Northern Golfer magazine #29 - November 2014 by Offstone Publishing

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EDITOR Paul Robertson editor@northerngolfer.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk Paul Corney 07521 389 536 pcorney@northerngolfer.co.uk Dean Bailey 07792 608 162 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk Neil Whinham (Whitburn) 0191 529 2144 David Charlton 07734 697 760 david@sport-excellence.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGER Gillian Corney 07903 500 401 gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Peter Skelton www.photo-psp.co.uk

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

EDITOR’S NOTE AND CONTENTS The clocks may have gone back but there are plenty of reasons to look forward for golfers across the region. South Moor’s Ladies and the chaps from Seaton Carew have both made it through to the prestigious Mail on Sunday Classic, having seen off competition from across the UK and a trip to Spain awaits. Middlesbrough golfer Chris Wall is seeking a hat-trick of wins in Morocco while Richmond’s Gary Catt and Eileen McMullen are looking for a second success in the same tournament. And as I write, Durham City pair Peter Gallagher and Neil Walmsley are enjoying a great tournament in Portugal having triumphed in our own Gents Match Play Pairs tournament. While we cast envious eyes in their direction as they enjoy golf in sunnier climes, and keep our fingers crossed they can all bring some silverware home, there is still plenty going on in the region to keep us warm. When thumbing through the stories for this month’s magazine, the number of success stories involving young golfers from across our patch was particularly striking. It is fantastic to see so many from our area in their early twenties, teens and even younger performing so well on courses, not just in the region but across the UK. Their development is testament to the great, often unseen, work going on in clubs throughout the North East and Yorkshire. More officials and members than ever before are being extremely proactive in getting youngsters involved in the club, welcoming them to facilities, giving favourable membership terms and, most importantly of all, putting the time in to ensure they have fun while nurturing talent to its full potential. It is also a pleasure to see our own columnist Graeme Storm enjoying a great end to the season after a somewhat torrid start. Should he make the Race to Dubai it would be a remarkable turnaround. Whatever happens, he will be on the European Tour again, which is great for other aspiring pros to see. Let’s hope next month we can report on others getting through the qualifying school to join him.

Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

Region’s hopes in national team championships, European Fightmasters, all-conquering Beamish, and Graeme Storm’s column

14-22 TEEING OFF

Grandmother’s pride, all the winners from the NE/NW PGA, plus more local winners

33-39 STAY AND PLAY Some great ideas for relaxing golfing stopovers

FRONT COVER

40 TIPS

Our Match Play Pairs champions. Find out how the popular tournament was won

Prepare, plan and play

Page 24-26

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it ©Offstone Publishing 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All information contained in this magazine is as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Offstone Publishing cannot accept responsibility for errors of inaccuracies in such information. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Offstone Publishing a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine. All material is sent at your own risk and although every care is taken, neither Offstone Publishing nor it’s employees, agents or subcontractors shall be held liable resulting for loss or damage. Offstone Publishing endeavors to respect the intellectual property of owners of copyrighted material reproduced herein. If you identify yourself as the copyright holder of material we have wrongly attributed, please contact the office. Offstone Publishing do not guarantee the insertion of any particular advertisement on a specified date or at all.

04-11 TEEING OFF

12 COOKRIDGE HALL

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46 FROM THE BUNKER Readers’ news

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How will we do? Former champions seeking to regain and retain their titles in Morocco

he first 16 golfers to compete in February’s grand final of the Morocco Matchplay, powered by HowDidiDo, were decided in a tense regional final at Slaley Hall in Northumberland. The qualifiers include three former title holders: Gary Catt and Eileen McMullen, from Richmond GC in Yorkshire, who won the mixed competition two years ago, and Chris Wall from Middlesbrough GC, who is the reigning singles champion. Wall will be aiming for an unprecedented third success as he also won the event in 2011. Catt and McMullen won the HowDidiDo National Matchplay Championship in 2013 and qualified for the finals again this year, but came up short. Catt, 53, who plays off two and McMullen, 56, a 22 handicapper, will enjoy complimentary return flights to Morocco, six nights’ accommodation at the stunning, five-star L’Amphitrite Palace hotel, in Skhirat - with its own Atlantic Ocean beach - and five rounds of golf including one on the prestigious Red course at the

Robert Trent Jones-designed Royal Golf Dar Essalam, which hosted the Moroccan Open in 2001, won by Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter. There are four competitions culminating at the grand final, sponsored this year by the Moroccan National Tourist Office - singles, pairs, mixed pairs and senior pairs, with a total of 32 golfers from across the UK fighting it out for the titles. While the Richmond pair will be bidding for their second mixed title, Wall will be defending the men’s singles title. Ten-handicapper Wall won last year’s event in Portugal, triumphing in the final 6&5 against Bearwood Lakes’ Peter Jones, who had inflicted the champion’s only defeat in the opening roundrobin encounter. That was the second occasion Wall had taken the coveted title, having won it also in 2011. He now jets off in search of the hat-trick. Wall will face stiff competition from eight-handicapper Ian Cook, from Hessle, who also qualified for the finals so the region is well placed to see at least one trophy come home.

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Downs but not out

Teen’s impressive display sees her just miss out on prestigious title

orth Yorkshire teenager Lily Downs challenged England international India Clyburn all the way before having to settle for runnersup spot in the 2014 Telegraph BMW Junior Championship at Quinta do Lago in Portugal. Romanby’s Downs, 17, suffered a baptism of fire when she made her debut in the 54-hole strokeplay event last year finishing last of the nine finalists, and she was determined to make amends on Quinta do Lago’s newly-redeveloped North Course this time around. English girls’ champion Clyburn started strongly, and after carding

a course-record 69 in her opening round extended her advantage by a further stroke going into the final 18 holes. On a rain-interrupted last day Downs began to close the gap as Clyburn hit trouble and her lead was reduced to just two strokes as the event reached its climax. The gap was down to one when Clyburn overcooked a shot and found her ball lying by a tree root on the 15th hole, leading to her second double-bogey of the day. But she settled her nerves by securing a fine birdie at the parthree 16th hole before maintaining her composure over the final

Romanby’s Lily Downs in action in Portugal two holes to clinch a two-stroke victory from Downs, with Surrey’s Elizabeth Prior five shots further back in third. Downs, who plays off a handicap of four, said: “I played really badly last year as I was so nervous with the Sky television cameras and such a small field. But I really learned from this and I knew what to expect this time around. It was so damp out there for the second round,

but I’m used to those conditions coming from Yorkshire! It would have been amazing to win it, but it wasn’t to be, but I really enjoyed the experience.” Meanwhile, Yorkshire’s Holly Morgan, from Sheffield, will be determined to learn the same valuable lesson as Lily after she finished down the field. The rising star from Lees Hall Golf Club returned rounds of 80, 78 and 83.

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Andy could prove handy Young golfer Andrew Griffiths is one to watch after Lee Westwood Camps success

ow many of us would like to swing a golf club like youngster Andrew Griffiths? He certainly looks like one to watch for the future. He’s just eight years-old and in his first competitive season he finished in third place in the Lee Westwood Golf Camps National Final. Andrew got to meet Lee who presented the prizes at Close House where the final was held. It consisted of a nine-hole skills challenge, involving bunkers, chipping, pitching and putting followed by a putting skills challenge, and finally in the

afternoon, nine holes on the Lee Westwood Filly course. Andrew managed first place on the nine hole skills challenge and a close second on the Filly course with a 44 and that clinched third place overall. He also won the contest for the longest, most accurate drive, only missing the target line by 10 centremetres. Lee Westwood presented Andrew with his prizes later that evening. It’s been an impressive first season for Andrew, who is a member of both Close House and Parklands, and is coached by Matfen Hall’s John Harrison. He was the joint sixth highest

George Washington Hotel Golf & Spa

Andrew Griffith (courtesy Bill Allon, Camera Angles). Inset: Andrew with Lee Westwood score in his age group in the England Golf National Skills Challenge and has been selected for the Northumberland County Golf Partnership Academy programme,

which is normally aimed at juniors aged 10-17. With that sort of progress so early in his golfing career, we’re sure we’ll be hearing more about Andrew.

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First class honours Northumbria uni’s Wilson outclasses his opponents by incredible 10-shot margin

ndrew Wilson, who topped the Durham County order of merit this year, was back in the winner’s circle on the British Universities circuit recently. The Northumbria University student, from Darlington, made the trip to Fife a worthwhile one by being the runaway winner of the men’s section of the British Universities and Colleges Student Golf Tour’s Ladybank Tournament. Wilson headed the field by 10 strokes with rounds of 67 and 68 for a seven-under-par total of 135. Northumbria’s Ami Storey

was joint fourth in the women’s event. Bad weather curtailed the tournament to a two-round event. It’s been a memorable year for Wilson. Not only has he been Durham County’s number one, he has also established himself among England’s top 30 amateurs. The 20-year-old won the North of England Open Amateur Youth Championship at Middlesbrough last year, and has been in blistering form on the university and county circuit. In the Durham Union Order of Merit he was the only golfer to accumulate more than 1,000 points after 15 events - his 1,005 total was

Andrew Wilson 140 points more than Castle Eden’s Stuart Brown and 410 higher than third placed Imran Aziz from the George Washington club. “I didn’t lose a singles match playing for the county, winning three and halving one in the

matches that I played,” said Wilson, who plans to study for a masters after his final year at Northumbria and then try his hand as a pro. He has also just had his first two training sessions as part of the England A squad.

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European Fightmasters Two North East golfers help inspire another victory over the USA

urham duo Darren Grey and Steve Hutchinson played their part in an Autumn European double. Darlington’s Grey and Barnard Castle’s Hutchinson helped Europe win the Fightmaster Cup, onearmed golf ’s equivalent to the Ryder Cup. Making his first appearance in the event, Hutchinson claimed 2.5 out of a possible three points to help Europe win 21-7 at Stirling earning a third successive victory over North America. Grey has been a regular and used all of his experience to claim three out of five points.

Grey said: “It was great, everyone played well and had a good laugh and it all came together in the end. Considering the limited amount of time to play this year, I’m really happy with my points for the team. “I couldn’t believe I lost my singles, I was one under-par through nine holes. Both points I lost were close run games. Hopefully (with being second in the world rankings) I should be in North America in two years’ time to do it all again.” The 29-year-old Grey, a tenhandicapper with an average drive of 250 yards despite being born without the lower part of his left arm, has played in all four

Darren Grey (picture courtesy of Northern Echo) Fightmaster Cups so far. Hutchinson, 48, an assistant at Blackwell Grange who can drive between 230-240 yards, had the movement in his right arm severely restricted after a motorbike accident in 2005 when he was still an army staff sergeant with the

Royal Logistics Corps. Despite only being able to use one arm to play golf, having previously had a handicap of five, Hutchinson gradually found his game again and with the help of Blackwell pro Ralph Givens he has reached Fightmaster Cup standard.

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Kevin Beaney celebrates his club championship win with his family. Inset: Beaney with the late Jim Bowe after winning his first Bedlington club championship in 1987

Generation game

Family celebrate golfer’s record of being club champion in four different decades

here are few players that have won their club championship in four decades - but Kevin Beaney has done just that. Mind you, the 53-year-old must have thought it wasn’t going to happen after finishing runner-up the last four years, before finally winning it again this season. Kevin won his first club championship in 1987 and followed with victories in 1995, 2003 and now 2014. He’s a founder member of the Bedlington club and started playing golf when he was 10. “I’ve been second for the last four years,” said Kevin, “so I’m pleased I have achieved it. Saying that, I

did my best to give it away in the second round, but it turned out okay in the end.” Kevin’s wife Judith, daughter Katherine, who wasn’t born when he won it the first time and granddaughter Ayva all joined Kevin in celebrating his win although his son Paul couldn’t be there. Kevin still holds the course record at Bedlingtonshire, an eight under-par 65 which he set in 2006 and won the club championship off a handicap of plus one. “I just feel privileged I can play to that standard at my age. I have met so many people over the years and that, to me, is what the game of golf is about,” Kevin added.

Tynedale Tornadoes The team of Pete Carson, Arnie White, Ritchie Kendrick and Trevor Hodge (pictured) from Tynedale Golf Club lifted the Great North Air Ambulance Trophy at Prudhoe Golf Club in September with a score of 117 stableford points. The annual competition is organised by The Rotary Club of Tynedale, with the proceeds supporting the Air Ambulance that serves the people of the North East. Carson also collected the individual prize with a score of 41 points.

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NORTHERN GOLFER 09

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Alex is up for the cups

Alex Stevenson with her coach Brian Ridley Alex Stevenson is certainly one to watch for the future. The 13-year-old has picked up a host of trophies this year including the Beamish Park Ladies Championship. She won both the gross and nett trophies to add to the Burn Trophy as the leading junior girl at the Durham County Ladies Championship - where she also won the best nett prize. She retained the Durham County Schools Under 16 girls title and also won the the Durham County Junior Golf Society Girls Strokeplay. She was tied fifth in the England Under 13 Girls Championship at Copt Heath and finished third in the new North of England Under 14 Girls Open at South Moor Coached by Beamish Park Academy’s Brian Ridley since she was nine, she plays for Beamish Juniors and Durham County girls.

10 NORTHERN GOLFER

The Beamish juniors with their silverware

Juniors beaming after trophy wins Great year for young golfers at Beamish with first county championship and three other trophies

eamish juniors have enjoyed a hugely successful year picking up four trophies and just falling short of making it five. After retaining the P D Cowell Salver in May, which took the team to the National Final at Woodhall Spa in August, the North East League title was retained as they lost just one game all season. More success followed in the county championship round robin league winners playoffs, with the two other Durham league winners Eaglescliffe (Southern) and Houghton (North West). Beamish emerged clear winners from the three-match series and were crowned Durham

County Champions for the first time in the competition’s 47-year history. The club’s junior foursomes pair of Tom Skelton and Ryan Martin made it to the final of the County Matchplay and defeated Seaton Carew at Boldon to win the cup for the club for the first time in 44 years. The club also entered two teams into the national Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal knock-out competition losing in the semi-final to the eventual winners Sundridge Park. They did win the third place play-off against Dorset – not too shabby for a junior section of just 13 members.

GREAMESTORM

ONE FINAL PUSH

IN THE RACE TO DUBAI The season is drawing to a close and I have to say that I’m ready for a nice long break to recharge the batteries. But before that there is still a lot to play for, after I managed to qualify for the final series of events. Not only is there the chance of more prize money, but there’s also an opportunity to make the Race to Dubai. If you mentioned that to me a few months ago I would have said you were dreaming. My year has brought me a lot frustration, but I pulled it out of the bag when needed to, even though it was a lot later than I would have liked! Thank God I did or I would have been sitting here writing about preparations for Tour school. Taking everything into account on and off the course, it has turned out to be a decent year and just goes to show you should never give up; you never know what’s around the corner. Making the Race to Dubai would be the icing on the cake but it’s still a huge ask as I think I’m too far back. Here’s hoping I can do it! Another highlight over the past month was getting to play in the Alfred Dunhill Links tournament at St Andrews with ex-Formula One world champion Damon Hill. I also got to play alongside Sir Steve Redgrave and the main man from rock band The Eagles, Don Felder. Having a playing partner like Damon was great for me as it keeps you relaxed and takes the pressure away from your own game with it being a team event, although you are still trying win the individual event as it is one of the most prestigious on our tour. I always look forward to playing the Dunhill and you do get star struck with all these A-listers just wandering around and hitting balls next to you on the range. No one was more excited than my wife after she had her photo taken with Jamie Dornan, who is Mr Grey in the upcoming film 50 Shades of Grey. Looks like I will be dragged to the pictures to see that one! See you next month, when I hope to say 2014 ended as a massive success.

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COURSEREVIEW

Cookridge serves up great golf Alan Hedley finds one of the region’s youngest courses to his taste

ookridge Hall is one of the new kids on the block. Opened in 1990 and American in design, Cookridge incorporates many of the natural features of the north Leeds countryside plus plenty of water and was designed by Karl Litten and his team, who were also responsible for the Emirates Club in Dubai. The course gently winds its way through the countryside of north Leeds, offering spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales and that makes for an excellent golfing test on a layout invariably in good nick thanks to continued investment and progressive tweaking. 12 NORTHERN GOLFER

It’s been described as a target golf course, but is golf anything else? Quite simply, it is a test of long, straight hitting and the ability to hit accurate iron shots - that still sounds like golf to me. Do it well here, on a course which measures 6,788 yards and you will set up birdie chances. Cookridge has at least four different tees on every hole, some have five. The front nine has several water hazards and cleverly-placed bunkers. It also has an iconic par three - the sixth which is the course’s signature hole (see factfile) although some would argue the 18th may qualify for that accolade. The second nine are reckoned to be easier to

score on - I’m not sure about that...it does have two par fives but also a couple of testing par fours. The index one hole comes as early as the second and at more than 400 yards, it’s not a surprise that it is uphill all the way, but a dog-leg left does afford the opportunity to cut the corner if you get the drive away. It’s the hardest of a series of tough par fours which include the ninth, 12th and 13th while the holes around the turn will test your stamina as seven, 10 and 11 are all par fives - all essentially different and there is some rise and fall to deal with, but nothing is really too steep at Cookridge although there is enough to add character.

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE

Have your sa y

Lo northe g on to rngolfe r.co.uk

There’s also the nerve to be slightly different with back-to-back short holes at 14 and 15 which is some relief after the previous seven. An entertaining finish starts with the downhill par four 16th, followed by a shortish par four 17th which is nevertheless uphill and feels longer than it is. And Cookridge certainly ends on a high with a classic risk and reward hole which will tempt many to try for the green from an elevated tee. That runs the risk of finding the water and most will hit a safe iron/hybrid leaving a nervejangling pitch menaced by the lake. It is a wonderful finish in front of the historic clubhouse which dates back nearly 200 years. Inside the there’s a quality bar with an impressive menu plus a restaurant open seven days a week. Previously a coach house and full of character, its position overlooks the 18th green with a patio where you relax over a drink and watch others trying to negotiate that demanding shot over water.

CONTACT Cookridge Hall Golf Club Cookridge Lane, Leeds, LS16 7NL Tel:0113 230 0641 Email: info@cookridgehall.co.uk Website: www.cookridgehall.co.uk Twitter: @CookridgeGC Facebook: Cookridge Hall Golf & Country Club GREEN FEES Weekdays - £25, after noon £22 Weekends - after noon £26 Buggies - £15

Cookridge Hall is one of the best clubs in the country for junior and grassroots golf. It has been recognised as an official starter centre by The Golf Foundation and became the first club in the UK to be awarded and retain the Club Mark and Golf Mark awards. They have also been awarded the Golf Mark High Achiever award and having introduced a Tigers Club for golfers as young as five. With more than 150 juniors are registered on its coaching schemes it came as no surprise last April when England Golf awarded the club the coveted title of Golf Mark Club of the Year

TOTAL DISTANCE Blue tees - 6,788 White tees - 6,515 Yellow tees - 5.978 Red 1 tees - 5,297 Red 2 tees - 5,113 FEATURES 18 holes parkland golf Excellent clubhouse Sports bar Sky television Restaurant Changing rooms Plenty of car parking 22-bay floodlit driving range Short game area PGA professional tuition Club and range membership CADDY’S TIP Hone your short game - you’ll need to be accurate to score well here SIGNATURE HOLE Although only 150 yards from the white tees (165 off the back) you need to carry the ball all the way to avoid the huge lake and find a tricky green

ALAN HEDLEY’S VERDICT

It may be one of the new kids on the block, but it’s a welcome addition to the host of good courses in the area. A really enjoyable test of shot-making and putting NORTHERN GOLFER 13

TEEINGOFF

Keith’s Ryder Cup date

Keith Callender He may not have the golf swing of Rory McIlroy or the dress sense of Ian Poulter but Keith Callander, head greenkeeper at The KP, brought his own set of specialist skills to help the European team retain the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Gleneagles invited all former green staff to lend a helping hand and Keith was more than happy to offer his services. Keith was allocated the 18th green and was part of a team of 10 making sure that the hole was in pristine condition. He served his apprenticeship on the Centenary course from 1995–2000 and went back to work on the Kings and Queens courses from 2001-2003.

Putting on a show Harrogate’s International Centre once again welcomed a major gathering of industry professionals for the 2014 staging of the threeday Golf Show. Now in its fifth year, it's Europe's largest golf trade and education event and it welcomed hundreds of PGA professionals for a packed programme of educational seminars, networking events and a first look at next year’s products and services at an exhibition of more than 60 industry-leading brands. In addition, the game’s foremost authority on the short game, Dave Pelz, offered his insight into putting and wedge-play to PGA pros. 14 NORTHERN GOLFER

Seaton Carew’s lineup: Michael Wilson, Kris Diamond, Matty Davison, Jonathan Conley, Ian Hendry, Hugh Hamilton Jnr and Rob McGahan Inset: Lesley Brown (captain), Lesley Jennings (vice captain), Kathryn Taylor, Dawn Harrison, Lilian Bleanch, Carol Taylor, Michelle Brown and Pauline Dobson

Read all about it South Moor ladies and Seaton Carew’s men make Mail on Sunday Classic final

urham clubs South Moor and Seaton Carew are chasing a remarkable double. Both have won their way through to the national finals of the Mail on Sunday Classic and will be off to Spain this month to contest the ladies’ and men’s final stages. South Moor installed themselves as ones to watch in the ladies’ title race when they knocked out former winners Ganton and then triumphed in the quarter-finals against Murcar, both by a scoreline of 3-2. They will be up against either Whittington Heath, Farnham Ladies or Sale in the semifinals at El Rompido in Spain with, hopefully, a final to follow over the same course. Seaton Carew beat Falkirk 4-1 at home in the men’s quarter-finals to go through. They will now face either The Shire London, Collingtree Park or Worthing. They will be making their third appearance in the finals. Nine-time Durham county champion Pauline Dobson did the business for South Moor against Ganton, using all her experience to win a sudden-death thriller to put her team into the quarter-finals. Two down twice in her match with Jo Davy, Pauline battled to secure a vital half and level the tie at 2½-2½ and force a play-off. As anchor woman, Pauline had to go straight back out for the shoot-out and parred the 350-

yard first hole to secure victory. “It’s up there alongside winning the county championship,” she said. “It’s great because it’s a team event. All the girls are involved, not just myself. That’s what makes it so special.” South Moor then made sure of a place in the finals with a 3-2 win over Murcar. “The atmosphere was fabulous and we had fantastic home support which we would like to thank everyone for,” said Pauline. “All the matches were played in great spirit with Lilian Bleanch securing the winning point.” Seaton Carew’s Hugh Hamilton, Ian Hendry, Jonathan Conley, Kris Diamond and Robbie McGahan delivered to defeat visitors Falkirk in the men’s quarter-finals. In the previous round they had recorded an impressive 5-0 victory over Dundas Parks. John Hall has been managing the team in this competition for more than 20 years and has seen his club reach the finals twice before in 1993 and 1995. He said: “I don’t need to give them a team talk. They are all geared up for it and excited. They want to do well for the club, not just themselves. “It’s good for the club to reach this stage. In our bar area, we’ve still got photographs of the team that did well in the 90s.” Ian Hendry, one of those who reached the finals in 1995, still plays for the team. “He’s still a wonderful player,” added Hall.

TEEINGOFF Kate Herron (right) and Dorothy Millar

Grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pride Youngster receives trophy from a familiar face

ate Herron must be a candidate for the most improved golfer of the year. The 10-year-old from Bedlingtonshire Golf Club has had a great season reducing her handicap from 36 to 25 this year - and winning two tournaments. Her second win came in the Bedlington Ladies Captains Day competition, where she lifted the Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Salver with a nett score of 69. It just so happens the Bedlington captain Dorothy Millar, who presented Kate with the salver, is also her grandmother.

Another notable win for Kate was her success in the Northumberland county junior handicap matchplay competition, The Barlow Bowl, a competition organised by Northumberland County Ladies Golf Association. Kate started playing golf around two years ago and receives coaching from club professional Marcus Webb and assistant Mark Sanderson. She is also involved with the Northumberland County Golf Partnership and benefits from coaching with Sally Hinton, PGA teaching professional at Close House.

Happy Chap

Adam Chapman Yorkshire is proving a happy hunting ground for England international Adam Chapman. The 19-year-old from Windermere held off England A teammate Jamie Bower to collect the North of England Amateur Strokeplay Championship at Pannal by one shot. It was his second win in a matter of weeks as he also lifted the inaugural Yorshire Order of Merit Vardon Grip Trophy at Harrogate. Chapman also won the South of England title in July.

NORTHERN GOLFER 15

NE/NWPGA

Winners take it all

Jonathan Lupton

Alan Hedley rounds up the results from the NE/NW PGA

ordon Cattrell defied poor weather to win the season-ending NE/NW PGA Tour Championship sponsored by True Temper at Brancepeth. The Middlesbrough pro shot a superb threeunder-par 67 to win the championship. His score saw him finish four shots clear of Close House’s Jonathan Lupton, this year’s NE/ NW PGA Matchplay champion, who shot 71. Strong winds and heavy rain made play difficult, but Cattrell holed several good putts, including one measuring 30ft at the ninth for a birdie two. Martin Forster (Tynedale) finished in a four-way tie for third place with 73 and carried his good form into the NE/NW PGA two-day Autumn Pro-Am at the magnificent Archerfield Links in East Lothian. The event saw 54 pro-am

pairs play both the Fidra and Dirleton courses and Forster and amateur partner Franco Graziani, recorded a combined stableford score of 89 points, to win the team event with Nick McCarthy and John Hartley second with 86 points. Moortown’s McCarthy took the individual pro prize with 77 points, while Mark Ridley (South Moor) finished with 75, and Forster collected third place with 74 points. It’s been a good spell for Franco, who scored his first hole-in-one with a nine iron on the 12th at his home club Close House a week later. Kenneth Ferrie (Matfen Hall) scooped the £1,000 first prize in the Cumbria Classic Pro-Am staged over former Open Qualifying courses Carlisle and Silloth. The first round at Carlisle

was played in sunny, pleasant conditions while the round at Silloth featured horrendous weather - with 50 mph winds and driving rain. Ferrie’s two-round total of 137 (six under-par) saw him home by five shots from Ridley and Simon Edwards (Windermere), with John Harrison (Matfen Hall) two shots further back. Ferrie was also in the winner’s circle, along with Craig Goodfellow (Penrith Golf Centre), in the Richmond GC Pro-Am with four under-par 67s. The event, organised by Richmond assistant professional Bradley Rowntree, raised money for the North East Autism Society. George Cowan (Westerhope) and Brian Rumney (Arcot Hall) were joint runners-up on 69 and Ferrie’s team - with Ian Henderson, Ian Dummet and Dale Robson also lifted the team prize with 121. Cowan later went one better, when he won the ES Group sponsored Bellingham Pro-Am with a terrific round of 63. It was South Moor’s Ridley’s turn to step up in the Bishop Auckland pro-am when he continued his recent good form with an excellent five under-par 67, two clear of the field, while the team prize went to Andrew Akers, Paul Dale, Mark Winter and professional Darren Pearce on 124. Darlington’s Simon Calvert set a course record of 10 under-par 62 to win the Ramside Pro-Am by five shots from Eaglescliffe’s Graham Bell. His first nine holes were completed in 29 shots which included a bogey at the third which he three-putted. He then returned a three under-par 33 for the second nine holes.

Bedlingtonshire Golf Club

Passionate about golf

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15 MONTHS FOR THE PRICE OF 12 From January 2015 SOCIETIES TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT BOOK YOUR 2015 OUTING NOW! A small deposit secures your date

Tel: 01670 822457 Email: secretary@bedlingtongolfclub.com www.bedlingtongolfclub.com Acorn Bank, Hartford Road, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6AA 16 NORTHERN GOLFER

PGAROUNDUP

Rigby on course

Andrew Rigby Andrew Rigby chanced his arm at working in a golf shop, banking and catering before deciding to embark on a professional career. At the age of 30, he’s about to enter his third and final year of PGA training at Rudding Park Academy. “I decided to take this route just in case I didn’t make it as a player so I could teach instead,” he said. But after winning the Druh Belts and Buckles PGA North Assistants’ Challenge for the Sue Wright Trophy at Helsby, he has two titles in the bag already this season, so he’s well on the way to achieving his goal.

Joe goes pro Yorkshire’s Joe Heraty has turned professional. The 22-year-old Moor Allerton member is set to play on the MENA Golf Tour, a satellite circuit for the Middle East and North Africa. Heraty got his first taste of pro golf when, as his home club’s champion, he played in the EuroPro Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton and finished 17th. “It just feels the right time to turn professional,” said Heraty.

Yorkshire’s winning lineup at The Belfry - Alex Belt, Andrian Ambler and Gareth Davies (photograph courtesy of Jan Kruger/ Getty Images)

Belt ties up Yorkshire victory

County crowned champions as Alex leads the way

lex Belt was the ace in the pack as Yorkshire refused to buckle under the pressure of a first round lead to win the SkyCaddie PGA England and Wales Inter-County Championship at the Belfry. The Bridlington man, fresh from taking the PGA in England and Wales (North) crown, was the only player able to break 70 during the championship final, which was held over two days on the Brabazon course. His round of 68 over the rain-soaked Warwickshire layout, home to the Ryder Cup on four occasions, featured five birdies including one at the risk-and-reward 10th made famous by Seve Ballesteros. Belt, along with teammates Gareth Davies, this year’s Powerade PGA Assistants’ champion, and captain Adrian Ambler, walked away with a winners’ cheque of £4,000 after carding a

four under-par score of 284. They finished five shots clear of closest challengers Derbyshire, captained by the irrepressible Ian Walley, who carded the second best round of the day, a twounder-par 70. Belt, a mainstay on the EuroPro Tour this term was delighted to bag another piece of silverware ahead of a trip to Turkey for the Titleist PGA Play-offs this month. “It’s a very proud moment to play on behalf of your county and win an event like this,” he said. “For me, from a personal development point of view, this year has been amazing and its been great to be able to add this title before I head over to Turkey for the play-offs. “The highlight of the day was definitely at the 10th hole. To have the opportunity to take that shot on in a tournament is rare; I went for it and I think it was it was the best shot I’ve ever hit.”

DYNAMIC INDOOR GOLF

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Thanks to Craig at @DynIndoorGolf for setting up my new irons, leading me to my ﬁrst Hole in one on the 13th at Dunstanburgh Castle

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MAGDALENE FIELDS GOLF CLUB

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

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C E N T U R I O N

GREEN FEES Monday-Sunday - £10.00 round Monday - Sunday 4 Ball £30.00 Buggy hire £10.00 Book online - www.centurionpark.com

SOCIETIES Book your 2015 outing NOW at 2014 prices. Prices from £15.00pp Telephone the Pro Shop on 0191 2624231

P A R K 20 NORTHERN GOLFER

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All categories available Telephone the Secretary on 0191 2621973 After your round relax and enjoy a drink in Happy Gilmores (Live sport shown)

Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend, NE28 8SU www.centurionpark.com

With DAVID CHARLTON

BUILDING CONSISTENCY AND POWER Stability in golf is vital for powerful and consistent golf shots. Visualise Jamie Donaldson’s final approach shot on Sunday at the Ryder Cup. Now imagine Jamie standing on a skateboard trying to hit this shot…it would be very difficult! Standing on the board means that he is no longer transmitting force into the ground. This means that when he takes a backswing he isn’t able to stabilize his body because he cannot push into the ground. This lack of stability would create a weak shots, which would more than likely finish off target. Here are six exercises targeting different parts of the body to help with stability, and to help you hit the ball further and more consistently; whether from the fairway or those thick lies int he rough where stability is essential.

FOR THE UPPER BODY Exercise 1 - T’s Exercise 2 - W’s FOR GLUTES AND HIPS Exercise 3 – Side leg lift with inward rotation Exercise 4 – Supine abdominal toes and heels FOR OBLIQUES AND SHOULDERS Exercise 5 – Side plank Exercise 6 – Rotating side plank For images, videos and further information on these exercises go to www.golf-excellence.co.uk Please contact me if you would like further advice on how we could work together this winter, from golf fitness MOTs, one-to-one personal training - small and large group work can also be organised.

Northern Golfer performance enhancement specialist David Charlton tel: 07734 697769 email: david@sport-excellence.co.uk www.golf-excellence.co.uk

NEXT MONTH Reviewing Your Golf Season

TEEINGOFF

DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE GOLF CLUB

Scenic 18 hole seaside links course designed by the famous James Braid, adjacent to spectacular Embleton Bay VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME INCLUDING WEEKENDS

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Coﬀee & bacon roll on arrival, round of golf followed by soup, large ﬁlled roll & chips £24 per person Mon-Fri • £27 per person weekends Embleton, Northumberland, NE66 3XQ - Tel: 01665 576562 email: enquiries@dunstanburgh.com - www.dunstanburgh.com Our free draining links course means we hardly ever close due to bad weather!

Elliot Saltman

Saltman up to the Challenge Archerfield’s Elliot Saltman wins EuroPro Tour Visit Egypt Tour Championship and a Challenge Tour card for 2015

lliot Saltman shot a finalround 70 to win the Visit Egypt Tour Championship at El Gouna Golf Club with a 54-hole score of eight underpar; with the £15,000 winner’s prize catapulting him to the top of the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour Race To El Gouna. By claiming top spot, the Scot earned a category on the 2015 Challenge Tour, where he will be joined by Jack Senior, Peter Tarver-Jones, James Watts and Stiggy Hodgson. However, Senior currently sits inside the top 70 on the Challenge Tour rankings and will secure a Challenge Tour card for next season based on his final ranking, allowing James Robinson to take up a Challenge Tour category as one of the EuroPro’s top five players not otherwise exempt. Saltman, from Archerfield Links Golf Club, began the final round with a two-stroke lead on six under and birdies at the second, fourth and ninth took him to nine underpar. Laurie Canter (Saltford Golf Club) and James Frazer (Pennard Golf Club) stayed in touch for most of the round, and Canter briefly levelled with Saltman at eight under thanks to birdies at 11 and 12, just as Saltman bogeyed the 11th.

Saltman returned to nine under with a birdie at the 13th. Canter signed for a final-round 68 ( four under par), the best score of the day, to finish the tournament seven under. That left Saltman two clear as he came down 18 and though he made bogey after finding a bunker, the Scot claimed a wire-to-wire victory for his first EuroPro Tour win since winning at Fota Island in 2012. “Deep down I thought I had a chance this week,” said Saltman. “I came into the tournament knowing my game was in really good shape. To pull off the win, and in the circumstances, has really proved that I am capable of doing it under pressure. “Looking back, three rounds under par in windy conditions, I should congratulate myself. The scoring was good and the boys did well trying to chase me down. “It is massive to win the Race To El Gouna, it is something I said I wanted to do at the start of the season. I have proved to myself I can stand up to the task and come up with the goods.” Nick McCarthy (Moortown) finished the tournament third on five under, while Alex Wrigley (Hartlepool) finished in a tie for fifth place.

NO INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2015 15 MONTHS MEMBERSHIP WINTER MEMBERSHIP for price of 12 from January 1st 2015

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B&B accommodation facilities included, two bedrooms, maximum 4 single beds, lounge with stunning views of the course & the North Sea, modern kitchen & bathroom, convenient parking and full use of the Clubhouse as temporary members with full English Two nights B&B with three rounds breakfast in our restaurant. of golf choice of 5 courses

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NORTHERN GOLFER 21

TEEINGOFF

Thank you Rory

World number one Rory Mcllroy has donated a signed 18th hole Open Championship flag to boost a charity tournament in Nepal. Redcar couple Bryan and Anne Connolly have managed to put together a host of prizes for a special tournament planned to raise money for both youth golf and good causes in Nepal. Mcllroy also signed an Open T-shirt while the R&A, golf’s governing body, IMG and St Andrews Links Golf shops have all rallied round to support the event while Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, Stephen Gallacher, Paul McGinley and others have signed autographs. “Bryan and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped,” said Anne.

Golfing partners

The newly-formed Yorkshire County Golf Partnership has appointed Tom Freeland to spearhead the drive to grow the sport across the county. The 34-year-old, who lives in Cleckheaton will work alongside England Golf senior regional manager Richard Brown in developing and delivering initiatives and programmes to enable people of all ages and abilities to take up and play golf regularly. Tom is keen to engage with clubs and facilities across Yorkshire. To contact him, tel 07717 228 807. 22 NORTHERN GOLFER

Brancepeth Castle Ladies Medal winners Anne Connolly (left) with IMG's Olivia Townley

Leftright: Andy Herridge, Yorkshire PGA captain, Sandra Fenn, Yorkshire Ladies captian and John Shaw, president of the Yorkshire Golf Union

Ladies Night

t’s been a good season for Brancepeth Castle Ladies section. At their presentation evening, captain Marian Goodyear presented the awards and 23 ladies won at least one medal or trophy, while club champion Lyn Davison had an incredibly successful year. As well as winning the club championship,

she picked up the Medal Salver, Handicap Cup and the Anne Barrie Cup. Jane Moore won the most improved player trophy and the overall success of the ladies section was reflected in them doing well in their leagues, with the A team winning the Anderson League for a fourth consecutive year and the B team winning promotion.

Flamb’s pair of aces Geogina Hirst (right) has been selected for England Golf’s U16 Regional Squad for 2015. Georgina, currently junior captain at Flamborough Head Golf Club, was selected for the squad after a trial day at Sandburn Hall, near York. The 15-year-old impressed coaches during a nine-hole round and a series of skills tests in chipping, driving and putting. As well as testing their golf skills, the young golfers had to take part in an initiative challenge, which Hirst passed with flying colours. The squad is to be coached by European Tour and England Golf coach Andrew Nicholson. As part of the regional squad, Hirst will be invited to around a dozen coaching days and will have sessions in strength and conditioning, as well as looking at how to prepare mentally for tournaments.

Meanwhile, Shirley Hall achieved every golfers dream with a hole-in-one at the 141yard par three 10th at Flamborough. Playing into a stiff breeze, Shirley’s ball flew over the flag stick and pitched on the down slope between the different levels on this green, the ball then paused before gently rolling down the slope into the cup.

D I S C O V E R BR A N C E P ET H C A ST L E G O L F C LU B H O ST T O T H E N AT I O N A L C O U N T I E S T E AM C H AM P I O N S H I P 2015

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MATCHPLAYPAIRS

Walking on Sunshine The battle to be Northern Golferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Match Play champions saw a team from Durham City triumph again. Paul Corney reports

24 NORTHERN GOLFER

MATCHPLAYPAIRS

hile most of us are donning our jumpers and woolly hats for winter golf, one pair of North East golfers will be soaking up the sun in The Algarve. Peter Gallagher and Neil Walmsley are Northern Golfer’s Match Play champions and their reward is a place in this month’s NE/ NW PGA Pro-Am and the chance to play some of Portugal’s best courses. Playing off handicaps of 11 and 18 respectively, it is the second year in a row that a team from Durham City Golf Club has triumphed. Peter, a 48 year-old painter and decorator, works for Durham County Council. He has been playing golf for 20 years but more seriously recently, having become a member at Durham City Golf Club five years ago. “This is a great competition and obviously to win it was a great feeling,” said Peter. “It is well organised and we have both thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Everybody we played against was very welcoming and it was great to get courtesy when playing away, taking part in the semis at Ramside and of course the final at Tyneside. “The prize itself was excellent and I would urge everyone reading this to enter and have a go – it was just great.”

Neil, who is also 48 years of age, agreed with his partner, saying: “I cannot fault anything about the competition, it was brilliant from start to finish and played in great spirit. To win something like this has been the best thing to happen to me with regards to my golf. There were no problems at all, and I would like to thank the Northern Golfer team for all their hard work in organising the event.” The pair proved too hot to handle for Rudding Park’s Bob Fawbert (handicap 11) and Graeme Ogilvy (handicap 8) in the final held at Tyneside Golf Club. The Rudding Park team did not start well, missing a number of putts early in the round on the excellent greens. Gallagher and Walmsley fared much better and put themselves in the formidable position of five up through 12 holes. A mini revival saw the Rudding Park pair win two holes on the back nine before a solid par three on the 16th secured a 3&2 victory for the Durham lads. Bob summed up the spirit in which the game was played when he said: “We hope the guys do well in Portugal - please pass on our best wishes to them. Graeme and I would like to thank Northern Golfer. We have both enjoyed the competition and played some great courses.

Peter Gallagher in action during the final at Tyneside

Neil Walmsley in action during the final at Tyneside Hopefully, we can do as well in next year.’s event” Gallagher and Walmsley had to negotiate a difficult semi final match against a low handicap team consisting of Stewart Jones, playing off 8 and 5-handicapper Alec Jones from Bellingham Golf Club. Held at Ramside Hall Golf Club, there was never much in the game but the Durham City pair made their shots count where it mattered winning the 14th and 15th and securing a 3&2 victory at the short par four 16th. In the other semi final at Ramside, Fawbert and Ogilvie

faced another team from Durham City Golf Club. This was also a tight game with the match going to the final hole, and with a one up lead, the Rudding Park players made sure of making the final with a well deserved birdie. Northern Golfer editor Paul Robertson said: “It has been another excellent event. All the matches have been competitive but played in a great spirit with many games going to the wire. “I would like to thank Paul Corney for all his efforts in organising the tournament from start to finish. It was great to be able to play both semis at Ramside and the final at Tyneside, the courses were beautifully presented and the competitors made to feel very welcome .The support of both clubs is very much appreciated. “The overseas pro-am is a great event and I am sure Peter and Neil will enjoy the experience. We would also like to thank Kevin Batty from Golfing Holidays for his continued support and Tom Flowers of the PGA for all his great work.” The prize for the 2014 champions also includes five nights bed and breakfast at the four star Pestana Dom Joao 11 in Alvor on the Western Algarve, an estate hire car, and four rounds of golf at Morgado, Palmeres, The Faldo Course and Penina Championship. Next year the semi finals will be played at Wynyard Hall Golf Club and the final is to be staged at Ramside Hall Golf Club. Keep your eye out for the entry form in upcoming issues of Northern Golfer. NORTHERN GOLFER 25

MATCHPLAYPAIRS ROAD TO THE FINAL GALLAGHER & WALMSLEY (DURHAM CITY GC) R1 – Bye R2 – Won 1 up (Away) R3 – Won 5&3 (Home) R4 – Won 2&1 (Home) R5 – Won 2&1 (Away) R6 – Won 3&2 (Semi final at Ramside Hall GC) R7 – Won 3&2 (Final at Tyneside GC)

FAWBERT & OGILVIE (RUDDING PARK GC) R1 – Bye R2 – Won 4&3 (Home) R3 – Won 1 up (Home) R4 – Won 1 up (Away) R5 – Won 6&5 (Home) R6 – Won 2 up (Semi final at Ramside Hall GC) R7 – Lost 3&2 (Final at Tyneside GC)

Our runners-up Bob Fawbert and Graeme Ogilvy with Alastair Greenfield (left) and Gillian Corney

For Beauty For Pleasure For Pure Enjoyment MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW – APPLY FOR DETAILS!

“Tyneside has all the hallmarks of a vintage Harry Colt design” Frank Pont - Europe’s leading restorer of classic courses

Special 2 ball including Bacon Roll/ Coffee £25.00 Special 4 ball including Bacon Roll/ Coffee £48.00 Available from November to March (Tuesday – Friday) Quote: NG 21 All bookings must be reserved in advance Contact: Professional Shop: 0191 4131600 Club Office: 0191 4132742 E Mail: secretary@tynesidegolfclub.co.uk

Westfield Lane, Ryton, Tyne & Wear, NE40 3QE • w: www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk

Club Sponsor 2014 – Harrow LLP 26 NORTHERN GOLFER

Play Wynyard Golf Club… 2015

Two & Four Ball

Book now for winter golf offers available until 30 April 2015 including:

Online bookings via our ‘book a tee time’ facility at

www.wynyardgolfclub.co.uk (promo codes required or call 01740 644399 ext 22)

Coffee & bacon rolls then 18 holes on the championship Wellington Course. Available every day. £35 per head (two ball) or £29 per head (min. four players). Online promo codes W2BALL or W4BALL.

Societies

Coffee, bacon rolls, 18 holes on Wellington Course followed by Steak & Ale Pie only £39 per head (min. 12 players). Available seven days a week.

Open Fixtures Sat 18 April Texas Scramble Open (£70 per team of four)

Sat 30 May 4BBB Open (£70 per team of four)

Wed 10 June Ladies Open (£25 per pair)

Sat 20 June Gents Open (£35 per pair)

Tues 04 Aug Seniors Open (£25 per pair)

Sat 29 Aug 4BBB Open (£80 per team of four)

Sat 05 December Xmas Texas Scramble (£60 per team of four) Above offers subject to availability

NORTHERN GOLFER 27

SEAHAM GOLF CLUB

Shrewsbury Street, Seaham, Co. Durham SR7 7RD

SPECIAL OFFER!

Great value Full & 5 Day Memberships to end of February 2016 Contact Secretary Stephen White on 0191 5811268 or email seahamgolfclub@btconnect.com

GREENWATCH

GREEN WATCH With SIMON OLVER

Prices Frozen for 2015 for Visiting Parties and Green Fees Contact Andrew on 0191 5130837 www.seahamgolfclub.co.uk

Hirsel Golf Club One of the UK’s Hidden Gems, recently featured in Golf Monthly’s Top 100 Hidden Gems of UK & Ireland list Come and play the No1 golf course in the Scottish Borders

Visitors & Societies Welcome For FANTASTIC deals visit our website www.hirselgc.co.uk 2015 Party Package Early Booking Oﬀer! Coﬀee & Morning Rolls, 18 holes of Golf followed by a 2 Course Meal only £35 per person

Hirsel Golf Club, Coldstream, Kelso Road, Berwickshire, TD12 4NJ TELEPHONE 01890 882678 e: secretary@hirselgc.co.uk

Hetton LeGolf Hill Club

RARELY CLOSED & NO WINTER GREENS Visitors always welcome Discounts for Golf Parties GREAT WINTER DEALS £10 A Round • 4 Ball £30 • 3 Ball £24 15 Months for the price of 12 Jan 1st 2015 to March 31st 2016 Full Membership £400 Seniors 7 Day membership £300 60 + years of age Telephone 0191 5173061 or email hettongc@gmail.com Hetton le Hill Golf Club Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QT 28 NORTHERN GOLFER

THE EDUCATED GREENKEEPER There have been big changes over the last 10 years in what people think about greenkeepers. Historically, they have been thought of as farmworkers who simply cut the grass. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Professional associations, such as BIGGA have helped raise the profile of the profession and the importance of education - both to individual members and the businesses which employ them. There are now a range of industry qualifications, ranging from NVQ to FdSc, BSc and even doctorates. As standards and expectations rise, eyes are now being opened to the complex work of greenkeepers. In the past, greenkeepers would focus intensely on the closely mown

areas of the golf course. Today, educated turf managers understand the important relationships which bridge the gap between the course and the environment, embracing sustainability, conservation and ecology to enhance native flora and fauna while making golf courses more attractive and interesting for the golfers who play them. We must all thank the experienced turf managers who have passed on their invaluable knowledge and understanding to the people who care for our golf courses and ensure new greenkeepers continue to use proven methods and approaches, combined with modern research and technology, to produce golf courses which appeal to a wide range of customers.

NEXT MONTH Ever-changing laws and legislation

GOLFERNEWS

Tom Lynch

Resort’s new Lynch pin Tom takes the reins as Macdonald’s regional director of golf

orthumberland’s Tom Lynch has landed a top executive role with Macdonald Hotels and Resorts. The 28-year-old from Hexham is Macdonald’s new regional director of golf, having recently left De Vere Group. Lynch now has responsibility for prestige

Northumbrian venue Linden Hall and Cardona, near Peebles in the Scottish Borders. A five-handicapper who first played the game as an eight-yearold at Stocksfield Golf Club, where he is still a member, Lynch said: “I don’t feel I have been fast tracked or anything like that. “Anybody who works in golf will

tell you it is labour intensive and you either put in the hard yards or opportunities do not happen for you. “My background is the joy of playing the sport I love and enjoying a short spell of coaching in America just after university followed by, if you like, the real world of playing my part in helping to make sure De Vere operated successfully.” Hexham-born Lynch, who now lives near Consett, started working life at Slaley Hall in 2008. While there he became De Vere’s membership services manager, contributing to an upsurge in numbers nationally during the peak years of the De Vere Club boom, while still being predominantly based at Slaley. Lynch added: “My one central work place until now has been Slaley. I made good friends there and it was where I met my wife Vikki. “I have fond memories of some great characters both on the staff and among the members. It was a wrench to leave, but this was far too good an opportunity to pass up.”

Winter Warmer Golf Packages at Slaley Hall

Tea, coffee & bacon rolls | 18 holes of championship Golf | Longest drive | Nearest pin

from

To enquire call the team

Rod tackles new role

Rod Findlay Former Gateshead Thunder chief executive Rod Finlay has been appointed director of planning and governance at England Golf. Finlay, currently a relationship manager at Sport England working with six national sports governing bodies and responsible for managing a total investment of over £60m, takes up his new post next month. Also a senior lecturer in sport management/law at Northumbria University, he joined Sport England in April 2013.

1 in 12 golfers go

FREE quote N

SGG14

01434 676525

Slaley Hall, Slaley, Hexham, Nr Newcastle, Northumberland, NE47 0BX *Terms and conditions apply. Based on a minimum of 12 people. For bookings arriving between 20th October and 31st March. Subject to availability

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

COURSEREVIEW

A Hunting we will go

Have your sa y

Lo northe g on to rngolfe r.co.uk

Paul Corney visits Northumberland and plays one of Slaley Hall’s two superb courses

laley Hall, set in 1,000 acres of Northumberland’s majestic moorland and forest, is a must visit resort. The complex offers fine dining, championship standard golf, spa breaks, and the chance to relax on the garden terrace with your favourite glass of chilled wine. The Hunting course at Slaley Hall is spectacular and requires great ability to play anywhere near to your handicap. The front nine is among the toughest stretches in the country, requiring long and straight tee shots, accurate approaches and an excellent putting stroke. The course opens up with a par four measuring 30 NORTHERN GOLFER

419 yards from the medal tee. The ideal line is left of centre to avoid the bunkers on the right, leaving a long second shot to a green bunkered right with a steep slope falling sharply into a stream. If in doubt, play short left and hope for a chip and putt to save par. Next is a sharp dog-leg right which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. You have to avoid the fairway bunkers in the centre to have any chance of going for the green. There is also a lot of trouble on the right and out of bounds to the left. This is by no means an easy hole and if you make the green in regulation, the steep slopes will test your putting ability to the maximum.

Measuring 404 yards, the third is another strong par four and a slight dog-leg left. There is a little respite at the next two holes, the first being a downhill par five and the second a shortish par four. You still have to be accurate here to avoid the well positioned bunkers and water hazards. Take care with the approach to the green at the fifth – the green is enormous and there could be a difference of three or four clubs depending on the pin position and wind direction. The sixth is a cracking par three and at nearly 200 yards, the daunting tee shot is played over a lake to a tricky green bunkered to the right with trees and bushes to the left and tight to the rear.

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE CONTACT De Vere Slaley Hall Slaley, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 0BX Tel: 01434 673 350 Email (bookings): www.dvteetimes.com Web: www.devere.co.uk GREEN FEES Adults – from £40 Juniors - £20 Buggy hire - £35 (pre-booked £25)

And then it’s Slaley Hall’s answer to Amen Corner, three long and difficult par fours where many a card has come to grief. The seventh, a gentle dog-leg right with an approach played uphill to another well-bunkered green, is followed by the downhill eighth. The ninth is without doubt the signature hole (see factfile) and then it’s on to the back nine which is somewhat easier and shorter. Played uphill, the 10th is a shortish par four and a reasonable birdie chance providing you can read the sloping green. Then there are two par fives and providing you keep the ball straight to avoid the bunkers, they shouldn’t cause too many problems. The 13th is a quirky hole, where you have to lay up short of the lake to leave an uphill approach to yet another sloping green where a three putt is always on the cards. The 14th is an uphill par three where club selection is very important, and watch out for the sand on the right. To the 15th and 16th, par fours measuring 327 and 374 yards respectively. Again, accurate shots from the tee are required then you should be able to find both greens in two. The penultimate hole is a par three measuring 174 yards - the green is very awkward and if you miss on either side or to the rear, an up and down to save par becomes a difficult proposition. Finally, a downhill 447 yard par four. It might be sensible to play this one as a par five and settle for a bogey to finish.

Designed by renowned golf course architect Dave Thomas, the lush sweeping fairways, rolling moorland, streams and lakes, towering trees and banks of rhododendrons, all combine to provide an air of peace and tranquillity and a golfing experience you’ll never forget. Well placed bunkers and tricky greens make this USGA standard course a real challenge

TOTAL DISTANCE Green tees – 7,082 yards White tees – 6,850 yards Yellow tees – 6,530 yards Red tees – 5,903 yards FEATURES Two 18-hole heathland championshipstandard courses Extensive driving range with covered bays Practice chipping green and bunkers Putting green Modern bar and restaurant Separate members area Excellent locker room facilities Well stocked professional shop Ample car parking Buggy hire PGA professional tuition CADDY’S TIP Pack plenty of balls, you are going to need them! I once overheard golfers talking about their round on the Hunting with one stating he’d lost at least a dozen balls followed by another who stated he could beat that – apparently he came with 25 and ran out after the 16th. SIGNATURE HOLE The ninth is a fantastic hole and rightly stroke index one. Measuring 444 yards, the majority of golfers play this as a three-shotter to avoid the hazards, woods, bushes and a green where you will have great difficulty stopping the ball if you go beyond the flag.

PAUL CORNEY’S VERDICT

The Hunting course is aptly nicknamed Northumberland’s sleeping giant. It is a superb test of golf and thoroughly examines every aspect of your game – a great day out and a wonderful experience. NORTHERN GOLFER 31

MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE WITH NO JOINING FEE Including Country, Twilight and Reduced fees for under 31 year olds

WINTER OPENS £15.00 pp

(includes Bacon Roll on arrival) Individual Stableford (Max handicap 28 men, 36 ladies) 28th Nov, 19th Dec, 30th Jan, 27th Feb, 27th Mar Book online www.hexhamgolf.co.uk

WINTER SPECIAL £17.50 pp

(18 holes of golf and chef’s hot dish of the day) (Nov - Mar, Mon to Fri - bookings up to 7 days in advance)

2015 OPENS

Apply online www.hexhamgolf.co.uk from 1st Dec 2014

Downpours are a’coming Keep your feet out of the Clarts Come along to Sharpley Where the greens are true and fast ! Driest inland course in England NO Temporary Greens – Great Value Book your tee off directly on 0191 513 1100 Book now for your society deals on 0191 581 4821 (office hours) Try info@sharpleygolf.co.uk F O L L O W U S O N S H A R P L E Y G O L F. B L O G S P O T. C O M

Cally Palace

Hotel & Golf Course

Middlesbrough Golf Club Brass Castle Lane, Middlesbrough, TS8 9EE

2 NIGHT GOLF BREAK with UNLIMITED GOLF

4 BALL SPECIALS UNTIL 31ST MARCH 2015

Dinner, bed & breakfast Par 71, 6062 yds Parkland Course

FROM

4 BALL £80 INCLUDING BACON ROLL & COFFEE ON ARRIVAL

VISITING PARTIES 2015 Fantastic deals for visiting parties on one of the North’s most prestigious courses. i.e Coffee and Bacon roll on arrival 18 holes of golf, 2 course evening meal - £35 per person Bespoke packages can be negotiated for small and large parties.

Telephone Gordon Cattrell, Club Professional, on 01642 311766 • Email: gcattrell@tgigolf.com Web: www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk 32 NORTHERN GOLFER

£170

PER PERSON

tel 01557 814 341 email info@callypalace.co.uk

** Book your Spring Golf Break - rates available until 31st March 2015 **

Fernhill Hotel Portpatrick

North WestStranraer Castle

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

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

2 NIGHT GOLF BREAKS

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£160.00 pp

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LARGE GOLF GROUPS & GOLF SOCIETIES WELCOME

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

or book online at

www.mcmillanhotels.co.uk

Rates subject to promotional availability, conditions apply.

AWAYDAYS

Different strokes Call your mates and put the clubs in the car…Here’s our pick of some of the best venues for golf societies and visiting parties in the North East and beyond BLACKWELL GRANGE GC Formerly Stressholme Golf Club, the course at Blackwell Grange Golf Club measures just less than 6,500 yards and is set in more than 145-acres of parkland. The picturesque setting offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, and its rolling fairways, mature trees, water hazards, well placed bunkers and slick greens present a solid test. Blackwell’s practice facilities are some of the best in the North East, including a 15-bay floodlit, covered driving range and short game practice area, so take a little time to warm up and make the best use of them. You may need it, as things get underway with a tricky, stroke index five, par four that measures 382 yards from the medal tee. Accurate hitting is required if you are to get

off to a decent start, and watch out for the out of bounds along the right. The welcome at Blackwell is warm and the clubhouse offers excellent food and drink, perfect after a day on the course. Blackwell Grange GC, Snipe Lane, Darlington DL2 2SA, www.blackwellgrangegolf.com

BELLINGHAM GOLF CLUB Nestling in the heart of the Northumberland National Park, Bellingham Golf Club offers some of the best golf in Northumberland, with views to match. Situated in the picturesque North Tyne Valley, between Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish border, the layout offers spectacular views extending up the valley towards the mighty Border Forest Park

and Kielder reservoir. One of the oldest courses in England, Bellingham was founded in 1893 as a nine-hole course. Since then it has been extended to 18 holes, and matured into a fine test of golf. The par 70 course tests every facet of your game, and the signature par four 12th is regarded by many as one of the best short par fours in the North East. We’re told that many of the clubs visitors return time and time again, and it’s easy to see why. The course is presented well and great fun to play, with excellent greens, and the hospitality in the clubhouse is top notch too. Bellingham Golf Club, Boggle Hole Bellingham, Northumberland, NE48 2DT www.bellinghamgolfclub.com

Non-member golf enquires to 01904 413579 ext 5 OR

see www.fulfordgolfclub.co.uk for on line bookings and last minute deals

Fulford (York) Golf Club - 01904 413579, Heslington Lane, York, YO10 5DY NORTHERN GOLFER 33

AWAYDAYS DUMFRIES AND COUNTY GOLF CLUB Designed by 1883 Open Championship winner Willie Fernie, Dumfries and County Golf Club offers a warm welcome and a fun, but testing day’s golf. Fernie’s design loops back to the clubhouse at the ninth and 18th – making it a great course for a 27-hole society trip; we’re told it’s well worth paying a visit to the clubhouse in between rounds for a light, or not so light, lunch too. A round at Dumfries and County features some great holes, and is more than likely to produce a memorable story or two to regale your playing partners back in the clubhouse. The fourth, a 327-yard par four named Queensberry offers a fantastic view of the Nith Valley from its elevated tee, but don’t get too distracted by the view, the green is protected by bunkers left and right and there’s out of bounds at the back. Meanwhile, the seventh, a 519-yard par five called Burns Walk requires accuracy all the way to the pin as the fairway tapers into the green with out of bounds right.

34 NORTHERN GOLFER

But it’s the 16th that gets our vote for signature hole. At 201 yards, this par three is played from an elevated tee which offers a great view across the course, and the hole requires a solid tee shot to carry the deep bunker at the front of the putting surface. Find the green, hole the putt and make sure you collect the twos club money in the bar. Dumfries and County Golf Club Edinburgh Road, Dumfries DG1 1JX, www.thecounty.co.uk

FULFORD GOLF CLUB Fulford, the Yorkshire course made famous by Bernhard Langer in 1981 remains a great test for golfers of all abilities - as we found out on a recent trip. Widely regarded as one of the best courses in the North of England, Fulford staged 23 consecutive European Tour events between the 1970s and 1990s and saw major champion Langer climb an ash tree on the 17th during the Benson and Hedges tournament in 1981, a shot which is cemented in any list of golf’s strangest escapes or any montage of shots from the

AWAYDAYS German’s career. The 6,900-yard course is now considered too short to host a tour event but it remains tough enough for any handicap golfer with its mix of three par fours of more than 400 yards in the first five holes, three superb par fives and a couple of brilliant short holes – although one of them is not so short at 205 yards. Fulford Golf Club, Heslington Lane, York Yorkshire, YO10 5DY, www.fulfordgolfclub.co.uk

HEWORTH GOLF CLUB Having started its life as a short nine-holer in 1912, Heworth Golf Club has grown up in its 102 years and now presents something quite special to the visiting golfer. The course at Jingling Gate was extended to 18-holes in the 1970s and the thousands of trees that were planted over the years have grown to give the course definition and punish any wayward shots from the tee or into the greens. The 18th at Heworth is widely regarded as one of the toughest finishing holes in the North East. At 230 yards, the long par three has ruined many good cards in its time; there is out of bounds left, right and long, and there are four bunkers protecting a big green that slopes left to right. As if it wasn’t bad enough, your fellow players will be watching from the clubhouse balcony. Good luck! Heworth Golf Club, Jingling Gate, Heworth Gateshead, NE10 8XY www.theheworthgolfclub.co.uk

Hexham Golf Club

HEXHAM GOLF CLUB Hexham Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs in England and it’s still attracting top players and the biggest amateur events in the country. Six-time British Open winner Harry Vardon once described Hexham as, “…as fine an inland course as you can find,” and we would agree with Mr Vardon. The Northumberland course offers a test of golf which is enjoyable at all levels – from the big-hitting scratch golfer to those new

to the game. The quality of Hexham’s greens is respected across the North East, with England internationals and tour players practising here regularly. The mature, parkland course also offers stunning views of the North and South Tyne, as well as the surrounding countryside, a warm welcome and excellent food. We visit regularly and would recommend you do the same. Hexham Golf Club, Spital Park, Hexham NE46 3RZ, www.hexhamgolf.co.uk

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AWAYDAYS MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB

Middlesbrough Golf Club

KIRKBYMOORSIDE GOLF CLUB Situated on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, Kirkbymoorside Golf Club combines breathtaking views with a challenging golf course that offers a fun days’ golf for the casual player and a challenge to the competitive players among you. The par 69, parkland layout is well protected by tall trees and deep bunkers, while the undulating, manicured greens pose a tough test

all-year round. Kirkbymoorside also boasts a stateof-the-art clubhouse with a warm welcome, which is perfect for an evening with friends after a day on the golf course. It also offers free coach travel for societies and visiting parties of 40 golfers or more within a 50-mile radius. For smaller parties, travel can still be arranged with a supplement of £10 per golfer. Kirkbymoorside Golf Club, Manor Vale, York YO62 6EG, www.kirkbymoorsidegolf.co.uk

THE CAIRNDALE HOTEL ENGLISH STREET, DUMFRIES, SCOTLAND, DG1 2DF

FOLLOW THE BIRDIE TRAIL 2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + 3 rounds of Golf Choice of 8 courses including Lochmaben, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway

From £209 per person D.B.B + 1 round of Golf from £79pp Visit our Website www.cairndalehotel.co.uk or contact Michael Dickie 01387-240286

Kirkbymoorside Golf Club

Middlesbrough Golf Club occupies a truly spectacular parkland site five miles south of Middlesbrough. The testing par 70 course winds its way through extensive woodland and was designed by legendary architect James Braid. The course exploits the natural ravines and undulating land at Brass Castle and remains a stern test despite the advancements in golf club and ball design. In 1990, new holes were built in woodland to create the layout you’ll find today, and since then the course has seen a number of improvements including new fairway bunkers and tee boxes, greens brought up to USGA specification, and the addition of two new ponds at the 11th hole which has been completely restructured. It’s a testament to the quality of the course that it has produced a British Amateur Champion in Martin Thompson, two Walker Cup players in Thompson and Michael Skelton, and a Brabazon Trophy winner in Jonathon Lupton. Middlesbrough Golf Club, Brass Castle Ln Marton, Middlesbrough, TS8 9EE www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk

ROMANBY GOLF CLUB Romanby Golf and Country Club is a joy to play, whether with three friends or a party of 30, and there are few course that have come as far as Romanby has in a little over 20 years.

Wilton Golf Club 18-hole Parkland Course

Situated close to the A19 it is ideally located for visitors from the north & south

WINTER WARMER

Bacon Butty on arrival, 18 Holes of Golf followed by a main course from Chefs Special board pre ordered prior to golf £20.00 per person Special offers for 8 or more - Ring the Pro Shop 01642 452730

NEW MEMBERS OFFER

Now until 31st March 2016 £630 - Ring the Secretary Claire Harvey 01642 465265 or Email secretary@wiltongolfclub.co.uk For more information, please contact the Secretary, Claire Harvey on 01642 465265 or email secretary@wiltongolfclub.co.uk

Wilton Castle, Redcar TS10 4QY • www.wiltongolfclub.co.uk

BLACKWELL GRANGE GOLF CLUB

Welcomes all large societies and Captains away days with FREE return coach travel…

Premium Society Packages: •

Full Breakfast, 18 Holes followed by a 2 course carvery £43

•

Full Breakfast, 9 or 18 Holes, Lunch, 18 Holes, 2 course carvery £48

All above offers qualify for free coach travel; providing you have a minimum of 40 players. Available to less than 40 players with a supplement. All subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

www.kirkbymoorsidegolf.co.uk

36 NORTHERN GOLFER

WINTER GOLF PACKAGES Standard Society Packages 8 or more: •

Full Breakfast & 18 Holes £30

•

18 Holes & Hot Beef Baguette & Chips £30

•

Coffee & Bacon Roll, 9 or 18 Holes, Lunch, 18 Holes £33

Add a two course meal for £12 01751 430402

Mon – Fri 1st Nov - 27th March 4 Ball Only £40 or £56 includes coffee/bacon roll and driving range tokens Single green fee £13 Book 5 days in advance Telephone 01325 461002

Snipe Lane, Darlington, DL2 2SA www.blackwellgrangegolf.com

AWAYDAYS Officially opened in 1993 with Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie unveiling the newlybuilt Country Club in 2000, improvements continue to be made, from investment in new drainage, bunkers and greenkeeping equipment to improvements to the 12-bay covered driving range and the six-hole par three academy course. The course follows the natural contours of the North Yorkshire landscape, and there are plenty of water hazards to pay attention to, including some attractive lakes and the River Wiske. The course is long enough at 6,663 yards from the back tees and provides a real challenge. Romanby Golf and Country Club, Yafforth Road Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 0PE www.romanby.com

Sharpley Golf Club

SHARPLEY GOLF CLUB Sharpley may be a young course when compared to many of those featured here, but what it lacks in maturity, it makes up for in its fantastic condition and mix of challenging holes. The course at Sharpley proves you don’t have to be big to be beautiful; set in rolling countryside and just 6,000 yards long, it may look like a doddle – but it’s anything but. Many of the par fours are under 400 yards, but there is lots of water to avoid and, if you’re off line and your putting stroke is not top notch, you will be in trouble on the sloping, fast greens. There are some terrific views and the course

is hilly, so you might want to consider a powered trolley or buggy. Sharpley Golf Club, Seaham, County Durham SR7 0NP, sharpleygolf.blogspot.com

WILTON GOLF CLUB Set in the heart of Teesside, Wilton Golf Club is a golfing oasis. The 6,220-yard parkland layout may be short by today’s standards, but is by no means a pushover. With half a dozen par fours around the 400 yard mark and some testing approach shots, accuracy is essential at Wilton, not length.

The finishing stretch offers birdie chances, card-wrecking risk and reward shots and the opportunity to give your mates a laugh in the clubhousee. The dog-leg 17th has trees guarding the corner, while 18 has two trees in the middle of the fairway. The choice is yours, over or around? Just remember, if you hit it into one of the trees and into trouble, the guys in the clubhouse will know about it before you’ve put your clubs in the car. Wilton Golf Club, Redcar Redcar and Cleveland, TS10 4QY www.wiltongolfclub.co.uk

Woodham continues to beneﬁt from the extensive improvements being undertaken by the owners. A considerable investment has been made most noticeable in the course drainage, clubhouse refurbishment and treatments to the greens. The owners are delighted with the very positive feedback received from the golﬁng community and look forward to many more golfers enjoying this fantastic facility. Winter Green Fees 1st Nov 2014- 31st March 2015 1st Nov - 31st March Weekday £12.50

Weekend £17.50

Weekday Junior £8.50

Weekend £11.50

Weekday with member £8.50

Weekend £11.50

Weekday Day £24.00

Weekend £34.00

Membership: No joining fee - No waiting list Membership Fees 1st April 2015 - 31st March 2016 Adult

7 Day £450

5 Day £400

Joint £850

Juniors (17-21 years) £200 (14-16 years) £100 (under 14 years) £50 Fully stocked golf shop - Major Brands Society Packages Tea/Coﬀee & Bacon Roll - 18 holes

Weekday £17.50 Weekend £22.50

Tea/Coﬀee & Bacon Roll, 18 holes, 1 course meal

Weekday £24.50 Weekend £29.50

Tea/Coﬀee & Bacon Roll - 9 holes - soup & sandwiches,18 holes , 2 course meal

Weekday £44.50 Weekend £48.50

Buggy Hire Visitors £20.00

Member £12.00

Telephone 01325 319977 Coaching available from PGA professional Ernie Wilson telephone 01325 319977 (golf shop) email: woodhamproshop@googlemail.com www.woodhamgolfandcountryclub.co.uk

Tel: 01325 319977 (golf shop) Burnhill Way, Woodham, DL5 4PN www.woodhamgolfandcountryclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 37

AWAYDAYS RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL AND GOLF CLUB

Woodham Golf and Country Club

WOODHAM GOLF CLUB Woodham Golf and Country Club welcomes visitors from around the region and beyond. This par 72, 6,688-yard course is considered to be among one of the best in the region, and has hosted Northern PGA tournaments and top amateur events in recent years. Set in mature woodland and parkland, the course meanders through some awkwardly positioned trees and numerous water hazards, which makes it an enjoyable and challenging

round for all golfers. The course closed in October 2013 before owners re-opened it on August 1 of this year and since re-opening, major drainage works have been undertaken along with the refurbishment of the clubhouse, which now houses a fully-stocked pro shop, and restaurant and bar offering home cooked meals. Woodham Golf and Country Club, Burnhill Way Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 4PN www.woodhamgolfandcountryclub.co.uk

Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club is one of North East England’s finest golf resorts and an ideal venue for your next golf society outing. Its two 18-hole championship courses – The Prince Bishops and The Cathedral – are great tests of risk and reward golf, set in secluded countryside near Durham City and its world famous cathedral. The Cathedral Course opened in September 2014 as part of a £15m redevelopment at the four star resort. It is 7,200 yards long and is laid out across a sweeping hilltop plateau and a picturesque wooded valley, and has its own Amen Corner, with holes inspired by Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters. Both courses present an excellent test of parkland golf where your game is challenged by tree-lined fairways, water hazards, intelligent bunkering and dogleg holes. Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, Carville Durham, DH1 5TD, www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

CAIRNDALE HOTEL The Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries is a great hub to travel from and they can organise a range of packages to suit every size of party and length of stay. Dumfries is a great spot to centralise a golf break to this region and The Cairndale Hotel, in the centre of the town can organise a schedule

Bellingham Golf Club GOLF SOCIETIES WELCOME PER PERSON

MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL 15 MONTHS FOR THE PRICE OF 12

ADULT COACHING PROGRAMME

COACHING PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE

WINTER PACKAGE

£18.00

AS PART OF THE ENGLAND GOLF INITIATIVE INCLUDES FREE SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP

FOR JUNIORS OF ALL AGES

FREE MEMBERSHIP FOR PRIMARY AGE JUNIORS

Call 0191 4699832 or email: bernie@theheworthgolfclub.co.uk Function room available for all occasions ie Weddings, Christenings, Funerals etc

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 ONLINE GREEN FEE £15 PER PLAYER AND £45 FOR A FOURBALL INCLUDING WEEKENDS

MAKE BELLINGHAM YOUR SECOND CLUB IN 2015 TWO GREAT OFFERS

EITHER: 6 Day Patrons Membership 1st May - 30th Sept (Mon - Sat, Gents/Sun - Fri, Ladies) £100 includes 2 FREE 4 Ball vouchers (Mon - Sat) OR: 7 Day Second Club Membership 1st November 2014 - 31st October 2015 £195 includes 2 FREE 4 Ball Vouchers (Mon - Sat) You must be a current full member of another club to qualify for this GREAT deal

Heworth Golf Club, Gingling Gate, Heworth, NE10 8XY www.theheworthgolfclub.co.uk 38 NORTHERN GOLFER

Telephone 01434 220530 or email admin@bellinghamgolfclub.com Bellingham Golf Club, Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT

www.bellinghamgolfclub.com

AWAYDAYS

championship golf course Play England’s newest

Cally Palace Golf Club to suit everyone’s needs. There are a number of packages available including ‘Play the Best’, ‘The Birdie Trail’, ‘Solway Links’ and ‘Gateway to Golf’. All the packages include dinner, bed and breakfast and complimentary use of the Cairndale’s Barracuda Leisure Club. There is plenty of car parking spaces and it is only a short walk into the centre of Dumfries. Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club English St, Dumfries, DG1 2DF www.cairndalehotel.co.uk

courses including Stranraer, Portpatrick, Newton Stewart, and Wigtown County. The region also offers three intriguing golf trails, each with different and unparalleled golfing experiences: the Tiger Trail, the Challenge Trail and the Little Gems Trail. McMillan Hotels, Dumfries and Galloway, www.mcmillanhotels. co.uk. For more on golf in Dumfries and Galloway go to: www.visitscotland.com/ dumfriesgallowaygolf

A LITTLE FURTHER

DIRECT GOLF

Dumfries and Galloway, south west Scotland, is a fine golfing landscape with a number of stunning golf courses. The perfect place for a golf break, with something for every golfer’s ability and budget, Dumfries and Galloway is well served by three McMillan hotels. Experts when it comes to catering for golfers visiting the area, McMillan’s hotels include Cally Palace, which offers fantastic accommodation and access to the exclusive course (see the website for stay and play offers). The hotels also serve as excellent bases to sample golf in the region, which features a number of top

Before you head off, be sure to stock up with balls, gloves and tee pegs. Our friends at Direct Golf stock everything you need, and there’s always a friendly member of staff on hand to give you advice on everything from the bounce on your wedge to the length of your tee pegs. Direct Golf can also kit your group out in matching shirts, perfect for the annual Ryder Cup encounter with the club up the road, or to get that memorable picture for the society website. Direct Golf, Teesside (Ingleby Barwick) and Huddersfield www.direct-golf.co.uk

DUMFRIES & COUNTY GOLF CLUB

36 holes of thrilling ‘Risk & Reward’ golf Ramside Cathedral Course – open now – featuring ‘Amen Corner’ and holes inspired by Augusta National and The Masters

Play & Stay

golf breaks from only

£75

Book direct and we will beat any price Or try our self contained luxury farmhouse, great for larger bookings

Pamper

Yourself in our

new Spa

Superb 18 hole

parkland course VISITORS & SOCIETIES ALWAYS WELCOME APRIL 2015 SPECIAL OFFER 1 NIGHT DBB + 1 ROUND OF GOLF £80 (CAIRNDALE & KINGS ARMS HOTEL) FOR PARTIES OF 12 OR MORE 1 GOES FREE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR OTHER SPECIAL OFFERS WWW.THECOUNTY.CO.UK

Ramside’s new luxury Health Club & Spa opening June 2015

2015 GREEN FEES MONDAY - FRIDAY £35 PP WEEKEND £40 PP RING THE PROFESSIONAL ON 01387 268918 (OPTION 1) EMAIL: PRO@THECOUNTY.CO.UK

Discover theperfect venue...

For more information call

0191 386 5282

www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk Carrville, Durham

NORTHERN GOLFER 39

GOLFERTIPS

PREPARE, PLAN AND PLAY One of the big differences between tour players and amateur golfers has nothing to do with the swing. Professionals always approach a shot with more information; they understand which facts are most important, and they know how to use them. The more pertinent information you have, the better decisions you can make before you hit a shot. With the influx of new technology, some of the guessing can be taken away instantly with the use of GPS and range finding equipment. On tee shots and second shots into par fives, top pros want to

know how far it is to the trouble so they can pick a club to eliminate any chance of hitting it there. On shots into the green, they want to know three numbers: (1) the distance to the front of the green, (2) the distance to the back of the green, and (3) the distance to the flagstick. Armed with those yardages and the knowledge of where the trouble is around the green, you can select the right club for the shot and miss in the right place if you have to. Making sure you miss in the right place can dramatically improve yourÂ scoring and make the game seem far easier.

KNOWLEDGE IS EVERYTHING Knowing the yardage to the front and back of the green, as well as the distance to the flagstick means you can play to the biggest part of the green, incresing your chances of making it to the putting surface in regulation

MANAGE YOUR GAME Pros know exactly where to miss and where not to miss. Working this out can save you shots and will take the pressure off your short game

AT: CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE TIPS /tips/ www.northerngolfer.co.uk/category 40 NORTHERN GOLFER

Neil Whinham North ern Golfer Pro tel 0191 529 2144 for private lessons and advice

BOOK YOUR GOLF LESSONS NOW WITH ELITE GOLF COACH NEIL WHINHAM AN IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT Ring 0191 5294210 (option 3) if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re serious about improving your golf!! All Major Brands stocked - Excellent selection of drivers, irons, woods, bags, trolleys, winter clothing, hats etc. For our latest offers visit

www.aslangolf.co.uk

Qualified Custom Fit Specialists for leading manufacturers Golf Lessons available with PGA Professional Neil Whinham Whitburn Golf Club, Lizard Lane, Whitburn, NE34 7AF. Telephone 0191 5294210 email: sales@aslangolf.co.uk

Golf club and golf equipment suppliers to the UK and Europe

win GOLFERCOMPETITIONS

Enter online Lo northe g on to rngolfe r.co.uk

Northern Golfer competitions are also listed on our website www.northerngolfer.co.uk/competitions, Alternatively, you can enter via email at competitions@northerngolfer.co.uk (mark the competition name in the subject field) or post your entry to: Competitions, Northern Golfer, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL

Please include your contact details and telephone number. Closing date Thursday, December 4. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT .WHICKHAM GOLF CLUB Whickham Golf Club was founded in 1911 and moved to its present site at Hollinside Park in 1938. Developed on rolling hillside, Whickham has matured into a fine test of golf, examining every facet of your game. A thinking player’s course, the emphasis here is on accuracy rather than length. For your chance to win answer this question: In which US state did Tiger Woods win his first PGA Tour event?

WIN STAY AND PLAY FOR TWO AT THE CAIRNDALE HOTEL AND LEISURE CLUB Our friends at the Cairndale Hotel are offering two Northern Golfer readers the chance to win a midweek Play the Best break. The prize includes two nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the Cairndale Hotel, and three rounds of golf - at Powfoot, Southerness, and Dumfries and County. The Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries is a great hub for golfers, and the staff at the hotel will be more than happy to advise on, and organise a range of packages to suit every size of party and length of stay. For your chance to win answer the following question: In which year was the Royal and Ancient Golf Club founded?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT FLAMBOROUGH HEAD Flamborough Head Golf Club is an 18-hole cliff top links that has been carefully moulded around the contours of the famous headland which gives the club its name. The course and clubhouse are surrounded by magnificent, panoramic views of the North Sea, and both lighthouses. The original, known as the Old Beacon, was built circa 1674. For your chance to win answer this question: Which golf club will host the 2016 Ryder Cup?

We had another great response to our October competitions, with more than 600 entries. Congratulations to the winners: Dunstanburgh Tony Bellas of Tudor Grange; Mid Yorkshire - Stuart Carlson of Darlington; Bellingham - Alan Hutchinson of Frosterley, County Durham

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

Love Golf.... Love Beamish Park

Visitors & Societies always welcome Winter green fees - £10.00

*Reduced Buggy Hire, when 4 ball booked includes 2 buggies £72.00 (subject to availability)

2015 Membership -15 months for the price of 12 months Available to New Applicants only if paid by 30th Nov 2014 Junior Membership now from only £49.00 Contact us for more information - 0191 3701984

www.beamishgolf.co.uk 42 NORTHERN GOLFER

Beamish Golf Club Stanley, County Durham, DH9 ORH

ADVERTORIAL

Taking aim for putting A

imPoint, the green reading method being employed by a number of the world’s best players has arrived in the North East. PGA professional Brian Ridley, based at the Beamish Park Hotel Golf Academy, is now the UK’s fifth certified AimPoint instructors - meaning he can calibrate the copyrighted system correctly. Ridley is offering AimPoint Express Read Clinics and explains why players of all levels should switch to the method: “AimPoint started off as a TV product invented by frustrated golfer and computer software designer Mark Sweeney. It is an Emmy award-winning product on the Golf Channel in the United States and has been

used on television since its launch.” Earlier this year the AimPoint Express Read was created while experimenting on a simpler, faster, way for junior players to read greens. Ridley continues, “US PGA Tour player Brian Gay used the technique at the Mercedes at Kapalua earlier this year, on his way to shooting 29 for the front nine. Australian major winner Adam Scott and LPGA winner Stacey Lewis then started using it. Once both Scott and Lewis made it to World Number One, it went viral in the pro ranks.” Ridley discovered AimPoint five years ago when he attended a PGA CPD course with European Lead Instructor Jamie Donaldson. Ridley adds: “I was blown away, the look

Brian Gay. (Image courtesy Mitch Gunn / Shutterstock.com) of amazement on players faces as they holed putt after putt. The Express read is slick and players of all abilities will leave a two-hour session able to read any green, anywhere in the world.” Ridley has a number of players using the Express read successfully. “Working with tour players and elite amateurs is pretty exciting. It’s great fun watching players of all abilities

hole putts, especially kids.” Brian Ridley is based at Beamish Park Hotel Golf Academy, around five miles west of Newcastle. Professionals can host Brian if they want their members to benefit from learning AimPoint Express. Clinics and individual sessions are also available. For more information, and to book contact Brian, tel 07500 871 162.

www.brian-ridley-golf-professional.com

• • • • • •

Learn the AimPoint Express Read with an AimPoint Certiﬁed Instructor Learn the read that is producing winners on all major tours worldwide As used by former and current World No1’s Adam Scott & Stacey Lewis plus a host of other tour players Group sessions or individual lessons are available call Brian 07500 871162 Vouchers for AimPoint sessions available as Christmas gifts Professionals receive commission for hosting an AimPoint Instructor at your club

Email: brianridleygolfpro@hotmail.co.uk Twitter: @BrianRidleyGolf Facebook: BrianRidleyGolf Mobile: 07500 871162 NORTHERN GOLFER 43

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