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JUNE 2022
KING OF THE CASTLE Stuart Imeson, the new co-owner of Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course, on buying into the course he’s spent his life playing and nurturing WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT LONGHIRST HALL, HIGH GOSFORTH PARK, AND GEORGE WASHINGTON
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EDITOR Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk Simon Olver Chris Paisley Chris Simmons ADVERTISING MANAGERS Doug Brolls 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk Gillian Corney 07903 500 401 gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk EVENTS Dean Bailey dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk
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Finishing an edition of Northern Golfer and reading through these pages for a final time before they head out into the region’s clubs and retailers is always a great opportunity to reflect on the month’s golf - and what a month it has been. Finishing any edition is a fast-paced process, but the final day of putting together our 92nd edition has been a particularly busy one. In the past 24 hours we’ve seen a teenager compete in her first Ladies European Tour event, crowned a new Durham Ladies county champion, and seen a 17-year-old win the Northumberland Strokeplay Championship. We’ve got lots more victories to cover in the pages of Teeing Off this month - from James Glenn’s return to the winners’ circle at Heworth and Martin McCririck’s Durham matchplay win, to a Carnoustie win for Martin Scarborough, and a Hero’s Handshake for young Jamie Jopling. There’s also lots of PGA wins to cover, and a hickory hat-trick for Newcastle United Golf Club’s Neil Gascoigne. As I write, more events are ongoing, but they’ll have to wait for the Northern Golfer Weekly email (subscribe at linktr.ee/negolfer if you haven’t already) and out next print edition in July. As well as a busy few weeks for tournaments and news, it’s also been a lot of fun to spend some time travelling across the region while putting together the features for this edition. We’ve been up in the Northumberland hills for a Round With Robin Down at Allendale, and a Course Profile at Bellingham. I also had the chance to spend some time with Stuart Imeson, the new co-owner of Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course this month. I enjoyed every minute of our day in the pouring rain on the Northumberland coast, hearing about his journey from apprentice greenkeeper to coowning the business - and getting the inside track on the exciting plans to further improve the golf course in the coming years. Meanwhile, we’ve already reached the second round stage of this year’s Match Play Pairs tournament - 32 pairs remain in the race to this year’s final at George Washington. This edition also has updates from our regular columnists - greenkeeper Simon Olver, caddy Chris Simmons, and DP World Tour player Chris Paisley. There’s also three great competition prizes to be won. See you in July. Dean Bailey, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk
Joey Hornby and Maggie Whitehead win Champion of Champions titles at George Washington
06-15 TEEING OFF
News from across the region, including local, county, regional, national and international tournament wins
17 TOUR LIFE With Chris Paisley
19 TOUR TIPS
With caddy Chris Simmons
21 ON COURSE
With greenkeeper Simon Olver
23 19TH HOLE
Clubhouse debate #127
28 A ROUND WITH Allendale Golf Club’s Robin Down
30 COURSE PROFILE Bellingham Golf Club
32 MATCH PLAY PAIRS Round one results and round two draw
FRONT COVER
The journey from apprentice greenkeeper to co-owner with Stuart Imeson
34 GEAR
The latest equipment news
36 SPECIAL FOCUS
Pages 24-27
We take a look at some of our favourite places to stay and play
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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
CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS
Teenagers triumph in Champion of Champions events at George Washington Close House’s Maggie Whitehead and Kendal’s Joey Hornby crowned Northern Golfer Champions of Champions
M
aggie Whitehead and Joey Hornby joined the elite list of Champions of Champions with their respective victories in the ladies and junior events at George Washington. A member of Close House and Ramside, Maggie stormed to victory in the ladies’ event with a six under-par round of 68 for an 11-shot margin of victory. The England girls’ international set a new course record en-route to victory as Houghton-le-Spring’s Emily Baxter finished in second place and Gosforth Park Ladies’ Coralie Bretez (Watson) completed the top three. “It’s very special to be the Champion of Champions,” said 15-year-old Maggie. “I’ve always enjoyed playing at George Washington and knew the course set up well for me. To go out there and shoot my lowest ever round, finishing with four birdies in the final four holes, made it even more special. “I’m over the moon to have my name on the trophy. Things went well from the very start of the round – holing out from the greenside bunker on the first for an eagle. The par fives helped me build a score early on and from there I played steadily before making four good putts to finish off the round. “I’ve got GCSE exams coming up, so this
04 NORTHERN GOLFER
is a great way to go into those. Once they’re done, I’m hoping to play lots of tournaments this summer across the UK and overseas with England if I’m selected.” In the junior event, Kendal-based Joey made the trip from Cumbria to Durham worthwhile as he led the field with a one under-par round of 72 at George Washington. Joey, who is part of the England regional squad, said: “It’s an amazing feeling to be the Champion of Champions. “I played my practice round at the last minute, but I had a good feeling about the venue and knew it was in great condition for the tournament. I made a shaky bogey at the second but then found a rhythm, took advantage of a couple of the par fives and built a consistent round from there. I holed out well all day, which was important all the way through and kept things going. “Winning this event is a great way to start the year. I’ve been working hard and practising smarter, and it’s great to see that’s paying off.” Meanwhile, South Moor’s Cameron Gilray finished second in the junior event as Ripon City’s William Hixon finished third. George Washington’s Bill Michie said: “Congratulations to Maggie and Joey on becoming the Champions of Champions.
We were very proud to host the events and hear such positive feedback from some of the most talented players in our region. Hopefully we’ll see them and more of the players back here at George Washington and going on to win more tournaments in the future.” Northern Golfer editor Dean Bailey added: “Having delayed our 2021 events, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to open the 2022 season. Our thanks go to everyone who helped make the return of the three Champion of Champions event such a success – the teams at Longhirst Hall and George Washington, our partners Brewin Dolphin, Dan Hase from Northern Ball Markers for supplying this year’s prizes, and all the players who took part – we look forward to working with you all in the future and seeing lots of the players at the next Champions of Champions events.” Maggie and Joey join Alnmouth’s Joseph Henderson, who was victorious in the men’s event at Longhirst Hall, as our new Champions of Champions following a delay to the 2021 events due to Covid. The 2022 Champions of Champions events will take place in October and more details will be published this summer and distributed to clubs across the region.
CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS
“Winning this event is a great way to start the year“
“It’s very special to be the Champion of Champions“
Joey Hornby
Maggie Whitehead
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Faye Wheatley makes Ladies European Tour debut
W
hickham’s Faye Wheatley had a week to remember as she made her Ladies European Tour debut at The Mithra Belgian Ladies Open. Faye, who gained an invite to the event from Sir Nick Faldo following her victory in last season’s Faldo Series Grand Final, shot rounds of 76 and 78, having travelled to Belgium with her aunt Julie and coach Steven McDonnell. “I’m so excited to play in more events after the week in Belgium,” said Faye. “The whole event was another level to anything I’ve experienced in amateur golf and I learned so much about how professionals prepare and compete at the highest level.” Having posted a four overpar opening round, Faye was in
contention to make the cut before injuring her leg on the back nine of the second round and falling back through the field. “I’ve definitely got some things to work on, but the whole experience has inspired me to work hard to make it to the Ladies European Tour one day. “I’m gutted I got injured in the second round, but I managed to finish and I’m happy with how I played over the two days.” Faye competed alongside LET players Jane Turner and Ellen Smets at Naxhelet Golf Club and took away lots of lessons from the week. “Both my playing partners were fantastic and shared lots of advice and experiences with me. To spend two days with two very experienced tour players showed me a lot. I’ve also taken away lots of tips on how
Faye Wheatley the players prepare, particularly preparing their bodies with the physios and loads of stretching which will hopefully keep injuries to a minimum going forward.”
Sweden’s Linn Grant won the event and her second LET title with a nine under-par total of 201 as Englishwoman Cara Gainer finished in second place.
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TEEINGOFF
Ella crowned Durham county champion
E
lla Crang was crowned Durham County Ladies champion with an extra time win over Stacie Morton at Seaton Carew. On a challenging and blustery day on the Teesside links, Wynyardbased Ella, 23, beat South Moor’s Morgan Bailey 5&4 in the morning semi-finals as Stacie (Hobson) overcame leading qualifier Amy Sutheran (Wynyard) 2&1. The final was a close affair and although Ella was never down in the match, she never had more than a 2up lead. Having reached the 17th tee 2down, Stacie clawed back Ella’s advantage to force the final into extra holes. In the playoff, Ella holed her putt as Stacie narrowly missed to become Durham’s county champion for the first time.
Back in the winners’ circle
Ella Crang “It’s a little surreal to be county champion given how little golf I get to play now compared to when I was a bit younger,” said teacher Ella. “The final was very close and it’s always hard playing against a good
friend like Stacie, especially when you know each other’s games so well. We both played some great, gritty golf in the final and I’m so happy to have added my name to the county championship trophy.”
Bishop Auckland’s James Glenn returned to winning ways with victory in the Keith Shivers Bowl at Heworth Golf Club. James (pictured above) posted a 36-hole total of three under-par to make it into a three-way playoff with Heworth’s Aaron Scott and Wynyard-based Jack Ainscough, before posting the best three-hole aggregate score to take home the trophy.
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To book telephone 01665 576562 or email bookings@dunstanburgh.com www.dunstanburgh.com Dunstaburgh Golf Club, Embleton, Northumberland, NE66 3XQ NORTHERN GOLFER 07
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Ellie joins Penrith Golf Hub Penrith Golf Hub has welcomed PGA professional Ellie Broome to its team. Ellie, 23, joins from Kirkby Lonsdale and will be focussing on taking the junior drive to the next level at Penrith. She will also be helping to develop Penrith’s 60-strong ladies’ section, offering oneto-one coaching sessions and a six-week beginners’ course. Ellie, who turned pro in 2018, launched EJB Golf in 2020, which has introduced more than 80 juniors and 50 ladies to the game.
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McCririck wins Durham matchplay title
M
artin McCririck clinched his second Durham County Matchplay Championship with a dramatic sudden death playoff win over Jack Richardson at Beamish Park. Both players shared a dozen birdies in the 18-hole final as Jack holed an excellent 5ft par putt on the last to force extra time. In the playoff, a par at the first extra hole was good enough for South Shields-based Martin to add a second matchplay title to his 2013 triumph. Winner of Durham’s 2021 order of merit, 33-year-old Martin has been capped more than 50 times for his county and overcame Heworth’s Aaron Scott 2&1 in the semi-finals as Jack beat Bishop Auckland’s James Glenn 1up.
Martin McCririck “It was a close run final,” said Martin. “We must have shared 12 birdies and Jack played very well. “It was a tough, really good game and very enjoyable, and I’m pleased to have won. “I’ve been playing okay - enjoying
my golf and I’m a little bit more relaxed and a little bit more mature than I’ve been in the past. “I hope to fit in a couple of big events this year depending on work and being able to fit something into my schedule.”
TEEINGOFF
Morgan Blythe wins Northumberland strokeplay
Emma Brown wins Yorks county double
organ Blythe outlasted the best amateurs in Northumberland to win the county’s 72-hole Strokeplay Championship at Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course. Hexham Golf Club-based Morgan posted rounds of 71, 68, 72 and 75 for a six over-par total to win by two shots as Slaley Hall’s Alex Buchanan and City of Newcastle’s Andrew Minnikin finished two shots back at eight over-par. Morgan, 17, also picked up the Henderson Salver for the best 36-hole qualifying score as well as the Northumberland Under-18 Strokeplay Championship title following his opening two rounds on Saturday. Next up in Northumberland is the County Championship at Bedlingtonshire Golf Club, which concludes on Saturday June 25.
Yorkshire’s Emma Brown picked up a pair of wins to open her 2022 season – winning her first Yorkshire Veterans’ Championship at Richmond (Yorks) Golf Club before lifting the county’s Ladies Championship for the fourth time at Alwoodley Golf Club. Malton & Norton-based Emma won the events within a 10-day period, and added her name to the county championship trophy for a fourth time following her victories in 2000, 2002 and 2013. This year’s event also marked the 29th consecutive year in which Emma has reached the matchplay stages of the county championship.
M
Morgan Blythe
Castle Eden Golf Club 18 Hole picturesque parkland course
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Castle Eden Golf Club, Castle Eden, TS27 4SS www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 09
TEEINGOFF
Clark secures top spot after Pro Series
M
orpeth’s David Clark cemented his place at the top of the North East & North West PGA’s Mizuno Order of Merit with victory in the sixth and final Pro Series event at Castle Eden. David - who increased his points total to 583, 87 points clear of James Wilson in second place - led the field at Castle Eden with a six under-par round of 64, finishing three shots clear of James and Vince Guest. The win added to David’s second place finishes at Bedlingtonshire, Alnmouth and Barnard Castle in this season’s six-event Pro Series. He will head into this year’s professional tournaments – four 36-hole strokeplay events and the Matchplay Championship – on top of the table with James close behind, followed by Ken Ferrie, Vince Guest and Mark Ridley. Meanwhile, Wynyard-based James Harper took top spot in the circuit’s Trump International Pro Am, which was shortened to one round
David Clark due to fog on the Aberdeenshire coast. James’ 39 points saw him finish two clear of David Clark and Nicky Tibbetts. In the opening local pro ams of the season, Close House’s Simon Robinson claimed the winner’s cheque with a round of 67 at
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)
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Morpeth Golf Club, The Clubhouse, Loansdean Road, Morpeth, NE61 2BT Email:admin@morpethgolf.co.uk www.morpethgolf.co.uk 10 NORTHERN GOLFER
James Harper Prudhoe Golf Club, then followed up with victory in the Darlington Golf Club pro am a few days later posting a round of 67 to win by two. The NE/NW PGA circuit has a busy month ahead with the first professional tournament – the Northumberland and Durham
Simon Robinson Open at Morpeth – followed by pro ams at Bishop Auckland, Maryport, Ramside Hall, Linden Hall, Whickham, Teesside, and Matfen Hall. To keep up to date with the latest results visit www.nenwpga.co.uk
TEEINGOFF
Opens 2022 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)
WESTERHOPE GOLF CLUB Whorlton Grange, Westerhope, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE5 1PP www.westerhopegolfclub.com
Golf in the Scottish Borders
Cameron Thorburn
Top of the class T
he best student golfers from across the region took part in the North of England Schools Championship at Longhirst Hall, each vying for a place in the 44th annual English Schools’ Golf Championships at Gog Magog Golf Club on June 27. Westerhope’s Cameron Thorburn led the boys’ field with rounds of 75 and 77 in tough conditions at Longhirst, where winds gusted up to 40mph - beating Hexham’s Morgan Blythe and Chester-le-Street’s James Lusk on countback as all three players finished with 152 totals over 36 holes. In the girls’ event, Charlotte E Colley (Phoenix) led the field with a total score of 162 as Zara Ali (Cookridge Hall) finished in second place. The event brought together 49 competitors from six northern counties Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire and Cumbria – with Northumberland winning the team prize as five players from the county qualified for the national finals. The boys who will represent the north region at the national championship are: Cameron Thorburn, Morgan Blythe, James Lusk, Jack Whaley (Rotherham), Jack Mckie (Eaton (Chester)), William McGhie (Lancaster), Josh Stephens (Moortown), Junior Dobson (Hexham), Nairn Barclay (Hexham) and Jake Sowden (The Oaks). Meanwhile, the girls heading to Gog Magog are Charlotte E Colley, Zara Ali, Faye Wheatley (Whickham), Sofia McGhie (Lancaster), and Charlotte Naughton (Ponteland).
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Northumberland and Durham lose openers Durham and Northumberland suffered defeat in their opening Northern Counties League matches as Yorkshire made a good start to their title defence with a 10-8 win at Cheshire. Durham were beaten 11.56.5 by Cumbria at Hartlepool after trailing 4-2 in the
morning foursomes. Meanwhile, Northumberland went down 10.5-7.5 to Lancashire at Whitley Bay. Next up, Northumberland host Yorkshire at City of Newcastle while Durham face Cheshire at Wynyard, and Cumbria host Lancashire at Carlisle.
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Martin Scarborough
Carnoustie win for Seaton’s Scarborough
M
artin Scarborough followed in the footsteps of some of golf ’s greatest champions by lifting a trophy at Carnoustie. The Seaton Carew member edged a dramatic final in the Maulesbank Trophy, part of the Craw’s Nest Tassie event which takes place annually at the Open Championship venue. Martin, whose handicap index is 7.9, was part of a 348-strong field for the week-long Tassie event, which was first held in 1927. After two strokeplay rounds on the Championship and Burnside courses, the top 64 scratch players head into the knockout stages to compete for the Tassie while the top 64 handicap scores battle it out for the Maulesbank Trophy. Martin, a senior partner at Smith & Graham Solicitors, said: “My aim at the start of the week was to qualify for the Maulesbank. I never expected to get as far as I did, let alone to win. I was absolutely thrilled to do so, on such an iconic course.” Martin shot rounds of 81 and 80 on the Championship and Burnside courses respectively to qualify in 17th place for the knockout. He reached the
final with wins on both courses, before facing Robert Vaisey from Marple for the trophy and £500 prize. Two down after seven, he managed to get back to all-square at the 10th. He then won the 11th, 13th and 14th holes to go 3up with four to play, going on to close out the match with a five on the 18th.
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Eaglescliffe’s Guy Henderson won the Seaton Carew Senior Salver with a round of 74 in testing conditions on the Teesside coast. Guy led the field as Boldon’s David Conway won the division one nett title and clubmate Robert Macallister won the division two nett trophy.
TEEINGOFF
Jamie earns his Hero’s Handshake
D
urham teenager Jamie Jopling has received the first Hero’s Handshake award of 2022. The award is presented by England Golf and the Golf Foundation’s Young Ambassadors in recognition of behind-thescenes work carried out by young volunteers or those who champion juniors in the game. Jamie, a member of Ramside Hall, impressed the judges with his dedication to encouraging others at his club and in speaking openly and positively about living with autism since his diagnosis at the age of four. Through his social media accounts, 14-year-old Jamie talks about his journey in golf and highlights the challenges he faces and overcomes in a bid to encourage others to follow suit. After being presented with a trophy and certificate to mark his contribution to the game by the Golf Foundation’s Ian Harvey,
Jamie Jopling and Ian Harvey
Jamie said: “I am happy and a little bit overwhelmed to have won this award. It was the best surprise… it really does make everything worthwhile. “My aim now is to kick on and hopefully become a scratch golfer by the age of 16.” Jamie’s coach, Ramside-based Robert Lister, said it was a pleasure to watch the youngster develop on and off the course in recent years. Although always keen to help others, Jamie has not neglected his own practice sessions. In 2021 he was part of the Ramside team which was crowned England Golf ’s Junior Champion Club after winning the national finals at Woodhall Spa. For more details on the Hero’s Handshake award, including how to nominate an individual for recognition, visit www.englandgolf.org/ volunteering/youngambassadors-2022/
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Cox wins series opener
B Aisbitt wins York title Durham’s Richard Aisbitt headed south and picked up a win in the York Rose Bowl at York Golf Club. Brancepeth-based Richard (pictured above, right) posted an eight under-par total of 132 to earn his place in a playoff against Adam Walker, who was one of two players to set a new course record of 63 (seven under-par) during the event.
lackwell Grange-based PGA professional Aaron Cox continued his winning start to the year with victory in the first of the PGA’s new 36-hole Open Series events at Marriott Worsley Park. Aussie Aaron posted a seven under-par second round of 64 to win the Manchester Open after being named Participation and Development Coach of the Year at the England Golf Awards. Following an opening round of even par, Aaron enjoyed a day like no other in round two. Having picked up three birdies, he arrived at the 15th with the lead standing at six under-par. A fourth birdie followed before a par at 16 and another birdie at the 17th. At the last, Aaron made the green and had 35ft for a closing birdie. “My putt started two cups outside left and it’s gone up the hill, made one revolution to the left, done a Tiger Woods at Augusta at 16 and gone in without touching the flag!”
Aaron Cox said Aaron. “I went berserk and ran around the 18th green in hysterics… I almost did two laps of the green. “The series is a great new initiative,” added Aaron. “Under the conditions, the length of the course
and being four shots behind, this was one of my best rounds as a professional and definitely the best round that I’ve had in England in the four and a half years that I’ve been here.”
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14 NORTHERN GOLFER
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Gascoigne completes hickory hat-trick
N
eil Gascoigne’s winning record in the Scottish Hickory Championship continued at Dunbar Golf Club, where he picked up his third title in a row. Newcastle United member Neil, who won the Welsh Hickory Championship at Aberdovey Golf Club for the first time earlier this season, posted a six over-par round of 77 to lead the international field. The win followed his victories at Kilspindie in 2020 and Fortrose & Rosemarkie in 2021. “I’m over the moon to be a three-time Scottish champion,” said Neil, who has a scratch handicap. “Dunbar was a tough test, particularly in 15mph wind - but I kept things going, didn’t make any big mistakes and ground out a score.
Neil Gascoigne “After winning the Welsh title, I went up to Scotland with a lot of confidence and got the result I wanted. I’ve got a few months
to wait until the English Hickory Championship at Rye on the south coast, where I’ll be going for a clean sweep of the national opens.”
Northumbria preparing for new season Northumbria University’s golf team is looking to add to its success later this year. Coached by former team member and PGA professional Tim Cockill, the Northumbria programme has produced players including DP World Tour member Andrew Wilson, Walker Cup player Matty Lamb, and EuroPro Tour member James Wilson. Tim said: “Each new season brings with it a lot of excitement. The Northumbria programme has a track record of producing successful golfers, while allowing students to gain their degree at the same time. Anyone interested in the programme should contact the uni as soon as possible for more information ahead of clearing this summer.”
NORTHERN GOLFER 15
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TOURLIFE
Chris Paisley
Big picture thinking Chris Paisley on his process of journaling and how he takes a step back from the day-to-day grind of tour golf to look at the big picture
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here hasn’t been much of a change in my form since my last column. My practise has been encouraging for a while though, which is the most frustrating part. I feel like I have done so much good work, and I’m just not seeing the results. It has been demoralising at times, feeling like I am banging my head against a wall. One of the things that is getting me through it is journaling and reflection. When things aren’t going well, it is easy to become blinded. You lose sight of the bigger picture, and become irrational and emotional. My brother, Andy, has always encouraged me to journal. Whether it be planning practice sessions or reflecting on tournaments, I have tried to make it a habit to get my thoughts down onto paper. It has really helped me regain perspective in some difficult moments. I made a decision a few months ago to get my swing into some better positions as I had let old habits get a little bit out of control. I am now at a point where my swing is technically the best it has been for a long time. The problem is, I am not taking it into tournament play. This has tested my patience to the absolute limit at times. There have been times when I have wondered if it is worth the effort. Constantly feeling like I am doing the rights things, working as hard as I can, and then missing another cut. Doubts have crept in about my ability, and the merits of working hard when it doesn’t seem to pay off. Through journaling I have
managed to maintain perspective and realise why I am where I am. Despite my swing looking great, I currently don’t have enough feel, awareness and trust to play great golf. This is an inevitable part of making a change. At first it is a conscious movement. A lot of my mental capacity is used up trying to make the new move, which leaves little room to think about the more important aspects of shooting good scores. We make so many tiny decisions and adjustments on each shot that if your focus is on a position in the swing, you miss all those little details needed to hit the ball close. Journaling has helped me maintain perspective on all this. It makes me realise that I do still have the skill and ability, I just need the swing to become unconscious, which will allow my brain to focus on the more refined aspects of playing golf. What we call feel, I suppose. Left to my own devices I would become irrational and demoralised. Perspective is so important, and I encourage everyone to journal. It has helped me maintain clarity through a really difficult period. I also had a chat with Chris Wood at a Callaway event recently. We got to talking about our games and found that we are both in the same position. Everything we said resonated with the other person and it was comforting to know someone else is going through the same thing. Talking to others and journaling has helped me with golf, but the principles apply to all aspects of life.
© Getty Images NORTHERN GOLFER 17
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TOURTIPS
Chris Simmons
Proper preparation DP World Tour caddy Chris Simmons on preparing for tournaments and making the most of practice rounds
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hen it comes to preparing for tournaments, each player and caddy are a little different. While some guys like to get two 18-hole rounds in, others will walk the course, split their days up with nine holes and plenty of practice… it comes down to the player. For Matt [Jordan] and I, our preparation is very consistent. Matt has a great work ethic on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, not wasting any time chatting on the range or filling the day up, he likes to get through his work efficiently. We tend to travel on Mondays and get started on Tuesday morning between 10-10.30am – which is great if you’ve had a long trip or you’re a bit jet-lagged. Matt will work on the range, short game area and putting green before lunch, take a short break to eat and then play nine holes in the afternoon. He’ll repeat that on Wednesday and then I’ll walk the course some more if there are any areas which need another look. When we’re on the golf course, we’re building up knowledge and adding details to the yardage books. While we receive detailed books, each player and
caddy customise these in their own way. I like to add a lot of carry and total distance information, while looking at the wind forecast for the week and ground conditions to ensure we have the numbers ready should it change between rounds. It’s also important to look at tee box options, as the tour can mix things up on the weekend. On the course, we’re always discussing options. Matt’s great with a two iron, so he likes to hit that when the options are fairly balanced. On the other hand, when I caddied for Julian Suri, he was super confident with driver. As a caddy, when your player makes a call you have to be confident in that call, even when hitting driver into a 15-yard-wide fairway is beyond your wildest dreams. In the past, practice rounds were very loose, social events. The players would just pencil in rounds here and there. Nowadays, everything is run through an online booking system, which makes it a lot more organised. Players tend to stick together, so the Aussie guys practise together and so do the Spanish players. For Matt, he tends to stick with the guys he came up with, such as Calum
Hill, Ewen Ferguson, Craig Howie, Dave Coupland and Jack Singh Brar. The one thing which can change our schedule a little is if we’re in the pro am. These can either be great fun or torture for a caddy, depending on your player and how much they want to make of the experience. Matt is great in pro ams, and gets along with his partners, which makes them fly over. In the past, on other bags, we’ve had some tough days – including two consecutive years at the Dunhill Links with an American businessman hitting various near-catastrophic shots towards marshals and spectators. While each player prepares differently, we’re all out there calibrating for the tournament and checking out the golf course. Details are very important for caddies, while players build up their feel for certain holes and shots while not applying any pressure to the outcome. In your own practice rounds, try some different tee shots and look closely at how each hole sets up for your shot shape and tendencies. Make notes on these and use them - it all adds to your database of information when you get out there in a tournament situation.
NORTHERN GOLFER 19
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ONCOURSE
Simon Olver
Team work Simon Olver, course manager at Ganton, on building connections, sharing knowledge and the power of bringing together the greenkeeping profession
O
ne of the many benefits of my career in greenkeeping has been the opportunity to build connections in the industry. Now we’re back to relative normality, it’s important to get back to maintaining our friendships and partnerships, and forging new ones. I’ve been fortunate to get to know a lot of great people in the industry in my career, many of them now friends as well as contemporaries. Social media has been a huge part of this and being able to make contacts and stay connected has been incredibly rewarding. In my experience, greenkeepers love to share what they’re doing and help each other. So first up, make some new online connections and check up on old ones - and be sure to like and comment on what’s going on as a little bit of support always goes a long way. I’ve also always been an active member of BIGGA [the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association] throughout my career. BIGGA’s events -
from the big national conference to local meetings and golf days - are fantastic for making contacts and friends in the industry. As well as offering the chance to meet greenkeepers from clubs in your area, these events are a chance to share experiences and knowledge, and open the door to forge personal friendships. The next important bit is to get out to some tournaments. I’ve been lucky enough to build friendships with greenkeepers at some incredible venues and being able to work with their home team at events like the British Masters and Open Championship was fantastic. The weeks are intense, but the chance to spend time with people at the very top of their game is well worth the effort. I’ve learned a great deal about the best of the best in our industry at tournaments. The calmness shown by course managers in incredibly stressful moments was an important lesson for me, as was the ability to lift large and diverse teams to deliver in tough conditions. Whether you go home
and host a tour event is irrelevant, you can always apply what the very best are doing to your own situation. It’s equally important to visit smaller clubs than your own, talk to the greenkeepers and see how they do things differently. It can be a great learning experience for those who are accustomed to large teams and bigger budgets to see what can be achieved at these clubs. Having put travelling and connecting face-to-face largely on hold for two years, it’s important we get out and about again. Whether you’re visiting clubs in your area to have coffee or a beer and talk about a project or lending a hand at a tournament, get out there and build those relationships again. Greenkeepers are a close-knit group - we share a passion for golf and tackle the same challenges whether we’re in a team of two or 20. Pick up the phone, drop a fellow greenkeeper a message, or head along to your next local get-together and be an active member of our diverse and supportive network.
NORTHERN GOLFER 21
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?
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19THHOLE
Dean Bailey
The great divide One of golf ’s many unanswerable questions - Should we play more strokeplay or more stableford competitions?
G
olfers, at least the ones I spend most time with, revel in black and white arguments. It seems we have to have a definitive conclusion - it was either a birdie or a par, you don’t get a 3.5 for hitting a good putt. Golfers like the same definitive outcome in their debates. Is Tiger better than Jack? Do you need a major to be a great player? The list goes on. For so many it seems there cannot be a grey area – you have to make your decision and you will be held to it. Ultimately, the fruitless hour of passionate assertions and cross-examination will end no further forward than when it began. One such debate, played out every fortnight or so depending on the distribution of fixtures, is whether strokeplay or stableford is the best way to differentiate between 100-150 club golfers on a given day. The camps, both as passionate as one another, tend to be divided based
on handicaps. The low handicapper will assert their need to be measured over the full 18 holes in the same way as the professionals/players in the past, while the high handicapper argues to not be bogged down by individual moments of bad luck. There are many more points I’ve heard on this, but those two sum them up best. Based on the early competitions at my home club, while the winning score relative to par fluctuates between strokeplay and stableford, the average handicap of the winning player doesn’t. Perhaps this is driven by the higher proportion of players with double-digit handicaps or the average-based handicap system being unable to guess when a player will play beyond their recognised and measured ability? Or, are the formats both able to assess ability on a given day while offering enough variety to keep both sides content throughout a full season? There is a reason why professionals and elite amateurs don’t use stableford
scoring, as it removes the measure of consistency which is required to differentiate between players at an elite level. That measure is often held onto by those who detest stableford – to hell with the high price of individual mistakes, pace of play, and any need for variety. The need for variety is why I’m happy in the grey area here - able to see the merits of both formats. Sure, as a six-handicapper I know stableford doesn’t give me the greatest chance of winning against a large field with lots of players receiving more shots. But, if you’re only turning up to win, you’re really playing the wrong sport here. Variety is all I would ask for in club golf. A mixture of formats ensures no one group is favoured over the other. No matter how loudly one side complains, be safe in the knowledge that the other side will complain just as loudly next week. I’m sure many of you will continue to seek out an answer in the coming weekends - best of luck to you.
NORTHERN GOLFER 23
24 NORTHERN GOLFER
KINGOFTHECASTLE
King of the castle Stuart Imeson shares his 15-year journey from apprentice greenkeeper to co-owner of Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course
M
any golfers dream of having their own little piece of golf course. From a putting mat in the spare bedroom to a simulator in the garage, they desire their own space for golf. For Stuart Imeson - who grew up in the village of Embleton, less than a mile from Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course - that dream has evolved into something much larger. Having started out as a golfer at the age of 10, riding his bike over the hill from the village down to the golf course, Stuart became the co-owner of his home club in May 2022. Stuart, 30, has completed a fast-track rise from a work experience placement while he was in high school to co-owning one of Northumberland’s finest courses. “It’s strange to sit back and think about how far I’ve come in such a short period of time,” says Stuart. “It’s a difficult thing to take in, to know I own part of this place which is so special to me. “Every step in my career has been like this, so I know it will become normal eventually. Walking through the door after the directorship was made official didn’t feel different. I still get out on the golf course with the lads, driving mowers
and getting involved. My enthusiasm hasn’t wavered in 15 years, whatever position I’ve been in, and it’s only going to increase now.” Stuart’s rise to co-owner has been incredibly fast. Having completed a two-week work experience placement while at school, he impressed head greenkeeper Simon Olver enough to be offered an apprenticeship that summer. “I’ve been very fortunate to work in an environment where I could progress,” adds Stuart. “I’ve always wanted to get on with things. It all started on the first morning here, when I got in a bit too early and Simon found me picking up litter in the car park rather than just standing about. That willingness to work and learn, and it being recognised by the good people I’ve worked for, has been really important throughout my career.” After completing his apprenticeship, Stuart went on to replace Simon as head greenkeeper when he was just 18. A further promotion to course manager followed, before he took on the role of general manager in 2017. “There have been times when I’ve got comfortable, but those periods haven’t been too long,” he says. “Even in those periods, I’ve adapted and pushed on –
NORTHERN GOLFER 25
KINGOFTHECASTLE whether it’s the bunker renovation camps with greenkeepers from across the country visiting us or implementing the BRS booking system and bringing in a team to handle bookings when I moved into the general manager role – a big expenditure at the time, but a step forward for the business which I’m really proud of. “I’m still very keen to keep moving, keep improving, and build our reputation every day.” Stuart never dreamed of coowning Dunstanburgh, even as general manager – his dreams lay in presenting the golf course at its very best and hosting tournaments. “I wasn’t an academic kid at school, I wasn’t comfortable in that environment, so being involved in running a business was never my plan. “I became head greenkeeper four days after my 18th birthday and we’ve had so many highs since then. “But it’s not all been easy going. We’ve had huge setbacks too – from the fire which destroyed the greenkeeping shed and our equipment in 2018 to the death of our colleague Susan Temple in 2019. Then we had Covid and everything we all suffered through in those two years. Those things have a big impact in any business, but in our small team they were huge events which could have set us back decades. “All of those highs and lows have shaped me as a person and given me the confidence to know I can handle whatever this place throws at me.” A constant throughout Stuart’s career has been the support and guidance of Peter Gilbert. Peter purchased Dunstanburgh in 1987 and, as Stuart explains, has shaped it into the business it is today while allowing him to grow into becoming a co-owner over the last 15 years. “My progress may seem fast and haphazard from the outside, but it’s had a lot of structure to it,” says Stuart. “I’ve felt like I was in the deep end at times - like becoming head greenkeeper at 18 - but I now understand that Peter had calculated what was going on, and that he had faith in me. “Peter has never held me back unnecessarily throughout the last 15 years. He’s encouraged me to do things my own way, to make my own mistakes – I’ve made lots of them and still make lots of them. 26 NORTHERN GOLFER
Stuart Imeson on the course and in the clubhouse at Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course © Kevin Gibson, KG Photography
“Having that belief and trust from someone is incredible and I’ll never be able to thank Peter fully for what he’s done for me. “Co-owning the golf course, the place I grew up and where I’ve worked for most of my life, was never a dream of mine. When I look back at what’s gone on through the years and how Peter has supported me from a very early stage, it’s far less surprising than it first seemed. “I hope I’ll be able to tell this story to a 16-year-old starting out on a greenkeeping apprenticeship one day, maybe someone who didn’t think they were good enough in school. I’ve been very lucky to have someone like Peter to guide me, to trust me, and now to take on part of the business alongside him.” While he will now work across all the various parts of the business, Stuart has no plans to slow down the development of Dunstanburgh as a powerhouse of Northumberland’s golfing landscape. His passion for the golf course has seen it improve a great deal in the last decade, with bunker renovations and minor remodelling allowing the course to host events from county championships and the North East & North West PGA to the Faldo Series. On the golf course, Stuart’s ambition remains to host top-level tournaments,
while continuing to improve the course’s conditioning and challenge. Off the course, improvements to the clubhouse have already been made, with further work progressing this summer. “I’m certainly not going to be sitting in the office too long,” adds Stuart. “I thrive on being here every day, working with the team and getting my hands dirty out on the course. I’ll still be out cutting greens before heading into the office because it’s important to have a feel for your product. That’s all part of running Dunstanburgh for me. “The chapter of being an employee is behind me and now I need to take some time to think about how I can shape Dunstanburgh as a co-owner. Two years ago, my biggest dream was to host Open Qualifying. Now, my outlook has changed completely. I need to look at the business as a whole – the course, the clubhouse and everything that goes into those. I want to take some time to reset and look at where we can take things. “The golf course is in great shape, but we know we can’t stand still. We want to raise our profile further, and there will be some defining moments for the golf course in the next few years. We have a popular clubhouse, but that can also be improved too. We’re 125 years old in 2025, so we also
KINGOFTHECASTLE
have plans for that to develop. “There are lots of questions to answer and I’m keen to take a little bit of time to work out the best way forward, talk to the right people, and get a plan in place.” The team at Dunstanburgh will be an important part of shaping the business in the coming years, as will Stuart’s family. “We have a talented and dedicated team and I know they’ll be a huge part of our journey,” he adds. “I’m one of the few members of staff over the age of 30 and that’s a fantastic position to be in. I hope I’ll be able to shape and support the
careers of as many members of the team as possible. They’re all local people, which is really important to me as I grew up in the village and know how important the golf course is as an employer here. “My family are also involved in the business, which is equally important as they’re always very honest with me - sometimes too honest. Lots of them have played a part, but without my partner Mel this journey would have been a non-starter. Having her around certainly keeps me on my toes too! “It’s funny when you look back to being a kid, looking for golf balls in
the rough with my dad or playing golf for a full day in the summer holidays. There’s a lot of luck and hard work involved, but there’s also been a lot of important people involved as well.” It’s easy to see the joy flooding out of Stuart as he discusses what’s to come at Dunstanburgh. You can see the excited young lad who rode his bike over the hill from the village to the course every day, clubs rattling around in the bag on his back and golf balls bouncing down the road alongside him as he rushed to make it out for a few holes in the evening. “Being general manager and going
through the process of becoming a director alongside Peter while Covid was going on was stressful and difficult,” he says. “Having come through that and reached the point we’re at today, I’m so excited to come up with a new set of dreams. I never thought I’d be in this position and I’m incredibly happy to be here.” It’s that love, the unyielding passion to see Dunstanburgh grow and thrive, which Stuart will bring to his co-ownership of the course. If the smile on his face throughout today is anything to go by, he’s going to enjoy every minute of being a king of this castle. NORTHERN GOLFER 27
ROUNDWITH A ROUND WITH...
Robin Down The Golf in the Wild author and Allendale Golf Club treasurer shares stories from his travels, his dream fourball picks, and more
W
ith two golf travelogues under his belt, Robin Down has lots of stories to share from his travels and golfing career. Following the publication of his second book, Golf in the Wild – Going Home which sees Robin return to Allendale on a different route through Scotland than that covered on the journey north in his first book, we enjoyed a Round With him in the Northumberland hills and got the chance to hear some of the stories from his travels and his 20 years as treasurer of his beloved home club, Allendale… 1 How much golf do you get to play? There’s a lot to do as part of the very small team which runs Allendale Golf Club, but I do get the opportunity to play at least twice a week in the summer. I’m a keen photographer and love to ride motorbikes, so between volunteering at the club, playing golf and spending time on or maintaining bikes, I’m still pretty active at 70. 2 How did you get into golf? I came to it very late and didn’t hit a golf ball until I was in my late 40s. I started at Tynedale Golf Club and had a few lessons with my wife before taking a break due to injury. When I came back, I joined Allendale, became treasurer within a year, and have been here ever since. 3 Which is your favourite course in the North East? It has to be Allendale for me. I play most of my golf here and never get tired of it. It’s always a challenge and in my opinion there isn’t a better inland landscape for golf. 4 And further afield? I’ve been to some spectacular courses in Scotland while writing the books and Traigh in the West Highlands is the most special. The course is lovely, but the views out to the islands are simply incredible. 28 NORTHERN GOLFER
5 What’s your best score? A round of 75 at Allendale, which came at the very peak of my game – a short-lived experience. 6 Which is your favourite golfing memory? I’m fortunate to have built a friendship with the owner of Traigh and had the opportunity to join him for a day at Muirfield, where he is a member. Playing foursomes, we had the course to ourselves and my game, for once, rose to the occasion. Playing a course with that golfing history in such a magnificent setting was a definite highlight. 7 What about embarrassing moments on the course? I’ve been embarrassed by my weakness over short putts throughout the last 20 years, if that counts? 8 Do you have any golfing superstitions? I’m not a superstitious person, but I don’t like to use a brand new ball on the first hole as it tends to disappear. 9 What are your strengths on the course? I keep the ball in play most of the time and I’m mentally tough out there, so tend to keep going regardless of the conditions or the score on the day. 10 And your weaknesses? I’ve mentioned it already - I have an embarrassing tendency to miss very short putts. 11 Which is your favourite club in the bag? I have a real fondness for my Cobra Baffler hybrid as it stays straight and I can hit it out of any lie. 12 Who is your best golfing friend? I’m very fortunate to have many golfing
friends at Allendale, in the three societies I belong to, and among the many likeminded golfers who have contacted me after reading the books. Those groups ensure I’m never lacking for a playing partner wherever I am in the country. . 13 What would you be doing if you weren’t part of the golf industry? Following my career in IT, I’ve been very fortunate to have made many friends through golf and being part of Allendale Golf Club. If it wasn’t for golf, I imagine I’d still be travelling and spending even more money on motorbikes. 14 Who is your favourite golfer? I remember being inspired to play golf by watching Justin Rose do so well as an amateur in the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. I’ve followed him ever since, and have always enjoyed Ernie Els’ approach to the game too. 15 Which golf events do you enjoy most? I love attending opens at the clubs up in Scotland, and have to mention the ones at Traigh once again. Exploring different courses, especially ones off the beaten track, is a real passion of mine. 16 Who do you admire? My dad, Ken. He was a very intelligent, calm character with a great passion and ability for sport. A stoic man, he influenced me throughout my life. 17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball? Barack Obama, Alice Cooper and Bob Dylan - who’s rumoured to play a bit but doesn’t say very much about it, so I’d like to see what his game is like. 18 If you could have one mulligan, when would you have used it? Can I have one every time I play over the ravine on the 17th at Allendale, please?
ROUNDWITH
NORTHERN GOLFER 29
COURSEPROFILE
Bell of the ball Dean Bailey heads into the Northumberland hills and pays a visit to Bellingham Golf Club
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orthumberland’s golfers are blessed with variety. From rugged coastal links to the manicured parkland courses close to the River Tyne, the county is home to something to suit every golfing need. For those in search of stunning scenery high in the hills, there are few better options than Bellingham Golf Club. Founded in 1893, today the 18-hole, par 70 course occupies an enviable position with spectacular views and beautiful valley holes close to the Hareshaw Burn. Though relatively short, the opening pair of par fours can catch you out early. At the 367-yard opening hole, an accurate tee shot is required to reach the fairway plateau over the road, with shots to the left risking a trip down the slope while those to the right can find a ditch. From the plateau, a short approach is played to a small green guarded by two front bunkers. The downhill second measures just 270 yards from the white tee and can be reached, though disaster awaits those who are off line with water to the left of the green and a steep bank to the right. Players who steer away from the water must play blind over the slope to the green while avoiding the slope and bouncing into the water. The par four third can yield birdies for those able to drive over the fairway bunkers on the right side to leave a short pitch to a pear-shaped green 30 NORTHERN GOLFER
featuring two front bunkers - one cut below the putting surface on the right side and one above it on the left. The first of the par threes follows. Just 120 yards, your tee shot must be judged correctly to make it over the large bunker and steep slope while staying short of the out of bounds fence. The dogleg-left fifth hole requires an accurate tee shot to find the right side of the flat portion of the fairway. From here, an uphill approach is played to a generous green featuring a single bunker on the front left corner. Drives at the 359-yard sixth hole must favour the left side to make use of the slope and bound forward into the flattest part of the fairway. A single bunker on the left side is cut well short of this undulating green. At just over 400 yards, a good drive - again favouring the left side - is needed at the seventh to leave a chance to attack the flag at the P-shaped green which wraps around the bunker on its left side. The mounding to the right of the green will help funnel the ball onto the putting surface for those hitting a longer approach. The first of the par fives, the 574-yard eighth is full of risk and reward. You get a great look at the fairway from the elevated tee and finding the generous landing area leaves you with a decision - lay up short of the bunker on the right and pond on the left to leave around 160 yards to
the elevated green, or play over these for a shorter approach to the peanut-shaped, well-bunkered putting surface. Set among the trees, the long par three ninth can be stretched to 185 yards. Be wary of the bunker well short of the green on the right side while a deep bunker waits on the left side of the narrow entrance to this long green. Getting the angle right with your tee shot at the dogleg-right par four 10th can be tricky, particularly in the wind. There is more room to the right than you think - though the approach is more difficult from this side as two large bunkers protect the route to the raised green, which slopes from back to front. The second of the par fives features a roller coaster of a fairway. The tee shot is played into the slope of a generous landing area with a single bunker on the right side, leaving a long second shot into the small valley short of the green. From here, a semi-blind pitch or wedge shot is tough to judge and must make it over the bunker which lies well below the putting surface. The slope at the back of the green will often catch the ball and send it back onto the green. The signature 12th follows (see fact file). Having played into the valley, climb up to the 13th tee to tackle a tricky tee shot which must hug the left side - while avoiding the trees - to use the slope and avoid the bunker on the right. A short
COURSEPROFILE
FACT FILE CONTACT Bellignham Golf Club, Boggle Hole Bellingham, NE48 2DT tel 01434 220 530 www.bellinghamgolfclub.com
approach to a long green, pinched in the front by a pair of bunkers, can yield birdie chances. Another stunning downhill hole, the 151yard 14th plays much shorter than its yardage to a green at the bottom of the valley. Beware the out of bounds fence and bunker at the back of the green, and the steep undulations which make pitching very tough. The toughest hole on the course, the tee shot at the 406-yard 15th is played uphill from the valley floor and must get close to the trees on the left side to leave an unobstructed approach back down the hill to the green. From the right side, a tree blocks the route to the green, which is very generous and features one long, deep bunker on its left side. Having climbed out of the valley, the sweeping dogleg-left 16th invites a long drive through a corridor of trees. The bank on the left side can block the view to the green, so play a little right to leave a straight approach to a green guarded by two front bunkers and a steep bank on its left side. The green at the 160-yard 17th is set among trees and can be tricky to find in the wind. A single bunker guards the front right corner. The 374-yard 18th can yield a birdie chance when played well, though it can trip up any player with a good score. While you can play long and left of the first ravine into the widest part of the fairway to leave an uphill approach to the green, many play shorter from the tee onto the plateau beside the clubhouse to have an unobstructed view of the green, which lies beyond a second ravine. Playing into a generous green, club choice is key here as the front edge slopes back towards the ravine.
GREEN FEES Full range of options available including group bookings - contact the club by phone or visit the website for further information TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,093 yards Yellow tees 5,902 yards Red tees 5,190 yards
As well as the beautiful golf course with its spectacular views, Bellingham Golf Club is home to a six-bay driving range. Catering in the clubhouse is provided by Carriages Tea Room, while a full schedule of open competitions ensures there are plenty of reasons to make the trip up to Bellingham each summer
FEATURES Clubhouse with catering by Carriages Tea Room Six-bay driving range Buggy hire Trolley hire CADDY’S TIP A good eye for elevation change and skilled ball striking are keys to scoring well at Bellingham with many slopes to conquer throughout the round SIGNATURE HOLE The spectacular downhill par four 12th is named Dormouse. This 347-yard hole heads down into the valley from an elevated tee and a long iron is all that’s required to find a generous landing area bordered by trees, rough and a penalty area to the left. From the fairway, the downhill approach must be well struck to carry the burn at the front of a small putting surface, while not carrying too far into the trees at the back of the green. A stunning piece of ground for a golf hole and a real treat to play
OUR VERDICT
One of the most fascinating pieces of ground for golf, you’ll always finish a round at Bellingham with a smile on your face NORTHERN GOLFER 31
MATCHPLAYPAIRS2022
George Washington - 2022 Match Play Pairs finals venue
Seconds out, round two
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orthern Golfer’s 2022 Match Play Pairs tournament has reached the second round stage. The event, now in its 21st year, sees 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 - 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. For more information, including the rules and the latest results from each round, go to www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ match-play-pairs-2022
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Round one results Match 1 Paul Davison & Ryan Wootton (South Moor) BEAT Michael Varey & Ciaran Kelly (Newcastle United) SCORE: 4&3 Match 2 Mel Surtees & Doug Cairns (Woodham) BEAT Kevin Broadfoot & Paul Stocks (Close House/Ramside) SCORE: 5&4 Match 3 Ray Armstrong & Stu Flatt (South Moor/Chester-le-Street) BEAT Vaughan Raine & Shaun Elliott (Brancepeth) SCORE: 4&2 Match 4 Luke Allen & David Whalen (Beamish Park) BEAT Paul Gray & Phil O’Ware (Sharpley) SCORE: 5&4
Match 5 Glenn Blaney & Peter Thompson (Linden Hall) BEAT John Buxton & Gareth Hold (Wilton) SCORE: conceded Match 6 Rory McNally & Lee Small (Morpeth) LOST TO Doug Ellison & Richard Mellor (Slaley Hall/Hexham) SCORE: 5&3 Match 7 Robert Ellison & John Jamfrey (Roseberry Grange) LOST TO Alan Clark & Bob Richardson (Beamish Park) SCORE: 5&4 Match 8 Colin Arthur & Ralph Brown (Oakleaf) BEAT Steven Akers & Anthony Coates (Durham City) SCORE: 1up
MATCHPLAYPAIRS2022 Match 9 Alastair Raine & Chris Woodhams (Cleveland) LOST TO Karl Dullaghan & Micheal Beverley (Warkworth) SCORE: 3&2 Match 10 Steve Weldon & David Billham (Whitley Bay) BEAT Brian Robinson & Tim Carney (Woodham) SCORE: 1up Match 11 Stuart Cant & Shaun Devereux (Durham City) BYE Match 12 James Ogden & Kev Nixon (Tynemouth) BEAT Dave Chadwick & Steve Rainer (Catterick/Richmond) SCORE: conceded Match 13 Glen Henderson & Colin Mackay (Newbiggin/City of Newcastle) BYE Match 14 Stephen Hetherington & David Turner (Hobson) LOST TO Stephen Vickers & Steve Park (Durham City) SCORE: 3&2 Match 15 Andrew Dixon & Kevin Hodgson (Durham City) LOST TO Robert Davison & Francis Carrigan (Longhirst) SCORE: 19th hole Match 16 Steve Slater & Jim Trigg (City of Newcastle) LOST TO George Longthorn & James Ivil (Crook) SCORE: 2&1
Match 20 Michael Hughes & Stephen Turnbull (Crook) BYE Match 21 John Paul Mayne & Gerald Kingsland (Linden) LOST TO Stewart Jones & Michael Davison (Bellingham) SCORE: 5&4 Match 22 Paul Whittaker & Murray Newell (Tynemouth) BEAT Stewart Breckon & Mark Robinson (Bishop Auckland) SCORE: 1up Match 23 Stephen Devon & Jeff Shield (George Washington) BYE Match 24 Ryan Farley & Gary Farley (Woodham) BEAT Dave Thompson & Ken Charlton (South Shields) SCORE: 6&5 Match 25 Simon Watson & Russell Taylor (Burgham) BEAT Peter Gallagher & Neil Walmsley (Durham City) SCORE: 4&3 Match 26 David Gray & David Clark (Saltburn) BEAT David Wailes & John Barnes (Bedlingtonshire/ Arcot Hall) SCORE: 4&3 Match 27 Alan Slater & Dan Younger (Ramside/Hexham) LOST TO Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby) SCORE: 2up Match 28 Paul Scott & Jai Scott (Newbiggin) BYE
Match 17 Adam Murphy & Brendan Murphy (Tynedale) LOST TO Peter Newman & Michael Robins (Durham City/ Hartlepool) SCORE: 1up
Match 29 Steven Dodds & Neville Wanless (Durham City/South Moor) BEAT Kevin Hill & Michael Rowell (Arcot Hall) SCORE: 4&3
Match 18 Neil Mole & Ian Curry (Longhirst) LOST TO Kevin Stubbings & Darren Curtis (Durham City) SCORE: 3&2
Match 30 Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City) BEAT Colin Marshall & Paul Tindale (Durham City) SCORE: 8&7
Match 19 Barry Walker & Peter Simpson (Alnmouth/Tynemouth) BEAT Mark Nicholson & Ian Coxon (Seaham) SCORE: 2&1
Match 31 George Armitage & Colin Sampson (Bedlington) BEAT Nick Sibley & Geoff Cruickshank (Eaglescliffe) SCORE: 2&1
Match 32 Steve Garbutt & Mick Purcifer (Billingham) BEAT Brian Crampton & Andrew Williams (Durham City) SCORE: 4&3
Round two draw Matches to be played by Sunday June 26 Match 33 Glen Henderson & Colin Mackay (Newbiggin/City of Newcastle) VS George Longthorn & James Ivil (Crook) Match 34 Ryan Farley & Gary Farley (Woodham) VS Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City) Match 35 Doug Ellison & Richard Mellor (Slaley Hall/Hexham) VS Simon Watson & Russell Taylor (Burgham) Match 36 Mel Surtees & Doug Cairns (Woodham) VS Paul Whittaker & Murray Newell (Tynemouth) Match 37 Colin Arthur & Ralph Brown (Oakleaf) VS Karl Dullaghan & Micheal Beverley (Warkworth) Match 38 Luke Allen & David Whalen (Beamish Park) VS David Gray & David Clark (Saltburn) Match 39 Paul Davison & Ryan Woottton (South Moor) VS Stephen Devon & Jeff Shield (George Washington) Match 40 Ray Armstrong & Stu Flatt (South Moor/Chester-le-Street) VS Peter Newman & Michael Robins (Durham City/Hartlepool) Match 41 Steve Garbutt & Mick Purcifer (Billingham) VS Barry Walker & Peter Simpson (Alnmouth/ Tynemouth) Match 42 Stewart Jones & Michael Davison (Bellingham) VS Alan Clark & Bob Richardson (Beamish Park)
Match 43 Steve Weldon & David Billham (Whitley Bay) VS Kevin Stubbings & Darren Curtis (Durham City) Match 44 George Armitage & Colin Sampson (Bedlington) VS Glenn Blaney & Peter Thompson (Linden Hall) Match 45 Robert Davison & Francis Carrigan (Longhirst) VS James Ogden & Kev Nixon (Tynemouth) Match 46 Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby) VS Stuart Cant & Shaun Devereux (Durham City) Match 47 Steven Dodds & Neville Wanless (Durham City/South Moor) VS Michael Hughes & Stephen Turnbull (Crook) Match 48 Paul Scott & Jai Scott (Newbiggin) VS Stephen Vickers & Steve Park (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 more information go to the Northern Golfer website and click on Match Play Pairs NORTHERN GOLFER 33
GEARNEWS
All the gear… This month we have the latest push trolleys from PowaKaddy and MacGregor alongside the latest update from Shot Scope. There’s also news of Original Penguin’s first women’s golf clothing range, and a new version of FootJoy’s popular Pro|SL shoes.
PUSHING AHEAD
PowaKaddy push trolley range RRP: Twinline 5 Lite - £199.99; Micra - £239.99; DLX-Lite FF - £259.99 www.powakaddy.com
PowaKaddy has unveiled its most extensive range of push trolleys to date. The new range covers various price points, with three options offering premium features in cost effective packages. The range is headlined by the new Micra - a lightweight and compact trolley which offers sleek colourways and a simple folding mechanism. The Micra is designed for golfers looking for a compact solution, with a high-tech three-wheel design and wider wheelbase making it easy to push and stable on the most uneven terrain. The trolley also has a dedicated soft-lined, water-resistant mobile phone storage area; ergonomic soft touch handle which can be adjusted; and ample storage space. Meanwhile, the DLX-Lite FF is extremely lightweight, weighing just 5.8kg. It has been designed with optimal storage in mind and, thanks to an innovative flat fold design that allows it to fold down to only 20cm deep, it can be squeezed into the tightest of spaces. Completing the 2022 range is the versatile Twinline 5, a stylish trolley that is incredibly simple to set up, and folds quickly and compactly.
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ON TRACK
Shot Scope analysis feature www.shotscope.com Shot Scope has continued to push technological boundaries with its new course and hole analysis features. Advanced game breakdown is available to all those interested in their performance at specific courses or on individual holes. Course-specific statistics give golfers a comprehensive map of how they typically perform at any given course. In addition to overall course analysis, the Shot Scope team has further advanced the performance data available through more specific, individual hole statistics. Information on up-and-down statistics from different areas, average score with different clubs off the tee, and heat maps of typical activity on each hole are available to users to help shoot lower scores. The new analysis features are available to all Shot Scope users who are currently using a product with shot tracking technology - including V3, H4 and PRO LX+, and are accessible through the mobile app.
GEARNEWS
STREET STYLE
FootJoy Pro|SL Sport shoes RRP: men’s - £159.99; women’s - £134.99 www.footjoy.co.uk
FootJoy has introduced a new athletic upper option to its Pro|SL range. Expanding the popular Pro|SL line-up, the Pro|SL Sport model introduces a new upper utilising mesh and an ultrathin TPU hotmelt top layer. The new combination of mesh and textiles, completed with a membrane layer, ensures breathability and waterproof protection. The rest of the shoe remains true to the Pro|SL’s tour-proven traction and performance, featuring performance innovations from the Infinity Outsole and StratoFoam underfoot cushioning to the FTF outsole unit. A number of colourways are available in both the men’s and women’s ranges, and every pair comes with a one-year waterproof warranty.
LOOK GOOD…
Original Penguin Golf women’s collection RRP: Various www.originalpenguin.co.uk
Original Penguin Golf has launched its first collection for women - with a clean, mid-century modern aesthetic across the range. The brand has curated a range of feminine, sophisticated and versatile clothing with a retro edge. Equally appealing on and off the golf course, Original Penguin’s prints and patterns remain true to the company’s heritage across traditional golf attire as well as leggings, lightweight sun-protection pieces, track jackets, jogger silhouettes, and biker shorts. Highlights of the new range include the Geo Kitty printed polo, piped track jacket, piped shorts featuring four-way stretch fabric, and leggings with contrast detailing.
PUSH IT
MacGregor MAC TEC trolley RRP: £119.99 www.macgregor-golf.co.uk
MacGregor Golf has made its first entry into the trolley market with the launch of the MAC TEC three-wheel push trolley. The MAC TEC trolley is based on a classic three-wheel design and folds small enough to fit in most car boots with ease. The trolley combines a durable stainless steel construction with a sporty design and a host of practical features - including an umbrella holder, drinks holder, storage net and scorecard holder. A footbrake and adjustable bag brackets are also included in black and white colour options.
NORTHERN GOLFER 35
The greatest concentration of Championship links golf courses in the world
#scotgolfcoast ScotlandsGolfCoast.com
SPECIALFOCUS
Stay and play Whether you’re travelling to the region or looking for a great venue for a couple of nights’ away while you relax on and off the golf course, we’ve got the perfect place for your next stay and play trip
Scotland’s Golf Coast - East Lothian There are few better destinations for a golf trip in the UK than East Lothian. There are 21 courses (at 18 golf clubs) along 30 miles of stunning coastline, with a variety of golf and accommodation to suit all golfers. The region has the greatest concentration of championship links golf courses in the world, and 2022 will see The Renaissance host the Genesis Scottish Open for the fourth year in a row, while the AIG Women’s Open will be held at Muirfield for the first time in August. Among the 21 courses in East Lothian, you’ll find three which regularly feature in the top 30 courses in the UK (whichever poll you choose to use) - Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane (No.1). There’s also the historic Musselburgh Old Links, the picturesque Glen Golf Club, James Braid-designed Royal Musselburgh, Gullane’s beautiful No.2 and No.3 layouts, and many more fabulous courses hugging the coastline and set a little further inland. Plus, all courses are within a 30-minute drive of each other. Accommodation in East Lothian is perfectly matched to travelling golfers varying from hotels to bed and breakfasts, and from resorts to selfcatering. There are many dining options too. For more information and to begin planning your stay and play trip, visit www.scotlandsgolfcoast.com
NORTHERN GOLFER 37
SPECIALFOCUS
Bellingham Golf Club Set in the Northumberland National Park in the North Tyne Valley, Bellingham offers some of the best golfing views in Northumberland. Situated between Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish border, the layout offers spectacular views extending up the Tyne Valley towards the Border Forest Park and Kielder reservoir. One of the oldest courses in England, Bellingham was founded in 1893 as a nine-hole layout. Today, the 18-hole course is a mature track and is always a fun challenge. The par of 70 ensures it remains no pushover, and the signature par four 12th, Dormouse, is one of the best short par fours in the region. Bellingham Golf Club, Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT, tel 01434 220 530, www,bellinghamgolfclub.com
Play & Stay Golf Breaks
From £119pp* Only when you book direct
All golf breaks include: Dinner, bed & breakfast
Golf on your choice of two courses
10% discount on food & drink in The Clubhouse 1 in 12 play & stay for free
To book or for further information visit www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk or call 0191 386 5282 * All offers are subject to availability. Prices vary based on day of week and high / low seasons.
38 NORTHERN GOLFER
SPECIALFOCUS
Allendale Golf Club When it comes to stunning locations for golf, few can contend with Allendale Golf Club. The clubhouse sits 1,077ft above sea level on the west-facing side of Green Hill, which peaks at 1,374ft. While measuring around 2,500 yards, this nine-hole layout is no pushover. When you’ve walked the course, taken in the spectacular views and tackled the small, bunkerless greens you soon appreciate the special place this course has among Northumberland’s layouts. Two holes here – played at the 3rd/12th and 17th will make it into any list of the North East’s best par threes. The third, played steeply downhill, is longer at 187 yards (132 yards on the back nine), while the 17th (played as a tricky 308-yard dogleg par four on the front nine) is aptly named Grand Canyon. A fun course which is laid out over a stunning piece of the Northumberland landscape, this is a must-visit for those in the area. Allendale Golf Club, High Studdon, Allendale, NE47 9DH, tel 07005 808 246, www.allendale-golf.co.uk
GOLFING THIS SUMMER?
STILL TIME TO ENTER OUR OPENS 2022 FRIDAY JUNE 10TH - Ladies - Team of 4 (Teams) £44.00
FRIDAY 24TH JUNE – Seniors Mixed (4BBB Stableford) £24.00 THURSDAY 21ST JULY – Seniors Mens - Team of 4 (Teams) £48.00 SUNDAY 31ST JULY – Mens (4BBB Stableford) £24.00 WEDNESDAY 31-AUGUST - Seniors Mens (4BBB Stableford) £24.00 SUNDAY 11-SEPTEMBER - Mixed (4BBB Stableford) £24.00
Book your stay at the Riverdale Hall Hotel! The ideal location to stay and play some of the most beautiful courses across the region including Bellingham, Hexham plus many more!! Luxury hotel or self catering accommodation available that can be tailored to your needs. Les Routiers Gold Plate Award Winning Restaurant using locally sourced food alongside a well stocked bar serving a selection of real ales, wines and spirits. 1 night B&B plus a round of golf at Bellingham and full use of the swimming pool and sauna from £94 per person.
For further information or to book telephone 01434 220254 or email: reservations@riverdalehallhotel.co.uk Bellingham, Northumberland, NE48 2JT
Book online - www.bellinghamgolfclub.com
New members welcome Full - introductory rate - £290 Country (25miles+) & second club £220 No more to pay until 01.11.22
Bellingham Golf Club Boggle Hole Bellingham NE48 2DT admin@bellinghamgolfclub.com
www.bellinghamgolfclub.com VISITORS WELCOME 7 DAYS A WEEK
BOOK NOW ON 01434 220530
NORTHERN GOLFER 39
SPECIALFOCUS
Ramside Hall Situated on the outskirts of Durham City – with easy access to the A1, A19 and A690 – the two golf courses at Ramside Hall sit in 350 acres of beautiful grounds. Both the Cathedral and Prince Bishops’ courses offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside, with Durham Cathedral in the distance, and provide an unrivalled golfing experience. The courses offer great variety and can be combined into a memorable two-day visit. Meanwhile, Ramside offers everything you need to relax off the golf course – from the 16-bay, floodlit driving range to stunning accommodation in the 127-bedroom hotel or magnificent treehouses; first-class dining in the hotel’s restaurants; and luxurious relaxation in the award-winning spa. A wide range of golf breaks are available including food and accommodation as well as the option to make use of the spa. For more information and to book, visit the website. Ramside Hall, Carrville, Durham, DH1 1TD, tel 0191 3869 514, www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk
Midweek play & stay at the Manor House Hotel -Haltwhistle FREE DROP OFF TO AND COLLECTION FROM THE GOLF COURSE Courses to choose from include Haltwhistle - Brampton - Allendale - Hexham
DAY 1 M O R N I N G
DAY 2 MO RNING
Coffee/tea/bacon sandwich on
Full English breakfast, drop off at
arrival at the hotel, drop off at
selected golf course, 18 holes, pick up
selected golf course, 18 holes, pick
from the golf course back to the hotel -
up from the golf course back to
2 course meal, golf presentation same
the hotel, 2 course meal and prize
as day1 - check out.
presentation, 1st, 2nd, 3rd plus 4
All inclusive for ONLY £299pp
nearest the pin and 2 longest drives.
(min 4 persons)
Contact Terry on 01434 322 588/07841 389415 or email:welcome@manorhousehaltwhistle.com to book or for further details
Golf Memorabilia area, luxury rooms, well stocked bar, beer garden & residents private roof terrace
The Manor Hotel Haltwhistle Main Street, Haltwhistle, NE49 OBS
We also have 2 Self Contained Apartments available - Ask for details!
www.manorhousehaltwhistle.com
40 NORTHERN GOLFER
SPECIALFOCUS
The Manor House Inn For those playing golf in west Northumberland and the Tyne Valley, The Manor House Inn is the perfect base. Recently refurbished by owner Terry Christie, this traditional inn close to Hadrian’s Wall offers everything a group of golfers needs – comfy beds to rest your heads, space to tell stories of the day’s triumphs and failures late into the evening, and partnerships with the best local golf clubs. Terry and the team also serve a top-notch breakfast to get you started each morning, and can arrange your trip to take in courses including Allendale, Haltwhistle and Brampton. The inn has 10 en-suite bedrooms with space to store your clubs between rounds, and the team can also provide minibus travel to and from the course each day. To arrange a trip or discuss your plans, contact Terry on the number below. The Manor House Inn, Main Street, Haltwhistle, NE49 9AH tel 01434 322 588, www.manorhousehaltwhistle.com
Riverdale Hall Country House Hotel Bellingham Golf Club has close ties to the Riverdale Hall Country House Hotel, which means societies get a great deal on stay and play golf. For those travelling to Northumberland, or playing along the Tyne Valley, a stay at the Riverdale Hall Hotel is highly recommended. The relaxed feel and hearty breakfast are perfect for those returning from a day on the course, or raring to get out there. Riverdale Hall Hotel, Bellingham, NE48 2JT, tel 01434 220 254 www.riverdalehallhotel.co.uk
BE PART OF THE NEXT EDITION OF ISSUE NO.
93
We’ll be back in July 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 031 482, doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk or Gillian Corney (Northumberland) on 07903 500 401, gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk
www.northerngolfer.co.uk
NORTHERN GOLFER 41
TIPS
IRONING OUT YOUR BALL STRIKING
Building consistency in your iron play requires compressing the golf ball - hitting down and through with a slight shaft lean rather than trying to lift the ball into the air. A great drill to find this feeling is to hold an alignment stick against the shaft of the club with the stick extending past the grip and up against your left side (for the righthanded player). As you rotate away from the golf ball, the alignment stick will show where the club travels. As you return in the downswing, the stick should lead, with the head of the club following slightly behind, producing a little shaft lean and a solid striking position. Take a few practice swings with this at a slow speed then remove the stick and see how your ball striking improves.
Doug Brolls PGA Profe ssio
nal
© Hafiz Johari/Shutterstock.com 42 NORTHERN GOLFER
Thank you to our partners for their continued support of Northern Golfer magazine and its online platforms Retail and brand partners
electricGOLFtrolleysNE Gold club partners Seaton Carew Golf Club
Silver club partners
Bronze club partners
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
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 June 23, 2022. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT LONGHIRST HALL GOLF CLUB Longhirst – which celebrates its 25th birthday in 2022 - is home to two beautiful courses, The Lakes and The Dawson, offering two fantastic challenges set in the Northumberland countryside. Both courses have hosted the EuroPro Tour and are presented in fantastic condition year-round. For your chance to win answer the following question: Who won the 2022 PGA Championship?
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB George Washington is everything you want in a golf resort. A top-notch championship course is complemented by a 16-bay driving range with teaching suites. There’s also a five-hole academy course and the hotel offers great stay and play rates with dining. For your chance to win answer the following question: How many major championships has Annika Sörenstam won?
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT HIGH GOSFORTH PARK GOLF CLUB The parkland course set in Gosforth Park is easy walking with well-placed trees and penal bunkering protecting generous and beautifully presented greens. The club is also home to a driving range and welcoming clubhouse, making this an ideal place for a full day of golf. For your chance to win answer the following question: In which year did John Daly win The Open? Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Morpeth - Mick McCarthy of Bedlington • Allendale – Sandra Stanger of Blyth • Selby - Simon Raine of Bishop Auckland 44 NORTHERN GOLFER
CLUB PROMOTION
IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME WHATEVER THE WEATHER The Golf Studio is a new indoor golf facility based in Sunderland. The Studio is designed as a teaching and custom fit golf centre and is backed by Neil Whinham PGA Golf Professional. The facilities include simulator use, indoor driving range, thousands of playable golf courses and target practise, along with coaching and Custom Fitting with some of the top manufacturers such as Taylormade and Wilson. Our goal is to offer a warm welcome while you improve your golfing skills using the most up to date golfing technology while enjoying the warmth of practising without the problems of the weather. We coach all ages and abilities and can offer a dedicated plan to improve.
We offer simulator plans, coaching plans or both together all of which are part of a flexibile membership programme which can be utilised to make sure you get the maximum value for money whilst improving your golf game all year round. Find the way you want to improve here at The Golf Studio. The Golf Studio uses the latest golf technology like Swing Catalyst to help you improve your golf game. If you are serious about improving your game then we are here for you.
IMPROVE YOUR GOLF LESSONS FROM TOP PGA PROFESSIONAL NEIL WHINHAM
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info@thegolf.studio | WEBSITE: www.thegolf.studio NORTHERN GOLFER 45
from the
bunker
Welcome to your reader feedback page. We want to hear your likes, dislikes and funny golfing stories, and if you’d like to make suggestions about Northern Golfer, let us know. We want to hear from you! Congratulations to Jessica Dorritt on her victory in the Durham County Girls’ Appleby Bowl at Blackwell Grange Golf Club.
Houghton-le-Spring club captain Dave Allan and junior captain Jacob Willis Congratulations to Houghtonle-Spring junior captain Jacob Willis on the success of his captain’s day. The event saw 200 members,
including 20 juniors, take part in a competition with a number of challenges on the course – from the longest putt on the 15th hole to long
driving with a marshmallow on the 10th. Jacob’s chosen charity for the year, Pawz for Thought, was also part of the day and raised £1,000 to support its work with animals in the local area. As part of the presentation at the end of the event, Jacob received a signed Sunderland football shirt from the club. Well done Jacob and best of luck for the rest of your year as junior captain.
Peter Gibson pictured with club captain Richard (Dicky) Parker and president Doug Christie Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, has formally opened a new practice putting green at Blackwell Grange. The putting green is the latest part of a programme to improve practice facilities at the club. Designed by Jonathan Gaunt, it has been created by head greenkeeper Richie Pybus and his team.
Mark Heslop, Laura Hall and Laura Evans of Vision25 Goswick’s 2021 captains Sandra McGonigle (centre) and Paul Holmes (right) with Lindsay Gardiner (left)
Northern Golfer team member Dylan Brolls continued his successful start to the season with victory in the Durham County Golf Union Juniors’ Green & Crombie at Darlington Golf Club. Dylan’s nett score of 66 was good enough for a five-shot victory over James King as Ben Cordwell-Smith won the gross prize with a round of 73. 46 NORTHERN GOLFER
Goswick’s 2021 captains, Sandra McGonigle and Paul Holmes, have handed over a cheque for £2,100 to the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital charity. The cheque was presented to Lindsay Gardiner, the charity’s chair of trustees, following a successful year of fundraising. An equal sum has also been donated to Bowel Cancer Research UK. Well done Sandra, Paul and all the members of Goswick.
The Billingham Golf Club season got underway with the traditional captain’s drive in by gents’ captain Mark Heslop, ladies captain Laura Hall and junior captain Sam Watson. The drive-in was followed by a team challenge match between the captains’ team and a president’s team – won by the captain’s team. This year, Mark and Laura have both chosen to raise money for Vision25 in Stockton - which supports adults with learning difficulties - as their chosen charity.
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