Northern Golfer magazine #66 - August 2018

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AUGUST 2018

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REMARKABLE SUCCESS OF DURHAM GIRLS

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EDITOR Paul Robertson editor@northerngolfer.co.uk EDITORIAL Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk EVENTS Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGER Doug Brolls 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk

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

WELCOME&CONTENTS Much is said and written about the need to involve more people in the game we love.

With that in mind, it is fantastic to be able to feature some of the region’s best young female golfers, who have won the opportunity to further their education in the United States, in this issue. The success of the Durham girls programme is highlighted in our centre spread, in which we meet the young women who have taken advantage of the great courses and coaching in our region to further their golfing ambitions.

They, along with their young male counterparts, are exactly the sort of role models we need to get more people into the game.

While they will inspire those of their generation, the success of the more senior members of the golfing fraternity should encourage those who are perhaps not so young - particularly the success of our July cover star Mark Ridley at the Senior Open.

I don’t think we have ever produced an edition of Northern Golfer featuring so many golfers of different ages, both male and female, picking up trophies and finding success on the fairways.

Perhaps it has been the magnificent summer, but optimism is so much higher now that our courses have welcomed members old and new, returners and beginners to the fairways.

Not all of us have the aspiration or the talent to turn a pastime we love into a career but it is great to see those who do have that ambition afforded the opportunity across the North East and Yorkshire.

We look forward to welcoming those who win their respective club championships to Ramside Hall in September, where we will once again host Champion of Champions events for men, women and juniors. Make sure your club is represented, see pages 6 and 7 for details, and to see who has already qualified.

As well as all the usual news, this month we also check out the latest gear, profile Centurion Park, spend some time on the course with Dr Rachel Scurfield, and reflect on golf ’s greatest major.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and we will be back in September with more tales of joy and woe from the fairways. Happy golfing!

Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

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Durham’s matchplay champion, a master of the Old Course, Champion of Champions is back, and more

14-23 TEEING OFF

Fell’s pro experience, Ridley’s major moment, junior sensations, and more

29 TOUR LIFE

At home with Florida Chris

31 DEAN BAILEY Golf’s greatest major

32 ROUND WITH

Newcastle Falcons doctor Rachel Scurfield

FRONT COVER

40 MATCHPLAY PAIRS

Durham’s magnificent seven heading for a US golfing education

Round three details

42 TIPS

Pitch perfect with John Harrison

Pages 25-27 When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

04-11 TEEING OFF

44 COMPETITIONS

35 LATEST GEAR NEWS & REVIEWS

38 CENTURION PARK PROFILE

Win golf for four at City of Newcastle, Eaglescliffe and Richmond (Yorks)

46 BUNKER

Golfing tales from our readers NORTHERN GOLFER 03

TEEINGOFF

Wilson wows in Faldo Series

Will Marshall

James Wilson James Wilson lifted the Faldo Series North Championship trophy at Moortown Golf Club with a three-shot victory.

Tyneside Golf Club-based James shot rounds of 74, 68 and 69 over the Alister MacKenziedesigned course to lead the elite field by three shots and book his place in the Faldo Series Grand Final. His final round included birdies at the 15th, 16th and 17th.

“I was pleased with my game; I played solidly and putted well,” said James. “I knew what I needed to do on the home stretch and the three birdies sealed it.

Looking forward to playing in the Grand Final, I know there are some high quality players there already. I think I’ll go in confident because this is a difficult track - to get round in one piece feels very good.”

Meanwhile, the boys’ U18 division was won by Luke Bartram as Owen Watts won the boys’ U16 title.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in more than 30 countries worldwide.

Past winners of Faldo Series events include major champions Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy.

04 NORTHERN GOLFER

Marshall’s champion

W

ill Marshall won the battle of the teenagers to lift the Durham County Matchplay Championship at Durham City.

Will, who has just turned 19, took on Tyneside’s James Wilson, winner of the championship two years ago and who was hoping for a second win at Durham to mark his 19th birthday.

Will was fast out of the blocks and was 4up after four holes, but

Wilson hauled him back and the match headed to the 18th tee with Will 1up. They would both par the last to give the Heworth lad the title.

“I was 4up after four with a birdie and an eagle as James struggled a bit on the opening holes. He came back at me with an eagle and few birdies of his own though,” said Will. “James pulled it back and in the end it was a really tight match. I’ve been playing well this year but not really scoring well

so I’m happy it all came together this week. I’m just enjoying my golf at the moment, but I am thinking about turning professional in a year or two. I need to play as much as I can and just see how things go, I’ve got plenty of time.”

James got the better of Castle Eden’s Ryan Dixon in the semifinals while Will, who is the second Heworth player to win the title, defeated past winner Graeme Marchbank to end City’s hopes of a home winner.

Captaincy hat-trick Neil Macdonald has completed a captaincy hat-trick as a result of an overhaul of county seniors golf in Northumberland.

The former county strokeplay champion (pictured) was named county seniors captain this year, becoming the first man to captain Northumberland at every level he was junior caption in 1978, captain in 1991-92, and then the seniors captain against Cumbria.

Neil’s captaincy is the result

of changes to the setup of the seniors’ team, which means it is now aligned within the main Northumberland County Union, and that it is represented by a different captain for each county match.

A new programme of senior events is also in place with an order of merit based on county events, the Northern Counties Seniors and Northern Counties League matches as well as

the British Seniors, English Seniors, Scottish, Irish and Welsh championships.

TEEINGOFF

Master of the Old Course

B

rad Robinson lifted his second trophy at the Old Course in St Andrews at the Boyd Quaich Tournament.

Brad, who learned to play the game at Westerhope Golf Club and won the Faldo Series’ Scotland event at St Andrews in 2016, lifted the trophy in the event featuring the best student golfers from around the world. Representing Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina, Brad shot rounds of 71, 70, 73 and 69 to beat American Ross Moore by one shot.

“It’s fantastic to be able to say I’ve now won twice around the Old Course,” said Brad.

“I felt really well prepared going into the event having played well in college events before coming back home for the summer.

“The final day was a tough one with the wind switching as I made the turn so both nines played into the wind. I made a great start to turn in three under-par then got to

Brad Robinson four under-par through 14. The final stretch was the toughest part of the course and I dropped shots at the 16th and 17th before birdieing the last – which I knew would give me a chance.”

Brad, who has recorded a second place finish and three top-fives as he finished outside the top-10 just once in 11 events in the US this season,

had a nervous wait in the clubhouse, lying a shot behind the leaders on the course.

“It was a nice feeling having set the score and knowing how tough the finish was. It was nerve-wracking watching the leaderboard though!”

Brad will return to North Carolina this summer for his final year as a college player.

Yorkshire hold firm Durham narrowly missed out on a major scalp in the Northern Counties League as they lost by just one point to Yorkshire at Hornsea before winning the local derby with Northumberland 12.5-5.5 at Darlington Golf Club.

Elsewhere in the second round of matches, Northumberland raced to a 4-2 lead over Cumbria in the morning foursomes at Ulverston before the home team won the singles 7-5 to tie the match at 9-9. Lancashire drew with Cheshire 9-9 at Royal Birkdale.

In the third round of matches, Durham completed a convincing win over Northumberland at Darlington while Yorkshire and Lancashire drew 9-9 at Fulford.

After three rounds of matches, Yorkshire lead the way, one point ahead of Durham.

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CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS

Champions events return this September The Northern Golfer Champion of Champions 2018 events will take place at Ramside Hall this September

T

he Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events will return to Ramside Hall this September with club champions from around the region set to compete over the Cathedral and Prince Bishops courses.

Last season’s events saw Hexham Golf Club’s Joseph Robson lift the junior trophy as Tynemouth Golf Club’s Rebecca Ferguson and Stew Fell lifted the ladies and men’s titles respectively.

The three invitational tournaments, which are open to reigning club champions from across the North East and Yorkshire, will again take place at Ramside Hall in Co Durham.

Helen Roseberry, director of golf at Ramside Hall, said: “We’re excited to welcome back the Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events across our two wonderful courses this September after an excellent first year.

“We can’t wait to welcome the best male, female and junior golfers from our region to Ramside for what are sure to be three fantastic tournaments.”

Paul Robertson, editor of Northern Golfer, added: “I would like to thank Ramside Hall for hosting the event.

“The success of the Junior Champion of Champions since 2015 inspired us to develop the idea to incorporate golfers of all ages. The return of the men’s event, which has 06 NORTHERN GOLFER

had many notable champions, and the first ladies event were highlights of last season and we look forward to welcoming more players to Ramside Hall this year.”

Club champions from Northumberland, Co Durham and Teesside, and selected clubs in the Scottish Borders, Cumbria and Yorkshire within Northern Golfer’s circulation area, will be invited to the events this summer. Emails will be sent to club secretaries in the coming weeks with full details of the event and how to register.

Stew Fell and Rebecca Ferguson

To enter go to www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ champion-of-champions-2018 For more information contact Dean Bailey, tel 01661 844 115 email dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk Junior Champion of Champions Saturday September 15 Prince Bishops Course at Ramside Hall Tee times from 9.30am followed by one-course meal and presentation Ladies Champion of Champions Saturday September 15 Prince Bishops Course at Ramside Hall Tee times from 9.30am followed by one-course meal and presentation Men’s Champion of Champions Saturday September 29 Cathedral Course at Ramside Hall Tee times from 9.30am followed by one-course meal and presentation

Junior Champion of Champions Joseph Robson

CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS

See you at Ramside

Players from around the region have already qualified for this year’s events, here are just a few of them…

1

2

3

4

8

9

5

6

10

11

7

12

13 1 Alnmouth ladies - Gill Dixon

2 Alnmouth men’s - Andy Minnikin

4 Darlington men’s – Lewis Rowley 7 Ryton men’s – Shaun Embleton

3 Beamish Park men’s - Adam Mottershead

5 Prudhoe men’s - Shaun Philipson

8 Seaton Carew men’s – Rob Moon

10 Tynemouth men’s – Stew Fell

6 Ramside ladies - Maggie Whitehead

9 Thirsk & Northallerton men’s - Phil Hindson

11 Tynemouth & Whitley Bay ladies – Rebecca Fergsuon

12 Tyneside men’s - James Wilson

13 Whitley Bay men’s – Seton Wakenshaw NORTHERN GOLFER 07

TEEINGOFF

Norton’s a record breaker Richard Norton’s spectacular course record 64 set up a Northern Seniors Championship victory for the Yorkshireman.

The 56-year-old Beverley and East Riding member shot the round of seven under-par to open up a five shot lead over Johnny Lawrence (Moor Allerton) at Ulverston, while Gareth Bradley (Bramhall) and David Nelson (Northenden) both shot 70.

One stroke further back on level par (71) were Stephen East (Wike Ridge), Geoffrey Skillicorn (King Edward Bay) and Glyn Rees (Fleetwood).

There was much speculation as to whether anyone would catch Norton and East certainly gave it a go with a score matched

by Alnmouth’s Peter Simpson, who shot 80 in the first round.

Recently crowned Irish Seniors Champion Trevor Foster (Accrington) also made a good run at the first round leader, but Norton stayed focused to secure victory.

Reid all about it

Steve Slater and John Simmons

Slater’s Salver

S

teve Slater has become the first winner of the Northumberland County Seniors Matchplay Championship with victory in the final over City of Newcastle teammate John Simmons at Morpeth Golf Club.

Steve is now the proud holder of the Mike Fleming Salver following his 2&1 win, having reached one under-par when the final finished.

Kirkpatrick wins Andy (left) and Lynsday Reid Andy and Lyndsay Reid are the first winners of the new Northumberland County Open Seniors Fourball Championship, which was held at Ponteland.

The duo share the same surname but are not related and they finished with 47 points, three points clear of three other pairings.

08 NORTHERN GOLFER

John Kirkpatrick made it back to the county winners’ circle with victory in the Durham Seniors Championship at Heworth.

The Ramside golfer (pictured) posted a fantastic four under-par 67 in the first round and followed it with a 69 for a six under-par total of 136 and victory by three shots.

Heworth’s Dave Moralee and defending champion David Conway chased him all the way but could not catch John.

Both the semi-finals had also been close matches with John beating the recent winner of the County Seniors Strokeplay title Alan Trimby (Seahouses) 1up and Steve winning on the 19th hole over Richard West (Bedlingtonshire).

The final was a case of both players playing to their strengths.

Steve plotted his way around Morpeth, hitting fairways and

greens while John took on the course with his length - driving some par fours and reaching the par fives in two.

John battled back from 4dn by driving the 15th and then holing a great putt at the 16th.

Both players found the green on the tricky 17th and with John’s putt slipping by Steve rolled up his putt to the hole’s edge to secure the title.

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TEEINGOFF

Six of the second best

Karl joins Matfen Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa has recruited professional Karl Hepple.

Having spent the past 12 months working in business development across six Macdonald golf resorts in Southern Spain and Portugal, Karl has taken up the position of assistant golf manager at Matfen Hall.

Karl - who turned professional five years ago at the age of 21 and has worked at Longhirst, Slaley Hall and Linden Hall in the North East - will work alongside golf manager Nicola Hawes.

C

allum Tarren recorded his sixth runner-up finish in 11 events on the PGA Tour Series-China as amateur Yechun “Carl” Yuan won the Qingdao Championship.

Callum, who plays out of Rockliffe Hall, finished one shot back having set the target for Yuan at five under-par. Yuan closed with back-to-back birdies to secure a dramatic one-stroke victory and become the second amateur to win a PGA TOUR Series-China title.

Callum, who led after 36 holes, birdied the second, fifth and eighth before closing with 10 pars in a row in a bogey-free round. Despite being runner-up for the third time this year, the 27-year-old was satisfied with his finish in tricky weather, his frustration eased by earning the winner’s purse of around £30,000 which Yuan couldn’t accept as an amateur.

“To go bogey-free in that wind is fantastic. I missed a couple of

Callum Tarren chances on the par fives coming in, some good chances, but I’m happy with how I finished,” said Callum, who started the week fifth on the Order of Merit. “I’m disappointed,

but fortunately it’s still the winner’s cheque. That will really help me fly on the Order of Merit and puts me in a great spot to secure Web.com Tour status for 2019.”

Castle Eden Golf Club 18 Hole picturesque parkland course MEMBERSHIPS All categories available - Flexible payment options

JUNIORS UNDER THE AGE OF ELEVEN GO FREE AT CEGC (Free for a relation of a full seven-day member) Contact the club secretary for details.

SOCIETIES Golf Packages from £20 per person for further details on the above telephone the Secretary on 01429 836510 or email secretary@castleedengolfclub.co.uk VISITORS Summer 4 Ball £100 To book or for further details

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Castle Eden Golf Club, Castle Eden, TS27 4SS www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk 10 NORTHERN GOLFER

TEEINGOFF

Mat’s perfect finish

M

athew Webb returned to the UK, having started his year on the China Tour and playing around Asia, to lift the PGA North Region Championship trophy.

Bedlingtonshire-based Mathew, a past winner of the PGA Assistants Championship and a winner of events at home and overseas in recent years, posted two rounds of 67 to lead the field at Bolton Old Links as David Shacklady finished in second place, two shots back at eight under-par.

“It’s great to be back home and back playing some good golf,” said Mathew.

“I started my year out in China and I struggled with my game in the early events. Since then I’ve felt a little bit of pressure and things haven’t been right. I’ve worked hard in the last few weeks and I feel like my game is in much better shape now.” Mathew, 28, has travelled across Asia and Australia in the last

cvw

Mathew Webb couple of years and isn’t ruling out a return to China later this season – where he holds a full card on the China Tour. In the coming weeks though, his focus is on the PGA North Region Order of Merit, where he is in second place following the

event at Bolton Old Links.

Mathew will be competing in the Leeds Cup at Leeds Golf Club and the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore as he looks to book his place in the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey.

Abbeydale Golf Club won the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs Team Champions at Rotherham Golf Club as Middlesbrough Golf Club’s James Swash, 17, won the William Rayner Bowl for the best gross score in the 36hole event on eight under-par.

Fulford finished second and Middlesbrough claimed third.

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BARGAIN OF A LIFE TIME!!!

TEEINGOFF

Play at our course on Sunday 9 September 2018

FOR ONLY £5 PER PERSON

Times available after 10.30am / PLEASE BOOK We are also offering a deal to new members for £350 This will take you to 31 January 2020 & if you join on this Sunday we will take off a futher £50 or just come for a game of golf See club secretary for details

01289 306130

MAGDALENE FIELDS GOLF CLUB Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1NE

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FOR THE LATEST GOLF NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE VISIT NORTHERN

Graeme Storm with Consett’s Tilly Barton

WWW.NORTHERNGOLFER.COUK

Consett targets juniors

C

onsett has joined the growing number of clubs setting up an academy course in an effort to attract juniors.

The club invited European Tour winner Graeme Storm - recently made a Durham County vicepresident as a result of his efforts to promote junior golf - to officially open the facility with a junior clinic and question and answer session.

The new Blue Tee course is a tribute to the foresight of club officials, in particular junior organisers Mark Bonser and Janet Turnbull.

They took on the job last year and after discussing what was needed to attract new juniors, decided a shortened academy course was the obvious first step.

“A long course can seem very daunting for youngsters,” said Mark, “and it can take the fun element out of learning golf, so with generous sponsorship from local businesses we raised enough money to set up a Blue Tee course with the help of Tony McLure and his company TM Amenities.”

Mark also asked Storm if he 12 NORTHERN GOLFER

would officially open the academy course, and the club will host one of Storm’s Mini Tour events in the future while helping to raise money for the Finlay Cooper Fund.

“We now plan to host an open day soon,” added Mark, “We’ll be inviting children and parents to come along and have a taster session, and to see what a fun environment the golf course can be.

“You never know, we might find the next Graeme Storm!”

Graeme, who is undergoing physiotherapy following a wrist operation and hopes to be back on tour in January, congratulated Consett.

He said: “It’s good to see the club providing facilities like this for young players - it’s very much the way forward and more and more clubs in the North East are going down this road.”

Consett has also added 13 junior events this year and plans to host a Happy Gilmore tournament.

The initiative has already brought rewards - Consett Juniors have just won the North West Durham League title and have reached the semi-final of the knockout cup.

TEEINGOFF

Durham’s champions

D

arlington Golf Club will represent Durham in the England Champion Club Tournament following victory in the Durham Clubs Championship at Barnard Castle.

Andrew Wilson, who was beaten in the third round of the English Amateur Championship by City of Newcastle’s Alex Dixon, returned home to lead the team. The England international posted the best individual score in the event with rounds of 67 and 66 as his team posted a total of 448.

Darlington won the countback with Bishop Auckland thanks to Wilson’s 36-hole total, capping an incredible season for the Haughton Grange club - which has won the double of Durham Clubs and Teams Handicap titles - something only achieved once before, in 1964 by Ravensworth Golf Club.

Add victory in the Teesside Union Division Two League and the Teesside Union Teams

Darlington captain John Austin (centre) with Harrison Hodgson and Adam Bates Inset: James Wilson and John Austin Championship, plus the 1908 Salver - a competition played for by clubs who were founded in 1908 - and it’s no wonder Darlington captain John Austin was elated.

Darlington now head to the England Champion Club

Wynyard Golf Club

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Tournament at Huddersfield next month, where Dixon and his City of Newcastle teammates Mark Wharton and Phil Ridden, winners of the Northumberland Clubs title, will be among those vying for the national title.

Yorkshire lifted the Northern Counties Golf Union Boys’ County Qualifying trophy with an emphatic 17-shot win over second placed Cheshire at Pleasington.

Yorkshire posted a team total of 739 as Northumberland finished third with a team total of 765 – Junior Champion of Champions Joseph Robson (Hexham) leading the way with rounds of 70 and 74.

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TEEINGOFF

Ross wins at Moor Allerton

Craig Ross Craig Ross carded rounds of 68, 64 and 68 to win by three shots at the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour’s Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton Golf Club.

Craig, representing Kirkhill Golf Club, started the day as co-leader on 10 under-par with rookie Josh Hilleard before putting distance between himself and his playing partner at the seventh.

“It feels amazing; I’m so thankful that I won,” said Craig.

“I felt like I had the tournament in my control for the most part, I was hitting it really well and just kept plugging away at my own game as I knew the scoring opportunities would appear.

“To get a professional win so quickly into my career will help my confidence and game improve; the £10,000 cheque is a nice little bonus too.”

The win sees Craig rocket up the Order of Merit to third in the overall standings.

Stew Fell receving the men’s Champion of Champiions trophy from Ramside captain Trevor Bowman

Champion’s performance

N

orthern Golfer Men’s Champion of Champions winner Stew Fell had a week to remember at his first professional tournament – the EuroPro Tour’s Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton.

Tynemouth Golf Club-based Stew, who lifted the Champion of Champions title in 2017 at Ramside Hall as his girlfriend Rebecca Ferguson lifted the ladies title, shot rounds of 72 and 71 for a one over-par total – missing the cut by

three shots on a low scoring week in Leeds.

“I’ve definitely got a new respect for what professional golfers go through on a weekly basis,” said Stew.

“The standard of golf was so much higher than I was expecting, with so many low scores which were totally beyond my game. I played some nice golf though, some of my best this season, and I had a chance to make the cut but stumbled over the last three holes.

“The highlight of the week came in the first round when I birdied the 18th, my ninth, and got some applause from the crowd. That was pretty cool.”

Stew won his club championship at Tynemouth earlier this season while Rebecca has won the titles at Tynemouth and Whitley Bay. Both will tee it up in the 2018 Champion of Champions at Ramside in September.

For all the details on this year’s event see pages 6&7.

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TEEINGOFF

Pros share regional titles Mark Ridley teamed up with Morpeth’s David Clark to win the MasFab North of England Open Foursomes at Rockliffe Hall.

Mark and David shot a four under-par total in the 36-hole event to beat Mathew Webb (Bedlington) and Alex Belt (Bridlington Links) by three shots.

In the Cockermouth Pro Am, Philip Waugh (Brampton) posted a five under-par 64, which included a hole-in-one at the ninth, to beat Craig Goodfellow (Carlisle) and John Harrison (Matfen Hall) by three shots.

At Houghton-le-Spring, Vince Guest (Teesside) led the field with a four under-par 68 as James Harper (Wynyard) finished two shots back.

Mark’s major moment

O

ur July cover star Mark Ridley had a week to remember at The Senior Open at St Andrews as he made the cut in the major championship, posting a seven over-par total to finish in a tie for 60th place.

The South Moor-based professional shot rounds of 70, 75, 75 and 75 – including a tap-in birdie on the 18th in the second round to secure his place in the final two rounds.

“I will take away loads of fantastic memories,” said Mark.

“I didn’t feel out of place. At the start I was thinking ‘Oh dear, I’m playing with the big boys’, but I didn’t feel intimidated. Once I got going I was fine.”

Mark teed it up alongside legends of the game each day. He added: “I had a nice chat with Des Smyth and Mark Calcavecchia, and the lads I played with - Duffy

Mark Ridley

Waldorf and Santiago Luna – made me feel at ease.

“The whole thing has been fantastic from start to finish,” added Mark.

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez lifted the trophy with a 12 underpar total as defending champion Bernhard Langer finished in second place on 11 under-par.

Many of the game’s greats were also on the leaderboard including Colin Montgomerie and John Daly as well as Tom Watson, who made his last tournament visit to St Andrews.

Mark went on to tee it up in the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at The London Club the following week - where his six under-par total was good enough for a tie for 32nd place.

Mark shot rounds of 72, 69, 73 and 68 is Ash, Kent to finish 12 shots behind winner Philip Golding - who posted rounds of 72, 67, 68 and 63 for a 270 total.

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TEEINGOFF

Bell of the balls

G

osforth Park Ladies Golf Club’s Libby Bell continued one of the standout seasons so far this summer by winning the Northumberland Ladies County Golf Association Junior Championship at Matfen Hall to claim a clean sweep of girls titles in her home county.

Libby, 13, is a member of the England Regional Squad and posted a two-round total of 156 (80-76) to finish eight shots ahead of second placed Lois Blythe from Hexham and lift the Todd Trophy.

She said: “It was great to win the Championship. The scoring was tight after the first round but the coaching I’ve had from the U16 England Regional Squad and the Futures Squad helped me stay focused and play well”.

The Swinburne Trophy, a stableford competition played over 18 holes for players with handicaps of more than 20, was won by Guilia Carrozzo of Gosforth Golf Club.

THE GREAT ESCAPE

l-r Dave Fletcher, Phil Graham, Louise Lewis, Bill Gibson and Michael Rutter

Mark of approval

Libby Bell and county junior girls organiser Irene Gillon

The City of Newcastle Golf Club has been awarded GolfMark by England Golf.

The national award is an official seal of approval for clubs which successfully work to develop the game in four ways: attracting new members and encouraging existing members to play more, using practical business planning to develop the club, offering coaching and playing opportunities for all golfers, and ensuring safeguarding policies are in place.

Make the most of the lighter evenings with Twilight Golf at Rockliffe Hall.

Rockliffe Hall’s championship course is one of the most challenging in Europe. While its full 7,879 yards from the back tees will give even the best professional tour golfer a stern test, most will find the five individual tee boxes on each hole a welcome addition, offering players of all abilities the chance to experience this magnificent course.

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NORTHERN GOLFER 17

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TEEINGOFF

Lamb tastes victory

Matty Lamb Matty Lamb produced a superb six under-par 66 to lift the Fenwick-Smith Trophy at Newbiggin Golf Club.

Matty beat Durham-based American James Glenn by a single shot as bad weather saw the second round cancelled.

Andy Minnikin finished in third place with a round of 69 while Cameron Bowman and Alex Dixon shared fourth place.

Cameron Wallace

Wonder Wallace

T

eenager Cameron Wallace burnt up the Seaton Carew links to break the 44-year-old Old Course record not once but twice within a week.

The 18-year-old posted a brilliant 64 in the Gray Trophy - which was only good enough second spot despite setting a new course record because his handicap of plus-two.

Then a few days later, in the Lytham Trophy, he went even

Slater Nic’s it Yorkshire teenager Nicola Slater (pictured) completed the best five days of her golfing life so far when she won the English Women’s Open Matchplay Championship at Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire.

She clinched the trophy with a 3&2 win in the final. It’s a first individual national title for the Lindrick player and she adds it to the prestigious Bridget Jackson Bowl, which she won by five shots.

lower with an eagle, eight birdies and a stunning back nine of 29 as he blitzed the course in 62 to take the trophy and enter the record books again.

He said: “Everyone at the club was over the moon because finally someone had broken the record and this should stand for a lot of years. For the 64 I didn’t really miss anything, I could’ve possibly holed a couple more putts but couldn’t complain, could I? Then for the 62 I

got off to a scrappy start, struggled for the first five holes and then found a swing and didn’t miss.

“I remember standing on the 16th tee at eight under-par and thinking maybe I could pick up one more to break my own record. I holed a long putt on 16 to get to nine under-par, then hit it to 8ft on 17 and missed, but I hit it close on 18 and holed it and it felt great to break it as the best Old Course record of 66 had stood for 44 years.”

History makers

Jasmine Lee, Leah Davison-Pullan, Zara Naughton, Charlotte Naughton & Faye Wheatley Heworth Golf Club fielded an allgirl team for the first time in its history in the North East Junior League in a match against Ramside Hall Golf Club in July.

Heworth has 12 active team players, six of them girls, with many more coming through the club’s academy programme led by junior organiser Bryan Ross.

The team included Libby Bell (4 hcp), Zara Naughton (5), Faye Wheatley (6), Leah DavisonPullan (14), Charlotte Naughton (24) and Jasmine Lee (33).

NORTHERN GOLFER 19

TEEINGOFF

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Smart move

B

rian Smart moved a step closer to a round of a lifetime when he came through the Bridgestone Chase Your Dream Trophy regional final.

The 48-year-old 10-handicapper from Alnmouth kept alive his dream of a place in the British Masters pro am when he shot a nett 75 at Bolton Old Links.

Now he heads to England Golf Week this month at Frilford Heath for the national finals of the Chase Your Dream Trophy, where the top team in the Bridgestone Challenge will head for the British Masters at Walton Heath.

“I tried to throw it away on the

last two but got away with it,” said Brian. “It was quite windy and the greens were very fast.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the qualifier at Bolton and I’m looking forward to the next round at Frilford, where hopefully I will play well.

“This is a great tournament and it would be great to progress to the pro am at the Bridgestone Challenge and then pro am at the British Masters.”

Brian qualified for the event by winning the Centenary Plate at Alnmouth last season. He will be joined at Frilford by Malton and Norton’s Jonny Dunning, Declan Stoppard from Doncaster, Ben Brown from Masham and John Freeman of Willow Valley.

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Brian Smart

Green fingers Morpeth’s John Scurfield has been shortlisted for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year award.

He is one of 12 finalists named by the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association and the winner will be announced at the grand final at BIGGA House on September 17-18.

The winner will receive a work experience placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in southern France.

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TEEINGOFF

Caitlin’s masterclass Stephen and Lynn Phillips

Wedded bliss

Amateur golfers from across the country took up the chance to compete in Durham’s first ever mini-tour event this summer.

The County Durham Golf Trail took place over four days at South Moor, Beamish Park, Brancepeth Castle and Barnard Castle with 50 golfers taking part.

The event, which was open to men, women and mixed pairs in a fourball betterball format was won by husband and wife pairing Stephen and Lynn Phillips from Bolton.

C

umbria’s Caitlin Whitehead powered away to win her first international title with a three-shot victory in the girls’ European Young Masters at Hauger Golf Club in Norway.

The 15-year old put her foot down over the last three holes, playing them in one under-par, to break clear of the charging Spanish player, Carolina Lopez-Chacarra.

Whitehead finished on three under-par while her challenger faded over the closing holes with bogeys on 16 and 18, dropping back to level par for the 54-hole event.

“I’m really pleased,” said Caitlin, from Carus Green Golf Club.

“I’ve been playing well all season and been quite consistent but hadn’t managed to win many tournaments. I’m happy to have finished one off.”

Caitlin Whitehead (centre) with Carolina Lopez-Chacarra (left) and Ester Fagersten (© European Golf Association)

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DURHAMGIRLS

American dream

Durham’s best female golfers are heading off to America this summer to compete on the college golf circuit, Dean Bailey meets them before they jet off across the pond

E

lite women’s golf in our region is in fantastic shape right now.

Cumbria is home to one of the best female amateurs in the country, Caitlin Whitehead; Northumberland has just fielded one of its youngest ever teams at County Match Week; and players from across our region are competing in Europe’s biggest events and lifting some of amateur golf ’s biggest trophies - as you’ll find in the news

pages of each of our editions so far this summer.

In Durham, the county team says goodbye to seven of its brightest stars this month as they head off to the best schools in the US to begin or continue their golf scholarships.

We met up with six of them at Wynyard ahead of their departures while the seventh - Laura Alexander - had already jetted off to begin her fourth and final year in Georgia. Here’s what they had to say...

NORTHERN GOLFER 25

DURHAMGIRLS

JESSICA HALL Age: 19 Handicap: +3 Home club: Bishop Auckland College: California State University, Fresno Year: Freshman ( first) “I’m really looking forward to getting out there and getting going. It’s going to be fantastic to practise with a team and to be able to commit so much time to improving my golf with so many good players. I’ve played some really good golf this summer so I’m hoping to get selected for the team and then go out and compete with some of the best amateurs in the world. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

SHANNON O’DWYER Age: 21 Handicap: +2 Home club: College: The University of Texas at El Paso Year: Junior (third) “I’ve loved college golf so far. I’ve been in Texas for a year having transferred from Florida and we’ve already played so many incredible tournaments in Texas, Florida, Arizona and Arkansas. The standard is so high - you have to play so well just to make it into our team - but if you make it into the team the experiences are amazing. We practise six hours a day to be able to compete with some of the best schools in the country, which is hard work, but I love it and can’t wait to get back into it.”

ZARA ALEXANDER Age: 18 Handicap: 11 Home club: Wynyard College: Thomas University, Georgia Year: Freshman ( first) “My sister Laura has been at Thomas for three years so I’m looking forward to spending a year there with her as she finishes her degree. She’s given me loads of advice and we’ll be spending a lot of time together. I’m looking forward to being part of a big team and getting to play with so many good golfers every day. There are so many opportunities at college, I can’t wait to get out there and experience it all.”

26 NORTHERN GOLFER

DURHAMGIRLS l-r Jessica Hall, Shannon O’Dwyer, Zara Alexander, Briony Bayles, Kitana Hollins and Amy Sutheran

BRIONY BAYLES Age: 18 Handicap: Scratch Home club: Bishop Auckland & Wynyard College: Kansas State University Year: Freshman ( first) “I can’t wait to get out to Kansas and finally get going. I’m excited to start practising with the golf team and get into my classes – it will be nice to have loads to do having had a pretty chilled time this summer since finishing my A levels.

I’ve met all the girls on the golf team already and they seem super dedicated, which will be a great atmosphere to focus on improving my golf and playing in tournaments.”

KITANA HOLLINS Age: 19 Handicap: Scratch Home club: Wynyard College: Murray State College, Oklahoma Year: Sophomore (second) “My first year in the US was amazing, it has definitely changed my life. The courses we play week-in week-out are a totally different level. We also get to play with incredible golfers from all over the world in every event, which we wouldn’t get to do at home. I’d wanted to go to the US from the age of 13 and so far it has been better than I’d ever imagined. I can’t wait to get back and catch up with all my friends, and get back into playing team golf.”

AMY SUTHERAN Age: 18 Handicap: 5 Home club: Wynyard & Hartlepool College: Colorado State University-Pueblo Year: Freshman ( first) “I’m really looking forward to experiencing loads of new things out in Colorado.

Tournament golf in the US looks so incredible so it will be really good to play some big events out there. I’m looking forward to the school work too - there are loads of different things you can do, plus the lifestyle away from the golf team is really interesting. It’s going to be busy but I’m really excited to get out there.”

NORTHERN GOLFER 27

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Chris Paisley

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YEARS 25

E

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•

We had been back in Florida for a few days and my wife, Keri, said to me “I just love Florida Chris.”

I understand what she means. This summer was a very frustrating one for me. I missed most of my cuts, many by one shot. After an incredible start to the season my expectations rose, while unfortunately, my performances dipped. In hindsight, I was never going to stay on that trajectory. I was one of the best players in the world for the month of January, but that’s golf. One minute it is the easiest game in the world, the next you can’t hit your hat!

Without realising it, I had become more introverted and more serious about my golf. Earlier in the year I was very care free and relaxed about things. I was happy with where my game was at and I knew what I was doing in every area. When you start missing cuts, you begin to question why. I lost confidence in what I was doing and began trying harder. The harder I tried, the worse things got. It’s like gripping sand in your hand, the harder you squeeze the more gets through your fingers.

My game wasn’t in bad shape at all. When I look at my scores over that summer period, I didn’t have any awful rounds and I had plenty of good ones. I just think I was expecting to be that player I was in January all of the time. Part of being a pro is realising there are ebbs and flows. The more you can just roll with it, the more consistent your performances will be. That is something I need to get better at.

I need to be okay with not being at my best. One thing I have noticed in all top players is they are the same off the course whether they have shot 80 or 60. Perspective is one of the most important traits a sportsman can have.

Now that I have had some time off I feel great again. I have found that as long as I have a clear, simple and focused plan, I’m happy. For the next few weeks I’ll be beavering away at my golf and Keri will be enjoying spending time with Florida Chris. The next events are the Web.com Tour finals, where I have the chance to earn a PGA Tour card.

ST Y L

www.getsmarttwo.co.uk Tel: 01670 789079 F Get Smart Two L @GetSmartTwo I @GetSmartTwo Milkhope Centre, Blagdon, Nr Seaton Burn, NE13 6DA NORTHERN GOLFER 29

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DEANBAILEY

Dean Bailey

Golf’s greatest major The Open Championship is the greatest of golf ’s majors – this year’s event at Carnoustie cemented that fact

S

undays at the Open Championship have always been special, particularly when you’re following the final groups around the toughest course on the Open rota having set off at 4.30am that day.

Watching players tee off from the first with the Claret Jug on the tee, then experiencing the buzz around the final groups - the frantic checking of scores as players file past, the chat among the crowd who give you an insight into the last hole as they walk by, the thousands of spectators coming to complete silence as the players get over the ball… there is no better Sunday experience in strokeplay golf.

This year Carnoustie showed the beauty, skills and changing nature of links golf as well as any Open in my memory. A course presented to challenge, but never undermine, the best players in the world proved a fantastic stage – that the winning score was eight under-par when three leaders started the day at nine under-par shows Carnoustie has teeth should anyone underestimate its challenges. That defending champion Jordan Spieth crumbled as the wind blew on Sunday proved how tough Carnoustie can be.

There was also a moment on Sunday afternoon when

Tiger Woods stood alone at the top of the leaderboard. We watched him play the 10th – where his miraculous bunker shot made it to the front of the green and meant he stayed on top of the leaderboard. What happened next on the 11th, a double bogey, dashed the dreams of what seemed like every spectator on the golf course.

Through it all Francesco Molinari, the hottest player in the world in the last few months and one many picked to dismantle Carnoustie’s challenges, was calm. To play the weekend without a bogey, while partnered with a charging Woods backed by thousands of fans on every hole on Sunday, is one of the most incredible finishes in recent years and he, of all the players we saw, showed what it takes to be the champion golfer of the year.

The Open will head to Royal Portrush next summer, in its new spot as the final major of the year. The Irish fans will have been without an Open for 24,849 days - Max Faulkner the only man to lift the trophy outside of Scotland or England when he won it at Portrush in 1951. I can’t wait to experience another stunning golf course, one which is sure to be as stern a test as Carnoustie, with a crowd which has been starved of major championship golf for so long.

There’s only 11 months or so to go…

NORTHERN GOLFER 31

ROUNDWITH

A ROUND WITH...

Rachel Scurfield

Newcastle Falcons team doctor Rachel Scurfield tells us about her love for sport, shares her golfing memories and picks her dream fourball

W

hen it comes to striking the perfect balance between work and pleasure, Rachel Scurfield has the mix just right. A lifelong rugby fan from Felton in Northumberland, 17-handicapper Rachel splits her time between work in Leeds and Newcastle, travelling across the UK and Europe with the Newcastle Falcons, and fitting in some time to relax and play golf at her home club Close House as well as competing as part of the ladies team.

anything like it, the snow-topped mountain backdrop is spectacular.

1 You must be busy looking after rugby players, how do you fit golf in?

Golf is the perfect sport for a rugby doctor!

Our season finishes in early May and starts back up around August, which means I’m pretty free during the golf season. I’ve played a lot of golf this summer, three-plus times a week in competitions and with the team at Close House. I’ve really enjoyed it.

7 What about embarrassing moments?

That’s an easy one! Playing at Alnmouth as a junior, I managed to hook/top the ball into the visitors’ car park, setting off one of the alarms. The worst part was the silence from the group of guys waiting to tee off as I walked past them to tell the pro shop what had happened. I had horrible flashbacks on the first tee for years after that.

2 How did you get into golf?

I grew up in Felton and my next-door neighbour was a single-figure handicapper from Alnmouth Golf Club. She’d practice in the garden and got me into it there before I headed off to Alnmouth around the age of 14 for some lessons with David Fletcher using my dad’s old Bobby Locke irons. I was hooked, joined Alnmouth and played a lot of golf before I went off to university in London. I took a break then picked it back up when I became a consultant in 2010.

8 Do you have any superstitions?

I’ve seen all sorts from the rugby boys but none of them have rubbed off on me.

3 Which is your favourite course in the North East?

The Colt Course at Close House. The views are spectacular and there are a lot of different challenges to the course. It takes a lot to beat.

4 And further afield?

I’ve just come back from a holiday in France and played at Chamonix Golf Club, which is unbelievably gorgeous. I’ve never seen

32 NORTHERN GOLFER

5 What’s your best ever round?

Nothing really stands out, though I won the TSG Trophy at Close House last year and got a big handicap cut at the same time.

6 Which is your favourite golfing memory?

The first event I ever won was Lady President’s Day at Alnmouth, I’ll never forget picking up that huge silver trophy.

9 What are your strengths on the course?

I’m pretty long off the tee, which can be a really big advantage when I’m hitting it straight.

10 And your weaknesses?

There’s a long list… I’ll go with my course management. I tend to take on the high risk, high reward shots rather than playing conservatively and keeping high scores off my card. That would be far too boring!

11 Which is your favourite club?

I have a love/hate relationship with my driver so it has to be my seven iron. I can hit any shot I want with it, if I’m ever not sure I’ll use my seven iron.

12 Who is your best golfing friend?

I have to say Pete Bowers. He’s a huge

Newcastle Falcons fan, he even has a Falcons tattoo on his wrist, and he’s super laid back on the golf course which makes him a great playing partner.

13 Do you play any other sports. Do they help your golf?

I played everything growing up - a lot of tennis, hockey and netball, everything I could do. Tennis definitely helps your golf with timing and how you move your weight as you hit it.

14 Who is your favourite tour player?

Lexi Thompson is incredible; she has the most fantastic golf swing. On the men’s side it has to be Adam Scott… I’ll not explain that one.

15 Which golf event have you enjoyed attending the most?

The British Masters at Close House last year was amazing. Walking the course and seeing how the best players in the world play my home course was very humbling .

16 Which sportsperson do you admire?

Newcastle Falcons winger Vereniki Goneva - he is the epitome of professionalism. He trains and prepares so hard for every match and he’s incredibly humble – he always talks about the team and the collective over himself.

17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball?

Seve Ballesteros – like him I can find some trouble on the golf course and I’m always thinking ‘what would Seve do?’; my ultimate sporting hero Jonny Wilkinson; and Cameron Diaz.

18 Premiership title for the Falcons or a scratch handicap, which would you take?

It would have to be the Premiership title, though I’d be really happy with a European Champions Cup final win at St James’ Park.

NORTHERN GOLFER 33

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34 NORTHERN GOLFER

GOLFERGEAR

with Open champion Francesco Molinari

© miqu77 / Shutterstock.com

Late season gear

IN THE BAG

There’s plenty to talk about in this month’s Gear pages with new releases from PING, TaylorMade, Galvin Green, Odyssey, Srixon and Scotty Cameron plus an innovative new bit of tech from North Eastbased Podfo. We’ve also been getting to grips with the top of the range Blade IP from Big Max in this month’s Gear review.

IRON UPGRADE

PING i500 and i210 irons RRP: i500 £149 and i210 £126 per club www.ping.com PING has launched its latest iron models – the i500 and i210.

The irons bring together two distinctly different technology platforms to provide a range of choices for players. The i210 irons are designed to offer a soft feel and control for the world’s best players, while the forged i500 irons use much of the same technology as the popular G700 irons.

There’s no doubt that Francesco Molinari will go down as the player of the summer for 2018. Winner of the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and the Quicken Loans National on the PGA Tour, Molinari lifted his first major championship title at Carnoustie – leading the best players in the world with his rounds of 70, 72, 65 and 69 for a two-shot winning margin.

Molinari combines TaylorMade equipment with the Titleist Pro V1x ball, plus a Bettinardi putter.

Here’s all the details of his bag at Carnoustie…

Driver: TaylorMade M4 8.5˚ 3-wood: TaylorMade M3 13˚ Irons: TaylorMade P790 2&4 TaylorMade P750 5-PW Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 50˚, 56˚, TaylorMade Hi-Toe 60˚ Putter: Bettinardi Dass BBZero

NEW BALLS, PLEASE

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Srixon Ultisoft and Soft Feel balls RRP: £24 per dozen www.srixon.co.uk Srixon has launched two new golf balls for 2018 with updates to its UltiSoft and Soft Feel models. The second generation two-piece UltiSoft features a soft, thinner cover, advanced core technology and enhanced dimple pattern – perfect for golfers with mid-to-low swing speeds.

NORTHERN GOLFER 35

GOLFERGEAR PUTT FOR DOUGH

Scotty Cameron Concept X putters RRP: $599 www.titleist.co.uk The latest limited edition line of Scotty Cameron putters will be available in September, with two experimental designs. The new Concept X models, CX-01 and CX-02, bring together the visual characteristics of the Newport 2 blade with the playability of a mallet. Both models feature wings, boosting stability and forgiveness, plus new dualzone vibration dampening technology for precisely tuned sound and feel.

LOOK GOOD…

Galvin Green EDGE apparel RRP: from £35 www.galvingreen.com

Galvin Green’s newest clothing line, EDGE, focuses on combing style with the brand’s industry leading technology. Following three years of development, the new line includes 16 garments and accessories branded with its own distinctive logo – from 3D patterned bomber jackets to camo polo shirts, sweatshirts and bandanas. The line features a new GORETEX full-zip jacket, a new lightweight Paclite jacket and windproof outerwear alongside three new INSULA jackets, updated VENTIL8 polo designs and accessories.

36 NORTHERN GOLFER

FILL THE GAP

TaylorMade GAPR clubs RRP: £259 www.taylormadegolf.eu A trio of new TaylorMade clubs are available now. The GAPR models feature TaylorMade’s SpeedFoam technology and are designed to fill gaps in the long end of your bag, offering the perfect blend of distance, carry and control for every player.

The GAPR LO driving iron is aimed at players with faster ball speeds and is the smallest of the three models. It features a lowforward centre of gravity for distance with a mid-to-low trajectory.

The GAPR MID is slightly larger and is designed with players of all skill levels in mind. It features an ultra-low and forward centre of gravity for maximum distance and a mid-high trajectory.

The hybrid shaped GAPR HI is the largest of the three models, aimed at promoting maximum distance and a high, penetrating trajectory.

SEEING RED

Odyssey Red Ball putter RRP: £169 uk.callawaygolf.com

Odyssey’s new Red Ball putter is set to make alignment even easier with its Red Ball scope. The face-balanced mallet design has been created to address poor setup and alignment with the aid of the new Red Ball scope – which gives players feedback based on the ball’s position within the outer circle of the scope - while providing the benefits of Odyssey’s legendary White Hot RX face insert for great feel.

GOLFERGEAR

LATEST TECH PODFO INSOLES

The Gear pages of Northern Golfer are filled with shiny new equipment – from the latest clubs to innovative golf balls and the latest fashion but we rarely see products from outside the game’s big names making an impact on players.

Podfo, a bespoke biometric insole designed in the North East, is doing just that – as Hexham Golf Club-based professional Jonathon Richardson has found out.

Jonathon suffered from leg, lower back and foot pain in his early professional career and visited a Podfo supplier for a full biomechanical and gait analysis. He received a set of insoles as part of his treatment plan and has since gone on to win his first event as a pro.

“Around two years ago I started to experience lower back, leg and foot pain on the golf course and as a result I found myself subconsciously restricting my golf swing to compensate,” says Jonathon. “The time I spent in recovery after particularly challenging competitions increased dramatically too. The pain became so intense that I considered giving up golf altogether.

“In October 2017 I visited Podfo supplier The North East Foot Centre and they found the pain was caused by a combination of the downward force of my golf swing and my own biomechanical limitations. Two days after my fitting I was back on the golf course and was physically less fatigued while my recovery time had vastly reduced. Two months on and my lower back, leg and foot discomfort disappeared altogether. It feels fantastic to be able to take each swing with confidence.”

Having been measured and fitted by a podiatrist, Podfo insoles provide corrective foot control as part of a wider treatment plan, while supporting natural movement to help reduce the risk of pain or injury when standing, walking or running.

The insoles are light and highly durable – they have been tested to withstand the equivalent of 25 back-to-back ultramarathons without any deterioration. It’s also breathable and can be washed without losing any shape or form perfect for long summers of golf.

For more information and to book an appointment with a Podfo supplier go to www.podfo.com

REVIEW:

BIG MAX BLADE IP TROLLEY AND AQUA SPORT 2 BAG

by Dean Bailey

Golf trolleys are a bit like supercars (stay with me here) each new one has to be lighter, faster and more eye-catching than the last – it also helps if they one you have to test has bright red bits on it too.

The latest model in Big Max’s fold-flat line on push trolleys, the Blade IP, ticks a lot of the boxes straight out of the boot of the car.

Today’s playing partners catch the bright red wheels and distinctive flat profile straight away, while the accompanying Aqua Sport 2 bag in matching black and red sparks much excitement on the way to the tee.

The most important thing for me when choosing a new push trolley is how easy it is to get up and going (leaving more time to practice or in my case, eat breakfast). The Blade IP is quick out of the blocks – it’s just a case of clicking the front wheel into position and lifting the handle section up and into place – no faffing trying to attach muddy wheels here. The straps and bag mounts make adding your bag on super quick too – I particularly like how the bag locks onto the trolley above the front wheel to stop it twisting (a really pain when you’ve got a bit of OCD).

On the course, the Blade IP is solid and great to get to grips with.

The wider profile helps it stay upright in the wind better than my previous trolley while the brake pedals are easier to access than on many other designs.

As for the Aqua Sport 2 bag, I loved the storage space – particularly on the front with three pockets including a cooler pocket. The putter slot on the top of the bag is also handy – it accommodated a big putter grip better than many of the other 14-way divider bags I’ve used. While we’ve been blessed with sunshine this summer, I’m sure the 100% waterproof setup will come in handy too – and mean I’m not racing to sit down for Sunday lunch having had to unpack a bag full of damp winter gear.

While the Blade IP and Aqua Sport 2 bag represent a decent investment in your equipment (trolley RRP: £299.99 and bag RRP: £239.99) it’s one I’m sure I’ll be reaping the benefits of in the months to come.

NORTHERN GOLFER 37

COURSEPROFILE

Centurion Park life Dean Bailey returns to Centurion Park to find a course improving quickly

T

here has been a lot of change and at Centurion Park since my last visit. Today you’ll find a golf course which has come a long way in a short time thanks to the arrival of head greenkeeper John Grey, formerly of Middlesbrough Municipal.

The traditional English parkland course is improving week-on-week, the members tell me while walking the fairways, while the tall tress lining the fairways present a far sterner test at this 6,000 yard layout than they did back in 1973 when the course opened.

The two loops of nine here head off left and right as you cross the bridge from the clubhouse. The first is a tough opener with out of bounds left and trees close to the right edge of the fairway. Play just left of the fairway bunkers to leave a mid-iron to a green guarded by two large bunkers.

The second and third, 429 yards and 376 yards respectively, are both tough driving holes. At the second you must hit driver while avoiding the trees on both sides to have a chance of reaching the green, which is guarded by four bunkers and a steep slope to the right. Those taking driver at the third must

38 NORTHERN GOLFER

find the correct line to left side to navigate the right to left dogleg through the corridor of trees.

The par four fourth will have a new green in 2019.

The par five fifth is the longest hole on the course at 528 yards from the back tee and will test the very best drivers with the left to right dogleg requiring length and accuracy to leave a chance of reaching the green in two. There are three bunkers on the corner of the dogleg to avoid, while the second shot is played to a generous fairway and green guarded by a bunker well short of the putting surface and another deep trap on the right side, which you can’t see from the fairway.

The 435-yard sixth is another tough driving hole, played through a corridor of trees to a green guarded by a small front bunker on the left side, which leaves a tricky up and down.

The short par four seventh and eighth holes, 300 and 285 yards respectively, offer a chance to improve your score – if played correctly. The tee shot at the seventh is more inviting than many of the previous holes but beware the severe slopes and undulations in this fairway. A large bunker protects the front of the green – which is the most undulating on the

course. If you’re tempted to take on one of these holes, make it the eighth. If you fly it over the deep bunker short of the green, which is a must as it’s around 5ft deep, you have a great chance of an eagle putt with a generous, relatively flat green here.

Heading to the turn, the ninth is played as a short par four from the back tees and a mid-length par three from the yellows. Big hitters will again be tempted to drive the green as the lay up must flirt with a large cross bunker in the centre of the fairway as well as two deep bunkers at the front left and front right corners.

The birdie chances keep coming should you keep your ball out of the trees at the 482-yard 10th, which is within reach from the fairway. The second shot is uphill to a wide green though two bunkers are waiting at the front edge to catch any mishit approaches.

The par three 11th is a simple par three - play right to catch the slope and kick the ball onto the green while avoiding the bunker cut well below the putting surface on the left side. While many tee shots on the front nine require accurate drives, the back nine often requires precision over length. At the 12th you

COURSEPROFILE

FACT FILE must choose the right club to make the corner - playing as far left as you dare - while avoiding running out of fairway on the right. The second shot here is short but uphill and must be well struck to reach the green.

The par three 13th got our pick for signature hole - see fact file.

The tough shots keep coming at the 14th, the toughest hole on the course at 435 yards.

The fairway turns right as you reach the main landing area; from here you’re faced with a tricky approach to a green with a narrow entrance between two front bunkers – if you miss the green go left.

The par five 15th is a simple prospect if played correctly – and can make a mess of your card if not! Lay up from the tee at this 506-yard par five, playing to the widest part of the fairway on this right to left dogleg while avoiding the fairway bunkers and their steep faces. Next play short of the water hazard at the front of the green into the narrowest part of the fairway to leave an uphill pitch, which you must carry onto the green or risk running back down the slope into the burn.

The 16th is the best chance of a two here at just 152 yards with a small green guarded by two bunkers, while the 17th requires good course management – either lay back and left or go long and straight toward the fairway bunker to leave an angle through the trees to the green, which sits below the fairway with a deep bunker right and another smaller bunker left.

A tricky par three at 185 yards, air to the right side at the 18th to avoid the pond on the left side of the green. From here you have a relatively simple putt or chip to seal your par on the last.

CONTACT Centurion Park Golf Club Bigges Main, Wallsend, NE28 8XF tel 0191 262 4231 www.centurionpark.com

Head greenkeeper John Grey and his team have made great progress with the golf course - particularly on the greens, which had suffered in recent years. Work will continue this summer and into the winter when drainage will be installed on five greens while each will be hollow cored and undergo graden sand injection ahead of the 2019 season. The new fourth green will also be in play in 2019. The team has also given the course great definition, changing mowing patterns to highlight the shape of each fairway and reintroduce strategic areas of rough.

GREEN FEES From £14 – see website for details TOTAL DISTANCE White tees – 6,031 yards Yellow tees – 5,767 yards Red tees – 5,463 yards FEATURES Floodlit driving range Pro shop Putting green Bar and lounge with catering CADDY’S TIP Work out your plan of attack before you head to the tee - the front nine requires good driving to find its narrow fairways and reach its long par fours while the back nine requires great course management from the tee to unlock good scores.

SIGNATURE HOLE The 13th may be a short par three at 160 yards, but it’s a very tough one. A water hazard runs the length of the hole on the right side, and within a yard of the green at the back right of the putting surface, while anything short will hit the slope and be sent toward the water. A confident shot is needed here.

OUR VERDICT Centurion Park is well on its way back to being a great course. The layout remains a great test while John Grey and his team are working wonders. We can’t wait to return.

NORTHERN GOLFER 39

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

Sweet 16...

Match Play Pairs 2018 is in full swing across the North East and Yorkshire

T

he Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs 2018 tournament is down to the final 16 pairs from club across the North East and Yorkshire - who are battling it out to win a trip to Spain for the NE/NW Pro Am. This year, 75 teams started the event and have been taking part in matches at venues across the North East and Yorkshire.

In the coming weeks we’ll be building up to the semi-finals and final, which take place at Close House in Northumberland this October - from which the winners will head to the NE/ NW PGA Overseas Pro Am in February 2019.

This year’s winning pair will team up with one of the North East’s best professionals in February for the NE/NW PGA Pro Am in Spain, as well as adding their names to the trophy.

Teams are drawn against one another in the knockout format, played with 90% handicap allowance, and the final four teams will make it to Close House for the semi-finals on Sunday October 7.

The final will be played over the Colt Course at Close House, official venue of the 2017 British Masters, on Sunday October 14 with the winning pair heading off to Spain courtesy of GolfingHolidays.org.

Good luck to all those taking part!

Read the full rules for the event online at northerngolfer.co.uk/match-play-rules 40 NORTHERN GOLFER

The Colt Course at Close House

Round of 32 results MATCH 33 Michael Davison & David Scott (Bellingham) defeated Nicky Younger & Ian Pattinson (Roseberry Grange/ Dinsdale Spa) 2&1

Dean Findley & Chris Park (Durham City) lost to Raymond Glendinning & George Freeman (Hobson) 1up MATCH 34

MATCH 35 Steve

Weldon & Alan Saunders (Westerhope) defeated Paul Stocks & Kevin Broadfoot (Close House 1up MATCH 36 Ryan

Mould & Stephen Mould (Crook) defeated Craig Tetley & Allan Bendelow (Romanby) 2&1 MATCH 37 Ross Muirhead & Neil Morrison (Boldon) defeated Steve Slater & Colin Henderson (City of Newcastle) 19th hole MATCH 38 Ian McConnell & Geoff Wilkinson (Whitburn) lost to Geoff Cruickshank & Nick Sibley (Eaglecliffe) 3&2 MATCH 39 John Potts & Graeme Robson (Ramside) lost to David Robison & Harry Iveson (Whickham) 1up MATCH 40 Jason Emmerson & Gary Davies (Chester-le-Street) defeated T Kelly & R Preston (Billingham) 5&4

MATCH 41 Mark Brown & George Longthorn (Crook) defeated David Cameron & Rod Martin (Beamish Park) 1up

MATCH 45 Peter Newman & Jason Green (Brancepeth Castle) lost to Andy Foster & Paul Foster (Catterick) 2&1

MATCH 42 James Ogden & Carl Brydon (Tynemouth/ Newbiggin) defeated Malcolm Cregan & Robert Shanks (Prudhoe/ Westerhope) 1up

MATCH 46 Stuart Allan & David Haswell (South Moor) defeated Robert Hughes & Stewart White (Chester-le-Street) 3&2

Mark Watson & Mark Todd (Tyneside) lost to Matthew Sibley & David Wainman (Eaglecliffe) 6&5

MATCH 47 Francesco Di Pietro & David Geddes (Tyneside) lost to Anth Mckeown & Alan Slater (Ramside) 2up

MATCH 44 Michael Rutter & Phil Ridden (City of Newcastle) lost to Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City) 5&4

MATCH 48 Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby) defeated David Hornsey & Barry Cranston (Consett) 6&5

MATCH 43

Round of 16 draw Matches to be played by Sunday August 26 MATCH 49 James Ogden & Carl Brydon (Tynemouth/ Newbiggin) VS David Robison & Harry Iveson (Whickham)

Anth Mckeown & Alan Slater (Ramside) VS Stuart Allan & David Haswell (South Moor) MATCH 50

MATCH 51 Ross

Muirhead & Neil Morrison (Boldon) VS Jason Emmerson & Gary Davies (Chesterle-Street) Matthew Sibley & David Wainman (Eaglecliffe) VS Michael Davison & David Scott (Bellingham) MATCH 52

MATCH 53 Raymond Glendinning & George Freeman (Hobson) VS Andy Foster & Paul Foster (Catterick) MATCH 54 Ryan Mould & Stephen Mould (Crook) VS Mark Brown & George Longthorn (Crook) MATCH 55 Steve Weldon & Alan Saunders (Westerhope) VS Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby) MATCH 56 Geoff Cruickshank & Nick Sibley (Eaglecliffe) VS Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City)

GOLFERTIPS

PITCH PERFECT An important part of pitching is picturing the flight of the shot.

Having that picture in your mind makes it easier to setup to the ball in a position to create the shot.

A tendency among many golfers is to play the ball too far back in your stance regardless of the flight they’re trying to achieve. This leads to delofting the club, having to ‘back off’ as you return to the ball or needing to flip the clubhead to achieve the flight required.

Instead, try setting up with the ball in the centre of your stance with the shaft leaning just slightly forward, from here aim to return the shaft to that position at impact.

Practice this shot and try working with different ball positions to manipulate the flight. You’ll be pitching it closer in no time...

John n Hteal 01r66r1i8s86o400 om tfenhall.c www.ma

42 NORTHERN GOLFER

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NORTHERN GOLFER 43

GOLFERPROMOTIONS

win Northern Golfer competitions are also listed on our website www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ competitions Alternatively, you can 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 August 30, 2018. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT RICHMOND (YORKS) Richmond (Yorks) makes up for its lack of length with a mix of five stunning par threes, which may well be the best mix of short holes we’ve been lucky enough to sample in the region. You’ll also find tight doglegs, tree-lined fairways and plenty of birdie opportunities here throughout your round.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the 2018 WGC Bridgestone Invitational?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT CITY OF NEWCASTLE

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT EAGLESCLIFFE

City of Newcastle Golf Club was founded in October 1891 and has been at the Three Mile Bridge in Gosforth since 1907. Designed by Harry Vardon, the course remains a stern test and is a regular host of the North East’s biggest events.

One of Teesside’s best courses, Eaglescliffe presents a tough test for all golfers and remains a firm favourite. Measuring 6,289 yards from the back tees, the course at Eaglescliffe was designed by James Braid, while Henry Cotton undertook the design of four new holes in 1968.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Which course hosts the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship?

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: What is Bubba Watson’s christian name?

Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Eleven Golf - Colin Richardson of Hetton le Hole Newbiggin - Jim Steel of Whitley Bay • Consett - Susan Scott of Gateshead • Whitburn - Malcolm Black of Gosforth

Exclusive Northern Golfer reader offer from Golf Escapes 35% discount for early bookings

Fairplay Golf & Spa Resort, Spain Three nights | All inclusive | Two rounds Just £445pp (normal price: £595pp) Available March 1-April 30, 2019 For more information and to book go to www.golf-escapes.com/book-package/?id=30791 44 NORTHERN GOLFER

WIN YOUR CHANCE TO

GALVIN GREEN AUSTIN GORE-TEX JACKET WORTH £270

LAST MONTH’S WINNER – CAROL AITCHISON FROM MAGDALENE FIELDS GC

QUESTION : WHICH FAMOUS ITALIAN EUROPEAN TOUR

PLAYER WON THE 2018 OPEN AT CARNOUSTIE?

A : MATTEO MANASSERO | B : JUSTIN THOMAS | C : FRANCESCO MOLINARI

EMAIL YOUR ANSWER TO: COMPETITIONS@ORIGINALGREEN.CO.UK COMPETITION CLOSES 31.08.18. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND NOTIFIED BY EMAIL

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01670 791562 | enquiries@longhirstgolf.co.uk | www.longhirstgolf.co.uk

from the

bunker

Welcome to your reader feedback page. We want to hear your likes, dislikes and funny golfing stories, and if you’d like to make suggestions about Northern Golfer, let us know. We want to hear from you!

Congratulations to Peter Cook, 87, and Stuart Hicks, 83, winners of the Middlesbrough Golf Club Senior Open.

Both successful sportsmen - Peter represented Middlesbrough in cricket and holds the distinction of taking all 10 wickets in a match while Stuart held a handicap between 1-3 for more than 40 years and represented the Teesside Union more than 100 times while also being a nationally ranked squash player - the pair shot an excellent 47 points to win the event.

Got a story to tell? Email editor@northerngolfer. co.uk

Our congratulations also go to Wally Beldon, who has won the Anniversary Stableford at Newbiggin Golf Club.

The event, which is played annually on the day of the first tournament on the links – July 17 – was founded as part of the club’s centenary in 1984. Wally became its 35th champion with a score of 43 points.

Well done to Whitburn Golf Club member Ed Chandler, who has stepped in to sponsor the club’s team in the North Durham Union League.

A member of the Lizard Lane club for 25 years, Ed was happy to step up and back the team and his company, Integrated Financial Solutions, has a logo on the new shirts - which have seen the team dubbed the men in black.

Francesco Molinari (© Mitch Gunn Shutterstock.com) In this month’s tenuous links segment of From the Bunker, we offer you this...

Performance coach Dave Alred (part of Open Champion Francesco Molinari’s team) achieved great success in his earlier career in the North East, working with Newcastle Falcons and England legend Jonny Wilkinson. Alred has also worked with the likes of Luke Donald having played professional rugby with Bath before making a move into coaching.

“In many ways, I think he’s been a great addition to the team,” said Molinari after his third round at Carnoustie. “He’s probably a personality and a figure that I was missing, and the whole team was missing.”

46 NORTHERN GOLFER

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