Golf News June issue 2017

ISSUE 265 | JUNE 2017 | TWITTER: @GOLFNEWSMAG | WEB: GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

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BY

Recently ranked 27th in Golf World's Top 100 Courses in England

NICK BAYLY

NOREN’S RISE STRENGTHENS EUROPEAN HAND

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here were plenty of good news stories to come out of Wentworth last month, following yet another successful staging of the BMW PGA Championship.

The close-to-record-breaking attendance over the four days of the tournament, and the huge turnout for the pro-am, showed that the great British golfing public’s appetite for watching top-class golf – and a few showbiz hackers – remains undiminished, despite a very slim diet of events on UK soil.

The revamped West Course also came out smelling of roses, with almost universal praise from the players for the changes that were made to improve the putting surfaces, the playability of the bunkers, and the revised strategy required to play some of the holes.

The tournament also proved a fitting venue for the European Tour to launch its new Rolex Series, a collection of tournaments that offers $7 million prize funds and is designed to drag our elite European players away from the PGA Tour, and their sunshine villas in Florida and Dubai, and encourage them to play more often in Europe.

It had the desired effect, to a certain extent, with Rory McIlroy signing up to play at the Surrey venue before his rib injury did for him, while major champions Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Danny Willett were on show alongside all of the Ryder Cup team, barring Sergio Garcia, who is still basking in the glory of his Masters’ win and has a summer wedding to plan.

With such a monster pay day on offer, it perhaps deserved an even stronger field, but money doesn’t talk in quite the same way that it did 20 years ago, when Tiger came along and moved the financial goalposts for all elite golfers – most of whom are now millionaires many times over, if their tax accountants are doing their job properly.

Another positive story to emerge from the PGA was that the winner, the supremely-talented Swede Alex Noren, has managed to haul himself into the world’s top 10 purely by playing a European Tour schedule. After bagging his fifth victory in 11 months, the 34 year old from Stockholm (who, naturally, lives in Monte Carlo) has lifted himself to the dizzy heights of eighth in the world rankings, and is snapping at the heels of Garcia and Stenson, both of whom spend large chunks of their seasons playing on the cash-rich PGA Tour.

While I doubt any European player will manage to take a top-three spot without spending extended

■ ALEX NOREN HAS PROVED THAT A PREDOMINANTLY EUROPEAN TOUR-BASED SCHEDULE CAN REAP RICH REWARDS

periods in the US, as Monty was able to do briefly back in the mid-90s, it’s heartening to know that if you get on a roll in Europe, as Noren has done over the last few seasons, then you can break into the top echelons of the game – even if you remain an unknown over the breakfast tables of America.

And unlike other past winners of the Race to Dubai, Noren’s points tally hasn’t been boosted by a run of great results in the majors and the World Golf Championship events. He has only managed oneFOUR PLAY top-30 in the 14 majors he has contested over the last nine years, and has only recently broken into the WGC clique, so his money has been hard won by consistent results in Europe.

A near certainty for next year’s Ryder Cup team, expect to be hearing a lot more from this likeable, if not so young, man in the near future, perhaps even as soon as next month, when the Open Championship rolls into Royal Birkdale once more.

It may be asking a lot for him to follow in the footsteps of his fellow countryman, Henrik Stenson, and win the Claret Jug at only the sixth time of asking. After all, many more talented players, such as Phil Mickelson and Darren Clarke, took almost their entire careers before they got over the line, but after recovering from tendonitis in both wrists in 2014, Noren’s hand now looks as strong as any. And given the events of last month, he is more than entitled to arrive in Southport with confidence to spare.

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NEWS | JUNE 2017

[7]

HOWELL JOINS THE GROVE AS GOLF AMBASSADOR

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ormer Ryder Cup player and European No.1 David Howell has been appointed a golf ambassador to The Grove in Hertfordshire.

Howell, a five-time winner on the European Tour, and BMW PGA champion in 2006, will work closely with the Watford-based venue as it continues to build on its reputation as one of the UK’s leading golf resorts.

He said: “I’ve been a long-time fan of The Grove, both as a visitor staying in the hotel, and as a golfer playing the championship course, which is famed for its superb year-round conditions.”

Howell, who lives in Virginia Water in Surrey, added: “There are very few fivestar pay-and-play golf venues in the UK that create a premium experience that is delivered in a relaxed, friendly way, but The Grove has been delivering this day in, day out since opening in 2003. I look forward to working with them.”

HOTSHOT WALLACE SECURES MAJOR DEBUT

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ertfordshire tour professional Matt Wallace continued his incredible rise up the ranks after winning a place in the US Open. The 27 year old from Moor Park was one of 12 players to earn spots in the season's second Major championship after taking part in 36-hole qualifying tournament held at Walton Heath on May 29.

Wallace fired rounds of 67 and 68 around the Surrey venue's Old and New courses, and then came through a seven-man playoff to earn one of four remaining spots to join the field at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.

Speaking about the prospect of teeing it up in his first major, Wallace, who earned his European Tour card after winning last month's Portugal Open, said: "My first major, I'm so happy. I just can't believe it. Six months ago I was on the Alps Tour, which is crazy. I've just had the best six or seven months of my life. I played really nicely, but I missed so many putts. That's why I was so emotional at the end – I thought I'd let it slip. I'm so relieved. It's been a really long day, but it's just the best day of my life.”

Wallace was joined at Erin Hills by three other Englishmen – Aaron Rai, who topped the leaderboard with rounds 66 and 64, and Andrew Johnston and Eddie

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Anna Darnell, the resort’s Director of Golf, said that Howell would play an important role in helping the the venue grow its position with the UK and international market.

She commented: “David is a highlyrespected Tour professional and Sky Sports commentator who understands our customers, what we are trying to achieve, and, most importantly of all, is a huge fan of The Grove. We look forward to working with him on a number of initiatives in the near future.”

The Grove is the only UK venue to have hosted a World Golf Championship event, won by Tiger Woods in 2006, and its course consistently features in many influential top 100 rankings. In addition to the 18hole Kyle Phillips-designed golf course, The Grove offers accommodation in 26 suites, as well as 191 rooms, and boasts an award-winning spa.

Pepperell. Johnston shot rounds of 68 and 66 to win automatic qualification, with his cause helped considerably by a holein-one at the second hole in the afternoon round, and an eagle at the par-five 16th.

The others to qualify in regulation play were South Africans Oliver Bekker, George Coetzee and Brandon Stone, Frenchman Joёl Stalter, and Welshman Bradley Dredge. A play-off was required to determine the final four spots, with seven battling it out as darkness fell. Paul Dunne and Thomas Aiken were the first to make it through, before Wade Ormsby and Wallace joined them.

Those to just miss out were Hertfordshire's Callum Shinkwin and Surrey-based amateur David Boote, who shot an opening 62, but followed it up with a second round 73.

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here was an excellent turnout for a ‘get into golf’ event for girls that held at The Buckinghamshire on June 4.

The event was organised by the Ladies European Tour ’s development department to support the efforts being made to develop golf for women and girls by England Golf, the Golf Foundation and county associations.

The event, which preceded the US Women’s Open Sectional Qualifier that took place at the club the following day, saw girls from

the surrounding area taking part in free lessons delivered by a team of female PGA pros and activities supervised by a team of female leaders from the Community Golf organisation.

There was a short game master class with Daniel Grieve, the head professional at Woburn Golf Club, who was accompanied by Ladies European Tour player Inci Mehmet, while fellow Surrey-based tour professional Annabel Dimmock (pictured left) was also on hand to offer advice to youngsters.

TOPGOLF WATFORD TO HOST TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER

England and Surrey player Annabell Fuller took third place in the storm-shortened German girls’ open held at St Leon Rot. Thunderstorms led to the cancellation of the third and final round of the tournament, meaning that placings were decided on scores after 36 holes. Fuller, from Roehampton GC, was 10 under par for the two rounds, shooting 67s on each of the two courses, before her third round was cancelled. Sweden’s Linn Grant won on 12 under par.

ST JOHN SHINES AT SUN MOUNTAIN MASTERS Ben St John battled the wind and rain for a level par round of 72 to win The Sun Mountain PGA in Surrey Masters at Woodcote Park. Mastering the showers and claiming the £600 winner’s cheque, St John edged out Silvermere’s James Ford.

His last hole birdie wasn’t enough to share the honours, but it lifted him into a solo second place. Trailing in a three-way tie for third was Woodcote Park’s own PGA Head Professional Wraith Grant, along with Surrey Downs’s Craig Cowper, and another Woodcote Park man, Michael O’Brien.

SUFFOLK GOLFER KILLED BY LIGHTNING A 60-year-old golfer has died after being struck by lightning on the golf course.

Philip Shard, 60, was struck on course at Fynn Valley Golf Club in Witnesham near Ipswish, and later died in hospital after a cardiac arrest. He is the fifth golfer in the UK to die from lightning since 1999.

Fynn Valley secretary Tony Tyrrell said: “Everyone at the club is horrified. It’s a dreadful thing to have happened and our thoughts are with his family. Philip only became a member a couple of months ago and he quickly became well known to the regulars.”

ALLBUT WINS BOYS’ SCRATCH KNOCKOUT David Gurr (Burhill) won the Surrey Boys Scratch Knockout after beating Alex Allbut 4&2 in a closely fought final held over Walton Heath’s Old Course. The scores were level after ten holes, and it took a 40-foot birdie putt at the par-three 11th to put Gurr in front, after which he extended his lead by holing out from just off the green at the 12th for another birdie. A further gain at the 14th, and a hole-winning par at the 16th, sealed the victory.

PETROZZI PULLS CLEAR AT WELSH AMATEUR

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opgolf, the point-based driving range-game that boasts four sites across the UK, is launching a global competition that comes with a $50,000 first prize and a trip to Las Vegas.

Golfers across the UK can now register to take part in the UK leg of the competition, which is being held Topgolf Watford on July 8. Each tournament is open to 68 teams of two amateurs (male, female or mixed), with spots filled on a first come, first served basis. The winning two-person team will earn a trip to Las Vegas to compete alongside other amateur teams from the US for the Topgolf Tour Championship, and a $50,000 cash prize. All finalists will be kitted out in event sponsor Under Armour’s clothing and footwear.

"Whether you’re a weekend golfer or have never picked up a club, the Topgolf Tour gives everyone a chance to compete like a pro,” said Topgolf CEO Erik Anderson. “Last year’s inaugural tournament introduced the sporting world to a new competitive format where men, women, all skill levels and ages, could go head-to-head on a level playing field. This year’s tournament is only for amateurs,

FULLER FINISHES THIRD IN GERMANY

giving the average Joe and Jane the opportunity for international glory."

In round one of the regional tournaments, all teams will play three games. Using the cumulative scores from round one, the field will be cut to the top eight teams, who will move on to the second round of the tournament. The winning team from each city will advance to the Topgolf Tour Championship held at Topgolf Las Vegas from October 14-15. To register for the Watford event, visit tour.topgolf.com.

England’s Gian-Marco Petrozzi put in an early bid for inclusion in this autumn’s Walker Cup after running away with the Welsh Open Stroke Play Championship at The Vale. The 20 year old from Trentham in Staffordshire was 13 under for the 72 holes and pulled nine shots clear of the field with a final round 66, to add to earlier scores of 69, 70 and 74. The runner up was Jack Gaunt (Drayton Park), who finished a stroke ahead of Walker Cup squad player Jack Davidson. The best finishers from the South East were James Walker (The Oaks, Surrey) and Tom Thurloway (Mannings Heath, Sussex), who finished tied 17th and 19th respectively.

[8]

JUNE 2017 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

LALEHAM JOINS LIST OF LOST COURSES

EUROPEAN TOUR HONOURS TORRANCE WITH LIFE MEMBERSHIP S

am Torrance has been recognised for his record-breaking European Tour career and Ryder Cup heroics, by becoming the latest addition to the exclusive group of honorary life members of the European Tour.

Torrance’s significant contribution to all aspects of the Tour and Ryder Cup was recognised at a reception held at Wentworth Club on the eve of the BMW PGA Championship, where he was presented with the accolade by European Tour chairman David Williams.

“Sam has had the most extraordinary golf career and the most extraordinary life,” said Williams, paying tribute. “In 29 years, the European Tour has only awarded the honorary life membership to 52 players, such is the prestige of it. It is truly a roll call of golfing honour and such a privilege to present this award to him.”

Torrance said: “Golf has been my whole life. I should really be honouring the European Tour for giving me such an arena to play in. What a life. It has been so rewarding – the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been. What a journey. It’s very special to receive this honour.”

He added: “The Ryder Cup captaincy

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was definitely the highlight of my career, but I’ve many memories. I won the Australian PGA in 1980, which to this day is still my biggest win. I played with Seve the last two rounds. Seve finished second, Greg Norman finished third. I beat the pair of them, and when I came off the last green, Seve said, 'Hey Sam, you’re very tough to beat'. For someone as legendary as that to say that to me, it gave me so much confidence. Up to that point I’d only won twice and hadn’t played in the Ryder Cup yet. I went on to win a few and play in a few Ryder Cups and a lot was down to that great man.”

Having turned professional in 1970, Torrance made his official European Tour debut in the Tour’s first event two years later, the Spanish Open in 1972.

In total, the 63-year-old Scot went on to play 706 events, which remains a European Tour record. In total he won 21 times between 1976 and 1998.

Torrance carried that success into the European Senior Tour, topping the Order of Merit on three separate occasions – in 2005, 2006 and 2009 – and winning a total of 11 titles on the over-50s Tour.

But it is his Ryder Cup career for which he is most revered, playing in eight successive contests between 1981 and 1995, and being on the winning side on three occasions, in addition to being part of the European Team that retained the trophy in 1989, following the 14-14 tie at The Belfry.

Torrance would return to the English venue in 2002 as captain, the contest

MANN RECLAIMS BERNARD HUNT TROPHY AT FOXHILLS

advantage. But thereafter it was very much ‘Mann alive’, not least when he drained an 18-foot putt at the last to join Paul Streeter and Roger Tuddenham in the play-off.

All three players finished on level par after two circuits of the Bernard Hunt course and one of the Longcross. Streeter, the overnight leader from Lincoln Golf Centre, was one over par for his final rounds, while Mann was one under, and Tuddenham, representing the PGA in Hampshire, posted a 69.

Staged on the par-four 18th on the Bernard Hunt course, Tuddenham was first to depart the play off, after dumping his approach in a greenside bunker en route to a bogey. Having posted pars, Streeter and Mann followed suit on the second playoff hole, and then landed their approaches within 10 feet of the flag on their third. Streeter missed his birdie putt, but Mann’s effort found the bottom of the cup, much to the Scotsman’s relief.

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he Silversea Senior PGA Championship is fast becoming a golfing game of pass the parcel involving two Scotsmen.

Having won the Bernard Hunt trophy at Foxhills two years ago, Fraser Mann reclaimed it from compatriot Robert Arnott, the defending champion.

However, the Carnoustie man was made to work hard for his reunion with the silverware and £6,000 first prize, and had to prevail via a sudden death play off.

In a tournament sponsored by cruise liner specialists Silversea, it looked like a case of ‘Mann overboard’ when he double-bogeyed the 16th and scuppered his two-shot

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having been delayed for 12 months following the 9/11 atrocity in New York. The Scotsman's management and tactical nous was widely praised as he led Europe to a famous 15½-12½ triumph.

Born in Largs, North Ayrshire, and now based in Sunningdale with his family – wife Suzanne, daughters Phoebe and Anouska and son Daniel Torrance was awarded an MBE in 1996 for services to golf, and then an OBE in the 2003 New Years’ Honours list.

He has gone on to forge a hugely successful career as a golf commentator, while he has also become a distinguished golf course designer, with the Torrance Course at St Andrews Bay being one of his most well known creations.

aleham Golf Club in Surrey has become the latest club in England to close after suffering ‘sustained trading losses’ over the last decade.

The owner of the club, which was founded in 1903, blamed ‘a nationwide decline in the demand for golf’ for the reason that the venue was no longer commercially viable.

The club’s 2014 accounts showed assets of less than £6,000.

The last rounds were played on March 31, after which the club was closed and diggers moved in.

The 18-hole parkland course, which was designed by the 1904 Open champion Jack White, was built on land adjacent to the River Thames that was originally owned

by Lord Lucan. In 1996, the land was purchased by the membership, with each member lending £1,000 on the proviso that their money would be returned within six months of them leaving. So, whenever members subsequently left, which they did in great numbers, the club lost not only a year’s subscription fee, but also the £1,000 loan. This left the club with crippling debts, which spiralled to the point that, by 2008, it was left with no option but to sell up, which it did for £1.37 million to Thorney Park Golf Ltd. The new owner spent significant sums on both the course and its facilities in an effort to attract new members, and bring financial stability to the club. However, the club continued to make significant trading losses, and the members’ club was disbanded in 2013 when Laleham became a pay-and-play facility.

Thorney Park Golf is continuing to run Thorney Park Golf Club, in nearby Iver. There are no immediate plans for the Laleham site, which has been returned to the landlord.

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[10] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

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■ NOREN'S PUTTER GOT HOT ON SUNDAY

ICE COOL ALEX

BLITZES PGA FIELD Super swede Alex Noren follows up British Masters' success with victory in the European Tour’s flagship event

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he European Tour’s newly launched Rolex Series got off to a flying start with a stunning victory for Sweden’s Alex Noren, who fired a sizzling final round of 62 to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by two shots.

Noren eagled the final hole after a sublime 225-yard five-iron approach to five feet to seal a brilliant display over the new-look West Course.

The 34 year old, who also posted eight birdies in his ten-under-par round, had started seven shots behind third round leader Andrew Dodt and matched the biggest comeback in the history of the BMW PGA Championship, previously achieved by Simon Khan in 2010 and Rory McIlroy in 2014.

Noren also produced a grandstand finish in his last European Tour triumph, carding a closing 63 to come from six shots back to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge last November. That was his fourth title of the 2016 season – and he made it five European Tour wins in just 17 appearances, three of which came on UK soil, with victories in the Scottish Open and British Masters.

After posting the clubhouse target of 11 under par, Noren had to wait a further two hours as 11 more groups finished. The challenges came from Shane Lowry, Henrik Stenson, Branden Grace and Dodt, but they fizzled out during a heavy downpour.

Gusting winds, and the pressure of having to chase down the leader, had their effect, as the birdies dried up and Noren’s lead, which the Swede had thought was catchable, began to look more unassailable as the holes ticked by.

Stenson did pick a shot up at the 18th to finish at eight under, in a tie for third, but bogeys at the 9th, 13th and 15th had already put the skids under his chances after a strong start, with six birdies up until the 12th.

Lowry was another to eagle the last, but double-bogeys at the 15th and 17th did for him and he finished at seven under.

Hideto Tanihara, his playing partner, also picked up four shots on the front nine, but, after playing through the rain, his putt lipped out at the last and cost him a share of second, as Francesco Molinari sailed past him soon after with a birdie-birdie finish for a 68 and nine under.

Nicolas Colsaerts eagled the 12th and the 18th en route to a round of 65 and a share of third.

“It feels amazing, and very crazy, because I had no intention of trying to win when I started the final round,” said Noren. “After the birdie on 12, I thought it was going very well. I got into that zone that everybody talks about, when you've got some adrenaline mixed with focus, and that's what I tried to get into. I adopted that ‘no tomorrow’ kind of feeling.”

With a strong field, a prize fund of $7 million, and a challenging golf course, Noren was not the first player to compare this year’s BMW PGA Championship to one of the Majors. “In my mind, this tournament compares a lot with a Major,” he said. “What I want to do is play well against a better field and a tougher course, and I view this [Wentworth] as a very difficult course against a very tough field. But overall, a win like this brings your confidence up, and that's what I've always needed – to believe in myself – and then it's easier to focus on what you need to do.”

A crowd of 109,684 – the second highest in the history of the BMW PGA Championship – watched the four tournament days and Celebrity Pro Am, while many stayed on after play finished to watch the Kaiser Chiefs perform a set in the tented village.

■ HUGE CROWDS TURNED OUT TO WATCH THE ACTION UNFOLD AT WENTWORTH

PLAYER REACTION TO THE WEST COURSE RENOVATIONS WITH £5 MILLION SPENT ON RELAYING THE GREENS AND REMODELLING THE BUNKERS, THERE WERE PLENTY OF POSITIVE COMMENTS ABOUT WENTWORTH'S NEW-LOOK WEST COURSE “The new greens are really good surfaces – there’s no guessing and they’re very true and consistent. Overall, the course is a lot fairer.

There used to be too many bunkers, but now they’ve got it about right."

LEE WESTWOOD “Shots that you normally wouldn't go for, you can go for now, and vice versa, so it takes some getting used to.”

ALEX NOREN “It takes throwing darts out of the equation, and you really have to think about whether it's going to skip or if it's going to spin. The greens are wonderful to putt on, even in the afternoon I didn't see any spike marks.

So they did a great job.”

THOMAS PIETERS

“I think the greens are great.

They are rolling really nicely, which can only be a good thing.”

TYRRELL HATTON “I knew it was going to be good, but I didn't realise it would be this good. I think it's probably the best it's ever been. It's in great condition and it's a lot better aesthetically on the eye. It's quite firm and fast.”

ROSS FISHER “The greens are absolutely as pure as you can find. I think they are running just as good or better than the Memorial, or Augusta for that matter.

It's still a hell of a challenge, but I think it's a much fairer golf course now.”

ERNIE ELS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NEWS | JUNE 2017

HAGUE TRUIMPHS IN LAGONDA TROPHY

■ DAVID HAGUE RECEIVES THE LAGONDA TROPHY FROM CLIVE SMITH

Y

orkshire’s David Hague captured the 43rd Lagonda Trophy at Gog Magog Golf Club after shooting a 12-under-par total of 270 for 72 holes.

The 21 year old from Malton & Norton Golf Club fired rounds of 71, 72, 62 and 63 around the rain-softened course to win the tournament by an impressive 10 strokes.

Hague, who finished second in the recent West of England

ROLL UP FOR ADDINGTON’S OPEN WEEKEND

Amateur Strokeplay, was in mid-division at two over par for his opening two rounds.

But he went into overdrive on the second day, shooting eight birdies in the morning round, and seven birdies and an eagle in the second round, to pull well clear of the field.

The distant second place went to Littlestone’s David Brown, who shot consistent rounds of 69, 71, 70 and 70, while Nicholas Smits

of Gog Magog took third with rounds of 69, 74, 67 and 71.

Hague joins an illustrious group of past winners, including Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, and, more recently, Andy Sullivan – all Ryder Cup veterans.

The tournament’s longtime sponsor, Clive Smith, was on hand to present the famous trophy to Hague and commented on the high standard of play this year.

EXACTLY LIKE NOTHING ELSE.

T

he Addington Golf Club in Surrey is inviting local golfers to come along to the club on June 24-25 to take part in an Open Weekend.

The Croydon-based venue, which is currently ranked well inside the UK’s Top 100 Courses, has benefitted from a significant number of renovations to its course and clubhouse since it was taken over by the Altonwood Group in 2008

– including the complete renovation of all 34 bunkers on the 6,338-yard course, plus many new tees and greens – and is justifiably one of the South East’s premier golfing venues.

There will be a special membership offer for those that visit over the two days.

Golfers wishing to find out more about the facilities, and talk to staff and current members, should contact Rob Sturgeon on 0208 777 1055, or email robert.sturgeon@addingtongolf.com.

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COLLINS CAPTURES KENT TITLE

L

ittlestone’s Mark Collins captured the Kent Amateur Championship after beating Charlie Strickling 5&4 in the final held at Kings Hill Golf Club.

Collins, who also won the title in 2014, overcame Robin Orchison 3&2 in the first semi-final, while Strickling beat U18 County player Ben Quinney by two holes in the other. Collins will now represent Kent in the National Final to be held at Woodhall Spa September 17.

[11]

© 2017 Taylor Made Golf Company Limited.

[12] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

DONALD AND WOOD HOLD MASTERCLASS FOR MID-SURREY

■ CARLY BOOTH (RIGHT)

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SPANI-MOLELLA WINS SURREY LADIES' TITLE Alice Spani-Molella from Royal MidSurrey won the Surrey Ladies Country Championship after beating Nicola Taylor (Walton Heath) 5&4 in the final held at Burhill. A total of 45 players, 13 of whom were under 18, entered the championship, which involved 36 holes of stroke play before the top 16 players took part in the match play rounds. The losing semi-finalists were Pavani Kumar (Royal Mid Surrey) and Katie Fewster (Worplesdon), while the handicap prize in the stroke play rounds was won by 11-year-old Hyun-Ji Kim from Wimbledon Park.

BATTLING BOOTH BOOKS PLACE AT US WOMEN’S OPEN F

CAMPBELL IN CHARGE AT CREWS HILL Cheshunt Park pro Ian Campbell secured his first victory of 2017 after firing a fine 65 in the Crews Hill Pro-Am. Despite a bogey at the last, the Scot’s five-underpar total saw him beat Mark Talbott (Thorpe Hall) by a stroke, with Glen Portelli (Old Fold Manor), David Salisbury (Three Rivers) and James Scade (Little Channels) all tied for third.

RUEBOTHAM ON TOP AT MUSWELL HILL James Ruebotham clinched victory at the Muswell Hill Pro-Am with a birdie at the final hole. The Welwyn Garden City pro rolled home a putt for a three at the closing par four to finish on four under – one shot clear of Glen Portelli (Old Fold Manor), Sufian Dhaduk and Danny Poulter (Heacham Manor) who all fired 68s.

our Ladies European Tour players braved tough conditions at Buckinghamshire Golf Club to qualify for this year’s US Women’s Open.

Carly Booth, Caroline Hedwall, Meghan MacLaren and Kelsey MacDonald qualified for the second major of the season, after taking part in European Sectional Qualifying at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

Booth (70, 73) and Hedwall (73, 70) tied on 143, one under par, to earn their spots after 36 holes played in testing conditions at the Denham-based venue.

Having finished two strokes back, MacLaren and MacDonald then earned their places following a one-hole play-off with Valdis Jonsdottir. In driving rain and swirling winds, the two Britons both made pars on the par-three ninth, while Jonsdottir bogeyed the hole.

Booth, 24, from Perthshire, was thrilled to qualify for the $5 million Major championship, which will take place at Trump National in New York on July 13-17. The two-time LET tournament winner said: “It was a rollercoaster out there. The wind was switching, and it was raining sideways. It was like a battlefield, but I stayed strong, stayed positive and stayed patient. Today, a lot of it was good and I had a few bad shots in every part of my game, but

I think that’s because the weather was so tough. I holed some really good putts and hit some really good drives. I think that was the key today – hitting fairways and greens, and giving myself some chances.”

Meanwhile, Hedwall, a five-time champion on the LET, was equally pleased with her performance in the tough conditions. The 28 year old from Helsingborg in Sweden said: “When I played the first round I felt that even par was going to be a good score today, and I just tried to hang in there.

It was really, really tough: very windy and we got some rain. I’m just really happy that I made it through.”

Ladies European Tour rookie MacLaren led the field after an opening round of 69, but bogeyed her final two holes for a second-round 76. After a tense wait, followed by a solid performance in the playoff, the 24 year old from Nottinghamshire was finally able to celebrate qualifying for her first Major championship.

MacDonald, 26, from Inverness, previously qualified for the US Women’s Open as a rookie in 2004, and will make her second appearance this summer. Her second round of 74 included a holein-one at the 14th, where she used a 6-iron from 153 yards.

oyal Mid-Surrey Golf Club members were treated to an exhibition of world-class golf as two of England’s top Tour players took on the JH Taylor course in front of a packed crowd during the week of the BMW PGA Championship. Former world No.1 Luke Donald and defending BMW PGA Championship holder Chris Wood played a greensomes format with Youtube stars Rick Shiels and Peter Finch through the back nine, as part of a Mizuno media day at the south-west London club.

The two Ryder Cup players happily interacted with a large group of club members, who followed them down every fairway of the course, and surrounded tee boxes and greens to view the stars’ technique up close.

■ CHRIS WOOD AND LUKE DONALD

“We have a really enthusiastic membership of active golfers, and to have over 100 people following the group that Mizuno assembled was great to see,” said club chairman Chris Holt.

“Watching players of the calibre of Luke and Chris tackle the challenges our members face every day was a treat for everyone, and a credit to the greenkeeping team, who prepared the course beautifully.”

Royal Mid-Surrey Club is celebrating its 125th anniversary and will host the English Women’s Open Matchplay tournament in early July.

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

WILLOW SENIOR CLASSIC SET FOR HANBURY RETURN

H

anbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club has been chosen to host the European Senior Tour’s Willow Senior Golf Classic for the second time later this year.

The event is partnered with Willow, a charity that provides experiences for young adults living with life-threatening conditions, and will take place from August 25-27, with a star studded line up of golfers vying for the prize fund.

The Willow Senior Golf Classic was added to the Senior Tour schedule last year, offering amateurs the unique opportunity to play in a European Senior Tour event. Once again, qualifying amateur players will be paired with a professional player, giving them the experience of putting beside their idols.

The chairty was set up by former Arsenal

NEWS | JUNE 2017

legend Bob Wilson and his wife Megs, in memory of their daughter Anna, who lost her battle to cancer, aged just 31. The charity has a strong sporting heritage, with sports-orientated 'special days' a popular choice with beneficiaries, enabling them to spend time with family or friends enjoying their shared passion.

This year’s tournament will be free for all to attend and there will be a dedicated kid’s golf zone supported by the Golf Foundation and Paradise Wildlife Park, so that all the family can get involved and enjoy golf.

■ SURREY'S GARK MARKS WON THE WILLOW SENIOR CLASSIC IN 2016 Willow Life President Bob Wilson said: Hanbury Manor. We are honored to benefit from “Willow is pleased to continue this partnership the Willow Senior Golf Classic again this year. The with Hanbury Manor which, like our own special funds raised through sponsorship, player entry days, offers quality time, bringing smiles to fees and donations will help provide many more people’s faces. It’s looking set to be a unique uplifting and fulfilling special days for seriously ill opportunity for the whole family to enjoy some young adults and their loved ones.” top-level golf at the impressive grounds of

‘BUSINESS AS USUAL AT SOUTH ESSEX’ SAYS CROWN GOLF

T

he operator of South Essex Golf Centre has acted to quash rumours about its long-term future by issuing a statement.

Stephen Towers, chief executive of Crown Golf, which owns and operates the Brentwood-based facility, has spoken out to clarify matters regarding the potential development of an adjacent plot of land, which the golf centre’s landlord, property developer and former Hull City chairman Russell Bartlett, is currently considering.

■ SOUTH ESSEX GOLF CENTRE

As reported on website EssexLive in March, Barlett has outlined plans to build either a hotel or private housing on land next to South Essex Golf Centre, which was, until very recently, used as an indoor bowls venue. The bowls club closed in May. Speaking about alternative uses for the venue, Barlett said: "We haven't got formal plans at the moment. We are evaluating the development options for the site. One is a hotel, but we have not formalised that at this stage, and will be doing so in the next few months. The plans will not affect the golf club run by Crown Golf, and may even complement it.”

This sentiment was echoed by Towers, whose company manages the club which first opened in 1994 and boasts three nine-hole layouts – Heron, Hawk and Vixen. “Contrary to some rumours which are flying about, South Essex is very much staying a golf centre,” said Towers. “South Essex Golf Centre is a great attraction for golfers, and following refurbishment work in 2016, we have seen good growth in the numbers of people using and enjoying its facilities.”

He added: “Our landlord, Russell Bartlett, had previously developed an indoor sports facility on land adjacent to the golf club, but these buildings are currently vacant. We would welcome future development there, if it were to happen, but our members and other customers can be sure that we plan to continue providing 27 holes of golf, as well as our driving range, new-look clubhouse, and all those things which make South Essex popular for weddings and family celebrations too.”

[13]

WEBBER IN THE MONEY AT JOHN O’GAUNT James Webber birdied his final two holes to land the John O’Gaunt Pro-Am in thrilling style. The 25 year old from Three Rivers got up and down from sand at his last to shoot a three-under-par 68 and win the East region’s richest pro-am. The Essex ace trailed long-time leader and fellow Three Rivers’ trainee PGA professional David Salisbury by a single shot as he walked to the eighth – his 17th. Webber made a three there, thanks to rolling home a 12-footer and then completed the job by picking up another stroke at his closing hole.

BEISSER BAGS KEATING TROPHY Jay Beisser won the final of the Essex Golf Union’s Keating Trophy, after beating fellow county player Andy May at Boyce Hill. Although May enjoyed the advantage of playing at his home club, it was 2016 Order of Merit winner Beisser, who plays at Rayleigh, who took the title after a thrilling match. Level after 13 holes, Beisser birdied the 14th to take a narrow lead, then both players parred the final four holes, with Beisser getting up and down from off the green at the last to capture the trophy.

ARCHIBALD BAGS HOME WIN AT HADLEY WOOD Alastair Archibald made his local knowledge pay with victory in the Hadley Wood Pro-Am. The head PGA Professional at the Hertfordshire club shot a four-underpar 68 to beat Ian Ellis (Great Yarmouth & Caister) and Jason Levermore (Little Channels Golf Centre) by a shot. Ellis came closest, reaching four under with two to play – but he bogeyed his closing hole, while Levermore played near faultless golf, not dropping a stroke all day.

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Please contact the Pro Shop:

T: 01304 695569 | E: proshop@princesgolfclub.co.uk | W: www.princesgolfclub.co.uk Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9QB

@Princesgolfclub

[14] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

GOODWOOD APPOINTS NEW HONORARY PRESIDENT F

ormer PGA captain Eddie Bullock has been appointed honorary president of Golf At Goodwood.

Bullock, who has recently stepped down from his role as non-executive director at the Sussex-

based resort, boasts a wealth of experience in the business of golf, and has been on the board of directors at Goodwood since 2010.

Lord March, Goodwood's owner, said: “Eddie Bullock has been involved with Golf At

Goodwood for seven years, and has seen the business grow significantly. I am delighted that he has agreed to become honorary president, and in that capacity he will continue to help and guide us to become one of the finest golf

experiences in the UK. We are very grateful to Eddie for all he has done for us and much look forward to his continued involvement at Goodwood in his new role.”

Bullock said: “Among the many advisory and supporting roles that I have done, this is undoubtedly the most prestigious. It was a great honour when Lord March invited me to become honorary president, and it is my aim to help Goodwood sustain its popularity, continue to evolve the playing experience, and to make golf more attractive to a broader range of people. We want to back up our claims of being female- and junior-friendly with real experiences, and make the place feel like a truly welcoming club for families.

Goodwood feels like a part of my DNA, and I am passionate about seeing the club grow.”

Stuart Gillett, general manager of Golf and Leisure at Goodwood said: “Eddie has been instrumental in helping drive the vision of the club forward. His desire to keep improving service standards is second to none, and with his experience within golf, he has helped us forge a wonderful partnership that has arguably led to Golf At Goodwood being one of the best success stories within golf over the last five years.

“From a personal point of view, Eddie has helped me build a great team, and we are both extremely proud of the progression the likes of Amy Yeates and Chris Fitt have had in their careers after time spent working at Goodwood.”

GOLF CLUB ISSUES HEALTH WARNING OVER BLACKFLY

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BOUNDARY LAKES PREPARES FOR LIFT OFF

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olfers in the south of England can look forward to testing out their games on a brand new course with the imminent opening of Boundary Lakes Golf Club in Hampshire.

The 18-hole, par-69 parkland course, which is located next to the Ageas Bowl, Hampshire County Cricket club’s home ground, is set to open in July.

The club opened up a ballot for the five- and seven-day memberships earlier in the year, the result of which was announced at the end of February. Both categories are now full, with those people who were unsuccessful in the ballot now on a waiting list. There are currently a limited number of places still available for students and juniors.

The 5,816-yard course, part of which was redesigned from a pre-existing 9-hole layout, features four lakes, with the par-3 second being one of the signature holes, having been inspired by 12th at Augusta, with a large pond fronting the green.

In addition to a short game and putting practice area, the club’s off-course facilities, including changing rooms, pro shop, bar, golf restaurant and clubhouse, will all be housed within the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl Hotel, which features 171 bedrooms, a spa, Beefy’s restaurant and the Lakeview sports bar.

The club has appointed PGA Professional Shaun Hall, who was previously at Botley Park, as head professional.

DJ TREVOR TEES OFF SHIRE’S 10-YEAR CELEBRATIONS

from Nelson’s latest albums are pumped out across the fairways, while there is an oncourse barbeque and regular beer tent stops.

“Everything about my event is laidback, so feel free to come along dressed to impress,” said the four-time MOBO Best DJ award winner, who has a home just ten minutes away from The Shire London. “Other than golf shoes and a collared shirt, competitors are free to wear whatever they like – the jazzier the better!”

The following day, July 1, the club is hosting a special members invitational event, where members can invite a guest, enjoy Champagne and a meal, and compete in a tournament with prizes – all for free.

“Ten years after we opened in July 2007, we are very happy with the reputation which The Shire London has earned,” said founder Tony

T

he Shire London is celebrating its tenth anniversary this summer with the staging of a number of special events on its Seve Ballesteros-designed course.

First up, on June 30, is the Trevor Nelson Swing 4 golf day, the fourth year running in which the club has hosted the DJ’s midsummer golf party.

The event sees teams of four amateurs competing over 18 holes in a shotgun start, with all players receiving gift bags from Nelson, who also hosts the prize giving. Tunes

Herefordshire golf club has issued a warning to golfers about one of the most common insects in the UK, after a man lost his memory following a bite.

The blackfly, also known as the ‘Blandford fly’ among other names, is prevalent in the UK, and recently a man in Herefordshire was bitten by one and then developed encephalitis and lost his long-term memory.

In response, Burghill Valley Golf Club has sent out an email to make all golfers aware of the implications of playing golf in shorts and short trousers – especially during the summer months.

The email said: “The effects of being bitten by a Blandford fly can result in serious swelling of legs, and, if you are allergic to the flies, can result in stomach cramps, inability to stomach food or water, which will then result in a visit to A&E. Blandford fly bites are usually most common during May and ■ BLACK FLIES CAN DELIVER June. They often occur on the legs and are very painful. They can A PAINFUL STING

produce a severe, localised reaction around the area of the bite.”

The insect mainly bites during those two months, and often lives near rivers or streams. Bites usually clear up within several hours, but if the area around the bite becomes swollen, sufferers are urged to seek medical advice. The email from the golf club recommends cleaning any bites with soap and water, and then using creams that contain camomile lotion, steroid or anaesthetic.

The tiny bug used to be found only in streams in rural southern England but in recent years has moved all across the UK. They are particularly active during periods of warm and wet weather, have a preference for human blood, and usually target legs and ankles.

In 2010 Ian Poulter pulled out of the French Open when a blackfly bite on his shin became infected.

■ TREVOR NELSON

Menai-Davis, who started building the club in the early 2000s, shortly after Ballesteros agreed to come on board as course designer.

“The July 1 event is our heartfelt thank you to our wonderful, loyal members who breathe life and soul every day of the year into The Shire. Seve would have been proud of what the club has become, and we all feel his enormous presence here at the club every day.”

Menai-Davis added: “It has been a huge team effort, certainly by my family, but also by our hard-working staff at both The Shire and at our other venue, the West London Golf Centre. We are all proud to reach our 10th anniversary with both venues in such a vibrant state, and I promise that we have plenty of great surprises in store for golfers around London in the next ten years, too.”

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[16] JUNE 2017 | COURSE REVIEW

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COURSE REVIEW

STOKE PARK COUNTRY CLUB, SPA & HOTEL, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Following the reopening of its renovated Colt/Alison course, there has never been a better time to discover the delights of Stoke Park, one of the country’s leading golf and leisure resorts, writes Nick Bayly

W

hile Stoke Park is happy to trade on its associations with Goldfinger, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Layer Cake and other less celebrated celluloid classics – anyone remember Wimbledon? – there is so much more to this 300-acre Buckinghamshire estate than merely serving as a picturesque backdrop to the acting careers of Sean Connery, Hugh Grant and Daniel Craig.

While it’s easy to see why the imposing white Palladian mansion has captured the imagination of many a film location manager, Stoke Park’s attractions these days are built around more leisurely pursuits, with a 27-hole golf course, 13 tennis courts, a state-of-the-art spa and gym complex, and a 49-bedroom 5 AA Red Star luxury hotel among a vast range of facilities with which to happily pass your time on this earth.

Widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern country club within these shores, the golfing element of Stoke Park dates back to 1908, when Stoke Park’s new property developer owner, Nick Lane Jackson, employed legendary architect Harry Colt, along with Alister Mackenzie and Charles Alison, to transform 300 acres of mid-19th century Capability Brown parkland into a golfing oasis some 20 miles west of Hyde Park Corner.

The course was officially opened in great style in 1909 when James Braid, JH Taylor, Arnaud Massy and the club’s newly appointed professional, James Sherlock, played in an exhibition match.

Post-war the course operated with 18 holes, with the Colt and Alison nine-hole loops, it wasn’t until 1998 that a third nine, the Lane Jackson, was opened to increase tee time availability for the club’s growing membership.

Fast forward to 2017, and the club continues to enjoy a sizeable and loyal following among the well-heeled local community, with its relaxed country club feel quite exceptional among the UK’s elite clubs. Named the UK golf’s ‘Ultimate Members Club’ at the 2015 59Club Service Excellence Awards, Stoke Park

has never been one to rest on its laurels, however, and is currently twothirds of the way into a three-year renovation of its golf offering that will enhance the beauty and playability of what is already one of the best parkland venues in the country.

Last year saw the re-opening of the Colt course (holes 1-9 on the scorecard) following an eight-month bunker-remodelling programme, while April saw the unveiling of the new-look Alison course (holes 10-18), which has undergone similar treatment. The same works will be carried out on the Lane Jackson nine (holes 19-29) next winter, ensuring that will continue to be a full 18 holes to play for members and guests at all times.

It was quite a bold move to make such a dramatic and costly alteration to such a cherished design, but Stoke Park’s owners, the King family, have never been afraid to make investments when needs must, and after more than a century of wear and tear, it was readily apparent to even the most ardent fan that the course needed a spruce up in order to justify its lofty green fees and annual membership.

Leicester-based contractor John Greasley was appointed to handle the works, under the supervision of

■ THE PAR-3 11TH ON THE ALISON COURSE

Stoke Park’s Director of Golf, Stuart Collier, and estate director Alex Millar, and give or take few weather issues, the renovations have so far been carried out without too many major hiccups. Among the key investments was the introduction of a new bunker liner called HyLine, which is designed to eliminate stone contamination, a perennial issue in this part of the world, which is largely clay. The new bunkers have also been fitted with state-of-the-art drainage, ensuring they never flood, even during the heaviest of downpours.

With the two favoured nine-hole loops now completed, and the Lane Jackson also open for play up until the beginning of the winter, Stoke Park is very much back in business this summer. The result of the renovations to date is a joy to behold, with bunkers much more visible from the tee and on approaches to greens, while the strategy required to the play the Colt/Alison course has been shaken up significantly.

There’s no doubt that they had some solid foundations to build on, as Harry Colt did some of his finest work at Stoke Park, creating a course that gently ripples through the landscape, with generous treelined fairways and subtle changes in elevation ensuring golfers are kept

■ LOOKING BACK FROM BEHIND THE FIRST GREEN TOWARDS STOKE PARK'S ICONIC MANSION HOUSE

■ THE PAR-FOUR 10TH HOLE ON THE ALISON COURSE

on their mettle from beginning to end.

The scale of the bunker renovations hits you between the eyes from the off. Standing on the tee of the par-five first, all you can see is a gleaming wall of sand. There is a fairway out there somewhere, but your ball needs to plot a careful course all the way up to the flag to avoid your having to reach for a sand wedge. Large, deep and clover-shaped, these traps are not to be trifled with.

The theme of trees and sand continues as you progress through the round. After the short par-four second, the third is a 195-yard uphill par three, which requires a crisply struck hybrid to get it anywhere close, while a fearsome line of three bunkers will catch anything hit short right. The 460-yard fourth is a long and challenging par four that always lives up to its stroke one index – get out of place off the tee, or find the bunker on the corner of the dogleg, and you will struggle to make a five or six, while a four will seem like a victory.

The fifth is a 525-yard dogleg par five which again has bunkers placed at all the awkward distances – whether you are laying up or going for the green. The par-four sixth is another hole that from the tee presents a fairway that looks more like a sandpit, but a good drive

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

COURSE REVIEW | JUNE 2017

[17]

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down the left side will reward you with an uphill pitch to a heavily-tilted green.

One of the highlights of the Colt loop is undoubtedly the magnificent seventh, a 172-yard par three which was the inspiration for the original 16th at Augusta before the latter was amended in the 1940s to the hole we know today.

With a stream running along the entire right hand side of the green, and two greedy bunkers ready to gather up those who try to bail out too far left, it’s a deceptively small target to aim at, especially when the pin is placed back right. A par here always feels like a cause for celebration.

The Colt nine finishes off with the 8th, a short uphill par four which has plenty of bunkers to keep you honest, while the 9th is a 440-yard uphill par four with a blind tee shot that turns gently towards the clubhouse, or a well-earned bacon sandwich in the popular half-way hut, before the challenges of the Alison nine.

Measuring 300 yards shorter than the Colt, the Alison loop gets off to a gentle start at the short par-four 10th, but the challenge soon elevates, with the par-three 11th played over water to a sloping green protected by traps left and right, while the 12th is a 430-yard uphill par four that is also heavily guarded by sand, with a line of trees attracting anything pushed left off the tee. The 490-yard par-five 13th presents a birdie chance for long hitters, while the 14th is a long two-shotter that plays directly back towards the iconic clubhouse.

The new bunkering makes the short 15th seem a much more daunting prospect, and it is if you come up short or go long, while the 16th, a par four played alongside a lake, is one of the most picturesque on the entire course, with its green perched precariously close to the water.

The par-four 17th is where Oddjob

■ THE PAR-THREE 7TH ON THE COLT COURSE, WHICH PROVIDED THE INSPIRATION FOR THE 16TH AT AUGUSTA, REMAINS STOKE PARK'S SIGNATURE HOLE

found Blofeld’s ball in the left-hand rough by depositing it down his trouser leg. I thought about doing the same after my ball disappeared into the woods, but my inner Bond got the better of me and I played a provisional.

The last on the Alison is a strong finishing hole played in the shadow of the mansion, with a gully running down the left side and bunkers right.

It’s a semi-blind tee shot, while the approach plays to a green that is heavily sloped from left to right.

MEMBERS HAVE BEEN UNIVERSALLY POSITIVE IN THEIR APPROVAL OF THE RENOVATIONS, AND THEY, IN TURN, HAVE BEEN REWARDED FOR THEIR PATIENCE WITH A NEW-LOOK COURSE THAT CAN JUSTIFIABLY CLAIM TO BEING ONE OF THE BEST PARKLAND COURSES IN THE COUNTRY

Members have been universally positive in their approval of the renovations, and they, in turn, have been rewarded for their patience with a new-look course that can justifiably claim to be one of the best parkland courses in the country.

In addition to the seven-day membership, Stoke Park also offers an Academy membership. Launched in 2006, it gives new golfers over the age of 25 the opportunity to develop their game at the club using the Lane Jackson course, practice facilities – which includes a full-length driving range, an indoor swing studio, two short game areas and a putting green – and access to the club’s teaching professionals. Limited to three years, and designed to act as a springboard to full membership, academy membership also helps newcomers learn the rules and etiquette of the game, while roll-ups take place on a Saturdays, providing the opportunity to play nine holes with fellow members in a fun and

relaxed environment.

In addition to the golf offering, Stoke Park is also very big on tennis.

If your backhand needs brushing up, the indoor tennis courts boast PlaySight's Smart Court System, which records ball speeds, mileage and calories burned, while there are six Wimbledon-standard outdoor grass courts, which are shortly to host the popular Boodles tournament, which traditionally attracts many of the world’s top players ahead of their appearances at SW19.

The magnificent indoor swimming pool located in the Pavilion features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Spa gardens with its newly installed outdoor hot tub and Scandinavian sauna, while the spa offers a multitude of treatments and therapies, as well as a state-of-theart gym.

Members and guests are spoilt for dining options, including the awardwinning Humphry's restaurant, where chef Chris Wheeler serves modern British cuisine and the best Sunday lunch around, while the Orangery offers all-day dining, as does the Italian restaurant, San Marco, in the Pavilion.

For overnight stays, guests can choose from the four-poster, perioddetailed rooms in the main house – where Hugh Grant and Renée Zellweger got it on in Bridget Jones’s Diary – to the more contemporarystyled rooms over at the Pavilion, where white walls, state-of-the-art sound systems, pop art prints, and LED mood lighting make for a refreshing change from traditional fusty five-star retreats.

That, in a nutshell, is what Stoke Park is all about these days. Delivering five-star hospitality in a relaxed and welcoming family environment.

[18] JUNE 2017 | FEATURE

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

WHY AN ARTIFICIAL PUTTING GREEN IS A MUST FOR ALL GOLFERS Costing as little as £2,000, all golfers should consider installing a Home Golf Design putting & chipping green

T

hanks to the UK’s shockingly inconsistent weather, keeping a lawn looking tidy at any time of the year is a tough job, and even when it does resemble the Centre Court at Wimbledon, grass is just, well, grass at the end of the day, and good for very little except looking at, interspersed with the tiresome jobs of weeding and cutting.

Which is why more and more people are choosing to give up the national obsession with firing up the Flymo every Sunday afternoon in favour of pulling out the putter for a spot of practice on the latest generation of artificial greens.

While a high percentage of Tour players have converted their enormous estates into full-scale replicas of the greens at Augusta, there are also plenty of regular golfers that are choosing to dig up

their smaller domestic lawns and replace them with something altogether more interesting to look at and fun to play on.

Thanks to massive leaps in technology, the current ‘crop’ of artificial golf greens is far removed from the stuff you used to see behind the fruit and veg in your local greengrocers, and more akin to the carpetlike putting surfaces you’ll find on a championship golf course.

And while a tour-standard setup can be expensive, a more simple design, featuring a few carefully constructed holes, can be an affordable, yet equally effective option, for the amateur golfer.

This is the type of customer that Home Golf Designs is currently working with to fulfill their domestic dream layouts. Set up ten years ago by experienced greenkeeper Andy Brown, who enjoyed spells at Nizels and Croham Hurst, Kent-based Home Golf Greens aims to

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

HOME GOLF DESIGN CLIENT TESTIMONIALS “I LOVE PRACTISING ON MY HOME GOLF DESIGN GREEN, THANKS SO MUCH” ANDY SULLIVAN, EUROPEAN TOUR PLAYER

“BRILLIANT! A SHADY SPOT WITH NO GRASS HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A GOLFERS’ PARADISE!”

“CLEAN AND PROFESSIONAL. NOT ONLY CAN I HONE MY GAME AT HOME, BUT IT'S GREAT FUN WHEN WE HAVE FRIENDS AROUND”

“POLITE, FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL. MY SON IS OUT THERE ALL HOURS PRACTISING AND PLAYING WITH HIS FRIENDS”

MR K.WANG, WOKING

MR L.SCOTT, BEXLEY

MR N.BULGIN, CHIDDINGSTONE

meet the needs of the keen golfer looking to sharpen up their short game skills in the comfort of their own home.

Rather than driving to their local club every time they want to put in a bit of work on their lag putting or greenside chipping, owners of a Home Golf Design green can simply open the back door and, hey presto, they’re on the first hole and sinking putts for fun.

One of Home Golf Design’s earliest customers was three-time European Tour winner Andy Sullivan, who had a three-hole course built in his back garden in the Midlands. While the company can’t take full responsibility for Sullivan’s impressive performances on tour, having somewhere to practise his putting stroke at home clearly hasn’t harmed his form on the greens as he builds towards a potential Ryder Cup debut this autumn.

“While it’s nice to work with tour players, and those with sizeable budgets, most of our projects are on a much smaller scale, where customers are looking for a few straightforward holes to practise on,” says Brown. “But no matter how big or small the project is, our attention to detail is exactly the same. We work closely with the client through every step of the process to make sure they get exactly what they want, and work within their budgets to achieve their ambitions.”

The son of a golf professional, and with experience as a greenkeeper, Brown prides himself on knowing the demands golfers have when it comes to replicating greens, as well as what is required to landscape holes into a domestic setting, where greens are often competing with the other requirements of a traditional garden.

“Home owners don’t want a green just to be simply plonked down in the back garden,” says Brown. “So we work closely with the client to make sure it blends in with what is already there, and, if required, carry out sympathetic landscaping to ensure that it doesn’t dominate the setting.”

Often taking less than a week to install, and requiring next to no maintenance, other than brushing off the leaves in autumn, a Home Golf Design green is a great addition to any golfer’s garden. And with chipping-length surfaces and custom-designed bunkers available to surround the putting green, as well as full-size practice driving nets, golfers can work on all aspects of their game at any time of year.

So whether you’re looking to win next year’s club championship, set your children on the road to Open glory, smarten up your golf club, or simply want to have somewhere to challenge your mates to a few holes over a drink, a Home Golf Design putting green should be your very next step.

For more details on Home Golf Design's range of artificial greens, or to book a site visit, call freephone 07885 673258, email info@homegolfdesigns.co.uk or visit www.homegolfdesigns.co.uk For the latest projects, follow Home Golf Designs on Twitter @homegolfdesigns

[20] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

■ MUSIC PRODUCER GLYN JOHNS PLAYED WITH LUKE DONALD

■ RYAN GIGGS SIGNS AUTOGRAPHS FOR FANS YOUNG AND OLD

■ HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES : IAN WRIGHT WAS IN A COMPETITIVE MOOD

■ IT'S BAD NEWS FOR BBC BREAKFAST PRESENTER NAGA MUNCHETTY

STARS COME OUT TO PLAY

THE PGA

This year’s BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am attracted a veritable Who’s Who of celebrities drawn from the world of sport, stage and screen, and was watched by a record-breaking crowd of over 19,000 fans

■ IT'S SELFIE TIME FOR STRICTLY STAR ANTON DU BEKE

■ RONAN KEATING RECORDED HIS SCORES ON HIS ARMS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NEWS | JUNE 2017

■ ACTOR DAMIAN LEWIS THANKFULLY DIDN'T TAKE BILLIONS OF SHOTS

[21]

■ GIANFRANCO ZOLA TEES OFF IN COMPANY WITH GIANLUCA VIALLI

■ JAMIE REDKNAPP, ROBBIE FOWLER,

THOMAS BJORN AND KENNY DALGLISH

■ JODIE KIDD ■ WHO ARE YOU CALLING CHICKEN?

JUSTIN ROSE AND FORMER WESTLIFE BAND MEMBER BRIAN MCFADDEN GET FUNKY

■ IAN WRIGHT TEES OFF ON 14 ■ VERNON KAY

■ MIXED EMOTIONS: ACTOR DOUGRAY SCOTT SEEMS

LESS EXCITED THAN PLAYING PARTNER HENRIK STENSON

■ BIG HITTERS: ERNIE ELS TEAMED UP WITH CRICKETERS KEVIN PIETERSEN AND BRIAN LARA

■ DIGGING DEEP: STEVE REDGRAVE FINDS TROUBLE

[22] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

WOODMAN RETAINS KNOLE PARK HONOURS East Berkshire’s Guy Woodman shot a sizzling 64 to retain his title at the Knole Park Pro-Am, taking home a handy £850 for his winning round of six under par. Woodman made seven birdies in his first 14 holes, and although he dropped a shot at his 15th hole, he bounced straight back with a birdie at the next and two more pars were good enough to retain the title he won last year. Lee-on-the-Solent’s James Ablett took second place with a 66, while Bob Cameron’s 67 was enough for third.

ALL SMILES FOR MILES Matt Miles recorded his debut victory on The PGA in Hampshire circuit when firing a five-under-par 66 to win the Hockley Pro-Am by a shot from James Ablett. The 27-year-old former Royal Winchester pro, who now works for custom-fitting operation Golf Principles in Basingstoke, bagged four birdies on the back nine to take the title and the £700 first prize.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

LINDLEY RELISHES ROLE AS ENGLAND’S LONGEST-SERVING CLUB MEMBER D orset golfer Lindley Baker has claimed the record as England’s longest-playing golf club member after racking up an 80-year membership of Lyme Regis Golf Club.

The record was previously held by Geoffrey Crosskill, who played at the Eaton Golf Club in Norwich for 82 years. Mr Crosskill died in December last year aged 94. The longestplaying member of a Scottish club is Willie Cuthbert, aged 102, who joined the Kirkintilloch Golf Club 91 years ago. Mr Cuthbert is still a member of the club, and plays up to two rounds a year.

During his record time playing the scenic cliff-top course, 97-year-old Baker, who still plays at least once a week, is estimated to played more than 330,000 shots – two of which resulted in hole-in-ones. When he joined the club in 1937, the subscription fee was three guineas (£3.15) – the equivalent of £197 in today’s money. The cost of seven-day membership for 2017 is £825, with the green fee set at £45.

Lindley, who worked in the family hairdressing business in Lyme Regis after he left school, joined the club as a teenager, along with his younger brother Ron.

STUBBS CLAIMS BB&O COLTS TITLE Alex Stubbs won the BB&O Colts title after shooting 70 and 66 for a fourunder-par total of 136 at Huntercombe.

The plus-one handicapper from The Oxfordshire finished four strokes clear of Charlie Herbert (Harewood Downs), with Taylor Paul (Stoke Park) in third on countback. The handicap competition was won by Will Tate (Caverhsam Heath), whose 132 total secured him the Busby Bowl. Fraser Bown (Maidenhead) won the morning scratch with a 70, while Phil Williams (Buckinghamshire) won the afternoon scratch with a 68.

■ LINDLEY BAKER: STILL SWINGING AT 97

GOLF TRUST CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

“At that time you could only become an adult member if you were 21, and you could only become a junior member if someone in your family was a full member,” recalled Baker. “But the club secretary of the time, Stephen Pocock, said he could bend the rules, so he put me in as a full member and Ron, who was two years younger, joined as my junior.” “‘Very few of the members were what you would call tradesmen like us, they were mainly middle class, many retired, and a good sprinkling of ex-officers in the military.

We were much younger than anyone else, but the other members were very tolerant. We had no car, so Ron and I would either catch the bus to the course, or more usually walk up. As we became more recognised at the club, occasionally one of the older members would give us a lift.”

Although walking steeply uphill from the town centre to the club, which is 640ft above sea level, would try even the legs of teenagers, at least Baker was not weighed down with a full set of clubs – as he started playing with only three. “I had a two-wood, a putter and a three-iron, and Ron had a four-iron and a putter. George Hoare, who was the pro at Lyme, fitted us out with the clubs. They were steelshafted “we never played with hickory shafts, even back then," he recalled.

The golf club was requisitioned for the war effort between 1939-45, when the brothers served in the Home Guard, but after serving in India, Baker returned to the club in the late 1940s and resumed his golfing career, getting his handicap down to eight in the mid-1950s. Looking back on his golfing heydays, he said: “My best ever score on the Lyme course was 73. I mainly played off a 12 handicap and that crept up as the years went on. I was club captain in 1985, but I stopped playing in competitions five years ago, because I was getting slow, and there is nothing more annoying than a slow player."

He added: ““I’d like to remain playing for as long as I can, especially next year, when the club marks its 125th anniversary – although my primary ambition is to be still playing with my wife, Daphne, in 2019, as that will be our diamond wedding anniversary.”

2017 Society Golf at The Weald

charity set up by the owner of The Shire London Golf Club to promote inclusivity in golf has achieved official registration with the Charity Commission.

The Golf Trust was established in 2012 at The Shire by Cae Menai-Davis and Frank Harrington with the aim of breaking down the traditional barriers to golf participation, whether financial, physical, mental or geographical.

It first made news in 2012, when it united multiple organisations for a disabled golf event at The Shire. Since then, the Golf Trust has been delivering community golf

GOLFSIXES SET FOR SUMMER ROLL OUT AT UK CLUBS

T

he GolfSixes tournament, which saw fireworks, music, a shot clock and top golfers competing over six holes of golf, is to be rolled out to a selection of golf clubs throughout the UK over the summer.

The Golf Foundation has reported that the event at Centurion Club last month will result in local children showcasing how this dynamic team format can help grow the junior game in many of our golf clubs – and will see 32 English golf clubs launching an

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NEWS | JUNE 2017

■ CAE MENAI-DAVIES VISITED GRENADA TO SEE THE GOLF TRUST'S WORK IN ACTION

initiatives in a range of activities which have taken golf’s message into many new areas. Over the last five years the Trust has engaged with over 200,000 people – almost all complete newcomers to the sport – for a minimum of four hours’ golf coaching both in the UK and in Grenada, where it works with the Jason Roberts Foundation. Other notable landmarks have seen over 40,000 nine 13-year-old British

academy based on the tournament over the coming months.

On the eve of the professional tournament the charity staged its own junior GolfSixes team event in St Albans, where tour players, including Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and Lucas Bjerregaard - who went on to win the main event – and losing finalist Scott Hend and Sam Brezel from Australia, agreed to captain four teams of five boys and girls from local schools.

It was so successful that the Golf Foundation has announced that it will be piloting ‘GolfSixes Academy’ events in 32 clubs around England over the summer, employing the European Tour’s GolfSixes branding.

Funded by Sport England, promising new young golfers will

schoolgirls competing in its 2016 Golf’s Golf Talent event, over 50,000 disabled individuals being given at least four hours of golf lessons, and the training of over 250 coaches to deliver the Golf Trust’s outreach programmes in schools and community groups.

Talking about the Golf Trust’s new registered charity status, Cae MenaiDavis said: “We’ve worked hard for five years to achieve this, but the

work is worth it when you see the outcome. We are about much more than golf. In a way, golf skills are the secondary outcome. We see people feeling better about themselves, forming new connections, and getting active again. These are great outcomes – the ones we most look for, in fact.”

He continued: “We often deliver golf where you can’t see it. Golf doesn’t need to happen on a golf course, although we’ve created a non-intimidating pathway for newcomers to visit a traditional golf club should they wish to.”

The Golf Trust UK Disabled Open, which returns on July 24, has become the country’s largest annual pan-disability golf event, attracting competitors from Special Olympics GB, the Disabled Golf Association, the Blind Golf Association, the English Deaf Golf Association, HandiGolf and other specialist associations.

■ LGOLFSIXES IS TO ROLLED OUT TO 32 CLUBS ACROSS ENGLAND

represent their clubs in a league against other clubs while kitted out in team shirts. All of the clubs involved operate the Golf Foundation’s HSBC Golf Roots programme that helps young people to ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in golf. Brendon Pyle, chief executive of the Golf Foundation,

said: “GolfSixes, with its team formats and kit, Texas scramble shot-making for the kids and the family involvement, will be a great addition to our support for clubs, and we are hugely grateful to the European Tour for allowing us to embrace the GolfSixes brand.”

[23]

CELTIC MANOR TO HOST CELEBRITY CUP FREEMAN COMES OF AGE

S

tars of sport, screen and stage will be descending on Celtic Manor next month for the return of the Celebrity Cup, which tees off at the Ryder Cup venue from July 1-2.

Mixing golf with glamour, the Celebrity Cup is now in its fifth year, with the aim to raise money for the Marie Keating Foundation, the charity set up in honour of Ronan Keating’s mother to promote cancer awareness and the importance of early detection.

Some of the famous faces taking to the course at this year’s tournament, which features team representing the four home nations, include Rob Brydon, Gethin Jones, Jonathan Davies, and Craig Bellamy, who will be hoping to hit a hole-in-one on home turf for Wales; boyband legends Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden will be aiming to score an ace for Ireland; film and television actor James Nesbitt, rugby superstars Greig Laidlaw, Thom Evans and Max Evans are teeing it up for last year’s winners, Scotland; while TV personalities Denise Van Outen, Anton Du Beke, Ben Shephard and Bradley Walsh will be pitching in for England.

There will be live music and food and bar outlets in the tented village, as well as a Kids Zone. Tickets are £22 for adults, £16 for seniors and £5 for U16s.

For tickets, visit celtic-manor.com.

Stoke Park’s Kevin Freeman won the BB&O’s Mid Age Championship after compiling rounds of 69 and 71 at The Oxfordshire. His 141 total saw him finish two shot ahead of William Kendall (Denham), with Austin Siggers (Studley Wood) in third. Dave Williams (Caversham Heath) won the net with a combined score of 141, which was good enough to win by three strokes from Paul Jones (Downshire).

KNIPES CAPTURES ESSEX AMATEUR Curtis Knipes won the Essex Amateur Championship with rounds of 66, 68, 69 and 68 at Stoke-By Nayland. The Abridge player’s 13-under-par total took him three shots clear of the chasing pack, led by Aaron Edwards-Hill (Chelmsford), with Jack Dyer (Rochford Hundred) two shorts further back in third. Knipes also won the Jubilee Trophy for the best score by an under-21 player, and he combined with Jamie Richards to win the team event with a combined score of five under par. This will take the pair to the English Championship Club Event in September at East Devon Golf Club, while Knipes will represent Essex in the Champion of Champions event at Woodhall Spa, also in September.

BROWN BAGS BONALLACK TROPHY Three-handicapper Jack Brown carded rounds of 69 and 73 to Michael Bonallack Trophy held at Thorpe Hall Golf Club in Essex. The Chelmsford player’s level-par effort saw him finish two shots ahead of Alex Woodward (Boyce Hill) with James Mack (Stoke by Nayland) taking third on countback.

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[24] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

SURBITON GOLF CLUB AN OASIS IN THE SUBURBS OF LONDON

Situated in the leafy suburbs of South London, and boasting panoramic views over the Surrey countryside and Hampton Court Palace, Surbiton Golf Club is steeped in history, yet is the very epitome of a modern, forward-thinking members’ club.

G

olf has been played at Surbiton since the late 1890s, and today the club proudly boasts a vibrant, mixed membership, with a superb parkland course that is always presented in superb condition, thanks to the skill of its staff, the use of modern course management techniques, the latest equipment, and continuous investment.

Located just a short drive from the A3 and M25, the club enjoys a sizeable catchment area, with members and visitors travelling from all over the region to play the excellent 6,056-yard course.

THE COURSE Designed by Tom Dunn – a prolific architect of the late Victorian era – the 18hole, par-70 course has been delivering a surprising test since 1895. Although short by modern standards, narrow fairways, small greens, plenty of mature trees and changes in elevation ensure that is challenging for all levels of golfer. The interesting layout offers loops of four, eight and 10 holes, and provides the perfect setup for people who need to fit golf into a busy schedule, as playing the full 18 never takes more than three hours.

The club has recently completed a three-year course development plan, which saw over £600,000 spent on improved drainage and a bunker renovation project, the latter of which involved the installation of the latest in bunker blinders to ensure year-round play. Helped by a £45,000 investment in new machinery, the course has reached new heights in terms of both its conditioning and playability.

■ SURBITON'S 6,000 YARD LAYOUT IS PERFECT FOR GOLFERS LOOKING FOR A QUICK ROUND

THE CLUBHOUSE

MEMBERSHIP Surbiton is a vibrant, inclusive golf club in every respect. There is often in excess of 150 members competing in the monthly medal competitions, and the club has very active participation from juniors to veterans, and popular roll ups throughout the week.

The club offers a variety of membership options, with the majority being either seven- or five-day categories. The Intermediate category offers two levels of membership based on age (19-24 and 25-29), and is a thriving section of the club. The ladies’ section meets for a mixture of friendly and competitive games every Tuesday morning and has a well organised schedule of weekend events for

working women. Members enjoy representing the club in matches against local clubs, including the Waffrons League and Surrey 5’s, through to the more social and traditional inter-club fixtures. As part of the 1895 Club, Surbiton members enjoy reciprocal green fee arrangements with 46 clubs throughout England and internationally.

Visitors, societies and prospective new members are always given a warm welcome at Surbiton Golf Club.

■ THE COURSE HAS BENEFITTED FROM SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN RECENT YEARS

With or without golf, the friendly atmosphere of the clubhouse is sure to please all members and visitors alike. Boasting picturesque views of the large double green of the 8th and 18th holes, the dining room and lounge bar provide the perfect location for a relaxing bite to eat.

The 19th spike lounge is also often full of members reviewing their recent rounds. The more formal Dai Rees room is available for private hire and corporate events. There is a full calendar of social events, ranging from popular Sunday lunches, sell-out quiz nights and murder mystery events, through to tribute nights and club presentation evenings.

ACADEMY For those who are still learning to play, Surbiton offers an academy membership, which is the perfect way to progress to unlimited membership. Available for one year, it includes monthly lessons with a PGA qualified teaching professional, use of the clubhouse and practice facilities, and access to the course at designated times following a confirmation of competency.

FOR DETAILS OF THE LATEST MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, GREEN FEES RATES AND SOCIETY PACKAGES, PLEASE CONTACT THE CLUB SECRETARY, CLINT WHITTAKER, ON 020 8398 3101 OR EMAIL ENQS@SURBITONGOLFCLUB.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.SURBITONGOLFCLUB.COM

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NEWS | JUNE 2017 [25]

SLINFOLD OPENS NEW ACADEMY COURSE

S

linfold Golf & Country Club officially unveiled a new par-three course at a special family fun day held at the Horsham-based venue last month.

Watched by a crowd of members, the honour of the first tee shot on the new Academy Course went to the club’s head greenkeeper, Dan Saunders, who, along with his team, has worked tirelessly to open the nine-hole layout, which has undergone a major renovation over the last two years.

The opening day featured a fun-filled schedule of activities specifically aimed at youngsters and those looking to try the sport for the first time. The club’s two golf pros, David Dorans and Joao Pedro Carvalhosa from MY Golf Academy, were on hand to give advice and coaching, while there was a free barbeque and a competition to win a year’s junior membership.

The new course, which is located at the entrance to the club, boasts two established lakes, and is challenging enough to provide more experienced golfers with a place to sharpen up their short game, as well as give newcomers a gentler introduction than that offered by the club’s existing 18-hole layout. The first five holes opened to members last summer, while the remaining four holes have just opened this month.

Slinfold general manager Luke Blacker said: "This is a fun and challenging test of golf, and is ideal for any golfer that is short on time, or wishes to have a practice before a full game on the 18 hole course. Our greenkeeping team should be proud of themselves. All their hard work has paid dividends and produced a great course."

The Academy Course is available for members and visitors.

To book a tee time, visit 01403 791154.

■ SLINFOLD MANAGER LUKE BLACKER AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW COURSE

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service of thanksgiving was held for former Ryder Cup

player, European Tour official and respected coach John Jacobs at Winchester Cathedral on May 22.

Over 500 people, including many past and current European Tour players, attended the memorial service.

Personal tributes were paid by Peter Alliss, John O’Leary and Butch Harmon, as well as Barrie Ashworth, golf commentator Ewen Murray, and former European Tour chief executive Ken Schofield, along with a video tribute, which included

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comments from Jack Nicklaus and José Marie Olazabal.

Jacobs’s daughter Jo played a piano rendition of Danny Boy, one of his favourites songs, and his son Jon made a moving personal tribute to his father.

After the ceremony, refreshments were served in a large marquee to the side of the cathedral.

Ambition. Unleashed.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

[26] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

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COTTESMORE OPENS NEW SWING STUDIO C

ottesmore Golf & Country Club has teed off the new golfing season with a host of off-course investments to match the money spent on the 27-hole course in recent years.

The early part of the season saw a full refurbishment of the golf shop at the Sussex-based venue, allowing treble the amount of retail space for top brands such as FootJoy and Under Armour. While from July, the Foresight Sports simulator technology in the club’s new swing studio will also be in full flow.

General Manager Johnny Porter said: “We are always looking to add more value to our members'

experience at Cottesmore. The investment in the swing studio exemplifies our commitment to enhance our members' and visitors' enjoyment of golf.”

Calum Callan, the club’s Director of Golf, added: “Using Foresight Sports’ technology gives the player and the coach more impact data than any other launch monitor on the market. Adding this indoor facility to the course improvements is making Cottesmore one of the finest golfing establishments in the south.''

Following an extensive upgrade to its 18-hole Phoenix course and 9-hole Griffin course over recent

years, the 27-hole venue has recently seen a five per cent increase in its golf membership numbers, with the health club and tennis courts also proving increasingly popular.

Cottesmore is currently offering unlimited use of the 9-hole course as part of its GolfLite membership, which costs £299 per year.

TRIPLE CROWN AT ROYAL BLACKHEATH

the afternoon. Barham was out in four under par, adding a fifth birdie after the 10th, but his terrific run of form ran dry and four dropped shots on the back nine, offset by two birdies, all added up to a 67.

Also starting at the first, Ingram’s opening ormer European Tour professional Benn nine left him on one over par, but a fine finish Barham shared top prize at the Royal down the home straight, with birdies at the Blackheath Pro-Am with Royal Ashdown Forest’s ■ BENN BARHAM 13th, 15th and 18th left him tied with Barham Jonny Ingram and Pyecombe’s Mark James, after and James, who dropped a shot at the last to share the spoils. the trio fired 67s at the south London course.

Ingram, the 2016 PGA South Assistants' Order of Merit The winning trio edged out the cards of Purley Downs’ champion, said: “It’s great to get my first regional pro-am win.

Matt Rice and Prince’s Charlie Wilson, who both shot 68s to Blackheath was in fantastic condition for May, and the greens share the runners up spot. In the team event, Elliott Owens were as good as ever, but the afternoon downpour made led his Hever Castle team to victory with a terrific score of things quite a lot more challenging. That said, my golf while 15 under par, beating Ingram’s team by one, which in turn it was dry was very average, but when all that rain arrived, it pipped the leading team of Royal Blackheath members and seemed to sharpen up my game!”

Charlie Wilson on a countback over the back nine.

The afternoon rain made for tricky conditions, but didn’t To book your place at Horsham Golf, call 0333 577 2464 seem to slow up the scoring, as all three winners teed off in or email info@my-golf-academy.co.uk.

F

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT PROVIDES KEY TO GOLFING FUTURE

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Parkgate Road, Chelsfield, Kent, BR6 7PX 01959 533793 | lpgc@sencio.org.uk www.lullingstonegolfcourse.co.uk T&Cs: Not in conjunction with any other offer, mid-week rounds only, offer ends 31/08/2017.

survey conducted by the Golf Foundation has highlighted the importance of family involvement in getting youngsters into golf.

Research carried out by Sports Marketing Surveys revealed that over 70% of junior golfers said they would like to play more golf with their parents, while 99% of parents said golf provided a safe environment for their children.

The survey, which questioned parents, juniors, club officials and coaches across England and Wales, also showed 95% of parents believe that golf can teach their children valuable life lessons.

“The results of the survey prove that golf can have a hugely positive impact on a child’s upbringing,” said Brendon Pyle, chief executive of the Golf Foundation.

“We know that we can provide safe environments for children of all ages,

but it was particularly pleasing to see that younger children also have a real appetite to play the sport with their parents.”

He added: “Golf is perhaps the only sport where multiple generations of the same family can play together over decades, and even compete. The fact that 71% of children surveyed expressed a real interest in playing with their parents proves that if clubs can provide an environment in which all ages feel welcome and comfortable, the sport will grow” Juniors said availability of courses and academies, tolerant members, ability to bring friends for free, and varied formats were key to retaining youngsters.

July sees the Golf Foundation

supporting England Golf’s official Family Golf Month; a national campaign targeting family participation through digital advertising and social media during the month.

The Foundation has also made a commitment to distribute HSBC Golf Roots family kit bags to over 300 golf clubs throughout the UK to enable them to offer free taster sessions to families. The bags will include childfriendly, fun-oriented golf equipment, adaptable tee markers, and ideas for playing formats for all generations of families to play together.

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[28] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

WELWYN TO HOST WOMEN TOUR PROS AT INAUGURAL PRO-AM

■ ALISON NICHOLAS WILL BE PLAYING IN THE WELWYN PRO-AM

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THE OXFORDSHIRE HOTEL & GOLF CLUB

VALID JUNE 2017

Green fees from £62.50pp Golf Days from £75pp Golf breaks from £119pp.

Contact 01844278505 or email golfdays@theoxfordshire.com

elwyn Garden City Golf Club is about to launch a pro-am with a difference. It will have the usual 18-hole stroke play team format, but, unlike the vast majority of other local pro-ams, will feature only female professionals.

The pro-am, which is being sponsored by Hemel Hempsteadbased air-conditioning company PACAIR, is due to be staged on September 7. One of the first pros to be signed up was former US Women’s Open champion and past Solheim Cup captain Alison Nicholas. Several other Ladies European Tour players and members of the Ladies European Tour Access Series have also agreed to play.

The pro-am is the brainchild of five-time Welwyn Garden City club champion and current scratch team member Andy Collie, who wanted the club to stage a pro-am, but one that was a bit different from the norm.

“It is something we have been thinking about for a while,” he said.

“Amateurs get plenty of chance to play in pro-ams alongside male club pros, but not with women tour players, which is a shame because male amateurs can relate more to the way women pros play the game.”

He added: “We set out to run a pro-am featuring 22 teams, and it seems to have struck a chord because we’ve already sold more than half the places. It’s going to be great fun for the amateurs, and potentially lucrative for the pros, who are playing for a prize fund of £2,000.”

The day costs £210 for a threeperson team, and involves a 12.30pm shotgun start followed by a BBQ. The prize fund for amateurs is £1,200 and £2,000 for pros, with a £10,000 prize value for a hole-in-one, plus numerous nearest the pin and longest drive prizes.

Golfers with official handicaps who want to take part should contact Welwyn’s club manager David Spring at david@ welwyngardencitygolfclub.co.uk or Andy Collie at andy@abbeybos.co.uk.

SANDFORD SPRINGS HOTEL & GOLF CLUB

2017 Golf Break Rate Thursday Arrival - 2 night 3 round golf break package including 2 course dinner & full English breakfast. £199 per person. Complimentary upgrade to a Superior Room *Prices are based on 2 adults sharing a room, a £30 single supplement applies. Thursday arrival only. Subject to availability Contact 01635 296 800 or email info@sandfordsprings.co.uk

■ STREAMSONG IS THE VENUE FOR THE FLYING CLUB SWINGERS' GRAND FINAL

COMPETITION HOTS UP IN FLYING CLUB SWINGERS’ ‘RACE FOR FLORIDA’

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DALE HILL HOTEL & GOLF CLUB

£35pp Society Offer.

VALID UNTIL 30TH JUNE 2017 Enjoy a cooked English Breakfast, Tea/Coffee, 18 holes on the Ian Woosnam Course & 1 Course Lunch for just £35pp!

Valid June, July & August 2017. Groups of 8 or more. Subject to availability. New bookings only. Limited dates available.

Contact 01580 200112 opt 4 or email abbie@dalehill.co.uk

irgin Atlantic’s online golf league, Flying Club Swingers, is nearly half way through its 14th season, and its members are starting to think about that big Final at Streamsong Resort in Florida this November.

Twenty-two of the spaces are awarded directly through the league leaderboards, but two spaces – one for Europe and one for the Rest of the World – are decided through a series of golf events.

The winner of the US Swingers' day at Maderas Golf Club in San Diego in August will qualify directly for the final, while in the UK the member with the best aggregate score from any two of four UK days will represent Team Europe.

With two of those days now complete, there are several

players in a prime position and dreaming of Florida. Unusually, the two names at the top are husband and wife Andrew and Rebecca Gray.

Both have been long-time members of the Swingers' programme, but have not played in any of the previous team finals, so there’s sure to be some healthy competition in the Gray household this summer.

With the first two days having been played at two of the finest venues in the country – Hankley Common and Wallasey – the summer season is well and truly underway. All four days went on sale in early January and sold out in days, but there are still spaces available for the US day in Southern California.

Further details can be found at www.flyingclubgolfleague.com.

SYED SCOOPS SURREY U18 TITLE

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adam Syed continued his rapid rise up the amateur junior ranks with a stunning success in the Surrey Under 18s' County Championship held at Pyford Golf Club.

The 17 year old from Foxhills, who won last year’s Surrey U16 title,

fired rounds of 71 and 69 for a 36-hole fourunder-par total, to win by one shot from fellow Foxhills’ player Lewis Hinton, with Luke Stock (Tandridge) taking third on countback after both players finished on 141.

Louis Tydeman,

who was the clubhouse leader after a first round 68, finished tenth after slipping to a second round 79.

Past winners of the event include European Tour players Paul Casey, Zane Scotland and Ross McGowan.

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[30] JUNE 2017 | COURSE REVIEW

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

COURSE REVIEW

ORCHARDLEIGH GOLF CLUB, SOMERSET

Set amid spectacular Somerset countryside, Orchardleigh Golf Club’s championship layout offers a serene, yet constantly challenging round, while its stunning manor house provides an ideal spot for luxury stay-and-play breaks

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ocated in the beautiful Somerset countryside, just 10 miles south of Bath outside the town of Frome, the country estate of Orchardleigh – which includes a large Victorian mansion, an island church, boathouse, and 12 character cottages – is the setting for a championship course that was designed in the mid-1990s by former Ryder Cup captain Brian Huggett, in conjunction with Walker Cup legend Peter McEvoy.

The pair constructed a beautiful, yet challenging 6,800-yard, par-72 course, which is set among mature woodland, with water coming into play on no fewer than seven of the 18 holes. The topography of the estate resulted in the 18-hole course being neatly divided between the flatter lands west of the clubhouse, over which the front nine is laid out, while the back nine occupies more undulating terrain. The course boasts maturity well beyond its 25 years, while its USGA-specification greens ensure excellent playing conditions all year round.

The first and second give a gentle start, with the latter a reachable par five for longer hitters. The third is one of the best

par threes you can play, especially from the back tees. Measuring over 220 yards from the tips, the green is guarded front and back left by water, while a run-off area to the right will kick any stray shot down a steep bank. Accuracy is a must throughout the course on its short holes.

The stretch from the fourth through to the seventh provides both birdie chances and a tough par four in the sixth. The seventh is the easiest hole on the course, if you believe the stroke index. However, this tricky par three has water to the right, and trees and sand to the left. The long,

THE COURSE BOASTS MATURITY WELL BEYOND ITS 25 YEARS, WHILE ITS USGASPECIFICATION GREENS ENSURE EXCELLENT PLAYING CONDITIONS ALL YEAR ROUND

■ THE ORCHARDLEIGH ESTATE BOASTS A VICTORIAN MANSION HOTEL AND 12 COTTAGES WHICH ARE AVAILABLE TO RENT

■ ORCHARDLEIGH'S 18-HOLE BEAUTIFUL PARKLAND LAYOUT BOASTS EXCELLENT YEAR-ROUND PLAYING CONDITIONS

narrow green means a pinpoint shot is needed to make your par.

Holes eight and nine run down the boundary of the course, with out-ofbounds on the left of both holes for your tee shot. The ninth, a par five, also has water on the right from the tee, before climbing steeply back up towards the clubhouse. A par here is a good score, with a trick two-tier green making distance control on your third shot of the highest importance.

The back nine is where the course really shows its teeth. The mid-length, par-three 10th has a small green with bunkers left

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

COURSE REVIEW | JUNE 2017

■ GOLFERS CAN STAY IN STYLE AT ORCHARDLEIGH

and right. The 11th, although a short par four, doglegs almost 90 degrees from right to left, with trees stretching the length of the hole on the left. Go too far off the tee and you are blocked by large oak trees on the right. The 12th is a lovely par five. Playing straight downhill and with gorgeous views across the valley, it is an easy birdie chance.

Holes 13 to 15 run through the bottom of the valley and border the course. The 14th is stroke index one. A long sweeping dogleg par five, it will test golfers of all abilities, and walking off the green with two points is always a good result.

The last three holes at Orchardleigh are a very tough test. The uphill par-four 16th has trees down the right and a big drop on the left of the fairway. Hitting the fairway requires an accurate tee shot, and the small, two-tier green means your second shot requires nothing less. The 17th, with its interesting green, split by a large bowl area in the middle, provides little respite before you reach the 18th.

Measuring 460 yards from the back tees, and normally playing into the wind, it’s a strong finishing hole. A good drive will leave you on top of the hill, looking at a green that is guarded by bunkers left

and two ponds to the right. A long iron, or even a fairway wood, second is needed.

Should you find the green, a tricky putt awaits. The green slopes from back to front, with a tier in the middle. Make a par here and you will pick up at least one shot on the field, and head to the clubhouse with a smile on your face.

The clubhouse provides a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere, with a large south-facing patio area proving a lovely spot to sit in the summer and enjoy a pint and a post-round meal.

Following the recent acquisition of the golf club by estate owner Chris Vincent, Orchardleigh now offers a variety of

[31]

exclusive stay-and-play packages, where guests have a choice of staying in the 44-bedroom grand manor house situated 100 yards to the left of the first fairway, or a choice of 12 separate lodges and cottages available to rent around the estate, many of which overlook the golf course, and are ideal for friends or small groups.

Reuniting the golf club and the manor house under the same ownership is set to herald a new period of investment in the former, with the new owner already setting out plans to improve the on- and off-course experiences for members and visitors alike. The menu in the clubhouse has recently been re-launched and food is served until 9pm with the bar open until 11pm.

Cut off from the outside world, yet within 10 miles of the bustling city of Bath, with its excellent shopping and cultural activities, you will find few better locations than Orchardleigh in which to enjoy a relaxing break in one of the West Country’s most hospitable golfing venues.

BOOK YOUR VISIT SUMMER GREEN FEES ARE £25 FOR A WEEKDAY ROUND, AND £32.50 AT WEEKENDS. BUGGIES CAN BE HIRED FOR £15. FOR BOOKINGS CALL 01373 454200, EMAIL INFO@ORCHARDLEIGHGOLF.CO.UK OR VISIT WWW.ORCHARDLEIGHGOLF.CO.UK. FOR ALL ACCOMMODATION ENQUIRIES, VISIT WWW.ORCHARDLEIGH.NET.

[32] JUNE 2017 |COLUMN

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TYRRELL HATTON

Tyrrell has been back-and-forth across the Atlantic on the major trail this month, but is already focusing his attentions on our own Open at Royal Birkdale ■ TYRRELL BAGGED A TOP-30 FINISH AT THE MUCH-IMPROVED WENTWORTH

IT’S BEEN ANOTHER HECTIC MONTH, with a busy week at Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship, followed by my preparations for the US Open, and the tournament itself.

I was really looking forward to competing at Erin Hills, as it was my first US Open, which is always special, but I came away slightly disappointed, not only with my own play, but also with the set up of the course.

I’d seen pictures of Erin Hills, and went out there still expecting it to be a proper US Open kind of test. But after playing a few practice rounds on the Monday and Tuesday, I soon realised that, while it was long and tough, and the rough was pretty brutal in places, it was also a set up that was going to provide plenty of opportunities for birdies.

The fairways were a lot wider than you’d normally see at a US Open, and the rain had really softened up the greens, so it rewarded a much more aggressive style of approach.

That kind of threw my mindset a little, as I’d been expecting to be grinding it out for pars, and kind of minimising my mistakes, whereas the early scores on Thursday showed that there were low rounds out there if you kept it in play.

I got off to a poor start on the opening round, and was three over after four holes, dropped one more shot on the back nine, and ended up with a 76 without doing a great deal wrong.

I hit plenty of fairways and greens in regulation, but simply could not buy a putt.

The greens were among the best I’ve ever played on, really true and evenly paced, but the ball just didn’t want to drop. I didn’t manage a single birdie in the first round, which is a rarity for me. Some weeks it happens like that, but it’s very frustrating when it’s a Major week and you need some luck to go your way.

I had to go low on Friday if I was going to come close to making the cut, and I started out well, making an eagle at the par-five first, but then I bogeyed the short par-4 second ■ BEEF ON THE SIDE: TYRRELL ENJOYED A PRACTICE ROUND WITH ANDREW JOHNSTON AT THE US OPEN

I HIT PLENTY OF FAIRWAYS AND GREENS IN REGULATION, BUT SIMPLY COULD NOT BUY A PUTT. THE GREENS WERE AMONG THE BEST I’VE EVER PLAYED ON, REALLY TRUE AND EVENLY PACED, BUT THE BALL JUST DIDN’T WANT TO DROP after finding a bunker off the tee, and that kind of set me back. It’s a hole where many players were making birdies, so to drop a shot felt like a double blow. I was two under for the front nine and one shot above the cut mark up until the 14th, but I double-bogeyed the 15th, and couldn’t find the birdies I needed coming in, and ended up shooting 72 and missing the cut by three.

Overall, it was an interesting experience, but I’ll be looking forward to playing a more traditional US Open course in future, perhaps one that suits my eye a little better.

Next year it goes to Shinnecock Hills, which is a classic US Open course, so it might suit

my game more.

Before the US Open, I was back at Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship, which is always one of my favourite events, as it was one I used to enjoy watching and going to as a kid. I had lots of family around, and it was good to catch up with a few old friends and familiar faces.

Although it’s always been a great tournament, I was one of many pros that wasn’t overly excited about the greens at Wentworth in the past, which could be very difficult to play on, so I was really delighted to see how much they had been improved.

They were rolling really nicely, and had a much more even pace. They were firm, which is also something we’re not used to seeing in this country in May, so that took a bit of getting used to, but it was a massive improvement, which all the players felt.

Overall, I played OK, and was inside the top 10 going into the final round, but I wasn’t entirely comfortable with my swing all week, and was fighting it a bit just to get it round.

I dropped a few shots over the closing holes, just as others were making ground, and I ended up finishing tied 30th, which wasn’t exactly where I’d thought I’d be at the beginning of the round. Alex Noren was certainly a worthy winner – shooting 62 in any final round is impressive, even more so at Wentworth.

I’ve now got a run of tournaments in Europe, which are all part of the new Rolex Series, including the French Open, which is being held at Paris National again, venue for next year’s Ryder Cup, then the Irish Open, the Scottish, and then the Open itself at

■ HAYMAKER: TYRRELL ESCAPES FROM THE PENAL ROUGH AT ERIN HILLS

Royal Birkdale.

I’m really looking forward to playing Birkdale, as it’s the only Open course I’ve yet to play, even as an amateur. I’m not sure how it got missed off my list, but I’m looking forward to rectifying that. I’ve got a good record around links courses, and enjoy the challenge, and this being my sixth Open Championship I feel like it’s perhaps my best shot at putting in a strong performance.

Hopefully I can play myself into some form coming in there, get a decent draw, and we’ll see how it goes.

YOU CAN FOLLOW TYRRELL ON TWITTER @TYRRELLHATTON

PARTNERS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NEWS | JUNE 2017

FOXHILLS UNVEILS ‘GENIUS’ GOLF BUGGIES

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uggy users at Foxhills Club & Resort, and its sister club Farleigh, are set to benefit from a new bit of tech that will track their scores hole-by-hole.

The venue’s new fleet of E-Z-GO RXV golf cars are equipped with industry-leading tournament management software from Golf Genius, which offers live scoring and real-time leaderboards via a permanently-mounted screen located inside the buggy. The system also operates as a GPS unit, offering yardages, as well as a messaging service for ordering food and drinks.

ENFIELD PICKS UP GOLF FOUNDATION CHARITY AWARD

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Marc Hayton, Managing Director at The Foxhills Collection said: "The technology is really impressive, and the look and driving experience is second to none. Our members and guests will not only enjoy the deluxe seating and wider bag storage trays, but can be aided through the intuitive on-screen course guide. The only thing it can't do for you is improve your swing!"

Foxhills’ Director of Golf Chris Fitt added: “We’re committed to investing in the products we offer at Foxhills. This partnership with Golf Genius is an extension of the interactive service we’ll be able to offer through our fleet of E-Z-GO RXV cars.”

LONG DRIVERS SET FOR WINDSOR PARK SHOWDOWN

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he world’s longest drivers will be slogging it out in the normally tranquil surroundings of the Berkshire Polo Club in Windsor next month, after it was announced that the Long Drive World Series is heading to the UK for the first time.

The Long Drive World Series is a unique events, which sees thousands of spectators gather to watch the biggest hitters from across the globe compete for the World Series title and a big-money prize fund.

After selling out its inaugural

event in Dubai in March, where American Tim Burke emerged victorious with a winning drive of 335 yards – achieved into a 30 mile an hour head wind – Long Drive World Series has confirmed that its second event will take place in the UK. The event will be hosted on Saturday, July 8 at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Windsor, a venue that has played host to many international sports and entertainment events, and is also home to the Prince of

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Wales tournament, one of the most popular events in the polo calendar.

During the event, ten of the biggest hitters in the world, along with six qualifiers, will go head to head, all in the hope of being crowned champion and

securing the largest piece of a £50,000 prize fund.

Among those set to feature on the card is London-born Joe Miller, the current and twotime world champion. Miller is regarded by many as the best long drivers in the world today

nfield Golf Club in Middlesex collected an award at last month’s Golf Foundation annual awards after raising the most money for the charity last year.

Enfield captain Phil Tiddy was presented with the Gus Payne award on behalf of the club at a special ceremony held at Wentworth during the BMW PGA Championship.

After nominating the Golf Foundation as his chosen charity in 2016, Tiddy organised a variety of activities over the course of the year, with the highlight being the attendance of European Tour star Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston (pictured) at the club’s Pro-Am, which raised more than £3,000 and helped the end of year total reach an impressive £9,000.

Golf Foundation chief executive Brendon Pyle said: “Phil was supported by a large group of people at the golf club including his wife, and fellow junior organiser, Kathryn. He is passionate about golf and helping young people, and hopefully his example can inspire more club captains to think of the Golf Foundation as one of their nominated charities.”

and, at 6ft 4inches tall and 19 stone, he represents the new breed of long drivers, combining strength, speed and power – arguably the three core attributes of any successful competitor within the sport today.

Also in action is Tim Burke, winner of the Dubai leg of this year’s Long Drive World Series, and UK Champion Lucas Dornan, who lives just minutes from the polo club, and whose longest recorded drive is 427 yards, making him a serious contender at this year’s series. They will be joined by many of the world’s other elite long drivers, including current European Tour champion

Maurice Allen, and reigning Portuguese champion Ilija Djurdjevic.

The floodlit event is free to attend, and takes place at night so that golf balls show up more clearly against the night sky.

Other entertainment during the evening will include a DJ set from Ashley James, as well as a celebrity hit-off, which will see a group of well-known faces vie for the coveted celebrity longest drive title. The evening will also feature open qualifying, which provides an opportunity for members of the public to try their hand at long driving in the hope of being invited to take part in the UK leg itself.

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CLUB WHERE TO PLAY

GUIDE

CHOBHAM GC SURREY

This superb 18-hole, par-69 golf course, which opened in 1994, was designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clarke. It is laid out on naturally undulating parkland set amongst mature oak woodland, giving the impression that it has been around for many years. The course provides an excellent challenge to the skills of low and high handicap players alike. Built to championship standards, with USGA greens, the course has automatic irrigation, and a drainage system designed to provide excellent year-round play.

SWEETWOODS PARK GC EAST SUSSEX/KENT This stunning par-72, 18-hole parkland course is set in the Wealden Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and boasts outstanding views.

Located on the A264 between Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead, It has recently introduced 10-minute interval tee times and a new fleet of Club Car buggies, offering all visitors an enhanced golfing experience. Enjoy a round of golf this summer and benefit from £5 discount when you book online at sweetwoodspark.com, using the promotion code ‘ONLINE’.

Web: chobhamgolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01276 855584 Email: sarah@chobhamgolfclub.co.uk

Web: sweetwoodspark.com Tel: 01342 850729 Email: golf@sweetwoodspark.com

BLACKMOOR GC BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB HAMPSHIRE

BLOXWICH GC WEST MIDLANDS

TORQUAY GC DEVON

One of Hampshire’s premier courses, Blackmoor was designed

Boasting a mature parkland course, Bloxwich makes full use of

including the Selborne Salver, which attracts the country’s top

are two par fours over 450 yards. Visitors are welcome, with green

Located just three miles from Torquay’s stunning harbour, and enjoying far-reaching views of the Devon and Dorset coastline, Torquay Golf Club’s historic parkland course offers a challenging yet rewarding test of golf in beautiful surroundings. Although measuring 6,138 yards from the white tees, there is only one par five on this entertaining James Braid-designed layout, ensuring that the par of 69 is hard to match. Visitors are welcome seven days a week, while society packages start from just £27.

Web: blackmoorgolf.co.uk Tel no: 01420 472775 Email: secretary@blackmoorgolf.co.uk

Web: bloxwichgolfclub.com Tel: 01922 476593 Email: secretary@bloxwichgolfclub.com

..... the best kept course Hertfordshire Web: torquaygolfclub.co.uk Tel no: 01803 314591 in Email: secretary@torquaygolfclub.co.uk

LITTLESTONE GC KENT

LONGNIDDRY GC EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND

WELWYN GARDEN CITY GC HERTFORDSHIRE

One of Hampshire’s premier courses.

Designed 1913 by the renowned golfits natural hazards to provide a testing round for all. The 18-hole in 1913 by Harry Colt and is situated deep ininthe countryside, yet accessible from both London Home Counties.

The and yetlayout measures 6,296 yards off the white tees, and features an architecteasily Harry Colt and situated deep inand thethe Hampshire countryside, course host to many amateur and professional tournaments, interesting mix of five par threes and four par fives, while there easilyisaccessible from both London and the Home Counes.

The course is host to many amateur and professional tournaments, including the amateurs seeking to secure world ranking points. Many of the past fees starting from £30pp, while society packages for groups of Selborne Salverincluding which aracts the country’s top amateurs seeking winners, Andy Sullivan and Matthew Fitzpatrick, have to secure16+ are available from £25pp. world - ranking Many of the past winners including , Andy Sullivan and gone onpoints. to become golfing stars.

Mahew Fitzpatrick go on to become golfing stars of the future.

This England Golf Championship venue, and Open Championship regional qualifying course (1998-2003) is a must to play.

Welwyn Garden City Golf Club

● Excellent year-round course with superb drainage and greens ● Friendly welcome awaits all visitors ● Now booking summer 2017

● Winter Packages available November to March ● Play the course where Sir Nick Faldo and Tom Lewis learnt their golf ● Quote GOLFNEWS17 for special green fee offer

Designed by Harry Colt in 1921, Longniddry’s unusual mixture of links and woodland holes will get your strategic golfing brain thinking. There are special four ball rates for Golf News readers £160 after 1pm on Tues/Thurs and £240 after 2pm at weekends.

Quote ‘GN COLT’ when booking.

325243 Shop: 01707 325525 Welwyn GardenOffice: City 01707 enjoys a rich Pro heritage, having been designed Web: www.wgcgc.co.uk Email: denise@wgcgc.co.uk

by Fred Hawtree, and been the club where Sir Nick Faldo learned Mannicotts, High Oaks Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL8 7BP to play the game. Measuring 6,112 yards off the back tees, the undulating parkland layout remains a challenge for all, thanks to some lengthy par threes, long par fours, and a 600-yard par five. With year-round playability and superb greens, a friendly welcome awaits all visitors, with green fees starting from £25.

Web: littlestonegolfclub.org.uk Tel: 01797 363355 Email: golf@littlestonegolfclub.org.uk

Web: longniddrygolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01875 852141 Email: secretary@longniddrygolfclub.co.uk

Web: welwyngardencitygolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01707 325243 Email: denise@wgcgc.co.uk

BIRD HILLS GOLF CENTRE BERKSHIRE

WATERLOOVILLE GC HAMPSHIRE

ROMSEY GC HAMPSHIRE

Located between Maidenhead and Bracknell, Bird Hills is open to the public, and its picturesque 18-hole parkland course is designed to provide an enjoyable round for every level of golfer. Other facilities include a 34-bay floodlit driving range, practice bunker, and a 9-hole putting green, while there is an American Golf store onsite for all your equipment needs. The friendly clubhouse boasts a large terrace overlooking the course, and has an extensive menu. Check out the club’s website for the latest green fee offers and membership options.

Renowned for its friendly atmosphere, Waterlooville Golf Club boasts a picturesque par-72 parkland layout. Designed by Sir Henry Cotton, the 6,550-yard course provides a fair and enjoyable test for all levels of player. Always presented in excellent condition, the club welcomes visitors during the week, and at weekends subject to availability, with green fees starting from £35 for midweek afternoon rounds, while society and group packages are avialable from £31.50.

Situated in rolling countryside less than a mile from junction 3 of the M27, Romsey Golf Club is an oasis of beauty on the edge of Southampton. The course makes its way through undulating ground with tree-lined fairways, raised greens and deep bunkers. Although not a long course – 5,718 yards, par 69 – its tight lines will provide a test of golf for all level of player. The signature hole is undoubtedly the downhill par-four 6th, which comes in the middle of Romsey’s own Amen Corner, and offers stunning views of the countryside.

Web: www.birdhills.co.uk Tel: 01628 771030 Email: info@birdhills.co.uk

Web: waterloovillegolfclub.com Tel: 02392 263388

Web: www.romseygolfclub.com Tel: 023 8073 4637 Email: secretary@romseygolfclub.co.uk

Boasting two unique courses, the Championship and the Warren, Littlestone offers visitors the chance to play on superbly presented links layouts located on the natural undulating land between Romney Marsh and the Channel. Boasting free-draining fairways and superb greens, the contrasting courses make for a superb day’s golf at any time of the year. Visitors and societies are welcome every, with peak-time summer green fees from £80 and society packages from £70.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NEWS | JUNE 2017

[35]

■ ROOKWOOD BOASTS AN 18-HOLE PARKLAND COURSE

HARROGATE GC NORTH YORKSHIRE Golf Club boats a long and rich history, having first opened in 1892, and hosted numerous national as well as county championships.

It’s 18-hole, 6,198-yard parkland course, which was designed by Sandy Herd, is not long by modern standards, but its par of 69, coupled with Mackenzie-style greens, well-placed bunkers, and tree-lined fairways ensures a solid test for all golfers. Visitors can book a fourball after midday for just £120 (£30 per player) between Monday and Friday.

Web: www.harrogate-gc.co.uk Tel: 01423 862547

CRAIGMILLAR PARK GC EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Boasting fantastic views across the city of Edinburgh and the Firth to Fife, Craigmillar’s par-70 course was first established in 1907. It expanded from nine to 18 holes in 1927 at the hands of James Braid. Laid out over the undulating slopes near the Royal Observatory, the 5,828-yard layout will test all elements of your game. Green fees start from £25pp, and society packages from £32pp.

Web: craigmillarpark.co.uk Tel: 0131 667 0047 Email: manager@craigmillarpark.co.uk

BOWOOD, SPA AND GOLF RESORT WILTSHIRE

ROOKWOOD CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

R

ookwood Golf Course in Horsham reached a significant milestone in its history last month when it celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The 18-hole parkland course, which enjoys a peaceful rural location adjacent to Warnham Nature Reserve, is operated by the Country Club Group on behalf of Horsham District Council.

It first opened on May 9, 1997, and over the last 20 years has been the starting point for many a local golfer’s love affair with the game thanks to its affordable green fees and inclusive policies.

The clubhouse, which is located in a restored 17th century barn, has also become a popular centrepiece of club life, with its high ceilings, oak beams and spacious outdoor patio providing the perfect place to enjoy welcoming hospitality, either as a golfer or for weddings and private parties.

Club manager Mark Pearson said: “I started working at Rookwood in the bar on day two of the club opening – and 20 years later I am still here! Remarkably, around three-quarters of our full-time staff have been here for over 15 years, and I feel this goes a long way towards explaining the warm and welcoming atmosphere that exists at Rookwood.”

WALLIS LOWERS MID KENT RECORD EN ROUTE TO PRO-AM VICTORY

C

anterbury’s Richard Wallis set a new course record at Mid Kent Golf Club en route to winning the Mid Kent Pro-Am by three shots.

The four-time PGA South Order of Merit winner fired a nine-under-par 61 to outclass the rest of the strong field, with nearest rival Richings Park’s Chris Rodgers finding his impressive 64 to be some way shy of the mark.

Wallis was delighted with his performance, and was especially pleased to see some putts finally dropping, after struggling to find his form on the greens during the early part of the season.

“My golf through the green has been pretty good, but my putting has been terrible. So I spent a couple of weeks working on it, and came to Mid Kent hoping for a better score than my last seven attempts – it’s very much my bogey course!" Wallis commented. “I played much the same as usual, regulation for 16 greens, but the putts, especially those 10 to 15 footers, were dropping. I had four unmissable ones, four in that mid-range, and a couple of two-putt birdies, plus a very handy eagle on the fifth. My course management was good, and at Mid Kent it’s all about keeping it in play, as it’s narrow and easy to get out of position. I used the driver just three times."

■ RICHARD WALLIS Eight under par after 11, Wallis sensed that a very low round was possible, but the hardest holes on the back nine, and a run of pars, ensured that another magical 59 remained elusive, despite birdies on the final two holes. However the 61 was good enough to topple Benn Barham’s course record 62, which had been set in the same event in 2015.

As well as continuing to play in pro events, Wallis is busy developing his coaching business at Canterbury Golf Club, where a new teaching studio has just been completed. "It’s spacious, soundproofed, and has a putting section at one end. It’s fully backed by Ping, with all the latest technology, so it’ll make a terrific teaching studio," Wallis said.

Voted Wiltshire’s No.1 golf course, Bowood’s 18-hole championship course was designed by the late Dave Thomas and is an exciting prospect for all levels of golfer who have a passion for the game.

With easy access from the M4, the meticulously maintained course winds through the beautiful Wiltshire estate and blends perfectly with the wooded and undulating countryside. Visitors and societies are welcome all year round, and summer green fees start from as little as £35. Midweek Society Golf Days are available from £40.

Web: www.bowood.org/golf Tel: 01249 823 881 Email: proshop@bowood.org

CHIPSTEAD’S FLEXIBLE APPROACH PAYS OFF TORWOODLEE GC GALASHIELS, SCOTLAND Located 30 miles south of Edinburgh, Torwoodlee welcomes visitors from around the world to sample its majestic 18-hole course and experience the warmest of Scottish Borders hospitality. The picturesque 6,021-yard parkland course is set in a valley amongst mature trees, flanked by the River Gala. Golf News readers can book a special rate for a four ball of £80 (£100 including buggies fitted with GPS).

Web: torwoodleegolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01896 752260 Email: torwoodleegolfclub@btconnect.com

C

hipstead Golf Club has gone all out to attract new members this summer by offering affordable, flexible and family-friendly membership for golfers of all abilities and ages.

The Surrey-based course is enduringly popular with both visitors and members, who return regularly year after year.

The well-balanced layout offers an interesting and challenging experience to golfers across a broad spectrum of enthusiasm and ability.

Director of Golf Gary Torbett said: “We are always looking to encourage new golfers to our club with new initiatives. We know that today’s golfers have an opportunity to experience quality golf at affordable prices, and here at Chipstead we try to provide both. Our offer for this summer is our best yet – 12

months’ full membership, with no restrictions, for only £750.“ He added: “There are a number of clubs promoting short-term offers, but we want golfers to experience the full value of our club and what it provides. We have also modified our fleximembership for those who only wish to play nine holes. Flexi membership provides golfers with 52 vouchers to be used as they wish for £485.”

Torbett concluded: “We have a great club, with an extremely friendly and active membership, which I believe to be one of the best in Surrey.”

For more information, call Gary on 01737 554939 or email directorofgolf@chipsteadgolf.co.uk.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

What’s the best swing tip you’ve ever received? Keep your shoulders turning.

People have a tendency to keep their shoulders still and only use their arms.

What is your career highlight as a player?

Winning the Surrey County Championships and South of England Championships as an amateur. As a pro, it would be coming second in the Chase to the Investec Cup at Blue Valley in South Africa.

How long have you been a PGA professional? I turned professional in 2012 and played on tour for four years. I joined the PGA in October last year.

What is your day-to-day role at the club? As an assistant professional, my job is to make sure our members are happy, the shop is well stocked, and the team is working hand in hand with golf services to ensure everything is running smoothly. At Foxhills, we aim to provide an excellent service for our members, golf days and visitors, so teamwork is the key.

■ THE 14TH HOLE ON FOXHILLS' LONGCROSS COURSE

What’s the best thing about your job?

I love teaching ladies who are new to the game. Helping them progress and seeing them enjoy golf are real highlights of my job. There are not enough girls and women

■ THE SIXTH HOLE ON FOXHILLS' BERNARD HUNT COURSE

playing golf, and I love sharing my enthusiasm for the game with them.

And the worst? Not being able to play as much golf as I would like to. Hopefully, I will get more opportunities to play with the members this summer, as it’s a great way to get to know them, as well as keep my game sharp.

What can you tell us about the facilities and the playing experience at the club?

Foxhills is an amazing place to play golf.

We have two fantastic championship courses – Longcross and Bernard Hunt – and great practice facilities, including an undercover driving range. We also have a challenging 9-hole par-3 course, which is great for beginners and for people to practise their short game.

In a tough economic climate, what have you done to keep existing members and attract new ones? Already this season, we’ve been encouraging our country club and health and spa membership categories to try golf through complimentary clinics and fun introductory events like ‘Balls & Bubbles’, a combination of golf tuition and champagne tasting which started at our sister property, Farleigh. Our existing golf members have an active social calendar which the pro shop team engage with whenever possible. One member recently ran a Rules of Golf quiz night; sadly, my team didn’t win, but it was a great night! The course has received plenty of plaudits recently and is home to

Leeds Castle Golf Course

September’s PGA Cup match between the GB & Ireland and the USA. High-profile events like this show the quality of the course and help attract new members.

What is the club doing to encourage junior golfers? We have a junior roll up every Saturday and offer six 'JOLF' classes on the weekend to get more juniors playing. The Foxhills Foundation, which boosts alumni like Paul Casey and Anthony Wall, is celebrating 30 years of helping youngsters progress their game, with access to high level coaching from our golf pro team and Nick Dougherty, plus membership and equipment.

How much time do you spend teaching?

Not enough! I would love to teach more often, and I’m starting to build stronger relationships with members and regular guests, which will help me build my client base. I want to help as many people start playing golf as possible, especially ladies, as I know how rewarding golf can be. I currently have various ladies' group classes that I teach, as well as some junior classes. Individual lessons are also very popular with our members.

What’s selling well in the pro shop at the moment? Quality clothing such as Hugo Boss always sells well, plus items with our club branding on them for hotel guests and golf day players to take home as a souvenir. We’ve also seen our limited edition 2017 PGA Cup-branded golf balls and goody bags sell well.

What’s your favourite course in the UK, and the world? Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland is a stunning and challenging course; I was very lucky to play there in the British Women’s Amateur and we had all seasons of weather in four days. Brookwater in Brisbane, Australia, was a fabulous hidden gem – I would go back there tomorrow! There is also a lovely course just outside of Paris called Fourqueux Golf Club, which is always a special place to play whilst mixing cultural activities; Versailles is so close.

Who is your golfing hero and why?

Suzann Pettersen. She is a great athlete, a great golfer. I really admire her work ethic and I think she is a good role model.

Who inspired you to take up golf? My mum. She has always been a very keen golfer and pestered me to play, but as a young girl, I always hated the clothes, so I wasn’t really interested! Then she took me to see the Women’s British Open at St Andrews, which is where I first saw all the stylish Americans. The realisation that golf wasn’t just for men or unfashionable ladies was all I needed, and I was hooked!

Luckily now we can get great women’s golf gear in this country, so there really is no excuse for women of all shapes and sizes not to try the game.

Which three other people would be in your dream fourball?

Suzann Pettersen, Natalie Gulbis and Annika Sorenstam What would you have done if you hadn’t become a pro? I can’t imagine being anything other than an athlete, so probably a tennis player .

HARLEYFORD GOLF CLUB Jewel on the Thames

Leeds Castle Leeds Castle Course GolfGolf Course

Set in stunning parkland around the 12th Century Castle, a round of golf at Leeds Castle is as challenging as it is spectacular. A nine hole, par 34 course with a fully stocked pro shop and Set in stunning around the changing rooms.

Set in stunning parklandparkland around the

12th Century of golf at 12th Century Castle, aCastle, round aofround golf at

15/03/2017 15:18

Foxhills’ assistant PGA professional Lauren Blease reveals her ambition to get more women and girls out on the three golf courses at the Surreybased resort

Prices start from £14 forLeeds nine Castle holes.

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Call the Pro Shop on Prices start from £14 for nine holes.

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01622 767828 or Season Tickets at £320 for unlimited Call the Pro Shop on 01622 767828 or Season Tickets at £320 for unlimited golf@leeds-castle.co.uk The course is in the best condition its ever known and with Major Season Upon golf, or weekends include weekends weekday golf, or include email golf@leeds-castle.co.uk toweekday book to book a tee-off time. us, why wouldn’t you treat yourself to a round at the home of Britain’s most too for £420. too for £420. a tee-off time. promising new star (and Golf News Columnist) Tyrrell Hatton.

Set in stunning parkland around the 12th CallShop the Pro 01622 or 767828Playing or Call the Pro on Shop 01622on 767828 a healthy 6,714 yards of the medal tees and a more moderate 6,338 from Set in stunning parkland around email golf@leeds-castle.co.uk Century Castle, a round of golf at the par the 34 email golf@leeds-castle.co.uk to book to book the social pegs Harleyford is a test suitable for all levels of golfer. tee-off time.

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A nine hole, par 34food course with a fully stocked proleeds-castle.com/golf shop and Call now on 01628 816177 and book your group in and Prices start from £14 for nine holes. Season changing rooms. benefit from a FREE BEER when you QUOTE GN17 Harleyford Golf Club Marlow Ltd Tickets at £320 for unlimited weekday golf, or Web: harleyfordgolf.co.uk Harleyford Estate, Henley Road leeds-castle.com/golf include too£14 for £420. leeds-castle.com/golf Prices weekends start from for nine holes.

Email: kate@harleyfordgolf.co.uk Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 2SP 15/03/2017 15:18 Season Tickets at £320 for unlimited weekday golf, or include weekends

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

COMPETITION | JUNE 2017

[37]

A LYNX CUSTOM FIT PARALLAX DRIVER Here’s a fantastic chance to be kitted out with a custom-fitted Lynx Parallax driver and special headcover, worth £219 Three-time European Tour winner and Sky Sports golf presenter, Nick Dougherty, as well as Hall of Famer, Dame Laura Davies, are just two of the big names playing Lynx, which is now a British family-owned golf brand, based in Surrey with a huge passion for golf.

In this exclusive competition, Lynx is offering a full custom fit experience at its Weybridge fitting studio complete with Foresight GC2 launch monitor and simulator, with our lucky winner walking away with a Parallax driver (worth £199), and an iconic ‘Larry the Lynx’ limited edition headcover.

TO ENTER To be in with a chance of winning this prize, simply answer the question below correctly, and email your answer to: info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Lynx Competition’ in the subject line.

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The whole Lynx Parallax range is purposely-designed to offer golfers maximum forgiveness and playability. This fabulous driver features a 460cc two-piece head with a high Gloss Mirror Finish, power channel to deliver outstanding ball speed and it offers full adjustability from 8.5 to 12.5 degrees of loft, with draw bias settings.

and details of where you picked up your copy of Golf News. The closing date for entries is July 30, 2017. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available, and you must be able to visit Lynx for the custom fitting. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over.

QUESTION:

Lynx is proud to offer clubs for all players. All its equipment is designed in the UK and supported by a three-man team which stages hundreds of equipment demonstrations at golf clubs all year round. Isn’t it time you tried Lynx?

Which Sky Sports golf presenter is a Lynx Golf ambassador?

A) NICK DOUGHERTY B) EWEN MURRAY C) ROBERT LEE

Find your nearest Lynx demo day at www.lynxgolf.co.uk/demo-days

STUDLEY WOOD GOLF CLUB PROUD HOSTS TO THE

STEVENAGE GOLF & C ONF ER ENC E C ENTR E

Golf Societies 2017 Sarah Stirk

SKY SPORTS PRESENTER

invites you to play golf at her home club at the special price of

£120.00 per Fourball which includes the cost of 2 Buggies and tea or coffee on arrival

To book your tee-time phone us on: 01865 351144 or email: matt@studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk The Straight Mile, Horton-cum-Studley, Oxford OX33 1BF. T: 01865 351144 E: matt@studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk W: www.studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk

. . . Oxfordshire’s friendliest Golf Club

Book a Society this summer at Stevenage Golf and Conference Centre and receive a free pair of FJ Shoes worth up to £50!*

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[38] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

WALLACE PUTS FAITH IN MOOR PARK’S PUTTING LAB

H

ertfordshire tour professional Matt Wallace, who recently gained instant promotion from the Challenge Tour to the European Tour after winning the Portugal Open, said that part of the reason for his resurgent game is down to a new indoor putting studio that has opened at his home club.

First Degree Golf Academy, based at Moor Park Golf Club, opened the state-ofthe-art indoor putting facility in March, with Wallace becoming a regular visitor.

The 360° Putting Lab comprises of a 44 square metre green located in a room on the first floor of the club’s historic mansion. The facility has seven hole locations dotted around a partially sloped green, and boasts six high definition camera positions, as well as a SAM Putting lab system. The facility is the only one of its kind in the region and one of only a handful of puttingspecific facilities in the country. The technology on offer allows the team of PGA Professionals, led by specialist putting coach Robert Warburton, to accurately analyse a pupil's putting tendencies to produce both immediate and long-term sustainable improvements for golfers.

A number of academy pupils and Moor Park members are already benefitting from the facility and seeing significant improvements in their game, while Wallace, who is now competing on the European Tour, is also big fan of the set up.

“The 360° Putting Lab is a brilliant facility for working on my game,” said Wallace. “Not only is the artificial green realistic as a putting surface, but it is also true and fast. I love going into the lab to work on my face control and start line, and I highly recommend booking a session to anyone who wants to improve their putting.”

The facility also offers the opportunity to get custom fitted for a new putter. Custom fittings cost £50 for a 45-minute session. Lessons are available on a two-hour basis for £120, or £65 for one hour. For more information, visit www.360degreeputtinglab.co.uk or call 01923 729462.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

ENGLAND U16S TURN THE TABLES ON SPAIN

E

ngland turned the tables on Spain in impressive style when they swept to a 15-9 victory in the annual under-16 international held at at Preston Golf Club in Lancashire.

England had lost the last three encounters against Spain, but this time they won with a session in hand.

The highlight of

the match was the first day singles, when all eight England players won and they led 10-2 at the close of play.

They wasted no time in clinching the victory on day two, taking 2.5 points from the foursomes, to reach the necessary 12.5 points to claim the trophy.

England’s top scorer was Yorkshire’s Barclay Brown, who

■ ENGLAND'S WINNING UNDER-16 TEAM

won all four of his games, while Surrey’s Annabell Fuller was unbeaten with three wins and a half.

Team coach Peter Barber commented: “The team were very keen not to lose for

a fourth time and they performed fantastically. They all played a part in the victory, which was great. Both teams played very good golf and the standard was very high.”

The England team comprised Barclay Brown, Dominic Clemons; Annabell Fuller, Tom Gregory, Charlie Hilton, Lily May Humphreys, Mimi Rhodes and Caitlin Whitehead.

W

ildernesse Golf Club in Kent is one of six clubs in the South East to host a Regional Qualifying tournament for the 2017 Open Championship this month.

The Sevenoaks-based venue will hold the qualifier on June 26, when up to 100 hopefuls will begin a journey that, for a lucky few, may end with a coveted place in the starting line up for the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 20.

The other venues in the Home Counties hosting Regional Qualifying on that same date are Sandy Lodge in Hertfordshire, Remedy Oak in Dorset, Luffenham Heath, Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire, Burhill in Surrey. While those further afield are Alwoodley, Fairhaven, Little Aston, Northumberland, Panmure, The Island and West Lancashire.

SOUTHERN VENUES GEAR UP FOR OPEN QUALIFYING

WATKINS WINS HERTFORDSHIRE DOUBLE

H

■ THE NEW PUTTING LAB AT MOOR PARK

adley Wood’s Robert Watkins acheived a notable double last month when capturing both the Hertfordshire Stag and the Hertfordshire Bowl.

Watkins shot rounds of 68 and 74 to win the King George V title at Porters Park on May

CORHAMPTON GOLF CLUB

■ ROBERT WATKINS

20, and followed up with the exact same scores at Moor Park

the next day to win the Hertfoshire Stag.

His two-underpar 284 total saw him win the Hertfordshire Bowl, which combines all four rounds, by eight shots from Hindhead’s David Corben, with Jordan Callum five shots further back in third.

Wesley Cooper, the golf manager at Moor Park, said: “Robert had a magnificent weekend, with a clean sweep across all four rounds.

The weather was challenging on Saturday with the rain, but the conditions were

near perfect for the final two rounds on Sunday for the Hertfordshire Stag.

Our course manager and his team worked tirelessly in the run up to the event, presenting the course in fantastic condition, creating a fair challenge for the full elite field.”

Society golf all year round at

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Free draining course set in the Heart of The South Downs National Park Competitive Rates Summer and Winter web: www.corhamptongc.co.uk For all society enquiries tel: 01489 877279 option 3 e-mail: secretary@corhamptongc.co.uk

Great value society packages available 7 days a week For more information contact Ashley on 01903 717170 (Ex 230) or email ashley@littlehamptongolf.co.uk Littlehampton Golf Club, 170 Rope walk, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5DL

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[40] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

STORY BEHIND THE PIC ROBERTO DE VICENZO • THE MASTERS, AUGUSTA • APRIL 14, 1968

IT IS A MEASURE OF THE FINE LINE THAT EXISTS between success and failure in this game, that Roberto De Vicenzo, Argentina’s finest international golfer, who died this month aged 94, will be remembered most for forgetting to sign a scorecard.

Although he won an impressive 231 tournaments during his 40-year career, chalking up victories in South America, America and all across Europe, including The Open in 1967, none of them had a more dramatic place in golf history than one he lost, the 1968 Masters.

Shooting a final round 65 at Augusta National on his 45th birthday, De Vicenzo looked to have secured a playoff for the Green Jacket with America’s Bob Goalby, who finished moments after him with a 66, both men having completed four rounds at 277.

But the Masters' officials were stunned to find that De Vicenzo’s birdie-three on the 17th hole had been marked as a four by his playing partner, Tommy Aaron, who was tallying De Vicenzo’s scorecard, a customary arrangement for paired golfers. De Vicenzo had hastily signed the card without double-checking to see that Aaron’s markings matched his own, unofficial tally.

The four had been marked in pencil, but the tournament chairman, Clifford Roberts, and his aides, after discussing the mistake with Bobby Jones, the patriarch of Augusta National, maintained that it could not be erased, according to the Rules of Golf, since the card had been signed. That left Goalby as the champion and De Vicenzo as the runner-up by

a single, if phantom, shot, giving him a total of 278.

“What a stupid I am,” the Argentinian famously lamented after it was all over, shouldering the blame for his costly mistake. Aaron, too, was understandably distraught. “Roberto never looked at the card,” he said in an interview years later.

“He had bogeyed the last hole, and he was upset, and he was just sitting there, and I said, ‘Roberto, here’s your card.’ I was getting ready to say, ‘Take your time with it,’ when he just signed it and threw it on the scorer’s table.”

De Vicenzo was born in 1923 in Buenos Aires, where his father worked as a house painter. One of eight children, he began caddying at a local golf clu aged just six. Captivated by the game, he built some makeshift clubs out of discarded

shafts and heads and fished balls from water hazards for his practice rounds. He left school at 12, and declared himself a pro just three years later. Aged just 21, he won the 1944 Argentine Open and the Argentine PGA Championship, and, after serving in the navy during World War II, started to play internationally. He finished third in his debut in the Open Championship in 1948, then won four times on the PGA Tour during the ‘50s and ’60s.

His career highlight came at the Open at Royal Liverpool in 1967, when he beat Jack Nicklaus by two shots to become the tournament’s oldest winner in the 20th century at 44 years 93 days. He went on to win the Senior PGA Championship in 1974, and the inaugural US Senior Open in 1980 at Winged Foot.

Diligent in practice – he routinely hit 400 balls a day – De Vincenzo remained active well into his 80s, coaching young players and running a golf school at the San Eliseo club outside Buenos Aires.

For all his successes, it is his one monumental failure, the 1968 Masters, that De Vincenzo will forever be remembered.

But, just as Frenchman Jean van de Velde discovered in 1999, there is fame to be had from heroic failure. “I’ve gotten more money out of signing the card wrong than if I had signed it correctly,” De Vincenzo once said. “No one should feel sorry for me.”

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NEWS | JUNE 2017

TOUR STAR HATTON JOINS STOKE PARK

JOY FOR JARVIS IN SUSSEX AMATEUR

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uropean Tour professional Tyrrell Hatton has joined Stoke Park Country Club as a member.

The 25 year old, who last year secured his first European Tour victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title, is currently ranked 17th the world, and has enjoyed a strong start to his 2017 campaign.

Hatton, who is still attached to Harleyford Golf Club, where he grew up playing said: “I’m really excited to join Stoke Park; the facilities are the best in the area, which will only help me get better prepared for my tournaments on the PGA and European Tour.

I’ve recently moved to the area, so it will also be far more convenient to practice and play here.”

Stoke Park’s director of golf, Stuart Collier, added: “Naturally we are delighted to welcome Tyrrell to our club, and hope that he not only enjoys the golf course – which we believe is one of the finest parkland courses in the country – but also avails himself of the other facilities here.

“As he lives not very far from the club, we’ve all been following his recent progress with interest anyway, but now we have extra reason to give him our support, as he’s – as the song goes – ‘one of our own’, as sung by Tottenham fans about Harry Kane.”

Hatton will be walking the fairways of the renovated golf

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course at Stoke Park, which reopened recently after a winter of work on the second nine holes, the Alison course. The work undertaken included improving the definition of the bunkering, which had, understandably, deteriorated since the course was first laid out in 1908, the addition of new tees and an extensive reworking of the water features on holes 12 and 17, plus some cosmetic tweaks to the water hazard on 16.

FOUNDATION HONOURS HARRINGTON WITH SPIRIT OF GOLF AWARD

P

adraig Harrington has received the Golf Foundation’s ‘Spirit of Golf’ Award in recognition of his ‘outstanding contribution’ to the sport and for inspiring so many young players over the years.

The three-time Major champion joins an illustrious cast of previous recipients of the award, which includes Gary Player, Tony Jacklin, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Ernie Els, Peter Alliss, Tom Watson, Darren

Clarke, Justin Rose and Laura Davies.

The Foundation singled out Harrington as a player who embodies its ‘skills for life’ attributes, such as resilience, respect and sportsmanship, which are values passed on in all the Golf Foundation’s programmes.

Foundation chairman Stephen Lewis, who presented Harrington with the award during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth,

[41]

said: “Padraig has always played the game with huge focus and hard work to back up his talent, but right alongside this has always been that great attitude, a smile on his face, and an appreciation of the value

of sportsmanship. Padraig has inspired so many young people to play golf in just the right way.

The example he sets on the course encourages all of us to play the game with spirit, fun and integrity.”

am Jarvis (Ifield) won the Sussex Amateur Championship after beating 2015 champion Ed Richardson (Rye) 2&1 in the finals held at Copthorne Golf Club on June 4.

Jarvis was taken to extra holes by Nick Ward (Royal Eastbourne) in the semi-finals, while Richardson enjoyed a more comfortable progression to the finals after beating George Toone (Royal Ashdown Forest) 3&2.

However, A total of 72 players took part in the two 18-hole stroke play rounds, with the top 16 players going through to the knockout stages.

Jarvis will now go on to represent Sussex in the county championship final at Woodhall Spa on September 17.

Harrington celebrated earning the accolade by captaining a team of local youngsters in a special Tri-Golf match on the opening day of the PGA Championship at Wentworth, and took part in a Q&A session with children from Cippenham Infants School in Slough.

“As professional golfers we are usually judged on our tour successes, but I’m honoured to receive this award because it’s about the manner in which we play the game,” he said. “Ever since I was a boy I have always tried to follow the true spirit of golf, to play the game in the right way and to respect my

opponents and the golf course at all times. I fix every pitchmark, replace every divot, and never lose my temper, whilst enjoying the challenge that the game provides.

“Golf is a wonderful sport for youngsters – you can be big or small, a boy or a girl and all can be competitive. Golf can also help develop many good attributes through the way it is played and the etiquette. I love team sports, but in golf you are on your own, learning to control your emotions and adhering to the rules, which can all help shape character. I love the game and hope I can encourage young people to take it up.”

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U O G

JUNE 2017 | INTERVIEW

HERE’S

HENRIK! Henrik Stenson finally got the major monkey off his back last year when winning The Open at Royal Troon.

Here, the 41-year-old Swede talks about what capturing the Claret Jug meant to him, and how it has changed his outlook on what was already an extraordinarily successful career

H

ow do you look back on what you achieved in 2016?

It was a great year, the best of my career, no question. I'd always thought it was going to be hard to top 2013, when I won the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai, but I think I did that last year. I maybe didn’t maintain the same level of golf over the whole season as I did in 2013, but winning The Open, wining a silver medal at the Olympics, and winning the Race to Dubai again, were amazing highlights.

And let’s not forget your Swedish Athlete of the Year award. Where does that rank among your career highlights?

It’s always nice to win awards within your sport, but when you win one when you’re up against other sports, it makes it just that little bit extra special – especially in your home country. It was a fun evening in Stockholm, seeing lots of familiar faces, old friends, and my family.

Who were you up against in the voting?

There was Mattias Ekström, who is the world rally cross champion; Peder Fredricson, who won a silver in the equestrian events at the Olympics; and the third one was Zlatan Ibrahimovic. So I had some pretty strong competition.

What do you think was the difference in your game in 2016, compared to previous years, that led to your victory at Troon?

Well, if I had a straight answer to that, I guess I should have implemented it a long time ago. But 2016 was going to be a big year. We had the Olympics, the Ryder Cup, the majors, as always, and I just had in it my mind that I wanted to play well at all those big events. There have been a lot of times during my career when I’ve really put my mind to something, and I’ve managed to achieve it, so I guess this was one of those years. I’m not saying that I haven't tried in the majors before, but in terms of preparation, it was one of my best years.

If I had to put my finger on it, I put in some really good practice in the spring, and really felt ready for the big summer events. Perhaps the key moment was winning the BMW International in Cologne. I hadn’t won for a while, and to get over that hurdle allowed me to really press on from there. It certainly gave me that extra confidence going into Troon, which I then took on to the Olympics.

Adding to you major haul is obviously high on your checklist this season.

You missed the cut at the Masters, and clearly don’t have a great record around Augusta, but why do you think that is?

There’s no question that the Masters has been my least successful Major out of the four. I’ve played in it 12 times now, and although I always go there full of hope that I can play well, for some reason or other it just doesn’t seem to happen. I've had a lot of time to analyse it, but I don’t want to bore you with the details. I don’t shape the ball a lot, so maybe that has something to do with it, and perhaps I need to be a little bit longer off the tee, or play more aggressively on certain holes. For example, on 13, If I could get another 20 yards off the tee, and try and get around the corner a little bit more, that might help. It's certainly a more inviting second shot into that par five with a 6‑iron than a 4‑iron off the side slope.

The greens are also tricky, both in terms of pace and undulation, they are so

IT’LL BE A SAD MOMENT

IF I HAVE TO GIVE THE CLARET JUG BACK, SO I’M GOING TO BE TRYING MY HARDEST TO KEEP HOLD OF IT

different to what we putt on week on week, so it’s sometimes hard to adjust. I put a lot of prep work in this year, perhaps more than in previous years on the back of what I achieved last year, but my general form just hasn’t been quite where I want it to be, so I wasn’t bringing a lot of momentum with me to the tournament. I don’t have a problem with the course per se, but it probably doesn’t suit my style of play, or my eye, as much as others do.

I take it you wouldn’t swap a Claret Jug for a Green jacket?

I’d have taken anything I could get my hands on if you’d asked me that question last year! But seriously, being European, the Open was the first golf tournament that I watched on television when I was starting out in the game as a kid. With the history that comes with it, it’s a tournament that is a little bit closer to my heart than any other one. If I had to choose my Major pecking order, I would go: Open, Masters, US Open and PGA. They are all wonderful tournaments to win, and I hope I can give myself a few more chances to win a few of them.

INTERVIEW | JUNE 2017 [45]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

There have obviously been a few changes taking place on the European Tour in terms of prize money, tournament formats, and, of course, the Ryder Cup qualification process. Are you going to make any tweaks to your schedule to accommodate these changes?

Not really. I've played a very similar schedule for the past four or five years, and I’m not suddenly going to be playing fewer tournaments in the US or adding more tournaments in Europe. I hope that my game is at the level where I can play the same schedule – those 24, 25, 26 tournaments – and that will get me automatically qualified for the Ryder Cup team. It's never been tough for me to keep my membership in Europe, so I'd say you will see me at the same events that I've played in the last couple of years.

How much were you involved in the changes to the Ryder Cup qualification?

I've been involved a little bit. I had some discussions with Thomas [Bjorn] and with Keith Pelley. I've had some input into the discussions. I think we’ve come up with a good system, and I think it gives enough room for movement with an extra pick for Thomas, and making the wildcard selection a little bit later than before.

And also weighing the qualification points a little heavier towards the end, to get players that are in form to pick up some extra points, is a good idea. So I think we've got a good balance.

And what was your view about players having to be members of the European Tour, rather than simply being Europeans?

I don’t think it is too much of an ask for European Ryder Cup players to be members of the European Tour. I think it's four tournaments you have to play, so it’s not to hard. If you can't make the effort to play four tournaments, then you're not really that interested in being part of the team, either. I think that's something I can stand for.

As a European, and one the top players in the world, do you feel like you’re in a tug of war between the PGA and European Tours?

We've got two strong tours, and you've got a number of players who play on both, and, of course, both the PGA and the European Tour want you to play more. At my age, I’m not looking to play any more tournaments, if anything I would like to player fewer. But if both sides of the Atlantic kind of push for that, of course some players are going to be caught up in the middle. If you bump up the qualification numbers on both tours, it's going to force players to choose, but I don't feel like we're at that point now. The strength of the European Tour today gives the players that don’t want to base themselves in America the chance to play for big money. But, as players, you also want to play against the strongest fields and the toughest courses, and to do that I think it's been beneficial to play all around the world, in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and America. My game, in the long term, has definitely benefitted from playing on a huge variety of different courses under different playing conditions.

You’ve had your fair share of injuries in recent seasons. Is that age beginning to catch up with you, or does modern golf place more strain on the body than was the case in the past?

I still have a torn meniscus in my right knee, and I just try and keep it strong and stable. Most of the time it doesn't give me much problem unless I’m walking on a lot of side slopes when it can flare up a bit more. I may have to have surgery on it at some point, but there are no immediate plans.

I’m lucky in that I didn’t have many injuries as a younger player, so it’s more wear and tear than anything else. The way the guys like Rory and Jason swing it these days is going to put a lot of pressure on the knees, back, neck and so on. So you've got to be careful. My advice to the next generation coming out it to make sure they work hard on their fitness from the very beginning. A lot of guys do, not everyone, but it doesn't show up when you're 20 or 25. It comes at a later stage. That's when you're paying for the wear and tear, and a very onesided motion that we do.

You’re currently ranked fifth in the world. Do you still harbour ambitions to get to no.1?

The world rankings are a reflection on how well you are playing over a period of time, and I’ve always been more keen on winning major championships than becoming world No.1 – even more so now that I’ve won one. It’s not something

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■ STENSON WON THE OPEN AFTER A TITANIC LAST ROUND BATTLE WITH PHIL MICKELSON

you can go after. The rankings take care of themselves. The better you play, the more points you're going to accumulate, and the higher you're going to go. I think if I were to challenge for that position, that's going to be a consequence of me playing some really strong golf over an extended period of time. I'll keep on chipping away, hopefully adding those points, and I think it will definitely be a big motivation if I feel like I'm within reach of it, for sure.

Have you been surprised by how dominant Dustin Johnson has been in recent months?

He's been a very strong player for many, many years. He's obviously upped his game, and he's clearly in a good place at the moment, feeling confident and playing some great golf. So, rightfully so he's the No.1 player in the world at this time. It's always fun to see when someone gets on a run like that and gets their game together. I bet you if you ask him, he’ll say golf feels pretty easy at the moment. It's fun to see. And the rest of us, we're going to try hard to get in the same place and try to challenge him.

You teed it up in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month.

How fun was it to be back competing on British soil as Open champion?

It was great to be back in the UK as the Open champion and feel that buzz in the lead up to the Open again. I hadn’t played in England for a couple of years, so it was really nice to be back and see everyone at Wentworth again. It has been a lot of hard work on the European Tour from everyone involved to launch the new Rolex Series and Wentworth was the start. I was impressed with the changes to West Course, it made it much more playable, and hopefully more enjoyable for the fans to watch, but I would still say that I’m not a great fan of the course – it just doesn’t suit my eye.

Looking ahead to the Open at Royal Birkdale, what are your thoughts on the course, and how do you think you’ll cope with all the interest that comes with being the defending champion?

I'm really looking forward to going back there. I played there in 2008, and played well. It’s one of my favourite Open venues. I think it’s less down to chance if your tee shot stays on the fairway, and in that sense, it's a pretty straightforward links.

It’s a fair test. It’ll be a sad moment if I have to give the Claret Jug back, so I’m going to be trying my hardest to keep hold of it.

[46] JUNE 2017 | OPEN PREVIEW

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

BATTLE ROYAL

With the world’s top five players all boasting recent major wins, the scene is set for a clash of the titans for the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. But will golf’s oldest major produce another Ben Curtis or Todd Hamilton to spoil the favourites’ party, asks Nick Bayly

I

t’s hard to believe that it has been just 10 years since Padraig Harrington struck that infamous 5-wood into the par-five 17th hole at Royal Birkdale that resulted in a tap-in eagle and effectively sealed his successful defence of the Open Championship in 2008.

While it wasn’t quite ‘the shot that rang around the world’ in the same way that Gene Sarazen’s was at the 1935 Masters, that 275-yard blow was certainly one of best shots I’ve seen in my 15 or so years of following the Open.

With the wind gusting hard off the left, and the grandstands very much on his line, it was a stunning play from the Irishman, who was already two shots ahead and could not have been blamed

if he’d played it safe with so much at stake.

But he took the bold choice, and it paid off handsomely, with the ball narrowly missing a bunker before running up the length of the narrow green, and coming to rest three feet from the pin, setting up a tap-in eagle and what turned out to be a four-shot win over Ian Poulter.

Harrington was back at the scene of one his finest hours only last month, trying to recreate that same shot with one of Wilson’s new hybrids. While he didn’t quite manage to hit it to three feet, he did manage to find the green, which is something for a man who is now ranked 172nd in the world, and only returned to competitive golf last month following a three-

month layoff for neck surgery.

And while the ever-genial Irishman will no doubt be hoping that a return to his favoured stomping grounds will serve to turn back the clock, it’s hard to believe it will turn it back far enough for him to bag a coveted third Claret Jug when the 146th Open Championship rolls into Royal Birkdale next month. But, then again, stranger things have happened in the Open, where a lucky bounce can make the difference between winning and losing.

The famous Lancashire links has a habit of producing great champions, with Peter Thomson (’54, ’65), Arnold Palmer (’61), Lee Trevino (’71), Johnny Miller (’76),

■ CLUB CHAMPION: PADRAIG HARRINGTON WON THE OPEN AT ROYAL BIRKDALE IN 2008

■ THE GREEN AT THE PAR-FOUR 2ND IS HEAVILY GUARDED

left and right of the putting surface.

It is made more difficult because it is often played in a left-to-right wind.

WHERE THE OPEN WILL BE WON AND LOST Royal Birkdale features numerous holes with round-wrecking potential, while the opportunities for birdies and eagles are few and far between. Here is our guide to where the battle for the Claret Jug may well be decided COURSE DETAILS: 7,156 YDS, PAR 70

6TH 499 YARDS PAR 4

1ST 448 YARDS PAR 4 The first at Birkdale is one of The Open’s most demanding starting holes and has been the second hardest hole on the course in each of its last two championships, averaging a whopping 4.5 shots in 2008. The fairway sweeps left past a bunker cut into the left-hand side of the landing area and then slightly right to a green partially hidden by a mound to the right and protected by

bunkers on both sides. There is outof-bounds down the right-hand side of the hole. Find that, and your Open gets off to a very bad start.

At nigh on 500 yards, it’s no surprise that this brutal left-to-right dogleg proved the hardest hole to par during the 2008 Open, with only 10 birdies recorded all week. Players who can thread their ball between the bunkers set into both sides of the landing area will be left with around 220 yards into a green which sits above the fairway and angles slightly from left to right. Three bunkers guard the approach to the putting surface.

9TH 416 YARDS PAR 4 4 199 YARDS PAR 3 TH

The first of Birkdale’s four short holes is also the longest, and plays from an elevated tee down some 30-feet to a green which falls away on both sides and is protected by a ring of bunkers eating into the front,

The closing hole of the front nine requires a blind tee shot to a narrow fairway which was moved to the left ahead of the 2008 Championship in order to create a slight left-to-right dog-leg. There are no fairway bunkers, but new mounding to the right of

the landing area will deter the bigger hitters from trying to cut the corner off the tee. Two deep traps guard the front left and right of a green, which will gather anything left short, while the green is slightly elevated, making club selection important, as there is lots of trouble over the back.

12TH 183 YARDS PAR 3 This short hole was introduced in time for the 1965 Championship and is arguably the most memorable hole on the course. Deep bunkers and banks of rough grass guard the left and right of a green built into a sand dune. The putting surface is 32 yards long, but very narrow, and can present an elusive target in the prevailing right-to-left cross wind.

13TH 499 YARDS PAR 4 Once played as a par five, the 13th is now a long par four featuring eight fairway bunkers and three more left and right of a large green situated on the side of a sand hill. Even down

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

OPEN PREVIEW | JUNE 2017

[47]

CLARET JUG CONTENDERS NICK BAYLY ASSESSES THE CHANCES OF THE TOP PLAYERS OFF ADDING TO THEIR MAJOR TALLIES

■ JUSTIN ROSE IN 1998

T

and Tom Watson (’83) all lifting the Open title here, while few will forget Australian Ian Baker-Finch’s weekend rounds of 64 and 66 to win there in 1991.

Once described by celebrated golf writer Bernhard Darwin as a ‘big course on which it is good fun to see big men stretch themselves’, Royal Birkdale’s 7,156-yard layout presents a magnificent links test, with narrow ribbons of fairways weaving through towering sand dunes that provide wonderful vantage points for spectators.

Although challenging when the wind blows in from the Irish Sea, it’s a fair course, and in more benign conditions fans can expect to witness plenty of birdies from their lofty vantage points, as the

greens can be receptive when conditions are soft.

Requiring pinpoint accuracy and careful course management, Birkdale tends to favour players who are able to remain patient, just as Harrington was, rather than those that seek to overpower it with brute force. And, if the wind gets up, as it did in 2008, it could be anyone’s to win or lose.

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he conditions may not play into the hands of current world No.1 Dustin Johnson, who has been bringing PGA Tour courses to their knees over the last 18 months with his booming 350-yard drives. Trouble often awaits those who try to get a little too greedy off the tee, so Johnson may have to rein in his trademark power game if he is to add to his major haul – which currently stands at one.

Distance isn’t much of an issue for Johnson’s rivals for the world No.1 spot, with both Rory McIlroy and Jason Day not shy off the tee, but both have so far failed to get on the scoreboard this year, with Day not having won since the Players’ Championship last May, while Rory has been marooned on four majors for since the PGA Championship in 2014, and has had only one victory to his name in the last 20 months, and that came at last year’s Irish Open, which was a home banker if ever there was one.

Providing he gets the rub of the green, and a decent draw with the weather, a second Claret Jug is well within McIlroy’s capabilities, but he still has to prove that he is back to full fitness from his rib injury, and following a stop-start season may already be thinking that this year is a write-off.

Jordan Spieth, who looked like racking up a string of major wins when he came out on tour, has also stalled slightly, and will be keen to improve his record in the biggest events after bagging the US Open back in 2015. His game is ideally suited to the Open, and a strong showing is expected. The same can be said of defending champion Henrik Stenson, who can be relied on to put his Diablo 3-wood into full use at Birkdale. The 41-year-old Swede put on a devastating display at Royal Troon last year in defeating an on-song Phil Mickelson, and, providing he can sidestep all the usual nonsense that comes with being the current title holder, Stenson looks sure to give a good

■ THE PAR-FIVE 15TH FEATURES 13 BUNKERS

account of himself. He finished third at Birkdale in 2008, and professes that it’s his favourite Open venue, so the omens are certainly positive.

If you follow the horses-for-courses theory, then the man that beat Stenson at last year’s Olympics, Justin Rose, should be one of the favourites. For it was at Birkdale, back in 1998, that the youngster from North Hants Golf Club first announced himself to the world when holing out from the rough at the 18th to finish tied for fourth and leading amateur. Unlucky to lose out to Sergio Garcia in the Masters, Rose showed plenty of

patience to win the US Open at Merion in 2013, and that will stand him in good stead at Birkdale.

Rose’s nemesis at Augusta National will also be a warm order with the bookmarkers to add a Claret Jug to the Green Jacket he hasn’t taken off since April. Garcia, who lost out to Harrington in the Open at Carnoustie in 2007, boasts by far the best Open record of the current crop of stars, with no fewer than ten top-10 finishes since 2001, and with the major monkey finally off his back, will hopefully play with the kind of freedom that took him to the top at the Masters.

Of the home team, Lee Westwood will enjoy his customary share of sympathetic support, but it is perhaps better to look to the younger generation for a more profitable betting proposition, with Southport-born Tommy Fleetwood looking a likely outsider given his close connections with the area.

Although having played a lot of his golf at nearby Hillside, he knows Birkdale like the back of his hand – something that few of his rivals will have in the locker.

OPEN BETTING: 5 Johnson; 9 McIlroy; 10 Spieth; 12 Day; 14 Matsuyama; 16 Stenson; Garcia; 18 Fowler; Rahm, 20 Rose; 22 Mickelson, Scott; 33 Thomas, Kaymer, Pieters, Hatton, Grace, Noren; 40 Lowry, Oosthuizen, Kopeka; 66 Kuchar, Harringotn, Watson B, An, Fitzpatrick, Sullivan, Furyk; 80 Cabrera Bello, Stricker, Wood, Molinari, Fisher R, Poulter, Knox, Snedekker 100 the field.

For the full field and latest odds, visit www.paddypower.com.

TV COVERAGE: This year’s Open Championship is exclusively live on Sky Sports, with the BBC only showing evening highlights. Sky will have a dedicated Open channel in the lead up to the tournament.

Non-Sky customers can pay £10.99 for a weekly pass to watch The Open on NOW TV.

■ BIRKDALE'S 18TH IS A DEMANDING 473-YARD PAR FOUR

also been added to protect the hole should the wind direction change.

It requires a long carry over rough terrain to a narrow fairway protected by two bunkers on the right, and then an accurate second shot into an elevated green surrounded by five deep bunkers. A plaque sits on the right-hand side of the fairway to commemorate the famous shot the late Arnold Palmer smashed out of a bush on his way to securing his first Open title in 1961.

17 TH 567 YARDS PAR 5 the prevailing westerly wind, it is a demanding hole, made more difficult by a band of deep rough to the rear of the green. A par here will feel like a shot saved, while a birdie will give you a big jump on the field.

15TH 542 YARDS PAR 5 No fewer than 13 bunkers line the fairway on the first of Birkdale’s two par fives, and there are two more up at the green to catch any approach hit

slightly left or right. For today’s big hitters it offers a good chance to post a red number if the wind is helping – it yielded 92 birdies and one eagle in 2008 – but it can also bite back, as the 85 bogeys, 20 double bogeys, and three dreaded ‘others’ notched up a decade ago also reveal.

16TH 438 YARDS PAR 4 A new back tee was installed in 2008, and since then an intermediate tee has

Drives have to be hit between two large sand dunes avoiding the two bunkers on the right of the fairway.

When ground is firm, a good drive will normally get some run, shortening the hole. The two-tier green has been pushed back 30 yards and is well protected by some severe bunkers and dramatic contouring. It was from the middle of the 17th fairway that Peter Thomson drilled a low 3-iron that ran up between the bunkers, hit

the flagstick and set up the birdie that secured him the Open title in 1965.

18TH 473 YARDS PAR 4 Although it was ‘only’ the 12th hardest hole in 2008, coming as it does, at the business end of affairs, the 18th always leaves an impression on the scorecard.

A long par four protected by a fairway bunker and out-of-bounds down the right, and a newer fairway bunker at 300 yards down the left, there is also

a new fairway bunker to catch the biggest hitters at 350 yards out, plus three more around a green nestling in the shadow of the clubhouse. It’s a hole Justin Rose will recall with affection, having holed out from 50 yards short of the green on his way to finishing tied-fourth as an 17-year-old amateur in 1998, while Seve Ballesteros played a magical chip over the greenside bunkers in 1976, when he finished second to Johnny Miller.

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FEATURE | JUNE 2017 [49]

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After so many years, how gratifying was it to finally win again last year in the Paul Lawrie Matchplay?

There are two main things that I took away from it. Firstly, knowing that I’ve still got what it takes to win, even at 41, as I was then. That’s not old, but when you’ve been between 13th and 100th on the Order of Merit for 15 years, 41 feels quite old, I can tell you. So, to still be doing it at my age, when I’m in the middle of the pack, felt like quite an achievement. Secondly, it was great that my children were old enough to see their dad actually win something!

incredible. But that’s golf all over, isn’t it?

You’ve had plenty of ups and downs in your years on tour – how easy is it to play through the downs and still keep believing?

If you love the game as much as I do, it’s not that difficult to keep believing. What’s difficult is that the bar gets significantly higher every year, so you do feel like you’re dropping when you’re not doing great, but you’re not, because you’re still out there. So you just have to be careful that you don’t get down on yourself.

Nick Faldo, whom I grew up practising with when I was a junior at Sunningdale, once passed on some very good advice to me. He said: “It doesn’t matter how badly you play, even if the only positive you get from the day is that your bunker play was so bad that you’ve got to go home and practise it. Even if the need to practise is the only positive you can find, you must find a positive out of every day.’

I thought that was quite interesting, because golf is the only sport where you can make a decent career out of losing, so you’ve either got to be mad, or you’ve got to have an incredibly strong mind to be out here for 20 years. When I hit the 500-event milestone earlier this year that basically meant I’ve lost 498 times – so I must have plenty of inner belief!

You suffered an injury in 2013. How did that happen?

It was more wear and tear, really. I had a stress fracture in my right ankle and had some cartilage damage in the left side of my hip, which I’d been carrying for a couple of years. I was having injections to numb the pain, but I wasn’t able to practise much and it was really excruciating. So I had surgery at the beginning of the 2013 season, and then took seven months off.

I played four rounds of golf in that time and then went straight back out on tour. I made the cut on my first event at the European Masters at Crans – which I’d rank alongside one of my proudest achievements – and just tried to get back into the grind of life on tour. I really wanted to get back to where I was in 2006, and getting those injuries sorted out was the only way I was going to that. One step back to move a few forward – that was the plan anyway!

If you class finishing second as losing…

Yeah, well, Andy Murray’s lost five finals in seven years in the Australian Open and I bet he’d say he’d lost. I’ve finished second six times in my career – three times in 2006 alone – so I know how it feels to be the first loser!

JE RE MY ELLWOOD C ATCHES UP WITH THE 42-YE AR- OLD ENGLISHMAN AND T WO -TIME WINNER WHO HA S PL AYED MORE THAN 50 0 EUROPE AN TOUR E VENTS OVER THE L A S T T WO DEC ADES

How did it feel to hit the 500-start mark on the European Tour in China this April?

I am truly honoured to have reached 500. As a kid starting out in the game, you don’t think about those kind of goals, but when I look back on my career when I’m 60 or 70, I’m sure I will be quite proud of the fact that I achieved this milestone. My first event was down in South Africa in 1998, an event I won a couple of years later.

I wasn’t at the races that first week, but I’ve learnt and stuck at it to make a decent career for myself.

Were there a few tears after your win up at Archerfield last year?

I think it was more the realisation that I’d done it. The year before, I should have won, because I had a really good year. Actually, I probably should have won twice last year too – I should have won in Joburg at the start, so to then do it when you least expect it was

What are the best and worst things about life on tour?

I think the worst part is being away from my family, but the best part is travelling and seeing the world. Then there’s the respect you get from golf fans. They all know how hard this game is, and that they should want to pay and watch you – it sounds corny – but it’s bloody humbling. It's lovely that people want to come and watch you hit a ball around a field.

How do you keep yourself motivated after so many years?

I’ve got a family and we enjoy a decent standard of living, so I have to keep going because I’m not very good at doing anything else!

You’ve never tried anything else?

That’s a very good point. I possibly would like to do some commentating one day. I did a little bit in Malaysia last year – they said I was good at it, and I quite enjoyed it. I’ve just joined the European Tour’s players’ committee, and I very much enjoyed our first meeting in Abu Dhabi earlier in the year, where we spent four hours discussing the future of the game.

I feel I like I’ve seen all sides of life as a tour pro, so I’ve got a pretty balanced view on things. I’ve been out here for a while, and learnt lots along the way, so I like to think that my opinion carries some weight and people will listen to what I have to say.

In terms of the future of the pro game, are you in favour of seeing more of the type of match play events that we’ve seen on tour this season?

I think there’s definitely a place for it, but what’s hard is that the crowds struggle with only having one or two matches to watch on the Sunday. Unless you’ve got a Stenson versus McIlroy, you’re going to struggle to get good crowds or viewing figures. So we need to come up with something, maybe a pool system, so there’s still plenty of golf to watch, and players are competing for the top 10 places or what have you. I’m sure we’ll see more of it, but it takes time to find a format that suits everybody.

[50] JUNE 2017 |US OPEN REVIEW

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

WORLD BEATER A Big-hitting American Brooks Koepka tames windswept Erin Hills to claim first major title merica’s Brooks Koepka became the seventh consecutive first-time major champion when running away with the US Open title at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.

The 27 year old from Florida shot a final round 67 to win by four shots, and join a cast list of players that goes back to Jason Day’s victory at the 2015 US PGA Championship, and includes Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson, Jimmy Walker and Sergio García, who have all managed to get

■ ERIN HILLS PROVED FAR FROM A TYPICAL US OPEN COURSE, WITH 31 PLAYERS FINISHING UNDER PAR OR BETTER

off the mark in one of golf’s top events over the last two years.

Despite having just two tour titles to his name – one in America and one in Europe – Koepka has long been touted as a star in the making.

Always possessed with the ability to hit the ball a long way, he managed to marry his power with precision around the tricky Wisconsin course which was generous in some places and brutally punishing in others.

Looking calm and collected throughout the week, Koepka kept his nerve on the world’s biggest stage, piecing together a brilliant final round that included six birdies and just one bogey.

A birdie putt from 40 feet at the 8th played a key part in reaching the turn in 33, while a run of three birdies from the 14th saw Koepka arrive at the final hole with an unassailable lead. The 16-under-par total was a record-equalling US Open tally, matching Rory McIlroy’s achievement in 2011.

Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama shared second place, while Tommy Fleetwood, flying the flag for England and playing alongside Koepka, finished a fine fourth.

The foundation for Koepka’s victory can be traced back five years to a bold career choice. Rather than playing through the lower grade tours in the United States, he opted to move outside his comfort zone and to Europe. PGA Tour status was earned as he progressed through the Challenge and European Tours, impressing seasoned observers on the way.

Of the players who fell short, perhaps Fleetwood has the most cause to be upbeat, in what was his first real shot at a major glory. Speaking after his closing 72, he said: “I've never contended for a major before, so I was really pleased with the way I handled the weekend. I played great on Saturday, but felt that my game wasn’t quite there today, but still got it round in level par. I scrapped a little bit for it, but I felt comfortable playing in those late groups on Saturday and Sunday, and it will hopefully stand me in god stead next time I get in that position.”

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US OPEN REVIEW | JUNE 2017

[51]

THE FOUNDATION FOR KOEPKA’S VICTORY CAN BE TRACED BACK FIVE YEARS AGO TO A BOLD CAREER CHOICE. RATHER THAN PLAYING THROUGH THE LOWER GRADE TOURS IN THE UNITED STATES, HE OPTED TO MOVE OUTSIDE HIS COMFORT ZONE AND TO EUROPE That time may come next month, when Fleetwood returns to his home town, Southport, for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

Of the other contenders, Rickie Fowler’s challenge stumbled on the back nine, with a closing level-par 72 seeing him bag yet another top-five major finish, while Harman, who had hitherto dropped only two shots in the whole tournament, saw his putting form desert him, posting bogeys at the 12th, 13th and the last.

Matsuyama made the biggest charge up the leaderboard on Sunday, shooting 66 to move from just inside the top 20 into a share of second. His attempt to become Japan’s first ever major champion came unstuck at the tricky 15th, when he pulled his tee shot into dense rough, from where he could only chip out sideways. The bogey that ensued proved damaging, although he had the consolation of a rise to No.2 in the world rankings.

KOEPKA CALLS THE SHOTS US Open champion Brooks Koepka reveals the journey that took him from major contender to major champion

US OPEN LEADERBOARD 1

BROOKS KOEPKA

-16

T2 HIDEKI MATSUYAMA

-12

T2 BRIAN HARMAN

-12

4

-11

TOMMY FLEETWOOD

T5 XANDER SCHAUFFELE -10 T5 BILL HAAS

-10

T5 RICKIE FOWLER

-10

8

CHARLEY HOFFMAN

-9

T9 TREY MULLINAX

-8

T9 BRANDT SNEDEKER

-8

T9 JUSTIN THOMAS

-8

Justin Thomas, who shot a record-equalling 63 in the third round to set up his tilt at the title, almost predictably found it hard to keep up the momentum, and three dropped shots in the first five holes on Sunday saw his challenge fizzle out early, with a closing 75 leaving him tied ninth.

Mention must also go to Paul Casey, who was tied for the lead at the halfway point, after rounds of 66 and 71. His challenge faded with weekend rounds of 75 and 74, which saw him finish 26th. Fleetwood aside, Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell, who came through UK qualifying, fared best of the English contingent, firing a closing 71 to finish on five under par and bag a share of 16th place. The $140,000 prize money will go a long way to securing his card for next season.

Given the list of illustrious names who did not make the cut – Day, Johnson, McIroy, Rose and Stenson all failed to make the weekend – special credit is due to Scottie Scheffler. The 20 year old from Dallas finished as the leading amateur on the highly respectable 72-hole aggregate of minus one. As Scheffler continues his career, confidence clearly will not be a problem. “I was trying to compete and see if I could win the golf tournament,” he said. “I think it would be pretty cool winning the US Open as an amateur, and that was my goal coming in.”

As an amateur, Scheffler was unable to win any prize money, not something that can be said for the winner, who took home a recordbreaking $2.1million – the biggest ever payout in major history.

How long is it going to take to sink in that you’re a Major champion?

It probably won't sink in for a while, but it feels amazing to get my name on this trophy alongside so many other great names. It's truly an honour.

How much more special is it to not only have won, but to have matched the low scoring record in a US Open – traditionally one of the toughest of the four majors?

Yeah, I played really solid from the first practice round on Monday all the way through until Sunday. My ball striking was pretty solid all week – it had to be with the wind – and the putter behaved itself all week, so my all-round game was pretty strong. I didn’t know about the low record.

I wish I'd have gotten up and down on 18, I know that. It would have been nice. But it's still a pretty cool accomplishment.

Obviously, the fairways were a little bit wider than you’d normally expect to find at the US Open, and the rain made the greens more receptive, but I drove the ball well all week, which gave me a chance to shoot some low scores.

This golf course was pretty straightforward – you had to put the ball in the fairway and if you didn't you really got penalised, just plain and simple. I was in the fescue maybe three or four times, and I got terrible lies and they all jumped out straight left on me. I can't imagine how I would have got on if I’d hit it in there a couple more times.

What was your game plan this week?

Just stay patient, play one shot at a time, and keep finding fairways. That's what I kept doing. Dustin [Johnson] called me on Saturday night and told me to stay patient, just keep doing what I was doing. And I felt like I really did that. I don't think I even talked to my caddie, Ricky, about winning

this week. He just told me ‘One more good shot, one more good shot’. And that was kind of all we talked about all week. It sounds pretty boring, but it's the truth.

Patience hasn’t always been my strong point. I’ve been trying too hard to win, if that makes sense, getting ahead of myself. I feel like I’ve been an underachiever. And the more patient that I can become, the more times I'll put myself in this situation.

Why did you feel like an underachiever at 27?

I feel like I’ve put myself in contention so many times, but have only won once on the PGA Tour and once on the European Tour. I don't want to say I got unlucky, but I felt like I’ve given myself some good chance to win tournaments, to win majors, but just never quite came through when it mattered. I felt like I should be winning more. I don't know why. It's one of those things – I’m not a big fan of losing; I don't think anyone out here is.

Considering you say you've underachieved to this point, how lofty are your goals now?

They're pretty high, they always have been. I started out this year with the aim of winning multiple times and a major. I'm sure someone heard me say that. The way my game is set up I thought I had a few wins in me. And I think this is hopefully major number one, and there's many more to come.

Those three birdies at 14, 15 and 16 sealed the deal for you. Can you talk about that stretch?

Yeah, the par save on 13 was massive. That's the reason I felt I had so much confidence coming down the stretch, especially with the par five coming up, knowing that I needed to birdie that. And to be honest with you, I think it was like 300 yards to the pin, but I knew I could get there with 3-wood if I just turned it. And leaving it in that bunker wasn't that bad. Anywhere over there was fine. And on 15, I actually hit a poor tee shot, but that second shot was unbelievable.

That pin is hanging off the back and into the wind. It was probably one of the best shots I hit all week, And, then on 16, I couldn't see the bottom of the flag, but I flushed it right at it. So my ball striking was really good.

And anytime you're striking it well, you're going to give yourself some chances, and I just built off that putt on 13. I had some confidence.

You’ve talked in the past about

handling the pressure of the Ryder Cup. Did your experiences at Hazeltine in any way help you cope with being in front here?

Yeah, the Ryder Cup was kind of the first real taste of true pressure I've ever felt. I don't get too nervous. I don't really think too far ahead, usually. And to be honest with you, I don't think I ever got nervous this week, not at one point. I just stayed in the moment.

And I thought that if I strayed from the game plan at all, things were going to go sideways. You're here to play golf. You've got 18 holes, just gut it out for that long and then you can celebrate.

You took a pretty unconventional route to get here, leaving America, going to Europe.

Do you feel that made you a more complete golfer from the kind of skills you had to learn playing in such a variety of conditions?

Going over to play the Challenge Tour in 2012 was really cool, to get to travel the world at 21 years old, and do what you do for a living is pretty neat. I love travelling.

I'll go anywhere. It definitely helped me grow up, built my confidence, and gave me the feeling that I had a chance to really take my golf career somewhere.

Gary Player said one of his greatest accomplishments was being a truly world champion. How special do you feel knowing that you’ve won around the world and now the US Open?

It's really special to have won in so many different countries and under so many different conditions. I won in Japan in November, and on the European Tour in Turkey three years ago, and on the PGA Tour in Phoenix in 2015. I won four times on the Challenge Tour in places like Spain and Italy.

I'd love to get a map and just look at all the places I've won.

There must have been some low points when you were starting out, being away from home and with all the travelling?

Yeah, actually there were. There was a low point. I called Blake Smith, my manager, right before I won the final Challenge Tour event to get on the European Tour. The night of the third round I called him and I was like, ‘I don't even want to play. I just want to go home’. I wasn’t homesick, I was just tired of golf. I hadn’t had a day off in weeks and was tired of all the travelling. I just wanted to be home, even though I think I had the lead at that point and was about to win the third one. For some reason I just wanted to get out and go home. I don't know why.

[52] JUNE 2017 | INTERVIEW

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BACK IN

BUSINESS

After struggling with injury and a dramatic swing change, big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros is back on the winning trail – and the European Tour – after a hard-fought win in Sicily

Y

ou lost your European Tour card last year, and were set for a season on the Challenge Tour before you won the Rocco Forte Open in Sicily last month. You held a sevenshot lead going into the final round, but ended up having to win a playoff. Firstly, how glad are you that you won, and secondly what does it mean for you going forward?

Obviously it shouldn't have been anywhere close to being a play-off, but in the end it's a victory, and that's the most important thing. It [the final round] was a little bit of a mess, to be honest. My game wasn't that bad, but I started to struggle with the left-to-right wind over the last few holes. I didn't have an idea how many shots I was leading by early on, but I knew on 18 that I had to make a putt to halve with Zander [Lombard].

What that the reason for your muted celebration at the end? The fact that you held such a big lead and almost let it slip?

It’s a strange feeling, because, as I said, it was a victory, but I didn't really like how I finished the round. It should never have gone that far. But at the same time, I could be talking about finishing second, so I’m happy.

I’m positive, because it means I can go back onto the European Tour for the next two years, and start to plan a proper schedule again.

Back in 2011, you were just outside the world’s top 20 and looked destined for great things. What happened that six years later you got to the point where you lost your card?

It was down to a number of things, including a big swing change that I made back then, and a long-term wrist injury. Obviously, the lowest point was last season, losing my card for the first time in my career. The most important thing for me back then was to recover my game, because I knew that if I could do that after a year on the Challenge Tour I should be able to get my card and come back. Fortunately it happened earlier, and I’m happy to say I’m hitting the ball better. I know where I am technically, and that’s a big improvement.

Why did you feel like you needed to make a swing change in 2011?

It was a matter of ambition – an ambition of achieving professional goals. I could have been happy with what I had – I was making a good living and had enough money, but I wanted to be a better player. And that is risky. I could have chosen to settle with what I had, or changed my swing to be a better player and try to be a top-10 player, rather than a top-30 player. And I chose to do so. My coach at the time, Pepin Rivero, didn’t agree with me, but I forced him into it.

Unfortunately it didn’t work out quite as I expected, and instead of going up in the world rankings, I slipped down and down. I lost my touch, I lost my confidence and then I had to have surgery on my wrist in 2012. It was always likely to go one of two ways, but that’s the risk you take.

What were the changes that you and Pepin worked on?

We worked on a few things, mainly to do with coordinating my body turn with my hands, in order to control my distance and make me a more consistent player. We were also trying to create a

more around-the-body swing that generates a controlled draw, rather than the vertical swing that encouraged a fade, which I have always had. It’s not something you can achieve overnight, but it took a lot longer than I expected.

I was trying to make myself a more consistent player, rather than going all out to win every tournament I played in. I’d much rather have five or six top-10s in a row, than win one week and then miss the cut the next four. Seeing your name on the leaderboard every week is what gives you confidence, not winning once every five or six years.

You’ve been working with a new coach, former European Tour player Hernan Rey. How has he helped you?

When I lost my tour card last year I realised many things, and I decided that I had to get my game and my confidence back as soon as possible.

I turned to Hernán, who is now a coach and we’re working together, the only thing is that he lives in Orlando, so it’s not easy. But I spent two weeks working with him on my swing. In trying to hit a draw, I was sometimes getting stuck on the downswing, with my hips clearing too soon and hands trying to play catch up. Hernán has helped me work on those issues and we’ve tried to make it a more free-flowing swing. It’s a work in progress.

You’ve always been known as a big hitter, but are you trying to focus more on finding the fairways, rather than smashing it miles?

When I was younger, whenever I had the chance to hit to the green, even when I was in the rough, I would go for it every single time. It was stupid, I know, but I was still learning. My caddy constantly had to rein me in. I thought about my game and questioned why I didn’t always manage to convert my long game into low scores. I have to play smarter and not always go for the big shot. I realised I wasn't going to hit the ball any further than I did, so I decided I had to hit it better.

The key for me is all about timing and coordination; having all the moving parts working together, rather than fighting each other. I’m 6 foot 3 inches tall and weigh over 90kg, so a lot of my power is down to my physique, but long driving is not always the advantage people make it out to be. The fairways are much narrower on tour than they used to be, and the rough thicker around the fringes, which can make it very difficult.

These days, if I miss the fairway, I more often than not have to lay up.

A LOT OF MY POWER IS DOWN TO MY PHYSIQUE, BUT LONG DRIVING IS NOT ALWAYS AN ADVANTAGE ON TOUR. THE FAIRWAYS ARE MUCH NARROWER THAN THEY USED TO BE, AND THE ROUGH THICKER AROUND THE FRINGES, WHICH CAN MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

INTERVIEW | JUNE 2017

[53]

ALVARO QUIROS FACT FILE AGE: 34 LIVES: DUBAI TURNED PRO: 2004 EUROPEAN TOUR APPEARANCES: 231 EUROPEAN TOUR WINS: 6 (ALFRED DUNHILL 2007, PORTUGAL MASTERS 2008, QATAR MASTERS 2009, DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC 2011, DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2011, ROCCO FORTE OPEN 2017)

T24 (US PGA 2009), T27 MASTERS 2011, T54 US OPEN 2011 WORLD RANKING: 234TH (HIGHEST: 21ST, 2011) 2017 RACE TO DUBAI RANKING: 134TH TEAM HONOURS: EISENHOWER TROPHY 2000, SEVE TROPHY 2009

BEST MAJOR PERFORMANCES: T11 THE OPEN 2010,

What’s in Alvaro’s bag?

DRIVER: CALLAWAY GBB EPIC FAIRWAYS: CALLAWAY GBB EPIC IRONS: CALLAWAY APEX MB PUTTER: ODYSSEY O-WORKS 2-BALL BALL: CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT X

Has this affected how far you hit the ball?

I hit it slightly shorter now, but I’m still averaging over 300 yards with my driver. But I can coordinate my swing better now, so I don't need to accelerate with the hands so much, just going through with the body. Rather than hitting every shot 100%, I’m now giving it 85%, which still produces some really solid shots.

Back in 2010-2011 you played a few events on the PGA Tour. If you’re able to get your world ranking back up, would you give it another go?

Well, I mean, most players would like to play more events on the PGA Tour, and in World Golf Championships and Majors, but it’s all about your ranking. I’m now in the low two hundreds, so I still have a way to go.

The atmosphere is quite different between the two Tours, isn't it?

Inside the golf course I was happy on the PGA Tour. In fact, I like the way they play and the way the courses are set up more in the States than I do in Europe. But off the golf course it’s a lonely existence, which is a difficult situation to manage. All the players on the US Tour seem to live in their own little worlds. They don't try to meet with different players. On the European Tour I often have dinner with five or six other Spanish players, as well as other nationalities. I can survive by myself, but I also like a social life.

You’ve got a young son, Alvaro Junior, and another child on the way, has that put more pressure on you to perform on the golf course?

Having a wife and family definitely gives me inspiration. I’m now 34 years old, and have more responsibilities and my priorities have changed. Maria, my wife, has been with me all the way and she has a positive personality, which has got me through my dark times. We’ve recently moved to Dubai, so it’s all change – in a good way. I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful person by my side, a happy, healthy son, and parents and siblings who are well – what else could I ask for?

[54] JUNE 2017 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

O’HAGAN WINS SURREY AMATEUR

■ MAX O'HAGAN RECEIVED THE SURREY AMATEUR TROPHY FROM PETER ALLISS

W

est Hill’s Max O’Hagan won the Surrey Amateur Championship after beating Lewis Hinton (Foxhills) 3&2 in the final held at Royal Mid Surrey on June 4.

Competing in a field of 66 golfers drawn from more than 30 different clubs in Surrey, O’Hagan and Hinton had progressed through 36 holes of stroke play and three rounds of match play to reach the final, with O’Hagan beating Alex Allbut (Croham Hurst) in his semi, and Hinton defeating Alfie Fox (Roehampton) in the other.

Hindhead’s David Corben topped the list of stroke play qualifiers by an impressive five shots after shooting rounds of 65 and 68, but lost to Allbut in the first matchplay round.

O’Hagan took control of the final on the back nine of the JH Taylor Course, recording an impressive birdie, eagle, birdie finish over the par-4 13th, par-5 14th and par-4 15th holes. He was awarded his winner’s medal and the historic trophy from legendary broadcaster Peter Alliss.

Royal Mid Surrey’s club chairman Chris Holt said: “It was great to see so many accomplished county golfers playing at such a high standard and the course in its best condition for the championship. We are delighted to have hosted the event once again and look forward to hosting more championship events in the future."

COTTRELL PARK UNVEILS ‘SAWGRASS-STYLE’ GREEN

V

isitors to Cottrell Park Golf Club in Cardiff can look forward to playing its recentlyrenovated Button Gwinnett course with even more interest following the re-opening of its island green 8th hole.

The newly-redesigned hole has been extended by 50 yards and takes it in a different direction to the old green, now surrounded by water, to create an island green similar to that played on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass during the

Players’ Championship.

The club, which boasts two 18-hole courses, the 6,361 yard Macintosh and the 5,799-yard Button Gwinnett, has continued to invest in its on facilities in recent years, and has introduced several new greens,

lakes and tee complexes.

Cottrell Park general manager Derek Smith said: “It is critical that our members and visitors see that we are serious in investing time and money on improving the courses wherever we can. We have future plans for more developments on the courses and practice areas, as we remain totally committed to our loyal members and visitors to give them the best possible experience and enjoyment here at Cottrell Park.”

Opened in 1996 and based within 400 acres of historical parkland, Cottrell Park Golf Resort offers golfing, business, wedding and leisure facilities, including two championship-maintained golf courses, event, conferencing and meeting rooms, team building and training activities, a restaurant and bar, a nature trail, and sport simulators.

■ THE NEW-LOOK 8TH HOLE AT COTTRELL PARK

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ADDINGTON’S ALEX SETS SIGHTS ON TITLEIST TITLE

A

ddington Court’s Alex MacGregor will be looking to summon up the form that earned him a top-ten finish when he competes in his fourth Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship final.

MacGregor won the South B qualifying event on countback, after carding a three-under-par 69 at The Lambourne Club. That matched Gerrards Cross’s Lewis Atkinson’s score, but MacGregor had a better back nine and took the honours.

MacGregor’s round featured an eagle at the par-four ninth, before ending with a birdie at the 18th. “The ninth was a slightly shortened hole, but I got a good tee shot to within about 15 inches, that kick-started

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NEWS | JUNE 2017 [55]

HORTON PARK PRO EARNS FOUNDATION COACHING AWARD

■ MATT WILCOX

M WILCOX WINS BRITISH MID AMATEUR

N

orth Hants Golf Club’s Matt Wilcox captured the British Mid Amateur Championship after shooting rounds of 69, 73 and 72 at Woodhall Spa. Open to all male golfers aged over 35 with handicaps of 9.4 or less, the 54-hole tournament attracted over 120 entries, but a handicap ballot had to be introduced so that only those with handicaps below 3.4 made the final 75-strong field.

Wilcox’s three-round total of 214 saw him win by four shots from Andrew Day (Ferndown), with Jorg Paulus from Royal Copenhgen Golf Club in Denmark a further shot back in third.

Wilcox is currently second in the Mid Amateur Golf Tour’s order of merit, but will be hoping to claim the top spot when the tour visits his home club for the Justin Rose Mid Amateur at North Hants.

att Edgar from Horton Park Golf Club in Surrey has been honoured for his work with youngsters at the Golf Foundation’s annual awards.

Edgar was presented with the Sinclair Award at a special ceremony held at Wentworth Club during the BMW PGA Championship, where he also received a golfer’s watch generously donated by Etiqus.

According to the Golf Foundation citation, the award is presented to ‘a PGA Professional who, as a direct result of their ■ HORTON PARK'S MATT EDGAR RECEIVES HIS COACHING AWARD efforts, has made a significant impact in the Edgar also works with Fulham Football Foundation to introduce development of grass roots junior golf’. more children with disabilities to golf, runs two girls-only sessions Edgar was recognised for transforming the junior section at each week, and hosts Tri-Golf teacher-training workshops for local Horton Park, which has seen 48 new players join the club since schools, while 150 juniors receive coaching at the club. his arrival. He has achieved this by embracing Golf Foundation Horton Park’s owner, Richard Haygarth, said: “Matt is every golf initiatives, working with a variety of school and community partners, course owner’s dream.” and making the junior programme fun, inclusive and child-centred.

STUDENTS PASS WEST ESSEX TEST

■ ALEX MACGREGOR

F

the round and gave me the momentum to keep going,” he said.

The pair finished one shot ahead of Silvermere’s Callum Scott at the Buckinghamshire course. And they will join nine other qualifiers at the £78,000 grand final, which is being staged in Ireland this year, with

Luttrellstown Castle hosting the event later this month.

Cornwall-born MacGregor admitted that despite an impressive 10th place finish at Blairgowrie in Scotland three years ago, he wanted an improvement on his recent displays. “I’ve made the final for the past four years, including

this one,” said the Croydon club’s teaching professional.

“It’s been ups and downs, I had a 10th place in 2014, but some missed cuts as well.

I’m excited to be there again though, and the courses are always good at this stage, so I’m sure Luttrellstown will be a treat to play.”

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lashes of lightning, heavy rain, and an hour’s suspension of play failed to dampen the spirits of competitors taking part in the South East of England Schools Championships held at West Essex Golf Club on June 3, especially the respective champions, Essex’s Matthew Green and Amy Taylor from Norfolk.

After idyllic morning conditions, the weather turned nasty in the afternoon, with high winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightning causing scores to rise rapidly. Thalia Kirby led the girls’ event at lunch with an opening 71, one ahead of Taylor and Sophie Faulkner. But only Taylor and Holly Haslam matched the par of 72 in the

prolonged afternoon session with Taylor coming home to claim the title by one from Kirby.

The 16-year-old onehandicapper from Norfolk, who won the 2016 East Region Ladies and topped the Norfolk girls Order of Merit last year, made a flying start to her morning round, firing two eagles in an opening 72.

Ben Humphrey (Shenfield) led the boys’ morning round with a superb 69, going into lunch with a two-shot lead from Green, Owen Benson (Oaklands College) and Carl Banner (Thorpe House). But the roles were reversed in the afternoon, with 16-year-old Green, who is a member at Bishops Stortford, rolling in

■ MATT GREEN AND AMY TAYLOR

three birdies in his 69 for 140, two under par, winning by five shots as his rivals fell away.

The two-handicapper from Great Dunmow won the Hertfordshire U16 title last year and the U15 crown the previous year, when he also won the Gog Magog Junior Open.

In the team events, Norfolk completed a hat trick of girls titles with 298, six better than Essex and Buckinghamshire, Essex retained the boys title by 14 strokes from Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

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[56] JUNE 2017 | TOUR NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TOURNEWS...

PARATORE SECURES MAIDEN WIN IN SWEDEN

R

enato Paratore won his first European Tour title as he held off the challenge of Chris Wood and defending champion Matthew Fitzpatrick to claim the Nordea Masters at Barsebäck Golf and Country Club.

The Italian entered the final day a shot behind Wood, and showed plenty of battling qualities to save par on the last three holes and sign for a 70 and an 11-under-par total, leaving the Englishman needing a par up the last to set up a play-off.

But Wood hooked his tee shot into the trees and recorded a bogey, leaving Paratore to become the youngest winner on Tour since fellow countryman Matteo Manassero won the BMW PGA Championship in 2013.

Fitzpatrick had birdied the last to sign for a 68, and set the target at ten under on a rainy day in Malmö, but ultimately fell a shot short of a play-off.

“It feels amazing to be in the winner’s circle with Italians like the Molinaris, Manassero and Rocca,” said Paratore, whose victory in his 83rd European Tour appearance took him to 131st in the world rankings. “It

was a little bit stressful at the end. Chris is a really solid player, so I was expecting a play-off.”

Wood’s second-place finish moved him to 60th in the world rankings, and qualified him for this month’s US Open. “I’ve been fighting my swing all week, and probably surprised myself with a lot of the good shots I hit. It’s obviously disappointing, but it should nudge me up the world rankings and back into the US Open, and that’s what I came here to do.”

LANGER COMPLETES SENIOR SLAM

B

ernhard Langer made history at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship when he became the first golfer to win all five Senior major championships.

The 59-year-old two-time Masters champion went head to head with fellow green jacket winner Vijay Singh in the final round at Trump National in New York, and a crucial birdie on the par-four 16th hole saw him take a one shot lead with two holes to play.

Singh bogeyed the 17th, giving Langer a two-shot cushion heading down the last, and the German secured his ninth Senior major victory with par for a total of 18 under.

With this victory, Langer equalled Gary Player’s record of nine Senior majors, which he set in 1990, just one week after matching Jack Nicklaus’s eight Senior major titles with his win at the Regions Tradition.

Langer said: “It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for me, and hopefully

this is encouraging for the older people that are my age that they can still improve their game, that they can still play good golf and get better, even in their late 50s or early 60s.”

QUIROS SPRINGS SICILY SURPRISE

A

lvaro Quiros marked a dramatic return to the winners’ circle at the Rocco Forte Open in Sicily, as the Spaniard defeated South Africa’s Zander Lombard in a play-off to claim his first European Tour title in over six years.

The 34 year old, who prior to this week had only made five cuts in his

last 20 events, defied the form book at Verdura, shooting rounds of 63, 64 and 70 to lead the field by five shots with 18 holes to play.

Quiros, who lost his European Tour card last season, then came flying out of the blocks in the final round with four birdies in the first six holes –

■ ALVARO QUIROS WON BACK HIS EUROPEAN TOUR CARD WITH VICTORY IN SICILY

TOUR NEWS IN BRIEF STENSON SECURES SEVE AWARD Henrik Stenson was presented with the recently renamed Seve Ballesteros Award during BMW PGA

Championship at Wentworth Club.

Javier Ballesteros, Seve’s eldest child, along with European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley, presented the Swede with the award, which is voted for by every European Tour Member at the end of a season and now carries the name of the legendary Spaniard. Stenson was the overwhelming winner of the 2016 vote by his fellow professionals at the end of a season which saw him claim his first major title in The Open at Royal Troon, as well as winning the Race to Dubai for the second time in four seasons.

draining long birdie putts at the fifth and sixth to lead by seven.

But, with the winning post in sight, things started to unravel for the Spaniard, as four bogeys and a doublebogey opened the door for potential contenders.

Lombard, who shot 62 in the first round, looked the most likely challenger, with the 22 year old from Pretoria racking up seven birdies in his first 13 holes. His final round 68 piled the pressure on playing partner Quiros, who was forced to hole a ten-footer on the last to take it to extra holes – signing for a two over 73 and joining Lombard on a 14 under total.

Quiros made his experience count in the playoff though, and after they halved the first play-off hole in pars, a smart two-putt for par was enough to seal the victory for Quiros, after Lombard missed a threefooter to end his hopes of a maiden win.

HORSCHEL HAS HIS DAY Billy Horschel beat Jason Day in a playoff at the AT&T Byron Nelson in Texas to claim his fourth PGA Tour title. The 30-year-old American carded a final round 69 at TPC Las Colinas to tie on 12 under after 72 holes with Australian world No.3 Day. Both players made pars on the 17th, before leaving birdie chances short on the 18th to set up the play-off. Day needed to hole a four-foot put to keep the play-off alive, but it slipped past the cup to hand the title to Horschel, who hadn’t won on the PGA Tour since 2014.

KARLSSON RECEIVES VICE-CAPTAIN CALL UP

E

urope Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn has named Sweden's Robert Karlsson as his first vice-captain for the 2018 event against the USA in France.

Karlsson, 47, played in Europe's victory in 2006, and the defeat two years later, and is Bjorn's first backroom appointment.

Next year's event takes place at Le Golf National in Paris from 28-30 September.

Former European Tour No.1

PGA TOUR OPENS LONDON HQ The PGA Tour has opened an office in London in order to further its global interests. Although an official announcement is not expected until later this summer, the PGA’s London office is already operational, with its prime focus on negotiating media rights and tournament sponsorship.

The PGA Tour’s main headquarters is in Florida, but it already has offices in Beijing and Tokyo. The European Tour has full-time staff in the United States, although no permanent office.

Karlsson said: "I've played in two Ryder Cups, so I have the experience of what the players will face and also have a lot of experience on the European Tour. I know the players well, and I know Thomas well too."

Bjorn added: "Robert will be a vital foil for me over the next 16 months in all aspects of our preparation, including helping analyse statistical information on players. I know he will give me his honest opinion on everything I ask."

KISNER CAPTURES D&D INVITATIONAL American Kevin Kisner produced six birdies in a final round 66 to win the PGA Tour’s Dean & Deluca Invitational.

The 33-year-old trailed third round leader Webb Simpson by three strokes before clinching the second PGA Tour title of his career. Defending champion Jordan Spieth was tied second with Sean O'Hair and Spain's Jon Rahm.

Rahm had the best chance to force a play-off, but missed a 10-foot birdie putt at the last, as Kisner overcame late nerves to secure victory.

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MEET CHIP BREWER, THE BUSINESS BRAINS BEHIND CALLAWAY’S EPIC SUCCESS

CHIP [58] JUNE 2017 | EQUIPMENT

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

ON THE BLOCK

Callaway Golf chief executive Chip Brewer talks about the turnaround in the company’s fortunes, the challenges facing the industry and the wider game, and why the future is looking Epic INTERVIEW BY NICK BAYLY PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL SEVERN

Y

ou’ve been running the show at Callaway for five years. Is the company where you’d hoped it would be by now?

I knew we would turn this business around.

Callaway has always been a great brand, and I quickly discovered that it had much more relevance and resonance around the world that I'd even thought.

Given the resources and the expertise that we have on board, I was quietly confident that we would be able to grow the business, but in my wildest dreams I didn’t think we were going to be as successful as we’ve been.

It’s easy to keep score in this business, and we’ve grown our market share across the board. We don’t run our entire business on revenue, but in order to invest in the company as we have done, investing in R&D, the tour, and in bringing in the brightest minds, we’ve had to aggressively go after the market, which is what we have done.

But I like to think that we do that in an intelligent manner.

We’re profitable, and we’re now a leader in the global equipment business, which is what we decided to focus on five years ago.

It’s been an interesting time in the equipment business of late, with Nike dropping hardwear and Adidas selling off TaylorMade.

It’s a changing landscape, but are you comfortable with where Callaway is positioned?

Compared to a lot of our competitors, we’re in a good position right now, as structurally we have no debt, and we’re a strong, independent, profitable business. I didn’t anticipate that the golf industry was going to contract in quite the way it has over the last five years. It’s a much smaller business now.

How has global trading conditions and declining participation in golf affected Callaway?

The market’s been difficult, but we’ve bucked that trend. We’ve gained more than 50% market share over the past few years. Our businesses and brand are healthier and in a stronger position than they were four or five years ago. We’re pretty bullish about the future, and we’re also comfortable with the direction of the game right now. There’s much more reason for optimism. It’s a reasoned optimism, we’re not talking double-digit growth yet, but we are talking a very stable, improved environment. The demise of golf is not a reasonable call at this point.

So stories proclaiming ‘the death of golf’ are premature in your mind?

I think that the story of golf’s demise is overstated. Clearly golf has had a rough patch, starting with the recession. The industry resized after that, but a lot of the talk has been too negative. The industry, and the game, is strengthening; not every metric or every company is moving in that direction, but the vast majority of the metrics indicate they are becoming more and more positive. There’s

definitely some good vibes for golf going on.

There are a lot of initiatives underway that are intended to help participation. It is too soon to judge their outcome, but there are uniform views that this is something that the entire industry wants to address. On the other hand, I understand that we clearly have participation concerns and we have to work together to try to address that.

How important is it for you to have top tour players using your gear?

Of course it’s great to have players using your equipment, but it’s not a race we’re trying to win at all costs. We have always invested in the tours around the world, and will continue to do so, but we’re more focused on delivering products that differentiate themselves from the market, and products that all players will want to use.

Did Danny Willett’s Masters' win have any impact on retail sales in the UK last year?

It had a nice, positive impact. We spend a lot on relationships and hope for opportunities like that. Danny’s win in the Masters was very good for our brand. We saw a little bit of a pickup in sellthrough the week after that, but any one event is not impactful.

It’s the convergence of multiple things. I like to talk about business as a symphony, and all areas of the business have to combine in a harmonious manner to make beautiful music.

What do you think club golfers most readily associate Callaway with in terms of equipment, and what does it want to be known for?

To be honest, there isn’t a single category that we want to stand for above the others. We have some categories where we are leaders again, and in others we are no.2 or no.3. Above all, I think that Callaway needs to stand for excellence in products across the board, not just in one thing. Callaway has a unique brand position – it has a heritage of being very innovative and technical, but also very premium. So when we look at our R&D — which I believe we have invested in more than anybody over a longer period of time — that fits with that strategy. What we should be is a leader in total performance premium golf equipment. That is the best of the best high-tech products.

We’ve definitely seen an upward shift in prices in the last year or two. Is this reflecting the increased level of technology involved?

Up until very recently the average selling prices and excess inventory that has been put into the marketplace has been a cancer to the golf industry. Everybody is talking about that changing now and it really needs to. Over the last three years we have raised average selling prices, but at the same time we have gained a ton of market share. Nobody wants to pay more for a club unless it’s better value, so we’ve focused on creating products that are worth it and that deliver the benefit.

We are bringing out products like the Epic driver, which are

demonstrably superior to what came before, and people will pay for that improved performance.

The Epic driver has been a huge success this season. Did you know it was going to be a winner, or were you a little nervous at launch time that this might not fly with golfers, given its hefty price point?

Some of us were more nervous than others, let’s just say. Some people were worried whether the market was ready to stump up over £400 for a driver again, but thankfully it is, and that’s because it performs. People wouldn’t pay that kind of money if it didn’t make a noticeable difference to their game, so while it is a lot of money, people are telling us that it is money well spent.

I’ve never been nervous about high prices. As long as the product performs, you shouldn’t worry.

Golfers don’t change their irons as often as their drivers, so how confident are you that the Epic irons will be a success?

Yes, it’s fair to say that golfers don’t change their irons as often as their woods, but why buy another of the same old thing? The Epic iron is one of my favourite products since I’ve been here.

The Apex was my previous best iron, but these are my new favourites.

Alan Hocknell, our head of R&D, wanted to play forged cavity backs, but it had to look like a player's club, so I set him the task of developing a club that used all the technology to create a club that could hit a 6-iron 175 yards. It was all his own input, with the only proviso being that he should throw all the bells and whistles at it in terms of R&D. There were no constraints on cost, materials or manufacturing processes. Alan’s a low singlefigure golfer, so the Pro version is his dream iron, while the standard version is for higher handicappers.

Do you expect to see any tour players use the Epic iron?

It’s not a tour product, as they’ll hit it too far, so I don’t expect to see it finding its way into many players’ bags. It just goes too far, which isn’t any benefit for a tour player who already hits his 8-iron 170 yards. However, it will really benefit pretty

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EQUIPMENT | JUNE 2017 [59]

■ THE EPIC DRIVER HAS BEEN A BIG HIT WITH PROS AND AMATEURS ALIKE

customise them for an individual player. That takes it to another level. A cup face is better for everybody because of an increased ball speed, but that doesn’t mean any one size fits everybody perfectly. We are talking about more than just changing loft and lie angle nowadays.

The amount of options available in shafts and their performance criteria, the total weight of the golf club, the ability to move the centre of gravity vertically as well as horizontally. If you look at our new drivers, they have double-digit amount of customisable shafts available for no extra charge.

Callaway has bought into the TopGolf business. Is this a way of trying to catch youngsters who might be put off by the idea of going to a golf club, but want to give it a try in a less formal environment?

Absolutely. TopGolf has been a tremendously positive business for us to get involved in. The data I’ve seen suggests that TopGolf can be a real catalyst for getting new people into the game. It started in the UK, where there are four sites now, but it’s growing in the US now too. It creates interest around the game, and appeals to golfers and non-golfers alike. Drinks, food and a driving range – what’s not to like?

How often do you play golf, and how has your handicap faired since taking the reins at Callaway?

I play almost every weekend. My son loves the game and we play together a lot. My vocation is also my passion; I’m very lucky. My current handicap is 2.5; it got worse when I started at Callaway, but it’s getting a little better lately. It’s inversely correlated to our market share and the stock price. One goes down when the other goes up! much everyone else, from single figure players like myself, and upwards. Tell me a club golfer who doesn’t want extra forgiveness and longer distance?

Callaway recently brought Toulon Putters and the Ogio bag business. Are more acquisitions in the pipeline?

There probably will be more acquisitions in the future, but what and when I couldn’t say right now. Where we are structurally and financially as a business will certainly allow us to do that should we find the right fit. As well as brands, we’re also in the market for talent. For example, Nike exiting the ball business gave us the opportunity to sign up Rock Ishii, Nike’s chief golf ball designer, and he’s now working on all our new golf ball products. We’re investing about $2 million more in golf ball R&D now, and down the line, maybe in 2019, 2020, we’ll expect to see some things blossom from the seeds that have been planted now.

Ogio is being run as a completely separate business to Callaway, and although only 35% of its market is in golf, it will sit alongside

■ CALLAWAY HAS EMPLOYED ALL OF ITS TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE AND HIGH GRADE MATERIALS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ITS NEW EPIC IRONS

our own bag business quite nicely, as each has its own brand identity. It also gives us access into the accessories market, which is one of Ogio’s strong points, as well as the luggage and backpack market, which is also a huge growth area.

Talking of balls, how important has the success of Chrome Soft been in the overall growth of the business?

The golf ball category has the greatest absolute percentage growth potential. We made money in golf balls for the first time in 2013. Now we’re starting to see nice growth, we’re No.2 in the ball category, and we’re the fastest growing global ball brand. Nike exiting the ball business has been helpful, but not transformational for us.

The Chrome Soft has been phenomenally successful, and has led the move towards a lot of players playing a lower compression ball. When we were producing a ball that was similar to a lot of other premium tour balls, we were doing ok, but nothing exceptional; but when we did something different, as we did with Chrome Soft, the market reacted accordingly. People like different.

We should all be playing as low a compression ball as we can. It’s going to go farther, it’s going to feel better, and it’s going to be more forgiving. And it’s the reason why nearly all golfers would be better off playing a softer ball.

People who’ve played the Chrome Soft recommend it to others, which says all you need to know. Balls are hard to differentiate from each other, but Chrome Soft is different and better.

Custom fitting has been a huge growth area in recent years and a great tool for selling equipment. Do you subscribe to that view?

I think custom fitting is the future of the golf club business, and probably golf balls as well. In the past, you could make a breakthrough technology, and do it in a way that one size would fit everybody. We would come out in the past with a new driver made out of titanium. Literally, the Big Bertha was made for everybody, right? Well, I would argue that we could make similar leaps with other new tech like CAD systems and the ability to dial in CG locations. We build mass customisation and manufacturing techniques that allow us to take these paradigm moves and

CALLAWAY GOLF

BY NUMBERS

$871m $309m 22% 14% 60% $12.81m TOTAL SALES 2016, (+3% ON 2015)

FIRST 1/4 SALES 2017, (+13% ON 2016)

CLUB MARKET SHARE

BALL MARKET SHARE

PUTTER MARKET SHARE

SHARE PRICE, (UP 140% FROM 2012)

[60] JUNE 2017 | PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

GOLF MARKET PROVIDES A SIMPLE, USER FRIENDLY AND TRUSTED PLATFORM WHERE GOLFERS CAN LIST OR QUICKLY FIND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR TO GET GOLFING

GET MOVING WITH

GOLF MARKET

If you’re looking to buy a new set of clubs, find a used club at a decent price, or sell some of the old kit gathering dust in your garage, then it’s time you visited Golf Market, a brand new website for all your equipment needs

W

hen the concept of buying golf equipment online, rather than walking into a pro shop or high street retailer, was first aired, many were slightly sceptical as to how it would fly. Golf is such a touchy-feely sport, that we found it hard to believe that people would happily part with quite large sums of cash for things that hadn’t physically touched or seen at first hand.

But then, who knew? Years later, there’s barely a product or service that can’t be bought or sold at the click of a button, and the online golf equipment business, either through the extension of bricks and mortar operations or brand new online retailers, has grown exponentially, and now enjoys an rapidly increasing slice of the £900 million spent annually by UK golfers.

While eBay has proved a popular website for pro shops to offload stock and regular golfers to buy and sell their old and nearly new equipment for many years, it has become a rather unwieldy tool, with a car boot sale feel it to, and doesn’t offer the targeted focus that golfers are looking for.

That’s certainly the thinking behind the launch of a brand new equipment website which went live in the UK last month. Called Golf Market, its simple premise is to act as a marketplace for pro shops, retailers and consumers to buy and sell golf equipment.

The site holds no stock of its own, and simply acts as a forum on which golfers can search for the latest deals across the complete spectrum of equipment, from brand new drivers to second-hand putters, to golf balls, bags, clothing, shoes, gloves, GPS

■ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

■ GOLF MARKET PROVIDES THE IDEAL PLATFORM TO BUY AND SELL NEW AND USED EQUIPMENT AT GREAT VALUE PRICES

and a whole lot more.

The price of the products featured on the site is set by the seller, and there is no cost to put an item up for sale, although a percentage of the purchase price – there are no auctions – goes to Golf Market. This represents 10% of the sales price.

Orders are sent directly to the seller, and payments are made via PayPal, with the seller posting out the product accordingly.

The Golf Market website is operated by Golf Deals Group, an Essex-based company which specialises in offering savings across a wide range golf products and services, including discounted green fees and 2 fore 1 vouchers . Founded in 2012, Golf Deals Group has gone from strength to strength over the last six years by listening to the needs of pro shops and equipment retailers, as well as the industry as a whole.

Run by experienced PGA Professionals, with over 50 years' combined industry experience – including previous directors of golf, retail managers, and top coaches – Golf Market provides a simple, user friendly and trusted platform where golfers can list or quickly find what they are looking for to get golfing.

“It all started with wanting to help pro shops move excess or old stock, and it turned into the Golf Market,” said Steve Cooper, PGA Professional and managing director of Golf Deals Group. “Golfers now have a one-stop shop to buy and sell all the best brands from retailers, wholesalers and the everyday golfer.”

He added: “Golfers are always looking for new equipment, clothing, shoes, the list is endless. We have access to golfers all over the UK that have subscribed to receive offers. We feel that assisting clubs and professionals across the UK to showcase their stock is a great way for them to increase their turnover and customer base, while golfers will have access to the very best deals on the very best clubs.

“For our business customers, it’s a simple concept. You set up a shop on the site, add products – whether they are new, second-hand or clearance – and they are then showcased on the site and via e-mail marketing to our database of over 200,000 golfers, while regular social media campaigns will also help spread the word. There are no fees to list, and a small commission payable at the end of each trading month based on sales generated.

“Pros with their own websites can upload all of their products via a live feed. Stock levels can be added to each product, along with variations such as size or colour, to save time on listing the same glove or shirt in five sizes and four colours, for example.”

For private sellers it takes just a few minutes to register on the site and start listing golf equipment. For used gear, the site operates a 1-10 rating based on its condition – including the head, shaft and grip for clubs – and it’s up to the seller to make sure that what they’re selling is accurately described so as to avoid costly returns.

For golfers looking to buy clubs, the site currently has plenty of competitive offers, with deals from American Golf, Online Golf, and smaller retailers such as Dangerous Golf. A box of Nike’s RZN Tour Black balls can be picked up for as little as £19.99, while a dozen of Srixon’s popular UltiSoft ball can be purchased for just £18.95.

There’s a brand new TaylorMade PureLite stand bag on offer for £89.99, while a used TaylorMade M1 driver in 8/10 condition is listed for £228. For those in the market for whole new set of irons, Callaway’s XR irons can be bought for just £399, representing a saving of £130 on the original retail price.

So, if you’ve got some old clubs languishing in the loft that you want to turn into cash, or you’ve got your eye on a new club to go in the bag this summer, then click on to www.golfmarket.co.uk and see what’s in store.

For any other information please e-mail info@golfmarket.co.uk and a staff member will get in touch to discuss the site in more depth.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EQUIPMENT | JUNE 2017

EQUIPMENT NEWS

THE GEAR EFFECT WHAT THE WINNERS WERE PLAYING ON TOUR BROOKS KOEPKA US OPEN

PING BOOK CHARTS RISE OF AN ICONIC GOLFING BRAND FANS OF PING GOLF EQUIPMENT, especially its prized putters, will want to snap up a copy of a new book that went on sale last month, and which charts the complete history of the family-owned company.

And The Putter Went…PING is an comprehensive look inside the company that revolutionised the way golf equipment was designed and manufactured back in the 1950s and to the present day.

The glossy tome chronicles Ping’s heritage and takes readers behind the scenes of the success story that began in the family garage of Karsten Solheim, a Norwegian immigrant and mechanical engineer who invented the Ping putter in 1959.

Written by experienced golf equipment writer Jeffery Ellis, the 530-page book contains over 1,000 pictures, many never-before published, which provide a visual history of the brand.

More than 70 people were interviewed and thousands of hours were spent researching the company archives and industry periodicals to help illustrate the rich and influential history of the brand named for the sound made by its first product – the PING 1A putter.

Equipment aficionados will enjoy reading the details of the success, and later the controversy, of the Eye2 irons. It is fascinating to look back 28 years and see how Solheim, the USGA, the R&A and the PGA Tour battled over groove measurements, and how square grooves created

DRIVER: TaylorMade M2 (9.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade M2 (16.5) IRONS: Nike Vapor Fly Pro (3); Mizuno JPX 900 Tour (4-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM5 (52, 56); Titleist Vokey SM4 TVD (60) PUTTER: Scotty Cameron by Titleist Newport 2 SLT T10 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

a legal battle that went to court before being settled in 1990.

The unmatched success of the Anser putter, and its continued influence on putter design more than 50 years after its invention, is also covered in depth.

One of the most interesting things in the book are photos of great players most would have forgotten used Ping equipment to earn victories, such as John Daly, who, in 1991, shocked the world and won the PGA Championship using a set of Eye2 irons. That same year Phil Mickelson, then an amateur, won the Tucson Open using Ping irons, and Fred Couples used an Anser putter to win the 1992 Masters. Tiger Woods won his second US Amateur using a Ping Anser 2 putter in 1995, and in 1997 Davis Love won the US PGA Championship using an Anser.

And The Putter Went…PING costs £100, while a limited edition version, with padded leather binding and gilded edges, will be available for £300.

SKYTRAK ADDS FAMILY FUN TO SIMULATOR GAME PLAY

BRIAN HARMAN

WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER: TaylorMade M2 (9.5) FAIRWAYS: TaylorMade M2 (15, 18) HYBRID: Titleist 816H2 (19) IRONS: Titleist 716 CB (3-9) WEDGES: Titleist SM6 (46,50), TaylorMade TP xFT (60) PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider OS CB BALL: Titleist Pro V1

RENATO PARATORE NORDEA MASTERS

DRIVER: Titleist 915D3 (10.5) FAIRWAY: Titleist 917F2 (15) HYBRID: Titleist 816H2 (19) IRONS: Titleist 716 T-MB (3), Titleist 716 AP2 (4-9) WEDGES: Titleist SM6 (52, 58) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Squareback Plus BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

JASON DUFNER

A NEW PARTNERSHIP with European golf simulator firm Creative Golf 3D now enables golfers to play family-friendly games such as Smash The Windows and Fantasy Putting on their SkyTrak – as well as a selection of European golf courses not found in other simulators.

SkyTrak users can now upgrade to the Creative Golf 3D basic package, giving them access to five spectacular European courses, including The Oxfordshire in England, Pléneuf-Val-André in France, München Eichenried in Germany, Tauern Golf & Country Club in Austria, and Golf Resort Black Stork in Slovakia.

In addition, Creative Golf 3D also includes various themed driving ranges and practice facilities including Fairytale Golf Course, Island Targets and Castle Park MiniGolf, with breaking-windows games in scenes such as Abandoned Factory and House Demolition offering golfers a literally smashing time on the SkyTrak.

Ten extra Creative Golf 3D course pack sets are also available, offering a round of golf at over 100 additional courses, including well-known British and Irish venues such as Chart Hills, Ballybunion and Portmarnock.

Creative Golf 3D software is PC-compatible, and available to SkyTrak users via an annual subscription or a one-time purchase. The extra course pack sets can be added with a one-time purchase. A subscription to the annual SkyTrak game improvement package is required.

MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

For more details, visit www.skytrakgolf.com

DEAN & DELUCA INVITATIONAL

SRIXON BALL SALES RAISE FUNDS FOR PROSTATE CANCER SRIXON SPORTS EUROPE presented a cheque for £23,173.50 to Prostate Cancer UK last month following after three months of sales following the launch of the its new Z-Star and Z-Star XV golf balls.

Srixon donated £1.50 for every dozen of its premium golf balls sold at trade since the February launch to Prostate Cancer UK, helping to raise funds and awareness of the life-threatening male-specific disease.

The game-changing partnership also saw Srixon unveil a limited edition 15 ball ‘Z-Star/ Z-Star XV bonus pack’. This included an additional free sleeve of the, decorated with the Prostate Cancer UK logo.

During a recent media event at Camberley Heath Golf Club, Srixon staff player Shane Lowry joined the company´s UK & Ireland president Leslie Hepsworth (pictured right), to reveal the total donation.

“Everyone at Srixon has been fully behind this partnership from the very beginning, so naturally we are extremely proud to present this sizeable cheque to Prostate Cancer UK after an encouraging start to the year, commented Hepsworth. “Being able to offer everyone who purchases the bonus pack the opportunity to raise money for such an important cause, as well trial one of the best balls available in the golf market, couldn’t have worked better.”

James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK added: “This is a tremendous start to our relationship with Srixon, and we thank them and all the golfers for raising a brilliant amount of money by purchasing

[61]

DRIVER: Titleist 917D2 (10.5) FAIRWAY WOODS: Callaway X2 Hot (15), Titleist 915F (21) IRONS: Titleist 716 AP2 (4-PW) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM6 (52, 56, 60) PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Futura 5S BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

ALEX NOREN

BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER: Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero (8.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway GBB Epic (13.5) HYBRID: Callaway Apex (18) IRONS: Callaway Apex Pro (4-9) WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47, 52, 56, 60) PUTTER: Odyssey Works #1 BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft

KEVIN KISNER

DRIVER: Callaway Great Big Bertha (8.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway GBB Epic (13.5) HYBRID: Callaway Epic (18) IRONS: Callaway Apex UI (3), Apex Pro 16 (4-9) WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47, 52) PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot Pro #7 BALL: Titleist Pro V1

BILLY HORSCHEL AT&T BYRON NELSON

DRIVER: PXG 0811X (9) FAIRWAY WOODS: PXG 0341X (15, 17) IRONS: PXG 0311T (3, 5-PW) WEDGES: PXG 0311T Milled (52, 56, 60) PUTTER: PXG Bat Attack BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

DANIEL BERGER

FEDEX ST JUDE CLASSIC

this life-changing ball. This exciting venture offers golfers a chance to not only change their game, but also change the lives of other men affected by prostate cancer thanks to the health information on the sleeve and the money raised.”

DRIVER: Callaway GBB Epic (10.5°) FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway GBB Epic (15) IRONS: Callaway Apex CF (3, 4), Callaway Apex Pro (5), Callaway MB1 (6-PW) WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy Forged (50, 56, 58) PUTTER: Odyssey 2-Ball Prototype BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft

[62] JUNE 2017 | EQUIPMENT

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

CALLAWAY EPIC IRONS £1,749, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM Callaway’s R&D team was given a brief to create an iron that would offer golfers ‘maximum performance’, with no constraints on the type or cost of the materials, or the manufacturing processes. The result is the new Epic iron, which, at a shade over £250 per club, puts it firmly in the super premium market.

While it may not feature gold leaf in the cavity, Callaway has packed pretty much all of its game improvement technological expertise into these irons, including a new iteration of its Face Cup technology, which has never been used in a ‘pro’ version of its irons before. The face cup creates an ultra-thin rim around the perimeter of the inner side of the face. At impact, the rim flexes and rebounds to add ball speed to those shots hit off the centre of the face, while minimising the speed reduction from off-centre strikes, especially those hit towards the toe and low on the face.

To further improve performance, an increase in the rim’s flexibility, caused by reducing the thickness to 1mm at its thinnest point, results in even faster ball speeds across the face.

To maximise launch conditions, a chunk of tungsten – 664g in the standard set and 621g in the Pro set – has been injected into the head to create a more precise centre of gravity location.

Amounting to 30% of the clubhead’s overall weight, the tungsten moves the CG lower in the long irons for a high, long carry, while it’s higher in the short irons for a lower, more controllable flight.

The ratio of tungsten to steel, as well as the size, shape, and precise weight placement, varies from iron to iron, depending on the loft.

Another key design element is the Exo-Cage head construction.

This steel structure in the centre of the cavity stiffens the body, especially the topline and sole, so that the face can take on more impact load to promote faster ball speeds and greater distance.

The Epic Pro iron (3-AW) features a slightly smaller head than the standard model (3-SW), with a slimmer topline and less offset.

Shaft options for the standard Epic irons are Project X LZ 95 steel and UST Recoil ES 760/780 graphite, while the Pro set is offered with Project X LZ 105 steel shafts.

PRO SHOP

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GEAR

GOLFBUDDY LR7 LASER RANGEFINDER

TITLEIST PLAYERS STAND BAGS £160-£200, TITLEIST.CO.UK Titleist’s new Players Collection comprises three new stand bags – the Players 5, the Players 5 StaDry, and the Players 14.

The Players 5 (£160) features a five-way top cuff, a foam strap that can be converted from a single to a double with quick-release buckles, and a new stand system. Available in four colours, it also boasts a waterproof valuables pocket.

The Players 5 StaDry (£230) offers the same performance features as the Players 5, but with a waterproof seamsealed construction, while the Players 14 (£200) offers 14 full-length dividers for complete club organisation, storage and performance.

TITLEIST CAMERON & CROWN PUTTERS £335, TITLEIST.CO.UK Titleist has added four new putters to the Scotty Cameron-designed Cameron & Crown range that was launched towards the end of last year. Designed specifically for players that prefer a shorter-length shaft, all the models in the range are 33 inches long, and weighted accordingly.

The new models are the Select Newport, a heel-and-toe weighted blade; the Select Mallet 1, a rounded mid-sized mallet with a wrap-around face; the Futura 5MB, a muscle-back mid-mallet; and the Futura 6M, a high-MOI mallet.

All four models are made with a mixture of stainless steel and aircraft-grade aluminium in the face and flanges to provide a balance of forgiveness and feel, and boast a raw, glare-resistant stainless steel finish. They go on sale in mid-July.

£249.99, EU.GOLFBUDDYGLOBAL.COM GolfBuddy’s new laser rangefinder builds on the features of its popular LR5. Housed in a compact body, and weighing just 218g, the LR7 fits snugly in the hand and provides accurate distances to +/- 1 yard at the touch of a button.

With 6x magnification for ease of target location and four scan modes, it has a mode function for every preference. Standard mode provides a quick distance to any selected target. Scan mode continuously scans for 10 seconds, showing distances to varying targets. Pin mode scans for 10 seconds, before displaying the distance to the closest target, making it most useful for approach shots, while pin finder mode repeats the function of pin mode, but adds in a vibration function for confirmation of an acquired target. Practical features such as automatic shut off after 10 seconds, water resistance, default to last used settings, an eyepiece adjustment for varying visual requirements, and a battery indicator, are also offered. It comes with a protective travel case and lanyard.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EQUIPMENT | JUNE 2017 [63]

GARMIN APPROACH S60 £399, GARMIN.COM Garmin's newest GPS golf watch is aimed at players looking for something stylish and functional to wear both on and off the course. Featuring a sunlightreadable colour touchscreen display, the new model is preloaded with info on over 40,000 courses, including precise yardages to greens and hazards making it that much easier to plan strategically.

AutoShot technology allows users to chart and analyse all of their measured shots from a given round.

Not only is information such as shot distances and dispersion available, but users can also compare shots from previous rounds, identify common mistakes, and note performance with specific clubs. It also measures swing tempo, and, when paired with Garmin's TruSwing sensor, it will also provide information on swing speed and club path. It also works with Garmin’s Connect mobile app for fitness tracking – steps taken, calories burned, overall distance, and even sleep time, and is available with interchangeable rubber straps to fit your personal style, while a premium version with the ceramic bezel and a black leather strap is offered for £479.99.

MOTOCADDY S7 REMOTE £799, MOTOCADDY.COM Motocaddy has given its top-of-the-range model an upgrade, with features including a smaller remote control handset, pressurecontrolled buttons to adjust speed and direction, a new streamlined battery tray, and new branding on the graphite-coloured frame.

The lithium-powered handset can be stored in a new holder located on the underside of the handle, so that it can be topped up during play via a USB port which will also charge GPS and mobile devices, while a dual-pressure control system allows users to alter how much the trolley turns to the left or the right by varying the pressure applied to buttons on the handset.

Golfers can also control the trolley’s speed going

WILSON D300 HYBRID

forwards or backwards, by how long they hold the buttons down, plus stop and start the trolley in an instant with the ‘pause and resume’ feature.

The S7’s dual motor system compensates for slopes to maintain stability on challenging terrains, while it also offers an anti-tip wheel at the back, plus a fully-rotating front wheel which enables the trolley to travel smoothly with minimal additional guidance.

A 50-metre cutout function stops it from going out of range, while a ‘hibernation’ setting brings it to a halt if the remote hasn’t been touched for more than 45 seconds. Users can also switch between the remote function and manual control by holding down the on/off button for several seconds.

£155, WILSONGOLF.COM Recently used by 2008 Open champion Padraig Harrington during an attempt to recreate the 272-yard shot he hit into the 17th green at Royal Birkdale, which set up his winning eagle, the D300 hybrid is a significant reworking of the FYbrid that the Irishman used to such devastating effect 10 years ago.

A new aerodynamic head shape, coupled with visible Micro Vortex Generators, reduces drag force to increase clubhead speed, while a thin stainless steel face insert creates a flexible and responsive face for increased ball speeds and longer distances. It comes with 19° of loft, a Type 49 graphite shaft and Golf Pride Tour 25 grips.

SUNWISE PARADE COBRA KING OS HYBRID £199, COBRAGOLF.CO.UK The King OS Hybrid utilises a wider, oversized clubhead shape to improve confidence at address and provide high launch and maximum MOI for a straighter, extremely forgiving ball-flight. In addition, the larger PWRShell face increases the Sweet Zone providing more speed and distance on off-centre hits.

In addition, the KING OS Hybrid employs several of Cobra’s cutting-edge innovations, including a PWRShell Face to deliver more flex at impact providing extreme speed and higher launching ball flights across all points of contact on the clubface. Further enhancing the perfect blend of forgiveness and power, the club blends Internal Tungsten Weighting to strategically position the CG low and deep with a carbon fibre crown that saves 8g

of weight compared to traditional steel hybrid crowns for higher launching, lower spinning shots from a variety of lies.

MyFly8TM with Smart PadTM adjustability technologies helping golfers to manage desired trajectory and fine tune launch conditions to maximise distance, while keeping the clubface square at address regardless of loft setting.

Available in 3-4H, 4-5H and 5-6H models, providing loft options ranging from 19-degrees to 28-degrees, depending upon the setting, each King OS Hybrid features a black Lamkin Crossline grip and comes stock with a UST Recoil 460 ES graphite shaft (in Xstiff, Stiff, Regular and Lite flexes).

£64.95, SUNWISE.CO.UK Oxford-based Sunwise has a range of 50-plus sunglasses for the summer golfing season.

With such a huge choice of frames, they will appeal to a wide range of golfers, while the availability of interchangeable lenses gives plenty of options to suit the prevalent playing conditions.

The new Parade White model has stylish yellow platinum lenses with GS technology for extra protection against stronger sunlight. The unique polarised lenses are impact resistant whilst filtering out potentially damaging light and eliminating glare for golfers, while wrap-around grip arms and an adjustable rubber nose pad keeps them stable and secure throughout the swing.

[64] JUNE 2017 | EQUIPMENT

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

LOUD & PROUD STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD THIS SUMMER WITH AN EYE-CATCHING POLO

CHERVO AUTO, £65

DESCENTE MULTI COLOURBLOCK, £139

G/FORE CAMO POLY JERSEY, £85

The Italian sportswear brand has put all of its technology into this high performance polo, which is made from a quick-drying micofibre that also helps to draw moisture away from the skin. It boasts an antibacterial treatment to negate nasty niffs, and features a contrasting collar and placket design.

Worn by Danny Willett, Descente’s golf range combines high fashion with cutting-edge technology. The multicolour block polo boasts chevron panels, which are made from a mixture of nylon, polyester and cotton, and features a three-button hidden placket and front vents next to the sleeve.

Camouflage continues to be a trend for 2017, and this jersey polo takes that to the max for the golfer that doesn’t want to hide away on the links this summer. Made from lightweight, four-way stretch polyester, this shirt will keep you cool on the warmest days.

HUGO BOSS PADDY PRO 1, £109

PEAK PERFORMANCE ORB, £69

LYLE & SCOTT DUNBAR, £59

Made from a cotton and elastane mix, the Paddy Pro 1 offers built-in stretch for easy-swinging comfort. The colour-block design, which is also featured on the collar and cuffs, gives it a stylish twist, while the Boss logo is located on the left chest and back neck.

Made from stretchy, breathable and quick-drying polyester, the Orb features a button-down collar and a four-button laminated placket,, contrast sleeves, collar and inner placket. There is also a mesh insert at the back for added ventilation.

Inspired by a classic Lyle & Scott design, the Dunbar is a retro polo featuring a royal stripe pattern.

Constructed from breathable polyester with moisture wicking and UV protection properties, it’s the perfect companion for rounds at any time of year.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EQUIPMENT | JUNE 2017 [65]

NIKE MODERN FIT TR DRY, £45

CALLAWAY OPTI-VENT £39.99

SUNICE RAIDING, £39.99

Made from a soft-knit polyester (93%) and wool (7%) mix, the TR Dry features raglan sleeves and a contour-hugging design that enables complete freedom of movement. The blade-style collar lies smoothly against the neck, while a two-button placket can be adjusted to suit your fit.

Boasting a relaxed fit, the polyester/spandex material in the Opti-Vent offers compete freedom of movement and features built-in 50+ UV protection, while a mesh panel in the back offers increased breathability. Opti-Dri technology ensures total comfort in all temperatures.

Sunice’s summer polos feature CoolPlus, an antimicrobial material that has sweat and moisture management properties, along with the added benefit of sun protection. The four-way stretch fibre dries quickly and release body heat. It is available in white with a black or blue upper section.

TED BAKER DORMIE, £75

ADIDAS CLIMACHILL, £39.95

WOLSEY PABLO, £85

The Dormie polo boasts a bold Palm Springs print on the front, a flat knit collar, a press stud placket, striped trims, and 'Ted Baker Golf' branding to the reverse neckline. Made from soft, breathable stretch cotton, it’s guaranteed to get the attention of the fashion police in the clubhouse.

Climachill fabric enhances ventilation for the ultimate in cooling, while its built-in stretchiness offers excellent freedom of movement. New anti-cling interior stripes stops the fabric from clinging to the body, while a shoulder panel across the shoulder area help the shirt stretch during the phases of the swing.

This button-down collar polo is fashioned from a thermocool polyester fabric for ultimate performance. It features a larger Fox logo and a trapezium-shaped print on the front, which is inspired by the shape of a golf club, along with a contrast coloured back and collar.

UNDER ARMOUR PLAYOFF, £39

GALVIN GREEN MITCHELL, £79.95

PING COLLECTION CORTES POLO, £50

Made from a four-way stretch polyester/elastane fabric to allow greater mobility, the PlayOff features a moisture-transporting system to wick sweat away from the body. Offering a performance fit, it sports a self-fabric collar and an iridescent foil logo on the left chest.

Made from 100% polyester, the Mitchell features Ventil8 technology to provide unparalleled breathability, moisture wicking, and UV 20+ protection. It boasts a body mapping design, with contrast colour block across the upper chest, and is finished off with a hidden button-down collar.

The Cortes is made from a technical stretch fabric that features Sensorcool technology to help wick away moisture, keeping you feeling cooler in the heat.

The material, which is a mix of polyester and elastane, is quick drying, crease-resistant, and is stretchy, yet retains its shape after repeated washing.

[66] JUNE 2017 | EQUIPMENT

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TREAD SOFTLY STEP OUT IN COMFORT THIS SUMMER IN A PAIR OF THE LATEST SPIKELESS SHOES

UNDER ARMOUR PERFORMANCE SL, £110 UA’s lightest spikeless design boasts a microfibre membrane upper that is both breathable and waterproof for protection from the elements and comfort, as excess perspiration escapes through the membrane. The outsole features nubs that grip the surface for maximum torque, whilst the EVA midsole and cork-covered molded PU footbed provides stability and comfort. They come in white, black or grey.

CALLAWAY DEL MAR RETRO, £79.99 Combining the look and style of a summer shoe with the practicality and waterproofing qualities of an all-weather shoe, Callaway’s new Del Mar Retro shoes are ideal for onand off-course use. Boasting full leather uppers, they feature a foam-infused footbed for comfort, while a translucent rubber outsole, with cluster traction lugs around the perimeter, enhances grip. Colour options include black, brown, navy and putty.

ADIDAS ADIPOWER SPORT BOOST, £99

ECCO CAGE PRO, £160

The Sport Boost features lightweight and flexible uppers, Boost foam cushioning, and a spikeless outsole. Boost foam, which features in the forefoot and midsole, provides more energy return than the EVA foam used in most golf shoes, while foam sockliners and collars increase comfort. A new last creates a slightly more rounded toe shape, and a wider forefoot, to offer improved comfort and increased stability.

The Cage Pro boasts a ‘Spydr’ sole design, which boosts traction while reducing its impact on greens and eliminating clogging. The injection-moulded sole is light, yet durable and flexible, allowing it to move with the natural movement of the foot, while a cage wraps around the heel and across the toe to hold the foot in place and provide a powerful swing platform. The uppers are made from dritton leather, which has been treated with Hydromax waterproofing technology.

FOOTJOY PRO/SL, £140

NIKE LUNAR CONTROL VAPOR, £120

Combining a soft waterproof leather upper with an outsole unit that features three layers for increased comfort, the spikeless Pro/SL boasts two different hardnesses of foam to provide added cushioning and stability, while TPU nubs on the perimeter-weighted outsole provide increased stability and sure-footed grip. They are available with a lace or BOA closure, and colour options include black, white/blue, and white with either a blue or black trim.

The Control Vapor features a TPU outsole with fin-like protruding tracks, while articulated channels through the sole allow for better balance, keeping the golfer lower to the ground. Made from synthetic leather, they boast Nike’s Flywire technology, which creates a contoured fit to the uppers, while a Lunarlon-cushioned midsole, and Phylon support in the footbed, adds to in-shoe comfort.

ROYAL ALBARTROSS CLUB BROGUE £235

SKECHERS GO GOLF ELITE 2, £99

Featuring calf leather uppers with a wing tip design, and colour-matched detailing along the stitching, top eyelet and soles, the Italian-made Club Brogue’s uppers are treated with a water-resistant coating, while the inners feature a breathable lining and a removable inner sole, which offers extra cushioning and arch support.

Available in black, brown and white, in sizes 7-12.

Weighing just 290g, the Elite 2 combine the uppers of the brand’s Go Golf Pro 2 model with a comfortable spikeless outsole. Made from a premium smooth leather, which is fully waterproof, it boasts a foam-cushioned insole which is highly resilient and acts like a shock absorber, while a heel lock design offers a secure and stable fit. Translucent spikeless TPU nubs on the outsole provide solid grip. They are available in black, white, grey and navy.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EQUIPMENT | JUNE 2017

[67]

EQUIPMENT NEWS WILSON UNVEILS CUSTOM-FITTING DEAL WILSON GOLF IS HOPING to attract more golfers to have new sets of its irons custom fitted by offering a special incentive involving free Wilson Staff golf balls, personalised shafts, and an extended guarantee on the clubs.

The brand is offering everyone fitted with a set of its new Wilson Staff D300, FG Tour V6 & F5 or C200 irons a two-ball pack of DX family balls matched to the irons; their name printed on a band on each shaft; and an extra year on the guarantee covering the equipment if they complete a form online when placing the order.

A custom fit set of clubs consists of six Wilson Staff clubs for men and five for women and the offer can be taken up at any authorised stockist across the UK and Ireland. ““We define players under these three categories, so that club features and benefits can be matched with individual playing styles and abilities, adding to the personal touch of the custom fitting,” said Lee Farrar, national accounts manager for Wilson Golf.

For more information, visit www.wilson.com.

TOMTOM GOLFER 2

TITLEIST EXTENDS PRO V1 BALL PERSONALISATION PROMOTION

TOMTOM HAS UPGRADED its original GPS watch to include activity tracking for golfers who want to use it as a fitness data monitor as well as a traditional golfing GPS. The Golfer 2 captures steps, records active minutes, and counts calories burned throughout the day.

TITLEIST IS EXTENDING its ‘special play’ number ball promotion, allowing golfers to choose the number on their golf ball between 0 and 99.

Special Play orders, which cost £55 per dozen, accounted for 40% sales during the promotion, which offered a dozen free ProV1 or ProV1x balls when buying three dozen.

On the golfing front, it offers precise hazard and green distances on over 40,000 courses worldwide, as well boasting automatic shot detection for post-game analysis in the TomTom Golfer App, including shot patterns, putts and hole-by-hole reviews. The strap comes in dark blue, light grey or black.

TomTom has also launched a new entry-level option, the Golfer 2 SE (£169), which boasts all the same benefits of the Golfer 2, but without the activity tracking features. It comes with a sporty strap in grey and orange or black and green.

For orders visit, www.titleist.co.uk.

tried and tested

SHOT SCOPE GAME TRACKING GOLF THESE DAYS, CERTAINLY FOR TOP PLAYERS, is all about data capture. Every element of their game is measured to within microseconds and millimetres, and no stone is left unturned in the search for improved performance, whether it be through custom-fitted equipment, improved fitness and diet, or more efficient swing mechanics, improved shot selection and better course management.

At the competitive level, golf is ultimately all about the number you put on the scorecard, and monitoring the performance that helps you get those numbers is a big growth market.

And this is where Shot Scope comes in. First launched in 2014, an invented by Edinburgh-based engineer David Hunter, Shot Scope is a wristband device that monitors trends in a golfer’s game and identifies strengths and weaknesses through the use of an integrated GPS that pinpoints the exact location of each shot.

It comprises a lightweight smartwatch-style wristband and a set of 20 tags that screw into the butt end of the grip to detect which club is in use. Each tag weighs 1.2g and has no impact on swing weight or clubhead speed, while the wristband itself doesn’t interfere with your swing.

Once charged up and switched on out on the golf course, a series of flashing lights indicates when the wristband has a GPS signal and has picked up the course you are playing. This can take time, so be

prepared to switch it on several minutes in advance of your tee time.

And then you’re off. The technology allows for uninterrupted play – i.e. it doesn’t require you to tap the tags on the club to the wrist unit – working in the background to constantly collect data. The only manual labour required is to record your putts by pressing a button located on the side of the wristband. There are only four buttons, so if you take more than four putts you can add those on later if you feel the need. By pressing the button when standing next to the pin, the system notes this for short game statistical reference – an area some other rival products struggle.

Once you’ve finished your round, data can then be uploaded to a computer or smartphone, via bluetooth or USB connections, where it can be viewed instantly. It maps all of the shots taken onto an aerial view of the course, and statistics are displayed in charts, graphs and tables, with details including club choices and their impact; more information of tee shot performance; deeper understanding of approaches; development of in-depth knowledge of the short game; and an insight into scope for improvement within putting performance. Shots that weren’t recorded or need amending – i.e. those forgotten putts etc – can be done so at this stage. It’s easy to delete or add shots, or to drag your shots around to change yardages.

Stats on longest drives and fairways hit percentages are great to have at your fingertips for bar room bragging rights, but they often serve

up surprising numbers – especially for golfers like me who think they hit the ball longer and straighter than they do in reality.

Average yardages with each club will help in the long term with club selection, while seeing the general pattern of your shots from above can quickly highlight whether you’re a slicer or a hooker – if you didn’t already known. Drilling down deeper into the stats really shows up your deficiencies and which parts of your game might be more wisely spent practising on – which for most handicap golfers is their short game, as my short test revealed.

Conforming to the Rules of Golf, Shot Scope can be used in competitive play, and is a user-friendly tool that provides a level of data analysis that was once only available to the elite. It’s clearly aimed at long term use, rather than for the occasional outing, as the more information you gather, the more accurate your statistics will be, and the greater the possibilities for improvement.

So if you’re a data nerd, and like the idea of dissecting your rounds, and more importantly, are prepared to work on your weaknesses, Shot Scope is a very handy tool. And if you already own a GPS watch, be prepared to look like a prisoner on day release.

Shot Scope retails for £185. For more details or order online, visit www.shotscope.com.

[68] JUNE 2017 | EQUIPMENT

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

EQUIPMENT NEWS PXG LAUNCHES MILLED WEDGE RANGE PREMIUM GOLF EQUIPMENT brand PXG has launched its first ever range of 100% milled wedges.

Each head of the new 0311T wedges is milled from soft carbon steel, so every line, curve and angle is sculpted for advanced shot-making.

“I’ve always wanted to design an entirely milled wedge, but it’s a time consuming and expensive process,” said PXG’s senior designer Mike Nicolette. “With Bob Parsons’ support and commitment to exploring new processes and materials, we’ve been able to develop a collection of milled wedges that are nothing short of incredible.”

The wedges are available in a range of bold sole designs – Sugar Daddy, Zulu, Romeo and Darkness. The Sugar Daddy, is currently played by world no.1 Lydia Ko and serves as a one-size-fits-all

wedge. It incorporates a moderate initial angle with a blended sole design and can be used effectively from a wide variety of turf and sand conditions.

Romeo is inspired by PXG tour staff professional Ryan Moore, and incorporates a mild initial angle with minimal heel relief, allowing the leading edge to stay close to the ground. Creating an extreme amount of bounce when the face is open, making it ideal for playing from high rough or soft sand.

Zulu, inspired by former Masters champion Zach Johnson, incorporates a steep initial angle with aggressive heel and toe relief.

It’s conducive to tight turf or firm ground, as it keeps the leading edge close to the ground from both a square and open-faced position.

The Darkness wedge was inspired by PXG’s founder, Bob Parsons, and incorporates a sole with a moderate initial angle and moderate heel relief, coupled with a slightly larger head size for added forgiveness. Darkness is part of a special collection of black clubs featuring a skull insignia and the number 26, representing the 26th Marine Corps Regiment that Parsons served with during the Vietnam War.

RORY SEES RED ON THE GREENS WITH NEW TAYLORMADE PUTTER RORY MCILROY RETURNED from his injury-enforced break with a new club in the bag at the US Open, a TaylorMade Spider Tour Red putter.

The large red mallet is very similar to the putters used by Dustin Johnson and Jason Day, though this one includes an alignment line across the crown of the putter head and is fitted with a Winn pistol grip.

McIlroy had been using an Odyssey mallet putter, but recently tested his new one against a separate range from both TaylorMade and Odyssey.

The world number three signed with TaylorMade in May, and initially put 13 TaylorMade clubs in his bag. He will now have all 14. He has the M2 driver, along with M2 Tour fairway woods, ‘Rors’ proto irons and Milled Grind wedges.

GOLFERS SWITCH ON TO FREE MOTOCADDY GPS APP GOLFERS HAVE SWITCHED on to the idea of a free GPS app from leading trolley brand Motocaddy, with more than 13,000 downloads being made in April alone.

The Motocaddy GPS App, which was launched earlier this year, can be used as a stand-alone mobile GPS device, or it can be synced with the world’s first GPS electric trolley - Motocaddy’s S5 Connect, launched this summer with smartphone notifications and a USB charging point.

“A lot of work has gone into developing our first GPS app, and we’re absolutely thrilled with the response and the positive comments we’ve received about it,” said Tony Webb, Motocaddy Managing Director. “It is great to see so many golfers downloading the app and making use of the extensive features on offer,” he added.

The Motocaddy App features 36,000 golf courses worldwide through its ‘Play Now’ mode - depicting overhead maps, accurate yardages, and detailed hole information. It also includes a ‘power save’ option which provides front, middle and back yardages, while reducing battery and data usage significantly.

“The app has been developed for use with the revolutionary S5 Connect trolley and we are confident that in conjunction with the app, it will offer the perfect solution for the modern golfer looking to stay connected,” added Webb.

The app also includes a customer support section, offering links to the Motocaddy website, a check for recent updates, mapping requests, instruction manuals and app-specific FAQ’s. The Motocaddy GPS App is available free on iOS and Android from the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

Keith Sbarbaro, TaylorMade’s Vice President of Tour Operations, said that McIlroy had tested the Spider Tour Red putter against a custom TaylorMade TP Collection Mullen and the Odyssey O-Works prototype he was previously using, and noticed some key improvements on sidespin with the Spider.

“He tested it on all the monitors and it just outperformed everything,” Sbarbaro said. “Perfect speed, launch and spin with almost no sidespin. The TP Collection Mullen and the Odyssey O-Works were giving him more sidespin if he didn’t hit it perfect.”

McIlroy said."It's awesome with the Spider, because you set this thing up and you know exactly where you're aiming, and it sits so square with that flow neck.”

WISHON GOLF UNVEILS STERLING SINGLE-LENGTH WEDGES WISHON GOLF has introduced two all-new wedge models to its Sterling Single Length iron range.

Building on the success of the Sterling Single Length irons launched in 2016, the new Single Length sand wedge and lob wedge are cast from soft carbon steel to perfectly match the other Sterling Single Length irons, including the previously launched pitching wedge and gap wedge.

The wedges adhere to the principle that by having all your irons the same length, they will all offer the same MOI, same total weight, same headweight and same balance point, to offer the chance for improved shot consistency. The shaft length options are equivalent to a 7-iron in a standard set.

Featuring a one-piece construction for improved feel, the new sand and lob wedges boast a traditional tour-proven head shape preferred by better players, and feature a profile similar to Wishon Golf’s PCF and HM Series of wedges.

This includes Wishon’s innovative ‘zero bounce heel’, which allows golfers to open the face of the club to hit finesse shots without raising the leading edge, which can lead to thin or skulled shots.

The heads also feature peripheral weighting to offer increased stability and increase forgiveness on off-centre strikes.

The sand wedge features 12 degrees of bounce over the main area of the sole, while the lob wedge offers eight degrees of bounce, which makes them versatile performers from all types of lie.

They are available with S2S stepless shafts in regular or firm flexes, while the length can be custom fitted to 36.5, 36.75 or 37-inches to suit the golfer’s comfort and preference. They are on sale now.

For more details visit, www.wishongolf.com

YOUR GUIDE TO GOLFING TRIPS AT HOME AND ABROAD

TRAVEL AND BREAKS

JUNE 2017 WEB: GOLFNEWS.CO.UK/TRAVEL

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ALSO IN THIS MONTH'S TRAVEL: ME AND MY TRAVELS WITH TIM HENMAN ANDY RAITT’S SAWGRASS PRO-AM DIARY GOLF NEWS VISITS PORTUGAL'S NEXT TOP COURSE LE TOUQUET INVESTS IN THE FUTURE WIN A GOLF BREAK TO DEVON

“THE WORLD’S GREATEST GOLF COURSE”

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From £295 per person*

2017 NORTH EAST LINKS EXPERIENCE 18 holes of golf at Trump International 18 holes of golf at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club 18 holes of golf at Cruden Bay Golf Club 3 nights accommodation at the five-star MacLeod House & Lodge Full Scottish Breakfast

From £895 per person* GOLF SEASON: April 1 to October 31, 2017 The Clubhouse and MacLeod House & Lodge Open All Year T: +44 (0) 1358 743300 E: bookings@trumpgolfscotland.com www.trumpgolfscotland.com trumpinternationalgolflinks Trump International Golf Links, Scotland Menie Estate, Balmedie, Aberdeenshire AB23 8YE

* Based on two guests sharing a superior queen twin or double bedroom, terms and conditions apply.

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TRAVEL BREAKS | JUNE 2017

[71]

THE JOYS OF

STAYING & PLAYING GOLF NEWS EDITOR NICK BAYLY EXTOLS THE VIRTUES OF THE GOLFING MINI BREAK, WHERE TWO OR THREE NIGHTS AWAY, AND A COUPLE OF ROUNDS WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY, CAN RECHARGE THE BATTERIES JUST AS MUCH AS A FORTNIGHT IN THE SUN

T

here are few things we, as human beings, look forward to more during our short time on this earth, than holidays.

We spend months planning them, weeks telling anyone who cares to listen – and often plenty of those that don’t – about where are going, and days regaling friends and family about them when we get back – although Facebook and Instagram has resulted in many of us sharing our holiday experiences in real time. You know who you are.

While putting your feet up on the sofa at home, or in a deck chair in the back garden, is often an appealing option for those who travel great distances to and from work every day, it’s the change of scenery – getting away from the piles of laundry, dirty dishes, and the detritus of work-a-day life – that holidays provide the great escape from.

It most cases, it doesn’t even matter where you go. Swapping the familiar for the unfamiliar, opening up our horizons to new adventures, and – as life coaches are in the habit of saying – ‘creating new memories’ is what we derive the most pleasure from.

While we all love to get away, we also love coming back, and it’s the regular switching between the two states of being that makes the idea of taking lots of short breaks far more popular these days than simply

■ ROOMS WITH A VIEW: THE CARNOUSTIE GOLF HOTEL

booking two weeks away in the summer.

With low-cost airlines bringing all corners of Europe within easy and affordable reach – especially out of season and during school term time – there has never been a better time to discover new golfing venues, explore new cities and sample new cultures.

But you don’t even have to leave the UK, or even your own county, to get away from it all – i.e. work and home – as there are dozens and dozens of superb golf resorts located throughout the British Isles that provide a warm welcome and first-class facilities for the mini break golfer.

It’s hard to oversell the joys of driving a few hours in the car, dumping your bags in your room, heading out to the first tee, enjoying a leisurely round with your mates, piling back into the bar to work out the

IT'S HARD TO OVERSELL THE JOYS OF DRIVING A FEW HOURS IN THE CAR, DUMPING YOUR BAGS IN YOUR ROOM, AND HEADING OUT TO THE FIRST TEE FOR A ROUND WITH YOUR MATES scores – and the inevitable fines – before enjoying a meal and a few more drinks in a bar that often has to stay open until you decide to go to bed.

Next morning, you can stumble out of your room for a full English before doing it all again. OK, so that might reveal more about my kind of mini golfing break than

www.cottesmoregolf.co.uk

Golf Breaks from £99 per person

Cottesmore is the perfect place to enjoy your golf break. Our 27 holes of golf combine beautifully with our hotel and leisure facilities. The large comfortable hotel bedrooms offer the perfect space to relax after a day packed with golf, delicious food and time in the pool.

To find out more about our bespoke golf break packages please contact reception on: T: 01293 528256 or E: accommodation@cottesmoregolf.co.uk Cottesmore Hotel Golf & Country Club, Pease Pottage, Crawley, W. Sussex, RH11 9AT

you’d care to know, but most UK golf resorts also boast superb spas, swimming pools, lovely grounds, and all manner of eating options.

The golf break can mean all things to all people. I’ve been on UK breaks that have been combined with sea fishing, clay pigeon shooting, wine and whisky tasting (not at the same time), falconry, paintballing, quad-biking, and many other eclectic pursuits, so if a full-on golfing itinerary isn’t required, there’s a golf resort out there that will be prepared to offer every eccentric hobby under the sun – with a bit of notice and within the bounds of good taste, of course.

So, let 2017 be the year that you break the mould, shake up the norm, and really start living, rather than simply existing. A golf break can do all that and more.

[72] JUNE 2017 | TRAVEL BREAKS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

UNDER STARTERS ORDERS FOR

LINGFIELD

KENT'S LINKS ARE CALLING

I

t’s about this time of year that a trip to the seaside to pay a fast-running links course becomes very appealing. And where better to go in search of great links golf than Kent, the ‘Garden of England’.

Kent has hosted 17 Opens over the years, the first of which – St George’s in 1894 – marked the first time the prestigious major had been held outside Scotland. Since then the Open has returned to Royal St George’s 13 times, while

Royal Cinque Ports staged the global event in 1909 and 1920, and nearby Prince’s hosted it in 1932.

Littlestone and North Foreland have also played their part in Kent’s rich golf history as venues for numerous Open Qualifying tournaments and various notable amateur championships.

Golfers visiting the Kent coast can take advantage of a number of special two-night, three-round itineraries that take in a mixture of these courses while staying in local hotels.

You can play Littlestone, Prince’s and North Foreland and stay at the Royal Hotel in Deal for £322pp (£340 at weekends), or Royal Cinque Ports, Royal St George’s and Prince’s for £507

SNAP UP A BREAK TO

UFFORD PARK

G

olfers with a passion for horse racing can get their golf break off to a flying start by booking up break at Lingfield Park Resort in Surrey.

Boasting a four-star Marriott Hotel, which is operated under a franchise agreement with Arena Leisure Plc, Lingfield offers 116 well-appointed bedrooms featuring flat screen televisions and mini fridges, while corner deluxe suites provide guests with stunning views over the racecourse.

All residents enjoy access to the Breathe Spa & Liesure Club, which comprises an indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna and fitness centre, as well as four treatment rooms.

Lingfield’s excellent 18-hole, 6,487-yard parkland course has recently been upgraded,

U with new landscaping, a Right Sided Golf teaching academy, and a new pro shop.

Golfers who want to make it a complete sporting day, can play the course in the morning and then go racing in the afternoon, while stay and play breaks start from just £99pp, including dinner, bed & breakfast and two rounds of golf.

For more details, visit www.lingfield-racecourse.co.uk or call 01342 834 800.

fford Park Hotel, Golf & Spa in Suffolk has unveiled a brand new look to its popular Park Restaurant for the new golfing season.

The Woodbridge-based resort, which is under family ownership, boasts a 90-bedroom hotel and an 18-hole golf course set in 120 acres of historic parkland.

Following extensive refurbishment of a number of its bedrooms over the past two years, the hotel has now transformed its public spaces, including a bold new design to its main restaurant. New carpets, beds, feature

walls, lighting and curtains all contribute to a contemporary style with natural and earthy colour schemes. Energy-efficient spotlights and additional plug sockets with USB points have been installed, while the fourth phase of the refurbishment also includes new bathrooms, with simple white tiling and chrome finishes creating a modern, light and airy look.

Just 10 miles from Ipswich, the family-friendly hotel, which also boasts the only two–tier floodlit driving range in Suffolk, features a health club with thermal suite spa and beauty treatments.

For details of the latest golf break packages, visit www.uffordpark.co.uk or call 01394 383555.

LUXURY GOLF BREAK GOLF MEMBERSHIP From £140.00 per person, per night Membership Type Annual Subscription Joining Fee (one off) Enjoy unlimited golf on our manicured par 73, 18-hole Championship Individual Golf £750.00 £200.00 golf course designed

by Donald Steel.

5 Day Golf* £550.00 £100.00 golf break includes stay in an individually designed bedroom, YoungYour Adult Golf 16-21 years**an overnight £250.00 Complimentary three-course dinner in the main house.

Juniorfull GolfEnglish 10-15 breakfast, years*** and a delicious £100.00 Complimentary

Also included is access *Weekdays to the swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, gymnasium and only. Includes Bank Holidays. use of the croquet, pétanque, golf and giant chess facilities. **When attached to parent’sminiature membership, or as a stand-alone member. ***Must be attached to parent’s membership. Not a stand-alone membership category.

Available Sunday to Friday only.

Academy membership available at £100 per person a pay and play basis per annum.

Prices also based on double occupancy and on inclusive of VAT.

Stapleford Park, Stapleford, nr. Melton Mowbray,please Leicestershire, LE14 2EF, England.

For further information, email membership@stapleford.co.uk or call 01572 787044

www.staplefordpark.com

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TRAVEL BREAKS | JUNE 2017

[73]

TAKE A BREAK AT BEAUTIFUL

BRAMSHAW (£540 w/e).

Staying at the Bell Hotel in Sandwich, golfers can play Cinque Ports, Prince’s and Littlestone

for £412 (£430 w/e), or if you stay at The Lodge at Prince’s you can pay £299pp (£325 w/e) to play Prince’s, North Foreland and Littlestone.

For more information on golf break itineraries all over Kent, email info@golfinkent.co.uk, call 01637 879991, or visit www.golfinkent.co.uk.

NEW SUMMER DEALS AT

OLD THORNS G

olfers can enjoy the fabulous facilities at Old Thorns Manor Hotel Golf & Country Estate in Hampshire for as little as £89 when booking a package through Golfbreaks.com.

Tucked away in 400 acres of Hampshire countryside just off the A3, Old Thorns is one of southern England’s most picturesque country-house-style hotels, and offers luxury accommodation in 82 bedrooms, relaxing health spa facilities, fantastic cuisine and an outstanding 6,581-yard, 18-hole championship golf course, designed by the BBC’s ‘voice of golf’ and club

president, Peter Alliss.

With notoriously fast greens and plenty of natural hazards, the par-72 layout is challenging, while the typography of the course creates some wonderful views over the rolling Hampshire countryside from the elevated tees.

Sunday savers at the Liphook-based resort can be booked for just £99 per person throughout the year, offering one night’s dinner, bed and breakfast, and two rounds of golf on the championship course, while midweek breaks start from £129.

For reservations call 01428 724555 or visit www.oldthorns.com.

S

et in the stunning surroundings of the New Forest, Bramshaw Golf Club boasts two 18hole courses and a comfortable boutique hotel in which to rest up between rounds.

With the undulating fairways of the Manor course and the open heathland of the Forest Course, the latter holding the honour of being Hampshire's oldest golf course. As they fall within the confines of the New Forest National Park, animals have the right to roam, even if it means ambling across a fairway while you’re in mid-backswing.

This is certainly the case on the club’s historic Forest Course, a 5,574-yard layout that is almost unique to the UK. Built on common land, it’s golf at its most natural, with only the tees and greens being managed, while the fairways are left to take nature’s course, barring a bi-annual cut to keep them playable.

While the Forest Course makes for a fun round, more serious golfers will focus their attentions on the 6,400-yard Manor Course, which opened for play in 1972, and occupies land on the other side of the Bell Inn. With

over 40 years under its belt, the Manor has matured into a fine parkland layout, which features a significant number of tight, treelined holes.

With two courses to play, and lots of other things to see and do in the area, an overnight stay is all but essential, with the Bell Inn providing the perfect place in which to hole up between rounds.

Under the same family ownership of the golf club, the grade II-listed building boasts plenty of rustic charm, with flagstone floors and open fireplaces, it offers 26 extremely comfortable rooms – all boasting en-suite facilities. The restaurant serves up an excellent range of home-cooked food, many of it sourced from the estate and other local farms, while there is a wide choice of locally brewed ales to sample from the bar.

Stay and play packages comprising one round on the Manor Course, one round on the Forest Course, and overnight accommodation in the Bell Inn, with dinner, breakfast and a free pint, start from just £99pp (Sunday-Friday).

For more information or to book, visit www.bellinn-newforest.co.uk, call 023 80812214, or email bell@bramshaw.co.uk.

STRADEY PARK HOTEL & SPA 

The ideal base for your perfect golfing break Easy access to Machynys, Ashburnham & Glyn Abbey Golf Clubs, also Gower golf clubs

SUMMER GOLF OFFER From £120 per person

Unlimited Golf, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Stay in our luxury 4 star hotel, with fine dining Samphires Restaurant and private rooftop lounge. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage in our award winning Parc Spa. Unwind in our comfortable Parc bar area with a range of beers, ales and wines and treat yourself to a delcious meal from our mouthwatering bar menu.

To book call 01728 452176 Stradey Park Hotel & Spa, Llanelli, SA15 4HA | T: 01554 758171 E: reservations@stradeyparkhotel.com | W: www.stradeyparkhotel.com

Subject to availability. Based on one night accommodation, double occupancy in a standard twin/double room.

www.thorpeness.co.uk thorpeness

@thorpenesscouk

[74] JUNE 2017 | UK BREAKS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TEE OFF YOUR CORNISH BREAK AT

LAUNCESTON ■ LAUNCESTON OFFERS A WARM WELCOME TO VISITING GROUPS, AND IS PERFECTLY PLACED TO EXPLORE NORTH OR SOUTH DEVON

that can produce both. The par threes are all worthy of note, while the downhill par-four 10th is another memorable hole on an constantly entertaining layout.

Although hilly in places, the course is walkable for most golfers, while there is a fleet of buggies available to hire for those want to conserve their energy.

After your round, be sure to stop for refreshments in the welcoming clubhouse, which occupies spacious former farm buildings overlooking the course. The top floor restaurant

serves a wide range of tasty homecooked food at great value prices, while the Sunday carvery is popular with members and visitors alike, with booking advisable. The bar is stocked with a wide range of local ales, including Tribute and Dartmoor, as well as Mena Dhu, a Cornish black stout from the St Austell Brewery.

The club hosts regular Open competitions throughout the season, including its popular Open Week, which this year runs from July 11-16, and includes competitions for over 55s; a ladies three-ball Texas Scramble; a three-ball team event, a greensomes mixed open, and a mixed fourball team event.

A week earlier, the club is jointly hosting the Two Castles Open with Okehampton Golf Club from June 24-25. A fourball better ball competition, there are rounds at both clubs, with handicaps limited to 24 for men and 30 for women.

Visitor green fees are great value at £30 per round, or £50 for a day ticket, while there are society packages to suit all budgets, with prices starting from just £33.95pp.

For those staying in the area, Launceston has teamed up with Newquay, St Austell and Tehidy Park to offer rounds at each club for an all-inclusive price of £100.

For more details, call 01566 775359 or visit www.launcestongolfclub.co.uk.

2017 04 Golf News - Golf Breaks.qxp_166mm h x 145mm w 05/04/2017 10:57 Page 1

Wish you were here

Ufford Park Woodbridge

1 night Golf & Spa Breaks from only £95* per person

includes complimentary use of the Health Club with it’s gym and pool.

Looking for the perfect all year round venue for your golf break?

Set in the heart of Suffolk and located just off the A12, our 18 hole, par 71 course is ideal for the beginner or the experienced player.

Book your tee time online, visit the on-site AmericanGolf superstore and practice your swing on our 2 tier floodlit driving range, all before you even set foot on the lovingly cared for, award-winning, top winter course.

CELEBRATING

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

t 0844 847 9408 (local rate) w www.uffordpark.co.uk Yarmouth Road| Woodbridge | Suffolk | IP12 1QW

YEARS 7

and well kept greens.

Designed by Hamilton Stutt, the course plays in two loops of nine, and opens and ends with dogleg par fives, meandering through picturesque wooded parkland.

The highest point on the course comes on the par-four eighth hole, where visitors can pause to take in the stunning views over the town and its iconic castle, as well as the surrounding borders countryside.

With tree-lined fairways and well-guarded greens, good course management, rather than brute force, will serve you well, although there are plenty of birdie opportunities out there for those

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ocated just a few miles into Cornwall, equidistant between the north and south coast, Launceston Golf Club is ideally placed for visiting golfers to enjoy a round on any golf break to the West Country.

Enjoying spectacular countryside views over both Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, and the county town of Launceston with its historic Norman castle, the 90-year-old course, which measures 6,385 yards from the back tees and plays to a par of 70 (5,682 yards, par 73 for ladies), represents a fine test of golf and is always presented in excellent condition, with manicured fairways

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TRAVEL | JUNE 2017

[75]

WIN A LUXURY DEVONSHIRE GOLF BREAK

Golf News has teamed up with Highbullen Hotel, Golf & Country Club to offer one lucky reader a luxury golf break for two to one of the West Country’s leading golf resorts TO ENTER

Located in tranquil North Devonshire countryside, the Highbullen Hotel is surrounded by an 18-hole golf course, which is set in richly wooded parkland with breathtaking views across both Dartmoor and Exmoor.

The 5,600-yard, par-68 course is an excellent test for any golfer, and is perfect for a round with friends and family. Testing, but not intimidating, it is little wonder that the late Alex Hay once described Highbullen as ‘an absolute gem’. There is a balance of challenging and rewarding shots to please everyone from confident hitters to complete beginners.

Between rounds, golfers can relax in the comfortable surroundings of the Highbullen Hotel, which boasts 42 en-suite rooms divided between the Manor House and the Estate Rooms. All the rooms have recently been refurbished, offering guests luxury accommodation in this idyllic North Devon setting. In The Manor House, the 12 rooms have been individually designed, with colour schemes, furniture and fittings complementing the atmosphere of each room. The 30 Estate rooms and offer comfort and elegance in the peaceful surroundings of the estate. All feature Smart TV’s and offer free WiFi.

The Devon View restaurant boasts an exceptional fine dining experience, while panoramic windows offer stunning views across the rolling Devon hills, creating an unrivalled setting to enjoy the best of Devon’s local produce, including freshly caught red mullet, plaice, scallops and lobster, as well as beef from Exmoor and Somerset pork.

Additional leisure facilities include spa treatment rooms, a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and fullyequipped gym, while there are also tennis courts for guests to use free of charge.

Highbullen is uniquely placed to enjoy the wilds of Exmoor and Dartmoor, with their hiking nature trails and wonderful wildlife, while the North Devon coast is just 20 miles away, withthe beaches of Croyde and Woolacombe well within striking distance for a day’s surfing.

THE PRIZE

The prize consists of two nights' accommodation in a double or twin Manor House deluxe room, plus dinner and breakfast, and two rounds of golf for two people.

For more details visit www.highbullen.co.uk or call 01759 540561.

To be in with a chance of winning this prize, all you need to do is answer the question below correctly, and email your answer to: info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Highbullen Golf Break Competition’ in the subject line, and including your name, address and contact telephone number, and details of where you picked up your copy of Golf News.

The closing date for entries is July 30, 2017. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available.

Entrants must be aged 18 years or over.

QUESTION WHICH COUNTY IS THE HIGHBULLEN HOTEL SITUATED IN? TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The prize must be taken before September 30, 2017, and is subject to availability, and excludes bank holidays. Bookings must be made directly with the hotel by calling 01769 520262.

There is no cash alternative.

Entrants agree to be contacted via email by Bespoke Hotels, owner of the Highbullen Hotel.

If you would like to opt out of this, please state in your entry that you would not like to be contacted by any third parties in relation to this competition.

2017 Golf Breaks from £85

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BOOK NOW FOR YOUR 2017 OR 2018 GOLF SOCIETY DAY FOR A MINIMUM OF 12 PLAYERS AND YOU WILL RECEIVE 15% B OPWL YF OQRU O YO UR OO F FO. KS N IM TE 2 0D1070 1O R 2 0 1 8 G O L F G SOCIETY DAY FOR A 18 championship holes, 26 bay floodlit M INIMUM OF 12 driving range, Trackman tuition suite, Sam P RoSre. W AeNareDa oY puL t laA b, Y anE dm neO stoU p shop fW or IyoLurLgoR lf dE ayC ! EIVE 15% OFF. SIMPLY QUOTE GD001 18 championship holes, 26 bay floodlit driving range, Trackman tuition suite, Sam put lab, and more. We are a one stop shop for your golf day!

[76] JUNE 2017 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

DORSET BREAKS IN FULL BLOOM

G

olfers seeking a UK-based summer golfing break should head for the Dorset Golf & Country Club, which promises year-round golf thanks to its continued investment in drainage and irrigation, and its underlying chalky subsoil.

The 27-hole Bere Regis-based resort boasts nine-hole loops Woodland, Lakeland and Parkland - are blessed with flourishes of rhododendron, azaleas and cherry blossom, reminiscent of Augusta National, while the views

and reflections across the huge lakes are spectacular at this time of year.

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.

FOLLOW MACKENZIE’S TRAIL IN DELIGHTFUL

DERBYSHIRE

G

Make yourself at home in the heart of Gleneagles Rentals at Glenmor The Gleneagles experience is one of a kind – you can now enjoy it from the comfort of a Glenmor luxury holiday home, located in the heart of Gleneagles.

On your stay you can enjoy complimentary golf for one person, plus access to all of the leisure, dining and pursuits of the 5 star Gleneagles estate.

A main season 2 bedroom rental starts from £2,720 for 7 nights.

Find out more Visit gleneagles.com Call 01764 694 321 Email own@gleneagles.com

olfers who admire great golf course design should consider following the Cavendish MacKenzie Trail, a collection of nine courses designed by legendary golf course Dr Alistair MacKenzie, all within easy reach of Buxton in Derbyshire.

The nine courses are all different, offering great variety and all demonstrate the influence of MacKenzie’s creative golfing brain.

The Cavendish MacKenzie Trail offers four MacKenzie-designed ■ CAVENDISH GOLF CLUB courses within 20 miles of Buxton (Cavendish, Hazel Grove, Bramall Park, Reddish Vale); two more with 40 miles (Sitwell Park, Bolton Old Links), and three more within 60 miles (Nelson, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield).

Cavenish is widely regarded as one Dr MacKenzie’s most accomplished designs in the UK, and quite possibly one of the best layouts in the world measuring under 6,000 yards. Opened in 1925, it exemplifies MacKenzie’s belief that ‘length has nothing to do with the quality of a hole’, and illustrates how creatively Mackenzie blended the layout of the 5,721-yard course into the surrounding landscape. Many of the design features MacKenzie employed at Augusta National can be seen at Cavendish.

Nelson Golf Club’s course is situated on a plateau overlooking Nelson, Burnley and Colne, with stunning panoramic views.

GREAT GOLF BREAKS The Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulation 2010 requires Gleneagles to provide you with certain key information in relation to the proposed seasonal ownership contract. A standard information form which contains this key information in relation to that contract may be obtained by contacted us via the above methods.

in South Devon

For advice in planning your Cavendish Mackenzie Trail programme, call 01298 79708 or email proshop@cavendishgolfclub.com.

GREAT GOLF BREAKS GREAT GOLF BREAKS GREAT GOLF BREAKS in South Devon in South Devon inGOLF South Devon GREAT BREAKS in South Devon

• Restaurant & 2 Bars with a choice of draught real ales, lagers and cider.

• Draught Beers & Lagers.

• Indoor & Outdoor Swimming Pools.

Restaurant & 2 Bars withTennis. a choice of A huge benefit for guests staying at the 3 • •Snooker, Table • Restaurant & 2 BarsTennis, with a choice of A huge Contact benefit forreception guests staying atdetails. the 3 Please for draught real&ales, lagers anda choice cider. of star Langstone Cliffguests hotel, we offer • Restaurant 2 Bars with A huge benefit for staying at the 3 • real Ample Parking draught ales, Free lagers on andsite cider. star Langstone Cliff hotel, we offer • Draught Beers & Lagers. reduced green fees at the nearby Warren draught real ales, lagerswithin and cider. star Langstone Cliff hotel, we offer • Draught Beers & Lagers. reduced green fees at the nearby Warren • 64 Comfortable en-suite Bedrooms • •16 other courses 20 miles Indoor &golf Outdoor Swimming Pools.

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A huge benefit for guests staying at the 3 star Langstone Cliff hotel, we offer reduced green fees at the nearby Warren Golf Club.

IndoorTable & Outdoor Swimming Pools. draught real ales, lagers and cider.

Golf Club. star Langstone hotel,for wedetails. offer • Snooker,•Tennis, Tennis.

Please ContactCliff reception Please Contact reception for details.

• Snooker, Ample Free on & site Parking • Tennis, Table Tennis.

Draught Beers Lagers. reduced green fees at the nearby Warren • Ample Free on site Parking Please Contact reception forBedrooms details.

• 64 Comfortable en-suite • Ample 16 other courses within 20 Pools. miles Free on site Indoor &golf Outdoor Swimming • 64 Comfortable en-suite Bedrooms Golf Club.

• 16 other•golf courses within 20Parking miles • 19 acres grounds inc. a Golf Practise Area. of the hotel.

• 64 Comfortable en-suite Bedrooms • 19 acres grounds inc. a Golf Practise Area.

• Snooker, 16 other golf courses 20 miles Tennis, Tablewithin Tennis.

Please Contact reception for details. of the hotel.

• 19 acres grounds inc. a Golf Practise Area. • of the hotel.

Ample Free on site Parking • 64 Comfortable en-suite Bedrooms 16 other golfincourses 20 miles The Warren is the only true•links course Southwithin Devon, • 19 acres grounds inc. a Golf Practise Area. of the hotel.

The Warren Golf Club

located just 800Warren metresGolf from theGolf hotel, is situated on a narrow The Club The Warren Club peninsula between the sea and the estuary of the River Exe. The Warren is the only true links course in South Devon, The Club The Warren is the onlyWarren true links course inGolf South Devon, located justyards 800 metres from the hotel, is69 situated on a narrow 18 just holes, 5965 (5506 metres), Par located 800 metres from the hotel, is situated on a narrow The Warren is the only true links course in South Devon, peninsula the andGolf thethe estuary of the River Exe. The Warren Club peninsula between thebetween sea and thesea estuary River Exe. located just 800 metres from theofhotel, is situated on a narrow 18 holes, 5965 yards (5506 metres), Par 69 18 holes, 5965 yards between (5506 metres), Par 69thecourse peninsula the sea and estuaryinofSouth the River Exe. The Warren is the only true links Devon, 18 holes,just 5965 (5506 Paris69situated on a narrow located 800yards metres frommetres), the hotel, peninsula between the sea and the estuary of the River Exe. 18 holes, 5965 yards (5506 metres), Par 69

Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Devon Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, EX7EX7 ONAONA Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Devon EX7Devon ONA Tel: 01626 868000 Fax: 01626 868006 01626 868000 Fax: 01626 868006 Tel: Tel: 01626 868000 Fax: 01626 868006 Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Devon EX7 ONA

www.langstone-hotel.co.uk/leisure-activities/golf/ www.langstone-hotel.co.uk/leisure-activities/golf/ www.langstone-hotel.co.uk/leisure-activities/golf/ Tel: 01626 868000 Fax: 01626 868006 Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Devon EX7 ONA www.langstone-hotel.co.uk/leisure-activities/golf/

Tel: 01626 868000 Fax: 01626 868006

MacKenzie managed a skillful design to avoid any wearisome climbing. Laid out in two loops of nine, the front nine follows the outer perimeter of the course and run clockwise, whilst the second nine returns on the inner, in an anti-clockwise direction.

Reddish Vale is the combination of MacKenzie’s magical eye and 100 acres that are rich in feature and beauty. Like any Mackenzie course, its flowing contours require careful course management and accurate shot placement, but it’s also a course that gives you a chance, and is both quirky and fun to play.

Sitwell Park’s layout snakes its way across picturesque parkland, offering a diverse challenge for golfers of all abilities and experience.

And then there are the classic Mackenzie greens – fast, with some tricky reads.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TRAVEL | JUNE 2017

LIFE IN PICTURES

■ THERE ARE PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES TO KEEP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ENTERTAINED

THE MANOR HOUSE & ASHBURY GOLF HOTELS Set in the foothills of the Dartmoor National Park, the Manor House and Ashbury Golf Hotels in Okehampton forms one of the largest golf resorts in the UK, and is the ideal place for great value golf breaks at any time of year.

SEVEN COURSES, 99 HOLES With 99 holes available across a variety of courses, there is enough golf to satisfy the needs of the most active golfer. The courses all offer stunning views of Dartmoor and provide breathtaking holiday golf. Built on fast-draining soil, the courses are presented in superb condition, while cart paths enable the fleet of 450 buggies to be hired throughout the year.

ON-SITE ACCOMMODATION There are 426 rooms across the Ashbury and Manor Hotels. Full board catering is offered, including a buffet breakfast, hot and cold lunch options, and a four-course evening buffet meal with additional a la carte choices. There is a choice of bars and lounges, including the coach-house bar, which offers Sky TV and evening entertainment.

■ THERE ARE FREE ARTS AND CRAFTS CLASSES FOR ALL AGES

ADULT & FAMILY FACILITIES/ACTIVITIES Other facilities available free of charge include three swimming pools; ten-pin bowling; snooker; tennis; badminton; archery; pistol, rifle and laser shooting. Free spa facilities include saunas, steam rooms and hydro pools. There are also two craft centres, while for younger guests there is a soft play area, two games zones, outdoor pedal karts, waterslides and adventure golf.

GOLF BREAK PACKAGES All golf breaks include a minimum of 27 holes per night.

2 night weekend breaks in September from £140pp

For bookings, call 0800 389 9892, email enquiries@manorhousehotel.co.uk or visit www.ashburygolfhotel.com.

■ THERE ARE 99 HOLES OF GOLF TO PLAY ACROSS SEVEN COURSES

■ DARTMOOR IS RIGHT ON THE DOORSTEP

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[78] JUNE 2017 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

WONDROUS

WEST CLIFFS The opening of a stunning new links course at Praia D’el Rey has provided another good reason for visiting Portugal’s Silver Coast, says Matt Nicholson

W

hile Portugal’s Algarve coast has been a perennial favourite with sun-seeking golfers since the 1960s, it is the area around Lisbon that has seen the biggest growth in recent years, with over 100,000 of us flocking each year to play its 20-plus courses, all of which are located within an hour’s drive of Europe’s westernmost capital.

While the Lisbon area might not quite be able to match the Algarve in terms of quantity of golf, there is unquestionably plenty of quality on offer. The region can be divided into three distinct areas. The

Silver Coast, to the north west of Lisbon, is where you’ll find the likes of Bom Successo, Royal Obidos and Praia d’El Rey. The central area, around Cascais and Sintra, is home to favourites such as Quinta da Marinha, Penha Longa and Oitavos Dunes, while to south of the River Tagus you’ll find the Blue Coast, where the courses at Aroieira, Quinta do Peru, Ribagolfe and Santo Estevão await.

Awarded the title of European Golf Destination of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators for the third time last year, Lisbon’s Golf Coast not only boasts a wide variety of quality courses, but also offers affordable green fees, a yearround mild climate, and easy access to the attractions of the city.

IF YOU GO IN FOR COMPARISONS, AND KNOW YOUR GOLF COURSES, MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS THAT WEST CLIFF RESEMBLES A COMBINATION OF WHISTLING STRAITS, PINEHURST, AND SUNNINGDALE’S NEW COURSE

■ WEST CLIFFS OCCUPIES A DRAMATIC SPOT OVERLOOKING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, AND BOASTS AN EVEN BETTER LOCATION THAN PRAIA D'EL REY

A two-and-a-half hour flight from the UK takes you into the heart of Lisbon, where its Portela airport is located surprisingly close to the red-tiled rooftops that dominate the historic city’s suburban skyline. Hopping onto the A8 motorway, heading north, it’s only an hour before you turn off and head towards the Silver Coast, where many of region’s golf courses are to be found.

Our visit was specifically to play the new West Cliffs course at Praia D’el Rey, a brand new links layout that only opened this month. Designed by Cynthia Dye – niece of Pete Dye – West Cliffs sits on arguably an even better stretch of land than its illustrious championship neighbour, Praia D’el Rey, and even before a ball was struck, West Cliffs was already being talked about as being potentially one of the best courses in Europe.

Measuring 7,000 yards off the back tees, it covers a vast tract of rolling sand dunes, interspersed with coastal vegetation and areas of pine groves, all of which overlook the sea from a variety of elevations above the cliffs at the mouth of the River Obidos.

Even the drive up to the clubhouse from the nearby Praia D'el Rey Marriott Hotel provoked a few ‘oohs’, ‘ahs’ and ‘wows’ from our group of seasoned golf hacks, as we caught sight of the thin ribbons of what looked like fairways dotted amongst acres of glaringly white sand. ‘Intimidating’ was the word that we were all thinking, but not saying – especially with a two-club wind

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TRAVEL | JUNE 2017

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■ THE MODERNIST CLUBHOUSE COMMANDS STUNNING VIEWS OVER THE COURSE AND COASTLINE

FLY

STAY & PLAY AT PRAIA D’EL REY PRAIA D’EL REY MARRIOTT GOLF & BEACH RESORT (PRAIA-DEL-REY.COM) PRAIA D’EL REY COURSE GREEN FEES: €72/€42 ((MAR-OCT/NOV-FEB) WEST CLIFFS GOLF LINKS (WESTCLIFFS.COM) GREEN FEES: €110/€80 (MAR-OCT/NOV-FEB)

extremely elevated tees is threatened by another big dune. You can bale out right to avoid it, but then the second shot will have to be played over a lake – while if you successfully take on the dune you’ll have a much more straightforward approach.

Playing off the very back tees will require some long and accurate driving to score well, but thankfully there are a variety of teeing options that mean that it can be played from between 5,600 yards and 7,000 yards, so all levels of player are well catered for here, which is what you’d expect for a resort course. Although some of the fairways look a little narrow off the tee, the landing areas are actually far more generous than they seem, and with receptive, evenly paced greens, it’s eminently playable. Miss the fairways though, and you’ll be chopping out from a collection of seaside plants.

The walk-on green fees are modest

by European standards, and, at just under £100 during peak season, and £70 during off-peak months, represent excellent value, and can be had at even better rates when booked as part of a stay-andplay package.

West Cliff’s modernist clubhouse is specifically designed to make the most of the stunning coastline, with acres of double-height windows providing wonderful panoramic views over the golf course and the entire estate.

The next day we played what was Praia D’El Rey’s showcase layout before West Cliffs came on the scene. This Cabell Robinson belter, which first opened in 1997, also enjoys a superb setting, with a third of its holes located by the sea, but the front nine and the closing few holes are inland, and somewhat pale by comparison with their coastal counterparts. The stretch from 13-15 are all show stoppers, with the signature par-three 13th and the 15th, a demanding 400-yard par four with a big dip short of the green, being personal favourites.

With excellent on-site accommodation and leisure facilities available at the fivestar Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, and now two genuinely worldclass courses to play, in addition to the excellent layouts at the Royal Obidos and Bom Sucesso, the Silver Coast should make its way on to your golfing bucket list. Just remember to bring plenty of balls!

■ WITH DRAMA AT EVERY TURN, THERE ARE NO WEAK HOLES AT WEST CLIFFS

whipping in off the Atlantic.

If you go in for comparisons, and know your golf courses, my first impression was that it resembled a combination of Whistling Straits - venue for three US PGA Championships; Pinehurst, a regular US Open venue, and Sunningdale’s New Course.

The former two are known for their vast waste areas of sand, while the latter is a classic inland layout that has a linksy feel.

As with all great layouts, there are no weak holes at West Cliffs, and if pushed to pick my personal favourites, I’d plump for the 5th, a 189-yard par three which features a green that slopes severely from back to front; the 7th, a 580-yard par five where you drive

from a high tee down to a rolling fairway whose contours conceal a hazard that must be carried with the second shot in order to stand any chance of reaching the green in two; and the 15th, a 515-yard par five that also requires three faultless shots to find the green in regulation.

The run of holes at the end, which occupies the highest ground, is particularly memorable. The par-three 16th has most of its tees on a very high dune, which obscures part of the green from the lower, back tee. The 17th is a mid-length par four with a sharp dogleg around another high dune, while the home hole is a long but steeply downhill par four. The drive from the

MONARCH AIRLINES OPERATES YEAR-ROUND FLIGHTS TO LISBON FROM BIRMINGHAM, GATWICK AND MANCHESTER, WITH FARES, INCLUDING TAXES, FROM £76 RETURN. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, OR TO BOOK FLIGHTS AND MONARCH HOLIDAYS, VISIT WWW.MONARCH.CO.UK.

■ NUMEROUS SANDY WASTE AREAS BREAK UP THE FAIRWAYS

[80] JUNE 2017 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TAKING THE STRAIN OUT OF PLAYING AWAY

Say goodbye to airport hassles, excess baggage fees, and club hire sets, by using bagSOLO, a transportation service that provides the ultimate convenience for all golfers

G

olfers are creatures of habits, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to our precious golf clubs.

We spend hundreds, often thousands, of pounds buying and customising our gear so that it helps us get the most out of our game and is right for our swing.

But what happens when you go on holiday and are forced to use a random set of hire clubs? While they might be the latest models, it's unlikely that they feature your shafts specs, and they certainly won't contain your favouite lob wedge, or a putter that you know and trust.

With luggage allowances, security checks, and the sheer amount of gear you take on holiday these days, lumbering a set of golf clubs to the airport is just another inconvenience you could do without – which is where bagSOLO comes to the rescue.

Launched last summer, bagSOLO offers to courier your own clubs around the world from door to door. Working in partnership with world-leading courier services Fedex and UPS, bagSOLO relieves the stress of travelling with your equipment so that you can relax and enjoy your journey, while your golf bag goes solo. Just think – no sports equipment charges (EasyJet put up its prices for golf clubs by 15% this year), no excess baggage charges, no queues at the airport

check-in, no heavy bags to lug around, no need to hire a huge rental car to carry your clubs, and no more dodgy hire sets!

The service, which can also be used to transport bikes and skis, can cost as little as £39 each way, depending on travel requirements, and covers destinations in the UK, Europe, and the USA, amongst others. bagSOLO’s courier service can be booked directly through its website in four short steps.

Travellers can arrange pick up and delivery to whichever destination they choose, whether it’s from home, the golf club, or hotel, and can track their precious clubs every step of the way with a free tracking service. In the unlikely event that there is a delay in getting the clubs to the destination, bagSOLO guarantees that a free hire set will be available to the traveller until their own set arrives at the specified destination.

“It’s a luxury service at an affordable price,” said Mike Coyne, Director of bagSOLO. “Travelling with your own clubs can be frustrating, and can distract from enjoying your time away. bagSOLO offers the convenient service where you can ship your own set of clubs all over the world, hassle-free, and not have to worry about hire clubs or transporting clubs and luggage to and from the airport.”

For more information on bagSOLO, and how to book your next trip, visit www.bagsolo.com.

7

REASONS TO USE BAGSOLO

1. DOOR-TO-DOOR CONVENIENCE Have your clubs picked up from your home, golf club or office, and delivered direct to your destination, anywhere in the world.

2. TRAVEL LIGHT & SKIP THE AIRPORT QUEUES With no heavy bags to worry about, use public transport for a stress-free trip to the airport. With no oversize luggage to check-in or reclaim, you’re free to enjoy a quicker and hassle-free airport experience.

3. EXTRA WEIGHT ALLOWANCE bagSOLO offers an extra 25% weight allowance when compared to scheduled airlines, so customers are free to pack extra items in their golf bag and simply travel on the plane with hand luggage, saving more money on checked bags when flying with low-cost airlines.

4. GROUP DISCOUNTS Four groups of eight or more, bagSOLO offers further savings for parties going to most golf destinations, while still providing the same door-to-door service.

5. SAVE MONEY ON CAR HIRE With clubs delivered direct to your hotel or golf resort, there’s no need to hire an oversized car or van to transport all you clubs and luggage – resulting in yet more savings.

6. PLAY WITH YOUR OWN CLUBS Whether playing on one of those bucket-list courses or a trip with friends, every keen golfer prefers to use their own clubs – especially if they have been custom-fitted to suit their game.

7. EASY BOOKING Booking the bagSolo service involves a simple four-step process through the company’s website, which can be done up to two days before arrival at the destination with the express service. Bags are collected from 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday, and can be delivered one day before arrival.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE | JUNE 2017

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■ THE SEMI-ISLAND GREEN ON THE 11TH HOLE OF PGA CATALUNYA'S STADIUM COURSE

WORLD-CLASS GOLF AND LUXURY LIFESTYLE

WITH TWO TOUR-STANDARD GOLF COURSES AND A NEW FIVE-STAR HOTEL, PGA CATALUYNA RESORT IS THE SHINING JEWEL OF SPANISH GOLF

■ A JUNIOR SUITE AT HOTEL CAMIRAL

A

experience – and the catalyst has been the new five-star first-class golfing experience is what you Hotel Camiral. Opened last September, the luxury 145expect at PGA Catalunya Resort, but the room hotel, designed by critically-acclaimed interior five-star destination has a lot more to offer. designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, has taken the resort’s facilities You could find yourself unwinding in – and service experience – to a new level. a tranquil herbal steam room, sampling gastronomic Thanks to the hotel, dining options at the resort now delights and fine wines from the region – which boasts include, in addition to the well-frequented clubhouse no fewer than 18 Michelin stars in Costa Brava alone Bistrot, the à la carte 1477 restaurant, a lounge bistro and – or enjoying the 300-hectare estate, which is quietly a pool-side bar. All four pride themselves on using locallybecoming a valuable ecological reserve. sourced produce and are inspired by Catalonia’s reputation Opened in 1999, expressly to host tour-level for award-winning, gourmet cuisine. The resort’s own tournaments, PGA Catalunya Resort’s golfing vineyard, opened just this year, is also set to add a unique credentials have never been in question. The flavour to the already impressive wine list.

European Tour destination boasts Spain’s No.1 course Visiting golfers will also enjoy Hotel Camiral’s enhanced in the magnificent forested Stadium layout, a 7,333health and wellness facilities, including a hydrotherapy yard masterpiece which delivers an exhilarating and herbal steam room, and a wealth of therapies and blend of sweeping tee shots and dramatic lake-strewn treatments. Fitness options include a state-of-the-art gym, approaches. Host of numerous Spanish Opens, most a range of classes from circuits to spinning, and a 25m recently in 2014, and the European Tour’s annual swimming pool.

Final Qualifying, it’s a course to test the mettle of the For the more adventurous, there are also a variety of very best. activities available that capitalise on the resort’s stunning The adjacent Tour Course, a co-host of the Final coastal and Pyrenean location, including private boat trips, Qualifying Stage, is a much friendlier par-72 layout, balloon rides, Segway tours and skydiving experiences. where the picturesque front nine meanders through For families visiting PGA Catalunya Resort, Hotel pine forests, while the back nine moves onto more Camiral’s Kids’ Club offers a range of activities from bike open land that rides the contours of the estate and its rides and pool games, to a range of workshops covering many lakes.

Practice facilities are also first class, with the Sergio Garcia Junior Golf Academy, and a short game area that features bunkers boasting different sand types from around the world, including those found at Augusta, St Andrews, Hawaii, Pebble Beach and, of course, PGA Catalunya Resort. It’s also possible to practise your putting on a variety of different grass types, including Bent, Bermuda, Paspalum and Poa. Away from the fairways, the resort is emerging as a multi-faceted venue ■ THE ICONIC 13TH HOLE ON THE STADIUM COURSE delivering the ultimate lifestyle

■ ONE OF HOTEL CAMIRAL'S RELAXING LOUNGE AREAS

theatre, food-growing and crafts, as well as regular twohour nature rambles exploring an environment rich in flora and fauna. The new Forest Park, complete with zip wires, rope climbing and tree-top walks through a lush pine canopy, presents a more adrenalin-fuelled way of experiencing the estate, and one that can be enjoyed by all the family.

But while PGA Catalunya Resort’s attractions are becoming ever more diverse, its 36 immaculate holes of championship golf, extensive practice facilities and wonderful year-round climate – all 15 minutes from historic Girona and 20 minutes from the beaches of the Costa Brava – ensure it will always be a haven for golfers.

EXCLUSIVE GOLF NEWS GETAWAY Golf News readers can enjoy an exclusive golfing getaway to PGA Catalyuna Resort this autumn. The package includes three nights’ B&B accommodation at Hotel Camiral (based on two people sharing a room), with three rounds of golf per person (2x Stadium, 1x Tour), including buggy hire. The cost is €368 per night.

The offer is valid for bookings made before August 31, 2017, for stays between October 21 and November 30, 2017.

Guests should reference promotional code 4G3X3 when booking.

Tel: +34 (0) 972 472 249, Email: reservations@pgacatalunya.com.

OCEAN VIEW BI R DI E S AND B O G EYS G O BET T E R W IT H AN

There’s never been a better time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, fabulous restaurants and unmatched hospitality of one of the world’s premier golf destinations. Charleston offers a unique array of accommodations for all golfers. Find more information on the properties below, as well as specialty golf packages on EnjoyCharlestonGolf.com.

WILD DUNES RESORT Just minutes from downtown Charleston, a 1,600-acre oceanfront paradise offering world-class golf, top ranked tennis and recreation programs, restaurants and miles of pristine beach. Stay in your choice of the Boardwalk Inn, The Village, a condo or luxury home. wilddunes.com

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT CHARLESTON-MT.PLEASANT Island Elegance and Charleston charm with luxurious bedding, 32inch hi def TV’s with connectivity panels, complimentary Internet access and state of the art meeting facilities. Featuring a library and lobby bar with charming courtyard and fire pit. marriott.com/chscm

FRANCIS MARION HOTEL

KING CHARLES INN

Historic Charleston’s landmark hotel since 1924. Completely restored and elegantly appointed marble lobby, crown moldings and intricate wrought iron. Across from Marion Square. 233 guest rooms and suites offer spectacular views of Charleston’s harbor. On the National Register of Historic Places. francismarioncharleston.com

Located in the historic district, this boutique hotel features an outdoor pool, complimentary parking, lobby bar, and access to a world class fitness center ($5 fee). An extensive room remodeling and technology project was just completed. This property is recognized as an Expedia Insiders’ Select hotel. kingcharlesinn.com

Find Great Rates at EnjoyCharlestonGolf.com

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE | JUNE 2017 [83]

LE TOUQUET REVIVES ITS MISSING LINKS

A LONG-TIME FAVOURITE WITH BRITISH GOLFERS SINCE ITS OPENING, LE TOUQUET GOLF RESORT IS SET TO ENJOY A RENAISSANCE AS A GOLF HOLIDAY DESTINATION LESS THAN AN HOUR’S DRIVE SOUTH OF CALAIS, FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT RENOVATIONS TO ITS SHOWCASE LA MER COURSE ■ 2ND HOLE ON LE TOUQUET'S LA MER COURSE

■ LE TOUQUET GOLF RESORT'S NEW ARCHITECT-DESIGNED CLUBHOUSE

■ LA MER'S ICONIC PAR-THREE 16TH, RESTORED TO HARRY COLT'S ORIGINAL DESIGN

E

urope’s most fashionable resort of the ‘Roaring Twenties’ and 1930s, Le Touquet remains an iconic destination, blending elegant style and architecture with wide, open sandy beaches, surrounded by pine forest.

Today, with the contemporary comforts and hospitality of a new architect-designed clubhouse and plans for a boutique style hotel at Le Manoir, Le Touquet Golf Resort and its three courses are ushering in a new golden age of European golf travel.

Headlining Le Touquet’s exceptional experience is France’s top-rated links course, La Mer, which has recently undergone a major restoration project as part of longterm plans to restore the course and resort to their 1930s' glory.

The Harry Colt classic, regarded as one of the finest links on the Continent, opened in 1931 when Le Touquet was the most fashionable resort in Europe.

But fortification and bombardment during World War II resulted in significant damage to the terrain and the abandonment of four of Colt’s original holes.

While efforts were made to restore these holes in the 1990s, the recent discovery of aerial photography from the 1930s has helped golf architects and leading restorers of classic courses in Europe, Patrice Boissonnas and Frank Pont, bring the entire course back to what now closely resembles Colt’s original design.

“This is the kind of commission a golf architect dreams about,” said Boissonnas. “Finding lost holes from a legendary course designer like Harry Colt – the mastermind behind the New Course at Sunningdale, the West Course at Wentworth and Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, to name but a few – is like finding treasure in a treasure hunt.

There are so few situations like this, and when they

do come along, it is very exciting.”

He added: “Along with a great sense of responsibility, this renovation gave me a strong sense of the opportunity to put things right. As part of reviving the missing four holes – the 13th to the 16th – we were able to restore Colt’s original dogleg right par-five 15th, described by his design rival Tom Simpson as one of the best he’d ever seen. Returning the par-three 16th to its original setting has also allowed us to reinstate a spectacular downhill short hole.”

The newly-restored links course, set behind the towering dunes and vast beaches at Le Touquet, is receiving highlevel plaudits. Adam Lawrence, editor of Golf Course Architecture, believes La Mer is a future top-10 European course in the making. He said: “Le Touquet is a genuine links course, the best form of golf, and there are precious few links in Continental Europe. Harry Colt’s La Mer course has great terrain and a bunch of great holes – there is a top European course trying to get out here.”

While the classic La Mer has been restored to its original layout, significant investment in the 45-hole Le Touquet Golf Resort – part of the Open Golf Club group – continues. A new architect-designed clubhouse has recently opened, offering golfers contemporary comforts and hospitality. There is also a new look for Le Manoir, the resort’s hotel. With its upgraded interiors and re-designed restaurant, there are now plans to transform Le Manoir into a boutiquestyle hotel.

Le Touquet Golf Resort also offers an additional 18hole course and a nine-hole layout, as well as extensive practice facilities. Just off the A16 autoroute, and less than an hour’s drive south of Calais, on the Cote d’Opale, it is easy for golfers to drive directly from the UK.

For more information, visit www.opengolfclub. com/en/Golf-du-Touquet

STAY AND PLAY OFFER

273€ PER PERSON (BASED ON TWO SHARING A TWIN ROOM): 2 NIGHTS ON B&B BASIS AT LE MANOIR HÔTEL 2 ROUNDS OF GOLF AT LE TOUQUET GOLF RESORT 1 ROUND OF GOLF AT GOLF D’HARDELOT WEEKEND AND BANK HOLIDAY SUPPLEMENT: 30€ PP

LE MANOIR HÔTEL*** 2170, AVENUE DU GOLF, 62520, LE TOUQUET, FRANCE +33 (0)3 21 06 28 28 MANOIRHOTEL@OPENGOLFCLUB.COM

GOLF NEWS READERS TO REFERENCE CODE GN0617 WHEN BOOKING

[84] JUNE 2017 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

DAVID A LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF

CHAMPIONS

Former European Tour professional Andy Raitt shares his experiences of competing in the 14th Sawgrass Classic Pro-Am in Florida, which was held immediately after last month’s Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass

SATURDAY, MAY 13 My Pro-Am team and I flew into Orlando and collected our spacious seven-seater minivan, before driving straight to the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, just 30 minutes from TPC Sawgrass, where the third round of the 2017 Players Championship had just ended.

SUNDAY, MAY 14 We were up early to play a practice round at the King & Bear Course, before driving to the Sawgrass Marriott Resort, which is located right next to TPC Sawgrass. We were met in the lobby

by John and Alison Hooper of the American Golf Holiday company. They run The Pro-Am Tour, in association with the PGA, and we were given our entrance tickets to the final round of the Players Championship.

Within a few minutes, we were walking the short distance to the Marriott's private entrance, which put us straight into the heart of the action by the side of the 10th green.

Without doubt, the Players is the best viewing tournament in golf, with TPC Sawgrass having been designed with mounding throughout, giving spectators fantastic vantage points all over the course. And what an awesome layout it is – no wonder they call it ‘Golf’s Greatest Stadium’.

MONDAY, MAY 15 Today the teams played an optional practice round, with the Slammer & Squire Course at the World Golf Village being the most popular. It was also a great chance to meet up with many ProAm Tour regulars – many of whom have been coming here for years.

TUESDAY, MAY 16 Today saw the start of the 72-hole Sawgrass Classic Pro-Am tournament at TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley Course, which shares the same magnificent clubhouse and fantastic practice facilities with its more famous neighbour. It was presented in superb condition, and I really liked the picturesque layout, with numerous water hazards and mature trees, but a disappointing score of 78 left me nine shots behind the first round leader, James Ablett.

That evening, all the competitors assembled in Alice & Pete's Pub by the lagoon at the Marriott for a barbecue and drinks reception, and everyone was challenged ‘fairground-style’ to hit a floating island green with a pitch shot. However,

the green was six feet wide and situated approximately 70 yards away. With the drinks flowing, this made for great fun and created a fantastic atmosphere among the teams.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 Round two was held at the exclusive Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Ocean Course. The club is famous for being awarded the Ryder Cup in 1939, but the outbreak of World War II prevented the matches from going ahead. What a great course this was, and an acceptable 70 moved me up onto the leaderboard to tied fifth position.

The Lobby Bar at the Sawgrass Golf Resort proved to be a popular spot for the teams throughout the week, with many meeting up each evening for pre-dinner drinks and friendly banter. The area offers a wide choice of excellent restaurants, including the popular Nona Blue (Graham McDowell's tavern), the Aqua Grille & Café Andiamo, and the upscale Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. These are all within walking distance, but the hotel offers complimentary transportation too.

THURSDAY, MAY 18 The whole field elected to play the optional Challenge Day at the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course. This always proves to be one of the highlights of the Pro-Am Tour year, with the course presented in magnificent tournament condition and the grandstands still in place.

It was also the first time the competitors had experienced the recently renovated course with its redesigned 12th hole. This is now a fun riskreward short par four, and we played it with the tee up, as the tour pros had done the week before.

The competition format was individual stableford, and higher handicappers and seniors were given the option of a separate competition,

playing from the more forward white tees. The professionals played from the back tees, with an added incentive that if they broke 80 they would be rewarded with a $200 bonus. This was not as easy as it sounds.

A number of separate challenges took place, including nearest-the-pin competitions at 13 and 17, long drive at 16, as well as a two’s club at 17, and a sweepstake for the number of tee shots in the water at 18. Some lucky chap drew 32 for the ‘Splash Count’ and won a nice prize - fortunately I was not one of the splashes, as I hit the green and made my par. I managed a 77 to tie the secondbest score of the day, but more importantly, I claimed the $200 bonus!

FRIDAY, MAY 19 Round three of the Pro-Am took place at World Golf Village King & Bear Course, co-designed

by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Again, the course was presented in excellent condition and provided a great test of golf. A steady 71 moved me up to third place on the leaderboard, and, after the round, many competitors visited the nearby World Golf Hall of Fame.

SATURDAY, MAY 20 For the final tournament round, we returned to the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course. Everyone agreed this was an exceptional test of golf, and to play it straight after the PGA Tour, with firm fast greens, made for an unforgettable golf experience.

Every shot on every hole tests both

professionals and amateurs alike, and the Pro-Am format of the best two net scores to count on each hole sets the ultimate golfing examination and creates the potential for huge changes on the leaderboard - especially on the last three holes.

For some teams, including mine, the pressure of getting two dry balls onto the 17th green proved a little too great, and we ran up an embarrassingly big score, and suffice to say it was pretty quiet on the 18th tee after that!

That evening, the awards dinner was held at the Sawgrass Golf Resort, and once again there was a brilliant atmosphere and plenty of banter between the teams. As the drinks flowed everyone told of their own experiences of a challenging day on an exceptional course, and my team were extremely reassured to find out that we were not the worst on the 17th that day.

After an excellent meal, the prizes were presented, with Cooden Beach professional Paul Nessling winning the Pro Individual title with a very creditable four-round total of level par. I finished eight shots back tied for fourth. In the very exciting team event, Nessling's team just held on for victory, and were rewarded with trophies and Callaway’s new Epic driver.

The Sawgrass Classic Pro-Am delivers a professionally-run tournament staged on four fantastic golf courses. To compete at TPC Sawgrass straight after the Players Championship is probably the closest thing to playing on the PGA Tour, and is definitely one of my greatest golfing experiences.

■ THE KING AND BEAR COURSE AT WORLD GOLF VILLAGE

Further information on The Pro-Am Tour, call The American Golf Holiday on 023 8046 5885, or visit www.pro-amtour.com.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

SET SAIL FOR A BARGAIN BREAK WITH

BRITTANY FERRIES G

olfers seeking a UK-based summer golfing break should head for the Dorset Golf & Country Club, which promises year-round golf, thanks to its continued investment in drainage and irrigation, and its underlying chalky subsoil.

The 2017 Brittany Ferries golf brochure is packed with great value breaks to golf courses and resorts all over Northern and Western France and Northern Spain.

■ DINARD GOLF CLUB Featuring packages to France and Spain’s most popular destinations, the brochure has all the details you need to plan a golfing holiday to remember.

And with Brittany Ferries, getting there is very much part of the holiday, as with no luggage limitations to worry about, golfers can make the most of their precious time by crossing the channel overnight. With a fleet of luxury cruise-ferries, offering en-suite cabins, fine French restaurants and stylish bars, they provide

PURE SALT RESORTS TEE UP

MAJORCAN GOLF BREAKS G

olfers looking to enjoy a luxury hotel experience while exploring the finest golf courses on the Mediterranean island of Majorca should consider booking their next golfing break with Pure Salt Resorts.

The boutique chain owns two adultsonly hotels on the island at Port Adriano and Garonda, both of which re-opened in March following extensive renovations over the winter.

Overlooking the stunning Philippe Starck-designed marina and its superyachts, the newly-refurbished Pure Salt Port Adriano is the only five-star hotel in Calviá, and serves as a Mediterranean haven for golf enthusiasts, with 13 of the region’s top courses within a 30-mile radius.

The resort is currently offering a fivenight Spring golf break, which includes rounds at Santa Ponsa, Bendinat and Poniente, with complimentary transfers, for €282 per person per night.

■ ROYAL BENDINAT

The package also includes a ‘physiogolf’ massage, using golf balls to apply pressure and release any muscle tension, and unlimited access to the hotel’s bO Spa, boasting a Turkish bath, sauna, indoor heated pool and outdoor pool.

Port Adriano’s sister property, the five-star Pure Salt Garonda, sits tucked away by the beach at Playa de Palma, and offers golfers the opportunity to explore another area of the island and three more of Majorca’s top golf courses at Puntiró, Majoris and Son Gual. A three-night break, including rounds at all three courses, costs from €227 per person per night.

Guests can upgrade to the ‘Extreme Pure Salt Golf Experience’, which offers complimentary car rental. Available at both hotels, this package is designed to showcase the best of Majorcan golf, offering four green fees to the courses at Santa Ponsa, Bendinat, Poniente, and Son Muntaner for guests staying at Port Adriano, and Puntiró, Son Gual, Maioris, and Son Muntaner for those staying at Garonda.

For more information, visit www. puresaltluxuryhotels.com.

TRAVEL | JUNE 2017 [85]

a uniquely relaxing form of travel.

Getting to the continent couldn’t be easier, with five routes from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth to western France, as well as two to northern Spain, including services to Bilbao and Santander.

Among the exclusive offers in 2017 is a special Ryder Cup package in June, which involves three rounds of golf at Le Golf National, host venue of the 2018 Ryder Cup, and two nights in a local hotel.

Other packages include the Dinan to Dinard, which includes one night on board in a cabin; two nights’ B&B at the Hotel Mercure Dinan Port; and three rounds of golf (Dinard, Val André and St Cast), from only £308 per person. Sailings are form Portsmouth to St Malo, with return trips from Caen or Cherbourg to Portsmouth or Poole.

For more information, visit www.brittanyferries.com/golf, call 0330 159 5418 or email golfdesk@brittanyferries.com.

[86] JUNE 2017 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

GLAMOUR, GOLF & THE GLACIER EXPRESS

CYPRUS CLASSIC HITS 19 NOT OUT!

T

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he Kulm Hotel St Moritz and the Chedi Andermatt have linked up with the Glacier Express to offer a unique package that combines stays in two of Switzerland’s most luxurious hotels, golf in

glorious Alpine settings, and a spectacular train ride between the two glamorous mountain resorts.

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-board basis, golfers will enjoy 18 holes at Switzerland’s oldest golf course, Samedan, set in classic open parkland, and the nearby course at Zuoz, with its undulating tree-lined fairways, as well as a round on the 9-hole Kulm Golf St Moritz set within the hotel’s extensive grounds, which was the first short course laid out in Switzerland and has spectacular views over Lake St Moritz. Guests will also have complimentary access to the Kulm Spa for the duration of their stay and enjoy a 50-minute massage to ease any golfing aches and pains.

On departure, guests embark on a 4½-hour railway journey on the Glacier Express, crossing the spectacular curved Landwasser Viaduct, passing through the Domleschg Valley and across the Oberalp Pass, where the train winds its way up to 2,034 metres, the highest point it reaches on the trip.

For much of the journey, the Glacier Express passes through the UNESCO World Heritage

Site of the Rhaetiean Railway in the Albula and Bernina landscapes. The train is not an ‘express’ in the sense that it travels at high speed – in fact it has a reputation as being one of the slowest express trains in the world – but it allows passengers to take in the stunning scenery, impressive rock formations, and ancient castle ruins en route.

On arrival at Andermatt, guests transfer to the Chedi Andermatt for a further two nights. In addition to two three-course dinners, access to the hotel’s spa and health club (where guests will experience a 60-minute Alpienne Mountain Massage), the package includes a round at the 18-hole Andermatt Swiss Alps course, which is located between the mountain villages of Andermatt and Hospental in the picturesque Ursener Valley. Opened in 2014, this ecologically- developed course is regarded as one of the most attractive layouts in the Alps, winning ‘Switzerland’s Best Golf Course’ at the 2016 World Golf Awards.

The cost is CHF 2,285 per person (£1,846 approx), based on two people sharing a double room.

xclusive Golf’s 19th Cyprus Golf Classic once again proved a roaring success thanks, in large part, to the wonderful group of golfers who made the week both exciting and entertaining.

The week-long tournament began with a cocktail reception for all guests hosted at the five-star Almyra Hotel in Paphos. The next day was a free day, followed by an evening dinner at a local Cypriot taverna, where the meze just kept on coming. It was the ideal start for everyone to get to know each other before the serious action began on the golf courses across the island, including Aphrodite Hills, the Nick Faldo-designed course at Elea, Minthis Hills, and Tony Jacklin’s redesigned Secret Valley.

There were numerous singles, mixed and team events throughout the week ,with the singles' champion being June Palmer from Bearsted Golf

Club in Kent. The final night’s gala dinner and dance included unlimited food and wine, along with music, dancing, trophy presentations, prizes, and gifts for every participant.

Olympic athlete and TV personality Kriss Akabusi, who played this year, and is a long-time supporter of the tournament, said: “Cyprus has always been one of my favourite places to visit, with lovely people and great food. I was so privileged to have been invited once again to play in what is one of the best organised golf weeks I have ever experienced.”

Exclusive Golf director Nick Spyrou added: “I am still amazed to see the success of this tournament, which will celebrate its 20th annivesary next year. The formula is simple: to create a friendly atmosphere for golfers and non-golfers not only to enjoy their golf, but have fun along the way and make lifelong friends. A big thank you must go to the Cyprus Tourism Organisation for sponsoring the gala evening.”

Nearly all of this year’s participants have rebooked for next year’s event, which takes place from April 25-May 2, so early booking is advised to snap up the remaining places. The cost for golfers for the seven-night package is £895, while for non-golfers it is £689.

For more details call 0333 2076660 or email tournaments@exclusivegolf.co.uk.

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GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TRAVEL | JUNE 2017

[87]

ME&MYTRAVELS

Since retiring from professional tennis 10 years ago, Tim Henman prefers to spend as much time as possible on the golf course, and his holidays travelling the world with his family

abroad was… a huge

■ TRUMP TURNBERRY, SCOTLAND

what you’d describe as a golf resort.

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed at is… the

■ SINGITA SAFRAI LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA

My first holiday was to… the Algarve in Portugal, when I was six or seven. I remember going to the beach, swimming, and playing tennis and golf with my brothers, and the weather always being hot. We used to rent a villa, but my parents built a holiday home at the Vale do Lobo resort in 1980s, so our family holidays were always there.

No matter where I am, I like… to play golf.

It’s become something

of an addiction to replace the tennis bug, and I like to play at least three times a week. I’m a member at Sunningdale, Queenwood and Huntercombe. I’ve managed to get my handicap down to plus one now, but it takes plenty of practice to keep it that low. I’ve had chipping area and an artificial putting green installed at home, so there’s no excuse really.

My favourite golf courses in the world

Avoid the hassle and hire!

Singita Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. It was incredible to see the animals in their own habitat, but the accommodation, food and service made it unlike anything else. These days we prefer to stay in villas rather than hotels, as they are more family-friendly. We bought into a fractional ownership scheme called Hideaways a few years ago, which offers properties all over the world for up to six weeks a year.

They have some wonderful villas

all over the world.

We stayed in one in Provence, overlooking the Cote D’Azur. It’s my idea of the perfect holiday home. It was a beautiful location, there was no-one overlooking us, and the house has kept its traditional features, but also had lots of contemporary touches.

fry up when I was on safari. But perhaps the best meal would have been at the Crown Towers in Melbourne, which has a great sushi restaurant called Koko.

There's a teppanyaki grill where Japanese chefs cook in front of you.

My worst holiday travelling experience was to…

Dubai. We went to get some winter sun there a few years ago, and as we came in to land my younger daughter was sick on the plane.

Then, every 24 hours after that, another person went down with the same stomach bug. There’s nothing wrong with Dubai, but in terms of a holiday experience, it was a bit disappointing.

are… Sunningdale Old, Kingsbarns, Pine Valley and Augusta. I was lucky enough to play at Augusta a few years ago, and it surpassed all my expectations.

round was… a 66

My ideal travelling golf partners… are Sam Torrance, Jamie Redknapp and Terry Crawley, who is a friend of mine. I play with Sam at Sunningdale quite a lot and he has taught me so much about the game.

My favourite golf resort in the UK… is Turnberry. On a sunny day, playing the Ailsa course, with its incredible views and history, it doesn’t get much better than that.

St Andrews is also right up there, but it’s not

My best ever

Tim Henman is an ambassador for The Hideaways Club, an exclusive property rental club. For more details, visit thehideawaysclub.com.

Busy Airports

at St Andrews in the Dunhill Links Championship, when Colin Montgomerie was my professional playing partner.

Excess Baggage Charges

Heavy Luggage

My favourite city in the world is…

Melbourne. It’s clean, there are lots of open spaces, and the climate is superb. I also love Paris. Wine is one of my passions, and I’ve always enjoyed drinking it in Paris.

My most memorable meal

My top travel tip is… to bring plenty of things to entertain your children, especially on long haul flights!

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