golfnews august issue

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BEFORE WE FIT IT TO YOUR SWING, WE ENGINEER IT FOR YOUR GAME Long before we custom build your irons, we’re focused on your game. It’s called custom engineering.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

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After the Lord Mayor’s show I don’t really care much for the US PGA Championship. The final major of the year is like the last drink at the end of an all-day session. You haven’t really got the stomach for it, but you join in just to keep the party spirit going to the bitter end. After the majesty of the Masters, and the glory of The Open, both of which sandwich the brutal test that is the US Open, the US PGA has always been the poor relation of the major quartet.

Fans of the tournament will point out that it has the strongest field of the four, but that doesn’t count for beans when it comes to the sheer glitz and glamour of the other three.

The PGA is in black and white, the others are in full, glorious technicolour. And if any further ammunition is needed to back up my brazen assertion, try asking any one-time winners of the other three majors if they’d swap it for two US PGA titles. I bet they’d be no takers.

No matter how tough the courses, or

impressive the roll call of previous champions – ignoring Rich Beam, Mark Brooks and Shaun Micheel – the PGA is a victory that only second-tier players will take to their graves as their finest hour.

Maybe if it was rescheduled as the first major of the year, rather than the last, it might rise in our estimation, but I think even the mighty Max Clifford would find it hard to get the public’s interest up for this particular story.

Failing all else, why not take the tournament back to its roots, and return it to being a match play event, as it was up until 1958. There’s too much stroke play golf as it is these days, and to have a major match play champion would at least add a bit of novelty to the occasion, something sadly lacking in all other aspects of this tiresome event.

So congratulations Keegan Bradley, savour the moment for as long as you can, as I, for one, certainly won’t.

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BEFORE WE FIT IT TO YOUR SWING, WE ENGINEER IT FOR YOUR GAME Long before we custom build your irons, we’re focused on your game. It’s called custom engineering.

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Open Champion Darren Clarke was spotted in Lillywhites in London’s Regent Street last month, but he was not there to buy some trainers or a few football shirts for his kids, instead he was there to pick up a cheque for a cool £2 million, which was part of his sponsorship agreement with Dunlop Golf.

The iconic brand, which is now owned by Sports

Direct, owners of Lillywhites, paid out the handsome sum following Clarke’s stunning victory at Royal St George’s.

The sponsorship deal, which began in 2005, saw Clarke receive no payment from Dunlop unless he won a major, which would then trigger a £2 million payout, dwarfing the £900,000 he received for actually winning the championship.

Sunny Singh, Head of

Dodgy swing saves golfer’s life A novice golfer’s rotten swing has saved his life, after a scan on his bad back revealed he had cancer.

Hertfordshire golfer Dean Peck took a bucket of 50 balls to his local driving range in Cheshunt – but was left writhing in Dean Peck agony after starting to practice. The father-of-one’s doctor referred him to a sports injury back specialist who, in turn, sent him for tests – which revealed a potentially fatal cancerous tumour on his spine.

Peck, 41, said: “I was a beginner and wasn’t very good, so I went to the driving range to hit a few balls. But I got halfway through the bucket and I felt my back go. I was in indescribable pain. I thought I’d done some muscle damage, so had an MRI scan and two weeks later they said I had cancer. I really don’t know if I’d still be here if I didn’t pick up my golf clubs and go to the range that morning. The tumour could have still been inside me and when it was found, it could have been too late.”

Peck was given his first set of clubs by his son Sam in 2009, shortly before his 40th birthday. And it was just a few months later that, frustrated with his progress, he went for some extra practice. After being diagnosed with cancer, he had to have four gruelling months of chemotherapy before being given the all-clear in April last year.

To celebrate his health – and 25 years with his wife Gillian, 42 – he planned a trip to New York in January. Horrifyingly, just days before they were due to leave, the cancer returned and Dean had to endure 200 more hours of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from his sister.

Now, finally fit again after almost two years, Peck decided on a round of golf – only to discover thieves had stolen his treasured clubs from his garden shed.

Sports Marketing for Dunlop commented: “Our longstanding sponsorship deal with Darren is one we are very proud of and we are delighted that Darren, one of the world’s most popular golfers, has won his first major title. Our congratulations go out to Darren and his entire team.”

Asked how he would spend the money, Clarke replied: “I’ve been there and done it. All the things I’ve ever wanted to

Lewis pr Hertfordshire amateur sensation Tom Lewis is set to turn professional following his battling display at last month’s Open Championship, where he won the Silver Medal for being the leading amateur.

In reality, the seeds for the next stage of the 19-yearold’s golfing career were sown long before he fired his way to the top of the leaderboard at Royal St George’s with an opening 65. Golf News can reveal that as long as six months ago, Lewis’s family and advisors met with a half a dozen sports agents in Dubai with a view to sorting out the commercial interests of one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the amateur game in recent seasons.

International Management Group, one of the commercial heavyweights of the golfing world, won the bidding contest, and the Londonbased agency will take Lewis on its books when the teenager turns pro following his appearance in the Walker Cup matches in September.

As part of the agreement with IMG, there will be an advisory role for Daniel Field, the club professional at East

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 05

bonus Cambo in action at Lingfield

buy, I’ve already bought. I’ve lived like a major champion without having a major.”

Clarke, whose major triumph has been estimated to be worth £10million by sponsorship industry experts, is now favourite to win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Award.

The high quality practice facilities on offer at Lingfield Park Golf & Country Club seem to be proving a big hit with amateur and professional golfers alike, after it was revealed that former US Open champion Michael Campbell is using the golf academy and the 18-hole golf course at the popular Surrey venue to fine tune his skills in between appearances on the European Tour.

The hero of Pinehurst in 2006, and winner of 14 other professional events, has been spotted working with coach Luke Ringrose on all aspects of his game at the academy, where facilities comprise three practice putting greens, a six-hole practice green, a bunker practice area, a nine-bay outdoor driving range, a covered area for lessons, and a video coaching facility.

As well as a newly created Golf Academy membership, the facilities are open to club members, day visitors and hotel guests.

Chris Morley, Golf Club Manager at Lingfield, said: “The new facilities provide everything we need for teaching, and give players extensive practice areas.

It also provides us with endless opportunities to attract new people locally at all levels, from tour pros to beginners, and corporate and hotel guests.”

The club has also taken on Australian-born rookie tour professional Rebecca Flood as its attached touring professional. Flood, 25, had planned to split her time between playing Europe and the Duramed Development tour in the United States, but is now concentrating her efforts in Europe in the hope of securing her full playing rights for next year.

The course has been equally busy in recent weeks, with Lingfield Park staging a EuroPro Tour at the club from August 10-12.

repares for pro career

Tom Lewis will be in hot demand after the Walker Cup

Herts Golf Club, who has been looking after Lewis during his amateur career.

Lewis, who learned to play golf at Welwyn Garden City, the same club as six-time major champion Nick Faldo, will have just three months – and half a dozen European Tour events – to win his coveted playing card for 2012. The feat was achieved

by Rory McIlroy in 2007, finishing third in the Dunhill Links to cement his place on the European Tour To many observers, Lewis already looked every inch the professional golfer when he teed it up a St George’s, sporting a Ping hat, playing Ping clubs, and wearing heavily-branded Hugo Boss

clothing. Both companies are expected to sponsor him when he turns pro, and many others are expected to follow suit, although to be seen advertising commercial brands while still an amateur drew criticism from numerous commentators, including Peter Alliss and Ewen Murray.

If reports are to be believed, Lewis will be a wealthy man before he hits a ball in the professional world, though just how much he stands to make can only be guessed at. “A comfortable six-figures – more if he makes his European Tour card straight away,’’ said one of the game’s leading deal-makers.

“If he doesn’t, he will have to go to tour school or try his

luck on the Challenge tour, where life is a bit tougher.”

Meanwhile his fans at Welwyn Garden City are confident that he has what it takes to make in on the big stage. David Spring, the club’s general manager, said: “Tom is so dedicated. His whole focus is on golf and it’s no surprise he’s got to where he has. But he’s also a really nice young lad with old-fashioned virtues, he doesn’t drink and mixes with the members. He takes his golf seriously, but can still have a laugh and a joke. His parents have brought him up brilliantly and it’s no surprise he’s made it to the top. The way dealt with the crowds at the Open was impressive for someone who is not used to that.”

Inevitable comparisons have been drawn between Lewis and Faldo, with the members proud of both players’ achievements. Spring predicts a bright future for Lewis. “I don’t see why he can’t beat Faldo’s record,” Spring says. “He has the potential to achieve as much, if not more, than Faldo. He is that good. He can definitely cope with the pressure, he is very levelheaded.”

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August 2011 / Issue 202

Surrey ‘nearly man’ Steven Brown broke his duck in super style by winning the English Amateur crown at a sundrenched Woburn on July 30.

The 24-year-old from Wentworth claimed the title by beating Somerset teenager Jamie Clare 7&5 in the 36-hole final over the Marquess Course. He joins a long line of famous winners of this prestigious title, including Michael Bonallack, Nick Faldo, Mark James and Paul Casey.

“I’m hugely thrilled,” said Brown. “I’ve been close a lot of times over the past few years, so it’s good to have finally won something significant. Earlier this year, in the Scottish Amateur, it seemed I had the title in the bag, only for the last man in the field, Andy Sullivan, to finish birdie, eagle, birdie and beat me by one

/ 07

Brown claims English crown shot. That really hurt, but this more than makes up for it.”

Rather than finishing champion, Brown might have missed the championship completely, after getting caught in a massive traffic jam on the M1 and arriving for the opening strokeplay round just 20 minutes before his tee time.

He then suffered an horrendous quadruple bogey eight on his way to a 76, and needed a solid one under 71 in the second round to finish 46th out of the 64 qualifiers.

Brown’s toughest task came in the second round when he faced Wentworth teammate Warren Harmston.

“It was really testing, because Warren is a super player and was runner-up in this last year,” he explained.

“We are also big mates, but we agreed whoever won, it would not affect our friendship.” Brown finally battled through

2&1. “It was then I started to believe I really could become champion.”

Brown had one hand on the trophy at lunch in the final, after ending the morning round with an eighthole lead, when it seemed he might beat the record winning margin of 12&11 set

by Bonallack in 1968.

“I wasn’t thinking of anything like that,” added Brown, who won the first two holes and was six-up at the turn, after covering the front nine in three-under-par 33. “I just wanted to keep playing the same way and let the score take care of itself.”

Teenager Clare rallied gamely in the afternoon to cut the deficit to six, but this merely delayed the inevitable handshake, which came at the 31st.

“It’s great to be on the same list as those famous winners,” said Brown, as he clutched the impressive silver trophy.

“If I can achieve a tiny bit of what they’ve accomplished I’ll be delighted.”

Hinton humbled by Open experience

Hayling Golf Links A superb links course nr. Portsmouth the Open since 2003, the experience hasn’t dented his plans to turn professional next year.

“Just making the Open was a massive stepping stone for me – and the highlight of my career so far,” said Hinton, who revealed that a heart scare suffered last year had threatened to

derail his hopes of golfing stardom. “Four months ago I was told I wouldn’t play golf for up to a year, so for that to turn around so quickly is a massive dream,” he said.

Hinton’s next step is to make his debut for England in the Home Internationals in Ireland, after which he will consider turning professional.

Tour star Wilson opens new fitting centre at Mid Sussex Members at Mid Sussex Golf Club can take advantage of some of the best practice and custom-fitting facilities in the country following the opening of two brand new custom-fitting bays at the Ditchling-based club.

The full-height covered bays not only give golfers the opportunity to practice under sheltered conditions, but two of them are kitted out with state-of-the-art custom fitting facilities, including the very latest Flightscope laser technology, which accurately tracks ball flight to offer the ultimate feedback for a personal custom fitting.

Oliver Wilson with Mike Henning The new facilities were officially opened last month

by European Tour star Oliver Wilson, who kindly agreed to cut the ribbon on the bays before impressing members and invited guests with a display of ball-striking that has seen him become one of hte most conistent peformers on tour. Wilson emphasised the importance of using correctly-fitted clubs, as well as revealing some of the practice drills that he does before every tournament round. The bays are another new feature for members at Mid Sussex, which has been undergoing a series of major refurbishments since being taken over by Haywards Heath’s former teaching professional Mike Henning at the beginning of the year.

‘Rated 63rd best in England in 2010’ by Golf Monthly

Society & green fees welcome COUNTRY MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE (50m distant – just £560pa) Contact: ian.walton@haylinggolf.co.uk.

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Website: www.haylinggolf.co.uk Hayling Golf Club, Links Lane, Hayling Island, Hants, PO11 OBX

Q G uot N e 3

Oxfordshire amateur Craig Hinton aims to use last month’s appearance at the Open Championship as a stepping stone to progress in his career, despite finishing plumb last. The 22-year-old from Thame shot a five-under par round in final qualifying to secure a place at Royal St George’s, but went on to miss the cut in the main event by 25 shots after shooting rounds of 83 and 88 to finish 28 over par. His second round nightmare included five bogies, three double-bogies, one triple and a quadruple, and a solitary birdie at the 10th hole. He salvaged pride with pars at the 17th and 18th.

Despite achieving the worst two-round score at

08 /

August 2011 / Issue 202

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Teen bags Wentworth’s ladies’ championship Irene Brien, the self-styled ‘Queen of Wentworth’ after winning the Ladies Club Championship at the famous Surrey club no fewer than seven times in the last 20 years, was deposed of her crown last month by 15-year old Inci Mehmet.

Brien battled gamely to withstand a barrage of low scoring from her younger rival in the final held over the club’s par 68 East Course, but when Mehmet rolled in a 30foot putt on the 12th green it was all over – with the diminutive teenager having completed a crushing 7&6 victory. It was only then that the match referee informed three-handicapper Mehmet that she was five under par for the 12 holes played.

“I knew I had played really well, but I was really surprised by my score,” Mehmet admitted. “I was nervous before the start, because Irene is such a strong player with a great record in this event, so I just concentrated on trying to win each hole in turn. Irene was really gracious at the end. She said well done and wished me lots of luck for the rest of the year.”

Mehmet, who lives with her family in Richmond, was named the most improved young golfer in England in 2009, after lowering her handicap from 15 to seven.

A member at Royal Mid Surrey, she joined the Wentworth scholarship last year playing off six, but has already cut her handicap to three.

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Inci Mehmet looks set for stardom

Leuka Mini Ma attracts A-list

Actors JJ Field, Neve Campbell and James Nesbitt were among the guests

The Leuka Mini Masters, held at Dukes Meadows Golf Club in Chiswick, once again attracted a stellar cast list of celebrities to help raise funds for Leuka, a charity based at the Hammersmith Hospital that supports research into leukaemia and other blood disorders. Tournament host Dougray Scott was joined by a host of stars from stage, screen and sport to help

support the event, which raised over £52,000 for its chosen charities.

The tournament, which is in its fourth year, combines a Celebrity-Am par-3 competition, with on-course bars and live bands. In the celebrity contest for The Gold Jacket, England football legend Ray Wilkins emerged victorious after a close contest with cricket legend Darren Gough. Wilkins also

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August 2011 / Issue 202

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Our MOST DISCOUNTED September Society Package Ever!

Masters crowd skippered his team to glory as Premier Medical 1 edged out Asahi on a countback after a day of low scoring.

At the prize ceremony, Basil Nally was presented with The Silver Pitching Wedge, created especially by Thomas Lyte, on behalf of the winning team, while Asahi’s Carlo Carello scored a recordbreaking 26 shots on the 9-hole, par 27 course to finish as leading guest.

Captain America star JJ Field won a full IJP Design outfit from Ian Poulter’s clothing range for finishing nearest the pin on the opening hole, while England scrum-half Danny Care won an Omega Seamaster watch for going closest on the 5th hole.

Dougray Scott won a holiday to Spain with his tee shot on the seventh hole.

After the tournament, players and guests were treated to three course Indian dinner and live entertainment, including music from Treetop Flyers and Goldheart Assembly, followed by prizegiving and a charity auction.

September

Society Package at Slinfold Golf & Country Club

Soccer stars support Silvermere charity day There were almost enough footballers to field a veteran England team at a charity golf day held at Silvermere Golf and Country Club earlier this month. Ian Darke, Tony Gale, Ray Wilkins and Tony Cottee were among a host of celebrity guests who took part in the inaugural SHHiRT’s charity golf day, which was organised to help raise funds for the Samuel Hardgrave Harlequin Ichthyosis Research Trust, a charity

that is looking for a cure for a severe genetic skin disease that has a devastating effect on the lives of half a dozen babies born in the UK every year.

After the competition, a gala dinner, raffle and charity auction was held which raised further vital funds. Those who were unable to attend, but would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, should visit www.shhirt.org. uk and follow the links.

With many recent visitors claiming that the course is“better than ever”, we are certain that you will enjoy your society day this September at Slinfold.

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The UlTimaTe GUide

SocieTy & company Golf | 2011 Your complete guide to the best society & corporate venues

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Golf News’ Ultimate Guide to Society & Company Golf 2011 is now available. This has been a must-have publication for every golf society organiser for many a year, and now it’s even bigger and better than before, with a new look, size and style.

Featuring many of the region’s finest clubs and courses, predominantly located in the South East, this indispensible, handy, full-colour booklet provides all the information you’ll ever need to make your golf day a success.

Among details included are up-to-date prices and packages for societies and visitors, information on tee time restrictions, comprehensive directions and local accommodation tips, as well as detailed descriptions of all the courses, with full colour photographs. For your free copy of The Ultimate Guide, please email your Society or Company name to: info@golfnews.co.uk.

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10 /

August 2011 / Issue 202

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Kent professional Andy Smith, who played in the first two rounds of the Open Championship, says his experience at Royal St George’s has already changed his life. Smith, from Tudor Park in Maidstone, admitted that his Open adventure seemed ‘like a dream’ when he returned to work as a landscape gardener just three days later. Just days earlier, the 26-year-old had stood at the first tee ahead of two rounds that saw him miss the cut – but changed his life forever.

“The whole two weeks after coming through final qualifying at Littlestone was an incredible experience. I have been interviewed by countless TV and radio stations, and really enjoyed all the attention. I’ve always pretended in my head that I was famous, but it was nice to feel like I actually was for a while.”

Although disappointed to have missed the cut after shooting rounds of 81 and 73, Smith pulled off an unexpected coup after a chance meeting on the practice range at St George’s with South African PGA Tour player Rory Sabbatini.

Smith said: “I was practicing on the range and got talking to Rory, and he said he couldn’t believe I wasn’t playing on the Tour. He asked why, and I explained it was because of the money.

Then, from out of the blue, he said he’d pay for me to go to the States to do US Tour

Kent Messenger

Sabbatini comes to Smith’s rescue

Andy Smith formed a friendship with Rory Sabbatini during the Open

qualifying in November. At first I thought he was joking, but was stunned when he said that he meant it.”

Sabbatini‘s generosity went a stage further, when he offered to put Smith up for the rest of the tournament in his rented house close to the course, to save him the effort of commuting from his home in Loose following his opening round on Thursday.

And with the dream prospect of taking part in US Tour Qualifying at the end of this year, Smith is keen to get his career back on track, despite his continuing money worries. “I was back at work gardening on Tuesday.

I have to, I need the extra money, but it did feel like the

Open was a bit of a dream.

I am desperate to get back into playing golf full-time.

I will do whatever I can to make that happen.”

First up, he will have to get back to full fitness after sustaining an injury to his left forearm while playing at Sandwich. “I have previously suffered with compartment syndrome, which is like shin splints in your forearm,” says Smith. “This feels a bit different to that, but I had gone from playing hardly any golf to hitting hundreds of balls a day. I am hoping to see a physiotherapist to find out where I can go from here.”

Injury-permitting, Smith is keen to return to action as soon as possible, with a tournament in Belgium a possibility later this month.

He said: “I know a few people on the Alps Tour, and they have said I should go out and try that. I want to play another tournament, as playing at the Open has given me the bug back. The confidence I got from the experience – you can’t buy that.”

Goodwood boosts buggy fleet Goodwood Golf Club has supplemented its idiosyncratic fleet of ‘Woody’ buggies designed by Lord March’s grandfather, the 9th Duke of Richmond, with 30 new custom-made Club Car vehicles.

The specifications of the fleet of top-of-the-range Precedent i2L cars, each of which includes customised pelican seats, alloy wheels and bespoke club branding, have been selected to complement the Woody buggies, which feature 1930s-style seat covers, convertible rooves, spatcovered wheels and wicker baskets that can double

up as an ice-box.

“Golf at Goodwood has always been about redefining the way the game is played and about offering a unique experience,” said Stuart Gillett, Goodwood’s general manager.

“Our investment in Club Car was a straightforward decision to position the company and brand as standing for absolute excellence, high quality and reliability – valuable attributes we aim to provide to our customers.”

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 11

Foxhills set for Seve Pro-Am Places are still available for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation Pro-Am, which is being staged for the second year running at the Foxhills Club & Resort on September 19.

Former PGA Cup player Jamie Harris from Nevill Golf Club in Kent won the inaugural tournament, which will again be hosted by Seve’s older brother Manuel Ballesteros. Last year’s event raised more than £60,000 for Cancer Research UK, and the organisers are hoping to beat that total.

PGA South Region secretary Sam Smith said: “The pro-am is even more poignant this year following the sad death of Seve, so we hope to raise even more

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money which will go towards further research into brain cancer. Manuel will again be there to support the pro-am and his fascinating insight into Seve

Reading pro behind Clarke’s Open victory Reading-based golf coach Rob Watts has had a ringing endorsement from 2011 Open winner Darren Clarke.

Watts, who has worked at Castle Royle for over a decade, specialises in biomechanics and has helped develop the Northern Irishman’s game since 2008.

Clarke finally won his first major at the Royal St Georges course at Sandwich 21 years after taking up the sport, which is all the more remarkable after he had to be talked out of retirement just three months earlier

Rob Watts

following a demoralising round in Morocco.

Watts, who is a PGA golf professional and runs his own golf academy, said:

will no doubt be one of the highlights of the day.”

Anyone interested in booking a team of three can download an application form at www.pga.info.

“Darren’s performance was sensational and one of the finest exhibitions of links golf seen in the modern game. Remaining calm under immense pressure, he applied his world-class ability. The realisation of being Open champion is now starting to sink in. I am very proud to have been part of his journey.”

Commenting on training with Watts, Clarke said: “Tiger Woods raised the bar in all aspects of the game, and Rob’s knowledge of the swing, physiology and biomechanics have got me to realise how important they are. For anybody of any level who wants to improve, I would strongly advise them to spend time with Rob.”

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Martin Johnson lent a big hand during the final stage of the charity bike event

Steve Slinger, golf manager for the Exclusive Hotels chain, has led a team of 200 cyclists over nearly 300 miles to raise money for cancer research.

The team smashed its original fund-raising target of £30,000 in the process, collecting a staggering £60,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

England rugby coach Martin Johnson got the final leg of the bike ride underway at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, and the weary team made their way to their final destination at South

Exclusive cyclists raise the charity bar Lodge Hotel near Horsham, to be welcomed by more than a 1,000 supporters who donated £2,000 on the day, pushing the total to over £50,000.

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12 /

August 2011 / Issue 202

America’s Russ Cochran upstaged some of his more famous fellow countrymen at Walton Heath to become only the second left-hander to win The British Senior Open

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They might not be able to win a major championship to save their lives on the regular circuit, but no such problems exist for America’s elder statesmen.

Thirty years after the best US team of all time dominated the Ryder Cup at Walton Heath, some of their leading players among the over 50s were at it again over the same course, occupying the top four places in the Senior Open Championship. The trophy went to the quiet left-hander Russ Cochran, who held off the challenge of former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia, last year’s Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin and a charging Tom Watson.

The 52-year-old from Kentucky saw off all-comers with a superb final round of 67 on a day of low scoring and high temperatures at Walton Heath in Surrey, to finish on 12 under par and prevail by two strokes.

In what was almost a mirror of the Open Championship at St George’s, bar the nationality of the winner, Americans dominated the leaderboard, with seven of the top 10 players coming from across the Atlantic.

Cochran, who began the final day as co-leader with South African David Frost and Calcavecchia, birdied the opening two holes and picked up further shots on the sixth, seventh and eighth holes to reach the turn in 31.

Calcavecchia had been keeping pace after birdies on the second, third and sixth holes, but a double bogey five on the par-three ninth, where he four-putted, ultimately cost him dearly.

That left Cochran in charge of the tournament, and he came home in level par to follow in the spikemarks of Charles, who triumphed in 1989 and 1993.

The former US PGA Tour champion, who was tied third in last year’s Senior Open at Carnoustie, earned €220,961 for his victory, which he credited to adopting a more positive mental attitude following a season of near misses.

Cochran, who had his eldest son caddying for him, said: “I haven’t been finishing off tournaments well this year. I feel like I should’ve won a couple of times, so it was starting to prey on my mind a little bit. But I thought of how Tom Watson plays when he’s in contention, and I tried to adopt his positive attitude. I was confident in my game, because I knew I’d been playing well. I was able to relax, and I got off to a good start by playing aggressively.

After a few putts started to drop, my confidence just grew. It’s a wonderful feeling,

Russ Cochran was a suprise winner at Walton Heath

COCHRAN’S SENIOR MOMENT Barry Lane

and I really enjoy playing in Britain. I’ve always felt like my game is suited to the courses over here, and I enjoy meeting the challenge. I’ve always said my best chance of winning a major was The Senior Open Championship, and I’m so glad I was proved right.”

Calcavecchia was left to rue his costly mistake on the ninth, but took more positives than negatives from the week.

He said: “The four whack on the ninth hole really hurt. The greens are tough here, but that was all my fault. I pulled both those little short putts, but that happens every now and then. But overall, I felt really good. It’s just hard to make a lot of putts on these greens, because they can be very tricky to read.”

Watson also enjoyed his return to Walton Heath, 30 years after he played his part in America’s emphatic defeat of their European counterparts in The Ryder Cup. The 61 year old, who finished with four threes, said: “It’s been fun. When I played my first round on Monday, I couldn’t remember very much about the course, and it took me until final round to remember some of the

intricacies around the greens.

The one thing that concerned me the most playing in The Ryder Cup were the greens here, and how difficult they were, with all of the little breaks. I remembered the strategy that I had back then was just to play the line that you see, and not to worry about all of the little breaks.

Just pick a line, hit it there and if goes in, it goes in.

Fortunately for me today, quite a few of them went in.”

Barry Lane, who was the top European-based player in fifth place, was proud to have flown the flag for the host nation with a closing round of 70, the highlight of which was an eagle at the sixth. He said: “That was fantastic. The reason we play this game is to have that feeling of being nervous and getting in contention. It was great to get the juices flowing again.

I really enjoyed it.

We have some very good players over here, and it was great to compete with

the Americans like Watson, Calcavecchia and Pavin. I’ve been competing with them all my life because they’re my generation, so it was just like the good old days.

“I probably left a few shots out there, but all in all, it’s been a great week. You can only do your best, and I did my best today, but it wasn’t quite good enough in the end. Still, I kept trying, and I kept the flag flying.”

Despite heavy rain during the early part of the week, the course stood up superbly and was widely praised by the players. It was a fitting tribute to the work of the late Ian McMillan, Walton Heath’s course manager for the past seven years, who died in April, aged 50.

The British Senior Open Leaderboard Pos 1 2 3 3 5 6 7 7 7 7

Name Russ Cochran (USA) Mark Calcavecchia (USA) Corey Pavin (USA) Tom Watson (USA) Barry Lane (ENG) David Frost David (RSA) Peter Fowler (AUS) Fred Funk (USA) Mike Goodes (USA) Lee Rinker (USA)

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14 /

August 2011 / Issue 202

Golf News catches up with golf-obsessed Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson, who hosted the FitFlop Shooting Stars Benefit Golf Tournament at Wentworth earlier this month When did you first get the golfing bug?

I didn’t take up the game until I was in my late 40s, so I was something of late starter. I learned to play on a public par-3 course in LA. I ‘d turn up and put my name on the waiting list and then play with whoever they put me with. I liked the looks of vague recognition I’d get from the people I was paired with.

Your love of golf seems to have translated into a case of art imitating life. Is there a film where you don’t see golf playing a valuable part in plot development?

My character in 51st State carried a set of clubs throughout the movie, so I guess that’s where this whole golf thing started off, but these days I try and keep the two things separate.

Is it true that for every film you do you have a contract which allows you two days off a week to play golf?

It’s part of my perk package! Two days off, they have to pay for it.

Generally, the way they make that happen is they just move me onto a golf resort. My assistant generally has the responsibility of finding the new courses, setting up the tee times and giving me the directions. Films seem to get in the way of my golf now, but they have afforded me the chance to play a lot.

Slammin’ Sam prepares to launch one down the fairway during last month’s FitFlop Shooting Stars charity event held at Wentworth Club

You’re pretty handy with a light saber. Has that helped your golf swing in any way?

The other way around really. During the filming of Star Wars II, I carried my light saber in my golf bag. I had to practice whenever I could, because there were 109 movements to learn.

We were in Australia, and I’d whip

The force is with him it out on a tee box when play was slow and go through the moves. The people I played with thought that light saber was very cool. It was about the length of a driver and weighed about the same, too. One of those moves is similar to a golf swing, used to block an overhand blow. The hands lead, like you’re playing a knockdown shot, and the block comes high in the followthrough. Apparently the move wasn’t good enough. In the final Star Wars, Mace Windu gets killed.

Do you think you could you have been a pro if the acting hadn’t got in the way?

Given the opportunity, I could have been as successful at golf as I am at acting. I might not have become Tiger Woods, but you’d recognise my name.

I’ve always been athletic. I was an only child and became accustomed to doing things alone - golf is a great game for those who enjoy being alone.

I’ve always been able to concentrate.

The thing is, it wasn’t my destiny. I grew up poor in Tennessee. In our neighborhood we used a Quaker Oats box for a football and a rock wrapped in newspaper for a baseball. There was no way a kid could play golf, even though a golf course was a couple

of blocks from my house. When I took up the game, I fell in love with it immediately and improved quickly.

Who knows how good I could have been if I started 40 years ago?

What’s the most nervous you’ve been on a golf course?

The day I played with Tiger at St Andrews, I have to admit I was scared.

You can feel the game’s history all around you. But I settled down. I shot 78, and I’m pretty proud of that, because people have been known to score worse around there. Tiger gave me some good advice before we teed off. “Stay out of the bunkers,” he said.

You look like you get a tiny bit frustrated with your game at times.

How do you cope with the bad days on the golf course?

My handicap is five. It’s never been lower, but I had more fun when I was starting out. I felt very little disappointment when I hit bad shots.

Today I know what causes my bad shots. Knowledge gives you power, but it also opens the door to frustration and disappointment. The year I started golf I had a caddie and one day I did get angry with myself and threw a club. My caddie told me, “You’re not good enough to get mad’” I have never thrown a club since. I enjoy my golf, it does not matter whether I play great or badly. I let it go.

See you’ve got the new white TaylorMade R11 driver in the bag.

How’s that working for you?

I move it out there pretty good, 270 to 280. Not super long, but definitely longer than average. I was in the group ahead of Corey Pavin at the Bob Hope Classic one year and looked back to where he hit his drive. I was longer. As long as Corey is around, when someone asks if I hit it as far as a tour player, I can honestly say, “Yeah, no problem.”

Are you a bit of an equipment nerd?

My garage looks like a golfing superstore. A friend will come over

and say, “I need a new driver,” and I take him to the garage and he chooses one. I’ve got 15 sets of irons ready to go at a moment’s notice, and a lot just hanging around. Putters? Around 75 or 80, and the number is going up.

Where’s your favourite course?

I’m privileged to get to play a lot of outstanding courses. I played Winged Foot and then Merion before the US Amateur. I’d heard that it’s too short to have a US Open, so I thought I’d cruise around there pretty good.

But Merion was maybe the hardest course I’ve ever played. The rough was brutal, the greens were firm,

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 15

Jackson with some of the players who took part in the Shooting Stars tournament

Jackson is a regular at the Dunhill Links

and those wicker baskets they have instead of flags don’t tell you which way the wind is blowing.

In your view, what’s the best film involving golf?

Dead Solid Perfect. It got me started playing golf. I can’t say much for the rest of them. The irony of the bad golf movie is the directors usually understand what real golf is about.

Ron Shelton, who directed Tin Cup, is a good golfer and knowledgeable.

But the directors tend to view golf as secondary to the plot, which has to appeal to people who don’t play golf.

They assume the serious golfers in the

audience will forgive the golf stuff and focus on the plot.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given by a pro?

Vijay Singh gave me the best driving key of all time at the Dunhill Links a few years ago. He said, If you’re flaring it out to the right, break your wrists earlier and let your right elbow come away from your side.

Acting clearly requires some intense concentration, how does that help you out on the golf course?

The thing they call ‘The Zone’ in golf has a parallel in acting. Good actors

reach moments where a scene happens effortlessly. They get the temperament of the character just right, physically they move easily through their environment and the lines flow from them organically without thinking about it. It’s easier for me to reach that place in acting than in golf, because acting is my calling.

But I’ve experienced The Zone in golf frequently enough to recognise the feeling, and I strive to reach it.

As we all know, it isn’t easy.

How do you cope with the fame thing?

Being famous is something I enjoy. I’m not going to deny it, because it allows

me access to a lot of things. It’s good to be famous and liked, not famous and disliked, put it that way. People like me.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: whenever the camera passes you, always look like there’s something on your mind.

It amazes people to see me walking around by myself. I guess they get used to famous people having bodyguards. I walk the streets of London all the time.

People say: “Do you know who you look like?” and I go: “No, who?”

FitFlop Shooting Stars Benefit is raising vital funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. To make a donation visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk.

16 /

August 2011 / Issue 202

Shergo set for star

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Step aside Tiger and the Golden Bear, there’s a new king of the jungle in the golfing world, and he goes by the name of The Jaguar, although his parents simply know him as Shergo.

Shergo Kurdi, who turns eight next month, is already building an impressive trophy cabinet after a succession of wins this summer have taken him to the top of the leaderboard for his age group in the Trailblazers Junior League, a series of tournaments held around the south east for children aged between five and 12.

Living at home in Chertsey

with Jordanian father Antonio and mum Sam, Shergo is like any other little boy of his age, only this particular boy has a purposebuilt Astroturf putting course in his back garden, and spends every hour when he’s not at school working on all aspects of his game.

The hard work put in is clearly paying off, as Shergo has swept all before him this summer, winning all four Trailblazer events he has taken part in with relative ease.

His father, a keen amateur who plays off five at Mill Ride Golf Club, says that his son was trying to putt before he could walk, and started hitting clubs

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when he was 18 months old.

“We realised he has a special talent when he had just turned six and we took him to join a group lesson at our local range,” says Antonio. “The golf coach there refused to teach him because he was worried about interfering with the talent he had.”

Shergo’s innate talent was also spotted by former European Tour player Gary Evans in early 2010, and he offered to keep an eye on his progress. That led to an introduction to another former tour professional, Sky Sports’ golf commentator Ewen Murray, who also coaches Open champion

Members of Pedham Place Golf Centre in Kent helped raise almost £3,500 for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation

last month, following a fun-filled day of golf at the Swanley-based facility.

Organised by keen

amateur David Seal, the event included a Stableford competition followed by an auction and raffle, where items worth over £2,500 were kindly donated from exhibitors at the GolfLIVE event held at London Golf Club earlier this year, including signed memorabilia from winning Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie, world No.2 Lee Westwood, and 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke.

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Kent professional Richard Wallis was back on winning form at The Addington ProAm, tying for the second time with Richard Edginton (Royal Wimbledon) after both players both shot one-under-par at the famous Surrey course.

Despite rain and flooded greens stopping play for two and a half hours, Wallis re-started by bogeying the third, then hit back with birdies at the sixth, ninth, 10th and 12th holes, negotiating some of the trickier holes courtesy of the course guide and tips from his playing partner.

Richard Wallis

He said: “It’s a great little course, and a cracking test of golf. Club selection was a bit of a nightmare, as it was the first time I’d played the

course, plus there was a really strong wind blowing, and that’s why I dropped what turned out to be a rather vital shot on the 18th!”

August 2011 / Issue 202

ardom Darren Clarke.

Murray cast his expert eye over Shergo’s swing last year, and was full of praise for the young lad’s temperament.

“Shergo has great style and balance, very much in the Mcilroy mould, with the club settling across the back of his neck, reminiscent of Hogan,” Ewen says. “He looks like a wonderful natural talent and a young man who has fallen in love with golf at a tender age. He now has great basics and the most important thing is that he is allowed to develop his own style, with little or no coaching until he becomes a lot stronger.”

Last year Shergo played alongside Senior Tour player Bill Longmuir and women’s world no.3 Suzann Petersson in an exhibition match at Silvermere Golf Club, and both came away impressed by his dedication, natural talent and, at such a young age, his concentration.

In addition to his success on the Trailblazers Tour, Shergo won his first national tournament, The Graham Moore Championships played at Carden Park in August 2010.

Aged just six, he won the Under 8s section by an impressive eight shots, qualifying him to take part in the tour events in America, as well as the European Championships that were held in Switzerland.

/ 17

Willey wins in Bristol Notts Golf Club’s Andrew Willey has stormed to victory in the latest event in the PGA EuroPro Tour season held at The Players Club in Bristol.

Willey finished three shots ahead of three golfers at the end of the World Snooker Association Golf Championship. He ended on 11 under par for the tournament after scores of 67, 65 and 67 to scoop the £10,000 top prize.

James Busby (The Shropshire), Tim Dykes (Penrith) and Jamie Abbott

(Fynn Valley) all finished in tied second on eight under.

Busby started the final round in great style with five birdies in the opening six holes to give himself an outside chance of victory, but he could not keep this momentum going.

Willey, who has been playing on the Challenge Tour since 2007, returned to EuroPro Tour action after struggling in the higher division, where he has only finished in a money position at one event since April.

Air ambulance saves the day

‘Great Golf Days’

With no temporary tees or greens Broke Hill is open for play regardless of the weather

Great driving holes

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Autumn - Winter Specials From 1st November to 31st March A member at Hayling Island Golf Club had the quick response of the Air Ambulance crew to thank for saving his life last month, after he collapsed during a round at the popular Hampshire-based club on July 15.

The helicopter made two overhead passes before landing half way up the 13th fairway, and quickly airlifting the member, who has not been named, to hospital in nearby Portsmouth.

The man has made a full recovery thanks to the quick action of first responders on the scene and the medical services.

All guns blazing at Sutton Green captain’s day

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Call Gary on 01959 533225 or email brokehill-events@crown-golf.co.uk Stick ‘em up: Alan George with the ladies section at Sutton Green

Members at Sutton Green Golf Club in Surrey enjoyed an Al Capone-themed captain’s charity day last month.

Over 80 players joined club captain Alan George in the celebrations that gave a nod to the Italian gangster, and included transforming the halfway house into a speakeasy where ‘cheap dames’ – aka

volunteer members of the ladies’ section – served shots of Jack Daniels whisky and Caesar salad to competitors.

The serious part of the day resulted in a win for Nick Mace, scoring 44 points to beat runner-up Bill Ezzard by two. Mike Flanagan took the coveted Captain’s Putter prize with just 28 putts over 18 holes.

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

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August 2011 / Issue 202

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The Oxfordshire, located just outside the historical university town of Oxford, is a stunning 7,130-yard American-style layout set in the rolling hills of the Chilterns. The first in Britain to be designed by the world-renowned architect Rees Jones, the course has hosted many of the world’s top players over the years, with Bernhard Langer, Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie among the star names to have played and won here.

Presented in tournament condition all year round, the course is as challenging as it is exciting, with a tactical array of dramatic bunkering, combined with strategically placed lakes, requiring shot-making and careful course management to score well.

The course boasts not one, but two holes that feature in the renowned list of the ‘500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes’. The eighth, a hazardous 390-yard par four that doglegs around a lake, is one of them.

The green is sited on an island peninsula, where a sentry oak stands guard. A straight shot to the green requires a 260yard carry, while those of a more nervous disposition can take the water out of play by opting for a 3-wood down the fairway and a ‘straightforward’ wedge in.

The 17th is The Oxfordshire’s nerveracking signature hole, a downhill par five with a right-to-left dogleg. A huge lake runs all the way down the left side of the fairway. The green is opposite the lake.

The safe, but much longer route, is to play around the water – but if you’re feeling lucky, the temptation to go for the green across the lake is all too appealing.

If you hug the water’s edge off the tee, it’s just over 180 yards to reach dry land, and even more to reach the putting surface.

In addition to the quality course and practice facilities, The Oxfordshire offers a sumptuously furnished clubhouse providing every modern convenience, including a 50-bedroom hotel, and a choice of restaurants and bars, as well as a health and fitness spa, featuring a pool, gym and spa treatment rooms.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

News in Brief Clapp hands for Steve One-handicapper Steve Clapp was crowned men’s champion at Hayling Island Golf Club after battling through gales and lashing rain to take the title with rounds of 76 and 84 at the testing Hampshire links course.

Score draw at Dibden Ben Johnson (Stoneham) and Mark Dawe (Chilworth) shared victory in the New Forest District Council Dibden Golf Centre ProAm. Johnson and Dawe, both shot six-under-par rounds of 64, with South Winchester’s Richard Adams taking third place with 67.

Dawe also won the Pro-Am with his team of Grant Pendrigh, Paul Lindsay and Dan Chalk. Their winning score of 125 was two better than Alresford’s Philip Bryden with Ron Liversly, Alan Wilson and Lee Goodall. Thirty-nine teams took part in the tournament, which was organised by John Slade and Paul Smith on behalf of the New Forest District Council.

Griffiths wins first TP Tour event Simon Griffiths’ inaugural TP Tour event at Royal Ashdown Forest saw him shoot a superb 67, five under par and secure his first win of 2011 on the new professional golf tour.

Royal Ashdown Forest glowed in splendid sunshine all day and the scores reflected the hot conditions.

The TP Tour has developed a reputation for hosting events at top class venues, and the quality of Royal Ashdown Forest didn’t disappoint the players.

With lovely greens and splendid conditions throughout, it meant that 14 players shot under par.

Many players passed

the half-way point with scores under par and interest around the various scoreboards on the course intensified. Grant Hamerton and Richard Edginton returned scores of 69, three under par, but they knew many

players were still on the course with a great opportunity to finish ahead.

Michael Bush and Dave Smith, duly followed with 68’s, but Griffiths went one better with a terrific 67, five under par, which nobody could beat.

Moul wins first pro event in Italy Stoke by Nayland’s Jamie Moul captured his first Challenge Tour title at the Acaya Open in Italy with a stunning five-under par 65 in the final round. The 26-year-old from Essex had a string of birdies on the back nine to shift the momentum in his direction and despite bogeying the 18th he finished one shot clear of Spaniard Jorge Campillo.

Moul started the final round two shots behind Camillo, but an eagle at the par five first cranked up the pressure on the leader. He then picked up further shots at the tenth, 14th, 15 and 16th, while Camillo double-bogeyed the 16th to make the scores level. The Spaniard then missed a 15-foot putt for birdie at the last to force a play-off, handing a relieved Moul the €25,600 winner’s cheque.

Brooks bids fa to Royal St Geo Royal St George’s professional Andrew Brooks presided over the staging of 140th Open Championship with mixed emotions, as the 65 year-old Scot is stepping down from the job he has held for the past 17 years.

As the club professional since 1995, few people know their way around the famous Kent links better than Brooks, and his knowledge was in great demand both from the media and the players during the week of the tournament last month, as well as back in 2003, when he famously played a pivotal role in Ben Curtis’s victory.

The unknown American arrived at Sandwich as a complete outsider, having never played the course before, and went to see Brooks for some tips before his first practice round.

Brooks recalls: “I remember watching Ben qualify the previous week and then on the Monday he turned up at the club shop, just him and

his golf bag. He hadn’t even got a caddy for the week. He asked me how to play the course, so we went and had lunch and I told him how to play it if there was an east wind. As I talked, he wrote everything down.

“When we’d gone through that he got up to go. I told him to sit down and to start again, because we were only half done, as he also needed to know how to play the course when the wind blows from the other direction.

“Later in the week, Ben came in and said the information had been

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August 2011 / Issue 202

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arewell Burton bags Trilby qualifier orge’s absolutely correct, and when he made his speech after winning the trophy, he was gracious enough to mention the advice I had given him.”

As a player, Brooks enjoyed an impressive amateur career, playing in the 1969 Walker Cup in Milwaukee, where he was the only undefeated British player, winning two and halving one of his matches.

After the Walker Cup, Brooks turned professional and played on the European Tour in the 1970s, with a modicum of success.

He played in five Open Championships, making the cut in 1972 and 1986. His career highlight came at his debut in the 1970 Open at St Andrews, where he shot a second round 69 in the company of Arnold Palmer He also played with Ray Floyd when the Open was at Turnberry in 1986, finishing 35th.

Brooks is leaving St George’s at the end of the year; his replacement has not been announced yet.

North Foreland Golf Club greenkeeper Darren Burton swapped his mower for a set of golf clubs last month en route to winning the south region qualifier for the 2011 Trilby Tour Final.

Burton, who has been playing the game for just five years, defeated 119 rivals to win the tournament at Goodwood. The five handicapper from Kent scored an impressive 34 points to qualify for the three hole play-off over Downs Course. Following a closely fought battle with last year’s Trilby national champion and fellow Goodwood member Chris Dyson, alongside Alec Stoner and Andy Jones, Burton sunk a six-foot putt

Darren Burton in action at Goodwood

to take the spoils.

Burton benefitted from the services of professional caddy Gary Vickops, who just a week earlier has been on the bag of US Tour sensation Ricky Fowler during his practice days at Royal St George’s for the Open Championship.

Burton, who earlier this

year was shortlisted for Toro’s Greenkeeper of the Year award, was delighted with his victory: “This was the first big event I have entered, and I thought the set up at Goodwood was superb and reflected a real professional tournament. I can’t wait to see it on TV.” Burton has over 30 family

and friends planning to watch him at the Grand Final, all of whom have agreed to wear trilby hats on the day to support the Goodwood Champion.

The Trilby Tour was created by menswear designer William Hunt three years ago to give amateur golfers across England, Ireland and Scotland the chance to emulate their sporting heroes. This year’s event has attracted more than 1,200 golfers, and sold out across nine regional finals.

The amateur national final was held at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club on August 11, but the results have been delayed to coincide with coverage of the event on Sky television.

News in Brief Ross is the boss Woolston Manor’s Ross Dee shot a course record-equalling final round 68 to win the Essex Amateur Championship played at Crondon Park.

Callaway cleans up Milford’s David Callaway snatched victory in the Cuddington Pro-Am with a six-under-par 65 to beat Robert Hunter and Richard Wallis.

Harry on his game at Broadstone

Cecil Leitch Final

Middlesex amateur Harry Casey bridged a three-year losing gap when he won the English Boys Under 18 Stroke Play Championship for the Carris Trophy at Broadstone Golf Club in Dorset.

A closing round of 69, for six under par total of 274, left the Enfield youngster a shot ahead of playing partner Matthew Fitzpatrick, and three clear of Italy’s Corrado De Stefani.

Casey’s last significant success came in the

The annual Cecil Leitch competition, which involves more than 3,000 golfers from 80 clubs in Kent, helped to raise over £10,000 for charity. The finals, held at Ashford, involved 109 players, with Alan Cornell (Fawkham Valley) winning the men’s final, and Julia Martin-Harper (The Ridge) winning the ladies event.

2008 Douglas Johns Trophy and although he had come close to other victories, not least in last year’s Carris Trophy, when he finished runner-up to Callum Shinkwin, it was a barren spell he was keen to end.

“This win means a lot,” said Casey. “I’ve come close to winning a lot in the last two years, and it has finally happened. It feels good and hopefully I can now go on to bigger things.”

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August 2011 / Issue 202

NickBayly

Parting is such sweet sorrow

After almost 20 years of following professional golf, I’ve come to realise that there are only two types of caddy on tour: those that have just been sacked, and those that are about to be sacked.

News of players sacking caddies is about as common as premiership managers being given the boot after two home defeats, and barely warrants a mention in normal dispatches.

However, one particular parting of the ways drew yards of column inches last month, when World No.28 Tiger Woods summarily ended his 12-year, 13-major association with New Zealand’s highest earning non-sportsman, Steve ‘Stevie’ Williams.

It’s fair to say that the pair, who had worked together since 1999, did not leave on good terms, with Williams whimpering like a bride who had been jilted at the altar, only forgetting that he had slept with the best man the night before. The best man in question was Adam Scott, who Williams has caddied for since the US Open after Woods gave him permission to

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

do so following his extended absence through injury.

In truth, the Woods/Williams relationship was dead in the water long before that time.

Woods has no doubt been advised to draw a line under everything and everyone that was part of his life before ‘Crashgate’, and Williams is just a casualty of that particular PR war. Although Williams has repeatedly claimed that he knew nothing of his employer’s infidelities, there is

a whiff of something not quite right about the whole thing, and the burly Kiwi should thank his lucky stars that another top-line player has seen fit to take up his services.

There have certainly been no tears shed on Williams’s behalf.

During the height of Woods’s powers, Williams built up a reputation for being rather a bullyboy character, habitually swinging for photographers, pushing young autograph hunters out of the way, and

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generally behaving like he was a bodyguard, rather than someone whose job it was to give yardages and keep the clubs clean.

Woods at least had the decency to sack Williams in person, rather than texting him the bad news, as so often happens in the modern age, and distancing himself from the boorish Kiwi went some way to helping the former World No.1 present a different image to golf fans when he returned to competitive action at the US PGA Championship.

The irony of the whole story, of course, is that on Woods’s very first tournament back from injury, the Bridgestone Invitational, up pops Scott to win the title with ease, with Williams putting two fingers up to his old employer in no uncertain terms. Revenge, it seems, is best served hot.

Watching the British Ladies Open at Carnoustie last month got me thinking that women golfers get a raw deal when it comes to playing many courses. With par threes often butchered into 100-yard dobs, and the red tees located as an afterthought, the course that women get to play is often barely recognisable from the architect’s original intention.

The set-up at Carnoustie was nothing short of an embarrassment.

Why does the R&A treat the world’s best women with kid gloves when it comes to major championships, yet when it’s the turn of the men, they don boxing gloves with horseshoes tucked inside?

Why stage one of the showcase events of the women’s calendar at one of the most challenging courses Britain has to offer, and then turn it into little more than a pitch and putt? They might as well have hosted it at my local nine-holer. By lopping 1,000 yards off the course’s length, many of the fairway bunkers were taken out of harm’s way, while the sight of player after player coming into the treacherous 18th green with nothing more than a wedge must have made Jean Van de Velde madder than he already is.

I’m not sure what century the R&A is living in, but top female golfers are no longer wearing hessian skirts and dinking mashie niblicks 150 yards up the fairway. Michelle Wie averages 280 yards off the tee, while most top players smack it well over 260.

Thankfully, the world’s best woman golfer, Yani Tseng, still won the tournament, but the R&A could have been left with a lot of egg on its face if someone from the lower ranks had enjoyed a hot week with the putter and stolen the title. It only takes a tiny bit of common sense to let elite women players play the top courses as the conditions demand, rather than seeing par as in some way showing them to be bad at their jobs. The set-up at Carnoustie did the ladies’ game a disservice – one which it could have well done without in these challenging commercial times.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

A poster boy for the next generation, Rickie Fowler has the skills to match his appearance, but has so far failed win on tour. Following his top-five finish at The Open, Golf News finds out what makes Rickie tick How would you sum up the way you played at Royal St George’s?

I played great, given the conditions and the way the draw worked out.

I played in the worst of it on the first two days, and felt like I played through those nicely. Saturday I played a great round, and I played OK on Sunday, but just didn’t make any birdies. I made some good par saves, and kept myself in for a good finish. All in all, it was a fun week.

How much fun was it to be in with a chance of winning a major?

I haven’t really been in contention in a major before, so it felt really good to be up there. I just needed a couple of putts to go in to get some momentum going.

You seem very much at home on a links course, why is that?

This was only the second time I’ve played in the Open, but I got a real taste of links golf at the 2007 Walker Cup at Royal County Down. I love playing links golf, because I’m able to hit some shots around the course that I don’t get to hit in the States a whole lot. It’s fun to be able to use my imagination, and play the game a little bit differently. There so many ways to play one course, and it’s rare that the course plays the same way on a fourday tournament.

New kids on the block: Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy are among the new generation widening the game’s appeal

You like to get on with things out on the golf course. Where does that come from?

I started out racing motorbikes as a kid, and the more you thought about it, usually the worse it would get. So I kind of carry that over into golf. You don’t see me taking too much time over a shot. Once I’m over it, it’s pretty

Oi, Rickie! quick. So I think it kind of transfers over from that feeling of not giving yourself time to have any fear. I just see the shot and try and hit it.

Did your experiences at the Ryder Cup help you keep calm under the conditions?

Definitely. That’s probably one I’m going to draw on for the rest of my life.

I was three down with three to play in my singles match, and I managed to square it. I hit some great shots under the conditions, and made two good putts on 17 and 18. I will definitely be able to feed off those experiences in the years to come.

You seemed to build up a good rapport with the galleries. did that help you?

The fans were great. Obviously they were cheering for Rory during the three rounds I played with him.

It was fun to play alongside him and Ernie [Els].

Being similar ages, have you drawn any inspiration from what Rory has achieved?

It has definitely motivated me and given me more confidence, just because we’re a similar age, and at a similar stage in our careers. I’d say he’s a few step ahead of me. He’s got a couple wins and a major under his belt. But it has definitely motivated me, and it was fun to see what he did at Congressional.

You share you name with a character in a soap opera over here. How irritating is it to have ‘Oi, Rickie’ shouted at you all the time?

Yeah, I found that out at the Ryder Cup. It’s fine with me. It was quite a hit on the first tee at Celtic Manor. It’s fun. The fans are getting into it, but it doesn’t bother me. It shows they know who I am, so that’s got to be a positive!

You’ve not won on tour yet, so how hard was it trying to deal with winning your first event with it being a major?

I had to look at it the way I would any other tournament. You’ve got to put yourself in a position to win on Sunday, and you’ve got to beat the rest of the guys. It’s the same at any other event in that respect. It just so happens that there are four tournaments that stick out a little more than the others. I think it was Jack Nicklaus that used to say that the majors are the easiest to win.

But for some people it’s just getting over the first hurdle that’s the hardest.

Do you feel like you’re on the cusp of winning?

I feel like I’ve been on the cusp for a while. I’ve had some good finishes and have been playing well.

Obviously, if I keep putting myself in contention I feel like I have it within me to get the job done. I just need to put in a good round on Sunday,

which I really haven’t been able to do yet. I’ll keep pushing forward and hopefully that win will be coming soon. I definitely think once I get the first win out of the way, it’s going to open the door to more.

Do you have to stop yourself from trying too hard?

I’ve just got to make sure I keep having fun. I think that’ll keep me from getting too far ahead of myself.

As long as I draw on some past experiences of being in contention, and feel like I’m learning each time, I’m sure it’ll come eventually.

You look like you’re enjoying life right now, but does being in the spotlight ever get in the way of developing your game?

I’m having a great time. I’m getting to play golf every day and getting paid

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 25

Fans warmed to Fowler’s positive approach at Royal St George’s

The Golf Boys’ videos have proved a massive hit on YouTube

Pimp my ride: Fowler is putting the fun back into golf

for it. Obviously, there are times where I have to learn to manage my schedule a bit. I think that’s been probably one of the biggest adjustments – getting used to the travel and time management: When to practise, when to sleep, eat, workout., or speak to the media. But this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, so the time that it starts to feel like a job, or I start to not have fun, then that’s when I shouldn’t be out here, but I don’t see that really ever happening.

How strange is it to have fans lining the fairways wearing orange?

They’re hard to miss, that’s for sure.

It also means I get to see what I look like on Sunday and see how much I stand out. It’s cool to see kids out there wearing my hats and all the kit. It’s great to have good fans. I’ve always loved playing in front of large

crowds, which is why playing at TPC Scottsdale is one of my favourite events. It get’s rowdy and there’s a lot of energy.

Where does the whole orange vibe originate from?

Orange is the colour of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. That’s where I came from. Got to support my boys back there at school and do my thing out here.

How did your relationship with Puma start?

I liked Puma long before I turned pro, just kind of their whole image and what they shoot for, especially on the golf scene. They’re kind of edgy, nontraditional. They have some colours in their range that most clothing lines don’t, and shoes to match the clothes. I knew they were coming

after me, but I was kind of going after them. I really liked what they had. I just felt like it was a perfect fit with me kind of coming from a different background with the motorcross. Not exactly the normal, traditional golfer. I didn’t grow up at a country club. Just a kid that grew up at a driving range, used to beat buckets of balls. I like to play fast and have fun on the course, kind of flashy and stick out, not exactly wear the everyday golf clothes.

What prompted you to pick up a golf club?

I started riding motorbikes and playing golf about the same time. So I had done both since I was three. But I was always more into golf. I liked the individual aspect, kind of doing things on my own. I mean, it’s the same way with riding, too. But there

was something about golf that just drew me in a little bit more. I still ride every once in a while, hop on the bike to kind of go out and have a little bit of free time, let loose a bit.

Can you talk about the Golf Boys’ videos and your role as the Black Knight?

It’s been a lot of fun. We shot the whole thing in one day, so it wasn’t a huge time-consuming process, but we had a lot of fun doing it. We’re looking to do some more, but trying to fit it into the schedules with four PGA Tour pros isn’t easy. I know some people think it’s pretty weird, but we’re having fun, showing who we are, and that we like to have a good time on and off the golf course. We’re not good or anything. We’re trying to be bad, so we can be bad at anything that we put together.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

Storybehindthepic US Walker Cup team: Hoylake 1921

To Wildwood societies are not just an income

available, a friendly clubhouse with a choice source, they are not just welcomed so it keeps of terraces, bars and dining areas to providing the members subscription costs down. Societies Surrey’s most experienced professional staff for are welcomed because they contribute to the special clinics and group demonstrations. development of golf and to the atmosphere of Conveniently located between Horsham and the club.

Guildford, Wildwood is easily accessible from The Wildwood commitment to golf societies is not just reflected by the many very competitive packages available but also by the way societies are integrated with the membership and are genuinely made to feel “at home”.

all areas.

The specialist management team work to provide the best day possible from the meticulously presented three nine hole championship layouts, the extensive menus

Tel: 01403 753255 e-mail: louise@wildwoodgolf.co.uk www.wildwoodgolf.co.uk

For more information and available dates contact:- Louise Harrison, Wildwood Golf & Country Club, Horsham Road, Alfold (Nr Cranleigh), Surrey GU6 8JE

Wildwood Golf & Country Club Our business is your pleasure

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A special place… for special people!

Hosted at Hoylake Golf Club in Liverpool, the day before the British Amateur, the American team, led by 1910 US Amateur champion William Fownes, defeated the British team 9-3.

Jones went on to play in five Walker Cup matches, helping to lay to the foundations for the Ryder Cup that came along six years later in 1927. He also went to win seven major titles.

Early in 1922, the R&A announced that it would send a team to compete for the Walker Cup at George Walker’s home club in New York, which the US won 8-4.

The matches have been somewhat one-sided ever since, with GB&I only having won seven times in 42 matches, with the last victory coming at Ganton in 2003, where the home side narrowly won 12.5-11.5.

Barring anomalies such as Gary Wolstenholme and Nigel Edwards, most top amateurs these days are lucky to get to play in one or maybe two Walker Cups, before the commercial pressure to turn pro comes knocking. Some call it progress, others call it a crying shame, as most will never get to feel the white heat of team competition ever again.

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s the 12-strong GB & Ireland team prepares to take part in the 2011 Walker Cup matches at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club from September 10-12, it’s worth rewinding 90 years to remember how this amateur match play event first came about.

Pictured here is the rag tag bunch of amateurs from America looking for a bit of competition. Among the eight-man group was 19-year-old Bobby Jones, who was making his first transatlantic trip to take part in the British Amateur and The Open Championship.

To pass the time between the two events it was suggested that the Americans should compete in an informal match against a group of top British amateurs in what was a warm-up to the official first Walker Cup match that took part in 1922.

Originally intended to be open to all nations, in a bid to stimulate golf interest all over the world, only the R&A bothered to field a team against the US, thus the Walker Cup – named after George Herbert Walker, the USGA President at the time – became a bi-annual battle between GB & Ireland and America.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

With continued investment in its facilities, The Downshire Golf Complex continues to offer pay-and-play golf at its very best, with unrivalled access for golfers of all ages and abilities

Make a date with The Downshire

The Golf 4U Academy at The Downshire is an ideal place to improve all facets of your game

Making golf affordable as well as being accessible, is the foundation for getting the next generation of golfers interested and involved in the game, and nowhere is this philosophy more readily apparent than at The Downshire Golf Complex in Berkshire.

Under the ownership of Bracknell Forest Council since 1999, The Downshire, located a few miles from Wokingham, is a shining jewel among the many first-class leisure facilities on offer to the area’s residents – and the council has invested wisely and consistently in keeping this popular venue in tip-top condition during its last 12 years of stewardship.

Bucking the trend towards private ownership has set The Downshire apart from its rivals, and created a strong sense of community among local golfers. Voted among the best publicly-funded golf courses in the UK since opening its doors in the mid-70s, facilities at the complex comprise an 18-hole parkland golf course, a 9-hole pitch and putt course, a covered driving range, practice putting greens, a superb pro shop and a comfortable clubhouse.

Following significant investment over recent years, the main course has never been in better shape, with resources ploughed into a complete re-bunkering programme, while a schedule of sand-seeding injection has resulted in the playing surfaces being taken to new levels of consistency.

New tees and pathways, smart tee box signage and fairway distance markers have also improved the playing experience for all golfers.

Of course, the star of the show is the superb 6,371-yard layout. Formerly a par

73 course, the 11th hole was reduced from a par five to a 462-yard par four several years ago to bring the course to a standard par of 72. Off the back tees, it measures 6,371 yards, which provides a solid test for even the best players, while the yellows offer a more manageable 5,939 yards for a par of 72. Students of course design will be interested to note that renowned architect Fred Hawtree was responsible for creating this well-crafted parkland layout, and his signature touches are clearly visible.

There is water of some sort on 13 of the holes, but it is used judiciously and adds to the enjoyment. Another feature is the large greens, which allow numerous pin positions to provide varying tests from week to week. The course is no pushover, but it also offers the opportunity to make a few birdies if you keep the ball in play. The par three holes are particularly challenging, especially the third, while the seventh is undoubtedly the signature hole.

Running to 166 yards off the back tees, and with plenty of water in front of the green and bunkers guarding the front right, only a precise shot will give you a chance of par, let alone a birdie.

The green fees are graded according to the times you want to play, with just £20.70 securing a round on the 18-hole course from Monday to Thursday for non-members. This rises to £22.80 on Fridays and £27.50 during the weekend and Bank Holidays.

In line with its philosophy of access for all, the club operates a discounted green fee for over 60s of £12.70 per round (Mon-Thurs), while juniors (U16) have been given even more of an incentive to take up the game with green fees starting at just £8.20. The annual season ticket scheme remains

as popular as ever, with £615 offering tremendous value for money for regular golfers living in the area (£641 for those who live further afield). It allows play from Monday to Friday and after 1pm on weekends, and entitles the holder to 600 free practice balls for the driving range.

The Downshire is a complex in more ways than one, as a number of ‘clubs within a club’ exist in order to offer a range of competitions and other social activities to a varied group of members.

Besides offering handicaps, they also organise regular events and golf holidays abroad.

The Downshire is also very much a family course, with extremely buoyant youth and ladies’ sections. With Young Masters Golf and Tri-Golf programmes being run throughout the year – the latest of which attracted over 900 children – and regular coaching days during the school holidays, young golfers are certainly well looked after here. For youngsters and absolute beginners, the nine-hole pitch-andputt course provides a great place to build up confidence before tackling the main course.

The club operates a 10-day advance booking system (15-day advance booking for season ticket holders), but you need to be quick on the phone – you can also book tee times online – to bag a prime weekend slot. You can improve your chances of getting one, as well as reducing your green fees, by joining Bracknell Council’s privilege card scheme, ‘The E+ Card’, which, for an annual fee of £33.10 for an adult, allows golfers to book tee times up to 15 days in advance. If you run out of ‘proper’ balls then the large pro shop, run by Richard Bonner, is the place to head for. It is one of the most well-stocked

around, with an exceptional selection of bags, shoes and clothing (including a Nike Golf mini-store), as well as a wide range of keenly-priced equipment and clothing from all the major brands.

Next to the pro shop, the 30-bay floodlit driving range is also extremely popular with beginners and those warming up before a round, or enjoying some practice either on your own or under the expert eye of head professional Wayne Owers and his staff of qualified PGA pros. The Downshire’s Golf Academy offers a variety of personalised teaching programmes and the very latest swing analysis and custom-fitting equipment, while the driving range is fitted with 15 automatic ‘Power Tees’.

Among the additional facilities is a fantastic nine-hole putting and chipping area in front of the clubhouse. The allweather surface also features a fringe area, with varying levels of rough to help with chipping practices, while the undulating green – which can be speed adjusted – provides the ideal place for golfers of all levels to fine-tune their putting skills whatever the weather.

All these facilities are used by the Golf 4 U Academy teaching programme, marking yet another exciting development for local golfers.

The spacious air conditioned clubhouse, which underwent a stylish refit three years ago, offers a pleasant environment to enjoy some welcome sustenance after a round, with The Fairways bar and restaurant offering a full snack and bar menu, as well as catering for weddings, functions and societies. There is a boardroom to cater for meetings and conferences, and a huge drop-down screen in the main dining room is a big hit with golfers when there’s a big sporting event on TV. The complex is popular with visiting societies and is open for bookings for groups seven days a week. Breakfast and 18-hole packages start at £26.50pp, while coffee, 18 holes, and a threecourse meal, costs from £37.00pp.

As an added incentive for larger groups, the organiser goes free with a booking of 20 or more players. It is worth noting that a reduced green fee is charged over the winter months (November to March) leading to even better value for the golfer.

So, with summer in full swing, and the course in full bloom, there has never been a better time to head down to The Downshire, where a warm welcome awaits.

Downshire Golf Complex, Easthampstead Park, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3DH. Tel: 01344 422708.

Web: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ downshiregolf, Email: downshiregc@ bracknell-forest.gov.uk, Facebook: www.facebook.com/downshiregolf

August 2011 / Issue 202

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Lullingstone Park Golf Course late summer saver £10 from 2pm*

Blacknest on the market Blacknest Golf & Country Club in Hampshire has been put up for sale.

The Alton-based club, which features an 18-hole par 69 course, a six-hole academy course, and a 13-bay driving range, is being marketed at a guide price of £1.25 million by agents Humberts Leisure.

What’s played with a wooden clog for a club, large rubber balls, buckets for holes, a fairway that’s a farmer’s field, and it’s part of the latest push to get families involved in all forms of golf? Welcome to the wacky world of Farmers Golf.

Already a hit in Holland, where the game first originated over 10 years ago, the UK’s first course opened at Tulleys Farm in West Sussex earlier this month, and is proving a popular activity with people of all ages enjoying a summer break at the familyfriendly farm in Turners Hill.

Stuart Beare from Tulleys Farm said: “I saw Farmers Golf being played in Holland and was immediately struck by how popular it was with all ages. I decided it would be ideal for us to compliment the farm shop, tea rooms and the summer maze attraction we run. It’s a bit like crazy golf, but on an agricultural scale.

Its fantastic fun to play and I hope this will be the first of many courses around the UK.” To launch the first Farmers Golf Course, Mr Beare challenged local PGA professional Paul Lyons (pictured) from Lindfield Golf Club to a round of Farmers Golf. Lyons said: “Playing with a wooden clog instead of a golf club and farmland

Planning consent has recently been obtained to convert the first floor of the clubhouse into 10 en-suite letting bedrooms, with replacement leisure facilities on the ground floor. The club, which first opened in 1994, turned over £575,000 last year, with one-third of its income coming from membership sales.

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It’s golf – but not as you know it! instead of fairways is quite different to the golf I’m used to playing, but its fantastic fun and I’m sure will appeal to families. I hope it encourages many people to take up golf.”

Farmers Golf is played with a special wooden golf club, with a clubhead in the shape of a clog and a rubber ball 20cm in diameter. A hole is made by placing a bucket in the ground and a flagpole

beside it. Obstacles include anything one might find on a farm, including old tractors, fences and straw bales. There are currently 90 Farmers Golf locations in the Netherlands, and over 170 Europe-wide, including France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Poland and Finland.

A round at Tulley’s Farm costs £3 per person or £10 for a family of four.

Chatham hosts top chippers Leading golfers from across Europe will be descending on a golf course in Kent next month to take part in an international tournament. No, we’re not talking about a European Tour event, but rather the International Pitch & Putt Association’s Open Championship, which is being held at the amusinglynamed Snodhurst Bottom Pitch & Putt Course in Chatham, widely recognised as one of the most challenging course of its type in the country. The event traditionally attracts a top-class field, with last year’s renewal including the French Pitch & Putt champion and the British Strokeplay champion.

Last year’s title went to Spaniard Juan Fernandez Ardavin, who pitched and putted his way around the 18-hole course in three under par, while local man Dave Gabriel from Chatham will be looking to defend the seniors’ section title he won last year. The Snodhurst Bottom course, which is owned by Medway Council, has recently been refurbished and officials will be hoping for a home winner when the two-day tournament concludes on September 11.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

a game of two halves Golf News bags an exclusive interview with Darren Clarke as he looks back on his Open victory and forward to the ‘second half’ of his career Words by Paul Mahoney How does is feel to be the Open champion?

Ah, yes, the charmpion gawlfer of the yaar.

Brilliant, fantastic, awesome, wonderful. It has been a whirlwind. The Thursday morning after the Open was the first time I had any time to myself. I drove my Range Rover to Belfast to sort out my US visa. I dad the claret jug on the passenger seat and AC/DC blasting out of the sound system.

Ewen Murray came in for praise from Clarke for his coaching advice

That was quite a three-day party you had after winning at St George’s.

What was I going to do? Everyone was very excited on Sunday night and wanted to have a drink with me. That’s fine. It was a wonderful Freddie Flintoff moment when I had to speak to the media on the Monday morning. I think my eyes gave it away, although my speech didn’t help.

Where did the party rumble on to from Sandwich?

I went to a local bar at home in Portrush on the Monday. Then on Tuesday there was a party at Royal Portrush Golf Club during the day and another at night in a wine bar, where I met up with Rory and G-Mac. Then I went off to London on Wednesday to pick up a very nice cheque from Dunlop. Then back to Portrush.

You once said you thought your public image was that of ‘a normal bloke who liked a pint of Guinness’, will that hold true now you’ve hit the big time?

I haven’t changed already have I? Chubby [Chandler] has said that I’ve been living the life of a major winner for most of my career, only now I’ve got a trophy to show for it. I don’t see how

anything will change me – certainly not the money – I’ve got all I need.

The public support for me has been fantastic. The cheers that I received on every tee and every green over the last two days at St George’s virtually carried me over the line.

Do you realise how popular your victory is for normal people?

Ah, the anti-athletic poster boy, oh yes. I’m not your stereotypical golfing athlete rolling off the production line now. I suppose I’m a little bit different.

So people do identify with me, and that’s great. But do I realise how popular my victory has been? Not at all. But the reception I have had from everyone has been wonderful.

How did you manage to look so calm during the final round?

My only thoughts were about the next shot. Until I got onto the 17th tee and I had a four-shot lead. Then I was thinking ‘Right, just be a little sensible here, protect this lead and don’t do anything stupid’.

Is that the moment you knew you were going to win?

No. The first time I realised I was going

to win was when I was walking up the 18th fairway and knew I had four putts from the edge of the green.

The worse thing you can do is get ahead of yourself.

Did the pressure of playing in the 2006 Ryder Cup help?

Without a shadow of a doubt. Nothing will ever replicate the K Club in 2006.

That was pressure. That wasn’t just pressure for me. It was pressure performing for my peers.

There is a fabulous photograph of you sitting alone in the locker room at St George’s staring at the claret jug.

I wasn’t looking at any names on it.

I was just thinking I can’t believe I’m holding this, the Open Championship Claret Jug. It was all a blur. I’ve had no time to look at the names, even now.

I’ve been here, there and everywhere.

Did you think your chances to win had passed you by?

At some point the kids come through and there’s none of us getting any younger. I am 42. But my ball striking has always been good when I’m on.

I practised a lot at Portrush from the back tees to get ready for the Open.

August 2011 / Issue 202

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Moving back to Northern Ireland from London helped me. I remember discussing with Chubby whether I should go to the Scottish Open, and saying that I didn’t have many chances left to win the Open and I wanted to prepare properly.

But you shot a 75 in the final round of the Scottish Open, the joint worst score of the day, and left in a huff.

I was livid. So infuriated by what I did. I had a bad day, but before that I had been hitting the ball well. But I had no inkling of what would happen at the Open.

You were allocated a locker at St George’s in the area reserved for former champions. Do you believe in fate?

That was totally weird. I got to locker No.57 and I’m looking around and Tom Watson’s is next to me. And Justin Leonard’s and Ernie Els’. I thought, ‘What the hell am I doing in here?’ And then on Sunday someone said do you know you’ve got Greg Norman’s locker because he pulled out? A strange and cool thing to have happened.

Is it fair to say your self-confessed short fuse has often been your downfall?

I have been ready to hold my hands up and admit it. There was a period when I gave myself airs and graces and I was a bit of a horrible prat. A lot of that was not intentional. It was just my determination and desire, and getting annoyed that I wasn’t achieving what I felt I could. But still, looking back, it doesn’t make me feel that good at the way I was. But people mature at different ages. It has taken me a long time.

Have you mellowed with age?

I have calmed down more. It’s just getting older. Moving back to Portrush,

and being among family and friends has been huge. My boys are dayboys at school now, and I see them in the evenings at home. And I don’t take things for granted so much. I’m not so brash. I think about the other point of view, instead of jumping down people’s throats like I used to.

If you had ended your career without a major, would you have felt something was missing?

Yes, it would have been very disappointing, as I have always felt I have enough talent to win at least one major.

When I was younger I probably didn’t have the mental strength. I’m pretty impatient, which doesn’t help much when things go wrong, as they tend to do in golf. Getting my emotions in check has probably made the difference.

Now that you have done it, is there is a danger of thinking, ‘Job done’?

Yeah, totally, give up, that’s enough.

I don’t know if there are any more majors in me, but I’d like to put myself into position to find out.

You know how good you are, right?

Yes. But I keep that to myself. It’s not my way to shout from the rooftops about it. But I know when I play well I’m a pretty good golfer. Playing well regularly was something I maybe lost until recently. I was very poor at accepting average. Consequently, I kept beating myself up. Did I ever get really annoyed with the game? Yes. Really annoyed and fed up with it.

What did you think about Rory saying he couldn’t wait to get back to playing in the sunshine after being blown away at the Open?

He said that more in frustration. He had just stepped off the course and was annoyed. You’ve got to remember, he’s still only 22. He doesn’t need to change his game for links golf. He’s shot 61 around at Royal Portrush. He’s got all the shots. He just doesn’t always hit them. I try to tell him the right things. I would like to think he listens sometimes. His name will be on that Claret Jug before too long.

Do you think he will become the history maker everyone is predicting?

Without a doubt. Because he has so much talent. Because of the way he won

the US Open. It wasn’t just that he won, it was the way that he won. He just ripped the course apart and blew everybody else away. There are very few players who have the talent to destroy a field of that quality in the way that he did.

You must have a lot of sympathy for Lee Westwood.

I feel for Lee. He has gone close so many times. The game is fickle. It hammers you, then it gives you something back. Right now it’s tough on Lee, what with Rory winning and then me winning. But I would have a substantial bet on Lee winning a major sometime soon. He will be thinking if I can do it, so can he.

What’s next for you?

I need to sit down and figure out what my goals are. Because I’ve tried to win that trophy since I was a kid. Now I’ve done it, I need to reassess. Whether that’s to win more majors or not, I don’t know. I’m going to have a good long think about it. I never thought I was getting towards the end of my career because I lost a lot of my mid-30s when I wasn’t competing. I have a wonderful opportunity now to keep playing in the biggest tournaments until I am 47.

The Ryder Cup captaincy must be a certainty now?

I would never be so presumptuous to say that, but I hope to be captain one day. That’s up to the selection committee. Six years from now I will be 48. That, to me, is just about the ideal age for any captain. But whatever they would offer me, I would do.

What about your ambitions as a Ryder Cup player?

I’m desperate to play in another Ryder Cup. The matches have always been unbelievably good to me all through my career. Nothing will ever compare with the emotions I felt on the first tee at the K Club in 2006, but I would give everything to have one last crack at it.

Are you pressing the R&A to take the Open back to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951?

I hope the R&A can look favourably on the logistics, because the golf course is sensational. It’s as good as any we have on the Open rota. The Americans would love it. It would be wonderful.

Clarke returned to St George’s on the Monday after the Open having not had a minute’s sleep and his fair share of Guinness

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August 2011 / Issue 202

Kevin Nash tracks down hyperactive octogenarian Peter Alliss as he embarks on another tour of the UK, passing on 60 years’ worth of anecdotes and jokes

Although widely known for his commentating skills, Peter Alliss also enjoyed a hugely successful career as a pro, winnning 23 tournaments and playing in the Ryder Cup eight times

The Voice of Golf is tinged with impatience. I’ve started the conversation with what I consider to be a safe option: “Hello Peter, how are you?”

“Busy” comes the swift reply.

The subtext is clear. Get your skates on Sonny, I’ve got better things to be doing. So I move straight on to Peter’s latest tour of theatres the length and breadth of Britain. How are ticket sales, I wonder?

“We did a tour last year which was amazingly successful,” he says, warming to his theme. “Some of the venues could have sold out two or three times over.” He admits he was a bit concerned the first time round, ‘in case no one turned up’, but clearly needn’t have worried.

What will the latest shows be like? “Oh, it’ll just be me, talking about golf. I see it as a cure for grumpy old man syndrome.”

Maybe he has a point – the atmosphere is slowly, but surely, thawing. I mention that several of the theatres are in traditional golfing towns – Porthcawl, in South Wales, for example, is a new addition to the itinerary. “I suppose so, but then you’re never very far from a golf course anywhere in the UK.” He’ll be taking a short break from touring his one-man show in early September to oversee the annual Salterns Alliss Merlo celebrity pro-am at Ferndown, where he learned to play while his father Percy was professional there. That event, now in its 25th year, raises funds for wheelchairs for young people, and profits from the theatre tour will go towards the same charity as well as Help For Heroes.

What can audiences expect? “Well, for the first half I’ll tell them about my life, a few stories and so on. Then, after the interval, I’ll take questions from the

The World According to Alliss floor. There’ll be no film, or slides. Just me on stage, with a chair, a small table, and a jug of water. I don’t rehearse, but I’ve been doing speeches for donkey’s years, so it’s not a problem.”

Is he ever surprised by the questions he gets asked? “No, never. For example, on the last tour, when Tiger Woods was in the midst of all that turmoil, I was only asked twice whether he would be able to get back to the invincible figure he’d been before.”

He adds: “I enjoy talking about golf”, and now, clearly into his stride, that’s just what he’s doing. He says the men’s game is in a very healthy state.

“I never thought I’d see the day when Brits were one, two and three in the world rankings, and players from this country make up about a quarter of the top 100. I do wish the women’s side was a little stronger, though.”

He can’t resist harking back to the old days, when amateurs like Michael Bonallack would compete with the very best. “It seems that no-one can have a golf career as an amateur any more. As soon as you show any sign of promise, you turn pro, and you don’t even have to be in the top 50 to make a decent living.”

We’re speaking just a couple of weeks after McIlroy’s runaway victory in the US Open. Could he emulate Tiger, I ask, and go on to win many

more Majors? “He might, but you just never know. He might keep going at this rate for another 20 years, or he might never win again.”

Is the young Irishman one of his favourites, perhaps? “It’s not my job to have favourites,” he replies firmly. “If you get too friendly with the players, you’re naturally less inclined to criticise, and I always know a little bit more about them than they think I know.”

Although no longer quite at the chalk face of professional golf, Alliss has forgotten more about the game than most commentators will ever learn, and his mind – and his wit – is still as sharp as a razor blade. The oft-heard complaint about televised golf is that it is relentlessly upbeat, and its commentators petrified of saying anything that might cause offence. But, if anything, age seems to have released Alliss from the shackles of political correctness, and these days he is quite

happy to call it as he sees it – as he did at last year’s BMW PGA Championship when he verbally slapped down Nick Dougherty for poor scoring and for fussing over the condition of the Wentworth greens, rather than just getting on with it. Dougherty reacted by calling Alliss’s words ‘disgusting’ and a trading of insults ensued.

Alliss remains unmoved. “It’s only natural, given the absurdly pampered world in which they now operate, that professional golfers have become over-sensitive to criticism. Travel back 25 years, and you reach a time when players had to pay to use practice balls at a tournament. If they wanted to eat in the clubhouse they got out their wallets, like everyone else.

“I’m not here to do anything but to say what’s going on, and on that particular occasion they didn’t play well. I know precisely how hard it is.

I won 21 tournaments and played in eight Ryder Cups. Everyone’s so bloody delicate now. I’ve never heard so much twaddle. I always say golfers of 100 years ago were 10 times more skillful than this lot. They had hickory clubs, the bunkers weren’t raked, there were sheep on the course, and a fellow cut the greens with a scythe, yet still they went round St Andrews in 73.”

It’s exactly 50 years since the BBC asked whether Alliss fancied a stint behind the microphone, and last year he received a new contract that will take him up to 2013, by which time he’ll be 82 – a good age to be working in any capacity, never mind trawling provincial theatres doing live shows.

With Sky Sport’s domination of televised golf, the BBC’s coverage is limited to The Open, The Scottish Open, the Ladies British Open, and two days of the PGA Championship. Attempts to widen golf’s audience by using Gary Lineker as Steve Rider’s replacement as anchor were not well received. Alliss, ever the gentleman, falls silent for a couple of seconds when I mention the ill-fated idea, then, in a masterpiece of understatement, says: “Who? Oh well, he’s a footballer isn’t he?”

Drop former sidekick, the late Alex Hay’s name into the conversation, however, and the response is instant: “Alex was a dear, dear chap. I miss him so much. It was a big mistake [for the BBC] to let him go. Unfortunately, some people wanted him out. I fought tooth and nail to keep him in, but that was one battle I lost. ‘They’ said he was getting too old, and his voice sounded weary. What rubbish.”

Alliss still plays golf sometimes, mainly at Old Thorns in Hampshire, not far from his home at Hindhead, where youngest son Henry is director of golf.

“I like it there, because I can go out in a buggy,” he says. “Since I broke my leg I can’t walk much more than 200 yards.

I enjoy it though, playing with Henry and a few of the boys.”

Can he still cut it out on the course?

“You bet! I’m bloody good off 10, let me tell you. I could conquer the world off 10. Stick a false moustache on me and I’d be unbeatable.”

An Evening with Peter Alliss tours the UK in September, with dates in Worthing (13th), Horsham (18th), St Albans (21st) and Fareham (29th) among others. For the full list of venues visit www.peteralliss.co.uk and book tickets through the theatres.

August 2011 / Issue 202

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Horton Park gets its collar felt!

A competition to win a golf day for 50 friends and colleagues at Horton Park Golf Club in Surrey has resulted in a visit from the local constabulary. But the Sutton police aren’t turning up in squad cars hoping to make an arrest – rather members of the local force will be coming to the

course in their golf gear in a bid to raise more money for worthy causes.

The Police Golf Society, whose competition entry went by the name of The Long Arm of the Law, will be hosting its golf day in September, and already competition for places is keen. The society, which gets together every month to

Family of aces at Camberley

A father and son achieved a notable double at Camberley Heath Golf Club on August 6, when both scored hole-inones at the eighth hole during the club championship. Mike and Aaron Wilde, who were playing behind each other, aced the 235-yard hole with a driver and a 3-iron respectively.

play golf and raise money for local charities, are hoping to raise a large sum for the Royal Marsden Hospital for cancer patients.

Police Officer Daniel Watson, who entered the competition on behalf of his colleagues, said: “I only entered at the last minute and I never dreamed I’d win.

I recently took advantage of the great 9-hole membership here, as it is only £99 and it’s a great course. I’ve improved massively over the last two years, and we’re all really looking forward to our golf day.”

Visitors and societies can all look forward to enjoying the facilities at Horton Park, which has seen some significant improvements in the last two years under the ownership of Maple Leaf Golf.

These include a locker room refurbishment and investment out on the 9-hole golf course, including new irrigation, while a new fleet of greenkeeping machinery has made significant improvements to the quality of the playing surfaces.

Broke Hill drives up membership Broke Hill Golf Club in Kent is offering a unique incentive for anyone joining the Sevenoaksbased club during August and September. All new members who sign up during this period will receive either a free Callaway driver or an Odyssey putter upon payment of the £100 joining fee. In addition, for every new adult membership, the club is offering a free one-year’s subscription for a junior member from the same family.

Juniors must be under 18 to qualify.

For full details of this unique offer call Gary on 01959 533225.

Final showdown for Trailblazers The competition is heating up to find the Trailblazers Junior Tour Orders of Merit winners for 2011, with just one more event left until the field for the end-of-season Tour Championship is decided.

The latest two qualifying events were held at Abbey Hill Golf Centre and Boars Head Golf Centre. Adam Syed, Zain Ahmed, Charotte Heard, Shergo Kurdi and Olivia Heard won their sections at the former venue, while Richard Cheetham, Dacie Smith, Zain Ahmed,

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August 2011 / Issue 202

Veteran tour star Andrew Sherborne brought home the bacon, and £15,000 in prize money, after winning the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship

Tournament host Tony Jacklin

Last laugh: Comedian Jasper Carrott was among the celebrities taking part

Two-time European Tour winner Andrew Sherborne drew upon all his 30 year’s experience as a PGA professional to pull off a dramatic victory in the 2011 Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship held at Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire. The Bristol-born and based man fired an impressive three-under par total over two days of incredible golfing action over the club’s challenging Cromwell Course, shooting rounds of 55 and 50.

The 50-year-old Sherborne, who now competes on the European Senior Tour, thrilled crowds on a dramatic final day of the championship. At the start of play, veteran Senior Tour winner Carl Mason and Wales’s David Dixon led the field, both players quickly fell away to make it three-horse race between Sherborne and European Tour players Simon Wakefield and Seve Benson.

At one point, Sherborne held a fourshot lead over Benson, but as the latter’s challenge faded, Wakefield, who won last year’s Qualifying School, laid down a late charge. Needing a birdie at the last hole to force a play-off, andrenalin got the better of the 37-year-old from Yorkshire, and he hit his tee shot over the green, and failed to chip in.

The attending crowds went wild,

Larry Loretti

Fighting at 50 Lee Sharpe

Andrew Sherborne receives the winner’s trophy from Tony Jacklin

as winner Sherborne collected the £15,000 first prize -– the largest payout on the UK’s PGA circuit.

Sherborne, whose last professional victory came on the Challenge Tour over 10 years ago, was delighted with his win, and how he held it together over the final holes.

“I dropped shots on the last two holes, but I wouldn’t want to swap the first 16 holes,” Sherborne explained.

“I was only four behind at the start, and that’s nothing in any round of golf, let alone on a course such as the Cromwell, where the holes are so difficult. You can hit slightly too long, take a hard bounce and you have a double-bogey. Thankfully I managed to keep them off my scorecard during the final round.”

Sherborne admitted that his previous experience of the course gave him a slight advantage over his rivals.

“I think I finished joint third one year

and last the next – but that’s the sort of course it is. I’m now looking forward to going to Scotland to play in the Scottish Open, and I will definitely be back here next year to defend my title.”

The Norma C Herd Silver Salver awarded to the leading amateur at the Championship went to South Staffs youngster Aaran Rai, while this year saw the introduction of a new Super Seniors prize fund, with Dennis Durnian picking up the £5,000 prize for being the leading professional aged over 60, courtesy of his two-over par total.

Later in the week, former Par 3 champion Shaun Webster enjoyed a triumph in the Celeb-Am event, which as usual, attracted a stellar cast drawn from the world of sport, stage and screen. Nailcote Hall welcomed the likes of Lee Sharpe, Ron Atkinson, Jasper Carrott and Martin Corry to test their resolve on the challenging Cromwell Course, which resulted in

a win for former Surrey cricket star Dougie Brown and his team with an impressive score of 89 points.

The proceedings finished off in fine style, with all the teams enjoying a glamorous gala charity ball hosted by the two-time major champion Tony Jacklin, where entertainment was by singer Andy Abraham and compere Willie Thorne.

Snooker ace Thorne, a keen golfer and regular at the tournament, said: “This year has certainly surpassed previous years, and we are really delighted that we have attracted the level of professional golfers and celebrities to make this event as enjoyable as possible for participants and spectators. I would like to thank all involved for what has been an incredible event, and would urge those that haven’t been to come along next year, as it is a unique opportunity to see some of the greats from the world of sport.”

In addition to Jacklin, this year’s championship drew top players from several generations, including former US Senior Open champion Larry Laoretti, Tommy Horton, Gary Wolstenholme, Graeme Storm, Scott Jamieson and Danny Willett.

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 35

EwenMurray T

iger Woods’s return to competitive action earlier this month was pretty much as expected. His desire to compete has never wavered and, in some ways, the enforced lay-off will have done him no harm as he looks to build a ‘second career’ on the fairways of the world.

Woods has used his time off to make several changes. His split with long-time caddie Steve Williams was the last throw of his past and he returns, he says, with new ideas and a fresh focus on the future. Some of the old Woods, however, remains in place.

There were signs that the brilliance is still there, despite an average week at the Bridgestone Invitational, but he still remains distant from all who make up the tournament scene. Since his ‘life blip’, and a promise of showing more humility, Woods has done his best to reclaim his old secretive ways.

He tells us only what would become obvious anyway, with almost no explanation given. To be fair, that is his right, but it hasn’t made his return any easier for him. The sight of Phil Mickelson signing autographs for an hour after play at Firestone, while Woods slipped out of a side door, shows just how sadly out of touch the former world No.1 one is.

Over the past year, Woods has parted with his wife, caddie, management company, and his coach.

Maybe this is the foundation of the plan for the second coming – a wiping of the slate – with only his agent, Mark Steinberg, still in employment.

Some would look upon his situation and say he is lost for answers on how to handle failure, rejection and recurrent injuries. For the first time in his life he has had to

Sky Sport’s voice of golf speaks out on issues of the month

Will Woods ever be able to recapture the magic that saw him win 13 majors?

Welcome to Woods 2.0 deal with consistent defeat, so he is deleting everything from his past and waiting to see what the future holds.

Some day we will know why all of these changes came about, but not right now. Until 18months ago, Woods was the darling of the sporting world, the picture of success, with the crisp red shirt for those thrilling Sunday victories.

On his return to the press centre

in Akron, Woods was the same as he has been for 14 years. “I’m here to win the golf tournament, that’s what I’m focused on, that’s it. It is what it is”.

Yet on his bag was a college friend who has been close to him from childhood. Having not played since the nine holes at Sawgrass, he and caddie Bryon Bell looked nothing like the solid partnership Woods and Williams were for the past 12 years.

It looked more like a throwback from the carefree days he no doubt enjoyed before the eyes of the world were upon him.

The caddie is only in place for August, then Williams’s successor will be appointed. Woods’s coach, Sean Foley, will also be under pressure, although they seem to have forged a friendship, yet Woods’s driving in the last round at

Firestone was unacceptable.

So is Woods on his way back? It’s all a mystery at the moment, which is pretty much the way Woods wants it. His next win will be the most important of his career. The longer the barren run continues, the harder it will be to return to the halcyon days. If the win comes before the end of the year, he will once again be the player to beat in 2012.

Misjudged Williams makes all the difference

Steve Williams was a vital component in Adam Scott’s WGC win

The golfer of the month for August might well be Steve Williams, who was on the winning bag at Firestone for the eight time in his caddying career, and in the process took his caddie wins during his 33 years on tour to an astonishing total of 145. I was most surprised at the reaction of the British media after his latest win with new charge Adam Scott. It was quite the opposite in the United States, where at the 72nd hole the cheers were as loud for Steve as they were for Adam.

Our press scorned the words of the New Zealander, who suggested that he has always been ‘a good front runner’ not just as a caddie, but at his hobby of racing cars back home. Am I missing the point here? OK, maybe it sounds like he is blowing his own trumpet, but with his record in both racing and caddying, is he not also telling it the way it is?

I have been fortunate to have been a friend of Steve’s for 25 years, right back to the days when he was caddying for Ray Floyd and a few others on various tours.

He’s a hard worker, has never missed a tee time, and does his homework. He has belief in his own ability, and has never shirked an issue on the course. The reason he was with Woods so long is that his professionalism matched his employer’s The highest compliment I can pay him is that once Steve decided to make caddying his career, he set about it like any professional person would have done. In short, he put his heart and soul into doing it to the very best of his ability. During his time with Woods, I often read that he had the easiest job in the world, and the way Woods played week-in, week-out would suggest it was a dream job. But easy? I think not. He was, of course, handsomely rewarded, and is set up for life, but one must remember he is the best in his field. When you reach that elevated status, you deserve to be well paid.

In Akron, Adam Scott was different. There has been no doubting his talent, promise and class during the past decade, but two weeks ago there was a steely side to him that we have not seen before. There was also supreme confidence to go with excellent shot-making. There’s no doubt in my mind that Williams has made a difference, and I suspect I’m not alone in thinking that he made the difference in some of Woods’s many triumphs too.

36 /

News in Brief HARRINGTON drops coach Padraig Harrington has called a temporary halt to his working relationship Bob Torrance, the coach who helped him win three majors and whom he once called ‘a genius’. After missing the cut in the Irish Open, the Irishman, who has slipped from No.3 to No.64 in the world, said: “I’m not thinking of changing personnel.

I’ve got to change something in myself and my attitude or something along the lines of that. We haven’t split. We are having a break because I am getting very frustrated. Until I am ready to listen to what he has to say, we are having a break.”

Tour shuns Bahrain There will be no European Tour event in Bahrain early next year following the political unrest in the Middle East state.

The inaugural Volvo Golf Champions was staged in January with prize money of more than £1.5m and a field that included Darren Clarke, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington and the eventual winner Paul Casey.

But shortly afterwards there were a number of deaths as the authorities reacted to public demonstrations against the ruling political party.

Now, after waiting five months to see how the situation developed, the decision has been taken by the golf authorities not to return yet, following on from the decision to cancel the Formula One grand prix due to be staged there this season.

Evian becomes fifth major The Evian Masters, which is already classed as a major on the Ladies European Tour schedule, will become a major championship on the LPGA from 2013 and will be renamed ‘The Evian’. The Evian Masters has been one of the biggest tournaments in the world, with the joint highest prize fund in women’s golf of $3.25 million. The Evian Masters Golf Course is to be completely re-designed to create a tougher, more strategic test for 2013.

August 2011 / Issue 202

McIlroy makes move on America US Open champion Rory McIlroy has stated his intention to take up his card on the PGA Tour next season. The 22-yearold from Northern Ireland played on the US circuit last season, but then gave it up because he was missing his family and friends. But now he has changed his mind again, citing a new love for American-style layouts following his failure to handle the conditions at Royal St George’s.

“I’m leaning towards taking my PGA Tour card again,” McIlroy said on the eve of the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. “I feel like my game suits the courses and most of my favourite events are in the US, so I’d like to give it a go.”

McIlroy picked out Quail Hollow, Memorial and Akron as being among his favourite

Rory McIIroy is to focus on the PGA Tour next year

courses, adding: “I have my favourite events, and most of them seem to be on this side of the pond. I’m going to look at a few houses in Florida after the USPGA, and I’m looking at maybe playing a full season over here. I

seem to play my best golf here, so it’s something I’m looking at seriously.”

McIlroy’s decision will come as a bitter blow to Tour officials in Europe, who only last month handed the young Irishman a

Major champions call for tour to return to Portrush The remarkable run of major victories by Northern Irishmen Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke has prompted renewed calls for the Open Championship to return Northern Ireland, with all three players suggesting Royal Portrush would be the ideal venue, having last hosted the Open in 1951.

“Rory, Darren and I would be right behind an Northern Ireland event, with the potential of then getting the Open back to Portrush,” McDowell said. “To play the Open in Portrush is a wild dream, to play a European Tour event in Portrush is an achievable dream. I will be doing everything I can to make it happen.”

The power-sharing executive in Belfast has pledged to provide funding to help Royal Portrush secure a tour event. It is envisaged that the famous links course could stage the Irish Open within two years – a move that could pave the way for

the Open Championship itself returning to Northern Ireland for only the second time in its history. Concerns have been previously raised about the infrastructure surrounding Portrush, and whether it could cope with hosting such a large event.

Royal Portrush is hoping to stage a tour event in the near future

Euro Tour considers Seve logo The European Tour is considering changing its logo to feature Seve Ballesteros, in honour of the Spanish legend who died in May, aged 54.

Currently the image is a silhouette of six-times Open winner Harry Vardon, but several high-profile players, including Colin Montgomerie and Sir Nick Faldo, want it redesigned to honour Ballesteros.

The future of the Seve Trophy, which is scheduled to take place in September, is also to be reviewed.

lifetime membership of the European Tour. With PGA Tour members required to play a minimum of 15 events, McIlroy is likely to limit his appearances on the European Tour to around half a dozen per year at best.

Tseng retains Women’s Open title at ‘Carnicety’ Taiwan’s Yani Tseng retained the Women’s British Open to rack up her fifth major title at the age of 22, an achievement unparalleled by any golfer before her. The women’s world No.1 shot a final round 69 at Carnoustie to finish four strokes ahead of America’s Brittany Lang, who fired four birdies in the final eight holes for a final round 67. Third round leader Germany’s Caroline Masson had to settle for a share of fifth, alongside 2009 champion Catriona Matthew, after carding a disastrous six-over par 78.

While Tseng became the first woman to defend the title since America’s Sherri Steinhauer in 1999, Masson was left to reflect on a heartbreaking last day as her dreams of glory vanished in a flurry of bogeys. They came at the second, third, seventh, 10th, 11th and 15th holes, while a double bogey at the 12th saw her slump to eight over for the round.

Tseng, who earned a first prize of £239,047, said: “It’s so great to make history on this course. It’s an honour to win the British Open again. I felt much more comfortable this year than last year, and I have been learning from my mistakes.

Next year there are another four majors, and I will try and keep working hard and keep winning.”

Scott on fire at Bridgestone Australia’s Adam Scott moved back into the top 10 in the world following an impressive front-running display at the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Ohio.

The 31-year-old, who came close to winning the US Masters in April, opened up with an 10-under par 62, and despite treading water in the second and third rounds, closed with a flawless final round 65 to win by four shots from world No.1 Luke Donald and an on-form Rickie Fowler.

In what provided an added twist to events, Scott had Tiger Woods’ former caddie, Steve Williams on the bag in what was Woods’s first tournament since April, and the first event

since the pair announced their split.

Williams said: “It’s the greatest week of my caddying life – and I sincerely mean that. It’s the most satisfying win I’ve ever had, there’s no two ways about it.

Woods finished 37th following his 12-week absence, showing flashes of brilliance amid some typically wayward driving.

“I’m still struggling with my alignment and trusting the fact that the ball doesn’t shape as much as it used to,” said Woods.

“But I’m absolutely encouraged. You have to understand I haven’t played. Playing money games with my buddies at home is just not quite the same.”

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 37

Keegan scores home win Although the leaderboard for the final round of the 2011 US PGA Championship was a little short on star quality, what it lacked in recognisable names it more than made up for in pure drama, as the cast of B listers conspired to create the kind of excitement that only a course with a finish as tough as the Atlanta Country Club can produce.

History will record that Keegan Bradley, a 25-year-old PGA Tour rookie from Woodstock, Vermont, beat his compatriot Jason Dufner after a three-hole play-off, but the bare facts do little justice to the drama that unfolded over the last four holes, widely regarded to be the hardest in major tournament golf.

Heading into the final four holes of regulation play, Dufner, a 34-yearold without a professional win to his name, had a five-shot lead after Bradley looked to have ruined his chance with a card-wrecking triplebogey six at the treacherous 259-yard, par three 15th. But Dufner, with the hand of history seeming to weigh heavy on his somewhat rounded shoulders, made a mess of the 15th too, pushing his tee shot into the water, and walking off with a bogey.

Meanwhile Bradley, playing a hole ahead conjured up two remarkable birdies, the first at the 16th, where he holed from 10 feet, followed by another at the 17th, where a swinging 40-foot putt dropped in dramatic fashion to

win a major with that most ugly of tools – but no one can argue about such a gutsy performance from someone so inexperienced.

The minor placings were filled by a pair of resurgent Scandanavians – Anders Hansen and Robert Karlsson – who shot 66 and 67 respectively to fly up the leaderboard. Overnight leader Brendan Steele collapsed to finish 19th after a 77, while Lee Westwood and Luke Donald, pressing hard from too many shots back, shared eighth place with creditable final round 68s. Westwood, in particular, will rue his continued poor form with the putter, after playing beautifully from tee to green, but for now the honours are back with America, with Bradley’s brave win giving the US its first taste of major glory since the Masters in 2010.

He shoots, he scores: Keegan Bradley reacts to the 40-foot birdie he bagged on the 17th hole

Tour rookie Keegan Bradley wins US PGA title in dramatic fashion as Dufner falters see his odds of winning come tumbling down, having slipped out to a whopping 270-1 after his collapse just two holes earlier.

Dufner, who had a ringside seat to watch the action ahead, suddenly turned from a fairway-finding robot to being a rabbit caught in the headlights. Finding a greenside bunker at 16, he missed a 15-foot par putt, and then three-putted the

17th, just as Bradley’s approach to the brutal par-four 18th cleared the water and found the heart of the green.

With the scores tied on eight under, both players went back to the 16th for a three-hole play-off, and from the very first approach shot, which Bradley hits to four feet for yet another birdie, the contest was over.

In the first flush of victory there is always the risk of getting carried

away, but Bradley, who was playing in his very first major, does look a cut above the average winner.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

Once described as the easiest shot to perf provokes utter terror among many golfers Cleveland Golf Short Game Ambassador B

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In addition to correct posture and alignment, it is important to choose a putter that aids, rather than hinders, alignment, so look for models that have clear visual alignment aids, whether it be scoring marks on the topline or along the body, much like the Cleveland Never Compromise putter does in the picture.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 39

form, but the hardest to perfect, putting s, but it needn’t be this way if you follow Ben Clayton’s guide to holing more putts

STEPS TO R PUTTING

ONE WEDGE IS A START, TWO IS BETTER, BUT THREE IS A

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When working on your putting, spend the majority of your time on putts inside six feet, where you are more than likely to hole out. Endlessly missing 20-footers does nothing to your confidence before a competitive round, so make it easy on yourself.

The memory of the ball hitting the back of the hole will then spread throughout your putting game, and before you know it, you will be holing more mid-to-long range putts as well.

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I use the Dinero Executive model because I enjoy a classic look that allows me to putt with great feel. However, others may decide that a strong roll is more important to them and therefore choose the Dinero Mogul model, where the mallet-shaped head will give them the confidence to make a smooth stroke, but still see the ball move with pace towards the hole.

The best putter is the one that works for you, so once you’ve settled on one that ticks all your boxes, my advice is just to stick with it through thick and thin, rather than endlessly switching in search of the holy grail of putters.

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August 2011 / Issue 202

Ping Anser Forged Wedges RRP: £150 Contact: www.pingeurope.com A complement to last year’s forged Anser irons, the new Anser wedge is forged from soft stainless steel that provides the kind of solid feel that will appeal to mid to low handicapper.

The head features a tungsten toe weight that optimises the centre of gravity and increases MOI for high-spinning, low trajectory shots and consistent distance control.

A thicker hitting area, featuring a stabilising bar and an hour-glass-shaped reinforced back cavity, ensure consistently solid shot making, while the machined grooves produce maximum spin rates under the new groove rules. Available in 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60° lofts, with Dynamic Gold Spinner and Ping CFC steel shafts in Soft R, R, S and X flexes, and TFC 169i graphite shafts in L, Soft R, R and S flexes.

Plaser Swing Plane Training Aid RRP: £149.99 Contact: www.plaser.co.uk Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced professional, getting your golf swing plane right makes all the difference to the way you play golf. Available in right or left handed versions, the Plaser is a practice club which features two lasers – one mounted in the grip and the other in the hosel – to provide instant feedback on swing plane. It shows how the correct swing plane should feel and trains the body to repeat that swing consistently.

Using the Plaser 5 iron instead of a conventional club, the player adopts his or her natural set up position above the Plaser swing plane track

which can be placed on the floor, inside or outdoors. As you draw the club backwards from the address position, the two laser beams track your swing plane progress along the plane track.

Then, moving through your swing you simply have to keep the lasers’ green dot between the track’s two lines and your game is already improving.

Practice this regularly and it will become a learned motor skill. The unique Plaser golf club will train your body and mind to improve your swing for much greater accuracy and consistency.

Plaser helps to position your body

correctly at every point of the swing and improve your balance and posture. Ensuring the correct position throughout the swing from addressing the ball, halfway back, at the top of the backswing, halfway down and to the point of impact, no other product comes close the ease and simplicity of how Plaser helps to improve the straightness and distance you achieve. The pack includes a 5-iron complete with a club head cover and charger, a swing plane track and an instructional DVD, featuring PGA professional Jon Farmer.

Snooper Mondial Power Trolley RRP: £1,999 Contact: www.snooperuk.com More a high-tech feat of engineering than a bog-standard power trolley, the Snooper Mondial is nevertheless designed to convey your golf bag around the course in much the same way as any other trolley does, only this particular model will set up back the thick end of two grand.

The reason being is that the Mondial has been developed in conjunction with Powergolf, Germany’s foremost power trolley brand, and is manufactured from only the highest quality materials. The body, which weighs in at 9kg, is made from polished stainless steel, and the wheel frames are hewn from ultra-light magnesium. The state-of-theart drive system is neatly contained within the rear axle casing, while the lithium-ion battery – which is fitted as standard – will comfortably see you round 45 holes on a single charge.

The handle-mounted control mechanism offers stepless variable speed regulation, ensuring no sudden lurches forward, while there is autobrake function for 10, 20 and 30 metres. There is also a free-wheel setting for when you want to travel at your own pace without fighting the gearing.

An ergonomic folding design makes for simple and compact storage, while the trolley comes with its own cover to keep mud out of the boot of your car, which hopefully cost you a shade more than the trolley.

Titleist 910H Hybrid RRP: £195 Contact: www.titleist.co.uk Replacing the hugely successful 909H, the 910 hybrids deliver total performance and versatility with improvements in flight, sound, look and feel over its predecessor. With a completely redesigned head, the 910H is designed to generate higher launch with less spin for greater control and consistency. In addition, the 910H features the same adjustable SureFit Tour hosel seen in the 910 D2 and D3 drivers. This means loft and lie can be independently adjusted in any one of 16 positions to promote different flight characteristics. It is available in 17, 19, 21 and 24-degree lofts.

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 41

TaylorMade R11 iron RRP: £799 (gr), £699 (st), 4-PW Contact: www.taylormadegolf.eu Following the sizeable impact made

by TaylorMade’s all-white R11 driver, it was only going to be a matter of time before it brought out a matching set of irons to complete the range. And these eye-catching sticks are the result, with a token white flash in the cavity the cosmetic link between the two clubs.

But these cast irons have more than just looks going for them, with plenty of the brand’s trademark technology having gone into producing clubs which, according to TaylorMade, combine the distance and forgiveness found in

the Burner 2.0 irons, with the feel and precision of the Tour Preferred range.

The engine room of the head is the red precision-weighting port located in the rear cavity, which precisely positions the centre of gravity in each iron to promote optimised ball flight. The CG is low in the longer irons to make them easier to launch, and higher in the shorter irons.

Progressively wider soles in the longer irons also pull the CG lower for easier, higher launch, while also increasing MOI to make them more stable

and forgiving. The sole is slightly thinner and the leading edge a little sharper than the 2.0 irons, to improve turf interaction and create smooth, clean ball striking, while the transition from the topline into the hosel is seamless, and pleasing to the eye.

The standard set comes with eight irons, and will be available from September 1 in S, R, M, L shaft flexes.

The steel shaft offering will be the KBS 90, while the graphite offering will be the Motore 75 S, 65 R, 55M. Both sets are fitted with Tour Velvet grips.

Nike Golf Lunar Control Shoes RRP: £119.99 Contact: www.nikegolfeurope.com Worn by all of Nike’s players on duty at last month’s Open Championships, the Lunar Control claims to be the lightest shoe on Tour, and offers a combination of stability and comfort. Offering a nod to the best of British tailoring, the leather uppers feature patent leather accents, while Herringbone tweed in the collar evokes tailored suit material.

Performance features in this waterproof shoe include Lunarlon cushioning, the next generation Nike Power Platform, and a Flywire saddle that features tiny strands of nylon fibres that wrap around the midfoot to hold the foot securely in place throughout the swing.

Ping G20 Irons RRP: £80 per club w/steel shaft; £100 per club w/graphite shaft.

Contact: www.pingeurope.com Ping traditionally provokes a strong reaction to its iron offerings, with the two camps falling into the ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ categories, with very little middle ground. The ‘love it’ brigade must be a pretty substantial one as far as the G range is concerned, as Ping continues to sell bucket loads of them on the basis that they are just so damn easy to hit. The new G20 irons offer plenty of reasons for fans to make the upgrade, while detractors will also have their usual brickbats, mainly centered on the chunky clubhead – precisely the thing that makes them such a cinch. As for specifics, the G20s combine a new multi-material tuning port in the cavity with an ultra-thin face to deliver what Ping claims to be its most forgiving iron yet. The multi-material cavity badge is made from aluminium, with soft elastomer heel and toe sections enhancing feel, arguably a performance quality missing from previous designs.

Combined with Ping’s new CFS (Control, Feel, Stability) steel shaft, the structure behind the thin face helps provide consistent distance control throughout the set. It also allows weight to be redistributed to the perimeter and the back of the head, which enhances forgiveness, as well as producing a high launch.

The hosel-to-head transition throughout the set inspires confidence at address, while the wide sole helps to get the ball airborne from any lie. The G20 range is available in 3-9, PW, UW, SW and LW. The steel CFS shaft is available in SR, R, S and X flexes, while the graphite TFC 169i comes with L, Soft R, R and S flex options.

Ping G20 Driver

ECCO World Class GTX

RRP: £250 Contact: www.ecco.com/golf

RRP: £255 Contact: www.pingeurope.com Billed as being an ‘evolution rather than revolution’, both in terms of design and performance, Ping’s new G20 driver resembles what the love child of a one-night stand between the G15 and the K15 drivers would look like if golf clubs ever got into the habit of speed dating.

The latter features a visible weight port on the heel that encourages a draw, while the former is a regular-looking driver that has won appeal with a wide cross-section of golfers, from tour pros to high handicappers.

Thus the morphing of the two has resulted in a driver that resembles the G15 from above, but the K15 from below, with the external weight port shifted directly behind the sweet spot. Placed low and deep, this weight creates the ideal combination of low spin and high launch that is required for long, straight drives.

The G20 also features a slightly larger face – 3% – than its predecessors, and that, coupled with a variable-thickness face, generates faster ball speeds across a wider surface area. The 460cc head is made from a light, low density titanium alloy, whose high strengthto-weight ratio allows for additional weight to be strategically placed, increasing the MOI on both the vertical and horizontal axes.

In practice, this results in performance that offers the best of both worlds, with the G20 launching it high and long, with the type of penetrating trajectory that will appeal to good players, as well as offering plenty of carry for those who struggle to get the ball airborne.

The ball flight is further enhanced by Ping’s high-balance-point TFC 169D shaft, which enables golfers to swing the clubhead with more mass at the same speed, creating a higher MOI and faster ball speeds.

All told, the G20 is a small, but significant step forward for Ping, who, like all the other main brands, is finding it harder to eke out the extra yards, while still offering drivers that control accuracy. It’s always a trade off, so getting a custom fitting is vital to find the right model for your game.

My only disappointment is that Ping has kept faith with the same burgundy colour scheme found on the G15 – further evidence, if any were needed, that the G20 is an evolution, not a revolution.

The G20 is available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° lofts, with TFC 169D (L, Soft R, R, S, and X flexes) and TFC 169D Tour (R, S, and X flexes) shafts.

Although the fundamentals of Ecco’s World Class shoes remain much as they were – water repellent GoreTex leather uppers, leather soles, second skin linings, climate control insoles – the cosmetics have changed significantly, with a striking new white/purple colour combination to add to the traditional all white and all black options that were previously available.

Worn by the likes of Graeme McDowell, Fred Couples and Thomas Bjorn, the World Class GTX offers tourstandard levels of comfort and performance.

Nike VR Pro Cavity irons RRP: £490 (S) £560 (G) 4-PW Contact: www.nikegolfeurope.com

A direct replacement for Nike’s Victory Red irons, the Pro Cavity irons have a slighter smaller head profile and thinner topline then their predecessors, making them more appealing to better players without any noticeable trade-off in terms of forgiveness. This has been achieved through the use of a transitional weighting system that moves the centre of gravity throughout the set to help provide the optimal launch for each iron. The long irons are a three-piece construction, with added weight to improve forgiveness; the mid irons are two-piece for feel and forgiveness, and the short irons are one-piece to help optimise feel. The irons come with True Temper Dynalite 110 shafts as standard.

42 /

August 2011 / Issue 202

1

Cleveland Launcher FL

2

RRP: £150 Contact: www.clevelandgolf.com

3

RRP: £215 Contact: www.titleist.co.uk

5

The Launcher FL is around 30g lighter than most other fairway woods, which equates to a swing speed increase of around 3mph and a distance gain of 7-10 yards. This is achieved by using lightweight 43g Miyazaki shaft, which is exclusive to Cleveland. The 3-wood is available in 13, 15 and 17-degree lofts.

Titleist’s latest fairway woods feature a SureFit Tour hosel that allows independent lie and loft adjustments to tweak ball flight for distance, control and accuracy. Additionally, the larger volume head design improves control and distance from the tee, while the deeper clubface inspire the confidence when hitting off the deck.

TaylorMade R11

4

RRP: £199 Contact: www.taylormadegolf.eu

3

3

1

Mizuno JPX800

RRP: £139 Contact: www.mizuno.eu

7

Featuring the same matt white crown found of the R11 driver the fairway wood also features an adjustable sole plate and hosel, which allows you not only to deloft and increase loft by one degree in either direction, but also enables ball flight to be altered by two degrees from the neutral setting to encourage a draw, fade or straight shot.

4

Titleist 910Fd

Like the driver in the same range, the fairway woods feature Mizuno’s hot metal technology, which is designed to provide consistently high ball speeds from a wide area of the steel face thanks to increased stability on both its vertical and horizontal axis. The straight, high flight will suit all skill levels, while the square look at address will appeal to better players.

8

6

IS A MAGIC NUMBER The lowest lofted fairway wood deserves a place in everyone’s bag

5

Callaway RAZR Hawk

6

Ping G20

7

Cobra S3 Max

RRP: £199 Contact: www.callawaygolf.com

RRP: £175 Contact: www.ping.com

RRP: £159 Contact: www.cobragolf.co.uk

Benefitting from the same lightweight forged composite crown used in the RAZR Hawk driver, the centre of gravity has been precisely placed to offer the best possible combination of distance and accuracy, along with incomparable feel. A stainless steel face and sole in a traditional shape with a fulllength hosel give it appeal to a broad range of players.

The new G20 fairway wood promises a higher flight without adding extra spin, resulting in longer shots.

Compared to the G15, the G20 features a larger head and face to help ensure high ball speeds across the entire face. It also boasts an external weight port low and back in the head to help produce high launch and low spin.

Featuring an offset design to provide draw-biased distance, the stainless steel S3 Max fairway wood is 25% larger than its predecessor, which increases the size of the club’s sweet spot for higher COR and increased overall distance. The crown is marked with distinct lines to help with alignment and encourage the correct swing path.

8

9

Nike VR Pro

9

Wilson DXi

RRP: £200 Contact: www.nikegolfeurope.com

RRP: £149 Contact: www.wilsonstaff.com

Aimed at better players, the compact, pear-shaped head features a blank crown with no alignment aid, but benefits from Nike’s adjustable STR8-FIT technology. The Variable Full Compression Channel on the sole increases speed at impact over a larger percentage of the clubface, delivering greater distance on draws, fades or straight shots.

DXi fairways feature a large radius sole that sits comfortably behind the ball from all lies to provide confidence at address, while the heavy sole ensures the centre of gravity is located to low to create a high launch angle. A three-zone variable thickness face expands the sweetspot across the face for high levels of forgiveness.

2

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 43

The Solheim Cup desperately needs a European win to revive its reputation as a competitive event, and no-one knows that more than Alison Nicholas, who is leading the home challenge at Killeen Castle next month Words by Sam Kirk

Pocket Battleship SOLHEIM CUP TEAMS (AS OF AUGUST 1)

European Team Pos Player

1

Laura Davies (ENG)

2

Melissa Reid (ENG)

3

Christel Boeljon (NL)

4

Suzann Pettersen (NOR)

5

Maria Hjorth (SWE)

6

Anna Nordqvist (SWE)

7

Catriona Matthew (SCO)

8

Sandra Gal (GER)

9

Captain’s pick

10 Captain’s pick 11 Captain’s pick 12 Captain’s pick

US Team Pos Player

1

Cristie Kerr

2

Morgan Pressel

3

Angela Stanford

4

Stacy Lewis

5

Paula Creamer

6

Michelle Wie

7

Brittany Lincicome

8

Brittany Lang

9

Juli Inkster

10 Christina Kim 11 Captain’s pick 12 Captain’s pick Final teams to announced on August 29.

Winless in the Solheim Cup since 2003, the responsibility of leading Europe’s best female golfers into battle with America in September rests, for the second time running, on the diminutive shoulders of Alison Nicholas.

The 49-year-old from Yorkshire, who stands just five feet tall in her spikes, has always reached for the heights, having conquered golf courses and golfers from her home country, to Europe, the Far East, Australia and, to the toughest of circuits, America, where an illustrious professional career was capped by her capture of the US Women’s Open in 1997.

Unlike the Ryder Cup, where captains are no longer accorded a second bite at the cherry, Nicholas has been given a chance to gain consolation, if not revenge, for the 1612 defeat inflicted on her team in 2009 at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois.

Acting virtually as an ambassador for the September showdown, Nicholas is taking to the task of winning back the cup with missionary zeal, travelling the length and breadth of Europe to fire up interest in the matches, which will be in danger of being seen as a non-event should Europe succumb to a fourth consecutive defeat.

Nicholas says she is ‘humbled and honoured’ to be able to lead the European ranks again. Currently mulling over who will comprise the eventual team of twelve, she is conscious that home fans, and the event itself, demand a home win.

“Being captain is pressure-packed, but having done it before, I feel more relaxed about it. I know now what to expect,” she says. “We’ve not won it on the last three occasions, but I am hoping we can bring the cup back to Europe, especially as we

are ‘at home’ in Ireland.”

Nicholas is not used to losing, and it’s a habit she is keen not to develop at this late stage in her career, which ended as a player in 2004 following a 20-year spell on the Ladies European Tour. Her CV records 18 professional wins, four of which came in America, at a time when very few Europeans ventured across the Atlantic. She won the British Open in 1987, before it was classified as a major, but her finest hour came in 1997, when she beat the indomitable Nancy Lopez by a single shot in the US Open at Pumpkin Ridge.

In addition to her impressive solo career, Nicholas has also proved the consummate team player. She has the Solheim Cup coursing through her veins in much the same way compatriot Laura Davies has. She has played in six matches, with victories in 1990, 1992 and 2000 intertwined with defeats in 1994, 1996 and 1998. Although her playing career drew to a close seven years ago, the Solheim Cup keeps her in the heat of top-level combat.

“Like the Ryder Cup, it’s just such a great event, a special team event where the match-play format gives it that special edge, that extra spice.

The atmosphere it creates is second to none,” she says. “The Ryder Cup is obviously the biggest team event, but we are getting there. Back in the first year, in 1990, there were only about 300 to 500 spectators. But in 2003 you were looking at 100,000 fans over the three days.”

Despite the expected local support, America will arrive at Killeen Castle as strong favourites, with a host of experienced players to draw from, even though their dominance on the world stage has been eclipsed by the rise of players from the Far East.

“The US team will be packed with

extremely talented and competitive players,” says Nicholas. “We ran them to the wire last time, and I am confident that we can do the same in this one, and hopefully go one better and get the win. I have a core of players that will be very similar to the core I had last time, which can only be a good thing, and we have some young players coming through as well, which I will try to blend together with the experience we have. I will be looking for players who are mentally tough, and who can handle the pressure that this type of event produces.”

Among those Nicholas will be looking to lead from the front will be Laura Davies, who, at just a year younger than her captain, boasts the longest pedigree in the event, having made her debut in the inaugural Solheim Cup at Lake Nona in 1990. In 12 ties, she has played in a record 43 matches, winning 21, losing 17 and drawing five – not a bad achievement given her team has lost nine of the 12 encounters. Britain has not produced another player like her, and it is a tribute to her mentality and dedication that, 21 years later, she is still a vital part of the team.

“I absolutely see Laura playing a massive part in my plans. She is an inspiration to anyone looking to take up golf. People just have to look at what she has achieved to know that she is a shining example of what you can do if you dedicate yourself to the game.

She will qualify automatically and will bring a huge amount of experience, which without doubt will be of great benefit to all of the team.”

Although the Solheim Cup is a European event, the question as to why British ladies golf

been suffering at the top level remains a pressing one. Catriona Matthew is currently the highest ranked British player in the world (36th), while Melissa Reid and Davies follow closely behind in 39th and 68th respectively.

Matthews and Davies are European golf’s stalwarts, having been flying their respective countries flags for over two decades, while Reid, aged 23, is a rare example of a youngster from the British Isles breaking into the world’s top 50.

Ask Nicholas what is needed to start producing good British women players on a consistent basis, and she points the finger squarely at the grass roots of the game. “I think golf clubs need to pull their fingers out and really encourage youngsters to play the game and continue their participation.

The likes of Michelle Wie and the new generation of girls coming through have done a lot to raise the profile of women’s golf being a young person’s game, where fashion and skill can go hand in hand, but the difficulty with the girls is that they tend to drop out once they reach school age, and the hard part is to get them to continue playing. Encouragement from the clubs and the counties and Sport England, is key to getting them to carry on and continuing their development.”

Nicholas believes that although that the lure of a family life can be a discouraging factor when it comes to girls taking their game to the next level, it shouldn’t be. “It can be difficult for women to find a balance between honouring golfing commitments and responding to maternal instincts,” she says. “You can’t force people to play, but you have to reiterate the fact that they can earn a good living and still go on to have children. More and more players are choosing to play professional golf and have a family.

They have excellent childcare facilities on Tour these days.”

Although the crèche at Killeen Castle won’t be overflowing with babies next month, one gets the feeling that Nicholas will be the one brooding over her charges like a supportive mother hen when the talking stops and the action finally gets under way.

Only this particular mother hen will be riding around in a golf buggy and clucking into a walkie talkie.

44 /

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SEE PAGE 9 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Stay & play in the

Garden of England Play one of the best courses in Kent while enjoying the very comfortable 4 star Ramada Hotel 1 night Bed & Breakfast, 2 Rounds of Golf

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Contact us today on: 01622 844382 www.theridgegolfclub.co.uk The Ridge Golf Club, Chartway Street, Sutton Valence, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3JB

Golfers looking to bag themselves a great value golf break in the UK this autumn, should try out a quartet of stunning courses on the Hampshire/Surrey border Experienced golf holiday company Exclusive Golf Breaks has put together a superb package for stay-athome golfers this autumn, combining a collection of wonderful courses with quality hotels, to offer an unbeatable three-course, two-night break.

Golfers can chose between the delights of Hindhead, Hayling Island, Stoneham and Liphook, while staying at either the Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth or the Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa in Haslemere, for as little as £259 per person, based on guests playing three courses and sharing twin rooms.

The only problem with this break is deciding which course to leave out, as they are all classics that you’ll want to play again and again.

Hindhead is a delightful Open qualifying course set over two valleys, and is in superb condition all year round. The front nine meanders majestically through Neolithic valleys guarded by tall pines before finally emerging to the hillside plateau of the back nine. Peter Alliss is a member here, so you might be lucky to catch ‘The Voice of Golf’ swapping

Play where the stars have played From e30 (£27)

The 11th hole at Hayling Island

Classic tracks on your doorstep

The 9th hole at Hindhead

stories in the atmospheric clubhouse after your round.

Just down the A3, Liphook is similarly spectacular, with the classic heathland course always presented in pristine condition, and boasting some of the best greens in the country. Although the course measures just 6,200 yards, its par of 69 and the prevalence of trees and heather will keep your score honest. With each hole enjoying its own sanctuary, and the sandy turf a pleasure to hit off, there are

1996-2009

few more enjoyable settings for a day’s golf.

Pushing on down to the coast, the A3 takes you almost to the doorstep of Hayling Island Golf Club, arguably one of the most under-rated links courses in the country.

Enjoying stunning views of the Solent, the Isle of Wight and Langstone Harbour, the free-draining links is the perfect autumn golfing venue, with springy turf and consistent greens making it pure golfing pleasure. The easy-walking course is no pushover, with the occasional blind shot, and a succession of testing of well-protected par threes making this a challenge for the best golfers, especially if the wind whips in off the Solent, as it is prone to do on this exposed outcrop.

After a round, golfers can relax in the stylish Art Decostyle clubhouse, where the panoramic views never cease to inspire.

...Arras Golf Club Hotel & Golf Club Tenterden

l 18-Hole Championship Course Par 72 - 6692 yards l Societies and visitors welcome reservation advisable l Luxurious 3 stars Hotel 64 rooms and 4 suites l Cosy Clubhouse with Bar and Brasserie l Driving range and Practice facilities l Golf Shop l Buggy and Trolley Hire l Easy access from Calais by motorway A26 (Calais/Reims)

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Moving further west along the coast, the final link in this particular chain is Stoneham Golf Club, an undulating heathland/ parkland classic located just outside Southampton. Much underrated, except by those who know it, Stoneham offers a serious test, with the only truly level lies found on the tees, making club selection and shot execution a challenge.

With cross bunkers to avoid, gullies to negotiate and streams to cross, a round at Stoneham is never dull, with brain rather brawn being required to score well around this thrilling 6,392yard layout. And if the golf isn’t up to scratch you can at least enjoy the variety of wildlife to be seen on the course, from deer walking through the woods to kestrels circling above.

Golfers can choose to base themselves at two very distinct hotels for their two night break, with the Marriott Portsmouth offering easy access to major routes, as well as being a convenient location for popular sights like the Spinnaker Tower (pictured left), Gunwharf Quays and the historic naval dockyard. The hotel offers newly-renovated spacious rooms, with cable TV, wifi and all the usual services of a quality hotel, including 24hour room service.

Alternatively, guests can stay at the Lythe Hill Hotel and Spa in the delightful market town of Haslemere.

Set in 22 acres picturesque Surrey countryside, Lythe Hill is a country house hotel that offers a haven of comfort, elegance and style.

Many of the 41 individuallydesigned suites feature four-poster beds and private gardens, while guests can dine in the oak-panelled two AA rosette restaurant and enjoy a pampering spa treatment in the relaxing Amarna Spa. To book this package, which costs £249pp for three rounds of golf and two nights’ B&B accommodation (a £10 supplement is payable for weekend breaks), visit www. exclusivegolfbreaks.com or call 01822 618181.

August 2011 / Issue 202

Golf clubs in Kent are bracing themselves for increased interest from visiting golfers following the successful hosting of the Open Championship at Royal St George’s.

Darren Clarke’s emotional victory was watched by over seven million viewers on television, while over 200,000 fans flocked to Sandwich over the course of the weeklong tournament.

Although St George’s can expect its limited visitor tee times to be quickly snapped up, the nearby courses of Cinque Ports, Prince’s, Littlestone and North Foreland, all of which hosted final qualifying, are also expecting a rush of enquiries having prepared their courses for tournament-standard golf.

Golfbreaks.com, which specialises in offering short breaks within the UK, has reported a surge in interest for golfing trips to Kent in the wake of Clarke’s victory, with the company revealing an 80% increase in bookings compared to the same

/ 45

Royal Cinque Ports

Clarke’s Open triumph drives up Kent golf period last year.

“Since the Darren Clarke’s success at Royal St George’s, it seems as though visitors to the tournament, having sampled an enticing taste of what the Garden of England has to offer, are now keen to enjoy more,” said Keith Mitchell, marketing director

of Golfbreaks.com. “Judging by the number of enquiries we have received since the Open, it’s clear that golfers have taken Kent to their hearts,” he added.

Alongside the links courses comprising Kent’s ‘Regal Golf Coast’; other inland venues, such as Chart Hills and the London Club, are also proving attractive to golfers en route from London and the South East.

“Golfers are clearly keen to return in large numbers to enjoy playing in this amazing golfing destination that boasts more than 100 top-class courses, as well as enjoy the many other tourist attractions that Kent has to

Powerplay comes to Dartmouth

Just awarded British Tourist Board Gold Award

offer,” continued Mitchell.

Sample packages include two rounds at Prince’s Golf Club and a night’s stay in the club’s recently-opened lodges, for £110pp; while rounds and the London Club and Chart Hills, with an overnight stay at the four-star Brands Hatch Place Hotel, start from £269pp.

For those who want the full-on Open experience, rounds at St George’s, Prince’s and Royal Cinque Ports, with two nights at the legendary Bell Hotel in Sandwich, start from £469pp.

For more details and bookings please visit www.golfbreaks.com/kentgolf-tours.

FREE GOLF Air-conditioned clubhouse facilities l Restaurant offering an extensive menu l On site accommodation in the Dorset Golf Hotel 16 twin rooms l From £55.95 pppn including Dinner, B&B and FREE GOLF l l

July & August Society Special Coffee & Bacon Baguette 18 Holes of Championship Golf l Lunch from the Menu l l

£30.00pp (min 4 players)

Telephone No: 01929 472244

FREE GOLF At The Ashbury Golf Hotel The UK’s Largest Golf Resort Set in over 600 acres of rolling Devon countryside in the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, the Ashbury Golf Hotel boasts seven 18 hole golf course options plus extensive sports and leisure facilities - all free of charge to guests staying at the hotel. Guests may also take advantage of the sport, craft and leisure activities available to them at the Manor House Hotel.

Beeches 5th 385 yards, Par4

Ashbury 6th 410 yards, Par 4

Oakwood 16th 172 yards, Par 3

Dartmouth Golf & Country Club has signed up as an official PowerPlay Golf venue, giving golfers a chance to experience the exciting new format played by the likes of Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Paula Creamer.

Hailed as the golfing equivalent of Twenty20, the nine-hole competitions, with two flags per hole, has created great interest since its professional debut in spring saw a host of Major winners and Ryder Cup stars playing live on Sky Sports.

Now golfers can try

PowerPlay for themselves with the South Devon resort offering some fantastic packages. A nine-hole PowerPlay Golf round on the Dartmouth course with coffee and bacon rolls beforehand and a postround lunch costs just £25 per person.

Alternatively, 27-hole packages with the PowerPlay followed by 18 holes on Dartmouth Golf & Country Club’s Championship course are available from just £35 per person, including lunch between rounds.

Situated in 225 acres of South Devon countryside, just outside the beautiful town of Dartmouth, the resort boasts 27 holes of golf with the 18 hole Championship Course and nine-hole Dartmouth Course complementing each other nicely.

In addition, to golf the resort also boasts first-class leisure facilities, which include an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and spa.

For more information or call 01803 712016 or visit www.dgcc.co.uk.

Kigbeare 8th 403 yards, Par 4

Autumn to Spring Specials 3 Night weekend £159/£237 4 Night midweek £176/£250 Full board, Group Discounts Including

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7x 18 hole course options – yards KIGBEARE PINES FOREST ASHBURY BEECHES OAKWOOD WILLOWS

Par 72 Par 72 Par 71 Par 69 Par 69 Par 67 Par 54

White 6528 6400 6140 5804 5765 5502 1939

Yellow 6126 6076 5854 5534 5400 5299 1939

Red 5334 5327 5211 4918 4826 4630 1939

In addition there are extensive practice facilities and a driving range.

Pines 4th 270 yards, Par 4

Forest 8th 442 yards, Par 4

Freephone: 0800 389 9892 www.ashburygolfresort.com

46 /

August 2011 / Issue 202

Golfers will be crossing swords over some of Europe’s most prestigious courses when Golfbreaks.com, Europe’s largest golf travel company, hosts its popular Pro-Am series again next year.

The status of courses on the calendar is even more illustrious next year with PGA Catalunya and Valderrama, both ranked in the world top 100 courses, in the line up, while La Reserva, Almenara, San Lorenzo and Pinheiros Altos, all offer superb tests of golf and breathtaking scenery in equal measure.

The three-round, threenight format will be applied again next year, as it has proved extremely attractive to today’s busy professional and

Golfbreaks launches Iberian pro-am series amateurs, who appreciate the opportunity to visit golf’s best destinations, while minimising time out of the office.

As with the 2011 calendar, next year’s Iberia-based series will consist of three events, in January, February and March, with two to be held in Spain and one in Portugal. Bonuses of each event’s programme are a welcome dinner on the Thursday, along with a prizegiving lunch on the Sunday.

Teams will consist of one PGA Professional supported

by three amateurs, who will compete against others from across the UK and Europe.

Prices, which start from £625, are per amateur, and are based on two people sharing a room.

The package includes three nights’ B&B accommodation and three rounds of golf, as well as a welcome dinner and awards lunch with drinks.

Where a Pro is part of a fourball, the Pro goes for free.

Flights are not included.

For further details visit www.golfbreaks.com.

www.normandygolf.com

British company based in France, specialising in tailor made golfing breaks in Normandy and the whole of France, for Corporate entertaining, Golf societies or special family trips.

To suit every taste and budget For full details call Jonathan Lloyd

0800 0835 330 (Free service) France: 0033 2 32 97 1256

Sample the best of Kiwi golf New Zealand is fast achieving a reputation for being one of the hottest golfing destinations in the world, with its affordable world class courses and facilities, spectacular scenery and dramatic landscapes drawing thousands of visitors seeking the ultimate golfing holiday.

Mountain vistas, cliff-top ocean views, picturesque valleys, scenic lakes, and deep gorges are typical backdrops for many of New Zealand’s 400plus golf courses.

Winner of the 2009 IAGTO Golf Destination of the Year, New Zealand has received many accolades for courses such as Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and Wairakei International, while the prominence of international Kiwi-born golfers such as Danny Lee, Michael Campbell and Sir

San Lorenzo is one the quality courses that will play host to a Pro-Am

Normandy Golf

Cape Kidnappers

Bob Charles – not forgetting Tiger Woods’s former caddy Steve Williams – have also helped enhance the country’s reputation for top flight golf.

In response to the country’s dramatic growth as a golfing destination, independent New Zealand holiday specialists Kirra Holidays has developed a range of itineraries to suit players of all levels. These incorporate the best of New Zealand’s golf resort and championship courses, as well as some of the more traditional rural fairways.

The itineraries offer a choice of six and13-day self-drive packages, and stays can be extended as required.

Kirra will book tee times, pre-pay green fees, organise accommodation, arrange transport and recommend any must-see sightseeing and off-course activities. All guests

need to do is book their flights.

Both Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs are among the highlights of Kirra’s 13-day North Island Fairway holidays, which allow golfers to indulge in some of New Zealand’s most exclusive courses and, at the same time, experience the best of the North Island’s sightseeing activities.

The cost of this golfing extravaganza, which includes 13 days’ car hire, 12 nights’ twinshare accommodation, and five iconic sight-seeing attractions, is £1,206 per person. Green fees and cart hire at seven premier golf courses are available as an additional supplement or can be booked direct.

To find out more visit www.kirraholidays.co.uk, call 0800 856 5494 or email nztravelspecialists@ kirraholidays.com.

Soak up the Sol in sunny Vilamoura Golfers looking to feel a bit of early autumn sunshine on their backs, while playing some of Portugal’s top tracks, should consider booking the week-long break to Vilamoura currently being offered by Golf Escapes.

Seven nights from anytime between September 16 and October 8 can be booked at the fantastic Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort for just £489

Holidays begin

with the perfect course Pack your clubs in the car and sail to over 80 uncrowded courses, and a selection of hand-picked hotels in France or northern Spain.

per person. The package includes five rounds of golf, taking in the fabulous courses

of Vila Sol, Pinta, Gramacho, Silves and Alto.

No expense has been spared

at five-star Pestana to create one of the finest resorts on the Algarve. The moderndesigned hotel offers first-class accommodation and facilities, and is located just 100 yards from the clubhouse of the 27-hole Vila Sol course.

For more details of this and other great value breaks to Portugal and Spain, visit www.golf-escapes.com or call 01342 811777.

Play this course: Dinard Golf Club, Brittany

Just a short drive from the port of St Malo, this fantastic links course offers outstanding views and challenging holes.

Why not try it for yourself with one of our great value Play and Stay packages, including your return sailings and hotel.

Golf’s best 2 for 1 membership

2 nights and 3 rounds from £266 per person* Call 0871 244 0665 or visit

brittanyferries.com/golf Huge savings on over 200 golf clubs

where holidays begin *Price based on 2 sharing, travelling in a standard car. New bookings only, subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

www.golfnews.co.uk/greensaver

August 2011 / Issue 202

/ 47

Me&MyTravels

In association with...

with David Lloyd – The former England cricket coach and Sky Sports commentator can always be found on the golf course when he’s not reporting from the boundary Have you always been a golfer?

No, I’ve only started playing 10 to 12 years ago, when my cricketing duties tailed off.

What’s your handicap?

I started at 16, came down rapidly, got to 7 and ambitionwise I want to get to five, but I’ve just hit an absolute wall and, in truth, I’m just not playing to eight. I’m not consistent enough.

What’s your favourite course in the UK? I’m a member at Bramall

Park Golf Club in South Manchester, but my favourite is Sunningdale. I just feel terribly privileged to have played there. I think the course is stunning, the people are marvellous, and to sit on that veranda after a round, it’s like you’ve landed in heaven. It’s a magnificent place.

Sunningdale

How much golf gets played on a typical England tour?

I take my clubs for all of our overseas tours. I love fishing too, so I often split my free time between fishing and golf.

What are the best countries to play golf on Tour?

They’re all absolutely fine, wherever you go there are good golf courses everywhere. Royal Westmoreland in Barbados is my favourite course overseas. I was also very, very lucky to be invited to play on the Green Monkey

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in Barbados, and that was a terrific experience, as you just can’t get on. We’ve also just been to South Afric,a and I went on a beautiful course in Johannesburg called the River Club. It’s just 60 people who own this, there’s no membership, no money changes hands, and they just divvy it up as to what the

costs are at the end of the year. There’s also a cracking course just opened near the airport in Johannesburg called Serengeti, and we also played at Pearl Valley at Paarl, where Geoffrey Boycott’s has a house. That was a stunner.

What’s the hardest country to tour in terms of travel?

One of my biggest disappointments is that I cannot do Bangladesh. I’ve been there three times and I’ve been ill each time. I just get hit with chest infections and a massive fever. On the last tour I spent two weeks in a hotel room in Bangladesh with dengue fever and that’s no fun. Mark Butcher took my place in the commentary box and did really well.

Who’s the best golfer in the Sky team?

Beefy’s off eight, but thinks he’s +3, Paul Allott is a serious player, and has great touch for a big man. Michael Atherton is a proper player, although he’s got a back injury, so can’t play too often.

He hits a low draw and was down to 10, but he’s far better than that. Vaughny’s off about 10, and he’s dangerous. But he has no etiquette on the course, he just gets stuck in with the sledging.

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