seven pockets, including a soft-lined valuables pocket and an insulated cool pocket.

A padded and adjustable dual strap ensures an even balance and a comfortable carrying position.

It is available in either black or white, with red and silver detailing.

April 2012 / Issue 209

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Under Armour Coldblack Polo Shirt RRP: £60 Contact: www.underarmour.com

MacGregor M59 irons

Following in the footsteps of innovations like HeatGear and Charged Cotton, Under Armour has introduced a new apparel technology to help golfers beat the heat. Coldblack technology, which was invented

by Swiss material specialist Schoeller, is designed to reduce heat build-up and reflect the sun’s rays. This is achieved by a special textile finish which reduces the absorption of heat rays that normally occurs in dark-coloured fabrics, while dually reflecting back those harmful and damaging UV-rays. All this equates to a shirt that keeps you cooler in hot weather, and offers the same UV protection provided by UPF 30+ sun block. All you have to do now is remember to gloop up your neck and arms. Available in black with a silver trim, in sizes S-XXL.

RRP: £349/£399 (st/gr) Contact: www.macgregor-golf.co.uk The new M59 irons, which are engineered to promote more distance and improved accuracy, feature a special groove that increases spin and control, while a wider sole plate in the long irons increases forgiveness and lowers the centre of gravity for easier ball launch. The men’s model comes with UST steel or graphite shafts with Lamkin grips, while the women’s version comes with Winn grips.

Cobra Golf AMP Hybrid Callaway RAZR Fit driver Rating: RRP: £329 Contact: www.callawaygolf.com

Callaway Hex Black Tour Balls RRP: £39.95 Contact: www.callawaygolf.com The new five-piece HEX Black Tour features a number of proprietary technologies that combine to produce a ball with better spin separation and all-round performance than any other ball the company has previously released. Spin separation refers to the ball’s ability to produce a measureable difference between the high spin generated by shorter approach shots, and the optimal low-spin rates from the driver. Callaway’s i-Core Technology has created a dual-core construction that maximises the difference in compression between the inner and outer layers. The soft inner core helps reduce spin off the tee, while the high-compression outer core increases spin closer the green. Both the outer and inner mantles are made of ionomer blends. However, each is comprised of different ratios, affecting the resilience and hardness of each mantle. Together, the soft inner mantle and firm outer mantle protect the core, producing powerful ball speeds from a wider range of swing speeds.

If, by the remotest of chances, you happen to be the only person in the world who hasn’t seen the TV advert featuring Alvaro Quiros smashing a golf ball 310 yards over a water fountain in front of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, you might not be aware that Callaway has launched a new adjustable driver. If you have seen it, my apologies, but given that this is the company’s first foray into the ‘comes-with-spanner’ section of the driver market, I think it needs a little bit more analysis than a glitzy TV ad in order to dig down deeper into its performance capabilities.

Callaway may be a little late to the adjustable party, but it believes it has got itself on the VIP guest list – with a roped-off section and free drinks – with the RAZR Fit driver. Its USP is the OptiFit system, which is designed to make ‘noticeable changes in trajectory’ for each of three face settings – open, square and closed. This adjustment is controlled within the cog, a rotating element of the hosel that changes the angle of the shaft axis relative to the head. This offers users their preferred look at address, and can also help minimise the effects of a slice or a hook generated by the club’s angle of attack to the ball. The clubhead also features two adjustable weights – 12g and 2g – that allow golfers to shift the centre of gravity to promote a perceivable draw or neutral ball flight.

A lightweight, forged carbon composite head, combined with streamlined aerodynamics, and precise shaping of the clubface, have also helped to increase clubhead speed for greater distance, while the face has been redesigned to improve off-centre ball speeds. Faced with a boring old driving range in Sussex to test out my sample, rather than a floodlit pond in Nevada, the RAZR Fit sadly failed to knock it over the floodlights located 275 yards into the distance, but that might have more to do with the high compression balls I was using, than it had with the power of the driver, not to mention the obvious limitations of my golf swing. However, it did unleash it very close to the 250-yard marker, which is right at my limit on a cold spring morning and will do for me, thank you very much. Moving the weights and face settings produced significant changes in lateral and horizontal trajectories, although my advice would be to find a setting that produces the best results and stick with it.

Lookswise, it’s clean and unfussy at address, with no alignment aids or go-faster stripes to distract the eye. I wasn’t overly keen on the hyperbolic symbol etched on the centre of the face, where I would have preferred to see simple scoring lines. For those who judge a club on its auditory qualities, the RAZR Fit sounds suitably powerful off the face, offering a trademark ‘thwack’ at impact, as opposed to a sharp ‘ting’ or a dull ‘thud’. It’s also exceptionally forgiving off large parts of the face, with no dramatic loss of distance on off-centre strikes, with the exception of extreme heel/toe efforts, which deserve to be punished. All told, it’s a really solid piece of kit that will win fans from tour players down to club golfers alike, whether you like to fiddle around with a spanner or not.

Now, where’s my nearest Travelodge with a lake out front?

RRP: £159 Contact: www.corbragolf.co.uk Cobra’s new AMP hybrids feature black PVD and vibrant orange details on the head, shaft and grip, to add a bit of style to its undoubted substance.

Small, pear-shaped head creates a more workable hybrid, while a high-strength steel face promotes long, penetrating ball flight. Adjustable Flight Technology offers three simple face-angle settings (open, neutral and closed), optimising ball flight for increased distance and improved accuracy. The stock shaft is Aldila’s RIP® hybrid shaft, which provides tip stability and control. Available in men’s RH 2/H, 3/H and 4/H in S, R or Lite flex. The 3H is also available in men’s LH.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

1. FootJoy Contour Casual

2. Ecco Biom Hybrid

RRP: £100 Contact: www.footjoy.co.uk

RRP: £160 Contact: www.ecco.com/golf

An extension of the top-selling Contour Series, the Casual Contour uses the same construction techniques to create a versatile shoe that can be worn on and off the golf course. Featuring full-grain leather uppers with waterproof protection, soft quarter linings provide comfort, while a slip-last construction provides plenty of flexibility. A PU Fit-Bed platform offers additional cushioning and support. Available in white/navy, brown/ orange, or black/taupe, in three widths and half sizes, they go on sale in May.

The Hybrid Biom is a marriage made in heaven between the Ecco Street and Ecco Biom that has resulted in footwear that is part-trainer and part-golf shoe. Featuring the soft Yak leather uppers and superb cushioning found in the Biom, while fitted with the molded traction bars and styling of the Street, the structure of the Hybrid’s upper is designed to guide the foot through its natural motion. Yak leather is water-resistant and breathable, yet is three times stronger than other leathers, ensuring comfort and durability.

Choose from black, brown or white, with a variety of coloured laces.

Walk from the car to the course in a pair of stylish spikeless shoes 2

3

1

7

soft shoe

shuffle 8

6

5

4

3. Nike Golf Dunk

4. Kikkor Golf

5. Puma Lux

RRP: £100 Contact: www.nikegolfeurope.com

RRP: £50-£100 Contact: www.kikkor.com

RRP: £100 Contact: www.puma.com/golf

Paul Casey has over 100 pairs of these lying around the house, which can’t leave much room for anything else, but he’s clearly fallen in love with a shoe that has been part of Nike’s trainer range for over 25 years in various guises. The golf-specific Dunks feature full-grain waterproof leather uppers, and a full-length contoured sockliner. Traction comes via Scorpion Stinger Spikes on the rubber outsole, which sadly prevents them being completely clubhousefriendly (try Nike’s Lunar Prevail or Lunar Ascend shoes for ‘access all areas’). They are available in blue, orange, green for men, and spark, orange and mint for women.

Already an established brand in the USA, Kikkor shoes take their influence from the classic American sneaker, without ignoring important technical elements such as grip, stability, waterproofing and durability. The range, which contains 10 different styles, also features shoes with built-in cleatlike fittings, while there is also an option using Champ Lite spikes, which can be replaced when worn. The exclusive VEKTRboard sole produces traction through the strategic curving of each individual cleat, which the company describes as like ‘having bear claws on your feet’. The uppers feature a variety of materials, including leather and suede.

Offering a combination of sporty style and functionality, the Lux shoe is packed with comfort features, including an EverFoam fitbed that moulds to the shape of your feet.

Made with waterproof leather uppers, a shock-absorbing durable TPU midsole, and a rubber sole, the Lux is light, yet extremely robust. Deep flex grooves in the front sole and heel aid the flexibility and movement of the foot, while S2Quill Tec spikes provide grip and control for confident swinging in all conditions. They are available in sizes 6-13 (including half sizes), in either white/lime or black/yellow/ orange.

6. Adidas Adicross

7. Vivobarefoot Hybrid 8. Ashworth Cardiff

RRP: £59.99 Contact: www.adidasgolf.com

RRP: £100 Contact: www.vivobarefoot.com

RRP: £99 Contact: www.ashworthgolf.com

Inspired by the classic adidas street shoe, the Adicross features a spikeless outsole which provides all the traction of traditional cleats with the comfort of a trainer. Lightweight, full-grain leather uppers provide a rich look and feel, while the rubber outsole features 124 traction lugs of varying sizes for a secure grip in all playing conditions. An abrasion-resistant synthetic toe-cap provides added protection and durability.

They are available in five white combinations, black and brown, with two different laces, and come with a two-year waterproof warranty, in medium widths only (sizes 7-12).

Designed to allow the soles of your feet to be in closer contact with the ground, to allow more natural movement, the Vivobarefoot Hybrid features an ultra-thin, puncture-resistant leather/rubber combination sole with multi-directional lugs that eliminate the need for traditional spikes. Weighing just 295g, the tanned leather uppers and Dri-Lex performance linings offer breathable water resistance, while rip-stop nylon trimmings provide increased durability. Available in black, white, dark brown for men (sizes 7-12), and white, black, dark grey/crimson for ladies (sizes 3-8).

Worn by PGA Tour professional Sean O’Hair during several tournaments last year, the spikeless Cardiff offers playability and sure-footed traction on and off the golf course. Strategically-placed nubs of varying size ensure that the shoe can be worn both in dry and damp conditions without sacrificing grip or performance. They feature full-grain leather uppers with suede accents, and come with a two-year waterproof warranty. They are available in five colours options, including iron/white/ toro, tan/black/gum and white/white/dark marine.

INTRODUCING

THE NEW DECADE® MULTICOMPOUND WHITEOUT™ THE FASTEST GROWING GRIP ON TOUR GETS A NEW LOOK.

The New Decade MultiCompound Whiteout grip offers golf’s hottest grip in a new, white color. This innovative hybrid features a high-performance rubber material in the lower hand for comfort and responsiveness, as well as Golf Pride’s exclusive BCT® cord in the upper hand for all-weather control.

Learn more at GolfPride.com

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April 2012 / Issue 209

Activities Ireland

Luxury lodges

The Perfect Golfing Experience in Dublin!

Marriott Forest of Arden

Stay 2 Nights and receive 3rd Night FREE FREE Airport/Golf Transfers - No Booking Fees!

The 4* Hilton Hotel is located 15 minutes from Dublin Airport yet only a 5 minute drive from the beautiful seaside resort of Malahide, surrounded by wonderful Links and Parkland Courses.

2 Nights Accommodation sharing Twin Rooms n 1 Night FREE Accommodation sharing Twin Rooms n Full Irish Breakfast Daily n FREE Return Airport Transfers n 1 Round of golf at Malahide (Tee times Monday - Friday) n 1 Round of golf at Howth (Tee times Monday - Friday) n 1 Round of golf at St Margarets (Tee times Monday - Saturday) n 1 Round of golf at Portmarnock Links (Tee times Monday - Sunday) n FREE Return Golf Transfers n 24/7 emergency assistance n Services & Taxes n

Package Price - Only n350.00pp sharing Book before 31st May ’12 and receive n50.00 DISCOUNT PER PERSON (for groups of 8+) ** Packages also available for Portmarnock Old,The Island, Royal Dublin, Forrest Little & Corballis including FREE Airport/Golf Transfers ** Valid until December 2012 subject to availability. Price only valid when booked through Activities Ireland. Must be booked in advance.

To book or obtain a full list of our packages, please contact Nessa on: 00 353 1 505 6794 and quote reference Hilton Offer

Come & visit us at Golf Live Failte Ireland Stand, 18-20 May ’12

E: activitiesireland@eircom.net W: www.activitiesireland.ie Activities Ireland, 36 Canonbrook Park, Lucan, Co Dublin, Ireland

New App puts Marriott on Map Marriott Golf UK has launched a new App designed to help golfers get the most from a game on all its courses.

The new Marriott Golf App, which can be used on an iPhone and on all Android platforms and is free to download, provides GPS mapping, hole-by-hole details and useful pro tips for every course at all 11 of Marriott’s UK resort and country clubs.

It includes an interactive scorecard, which enables golfers to record their scores and statistics, and to compete against other players. It provides access to a live five-day Met Office weather forecast and allows user to book tee times at Marriott venues, including the flagship layouts at Forest of Arden, St Pierre, Hanbury Manor and Dalmahoy.

“Marriott Golf is proud of its reputation for providing great service and the new app is the latest initiative aimed at helping our customers get the most from their golf,” said Alison Ainsworth, senior director of golf leisure and spa operations.

“Whether you’re a member of one our eleven golf clubs, a resident at one of our Hotel & Country Clubs, or simply visiting for a day’s golf, the app is full of useful features to help you enjoy a great day out.”

The opening of five new luxury lodges at Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa has taken the accommodation offering at the popular Colchesterbased leisure resort to a whole new level. Stoke by Nayland, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is tucked away in peaceful countryside on the Essex/Suffolk border.

Owned by the Peake family, who set up the Coppella fruit juice brand, the resort has long been popular with golfers, as well as boasting a significant celebrity following, with a variety of famous names among its past guests, including David Beckham and local celebrity chef Delia Smith.

Thanks to its state-of-theart sporting facilities, both national and Premiership football teams use the resort when playing matches in the region, while the two Championship golf courses have played host to numerous European Senior and Challenge Tour events.

The family is now extending its high-end hospitality offering to include self-catering accommodation for parties of between two and 12. Situated on the banks of a picturesque lake, between the hotel and the countryside,

the five eco-friendly lodges are each made up of two apartments – which can be booked separately or together.

Each contemporary-designed apartment offers everything guests could possibly want in a holiday pad, with spacious open-plan living areas featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, which open out onto a private deck or balcony.

As well as being equipped to the highest standards, the lodges benefit from the sort of personal service that is usuall found only in destination hotels. On arrival, guests are allocated a dedicated concierge, who will look after them during their stay, and arrange

Discover Dartmoor As well as being home to one of the UK’s most scenic National Parks, Dartmoor is also the venue for a handful of stunning moorland golf courses, each of which enjoys its own unique and stunning setting.

Exclusive Golf Breaks has put together a great value two-night, three-round package that gives golfers the chance to choose from the delightful layouts to be

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found at Yelverton, Tavistock, St Mellion and Bovey Castle.

The Jack Nicklausdesigned St Mellion needs little introduction to the golfing public, having hosted numerous tour events over the years, while the magnificent Bovey Castle, located in Moretonhampstead, is fast gaining a reputation as a challenging tournament venue, having hosted the

Weekend Supplement: £10pp extra

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Golf breaks with tuition Day 1

Swing Health Check with Pro (1hr) l 18 Holes of Golf l Full Unlimited use of Golf Facilities l Full Use of our Luxury Spa l 2-Course Dinner l Accommodation l

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Breakfast l 9 Hole Playing Lesson with the Pro l 18 Holes of Golf l Full Use of Golf Facilities l Full Use of our Luxury Spa (up to 5pm) l

EuroPro Tour in recent years.

Designed to rival its sister courses at Gleneagles and Turnberry, the JF Abercombiedesigned course at Bovey meanders through the undulating estate, with winding streams and large Dartmoor rocks adding to the challenge at every turn.

Tavistock and nearby Yelverton are both classic moorland tracks, with golfers required to share the generous fairways with herds of grazing sheep and native Dartmoor ponies, while enjoying fine views over the stunning Devon landscape.

Yelverton staged the Men’s Senior Amateur Championships in 2006, and presents a serious test of golf, although it remains playable for all skill levels providing you don’t mind chipping out from the gorse bushes and bracken from time to time!

Packages start from £225 per person, for two nights’ B&B and three rounds of golf.

For bookings visit www.exclusivegolfbreaks. com or call 01822 618181.

Variety of Spa Treatments available on request

Price £190 per person (based on 2 sharing) London Beach, Hotel Club & Spa,

Ashford Road, Tenterden, Kent. TN30 6HX. T: 01580 766279 F: 01580 763884 E: offers@londonbeach.com

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Bovey Castle in Devon

April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 65

s raise the stakes at Stoke Awarded 5 Star Gold Award by British Tourist Board

Please visit our new website

27 holes of fantastic golf

www.dorsetgolfresort.com

The five lodges feature luxury interiors

everything from restaurant bookings to tee times.

In addition, a number of services are available from the comfort of the lodge, including spa treatments and ‘takeaway-style’ food –

it’s even possible to book a chef and a waiter to provide private dining.

Guests staying at the lodges can enjoy the same on-site facilities as hotel guests, including the indoor

pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, gym, and specially reduced-rate green fees.

The two magnificent championship courses, named after the famous local artists, Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable, were created in the early 1970s and truly capture the natural beauty of the Suffolk countryside.

They are well established and challenging, with many natural water features and mature tree-lined fairways.

Both 18th holes provide an exciting finish, with the drive from tees to greens in front of the clubhouse over one of the four lakes.

For longer stays, Stoke

by Nayland is well-placed to visit some of the region’s most famous sights of interest, including the Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum, Gainsborough’s House, and Colchester’s new contemporary art destination, Firstsite, while the market

Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Club, North Cornwall

The Dorset Golf Hotel and Luxury Log homes for rent

towns of Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds, and the pretty villages of Dedham, Boxford and Kersey, are all within easy reach of the resort.

The lodges, which can be booked for a minimum of two nights, cost from £295 for a two-night stay in a onebedroom apartment, rising to £1,350 for a week in a fourbedroom house.

For guests staying in the main hotel, golf break packages start from £110 per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. The price include two rounds on either golf course, a three-course dinner in the Lakes Restaurant, and overnight accommodation in the 80-bedroom hotel with full English breakfast. Guests also have free use of the indoor pool, Jaccuzzi, steam and sauna rooms.

For more information visit www.stokebynayland.com, call 01206 262836 or email sales@stokebynayland.com.

FREE GOLF Air-conditioned clubhouse facilities l Restaurant offering an extensive menu l On site accommodation in the Dorset Golf Hotel 16 twin rooms l From £64.25 pppn including Dinner, B&B and FREE GOLF l l

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66 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

sweet

Alabama

With 11 scenic stops, featuring 26 courses and green fees averaging aro the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a ‘must do’ for golfers, says Steve Ha “Welcome y’all! Tell your friends over the Pond that we’re not all racists and rednecks in Alabama, and that we don’t play golf in our sandals and dungarees! But tell them that we do have some of the best golf on the planet,” said Don, the chatty starter at Grand National’s Links course. “You enjoy the sunshine and hit them straight and long, d’ya hear!” he laughed.

My first tee shot was short and wide and flirted with giant pine trees, but, no matter, we were on our way along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the opening salvo of ten rounds over eight-days in mid-October that would take us from the thick woods and shimmering lakes in the middle of the state to the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico in the south.

One of the most ambitious golf-course building projects ever undertaken, the Trail – the first courses built are 20 years old this year stretches 350 miles. But none of the 11 Trail stops, featuring 26 courses (the

(Left to Right) Neil Roberts, Gary Barnett, Georges Michaud and Steve Hartridge under clear-blue skies at Lakewood Golf Club, Point Clear

468 holes are a combination of full championship layouts and 18-hole par 3 courses) are more than a two-hour drive from the next, and each is within 15 minutes of a major interstate (highway) – which makes both the planning of a golf trip and the driving easy.

The Trail should perhaps be called the Dr David Bronner Golf Trail after the larger-than-life chairman (and selfconfessed golf nut) of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) who saw off the naysayers who thought he was reckless to invest millions of dollars of the state’s retirement funds into golf courses and hotels. But for Bronner, it was a ‘Field of Dreams’ thing. “Several top course designers I approached thought I was nuts, if they replied at all, but I was sure that if I built it they would come,” he told us, while puffing on a fat Cuban cigar in the RSA’s gleaming offices in downtown Montgomery.

Robert Trent Jones Senior was intrigued by Bronner’s vision and jumped at the chance to convert virgin bush and forest in the north, and wetlands and marshy woods in the south, into artfully designed golf courses (although in truth, the Trail probably owes more to Jones’s longtime associate Roger Rulewich than to the old master himself, who was well into his 80s when the work began).

Covering so much contrasting terrain, the Trail courses vary enormously in style and scenery, but there’s one constant: outstanding quality and great value for money. The average green fee is around $55 (the higher the mercury climbs the lower the green fee drops).

That’s about a third of the price you would pay for similar-quality courses in most of the other US states. And another plus: most of these courses are devoid of housing – most refreshing for the US. Along the Trail are several hotels that are built, owned, or managed by the

The Gothic-looking Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort, near Birmingham

RSA. These vary from the small resortstyle Marriott hotel in Opelika (Grand National) to the fairy-tale mock-Gothic castle style of Birmingham (Ross Bridge) to a timeless old southern dame, the Grand Hotel (Point Clear, near Mobile), that 150 years ago was a hospital for Southern soldiers in the US Civil War. We arrived at Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport, on British Airways’ daily Heathrow service, in the evening.

The following morning, just two hours after leaving the city - and ‘clawing back’ an hour just after the Georgia/Alabama state line where ‘Eastern Time’ changes to ‘Mountain Time’ – we arrived at Grand National, in sleepy Opelika, Alabama.

Grand National has two fabulous courses and we played them both over two days. Standing on the clubhouse’s wraparound balcony on that first morning, we got a sense of why Jones Snr considered the place the single greatest site for a golf complex he had ever seen. This felt and looked like Alabama backcountry: in every

direction was shimmering water, part of the 600-acre Lake Saugahatchee system, and towering lean pine trees that shaded tantalising glimpses of mouth-watering golf holes.

With 14 holes featuring the lake, The Links felt anything but linksy. Several holes, like the par-5 second, sweep and tumble down towards the lake, with pine trees standing like giant sentinels either side of the fairway. Our first par-3 of ‘the tour’, with the lake running down the left, and giant reeds swaying furiously in the strong breeze, was one of dozens of pretty short holes we played on the Trail.

On the 8th, a stunning 319-yard par 4 that requires a 3-wood or iron down to the edge of the lake, before doglegging sharply up a hill to an elevated green, I managed to string two swings and a greenside chip together for my first Alabama birdie.

More forgiving, and with Bermuda rather than the indent-free Bent greens of the Links course, the Lakes

April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 67

Grand National Links Course

ound $55, Hartridge

course is a collection of 18 postcardpretty stunners, which we played early morning just as the mist was rising from the lake and the sweet small of pine began scenting the air. You won’t find a quartet of short holes more pleasing on the eye anywhere.

That evening, in Fairways Lounge at the Marriott Auburn Opelika, over beers with names like Thumper Dog and Blue Moon, and a basket of giant prawns, we salivated over the eight rounds still to come.

Next up, and an easy one-hour drive from Grand National, was the 54-hole Capitol Hill complex in Prattville, close to the state capital, Montgomery. Driving the I-85, we passed road signs that said ‘Speeding fines double if workers are present’ and ‘America: Love it or Leave it’.

From the first tee on Capitol Hill’s imposing Judge course, you can see Montgomery’s skyline rising beyond the Alabama River. To say the tee is ‘elevated’ is a bit like saying the rim of the Grand Canyon is high above the Colorado River: the first hole falls over 220 feet, but all you can see from the tee is a slender slither of distant fairway, surrounded by the sparkling water of the Alabama river and thick forest that seems to cover Alabama all the way up to the border with Tennessee.

The Judge zigzags through a backwater floodplain as it plots its way around small lagoons and marshy areas that provide a sanctuary to resident wildlife. We saw kestrels, kites, deer and squirrels, but the copperhead and moccasin snakes thankfully kept out of sight. With several island fairways and greens, The Judge leaves you gawping at the sheer beauty of it all.

The 7,697-yard Senator course at Capitol Hill, host of a Nationwide Tour tournament, is a Scottish-style design that is all wavy long grass, hillocks,

The Links Course, as seen from the clubhouse at Grand National

Steve Hartridge teeing off at The Judge, Capitol Hill

Great seafood in Mobile

fairways perched atop mounds, elevated greens, and 150 malevolent pot bunkers. Incongruous though that is in this most Southern of settings, the course is fabulously enjoyable.

Montgomery itself is a sleepy capital, but there was enough to keep us entertained for an afternoon and a night. Opposite our hotel, the stylish Renaissance Montgomery (don’t miss the $1 happy hour beers), is the new brickyard Alley Entertainment District.

Here we enjoyed a pizza the size of a dustbin lid, had our shoes shined by ‘Dr Shoes’, who sang gospel songs while he polished, and discussed ‘racism in the Deep South in 2012’ with the owner of an art gallery. Next door is the Hank Williams Museum & Memorial, a tribute to the 29-year-old country music star was was found dead in his Cadillac on New Year’s Day 1953.

Martin Luther-King started the Civil Rights Movement in the city, and visitors can stand in the pulpit of the only church where he preached as a full-time minister.

They can also see King’s family home – which was bombed by the Klu Klux Klan.

From Montgomery we headed south, to Point Clear, on Mobile Bay. The Grand Hotel dates back to 1847 but was closed for a couple of years after Hurricane Katrina blew through in 2005. There’s a marina, a sandy beach, a Civil War-era cannon that fires a daily ‘shot’ across Mobile Bay and a wedding gazebo where women in Gone With The Windstyle dresses served mint julips and bourbon. At the hotel’s Saltwater Grill we ate seafood jambalaya, crab cakes and coconut-crusted shrimps.

Over the road, Lakewood Golf Club also has a timeless feel to it. The clubhouse, unlike the identikit but nonetheless impressive clubhouses found elsewhere on the Trail, is

Time for reflection on the Lakes Course, Grand National

modest but homely. Its two courses, Dogwood and Azalea, were both renovated in 2005 and offer two contrasting challenges. Dogwood is an unpretentious parkland-style lay-out that could have been airlifted direct from Surrey, but Azalea is well worth crossing the Atlantic for.

‘Championship golf course’ is a much overused tag, but with its tall pines, rolling neon-green fairways, white-sand bunkers and exclusive feel, Azalea had a sniff of Augusta about it. The day we turned up the course was officially closed for maintenance, but the head pro was happy to let us on – the first and probably last time we’ll ever play a course with no-one else, bar some attentive green-keepers , in sight.

Returning north, on our penultimate day, for another sort of driving pleasure, we stopped in at the Barber Motorsports Park, just east of Birmingham, which pays homage to the history of the motorcycle, with over 600 (of 1200 in the collection) vintage and modern bikes randomly displayed on walls and twotiered platforms. It also boasts several race cars, including the largest collection of Lotus cars in the world.

Our final stop in Alabama saw us back up in the middle of the state, at the newest complex on the Trail. The pro shop at Ross Bridge in Birmingham is in the lobby of the four-diamond hotel of the same name that, in Gothic fairy-tale style, is modelled after the Banff Springs Hotel in Canada.

The course plays a gargantuan 8,191 yards off the back pegs and claims to be the third longest in the world. The cart path alone stretches nine miles, twice as long as the average course – yes, you do need to take a cart. Ten holes play along the side of two large lakes and several holes could lay claim to being the ‘signature’, but the lasting memory is of huge and fast greens – where I had a couple of 100-foot-plus putts.

The 4th, a 226-yard par three that’s all air over water, is something of a microcosm of the entire Trail: an attractive and challenging hole framed by a watery foreground and beautiful backdrop, and incorporating an element of the region’s history – in this case a gristmill at the back of the green that stands as a reminder of the site’s mining past. An easy two-and-ahalf-hour drive from Atlanta we played Ross Bridge on the morning of the day we flew back to London.

Don, the starter at Grand National we met on our first morning, wasn’t wrong about the sunshine – the only dark flecks in the cobalt-blue sky that we saw during our entire trip were hawks and kestrels floating on the thermals.

And by the time we’d putted out for the last time at Ross Bridge – a solid par that followed a birdie, seeing that you asked – we were long sold: Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Trail is a ‘must do’ for any serious golfer.

Robert Trent Jones Senior and Dr Robert Bronner – guys, take a bow.

68 /

April 2012 / Issue 209

Pamper yourself at Paradis

Paradis Hotel & Golf Club is the complete Mauritius experience, with its winning combination of beautiful beach location, luxury facilities, great activities and wonderful cuisine.

Set on the exclusive Le Morne Peninsula, Paradis is surrounded by 5km of golden beach.

There is a choice of luxurious and spacious accommodation, eight superb restaurants, a relaxing Clarins spa and superb family facilities. The spectacular 18-hole Paradis Golf Course, which is a mere putt away from reception is a delight and being right on your door step you’re never far away from the non-golfers in your party.

If you are looking for a luxury break

for just the two of you or a luxury family holiday Paradis Hotel & Golf Club is hard to beat. Beachcomber, who own Paradis, turn 60 this year, so make the most of their anniversary offer on which the second person sharing a room saves 60% on half-board accommodation costs for travel May 1st to November 30th.

On top of this, travel between May and the end of July and guests receive free golf at Paradis. Seven nights on a half-board basis, including economy class flights with Air Mauritius and private hotel transfers, start from £1,740 per person. To book call 01483 445 628 or visit www.beachcombertours.co.uk.

Hit the Algarve with Amigos!

Penina

Normandy Golf www.normandygolf.com

British company based in France, specialising in tailor made golfing breaks in Normandy and the whole of France, for Corporate entertaining, Golf societies or special family trips.

Golf Amigos has been organising golf holidays and breaks since 1994. From small beginnings, selling holidays in Spain, it has grown steadily to become one of the leading golf tour operators in the UK. As well as offering

breaks to Spain, Portugal and Turkey, Golf Amigos provides its clients with top value holidays throughout Europe, including golf breaks in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, as well as many other worldwide destinations.

Its current range of holidays includes a great deal at Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort Hotel in the everpopular Algarve, where three nights B&B and three rounds on the fabulous Penina courses costs from £179pp from now until May 31.

This offer is based on two people sharing a twin room, and includes a free room upgrade to a pool view. A seven-night package on the same terms costs from £415pp. For the latest offers and bookings please call 0845 230 3100 or visit www.golfamigos.co.uk.

Luxury living in Lisbon A unique golf experience combining unlimited free golf in Portugal with ownership of a holiday home was unveiled last month by the Lisbon Coast Golf Club – a new concept from property developers Pelicano.

Joining the Lisbon Coast Golf Club gives golfers and their families the opportunity to enjoy four weeks’ a year fractional ownership of a newly-built apartment or villa, complete with pool and a housekeeping service, for 10 years.

Owners and their guests also receive unlimited free golf at six nearby golf courses, including Ribagolfe I and Ribagolfe II in Benavente; Quinta Do Peru; Montado Hotel & Golf Resort; the Donald Steel-designed Santa Estevao, Benavente, and the 18-hole course at Palmela Village Golf Resort.

The properties available are based at the four-star Palmela Village Golf Resort near Lisbon. Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom apartments for two people, up to detached villas capable of sleeping 10. Four weeks’ ownership a year of a threebedroom villa for 10 years, including free golf, starts with a one-off payment of €3,844, and monthly maintenance fees from €98. Based on six golfers all playing five rounds of golf during a week’s holiday, joining the Lisbon Coast Golf Club is equivalent to each person paying €234 for all their green fees and accommodation.

To celebrate the launch, Pelicano has launched a ‘try before you buy’ scheme, offering a night at Palmela Village Golf Resort and a free green fee for interested parties.

Golfers wishing to take up the offer should call 00351 92 705 09 24 or visit www.lisboncoastgolfclub.com.

To suit every taste and budget For full details call Ginny Lloyd

0800 0835 330 (Free service) France: 0033 2 32 97 1256

ALGARVE SPECIAL Le Meridien Penina Golf Hotel 3, 4 and 5 nights with daily golf From only

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pp

Golf Amigos Worldwide Golf Holidays www.golfamigos.co.uk. Tel: 0845 230 31000

Executive Golf launches Quinta Pro-Am Executive Golf, the UK’s leading supplier of tailored luxury golf packages to the Algarve, has launched its inaugural Pro-Am tournament. The Executive Golf Pro-Am Challenge will take place from September 6-10 at the prestigious Quinta do Lago resort in the Algarve region of Portugal.

Host to eight Portuguese Opens and other major PGA European Tour events, Quinta do Lago is rated as one of Europe’s premier golfing resorts and is home to three stunning golf championship courses - the North Course, the South Course and Laranjal, which was recently voted the best golf course at the Portugal Travel Awards 2011.

During this exclusive event a field of 20 Pro-Am teams, each comprising of three amateur players captained by a PGA professional, will play

each of the three courses over a three-day period, culminating in a prize presentation on the final evening.

As part of the four-night package, each team will stay at their own private villa at the five-star Palmyra resort, with accommodation offered on a double room, singleoccupancy basis. Each villa is furnished to an exceptionally high standard, while the resort offers superb on-site facilities, including four

swimming pools, a health spa, and tennis courts.

Palmyra is located close to the beach and just 1km from the bustling marina at Vilamoura, with its extensive selection of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and casinos.

Entry to the Pro-Am event costs £750 per golfer and includes free transfers from Faro airport and Quinta do Lago, and free buggy hire for each round of golf. Flights are not included.

PGA professionals who

enter a four-ball comprising three paying amateurs can compete in the event free of charge. This includes complimentary return flights, plus accommodation, transfers and green fees.

Craig Jones, Director of Golf at Executive Golf said: “The Executive Golf Pro-Am Challenge provides amateur golfers with a unique opportunity to play three spectacular courses and experience all the pressures that come with tournament golf. For professional golfers, the Pro-Am format is a great way to develop close relationships with their pupils and sponsors, while for businesses it represents a chance to spend quality time with their guests, customers and business associates in an exclusive environment.”

For more information visit proam.executive-golf.co.uk or call 0800 7567 735.

April 2012 / Issue 209

/ 69

Beroun is one of four quality courses hosting events for the 2012 Czech Golf Festivala

Golf Holidays in the from only

£260pp!

July date for Czech festival Abante Golf, the market leader in hosting golfers in the Czech Republic, is organising the second annual Czech Golf Festival in July. After the success of last year’s inaugural event, Abante is delighted to be welcoming golfers back to experience the best that the country has to offer on and off the course.

The festival is being held from July 8-13, in association with Planet Golf, the leading Czech golf tour operator.

For as little as €549 per person, guests will enjoy

five nights at the four-star Majestic Plaza Hotel, located in central Prague. Based on twin occupancy of a twin/ double room. The package also includes four rounds of golf and free airport and golf transfers. Accommodation on the same basis in five-star rooms can be enjoyed at the Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel or the Kempinski Hotel Prague.

The festival will comprise 18 holes of golf each day, taking in rounds at Karlstejn, Beroun, Prague City and Konopiste. The stableford tournament is open to

those holding official club handicaps.

Away from the golf courses, the festival will also include a tour of Prague‘s ancient city, a welcome reception, refreshments after golf, and a gala prize giving dinner. Additional tours are available at discounted rates for any golfers wanting to explore more of the country’s history and culture.

Flight costs are not included in the festival package price, but Abante Golf can arrange them through its network of operators based in the UK. For more information on the Czech Golf Festival, or details about booking a golf break with Abante Golf, go to www.abante-golf.co.uk, call 0208 133 4366 or visit www.czech-golf-festival.com.

USA

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Prices include - 7 nights in 3* hotel with b/fast, 4 great rounds of golf including carts! and a 7 seat people carrier with inclusive car insurance based on 4 sharing.

(FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED, PLEASE CALL FOR LATEST PRICES AND GROUP DISCOUNTS).

For the BEST PRICES in - MYRTLE BEACH - FLORIDA - LAS VEGAS CALIFORNIA - Arizona - HILTON HEAD - CHARLESTON

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Golf Escapes is delighted to offer some fantastic packages to Morocco.

Great value and superb golf courses greet you in this fascinating and beautiful country - if you haven’t played golf in Morocco you’re missing out...

Palmeraie Golf

Experience the magic of

morocco

Exclusive offers PALMErAIE GOLF PALAcE: 3 nights – deluxe twin room, B&B, 2 rounds (2 x Palmeraie), 1 free evening meal in either the Japanese or Italian restaurant, return airport transfers.

VALId 29 MArch – 02 JuNE 2012

£379pp

MAZAGAN BEAch & GOLF rEsOrt: 4 nights - ocean view twin room, B&B, unlimited golf at Mazagan + 1 free round at the Royal Golf El Jadida with transfers included, free airport shuttle service.

VALId 30 MArch – 21 JuNE 2012 Mazagan

£385pp

rIu tIkIdA PALMErAIE: 5 nights – twin room, all inclusive, 3 rounds (1 x Palmeraie, 1 x Amelkis, 1 x Al Maaden) return airport and golf course transfers.

VALId 01 MAy – 14 JuLy 2012

royal Golf El Jadida

£535pp

Amelkis

For more information please email: info@golf-escapes.com, call: 01342 811777 or visit: www.golf-escapes.com Different durations, additional rounds of golf, room upgrades and single room supplements available on request – please ask for further details.

Prices shown are based on an exchange rate of 13 MAD to the Pound. Flights are not included, please enquire for further details.

AMAZING: Only 3 hrs flight time from London | Excellent year round climate | All inclusive packages available

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April 2012 / Issue 209

Eagle-eyed golfers swoop on the States A golf holiday to America rarely disappoints, but given the huge choice of destinations on offer, deciding where to have your fun in the sun is often the hardest call to make.

USA golf holiday specialists Eagle Golf Tours, which has recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has sent over 30,000 satisfied clients on golf holidays to the most wellknown destinations in America, and is uniquely placed to ensure your golf break is a memorable one.

One of the most popular destinations in America with British golfers at this moment in time is Myrtle Beach. Also known as the Grand Strand and, more recently, dubbed the ‘Golf Capital of the World’, Myrtle Beach boasts what may well be the greatest collection of public access courses anywhere.

With more than 100 stunning layouts in a 60-mile stretch of the South Carolina coastline, the best architects in the world have played their part in Myrtle Beach’s legacy to the game. The types of courses are varied in design from open, windswept links, to traditional low country courses carved through the Carolina forests. Add in a choice of over 1,000 restaurants offering cuisine from around the world, miles of sandy beaches, hundreds of bars and nightclubs, and you have the perfect golf holiday destination.

Moving south, we come to the

Troon North in Arizona offers a typical desert golf experience

sunshine state of Florida, and more specifically to the golfing Mecca that is Orlando, home to many of the world’s best golfers. With in excess of 200 golf courses to choose from, the Orlando area has long been a popular golf holiday destination with American golfers. But now with daily Virgin Atlantic flights – where clubs go free – from London and Manchester, Orlando has never been a more attractive proposition for the UK golfer. Enjoying a yearround temperate climate, sensible green fees, and a huge choice of

Golfers are spoilt for choice at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina

accommodation, from budget hotels to five-star resorts to private villas, Orlando really is worth consideration for your next golf holiday in the USA. For a change of scenery, why not head out west to the Valley of the Sun, and a taste of desert golf.

With over 200 courses in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area alone to choose from, in an area where the sun shines on more than 300 days of the year, this is a great destination for the fair weather golfer.

A great selection of hotels, golf resorts, shopping and nightlife combine to make this one of America’s most popular golfing holiday destinations.

Multi-centre holidays are popular in Arizona, with Mexico and Tucson within a two-hour drive to the south, and the spectacular red rock country of Sedona and the Grand Canyon, one hour and four hours respectively to the north.

For more information on these and other popular golf holiday destinations, please call 01273 419111 or go to www.eaglegolftours.com.

April 2012 / Issue 209

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The Pas-de-Calais region, also known as the Cote d’Opale, is characterised by 80 miles of dunes and cliffs running from the Belgian border down to where the coastline starts to level out and becomes Normandy – if you hit Dieppe, you’ve gone too far!

The Pas-de-Calais region is teeming with history, culture and lively towns, including Arras, Le Touquet, Lille, Montreuil-sur-Mer – all just waiting to welcome intrepid travellers.

With large cosmopolitan town centres, lively town squares, myriad restaurants serving typical French gastronomy and fortified towns, the region has it all. But let’s focus on what is most important, the golf.

There are a number of superb tracks dotted all around the region, at nine of which in particular you can be assured of good service, good course maintenance and above all, an enjoyable and challenging round.

Leave the Eurotunnel terminal and 20 minutes after having taken the A16 south, you reach the town of Wimereux, home of the fantastic rugged links of Golf de Wimereux.

Although the fairways are open, the rough can be treacherous, and the Channel winds will wreak havoc with your card.

Pas-de-Calais: Your next golf holiday destination

Golf D’Arras

Twenty minutes down the coast is the mythical 36 holes of Golf d’Hardelot, featuring the classic ‘Les Pins’ course, designed in the thirties

by Tom Simpson. With tree-lined carpet fairways, immaculate greens, this course is reminiscent of classic heathland layouts like Sunningdale and Walton Heath. The second course, Les Dunes, is two minutes’ drive down the road and has just finished major

Golf news ad_Layout 1 02/04/2012 08:27 Page 2

redevelopment. Considerably more difficult than its big brother, there are blind shots, level changes and narrow fairways.

Golf du Touquet and its 36 holes is your next stop, and one needs look no further than the brute of a course and former French Open host, La Mer. Although you don’t see the coast, the course plots its way through sand dunes and perilous rough, making the

fairway the only real safe spot to be.

The second course, La Fôret, is a much more accommodating layout that runs through a pine woodland.

There is always a ‘hidden gem’ in every region, and a further 30 minutes down the coast is the fabulous Golf de Belle Dune. Part links, part parkland, the course is located in an environmentally sensitive area, adding to the sense of bliss and harmony – a definite must-play.

Golf de Nampont Saint-Martin and Golf d’Abbeville are further down the coast and provide solid tests of golf, albeit aimed more towards higher handicaps than single figures.

Nevertheless, both are great value for money and are popular choices.

To complete the line-up, it’s impossible to ignore the everimproving European Tour layout Saint-Omer, and its neighbouring course, Arras. Saint-Omer is 25 minutes inland from Calais, and is renowned for its superb condition.

Physically testing, there are dog-legs, water hazards, and significant level changes – a real challenge.

Golf d’Arras is 30 minutes further south, and a past host to the French Ladies Open. The front nine holes flirt incessantly with water, while the back nine runs through hilly, scenic woodland. Once finished, there is a great sports bar clubhouse – the perfect 19th hole.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

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Get away from it all with a relaxing break to a selection of stunning UK golf resorts, including the stylish Shendish Manor and the magnificent Manor of Groves Country retreat, urban escape, quiet getaway – descriptions like these are thrown around with abandon these days, often with scant regard for accuracy or quality. And it’s no different from a golfing perspective, with masses of golf hotels and resorts laying claim to be the ideal weekend option for the weary city dweller.

Fortunately, we’re in a good position to bring some objectivity to debates of this nature, having visited the vast majority of the golf resorts to be found within a hundred miles of the capital.

And one of our favourite options is not one, but a pair of Hertfordshire hotels that between them tick almost any box you can think of: Shendish Manor and Manor of Groves. Whichever manor you choose for your weekend of Lordship, you can’t go far wrong…

Let’s take Manor of Groves first.

This is a well-established, picturesque 80-bedroom hotel, welcoming guests for golf, leisure and even business to an environment where comfort and impeccable service are notable hallmarks. Its Sawbridgeworth location means access is straightforward from the M11, and, once onsite, guests have the opportunity to get stuck into the resort’s impressive championship standard golf course. The par-71 layout reaches 6,237 yards, and recent investment has only improved a playing experience best characterised by two nine-hole loops of distinctly differing character. The first weaves in and around the Manor gardens, while the closing stretch follows a set of sweeping parkland fairways.

Away from the golf course, Manor of Groves makes all the right noises too.

From the grandiose entrance driveway to the quality of the room specification, the hotel is a treat. What’s more, there is a state-of-the-art leisure complex, including a 20-metre swimming pool, steam room, spa, sauna, solarium, aerobic studio and a fantastic three-tiered gym, which is fitted with the cutting edge Technogym

Shendish Manor great course, great views

Hertfordshire’s best – in a Manor of speaking

Both Shendish Manor and Manor of Groves boast great parkland layouts

Grand surroundings at Shendish Manor

key system. For those wishing to be pampered, there is also a good range of Dermalogica health and beauty treatments on offer.

Head a few junctions westward around the M25 to Apsley, near Hemel Hempstead, and you’ll reach the sister hotel and golf club of the impressive Manor of Groves. And it’s not looking too shabby here, either. Shendish Manor is a visuallystunning Victorian property that has been tastefully updated for 21st century expectations. The 70 guest bedrooms are split, with the old manor house and a modern wing boasting 18 and 52 rooms respectively, and are complemented wonderfully by the Orangery

Restaurant and its terrace, leading out to the lovely Dutch Gardens.

From the charming hotel entrance, the first tee is just a few short steps away. Despite its location within easy striking distance of the capital, Shendish Manor represents the chance to enjoy a truly tranquil round. The par-70 course presents an appealing blend of hazards, routed through both parkland and woodland copses, providing a rewarding game regardless of ability. Although not long, Shendish Manor’s much-loved layout is positively packed with character, particularly from the eighth onwards, when it begins to traverse the more undulating, wooded areas of the estate.

Both of these two magnificent golf hotels can legitimately claim to be ideal weekend retreats, urban escapes or whatever you may wish to dub your next golf break around London.

They’re relaxing and well equipped, scoring high wine and dine marks, and you’re assured a warm welcome. From a golfing standpoint, expect a varied and entertaining challenge, and in terms of access, it’s a breeze. So all that’s left is to choose your favourite, jump in the car, and enjoy one of the best golfing getaways out there.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

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Me&MyTravels

In association with...

with Sir Steve Redgrave – The five-time Olympic rowing gold medallist has fond memories of Augusta and St Andrews, and never leaves home without plenty of plug adaptors My first holiday was… spent in a caravan touring around Spain with my parents and older siblings. I’m afraid I can’t remember anything about it, but I’ve been assured that I enjoyed myself!

that even before the Olympics! To be honest, I don’t really like cities, but Sydney just feels like a large town. And it helps that I really like Australia, with its great outdoors and sporty culture.

I always travel with… my iPad. It used to be a smart phone, but I prefer the iPad, because it’s bigger and therefore easier to see and operate for an oldie like me.

My most recent holiday was to…

Bermuda. I stayed at a truly wonderful place, Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa. I had never been to Bermuda before, and it was terrific. I rode a scooter, played a lot of golf at the magnificent Port Royal GC, met some lovely people, and had a great time.

Sydney

Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa

played okay in the Dunhill itself, I didn’t dovetail very well with my pro.

Perhaps I peaked too soon!

Port Royal GC

No matter where I am… I keep in touch with my family at home.

My favourite golf course in the world is… Augusta National. Not many courses live up to the hype, but Augusta National comfortably exceeded my expectations. As well as knocking it around the par three course, I played two rounds there, the better of which was an 83. Since my handicap is 14, that’s not too shabby, is it?

My ideal travelling golf partners are…

Matthew Pinsent – of course – Ian Wright and Gary McAllister.

And let’s throw in a couple of pros, Andrew Coltart and Barry Lane.

My best ever round was at… the Old Course at St Andrews, when I went round in 78. Unfortunately, it was on the day before the Dunhill Links Championship, but I chipped and putted brilliantly. Although I

My favourite golf resort is… can you count St Andrews as a golf resort? I think the place is simply magical. The Old Course, Kingsbarns, the New, Dukes … all are simply wonderful. It’s golfing heaven, especially if the weather’s half-decent.

My most memorable meal abroad was… If I’m being honest, I’m not really a food person. In my rowing days, I came to regard food as merely refuelling and haven’t really changed my opinion much since.

I’m planning a trip to… Aspen, Colorado. Skiing is a passion with me and I’m going there with some mates.

The thing I hate about travel is... the travelling. I used to think airports were something of an adventure, but now I just want to get wherever it is I’m going.

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed at was… the Fairmont at Whistler in British Columbia, Canada. I was there on a skiing holiday, and it was absolutely perfect.

The worst holiday I’ve ever had was… in Greece. It was a long time ago, and I can’t remember much other than that the hotel was horrible, as was the food, the wine, everything.

My favourite city in the world is… Sydney. And I would have said

My top travel tip is… don’t forget your plug adaptors!

We’re the golfing holiday experts.

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April 2012 / Issue 209

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Alongside Pinehurst and St Andrews, Scottsdale must rate very highly on the list of top ‘golf towns’ in the world, if such a list exists. Such is the number of championship courses within the limits of this most fashionable metropolis, that you could play here every day for almost two months and still not get around all the layouts on offer. From the show-stopping challenge of TPS Scottsdale, home to the famous FBR Phoenix Open, to the desert layouts of We-KoPa, Grayhawk, Troon North and Wild Horse Pass, this sunsoaked corner of Arizona is a true golfer’s paradise.

Golfers are also spoilt for choice when it comes to resorts to stay in, with over a dozen world-class venues in which to base oneself for a hedonistic holiday. Among the best is The Phoenician Golf Resort, which offers luxury accommodation in a setting of uncommon beauty against the magnificent backdrop of Scottsdale’s iconic Camelback Mountain.

The scale of the facilities on offer here is pretty impressive, even for a resort of this quality (and price).

These include 27 holes of championship golf, nine swimming pools, a 22,000-sq ft spa, and a tennis academy that features a Wimbledonstyle grass court and 11 floodlit hard courts.

The Phoenician’s 27 holes comprise the 9-hole Desert Course, the 9-hole Canyon, and the recently renovated 9-hole Oasis course, all of which circle neatly around the hotel at the base of a vertiginous mountain.

Although the preferred 18 holes measures just 6,100 yards, the lack of distance becomes a distant memory soon replaced by a superb variety of challenging holes, perfect conditions and amazing scenery.

The Phoenician isn’t typical of desert golf. It’s more like tropical golf that just happens to be in the desert. If you hit a shot off line, as I often did, you’ll either end up in some light rough or another fairway with possibly a shot to the green. The fact that you might be playing out of another fairway might lead you to

Nick Bayly holed up at The Phoenician Resort during a recent trip to play some of the stunning courses on offer in Phoenix, Arizona

believe the course is cramped, but it really doesn’t feel that way, even though the entire 27 holes cover just 150 acres.

The Desert Course features dramatic elevation changes and stunning views, while the Canyon, which is located on the southern slope of Camelback Mountain, offers sweeping views of the valley.

What the Phoenician’s Desert-Canyon combination lacks in length, it makes up for in creativity. The par-4 third hole on the Desert is just 303 yards, but you can forget driving this mostly island green unless your name is on your golf bag. Most players hit a mid-iron off the tee and rely on their short game skills to get it up and down over the water for birdie.

The Desert 8th is just 120 yards, but because the tee is some 70 or 80 feet above the putting surface, it plays more like 80. Hitting the green here is no certainly – only one of

our group managed it from four attempts. The Canyon nine features three really nice par 3s. The 201-yard seventh calls for a well-struck long iron over water to a wellbunkered green, while the eighth, at 132 yards, may be short, but with water in front and running left of a bunker on the left side of the green, presents its own problems.

Overall, it’s a hugely enjoyable round of golf and course conditions are flawless, as seems the norm in this part of the world.

Top players, of course, might be able to break 60 here, while resort players will be happy to break 80.

Food is never far from the menu of activities for golfers in Scottsdale and The Phoenician offers a wide choice of dining experiences, from the rooftop J&G Steakhouse and the authentic Italian Il Terrazzo, to the south western flavours of Windows on the Green, the superb clubhouse-based eatery that serves up mouth-watering Kobe beef burgers, which are worth the visit alone.

The AAA Five Diamondrated resort, which first opened in 1998, offers over 700 rooms spread between the main hotel building and a number of separate villas and luxury suites. For golfers, there are a number of packages available, including the Master’s Getaway, which comprises daily breakfast, unlimited golf, free use of cart and practice facilities. Prices, based on double occupancy, start from $680 per night from now until May 20.

For reservations, visit www.thephoenician.com or call 001 480 941 8200, quoting rate code GOLF2012.

Swing your way to Miami.

Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club is giving you the chance to test your drive against like-minded golfers in our Swingers Golf League. Climb the leader board by logging your scores and you could find yourself teeing off in our grand final in Miami. Think you’ve got what it takes?

Go to flyingclubgolfleague.com to register.

Your airline’s either got it or it hasn’t.

In order to qualify for the end of the season final, Flying Club Swingers must have completed a minimum of one Virgin Atlantic return flight earning activity within 12 months of the prize being awarded.

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