FREE
AT GOLF CLUBS IN THE NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE - ISSUE
NORTHERN
JULY 2016
45
INSIDE
48 PAGES
OF GOLF FACES, PLACES AND ACES northerngolfer.co.uk
REVIEWED
DINSDALE SPA GOLF CLUB GIRL POWER
YOUNG SENSATIONS
JACK’S THE LAD HERMESTON TALKS LIFE ON AND OFF THE COURSE
WIN FOURBALLS AT ARCOT HALL, CLOSE HOUSE AND RAMSIDE HALL
TIM JENKINS GOLF STORES
THE CUSTOM FIT EXPERTS- FREE FITTING ON ALL NEW SETS OF IRONS AND DRIVERS CLEVELAND GOLF CLUB: 01642 498772 Majuba Road, Redcar, TS10 5BJ
CASTLE EDEN GOLF CLUB: 01429 836689 Castle Eden, Hartlepool, TS27 4SS
SUMMER PRICE BURN TITLEIST 915 DRIVERS WERE £319
SAVE £90
CALLAWAY ALPHA 815 DRIVER
TAYLOR MADE M2 DRIVERS
SAVE £160
SAVE £20
WERE £349
WERE £299
NOW £229 NOW £189 NOW £279 FREE PUTTER FITTING SERVICE OVER 100 PUTTERS TO CHOOSE FROM
PART EXCHANGE WELCOME
20% OFF 20% OFF 20% OFF ODYSSEY PUTTERS
ODYSSEY PUTTERS
WERE £143.99
WERE £169
ODYSSEY PUTTERS
WERE £129
NOW £114.79 NOW £135.20 NOW £103.20 20% OFF 20% OFF 20% OFF
CALLAWAY BAGS WERE £129.99
MOTOCADDY BAGS WERE £149.99
PING BAGS WERE £139.99
ORG 14 CART
PRO SERIES
PING HOOFER
NOW £103.99 NOW £119.99 NOW £111.99 FOOTJOY SHOES CONTOUR
RRP £129.99
FOOTJOY SHOES FOOTJOY SHOES NIKE SHOES NIKE SHOES HYDROLITE 2.0 VERSALUXE LUNA COMMAND F1 IMPACT RRP £90
RRP £129.99
RRP £84.99
RRP £100
CALLAWAY X-SERIES
RRP £79.99
ONLY £89.99 ONLY £69.99 ONLY £108.99 ONLY £67.99 ONLY £87.00 ONLY £49.99 SRIXON AD133 10 YEAR • OVER 150 SETS OF NEW AND USED IRONS TO CHOOSE FROM CELEBRATION PACK • AUTHORISED CUSTOM FIT CENTRES FOR ALL THE LEADING BRANDS
12 BALLS FOR
• PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE £16.99 • FREE CUSTOM FITTING USING FLIGHTSCOPE TECHNOLOGY GET 3 AD333 TOUR • PART EXCHANGE SERVICE AVAILABLE FREE SIGN UP TO OUR WEBSITE WWW.TIMJENKINSGOLF.CO.UK
golfer NOR TH E R N
EDITOR Paul Robertson editor@northerngolfer.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Dean Bailey 07792 608 162 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk Paul Corney 07521 389 536 pcorney@northerngolfer.co.uk Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk John Harrison 01661 886 400 john.harrison@matfenhall.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Paul Bramley 01661 844 115 paul@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson info@kgphotography.co.uk Peter Skelton www.photo-psp.co.uk
ADVERTISING
01661 844 115 Follow us @negolfer
Like us /northerngolferuk
Published by:
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 There is a great deal of work going on in our clubs to encourage more people into the game. There is no better way to attract new players to the game than to give them role models - at the very top of the game and among friends they can identify with. Following the world’s best players on the PGA and European tours is one thing, but getting youngsters into clubs, out on the course and involved in the game is key to every club’s future. With that in mind, it is pleasing to showcase the best young talent again this month, such as the achievements of 11-year-old Rachel Gourley, who is already a club champion at Blyth. She is joined this month by 10-year-old Maggie Whitehead, who will be competing in the junior world championships in the US later this year. Find out more about both on page 12. Our cover star is no stranger to featuring in these pages as a junior golfer, but in this issue 20-year-old Jack Hermeston displays a maturity which shows how honing one’s talents on the course can also enhance lifeskills away from the fairways. There are plenty of other inspirational stories from across the generations - none more so than an amazing tale in From the Bunker of two women who managed to ace the same hole during a medal final. Then there is the team at Northern Golfer who are somewhat embarrassed to have won our charity day at Northumberland Golf Club (well not that embarrassed to be fair - get in!). The real winner was St Oswald’s Hospice to the tune of more than £7,500 thanks in no small part to the generous sponsorship of Bowes Mitchell Estate Agents and construction firm SV Rutter. We are also delighted to learn Desmond Duffy, a stalwart of Northern golf, is set to become president of England Golf while there are awards for our professionals and volunteers who give back to the game. It is incumbent upon us all to do everything we can to support initiatives to drive participation. It is not just about winning, but having fun, meeting new friends, keeping fit, healthy and active as well as contributing toward making our golf clubs successful businesses so they can invest in the wonderful facilities we enjoy both on and off the course.
04-16 TEEING OFF
More winners from the professional and amateurs ranks across the region, charity champions, and we meet two young ladies who have made an incredible start to their golfing careers
20-23 TEEING OFF
Birdie blitz, county qualifiers and a hunt for rabbits
27 TOUR LIFE
Chris Paisley enjoys a trip to Le Golf National
30-39 GOLFER NEWS Friends reunited, the Seaton Salver heads to the States, plus a mother and daughter make it into final of a prestigious competition
Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk
FRONT COVER
40 TIPS
Jack Hermeston on growing up, college golf and what lies ahead
The power of visualisation with John Harrison
Pages 24-26
42 COMPETITIONS
Win golf for four at Arcot Hall, Close House and Ramside Hall When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it ©Offstone Publishing 2016. 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.
18 DINSDALE SPA GOLF CLUB
28 LATEST GEAR AND FASHION
44 BUNKER
Rules, technology, and a one in 26,000,000 shot
NORTHERN GOLFER 03
TEEINGOFF
Fourball finalists Mathew Webb and Alex Belt stormed to the top of the leaderboard in the Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship North qualifier to book a place in this summer’s final. Webb (Bedlington) and Belt (Snainton Golf) led the qualifying event at Woodsome Hall Golf Club as part of a three way tie at the top of the leaderboard after carding an eight under-par round of 62 at the Huddersfield club – coming home in just 28 shots. They were joined by Jonathan Stacey and Martyn Stubbings (Rockliffe Hall), and Scott Jackson and Ian Ridgway (Disley Golf Club). The three joint winners will join nine other qualifiers for the £33,000 final, which takes place on the Jack Nicklausdesigned course at Carden Park in Cheshire August 17-19. Webb, who continued his strong season with the win, will not want a repeat of the Fourball Championship Final of 12 months ago. “I was playing with Adam Hodkinson, but we were disqualified after missing our tee time as we were stuck in traffic,” he said. “We were doing okay too after the first round when we were five under-par. So I want to go back to Carden Park to put that right.” Webb admitted it took him and Belt a while to get into their stride at Woodsome Hall. “We just couldn’t get our putting right, although we started off with a birdie, it was the ninth hole before we really built up any momentum. “Adam couldn’t play this year so I’ve teamed up with Alex who I’ve known for a while. It’s good if you can partner someone you get on with in this event. And it’s one we both like playing in because the final venue is a great one with a strong field involved.” 04 NORTHERN GOLFER
Mathew Webb and Alex Belt
Mat will do nicely Webb wins PGA Championships, as pros from across the region collect pro am titles
M
athew Webb continued his remarkable summer with victory at the NE/NW circuit’s PGA Championship, picking up the Assistants title at the same time. Webb, who is based at Bedlington Golf Club with his father Marcus, picked up the NE/NW PGA’s most prestigious title at Westerhope with rounds of 72 and 64, to add to his wins at the Whickham GC Pro Am, Teesside GC Pro Am, making it through to Final Qualifying for the Open Championship, and a string of top 10 finishes across the country so far this season. He said: “It’s been a great start to the season after a really good year in 2015 which included 10 wins. “Conditions were tough in the PGA with strong winds in both rounds. I was four overpar through six holes in the first round and knew I had to battle back to level par to give myself a chance. “The wind was still up in the afternoon and I had to take advantage where I could, and I did, making two eagles and a bunch of birdies coming in.” Craig Goodfellow finished in second place at the PGA Championship as Mark Watkins and Philip Waugh finished in a tie for third.
At the Eaglescliffe Pro Am, Morpeth’s David Clark led the field with a round of 67 as Webb finished in a tie for second alongside Hartlepool’s Alex Wrigley. The following day, at Maryport, Matfen Hall’s John Harrison and Tim Dykes shared the pros’ prize with Luke Searle and Philip Waugh in a tie for third place. Six players tied for the pro’s title at the Hadrian Healthcare Pro Am with Graeme Bell, David Clark, Andrew Paisley, Mark Ridley, Philip Waugh and Webb returning rounds of 68 at Whickham. In a stellar field at the Stocksfield GC Pro Am, which included European Tour player Chris Paisley, Simon Robinson led the pros with a round of 66 as four players tied for second place – including the Paisley brothers. Webb, who will compete across the UK throughout the remainder of the season, added: “I’ve got the ability to shoot low scores and that really helps in the single round and 36-hole events where you need to be aggressive. “I’ll be looking to build on this strong middle part of the season as I head to Qualifying School later in the year.”
TEEINGOFF
Making his Mark Wharton wins Northumberland County Championship
M
ark Wharton battled rain, wind and some of the North East’s best golfers to lift the Northumberland County Championship after a wet week at City of Newcastle Golf Club. The Newcastle United player, who won the North & South Trophy earlier this season, saw off former champion Sandy Twynholm in the final with a 5&4 victory, having progressed through two rounds of strokeplay and three rounds of matchplay. “I still haven’t come down from a really tough week,” he said. “The rain affected the whole field on Saturday, play was cancelled on Wednesday and we played the second round of the final at 7am on Sunday - so it wasn’t a normal county championship week. “The course suits my eye - I reached the quarter-finals last time the event was played here and have played it well over the years. “To play Sandy in the final was a great experience. He’s been there, done it all and he’s a great guy to play with.
“I’m proud to look at the trophy and see my name alongside the best players to come out of Northumberland. I can’t wait to head to the Champion of Champions and the Team Championships later this year.” In the 36-hole qualifying event, City of Newcastle’s Phil Ridden broke the course record with a second round 62 for a two-round total of 130 and an 11-shot winning margin. In the knock-out rounds, Wharton beat Hexham’s Sean Heads 4&3 before seeing off Paul Caldicott 5&3 and Johnny Todd 6&5 in the semi-final. Sandy, who won the County Championship in 2004 at the City, beat Ryan Chambers 5&4, Alex Dixon 1up and Ridden 1up en-route to the final. He said: “It’s a tough one – I’m delighted to be back in there competing with the best guys in Northumberland, while disappointed I didn’t quite go all the way. “Mark played great golf in the final, going 4up having made five birdies in six holes in the first round. From there he closed it out and was really impressive.”
Mark Wharton
You don’t need to be a member to enjoy golf at Ramside Hall...
Ramside Golf Club Carrville Durham DH1 1TD www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk | proshop@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk
0191 386 9514
Pay & Play Golf From Just
£25
Per Person NORTHERN GOLFER 05
TEEINGOFF
Marcus Armitage
Close encounter The EuroPro Tour is back in the North East this month with Close House hosting the Lookers Championship July 27-29. Marcus Armitage lifted the Tree of Life Championship trophy at Close House in 2015, en-route to a fourth place finish in the tour’s order of merit and a Challenge Tour card for 2016. Europe’s best young professionals will be aiming to follow in his footsteps this summer when the tour returns to the Lee Westwood Colt Course. The Yorkshireman, who put together an 11 under-par total over three rounds, also won the EuroPro Tour’s GRENKE Championship in 2015 and beat one of the strongest fields of the season on his way to the Close House title. Daniel Godding, director of operations at the PGA EuroPro Tour, said: “We are thrilled to be returning to Close House again this year. The course has quickly established itself as one of our premium venues and we are all very excited to be returning this July as we continue our strong relationship with the excellent team at Close House.” The European Tour’s satellite tour for the UK and Ireland, the PGA EuroPro Tour showcases the best young talent in Europe with players competing throughout the season at some of the country’s best venues. Entry to the three-day event is free for spectators. 06 NORTHERN GOLFER
Matthew Cort
Centre Cort Young pro triumphs in the Dawson and Sanderson Classic at Longhirst Hall
M
atthew Cort won the Dawson and Sanderson Classic by two shots at Longhirst Hall Golf Club, seeing off the challenge of Greg Payne with a final round of 70 to take the title. Cort and Payne began the final round sharing the lead at six under-par, but Cort (Beedles Lake Golf Club) went two clear when he birdied the sixth with Payne (Chobham GC /MindSet4Golf) having bogeyed the second. The Leicester man moved three clear of Payne when he birdied the 13th but Payne maintained the pressure with a birdie at the 15th. The pair remained separated by two shots when Cort parred the last. Cort’s Dawson Course record second round score of 65, seven under-par, setup the win and an aggregate score of 208. Payne took second on six under-par while Christopher Evans shared third on five under-par with Jason Timmis (Newcastleunder-Lyme Golf Club) and Joe Dean (Hillsborough Golf Club). “It was a little bit tense out there, especially with Greg finishing off well,” said Cort, who took home £10,000, a Motocaddy S1 Lithium trolley, Bushnell Tour X Range Finder and Bolle sunglasses.
“It is a great feeling to win. I chipped and putted when I needed to and that kept me in it. Every green I missed I got up and down and that was the key for me. “Every chip shot got pretty close, especially coming down the last few. Getting the chips within a few feet took the stress out. “I wasn’t planning to play a full EuroPro schedule but that might change now. I will go home and have a think, but you might see me out here a bit more now.” Cort’s win took him to second on the Race To Desert Springs, from which the top five at the end of the season progress to the Challenge Tour for 2017. With two secondplaced finishes in the first four events, Payne now leads the rankings.
TEEINGOFF
LOVE GOLF.... LOVE BEAMISH PARK GOLF CLUB Providing Golfing Excellence for over 100 Years “Be Challenged and Enjoy the Experience”
Matty Lamb, Ian Richardson and Sean Heads
Winning team Hexham secure Northumberland teams championship
H
exham Golf Club put out its big guns to lift the Northumberland Teams Championship at Stocksfield. Represented by England international Matty Lamb (71-72), county player Sean Heads (71-68) and two-time county winner this season Mark Wharton (73-72), the team put together a six-round total of 427 for an eight-shot win over Stocksfield. Hexham captain Ian Richardson said: “We were lucky enough to have a very strong team in Matty, Mark and Sean and all three played solid golf in tough conditions at Stocksfield. “It’s a great honour to lead the club
and to pick up a county title in my year as captain but the credit has to go to the lads who proved their ability with six good rounds of golf.” In the individual event for division one, Stocksfield’s Dominic Lee’s rounds of 68 and 69 gave him a two shot win over Heads. In the division two event, played over 18 holes, Prudhoe’s three-man team led the way with a score of 226. Also promoted to division one were Parklands (227), Backworth (231) and Bellingham (233). Backworth also won the team nett prize as the club’s vice captain, Neil Gascoigne, won the best gross prize in division two with a round of 71.
2016 Open Events
Ladies Open – Wed 17th Aug - £32 per Team of 4 Seniors Open – Thurs 28th July - £18 per pair Juniors Open – Mon 15th Aug - £5 per entry Texas Scramble – Fri 19th Aug - £36 per Team Gents Open – Sat 3rd Sept - £18 per pair
Contact us for more information 0191 370 1382 Beamish Park Golf Club, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 ORH
www.beamishgolf.co.uk
@beamish park_gc
Beamish Golf Club
EAGLESCLIFFE GOLF CLUB Founded 1914
Nestled beside the River Tees with the Cleveland Hills as a backdrop, the course has been described by Golf Monthly magazine as a ‘hidden gem’ of English golf. This 6289 yard James Braid course is both picturesque and demanding due to the nature of the rolling terrain and sloping greens which provides a challenge for both novice and experienced golfers alike. Golf Societies, Corporate Golf Days and Captain’s Away Days..............We will tailor packages to your requirements.
WEEKDAY SUMMER DEAL
Until July 31st - £35 per round (£28 on a Monday) (Off Peak Times) Must be booked through Club Website For all enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact Martin Ball on 01642 780238 or email secretary@eaglescliffegolfclub.co.uk
MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE FROM £370
OPENS
The Hexham team in action
“Home of European Senior Tour Player and Teaching Professional Graeme Bell”
GENTS TEAM – SUNDAY 7 AUGUST GENTS PAIRS – WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST ENTRIES CAN BE BOOKED ONLINE AT WWW.EAGLESCLIFFEGOLFCLUB.CO.UK
NORTHERN GOLFER 07
TEEINGOFF
Alnmouth Golf Club, Foxton Hall Northumberland’s Hidden Gem
Dormy House Golf Breaks 2016
English Tourism 3 Star En-Suite Accommodation Dinner, Bed and Breakfast with 2 Rounds of Golf SPECIAL OFFER SUMMER 2016
20% OFF GOLF BREAKS IN JULY & AUGUST PRICES FROM £80 PER PERSON Subject to availability
BOOK YOUR END OF SEASON BREAK NOW OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER AVAILABILITY Next Open - Texas Scramble Sunday 11th September - £60 per team BOOK ONLINE www.alnmouthgolfclub.com Men, Lady and Mixed Teams Summer Evening Twilight Golf - £17 after 3pm – Book Online Alnmouth Golf Club, Foxton Hall, Alnmouth, Northumberland, NE66 3BE Tel: 01665 830231 - E: bookings@alnmouthgolfclub.com www.alnmouthgolfclub.com Follow us on Facebook
Cameron Wallace
Cameron’s the boy
Junior champion sets sights on men’s trophy
C
MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB BRASS CASTLE LANE Telephone 01642 311766 www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk Visiting Party Packages - From £35 per person 4 Ball Special - £100 (call for available times) Mixed Team Open 2nd October £50 per team To book or for further information contact Gordon Cattrell Club Professional on 01642 311766 or email gcattrell@tgigolf.com North of England Open Amateur Youth Championship 2nd-4th Aug 2016 Follow us on Twitter @ MGC1908 08 NORTHERN GOLFER
ameron Wallace has set his sights on adding the Durham County men’s title to his collection after becoming the county’s boys champion. The Seaton Carew junior claimed the crown at Darlington with two rounds of 71 to finish one shot ahead of Chester-leStreet’s Alex Carr. His latest victory follows successes in the Under 14 and Under 16 Durham county championships and is another step along his golfing path under the guidance of Simon Robinson and Cliff Jackson.
“I am over the moon, it was a great weekend and I would love to go on and add the men’s title at some stage,” said the 16-year-old, who only narrowly missed out on winning the men’s title at Wearside this season. “My rounds were good, I played well and my short game was particularly good. I was knocking putts in from all over.” Carr’s 143 total was two better than Tyneside’s James Wilson in third, while Heworth’s Will Marshall was fourth. The Under 16 title went to the impressive Will Skipp (Eaglescliffe), who has already won the North of England Schools Championship this year. He finished eight shots ahead of Houghtonle-Spring’s Kieran Thomas Wall after shooting a round of 70. George Washington’s Duran Gun was a shot further back and Wallace was the winner of the nett competition with a score of 68, which was a shot better than Darlington’s Oliver Millichap, Skipp and Houghton’s Daniel Ellison. Wallace also won the John Todd Trophy in the Little Six at Lindrick, which you can read about on page 32.
Will Skipp
TEEINGOFF
Masters returns to Rockliffe Entries open as prestigious event celebrates its fifth anniversary
T
he Northern Golf Masters, one of our region’s most prestigious 36-hole scratch events, returns to Rockliffe Hall on Sunday September 11. Now part of the Durham Scratch Order of Merit, the tournament brings together the best club golfers from across Teesside, Co Durham,
Rockliffe Hall
North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Cumbria, with category one golfers with a handicap of five or below invited to enter. Places this year are limited to 42. Last year’s winner Andrew Wilson will be one of the favourites going into the event having put together rounds of 66 and 75 at Royal Porthcawl and
Pyle & Kenfig golf clubs to qualify in fifth place for the matchplay rounds of The Amateur Championship. The Wynyard golfer was then beaten in the round of 64 by Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey as Englishman Scott Gregory went on to lift the title, which has been won by tour players including Garrick Porteous, Graeme Storm
and David Curry. Rockliffe Hall’s golf and estate director Davy Cuthbertson said: “As the tournament is now part of the Durham County Order of Merit, we’re expecting the event to be even more popular. “As it could be the final qualifying tournament of the season, we’re hoping it’s all to play for in the Order of Merit.”
The entry fee is £35 per person and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Concessionary rates for practice rounds are available for competitors as well as accommodation packages for the nights surrounding the competition. To enter, call Rockliffe Hall, tel 01325 729999 or visit www.rockliffehall.com
NORTHERN GOLFER 09
TEEINGOFF
Bower power
Jamie Bower with the Brabazon Trophy
Yorkshireman takes the Brabazon title
J
amie Bower triumphed by a single shot in a thrilling Brabazon Trophy finale at the London Golf Club. The Yorkshireman shot a two under-par 70 to finish on 12 under-par, pipping long-time leader Cameron Davis, whose title challenge faded with a three putt on the final hole. The final round of the English men’s open strokeplay championship had everything - brilliant shots, missed opportunities, upsets, nailbiting tension and a dramatic suspension of play when the leaders, locked at 12 under-par, were both on the 18th green and waiting to putt. A violent thunderstorm forced the last group off the course before the final putts, and when they returned Bower two putted for par and victory, while Australian Davis missed a short putt which would have taken the title battle into a playoff. Ryan Lumsden (Royal Wimbledon), meanwhile, parred the 18th to claim third place on 10 under-par and win the Henriques Salver for the best score by a player aged under 20. Yorkshire’s Ben Hutchinson (Howley Hall) was also a trophy winner, capturing the Scrutton Jug for the best combined score in the Berkshire and
Brabazon Trophies. Bower’s victory was watched by his grandparents Tony and Jean and his girlfriend Olivia Stephenson, and afterwards he said: “This is the biggest win of my life by an absolute mile. It means everything, I can’t express it, I’m just delighted. “I feel really bad for Cameron, he played really well and it was awful for that to happen on the 18th. No-one wants to see that and you would rather win it by holing a putt.” Davis had led the championship for the first three rounds and was two shots ahead going into the final round. But after two holes, Bower had closed the gap and, when he holed a 20ft putt on the fourth he went ahead. Bower immediately dropped back with the first of his upsets - his second to the long fifth went in the water guarding the green and he walked off with a double bogey to Davis’ birdie.
Discover
100year old
A
hidden gem
Passing the lead to and fro was a feature of the round. Bower edged ahead on the short 11th with a superb tee shot which finished 2ft from the pin, before Davis caught him with a birdie on 12 and they stayed tied until the 16th – and another upset for Bower. His tee shot flew right into deep rough and, although he was able to play out, he bogeyed the hole and slipped a shot behind with two to play. Undaunted he produced his shot of the round, firing the ball to within 2ft on the short 17th for his sixth birdie of the day. The rivals were back on level terms and it was on to the 18th for the finale, which brought Bower his title.
MEMBERSHIP
OFFER
£799
FROM NOW UNTIL 31ST MARCH 2018
N E W M E M B E R S O N LY
VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME
For further information please contact the Club Manager Brian Rumney, on 0191 2362794
www.arcothall.co.uk • email: arcothall@yahoo.co.uk Arcot Hall Golf Club, Dudley, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 7QP
10 NORTHERN GOLFER
TEEINGOFF
Hetton LeGolf Hill Club ELEMORE SUPERB 18 HOLE PARKLAND PAY & PLAY
Pay & Play - £15 per round Seniors £12 per round (inc weekends)
Andrew Minnikin
Open season
Attractive Group Rates for Parties
Region’s best players miss out on The Open Championship at Royal Troon
A
mateurs and professionals from across the North East and Yorkshire joined thousands of hopefuls from around the world in a bid to qualify for the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon as part of Regional Qualifying. Competing at 13 venues, including Northumberland Golf Club and Moortown, players set out over the single round sprint to secure a place in Final Qualifying. At Northumberland, home club favourite Andrew Minnikin claimed one of four qualifying spots alongside Mathew Webb (Bedlington) and Callum Cochrane (Royal Burgess). Wynyard’s Andrew Wilson led the event with a round of 69 in tough conditions. Meanwhile, at Moortown, Nick McCarthy, competing at his home club, secured a place in Final Qualifying alongside Joe Dean. Steven Robins led the qualifiers with a two under-par round of 69 and was joined by Thomas Curtis, Michael Durcan and Benjamin Firth in the top six places, all receiving a ticket in the next stage. There was less good news for the region in Final Qualifying, held
at four clubs, as no players from the area made it Troon as some of golf ’s biggest names joined the process in a bid to make it to The Open. Colin Montgomerie was among the qualifiers, with a two round total of five under-par at Gailes Links while European Tour winner Robert Rock also made it through. The 145th Open Championship takes place at Royal Troon July 14-17.
Telephone 0191 5173061 or email hettoncgc@gmail.com Hetton le Hill Golf Club Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QT
Bellingham Golf Club
VISITING PARTIES WELCOME 7 DAYS A WEEK DISCOUNTS FOR BOOKINGS OF 8 OR MORE BUGGIES AND CATERING AVAILABLE
ONLINE SPECIAL GREEN FEES FOR JULY & AUGUST Nick McCarthy
Mon - Fri £20 round per player Sat & Sun £22.50 round per player
2016 OPENS
Follow the link on our website to enter and choose from Mens Texas Scramble - 21st July Ladies Three Player Team - 5th Aug Mens 4BBB Stableford - 7th Aug Seniors 4BBB Stableford - 31st Aug Mixed Greensomes - 11th Sept CONGU Handicaps required Telephone 01434 220530 or email admin@bellinghamgolfclub.com Bellingham Golf Club, Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT
www.bellinghamgolfclub.com
NORTHERN GOLFER 11
TEEINGOFF
Remarkable Rachel 11-year-old wins Blyth championship and becomes youngest ever winner at County Match Week
E
L-R Judith Moore (City of Newcastle), Niamh Lendrum (Parklands) and Rachel Gourley
Eleven-year-old Rachel Gourley continued the incredible start to her golfing career with a runaway victory in Blyth Golf Club’s Ladies Club Championship. Playing off a handicap of six, Rachel led the qualifying for the event before beating Helen Cooper, who had won six consecutive championships, 6&5 in the final. Rachel, who was three up through three holes with an eagle at the par five third, also went on to represent Northumberland at County Match Week at Penrith, where she became the youngest player ever to win a point at the event with a singles win over Lancashire. She said: “Winning the club championship at my first attempt was great. “I wasn’t too scared about it as I’ve
been competing for a long time with the junior girls. Playing against the ladies players was a bit different but they’re all really nice and good to play with. “I played really well in the final against Helen. My best shot was at the third when I hit the green and holed the putt for eagle. “County Match Week was a lot of fun. I got to play against Rochelle Morris who has just represented GB&I in the Curtis Cup and got my first points against a girl from Lancashire too.” Rachel is looking forward to the rest of the season and is aiming to reduce her handicap even further. “The county girls are really nice and it’s fun to play with them. I love to play in events and practice and want to play well in the English and Scottish Girls championships this summer.”
Maggie heads to the US thanks to Ramside Club pays for junior to compete in world championships
M
aggie Whitehead will fulfil her dream of competing in the US Kids World Golf Championships next month thanks to her home club,
Ramside Hall. Ten-year-old Maggie, from Belmont, Durham, qualified to play in the prestigious championships in North Carolina when she became the US Kids Golf Championships British Junior Champion last year. The owners of her home club Ramside are so proud of her achievement they have stepped in to cover the cost of her flights and outfitting her with clothing from Galvin Green. Ramside director of golf Helen Roseberry said: “Maggie is a truly remarkable young lady and what she’s achieved in just a few years is phenomenal. “We wanted to help her make this trip of a lifetime from Co Durham to America, where she will be able to tee up it against the world’s best players in her age group.” 12 NORTHERN GOLFER
Maggie will compete against 1,450 children from 51 countries at Pinehurst Resort, home of the 2014 U.S Open and one of the most famous venues in American golf, on August 4-6. It’s the high point to date of an incredible period for the youngster who has already established herself as an exciting prospect in the North East by winning the Order of Merit on the Durham Srixon Tour in 2015 and capturing the Durham City Junior Open by four strokes. This season, Maggie has travelled to East Lothian to compete in the US Kids Golf Junior European Championships in May and she finished a creditable 10th in her age category. Closer to home, she became the first junior in Ramside Golf Club history to win a league match by 10&8, winning every hole against her 17-year-old opponent. Maggie’s dad, Andy, said: “We’d like to thank Ramside for its amazing support and generosity in
Maggie with Ramside director of golf Helen Rosebery helping us make Maggie’s dreams come true. She absolutely loves playing golf and this trip will give her invaluable experience of playing in a high profile event. This is Maggie’s Major.” Maggie has strong family connections to the Durham club. Her late grandfather Ray Cowie played off a six handicap and was a former club captain while grandmother Margaret was ladies captain.
TEEINGOFF
MEMBERSHIPS FROM ONLY £18 PER MONTH DIRECT DEBIT GOLF SOCIETIES ALWAYS WELCOME • 2 SUPERB COURSES TO PLAY • • VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME • • PUBLIC DRIVING RANGE • • PGA EUROPRO TOUR HOST VENUE 2016 •
Desmond Duffy (© Leaderboard Photography)
Top post for Duffy North East golfer set to become president
B
amburgh’s Desmond Duffy is set to become president elect of England Golf next year. If approved, he will become president in 2018. “I am proud and thrilled,” said Desmond , who has refereed at all levels of the game, including at eight Open Championships. “I am looking forward to meeting a lot of old friends across the country, making new ones and visiting many clubs that, even after 24 years of refereeing, will be new to me.” Desmond was a keen footballer in his teens but was prompted to try golf by the arrival in his parish of a golfplaying priest and a new professional at Catterick Garrison Golf Club. He took lessons, joined the club and began a notable golfing career in which he held a single figure handicap for 52 years. Even now, approaching his 80th birthday, he plays off 11. For the past 48 years he has been a member at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland, where he has been captain and club champion and is an honorary vice president. He treasures his home club and credits it with putting him on the path towards the national golfing stage. First he became involved with the Northumberland Golf Union – where he
has been president before going on to represent his county on the English Golf Union (now England Golf). He later joined the Tournament Panel and, over the years, has refereed at eight Open Championships, at the Walker Cup, the Palmer Cup, on the European Tour, European Senior Tour and at English amateur events. He has also been a member of the EGU Board, represented England on the Council of National Golf Unions and been a member of the R&A Rules and Championship Committees. He has also been a member of the PGA Rules Panel since 2002. “I have had a wonderful career refereeing at every level and visiting not only most of the British Isles but Europe as well. I owe a great deal to Bamburgh, Northumberland and England, each has been an important step along the way,” he said. In his professional life Desmond trained as a quantity surveyor and worked in building contracting, eventually retiring as joint managing director of Tower Construction in Alnwick, Northumberland. His interests outside golf include sitting as an education appeals panel member for seven local authorities in the North East and supporting his church.
Longhirst Hall G O L F
C L U B
Telephone 01670 791562 or email: enquiries@longhirstgolf.co.uk visit us online at: www.longhirstgolf.co.uk
LONGHIRST HALL GOLF COURSE, LONGHIRST, MORPETH, NORTHUMBERLAND, NE61 3LL
LUB RYTON GOLFTyC ne & Wear
MEMBERSHIP INTRO SPECIALS NEW MEMBER DEAL £299 FROM NOW UNTIL 31ST MARCH 2017 * first time joiners
contact: secretary@rytongolfclub.co.uk
Telephone: 0191 4133253 or www.rytongolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 13
TEEINGOFF
Blackwell’s Belles
Blackwell’s Belles with their supporters. From left to right: Hayley Burton, Rebecca Gibson, Jackie Heaton and Karen McCabe A quartet of Blackwell Ladies members raised more than £1,000 when they completed the Longest Day Golf Challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support. Hayley Burton, Rebecca Gibson, Jackie Heaton and Karen McCabe played four rounds of golf starting at 5.15am and finishing at 9pm, walking more than 20 miles in the process. And it was no mere friendly stroll, they played competitive stableford golf with the best two scores to count on each hole. The standard was pretty good as well with 85 points in the first round, 82 in the second, a cracking 92 in the third round and 86 in the final outing. Helped by a legion of club members, the ladies raised more than £1,200.
Flying high South Moor’s ladies section has donated more than £6,00 to The Great North Air Ambulance Service following months of fundraising. Half the money was raised by Pam Tate's lady captain's charity day, which attracted 27 teams. There was also a donation of £2,500 from Amec Foster Wheeler Group Ltd. The cheque was topped up by a series of events during the season and Janet Hume, public liaison officer at GNAAS, said: “The effort that the ladies have put in has been phenomenal. “The money raised will go towards maintenance of the aircraft, fuel and specialist drugs and equipment." 14 NORTHERN GOLFER
The winning team - Chris Stonock, Terry Hall, Paul Robertson and Gary Ramsay
Charity champions Northern Golfer charity day raises more than £7,500 for St Oswald’s Hospice
T
he third annual Northern Golfer Charity Golf Day took place at Northumberland Golf Club raising in excess of £7,500 for St Oswald’s Hospice. The overall winners, representing Northern Golfer, were our editor Paul Robertson, Gary Ramsay, Terry Hall and Chris Stonock with 92 points as BLP finished in second place with 89 points. Gary Ramsay said: “Our golf day has gone from strength to strength in the last three years and to see so many teams returning for a third time is fantastic. We must thank this year’s sponsors, Bowes Mitchell and SV Rutter, for their support in underwriting this year’s event so that every penny raised goes directly to the hospice. “Our thanks also go to Northumberland for hosting the event and preparing the course to its absolute best, all of our partners for their prize donations, raffle ticket purchases and for taking part. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event.”
The BLP team A total of 19 teams enjoyed a warm sunny day on an immaculately presented course, where regional qualifying for The Open was held last month, followed by a two-course meal and presentation. The nearest the pin on the day was won by Douglas Montgomerie while Stuart Beaton won the longest drive. St Oswald’s Hospice is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Based in Gosforth, it provides specialist hospice care to adults, young people and children with lifelimiting conditions.
TEEINGOFF
Stars are out for COCO
Sports stars join Steve Cram for golf day in aid of COCO
S
ports biggest names teamed up with businesses from across the region to raise money for international children’s charity COCO at this year’s Steve Cram Celebrity Golf Day at Slaley Hall. More than 20 former Olympic athletes, Premier League footballers and rugby and cricket stars joined the Jarrow Arrow in Northumberland to raise more than
£15,000 for COCO, which is based in the North East and delivers sustainable projects in remote regions of the developing world which help alleviate the poverty that prevents children’s education. Following the event, which also included a gala dinner at Slaley Hall, Cram said: “I am always hugely grateful to the North East business community and my friends and colleagues in the
world of sport for the support they give. The golf course was in great condition and competition was as fierce as ever. Most importantly, we are all raising a lot of money that will be invested directly into projects that are transforming young lives in some of the poorest parts of Africa.” Cram was joined by former Team GB members Daley Thompson, Kriss Akabusi, John
Regis, Mick Hill, Leon Taylor and Brian Whittle. The world of football was also well represented, with the likes of Mark Bright, Steve Watson, Eddie Gray, Gordon Armstrong, Craig Hignett, Jim Montgomery, Alan Thompson, Ritchie Pitt and Steve Stone all teeing off at Slaley. The day, sponsored by Grovesnor Casinos, enjoyed glorious sunshine with 36 teams filling both the Priestman and Hunting courses.
COCO is a North East-based charity, which was co-founded by world champion athlete and BBC commentator Steve Cram and former British Army Major Jim Panton in 2000. It has since raised over £3.5m. To find out more about the work of COCO visit www.coco.org.uk
PLAY GOLF AND BE ACTIVE
For Adults, Juniors and Families Available at Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Centre • 18 HOLE golf course and 9 hole pitch and putt • DRIVING RANGE • PAY AND PLAY or buy your golf d season ticket for unlimited golf Round refunde et • PRO one to one lessons available if a season tick
membership is taken out the same day! *
Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Centre Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough TS5 7YZ
0300 456 0553 everyoneactive.com 7193_Northern Golder HP July.indd 1
eaMidGolfCentre
Everyone Active manages this facility in partnership with Middlesbrough Council. *Terms apply.
@eaMidGolf NORTHERN GOLFER 15 06/07/2016 11:23
TEEINGOFF
Dedicated duo
Paul O’Donnell (left) and Jonathan Pearson Yorkshire pros Jonathan Pearson and Paul O’Donnell have received a prestigious national award for their dedication to junior golf at Cookridge Hall. The duo, who liken their double act to a golfing equivalent of TV stars Ant and Dec, were presented with the Sinclair Award during the Golf Foundation’s annual awards ceremony at Wentworth. Between them the pair coached almost 2,000 children in schools, community taster sessions and at the golf club over the course of 2015. The pair have also integrated youngsters with disabilities, providing accessible opportunities for all young people to try their hand at the sport. “This is the culmination of eight-and-a-half years’ hard work,” explained O’Donnell, who started work on the project before welcoming Pearson to the team. “When Jonathan came on board I was able to look at disability golf and trying to get more girls playing to make it as inclusive as we possibly can. “What you find is that you get all the kids on the phone telling all their mates about it – which means that Jon is constantly run off his feet at the club!” The Leeds club currently welcomes 150 children for weekly sessions, with 60 girls taking part. There’s also an additional satellite club for local teenagers. “What we see is that a lot of our kids go off to clubs around Leeds,” explained Pearson. “We’re not trying to keep them all to ourselves – it’s simply about getting as many kids involved in golf as possible.” 16 NORTHERN GOLFER
Ross Jackson (left) receives his award from the PGA’s Sandy Jones
Honour for Jackson Work to encourage youngsters earns Ingleby Barwick pro top honour
T
he tireless efforts of Ross Jackson to encourage school children who are keen on golf to become golf club members has resulted in him receiving a prestigious national award. Jackson, the PGA professional at Ingleby Barwick Golf Academy in Cleveland, has won the Golf Foundation’s Bonallack Award for creating a project which has demonstrated a successful pathway from schools into club membership. He was presented with the award during the Golf Foundation’s annual awards ceremony at Wentworth. Jackson is at the heart of this scheme which works with the Golf Foundation, England Golf, Stockton SSP (school partnership), and Tees Valley Sport to grow his club’s junior membership. Foundation chief executive Brendon Pyle said: “Ross started it from scratch two years ago. Since then more than 3,000 children have had a
taste of golf at school and 200 of them have been coached at his academy. “In addition, the academy hosted 54 junior competitions last year, a junior teeing system was devised and juniors were given their own area of the club’s bistro to hang out, play games and have fun. As a result the club’s junior membership has grown from 20 to 60 in two years and the aim is to take that number to more than 100 by the end of the year. “A lot of hard work has gone into it,” said Jackson, who has been a PGA pro for five years. “This makes it worthwhile and enthuses me even more. “When we started this there wasn’t much junior activity but we created a new vibe and really changed the dynamic of the club. “This award is a real honour and I dedicate it to the young people we work with and everyone who has supported us.”
Emma’s award Morpeth Golf Club’s work to grow the game among juniors was recognised at the Golf Foundation Presidents’ Awards at Wentworth, as Emma Allison picked up the Montgomerie Young Volunteer of the Year Award. Emma, 17, received the award for her work with weekly coaching sessions at Morpeth, inspiring other young people into golf alongside PGA head professional Martyn Jobling. Emma also supports Martyn’s outreach work in schools using Golf Foundation ‘Tri-Golf’, helps out at the local driving range during winter months and assists with Northumberland County junior coaching sessions. A member of the Northumberland County team, Emma said: “I really like volunteering as I was their age when I started so it’s really good
to help them through the stages I have experienced. I feel like a friend as well as a coach.” Foundation regional development officer Ian Harvey added: “Emma is seen as a role model to many youngsters and has made a huge impact in her home county of Northumberland. This talented golfer and generous volunteer is highly deserving of the inaugural Montgomerie Award.” The Golf Foundation is a nationally recognised charity that works with national partners to encourage young people to ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in the sport.
Golf Discount Flightscope and Golf Science Centre
CLOSING DOWN SALE DUE TO RETIREMENT
ALL SENSIBLE OFFERS CONSIDERED EVERYTHING MUST GO!!
WATERPROOF SUITS FROM £24.99
MAKE US AN OFFER
LITHIUM BATTERIES & CHARGERS
MAKE US AN OFFER
BENROSS DRIVERS RRP £149 NOW £65
MAKE US AN OFFER
GLENMUIR SWEATERS
MAKE US AN OFFER
GOLF BROLLIES MAKE US AN OFFER
GOLF TROUSERS WERE £34.99 NOW £15
MAKE US AN OFFER
LADIES WEAR
MAKE US AN OFFER
COME ON IN AND PICK UP AN UNREPEATABLE BARGAIN!! Unit 3 Strand Business Centre, Locomotion Way, Camperdown Industrial Estate, Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 5UJ TELEPHONE 0191 2680008 email: phil@philipsgolf.co.uk FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
@philipsgolfne
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/philipsgolfdiscount
OPENING TIMES: Mon - Wed 9 am - 6 pm, Thur 9 am - 6 pm, Fri 9 am - 6 pm, Sat 9 am - 5 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm
COURSEREVIEW
Delightful Dinsdale
Alan Hedley enjoys a visit to one of our region’s most picturesque parkland courses
D
insdale Spa is probably one of those courses you’ve always promised you’ll play but you’ve never quite gotten round to it. Do yourself a favour and do it, because it’s one of the most enjoyable tests of golf you’ll find in the North East with views too. It’s not long at just under 6,500 yards, but it has three interesting par fives, three tricky par threes and some very demanding par fours. The 474-yard first hole is one of those par
18 NORTHERN GOLFER
fives and it’s reachable in two, but you’ll need to find the left centre of the fairway off the tee to have a chance of getting to the tiered green with your second. The second is the first of the par threes and at 217 yards and well-bunkered, it’s tough, but not as tough as the third - a 452-yard par four which demands two big shots, plus avoiding a ditch to make it to another tiered green. There’s little respite with a 454-yard par four to follow and a green noted for its speed.
The next is called Road Hole and there are similarities with its more famous St Andrews namesake. At 354 yards it’s a tough drive with trees - rather than a hotel - obstructing the ‘Tiger line’ and the green is narrow and guarded on both sides by bunkers. A 334-yard dog-leg right par four which is in reach for the big hitters follows. It is risk or reward if you go at the green while a lay up leaves just a short iron to the green. The short seventh is rightly judged to be Dinsdale’s signature hole (see fact file) and the eighth is no pushover with a drive across a ravine plus a tricky green with a narrow approach and steep slopes. Again, possibly tempting to the big hitter but a high risk shot. The ninth is a short par five at 510 yards but with out of bounds left and bunkers right it deserves respect. You can then have a go at the 263-yard 10th, but beware of the ditch and a well-bunkered tiered green with many subtle borrows. The 11th is a 173-yard par three and you need to trust your club selection here as it can be hard to judge the flag. It’s followed by another long par
COURSEREVIEW
FACT FILE
Dinsdale was founded in 1910 and is situated between Middleton St George and Neasham village
four of 460 yards where most are delighted to walk off with a par. On to 13, another 400-yard-plus hole, and there’s another ditch menacing the second shot to a well-bunkered, undulating green. The 365-yard 14th also has an undulating green demanding accuracy both off the tee and with the approach. The 15th is a good-looking par five of 483 yards and is reachable in two, but they’ll have to be two pretty good hits to avoid the pond near the green. The finishing three holes are by no means frightening, but they are not to be taken lightly with a shortish 314-yard par four which holds no real terrors if you avoid the bunkers. Seventeen is a test as it’s a 379-yard dog-leg to the right where the focus is on the drive and the fairway narrows as you approach to the green. It’s also a shortish par four of 331 yards to finish, but it’s a nice-looking hole where a good drive will leave as little as a wedge to a generous green.
CONTACT Dinsdale Spa Golf Club Neasham Road, Middleton St George Darlington, DL2 1DW Tel: Secretary 01325 332 297 Clubhouse 01325 332222 Professional (James Hare) 01325 332 515 Email: office@dinsdalespagolfclub.co.uk Web: www.dinsdalespagolfclub.co.uk GREEN FEES £30 weekdays and weekends Dinsdale operates the 2 FORE 1 Green Fee Facility and County Cards (details on request) Buggy hire £20
The course was reconfigured in 2006 with the introduction of two new holes on the front nine, which has created an excellent 6,462 yard par 72 layout with a fine clubhouse. One prominent feature at Dinsdale is the extensive, well maintained practice area complete with two covered driving bays, which provides the opportunity to hone your game. It also provides excellent teaching facilities for the professionals headed up by James Hare. The club also has very active ladies and junior sections which will extend a friendly welcome to any new members and with such a strong Ladies section the club is able to support club mixed competitions throughout the year
TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,462 yards Yellow tees 6,155 yards Red tees 5,825 yards FEATURES Modern clubhouse with lounge, bar and dining room Changing rooms Professional’s shop PGA professional tuition Extensive practice area with two covered driving bays CADDY’S TIP You can’t just haul out the driver and blast away. Accuracy is key most of the time - though there are a few opportunities to have a go SIGNATURE HOLE The short seventh - Dragon’s Lair. It may be only 159 yards, but it is rightly judged to be Dinsdale’s signature hole. It’s a real beauty viewed from the tee and you’ll be relieved to find the green as steep bunkers left and right are a difficult test
OUR VERDICT Don’t miss out on what is an excellent day’s golf
NORTHERN GOLFER 19
TEEINGOFF
Can you sell this space?
Whickham GC, (inset) Jordan Bettis
Bettis leads the way Ravensworth top qualifying for Durham clubs championship
J We are looking for a talented and experienced media sales professional to help with the future development of Northern Golfer magazine. With 10 issues per year, a growing website and several popular events we are the ‘must read’ publication for golfers in the area. The role will be to further develop commercial partnerships both in print and online, and the ideal candidate will have a good knowledge of golf in the region as well as a successful media sales background. Based at our offices in Stocksfield, the rewards include a good basic salary, bonus and a company car. Interested? Send us your C.V. along with a covering letter to givemeajob@offstonepublishing.co.uk, or apply online at offstonepublishing.co.uk Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AJ t: +44 (0) 1661 844 115 www.offstonepublishing.co.uk
20 NORTHERN GOLFER
ordan Bettis signalled a return to top form when he led Ravensworth into the Durham Clubs Championship with a six under-par 65 at Whickham. The 20-year-old bogeyed the first two holes in the county Clubs Championship Qualifying before making birdie at the next three and at the seventh and eighth to be out in 32. He picked up further birdies at 10 and 12, eagled 16 and then bogeyed the last to be back in 33 for a round of 65. Jordan, who has lifted both the Ravensworth men’s and junior club championships three times and was part of the 2014 Newcastle and District League-winning team, was backed up by Joe and Louis Fraser who shot 74 and 78 respectively for a total of 217
to lead the 12 qualifiers for the County Clubs Championship at South Moor on August 13. Ravensworth edged out Consett by one shot with Mark Bosner (72), John Kennedy (71) and James Newton Jnr (75) taking the runners-up spot. Both were well clear of third placed South Moor who posted 227. The other clubs who made it through were: 228 Ryton, 230 Wearside, 232 Tyneside, Barnard Castle and Eaglescliffe, 235 Whitburn, 236 Bishop Auckland, 237 Beamish and Billingham. There was disappointment for Garesfield who finished on the same score as the final qualifiers, while Boldon and Hobson both missed out by just one shot.
Home comforts for Ryton Ryton made home advantage count in the Durham County Teams Handicap Championship to take the title. Out first at the Clara Vale course, Ryton put together a total of 211. Richard Muldoon’s three-
under-par 67 - which was the best nett individual score - led the way while Malcolm Bell (73) and Paul Henderson (71) added their scores to finish five shots clear of Eaglescliffe with Crook finishing third with a total of 218.
TEEINGOFF
Batty’s birdie blitz Gemma scoops national matchplay title in style
Y
orkshire’s Gemma Batty made a flying visit from Scotland to win the English Women’s Matchplay championship at Holme Hall. She signed off with a birdie as she beat Kent’s Cloe Frankish 4&3 in the final and said: “I am really, really pleased. I have always wanted to win a national title and to do it like this, without a practice round and not seeing the course as much as I’d like, is very special. “I knew my game was good but I needed to prove it to myself and I’ve done that this week.”
Batty, 22, is a student at Stirling University and couldn’t get to Holme Hall in time for a practice round after playing in the World University Games. But, once through the strokeplay stage of the championship, there was no stopping her. “I’ve played really well, very solid,” said Batty, who was born in Leeds and learned the game at Pike Hills, but is now based in Scotland where she’s a member at Moffat. She made her way past Sophie Madden 2&1 in the semi-finals to meet English U16 girls’ champion Cloe Frankish in the final.
Gemma Batty (© Leaderboard Photography) Frankish, 17, (Chart Hills) had a marathon battle to reach the final, eventually defeating Georgina Blackman (Chelmsford) with a birdie on the 21st. It was the second time she had to dig deep to win in extra time during the championship. When the final got underway Batty hit the birdie trail, notching up
four by the time the match was over. She quickly got ahead, helped by a chip-in on the fourth, and was 2up through five. She lost the eighth but pushed ahead on the back nine – despite a heavy downpour - winning the 11th, 12th and 14th before the 15th was halved in birdies.
Flamborough Head Golf Club ‘The Friendliest Club on the Coast......’
TWILIGHT GOLF
Play our course for just £14*
If you have limited time to play why not try our twilight golf We offer after 2pm a heavily reduced greenfee both week days and weekends If you enjoy yourselves that much we have a limited offer for a twilight membership!**
COUNTRY MEMBERSHIP 2016
PLAY GOLF TO RELAX Available to those who have their full-time residences at least 30 miles from the club. Membership is for one year and starts March 1st to 28th February
*Weekday fee £14pp Weekends £17pp ** Twilight Membership from £199pp
BENEFITS INCLUDE
✓Advance tee time booking
✓ Handicap and Golf Union affiliation ✓ Members only playing times ✓ Competitions
✓ Preferred rate on buggy hire
✓ Members discount in golf shop
ONLY £189
WE ALSO OFFER STAY & PLAY B&B £29 PER NIGHT For more information please telephone 01262 850333 opt. 3 or email: enquiries@flamboroughheadgolfclub.co.uk
Full details of golf packages can be found on www.flamboroughheadgolfclub.co.uk
NORTHERN GOLFER 21
TEEINGOFF
Team effort
Matty Lamb (second from left) with his England teammates Matty Lamb was part of the England Boys’ Team which took part in the European Boys’ Team Championship 2016 presented by Lignum Tee at Diamond Country Club in Austria in July. England, represented by Toby Briggs, John Gough, Daniel O’Loughlin, Charlie Strickland Callum Farr and Lamb finished fifth in Flight B as France beat Germany in the final match to lift the trophy.
Junior champs
Malton & Norton’s junior team won the York Union’s Team Championship with the team of Jack Boyd, Christina Rumbelow, Poppy Rudd and Lewis Stead putting together a three-card aggregate score of 104 points for a two point victory over York. In the individual competition, Alfie Barlow (Easingwold), Lucy Gallacher (Pike Hills) and Lewis West (Fulford) tied for second place with 38 points as the award for the best Individual not in the winning team was collected by Adam Copley of the host club with 39 points. The Malton & Norton team will now represent the York Union at the IDU Junior Club Team Championship at Middlesbrough. 22 NORTHERN GOLFER
Billingham Golf Club, one of the new NERGA members
Rabbit run
Association grows and is ready to welcome more clubs
T
he North East Rabbits Golf Association is booming but there is still room for more clubs to take part next season. This season the NERGA and INTER leagues welcomed new clubs Billingham, Bishop Auckland, Forest Park and Whitburn to make 34 clubs playing in four zone leagues while INTER welcomed Houghton, Hunley Hotel, Malton and Norton,
Ravensworth, Roseberry Grange and South Moor to take the total number of clubs to 21 playing in three zone leagues. NERGA, which is for 16-28 handicap, sees the two Northern zones and two Southern zones leagues compete for six places at the 2016 Championship Finals Day at Rockliffe Hall in October. The four zone league winners plus the best two runners up will contest
the NERGA Club Championship on the day and the top player from all 34 clubs will also be invited to the finals day to contest the NERGA Individual Championship. INTER, which is for 8-15 handicaps, is played in three zone leagues competing for four club places at Rockliffe - three zone winners plus the best runner-up - and the top player from all 21 clubs contests the INTER individual championship.
The association wants to attract more clubs and players for 2017 and any club/player interested in joining NERGA or INTER 2017 contact the secretary Martin Hill, tel 01325 720 943 or 07775 615 307 or email martin_hill@live.co.uk For more information go to www.nerga.co.uk
Home sweet home Adam Hodkinson returned to his native county to win the PGA North Assistants Championship of Yorkshire at Northcliffe Golf Club. The third year trainee professional at Chorlton-cum-Hardy made a perfect start to his round with birdies at the first three holes and added two more on the inward half to offset a trio of bogeys for a two-under-par 69. The 26-year-old former England Boys
international and Yorkshire County player also won the Cheshire version of the event last year and tied third in the Lancashire event in April, which was won by former European Tour player Mark Pilkington, from Pwllheli. Hodkinson, originally attached to Hallowes, was a winner on the Alps Tour but gave up the game for three years after breaking his wrist.
TEEINGOFF
Pro win for Marsh
Hawkins in the hotseat Dayne making a good impression at Flamborough Head
F
lamborough’s new professional and golf manager Dayne Hawkins is already making a difference at the East coast club. Since taking up his new role earlier this year and becoming responsible for the day-today running of the club, there has been a big improvement in the positive feedback from members and guests. “The next step is to promote the club and what it has to offer to a wider audience as well as being proactive with its neighbours and to play its part in the Golf Coast Passport system which allows golfers to play at five different courses at a reduced rate,” said Hawkins.
Flamborough is also looking to grow support for the opens it runs throughout the season and it is also part of the Bridlington Golf Festival week this season. The club is also concentrating on attracting new members with a junior programme and initiatives to encourage more women to take up the sport. “Our belief is there is also market for twilight golf and we have developed a membership where a new member can chose to join and play their golf after 2pm at a reduced membership fee. This doesn’t stop this category of member playing before 2pm but there is a minimal green-fee surcharge to do so” added Hawkins.
Flamborough Head, (inset) Dayne Hawkins
Nick Marsh is beginning to make an impact on the Gecko Tour as a professional. The 21-year-old England cap from Huddersfield turned pro a few months ago and finished as the leading pro in the Gecko Tournament at La Canada and Almenara in Spain. Victory went to amateur Mario Galiano, who won his second consecutive title on The Gecko Tour, as Marsh was the leading pro in a gruelling tournament played in extremely windy conditions. Galiano was the only player able to finish under par with a total of 213, two better than Marsh and Swede Fredrik From.
CLOSE HOUSE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP ONLY £15 PER PERSON The Close House Academy and 9-hole Yearling course is open to golfers of all ages and abilities, whether you’re a member of the club or a guest trying out the world-class facilities. If you’re looking to sharpen your game, there are covered and open-air driving range bays and a specialist short game practice area prepared to the same high standard as the Lee Westwood Colt and Filly courses. Meanwhile, the tuition suite is fitted with the latest camera and flighttracking equipment for your long game, and a SAM Puttlab for the shortest - often most difficult - part of the game. Finally, the custom fit suite, again fitted with the latest technology, offers access to leading brands and Close House’s PGA professionals are experts in helping you to select the best clubs. The driving range also has the latest floodlight technology, which means you get to practice late into the evening. Then, when you’ve tuned your game to your satisfaction, you can enjoy a coffee and a light bite in the Academy café.
MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR GAME BY JOINING THE PGA ACADEMY AT CLOSE HOUSE
W W W. C LO SEHO U SE. C O M Golf Academy CLOSE HOUSE NEWCASTLE
Close House, Heddon on the Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 0HT Telephone 01661 85 22 55 Email enquiries@closehouse.co.uk
CLOSE HOUSE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP Includes access to practice facilities including unlimited use of the new Yearling course, member access to the short game area, a round on the Lee Westwood Filly and one half hour golf lesson with a PGA professional tutor.
ONLY
£15 PER MONTH
UNDER-18 ONLY
£10 PER MONTH
NORTHERN GOLFER 23
JACKHERMESTON
Jack’s the lad Northumberland and University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Jack Hermeston tells Dean Bailey about life on and off the course, at home and in the US
I
t’s been an interesting journey since Jack Hermeston shot to fame and into the England Golf system by winning the McGregor Trophy at South Moor in 2011. Five years on from his breakthrough to the national spotlight, he’s back home from the University of MissouriKansas City for the summer holidays, with a different take on his golfing future than the 15-year-old lad who dreamt of a place alongside his heroes Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. “I’ve matured a lot since I went out to the US – as a golfer and as a person,” says Jack, now aged 20, who is taking a break between the qualifying and matchplay rounds of the Northumberland County Championship when we meet at his home club, City of Newcastle. “Going out to the US for my freshman year was a big shock to the system. I’d just spent the whole summer playing golf, sleeping and not doing a lot else. “To go from that to living in the States and having a dayto-day schedule of 11-12 hour days made me grow up quickly. It was straight into working out in the morning, going to class, going to practice, doing homework, sleeping and repeating. “It is tough to get into, but it’s been a big help to me as a golfer and as a person.” The change in Jack, who appeared in Northern Golfer throughout his teenage years as an England international and county player, is remarkable. The boy who dreamed of making
24 NORTHERN GOLFER
it big on the tour has learned a huge amount since then. “I’ve been watching a lot of golf on the PGA Tour and the thing I’ve noticed is how many first time winners are in their 30s,” says Jack. “They’re not all coming out of college and winning, and it’s made me realise it’s a long progression to the top of the game for a lot of players – look at Shane Lowry or Justin Rose. That mentality, keeping improving and working, is the key to making it. “I’ve matured a lot away from golf too. I was quite happy being looked after at home before. My mum won’t let me get away with that while I’m home now though.” Jack’s progression, overseen by long-time coach John Harrison and Hexham’s Andy Paisley, has continued into his 20s while watching the growth of his college teammates. “One of the biggest things I’ve learned is making the most of the time you’ve got. I structure my practice time properly now and make the most of what I’m doing each day. “Playing with teammates like Antoine Rozner, one of the top 25 amateurs in the world, has been amazing. Watching him improve and become a top player has been really inspiring. He was at a similar stage to me two years ago and he’s left college with the confidence to turn up and know he can win. “I’m lucky to have a great group of people around me with the likes of John and Andy. They have a huge amount
JACKHERMESTON
NORTHERN GOLFER 25
JACKHERMESTON
of experience and learning from their experiences is huge. “Working on mechanics is really important, but I’ve also got to remember not to get bogged down with it like I did a few years ago. Having that double approach – mechanics and mentality – is going to be the key to improving going forward.” Away from the golf course, college life is suiting Jack with the atmosphere among his teammates and fellow athletes a big positive. “Apart from the golf and school, I’m spending a lot of time enjoying university life. You have to make the most of it. We get invited to all sorts of things and get to watch the other teams play. The collegiate atmosphere is amazing and the athletes are like a big family.” Back on the golf course, the last two seasons haven’t been the easiest for Jack as he’s aimed to build consistency in his game. “There’s been some really big highlights in the last couple of seasons as well as times when I’ve had to work hard on my game,” he admits. “This season, I missed out by a couple of shots in the first two events before I got into it and played well. “I got some good rounds together before coming home for the Christmas break and since then it’s been firing really well. I led the team in the first event of the spring down in Texas and I was just outside the top 10 in the tournament for my best finish in the US so far. “I got into a little groove having worked on my putting with Andy and played solid in the first couple of events, making the travelling team and playing well in the tournaments. To see the team win the Western Athletic Conference Championship at the end of the season was a fantastic experience and one of the best parts of the year. “I’m happy I’ve found some more consistency in my game this year. That’s what I’ve been striving for - the ability to not play my best golf and still break par. That, and winning of course,” he adds. With tournament golf in the US comes the opportunity to play alongside some of the best young players in the world and Jack has relished the opportunity. “Being in that kind of field gives you a great look at where your game is
WHO WOULD BE IN YOUR DREAM FOURBALL? Having grown up watching Tiger Woods destroy fields, win majors by huge margins and dominate the golf world he’d have to be my first pick. Though I didn’t grow up in his era, I’ve watched videos and read about Seve Ballesteros and I love the way he played the game and attacked the golf course. Not necessarily technically perfect but I love his passion.
I’m asked a lot about turning pro. At the moment I’m very open to what’s out there
26 NORTHERN GOLFER
compared to the world’s best and what it takes to win the big events as you get into your final two years of college. “It’s great to see the path out in front of you and to know that playing good golf will see you progress along that path the same way these guys have done.” When it comes to planning ahead, Jack’s focus is on his time with the UMKC Kangaroos, with his options open to life after graduation. “Short term, I’ve got a light schedule, as our coach made it clear this our break, but I’ll play the English Amateur and the Big Six before heading back to school. “I’d like to make all the travelling teams for our events next season, and get my first top 10 in a college event. “After that, I’m asked a lot about turning pro. At the minute I’m very open to what’s out there. Everyone dreams of it when they’re younger, but when you
get out there and compete on bigger and bigger stages you realise what it takes to make it. I’d want my game to improve a great deal if I was to turn pro with the aim of making it onto the main tours after my college golf. “I’ve got a very safe couple of years with college, where I can play golf and get my qualifications. At the end of those two years I can sit down, assess where I’ve gotten to and set goals from there. It’s a really exciting time right now and there’s no need to plan too far ahead.” If things do go right, the dream of 15-year-old Jack is still there. “To make it at the top level is what every kid hitting balls and holing putts in the dark on the putting green wants isn’t it? “So many great players don’t make it to the very top, but climbing the ladder is an amazing experience and one I’m enjoying every minute of.”
The last one would have to be Barack Obama. He fascinates me and to spend four hours with a man who’s held such a high position would be so inspiring.
TOURLIFE
Chris Paisley
PRO-RATA MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE OPEN COMPETITIONS 2016 Tuesday 9th August. Seniors Open. £16 per pair. Monday 5th September. Ladies Open. £12 per pair. VISITING PARTIES WELCOME - Packages tailored to suit your needs!
3 MONTH TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS ONLY £150! For further details or to book a tee time telephone the Secretary on 0191 2867636 or 0191 2860594 | Email: wgc@btconnect.com
WESTERHOPE GOLF CLUB Whorlton Grange, Westerhope, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE5 1PP www.westerhopegolfclub.com
Backworth Golf Club A MUST PLAY HIDDEN GEM IN NORTH TYNESIDE
TOUR LIFE VIVE LA GOLF
WITH EUROPEAN TOUR PLAYER CHRIS PAISLEY Since my last column I have played three events, which started with a top 10 in Austria. It was a joy to play some good golf again. Take away one or two loose shots and it could have been a very special week. The next tournament was in Germany, and I missed the cut. I was cruising along nicely at three under-par in the second round and got severely punished for a poor shot which resulted in a quadruple bogey. That wasn’t fun! I then played the French Open and finished 38th. It was a really solid week on a brutal golf course with a very strong field. Things are certainly getting better and better as the weeks go by. The improvement in my putting has been a huge positive. I have ranked in the top 10 in putting in almost every event for the past few months (Shout out to my putting coach, Andy Paisley, for that!). Once my ball striking gets back to its best, I should really start knocking some good scores in. I have to talk a little bit about the golf course from the French Open, Le Golf National, in Paris. It’s the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup and it is quite simply, in my opinion, going to be the best Ryder Cup venue of all time. From a player’s perspective, it is incredible and one of the most demanding courses I have ever played. When you hit a great shot, or make a birdie on one of the tougher holes, you really feel like you have achieved something. I felt completely drained after each round. There is not one shot out there that you can relax on. Have a look at the course online and check out the pictures, you will see what I mean. Many scorecards have been and will continue to be ruined in that body of water between the 15th and 18th holes. They’ve also made a lot of changes to the spectator areas and it feels as though each hole is its own stadium. This made the atmosphere so special so I can only imagine what it will be like at the Ryder Cup. It’s the Scottish Open for me next, then three weeks off. I’ll be heading to Orlando with my wife to rest and recharge, and get ready for a big finish to the season!
18 MONTHS MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE FOR £550 Summer green fees 18 holes £18 9 hole special £10 Societies welcome
Telephone the Manager John Robinson 0191 2684274
Telephone 0191 2689131 for course availability, information and events Email: backworthminers@virgin.net • www.backworthminers.co.uk/golf The Hall, Backworth, NE27 0AH
NORTHERN GOLFER 27
GOLFGEAR
Wellequipped Technology and fashion The season continues across the North East and Yorkshire this month with packed schedules of events to keep your handicap tumbling down. If you’re in need of a little help, this month we bring you the latest equipment news and releases from Odyssey, Galvin Green, Oscar Jacobson, Mizuno and Nike – from hardware to fashion.
HELPING HAND Odyssey X-Act Tank Chipper RRP: £109 www.odysseygolf.com Great news for those struggling around the greens, Odyssey has launched the X-Act Tank Chipper – aimed at making those tricky up-anddowns a whole lot easier. The X-Act utilises Odyssey’s Tank weighting philosophy to promote a smoother swing in easy-to-hit option which plays perfectly between putter and wedge with Hi Def Marxman Alignment and a soft polymer face insert.
PART II
LOOKING GOOD
Galvin Green SS 2016 collection RRP: from £14.95 www.galvingreen.com
Oscar Jacobson Spring/ Summer 2016 collection RRP: from £45 www.oscarjacobson.com
The trendy folks over at Galvin Green have unveiled the latest additions to their 2016 collection, including waterproof jackets, trousers, pullovers, shirts, shorts, hats, gloves, socks and base layers. Featuring industryleading technology and fabrics across the range, it’s no wonder Galvin will supply weatherwear to team Europe at the Ryder Cup in September.
The Stylish Swedes over at Oscar Jacobson have launched a new apparel collection focusing on keeping players cool and comfortable in hot weather. The new range, which brings together the latest technology and the brand’s 113-year tailoring heritage, features polos and shorts and is available in two colour themes – Resort, a classic look, and Club, a reflection of the wider fashion industry’s influences, mixing white with contrast colours.
28 NORTHERN GOLFER
INTHEBAG
IN THE BAG with world number two Jordan Spieth BIG IN JAPAN Mizuno JPX Platinum golf ball RRP: RRP £50 golf.mizunoeurope.com
GONNA FLY NOW Nike Flyknit Elite golf shoes RRP: £150 www.nike.com
Image credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
Following its success in the Japanese market, Mizuno is bringing its premium five-piece JPX Platinum golf ball to Europe. The ball, which incorporates Mizuno’s Energy Cross Core, Dimple-Cluster design and Anti-glare satin finish, features 512 dimples, more than any other golf ball on the market.
World number two and twotime major winner Jordan Spieth won his first PGA Tour event in his native Texas in May with a 17 under-par total at Colonial in the Dean and Deluca Invitational. Spieth produced a stunning finish on Sunday, recording a chip-in birdie at the 17th before holing a putt from across the green at the 18 to add the ‘eye-catching’ tartan blazer to his wardrobe and pick up a three-shot win over Harris English. Here’s what was in his bag…
Titleist 915D2 (Aldila Rogue Black 60TX shaft) 9.5°
Titleist 915F, 15°
Titleist Pro V1x
Nike Golf has unveiled its latest footwear, the Flyknit Elite. Featuring a flat, stable front foot and torqueing back foot, which we’re told will increase power and consistency, the shoe has a mid-top profile which reaches around the ankle.
Titleist AP2 714
Titleist Vokey SM6 (48°, 52°, 56°, 60°)
NORTHERN GOLFER 29
GOLFERNEWS
Friends Reunited Eaglescliffe stages popular tournament for former officials across the country
E
Eaglescliffe Golf Club
aglescliffe will host one of the biggest Presidents and Captains reunions later this month. The event started in 2010 at Normanton, near Leeds for captains from Halifax, Harrogate, Hull, Scarborough, Sheffield and York to enjoy a social game and to continue friendships made during their year of office. But the event, which will be held at Eaglescliffe on July 27, has grown over the last five years with the Yorkshire County
President, Inter District Presidents and captains from Bolton, Bradford, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Huddersfield, Manchester and the Northumberland Captains societies playing alongside the original captains and club captains. Numbers have gone up from 20 in 2010 to more than 100 in 2016 and at Leeds Golf Club in April four out of the last five Yorkshire Presidents, 29 Inter District Presidents, 44 Captains of Captains, and 27 Club Captains and Past Captains attended.
Cally Palace
HOTEL & GOLF COURSE
THE COMPLETE SERVICE FOR ALL YOUR PROMOTIONAL PRINT
FA R
1879
Scorecards
2016 2015
E ESID TYN CLUB F GOLUNDED 1879 16
S 20
URE
FIXT
F H
N
OR TH
t: 01557 814 341 | e: info@callypalace.co.uk
D IA R
North West Castle Tel: 01776 704 413 E: info@northwestcastle.co.uk
2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast with 2 rounds of golf
from £164.00 pp
2 NIGHT STAY & PLAY
from £188.00 pp
LARGE GOLF GROUPS & GOLF SOCIETIES WELCOME
Golf available on Stranraer, Portpatrick, Glenluce or Cally courses.*
Golf available on Stranraer, Portpatrick, Glenluce or Cally courses. *
or book online at
www.mcmillanhotels.co.uk
Rates subject to promotional availability, conditions apply. * Supplements may apply.
30 NORTHERN GOLFER
B
UMB
FIXTU RES 2 016
Spital Park, Hexham am Golf Club, Spi Hexham 3RZ Northumberland, NE46 uk info@hexhamgolf.co. email: in Tel:l: 01434 603072 ~ amgolf.co.uk w hexhamgo w. www. www.hexh
Y OF EVEN
TS A ND
RULE
M
CLU
G C
ERLA FFOOUU NND D ED D 11889 92 2
£180 per person
Stranraer
HEXHA
GOL
Par 71, 6062 yds Parkland Course
Tel: 01776 810 220 E: info@fernhillhotel.co.uk
Newsletters
HA
2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast with 2 rounds of golf
Fernhill Hotel Portpatrick
Car Stickers
Fixtures 2015
Tel. 01434 608154 secretary@tynedalegolfclub.co.uk www.tynedalegolfclub.co.uk OR: LT D ONS IN GL B SP LT N CLU CONSU W RRO
FO
from
Membership Cards
Tynedale Golf Club
AND SURE
SUMMER GOLF BREAKS
The Eaglescliffe event has been organised by the club’s 2016 Captain Paul Halligan, who thought it would be a great tournament to have in his year of office as he has played in it as a past Teesside Union President. The format will be slightly different with Paul inviting clubs in the Teesside Union and those that have links with Eaglecliffe to send representatives along with many Inter District Presidents and Captain of Captains from the Northumberland and Yorkshire Societies who will be joining him on the day.
ND
Bar Menus Leaflets Brochures
-17
BOO
K
Business Cards Fixture Booklets Annual Reports 01434 602975 sharron@robsonprint.co.uk robsonprint.co.uk
GOLFERNEWS
Salver goes Stateside
Texan takes the title at Seaton Carew
T
exan James Glenn is celebrating a first in one of the region’s most prestigious events after winning the Seaton Salver. He’s the first American winner of one of the oldest scratch open titles and Glenn, who is studying at Durham University, has been attracting the attention of the county selectors. He won the Salver by two shots from Seaton’s own Phil Nicholson and the 27-year-old, who is a member of Brancepeth Castle where he also works behind the bar, was delighted with his success. “It’s only a couple of years ago since I moved to the North East and started to play links golf,” said Glenn, who hails from Tyler and went to Sam Houston State University in
Texas. “I played in the Salver last year and playing the Brabazon Course around Seaton Carew is a pure test of golf. “From your iron shots off the tee to making sure you’re putting is on point, it’s a real test. You have to be creative and imaginative. “But the greens around Seaton were pure, they are some of the best I have played on.” Glenn is studying for a PhD at Durham University, where he is captain of the university golf club. He won Brancepeth’s club championship last year and was runner-up to Richard Aisbitt this year. “I’m something of a late bloomer in golfing terms really,” he said. “I only played my first competition at the age of 16.
James Glenn “I have considered turning pro before but I wanted to come over here to continue my education first, Durham had some scholarship money available for someone like me and it was a nice fit.” Meanwhile, Seaton Carew’s Senior Salver winner Dennis Wright has fond memories of the course.
Wright, a member at Penrith, shot a 76 to win, and he said: “I played Seaton Carew when I was at school in Northallerton and had a yearly Crab and Lobster Captains away day from Bedale, where I was a member for 24 years. It was a special treat then and still remains a great course to play.’’
CHESTER-LE-STREET GOLF CLUB HOST TO THE NORTHERN GOLFER JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS EVENT 2016 MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE More tee times reserved for members than other local clubs
OPENS 2016 SENIORS - 2ND AUGUST 4 MAN TEAM - 20TH AUGUST LADIES AM-AM - 24TH AUGUST
Check out our course development plans at
www.clsgolfclub.co.uk/course-development Contact: Secretary 0191 388 3218 or email: clsgcoffice@tiscali.co.uk PGA Professional 0191 388 2333 Chester le Street Golf Club, Lumley Park, County Durham, DH3 4NS
www.clsgolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 31
GOLFERNEWS
Up to speed
Durham clubs are proving quick off the mark by backing a national campaign to speed up the sport. Golf Express – which promotes nine-hole golf to inspire busy people to play more often – has been rolled out by England Golf. The launch follows a successful eight-month trial in Staffordshire where more than 4,600 nine-hole rounds were played. Now four clubs across the county will launch the new campaign, with others set to follow. Billingham, Birtley, Houghton and Sharpley will all now be promoting Golf Express with Birtley offering an £8 green fee for nine holes, Monday to Friday. Billingham is throwing in a free drink at the bar as well as nine holes of evening golf on a Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for £12.50, while nine holes at Houghton will cost just £10 Monday to Friday and £12.50 at the weekends. Sharpley is offering nine holes golf each Tuesday and Thursday (3.30pm7pm) for £12.50. Phil Graham, county officer for the Durham Golf Development Group, said: “Lack of time is often given as one of the reasons for people not taking up golf, but Golf Express is designed to encourage people to enjoy a shorter format of the game which may fit better into their busy lifestyles. Nine holes of golf can still provide all the health and social benefits associated with the sport, but is more convenient for many people. “Thanks to the support of clubs in Durham there is now an option for people with a busy lifestyle to enjoy golf and share the benefits of going on to become a regular player and potential club member.” Clubs across the country are now promoting nine-hole green fees and offers to players can be found online at www.golfexpress9.org 32 NORTHERN GOLFER
Ryan Dixon and Cameron Wallace Inset: Andrew Nicholson, head county coach (left) and Ken Joel, boys coaching chairman/ team manager (right) with the Durham team
Six of the best D Yorkshire triumph in Little Six at Lindrick
urham narrowly missed out on defending the Little Six title at Lindrick Golf Club as Yorkshire produced a strong team performance to lift the trophy. The best young players from the six northern counties competed in teams of six for the Boys’ County Qualifying Championship – or Little Six – with Yorkshire’s team, of Sam Bairstow (70-71), Alex Fitzpatrick (72-71), Charlie Thornton (74-72), Charlie Daughtrey (75-72), Dan Bradbury (77-78) and Tom North (83-72) leading the event with a combined score of 726. Durham finished five shots back with the team of Cameron Wallace (68-71), Ryan Dixon (69-74), James Wilson (75-70), Jack Trewhitt (74-74), Jack Ainscough (80-76) and
Thomas Harbord (83-76) recording a score of 731. Jonathan Ward, secretary of the Durham County Golf Union, said: “The boys played some great golf over a difficult course and came very close to retaining the trophy they won so well last season.” In the individual categories, Seaton Carew’s Cameron Wallace won the John Todd Trophy for the best 36-hole total as Ryan Dixon (Castle Eden) won the best first round score. “Each of the boys was a credit to the county and special mention has to go to Cameron for winning the John Todd Trophy and leading the tem so well,” added Jonathan. Northumberland finished in fifth place with a score of 792 as Cumbria finished a further shot back.
Penrith double Penrith used its 125th anniversary as the spur to plan for the future – and it won them England Golf’s 2016 GolfMark Club of the Year Award. The accolade follows the award of Community Club of the Year at the Cumbria Sports Awards. Representatives of Penrith received the prestigious GolfMark award – supported by COBRA PUMA GOLF – at a gala
dinner at the England Golf annual conference. Phil Park, a past captain and committee member said: “This is a tremendous accolade for Penrith Golf Club and a special moment in the history of the club.”
GOLFERNEWS
Family affair Mother and daughter qualify for American championship
B
illingham mother and daughter Carol and Alice Jones have made it through to the National Grand Final of the American Golf Ladies Championship after a tough qualifying competition at Hexham. The pair will now take their places at Ryder Cup venue The Belfry on September 9-10 to battle it out over the Brabazon Course for the title of best Ladies Pair in the UK. In a closely fought contest, the duo held onto victory by just one point over Heworth golfers Susan Handley and Margaret Tindale, with home club golfers Jennifer Herrmann and Paula Forster also qualifying in third place. The mother and daughter team will now head off to the American Golf National Finals, in front of Sky
Sports’ cameras, with a useful victory under pressure in the bag. “After the success of our Nine Hole and Junior Championships last year, we added the Ladies Championship for 2016,” said Daniel Gathercole head of marketing at American Golf. “We’ve been delighted with the number of ladies taking part and look forward to welcoming all the qualifiers to the Belfry for a wonderful weekend of golf which will end with the crowning of our first ladies champions.” Meanwhile, Cheshire’s Don Campbell (Styal) and Yorkshire’s Keith Gordon (Sand Moor), Cheshire’s Noel Barrow and Terry Hargrove and Andrew Threlkeld and Nigel Wells (all Vale Royal Abbey) have also made it through to The Belfry for the seniors final from the regional final at Vale.
Carol and Alice Jones
We’re Open
T: 0191 2702362 www.golfgear4less.co.uk E: info@zflgolf.co.uk
9am - 5.30pm Mon - Sat
Trolley Service & Repairs Motocaddy, Powakaddy, Hillbilly & More Motocaddy Trolleys & Lithium Batteries in Store We stock Adidas, Under Armour, Taylormade, Srixon, Callaway, Motocaddy, SuperStroke Grips, Ecco & lots more!
FREE Club Check, hit longer, straighter shots having your clubs correctly fitted. Call 0191 2702362 today to book. We stock batteries, chargers & spares for all leading trolley brands Call in and try the latest Odyssey and Taylormade Putters on our large indoor putting green
GoKart made in the UK £269 FREE Loft & Lie Check by Appointment.
GoKart Electric Golf Trolley Only £269 Lightweight, Super Strong, Compact & Easy to Use
Unit 8d, North Tyne Ind. Estate, NE12 9SZ Opposite ASDA Benton. Two minutes from A19 Whitley Bay Exit on A191 Old Coast Road NORTHERN GOLFER 33
GOLFERNEWS
Lee’s record
Scratch handicapper Dominic Lee broke the course record at Gosforth Golf Club with a round of 63 in the Northumberland and Durham Alliance’s Victory Cup. Stocksfield-based Lee, playing alongside David Lee, led the event with 46 points as Gary Anderson and Brian Mabon finished in second place. Ray Brown and Jeff Shield were third with 40 points as Chris Cole led the professionals. The Alliance, which sees professionals and amateurs compete alongside oneanother across the region, is open to members from clubs in the Northumberland and Durham Golf Unions and local professionals. For more information and to enter contact Jeff Shield, tel 07837 160 545 or email jeffshield@hotmail.co.uk
Penny turns to silver Craig Penny is the toast of Newbiggin again this month. The plus-three handicapper has won the club championship six times, and added a second Newbiggin Silver Tankard to his CV with rounds of 71 and 69 having won the title in 2010. The Tankard was first played for in 1974 as the Vaux Trophy before being sponsored by crane company Mammoet in 2007 and Penny is part of an illustrious list of winners, his name etched on the trophy alongside the likes of David Curry, Graeme Storm, Phil Ridden and Chris Paisley to name a few. 34 NORTHERN GOLFER
Cumbria president Alan Shaw, Nicky Bell and Nick Sowerby
No match Bell wins fourth Cumbria matchplay title
E
den golfer Nicky Bell picked up his fourth Cumbria County Matchplay Championship win with victory over Appleby’s Nick Sowerby in a sudden death play-off at Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club. Bell found himself three down after 11 holes but battled back to send the match to a sudden death play-off in testing conditions at Kirkby Lonsdale. He birdied the first extra hole to beat Sowerby and pick up his fourth Matchplay Championship 17 years after his first victory.
He said: “I’m very happy to win this tournament again as I am not getting any younger. “Congratulations to Nick on a very promising performance in trying conditions.” Bell took out Dan Park and Will Postlethwaite in the opening two rounds of the event before beating veteran John Longcake in the semi-finals. In the final, Sowerby raced to a 3up lead after 11 holes before Bell fought back to all square through 16 holes, closing out the match at the first extra hole.
Senior moments Alnmouth’s Peter Simpson won the Northumberland County Seniors Championship at Prudhoe Golf Club. Simpson, who collected the Paddy Baker Rose Bowl, returned rounds of 72 and 74 to beat Morpeth’s Michael Brown, the seniors’ county captain, by five shots. Mens’ county captain David Gilroy was two shots further back in fifth place as Ponteland’s
Reg Easton won the Tim Bull Trophy for the best nett in the first round with a round of 69, and the Richard Johnson Trophy for the best over 65s gross score with rounds of 77 and 83.
GOLFERNEWS
Northern master
Stars in their eyes Ramside Hall launches search to identify the North East’s next generation of golfing superstars
R
amside Hall is offering four scholarships to junior golfers, aged 10-16, including a years’ free membership, use of its two championship courses, golf academy and driving range plus tuition with its team of expert coaches. Helen Roseberry, director of golf at Ramside, said: “We are on the lookout for the next Graeme Storm, Jodi Ewart or Chris Paisley, and are keen to hear from junior golfers who want to develop their game and character at one of the North East’s finest golf facilities.” The Michael Adamson Junior Golf Scholarships will be offered annually, having been created in honour of Ramside’s late company chairman Michael Adamson MBE. Adamson oversaw the construction of the Prince Bishops course at Ramside which opened in 1996. His vision to develop a 36-hole golf resort was realised in 2014 when The Cathedral Course opened on the former Hilltop Farm between Belmont and Pittington.
The scholarships will be awarded to two boys and two girls each year and seek to identify young people with outstanding personal character and dedication to golf. There is no handicap limit for applications and golfers of all abilities are encouraged to apply. “You don’t have to be the finished article to apply for this golf scholarship. We’re looking for young people with potential, room to grow and who genuinely love being out on the golf course,” added Helen. The scholarship scheme was established in 2015 and the inaugural Michael Adamson Junior Golf Scholars were Lewis Reay (Ramside Hall), Duran Gun (George Washington), Gabrielle Dickinson (Houghton) and Kitana Hollins (Ramside Hall). Successful applicants will be invited to a golf skills testing day and an interview, from which the four scholars will be chosen for 2016-17. Entry is by application form available from www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/golf/golf-news/ michael-adamson-junior-golf-scholarship-2016
Golf in the Scottish Borders Traditional country inn ideally situated for playing MINTO, HAWICK, THE HIRSEL AND ROXBURGH plus many more. 12 en-suite bedrooms with tv, wi-fi, tea/coffee making facililties, Sky tv. Restaurant and bar serving cask ales (good pub guide)
STAY & PLAY - £85 per night on two people sharing
The Auld Cross Keys Inn
(2 course evening meal, B&B, 18 holes at Minto Golf Club & Hawick Golf Club )
Tel: Karen or Dave on 01450 870305 bookings@crosskeysdenholm.co.uk www.crosskeysenholm.co.uk Five Star Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
The Green, Denholm, Scottish Borders, TD9 8NU
Crossland Heath’s Robert Booth landed his first major title when he won the PGA North Region Championship at Carus Green - passing on the credit to his boss Richard Lambert, the head professional at Crosland Heath. “I was attached to the club for two years when he was my full-time coach. I’ve since been promoted to head assistant, which has provided a big boost to my career,” he said. “I aim to win as many events as possible and hope to get into the PGA Play-Offs and earn a spot at Wentworth next year,” he added. “I’ve also been playing well in Yorkshire and EuroPro events and they all add up.” Halifax-born Booth added a 65 to his opening 67 for an eight under-par total to beat Carlisle’s James Wilkinson by one shot. “I hit the ball in the water twice on the first day but managed to stay in contention,” he added. On a tightly-packed leaderboard Booth, who picked up £2,300, pulled away from his rivals with two birdies on the last three holes to add to the four he’d already banked. He made a crucial par at the last where he admitted he was a “bit nervous” on the tee.
MAGDALENE FIELDS GOLF CLUB Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1NE
GREEN FEE SPECIAL Monday to Friday tee off between 10.30 to 11.30 £5 Per person - maximim of 4 people per booking Valid until 31st October 2016 Excellent Visiting Party Packages For further details telephone the Secretary on 01289 306130 e: secretary.m.f.g.c@hotmail.co.uk www.magdalene-fields.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 35
GOLFERNEWS
Yorkshire triumph
Yorkshire’s ladies dominated the Northern Counties Match Week at Penrith to go through to the England finals in September in Hampshire. Yorkshire finished on 34.5 points well ahead of Lancashire on 26 while Durham were third on 24.5, Cheshire on 23, Cumbria on 15.5 and Northumberland sixth on 11.5. The final day was reduced to a singles session because of the weather but Yorkshire were already assured of the title as Lancashire – the only team who could have caught them on match points – could not make up the gap on game points after an 8-1 thrashing by their Roses rivals on the Thursday. Yorkshire rubber-stamped victory by making it five wins out of five as they defeated Cumbria 4-2, winning three matches, halving two and losing only one.
Grand time Fourteen golfers from Yorkshire, Northumberland and Durham won through at Ilkley to the national final of England Golf’s Grand Medal tournament. They will now play for the national title on Friday, August 12 at Frilford Heath in the England Golf Week to find the male handicap golfer of the year. The qualifiers are: Scott Colquhoun (Hanging Heaton), Richard Seels (The Oaks), Philip Hills (Whickham), Nicholas Bowman (Hexham), Matthew Ryder (Skipton), Brian Fisher (Pontefract & District), Clive Swiers (Ripon City), Peter Williams (Bridlington Links), Eric Welburn (Ganton), Jonathan Teasdale (Oakleaf), John Goodacre (Harrogate), Jonny Dunning (Malton & Norton), Mick Fisher and Neil Atkinson (both Romanby). 36 NORTHERN GOLFER
David Leadbetter with the Leeds Golf Centre staff
Leeds is up to scratch Leadbetter continues partnership as new challenge is launched
L
eeds Golf Centre is to continue its partnership with David Leadbetter, reaffirming Leeds as the UK headquarters of The Leadbetter Golf Academy for a further four years. The centre employs two certified Leadbetter instructors as part of its sixperson team of PGA professionals, the most professional instructors the Golf Centre has employed at one time, due to high demand for tuition. Chris Parker, Leadbetter Academy manager and senior instructor, has been a certified Leadbetter instructor since 2003, during which he assisted David Leadbetter coaching players Frederick Jacobsen, Nick Price, Na Yeon Choi and Suzanne Pettersen to name a few, as well as accompanying LPGA Tour players Sandra Gal and Stefanie Michl. Over the past 30 years, The Leadbetter Golf Academy tour players have amassed
more than a dozen major championship titles and over 100 individual worldwide tournament victories, with Leadbetter often recognised as the man who invented the golf instruction industry. He said: “Leeds Golf Centre, as one of the UK’s premier golf complexes, is the perfect venue to deliver the Leadbetter Golf Academy’s world class instruction. It’s a great pleasure to be renewing our partnership which will continue to strengthen Yorkshire’s reputation as a leading golfing region.” Leeds has also launched a challenge which will equip 16 complete beginners with the golf kills to go head to head in a knock-out challenge. The Up to Scratch Challenge is now open for entries and amateurs can apply for a chance to take advantage of eight weeks of free tuition culminating in a three-hole knock out challenge on September 11.
Anyone over 16 can enter via the Leeds Golf Centre Facebook page: www.facebook.com/leedsgolfcentre. All equipment and tuition will be included. For more information visit www.leedsgolfcentre.com/blog/up-to-scratch/
GOLFERNEWS
GREEN WATCH
WITH JON WYER, ROCKLIFFE HALL
WATER SOURCES
SKIPTON GOLF CLUB 18 HOLES OF STUNNING YORKSHIRE GOLF FULL MEMBERSHIPS FROZEN AT £790 FOR 2016 VISITING PARTIES AND SOCIETY GROUPS WELCOME GOLF PACKAGES AVAILABLE FROM £19 PER PERSON
OPEN COMPETITIONS 2016 MIXED - 10th September SENIORS - 7th September MENS - 31st July and 25th September LADIES - 4th October For bookings and enquiries please contact John Bailey, Business Manager on 01756 795657 or email enquiries@ skiptongolfclub.co.uk | www.skiptongolfclub.co.uk Short Lee Lane, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 3LF
Maintenance and upkeep of a golf course often means more than just the responsibility of looking after turf. With most golf courses there are water features of some description, be it a drainage ditch, stream, river or more commonly a pond or lake. These water sources may function as a hazard, provide visual impact or serve to supply water for an irrigation system. It is therefore important to maintain these water sources to ensure the water is kept clean and healthy. One of the biggest issues with water sources is the build-up of algae which can be rather unsightly but in serious cases can have a detrimental effect on the water’s ecosystem. Algae will thrive in
nutrient rich water and this can be obtained from leeched nutrients from surrounding turf which is often fertilised. Sunlight and poor oxygen levels can also be a big factor in growth of algae. One solution to counteract algae growth is to use lake dyes. These dyes help to stop sunlight penetrating the water surface restricting the algae’s ability to photosynthesise. Another method is the use of aerators or fountains to introduce currents to stagnant water and rejuvenate oxygen depletion. This also aids the production of healthy bacteria and promotes nutrient breakdown which the algae relies on to stabilise and rebalance the water’s own ecosystem.
SAVE %
8
UP TO
OFF
NEW BALL PRICES TITLEIST PRO V 1/ 1X FROM £1 PER BALL
SRIXON Z STAR FROM £1 PER BALL
TAYLORMADE TOUR PREFERRED FROM £1 PER BALL
CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT FROM £1 PER BALL
MID-RANGE Srixon AD333 - 50 pack £27.99 Srixon Soft Feel - 50 pack £27.99 Wilson DX2/3 - 50 pack £27.99 All range of balls available from competition to practice standard meeting all standard of golfers requirements. All major brands in stock.
NEXT MONTH Correct disease identification
All deliveries made via My Hermes couriers. Tees and Gloves now available as well. www.Golfrus.co.uk eBay.co.uk/ golfrus Facebook.com/Golfrus T. 07957353265
NORTHERN GOLFER 37
GOLFERNEWS
Stay and play Rudding Park proves popular for societies
M
embership of some golf clubs may be static or even falling, but the golf society and group genre looks stronger then ever and clubs as well as golfing resorts such as Harrogate’s Rudding Park have been quick to recognise the market surge. A quality four-star hotel and spa with a Grade I-listed Regency house and Clocktower restaurant as the centrepiece, golfers also know Rudding Park for its 18-hole Hawtree course and its six hole Repton Short Course. What they’ve also learned is that Rudding Park provides a golfing stay and
Whitburn Whiskey Squad at Rudding Park 38 NORTHERN GOLFER
play experience that is exceptional value for money. For instance, a group from Durham club Whitburn - known for fairly obvious reasons as the Whitburn Whiskey Squad - recently played two rounds of golf over the 18 hole Hawtree course, one round on the Repton short course with dinner, bed and breakfast for around £100. Brian Ramsey, who has organised several overseas golfing trips for the group, said: “We were very impressed with the golf and the hotel, and the attention to detail from the staff in the hotel and the golf shop was second to none. We’ll be going back next year.” Rudding Park is no ordinary hotel holiday course. Designed by Martin Hawtree it can be a real test at nearly 6,900 yards off the back tees, 6,546 off the purple, 6,297 of the yellow and 5,823 of the red tees. Water comes into play on several holes and there are more than a couple vying for the title of signature hole, including the fourth, fifth, 14th and 15th and there is an excellent finish with a short par five at 16, a lovely driving hole at 17 and a strong par four of 414 yards at 18. Strong support is in evidence to claim the fourth as the signature hole and it follows
Rudding Park
a long par four third of 463 yards. Managing director, Peter Banks, considers it the best golf hole on the course. The Rudding Park course has its own attractive clubhouse and the Repton short course is attached to the golf academy and driving range and is well worth a visit. It has one parkland hole, two woodland and two water holes and an island signature hole - a replica of the notorious 17th at Sawgrass. It can be played in just an hour and it’s huge fun. The state-of-the-art golf academy has an 18-bay driving range with two indoor swing studios equipped with the latest video technology, and a rotunda clubhouse and pro shop. Play and stay is worth considering with golf packages available in the hotel and in holiday lodges, and few hotels offer the use of a private 14-seat cinema where you can watch Caddyshack if you like!
FACT FILE CONTACT Rudding Park, Follifoot, Harrogate North Yorkshire, HG3 1JH Tel: 01423 872 100 Email: golf@ruddingpark.com Web: www.ruddingpark.co.uk
GOLFERNEWS
Seeing Wood for the tees Swing coach helps European Tour winner to new levels of performance
I
Chris Wood (courtesy of Andy Reddington/Getty Images)
t’s been just over a year since Mike Walker became Chris Wood’s swing coach. Wood is one of the tallest players on tour, and the new BMW PGA champion can now aim for the game’s highest peaks according to his coaching team of Yorkshire-based Walker (Pete Cowen Golf Academy) and Paul Mitchell (Bristol and Clifton Golf Club). The 6ft 6in Wood won the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth for his third tour win on the first anniversary of Walker’s appointment as his swing coach during which he has worked hard to fine-tune a fade for the straighthitting Bristolian.
“He feels he swings best when he swings left to right because it takes one side of the course out of play and we’ve been very focused on that,” said Walker, who also works with Matt Fitzpatrick. “Chris had made steady progress up to that point without making any headlines but his ranking had climbed massively and this is the icing on the cake. This is a great boost for him. He’s known as being a good guy but genuinely is a great bloke and this makes the win even more special. “Chris has always believed in himself but the belief needs bolstering with reality and if he did have any doubts they should be blown away by what he achieved at Wentworth.”
FANTASTIC MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT SLALEY HALL Q Fairway - £375 for 100 points ‘The Hunting Course is back’ Use points on Golf, Buggies, Driving Range & Leisure – The most flexible membership out there!!!!!
Full Membership - 7 day ONLY £975, 5 day ONLY £680 Enjoy unlimited golf on both Championship golf courses, private parking, members only lounge
Residential Golf Breaks - Golf dinner, bed & breakfast from ONLY £89 per person
Call:
01434 676 525 Visit: www.qhotels.co.uk/golf
Terms and conditions apply. 20% bar credit and prize table offer based on a minimum of 12 golfers. Subject to new bookings only
NORTHERN GOLFER 39
GOLFERTIPS
Johnon HaartfreinsHall M
400 61 886 6 1 0 l te ll.com tfenha a .m w ww
PICTURE THIS One of the most important parts to achieving strong decision-making and delivering good shots around the green is painting a picture of each shot before you make contact with the ball. Try to visualise the way the clubhead will meet the ball, how it will fly towards its target, and where it will finish before you take the club back. On the course, before each shot, rehearse the swing then produce a good shot. Try it next time you’re on the course...
SEE IT Picture the shot – its flight, where it will land, how it will react when it hits the ground and how it will break. From there, choose the right club to paint that picture.
FEEL IT Around the green, it’s important to feel the club working back and through the ball – feel how it reacts to the ground and how you will produce the result you’ve visualised. I haven’t got a set number of practice swings; I’m simply gauging how I’ll swing the club to produce the desired result. Once you find the feeling, get up there and hit it while it’s fresh in your mind.
40 NORTHERN GOLFER
GOLFEREVENTS
Matchmaking
Northern Golfer events continue across the region
T
his season’s Northern Golfer events continue this month with matches taking place across the region in the Gents Match Play Pairs and Ladies Greensomes, while junior golfers across the region continue to compete for a place at our Junior Champion of Champions event in September. The draws for the next rounds of the match play and greensomes will be available on www.northerngolfer.co.uk from July 18. The Match Play Pairs semi-finals will be played later this year at Slaley Hall with the final at Wynyard Golf Club in September. The winners will receive places on the NE/NW Pro Am to be staged on the Algarve later this year organised by Kevin Batty from Golfing Holidays. Meanwhile, in the Ladies Greensomes, the semi finals and final will be played at Matfen Hall, Northumberland in September with
the winners receiving a golf break at Matfen. Letters to enter junior club champions to the Champion of Champions event at Chester-le-Street on October 8 will be sent to club secretaries in the coming weeks. The region’s best young players will compete for the title, won in 2015 by Tyneside Golf Club’s James Wilson, over 18 holes. Northern Golfer editor Paul Robertson said: “We are passionate about promoting golf across our region and along with our wellestablished Match Play Pairs, the Ladies Greensomes and Junior Champion of Champions ensure golfers of all ages have a chance to compete for top prizes and over some of our region’s best courses.” All enquiries for the Match Play Pairs and Ladies Greensomes events should be directed to Paul Corney – email pcorney@northerngolfer.co.uk or tel 07521 389 536.
2015 winner James Wilson
2015 winners Anne Gollogly and Katie Clark
2015 winners Ian Irving and Gary Foxwell
SEE THE UK’S BEST YOUNG GOLFERS ON THE HOTELPLANNER.COM PGA EUROPRO TOUR
THE LOOKERS CHAMPIONSHIP CLOSE HOUSE JULY 27-29
THE CLIPPER LOGISTICS CHAMPIONSHIP MOOR ALLERTON GC SEPTEMBER 21-23
WWW.EUROPROTOUR.COM NORTHERN GOLFER 41
GOLFERCOMPETITIONS
win
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 August 4 2016. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.
.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT CLOSE HOUSE. The Lee Westwood Colt Course is a stunning layout set against the Tyne Valley and built to challenge the world’s best players. Host of the ISPS PGA Seniors Championship in 2015 and the EuroPro Tour’s Lookers Championship this month, the course was designed by Scott Macpherson and is one of the UK & Ireland’s Top 100 golf courses. For your chance to win answer this question: Which hole did Lee Westwood eagle in the final round of this year’s Masters Tournament?
.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT RAMSIDE HALL.
.WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT ARCOT HALL.
The Cathedral Course at Ramside Hall is our region’s newest course and a fine example of modern golf course design with views across to the historic city of Durham. Ramside is also home to the classic Prince Bishops course as well as a hotel, spa and leisure facilities.
The James Braid-designed layout at Arcot Hall remains one of Northumberland’s best examples of parkland golf with challenging tee shots, a mix of birdie opportunities and testing holes, and superb greens throughout the season.
For your chance to win answer this question: In which year did Justin Leonard win The Open Championship at Royal Troon?
For your chance to win answer this question: At which course will the 2017 Open Championship be played?
Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Percy Wood - Laurie Maxwell from West Moor Romanby - Brian Murphy from Wallsend, Wynyard - Trevor Wynn from Stockton
S EW N LL N IXO BA SR GE N
RA
CENTURION PARK ONLY 4 MILES FROM NEWCASTLE CITY CENTRE... Visitors & Societies welcome | Excellent Membership deals for 2016 - ring the Secretary on 0191 2621973 SUMMER GREEN FEES
Weekdays £14 - Weekends £16 4 Ball Weekdays £40 - Weekends £50 THURSDAY SPECIAL - ONLY £10 inc Free sandwich Play 5 rounds get 6th FREE www.centurionpark.com 42 NORTHERN GOLFER
OPEN EVENTS
Saturday Sept 10th - Centurion Park Open in aid of British Heart Foundation 4BBB Stableford £20 couple Saturday 17th July - Support our Soldiers Team Event - Betterball, 2 from 4, £40 team Big ££££ Prizes
Contact the Pro Shop to book or for more information on 0191 2624231 ext 2
DRIVING RANGE 24 Floodlit bays 50 balls Only £3 100 balls Only £5 Buy digi card save £££’s
Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend NE28 8SU
GW GOLF
George Washington Golf Club
Flexi Membership 2016 A great Membership deal over the summer months for the busy Golfer who is not able to commit to a year long Membership
Our fantastic Flexi Membership offer is only ÂŁ260 You get 15 rounds with all the beneďŹ ts of a Member across 7 days For more details please contact Bill at the Golf Shop on 0191
417 8346
George Washington Golf Club, Stone Cellar Road, Washington NE37 1PH www.georgewashington.co.uk
directory NOR THERN
NOR THERN
directory
Pick up a copy of Northern Golfer at any of these venues
COUNTY DURHAM Barnard Castle Golf Club Harmire Rd, Barnard Castle, DL12 8QN 01833 638 355
To be listed or to advertise please call 01661 844115 or email enquiries@northerngolfer.co.uk
Beamish Park Golf Club Beamish Park, Stanley, DH9 0RH 0191 370 1382 Birtley Golf Club Portobello Road, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, DH3 2LR 0191 410 2207 Bishop Auckland Golf Club High Plains, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8DL 01388 661 618 Blackwell Grange Golf Club Snipe Lane, Darlington, DL2 2SA 01325 464 458 Brancepeth Castle Golf Club Brancepeth Castle, DH7 8EA 0191 378 0075 Castle Eden Golf Club Castle Eden, TS27 4SS 01429 836 510 Chester le Street Golf Club Lumley Pk, Chester le Street, DH3 4NS 0191 388 3218 Cocken Lodge Golf Cocken Lodge Farm, Leamside, DH4 6QP 0191 584 1053 Consett & District Golf Club Elmfield Road, Consett, DH8 5NN 01207 505 060 Crook Golf Club Low Jobs Hill, Crook DL15 9AA 01388 762 429 Darlington Golf Club Haughton Road, Darlington, DL1 3JD 01325 355 324 Dinsdale Spa Golf Club Middleton St George, Darlington, DL2 1DW 01325 332 297 Durham City Golf Club Littleburn, Langley Moor, DH7 8HL 0191 378 0029 Hallgarth Hotel Golf & Country Club Coatham Munderville, Darlington, DL1 3LU 01325 300 400 Hobson Golf Club Hobson, Near Burnopfield, NE16 6BZ 01207 270 941 Ineos Golf Club School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6EA. Sec: Patrick Montgomery, 07974 742 679
44 NORTHERN GOLFER
Oak Leaf Golf Club School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4EF 01325 310 820 Ramside Hall Golf Club Ramside Hall Hotel, Carville, Durham, DH1 1TD 0191 386 9514 Rockliffe Hall Golf Club Hurworth-on-Tees,Darlington, DL2 2DU 01325 729 980
Bamburgh Castle Golf Club The Wynding, Bamburgh, NE69 7DE 01668 214 321
Seahouses Golf Club Beadnell Road, Seahouses, NE68 7XT 01665 720 794
Saltburn by the Sea Golf Club Hob Hill, Saltburn by the Sea, TS12 1NJ 01287 622 812
Bedlingtonshire Golf Club Acorn Bank, Bedlington, NE22 6AA 01670 822 457
Slaley Hall Slaley, Hexham, NE47 0BX 01434 673 350
Seaton Carew Golf Club Tees Road, Seaton Carew, TS25 1DE 01429 266 249
Belford Golf Club South Road, Belford, NE70 7DP 01668 213 232
Stocksfield Golf Club New Ridley Rd,Stocksfield, NE43 7RE 01661 843 041
Bellingham Golf Club Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT 01434 220 152
Tynedale Golf Club Tyne Green, Hexham, NE46 3HQ 01434 608 154
Teesside Golf Club Acklam Road, Thornaby Stockton on Tees TS17 7JS 01642 616 516
Blyth Golf Club New Delaval, Blyth, NE24 4DB 01670 540 110
Warkworth Golf Club The Links, Warkworth, NE65 OSW 01665 711 596
Burgham Park Golf Club Near Felton, Morpeth, NE65 8QP 01670 787 898
Wooler Golf Club Dod Law, Doddington, Wooler, NE71 6AN 01668 282 135
Close House Heddon-on-the-Wall, NE15 0HT 01661 852 953 Dunstanburgh Golf Club Embleton, NE66 3XQ 01665 576 562
Roseberry Grange Community Golf Club Grange Villa, Chester le Street, DH2 3NF 0191 370 0660
Goswick Golf Club Goswick Beal, TD15 2RW 01289 387 256
Seaham Golf Club Shrewsbury Street, Seaham, SR7 7RD 0191 581 1268
Gubeon Golf Centre Walton Road, Morpeth, NE61 3YJ 01670 519 090
Sharpley Golf Seaton, Seaham, Co Durham, SR7 0NP 0191 513 1100
Haltwhistle Golf Club Banktop, Greenhead, NE49 9JR 01697 747367
South Moor Golf Cub The Middles, Craghead, Stanley, DH9 6AG 01207 232 848
Hexham Golf Club Spital Lane, Hexham, NE46 3RZ 01434 603 072
Woodham Golf & Country Club Burnhill Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4PN 01325 319977
Longhirst Hall Golf Club Longhirst Hall, Morpeth, NE61 3LL 01670 791 562
CUMBRIA Brampton Golf Club Talkin Tarn, Brampton, CA8 1HN 01697 72255 Seascale Golf Club The Banks, Seascale, CA20 1QL 019467 28202
NORTHUMBERLAND Allendale Golf Club High Studden, Allenheads Road Allendale, NE47 9QL 01434 683 926 Alnmouth Golf Club Foxton Hall, Alnmouth, NE66 3BE 01665 830 231 Alnmouth Village Golf Club Marine Road, Alnmouth, NE66 2RZ 01665 830 370 Alnwick Castle Golf Club Swansfield Park, Alnwick, NE66 2AB 01665 602 632 Arcot Hall Golf Club Dudley, Cramlington NE23 7QP 0191 236 2794
Macdonald Linden Hall Golf and Country Club Longhorsley, Morpeth, NE65 8XF 01670 500 011 Matfen Hall Golf Club Matfen, NE20 0RH 01661 886 400 Magdalene Fields Golf Club Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1NE 01289 306 130 Morpeth Golf club Loansdean, Morpeth, NE61 2BT 01670 504 942 Newbiggin Golf Club Newbiggin NE64 3DW 01670 817 344 Percy Wood Golf Club Coast View, Swarland, Felton, NE65 9JG 01670 787 010 Ponteland Golf Club 53 Bell Villas, Ponteland, NE20 9BD 01661 822 689 Prudhoe Golf Club Eastwood Park, Prudhoe, NE42 5DX 01661 832 466 Rothbury Golf Club Whitton Bank Rd, Rothbury, NE65 7RX 01669 621 271
Wilton Golf Club Wilton,Near Redcar, TS10 4QY 01642 465 265 Wynyard Hall Golf Club Wellington Drive, Wynyard Park Billingham, TS22 5NQ 01740 644 399
TYNE AND WEAR SCOTTISH BORDERS Eyemouth Golf Club Gunsgreenhill, Eyemouth, D14 5SF 01890 750 004 Hirsel Golf Club Kelso Road, Coldstream TD12 4NJ 01890 882 678 Roxburghe Golf Club Kelso, Roxburghshire, TD5 8JZ 01573 450 333
TEESSIDE Billingham Golf Club Sandy Lane, Billingham, TS22 5NA 01642 533 816 Cleveland Golf Club Majuba Road, Redcar, Cleveland TS10 5BJ 01642 471 798 Eaglescliffe & District Golf Club Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, TS16 0DQ 01642 780 238 Hartlepool Golf Club Hart Warren, Hartlepool, TS24 9QF 01429 274 398 High Throston Golf Club Hart Lane, Hartlepool, TS26 0UG 01429 268 071 Hunley Hotel & Golf Club Brotton, By Saltburn, TS12 2QN 01287 677 444 Ingleby Barwick Golf Club Lullingstone Crescent, Ingleby Barwick, Stockton on Tees, TS17 5GJ 01642 765 000 Knotty Hill Golf Centre Sedgefield, Stockton on Tees, TS21 2BB 01740 620 320 Middlesbrough Golf Club Brass Castle Lane, Middlesbrough TS8 9EE 01642 311 515
Backworth Golf Club The Hall, Backworth, NE27 0AH 0191 268 4274 Beamish Park Hotel Golf & Driving Range, Marley Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE16 5EG 01207 230666 Boldon Golf Club Dipe Lane, East Boldon, NE36 0PQ 0191 536 5360 Centurion Park Golf Club Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend, NE28 8SU 0191 263 0041 City of Newcastle Golf Club Three Mile Bridge, Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2DR 0191 285 1775 Garesfield Golf Club Chopwell, NE17 7AP 01207 561 309 George Washington Golf Club Stone Cellars Road, Concorde Washington, NE37 1PH 0191 417 8346 Gosforth Golf Club Broadway East, Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5ER 0191 285 3495 Heworth Golf Club Gingling Gate, Heworth, Gateshead, NE10 8XY 0191 469 9832 Hetton le Hill Golf Club Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QR 0191 517 3061 Houghton le Spring Golf Club Copt Hill, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8LU 0191 584 7421 Newcastle United Golf Club 60 Ponteland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3JW 0191 286 9998
Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Club Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, TS5 7YZ 01642 315 533
Northumberland Golf Club High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HT 0191 236 2009
Norton Golf Club Blakestone Lane, Norton Stockton on Tees, TS20 3LQ 01642 676 385
Parklands Golf Club High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HQ 0191 236 4480
Ryton Golf Club Clara Vale, Ryton, NE40 3TD 0191 413 3253
Filey Golf Club West Avenue, Filey, YO14 9BQ 01723 513293
South Shields Golf Club Cleadon Hills, South Shields, NE34 8EG 0191 456 8942
Forest of Galtres Golf Club Skelton, York, YO32 2RF 01904 766198
Tynemouth Golf Club Spital Dene, Tynemouth, NE30 2ER 0191 257 4578
Forest Park Golf Club Stockton-on-Forest, York, YO32 9HF 01904 400 425
Tyneside Golf Club Westfield Lane, Ryton, NE40 3QE 0191 413 2742
Fulford Golf Club Heslington Lane, York, YO10 5DY 01904 413 579
Wearside Golf Club Cox Green, Sunderland, SR4 9JT 0191 534 2518
Ganton Golf Club Station Road, Ganton, Scarborough, YO12 4PA 01944 710 329 Harrogate Golf Club Forest Lane Head, Harrogate, HG2 7TF 01423 862 999
Whickham Golf Club Hollinside Park, Fellside Road Whickham, NE16 5BA 0191 488 1576
Heworth Golf Club Muncaster House, Muncastergate, YO31 9JY 01904 426 156
Whitburn Golf Club Lizard Lane, South Shields, NE34 7AF 0191 529 4210
Kirkbymoorside Golf Club Manor Vale, Kirkbymoorside, YO62 6EG 01751 431 525
Whitley Bay Golf Club Claremont Rd, Whitley Bay, NE26 3UF 0191 252 0180
Knaresborough Golf Club Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, HG5 0QQ 01423 862 690
YORKSHIRE (EAST)
Malton & Norton Golf Club Welham Park, Welham Road, Norton,Malton, YO17 9QE 01653 697 912
Beverley and East Riding Golf Club Anti Mill, Westwood, Beverley, HU17 8RG 01482 868757 Bridlington Golf Club Belvedere Road, Bridlington, YO15 3NA 01262 606 367 Bridlington Links Golf Club Flamborough Road, Marton, Bridlington, YO15 1DW 01262 401 584 Driffield Golf Club Sunderlandwick, Driffield, YO25 9AD 01377 253 116
Masham Golf Club Burnholme, Swinton Road, Masham, Ripon, HG4 4NS 01765 688 054 Oakdale Golf Club Oakdale, Harrogate, HG1 2LN 01423 567 162 Pannal Golf CLub Follifoot Road, Pannal, HG3 1ES 01423 872 628
Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club Deepdale Avenue, off Filey Road, YO11 2UE 01723 360 522 Scarthingwell Golf Club The Scarthingwell Centre, Scarthingwell, Tadcaster, LS24 9PF 01937 557 878 Selby Golf Club Mill Lane, Brayton, YO8 9LD 01757 228 622 Skipton Golf Club Short Lee Lane, Skipton, BD23 3LF 01756 795 657 The Oaks Golf Club Aughton Common, Aughton, YO42 4PW 01757 288 577 Thirsk & Northallerton Golf Club Thornton le Street, Thirsk, YO7 4AB 01845 525 115 Whitby Golf Club Low Straggleton, Whitby, YO21 3SR 01947 600 660 York Golf Club Lords Moor Lane, Strensall, YO32 5XF 01904 491 840
YORKSHIRE (WEST) Bradford Golf Club Hawksworth Lane, Guiseley, LS20 8NP 01943 875570 Cookridge Golf Club Cookridge Lane, Cookridge, Leeds, LS16 7NL 0113 230 0641 Dewsbury District Golf Club The Pinnacle, Sands Lane, Mirfield, WF14 8HJ 01924 492399 Garforth Driving Range Barwick Road, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 2DN 0113 287 1111
Mid Yorkshire Golf Club Havercroft Lane, Pontefract, Darrington, WF8 3BP 01977 704522 Moor Allerton Golf Club Coal Road, Wike, Leeds, LS17 9NH 0113 266 1154
Jeffrey Musgrove Golf Shop Garesfield Golf Club Chopwell, NE17 7AP 01207 563082
Otley Golf Club West Busk Lane, Otley, Leeds, LS21 3NG 01943 465 329
Leda Discount Golf Centre Grange Villa, Chester le Street, DH2 3NF 0191 370 1757
Oulton Hall Rothwell Lane, Oulton, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS26 8HN 0871 222 4690
Marshalls Golf Heworth Golf Club, Gingling Gate, Heworth, NE10 8HY 0191 4384223
Pontefact & District Golf Club Park Lane, Pontefract, WF8 4QS 01977 792241
Gordon Catterill Golf Shop Middlesbrough Golf Club, Brass Castle Lane, TS8 9EE 01642 311766
Rawdon Golf and Lawn Tennis Club Buckstone Drive, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BB 0113 2506040 Sand Moor Golf Club Alwoodley Lane, Leeds, LS17 7DJ 0113 268 5180
Philips Golf Discount Unit 3 Strand Business Centre Locomotion Way, Camperdown Ind Est Killingworth, NE12 5UJ 0191 268 0008
Scarcroft Golf Club Syke Lane, Leeds, LS14 3BQ 0113 289 2263
Riverdale Hotel Bellingham NE48 2JT 01434 220 254
Wakefield Golf Club 28 Woodthorpe Lane, WF2 6JH 01924 258778
Snainton Golf Direct Coast View, Swarland, Felton, NE65 9JG 01670 787 010
Woodhall Hills Golf Club Woodhall Road, Calverley, Pudsey, LS28 5UN 0113 255 4594
Sunderland Golf Centre Newcastle Road, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR5 1JT. 0191 516 8600
OTHER GOLF OUTLETS
The Golf Factory 678 West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 2UR 07837 001527
Headlingly Golf Club Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds, LS16 8DW 0113 267 9573
Aslan Golf Lizard Lane, Whitburn, NE34 7AF 0191 5294210
Ripon Golf Club Palace Road, Ripon, HG4 3HH 01765 603 640
Hollins Hall Hollins Hill, Baildon, Shipley, Bradford, BD17 7QW 01274 530 053
YORKSHIRE (NORTH)
Romanby Golf Club Yafforth Road, Northallerton, DL7 0PE 01609 778 855
Horsforth Golf Club Layton Rise, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5EX 0113 258 6819
Bargain Golf Seaham Golf Club, Shrewsbury Street, Seaham, SR7 7RD 0191 5130837 & Hobson Golf Club Burnopfield, Newcastle, NE16 6BZ 01207 271605
Aldwark Manor Golf Club Aldwark Alne,YO61 1UF 01347 838 146
Rudding Park Golf Club Rudding Park, Harrogate, HG3 1JH 01423 872 100
Huddersfield Golf Club Fixby Hall, Lightridge Rd, HD2 2EP 01484 426203
Bedale Golf Club Leyburn Road, Bedale, DL8 1EZ 01677 422 451
Sandburn Hall Golf Club Flaxton, York, YO60 7RB 01904 469 929
Leeds Golf Club Elmete Lane, Leeds, LS8 2LJ 0113 265 9203
Dan Hookway Blyth Golf Club New Delaval, Blyth, NE24 4DB 01670 540 110
Scalm Park Golf Club Bishop Wood, Wistow Common, Selby, YO8 3RD 01757 210 846
Leeds Golf Centre Wike Ridge Lane, Shadwell, Leeds LS17 9JW 0113 288 6000
Dynamic Indoor Golf Wideopen, Newcastle, NE13 7BA 0191 481 3590
Hornsea Golf Club Rolston Rd, Hornsea, HU18 1XG 01964 534989 The KP Golf Club Pocklington, York, YO42 1UF 01759 303 090
Catterick Golf Club Leyburn Road, Catterick Garrison, DL9 3QE 01748 833 268
Richmond Golf Club Bend Hagg, Richmond, DL10 5EX 01748 823 231
Stokesley Driving Range Broughton Road, Stokesley, TS9 5JJ
Wetherby Golf Club Linton Lane, Linton, Wetherby, LS22 4JF 01937 580 089
Andy Paisley Golf Centre, Hexham Golf Club, Spittal Lane, Hexham, NE46 3RZ 01434 603 072
Pike Hills Golf Club Tadcaster Road, Askham Bryan, YO23 3UW 01904 700 797
George Paylor 5th Tee 27 Horsley Avenue, Crawcrook, NE40 4XF 07737 963881
Moortown Golf Club Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS17 7DB 0113 268 6521
Garforth Golf Club Long Lane, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 2DS 0113 286 2021
Flamborough Head Golf Club Lighthouse Road, Flamborough, Bridlington, YO15 1AR 01262 850 333
Eureka Copt Hill, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8LU 0191 584 1198
Custom Fit Golf South Moor Golf Club Superstore Craghead, Stanley DH9 6AG 01207 283 525
Tim Jenkins Golf Cleveland Golf Club, Majuba Road, Redcar, TS10 5BJ 01642 471 798 also at Castle Eden Golf Club, Castle Eden, TS27 4SS 01429 836689 The Hobson Golf Range Hobson Golf Club, Burnopfield, NE16 6BZ ZFL Golf Unit 8d, North Tyne Ind. Estate, NE12 9SZ 0191 270 2362 SELECTED TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES ALNWICK, BELLINGHAM, BERWICK, CORBRIDGE, HALTWHISTLE, HEXHAM MORPETH, NEWCASTLE, ROYAL QUAYS, SALTBURN, SEAHOUSES WHITLEY BAY AND SELECTED GOLF CLUBS IN THE BORDERS AND CUMBRIA
NORTHERN GOLFER 45
To be listed or to advertise please call 01661 844115 or email enquiries@northerngolfer.co.uk
Westerhope Golf Club Whorlton Grange, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 1PP 0191 286 9125
Scarborough North Cliff Golf Club North Cliff Avenue, Scarborough, YO12 6PP 01723 355 397
directory
Easingwold Golf Club Stillington Road, Easingwold, YO61 3ET 01347 822 474
NOR THERN
Ravensworth Golf Club Angel View, Longbank, Gateshead, NE9 7UU 0191 487 6014
from the
bunker Last month we told the story of a golfer who ended up finding a ball within his ball and asked what the ruling might be. David Pennington has been in touch and wrote: “I have just read the article regarding Phil Didsbury’s incident with the old ball cover. I am a member of Blyth Golf Club and also an England Golf County Referee, and this incident was brought to my attention earlier. This scenario is covered by Decision 24-1/2 and Rule 24-1, Movable Obstruction. In this case, the ball was lying in the obstruction therefore sub clause b applies. The player may take relief, without penalty, as follows: Mark the spot where the ball lay, lift the ball, remove the obstruction and drop the ball as near as possible to the spot where it lay in the obstruction, not nearer the hole. The ball may be cleaned. The wording says the player may take relief but if he chooses not to, there is no penalty for playing the ball as it lies. The old ball casing is not a wrong ball. It was an unusual event and one that is unlikely to ever happen again, so I can understand the doubt as to the correct procedure. However, the answer is in the Rules and Decisions. Thanks for your help on that one David
Phil Didsbury with the ball and rogue cover
Welcome to your reader feedback page. We want to hear your likes, dislikes and funny golfing stories, and if you’d like to make suggestions about Northern Golfer, let us know. We want to hear from you!
Nothing like a hole-in-one tale to entertain your mates with but what about this one from a Yorkshire club? Diane Miller and Diana Braide got the surprise of their life after teeing off at the 16th in Wakefield Golf Club’s Medals final. Both felt they had hit great shots but when they got to the green their balls were nowhere to be seen - because they were both in the hole! It was a familiar feeling for seven-handicapper Diane having achieved the feat on six occasions, though it was her first at Wakefield. Diana, who plays off 17, enjoyed her firstever ace at the 110-yard par three as part of her winning round of 73. The pair play together regularly at Wakefield, where they are members, and were clearly delighted for each other. Someone cleverer than us has worked out the odds at 26,000,000-1 for players in the same group achieving back-to-back aces
Who knew some of those clever gadgets used to enhance golf TV coverage came from Yorkshire? Leeds-based Whole In One Golf will be supplying the added on-screen technology to the television coverage of the PGA EuroPro Tour, which is aired every summer on Sky Sports and on a range of partner channels around the globe. It will be the fifth consecutive year the Whole In One Golf team has supplied the PGA EuroPro Tour with enhanced graphics packages, including detailed 3D flyover visuals and yardage information. And this year, the Yorkshire outfit has added a whole range of new features to its package to improve Sky Sports’ coverage. These include yardage zones from the tee, shot trackers and green contouring. As well as providing enhancements to worldwide TV coverage, Whole In One Golf is now working in partnership with more than 200 top golf course in the UK and Europe with their suite of technological features, including retro-fit GPS yardage trackers, 3D flyovers, live pin positioning and bespoke smartphone apps for each club. So there is now no excuse for hitting the wrong club...
Blackwell Grange Golf Club Easy to Play – Difficult to Master
FORTHCOMING OPEN EVENTS Seniors Open Singles – Tuesday 26th July - £10 per person Mixed Open Pairs – Saturday 20th August - £15 per person Gents Open Pairs – Bank Holiday Monday 29th August - £15 per person Seniors Open Pairs – Tuesday 6th September – £10 per person
BOOK ON LINE - www.blackwellgrangegolf.com SNIPE LANE, DARLINGTON, DL2 2SA – 01325 464458
46 NORTHERN GOLFER
YOUR NO.1 STORE FOR GREAT DEALS! WE BEAT INTERNET PRICES LIMITED OFFER
PURCHASE ANY SET OF MIZUNO IRONS AND RECEIVE A FREE S5 WEDGE OF YOUR CHOICE
BUSHNELL NEO GPS WATCH
TITLEIST 915 D2/D3 DRIVERS
£139.99 RRP
TO CLEAR
TITLEIST 915 F/FD FAIRWAY WOODS
OUR PRICE £118.00
ALL 25% OFF RRP HURRY WHILE STOCKS LAST
SEEN IT CHEAPER? CUSTOM FIT WILL PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE WE WON’T BE BEATEN ON PRICE! GALVIN GREEN STOCK SALE!!
STUBURT SHIRTS MRRP £29.99
NOW £19.99 BUY 2 & GET 3RD 1/2 PRICE
JULY SPECIAL SPEND £100 OR MORE AND RECEIVE A FREE GALVIN HAT WORTH £24.99
OVER 100 SETS IN STOCK - BEST PRICE GUARANTEE + FREE FITTING WITH OUR NEW FLIGHT SCOPE XI - THE LATEST ON THE MARKET NEW NEW CALLAWAY XR WILSON FG TOUR BRITISH OPEN RESCUE CLUBS SUNMOUNTAIN OFFER DRIVERS MRRP £129.00 H2NO PURCHASE SPECIAL TWO WATERPROOF DOZEN PRO ALL STAND/CART V1 OR PRO CALLAWAY V1X PACK AND BAGS GOLF RECEIVE A FREE
30% OFF
BEST PRICE
SHOE SALE UP TO 50% OFF MANY PAIRS OF QUALITY OF SHOES - OAKLEY, FOOTJOY, ECCO ALL £39.99 PER PAIR
IN STOCK
LIMITED EDITION TITLEIST CAP & BALL MARKER.
NEW CALLAWAY APEX 2016 IRONS IN STOCK ALL CUSTOM FIT SHAFT & HEAD OPTIONS AVAILABLE
20% OFF CROSS PERFORMANCE WATERPROOF JACKETS & TROUSERS (WATERPROOF, BREATHABLE, FTX STRETCH) JACKETS FROM £79.99
NOW £64.00 TROUSERS FROM £59.99
NOW £48.00
NEW TITLEIST SM 6 VOKEY WEDGES IN STOCK - BEST PRICE SKETCHERS (2015 RANGE) SELECTED PAIRS OF SHOES
30% OFF PRICE
NEW 2016 MOTOCADDY TROLLEYS & LITHIUM BATTERIES INSTORE FULL ACCESSORY RANGE STOCKED
SPECIAL OFFERS IN STORE
SHIRTS AND SWEATERS
TITLEIST AP1 & AP2 716 IRON SALE NOW ON
FREE GPS DISTANCE TRACKING DEVICE WITH ANY COBRA KING DRIVER
OVER 100 CART & STAND BAGS TO CLEAR
STAND BAGS FROM £39.99 CART BAGS FROM £54.99
GOLF SHIRTS TO CLEAR
Discounted golf equipment & clothing
MANY LESS THAN 1/2 PRICE
accurate custom fitting & tuition
Fully stocked store - all major brands In-store Flightscope Xi & golf simulator for
ONLY £14.99
We have a massive selection of second hand sets of irons, woods, wedges & drivers in
SAVE £££’S
SPECIAL OFFERS ON MANY SETS OF IRONS SAVE £££’S - SEE INSTORE FOR BARGAINS
NEW MIZUNO JPX DRIVERS & JPX EZ IRONS
SALE PRICE £49.99
BOOK YOUR FREE EQUIPMENT CHECK ON OUR STATE OF THE ART GOLF SIMULATOR (APPOINTMENT ONLY WHILE OFFER LASTS) BALL AND CLUB ANALYSIS HAS EVOLVED!!
STROMBERG PLAIN TROUSERS £39.99 SALE PRICE £24.99 (2015 RANGE)
All staff P.G.A. qualified. Over 35 years experience. Friendly honest advice External practice area for long game and new short game area next to shop We have thousands of happy repeat customers, we must be doing something right
stock. Call in and see for yourself
Part Exchange welcome - top prices given
Authorised stockists for Callaway, Mizuno TaylorMade, Cobra, Titlest & more. We have heads & shaft options for a
Next day delivery available for mail orders
complete custom fit
for or shop or tuition
Gift vouchers available
MANY MORE BARGAINS IN STORE
How to find our superstore Leave A1 (m) at junction 63 Chester-le-Street and follow B693 to Stanley, turn left onto B6532 (Asda roundabout), follow road to to end and turn right, pass Blomfomtein School and follow sign to South Moor Golf Club
Your No 1 Discount Golf Store
Shaun Cowell PGA Golf Professional - Tel: 01207 283 525 South Moor Golf Club Superstore, Craghead, Stanley, DH9 6AG
£5
£10
£20
£50
Open Mon - Sun 9am - 6pm Early opening at weekends All major credit cards accepted
2016
GOLF SOCIETIES DEAL ONE
DEAL TWO
DEAL THREE
PERCY WOOD 1 Night accommodation Breakfast 2 Rounds of golf
PERCY WOOD 2 Nights accommodation Breakfast 3 Rounds of golf
£65.00 M/Week £75.00 W/End
£105.00 M/Week £109.00 W/End
PER PLAYER
PER PLAYER
PERCY WOOD & SEAHOUSES 1 Night accommodation Breakfast 1 Round Percy Wood 1 Round Seahouses £71.50 M/Week £73.50 W/End PER PLAYER
DEAL FOUR
DEAL FIVE
DEAL SIX
PERCY WOOD & SEAHOUSES 2 Nights accommodation Breakfast 2 Rounds Percy Wood 1 Round Seahouses £105.00 M/Week £109.00 W/End
PERCY WOOD & DUNSTANBURGH 1 Night accommodation Breakfast 1 Round Percy Wood 1 Round Dunstanburgh £81.50 M/Week £87.50 W/End
PERCY WOOD & DUNSTANBURGH 2 Nights accommodation Breakfast 2 Rounds Percy Wood 1 Round Dunstanburgh £116.50 M/Week £119.50 W/End
PER PLAYER
PER PLAYER
PER PLAYER
DEAL SEVEN
DEAL EIGHT
DEAL NINE
PERCY WOOD & BURGHAM 1 Night accommodation Breakfast 1 Round Percy Wood 1 Round Burgham £77.50 M/Week £87.50 W/End
PERCY WOOD & BURGHAM 2 Nights accommodation Breakfast 2 Round Percy Wood 1 Round Burgham £102.50 M/Week £116.50 W/End
PER PLAYER
PER PLAYER
PERCY WOOD, SEAHOUSES & BURGHAM 2 Nights accommodation Breakfast 1 Round Percy Wood 1 Round Seahouses 1 Round Burgham £117.50 M/Week £121.50 W/End
DEAL TEN
DEAL ELEVEN
PERCY WOOD, DUNSTANBURGH & BURGHAM 2 Nights accommodation Breakfast 1 Round Percy Wood 1 Round Dustanburgh 1 Round Burgham
PERCY WOOD, SEAHOUSES & DUNSTANBURGH 2 Nights accommodation Breakfast 1 Round Percy Wood 1 Round Seahouses 1 Round Dunstanburgh
£124.50 M/Week £130.50 W/End
£121.50 M/Week £127.50 W/End
PER PLAYER
PER PLAYER
Email: golf@percywoodgolf.co.uk www.percywoodgolf.co.uk Chesterhill | Swarland | Morpeth | Northumberland | NE65 9JW
PER PLAYER
CALL US ON
01670 787 010