Northern Golfer magazine #34 - June 2015 by Offstone Publishing

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JUNE 2015

64 PAGES

OF GOLF FACES, PLACES AND ACES www.northerngolfer.co.uk

CHAMPIONS.

COUNTY WINNERS REVIEWED.

HARROGATE & MATFEN HALL TOP DRAW.

WHO PLAYS WHO IN OUR TOURNAMENTS

CLOSE ENCOUNTER

CARL MASON IS ONE TO WATCH AT THE PGA SENIORS AT CLOSE HOUSE

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EDITOR Paul Robertson editor@northerngolfer.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk Paul Corney 07521 389 536 pcorney@northerngolfer.co.uk Dean Bailey 07792 608 162 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk David Charlton 07734 697 760 david@sport-excellence.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGER Gillian Corney 07903 500 401 gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Peter Skelton www.photo-psp.co.uk

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Publishers: Jane Pikett & Gary Ramsay Address: Offstone Publishing Unit 1, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield Northumberland, NE43 7AL Tel: 01661 844 115 E: enquiries@offstonepublishing.co.uk Twitter: @offstonepublish Facebook: /offstonepublishing

EDITOR’S NOTE AND CONTENTS The action is hotting up on courses throughout the North East and Yorkshire. County champions have been crowned, rivalries renewed and the season has begun in earnest with many of the early winners featured in these pages. We also have a special date at Close House with the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship coming to the Northumberland course. Our preview tells you all you need to know about the tournament - which gives you the opportunity to see some of the legends of the game up close - and for free. There is little doubt this region has a number of venues which could support even more high profile events and a big turnout of spectators would nudge organisers to give greater consideration to our part of the world when it comes to staging golf tournaments. Close House also hosted a major charity event last month which featured some of the biggest names in the world of sport and entertainment raising an incredible total of more than £500,000 for the Children’s Heart Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital. Find out who was there on page 10. One of the most encouraging trends in the region is the rise of the juniors in both the men’s and ladies’ game - not least in Durham where the top four in the Ladies County Championship were all teenagers. Judging by the number of junior golf initiatives being undertaken by our clubs, it is a trend that is set to continue - although there is plenty of evidence within this magazine that there is plenty of life left in some of the older generation of golfers too. Finally, congratulations go to Matfen Hall Hotel Golf and Spa - a course reviewed on page 42 and the sponsors of our new Ladies Greensomes tournament - for being named the country’s Large Hotel of the Year at the VisitEngland awards for excellence. It is a timely reminder - no matter where you look in this region - there are unrivalled facilities in and around so many of our golf courses. If the long term weather forecast is accurate then we can all take to fairways both familiar and less and take full advantage of what the North East and Yorkshire has to offer. Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

04-15 TEEING OFF

County champions crowned, teenage sensations, holes-in-one and CHUF charity champions

18-25 TEEING OFF

Trophies for Matthew Webb and Graeme Storm plus a round up of the latest EuroPro Tour news

27 TOUR LIFE

Chris Paisley’s tour diary

44-51 GOLFER NEWS

Round up of the latest regional and national golfing news

52 TRAVEL

We take a trip to Austria

54 TIPS

Putting your best foot forward

56 MATCH PLAY PAIRS Latest results and draw

FRONT COVER

Close Encounter: We catch up with Carl Mason and preview the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Close House

57 LADIES GREENSOMES Who plays who in round one?

Pages30-39 When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it ©Offstone Publishing 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All information contained in this magazine is as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Offstone Publishing cannot accept responsibility for errors of inaccuracies in such information. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Offstone Publishing a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine. All material is sent at your own risk and although every care is taken, neither Offstone Publishing nor it’s employees, agents or subcontractors shall be held liable resulting for loss or damage. Offstone Publishing endeavors to respect the intellectual property of owners of copyrighted material reproduced herein. If you identify yourself as the copyright holder of material we have wrongly attributed, please contact the office. Offstone Publishing do not guarantee the insertion of any particular advertisement on a specified date or at all.

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62 FROM THE BUNKER Readers’ news and views

NORTHERN GOLFER 03

TEEINGOFF

Minnikin feeling champion A

Success for county captain and his team

ndrew Minnikin ended the long wait for his second Northumberland County Strokeplay Championship in a dramatic finale at windswept Newcastle United. The 35-year-old Northumberland County captain overhauled Hexham’s Jonathan Richardson and then clinched the title in a two-hole aggregate play-off to leave Richardson with his second successive runners-up spot in a county major. It looked to be Richardson’s day when the Hexham player shot a

superb third round 67 in which he needed just 20 putts. It was a remarkable score in the windy conditions and gave Richardson a healthy eight stroke lead. But with the wind gusting up to 40mph in the final round, scores soared, none more than Richardson who stumbled to a closing round of 84 with a double bogey, bogey finish. Minnikin holed a tricky putt on the last for a round of 76 to force a play-off then claim his second county strokeplay crown to go with the one he won in 2003 and his 2013

Andy Minnikin with the County Strokeplay trophy County Championship victory. “I was beginning to wonder when I’d win this title again, which is a great honour,” said Minnikin, who two weeks previously was also the winner of the county North and South Trophy. “So far it has been a fantastic season, but I did put in some hard work on my game during the winter.

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“I won the 2013 County Championship six months after a full knee reconstruction and I think I’m playing some of my best golf now. I’ve learned it’s all about making pars and keeping big numbers off your scorecard.” Minnikin will, no doubt, be pencilling in Richardson in his next Northern Counties League side.

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TEEINGOFF “Jonathan will win one of these eventually, he’s too good a player not to,” he added. Minnikin is now within one win of picking up all five of the county’s biggest trophies after beating Phil Ridden on countback at City of Newcastle Golf Club for the North & South Trophy. He now only needs the Fenwick-Smith Trophy to complete a full set. “This is my first win in the North & South Trophy and now I have a chance to go for the last of the ‘big five’ at the Fenwick-Smith later this season. It would be nice to finish off the set, as well as being county captain and playing more than 75 times for the county.” Minnikin beat Ridden (also 6970) on countback with Jake Storey finishing third on 141 (73-68) and Mark Wharton finishing fourth (71-70). City of Newcastle’s Jack Hermeston finished in ninth place after rounds of 74 and 72. Meanwhile, Northumberland sit top of the Northern Counties Golf Union League following a derby win over Durham at Blyth Golf Club. Northumberland, who won both

Andy Minnikin with the County Championship trophy the foursomes and singles sessions to record a 10.5-7.5 win, welcomed back Phil Ridden to the team after a stint in the professional ranks. Ridden, who teamed up with Newbiggin’s Craig Penny in the foursomes recorded two points on his return – beating South Moor’s Chris Handy 2&1 in the

afternoon singles. Minnikin said: “Winning the first game of the season against our closest rivals is a great way to start the year. “Coming off a heavy defeat at the hands of Durham last season at George Washington to post a result and sit at the top of the table after

the first round of matches is great. “We’ve worked hard over the winter to get the guys playing together and build a real team ethos and I hope that we continue to build that throughout the season. We had a strong side out and some very good players coming back into the team made all the difference.”

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TEEINGOFF

Hat-trick for Aisbitt Third county title follows a tense four-hole play off

ichard Aisbitt secured his third Durham County Championship after a nail-biting four-hole play-off to see off the challenge of Tom Smith. Aisbitt, 41, won his first title in 2003, triumphed again last year, and had a chance to clinch his third title when he faced a three-footer for birdie on the 72nd hole, lipping out on the final green. The par meant a round of 72 for the Brancepeth golfer and a four-round score of 291, the same as Eaglescliffe’s Smith, and a three-hole play-off at South Shields in testing conditions. When Aisbitt three-putted the par three first hole it was advantage Smith - who made a par. The second hole of the play-off (the 17th) was halved in par fours before both players went for the green at

353-yard 18th - Smith catching the greenside bunker and Aisbitt finding the green and two putting for a birdie to tie the scores as Smith made par. Now in sudden death, the playoff moved back to the first hole with Smith finding a bunker his tee shot while Aisbitt was 35ft above the hole. This time he two-putted while Smith splashed out to 10ft and failed to make his par. “If I have learned anything in golf it’s that if you just have to hang around and be patient,” said Aisbitt. “The conditions were brutal, as bad as I have ever played in this championship, and patience certainly was the key.” The last golfer to claim a hattrick of Durham wins was Tony McLure, who won his sixth title in 2000.

Richard Aisbitt with the Durham County Championship trophy

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TEEINGOFF

Hall triumphs in teen takeover Youngsters dominate championship as Jessica Hall wins again

he future of Durham County women’s golf flooks bright after another exciting championship this year. Bishop Auckland’s Jessica Hall, 16, retained her county crown by beating close friend Alex Stevenson, 14, in the final. Furthermore, beaten semifinalists Briony Bayles and Kitana Hollins are both 15 years old. Rarely can the last four in the county championship have been so young, and after Jessica set the record for being the youngest-ever winner last year at 15 years and two months, there was a possibility that someone even younger could win it this time around when Alex made it to the final. She came close too with

Jessica winning on the 15th hole. The weather was tough at Barnard Castle as well, bitterly cold, with a testing breeze but several players returned excellent scores in the qualifying rounds. Kitana Hollins gross total of 147 was particularly impressive, closely followed by Jessica on 148. The semi-finals and final had to be postponed because of torrential rain before Alex beat Kitana while Bishop Auckland teammates Jessica and Briony went all the way to the 18th. Just 24 hours later Jessica had to take her first GCSE exam. “It was English Language, I think it went OK, and I want to go to Durham Sixth Form to study as part of its golf academy on a BTEC sport

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Durham stars of the future: Kitana Hollins, Alex Stevenson, Jessica Hall and Briony Bayles. course,” she said. “To get on to that course I have to get five GCSES, including English and Maths, so I know how important all of my upcoming exams are. This is my final year at Barnard Castle School so I am putting golf on hold now until after my GCSEs.” Jessica arrived at the championship after finishing 23rd at the Irish Girls Strokeplay Championship. She added: “It was strange because Alex and I are really

good friends. It was quite hard to play her in the final because we play together all of the time, we travel away to national tournaments and often room together. It was a nice feeling to win for the second year in a row. I finished really strongly, with a run of birdie, birdie, eagle.” Jessica hopes to combine her studies with her golfing talent to make progress towards joining the likes of Jodi Ewart and Ellie Givens on Tour.

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Hats off to Rockliffe Resort prepares for Trilby Tour’s return and bumper Northern Masters

he Trilby Tour is on its way back to Rockliffe Hall. One of the UK’s most prestigious televised amateur golf tournaments, the William Hunt Trilby Tour will be at the Darlington course on June 30. The event will be the fourth time Rockliffe has hosted the Trilby Tour, with this year’s Matchplay event for single and pairs competitors set to take place over the championship course. In hosting an event on this year’s tour Rockliffe joins other high profile courses including the Buckinghamshire, the London Golf Club and Stoke Park. Around 1,000 golfers compete in the Trilby Tour each year, taking part in regional championships across the UK. Rockliffe has been home to the European Senior Tour’s English

Senior Open for the last two years, attracting international names and Ryder Cup stars such as Ian Woosnam, Mark James and Sam Torrance. Earlier this year the course was awarded the 59Club’s Gold Flag, the industry benchmark recognising the best membership clubs and commercial venues, as well as picking up a gold award for its greenkeeping team. Rockliffe Hall’s golf and estate director Davy Cuthbertson said: “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming the Trilby team back to Rockliffe Hall as it’s always a lively event. It’s also a great chance for us to showcase our outstanding facilities to a whole new group of golfers from around the country.” Meanwhile the Northern Golf Masters returns to Rockliffe - bigger and better for 2015.

William Hunt Last year’s NGM winner Sam Donald with Rockliffe Hall’s touring pro Graeme Storm The best amateur golfers in the North of England will compete over the course on September 13 as the Northern Golf Masters returns for the fourth year running - this time as part of the Durham County order of merit. Category one golfers from across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria are now invited to apply to enter with places

this year limited to 42. Jonathan Ward, Durham County secretary, said: “The Northern Golf Masters is a quality event so it made sense to add it to the list of 36-hole events in our Order of Merit.” To enter the Northern Golf Masters go to www.rockliffehall. com/golf/northern-golf-masters

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Sam Robinson

Aces in the pack

We round up of the latest holes-in-one from across the region

am Robinson came close to an incredible quartet of holes-in-one in the Durham County Championship at South Shields. The Tyneside club player stood on the first tee in the first round at Shields and promptly aced the 176yard hole. He went on to shoot 73, three behind first round leader Michael Shotton from the Cleadon Hills club. The next day he hit the pin at the first with his tee shot on the way to another 73. In the third round, he hit the pin at the first again, finishing with a round of 72. On the final day, he just missed the flagstick and closed with a 74 to finish in third place. Hartlepool’s Paul Auton also had

to get the drinks in after a spectacular ace at his club’s 358-yard par four 10th. Not surprisingly, Paul used a driver to ace the hole while playing with Thomas Lowther in the Club Cup. He went on to shoot a nett 65 for runners-up spot and become a category one handicapper. Russell Rickaby, 47, from Ingleby Barwick clinched a limited-edition BOSS watch for achieving a hole-inone at the 162-yard par three 17th at Wynyard Hall. Also winning a BOSS watch is retired major Roger Woolsey, 72, from Sheriff Hutton. The former Ganton secretary aced the 165-yard par three 10th while playing in the monthly stableford. It was his fourth ace, but his first in competition and the watch will be nice replacement for one he had stolen while on a cruise.

Megan triumphs Huddersfield’s Megan Lockett beat Emma Brown (Malton and Norton) 2&1 in the final of the Yorkshire County Women’s Championship at Ganton. Lockett had been taken to the 22nd hole before triumphing in her quarter-final with Lucy Eaton

(Skipton), and then saw off Lees Hall’s Holly Morgan on the last green in her semi-final. Brown reached the final with a 5&3 last-eight success over Abigail Smee (Ganstead Park), and a 3&2 victory over Lightcliffe’s Hannah Holden at the penultimate stage.

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TEEINGOFF

Ferrie’s triple success

hree-time European Tour winner Ken Ferrie did the double in the Hadrian Healthcare Group ProAm at Whickham Golf Club. Ashington’s Ferrie made the best use of the relatively benign conditions to shoot a new course record 67 for the remodelled Hollinside Park layout. Ferrie’s two under-par total remained the mark until Stephen McNally matched it to make it a tie for the top pro’s prize. It was Ferrie’s turn to catch up when his Hadrian team of Ian Watson, Alan Rankin and Michael Farry posted 120 to match the 18 under-par score of Paul Stead, Lee Myers and Stephen Swainston and pro Mathew Webb of the Pullman

10 NORTHERN GOLFER

The winning Hadrian team Motors Team. The Hadrian team - winners last year - took the top prize again on countback. Petch Butchers, represented by Paul Lupton, Frank Stephenson, Jonathon Stephenson and pro Jonathon Lupton finished third with a 16 under-par total of 122. The longest drive was won by Adam Coleman of Rowland’s Accountants and nearest the pin at the 17th hole was claimed by Mark Renney of the Parker Tiles Team.

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Steely display Pauline Sheffield led the qualifiers in England Golf’s Grand Medal north regional final at Slaley Hall in Northumberland. The Moor Allerton golfer posted an excellent three-over-par 78 on Slaley’s Hunting Course to win by two shots from Parklands’ Candy Brown. Richmond’s Karen Jobling and Olivia Jackson (Pannal) both shot 81, followed by Gosforth’s Samantha Fletcher on 82 along with Rebecca Ferguson (Tynemouth) and

Chester-le-Street’s Monique Mackay. They were among the 10 qualifiers who will head to the Grand Medal Final at Frilford Heath on August 13 with the qualifiers from five other events. The event is a feature of the new Golf Week festival, staged by England Golf to create a national grand finale for a host of handicap and team championships. All the regional finalists had returned the best four scores at their club in the England Golf Medals during 2014.

TEEINGOFF

Samantha Taylor with the County Championship trophy

Taylor triumphs Tynemouth golfer takes the honours

hen Samantha Taylor injured her left hand she must have feared the worst for her

golfing future. But if anything the setback inspired her to take her game to a new level and she has been rewarded with a string of good performances in the US and her first win in the Northumberland County Ladies Championship. The 20-year-old Tynemouth player, who is on a golfing scholarship at King University, in Bristol, Tennessee defeated defending champion Ami Storey (Close House) 2&1 in a hardfought final which was played, at times, in torrential rain, hailstones and brilliant sunshine. Both players had comfortable wins in their semi-finals, Samantha defeating Morpeth’s Grace Anderson 6&5 and Ami getting the better of Bamburgh’s Nicky Rose 5&4. With her mum Sharon caddying for her, Samantha was never behind in the final and the contest ended on the 17th with a 2&1 win. “It’s nice to finally get my name on the trophy,” said Samantha. “I’ve never made it to the last day before. I’ve tended to do well in the qualifying and get to the latter stages of the matchplay. I’ve played better since I came back from the injury. It happened at Sevierville in Tennessee.

“I was in the rough and because it’s Bermuda grass, it’s thick, I could just see my ball and I hit down and just after I hit the ball there was a tree root which I didn’t know was there. “I heard a crunch and knew something had happened. My left hand was in a cast in November and December but I worked hard on my physio and I progressed from there - especially with all the practise and hard work I did on my short game. “I’ve been at King for two years and have another two to go. I’m in the golf team and I’ve been quite pleased with my results - I came sixth in Conference Carolina final and was named in the All Conference Team of the Tournament. “I think I will know in the next year and a bit whether I have a chance of making a career playing golf. I play or practice nearly seven days a week and I’m playing in as much as I can back here in England as well as in the USA just to try and assess where I am. “My mum and dad (Sharon and Stephen) are really supportive. They are very proud of me and it’s nice to have them see me win something like this. “No-one in my family plays and I took the game up after watching the Open Championship on TV. “I started when I was about 13. I just picked up the club and I went on from there.”

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1 night’s B&B and no golf

1 night’s B&B and a days golf 2 night’s B&B and 3 days golf

£29 p.p. £49 p.p.

£112 p.p.

* Terms & conditions apply, minimum 2 guest per booking, playing at Flamborough Head Golf Course which must be one choice when using the Golf Coast Passport.

NORTHERN GOLFER 11

CHARITYGOLF

Support for Hospice Crook will be aiming to hand over another big cheque to Butterwick Hospice this year. Sean Lauder, last year’s captain, followed in his predecessor’s footsteps and chose to support Butterwick Hospice as his charity of the year and handed over a cheque worth £3,300. Sean organised and took part in various fundraisers throughout his year as captain, including a Three Club Challenge where eight members played at three golf courses in one day. This year’s captain Dennis Pinkney has again chosen Butterwick as his charity to support and his first fundraiser is his Charity Golf Day on July 11 and teams are invited to enter at £120 for a fourball. The event has a shotgun start and there are prizes on a number of holes. To enter tel 01388 603 003 or go to www.butterwick.org.uk/crookgolf

Boost for Boro Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation held its first golf day with former players Danny Mills, Gary Pallister and Craig Hignett among the competitors. The event was held at Rockliffe Hall and Diane O’Connell, the club’s fundraising and events officer, said: “Our first charity golf day was an overwhelming success, raising a significant amount of money for our life changing community projects. Thank you to all those who took part and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year.” The Foundation is an independent charity founded in 1996 with an aim to help a range of people across Teesside through a number of sports, health and education projects. 12 NORTHERN GOLFER

Alan Shearer with Ant and Dec Lee Westwood

Celebrities have a heart

Big names in sport and entertainment turn out in force to raise money for CHUF

ome of sport and entertainment’s biggest names led by Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer took part in the Have a Heart Trophy at Close House to raise money for the Children’s Heart Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital. Shearer was joined by celebs including Ant and Dec, horse racing legend A P McCoy, Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke, former world boxing champion Glenn McCrory, Olympic athlete Jonathan Edwards and Close House’s attached professional Lee Westwood - plus a host of other big names at

the Heddon-on-the-wall course which is owned by Graham Wylie. Wylie said: “What’s great about this event is that it’s a celebrity pro-am and people who have been here every year such as Lee Westwood, Alan Shearer and Ant and Dec are great supporters of the club and attract other celebrities. “The unit at the Freeman is a world-class facility and they perform open heart surgery on children every day. They save many, many lives including that of my daughter so it’s an important cause to me.” The tournament raised more than £500,000 - enough to buy four new ECHO machines. Shearer said: “You can tell how much this means to Graham. He’s a determined guy and he normally gets what he wants. Fingers crossed we can raise a lot more money for the charity. “This is a great event. I do this because I want to give something back. Like a lot of the lads here, I was a lucky. I got paid to play

CHARITYGOLF

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CLUBHOUSE

After your round enjoy food and drink in Happy Gilmores. Live Sport shown

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Graham Wylie & Robbie Savage

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Steve Harper

Kevin Carpenter football which was my dream and I think it’s very important we give a little bit of our time back. Shearer, in fact, has netted thousands of pounds for local charities and he added: “I thought more about raising money for charities towards the end of my football career, especially when I had my testimonial match at

St James’ Park. I donated the money made at that match to North East charities because to me, it was never really my money.” He’s a regular visitor to his own Alan Shearer Centre, in Newcastle, which is a specialist facility for disabled people and he took part in Benfield Motor Group’s charity golf day which raised money for Newcastlebased Prince’s Trust as well as the CHUF event at Close House. He also joined Ant and Dec at Slaley Hall for a charity golf day in aid of the Youth Ministry Team’s Youth Village in the Derwent Valley recently.

MEMBERSHIPS 9 Months for the price of 6 1st July 2015 - 31st March 2016 Adult £225 - Over 60 £175 19-30 Concession rates available MANIC MONDAYS 1/2 Price Green fee £7.50 per round SENIORS OPEN Re-scheduled NOW 7th July Ring 0191 3700660 or visit www.golfempire.co.uk VISITING PARTIES Rolling back the years to 2010 - save £££’s Coffee & bacon roll - 18 holes - 2 course meal Midweek £20pp - Weekends £22.50pp FREE 4 ball for parties of 12 or more

e: roseberrygolf@gmail.com Grange Villa, Chester le Street, DH2 3NF www.roseberrygrange.com ﬁnd us on mytravelpal.com

NORTHERN GOLFER 13

TEEINGOFF

Andy’s still handy Paisley shows his pupils how to win

ndy Paisley is more known for his coaching theses days but he proved he can still mix it with the best when he won the Northumberland and Durham Open. The Hexham pro was the only player in the field of 60 at Ponteland to record two sub par scores (71-70) on his way to winning the area’s oldest open trophy. The Ponteland course was in magnificent condition and its greens running at 12 on the stimpmeter provided a stern test,

14 NORTHERN GOLFER

while a good breeze, especially in the afternoon, added to the difficulty. Paisley’s three under-par total of 141 left him two shots clear of Graeme Bell (Eaglescliffe) and Tim Dykes (Penrith). One shot further adrift on 144 were Westerhope’s George Cowan (75-69) and James Harper (The Wynyard Club) with rounds of 71 and 73. Over the newly-constituted course, Mathew Webb (Bedlington) set a new course record in his morning round with a four underpar 68.

Andy Paisley Meanwhile Close House’s Jonathan Lupton won the final Pro Series with a four-under-par score of 68 at Teesside while there was a five-way tie for second place on one under-par. The players tied were Mathew Webb (Bedlington), David Clark (Morpeth), George Cowan

(Westerhope), Vince Guest (Teesside), and Darren Crowle (Middlesbrough Municipal). Lupton’s win pushed him to the top of the Order of Merit on 587 points overtaking leader Craig Goodfellow (Penrith Golf Centre), on 481 points - Goodfellow dropping to second in the table.

TEEINGOFF

Eastern promise Winning ways continue for Stephen while Darlington duo make the Brabazon

orkshire’s Stephen East has picked up the 2015 seniors amateur season where he left off last year…with a win. The Moortown player heads for The English Senior Amateur Championship this month with the Portuguese Seniors title already in the bag. He finished five shots clear of the field in Estoril with scores of 69, 72 and 70. East added that title to an already impressive record which took him to the top of the England Golf senior order of merit for 2014 with wins in the English and

Spanish seniors, runners-up places in the British, Scottish and Irish seniors and fourth place finish in the European seniors. In his “previous life” as he puts it, East won the English mid-amateur three times as well as the British, European, Portuguese and French mid-amateur titles. This year he faces an international challenge in his defence of the English senior title at Worplesdon and West Hill as the championship is open for the first time and has attracted players from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland and Australia as well as

Andrew Wilson. Inset: Stephen East a huge entry from England. The competitors include all of last year’s senior international caps including Longhirst Hall’s Tony McLure, 2013 champion Richard Latham (Woodhall Spa), Tyrone Carter (Stevenage), Clive Jones (Toulouse), Alan Mew (Stoneham) and Andrew Stracey (Denham). Meanwhile, Darlington duo Andrew Wilson and Aaron McManus led a clutch of North East players into the Brabazon Trophy.

They will be joined in the line-up at Hollinwell later this month by Shipley’s Will Whiteoak, who led the qualifying at Clitheroe with a three-under-par 68 plus Lindrick pair Jonathan Thomson and Nathan Fell, and Martin Brown (Pike Hills). McManus carded a 72, one overpar, to finish 15th and his clubmate joined him by carding a 73. Whiteoak won the North of England Youths at Middlesbrough last year.

NORTHERN GOLFER 15

COURSEREVIEW

Handsome Harrogate Alan Hedley takes a trip to North Yorkshire and finds a course in great nick

mmaculate. That’s the word that springs to mind when you play Harrogate. The oldest club in Harrogate - where European Tour player John Parry learned his golf - is a real beauty, a riot of colour with rhododendrons and azaleas, bluebells and cowslips as June gets into full swing and it’s well worth a visit. A reasonably flat, tree-lined course of close to 6,250 yards off the back tees, Harrogate is a strategic test of golf with well-placed bunkers and copses plus a few streams and ditches to catch the unwary. Meanwhile the mature trees make the course more difficult than its length suggests. 16 NORTHERN GOLFER

The course is the work of three classic course designers in Sandy Herd, Harry Colt and Alister MacKenzie and the club, wisely, has only sought to improve what they have with Jonathan Gaunt recommending some new tee complexes, green surrounds, water features and bunker renovation. There has also been improvements made to the club’s magnificent practice facilities and significant woodland management to restore the native moorland characteristics. That work is ongoing, but with the original Colt/MacKenzie mounding and bunkering well-preserved, the course is a real joy to play especially the five par threes, two of them

stretching to more than 200 yards. There are also five par fours of more than 400 yards, three of them in the last four holes which makes for a strong finish. One of those par four tests comes as early as the second hole, which is effectively a double dogleg with seven bunkers and three ditches, and at 429 yards it’s a crunching par four. You will hope to have made birdie at the first with this one up second followed by a testing par three of around 170 yards with a green ringed by bunkers and water, and trees left. Big hitters can get it on the 274-yard par four fourth and maybe it’s only a long iron or rescue/

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE A friendly welcome is assured at Harrogate

hybrid for most but it is a real birdie chance. The fifth, at 219 yards, is a belter of a par three and there are chances at the sixth if you hit the fairway and at the par five seventh which is a three-shotter for most with water in the way. The front nine ends with another long par three at 227 yards and by now you know Harrogate gives you chances to score but will punish you if you are careless. There are also chances early in the back nine as the 10th is a short par four but beware of the out of bounds while the par five 11th is reachable in two and the short 12th is theoretically the easiest hole on the course at stroke 18. The signature hole, it is played from a raised tee to a tricky green (see factfile). It is not easy from there on in with a long par four at 13, a 467 yard-hole with a blind tee shot and out of bounds down the right side. That is followed by a tricky par three and then four tough finishing holes, three of them over 400 yards - the dog-leg 15th at 406 (plus water and out of bounds), the massive 16th at 455, the 17th at just under 400 and the treelined 18th (with out of bounds right) at 411. Good luck! A very visitor-friendly club - the hospitality in the lovely clubhouse is second to none - Harrogate also has five-day and flexible memberships and the creation of a 18-hole short game course has helped to attract junior and beginner golfers.

CONTACT Harrogate Golf Club, Forest Lane Head Harrogate, HG2 7TF Tel 01423 862 999 Professional 01423 862 547 Web www.harrogate-gc.co.uk Email secretary@harrogate-gc.co.uk

Harrogate will have another busy year as it stages the Vardon Grip Trophy next month with England Golf’s fsenior men’s and women’s North Tournament at the club in September. The success of the inaugural Vardon Grip Trophy last year meant it has become a firm fixture on the golfing calendar as well as a Yorkshire Order of Merit event. This year’s tournament will be played on July 1. Entry forms are now available on the Yorkshire Order of Merit website or from the club

GREEN FEES £30, £25 after 4pm Juniors £15 Buggies £25 Electric trolley hire £7 TOTAL DISTANCE White tees - 6,241 yards Yellow tees - 6,092 yards Red tees - 5,711 yards FEATURES 18 holes parkland/moorland golf Clubhouse with lounge and balcony Restaurant Changing rooms Plenty of car parking Professionals shop with PGA Professional tuition and indoor studio with GC2 launch monitor Extensive practice ground/facilities 18-hole short course CADDY’S TIP Find the fairways from the tee is essential. It may not always be a driver. SIGNATURE HOLE The 12th. A lovely par three of 179 yards. The hole is framed by a bunker and trees with the tee shot played from a raised tee. There is out of bounds right and a clutch of bunkers and trees on the left as well. A cracking hole.

ALAN HEDLEY’S VERDICT

I can’t stress how much of a pleasure it is to play this course. It proves golf doesn’t have to be played on a 7,200 yard layout to be a test. You will probably use every club in the bag and will thoroughly enjoy it NORTHERN GOLFER 17

TEEINGOFF

Parry for US Open Yorkshire golfer John Parry has qualified for this year’s US Open. The 28-year-old from Harrogate came through qualifying to clinch a place at Chambers Bay this month. The Harrogate player has an incredible record when it comes to qualifying having negotiated the six-round European Tour qualifying school on three occasions. He has also now booked his place in the US Open for the second time in three years. He shot rounds of 66 and 69 at Walton Heath to claim one of the 11 spots in the 115th US Open at Chambers Bay in Washington. “I’m becoming a qualifying expert,” said Parry, who finished sixth at qualifying school in November, a result that has seen him rediscover his form and he is now inside the top 100 on the Race to Dubai standings.

Walker Cup tickets Tickets are now on sale for the Walker Cup match which will be played at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s on September 12-13. The 45th Walker Cup will see the Great Britain and Ireland team look to win back the trophy after the USA’s convincing 17-9 victory in the 2013 match at the National Golf Links of America in Southampton, New York. Notable players that have competed in the Walker Cup include the 2015 Masters Champion Jordan Spieth, of the United States, who won both his singles matches at the 2011 Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen, and world number one and 2014 Open Champion Rory McIlroy who played in the 2007 match at Royal County Down. Daily tickets cost £30 for adults while juniors under 16 years of age will be admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.randa.org or tel 01334 460 000 18 NORTHERN GOLFER

Graeme Storm after winning the Footgolf Challenge

Putting his foot in it Footgolf puts Hartlepool pro on course for a good year

new coach - and a game of Footgolf - have inspired Graeme Storm to ignite his European Tour season. Storm had made just three cuts in 12 tournaments when he teed up in the BMW PGA Championship, but he arrived at Wentworth with a trophy already in the bag and a new coach behind him. Storm’s reward for changing his coach was a tie for 33rd place in Barcelona. He then followed a first round 78 with a superb 64 on his way to a tie for 22nd place and a cheque for more than €50,000 at the PGA Championship. That result took his winnings in two events to nearly €70,000 and up to 131st in the rankings - a big step towards retaining his card, something which he left very late last year. The 37-year-old from Hartlepool said: “I got chatting to Jamie Gough, the brother of the former Everton defender Richard and I liked what he was saying. “I asked him to take a look at a few things and he took me back to basics. I’ve been trying to get back to drawing the ball, which is my

natural shape but I’ve struggled with that for the last 18 months. “I felt I just needed a change of scenery with regard to my coach and it looks like it’s paying off. After a slow start to the year it’s something to build on and with Jamie always on tour, it’s good to know he is there to talk to.” Storm’s preparations for Wentworth were also a little unusual in that he went and won a threeman battle of Footgolf at Ritchings Park, 10 miles from Wentworth. The Rockliffe Hall Tour Professional said: “GAC, one of my sponsors who have a base on Teesside, lined up this game with two other Race to Dubai golfers, George Coetzee and Byeong Hun An. “I could not kick the ball to start with then I birdied the last hole to win. It was a bit of fun and I enjoyed it. It’s totally different to golf and perhaps that helped me to relax.” However, it must have been a little dispiriting to turn up at Wentworth and post a first round 78, but Storm followed with a superb 64 and he nearly holed-in-one again on tour - which would have brought his second BMW i18 car in a matter of months. “I only missed two fairways in the 78 so the signs were there,” said Storm. “I actually didn’t drive it as well in the 64 as I did the day before but I made some good putts in the second round. “I was close to holing out twice and it was a bit surreal after winning the car last time. There were lots of ‘oohs and aahs’ and both shots were pretty good.”

Graeme Storm is an ambassador for global logistics provider GAC. For more information visit www.gac.com.

TEEINGOFF

EuroPro’s summer swing

Region’s courses ready to welcome Tour

he HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour’s 2015 season is in full swing and after the recent Dawson and Sanderson Foreign Exchange Classic on Longhirst Hall’s Dawson Course, golf fans in the North East have three further visits from Europe’s leading development tour to look forward to this summer. The European Tour’s satellite in the UK and Ireland has an August triple-header in the region with a return to Slaley Hall (August 12-14) followed by a debut on the schedule for Close House (August 19-21) and the first four-day event

on a European Tour satellite taking place at Moor Allerton (August 26-29). All three events are offering free spectator entry throughout the tournament. Offering direct access to the Challenge Tour through the final Order of Merit, PGA EuroPro Tour players will compete for more than £800,000 of prize money in 2015, with the top five golfers at the end of the season awarded a category on the 2016 Challenge Tour. Highlights of the tour can be seen on Sky Sports 2 every Tuesday, with coverage from Longhirst Hall broadcast on June 16 with repeats

Chris Halley on June 17. Among the region’s players on this year’s tour, Malton & Norton Golf Club’s Chris Halley has made

a strong start to his second season on the EuroPro, finishing in a tie for fifth in the opening event of the season at Celtic Manor.

For more from the EuroPro Tour go to www.europrotour.com

NORTHERN GOLFER 19

TEEINGOFF

Community golfs together

Hanif Malik, Howard Sommers, Naveen Ahmed and Danny Taylor. Leeds Golf Centre has launched a Community Cup tournament in a bid to strengthen cultural relationships within the city. The tournament - which it is hoped will become an annual event - saw members from the Muslim and Jewish communities come together at Leeds Golf Centre for an 18-hole team challenge. The two teams of 12 competed for the Community Cup on the Wike Ridge championship course and finished the day with a meal in Nineteen Bar and Grill. The idea for the tournament came from Naveen Ahmed, managing director of Parklane Group of Companies, who own Leeds Golf Centre, and his friends Altaf Sadiq, Jeremy Barnett and Danny Taylor, who are both members of the Jewish Golf Society. Naveen explained: “We were playing golf one day and we thought, ‘wouldn’t it be great to start an annual golfing tournament to strengthen our local community’. “Leeds is home to a diverse range of communities and we wanted to create an event which celebrates and builds relationships between cultures and ethnicities. The day went really well and everyone really enjoyed it! “Following this year’s success we plan to run the tournament annually with the hope of expanding it across the country and getting different societies involved.” Danny added: “It was a unique occasion, enjoyed by all, and played in the best of golfing traditions, despite the autumnal conditions!” To find out more about the Community Cup, contact Leeds Golf Centre - www.leedsgolfcentre.com 20 NORTHERN GOLFER

Matthew Webb

Webb snares top trophy Bedlingtonshire assistant pro dominates championship

atthew Webb gave himself a career boost - and kept his investors happy - by winning the Galvin Green PGA Assistants Championship Midlands qualifying event. The Bedingtonshire assistant pro travelled from the North East to top the leaderboard at The Warwickshire course at Leek Wootton. He dominated the event to record a four under-par round of 68 to win by three shots ahead of Adam Keogh of Spalding Golf Club. Webb headed the 16 qualifiers for the £32,500 grand final to be held at Coventry Golf Club on August 5-7. Webb, 25, is the son of Bedlingtonshire’s head professional Marcus Webb who devised an investment scheme to get Matthew started in the professional game. Individuals can buy into a share option and then profit from a potentially successful career. “That’s been going for about three years now and I’d really like to thank people for getting behind me and sticking with me,” said Matthew. “What it has done is get me into the sport as a professional when I started out fulltime and playing events on the Sunshine Tour for example. “Now I’ve decided to do the PGA course here, working with my dad as an assistant at

Bedlingtonshire.” The win is a welcome return for Webb after a couple of bouts of injury and illness - he suffered from tendonitis in his hands thanks to practising too much and then a stomach bug hit him at EuroPro Tour qualifying. But he has been in the winner’s circle already this season - proving he is a good investment. He finished joint first in the NE/NW PGA Westerhope Pro-am playing with local team Pringle Building. A five under-par 67 tied him with Sam Oliver (Linden Hall/Macdonald Hotels) while his team finished on 130 to be tied third. He has also been making waves on the Gecko Tour in Spain in the last 12 months. He was the top British player with a sixth place finish (75-69-73) on the first week of the Tour and he put together a string of decent results to finish seventh in the final order of merit. Those results included a top 20 at Rio Real in Marbella, 10th place at Torrequebdra and Parador (Malaga) and a tie for third place at Lauro where he was six under-par despite finding the water at the last hole. That seventh spot in the ranking brought an invitation to play on the Alps Tour in France this month, but Webb had to turn it down because of tournaments here he is already committed to.

TEEINGOFF

Backing for mini tour

Sponsors support search for future stars

irect Golf has teamed up with the Peter Cowen Golf Academy to sponsor the Yorkshire junior mini tour this summer. Based on eight tournaments in Yorkshire, both Cowen and Direct Golf are keen to attract entries from further afield. The tournaments are played over nine holes from the blue junior tees and are for golfers aged six to 16 with parents and grandparents encouraged to be involved and act as caddies.

The best five scores from the eight tournaments will count in the Direct Golf Order of Merit and tournaments are planned at Tankersley, Phoenix, Wath, Rotherham, Waterfront, Bondhay, Grange Park and Doncaster. One of Europe’s best golf coaches, Cowen has always been interested in, and backed, junior golf and his academy is all embracing. Last year saw visits by a party of disabled children, including a gifted autistic player who has a

Matt Fitzpatrick decent chance of representing Team GB in the next Paralympics and many youngsters have taken their first steps towards taking up the game at his Rotherham base.

The academy has produced players including Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick to name only a couple and many big names still come to him for advice.

For more information on the PCGA junior tour go to www.pcgajuniortour.com

To celebrate the return of the European Seniors Tour to the North East! Prudhoe Golf Club are offering HUGE DISCOUNTS on Membership and Visitor Green Fees MEMBERSHIP From June 1st - December 31st Family Membership is only £199.00

GREEN FEES Monday - Friday (after 12.00pm) £9.00 for 18 holes Monday-Friday (after 12.00 pm) 4 Ball Special £34.00 Weekends 4 Ball Special £50.00 TEE OFF TIMES CAN BE BOOKED THROUGH OUR WEBSITE ON THE BRS SYSTEM Call the Golf Manager on 01661832466 or email secretary@prudhoegolfclub.co.uk Eastwood Park, Prudhoe, NE42 5DXwww.prudhoegolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 21

TEEINGOFF

Edwards on song

Simon Edwards Simon Edwards led from start to finish in the PGA North England’s Golf Coast Pro-am, and the Windermere professional saved the best until last when he completed the final five holes at Royal Birkdale with three birdies and an eagle to pick up the trophy. His six under-par 66 put him out of sight of the rest of the field in the 54-hole competition in which he posted a round of 71 in the first round at Formby and matched the figure in the next at West Lancs. Edwards, who ended the week with an eight under-par total, finished 10 strokes ahead of runner-up Aran Wainwright from the Mid Yorks. It was his second win of the year following his success in the Golfbreaks.com Pinehurst Pro-am at Kiawah Island’s Turtle Point last month. 208 Simon Edwards (Windermere) 218 Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks) 221 Gareth Jones (Sandiway) 221 Danny Greenwood (Forest Pines) 244 John Wells (Snainton) & Scott Jackson (Disley)

Coming up Roses Yorkshire battled back from a 5-1 foursomes deficit to force a 9-9 draw in the Northern Counties League Roses clash at Hillside. Darryl Berry, the Yorkshire skipper, said: “We were 5-1 up against Lancashire back in 2012 and they came back to win so we knew turnarounds could happen.” And indeed it did with Yorkshire taking 4.5 points from the first five singles on their way to a draw. 22 NORTHERN GOLFER

Members and guests at Terry Wright’s retirement dinner Flamborough’s new chairman Arthur Woodhouse

Wright time to go Stalwart bows out after sterling service at Flamborough

lamborough Head chairman Terry Wright has stepped down after an eventful 40 years on the Yorkshire club’s committee. Terry joined Flamborough in 1968 and was elected to the committee and became vicecaptain three years later. He was instrumental - with the help and support of many others - in raising a substantial amount of money which enabled the purchase of the land and the building of the new clubhouse. Captain in 1978 when the new clubhouse opened, Terry became house chairman the following year and then course chairman, a post he held for 27 years.

During that time he negotiated the purchase of more land from Mr and Mrs Robert Lamb to extend and develop the first tee and second and 18th greens as well as the installation of an irrigation system. In 2006 he was unanimously elected chairman, but now he has decided it is time to stand down. He is succeeded by Arthur Woodhouse, a member of 20 years and a former Rabbits and Club Captain as well as House and Building Chairman. Other members elected to the management committee are Derek Hill (House and Buildings Chairman) Pete Dyson (Course Chairman) plus Mrs Pat Thornton and Chris Feast (committee members).

Title still up for grabs Former European Tour player Nick Ludwell and Tim Dykes shared the spoils in the penultimate PGA in England Wales (North) Mansell Finishes Series at West Lancs. They both grabbed an eagle, Selby’s Ludwell on the second to go with five birdies and Penrith’s Dykes on the fifth as he made gains on six other holes. It is still all to play for in the Order of Merit and with 400 points at stake in the final fixture at St Anne’s Old Links the top 11 professionals will all be in contention. Ringway’s David Brunton is 43 points ahead of second place Dykes with Bramall Park’s Oliver Whiteley lying third - 21 adrift.

67 Nick Ludwell (Selby), Tim Dykes (Penrith) 69 Simon Edwards (Windermere), Oliver Whiteley (Bramall Park), Jon Bevan (Rhos on Sea), James Wilkinson (Brampton) 70 Ryan O’Neil (Penwortham)

TEEINGOFF

Festival success

Five-day event attracts fantastic support

lose to 2,500 competitive rounds of golf and somewhere in the region of a quarter of a million shots briefly sums up the 2015 Bridlington Golf Festival. The figures highlight how big the five-day event has become since 1994, and the 22nd Festival was clearly a success for the hundreds of golfers who visited the town to compete in 13 tournaments over Bridlington’s three courses Bridlington, The Bridlington Links and Flamborough Head. The week started and ended in glorious sunshine but in between golfers battled gale force winds, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and bitterly cold temperatures.

However, the event was enjoyed by all those who travelled to Bridlington from all corners of the UK and also some keen golfers from Holland. Golf Festival officials thanked East Yorkshire Events for their support as well as Lloyd Dowson Chartered Accountants, St Quintin Arms (Harpham), Thorpe Hall Caravan and Camping Site, Buffalo’s Fine American Restaurant, The Ransdale Hotel and Flamborough Head Golf Club B&B. More than 60 youngsters took part in the festival curtain raiser and the highlight of the day was an exceptional nett 59 from Rudding Park member E Chesnick while talented youngster Matty Raybould

Max Brompton withFlamborough Head captain Kevin Davey from Bridlington Golf Club won the best gross prize with an excellent score of 69. Georgina Hirst won the Silver Salver for recording the best girl’s score of the day with a fantastic score of 75 (nett 70). The team prize was won by Flamborough Head’s line-up of Georgina, Jenson Stork, Daniel Artley and Lara Ackers. The Trophy for the best score from a player 12 and under was

won for the second year in a row by Jenson Stork who scored an impressive nett 63 while Amy Staveley (Scarborough SC) won the girls nine-hole competition with 28 points and the boys event was won by Jo Louge (Scarborough SC) with 29 points. The team of Ryan Galloway, Samuel Boyes, Harry Hornby, Ross Danby and Lucas Markwell won the five hole team scramble competition.

P L AY YO RKSH I R E ’ S O L D E S T AN D ONLY CHA MP I O N SH I P TR UE L I N K S C O URSE VISITOR S AND S OCIETIES WELCOME Green Fees - £28 round Packages from £28 (8+) Other packages available on request or visit our website June & July Specials Monday – Friday (after 11am) Play off any tee for £25 golf only and receive a £10 reduction off a further visit

OPEN COMPETITIONS June Sunday 28th Gents Coors Open August Sunday 23rd Gents 4BBB Thursday 2th Juniors Open Friday 28th L adies Open Saturday 29th Mayors Cup (Q) Sunday 30th Mixed Texas Scramble Open Monday 31st August Mayors Cup Final Monday 31st Gents 3 Man Team Open

To book a tee time or for furth er infor mation on anyof the above ED Y telephone the Secretary K O AR 01642 471798 or email BO T S EN E majuba@btconnect.com TI LIM EE R S AR P

CLEVELAND GOLF CLUB Majuba Road, Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 5BJ www.cleveland-golf-club.com

F L P M N CO ND AL E B A T A T IE GY UP S G M V R FI CE BU AR W RE

NORTHERN GOLFER 23

Wilton Golf Club

TEEINGOFF

18-hole Parkland Course

Situated close to the A19 it is ideally located for visitors from the north and south

NEW SEASON OFFERS

4 Ball £60.00 - Round of Golf after 12pm £15.00

18 Holes of Golf

8 or more people Bacon Sandwich & Coffee followed by 1 Course Meal £22.00pp

For Ladies that Lunch

we are now serving Afternoon Teas please phone for details Telephone the Secretary, Claire Harvey on 01642 465265 or email secretary@wiltongolfclub.co.uk Wilton Castle Redcar TS10 4QY • www.wiltongolfclub.co.uk

Billingham Golf Club

Just a perfect day NOW OPEN – NEW ALL WEATHER PRACTICE FACILITY Come and try our new practice facilities. 6 covered bays available, chipping area with bunker practice and putting green. RANGE MEMBERSHIP £20.00 per year Includes Social membership and allows you to use the Range and Clubhouse facilities, including drinks discounts. ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP £200 per year and includes 2 free lessons, 6 rounds of golf, Range and Social Membership including drinks discounts. RANGE BALL PRICES £4 for 100 balls, £3 for 60 balls, £2 for 35 balls

Telephone Julie Lapping on 01642 533816 or the Professional Mike Ure on 01642 557060 Sandy Lane, Billingham, TS22 5NA www.billinghamgolfclub.com email: billinghamgc@btconnect.com 24 NORTHERN GOLFER

The glass-fronted workshop at Ulitmate Golf

Driving for change Bringing Carlisle’s facilities back to their best

here is a new team in charge at Carlisle Driving Range aiming to restore the popular venue to the standing it once enjoyed. The man behind the changes is former Arcot Hall assistant professional Daniel Hookway, who took over the complex just under a year ago and has worked hard to bring it up to scratch with his team of Jimmy Latta, Stuart Rafferty and Russ Jones. Currently re-branded as Ultimate Golf, it is set to be re-named Tour Performance Golf as improvements continue to be made. Hookway said: “From day one it was clear that we needed to present a new identity with a new set of values to draw old and new customers to the site. “That’s why the range was rebranded as ‘Ultimate Golf - Your One Stop Golf Centre’ and why we’re in the process of changing to Tour Performance Golf which is a real statement of intent for what we are looking to achieve. “This area as a whole is largely starved of decent practice facilities with the council-run Swifts driving range being closed for six months in the winter and no other floodlit driving ranges until you hit Penrith or Dumfries.” Hookway and his team began by updating the essentials - new balls and mats followed by new lighting and a fresh paint job. More recent improvements include a robotic ball collector and

grass cutter while new bay dividers and targets, including nets that light up. Next year several par three holes with all weather tees and greens and a mini-golf course are planned. “We have the only European Tourtrained club technician in the region in Jimmy Latta,” said Hookway. “He has a wealth of experience building and fitting clubs for the best players in the world while working for Srixon/ Cleveland, Callaway and Ben Hogan.” Latta’s input has led to the range being selected as Orka Golf ’s national fitting centre for the North of England and Scotland based in a workshop renovated to the specifications of a European Tour truck. It is possible to watch Latta building clubs first hand as there is a glass wall to the workshop while alongside is a high-spec indoor fitting bay with Foresight Sports GC2 with HMT launch monitor. Top-rate instruction is available with PGA Teaching Professional Stuart Rafferty as well as Daniel and the newest member of the team is Titleist Performance Institute trainer Russ Jones, who has been involved with pros Zane Scotland and Adam Gee. “We have recently refurbished a training room for Russ to deliver his services where he provides screening, training and remedial massage services designed to improve your performance on the course through strengthening, stabilising, mobilising and injury prevention. Our focus remains to deliver tour-level services.”

Newcastle and District Golf Partnership THIRTEEN OF OUR REGIONS BEST GOLF CLUBS HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AIMS OF: • CREATING BENEFITS FOR ALL PARTICIPATING GOLF CLUBS. • CREATING BENEFITS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF PARTICIPATING GOLF CLUBS. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW CLUB THEN WHY NOT JOIN ONE WITHIN OUR PARTNERSHIP. AS A MEMBER YOU WILL RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNTS ON GREEN FEES AT ALL OTHER CLUBS WITHIN THE PARTNERSHIP. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE YOU HUNDREDS OF POUNDS. CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITES FOR CURRENT MEMBERSHIP DEALS WHICH ARE DESIGNED WITH YOUR NEEDS IN MIND, OR RING THE CONTACT NUMBERS BELOW FOR DETAILS. PLEASE ALLOW AT LEAST 24 HOURS’ NOTICE WHEN BOOKING YOUR GOLF

Ponteland Nigel Mills 01661 822689 www.thepontelandgolfclub.co.uk

Newcastle United Liam McNulty 0191 2869998 www.newcastleunitedgolfclub.co.uk

Arcot Hall Brian Rumney 0191 2362794 www.arcothall.co.uk

Blyth John Hall 01670 540110 www.blythgolf.co.uk

Morpeth Matthew Bowman 01670 504942 www.morpethgolf.co.uk

City of Newcastle Anthony Matthew 0191 2851775 www.cityofnewcastlegolfclub.co.uk

Tynemouth Jamie Forteath 0191 2574578 www.tynemouthgolfclub.com

Bedlingtonshire Layla Levy 01670 822457 www.bedlingtongolfclub.com

Alnmouth Peter Simpson 01665 830231 www.alnmouthgolfclub.com

Gosforth Grahame Garland 0191 2850553 www.gosforthgolfclub.co.uk

Tyneside Alastair Greenﬁeld 0191 4132742 www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk

Whitley Bay Dawn Ridley 0191 2520180 www.whitleybaygolfclub.co.uk

THIS VOUCHER ALLOWS YOU A 10% DISCOUNT ON THE PUBLISHED WEBSITE GREEN FEES AT ALL PARTICIPATING PARTNERSHIP GOLF CLUBS. YOU CAN BOOK A MAXIMUM OF 1 X 4 BALL AT EACH CLUB WITH THIS VOUCHER. PLEASE NOTE: THE VOUCHER CANNOT BE USED FOR DISCOUNTS ON SOCIETY BOOKINGS.

VALID UNTIL END OF JULY 2015 QUOTE N&D 1

Garesfield Golf Club

PROFILE

MONDAY SPECIALS

18 Holes + FREE pint £10 pp 18 Holes + Toasty £12 pp 2 Ball + Buggy £20 ---------

Friday 18 Holes + Fish & Chips £18.50 pp

BUGGIES AVAILABLE EVERY DAY DEPENDING ON COURSE CONDITION Tuesday - Friday 2 Ball + buggy £25 Tel 01207 563082 or email jeffrey.musgrove@live.co.uk

MEMBERSHIPS Limited number of deals available to March 2017 contact office for details 1st Child under 16 joins FREE when an Adult takes Full Membership

OPENS 2015 Garesfield Challenge 1st Wednesday of the month top 8 Qualify, final in September We also cater for social events contact Lynne Williamson for details 01207561309 / Bar/catering option 3 See Garesfield Golf Course Facebook page and website for updates. www.garesfieldgolfclub.co.uk

Garesfield Golf Club, Chopwell, NE17 7AP

Hetton LeGolf Hill Club

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Adult 7 Day £400.00 Seniors 7 Day £300.00 Intermediate up to 21 years £120 Junior up to 18 years £50 Visitors welcome Discounts for Golf Parties Telephone 0191 5173061 or email hettoncgc@gmail.com Hetton le Hill Golf Club Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QT 26 NORTHERN GOLFER

PRO -FILE

STEVEN FAWCITT AGE: 29 TURNED PRO: 2009 H/CAP: TWO CAREER HIGHLIGHTS I finished third in the PGA Assistants Championship and had a couple of top 10s on the EuroPro Tour, but didn’t do much as an amateur. I got into coaching and turned pro after I’d been to university. I have a few players on my database including Harry Bateman who has won on the EuroPro Tour. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SEASON? I’m heavily involved in the Qhotels junior initiative at Slaley Hall and we’ve been awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence thanks to our state-of-the-art facilities including the floodlit academy, dedicated short game areas, covered bays and top golf courses. We have made incredible strides with our junior section including offering free junior membership at Slaley if their parents are members, which is fantastic and can only help improve the future for the resort and the game. We hope that it will encourage parents to bring their children along for coaching and membership is available for £100 to juniors if their parents aren’t members.” HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE GAME? I picked up playing the game from my dad, Bob. When we moved to Morpeth, my dad and our next door neighbour starting playing golf and then me and my brother joined them and took them on. I actually had a hole-in-one when I was 12 just after starting to play...and I haven’t had one since, but I live in hope! I didn’t really think about golf as a career until I’d been to Northumbria University and gained a BA (Hons) in Sports Coaching. Then I turned my attention to coaching golf specifically and then a job at Morpeth with the late Martin Jackson came along and I qualified as a PGA Professional in 2011 and in April 2014 I began working at Slaley Hall as the Head Teaching Professional. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? I really enjoy coaching at all levels but I would like to eventually work on the European Tour with some of the top players.

CHRISPAISLEY

Chris Paisley

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TOUR LIFE

WITH EUROPEAN TOUR PLAYER CHRIS PAISLEY Since my last column I have played two tournaments: The AfrAsia Air Mauritius Open and the Spanish Open. I made the cut in both events and finished 29th and 49th respectively. I feel like my game is in fantastic shape and that some great results are coming. This is a far cry from two years ago when I had far less trust in my own ability to go and compete on the European Tour. I have developed a lot both physically and mentally since my first year on tour in 2013. Following a reasonably successful trip to Mauritius and Spain, I was fortunate to be part of the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) golf day at Close House. Graham Wylie has a very close connection to the charity and the amount of money he has helped raise over the years is incredible. It was an honour to be part of the event once again. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be associated with an organisation that places so much emphasis on giving back to the community. Many of the auction items caught my eye but everyone else’s generosity far outweighed my budget! Unfortunately, my current category means I have missed out on playing the BMW at Wentworth and the Irish Open. I would have loved to have had the chance to play but I am using these two weeks off to refresh and sharpen my game ahead of two tournaments in Sweden and Austria. I have spent a lot of time with my brother, Andy, and my coach, Andrew Nicholson too. Since my game is in good shape we have only made the odd tiny tweak here and there. I have also been working hard in the gym following some issues with my back in Spain. Thankfully, it feels 100% again. The best news is that my wife, Keri, just arrived from America and is going to travel with me for the rest of the year. This is something we areGOLF both very excited about. NEWCASTLE UNTIED CLUB After spending months at aNewcastle time apart, weTyne, are finally 60 Ponteland Road, upon NE5 3JW going to be together on a more consistent basis. My next www.newcastleunitedgolfclub.co.uk article could be about learning to cope with having her around all the time, or perhaps the other way around! Until next time, keep it on the short grass.

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Newcastle United Golf Club Est.1892

Membership Offers Full - £594.00 (£49.50 per month) 5 Day - £492.00 (£41.00 per month) Associate - £150.00 (£10 per game) 4 Join for the PRICE of 3 (Payment up Front Deal)

SUMMER GREEN FEE OFFERS Weekday Round £15.00 pp Weekday 4 ball £50.00 Weekend Round £18.00 pp Weekend 4 Ball £60.00 ---

2015 GOLF SOCIETY PACKAGES (Weekdays & Weekends) Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes £20.00 per head Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes, Soup & Sandwich £23.00 per head Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes, 2 Course Meal - £27.00 per head

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60 Ponteland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3JW NORTHERN GOLFER 27

TEEINGOFF

Doing it the Pennine Way Beautiful courses fly the flag for tourism trail

ixby and Woodsome Hall are flying the flag for Yorkshire in a new trail aimed at the travelling golfer which has been launched to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Pennine Way. The Pennines Golf Trail, showcasing five scenic courses in the foothills of England’s mountain spine, aims to attract golfers from home and abroad who appreciate scenic beauty as they line up their putts. Straddling both sides of the Pennines in Yorkshire and Lancashire, the trail has been

designed so visitors can choose to play all the courses over a week while enjoying some of the legendary northern hospitality along with some fine local cuisine. The five clubs in the group are Fixby (Huddersfield), Woodsome Hall, Clitheroe , Manchester and Pleasington. The cluster provides great value for money, as well as a rich variety of golfing experiences. Clitheroe, situated in the beautiful Ribble Valley just south of the popular market town, is a relatively flat yet classic James Braid design giving a great test of golf, while Woodsome Hall, near

Woodsome Hall Huddersfield, clings to a hillside providing an excellent challenge for golfers of all levels with accuracy and thought being the key to success. Woodsome also has a dormy house with eight twin-bedded ensuite rooms. The new trail is the latest

initiative of Golf Tourism England, www.golftourismengland.com , a membership body launched last year to bring together English golf courses, tourism operators, accommodation providers and leisure attractions to jointly market the nation’s golfing heritage.

Golfers interested in exploring The Pennines Golf Trail should contact local tour operator Golf Tours International through its website www.golftoursinternational.co.uk

We’re Open

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THANK YOU TO OUr eveNT spONsOrs fOr THeir sUppOrT

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

Mason’s sure to go Close Dean Bailey catches up with 25-time European Senior Tour winner, and three-time PGA Championship winner, Carl Mason ahead of his trip to Close House

he renaissance of the senior tour is one of golf ’s greatest stories in recent years. From Bernhard Langer’s reign at the top to Tom Watson almost winning the Open Championship in 2009, and most recently Colin Montgomerie winning three senior majors, the list of players who have enjoyed arguably the best days of their careers having passed the 50 mark grows every year. For Englishman Carl Mason, who won two titles on the European Tour in 1994, turning 50 brought with it a run of success which saw him win 25 times in the nine years from 2003-2011, and break the records for total wins and career earnings on the European Senior Tour. “I had a wonderful run when I joined the European Senior Tour in 2003 and it was an incredible experience to win so many events – I never expected to have such a prolonged period of success,” says Mason. “The golden period to win on the European Senior Tour is in your 50s and I was lucky enough to have a fantastic run. I turn 62 in June and although I find it tougher I’m still competing and there are, hopefully, still a few wins in me.” Mason proved he can still compete with the ‘young guns’ on tour with a season opening eighth place finish at the SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open in May. “It was a hard week in Wales on a tough course and in very tough conditions. “For my first tournament in seven months I was very pleased with the result. I still love playing tournament golf, even in wet and windy conditions – although I do hope the weather is a little kinder at Close House,” Mason adds. Mason was back playing the European Senior Tour following the winter break and is confident that he can add a 26th title to his résumé. “It was 30 NORTHERN GOLFER

nice to get up among the top 10 in Wales so early in the year. My game was good and hopefully I can get a bit of form going as we get into a run of events this summer. “When you get to this age you have to keep playing and work hard to stay fit and healthy. I do an hour and a half in the gym five days a week and play nine holes or so every afternoon. You have to work out nowadays. The guys on the senior tour have really been taking their fitness seriously and doing more off the course in the last 10 years. “I didn’t start working out properly until I was 50 so had a bit of catching up to do. I’m very happy that I did because its kept me playing and competing into my 60s. “It worked for me, but I did once pass Tom Watson on the way to the gym and he told me I didn’t need to work out, playing golf every day was his secret. Each guy is different, I suppose,” he adds. Mason tees it up at Close House for the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship looking to add a fourth Seniors Championship title to his CV following victories in 2004, 2007 and 2009. “As one of the only four-round events in our season, it really is like a major championship for us. Because of that, it was one I wanted to win right from the start of my time of the European Senior Tour and I’ve been lucky enough to win it three times.” Mason last won the PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall - having won at Stoke by Neyland in 2007 and Carden Park in 2004. “To add a fourth title at Close House would be really special,” he says. “It would be fantastic to add a second win to my CV in the North East too. “We’ve always had good support in the North East, with big crowds turning out every time we are in the area. It’s important to keep coming back to the

North East, whether it’s the senior tour or, hopefully, the main tour in the near future. It’s good for the game, and our profile, and for the fans. “It’s also very important to me to support events played in England. We are coming off the back of a tough time for golf tournaments across Europe. We should have more tournaments in England, across all the tours, and I would love to see six or seven tour events in England every year.” With thousands of fans expected at Close House over the four days, what, in Mason’s opinion, can they look forward too? “Hopefully the spectators will get something out of seeing guys who aren’t trying to obliterate the golf ball on every shot. Our game isn’t all about length; it’s about skill - more of an old-fashioned game if you like. There is a lot more skill in the game with the way we move the golf ball up and down and left to right and I hope the guys will take away a bit of that and understand that the game isn’t all about hitting it as hard as you can and heading off to find it. I hope they’ll find that entertaining and that we have an exciting finish on Sunday.”

PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

Carl Mason with the PGA Seniors Championship Trophy

NORTHERN GOLFER 31

PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

Who to watch

Sam Torrance Born 1953, Scotland Turned pro 1970

A two-time winner of the PGA Seniors Championship (2005 and 2006) and a 21-time European Tour winner. Torrance won the European Senior Tour Order of Merit for the third time in 2009; that season including victory in the DGM Barbados Open, his 11th on the Senior Tour. He captained the European Ryder Cup team to victory at The Belfry in 2002, 17 years after holing the winning putt at the same venue. He was awarded an MBE in 1996 for services to golf and the OBE seven years later for his inspired Ryder Cup captaincy.

Fraser Mann

Born 1960, Scotland Turned pro 1979 Winner of the 2015 Senior PGA Professional Championship, Mann secured him a place in the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship in May this year. The Carnoustie-based club professional eased to a six-shot victory in the event at Foxhills having last played the Tour in 2011.

Gary Wolstenholme Born 1960, England Turned pro 2008 Wolstenholme had two top-10 finishes in 2014, including a tiedsixth place in the French Riviera Masters. A three-time winner on the European Senior Tour, he was the 2011 Senior Tour Rookie of the Year having enjoyed a successful amateur career, playing in six Walker Cups and winning the Amateur Championship in 1991 and 2003.

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PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

James Graeme Mark Born 1953, England Turned pro 1976 Bell Born 1963, England Turned pro 1997 Bell joined fellow North East professional John Harrison on the Senior Tour after winning one of the six cards on offer at the 2015 Qualifying School. The Hartlepool golfer missed out on a full card in 2014 after leading at the halfway mark, but secured his spot this time. Attached to Eaglescliffe Golf Club, he will be hoping to make an impact having played a handful of events to date; his best finish a share of 26th place in the PGA Seniors Championship.

The European Ryder Cup captain in 1999 at Brookline, James won his second European Senior Tour title in 2009 when he defeated former Ryder Cup teammate Eamonn Darcy in a play-off to win the inaugural Mallorca Senior Open. He became the first European golfer to win a US Senior Major Championship in 2008 at the Ford Senior Players Championship – adding to 18 European Tour titles. James has also made seven Ryder Cup appearances.

Paul Wesselingh Born 1960, England Turned pro 2008 Wesselingh won twice in 2014, at the MCB Tour Championship and the WINSTONgolf Senior Open. He capped a remarkable rise from long-time club professional to the summit of Senior Tour when he topped the Order of Merit after winning four times in 2013 including successfully defending his title in the PGA Seniors Championship with a magnificent final round 64 before triumphing in the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open. He has represented GB&I against the US in the PGA Cup on six occasions and won both the European Club Pros and Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.

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PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

Des Smyth

John Harrison

Born 1953, Ireland Turned pro 1974

Born 1960, England Turned pro 1977

A five-time winner on the Senior Tour, Smyth’s last win came at the 2012 Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters at Woburn. That win, plus another five top10 finishes saw him claim ninth in the Order of Merit in 2012. He won three Senior Tour titles in 2005, including the SBC Classic and the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf on the Champions Tour, rounding off the season by lifting the Arcapita Seniors Tour Championship.

Harrison made a successful return to the Qualifying School to secure another season on the Senior Tour in 2015 having previously joined the Senior Tour by winning the 2009 Qualifying School. He has enjoyed a number of solid performances in the years since, with his best finish to date a share of third place in the 2012 Van Lanschot Senior Open in The Netherlands. He made it a hat-trick of Harrisons on the Senior Tour in 2009, following in the footsteps of elder brothers Philip and Steve. Played on The European Tour in 1984 but has spent most of his career concentrating on his job as a club professional at Matfen Hall. As a coach his successes include two-time European Tour winner Kenneth Ferrie.

Santiago Luna Born 1962, Spain Turned pro 1982

Winner of the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Stoke by Nayland in 2014, Luna claimed his maiden Senior Tour title in his sixth appearance when he held off home favourite Sam Torrance over the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews in 2013. He also finished runner-up in the French Riviera Masters and the English Senior Open as he ended his rookie campaign in eighth position on the Order of Merit. The Spaniard’s maiden victory in St Andrews came 15 years after one of his career highlights also occurred at the Home of Golf when he defeated Tiger Woods in the semi-final of the 1998 Alfred Dunhill Cup (71 to 72). He reached the milestone of 500 appearances on The European Tour at the 2005 Abama Open de Canarias.

David J Russell

Born 1954, England Turned pro 1973

Russell landed his maiden Senior Tour title after nine runner-up finishes when he won the PGA Seniors Championship in 2010. Four other top ten finishes saw him end the year in sixth place on the Order of Merit. Part of Ian Woosnam’s backroom team at the 2006 Ryder Cup, he has recently focused on golf course design, notably at Archerfield in Scotland. A two-time European Tour winner, Russell is also chairman of the Senior Tour Committee.

Gordon Brand Jnr Born 1958, Scotland Turned pro 1981 Brand captured his second Senior Tour title in 2013 with victory in the WINSTONgolf Senior Open in Germany; his first coming at the Jersey Classic in 2011. He won twice in his rookie year on European Tour in 1982 and played in the Ryder Cup in 1987 and 1989, helping Europe to win the trophy on US soil for first time. He recorded a total of eight European Tour victories between 1982 and 1993. 34 NORTHERN GOLFER

Home comfort

SENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

John Harrison and Graeme Bell hope to take advantage of local knowledge in their quest to win the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship

John Harrison and Graeme Bell (inset)

orth East duo John Harrison and Graeme Bell made sure of their places in the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Close House with gritty performances in the Senior PGA Professional Championship. While Matfen Hall’s Harrison and Eaglescliffe pro Bell were expected to be given sponsor’s invites, they removed any doubts at Foxhills Golf Club in May with both players finishing in the top 10. Harrison finished in a tie for fourth place in the event as Scotland’s Fraser Mann sealed his first victory in style. Bell will be a little disappointed as he faded after leading the field at the end of the first round. Mann, who also qualified for the Close House tournament, eased to a six-shot victory at the Surrey club as Harrison shot rounds of 71 and 74 to be in the mix before a closing round of 79 pushed him back down the field. Bell led after a first round 70 with Harrison close behind but rounds of 78 and 77 scuppered his chances as Mann shot rounds of 73, 70 and 73. “I played well all the way until the 18th,” said Bell of his opening round where he eagled the third and birdied the fifth, 12, 13 and 15. “I hit a good tee shot and a good second shot, yet it went out of bounds. I took it back and hit another good shot and that almost went out of bounds too. “I then managed to duff a chip and hole a chip for a six. There may have been some doom and gloom but I think I got away with it as it looked like being at least an eight!” Harrison has had to bide his time for a return to the senior tournament scene and he expressed his delight at being back competing with his PGA peers. “Having been a PGA Professional all my career I missed not playing in the flagship event, which this is for me, so it’s nice to be back. ”It’s also nice to have qualified on merit for the tournament at Close House. I’ll be playing in everything I can manage this year - although I may have to qualify for the Seniors Open. “I played really well at times at Foxhills and was pleased as it’s the best I’ve played in a while. I putted very poorly and that was down to being a bit rusty.” NORTHERN GOLFER 35

PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP 2

The ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship will be played over the Lee Westwood Colt Course at Close House, which was designed by Scott Macpherson and officially opened by Westwood in May 2011. For the championship, the course will be played from the 10th, meaning players will start and end their rounds around the PGA Academy and Exhibition Village. Here’s our guide to where to watch all the action.

LEE WESTWOOD COLT COURSE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

PAR

YARDS

5 4 3 4 3 4 4 5 4 36

471 399 184 462 175 373 412 526 430 3,432

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

9 11 10

PAR

YARDS

4 4 4 3 4 4 5 4 3 35

397 355 340 199 370 422 483 437 206 3,209

Total: par 71 • 6,641 yards

01751 431 525

OUR GUIDE TO THE LEE WESTWOOD COLT COURSE AT CLOSE HOUSE Backworth Golf Club A MUST PLAY HIDDEN GEM IN NORTH TYNESIDE

New Members Welcome

“Belly Busting Breakfast” & 18 Holes £30* 7 Day Membership ONLY £340 1st June - December 31st Year round championship standard golf in a superb scenically serence environment. Make your own mind up...

www.kirkbymoorsidegolf.co.uk *Subject to availability. Minimum Two Players per Booking. Cannot be used with any other oﬀer/booking

36 NORTHERN GOLFER

Visitors Summer Green Fee Special 9 holes £10pp Societies Welcome Telephone the Manager John Robinson on 0191 2684274 Telephone 0191 2689131 for course availability, information and events Email: backworthminers@virgin.net • www.backworthminers.co.uk/golf The Hall, Backworth, NE27 0AH

PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

KEY HOLES HOLE 4 PAR FOUR, 462 YARDS

HOLE 5 PAR THREE, 175 YARDS

HOLE 9 PAR FOUR, 430 YARDS

The fourth is the first opportunity to open your shoulders with a generous fairway to this 462 yard hole. The fairway is well defended by four large bunkers, with two more protecting the front and right of the green. When the flag is front right, play right. Otherwise, the left side is best. Par is often a good score here.

Another strong par three, the fifth is one of the most picturesque holes on the Colt Course. The shortest hole on the course, as well as the smallest green, this one may yield a birdie or two.

At the ninth, there is more trouble than just the fairway bunker to the left of the fairway. A Ha-Ha wall runs down the right side of the fairway - which is also the best side to approach the green from - giving you a shot to the green up its long axis. The green is well guarded with a wall and a bunker, as well as the old Ice Lake around the right side and stretching across its front edge.

HOLE 12 PAR FOUR, 340 YARDS

HOLE 18 PAR THREE, 206 YARDS

EXHIBITION VILLAGE & GOLF FUN ZONE

The final hole and one of the most difficult on the course, the 18th plays very long from the back tee. The green is narrow from front to back but with lots of room on the right half of the green.

The Exhibition Village, located around the PGA Academy at Close House – adjacent to the first tee, hosts a number of activities for all the family as well as hospitality units and amenities. Exhibitors include Collingwood Insurance, Speedflex, Hadrian Healthcare, A-Belco, Mill Volvo, Benfield, Lloyd BMW, Antalya Golf Resort and the Close House retail outlet. There is also a Heineken bar, golf simulator, and the chance to sharpen your game with a free lesson from a PGA Professional. Meanwhile, the Golf Fun Zone gives you the chance to test your putting skills with a series of challenges (£2 charge).

The 12th is a great example of a risk and reward hole. Played downwind, some players may take on the green and many will have short pitches to a two-tiered green which affords breathtaking views across the Tyne Valley.

Hirsel Golf Club

MAGDALENE FIELDS GOLF CLUB

One of the UK’s Hidden Gems, recently featured in Golf Monthly’s Top 100 Hidden Gems of UK & Ireland list

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Come and play the No1 golf course in the Scottish Borders

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Hirsel Golf Club, Coldstream, Kelso Road, Berwickshire, TD12 4NJ TELEPHONE 01890 882678 e: secretary@hirselgc.co.uk

Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1NE

FULL ADULT June £250 - July £225 - August £200 SENIORS (65 years plus) June £225 - July £200 - August £175

Excellent Visiting Party Packages For further details telephone the Secretary on 01289 306130 e: secretary.m.f.g.c@hotmail.co.uk www.magdalene-fields.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 37

PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

Behind the scenes

We catch up with the men leading Close House, the PGA and the European Senior Tour ahead of the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship

JOHN GLENDINNING

SANDY JONES

ANDY STUBBS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE THE PGA

MANAGING DIRECTOR EUROPEAN SENIOR TOUR

It is an honour to host the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Close House, just 10 years into our journey. To gain the support and recognition of the PGA and European Seniors Tour is a seal of approval for the hard work and dedication everyone here has shown. Close House has come a long way since I first drove down the hill to the house and original golf course. From running the golf club in a Portakabin with a fridge, my desk and a leaky roof to having two fantastic golf courses endorsed by Lee Westwood, the North’s first PGA Academy, award-winning hospitality, and now a flagship European Seniors Tour event is incredible. This championship is an opportunity to showcase our facilities and the quality of the Lee Westwood Colt Course to an audience across Europe, as well as welcoming golf fans to the club. I hope the fans enjoy the week and I look forward to welcoming them, and more, back to Close House – whether they take on the Lee Westwood Colt Course or try the game for the first time at the PGA Academy and the Yearling par three course.

This year marks a new chapter in the event’s history with a first visit to Close House which, in 10 years under the ownership of Graham Wylie, has become one of the UK’s finest venues. The Lee Westwood Colt Course will provide a fitting test for the cream of European seniors golf as they contest one of the most popular events on the European Senior Tour schedule. North East golf fans are among the most passionate and knowledgeable and I know they will enjoy cheering on the household names eager to get their names engraved on the magnificent trophy. The standing of this Championship has been reflected in the great champions that have lifted the trophy and it is wonderful to see two-time champion Sam Torrance back in the field. After so many years on Tour most of the players have enjoyed, and endured, everything that competitive golf can throw at them and perhaps because of that experience they play golf with a smile. It certainly makes for a wonderful atmosphere and I’m sure there will be plenty to smile about as the action unfolds at Close House.

The ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship is always one of the highlights of the European Senior Tour schedule and the only 72-hole event outside the Senior majors. Part of the appeal of this prestigious Championship has been the venues that have hosted it, and in Close House, we are delighted to be visiting another outstanding course for the first time. This Championship has a strong association with the North East of England and we have always received magnificent support from the crowds here, so it is always special to return to this part of the world. Last year, Santiago Luna joined the illustrious list of winners with his twoshot victory at The Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, and he defends his title against another impressive field of former Ryder Cup players and European Tour champions. Our thanks must go to everyone at Close House for welcoming us, while we are extremely grateful to ISPS Handa for sponsoring the Championship, and our colleagues and friends and the PGA for organising the event. We hope you enjoy watching some of the legends of the game in action.

MANAGING DIRECTOR CLOSE HOUSE

38 NORTHERN GOLFER

PGASENIORSCHAMPIONSHIP

PGA Academy at Close House

Lee Westwood opens North’s first PGA Academy

lose House attached professional Lee Westwood officially launched the new PGA Academy as part of his first visit to the club of the season. The PGA Academy is home to golf tuition, practice facilities and custom fitting at Close House and facilities include a floodlit driving range, designated long and short game practice areas, a SAM PuttLab analysis system and a high performance custom-fitting centre with the use the Flightscope balltracking radar system. Robert Maxfield, joint chief operating officer and property and commercial director for the PGA, said: “The new PGA Academy at Close House is a fantastic addition

to the family of PGA branded golf academies and courses around the world. “The Academy reinforces the relationship between The PGA and Close House, whose vision under Graham Wylie’s leadership is set to become one of the finest golf facilities in the UK.” Wylie said: “This is an exciting addition to the facilities here at Close House and means we are now able to offer the latest teaching technologies to those wanting to learn and improve. We are passionate about providing the best possible golfing experience for members and visitors, and the new academy will enable our instructors to deliver tuition through the use of the very best facilities.”

EUROPE’S LEADING DEVELOPMENT TOUR RETURNS TO THE NORTH EAST THIS AUGUST

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WWW.EUROPROTOUR.COM NORTHERN GOLFER 39

MINDGAMES

With DAVID CHARLTON

NORTHUMBRIA GOLF BREAKS FOR THE BEST GOLFING HOLIDAYS UNDER THE SUN

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THE EARLY SEASON BLUES Many of the golfers I work with complain about starting the golf season slowly. Their scores are inconsistent with some rounds much higher than they expect; this then causes frustration. Enjoyment of the great game then suffers. But it doesn’t have to be that way! The good news is that this is very common and you can change it very quickly if you take action. I’m currently working with a number of golfers, from beginner to professional level, who are battling to overcome these challenges. One of my approaches is to look at concentration skills, primarily where you place your focus on the shot or putt. One of the first steps is to simplify the pre-shot routine so that you don’t think about 20 swing thoughts while you are over the ball. I also look at how you spend your time between shots and offer practical solutions that you may not have thought of. The success stories that I have shared with golfers tend to come from the people who are willing to think outside of the box

and are determined to improve their scores. Support is vital for this and can speed up the process a great deal. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? If you are curious but unsure what you will gain from working on your mental game why not try out a Golf Performance Psychology MOT or a Taster Session. I offer a mobile service and travel the region frequently so get in touch.

OFFER EXCLUSIVE TO NORTHERN GOLFER READERS Golf Performance Psychology MOT'S £60 Half Day Taster Sessions £150 Full Day Taster Sessions £250

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40 NORTHERN GOLFER

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COURSEREVIEW

Magnificent Matfen Having recently received a gold award for the best large hotel in England, Paul Corney visits Matfen Hall, one of Northumberlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gems

ocated in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, Matfen Hall offers golfers the choice of three nine-hole loops named Douglas, Standing Stone and Dewlaw, combining into three testing 18-hole courses. Laid out across fabulous parkland, the fairways and greens are bordered by stunning mature trees, and while it is an enjoyable experience for all levels of golfer, many have been caught out by the River Pont which dissects the courses, and there is the Ha-Ha wall to contend with - no laughing matter, I can assure you! There is also a high quality nine-hole par three course and Golf Academy where John Harrison, who coaches European Tour winner Kenneth Ferrie, heads the team. The opening hole on the Douglas is a 42 NORTHERN GOLFER

generous 495-yard par five played slightly uphill and a good birdie chance. The second shot is played over the Ha-Ha wall and between two bunkers approximately 50 yards from a two-tier green sloping back to front. Next is a short downhill par four measuring 260 yards. A three or four iron from the tee should leave a short pitch between large trees to a postage stamp-sized green. Come up short and you will not be laughing as the ball nestles against the Ha-Ha wall. At 445 yards, the par four fourth is a real tester. There is a nest of bunkers on the left which come into play from the tee, but a long straight drive should leave a long downhill approach to a green falling away left and at the back - this is not an easy green to hit and a par at this hole is always a good score.

If you have a tendency to leak your iron shots right, aim left of the green at the 173-yard eighth. Although there are two bunkers on the left of the green, it is better to find sand than the lake - at least you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lose a ball! The final hole on the Douglas loop is a strong par four measuring 443 yards. With the lake on the right, trees and a long menacing bunker left, this is a very intimidating driving hole. A long straight drive is needed if you want to leave any chance of getting home in two. What used to be the back nine of the original 18-hole course, the opening hole on the Standing Stone loop is a short par three. It may be only 140 yards but any ball left will end up in the Pont. The fifth hole is arguably the toughest hole on the course where any shot right will be lost in the woods and dense undergrowth. This par four measures 442 yards and with water to carry from the tee and again for the approach, most players will play this as a par five and hope for a pitch and putt to make a four - a bogey is not a disaster at this one. At 357 yards, the ninth on the Standing Stone isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a long finishing hole but it does have a tricky tee shot with the river to negotiate. Do not go right or you will be tangling with the Ha-Ha wall and out of bounds beyond. The green is a small target, bunkered at the front and surrounded by trees.

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE CONTACT Matfen Hall Golf Club Matfen, Northumberland, NE20 0RH Tel 01661 886 400 Academy 01661 886 146 Email golf@matfenhall.com Web www.matfenhall.com

Matfen provides much more than 27 holes of great golf

Opened for play in 2007 and designed by John Harrison and Craig Parkinson, the Dewlaw course has received excellent reviews from members and guests. This loop opens up with a 350-yard par four played slightly uphill and then down towards a green with a huge bunker encircling the back half of the putting surface. This is not a particularly difficult hole providing you miss the three fairway bunkers from the tee and play for the front of the green. At nearly 580 yards, the fifth is the longest hole at Matfen and a genuine three-shotter. The toughest hole on this loop is the seventh, an awesome 448-yard par four and a dog-leg right. Three bunkers protect the corner of the dog-leg and have to be avoided at all costs to leave any chance of reaching the green. With water at the front and surrounding the right hand side of the green it might be wise for some to lay-up and settle for a bogey. A delightful 162-yard par three, the eighth is played through trees and over rushes. No bunkers to worry about but beware going left or you will be reaching into the bag for another ball. Following your game at Matfen there is no better place to relax than in the Keeper’s Lodge clubhouse - the perfect 19th hole for golfers, non-golfers and day visitors serving high quality snacks and meals daily until 9pm. The clubhouse contains an excellent pro shop, an impressive lounge bar and restaurant and a patio area with superb views of the course.

GREEN FEES Weekday Adults £35, Juniors £20 Weekends Adults £40, Juniors £20 Early bird & Twilight rates available Buggy hire £25 a round Electric trolley hire £10 a round Pull trolley hire £3 a round TOTAL DISTANCE Douglas course White tees – 3,339 yards Par 36 Yellow tees – 3,164 yards Par 36 Red tees – 2,749 yards Par 36 Standing Stone course White tees – 3,361 yards Par 36 Yellow tees – 3,191 yards Par 36 Red tees – 2,820 yards Par 37 Dewlaw course White tees – 3,357 yards Par 36 Yellow tees – 3,023 yards Par 36 Red tees – 2,745 yards Par 37

The former home of the Blackett family, Matfen Hall has been converted into a luxurious country house hotel which offers elegant accommodation with 53 bedrooms combining traditional charm and character with modern facilities. The two AA rosette Library and Print Room Restaurant has a combination of classic and contemporary dining in stately surroundings and there is a superb spa and leisure club

FEATURES Three nine-hole loops Superb practice facilities including a 10-bay covered driving range and a nine-hole par three course Putting green Ample car parking Professional’s shop Excellent bar and dining facilities Sky television Changing rooms CADDY’S TIP If in doubt when taking on the water hazards or the walls – don’t. Lay-up and protect your score. SIGNATURE HOLE The eighth on the Standing Stone course is Matfen’s signature hole, a very demanding 219-yard par three. Many a ball has been lost in the Pont which flows adjacent to the green. For those fortunate to find the putting surface, the severe slope left to right will test the best of putters.

PAUL CORNEY’S VERDICT

Whichever loop you select to play, a visit to Matfen Hall is a must. A superb setting and a cracking test of golf.

NORTHERN GOLFER 43

GOLFERNEWS

Carr’s victory Oliver wins his first Cumbria Matchplay title

lverston Golf Club’s Oliver Carr picked up his first Cumbria County Matchplay Championship title with a 3&1 victory over Workington Golf Club’s Ryan Shuttleworth at Barrow Golf Club. Carr beat Cumbria teammates Richard Mewse (one up), five-time matchplay champion Will Bowe (one up) and Rob Spence (2&1) on his way to the final. He said: “It’s a relief to pick up the trophy. I’ve proved to myself I can win in the bigger competitions and this is a real confidence boost ahead of this year’s Brabazon Trophy. “It was nice to get past Will Bowe in the quarter finals as he is an exceptional player and not many people gave me a chance against him.

The other two games against Mewsy and Rob were far from easy either. “It was good to play against a fellow county player in the final. Me and Ryan had a great match to finish off the tournament.” Playing in the final match of the week at Barrow Golf Club, Shuttleworth took an early lead on the first in blustery conditions chipping in for birdie to go one up. Carr was one down at the turn but began to turn the match around with a birdie on 10 before going one up on the 11th, Shuttleworth then chippedin again at the 12th for birdie, halving the match. The match then swung in Carr’s favour at the par five 14th where he returned to one up. He birdied the 16th and closed out the match on 17.

(Left to right) Alan Shaw County President, Andrew Edwards County Captain, Oliver Carr and Ryan Shuttleworth Oliver Carr with his caddy Wayne McDougall

For more from county golf in Cumbria go to www.cumbria-golf-union.org.uk

SALTBURN GOLF CLUB DESIGN BY JAMES BRAID

SUMMER SPECIAL £18 WEEKDAY £20 WEEKEND AFTER 12PM GREAT SOCIETY OFFERS FROM £25PP INCLUDING LUNCH NEW FLEXI MEMBERSHIPS FROM £200 CONTACT THE PRO SHOP ON 01287 624 653

VISIT WWW.SALTBURNGOLF.CO.UK SALTBURN GOLF CLUB, HOB HILL, SALTBURN BY THE SEA, CLEVELAND, TS12 1NJ 44 NORTHERN GOLFER

GREENWATCH

GREEN WATCH

With JON WYER, ROCKLIFFE HALL

Bellingham Golf Club

VISITING PARTIES WELCOME EVERY DAY - GREAT DEALS ON OFFER BUGGIES & CATERING AVAILABLE

MAKE BELLINGHAM YOUR SECOND CLUB IN 2015 TWO GREAT OFFERS

EITHER: 6 Day Patrons Membership 1st May - 31st Oct (Mon - Sat, Gents/Sun - Fri, Ladies) £100 includes 2 FREE 4 Ball vouchers (Mon - Sat) OR: 7 Day Second Club Membership To 31st October 2015 £195 includes 2 FREE 4 Ball Vouchers (Mon - Sat) You must be a current full member of another club to qualify for this GREAT deal

June 2015 Online Green Fee £20 per player Weekdays - £22.50 Saturday/Sunday Telephone 01434 220530 or email admin@bellinghamgolfclub.com Bellingham Golf Club, Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT

www.bellinghamgolfclub.com

SURFACE MANAGEMENT Having being a greenkeeper and part of the management team at Rockliffe Hall for several years, we continuously look to improve both the consistency and quality of our putting surfaces. Over the years a simple Stimpmeter reading may have been adequate, whereas now, we constantly look to new technologies and equipment to provide the modern golfer with what they see as important within a putting surface. Smooth, firm and with good pace. With this in mind, greenkeepers are now looking more closely into understanding exactly how their greens are performing and investing in equipment such as Clegg Hammers, Parry Meters and Moisture Probes. A Clegg Hammer is a device that measures the firmness or the shock absorption

properties of a surface. In golfer’s terms this relates to how a ball bounces on a green, too soft and ball may stop instantly, too firm and ball may bounce through the green, both potentially penalising a wellstruck shot. A Parry Meter is pushed across the surface to measure ‘trueness’ by replicating a ball roll, it measures deviations on the surface, combined with Smartphone technology a simple app allows us to log this data in graph form. Lastly the soil moisture probe lets us closely monitor available water for the plant and helps us efficiently replace water where required. With the aid of this equipment we can assess each green individually and tailor our cultural methods in accordance with data recorded to maintain consistency throughout the course.

NEXT MONTH

The importance of a good cut

EAGLESCLIFFE GOLF CLUB Founded 1914

Nestled beside the River Tees with the Cleveland Hills as a backdrop, the course has been described by Golf Monthly magazine as a ‘hidden gem’ of English golf. This 6289 yard James Braid course is both picturesque and demanding due to the nature of the rolling terrain and sloping greens which provides a challenge for both novice and experienced golfers alike. Golf Societies, Corporate Golf Days and Captain’s Away Days..............We will tailor packages to your requirements.

Membership available from £350 Check our website for reduced Green Fee Dates For all enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact Martin Ball on 01642 780238 or email secretary@eaglescliffegolfclub.co.uk 2015 OPENS

“Home of European Senior Tour Player and Teaching Professional Graeme Bell”

Gents - Sun 2nd Aug ------------------Senior Gents 4BBB - Wed 12th Aug ------------------Mixed Team - Sun 30th August

Please Book online on our website www.eaglescliffegolfclub.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 45

GOLFERNEWS

Glory for Rory

Dame Laura Davies (Photo courtesy Getty Images / Andrew Redington)

Rory McIlroy with his PGA medals (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

World number one Rory McIlory picked up another medal haul at the European Tour’s annual awards dinner. McIlroy, an honorary member of The PGA having played for Europe in the Ryder Cup, received the Ryle Memorial for winning the Open Championship, the Tooting Bec for the lowest round and the Braid Taylor Memorial for finishing as the highest PGA Member at the championship. David Wright, The PGA’s heritage executive, explained: “The Ryle Memorial medal was instigated in 1920 in memory of Arthur Ryle – a former chairman of The PGA. “Rory also collected the Tooting Bec medal for returning the lowest 18-hole score in the championship. The Tooting Bec Cup was introduced in October 1901 when the club offered a 36-hole championship to the founding members of the Association. “The tournament stopped in 1923 and the general committee brought in the present conditions in 1924. The Tooting Bec Cup is the Association’s oldest trophy, predating the Leeds Cup which arrived in 1902. “And finally Rory received the Braid Taylor Memorial medal which was introduced in 1966 in memory of two of our founding fathers and is presented to the PGA Member finishing highest in the Open.” 46 NORTHERN GOLFER

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Photo courtesy Anthony Harvey / Stringer)

Annika Sorenstam (Photo courtesy Getty Images / Scott Halleran)

Welcome for ladies The R&A has bowed to public pressure and announced several new women members ending centuries of male-only tradition

he organisers of the Open have at last removed an long out-of-date rule by inviting The Princess Royal, Dame Laura Davies, Renée Powell, Belle Robertson, Lally Segard, Annika Sorenstam and Louise Suggs to become honorary members of the Club. In September, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club’s members voted by an 85% majority to admit women as members for the first time in its 260-year history and in addition to the honorary members, a number of women have been admitted as members of the club with

more set to follow in the coming months. Laura Davies is widely regarded as Britain’s greatest female golfer having won four Major Championships and 79 events around the world. She won the Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale in 1986 and the US Women’s Open in 1987. She played in every Solheim Cup match from 1990 to 2011 and is the leading alltime points scorer. A former world number one, she was the first non-American to finish at the top of the LPGA money list and also won the LET Order of Merit a record seven times.

North Berwick hosts new event A Scottish summer of golf has been enhanced with the launch of a new tournament – the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Qualifier. The new event, which will be part of the PGA in Scotland’s Tartan Tour schedule, will carry a £50,000 prize fund and offer five spots in the AAM Scottish Open at Gullane on July 9-12. The 36-hole pre-qualifier in association with Visit Scotland, The European Tour and The PGA, will have a field of 144 entrants and is being staged at the championship links course at North Berwick on July 4-5.

North Berwick Golf Club (Credit: Getty Images / David Cannon)

The tournament is sure to whet the appetite of the players, who must have some direct links to Scotland through work or birth, given the rare opportunity to compete at the AAM Scottish Open, which itself offers three prized spots at this year’s Open Championship at St Andrews – creating a new pathway

to the world’s oldest major. Sandy Jones, chief executive of the PGA said: “This event is a superb addition to the Tartan Tour. Our leading players will relish the opportunity to compete for a place in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, one of the premier events on the European Tour.”

GOLFERNEWS

Legends honoured Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle have become honorary members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

wo of Britain’s finest ever golfers, Sir Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle who inspired a generation of players with their wins in The Open Championship and the Masters Tournament and were at the forefront of a new wave of European golfers who rose to prominence in the 1980’s. Now they join fellow Open Champions Peter Thomson CBE, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Roberto de Vicenzo, Tony Jacklin CBE, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson in becoming honorary members of the R&A.

Faldo said: “St Andrews frames many of my most treasured memories in golf including those of my second Open win 25 years ago. I am honoured to receive this invitation and look forward to celebrating nearly 40 years as a professional at the home of golf in July.” “I am delighted to receive this recognition,” said Lyle. “It was a lifetime ambition for me to win The Open and I will never forget how it felt to lift the Claret Jug. Golf has given me a great deal over the years. I feel privileged to have been invited to become part of this great Club.”

Nick Faldo holds the Claret Jug after winning The Open in 1990 (Photo courtesy Getty Images / David Cannon)

Sandy Lyle kisses the Claret Jug after his win in the 1985 Open Championship (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

www.clsgolfclub.co.uk

CHESTER-LE-STREET GOLF CLUB

Open Competitions 2015 SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST

TEAM OF 4 MALE, FEMALE OR MIXED STABLEFORD – BEST 3 SCORES ON EACH HOLE

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MEMBERSHIPS JOIN NOW FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR FOR ONLY £375 FRIDAY 19TH JUNE RICHMOND OPEN SERIES 3 Individual Stableford Non Members £10pp, Members £5pp Tee reserved from 1pm SATURDAY 20TH JUNE LADIES 4BBB TEAM OF 3 £30 per team Start times available from 11am

Membership 2015 Prices REDUCED for all age groups under 30 Other categories available - Ring the Secretary for details Visitors & Societies always welcome for packages ring the Secretary

Contact: Secretary 019 3883218 or email clsgcoﬃce@tiscali.co.uk Professional 0191 3882333 Chester le Street Golf Club, Lumley Park, County Durham, DH3 4NS

SATURDAY 11TH JULY GENTS OPEN 1 4BBB £22 per pair Start times available from 8am Book your place by clicking on the 'On Line Booking Facility' tab NEW FOR 2015 - FRIDAY 31ST JULY Richmond Open Series 4 4BBB (Pairs) Non Members £10pp, Members £5pp Tee reserved from 1pm

VISTING PARTIES WELCOME

Excellent Summer deals available Ring for details!! For more information please Telephone the Secretary or Professional on 01748 823231 or email secretary@richmondyorksgolfclub.co.uk for further details.

Richmond (Yorks) Golf Club Set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales

Bend Hagg, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 5EX

NORTHERN GOLFER 47

GOLFERNEWS

In the right frame of mind

Northern Golfer columnist runs workshops to boost your game

ow many golfers dismiss being fit for the game mentally and physically - as something not worth bothering with? Yet the game’s top players set great store by being fit in both departments to achieve better results while the average amateur can better enjoy what is a technically very challenging game with some fairly simple application. David Charlton, our own Mind Games columnist here at Northern Golfer has no doubts about what can be achieved. A single-figure handicap for many years, he played at Ryton where he won the club championship - and now plays at Tyneside. He is also a keen runner who has completed many Great North Runs and three marathons for charity. In 2008 the direction of his life changed when he lost his wife to

48 NORTHERN GOLFER

cancer and was made redundant from his job in corporate travel shortly afterwards. “I decided that helping people get the most out of their talent in sport was what I wanted to do and so I went back to school! “I completed a Bsc Psychology at Sunderland University and a Msc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Northumbria University. Since then I’ve built up strong links with England Golf and worked with lots of professional and amateur sports performers, coaches and specialists from sports science.” I see so many talented people out there in golf who, with more direction and a helping hand, could do so much better. They could get so much more from their golf if they just picked up the phone and asked for assistance and that’s where I can help!” Charlton has presented successful programmes at Tyneside and Hexham

with PGA Coaches Gary Vickers and Andy Paisley. With Durham County Golf Union and the Durham County Golf Partnership, he is in the process of finalising support initiatives for parents and young golfers. Charlton has a series of events planned including a “Get The Most Out Of Your Golf ” putting clinic at Gosforth for the Chris Lucas Charity Day and a short game clinic alongside Andy Paisley at Hexham. His Get The Most Out of Your Golf Clinics are typically held outdoors and offer golfers an opportunity to learn practical skills that top players use in practise and on the golf course. “I like to come up with creative ways to get around to different clubs and events at an affordable price. Hosting a ‘Hole Out in Less Shots’ fun seminar is a great way for clubs or professionals to generate some income on an evening where I am

David Charlton happy to present to audiences of 10-100. “I also run Golf Performance Café workshops over a cup of tea or coffee which can be organised for smaller groups, up to 20 golfers, where I look to work by myself or to bring in other specialists.”

GOLFERNEWS

Looking to the future

Whitburn undergoes improvements on and off the course

hitburn has been overhauling its infrastructure to make sure the clubhouse and course are fit for the future. The Lizard Lane club which overlooks Marsden Bay and the entrance to the River Tyne has been busy both on and off the course. The club has recently installed an £80,000 biomass boiler, completed a £40,000 extension to the clubhouse with new shower and toilet facilities and there are plans for a wind turbine to make the club self-sufficient and yet more eco-friendly. The clubhouse lounge has also

been given a facelift while on the course, new tee box markers, treeplanting and bunker improvements have been made. The club also held an open day to try and attract new members and also introduce a new generation to the game. An inflatable driving range was set up with putting and chipping competitions and special Trigolf clubs available for youngsters and all equipment was provided on the day. Visitors were welcomed into the clubhouse and club professional Neil Whinham was on hand to pass on some expert advice. Chairman George Elsom said: “We want to keep improving facilities for

Whitburn Golf Club Professional Neil Whinham members and guests. We have a very nice lounge, with very good food, and we have the new showers which are disabled friendly and even a stairlift. “We want to encourage more people to play golf. It’s very healthy activity to go round the course for three or four hours and it’s also very sociable.”

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NE37 1PH UK NORTHERN GOLFER 49

GOLFERNEWS

Kids go nuts over KP Yorkshire club continues to invest in attracting juniors into the sport

nder the guidance of Director of Coaching Olly Cross a new junior academy has kicked off the season at the KP Golf Course near Pocklington in Yorkshire. Open to all kids from the age of five upwards the academy will be holding monthly competitions on a specially-designed nine and six hole courses. The first competition of the year attracted 13 youngsters, an excellent turnout considering there was no academy last year. Henry Lucas was the stand-out performer, shooting 42 on the nine-hole course with Harry Morris

50 NORTHERN GOLFER

and Tom Yeomans second and third respectively, both shooting 53, but young Harry was runnerup on countback. Four competitors also competed in the six-hole competition and this was a tie on shots, between Kiki Kounavi and Lily Staveley. However, it was Kiki that got full points thanks to a superior countback score. It is hoped that the academy will continue to grow over the coming year and provide youngsters with a solid base to take forward their interest in golf.

KP Academy coach Olly Cross with his pupils

GOLFERNEWS

2015 Group Golf Packages

Jonathan Pearson

Talent spotters

 01609 778855  enquiries@romanby.com Yafforth Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 0PE, T&C’s Apply

Clubs supporting junior golf

eeds professional Jonathan Pearson is doing his bit to promote junior golf. He has launched the JP Junior Golf Series with the endorsement of the Golf Foundation and backing from the regional development officers who are responsible for grass roots development. “Too often we see junior golfers at grass roots level drop out due to limited playing opportunities and this has to change,” said Pearson. “The JP Junior Series of events will begin in and around the Leeds area in 2015 and look to branch out county wide in 2016 and will offer kids at grass roots level the chance to play golf on appropriate-sized courses. “Too often children take lessons on a week by week basis and never actually get chance to play or compete. “Could you imagine if a football or rugby team trained one night a week

and never actually got to play on a weekend? It would be unheard of.” Pearson piloted 10 junior events at Cookridge Hall last year with children playing on modified courses, enjoying relaxed dress codes and with at least one parent being asked to walk round - and around 350 children entered the events. “All the kids need to play is a couple of clubs and a parent or guardian to walk the fairways with them,” added Pearson. “It’s a fantastic family friendly setting and the kids keep coming back week in week out. “The children are allocated a tee off time and the course they get given to play around is unique to them and is based upon how far they hit the ball. As they grow, the course grows.” “I currently have four events booked in and around the Leeds area in 2015 but would love to have more and my goal for 2016 would be to have at least one event every week.”

Visit Pearson’s website www.jpjuniorgolf.com, email info@jpjuniorgolf.com or tel 07871 068 488

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OFFER EXCLUSIVE to Northern Golfer Readers

18 Holes of Golf followed by Steak Pie & Chips £26.00 Minimum 8 players, Tee Times subject to availability

Coffee & Bacon Sandwiches, 18 Holes of Golf 2 Course Meal £32.00 Please quote Northern Golfer at time of booking. Valid April 1 - Oct 31 2015

Tel: 0113 230 0641 www.cookridgehall.co.uk

Cookridge Hall Golf Club, Cookridge Lane, Leeds, LS16 7NL NORTHERN GOLFER 51

GOLFERTRAVEL

Westendorf Golf Club

Swing into Austria

Alan Hedley breathes in the Alpine air on stunning courses

ustria Tirol is winning a reputation as Europe’s leading gourmet golf destination. At its heart, the famous resort of Kitzbühel and its quieter neighbour Kirchberg boasts five fabulous local courses offering world-class golf and a satisfying variety of design. Within a 100km radius, golfers can discover a further 30 aesthetic and mature golf courses to complement the Kitzbühel tracks. In this beautiful region the pretty village of Kirchberg has a 52 NORTHERN GOLFER

dormy house with a difference: Relais and Châteaux Rosengarten combines top Alpine golf, spa treatments tailor-made for the golfer, award-winning cuisine and warm Austrian hospitality. In the relaxing surroundings of his stylish hotel, celebrity chef Simon Taxacher guarantees every guest a rare gourmet experience to savour long after the taste of golf fades. The Rosengarten offers a flexible range of golf breaks starting from €435 per person for the two-night Life and Style Golf Short Break, which

Rosengarten Golf Club includes one six-course gourmet dinner at Restaurant Simon Taxacher, one five-course dinner at the hotel’s Rosengarten Light restaurant, one 18-hole green fee (choose between four local courses) and one 50-minute spa treatment. There are three, four or five night and one-week holiday options enabling beginners, improvers and experts. Hotel Rosengarten will once again host two summer tournaments on the Kitzbüheler Alpen Westendorf championship course, which opened last year. The Rosengarten

Gourmet Golf Trophy take place this month and The Rosengarten International Golf Open is on August 27-30 promising a feast of golf and gourmandise, involving stableford competition, gourmet dining, a kitchen party and live music. The price is €598 per person per tournament inclusive of accommodation and a gourmet golf programme (€498 for non-golfers). The Rosengarten is a monument to the passion and perfectionism of Simon Taxacher and his partner Sandra Kobbald, their dedication to

GOLFERTRAVEL

Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club Scenic 18 hole seaside links course designed by the famous James Braid, adjacent to spectacular Embleton Bay Westerndorf Golf Course

VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME INCLUDING WEEKENDS

Summer Special

Coffee & bacon roll on arrival, round of golf followed by soup, large filled roll & chips £28 per person Mon-Fri • £32 per person weekends

TWILIGHT GOLF FROM 4 PM - ONLY £15 PP FOOD SERVED UNTIL 8PM BAR OPEN TILL LATE

Our free draining links course means we hardly ever close due to bad weather! GOLFAS 2014

the art of hospitality and their flair for cuisine and design. Their home is elegant and relaxing - an idyllic haven with a Spa, swimming pool and a glorious mountain backdrop. GOLF CHOICE Kitzbüheler Alpen Westendorf, 18h 5920m par 72 (www.gc-kitzbueheleralpen.at): A championship course in an idyllic mountain setting at 780m, 15 minutes from the Rosengarten: gently undulating walkable terrain, a lake beside the clubhouse, a south-facing aspect, forest and mountain views. The Rosengarten is an official hotel partner and offers guests reduced green fees, beginner/ proficiency courses, three-hour golf taster courses on Sundays and preferential trial membership rates. Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith, 18h 6104m par 72 (www.kitzbuehel-golf. com; 5km from Rosengarten): a PGA tour venue suitable for all standards of golfer. Plenty of ponds and streams in play from the first hole; watch out for the short 16th (mousetrap) –

played across a gorge. Eichenheim, 18h 6092m par 71 (www.eichenheim.at; 13km from Rosengarten): a PGA tour masterpiece by Kyle Phillips (Kingsbarns, The Grove) with great views, abrupt elevation changes and thick forest. A formidable test, in a beautiful place. Mittersill-Stuhlfelden, 18h 5720m par 70 (www.golfclub-mittersill.at; 40km from Rosengarten): a delightful rustic setting for serious golf on level ground, with haystacks, a barn, mountain views of the Hohe Tauern National Park, water a threat on every hole and a peninsula green to finish. Kitzbühel Kaps, 9h 2805m par 35 (www.golfclub-kitzbuehel.at; 9½km from Rosengarten): Austria’s most beautiful 9-hole course is only a par 5 away from Kitzbühel’s church tower and has been renovated for extra variety beneath the Kapser castle. This competitive members’ club has an excellent restaurant and the highest number of single figure handicaps in Austria.

Greens Team of the Year Winners!

Embleton, Northumberland, NE66 3XQ Tel: 01665 576562 email: enquiries@dunstanburgh.com www.dunstanburgh.com

Seaton Carew Golf Club Home of the Brabazon Trophy 2014 The tenth oldest in England and a true championship links to challenge all levels of players Peter Alliss, a renowned golf commentator for the BBC.

Over the years some of the biggest names have taken on the Seaton Carew course and now it is your turn! To book a tee time, visiting party (discounted rates) or membership enquiries contact the club secretary Allison Malham on (01429) 266249

www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk

Reservations: www.rosengarten-taxacher.com NORTHERN GOLFER 53

LEEDS GOLF CENTRE - THE LEADBETTER ACADEMY

MORE DISTANCE FOR THE SENIOR GOLFER TURNING YOUR BACK FOOT OUT TO PREVENT SWAYING This is a tip that is very specific to senior golfers with a lot of stiffness in their joints. If you have good hip flexibility, you don’t have to and should not turn your right foot out. To break this down: if your foot is facing forward (See red lines), then your hip is in the neutral position. During your backswing when your body is turning, you need to have good hip flexibility to keep the hip in this neutral position. If, due to stiffness or pain, you are unable to keep the hip neutral, your body will typically compensate by swaying to the right. Swaying in the backswing is when your body weight moves to the outside of your right foot instead of staying on the inside. This “slide” helps to get a fuller swing but is very bad for your golf game.

(1) FLAT FOOTED A golfer that sways in the back swing is a golfer who is going to lose a lot of distance and a lot of accuracy and consistency. You can easily test this by taking a backswing and stopping at the top. Do you feel your weight on the inside of your right foot or

(2) has it rolled to the outside of your foot. If you sway, you can’t play good golf. Try turning that right foot outwards instead and check the results (See yellow lines). Feel how much easier the turn is and how you can keep your hips from sliding.

WHY THIS IS NOT AS EFFECTIVE FOR GOLFERS WITH FLEXIBILITY By turning the right foot out, you will have a lot more lower body rotation away from the ball in your backswing. One of the great power generators in golf is torque, also known as the ‘X-Factor.’ The more you can separate your lower body turn from your upper body turn, the more power you can generate. However, if you do not have the flexibility in your hips to build up torque in your body, then you will end up with lost power. By turning your right foot out, you are allowing your whole body to rotate and are building up torque against the ground. It is not as effective as torque in your mid body, but it will give you much more power than swaying will…and better accuracy too.

FOR MORE INFORMATION TEL 0113 288 6000 Leeds Golf Centre, www.leedsgolfcentre.com 54 NORTHERN GOLFER

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

MATCH PLAY PAIRS 1. Newman & Green lost to Jones & Jones 2 & 1 2. Bailey and Longmire lost to McPhillips & Beadling conc 3. Bennett & Harmison lost to King & King 3 & 1 4. Gallagher & Walmsley beat

Martin & Jones 3 & 2 5. Griffin & Williamson beat Ellison & Jamfrey 19th 6. Sharp & Chapman beat Kelly & Jenkinson 6 & 4 7. Lillico & Hope beat Wallhead & Lindsay 3 & 2

Preliminary Round Results 8. Barnes & Wailes lost to McColl & Walton 1 down 9. Wooton & Grieve lost to Bell & Heslop 3 & 2 10. Crossland & Ward lost to Murphy & Murphy 1 down 11. Cromar & Dodds beat

Baker & Hunter 1 up 12. Lightle & Gray beat Basford & Boyle match conceded 13. Robson & Swann beat Bell & Walton 5 & 4 14. McIntosh & Watts beat

MATCH PLAY PAIRS 1. Chris Burgess (9) & Steve Welton (6) (Ramside Hall) V Nigel Menzies (6) & Wayne Jackson (22) (Houghton/Roseberry)

2. Peter Gallagher (11) & Neil Walmsley (18) (Durham City) V Graeme Robson (6) & Phil Swann (15) (Ramside)

3. Brendan Murphy (13) & Adam Murphy (13) (Tynedale) V Derek Johnstone (21) & Kevin Lavery (6) (Parklands/South Shields)

4. Michael Arkle (6) & Brian Arnott (23) (Rothbury) V Steve Urwin (6) & Wayne Bell (12) (Seahouses)

5. Colin Marshall (15) & Paul Tindale (12) (Durham City) V Kevin Riley (7) & Gordon King (16) (Newcastle United)

6. Gary Stoker (8) & Rob Lewington (12) (Close House/Ponteland) V Stewart Jones (10 & Alec Jones (3) (Bellingham)

7. Alec McCoy (19) & Derek Hicks (16) (Consett) V 56 NORTHERN GOLFER

Brett Hall (13) & Philip Bates (8) (Brancepeth Castle)

8. Alan Slater (14) & Anthony McKeown (9) (Ramside Hall) V Andrew Bell (9) & John Harvey (14) (Knotty Hill/Hartlepool)

9. Douglas Ellison (10) & Richard Mellor (8) (Slaley Hall) V David McColl (5) & Alan Walton (6) (Durham City)

10. Andrew Sharp (15) & Paul Chapman (10) (Garesfield) V Ben King (2) & Michael King (2) (Bellingham)

11. Dave Slipper (20) & Steve Johnson (0) (Gosforth/Morpeth) V David Lillico (5) & Dean Hope (6) (Alnmouth)

12. David Robison (5) & Bill Robison (23) (Whickham/Hobson) V Peter Tracey (14) & Peter Clayton (18) (Bedlingtonshire/ Arcot Hall)

13. Alan Brady (13) & Matthew Harper (6) (Durham City) V Stan Fielding (12) &

Harbron & Ashby 6 & 5 15. Irving & Foxwell beat Braddick & Howe 5 & 3 16. Hunter & Hunter beat Eyre & Scambler 2 & 1 17. Slater & Wright beat Nolan & Ord 2 & 1

Round 1 Draw Richard Briggs (10) (Bishop Auckland)

14. Michael Rutter (8) & Paul Stocks (18) (Ryton) V Iain Hughes (17) & Neale Patterson (14) (Wallsend)

15. Kenny Cramman (7) & Kevin Cowens (9) (Newbiggin) V Duncan Ince (11) & David Burns (22) (Backworth)

16. James Patterson (12) & Robert Patterson (12) (Garesfield) V Terry McGuire (15) & Ray Glendining (15) (Hobson)

17. Fred Howie (9) & Howard Woolgar (9) (Wynyard/Powfoot) V Graeme Ogilvie (9) & Bob Fawbert (11) (Rudding Park)

18. Ken Bell (9) & Alan Heslop (16) (Hexham) V Griffin (14) & Scott Williamson (12) (Stocksfield/Tyneside)

19. Duncan Foster (13) & Neil Timbey (14) (South Moor) V Steve Weldon (9) & Alan Saunders (11) (Westerhope)

20. Phil O’Ware (8) & Paul Gray (16) (Sharpley) V Mark Parry (12) & Mark Grange (23) (Cleveland)

27. Steve Buxton (9) & Dave Smith (13) (Romanby) V David Gray (16) & Stephen Gray (Saltburn)

21. Ted Cromar (13) & Graham Dodds (13) (Morpeth) V Russell Hunter (10) & Joe Hunter (14) (Alnmouth)

28. Malcolm Crowson (16) & K. Taylor (4) (Oulton Hall) V Ian Rankine (12) & Lawrence Poulter (11) (Rudding Park)

22. Jeff Lightle (7) & Steve Gray (6) (Slaley Hall) V Stephen Mould (15) & Ryan Mould (8) (Crook)

29. Ian Telford (12) & Graeme Wigham (10) (Matfen) V Steve Slater (2) & Gary Wright (12) (City of Newcastle/Backworth)

23. Stephen Hanson (9) & Jason Robson (5) (Castle Eden) V Stuart McIntosh (18) & Craig Watts (7) (Wilton)

24. Philip Young (12) & Ken Park (17) (Bedlingtonshire/ Warkworth) V Malcolm Lumsden (19) & Richard White (7) (Wallsend)

25. George Longthorn (14) & John Bowes (19) (Crook) V Richard Stephenson (7) & Bruce Robson (9) (Ravensworth)

26. Paul McVittie (13) & Phillip Ward (13) (Brampton) V Ian Irving (12) & Gary Foxwell (2) (Arcot Hall)

30. Kevin Hill (13) & Ken Chapman (12) (Ryton/Garesfield) V Jason Budd (11) & Lee Furber (18) (Crook)

31. Joe Forster (15) & John Huthart (13) (Ravensworth) V Steve Ingram (9) & Dave Redford (19) (Ramside/Consett)

32. Anthony Lawlor (9) & Stuart Vickery (15) (Chester-le-Street) V Jamie McPhillips (8) & Craig Beadling (10) (Romanby)

MATCHES TO BE PLAYED BY SUNDAY JUNE 21 2015

NORTHERN GOLFER LADIES GREENSOMES 2015 Round 1 Draw 1. Anne Preston (15) & M. Greatbatch (12) (Whickham) V Carolyn Hibbert (10) & Julie Armitage (18) (Boldon) 2. Katrina Davidson (13) & Sheila Wilkinson (14) (Hunley Hall) V Yvonne Mee (35) & Barbara Yorke (28) (Barnard Castle) 3. Christine Walby (15) & Lynda Golightly (18) (Slaley Hall) V Lianne Johnston (14) & Lynn Steerman (6) (Ravensworth) 4. Christine Robson (20) & Nathalie Brown (32) (Bellingham) V Sian Oakley (15) & Jane Benn (22) (Gosforth) 5. Marie Spence (14) & Patricia Jose (17) (Consett) V Jane Jones (13) & Chris Lees (17) (Bellingham) 6. Ami Storey (+1) & Claire Brown (4) (Close House) V Iben Cocker (10) & Valerie Robinson (10) (Hexham) 7. Lynne Liddle (6) & Linda Wilson (12) (Gosforth) V Natash Martin (6) & Di Hindhaugh (8) (Beamish) 8. Linda Bower (22) & Marilyn Bint (25) (Ponteland) V

Bernadette Legg (27) & Christine Vine (31) (Gosforth) 9. Sandra Gradwell (25) & Val Pesara (5) (Hexham) V Diana Hutchinson (18) & Shirley Carruthers (24) (Bellingham)

LADIESGREENSOMES

Anne and Bryan Connolly display the prizes at the Pokhara Charity Golf Tournament in Nepal.

10. Yvonne Setchell (12) & Lesley Glendenning (14) (Houghton le Spring) V Katie Clark (13 & Anne Gollogly (11) (Saltburn) 11. Judi Summerson (19) & Lorna Christie (22) (Blackwell Grange) V Gerry Longstaff (28) & Lis Stevenson (26) (Eaglescliffe) 12. Pamela Moffat (28) & Dorothy Edwards (25) (Romanby) V Sheila Davison (18) & Sue Haynes (24) (Blackwell Grange) 13. Penny Holroyd (21) & Carole-Anne Lennon (17) (Richmond) V Jane Holliday (20) & Maria Makin (20) (Blackwell Grange) 14. Sandra Taylor (12) & Julie Parry (10) (Rudding Park) V Eileen McMullen (23) & Sarah Calvert (21) (Richmond) 15. Christine Ball (18) & Melanie Hovenden (35) (Eaglescliffe) V Jill Richardson (21) & Joanne Marshall (18) (Darlington)

MATCHES TO BE PLAYED BY SUNDAY JUNE 28

Winner Basanta with the signed Rory McIlroy Open Championship flag

Couple’s quake scare Charity duo caught up in Nepal disaster

ichmond golfing couple Bryan and Anne Connelly found themselves caught up in the chaos of the Kathmandu earthquake. The couple, who are members of the Cleveland Golf Club, are regular visitors to Nepal where they carry out charity work but also get involved in helping Nepalese youngsters to get into the game of golf. They have travelled extensively in the country over the past 13 years and were coming to the end of a three month stay with friends in the capital when the earthquake struck. They ended up sleeping in an open field with three or four thousand others before managing to get a flight back to the North East. Their experience hasn’t deterred

them from planning to return to Nepal at some stage where they have run several golf tournaments as well as carrying out their charity work and they are hoping golf clubs throughout the UK might think about holding a charity event to raise money for the disaster relief fund. The latest event they held in Nepal was at the Himalayan Golf Club in Pokhara in March where they were able to present junior clubs donated by the R&A plus an Open Championship flag and T shirt donated by St Andrews Links Golf Shop and signed by World Number One Rory McIlroy. Money raised from the charity tournament also went to help a school in Syangja district of Nepal. NORTHERN GOLFER 57

win GOLFERCOMPETITIONS

Enter online Lo northe g on to rngolfe r.co.uk

Northern Golfer competitions are also listed on our website www.northerngolfer.co.uk/competitions, Alternatively, you can enter via email at competitions@northerngolfer.co.uk (mark the competition name in the subject field) or post your entry to: Competitions, Northern Golfer, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL

Please include your contact details and telephone number. Closing date Thursday July 2 2015. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT. .SALTBURN GOLF CLUB. Just outside picturesque Saltburn by the Sea, the James Braid-designed course at Saltburn Golf Club has stood the test of time and remains a regular stop for amateur events in the region. Not the longest course in the region at 5,974 yards with a par of 70 it remains a stern test - particularly if the wind blows. For your chance to win answer this question: Who won the 2015 Irish Open?

.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT. .CASTLE EDEN GOLF CLUB.

.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT. .HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING.

The picturesque 18-hole parkland layout at Castle Eden is one of County Durham and Teesside’s finest. The par 70 course measures just more than 6,000 yards from the back tees and has hosted a number of Durham county events. Its undulating greens and tree-lined fairways are regularly regarded among some of the best in the county and many of them are tricky to master.

Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club maintains a reputation for a friendly welcome and an enjoyable, if testing game of golf. A tough par 72 6,381-yard parkland layout, the Copt Hill course is a joy to play. It is undulating, but far from punishing with tree-lined fairways and stunning views.

For your chance to win answer the following question: How many major championship has Sir Nick Faldo won?

For your chance to win answer this question: Where will the 2015 US Open take place?

May’s competition winners: £100 Gift voucher for Performance psychology and Fitness Services, Dave Watson Dunstanburgh fourball, Mitch Warriner of Norton • Eaglescliffe fourball Jennifer Cameron of Newton Aycliffe

COME AND VISIT THE GEM PLAY IN ONE OF OUR OPENS GENTS 4BBB 13TH SEPT LADIES 4BBB 22ND AUG LADIES TEAM OF FOUR 10TH SEPT

HALF YEAR MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE MENS FULL £368 MENS 5 DAY £288 LADY FULL £318 LADY 5 DAY £288

Telephone 0191 5342518 | email: wearside_golf@yahoo.co.uk | www.wearsidegc.co.uk 58 NORTHERN GOLFER

CMY

LUXURY HOLIDAY HOMES IN THE HEART OF NORTHUMBERLAND OLD S 1 SE PHA

Set within the grounds of Burgham Park championship golf course, Northumbrian Hills is an exclusive 4 star development of 50 holiday homes, pavilion and leisure facilities set on Burgham Park Golf Club. Located between Morpeth and Alnwick, Northumbrian Hills offers a private and luxurious retreat for the discerning purchaser or property investor. Each two-storey cottage boasts: • Open plan lounge, kitchen & dining area

• Solid wood internal doors and windows

• Three double en-suite bedrooms

• Fully integrated appliances

• Utility room and storage

• Traditional log burner and underfloor heating

• Balcony with breathtaking views across the countryside

• Prices from £235,000

• Karndean flooring View the show home every weekend 12-4 pm or telephone William Kiely on 07786 988819 to arrange an appointment. Visit our website www.northumbrianhills.com

SHOWHOME NOW OPEN (Weekends 12-4pm)

Northumbrian Hills, Burgham Park, nr Felton, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 9QP

directory NOR THERN

NOR THERN