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RIDER ON THE STORM The rise, fall and return of DP World Tour player Graeme Storm
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We have a new Masters champion, Tiger Woods has returned to competitive golf, events of all shapes and sizes are back in full swing across the region and beyond, and Northern Golfer has returned to monthly editions for the first time since November 2019. It’s been a busy month on the golf course at every level of the game, particularly for Rachel Gourley - who has won three times since our last edition, including a win in a professional event at the age of 17. It’s been a remarkable start to the year for the Arcot Hall-based teenager, who will be taking a break in the coming weeks to do her A Level exams. By the time you read this note, we’ll also have three new Champions of Champions. The first, men’s champion Joseph Henderson, led the field at Longhirst Hall - read more on page 4. The ladies and junior champions will be crowned at George Washington between this edition going to print and being available in golf clubs - more on those next month. There are many more success stories throughout Teeing Off this month as well as news from around our clubs - from national awards and the return of Girls Golf Rocks to new appointments, and more. Graeme Storm has featured in these pages throughout the last 10 years and to be trusted to tell the story of the tremendous highs and devastating lows of the last five years was a real privilege. Graeme remains passionate about regaining his place among the world’s best, working just as hard as he has done his entire career, and you can read the whole story on pages 24-27. I’ve also had the privilege to catch up with more old friends in the last few weeks, including Jason Budd for a Round With and Nicky Maddison for a quick-fire Pro-File. We’ve also visited the Alister MacKenziedesigned Darlington Golf Club for this month’s Course Profile, and travelled to some of our finest clubs to take in their improvements in our latest Special Focus. This year’s Match Play Pairs tournament is under way with more than 100 players competing in matches across the region - all aiming to earn a place in our golfing history books as the 21st winners of the event. There’s lots more to come in June and later this summer - we’re just getting started. Dean Bailey, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk
Joseph Henderson wins the men’s Champion of Champions at Longhirst
06-14 TEEING OFF
News from across the region, including three wins for Rachel Gourley, a national award, pro wins, and more
15 THE PRO-FILE With Nicky Maddison
17 TOUR LIFE With Chris Paisley
19 TOUR TIPS
With caddy Sean Russell
21 ON COURSE
With greenkeeper Simon Olver
22 19TH HOLE Failing to prepare
28 A ROUND WITH Northern Junior Golf Tour founder Jason Budd
30 COURSE PROFILE Darlington Golf Club
32 MATCH PLAY PAIRS
FRONT COVER
Round one draw
The rise, fall and return of Graeme Storm
34 GEAR
The latest equipment news
Pages 24-27
36 SPECIAL FOCUS
We visit a handful of our favourite courses to take a look at recent developments
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04-05 CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
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46 FROM THE BUNKER
Readers’ tales from around the region NORTHERN GOLFER 03
CHAMPIONOF CHAMPIONS
Joseph out foxes region’s best to win Men’s Champion of Champions trophy
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lnmouth Golf Club’s Joseph Henderson picked up the biggest win of his golf career to-date in the Northern Golfer Men’s Champion of Champions at Longhirst Hall. A member of Foxton as well as Alnwick, Joseph led the field in the first Champion of Champions event since 2019, following the Covid pandemic. The event brought together men’s club champions crowned in 2021 from across the region and saw Joseph lead the field with a one under-par round of 72 on the Dawson Course. “It’s a fantastic feeling to be able to say I’m the Champion of Champions,” said the plus-two handicapper. “I’ve had a few ups and downs on the golf course recently, so to start 2022 with a win in such a big event is a great feeling. “While I’ve won back-to-back club championships at Foxton, I’ve struggled with my game in-between as I’ve learned how to combine golf and family time with my son and daughter. “Following a winter off, I’ve put a few hours in, going back to things I’ve worked on with Andy Paisley, and that has paid off. I came here thinking I could play well but questioned if I could win. Picking up this trophy gives me a lot of confidence and I’ll be going into events now knowing I’m capable of winning.” Joseph’s closing stretch of six consecutive pars gave him the win over City of Newcastle’s Andrew Minnikin on countback as the pair finished one shot clear of Heworth’s Will Marshall. Luke Bassam (Hartlepool) and Ponteland’s Russell Hayhope completed the top five with one over-par rounds as Gary Donnison (Gosforth), Stephen
04 NORTHERN GOLFER
Brooks (Blyth), Cameron Thorburn (Westerhope), Craig Penny (Newbiggin) and Paul Caldicott (Northumberland) finished in the top 10. Following an opening birdie four, Joseph bogeyed the par four second and continued the pattern of birdies and bogeys until he reached the par five sixth - where an eagle broke the run. His first pars followed on the next three holes as he reached the turn at three under-par. A bogey at 10 was followed by another at the par three 12th before Joseph finished with six pars in gusty winds. “The eagle on six was a big highlight,” added Joseph. “I was also really happy with the way I finished - my short game definitely helped me get across the line. “There’s some good events to look forward to in Northumberland and some travelling this summer. I’d like to keep pushing on and see where I can get to in the next few months.” Dean Bailey, editor of Northern Golfer, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the return of the Men’s Champion of Champions event such a success. We can’t thank the team at Longhirst enough for putting on a fantastic event on the golf course and in the clubhouse; Dan Hase from Northern Ball Markers for supplying this year’s prizes; Brewin Dolphin for their continued partnership; and all the players who took part.” To view the leaderboard, go to www. golfgenius.com, select Sign In, enter the GGID (UJPUCH), and click on Results. The Junior and Ladies Champion of Champions at George Washington followed the men’s event shortly after this edition went to print. We’ll have the full story from those in our June edition.
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l-r Neil Gascoigne, Bjorn Petersson and Claes Arma
Hickory double
Newcastle United’s Neil Gascoigne added the Welsh Hickory Championship to his growing collection of wins with traditional equipment posting a gross score of 75 at Aberdovey Golf Club. Neil, a two-time winner of the Scottish Hickory Championship, beat Sweden’s Claes Arma on countback to win the event as Bjorn Petersson won the nett title with 42 stableford points. “It’s a fantastic feeling to win the Welsh Championship for the first time,” said Neil. “The hickory tournaments are tremendous fun, bringing together a passionate, international group of players. I’m looking forward to defending the Scottish title later this summer, and having a go at completing the hattrick at the English Hickory.”
Wallace wins Salver Cameron Wallace opened the 2022 season with victory in the Cleveland Salver - the first event in the Yorkshire Order of Merit series. The Cleveland player returned rounds of 72 and 70 for a two under-par total beating Brancepeth’s Richard Aisbitt and Hallowes’ Sam Bairstow by a single shot. 06 NORTHERN GOLFER
Rachel Gourley ©Scottish Golf
Triple success for Rachel
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achel Gourley continued her sensational start to the season with victory in her first event alongside the professionals and success in the Scottish Girls’ Open at Irvine Golf Club. Rachel, 17, added the titles to her wins in the Leveret Trophy and Sunningdale Foursomes already this year. Competing in the Rose Ladies Series event at Walton Heath - where she won the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship title in 2021 - Rachel closed with four birdies in her final five holes to post a four under-par total and secure a two-shot victory over Sharna Dutrieux. Still an amateur, and sixth form student, Rachel shone in the elite field of professionals while playing alongside four-time major champion Laura Davies and Solheim Cup legend Trish Johnson. Following the win at Walton Heath, she said: “It’s an amazing feeling, I still don’t think it’s sunk in properly yet. To say I’ve had my first professional win feels insane to me. “I’ll come down off cloud nine eventually, but I think it will take a while!
“I was confident going into the event, but I never expected to win. I was just playing for the experience, especially considering who I was playing with. “Playing with Dame Laura and Trish was amazing and I learned a lot from watching them play. “I knew I was one shot off the lead on 17 and Dame Laura said to me, ‘make birdie up the last to tie.’ That’s exactly what I did. I didn’t know I had won until I walked off the green and my mum told me.” Arcot Hall-based Rachel also came out on top in the Scottish Girls at Irvine following an epic dual with Germany’s Philipa Gollan. The pair pulled away from the field early in the second round and reached the 16th hole of the third and final round tied at seven under-par. The deciding moment came on 17 as Philipa made a double bogey, Rachel’s par giving her a two-shot advantage heading down the last. On 18, she made another par to complete a bogey-free round of 68 and win the event. Following that win, Rachel said: “I played well all week and knew it was going to be tough with the conditions. I was playing with Philipa, which meant I knew what I
was going to have to do. It was just about keeping calm and trying not to make too many mistakes. This win means the world to me; it has been a goal of mine for years to win this event and to have finally done it feels amazing.” The wins followed Rachel’s victory in The Leveret Trophy at Formby Ladies - with rounds of 72 and 66 for a four under-par total. Wrapping up her success so far this season, Rachel, who will join Auburn University later this year, added: “Looking back at the first few weeks of the season fills me with so much confidence for the rest of the year. “To win a national championship and a professional event in the same month is just insane. It’s been the best month of my golfing life so far. I felt confident coming into the season, but I never imagined it would be like this. “I’ve got my A Level exams coming up before a pretty full on couple of months in the summer with events in the UK and overseas, ahead of heading to the US and Auburn. I’m really looking forward to keeping the run going as long as possible and playing in as many big tournaments as I can.”
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Aaron Cox wins England Golf award
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lackwell Grange-based PGA professional Aaron Cox was named Participation and Development Coach of the Year at the England Golf Awards in recognition of his outstanding achievements with junior golfers. Having set out to revive junior golf at the Darlington club, Aussie Aaron now has more than 120 youngsters involved in his academy. Aaron, who celebrated the award win with some 40 juniors, parents and members at Blackwell Grange while watching the virtual ceremony, said: “We had a great night watching the awards and the celebration when they called my name was fantastic. “This award validates everything we’ve done so far. It’s great to know I’m on the right track and doing the right things to develop young golfers. I want to see more kids
Aaron Cox ©Andy Crook getting involved in golf - from the five-year-olds trying it out on our academy course for the first time to the juniors competing at county, regional and national level. “To be a national award winner is an amazing feeling. The goal now is to keep going, keep growing, and let’s see what else we can achieve.”
Meanwhile, a thrilling victory in the European Ladies’ Team Championships in 2021 earned the England women’s squad the Performance of the Year award. The six-strong team, including Whitley Bay’s Rosie Belsham, beat Sweden in the final to win the title for an 11th time in 62 years.
Third pro event for Slaley Hall Slaley Hall will host the Asian Tour’s first tournament in the UK June 2-5. The $2m International Series England tournament will take place ahead of the $25m LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Club the following week. The top three players from the International Series rankings will gain starts at Centurion, as will the top two finishers at Slaley who are not otherwise exempt. The International Series was launched in 2022 and will see 10 events played across the globe each year for the next decade. The tournament adds to Slaley Hall hosting the EuroPro Tour and PGA Professional Championship this summer.
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Dinwiddie conquers Turnberry as Ferrie takes lead in Pro Series
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ob Dinwiddie travelled north to Turnberry with the best players from the North East & North West PGA circuit, and led the field in the 36-hole pro am at the former Open Championship venue. Former DP World Tour player Rob, who also led his team to victory at the event, topped the leaderboard with a six under-par round on the Robert the Bruce course followed by a five under-par round on the Ailsa course. Tyneside’s James Wilson finished a single shot off the pace in second, while Hartlepool’s Alex Wrigley completed the top three. The event, which brought together 38 teams, also raised more than £4,000 for the Alan Shearer Foundation. Our best professionals have also been competing in 18-hole tournaments across the region as
Rob Dinwiddie part of this year’s six-event Pro Series in recent weeks. After four events, Tynemouthbased Ken Ferrie leads the way in the series’ order of merit. Ken, who posted a bogey-free 67 to win at Alnmouth, is closely
Martyn Stubbings followed by Morpeth’s David Clark. James Wilson is in fourth place following his win at Barnard Castle with a five under-par round of 68 as Mark Ridley, who shared top spot at Tyneside, and Vince Guest, who won at Penrith, complete the top five.
Meanwhile, the appointment of the association’s new captain Seaton Carew’s Martyn Stubbings - was confirmed at the AGM. Martyn will captain the PGA this season with Westerhope’s George Cowan taking on the role of vice-captain.
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Girls Golf Rocks returns
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irls Golf Rocks is back for 2022 and the sign-up process for budding golfers is open online. Run by England Golf, and led by PGA-qualified coaches, Girls Golf Rocks is the country’s largest participation programme for girls. As in previous years, the programme will aim to promote the game as a fun and friendly experience for beginner girls aged 5-18. Sessions will take place in two six-week blocks in May and October, with each block subsidised Sally Hinton (front, centre) with past Girls Golf Rocks participants by England Golf and costing just have gone on to join golf clubs, while £35 per participant. Many clubs year and has helped introduce more some have already progressed into taking part also offer one-hour taster than 6,500 girls to the sport so far. sessions in advance of the main Close House-based PGA professional my county coaching squad too.” While PGA coaches will lead the programme (see website for details). Sally Hinton will be delivering sessions, Girls Golf Rocks will also With more than 200 clubs taking coaching as part of the programme encourage girl golf club members part this year, there is a wide range for the third time this summer. aged 12-25 to act as peer role of Girls Golf Rocks venues for She said: “I’m really excited to be models and assist in the delivery of aspiring golfers to choose from, delivering the programme again. the programme. including several in each county in We have had some great success in our region. previous years with girls trying the Northern Golfer Half Page May 2022.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2022 11:14 Page 1 For more details on how to sign up, visit www.girlsgolfrocks.org The programme is now in its sixth sport for the first time and many
Carl Nicholls
Nicholls joins Hartlepool Carl Nicholls has been appointed as Hartlepool’s new professional following Graham Laidlaw’s retirement. Carl, 43, has had spells at Arcot Hall, Longhirst and Morpeth’s N1 Golf Centre. He replaces Graham following a successful 21 years at the Teesside club.
OPEN COMPETITIONS 11th May 2022 Seniors Pairs £30 per pair 4th July 2022 Ladies team £40 per team 7th September 2022 Mens Team £60 per team
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Rutherford wins opener
DP World Tour Q School returns The DP World Tour Qualifying School will return for the first time in three years, with its finale set for INFINITUM in Spain (pictured). First stage will take place in September at nine venues across the globe - including The Players Club and Mottram Hall in England. Second stage will be held in Spain November 3-6 before the Final Stage of Qualifying School takes place at INFINITUM November 11-16. Entries will open in June.
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rcot Hall’s James Rutherford got his season under way with victory in the North & South Trophy at Goswick. James topped the leaderboard in the opening 36-hole strokeplay event of the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs season with rounds of 70 and 71 for a three under-par total. Will Wilkinson, who is based at The Northumberland, finished in second place a shot behind James, beating City of Newcastle’s Andrew Minnikin on countback after both players posted totals of 142. Slaley Hall’s Alex Buchanan finished in fourth place as The Northumberland’s Anthony Bell completed the top five and picked up the nett prize. Meanwhile, the Northumberland men’s team opened their 2022 campaign with victory over The Lothians at Arcot Hall. The traditional season-opening match saw Northumberland pick up a narrow victory, 9.5 points to 8.5.
WILL YOU BE THIS YEAR’S JUNIOR MASTER? ENTER ONE OF THE QUALIFYING EVENTS TO BE PART OF A FULL TOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE COLT COURSE FOR THIS YEAR’S FINAL IN OCTOBER QUALIFYING EVENTS TAKE PLACE AT: Worksop GC (May 30) • Close House Filly (May 31) Middlesbrough GC (Jul 22) Lancaster GC (Aug 4) • Durham City (Aug 22) Brampton GC (Aug 23) • Bradford GC (Aug 25) Ladybank GC (Sept 4) • Thonock Park (Sept 4) PING Junior Masters Final Oct 27, Colt Course, Close House To enter the Close House qualifier, contact golf services on enquiries@closehouse.com or call 01661 85 22 55. For all other qualifiers, please contact your preferred club directly FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.CLOSEHOUSE.COM
10 NORTHERN GOLFER
Northumberland president Ian Harrison and James Rutherford Having won the foursomes 3.5-2.5 in the morning, the teams shared the points in the afternoon singles matches as Andrew Minnikin (City of Newcastle), Mark Wharton (Newcastle United), Lee Mathewson
(Backworth), Freddie McKenna (Tynemouth) and Ian Henderson (Blyth) won their matches, and Phil Ridden (City of Newcastle) and Cameron Thorburn (Westerhope) earned half points.
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Tynemouth and Slaley Hall reach county final Tynemouth and Slaley Hall will contest the final of the Northumberland side of the Inter-County Foursomes tournament following four rounds of competition at Newbiggin and Warkworth. The Northumberland qualifiers returned to their traditional, two-day format for 2022 with 34 clubs starting out on Saturday morning at Newbiggin. Tynemouth and Slaley will face off at Tynemouth on October 1 to be crowned Northumberland champions, before facing the Durham winners for the Inter-County Foursomes title later that day. The Durham side of the event will be played throughout the 2022 season.
Walk this way
L
inda Davison has already walked more than most of us will this season in a bid to raise money for the Northumberland Ladies County Golf Association’s participation in County Match Week. County captain Linda, a member of Blyth Golf Club, set out in April to walk 87 miles - the distance between the association’s six founding clubs and managed it in just 14 days. “The pandemic had a huge effect on the county, particularly our ability to raise money at events, so I wanted to follow in the footsteps of pastcaptain Nicky Rose and do a bit of fundraising,” said Linda. “The distance between our founding clubs worked out at 87 miles, and although I couldn’t walk the actual route, walking that many miles seemed a fitting challenge.” Having completed the challenge, Linda continued racking up the miles and adding to the total raised throughout April. She also took
Linda Davison and her fellow walkers at Tynemouth Golf Club in one part of the physical route between the founding clubs - from Tynemouth to Whitley Bay - and was joined by supporters, county officials and friends for the 3.5-mile walk. “It’s been a really enjoyable experience,” added Linda. “The walk from Tynemouth to Whitley Bay was tremendous fun with lots of support. “I didn’t know if I would raise
any money when I started out, but the support has been fantastic and there’s still money coming in. “I can’t thank everyone who has supported the challenge enough for their generosity.” To-date, Linda has raised more than £1,700 for the association. To contribute to the fundraising effort, email captain@nlcga.co.uk
Castle Eden Golf Club 18 Hole picturesque parkland course
CENTENARY OPEN COMPETITIONS 2022 • Gents 4BBB Stableford – Saturday 14th May ................................ FULLY BOOKED • Gents 4 Man Team Stableford – Sunday 15th May....................... FULLY BOOKED • Mixed Open Team Stableford – Saturday 28th May .................... FULLY BOOKED • Ladies Team American Scramble – Friday 17th June ............................£40 per team • Seniors Open 1 - 4BBB over 55s – Thursday 23rd June .......................... £30 per pair • Seniors Open 2 - 4BBB over 55s – Thursday 21st July ............................ £30 per pair • Ladies Team of 4 Stableford – Tuesday 30th August ..............................£40 per team • Senior Open 4-man team over 55s – Thursday 15th September .........£60 per team Application forms at www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk and at Golf Empire.
Castle Eden Golf Club, Castle Eden, TS27 4SS www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk 12 NORTHERN GOLFER
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Opens 2022 Friday May 20th - Gents - 4BBB Stableford - £24 pair Saturday June 18th - Gents - 4BBB Stableford - £24 pair Thursday July 28th - Seniors 60+ - 4BBB Stableford - £24 pair Monday September 20th - Ladies Waltz - £27 team of 3 Friday September 30th - Gents - 4BBB Stableford - £24 pair Telephone the Secretary on 0191 2867636 (opt 3) or email secretary@westerhopegolfclub.com Sunday Lunch Bookings Welcome Telephone Shaun Mussett on 0191 2867636 (opt 5)
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Mark Sanderson and Alex Knox
Top jobs B
edlingtonshire Golf Club has promoted Mark Sanderson and Alex Knox to the roles of club manager and course manager respectively. Mark, who has been part of the team at the Northumberland club for 11 years, moved into the role following spells in the office and pro shop. Meanwhile, Alex moved up to lead the greenkeeping team after 17 years with the club. Mark said: “It’s fantastic to have been appointed club manager of Bedlingtonshire - a club that’s been a huge part of my life. “When I started out in the pro shop as an assistant, I knew that managing golf clubs was the route I wanted to take in the game and to have the opportunity to do that here is great. We are blessed to have a really strong membership at Bedlingtonshire and it’s a pleasure to work with them. “This year, there’s a lot to celebrate as we mark our 50th birthday. Our NE/NW PGA pro am on July 1 will be a big occasion, as will hosting the Northumberland County Championship. We have a lot of member events to make the most of the year too - it’s going to be exciting. “We’ve got a talented and passionate team with Alex on the golf course and Martyn Jobling as our professional. We’re continuing to work on longterm plans for the club and enhancing the membership experience, and it will be great to be part of shaping and delivering those plans to make sure the next 50 years of Bedlingtonshire Golf Club are as much of a success as the first 50.”
EuroPro Tour Monday qualifying returns The PGA EuroPro Tour has announced Monday qualifying will return for the 2022 season. After a successful trial in 2021, each event will host Monday qualifying except the final tournament of the season - the Wright-Morgan Championship. The top four from each qualifying event will compete
in that week’s three-day tournament. For tour members, entry into Monday qualifying will be £75 while non-members will be asked to pay £125. Those who are successful will then have the option to take up temporary or affiliate membership of the tour in order to compete in the event.
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TEEINGOFF
On the move
Rockliffe refurb under way Rockliffe Hall has set out an ambitious £400,000 investment programme, with work already under way. The first phase will focus on replenishing and reshaping the 89 bunkers at the Hawtree-designed course with work being carried out by construction company MJ Abbott and the Rockliffe team. The programme follows significant investment in secondary drainage during 2021 and includes a machinery replacement programme in partnership with Toro.
C
lifford Jackson has joined High Throston as the club’s teaching professional. Clifford, who moves to the club from Seaton Carew, has hit the ground running - delivering free taster sessions and becoming a welcoming face in and around the clubhouse. The first professional based at the Worset Lane course for several years, he said: “Having the support of a PGA professional should help enhance Throston’s profile. Being able to use my experience to communicate with golfers is important, and we are trying to embrace all abilities. “While the management develops the golf course, we want to make it an environment for families too.” Designed by Jonathon Gaunt, High Throston opened 25 years ago and Clifford joins the club after a successful 14-year term at Seaton Carew. Before joining Seaton, he taught in Italy and the US before
Wynyard Golf Club
Clifford Jackson spells at West Sussex’s Ham Manor, and driving ranges in Yarm and Gosforth. He added: “This is an incredibly
An exceptional golf experience
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18 Holes of Golf on The Championship Wellington Course. (Minimum of 12 golfers required).
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14 NORTHERN GOLFER
exciting challenge. I only started in March and have already had some great feedback about the course and the direction it is going in.”
PROFILE
PRO -FILE
MIXED GOLF COMPETITION WEEKS 2022 AUTUMN MIXED COMPETITION WEEK 5TH SEPT - 12TH SEPT 5* PRECISE HOTEL EL ROMPIDO, COSTA DE LA LUZ, SOUTHERN SPAIN • Board Semi - All inclusive DBB - FREE BAR 5pm - 12 midnight
NICKY MADDISON
• 5 rounds of golf on the 2 El Rompido courses • All transfers • £750PP IN A TWIN/DOUBLE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT £170 Flights extra from Newcastle, Teeside, Leeds/ Bradford and other regional airports
GREAT EARLY & LATE SUMMER OFFER AGE: 31 TURNED PRO: 2011 HOME CLUB: Stocksfield Golf Club CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Northumberland County champion (2010 & 2011) First team All American at Hutchinson College, Kansas British Universities Strokeplay champion Devon PGA matchplay and strokeplay champion WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO? “After completing my PGA training down at Saunton in Devon and doing some work there, I came back home to the North East in late-2018. I joined Stocksfield in late-2019 and have loved it. I’ve been a little quiet on the golf course since my return, following the birth of my two kids, but I’m looking forward to balancing work, home life and a little more playing in the next few years having brought in Archie Wilson as an assistant professional. Stocksfield is a fantastic club to be part of and we’re pushing forward with our studio, junior development programmes and Get into Golf sessions for women. Those programmes have been incredibly popular so far and there’s a lot of buzz and activity around the club.” HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE GAME? “I started at the age of three and quickly got out onto the driving range at Parklands (now High Gosforth Park), where my dad was the chef. I then moved to City of Newcastle Golf Club and played all my junior and amateur golf out of there. I was surrounded by good players at the City and that helped me improve quickly - getting into county teams and bigger events as a youngster. I then got the chance to go to college in the US for a year. I played great and was an All-American, but decided to come home and study at Northumbria University before joining the PGA.” WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? “Playing some more golf, including as full a schedule as possible on the NE/NW PGA circuit in 2022. My main goal - in the pro shop, in my coaching, and in my own game - is to keep improving. I’m doing my director of golf training at the moment and continuing to do coaching courses - I’m passionate about being the best PGA professional I possibly can be.”
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NORTHERN GOLFER 15
The Studio at Cocken Lodge
with Foresight Sports GC Quad technology A new opportunity and exciting times ahead for PGA pro Chris Jones who has recently taken up the role as head golf professional at Cocken Lodge GC, working alongside fellow PGA professional Doug Brolls. After a number of years at Roseberry Grange GC, Chris has moved across to Cocken Lodge and will be working alongside Gawin and Marie , delivering a first class service at their practice facility. The facilities at the club include a 9 hole golf course, indoor and outdoor driving range, putting green, swing studio and a clubhouse where everyone is welcome to come and enjoy their leisure time and improve their golf skills. In the last couple of years the owners have invested heavily in the facility with continual improvements and it’s the ideal place for players of all abilities. Guaranteed a nice warm welcome in a relaxed environment, up there with the best practice facilities in the local area. Whether it be a leisurely 9 holes, lessons, hitting balls on the range or practicing in the swing studio then Cocken Lodge has it all, come along and give it a go!! For any further information please contact: Cocken Lodge: 0191 584 1053 Chris Jones PGA Golf Professional: 07923 270584 Doug Brolls PGA Golf Professional: 07721 031482
For further information contact 0191 584 1053 Cocken Lodge Golf Course, Leamside, County Durham, DH4 6QP
TOURLIFE
Chris Paisley
Behind the scenes Chris Paisley on the search for confidence, and how self-belief leads to success
I
t has been a fairly quiet period for me since my last column at the start of April. My form is quietly improving behind the scenes, but I am yet to shoot the scores I know I am capable of. It is frustrating, but all I can do is keep working at it. I have changed my movement pattern slightly in order to achieve a more consistent long game. The swing looks and feels great, but it’s not quite transferring to tournament golf… yet. I am being patient and working as well as I can - knowing things are going to turn around soon. Confidence is a huge element that has been missing recently, and that only comes through hard work and seeing good shots more often. Speaking of confidence, I think Scottie Scheffler is hogging it all at the moment! It is only a few months since the guy qualified for the US Ryder Cup team without winning a tournament. Now he’s
a multiple winner, world number one, and The Masters champion. I’d say his performance at the Ryder Cup, especially the singles where he beat Jon Rahm comfortably, was the springboard to his recent run of form. All that has changed since last year, I imagine, is a little extra confidence and self-belief. It does amazing things to sportspeople, and you see it all the time. In reality, Scottie will have been working like mad behind the scenes for years and years - working on all aspects of
his game to try and build his skill level and confidence to this point. What we see as spectators is a sudden jolt of performance that seems to come out of nowhere. You don’t just pluck confidence out of thin air - it comes from hard work, patience, resilience, and doing the right things consistently over time. I always try to observe things like this and learn from them. My takeaway is that you just have to keep doing everything you can to build your skill set, your mindset, and your self-belief. If you do that consistently over a long enough period, good things will happen. I also need to add a quick note about Tiger. It was brilliant to see him back playing after so many thought he was done… again. Never write off Tiger Woods!
NORTHERN GOLFER 17
A GOLFER’S PARADISE AT MATFEN HALL
Experience the ultimate golf getaway on our 300-acre grand estate. Swing into action with 27-holes of championship golf, a par-3 short course and a 10-bay driving range to choose from and before discovering a world of luxury at Matfen Hall Hotel. With 53 bedrooms, five dining areas to eat and drink in – including our stylish clubhouse, complete with a delicious bistro menu – and our spa, The Retreat to relax in, a golf break at Matfen Hall isn’t just another event in your calendar, it’s an experience you’ll want to relive long after you leave.
TOURTIPS
Sean Russell
Luck of the draw Caddy Sean Russell on one of the great talking points on tour - to tee off early then late or late then early - and the luck (or bad luck) of the draw
Y
ou’ll hear commentators talk about the luck of the draw, and the pitfalls of early-late tee times - particularly at The Open - but what does this mean and how much does it affect a tournament? Its meaning is simple - in the first two rounds of a 72-hole event you’ll either tee off early Thursday and late on Friday, or vice-versa. Every player and caddy have a preference - mine is always late-early as you keep the momentum going and don’t have time to dwell on your first round score - good or bad. It also makes it a lot easier to get a Friday flight home if you fail to make the cut, and it’s a godsend if your caddy is thrown in jail after a flight to Qatar (a story for another column). When there’s changeable weather, you’ll often hear chat about being “screwed by the draw” or getting the bad weather for both your rounds. This has happened a
few times in my career. In one of my first tournaments caddying for Diana Luna, we played in flat calm on Friday morning when only six people from the other side of the draw made the cut due to the wind. Meanwhile, out in Dubai on the DP World Tour, we were early-late and they called play because of the strong winds after four holes of our second round. Chris [Paisley] played the last 14 holes in flat calm on Saturday morning and ended up with a top-15 finish. I’ve never whinged about being screwed by the draw since! One of the hardest parts of being on tour is filling the time between rounds - particularly on early-lates. You’ll do anything to pass the time - watch TV, review the yardage books... again, update the leaderboard repeatedly to work out the cut mark - anything! What you must not do is have a snooze, which turns into a mid-morning sleep and a missed tee time (another story for another day).
Players, and an increasing number of caddies, are more athletic these days so the gym on Friday morning is likely to be full of guys with early-late tee times making the most of their morning. Time in your own head can be destructive for golfers, so distraction techniques are really important skills. I don’t think Scottie Scheffler would have “cried like a baby” before his Sunday round at Augusta had he been playing at 7am that day - just one example of how time can be your enemy, even at the top. While this won’t necessarily help amateurs directly, it shows how the best players in the world think about everything in the process of professional golf. Routine and understanding how and when to switch of your golfing mind are essential skills for all golfers - whether it’s a five-minute delay on a tee box in the monthly medal or an 18-hour wait to play the final round of The Masters.
NORTHERN GOLFER 19
GEORGE WASHINGTON
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ONCOURSE
Simon Olver
Situations vacant Simon Olver, course manager at Ganton, on the myriad opportunities in greenkeeping
M
any of you will have noticed there’s a lot of movement in the industry at the moment as we experience a shortage of greenkeepers across every level of the profession. Some of the reasons are complicated while others are very simple, but while I could fill a few pages on why this has happened, I’d rather tell you why it’s a good time to join the industry. Since I started my career, as a 16-yearold apprentice at Dunstanburgh Castle, the industry has moved on immeasurably. Gone are the days of intense weeks of manual labour thanks to greater access to machinery at clubs of all sizes. Gone too are the days of greenkeepers just being grass cutters - despite what some may still think. The education systems in place now are phenomenal - from entry-level college courses and structured apprenticeship programmes through to foundation degrees and higher education opportunities. There is also a much wider understanding of the profession and its many facets within golf clubs, meaning
there are greater opportunities to specialise. The range of greenkeeping specialisms varies from mechanics to spraying and irrigation technicians, while more clubs are working with agronomy and ecology consultants than ever before. There are also many fantastic opportunities to work in golf course construction and travel the world shaping new courses. An increase in expectations from golfers has required increased levels of training and more emphasis on skilled greenkeeping practices. That development is only set to continue as organisations like BIGGA, The R&A and GEO continue to create and develop training programmes to fit the various needs of clubs. There are also many opportunities for greenkeepers in individual clubs as well. From a career in golf course management and its myriad skills to working at events like The Open or US Open, the opportunities are endless. While it’s a demanding job with early starts and long hours in the height of the season, there are so many positives to being a greenkeeper. In my experience, it’s a profession where you always get out what you put in. If you’re willing to develop your skills, the sky
really is the limit. I’ve chosen to study hard while others have travelled extensively. A willingness to learn and expand your knowledge can carry you a very long way. At every level, it’s also a role with lots of time outdoors and plenty of variety. In my time, I’ve also been lucky to be part of fantastic teams with great camaraderie. For a passionate golfer, it’s a chance to work in an industry you already love - not something you get in a lot of jobs. For anyone inspired to join the profession, there are a number of entry level roles available right now at clubs across the region - from apprenticeships to seasonal roles. There are also a number of college courses for those looking for that route. Be keen and get stuck into every task, and ask plenty of questions when you do get a start. From there, you should be supported by your club to earn your qualifications or specialise in a particular skill. There’s lots of support out there, so being keen to learn and develop is really important. From there, just enjoy it - there’s far worse places to earn a living than the golf course.
NORTHERN GOLFER 21
19THHOLE
Dean Bailey
Ready for action How do you prepare for a round?
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lub golfers come in all shapes and sizes - from the tour players-in-waiting heading out for their eighth round of the week to the 22-handicapper having the day of their golfing life in the monthly medal after not touching a club for a fortnight. Where do you fall in this spectrum? Are you dedicated to warming up and finding a feel for the greens before setting foot on the first tee; do you run out of the locker room and tie your laces before taking one swing and getting under way; or do you, like me, fall somewhere in the middle? While I’m never going to reach an elite level, a little bit of effort in the past has gone a long way. It’s been too easy to fall back into a routine of skipping proper preparation in recent months though. Golf takes a long time to play, so we should be spending a small amount of time to prepare properly. There’s a reason why tour players have processes and routines before every round, and why they never need five holes to loosen up. Slow starts are hurting my scoring too much already this season and it’s down to a lack of preparation. Getting out on the course at least one evening a week is certainly going to help. So is making the effort to hit some balls
22 NORTHERN GOLFER
before I play - rather than joining in the debate of the day in the pro shop before my round. While I’m not going through a 45-minute session before the Saturday medal, hitting a few balls and getting a feel for chipping and putting makes a huge difference standing on the first tee or looking at a chip over a bunker early on - it’s certainly better preparation than rushing to the tee juggling a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee. A bit of stretching, as my friend Sean Russell advised in a Tour Tips column recently, can also do wonders for your first few swings of the day - so I’ll be following his advice on that too. A couple of range sessions a week, along with regular putting and chipping practice, has yielded results in the past, so that’s back on the agenda too. Some people won’t have the time to commit to a proper structure of lessons and practising, but you can fit good practice into a small timeframe if you need to, and you can always hit a few balls in the net before getting onto the tee. A bit more practice and better preparation may not be the answer to all my golfing problems, but committing to better preparation isn’t going to hurt.
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GRAEMESTORM
Making it through the storm In January 2017, 84 days after losing his tour card by €100, Graeme Storm beat Rory McIlroy in a playoff to win the BMW South Africa Open and one of his best years on tour followed. A little more than four years on, and three wrist surgeries later, his journey to recover his position among the world’s best continues
T
he story of Graeme Storm’s career is one of tremendous highs and devastating lows. While the early part of his career brought success - including a first DP World Tour win in 2007 at the French Open - and he enjoyed a meteoric resurgence in 2017, the last four years have brought a great deal of challenge, pain, and doubt. The story of Graeme’s career has been full of highs and lows - a route highlighted over 84 days at the end of 2016 and start of 2017. Playing the final regular event of the 2016 season, the Portugal Masters, Graeme needed a strong finish to secure his playing rights for 2017. In the end, he would fall short, and be left holding his head in his hands after making bogey on his final hole of the season to finish €100 short of keeping his card. In the following days, Patrick Reed would provide Graeme a reprieve. The American failed to compete in enough events to hold membership of the tour and was removed from the order of merit. The change lifted Graeme into the top 110 on the order of merit, giving him full playing rights for 2017.
The reprieve was gladly accepted and Graeme travelled to South Africa in December 2016 - starting the new season with a T4 finish at Leopard Creek. “I had no expectations,” says Graeme on the first event of the 2017 calendar year- the BMW South Africa Open. “I’d played well at Leopard Creek before Christmas, but I was coming in cold from the break. “I hit the ground running, shot 63 on Friday, and took the lead. I felt a lot more comfortable with the lead than I ever had done. Going through losing and regaining my card helped. That reprieve was a chance to reset and look at the season long-term rather than the shortterm view I’d had at the end of 2016.” Freed from the pressure of trying to keep his card, and just 84 days after the crushing low point of Portugal, Graeme beat Rory McIlroy in a playoff to win the BMW South African Open. The win ended a near 10-year wait for his second tour title, banked a healthy €165,000 cheque, and guaranteed his playing privileges until the end of 2018. “I was fully in the zone,” says Graeme. “I hadn’t freewheeled in a tournament since I was an amateur, but that week I wasn’t flustered by playing with Rory - I
NORTHERN GOLFER 25
GRAEMESTORM actually really enjoyed it. I’d lost a playoff before, and I knew I had to play my own game. It takes a lot of experience to handle that pressure and know your own game like that. “The win relieved all the pressure I’d been under. I was in every event and could play with a freedom I’d not had for years. The shackles tighten as you get older and you have responsibilities outside your own game - to remove them for two full years was a great feeling.” Renewed, Graeme’s golf flourished in 2017 with top-10 finishes in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth (T6), the Portugal Masters (T3), the British Masters at Close House (T4), and the Nedbank Golf Challenge (T10). Looking ahead to turning 40 in 2018, Graeme’s outlook was as positive as it had ever been. Then, at arguably the peak of his career, injury struck. Having flared up in May 2017, Graeme managed pain in his wrist throughout that year. “I’d had pain in my right hand since 2014 but had managed it,” he says. “When it came back in May 2017, it was different. It was manageable until the Nedbank at the end of season, where I hit a tree root and instantly knew something was wrong. The physios did an amazing job that week to keep me going.” In agony and trying to minimise the number of times he took a divot, Graeme managed to finish in the top 10 that week. It would be his last top 10 for more than two years. While preparing for the 2018 season back at Hartlepool, the pain grew unmanageable as a blockage of the carpal tunnel limited the range of movement in his wrist and made it near-impossible to swing a golf club. “I tried to play with it, but when we got to Morocco in April I couldn’t hit bunker shots because of the pain. I knew I needed help.” In agony and barely able to play, Graeme had keyhole surgery to remove the blockage in July 2018. Painful rehabilitation followed, though Graeme was positive ahead of his return for the 2019 season with 17 starts thanks to a medial extension to his playing privileges. While practising just three days before flying to Abu Dhabi for his first event back, a lump appeared. “It appeared instantly, like something 26 NORTHERN GOLFER
Graeme in action before his injury © Mitch Gunn/ Shutterstock Far right Graeme with the BMW South Africa Open trophy in 2017
out of a cartoon,” says Graeme. “It went down with ice, but I knew something major had gone wrong.” Diagnosed as ligament damage due to the first surgery, a second, more invasive surgery was required. A longer and more painful rehabilitation followed, and Graeme was left with scar tissue on his wrist. “I was hoping to be back in May 2019, but I couldn’t make a fist for weeks. The range of motion in my right wrist was always going to change, but the second surgery was the only way to return to the tour. “My swing has completely changed since the second surgery,” he adds. “It’s had to in order to compensate for the loss of motion. I’d always strived to swing the club shorter and be in better positions, but today I wish I could swing it with the freedom I used to. “I have to use the big muscles more effectively now. It’s very difficult to change this late in a career and it’s been a long, challenging process. “There were points during the process when I questioned whether I needed to walk away from the game for good.” Graeme would not return to competitive golf until January 2020. Due to his injury, he maintained his full playing rights through a medical extension - giving him 17 starts in 2020 to regain his form and earn enough ranking points to keep his card.
While he struggled to find form and consistency - missing the cuts in his first four events back - he remained positive about his progress. Then, having spent 20 months out of the game and played just four events of his return, Graeme - like all of us - was sent home as the Covid pandemic brought the world to a near-standstill. “When Covid hit, the world stopped,” he says. “While the pandemic was horrendous for everyone, it put pressure on our family the same way it did to everyone, in the very small world of my golf game it really helped. It gave me time to continue my rehab and swing work rather than rushing back to try and earn my card.” When the tour returned in July 2020, for the Betfred British Masters at Close House, Graeme finished in a tie for 10th place - his first pay cheque since April 2018. “I played some good stuff when we came back, but it was always going to take time to build confidence,” he says. “I knew my short game would still be good and that’s something I still focus on a lot.” By the time the tour returned to Wentworth in October 2020, the wrist injury flared up again. “I was distraught,” says Graeme. “I’d warmed up great, I was ready to go on Thursday morning and something just wasn’t right. I was in agony, but this time
GRAEMESTORM
the pain was on the palm side of my right wrist.” Graeme withdrew after 14 holes and eventually went back under the knife a third time in January 2022. The lack of movement caused by the previous surgeries was now placing pressure elsewhere in his wrist, meaning this time the only option was to detach some of the nerves in his forearm. While the limitations in movement would remain, something which cannot be repaired, he would no longer feel pain in his wrist. “The procedure carried out by Doug Campbell was remarkable,” says Graeme. “I retained all the sensation, but no longer had the pain. I still have limited movement, but losing the pain was amazing. I’ve since developed pain elsewhere in my hand as it copes with the pressure of impact, but that’s manageable with antiinflammatories and painkillers. “I’ve worked hard in the last few months and while going through rehab a third time has been difficult physically and mentally, it’s good to be able to practice without pain in my wrist.” His third attempt to return
from injury was never going to be easy and Graeme made two cuts on tour in 2021 - maintaining his playing status as the tour froze its membership categories. In 2022, Graeme was moved into a new playing category - dubbed the safety net by players - which allowed those outside the normal order of merit cut-off to retain limited playing status as they did not have the opportunity to regain their cards at Qualifying School. “To have the safety net was great. Coming out of the medical extension, I needed an opportunity to play. I’m hoping to improve my category for 2023 through some good play. “I’m very much looking forward to playing as much as I can this year.” While he remains fully committed to being a DP World Tour player - a status he has held since 2005 Graeme has diversified his career following the injury. He works closely with players under the management of ISM - nurturing young talent and supporting players while at tournaments. He has also worked on radio broadcasts for TalkSport
and the BBC at the 2019 and 2021 Open Championships, and coaches at Houghton-le-Spring while not on tour - combining one-onone sessions with his role as an ambassador for the Golf Foundation. “Coaching has always been a passion,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot while playing on tour in the last 20 years and it is great fun sharing that knowledge and seeing golfers improve. It’s also great fun to be part of introducing the game to kids with the Golf Foundation.” Graeme has also had tremendous support in the last four years. “We’ve been through a lot as a family,” he says. “My wife, Sara, has been amazing throughout the injury and the setbacks. While there are a lot of negatives in the last four years, it has been great to spend more time with our children - something I didn’t think I’d get to do when I was playing so well in 2017.” “Pete Cowen has also been a phenomenal support, as have my sponsors. To have the support of Titleist, FootJoy and Callaway has been fantastic. The team has been so supportive, particularly when I was at real low points. I’ve also had
amazing help from Suit Direct. It’s heart-warming to have the support of a new sponsor - one which has had a Hartlepool connection for more than 70 years - as I try and make it back. I wasn’t an obvious player to work with after three wrist surgeries, so I’m incredibly thankful for their support.” While his career and golf swing are very different than they were when he saw off Rory McIlroy, Graeme’s main priority remains being a DP World Tour player. “Playing is what I want to do,” he says. “I want to compete at the highest level. The success of Richard Bland, who is five years older than me, has inspired me to keep working on my game. “As a dad and husband, I need to be aware of things outside playing, so I’ve diversified a little bit and these things may become more important in the future. While I’ve been working on getting back, everything else I’ve done in golf has only inspired me to work harder. “Right now, my goal remains the same as it was when I turned professional in 2000 - to be the most successful tour player I can be.” NORTHERN GOLFER 27
ROUNDWITH A ROUND WITH...
Jason Budd The Northern Junior Golf Tour founder chooses his favourite courses, selects three players to join his dream fourball, and shares much more
A
s founder of the Northern Junior Golf Tour - which will see some 500 youngsters play in its events across six counties this year and England Golf ’s regional manager for the north of England, Jason Budd spends more time than most at golf clubs and tournaments in our region. Since joining England Golf in 2007 and setting up the tour in 2009, Jason has walked and played many of our best courses and we caught up with him to share some of those experiences…
shoot level par at Brancepeth for the first time this season.
1 How much golf do you get to play? I try and play as much golf as I can at my home club - Brancepeth Castle between work, family life and running the junior tour. I also still try and play a bit of cricket and do some DJing, so it’s a busy schedule, but I still get a couple of rounds in each week in the summer. I’m hoping to get my handicap down from 5.5 to four this year - but time will tell!
7 What about embarrassing moments on the course? There are lots - ranging from trying to play after nights out to my first round with a handicap. The one individual moment that stands out is hitting a shot over the clubhouse into the car park on the 18th at Crook, which is equally embarrassing and impressive.
2 How did you get into golf? My grandad, who was a member of Knotty Hill, got me playing early. He would take me along with him - on the course and the driving range. Cricket took over as I got a bit older, but I’ve managed to keep the two going side-by-side. 3 Which is your favourite course in the North East? It has to be Brancepeth Castle. I like the challenge it presents - you need to drive it well and have a broad mix of skills to score well around there. 4 And further afield? I love golf by the sea and try to get to Dunstanburgh and Goswick at least a couple of times each year. A bit further afield, playing Kingsbarns and Turnberry were very special experiences. 5 What’s your best score? Two over-par, which I’ve managed at Crook and Bishop Auckland. My goal is to 28 NORTHERN GOLFER
6 Which is your favourite golfing memory? While I was a member at Crook, I had an albatross at the par five 17th. The shot into the green is blind, so I didn’t see it go in, but the excitement of finding my ball at the bottom of the cup will be very hard to beat. The £5.50 I picked up for that two didn’t do it justice!
8 Do you have any golfing superstitions? I always have to have my Celtic Manor pitch mark repair tool with me and I get a bit panicky if I can’t find it in my pocket. 9 What are your strengths on the course? My putting is pretty decent and I tend to read greens well. 10 And your weaknesses? My driving can be erratic and while I’m long, controlling direction can be difficult at times. 11 Which is your favourite club in the bag? Despite my previous answer, the recent addition of the TaylorMade Sim 2 Max driver has been fantastic. It’s very forgiving and has given me a lot of confidence off the tee. 12 Who is your best golfing friend? My younger brother, Richard. He’s
improving as a golfer all the time and our games are getting more competitive. We always have a good laugh - though that might change if he manages to beat me for the first time. . 13 What would you be doing if you weren’t working in golf? My background is in sports development and having worked in basketball then for the NHS, my dream was to have a career combining my skills with my passion for golf. If I wasn’t working in golf, maybe I could have been a globetrotting DJ. 14 Who is your favourite tour player? I love watching Rory McIlroy, he makes golf look so easy. I also enjoy following Lee Westwood - his longevity and the way he keeps the ball under control is so impressive. 15 Which golf events do you enjoy most? Going to The Open is a special experience and seeing the players work out links courses is so much fun. Seeing Jordan Spieth win at Royal Birkdale was just phenomenal. 16 Who do you admire? My girlfriend, Fran. She’s an amazing mum and supports me in everything I want to do, which has been so important as I’ve gone off and done lots of different things in my career and in sport. I also need to mention my mam, who is just incredible. 17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball? Tiger Woods, Freddie Flintoff and Jazzy Jeff - those three bring together my three passions perfectly. 18 If you could have one mulligan, when would you have used it? Keep it, I’ve got no regrets.
ROUNDWITH
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COURSEPROFILE
The good doctor will see you now Dean Bailey plays the Dr Alister MacKenzie-designed Darlington Golf Club
D
r Alister MacKenzie’s work is wellknown around the world, particularly in the US where his layouts include Augusta National and Cypress Point. His work closer to our region, particularly in Yorkshire, is equally celebrated as some of the country’s finest golf course architecture. The good doctor was also fond of visits to the North East and Teesside, and visited Darlington Golf Club in 1914 to create a new layout to replace the club’s original 1908 course. Opened for play in 1915, today the course measures 6,217 yards from the back tees. While trees have become an increasing challenge, the greens many featuring the contours and sweeping curves which came to define MacKenzie’s style - remain the primary challenge of the course. Each of the par threes is a delight. Following an opening pair of par fours - the first sharing a double green with the par three ninth while the 448-yard par four second presents a tough test of accuracy with four greenside bunkers - the first par three is also the signature hole (see fact file). A short, dogleg left par four follows. Club selection from the tee is vital as the best approach is from the left side of the fairway - though you must make it to the corner to see the putting surface. Players who run too far across to the right side must navigate over or around a single bunker at the front right of the green. The first of three par fives in four holes follows 30 NORTHERN GOLFER
and while the fairway is generous, anything too far offline will tangle with trees. A cross bunker some 70 yards short guards the route to a small, well-defended green with a narrow entrance between four deep bunkers. A shot shaped from left to right at the 547yard sixth hole will move away from the three fairway bunkers on the left side towards the more generous right half of the fairway. From here, another cross bunker guards the approach to a green with a single bunker on its front right corner and a large runoff area to the left side - a pitch from this area isn’t too difficult as it’s played up the slope of the green. While its green is less dramatic than the third, the par three seventh makes up for this with a beautiful setting among the trees. Another wellbunkered approach hides a generous green. The trickiest of the par fives, the eighth hugs the boundary of the course on the left side and features two centre-line bunkers, which can catch the biggest hitters out. The hole follows the boundary all the way to a large green which wraps around a single bunker on its left side. Returning to the double green, the 164-yard ninth is played to a far more undulating portion of this putting surface. A fascinating maze of hollows, rises and curves will test even the most confident putters while a single bunker on the right side - which defines the main contour between the two portions of the double green -
and two more on the left beside a small hazard will test many en-route to the green. The 10th is played straight up the hill back to the clubhouse. Flanked by out of bounds to the left and tall trees on the right, this short par four can catch players out despite measuring just 346 yards. The green here is guarded by three bunkers, including a deep trap on the right side which makes any approach from this side difficult. The tee shot at the 11th can be daunting as the 468-yard par four sweeps around the out of bounds fence on the left side. A very long tee shot is required to get a view of a generous green which features a lower front third separated from the rear portion by a steep slope. Playing from a raised tee, you get a great look at the bunkers guarding the route to the green at the 137-yard 12th. Five of them encircle the front of the green, though any shots beyond the sand should find a generous putting surface. A pair of straight, demanding par fours follow starting with the 420-yard 13th. The boundary of the course comes into play again on the left side here, while a row of tall trees guards the right side and the next fairway. The approach is played uphill to a long green, which is pinched in the middle by two small bunkers on the right side and a mound on the left. Played back down the slope, the 399-yard 14th has a more generous landing area for tee shots, though its green is much longer - some 40 paces
COURSEPROFILE
FACT FILE CONTACT Darlington Golf Club Haughton Grange, Darlington DL1 3JD, tel 01325 355324 www.darlington-gc.co.uk
- and requires a well-struck shot to avoid the small pond on the left side and long bunkers flanking either side of the putting surface. The tee shot at the 203-yard par three 15th is set back among the trees. The green complex here features a wide approach area, making front flags accessible. Shots aiming to reach the back of the green must navigate a pair of deep bunkers as well as a steep rise which cuts the green in half. The final par five, the 16th is short at 487 yards and the fairway is one of the most generous. Set between banks of huge trees, the approach narrows as it sweeps towards the green, which features three small, shallow bunkers on its right side. The green is one of the most interesting on the course, featuring subtle slopes which twist and turn and make long putts incredibly difficult to read. Another 200-yard par three, the 17th is just as demanding as the 15th, The raised green sits beyond two bunkers which are deceptively short of the putting surface. A pair of bunkers on each side of the green ensure the 17th is as challenging as it is beautiful. The green is another cracker. The tee shot at the last is played from a corridor of trees and those hitting driver must turn the ball from left to right in order to find the short grass. From the fairway, a short approach is all that remains to a long green with bunkers on both of its front corners, and a further bunker hidden beyond the first on the right side. Long putts here may need to navigate their way across the two rolling waves in the green - a final test of putting skill to end the round.
GREEN FEES Full range of options available including twilight times and group bookings - contact the club by phone for further information. TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,217 yards Yellow tees 6,044 yards Red tees 5,617 yards
As well as its MacKenziedesigned golf course, Darlington Golf Club is home to fantastic facilities including an eight-bay driving range, indoor swing studio and extensive practice ground. PGA professional James Cousins provides tuition, and hosts regular junior academy sessions and Get into Golf programmes
FEATURES Clubhouse with superb catering Driving range Swing studio Practice ground, chipping and putting greens Pro shop Buggy hire Trolley hire CADDY’S TIP Being able to read putts with large and/or multiple breaks is a big advantage here SIGNATURE HOLE The dramatic green guarded by seven bunkers at the 157-yard par three third is simply spectacular. Sloped steeply from the back plateau to a much smaller front portion, the putting surface is flanked by three bunkers, while four more lie well short of the green to deceive players taking aim at front pin positions. You could play this green for hours and not work out its many fascinating curves, slopes and contours
OUR VERDICT
Laid out by one of golf’s greatest architects, this is a must-visit for its spectacular par threes and incredible green designs NORTHERN GOLFER 31
MATCHPLAYPAIRS2022
George Washington - 2022 Match Play Pairs finals venue
Match Play Pairs is back for 2022 N orthern Golfer’s 2022 Match Play Pairs tournament is under way. The event, now in its 21st year, will see pairs of golfers from across the region drawn in knock out matches throughout the season at many of the North East and North Yorkshire’s best venues. This year’s semi-finals and final will take place in September at George Washington - host venue of two Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events this season - with the winners receiving prize vouchers worth £600, while the runners up will receive prize vouchers worth £100. As well as receiving their £600 prize, the winners will appear in Northern Golfer and earn a place in the region’s golfing history books. The 2021 tournament saw 64 pairs set out to reach the event’s final at Close House. In the final, played in September on the Colt
32 NORTHERN GOLFER
Course at the Northumberland club, Brancepeth Castle’s Vaughan Raine and Shaun Elliott were victorious over Newbiggin-based brothers Mark and Lee Warren. The victory completed a hattrick of wins for Brancepeth teams following Ashley Coveney and Andrew Howard’s win in 2020, and James Melville and Jimmy Guy’s victory in 2019. Vaughan, a four handicapper, said: “It’s a great feeling to come through the season and get our names on the trophy. We’re proud to have added our names after the lads from Brancepeth. It’s a tough event, we’ve had some close matches and I’m over the moon to have won it.” Shaun, who plays off a handicap of 14, added: “I’m delighted we got the job done. All of our games have been played to a really high standard and we’ve had to stick in to make it all the way through. We’ve played some cracking courses and the lads we’ve played in each round have
been great company. We visit new courses every year and have found some real gems which we would have never got to without the Match Play Pairs.” Northern Golfer editor Dean Bailey added: “We’re looking forward to another action-packed year of matches across the region in 2022 ahead of the finals at George Washington at the end of the season. “The Match Play Pairs tournament has become an important part of the region’s golfing landscape and the list of past champions highlights the diversity of players and clubs involved in the last 20 years. I’m looking forward to another year of friendly and competitive matches, and wish the best of luck to all the players starting out on their campaigns.” For more information, including the rules and the latest results from each round, go to www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ match-play-pairs-2022
MATCHPLAYPAIRS2022 Round one draw Matches to be played by Sunday May 29 Match 1 Paul Davison & Ryan Wootton (South Moor) VS Michael Varey & Ciaran Kelly (Newcastle United)
Match 10 Steve Weldon & Rob Armstrong (Whitley Bay) VS Brian Robinson & Tim Carney (Woodham)
Match 20 BYE Michael Hughes & Stephen Turnbull (Crook)
Match 11 BYE Stuart Cant & Shaun Devereux (Durham City)
Match 21 John Paul Mayne & Gerald Kingsland (Linden Hall) VS Stewart Jones & Michael Davison (Bellingham)
Match 2 Mel Surtees & Doug Cairns (Woodham) VS Kevin Broadfoot & Paul Stocks (Close House/Ramside)
Match 12 James Ogden & Kev Nixon (Tynemouth) VS Dave Chadwick & Steve Rainer (Catterick/Richmond)
Match 22 Paul Whittaker & Murray Newell (Tynemouth) VS Stewart Breckon & Mark Robinson (Bishop Auckland)
Match 3 Ray Armstrong & Stu Flatt (South Moor/Chester-le-Street) VS Vaughan Raine & Shaun Elliott (Brancepeth Castle)
Match 13 BYE Glen Henderson & Colin Mackay (Newbiggin/City of Newcastle)
Match 23 BYE Stephen Devon & Jeff Shield (George Washington/ Durham City)
Match 14 Stephen Hetherington & David Turner (Hobson) VS Stephen Vickers & Steve Park (Durham City)
Match 24 Ryan Farley & Gary Farley (Woodham) VS Jamie Pringle & Ken Charlton (South Shields)
Match 15 Andrew Dixon & Kevin Hodgson (Durham City) VS Robert Davison & Francis Carrigan (Longhirst)
Match 25 Simon Watson & Russell Taylor (Burgham) VS Peter Gallagher & Neil Walmsley (Durham City)
Match 16 Steve Slater & Jim Trigg (City of Newcastle) VS George Longthorn & John Littlejohns (Crook)
Match 26 David Gray & David Clark (Saltburn) VS David Wailes & John Barnes (Bedlingtonshire/Arcot Hall)
Match 17 Adam Murphy & Brendan Murphy (Tynedale) VS Peter Newman & Michael Robins (Durham City/Hartlepool)
Match 27 Alan Slater & Dan Younger (Ramside Hall/Hexham) VS Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby)
Match 8 Colin Arthur & Ralph Brown (Oakleaf) VS Steven Akers & Anthony Coates (Durham City)
Match 18 Neil Mole & Ian Curry (Longhirst) VS Kevin Stubbings & Darren Curtis (Durham City)
Match 28 BYE Paul Scott & Jai Scott (Newbiggin)
Match 9 Alastair Raine & Chris Woodhams (Cleveland) VS Karl Dullaghan & Micheal Beverley (Warkworth)
Match 19 Barry Walker & Peter Simpson (Alnmouth/Tynemouth) VS Mark Nicholson & Ian Coxon (Seaham)
Match 4 Luke Allen & David Whalen (Beamish Park) VS Paul Gray & Phil O’Ware (Sharpley) Match 5 Glenn Blaney & Peter Thompson (Linden Hall) VS John Buxton & Gareth Hold (Wilton) Match 6 Rory McNally & Lee Small (Morpeth) VS Doug Ellison & Richard Mellor (Slaley Hall/Hexham) Match 7 Robert Ellison & John Jamfrey (Roseberry Grange) VS Alan Clark & Bob Richardson (Beamish Park)
Match 29 Steven Dodds & Neville Wanless (Durham City/Beamish Park) VS Kevin Hill & Michael Rowell (Arcot Hall)
Match 30 Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City) VS Colin Marshall & Paul Tindale (Durham City) Match 31 George Armitage & Colin Sampson (Bedlingtonshire) VS Nicholas Sibley & Geoff Cruickshank (Eaglescliffe) Match 32 Steve Garbutt & Mick Purcifer (Billingham) VS Brian Crampton & Andrew Williams (Durham City)
2022 schedule Round one Matches to be played by Sunday May 29 Round two Matches to be played by Sunday June 26 Round three Matches to be played by Sunday July 24 Quarter-finals Matches to be played by Sunday August 21 The semi-finals and final will take place at George Washington in September 2022
For the latest results, all the rules for the event including how to work out your playing handicaps, and more information go to the Northern Golfer website and click on Match Play Pairs NORTHERN GOLFER 33
GEARNEWS
Summer essentials The season has begun, which means it’s a great time to add some new clothing to your wardrobe from the likes of PING and Mizuno. This month we also have new trolleys from Motocaddy, six new bags from Big Max, tour-validated putters from Scotty Cameron, and new grips from Golf Pride.
BAGS OF OPTIONS SUMMER LOVIN’
PING SS22 apparel collections RRP: Various www.pingeurope.com
PING has released its Spring/Summer 2022 apparel ranges for men and women - combining premium fabrics with eye-catching and stylish designs. The collection is PING’s largest to-date and is inspired by the brand’s rich heritage, with key styles paying tribute to its engineering history. Staying true to PING’s clean and timeless design ethos, the men’s collection features refined geometrics throughout. The new designs are complemented by the state-of-the-art Sensor fabric technology platform, while PING has also introduced recycled content into a number of styles this season. Meanwhile, the new women’s range creates an uplifting summer mood, using colour and performance fabrics in a mix of heritageinspired patterns that have been modernised to soften and update traditional looks across three colour stories. One of the standout pieces in the men’s collection is the 1A Putter polo, which is inspired by the original PING 1A putter. From the women’s collection, the Etta and Evie polos can be paired perfectly with the Saffi skort and matching Birdie visor for a contemporary head-to-toe look. All are available in any of the three colour stories and feature SensorCool technology for moisturemoving comfort in all conditions.
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Big Max 2022 bag range RRP: Various www.uk.bigmaxgolf.com
Big Max has introduced six new designs to its range, each with a specific type of golfer in mind. Based around Big Max’s Aqua and Dri Lite technologies, each bag will protect your gear from the elements with waterproof materials and zippers. Each bag in the Aqua line also incorporates sealed seams for 100% waterproof protection and comes with a two-year waterproof guarantee. The Dri Lite Tour and Dri Lite Sport 2 are the biggest bags in the range. The latter combines the space and practicality of a tour bag with lightweight water-resistant technology in a 14way top with nine pockets, and weighs in at 2.4kg. Meanwhile, the Dri Lite Sport 2 features a 14-way top with seven pockets, including a 100% waterproof valuables pocket, and is available in five colour combinations. The new Dri Lite V-4 bag features the Big Max V-Lock organiser - which locks the top row of clubs in place for a neat and tidy look, while the Dri Lite Silencio 2 goes one step further and features secure compartments for every club - stopping them knocking together and giving the bag its silent name. A pair of hybrid bags - the Aqua Hybrid 3 and Dri Lite Hybrid 2 - complete the range. Both feature trolley compatible footless bases, a leg lock system, and a reinforced connection area for easy use on a trolley and when carrying. Both bags feature seven pockets, reinforced padded straps, and an air channel for breathability when carrying.
GEARNEWS
ON THE MAP
Motocaddy GPS trolley range RRP: Various www.motocaddy.com Motocaddy has added to its M-Series line-up with the launch of two upgraded M3 models and a new M7 GPS remote-control touchscreen trolley. The award-winning range of electric trolleys now includes nine feature-packed options - from the easy-to-use M1 to the luxury M-TECH GPS. Incorporating a lightweight waterproof lithium battery, the compact M-Series is powered by an incredibly reliable, next generation 28V system while the space-saving inverting wheels allow the trolley to fold down to a compact size. The new 2022 M3 GPS - which comes preloaded with yardages for more than 40,000 courses - has received a technological upgrade with the addition of a new dynamic green view option. Meanwhile, the new M7 GPS is the world’s first remote-control touchscreen trolley and features GPS via its 3.5ins display.
PUTT FOR DOUGH
Scotty Cameron Phantom X putters RRP: £409 www.titleist.co.uk/golf-clubs/putters Building on the success of Phantom X mallet putters on the PGA Tour, Scotty Cameron has introduced the next evolution of the Phantom X family to the market. Seven new models are available now, with three additional designs arriving this summer. The line-up features entirely new head shapes and updates to popular models as well as a new textured grip, new graphics and updated styling. Scotty has updated the Phantom X 5 and 5.5 putters, redesigned the Phantom X 7 and 7.5 models, created the new Phantom X 9 and 9.5, and updated the Phantom X 12. The new Phantom X 11 and 11.5 will be released in June 2022 alongside straight-shafted Phantom X 5s. The new mallets complete a 10 putter line-up. Each integrates steel and aluminium, with nine of the 10 models engineered with a solid, precision-milled stainless steel face and body while the Phantom X 12 has an aluminium face/sole with steel wings.
FROM CAMO TO CLASSICS
Mizuno SS22 apparel collection RRP: Various mizunogolf.com
Mizuno’s new apparel collection brings together bold designs and prints with performance engineering. From camo prints to classic casual styles, the new collection for Spring/Summer 2022 delivers a wide range of sport and streetinspired designs. Four-way-stretch Move Tech fabric features across the range, as does Mizuno Quick Dry Plus - a material which rapidly absorbs and diffuses moisture. A refined colour palette and sport-inspired styling was then added to deliver Mizuno’s most striking and technically advanced apparel to date. The range includes the Move Tech Drizzle Jacket - a waterrepellent hoodie available in three colours - alongside a wide range of quarter-zip outer and mid layers, polos in a vast range of print and colour combinations, trousers, shorts, and accessories. To see the full range, visit the Mizuno website.
GET A GRIP
Golf Pride CPX grip RRP: £12.99 www.golfpride.com
Golf Pride has released its softest performance grip yet - CPX. The Comfort Performance Extreme - or CPX - grip aims to provide superior feel through a combination of softness and new technology, including the company’s first raised, EXO diamondquilted pattern. “The connection between the hands and mind is critical in the game of golf,” said Jamie Ledford, president of Golf Pride. “We’re so excited about CPX because the new design and ultra-soft rubber compound we’ve developed take this connection to the next level.” The grip is constructed from a very soft and responsive rubber compound which moulds to the golfer’s hands. The soft and tacky material features a 45-degree diamond pattern inspired by the grips on BMX bikes, which is raised to maximise contact with the hands. In addition, the innovative Control Core in the grip’s end-cap works with the rubber compound to offer the needed combination of softness and control.
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Thank you to our partners for their continued support of Northern Golfer magazine and its online platforms Retail and brand partners
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Northern Golfer - The voice of golf in the North East and beyond To join the Northern Golfer partners club and learn more about how we can work together to promote your business or golf club, contact Doug Brolls (Durham and wider region) on 07721 031482, doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk or Gillian Corney (Northumberland) on 07903 500401, gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk
SPECIALFOCUS
Well worth a visit
We pay a visit to a handful of our favourite courses across the region and take a look at some recent developments which make each of them well worth a visit, or revisit, this summer
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course The refinement of the golf course at Dunstanburgh Castle has been an ongoing project for more than a decade and the course has earned a reputation for superb conditioning and presentation recently. Host of multiple events in 2021 - including the Faldo Series, Northumberland county events and the NE/NW PGA Championship - Stuart Imeson and his team continue to present the course at tournament level. Following extensive work on greens and tee boxes, a major programme of bunker work saw every bunker rebuilt from 2014-2019 - some reinstated as they were constructed while others have been moved, repositioned, expanded and created. Work has also been done to refine the golf course - particularly the fairways and approaches to greens by creating new mowing lines to increase definition and installing irrigation in areas which suffered in the height of summer. A number of new championship tees have ensured Dunstanburgh keeps pace with modern equipment, while the teams never stands still in progressing the architectural quality, golfing challenge and conditioning of the golf course. Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course, Embleton, NE66 3XQ, tel 01665 576 562, www.dunstanburgh.com
Blyth Golf Club Following the successful completion of a new fourth hole in 2020, Blyth Golf Club has continued to progress with further investment being made on the course and the club’s facilities. The completion of the fourth hole, which has proved a hit with members and visitors, was soon followed by the introduction of a new short-game practice area. A three-tier green, complete with a bunker and run-off areas, is an ideal place to work on your game. Meanwhile, the course is benefitting from an extensive development plan, which has resulted in performance improvements to greens, tee boxes and bunkers. New drainage channels and pathways
have also been installed. Behind the scenes, a new 200m² greenkeeping unit is ready to welcome a new fleet of mowers this summer. Looking further ahead, general manager Steven Moffett said: “It’s been a very busy couple years, but for all the right reasons. The club remains firmly committed to investing in the course, with the aim of delivering the best possible product for our members and guests. Course conditions are fantastic and improve year-on-year, which is testament to our amazing team. “This year looks to be a big one - we have a strong membership and recently introduced a waiting list; we have a junior academy in place; and
we’re working towards becoming a signatory of the Women in Golf Charter. In May, we’ll also be hosting the Northumberland Ladies County Championship. “Later this year, we will begin work on the clubhouse, which will include an extension to create a new spike bar and a full
refurbishment of the function suite which overlooks the golf course. “If you’ve not played Blyth recently, it’s certainly a great time to pay us a visit.” Blyth Golf Club, Plessey Road Blyth, NE24 4DB, tel 01670 540 110, www.blythgolf.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 37
SPECIALFOCUS
Seaton Carew Golf Club The ongoing restoration of the golf course at Seaton Carew, under the guidance of course manager Tom Coulson, has brought an already highly respected golf course to the next level in recent years. Multiple bunker renovations have been carried out across the golf course, which has been remodelled by Dr Alister MacKenzie and Frank Pennink in its history. In the past six months, some 3.1 hectares of sea buckthorn has been removed, returning the course to one bordered by sand dunes rather dense shrubs - as envisioned by MacKenzie. Tom and his team have also created five new fairway bunkers on the seventh and eighth holes, tweaked the greenside bunkers on the seventh, and reinstated bunkers at the back of the seventh and eighth greens to enhance the challenge to specific pin positions. A large bunker finished with a combination of sleepers, dune rough and revetting has also been created between the seventh and ninth greens, while another bunker has also been reinstated on the ninth green. The team has also progressed the agronomy practices across the course as the club prepares to celebrate its 150th birthday in 2024 and host the English Amateur championships. An evolving test, a visit to the Teesside coast should be on your to-play list this summer. Seaton Carew Golf Club, Tees Road, Seaton Carew, TS25 1DE, tel 01429 266 249, www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk
DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE GOLF COURSE DESIGNED BY THE FAMOUS JAMES BRAID - ADJACENT TO SPECTACULAR EMBLETON BAY
SUMMER GREEN FEE’S 1ST APRIL 2022 - 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022 WEEKDAY - £35PP - WEEKEND - £40PP SUMMER DEAL - COFFEE AND A BACON ROLL, 18 HOLES OF GOLF FOLLOWED BY A PIZZA OR BURGER AND CHIPS. WEEKDAY £43PP - WEEKEND £48PP
To book telephone 01665 576562 or email bookings@dunstanburgh.com www.dunstanburgh.com Dunstaburgh Golf Club, Embleton, Northumberland, NE66 3XQ 38 NORTHERN GOLFER
SPECIALFOCUS
Morpeth Golf Club The golf course at Morpeth Golf Club was designed by six-time Open champion Harry Vardon and remains a unique parkland challenge, enhanced further following recent investment. Course manager John Scurfield has continued to develop the course in recent years, with improvements in playing conditions being supported by a £250,000 investment in machinery. The greenkeeping team has also grown to five, while a number of new tees and bunker projects have enhanced this fun and challenging layout. Major investment has also been made in the clubhouse in recent years, with the upstairs dining room now welcoming some 100 diners for Sunday lunch weekly, while new head chef Daniel Suggate, who arrived from Barluga, has won high praise since his arrival. Investment has also been made in the locker rooms, swing room and snooker room, while a new outside space is the perfect place to relax after your round. Morpeth Golf Club, Morpeth, NE61 2BT, tel 01670 504 942, www.morpethgolf.co.uk
MORPETH GOLF CLUB VISITORS AND SOCIETIES WELCOME 2022 SOCIETY GREEN FEES Up to to 12 - Monday - Friday £30pp - Sundays £35pp 12 - 24 - Monday - Friday £27.50pp - Sundays £30pp 24+ Monday - Friday £25pp - Sundays £27.50pp Golf Society Packages are tailored to your requirements Telephone the Office for further details on 01670 504942 (Opt 2)
OPENS 2022 Friday 15th July - Pro Am (Sponsored by Ferrari/Bentley/JCT 600) £240 per team Thursday 21st July - Seniors Open (Team of 4) £40 per team Monday 8th August - Ladies Open (Team of 4 ) £40 per team Wednesday 21st August - Dan Lloyd Open (details to follow)
Morpeth Golf Club, The Clubhouse, Loansdean Road, Morpeth, NE61 2BT Email:admin@morpethgolf.co.uk www.morpethgolf.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 39
SPECIALFOCUS
Walk this way with PMP Europe The return of the BTME show to the Harrogate International Centre in March also saw the launch of a new scheme aiming to help clubs upgrade their pathway networks. Yorkshire-based PMP Europe unveiled its Golf Club Partnership Scheme at the event - an initiative that will give course managers and greenkeepers direct access to the innovative Flexipave porous surfacing product. PMP Europe is the UK’s principal supplier and installer of the unique Flexipave surfacing, dealing with commercial installations for more than 10 years. Following work to resurface paths at Whitely Bay Golf Club earlier this year, the company identified that many clubs have the skill and capacity to install the surfacing themselves. By training greenkeeping teams on how to prepare, mix and install the material, the scheme will allow clubs to simply purchase materials and complete their own work. The scheme is intended to reduce the capital cost of installing new paths by eliminating the labour costs associated with using a contractor. It also allows clubs to keep a stock of materials, giving them the option of installing small sections as required. The Flexipave surface is made from a 50/50 mix of recycled tyres and natural stone aggregate, which results in a porous surface. The system helps to keep paths free from standing water, with the rubber element offering excellent grip underfoot. With minimal machinery required and most of the installation done by hand, clubs can also expect minimal disruption to play during installation. For more information visit www.pmpeurope.co.uk/golf
Transform your paths using Flexipave
A BEAUTIFUL TREE LINED PARKLAND COURSE WITH SCENIC WATER FEATURES AND ALL YEAR-ROUND PLAYABILITY
We train your green-keeping team to mix & install the material, allowing you to take charge of your own resurfacing projects. Sustainable porous surface Easy to maintain Quiet underfoot
50/50 mix of rubber/stone Excellent grip Year-round access
OPEN COMPETITIONS 2022
Ladies Pairs 29th July - £20 per pair | Gents Pairs 3rd Sept - £30 per pair Seniors Pairs 8th Sept - £16 per pair | Ladies Team 10th Sept - £40 per team Christmas Team Open 27th Dec - £70 per team (includes bacon roll & coffee on arrival) Book online through HowDidiDo, Golf Empire Blyth Golf Club > Northumberland > Open Golf Competitions - Golf Empire or contact us directly at admin@blythgolf.co.uk
Golf Club Partnership Scheme
SOCIETY PACKAGE OFFERS 2022
Midweek - 18 holes of golf, bacon roll & coffee on arrival £25pp (minimum of 12) Weekend – 18 holes of golf, bacon roll & coffee on arrival £30pp (minimum of 12) Other catering options available upon request To book or for further information email: admin@blythgolf.co.uk or telephone Lelsey on 01670 540111 (opt 5)
BLYTH GOLF CLUB Plessey Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4DB 40 NORTHERN GOLFER
Direct Purchasing for Sustainable Surfacing
Contact us today to request your information pack. T: 01226 447292
E: golf@pmpeurope.co.uk
www.pmpeurope.co.uk
Seaton Carew Golf Club…
where the challenge awaits!
In the past two years, more than thirty bunkers have been either created or remodelled, and over three hectares of sea buckthorn removed to recreate the masterpiece that Dr. Alister Mackenzie designed almost a century ago. With tightly mown fairways and fast, true greens you’ll need to be on your A-Game when you take on the tenth oldest course in the country. Set to host the English Amateur Championships in 2024, when it celebrates its 150th anniversary, Seaton Carew was recently included in National Club Golfer’s Top 50 courses in England. Why not come and try it for yourself?
SEATON CAREW GOLF CLUB TEES ROAD, HARTLEPOOL, TS25 1DE WEB:
www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk
EMAIL:
secretary@seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk
Follow Seaton Carew GC on
TIPS
THE GREAT ESCAPE
In order to be a good bunker player, you need to be able to extract sand, as well as your ball, from greenside bunkers. Your club should be entering the sand behind the ball, staying in the sand underneath it, then exiting well after the ball’s original position. This motion allows your wedge to work in the way it was designed and carry the golf ball forward on a cushion of sand. A great way to practice this technique is to get used to hitting sand out of the bunker without the golf ball. Without the distraction of the ball, you’ll quickly find a feel for the interaction of the club and sand and see how small changes alter how much sand comes out, and how far it goes. This drill is great for those who hit the ball heavy, as you get the feedback of lots of sand leaving the bunker, and those who hit bunker shots thin, as little or no sand will leave the bunker. Try this out during your next practice session, then add in the ball and work on controlling it as well as the sand.
Doug Brolls PGA Profe ssio
nal
© masuti/Shutterstock.com 42 NORTHERN GOLFER
BE PART OF THE NEXT EDITION OF ISSUE NO.
92
Seahouses Golf Club SPRING SPECIAL Wednesdays & Fridays in April & May 18 holes - £100.00 per 4 ball
HOLIDAY GOLF PASS £80.00PP Unlimited golf Monday to Friday only (subject to availability)
FULL MEMBERSHIP AGE 30 PLUS - £425.00 Other age categories available on a pro rata basis
FULL GOLF AND CATERING PACKAGES AVAILABLE these can be tailored to your exact requirements
Please contact 01665 720794 or email secretary@seahousesgolf.co.uk
We’ll be back in June with the next edition of Northern Golfer reaching clubs across Northumberland, Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, the Scottish Borders and Cumbria
Contact Doug Brolls (Durham and wider region) on 07721 031482, doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk or Gillian Corney (Northumberland) on
All details can be found on our web-site www.seahousesgolf.co.uk Please follow us on Facebook or Twitter @SeahousesGolf
07903 500401, gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk
www.northerngolfer.co.uk
Husqvarna Automower® Imagine never needing to cut your lawn again... and having more time to enjoy playing golf
Robotic Mowing Perfection • Cuts all types of lawns, leaving a carpet like look and minimises moss • Manages steep slopes and passages • Works day and night, rain or shine, giving great results whatever the weather • No noise, ideal for night time operation or noise sensitive areas • Frees up valuable time
Scots Gap, Morpeth, NE61 4DT - 01670 774205 Robotic Mower, Garden Machinery & Chainsaw Specialists www.robsonandcowan.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 43
READERCOMPETITIONS
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 5b, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL Please include your contact details and telephone number. Closing date Thursday May 26, 2022. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT MORPETH GOLF CLUB Founded in 1906, the golf course at Morpeth Golf Club was designed by six-time Open champion Harry Vardon. Today, it is a tree-lined, mature parkland test with a fascinating mix of strategic challenges. For your chance to win answer the following question: Which course will host the 2022 AIG Women’s Open?
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT ALLENDALE GOLF CLUB Set high in the Allen Valley in Northumberland, Allendale Golf Club is a truly spectacular location to play the game. The clubhouse sits at 1,077ft above sea level and you’ll find stunning views from every tee box and green here. For your chance to win answer the following question: Who will captain the 2023 US Ryder Cup team?
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT SELBY GOLF CLUB Selby Golf Club is home to a stunning golf course with a par of 71. Laid out on free-draining sandy soil, it is playable year-round with firm conditions a hallmark of the course. Measuring 6,377 yards from the back tees, the course is laid out in two loops, both returning to the clubhouse, making it ideal for evening rounds or 27hole golf days. For your chance to win answer the following question: Who won the 2009 US Open at Bethpage? Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Darlington - Iain Marshall of Consett Bedlingtonshire - Trevor Henderson of Billingham • Magdalene Fields - David Cornforth of Newcastle 44 NORTHERN GOLFER
NEW! INSTANT VALUATIONS ON ALL TRADE IN CLUBS WE NOW HAVE THE FACILITY TO OFFER INSTANT VALUATIONS FOR CLUBS WHICH WE WILL HAPPILY ACCEPT AGAINST ANY PRODUCT IN STORE
Clubs can also be taken against shoes, balls, bags, not just the old fashioned club for club. We can also take more than one club in at a time even to the level of costing the customer nothing at all for what they take out, taking loads of clubs in to make the balance owed nothing. This can also be done for store credit for any customers who don’t want any goods at that time.
WE HAVE OVER: 50 Drivers, 50 Fairway Woods, 40 Hybrids 25 Iron Sets, 100 Wedges, 100 Putters, 200 Bags, 1000 Dozen Golf Balls
ALL IN STOCK AND READY TO GO Keep in mind that part exchange is available along with 0% finance and free delivery on orders over £50.
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Bargain Golf Equipment, Seaham Harbour Golf Club, Shrewsbury Street, Seaham, SR7 7RD
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!
l-r Ladies captain Dagmar Hecker-Woodhead, Cancer Research UK’s Jan Leafe, Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Claire Deacon, and retiring men’s captain Ian Sewell
Stocksfield Golf Club will remember its former captain, chairman, secretary and president Bill Martin later this year with a members’ competition and official opening of the Bill Martin Terrace. Bill, who sadly died in 2021, was a longstanding member of Stocksfield and wellknown in clubs throughout the Tyne Valley. An avid Bolton Wanderers fan, he held multiple positions at Stocksfield throughout his life. The competition, on Friday June 3, will raise money for the Bill Martin Bursary, which will be used to support the development of junior golfers at the club. 46 NORTHERN GOLFER
Skipton Golf Club’s captains have handed over cheques to their chosen charities following successful years of fundraising. Captains Dagmar HeckerWoodhead and Ian Sewell raised more than £7,500 for The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK during their terms in office. Retiring men’s captain Ian, who served an extended twoyear term during Covid, raised £5,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Meanwhile, ladies captain Dagmar collected £2,569 for Cancer Research UK in 2021.
Congratulations to the new captains of Allendale Golf Club, who drove into office in April - men’s captain Jimmy Hall (and vice-captain Peter Robinson), and joint ladies captains Pat Hignett and Debbie Carter.
Best of luck to Harrogate Golf Club’s new captains - Steve Wildridge and Boo Orman.
David George wrote in following our Champion of Champions retrospective in the April edition to share the story of his win in the event in 1973... I was surprised and delighted to be mentioned - it’s 49 years since I performed a smash and grab on my friend Jack Ord at South Shields. I remember being five over-par after five holes, birdieing eight of the next 11 and bogeying the last two for a level-par 71. I can only remember one shot from the second round - a five iron to a foot at the 17th in a round of 70. Jack had two putts to win on the 18th and three-putted! In the threehole playoff, we both made two-putt pars at the first. At the next, I snap hooked my tee shot, nearly against the out of bounds wall, then hit wedge onto the front of the green. Jack was about 10ft away in two - I holed my putt, Jack missed. I then snap hooked it off the third tee and hit six iron onto the front of the green. Jack was about 10ft away in two again. I roll the putt up to a foot or so and Jack missed. It was my first win in a significant competition, doubly special because my dad was caddying for me. I am still reminded by those who were there, regularly, how thoroughly outplayed I was. I have to agree.
Last month we received the sad news of the death of Ian Hornsby. Ian, who was 92, will be remembered as a golfer of some repute by many in the North East, including Alan Hedley, who wrote: Ian made his mark in Durham and Northumberland as a player and official. His early achievements came as a member of Ravensworth, though he had an affinity with Brancepeth - where he won the Durham Strokeplay twice, in 1958 and 1964. He was also twice a winner of the Durham Matchplay at Darlington in 1966 and Tyneside the following year. He later played out of Ponteland and was captain of Northumberland 1981-82. He remained active as a senior golfer and won the Scottish Seniors in 1987 at Glasgow Killermont. A true gentleman, Ian did much to encourage young players - among them Champion of Champions winner David George.
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