Northern Golfer magazine #49 - November 2016 by Offstone Publishing

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EDITOR Paul Robertson editor@northerngolfer.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 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 MANAGERS Doug Brolls 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk Graeme Heads 07591 961 888 graeme@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk

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EDITOR’S NOTE AND CONTENTS Fortune may favour the brave but it also has a habit of kicking you in the teeth. Some of our top professionals have certainly found this to be the case in the past few weeks. While Chris Paisley has seen an upturn in form and secured his European Tour card for next year in style, Graeme Storm has endured an agonising three weeks. Having missed out on securing his card in the final event of the season by just €100, he has been handed back his card as Patrick Reed was removed from the Race to Dubai. Storm has flown the flag for Hartlepool and the region’s golf with distinction so it is fantastic to see he will be doing the same next year. The focus is now on Robert Dinwiddie who, as you will read on page 5, is maintaining a positive attitude with a determination to make sure he overcomes his disappointment to resume his career at the top level. Good luck to him and all our regional golfers at Q school. Many amateurs who have dreamt of playing at the top probably underestimate the toll practice, travelling and the constant competition from the flow of talent all over the world impacts on a pro’s life. Our cover star this month Mat Webb gives us an insight into life as a pro climbing the ladder, the dedication required to get to the top and the benefits of learning from experience. It is a lesson some of the younger guns, who have done so well on the region’s golfing scene, should take on board - it is one thing to do something you love but another to make a full-time career from it. Elsewhere, we are delighted to report on the success of the NERGA leagues. It is fantastic to see so many clubs and individuals taking part in competitions for higher and mid handicappers, enjoying some of our best courses and the social side of the game. Find out more about them on pages 20 &21. Our course review takes us to Gosforth Golf Club while if you are planning to give the golfers in your life something special for Christmas there are plenty of ideas in the Gear pages (pages 38&39) and in our adverts offering some great golfing deals. Finally, next month marks the 50th issue of Northern Golfer which will cover December and January. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to bringing you news of golf in North East and Yorkshire for many more issues to come. Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

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Pages 28-30

©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.

04-17 TEEING OFF

Tour reprieve, Portugal triumphs, long drive success, youngsters shine and England call ups

20 RABBIT RUN

All the winners from the region’s biggest handicap leagues

22 BOYS TO MEN

Changes to Northumberland county golf system

25 TOUR LIFE

Chris Paisley on his change of fortune

31 ROY CLARK

Tributes to Durham golfer

Address: Offstone Publishing Unit 1, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield Northumberland, NE43 7AL

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35 PRO-FILE

Durham City’s Tom Cranfield

Mat Webb on a great year and his aims for the future

18 GOSFORTH GOLF CLUB

40 TIPS

Getting out of the sand

38 THE LATEST GOLF GEAR 42 COMPETITIONS

Win fourballs at Romanby, Tyneside and Westerhope

46 BUNKER

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Storm cloud has lifted Graeme Storm keeps his European Tour card for 2017 having originally lost out by €100

raeme Storm received one of the most important calls of his career following the Turkish Airlines Open – one that meant his place on the European Tour for 2017 was safe. Following a heartbreaking finish to the final regular season event in Portugal – where Storm held his head in his hands on the 18th green having bogeyed the last hole to miss out on his European Tour card by €100 – the 38-year-old’s 112th place finish in the Race to Dubai has been confirmed as the final spot for the 2017 season. Storm has American Patrick Reed to thank for the reprieve. The Ryder Cup star had secured his card through the rankings, but when he pulled out of the Final Series events in Turkey and South Africa he fell short of the Tour’s requirement to play five ‘regular’ season events. That meant he was removed from the Race to

Dubai and his place went to the next man in the rankings - a relieved Storm. “It’s been a rollercoaster the last couple of weeks,” Storm said shortly after receiving the call from the Tour. “I knew Patrick hadn’t quite made the numbers and it was a case of seeing if he’d take the invite to South Africa. “It was a nice phone call to take. I just tried to focus on getting ready for tour school to be honest. My first focus was to make sure I was still playing decent golf and in decent shape ready for that. I was just praying it would go my way. “I’ve been on tour a long time now and I didn’t want to lose my playing status. It’s great to look forward to the 2017 season.” The 38-year-old from Hartlepool bogeyed the final hole of the Portugal Masters and

Marjorie’s pair of aces South Shields Golf Club’s Marjorie Lonsdale has recorded a rare pair of aces at her home club - at the same hole within 16 days. Marjorie’s first hole-in-one came on July 24 in the Captain’s Weekend Mixed Greensomes competition when her eight iron approach at Shields’ 13th hole found the cup. Just 16 days later in the Lady Captain’s 04 NORTHERN GOLFER

Day Stableford competition Marjorie doubled her hole-in-one count while playing with Joan Dawson, this time with a six iron. Got a hole-in-one story to share? Email editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

Marjorie Lonsdale at South Shields’ par three 13th

Graeme Storm

feared the worst. He was proved right as the tournament concluded, that closing bogey at Vilamoura cost him his card on next year’s European Tour as he fell €100 short of 111th place in the money list having posted an impressive 15 under-par total amid conflicting stories of what would be the exact cut-off point. At first it was said to be 110th place in the Race to Dubai, then 111th and then even 112th but Storm didn’t know it would be 111th when he came off the course. Following the Portugal Masters he said: “I was very disappointed when I bogeyed the last hole. I didn’t really know what the position was and it was a real kick in the teeth to then just miss out on keeping may card by €100. “It was gut wrenching. It’s just been a really frustrating year and, at times, I put a bit too much pressure on myself. You just can’t afford to miss the cut in the big events which have massive prize money at stake.” With the call, Storm secured his place on the European Tour for a 16th year and is looking forward to getting his season underway in South Africa later this year.

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Fightback starts here Dinwiddie aims to put injury and disappointment behind him to get back on track

ob Dinwiddie is certain he can bounce back at this month’s Q School. There’s no doubt the 33-year-old from Barnard Castle in Co Durham has the talent, but the question is the physical demands it presents for Dinwiddie, who has a perennial back problem. “The back problem is something I always have to manage,” he said, “but thank goodness I’ve avoided surgery and I have learned a lot about how to manage my back. “It’s not easy having to go to Q School. It’s a lot of pressure but I’m sure I will bounce back.”

Dinwiddie played on the European Tour last year through a medical exemption and kept his card on merit. Sadly, that wasn’t the case this year as he finished 117th in the Race to Dubai with €229,801. “It’s not been a great year to be honest,” he added. “I never really found the groove I needed all year, but all is not lost as I didn’t miss out by much. “I did expect to do a lot better this year and I accept I have some work to do.” Dinwiddie will be the first to admit he’s been unable to build on a formidable amateur record.

Before turning professional at the end of 2006 he played in the Walker Cup and won the Scottish and Welsh Amateur Strokeplay Championships in 2005 as well as the English title in 2006. He’s produced occasional flashes of that talent as a pro - he played the 2008 US Open finishing 36th and also finished in the top 10 five times to be a Rookie of the Year runner-up. Unfortunately, injury has blighted his pro career since, but he believes he can still make a breakthrough.

Rob Dinwiddie

Wynyard Golf Club

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Close call at Quinta do Lago Wilson and Brown finish in the top five at the Telegraph BMW Junior Championship

urham’s James Wilson and Yorkshire’s Barclay Brown just missed out in the Telegraph BMW Junior Championship at Portugal’s Quinta do Lago resort. Hoping to emulate past winners Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyneside Golf Club and Close House member Wilson finished in fourth place with rounds of 69, 75 and 78 - 12 shots behind boys’ winner Harry Goddard. Brown, from the same Hallamshire club as Fitzpatrick, finished two shots better than Wilson with rounds of 76, 72 and 72 as he claimed third place in the event which featured 12 leading boys and nine leading girls from across

the UK and Ireland. England international Goddard, 16, carded a final day five under-par 67 to cruise to a nine-stroke victory. In the girls’ event fellow England star Hannah Screen made it a Hertfordshire double as she won by two shots. Goddard, from Cheshunt, enjoyed a rollercoaster week with a course record 66 in the opening round before a wayward 77 on Thursday. His birdie run returned in the final round as he fired a superb 67. He said: “It feels great to win. I’ve had a great season with no missed cuts, mainly against players two years older than me. This is right up there.” In the girls’ event it was a tight affair all the way down the closing stretch

James Wilson. Inset: Harry Goddard and Hannah Screen between overnight leader Screen and first round leader Lily May Humphreys. Screen looked shaken after four-putting from close range on the seventh hole, but three birdies in five holes calmed the nerves and the Berkhamsted star held on to win

by two strokes. “It was a bonus I even qualified for this event and to follow in Alice Hewson’s footsteps, I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Screen. “I’m incredibly proud and it’s such a good platform for what lies ahead.”

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City of Newcastle Golf Club

Andrew Minnikin

Handy Andys

Minnikin joins Paisley in England role

ndrew Minnikin has been appointed England Golf North Region Under 18 squad manager and has begun working alongside squad coach Andy Paisley. Minnikin, a member of the Northumberland county team and former county captain, takes over from Dave Charlton and will be working with the squad of seven boys and girls throughout the winter alongside Paisley at Hexham Golf Club. Minnikin said: “I hadn’t thought about getting back into managing squads since giving up the county captaincy in 2015. I’ve really enjoyed being able to focus on my own game this season, but knew I wanted to get back into something like this at some point in the future. “When Andy said he thought I’d be a good fit for the role I just had to take it. I’ve known Andy for more than 20 years and I’m looking forward to supporting him in developing the region’s best young

players as they aim to reach the top of the game.” The Under 18 squad includes James Wilson, Will Postlethwaite, Jess Hall, Niamh Lendrum, Matthew Watson, Briony Bayles and Jack Johnston. “We’ll be working hard over the winter months at Hexham before letting players go off and play through the season. I’d love to see the best young players from the North making their mark on the national stage and the North Region squad is the next step in that process,” Minnikin added. Paisley, who works with leading male and female European Tour players as well as elite players from across the region, added: “I’ve known Andrew for a long time and knew he had the right skills and mentality to manage a squad of highly talented young golfers. “As Andrew’s coach, I know his work ethic and commitment to practise is tremendous. His passion for the game, talent and work ethic will all benefit the squad members going forward.”

Under 16 squad picked The England Golf North Region U16 squads have been selected. Coached by JJ Vallely and managed by Bryan Ross, the girls squad includes Jessica Baker (Gosforth Park Ladies), Harriet Barker (Carus Green), Rosie Belsham (Whitley Bay), Abby Roper (Seascale), Katie Sibley (Carlisle) and Caitlin Whitehead (Kendal).

The boys squad, coached by Kendal McWade features Dominic Barron-Holden (Kendal), Adam Charlton (Ramside), William Coxon (Kendal), Duran Gun (George Washington), Harrison Hodgson (Darlington), Joseph Robson (Hexham), William Skipp (Eaglescliffe) and William Wilkinson (Westerhope).

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Shining on the national stage Some of the region’s best youngsters star in England victory over Scotland

North East quartet played a major role in the England Schools’ win over their Scottish counterparts at Fairhaven. Tyneside’s James Wilson (Walbottle Campus), Castle Eden’s Jack Trewhitt (Byron College), Heworth’s Will Marshall (Gateshead College) and Bishop Auckland’s Jessica Hall (Durham Sixth Form Centre) all booked their places with top performances in the National Schools Championships in June and all scored vital points in the 41st annual fixture at Fairhaven. Jessica clinched her first cap and was named girls team captain - leading her side to a 5-4 win in which she led by example by capturing 1.5 points.

Her team had started with a 2-1 lead in the foursomes but faltered a little in the singles matches - coming through with a 3-3 score to secure the win. In the boys match, England were 4–2 down at the break but came back to win the singles matches 7-5 and draw the match 9-9 with James’ performance a crucial one. The Durham Matchplay champion used his experience to win both his singles and foursomes matches. In the morning foursomes he played with the England captain Will Hopkins (Lincolnshire) and played arguably the shot of the day when he pitched to a foot on the 18th to ensure they held on to their 1up advantage. Will and Jack narrowly lost their

England captain Jessica Hall takes victory lying down with the rest of the England Schools Girls Team

The four England Schools winners from the North East James Wilson, Jack Trewhitt, Jessica Hall and Will Marshall with England Schools official Ron Snellrest foursomes match in the morning 2&1 to an experienced Scottish pairing. In the afternoon singles they both finished all square on the 18th in singles matches that were close throughout. Next year the Durham County Schools Championships take place at

Beamish Park on April 24 and the North of England Schools Championships will be at Whickham on June 2. The Northumberland Schools’ Championships are yet to be confirmed but will staged within a week of the Durham event.

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Close encounter of the third kind McGinley just misses out again in world long drive championship

earside’s Rebecca McGinley has notched a second successive third-place finish in the World Long Drive Championship. The Prudhoe-based pro qualified to take on the biggest hitters in the women’s game in Oklahoma after winning the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship. Despite a hand injury, Rebecca cruised through the first five stages of the tournament finishing as third seed for the knockout quarter finals. In tough conditions with a 15mph headwind and a damp landing surface, the quarter finals produced a display of power hitting from every competitor with Rebecca edging out Los Angelesbased Troy Mullins with a 297-yard

monster hit. Progressing to the semi finals, Rebecca came up against number two seed Phyllis Meti from New Zealand. “Phyllis is a great competitor so I knew it’d be a tough match up,” said Rebecca. “I wasn’t hitting the ball as well as I’d like as I’ve been struggling with a hand injury, but we were evenly matched and it just came down to who got the better ball away on the day.” Taking the first set of six balls, Rebecca struggled for consistency but managed to get away a good drive of 290 yards. Phyllis took up the challenge and edged past with a 294-yard effort knocking Rebecca out and into third position. Phyllis went on to secure the overall title with a 310 yard drive in

Rebecca McGinley the final with the very last ball of the tournament. “To lose to the winner is some consolation but I know that I can do better,” said Rebecca. “I’ll be heading to my local American Golf next spring to start the qualification process for next year. This is my second year at the world championships and American

Golf and Garmin have been a fantastic support in bringing me out here both years as their champion. “I’m going to do my best to win the UK title in 2017 and will come back to look after some unfinished business.” American Golf will be opening the UK qualifying for the 2017 World Long Drive Championships in the spring.

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David Jenkinson and Kevin Bowman. Inset: Neil Stein

Out to Africa

Regional winners make it through to the HowDidiDo Morocco Matchplay

amside’s Neil Stein topped the leaderboard at Slaley Hall to win a place in the grand final of the 2016 Morocco Matchplay powered by HowDidiDo next February. He’ll be joined by David Jenkinson, 52, a 14-handicapper who plays at Wearside and 11-handicapper Kevin Bowman, 42, who plays at Roseberry Grange, in Marrakech after they finished third in the regional pairs final. Coachbuilder Neil, from Newton Aycliffe, scored 40 points while Jenkinson and Bowman scored 42 to finish just one point behind the winners. Luck was not with the North East’s other competitors however as they all missed out on the trip. Darlington’s Paul Knight, a 45-yearold sheet-metal worker, who plays off 16, could muster only 27 points in the singles while Billingham’s 58-year-old 12-handicapper David McNeill, an administrator from Fishburn, and retiree Dennis Wright, 66, from Billingham, who also plays off 12, finished third in the senior pairs to miss out by just one place. In the pairs competition, Jason Budd and Shaun Brown, both members at Crook, finished in the middle of the field. Stein was naturally jubilant. He said: “I can’t believe it - it hasn’t sunk in yet!

This is the first time I have played in this competition and I’ve really enjoyed it. “It was not until the ninth, where I chipped in for a birdie, that I got my game going and I just played steadily from then. Going to Morocco to play tournament golf makes you feel like a professional golfer. I have never been there before but I am expecting sunshine and gleaming golf courses.” Jenkinson said: “It’s exciting to be going somewhere different like Morocco to play golf and I am over the moon. It only sunk in after I told my wife and daughter about it.” His partner, Bowman, a former secretary and director of Roseberry Grange Community Golf Club near Chester-le-Street, added: “This is our first time in Africa and we hope to keep our form going because we’ve been golf partners for three years now and are unbeaten in matchplay.” In total, 32 golfers from the two regional finals will enjoy complimentary return flights courtesy of event partner British Airways, five nights luxury bedand-breakfast accommodation in the five-star Palmeraie Palace; four rounds of championship golf on the Robert Trent Jones-designed Palm Golf Marrakech Palmeraie, a welcome cocktail reception, a gala dinner and prize presentation.

Close House will host the biggest golfing event to have ever hit the North East, the 2017 British Masters from 28 September - 1 October 2017 and you can play the host course for only £201.70 for a fourball or our Lee Westwood Filly Course for only £99 for a fourball * Subject to availability, Monday - Thursday only, bookings between 1st November 2016 and 31st March 2017.

28 SEPTEMBERTO 1 OCTOBER 2017 “I was at the golf course the other day and you could probably hold the tournament there now... it’s in fantatsic condition” - Lee Westwood For more information on British Masters please check out the British Masters section on our new website: www.closehouse.com/british-masters

CLOSE HOUSE, HEDDON ON THE WALL, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE15 0HT TEL: 01661 85 22 55 EMAIL: enquiries@closehouse.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 11

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Marcus Armitage (© Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com)

The king of Foshan

Armitage secures European Tour card for 2017 with his maiden Challenge Tour title

arcus Armitage catapulted himself up the Challenge Tour rankings and onto the European Tour for the 2017 season in style in the final three weeks of the season. The Howley Hall-based pro, who graduated from the EuroPro Tour in 2015 - during which he won the Tree of Life Championship at Close House, launched himself into the top 15 of the Road to Oman standings with a five under-par round of 67 to win the Foshan Open. “To get my fist win on the Challenge Tour at Foshan was magic,” said Armitage. “I’ve always believed I could do it and to finally get that win was fantastic. A lot of hard work paid off that week.” Following the win Armitage finished in 47th place in the Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge a week later before finishing in 10th place at the season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat, Oman. Armitage featured on the cover of Northern Golfer following his win at Close House in 2015 and outlined

12 NORTHERN GOLFER

his 10-year plan to winning on the European Tour. He admitted that things have changed dramatically since then. “Securing a European Tour card within a year of making it to the Challenge Tour through the EuroPro rankings is an amazing result. It’s catapulted me way ahead of my plan and I can’t wait to get out there and fulfil my dream of playing on the European Tour. “I’m in a real good place at the moment and this is such an exciting time. I’ll be spending a few weeks at home, relaxing and seeing my coaches Anthony Sheehy and Duncan McCarthy, and getting focused ahead of Leopard Creek and getting the European Tour season off to a good start.” Northumberland’s Garrick Porteous climbed the rankings with a tie for seventh in the final event of the season to claim 30th place in the Road to Oman. Jordan Smith, who won the EuroPro Tour’s Race to Desert Springs in 2015, won the Road to Oman to also secure back-toback promotions.

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Portuguese master Watkins wins Portugal Pro Am as we round up the final events of the NE/NW PGA season

obson’s Mark Watkins made the most of the final event of the NE/ NW PGA season with a 15 underpar total at the NE/NW PGA Portugal Pro Am for a six-shot victory. Playing in the annual four-round event, Watkins put together scores of 38, 41, 38 and a closing 42 points to beat South Moor’s Mark Ridley. Stephen Kyle finished in third place on eight under-par as Westerhope’s Michael Nesbit finished fourth. “It’s great to be back at the top of the leaderboard,” said Watkins on his return. “There were some scores out there which I haven’t shot in a few years, it was great to get to some low numbers. The warmer climate definitely helped a bit and to win the event for the first time is a great feeling. “The highlight was definitely the last round.

It was tight at the top of the leaderboard and to put a six under-par final round together with birdies at four of the last five holes was fantastic.” Andrew Scrimshaw led the team of Dave Tweddle, John Potts and Graeme Robson to victory in the team event. There’ll be a full report on them in the next edition. In the two-day Archerfield Links Pro Am, Kyle led the field with a 10 under-par aggregate of 82 stableford points. Tynedale’s Martin Forster finished in second place with 79 points over the two rounds – including an ace on the par three third on the Dirleton course on day two. Sharpley’s Simon Robinson was two shots further back in third. The NE/NW PGA’s Christmas Pro Am takes place at Rockliffe Hall on November 23.

Mark Watkins

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Double top Hexham and Whitley Bay are the pride of Northumbria Junior golf

he Northumbria Junior Golf League is celebrating a unique double. They are the first league ever to have two teams win their way through to the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter-Club Championship finals. Marcus Chisholm, chairman of Northumbria Junior Golf League, said: “Just having one team in

the finals would be a great achievement, but to have two teams getting through is fantastic and shows the quality of the junior golfers which are being developed in the Northumbria League.” Whitley Bay and Hexham both won their regional finals and semi finals to get to the Home Nations Finals at Studley Moor Golf Club in Oxfordshire along with Cuddington, Romsey and

Whitley Bay’s team: Rosie Belsham Charlotte Pickering, Tom Swinney, Jack Suttie, James Burstom and Brandon James

Beadlow Manor golf clubs. Unfortunately, both just missed out on the top two spots which would have seen them progress to the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter-Club Championship Final to be held in Andalucia, Spain in March 2017. Hexham reached that final in Spain in 2013 finishing in third place overall.

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TYNESIDE GOLF CLUB Westfield Lane Ryton Tyne & Wear NE40 3QE email: secretary@tynesidegolfclub.co.uk www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk 14 NORTHERN GOLFER

‘Frank Pont of Infinite Variety Golf Design is Europe’s leading restorer of classic era golf courses with an emphasis on designs by Harry Colt, Tom Simpson and Frank Pennink. Frank is closely involved in restoring Tyneside - the oldest inland Colt course in the North of England’ Photo courtesy of: Mark Bradshaw

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Graeme Storm with Louis Westmoreland and Lucca Jackson

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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.

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Youngsters get the chance to experience the game at the top level

yke House golfers enjoyed a Dunhill dream with a taste of top-class European Tour action at the Home of Golf. The eight students enrolled on the golf programme at Dyke House Sports and Technology College in Hartlepool were taken to St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns to watch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. As well as playing some golf at nearby Strathmore and the Duke’s Course at St Andrews, the group walked two rounds with Hartlepool’s Graeme Storm - Dyke House’s golf consultant. Danny Evans, director of the Elite Development Squad, said: “It was important for them to get a taste of European Tour golf and the standard of play. It was nice for them to see at

close hand how difficult it is to keep concentration over a five and a half hour round when the pressure is on. “They all enjoyed themselves. Socially as a group it was invaluable. On the evening they all played FIFA 17 in one room mixing together and it has made that group strong.” Sixth form students Ben Bailey, Briony Bayles and Amy Sotheran have joined the scheme at college level, while Jack Burton and Louis Westmoreland have started at year 7. While on the trip they each had tuition with Wynyard’s PGA pro Andrew Betts as well as having to complete their studies each day. During the trip they also got to meet and have photographs with celebrities including Jamie Redknapp, Damon Hill, Bryan Mcfadden, DJ Spoony and Fabio Capello.

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Raising their game

Matthew Cort

Disappointment for local favourites as EuroPro Tour graduates set for Challenge Tour in 2017

he HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour season came to its conclusion with the Matchroom Sport Tour Championship at Desert Springs Resort in Spain, where two of this season’s winners in the North East gained their Challenge Tour cards for 2017. However, there was disappointment for a number of players based in the North East and Yorkshire. Rockliffe Hall’s James Maw, Yorkshireman Joe Dean and Carlisle golfer James Wilkinson all narrowly missed out on promotion to Europe’s second-tier tour - with Dean coming agonisingly close as he let a three-shot lead in the final round slip to finish in a tie for third. A second place finish would have secured his card. Matthew Cort, the Leicester golfer who claimed the first of his two EuroPro wins this season at Longhirst Hall, won the tour’s Order of Merit after finishing tied third at the Tour

Championship. Richard James, who claimed his maiden professional win at Close House this summer, lost out in a playoff at Desert Springs but second place was enough for him to move into the top five and earn his Challenge Tour card. There was joy also for Mark Laskey, who won on the EuroPro Tour at Moor Allerton last year and again at The Oxfordshire this summer. The Brocket Hall pro took the fifth and final Challenge Tour card by a shade over £600. The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour is set to return to the region three times next summer. A tournament at Close House has already been confirmed for April 26-28 and Northern Golfer understands Longhirst Hall and Moor Allerton are primed to once again host the tour in 2017.

PL 1 AY IN FR G 12 EE OL F

For full results and the latest information from the EuroPro Tour go to www.europrotour.com

Golf Days and Societies Come and play our fantastic Robert Trent Jones designed golf course, with 27 holes set in 220 acres of beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Our team have years of experience in designing golf days that live long in the memory and our on site chef will create the menu of your choice as the perfect compliment to your golf. This all ensures that visitors to Moor Allerton return year after year.

To find out more contact Gill Pretty on 0113 2661154 or email Info@magc.co.uk or visit www.magc.co.uk Moor Allerton Golf Club, Coal Road, Wike, Leeds LS17 9NH West Yorkshire

NORTHERN GOLFER 17

COURSEREVIEW

Glorious Gosforth G

Dean Bailey discovers a stunning course minutes from Newcastle olfers in Newcastle are well served by top golf courses – from classics laid out over ancient moorland to modern tracks with fantastic facilities. At Gosforth Golf Club, less than five minutes from the heart of the city, you’ll find the best of both. From the warm welcome in the clubhouse and pro shop to the 18-hole layout, which is divided by the Ouseburn and has produced some of our region’s best players, Gosforth is a treat from the moment you arrive. Equally well known as the Bridlepath, due to the path which splits the course in half through its centre, the clubhouse side is regarded by many as the tougher test. It opens with a simple enough par four of a little more than 300 yards before the first real test – the tee shot at the 435-yard second with out of bounds right. It doesn’t get much

18 NORTHERN GOLFER

easier at the green where an out of bounds fence looms at the back edge and two deep bunkers protect the left side. The stretch before crossing the bridlepath is one of the trickiest. Finding the right portion of the greens at the par three third and fifth holes is key as the greens are fast and tricky to read – the latter hidden from view down the hill. The 342yard par four fourth features the Ouseburn for the first time – lay up short with a long iron before pitching to the two-tiered green here. Crossing the bridlepath, the sixth is great risk and reward par four of 298 yards with a large bunker protecting the front of the green – though who can resist going for it? The seventh is the toughest hole on the course and the first of Viking corner, named after the pub which used to sit on the boundary of the

course, and where the wind swirls between the trees. This 451-yard par four is played steeply uphill to a large green and holding the putting surface is incredibly tough. The wind is the toughest factor at the downhill par three eighth, though you should find the large putting surface. The ninth and 10th are both tough par fours, 397 yards and 416 yards respectively, with deep fairway bunkers and trees bordering both sides of the fairways. At the short par three 11th a short iron should present a good chance of birdie if you avoid the deep bunker at the front edge of the green. The two par fives at Gosforth are played backto-back with the 532-yard dogleg 13th the simpler of the two. At the 14th your drive must avoid the out of bounds tight right while also missing the

COURSEREVIEW

FACT FILE CONTACT Gosforth Golf Club, Broadway East Gosforth, NE3 5ER tel: 0191 285 3495 web: www.gosforthgolfclub.co.uk email: gosforth.golf@virgin.net Professional/secretary: Grahame Garland GREEN FEES Oct 2016 – Mar 2017 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun £16 With a member £12 Junior £10 Every Weds & Fri £12 inc. coffee and bacon sandwich or a pint of draught beer For full details see website

The club has been working with the Sports Turf Research Institute in the last two seasons to improve the quality of the putting surfaces and having visited numerous times in that time, it’s clear the work is paying off. Expect to find some of the best putting surfaces in the region here throughout the season.

TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,084 yards Yellow tees 5,806 yards Red tees 5,585 yards ditch which crosses the fairway some 300 yards from the tee. Crossing back across the bridlepath you enter one of the toughest final stretches in the area. The 15th plays back into the prevailing wind and at 412 yards, the second shot to a steeply two-tiered green must find the correct tier or risk an embarrassing series of putts to get back up or down the slope. The 179-yard par three 16th is no pushover with two large bunkers short of the green, while the 17th at 260 yards presents a good birdie chance – though finding the steep slopes around the green or the three cavernous bunkers can scupper any last chances of a good score. The 18th at Gosforth is one of the toughest finishing holes in the North East and gets our nod for signature hole (see fact file). With such a tough finish, it’s no surprise Gosforth has produced some of the counties finest players in its 111 years – from 1954 English Amateur Champion Alan Thirwell to seven-time Northumberland champion Jimmy Hayes and Jenny Lee Smith – winner of the first Women’s British Open.

FEATURES Clubhouse with bar, lounge, catering and changing rooms PGA tuition with Grahame Garland Practice area and practice net Putting green Buggy and trolley hire Ladies Get into Golf centre CADDY’S TIP Gosforth isn’t the longest course but you can get yourself in a lot trouble by blazing away with the driver. Be sensible from the tee on the shorter holes and avoid the trees – there are lots of them out there! SIGNATURE HOLE The 18th at Gosforth is played into the prevailing wind and deservedly ranked as one of the toughest finishing holes in the North East. This 434-yard par four is flanked by a hedge to the left and the Ouseburn at its widest point on the course to the right - a daunting prospect on a hole which requires driver should you wish to reach the green in regulation. Closing with a par four is a great finish.

OUR VERDICT Always presented in fantastic condition, Gosforth is a delight to play with a mix of challenging long holes and interesting short holes which make for a fun round of golf everytime you visit. NORTHERN GOLFER 19

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Driving membership

Drive Vauxhall’s Joe Palmer and Seaton Carew’s head pro Clifford Jackson Seaton Carew Golf Club’s drive to increase numbers has been boosted by a partnership with a local car dealer. The 10th oldest course in the UK has announced a deal with local Vauxhall Dealer Drive Vauxhall, which will be offering a 12-month membership at Seaton Carew to customers when they buy a new car from the Hartlepool site on Burn Road before December 31, 2016. Seaton Carew head professional Clifford Jackson said: “There’s a noticeable decline in golf memberships throughout the country and this initiative will hopefully help address the trend here. “Working closely with Drive Vauxhall has given us a far greater opportunity to find new members and hopefully create a retention. “In recent years we have hosted exciting events like the Brabazon Trophy. We are striving to work closely with England Golf and also to strengthen our position within Durham County Union to increase the size of events year on year.”

Flying visitors Slaley Hall has announced a surge in enquiries from overseas. The Hexham club – a member of QHotels – has enjoyed a rapid rise in bookings as visitors seek to take advantage of the favourable exchange rate. Set in 1,000 acres, Slaley features two 18-hole courses and has hosted top events on the European and European Seniors tours. 20 NORTHERN GOLFER

Inter Individual finalists Robert Dove - Inter Individual champion

Pulling Rabbits from the hat

Champions crowned in region’s biggest golf leagues

he champion clubs and individuals in this year’s North East Rabbits Golf Association’s Rabbits and Inter leagues were crowned at Rockliffe Hall with two Finals Days in October. In the Rabbits league, for players with handicaps 16-28, Roseberry Grange lifted the team title with 222 points in the seven scores from eight format as Kirkbymoorside took the runners up spot with 211 points. Roseberry Grange captain Ray Clifford said: “For a small club like ours it’s a great achievement to win the league. The whole team are chuffed to be the best in the North East. “The club has gone from strength to strength following a tough period in 2011 and success like this makes it all worthwhile. The team performed really well at Rockliffe and despite three sets of penalty shots we managed to get over the line.”

The Rabbits Finals Day saw the leading teams from the league’s four divisions and the best runner up compete for the team total. The leading points scorers from all 33 clubs also competed for the NERGA Rabbits Individual Championship with Graham Nealan from Garesfield beating Romanby’s Nigel Edson and Dinsdale Spa’s Dave Curry to the title with 39 points. In the association’s second Finals Day the leading teams in the Inter league, for players with handicaps 8-15, took on the Hurworth course. Roseberry Grange missed out on double success by just two points as Ripon City were crowned team champions with 228 points. Ripon City captain Wayne Best said: “To get the win at Rockliffe Hall was a fantastic achievement for the team and for our club. We came close to making it to finals day last year and had a great time there this year. “I led the Rabbits team a couple of years ago and to lead the Inter team to the win is great feeling – it’s definitely the highlight

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Inter Finals Day players of my golfing career.” In the Inter Individual Championship, which featured the leading point scorers from all 21 clubs, Robert Dove from Hunley Hall’s 41 points was enough for a two-point victory over Whitby’s John Hartley. Association secretary Martin Hill said: “The feedback from this year’s leagues and our two Finals Days, which saw 125 players taking part, has been fantastic and we must thank all of the clubs for continuing to be part of the association’s success. “Plans are well underway for 2017, with new clubs joining both the Rabbits and Inter leagues. “To be able to provide competitive inter-club golf for more than 1,600 players in the last five years has been

fantastic and we’re looking forward to growing further and giving more players the chance to compete regularly across our region.”

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22 NORTHERN GOLFER

Top county juniors clockwise: Matty Lamb, Jack Hermeston and Jake Storey

From boys to men Northumberland systems merged to improve path for young players

he route for junior golfers and the ties between the men’s and junior systems in Northumberland have been streamlined through a merger of the Northumberland Junior Golf Association and Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs. The new system, which has been championed by county captain David Gilroy, will see juniors more involved with the men’s team through coaching sessions and at elite events. David explained: “The junior association had started to struggle for volunteers and we’d found there was a widening gap between players reaching the top level of junior golf and making the transition into the county system. “We’ve got some very good young players in the county and the aim is to provide them with the best opportunities to improve and step up to the next level.” Members of the junior squad will

be invited to take part in the men’s coaching programme during the winter months with Andy Paisley and John Harrison. They will also be part of a mentoring system with senior players and will be invited to take part in the county’s top events. “We’ve got some new blood on board to manage the junior system and we’re confident that we’ll see young players regularly featuring in the county setup in the next 18 months,” added David. “The men’s team players are looking forward to it and to have them on board will make the whole thing a great experience for the juniors. “The time is right to bring the two together and make things as simple as possible. We’ve struggled to get things right in the last few years and there’s work still to do, but this is a step in the right direction and we should reap the rewards in the near future,” added David.

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Alex Wrigley secures Nordic League card for 2017

artlepool’s Alex Wrigley has ended a solid year with success at Qualifying School for the Nordic League for 2017. Alex, who also finished in the top 20 on this year’s EuroPro Tour, will play events in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden next term as he looks to finish in the top five in the order of merit and gain a card for the 2018 Challenge Tour. “There have been a few peaks and troughs this year and a couple of close calls. “The quality of my golf this season has been better and I’ve played more consistent golf throughout. I was in contention a bit in August and gained a lot from that experience – hopefully I can take that into next season,” said Alex, who will split his time around Europe next season and is looking

forward to some different experiences having spent five years on the EuroPro Tour. “It’s a tough qualifying process with two stages, the second one in the middle of nowhere in Denmark, from which the top 25 get a card. I’m looking forward to being out there, playing some golf in very different conditions and in some different places. “I’ll also be fitting in with my girlfriend’s [Johanna Gustavsson] schedule on the Ladies European Tour and it’ll be great to be able to spend more time with her at home. I’ll be back for some EuroPro events too and there are a few events across Europe that I’d like to try and get into. “I’ve had five years on the EuroPro Tour so I’m looking forward to getting a few different experiences and doing a bit more travelling while I have the opportunity to do it.”

e: secretary.m.f.g.c@hotmail.co.uk www.magdalene-fields.co.uk

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Champion role model

Youngster helps fellow golfers with disability get into the game

orkshire teenager Lewis Eccles is determined disability will not get in the way of playing golf. Winner of the Special Olympics gold medal in Macau in May and the 2015 British Disabled Open, Eccles is hoping his story will encourage more people to take up and enjoy the sport. Lewis is one of five English golfers sharing their experiences following the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, which shone a spotlight on disability sport. Many disabled people find it difficult to get involved with sports and physical activity and the English Federation of Disability Sport has set out to encourage disabled people to be more active through its recent campaign Together We Will.

Lewis Eccles

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England Golf has joined the campaign and is working with clubs and counties across the country to help and encourage more people with disabilities to play golf and 15-yearold Lewis, from Rotherham, is a shining example. Lewis was diagnosed with autism when he was nine shortly after he first started playing golf, which he began by hitting a few balls in a local field with his father and older brother. He showed a natural instinct for the game, joined them at a local golf course and has never looked back. Lewis plays golf four or five times a week, has a handicap of five and regularly represents Longley Park Golf Club in Huddersfield and Waterfront Golf in Rotherham.

Lewis isn’t content with just improving his own game - he is currently encouraging several other youngsters with autism at his school to get involved with golf. Since taking up the game, Lewis has transformed into a confident, happy teenager and his father Peter said: “The relaxed social nature of the sport has really helped Lewis’ development, his confidence levels and social skills. It has also helped our family get closer together too. We are all passionate golfers and it is the only sport that we can all play together.” The National Autistic Society runs a training and consultancy programme called Active for Autism, which aims to increase understanding of autism among PE teachers, sports coaches and anyone involved in sports. Carol Povey, a director at the charity, said: “The benefits of sport, including golf, are well known - it can increase self-esteem, help develop social skills, and improve physical and mental health, as well as general wellbeing.”

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HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED! WITH EUROPEAN TOUR PLAYER CHRIS PAISLEY It amazes me how quickly things can change. At the start of July I was languishing towards the bottom of the money list, wondering how I was going to make my next cut. Fast forward a few months and I am getting ready to play my first Final Series event in Turkey with a great chance of making it to the season finale - the DP Tour Championship in Dubai. My final two regular season events were the British Masters and the Portugal Masters, where I finished 60th and fifth respectively. The British Masters at The Grove was one of the best events of the year. The venue, golf course and crowds were all amazing. We also saw the start of some of the new initiatives introduced by our CEO including the Hero Shootout Challenge and improved Sky coverage during the tournament. The event certainly seemed ‘bigger’ and much more fan friendly. It was a lot of fun. Hopefully Close House can one-up the Grove next year and put the North East back on the golfing map with a bang! My last event in Portugal was a huge personal success. It was great to be in the mix with some top players again. It provided me further proof that my game is improving and gave me another injection of confidence. Most of all, I felt fortunate that I wasn’t one of the ‘Bubble Boys’ around the 110 mark on the order of merit. I was genuinely gutted watching Eddie Pepperell and Craig Lee double bogey and bogey their final hole in round two to miss the cut, and ultimately lose their tour cards. While having these groups on camera is good for ratings, what you are effectively watching is someone getting sacked on live TV. It was gut-wrenching to see Graeme Storm lose his card by €100 - a margin so small that it makes you wince. Stormy is a top player so it was fantastic to see him re-instated. I have experienced similar moments myself, so I can empathise with these guys. It also makes me realise that you can never become complacent. You have to keep improving and enjoying the good times because you never know what is around the corner.

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Ramside Hall Inset: Ramside winner Richard Anderson

Ploughing on

PIG Society celebrates 30 years at Ramside

ne of our region’s oldest golf societies has celebrated its 30th anniversary - and plans are already well underway for its 31st year. The Plough Inn Golf Society (PIGS) was formed in 1986 at the pub in Shadforth Village near Durham City with six members. Society organiser Alan Dufton said: “There were a few golfers who came in the pub and the landlord at the time was keen to have sports team based there so he got a few guys together. “We keep the society quite small – just 36 players – and we’re from all walks of life, from barbers and butchers to teachers and police officers. “It’s a fantastic mix of people all brought together through golf. “The special thing is - we outlasted the pub! We’ve retained the name and carried on through the years.” The society now hosts 18 outings per year and has visited 120 different venues in its 30 years – starting at Durham City Golf Club and hosting its most recent event at Close House.

It has visited almost all the clubs in Northumberland and Durham as well venues in North Yorkshire, the Scottish Borders, Spain and Portugal. “We like to travel to as many different clubs as possible and there aren’t many left which we haven’t been to at least once,” added Alan. The PIG’s 36 members belong to clubs across Durham and meet fortnightly throughout the season. To mark the society’s 30th year a special celebratory tournament took place at Ramside Hall in July. Castle Eden member Richard Anderson collected the trophy, donated by Ramside director of golf Helen Roseberry, with 43 points. “We visit Ramside annually so it was the perfect place for the anniversary event. “We’re old friends now – the last new member joined more than two years ago - and that friendship has been the key to our longevity,” added Alan. Planning is already underway for the 2017 season. Expect to see the PIGS at a club near you soon.

Just the job Bob Cameron and Gordon Hedley ensured lightning did not strike thrice at Gleneagles by winning the PGA Super 60s Championship. The pair prevented defending champion Murray White from recording an unprecedented hat-trick of victories in the tournament for PGA Professionals and their amateur

©Mark Runnacles Getty Images

sidekicks aged 60 or over. But it was a close run thing for the former Whickham junior with the £1,000 winner’s cheque in the balance well into their second circuit of the Queen’s Course at Gleneagles.

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Beamish youngster caps remarkable year at home and nationally

eamish Park Golf Club’s Matthew Watson has finished 2016 with one of the best records of any youngster in our region. Having started the year by reaching the last 16 of the Scottish Boys at Mercar Links in Aberdeen, Watson retained the Race to Rockliffe title he lifted for the first time in 2015. “It’s been a great year on the course,” said Matthew. “To get through to the last 16 from 236 players in the Scottish Boys was a good start to the year. “To go on and retain the Race to Rockliffe title was a really good feeling and definitely stands out as one of my best wins.” As well as his county triumphs the 16-year-old has found home success – becoming the youngest winner of the men’s club championships and winning the junior championship at Beamish.

“To win both club championships, and to be the first person to do it, was the highlight of my year. There’s a lot of history at Beamish and to be part of that is a great feeling,” he added. Rounding off his season, Matthew was crowned Durham’s junior county champion of champions at Brancepeth Castle. “The key to having such a good year was getting school out the way. Finishing my GCSEs then spending all my time on the golf course was great. I practised a lot, worked with John Harrison and got some great results from all that hard work. “I’m looking forward to working with the England North squad over the winter and continuing with my course with the Golf Academy at Durham Sixth Form College. Next season I want to get down to scratch and make the cut consistently in the national events.”

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Beamish captain David Cameron, Matthew Watson and Beamish vice captain Richard Robinson

Masters moment Carus Green Golf Club’s Harriet Barker won this year’s Cumbrian Junior Masters Tour at Kendal Golf Club. The 14-year-old, who plays off a handicap of five, qualified through the Cumbrian Junior Open competitions throughout the season and has started winter training with

England under 16s teammates at Matfen Hall. “We are delighted with Harriet’s progress and she has made significant strides in her performance this season,” said her mum, Jane. “Harriet is extremely disciplined and we are delighted that her ambitions are being realised.” NORTHERN GOLFER 27

MATWEBB

Webb finds a winning formula Mat Webb reflects on his remarkable success as a PGA professional in the last two seasons and shares his plans for the future with Dean Bailey

very sportsperson marks their arrival on a particular stage differently. For Mat Webb, an 11-time winner this season, the spotlight was on him throughout his teenage years – in my particular case when he sported pink tartan trousers and bleached blonde hair en route to winning the Northumberland county championship in 2012. “Things have changed a lot since then,” he says as we recall his win at Newbiggin in his early 20s. “What on Earth was I thinking?” he adds with a wry smile. Four years on the 27-year-old - dressed in more subdued fashion – has more than 20 professional titles to his name, including this year’s Galvin Green PGA Assistants’ Championship and the Australian National Futures Championship. A third-year assistant to his father Marcus, head pro at Bedlingtonshire Golf Club, Mat admits finding his feet as a professional golfer has not been easy. “When I first turned pro and tried to make it as a player on the EuroPro Tour it was tough. I didn’t appreciate what professional golf was going to be like. I knew I was a decent player but had no idea how good you had to be to compete with

28 NORTHERN GOLFER

the guys out there. It was easy to get to a position where I thought I could turn pro but making it as a pro was a very different thing. Being unable to perform my best week-in-week-out left me doubting whether this was the right thing to do. “After two years of trying to play it just wasn’t going forwards. I had to re-evaluate and change what I was doing.” Relaxing on a short visit home after returning from a tough schedule which saw him fly to the UK from Australia and head straight into the PGA Play-Offs in Saunton – where he struggled and finished well down the field – Mat is incredibly open about the choices which haven’t worked out. “I was really good amateur playing off plusthree, I turned pro and I was a s*** professional,” he admits. Having played professionally for two years with limited success Mat made the decision to join the PGA for the 2015 season – one he admits he should have made earlier. “Going out there and playing straight away wasn’t the right route for me. Though I would have done things differently knowing what I know now, I learned a lot about playing golf professionally. “Golf is all about being able to figure out how

MATWEBB

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

MATWEBB you get better then going out and doing it. I learned where I needed to be and what I needed to do to get there. “It was a big wake up call. I don’t think it was a case of not being good enough; I just wasn’t capable of performing to my best at that level. I felt I wasn’t achieving anything, I was spending a lot of money and I didn’t know what I would do outside of playing golf for a living. “Since joining the PGA a lot of the pressure has been lifted. I’m now getting my qualifications and know I have a very good career to step into should I decide to stop pursuing being a tour player.” On the course Mat – who has also won the PGA Fourball Championship alongside Alex Belt, and the NE/NW PGA Championship at Westerhope this season - says that playing in smaller fields locally and working his way up to bigger events made a huge difference. “Without the PGA accreditation there aren’t a lot of doors open if you’re not ready to compete on the EuroPro. To be able to enter things like the local PGA pro ams was a huge boost to my confidence. The shorter format and being closer to home gave me a chance to get some wins under my belt and get a little bit of money coming in. For the first time as a pro, I felt like I was moving forwards. “Winning gets easier every time you do it. I know when I’m in a situation to win and playing well, I can win. I don’t have to prove that to everybody anymore. That takes a little pressure off and allows me to concentrate on getting the job done.” His confidence continued to grow and ahead of 2016 Mat set his sights on the PGA Assistants’ title and European Tour Qualifying School. “Being able to perform when you need to is huge. You don’t get too many events – Q School is once a year and there aren’t loads of assistants’ events out there – so you have to take your chances.” His drive to improve and move forward is a recurring theme. Rather than dwelling on his success in the last 12 months, Mat is far more passionate discussing his plans for the future. “Each win and good week so far is a stepping stone. You have to celebrate those successes but then put them to the back of your mind and look to the next, bigger thing. “I’m in a really fortunate position where I can see where things lead and 30 NORTHERN GOLFER

“When I first turned pro it was tough. I didn’t appreciate what it was going to be like.”

take each opportunity that comes up. I have to re-evaluate every month and planning too far in advance is near impossible right now. “I set out a plan for the year and wanted to win the assistants’ title but I hadn’t planned on being sponsored by Galvin Green or getting an invite to Australia. There’s a lot that can happen really quickly and change everything. It’s exciting and daunting all at the same time.” A relative latecomer, he got his first handicap of 33 aged 14, Mat’s progression through the junior ranks was fast. By the time he was 18, with a handicap of one, he took a golf scholarship at junior college in Texas - a move which changed his golf game and set him on the path to becoming a professional. “I’m super-competitive and that really came out when I was younger

and I improved quickly. It took until I went to the US to realise what it would take to become a really good amateur,” says Mat. “I went from a onehandicapper to playing off plus-three in two years.” On his return Mat spent two more years as an amateur, when his lack of elite golf in his teens restricted his access to top events through the ranking system, before turning pro in 2012. Outside of his time spent in the US, Mat says the skills he has developed in the last two years with the help of Andrew Nicholson have brought the biggest change to his ability to win. “On the course the biggest change has been being able to know what’s going to happen before it happens. The difference in my ability to control the ball, and the thinking process to do that, has been huge. “Away from golf, it’s been about

being who I am and doing my own thing. You have to take control of your own path.” Though planning his future is tough, as Mat comes to the end of his season he has started to think about what lies ahead. “Leaving Q School to one side as it’s impossible to bank on, I’d like to look into playing the PGA Tour China next year. I’ll have my qualifications done by then and I think the lifestyle of being away playing golf breeds a better golfer. In order to improve you have to learn from different people, experience different things and play in an environment which will improve your game.” As Mat has found out in the last four years, there are many routes to becoming a professional golfer and those routes can change quickly. For now though it’s time to cover some shop hours and plan his next step.

GOLFEROBITUARY

Tributes paid to Roy Clark The day a Durham plumber shocked a golfing great

oy Clark, an amateur golfer from Stanley who has died at the age of 80, will be best remembered as the plumber who once matched – and startled – the great Lee Trevino Trevino was in his prime when he played The Whitley Bay Classic in 1970 having already won the first of six majors. The professional field, who played 36 holes, featured big names of the era including Peter Thomson, Tommy Horton, Neil Coles, Peter Oosterhuis and Maurice Bembridge. Regional amateurs competed in a separate 18-hole tournament. Trevino travelled down from Scotland to Whitley Bay for this Sunday tournament, played the day after Jack Nicklaus won an 18-hole playoff to win The Open Championship at St

Andrews. Trevino had led the Open at one stage and, playing with Oosterhuis, was followed by a gallery of more than 1,000 fans at Whitley Bay. He appeared thanks to the connections of Chris Robinson, a Northumberland publisher and golf administrator who was the public relations officer for John Letters, the makers of Trevino’s clubs. No record was kept of the full scoreboard. Although Bembridge won, Trevino rewarded his fans with a three under-par 69 in the afternoon. Clark, who won the amateur event, was the only other player to shoot a 69. The two men left the clubhouse without meeting but the 1968 US Open champion, who was to amass a career total of 89 pro tour wins, was staggered to learn an amateur had matched

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Roy Clark. Inset: Lee Trevino with Chris Robinson his score in such blustery conditions. Trevino said: “He must be one hell of as player. Who is this guy Roy Clark?” Almost a quarter of a century later, “this guy” was to be officially recognised as the ultimate prize guy in his county’s golfing history. In 1996, the Durham County Golf Union hosted a dinner in Clark’s honour at his golf club, South Moor, to celebrate a unique status he achieved that year by winning the first of his three seniors championships. Clark had become the only Durham player to win every county title

available to him in all age ranges. In the 46 years between 1953 and 1999 he won 14 various county titles. In 1961 he did the double of strokeplay and matchplay titles, one of only three players to pull off the feat in the 108year history of the county union. He was awarded 42 county caps and in the same year he impressed Trevino, won The Journal Champion of Champions. For the last 45 years of his life Clark lived across the road from his golf club and is survived by wife Marion and their son, Chris.

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GOLFERNEWS

Made of the Wright stuff Gareth pulls off second success at Gleneagles

areth Wright is the Scottish PGA champion for the second time in three years after winning the event’s 100th staging in style at Gleneagles The 34-year-old West Linton professional eagled the par five 18th on the King’s Course from six feet to beat Paul O’Hara in a playoff after the pair had tied on 16 under-par in the £50,000 M&H Logistics-sponsored event. With closing 68s for 268 totals, Wright and O’Hara finished five shots clear of the field in Perthshire, where Louis Gaughan birdied the last to tie for third place with Greig Hutcheon and Graham Fox after they’d both signed off with stirring 65s.

The victory in the Tartan Tour’s flagship tournament earned Wright a £9,000 pay-day while, in addition to a runners-up cheque for £6,500, O’Hara secured a place in the PGA Play-Offs in Devon along with Hutcheon and Fox. Locked together at the start of the day, Wright and O’Hara fought out an enthralling battle in the final round and came to the 72nd hole still sharing the lead. It was advantage Wright after the pair had hit their approaches but 30-year-old O’Hara, who is based at Lochview Golf Centre in Coatbridge through an attachment to North Lanarkshire Leisure, got down in two putts from 120ft to make a birdie, which

Gareth Wright his title rival matched. Returning to the same hole for the playoff, O’Hara was a lot closer in two and made birdie once more despite

racing his first putt six feet past, but Wright had hit a six-iron from 201 yards to six feet and rolled it in for a titlewinning eagle.

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GOLFERNEWS Olivia Winning

Raine-ing champion

Richmond Golf Club Neil Raine doubled up to win on both days of Richmond’s Oktoberfest weekend. Raine teamed up with Stuart Dozey, Ryan Howe and Ash Green in the team stableford event and their best two scores total of 91 points was enough to win on countback from Steve Willis, Jim Love, Jon Freeman and Neville Wallis. Raine’s 42-point total in the individual stableford the next day saw him finish one point ahead of Gary Catt (41) with Rob Eldred (40) a point further back in third place.

Winning feeling

orkshire’s Olivia Winning joins Lancashire’s Louisa Brunt and Cornwall’s Georgia Price as new members of the England Golf women’s squad. They will join Cheshire’s Gemma Clews and British strokeplay champion Sophie Lamb of Lancashire for the winter training programme. The 21-year-old Olivia, from Rotherham,

won the Helen Holm Scottish strokeplay this year for the second time and she was in England’s winning team at the European championships and the Home Internationals. Brunt, 17, is an England girl international who won the Pleasington Putter, was third in the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters and ninth in the English women’s strokeplay while Price has been runner-up and third in the British strokeplay.

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34 NORTHERN GOLFER

PROFILE

PRO -FILE

TOM CRANFIELD AGE: 31

MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB BRASS CASTLE LANE Telephone 01642 311766 www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk

Winter 4 Ball offer - £100.00 (including Bacon roll & coffee) Please quote Northern Golfer 2017 Open competitions - Entry Forms now on Club Website Contact Gordon Cattrell, Club Professional on 01642 311766

TURNED PRO: 23 HOME CLUB: DURHAM CITY GOLF CLUB HOW HAS THIS SEASON GONE? “I’m in my third year at Durham City and things are going really well. I don’t play a lot of tournament golf these days, between a car accident I had in my early 20s and working on setting up the business here, but I hope to get back out on the golf course a bit more in the next few years. Off the course things are going well with a new layout for the shop and the new swing studio complete with GC2 technology ready to go now just ahead of the winter months.” HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE GAME? “I took up golf relatively late aged 14 at Colchester Golf Club having played football and rugby growing up. “I got down to a seven handicap within a year and got into the Essex team within 18 months. From there I kept progressing through the system until I turned pro in my 20s.” WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? “In the short term, having the swing studio with the GC2 technology is a massive boost to our work through the winter months. “I’d like to keep building my reputation and business here, particularly when it comes to custom fitting thanks to the new technology. I’d also like to improve more as a coach, working with players of all abilities, and build a good reputation in the area.”

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5 month winter fee – Unlimited golf November to March - £250. £100 off full membership if taken up 15 months golf for the price of 12 – Membership from 1 October 2016 to 31 December 2017 e.g. £645 cost of 2016 men’s fees (£100+ reduction) Contact the Main Office for further information. Cleadon Hills, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE34 8EG Tel: 0191 456 8942 Email: ssgchonsecy@gmail.com www.ssgc.co.uk

INTERESTING FACT? Tom was the youngest ever head pro in the Essex Golf Union - aged 27. As an amateur, he made eight consecutive birdies from the fifth to the 12th at Colchester Golf Club. NORTHERN GOLFER 35

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As we move into the middle of autumn the weather so far has been very forgiving. We have had some frosty mornings and yet we have still had some very mild, sunny days with very little rainfall for the time of year. That being said, the turf on the course has started to shut down and become dormant ready for the coming winter months so mowing has become less frequent. Even with this lack of regular growth, it is imperative to maintain the mowing quality of the machines cutting units. A sharp mower blade will create a clean cut across the leaf blade. This cut aids the grass in healing faster and promotes photosynthesis even with the minimal light for the time of

year. A dull blade will tear the grass, often leaving a jagged edge. These greater surface areas on the leaf cause stress, making it more susceptible to attacks from pests, diseases and fungal activity which can be highly active due to damp, mild days at this time of year. The operator should be vigilant while mowing as debris build up from worm casts or tree debris can mean a mower soon goes ‘off cut’. The mowers should then be checked over for both mowing height and quality once cleaned to ensure the machine is ready for the next mowing operation. If required the mowing units should be reground on the grinding benches to re-sharpen any dull blades.

NEXT MONTH The effects of frost

GOLFERNEWS

Three-day Wynyard challenge Changes to Durham’s biggest events announced

ollowing a review of the format for Durham’s County Strokeplay Championship the event has been changed to give all players a chance to compete in the opening 36 holes. The 2017 event at Wynyard will be played over three days from May 19-21 with 18 holes on Friday and Saturday before a cut is made for the final 36 holes on Sunday.

Wynyard Golf Club

The new format means there will no longer be an 18-hole qualifying event and that the county’s premier strokeplay tournament is aligned with successful systems across the country. County secretary Jonathan Ward explained: “The idea is that players need not play a qualifier over 18 holes on a different course and will get the opportunity to play a minimum of 36 holes.

MEET THE TEAM Many of you will have heard from our new sales executives already, or recognise them from the North East’s golfing circles. PGA professional Doug Brolls, head teaching pro at Cocken Lodge Golf Club and Driving Range and former head professional at Wearside Golf Club, and former Linden Hall director of golf Graeme Heads have joined the team to further the magazine’s development. Expect to see more of them in clubs across the

Doug Brolls and Graeme Heads North East and Yorkshire in coming months. Contact Doug on 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk & Graeme on 07591 961 888 graeme@offstonepublishing. co.uk

NORTHERN

“It also accommodates a bigger entry as well as the opportunity of spacing the groups out to ensure a better pace of play rather than 72 players squeezing 36 holes into one day.” Players will be able to request tee times to fit their schedules for the first two rounds. Changes have also been made to the County Seniors Championship for 2017, where an 18-hole cut will see the

top 12 players progress to the second round. The new format, which will be introduced at Houghton le Spring GC July 19-20 2017, matches events across the country and is more in line with the men’s and boys championships. All nett and age group prizes will be decided over 18 holes. Durham county fixtures for 2017 are now available at www.durhamcountygolfunion.co.uk

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NORTHERN GOLFER 37

GOLFGEAR

Changing gear

NEW KICKS Nike Lunar Control Vapor shoes RRP: £TBC www.nike.com Following its move out of the golf hardware business earlier this year, Nike’s new apparel and footwear focused golf division has unveiled its first new launch – the Lunar Control Vapor golf shoes. As worn by Rory McIlroy, the new kicks are inspired by snowmobile tracks with an Articulated Integrated Traction Sole, which we’re told helps “propel the athlete through the swing”.

Brighten up the long, dark winter nights with some shiny gear this month as Wilson Staff brings the FG Tour V6 irons to the public, Cobra launches two Bryson DeChambeau-inspired single-length iron sets, Nike unveils Rory’s new kicks, Golf Buddy is back with its Voice 2 GPS system, and there are new flat sticks from Evnroll and TaylorMade.

HEAR ME NOW

Golf Buddy Voice 2 RRP: £114.95 www.gpsgolfbuddy.eu The second incarnation of Golf Buddy’s innovative Voice is available now with more functionality and options than its predecessor. The wearable audio unit comes preloaded with 38,000 courses and can be worn on the wrist or belt, or clipped to your hat or golf bag and shares course data through audio and visual readouts. There are also male and female voice options and three colours to choose from.

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Wilson FG Tour V6 irons RRP: £699 (4-PW) www.wilson.com

Cobra single-length irons RRP: from £549 www.cobragolf.co.uk

Wilson Staff has launched its latest forged irons for the public following rave reviews from tour players – including Portugal Masters winner Padraig Harrington. The Feel portion of Wilson Staff’s Feel, Crossover and Distance system, the irons are made from 8620 carbon steel and feature a split tungsten weighting system throughout to improve sole camber and bounce for added distance and versatility with specific setups for long, mid and short irons.

Following the success of staffer Bryson DeChambeau, Cobra has released two sets of single-length irons. The King Forged One Length and King F7 One Length sets are constructed to seven iron weighting and length with geometries, trajectories and distance gapping altered to create a complete set of irons. Each set also features the technology of its standard equivalent – five-step forging in the King Forged and advanced cavity construction in the F7.

38 NORTHERN GOLFER

INTHEBAG

With CIMB Classic winner Justin Thomas

ON A ROLL TaylorMade TP Collection putters RRP: TBA www.taylormadegolf.co.uk TaylorMade has released information on its new TP Collection putters, due to launch in March 2017. The six models – from classic blades to mid-mallets - feature the Pure Roll insert, which has 45° grooves in a softer polymer to promote better roll and reduce skidding. The insert has already proved popular with tour players including world number one Jason Day and world number two Dustin Johnson.

Driver: Titleist 917D3 9.5° Justin Thomas became the first player since Matt Every at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2015 to defend a PGA Tour title in October with a 23 under-par total at the CIMB Classic. Thomas led the field in birdies with 29 and finished fourth in putts per green in regulation (1.625) with his Scotty Cameron X5 Prototype – which he put in play at The Barclays during the FedExCup Playoffs. Here’s what was in his bag…

3-wood: Titleist 917F3 15°

2-iron: Titleist 712U

KEEP ON ROLLING Evnroll putters RRP: from £275 www.evnroll.com Putter design maestro Guerin Rife, who introduced grooves to putters 20 years ago, is back with the new line of Evnroll Putters. The new putters feature a unique face mill pattern across the entire hitting area for zero dispersion through Gearing Technology - progressively increasing contact surface away from the centre of percussion that replaces the energy loss on mishits. All that adds up to off-centre hits rolling almost the same distance as centre hits as the varying contact surface gently gears the ball back to the centre.

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Irons: Titleist 716 MB (4-9)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Concept M1 Prototype

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM5/6 (46°, 52°, 56°,60°) NORTHERN GOLFER 39

GOLFERTIPS

BUNKER BASICS A common fault I find in players’ technique in greenside bunkers is creating too aggressive an angle of attack into the sand. This tends to make the leading edge of the club dig deep into the sand, decelerating the club and producing inconsistent results. Here’s a simple tweak to the setup and a drill for the practice ground which will improve your technique and lead to more up and downs.

THE FAULT

In your setup - take a wider stance. This should help create a shallower angle of attack, bringing the club into the sand behind the ball more consistently. A great drill once you’re in this position is to hit bunker shots with just your right hand (for the right-handed golfer). This will give you a great feeling of the club releasing, carrying its speed through the sand, using the bounce on the club correctly and popping the ball out with more consistency.

THE FIX

John Harrison Matfen Hall

tel 01661 8 86 400 www.matf enhall.com

40 NORTHERN GOLFER

Consett & District Golf Club

Great “Membership Offer” from now Till March 2018!! Male/Female Full Playing – £495

Student 19-21 – £205

Full Playing 65 – £475

13-18 – £50

5 day – £435

12 & Under – £25

Intermediate 26-29 – £395

Pay&Play – £180 (£8 Per Round)

Intermediate 22-25 – £255

Member of Family/Child under 16 – Free

· Catering and private room hire for every occasion. · Spectacular views across the Derwent Valley.

· Visiting Parties welcome with ride on buggies and full catering service available.

Please contact the Secretary for all of the above; Vince Kelly on 01207505060 (option 1) or email: consettgolfclub@btconnect.com NORTHERN GOLFER 41

GOLFERCOMPETITIONS

win

Northern Golfer competitions are also listed at www.northerngolfer. co.uk/competitions or post your entry to: Competitions, Northern Golfer, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL Please include your contact details and telephone number. Closing date Thursday December 8 2016. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT TYNESIDE At a shade over 6,100 yards, this Harry Colt design may not be the longest course in the area but it is certainly considered by many to be a stern test and one of the premier courses in the North East. For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Which architect designed Sunningdale?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT ROMANBY

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT WESTERHOPE

The stunning golf course at Romanby is set in 200 acres of North Yorkshire parkland. With its attractive lakes and the River Wiske presenting excellent water hazards, the course provides a challenging but fair test for all categories of golfer.

The 6,392 yard layout at Westerhope is a popular one for the region’s pros as well as top level amateur events. The parkland course, designed by 1902 Open Champion Sandy Herd, is always well presented.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Where will the 2017 British Masters be held?

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Where did Phil Mickelson win the Open Championship in 2013?

Last month’s winners: City of Newcastle - Mark Hodgson, Bedlington • Woodham - Carol Aitchison, Eyemouth • Longhirst - George Harrison, North Shields

18 holes of Golf £18 per person

WINTER GOLF SPECIALS

Coffee, bacon roll & 18 holes £20 per person Coffee & bacon roll, 18 holes followed by 2 course meal £27 per person

MONDAY - FRIDAY MUST BE PREBOOKED MINIMUM 4 PLAYERS

Available from 2nd Nov 2016 until 31st March 2017

Limited Winter Memberships available telephone the Club Manager on 01429 267473

HARTLEPOOL GOLF CLUB, Hart Warren, Hartlepool, TS24 9QF hartlepoolgolf@btconnect.com www.hartlepoolgolfclub.co.uk 42 NORTHERN GOLFER

PRODIRECTORY

Pros Guide

Our guide to the region’s PGA pros Want to work on your game? Your local PGA pro is the go-to for advice, tuition and retail experience

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB & ACADEMY RYAN INGRAM

SEAHAM GOLF CLUB ANDREW BLUNT PGA PROFESSIONAL

PGA HEAD TEACHING PRO Making Your Swing Perform Better RLIGolf bespoke coaching packages available. Free initial assessment to plan an individual package to suit your game. State-of-the-art custom fit with FlightScope. Junior Academy only £35pm.

T: 07927 494 780

@RLIGOLF

MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB GORDON CATTRELL CLASS AA PGA PROFESSIONAL TGI Golf Partner • Fully stocked pro shop Expert tuition to all levels of golfer Custom fit & repair service Motocaddy Repair Centre

T: 01642 311 766 E: gcattrell@tgigolf.com GordonCattrellGolf @gcatgolf

RICHMOND YORKS GOLF CLUB BRADLEY ROWNTREE PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL Fully stocked pro shop. Expert tuition - Winter coaching packages available now. State-of-the-art indoor putting studio with the very best training aids. Custom fit specialist. Complete after sales service. 10% off in store when joining our BR. Golf newsletter simply quote NorthenGolf1

T: 01748 823 231, E: brgolfshop&gmail.com W: www.brgolf.co.uk

Expert retailer with fully stocked shop. Great prices on EVERYTHING! Facebook only offers so please follow us. 10% in-store discount with code NG11

T: 0191 513 0837 E: andrew@bargaingolfequipment.co.uk Bargain Golf Equipment @BarginGolfEquip

THE WYNYARD CLUB JAMES HARPER ASSISTANT PRO, ENGINEER & CUSTOM FIT SPECIALIST

HEWORTH GOLF CLUB MARSHALLS GOLF 2 X PGA PROFESSIONALS • State-of-the-art indoor golf simulator GC2 (as used by Sky Sports) • Custom fit center for all major brands • Largest selection of golf equipment in the North East • Learn to play golf center (step-by-step beginners programme covering all aspects of the game)

T: 0191 438 4223

NEWBIGGIN GOLF CLUB COLIN FERGUSON PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL

Sam Putting Lab Digital Putting Studio. Re-grips, re-shafts and repairs. Special 20% discount on all putter fittings and putting lessons through October & November when quoting ‘Northern Golfer’.

• One-hour winter golf lessons: £20 using the V1 Coaching System & Explanar • Club repair & fitting service available • Winter membership only £175 • Winter greenfee rates now available

T: 01740 644 399 ext 22

T: 01670 817 344 ext 4

BE PART OF OUR PROS GUIDE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR THE REGION’S PGA PROFESSIONALS CONTACT: DOUG BROLLS ON 07721 031 482 OR GRAEME HEADS ON 07591 961 888

NORTHERN GOLFER 43

Ponteland Golf Club 53 Bell Villas, Ponteland, NE20 9BD 01661 822 689 Prudhoe Golf Club Eastwood Park, Prudhoe, NE42 5DX 01661 832 466