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JULY 2017
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64 PAGES
OF GOLF FACES, PLACES AND ACES northerngolfer.co.uk
NORTH OF ENGLAND
YOUR GUIDE TO YOUTHS OPEN OPEN QUALIFIERS
DINWIDDIE LEADS THE WAY REVIEWED
CARLISLE AND CASTLE EDEN
A ROSIE FUTURE
YOUNGEST CHAMPION ROSIE BELSHAM’S GOLFING AMBITION
WIN FOURBALLS AT CASTLE EDEN, GEORGE WASHINGTON AND SEAHOUSES
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golfer NOR T H E R N
EDITOR Paul Robertson editor@northerngolfer.co.uk EDITORIAL Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk EVENTS Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk 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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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 One thing we cannot rely on in our beautiful region is the weather. As we put the final touches to this edition, Wimbledon is on the TV in glorious sunshine while we are working through a bleak day of torrential rain lit up only by the odd flash of lightning. Despite the unseasonable conditions we have endured over the last few weeks, the clouds have been lifted by some superb performances on the golf course by young golfers and more mature ones alike. This month’s cover features Rosie Belsham, a 15-year-old from Whitley Bay Golf Club who made history by becoming Northumberland’s youngest-ever female county champion. It is a fantastic achievement - the latest in a growing line of talented female golfers to hail from the North East and Yorkshire. Not to be outdone, we also have the incredible story of nine-year-old Lucca Jackson, one of many flying the flags for the boys. You can read about his stunning performance on page 8. Next month Middlesbrough Golf Club will welcome some of the UK’s top young players for the North of England Open Amateur Youth Golf Championship. This prestigious event has attracted golfers who have gone on to make it big on the world stage. We have produced a special report on the event, including tips on where to watch the action. Spectator entry is free and judging by past years’ events a trip would be worthwhile. Claire Brown shares her thoughts with us in our Round With interview, while Dean Bailey tackles a topic which gets all us golfers hotunder-the-collar, pace of play, on page 28. Our course reviews this month take us east to Castle Eden, west to Carlisle and we also head further north to check out some of the great places to play in the Scottish Borders. Hopefully the wind and rain will be replaced by sunshine and pleasant breeze soon to allow us all to play the great courses in this region at their very best. Remember to let our writers know what is going on at your club so we can feature it in future editions. For now - hope your bet on The Open pays out and we’ll see you in August.
04-17 TEEING OFF
Lucca’s stunning round, Open hopefuls, record-breakers, onearmed winner and Champion of Champions 2017 details
20-24 TEEING OFF
Wilson win, rabbits success and how the region’s pros are faring
26 PRO-FILE
Bedlingtonshire’s Marcus Webb
27 TOUR LIFE
Chris Paisley’s frustration
28 DEAN BAILEY
Speeding up play
36-42 BORDERS A trip further North
43-47 PREVIEW
All you need to know about the North of England Youths Open
48 A ROUND WITH
Former LET player Claire Brown
52 GEAR
Paul Robertson, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk
The latest releases, plus In the Bag with Brooks Koepka
54 MATCHPLAY PAIRS
FRONT COVER
Round one results and round two deadline
Northumberland’s youngestever female county champion Rosie Belsham on her hopes for the future Pages 32-34
When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it ©Offstone Publishing 2017. 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.
18-19 CARLISLE GOLF CLUB
30-31 CASTLE EDEN GOLF CLUB
56 TIPS Taking aim
58 COMPETITIONS Win fourballs at Castle Eden, George Washington and Seahouses
62 FROM THE BUNKER Slaley Hall winner revealed, plus a charity champion
NORTHERN GOLFER 03
CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS
Calling all champions Entries now open for 2017 Northern Golfer Champion of Champions in partnership with Lookers Renault and hosted by Ramside Hall
C
lub champions from across the North can now enter the 2017 Northern Golfer Champion of Champions in partnership with Lookers Renault and hosted by Ramside Hall. All eligible clubs in Northumberland, Co Durham, Teesside, the Scottish Borders, Cumbria and Yorkshire within Northern Golfer’s circulation area have been contacted with entry details and players can submit their details online at www.northerngolfer. co.uk/champion-of-champions-2017 for the men’s, ladies and junior events, which will take place over the Prince Bishops and Cathedral courses at Ramside Hall this September. A number of players have already punched their tickets for the event including 16-year-old Josh David McCutcheon, winner of Stocksfield’s men’s club championship who birdied three of his final six holes for 04 NORTHERN GOLFER
a four-shot victory. Also the winner of the Northumberland Schools Championship this season, Josh will be joined by Backworth’s Steve Anderton – who won his 18th club championship at the club in June. Lookers Renault, part of the national motor retailer, is partnering the event and franchise director Colin Pybus, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Northern Golfer for the 2017 Champion of Champions events at Ramside Hall. The events will bring together some of the best golfers from across the North of England for what is sure to be one of the highlights of the golfing year. “Lookers has many strong links with golf, including sponsoring the EuroPro Tour’s Lookers Championship at Close House in the last two years, so to be part of another premier event for the region is fantastic.” The men’s champion of champion for 2017 will earn a start at a EuroPro Tour event in the North for 2018. The winner will join
JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
Josh David McCutcheon Steve Anderton
Saturday September 9 Cathedral Course at Ramside Hall Tee times from 12.30pm followed by dinner and presentation
LADIES CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Saturday September 9 Prince Bishops Course at Ramside Hall Pastries and tea or coffee on arrival, tee times from noon followed by dinner and presentation
MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
Saturday September 16 Cathedral Course at Ramside Hall Bacon rolls and tea or coffee on arrival, tee times from 8am followed by dinner and presentation the best young professionals in the UK & Ireland for a three round event with the chance to compete on the thirdtier tour, which offers professionals the opportunity to earn a place on the following season’s Challenge Tour. For more information contact Dean Bailey, email dean@offstonepublishing. co.uk, tel 01661 844 115. Enter online now at www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ champion-of-champions-2017
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Open season
R
ob Dinwiddie and Nick McCarthy will fly the flag for our region at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale having progressed through Final Qualifying. Barnard Castle’s Dinwiddie will make his second appearance in The Open having shot rounds of 69 and 70 to finish in second place at Royal Cinque Ports. Moortown’s McCarthy made it third time lucky at Hillside with rounds of 66 and 71. Dinwiddie said: “For what has been a very disappointing year so far, what a way to turn it around. It is fantastic to be back in The Open. It’s only my second time after missing the cut at St Andrews in 2015 but it is always great to be in a major.” “It’s been a dream since I was a kid to play in The Open,” said
Clash of the counties
Nick McCarthy McCarthy. “I like playing at Hillside as it’s a really good test. I only dropped one shot all day when I lost a ball on the 17th in the second round. I’m very excited to be playing in The Open - I can’t wait.” Also among the qualifiers was Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter, who progressed at Woburn. A total of 15 players progressed through Final Qualifying and will tee it up at Royal Birkdale this month. None of the players who progressed though Regional Qualifying at Northumberland
and Alwoodley made it to Birkdale as Wynyard’s James Harper (T55 – Gailes), Close House’s James Simpson (T27 – Hillside) and Carlisle Golf Centre’s Craig Goodfellow (T26 – Gailes) all missed out.
Robert Dinwiddie
Yorkshire were given a scare by a resurgent Northumberland side in their Northern Counties League match at York. The champions were level after sharing the foursomes session and found themselves a point adrift with four singles matches out on the course before fighting back to win 9-5-8.5. Yorkshire, who began the defence of their title with a 10.5-7.5 victory against Cheshire face Durham at South Shields next. Cheshire handed Durham a 12-6 defeat at Wilmslow while Lancashire failed to capitalise on home advantage when they lost by a point to Cumbria at Manchester. Northumberland continued their good form with a comprehensive 12.55.5 win over Cumbria at Bedlingtonshire.
NORTHERN GOLFER 05
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Sanderson’s seniors triumph
Three of a kind
A Peter Sanderson and Northumberland president Danny Finlay Peter Sanderson made home advantage count to win his first Northumberland County Seniors Championship. He posted rounds of 68 and 70 at Bamburgh Castle to win by one shot from Alnmouth’s David Archibald, who followed his first round 71 with a closing 68. The Northumberland Club’s Graham Forrest was third while the best player over the age of 65, winning the Dick Johnston Decanter, was Whitley Bay’s Mike Fleming.
ndrew Minnikin defied the storms at Whitley Bay Golf Club to lift his third Northumberland County Strokeplay Championship. The 37-year-old won the Presidents Bowl in 2003 and 2015 – the latter as part of a clean sweep of the county’s strokeplay events in the season - though he still has a long way to go to catch Scottish international Sandy Twynholm’s record of seven victories. “I’m chasing down Sandy’s record. I still have a few years left in me to have a go at it,” said Minnikin, who has set his sights on the English MidAmateur title later this year. Minnikin finished ninth in the British Mid-Amateur at Woodhall Spa earlier this season and finished second in the English Mid-Amateur (Logan Trophy) in 2015 behind Durham’s Richard Aisbitt.
Andrew Minnikin “I’d like to get my hands on the Logan Trophy, particularly as Northumberland legend George put up the trophy.” With rounds of 72, 74, 70 and 75 for a total of 291 at Whitley Bay, Minnikin led Stocksfield’s Dan Shevill by two shots,while Newbiggin’s Craig Penny finished third with a total of 296. “Conditions were pretty brutal,” added Minnikin. “It was just a case of trying to grind out a score. I knew
if I could go through the whole championship and keep a double bogey off my card then that would be a big plus. “I holed a 12ft putt in the third round for bogey to keep it going and managed to play the 72 holes without a double bogey in the end. “The conditions were so tough and I’m really happy I kept it going over both days and finished it off down the stretch in the final round,” added Minnikin.
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THE CLIPPER LOGISTICS CHAMPIONSHIP MOOR ALLERTON GOLF CLUB SEPTEMBER 13-15
FREE SPECTATOR ENTRY See the UK & Ireland’s best young professionals in action.
Rhys Thompson (left) with Boldon captain Geoff Walsh and Gav Nesbit
Hat-trick hero
R
hys Thompson scored a sensational hat-trick of victories in the space of just 15 days to top the Durham County Order of Merit. The highlight for the 21-year-old was victory in the inaugural Boldon Scratch Open on his home track and he capped off the weekend with a win in the resurrected Consett Open. That double came hot on the heels of winning the Keith Shivers Bowl at Heworth and a fourth place finish in the Pannal Rose Bowl. “It’s been going well,” said Thompson, who enjoyed a stellar couple of years with his Durham County Matchplay Championship win, top individual score in the Northern Counties Championship and the Durham County Order of Merit two years in succession - a third triumph looks on the cards. Thompson, currently playing off
a handicap of plus three, fancies a crack at the pro ranks but won’t be rushed into any decision. He currently works at Slaley Hall and has a degree in golf management. “I’d like to give pro golf a go but I’m still looking to see how the rest of the year goes and then I’ll weigh up my options,” he added. Boldon’s inaugural 36-hole scratch open proved a fantastic day with praise from the players for both the course and the organisation of the event, which was sponsored by Kymel Trading. Thompson’s eight under-par total of 136 saw him win by three from Castle Eden’s Ryan Dixon followed by Boldon’s Gav Nesbit on 140. At Consett, Thompson won on countback from Richard Aisbitt and Jordan Bettis, all finishing on 69 in the event, which was last played in 2003.
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Gosforth double Gosforth Park’s Faye Wheatley and Newbiggin’s Cameron Bowman battled to victory in the Northumberland Junior Golf Association Championships at Longhirst Hall. Wheatley put together two excellent rounds of 84 to take the Girls Under 21 title while Bowman’s rounds of 78 and 74 won the Boys Under 21 crown. Gosforth Park’s Libby Bell won
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Faye Wheatley the girls Under 18 title with rounds of 84 and 87. Runner-up in the boys under 21 was Joshua Brookes (Arcot Hall) with 75-79 while the Under 18 Boys winner was Owen Thomas (Ponteland) 76-77, Under 16 winner was Jai Scott (Newbiggin) and Under 14 winner was Angus Buchanan (Matfen Hall).
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Shearer set for Hero Pro-Am
Alan Shearer (©Getty Images) Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer will tee it up in the Hero Pro-Am at the British Masters supported by Sky Sports, joining some of the biggest names in golf at Close House on Wednesday September 27. Hosted by Lee Westwood, the British Masters returns to the North East for the first time in 45 years September 28-October 1. Tickets for the Hero ProAm are available via tickets. europeantour.com along with tickets for all four days of the tournament. All proceeds from the day will go to the tournament’s official charity, the Graham Wylie Foundation, which was set up by Close House’s owner to inspire and educate children across the North East region. “I am really looking forward to it,” said Shearer. “It is fantastic to have an event as big as the British Masters here and I’m sure the European Tour players will receive a very warm welcome.”
Team champs City of Newcastle Golf Club won the Northumberland First Division Teams Championship in tough conditions at Gosforth Golf Club. The team of Phil Ridden, Mark Wharton and Alex Dixon returned a total score of 437 in the 36hole event to lead the field. Hexham, represented by Sean Heads, Josh Stancer and Martin Coup, were four shots back in second place on 441. 08 NORTHERN GOLFER
Lucca’s stunning round
S
eaton Carew youngster Lucca Jackson broke a course record at the US Kids Golf European Championship. The talented seven-year-old stunned everyone at the prestigious event at Longniddry by shooting an incredible eight under-par 28 over the nine holes. That final round lifted him into second place courtesy of a tournament total of 96 after his opening rounds of 33 and 35. Lucca’s final nine holes included two eagles at six and seven as well as five birdies. Seaton Carew pro Clifford Jackson, Lucca’s father, said: “I had never seen anything like it, I
was totally amazed by his last round. It was fantastic. “You turn up to this event and it’s huge. There are golfers from across the globe. There are players from China, Costa Rica, India and some come over with the strength and conditioning coaches and whatever else. Lucca was not fazed by it at all and he was superb.” Lucca had to play nine holes in each of the three days in East Lothian and he was up against 66 young golfers from across the world
in the sevens and under category. Cliff added: “We are all so proud as a family with the little man’s achievement. It was a truly awesome display of golf, moving three places from four under-par after two rounds to a finishing with a total of 12. under-par.” Lucca added: “I was very happy overall with my score and I played my socks off. I told my grandad before the last round that I was going to shoot six under-par, I went even better than that!”
Durham’s winning Boys Team l-r Matthew Watson, Will Marshall and Will Skipp.
Durham’s winning girls teams l-r Ella Crang, Jess Hall and Kitana Hollins.
North of England Schools champions Jessica Hall and Matthew Jackson.
record by eight shots before it was shaded by one in the afternoon by Greenwood. In the boys’ championship, Will Skipp (Dyke House College) finished second behind Matthew Jackson (Lancashire) while Yorkshire’s Charlie Daughtry was third. Hall, Kitana Hollins and Ella Crang (Durham Sixth Form College) won the girls’ team event while Matthew Watson (Durham SFC), Will Marshall (Gateshead College), Skipp and Josh Hoggarth (NW Durham Academy) won the boys’
title. It’s the third year in a row Durham has won both team titles Despite qualifying for the English Schools Championship at The Kendleshire, Hall had to withdraw after an oblique muscle injury at Northern Counties Match Week. Top North East player was Ramside’s England Schools cap Kitana Hollins, who finished 10th. She is off to Murray State College in South Oklahoma in September while Belsham had to settle for 15th and Skipp and Marshall both finished in a tie for 13th.
Lucca Jackson
Another record breaker
J
essica Hall smashed another course record on her way to winning the North of England Schools Championship for the second year in a row. Jessica’s course record 72 at Whickham Golf Club didn’t last very long with Lancashire’s Boh Greenwood posting a second round 71, but she could only finish third after a first round 82 while Hall added a 76 to retain her title by two shots from Whitley Bay Golf Club’s Rosie Belsham. Hall’s 72 smashed the course
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East just misses out
Marsh nicks Longhirst classic
Stephen East (© Leaderboard Photography) Stephen East just missed out on another English Seniors Championship - losing to Doug Cameron in a three-man playoff at Saunton. East and Michael Jarvis both found the sand on the first extra hole and Cameron took advantage to claim his first senior title. East (Leeds Golf Centre) matched the leaders with a four over-par total following a final round of 71 to add to his 72 and 74 - though he had a chance to move into the outright lead on 18 where his birdie putt finished just short of the hole.
Nick Marsh
N
ick Marsh won the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour’s Dawson & Sanderson Classic on the fourth playoff hole at Longhirst Hall. A final round 73 saw Marsh (Huddersfield Golf Club) finish at seven under-par, the same score as Irishman Brendan McCarroll (Narin
& Portnoo Golf Club), who had birdied the final two holes to record a final round 70. The duo headed back to the 17th tee where the hole was halved in par fours. At the second playoff hole, the 18th, Marsh was lucky to escape with par having
found the rough while the pair both made pars again at 17 to head down 18 for a second time. This time Marsh holed a 15ft putt for birdie and the victory. With the win, and his tie for second place at the Eagle Orchid Scottish Masters earlier this season, Marsh climbed to second place on the EuroPro Tour’s Race to Amendoeira money list, from which the top five at the end of the season graduate to the Challenge Tour. Amateur Alex Dixon, who qualified for the event through the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs order of merit, finished in a tie for 37th place at one over-par for the event. Close House’s James Simpson finished in a tie for 12th place while Malton & Norton’s Chris Halley finished in a tie for 17th place at Longhirst.
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Tom Smith
Terrific Tom’s triple crown
T
om Smith was in superb form to win his third successive North Yorkshire and South Durham Championship at a windswept Castle Eden. Easglescliffe Golf Club’s Smith, who partnered Sam Donald to the Northumberland and Durham InterCounty Foursomes title at Consett earlier this season, made light of the conditions with a first round 66 to
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lead at four under-par. He was heading for a second round 65, only to bogey the last two holes, but his 67 was more than good enough for a hat-trick of NYSD titles - the first time any player has achieved one - as he finished five shots clear on 133. Brancepeth’s James Glenn shot rounds of 71 and 67 to finish runnerup with Billingham’s Brad Hildreth third with after rounds of 67 and 72.
Business class Allendale and Whitely Bay golf clubs have teamed up with business students from Northumbria University. Whitley Bay Golf Club, with more than 800 active members, looked into making better use of the facilities to generate additional income while Allendale Golf Club, with a much smaller member base of 128, was looking at how to maintain and increase membership levels.
Both called on the support of the Business Clinic initiative at the Newcastle Business School - an education scheme where a group of business students form a ‘consultancy firm’ to provide free advice for clients. Keith Williamson, one of the directors at Whitley Bay Golf Club, said: “The research they provided was thorough and very relevant.” NORTHERN GOLFER 11
5201 Tyneside.pdf
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THE NORTHUMBERLAND GOLF CLUB
PLAY THE
Derek Collinson
Home sweet home
H
ome advantage proved key in a quartet of Durham County Championships. Derek Collinson, who plays off 13 at Bishop Auckland, put together a nett score of 66 to win the Durham County Third Division Championship by one shot from South Moor 12-handicapper Reese Murray and Wearside’s Stewart Ditch, who plays off 15. It was also a close call in the Durham County Clubs Teams Handicap Championship at Woodham Golf Club. The host club’s team of Ian Broad (70), David Morgan (73) and Michael Sproates (74) finished on 217, two under-par, as did Billingham’s Jonathan Dobson (70), John Winning (79) and Dennis Wright (68). However, the title went to Woodham on countback. Seaton Carew were third on 227.
Billingham had plenty of consolation when their team of Jenny Garbutt, Alice and Simon Jones and Neil Kerr won the inaugural Durham County Mixed Teams Championship with a score of 89 points over their home course. Wynyard were second on 86 while Houghton, Heworth and Wearside were all on 84. Billingham now go to the national final at Woodhall Spa. Brancepeth certainly made home advantage count in the Durham County Clubs Championship Qualifier with Richard Aisbitt and James Glenn both shooting 67 and Daniel Fox weighing in with a level par 70 for a total of 204. That saw them finish 10 shots clear of Heworth to lead the 12 qualifiers for the championship proper at Ramside Hall on August 5 alongside the four exempt clubs - holders South Moor, Consett, Durham City and Wynyard.
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Down to business The North East England Chamber of Commerce President’s Club welcomed more than 30 members to its golf day at Rockliffe Hall. Top honours on the day were won by the team of Ian Gilthorpe (Square One LLP), Stephen Bell (Changing Lives), Andrew Fox (Slaley Hall) and David Storey (Brewin Dolphin), with second place won by Jon Bromley (Vodafone), Ian Kelsall (Deloitte), Neil Wilson (Marsh) and Shaun
Woods (Durham Tees Valley Airport). Stephen Bell also won the longest drive while nearest the pin went to Andy Wilson, and a spot prize was awarded to Steve Keppie. Eamonn Leavey, head of President’s Club said: “This was the perfect chance for members of our business community to get to know each other in a relaxed setting.”
HIGH GOSFORTH PARK NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE3 5HT e: admin@thengc.co.uk w: http://thengc.co.uk OFFER EXPIRES 30.9.17 NORTHERN GOLFER 13
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Teeing off for cancer
Thomas Broughton Morpeth’s Linden Hall is to stage a special golf day as part of the Macdonald Hotels and Resorts support for childhood brain tumour charity Thomas’ Fund. The group will host an event at each of its five UK golf venues, including Linden Hall on August 25, with all proceeds going towards helping the charity fund research into developing an effective treatment for low-grade glioma, a rare form of childhood brain tumour. The charity was established by the parents of Thomas Broughton after the fouryear-old passed away.
COCO’s charity champs
S
ports stars and celebrities joined Steve Cram at Slaley Hall for his annual Celebrity Golf Day to raise more than £15,000 for international children’s charity COCO. “We enjoyed another fantastic day of golf and fundraising at Slaley Hall,” said Cram. “As always, the golf day has been brilliantly supported by my friends in the world of sport and by the region’s business community. Crucially, we have raised a lot of money for COCO and that is going to make a huge difference when it is invested into the charity’s fantastic projects in East Africa.” Stars from the worlds of football, rugby, cricket, athletics, and TV and radio turned out to support the annual event, now in its 14th year. Cram was joined by Steve Howey, Roger Uttley, Steve Backley, Craig Hignett, Micky Horswill, Ritchie Pitt, Gordon Armstrong, Mick Hill and Brian Whittle. Also on hand at Slaley Hall were TV and radio presenters and commentators including
Colin Murray, Guy Mowbray, Eilidh Barbour, Stuart Storey and Manish Bhasin. COCO is a Newcastle based international children’s charity that was co-founded by world champion athlete and BBC commentator Steve Cram and former British Army Major Jim Panton in 2000. Since then, the charity has raised millions of pounds and invests in sustainable projects in remote regions of East Africa, that help alleviate the poverty that prevents children’s education.
Steve Backley
Steve Cram and friends prepare to tee off at Slaley Hall for COCO
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GREEN FEE SPECIAL Monday to Friday tee off between 10.30 to 11.30 £5 Per person - maximum of 4 people per booking Valid until 31st October 2017 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
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NEW MEMBERS for 2017 £300 Adult Members £415 Seniors Over 60 yrs £350 Student & Intermediary £100 Juniors £50 Pay & Play £15 per Round Seniors £12 Students £10 Telephone 0191 5173061 or email hettoncgc@gmail.com Hetton le Hill Golf Club Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QT 16 NORTHERN GOLFER
Chris McDonnell (fourth from the left) with some of the GB&I PGA Cup team (©Patrick Bolger/Getty Images)
Super Mac C hris McDonnell will join a decorated list of North East professionals who have represented the Great Britain and Ireland team against the USA in the PGA Cup when he tees it up in September. The 35-year-old McDonnell, a winner on the European Challenge Tour and the 2014 PGA Professional Champion, learned his golf at Stocksfield in Northumberland. Currently based at Golf at Goodwood as their academy manager after two years at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, McDonnell was close to pulling off a second win in the recent Titleist and FootJoy PGA Professional Championship before Paul O’Hara clinched the title with five birdies in a six-hole blitz.
But McDonnell’s finish in the PGA Championship was good enough for him to make it into Albert MacKenzie’s side to take on their American counterparts at Foxhills on September 15-17 in what is dubbed the club pro’s Ryder Cup. In recent years, NE/NW PGA members Alex Wrigley, David Ridley, Michael Nesbit, Steve McKenna, John Harrison, Graeme Bell and Craig Goodfellow have all played for the GB&I side as well as North East born Bob Cameron and Cameron Clark, who is one of Mackenzie’s vicecaptains for the September clash. GB&I team: Phillip Archer, Robert Coles, Matthew Cort, Christopher Currie, David Higgins, Garry Houston, Greig Hutcheon, Damien McGrane, Andrew Raitt and McDonnell.
Durham rocks on Girls Golf Rocks is celebrating a successful second year of growing the game by attracting new female golfers. More than 80% of girls who try the game at special taster sessions are going on to take coaching courses and many are expected to move into club membership. The recruitment campaign is run jointly by England Golf and the Golf Foundation and has received the backing of players like Annabel
Dimmock, an England international in her amateur days and now a member of the Ladies European Tour. She co-hosted a taster session at Wexham Golf Club in Buckinghamshire. Buckinghamshire is one of 15 counties taking part in this year’s Girls Golf Rocks, including Durham which have been involved from the start.
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Reinhard Schuhknecht and Steve Hutchinson
D
urham’s Steve Hutchinson missed out on winning the World One-Armed Golf Championship on home soil. It would have been a fitting end to the championship’s second staging at Tynemouth Golf Club, but in something of a David and Goliath final, the Barnard Castle golfer eventually found South African Reinhard Schuhknecht too much. Schuhknecht took a two-hole early lead but Hutchinson played some wonderful shots, thanks to his incredible short game, before the long hitting of the powerful South African, who plays off six, eventually won the day 6&4. It was the 80th playing of the championship and the second time Tynemouth has hosted the event. Paul Whittaker, Tynemouth Golf Club manager, said: “It’s phenomenal. In 2006 the lowest gross score ever recorded in the world by a one-armed golfer was made here and they made it around the course in 71 shots - that still stands as the World Championships best ever score. It was a huge honour to have them back.”
It could well have been an all North East final with Darlington’s Darren Grey getting through to the semi-finals, where he lost to Schuhknecht while Hutchinson played some wonderful golf to beat Chris Wood, another player from South Africa. Hutchinson lost the use of his right arm after a motorcycle accident in 2005. Four months later he was back playing golf and was picked to represent Europe against America in a Ryder Cup-style event for one-armed players. He started playing at Catterick Golf Club when he was posted back from Germany with the Army and got his handicap down to five before the accident. He started playing again at Hallgarth on the outskirts of Darlington using just his left arm in a backhanded stroke. Lessons followed with pro Ernie Wilson. Reinhard lost his arm when he was 14 after he was electrocuted, but somehow manages to hit drives approaching 300 yards. “This is a very special tournament for me as we are playing other members who have lost their arm and it is equal,” he said.
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Non-members - £45 per month (includes Academy membership at Close House giving access to the Yearling par three course, short game practice area and more - see website) Contact Craig Wright, membership sales manager at craig.wright@closehouse.co.uk or tel 01661 85 29 53 for more details. *Terms and conditions apply
CLOSE HOUSE, HEDDON ON THE WALL NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE15 0HT TELEPHONE 01661 85 22 55 EMAIL ENQUIRIES@CLOSEHOUSE.CO.UK WWW.CLOSEHOUSE.COM
NORTHERN GOLFER 17
COURSEREVIEW
Classic Carlisle Dean Bailey heads west into Cumbria and finds a classic English course with plenty of challenges
T
here are few better feelings than leaving the office at 3pm and heading out to the golf course on a summer evening. Add in a trip to one of Cumbria’s oldest, and finest, parkland courses and you’re onto a winner. Turning off the A69 and through the gates of Carlisle Golf Club bordered by tall, dark green trees you catch glimpses of the golf course which was laid out by Theodore Moon in 1908 and remodelled by Philip Mackenzie Ross following the Second World War. The course is a classic English design from the early 20th Century with tall trees lining undulating fairways which lead to large, wellbunkered greens with subtle breaks, undulations and tiers, and a number of runoff areas and mounds which challenge every aspect of your short game should you miss the target. With a par of 71, the 6,249-yard layout can play tough – particularly when the fairways aren’t as
18 NORTHERN GOLFER
fast running or when the wind swirls between the trees. The first is a dog-leg left of 380 yards where finding the fairway with a long iron or hybrid is key to leave a wedge shot to a long, two-tier green with bunkers left and back right. The second measures 186 yards from the back tee, though a big green should be easy to find providing you avoid the bunkers protecting the front. The third is the first driving test. Play over the marker post to find the fairway which sweeps right and uphill to another long green with a small bunker left cut below the surface and two bunkers short and right of the putting surface which will present very tough sand saves. The fourth is the shortest of the par threes at just 138 yards and requires an accurate approach, while the short fifth, just 285 yards, is a great birdie chance. Take a long iron or hybrid up the hill to leave a pitch from in front of the large bunker some 50 yards from the green. As you head toward the turn you’ll find three
tough par fours. The sixth measures 349 yards and you should avoid the trees bordering a generous fairway as well as three pot bunkers to leave an approach which must find the correct level of a long, raised green. The seventh is the toughest hole on the front nine at 419 yards. The fairway narrows the longer your tee shot, though a shorter approach will help avoid the two greenside bunkers. At 370 yards, the eighth is the trickiest of the stretch with a large fairway protected by four small fairway bunkers and an uphill approach blocking sight of the bottom of the flagstick. Making the turn, the ninth is a simple par five should you play it sensibly. Play down to the burn from the tee before playing over the two fairway bunkers in the landing area to leave a simple pitch to a well-defended, small green. The 10th and 11th both measure 380 yards but present very different challenges. At 10, a fade is required to find the fairway should you hit driver while the 11th is the toughest tee shot on the
COURSEREVIEW The facilities at Carlisle Golf Club are excellent with Graeme Lisle’s pro shop set within the large clubhouse. A putting green beside the clubhouse overlooks the main practice facility, which includes a fantastic short game practice area and driving range with four covered bays and a teaching suite
FACT FILE CONTACT Carlisle Golf Club, Carlisle, CA4 8AG tel 01228 513 029 www.carlislegolfclub.org course – requiring a shot of 210-250 yards to leave an approach through a gap in tall trees to a three-tiered green with a large front bunker cut below the surface. A fitting stroke index one hole! The 12th is a great birdie chance should you avoid the numerous fairway bunkers with your second shot at this sweeping right-to-left dogleg par five. Another short par three follows at the 13th with its six, deep greenside bunkers protecting a green set in stunning tall trees. Though short at 347 yards, the 14th is one of the toughest holes on the course with two pot bunkers on the right side of the fairway and an undulating green surrounded by mounding, three bunkers and a cross bunker with a high lip short left. The longest of the par fives at 558 yards, the 15th requires accuracy with two water hazards crossing the fairway and two fairway bunkers protecting the landing areas before two more bunkers guard a small, round green. Heading home, the 16th is toughest of the final three holes with a tough tee shot played over an out of bounds fence to a fairway with a tall tree in its centre and more out of bounds bordering the left and right sides of the fairway. Two large fairway bunkers will catch any approaches from too far back while the two-tiered green will test your putting skills. The remodelled 17th got our pick for signature hole (see fact file). The last at presents a chance for glory should you hit a long drive and avoid the out of bounds right. A short pitch to a three-tier green cut into a slope with five bunkers should yield a birdie chance – or leave a very tricky up and down if you find the sand.
GREEN FEES Weekday £45 Weekend £55 Guest, winter and a range of package, corporate and society options available TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,249 yards Yellow tees 5,976 yards Red tees 5,562 yards FEATURES Large clubhouse with bar/lounge, dining room, snooker table and outside seating area Locker rooms and changing facilities Pro shop and PGA tuition Excellent practice facilities including putting green, short game area and covered driving range bays CADDY’S TIP Accuracy is key with a number of multiple tiered greens with steep mounding and penal bunkering. A sharp wedge game will yield birdie opportunities and keep your score ticking over SIGNATURE HOLE The 161-yard par three 17th plays downhill and presents a demanding shot late in the round. A burn sweeps in front and left of the green with the left side marked as out of bounds. Anything short or left of the putting surface risks finding the water, or worse the rocks at the front edge. Find the green and you should have a great chance for a two
OUR VERDICT A must visit course, perfect for a golf day or society trip with its generous fairways and challenging green complexes NORTHERN GOLFER 19
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Wilson takes the title
J
ames Wilson has added the Durham County Boys Championship to his growing list of achievements. The 17-year-old from Tyneside Golf Club has already made his mark at senior level with victory in last year’s Durham County Matchplay Championship while also becoming the first player to win both his club junior and men’s championships. He also has two Durham County Junior Matchplay Championship title on his CV as well as England Under 16 and England Schools honours. At Garesfield, rounds of 71 and 69 saw him finish at four under-par and seven shots better than Jack Ainscough (Hartlepool). You have to feel for Ainscough, who was also
James Wilson, Durham County Boys Champion
Will Skipp, Durham County Boys U16 Champion
Nicky Lee-Shield, Durham County Boys U14 Champion
runner-up in the Durham County men’s championship to South Moor’s Chris Handy. Wilson also just happened to finish third in that event - missing out on the play-off by just one shot. Now off a handicap of plus-three, Wilson has just finished his A-levels at Walbottle Sixth Form College in Newcastle and is taking a gap-year as he plans for the future.
“My ambition is to one day turn pro,” he said. “After finishing my A-levels I thought this was a good opportunity to really work hard at my game and see what I am capable of. I spoke to some pros about it, and to my mam and dad, and they gave me their backing.” In the Under 16 championship, Eaglescliffe’s Will Skipp retained his title with a score of 78, two better
than Harrison Hodgson (Darlington) and Adam Charlton (Ramside) while earlier at Birtley, Nicky Lee-Shield (Barnard Castle) was crowned Under 14 champion with a round of 81 while Houghton dominated the nett category taking the top three spots with Mark Walton shooting a superb score of 62 as Jack Laidler finished second with a 65 and Oliver Norden was third with a round of 67.
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Up to Scratch 2
More than 700 people have signed up for the second year of Leeds Golf Centre’s Up to Scratch Challenge. The free course is open to beginners and takes place over seven weeks with 16 beginners receiving twice-weekly coaching sessions before going head-to-head in the Up to Scratch Challenge. Building on the success of the first challenge last summer, which received 223 entries, this year’s event was open to adults and juniors. The winner of the knockout competition will receive a full year of free membership at Leeds Golf Centre.
Pros share honours
T
he NE/NW PGA circuit reached its busiest point of the season with five pro ams and the region’s oldest professional event, The Northumberland and Durham Open, and its most prestigious event, The PGA Championship, taking place last month. In the Northumberland and Durham Open at Rockliffe Hall, Sharpley’s Simon Robinson defended the title with rounds of 71 and 69 for a two shot win over Darren Pearce. Meanwhile, in the PGA Championship, Morpeth’s David Clark’s five under-par total of 139 gave him a two shot win over Craig Goodfellow at Bishop Auckland Golf Club, while Vince Guest finished
David Clark (Morpeth GC) PGA Champion
Simon Robinson (Sharpley) Northumberland & Durham Open Champion
in third place another shot back. Tim Dykes won the Assistants’ Championship with a score of 144. In the pro am calendar, Simon Robinson added a four shot win at the Maryport Pro Am to his N&D Open win and David Clark added the Middlesbrough GC Pro Am title to his 2017 record. Former European Tour winner Ken Ferrie won the Hadrian Healthcare Pro Am at Whickham
Golf Club with a new course record score of seven under-par (64). Washington-based Ryan Ingram collected his first professional tittle at the Ramside Hall Pro Am with a three under-par 69 while Michael Pilgrim and Jonathan Graham also collected wins, at the Billingham 50th Celebration Pro Am and Teesside GC Pro Am respectively. For more information go to www.nenwpga.co.uk
Northern Golfer - the best way to reach golfers in the North of England More than 11,000 copies distributed free every month Distribution area stretching from the Scottish borders in the north, west into Cumbria and as far south as Leeds Published 10 times a year and available at golf clubs, retailers, hotels and selected tourist information centres FOR ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES PLEASE CONTACT: Doug Brolls
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Rabbits breed
Yorkshire double
T
he biggest season of North East Rabbits Golf Association competition in the organisation’s history is at the halfway stage. More than 5,000 players will compete in the rabbits (1628 handicaps) and inter (8-15 handicaps) leagues this season, representing 34 rabbits clubs and 21 inter clubs. In the rabbits, which is split into four zones, Romanby, Catterick, Roseberry Grange and Malton & Norton lead their groups. In the inter league, which is split into three zones; Malton & Norton, Wearside and Hunley Hall lead the way. NERGA secretary Martin Hill said: “2017 is our biggest ever year with Aldwark Manor and Rudding Park joining the rabbits and Aldwark and Dinsdale Spa joining the inter league, and things are going
Last year’s Finals Day competitors incredibly well so far. “The feedback from the clubs and all the players continues to be incredibly positive. Last year our participating clubs benefited from around £25,000 and we’re very proud to be putting that into our clubs and to be providing competitive, inter-club golf for so many players,” added Martin. The leading team in each zone, as well as the highest scoring runner up, will progress to Finals Day at
Woodham Golf and Country Club in September. Inter Finals Day will take place on September 23 while Rabbits Finals Day will take place on September 30. The leading points scorer from each club in the association will also compete for their respective Individual Trophy. For the latest visit www.nerga. herokuapp.com and to register interest in joining the NERGA, contact Martin Hill, email martin_ hill@live.co.uk or tel 01325 720 943.
Yorkshire will head for the women’s English County Finals for the second successive year. They will bid for the national title at Felixstowe Ferry in September after winning Northern Counties Match Week at Morecambe Golf Club. They defeated Cheshire 6.5-2.5 in their final match to complete an impressive week that saw them win all five of their matches. Yorkshire selected three teenage newcomers in 17-yearold Nicola Slater (Woodsome Hall), 15-year-old Charlotte Heath (Huddersfield) and 14-year-old Mia Eales-Smith (Lindrick) alongside experienced team members. They helped the county top the table with five points with Lancashire on four, Cheshire three, Cumbria two, Northumberland one and Durham zero.
CARLISLE GOLF CLUB • Open Championship Regional Qualfying Venue • Outstanding Parkland Beauty to Create the
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Booth Leeds the way
Can you kick it?
M Roseberry Grange Community Golf Club hosts the UK Foot Golf International Tour’s North of England Open on July 30. Open to professional and amateur players, the 36-hole event has a prize fund of £1,000 with pairs and individual formats. Closing date for entries is July 24. For more information and to enter go to www.ukfootgolf.com/ tournaments
ark Booth lifted the Leeds Senior Masters title at Leeds Golf Centre with a narrow victory over Andrew Oldcorn. Playing in the new 36-hole event as part of the Senior Masters Tour Booth, from Delapre Golf Club in Northampton, shot a closing round of 68 to finish eight under-par, one shot clear of Oldcorn as Peter Baker and Paul Streeter finished in a tie for third place on six under-par. The win was Booth’s second this season having defended the Bedford Senior Open earlier this year. The Senior Masters Tour hosts regular tournaments for golf professionals and Leeds Golf Centre welcomed more than 65 pros for the
Mark Booth tour’s first event in Yorkshire. Nigel Sweet, operations manager at Leeds Golf Centre, said; “Our congratulations to Mark for his well-deserved victory. Two rounds of 68 is tough to beat and despite the best efforts of Andrew and the
chasing pack, Mark did enough to get the win. “It’s been a brilliant week and the response from the professionals to our first event at Leeds Golf Centre has been incredible, I can’t thank them enough for coming.”
BRANCEPETH CASTLE GOLF CLUB
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Sunday 27th August – Leonard Crawley 36 hole scratch – DCGU Order of Merit - £30 Sunday 3rd September – Sir Arthur Wood Mixed- 4BBB Stableford - £30 per pair Saturday 23rd September – Men’s team of 4 - £64 per team BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.BRANCEPETHCASTLEGOLF.CO.UK FOURBALL OFFER INCLUDING TEA/COFFEE AND A BACON ROLL ONLY £110 (subject to availability Weekdays & Sundays) Quote NG2017 when booking Telephone - 0191 3780075 Option 2 or email enquiries@brancepeth-castle-golf.co.uk Competition & Golf bookings available online at www.brancepeth-castle-golf.co.uk THE CLUBHOUSE, BRANCEPETH, DH7 8EA 24 NORTHERN GOLFER
OPENS Peter Metcalfe Memorial (Stableford) 23rd July - £12.50 Ladies Open (4BBB Stableford) 2nd August - £15 p pair Seniors Open (4BBB Stableford) 15th August - £18 p pair Mixed Open (4BBB Stableford) 28th August - £ 18 p pair Junior Open – Race to Rockcliffe 2nd September - £5 All entry’s/enquiries to Steve Watkin, manager Boldon GC 0191 5365360
NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES Country Membership (over 30 miles from Boldon) - £ 275 Special Offer until 31.3.18 £200 Offshore Worker (6 months in the UK) - £375 Special offer until 31.3.18 £275
SUMMER TWILIGHT GOLF £50 a fourball any day after 3pm Available until 30th September – contact Steve Watkin for availability
Boldon Golf Club, Dipe Lane, Boldon NE36 0PQ E: info@boldongolfclub.co.uk | T: 0191 5365360
Backworth Golf Club
PROFILE
2017 MEMBERSHIP STILL AVAILABLE PRICES ON APPLICATION SUMMER VISITOR FEES 18 HOLES £18 | 9 HOLES £10 Telephone the Manager John Robinson on 0191 2684247 Visitors & Societies Welcome Telephone 0191 2689131 for course availability, information and events Email: backworthminers@gmail.com • www.backworthminers.co.uk/golf The Hall, Backworth, NE27 0AH
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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. For all enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact Martin Ball on 01642 780238 or email secretary@eaglescliffegolfclub.co.uk
SUMMER GREEN FEES FROM £25
2017 OPENS SUN 16 JULY – FOUR PERSON TEAM - £60 “Home of European Senior Tour Player and Teaching Professional Graeme Bell”
26 NORTHERN GOLFER
SUN 3 SEPT – MIXED TEAM - £50 MON 18 SEPT – SENIOR GENTS TEAM - £60
PRO -FILE
MARCUS WEBB AGE: 52 TURNED PRO: 17 HOME CLUB: BEDLINGTONSHIRE GOLF CLUB HOW IS THIS SEASON GOING SO FAR? “It’s a busy one at Bedlingtonshire, as it has been for the last 28 years! Between my club, shop and teaching commitments I’m at the club a lot in the summer. I’m also the Lead Academy Coach for Northumberland, which takes up September and October when I’ll be sorting the pupils and coaches out. Apart from that, I’ve got my work with the PGA as a lead tutor on the Business Finance Degree and I’ll spend a few days each month down at the Belfry from November to March. All of that means I don’t get too much summer golf in nowadays unfortunately.” HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE GAME? “I started at the age of 12, managed to get to a good standard quickly and thought I would be competing at a high level. Looking back, I was a very good putter so tended to score better than my overall ability. I did go for my European Tour Card, over 30 years ago now, but I quickly made the decision that coaching and retail was where I was best suited.” WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? “Being a big part of developing what the golf club offers its members. With the average age of members going up, it’s important to develop what we do as much as we can. Personally, I’m really enjoying working with my young tournament players so it would be great to see some of them get to the top of the game and I want to continue helping people at every level get the most out of the golf and enjoying the sport. Away from Bedlingtonshire, it’s great to see clubs going in the right direction with Alnmouth, Rothbury and Seahouses all employing PGA pros.” INTERESTING FACT? Marcus’ son Mathew is one of the UK’s leading PGA professionals, while Marcus offers his pupils the chance to beat him on the putting green before a putting clinic to get the session free of charge.
CHRISPAILSEY
Chris Paisley
TOUR LIFE
BALANCING PRACTICE, IMPROVEMENT AND TOURNAMENT GOLF It has been a rough six weeks on the golf course. After a really consistent start to the season I have missed four cuts in a row. And yet the frustrating part of it is I am playing great in practice rounds and swinging well on the range. I just can’t seem to take it into tournament play. One of the things that perhaps holds me back at times is seeking long-term improvement over short-term performance. As a golfer, you are always trying to balance these two things. You obviously need to play well and get results, but you are also looking at the next step to improve and get to the next level. My long game is generally what lets me down at the moment, and it is because I have been putting a little too much focus on making some tweaks to try and improve in the long term. It has come at a cost as I have lost a little bit of feel and awareness. The margins are so fine and these courses hammer a slight miscalculation, or a mindset that isn’t quite right. Paris National can bring you to your knees if you aren’t quite on it! After having a chat with my brother Andy and coach Nico, we are going to focus on getting back to being a ‘player’. That means working more on hitting specific shots. I need to get the creative and instinctive part of my brain going again. When I have my best results I feel very instinctive. I see the shot required, feel it in my body and swing, then simply try and execute. There’s little conscious thought involved - I just see it and do it! We have worked really hard to build a solid and reliable swing but in golf all that work can be undone if your mindset isn’t quite right. With small margins, any change in performance gets highlighted, good or bad. I know my game and swing are in good shape, I just need to find the right mindset and get some mojo going! I have two exciting events coming up, the Irish Open and Scottish Open. Two Rolex series events on links courses. What more could a Northern lad who grew up playing links golf ask for?
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TWILIGHT GOLF FROM 4PM JUST £15 for 18 holes BURGHAM, Nr FELTON, NORTHUMBERLAND NE65 8QP E : burghamparkgolfclub@gmail.com W : wwwburghampark.co.uk T : 01670 787898
NORTHERN GOLFER 27
DEANBAILEY
Dean Bailey
Are you ready?
T
Ready Golf – the answer to all our slow play problems?
he folks over in the Royal & Ancient’s clubhouse in St Andrews seem to have hit a bit of a roll in the first half of 2017. First came the draft proposals for the 2019 rules update, many of which appear to have received widespread approval from golfers. Next up came the announcement that Ready Golf – a set of guidelines to improve the pace of play in strokeplay events – has been implemented into all R&A amateur events. The good bit is that the R&A recognises when it comes to this game, having common sense and actually using it can get lost for five hours every Saturday morning. The R&A’s research shows that people enjoy golf more and are more likely to play, when the game take less time. With that in mid, here are the examples of Ready Golf in action: • Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options • Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait •H itting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play
• Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball • Putting out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line (though not on it!) • Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a greenside bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker • When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the hole but chipping from the front of the green should play while the other player is having to walk to their ball and assess their shot • Marking scores upon immediate arrival at the next tee, except that the first player to tee off marks their card immediately after teeing off • Leaving your bag on the route to the next tee rather than having to walk back to it Simple, easy to follow and such common sense - and it works. In a Golf Australia survey, 94% of clubs that had promoted Ready Golf improved the pace of play, with 25% stating that they had achieved satisfying success. So, if your club hasn’t already, get the ball rolling on Ready Golf. Put the guidelines up in the clubhouse and get your playing partners to play to them. Maybe then we’ll have to find something else to talk about in the clubhouse rather than how long it has taken us to get there. *Remember that Ready Golf is not appropriate in matchplay where the payer with the honour, or furthest from the hole, must play first.
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ROSEBERRY GRANGE GOLF CLUB
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COURSEREVIEW
Garden of Eden Dean Bailey heads into Co Durham and visits one of the region’s most challenging parkland courses
M
inutes from the A19 and set among ancient trees and with the castle giving a dramatic backdrop to the back nine, Castle Eden remains one of Co Durham’s finest parkland layouts. Though many of the fairways here are generous, beware the tall, old trees – lots of them will come into play should you miss the fairways. The key to good scoring over the 6,257-yard layout is accuracy. Many of the holes require mid and long iron approaches and good ball striking will be rewarded while misjudged approaches risk finding penal greenside bunkers or leaving long, subtly undulating putts on very fast greens. The opening five holes at Castle Eden test your ability from the tee with three par fours of more than 400 yards followed by a pair of par fours which, while shorter, require precision to find the correct part of the landing area and give you a look at the green for your second shot. The second is the toughest of the five. Played uphill,
30 NORTHERN GOLFER
you will not be able to see the green for your approach or the cross bunker 30 yards short of the putting surface and another deep bunker to the right side of the green. The par three sixth came very close to getting our nod for signature hole. Played over a valley, the 175-yard tee shot is daunting while a huge green hides two rear bunkers and another in the front left – all of which present very tough up and downs. The easiest hole on the course, the seventh requires big hitting or very accurate iron play. The longest players will try and play over the tree in the centre of the fairway and get close to the green, while many will have to play to the right side with an iron before threading the ball through the gap in the trees to find a small green which is highest at the back with three front bunkers cut below the putting surface. The eighth is a good birdie chance, played downhill to a green with no bunkers – though
beware missing the green right or long with steep drops down towards thick rough and trees. Head back uphill at the par three ninth – club selection is key here to make it to the green and avoid rolling back down the hill. Two bunkers are cut well short of the green on the left while two more sit at the front right and left of the green to protect the sides of a very wide green. The first par five, the 10th can yield birdies should you play it sensibly. A generous fairway sits between tall trees and many will play towards the fairway bunker on the right side for the more generous line. Play your second shot, with a great view of the castle, between five bunkers to leave a simple pitch. The par three 11th plays around half a club downhill and club selection is key with a hidden bunker over the back edge of the green. Head through the tees and play the 12th in the shadow of the castle, an uphill par four of 389 yards which plays longer than its yardage to a small green with
COURSEREVIEW As well as the stunning golf course, Castle Eden is home to PGA professional Tim Jenkins and his excellent pro shop. Widely regarded as one of the best in our region, you’ll find leading brands in stock throughout the year and a number of great offers
FACT FILE
a deep bunker in the front left corner which will gather any short approaches. Three tough holes make up the middle of the back nine. The 438-yard par four 13th is one of the toughest drives on the course with thick woods left and more trees right. Play down the right side to have the best line in with a long iron - a large bunker at the left of the green makes an approach from the left tougher. The green is one of the largest on the course and a two-putt par is well earned. The tee shot at the 14th is blind with out of bounds left. Drives must reach the top of the hill to give a view of the landing area, aiming down the right side will give the best line to the green. A cross bunker left of the green with a tall face, is cut into the slope up to the putting surface and will catch many of those trying to get to the green in two. The 463-yard par four is the toughest hole on the course with the most difficult tee shot leading to a blind second shot to a green which runs off steeply right, left and long. Three bunkers, including a back left bunker cut well below the surface, protect the green. The final three holes require precision but can yield birdies. The 343-yard 16th is played uphill and a good drive, avoiding the hidden fairway bunker right of the marker post and finishing short of the burn, will leave a short iron or wedge uphill to a generous green. The 17th got out pick for signature hole (see fact file). At 290 yards, the 18th is in reach for some though two bunkers wait on the right side at 80 and 50 yards short of the green respectively. The green sits on a plateau and is a great chance for a closing birdie in front of the clubhouse.
CONTACT Castle Eden Golf Club, Stockton Road Castle Eden, Hartlepool, TS27 4SS tel 01429 836 510 www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk GREEN FEES Mon-Sun £25 Visitor and society packages available, contact the secretary for details secretary@castleedengolfclub.co.uk TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,257 yards Yellow tees 5,976 yards Red tees 5,466 yards FEATURES Clubhouse with lounge, bar, dining room and conservatory Locker rooms and changing facilities Buggy and trolley hire Pro shop and PGA tuition Two practice grounds Putting green CADDY’S TIP Long and accurate driving will open up scoring opportunities here and keep you out of those trees! SIGNATURE HOLE Played steeply downhill and surrounded by tall trees, the 172-yard 17th is a stunning par three. Four bunkers sit at the front edge of the green while a narrow burn will catch anything which doesn’t make it to the bunkers. The burn is also in play to the rear left of the green while a wide green can leave some very long putts - though those in the same portion as the flag offer very good birdie opportunities
OUR VERDICT A tough course which rewards good ball striking and accuracy – play well and you’ll really enjoy the test NORTHERN GOLFER 31
ROSIEBELSHAM
Future looks Rosie Rosie Belsham, the youngest ever winner of the Northumberland Ladies County Championship tells Dean Bailey about her busy summer schedule, her national ambitions and plans for her golfing future
32 NORTHERN GOLFER
ROSIEBELSHAM
NORTHERN GOLFER 33
ROSIEBELSHAM
F
or every top amateur golfer, the English summer can be a long haul – just ask 15-year-old Rosie Belsham. She became the youngest-ever winner of the Northumberland Ladies County Championship in June, a win she says she is still receiving congratulations for. “I hadn’t realised how big the county championship win was until I started getting cards and messages from clubs all around Northumberland, which have been fantastic. I’m so proud to be a county champion,” she explains. Rosie followed her win with a trip to Northern Counties Ladies Match Week – a five-day, 10-round marathon of foursomes and singles matches played in Morecambe in stormy conditions. When we meet at her home club, Whitley Bay, she has just returned from Match Week – having also taken in a trip down to Bristol for the English Schools Championship on the way home. “It’s been a long couple of weeks and I’m pretty tired,” admits Rosie, who leaves Whitley Bay an hour later to play the opening round of Morpeth’s club championship. “Match Week was really tough and I didn’t play well in Bristol having played so much golf recently,” admits Rosie. “Apart from that, my golf is going really well right now. I’m definitely the most confident I’ve been going into events.” At Match Week Rosie partnered close friend Jess Baker on the opening day, having beaten her in the final of the county championship just a couple of weeks earlier. “I play a lot of golf with Jess and we’re really competitive. I was on a mission to beat her in the county championship final after she beat me earlier this season. I had to show her what I’m really made of,” laughs Rosie. Her father Chris and mum Gina, who are also members at Whitley Bay, introduced Rosie to the game in the back garden at home before watching their daughter progress through Junior Tour events aged nine and on into the county and England systems. They travel with Rosie to her matches and competitions and she is very happy to have her parents on the road with her. “It’s great having my mum and dad at all my events. I like travelling with my dad as I can get what I want,” laughs Rosie, with Chris by her side and ready to drive her up to Morpeth later that afternoon. Rosie is part of a Northumberland team filled with top teenagers and players in their early 20s as well as many experienced players. “I play most of my foursomes matches with Claire Brown and she is amazing to play with. 34 NORTHERN GOLFER
Rosie Belsham
“My dream is to turn pro and play all over the world” I played her in the semi-final of the county championship. I first played against her a few years ago in my first ever matchplay game in the county championship and playing with her since then has helped my golf so much.”
Coached by Matfen Hall’s JJ Vallely, whose stable includes a who’s who of leading northern-based female amateurs, Rosie is aiming to catch the eye of national selectors this season and make her way into the full England squads. Having begun working with JJ aged 12 as part of the England Futures system, Rosie says she is playing her best golf ever having reduced her handicap to three and found a big improvement in her short game early this season. “Working with JJ has been really good and we’ve done a lot with the England sessions on the mental side of the game which has helped me improve so much. Understanding that everyone has bad days and learning how to still get the most out of each round has been really important. “There are a few big events to come this summer, like the English Girls and the Champion of Champions at Woodhall Spa, and I’m really looking forward to getting out onto the national stage. “I want to get my name out there for next year when I’ll hopefully be knocking of the door for the England teams,” adds Rosie. Further ahead, Rosie hopes to make it to the Ladies European Tour and has already begun laying out her route to the paid ranks. “I’ve got my GCSEs next year and I’d love to go to America on a golf scholarship after doing my A Levels. I’ve spoken to a few people, including Sally Hinton at Close House and Garrick Porteous’ mum Sian, about the scholarships and people are really positive and have given me a lot of help. “My dream is to turn pro and play all over the world and I just need to take each step as I get to it and keep working hard and improving.” For now, it’s back to a busy golfing summer and a trip to Morpeth. After that, we’ll just have to wait and see.
CHESTER-LE-STREET GOLF CLUB
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YOU DESERVE THE BEST GOLF BREAK IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS! New Woll Estate overlooking The Woll golf course. The most popular golf resort in the Scottish Borders & no wonder with FREE GOLF and our award winning restaurant in the Clubhouse. Call us now 01750 32799 or check out our website for availability!
The Woll golf course New Woll estate, Ashkirk TD7 4PE · 01750 32799 info@wollgolf.co.uk www.wollgolf.co.uk
Border raiders This month we head north to the Scottish Borders and find great courses and a warm welcome
St Boswells Golf Club
CARDRONA HOTEL, GOLF & SPA For those travelling north, Cardrona is well worth a visit. The resort, which features a Dave Thomasdesigned parkland and woodland layout, is skirted by the River Tweed and offers stunning views across the dramatic Borders landscape. Designed by former Ryder Cup player Thomas, the 7,010-yard par 72 course has hosted EuroPro and European Challenge Tour events and
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)
Auld Cross Keys Inn
Braeheads, St.Bowells, Scotland. TD6 0DE Tel: +44(0) 1835 823527
opened for play in 2001. Bearing all the hallmarks of a Thomas design - large bunkering and huge, subtly contoured greens - Cardrona is a must-play course for those within a couple of hours’ drive. Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa Cardrona, Peebles, Peebleshire EH45 8NE, tel 0344 879 9024 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/ourhotels/macdonald-cardrona-hotelgolf-spa/golf
Golf in the Scottish Borders
July and August – 4 ball for £40 www.stboswellsgolfclub.co.uk
SCOTTISHBORDERS
Restaurant • Public bar • Lounge • Patio ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
STAY & PLAY - £85 per person per night on 2 people sharing
(2 course evening meal, B&B, 18 holes at Minto Golf club or Hawick Golf club)
Tel: 01450 870305
bookings@crosskeysdenholm.co.uk www.crosskeysenholm.co.uk
The Green, Denholm, Scottish Borders, TD9 8NU NORTHERN GOLFER 37
Cally Palace
SCOTTISHBORDERS WOLL GOLF COURSE
HOTEL & GOLF COURSE
SUMMER GOLF BREAKS 2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast with 2 rounds of golf Par 71, 6062 yds Parkland Course
from
£180 per person
t: 01557 814 341 | e: info@callypalace.co.uk
Fernhill Hotel Portpatrick
North West Castle Stranraer
Tel: 01776 810 220 E: info@fernhillhotel.co.uk
Tel: 01776 704 413 E: info@northwestcastle.co.uk
2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast with 2 rounds of golf
from £168.00 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.
WOLL GOLF COURSE Set in the Ale Valley at the heart of the New Woll Estate, Woll Golf Course is an essential part of any visit to the Scottish Borders. Measuring just over 6,000 yards from the back tees, the key to good scoring here is patience, with mature trees bordering the fairways and fast, undulating greens sure to test the best players. With the Woll Burn also coming into play on a number of holes, the par of 70 isn’t threatened too often here. The facilities at New Woll Estate include a spacious clubhouse and restaurant with a warm Borders welcome, as well as self-catering accommodation for up to 26 people on-site. Just off the A7, those travelling from Newcastle or Carlisle are just an hour away – well worth the drive! Woll Golf Course, New Woll Estate Ashkirk, Selkirkshire, TD7 4PE tel 01750 32711, www.wollgolf.co.uk ST BOSWELLS GOLF CLUB The shortest course on our list, what St Boswells lacks in length it makes up for with the view. The 5,274-yard par 68 course sits on the south bank of the River Tweed with its nine holes set among tall trees and sure to test every aspect of your game. A sharp short game will yield birdies here, while wayward tee shots will be punished
with hazards including the River Tweed to be avoided. Sharing the setting with anglers and the wildlife, there are few more relaxing places to play golf in the region. St Boswells Golf Club, Braeheads TD6 0DE, tel 01835 823 527 www.stboswellsgolfclub.co.uk
AULD CROSS KEYS INN, DENHOLM A popular spot for golfers travelling north into Scotland, the Auld Cross Keys Country Inn has been at the heart of life in Denholm for more than 200 years with its top restaurant serving local produce, a bar stocked bar with cask ales and malt whiskies, Sky TV and a south facing patio. It is also perfectly positioned for golf in the Scottish Borders with top courses including Minto, Hawick and Jedburgh within five miles. Auld Cross Keys Inn, Main Street Denholm, Hawick, TD9 8NU tel 01450 870 305 www.crosskeysdenholm.co.uk
ST BOSWELLS GOLF CLUB 38 NORTHERN GOLFER
SCOTTISHBORDERS
DUNS GOLF CLUB
TORWOODLEE GOLF CLUB
PEEBLES GOLF CLUB
THE TONTINE HOTEL
DUNS GOLF CLUB The golf course at Duns is laid out in mature parkland at the foot of Hardens Hill with spectacular views to the Cheviot Hills across the Tweed Valley. Respected across the region for its superb condition, the 6,298-yard par 71 course is defended by its two-tier greens and a winding burn. Founded in 1894, the club is welcoming and relaxed, perfect for those travelling north to take in the hospitality and stunning landscape. Duns Golf Club, Hardens Road, Duns, Berwickshire, TD11 3NR, tel 01361 883 599 or 01361
882 194, www.dunsgolfclub.com
PEEBLES GOLF CLUB Regarded as one of the most picturesque courses in Scotland, Peebles sits in the heart of the beautiful Borders countryside. With a modern clubhouse and an enjoyable yet challenging layout remodelled by Harry Colt in 1933-34, the par 70 course measures 6,138 yards and boasts wonderful views of the town and surrounding hills, with a great variety of holes to test everyone from the lowhandicapper to beginner. Peebles Golf Club, Kirkland Street Peebles, EH45 8EU, tel 01721 720 197, www.peeblesgolfclub.com
TORWOODLEE GOLF CLUB The rolling parkland layout just outside Galashiels in the beautiful Borders countryside at Torwoodlee is set in a valley among mature trees, flanked by the River Gala and divided by the new Borders Railway line. Founded in 1895, the club is steeped in history and the course, 6,021-yard, par 69, offers a great challenge to all levels of golfers. Memorable holes, stunning views and wildlife make this a must play. Torwoodlee Golf Club, Edinburgh Road, Galashiels, Selkirkshire TD1 2NE, tel 01896 752 260 www.torwoodleegolfclub.co.uk
THE TONTINE HOTEL The Tontine Hotel, Peebles is an ideal location for those travelling to the Borders. Specialising in looking after golfing groups large and small, The Tontine Hotel’s dedicated golf planner will take care of all your golfing arrangements. When you return to the hotel, you can relax and unwind in the friendly bar before enjoying a dinner featuring the best local produce. The Tontine Hotel, High Street Peebles, EH45 8AJ tel 01721 788 120 www.tontinehotel.com
WEST LINTON GOLF CLUB COUNTRY MEMBERSHIP
£205
PER ANNUM
HALF PRICE GOLF NOW JUST
£17.50
EVERY MONDAY PER ROUND & THURSDAY
Contact the office to take up either of these very special offers on 01968 660970 or email secretarywlgc@btinternet.com
Medwyn Road, West Linton EH46 7HN | www.wlgc.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 39
SCOTTISHBORDERS WEST LINTON GOLF CLUB An outstanding 18-hole moorland course, West Linton boasts wonderful views with the hills of Upper Tweeddale to the south, Mendick Hill to the south-west and the Pentland Hills to the north. Regarded as one of the friendliest golf courses in the Borders, it has one of the best finishes in the area with two long par fours and two long par threes including the last, which measures 230 yards uphill. Not long at 6,161 yards with a par of 69, the views are truly spectacular and the course is a tough test of your game. West Linton Golf Club, Medwyn Road, West Linton, EH46 7HN tel 01968 660 970, www.wlgc.co.uk LILLIARDSEDGE GOLF COURSE The nine-hole, 18 tee layout at Lilliardsedge makes excellent use of the natural features and beautiful scenery of the Borders. Reaching 5,229 yards, you’ll find a mix of challenging tee shots and plenty of birdie chances here – should you work out the challenging greens. Part of the Lilliardsedge Holiday Park, homefrom-home accommodation sleeping up to eight persons (with or without
STAY
hot tub) is available for golf breaks. On the course, the third and seventh holes are highlights. The third requires an accurate tee shot to the left of the wetlands to open up the approach to the narrow green. The seventh demands accuracy from the tee as a ditch runs the length of the hole on the left, with bunkers waiting on the right. Lilliardsedge Golf Club Lilliardsedge, Jedburgh, TD8 6TZ, tel 01835 830 271, www.lilliardsedgepark.co.uk CALLY PALACE HOTEL & GOLF COURSE Slightly north of the Borders, Cally Palace is well worth the extra drive. A stunning parkland course laid out between ancient woods and the rolling Scottish landscape, this 6,062-yard layout is one the finest in Dumfries & Galloway. Water plays a big part in the challenges here with the Cally Lake and a number of burns waiting to catch wayward drives and those trying to overpower the golf course, while large, undulating greens protect the par of 71. Cally Palace Hotel & Golf Course, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries & Galloway, DG7 2DL, tel 01557 814341, www.mcmillanhotels.co.uk
PLAY
WEST LINTON GOLF CLUB
LILLIARDSEDGE GOLF COURSE
CALLY PALACE HOTEL & GOLF COURSE
RELAX
UNWIND Leisure Home & Lodge Sales
One Stop Golfing Breaks Visitors Welcome Bar & Restaurant
Luxury Accommodation
Buggy Hire Clubhouse 01835 830271 40 NORTHERN GOLFER
info@bordercaravans.co.uk
www.lilliardsedgepark.co.uk
Tee off with the Tontine 2 nights B&B
with dinner on one night and
from
18 holes at each of
Peebles, Torwoodlee and West Linton Golf Courses
195
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per person
Peebles Golf Club Set amid the beautiful rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, Peebles is a Harry Colt designed course and vibrant community club set in a beautiful location. www.peeblesgolfclub.com
Torwoodlee Golf Club Situated on the outskirts of Galashiels, this premier 18 hole parkland golf course is a must play on every golfing holiday and you will enjoy the warmest of welcomes. www.torwoodleegolfclub.co.uk
West Linton Golf Club A hidden gem of a golf course in a beautiful wild setting, this is golf as nature intended and presents a challenge to all. www.wlgc.co.uk
To BOOK this offer please call 01721 720892 or email: info@tontinehotel.com *Offer is subject to availability and is based on 2 people sharing a standard double or twin room Sunday - Friday. Supplements apply on weekends and for Classic room upgrades.
everything a golfing break should be
www.tontinehotel.com NORTHERN GOLFER 41
OUR MOST EXPLOSIVE OFFER FOR THE 2017 GOLF SEASON
59
£
D AN
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LI H ND U AL EN M L BE
CA R PE D EB RO LE N S A
2 rounds of golf inc. Bed & Breakfast
TO BOOK CALL 0344 879 9210 and quote promo code GOF
Terms and conditions: for new bookings only and subject to availability. Valid for travel between 1st July - 31st October. Package includes one night bed and breakfast and two rounds of golf (one on day of arrival and the other the following day). Price based on per person sharing a classic twin or double room and for Sunday - Thursday. Offer not available Friday or Saturday night. Single room supplements apply.
NORTHOFENGLANDYOUTHS
North of England Youths Middlesbrough Golf Club hosts the 43rd North of England Open Amateur Youth Golf Championship in association with Northern Golfer, August 8-10
T
he best young players from around the UK visit the North East in August for the 43rd North of England Open Amateur Youth Golf Championship at Middlesbrough Golf Club – an event which has played an important part in the careers of major champions and European Tour winners. The event, which is open to players under the age of 23, awards World Amateur Golf Ranking points and has welcomed a number of the UK’s finest players in its history. A total of 136 players will tee off on Tuesday and Wednesday before a 36-hole cut reduces the field to 40 players and ties for the final two rounds on Thursday. The leading player will be awarded the MacGill Challenge Trophy, while the leading player under the age of 18 will earn the Fairweather Salver. Some of British golf ’s biggest names have
competed in the event in the last 42 years, including three Masters champions – Danny Willett, Sandy Lyle (the third winner of the tournament) and Ian Woosnam. Ryder Cup legend and eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie went home empty handed from Middlesbrough, as did European Tour winners Ken Ferrie and Graeme Storm, while two-time senior major winner Roger Chapman (1979), David Horsey (2006) and Richard Finch (1998) are all present on the MacGill Challenge Trophy. Richard Boxall, winner of the event in 1982 – when his hunt to break the 72-hole scoring record of 255 was halted by bad weather, said: “I have good memories of playing in the tournament, and of Middlesbrough and its members who were wonderful hosts, especially David Hunter with whom I stayed,” said Boxall, now part of the Sky
Sports Golf commentary team. “I did have a chance of setting a world record and I reckon I would have done it. It was a shame about the fog, but I did win the tournament which meant a lot to me - as did setting a course record in each round. “Hopefully the players taking part this year will enjoy it as much as I did and I wish the club all success and long may it continue.” In 2016, Haider Hussain from Kendleshire Golf Club lifted the MacGill Challenge Trophy with a four-round score 267. Barclay Brown from Hallamshire Golf Club was awarded the Fairweather Salver for the leading player under the age of 18. Ahead of the event, we’ve taken a look at where the action will take place over the three days and met with the men tasked with delivering one of our region’s biggest amateur events…
GENTS’ OPEN Sunday 15th October 2017 4-Ball Better Ball Stableford Competition Entry fee: £35/pair (optional ball sweep £2 per pair) Maximum handicap 24 (90% allowance)
MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANE Telephone 01642 311766 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk
Entry forms available on
www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 43
NORTHOFENGLANDYOUTHS
Where to watch the action unfold over the stunning James Braiddesigned Middlesbrough Golf Club at Brass Castle
WHERE TO WATCH – NO.8 Stand behind the green at the par three seventh where you can then follow players up onto the eighth tee, the signature hole at Middlesbrough measuring more than 400 yards
WHERE TO WATCH – THE HALFWAY HOUSE A great place to catch up with a group or to get a feel for the action, the halfway hut near the green at the risk and reward par four 10th gives you a chance to watch players take on the green at the short par four. You can also walk the 20 yards to the 11th tee and watch the players tee off at the par five
WHERE TO WATCH – NO.16 Stand behind the 16th tee and you can watch the players approaching the 15th, the toughest hole on the course, before they play the par three 16th
WHERE TO WATCH – THE TOURNAMENT DECIDER Having tackled the tricky par four 17th, players will head to the tee of the par four. Pick a spot on the clubhouse terrace and watch the action - and you can also keep an eye on the scoreboard
PLACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR:
• LADIES OPEN – Friday 14th July • JUNIOR OPEN (Qualifier for the Junior Masters at Close House) – Friday 28 July
• MIXED TEAM OPEN – Sunday 30th July MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANE Telephone 01642 311766 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk
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SEE CLUB WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS
NORTHOFENGLANDYOUTHS
NORTH OF ENGLAND OPEN AMATEUR YOUTH GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
TIMINGS Tuesday August 8 – tee times from 7.30am-3.30pm Wednesday August 9 – tee times from 7.30am-3.30pm Thursday August 10 – third round tee times from 8am, fourth round tee times from 3pm, presentation from 7pm *Free entry for spectators. All times approx.
YEAR 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
NAME CLUB A Jackson Burnham Beeches N M Chesses Shirley A W B Lyle Hawkstone Park J Cuddihy Ratho Park R Chapman Langley Park J G Bennett Walton Heath J Heib Sutton Bridge R Boxall Camberley Heath M Stokes Maylands W A Farrow Stoke Poges F George Beaconsfield J G C Robinson Woodhall Spa J Cook Leamington County C Cassells Murcar S J Bannerman Cruden Bay R Walker Brancepeth S M Green Ashford R Walker Wearside S Taylor Hillside J N Hepworth llkley G Jenkins Kenilworth O Cousins St Neot’s M S King Toft Hotel R Finch Hull S J Young Seascale J W Lupton Middlesbrough P Wheatcroft Worksop P Richardson Eden J Mason Fulford G Jackson Garforth S Uzzell Hornsea D Horsey Styal D Whitnell Five Lakes D Whitnell Five Lakes B Loughrey Wrag Barn I Winstanley Formby J Bower Meltham J Bower Meltham A Wilson Darlington W Whiteoak Shipley J Hilleard Farrington Park H Hussain Kendleshire
VISITORS WELCOME WINTER FOURBALLS - for £100 (or £120 to include bacon bun & coffee on arrival or hot pork/beef bap & chips after golf)
MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANE Telephone 01642 311766 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk
Now taking Visiting Party bookings for 2018 For details please contact Gordon Cattrell on 01642 311766 NORTHERN GOLFER 45
NORTHOFENGLANDYOUTHS
Who’s who?
Name: Geoff Wilson Position: Championship Committee chairman Time at Middlesbrough: 41 years Age: 76 Handicap: 12
Name: Bryan Sloper Position: Middlesbrough GC chairman Time at Middlesbrough: 30 years Age: 69 Handicap: 15
Name: John Talbot Position: Course manager Time at Middlesbrough: 12 years Age: 43 Handicap: 15
Tell me about your role for the event? “My work starts building up three weeks ahead of the event, getting the tournament set up and getting the players organised. We’ll draw the tee times the Monday of the week before the tournament and from there it’s into the final push – organising the volunteers, setting up the scoreboard and getting ready for the opening day. It’s a lot of work but we have a fantastic team of people for the event which makes it a lot easier.”
Tell me about your role for the event? “My main role is to support the Championship Committee as they help prepare for the event, giving particular emphasis to marketing and publicity activities. The Championship has an enviable reputation among competitors for the support given by our members in marshalling and other activities.”
Tell me about your role for the event? “Our preparations are mostly the same throughout the summer with getting the greens up to speed and then keeping them there. With the club championship the weekend before the event, the course will be at its absolute best in August with the final preparations starting in mid-July.”
Where will you be during the event? “I’ll be in the clubhouse registering the players, handing out the cards and getting them set up for their rounds. I’ll be on-hand for any committee decisions and working with the team of volunteers to keep the leaderboard up-to-date.” What will you be doing once the event finishes? “I’ll wrap up the event the following week, send off the scores to England Golf and the players’ home clubs and then try to relax as much as possible!”
Who to watch
Where will you be during the event? “I’ll be around the club most of the week. Come Sunday, I’ll be standing by the 18th green, probably accompanied by representatives of the Yorkshire Union and Teesside Union of Golf Clubs, who always give excellent support to the event.” What are you most looking forward to seeing? “Obviously I will be interested to see how James Swash, a home-grown star for the future, performs. Michael Hay from Hunley Hall has also taken membership at our club and will be a force to be reckoned with. They will, however, have to contend with last year’s outstanding winner, Haider Hussain, who will be defending his title.”
James Swash
What will you be doing once the event finishes? “Go on holiday! It’s a busy summer here so I’m heading off to France with the family to relax before we come back for the final weeks of the season and get ready for our autumn maintenance work.”
Haider Hussain
(Middlesbrough Golf Club)
(Kendleshire Golf Club)
James is the leading home player in this year’s event and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Jonathan Lupton, the only Middlesbrough player to win the event over his home course.
Haider blew away the field in 2016 to lift the trophy. His four round total of 267 was nine shots clear of his nearest rival. He will be a strong favourite to defend his title in August.
MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANE Telephone 01642 311766 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk
46 NORTHERN GOLFER
Where will you be during the event? “We’ll be starting early and finishing late most of the week, working before and after each day’s play. On Monday, we’ll cut the tees, fairways, approaches and greens in the morning then head back out at 4pm and do it all again ahead of the tournament. For Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we’ll double cut and iron the greens each morning and each evening to keep them up to speed.”
Club Pro, Gordon Cattrell has recently introduced Trackman Golf to the Club. Trackman is the industry leading Launch Monitor used by the World’s top players and is located in the Club’s new purpose built Fitting Studio. To book your Lesson or Fitting call 01642 311766. Quote NEGolfer for 10% discount on your 1st session.
WELCOMING THE 43RD NORTH OF ENGLAND OPEN AMATEUR YOUTH GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
THE COURSE Situated in countryside 5 miles south of Middlesbrough, the course has stunning views of the Cleveland Hills. There are many attractive and challenging holes including the tree-lined 4th (a par 3 at 197 yards), the dog-leg 11th around Oak Wood (544 yards), and the 8th that has been described by many members and visitors as one of the most attractive holes they have ever played. Playing the course will give you a rewarding and enjoyable experience that is a test for golfers of all handicaps. THE CLUBHOUSE With fine views over the course, the Clubhouse has a newly refurbished Lounge and Dining Room, a range of catering options and a well stocked bar with hand pulled beer and an excellent wine list. Facilities are available for private functions, with menus to suit every occasion, from visiting parties to wedding receptions. THE DRIVING RANGE Recently commissioned, with support funding from Sport England, for use by members, guests and visiting parties, and for group teaching. Perhaps the prettiest driving range in the country.
THE CLUB HAS A LIMITED NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN ALL MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES, WITH SPECIAL DISCOUNTED JOINING FEE ARRANGEMENTS FOR LADIES. PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE ON 01642 311515 FOR DETAILS. “I have spoken to several members over the weekend and they were all full of praise for the condition of the golf course, the hospitality and the catering. To top this off they had excellent weather. Many thanks.”
“I simply had to take time out to thank you for your hospitality on Friday and for the condition of the course. Everyone commented on how good the course was and its condition. Truly excellent, and we all enjoyed it very much. We will definitely be visiting again. Please pass our thanks onto the Greens staff, and to the kitchen staff as the food was spot on too.”
“You have a fantastic golf club. In days when complaining is the norm I would be grateful if you would pass on my thanks to the greens staff, catering and clubhouse staff for making my trip to Brass Castle a very enjoyable one”
MIDDLESBROUGH GOLF CLUB • BRASS CASTLE LANE Telephone 01642 311766 | www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk
ROUNDWITH
A ROUND WITH...
Claire Brown
The former LET player tells Dean Bailey about her love of golf, her time as a professional and hopes for the future
C
laire Brown’s golfing career, which began on the seaside links of Seahouses Golf Club on weekend and school holiday trips to the family caravan, has taken her around the world both on and off the golf course. Having progressed through the county ranks, Claire turned pro aged 21 and played on the Ladies European Tour in 1989-90 before returning to the North East in retail then as the professional at Tynedale Golf Club. Following a nearly 20-year career in retail with brands including Golfino, Cutter & Buck and Ping - and a 15-year break from competitive golf - Claire returned to the game with her husband Nigel six years ago at Close House in Northumberland, where we meet following a three-day visit to Morecambe for Ladies County Match Week... 1 How much golf do you get to play? As of just a few weeks ago I’m officially retired, for now. I’m hoping to play a bit more golf than I’ve been used to - probably three times a week with all the club and county matches. I’m playing off a handicap of four at the moment but hoping to get that back down with a bit more time to play and practice. 2 How did you get into golf? I started playing with my dad at Seahouses and then joined Ponteland when I was 12. I’d tie my trolley to the back of my bike and cycle from the caravan to the golf club every day of the summer holiday and play as many holes as I could before it got dark. I played my first County Match Week at Pannal when I was 12 and progressed through the system from there. 3 Which is your favourite course in the North East? Nigel and I joined Close House six years ago and I love it here. The Colt Course is fantastic and the club is a brilliant place to spend time with so many friends. Away from here, I love the North East coast – Bamburgh and Seahouses especially.
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4 And further afield? I’ve always enjoyed playing golf in France, particularly around Paris. I played in the French Girls and the courses in that area are beautiful they have always stuck in my mind. 5 What’s your best ever round? I’ve shot six under-par around Ponteland, I think that’s my lowest so far. 6 Which is your favourite golfing memory? Winning the Northumberland Ladies county championship when I was 19 at City of Newcastle Golf Club stands out as a really important point in my golfing career. 7 What about embarrassing moments? There are probably loads, particularly from early on. I managed to hit a ball off the face of a bunker into my forehead during a match at Ponteland once. 8 Do you have any superstitions? I don’t like using a ball with a three on it – I always feel like I can three putt with one. 9 What are your strengths on the course? I drive it straight and tend to rely on my short game nowadays as I can’t hit it as far as I used to. 10 And your weaknesses? Losing a few yards off the tee has made the game harder. My irons aren’t so hot at the moment but I’m working on it. 11 Which is your favourite club? My bright pink, Bubba Watson-inspired, Ping G20 driver. 12 Who is your best golfing friend? I have to say my husband Nigel, don’t I? Playing golf together is probably the only time we don’t argue after 26 years together. A lot of the club events are mixed here so we play a lot of golf together. Nigel plays off scratch and his friends are all good players so it helps keep me competitive.
13 How does your golfing career help you now? I love being involved in the county team and being able to pass on my experience to some of the younger girls. We get on so well and helping them think about their golf and develop their approach to competitions and matches is great. I may do some more of that in the future, but right now I’m still trying to beat them! 14 Who is your favourite tour player? I’ve always bet on Sergio Garcia and I tend to pick Lee Westwood and hope he’ll win a major – I’m sure he’ll do it one day. I played with and against Catriona Lambert (Matthew) so I look out for her too. 15 Which event do you enjoy the most? The Open and The Masters are always highlights of the golfing year. The British Masters at Close House will be fantastic for the North East. It’s amazing that it’s here and I can’t wait to see all the players on the Colt Course in September. 16 Who have you looked up to? Billy Long, who coached me from the age of nine at Seahouses then The Northumberland. He was an amazing man and I learned so much from him. I’ll never forget being taught to shape persimmon wood heads to strengthen my hands so I could hit the ball further. 17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball? My late father Brian Breckon, who I played so much golf with and who would have loved to come and played at Close House; Lee Trevino because he is such a great character; and Tom Watson, who I met when I worked for Ping and is a lovely man. 18 If I could offer you a house in the south of France or a scratch handicap, which would you take? Could I take the house and a three handicap please?
ROUNDWITH ROUNDWITH
Claire Brown with her husband Nigel NORTHERN GOLFER 49 NORTHERN GOLFER 49
YORKSHIRETEE
OTLEY GOLF CLUB Book now for late summer 2017 or book early for 2018 for special society discount rates www.otleygolfclub.co.uk West Busk Lane, Otley LS21 3NG office@otleygolfclub.co.uk 01943 465329 option 1
Catterick GOLF CLUB AN EXCITING, CHALLENGING COURSE OF CHAMPIONSHIP PROPORTIONS WHY NOT COME AND SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT
WWW.CATTERICKGOLFCLUB.CO.UK | T: 01748833671 E: SECRETARYCATTERICKGOLFCLUB.CO.UK
Yorkshire
TEE
RICHMOND (YORKS) GOLF CLUB
“Special Society offers celebrating our 125th Anniversary”
Prices from £20 pp
For bookings & enquiries call 01748823231 E: secretary@richmondyorksgolfclub.co.uk W: www.richmondyorksgolfclub
SUMMER SCORCHER
Tuesday & Thursday after 12pm
£26
Bacon roll & hot drink on arrival
LEEDSGOLFCENTRE.COM 0113 288 6000
Small bucket of balls
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18 Holes
Dish of the Day served after your round
Society Packages from £19pp
ALL BOOKINGS FOR 18 HOLES AT BEDALE DURING AUGUST WILL RECEIVE A FREE LUNCH
ONLY £22 PER ROUND WHEN BOOKING PLEASE QUOTE NG108
Leyburn Road, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 1EZ T: 01677422451 E: secretary@bedalegolfclub.com W: www.bedalegolfclub.com
SOCIETY DEALS FROM £31PP 4 BALL SPECIAL JUST £ 74 after 1pm
Enjoy a grand day out at one of Yorkshire’s finest courses with these fantastic visitor and society green fee offers
PARK LANE PONTEFRACT WF8 4QS T: 01977 792241 E : manager@pdgc.co.uk
WWW.PDGC.CO.UK
LEEDS GOLF CLUB Founded 1896. Home of the Leeds Cup The oldest trophy in professional golf.
FLEXI-PLAY MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE £465.00 PRICE INCLUDES 150 POINTS FOR USE AGAINST ROUNDS OF GOLF. Play 18 holes for as little as 10 points. No limit on the number of points that can be purchased.
Elmete Ln, Leeds LS8 2LJ | T :0113 265 9203 |E : secretary@leedsgolfclub.co.uk leedsgolfclub.co.uk
Garforth Golf Club ALISTAIR MACKENZIE COURSE EST 1913
VISITORS & SOCIETIES ALWAYS WELCOME 4 BALL TWILIGHT JUST £80 LADIES TASTER SESSIONS GOLF SIMULATOR Leeds LS25 2DS 0113 2863308 www.garforthgolfclub.co.uk
WOODHALL HILLS GOLF CLUB
SUMME SPECIAL R 18 HOLES from £12pp
2017 OPENS LAST FEW SPACES AVAILABLE www.golfempire.co.uk
QUALITY CLUBS HAND BUILT FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE - BUILT IN RIPON, YORKSHIRE
Authorised Dealer
Visiting parties always welcome please contact the Professional
ACCREDITED FITTER * FULL REPAIR SERVICE * LOFT & LIE Woodhall Lane, Pudsey, Calverley, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UN t: 0113 255 4594 e: office@woodhallhillsgolfclub.com Book online www.woodhallhillsgolfclub.com
See our website at www.optimumcustomgolfclubs.co.uk Call +44(0) 7879 848332 | email: info@optimumcustomgolfclubs.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 51
GOLFERGEAR STEEL THE SHOW
Hot picks
Callaway Steelhead XR fairway woods RRP: £229 uk.callawaygolf.com
Callaway has announced the return of one of the best-selling fairway woods ever – the Steelhead XR. Incorporating new technology into the iconic head shape, the Steelhead XR fairway woods feature a Hawkeye Sole - re-contoured to increase versatility, a steel face, a 6g J-36 carbon crown (20g lighter than the previous model), and a low and forward CG, promoting improved launch and spin. Available in lofts from 13.5-24.
This month we have the return of the iconic Callaway Steelhead fairway woods as well as top footwear from FootJoy and Stuburt for the height of summer plus two new GPS watches from Callaway and Garmin.
KEEP FIT
Callaway Allsport GPS Watch RRP: £249 uk.callawaygolf.com
GO SPIKELESS
Stuburt Spring/Summer 2017 footwear RRP: from £44.99 www.stuburt.com Stuburt’s latest collection of footwear brings together classic and contemporary styles in a range of spikeless shoes featuring the latest performance technologies and state-of-the-art materials. The Classic Tour eVent Spikeless (RRP £89.99) is the most traditional of the new styles with its wingtip design, while the Vapour eVent Spikeless (RRP £64.99) offers breathable performance, and the men’s Urban Grip Spikeless and ladies Urban Casual Spikeless (both RRP £44.99) offer a more contemporary look.
52 NORTHERN GOLFER
Callaway has unveiled its Allsport GPS Watch, which combines GPS tracking for the golf course with fitness tracking. The watch, which provides yardages to the front, middle and back of greens as well as hazards at more than 30,000 courses, is also capable of tracking your steps, calories burned and extra stats for running, cycling and swimming. The watch can also team up with the Callaway mobile app to receive notifications.
GOLFERGEAR IF THE SHOE FITS
FootJoy D.N.A. Helix shoes RRP: £175 www.footjoy.co.uk
With US Open champion Brooks Koepka
© L.E.MORMILE / Shutterstock.com
FootJoy has unveiled an update to its D.N.A. footwear. The latest model, D.N.A. Helix, features improved stability and flexibility thanks to Tour feedback. The lighter shoes also feature a re-engineered NitroThin 3.0 TPU outsole including a widened heel platform for maximum traction and an Xtra-thick FTF FitBed for added cushioning and structure. The shoes will be available in October.
IN THE BAG
It’s been a busy couple of years for Brooks Koepka since he was named European Tour Rookie of the Year in 2014. In lifting his maiden major championship at Erin Hills, Wisconsin at the US Open with a record-equalling score of 16 under-par, Koepka broke into the world top 10 for the first time. He also became the third American, first-time winner of his national championship in a row – following in the footsteps of Jordan Spieth at Chambers Bay and Dustin Johnson at Oakmont. Koepka also became the seventh first-time major winner in a row with his victory at Erin Hills. Here’s what was in his bag...
Driver: Taylormade M2 2016 9.5˚ Fairway: TaylorMade M2 Tour 15˚
Driving Iron: Nike Vapor Fly Pro
WATCH AND LEARN
Garmin S60 GPS Golf Watch RRP: from £399 explore.garmin.com
Garmin’s latest GPS watch, the S60, has been announced and boasts a number of new and improved features. The full colour, touchscreen display provides measurements to greens, hazards and doglegs, plus the option to view the green and adjust pin placement for more accurate measurements. The watch can also track your score using AutoShot technology, which allows you to map and analyse your round over more than 40,000 courses.
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Irons: Mizuno JPX 900 Tour (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM5 48˚, 52˚ and Titleist Vokey SM4 TVD 60˚
Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Only T10 Select Newport 2
NORTHERN GOLFER 53
MATCHPLAYPAIRS
Heating up for summer
Match Play Pairs 2017 – 32 teams make it through to round two
T
Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort
Match 7: Alan Brady & Matthew Harper (Durham City) won 3&1 V Billy Wilkinson & Bernie Gowler (Hartlepool)
Match 21: Anth Mckeown & Alan Slater (Ramside) V Alan Saunders & Stephen Weldon (Westerhope) won 2&1
Match 8: David Bridge & Derek Shaw (South Moor) won 1up V Peter Gallagher & Neil Walmsley (Durham City)
Match 22: Chris Wright & John Walton (Bellingham) won concession V Malcolm Crowson & Kevin Taylor (Oulton Hall)
Match 9: Andrew Foster & Stephen Foster (Romanby) won 2&1 V David Hornsey & Barry Cranston (Consett)
Match 23: Peter Simpson & Barry Walker (Alnmouth/Bamburgh) won concession V Paul McVittie & Phillip Ward (Brampton)
Match 10: David Morton & David Loughlin (Boldon) won 3&2 V Michael Davison & David Scott (Bellingham)
Match 24: Alan Walton & David McColl (Durham City) won 7&6 V Rebecca Webster & Richard Webster (Eaglescliffe)
Match 11: Robert Woods & Lee Sloane (Sharpley/ City of Newcastle) won 3&1 V Tony Sher & Jimmy Broadfoot (Sharpley/Prudhoe)
Match 25: Peter Newman & Jason Green (Brancepeth) won 4&3 V Steve Bell & Ian Duff (Hobson)
Match 12: Stephen Irving & Paul Whittaker (City of Newcastle/Tynemouth) V Andrew Howard & Ashley Coveney (Bishop Auckland) won 6&4
Match 26: J Cassidy & Karl Dullaghan (Warkworth) won 1up V Mark Watson & Mark Todd (Tyneside)
Match 13: Ray Watts & Jim Derbyshire (Blyth) V Michael Rutter & Matthew Turton (City of Newcastle/Ryton) won 3&2
Match 27: Len Eyre & Alan Scambler (Magdalene Fields) won 3&2 V John Jamfrey & Robert Ellison (Roseberry Grange)
Match 14: David MacSween & Graham Lister (Hartelpool) V Raymond Glendinning & George Freeman (Hobson) won 4&3
Match 28: George Longthorn & Mark Brown (Crook/Seaton Carew) won 2up V Neil Timbey & Duncan Foster (South Moor)
Match 15: Stephen Mould & Ryan Mould (Crook) won 6&4 V Paul Watson & Peter Whitlock (Prudhoe)
Match 29: Steve Slater & Andy O’neil (City of Newcastle) won 3&1 V Kenny Cramman & Paul Murphy (Newbiggin)
Match 16: Matthew Sibley & David Wainman (Eaglescliffe) won 5&4 V David Haswell & Stewart Allen (Knotty Hill)
Match 30: David Cameron & Rod Martin (Beamish) won 6&4 V Paul Gray & Phil O’Ware (Sharpley)
Match 3: John Potts & Graeme Robson (Ramside) won 3&2 V Edmund Thompson & David Jenkinson (Wearside/Houghton-le-Spring)
Match 17: Ben King & Michael King (Bellingham) V Kevin Hill & Micheal Rowell (Arcot) won 3&2
Match 31: Blaine Patton & Gary Atkinson (Durham City) V Malcolm Lumsden & Richard White (Wallsend) won 1up
Match 4: Jason Budd & Phil Graham (Bishop Auckland/Morpeth) won 4&3 V Chris Marshall & Lee Murray (Hartlepool/Wynyard)
Match 18: Luke Eustace & Mark Kelly (Selby) won concession V Brian Ord & Karl Nolan (Whitburn)
Match 5: Doug Ellison & Richard Mellor (Slaley) won 3&2 V Chris Burgess & Steve Whelton (Ramside)
Match 19: Simon Lunn & Steven Hepplewhite (Arcot) V Andrew Martin & Mark Morgan (Stocksfield) won 19th hole
Match 6: Graeme Ogilvie & Bob Fawbert (Rudding Park) won 4&3 V Rob Shanks & Malcolm Cregan (Westerhope/Boldon)
Match 20: Adam Murphy & Brendan Murphy (Tynedale) won 2&1 V Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby)
he Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs 2017 tournament continues this month across the North East and Yorkshire with 32 teams remaining in the race for a trip to the stunning Onyria Palmares Beach Golf Resort and the coveted title. A total of 66 teams began this year’s event aiming to win a place in the NE/NW PGA Pro Am in Portugal alongside our region’s best professionals – with flights, accommodation and golf at the Onyria Palmares Beach Golf Resort in The Algarve all included thanks to golfingholidays.org Played throughout the season, teams are drawn against one another in a knockout format, played with 90% handicap allowance. The final four teams will make it to Middlesbrough Golf Club for the semi-finals on Sunday October 8. The final will be played at Middlesbrough Golf Club on October 15 with the winning pair heading to the Algarve in November. This year you can keep up to date with all the results and round draws live at www.northerngolfer.co.uk/mpp2017 For more information go to www.northerngolfer.co.uk or contact Dean Bailey dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk, tel 01661 844 115
Round 1 results Match 1: William Bell & Mick McCabe (Ineos) V Russell Jacques & Neil Glendining (Newbiggin) won 2&1 Match 2: Colin Marshall & Paul Tindale (Durham City) won 4&3 V Stuart McIntosh & Craig Watts (Wilton)
54 NORTHERN GOLFER
Match 32: David Robison & Keith Goulbourn (Whickham) won concession V Steve Buxton & Dave Smith (Romanby)
FOR THE ROUND TWO DRAW VISIT WWW.NORTHERNGOLFER.CO.UK/MPP2017 ROUND TWO MATCHES TO BE PLAYED BY SUNDAY JULY 30
COURSEREVIEW
FACT FILE
Practice makes perfect Dean Bailey visits Tyneside Golf Centre and finds the perfect place to sharpen your game
T
he key to improving your scores is often built around improving your shots from inside 100 yards and now the members of Tyneside Golf Club, and golfers and members of the public in the local area, have the perfect place to do that. Tyneside Golf Centre, developed with the help of an Inspired Facilities grant from Sport England, has opened on the club’s former practice ground bordering the second fairway. A six-hole par three course, short game practice area with bunkers, a large green and a short range, and two long game practice areas have been created as part of the £80,000 project which has taken a year to complete. The facility is open to the public, as well as Tyneside members, with the six par threes maintained to the same high standard as the Harry Colt-designed course, with holes ranging from 80-147 yards. Ron Stewart, a member of the club’s committee and the man who had led the work on the project, says: “The facility is so far from the two practice fields we had and the adjoining field we used to rent for farming. The work put in by our green staff and contractor Maughan & Co has been incredible over the last 12 months and to see the facility open to the public is fantastic. “We want to give people the chance to practice their golf, but we also to introduce people to the
game, let them play a small course at their own pace and get into it before heading out onto the golf course,” adds Ron. Designed with the help of Frank Pont, the golf course architect advising on a five-year programme of work on the Colt-designed course at Tyneside, and the club’s professional Gary Vickers, the par three course has a links feel with fantastic views across the Tyne Valley. The facility is open to the public with a 12-month season ticket available for £50 (£25 juniors and £100 families). Visitors can also pay for the day - £4 adults and £2 juniors at the pro shop.
CONTACT Tyneside Golf Centre, Tyneside Golf Club, Westfield Lane, Ryton NE40 3QE, tel 0191 413 2742 www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk GREEN FEES Adults £4 Juniors £2 Season tickets available TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 715 yards FEATURES Six-hole par three course with Huxley tee mats Large chipping green with two bunkers Short game practice area with targets Two long game practice areas CADDY’S TIP A fantastic place to sharpen your short game – spend as much time as possible here!
NORTHERN GOLFER 55
GOLFERTIPS
John Harrison tel 01661 8 86 400 www.matf enhall.com
AIM HIGH
PITCH PERFECT
Many players struggle to find consistency when pitching – those shots from around 30-60 yards when a full swing is not required. This can have a huge effect on your ability to recover to save pars and take advantage of short par fours and par fives. The biggest mistake with these shots is to fail to commit – making striking the ball correctly difficult and causing problems with distance control. Instead of aiming at the bottom of the flag when playing these shots try setting your landing area at the top of the flag. This will help you be positive through impact, creating a better strike with more spin - and better distance control.
56 NORTHERN GOLFER
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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 3, 2017. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR WITH BUGGIES, AND BACON SANDWICHES AND TEA/COFFEE WITH SLALEY HALL IN OUR INSTAGRAM COMPETITION Our Instagram competition with Slaley Hall is back this month, giving Northern Golfer readers the chance to win golf for four people with buggies, bacon sandwiches and tea/coffee on arrival. All you need to do is head over to Instagram and post your best golfing snaps with the hashtag #NorthernGolfer - and remember to include @northerngolferuk and @slaleyhallhotel. We will be announcing the winner in next month’s magazine and featuring a selection of our favourite snaps.
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT CASTLE EDEN
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT SEAHOUSES
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT GEORGE WASHINGTON
Just off the A19 in Co Durham you will find one of the region’s best parkland tracks. Set between the Castle Eden Dene and the castle, the golf course is regarded as one of the best kept in the North East, with top quality greens all season long. The clubhouse facilities are top notch too with great views of the course.
Home to one of the finest par threes in the UK, if not the world, Seahouses Golf Club has to be on everyone’s must play list. Set on clifftops above the North Sea, the course is a tricky test with the 15th, played over an inlet with the North Sea crashing below, recognised internationally as one of the finest par threes.
George Washington is everything you want in a golf resort. A top notch championship course is complemented by a 16-bay driving range with teaching suites. There’s also a five-hole Academy course and the 103-bedroom hotel offers great stay and play rates with dining throughout the day.
For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Who won the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale?
For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Where will the 2018 Open Championship be played?
For your chance to win simply answer the following question: How many Open Championship titles has Tom Watson won?
Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Linden Hall: Colin Richardson of Hetton-le-Hole Bellingham: Geoff Fawkes of Cramlington • Ryton: Richard White of Wallsend • Slaley Hall: Gillian McDonald (see page 62) 58 NORTHERN GOLFER
WIN YOUR CHANCE TO
A PAIR OF TITLEIST VOKEY SM6 WEDGES
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
WINNER FROM LAST MONTH OF ECCO GOLF SHOES IS DOUG MORAN FROM GOSFORTH GOLF CLUB
QUESTION : WHAT IS THE #1 BALL USED ON WORLDWIDE TOURS? A : TITLEIST PRO V1 | B : CALLAWAY SUPERSOFT | C : SRIXON DISTANCE
EMAIL YOUR ANSWER TO: COMPETITIONS@ORIGINALGREEN.CO.UK COMPETITION CLOSES 31.07.17. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND NOTIFIED BY EMAIL OPT IN CLAUSE AVAILABLE ON ENTRY TO RECEIVE FUTURE PROMOTIONAL EMAILS FROM ORIGINAL GREEN
WWW.ORIGINALGREEN.CO.UK
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MON-FRI - £60 4 BALL, SAT & SUN - £80 4 BALL QUOTE REF NG55
01670 791562 | enquiries@longhirstgolf.co.uk | www.longhirstgolf.co.uk
ADVERTORIAL
SILLOTH ON SOLWAY GOLF CLUB
STATION ROAD, SILLOTH, WIGTON, CUMBRIA, CA7 4BL T: 016973 31304 E: OFFICE@SILLOTHGOLFCLUB.CO.UK W: WWW.SILLOTHGOLFCLUB.CO.UK
The North British Railway Company founded Silloth on Solway Golf Club in 1892 as a natural extension to its development of the town as a port, holiday resort and terminus for both commercial and passenger traffic. The Company hired prominent Scottish professionals of the time, such as Willie Fernie and Willie Park, for their expert advice in establishing the course, and for publicising it through exhibition matches. The course was originally laid out by Davy Grant and over the next 30 years it was visited by 10 Open Champions including Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor and James Braid. 2017 is the club’s 125th anniversary and there are events throughout the year to celebrate. The testing links has been used for Regional Qualifying for the Open Championship. Other events have included the 2012 English Amateur Championship, the English Mid-Amateur Championship for the Logan Trophy, the Ladies
British Strokeplay Championship, the Ladies British Amateur (Matchplay) Championship and the English Ladies Championships in 2000 and 2007. Silloth represents excellent value for money - in 2016 National Club Golfer magazine voted it the Best Course in Britain and Ireland under £100 and it was said that Silloth was number one ‘by a country mile’. It also appears in the Planetgolf.com Top 100 Golf Courses in the World. Silloth has recently appointed former Whickham Golf Club professional Simon Williamson as head professional. Simon was the professional at Lytham Green Drive prior to coming back up north to Silloth. He has refurbished the pro shop and has an indoor swing studio ready to be opened. If you require any further information, tel 016973 31304 and the secretary, Alan Oliver, will be happy to help you.
TOTAL DISTANCE Blue: 6,641 yards PAR 72 White: 6,408 yards PAR 72 Yellow: 6,141 yards PAR 72 Red: 5,806 yards PAR 75
‘I’ve been hearing rave reviews about Silloth for a number of years and after finally getting the opportunity to play there I could certainly see why. Terrific course and a great welcome - I can’t wait to return.’ David Facey, Golf Correspondent , The Sun
Summer midweek £52 per day. Weekend £60 per round
WWW.SILLOTHGOLFCLUB.CO.UK 60 NORTHERN GOLFER
ADVERTORIAL
GARESFIELD GOLF COURSE
CLAYTON TERRACE ROAD, CHOPWELL, NE17 7AP T: SECRETARY: 01207 561 309 OPTION 4 • PRO SHOP: 01207 561 309 OPTION 1 E: GARESFIELDGC@BTCONNECT.COM W: WWW.GARESFIELDGOLFCLUB.CO.UK
Travel west from Gateshead and located close to the borders with Durham and Northumberland, Garesfield Golf Course ranks as one of the most picturesque courses in the North East. Designed by Harry Fernie in 1922, this pretty parkland course has matured into something very special and offers players of all abilities an experience to be savoured. The flora and fauna are everywhere and at certain times of the year, the course is awash with colour - Garesfield is a photographer’s dream, so don’t forget to take a camera with you. But don’t let the views detract you from the job in hand; the course is one of the best tests of golf in the region. Fernie certainly did his homework and has produced a layout which is fair if you play the course sensibly and punishing should you have an off day from the tee. There are a number of very strong par fours where some golfers will struggle to get home in two, but these are balanced with shorter par fives and a few short but tricky four-shotters, all of which can be
Garesfield Golf Club Major Open Events 2017
all bookable via the Website
CLAYTON TERRACE ROAD CHOPWELL NE17 7AP E: GARESFIELDGC@BTCONNECT.COM
good birdie chances. The course is always presented in fantastic condition with superb greens and neatly striped fairways. Away from the course, the modern two-storey clubhouse offers superb views over the course and surrounding countryside. Visitors are more than welcome at Garesfield and a number of special offers can be found on the club’s website. Measuring nearly 6,500 yards and with a par 72 from the medal tees, you have to make the most of the first five holes here before the course begins to ask questions. It may pay to warm up properly and hopefully, by the time you reach the sixth tee, a good score is already on the card. With four greens close to the clubhouse you can play four, six, nine, fifteen or a full 18 holes with ease here and not have a long walk back. Contact the club by any of the methods shown above, the team are keen to answer questions about the course and have a number of offers available as shown on the membership page of the website.
29/07/2017 02/08/2017 09/09/2017 16/09/2017 04/10/2017 11/10/2017
TOTAL DISTANCE White tees: 6,458 yards Yellow tees: 6,043 yards Red tees: 5,411 yards
FEATURES Clubhouse bar and dining area Private functions welcome (Weddings etc.) Fully stocked pro shop PGA pro tuition available Practice area Putting green Buggy hire available
Two Man Scramble Garesfield Challenge Singles Gents Team Open Gents Pairs Open Ladies Team Open Mixed Pairs Open
£20 per pair £12 per person £40 per team £20 per pair £32 per team £16 per couple
NEW MEMBER JULY ONLY: We are offering 20 memberships @ £300 GOLF SOCIETIES: Special offer for returning Golf Societies contact the secretary for details TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS: 1 month membership £40 full access to online tee booking system and Clubhouse. For other offers on green fees etc. please view our Garesfield Golf Club website. All enquiries contact the Pro Shop/secretary on 01207561309
NORTHERN GOLFER 61
from the
bunker Congratulations to City of Newcastle Golf Club captain John Franklin, who completed the Virgin Cyclone Challenge as part of his captain’s charity fundraising effort for the Great North Air Ambulance. John completed the 106-mile challenge, from Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park via Rothbury and the Northumberland Hills and returning to the stadium, in eight hours
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and 27 minutes. He has raised more than £1,000 so far for the charity, which he chose after his daughter suffered a horse riding accident on Bamburgh beach in July 2016 and no air ambulance was available - meaning it took more than five hours for her to get to hospital. Well done John! To donate go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ john-franklin4
Congratulations to Gillian McDonald, the first winner of our Instagram competition in partnership with Slaley Hall. The competition is running again in August, with the best golf picture posted using the #NorthernGolfer and including @northerngolferuk and @slaleyhallhotel receiving golf for four, buggies and bacon sandwiches and tea/coffee. Check out all the info on page 58.
The Beamish Park seniors section are sure to catch the eye on their away days thanks to sponsor Fire Logistics Ltd. Here they are on their trip to Hexham Golf Club.
Elliott Butterworth’s frustration was evident when he posted his golf clubs for sale on Twitter. It was a good job no-one made him an offer as the 23-year-old from Middlesbrough 62 NORTHERN GOLFER
shot a second round 67 in the Pannal Rose Bowl to finish second as Pannal’s Ollie White shot rounds of 67 and 68 to win the event. Well done to all the players.
Congratulations to Luke Tate, from Boldon Golf Club, who picked up an away win at Open Championship host venue Trump Turnberry on Easter Monday in the resort’s Golden Golf Ball Game.
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Leave A1 (m) at junction 63 Chester-le-Street and follow B693 to Stanley, turn left onto B6532 (Asda roundabout), follow road to end and turn right, pass Blomfomtein School and follow sign to South Moor Golf Club
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