Northern Golfer magazine #38 - October 2015 by Offstone Publishing

FREE

AT GOLF CLUBS IN THE NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE - ISSUE

NORTHERN

OCTOBER 2015

INSIDE

56 PAGES

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

REVIEWED.

LONGHIRST & SOUTH MOOR LUCKY FOR SOME

13TH ACE FOR ANDY TOP TEENS.

YOUNG GUNS’ NATIONAL SUCCESSES

WRIGLEY’S A WINNER

HARTLEPOOL PRO ON GB VICTORY AND TOUR AMBITION

WIN GOLF AT FLAMBOROUGH HEAD, LONGHIRST HALL AND SLALEY HALL

TIM JENKINS GOLF STORES CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

TRADE IN YOUR OLD GOLF EQUIPMENT THIS MONTH AND SAVE POUNDS CLEVELAND GOLF CLUB 01642 498772 - CASTLE EDEN GOLF CLUB 01429 836689 £50 MINIMUM PART EXCHANGE FOR OLD DRIVER IN PART EX

£120 MINIMUM PART EXCHANGE FOR OLD SET OF IRONS IN PART EX

GOLF BALL PART EXCHANGE DEAL RECEIVE £5 FOR 10 OLD BALLS

NEW CALLAWAY GREAT BIG BERTHA DRIVER RRP £369.99 OUR PRICE £329 LESS YOUR OLD DRIVER YOU PAY £279

TAYLORMADE M DRIVERS RRP £429 OUR PRICE £399 LESS YOUR OLD DRIVER YOU PAY £349 FREE CUSTOM FITTING

COBRA FLY-Z DRIVERS RRP £249.99 OUR PRICE £175 LESS YOUR OLD DRIVER YOU PAY £125

TAYLORMADE R15 DRIVER RRP £349.99 NOW £229 LESS YOUR OLD DRIVER YOU PAY £179

NIKE VAPOR SPEED IRONS

SRIXON Z745 FORGED IRONS RRP £699

NEW CALLAWAY XR IRONS 5 - SW

MIZUNO JPX 850 FORGED IRONS 4-PW

NEW MIZUNO MP 25 4 - PW

TAYLORMADE SRI 1 IRONS 4 - PW

£499 PUT YOUR OLD CLUBS IN PART EXCHANGE YOU PAY £379

£649 PUT YOUR OLD CLUBS IN PART EXCHANGE YOU PAY £529

£599 PUT YOUR OLD CLUBS IN PART EXCHANGE YOU PAY £479

£649 PUT YOUR OLD SET IN PART EXCHANGE YOU PAY £529

TITLEIST DT SOLO £13.99

SRIXON SOFT FEEL £14.99 10 OLD BALLS IN PART EXCHANGE

10 OLD BALLS IN PART EXCHANGE

YOU PAY £9.99

YOU PAY £8.99

£565 PUT YOUR OLD CLUBS IN PART EXCHANGE YOU PAY £445

NEW CALLAWAY CHROME £28.99

NEW TITLEIST PRO V1 £39.99

YOU PAY £23.99

YOU PAY £34.99

10 OLD BALLS IN PART EXCHANGE

WINTER CLOTHING SPECIALS NEW ARRIVALS

NEW POWAKADDY FW3, FW5, FW7 GOLF TROLLEYS £50 PART EXCHANGE ALLOWANCE ON YOUR OLD TROLLEY & BATTERY CHARGER

£524 PUT YOUR OLD CLUBS IN PART EXCHANGE YOU PAY £404

FW3 £299

OSCAR JACOBSON, UNDER ARMOUR, CALLAWAY, GALVIN GREEN, FOOTJOY, JRB, NIKE, GLENMUIR, FOOTJOY

PLUS FREE SERVICE AFTER 12 MONTHS

SPEND £50 INSTORE RECEIVE £10 SHOP VOUCHER SPEND £100 INSTORE RECEIVE £20 SHOP VOUCHER

YOU PAY £249 WITH PART EX + FREE UMBRELLA HOLDER

FOOTJOY WINTERSOF PAIRS RRP £20.99 SAVE £29% £14.99 AVAILABLE IN LADIES & GENTS

FOOTJOY RAINGRIP XTREME - PAIRS RRP £24.99 SAVE £28% £17.99 AVAILABLE IN LADIES & GENTS

CHRISTMAS SALE NIGHTS AT CLEVELAND GOLF CLUB Wednesday 14th and Wednesday 21st October – 5pm to 8pm PICK UP A BARGAIN, MASSIVE REDUCTIONS ON THE NIGHT

PING G25 SPECIAL OFFERS IRONS 5 - SW £349 £169 DRIVERS FAIRWAYS £119 HYBRIDS £99

FREE CUSTOM FITTING SERVICE We are offering Free Custom Fitting on New irons and drivers purchased in October We use Flight Scope Technology, measuring your swing speed, carry distance, spin rate etc

FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £150 ORDER ONLINE WWW.TIMJENKINSGOLF.CO.UK CALL INSTORE OR ORDER BY PHONE *Irons part exchanged must be a recognised brand, must be fit for play and consist of 7 or more matched irons * Drivers part exchanged must be conforming, fit for play and a recognised brand, for example Donnay, Benross, MT Golf and MacGregor are excluded from this deal

golfer NOR TH E R N

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 697 769 david@sport-excellence.co.uk Daniel Hookway 01228 545 665 dihookway@gmail.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Gillian Corney 01661 845 026 07903 500 401 gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Peter Skelton www.photo-psp.co.uk

ADVERTISING

01661 844 115 Follow us @negolfer

Like us /northerngolferuk

Published by:

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 There is so much success to reflect upon in this issue, featuring male and female golfers of all ages. It has been a remarkable end to the season for the region with a series of victories on the national and international stage. While Graeme Storm kept his European Tour card after coming so close to winning the European Open in Germany, our columnist Chris Paisley is hoping to do well enough in October to remain on the Tour without having to go through the stresses of qualifying school. But it is the amateur game which has given the region a number of notable successes. Young Chris Handy is the first golfer from Durham club South Moor to pick up a national prize - winning the English Boys’ County Champions of Champions event at Woodhall Spa. Meanwhile, Wynyard duo Briony Bayles and Shannon O’Dwyer birdied their way to victory in the Ping Fourball Betterball Grand Final while Northumberland County captain Andy Minnikin rounded off his remarkable year with two wins - at the British Civil Service Championship and the Newcastle and District Golf League Players Championship. Locally, Andrew Wilson won the Northern Masters at Rockliffe Hall, Shaun Embleton picked up both the Ryton and Tyneside club championships, and Tynemouth’s Rebecca Ferguson and Stewart Fell picked up a remarkable victory. Our cover this month features Alex Wrigley, who is basking in the glory of Great Britain and Ireland’s first PGA Cup win on American soil and we caught up with him at his home club Hartlepool, where he talked of his ambitions for the future. There are also plenty of places to play autumn/winter golf - our special feature starting on page 40 gives you some ideas while adverts throughout the magazine offer great deals at the region’s best clubs. Finally, congratulations go to Saltburn’s Anne Gollogly and Katie Clark - the winners of Northern Golfer’s first Ladies Greensomes competition while good luck goes to the finalists of our Gents Matchplay Pairs and to the juniors competing in our Junior Champion of Champions tournament results will be revealed in our November edition. Until then - happy golfing! Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

©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.

18 CHRIS PAISLEY

Tour Life: Hoping for success

20-27 TEEING OFF

Team GB success, aces galore, Ladies Greensomes winners and Greenwatch

Ryder Cup legend, senior victories and award hopeful

40-47 AWAY DAYS

Autumn savers close to home and further afield

ALEX WRIGLEY

Pages 28-30 The Hartlepool pro on his travels, his game, his job and his ultimate ambition

16 LONGHIRST DAWSON COURSE

Wilson wins, Wynyard wonders, Storming performance, Handy and Andy, plus hole-in-one and charity round-ups

34-39 GOLFER NEWS

FRONT COVER

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

04-15 TEEING OFF

48 TIPS

Driving force

32 SOUTH MOOR GOLF CLUB 50 COMPETITIONS

Win fourballs at Flamborough Head, Longhirst Hall, and Slaley Hall

54 FROM THE BUNKER Your news and views

NORTHERN GOLFER 03

TEEINGOFF

Wilson is the Master

England international underlines his potential by taking the Northern Masters title

ngland A squad member Andrew Wilson underlined his international potential by winning the Northern Masters at Rockliffe Hall. The 21-year-old Durham County player from Darlington, who also plays at Wynyard, was a comfortable winner with a two under-par score of 142. In second place, five shots back, was Durham City’s Alex Robinson while Cameron Wallace from Hartlepool finished third on 151. This was the fourth playing of the Northern Golf Masters and this time it was part of Durham County’s Order of Merit. “It was a fantastic event at

Rockliffe Hall and the course is amazing,” said Wilson. “It was a great experience, competing in a top event on a world class course. I still can’t believe I won!” Rockliffe Hall’s golf and estate director Davy Cuthbertson said: “This is the first time we’ve made the competition a 36-hole event and it was a great success. We had excellent feedback from the players with everyone enjoying the ideal weather conditions and the presentation of the course.” The event is expected to remain part of the county’s Order of Merit. Jonathan Ward, secretary of the Durham County Golf Union, added: “We’re delighted the Masters is now

Andrew Wilson (left) with Jon Stacey, Rockliffe Hall included in the Durham County Order of Merit. “It went very well and we look forward to building an even stronger relationship with the Northern Golf Masters event in the coming

years. It’s a great opportunity for exceptional golfers to compete in a top competition on an outstanding course. I’m also thrilled that one of our players won the event; he’s definitely set for great things!”

Photo courtesy of: Mark Bradshaw

WINTER GOLFING OFFER • W2BALL including bacon roll or home cooked ham sandwich plus coffee/ tea £25.00 • W4BALL including bacon roll or home cooked ham sandwich plus coffee/ tea £48.00 Available from 26th October to 31st March 2016 (Monday to Friday only) For more information please call 0191 4131600 (Club Professional Shop) or 0191 4132742 (Club Office) TYNESIDE GOLF CLUB Westfield Lane Ryton Tyne & Wear NE40 3QE EMAIL secretary@tynesidegolfclub.co.uk www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk 04 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEEINGOFF

Wynners take it all

Wynyard teenagers win national title

urham teenagers Briony Bayles and Shannon O’Dwyer birdied their way to victory in the Ping Fourball Betterball Grand Final. The pair, from the Wynyard Club, birdied the first two holes and the last two holes on the Karsten Lakes course at Ping’s Gainsborough course on their way to a total of 43 points – and a one-point victory. They completed a clean sweep in the event when Shannon won the putting prize and Briony won the longest drive competition with a teeshot of 208 yards. Shannon said: “It’s great to say you’ve played in something like this and done well.” The pair came through an

initial entry of more than 16,000 players from some 850 clubs in the tournament, which is run by England Golf. The top 50 pairs in the country qualified for the Grand Final while the next 50 pairs went through to the Plate Final. “We played well apart from three holes where we had a bit of a struggle to get one point,” said 18-year-old Shannon. Briony, 15, added: “We were all over the place on the 16th but we managed to scrape a point. Then we thought we needed to birdie the last two, which we managed to do.” At the 17th, Shannon hit her tee shot at the par three to about 4ft before holing out for a birdie. Then

Shannon O’Dwyer (left) and Briony Bayles with the Ping trophy (photograph courtesy of Leaderboard Photography) she rolled in a 20ft putt on the 18th to clinch the trophy. At the start of the round it was Briony who set the pair on the road to victory with her birdies

on the first two holes. The pair are regular foursomes partners and are improving fast; Shannon’s handicap is down from six to four while Briony has come down from six to five.

Winter Championship Golf ...on your doorstep Green Fees From Monday 19th October

Rockliffe Hall’s championship golf course is the finest winter course in the North of England. With 18 holes and five individual tee boxes it offers players of all abilities the chance to experience the challenge. With no winter greens or tees, the course remains in fantastic condition all year round - come rain or shine!

Subject to availability

35 45

Monday to Friday

Saturday and Sunday

Book a 4 Ball and receive complimentary bacon rolls and tea or coffee on arrival To book please call the Pro Shop on 01325 729980 or email golf@rockliffehall.com www.rockliffehall.com Hurworth-on-Tees Darlington County Durham DL2 2DU +44 (0)1325 729999 enquiries@rockliffehall.com

NORTHERN GOLFER 05

TEEINGOFF

Club’s junior success Chris Handy’s national triumph (right) is one of many highlights for the junior section at South Moor. Cameron Gilray, grandson of club chairman Bill Littlejohns, won the Under-10 section of the Srixon Durham County Junior Tour. He went on to land the best individual gross score among players from three counties in the regional final at Carus Green in Kendal, signing for a gross 37 as the Durham team beat Northumberland and Cumbria. Earlier in the season, junior captain Lee Dobson, a former Academy of Light footballer, teamed up with Abbi Wheatley (pictured below), a 13-year-old playing her first season of competitive golf, to win the Inter County Junior Mixed Foursomes at Ryton. Lee also won the South Moor club junior championship with Abbi winning the nett prize. Abbi’s debut season has brought victories in Durham County’s Junior Spring Meeting, a Billingham Junior Open and a county bronze award. One of four members of her family who are club members, Abbi goes into the finals day of the Race to Rockliffe series of junior tournaments this month leading the girls’ Order of Merit. The junior team at South Moor, sponsored by Charlotte Street Garage, were runners-up in the Durham County Junior Golf Society’s North West League and have five current players eligible to play next season. The organisers of the North of England Under-14 Open have announced that South Moor is to be the event’s permanent home, with the 2016 tournament taking place August 10-12.

06 NORTHERN GOLFER

Chris Handy receiving South Moor’s Performance of the Month award from PGA professional Shaun Cowell (left)

Chris proves he is Moor than Handy Teenager does his club proud by becoming the first from South Moor to win a national championship

hris Handy, the first player in the 92year history of Co Durham club South Moor to hold a national title, knows who to thank for helping him make the most of his talent. Handy finished three strokes clear of the field in the English Boys’ County Champion of Champions tournament at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire. He was watched by parents James and Anne - on the day Anne celebrated her 52nd birthday - as he became the first North East winner of a tournament first staged in 2009. James is a former Durham County and South Moor captain, who won The Journal Champion of Champions in 1998. Chris, 18, who lives in Tanfield Lea, said: “In the five years since I started playing national events, I estimate my parents have driven more than 35,000 miles taking me to tournaments round the UK. I am grateful to them as I am for the Durham County coaching system. This system has enabled me to be coached by Andrew Nicholson since I was 10, which has been a major factor in my development.” Handy represented his county in the 36-hole event on the Hotchkin Course after capturing the Durham boys’ title for the second time, having also won the Under-16 Championship twice. Described by Nicholson as “a great ball striker”, he hit the ball

to within six feet or less of the flag on four of his first five holes on his way to the lowest score of the day, a one under-par 72. Two shots ahead at that stage, he signed for a two over-par 75 after lunch to finish at one over-par. Nicholson, based at Wynyard, is the European director of coaching for the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. He said: “The Durham County Bursary Program is the first of its kind in the UK offering a three-year structured coaching program for kids aged 10, 11 and 12. “Chris became the first England international from that programme when he played for the Under-16s and Jack Ainscough, from Hartlepool, was the second. I am very proud of what I have created in Durham County and Chris is at the heart of its success. He has a great family who are very supportive and loving. His strengths lie in his incredible clubhead speed, especially for a relatively slight player standing 5ft 8ins and weighing 10st.” Handy, who has an average drive of 275 yards and a swing speed of 110mph, has combined success on the golf course with impressive A level results at St Bede’s Sixth Form College in Lanchester – an A* in maths and Bs in further mathematics and business. He first won the South Moor Club Championship at 14 and this summer captured the title for the third time in four years. Handy also triumphed in the Faldo Series Northern Under-18 Championship at Pleasington in Blackburn, going on to the Grand Final in Berlin, finishing in a three-way tie for third.

TEEINGOFF

Storm blows in late Pro keeps his card after getting agonisingly close to victory

raeme Storm came within a whisker of his second European Tour victory for the second season in a row in September. The 2007 French Open winner finished runnerup to Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the Porsche European Open at Bad Griesbach Golf Club in Germany, missing out by one shot after bogeying the 17th in the final round as both he and Jaidee shot rounds of 67. However, Storm was happy with the runnersup spot and €222,220 as he can now start to plan for another 12 months on the European Tour. The 37-year-old from Hartlepool jumped from 127th to 66th in the Tour rankings with €382,318 and now has the end-of-season Race to Dubai in his sights. The Rockliffe Hall Tour pro said: “I’m disappointed that I didn’t win. I missed a short putt at 16 which would have put me one-shot clear going into the last couple of holes, but it is also a relief to know that I have got my card again for next year.” What it meant to Storm was clear as he turned to hug his caddie Rodney Wooler. “Mucker

(Wooler) has been with me all year and he was with me in Switzerland last year when I finished second. “It was such a relief for us both. I was telling him that we both had a job for next year! It has been a long slog.” This season Storm has returned to coaches Mike Walker and Peter Cowen, and is working with a sports psychologist - three people he credits in his change of form. “We worked on a few things and I’m also now a lot calmer on the golf course and don’t beat myself up as much as I used to. I’m enjoying my golf more and playing as well as I did when I won the French Open,” added Storm. This is the second time Storm has finished runner-up in the European Open - he was second when Ashington’s Ken Ferrie won in 2005 - and Ferrie was back this year as a former winner, making the cut. Harrogate’s John Parry was ninth and is now 79th in the Tour rankings while Close House’s Chris Paisley is 99th and Barnard Castle’s Rob Dinwiddie is 91st. Both could do with another good week to make certain of their cards.

Wynyard Golf Club

An exceptional golf experience

Winter Golf

1st October 2015 – 30th April 2016

Winter 4 Ball – £29 per head Coffee & Bacon Rolls followed by 18 Holes on the Championship Wellington Course. (minimum of 4 players required) Winter 2 Ball - £35 per head Coffee & Bacon Rolls followed by 18 Holes on the Championship Wellington Course. Contact Golf Bookings on 01740 644399 ext. 22 or email proshop@wynyardgolfclub.co.uk to reserve your tee time www.wynyardgolfclub.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 07

TEEINGOFF

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.

Check our website for our autumn green fee offers For all enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact Martin Ball on 01642 780238 or email secretary@eaglescliffegolfclub.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE FROM £350 “Home of European Senior Tour Player and Teaching Professional Graeme Bell”

2016 OPENS

SEE WEBSITE FOR DATES & DETAILS

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS IN THE NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE

WWW.EUROPROTOUR.COM 08 NORTHERN GOLFER

What a year for Minnikin

Two wins finish off a season of personal triumph for Northumberland captain

orthumberland County captain Andy Minnikin rounded off his remarkable year with two wins - at the British Civil Service Championship and the Newcastle and District Golf League Players Championship. Minnikin, who won the Fenwick Smith Trophy, 72-hole Strokeplay, County Championship qualifying and North & South Trophy this season in his home county, collected his ninth Civil Service Championship in 10 years in September. A week later, in the Players Championship at Ravensworth Golf Club, he defended the title he won in 2014 at Tyneside Golf Club. The Northumberland Golf Club team, represented by Minnikin, Paul Caldicott and Andrew Gibson also picked up the team trophy. “It was nice to round off an incredible year by defending the

Players at Ravensworth,” said Minnikin. “I placed a little bit of expectation on myself going in as defending champion, but I also wanted to put in a strong showing for the team. “The team had a bit of a disappointing year in the league – finishing fourth – so we wanted to go out there and bring something back for all the work we’ve put in this term.” The win at Ravensworth rounded off a year of personal success for Minnikin, who also made it through to final qualifying for the Open Championship and was second to Durham’s Richard Aisbitt in the Mid-Amateur Championship at The Northumberland Golf Club. “It’s been an incredible season, with more success than I could have dreamed of. To get so much out of the work I put in over the winter months has been so satisfying, and his given me great inspiration to work even harder through the next few months.”

TEEINGOFF

Sell your car today! www.carching.co.uk

Your leading, no hassle car buying service

Tynemouth treble Young couple win club’s biggest titles

ebecca Ferguson and Stewart Fell have recorded a rare hat-trick of victories at Tynemouth Golf Club

this season. The couple have picked up the ladies’, men’s and mixed championships at the Tyneside club, completing the treble with victory in September’s Mixed Club Championship final. Rebecca, the niece of John and Kim McKenna - the club’s professional and a former England international respectively - said: “We were over the moon to complete the treble – it’s something that’s always been at the back of our minds. “There was a little bit of pressure on us having won both singles titles this summer and to win by such a big margin [7&6] was a great feeling.”

Stewart, a plus-1.5 handicapper, won the Men’s Club Championship final in June having previously won the title in 2012 and 2014, while Rebecca won her first club championship earlier this year. Rebecca added: “Stewart and I play a lot together and we tend to get on really well on the course – he’s a really big hitter while my short game is really sharp. We do argue sometimes though – mainly when I tell him where not to hit it!” As well as her uncle and aunt, Rebecca’s father works in the pro shop at the club, while her cousin Freddie is already playing off a handicap of 17 at the age of 10. Rebecca added: “I just love spending time at the club. We get on so well and there’s always somebody to play with.”

Where there’s a Will... Will Bowe made it ninth time lucky when he won the English Men’s County Champion of Champions title at Woodhall Spa. “Finally!” he said, after holing a knee-knocking 3ft putt for par on the 18th on the Hotchkin course to win by one shot with scores of 70 and 71. The 32-year-old from Workington has won the Cumbria County Championship nine times and has played in the Champion of

Champions event on every occasion – but has had to wait until now for his first win. “I am very proud to win it,” said Bowe, who is the second Cumbrian to take the title following 1977 champion Mike Walls who also represented Workington. Lancashire’s Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) was second, beating Cambridgeshire’s James Reeson on countback after they finished on four under-par.

www.clsgolfclub.co.uk

CHESTER-LE-STREET GOLF CLUB 4 BALL SPECIAL

MONDAY TO FRIDAY BETWEEN 1:30 PM AND 3:30 PM £50 FOR 4 PLAYERS (DOES NOT APPLY TO SOCIETIES)

Membership for 2015 and 2016 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 0191 3883218 or email clsgcoﬃce@tiscali.co.uk PGA Professional 0191 3882333 Chester le Street Golf Club, Lumley Park, County Durham, DH3 4NS NORTHERN GOLFER 09

GOLFERCHARITY

Sporting chance

l-r Gary Patterson, Amanda Scott, Pam Jack, Steve Veitch Celebrities gather for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Golf Day

Alan Shearer

Graeme Swann

Stars back Sir Bobby

ome of sport’s biggest names were out in force at Rockliffe Hall to help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation pass the £9m fundraising mark. Footballer Alan Shearer, cricketers Graeme Swann and Steve Harmison were among the celebrities at the Sir Bobby Robson Golf Day and Shearer, who is the Foundation’s patron, said: “Sir Bobby’s sadly left us, but he’s left something very special behind with this charity. “The funds that have been raised, and the work which has been carried out, is absolutely staggering and it continues to get bigger and better. We’ve got a fantastic day, it’s a great venue and great people coming together, many travelling from all over the country to be here. It’s competitive, but it is mainly about raising money and awareness of a great cause.” The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation funds projects, including the clinical trials of new drugs, which directly benefit patients from across the North East and Cumbria and which contribute significantly to international research into cancer. Former England cricketer Swann - a Newcastle United fan - said: “This is about the foundation 10 NORTHERN GOLFER

and, for me personally, it’s a great opportunity to play with some of my football heroes like Alan Shearer and Steve Harper. Sir Bobby transcended the barriers between and football clubs and supporters. Very, very few people do that and he was possibly the most popular England manager ever. “Cancer doesn’t care who you support or how many goals you scored last year, it will affect everybody sooner or later. It’s vital that organisations like this Foundation exist and the fact that Sir Bobby’s name is attached to this one makes it extra special.” Former Sunderland captain Michael Gray added: “It’s amazing to see how much the Foundation has raised. It galvanises everybody from the North East and brings them together, and that can only be good for the area. I feel very proud to be part of it. “The Foundation’s message is very important, every little bit of support helps and it will keep getting stronger, bigger and better the more people that get involved in it.”

Newcastle Sports Injury Clinic enjoyed a day at Matfen Hall for the annual Sport Newcastle charity golf day. The charity supports men, women and children seeking to realise their sporting dream. The charity supports community projects or individuals wishing to achieve a personal goal and the golf day raised £2,200 for the Sport Newcastle charity. Reflecting the wide array of services offered at the clinic including physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage, podiatry, golf screening and pilates, prizes were donated to the event. Steve Veitch, senior physiotherapist at the clinic was delighted to be part of the event. “As a clinic we are very passionate about sport and ensuring anyone can fulfil their personal dreams. Matfen Hall was such a great location to host such an inspiring event.”

Mill Masters

The Mill Masters Golf Tournament, which sees the winning pairs from qualifying events at golf clubs across the region compete for the overall title, took place at Close House. Father and son Andrew and Matthew Fowler from Harrogate collected the trophy as well as a fourball at Close House and overnight accommodation courtesy of Mill Volvo.

GOLFERCHARITY

The winning team: Northumbrian Water

CENTURION PARK

Visitors & Societies always welcome Thursday Green Fee Special £8.00 - round 4 Ball - £30.00 Loyalty Scheme Play 4 rounds get the 5th round FREE Buggies available - £10 round Memberships available all categories Under 16's FREE with full paying adult 24 Bay floodlit driving range Range cards available save £££’s Clubhouse serving food and drink Live sports shown Visit our NEW Website www.centurionpark.com for other SPECIAL offers, Membership rates etc!!

Some of the teams at Northern Golfer’s charity day

Northumbrian Water team in full flow

Tel: 0191 262 4231 Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend, NE28 8SU

Northern Golfer Charity Golf Day boosts vital charity work of Newcastle NGO No Strings

he second annual Northern Golfer Charity Golf Day in aid of No Strings took place at Ramside Hall’s Cathedral course, raising money for the international development charity. Fourteen teams took on the region’s newest course, with the Northumbrian Water team of M Young, K Robinson, S Strong and N Soulsby collecting the trophy with a score of 82 points, pipping the Howie White team of F Howie, M Sammons, D Smith and M Kirk by two points. Dynamic Indoor Golf ’s Craig Wayman picked up the prize for the longest drive with an impressive 277yard shot at the 10th, which was playing into the wind. Meanwhile, C Loader was nearest the pin at the 6th and M Kirk was closest at the tricky 18th. Jane Pikett, chair of No Strings, said: “We were delighted to be named the chosen charity for the Northern Golfer charity golf day for a second year.

“Our films and workshops take life-saving messages to the world’s trouble spots, our projects in areas including SE Asia, Sub Saharan Africa, and the Middle East reaching hundreds of thousands of children and young people every year. We are a small NGO and every penny raised by our supporters is allocated directly to our projects. We cannot thank Northern Golfer and the people who supported the event enough.” Michael Young, from the Northumbrian Water team, said: “We had a fantastic day - topped off by winning the trophy. The course was in excellent condition, while the food was also excellent. A very well organised event and a credit to all involved. Tim Stonock from Your Move added: “A big thank you for putting on a great day, we all really enjoyed it. I thought the course and set up was fantastic - I just wish we played a bit better!” NORTHERN GOLFER 11

TEEINGOFF

Armi marches into Desert Springs Europro success sets Marcus Armitage up for promotion to the Challenge Tour

he HotelPlanner. com PGA EuroPro Tour season comes to an end this month with the Matchroom Sport Tour Championship at Desert Springs Resort in Spain, where Howley Hall’s Marcus Armitage looks set to seal his promotion to the Challenge Tour. Armitage, who won The Tree of Life Championship at Close House this summer, set out a 10-year plan to win on the European Tour, starting with three seasons on the UK-based EuroPro Tour, which offers its top five players each season gradation to the second-tier Europe-wide Challenge Tour. With two wins already in the

bag this season – his first coming at Cumberwell Park in Wiltshire – Armitage sits second on the EuroPro’s Race To Desert Springs money list, less than £2,000 behind leader Darren Wright. The Matchroom Sport Tour Championship will see the winner take home £20,000 from a total prize fund of almost £90,000. Only an unlikely and specific set of circumstances would deny Armitage a place in the EuroPro’s top five and the 28-year-old has his sights set on having his name etched into the Order of Merit trophy come the end of the season. “It is massive to be in that top five because you are always looking to move up. I am looking

Marcus Armitage for another win now to secure it because now I want to win the Order of Merit,” he said after winning at Close House in August. Any one of the 60 players who have qualified to play in the Tour Championship through the Race To Desert Springs standings could move into the all-important top five with victory in Spain and a number of players based in the region are among the contenders. Daniel Gavins (Walton Driving Range) is best placed to join

Armitage on the Challenge Tour next year. He sits 14th on the EuroPro rankings and a top-two finish in Spain could be enough to see him return to Europe’s second tier. Alex Wrigley (Hartlepool Golf Club), David Booth (Rotherham Golf Club), Chris Halley (Malton & Norton Golf Club), Steve Uzzell (Hornsea Golf Club) and Graeme Clark (Doncaster Golf Club) are also in contention for progression to the Challenge Tour.

Cally Palace

Hotel & Golf Course

Spring 2016 Stay & Play Including 2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and two rounds of golf

Par 71, 6062 yd parkland course

from

£160 per person

t: 01557 814 341 | e: info@callypalace.co.uk

Fernhill Hotel Portpatrick

Tel: 01776 810 220 E: info@fernhillhotel.co.uk

2 NIGHT STAY & PLAY

North West Castle Stranraer

Tel: 01776 704 413 E: info@northwestcastle.co.uk

2 NIGHT STAY & PLAY

from £160.00 pp

from £158.00 pp

LARGE GOLF GROUPS & GOLF SOCIETIES WELCOME

Golf available on Stranraer, Portpatrick, Glenluce or Cally courses.*

or book online at

Golf available on Stranraer, Portpatrick, Glenluce or Cally courses. *

www.mcmillanhotels.co.uk

Rates subject to promotional availability, conditions apply. * Supplements may apply.

12 NORTHERN GOLFER

4 BALL SPECIAL £100 VISITING PARTY BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR 2016

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

Coffee and bacon roll on arrival, 18 holes of golf, 2 course evening meal £35 pp

Coffee and bacon roll on arrival, 10 holes of golf (morning), soup & sandwiches, 18 holes of golf (afternoon) 2 course evening meal £50 pp

Bespoke packages can be negotiated for small and large parties Call the Pro Shop to book 2016 OPEN ENTRIES NOW OPEN - VISIT WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

Gordon Cattrell, Club Professional, on 01642 311766 • Email: gcattrell@tgigolf.com Web: www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk

TEEINGOFF

King of the hill

Greenkeeper wins club championship at Ryton and Tyneside

single club championship victory is a great achievement in every club golfer’s career, winning two in one year is a remarkable achievement. Shaun Embleton, an assistant greenkeeper at Ryton Golf Club, has done just that - lifting the trophy at his home club of 20 years as well as winning the championship at Tyneside Golf Club. Shaun, who plays off a handicap of one, joined Tyneside for the 2015 season, winning is first club championship in July with rounds of 70 and 71. He said: “It was a brilliant feeling to win the club championship at my first attempt. “I’ve played Tyneside a lot over

the years, particularly when I was a junior, so I wasn’t going into it totally blind. The course also really suits my game, but there are a lot of very strong players there so it was a real shock to come out on top at the first attempt.” Shaun went on to win his seventh club championship at Ryton in August, finishing the 36-hole event tied with Chris Stavers before winning the 18-hole strokeplay playoff by eight shots. “There was a little bit of pressure going into the playoff as I knew the double hadn’t been done in some 40 years,” added Shaun. “I’m incredibly proud to hold both titles and looking forward to defending them next season.”

Shaun with the Ryton trophy

Shaun with the Tyneside trophy

We’re Open

T: 0191 2702362 www.golfgear4less.co.uk E: info@zﬂgolf.co.uk

9am - 5.30pm Mon - Sat

Trolley Service & Repairs Motocaddy, Powakaddy, Hillbilly & More

We stock Adidas, Under Armour, Taylormade, Srixon, Wilson, Motocaddy, SuperStroke Grips & lots more! FREE Club Check, hit longer, straighter shots having your clubs correctly ﬁtted. Call 0191 2702362 today to book. We stock batteries, chargers & spares for all leading trolley brands Motocaddy Trolleys, Batteries, Golf Bags & Accessories on display, call in for a demo today

FREE Loft & Lie Check by Appointment.

GoKart Electric Golf Trolley Only £269 Lightweight, Super Strong, Compact & Easy to Use

Unit 8d, North Tyne Ind. Estate, NE12 9SZ Opposite ASDA Benton. Two minutes from A19 Whitley Bay Exit on A191 Old Coast Road NORTHERN GOLFER 13

ACES

Watch for Hexham aces

Malcolm Slatcher and Dave Elliott celebrate after Malcolm’s hole-in-one Hexham’s Neil Forsyth and Andy Penfold both won BOSS watches when they had holes-in-one within a matter of days. Neil, a 43-year-old 10 handicapper aced the 120-yard 16th with a gap wedge during the club’s Thursday Stableford. Two days later 49-year-old Andy, who plays off 15, aced the 140-yard 13th with a nine iron playing in Andy Paisley’s Beat The Pro Stableford. Richard Lee, 22, and a three handicapper, also picked up a BOSS watch when he aced the 153-yard 15th at Durham City. Colin Stead scored his second hole-in-one at Barnard Castle’s 162yard 13th with a rescue club. Malcolm Slatcher, who plays off 12 had a hole-in-one on Beamish Park’s 13th while playing with his partner Dave Elliott in the club’s Seniors Open. Both are members of Dinsdale Spa and it was Malcolm’s first hole-in-one for which he was presented with a bottle of whisky. John Stothert, the club’s seniors captain, and John Ferris went on to win the event, but Malcolm enjoyed the course and his experience so much he returned to play in the club’s Texas Scramble. Seaton Carew’s Martin Scarborough recorded a timely ace in the matchplay playoff rounds of the Craws Nest Tassie event at Carnoustie. The seven-handicapper, who recorded his only other ace as a junior 30 years ago, holed out at the 168-yard second hole with a six iron on the Buddon Links. 14 NORTHERN GOLFER

Andy Hutton Martin Scarborough

Unlucky for some but not Andy Hutton

Andy Hutton hits his 13th hole-in-one, plus a round up of other recent aces from around the region

ow’s this for a record? Andy Hutton has just clicked up his 13th hole-in-one shortly after returning to the game and joining new club Stocksfield. The 45-year-old aced the 130-yard 18th at Stocksfield with a gap wedge to bag number 13 - some five years after his 12th ace. He’s been out of the game for a while through choice but came back this season and joined Stocksfield. A single-figure handicap, Andy is from one of Consett’s best-known golfing families – his brothers Ian and John both regular winners locally. His 12th ace came the day after his 40th birthday party at Consett in the club’s men’s

open. That ace prompted discussions that it may be worth a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Locally, there have been reports of Dick Johnson, from Northumberland Golf Club, who had accumulated 10 holes-in-one and last year Whitburn’s Gordon Scrowther also achieved his tenth ace. The world record is reportedly held by Long Beach’s Norman Manley who has an amazing 59 holes-in-one. Andy’s first hole-in-one came in 1992, one of three that year. Two more came the following year, and the others followed regularly. “There can be an element of luck in a holein-one,” said Andy, “but I have to say that this one was a good shot.”

TEEINGOFF

Chapman wins again

ngland elite squad player Adam Chapman retained his North of England Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship crown with a polished performance at Pannal. His steady three under-par second round score was enough to win the Shaw Salver by two shots from Jack Gaunt of Drayton Park and Lindrick’s Bailey Gill. Chapman’s second round followed an impressive eight under-par 64 which he fired on the first day giving him a total of 11-under 133. Victory at the end of the season tasted particularly sweet for Chapman, who has been disappointed with his form in 2015. “I’ve had a poor season which started off badly and got a little bit better as time went on. I’ve not putted well for most of the year so I’m pleased to have ended with a win,” said the Windermere player. His form certainly returned at Pannal, where he has now won three major events in successive years. He said: “I played nicely, hitting fairways in the first round and making good positions count. The putts were dropping too which was a relief.” His game plan for the second round was to

shoot 70 so he was more than satisfied with his three under-par 69. Chapman added: “I played sensibly and felt comfortable throughout. I hit a few ropey drives, but recovered well and I felt I left a few putts out there to be honest.” Gaunt provided a firm challenge, shooting under-par rounds of 71 and 64 to put the pressure on. Lindrick’s Gill also put up an impressive performance with rounds of 67 and 68 to equal Gaunt’s total, two strokes behind the winner. Meanwhile, Yorkshire lifted the County Plate for securing the best score after 36 holes by two members of the squad – Bailey Gill and James Walker (The Oaks) – with the latter finishing birdie, birdie, eagle. Bad weather hindered this year’s championship, scheduled as a three-day 72-hole event. Organisers had to make changes and reduced play to 36 holes due to thick fog that stubbornly refused to lift each morning. The Championship, launched in 2013, is organised by the Northern Counties Golf Union made up of the unions of Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire.

Adam Chapman with the Shaw Salver

(photograph courtesy of (www.drivinggolf.co.uk)

Blyth Golf Club – Aﬀordable New 2016 Membership Opportunities Lifestyle Membership (see supplementary info) Joining Fee £199* Midweek Round £10 Dec-Mar £5 Weekend Round £10 Dec-Mar £5 Competitions £15 Midweek Comp £13

JOIN BLYTH GC AS A FULL MEMBER FROM 1st OCTOBER 2015 FOR £619* AND PAY NOTHING UNTIL JANUARY 2017 *All prices are subject to England Golf & Northumberland Golf Aﬃliation fees Please contact John Hall Golf Club Manager 01670 540110 with any queries

Country Memberships - £229* Country memberships are for prospective members living beyond a 50 miles radius of Blyth Golf Club. The annual fee will be £229 and will include all membership rights. 5 DAY MEMBERSHIPS (weekdays only) - £485* For golfers that want to play weekdays only. This category will retain all other membership rights and will also have the option of playing weekend golf for same price as Lifestyle members. A clear unique bag tag will be issued. HOW THE LIFESTYLE MEMBERSHIP WORKS Lifestyle Members will pay a reduced green fee each time they play at Blyth. The fees per round are shown above and will be lower in the winter period (from 1 December until 31 March). Members opting to join this category will need to pay the affiliation fee and will be able to hold an official CONGU handicap and play in club competitions. The fees shown for the competitions exclude any additional entry fees. A clear unique bag tag will be issued.Lifestyle members will receive a bar card so that they can obtain members discount at the bar and can upgrade to any other form of membership at any time during the year on the payment of the relevant fee (first five lifestyle rounds ‘only’ will be deducted from the amount due).

WINTER GOLF DEALS 2015-2016 4 BALL 3 BALL 2 BALL 1 BALL

MIDWEEK £40.00 £33.00 £24.00 £13.00

WEEKEND £52.00 £42.00 £30.00 £16.00

ALL 2 FOR 1 VOUCHERS ARE CHARGED AT THE DAY TICKET RATE ie. Midweek £22.00 Weekend £29.00

Blyth Golf Club, Blyth, NE24 4DB www.blythgolf.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 15

COURSEREVIEW

Longhirst’s in great shape Dean Bailey enjoys a day out at Longhirst Hall, and finds the Dawson Course in excellent condition late in the season

ou may expect the life of a golf writer to consist of playing as many courses you can throughout the summer. In reality, there is a lot of golf to cover through the season, as well as your own competitive streak to maintain, which makes getting out and about on our region’s courses tough to fit in. So, on the rare occasion I am able to visit a course on a late summer’s day, I’ll jump at the chance. Having scoured the social media universe for a recommendation – remembering we were within a week of October and the start of the ‘winter season’ – the winner was Longhirst Hall, just outside Morpeth in Northumberland. Longhirst opened in 1997 with the Old Course. Eleven and then seven holes were added in the following five years to create the Lakes and Dawson courses. With both courses stretching to more than 7,000 yards from the very back tees, this is a huge site with views of the Northumberland countryside stretching for miles in every direction. A new driving range and 16 NORTHERN GOLFER

academy have been added more recently. With both courses highly recommended, we choose the Dawson Course – both to tick off the fourth and final EuroPro Tour host course in the region this year, and having learned a tough lesson on the need for sensible club selection and high quality ball striking on our last visit to the Lakes Course. Often regarded as the easier of the two layouts, the Dawson is still a stern test with smaller greens than its next-door neighbour and water in play on 10 holes – including a couple of daunting drives which the starter was more than happy to prepare us for as we stood swishing drivers on the first tee wondering what all the fuss was about. Playing the opening stretch it’s hard to heed the advice. The fairway at the first is very generous and at 438 yards this par five is a great opportunity to start well. The second requires a carry of just 185 yards from the white tee to another generous fairway, while the third plays a little longer than its 167 yards on the card. The only defence here is the smaller greens and most

should expect to get some points on the board early. The fourth is the first real challenge from the tee with a carry of 232 yards required should you take on the pond to the right of the fairway and out of bounds awaits further right. The green here has a ridge through its centre – finding the correct half of the green is a priority. The fifth is one of a number of candidates for signature hole with a long drive required should you wish to not be shaking in your golf shoes playing to the island green. The green is 27 paces deep, but it seems far smaller with water lurking around 97% of the green. Having taken a second to compose yourself after the fifth, holes six, seven and eight present easier prospects with no water in play from the tee. At 379 yards, the dogleg eighth is the pick of the bunch with an accurate tee shot required to reach the corner at 220-240 yards. Find the fairway and you should be left with little more than a nine iron to a small, but unprotected green. A stunning, if challenging par five, the ninth

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE CONTACT Longhirst Hall Golf Club, Longhirst Morpeth, NE61 3LL Tel 01670 791 562 Email info@longhirstgolf.co.uk Web www.longhirstgolf.co.uk is another contender for signature hole. A big hitter should contemplate taking a three wood from the tee with water lurking left of the fairway at 280 yards. The second shot is played around a slight dogleg left and should leave a pitch of 70-100 yards to a large green. The pros treat this one as a three-shotter with three lakes waiting around the green. The 10th and 11th are both strong par fours with the 10th presenting an opportunity to drive the green at 317 yards – beware of the water left of fairway and green from 80 yards in – the fairway gathers towards it. A big drive at 11 will leave a mid-long iron to a generous green. The 152-yard par-three 12th is a good opportunity to find a two – avoid the bunker short right if the pin is on the right. The 13th got our vote for signature hole (see factfile) while one of the best tee shots on the course, the 14th welcomes a driver with a generous fairway at the 412-yard par four. The second shot plays slightly longer than its yardage to a raised green which falls away on all sides. The drive at 15 is a little more challenging with out of bounds right. It’s 240 yards to carry the bunker, which leaves around 120 yards for the second shot to a generous green which slopes back to front. The final stretch is great opportunity to finish in style. The 200-yard 16th demands a solid shot but a flat putt awaits should you find the correct portion of the green. Finding the fairway is the priority at 17, where two bunkers await to the left of the fairway and another front right of the green. The last is a chance at glory; take the bunker on (a carry of some 220 yards) and you’ll be rewarded with a mid-short iron to the green and a great chance at a birdie to finish. A Sunday at Longhirst is best finished with lunch in the clubhouse and a drink in the lounge. Is there a better way to spend a Sunday?

GREEN FEES £38 (before 9am), £25 (9am-noon), £15 (noon-twilight) For all rates, including stay and play and group bookings see the website Winter membership available until March 31 2016 - £100

Longhirst has been a host venue for the EuroPro Tour for five years, with the Lakes Course playing host for three years before the Dawson Course hosted the Dawson and Sanderson Forex Classic in 2014 and 2015. This year’s winner Sam Connor was the only player to finish under-par (-2) and is currently third in the Race to Desert Springs

TOTAL DISTANCE Gold tees – 7,116 yards White tees – 6,713 yards Yellow tees – 6,446 yards Blue tees – 6,030 yards Red tees – 5,607 yards FEATURES Two 18-hole championship courses 14-bay covered driving range & Academy Two practice putting greens Pro shop Restaurant and bar CADDY’S TIP Choose the right tees for you; you’ll enjoy it more. To find the right length course for you, multiply your average carry distance with your driver by 28. Spend a few minutes on the putting green – the greens were still very sharp in late September. SIGNATURE HOLE The 13th is one of those holes which fills you with fear on the tee, and leaves those who play it in four strokes delighted. The fairway runs out at 218 yards with water lurking right, left and long. Big hitters can take the stream on – though it isn’t recommended. Laying up leaves a shot of around 200 yards to a green which sits above the fairway and is protected by a large bunker left. Play it well and you’ll enjoy the view from the 14th tee a lot more.

DEAN BAILEY’S VERDICT

One of our region’s best layouts, it’s obvious why the EuroPro players love coming back here NORTHERN GOLFER 17

AUTUMN GOLF OFFERS GREEN FEES (SPECIALS) WEEKDAYS 18 HOLES 18pp

CHISPAISLEY

Chris Paisley

SUNDAY 4 BALL

£75 WITH FREE BUGGIES (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY) CONTACT THE PRO SHOP ON 01287 624653 VISITORS & SOCIETIES ALWAYS WELCOME

SALTBURN GOLF CLUB Design by James Braid

FINAL COUNTDOWN

WITH EUROPEAN TOUR PLAYER CHRIS PAISLEY VISIT WWW.SALTBURNGOLF.CO.UK SALTBURN GOLF CLUB, HOB HILL, SALTBURN BY THE SEA, CLEVELAND, TS12 1NJ

18 NORTHERN GOLFER

As I write, I am sitting in the Fairmont hotel in St Andrews feeling slightly dejected. It is the first day of the Dunhill Links Championship and I am first reserve. I got the call late and my wife and I quickly packed our things. Although the odds of me getting in were slim, it was well worth the short trip just incase one of my fellow pros needed to withdraw. As I watched the final group tee off, I knew my chance of playing was gone. My mind then switches to preparing for my final events, the Portugal Masters and Hong Kong Open. I have had a few days off since my last run of events so I am raring to go again. I have had two missed cuts followed by a 51st place finish in my last three tournaments having played them in a combined score of seven under-par, which shows that my game is in decent shape, but also that the depth of this tour is extremely strong and any slight dip in form is punished. Having thought about things, and looking at my statistics, it is pretty clear my driving has been letting me down. I usually hit around 70% of fairways, but recently I’ve only been hitting around 50%. This isn’t an alarming dip, but enough to make a difference at this level. It is merely some small tendencies creeping into my swing, which I can easily iron out in the next two weeks. Fitness has become vital for me too. Your strength, flexibility, and stability are inevitably linked to how you swing the club. Due to the demands of the European Tour schedule and the availability of free dessert every lunchtime, my fitness has dipped slightly over the last few months. During these two weeks off I will have a gruelling gym schedule to get my body back into top shape. I will be spending around 2.5 hours a day on strength, flexibility, and stability work. Thankfully, I really enjoy it now; there’s nothing like five sets of dead lifts to get your day started! My next column will be after the end of this season. Hopefully, I will be talking about my year ahead with a full tour card. As long as I practice and train well over the coming two weeks, I am confident that will be the case. Wish me luck!

LOOK GOOD ON THE COURSE THIS SEASON

WE NOW STOCK

We’ve invested in our golf shop, increasing our capacity to make your selection of top brands in clothing and equipment greater than ever. We’re proud to announce we now stock Dunhill’s line in golf apparel, Dunhill Links. The Links collection fully considers the ergonomics of your movements to deliver one of the world’s most luxurious and technically advanced ranges of sportswear.

We have new stock coming in all of the time, so come and explore this season’s new ranges from the most soughtafter brands in golf at the Close House Golf Shop, open Monday-Sunday between 8.00am and 5.30pm.

CLOSE HOUSE, HEDDON ON THE WALL, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE15 0HT TELEPHONE: 01661 85 22 55 EMAIL: enquiries@closehouse.co.uk WWW.CLOSEHOUSE.COM

GOLFERNEWS

Tony Boyd cracks the champagne as Team GB celebrate their Simpson Cup win

Boyd by great victory Team GB clinch title with Northern army veteran playing a key role

rmy veteran Tony Boyd was part of the triumphant Team GB clinching a thrilling 9.5-8.5 victory over the USA to regain the Simpson Cup at Royal St George’s. The annual competition runs along similar lines to the Ryder and Solheim Cups, pitting 13 injured British Servicemen and veterans against a team of American counterparts. Now in its fourth edition since the inaugural event at TPC Sawgrass in 2012, the tournament aims to raise funds and awareness for the On Course

Foundation, a charitable organisation which is registered in both the UK and the USA. All competitors involved are members of the Foundation, which helps men and women who were injured, sick or wounded in the line of duty rebuild their lives both through the opportunity to play the game and attaining employment in the golf industry.

NEW AND USED TROLLEYS AVAILABLE TO BUY NOW is the time to have your trolley serviced for the WINTER! Caddy Cell Lithium batteries www.5thtee.co.uk now in stock! With full 3 years guarantee • Batteries & Chargers always in stock • Free Battery Testing (including Lithium)

Telephone: 07737 963 881 Email: info@5thtee.co.uk Find us: 5th Tee, Garesfield Golf Club Chopwell, NE17 7AP 20 NORTHERN GOLFER

Golf Trolley Repair & Service Centre

Tony, 54, who was a member of the Parachute Regiment and also the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, had his right leg amputated in 2012 following a climbing accident in Kenya 16 years earlier. “I had a broken back and two broken legs from the initial injury when I had a climbing accident in Kenya,” he said. “I was teaching adventure training; it was a pure accident. “Something you do every day just went totally wrong so I had a fall of 180ft and I was hospitalised for 14 days and then flown back to the UK.” Tony, who plays off 21, admits he was as excited as a child as he awaited the start of the Simpson Cup. “I have played sport at a high level before, I’m an ex-member of the British bobsleigh team, but there was real excitement standing on the tee – I still get the buzz. If you enjoy it and get the buzz it is well worth doing.” Tony qualified for the match after an event at the London Club’s Heritage Course. Originally from Peterlee, he and his family settled in Catterick 14 years ago. He left the forces for a while to become a teacher, working in a prison at Northallerton, but subsequently returned to the army in an educational role. In the match, a late rally from Team USA had left matters evenly poised at 3-3 after the fourball matches, but a sea of blue engulfed the visitors and the home side continued to edge their way to victory.

AUTUMN GOLF SPECIALS

October - 4 Ball - Coffee & bacon roll, 18 holes + Chefs Special main course £80! November- 4 Ball - Coffee & bacon roll, 18 holes + Chefs Special main course £70! Ride on buggies available throughout the winter

Must be pre-booked VISITING PARTIES WELCOME - Packages tailored to suit your needs!

3 MONTH TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS ONLY £150! For further details or to book a tee time telephone the Secretary on 0191 2867636 or 0191 2860594 email: wgc@btconnect.com

WESTERHOPE GOLF CLUB Recommended by Slaley Hall

Whorlton Grange, Westerhope, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE5 1PP www.westerhopegolfclub.com

GOLFERNEWS

Suppliers to Northern Golfer

Phil Ridden

City miss out Disappointment for Tyneside club

ity of Newcastle came within touching distance of the England Champion Club crown - and a chance of a European title tilt. The trophy seemed to be in their grasp when they led by nine shots at the halfway stage of the England final at Brancepeth Castle. But they lost out cruelly on countback to Birstall who came back from the dead to clinch victory with their team of Chris Webb, Jack Merry and Steve Sansome. City’s Phil Ridden, who went round in one over-par 71 in the final round having opened with a 65 - had the consolation of topping the individual leaderboard on four

under-par, one ahead of Merry. Ridden’s team-mates Mark McCarthy and Alex Dixon shot 147 and 148 respectively. Both teams finished on 11 over-par, but Birstall’s second round total was just four-over, while City were 13-over. That means it will be Birstall rather than City representing England in the European Champion Club tournament in Cyprus. City had to settle for second spot, just as they did in 2009. Durham’s champions Durham City finished tied 19th. Ridden said: “I played steady all day, didn’t hit many bad shots and holed some nice putts.”

MAGDALENE FIELDS GOLF CLUB Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1NE

NEW MEMBER SPECIAL OFFER

October 2015 to January 2017 Adult £300 Seniors £280 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

Bellingham Golf Club

VISITING PARTIES WELCOME 7 DAYS A WEEK DISCOUNTS FOR BOOKINGS OF 8 OR MORE BUGGIES AND CATERING AVAILABLE

ONLINE SPECIAL GREEN FEES

OCTOBER

Mon- Fri - £15 round per player Sat - Sun - £20 round per player NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTORY RATE 2016

Full £250 - Second Club - £195 - Country (over 25 miles) £195 Nothing more to pay until 1st November 2016 Telephone 01434 220530 or email admin@bellinghamgolfclub.com Bellingham Golf Club, Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT

www.bellinghamgolfclub.com

NORTHERN GOLFER 21

LADIESGREENSOMES

NORTHERN GOLFER LADIES GREENSOMES 2015 Route to the Championship Round 1 Setchill & Glendenning (25) LOST to Clark & Gollogly (6&5) Walby & Golightly BEAT Johnstone & Steerman 1 up

Round 2 Brady & Brady LOST to Clark & Gollogly 5 & 4 Liddle & Wilson LOST to Walby & Golightly 2 & 1

Round 3 Clark & Gollogly BEAT Taylor & Parry 2 & 1 Gradwell & Pesara LOST to Walby & Golightly 1 down

Round 4 1. Gerry Longstaff & Lis Stevenson (Eaglescliffe) LOST to Christine Walby (15) & Lynda Golightly (18) (Slaley Hall) 3&2

2. Ami Storey & Claire Brown (Close House) LOST to Katie Clark & Anne Gollogly

Final Katie Clark & Anne Gollogly (Saltburn) BEAT Christine Walby & Lynda Golightly (Slaley Hall) 4 & 3 22 NORTHERN GOLFER

Katie Clark and Anne Gollogly

Saltburn Ladies take Greensomes crown

altburn’s Anne Gollogly and Katie Clark produced a great performance to win Northern Golfer’s inaugural Ladies Greensomes competition. The Teessiders shook hands on the 15th to secure victory at Northumberland’s Matfen Hall, which hosted the semi-finals and final, and they will now get the chance to sample the resort’s facilities in more relaxing circumstances. Anne said: “This has been a great tournament to play in and we have thoroughly enjoyed playing our matches. Thanks to Northern Golfer for introducing the competition and hopefully it will go from strength to strength.” In the semi-finals Gerry Longstaff and Lis Stevenson, representing Eaglescliffe Golf Club, lost to Christine Walby and Lynda Golightly from Slaley Hall Golf Club 3&2 while the eventual winners beat Ami Storey and Claire Brown

from Close House. Christine and Lynda did not get off to a good start in the final, conceding the first two holes to go 2dn and although they halved the next five and won the 8th, they lost the next three leaving too much to do. Northern Golfer’s Tournament Organiser, Paul Corney said: “All the ladies taking part have entered into the spirit of the game and made a lot of new friends throughout the 2015 season. Congratulations to Katie and Anne who will now be enjoying a stay at Matfen Hall.” Located 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 course. There is also a high quality nine-hole par-three course and Golf Academy, luxury hotel and spa.

GOLFERNEWS

Webb’s a winner

Mathew Webb Bedlington’s Mathew Webb made the most of a last-minute entry into the Yorkshire Masters by winning it. He shot a seven under-par 65 at Owston Hall to win by one shot from Wheatley’s David Cowell and maintain a winning season which has seen pro-am victories at Westerhope, Warwickshire, Ramside, Rockliffe, Bamburgh and most recently Blyth where he was also a winner with a seven under-par 65. Following the Yorkshire Masters, Webb was in the top 20 in the James Brearley Lancashire Open with rounds of 67 and 72, and also finished in the top 25 in the pro-am.

New pro at George Washington

Darlington proposal

eorge Washington Golf Club has appointed Ryan Ingram as a PGA Professional alongside PGA Professional Gary Shipley. Ingram, who qualified as a PGA pro in 2014 having worked as an assistant professional at

Darlington Golf Club is to hold a members’ vote on proposals from a developer to buy their club. The Haughton Grange club has been offered a "substantial sum of money" to quit the site and has called an extraordinary general meeting of its members to discuss the proposal. Members have been invited to attend a presentation of the proposal and a ballot will take place on the evening. The club was recently awarded a £57,000 Sport England grant to invest in an all-weather practice and coaching area, including an eightbay driving range. 24 NORTHERN GOLFER

Cocken Lodge, and spent a year at Sunderland Golf Centre. Ingram will be working at the Academy at George Washington, as well as delivering junior development and Junior Golf Passport sessions as well as a Junior Golf Camp this autumn.

For more information, and to book a place in the junior programmes contact Ryan Ingram, tel 07927 494 780 or email ingramgolf@gmail.com • www.rligolf.co.uk

Can we kick it? Matfen Hall is adding a Kick Golf course to its facilities and golfers and non-golfers are being encouraged to try the growing sport. Played on short courses, the game combines football and golf with families invited to taster sessions on October 24 and 25 at the Northumberland resort. Adults £10, under16s £5, no booking required. For more information contact Peter Smith, tel 01661 886 400, peter.smith@matfenhall.com

GOLFERNEWS

LEDA GOLF

For all your golfing needs & the North’s Premium Pwoakaddy, Greenhill & Hill Billy Service & Repair Centre

Telephone 0191 3701757

15%OFF

2015 TAYLORMADE GOLF Plus FREE glove or box of balls with every purchase

PREPAREFORWINTER

Durham wins fifth title Juniors win Northern league for fifth time

he Durham County Junior Golf Society under-18 team won the Northern Federation League for the fifth consecutive year, beating Northumberland, Cumbria and the South of Scotland to the title. Durham clinched the trophy with an 8.5-3.5 win over Nothumberland at Rothbury Golf Club, beating the South of Scotland on match points. The win marks the final event for

both team manager Jim Howe and secretary Christine Howe, who both retire this season. The Durham team for the final game (pictured above from left to right): Scott Lyons (Hartlepool), Adam Laidler (Houghton-LeSpring), David Bingham (Boldon), James Wilson (Tyneside), Will Marshall (Heworth), Ryan Dixon (Castle Eden), Joe Langdon (Boldon) and Jack Trewitt (Castle Eden).

Full range of electric trolleys, accessories and batteries Major Brands at Low Prices Find us at Roseberry Grange Golf Club, Grange Villa, Chester le Street, DH2 3NF

0191 370 1757

OPEN

7 days 9am - 5pm

ROSEBERRY GRANGE COMMUNITY GOLF CLUB

18 MONTH MEMBERSHIP OFFER

ADVERTISE IN NORTHERN GOLFER

1ST OCTOBER 2015 - 31ST MARCH 2017 Adult £530 - Over 60 £430 - 18 & under £50 19-29 years prices available on request. Direct debit available

TEL 01661 844 115

MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL JOIN NOW UNTIL END OF FEB 2017 ONLY

•Hedgehog Wheels • Waterproof Suits • Wooly Hats • Winter Mitts & Boots DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT!!

£750

(*flexible payment terms available) Weekly competitions EVERY Saturday & Sunday

Contact the Secretary Stephen White on 0191 5811268 or email seahamgolfclub@btinternet.com

SEAHAM GOLF CLUB Shrewsbury Street, Seaham, Co. Durham SR7 7RD www.seahamgolfclub.co.uk

WINTER GREEN FEES ON SUMMER GREENS Midweek - £8 PER ROUND Weekends - £10 PER ROUND RETURN TO ROSEBERRY Play again within 7 days of your visit FOR ONLY £6!!! (Summer greens subject to ground conditions)

FREE FUNCTION ROOM HIRE We cater for all occasions...even 18th birthdays!! Max 120 capacity - Everyone welcome

e: roseberrygolf@gmail.com Grange Villa, Chester le Street, DH2 3NF www.roseberrygrange.com NORTHERN GOLFER 25

GREENWATCH NORTHUMBRIA GOLF BREAKS FOR THE BEST GOLFING HOLIDAYS UNDER THE SUN

SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER IN SPAIN

ISLA CANELA 4* HOTEL 7 nights half board 5 rounds of golf only £325pp, sharing Car hire or transfers available 4* HOTEL MONICA CAMBRILS, COSTA DAURADA 7 Nights b&b with 5 rounds of golf £475pp Transfers or car hire available.

4*BONALBA GOLF RESORT, COSTA BLANCA Late Summer Autumn/Winter breaks 7 Nights B&B with 5 rounds of Golf £350pp Semi all inclusive available £165 per week Car hire or transfers available

GREEN WATCH

With JON WYER, ROCKLIFFE HALL

ALL THE PRICES QUOTED ARE BASED ON 2 PEOPLE SHARING AND DO NOT INCLUDE FLIGHTS

ASK US FOR A QUOTE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY! WE HAVE DESTINATIONS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND AFRICA

WE ARE ATOL BONDED AND WILL BE HAPPY TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS FOR YOU.

Telephone: 01207 562 322 or Mobile: 07889 943 753

ATOL PROTECTED ATOL 6253

Email: brian@golfnorthumbria.com www.golfnorthumbria.com Northumbria Golf Breaks, The Ofﬁce, Ravenside Farm Hedley, Stocksﬁeld NE43 7SX

AUTUMN RENOVATIONS

MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL 1st October 2015 to 1st January 2017

15 months for the price of 12 Full members beneﬁts ONLY £530

If you are interested in joining but this offer doesn’t suit your needs please contact our Golf Manager John Crawford who will be happy to discuss on 01661 832466 GREEN FEES Visitors are from £5 per person per round BRS system Telephone 01661 832466 or email secretary@prudhoegolfclub.co.uk Eastwood Park, Prudhoe, NE42 5DX www.prudhoegolfclub.co.uk 26 NORTHERN GOLFER

As we enter October, we can already see signs of autumn setting in. Daylight hours are reducing rapidly, temperatures have plummeted and there have already been slight frosts reported in the North East. For many golf courses it is time to start autumn renovation to prepare the various playing surfaces for the winter ahead. At Rockliffe Hall we have already hollow cored our greens using micro tines to the depth of the thatch layer, this was followed up with a verti-cut to open the surface and make a seed bed for an overseed application. By doing this it helps to thicken up the sward going through the winter months, meaning we have no need for winter greens to sustain growth. This is then covered with top dressing to fill any holes and cover

the seed, thus helping germination. With this operation completed we then raised the mowing height to reduce stress within the plant, aiding recovery. We then moved onto doing the same process to the tees and approaches and all this was completed within a week. Approximately 45tonnes of sand were used on the greens and approximately 55tonnes on the tees and approaches. These operations are always set within the calendar year and planned around golf to maximise recovery while causing minimal disturbance to the golfer. With a constant maintenance plan we are able to dictate what we need to do to the playing surface, or how intensive we need to be to gain the best standards possible.

NEXT MONTH Bulking up for Winter

GOLFERPROFILE

Wrigley’s winning formula

Dean Bailey catches up with PGA Cup winner and Hartlepool pro Alex Wrigley

here are many paths to the top of the game. From jumping into the deep water of the professional tours, to the route Hartlepool’s Alex Wrigley has taken – taking his time to train as a PGA professional and slowly progressing towards the ultimate goal of every playing professional – earning a living on the European Tour. That route led Alex to one of the top events in the PGA calendar, the PGA Cup, in September - where GB&I recorded its first win on US soil in the biennial match which pits a team of GB&I pros against their American counterparts in a Ryder Cup-style contest. “It feels like a lifetime ago,” says Alex, who in the two weeks since the match has spent four days practising in the US, competed in the first stage of European Tour Qualifying School, and has just finished a full day of teaching at Hartlepool. Alex, who won two points for GB&I from his four matches, felt the weight of GB&I’s record in the US, but was also aware of what he needed to do. “Jon [Bevan, GB&I captain] talked about making history throughout the week. But when we got out on the golf course it was all about focusing on the task in each game then getting down to each shot. “The emotional highlight was watching Mike Watson, who was the oldest guy on the team and who’d spent years trying to make it into the event, hit the opening tee shot - he ripped it down the middle.” Alex and his nine teammates were tied with the US going into Sunday’s singles, before winning the final day of matches 5.5-4.5 – Alex beating Grant Sanderson 3&1.

28 NORTHERN GOLFER

“Sunday was the highlight of my week on the course. The match was close but really could have gone either way at the 12th when Grant holed a 30ft putt for birdie which sent the Americans crazy. “I followed that in with my own birdie from 20ft to keep the momentum with me. Staying two up was huge, and some solid shots coming in, including a six iron to a couple of inches at 14, closed out a really close match.” Following his win in the second last match, which levelled the score at 12.5-12.5, Alex watched teammate Niall Kearney play the final hole with the match on the line. “Everyone was around the 18th green watching Niall come in. When he made his up-and-down from the back of the green we all went crazy – it was one of the greatest feeling you could ever have on a golf course.” Alex wound down from the cup win in California before returning to Heathrow and driving to France for qualifying school. “It was a long build up to PGA Cup, with a week of practising before the event, so to go straight into Q school was tough. I managed to get the job and that’s what you need to do at that stage.” An unfashionable approach to many, with the lure of £10,000 top prizes on the EuroPro Tour, Alex has split his time this season between the EuroPro and working at Hartlepool. “It’s a difficult balance to get right,” Alex explains late on Sunday evening having visited the gym and his physio on the way home. “It’s a busy life and there’s very little downtime.

GOLFERPROFILE

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

GOLFERPROFILE This year I’ve been travelling to the EuroPro events on Monday nights and coming back on the Friday. I’ll then teach and work in the shop Saturday, Sunday and Monday before going back on the road.” With the number of players on the EuroPro Tour increasing, most of them full-time, it may seem that Alex is placing himself at a disadvantage. “It’s a different challenge to what most of the guys on the EuroPro are facing, but if I felt it was hindering my performance I would change the balance. It’s busy but it seems to work for me. “It’s good to have an escape from tournament golf and mine is working in the shop and teaching.” When we catch up, Alex is preparing for the final event of the EuroPro Tour schedule – The Matchroom Sport Tour Championship at Desert Springs in Almeria. From there he’ll be driving to the second stage of Q school and is already looking forward to another busy month on the course. This season may seem a pinnacle in 25-year-old Alex’s career, but he’s not ready to get carried away. “I’ve been a fully qualified pro for four years now and I’m very happy with the way things are going. “When I was 18 I would have loved to have gone out and played full-time. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t good enough. “I went down PGA route and got a solid base before focusing on playing. I think it’s a really good avenue for people who are 18 to get a good qualification and learn a lot about their trade. You can compete way into your 50s. “Looking back, it was definitely the right decision for me – it’s worked out really nicely.”

Alex Wrigley in action

With all his success, Alex credits the time he spends at the club where he learned the game with his grandfather and brother, with keeping him grounded. “My grandfather was a keen golfer and brought me and Martin down to the club when we were younger.” Alex progressed through the junior ranks, spending all of his summer holidays at the club, before winning the Durham County Championship at 16. “From there everything seemed to happen really quickly. I turned pro at 18 when a lot of

guys were making waves in the top amateur events.” Says Alex, who caught up with England schoolboys teammate Paul Howard, a winner on the EuroPro Tour this season, recently. “It’s funny to see how two very different routes can cross back over so many years down the line.” For now, Alex is happy with the balance between time in the shop and on the golf course. “It can be really easy to look too far ahead in this game. It’s about playing the shot in front of you and making the best of each situation. “I’m very happy with this year and we’ll see how the next few weeks go.”

Golf in the Scottish Borders Traditional country inn ideally situated for playing MINTO, HAWICK, THE HIRSEL AND ROXBURGH plus many more. 12 en-suite bedrooms with tv, wi-fi, tea/coffee making facililties, Sky tv. Restaurant and bar serving cask ales (good pub guide)

STAY & PLAY - £75 per night on two people sharing

The Auld Cross Keys Inn

(2 course evening meal, B&B, 18 holes at Minto Golf Club & Hawick Golf Club )

Tel: Karen or Dave on 01450 870305 bookings@crosskeysdenholm.co.uk www.crosskeysenholm.co.uk Five Star Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence

The Green, Denholm, Scottish Borders, TD9 8NU 30 NORTHERN GOLFER

18 holes of Golf £16 per person

WINTER GOLF SPECIALS

Coffee, bacon roll & 18 holes £19 per person Coffee & bacon roll, 18 holes followed by 2 course meal £27 per person

MONDAY - FRIDAY MUST BE PREBOOKED MINIMUM 4 PLAYERS

Available from 2nd Nov 2015 until 31st March 2016

For Summer Society package details telephone the Club Manager on 01429 267473

HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB, Hart Warren, Hartlepool, TS24 9QF hartlepoolgolf@btconnect.com www.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk

Parklands GOLF CLUB

Exclusive offer

for new full memberships only EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR NEW FULL MEMBERSHIPS ONLY

18 MONTHS FOR ONLY £675 * Other age related categories available * Additional benefits included * Monthly payment option

WE CATER FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS CHILDRENS MINI GOLF PARTIES WELCOMED LAST BALLS 1 HOUR BEFORE CLOSING OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

WINTER 4 BALL ONLY £40

We are stockists of Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping, Titleist, Footjoy, Adidas, Ashworth and Galvin Green. Full Custom Fit is available using Flightscope technology. Gift, Lesson and Driving Range vouchers are available, perfect for Christmas presents. Ladies and Junior Academies, Get into Golf, beginners and intermediate classes available throughout the year. Tuition from our golf professionals includes individual lessons, group programmes and computer analysis. We are taking bookings for 2016 Society golf. Parklands reserve the right to withdraw or amend these offers at anytime. Check website for winter closing times.

Visit our website www.parklandsgolf.co.uk or E:info@parklandsgolf.co.uk

SHOP 0191 2364480 OFFICE 0191 2363322 HIGH GOSFORTH PARK, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE3 5HQ

COURSEREVIEW

South Moor - a class act Andrew Mair, a celebrated course designer and a keen student of Dr Alister MacKenzie’s creations, samples a taste of Augusta in County Durham

r Alister MacKenzie is best known for creating Augusta National and his courses include Royal Melbourne and Cypress Point, dramatically overlooking the Pacific on the Monterey Peninsula in California. But how many golfers know that South Moor in Stanley, County Durham – founded as a National Coal Board “miners only” club in 1923 – flies the MacKenzie flag in the North East? Nowhere on this fascinating heathland course is his influence more evident than in the free-flowing greens which were to become his trademark on future courses, including Augusta. Fast and mainly vast, the speed adds to the challenge of negotiating the contours, swales, crowns, tiers and terraces with which MacKenzie has endowed the beautifully shaped greens of South Moor. Elsewhere, amid stunning natural terrain punctuated by gorse, heather and bracken, the sloping and undulating rig and furrow fairways encourage a sense of adventure. As MacKenzie, a Yorkshireman born in Leeds, 32 NORTHERN GOLFER

put it in his 1920 book Golf Architecture: “There are few things more monotonous than always playing from a dead flat fairway.” At the par-three first, joy or sorrow mainly depends on avoiding the greenside bunkers, especially if the pin position is at the back. The second, a par-five, is a double dog-leg where you need to land the ball far enough right of the bunkerless green to avoid rolling off down a severe slope. The par-three third brings another outstanding example of a MacKenzie green, two tiers split 50-50 and surrounded by trees. The first of six par fours in a row arrives at the fourth. When the going is hard and running, you need to carefully judge bringing your approach shot in from the right to hit the left-to-right sloping green. At the fifth there is a huge drop from right to left around a towering green up high and hewn out of the side of a hill, with massive trouble down to the left. Talk about the wow factor! On the sixth, it is the tee which is high up. My playing partner, Guy Carr, pointed out that you

can see seven golf clubs from this vantage point: Boldon, Birtley, Hobson, Houghton-le-Spring, Ravensworth, Roseberry Grange Community and Wearside. You need to be accurate with your approach to clear the horseshoe of four brilliantly positioned bunkers guarding the front and sides of the green. The seventh, also downhill, is a clear birdie chance although the fairway narrows into the green. At the eighth it is best to fade your tee shot to the right side of the fairway given your approach shot will be at a green sloping left to right. At the ninth, failing to clear the mounding at the front of a green hidden above you (MacKenzie was the British Army’s camouflage expert in World War I) means the ball will run back down towards you. The back nine starts with a thrilling downhill par-five which turns into an amphitheatre around the green. Strategically, you need to know that since a ditch was put in across the fairway in front of the green and its bunkers during 2008, the hole has

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE never yielded more birdies. The par-three 11th has bunkers front left and right of the green with a stream right and the stroke index one 12th is a par-five, a fine uphill hole where your blind second shot needs to be aimed along the left of the fairway. The par four 13th has a 70-yard green, the longest in County Durham. This means a three-club difference for your approach shot depending on the pin position. The long 14th is one of the finest par threes in the county. At 186 yards off the white tees there are all sorts of problems, especially for some players having to use their driver. The 15th is the signature hole (see fact file) and the 16th is the last par-five, a tight dog-leg right which turns sharply almost at right angles around the trees. The ideal landing area for your drive is a mere 15-square-yards and then your target is the smallest green on the course. South Moor closes with two par fours. The 17th tee proves an expansive view disguising a tight driving hole and you’ve got the flattest green to look forward to once you have you carried the bunker. The 18th is a right to left dog-leg downhill with the second shot crucial to reaching a green where you can bounce the ball in because it slopes front to back and left to right. To sum up, members here clearly revel in a risk and reward experience as against a mean spirited slog with scorecard and pencil the only motivating factor. First time visitors will benefit from a holeby-hole guide by the club’s PGA professionals, Shaun Cowell and Mark Ridley, on the club’s impressive new website at www.southmoorgc.co.uk *Andrew Mair, a member of the Northumberland Club, is a partner with former Ryder Cup captain Mark James in the Cramlington-based course design business Andrew Mair Golf.

CONTACT South Moor Golf Club, The Middles Craghead, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 6AG Pro’s shop (Shaun Cowell and Mark Ridley) tel 01207 283525 (9am-6pm including weekends) Secretary (David Kitto) tel 01207 232 848 (10am-2pm, Mon-Fri) Email secretary@southmoorgc.co.uk Website www.southmoorgc.co.uk

Where else could you eat a sumptuous homemade pie baked in the clubhouse kitchen by a record nine times Durham County Ladies Champion, South Moor’s very own Pauline Dobson? Pauline and mine host Malcolm Kay have been members of South Moor for a combined total of more than 70 years and care passionately about serving excellent wholesome food to members and visitors

GREEN FEES Weekday £23 Weekends £28 Weekend afternoons (after noon): £15 inc free drink in clubhouse Visitors’ loyalty cards: Pay five green fees and get one free (includes weekend afternoon rate) TOTAL DISTANCE White tees: 6,293 yards (par 72) Yellow tees: 6,076 yards (par 72) Red tees 5,502 (par 73) FEATURES 18-hole heathland course Five-hole par-three course Driving practice area Short game practice area Putting green CustomFitGolf discount store Flightscope Xi & simulator Well stocked bars Top-class changing rooms and showers CADDY’S TIP Don’t miss a warm-up on the short game area. Covering 1,668sqm, it’s the biggest Astroturf area of its kind in Europe SIGNATURE HOLE The par-four 15th becomes absolutely stunning when the heather is in full bloom but its beauty can be skin deep. There is trouble everywhere including streams, down the left and in front of the green. You need to be on the right of the fairway to have a chance of taking the bunkers out of play and hitting the raised green.

ANDREW MAIR’S VERDICT

South Moor is a thinking golfers’ paradise. For connoisseurs of the sport, the course should not be missed NORTHERN GOLFER 33

GOLFERNEWS

Yorkshire pip Durham

Durham County seniors team with the Northern Counties Championship nett trophy (left to right): Alan Sanders, Ian Davison, John Naisby (Capt), David Foreman, John Napier, Mike Baker, Geoff Wilkinson Durham had to settle for runnersup spot and the nett trophy as Yorkshire won the Northern Counties Seniors Championship at Castle Eden. Durham had to go into the tournament without captain Gilbert Golightly when the date of the championship was changed after he’d booked a holiday. Stand-in captain John Naisby led the side of Alan Sanders, Ian Davison, David Foreman, John Napier, Mike Baker and Geoff Wilkinson well and they finished just seven shots adrift of Yorkshire with a total of 747. In the nett competition they were 12 shots clear of Yorkshire with a total of 708. Durham also had Chester-leStreet’s Mike Baker win the best gross in the first round with 71 which Whitburn’s Geoff Wilkinson repeated to win the second round best gross. Yorkshire’s Peter Ward had the best individual gross with 72-71.

The boys Don good Doncaster’s teenage trio delivered national taking England’s Junior Champion Club title by five points at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire. The team of junior captain Connor Longworth, Jack Ciullo and Cameron Newman, supported by their reserve Declan Stoppard, amassed 162 points over 36 holes. 34 NORTHERN GOLFER

Bernard Gallacher, second left, meets golfers on a previous visit to the region

Ryder legend comes ‘home’ Gallacher returns to support Blackwell Grange

yder Cup-winning captain Bernard Gallacher will do the honours when Blackwell Grange unveils a host of improvements this month. Gallacher, who led Europe to victory over the USA in 1995, is an honorary member of Blackwell Grange where he often played a few holes with members. When he visited his wife’s grandparents in the early 1970s - they lived nearby as his wife’s mother and family come from Darlington and her father came from Shildon. Blackwell has been undergoing some major refurbishment and development including a new state-of-the-art pro’s shop, a refurbished 15-bay driving range, new changing rooms plus a redesigned bar and lounge area. The club is holding an official opening event and invited Gallacher a guest of honour. General manager Ian Knight said: “When

people visit us for the first time after the refurbishment, they will certainly be impressed. “There has been some disruption for our members and visitors over the past few weeks, but I’m sure it’ll be well worth it and having Bernard here to officially open everything is the icing on the cake.” Blackwell hasn’t looked back since it took over the Stressholme course and vacated the original layout which is the subject of development plans. Blackwell relocated in July 2013 and the team has worked hard to maintain the 18-hole parkland golf course with floodlit driving range and excellent practice facilities. With the river Skerne looping through the course, it’s an excellent test and the improvements and changes can only add to its reputation.

Longhirst Hall G O L F

C L U B

MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

FROM £18.00 PER MONTH (DIRECT DEBIT) JOIN NOW for the winter with unlimited golf up until March 31st 2016 for ONLY £100 Top, independent ratings on www.golfshake.com Driving Range & Academy PGA EuroPro Venue 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 Visiting Parties welcome including weekends

LONGHIRST HALL GOLF COURSE, LONGHIRST, MORPETH, NORTHUMBERLAND, NE61 3LL Telephone 01670 791562 or email: enquiries@longhirstgolf.co.uk visit us online at: www.longhirstgolf.co.uk

GOLFERNEWS

Clark cup for Heworth

The winning Heworth team and officials Heworth won the Durham County Clark Cup for only the second time when they got the better of defending champions Seaton Carew 3-2 in the final at Wynyard. Heworth, who first won the trophy in 2004, also knocked out 2013 champions Bishop Auckland 4-1 in the semi-finals at Washington which they reached with wins over Houghton 3-2, Whickham 5-0 and South Shields 3.5-1.5. David Moralee, Jason McGuire, Will Marshall, Mark McAllister and Nigel Ralph did the business to prevent the Teessiders from clinching the trophy for the second year in a row. Seaton Carew’s group of Hugh Hamilton, Phil Nicholson, Ian Hendry, Guy Webster and Rob McGahan were a formidable team as they proved by reaching the final again but Heworth triumphed 3-2 in an entertaining contest.

Thomson date Yorkshire youngster Jonathan Thomson is part of England’s team of four for the biennial Spirit International amateur championship in the USA. He joins Hayley Davis, Bronte Law and Scott Gregory for the 54-hole championship at Whispering Pines Golf Club, Texas this month when the players compete for a range of team and individual titles. Thomson, 19, from Lindrick tied fourth in the European amateur championship. He was also sixth in the Brabazon Trophy and shared third place in the Duncan Putter. 36 NORTHERN GOLFER

Marianne Moore and James Glenn with the Durham County Mixed Foursomes Trophy

Moore the merrier

Mixed Foursomes title caps great season for Brancepeth

arianne Moore turned back the clock 25 years when she partnered James Glenn to the Durham County Mixed Foursomes Championship title. Way back in 1990, Marianne and Bob Marley won the title for Brancepeth for the first time and now 25 years later, she was instrumental in bringing the trophy back to the club for only the second time. The Brancepeth duo triumphed 3&2 in a tight final against Beamish Park at Hartlepool after overcoming the host club in the morning semifinal on the 19th. Beamish’s young duo of Natasha Martin and Adam Mottershead, who defeated Dinsdale Spa 4&3 in the other semi-final, gave as good as they got in the final on the front nine until Brancepeth turned the screw on the back nine and won on the 16th hole. Playing off four, Marianne, and James, who is off two, found themselves one down with one to play in the semis, but won the 18th taking the

match into sudden death where they won on the first extra hole. It’s been a good season for Brancepeth with Richard Aisbitt winning the Durham County Championship and the English Mid-Amateur title as well as the cub’s own scratch event, the Leonard Crewley Medal. And in the words of captain Steve Rose, the county mixed foursomes victory coincided with the club hosting the English Champion Club Tournament in what was a “superb weekend of golf.” Aisbitt’s Leonard Crawley Medal win came as a result of scores of 68 and 67 for a three-shot margin over Crook’s from John Howarth. Other successes this year include Norma Hardy winning the Bronze Division in the Durham County Ladies’ Golf Association Autumn Singles and Ian and Lyn Davison winning the Sir Arthur Wood Mixed Open with 44 points. That victory means Ian and Lyn scooped both of Brancepeth’s Open Mixed Opens following their win in the Derek Carver Trophy in May.

GOLFERNEWS

Freeman’s dream win

Yorkshireman takes the spoils in Harrogate

orkshire’s John Freeman pulled off a dream win in the England Golf senior men’s and women’s North tournament at Harrogate. He was six points ahead of the field in the men’s handicap event, while Norfolk’s Alex Mournian won the women’s handicap prize by five points – helped by an eagle. There was also success for Durham County Seniors Champion Mike Baker, from Chester-le-Street, as he won the scratch title. Freeman, a 13-handicapper from Willow Valley in West Yorkshire, confessed he put his heart and soul into winning the tournament - and did so emphatically with a total of 74 points (39 and 35).

He was motivated by his experience on the previous occasion he entered at Pannal and was thwarted by the weather. “I had told myself you can’t win it in the first round, but you can lose it, so play nice and steady. I got 37 points and was two or three back, nicely placed – but the second round was totally washed out. It proved to me you can win it in the first round! “So this time I set my heart on winning it and tried to get a good score in the first round.” Freeman took up golf when he was in his 30s but had to give up the game for 14 years because of arthritis. A new hip and a new knee meant he was able to take up golf

John Freeman and Alex Mournian again when he retired and his aim is a single figure handicap. Royal Cromer’s Alex Mournian was taking part for the first time, having discovered England Golf events when she, her husband and another couple played in the new mixed Club Team championship and reached the national final in Golf Week at Frilford Heath.

Mournian, who is in the RAF, said: “I noticed the poster in the locker room, realised I qualified and thought I’d enter as I come from Yorkshire and could also see family. It’s been thoroughly enjoyable and the club were fantastic. “To play all these different courses has been brilliant. I will definitely come back.”

Pay ﬁve green fees and get one FREE Sample the fun at South Moor Golf Club, the Augusta of the North This loyalty card offer for visitors will run until March 31, 2016. The offer includes our weekend afternoon rate (after 12.00pm) of £15 including a free drink in the bar PHONE the PGA Pro’s Shop on 01207 283525 (9am-6pm including weekends)

VISIT our exciting new website on www.southmoorgc.co.uk

The Middles, Craghead, Stanley, Co Durham DH9 6AG (Only ten miles from the A1) NORTHERN GOLFER 37

GOLFERNEWS

Classic finale

Former Curtis Cup star Emma Brown won on the final hole to take Malton and Norton into the finals of the Mail on Sunday Classic in Spain. Having missed out three time in the past, Malton are now on their way to El Rompido in November after seeing off Scottish champions Muckhart. Emma was giving 21 shots to Anita Collins but was two up with two to play when her par putt lipped out at 17. However, she found the green in three at the last and had two putts for the win to see Malton off to Spain after beating Ganton, Easingwold, York, Scarborough SC, Whitby, Oakdale, Bishop Auckland and Minto and finally Muckhart. “At last we’ve made it,” said Emma. “We’ve got close a few times. It came down to the last hole but we did it.” More than 760 clubs entered the competition.

Garry Leeds the way Leeds Cup winner Garry Houston is aiming to resurrect his European Tour career after his second victory in the event in four years. "I was ill at the start of the season and I did not want to travel too far but I still wanted to keep my game sharp,” said the Chesterbased Welshman. "I played a bit on the Challenge and EuroPro tours and in the region where there are more people round about my age. "It’s certainly more fun but I’ll be going back to qualifying school at the end of the year to try to win my card.” 38 NORTHERN GOLFER

Shipley’s winning team (left to right): Charles and Sharon Howroyd, with Penny and Neil Hartley. Courtesy Leaderboard Photography

Ship shape Yorkshire team is the best in England

hipley are the first winners of England Golf ’s new Club Team Championship. The Yorkshire side had to change their line-up from the regional qualifier, but still managed to score 81 points in the final on the Blue course at Frilford Heath and finished two clear of the field. The winning team was former Yorkshire cricketer Neil Hartley and his wife Penny, together with Charles and Sharon Howroyd. “I can’t tell you what a wonderful honour it is to win this, for the club and for the members,” said Charles. “It was very much a team effort and we slotted in very well.” He and Sharon stepped into the team to replace Liz and Mark Waddington, who helped Shipley through the regional qualifier at Fulford, but were unable to play in the final. Sharon went on to

provide one of the highlights of the round when she birdied the third for four points. Shipley has around 120 lady members and a very active mixed section with around 90 players turning out for the regular events. Neil said: “As a club, we seem to have embraced mixed golf in the last few years and it’s been great for England Golf to give us the opportunity to go to Fulford and to Frilfold Heath and this marvellous three-course setup.” Much of the final was played in a downpour but the players dealt with it cheerfully. “Before we started we knew it would be a long round and that we mustn’t get frustrated,” said Neil. The runners-up were another Yorkshire club, Waterton Park, who beat Leicestershire’s Hinckley on countback after they both scored 79 points.

Luck on Tottley’s side Welshman Matthew Tottey won the PGA North Region Championship at Kendal club Carus Green thanks to an incredible stroke of luck. He misjudged his tee shot to the short 18th and it was not until he reached the green that

he learned that his ball had struck a sponsor’s banner, preventing it from going out of bounds. Tottey safely made his par to post a seven under-par round total, comprising five birdies in a flawless first round and three in the next, which contained his lone bogey.

GOLFERNEWS

PLAY UNLIMITED WINTER GOLF NOW UNTIL 31ST MARCH 2016 FOR ONLY £100

PARTY PACKAGES 2015 & 2016 18 Hole Breakfast - Bacon roll with tea or coffee on arrival, range balls, 18 holes of golf - Weekdays £17- Weekends £20 18 Hole Breakfast & Meal - Bacon roll with tea or coffee on arrival, range balls, 18 holes of golf, 2 course meal after play Weekdays £20 - Weekends £22

Allison Malham

Allison does a top job Seaton Carew boss shortlisted for award

eaton Carew’s Allison Malham is in the running to be named Golf Manager of the Year. She is in the final four named by the Golf Club Managers Association for the prestigious award and the judges will visit Seaton Carew this month to interview Allison before announcing the two finalists at Fulford. The winner will be named at the GCMA’s National Conference in November in Burton-upon-Trent.

“It’s really nice to receive some positive recognition for my work as club secretary,” said Allison, who has held the post for the last four years. “I don’t feel like I have done anything special. When I received news of the nomination I was so stunned and couldn’t stop smiling all week.” Allison was nominated for the award by the club’s former treasurer Jim Cockburn and several other members.

Pay and play rewards Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, which manages Linden Hall in Northumberland, is rewarding golfers across the UK with the launch of the group’s first pay and play reward programme, Loyal-Tee. The new loyalty card scheme launched in August enables players to access the best available rates, discounted and free rounds of golf, plus additional discounts on buggy hire and food and drinks.

Players will receive increased benefits the more they play, and these can be redeemed across all Macdonald Hotels & Resort golf locations, including the world famous Macdonald Spey Valley Golf and Country Club in Aviemore, Macdonald Portal, Cheshire and Macdonald Cardrona in Peebles. For more information on the Loyal-Tee scheme, go to www. macdonaldhotels.co.uk/golf/loyal-tee

28 Hole All Day - Coffee & biscuits, range balls, 10 holes of golf, soup & sandwich lunch, 18 Holes of golf, 2 course meal after play - Weekdays only £27

Tel: 01207 270941 Email: secretary@hobsongolfclub.co.uk Website: www.thehobsongolfclub.co.uk @hobsongolfrange

Like us on Facebook

Hetton LeGolf Hill Club

SUPERB JONATHON GAUNT LAYOUT

ENJOY A GOLFING TREAT AT HETTON LE HILL WINTER SOCIETY GOLF SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATES NEW MEMBERS 2015 & 2016 - REDUCED FEES Telephone 0191 5173061 or email hettoncgc@gmail.com Hetton le Hill Golf Club Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QT NORTHERN GOLFER 39

AWAYDAYS

A grand day out We take a trip around the region to find some of the best venues for an autumn outing

RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL & GOLF CLUB 40 NORTHERN GOLFER

AWAYDAYS CASTLE EDEN GOLF CLUB Just off the A19 in County Durham you will find one of the region’s best parkland tracks, Castle Eden. Set between the Castle Eden Dene and the castle, the golf course is regarded as one of the best kept in the North East, with top quality greens all season long. The clubhouse facilities are top notch too with great views of the seventh, eighth and 18th from the conservatory - a great place to watch the last few groups come in. We would recommend the eighth as a great nearest the pin test – many a good score has been sent down into the ravine short of the green at this 190-yard par three. Castle Eden Golf Club, Stockton Road, Castle Eden, Hartlepool TS27 4SS, tel 01429 836 510, www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk CASTLE EDEN GOLF CLUB

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD GOLF CLUB

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD GOLF CLUB Flamborough Head offers a year-round treat with a classic English links course rolling over the clifftops on the North Yorkshire coast. Measuring just 6,198 yards, Flamborough is not the longest links course, but it is a demanding test never-the-less. Avoid the rough at all costs, it is deep and will take a great shot to escape from, while the greens are large and undulating – finding the right portion of them is important if you want avoid three putting. The mix of short and long holes, played in different directions, means you are lucky if you face two similar shots in a full round here making it a tough test but one you’ll enjoy a great deal. The clubhouse at Flamborough Head offers stunning views of the golf course and out to the North Sea. It’s a great place to relax after your round and enjoy some traditional, home cooking. Flamborough Head Golf Club, Lighthouse Road, Flamborough East Riding, YO15 1AR, tel 01262 850 333 www.flamboroughheadgolfclub.co.uk MACDONALD CARDRONA HOTEL, GOLF & SPA, NR PEEBLES

Garesfield Golf Club MONDAY SPECIALS 18 Holes + FREE pint £10 pp 18 Holes + Toasty £12 pp 2 Ball + Buggy £25 --------TUESDAY - FRIDAY (AFTER 11AM) 2 Ball + buggy £25 18 holes golf £12 --------FRIDAY SPECIAL 18 Holes golf + Fish & Chips £18.50 pp 18 Holes golf Pie, Peas & Chips £14.50pp To book tel 01207 563082 or email: jeffrey.musgrove@live.co.uk --------MEMBERSHIPS Limited number of deals available to March 2017 2 Months Taster Membership for beginners including 5 golf lessons £100 1st Child under 16 joins FREE when an Adult takes Full Membership Contact the office for details 01207 561309 --------We have a well-stocked Pro Shop call in see our great offers 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

BOOK BY 31ST OCTOBER AND RECEIVE: • 1 in every 8 golfers stays, plays & eats for FREE! • 20% off drinks during your stay* • 10% off standard 2016 package price With 1 night DBB + 2 Rounds of Golf Starting from just £71 & 2 Night packages from just £122 per person, Cardrona is the ideal venue for your golf break and we would love to welcome you to the Borders in 2016. For more information or to book please call 01896 833727 or email golfevents.cardrona@ macdonald-hotels.co.uk

*T’s & C’s apply. 20% off drinks is available for bookings of groups for 12 or more. Prices are based on twin sharing, subject to availability and for new bookings only. Must book by 31/10/2015. Quoted from rate includes 10% discount.

CARDRONA HOTEL GOLF & SPA

NORTHERN GOLFER 41

AWAYDAYS FULFORD GOLF CLUB Fulford, the Yorkshire course made famous by Bernhard Langer in 1981, remains a great test for golfers of all abilities – as we found out on a recent trip. Widely regarded as one of the best courses in the North of England, Fulford staged 23 consecutive European Tour events between the 1970s and 1990s and saw major champion Langer climb an ash tree on the 17th during the Benson and Hedges tournament in 1981, a shot which is cemented in any list of golf’s strangest escapes or any montage of shots from the German’s career. The 6,900-yard course is now considered too short to host a tour event but it remains tough enough for any handicap golfer with its mix of three par fours of more than 400 yards in the first five holes, three superb par fives and a couple of brilliant short holes – although one of them is not so short at 205 yards. Fulford Golf Club, Heslington Lane, York Yorkshire, YO10 5DY tel 01904 413 579, www.fulfordgolfclub.co.uk GARESFIELD GOLF CLUB On the border between Northumberland and Durham, Garesfield is often ranked among our region’s most picturesque courses with views across both counties. Designed by Harry Fernie in 1922, the parkland course offers a great test for the low handicappers with trouble waiting for those who are too bold, while those who choose to plot their way around will find the course a pleasure to play. The mature layout measures nearly 6,500 yards with a par of 72 from the medal tees and is beautifully presented throughout the year with the greens regularly winning praise from visiting parties. The modern two-storey clubhouse offers superb views over the course and surrounding countryside - a great place to watch the sunset after an afternoon on the course. Garesfield Golf Club, Clayton Terrace Road, Chopwell, NE17 7AP tel 01207 561 278, www.garesfieldgolfclub.co.uk

FULFORD GOLF CLUB

GARESFIELD GOLF CLUB

Castle Eden Golf Club

Visiting Party bookings now being taken for 2016

Winter 4 ball offer from £80 (Nov-Mar) including a 1 course meal Contact the Pro on 01429 836689

For Society bookings, membership enquiries and further information please contact the club secretary on 01429 836510 Visit our website www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk or email castleedengolfclub@hotmail.com 42 NORTHERN GOLFER

AWAYDAYS GEORGE WASHINGTON HOTEL, GOLF & SPA

GEORGE WASHINGTON HOTEL, GOLF & SPA George Washington is everything you want in a golf resort. A top notch championship course is complemented by a 16-bay driving range with teaching suites. There’s also a five-hole Academy course, and the 103-bedroom hotel offers great stay and play rates and dining throughout the day. At the heart of the resort is the par 73, 18-hole layout measuring 6,625 yards from the back tees. The fairways here are generous, however trees await should you fail to find the short grass. The opening back-to-back par fives offer a great opportunity to get off to a flying start, while George Washington’s version of Amen corner - a stretch of three tricky par fours will test players of all levels with tough drives leading to tricky undulating greens. Play this stretch in level par and you’re on for a great score. George Washington Hotel, Golf and Spa, Stone Cellar Road High Usworth, Washington, NE37 1PH, tel 0191 417 8346 www.georgewashington.co.uk THE HOBSON GOLF CLUB The meadowland course at The Hobson is guaranteed to test every facet of your game, whatever your handicap. Measuring 6,403-yards from the back tees, the course is relatively flat, which makes for easy walking while the layout, with its mix of strong par fours and risk and reward par fives, requires your full concentration to make a winning score. The course has come a long way since members purchased it from Derwentside District Council in 2002 thanks to drainage work and continuous investment. The club has also added a 16-bay driving range to its facilities and Mark Watkins’ professional’s shop is worth a visit before you tee off. The Hobson Golf Club, Burnopfield, Co. Durham, NE16 6BZ tel 01207 270 941, www.thehobsongolfclub.co.uk

THE HOBSON GOLF CLUB

MACDONALD LINDEN HALL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

EARLY BIRDIE GOLF BREAKS AT... MACDONALD LINDEN HALL, GOLF & COUNTY CLUB, LONGHORSLEY

The Red Lion Inn in Milfield, Northumberland, NE71 6JD

IDEAL LOCATION TO STAY AND PLAY GOLF IN NORTHUMBERLAND

Book by 31st October and receive: • 1 in every 12 golfers stays, plays & eats for FREE! • 20% off drinks during your stay*

OVER 12 COURSES WITHIN A 30 MINUTE DRIVE!!

• 10% off standard 2016 package price With 1 night DBB + 2 Rounds of Golf Starting from just £71 & 2 Night packages from just £143 per person, Linden Hall is the ideal venue for your golf break and we would love to host you and your group in 2016. For more information or to book please call 01670 500007 or email golfevents.lindenhall@macdonald-hotels.co.uk *T’s & C’s apply. 20% off drinks is available for bookings of groups for 12 or more. Prices are based on twin sharing, subject to availability and for new bookings only. Must book by 31/10/2015. Quoted from rate includes 10% discount.

Comfortable Accommodation NOW with 4 additional en-suite rooms Bed and Breakfast £75 - Twin/double room Play & Stay Monday - Friday and play golf at Wooler for £5pp Secure lock up - ample car parking Cosy Bar with Real Ales on tap - Delicious home cooked food To book or for further information telephone Iain or Claire on 01668 216224 iain@redlionmilfield.co.uk www.redlionmilfield.co.uk Find us on facebook NORTHERN GOLFER 43

AWAYDAYS LINDEN HALL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB LINDEN HALL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB A short drive from Newcastle, the impressive country house setting of Linden Hall Golf & Country Club is the perfect place for a day, or more, of golf with its championship golf course and award-winning restaurant and accommodation. An 18th Century manor house, Linden Hall is at the heart of the resort with the golf course laid out in mature woodland with views out to the North Sea. The 6,846 yard course is well defended by bunkers and the highlight of many rounds is the risk and reward par-five 13th. Away from the golf course, the facilities at Linden Hall include a dedicated golfers lounge, The Linden Tree Pub, conference facilities, quad biking, the two AA Rosette Dobson restaurant, as well as a spa, gym and pool. Linden Hall Golf & Country Club, Longhorsley, Morpeth Northumberland, NE65 8XF, tel 0844 879 9084 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/macdonald-linden-hall-golf-country-club RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL & GOLF CLUB Home of one of the UK’s newest golf courses, as well as an awardwinning hotel and spa, Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club is an ideal venue for golfers travelling to the North East, or those looking for good golf and world-class facilities close to home. Its two 18-hole championship courses - The Prince Bishops Course and the new Cathedral Course are fine examples of risk and reward golf, set in countryside near Durham City. The Cathedral Course, opened in September 2014 as part of a £15m redevelopment at the four-star resort, measures 7,200 yards from the back tees and is laid out across a sweeping hilltop plateau and a picturesque wooded valley. It also has its own Amen Corner, with holes inspired by Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters and views

& NE/NW PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION ANDALUCIA PRO AM 2016 MARBELLA, COSTA DEL SOL. 24 FEB 2016. 6 NIGHTS, STAYING AT H10 ANDALUCIA PALACE, BED AND BREAKFAST,4 GAMES: LOS NARANJOS, RIO REAL, SANTANA AND LAS BRISAS. BUGGIES AND TRANSFERS INCLUDED: • £890 per person. Limited teams available. • See your PGA Professional or call • Kevin Batty on 01661 854852 email: kevin@golfingholidays.org | tom.flowers@nenwpga.co.uk

SPRING MIXED GOLFING WEEK

13 APRIL 2016 EL ROMPIDO GOLF RESORT

44 NORTHERN GOLFER

• A great start to the golfing season, join us for this friendly competition week. • Staying 7 nights with half board and drinks from 1700 to 2400. 5 Games on the 2 El Rompido Courses. • Airport transfers included. • £639 per person excludes flights. • Register now for more details: kevin@golfingholidays.org Tel 01661 854852

AWAYDAYS across the city and to the cathedral the course is named after. Meanwhile, The Prince Bishops Course is a classic English track with tree-lined fairways and well-protected greens. Although very different layouts, both courses present an excellent test of golf where tree-lined fairways, water hazards, intelligent bunkering and doglegs challenge your game. Away from the golf courses, the resort has everything golfers and nongolfers need from the clubhouse and driving range for before and after your round, to the new Rib Room, Steakhouse and Grill. The resort’s spa offers full day experiences as well as one-off treatments, and the hotel offers 80 rooms including a number of suites and the five-bedroom Farmhouse. There is also a health club, gym and pool on-site. Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, Carville Durham, DH1 5TD tel 0191 386 5282, www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL & GOLF CLUB

Fulford (York) Golf Club

CARDRONA HOTEL, GOLF & SPA For those travelling north, Cardrona in the Scottish Borders is well worth a visit. The resort, which features a Dave Thomas-designed parkland and woodland layout, is skirted by the River Tweed and offers stunning views across the dramatic borders landscape. Designed by former Ryder Cup player Thomas, the 7,010-yard par 72 course has hosted EuroPro and European Challenge Tour events and opened for play in 2001. Bearing all the hallmarks of a Thomas design - large bunkering and huge, subtly contoured greens - Cardrona is a must-play course for those within a couple of hours’ drive. Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa, Cardrona, Peebles Peebleshire, EH45 8NE, tel 0344 879 9024 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/macdonald-cardrona-hotel-golf-spa/golf

Bed & Breakfast

‘The Friendliest Club on the Coast...’

BOOK FOR YOUR AUTUMN PLAY & STAY 1 NIGHT & 1 DAY’S UNLIMITED GOLF*

£49 pp

Golf Coast Passport with Bed & Breakfast from

Winter Golf from £32.50pp Packages also available Visit our online booking service www.fulfordgolfclub.co.uk Or ring Tom on 01904 413579 ext 4

2 NIGHTS, 3 ROUNDS OF GOLF FROM 5 COURSES*

£116 pp

Bed & Breakfast with unlimited golf* Facilities include two bedrooms (max 4 guests) lounge with stunning views of the course & North Sea, a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, parking, full use of the Clubhouse and full English Breakfast in our restaurant

Flamborough Head Golf Club For more information call: 01262 850333 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, FLAMBOROUGH YO15 1AR

www.ﬂamboroughheadgolfclub.co.uk

enquiries@ﬂamboroughheadgolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 45

AWAYDAYS THE RED LION INN If you’re heading north to the Borders, or playing in North Northumberland, a stay at The Red Lion Inn, Milfield is highly recommended. With two guest rooms and four en-suite chalets, The Red Lion is perfect for small groups looking for a base to venture out from, while the homecooked breakfast is sure to set you up for a day on the golf course. Food at the Red Lion is hearty with pork belly, duck leg confit and steak and ale pie all highly recommended from the bar menu. The Red Lion Inn, Main Road, Milfield, Wooler, NE71 6JD tel 01668 216 224, www.redlionmilfield.co.uk

GOLFING HOLIDAYS If you’re still searching for some guaranteed sunshine and you’re only willing to pack your polo shirts and shorts when it comes to a golf trip, Golfingholidays.org offers a range of bespoke travel packages to resorts in Spain, Portugal, Tunisia and Turkey. Kevin Batty has a wealth of experience in building bespoke packages for groups of five to 50. Kevin regularly organises the overseas PGA pro ams as well as breaks for club golfers and societies. For more information contact Kevin, email kevin@golfingholidays.org or visit www.golfingholidays.org

The GEOrge washington golf club

GW GOLF

DRIViNG RANGE

TheNorth East’s nEWEST Range Nights drawing in - don't let that STOP you from keeping your game up to scratch!! We have - 16 heated bays - 6 power tees - flight scope training bays - relaxng half way house - custom fit - Loyalty Card giving up to 30% discount! - Coaching from our TWO PGA PROFESSIONALS *when topping up with £10 of range balls. 1 per person. (T&Cs apply)

Call the Pro Shop on 0191 417 8346

gsd@georgewashington.co.uk 46 NORTHERN GOLFER

•

www.georgewashington.co.uk

•

NE37 1PH UK

GOLFERTIPS

DRIVING FORCE

Modern drivers are designed to get the ball to launch higher off the clubface with a lower spinrate - maximising both carry and total distance. However, most amateurs do not set up to the golf ball in a way that will allow them to make best use of the technology. Here’s how to maximise your potential with the driver…

STEP 1

A common fault among amateur golfers is to set up with their shoulders parallel to the ground, resulting in a lower launch angle

STEP 2

To create a better angle, place your driver across your shoulders and tilt your shoulders so the club points upwards - mimicking the launch angle you would like to achieve

STEP 3

To help visualise this, tee your ball slightly higher with the manufacturer’s logo at the back of the ball just below the equator. When you make your swing, imagine that you are hitting up onto the logo

Stuartty RainfgfPerofressional

lf Teach nce Go rforma e P r 5 u To 45 66

28 5 tel 012

48 NORTHERN GOLFER

Image credit: L.E.MORMILE / Shutterstock.com

TOUR PERFORMANCE GOLF

ur Get To e Fit anc b Fit m r o f r Pe Clu i ndard

ta TP Tour S ute lesson/ n 30 mi reening Sc

! 0 6 £ Y L ON g n i v a S ( £35)

• Golf Retail Outlet Golf Retail Outlet • Floodlit Covered Driving Range • European Tour Technician Jimmy Latta • 2x PGA Pros • TPI Trainer • Orka National Fit Centre

Spend £150 Spend £250 receive 5 credits for our driving range

receive 10 credits for our driving range

Tel: 01228 545 665 | www.tourperformancegolf.co.uk California Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, CA3 0BY

Enter online

win GOLFERCOMPETITIONS

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 November 5 2015. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT FLAMBOROUGH HEAD Flamborough Head Golf Club is an 18-hole cliff top links that has been carefully moulded around the contours of the famous headland which gives the club its name. The course and clubhouse are surrounded by magnificent, panoramic views of the North Sea, and both lighthouses. For your chance to win answer this question: How many major championships has Arnold Palmer won?

.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT LONGHIRST HALL GOLF CLUB.

.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT SLALEY HALL.

The Lakes Course at Longhirst Hall is one of the region’s best tests of golf with a challenging layout which features 15 holes with water in play. The rolling Northumberland landscape surrounds the course, with stunning views in every direction, while the addition of a new driving range and academy at the club means a pre-round warm-up is a must. See our review of the Dawson Course at Longhirst on page 16.

The Priestman Course at Slaley Hall should be on every golfer’s must-play list. The Dave Thomas design is a perfect partner to the challenging Hunting Course with its flatter terrain making it a pleasure to play, while the design still presents a tough test with large undulating greens and tree-lined fairways demanding accuracy.

For your chance to win answer the following question: Who won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

For your chance to win answer this question: Who won the 2015 FedEx Cup?

Congratulations to September’s competition winners from more than 500 entries: Golf for four at Blackwell Grange: Keith Denholm, Forest Hall Golf for four at Cookridge Hall: Stephen Theaker, Goole - Golf for four at Newbiggin Golf Club: Tony Smith, Houghton-le-Spring

BEAMISH PARK GOLF CLUB Providing Golfing Excellence for over 100 Years “Be Challenged and Enjoy the Experience”

Special Offer Membership 2015 thru to 2017 valid until 31st March 2017 AVAILABLE TO NEW APPLICANTS ONLY.

Love Golf.... Love Beamish Park SPECIAL OFFER

Immediate full membership up to 31st March 2017 for £590, availability limited to first 20 applicants only Payable by Monthly Direct Debit! Visitors & Societies always welcome. Book your Society Outing Now Party of 12 or more Organiser goes Free….. From 1st October - Green fees only £12 pp or 4 ball only £40 for a, buggies available at members rate of £10 each, check first for availability

www.beamishgolf.co.uk 50 NORTHERN GOLFER

@beamish park_gc

Beamish Golf Club

Beamish Park Golf Club, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 ORH

TWO WAYS TO DRIVE A BARGAIN. • 3 Years FREE Servicing • FREE Metallic Paint • Highest Ever NCAP Safety Rating

V40 D2 ES

Only £249 per month

Special Golf Affinity Price Customer Deposit Manufacturer Deposit Contribution Amount of credit Interest Total charge for credit Interest rate (fixed for the duration of the agreement) Representative 48 monthly payments of 1 final payment of The guaranteed future value is Total amount payable Duration of the agreement

£19,138.00 £850.00 £750.00 £17,538.00 £2,535.32 £2,535.32 2.52% 4.9% APR £249.34 £8,105.00 £8,105.00 £21,673.32 49 months

V40 Cross Country D2 SE Only £296 per month Special Golf Affinity Price Customer Deposit Manufacturer Deposit Contribution Amount of credit Interest Total charge for credit Interest rate (fixed for the duration of the agreement) Representative 48 monthly payments of 1 final payment of The guaranteed future value is Total amount payable Duration of the agreement

£21,498.00 £500.00 £750.00 £20,248.00 £2,885.76 £2,885.76 2.52% 4.9% APR £296.12 £8,920.00 £8,920.00 £24,383.76 49 months

VOLVO CARS NORTH EAST Mill Newcastle Scotswood Road, Newcastle NE15 6BZ

Mill Sunderland Wessington Way, Sunderland SR5 3HR

Mill Stockton Preston Farm Business Park, Stockton TS18 3SG

Mill Harrogate St James Retail Park, Knaresborough HG5 8PY

www.millnortheast.co.uk

Tel: 0800 612 4715

BE SURE YOU CAN AFFORD THE REPAYMENTS BEFORE ENTERING INTO A CREDIT AGREEMENT. You are not obliged to obtain the services described under the Sales Agency agreement featured in the Q3 Volvo scheme. The Sales Agency agreement gives you the option to return the vehicle to Santander Consumer (UK) plc T/A Volvo Car Credit at the end of the term. V40 D2 ES Selected Annual Mileage is 8000. V40 CC D2 SE Selected Annual Mileage is 8000. Excess mileage will be charged at the rate of 14.9 pence per mile (plus VAT) for the first 5000 miles and at twice that rate thereafter. This representative example, available through Santander Consumer (UK) plc T/A Volvo Car Credit, is valid for orders received on or before 31st October 2015. It does not commit the creditor to enter into an agreement with you and it is not an offer to sell the above or any other vehicle to you. Applicant must be 18 or over. Guarantees/indemnities may be required. At the end of the Personal Contract Purchase there are three options: (1) Part exchange the vehicle, where equity is available (2) Pay the GFV (Guaranteed Future Value) to own the vehicle or (3) Return the vehicle. Further charges may be made subject to the condition of the vehicle. Mill Garages North East Ltd NE15 6BZ. Car featured for illustration purposes only. To be eligible for this golf affinity discount you must be a registered member of a golf club and have held your membership for 6 months or more prior to purchase, agreed proof of your membership and/or handicap certificate must be produced to Mill Volvo at the point of order.

directory NORTHERN

NORTHERN