Northern Golfer magazine #81 - February / March 2020 by Offstone Publishing

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GAME, SET AND MATCH Match Play Pairs champions James Melville & Jimmy Guy WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT NORTHUMBERLAND, SEAHAM AND THIRSK & Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ALLERTON

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EDITOR Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS 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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WELCOME&CONTENTS Welcome to the start of the new golfing decade, and a season of big events and big changes for golfers in our region. I had great fun putting together the diary of key events for 2020 for this edition - plotting a route through the golfing year and picking out the big tournaments to look ahead to. For our region, the Betfred British Masters’ return to Close House in the summer is sure to be a huge highlight. Work is already well underway at Close House and we had the chance to enjoy a Round With the club’s owner, Sir Graham Wylie, this month. You’ll find that on pages 34-35. There are many more big events to look out for, including Ladies County Match Week at Alnmouth and Northumberland defending the Big Six title at Royal Liverpool. There’s also the small matter of the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in September. While it was great fun to look ahead to the upcoming season, January also brought a conclusion to the 2019 one with the final of the Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs at Wynyard Golf Club. Due to rain, shift patterns and holidays, the 2019 final moved into the new year and saw Jimmy Guy and James Melville lift the trophy - you can read the full story of their success on pages 24-26. Our region’s elite golfers have sought warmer weather to start their seasons, including Lee Westwood - who won in Abu Dhabi to get his year off to a great start. Meanwhile, Chris Paisley has had a slower start to his season, as he discusses in Tour Life on page 19. Meanwhile, Northumberland’s Rosie Belsham and Jess Baker made a trip to Arizona for Nick Faldo’s Major Champion Invitational, joining some of the world’s top male and female amateurs for the event. England internationals have also been out in Australia, where Yorkshire’s Ben Schmidt and Charlotte Heath have won prestigious titles. Closer to home, the wet weather continues, but that hasn’t deterred our region’s golfers too much. It also hasn’t dampened the spirits of our expert greenkeeper Simon Olver, who discusses the changes he’s seen in the industry over the last 20-plus years on page 21. The 2020 season is just around the corner. By the time I write the next welcome, we’ll be counting down to The Masters and hopefully all this winter’s rain will be a distant memory.

04-07 TEEING OFF

Westwood wins in Abu Dhabi, Northumberland girls in Arizona, and Tarren starts his US season

08-14 TEEING OFF

Ellies’ teamwork paying off, ones to watch, and more

17 MATCH PLAY PAIRS 2020 event details and entry form

19 TOUR LIFE

The latest from the European Tour with Chris Paisley

21 GREENKEEPER Simon Olver on educating modern greenkeepers

23 HANDICAPS

Our introduction to the World Handicap System

29 2020 DIARY

Dean Bailey, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

Our guide to the biggest events of the 2020 season

FRONT COVER

Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs champions Jimmy Guy and James Melville Pages 24-26

34 A ROUND WITH When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it ©Offstone Publishing 2020. 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.

Sir Graham Wylie

36 RAMSIDE’S PRINCE BISHOPS

38 THE LATEST GEAR NEWS

42 TIPS

The importance of the pre-shot routine

44 COMPETITIONS

Win golf for four at Northumberland, Seaham, and Thirsk & Northallerton

46 FROM THE BUNKER Readers’ tales from around the region

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Amateur status to be reviewed The R&A and the USGA are conducting a review of the Rules of Amateur Status to make them easier to understand and apply. The evaluation is part of the continued joint effort to modernise the rules by reducing complexity and ensuring the rules effectively guide the game today. As part of the review process, the governing bodies will seek the perspectives of golf’s stakeholders, including elite amateur golfers, event organisers, national associations, professional associations and other partners. The aim is to provide the golf community with a modernised set of Amateur Status Rules in late 2021, with the goal of an effective date of January 1 2022. In a separate move, with effect from January 1 2020, The R&A and the USGA will introduce one change to Rule 3-2b of the Rules of Amateur Status, which regulates holein-one prizes. The Rules will no longer limit the prize an amateur golfer may win when making a hole-in-one outside a round of golf, including stand-alone and multiple-entry hole-in-one events. It is hoped the change will help to promote the game and cater to new audiences as well as eliminate unnecessary restrictions for event organisers. More information on the Rules of Amateur Status can be found at www.randa.org 04 NORTHERN GOLFER

Lee Westwood (© Getty Images)

Westwood wins in Abu Dhabi L

ee Westwood produced a brilliant final round 67 at the 2020 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship to win his 25th European Tour title. Lee, who will host the British Masters at Close House for a second time in July, posted a four-round total of 19 under-par to finish two shots ahead of countrymen Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood, and Frenchman Victor Perez. Now a winner in four different decades, Lee said: “I’m ecstatic, elated and a bit emotional. It’s just great to keep playing well and know you’re still good enough. I put in a

lot of hard work with Phil Kenyon and I’ve been working with Ben Davis on the psychological part of it, but I really felt quite calm on the greens this week and rolled a lot of good putts. “That was the key to winning, really. You’ve got to putt well to win any tournament, but especially these in the desert because the greens are so immaculate, you know that everybody is going to hole their putts. “I won my first tournament in 1996 in Sweden. I won that tournament, the Scandinavian Masters, in three different decades,

and now I’ve won here. The 20s could be the ones for me.” Tommy - a two-time winner at the event - signed for a 63 and his lowest round at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on his 29th birthday, while 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner Victor matched him for the lowest round of his European Tour career. Five-time European Tour winner Matthew went bogey free in a round of 67, but the day belonged to 46-year-old Westwood, who won his 25th title 23 years, five months and 16 days after his maiden victory at the 1996 Volvo Scandinavian Masters.

The R&A and the men’s European Tour have committed to help the newly formed joint venture between the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour in its efforts to significantly grow playing opportunities, financial incentives and television exposure for women’s professional golf in Europe and around the world. As well as providing financial support and leveraging other assets they manage, the bodies will each have one seat on the new LPGA-LET Joint Venture Board of Directors.

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Major moment

orthumberland’s Rosie Belsham and Jess Baker joined some of the world’s best amateur golfers at the 2020 Major Champions Invitational at Lookout Mountain Golf Club in Arizona. The event, which sees 18 major champions choose teams of four, brought together an international field of 72 male and female golfers. Rosie and Jess were selected by 2018 Women’s British Open champion Georgia Hall. Over three rounds, Rosie finished in a tie for fifth place with rounds of 73, 71 and 68 for a four under-par total. Meanwhile Jess, who led the female event on day one, posted rounds of 67, 75 and 71 to finish in a tie for eighth place. Zoe Antoinette Campos from the USA won the female event with an 11 under-par total. In the male event, Japan’s Yuki Moriyama finished on 12 under-par to take the title. In the team event, Georgia’s team finished in ninth place as Nancy Lopez’s team won the title. Other team captains in the event included Jack Nicklaus, Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott and Annika Sörenstam. The tournament was setup by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo as part of his desire to provide more opportunities to young golfers, in addition to the Faldo Series events.

Gary Clasper (left) presents Geoff Sheldon with a cheque for £2,620

Woodham’s charity champions

Rosie Belsham and Jess Baker

Team Georgia Hall - l-r Buddy Wehrli, Jess Baker, Rosie Belsham and Alexis Valenzuela

Woodham Golf Club has raised more than £2,500 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The fundraising was driven by Woodham’s seniors section and its captain Gary Clasper. The money was raised from the Captain’s Charity Bunker Fund plus raffles and events held throughout the year. Gary chose to support the charity in memory of his friend, Jeff Cutting, who died from the disease in 2018.

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Ben Schmidt

Schmidt wins down under Yorkshire’s Ben Schmidt turned in a dominant performance against Callum Farr in the all-English final of the NSW Championship at St Michael’s Golf Club near Sydney. The 17-year-old’s 7&5 victory marked another landmark moment in his career. Last year, he won the Brabazon and Carris trophies, the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, the Justin Rose Daily Telegraph Junior Championship and helped England’s men to Home International success.

On the move

eter Simpson has been appointed director of golf operations at Northumberland

Golf Club. A former PGA professional, Peter has managed Whitley Bay and Alnmouth golf clubs in his career. He moves from Alnmouth, where he has just overseen the club’s 150th anniversary year, after 10 years in his role there. Northumberland Golf Club chairman Jamie Martin said: “We are delighted to welcome Peter as director of golf operations at The Northumberland following his very successful work at Alnmouth, Foxton. Peter comes with masses of experience and a reputation that is second to none. The Northumberland Golf Club and its members look forward to working

Jamie Martin and Peter Simpson with Peter as we move into the new decade”. Peter added: “I am delighted to join such a prestigious club. The Northumberland has a tremendous history and tradition, and it is an honour to be part of the club moving into the new decade. I have received a great welcome from the members and I am really looking forward to working with Jamie, the committee and the staff in the coming months

and years. We have wonderful facilities at the club, both on the course and in the clubhouse, and we aim to move the club forward, raise its profile and become the golf club of preference in the Newcastle area”. Peter arrives at Northumberland with a bunker restoration programme overseen by designers Mackenzie & Ebert in progress, with work being carried out this winter ahead of the 2020 season.

Castle Eden Golf Club 18 Hole picturesque parkland course

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Back in the swing

allum Tarren secured his playing privileges on the Korn Ferry Tour in the US through the tour’s Qualifying School before embarking on his second season in America. Callum, who played his first full season in the US in 2019 after topping the PGA Tour China order of merit in 2018, finished in a tie for 30th place at Q School with rounds of 75, 66, 68 and 65 at the Orange County National Golf Centre. With that result, he guaranteed eight starts on the Tour and will look to secure more with his early results. He said: “Last season was very up and down. I played a lot of solid golf in 2019, I just wasn’t able to put two rounds together. There has been a lot of learning and I will be ready to rock come 2020.”

After securing his card, Callum opened his season at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at Baha Mar with rounds of 70, 67, 67 and 75 to finish in a tie for ninth place. In 2019, Callum finished 82nd on the Korn Ferry order of merit, missing out on his 2020 card and a spot in the Tour Finals series by just 22 points. Last season he also made his debut in the US Open at Pebble Beach after winning sectional qualifying at Streamsong Black, opening with a course record 64 to take the early lead and then backing it up with a 68 to top the field at 14 under-par. A graduate of the PGA Tour China, Darlington-based Callum represents Rockliffe Hall as an attached professional.

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Charlotte Heath

Heath wins Aus Amateur Yorkshire’s Charlotte Heath swept away the challenge of Indonesia’s Mela Putri to claim victory in the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship. The England cap from Huddersfield was too strong for her 22-year-old rival and claimed a 7&6 victory in the 36-hole final at the Royal Queensland Golf Club. In the men’s event, Hexham’s Matty Lamb made it through to the match play stages, but had his run halted in the last 16 by Australia’s Louis Dobbelaar.

Katie Clark and Anne Gollogly at the start of the C2C route in Whitehaven

Pedal power Saltburn Golf Club’s Katie Clark and Anne Gollogly swapped their clubs for bicycles to raise £5,500 for charity. The duo were moved by the diagnosis of a close friend with motor neurone disease and decided to take on the Coast to Coast bike ride to raise funds for the MND Association. 08 NORTHERN GOLFER

Ellie Gower and Ellie Givens

One El’ of a team E llie Givens is looking forward to another productive year on the Ladies European Tour, but she’ll have to find someone new to carry her bag with teenage caddie and elite amateur Ellie Gower heading off to college in the US. Gower has been mentored by Darlington-based Givens while combining caddying and playing. Gower, 17, is an England girls cap and has landed a scholarship at the University of Colorado Boulder, which she starts later this year. Givens, who represents Rockliffe Hall, has been mentoring young golfers as a regional associate with ProDreamUSA, the Glasgow-based golf scholarship consultancy, and also works with the Durham County Ladies team. A member of the tour’s board of directors since March 2019, Givens played college golf at Denver before turning professional in 2012. She has supported young players throughout her professional career, but the link

with Gower is a particularly strong one and she’s delighted to see her protégé taking the next step in her own career. Gower struck up a friendship with Givens five years ago following a chance encounter at the 2014 Lacoste Ladies Open at Biarritz. It was a friendship that changed the youngster’s focus and saw her improve from a 36 handicapper into an England international. “I started watching Ellie at that first event because we had the same name,” said Gower, who is based in Perth, Scotland having lived in France as a youngster. “At the end, she came up and had a chat. We kept in touch through Facebook and the next year she asked me to caddie for her at that event. I was 12 when I first caddied and she finished 11th that year - so I must have done alright. I’ve caddied for five years now and it’s been amazing. It’s good being inside the ropes, watching how she practices and how she does a course planner - all the things you

wouldn’t normally see in detail.” Like Givens, Gower’s father Brian is a PGA professional. However, Gower showed no real desire to play until meeting Givens. Givens said: “I first met Ellie when she had just turned 12. At that point, she played a little bit and her dad thought it might increase her enthusiasm if she came to watch us play. “I noticed them watching my group on all four days, so went and thanked them at the end of the tournament. We stayed in touch and things went from there. It’s been so rewarding to watch Ellie’s golf develop and I’m very proud of her achievements so far. It’s been amazing to see how someone can develop from almost beginner level to a top-level amateur in a relatively short space of time.” Having finished in 42nd place in the 2019 order of merit, Givens will play a full Ladies European Tour schedule in 2020 - beginning with a trip to South Africa in March.

GREAT OPPORTUNITIES LIFELONG FRIENDS At Close House we hope to offer the perfect pathway into Full Membership of the club. From your first lesson at the PGA Academy through to the extensive list of members trophy events we feel the club offers a package to suit all levels of golfers.

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The teams at last year’s Northern Junior Golf Tour Grand Final

Junior tour set for record year

he 2020 Northern Junior Golf Tour is set to be bigger than ever with more than 270 juniors already signed up for events across six regions. Following the success of the tour’s 10th year, it has expanded into East Yorkshire and Lancashire this season – adding to events already taking place in North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland. Tour founder Jason Budd said: “The response since we opened this year’s registrations has been phenomenal. We sold out the Durham and Northumberland events within three weeks and have already got a high level of interest in our events in the other four regions. “The concept of the Tour came around due to a lack of fun and competitive opportunities for

young golfers under 14 in the local area. There was a huge gap in the market and an abundance of junior golfers wanting to play more and more events. “We’re fortunate to have some amazing sponsors on board who really believe in the brand and understand our vision. The addition of PING is really the icing on the cake and we’re incredibly proud and humbled to be working with them.” Events in Northumberland and Durham are already sold out for 2020, with the leading players from each region set to head to the Grand Final at Ramside Hall in September. For more information on the tour, including how to sign up for 2020 events in Cumbria, East Yorkshire, Lancashire and North Yorkshire head to www.northernjuniorgolftour.co.uk

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Back row l-r Cassidy Hamilton, Sue Wright (county vice captain), Annika Mitchell. Front Row l-r Amy Burton and Cara Weddell

Ones to watch

he may only be 10-yearsold, but Amy Burton is already making a name for herself in North East golf. Amy, from Wynyard Golf Club, had a fantastic 2019 and was named Durham County Junior Player of the Year. At county level, she won the George Crawford Trophy and Appleby Bowl. She also won three Northern Junior Golf Tour events and was part of the Durham team in the event’s Grand Final - where she won girls’ best nett and best gross. On top of that, she won the inaugural Mini Storm event, setup by Graeme Storm. She also won the Wee Wonders Final and qualified for the Grand Final (Great Britain and Ireland) in

Scotland on top of scoring 43 points at the Northern Counties Jamboree and finishing runner-up in the overall competition. Chester-le-Street’s Lucy Nimmo will also be one to watch after winning the county’s Most Improved Golfer Trophy. Last year she won the County Mixed and Junior County greensomes titles. She was also chosen to play in the Northern Counties Jamboree, which she won with 44 points. In 2019 she reduced her handicap from 31 to 18. Meanwhile, the county’s 2020 season got underway with a team event at Wynyard, which was won by Cassidy Hamilton and Annika Mitchell from Bishop Auckland, Amy Burton from Wynyard and Cara Weddell from Barnard Castle.

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A North East golfing great

olfers from across the amateur and professional game gathered in Durham to bid farewell to Tom Flowers. They joined Tom’s family at the funeral service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Belmont with members of Tom’s clubs – Brancepeth Castle and Ramside Hall - alongside members of the Durham County executive and NE/ NW PGA. Tom had served each organisation during a decorated career in North East golf. Tom, who was 71, was a competent and competitive player in his younger days, and a member at Brancepeth Castle - where he had served as captain and chairman. He was instrumental in establishing the Leonard Crawley Medal at Brancepeth Castle in his year of captaincy, 1985, and it remains a popular event. A great supporter of golf in the North, Tom worked tirelessly to

York Golf Club

York changes praised Tom Flowers (left) with Kevin Jackson develop the Brancepeth course and he was made an honorary member of the club six years ago. He was captain of the Durham County Golf Union from 1996-99, and served as county president in 2003-4. He followed Ray Sentence as secretary of the NE/NW PGA, continuing Ray’s success in providing a full programme of tournaments and pro

ams throughout the year for local professionals. Northern Golfer’s Alan Hedley, who has covered golf for more than 30 years and worked with Tom regularly, said: “In my time as golf correspondent for the Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun, and with Northern Golfer, Tom was unfailingly helpful, cheerful and excellent company. We will all miss him.”

York Golf Club’s five-year plan to improve its Strensall course has attracted widespread approval. The work, designed by Sheffield-based Jonathan Gaunt and carried out by Fineturf Contractors, included reshaping and rebuilding all of the course’s bunkers with the addition of some new ones, plus four new tees and the introduction of thousands of heather plants.

7, 6 and 5 Day memberships available

All year-round playability for great quality uninterrupted golf throughout the year

Superb Par 3 & Practice Ground membership included in all categories and available separately

Book your 2020 Open competitions online now www.brsgolf.com/tyneside/opens_home.php Wednesdays 18th March

Tuesday 9th June

Monday 3rd August

Saturday 25th April

Tuesday 14th July

Friday 7th August

Sunday 31st May

Sunday 2nd August

Tuesday 8th September

GENTS SPRING TEAM OPEN GENTS OPEN

MIXED OPEN

SENIORS OPEN

SENIORS TEAM OPEN GENTS OPEN

Tyneside Golf Academy relaunching in April! ‘Cherish our history, embrace change’

JUNIOR OPEN

LADIES TEAM OPEN SENIORS OPEN

Westfield Lane, Ryton, Tyne & Wear NE40 3QE

0191 413 2742 NORTHERN GOLFER 13

TEEINGOFF

At your service l-r North Berwick Golf Club lady captain Dawn Young with Catriona Matthew and club captain Jim Robertson

Captain honoured

Europe’s Solheim Cup captain, Catriona Matthew, has been presented with honorary life membership of North Berwick Golf Club. A special reception was held at the historic golf club to bestow the honorary membership on Catriona, who led the European team to victory over the US at Gleneagles in September. She will captain the European team for a second time in the US in 2021.

Kevin Pattison and Andrew Blunt

evin Pattison and Andrew Blunt have teamed up to launch Electric Golf Trolleys North East. The new business, based at Unit 3 Derwenthaugh Industrial Estate, Swalwell offers repairs and servicing for electric golf trolleys. It also stocks PowaKaddy, Motocaddy and Golfstream trolleys along with a full range of batteries, accessories, grips, balls and gloves. Kevin, who has worked in golf retail in the region for 26 years,

launched the new business with Andrew, PGA Professional at Seaham Golf Club, at the end of 2019 and has hit the ground running. “We couldn’t have asked for a better start,” said Kevin. “It has been great to get back into golf retail after five years away. It has been lovely seeing so many familiar faces and I would like to thank PowaKaddy and Motocaddy for their ongoing support, and entrusting me to carry out their warranty work in our authorised service centre.

“Setting up the new business with Andrew has reinvigorated my passion for the game and golf retail. We’re looking forward to building our reputation and working with more golfers from across the region.” As well as specialising in electric golf trolleys, Kevin has access to equipment from the major manufacturers through Andrew and his Bargain Golf Equipment brand. For more information head to www.facebook.com/ ElectricGolfTrolleysNE

Custom Fit Centre

The George Washington Golf Custom Fitting Centre works in partnership with the three leading golf brands;

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EPIC FLASH

To ensure your new clubs are absolutely fitted to you and your swing, we highly recommend our fitting service. Aided by the FlightScope system, one of our qualified PGA team will guide you, so you can purchase the golf clubs ideally suited to improve your game.

Free Fitting & Trade In Available 14 NORTHERN GOLFER

For further details and to book your appointment contact the Golf Pro Shop.

0191 417 8346 STONE CELLAR ROAD, WASHINGTON, NE37 1PH

PROFILE

PRO -FILE

BRADLEY ROWNTREE AGE: 30 TURNED PRO: 2011 HOME CLUB: Thirsk & Northallerton Golf Club CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Foremost Breakthrough Professional of the Year 2017 TaylorMade master fitter & Adidas ambassador Multiple pro am wins on the NE/NW PGA circuit

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ERTY FUTURE OF PROP LOOKING TO THE AND MORTAR WITH BRICKS APRIL 2019

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? There’s a lot to look forward to at Thirsk & Northallerton. I want to establish a leading coaching and fitting facility in the area, working with players of all ages and abilities to improve their golf. I also want to be part of attracting people into the game as it’s really important to introduce as many people as possible to the game we all love. As for my own golf, I’ll be playing as full a schedule as possible on the NE/ NW PGA circuit along with a few Yorkshire PGA pro ams. There’s a lot going on and I’m excited to get into the season.”

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HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE GAME? “I got into the game early thanks to my dad, a member of Barnard Castle Golf Club. I was hitting balls when I was four-years-old and by the time I was 13, golf was my only sport. I played for Durham as a junior and played in national events all over the country - from Faldo Series events to representing the North of England boys. I also played for the Durham men’s team before turning pro in 2011.”

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WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO? “I moved to Thirsk & Northallerton Golf Club in January and it’s been a very busy start to the year. There’s a good buzz around the club and I’m looking forward to my first season here. We’ve just completed fitting out the new shop and there’s lots to get going on with our TrackMan launch monitor now available for fitting and coaching. We also have a new junior academy and ladies chip and sip group starting soon. It’s going to be a busy year, including opening up an indoor swing studio, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

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INSIGHT

The Business and Leisure Magazine for the North East Region

For advertising and editorial enquiries contact Michael Grahamslaw on mjgrahamslaw@outlook.com or visit the website www.northern-insight.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 15

THE NORTHUMBERLAND GOLF CLUB The Northumberland Golf Club offers a premier membership experience with a wonderful golf course, first class practice facilities and a traditional Clubhouse overlooking the 18th green, a great place to relax after a game of golf with a drink and food from our first class catering. There is an enjoyable golfing atmosphere in our Main Lounge and Spike Bar.

• A PREMIER MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE WHERE MEMBERS INTERESTS COME FIRST • GOSFORTH PARK LADIES GOLF CLUB – A THRIVING LADIES CLUB FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES • EASY ACCESS TO THE 1ST TEE WITH NO FORMAL BOOKING • GOLF COURSE PLAYABLE ALL YEAR ROUND • EXCELLENT GREENS AND COURSE PRESENTATION • EXTENSIVE PRACTICE FACILITIES INCLUDING A RANGE AND BALL DISPENSER • RECIPROCAL GREEN FEE ARRANGEMENTS WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL GOLF CLUBS • A RELAXED FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE IN THE CLUBHOUSE, WITH SPIKE BAR AND SKY SPORTS TV • FULL RANGE OF SOCIAL EVENTS AND FRIENDLY GOLF MATCHES • CONVENIENT GOSFORTH LOCATION, A HIDDEN GEM IN THE NEWCASTLE AREA Memberships available – Gentlemen, Ladies and Juniors with structured rates for under 37’s (example Age 30 - £850 plus Club Levies and affiliation fees, available on a pro rata basis. Entrance Fee offers available which can be paid over 5 years)

VISIT WWW.THENGC.CO.UK/MEMBERSHIPS FOR FULL DETAILS Complimentary rounds with a tour of our facilities available to sample what we have to offer, email Julie on admin@thengc.co.uk or telephone 0191 236 2498 to arrange a date and time to suit, you will be made most welcome.

HIGH GOSFORTH PARK NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE3 5HT e: admin@thengc.co.uk w: www.thengc.co.uk

MATCHPLAYPAIRS2020

MATCH PLAY PAIRS 2020 ENTRY FORM For your chance to win, enter online at www.northerngolfer.co.uk or fill in this application form and send it to: Dean Bailey, Northern Golfer, Offstone Publishing, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: APRIL 23, 2020

LEAD PLAYER PLAYER NAME

HANDICAP GOLF CLUB

ADDRESS POSTCODE TEL (DAY)

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2020 champions Jimmy Guy and James Melville

Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs 2020

he Northern Gofler Match Play Pairs tournament is back for 2020 - and entries are now open. Last year, 72 pairs set off in the event aiming to capture the trophy and £600 prize. Played throughout the season at venues across the North East and Yorkshire, Match Play Pairs offers the chance to compete against teams from across our region and add your names to the region’s golfing history books. Teams are drawn against one another in the knockout format, played with 90% handicap allowance.

Pairs can enter today online using the Northern Golfer website. Alternatively, complete the form on the right of this page and post it to us. The closing date for entries is April 23, 2020. The final of this year’s event will take place in October with the winners taking home the trophy and appearing in the November edition of Northern Golfer. You can read the full rules for the event online at www.northerngolfer. co.uk/match-play-rules For more information contact Dean Bailey, email dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk or tel 01661 844 115.

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NORTHERN GOLFER 17

ADVERTORIAL

NEW YEAR, NEW ROLE FOR JOHN PAUL After spending six years working as a PGA professional, most recently at Whickham Golf Club where he was head PGA professional, John Paul has made the move to the world of financial services by setting up his own wealth management practice with St. James’s Place Wealth Management. John spent three years at university studying economics before turning professional and achieving his PGA qualifications. During his time at Whickham, where one of his teaching clients was a partner of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, he discussed the opportunities that the industry could offer. Within three months, John had progressed through a five-stage recruitment process and gained a place on the prestigious St. James’s Place academy scheme. After a gruelling six months of travelling from Morpeth to Edinburgh

on the train every morning and undergoing many assessments and exams, John gained his professional qualiﬁcations and has now successfully opened his own wealth management practice based in the Team Valley industrial estate. John has already built up a large client base, which consists of individuals from a number of areas - from business owners and sports professionals to young families and pensioners. John will not be shying away from his background in professional golf and plans to keep his PGA status active, and compete in pro am competitions with many of his clients, as well as running client trips to some of the major golf event such as The Masters. On making the career change, John said: “ I loved my time as head PGA professional at Whickham Golf Club and during my time at Alnmouth and Burgham Park as an

assistant pro. A huge thank you to everyone who supported me at all three clubs. “My new role may seem very diﬀerent to what I was doing, but in reality it’s very similar. I work with people at the beginning of a process, helping them identify where their weaknesses are, look at their objectives and dreams, and put

plans in place to help them achieve these. The two jobs are very similar in that way, and I get a buzz helping people achieve their goals whether that be straightening up their shots oﬀ the tee, making more putts or to helping them make better ﬁnancial planning decisions to put in stronger foundations for their and their family’s futures.”

You can contact John on 07411 760 347 or at john.paul@sjpp.co.uk

P RO UD TO S UP P ORT N O RTHERN G OL FER

W E A LT H MA N AG E M EN T T H AT I S S I MP LY PA R F O R THE COURSE We specialise in providing face-to-face wealth management advice that is tailored to reflect individual circumstances. We place you at the heart of everything we do, and are committed to building and sustaining longterm relationships based on trust, superior service and the quality of our initial and ongoing advice. We can help you throughout your various life stages, providing a comprehensive range of financial solutions to address a multitude of needs and objectives. This includes investment, retirement, tax and estate planning. Our experience is that everyone has their own personal concerns, responsibilities and ambitions, and that the solutions that work for one simply would not work for another.

JOHN PAUL WEALTH MANAGEMENT Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

Tel: 0191 731 6577 Email: john.paul@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.johnpaulwealth.co.uk

The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

H2SJP0123 01/20

18 NORTHERN GOLFER

TOURLIFE

Chris Paisley

Off to a slow start My 2020 season is underway, starting with the desert swing in the Middle East

’m three events into my 2020 season and I have to say it has been a disappointing start. I began a four-event stretch by making the cut in the South African Open, but finished well down the field after a poor weekend. I then did what every professional despises doing - I bogeyed the last hole of the second round to miss the cut by one shot in Abu Dhabi. It is not the first time I have done it, and it won’t be the last, but it still stings when it happens. The following week in Dubai was quite simply, rubbish! The course was set up extremely tough, the rough was the thickest I have ever played from and the greens were rock hard. I was not striking it anywhere near well enough to handle such a tough set up. I missed the cut by

seven shots, which was even less fun than missing by one the previous week! I am currently on my way to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the final event of my fourweek stretch. It is never nice to miss cuts and I still find myself getting down about it, but through experience I have learned to take the rough with the smooth. You learn that everyone has ups and downs throughout a season. Sometimes you start badly, sometimes you finish badly, but no matter what, you have to keep plugging away and let the good times come. The more you force things, the longer they take to come good. I will work hard over the coming days and I’m confident my game will click into place . If it doesn’t, then I get to fly home and see my girls early. Being away from Keri and Ella has

been tough. For the past few years, Keri has travelled with me and Ella began traveling when she was three months old. This is the longest stretch that I have been away and it has been a little harder than I expected it to be. I am sure its not helped by the fact that I haven’t been playing particularly well. Last year when I came off the course, they were there to take my mind off a bad round. I now find myself stewing in my own thoughts. My journey on tour has been a constant learning curve and being away from my family is just another thing I have to learn to handle better. It is tough being away, but I love the constant challenges golf throws at you. I am well up for this season and determined to make this time away from my girls worthwhile.

NORTHERN GOLFER 19

One of the finest championship courses in the region

Winter Opens Final chance to qualify. Singles Stableford, Friday Feb 14th. £10.00 per person, 1st 2nd 3rd prize Vouchers, to spend at any PGA Golf shop. 5 to qualify from each event for Grand final on Friday 13th March 2020. Where on Summer Greens & Tees all Year round.

2020 Opens Sunday 10th May, Gents 4 Man Team-Texas Scramble - £40.00 per team Sunday 7th June, Gents 4BBB Stableford - £20.00 per pair Wednesday 15th July, Seniors 4BBB Stableford - £20.00 per pair (entrants must be over 55) Tuesday 21st July, Ladies Texas Scramble - £40.00 per team of 4 Saturday 15th August, Mixed Open Greensomes - £22.00 per pair Tuesday 25th August, Ladies Team of 3, - £30.00 per team of 3 Sunday 13th September, Gents US Master Texas Scramble - £60.00 per team of 4, run in conduction with www.golfengland.co.uk win your way to the U.S. Masters, your only 2 rounds away from Augusta. To Enter: send cheque payable to 1st Foregolf Ltd, stating preferred Tee time, competitors names, handicaps and clubs, to the Manager, Burgham Park Golf Club, Near Felton, Morpeth, Northumberland. NE65-9QP or Phone the Club Office on 01670 787898 (option 1) to pay by Debit/ credit card You can also download the entry form from Golf Empire, and send to the Manager, Burgham Park Golf Club. We are proud to announce that Marcus Webb Advanced Fellow of the P.G.A. will be joing the Team at Burgham Park as Teaching Professional, Marcus will be available on selected dates.

Golf Society Packages 2020 Minimum 12. Coffee/Bacon Sandwich & 18 Holes, Mon-Fri £24.00 Sat-Sun £29.00 Soup / Sandwiches & 18 Holes, Mon-Fri £25.00 Sat-Sun £30.00 1 Course Meal & 18 Holes, Mon-Fri £26.00 Sat-Sun £31.00

Membership 2020 February 2020 until 31st March 2021 7 Day Membership - £600.00 5 Day Membership - £455.00 Pay & Play Membership - £250.00 + £10.00 per play Intermediate, 22-25yrs - £380.00 Juniors 19-21yrs - £230.00 Juniors 16-18yrs £100.00, under 16yrs - £50.00

WE ALSO HAVE SOME GREAT CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES

For any further information please contact, the manager, Kevin Gow on 01670 787898 www.burghamparkgolfclub@gmail.com BURGHAM, Nr FELTON, NORTHUMBERLAND NE65 9QP

GROUP BOOKINGS 1 IN 8 GOES FREE BOOK NOW - 01845 525 115 20 NORTHERN GOLFER

WINTER GREEN FEE ONLY £15

www.tngc.co.uk

ONCOURSE

Simon Olver

Book smarts There’s a lot more to modern greenkeeping than cutting grass and raking bunkers

he golf course management industry has developed so much in the last few years, and massively since I started out as a 16-year-old at Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club in 1997. The quality of education has advanced so much recently, across sports turf and management, and the demand for new qualifications and more further education places continues to grow. This change has been driven by the changing roles of golf course managers and greenkeepers. Gone are the days when our only concern was the height of the grass on the greens and whether the bunkers were raked each morning. Staff at every level, at every club around the country, must deal with an array of areas – from agronomy, sustainability, planning and ecology to finance, human resources, training, marketing and health & safety. The sports turf industry has worked

Course managers have to combine many more areas of expertise than they had to in the past

hard over the recent years to standardise its training. Vocational NVQs form the building blocks of a successful career and can lead on to bachelors and masters degrees, and even PHDs. Individuals who enrol on these courses while in full-time employment invest huge amounts of their own time studying at night, weekends and even in their lunch breaks. My own journey to achieving a bachelors degree took five years while in full-time work and raising a young family. The opportunities education and better communication across the industry opens up to network, share ideas and talk about personal experiences is vital. This is an area where the greenkeeping industry excels. A bit like one massive family, greenkeepers are very happy to help others in the industry. We’re also fortunate to have global bodies like the R&A and BIGGA which understand the importance of raising the

skill levels of greenkeepers. This focus will help to secure the future success of the game around the world. A broad knowledge and expertise allows modern greenkeeping teams to produce and present golf courses at higher standards than ever before, within a testing economic climate where customer expectations continue to rise. Golf is an ever-changing sport and for golf clubs to remain financially sustainable and successful, course managers and greenkeepers need to evolve and continue to learn. Knowledge is power and businesses need to nurture this power by allocating sufficient annual training budgets, introducing systematic personalised training plans and trusting the advice and recommendations made by the professionals they employ. With those in place, your club and course will be able to thrive for many years to come.

NORTHERN GOLFER 21

Tee off up to 50 times with Flexi Golf FLEXI GOLF MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES Play 9 or 18 holes of championship Golf Use points to invite friends to play The option to play in club competitions Great discounts in our Proshop and Clubhouse

Yearly Flexi Golf Membership & 100 points

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For more information please contact our sales team on 0191 3753089 or email golfsales@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

Open Fixtures 2020 Saturday 27th June

Wednesday 16th September

Mens Team of 4 £70 per team Cathedral Course

Senior Mens Better Ball £30 per pair Prince Bishops

Monday 29th June Ladies Team of 4 £40 per team Prince Bishops

Wednesday 15th July

Sunday 25th October Mens Better Ball Winter Open £30 per pair Cathedral Course

Senior Mens Team of 4 £70 per team Prince Bishops For more information please contact Golf Reception on 0191 386 9514 or email jill.henry@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

WORLDHANDICAPSYSTEM

A brave new world The World Handicap System is coming into force later this year – here’s an introduction to the new system

he World Handicap System – or WHS – comes into effect in the UK at the end of 2020. Already in place in parts of the world, it marks a major change in how handicaps are calculated and applied in the UK. There’s a lot to take in, and far more detail than we can cover here, but here’s a quick introduction: WHEN WILL WHS COME INTO EFFECT? In England, the switch takes place on November 2, 2020. WHY HAS THE WHS BEEN CREATED? The whole world plays to one set of Rules of Golf, but before WHS six different handicap systems oversaw amateur golfers, including CONGU in the UK. By the end of 2020, one handicap system will cover every player. HOW WILL IT WORK? Under CONGU, handicaps are the sum of your playing career – taking into account reductions for good play and .1 lifts for poor play across all of your past Qualifying scores. Under WHS, only your last 20 scores are taken into account. Of those 20, the best eight will be used to calculate an average and give you a Handicap Index. For day one of WHS, a Handicap Index will be calculated for each player, this Raw Handicap will remove the degree of difficulty of your home course to level the playing field. HOW WILL MY HANDICAP INDEX TRANSLATE INTO MY HANDICAP ON A GIVEN DAY/COURSE? This is arguably the biggest change for golfers in the UK. WHS introduces a Slope Rating into the calculation. It starts with the Course Rating, which evaluates the difficulty of a course from a set of tees for scratch golfers under normal course and summer weather conditions. Next, a Bogey Rating does the same for bogey golfers (roughly 20 handicappers for men and 24 for women). The

procedure is repeated for each set of tees and a course ends up with a Scratch, Bogey and Slope Rating for each set of tees. The tee specific Slope Rating is the difference in difficulty between the Scratch and Bogey ratings. On any given day/course, your Handicap Index will be used to determine your Course Handicap for the tees you are playing. If it’s an official competition, the computer will carry out the calculation. If it’s a social round, you’ll need to check your Handicap Index against the published data for the tees you’re playing and work it out yourself. In competitions, Course Handicaps will then be converted by the handicapping software into a Playing Handicap, which is determined by the format of the competition. It’s important to note that each day’s conditions will also play a part in the calculation, similar to the way CSS works in the CONGU system. Don’t worry though! In competitions, all this will be done for you by the club’s handicap system. For social rounds, everything you need to know, including the calculation, will be displayed at the course you’re playing. It will also be available on a new app, making the process easy to use every time you play. HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT MY NEW HANDICAP IS? Your handicap will automatically update overnight when the new system comes into effect. As with the current system, only members of an affiliated club will have handicaps under the WHS. WILL I ONLY BE ABLE TO PLAY IN COMPETITIONS FOR MY HANDICAP? No. There are a few things you need to do before a round can count towards your handicap – like playing a minimum number of holes, having at least one playing partner and registering your round before teeing off, but generally more rounds will be acceptable for handicap purposes than under the CONGU system.

There is a lot more detail in the new system, including exactly how the calculations work, and you can find everything you need to know at www.whs.com/#learnmore

NORTHERN GOLFER 23

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

Game, set and match James Melville and Jimmy Guy win the Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs title at Wynyard Golf Club

year after setting off on their season, James Melville and Jimmy Guy have been crowned Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs champions for 2019. James and Jimmy, members of Crook and Brancepeth golf clubs, overcame Stocksfield-based Jon Douglas and Mark Laverick 2&1 in a close final at Wynyard. Having gone behind early as Jon attacked the opening holes of the round, which started on the back nine, the title and £600 prize were won by James as he got up and down from the back of the eighth green – holing a downhill six-footer to close out the match. “We’ve played some cracking blokes and some cracking matches all the way through the event, and the final was another brilliant match,” said Jimmy. “The way Jon started the round, I thought we were in for a tough game of scrapping to make halves, but we used our few shots really well and capitalised when Jon didn’t make the putts. We worked our way around well between us, but those up and downs were the key to overcoming two really talented players.” James added: “We don’t win much so this is a bit of an odd feeling. “That final putt, having made a mess of the first one and left 6ft, was so nerve

24 NORTHERN GOLFER

wracking. I was really nervous standing over it, thinking about the putt but also about what Jimmy was going to say if I had three-putted two greens in a row with the match on the line. Seeing it drop into the hole was a great feeling.” Part of a strong Crook contingent in the 2019 event, James and Jimmy overcame Vaughan Raine and Shaun Elliott from Crook in the semi-final at Brancepeth, having progressed through five rounds of matches, starting with the preliminary round in April. Meanwhile, Jon and Mark reached the final with victory over Consett Golf Club’s Barry Cranston and David Hornsey at Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club. “Our quarter-final game against Johnny Harrison and Adam Reid from Bishop Auckland/Wynyard at Crook was a really important game for us. To get a 6&5 win like that gave us a lot of confidence,” said James. “Our hardest game was against David Thompson and Terry Buckley from Billingham,” added Jimmy. “That was the only game, apart from the final, which we were down in. We needed some good breaks and really solid golf to win that one. Playing our mates, Vaughan and Shaun from Crook, in the semi-final was great fun, tough but fun as well.”

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

NORTHERN GOLFER 25

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

In the final, Jon made the strongest start with good chances to win the opening three holes – making par at the 12th hole to go 1up as James and Jimmy both failed to get up and down. James immediately got the Crook pair back to all square with par at the 13th before Jimmy made a nett birdie at the long par five 14th and a birdie at the short par four 15th to go 2up. The 16th, 17th, 18th and first holes were then halved in pars before James made use of his shot on the par four second, making a nett birdie to take a 3up lead with seven holes to play. James and Jimmy made their first mistake of the match at the short par four fifth, both failing to get up and down after missing the green to give up a hole to pars 26 NORTHERN GOLFER

l-r Jimmy Guy, James Melville, Jon Douglas & Mark Laverick

from the Stocksfield pair. That win led to another at the par four sixth as Mark made use of his shot to make a nett birdie and get back to just 1dn. However, that burst of form didn’t last. Both Jon and Mark missed the green at the par three seventh, gifting James the chance to swing momentum back to the Crook pair as he narrowly missed is long birdie attempt and tapped in for par to go back to 2up with just two holes to play. James then made the crucial putt at the eighth hole to close out the match. Having found the back of the green in two, and with two putts to half the hole and win the match, he left himself a slippery downhill six-footer. That putt hit the back of the hole hard and

dropped in to give James and Jimmy a 2&1 win. “We’ve won the winter league at Crook, our only other doubles win together in five years, but this is something else entirely,” said Jimmy. “We’ll definitely be back in 2020 to defend our title.” In 2019, 72 pairs took part in Match Play Pairs with matches played across the region throughout the season. A huge thank you to all the clubs which gave courtesy for these matches and to Wynyard Golf Club for hosting the final. You’ll find all the details for this year’s tournament, including how to enter online and via post, on page 17. For more on Match Play Pairs go to

www.northerngolfer.co.uk

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TROLLEY /BAG & ACCESSORY DEALS AVAILABLE IN STORE ONLY HUGE SELECTION OF TROLLEY BAGS TROLLEY SALES, TROLLEY REPAIR, TROLLEY SERVICING, BAGS, ELECTRIC TROLLEY ACCESSORIES, GOLF BALLS AND GOLF GLOVES!

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SAMEDAY REGRIPPING SERVICE Unit 3, Derwenthaugh Industrial Est, Derwenthaugh Rd, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE16 3BJ - Email: golftrolleysne@gmail.com

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MEMBERSHIPS

STILL AVAILABLE TA K I N G S O C I E T Y B O O K I N G S F O R 2 0 2 0 C L U B H O U S E AVA I L A B L E FO R P R I VAT E F U N C T I O N S : Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christenings, etc. Call 0191 388 3218, option 3 to arrange your event.

2020 OPENS

CALL OUR PGA PROFESSIONAL ON 0191 3882333

DATE

EVENT

15 April

Seniors Open 4BBB

23 May

Gents Open 4BBB

02 May 27 May

08 June 07 July

15 August 19 August

CHESTER-LESTREET GOLF CLUB www.clsgolfclub.co.uk

Mixed Open 4BBB

Ladies Open Waltz

Seniors Open 4BBB Seniors Open 4BBB Team of 4 Texas

Ladies Open Am-Am

Contact: Secretary 0191 388 3218

email: clsgcoï¬&#x192;ce@tiscali.co.uk | PGA Professional 0191 388 2333

Chester le Street Golf Club, Lumley Park, County Durham, DH3 4NS

2020DIARY Ramside Hall will host the Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events in August and September

Save the date The 2020 season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to plan ahead for the key international, national and local events coming up this year

MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE FOR 2020 (RING FOR DETAILS) FREE Ladies Taster Day – Saturday 28th March, 1-3pm

OPENS 2020 24th May/4 BBB • 1st Jun/Ladies • 28th Jun/ 4 Man Team • 19th July Mixed Pairs • 6th Aug/Seniors 4BBB • 9th Aug/ Texas Scram x 3 • 13th Sep/Texas Scram x 4

GOLF SOCIETIES AND VISITING PARTIES WELCOME Speak to Pauline who would be pleased to tailor a package to suit you.

SPONSORSHIP AND CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUIT ALL FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE CLUB ON

0191 2362794

www.arcothall.co.uk • email: arcothall@yahoo.co.uk

(OPTION 2) Arcot Hall Golf Club, Dudley, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 7QP

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

2020DIARY APRIL Weds 1-2 Thurs 9-12 Thurs 16 Sat 18 Fri 24-26

EuroPro Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 at five venues across the UK The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Northern Junior Golf Tour Charity Junior Open at Dinsdale Northumberland/Durham Inter-County Foursomes Final at Tynemouth Girls U16 Amateur Championship at Fulford

MAY Fri 1-3 Fri 8-9 Thurs 14-17 Sat 16-17 Mon 18 Thurs 21-24 Sat 23 Sun 24-26 Thurs 28

Durham Ladies County Championship at Castle Eden England Men v France at Ganton US PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park Durham County Matchplay Championship R1-4 at Woodham British Masters qualifying tournament at Close House Brabazon Trophy at Sherwood Forest Durham County Matchplay Championship Final at Woodham Northumberland Ladies County Championship at Bamburgh Yorkshire Boys Championship at Seacroft

JUNE Sat 6-7 Mon 8 Thurs 11 Fri 12-14 Mon 15-20 Thurs 18-21 Sat 20 Sat 20

Northumberland Strokeplay Championship at Dunstanburgh Northumberland & Durham Open at TBC Northumberland County Seniors Championship at Blyth Curtis Cup at Conwy The Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire US Open at Winged Foot Northumberland County Championship Qualifying at Bedlingtonshire Durham County Boys Championship at Billingham

The British Masters will return to Close House in July

Durham Ladies County Championship - May 1-3

OPENS 2020 13/05/2020 Senior Pairs Open

15/08/2020 Team Open

30/05/2020 Pairs Open

12/09/2020 Pairs Open

04/07/2020 Ladies Open

23/09/2020 Senior Pairs Open

25/07/2020 Team Open

Book online at www.seahamgolfclub.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE FOR 2020

See our website for details

VISITING PARTIES WELCOME

Bookings are now being taken for 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ Packages tailored to suit your needs FOR MORE INFORMATION RING 0191 5811268 FOR MEMBERSHIP / 0191 5130837 FOR VISITING PARTIES OR EMAIL SEAHAMGOLFCLUB@BTCONNECT.COM SHREWSBURY STREET, SEAHAM, CO. DURHAM SR7 7RD SEAHAMGOLFCLUB.CO.UK 30 NORTHERN GOLFER

Durham County Championship Final - May 23

2020DIARY Sat 20-21 Mon 22 Mon 22-26 Tues 23-27 Sat 27 Tues 30

Northumberland will defend the Big Six title - August 5

Cumbria County Strokeplay Championship at Eden Open Championship Regional Qualifying at Goswick & Alwoodley (+ 11 more) Ladies County Match Week at Alnmouth Women’s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Northumberland County Championship Final at Bedlingtonshire Open Championship Final Qualifying at four venues

JULY

Ladies County Match Week at Alnmouth Golf Club - June 22-26

Weds 1 Northern Counties Boys Qualifying Championship at Hexham Thurs 9-12 The Scottish Open at The Renaissance Fri 10-12 Durham County Strokeplay Championship at Hartlepool Sun Jul 12 Northumberland Ladies Junior Championship at Gosforth Tues 14 McGregor Trophy at Heworth Weds 15-16 Durham County Seniors Championship at Chester-le-Street Thurs 16-19 149th Open Championship at Royal St George’s Mon 27 NE/NW PGA Championship at Tyneside Tues Jul 28 PING Junior Masters at Close House Wed 29-31 The Seniors Amateur Championship at Royal Cinque Ports Wed 29-31 North of England U14 Junior Open Stroke Play Championship at South Moor Thur 30-Aug 2 Betfred British Masters at Close House

AUGUST

Northumberland Ladies County Championship - May 24-26

Northumberland County Championship Final - June 27

GARESFIELD GOLF CLUB OPENS 2020 Active handicap required

MENS FOUR PERSON SCRAMBLE - SAT 18THAPRIL MENS OPEN PAIRS (4BBB STABLEFORD) - SAT 20TH JUNE 2020 MENS OPEN 2 MAN SCRAMBLE - SAT 25TH JULY 2020 MENS OPEN SINGLES STABLEFORD - FRI 15TH MAY, 12TH JUNE, 17TH JULY, 14TH AUG, 25TH SEPT TH TH MENS OPEN 4BBB - FRI 29 MAY, 26 JUNE, 31ST JULY, 28TH AUG, 25TH SEPT LADIES FOUR PERSON SCRAMBLE - MON 20TH APRIL MIXED AMERICAN GREENSOMES - MON 13TH APRIL MIXED AMERICAN GREENSOMES - FRI 8TH MAY MIXED 4BBB -WED 7TH OCTOBER 2020

Mon 3 Weds 5 Mon 10-14 Tues 11-15 Tues 11-16

Ladies North Region Close Championship at Brancepeth Castle Northern Counties Championship (AKA The Big Six) at Royal Liverpool England Golf Week R&A Girls Amateur Championship at Southport and Ainsdale R&A Boys Amateur Championship at Moortown & Alwoodley

GARESFIELD GOLF

CLUB

All enquiries contact the secretary on 01207561309 NORTHERN GOLFER 31

2020DIARY Thurs 13-16 Tues 18-20 Thurs 20-23 Mon 31

Ladies Scottish Open at The Renaissance Yorkshire Amateur Championship at Lindrick Women’s British Open at Woburn Northern Golfer Ladies & Junior Champion of Champions at Ramside Hall

SEPTEMBER Sat 5 Northern Golfer Men’s Champion of Champions at Ramside Hall Sat 5-6 Girls & Women’s County Champions of Champions at Woodhall Spa Thurs 10-13 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Sat 12-13 Boys, Seniors & Men’s County Champion of Champions at Woodhall Spa Sat 19-20 Champion Club Tournament at The Worcestershire Mon 21 NE/NW PGA Tour Championship at Brancepeth Castle Fri 25-27 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits Sun 27 Durham Junior Order of Merit Final at Whickham Tues 29-Oct 1 North of England Open Amateur Championship at Alwoodley Sun 30 Northern Junior Golf Tour Regional Final at Ramside Hall

OCTOBER TBC

Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs Final

great

City of Newcastle will look to defend their Northumberland, English and European champion club titles in the second half of the season

ENJOY A

ROUND OF GOLF

experience the HIDDEN MACKENZIE/ BRAID CLASSIC with fantastic views along the COAST AND NORTH SEA

2020 OPENS

Gents Winter Open Series Gents Four Ball Betterball Thursday - 12 March Seniors Open Texas Scramble Gents 4-Person Texas Scramble Thursday - 14 May Gents 4bbb Open Gents Four Ball Betterball Sunday - 7 June Mens Texas Scramble Open Gents 4-Person Texas Scramble Saturday - 11 July Mens 4BBB Open Gents Four Ball Betterball Saturday - 29 August

MID-WEEK VISITING PARTIES

Golf & Lunch £26.00 | Golf & Hot Drink/Bacon Bap £24.50 *SPECIAL GOLF RATES FOR PARTIES OVER 16

SOUTH SHIELDS GOLF CLUB Cleadon Hills, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE34 8EG

Main Office: 0191 456 8942 Pro: 0191 4560110 Email: manager.southshieldsgolf@gmail.com

32 NORTHERN GOLFER

FULL COURSE, GREENS / TEES OPEN ALL YEAR

MID WEEK WINTER PACKAGE AVAILABLE UNTIL 31ST MARCH

18 Holes Golf £18.00 per person Coffee/Bacon Roll + 18 holes £20.00 per person Coffee/Bacon Roll + 18 holes + meal of the day £27.00 per person Must be booked at least 24 hours in advance minimum 4 players

OPEN DATES

DATE

EVENT

16th April

4BBB Senior Open

2nd May

4BBB Gents Open

25th May

Ladies Team Open (2 from 3)

1st August

4BBB Gents Open

2nd August

4BBB Mixed Open

10th September

4BBB Senior Open

8th October

Charity Pairs Open

Application forms for all opens can be found at www.golfempire.co.uk

MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE - CONTACT CLUB MANAGER

HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB, Hart Warren, Hartlepool, TS24 9QF 01429 274398 hartlepoolgolf@btconnect.com www.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk

ROUNDWITH A ROUND WITH...

Sir Graham Wylie North East entrepreneur Sir Graham Wylie on his passion for golf, his early obsession with crazy golf, and who makes it into his dream fourball

ir Graham Wylie is one of the North East’s most recognisable entrepreneurs. A founder of software giant Sage, today he owns technology support provider TSG, fitness company Speedflex and Close House, which will host its second British Masters this summer. Knighted in the New Year’s honours list for services to business and charity, Graham has raised millions of pounds for a number of North East charities, including The Children’s Heart Unit Fund, and launched his own foundation in 2016. We shared a round with him at his home club to learn more about his passion for golf…

ball on each hole, I shot 17 under-par on the Colt Course in a corporate day last summer. Having 18 perfect tee shots makes the game a lot easier!

2011. Our friendship has grown incredibly strong and he’s a fantastic ambassador for Close House – though I do wish he’d let me play from the forward tees more often.

6 Which is your favourite golfing memory? Hosting the British Masters at Close House in 2017. I have so many brilliant memories, starting with the first morning. I walked up the hill from the house and there was total silence. I was terrified no one had turned up, but walking over the brow of the hill I saw thousands of people. That was very special to see for the first time.

13 How does golf help your businesses and charity work? My network of friends has grown so much since we launched Close House. There is nowhere better to build partnerships and friendships than the golf course.

1 How much golf do you get to play? Less than you’d think as the owner of two golf courses. I’d love to play more, but there’s a lot to do with three business and two young daughters. I support a few corporate and charity events, and I have an annual golf holiday with friends, but that’s not enough to improve my 23 handicap.

7 What about embarrassing moments? When we reopened the Filly Course at Close House, I played in the very first group with Lee Westwood. He hit a drive just short of the green on the par four first hole and I hit mine into a pond about 50 yards from the tee. My second shot ever on the course went into that pond as well.

2 How did you get into golf? My first interaction with golf was at the Arnold Palmer crazy golf on the lower prom in Whitley Bay as a kid. You’d find me there every Easter, May and summer holiday. I must have played it 500 times a year and my best score ever included seven holes-inone and two twos.

8 Do you have any superstitions? Not on the golf course, but I do keep to the traditional one about seeing magpies. If I see two magpies, I know I’m going to have a good day. I have two in my office at home and two appear on my coat of arms as well.

3 Which is your favourite course in the North East? It has to be Close House. I bought the estate in 2004, developed it and added the Colt Course, and now it’s my home. If I had to pick one course to play, it would be the Colt Course from the yellow tees - it’s too tough for me from the back tees. 4 And further afield? Adare Manor in Ireland. I played it for the first time last year and it was magnificent. 5 What’s your best score ever? Playing tour scramble, where you choose the best drive in your group then play your own 34 NORTHERN GOLFER

9 What are your strengths on the course? I’m a good putter, which must come from all those days on the Arnold Palmer crazy golf in Whitley Bay. 10 And your weaknesses? I call it Clint Eastwood golf – I play six good holes, six bad holes and six ugly holes in every round. 11 Which is your favourite club? My PING five hybrid, I use it for anything from 140-170 yards and hit it from any lie. 12 Who is your best golfing friend? Close House’s attached professional Lee Westwood. We’ve played quite a lot of golf together since he opened the Colt Course in

14 Who is your favourite tour player? I think Lee would be upset if I didn’t pick him. His focus and attention to detail is incredible to watch up close. 15 Which event do you enjoy attending the most? I’ve been to The Masters at Augusta National and there is no golf experience like it. The attention to detail, the atmosphere and the tradition is unlike any other event in the world. 16 Who do you admire? Microsoft founder Bill Gates. I met him over 20 years ago and he told me about his vision for accounting software in the future. We are still striving towards that vision today, but his ability to look ahead and endeavour to meet that need is very admirable. 17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball? I’ve played a lot of golf with Jeremy Kyle and we’ve never been beaten, so he’d be my partner. I’d love to play against Ant and Dec. We’re good friends, but we’ve never played together. I think that would be a fun round of golf and there would be some healthy competition as well. 18 If you could have one mulligan, when would you have used it? I would go back to last summer’s nearperfect round and hole one more putt to make birdie on every hole - it could have been the perfect round.

ROUNDWITH

NORTHERN GOLFER 35

COURSEPROFILE

A golf course fit for a prince Dean Bailey heads to Ramside Hall to play the Prince Bishops Course

amside Hall has come a long way since the opening of the Jonathan Gauntdesigned Prince Bishops Course in 1996. Now 24 years old, the course is a fine example of modern English parkland design, offering rewards for accuracy and plenty of penalties for those venturing too far off-line. At 6,851 yards from the back tees, this par 72 layout offers birdie opportunities and a number of holes which require more caution than power. Away from the golf course you’ll find a first-class resort which never seems to stand still with a luxury hotel, three restaurants and spectacular spa and leisure facilities. Ramside is also home to the Cathedral Course, which opened in 2014. On the Prince Bishops Course, the opening par four of 446 yards is a tough one requiring a solid drive to reach the corner and give a view of the green around 200 yards away. A small front bunker on the left of the green must be avoided while those missing wide left risk a trip to the water.

36 NORTHERN GOLFER

At the par five second, another good drive is needed from the white tee to clear the stream and get past a fairway bunker on the right side. From here, long hitters can attempt to make the green in two – just stay out of the bunkers to the right of the green. The short third is just 124 yards from the white tees and requires a simple shot to a generous green – a good chance to make an early two. Another 400-yard-plus par four follows. This dogleg left offers the chance to take on the bunker on the left of the corner. If you make the carry you’ll be rewarded with a much simpler approach to a wide, thin green beyond a stream. At the fifth, avoid the fairway bunker to the left side and you’ll be rewarded with a good look at a very generous green. Make a mistake from the tee and a lay up is advised – making a second mistake and finding the cross bunker can lead to disaster here. If the pin is on the left side of the sixth green,

this is arguably the easiest par four on the course at just 304 yards. If the pin is on the right side, it’s one of the toughest with water short, long and right. Pick your approach here based on the pin location – a birdie chance awaits some days while disaster awaits on others. A deceptively tricky short par three, the seventh is just 133 yards but you must pay attention to your club selection. Many will choose plenty of club to make it over the water in front of the green, just don’t take too much club and find the back bunker - from which you’ll face a tricky sand shot back towards the slope and water. The par four eighth, 366 yards from the white tee, is a 90-degree dogleg requiring accuracy and good course management. Play into the corner of the dogleg from the tee, avoiding the lake to the right and the bunkers just beyond the fairway at the corner. From here, an uphill approach must make it past three bunkers en-route to another thin green with three bunkers lurking beyond. Alternatively,

COURSEPROFILE

cut the corner and take aim at the green. A good drive will be rewarded with a short pitch to the green while a great one will leave an eagle putt. Take note of slope in the fairway at the par five ninth to avoid bouncing into the fairway bunker on the right side. From the left side of the fairway, there are three bunkers to avoid en-route to the green. As you make the turn, you’ll find one of the tougher par threes at Ramside. At 200 yards, good ball striking is essential to make the carry to the green at the 10th while the 345-yard 11th hole can offer birdies, particularly to those who hit driver from the tee. A dogleg follows at the long par five 12th. Play short of the cross bunkers some 75 yards from the green to give yourself the best chance of making birdie here. At a little over 400 yards, the key to playing the 13th is negotiating the slopes in front of the green. At the long 14th, some 440 yards, a good drive must negotiate bunkers flanking the fairway, though the approach is generous to a large green with a large bunker on the left side of the putting surface. The par three 15th almost got our nod for signature hole with its wide, bunkerless green lying just beyond a lake. Club selection is key here, though those looking to bail out can play left and leave a simple pitch. The short par four 16th, just 302 yards, was another contender for signature hole. Only the very longest can think about reaching the green here with bunkers cut into the bank below the putting surface. A simple hole when played sensibly, those who try to overwhelm it often pay the price. A tough finish leads back to the hotel, starting with the par five 17th. A long tee shot to the corner must be followed with an accurate approach avoiding the bunker on the left side to leave a mid or short iron to a green guarded by three bunkers. The 18th, played in the shadow of the hotel and luxury treehouses, got our pick for signature hole (see fact file). From here, be sure to head into the clubhouse and sample an excellent, modern club experience.

FACT FILE CONTACT Ramside Hall Carrville, Durham, DH1 1TD Tel 0191 386 5282 www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/golf Facebook @RamsideGolfClub Twitter @RamsideGolfClub Instagram @RamsideGolfClub GREEN FEES See the website for up-to-date offers. A range of packages are available including golf, accommodation and food. TOTAL DISTANCE Blue tees – 6,851 yards White tees – 6,520 yards Yellow tees – 6,220 yards Red tees – 5,610 yards

For more than 20 years, Ramside Hall has been a prime example of the modern golfing resort. Now home to two golf courses – Prince Bishops and Cathedral – the clubhouse has a traditional feel with excellent service and topquality food, plus a floodlit driving range. With a spa, three restaurants and leisure facilities on-site as well as the 127-bedroom hotel, self-catering Farmhouse and luxury treehouse accommodation, there’s truly something for everyone at Ramside.

FEATURES Two golf courses – Prince Bishops and Cathedral Buggy and trolley hire Covered, floodlit driving range Short game practice area & putting green Pro shop Bar and dining area CADDY’S TIP Grab a course guide, plan your route in advance and stick to it. SIGNATURE HOLE The 18th at Ramside is a formidable closing par four. Not the longest at 368 yards, water guards the right side of the hole from tee to green, with thick woods waiting on the left side. Split the fairway with a driver, avoiding the bunker to the left, and you’ve got a short iron or wedge uphill to a green which is narrow in the front and generous at the back. Long approaches are tough here with three bunkers and more water waiting on the right side – it’s time to finish with your best two swings of the day.

OUR VERDICT

The Prince Bishops Course has always been great fun to play, add a visit to your plans this summer. NORTHERN GOLFER 37

GOLFERGEAR

New year, new gear It’s been a busy start to the year with major announcements from all of the game’s big names. We’ve dedicated extra space to gear this month to bring you as much of the news as possible, including new drivers from Callaway and TaylorMade, wedges from Titleist, shoes from FootJoy, balls from Srixon and Titleist, and plenty more.

WALK THE LINE

Odyssey Triple Track putter line RRP: £239-£269 www.odysseygolf.com Odyssey’s new line of putters, which feature the same triple track alignment system as Callaway’s golf balls, is available now. The line-up includes five proven headshapes and was developed to work in conjunction with Callaway’s Triple Track Balls to help golfers aim more accurately, make consistent contact and start the ball on the target line regularly. The line-up includes Marxman, Double Wide, TEN, 2-Ball and 2-Ball blade headshapes. Each incorporates a Stroke Lab shaft and Microhinge Star face insert.

TOP GUNS

Callaway Mavrik family RRP: various uk.callawaygolf.com

Callaway Golf has introduced its new line of Mavrik drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons, which have been designed with the help of a new supercomputer. The Mavrik drivers feature a new Flash Face architecture, which has been designed by artificial intelligence to deliver faster ball speeds when paired with Callaway’s Jailbreak Technology. Each of the three driver models has been designed to work with the individual specifications of each head – size, shape, CG location, footprint and internal weighting – to maximise distance. The complexity of the new face designs also demanded a new and stronger material - FS2S titanium - to allow the ultra-thin design to stand up to the stress of impact, maintaining fast ball speed without compromising clubface integrity. The drivers also feature proven technologies – Jailbreak, which incorporates two internal bars that connect the sole and crown to promote faster ball speed, and the T2C triaxial carbon crown which makes the driver lighter and boosts forgiveness. Meanwhile, three fairway wood models feature a unique version of the new Flash Face and new irons incorporate a Flash Face Cup designed by artificial intelligence to work with each individual head’s size, shape, CG location and loft designation to improve distance and control.

38 NORTHERN GOLFER

NEW BREED

Mizuno ST200 metal woods RRP: Drivers £349-£399, Fairways £239-£279 golf.mizunoeurope.com

Mizuno’s latest drivers and fairway woods will be available around the world from February, boasting further improvements on the popular ST190 series. The ST200 driver has enjoyed fast adoption by contracted and uncontracted Tour players, making its first appearance in the hands of an uncontracted player at the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic. Available in three head designs, each offering different ball flights, the drivers feature a multi-thickness forged titanium face, optimised weight positioning thanks to the compacted WAVE Sole and a variable thickness graphite crown. Meanwhile, the ST200 fairway woods feature a new multithickness steel face for increased initial ball speeds.

GOLFERGEAR

ON A ROLL

PING Heppler putters RRP: £250-£275 www.ping.com Employing high-pressure aluminium casting for the first time in the manufacturing of its putters, PING has introduced the Heppler putters – a nine-model family of blades and multi-material mallets with solid-face technology and extremely high inertia properties. Designed for golfers looking for a firmer feel and sound, the putters feature either steel or aluminium faces, depending on the model, along with multimaterial constructions which produce extremely high MOI numbers. The line also features adjustable shaft length technology and four grip options.

TAKE A STAND

BIG MAX stand bag range RRP: AQUA HYBRID 2 £239.99, AQUA Eight £199.99, Dri Lite Eight £159.99 www.bigmaxgolf.com BIG MAX is introducing three new stand bags this spring, adding more technology, innovation and price points to its awardwinning range. Leading the new range, the Aqua Hybrid 2 is a 100% waterproof stand bag which can sit perfectly on a trolley. A footless base provides a smooth stand bag mechanism while allowing the bag to sit perfectly square when placed on a trolley. With seven spacious pockets and a 14-way divider, the bag offers ample storage space too. The range also includes the water resistant Dri Lite Eight and waterproof Aqua Eight, two smaller bags with 8.5ins tops which provide a comfortable carry and leading technology.

TWO BALL

Titleist Velocity and Tour Soft golf balls RRP: Velocity £28 per dozen, Tour Soft £33 per dozen www.titleist.co.uk Titleist has released details of two improved golf balls for 2020 – Velocity and Tour Soft. Each component of the new Velocity ball has been engineered for maximum speed, including new aerodynamic and core technologies that deliver the longest, best performing Velocity yet. The advancements include a new spherically tiled 350 octahedral dimple design, which produces a more consistent, high-flying trajectory and a larger, higher speed LSX core. The new ball is available in three matte finishes – pink, green and orange – as well as white. Meanwhile, the new Tour Soft offers a combination of soft compression feel, faster ball speed and increased short game spin. Tour Soft’s larger core is engineered for more ball speed and distance off the tee while a thinner 4CE grafted cover system produces greater spin around the greens. It is available in white and high optic yellow

NEW LOOK FOR D7S

Wilson D7 Forged Irons RRP: £699 (4-PW), £599 (5-PW) www.wilson.com Wilson Golf is looking to follow up the success of the D7 irons with the new D7 Forged irons - combining distance, looks and feel in a Tour-level iron set. The new design incorporates Power Hole Technology with a urethane-filled chamber inside the head and lower on the clubface, which flexes on impact to reduce vibration and improve feel. The irons, which are forged from soft 8620 carbon steel, also feature a more compact head shape and thinner topline with minimal offset to appeal to better players.

NORTHERN GOLFER 39

GOLFERGEAR PART OF THE FAMILY

TaylorMade SIM metalwoods RRP: various, drivers from £449 www.taylormadegolf.co.uk

TaylorMade grabbed the headlines again at the start of 2020 with the launch of the new SIM family of drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. Already in the hands of tour players around the world, the SIM drivers rely on new geometry to improve on TaylorMade’s previous models. Featuring an asymmetric sole design, the SIM provides better aerodynamics than previous models to increase speed just before impact. SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max•D drivers feature a raised carbon crown and sole to reduce drag and improve airflow throughout the swing. To counter the higher centre of gravity this creates, a heavy steel weight has been positioned lower and further back in the clubhead. This design moves the centre of gravity projection very low, optimizing launch conditions and increasing MOI to provide additional forgiveness. The drivers also feature TaylorMade’s Twist Face, ultra-thin titanium face and sliding weight technologies. The range also includes new fairway woods based on the classic V Steel’s sole design, and hybrids available in lofts from 19-31°.

MAGIC WAND

Scotty Cameron Phantom X12.5 putter RRP: £399 www.titleist.co.uk/golf-clubs/putters Scotty Cameron has added a new model to the Phantom X lineup - the Phantom X 12.5 - to meet the needs of players seeking a stable mallet with a new alignment option. Phantom X 12.5 incorporates Scotty’s tour-inspired, multimaterial construction of 303 stainless steel and 6061 aircraftgrade aluminium for increased MOI, optimal weight distribution, forgiveness, improved sound and better feedback. It features a stepless steel shaft with a single low-bend designed to aim directly down the target line and promote an arc path for more toe flow in the putting stroke. Addressing requests from tour players, Scotty has added a continuous, single centre sight line from the leading edge to the back of the flange – painted gloss black – to aid alignment.

WALK THIS WAY FootJoy Tour X shoes RRP: £179.99 www.footjoy.co.uk

FootJoy’s new Tour X shoe aims to improve on the brand’s tour-proven models - Tour-S, DNA and Fury – by taking popular elements of each and combining them in a single shoe. The Tour X features a PowerPlate Outsole with Launch Pod technology – the most stable outsole in FootJoy’s range - along with the PowerStrap system to provide midfoot control, and improved comfort technologies. FootJoy brand ambassadors Rafa Cabrerra Bello and Kevin Kisner have already made the switch to Tour X for tournament play.

40 NORTHERN GOLFER

GOLFERGEAR IN A SPIN

Titleist Vokey Design SM8 wedges RRP: TBC www.titleist.co.uk

IN THE BAG With PING staff player Eddie Pepperell

The new Titleist Vokey Design SM8 wedges have been spotted on tour, with their release due ahead of the 2020 season. The most-played wedges on tour since 2004, the Vokey wedges have been tested by Titleist staff players for several months ahead of their general release. They will be available is a wide range of loft and sole grind options, each chosen by master craftsman Bob Vokey and based on years of creating wedge grinds for the world’s best players.

Englishman Eddie Pepperell has joined PING as a staff player and put a full bag of PING equipment in play for the 2020 season. A twotime European Tour winner, 28-year-old Eddie will also wear a PING hat and carry a PING staff bag. Here’s what is in his new bag…

JOIN THE Q

Srixon Q-Star Tour balls RRP: £34.99 per dozen www.srixon.co.uk

Driver: PING G410 Plus (9°) 5-wood: PING G410 (17.5° at 16°) Irons: PING i210 (3-PW) Wedges: PING Glide Forged (52°, 56° & 60°) Putter: Custom PLD PrimeTyne

Srixon has launched the third generation Q-Star Tour golf ball, offering tour-calibre performance with a soft feel. The key design element of the new ball is its FastLayer Core. With its gradual transition from soft inner core to firm outer edge, FastLayer behaves like a core with thousands of layers, delivering distance and soft feel with each club in the bag. The design also features Srixon’s Spin Skin technology with Slide-Ring Material - a urethane compound which coats the cover of the ball and digs deep into wedge and iron grooves, increasing friction and spin. NORTHERN GOLFER 41

PRE-SHOT ROUTINE When you watch the world’s best players, you’ll notice every player has a specific routine. Players use these routines to make sure they are in the right mindset to hit each shot. When they’re on the range, they’re thinking about swing technique, drills and how to improve mechanics. When they’re on the golf course, they’re focussed on each shot. A good example routine includes these four steps: 1 PICK A TARGET The key here is to analyse what is around you and pick a small, precise point beyond your target – a pylon, a bench or the corner of the clubhouse for example. Remember, aim small – miss small. 2 PRACTICE SWING A practice swing should be a relaxed rehearsal of the shot. Think about how you’re going to swing the club to produce the shot. 3 SETUP TO THE BALL The key here is alignment. There are a few different ways to do this – some are happy to align themselves to a small target in the distance. Others like to pick an intermediate target 2-3ft in front of the ball. Use an alignment stick on the range and find the process which works best for you. 4 PRE-SHOT LOOK Take one last look at the target before settling into your stance and taking the club away. If you’re comfortable at this point, let it go. These steps are simply a guide. Next time you’re practising, think about how you prepare for each shot and create a routine which works for you.

Doug Brolls PGA Profe ssio

nal

42 NORTHERN GOLFER

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB

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COME AND JOIN OUR AWARD WINNING GOLF COURSE FANTASTIC MEMBERSHIP DEALS NOW OFFERING MILITARY & EX SERVICES MEMBERSHIP (Payment in Full or use our NO FEE Direct Debit facility) For these and other Great Flexible Membership packages designed for the 21st century Golfer call: Bill Michie on 0191 417 8346, e-mail: gsd@georgewashington.co.uk for more details Come along and join us at one of the most improved Courses in the County.

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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 March 26, 2020. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT NORTHUMBERLAND GOLF CLUB Driving through the gates of Gosforth Park and into The Northumberland Golf Club remains one of our region’s best golfing experiences. Founded in 1898, the golf club and course have been renovated throughout their history with changes made by Harry Colt and James Braid in the late 19th and early 20th Century, and further alterations made in recent years. For your chance to win answer the following question: Who won the 2020 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT THIRSK & NORTHALLERTON Thirsk & Northallerton is designed to test every aspect of your game during a visit - from driving accuracy to approach play to its sloping, complex greens. A fine example of parkland golf. For your chance to win answer the following question: Which course will host the 2020 Ryder Cup match?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT SEAHAM GOLF CLUB At just over 6,000 yards, Seaham’s main defence is its large, undulating greens while a number of well-placed bunkers await around the putting surfaces. For your chance to win answer the following question: Who will captain the 2020 US Ryder Cup team? Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Castle Eden - Tracy Astwood of Richmond Ravensworth - Derek Ford of Peterlee • Whitley Bay - Simon Raine of Bishop Auckland 44 NORTHERN GOLFER

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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!

Blackwell Grange Golf Club’s year got off to a great start with an ace from captain John Bradley and a fine score from youngster Harry Sheen in the Junior Academy Winter League. New captain John, who saw in the New Year by hitting a shot just after midnight at the club’s New Year’s Eve dinner dance, made an ace just a few

Thanks to Alistair Collin for writing in this month to share the progress of his Top 100 Heart Challenge, in which he’s aiming to play the UK & Ireland’s Top 100 courses while raising money for the British Heart Foundation. He wrote: “I’m now four courses into the challenge having completed Close House, Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick. I had to abandon Silloth-on-Solway because of 40mph winds. I have six courses to complete in February and I’ve raised more than £4,000 so far. I’ve also hit the front page of the Morpeth Herald!” Thanks for the note Alistair, good luck with the next six rounds. 46 NORTHERN GOLFER

Congratulations to all those who braved the cold for Lindrick Golf Club’s annual Brace competition. The traditional mixed foursomes event, held before Christmas, sees juniors play with an adult partner and this year’s event saw 21-year-old Bailey Gill and 12-year-old playing partner Lucia Maturi lift the trophy as 17-year-old Mia Eales Smith and Chris Bellingham finished in second place. The four are pictured below, from left to right - Bailey Gill, Mia Eales Smith, Lucia Maturi and Chris Bellingham.

days later at the club’s 11th hole. Youngster Harry, eight, plays in the club’s Academy Winter League and led the way on a cracking day for scoring with the academy’s first under-par round. His one underpar 19 on the short course led the way with the top 10 scores on the day all under 25. Well done to both, we hope your success continues throughout 2020.

Thank you to Christine Bell for writing in to share the story of her recent holes-in-one. Christine featured in From the Bunker in September 2018 after making her first hole-inone in 20 years of playing golf. She recorded her second in August 2019 at Tyneside Golf Club before completing a hat-trick of aces at her home club, Houghton-le-Spring, on December 28 2019. Christine is pictured above after making both of her most recent aces.

Well done to all involved in the decision to make the Berkhamsted Trophy the world’s first mixed elite amateur event. The landmark decision, which has the support of The R&A and England Golf, is the first time one of amateur golf’s most prestigious tournaments has moved from a men-only tournament into one which invites both sexes to compete for the same prize. From 2020, the traditional seasonopening Berkhamsted Trophy, a 72-hole event on Berkhamsted Golf Club’s bunker-free heathland golf course, will feature both male and female competitors. The 61st Berkhamsted Trophy will take place at the Hertfordshire club April 2-6. Entries are now open to golfers with handicaps of one or better, with invitations being sent to a number of elite female players.

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Leave A1 (m) at junction 63 Chester-le-Street and follow B693 to Stanley, turn left onto B6532 (Asda roundabout), follow road to end and turn right, pass Blomfomtein School and follow sign to South Moor Golf Club

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90-DAY FREE TRIAL The new G710 irons are custom built with Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors. You’re entitled to 8 sensors at no cost and a free trial to the award-winning Arccos Caddie platform. © PING 2020