GolfNews February 2016 by Golf News

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BACK IN THE GAME

Fit and fully focused, Rory McIlroy is going all out to add to his major tally and regain his No.1 crown

THE UK’S NO1 GOLF NEWSPAPER

ISSUE 251 | FEBRUARY 2016

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NICK BAYLY

GOLF MEMBERSHIP FAST DOESN’T ALWAYS EQUAL FUN

’ve never been one for smelling the roses. In reality, I’ve never felt that they smell of very much – more granny’s sock draw than sweet nasal delight – while metaphorically speaking I always think that I’ve got better things to do – even if I don’t. For instance, when I’m out walking the dog, a time when I know should be taking in the beauty of all God’s wondrous creations and contemplating the sheer glory of life itself, I tend to be either head down against the cold/ rain, cap on, avoiding eye contact and wondering what to cook for dinner, or I’m feverishly glancing down at my phone every 15 seconds for football score updates, while at the same time trying to avoid stepping in something the dog owner before me managed to miss.

GOLF IS NOT A VODKA SHOT TO BE DOWNED IN ONE ON YOUR OWN; IT’S A GLASS OF RARE SINGLE MALT THAT SHOULD BE SWILLED, SNIFFED, SIPPED AND SAVOURED IN THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS

Life, quite literally, passes me by. I know it does, and it annoys me, but old habits die hard. The same principle applies whenever I’m playing golf. Rather than standing on the tee, admiring whatever view I’m supposed to be admiring, or appreciating the subtle nuances of the architect’s bunkering philosophy, I’m generally to be found farting around with my golf bag trying to locate my favourite tee, checking out the rapidly-dwindling charge on the battery of my power

trolley/GPS/phone, or attempting to catch a glimpse of what club everyone else is hitting (mainly on par threes – as I know what a driver looks like). Golf, especially in winter, can often feel like a game to be endured rather than enjoyed, with it being more of a battle of man/woman versus the elements, rather than any great show of skill, but that shouldn’t stop us from taking pleasure in playing 18 holes between the hours of darkness without being told to get a shift on. With all this talk of speed golf, six-hole rounds, and the importance of being back home before midday, I’m beginning to wonder if certain sections of golf are starting to lose the importance of time spent away from work/family/tax returns (apologies to those who like to play with colleagues, spouses, parents, offspring and their accountants). While for some, golf will only ever be a good walk spoiled, for many of us it is an increasingly rare pleasure that should be enjoyed, rather than ticked off the ‘to do’ list like some tedious domestic chore. To use a rather dodgy drinking analogy, as I come to the end of yet another interminable ‘dry January’, golf is not a vodka shot to be downed in one on your own; it’s a glass of rare single malt that is to be swilled, sniffed, sipped and savoured in the company of friends. If golf is to join almost every other part of human life and simply be ‘got out of the way’, the elements that make it an attractive game to take up in the first place soon begin to disappear. And while I’m all in favour of shorter versions of the game; 9-hole green fees; ‘ready golf’; par-3 courses; foursomes; a ban on par-three opening holes; the 60-second lost ball rule; picking up when you’ve taken eight; less rough; slower greens; waving groups through; shotgun starts etc – I don’t think those golfers that occasionally linger to smell the roses (or admire a view or stop for a coffee) during the course of the round should be made to feel like time-wasting stick-in-the-muds that are somehow ruining the game for everyone else. Going down that route will only serve to throw the baby out with the bathwater, putting off those lawabiding golfers who continue to be the backbone of every golf club, rather than the fly-by-nights attracted by a headline offer and the promise that their game will be over before it has even started. So here’s to playing lots of golf at lots of lovely golf courses in 2016 – but above all, here’s to having fun.

Front Cover Photo: Angus Murray

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FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT Richard Maunder richard@golfnews.co.uk or 07843 566907 PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images, Angus Murray PUBLISHED BY BlueGreen Media REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Jeremy Ellwood, Sarah Stirk, Paul Mahoney, Clive Agran, Ross McGowan, Alistair Tait. ©Copyright 2016. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

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FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

STRICKLAND SHINES IN QATAR OPEN Sussex junior Charlie Strickland enjoyed the best finish out of three young English players who took part in last month’s 2016 Qatar Open Amateur Championship. The 16 year old from Ham Manor finished third in a field of over 120 players, after shooting rounds of 72, 76 and 72 at Doha Golf Club for a four-over-par total. Surrey players Alfredo Curbishley (Burhill), and Harvey Byers (Walton Heath) finished 11th and 18th respectively.

POULT WOOD JUNIOR OPEN Poult Wood Golf Centre in Tonbridge is hosting its annual Junior Open on June 2. The day will see handicap competitions held on both the centre’s 18-hole and 9-hole courses for boys and girls aged between eight and 17. Lunch is included in the entry price and is available until 4pm. Prizes and trophies worth over £1,000 will be presented to the winners at a ceremony in the evening. To download an entry form, visit www. poultwoodgolf.co.uk.

WALKLEY SPRINTS TO HAMPSHIRE OOM Darren Walkley won Hampshire Golf’s Scratch Order of Merit award for the second year in a row following a hugely successful 2015 season. The Hayling Island player also received the John Nettell Trophy for his outstanding contribution to Hampshire golf.

WILDWOOD TO HOST CHARITY GOLF DAY & GALA DINNER Wildwood Golf & Country Club in Surrey is hosting a golf day and black tie ball on March 5 in aid of Make-A-Wish, the children’s charity which grants wishes to children living with life-threatening illnesses. The golf day, which includes brunch, 18 holes, and on-course refreshments, costs £40 per person, while the evening black tie ball comprises a welcome drink, three-course dinner, and entertainment from rock and roll band The Mays, and costs £50. Guests who attend both events pay just £75. For bookings, contact Carla Bates on 07716 882382 or email carlabates62@gmail.com.

REDBOURN JUNIORS TO CAPTAIN HERTS TEAMS Redbourn Golf Club is able to boast not one, but two county captains among its ranks in 2016, after Harry Bigham was selected to skipper Hertfordshire’s U16 Boys team, while 17-year-old Sophie Faulkner has been chosen to lead the country’s U18 Girls’ squad. Fifteenyear-old Bigham, who plays off plus one, won Redbourn mens’ club championship in 2015, while five-handicapper Faulkner claimed the club’s ladies’ title.

GOLF PAYS TRIBUTE TO UNHERALDED HITCHOCK Former Ryder Cup player Jimmy Hitchcock has passed away at the age 85 HITCHCOCK, who represented Great Britain in the 1965 matches at Royal Birkdale, died on Christmas Day at his home in Belgium where he had been spending his retirement. Born in Bromley, South London, Hitchcock appeared in the biennial matchplay event as part of a Great Britain team that featured the likes of Peter Alliss and Bernard Hunt. He took on legendary seven-time major

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WENTWORTH MEMBERS THREATEN LEGAL ACTION OVER FEES HIKE A

row between Wentworth Club and its members has escalated this month, with the owners now being threatened with legal action over plans to dramatically increase joining fees and annual subscriptions. The famous Surrey club, which is owned by Chinese conglomerate Reignwood, announced plans at the end of last year that would see a reduction in members from 4,000 to 800, and the introduction of a one-off, up front payment of £100,000. As of March 2017, new members would have to play £125,00, while annual membership fees would be raised from the current £8,000 a year to a new figure of £15,000. All the current members will have to apply to rejoin the club, with no guarantee of success. Since Reignwood announced the changes in October, members and local residents have appointed law firm Quinn Emanuel to fight their case, and recently sent a 15-page letter to the club outlining their stance. Local residents have also complained to foreign secretary Philip Hammond, the

MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, whose constituency Wentworth is located in. Hammond has met twice with Wentworth members and once with representatives of Reignwood to discuss the dispute. Describing the plans as ‘very disappointing’, Hammond added: “It is clear that a solution needs to be found which preserves the great history of the club, delivers important new investment, and retains the club's position as a great UK sporting institution.” A spokesperson for the club said: “Wentworth has undertaken an extensive legal review of the proposed membership structure, together with various legal and professional advisers,, which has confirmed that based on the available evidence it is able to proceed with the revised structure.” Reignwood says it has listened to members’ concerns and has introduced two new membership categories with discounted rates. It said it needed to raise fees because it wanted to invest £20m to improve facilities. A membership committee comprising outgoing club captain

■ WENTWORTH'S OUTGOING CAPTAIN MICHAEL FLEMING IS LEADING A COMMITTEE THAT IS IN TALKS WITH THE CLUB

Michael Fleming, vice captain Iain Scally, and Wentworth Residents Association chairman John Pyle and his deputy Nigel Moss, have met representatives from Reignwood, including chief executive Stephen Gibson, four times since Christmas, with the final meeting being held on January 25. “The members understand that Wentworth needs investment in order to retain its position as one of the leading clubs of the world, and we desperately want to find a solution which enables members to contribute to that, without ruining the culture and club community,” said Fleming. “It was agreed that Reignwood’s ambition should be

supported financially, within reason, by the membership. However, such a strategy should be pursued in an inclusive manner of existing members and residents, and the prospect of setting economic thresholds that would alienate the vast majority of members be entirely wrong.” Reignwood has earmarked £20m to spend on improving facilities at the club, with £10m of that figure being invested in the next two years. The cash would be spent renovating the three golf courses, and refurbishing the clubhouse, and the tennis and health club. The owners have denied that there are any plans to develop a new hotel or any other new property development on the estate.

CENTURION BAGS FISHER AS CLUB AMBASSADOR

uropean Tour professional Oliver Fisher has signed a deal to represent the Hertfordshire-based Centurion Club on tour. The 27 year old from Chigwell, who turned professional in 2006, will have Centurion’s club crest on his golf bag and enjoy free access to the club, its 18-hole course, and the wide range of practice facilities on offer at the exclusive venue. Fisher, who won the Czech Open in 2011, is currently 390th in the world rankings, and finished last season’s Race to Dubai ranked 99th, with a best-placed ninth in the British Masters at Woburn. “Oli is a talented and exciting golfer, and we are delighted that he will be representing Centurion Club across the globe,” said Scott Evans, the club’s managing director. “We’re looking

winner Arnold Palmer in the morning singles over the Southport Links, unashamedly losing 3&2 to the American. He also faced off against Julius Boros in the afternoon singles, and partnered Irishman Jimmy Martin in the foursomes against Boros and Tony Lema, before Britain eventually succumbed to a 19½ 12½ defeat at the hands of the American team. Hitchcock was an honorary member of the Professional Golfers’ Association for 65 years and worked at Humewood Golf Club in South Africa for 10 years between 1983 and 1993 before his retirement. He won several professional events over the course of his playing career, including the British Masters at Sunningdale in 1960, where John Jacobs and the major winners Bobby Locke and Max Faulkner were runners-up. He also won the Afga-Gevaert Tournament in 1965, which was held at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire.

forward to following his progress on Tour and spending time with him at the club.”  Fisher, who was the youngest player ever to play in the Walker Cup in 2005, said: “Centurion has a great course that will test any golfer, and the greens are some of the best I have played on anywhere in the world. It’s a course that is maturing fast, and developing into something very special.” The club, which opened in 2013 as a members-only club, boasts a 7,195-yard championship course located on a 250-acre site between St Albans and Hemel Hempstead. A new clubhouse, which will feature a restaurant overseen by Michelin-starred chef Jeff Galvin, is due to open in April. For membership enquiries, or to arrange a tour, call 01442 510 520 or visit www.centurionclub.co.uk.

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FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

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ROYAL BLACKHEATH SECURES FUTURE AFTER PAINTING SELLS FOR £700,000 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE TO HOST JIM HARDING GOLF DAY

Golfers are being invited to put forward teams to take part in a special golf day being held at Buckinghamshire Golf Club in Denham to raise vital funds to fight pancreatic cancer. The Jim Harding Memorial Golf day is being held on May 18th, with all proceeds going to Pancreatic Cancer UK. A keen golfer, Harding died from the illness in February last year, and his family are hoping to raises awareness of the disease through numerous sponsored sporting events. To book a place in the tournament email Ben Lambourne at ben@fresh-sport.co.uk or call 07771 760979.

WATSON TO CAPTAIN WALKER CUP TEAM Craig Watson, one of Scotland’s most successful amateurs, has been appointed captain of the GB & Ireland Walker Cup team that will face the USA at Los Angeles Country Club in 2017. The 49 year old will also captain the GB&I St Andrews Trophy team when they take on the Continent of Europe at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent in July. Watson, who won the Amateur Championship in 1997, represented GB&I in the Walker Cup match at Quaker Ridge in New York that same year, where he secured 1½ points from the three matches he played.

KINGSWOOD RAISE £50K FOR CANCER RESEARCH

oyal Blackheath Golf Club has secured the funds needed to secure its future after selling one of the world’s most famous golf paintings for more than £700,000 at auction. Founded in 1608, the South Londonbased venue is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, and its historic clubhouse is home to many valuable artefacts, including a painting of one of its former captains and secretaries, Henry Callender. With the bidding starting at £450,000, ■ THE SALE OF THE PAINTING SECURED BLACKHEATH'S FUTURE it was sold at Bonhams in London on December 9 for £722,500. The winning bidder’s 18th century, and has hung in Royal Blackheath’s name, or where the painting might hang, have clubhouse for the last 200 years, and is widely not been released. A rare putter, believed to be regarded to be one of the earliest depictions of golf. from the same picture, was sold at the same Royal Blackheath’s course and clubhouse are auction for £62,500. leased from the Crown Estate, but the club has ‘The Portrait of Henry Callender’, as the been given the opportunity to buy the freehold work is known, was painted by Leicestershire in order to ensure its long-term future, hence artist Lemuel Francis Abbott during the late the need to sell the painting.

uckinghamshire’s Annabel Dimmock will be teeing it up on the Ladies European Tour again later this month, after winning back her card at final qualifying school in Morocco. ■ ANNABEL DIMMOCK The 19 year old turned pro at the beginning of last year, when she was ranked the top amateur in GB & Ireland, but her rookie reason on tour was hampered by a back injury which restricted her season to just three events. Although Dimmock finished fifth in Morocco, her category eight ranking means she won’t be able to tee it up in all the big events. Speaking ahead of the new season, Annabel’s father, Chris Dimmock, said it was going to be a frustrating time for his daughter, especially recovering from injury. He said: “It's been a tough first year as a professional for Annabel, as she's still getting over a back injury. She had to completely remodel her swing, as it was giving her pains in the lower back. It's all good now, but this year is still going to be a big learning curve. She's not putting any pressure on herself and just wants to establish herself on the tour. We know it will be frustrating, because a lot of the access to tournaments is based on ranking rather than having the full card, especially co-sanctioned events, and girls like Annabel will find themselves down the pecking order.” He added: “The more established players can pick and choose their events, so it's not easy getting into the ones with the big prize money. It will be a challenge, and she will have to hit the ground running. Thankfully, because Annabel had such a successful amateur career, she already had a lot of sponsors in place, so that takes some of the pressure off.”

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A year of raffles, auctions, gala dinners, golf tournaments and numerous social events saw the members at Kingswood Golf Club in Surrey smash all previous fundraising records for its chosen charity in 2015, Cancer Research UK. The Surrey-based club raised over £50,000 – more than double its original target – with the highlight of the year, the Kingswood ProAm adding more than £21,000 to the target on its own. In recognition of the impressive sums raised, Cancer Research UK awarded Kingswood’s Club captain Lloyd Salvage a special achievement award. This year’s captain’s charity will be Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens.

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NEWS | FEBRUARY 2016

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BENNETT TEES UP NEW GOLF ACADEMY AT MANSTON

ormer European Tour professional Warren Bennett had opening his first golf academy in Kent with one simple aim – to maker golfers better. Bennett, who has been a professional for 21 years, opened the Warren Bennett Academy at Manston Golf Centre in Kent on January 30. The state-of-the-art facility, which includes two separate studios, is equipped with all the latest swing analysis technology, including Flightscope, which the 44-year-old former Scottish Open champion will combine with his own in-depth knowledge of the game to help golfers of all skill levels to improve every aspect of their play. Bennett is the head coach the academy, where he will be assisted by senior coach Max Brackley. He said: "I am really enthusiastic about teaching. I want people to come to me for a session and be a better golfer than when they walked in. Simple. My playing days have been somewhat curtailed by injuries, but I have such a passion for teaching others, and the academy is

ORDER YOUR 2016 SOCIETY GOLF GUIDE NOW

■ WARREN BENNETT something I've always wanted to set up. It's all my own input and I can't wait to pass on my knowledge." Bennett, who lives in Broadstairs, is extremely flexible with what he can offer as a coach. "I want to bring all of my 21 years as a professional to the table. And I think that makes me offer something different than a lot of coaches in the area." Three hours of coaching with Bennett himself will cost £99, while the same course of coaching with Brackley costs £69. For bookings visit www.warrenbennettacademy.co.uk or call 07908 203118.

■ WARREN BENNETT ACADEMY AT MANSTON GOLF CENTRE IN KENT

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GROVE TO SPRUCE UP FOR BRITISH MASTERS

he Grove has started work on a series of improvements and renovations to its Kyle Phillips-designed course, in preparation for hosting the European Tour’s British Masters later ■ ANNA DARNELL this year. Rated the top pay-and-play course in the UK, the Watford-based resort’s green staff are renovating all 90 bunkers, and also improving the drainage on 13 holes. The work will see the installation of a specialist liner system into 18 bunkers to improve drainage and safeguard the original design features, while a programme of sand exchange will be undertaken across all the bunkers to freshen up the playing surfaces. A number of bunkers will also be built back up to their original levels, decreasing the height of some faces. Anna Darnell, Director of Golf at The Grove, said: “These important course improvements will maintain the golf course in prime condition for the 2016 season and beyond, and ensure an exceptional stage is set when we host the British Masters in October. “We are expecting the work to take up to eight weeks, but it is important to note that play will be largely unaffected, with only two temporary greens in use at any one time during the process.” She added: “We want every golfer to experience course conditions and service like they were themselves playing in a Tour event, and we are confident our improvement works will help us to showcase The Grove in its best condition.” The British Masters, which takes place from October 13-16, is once again being supported by Sky Sports, while this year’s professional host is Luke Donald, who is following in the footsteps of Ian Poulter, who hosted the event at Woburn last October. The staging of the tournament at The Grove comes exactly ten years after it hosted the 2006 American Express World Golf Championship, won by Tiger Woods, which remains the only WGC event ever played on UK soil.

Golfers and society organisers looking to book up golf days over the coming season can now order a free copy of The 2016 Ultimate Guide to Society & Company Golf. Featuring many of the region’s finest courses, this handy full-colour book provides all the details needed to make your golf day a success. The guide is also available to view on it’s own website golfdayguide.com or email your name, address, name of your golf group and number of players to: info@golfnews. co.uk with ‘Society Guide’ in the subject line.

PENGE BATTLES BACK IN PERU Sussex and England player Marco Penge finished sixth in the South American Amateur held at Lima Golf Club in Peru. The 17 year old from Horsham shot a five-over-par 77 in the first round, but battled back with scores of 68, 69 and 71 to finish on three under for the tournament. His second round included a back nine of just 30, which featured four birdies and an eagle. James Allan (Chelmsford) was also aiming for a top-ten finish before a triple bogey on the final hole dropped him back to 20th. The tournament was won by Uruguay’s Juan Alvarez with a score of 10 under.

GARY HITS THE MARK AT SENIOR Q SCHOOL Gary Marks regained his card for this year’s European Senior Tour after winning the final stage of qualifying school at Pestana in Portugal. The 52-year-old World of Golf professional shot rounds of 69, 68, 72 and 73 to finish one shot clear.

ALLISS'S CENTURION ROLE Veteran golf broadcaster Peter Alliss has accepted an invitation to become the honorary vice president at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire. The 84-year-old former Ryder Cup player, who lives in Hindhead in Surrey, said: “It is a real privilege for me to take up this honorary position at such a splendid club. The course is beautiful and a real test, but a thoroughly enjoyable one, and I’m excited to see the new clubhouse in all its glory when it opens in July.”

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FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

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WEST ESSEX TO HOST INAUGURAL LONDON OPEN

olf fans that have been crying out for more professional tournaments to be held in the South East should head over to West Essex Golf Club this summer to watch some of the region’s top players in action over three days. The Chingford-based club is staging the inaugural London Open Golf Championships from June 15-17, with the hosts already boasting of a field that is pack full of star names, including former BMW PGA champion Simon Khan, European Tour winners Raymond Russell and Mark Davis, and three-time Challenge Tour winner Robert Coles. They will be joined by other top players from

ROLL UP FOR THE HERTFORDSHIRE BOWL Entries are being invited for one of the South East’s most prestigious amateur stroke play tournaments, The Hertfordshire Bowl, which is being jointly held at Moor Park and Porters Park on May 21-22. The 72-hole tournament comprises the 36-hole Hertfordshire Stag, which is being held at Moor Park on May 21, followed by the 36-hole King George V Coronation Challenge Cup at Porters Park on May 22. Each tournament is open to category one men, with the field limited to the 60 lowest handicap players. Entry fees are £45 per venue, or £90 for both, which also includes complimentary coffee and lunch. A courtesy practice round will also be available to each competitor once the draw has been made. Entry forms can be downloaded by visiting www.portersparkgolfclub.co.uk. The closing date is May 3.

HERTS ANNOUNCES FIRST TEAM SQUAD Hertfordshire has announced its first team ahead of its first fixture of the year, a triangular match against its colts and senior counterparts at Moor Park on March 13. The team, which will be managed by Louis Matamala, comprises Alex Collman (West Herts, captain), Luke Colgate (Berkhamsted), James Egerton (Mill Green), Joel Field (Sandy Lodge), Ben Harman (Letchworth), Jordan Lawrence (Sandy Lodge), Alex Macarthur (Letchworth), Jason Mitchell (Porters Park), Laurie Owen (Letchworth), Mitchell Steel (Moor Park), Lewis Watcham (Harpenden Common), and Tony Wilkins (Harpenden Common).

CASEY RECIEVES COACHING GONG Recently retired England men’s team coach Terry Casey was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Coaching award at England Golf’s annual coaching conference held at St George’s Park in Staffordshire. Casey, who is a member at Burhill, first started in a voluntary role as the junior manager of Surrey Boys, and went on to become the South Regional manager, before taking on the England men’s team, where his highlights included winning the European Team Championship, the Home Internationals (twice), the European Challenge Trophy and the European Nations Cup (three times).

PARTICIPATION UP The latest Active People Survey figures from Sport England, for the year to October 2015, show golf continuing to stabilise. The survey showed that 740,100 people play golf in England for at least 30 minutes once a week. That figure is up slightly on the previous year (730,300), and is the first increase in participation since 2012. England Golf's report on the results of county activity also produced positive results, with more than 92,000 people trying golf, and almost 7,500 joining clubs, during the six months to the end of September 2015.

STAPLEHURST SHUTS Staplehurst Golf Centre in Kent closed last month after running into financial difficulties. Opened in 2001, the centre, which is eight miles south of Maidstone, offered a 9-hole course and a driving range, but a lack of newcomers into the game and a succession of bad winters led to its closure. Scott Stevens, the centre’s head professional, has taken up a new position at The Ridge Golf Club in nearby Sutton Valance.

WOODBRIDGE DOUBLES UP AT PRINCE’S Martin Woodbridge (Bearwood Lakes) shot rounds of 69 and 73 at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent to win the first two PGA South Winter Series events of 2016, supported by Titleist & FootJoy. Woodbridge picked up £300 for each win, with the runner’s up prizes going to Robert Daw (Effingham) and Richard Neil-Jones (Hilden Park) respectively.

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ottesmore Hotel, Golf & Country Club in West Sussex has undergone a mini revolution since it was bought back by its founding owners two years ago, with major investments in both the on- and off-course facilities. The Pease Pottage-based venue, which boasts a 21-bedroom hotel, health club and two golf courses, has been transformed over the last 12 months. One of the first things that the ■ COTTESMORE'S RECENTLY-RENOVATED SWIMMING POOL AND SPA Rogerson family did after taking back the management of the club from Crown Golf was to rethink its golf offering. Previously providing two 18-hole layouts – the 18-hole championship Griffin Course and the shorter 18-hole Phoenix Course – a decision was made to turn the latter into a 9-holer that could be played in an hour-and-a-half. As well as giving golfers a shorter option, it also freed up time and resources to be spent on enhancing and strengthening the Griffin course. The new configuration came into play last summer, and has proved hugely popular with members, who now have two distinctly different golf experiences to enjoy. Johnny Porter, Cottesmore’s managing director, said: “Having a large site gave us the ability to react to the market trends by reducing our 36-hole complex to 27 holes. Now members and visitors can get their golf fix now by playing nine holes in just 90 minutes. They can play after work or between shifts, or maybe during an extended lunch break. Even Saturday morning golfers can be back home by 10 o’clock rather than lunch time.” As a result of the new golf offering, the club launched a new flexible membership category – GolfLite – which is a credit-based scheme that offers the full benefits of membership. The entry-level package offers unlimited golf on the Phoenix course and six peak rounds – or 16 off-peak – on the Griffin for just £299. This is now the most popular form of membership at the club, as it offers the flexibility to top up credits should more rounds be required. “This membership gives all the benefits that are expected as a member of a golf club – events, competitions, levy card discounts and advanced booking,” said Porter. “There are no hidden costs – golfers can sign up today and start enjoying the delights of one of Sussex’s most progressive clubs.” Work is currently progressing to bring the Phoenix course up to the same high standards set by the Griffin, which enjoys some of the best surfaces in the region, while an extensive tree management programme has helped to improve playing conditions on both courses. Elsewhere, all 21 hotel rooms have been refurbished, while improvements to the health club have also been completed, with a complete refurbishment of the 15-metre swimming pool resulting in a contemporary and stylish ‘spa’ look.

■ SIMON KHAN the region, including Andrew Marshall, Lloyd Kennedy, Steve Cipa and Jason Levermore to name just a few. The starting field of 110 will play in a 36-hole tournament over June 15-16, with the top 50 players qualifying for the Pro-Am on June 17. The field will also include the leading junior amateur from the Junior London Open Championship, which is being held at West Essex on April 1. “This is a unique opportunity for a young, up-and-coming star to mix his/her skills with the top pros,” said Chris Baron, West Essex’s FPGA head professional. “We are such a junior friendly club, and looking at the talent coming through we thought it would add a nice spin to this wonderful event.” Located just ten miles from the centre of London, but laid out in the middle of Epping Forest, West Essex boasts a 115-year old James Braid-designed parkland course, which measures 6,300 yards off the back tees. The club is also home to the West Essex Golf Academy, where a team of leading PGA pros offers topclass tuition on the driving range, putting green and short game area. For more details about the London Open Golf Championships, contact James Levick on 020 8529 7559 or email james@ westessexgolfclub.co.uk.

POULT WOOD SNAPS UP COACHES

olfers looking to sharpen up their games ahead of the new season should head over to Poult Wood Golf Course in Tonbridge, which has just taken on the services of experienced PGA-qualified coaches Rupert Hunter and Jamie Knight. The pair, who operate under the brand of Hunter Knight Golf Coaching, are bringing over 50 years’ coaching experience to the popular Kent venue. Hunter, who boasts a PGA Advanced Diploma, has worked at numerous clubs across the region, including Hever Castle, Nizels, Hilden

Golf Centre, and more recently at Tonbridge Golf Centre, while PGA-qualified Knight worked alongside Hunter at Tonbridge, but has also served at Trevose in Cornwall and Dale Hill in East Sussex, and spends his winters teaching in Mallorca. David Copsey, head professional at Poult Wood, said: “It is a real coup for us to bring the Hunter Knight Coaching team to Poult Wood." As well as regular roll up sessions, the team will be hosting regular junior camps during half terms and holidays. For bookings call 01732 364039 or email info@hunterknightgolfcoaching.co.uk.

■ RUPERT HUNTER AND DAVID COPSEY

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[10] FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

SHINKWIN STEPS OUT WITH OSCAR JACOBSON GOLF ESCAPES PARTNERS WITH MIKE YORKE ACADEMY Sussex-based golf travel company Golf Escapes has become the exclusive travel partner of MY Golf Academy, which operates at five golf clubs across the South East. The three-year partnership will see both companies collaborate on a number of joint projects, including a range of tuition golf breaks abroad, as well as a series of exclusive events much closer to home, which will start in April next year. Mike Yorke, Founder of MY Golf Academy, which has 10 coaches operating out of venues including Horsham Golf & Fitness, Foxbridge, Horne Park and Slinfold, said: “As an academy we run many UK and overseas trips each year for our clients. This made Golf Escapes the natural choice for organising these on our behalf."

HOOK UP AT HEVER Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent is hosting a local business networking golf day on June 15. Hosted in association with SO Magazine, the Business Golfers Challenge Day costs £260 per team of four. For bookings call Claire on 01732 701003.

ENGLAND IN CHARGE AT COSTA BALLENA England staged a command performance to win the Costa Ballena Quadrangular Tournament in Spain for the fifth time. The team, captained by Tony Moran defeated Finland, Germany and Spain all by the same scoreline of 7-2. Leading scorers were Josh Hilleard and Will Enefer, who were both unbeaten, taking 5.5 points from their six games.

SANDOWN PARK PLANS HORSE-THEMED MINI COURSE Sandown Park Golf Centre has unveiled plans to add a horse-themed putting course to its facilities. The Esher-based club has applied to the local council for planning permission to develop the course, with the intention to have it open before Easter. The course is being designed by City Golf Europe and will feature holes with an equestrian theme, including a parade ring, a saddle and stand obstacle, miniature horse jumps and a horseshoe.

SHEEP ‘BAA-ED’ FROM CRANLEIGH AFTER FLOCK RUNS AMOK ON FAIRWAYS

ever mind birdies and eagles, it was sheep that members at Cranleigh Golf and Country Club had to be on the look out for last month, after a flock of up to 150 escaped from nearby fields at the Surrey venue. Golfers had to stand their ground as the un-ewe-sual guests wandered on to the course from adjacent fields. Reports of the woolly interlopers started coming into the clubhouse at around 3pm on January 12, at which general manager Andy McNiven and several greenkeepers raced out to

the scene. Although the novice shepherds were able to keep the flock off the most sensitive areas of the course, it took fully two hours before they were returned to the safety of their own fields. "Our land borders with Cranleigh Showground, and so they had escaped from there,” said McNiven. “They were wandering up to the top of our driveway where the main road is, so we posted someone up there to stop any from getting out onto the road. "Then myself, an assistant, and several members helped

shepherd them back. We held them in an area where they were least likely to cause too much damage to the course. One of the members called the farm that owns them, but they weren't around, so we had to do it ourselves before it got dark.” McNiven added: “Fortunately there was no damage – just a few marks here and there – but nothing permanent, and we were lucky to be able to keep them off the greens. There were a fair few droppings, but it all helps with grass growth!"

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ertfordshire tour pro Callum Shinkwin will be stepping out on the European Tour this season wearing snappy Swedish strides after signing a two-year sponsorship deal with sports fashion brand Oscar Jacobson. A member of Moor Park Golf Club in Hertfordshire, the 22 year old won his European Tour card after finishing 13th in last year’s Challenge Tour’s order of merit. He finished off the season in style, taking third place in the Road to Oman Grand Final in November, which sealed his promotion to the top flight of professional golf. “We are always on the look-out for the right players to join our European Tour staff, and Callum’s impressive credentials and rapid rise through the Challenge Tour ranks really caught our eye,” said Gunnar Hedendahl, Oscar Jacobson’s global sales and marketing director. “We believe that Callum has a big future in the game, and are delighted that he has decided to entrust all his apparel needs and desires to Oscar Jacobson for 2016 and 2017.”

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NEWS | FEBRUARY 2016

GAVRILOVIC HEADS UP BUCK’S COACHING TEAM

NEW CAPTAINS TEE UP BIG YEAR FOR HAYWARDS

uckinghamshire Golf Club has appointed Dusan Gavrilovic as its new head professional. Formerly the Director of Golf at Studley Wood in Oxfordshire, he has an impressive coaching track record, with over 20 years’ experience teaching all levels of golfers, from beginners to tour professionals. He is a qualified AA PGA Professional, NLP sports practitioner, Heartmath practitioner and Gravity golf coach. He is also a BB&O County and Academy coach, and is currently head coach for the Oxfordshire Ladies county team. As a player, Gavrilovic has won over 50 PGA

■ DUSAN GAVRILOVIC

PYECOMBE SCOOPS TOP ECOLOGY AWARD

tournaments and qualified for the European Seniors Championship on the European Seniors Tour in 2010 and 2011.

BROCKET TO POLISH UP THE PALMERSTON

hile many courses have been flooded out during the worst of the winter weather, conditions over the two 18-hole courses at Brocket Hall Golf Club in Hertfordshire have remained playable, thanks to the continued investment in professional staff and the latest drainage techniques. The greenkeeping team has been expanded at the Welwyn-based venue to help improve maintenance of the Melbourne and Palmerston courses, while the use of a chemical penitrant has helped bring the water out of the soil, allowing for better drainage and drier playing conditions. A long-term project to improve the playing experience on the Palmerston Course has also just begun, with a tree management programme being implemented to open up views across the course, while a bramble clearance project will make it easier for golfers to see through the pine trees between holes.

yecombe Golf Club in East Sussex has won the Sports Turf Research Institute’s Environmental Golf Club of the Year award. The prestigious title, which was handed out at last month’s British Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate, recognises ecological and environmental best practice, with the aim of promoting environmentally sustainable management projects. The STRI panel of judges highlighted the many initiatives that the club had in place to support the local ecology of the course and the surrounding environment. These included using compost teas and organic fertilsiers in place of fungicides, and the encouragement of extensive rough areas, which have led to the establishment of wild flowers meadows. The meadows have provided breeding grounds for pollinating insects, including bees, with the club introducing 12 hives on the course, which provides a constant supply of honey, which is sold in the clubhouse. The club was also praised for its woodland management, with timber being used for the clubhouse log burner, while bird boxes have created habitats for swifts and a variety of owls. The 18-hole course, which is situated within the South Downs National Park, is looked after by head greenkeeper Simon Wells and his team.

[11]

here was a carnival atmosphere at Haywards Heath Golf Club in West Sussex at the beginning of the year for the traditional captains drive-in ceremony. Led by a Brazilian-style samba band, club captain Martin Hubbard, ladies captain Sarah Brooks and junior captain Charlie Baldock made a noisy and colourful entrance by dancing their way to the first tee, where a large crowd gathered to see them drive in, alongside the club’s new professional, James Verrall. All four players managed to make respectable connections, despite the best efforts of the attending crowd, before heading back to the clubhouse for mulled wine and presentations. The ceremony marked the beginning of a busy year for the club, which has a packed schedule of events in the diary for 2016. One of the highlights will be the annual Pro-Am on May 25, which is being ■ PETER JAMES sponsored by Heineken, while best-selling local author Peter James will be back to support his annual Golf Classic on September 2. The hugely popular competition, which is limited to 32 four-ball teams, has helped raise over £70,000 for local children’s charity Action Medical Research over the last six years. The club, which offers memberships across all categories, including a popular new flexible option, continues to invest in the course and the facilities, with improvements to the drainage systems paying dividends over the wet winter months, while plans are in place to upgrade the driving range with new covered bays and new Callaway practice balls.

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[12] FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

ST GEORGE’S MONSTER BUNKER RETAINS LICENCE TO THRILL

EXCLUSIVE GOLF BREAKS FROM £99 PER PERSON AT FOUR EXQUISITE VENUES DINNER, BED, BREAKFAST & GOLF

THE OXFORDSHIRE

£99 p/person Until 31st March 2016* Take advantage of this exclusive offer for only £99 per person. Package includes; 2 Rounds of Golf, Accommodation in an Executive Room, Full English Breakfast. Valid Sunday - Friday, November - February. Subject to availability. Rates are based per person sharing. *Valid Sunday - Thursday during March.

theoxfordshire.com reservations@theoxfordshire.com

T ■ LAST ORDERS: BRIAN BARNES IN THE BAR AT WEST CHILTINGTON

GOLFERS MAKE WAY FOR GRAPES AS WEST CHILTINGTON IS SOLD TO VINEYARD

■ MARTIN ORMROD

DALE HILL

£99 p/person Until 30th April 2016 £99 per person, including 2 Rounds of Golf, Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast. Valid all week. Single supplements apply. Subject to availability. Rates based per person sharing.

dalehill.co.uk reservations@dalehill.co.uk

SANDFORD SPRINGS

est Chiltington Golf Club, which was designed by former Ryder Cup player Brian Barnes, closed its clubhouse doors for the final time on February 7, after being sold to make way for a vineyard. The 27-hole facility near Pulborough, which first opened in 1988, was sold to sparkling wine producer Nyetimber, which is planning to expand its operations to the 108-acre site. After 20 years under the same ownership, the club was sold on in 2009 to Martin and Deborah Ormrod, and the couple said that they had made the decision to close the club with ‘great sadness’, citing rising costs, a downturn in the golf market, poor weather and its rural location, as reasons for its failure to make ends meet. Mr Ormrod said: "Despite a recent increase in numbers, they were nothing like the halcyon days of 15 years ago. Gone are the days when dad would go to the golf club on a Saturday and Sunday – so there's been a lot of social change. This course was set up for everyone – it's been a community hub, and that's the saddest thing to lose, really. We would like to thank all our members, staff and friends of the course for their support over the last six years and thank you for making our time here so special.” The decision to close the club marks a stark contrast in fortunes with neighbouring Nyetimber, which first began planting grapes just three months after the golf course opened in 1988. The company has not yet said what it plans to do with the golf course, although the acquisition will further cement its position as the UK's biggest wine producer by land currently under vine.

he bunker that members at Royal St George’s Golf Club ungenerously refer to as ‘the coffin’, has been given a facelift. The monster trap on the fourth hole of the Open championship links in Kent, which, at 40 feet deep – and 25 feet wide – is one of the deepest in golf, has undergone a renovation over the winter in order to retain its reputation as one of the most fearsome bunkers in the world. Although almost always cleared by professionals during The Open, it is a common graveyard for less powerful amateur hitters off the white tees, requiring a carry of over 240 yards to avoid its sandy grasp. The 495-yard hole plays as a par five for amateurs, but a par four during The Open. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, who was a member at Royal St George’s, even made reference to the bunker in his novel Goldfinger, with 007 easily firing a tee shot over it en route to a routine par four in his infamous match against Auric Goldfinger. Recently rated the top course in England by highly-respected review website Top 100 Golf Courses – an honour it also held in 2014 – St George's is hosting the South East of England Links Championship in May. Green fees for visitors are £90 in February, £110 in March and £180 from April to October.

£99 p/person Until 31st March 2016 One Night One Round: £99 per person. Package also includes a 2 course dinner and full English breakfast. Subject to availability. A single supplement of £30 applies.

sandfordsprings.co.uk reservations@sandfordsprings.co.uk

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HEYTHROP PARK TO HOST NEW CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT

eythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire is to host its first professional European Tour-backed tournament following the announcement that it will stage the Bridgestone Challenge in August. The Chipping Norton-based venue, which first opened its Bainbridge Course in 2009, will be the stage for the first Challenge Tour event to be held in England since 2012. The Bridgestone Challenge takes place from August 25-28, and will form part of the tyre manufacturer’s three-pronged association with golf, which includes sponsorship of the British Masters supported by Sky Sports at the Grove in October, as well as the creation of a new national amateur event. Promoted by BlackStar Golf Management, the Bridgestone Challenge marks a welcome return to England of Europe’s top

developmental tour, which when last played in 2012 was won by home favourite Chris Paisley – now a fully-fledged European Tour player – while the likes of ■ CHRIS PAISLEY Byeong Hun An, Branden Grace and Brooks Koepka have all played the event in the past. It will be the first time Heythrop Park’s Bainbridge Course will host a professional tournament under the auspices of the European Tour. A number of special

invitations will also be handed out to elite amateurs from England Golf’s men’s squad, while club golfers will have a chance to win a place in the Pro-Am via the newly-launched Bridgestone DriveGuard Trophy, which will see qualifying events held at club level, before progressing to regional finals. Alain de Soultrait, Challenge Tour Director, said: “We are delighted to be able to partner with Bridgestone and are excited to be bringing the Challenge Tour back to England. The Challenge Tour offers the best way for talented young golfers to develop their game and a large number of our recent success stories have been English players. Justin Rose and Ian Poulter both came through our ranks, while Tommy Fleetwood and Andrew Johnston both finished top of the Challenge Tour rankings in recent years.”

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[14] FEBRUARY 2016 | DANIEL BROOKES

FAMILY AFFAIR KEEPS BROOKS ON COURSE Inspired to take up golf by his father, and coached by his uncle, London-based pro DAN BROOKS is hoping to make his family even more proud as he bids to cement his position on the European Tour WORDS BY NICK BAYLY PHOTO BY STUART WILLIS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

DANIEL BROOKES | FEBRUARY 2016

[15]

finally bagging his first professional win at Bovey Castle in 2009, and earning promotion to the Challenge Tour in 2010. He spent three seasons slogging around Europe’s second tier tour, which yielded half a dozen top-10s, but no wins, before his consistency was rewarded with an elevation to the European Tour ranks after he finished 21st in the money list in 2012. With limited starts, he was unable to make much of an impact on the European Tour in 2013, and was left to gut it out over six rounds at Qualifying School in Spain at the end the season, where he clung on bravely to finish 19th and win back his card for 2014. A debut victory wasn’t long in coming, however, with Brooks beating Scott Henry in a play-off to capture the rain-shortened Madeira Islands Open in May. While a win in what was only his ninth European Tour event was extremely welcome, the tournament itself was overshadowed by the death of Alastair Forsyth’s caddy, Iain MacGregor, mid-way through the final round. The incident – MacGregor suffered a fatal heart attack – resulted in several players walking off the course when they heard the news, while the majority of players, following advice from tour officials, carried on after a brief suspension of play. The ensuing backlash on Twitter and in the mainstream media made for some rather unpleasant reading, with many accusing the European Tour of putting commercial gain ahead of human decency. Brooks, for his part, found himself in the awkward position of having to inwardly celebrate his own personal triumph, while outwardly acknowledging that this was one of those times when there are more important things in life than golf. "It was great to get the win, but it wasn’t nice to do it in those circumstances,” he says. “It was horrible what happened out there, and my condolences went out to all of Iain’s family. It wasn’t my decision whether the tournament was cancelled or not, and once they had made the decision to carry on, I felt it was the right thing to do.” The win in Madeira only came with a one-year exemption and €75,000 in prize money, so while Brooks had the comfort of playing the 2014 season with a safety net, it left him wide open in 2015 – a season which saw him inexplicably miss every cut from February through to the end of June. Asked what went wrong in those months, Brooks is hard pushed to come up with an answer. “There wasn’t one thing that I could put it down to,” he says. “It was a number of small things, which, when added to the pressure that builds after each missed cut, messes with your head a bit.” Thankfully, he broke the self-destruct chain at the French and Scottish Opens, and ended the 2015 season comfortably inside the top 110 on the money list in order DAVE BEAL, DAN BROOKS'S COACH for him to look forward to pushing on again in 2016. A third-placed finish in January’s BMW SA Open in Cape Town, where he led for three rounds, and two further cuts made on the Desert Swing, have laid down the early days, it was perhaps no surprise that Brooks missed the cut by a country foundations for a run at a top-60 finish in the Race to Dubai, while mile at the Home of Golf, but knowing that he had virtually dealt himself a sponsorship deal with Marriott Hotels, and joining new player a Get Out Of Jail Free card at Gullane meant that he was able to play with management company GMS, have also provided a welcome boost as he much more freedom over the remaining events of the season. Making seeks to move up in the game. On top of that, Brooks became a father six cuts from the final nine tournaments, Brooks finished the season just for the first time in November, providing further motivation, if any were outside the top 100 on the Race to Dubai money list, ensuring he had a job needed, for him to keep on bringing home the bacon. to come back to in 2016. And providing he doesn’t go through another barren spell in the It’s a measure of how thin a knife edge it is on which many players’ job summer, Brooks is looking forward to keeping his coach in gainful security is balanced that those two or three days in Scotland should have employment as he progresses up the money list. Asked about his decided his fate, but after facing the prospect of having it all taken away nephew’s strengths and weaknesses, Beal says: “It’s very psychological from him, the Mill Hill man is keen not to find himself in that position with Dan; if he’s feeling good, he tends to play well. He’s not the best again when he joins the field at Castle Stuart for this year’s renewal. ball striker or the longest hitter, but his short game is phenomenal. He’s Winding back a few years, Brooks’s progress to the European Tour may quite a difficult player to coach, in the sense that he expects you to see not have been as meteoric as some, but his 10-year career as a pro has something straight away and to find a miracle cure. We’ve got 30 balls to been one of a steadily upward curve. find a cure. Sometimes the familiarity is difficult when you know someone Born in Basildon in Essex, he was first introduced to the game by his so well, but we work well together. father, Mick, who was, and still is, a useful single figure player. However, it “To get Dan to the next level he probably needs to be able to hit a was actually his father’s brother-in-law, David Beal, who had the biggest greater variety of shots. He is prone to a bit of a hook, and the driver impact on the young Brooks’s future career choice. Beal is the head lets him down occasionally, so I think he needs a few more shots in his professional at Mill Hill Golf Club in North London, and it was here, under armoury for when he’s under the cosh.” his expert tutelage, that the teenage Brooks really developed his love and Whatever Brooks is, when it comes to the golf course, it’s never dull. aptitude for the game. As Beal recalls: “It’s always a rollercoaster with Dan. I remember in “He was always pretty talented, and you could tell that he was going the Berkshire Trophy one year he shot 69 and 73, and then the last two to be a good player,” says Beal, who still coaches Brooks at Mill Hill, and rounds were played on a Sunday and he shot 81 and 64. He could always is also now the club’s general manager. “But he was a slow learner and go low and be streaky.” always took a while to properly take things on board.” Coaching Brooks, who is a regular visitor to Mill Hill when he’s on a He adds: “When I first took him on, he had this thing about not hitting break from the tour, is a welcome distraction for Beal, whose day-to-day any balls before he went out for a round. Psychologically he felt it was role sees him manage all aspects of the busy North London club. “I don’t better that way. These days, he’ll hit 20 balls over the 150-yard marker and really do too much coaching with club members these days, as I like to say: ‘What do we do now?’ I don’t know Colin Montgomerie, but I think do a bit of everything and love the variety of managing the club. I think he’s like him. He’s definitely not a Nick Faldo. Practice is just not his thing.” it is a good area for pros to move into, although I’m hoping Dan won’t be After plenty of success at club and county level, Brooks turned joining me here just yet!” professional in 2007, aged 20, and started out life on the Jamega Tour, the Let’s hope for Beal’s sake that it’s one career move his nephew doesn’t bottom rung of the professional ranks, where pros commonly play for a have to think about in the near future. Otherwise it could get a bit first prize of less than £2,000. Finding the paid ranks to his liking, he soon crowded in the pro shop. progressed to the EuroPro Tour, where he plugged away for three years, ullane Golf Club’s No.1 course may only be ranked as the fourth best layout in Lothian, but you can be sure that it rates much higher on the list of favourite tracks belonging to 29-year-old Essex-based Tour professional Daniel Brooks. Arriving at last year’s Scottish Open with his season in tatters, after making just one cut in a run of 14 tournaments, Brooks’s future career on the European Tour was looking precarious at best. With his confidence lifted ever so slightly by a 20th-place finish at the preceding week’s French Open, Brooks drew on all of his reserves, and his love of links golf, to open up with rounds of 64 and 65 at Gullane. Shooting 11 under par for 36 holes took him into a three-shot lead over a stellar field that included the likes of Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Shane Lowry. A third round 69 still had him in front by one, and facing the prospect of a life-changing €750,000 pay out should he be able to keep the chasing pack at bay the following day. In the light of his horrific run of form over the previous three months, a final round 73 was perhaps better than even Brooks’ could have hoped for, and a seventh-place finish, three shots behind Fowler, wasn’t the disappointing result that many other players would have considered it to be. The €117,000 prize money comfortably lifted Brooks out of the European Tour’s relegation zone, and, as an added bonus, earned him his first start in a major championship at the following week’s Open at St Andrews. "It was a great week, and I played some lovely golf," recalls Brooks. “I hardly put a foot wrong in the opening two rounds, with just one bogey on my card, but the wind got up over the weekend, and it was a real test out there, and not just with the pressure of leading such a big event. I scrambled like you wouldn’t believe over the last two days, so to finish inside the top 10, and get the final spot for The Open, was a pretty good result. While I would have loved to have finished it off, I was more focused on retaining my card, so I perhaps played a little more conservatively than normally, and that probably cost me in the end.” Given the pressures of leading the Scottish Open for three-and-a-half

THESE DAYS, HE’LL HIT 20 BALLS OVER THE 150-YARD MARKER AND SAY: ‘WHAT DO WE DO NOW?’ I DON’T KNOW COLIN MONTGOMERIE, BUT I THINK HE’S LIKE HIM. HE’S DEFINITELY NOT A NICK FALDO. PRACTICE IS JUST NOT HIS THING

[16] FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

PRINCE’S

GEARS UP FOR TOP-FLIGHT GOLF

SHIRE LAUNCHES THREE-YEAR MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED FOR HENRY COOPER JUNIOR MASTERS

f you’ve got a good eye for a soaring golf ball, are good at keeping people in line, and don’t mind appearing on TV, then the organisers of the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters Golf Championship need your help. The tournament, which attracts over 150 of the best young amateurs in the UK and Europe, takes place at Nizels Golf Club in Kent from June 16-19, and the organisers are on the look out for volunteers to help with marshalling, ball spotting, announcing and other roles, over the four days of action, which kick off with a Pro-Am. Past winners of the event, a highlights package of which is shown on Sky Sports, have included Rhys Davies, Oliver Fisher, David Horsey, John Parry, Joost Luiten, Chris Wood, Tom Lewis, and the most recent winner, Haydn Porteous, who won last month’s Joburg Open – so there is a good chance that volunteers and spectators will catch an early glimpse of one or two stars of the future. All volunteers will be provided with a packed lunch or lunch vouchers, while other rewards, including Titleist balls, discounted green fees at Nizels, and golf shirts, will be on offer depending on how many sessions you are able to cover. To volunteer your services, email stewards@ thehenrycooper.net, including details of availability and shirt size.

lready regarded as one of the UK's leading tournament venues, Prince’s Golf Club will be adding yet more chapters to its illustrious history when it hosts two of the top amateur team competitions in Europe later this season. The famous Kent links, which hosted the Open Championship in 1932, and final qualifying for the Open in 2003 and 2011, will be the battleground ■ ENGLAND WON THE ST ANDREWS TROPHY IN 2014 for this year’s Jacques Leglise Trophy and St Andrews Trophy. The St Andrews Trophy, which takes place from July 20-21, is a biennial men's team event contested between Great Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe. GB&I ran out 14-10 winners at Barseback, Sweden in 2014. The following month will see Great Britain & Ireland’s top under 18 year olds take on their counterparts from Continental European at Prince’s from August 25-26. Both events follow the same format, with four morning foursomes followed by eight afternoon singles on two consecutive days. Last year a strong GB&I team overcame a two-point deficit to level the overall score at 12½ -12½ to retain the trophy at Royal Dornoch. GB&I has won 17 out of the 21 encounters to date, but since 2005 things have been more evenly balanced, with the Europe winning four out of the last 11 matches. Other events in a packed schedule at Prince’s this season include the RIP It For Derek Memorial Pro-Am on April 24 and The PGA Kent Open from May 16-17, while later in the season the club will be hosting two Open events – the Douglas Jervis Silver Salver (October 1). and the Men's Senior Open Autumn (October 4). Next year the club will be co-hosting the stroke play rounds of the Amateur Championship with Royal St George’s – following previous stagings in 2006 and 2013.

he Shire London has built something of reputation for doing things differently since it opened in 2007. The 27-hole Potters Bar-based venue threw out many of the rules that more traditional clubs insist upon, such as a ban on jeans and mobile phones in the clubhouse, and prides itself on welcoming all-comers to play the only Seve Ballesteros-designed course in the country. The latest benefit being offered to prospective members is a new three-year package, which contains a range of extra benefits to reward a long-term commitment. As well as offering a reduced price pro-rata, the 36-month membership also includes ten free golf buggy rentals per year – representing a saving of £350 – while £50 is added on to a range ball card for each of the first three years to be used either at The Shire or its sister club, the West London Golf Centre. The package costs £3,600, plus a £300 bar levy. As well as the exclusive extras, it also grants unlimited seven-day golf on the 18-hole Masters Course and the 9-hole Academy Course, plus advance online booking, discounts in the bar, restaurant and pro shop,, and a free annual golf assessment with The Shire’s coaching staff. Also new in 2016 is a 5-day membership, at £925 per year, which is being offered for the first time to golfers who are not already members at the club, while seven-day membership costs £1,490pa. For details visit www.theshirelondon.com.

CHOBHAM GOLF CLUB

SU M M ER SOCI ETY PACK AGES 2016 AVAILABLE APRIL TO OCTOBER*

PAR Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes of Golf £34.00 PER PLAYER

Menus for Lunch and Dinner options can be sent via email on request. We look forward to welcoming you to Chobham Golf Club this Summer. For further information, please feel free to call the office on Email: golf@chobhamgolfclub.co.uk Web: chobhamgolfclub.co.uk

01276 855584

BIRDIE Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes of Golf, Golfers Lunch £44.00 PER PLAYER

EAGLE Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes of Golf 2 Course Lunch £49.50 PER PLAYER

ALBATROSS Coffee & Bacon Roll, 9 Holes of Golf, Golfers Lunch or Full English Breakfast, 18 Holes of Golf, 3 Course Dinner £79.50 PER PLAYER THE MASTERS Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes of Golf, Golfers Lunch or Full English Breakfast 18 Holes of Golf, 3 Course Dinner £82.50 PER PLAYER

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

COMPETITION | FEBRUARY 2016

[17]

WIN £500 SHOPPING SPREE WITH G/FORE GolfNews has teamed up with colourful golf clothing brand G/FORE to offer one lucky ready the chance to stock up their wardrobe for the new season with some of the most fashionable gear currently on the market. materials, and is offered in a variety of eye-catching colours. Super lightweight, and featuring a shock-absorbing sole for extra comfort, they are designed to be worn on and off the golf course, and feature a bespoke cleat design to provide optimum traction.

G/FORE – TAKING GOLF BY STORM Established in 2011 by Italian fashion industry guru Mossimo Giannulli, G/FORE has after quickly established itself as one of the market leaders in colourful golfing fashion and accessories, first with its eye-catching golf shoes and gloves, and more recently a full range of outwear. G/FORE embodies Giannulli’s expertise in fashion, passion for golf, and dedication to creating products of unmatched performance and unparalleled style. Crafted from the finest materials, tested on the course, and designed to bring a touch of personality, fun and colour back to the game, G/FORE products honour golf's storied past while looking toward the sport's bright future.

G/FORE GLOVES – HAND SEWN FOR A PERFECT FIT G/FORE’s first foray into the golf market was a range of premium leather gloves in a range of bright colours that delivered in terms of both comfort and style. Made from precisioncut, premium cabretta leather, G/FORE gloves are hand sewn to produce an unparalleled construction, quality and fit, and such is their quality that they are worn by players on all the major pro tours.

G/FORE SHOES – STEP OUT IN STYLE AND COMFORT Deliberately designed to shake up the traditional golf shoe market, G/FORE’s stunning golf shoe range combines an athletic fit with premium water-resistant

G/FORE APPARREL – LOOKING GOOD ON AND OFF THE COURSE The recent launch of G/FORE's apparel collection marks the next step for the brand, with a stylish range of products that combine luxury fabrics with technical qualities. Offering a modern interpretation of classic styles in custom-developed, hybrid-blend fabrics, the range provides the ultimate in both performance and quality. Cotton-pique knits and lightweight jumpers feature in greys, pinks and greens, and have a clean and contemporary aesthetic, while a bold camouflage print is the statement piece of the line. Special features include all-natural yarns; moisture-wicking and fast-drying properties engineered for breathability; built-in UV sun protection; and four-way stretch to allow essential freedom of movement. G/FORE is available to buy from www.trendygolf.com

TO ENTER: To win a £500 worth of G/FORE golf gear – including a pair of shoes, glove, socks, polo shirt and a jumper – simply answer the question below correctly and email your name, address, telephone number, and details of where you picked up your copy of Golf News, to: info@golfnews.co.uk, using ‘G/Fore Competition’ in the subject line. The closing date for entries is March 30, 2016. No alternative cash prize is offered and all items are subject to availability.

QUESTION: WHO FOUNDED THE G/FORE BRAND? A) Gianluca Vialli B) Massimo Ferragamo C) Mossimo Giannulli

UP QU ENG GRA OT LIS DE TO EG H OL BRE FU F N AK LL EW FA S T ST & C’S

Society, Corporate & Charity Golf Days HEVER CASTLE 18

£47

per person*

Coffee/Bacon Roll 18 holes Championship Course Light Golfers Lunch

*Prices based on 12+ players, off Peak months and Monday to Thursday (excl Bank Holidays)

HEVER CASTLE 27

£68

per person*

Coffee/Bacon Roll 9 holes Princes Course Light Golfers Lunch 18 holes Championship Course One course meal

PL Y

1ST APRIL 2016 – 31ST March 2017

GOLF DAY BENEFITS FREE place with every 21* FREE buggy with every 8* 20% discount on 2nd golf day* 50% prebooking range balls Preview round for every player*

Contact us: Call Claire: 01732 701003 Email: golfdays@hever.co.uk www.hever.co.uk Hever Castle Golf Club, Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NP

[18] FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

DOAK TO ADVISE ON HOTCHKIN RENOVATIONS T

he services of world-renowned course architect Tom Doak have been called upon to carry out renovations to the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire. The heathland course, which is rated among the world’s top 100, forms the centrepiece of the facilities at the National Golf Centre, home of England Golf, and is used by all of England’s national squads for training. Doak’s recent projects have included the building of the Renaissance Club adjacent to Muirfield in Scotland, the dramatic Cape Kidnappers course in New Zealand, and the highly-rated Pacific Dunes in Oregon. Doak, who visited Woodhall Spa as a student, said: “The Hotchkin is one of the world’s great heathland courses, with a character all of its own. That’s a rare thing in golf course architecture, and it will be at the forefront of our thinking as we look to suggest any refinements. I am really looking forward to working with the management team in protecting the legacy and restoring its reputation.” The National Golf Centre’s general manager, Richard Latham, said: “We feel that renovating a national treasure like the Hotchkin Course requires expert opinion. We are huge admirers of Tom’s work and are confident that his input will be invaluable.”

GIRTON TEES UP NEW ACADEMY

■ THE HOTCHKIN COURSE IS WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE BEST INLAND LAYOUTS IN ENGLAND

ROSSER TO HEAD UP BURHILL

B LAST ORDERS SERVED AT WORLD’S OLDEST GOLF PUB

Scottish pub that has hosted some of the greatest golfers in the history of the game has been forced to close to make way for new houses. Mrs Forman’s, which overlooks the Old Course at Musselburgh, is set to be knocked down and replaced with a set of garages to service an exclusive new property development on the site. Forman’s was built in 1822, but achieved world-wide fame as Mrs Forman’s when Marion Forman began running it on her husband’s death in 1843. With the Old Links hosting the Open Championship half a dozen times between 1874 and 1889, many of the famous golfers of the age enjoyed Mr's Forman’s hospitality, including local hero and Open champion Willie Park Snr, as well as legends such as Harry Vardon, James Braid, Ben Sayers and Bobby Jones. An application was lodged last October with East Lothian Council to knock down the pub and build three houses facing the links, with a set of garages where Mrs Forman’s now stands.

alented young golfers are being offered the chance of developing their playing skills while continuing with their academic studies following the launch of a new golf academy in Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Regional College is launching the region’s first golf academy in partnership with Girton Golf Club. The programme combines study for a BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport with intensive golf training and conditioning, helping prepare students to play professionally or go on to PGA coaching or a PGA foundation degree. Students will be based at the club throughout the two-year programme, with golf training from Girton’s head professional Alan Fletcher and course teaching by CRC lecturers. The programme starts in September this year and is aimed at 16 to 18 year olds. CRC's Head of Sport Studies, Rob Metcalfe, said: “The Golf Academy will offer high level performance training to youngsters keen on playing professionally or following a coaching path. All training and classes will be based at Girton, and students will work towards their Level 3 BTEC qualification alongside golf training from experts." For more details call 01223 418703.

urhill Golf Club in Surrey has appointed Ben Rosser as its new Head Professional. Ben has been working within the golf industry since 2003, and has spent 11 years with BGL at the neighbouring Hoebridge Golf Centre, where he has been head professional since 2014. Coach to Surrey U16 Boys’ Elite Squad and a regular player on the Jamega Pro Golf Tour and TP Tour, Rosser has a high national diploma in Golf Studies, and gained his PGA status with the completion of a Foundation Degree in Professional Golf. “I have always wanted to make a career in golf, and the fact that BGL has handed me the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to help maximise the facilities and develop the thriving junior, men’s, and ladies’ contingent at such a prestigious club as Burhill is incredibly rewarding," said Rosser.

JOIN IN THE FUN AT LUTON HOO

uton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort is hosting an open day on March 27, where prospective members are invited to find out what the luxury Bedfordshirebased venue has to offer. Visitors will be able to have a guided tour of the golf facilities, talk to members of the golf team, play the 18-hole championship course for a discounted green fee, and discover all the benefits of membership. Later in the season, on June 5, the resort is hosting the Jamega Tour, and amateur golfers are invited to enter teams of three to play with

Society Society days days in in style... style...by bythe thesea! sea! To celebrate the opening of our new £1.7m clubhouse we To celebrate the opening of our new £1.7m clubhouse we are offering some great Society and Golf Day packages. are offering some great Society and Golf Day packages. PAR PAR ■ Full English Breakfast + Coffee

■ 18■holes Full English Breakfast + Coffee ■ 18 £24.00 ppholes (Midweek) £24.00 pp (Midweek) £27.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols) £27.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)

EAGLE EAGLE ■ Full English Breakfast + Coffee

Full English Breakfast + Coffee ■ 18■Holes ■ 18 Holes ■ Selection from Society lunch menu ■ Selection from Society lunch menu £31.00 pp (Midweek) £31.00 pp (Midweek) £34.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols) £34.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols) All society packages can be tailored to meet your own speciﬁpackages cations. Minimum people. All society can be 12 tailored to meet Please callown the specifications. Pro Shop on 01323 890139. your Minimum 12 people. Please call the Pro Shop on 01323 890139.

■ BEN ROSSER

BIRDIE ■ Coffee BIRDIE & Bacon Roll

■ 18■Holes Coffee & Bacon Roll ■ 18 Holes ■ Selection from Society lunch menu ■ Selection from Society lunch menu £28.00 pp (Midweek) £28.00 pp (Midweek) £31.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols) £31.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)

ALBATROSS ALBATROSS ■ Coffee & Bacon Roll

■ Coffee ■ 9/18 holes & Bacon Roll ■ 9/18 holes ■ Selection from Society lunch menu Selection from Society lunch menu ■ 18■holes ■ 18 holes ■ Selection from Society dinner menu ■ Selection from Society dinner menu £44.50. pp (Midweek) £44.50. pp (Midweek) £47.50 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols) £47.50 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)

a professional in the Jamega Tour Pro-Am. Entry costs £250 per team, with breakfast, 18 holes and a post match BBQ, plus prizes including an overnight stay at Luton Hoo for each member of the winning team.

BOBOO KONKON WO AT A T 12501 FWOFRO2R012 20 6016 P5RIPCRI EC S!ES!

WINT WARMEERR

The View at Seaford Head Golf Course Breakfast offers more than just or occasions. lunch golﬁng

Available for weddings, 18and holes parties business meetings. It really £20.00 pp is the place to hold any (Midweek) function. With over 100 £24.00 pp possible(Weekend covers for & large groups Bank and Hols) a smaller separate room for a more Minimum 4 personal gathering. people. Must

be booked CALL 01323 890139 in advance.

FOR MORE DETAILS. Available from 1 Nov- 29 Feb 2016

Seaford Head Golf Course Southdown Road, Seaford, BN25 4JS Seaford Head Golf Club Southdown Tel:Road, 01323Seaford, 890139 BN25 4JS www.seaofrdheadgolfcourse.co.uk Tel: 01323 890139 www.seafordheadgolfclub.co.uk

WINTER GOLF PACKAGE

£80

per person

Sunday* - Thursday

• Sausage and Bacon Muffin with Tea or Coffee • LGC Welcome Gift • Inclusive of Range Balls and use of Practice Facilities • 18 Holes on the International Course • 2 Course Meal after Golf Available Sunday – Thursday (*Sunday limited tee-times only), from 1st November to 31st March, subject to availability. Must be booked in advance. Driving range closed on Mondays from 10am for maintenance. To book, please contact the Club on 01474 879 899.

www.londongolf.co.uk London Golf Club, Stansted Lane, Ash, Kent TN15 7EH

[20] FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

BACK YOURSELF WITH

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GOLF

If the idea of playing in a nationwide competition and having the chance to win a stack of cash based on your own ability sounds appealing, then Golflutter, a brand new betting app aimed at amateur golfers, should be your next digital download

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

FEATURE | FEBRUARY 2016

t’s fair to say that betting is in my blood. While most of my fellow students at university were sitting in the library studying text books and writing essays, I could more often than not be found perched on a stool in a high street bookmaker, studying the Racing Post and filling out betting slips. In the days before the internet, the bookshelves in my dingy student digs were filled with form guides, and instead of exam timetables or coursework due dates pinned above my desk, I had lists of ‘Horses to Follow’ and calendars listing race days at Goodwood, Fontwell and Lingfield and other tracks that were to become my places of learning. Suffice to say, that while there were occasional ‘up’ days, and even periods of weeks when I enjoyed minor financial triumphs, the long-term effect was a dwindling bank account, and a student loan that went to Ladbrokes’ profits, rather than helping to pay off my ever-increasing overdraft. Fast forward 25-odd years, and I still like to bet on the nags, but those ‘investments’, as I like to call them, are limited to a handful of outings at Goodwood, where the speed of the service in the bar is of far more importance that the speed of whatever four-legged beast I’ve backed in the next race. However, for reasons of professional interest, I do like to bet on golf. Having followed the game for over 20 years, I at least pretend that I know more about the players, and the tournament venues, than the average punter, and therefore feel like I have a small but significant advantage over the people that set the odds. Sadly, finding an Open champion from a field of 156 golfers is harder than picking the winner of the 30-runner handicap at Royal Ascot, so while there have been some blinding successes (David Toms winning the 2001 US PGA Championship at 100-1 being one), the losses far outweigh the winnings by a margin that I wouldn’t like my wife to ever know about. Betting on the outcome of events over which you have absolutely no control is where it all goes wrong for most gamblers. This blindingly obvious, but often overlooked, fact, is part of the reason why David Morgan set up Golflutter, a brand new concept in golf betting, which puts you, the golfer, at the very centre of the bet. Rather than backing Rory or Jordan putting together four good rounds at Augusta, Golflutter allows you the chance to bet on yourself. Not to the win the Masters, of course – we can but dream – but to beat a series of more realistic

to do that, it can mean that some of the competitive fun of golf gets lost.” He adds: “The premise behind the Golflutter app is that it allows potentially thousands of like-minded golfers who may want to bet on themselves to have a secure and regulated place where they can do just that. Like the Tote’s Jackpot and Placepot in horseracing, golfers’ bets – which are set at £5 – are placed in a pool, with the number of those who successfully complete a variety of challenges [see side bar right] be that to bag a certain number of nett birdies or play a certain number of holes below par, taking a proportionate share of the pot." Precisely how much money is paid out depends on how many bets are placed on any given day, and how many winners there are. So while a warm Saturday in June is likely to have a much bigger pot than, say, a wet Tuesday in February, the amount you might win might not be very different, as the bigger pot might be divided up more thinly. Another bonus is that Golflutter is able to be used by golf club members and non-members alike, because if you don’t already have an official handicap, the app provides one by keeping a record of the first three rounds that you play and then keeps the lowest round of the three as your handicap for the game. There’s a highest handicap limit of 20 to weed out any potential bandits, while most significantly, the app itself picks the holes for each challenge completely at random so that the potential for, shall we say, ‘slips of the pencil’ is avoided. Golflutter still requires a high degree of honesty, but Morgan is confident that the app’s software, combined with most golfers’ innate sense of honesty and fair play, will mitigate against creating a cheat’s charter. “We’ve got extremely sophisticated safety systems in place, and anyone found to be breaking the rules or manipulating the system won’t be paid out,” warns Morgan. ”They will end up being reported to the betting industry watchdog and banned from all forms of gambling.” Golflutter has all of the UK’s 2,580-odd 18-hole golf courses registered on its system (9-hole courses aren’t included for obvious reasons) with golfer’s smartphone GPS software allowing the app to track golfers are where they say they are when the commence a competition round. As mentioned, the holes are hidden for each challenge, and not revealed until after the player enters his gross scores into the app. The big reveal of the hidden holes adds an

challenges that you set yourself at your home club, or wherever or whoever you happen to be playing that day. So, if your fourball all place a bet on Golflutter on the same day, there’s a chance that you’ll all come away as winners, rather than just one of you. Morgan, a keen golfer from the Midlands with a background in industrial engineering, launched Golflutter as a way of allowing golfers to be in control of their own financial success, rather than trusting their money on the whims of another. “I’ve been passionate about golf for 40 years, and from my experience I know that golfers love to have a bet, whether it be for a couple of beers or a few pounds. We can’t resist it – it is in the DNA of the golfer," he says. “But sometimes you get matched up with friends or partners who don’t like playing for money, and although they are, of course, utterly entitled

exciting new dimension to post-round banter, especially when you’ve not broken 100, yet discover that your three lonely pars on the back nine were among the counting Golflutter holes! “With all the doom and gloom surrounding golf at the moment, the game could do with a bit of fun, and I think Golflutter does just that. It adds a bit of spice and excitement to any game, whether you're playing with your friends, in a society, or on your own against the rest of the world as it were,” says Morgan.

THE BIG REVEAL OF THE HIDDEN HOLES ADDS AN EXCITING NEW DIMENSION TO POST-ROUND BANTER, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’VE NOT BROKEN 100, YET DISCOVER THAT YOUR THREE LONELY PARS WERE AMONG THE COUNTING GOLFLUTTER HOLES!

[21]

A quick guide to Golflutter 1. REGISTER Create your account, by entering your name, date of birth, contact details, home club and handicap (if you have one). Golfers without official handicaps will be issued a Golflutter handicap, which will be adjusted after 3 rounds, with a maximum handicap of 20.

2. DEPOSIT FUNDS Each player must have a ‘cash wallet’ in which funds are used for putting on bets and receiving winnings. These funds can be transferred via internet banking or Paypal.

3. PLACE YOUR BETS There six different bets on offer, all of which are placed on ‘Hidden Holes’ which are chosen at random by the app, and are therefore not known to the player. Full handicaps apply. The stake is always £5. BET 4 Total nett score of one under par or better for 4 holes.

BET 6 Total nett score of one under par or better for 6 holes. BET 9 Total nett score of one under par or better for 9 holes. BET BIRDIE Score a nett birdie or better for ONE of 4 holes. BET EAGLE Score a nett eagle or better for ONE of 6 holes. BET PAIRS Score a net birdie or better on any pair of four pairs of holes.

FOR EXAMPLE if you place your £5 on Bet 4, and shoot a one under par total or better of the four holes chosen at random, you are a winner.

4. PICK UP YOUR WINNINGS Winnings will be automatically distributed to your online ‘cash wallet’ within 24 hours of completion of the day’s play after scores are verified.

FLUTTER FOR MORE DETAILS OF HOW TO PLAY, VISIT WWW.GOLFLUTTER.COM,WHILETODOWNLOADTHEFREE GOLFLUTTERAPPONTOYOURSMARTPHONE,SEARCHFOR GOLFLUTTER IN YOUR APP STORE.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Each bets cost £5. All bets must be placed before the game starts. The game begins by pressing ‘start’ on the app. Gross scores for each hole must be entered via the app, during or immediately after your round, on the same day of the game. All the Rules of Golf must be strictly adhered to. No cheating or colluding will be tolerated. Bets can be placed on any 18-hole golf course in the UK. Golflutter users must be 18 or older and live in the UK.

[22] FEBRUARY 2016 | COLUMN

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

In the first installment of his exclusive new column, Surrey-based tour pro Ross McGowan talks of his joy at winning back his European Tour card after four years in the lower leagues, and reports on some solid early season form in South Africa

■ ROSS CELEBRATES EARNING BACK HIS EUROPEAN TOUR CARD AT QUALIFYING SCHOOL

IT’S A GREAT FEELING to be back on the European Tour again, after what seems like an age spent watching players that I grew up playing alongside – and often beating – making a good living. I turned professional in 2006, when I was 24, so I was a relatively late starter compared to some of the kids you see starting out on tour these days, and it’s hard not to feel a little like one of the senior pros out here now, despite the fact that I’m only 33. After finishing 38th in the Challenge Tour’s Order of Merit, I knew I was guaranteed half a dozen starts on the European Tour this season, but to get my full card at Qualifying School in Spain was a huge bonus. I’d ended the season strongly in Oman, and felt that my game was in pretty good shape, but finishing fifth at PGA Catalunya was more than I could have hoped for. I enjoyed the posttournament celebrations, but the overall feeling was more one of relief that I was a step closer to being back where I felt I belonged. Prior to losing my European Tour card in 2011, I suffered a few injuries that prevented me playing my best, if at all. I injured my wrist in 2010, and then I was out for nine months in 2012 with a torn oblique muscle, while another serious wrist injury kept me out of the game during 2013. Thankfully, after working with a number of physios and conditioning coaches, who taught me how to coordinate movement better and generally avoid those kind of injuries, I’m back to full health again, playing my best golf in ages, and I’m raring to go. I didn’t have much time to dwell on things after Q School though, as the new season started just two weeks later. Unfortunately I got sick just before the first event, the Alfred Dunhill in South Africa. I wouldn’t normally have played feeling as unwell as I did, but I needed to go for my South African Tour ranking, so I wasn’t at all surprised that I missed the cut there. Things soon turned around though, and after a nice break at Christmas I enjoyed two good tournaments back in South Africa, first in the BMW SA Open, where I finished 12th, and then at the following week's JoBurg Open, where I finished 10th. Given the way I started both events, those results were just about the worst I could have finished, but I had a few bits of bad luck over the weekend rounds, coupled with a few costly mistakes, and paid the price. But overall the signs are good, and I feel that I’m swinging the club as well as I have ever done. I shot 62 in the second round at Royal Johannesburg – and recorded my first holein-one on the European Tour during the first – so things are looking positive. I’d initially expected that my Q School ranking – I was fourth highest – would have been enough to get a few starts on the Desert Swing, but the number of

I’M BACK TO FULL HEALTH AGAIN, PLAYING MY BEST GOLF IN AGES, AND I’M RARING TO GO

special invitations handed out to players meant that I was left twiddling my thumbs. I’m attached to Abu Dhabi Golf Club, but even my long-standing relationship with them wasn’t enough to secure a place in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which was very disappointing, especially as it’s a course I know so well and one that suits my game. There’s a lot of politics involved on tour, shall we say, but perhaps it’s best that we leave it at that! I spend a lot of time in Dubai these days, and use it as a winter training base, so while I wasn’t playing I spent time working on my game with my coach, Matthew Parker, who’s also based out there. I’ve been working with Matt for a couple of years now, and we’ve really clicked. He’s a bit younger than me, and has grown up using all the technical tools of the trade, like Trackman and the SAM PuttLab, and has really helped with all aspects of my game, especially when it comes to dialling in distances and controlling ball flight – two things that help you score well out here. Despite my advancing years, I’m hitting the ball further now than I did when I first came out on tour. I started using TaylorMade’s M1 driver at the end of last season, and I’ve found an extra 10 yards with it, which certainly helps on the longer tracks. Its adjustability helps to launch the ball higher, yet with less spin. Although I’m generally a pretty straight hitter, we’ve worked out that it’s better to hit it 300-plus yards into the light rough than it is to knock it 275 yards down the middle of the fairway – so it’s definitely a bomber’s game on tour these days, with a chipping and putting contest thrown in, which kind of suits my way of playing. As far as targets for the season go, I’d really love to finish inside the top 60 in the Race to Dubai. It’s no use saying you want to keep your card, as that’s a rather negative view to take. And I’d love to have a crack at the DP World Championship at Jumeirah, as I absolutely love the Earth Course. I had one of my best weeks there in 2009, finishing second behind Lee Westwood, so it would be great to get that chance again. In the meantime, my schedule, such that it is, sees me back in South Africa for the Tshwane Open in Pretoria, and then onto Australia for the Perth International, if I don’t get in to the Malaysian Open. Fingers crossed!

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

[23]

RICHMOND’S ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL

he Richmond Golf Club extended its long-standing association with the royal family when the prestigious London club launched its 125th anniversary celebrations earlier this month. Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra was the guest of honour at the Founders’ Day Reception on February 5 – the date the club was officially founded in 1891. More than 200 members and guests enjoyed a glittering black-tie champagne reception in the club’s historic Grade 1-listed Georgian clubhouse, with the highlight of the evening coming when the Princess unveiled a speciallycommissioned painting of the clubhouse by renowned artist Ken Howard. The picture (right) – depicting the clubhouse in summer – was one of two unveiled on the night, with another showing the clubhouse in a wintry scene

also being unveiled by Howard. Princess Alexandra’s presence continued the club’s historic links with the royal family, which date back to King George VI, who was club captain in 1924 prior to ascending the throne. His wife, later to become the Queen Mother, was patron of the club for many years until her death in 2002, while the current Duke of York, Prince Andrew, has been patron since 2006. Club captain Jeremy Williams said: “It was a great honour and privilege for everyone at the club that HRH Princess Alexandra was able to join us on such a special occasion. The club is very proud to be able to continue its close association with the royal family. The Founders’ Day Reception is the first of many fantastic celebratory events that we have planned to mark our milestone anniversary over the coming months.” Among the special events to celebrate the 125th anniversary is a black-tie dinner at the House of Commons, which is being hosted by Richmond’s local MP Zac Goldsmith.

JERSEY’S TOP CLUBS TO HOST CHANNEL ISLANDS CHALLENGE

■ ALEX MOLLIN, THREE-TIME WINNER

GA Professional tournament golf will once again grace Jersey’s two finest links courses, when the DSI Ltd PGA Channel Islands Challenge returns in spectacular fashion in March 2016. Thanks to a new sponsor, St Helier based Designer Sofa Interiors, the tournament will be played over two rounds: the first on March 9 at the prestigious Royal Jersey Golf Club, and the second a day later at La Moye. The last winner in 2014 was La Moye’s own PGA head professional Mike Deeley, who will be hoping that his home advantage will give him the edge once more. Open to all PGA professionals, the winner of the Channel Island Challenge will take home £1,000 from the anticipated £5,000 prize fund, while the Channel Islands’ many golf enthusiasts will be able to see top golfers play these two superb links courses.

The event’s driving force is Jersey Golf Coaching’s PGA professional Alex Mollin, a three-time winner of the Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year award, who said: “I’m delighted we’re able to run this event again, now for the fourth time. In true Jersey style, it’s very relaxed, and spectators are all very welcome to come and enjoy some spectacular golf over Jersey’s two best courses.” Sam Smith, Secretary of The PGA in England (South) added: “The PGA is really looking forward to the tournament, and to coming back to Jersey to support the Channel Islands based PGA Professionals. We have to thank Claire and Byron Khawaja of Designer Sofa Interiors for their support, along with Alex’s vision and, of course, Royal Jersey and La Moye, for helping us set it all up.”

JOIN SPURS LEGENDS AT THE GROVE

ootball fans, or rather followers of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, should waste no time in joining up with a few fellow supporters to take part in The Hotspur Trophy, a special tournament which is being held at The Grove in Hertfordshire on April 18. Guests at the exclusive event will be able to tee it up alongside greats from the title-chasing North London side, including the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardilles. The day, which includes breakfast, 18 holes, a shared buggy, drinks reception and buffet, costs from £299 per person. There will be prizes for team and individual scores, and a golden ball competition to win tickets to Spur’s final home game of the season, which will be against Southampton on May 7. For bookings, call 0208 0031143 or email events@tottenhamhotspur.com.

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[24] FEBRUARY 2016 | RORY MCILROY

FIGHTING TALK

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Fit and fully focused, RORY MCILROY is going all out to add to his major tally in 2016 and regain his No.1 crown â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, both currently ahead of him the world rankings, may have something to say about that PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

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RORY MCILROY | FEBRUARY 2016 [25]

ory McIlroy is up for a fight. No, not a bare-knuckled fisticuffs kind of scrap, but a fight nevertheless. Having sat out a large chunk of last season after injuring himself in that fateful kickabout, the 26 year old from Northern Ireland has a steely look in his eye – and even more of a bulge in his bicep – when he talks about making up the ground – and the major winning opportunities – that he lost during his enforced two-month absence from competition. He talks even more animatedly when pressed on the subject of ‘The Big Three’ (aka himself, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day), and the dingdong battle for the game’s biggest trophies – and the coveted world No.1 ranking – that surely lies ahead in the season that is about to unfold. While there are plenty of critics who say that it’s far too early to talk about ‘the big anything’, given that the players in question boast just seven majors between them (McIlroy 4, Speith 2, Day 1), without Tiger Woods to draw in the crowds and the viewing figures, it’s not hard to see why these three supremely talented young men are being heralded as the second coming by sections of the sporting press. The products of three vastly divergent upbringings, and hailing from continents that could hardly be further apart, there is clearly plenty riding on this modern version of The Great Triumvirate becoming the leading actors on golf’s biggest stages. While McIlroy, along with the rest of the field, was left reeling in Speith’s tidal wave of a wake at the Masters last April, it’s impossible to know how things would have panned out at the US Open and The Open had the Northern Irishman been in the picture. But Spieth could only beat what was put in front of him, and he did so at Chambers Bay, and then came up agonisingly short of becoming the first player to win the first three majors of the season, when he

Never quite at home on the grainy greens, Spieth drew on all his class to eventually haul himself into the top 10, without ever really threatening the leaders, while McIlroy huffed and puffed, but wasn’t able to blow his putts in, and finished third, two shots off Rickie Fowler’s 16-under-par winning score. While McIlroy won this opening skirmish, and knocked a little more rust off his game with a tied sixth in Dubai, the battle has yet to truly begin, with talk of preparation for April’s Masters already underpinning any conversation involving either player. The state of their games, and the state of their minds, will be analysed and picked

RIVALRY IS HEALTHY FOR ALL SPORT, AND I’M HAPPY THAT THE WORLD OF GOLF IS HOPING TO SEE THE THREE OF US AS A REPEAT OF THE RIVALRY BETWEEN NICKLAUS, PALMER AND PLAYER. WE’RE NOT QUITE THERE YET, BUT IT’LL BE A LOT OF FUN IF IT HAPPENS over every week until the opening tee shots are struck at Augusta – missed the play off by a single shot at St Andrews. of that you can be sure. With McIlroy having won the last two majors of the 2014 season, And while the media has always been anxious to talk up their and Spieth the first two of 2015, there was plenty of talk, however rivalry, you will never hear either player bad-mouth each other in premature, of a new rivalry to perhaps match that which existed the manner boxers are wont to do before a fight. Golfers play a between Nicklaus and Palmer. However, along came the unstoppable more subtle version of trash talk, highlighting their admiration for Aussie force that is Jason Day, who powered his way to victory in each other, before highlight the current state of the rankings or the the US PGA Championship, and four other tournaments during the number of major titles to their name. The stats in golf, perhaps in season, to briefly snatch Spieth’s no.1 crown from under his nose. And more than any other sport, speak for themselves. then there were three. Truth be told, Spieth is a paragon of good sportsmanship, and is With Day, who is still being treated for vertigo, very much in a hard man to get to say anything remotely controversial. During a the mix, the stage now looks set for some titanic tussles between pre-match press conference in Abu Dhabi, he was unstinting in his three of the most naturally gifted players the game has seen in a generosity towards McIlroy, but there was generation. And yet despite Spieth’s undeniable an ever-so-slight hint that he was talking brilliance, and Day’s immense skill and never-sayabout his rival as someone who has some die attitude, there lurks the feeling that McIlroy is McIlroy v Spieth catching up to do. “That was the Rory the most talented of the trio, and is just waiting to The Numbers Game that I have seen win Majors,” said Spieth reveal his hand now that he has two rivals to push (2014 - to date) after McIlroy shot a six-under-par 66 in him to the limits. McIlroy Spieth the second round, leaving the question In sport, everybody needs a rival to define Events 46 58 of where the other Rory has been been their greatness. Ali had Frazier, Messi has Ronaldo, Wins 8 7 hanging mischievously in the air. Federer has Nadal, and as previously mentioned, Top 3s 15 16 The strong suspicion is that it won’t Nicklaus had Palmer. Now that McIlroy is not a Top 10s 28 29 be long before McIlroy can turn the lone star, and has Spieth and Day as legitimate, Missed Cuts 4 7 tables and be generous to Spieth from a worthy challengers, it is hard not to believe that Average Score 69.3 69.4 position of strength. Recently engaged to the competition will lift him to heights he might partner Erica Stoll, and happy and settled not have reached without them. Head-to-heads in his home life, McIlroy appears more But McIlroy knows he has a real fight on his Played 38 Won 21 Won 14 focused and determined than ever. hands to claim the hatful of major titles that most He has spoken about how he believes feel is his destiny. The phony war began in earnest that this is 'his time’ in golf. He knows at Abu Dhabi last month, where he and Spieth that he has to do everything in his power teed it up at the beginning of the Desert Swing. to maximise his talent, while he is in his Spieth, having won the Hyundai Tournament of prime, and that means the pursuit of Champions the week before on the PGA Tour, more majors. In particular, it means the travelled 8,000 miles to play in his first European pursuit of the US Masters, the only one Tour event, and in what was the least surprising of the big four tournaments that he has match up of all time, the two players were drawn not won. together for the first two rounds. What better way of reclaiming his In between swapping ‘my new house is bigger mantle as the best player on the planet than your new house’ banter, they also traded than with victory at Augusta in April? No plenty of shots, with McIlroy racking up nine birdies one who craves the triumph of genius in and an eagle for his opening 36 holes, while Spieth’s sport will be betting against him. six birdies were offset by three bogeys. ■ MCILROY HAS SPIETH IN SIGHTS

[26] FEBRUARY 2016 | FEATURE

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STORY BEHIND THE PIC CHRISTY O’CONNOR JR • SEPTEMBER 24TH, 1989 • RYDER CUP, THE BELFRY

AND THEN IT HAPPENED. ONE OF THE GREATEST SHOTS IN RYDER CUP HISTORY, PLAYED BY A MAN IN HIS FORTIES WHO MANY FELT SHOULDN’T HAVE EVEN BEEN THERE

BEFORE THAT fateful two-iron over the water on the 18th hole at The Belfty in 1989, Christy O’Connor Jr, who died last month aged 67, had a somewhat strained relationship with the Ryder Cup. Pointless in his one previous appearance in 1975, and then rejected by Tony Jacklin as a captain’s pick in 1985, he must have felt that his chances of taking part in the event again had long gone. After missing out on qualification by just £115, O’Connor didn’t take Jacklin’s wildcard snub lightly, saying at the time that he was ‘disgusted’ by the decision. So aggrieved was the Irishman that he refused to speak to Jacklin for four years. O’Connor’s game stalled over the ensuing years, until a surprise run of form in 1989, which culminated in victory in the Jersey Open, and saw his name back in the headlines again at the tender age of 41. Regardless of his results, no one was mentioning O’Connor when it came to predicting Jacklin’s picks for the matches at The Belfry that year – especially given the bad blood that existed between them. But O’Connor was handed a lifeline by Sandy Lyle, who ruled himself out following a dramatic loss of form. Thus O’Connor found himself in the team almost by default. After sitting out the first day, and losing 3&2 in his foursomes match with Ronan Rafferty when paired against against Mark McCumber and Ken Green, O’Connor found himself in the Sunday singles still without a Ryder Cup point to his name. Europe started the 12 singles matches with a two-point lead, but as the afternoon progressed, Europe lost the one match and, at one point, were down in nine others. And when Seve Ballesteros lost to Paul Azinger, Europe trailed 10-9, their grip on the trophy looking shaky. After Mark James levelled the score at 10-10, both Payne Stewart and Mark Calchavecchia found water at the last, handing victories to José Maria Olazabal and Rafferty respectively. At 12-10, Europe were just two points from retaining

the cup, but finding these points was going to be far from easy. The O’Connor-Fred Couples duel was nip and tuck throughout, with a stunning wedge from O’Connor to three feet at 16 helping the Irishman to level the match. When both players blew decent opportunities at the 17th, they made their way to the daunting 18th, which involved both a drive and approach shot over water. O’Connor played first, safely finding the fairway, but a long way back from the green. Couples then hit the perfect drive, his soaring draw cutting off a large chunk of the dogleg, and leaving him just a 9-iron to the green. And then it happened. One of the greatest shots in Ryder Cup history, played by a man in his forties, who many felt shouldn’t have even been there. Urged on by a supportive Jacklin – “One more good swing for Ireland” – O’Connor’s two-iron from 230 yards landed on the green and ran up to the correct tier, ending up four feet from the pin. Fist clenched in front of him, O’Connor had executed Jacklin’s plan to the letter. Couples, shaken by his opponent’s glorious effort, almost shanked his approach, missing the green right. The American managed a reasonable recovery chip, but his par putt slipped past the hole, and he conceded the Irishman’s putt to give Europe another vital point. Looking up to the skies, O’Connor crossed himself before being embraced by his wife as the crowd went mad. Understandably, O’Connor broke down, the enormity of the pressure finally released. And although America came back to draw the matches 14-14, Europe had retained the cup, having won it in 1987. O’Connor described that final day at The Belfry as the greatest of his life, although he said the memory of hitting the shot was ‘just a blur’. The next time to you play the Brabazon, remember to stop at the plaque in the 18th fairway that commemorates one of the greatest shots in Ryder Cup history, and offer up a little prayer to the golfing gods. Who knows, it might help, just as it did for Christy O’Connor all those years ago.

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1 in every 15 players goes FREE and every player will receive a Free small bucket of balls for use on the range. Call the office on 01344 302030 for availability and prices. Downshire Golf Complex Easthampstead Park, Wokingham RG40 3DH Tel: 01344 302030 Fax: 01344 301020 Email: downshiregc@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Web: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/downshiregolf www.facebook.com/downshiregolf

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COLUMN | FEBRUARY 2016

WITH

[27]

OLLY FOSTER

NUTRITION ON THE COURSE

YOU NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT MAINTAINING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS, SO YOUR ENERGY OUTPUT IS CONSISTENT AND SUSTAINED DURING A GAME

GOLF NUTRITION is one of the most important aspects you should be applying to your game in order to help improve performance both on and off the course. For too long now many neglect what is one of the four pillars to be a successful player. Eating and drinking properly will ensure you have the best platform to start building upon. Ask yourself this, for example: Do you know what to eat before a round, during a round or even after a round? Do you know how much water your should be drinking to not only stay physically hydrated, but mentally focused? Do you know how many calories you should be consuming on a daily basis and what macro ratio those calories should be coming from? Do you know what food and drinks you should be avoiding that can actually diminish performance? These all might seem like over-the-top questions, but I assure you that if you don't know the answers that are specific to you and you alone, then you're not applying effective nutrition to your game and your training. Time and time again, I see golfers eating chocolate bars, energy bars, drinking energy drinks or even fruit, before and during a round, in the hope of increasing their energy levels. All of these food items are high in simple sugars. This will give you a short energy boost, as your blood sugars levels rapidly rise. However, when something goes up, it must come back down, and your blood sugar is no different. This will cause your energy levels to dip, usually on the back nine. You need to be thinking about maintaining blood sugar levels, so your energy output is consistent and sustained during a game. Another example is sipping energy drinks or coffee, both of which contain caffeine, which can affect performance. Caffeine will cause your heart rate to elevate, which can give you a burst of energy, but once again, this will result in a crash. To make things even worse, caffeine stimulates the release of adrenaline, a stress hormone, which can cause you to become agitated, making it hard to produce a smooth, reliable golf swing. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means it

■ SUGARY DRINKS CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE

pulls water from the body, causing us to become dehydrated, which can affect both physical and mental focus. You can see from these two simple examples how important effective nutrition is for peak performance. Regardless of what handicap you play off, if you are looking to improve your game both on and off the course, you must have a sound nutrition plan in place. If you are interested in finding out about how NXgen Golf Performance can help you get fitter and perform better, please contact Olly or Ceri at Nxgengolfperformance@gmail.com

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[28] FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

DANNY’S DAY IN THE DESERT

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AUGUSTA JACKET SOLD BY TEXAS CHARITY SHOP G

anny Willett secured the biggest win of his career, and went a long way to securing his debut in the Ryder Cup, with a victory brimming with confidence at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The 28-year-old Yorkshireman had to sink a 10foot birdie putt on the final green to avoid a playoff with compatriot Andy Sullivan and Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who were already in the clubhouse with scores of 18 under par, and he did so with a calmness of a player operating at the very top of his game, rolling it to seal a one-shot win. Willett, who started the final round with a oneshot lead, dropped three shots over the opening 11 holes to give his rivals hope, but birdies on the 12th and 13th helped set up a thrilling finish, and he closed out the tournament in the same ruthless style that won him two titles last season en route to second place in the Race to Dubai. “I’m just ecstatic. You can’t buy that feeling, coming down the back nine, the last three holes, in contention of a golf tournament,” said Willett, who moved to 13th in the world rankings with the win. “It’s nice to know that I can dig deep and produce what I can when it is needed the most. I'd love to win by five or six every time, but when you win in that fashion, it feels that little bit extra special.” Further down the leaderboard, Korea’s Byeong Hun An and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros both had final rounds of 65 to leap into a tie for fourth, while Rory McIlroy matched that score for a share of sixth, although his Sunday afternoon charge never quite looked like reeling in the leaders.

PARLIAMENTARY GOLF GROUP BIDS TO RAISE GAME’S PROFILE

he urgent need to attract more players into the game reached the corridors of power last month, when the newly-convened Parliamentary Golf Group (PGG) held its first open meeting in Westminster on January 19. Peers and MPs were joined by associate members in the Palace of Westminster, where the floor was open to anyone who wanted to raise an issue or make a point about the game. The lively debate that followed focused on the perception of golf, access for those wanting to play, and matters around club financing, specifically taxation. The meeting was chaired by Karl McCartney, MP for Lincoln City, who said: “We heard from a range of associate members who are obviously all very passionate about the game, and it has already given us a lot to consider when we look to the areas where we can channel our efforts to support golf.” Anyone interested in becoming an associate member of the PGG can join by registering at www.parliamentary.golf.

reen jackets bearing Augusta’s famous logo are supposed to be hard to come by – just ask Rory McIlroy – so imagine the surprise and confusion when a charity store in Texas came across one of golf’s most iconic pieces of clothing. A volunteer in the donations department of The Guild Shop in Houston discovered an Augusta National green jacket back in late

December, and had it valued before it was sold to a car dealer in Pennsylvania. The original owner of the jacket is not known, although it is believed to be from the 1960s and was authenticated by the Hamilton Tailoring Company, the company that has exclusively made green jackets for nearly 50 years. The Guild Shop’s owners refused to reveal the

name of the lucky buyer or how much he had paid for it, but a spokesperson said the sale ‘met with expectations’. This is not the first time a green jacket has gone missing. In 2013, GreenJacketAuctions.com sold a jacket that belonged to Horton Smith, the first winner of what would eventually be called the Masters. It sold for $682,000 (£470,000).

HILLSIDE LEAVES GERRARD ON THE BENCH

ormer Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has had his application to join Hillside Golf Club rejected, after committee members feared that the Southport-based club’s reputation might be lowered if the 35-yearold midfielder became involved in any further anti-social behaviour. Two months after the former England captain applied to join the club, The Sun newspaper released CCTV footage of Gerrard being involved in an altercation outside a wine bar in Formby that took place in 2013. The LA Galaxy midfielder was nominated by to join Hillside by former Liverpool players, Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen, both of whom are longstanding members of the club. However, Gerrard’s application was unanimously rejected by the membership committee, with a source quoted in The Sun saying: “They’re worried he’ll damage the club’s reputation. Apparently they viewed the footage and decided he couldn’t play. Kenny was fuming after Steve was blackballed. Nobody expected that he’d be rejected.”

ANCHORS AWAY AS BAN COMES INTO PLAY

f you see a member at your club with the top currently employed by the likes of former users end of their putter anchored to his chest during of the anchoring method, including Matt Kuchar, the monthly medal, it might be time to have a Carl Pettersen, Bo Van Pelt and Tim Clark, all of quiet word. whom have now adopted a bracing grip. January 1 saw the ban on anchoring your Four major titles were won by players using putter – or any other club – against your body the anchoring technique, starting with Keegan finally come into play. From now on, all golfers Bradley’s US PGA Championship triumph in 2011; are prohibited from anchoring the club either Webb Simpson at the 2012 US Open; Ernie Els at ‘directly’ or by use of an ‘anchor point’ in making the Open that same year, and finally Adam Scott’s a stroke. Masters’ victory in 2013. The penalty for breaking Rule 14-1b is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The club must swing freely, although golfers are still able to brace the shaft up to the forearm, but not beyond the elbow joint. As a result of the ban, no putters, be they broomhandle or belly designs, have become illegal, only the method by which they can be used. Under the new rules, your forearms are allowed to rest against the body, but only if your hands are not separated on the grip. If your hands are split (much like you would see from someone using a long putter), then your forearms may not be in contact with the body, as that is deemed to have created an anchor point. To counteract the ban, almost every major putter brand has launched a range of counterbalanced models. Counterbalancing offers many of the benefits of anchored-style putters without anchoring. By adding weight to the grip end of the club, it raises the putter’s balance point and increases control for better tempo, stability and consistency. A number of these putters are ■ ADAM SCOTT HAS ADOPTED A NEW PUTTING STROKE

ENGLAND GOLF APPOINTS FORMER ICC MANAGER AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

he European manager of the International Cricket Council has been appointed as the new chief executive of England Golf, the governing body for amateur golf in this country. Nick Pink, who has held senior roles with several leading sports organisations, will take up his post on March 14, following the recent resignation of David Joy. Pink’s last role was as European manager for the ICC, where his role involved implementing a global strategy to increase participation across 33 national federations. Over the past four years, cricket has seen a 35% increase in player numbers across Europe, a figure that England Golf, would be delighted to see repeated following recent declines in participation. Pink, who has also worked with UK Sport, Youth Sport Trust and the Commonwealth Secretariat, and is a keen single-figure golfer, said: “I am delighted to be joining England Golf and look forward to working alongside colleagues, County Unions and Associations, clubs and all other stakeholders to deliver the ‘Raising our Game’ strategy. Golf has played an important role in my own life, and I passionately believe the sport can provide people of all ages with the opportunity to play and be involved in our great game.” Graham Yates, chairman of the England Golf board, said: "Nick’s experience, leadership qualities and networking skills will drive our strategy forward and support our aims to create more members, more players and stronger clubs.”

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NEWS | FEBRUARY 2016 [29]

MCEVOY BANKS ON RAISING HIS GAME WITH JENAHURA

ssex-based European Tour star Richard McEvoy is the latest player to join player management company Jenahura’s growing stable of tournament professionals. The agreement will see the Buckinghamshire-based company manage McEvoy’s’s travel, tournament entries and commercial deals. In addition, Jenahura’s logo will be embroidered on McEvoy’s clothing for the remainder of 2016. ■ RICHARD MCEVOY (LEFT) WITH Martyn Norris, managing director at Jenahura, which also looks after Jamie Elson and Harry Casey, said: “Having narrowly missed out JENAHURA'S MARTYN NORRIS on retaining his European Tour card last year, I was really impressed by the way Richard regained his card at Qualifying School. He showed an awful lot of character aside from a great deal of talent! The hunger and desire to advance his career is clearly still burning, and I truly believe he can go on to achieve great things. He is also a terrific character and is a perfect brand ambassador for our growing business.” McEvoy said: “I’ve had a solid start to the year and I am delighted that Jenahura are prepared to invest and help me with everything I need to take my game to another level. My swing feels really good and I can’t wait to head back out to South Africa for the Tshwane Open in a couple of weeks. I first met Martyn in Kazakhstan, and it was clear that he has a passion to really support his players. We had a chat at Q-School in November and it didn’t take us long to agree terms. I’m excited to be working with Jenahura.” A member of the victorious 2001 Walker Cup team, the 36 year old from Leigh-on-Sea won the European Tour’s qualifying school in 2003 and the Panama Open on the Challenge Tour in 2005. His 2011 season was his most successful financially, winning over €275,000 from 35 events.

DOWNSHIRE TEES UP INDOOR SIMULATOR

ownshire Golf Complex in Berkshire has installed a new indoor golf simulator that transports players to some of the best courses around the world without having to leave the comfort of the Wokingham-based venue. Golfers can play 18 holes at courses ranging from Carnoustie, The Belfry and Celtic Manor to Oakmont, Congressional and Hazeltine using the state-of-the-art simulator. The Foresight simulator is ideal for practice and casual play, offering nearest-the-pin and longest drive contests, which are perfect for corporate and society golf days, as well as personalised analysis for customfitting golf equipment or for swing coaching. Vincent Paliczka, Bracknell Forest Council’s director of environment, culture and communities, said: “The simulator is a wonderful addition to the already fantastic leisure facility we have at Downshire. It adds and diversifies the offering, making the club an even more attractive venue all year-round.” A round on the simulator starts from £25 an hour for game play for up to four players; £10 for 30 minutes’ use as a driving range; £20 for a club gapping test, and £25 for a custom fitting, which is refunded if new equipment is ordered as a result. Another welcome installation at the club this month is a new halfway house, located next to the 1st tee and the 9th green, which serves a wide range of drinks, sweets and hot and cold snacks.

LOWER TICKET PRICES FOR TROON OPEN

■ A NEW TWILIGHT TICKET WILL OFFER DISCOUNTED ENTRY FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T GET TO THE OPEN EARLY

icket prices for this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon have been lowered for spectators who buy their tickets in advance. Day tickets for the championship, which takes place from July 14-17, are on sale for £60 if bought before May 31, which is £10 less than in 2015. Tickets bought after that date will cost the gate price of £80. The R&A has also launched a new twilight ticket, which offers entry to the course from 4pm onwards on Thursday and Friday for £25. These tickets are also available in advance, although their number will be limited. Play on the first two days often goes on until 9pm, giving golf fans up to five hours of action to watch. Weekly tickets, valid from Sunday 10 to Sunday

17 July inclusive, are available for £230 before May 31, a saving of £95 on the daily ticket prices for the full week and £10 less than in 2015, and £260 thereafter. Children aged under 16, who are accompanied by an adult, receive free. For youths, aged 16-21, a day ticket costs £25 before May 31 and £30 thereafter. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “We recognise that many people have work commitments during the week and the new twilight tickets will give them an attractive option to attend The Open. We have also made some changes this year to encourage spectators to purchase tickets early, which helps us with planning the services and facilities we offer at the championship."

12 will also secure a share of the prize fund. It will continue to be a 36-hole championship, but both rounds will be played on the same day. This year’s event will see defending champion

Tracy Loveys from Devon bidding for a fifth win in the event, following her first win in 2003. The WPGA season tees off on March 7 with the Vivien Saunders WPGA Foursomes Award Tournament at The Berkshire. The One Day Series will again feature seven events across the country, beginning at Little Aston on May 9 and concluding at South Herts on August 10. Other one-day events in the South East include ones at Three Rivers in Essex and at Chestfield in Kent on July 22.

FRILFORD TO HOST ‘BIGGER AND BETTER’ WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

ritain’s top women professionals will be playing for a bigger prize fund and facing larger number of rivals when the Women’s Professional Golf Association Champiosnhip gets under way at Frilford Heath Golf Club this summer. The blue riband event of the WPGA schedule has been given a significant makeover for 2016,

including an increased prize fund – up from £5,000 to £6,000 – and an increased field size, which will mean that a qualifying event will no longer be required. The winner of the championship, which takes place over the club’s Blue Course on July 19, will receive £1,000, while players finishing in the top

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[30] FEBRUARY 2016 | DONALD TRUMP

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DONALD

TRUMP GOOD FOR GOLF?

He's invested millions in building, buying and renovating golf courses around the world, so can the game afford to be without DONALD TRUMP? Nick Bayly looks at how the outspoken property billionaire came to infiltrate his way into the golf business, and gauges golf’s reaction to his outspoken and often inflammatory views MAIN PHOTO ANGUS MURRAY

onald Trump was never a good enough golfer to play professionally, let alone win a major, but the 68-year-old entrepreneur is on a quest for the next best thing: to host major championships at his golf courses, wherever they be in the world. In April 2014, Trump put his major cards firmly on the table when he bought Turnberry, four-time host of the Open Championship, for an estimated £37 million. That same month, Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey was named as the host venue for the 2022 US PGA Championship. It’s safe to say that Trump’s major ambitions don’t end there. The Republican presidential candidate also has high hopes of landing a future US Open at Ferry Point, the Jack Nicklaus signature design links in New York, which opened in May last year, and he believes that some of his other courses under the Trump banner will get the major nod in the years ahead, including a potential Ryder Cup venue in Dubai. With 17 clubs in his global portfolio, there is no doubting that Trump is a major player in the business of golf, and as the 389th-richest person in the world, with a net worth of $4.5 billion – although he claims the real figure is closer to $10 billion – Trump has pockets that know no depth. A self-taught golfer, who claims to have won ‘a lot of club championships’ and boasts a best gross score 66 for 18 holes, Trump has invested millions in a pastime that he says he loves with a passion. But squaring Trump’s investment in golf, and the thousands of jobs that his golf resorts have created, with his often controversial public comments, is proving increasingly difficult for the professional golf tours and golf’s governing bodies, for whom the concept of inclusivity is a given. With the freedom of speech being such a fundamental part of the American constitution, and held with equal high regard in the UK, censoring someone,

albeit someone who is running as a presidential candidate, goes against the grain of all democratic thinking, although perhaps not that of all Republicans. A petition signed by over 500,000 UK citizens to have Trump bared from visiting Britain, following his comments on banning Muslims from entering the US, gained lots of headlines, but little support in parliament, although he will perhaps think twice before jetting into Heathrow in the immediate future. Calls for Turnberry to be struck off the list of Open venues because of its owner’s unpopular views have left the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, whose job it is to dish out the tournament, between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, it would be almost unthinkable for the famous Ayrshire links to be suspended from hosting a tournament with which it has such a rich and recent history; while on the other, would giving The Open to Turnberry in 2020, or any other date, give rise to the belief that the R&A condones Trump’s reactionary views? With no immediate time pressures to show its hand with regards to future

■ HEAD FOR HEIGHTS: DONALD TRUMP HAS BUILT UP A GLOBAL GOLF EMPIRE OF 17 CLUBS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS

Trump's Golf Portfolio A quick guide to the 17 Trump-owned courses and how their owner describes them TRUMP NATIONAL BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY

TRUMP NATIONAL COLTS NECK, NEW JERSEY

TRUMP NATIONAL, HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK

"World-class golf from the world's best golf course architect, Tom Fazio"

"The finest golf course on the Jersey shore - by far!"

"Something truly special”

TRUMP NATIONAL CHARLOTTE

TRUMP NATIONAL DORAL FLORIDA

"The pinnacle of the luxury public golf experience"

"The most desirable club in North Carolina"

TRUMP NATIONAL JUPITER, FLORIDA ■ TRUMP NATIONAL, PHILADELPHIA

"This club and its setting are truly something very special"

"A truly special place"

TRUMP NATIONAL LOS ANGELES

TRUMP NATIONAL WASHINGTON, DC

TRUMP NATIONAL PHILADELPHIA

“One of the world's most elite and prestigious golf clubs, created by legendary designers"

"Located adjacent to Pine Valley, but most people who play it say its better"

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DONALD TRUMP | FEBRUARY 2016

venues, the R&A is quite justifiably, and sensibly, playing a political waiting game. Martin Slumbers, the R&A’s recentlyappointed chief executive, was keen to strike a conciliatory note when he spoke to BBC Sport about the subject of Trump’s political views and its direct impact on Turnberry. "The important thing for us is to focus on what is the right thing for golf,” he said. “Politics is something that we should not comment on, and we should not stray into. My belief is that golf should be open to all, regardless of gender, race, nationality or religion. I think that's a strength of this game.” Slumbers will no doubt be hoping that by the time a decision has to be made, Trump will have gone back to being a boring old businessman, and his views will be yesterday’s news. In the meantime, when pressed on the Ailsa Course’s suitability for hosting future Opens, he added: "Turnberry is a wonderful Open venue, and we look forward to taking the Championship back there in due course. We are very comfortable with Mr Trump's plans for Turnberry, and will liaise on any changes to the Ailsa course. He has a strong track record of investing in golf, and we know that he will look to make improvements to the course and the facilities. We don't have to make a decision on future venues for a couple of years yet. The world may change quite a lot in the next six years, and we will consider it at that point." The Independent of Sunday reported on December 15 that many influential R&A members consider Turnberry to be as good as blackballed from hosting the Open for as long as the Trump name is attached the club, but with Trump investing a reported £250 million revamping the Aisla Course and the hotel, it seems wholly fanciful that he’ll be prepared to sell it on just so that someone else can enjoy the glory of hosting The Open. While the European Tour has so far managed to evade Trump’s influence, with the Scottish Open unlikely ever be held at Trump Links in Aberdeen, the PGA Tour in America has amuch closer association, and is consequently finding it far harder to distance itself. Soon after Trump’s slur of Mexican immigrants in July last year, the PGA Tour took October’s Grand Slam of Golf away from Trump National Los Angeles, but next month will still see the WGC-Cadillac Championship taking place at Doral, the Florida-based megaresort where Trump has spent over $250 million since buying it in 2012. And with sponsors not as easy to come by as they once were in the post-Tiger era, finding alternatives is not as simple at it once was. The speed and depth of Trump’s infiltration into the golf course business is staggering, even by Trump’s own standards. Twenty years ago, his only golfing interest was playing in the monthly medal at his home club. These days he oversees a golf operation that turns over an estimated $1 billion. Trump’s route into golf was almost by accident. Back in the mid-1990s he won a 600-acre parcel of land in Florida in a lawsuit, and with no pre-set plan on what to do with such a large space, he decided to ask Tom Fazio to build

THE SPEED AND DEPTH OF TRUMP’S INFILTRATION INTO THE GOLF COURSE BUSINESS IS STAGGERING, EVEN BY TRUMP’S OWN STANDARDS. TWENTY YEARS AGO, HIS ONLY GOLFING INTEREST WAS PLAYING IN THE MONTHLY MEDAL AT HIS HOME CLUB. THESE DAYS HE OVERSEES A GOLF OPERATION THAT TURNS OVER AN ESTIMATED $1 BILLION

Top Trump quotes If Donald Trump said it, it must be true….

■ TRUMP HAS PLEDGED TO SPEND OVER £250M RENOVATING TURNBERRY

a golf course, which became Trump International West Palm Beach. Several years later he bought a 200-acre plot in upper New York State from a company that had gone bust in the economic downturn, and commissioned Fazio’s brother, Jim, to design a championship course that now goes by the name of Trump National Westchester. Trump – who puts his name in the title of all of his businesses – soon discovered that building golf courses from scratch was a very costly exercise, and decided that there was more money to be made more quickly by buying pre-existing layouts and giving them the ‘Trump makeover’. Ever the shrewd operator, Trump bought good quality, well-located courses that were in dire financial straits and often paid less than a fifth of what of they originally cost to create. One club, which he refuses to name, was bought for $3 million, having cost the original owners close to $60 million to build. “I’m only interested in great courses in great locations,” Trump said in a recent interview. “I'm not a believer in these guys that go out to the middle of nowhere and build a beautiful course, and nobody comes. Somebody said that Donald Trump has built or owns the greatest collection of golf courses in the history of golf. And I believe that is 100% true.” Given the lack of competition, this assertion is probably one of the few things that Trump says that holds any element of truth, but one point on which the golf industry does part company with him is his belief that golf is not, and should never be, a game for the masses. Trump makes no secret of the fact that he is not in golf to help grow the game. He’s in it to grow his own bank balance, and he does that by concentrating on the very top level of the game, and by creating unashamedly luxurious experiences for the world’s wealthiest people to enjoy. Green fees at his courses in America are a rarely less than $250, while Turnberry, before it closed for renovations last year, cost from £195 for a tee time, and a game at Trump Links in Aberdeen will set you back £215 during the peak summer season. And while the bulk of the golf industry is feverishly looking at more ways of attracting young women, families and girls into the game, along with more affordable and faster ways of playing, Trump holds a diametrically opposite position, has gone on record that golf should only be played by those who have been successful enough in their careers to afford the high fees that he charges. “I strongly feel that golf should be an aspirational game,” Trump said last year, when tackled on the subject of inclusivity. “It shouldn’t be a game for all strata of society. It should be a game that the people want to aspire to through success. And I think golf got away from that. And by getting away from it, it actually hurt golf.” In the grand scheme of the Trump empire, golf remains little more than an entertaining sideshow for its owner, with golf operations accounting for less 5% of overall turnover, but when you’re sitting on a multi-billion dollar empire, it’s still a sizeable chunk of money for a game which has seen investment draining out, rather than in, over the last decade. So while we may baulk at his crass statements and cringe at his hair, it is hard to get away from the fact that Donald Trump has put his money where his mouth is, and succeeded in making money from a game where so many others have tried and failed.

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

International

"One of the most ambitious golf course projects ever undertaken”

TRUMP TURNBERRY SCOTLAND

Trump Links has been a huge success for Aberdeen. Everyone's doing well because of my golf course., and the people love me over there for building it. Aberdeen is booming because of me. You can't get a hotel room because of me. Whenever I build, the area succeeds. I don’t know if they're going to have a Ryder Cup in Dubai, but if they do, Trump would be the course they'd wanna use, because it's the best course there. It really is fantastic. I bought a place called Pine Hill that's right next to Pine Valley. It's now called Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia. It is as good as Pine Valley, if not better. Everybody that goes there says it.

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF LINKS IRELAND (FORMERLY DOONBEG)

"An unparalleled resort destination with the highest standards of luxury”

"Among the most highly regarded in the state"

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF LINKS SCOTLAND

TRUMP GOLF LINKS AT FERRY POINT, NEW YORK

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB PUERTO RICO

"One of America’s greatest golf courses right smack in the middle of New York City”

Turnberry is one of the great pieces of art, and it is now in proper hands. If it didn’t have my name attached to it, it would not be nearly as successful as it could be. This isn't an ego thing; this is business. I've got the hottest brand in the world.

“The best in the world is about to get a whole lot better”

TRUMP NATIONAL WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK

"I have never seen such an unspoiled and dramatic seaside landscape”

"A setting of unparalleled tropical grandeur"

■ TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF LINKS, SCOTLAND

[31]

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL DUBAI "Set to become one of the greatest golf courses in the world"

■ TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF LINKS, IRELAND

[32] FEBRUARY 2016 | NEWS

MCILROY TEES UP LOVE MATCH

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PLAYERS ON THE CLOCK

AS TOUR CRACKS DOWN ON SLOW PLAY W

■ MCILROY MET HIS FIANCÉE AT THE RYDER CUP IN 2012

lthough he doesn’t boast the best track record of turning fiancées into brides, Rory McIlroy will be hoping to rectify that reputation following the recent announcement of his engagement to girlfriend Erica Stoll. The Northern Irishman popped the question to the 28-year-old American during a short holiday in Paris over the Christmas holidays, although the news of their engagement only when Stoll turned up at a function in Belfast wearing a diamond ring. Stoll works for the PGA of America, and first met McIlroy at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah, where she helped him make his singles match after he had confused his tee-time. Speaking about the relationship, McIlroy said: “Erica has been around at lot of tournaments over the past year, but we have really just tried to keep it low key. We are both very excited, our parents are excited, so it is a really happy time.” He added: “Erica brings such a level of normality to everything. She has a calming presence, a sereneness, and that’s not just on me; it is noticeable in any company. She has given such a great balance to my life; between who I am when people see me out here and who I am at home.”

orld No.1 Jordan Spieth was the headline victim of the European Tour's new policy on slow play, when he was told by rules officials that he had taken too long on a putting green during the second round of last month’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Spieth took over a minute to take a putt on the eighth green, and was told on the ninth tee that he had incurred a ‘monitoring penalty’ under a new system that was brought into play before the tournament began. Under the new system, players are subjected to monitoring if their group is out of position. "It was a bit odd,'' was Spieth’s reaction to the warning, which will lead to a £2,000 fine if he does it again. "The guys behind us hadn't even reached the ■ TOUR REFEREE JOHN PARAMOR PENALISED JORDAN SPIETH FOR SLOW PLAY IN ABU DHABI fairway. So it didn't make any sense to me. If I get another one, I get fined, and I don't think there was A total of 95 groups were monitored for pace of play in the three necessarily a reason to get that bad time.” tournaments recently staged in the Middle East, with five players given European Tour rules official John Paramor, said: "Pace of play on the monitoring penalties. In addition to Spieth, Daniel Brooks, Benjamin European Tour is measured by whether a group keeps to the starting Hebert, Eddie Pepperell and Gavin Green were given a monitoring penalty, interval between groups, rather than if they are on the same hole, as it is in which means that they will be fined £2,000 the next time they receive a America. Jordan was assessed a monitoring penalty after he hit a putt on penalty during the 2016 season. the eighth hole, which I advised him of as he walked to the ninth tee.'' In Abu Dhabi, the new policy helped reduce the average round time Under the new rule, a player has 40 seconds to hit his shot (50 seconds by five minutes compared to the same tournament in 2015, although if he is the first to play in the group) after being advised the group is being European Tour boss Keith Pelley has said that he wants round times to be monitored. cut by at least 15 minutes.

FANCY BUYING A HOUSE WITH MAJOR HISTORY?

BELFRY UNVEILS ‘RYDER CUP-THEMED’ PUTTING COURSE

he Belfry has continued to build on its Ryder Cup history by opening a unique Ryder Cup-themed mini golf course which features some of the most iconic holes from courses to have hosted the matches over the years. The 12-hole ‘Ryder Legends’ layout features nine famous holes from Ryder Cup history, along with three other holes. The course even includes a replica of the legendary 10th hole from The Belfry’s own Brabazon Course. Designed by mini golf course architects City Golf, the high-spec layout incorporates a number of water hazards to further ramp up the challenge. Among the iconic holes to be featured include 17th at Valderrama, the 18th at Wentworth, and the ninth at Royal

Lytham & St Annes. Some of the classic holes from American Rydser Cup venues include the 17th at Kiawah Island, Valhalla’s 13th, and the fifth from Pinehurst. David Edwards, resort director at The Belfry, said: “The Ryder Legends Mini Golf Course is a great addition for the resort. As the world’s only four-time host, we wanted to honour our Ryder Cup heritage, but do so in a way that would be enjoyable and inclusive for everyone, whether you are a golfing purist or a beginner just looking for a bit of fun, the new course offers something for everyone." A round costs £7 for adults and £5 for kids. The course is open from 10am-6pm daily. It can also be hired out exclusively for £250.

olf fans with deep pockets who are in the market for a bit of Major history should consider forking out $5.6 million (£3.8m) to buy a house that was once owned by Tiger Woods and current resident ■ WATSON IS SELLING WOODS'S OLD HOUSE FOR $5.6M Bubba Watson. Watson bought the lakefront property, which is located in the exclusive Windermere estate, from Woods in 2013 for $2.2million, and commissioned a complete redesign of the twostorey, 8,000 sq ft home. Decorated with marble ■ SPIETH BOUGHT MAHAN'S HUGE VILLA FOR $7M floors, the house offers seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, and includes a formal dining room, games room, office, and a home cinema with tiered seating. The master suite boasts a sitting room, walk-in wardrobe and a hot tub. Meanwhile, in more golf property news, reigning US Open and Masters champion Jordan Spieth has spent some of his winnings on a $7 million house in Dallas that previously belonged to US Ryder Cup player Hunter Mahan. The 22-year-old world No.1 made over $22 million in 2015, so the fivebedroom house won’t have too much of a mortgage on it. The property, which boasts an indoor basketball court, golf simulator, fully-equipped gym and a swimming pool, was originally on the market for $9.5m, but Spieth battered Mahan down by $2.5m to show that he drives a hard bargain on and off the golf course.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

INTERVIEWS/NEWS | FEBRUARY 2016

[33]

Meet the

PRO

With three popular golf courses, a busy driving range, and a pirate adventure golf course to look after, life is never dull for Hoebridge Golf Centre’s head professional BEN ROSSER

How long have you been a PGA professional? Just over 12 years. When did you join your current club and how long have you been there? I joined in 2004, so 11 years. What are the most significant changes have you seen in that time? A complete redesign of the driving range, golf shop, café bar and grill, and we now have an adventure golf course. What is your day-to-day role? I am in charge of a team of eight professionals, and I am also head coach for the BGL Golf, which operates 22 courses across 10 locations, including Hoebridge. This role includes organising meetings, recruiting staff, marketing for the golf school, and delivering golf lessons myself. I am also a lead coach for Surrey, and Hoebridge is used as a training centre for many of the county’s squads. What’s the best thing about your job? Working in a very busy, forward-thinking golf centre surrounded by a lot of good people. And the worst? A busy centre unfortunately equals a lot of hours – so there’s less time to see my wife and baby boy at home. Tell us something about the facilities… We have a beautiful championship golf course designed by John Jacobs, which overlooks the Surrey Hills. Our practice facilities are fantastic and include a newly refurbished 36-bay driving range. We also have two other shorter courses, which are perfect for the recreational golfer with less time on their hands or the complete beginner. What is the club doing to attract juniors and women? We are recognised as a ‘Golf Roots’ centre and have

‘OLYMPICS EXPOSURE MUST NOT BE WASTED’, SAYS R&A BOSS

■ HOEBRIDGE HAS COURSES TO SUIT ALL LEVELS OF PLAYER always been successful in bringing new juniors into the game. We deliver sessions in many local schools and have a very structured junior lesson programme working with the Junior Golf Passport. We have had great success more recently in our affiliation with England Golf’s ‘This Girl Golfs’ campaign.

A flat backswing (too rounded) – which leads to whole load of swing problems.

What do you think would stimulate more people to take up golf? I think the time it takes to play the game is a huge talking point right now. Typically it takes between 4-5 hours per round, which is way too long for most people. I think clubs are generally going in the right direction, but more has to be done about how inviting they are, especially for youngsters. We also need more exciting coverage of golf on TV. I thought the British Masters coverage this year was very good. You got to see the pro’s give masterclasses, and show a bit more of their personality off the course.

What’s the best swing tip you’ve ever received? Make sure you take a divot.

And how should clubs go about retaining existing members? Communication and community are two key factors relating to how we can retain members. We build a better sense of community by regular communications and hosting plenty of events. Don’t just take their money and leave them to it! How much time do you spend teaching? 25-35 hours per week. What’s the most common swing fault you have to correct?

What’s been selling well in the pro shop recently? Oscar Jacobsen clothing, and Cobra and Yonex hardware have done particularly well this year.

What has been your career highlight as a player? Numerous top 10’s in regional golf events and on the TP Tour.

ew R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers has said that golf has a ‘golden opportunity to reinvent itself as a game for all the people’ when it hits a new global audience at this summer’s Olympic Games. Slumbers, who worked alongside the retired Peter Dawson during his last six months in the job, takes over at the helm of the amateur game as golf prepares to return to the Olympics in Rio this summer. The Olympics is being viewed as a massive opportunity for the sport to grow on a global scale, and Slumbers, who took over his new post in October last year, is hoping that golf can seize the moment. "When the Olympics comes along I'm always amazed at the range of sports that I find myself watching – often for the very first time. So there will be a lot of people out there who will say 'right, let's watch the golf,' and that exposure to hundreds of millions or billions of people watching the Olympics could be fantastic,” he said. "But we mustn't be complacent, either. There are probably a number of sports that have been in

the Olympics that haven't had a long-term surge in participation from it. We are now focused on two things. One is making sure the event itself is a great success, and the International Golf Federation is doing some huge work in that regard, and then how do we build on that through to 2020 and beyond?" Slumbers is buoyed by the current state of the professional game, which is being dominated by half a dozen players in their early to mid 20s, creating a rivalry and an excitement around golf that hasn’t been seen since Tiger Woods’ heyday. "That's a great image that I think attracts a lot of young people," he said. "I think this is a sport that could be, and should be, more relevant to younger people to come out and play. Part of my role is to try and encourage and develop more accessibility for youngsters to be able to play golf. We can always do things better. There are many facilities out there that are attracting youngsters. But can we do that better? Yes we can."

Patshull Park Golf and Resort Hotel

P a t t i n g h a m , N r Wo l v e r h a m p t o n W V 6 7 H R We are pleased to announce the following great golf offers:

If you could change one rule in golf what would it be? Lateral water in a bunker – free relief should be a placement rather than a drop. Who is your golfing hero and why ? Tiger Woods. He hit the scene when I was 14 and just starting to get more serious about my golf. He was, and still is, the most exciting golfer on the planet to watch, and has helped the game massively. Seve is also definitely worth a mention as an inspiration. What’s your favourite course in the UK? Nefyn District in Wales. Which three other people would be in your dream fourball? Tiger Woods, David Beckham and Will Smith. What would you have done if you hadn’t have been a pro? A PE teacher or an architect.

To book a round at Hoebridge Golf Centre, or to find out more about the facilities, visit www.hoebridgegc.co.uk

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[34] FEBRUARY 2016 | LUKE DONALD

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REAWAKENING

THE FORCE

Still searching for that elusive first major, and currently out of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top 75, LUKE DONALD is redoubling his efforts to get his game back in shape following a poor run of results WORDS BY NICK BAYLY PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES

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LUKE DONALD | FEBRUARY 2016

hile reports of Luke Donald’s golfing death have been greatly exaggerated, it’s fair to say that the man who topped the world rankings in 2012 has suffered a freefall that even took him by surprise. Currently lying 78th, and without a win on a major golf tour for almost four years, Donald found himself hitting rock bottom mid-way through last season when he admitted that he had seriously thought about chucking it all in. This almost shocking revelation came following a run of poor results that combined with one of those ‘what’s it all about’ moments that all of us suffer at some, if not many points, in our lives. Speaking at the beginning of the year about the dark thoughts that crossed his mind last season, Donald said: “Seven or eight months ago, I was feeling a bit down about my game, and was wondering what it was all about. My confidence had taken a big knock and I asked myself if I wanted to continue doing this. I wasn’t enjoying it, and I couldn’t see much light at the end of the tunnel. But then I told myself not to be a baby, to grow up, and realise how lucky I was. I was still playing golf for a living.” Have pulled up his proverbial socks, and bucked himself up during the short-lived off-season, Donald is much more sanguine about the current state of his game, and thinks he is now over what might be described as his ‘mid-golf crisis’.

Donald, but he was magnanimous in defeat and publicly admitted that he hadn’t given McGinley enough reasons to pick him over his rivals for selection. Like many players before him, Donald’s first move towards reviving his fortunes involved switching coaches. At the end of 2013, he ended his 16-year relationship with Pat Goss, and sought to replace him with Tiger Woods’s ex-coach, Sean Foley. However, Donald found himself at the back of a very long queue for his services, and instead he turned to Chuck Cook, a well-respected Texan coach who counted recent US PGA champion Jason Dufner among his clientele. A major reworking of his swing failed to bring about the necessary results, and less than 18 months later Donald went on bended knee back to Goss, with the pair continuing to work together to find a way back into the major league. Another casualty of the Donald slump has been long-time caddy John McLaren, who, in a rare reversal of sackings, decided in October to end a six-year partnership that had yielded £18 million in prize money, and a personal income of over £2 million. McLaren, who is now caddying for Paul Casey, kept the precise reasons for the break up to himself, but admitted that the partnership had ‘run its course’. McLaren’s temporary replacement at the British Masters in October was Englishman Dean Elliot, while Mick Doran, another English caddie, was at Donald’s side at the Sony Open in Hawaii and last month’s CareerBuilder Challenge in Palm Springs – but after that the relationship is up in the air. Coaches and caddies aside, Donald has also been working on improving his mental approach to the game, and last year started seeing renowned sports psychologist Dr Michael Gervais, who works with numerous top athletes and sports teams, including the Seattle Seahawks. Dr Gervais also came to prominence when helping Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner overcome his fear of claustrophobia when enduring his record-breaking 24-mile dive in a spacesuit from the stratosphere. Although in a freefall of his own, Donald’s problem was rather more straightforward. “He just reminded me that it’s up to me what mood or mindset I’m in,” Donald says. “When you’re in a slump it’s easy to forget you’re still the one who is in control.” Buoyed by Dr Gervais advice, Donald stepped back from the brink and showed plenty of grit by qualifying for both the US Open and The Open, negotiating pathways he had not been obliged to take since he turned professional in 2001. Yet, although there were promising performances at the Scottish Open and The Open, his only top five of the year came at the British Masters, and 2015 fizzled out unspectacularly. After a relaxing three-week Christmas break spent without so much as looking at his clubs, Donald has been back on the range working with Goss, and feels ready to go again. And he’s going to have to come back all guns blazing if 2016 is to be his comeback year. A 12th consecutive appearance at the Masters requires either a win on the PGA Tour or a return to the top 50, and he is also not yet qualified for either of the World Golf Championship events in March or the US Open and Open. But Donald is determined not to obsess about his status, preferring to concentrate on the finer details instead. “There was a time where I kept looking at the world rankings and kept seeing myself slipping,” Donald says. “And I think that’s the wrong approach. I’ve always been most successful when I have a plan and stick to it: every day try to get a little better, incremental improvement. Of course, the goal is to get back in the top 50, then get back in the top 25, start getting some top 10s again, start winning tournaments again, and just get back into that feeling.” “You know, it’s not that difficult to fall down in the rankings,” Donald adds. “Look at Tiger. For 10 years he was unstoppable, unbeatable and this just shows how fickle this game is, how many ebbs and flows there is to it, and how hard it is.” It was not too long ago that Donald, like current world No.1 Jordan Spieth, was bringing his rivals to their knees with his stunning iron play, deft chipping, and smooth putting touch on the greens. “Yeah, it’s a good feeling, thinking that you’re going to hole everything you look at. And you don’t think it’s ever going to end,” Donald says. “But I need to be one of the best in the world with my short game if I’m going to be successful out here with the way I play golf. But it’s improving and coming back, and as long as I'm mentally in the right place, I think good stuff will happen.” For Luke’s sake, and for anyone who enjoys watching the way he plays the game, let’s hope he’s right. May the force be with him.

I ASKED MYSELF IF I WANTED TO CONTINUE DOING THIS. I WASN’T ENJOYING IT, AND I COULDN’T SEE MUCH LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. BUT THEN I TOLD MYSELF TO GROW UP, AND REALISE HOW LUCKY I WAS. I WAS STILL PLAYING GOLF FOR A LIVING

“I think everyone goes through rough periods when you get down on yourself a little bit,” he says. “I was asking myself whether it was possible to find happiness on the golf course, but I had it the wrong way around. I was looking to try and play good golf and hope that that would make me happy, instead of being happy and then letting the good golf come. It has required a complete mental switch around, but I think over the last six months or so I've done a pretty good job of that.” It’s rare for any professional golfer to admit that the game they have dedicated their life to no longer floats their boat, but it is perhaps not that surprising that someone of Donald’s intellect and personal circumstances should publicly acknowledge that there might be more to life than golf. Now aged 38, and married with three young children, it’s only natural that the intensity with which his ambition burned in his 20s and early 30s is no longer quite so bright. With over £30 million banked in career earnings, he certainly doesn’t need the work, but with just 12 wins across the PGA and European Tour, and only eight top-10 finishes in the majors, there will always be a nagging belief that Donald, who earned the nickname ‘ATM’ because of his ability to keep churning out cash, has fallen a few rungs short on golf’s ladder of truly great players. A cursory glance at Donald’s major CV reveals that he hasn’t really come close to winning one of the ‘Big Four’. A third at the Masters in 2005, and the same position in the US PGA Championship in 2006 are his best efforts to date, and they were the kind of comefrom-behind performances at which Donald has become quite adept. All of which gives rise to the all-too-often asked question as to why a player of Luke Donald’s immense ability hasn’t managed to win more often. Some will point to his relative lack of length off the tee (he was 172nd in the driving distance stats on the PGA Tour in 2015, averaging 277 yards), although that hasn’t stopped Zach Johnson from winning majors. Others highlight his hot-and-cold relationship with the putter, and then there are those who think he lacks the cold-eyed killer instinct required to close out tournaments. Whatever the reasons, after over a decade at the top, Donald is used to being on the inside looking out, but his current ranking will soon put him in the unenviable position of being one of those on the outside looking in, especially when it comes to the top events. Paul McGinley’s decision to leave him out of the 2014 Ryder Cup team only served to give credence to the view that Donald is now considered one of yesterday’s men. The captain’s decision to go with fellow Englishmen Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood clearly hurt

[35]

[36] FEBRUARY 2016 | PRO SHOP

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT £32.99, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

SKECHERS GO GOLF ELITE £119, SKECHERSGOGOLF.CO.UK Skechers continues its assault on the UK golf shoe market with a new shoe that combines premium leather uppers with a spikeless outsole design. Able to worn on and off the course, the GO GOLF Elite features a durable grip TPU bottom plate and GOimpulse Sensors for superior traction control. A cushioned insole enhances in-shoe comfort, while a low-profile design keeps feet low to the ground for improved balance and traction. Available in grey, white, black, black/white and brown/ white, they are fully waterproof courtesy of the brand’s H2GO Shield seam-sealed technology, and come with a two-year warranty.

£279, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

PRO SHOP

GEAR

GUIDE

CALLAWAY XR DRIVER

Popular with a number of tour players, including Phil Mickelson, the Chrome Soft was one of the standout balls of 2015, offering tour-level performance at a price point slightly below that charged for the traditionally premium high performance balls. Revamped for 2016, the new model boasts the same four-piece construction, but features a new dual speed core that promotes even faster ball speed with low driver spin, while offering higher short iron spin on all shots to the green. A soft urethane tour cover delivers all-round feel on all shots, especially delicate chips around the green, while Callaway’s tried and tested HEX dimple design provides the aerodynamic control that makes it a great ball for all conditions.

Billed as ‘Forgiveness Meets Fast’, Callaway’s new XR driver has been designed in conjunction with Boeing, one of the world’s most leading aircraft manufacturers, to create a clubhead that moves through the air like the wing of an airplane, and launches the ball faster and further than previously possible. Boeing’s engineers discovered that a series of ‘trip steps’ located at specific points on the crown significantly reduced drag around the clubhead, which, when translated to the driving range, resulted in increased swing speeds of 1mph. Other new design elements include an increased overall footprint of the clubhead, with the head stretched longer to create a lower and deeper centre of gravity, which improves forgiveness and raises trajectory, and a face that is also 20% thinner and 9g lighter than its predecessor, making it easier to swing faster and gain yardage without any increased effort. Offered with an adjustable hosel, the XR 16 is available in 9°, 10.5° and 13.5° models, and comes with a Fujikura Speeder Evolution 565 shaft. A Pro version (£329), which has a 450cc head and offers lower spin and a more neutral centre of gravity bias, is available in lofts of 9° and 10.5°.

TAYLORMADE OS PUTTERS £179-£199, TAYLORMADEGOLF.COM

TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM6 WEDGES £140, TITLEIST.CO.UK Bob Vokey’s latest spin machines feature a progressive centre of gravity design that corresponds with the ideal impact area of each loft. Thus the low-lofted models have a low CG, thinner topline and raised area in the lower portion of the clubhead, which increases ball speed and distance and feature. The mid-loft models have a mid CG location for improved distance gapping, while the high-loft models have a high CG for improved trajectory control. The result is more precise control of distance and trajectory throughout the set, as well as improved feel at impact. There are also five sole grinds (L, M, S, F, K) to fit swing types to turf conditions, and they are available in chrome, steel grey or jet black (raw) finishes.

GARMIN APPROACH S20 £179.99, GARMIN.COM

TaylorMade has given its popular Ghost Spider putter a significant makeover, with the launch of two new oversized models, the OS and the OS Counter Balance. Key differences include aluminum inserts featuring horizontal milling marks, which encourage a smoother roll; two concealed 4g weights (which were previously visible), and a new alignment aid, which features a red/white/red stripe that provides a stronger visual cue. Both models are available in blade (Daytona), mallet (Monte Carlo) or spider designs, each featuring a different toe hang to suit player preferences. OS putters (£179) come with a SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0 grip, while OS CB models are fitted with a 13.75-inch SuperStroke 2.0 XL-R counterbalance grip.

Garmin’s S20 Approach joins the ever-growing number of wrist-based GPS options for golfers. Preloaded with 40,000 courses worldwide, it offers all the usual yardage, hazard and scorecard functions, as well as manual pin adjustment, but also boasts a new feature called Autoshot, which automatically records the distance of each shot during the approach, so users can monitor their club distances without slowing down the game. Once the game is over, users can upload their round to their Garmin Connect account to review shots on a course map, as well as get details on average yardages with each club. The S20 offers all the standard functions of a watch and can also be paired with Garmin’s new TruSwing sensor, a shaft-mounted device that offers in-depth swing date to improve swing consistency and play. It is available in black, white, grey and teal.

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PRO SHOP | FEBRUARY 2016

[37]

GOLFBUDDY LR5 LASER RANGEFINDER

SUNWISE WELLINGTON SUNGLASSES

GOLFBUDDY LR5 LASER RANGEFINDER

£79.99, SUNWISE.CO.UK

Offering accurate yardages up to a range of 880 yards, the LR5 benefits from improved ergonomics over the previous LR4, which makes it even easier to use. The 'Mode' and 'Power' buttons now sit alongside each other on the top of the unit, making it simpler to select the operational mode and press the laser, while a non-slip grip has been introduced on the side. A new battery power indicator shows up in the display, while the battery compartment has been relocated to the rear of the unit. The LR5 has three visual modes – 'Scan' provides a continuous 10-second display of all objects located; 'Pin' homes in on the flag and factors out background objects; while 'Standard' provides a single distance to any chosen target.

While the sun hasn’t been seen since November in the UK, golfers travelling aboard will benefit from the new range of sunglasses offered by British eyewear brand Sunwise. Among the highlights of the 2016 collection is the light-reacting Chromafusion 2.0 range, which is ideal for all-day use in all strengths of light. Advanced anti-fog properties and water and oil repellent lenses also make the collection ideal for golf. Among the most popular models is the Wellington, which features platinum lenses, flat arms and an adjustable nosepad, while its wraparound frame protects from the sun, wind and debris. It is available with black, white or pink frames.

FOOTJOY FREESTYLE £135, FOOTJOY.CO.UK Inspired by the impressive gripping ability of the South American Red-Eyed Tree Frog, FootJoy’s new Freestyle shoe mirrors the flexibility, stability and traction that the eye-catching amphibian naturally possesses courtesy of a new outsole design that features what the brand calls ‘Footjoy Revolutionary Outsole Grip System’, or F.R.O.G.S. Technology for short. In what is a radical departure for FootJoy in terms of looks and design, the Freestyle features a highly flexible translucent outsole, which when combined with a soft midsole, creates a shoe that offers complete freedom of movement. A set of Pulsar cleats flex like the legs of the frog to increase grip by maintaining more points of contact with the ground, providing a stable platform from which to hit shots in all types of underfoot conditions. It is available in five multi-colour combinations, with either standard laces or the adjustable BOA closure system (£150).

tried + tested PING G CROSSOVER | £180, PING.COM

OGIO AQUATECH £229, OGIO.COM Keeping your clubs dry is hard enough in the winter without having your golf bag leaking rain through its base material. So a golf bag that is designed to not just keep water out, but actively repel it, seems like a sensible option for UK golfers. Step forward Ogio’s new Aquatech range, which features hydrophobic materials and waterproof zippers to provide the ultimate weather protection. The cart bag (£259) features a 16-way top with an oversized putter pit, and seven external pockets, including a waterproof fleece-lined valuables pocket with mobile phone sleeve. The stand bag (£229) boasts a 9.5-inch top with eight dividers; a four-point harness strap; six waterproof pockets, and a wide-stance stand. Colour options include black/red, white/blue, grey/burst, and white/pink (cart only).

Available 18°, 21°, 24° lofts, the Crossover is billed as a completely new category of club, and is not intended to replace hybrids, although it is hard to think that some won't, given the 14-club restriction. Featuring a generous-sized head with an iron-style face insert made from very thin steel, the Crossover’s hollow construction is coupled with a tiered internal sole located just behind the face, which enables it to flex more at impact and generate extra ball speed. Performance-wise, the Crossover generates more spin than an equivalent long iron, but with a slightly lower launch, which makes it ideal for playing into the wind, as well as for hitting those low-running stinger shots. It also offers more control, in terms of both accuracy and distance, than a hybrid, which is largely a result of the more precise iron-style impact. The soles have just enough width and bounce to help them cut through the turf as well as a regular iron, although perhaps not wide enough to use from anything other than the fairway and the lightest of semi-rough. Ping deserves plenty of credit for attempting to create a new type of club, and anyone who struggles with their long irons or better players who have not got to grips with hybrids can’t fail to come away with a smile on their face once they’ve given them a hit.

[38] FEBRUARY 2016 | PRO SHOP

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GEAR

GUIDE

PRO SHOP

CLEVELAND TFI 2135 PUTTER

PING G DRIVER £349, PING.COM

£99, CLEVELANDGOLF.COM Cleveland’s Tour-inspired TFi 2135 putters feature a milled, copper-infused face cap over a polymer insert which combine to offer instant audio feedback, soft feel and consistent ball speeds across the clubface. All three models feature a new alignment system that allows golfers to correctly line up their putt regardless of whether they set up with their eyes behind, directly over, or well over the ball. This has been achieved by raising the alignment line from the bottom of the blade to the exact radius of a centre of the ball – which happens to be 21.35mm – so that the player’s eyeline is always focused on the exact centre of the golf ball.

Ping’s new G Series drivers focus on delivering maximum forgiveness and maximum speed for all levels of player. The range comprises three models – standard, SF Tec (Straight Flight) and LS Tec (Low-Spin), all of which offer a newlydesigned crown which features what Ping calls Dragonfly Technology. Inspired by the complex design of a dragonfly’s wings, which features a strong exoskeleton supporting very thin wings, the G driver’s crown features external weight-saving support structures, and is both the lightest and thinnest that Ping has ever made. This allows weight to be redistibuted within the 460cc head to move the centre of gravity even lower and deeper to maximise forgiveness. As well as repositioned turbulators to further delay airflow separation prior to impact, the new G driver also features Vortec Technology, which improves aerodynamics by minimising wake turbulence for faster clubhead speed and stability. All three models are offered with Ping’s new Alta 55 graphite shaft as standard, while a number of heavier alternatives, including the Tour 65 and Tour 80, are also available. A matching set of fairway woods (£229), including a new, larger headed Stretch 3-wood, are also available.

EQUIPMENT

NEWS NIKE GEARS UP FOR POSTTIGER ERA NIKE GOLF has announced a raft of new signings to its tour staff as the brand gears up to keep itself in the golfing public’s eye in the post-Tiger era. With its star athlete over the last 20 years seemingly coming to the end of his career, the ■ BROOKS KOEPKA brand has pounced on a number of talented young players that it hopes will join Rory McIlroy in keeping the company to the fore over the coming seasons. Headlining more than a dozen new names on Nike’s books is 17-year-old Australian Ryan Ruffles, who turned professional at the end of last year and made his debut on the PGA Tour at last month’s Farmers Insurance Open. The son of two professional tennis players, Ruffles was born in the United States and moved to Australia at a young age. He won the Australian Boys’ Amateur aged just 15, and earned top-25 finishes at the Australian Open in both 2013 and 2014. Of the more established players, Nike’s highest-ranked new signing is 25-year-old American Brooks Koepka, who is 16th in the world. Although he only turned professional three years ago, Koepka has already chalked up four victories, and quickly progressed from the Challenge Tour to the European Tour, before deciding to concentrate his efforts in 2016 on the PGA Tour in America. Joining him in head-to-toe Nike equipment is fellow American Tony Finau. Currently ranked second in driving distance on tour, the 6ft 4-inch Finau turned pro in 2007, and earned his card for the 2014-15 PGA Tour season after competing on the Web.com Tour. Last year, he finished 14th in the US Open and 10th in the US PGA Championship, and enjoyed five other top-10 finishes. Nike also announced the signing of 12 other golfers, including Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard, and the English pairing of Ashley Chesters and Tom Lewis.

WATSON JOINS EXPANDED ‘TEAM CALLAWAY’

HARRINGTON RE-SIGNS WITH WILSON

CALLAWAY has announced an expanded line up of players for 2016, including eight-time Major champion Tom Watson, Australian Marc Leishman, and a number of new signings for both the European and Challenge Tours. Both Watson and Leishman will use Callaway clubs and balls, as well as Odyssey putters. The company has also re-signed world No.6 Henrik Stenson and South Africa’s Branden Grace, who is currently ranked 15th. Following hot on the heels of its best year on the European Tour, which yielded 13 victories, Callaway will have 19 staff players on its books in Europe this season, including 2015 Race to Dubai runner-up Danny Willett, two-time winners last year, Thomas Pieters and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, and five other pros who tasted success in 2015 – James Morrison, Alex Noren, Pablo Larrazábal, David Horsey and Kristoffer Broberg. Among the company’s new signings are Welshman Stuart Manley and France’s Thomas Linard.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON has extended his equipment contract with Wilson for a further three years. The 44-year-old Irishman, who first joined Wilson in 1997, will continue to play with the FG Tour irons that helped him to last year’s Honda Classic, while he will also be gaming a set of FG Tour wedges, hybrids and Wilson’s Infinite South Side putter. He will also be using a branded staff bag and wearing a hat with a Wilson logo. “My association with Wilson is one of the longest and most successful in the game and I’m delighted to see it continue,” said Harrington, who has won all three of his major titles using Wilson equipment. “I can always rely on Wilson Staff clubs when I get into contention, and the support I get out on the Tour is second to none.” Other players in Wilson’s stable for 2016 include Antony Wall and Marcel Siem on the European Tour, while in America the brand is represented by Troy Merritt, Kevin Streelman and Brendan Steele.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

PRO SHOP | FEBRUARY 2016 [39]

ECCO CAGE

TITLEIST NXT TOUR

£170, ECCO.COM/GOLF

£34 FOR 12, TITLEIST.CO.UK

Ecco pioneered the growth of the spikeless shoe, but its latest launch bucks that trend by offering cleats on the sole and an eye-catching new outsole. The Cage gets its name from an external frame that wraps itself around the heel, through the midsole and across the toe. The structure is made from thermoplastic polyurethane, which is flexible enough to allow the natural movement of the foot, while providing a solid platform with which to swing. While the heel area offers a more secure fit, the toe area is roomier, letting the toes move and perform their natural function of offering balance and stability. The leather uppers are made from lightweight Caldera cowhide, which is more durable than standard leather, while Ecco's unique direct injection manufacturing process ensures a 100% watertight seal. It comes in a choice of black, white, grey/white, white/red, white/black, and white/royal blue.

Offering a blend distance and spin,, the NXT Tour is for golfers looking for a high performance partner that doesn’t cost the GDP of small African country. The latest reworking of the NXT Tour, and its softerfeeling sidekick, the NXT Tour S, features larger dual core, which lowers driver and iron spin, while delivering faster ball speeds for more distance. It also boasts a soft, thin Fusablend cover which enhances its shot stopping control into and around the green. The dimples also have shallower edge angles to deliver a higher ball flight with a deep peak trajectory. The lower compression NXT Tour S is all about soft, from core to cover, and offers all of the same performance benefits of the Tour, but with the buttery feel that comes from a softer Fusablend cover.

THE GEAR EFFECT

NIKE VAPOR FLY DRIVER £249, NIKEGOLFEUROPE.COM

Inside The Bags Of Winners On Tour

Nike’s new Vapor Fly driver features a striking new blue crown, but retains the eye-catching cavity-back design found in the Vapor Speed. Shaving 30% off the crown’s weight from the Speed driver let Nike's engineers shift 5g from the top of the head to the low perimeter. From there, the new, lower centre of gravity promotes higher launching shots and greater carry. An updated sole construction – the reinforced back is a lot stiffer than the flexible compression channel near the face – contributes to faster ball speeds. That's because the walls of the updated channel are 25% thinner, which helps shots struck low on the face to carry more like centre strikes. The edges of the face are 0.3 mm thinner, too, making it more responsive on off-centre hits. Compared with its predecessor, the draw-bias Vapor Fly generates an extra 1mph on centre strikes, 0.5mph low on the face, and 0.9mph more off the toe. The adjustable hosel allows five lofts angles (8.5°-12.5°) and three face angles (neutral, left and right) which combine to offer 15 different set ups.

FABIAN GOMEZ SONY OPEN

DRIVER: TaylorMade AeroBurner TP (9) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade Burner SuperFast 2.0 (15) HYBRID: TaylorMade R15 TP Rescue (19) IRONS: TaylorMade RSi2 (4-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM4 (50, 52, 60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

HAYDN PORTEOUS JOBURG OPEN

DRIVER: Callaway Great Big Bertha (8.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 (14) UTILITY: Callaway Apex UT (18) IRONS: Callaway Apex Pro (4-9) WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47, 52, 56, 60) PUTTER: Odyssey Works Versa 1W BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

PARSONS GOLF SNAPS UP ZACH

JORDAN SPIETH

REIGNING OPEN CHAMPION Zach Johnson has left Titleist to join Parsons Xtreme Golf, a fledgling equipment company set up by internet entrepreneur Bob Parsons, founder of web hosting company GoDaddy.com. PXG, which focuses on the premium end of the equipment market, also announced several other key signings, including 2014 FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel, and fellow PGA Tour players Chris Kirk, Charles Howell III and James Hahn. It has also picked up three leading players from the LPGA Tour – Cristie Kerr, Gerina Piller, and Alison Lee.

DECHAMBEAU’S IRONS BREAK THE MOULD - LITERALLY US AMATEUR CHAMPION Bryson Dechambeau, who is currently plying his trade on the European Tour, breaks the mould in many ways, with his unorthodox swing, eccentric choice of headwear, and the unusual set up of his equipment. The 22-year-old Californian, who made the cut in all three tournaments on the European Tour’s Desert Swing, sets himself apart from all other players on tour by using a set of hand-crafted irons that all feature shafts with the same length, weight, lie angle, bounce and flex. Dechambeau has been playing with a set of Edel Golf irons with this unique set up since 2011, when he first discovered that by adopting the same swing plane for all his clubs he could achieve a more consistent strike The shafts are all 371/2-inches long, which is the standard length of a 5-iron, while the heads all weigh 282g. "By having the same configuration for every iron, I can adopt the same posture for every shot, which really helps my game," he says. "It might not work for everyone, but I’ve found a system that works for me.”

HYUNDAI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

DRIVER: Titleist 915D2 (9.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist 915F (15) IRONS: Titleist 712U (3), Titleist 714 AP2 (4-9) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM6 (46, 52, 56, 60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron 009 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

BRANDON STONE

SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN

DRIVER: Ping G30 (10.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Ping G30 (14.5) UTILITY: Ping Rapture Irons: Ping S55 (3-PW) WEDGES: Ping Glide (52, 58) PUTTER: Ping Cadence TR Ketsch BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

MIZUNO CUTS PRICE OF GRAPHITE SHAFTS TO MATCH STEEL Mizuno is to take the bold step of charging golfers the same price for graphite shafts in their irons as it does for steel. From February, the Japanese manufacturer is dropping the price of its graphite shafts to align with its steel options, so that golfers can focus on performance rather than price when buying any of its irons or wedges. Traditionally golfers have had to pay more for graphite irons, but Mizuno has broken the mould by offering all of its iron range, including the MP-5, MP-15, MP-25 and MP-4 and JPX 850 irons,

as well as the soon-to-be-launched JPX EZ range, with just one retail price, regardless of any shaft or grip choice.

JASON DUFNER

CAREERBUILDER CHALLENGE

DRIVER: Titleist 910D2 (8) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway X2 Hot (15), Titleist 915F (21) IRONS: Titleist AP2 716 (4-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM6 (52, 56, 60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Futura X7M BALL: Titleist Pro V1

GOLF PRIDE GOES LARGE WITH NEW TOUR SNSR PUTTER GRIPS Golf Pride is launching a new range of oversized putter series called Tour SNSR. The new-style grips, which go on sale in April, are made from a soft-tuned rubber material that delivers high levels of feel and feedback. The thick grip encourages a lighter grip pressure, which leads to a smoother putting stroke and better distance control. There are two designs in the range, the Tour SNSR Contour and the Tour SNSR Straight, each offered in 104cc or 140cc sizes. The Tour SNSR Contour is classic tapered pistol grip that allows players to lock in their upper hand for consistent hand placement that translates to

RICKIE FOWLER

ABU DHABI CHAMPIONSHIP

more confidence in every stroke. The Tour SNSR Straight offers a non-tapered shape, promoting a consistent hand pressure and feel. The straight taper design features soft, rounded edges that are beveled for palm and finger pad comfort.

DRIVER: Cobra King LTD (9) FAIRWAY WOOD: Cobra Fly-Z+ (13) UTILITY: Cobra King Driving Iron (19) IRONS: Cobra King Pro MB (4-PW) WEDGES: Cobra Tour Trusty Rusty (52, 57, 62) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

[40] FEBRUARY 2016 | IRONS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

PLEASE FORGIVE ME

The latest GAME IMPROVEMENT IRONS are all about not punishing your bad shots while empowering your good ones. Hallelujah.

PING G

CALLAWAY XR OS

MIZUNO JPX EZ FORGED

Packing the same thin face COR-Eye technology found in the super game improvement G Max iron, at address the G iron looks more like the i Series that Ping makes for better players. The cavity houses a custom tuning port that connects to the sole, enabling each iron’s centre of gravity to be moved lower and further back for extreme forgiveness, while a thinner face allows more flexing, which results in additional carry, with a higher maximum height for increased stopping power. A satin blast finish completes the look of a club that manages to pack plenty of game improvement technologies into a compact package.

Best described as an XR iron on steroids, the new OS model features a larger face, a bigger cavity, and a wider sole (+28%), which combines with face cup technology to deliver even greater ball speeds across the club face, especially those shots hit low on the face. The wider sole provides a lower centre of gravity and makes them easy to launch, while a raised trailing edge reduces turf drag. A urethane insert between the clubface and rear of the cavity also improves feel at impact. Delivering excellent yardage and very little loss of distance on miss hits, they offer super game improvement performance in a game improvement package.

Combining the qualities of a distance iron with that of more controllable forged iron, the JPX EZs feature heads that are infused with boron. The traces of boron in the steel strengthen the material so that it can be forged into a larger, thinner faced head. The thinner face increases ball speed and the larger head creates a higher MOI for improved stability on miss-hits. The 3 to 7 irons feature a deep undercut pocket cavity that draw the weight low and back to leave the unsupported face to flex more at impact, while the 8-PW heads offer a more compact, solid one-piece design, for feel and control.

LYNX BLACK CAT

XXIO 9

BENROSS HTX TYPE R

The latest incarnation of the iconic Black Cat irons feature a two-piece head that includes a maraging steel face, variable face thickness and an Efficient Energy Transfer system alongside twin-slot technology, which was first seen in Lynx’s premium Boom Boom irons. This combination of materials and technology produces a club that offers a fine balance of feel, distance and control that will suit a wide range of mid-to-high handicappers. They are available 5-PW, with either a blue or red cavity inlay and True Temper 85g steel shafts or Lynx graphite shafts in regular or stiff flex.

Aimed at players looking for maximum game-improving performance that includes enhanced distance and easy launch, the key to the XXIO 9 design is a heavier clubhead, due to tungsten weight in the heel, toe, and sole), and a high balance point shaft. This combination increases centripetal force through the swing, leading to more speed and distance. Other notable features include a cup face design that increases flexibility in the heel and toe areas of the face for better ball speed and launch on shots hit in those areas, and a variable face thickness face that further expands the effective hitting area of the clubface.

Cup faces have been used for years in drivers to maximise energy transfer and maintain ball speeds, especially on off-centre hits, but they have started to appear in irons, although generally at the premium end of the market. So to find this technology in a more affordable iron is impressive. Progressive top line thickness is easy on the eye at address, while the mid-sole width and cavity back offers performance with playability. The stock KBS Tour 90 shaft is a quality option, being light enough to add enhance clubhead speed, yet delivering smooth control.

£92/£104 PER CLUB (ST/GR), PINGGOLF.COM

£389/£429, LYNXGOLF.CO.UK

£599/£799, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

£870/£996, XXIOSTORE.CO.UK

£100/£115 PER CLUB, MIZUNOEUROPE.COM

£429/£379, BENROSSGOLF.COM

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

IRONS | FEBRUARY 2016

[41]

TITLEIST 716 AP1

NIKE VAPOR FLY

WILSON STAFF C200

The most forgiving of Titleist’s irons just got a lot more forgiving, thanks to several new design elements. Foremost is the introduction of an average of 42g of high-density tungsten that wraps around the toe in the long and middle irons. Because the tungsten drives the centre of gravity down, Titleist has made the lofts one degree stronger to crank out extra yardage. A 360-degree undercut cavity helps the face to flex more at impact, generating both additional speed and higher launch. A pre-worn leading edge and cambered sole allows for a smoother entry into the back of the ball, while a thinner topline than the previous AP1 ensures that the short irons err on the right side compactness.

Nike’s RZN material is popping up in most of its equipment these days, so it is not surprising that its properties of lightness and strength should have uses in its latest set of game improvement irons. By utilising RZN and a thinner clubfaces, 14g has been repositioned near the centre of the head, improving stability and feel and creating a clean energy transfer at impact. A combination of a variable face thickness and a FlyBeam chassis delivers increased ball speeds across the entire face for longer distance, especially on shots hit off the toe area. Hollow body long and mid irons (4, 5, 6, 7) transition into standard cavity back short irons and wedges.

Designed to offer mid-to-high handicappers both distance and accuracy from a mid-sized head, the C200 features FLX Face Technology, which minimizes the area of contact between the body and the thin face to less than 25%. These reduced contact points combine with a series of ‘power holes’ located around the entire perimeter of the face to allow the face to flex more at impact, resulting in increased ball speed and improved distance. The holes are filled with urethane to provide improved sound and increased feel. The sets are configured 4-PW and come with KBS Tour 90 steel shafts or Aldila Rogue Pro graphite shafts.

£93/£107 PER CLUB (ST/GR), TITLEIST.CO.UK

BUYING GUIDE:

GAME IMPROVEMENT IRONS

If you’re a mid to high handicapper looking for a new set of irons, here are a few points to consider . . .

RRP: £499/£599, NIKEGOLFEUROPE.COM

CAVITY BACKS A cavity in the back of the head concentrates more weight on the perimeter, increasing the Moment of Inertia or forgiveness of the club. Typically a larger clubhead will be paired with a thin, flexible clubface, which means off-centre shots fly longer and straighter than they would with a blade. Increased forgiveness reduces feel and means that cavity backs are more suited to mid to high handicappers who benefit from the larger sweet spot. Many brands offer combination or blended sets, where the long irons feature hollow, oversized heads; cavity back mid irons, and more refined short irons. While they offer an alternative to mixing and matching a variety of models, be

aware that they will often feel and sound very different, which might not benefit your overall game.

CONFIGURATION Very few sets of irons are offered in 3-SW any more, as many players like to switch in fairway woods, hybrids and utility clubs at the top end. Most sets start with a 4-iron, while many game improvement models start at 5 or even 6. If your 4-iron is only going 5-6 yards further than your 5, it’s time to ditch the 4, and look at hybrids. A ‘gapping’ assessment is part of most custom fitting sessions, and this will help you determine set configuration. Some brands sell by the club, while most retailers will break up sets providing you’re also buying

£499/£599, WILSONSTAFF.COM

replacements clubs to make up the numbers.

CAST/FORGED While it used to be that most bladed clubs were forged and cavity backs were cast, developments in manufacturing means that this is no longer the case, with plenty of game improvement models now being forged, while lots of pros use cast clubs. Hand-made forgings cost more to produce, and that is reflected in the price. Even top players often struggle to notice the difference in performance, so look for a head that suits your eye and feels right, rather than focusing on the manufacturing process.

STEEL/GRAPHITE SHAFTS It’s no longer a straight choice between steel or

graphite shafts in irons, and many players looking to increase their swing speed or improve launch conditions would be better off switching to a lighter weight steel shaft than immediately moving to graphite. Graphite will offer a softer feel at impact, but steel offers better shot-to-shot consistency. Graphite shaft sets cost between £100-£200 more than steel, although Mizuno now generously charges the same for both.

CUSTOM FITTING Offered by all the major manufacturers, and available at many driving ranges, golf clubs and retail outlets, custom fitting offers the ability to adapt the specifications of irons to match your size and swing. Fitting involves

finding a clubhead that suits your game and your eye, and where possible, customising the headweight, face angle and loft, as well as tailoring the length, lie and flex of the shaft, and the grip, to suit the player. An iron fitting should take between 30-60 minutes, and cost between £25£40, although the price of the fitting will often be waived if you place an order.

DEMO DAYS While most pro shops will stock demo sets for many of the main equipment brands, if you like a particular brand that isn’t on offer, go to its website and find out where it is holding demo days in your area. Here you will have the opportunity to try out all their clubs, and book up a personal fitting.

[42] FEBRUARY 2016 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

UKTRAVELBREAKS

SPOIL YOURSELF AT EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL

DORSET RESORT PREPARES TO OFFER ANOTHER OPEN SEASON

LOW RATES FOR BREAKS TO SCOTLAND’S HIGHLAND LINKS

GREAT VALUE BREAKS ON OFFER AT THE VALE

Set in over 1,000 acres of quintessentially English countryside, the East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa is so much more than just another hotel. From the spacious en-suite bedrooms to the fabulous dining and spa facilities, this four-star resort is sure to exceed your expectations. With its two world-class championship golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus’s course architect, Robert E Cupp, it is also a haven for the keen golfer and provides the perfect location for a golfing getaway. The contemporary hotel, which adjoins the clubhouse, offers 104 air-conditioned bedrooms, including 12 luxury suites, all of which offer fantastic views of the golf courses and surrounding countryside. The large rooms are equipped with wall-mounted TVs, a bath with separate walk-in shower, while free wi-fi is available. Also housed within the ground floor is the Horsted Health Club, which offers a 20m swimming pool, gym and spa treatment rooms, as well as a Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. Midweek and weekend golf break packages start from just £130pp until the end of March and £169 during April. To make a booking, call 01825 880088 or visit www.eastsussexnational.co.uk.

Golfers seeking a UK-based winter golfing break without the winter playing conditions should head for the Dorset Golf Resort, which promises yearround golf thanks to its continued investment in drainage and irrigation, and its underlying chalky subsoil. The 27-hole Bere Regis-based resort enjoyed another year of uninterrupted golf in 2015, and is promising more of the same in 2016, despite large swathes of the country being sodden by recent heavy rains. Despite the downpours, all three nine-hole loops of the Woodland, Parkland and Lakeland courses have remained fully open at the popular South Coast venue, with grass tees and main greens in action throughout the winter, without a temporary playing surface in sight. The resort has always been a popular golf breaks destination, with its 14 five-star Gold Award Scandanavian lodges providing a luxury retreat. Capable of sleeping up to eight people, each lodge boasts a fully-fitted kitchen, a large lounge with a wood burning stove, a sauna, a veranda, and an integral shed for secure club and trolley storage. Stay and play packages start from just £61.95pp/pn. For bookings call 01929 472244 or visit www.dorsetgolfresort.com.

Last year saw a record number of golfers take advantage of special play and stay packages offered by the partnership group Highland Golf Links to boost business during the ‘shoulder’ months of April, October and November. The deal offers rounds at three of Scotland’s most renowned links courses – Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch and Nairn, plus two night’s B&B accommodation, for £365pp. Castle Stuart will host the Scottish Open in 2016 for the fourth time in six years, while Nairn hosted the Walker Cup in 1999 and the Curtis Cup in 2012, and will be home to the 2016 Home Internationals competition. Royal Dornoch will host the Northern Open during celebrations to mark 400 years of golf being played in the town. Accomodation is offered in choice of hotels, including the Kingsmills and Culloden House in Inverness and the Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch. Playing all three courses, with two nights’ accommodation at a choice of venues, can cost as little as £365 per person. While the price for two rounds at Castle Stuart and one at either Royal Dornoch or Nairn, plus two nights’ accommodation start at £299pp. For bookings visit www.highlandgolflinks.com.

Featuring 143 bedrooms, two championship golf courses, and a spa that has just been voted the best in Wales, The Vale has all the right ingredients for a golf break to remember. The National course has been considered good enough to stage several top-flight tournament of its own, with the European Senior Tour, Challenge Tour and EuroPro Tour all having held events here since it first opened in 2003. This swiftly maturing inland championship layout has developed a fearsome reputation, mainly due to it measuring 7,433 yards from the back tees, although there are forward tees to make it playable for club golfers. The Lake Course lives up to its name, with water coming into play on 12 holes, although its shorter length makes it more playable for the higher handicapper, while still being a serious challenge for better players. The Vale Spa offers a range of more than 50 treatments, has 19 treatment rooms, and 20-metre swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, while the resort’s AA Rosette Vale Grill is the perfect place to enjoy a post-round meal. Golf breaks, with one night’s B&B and 18 holes of golf, start from just £69pp this Easter. For bookings, visit www.vale-hotel.com or call 01443 667800.

CORNISH CREAM

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2 NIGHTS B&B at The Metropole Hotel DAY 1 Cradoc G.C 18 holes DAY 2 Llandrindod Wells G.C 18 holes DAY 3 Builth Wells G.C 18 holes

2 NIGHTS B&B at The Royal Sportsman DAY 1 Porthmadog G.C 18 holes DAY 2 Nefyn & District G.C 18 holes DAY 3 Royal St Davids G.C 18 holes

2 NIGHTS B&B at Woodhall Spa Hotel 3 DAYS 1 x Hotchkin Course*

ONLY £199 pp

ONLY £225 pp

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3 ROUNDS at any of these courses:

Hindhead, Stoneham, Hayling or Liphook

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Dinner Option: £10pp per night extra

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Weekend supplement: £10pp extra

Weekend supplement: £15pp extra

1 x Bracken Course* 1 x Seacroft GC

* Located at Woodhall

Weekend supplement: £17pp extra

To discuss your exclusive golf package call 01822 618181

We have over 15 years experience of organising golf breaks throughout the UK and Europe

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TRAVEL | FEBRUARY 2016 [43]

WIN A TWONIGHT BREAK G

olfNews has teamed up with QHotels, the UK’s largest golf resort operator, to offer one lucky reader a two-night, two-round golf break to one of company’s 10 resorts around the country. Featuring an impressive line-up of 10 golf resorts and 17 courses, including the likes of regular European Tour venue Slaley Hall, Mottram Hall and Forest Pines, QHotels has risen to establish itself as the largest golf resort operator in the UK. With courses to choose from across England and Scotland, QHotels has something to suit golfers from all corners of the UK, as well as all ages and abilities, with an unmatched variety of championship-standard layouts and quality accommodation in accessible locations.

QFAIRWAYAN AFFORDABLE WAY TO PLAY & STAY

Playing such an attractive group of courses would normally have an adverse effect on your wallet, but that is not the case with QHotels, with the 2014/15 AA Hotel Group of the Year offering a range of attractive golf breaks across its venues and also the chance to join QFairway – a flexible golf membership scheme which gives up to 50 rounds from as little as £295, and provides access across the group’s championship courses.

QHOTELS’ GOLF PORTFOLIO - GOLFING HOSPITALTY AT ITS FINEST of golf over three contrasting courses including the Championship Lakes course – with long holes, thin fairways and, as the name suggests, plenty of water hazards.

Undoubtedly one of the jewels in QHotels’ golfing crown is Slaley Hall, a magnificent four-star hotel in an elegant Edwardian mansion set in 1,000 acres of Northumberland moorland and forest. It has two challenging championship courses – the Hunting and the Priestman – which have played host to no fewer than 18 European Tour and European Senior Tour events. Mottram Hall has also played host to some of golf’s leading players over

the years, and its par-72 Championship Course had the privilege of staging the 2013 European Seniors PGA Championship. Comprised of magnificent parkland fairways dotted with oak and beech trees and tricky, well-guarded greens, the Cheshire layout is broken up into two contrasting circuits of nine. Featuring 27 holes designed by leading architect Dave Thomas and outstanding practice facilities, Oulton Hall boasts the North of England's leading golf

TO ENTER: To be in with a chance of winning a two-night, two-round golf break for two people at any of QHotels’ 10 golf resorts, simply answer the following question, and email your answer to info@golfnews.co.uk, including your name, address, and telephone number, and where you picked up your copy of Golf News. The closing date for entries is March 30, 2016. The prize is valid until October 31, 2016, and can be booked from Sunday to Thursday (subject to availability).

TheManor House

& Ashbury Hotels

- The Only Sport, Craft & Spa Hotels in the UK

Summer Sizzlers

performance centre and is a must for aficionados of the game, while an ongoing £1.1m upgrade of its hotel facilities means guests can relax in comfort after a hard day on the fairways. Nestled in 190 acres of beautiful woodland, Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort in North Lincolnshire also offers 27 superb holes of golf, which meander through majestic pines in three loops of nine, while just a short drive south is Belton Woods, a golfer’s paradise featuring 45 holes

With five other excellent resorts to enjoy – Hellidon Lakes Golf & Spa Hotel in Northamptonshire; Telford Hotel & Golf Resort in Shropshire; Dunston Hall near Norwich; Aldwark Manor Golf & Spa Hotel near York and The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort near Glasgow – QHotels really has something for everyone, putting it at the top of the list when booking your next round of golf, corporate day or weekend away. For more details on QHotels and its latest golf break offers, visit www.qhotels.co.uk/golf

QUESTION: THE PRIESTMAN COURSE IS FOUND AT WHICH QHOTELS GOLF RESORT? A) Forest Pines

B) Oulton Hall

C) Slaley Hall

FREE GOLF at

“I’ve never played such fantastic courses”

The UK’s Largest Golf Resort

Stephen W - Trip Advisor

Set in the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, Devon. The Ashbury Hotel is the ideal venue for your golf break. At least 27 holes of FREE golf with each night of stay! Pines 17th 442 yards, Par 4

Oakwood 16th 172 yards, Par 3

Beeches 5th 419 yards, Par 4

18/7/16 - 31/8/16 All breaks include: FREE UNLIMITED Golf, ½ PRICE Buggies

Kigbeare 15th 415 yards, Par 4

May Bargain Breaks: 4nts Midweek from £237pp • 3nts Weekend from 231pp

PLUS unique Craft Centre featuring 17 tutored crafts, including Pottery, Woodwork, Glass Engraving & Hot Press Printing

0800 389 9892

Par 72 Par 72 Par 69 Par 68 Par 69 Par 71 Par 54

6528 6400 5803 5502 5775 6111 1939

ashburygolfhotel.com

• All prices per person • All rooms en-suite • Full board • Party discounts •

a! EE Sp FRro yd

Sports Racket Sports Leisure Ranges Family Bowls Swimming Funhouse Tennis Archery Table Tennis Badminton Spa & Sauna Gamezone Air Pistols 5-A-Side Snooker Waterslides Air Rifles Squash Basketball Short Tennis Ten-Pin Lasers Play Area

Kigbeare Pines Beeches Oakwood Ashbury 9 + Pines Front 9 Ashbury 9 + Pines Back 9 Willows

Additional Facilities FREE to residents of our hotels

[44] FEBRUARY 2016 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

If you've watch the Phoenix Open from the comfort of your armchair, Sarah Stirk urges you to visit TPC SCOTTSDALE and play the infamous 16th on the Stadium Course and the other 35 holes that this superb Arizona resort has to offer

OK, SO BUBBA WATSON might have admitted he was only there because of his sponsors, but for many of the PGA Tour pros, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is the one event they absolutely, categorically do not want to miss. The fact it coincides with Super Bowl Sunday only adds to the allure of this event. The Waste Management Phoenix Open has always been one of my favourite stops on the PGA Tour. It's a loud, raucous, brash, pulsating hive of activity – oh – and it features some pretty good golf too! The greatest show on grass they call it, so who are we to argue? Since opening in 1986, The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale has played host to some of golf’s greatest moments. The course was designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf specifically to serve as the stage for a PGA Tour venue. The tournament attracts over 500,000 fans annually and is the largest spectator golf event in the world by a country mile. In fact it’s behind only NASCAR in terms of best-attended annual global sporting events. The focal point is, of course, the 16th hole, the fans enthusiasm transforming it into a coliseum type atmosphere, creating one of the most exciting settings in sport. This year saw attendance records smashed, with over 200,000 screaming supporters showing up to watch the action on Saturday – a single day record for the event. The total for the week was 618,365. Think about that for a moment, those figures are mind-bogglingly insane, and simply brilliant for the game of golf. The only negative for me was the final result. Absolutely no disrespect whatsoever to Hideki Matsuyama, he’s a great guy and a huge talent, but Rickie Fowler and this tournament are pretty much the perfect fit, wouldn’t you agree? Colourful and charismatic go hand in hand for both in equal abundance. Fowler will be back next year to hopefully avenge defeat, and he won’t be lacking in love from the fans. "It's awesome playing in front of big crowds,” said Fowler. “A lot of people decide to stay by 16 and 17, and it’s a pretty fun home stretch, 15 to 18." So many of you will have watched this tournament on TV, but how about going to tackle it for yourself? TPC Scottsdale offers two world-class championship courses. The Stadium Course, the signature design and home to the Phoenix Open, offers unparalleled views of the beautiful McDowell mountain range. The Champions Course also provides a stern test, and while it may lack the reputation of its more-heralded big brother, it certainly rivals it in terms of beauty and playability, and is a great desert golf experience. While the PGA Tour only uses the TPC of Scottsdale for one week a year, the

OVER 200,000 SCREAMING FANS SHOWED UP TO WATCH THE ACTION ON SATURDAY – A MINDBOGGLINGLY INSANE FIGURE FOR A GOLF EVENT

Stadium course maintains top-notch playing conditions throughout, with around 30 tour pros calling the place home. Kevin Stadler, who captured the Phoenix Open in 2014, Ricky Barnes, Robert Garrigus, Martin Laird, Troy Merritt and Parker McLachlin are just a few of the names attached there. The added beauty of the Stadium course is its playability. The superb condition, elite practice facilities, and the warm winter bring plenty of keen golfers out to the desert. Trouble comes in the form of 72 bunkers strategically placed in the fairways and around the greens. Desert vegetation such as the saguaro cacti always makes for an interesting test, and water comes into play on six of the holes, including three of the last four, as Fowler will attest to. The closing stretch is what really makes this course great value for golfers and spectators alike. It’s a thrilling finish, even without a few hundred thousand watching your every move. After the success and attendance figures we’ve just witnessed, 2017 will be hard to beat, but who’s to say it won’t be louder than the last time? In the meantime, go and create your own little piece of golfing magic at arguably the most talked about hole in the game, even if it’s only in front of your mates or on Twitter. Failing that, being part of the frenzied crowd cheering on the world’s best golfers is without question a few days you will never forget.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TRAVEL | FEBRUARY 2016 [45]

DESTINATION DAYTONA FOR GOLFING FUN IN THE SUN

ith great weather, great beaches and world-class golf courses, it’s not surprising that Daytona Beach is one of Florida’s fastest growing golf destinations. The area is famous for its fairways designed by the legends of the sport, where golf lovers will discover over 20 outstanding courses to challenge every skill level. Located on the East coast of the Orange State, an easy hour’s easy drive from Orlando and central Florida’s numerous attractions, Daytona makes for a great beach and golfing escape. Daytona is home to the LPGA International (pictured above), which runs events throughout the year, as well as offering two championship courses, the signature Rees Jones course, which offers 7,088 yards of links-style play, and the Arthur Hills designed course which challenges golfers with generous water and sand hazards. Other area courses also offer pro-worthy play, such as Indigo Lakes, consistently ranked as one of Florida's top 10 courses. Tee off surrounded by majestic live oaks and see a wealth of wildlife at the DeBary Golf & Country Club, or revel in the scenic fairways of the Pelican Bay Golf Club. Destination Golf offers packages from the UK starting from £829 per person, which include return flights from Gatwick to Orlando with Virgin Atlantic, seven nights’ accommodation at the Daytona Beach Resort based on two sharing, plus seven days’ compact car rental. In addition, the golf package includes four rounds at four different courses for £150 per person. To book your next Daytona Beach golf holiday, visit www.destinationgolf.co.uk or call 01737 771613.

CHAKA SHOWS THE WAY WITH GUIDED HOLIDAYS E

stablished in 1995, Chaka Travel is widely recognised as one of the UK and Ireland's leading luxury golf tour operators, providing bespoke golf holidays to far flung destinations such as Mauritius, South Africa, Thailand, Mexico, USA, Morocco and Dubai, as well as golfing nations closer to home, such as Spain, Italy and Turkey. As it enters its 21st year, the company has expanded its portfolio of holidays by offering escorted tours, lead by a team of expert golf professionals, to help guide guests on the course. Exploring new destinations, while sharing experiences with like-minded travelers, escorted tours offer the luxury of being accompanied by a golf professional who will be on hand to not only offer golf tuition, but also share first-hand knowledge of the local sights to enhance the overall holiday experience.  Chaka’s next escorted tour to is being held in South Africa

from March 18-27, when South African professional Nico Els will be hosting an eight-night golf and safari trip to the Limpopo region. The holiday will take in five rounds of golf at Zebula, Elements (pictured above) and Korro Creek, with Nico on hand to offer swing tips and course management, while guests will also enjoy game drives and hands-on elephant and cheetah experiences as part of the package. Prices start from £2,495pp, including return flights on Virgin Airlines from London, and eight night’s accommodation in luxury lodges at Zebula, with all meals included. Closer to home, a four-night trip to Las Colinas Golf & Country Club in Spain is being hosted by South African professional Jacque Gous from April 14-18. Prices start from £729pp, including return flights and three rounds of golf at the European Tour qualifying venue. For more details, visit chakatravel.com or call 028 9023 2112.

Golf Holidays in the

USA

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■ DEBARY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

we’re the golf holiday experts

www.chakatravel.com

travel

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from £1,695 PP

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12 nights Half Board from £1,695 PP 12 nights All Inclusive Package from £2,235 PP Unlimited golf, incl. flights & transfers

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SOUTH AFRICA from £2,195 PP Cape Town & Fancourt

from £2,795 PP

10 nights B&B 6 rounds of golf on 6 courses

2 weeks All Inclusive - free room upgrade!

Unlimited golf & a complimentary spa treatment Incl. flights, transfers & unlimited golf Prices include - 7 nights in 3* hotel or self-catering, 4 great rounds of golf including carts! and a 7 seat people carrier with inclusive car insurance based on 4 sharing. (FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED, PLEASE CALL FOR LATEST PRICES AND GROUP DISCOUNTS).

For the BEST PRICES in - MYRTLE BEACH - FLORIDA - LAS VEGAS CALIFORNIA - PEBBLE BEACH - SAWGRASS - CHARLESTON

Europe and South Africa please call:

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or go to: www.eaglegolftours.com will recieve a free golf lesson with your local pro. *Ask for full details

from £1,999 PP

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ESCORTED TOURS & TOURNAMENTS 2015 / 2016

For every booking through Chaka Travel you will recieve a free golf lesson with your local pro. *Ask for full details.

Join us on one of our popular escorted tours to South Africa, Mauritius, Turkey, Mexico, Morocco and beyond...

MADEIRA

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www.chakatravel.com enquiries@chakatravel.com

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Please quote: GOLFNEWS when you enquire.

TURKEY

[46] FEBRUARY 2016 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

VERDURA REDFINES LUXURY

UNDER WARM SICILIAN SKIES

With 45 holes of championship golf and a stylish five-star hotel, Sir Rocco’s Forte’s VERDURA RESORT has single-handedly put Sicily on the golfing map

hen someone with the reputation in the hospitality world as Sir Rocco Forte decides that he wants to build a golf resort, you know it’s going to be good. That is exactly what happened around the start of the new millennium when, after an exhaustive search, the world-famous hotelier found what he was looking – a spectacular plot of land on the south west coast of the volcanic Italian island of Sicily. After an eight-year planning battle, the final result is the five-star Verdura Resort; a 500-acre site nestling adjacent to the azure waters of the Mediterranean which opened in 2009 and features an extensive range of luxury sports and leisure facilities, restaurants, bars, and two 18-hole championship courses. Located on the southern coast of the island, between historic Agrigento and the fishing city of Sciacca, and an 80-minute drive from Palermo airport, Verdura boasts a beachfront more than a mile long; 203 rooms and suites; six tennis courts; a 60m twotiered infinity pool; a 170sqm fully-equipped gym, and an 4,000sqm spa complex. Guests can sample an authentic taste of traditional Sicily with an array of dishes at one of the resort’s four restaurants and five bars – with fresh, organic produce sourced straight from Verdura’s own garden. In addition, visitors can enjoy an array of cultural and culinary experiences where they can discover the secrets of Sicilian cooking, with menus inspired by celebrity chef Fulvio Pierangelini,

and taste the many wines of the region. There is also plenty to keep the younger members of the family entertained, with dedicated kids and teen clubs providing a variety of fun-packed activity programmes throughout the year. But golf is the reason we’re here. A member at Sunningdale for 45 years and is also a member of the R&A, The Wisley and New Zealand Club, Sir Rocco is a selfconfessed golf nut, so it was no surprise to learn that the 12-handicapper had turned to Kyle Phillips (of Kingsbarns and The Grove fame) to design his three courses – the East, West and a nine-hole par-three course. Built to the highest specifications, a composite course of the East and West was used when Verdura hosted the Sicilian Open in 2012 and both are a delight to play, with the spectacular coastal finishes on both layouts that live long in the memory. Standout holes on the West are the loop from the eighth to the 12th holes, and the seaside finish, which builds to a crescendo

and finishes beneath the traditional Sicilian clubhouse. The East, meanwhile, is more undulating and diverse and offers a variety of different tests and challenges, with the back nine among the best anywhere in Europe. It’s easy to understand why it was used in its entirety when the European Tour visited. Each hole stands alone on merit – the long, ridge-top par-three 12th is a hole of simple design and beauty, but one of the hardest par-threes you’ll play, while stunning 18th then takes you back in the opposite direction towards the clubhouse, with the glistening Mediterranean waiting on your right to swallow up any errant drives or second shots. As you would expect, the practice and

hire facilities are outstanding as well, with a double-ended driving range and excellent academy providing the ideal complement to the courses. Visitors can happily save on unwanted airline charges and leave their clubs at home, too, with the resort having invested in a significant recent upgrade of its rental services, with two-round hire packages start from €40. Sir Rocco says that he hasn’t any got any other golf projects in the pipeline, as he wants to get Verdura right first before considering anything else. It’s a good job, as he will struggle to match and surpass the standards set by one of the new stars of European golf travel. For more details, visit roccofortehotels.com

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TRAVEL | FEBRUARY 2016

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ME&MYTRAVELS

Eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner and triple senior major champion Colin Montgomerie prefers to leave his clubs behind when he goes on holiday, but he’s still pining for another crack at Pebble Beach and Congressional

My first holiday was to… Majorca on a family holiday package deal.

My most recent holiday was to… Quinta do Lago in Portugal this summer with the family. Instead of going with Mum and Dad, I’m now playing that role.

programmes. I haven’t really fully joined the technological revolution, but I’m learning, and my daughters can show me what’s going on. I got into it a few years ago, and never leave home without those two items now.

My favourite golf resort is… Pebble Beach, scene of one of my US Open near-misses.

My ideal holiday fourball would include… my late mum, my dad and my brother. We were all, at one stage, single-figure handicappers, which was great for a family, and we loved playing together as a four ball.

My most memorable ever round was at… the 1997 US Open at Congressional. My first-round 65 there was my most memorable round and also my best. I’ll never forget it – I was playing with Davis Love and Phil Mickelson, who were great playing companions because they got on with it. Nothing upsets my game more than playing with slow players.

I always travel with… my iPhone and my iPad. I download movies and TV

■ THE MADARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed at was… The Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. The luxury hotels in Asia are hard to beat. The Intercontinental in Hong Kong, overlooking the waters there, is also very special. I prefer city hotels to beach resorts, but if I had to choose one by the sea it would be Sandy Lane in Barbados. And, of course, the Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius isn’t all that bad either!

My favourite restaurant on holiday is… anywhere that serves a decent steak. It doesn’t matter where I am in the world – as long as I can get a nice, tender steak, I’m happy.

■ PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS, CALIFORNIA, USA

My favourite city in the world is… Paris. I’ve been there many, many times. I think architecturally it’s a stunning city, but I love it for everything really - the food, the culture, the people, it’s a magical place.

mean seriously ill. I had to come home, and that was that as far as the holiday was concerned. I can cope with flight delays and all that, but when you get ill all you want to do is come home to your own bed.

For my next golf holiday… My worst holiday experience was… when I got ill while on a family holiday a few years ago. I went down with a really bad fever, I

I’d like to go over to the States and play Seminole in Florida, Pine Valley in New Jersey, Augusta National in Georgia, and Cypress Point in California. Of course, I

don’t ever take my clubs on a holiday, but once my playing career is over, I’d love to take a few people over to play those courses.

My top travel tip would be… never to drink alcohol when you’re flying, because of its dehydrating effects at 40,000 feet. I don’t drink much anyway, but not drinking on planes has really helped me overcome the worst effects of jet lag on those long haul flights.

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