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MICHAEL
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not talking about the £40 on o er for winning the twos pot at your Saturday club roll-up. I’m more speci cally talking about the squillions of dollars that seem to be swashing around on the men’s professional circuits these days for a sport that, outside a few marque events, is watched by an increasingly small audience of mainly white, middle- and third-aged men.
It can’t be lost on many that the diminishing interest in watching golf on TV has coincided with the biggest surge in those playing the sport in almost 30 years, but it is the current rift in the men’s professional game between the ‘established tours’ and arriviste disruptor LIV Golf that is driving down interest in watching the game, with weakened elds at all but a handful of tournaments failing to ignite the numbers that there once were for watching people chase a small white ball into a hole.
These lacklustre, star-starved weekly events, which o er prize funds that would put to shame the GDP of many small countries, seem so out of kilter with the times – and the viewing gures – that it’s no surprise that an increasing number of the PGA Tour’s long-term corporate sponsors are slowly coming to the conclusion that they are being grossly overcharged for their support and are beginning to pull the nancial plug.
And yet what’s even more ironic is that the two golf events that seem to generate the most interest outside of the majors – among both the players and the viewing public – o er no prize money at all.
Watching world no.1 Scottie Sche er crying like a baby as he belted out the Star-Spangled Banner after winning his Olympic gold medal in Paris provided all the evidence you need to know that money isn’t everything when it comes to competition. Compare those scenes at Le Golf National to Scottie’s victory at last month’s Tour Championship in Atlanta, which came with a $25 million pay day and resulted in a muted st clench and a slightly wan expression, and you know that there is something deeply wrong with a game that bestows so much to so few for doing, quite frankly, not very much.
And then, of course, there’s the Ryder Cup. Three thrilling days of inter-continental team match play reworks competed for in alternate years that ignites
passions among players and fans like no other event in golf, and in few other sports. And what’s at stake? A 17inch trophy made of gold. Nothing more, nothing less. And do you know what the most ironic thing is about all this cash sloshing about in the men’s elite pro game?
Most of these guys would turn up week in, week out for a tenth of the money currently on o er, probably even less. It’s what they love to do. I’m hazarding a guess that very few of the current crop of stars spent their youth practicing until their hands were raw and their limbs ached in the hope that they may one day buy a superyacht or own a eet of sports cars. It was all about being the best they could be, and hopefully, somewhere down the line, winning a major or two.
I’m not sure the same can be said about the generation of elite amateurs coming out of college in 2024. They have known for quite some time about the untold riches that lie in wait if they get very good at the game. Some have even jumped straight to LIV, instantly denying themselves the chance to compete against the best, or even challenge for meaningful titles and major championships. It’s an admittedly small but worrying trend that will only be resolved after some serious banging of heads at the top level.
In the meantime, golf fans – the watching rather than the playing kind – although there are some that like both – will have to content themselves with either watching a diet of mainly sub-standard fare, largely void of top 50 players, yet where the winners still walk away with sacks stu ed full of cash, or simply not bothering to tune in. Many of us are choosing to do the latter.
Surely there will come a day – and it may not be that far away – when the companies that have been bank-rolling professional golf for decades will come to their collective understanding that they are wasting their money, and prize funds will return to something resembling sensible, but right now the gravy train is very much town and everybody seems to want to get on board.
★ Felixstowe Ferry PGA Professional
Sam Forgan clinched victory in the East region’s Order of Merit series courtesy of a two-shot triumph at The Shire London. Forgan began the fourth and final tournament of the 2024 season in top spot after a playoff victory in the East Anglian Open, and he confirmed his top spot when shooting rounds of 66 and 73 to finish on five-under and win by one from Little Channels’ Jason Livermore.
★ Ireland’s John Moran clinched a dramatic victory in the English U14 Championship for the Reid Trophy after coming through a five-way play-off at a wet and windy West Sussex Golf Club. He beat Louis Le Sager, Ollie McEvoy, Casper van Rensburg and Fraser Walters to the title after all of them finished on four-over-par for three rounds.
★ Suffolk’s Daniel Nicholls won the Walton Heath Trophy for the Michael Lunt Salver after beating Jack Drury in a play-off. Both players finished on four-under par for 72 holes over the Old and New Courses at Walton Heath, with Nicholls taking the title with a birdie at the first extra hole. Nottinghamshire’s Madeleine Smith also required a birdied in a play-off hole to win the Jill Thornhill Rose trophy, a women’s version of the Walton Heath Trophy which was being held for the first time this year.
★ Davenport’s Jamie Howarth spectacularly chipped in for birdie on the first play-off hole on the PGA Course at Bowood to beat Andy Willey and Ben Amor and win the English PGA Championship. Howarth, who fired rounds of 74, 69 and 68 to take a share of top spot, said: “Wow, what a way to win! I hit a really good shot into the green, but somehow it went long, and I was wondering whether to putt it or chip it. I decided to chip it, played it perfectly, landing it exactly where I wanted to, and luckily enough it found the bottom of the hole!”
★ José Luis Ballester became the first Spaniard to win the US Amateur when beating 19-year-old American Noah Kent in the 36hole final at Hazeltine National in Minnesota. The 21-year-old took the lead on the second hole during the 36-hole final and was never headed, eventually running out a 2up winner. Both finalists gained exemptions for the Masters and the US Open next year, while Ballester also earned a place in the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Great Britain & Ireland claimed a historic 10½-9½ victory over the USA in the 43rd Curtis Cup after a thrilling three days of team match play action at Sunningdale Golf Club.
GB&I Captain Catriona Matthew led GB&I to their first win in the Curtis Cup since 2016 and sealed only a ninth triumph overall in the history of the contest.
With the scores tied at 3-3 after the first day’s foursomes matches, and the home side taking a narrow 7-5 lead after the
Stoke Park, which has been largely closed for the last three years, is welcoming back golfers to play its historic Harry Colt course for the first time since the venue’s change of ownership.
The Buckinghamshire-based luxury hotel, golf and country club shut its doors to members in 2021 after it was bought by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, who has since invested heavily in the 300-acre estate.
Although the club will not return to a membership structure going forward, golfers and companies are now able to book rounds on a pay-and-play basis at a rate of £125pp, with the Colt/Alison 18-hole course initially open from Wednesday to Sunday in order to enable the course to be maintained to the highest possible standards.
Stuart Collier, Director of Golf, said: “While we work towards submitting the masterplan for the future of Stoke Park, our world-
Saturday’s four balls, GB&I needed just 3.5 points from the eight singles matches to triumph. Ireland’s Sara Byrne, Patience Rhodes from England and Scotland’s Lorna McClymont were all victorious, with Rhodes’ sister, Mimi, securing the precious half-point that got them over the line.
On a tense final day, which ebbed and flowed in glorious sunshine over the Old Course at the Berkshire venue, the USA began the singles in dominant fashion helped by the team featuring four of the top 10 players in the amateur rankings.
At one stage the visitors were ahead in six matches, but GB&I staged a stunning fightback to turn the tide and celebrate in style as each member of Matthew’s team delivered at least a point across the match.
A record crowd for a Curtis Cup enjoyed the three-day match, totalling 16,680. Justin Rose, Charley Hull and Colin Montgomerie were among the onlookers this week as Sunningdale hosted the Curtis Cup for the first time.
Catriona Matthew, Captain of Great Britain and Ireland, said: “They’re a fantastic team. I’m so proud of them. They really dug in every day and in every session. It didn’t look as though it was perhaps going our way during the early part of the singles matches, but they really toughed it out.
“It’s just been a fantastic experience for me getting to know them and they were great. My hat’s off to the Americans as well. There was some fantastic golf on all three days and it just made it a spectacle for women’s golf. The golf this week really was quite amazing. I think the future of women’s golf is in good hands.”
class 18-hole course is now open for general play, as well as for golf coaching and special golf events.”
“We are restricting play to around 30-40 golfers per day on the five days that the course will be open, with 15-minute intervals between tee times to ensure that our visitors enjoy a peaceful and relaxing day.”
He added: “For golfers that might want to play here more often, we are also offering a points-based package, whereby an individual or a company can buy a bundle of green fee credits and they can be used as and when required by themselves or for a friend or colleague. The course will also be available to be booked for exclusive use for more intimate corporate golf days or charity events.”
As well as the opening of a new swing studio, the venue’s Pavilion, which houses the spa and 28 guest bedrooms, has been completely renovated, while future plans for Stoke Park also include restoration of the Grade I listed historic mansion, the creation of ‘seven-star’ hotel villas, and the construction of a new clubhouse.
For tee time bookings and more details, email golf@stokepark.com
Surrey’s Annabel Dimmock completed her comeback from injury as she won her rst Ladies European Tour title in ve years after defeating Pauline Roussin-Bouchard in a playo at the Women’s Irish Open.
Dimmock held a two-shot lead at the 54-hole mark and produced three-under par 70 to be in the playo alongside the Frenchwoman on the O’Meara Course at Carton House.
The duo headed back down to 18 for the playo and both made pars on the rst hole, but on the second hole Roussin-Bouchard took a 3-wood o the tee, however, it went left into the deep rough and she had to scramble and ended up making a bogey.
Meanwhile, Dimmock – who has come back from eight months out of the game with a thumb injury –went down the middle of the fairway with her driver and left herself two putts to win as she duly rolled in her two-foot putt to secure her second LET title.
“I am a bit shell-shocked,” said Dimmock, whose mother is from Cork. “I’m standing here and I think I’m in a dream.
“This is pretty cool to do it in Ireland. The fans out there and the people watching were amazing to me this week and they really cheered me on. It’s kind of what I needed because I haven’t had an easy couple of weeks.”
A host of legends from the world of football teed it up at Hadley Wood Golf Club earlier this month to take part in a golf day to honour the late Jimmy Greaves, the legendary Tottenham and England striker who passed away in 2021.
Fifteen former Spurs players took part in the day, including Glenn Hoddle and Michael Dawson, while a host of stars from the wolrd of sport such as boxing legend John Conteh also teed it up at the North London club.
Sponsored by bed and furniture makers
Duxiana, Tottenham Hotspur’s O cial Sleep Partner, the event supported many charities that were close to Greeaves’s heart, including Micky Hazard’s Legend on the Bench, a charity assisting people with mental health issues; Graham Roberts’ Centre Algarve, which provides holidays for families with disabled children, and the Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation, in memory of Jimmy’s friend and former Southend United teammate Justin Edinburgh.
At the end of a great day’s golf the team event was won by Uniserve, whose number included former West
Wentworth Club has unveiled plans to renovate its 100-year-old East Course and build a new golf academy and par-3 course.
The 6,200-yard East Course at the renowned Surrey venue was designed by Harry Colt and rst opened for play in 1924, two years before the more famous West Course was built.
The renovation project, which is to be carried out by leading architects European Golf Design and working closely with Wentworth’s senior management team – will aim to return the par-68 course to its heathland roots, restoring Colt’s original design values.
Among the changes outlined include extensive bunker reshaping and remoulding, with a number of the course’s smaller bunkers being combined to create bigger ones, while several of the green complexes and fairways will also be reshaped and rede ned. A woodland management
Ham player Stuart Slater. Additional prizes were awarded for the longest drive, with the winner receiving a Jetson chair worth £5,000, while the nereast the pin prize was a £16,000 Duxiana bed. Participants also enjoyed an exclusive opportunity to interact with Spurs legends during the awards presentation and dinner.
Re ecting on the origins of the event, Jimmy’s son, Danny Greaves, said: “It all started some 20 years ago when dad, my brother Andy, and his closest friend Brian went o to play golf in Le Touquet. What began as a family weekend quickly grew into an annual event where we played for a small silver trophy worth £2.50, yet everyone was eager to have their name engraved on it and claim the title of ‘Golfer of the Year’. Dad won the trophy three times which seemed to give him as much joy as winning the FA Cup.”
programme will enhance the landscape as part of the club’s continued commitment to sustainability.
In a separate development the club is to build a new golf academy that will include three indoor teaching studios, a putting studio, an outdoor short game area and a café with outdoor seating. Featuring the latest technology for game improvement, the area surrounding the academy will also feature nine new outdoor hitting bays, while a new par-3 short course is also part of the development plans, with the layout being long enough to be certi ed for handicapping purposes.
Stuart Boyle, Club Manager at Wentworth Club, said: “We are committed to providing a world-class o ering for our members, creating a golf and country club experience which is cherished and admired the world over.
“The renovation work on the East Course is a clear sign as we continue to strive to make a classic heathland test even greater, while recognising the original roots that have made the layout so iconic. Meanwhile, the development of our new Golf Academy will only enhance the golf o ering we have at Wentworth.”
“After Dad su ered a severe stroke, we initiated the Jimmy Greaves Golf Day, supported by his professional colleagues from Tottenham who had long admired him. Following dad’s passing in 2021, we then established the Jimmy Greaves Foundation. This year, thanks to the generosity of Duxiana, we are thrilled to support the charities his fellow professionals are involved in, as a token of our gratitude for their support over the past ve years.”
Former Spurs player Michael Dawson said: “I had the
of meeting
once
He was a true gentleman. The Jimmy Greaves Foundation is a tting tribute to a great man. We have all had a great day. It was especially good to see so many former Spurs players.”
Kevin Slade, Director of Growth at Duxiana said: “This event not only honours Jimmy’s incredible contribution to football but also brings together the Spurs community for a meaningful cause.”
For more information on future events, or to get involved with the Jimmy Greaves Foundation, contact eleanor@jimmygreaves.foundation
Basingstoke Golf Club is moving a step closer to the completion of its full range of new facilities with the Hampshire venue having opened its new clubhouse and 18-hole championship course earlier this month.
The clubhouse – which o cially opened on September 14 – features a large bar and dining area, with a veranda that serves up panoramic views across the golf course. The new professional shop is also based here, along with extensive changing facilities and additional conference space.
Basingstoke Golf Club relocated to a new site in the village of Dummer in 2021, moving from nearby Kempshott Park and acquiring the land that was home to Dummer Golf Club on the outskirts of the town – before work began on a new 18-hole championship course last year.
The previous layout at Dummer has been totally redesigned, with the new downland course de ned by a series of undulating holes that sweep across rolling fairways, with several strategically placed water hazards adding to the test.
While the full reopening of the club is pencilled in for September next year, 10 holes were opened to members in June, with the full 18 also opening on September 14. Development is under way on a new driving range – featuring the latest teaching and balltracking technology – along with a short-game area and large putting green.
David Green, general manager at Basingstoke Golf Club, said: “It was so important we developed a clubhouse that has a modern feel as we look to the future, but within it will be many historical references that have been key to the character and story of Basingstoke Golf Club.
He added: “The clubhouse is quite a sight and o ers our members the perfect spot to unwind, with stunning views overlooking the new course, especially the rst and 18th holes. The practice facilities will be nearby, helping to create a hive of activity, as well as being
convenient for those looking to warm-up before they tee o .
“A new car park give our members and visitors more space, while the bar area and changing rooms are spacious and comfortable. The clubhouse is also open to visitors and non-members, making it the perfect spot for families to socialise, while our food and beverage options will heighten the experience for all.
“Our soft opening of ten holes in June proved to be the start of an exciting summer and all 18 holes will come into play as the clubhouse opens. However, there is so much more to come over the course of the next year as we build towards that full reopening in the autumn of 2025.”
Meanwhile, membership enquiries have come in to such an the extent that the prospective members’ list is full, with many of the established membership from the old club joining the new one, along with a many new golfers.
Golf operations manager Tom Robson said: “Interest in becoming a member at Basingstoke is at an all-time high. We are receiving ve to 10 emails with enquiries daily. These are on top of the usual emails about society bookings and function requests. With the golf course and facilities we have built, word has spread with the journey we are on to build one of the southeast’s best golf venues.
“Basingstoke Golf Club should be the place everyone wants to come and enjoy themselves, whether it be practising on the driving range, playing an incredible golf course, or relaxing in our new clubhouse.”
Uihlein registered his rst victory on the Asian Tour when pulling away from a strong eld at The International Series England held at Foxhills Country Club & Resort.
The talented American stole the show at the Surrey venue with a closing eight-underpar 63, for a four-round total of 20-under, and a seven-shot victory over Andy Sullivan and Caleb Surratt.
ve, he found the trees on the right with his tee shot but played a miraculous recovery shot to save par.
On the treacherous par-three 16th, where a tough pin position on the right brought a greenside lake dangerously into play, he holed a 15-footer for birdie to virtually wrap up the title.
Uihlein smashed the course record on Foxhill’s Longcross course with a 61 to take the lead at the halfway mark and began the nal round with a one-shot advantage over fellow American Harold Varner.
By the turn Uihlein had a one-shot lead over Surratt, who was playing in the group ahead. Uihlein then proceeded to eagle the par-four 10th to move three ahead, putting some daylight between him and the chasing pack. A birdie on the 12th saw him maintain his three-shot lead after Surratt had birdied the same hole.
It meant he had a four-shot lead from Surratt, which became ve when Surratt made bogey on 17. It was then six when Uihlein holed a 12-footer for birdie on 17, and a magni cent seven when he birdied the parve 18th.
“It’s a bit of a dream, really,” said Uihlein, who plays for RangeGoats GC on LIV Golf. “I was two-over-par after eight holes in the rst round, so to be standing here with the trophy is amazing.”
Uihlein then survived a couple of shaky holes, holing a crucial par putt from seven feet on the par-four 13th. On the ensuing hole, a
The golf course played a big part in his success. He added: “I loved it. It gave you so many options. I obviously was very aggressive o the tee and tried to drive to a lot of greens, and it often paid o . I liked the game plan we were doing, and I had fun doing it. So that’s part of the equation.”
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Work on the second phase of an extensive redesign of the greenside bunkers at Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent has just got underway.
The rst phase, which involved all the club’s fairway bunkers was completed last winter, the second phase which involves renovating all the greenside bunkers is due to be completed later this autumn, although they will not be open for general play until next Spring, allowing time for them to bed in and for hand-seeded bunker surrounds to grown in.
The decision to make the improvements came when course manager Rob Peers assumed the position of Head Greenkeeper at the club ve years ago. He set about nding out just how much time was required to maintain the existing bunker system inspired by golf architect Harry Colt. Astonishingly, he discovered that it would take 1.2 men an entire year to maintain the bunkers. That information, combined with the commitment that the club and course have to being sustainable – they were winners of the 2023 Sustainability Project at the Golf Environment Awards – helped Rob to take the decision to make some signi cant changes.
“Some of our bunkers were so deep that we had to introduce steps down into them for a number of older members,” says Rob. “We knew that we needed to make some signi cant changes, whilst still being mindful of our footprint.
“We need to reduce our reliance on the planet’s resources but still have a bunker system that was strategic, aesthetically pleasing and durable. That is what I love about EcoBunker is that we are basically recycling a product and extending its useful life.”
Working closely alongside Hever Castle, the new EcoBunkers have proved popular with members and are resulting in a challenging yet playable course with a heavier emphasis on risk and reward, forcing golfers to think more and change their shot strategy.
Following its successful hosting of the Curtis Cup this summer, top class gol ng action will return to Sunningdale Golf Club again next year after it was announced that the Berkshire venue will host The Senior Open for the fourth time in 2025.
The club’s highly rated Old Course rst hosted The Senior Open in 2009, when America’s Loren Roberts took the title, while another American, Marco Dawson, was triumphant when the Senior Major returned in 2015, nishing one stroke ahead of Bernhard Langer.
Europe’s senior showpiece returned to the club in 2021 when Welshman Stephen Dodd won his maiden Senior Major title, holding o past champion Miguel Ángel Jiménez to claim victory.
The 2025 renewal is scheduled for July 24-27, when the cream of senior professional golf’s over-50s players will bid for senior Claret Jug glory.
Germany’s Helen Briem clinched her rst win as a professional after winning the Rose Ladies Open held at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire.
The four-time LETAS champion was two shots back at the 36-hole mark in the 54-hole event and produced a nal round six-under round of 66 with a stunning eagle on the par- ve 18th to force a play-o with local girl Hannah Screen from Berkhamstead.
The duo headed back up to 18 for the playo and both made birdies on the rst and pars on the second. On the third hole, Briem made a par putt to clinch victory. Briem said: “It feels fantastic to get my rst win as a professional, especially here at the Rose Ladies Open. Every tournament has its own story and this one is mine.
I’m so happy to have another win. In regulation play, I considered hitting a three-wood after the tee. But I drove it and had a distance I didn’t like at all. But I still nished with an eagle, and it was incredible.”
Briem, who had three consecutive wins on LETAS back in June, has now con rmed her LET card for the 2025 season. She added: “It’s been an amazing season so far and it’s so incredible that I’ve achieved my aim of getting my LET card.”
Sweden’s Isabell Ekstrom nished third on 12-under, while England’s Mimi Rhodes, making her professional debut and fresh o her Curtis C up success, nished tied fth alongside Essex’s Gabriella Cowley.
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Topgolf launches ‘Sure Thing’ driver to help new golfers have more fun
Topgolf is aiming to make the air shot a thing of the past with the launch of a new golf club, ‘The Sure Thing’, which is designed to make the game easier and more enjoyable.
The Sure Thing is available in child and adult sizes for right- and left-handers and is available for exclusive use at Topgolf venues around the world, including Chigwell, Watford and Addlestone and Glasgow in the UK.
The Sure Thing has been designed in collaboration with Callaway and o cially not for sale and only available for gameplay at Topgolf venues.
The unique club boasts a super-sized face to make it easier to make contact with the ball and is tted with a shorter shaft to make it easier to control. The loft is set at 20° (a standard driver is between 9°-12°) to ensure higher ball ight.
“The world needs more play in it and The Sure Thing o ers a chance for all players to have fun at Topgolf, regardless of skill level,” said Michael Angelides, Senior Director of Marketing at Topgolf. “We want everyone to experience the thrill of making contact with the ball and The Sure Thing will provide Players of all abilities with that opportunity.
“Making golf more attractive to more people goes hand-in-hand with making the game easier, and launching The Sure Thing club with beginners in mind is our way of helping to make that happen.”
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To nd your nearest Topgolf venue, and to take a swing with the new The Sure Thing club, visit topgolf.co.uk
Former world no.1 and Ryder Cup legend Justin Rose talks exclusively to GolfNewsabout the decision he and his wife Kate made to support a series of events aimed at young women professionals in the UK that came to be known as the Rose Ladies Series , and why they are continuing to champion creating competitive opportunities for women golfers through that series and the Rose Ladies Open, the third edition of which took place at Brocket Hall earlier this month. He also opens up about his near-miss at The Open Championship at Troon and how it has fired him up to add to his Major tally in 2025
The Rose Ladies Series obviously proved a vital lifeline for British women professional golfers when it launched in 2020. I think it was Liz Young that rst got the ball rolling, but what prompted you and your wife, Kate, to get behind the venture?
It was when we heard about Liz Young’s idea of a roll up at her club during lockdown that Kate picked up the phone to Liz to ask her what we could do to help. This was our original motivation for starting the Series, to simply to give the female players the chance to still play competitively during the pandemic. The fact that I was able to play a full schedule again after only a month out, but this wasn’t the same experience for women professionals seemed unfair. To be honest, at the start we saw it as simply a stop gap, something to help the women’s game and try to level things up at the time. From there, it was clear there was a real disparity between the men’s and women’s Tours and the Series went someway to bridging this gap.
I guess it would have easy to have stepped away from it once things returned to normal, but you’ve continued to support the series under a new early season format. How important is it to continue to give young and emerging female professionals those competitive opportunities?
We will continue the Rose Ladies Series as long as there is demand for it, we review it each year and we have continued it because of the feedback we receive each year. The players really appreciate the opportunity to play a condensed series at the start of the season; the timing works well because it ts in with the LETAS and LET schedules; they enjoy having competitive events on home soil; the opportunity to play courses they might not normally have access to
and also the chance to compete for the largest prize fund available for a one-day event –regardless of gender.
For a lot of the players, the Rose Ladies Series acts as a warm-up ahead of the season and gives them the chance to play competitively. A lot of the players are those just starting out on the LETAS, or regular Tour players wanting to gauge where their game is at ahead of the season to help with their training and preparation.
We also give invite spots to several of the top amateurs in the country through our partnership with both the R&A and England Golf, plus we give all our 12 junior golf nalists from the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf championship invites to
play in the events for experience, development and playing opportunities.
As well as the opportunity to play competitively, the RLS gives players the chance to be seen and receive the exposure they deserve, which is one of our key objectives in raising awareness and support of the female game.
What is the Rose Ladies Series’ relationship with the LET’s Access Series and what is your longterm commitment to supporting the series?
We have a very good relationship with the LET Access Series. We have shared goals and values relating to the creation of playing opportunities for the female professionals. We work well with the LETAS team on the Rose Ladies Open, which has only served to strengthen our relationship.
■ JUSTIN AND KATE ROSE WITH HELEN BRIEM, WINNER OF THIS YEAR’S ROSE LADIES OPEN AT BROCKET HALL
The Rose Ladies Series is a separate entity, and we don’t see it becoming a part of the LETAS in the future, this is simply because the new condensed series of ve events that we run in April/May that act as a great warm-up opportunity for the professionals ahead of going out on Tour for the rest of the season.
We are providing additional playing opportunities for the players, supplementing the Tour, rather than us going up against tournaments on the LET Access Series – this makes sense and ts with us working in partnership with LETAS.
You launched the Rose Ladies Open in 2022. Is that treated as a separate event to the Rose Ladies Series or are they linked?
We created the Rose Ladies Open to give female professionals a tournament in the UK, so another opportunity to play competitively; opportunities
to be seen and receive the exposure they deserve. Initially a lot of people were confused and thought the Rose Ladies Open was the Grand Final of the Rose Ladies Serie because of how it was structured at the start. However, the Rose Ladies Open is a separate event to the Series. It is a three-day tournament, including a pro-am, and it is a standalone event on the LETAS.
The Rose Ladies Open has enabled us to provide a genuine pathway to the Ladies European Tour - our 2023 champion Chiara Tamburlini is testament to this – she made a fantastic start to her debut LET season with a win at the Joburg Ladies Open in April.
What made you choose Brocket Hall as the venue to host the Rose Ladies Open and what are your duties around the event?
Brocket Hall has been the tournament venue for the past three years now, and the course has proved a worthy test for the players each year and is always presented in great condition – as it was for this year’s tournament.
This year I hosted a junior golf clinic again for competitors from the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship and some local Girl Guides, we had a lot of fun and a great turn out
Both Kate and I are always there on the nal day. We enjoy meeting the players, having a chance to speak to them and get their feedback. We also love being there for the nish to congratulate the champion and present them with the trophy. This year’s event was particularly exciting with a play-o that needed three trips back across the lake on the 18th hole before we had our winner – Helen Briem.
Switching tack, it was great to see Tommy Fleetwood challenge for the gold medal in Paris, ultimately coming away with a silver medal. Looking back to 2016 in Rio, where does winning your gold medal rank among your career achievements?
Winning gold in Rio in 2016 was an incredible experience. The medal sits alongside the US Open trophy in my cabinet. It was cool to be exposed to a wider audience and feel like you were representing something bigger than yourself, similar to the Ryder Cup.
It was great to tune in for the nal round and see Tommy come so close; you could see how much it meant to him. I cherish those feelings greatly.
You came close to adding a second major to your CV at The Open at Troon. It was obviously tough to get pipped by Xander Schau ele, but how do you look back at that week?
■ ROSE PUT IN A STRONG PERFORMANCE AT THE OPEN BUT HAD TO SETTLE FOR SECOND PLACE BEHIND XANDER SCHAUFFELE
AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY COMPETITIVELY, THE ROSE LADIES SERIES GIVES PLAYERS THE CHANCE TO BE SEEN AND RECEIVE THE EXPOSURE THEY DESERVE.
That Open week proved I can still compete against the best players in the world. Conditions weren’t easy at times, and you had to go to another level to manage and persevere through them, and I’m really happy with the way I handled that.
I do feel like I left everything out there, but Xander played unbelievable golf on the Sunday and deserved to win.
It has given me something to build on for the FedEx Play-o s, the rest of the DP World Tour season, and into the 2025 season. The T2 nish gets me into all four Majors next year, so I can lock in those weeks to try and go one better than The Open this year.
Of all the Majors, yours stats show that The Open has been the hardest for you in terms of results. Do you feel like The Open has been the tougher of the four Majors for you, and if so, what do you put that down to?
Look, it’s hard to say. I love The Open; it’s my favourite Major, it’s the one I really want to win. I think I proved to myself at Troon that I have the ability to win it. The Open tends to have the toughest conditions of the four Majors, and those who manage the conditions the best tend to nd themselves in contention. I think that Saturday round at Troon was crucial to me in that sense. The conditions were the worst they’d been all week, but I managed to grind hard and keep inching my way forward in the tournament, whereas others let the conditions get the better of them and fell away from contention. So, I’ll de nitely take that forward to try and go one better next year.
Given that you were 66th in the world ranking, I’m sure a lot of people were surprised that you had to qualify for The Open. How important was it to keep your run of appearances in The Open going, and how relieved are you that you won’t have to go through all that again next year?
Open qualifying wasn’t the ideal way to get into The Open, but it was a no-brainer for me to try and qualify that way.
It was great to be back at Burnham and Berrow, where I had won the Carris Trophy in 1995, so it was a bit of a nostalgic trip for me. But it was more than just qualifying for The Open; it was about giving myself the chance to win it.
It reminded me not to take these Major championships for granted, and I’ll remember that as I go into The Open and the other Majors next year for sure.
Finally, it seems like amateur players are coming out of the gate, mainly via the US college system, ready to win top-level Tour events these days. Given your time again, is that something you might have considered, or was it always the plan to give college a miss and throw yourself straight into the pro game?
The US college system is unbelievable; it’s churning out world-class talent with ease. The likes of Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland and, more recently, Ludvig Aberg, have all come out of college not only ready to compete on the PGA and LPGA tours, but at Majors and Ryder Cups as well.
I also think the women’s game is also bene ting hugely from the college system. Someone like Rose Zhang was a superstar before she had even made her professional debut; then she won her rst event on tour, represented Team USA in the Solheim Cup, and now at the Olympics.
I think it is absolutely something all young golfers should seriously consider. The colleges have great coaches and facilities that really raise the game of young golfers and prime them to become elite professionals.
Billy Horschel secured his second BMW PGA Championship with a stunning never-say-die performance that his beloved West Ham football team could learn a thing or two from, writes Nick Bayly
Four days of breathless action in front of packed grandstands at Wentworth ended in a suitably thrilling dénouement, with past champions
Billy Horschel and fan favourite Rory McIlroy slugging it out over the West Course’s iconic 18th hole in a play-off to decide the winner of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship.
That the trophy, and a cheque for £1.1m, ultimately went to the 37-year-old American seemed to surprise no-one, including McIlroy himself, who now seems resigned to his status of ‘nearly man’ after finishing in the bridesmaid’s berth four times in the last 15 months, with two of those near-misses coming at the US Open.
Since moving from its traditional May date to its September slot in 2019, the PGA Championship now has something of an end-of-season air to it, with many players arriving on the back of a long, hard summer of events, and the autumnal weather and Wentworth’s tree-lined fairways presenting a very different set of challenges to Europe’s top golfers. But despite the DP World Tour having five more big money events left to play this year, it’s a measure of the PGA’s lofty status that this is the one they all want to win, and the one so many golf fans want to attend.
And who wouldn’t want to join a cast list of past winners that includes the likes of Peter Alliss, Tony Jacklin, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Luke Donald and Colin Montgomerie? And now you could add the name of Billy Horschel to the list of multiple winners –not forgetting Anders Hansen, of course – after the seemingly unrufflable Floridian crushed hopes of a McIlroy win with a stunning display of precision iron play and fearless putting around the West Course’s familiar twists and turns.
■ BILLY HORSCHEL SWOOPED TO VICTORY WITH AN EAGLE AT THE SECOND PLAY-OFF HOLE TO BECOME THE FIRST AMERICAN TO WIN TWO PGA CHAMPIONSHIPS
In becoming the first American to win this great championship twice, Horschel has firmly etched his name into the European Tour’s record books, and deservedly so after being one of the few US players to consistently make the journey across the pond to take part, while others stay stateside with their feet up counting their money. In that respect it would be some kind of karma if it was Horschel’s performance in a tournament in Europe that finally got his name into the conversation for next year’s US Ryder Cup team, a place in which he has been controversially overlooked on more than one occasion.
The USA team could certainly do with some of Horschel’s calmness under pressure, as the experienced gunslinger showed time and time again that he has the temperament – and the talent – to deal with the most stressful of situations. After opening with rounds of 67 and 69, he played himself into contention on Saturday with a third round 65 that included a run of seven consecutive birdies from the eighth hole. Starting the final round three shots behind leader and 2013 PGA champion Matteo Manassero, with Rory McIlroy for company in the final group.
After making birdies at the two of the first three holes, Horschel all but cancelled out the Italian’s lead, and with McIlroy’s challenge seemingly stalling after a run of seven pars around the turn, it looked like the American was in the driving seat. But the chasing pack had other ideas, with England’s Aaron Rai, runner-up here last year and hot off a win on the PGA Tour, staking an early claim, with birdies at five of his first six holes, and another at the 12th, taking him into a share of the lead. And then South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence joined the party, with the four-time DP World Tour winner firing a flawless 65 to set the clubhouse lead at 20-under-par.
■ HAMMER TIME: HORSCHEL & MCILROY SHARE A MOMENT DURING THE FINAL ROUND AT WENTWORTH
McIlroy, who was bidding to win his second PGA title after tasting victory in 2014, looked for the all the world like his race was run as he teed it up on the 17th still two shots off the mark. Ten minutes later he holed a 46-foot eagle putt and was joint leader and just needing a birdie at the par-five last to seal the deal.
But as ever, the fates intervened and the birdie failed to materialise as his second shot with a 4-iron failed to find the putting surface and a par left him stranded on 20 under alongside Lawrence. Horschel, meanwhile, had struggles of his own, and after finding the bunker off the tee on 18, still needed a birdie to have a chance of making the play-off should McIlroy slip up. A lay up to 100 yards left him need to get up and down to force over-time. Taking dead aim at a tight left-hand pin, the American fired his wedge over the flag and it spun back just inches past the cup, leaving a fivefooter to join the play-off, which he duly sank. Moving to the play-off, it was Lawrence who blinked first after a wayward tee-shot and then found the fairway bunker and water to be the first eliminated as McIlroy and Horschel calmly rolled in birdies to force a second extra hole.
Both found the green in two before McIlroy narrowly slid by his 30-foot eagle effort, before Horschel holed a stunning eagle putt of his own to win the event for the second time in three years.
After being presented with the coveted trophy in fast fading light, Horschel said: “My heart was pounding on the last couple shots, and the last couple holes, and especially in the play-off, but it’s always fun being in those situations. That’s what I’ve worked so hard for, and that’s where I’ve always wanted to be, in situations like that, going against the best players in the world and hopefully be able to come out on top on the day. Thankfully I was able to nip Rory and Thriston and come away with the victory.”
Horschel, who sports a West Ham logo on his golf bag, added: “I appreciate the fans and all the support that I get wherever I play in the UK, where it’s at The Open or this tournament. It’s always one of my most special weeks of the year. I enjoy coming here. I feel a sense of ease. I know I’m not from the UK or England, but I feel almost at home when I come here.”
Despite the heartbreak, McIlroy was still determined to find the positives. “Two weeks in a row, I’ve played well. Just not quite well enough. Look, it’s golf and I’m playing well,” the 35-year-old said. “These things happen. It’s just the game is testing me a little more than it has done in the past but that’s fine. All I can do is keep showing up and trying to play the golf that I’ve been playing and sooner or later it’s going to end up in a win. When you get yourself in contention so much, inevitably you’re going to have disappointments. Unfortunately, I’m just getting a little too used to feeling what it’s like when you do, but hopefully the tide will turn.”
Golf News Editor Nick Bayly checks out the UK’s newest 18-hole championship course at The Inspiration Club in northwest London, where a ‘modern links’ has been hewn from former farmland to much fanfare
The Inspiration Club’s 18-hole course, the rst all-new layout to open in the UK since, well, I can’t remember when, is very much a product of its environment. Wedged next to the four-lane highway that is the A40, between Hillingdon and Northolt, and just seven miles from Junction 16 of the M25, planning restrictions –of which there were many – meant that no new trees were allowed to be planted due to the site’s proximity to RAF Northolt, the runway of which can be seen from virtually every tee.
Faced with this design restriction, the club’s relentlessly energetic owner, Tony Menai-Davis, came up with the idea of creating a course that would be ‘inspired’ by some of UK’s nest links courses, which, as all golfers know, aren’t renowned for their trees. To see his vision turned into reality, Menai-Davis rst turned to Seve Ballesteros back in 2010, who designed The Shire London, the Menai-Davis family’s rst venture into golf club development. Following Seve’s untimely death in 2011, and many years of prevaricating and planning issues, Tony did a lot of the initial routing and shaping himself before nally turning to the architectural skills of Tom Mackenzie, whose portfolio of links renovations, in partnership with Martin Ebert, can be seen at some of the UK’s most revered links, including Royal County Down, Cinque Ports, Dornoch, Porthcawl, Turnberry’s Ailsa course, Saunton, Trevose and many more besides – to complete the project. Mackenzie was called in to add the nishing touches, most speci cally designing from 100 yards and in, shaping the strategy at the business end of each hole.
An ‘inland links’ might sound like a tautology – and it probably is given the lack of an adjacent coastline – but it’s not hard to see what they’re getting at as soon as you set foot on the course, which opened for play on June 1. The wispy rough, rivetted pot bunkers, huge greens, rippling fairways, and plethora of run-o s and swales, could transport you to any number of true links if you allow yourself a fair degree of poetic licence and ignore the hum of the dual carriageway.
The Inspiration Club has four tee options, stretching from the blacks at 6,610 yards to the purple tees at 5,440. In between, there is an orange option at 6,100 yards, or a combination of nine holes o the black and nine o the orange which comes in at 6,325. Whichever you choose, it’s an eminently playable course that entertains and challenges at every turn.
And boy there are plenty of turns. There are full-on doglegs on holes 2, 7, 12 and 16, while 5, 14 and 15 also feature greens set o at a distinct angle from the approaching fairway. Unusually, the front nine is completely encircled by the back nine – which means you play almost the entire second half of your round taking on out-of-bounds to the right, which was very much re ected on my scorecard thanks to my persistent power fade.
A COURSE THAT WOULD BE ‘INSPIRED’ BY SOME OF UK’S FINEST LINKS COURSES.
There are four par-5s – two of which bookend the round and the others sit either side of the turn – with the 9th being the longest at 560 yards and requiring two decent blows and a wedge to nd the green. The four par-3s vary in length from 140 to 175 yards, which is quite refreshing in this age of championship courses that pride themselves of having 220-yard ‘short’ holes, but it was quite odd to have three of them in the rst eight holes, leaving you 10 holes with just one par-three and none in the last ve.
If I had to pick a handful of favourites, I’d kick o with the second, a downhill 420-yard par-4 which doglegs to the right, with a cutty drive over the angle leaving a mid-to-short iron to a raised green. The 10th was another fun hole, with this 260-yard par-4 being eminently driveable, but there is a high element of risk reward with four bunkers catching anything right and two traps sna ing up those missing the narrow green to the left.
The 13th is the best of the par 3s, with a burn that sweeps from the back-right corner of the green to the front-left, making club selection and shot execution demanding, especially if the wind is up, while a gentle slope at the back of the green provides a welcome backstop and enables those who are able to generate a bit of spin the chance to show o their skills.
I also liked the 16th, a 425-yard par 4 with a 90-degree dog-leg right at the 300-yard mark. With out of bounds down the right, there’s no chance of cutting o any of the leg, but a fade to the knee will leave little more than a wedge into a raised green with plenty of contours. The 465-yard 17th, a straightforward enough par 4, is also worthy of mention on account of its green, which is 65 yards long front to back. A back pin placement could require at least two more clubs for your approach shot, while a four-putt is very much on the cards if your distance judgment is o .
The greens, which are vast and contain many subtle and not-so-subtle borrows, are among the best I’ve played on for many a year – certainly on a course so new. A type of grass not normally seen in this country – Pure Distinction bentgrass – makes for a super smooth surface, with its ne sward ensuring putts roll and roll and roll. It’s also much more drought tolerant than traditional grasses, meaning that less water is required to keep them looking good. Any weakness in your short game will be found out here, especially when chipping from tight lies, escaping from those deep greenside pot bunkers and getting the pace of your putting from distance.
Memberships for the Inspiration Club sold out two months before the opening, but the club welcomes visitors seven days a week, with green fees ranging from a very reasonable £70-£90, depending on your chosen tee time, with a special opening o er of a 4-ball for £250. Put into context of some the other venues in the North London area – The Grove’s individual fee is north of £200 – it represents remarkable value for money, especially given that you’re playing a golf course that is, quite frankly, inspired.
The clubhouse and pro shop facilities, are, for now, housed in a variety cabins and hospitality tents, which provide all the necessaries for preand post-round libation and snacking options – including a pizza oven. A long-term, more permanent solution is planned in the fullness of time, but for now it does the job just ne.
For more information and to book a tee time, visit www.theinspirationclub.co.uk
Chest eld Golf Club in Kent answered Prostate Cancer UK’s call to take part in golf’s biggest fundraising challenge - The Big Golf Race - to help save men’s lives and raised over £25,000 by putting on a club-led themed day along with other captain’s charity events.
Over the last year, men’s club captain David Wells has led the charge in not only raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, but also encouraging members of the club to get tested themselves.
“Overall, 40 members got themselves tested and out of that 40, at least ve guys needed treatment for the cancer,” Wells said. “One guy who got tested on the back of it immediately underwent radiation treatment, while others are still getting tested. So just imagine what can be done if every golf club captain adopted a similar approach.”
Wells added: “My motivation for supporting Prostate Cancer UK started 12 years ago when my one of my dearest friends retired. Within a few weeks, he decided to have a health check and unfortunately discovered too late that he had prostate cancer. So when I found out I was in the frame to become captain there was no other charity that I wanted to become involved with.
“Once in the captaincy role, I put an action plan together to ensure my message got across. If you came to the clubhouse, you couldn’t miss the Prostate Cancer UK signs and the reminders for men to get tested. In conjunction with our club professional, Warren Bennett, we put a sheet up on the main noticeboard urging male members to go and get a test, and then put their name up on the board when they’d been tested.”
Since The Big Golf Race was launched in 2020, more than 10,000 golfers have raised over £3.4m to help fund life-saving research to radically improve the way prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated.
Blackmoor Golf Club in Hampshire has unveiled the results of a three-year renovation project which included changes to all 18 holes on its historic Harry Colt-designed course.
The work has been carried out to upgrade bunkers and to improve drainage, while the fairways have been reshaped to enhance visibility and course aesthetics, while ancillary projects, such as new pathways and heather planting, have also been added.
The project, which cost over £500,000, was carried out in three phases, with golf course architect Tim Lobb charged with reinstating many of Colt’s original features while also strengthening the club’s reputation as one being home to one of the nest heathland courses in Britain.
Speaking about the project, Lobb said: “Over the past three winters we have worked with Blackmoor Golf Club to implement our Colt-inspired bunker and heathland restoration project to the course. The club’s dedication to continual improvement of the course and environment is no more evident than in the nal product that is seen today after these works.”
Alongside the heathland restoration and bunker refurbishment, work has been carried out by Blackmoor’s greenkeeping team to relocate more than 3000 m2 of heather turf to enhance the new bunkers and surrounding areas.
Changes have also been made on the rst hole of the par-69 course, lling in half of the cross ditch to reinstate fairway, and the green surrounds on the 9th and 17th holes, two of the course’s notable par 3s, have been remodelled.
The project was overseen by Course Manager James Norris who commented: “We are fortunate that Blackmoor sits on sandy subsoil which helps alleviate ooding and support course drainage, however, overtime the bunkers had changed shape and the sand mix had become inconsistent. Upgrading was necessary and new liners and drainage were installed to every bunker as well as heather planting added to improve course aesthetics.
“Although the major works are now complete, the course will continue to improve with our programme of maintenance and as the enhancements bed in. We have laid rubber pathways to six holes already and have plans to install pathways to the remaining 12 holes over the next four years.”
We’ve teamed up with the Seve Ballesteros Foundation to offer readers the chance to win a stylish new polo shirt which forms part of a brand-new collection of golf apparel that pays homage to one of the greatest golfers the game has ever seen
WHERE DID SEVE WIN THE LAST OF HIS THREE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES IN 1988?
A. ROYAL BIRKDALE
B. ROYAL ST GEORGE’S
The Seve Collection, which was launched this summer to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Seve’s triumph at the 1984 Open Championship, features a full range of gol ng essentials, including trousers, shorts, polos, knitted sweaters, caps and visors, all of which are available in ve colour options.
The debut collection also features a number of collaborations, including a limited edition Slazenger cashmere sweater inspired by Seve’s iconic 1984 Open Championship out t, Sunderland rainwear, and a headwear partnership with Imperial.
Keeping in mind the question of ‘How would Seve dress today?’, the SEVE design team has created looks that pay homage to Seve’s legacy while staying relevant for today’s golfers. Everything in the collection is designed to mix and match e ortlessly, allowing the wearer to embrace their individuality with a co-ordinated daring tonal look or experiment with di erent combinations.
Made from premium quality cotton, cashmere and 4-way stretch technical fabrics, which ensure comfort and performance in equal measure, the collection is available to buy via sevecollection.com and through leading golf retailers across the UK, and at selected golf clubs, including West Essex Golf Club and Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire, scene of Seve’s rst Open triumph’s in 1979 and 1988.
Carmen, Javier and Miguel Ballesteros, Seve’s children, commented: “Our father was not only one of the greatest
golfers of all time, but renowned for his unparalleled fashion sense and unique style. The SEVE brand and debut collection embody everything that he was – bold, daring, brave, and unafraid to rally against the status quo. We are so excited for golfers all over Europe to be able to emulate his style and collection.”
To be in with a chance of winning a Seve Collection Polo Shirt in classic navy, simply answer the question below, mentioning where you picked up your copy of Golf News, or if you read it online, and email it to info@golfnews.co.uk with ‘Seve Collection Competition’ in the subject line, a nd including your name. The closing date for entries is October 31, 2024.
For more details, visit sevecollection.com
The Social Golfer’s Par 3 Championship has been won by Essex-based amputee golfer Paul Houghton after a thrilling play-o at Pedham Place Golf Centre in Kent.
Members of The Social Golfer travelled from all over England to meet and compete at the Kent venue on August 23. The open tournament— now in its 9th year— was played over 27 holes with the top six players advancing to an 18th hole shootout, and later, the Grand Final.
Each nalist had two balls to secure their place in the Grand Final, with the two players nearest to the pin on the 18th green qualifying.
Houghton secured his spot in the play-o along with former Par 3 champion Steve Slater (Herts), with Houghton taking the title after his tee shot came to rest just 18 inches from the pin.
Houghton, a veteran disability golfer who has represented his country in international events and played on the EDGA Tour, experienced a bittersweet victory, as he received the devastating news that morning that one of his closest friends had passed away.
Commenting on his win, Houghton said, “What I love about playing in these tournaments is that no one treats me any di erently from an able-bodied golfer, which shows how far we have come in combating prejudice in our sport. However, we’ve still got a long way to go to achieve complete parity, but sports like golf o er us that opportunity.”
The four losing semi- nalists included two women, Linda Fagg (Kent) and Judy Lilley (London), along with Steve Hunt (London) and Mark Crane (Kent). Other winners on the day included the Golf News Guest Trophy winner Mike Aherne and runner-up Si Elie, both of whom are from Kent.
The eld, ranging from 7 handicappers to 36, and the course — which is widely regarded as one of the best par-3 courses in the south of England— made for a hugely enjoyable contest.
Ian Mullins, event organiser of The Social Golfer, said, “I am so chu ed for Paul. Not only has he been a great supporter of our events, but it’s great to see him demonstrate his talent to a wider audience. The broad smile on his face as the winning putt rolled in shows how much pleasure this game can bring to anyone from all walks of life!”
■ THE SOCIAL GOLFER PAR 3 CHAMPION PAUL HOUGHTON AT PEDHAM PLACE
PGA Professional Megan Simmons’ passion for coaching has taken her from her native Kent to landing teaching roles at two of Dubai’s most prestigious clubs, including her latest position at The Montgomerie Golf Club, where she is helping golfers of all skill levels to take their game to the next level and introducing new generations to the game she has been playing since she was seven.
Simmons, who played county golf for Surrey and for England national squads, quali ed as a PGA Professional last year, started out her career at Purley Downs in 2019, where she worked for three years as an assistant while undertaking her PGA certi cation. Prior to taking on that role she had been o ered a golf scholarship at the University of Oklahoma, but she chose to forgo the opportunity in favour of training to become a PGA Professional.
Re ecting on the choice, Megan shared, “It was the best decision I
Mill Ride to be sold a er cou rules that it was bought with illegal funds
The owner of Mill Ride Golf Club in Berkshire has been forced to put the venue up for sale after the High Court ruled that the money used to purchase the club in 2013 was obtained from fraudulent activities.
Zamira Hajiyeva is the subject of the UK’s rst ever Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) relating to the Ascot-based golf club and a separate London property, which were recently jointly valued at £26.5 million, that she is deemed to own.
Despite the court deciding the properties were paid for using illicit funds, it did not make any nding on whether Mrs Hajiyeva knew where the money came from.
Hajiyeva, 60, is the wife of Jahangir Hajiyev, the former chairman of the state-owned International Bank of Azerbaijan, who is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence for defrauding the bank out of up to £2.2bn. He was jailed in 2016.
Hajiyeva lost a High Court challenge to one Unexplained Wealth Order that relates to a ve-bedroom house in central London that she bought for £11.5 million in 2009 through a company registered in the British Virgin Islands. She has now been served with a second unexplained wealth order on Mill Ride Golf Club, which was bought in 2013 for £10.5 million.
have ever made, and I have never looked back.”
Simmons’s passion for travel and her love of golf soon saw her broaden her horizons, and at the beginning of last year she accepted a job with Troon Golf working at The Track Meydan, a club located next to Dubai’s famous horseracing track.
She made an immediate impact when launching a Ladies Par 3 event at the club, designed to bridge the gap between introductory golf lessons and competitive club play for women in the region, and her innovative approach has been instrumental in making golf more accessible and enjoyable for women.
After a year spent working with junior golfers and introducing more local female golfer to the game, her talent and dedication lead her being headhunted by the prestigious Montgomerie Golf Club in Dubai, which she joined in October last year and has been working ever since.
Megan’s coaching philosophy is rooted in setting achievable goals and maintaining a simple, yet e ective approach to the game. She believes that every golfer, regardless of their level, can reach their goals while enjoying the sport. Constantly seeking to enhance her knowledge, Megan remains committed to learning and applying new teaching methods to bene t her students.
A spokesperson for the UK’s National Crime Agency said: “The purchase of the golf club was conducted through a complex structure of Luxembourg and Guernsey-registered companies, and by using o shore trusts in Guernsey and later, Cyprus.”
The NCA applied for a freezing order for the two properties in March 2021 and a civil recovery order in June 2023. Both assets will now be sold at auction. The government will get 70% of the proceeds, minus the NCA’s costs, with the remainder restored to Hajiyeva under the terms of a settlement agreement. The actual amount recovered will depend on what the assets are sold for.
Mill Ride continues to operate as normal, with most members
“What I love most is when I am teaching someone for their rst ever golf lesson – when the player has never hit a golf ball before and at the end of their session, they have a full golf swing. To see how happy they are to be able to hit the golf ball and wanting to learn more is the best feeling ever.”
Under Megan’s guidance, golfers can expect to improve in areas such as swing mechanics, short game precision, course management, and the mental aspects of the game. Her lessons are designed to ensure that students not only understand their swing, but also leave with the con dence to enhance their skills and enjoy a supportive, personalised learning experience.
Mill Ride opened in 1990 and boasts an 18-hole, 6,861-yard parkland course designed by Donald Steel. It appeared in several UK Top 100 Courses list when it was rst built and has hosted numerous professional tournaments over the years.
The club’s website says that it currently has no waiting list for membership and does not charge a joining fee. A visitor green fee on weekdays is £55, rising to £70 at weekends.
Mill Ride has changed hands several times in its 34year history. Its original developers were unable to make a commercial success of the venture, and it was eventually sold by Barclays Bank to Lazian Ltd, whose main shareholders was an Indonesian businessman. Lazian sold the club to The Country Club Group in 2003, which ran it for ten years before selling it on for £10.5 million to Je rey & Hillary UK Ltd, a Reading-based company whose majority shareholder is Chinese businessman Je rey Chao, chairman of IT networking giants TP-Link.
It is not clear at what point Hajiyeva took over the ownership, or whether she was part of the consortium that put together the bid. Lawyers action for Hajiyeva said: “The settlement involved no nding of fact by the court about our client’s knowledge, still less involvement, in relation to these properties.”
They said Hajiyeva had settled the proceedings because it had been “impossible to defend them” due to the inability to obtain documents that were “potentially crucial to the case” from her husband during his imprisonment in Azerbaijan.
Cowdray Golf Club in West Sussex has opened a new par-3 academy course and practice facility, topping o a year of considerable investment into the golf experience, which has also seem a major renovation of its 18-hole championship course.
Having undergone extensive planning, the short course is a creation of ve new greens and greenside bunkers, each re ecting a similar green complex on the main course at Cowdray. In addition, a new shortgame area has been opened with new practice green and bunker.
The par-3 layout was inaugurated by the Cowdray greenkeeping team – led by course manager Jonathan Smith – who were the rst to experience the course they have worked tirelessly to perfect.
Tim Allen, Director of Golf at Cowdray, said: “The new academy set-up has been in the planning for some time, so it’s a thrill to see it come to fruition and our members and guests enjoying the experience. Through this facility, Cowdray will continue its good work engaging with the local community and schools, becoming more inclusive and taking golf to a wider audience.”
Cowdray has taken the opportunity to create a new Academy Membership category for the Par-3 Course. The membership includes unlimited play on the Par-3 Course, use of practice facilities, as well as preferential rates for the driving range and introductory golf lessons. Pricing starts at £300, with a visitor green fee costing from £10 for juniors.
The new academy course and practice facilities are the nal element of an signi cant golf investment at Cowdray, which has also seen and major upgrade of its 18-hole downland course. The most notable
changes are to the bunkering, with all having been reconstructed, reshaped and integrated into the landscape using native grass borders. A new ninth tee has been constructed and new rubber buggy paths have been installed throughout.
Elsewhere, Swan Golf Designs have restored the famed double green for holes seven and 14, created a new seating area at the halfway hut, and have overseen landscape management throughout the course.
Commenting on the project, course architect William Swan said: “It is rare to have the chance to work with a client that matches our ambition for a project, working on a layout that owes much to the original work of Tom Simpson and all set in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
“We have sought to modernise the course while restoring some of the strategy and air that is synonymous with Simpson’s work. In collaboration with the team at Cowdray we were able to build the ve-hole academy course to create a unique and exciting new facility for members and visitors to enjoy.”
Surrey amateur star Lottie Woad, fresh o playing a leading role in GB&I’s Curtis Cup victory, has been awarded the prestigious Mark H McCormack Medal as the leading woman in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 2024.
Farnham-based Woad, who is the rst ever English winner of the women’s McCormack Medal, will receive exemptions into next year’s US Women’s Open and the AIG Women’s Open on the back of the award.
Woad, 20, said: “I’m really happy to have won the McCormack Medal. It rounds o a successful year for me and I’m honoured to be named alongside the previous recipients of the medal.
“It was always a goal of mine to reach number one and become the world’s leading woman amateur golfer. It’s taken a while to get there but it’s nice to see all the hard work pay o and achieve this milestone.”
Earlier this year, Woad became the rst European golfer to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and she did so in dramatic fashion after nishing birdie-birdie over the nal two holes to pip American Bailey Shoemaker by one shot.
She has also recorded three second place nishes in the NCAA D1 Women’s Championship, Florida State Match Up and Collegiate Invitational at GCC, while in the autumn of last year won the ANNIKA Intercollegiate.
Last month saw Woad compete in the Women’s Open at St Andrews, where she eclipsed the results of over 140 of the world’s leading professionals in nishing tied 10th on one-under par for the week and winning the Smyth Salver as the leading amateur. Her amateur status prevented her from picking up over £100,000 in prize money.
Professor Steve Otto, Chief Technology O cer at The R&A, which manages the women’s world amateur ranking, said, “Lottie has enjoyed a very successful year in which she has consistently performed at a high level and her results, including winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, makes her a thoroughly deserving recipient of the women’s McCormack Medal. We would like to congratulate Lottie on this outstanding achievement and look forward to seeing her golf career go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”
In a rain-soaked afternoon at Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Township, Michigan, TEAM USA held o a gallant ght from their European counterparts, securing backto-back victories to win The Cairns Cup for the second time in succession.
After three gruelling days of golf played at times in 30+ degree heat, the USA Team, headed by Michigander Kim Moore, finished 12.5 Pts to 11.5 Pts, to lift the prestigious trophy named after Scottish disabled golfer Billy Cairns. However, it was Brandon Williams who had the honor of sinking the winning putt to claim victory.
Day one began with a 4-2 lead after the foursomes, with TEAM Europe taking the
honours on day two to reduce the deficit to just a single point. Day three began with TEAM USA still requiring 5.5 points to retain the Cup and 6 points for outright victory. However, it was Rutger Pranger of the Netherlands who put the first match to bed, levelling the scores.
But following an interruption in play for the forecasted lightning, TEAM USA weathered the storm in the early afternoon, putting a flurry of red on the scoreboard. Williams, from Ohio, unaware of the magnitude of the putt he faced, was a picture of calm as he watched his ball disappear into the cup.
Asked how he felt to secure his country’s win on home soil, he said, “Amazing, it’s awesome!” Commenting further on the win, he said, “It is a dream come true! This event has demonstrated that the world of disability golf now has its own stage on which to grow the game of golf.”
Amateur golfer Will Major won the 10th British Speedgolf Championship after shooting rounds of 69 and 65 at Sunningdale Heath in a combined time of just under 54 minutes.
The 33-year-old ew around the Berkshire venue’s 3,705-yard, par-58 course in 26 minutes for his rst round and then just took a minute longer to complete his second round in four fewer shots to take the prestigious title from a eld of 55 other competitors.
An 18-hole green fee on Trump Turnberry’s Ailsa course is to be raised to £1,000 per person in peak periods next year.
The four- gure fee will only apply to those not staying at the resort and only for peak season rounds at peak times (before 1pm).
For visitor rounds played on the Ailsa after 1pm the green fee drops to £545, while for rounds played outside of peak season, the fee is £315. The peak period green fee for hotel guests is £425 per person.
Turnberry’s general manager Nic Oldham said that the £1,000 green fee is designed to protect tee times for hotel residents and Turnberry members.
“We were nding that a lot of people were booking up tee times during the peak times of the year, but only came to play golf and then left.”
“In many instances, people were choosing to play the Ailsa but stay somewhere else nearby. That meant our hotel guests were able to stay in the hotel but couldn’t get access to the course. By blocking out these peak tee times, we are able to o er greater playing opportunities to our best customers.”
He added: “We are unique among venues that have hosted The Open in that we are a complete resort and we therefore need to make sure all parts of our business are viable. Simply selling rounds of golf isn’t a sustainable business model.”
Major’s speed golf score of 188.57 (number of shots + number of minutes) saw him pip Finland’s Lauri Alakuijal to the title by 0. 85 points, following rounds of 64 and 67 in just over 57 minutes, while last year’s champion Luke Willett was just 0.09 points back in third place, with rounds of 70 and 75 completed in just over 53 minutes.
The fastest round of the day was completed by Ireland’s Rob Hogan, who covered the 18-hole course, which features four par-4s and 14 par-3 holes, in just 24 minutes and 25 seconds. However, a 16-over-par 76 cost him in the overall points tally, and saw him nish in sixth place.
The women’s title, played over 18 holes, went to Beverley Fentiman, who made an impressive championship debut, shooting 85 in 37 minutes, while another newcomer, Harry McCarthy, scooped the British Junior Speedgolf title when shooting a superb veover-par 63 in just 31 minutes and 50 seconds.
In a historic moment for the sport, Matthew Gamble became the British Speedgolf Championship’s rst-ever Adaptive category champion, completing the course in under 45 minutes with a score of 79, outpacing two amputee golfers Scott Richardson and Matthew Blamire.
The senior’s category, for golfers over 50, was won by Adam Williams, who shot 68 in just over 31 minutes, with BBC golf commentator Andrew Cotter taking second place after ring a 13-over 71 in just under 35 minutes.
In addition to running regional and national Speedgolf competitions, British Speedgolf is also starting up a series of training sessions for anyone looking to take up the sport. A GolfFit session run by PGA Professionals Luke Willett and Chris Fitt is to be held at Moor Park Golf Club in Hertfordshire.
For more details on this and other Speedgolf events, visit britishspeedgolf.co.uk
Playing conditions on Copthorne Golf Club’s parkland golf course are currently among the best ever experienced at the 132-year-old year old club following a major investment in new machinery and new greenkeeping practices.
After taking on the services of consultant agronomist Greg Evans at the end of last summer, course manager Mike Gould and his team, working in collaboration with Evans, have implemented a course management plan that has succeeded in bringing about marked improvements to the playing surfaces at the West Sussex venue.
Other key gures involved in project included Copthorne General Manager Paul Tidey and Greens Director Nigel Guthrie, both of whom were integral to the strategic decisions and implementation of the course plan.
Consistent light sand dressings, backed up with
heavier work, including hollow coring, deep aeration and a regular fertiliser spraying programme, have proved transformational to the quality of the greens, which have been consistently playing at 9 and 10 on the stimpmeter over the summer.
Copthorne has also made signi cant investments in its water management infrastructure, installing a borehole and a new holding tank to increase water storage capacity.
Plans are also underway to upgrade the greens irrigation system across the course. In line with the club’s commitment to preserving and enhancing its historical heathland characteristics, the club is currently reviewing the design and playability of its 5th hole.
Architect Alan Walker has been engaged to appraise and redesign the hole, including a new tee complex and a rebuilt green, as this is currently unplayable at times, with limited pin positions.
A key objective for the 6,654-yard course is the restoration of its traditional heathland features which have gradually diminished due to tree encroachment. The club is committed to bringing back these distinctive characteristics, which are integral to its heritage and the unique gol ng experience it o ers.
There can’t be too many fans of golf or the 007 lm franchise who aren’t familiar with this now iconic scene from the lm Gold nger, which saw our fearless hero, James Bond, played by Sean Connery, playing against all-round baddie Auric Gold nger (Gert Frobe) in a high-stakes game at Stoke Poges Golf Club, as it was called then.
Although the match starts out at ‘a shilling a hole;, Bond raises the stakes signi cantly when he drops a gold bar on the green ‘to make things interesting’. Gold nger resorts to some underhand – and slight-of-hand – tactics in order to try and win the match, but Bond, and his faithful caddie are wise to caddie Oddjob’s dropping of a replacement ball down his trouser leg. Having previously found his opponent’s ball in the rough, but rather unsportingly not declared his discovery, Bond goes on to win the match with the classic line “You play a Slazenger 1, don’t you? Well, this a Slazenger 7.” Cue Gold nger stomping o the 18th green where later Oddjob would be seen crushing the ball with his bare hands- outside the clubhouse.
Connery himself was something of a latecomer to golf, only taking up the game in his 30s. The demands of the Gold nger script resulted in the Scot taking a course of lessons to ne-tune his swing so that he could lm the golf scenes himself rather than have to rely of some judicious editing with a stunt double golf pro.
Filmed in 1964, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the release of Gold nger, which went on to become a box o ce smash, recouping the costs of production in just two weeks and grossing over $120m in cinema ticket sales alone.
Of course, all fans of Ian Fleming’s books know that the golf course on which the match took place was a thinly disguised version of Royal St George’s Golf Club in Kent (called St Mark’s in the book) where Fleming was a lifelong member, but it is Stoke Park that has quite understandably
entered Bond folklore and attracted so much attention from fans over the last 60 years.
Stoke Park was chosen to stage the golf scene partly because of its proximity to the Pinewood Studios in nearby Slough, where Gold nger’s indoor scenes were shot, but also because of its impressive Palladian mansion house, which also served as the clubhouse at the time.
Stoke Park has not been shy about trading on its links to the lm, hosting numerous Bond-themed golf tournaments and
events over the years celebrating its connection to one of the world’s most popular lm franchises.
Since Stoke Park was sold into private hands in 2021, the golf club shut and the clubhouse reverted into a family home, although a new clubhouse is currently at the planning stages and 18 holes of the Harry Colt designed course re-opened just last month for pay-and-play visitors and corporate golf days and events, allowing golf fans and Bond a cionados to once again walk in the footsteps of lm and sporting history.
England’s oldest county is blessed with a rich variety of venues on which to test your golfing skills, from classic seaside links to clifftop courses with far-reaching views, and expansive downland and parkland layouts set among rolling hills
With over 90 golf courses in Kent to choose from, a golfer could spend three solid months playing golf every day and still not complete the set. While it would be something of a physical challenge to tick the Kent box in such a short space of time, it would never be dull, as Kent must boast some of the most contrasting group of courses to be found anywhere in the UK thanks to the diversity of its terrain.
Many of The Garden of England’s courses are laid out over picturesque rolling inland landscapes, while its many and varied links and coastal courses
o er dramatic, panoramic seascapes over the English Channel and the celebrated white chalk cli s. And with green fees to suit all budgets, and many with superb on-site accommodation, there’s never been a better time to consider making Kent your next golf break destination.
Prince’s Golf Club is one of the oldest, yet perhaps least well-known Open Championship venues, with the legendary Gene Sarazen lifting the Claret Jug here back in 1932. The club is still used for Final Qualifying every time The Open is held at Royal St
George’s, and its three 9-hole loops – Shore, Dunes and Himalayas – which have recently bene ted from substantial redevelopment – provide a suitable challenge for the world’s best golfers. An impressive array of 97 revetted bunkers, including the now-famous Sarazen Bunker, rolling greens and seaside breezes will test all your shotmaking skills, while the three loops o er three di erent 18-hole con gurations to cater for an extended stay. So it’s just as well that the club boasts well-appointed apartment accommodation at The Lodge at Prince’s, while the club’s excellent restaurant, the Brasserie on the Bay, serves up a range of tasty dishes sourced from high quality local suppliers. princesgolfclub.co.uk
Established in 1903 in Broadstairs, North Foreland is steeped in history. Its elevated location above Kent’s white cli s ensures stunning panoramas of the Channel and east Kent countryside from every hole of its 18-hole Main Course, where generous fairways disguise a tricky layout where strategically placed bunkers lie in wait. Host of Final Qualifying whenever Royal St Georges’ stages The Open, it’s a terri c test of links golf, while its adjacent 18-hole par-3 Northcli e course, with holes from 50 to 140 yards, is also not to be missed and is a snip at £15 a round. northforeland.co.uk
Hever Castle is not only one of Kent’s most iconic attractions, it is home to a 7,000-yard, par-72 championship parkland course, comprising the Kings and Queens 9-hole courses, as well as the nine-hole Princes Course. With water hazards, numerous bunkers, small greens, and some narrow tree-lined fairways, its places an emphasis on accuracy, although there are plenty of opportunities to open the shoulders. Off the course, Hever boasts a superb Tudor-style clubhouse, part of which dates back to the 13th century, which provides the perfect place to relax, while overnight guests can hole up in the Astor Wing of Hever Castle, which offers 21 luxurious bedrooms set within private areas of the castle which was once home to the Boleyn family of Henry VIII fame. hevercastle.co.uk
Founded in 1929, Sittingbourne initially operated a 12-hole course that was set out by Henry Hunter, the professional who worked at Royal Cinque Ports for almost half a century. Another six holes were added in 1931, but it wasn’t until 1993 that it expanded to the full 18, with Donald Steel given the task of designing seven new holes. Today, the layout extends to 6,299 yards from the back tees, playing to a par of 71. Feature holes include short par fours at the 305-yard 3rd and 338-yard 14th, along with the longest of the par threes at the 208-yard 15th. sittingbournegolfclub.com
Ashford Golf Club is one of the county’s oldest clubs, having been founded in 1903, and enjoys a long history of providing a high-quality parkland golf experience in stunning Kent countryside. Playing 6,313 yards from the back tees, the rolling course demands accurate tee shots to tree-lined fairways, while the greens complexes are well protected by astutely placed bunkering. Visitors and societies are welcome seven days a week, with green fees starting from £55 a round. The clubhouse is home to a relaxing bar and restaurant and serves up an extensive food menu, while its first-floor balcony offers fine views of the course. ashfordgolfclub.co.uk
Birchwood Park Golf & Country Club is very much a family-friendly venue, with its two golf courses, indoor swimming pool, spa and fitness centre and café ensuring that its appeal to a wide range of leisure users of all ages. Boasting an 18-hole course and a 9-hole academy course, the Dartford-based
club is one of 10 venues operated by Surrey-based Burhill Golf & Leisure, which has invested heavily in the club’s facilities in recent years. The 6,359yard course boasts a parkland setting, although is quite hilly in places, affording wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. The Orchard Course provides perfect venue for all golfers, especially beginners, with holes ranging from 83 to 254 yards. birchwoodparkgc.co.uk
Sir Nick Faldo’s first European design was the talk of the town - and the country – when it first opened in 1993, and over 30 years later the Knight of the Realm’s course continues to attract interest thanks to the recent investments in the club by its new owners, which has returned it to the true championship that it was meant to be.
Offering thrills and spills at every turn, with acres of water and a similar area of sand, its golf on steroids that will examine every inch of your game. The fairways twist and turn in all directions, heading towards the huge and frighteningly undulating greens. The bunkering is daring in the extreme, ranging from small deep pot bunkers to the huge snake-like ‘Anaconda’ bunker on the par-five 5th that wiggles along for more than 200 yards. Water hazards also come in all shapes and sizes and are frequently in play, especially on the par-three 17th where the green is an island. With an impressive clubhouse that towers above the course like the bridge of ship and Tour-level practice facilities –including a stunning new six-hole par-3 course – Chart Hills is a must-play on any itinerary in Kent. charthills.co.uk
Tommy Fleetwood reflects on a season that has seen him improve his world ranking, win the Dubai Invitational, and bring home silver for Team GB at the Paris Olympics
As things currently stand, you’ve moved up to 11th, but how would you assess your year as a whole, bearing in mind we still have a few events left on the DP World Tour to complete?
I feel like I’ve ground out some decent results this year without having had my best stu . I’ve never felt completely comfortable with my swing, although there have been periods when it’s kind of clicked together.
It can get frustrating at times when you’re swinging it well, but then you’re putting is a bit o , and you don’t feel like your results are representative of how well you’re playing, but golf is like that sometimes.
I was proud of the way that I hung in there to make the Tour Championship as that could easily have got away from me, so to nish inside the top 20 in the FedEx Cup was decent.
Aside from winning in Dubai at the start of the year, and nishing third at the Masters, and, of course, second in the Olympics, I have had some good results this year, but nothing great that was going to have a massive impact on my career. It’s been consistent without many reworks, if you like.
Except for nishing fourth, it is often said that winning silver is the hardest Olympic medal to celebrate, as it means to you came close to winning, but didn’t quite get the job done. Is that how it felt for you?
There’s a big part of me that was disappointed, of course, but at the same time, growing up I never dreamt that I would be an Olympic medallist, or be in with a chance of winning one, so to have an Olympic medal of any colour hanging around my neck is something I’ll always cherish.
Even on the last hole in Paris, normally I’d have sort of given that chip a go. I missed it, and I know I’ve lost the tournament, but I was still very nervous standing over that six-foot putt to win the silver medal. It was a very di erent feeling to standing over a putt to nish second in a regular tournament.
Overall, I’m unbelievably happy with the way the week went and the way I played. I enjoyed it so much. I take that away from it. It was an incredible crowd and atmosphere to play in front of, and it was such a great tournament to be a part of.
I haven’t been in the mix that much recently, and I think being back at Paris National, where we enjoyed success at the Ryder Cup in 2018, and playing well and feeling how I felt again, made it a very special week.
It’s obviously unique atmosphere representing your country. You played in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 without crowds, so how did it feel to have the fans back waving the Union Jack and cheering you on?
Yes, it does seem like a lifetime ago, but no, I didn’t see it as failure – but I was certainly very disappointed at the time. I think using the word ‘failure’ can sometimes sound a bit harsh. Finishing runner-up at The Open equalled my best-ever nish in a major. It also depends on how you nish second, as well. It wasn’t like I was three shots clear and threw it away.
Elite sport is all about small margins, and you win some and you lose some. I guess it’s how you bounce back from those disappointments that counts.
Given the career journey you’ve been on – coming up through the amateur ranks, onto the Challenge Tour, playing the European Tour, and now the PGA Tour – has that made you more adaptable to playing in a variety of course set up and conditions than perhaps other players?
There are obviously signi cant di erences to how the courses play from amateur golf in the UK, to those on the professional tours in Europe and the States, and all over the world. As you know, I played a lot of links courses as an amateur, and then as soon as you turn professional that’s not something that you get to experience much outside of
when I’ve hit the wrong shot at the wrong time. It is what it is, but I think at the present moment I am pretty happy with where my game is trending and I like the work that I’m doing, so hopefully things will fall into place and I’ll get over that hurdle one day.
Could you conceive there being a European Ryder Cup team without Jon Rahm in it in America next year?
As we’ve seen over the years there can be Ryder Cup teams on both sides that are without a particular player, so that might well be the case next year or any other year. That’s the nature of the event and the qualifying criteria.
The Ryder Cup has always been much bigger than any individual player, and while there are always players who can bring certain things to teams, there have always been discussions around who is and who isn’t in the team – that was very much the case in Rome last year – but that’s pretty much forgotten once the matches begin.
You don’t want to lose anybody that you know that you can have there, but at the same time, the Ryder Cup is much bigger than all of us.
I think if you’re going to play for Team Europe, you should be a member and a part of the Tour in some respect. I’m not saying it has to be necessarily super strict, but following the regulations as they are at the moment is the right thing to do.
I think the crowds were amazing, and it was a very di erent atmosphere to what we get to experience week-in, week-out in terms of the number of fans that are out there supporting their nation. It was just a completely di erent vibe and one that I really enjoyed.
I think the leaderboard was unbelievable, and I think it was a great spectacle for golf and it was fun being a part of that. If you’re not going to enjoy those times, then you’re not going to get much happiness from the game of golf.
I enjoyed competing against the best players in the world for something that is so sought after and so cherished in the sporting world. This isn’t going to happen again now for another four years – by which time I will be 37 – and I was keenly aware that I might not get another chance to do this.
There was a lot of talk afterwards about whether 72hole individual stroke play is the right format for the Olympics. Where do you stand on that topic?
As it [the Olympics] feels like one of the biggest prizes in the game, I feel like it deserves to played in the same format as all the major championships. I feel like the 72-hole format is the way to determine the best golfer of the week. Having said that, I would love there to be another event alongside that, whether it be a team event or a mixed event with men and women. I don’t see many of other events switching up their formats for the Olympics, so I don’t think that golf should feel any pressure to come up with something di erent. People seemed to like it.
Your best nish in a major is still your second behind Shane Lowry in The Open in 2019. Does that seem like a lifetime ago now, and at the time did you see it as a failure on your part?
TOMMY TREASURES HIS OLYMPIC SILVER MEDAL
the Open Championship and the Scottish and Irish Open, although they are not always held on traditional links. I think I’ve always had a good sense of what I feel like I need to do to adapt and what I need to learn, and I’ve always enjoyed travelling, seeing new places and experiencing new courses. I’ve always put in plenty of hard work, and the rewards are there.
Given your experience of playing in the Ryder Cup under a variety of captains, how important is that the captain has a strong connection with the group of players at his disposal? And if that is the case, do you think the likes of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia will be out of touch with the new generation of players coming through on the European circuit, making it harder for them be to be considered for the captaincy in the future?
I think it is important for the captain to have a great connection with the players, for sure. But who knows what a team of players will look like in the future and who that captain can be or will be? There are clearly a few guys, including the names you have mentioned, who have been a huge part of Team Europe, and you can’t take away what they have done for the team over a long period of time and the success that they have had. I feel like it was de nitely the right call for Luke [Donald to carry on the captaincy after what he achieved in Rome. Players’ opinions don’t necessarily matter that much. The captain will have earnt that right to be the captain, but I think you have to have a strong current relationship with whoever is playing because it will struggle to work otherwise.
WINNING IN AMERICA IS SOMETHING I NEED TO DO
Are you keen for the impasse between the LIV Golf and the PGA Tour to be over so the best players can get back to competing against each other more often?
Some of your best performances have come on links courses. Is that when you’re at your most comfortable –battling the conditions and having to be more creative? Yes, links golf is something I feel very comfortable with. I grew up in a links town [Southport], and although I wasn’t a member of one of the links courses there, I’ve played on them a lot. When I’m at home I will go and play Hillside with my dad, things like that, so links golf is more part of whom I am as a golfer that it is for a lot of other professional golfers. It takes a di erent kind of preparation, but as soon as I’m a links course I feel pretty comfortable with what is needed.
You’ve won all over the world, but you haven’t won on the PGA Tour yet. Is that something you’re keen to tick o the bucket list?
Yeah, thanks for reminding me! I think any European player would be lying if they said winning in America wasn’t the next step for them in their career, and I’m no di erent.
I haven’t done it. In the grand scheme of things, winning in America is something that I need to do. I’ve had chances and sometimes somebody’s played better than me, and there’s been times
I think pretty much everybody that has a passion to get the most out of their career wants to test themselves against the best players in the world. We did it this year in the majors, so that’s one side. And then you have to listen to the fans that are so important to the game and see what they want. Getting the superstars of the game to play together more often is probably in the best interest of the overall game. What that looks like, how many times do you that, whether is four enough or should it be eight or 20, who knows? But I think from a players’ perspective, testing yourself against the best players is always a great thing, and you get a lot of satisfaction out of that if you manage to play well.
If you’re looking to sharpen up your game from 100 yards and in, and banish those costly chunks and duffs, then it will pay to sign up to PGA Professional Stuart Smith’s INSTRIKE GOLF short game tuition programme, which introduces a ground-breaking new technique that yields instant and long-lasting results
If you break out into a cold sweat every time you’re faced with a delicate chip from the edge of the green, go to pieces when tackling a greenside bunker shot to a tight pin, or feel like Bambi on ice whenever you have anything more lofted than a 9-iron in your hand, then read on.
In fact, even if you’re not a quivering wreck with a lob wedge, there is still plenty you can learn from a few hours spent in the company of PGA Professional Stuart Smith, a short game coaching specialist with over 30 years’ experience of helping golfers of all skill levels and ages to conquer their fears and lower their scores through mastering the dark arts of chipping, pitching and bunker play.
And while Smith – who runs his own coaching school out of Thetford Golf Club in Norfolk, and has a very successful golf holiday tuition business – has taught thousands of golfers to improve their short game skills over the last three decades, it is only in the last 12 months that he experienced what he is happy to call a ‘Eureka Moment’ when discovering a new technique that he is confident will improve the consistency of any golfer faced with the type of shots described above, and a few more besides.
EUREKA MOMENT
It was while working on in his own short game in between sessions on a coaching trip to Egypt last winter that Stuart says he ‘saw the light’.
Having hurt his right knee, he was working on a few different ways of swinging a wedge without putting pressure on the knee joint, and found that by bringing his right foot back and opening up his stance he took the tension out of the knee, but he also discovered that it led to him swinging more around his body, engaging his torso and hips, resulting in a flatter swing that nipped the ball cleanly off the surface with maximum spin.
After repeated attempts from just off the edge of the green he found that he’d eliminated the occasional duffs and chunked shots that were creeping into his short game repertoire and was striking the ball with far more consistency and generating high levels of spin to get the ball to stop by the cup.
Keen to find out whether this was a one-off bit of luck, or that it only worked from a specific lie, Stuart quickly tried shots from other underfoot conditions – from the rough, semi-rough, fairway, and even the bunker – and, to his amazement, found that he was able to consistently get the ball up and out of the grass or sand cleanly and consistently, while also generating bags of spin to control the ball once it hit the green.
Excited at what he had discovered, Stuart quickly rushed over to the group of golfers he had been teaching that week and, in a moment when he says ‘they thought I’d completely lost my marbles’, he told them to forget everything he had been teaching them about chipping and pitching over the last few days – and, in some cases, years – and try out his new technique.
Says Stuart, “Within just a few minutes, golfers who had been struggling to even get the ball out of a bunker, let alone control where it was going, we’re hitting these high shots cleanly out of the sand with loads of spin. I then got a couple of my students to start chipping from tight lies from the edge of the green. Forty minutes later and not one of them had hit a chunk or even taken so much as a divot. Not one divot. They couldn’t believe it, and neither could I.”
He adds: “In all my years of short game teaching I’d never got the results so quickly and effectively as I had with this new technique. And that’s when I knew I was on to something, and that’s where the fundamental principles of Instrike Golf were born.”
“You never hear of ‘driving yips; or ‘fairway wood yips’, but when it comes to the short game, whether its chipping or putting, it’s an all-too-common affliction that many golfers suffer from,” says Stuart. “The reason why is that you use your body when hitting a driver or making a full swing, but when it comes to the short game your hands and arms take over and, hey presto, the yips can come into play.
“The Instrike technique makes it as hard as possible for you to control this shot with your hands and arms, but as easy as possible for you to start using your body, which will help tremendously in giving you a more consistent, perfect strike time after time.”
Instrike Golf breaks the swing required for a pitch, chip or bunker shot into four phases – Address, Backswing, Tempo and Angle of Attack. Here, Stuart discusses how each phase affects performance and how the Instrike technique helps overcome potential breakdowns in each element of the stroke.
“Weight distribution and the position of the feet is a common issue here, as most golfers tend to favour the back foot. Most instruction books, videos and traditional coaching methods say that you need to have the front foot slightly open at address to allow the hips to move through impact. I found that this position actually increases the potential to make the backswing too steep and also increases your chances of getting the dreaded chipping yips.
“The Instrike technique sets up closed at address, with the front foot at a 20° angle left of the target for chipping and pitch and 40° for bunker shots – with the back foot pulled back away to close your swing path.”
“The main issue here is that many golfers who struggle with their chipping and pitching are often way too steep in their backswing, as well as too short in terms of the length of the swing, which often leads to quick, stabby shots and inconsistent contact, resulting in fats and thins.
“With the Instrike technique, we move the back foot – the right foot for right-handed golfers – back in relation to the target line so that it, and the right hip no longer presents a barrier to the club swinging freely around your body. This also connects the hands and arms to the body, quietening the hands and allowing the club to swing around your torso and flatten the swing path into the ball.”
“Very few players give much thought to the tempo of the swing on shorter shots, but I feel that the closer you are to the hole then the better your tempo needs to be. Poor tempo – which is generally too quick – is a sign of tension and this only leads to destructive shots. The Instrike method encourages a smooth, consistent tempo that lets the loft of the club do the work and leads to more consistent contact.”
“Address, backswing and tempo all contribute to golfers being too steep with their angle of attack, and that’s when you are liable to chunk your chips and pitches and duff your bunker shots.
The Instrike Golf technique reduces the angle of attack by forcing you to swing around your body, keeping your arms more connected with your shoulders and torso, and not flicking the clubhead up and back with your arms and wrists, which leads to those chunks and duffs.
Creating a shallower angle of attack will not only dramatically improve your consistency but produces a higher level of backspin for those ‘drop and stop’ shots.”
1), thus creating a strong visual aid as to the path the swing should take to avoid hitting the aid in either the backswing or the follow through.
As someone whose chipping and pitching game got to such a bad state that I had to resort to using a chipper, the thought that I could banish my ‘chi-yips’ with a simple change to my set up seemed like I’d stumbled across the Holy Grail.
OK, I’ll say straight o the bat that it’s not ‘simple’, as any fundamental change to something that has been ingrained for so many years requires time, e ort and a high level of commitment, but at its heart the Instrike Golf technique can be learned, and perfected, by anyone who is determined to tackle their chipping issues.
After watching me hit a few of my ‘normal’ chips from the edge of the green, which yielded the usual mixture of fast-running thins, earthy stabs and even the odd double hit, Stuart explained the principles behind the Instrike method before advising me on the set up.
For short chips and bunker shots – anything from 20 feet to 30 yards – Steve starts o by laying the in atable swing path aid next to the ball (picture
He then set both my feet at a 40° angle left of the target (picture 2), with the ball position just outside my right foot. From there you line up the clubface to the target. From that position, you then pull back the right foot several inches, with the foot slightly open (Picture 3). This changes your core position and moves the ball slightly more forward in your stance. Keeping the clubhead hooded – i.e. without aring it open and closed – you swing around your body, clearing the hips and then bringing the clubhead down in one smooth motion, delivering the clubhead so that it slides neatly under the ball, without digging in or taking a divot (picture 4), unless, of course, you’re in a bunker.
Writing it makes it sound a lot more complicated than it does executing it, but the results were, even to this battle-scarred du er, nothing less than game-changing, maybe even life-changing.
With a 58-degree wedge in hand I was able to pop the ball up from wet semi-rough to a ag less than 15 feet away and get it to stop within two or three feet time after time. Yes, I did hit the odd thin when my swing got a bit
quick and old habits crept in, but I didn’t hit a single du over the course of 20-plus shots, something I could never achieve with my old technique, such that it was.
The results were equally as impressive from the bunker, where the same principles apply, and rather than chopping across the ball and getting massive amounts of sidespin, I was hitting straight through the target line and getting the ball to y out high and stop by the pin when previously it would have rolled many feet by.
The technique can also be used on full wedge shots from up to 100 yards from the target. Here the angle of the left foot set up is reduced to 20%, but it produces the same results – clean strikes and high oating shots with loads of spin that stop up quickly. After more than a dozen shots from 100 yards, not one shot failed to reach the green and, hallelujah, not one chunk or du . I now can’t wait to put my new-found technique into competitive action. And that, ultimately, will be the proof of the success of the Instrike Golf pudding. But, for now, I’m content to dream that my du ng days are nally over!
For examples of amateur golfers bene tting from the Instrike Golf technique, including ‘before-and-after’ videos, visit www.instagram.com/instrikegolf/
■ THE INSTRIKE PATH CORRECTOR ENCOURAGES YOU TO SWING AROUND YOUR BODY, ENGAGING THE SHOULDERS AND PREVENTING YOU FROM GETTING TOO ‘HANDSY’ WITH THOSE GREENSIDE CHIPS AND PITCH SHOTS
Stuart Smith hosts Instrike Golf tuition programmes for small groups at Thetford Golf Club in Norfolk. Prices start from £40 for a two-hour bunker lesson, and £50 for a in-depth chipping or pitching lesson. Instrike putting coaching costs £30 for a 90-minute lesson.
To book a session or to nd out more, visit www. instrikegolf.com, email enquiries@instrikegolf.com, or call Steve Smith on 07766 733560.
You can learn the Instrike Golf technique from the comfort of your home course or wherever you practice, by signing up to online coaching platform Skillest, where you can watch a series of high-quality videos that will take you through every step of the Instrike technique. Download the SKILLEST app and search for INSTRIKE GOLF to nd out more.
■ OPENING UP THE STANCE WHILE KEEPING THE CLUBFACE AND SWINGING AROUND YOUR BODY WHIL EAIMING DIRECTLY AT THE TARGET ENSURES THAT THE BALL POPS OUT CLEANLY OUT OF THE SAND WITH PLENTY OF BACKSPIN
■ BOTTOM LEFT: THE SAME PRINCIPLES APPLY FOR LONGER APPROACH SHOTS WITH SHORT IRONS, WITH THE ARMS AND BODY CONNECTED AND HIPS ROTATING FREELY AT IMPACT
If you’d like to learn the Instrike Golf technique – and much, much more – in the sunshine this winter, then why not join a group of like-minded golfers of one of the Stuart Smith Golf Academy’s Tuition Holidays?
Hosted at a variety of leading golf resorts in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia throughout the winter, these 7-night trips cover all aspects of the short game, from putting and chipping, to bunker play and pitching, while there is ample opportunity to play golf, as well as take part in organised competitions and fun social events.
Spaces are limited to just 28, so for bookings, upcoming itineraries and all other enquiries, visit www.stuartsmithgolfacademy.com, email stuart@ stuartsmithgolfacademy.com or call 07799 088786.
Europe’s battling Solheim Cup team came oh-so-close to achieving a nal day comeback of ‘Miracle at Medinah’style proportions at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, but Team USA’s superior repower proved too strong in another engrossing contest between the best women professionals across the two continents.
Stacy Lewis’s US team was bristling with world top-20 players, and a handful of major champions, and their class told over the three days of match play competition in Virginia, with the home side running out 15.5-12.5 winners, wresting the trophy o Europe for the rst time since 2017.
The visitors, once again captained for by Suzann Pettersen, sowed the seeds for its collective defeat as early as Friday afternoon, after they ended the rst round of foursomes and fourballs four points in arrears after losing both sessions 3-1 to trail 6-2.
In both formats Europe held sway for large parts of those rst day matches, but were unable to hole putts at key moments as the home side peppered the ag with an array of sparkling approach shots and unerringly found the cup from both short and long range.
The second day was a far less one-sided a air, and at times it looked like Europe would close the gap on their hotly-tipped rivals, but the home fans lifted the US team and a scoreline of 2-2 in the foursomes and 2-2 in the fourballs meant that the sizeable de cit still remained.
Trailing 10-6, and with 12 singles points still up for grabs, Europe’s leading women harboured hopes of mounting a comeback to match that achieved by their male counterparts at Medinah back in 2012. Needing eight points to seal a remarkable win – or retention – Pettersen’s team came out ghting on Sunday, with Charley Hull romping to a 6&4 win over world no.1 Nelly Korda, who was unbeaten in her preceding three
matches, in the opening tie, while Georgia Hall, third out, ran out a convincing 4&3 winner over Alison Lee.
However, the second, fourth and fth matches all went the way of Team USA, with Megan Khang crushing Emily Pedersen 6&5, Allisen Corpuz dispatching Anna Nordqvist 4&3, and Rose Zhang taking down Carlota Ciganda, the star player of Europe’s 2023 side, by a 6&4 margin.
Those three points put the home side within touching distance of victory, needing just 1.5 points from the remaining seven matches. But those ties were all on a knife edge, with many either allsquare or having just one hole separating the combatants.
The next ve matches all went the distance, with Celine Boutier making a brilliant birdie on the par-4 18th hole to get a vital point o Lexi Thompson, who was making her nal appearance in the Solheim Cup, while Leona Maguire, playing in only her second match of the week, secured another blue point when beating Ally Ewing 4&3 in the 11th match out.
Sweden’s Maja Stark, playing in the eighth match, was 3up after 10 holes in her tie against the previously unbeaten rookie Lauren Coughlin, but she was reeled in by her rival, and playing the last all-square had to hole a gutsy 15-foot putt just to earn a half-point. That took the US to 14 points, and just a half-point away from the win.
That half-point was delivered just moments later when Lillian Vu, who was two-down to Spanish rookie Albane Valenzuela after 16 holes, birdied the last two holes to share the spoils and start wild celebrations from her teammates and the thousands of home fans in attendance.
With the remaining two matches seeing Sweden’s Madeline Sagstrom seal a 1up win over Sarah Schmelzel and America’s Jennifer Kupcho beat Linn Grant 2&1, the score ended with a threepoint win to the home side, bringing a losing run that stretched back seven years and three matches to an end.
US captain Stacy Lewis said: ““It really could have gone either way. It was crazy there at the end in terms of how it all unfolded. I was just hoping and praying it went our way. It’s amazing how these things come down to half-point here and there. Fortunately, this time we were on the right side of it.”
She added: “I’m just so proud of the whole team. And Lilia’s nish there was unbelievable. That’s what you expect from one of the best players in the world.”
European captain Suzann Pettersen commented: “We gave them a good run for their money in the end. It’s kind of hard to believe that we actually had a chance after winning after giving them such a big head start. There were times we thought we could get it done, but it came down to a couple of matches. I’m happy for Stacy, but we’ll come back very hungry in 2026.
“Of course it’s painful to lose, but at the end of the day we’ve had a lot of small victories within our team this week. We’ve had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and created moments that I will cherish forever. It’s been a great ride. Solheim Cups –they’re the best.”
INSIDE THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR
EWEN FERGUSON
BMW International Open
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10°)
Fairway Woods: Titleist TSR2 (15°), TaylorMade Stealth 2 (21°)
Irons: Cobra King Tour (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10 (46°, 52°, 56°, 60°)
Pu er: Sco y Cameron Phantom 5.5
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
MATT WALLACE
Omega European Masters
Driver: Ping G430 LST 10.5°
3 Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour 16.5°
Hybrid: Titleist TSR2 (18°)
Irons: Callaway Apex X Forged CB (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 46°, 50°, 54°, Titleist Vokey Design Proto (60°)
Pu er: Sco y Cameron Phantom T-9
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Tour Championship
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8°)
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 3-wood (15°)
Utility: Srixon ZU85 (3, 4)
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (50°, 56°, 60°)
Pu er: TaylorMade Spider Tour X
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
LYDIA KO
AIG Women’s Open
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5°)
Fairways: Ping G430 Max 3(15°), 5 (18°)
Hybrid: Ping G430 (22°)
Irons: Ping i230 (5-7), Ping Blueprint S (8-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (46°, 49°, 54°, 59°)
Pu er: Sco y Cameron TourType SSS TG6
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
JON RAHM
LIV Golf UK
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD (10.5°)
Fairway Woods: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond T (16°, 18°)
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-10)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52°, 56°, 60°)
Pu er: Odyssey Ai-One Rossie S Ball: Callaway Chrome So X
FREDERIC LACROIX
Danish Golf Championship
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD Max (9°)
Fairway: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD (15°)
Utility: Callaway Apex UT (20°)
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB 21 (3-9)
Wedges: Callaway JAWS Raw (46°, 50° & 54°), Callaway Opus (58°)
Pu er: Odyssey Ai-ONE Jailbird Mini DB
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Niklas Nørgaard
Betfred British Masters
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10°)
Fairway Wood: Titleist GT3 (16.5°)
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19°)
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-5), Titleist 620 MB (6-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10 (46°, 52°, 56°, 60°)
Pu er: Odyssey Stroke Lab Tussle
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Billy Horschel
BMW PGA Championship
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9°)
Fairway Wood: Titleist TSi 2 (15°, 18°)
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19°)
Irons: Titleist T100 (3-5), Titleist 620 MB (6-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10 (46°, 52°, 56°, 60°)
Pu er: Ping Sigma 2 Tyne
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
PING has unveiled the next generation of its Prodi G junior clubs, custom-engineered with the same cutting-edge technology as their adult lines
Available for custom fitting now, the new clubs are designed to offer greater distance and higher ball flight, making it easier for juniors to play consistently well.
The new Prodi G set includes 10 clubs: a 15° titanium driver, a 22° fairway wood, a 28° hybrid, perimeterweighted irons (6-9, PW), two specialty wedges, and two putter options (Anser and Tyne H). Technologies like thinner faces for increased ball speed and lower centres of gravity in the irons for higher launch help enhance performance.
PING is tackling the issue of kids out-growing their clubs with its ‘Get Golf Growing’ initiative, which o ers a one-time, no-cost adjustment to sets of ve Prodi G clubs or more. Adjustments include re-shafting, re-weighting, and re-gripping, ensuring the clubs grow with the golfer.
In addition to the upgraded clubs, PING has launched WebFit Junior, a web app that simpli es the tting process. By answering a few quick questions – such as the junior golfer’s height, skill
Callaway has gone back to the drawing board in designing its new range of Opus and Opus Platinum wedges. Named after the Latin word for something that has been created through ‘hard work’, the company says its latest tour-ready wedge range features some very different technologies to the JAWS 4 models that they replace.
Chief among them is Spin Gen Face technology, which combines three key elements to help improve control. Firstly, a tighter pitch adds more grooves to the face; secondly, an o set groove-in-groove design creates more spin when opening the clubface; and thirdly, an aggressive face blast adds that extra bit of bite on partial shots. Together, this trio of features promote Tour-level spin, providing players with unmatched short-game control. They also feature a higher toe peak than the JAWS 4, with a more re ned leading edge and smoother hosel
level, and driving distance – the app recommends the ideal club speci cations and set makeup. The process takes less than two minutes and includes a gapping-analysis tool, allowing users to experiment with the club set for optimal performance. For more details, visit junior.web t.ping.com
transitions all contributing to a classic shape that better players will appreciate. The Opus Platinum Wedges take an all new approach to wedge design by featuring a Metal Injection Moulding construction which has allowed Callaway to use tungsten in the topline to raise the centre of gravity, helping to lower the ight and increase backspin even further.
Both models feature a wide variety of sole grinds to suit di erent swing types and course conditions, including the S, W, C and Tour-favourite T grind. Opus wedges are priced at £179
When it comes to milled putters, Scotty Cameron and Bob Bettinardi are the two names that instantly come to mind. Going forward, you’ll be remembering the Toulon surname if this new range of putters is anything to go by.
Equipment Editor Dan Owen gets on a serious roll with Toulon Golf’s Las Vegas First Run putter
while also enhancing stability on mishits with their lower torque designs. The di erence in feel is subtle, but noticeable.
A second round at Turnberry highlighted this with a couple of less than perfectly struck sixfooters still nding the cup, which I believe was down to less twisting because of the low torque shaft.
Costing between £600-£850, Toulon putters are a big investment. And it might be a little trite to say, but just remember that you always hit more putts in a round than you do drives, and very few people question the cost of a modern driver.
TaylorMade have built two new sets of clubs for better ball striker with the introduction of the latest P·Series additions: the P·770 and P·7CB irons.
These players’ irons are designed to o er exceptional feel, precision, and consistency, delivering the performance golfers have come to expect from the P·Series family.
Sean Toulon is a legend in the golf industry, having played important roles in product creation at both TaylorMade and Callaway, most recently as general manager of Odyssey. While Toulon Design was formerly part of Odyssey, Sean has set up Toulon Golf with two of his sons, Preston and Tony.
CNC milled from 303 stainless steel, with aluminium sole inserts and adjustable weighting, these putters feature the most gorgeous PVD chocolate nish that I’ve ever seen.
The quality is evident from the rst time you pick up the putter. The Las Vegas model I tested combines the best
elements of the Odyssey #7 design with that fully milled construction.
A high-end putter like this needed a classic golf course to make its debut, and Sunngdale Old was the perfect spot. And a narrowly missed eagle putt was a great start to the test. Transitioning from an insert putter to this milled face design, I was reminded of the distinct feel a milled putter can o er. The sensation of a pure strike is sublime, but it does highlight the di erence on less-than-perfect hits. It’s not the most forgiving mallet putter I’ve ever tried, but the feel is so good you’ll want to practise more to make the most of it. On 18 I found myself with another birdie putt from 20 feet, which rolled into the centre of the cup.
The optional Mitsubishi Diamana graphite shaft (£220 upgrade) is a noteworthy feature. While graphite shafts in putters are unconventional, they o er a softer feel and reduced vibrations,
To check out the complete range of Toulon putters, visit toulongolfeurope.
Inspired by tour player feedback, the P·770 and P·7CB irons showcase a sleek, compact pro le with thin top lines and small blades. The P·7CB o ers an even more compact design, perfect for those who demand control and precision. Meanwhile, the P·770 irons provide forgiveness and a modi ed leading edge for clean turf interaction and consistent shot shaping. The P·770 irons utilise a forged construction that provides pure feel at impact, combined with excellent sound and feedback. Meanwhile, the P·7CB irons, forged with 2,000 tons of pressure, deliver incredible feedback from 1025 soft carbon steel.
Precision milled faces and grooves in both sets ensure consistent launch and spin, while TaylorMade’s FLTD C in the P·770 irons optimise trajectory and distance control. The P·7CB irons provide a constant CG for predictable shot shaping, giving players con dence across every club.
The P·770 and P·7CB irons are priced at £179 per iron.
Under Armour has opened a golf shoe performance centre at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire.
Located at the exclusive venue’s golf academy studio, Under Armour has launched what it calls a ‘Footwear Optimisation Process’ that o ers all levels of golfer a bespoke tting experience aimed at maximising their performance through custom insoles.
Combining the BiomecaForce system with SIDAS Podiatech technology, this innovative service includes a comprehensive two-hour biomechanical analysis, conducted both before and after the fitting.
Participants receive a pair of Under Armour Drive Pro Series Spiked or Spikeless shoes and a custom set of insoles designed to meet their specific needs. The entire session is priced at £500, reflecting the high level of technology and personalisation involved.
Those interested in booking a tting session or nding out more, should call Chris Murtagh at Stoke Park at 01753 717184 or email cmurtagh@stokepark.co.uk
My ball ight with the Ai300s was higher than usual, helped by the weighting in the head of the club, and shots into greens ‘dropped and stopped’ which showed me just how much more spin Callaway have in their updated Apex model.
My shots were also longer than usual distance-wise, and dispersion was pretty tight and consistent when I hit a range of shots with each iron in the set.
The lower irons, the 9 and PW, felt e ortless when it came to getting the ball up in the air, making them ideal for players like me who often struggle to keep their approaches on the green, as these irons create high ball ight for softer landings.
Golf News Editor Nick Bayly puts the new Callaway Apex Ai300s irons through their paces
As a 13 handicapper with an 18 handicapper’s iron game, I like plenty of forgiveness built into my irons, and while Callaway’s new Ai300 irons are billed as a game improvement model, their dimensions and overall look at address are slightly more compact that you’d expect to find in a club that is built for this category of the market.
Having said that, it’s a broad spectrum and this Ai300 irons de nitely sit at the low end of that handicap category in that they will suit and appeal to decent ball strikers, and de nitely result in some performance gains, whether it be in ball speeds, consistent distance o the middle, as well as those that aren’t struck o the dead centre of the clubface.
Like many mid-handicappers I often feel as though I lose a bit of control when hitting longer irons, and consequently only go up to a 5-iron in my current set. Although there was no 3- or 4-iron supplied with my test set, I liked how the ball came o the club with the 5-iron, and the mid-to-high ball ight provided a nice combination of distance and dispersion control.
What also impressed me, throughout the bag, was the performance I was still able to generate with less than perfect strike. Having irons with enhanced turf interaction for mishits is also ideal for those who struggle for consistency with their swing.
Overall, I think these are a very wellconceived and executed set of gameimprovement irons. The performance gains are evident for mid-to-high handicappers and they also made me want to become a better ball striker, rather than doing all the work for you.
We’ve teamed up with award-winning distance measuring device company Bushnell Golf to give Golf News readers the chance to win one of its latest GPS models, the Phantom 3 Slope GPS
HOW MANY GOLF COURSES ARE PRELOADED ONTO THE PHANTOM 3 SLOPE GPS? A) 25,000 B) 35,000 C) 38,000
Boasting a large, easy-to-read touchscreen display, this featurepacked hand-held device provides quick access to distances to the front, centre and back of the green, as well as accurate yardages for up to six hazard and layup distances per hole, delivering the simplicity and convenience golfers seek in a GPS device.
The Phantom 3 is the rst hand-held unit to incorporate Bushnell Golf’s patented Slope Technology, meaning you can get the most accurate distances that account for inclines and declines on the golf course, giving you ‘plays like’ distances to help with club selection.
Pre-loaded with over 38,000 golf courses worldwide, the Greenview feature also allows you to move the pin location so you can get a more accurate distance to the ag.
The intuitive touchscreen display includes features such as golf course/hole recognition, auto score prompt and auto course
RRP: £1,199/£1,299 (st/gr, 4-PW). For details, visit eu.callawaygolf.com
updates, allowing you to stay focused on your game while having key information to hand.
The integrated BITE Magnetic Cart mount allows you to ‘stick’ your GPS to your golf buggy or any other metal object for easy access and hands-free use. It can also be clipped onto a golf bag with a carabiner.
Additional features include a shot distance calculator, round timer, step counter, score entry system, and an 18-hour battery life on a single charge. It can also be linked to Bushnell Golf’s Mobile App, enabling access to additional features and course updates and the ability to track your rounds and stats.
Available in four colours – Black, Green, Orange, Red/Blue – the Phantom 3 Slope has an RRP of £149.00.
To be in with a chance of winning the PHANTOM 3 SLOPE GPS, simply answer the question below and email it to info@golfnews. co.uk, with ‘Bushnell Competition’ in the subject line. Please include your name, email address, contact telephone number, and where you picked up your copy of Golf News, or if you read it online. The closing date for entries is November 15, 2024.
For more information on the extensive range of distance measuring devices available from Bushnell Golf, visit bushnellgolf.com
TAYLORMADE TP5 & TP5X STRIPE
£49.99 PER DOZEN, TAYLORMADEGOLF.CO.UK
Featuring a speed wrapped core and progressive speed construction for unmatched performance, the TP5 & TP5x STRIPE represent the softest five-layer Tour ball in the TaylorMade range. The soft urethane cover enhances greenside spin and responsive feel, while minimising driver spin, while the 360° ClearPath Alignment system makes lining up your shots easier than ever, both on the green and off the tee.
CALLAWAY APEX
AI200 IRONS
£1,199, EU.CALLAWAYGOLF.COM
Designed to delivery exceptional feel, power and consistency, the Ai200 irons feature a forged hollow body and a forged face for Tour-level sound and feel. The Ai Smart Face, driven by AI and real golfer data, ensures consistent ball speed, spin and dispersion. Enhanced with MIM weighting for optimal launch conditions and a dynamic sole design for improved turf interaction, these are among the most playable players distance irons currently on the market, combining a stunning modern look with a power and feel.
£299, TITLEIST.CO.UK
Crafted to deliver higher launch and greater distance, the GT2 fairway woods design includes a deeper, more forward centre of gravity and a forged face, improving performance across all impact zones. The lightweight crown, which is made from a proprietary matrix polymer, significantly reduces weight while maintaining a clean, classic look. A forged L-Cup face enhances ball speed and consistency, ensuring reliable performance from any lie. The 13.5° 3-wood features a 200cc head, almost giving it the appearance of a ‘mini’ mini-driver.
Equipment Editor Dan Owen casts his expert eye over new equipment launches
ADIDAS CODECHAOS 25
£140, ADIDAS.COM
Made with at least 20% recycled and renewable materials, these spikeless shoes merge performance with sustainability. The Lightstrike + BOOST midsole offers excellent cushioning and responsiveness, while the Twist Grip outsole provides reliable traction for powerful drives and precise putts. The waterproof upper will keep your feet dry on damp fairways.
£149, TAYLORMADEGOLF.CO.UK
Designed to enhance confidence and versatility around the greens, TaylorMade’s new HI-TOE 4 wedges offer lofts from 50° to 60° and three different grinds to suit any swing style or course condition. The raw face provides extra friction for better control, reduces glare, and helps align shots with a gold-infused groove. With full-face grooves and Spin Tread technology, these wedges maximise spin and performance in all conditions. The expanded toe pad and elevated CG enhance clubface surface area, offering precise, confident play.
£179, EU.OGIO.COM
Made from durable rip-stop nylon, this eye-catching cover ensures your clubs stay protected from any bumps and humps while in transit on your travels. Three reinforced adjustable straps with heavy-duty buckles keep everything secure, while two handles with integrated grips enable it to be carried it like a duffel bag. With oversized apparel pockets, a dual shoe compartment, and multiple accessory pockets, the super-roomy Alpha Travel Cover can swallow up everything you need for an extended overseas golf trip.
ECCO GOLF STREET 720
£160, ECCO.COM
This sneaker-style shoe blends big city aesthetics with performance, making it ideal for both a night out and a quick round of golf. Built on a lifestyle sneaker foundation, the STREET 720 features an E-DTS TWIST outsole for multi-directional traction, ensuring you can transition seamlessly from the course to the clubhouse and beyond. GORE-TEX Surround makes these shoes fully waterproof and incredibly breathable. The sporty ECCO leather, available in all-white and colourblock options, offers a sleek, versatile look for both men and women.
£319, GALVINGREEN.COM
Stay dry and stylish with the Galvin Green Ames jacket from the DRYVR range, available up to 5XL. This full-zip jacket, offered in six vibrant colours, combines highquality performance with excellent stretch and mobility. Featuring Pertex Shield Stretch technology, it boasts a smooth interior for easy layering. Design highlights include front pockets to keep hands dry, chest width tabs for added comfort, and adjustable cuffs and shaped sleeves for a perfect fit. Ideal for golfers seeking topnotch waterproof protection and freedom of movement.
£149.99, BUSHNELLGOLF.COM
Pre-loaded with over 38,000 courses worldwide, the Phantom 3 is the first hand-held unit to incorporate Bushnell’s patented Slope Technology, giving you ‘plays like’ distances to help with club selection when the target is above or below your feet. A large touchscreen display provides quick access to distances to the front, centre and back of the green, as well as yardages for up to six hazard and layup distances per hole. Additional features include a shot distance calculator, round timer, step counter, score entry system. Offering an 18-hour battery life on a single charge, it can also be linked to Bushnell’s Mobile App, enabling access to additional features and course updates and the ability to track your rounds and stats. Available in black, green, orange, red/blue, a magnetic back enables it to stick to any metallic surface while it can also be clipped on to a golf bag.
£65, PETERMILLAR.CO.UK
On those slightly chilly mornings, when you know the hoodie won’t have to stay on too long, this piece from Peter Millar is what you need. Crafted from soft, lightweight performance yarns, it provides four-way stretch, moisturewicking, odour-resistance, and easy-care benefits. Offering UPF 50+ sun protection, it’s perfect for outdoor workouts. The unique camo print adds a modern military spin, while the reflective heat seal ensures visibility during low-light activities.
£90, CALLAWAYAPPAREL.COM
Want a hoodie that will keep you warm, but also dry in a quick shower? This is the top for you. The blend of fabric offers comfort and stretch, while the thermal brushed inner fabric keeps you warm. The Aquapel finish ensures you stay dry in light rain, and ergonomic cuffs offer a snug fit. Featuring Swing Tech for maximum flexibility, this hoodie is designed for a full range of motion during your golf swing. The chest drawstring holder, dip-dye drawcord, and iconic Chev 3D logo add extra flair, making this a standout choice both on and off the course.
£160, PINGEUROPE.COM
This is a serious bit of winter kit, engineered for core warmth and wind protection, it features stitch-free quilted PrimaLoft ThermoPlume insulation at the front and back. This water-resistant, high-loft alternative to down delivers superior performance and easy care. The hooded design adds extra protection, while stretch binding on the hem, cuffs and hood ensures a snug fit. Two front pockets lined with brushed fabric provide added comfort, and the PING Eye rubber badge on the sleeve completes the look.
£110, PROQUIPGOLF.NET
Bamboo’s unique properties make this hoodie highly breathable, with hundreds of microscopic holes in the fibres promoting airflow and making it anti-bacterial and odour resistant. The stretch fabric ensures freedom of movement, and its moisture-wicking capability provides additional comfort on the course. Having tested one on and off the course, this is one of the comfiest, lightest hoodies I’ve ever worn, feeling incredibly soft. Probably not one for a really cold day on the links though.
£109, GALVINGREEN.COM
The Donnie is the ideal lightweight, breathable hoodie for cold days on the course. Featuring INSULA mid-layer fabric, it offers thermal insulation without the weight, keeping you warm and comfortable. With its soft, stretchy construction, it adjusts to your activity level and temperature while remaining highly breathable. The quick-dry fabric is also Bluesign-approved, ensuring environmentally friendly production, and is soft to the touch, making it great for layering under a jacket or wearing on its own.
Eight hooded tops to keep you looking cool yet feeling toasty for those chilly winter rounds
STUBURT ANCASH
£40, STUBURT.COM
Stuburt is a brand on the rise, with its apparel being worn by multiple teams on LIV Golf, as well as a win on the PGA Tour earlier this year. The Ancash Hoodie provides a modern twist on a classic mid-layer. Made from lightweight thermal fabric with a fleece back, it offers excellent thermal properties while remaining comfortable and breathable. The integrated collar and adjustable hood drawstrings enhance the fit, making it a versatile option for layering this winter.
TRAVISMATHEW CLOUD 2.0
£125 , TRAVISMATHEW.CO.UK
The clue is in the name, but this hoodie is cloud soft to the touch. With its ultra-soft fabric and enhanced stretch this mid-layer offers supreme comfort. The quick-dry, wrinkleresistant material helps regulate temperature, making it ideal for wearing on and off the golf course. With an adjustable hood and the TravisMathew wordmark across the chest, it’s the perfect blend of lifestyle fashion and golfing functionality.
£90, ORIGINALPENGUIN.CO.UK
Prepare for cool days with the Earl Colour Block Hoodie. Featuring a modern colour-blocked design, it has a kangaroo pocket at the front for convenient storage. The fabric offers stretch for a comfortable fit, while the drawstring hood provides added protection when the wind picks up. Finished off with the iconic Pete the Penguin logo on the chest.
Nick Bayly takes a look at selection of UK golf break destinations, where a comfortable bed and a good meal only a pitching wedge away from the first tee are guaranteed
Set in 200 acres of prime Hertfordshire countryside, yet only 25 miles from central London, Hanbury has been servicing the needs of the south east’s gol ng community for 25 years, with its impressive ivy-clad hotel and Jack Nicklaus II designed championship course providing the backdrop to many a golf break since it rst opened in 1990.
The 6,678-yard course, which hosted the English Open during the late 1990s and more recently the senior stars of the Legends Tour, plays even better now than it has ever done, with the passage of time lending an air of maturity to a layout that o ers, quite literally, a game of two halves thanks to its di ering design in uences.
After your game, relax in the comfort of the Jacobean hotel that is home to 161 bedrooms, a choice of restaurants, and a health club and spa, whose facilities include a pool, sauna and steam room.
For the latest golf break o ers, visit marriott.com
Situated just north of Bristol, minutes from the M4 and M5, Thornbury Golf & Lodge is a great place for a West Country golf break thanks to its superb 27 holes and charming on-site accommodation.
Golfers can test their all-round game on the 18-hole Marlwood Course, a entertaining 6,300-yard layout played across rolling hills with stunning views. Featuring undulating greens, strategically placed bunkers and a variety of water hazards, this course demands precise shot-making and o ers a superb test for golfers of all levels.
Golfers can also challenge their short game skills on Thornbury’s par3 Severn View Course, which, as the name gives away, o ers stunning views over Britain’s longest river.
With 18 picturesque holes ranging from 80 to 207 yards, this superb short course provides a fun and accessible test of all golfers.
After your game, guests can retire to the Lodge, a stunning 15th century former hunting lodge that has been converted into luxury accommodation, with 11 individually designed bedrooms. Boasting many original features, including sash windows, oak beams, and open replaces, Lodge rooms also o ers modern conveniences, including Hypnos beds, ensuite bathrooms and free Wi , while an on-site restaurant is open throughout the day, enabling you to wine and dine in style when you’re not on the golf course or out exploring the local area.
For the latest golf break o ers, visit thornburygc.co.uk
The Dorset Golf Resort in Bere Regis has long held a reputation for being a quality golf break destination, thanks to its 27 holes of championship golf spread across its acclaimed Lakeland, Parkland and Woodland Courses, combined with its wide range of ve-star accommodation.
The choice of quality accommodation, which includes 14 ve-star eco lodge homes, two luxury cottages, and a 16-bedroom hotel, has been attracting stay-and-play golfers for many
years, while the condition of the golf courses, and superb catering and hospitality, is clearly a winning combination for visitors.
The Woodland Course, which is cut through a forest of rhododendrons, boasts banks of pink, red and purple owers through the summer, sparking thoughts of Augusta. The Lakeland and Parkland nine are also blessed with ourishes of rhododendron and cherry blossom, and the views across the huge lakes are spectacular. With a promise of no winter tees or temporary greens,
and excellent drainage, the courses are always presented in great condition all year round. Ideally located to explore Poole and Bournemouth, as well as the wilder parts of the Jurassic Coast, there is plenty to do within just a few miles of the resort, while Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World are just on the doorstep.
A one-night stay in the hotel, with two rounds of golf, dinner and breakfast, starts from £99pp. For more details, call 01929 472244 or visit dorsetgolfresort.com
Foxhills has been part of the gol ng furniture of southwest London since opening as a golf club in 1975. The car park at this family-owned 400-acre resort always seems to be full, thanks to its two championship golf courses, busy spa and leisure complex, 70-room hotel, and three restaurants.
The two superb layouts, the Longcross and the Bernard Hunt (named after the former Ryder Cup player) are as popular with corporate golf days today as they ever were, while there is a lovely little par three course to sharpen up your shot game.
Other facilities include three restaurants, 11 tennis courts, four pools and a £5m spa complex. For golf break packages, visit foxhills.co.uk
Golfers looking for a great value break close to the capital should take a look at Coulsdon Manor, the Croydonbased venue which boasts an 18-hole golf course and a 42bedroom hotel.
Designed by Harry Colt back in the late 1930s, Coulsdon Manor’s mature parkland golf course enjoys a hill-top location with views towards London, although it is largely at, which makes for easy walking.
Measuring 6,073-yards o the back tees, and 5,768 o the yellows, it’s a relatively short course by modern standards, but its par of 70 ensure its no pushover. Having said that, it is an ideal course for the new golfer and the high handicapper. There are plenty of fairway bunkers, which will catch anything hit o ine on what are generous fairways, while the well-maintained greens
are large enough to o er some challenging pin positions. Four of the par fours are only just over 300 yards, providing a chance for the biggest hitters to get on, or certainly very close, to the putting surface o the tee. There are just three par ves, coming in at 5, 9 and 17, with the middle of the trio o ering the best chance of a birdie at 473 yards. The ve short holes all present di erent tests, with the toughest being the 213-yard 16th.
The hotel, which boasts 42 bedrooms, also serves as the clubhouse, with pro shop, changing rooms, and a bar and restaurant serving golfers and hotel guests alike. There’s a full a la carte menu for lunch and dinner in the Orangery Restaurant, while a large outside terrace area overlooks the 18th green and is ideal for enjoying post-round drinks.
For larger groups and private events, there are four function rooms, including the large Blenheim and Manor House Suites, both with their own terrace and private bar facilities, each accommodating up to 100 guests.
Prices for a 1-night midweek break with two rounds are available from £134pp, £147 for FridaySaturday nights, and £119 for Sunday night stays. For bookings, visit bespokehotels.com
Occupying a stunning three-mile stretch of North Sea coastline between Murcar Links and Cruden Bay, Trump International Golf Links became an instant classic when it opened in 2012. The course takes its lead from the mountainous sand hills that were there at the outset. Most of the holes follow the oor of a valley, with the fairways rippling gently under your feet like illtting carpets.
It’s a classic ‘out-and-back’ links design, with only the 13th veering from west to east within the site’s narrow strip of land. Those looking for weak holes soon accept that they’re just not there. From the show-stopping par-3 third, which o ers one of the rare views of the sea, to the majestic par-5 fourth, and the equally inviting short sixth, it challenges at every turn on the front nine, with heather, rough and pot bunkers to catch every errant shot.
The back nine is no less demanding, with the stretch from the 13th to the 15th a particular highlight. As you stand on one of six tees on the last hole, a brutal 651-yard par ve, your focus will be on the 18 bunkers – nearly a quarter of the course’s total of 85 – laid out before you.
After your round it would make perfect sense to retire to Trump MacLeod House & Lodge, a ve-star venue located just a short drive from the course in Balmedie. O ering sumptuous accommodation and dining, the house, which dates back to the 15th century, o ers 19 opulently appointed rooms and suites, split between the lodge and the mansion house, while there is a whisky bar which is home to over 200 rare malts.
For stay & play golf break rates, visit trumpgolfscotland.com
Favoured by England football teams and Premiership clubs with xtures in London, The Grove is styled as London’s country estate, despite being located on the outskirts of Watford. But don’t let that out you o - the sweeping driveway o ers glimpses of carpeted fairways and testing pin placements, while the hotel stands majestically on top of the hill waiting to welcome you in.
Visitors are faced with designer décor and a myriad of signposts directing to a myriad
of diversions, from the pool, the spa, three restaurants, two bars, 220 bedrooms, and, of course, to the clubhouse, driving range, and the championship golf course.
Designed by Kyle Phillips, the 7,193-yard course, which hosted Tiger and his pals for a WGC event in 2006, de es its youth and blends seamlessly into the contours of the 300-acre estate. Oozing quality, tees are presented like snooker tables, fairways like rumpled carpets, while the large and undulating greens can play like glass in the summer.
After a round, golfers can relax in The Stables bar and restaurant, while two further restaurants –The Glasshouse and Collette’s – ensure guests will never be left hungry, while the fabulous Sequoia Spa is an equal attraction.
For the latest golf break o ers, visit thegrove.co.uk
After buying the estate in 1999, Elite Hotels has spent over £60 million in transforming Luton Hoo from a private home into a ve-star resort which opened in 2008. Modeled on The Ritz, the Grade I-listed mansion features spectacular interiors, with triple-height ceilings, huge tapestries, and ornate staircases.
Owing to its listed status, the 7,100-yard golf course was constructed under quite heavy planning constraints, with little in the way of earth moving and nothing in the way of bunkers allowed on the Capability Brown parkland. Playing a course without bunkers is refreshing, but there are still plenty of hazards to block your route to the greens.
After a round, guests can enjoy a rub down in the spa or swim in the 18-metre indoor pool, although a short amble round the formal gardens will su ce before tucking into the ne dining o ered by head chef Kevin Clarke in the formal Wernher Restaurant, while a more relaxed meal can be had in Adam’s Brasserie.
The 39 bedrooms within the main house o er vast suites featuring four-poster beds and views over the estate, while there are 144 other spacious rooms available in a variety of separate annexes.
One night’s dinner, B&B and two rounds of golf costs from £172pp. To book online visit lutonhoo.co.uk
After landing at Milan Malpensa Airport, the adventure begins with a scenic three-hour drive to St. Moritz. As you leave the bustling city behind, the landscape changes dramatically as you pass through charming villages and picturesque vistas along Lake Como. The journey ascends into the Alps, with cascading waterfalls, dense forests, and striking mountain views that make the time y by.
Upon arrival in St. Moritz, I checked-in at the iconic Kulm Hotel, an establishment with over 160 years of history. The hotel exudes a timeless elegance while o ering all the modern luxuries one could expect from a ve-star property. Whether you’re relaxing in your room or taking in the breath-taking views of the Alps and Lake St. Moritz, the Kulm Hotel sets the tone for an indulgent stay.
After a leisurely afternoon exploring the hotel’s extensive spa facilities, I took a stroll through the charming town centre, then a tour of the hotel with Karolina Mazur, the Engadin Experience Curator. This insider’s look into the hotel’s rich history and amenities gave me a true sense of the Kulm’s legacy and attention to detail.
The evening kicks o with a welcome dinner at the Pizzeria restaurant in the Kulm Hotel. Here, you’ll savour traditional Italian dishes crafted with the nest local ingredients. Think wood- red pizzas, homemade pastas, and fresh salads, all served in a cosy yet sophisticated ambiance. It’s the perfect introduction to the culinary delights of St. Moritz. As throughout my stay at the hotel the sta are some of the best I’ve experienced.
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Matt Nicholson visits St Moritz, nestled in the stunning Swiss Alps, which is renowned for its world-class winter sports. However, as the snow melts and owers bloom, the town transforms into a summer paradise, o ering a something very di erent. Originally a summer retreat for the British in the 1860s, St. Moritz has evolved into a premier destination for golfers, where you can tee o surrounded by Alpine peaks, enjoy exquisite cuisine, and experience ve-star luxury at the iconic Kulm Hotel
A DAY OF GOLF AND ALPINE EXPLORATION
After a very comfortable night in my room I headed down to breakfast at the Grand Restaurant, where you can enjoy a leisurely start to the day surrounded by elegant interiors and panoramic views of the Alps. The restaurant’s breakfast bu et o ers a sumptuous selection of local cheeses, freshly baked pastries, seasonal fruits, and so much more.
Mid-morning, our group headed to the 125-yearold, Kulm Golf Club which is only a two minute
walk from the hotel. After a co ee at the Club House, we followed with a warm-up session on the driving range before tackling The Kulm Golf Club. Nestled within the Alpine landscape, it features a nine-hole course that o ers a unique and challenging experience. The undulating greens and strategically placed hazards are set against a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountains, where holes are routed around the famous bobsleigh Cresta Run creating a serene yet exciting atmosphere for golfers. It’s a true test of golf and pars aren’t easy to come by, despite the course measuring less than a 1000 yards in total.
After completing your round of golf, you must enjoy lunch on the terrace of the Chesa al Parc restaurant, located within the Club House. The restaurant o ers traditional Swiss cuisine, with highlights including Rösti (crispy potato cakes), fresh salads, and locally sourced meats. The terrace provides the perfect setting for soaking in the warm summer sunshine and admiring the surrounding views whilst checking your scorecard. In the afternoon, I just had to explore the area further with one of the hotel’s electric bicycles. A scenic ride along the lake’s edge, passing through fragrant pine forests and lush meadows. Make a stop at Lake da Staz, is a must a tranquil spot ideal for a relaxing drink as you take in the alpine serenity. Alpine life just hits a di erent spot.
After a day of physical activity, it was time to
unwind with a much-needed sports massage at the hotel’s luxurious spa. Designed to relieve muscle tension and promote tissue repair, this treatment incorporates cupping and warm towels, leaving you feeling revitalized and ready for another day of adventure.
The evening brings a dining experience to remember in the hotel at Amaru, a restaurant helmed by Lima-born chef Claudia Canessa. The menu draws on traditional Peruvian street food, fused with modern culinary techniques and local seasonal ingredients. With dishes like ceviche, anticuchos, and pisco-infused cocktails which were some of the best I’ve ever tasted, the meal is a sensory journey through avours that perfectly complement the sophisticated, artfully designed interiors by British artist Luke Edward Hall..
Thursday’s itinerary is a golfer’s dream, starting with once again a breakfast at the Grand Restaurant before a short 10 minute transfer to the Engadin Golf Club.. The club boasts two 18-hole courses, but today’s challenge is the Samedan Course, Switzerland’s oldest golf course and one of its most prestigious. Set within a valley at an altitude of 1,700 meters, the Samedan Course is a visually stunning layout that combines history, tradition, and challenging play. It’s called the Home of Swiss Golf for a reason.
Until the mid-19th century, St Moritz was a quiet agricultural village with few hotels, known primarily for its mild summers. Travellers ventured to the mountains only during the warmer months, believing the winters to be too cold and treacherous. As a result, the local hotels would close from September until June.
However, everything changed in 1864 when Johannes Badrutt, the owner of the Kulm Hotel, made a pivotal bet with a group of English summer guests. As autumn approached and his visitors were preparing to leave, Badrutt con dently told them that St Moritz’s winters were far more enjoyable than they could imagine – arguably even more pleasant than the foggy, damp winters of London. He invited them to stay for the entire winter, promising to cover their expenses and even pay their travel costs home if they didn’t agree. Intrigued, four guests accepted the challenge and stayed the winter. To their surprise, they found themselves charmed by the sunny, crisp conditions and stunning snowy landscapes. Their enthusiasm not only kept them returning winter after winter, but it also inspired others to visit. Thus,
O the tee you are greeted with wide fairways, but water hazards, and well-placed bunkers, make approach play imperative while surrounded by the towering peaks of the Engadin Valley, gives you a sense of undulation despite being quite at. The crisp mountain air and panoramic scenery enhance the experience, making each hole a new adventure. I absolutely loved it.
After a full morning of play, we headed back to the Chesa al Parc restaurant for lunch.
For the afternoon, we couldn’t resist another visit to the Kulm Golf Club for a fun and relaxed round on the nine-hole course, with a twist – a two-club challenge. It was a light-hearted way to cap o a serious day of golf and allowed for some friendly banter among my fellow players.
Dinner that evening takes place at the Kulm Country Club, where I l enjoyed a special meal prepared by renowned chef Mauro Colagreco. The
lake and mountains create a tting backdrop for your last meal in this beautiful alpine town, and the menu o ers a range of local specialties, ensuring we left St. Moritz on a high note.
After lunch, it was time check out from the hotel and prepare for the scenic drive back to Milan Malpensa Airport, where the journey began. The return trip o ers one more opportunity to soak in the mesmerizing landscapes of the Swiss Alps, as you re ect on a truly unforgettable golf break.
ST MORITZ HAS EVOLVED INTO ONE OF THE WORLD’S PREMIER WINTER RESORTS, WITH A REPUTATION THAT HAS ONLY GROWN OVER TIME
highlight of the evening is not just the food but the surrounding Lord Norman Foster architecture.
We then headed to the legendary Dracula Club to watch a live performance by Dana Masters which was part of the St Moritz Festival da Jazz which has been running every summer since 2005. The festival runs for the most of July every year and The Dracula Club is the heart of the Festival. With just 150 seats it o ers an ideal club atmosphere that provides an intimate and atmospheric venue, adding to the magic of the night. It’s a must visit whilst in St Moritz at that time of year.
The nal morning in St. Moritz begins with another relaxing breakfast. As it’s the last day, there’s no better way to make the most of it than by taking the electric bikes out for one more ride. Explore new treks around the town centre, stopping along the way to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and the fresh mountain air.
It was then time for a farewell lunch on the Kulm Summer Terrace. The views over the
St Moritz evolved into one of the world’s rst premier winter resorts, a reputation that would only grow over time.
Long before St Moritz gained fame as a winter sports haven, it was revered as a vital health retreat. Archaeological evidence, now displayed at the local Engadine Museum, reveals that as far back as the Bronze Age – more than 3,000 years ago – people travelled to St Moritz to drink from and bathe in its mineral-rich springs. Located across the lake from the village, these springs are among Europe’s richest in carbonic acid. When absorbed through the skin during bathing, the carbonic acid stimulates circulation and revitalizes the body.
The appeal of these therapeutic waters led to a surge in visitors once the rst guesthouse was built beside the spring in 1832. By 1859, St Moritz could accommodate 450 guests, solidifying its status as a prominent health destination. Yet, following World War I, the town’s focus began to shift as skiing and other winter sports became the primary draw, relegating its health spas to a secondary role.
St Moritz’s fame as a winter sports destination was cemented when it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948, along with numerous world championships. Many iconic winter sports found their footing here, including the
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While St. Moritz may be best known for its winter sports, its summer allure is undeniable, especially for golf enthusiasts. The Kulm Hotel o ers an unparalleled luxury experience, blending world- class golf with exquisite dining, top-tier spa services, and the serene beauty of the Swiss Alps. Whether you’re teeing o at the Kulm Golf Club or taking on the historic Engadin Golf Club, you’ll nd that golf in St. Moritz is more than just a sport—it’s an experience.
For those looking to escape the heat and indulge in a summer getaway that combines adventure, relaxation, and luxury, St. Moritz and the Kulm Hotel should undoubtedly be on your bucket list.
For futher details visit www.kulm.com
From a modest village to a world-renowned destination, St Moritz’s transformation owes much to its rich history, natural beauty, and, of course, one historic bet that changed everything.
Golfers in search of an authentic Spanish experience should make a beeline for the Andalucian region of Almeria, where a rich cultural heritage and an exceptional culinary scene combine with a collection of great hotels and golf courses to create a truly unforgettable holiday
While many travelling golfers are happy to settle by the swimming pool or the bar, or both, between rounds of holiday golf, there are plenty of sun-seeking golfers with a slightly more worldly outlook who are prepared to momentarily drag themselves away from the lounger to check out their local environment and to discover that while golf courses are there to be played, there are also untold sights, sounds and smells to discover that can’t be experienced from inside a golf buggy.
If that latter part of that paragraph applies to you, even on those occasional rest days between rounds, then I promise you’re going to like Almeria – a lot.
Nestled in Spain’s southeastern corner, exactly half-way between Malaga to the west and Cartagena to the east, Almería is becoming an increasingly popular destination for those wanting to get away from the big cities and experience Spain’s slower pace, while still enjoying the ner things in life.
Boasting a dramatic and diverse landscape that switches between charming coastal towns and sweeping beaches to sleepy hill-top villages with far-reaching views, the region’s commercial and cultural hub is Almeria, a bustling port that can trace its history back to the 9th century when it rose to prominence as a trading post handling silk, oil and raisins, among many in-demand goods, mainly shipped in from North Africa.
Its Moorish in uences are much in evidence today, most noticeably in the impressive Alcazaba, a wellpreserved fortress that looks out of a city whose charming streets and squares are home to vibrant cafés, bar and restaurants, where locals rub shoulders with a small but growing number of tourists who are attracted to the area.
Just along the coast from Almería is Cabo de Gata, a national park known for its stunning beaches and rugged coastline. Crystal clear waters make it ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling, while birdwatchers will also be in their element in the region’s largest nature reserve. Perfect for those looking to relax and unwind, with the shoreline dotted with luxury beach hotels that further enhance the experience, Cabo de Gata is not to be missed.
the ideal layout for easing yourself into a golf trip to the region. Designed by Ramón Espinosa, this superbly-maintained, publicly-owned course features 18 holes that blend seamlessly with their Mediterranean surroundings. Generous fairways and accessible greens make it a suitable challenge for higher handicappers, while its length of the back tees ensures it can also test the best. With a ordable green fees and a welcoming clubhouse serving a tasty array of local dishes, Alboran is a joy from start to nish.
And you won’t have to travel far to nd other great course to play. Playa Serena, located just a short drive from the city, provides a pleasant coastal experience with views over the Alboran Sea, while Almerimar and La Envía are additional options, although slightly more rough and ready, they nevertheless enjoy ne views and great scenery.
To the north of Almería, where the landscape turns more arid, golfers can discover a range of desert-style courses, including the Indiana Course at Desert Springs, which, as the name suggests, was inspired by the desert courses of Arizona, where bright green fairways contrast vibrantly with the surrounding arid landscape of cactus, rock and owering desert. Designed by Peter McEvoy, the lush, rather narrow fairways of this 18-hole course are set amongst dried riverbeds, hardpan and manmade lakes, so the contrast between manicured playing areas and the surrounding wasteland could hardly be any starker. Accuracy is everything as the penalty for
Almería’s golf scene re ects the region’s varied landscape, o ering a range of courses from coastal layouts to desert fairways and plenty in between.
Alborán Golf, situated conveniently close to Almeria, and not far from the beach hotels in Cabo de Gata, o ers
straying o the grass into the cacti and rocky scrub is inevitably severe.
For a similar, yet su ciently di erent desert-style challenge, head over to nearby Valle del Este, where the rise and falls in the landscape have been used to great e ect by architect José Canales, with most tee boxes played from an elevated position where the landing area for the tee shot is wide and in full view. There are uphill fairways and the occasional semi-blind approaches, but in the main, the challenge is laid bare. The course is an integral part of a large hotel and residential complex and its fairways are routed in a gure of eight between and around these buildings with water hazards incorporated into half a dozen of the holes.
And any golf trip to this part of Spain should not miss out on a round at Aguilón Golf. Located less than a 15-minute drive inland from San Juan de Los Terreros, the most easterly coastal village in Andalusia, the 6,350-yard course is set on a narrow strip of land wedged in between a dramatic mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea. Highlights include the rst of the par threes, the 190-yard 3rd, which feature a pond to the front and right and ve bunkers to the left and rear of the green, and the 520-yard, par-5 9th, where the fairway crosses a dried-up creek twice before heading between two lakes to a long, narrow green.
On the shorter back nine, you’re treated to a thrilling tee shot across a deep barranca at the par-3 12th; a couple of water-threatened approaches to the par-four 13th and par-three 14th; then more shots across another barranca between the short par-four 13th and the par-three 17th. The round culminates in the 508-yard 18th which veers past water on the right then another couple of lakes on either side of the fairway before arriving at the nal green.
Whether exploring the historic city, enjoying local cuisine, or immersing yourself in the stunning landscapes, Almería promises an enriching and enjoyable visit.
Palmares Ocean Living & Golf has long been one of Portugal’s most popular golf resorts, with its 27 holes of championship golf and its ve-star accommodation proving a hugely attractive proposition for discerning golfer travellers.
Integrated into the natural amphitheatre of Bay of Lagos, Palmares continues to set the standard as one of Portugal’s premier gol ng destinations, with three distinct
nine-hole loops – Alvor, Lagos, and Praia – which all enjoy ocean views, o ering a unique and challenging experience for golfers of all levels.
While its on-course o ering is hard to beat, the venue’s o -course facilities have served to elevate the visitor experience still further, with its landmark clubhouse having recently been shortlisted for the accolade of ‘Europe’s Best Clubhouse’ at
Opened in 2020, the clubhouse, as well as being a centre for all golf services, is also home to two restaurants that serve both golfers and residents, including the
Michelin-star AL SUD, which acquired its Michelin star just ve months after opening and has retained it every year since, o ers inspired Mediterranean cuisine with strong local in uence under the culinary expertise of the resort’s renowned head chef, Louis Anjos (pictured above).
Conjuring up contemporary ne dining with a creative touch, Anjos sources ingredients from the Algarve and its coastline to create an array of delectable dishes, including a well-balanced taster menu that gives special attention to seafood sourced daily from the auction in Sagres.
Nuno Sepúlveda, co-CEO of DETAILS, which manages the resort, said: “We’re thrilled to have Palmares shortlisted for this top award. With magni cent architecture, outstanding F&B, rst-class service and a beautiful setting, there are few places better in Europe to relax after a round of golf. To be nominated for Europe’s Best Clubhouse is testament to the hard work of all the team who help make the clubhouse such a welcoming and enjoyable place to be.” For golf break packages, visit palmaresliving.com
A golfer’s paradise, the Algarve offers everything you would want from a holiday, including superb courses to the East such as Monte Rei, Gramacho to the West and the famous and beautiful Quinta do Lago courses right in the centre of this region.
You are also spoiled when it comes to accommodation, packages at hotels such as Ria Park Hotel & Spa, Pestana Hotels & Golf Resorts, Boavista Golf & Spa Resort offer a wonderful experience at good value or choose The Magnolia Hotel in the heart of the action if nightlife is key.
With great weather almost year-round, easy access from the UK and packages to suit all levels of golfing requirements, the Algarve is the perfect destination for an unforgettable golf escaper.
Ombria Algarve opens for play & stay
The choice of places to stay and play in Portugal’s Algarve region is set to expand next month with the opening of the new Viceroy at Ombria Algarve.
Located north Loulé, 30 minutes from Faro airport, the 13-acre resort, which has a villagestyle design, will o er 141 guest rooms, including suites and residences, six restaurants, two bars, four swimming pools, a kids’ club, and an 18-hole, par-71 course, while a spa is set to open in early 2025. Viceroy at Ombria Algarve will be open year-round with rates starting from £450 for a Deluxe King Room on a B&B basis. For more details, visit viceroyhotels.com
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When did you rst pick up a golf club?
I must have been about eight or nine when I rst had a swing. I had a club – must have been my dad’s I guess – and I took it up to the playing elds at my school with half-a-dozen balls and just hit them back and forth.
I joined my rst golf club, Catterick, when I was about 12. It’s right by Catterick Garrison army camp in North Yorkshire. I used to get dropped o at the club in the summer holidays and me and three other mates would spend six weeks playing golf every day. It’s a great way to spend four or ve hours with your friends when you have all that time on your hands, as we did as kids back then.
I’m a member at Wetherby Golf Club now, so I haven’t strayed too far!
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
As a young kid growing up in Yorkshire, we usually went to a caravan site in Scarborough for our summer holidays. I think I was about 10 before I rst ew abroad for a family holiday when we went to Tenerife.
What’s your favourite golf resort?
I haven’t been to a golf resort for a holiday as such, but when I was playing for England abroad we’d often be staying at a hotel which had a golf course, or one nearby, so we’d always try and get a game in after a morning’s training. England used to stay at The Grove in Watford before home games at Wembley, so I’ve stayed and played there a lot, although I can’t say that I played very well – it’s a tough track!
Who would be in your ideal holiday four-ball?
If I could choose a professional golfer, it would have to be Rory McIlroy. I’ve followed his career since he started out and I just love the way he goes about the game. Phenomenal swing and a phenomenal talent. He’s sure to win some more majors, but it feels like it’s more of a mental hurdle for him now, rather than anything related to his physical game.
The former Tottenham and England defender and now Sky Sports football pundit reveals his favourite places to play and stay
When I was at Spurs, a group of us would often go out to play – Gareth Bale, Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Carlo Cudicini and Paul Gascoigne, so any combination of those guys would be a fun group, although Gareth’s a bit good now, so he’d have to give us plenty of shots!
What’s your favourite holiday hotel?
I’m a big fan of Dubai, and I love the One&Only Royal Mirage. When it was just my wife and I we’d stay at the Residence, which is one of three hotels there, but now we’ve got two kids – a nine-yearold daughter and a four-year-old son – we tend to stay at the Palace, which is more kid-friendly and there’s more for them to do.
What’s your favourite city in the world?
I’m going to have to say Dubai. I’ve been going there for 15 years, and I know it’s not for everyone, but I’m a sun seeker, and you can pretty much always guarantee that it’s going to be sunny in Dubai, which is my top priority when I’m on holiday. I probably had too many rainy holidays in Yorkshire as a child!
What’s your favourite type of a meal on holiday?
I’m a big fan of Japanese food now, although it took me a long time to be converted, so I’ll always seek out a decent Japanese restaurant when I’m in London or when we’re on holiday. Sadly, my kids aren’t really into it, so it’s more likely to be the hotel bu et now!
What’s your top travel tip?
Always be on time, and by that I mean always be ahead of schedule. I don’t like being in a rush at airports, so I always plan to get there early. It also applies to all facets of life – I don’t like to keep people waiting.
Other than that, it’s just a pair of shorts, ip ops, sunglasses and a passport, and you’re good to go!
