Northern Golfer #94 August 2022

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AUGUST 2022

ON TOP OF THE WORLD Jess Baker on her career-changing win at the 119th Women’s Amateur Championship WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT STOCKSFIELD, DARLINGTON, AND BRAMPTON

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EDITOR Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk Simon Olver Chris Paisley Chris Simmons ADVERTISING MANAGERS Doug Brolls 07721 031 482 doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk Gillian Corney 07903 500 401 gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson & Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk EVENTS Dean Bailey dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk

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North East women’s and girls’ golf is in a great place, as this edition of Northern Golfer proves once again.

As Jess Baker says in a fantastic interview following her victory in the 119th Women’s Amateur Championship, she is proud of the trail girls like her, Whitley Bay’s Rosie Belsham and Cumbria’s Caitlin Whitehead blazed as youngsters.

While Jess, Rosie and Caitlin have gone on to great heights having come through county and England regional coaching, the girls following behind them - including Rachel Gourley and Maggie Whitehead, who make their England women’s team debuts in August - are reaching levels even greater than the first group of girls did at their age.

Following hot on their heels, the next cohort is proving the systems in place continue to work, as Charlotte Naughton proved with her victory in the English Girls U14 Championship at Formby Ladies.

Add in the success of girls including Jess Hall and her Durham teammates, and the youngsters winning titles on the Northern Junior Golf Tour and at county level, and there is a lot to celebrate.

Meanwhile, the men and boys are not to be forgotten. This month we’ve seen success for the region’s PGA professionals in NE/NW PGA majors and pro ams; county titles awarded to individuals and teams in Northumberland and Durham; father and son duo Stuart and Chris Brown represent Durham; seniors’ championships; and lots more – see Teeing Off for all the details.

Our columnists have once again provided a fascinating insight into what they’ve been up to as well - with Chris Paisley reflecting on the emergence of LIV Golf, Chris Simmons looking back at The Open, and Simon Olver discussing tournament course setups.

We’ve also got a Round With Newcastle United legend Shola Ameobi who joined me for a highly entertaining afternoon at Longhirst Hall.

Plus we’ve visited Morpeth Golf Club for this month’s Course Profile, and taken a trip west to Cumbria for this month’s Special Focus. We’ve also put together the latest Gear news for you, got an update on this year’s Match Play Pairs tournament, learned a fantastic driving tip from Doug Brolls, and lots more. Last but not least, be sure to enter this month’s competitions.

See you in September.

Golfers across the region have earned invitations to the Champion of Champions

06-19 TEEING OFF

Charlotte Naughton wins a national title, NE/NW PGA majors and pro ams, county champs, junior wins, and more

21 TOUR LIFE With Chris Paisley

22 ON COURSE With Simon Olver

23 TOUR TIPS

With Chris Simmons

29 19TH HOLE

Bandits, manipulators, sandbaggers... time’s up!

30 COURSE PROFILE Morpeth Golf Club

Dean Bailey, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

32 A ROUND WITH

NUFC legend Shola Ameobi

FRONT COVER

Jess Baker, the 119th Women’s Amateur champion

34 SPECIAL FOCUS

Pages 24-27

39 MATCH PLAY PAIRS

A Cumbrian caper

The finals countdown

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04 WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

40 GEAR

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42 TIPS

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44 COMPETITIONS

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46 FROM THE BUNKER

Readers’ tales from around the region NORTHERN GOLFER 03

CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS

Ami Ewan, Bedlingtonshire women’s champion

Craig Penny, Newbiggin men’s champion

Nik Jones, Ponteland men’s champion

Dan Fox, Brancepeth Castle men’s champion

Stephen Brooks, Blyth men’s champion

Luke Bonser, Consett junior champion

Gavin Harrison, Whitburn men’s champion

Tickets booked Players from across the region have earned their place in the three Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events, which take place at Longhirst Hall on Saturday October 1

C

lub golfers from across Northumberland, Co Durham, Teesside, the Borders, Cumbria and Yorkshire within Northern Golfer’s circulation area have earned invitations to the Champion of Champions events at Longhirst Hall Golf Club on Saturday October 1.

The events - for men, women and juniors - will take place over Longhirst’s Dawson Course and players are invited to submit their entries online now.

Open to club champions crowned in the 2022 calendar year, there is 04 NORTHERN GOLFER

no charge for competitors for the 18-hole tournaments, which have been won by some of the region’s best amateur golfers since Northern Golfer launched the junior event in 2015, following the success of that tournament with the launch of the ladies’ event and the relaunch of the men’s Champion of Champions in 2017.

Players who have earned invitations so far include Joseph Henderson, who retained the men’s title at Alnmouth and will defend the Champion of Champions crown he won earlier this season at Longhirst. Meanwhile, Craig Penny lifted

the Newbiggin men’s trophy for an 11th time, and John Howarth won his 10th men’s club championship (and eighth in a row) at Crook. Claire Brown won Close House’s women’s title for a sixth time, and Gary Donnison and John Kirkpatrick both won the men’s titles for a fourth time at Gosforth and Ramside respectively.

Champions can submit their entry forms online now – head over to www.northerngolfer.co.uk and click on the Champion of Champions tab.

For more information, contact Dean Bailey, dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk

CHAMPIONOFCHAMPIONS

Henry Joynson, Close House men’s champion

John Howarth, Crook men’s champion

Anne Wraith, Blackwell Grange women’s champion James Simpson, Jamie Birkbeck, Bishop Auckland men’s champion Whickham men’s champion

John Porteous, Bamburgh men’s champion

Michael Carver, Birtley men’s champion

John Kirkpatrick, Ramside men’s champion

Yvonne Charlton, Goswick women’s champion

Daniel Bullen, Goswick men’s champion

Claire Brown, Close House women’s champion

George Armstrong, Prudhoe men’s champion

Helen Cooper, Arcot Hall women’s champion

TEEINGOFF

Tarren hits top form on PGA Tour Callum Tarren produced a pair of strong finishes on the PGA Tour in July to boost his position in the FedEx Cup heading into the final events of the 2021-22 season.

Callum, from Darlington, picked up a T7 finish in the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities and followed it up with a T20 finish in the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club.

With those results, Callum rose to 109th in the FedEx Cup Playoffs Eligibility rankings, which remove players currently suspended by the PGA Tour from the points list in order to set fields for this year’s Playoff events. The three-event Playoff series begins with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on August 11-14.

Clarke wins northern seniors’ title Lindrick’s Ian Clarke topped the leaderboard in the Northern Counties Seniors’ Championship at Ponteland Golf Club with a four underpar total.

The Yorkshireman finished four shots clear of South Moor’s Ian McEntee (68-76) as Royal Lytham & St Annes’ Ian Crowther (73-72) finished in third place.

Meanwhile, Ramside Hall’s John Kitrkpatrick and Morpeth’s Sandy Twynholm picked up top-10 finishes.

06 NORTHERN GOLFER

Charlotte Naughton

Charlotte Naughton’s a national champion

P

onteland’s Charlotte Naughton celebrated her first victory on the national stage at the English Girls’ Under 14 Open Championship.

Charlotte took home the trophy in the under-14 event, which took place alongside the English Girls’ Under 16 Open Championship at Formby Ladies’ Golf Club after completing the 54-hole event with a final round 73 to post a winning total of 219 (six over-par).

Playing alongside overnight leader Annabel Peaford, Charlotte

clawed back by the deficit with three birdies before making par on the 18th to finish two shots clear of Hill Valley’s Lauren Crump.

Charlotte, who became the youngest-ever winner of the Northumberland Ladies County Championship earlier this season, said: “I feel very proud to stand here. It means a lot because I’ve worked really hard for this and it’s all paid off.

“A birdie at the second really got me started for the final round. I just missed out on a birdie at the 17th,

which was my hardest hole, so that was alright too.

“I played really well. It’s a hard course and now I just need to keep grafting away and get better and better.”

Meanwhile, England girls’ squad member Rosie Bee Kim won the under-16 event a year after success in the younger age category.

With her win, Rosie became the first player since Lily May Humphreys in 2015 and 2016 to win back-to-back titles across both age categories.

Henson goes close at Logan

Mike Henson

Mike Henson’s hopes for a triple crown of national titles were dashed with a playoff defeat in the England MidAmateur Championship for the Logan Trophy.

The Durham men’s county player, who is a member of Rockliffe Hall and Bishop Auckland, arrived at Liphook having cruised to a nine-shot win in the Welsh Mid-Amateur at Aberdovey earlier this summer.

Last year, he shared the Scottish Mid-Amateur title with Clark Riddick when both players tied on 149 after two rounds and the final round was cancelled.

Seeking to add victory in the England Golf event at Liphook, Mike posted a sparkling final round of 68 to force a playoff with Hampshire’s Stuart Archibald and Martin Young, with Stuart ultimately securing the title with a par on the first extra hole.

TEEINGOFF

Chanettee Wannasaen wins LET Access event at Ramside Hall

T

hailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen carded a final round of level par (73) to win the Trust Golf Links Series event at Ramside Hall by three shots.

The 18-year-old started her final round in the LET Access Series event with a birdie on the first, adding two more and dropping three strokes on the front nine to make the turn in 37.

She then made one more bogey on the 11th hole and swiftly erased it with a birdie on the 12th, going on to finish the round at even par and secure her maiden win in Europe.

“It means a lot to win in Europe and I am very happy with my game,” said Chanettee - a member of the Thai LPGA. “I felt really confident and I knew I could make it. I am going to celebrate the triumph with my friends and we will go to the

best Thai restaurant in town. I really cannot wait!”

The level par final round followed an impressive nine under-par 64 on day two in Durham for Chanettee, who led the field by three shots at 11 under-par as compatriot Arpichaya Yubol finished in second place.

Meanwhile, Durham-based amateur Jess Hall finished in a tie for fourth place with a three-round total of two under-par.

Chanettee Wannasaen, Jess Hall and the Ramside Hall team

NORTHERN GOLFER 07

TEEINGOFF

Region’s best make cuts in English Am A group of the region’s best amateur golfers made the cuts at the English Amateur.

The England Golf event, which saw the men’s and women’s championships held concurrently at Lindrick and Worksop, is one of the biggest tournaments in England.

In the men’s event, Eaglescliffe’s Will Skipp and Hexham’s Morgan Blythe made it into the last-64 as Wynyard’s Jack Ainscough reached the last-16.

In the women’s event, Bishop Auckland’s Jess Hall reached the last-32, Arcot Hall’s Rachel Gourley made it through to the last16, and Middlesbrough’s Katie Stephens reached the last-eight.

City boys heading to Woodhall Spa City of Newcastle topped the leaderboard in the Northumberland Junior Team Championship at Gosforth Golf Club and will represent the county in the English Junior Champion Club tournament at Woodhall Spa. The team of Charlie McKenna, Archie Roberts and Joseph Carmichael finished top with a team nett score of 134 (two scores from three counting), beating Bedlingtonshire by two.

Meanwhile, Freddie Bremner (72) won the individual gross title as Archie (63) won the nett title.

The English Junior Champion Club tournament takes place August 10-12 at Woodhall Spa, where City will be joined by Durham champions Chester-le-Street.

08 NORTHERN GOLFER

Ken Ferrie

Tim Dykes

Ferrie and Dykes win major titles

K

en Ferrie and Tim Dykes have added North East & North West PGA major titles to their trophy cabinets.

Ken lifted the PGA Championship trophy at Middlesbrough Golf Club, outlasting a field of the best professionals from across the region over 36 holes in high temperatures.

Ken posted rounds of 70 and 68 for a two under-par total as Tim and Phil Waugh finished in a tie for second place on one under-par.

Josh Fox finished in solo fourth,

while Simon Robinson and Andy Scrimshaw shared fifth place.

Meanwhile, Tim got his major win at the inaugural Sunderland of Scotland Masters at Westerhope Golf Club with a playoff victory over Kyle Marklew.

Having tied on four under-par after 36 holes - as James Maw finished one shot back in third - Tim and Kyle battled it out for the title in a sudden death playoff, which Tim won with a par on the second hole.

The new professional event, sponsored by the Scottish golfwear

brand, is part of the North East & North West PGA’s Mizuno Order of Merit – along with the PGA, Tour and Matchplay championships, the Northumberland & Durham Open, and the season-opening Pro Series.

With two events to play in September, Tim holds top spot with Morpeth’s David Clark in second place and Ken in third.

Next up is the Tour Championship at Brancepeth Castle on September 19 before the seasonending Matchplay Championship takes place at Slaley Hall.

Ryan Dixon heading to US Amateur

Ryan Dixon

Castle Eden Golf Club’s Ryan Dixon will compete in the biggest event in men’s amateur golf, The US Amateur, in August after making it through qualifying in Texas.

Ryan - who attends St Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas - made it through qualifying at Riverhill Country Club

with a two-round total of 10 under-par and a second-place finish.

He will be part of the 122nd US Amateur at Ridgewood Country Club, New Jersey which takes place August 15-21.

The last English winner of the event was Yorkshireman Matt Fitzpatrick in 2013.

TEEINGOFF

Team work

H

exham and Durham City will represent Northumberland and Durham respectively in England Golf ’s men’s Champion Club event at Lilly Brook.

Hexham will be part of the event for a second year in a row after winning the Northumberland qualifier at Newcastle United.

The team of Morgan Blythe (76-70), Sean Heads (76-72) and Junior Dobson (69-73) edged out the host club – represented by Mark Wharton, Cameron Stott and Michael Burrow - with a better second-round total as the teams tied on four over-par totals of 436.

In the Durham qualifying event at Boldon, Durham City – represented

by James Glenn (68-68), Jack Richardson (71-70) and Graeme Marchbank (74-77) - pipped Castle

l-r David James (Boldon captain), James Glenn, Jack Richardson, Graeme Marchbank and David Proud (DCGU president) Eden – represented by Chris Brown, Thomas Harbord and Sean Huntington - on countback to book their place in the national final as both teams posted two-round totals of 428. Durham City progressed by virtue of the best two 36-hole gross scores after both teams posted a first-round team total of 213 and tied again in the second round on 215.

The best individual score at Boldon came from Consett’s John Kennedy (70-65).

Meanwhile, in the second division of the Northumberland event, played over 18 holes, Longhirst Hall – represented by Neil Graham, David Chambers and David Gilroy led the field, beating Dunstanburgh Castle by a single shot. Newcastle United’s Mark Wharton led the individual scoring with a tworound total of 141 in division one as Newbiggin’s Craig Penny picked up individual honours in division two with a round of 70.

l-r Sean Heads, Junior Dobson and Morgan Blythe

Castle Eden Golf Club 18 Hole picturesque parkland course

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Castle Eden Golf Club, Castle Eden, TS27 4SS www.castleedengolfclub.co.uk NORTHERN GOLFER 09

TEEINGOFF

Northumberland girls shine for England Garrick Porteous

Garrick Porteous to represent Matfen Hall DP World Tour player and former British Amateur champion Garrick Porteous will represent Matfen Hall across the world.

Garrick, who has split him time between the DP World and Challenge tours in 2022 - and earned T16 and T30 finishes in the UK in July on the DP World Tour - is coached by Matfen-based professional John Harrison.

“Matfen Hall has always had a special place in my heart, they have helped me learn the game from such a young age while making some lifelong friends”, said Garrick.

“Therefore, to represent the club on the highest stage of golf is a privilege.

“I am looking forward to growing the relationship in the years ahead.

“I am up at Matfen Hall every week when I am not away competing - either playing on the golf course or using the practice facilities.”

A professional since 2013, Garrick won two of the biggest events in men’s amateur golf globally that year when he captured the British and Scottish amateur titles. In 2017, he won his maiden Challenge Tour title at the Prague Golf Challenge.

10 NORTHERN GOLFER

Rosie Belsham (right) with the England women’s team

R

osie Belsham, Rachel Gourley and Maggie Whitehead are enjoying another summer of stellar golf in England colours.

Whitley Bay-based Rosie, who attends Baylor University in the US, helped England’s women successfully defend their European Team Championship title at Conwy in Wales. Rookie Lottie Woad held her nerve to secure the winning point in the final against Italy as the England side - which featured four of the team who lifted the trophy last year in Northern Ireland (Rosie, Annabell Fuller, Charlotte Heath and Caley McGinty) - came good once again.

Meanwhile, Arcot Hall’s Rachel Gourley and Close House’s Maggie Whitehead helped England claim fourth place in the European Girls’ Team Championship in Iceland as France won the title. In the men’s event, Spain beat Sweden to claim top spot at Royal St George’s as Germany beat England to win the boys’ title in Germany.

Rachel also picked up a seventhplace finish in the England Girls’ Championship at Wilmslow, while Maggie was part of the England team at the European Young Masters in Finland, where she finished in a tie for seventh place.

Both Rachel and Maggie will make their first appearances for England’s Women’s team in the R&A Home Internationals at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Ireland in August.

Maggie Whitehead

Rachel Gourley © Scottish Golf

TEEINGOFF

The magnificent seven

S

even professionals from far and wide topped the leaderboards in pro ams around the region in the last month.

At the North East & North West PGA’s largest pro am, hosted by Blackwell Grange Golf Club and sponsored by SG Petch, former DP World Tour player Chris Hanson picked up the winner’s cheque with a six under-par score. Chris led the field of 58 professionals as Tim Dykes finished in second place on four under-par.

There were also a pair of wins for Ken Ferrie, who finished top of the pile in Bedlingtonshire Golf Club’s 50th Anniversary pro am with a spectacular eight under-par round of 65. He went on to share top spot in the Morpeth Golf Club pro am with home professional David Clark

as both players shot four under-par rounds of 67.

At Bellingham Golf Club, Westerhope’s Michael Nesbit made a welcome return to form, shooting a superb six under-par round of 64 to beat Close House’s Craig Smith by two shots as 12 of the 20 professionals in the field shot scores in the 60s.

In the Matfen Hall pro am, Richard Robson-Crosby and Daniel Wood shared top spot with five under-par rounds as Mark Ridley and Ross Crowe shared third place.

South Moor-based Mark went two places better at Stocksfield, picking up a solo win with a two under-par round of 68 and a oneshot victory over Craig Smith.

For full scores from all of this season’s NE/NW PGA events, visit nenwpga.co.uk

Daniel Wood & Richard Robson-Crosby

David Clark

Mark Ridley

Chris Hanson

Ken Ferrie

Michael Nesbit

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TEEINGOFF

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ROUND OF GOLF

Anthony Black

Paul Taylor

Seniors moments

G

eorge Washington’s Anthony Black and Whitley Bay’s Paul Taylor have been crowned county seniors’ champions in Durham and Northumberland respectively.

Anthony lifted the Durham trophy after adding an excellent second round of 70 to his opening round of 73 at Hobson. An opening eagle at the par five first in the second round set him on track to reach the turn at two under-par. Despite dropping shots at 10 and 11, his run of seven straight pars to finish saw him post a two-round total of 143 and earn a three-shot win over South Moor’s Ian McEntee (75-71) as Castle Eden’s Stuart Brown finished third (73-74).

Meanwhile, Paul came through a playoff to win the Northumberland title at Gosforth Golf Club. He posted rounds of 74 and 71 to top the leaderboard alongside Backworth’s Steve Anderton (74-71). In the sudden death playoff, Steve found a fairway bunker with his opening shot and ultimately went on to make bogey as Paul won the title with a par.

Following the 36-hole event, the leading eight players headed into the Northumberland Seniors Matchplay Championship, which was won by The Northumberland Golf Club’s Steven Findlay with victory over Paul in the final.

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TEEINGOFF

Father and son make history for Durham

D

urham golfing history was made in the county’s Northern Counties League match against Yorkshire at Hallowes.

Late changes to the squad saw Castle Eden father and son Stuart and Chris Brown take part in the match, and team up in the morning foursomes. It’s believed to be the first time a father and son has represented Durham together.

The Browns narrowly lost their foursomes clash 1dn, and while Stuart was beaten 2&1 in the anchor singles match, Chris picked up a singles point.

“I’ve been asking around to see if a father and son have played together, not just for Durham, but for any of the other northern counties,” said 57-year-old Stuart. “It looks as if it hasn’t happened before.

“I was over the moon when Chris was called up. I made my debut against Yorkshire when I was 29.

Now Chris has made his debut

Stuart and Chris Brown with the Durham men’s team against them at the age of 31… you could say we’re both late developers!

“It was brilliant when he won his singles and it was great to play together in the foursomes,” added Stuart.

Yorkshire won the foursomes 5-1 with Tom Harbord and Will Marshall picking up Durham’s point. While

Wynyard Golf Club

there were singles wins for Will Skipp, Will Marshall, Adam Charlton and Chris, Yorkshire completed a convincing 13-5 victory overall.

Meanwhile, Northumberland gained a creditable 9-9 tie in their clash with Cumbria at Brampton.

Having trailed 3.5-2.5 after the foursomes following wins for Mark

Wharton & Joseph Robson and Morgan Blythe & Cameron Thoburn and a half for Harrison Sewell & James Conn, there were singles wins for Gary Donnison, county champion Stew Fell, Craig Penny, Phil Ridden, Mark and Morgan while James earned a vital half in the anchor match to tie the game.

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TEEINGOFF

Darren Grey wins World Championship at Tynemouth

D

arren Grey won his second Society of OneArmed Golfers World Championship title with a dominant performance from start to finish at Tynemouth Golf Club.

“I’m sure it will sink in over the next few weeks, but right now I can’t quite believe I’m a two-time world champion,” said Darren.

“I’m over the moon. It’s not been easy over the last couple of years and my golf has taken a backseat, so it’s a great feeling to be back shooting good scores and competing at a high level.”

Assistant PGA professional Darren, who is based at Alnwick Castle Golf Club, won his first world championship title in 2010.

Having led the international field through two rounds of strokeplay qualifying with rounds of 73 and 72,

37-year-old Darren was top seed for the matchplay rounds.

Having overcome Barnard Castle’s Steven Hutchinson, Terry Adnams and Swede David Schutsander, Darren beat Irishman Cian Arthurs in the final.

“It’s amazing to have come through four tough games against four very talented golfers.

“Now I want to capitalise on this win and get back into playing tournament golf across Europe in the next two years. It’s been a tough few years golf-wise with work, studying for the PGA qualifications and having a young family. The European Disabled Golf Association events have become a lot bigger in that time and are enjoying a lot more publicity, and I want to improve my world ranking and compete in the biggest events right across Europe.

Darren Grey “This win and returning to competitive golf have been made possible by my sponsors - Charlie Douthwaite at CDMD Roofing Ltd and The Fire Centre in Middlesbrough - and I can’t

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14 NORTHERN GOLFER

thank them enough for giving me this opportunity.

“I also have to thank my family for all their support this year, in particular my dad for caddying in the final at Tynemouth.”

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David Patterson

Turning back the clock

T

wo holes-in-one, 13 rounds in 60s, and a playoff made for a fantastic four days of golf in the Durham County Strokeplay Championship at Castle Eden, where Seaham’s David Patterson emerged victorious in a playoff with Thomas Harbord.

David, who turned 50 this summer and won the title for the first time in 2007, had a spell as a professional before returning to the amateur ranks.

“I’ve finished second, third, fourth and fifth, but I’ve been working away quite a lot over the last few years and have just been playing a couple of times a week,” said David. “People say that when you get to 50, your game drops off a bit, but not for me. Since I turned 50 on June 20, I haven’t lost a team game and now I’ve won this.”

David, who played out of Castle Eden as a youngster, opened up with a four under-par round of 66, adding a second round 69 to lead comfortably from South Shields duo Ben Willis (68-72) and David Kelly (68-73), and Castle Eden-based Thomas (70-71).

Thomas emerged from the chasing pack with a third round 67 as David slipped back with a 73, leaving both players tied on 208.

The final round was nip and tuck with neither player able to edge clear enough to relax. Thomas’ eagle at the par five 14th looked to be crucial, but a bogey at 17 and par at the last - as David made bogey on 18 - saw the pair head back out for a three-hole playoff.

David made a solid par at the first as Thomas’ drive went right and he dropped a shot. At the short sixth, David pitched in for a birdie two before Thomas three-putted to be three behind. Another solid par at 17 was then enough for David to take the crown.

Meanwhile, George Washington’s Duran Gunn made a hole-in-one at the 175-yard sixth during the event, a feat matched by Heworth’s Will Marshall at the 175-yard ninth hole.

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Michael Hay receiving the NYSD Championship trophy

Up to scratch J ack Ainscough and Michael Hay have picked up scratch open titles in Durham and Teesside respectively.

Wynyard-based Jack stormed to victory in the Consett Open with a course record-equalling round of 64.

The 2019 Durham county champion posted a two-round total on 135 to win by six shots from Heworth’s Will Marshall, while South Shields’ Martin McCririck finished a shot further back in third place in the Durham County Golf Union Order of Merit event.

In the North Yorkshire and South Durham Championship, Hunley Hallbased Michael hit top form, opening with a round of 64 and backing it up with a closing round of 72 for a one-shot win over Martin McCririck (70-67) and Jack.

Jack Ainscough

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16 NORTHERN GOLFER

Following another successful year of fundraising as part of the Tom Flowers Memorial pro am at Ramside Hall, the North East & North West PGA handed over a cheque for £3,423 to St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

The annual pro am remembers former NE/NW PGA secretary;

Durham County Golf Union captain and president; and Brancepeth Castle and Ramside member Tom, who passed away in 2019.

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Faldo Series to return to Dunstanburgh

F

ollowing the success of the first staging of the event on the Northumberland coast in 2021, the Faldo Series will return to Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course August 9-11.

The 2021 event was won by Morgan Blythe, who set a new course record en-route to victory, while Faye Wheatley earned her place in the tournament’s 25th Grand Final – which she went on to win.

This year’s event will once again welcome some of the best junior golfers from across the region and beyond, and you can follow all the action on the Faldo Series’ social media and YouTube channels.

The event follows closely after Dunstanburgh hosted the 2022 British Mid-Amateur Championship. The event, which awards World Amateur Golf

Rankings points, was won by Bedfordshire’s Rob Brightman, who posted a final-round 69 for a threeround total of 222 and a one-shot win over Jonathan Deveroux.

Rob Brightman with the British Mid Am trophy

2021 Faldo Series England North champion Morgan Blythe © Steve Jackson

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Yorkshire’s boys and Cheshire’s women win northern titles

Y

orkshire’s boys and Cheshire’s women will represent the northern counties in their respective national finals after winning the region’s qualifying events.

Cheshire’s women qualified for the England Golf Women’s County The Yorkshire boys team Finals in September for the first time in 20 years with clinch victory. When Rian Moores victory in Northern Counties claimed the critical fifth point Match Week. against Durham, with birdies on Hosting the event at Heswall, the final two holes against Emily the Cheshire team needed a 5-0 Baxter, the victory and trip to the victory over Durham and for national final was sealed.

Yorkshire to beat overnight leaders Meanwhile, Yorkshire’s boys Lancashire 3-2 on the final day to earned an emphatic win in the

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Cheshire’s women’s team Northern Counties Boys Qualifying Championship - AKA The Little Six - at Kendal.

Yorkshire finished with a team total of 682 for a 24-shot win over 2021 winners Northumberland.

Yorkshire will go on to represent the northern counties in the

England Golf Boys’ County Finals at Furness later this season.

Yorkshire’s triumphant team included the top three individuals in the event - Josh Berry (Doncaster), Dylan Shaw-Radford (Huddersfield) and Jake Wallis (Garforth).

Hexham’s Morgan Blythe took fourth spot in the individual standings with rounds of 70 and 67 as Northumberland finished 16 shots clear of third placed Lancashire.

The men’s qualifying event, AKA The Big Six, takes place at Hallamshire on August 3.

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Nick Poppleton

Nick Poppleton wins EuroPro thriller at Slaley

N

ick Poppleton won his first title on the PGA EuroPro Tour at Slaley Hall after a dramatic final day battle with Ben Jones.

The final round of The QHotels Collection Championship produced drama from the moment the leaders teed off.

Ben took a two-shot advantage into the finale, but quickly saw his lead halved as Nick birdied the first. He then made two more birdies in a row, while Ben responded with three birdies of his own at holes two, three and four.

The pair matched each other blow for blow before reaching the seventh green and being met with loud cheers as Bailey Gill made a hole-in-one at the eighth.

At the turn, the leading pair maintained a clear advantage on the field, with Ben restoring his overnight lead of two over Nick.

The big drama of the final round rook place at the 14th hole. Ben, holding a one-shot lead, was in trouble off the tee after finding a fairway bunker as Nick found the fairway. Played slightly uphill and into the wind, 28-year-old Nick’s seven-iron approach then took one hop and slammed into the cup.

Ben, who led by one on the tee, dropped his first shot of the day and left the green two shots behind.

Three consecutive bogeys followed for Ben, however a double-bogey for Nick at 16 ensured the event wasn’t over yet with Bailey just one-shot behind as he stood on the 18th tee.

An eventual bogey for Bailey restored Nick’s two shot-lead at the last, which he took advantage of, making a bogey at the demanding long par four to close out the win as Bailey finished second and Ben finished in third place.

“I was 158 yards out and I hit a flighted seven-iron, but I did not know it went in!” an overjoyed Nick said of his shot at the 14th. “I asked a lot of questions of Ben early in the round by making a lot of birdies, and in fairness to him he always answered back. Testament to Ben’s game and long may it continue, his results have been great this year. It’s a shame he has not won yet, but I’m sure he’ll pick one up along the way.”

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20 NORTHERN GOLFER

TOURLIFE

Chris Paisley

LIV it up, while you can DP World Tour player Chris Paisley offers his thoughts on the breakaway LIV Golf tour, and what he hopes for the future of the game

I

t seems like all the golf world is talking about at the moment is LIV, so I thought it was a good time to put in my two cents.

I do not have an issue with the guys that have joined up. In all honesty, I would most likely do the same as the money is simply too good to pass up. Guys are earning far beyond their career earnings in a single, upfront payment. It would appear to be too good to be true; yet it is true… so far!

Having said that, I would choose to be upfront and honest about my reasons for defecting.

I certainly would not be joining for the “innovative format” or the cool team names! It is all about money, for all of the players.

There are some upsetting elements to this episode.

Firstly, the

sanctioned players filing law suits against the DP World and PGA tours. As Justin Thomas said: “If you attack the PGA Tour, you attack me”. While I have no problem with guys leaving, I do have a problem with them wanting the best of both worlds. These players seem to be up for a fight, and I wonder why they are bringing that extra stress into their lives. Take the money, play your 14 events a season, and enjoy the rest of the year with your family.

I am also shocked that Henrik Stenson has given up the Ryder Cup captaincy. I know everyone has a price, but giving up what is the highest honour a European golfer can receive says a lot. If you asked past Ryder Cup captains and players to put a price on their most memorable moments, would there be a number?

My guess is there isn’t enough money in the world. I am sure Henrik has his

reasons; I just hope he does not live to regret his decision.

Truth told, I have no idea what the future holds. My best guess is that there will be a bitter power struggle for several years, and ultimately an agreement between all the tours. I can’t see how this battle can be sustained. Unfortunately, there are big egos and stubbornness on all sides but eventually something will have to give. I do think some elements of LIV could really work. The team format is a shambles as it currently is, but I think it could evolve into something cool - similar to the structure of Formula 1. The world ranking points are a huge stumbling block for LIV too, as is the lack of meaning to the events. They are currently as exciting to watch as an England vs Lithuania friendly, because there is simply no meaning behind them. The players have already been paid and there are no consequences to playing good or bad. You won’t see the same passion or excitement at the closing stages of their events like you do on the DP World or PGA tours.

If we’re honest, nobody knows where this is heading. There are so many other sides to this story that I don’t have space to get into; I just hope a solution in the best interest of the sport is found sooner rather than later.

© Getty Images NORTHERN GOLFER 21

ONCOURSE

Simon Olver

Raising the bar Simon Olver, course manager at Ganton, on tournament preparations and why golf clubs must strike the right balance between presentation and the long-term health of their courses

W

hen we watch golf on TV, or even when we play invitation days at local clubs, we see golf courses at their absolute best. Tournament presentation for big events provides an opportunity to showcase the golf course at its very best.

To present a golf course at its peak, greenkeeping practices must be increased.

The preparation for this work begins up to two years in advance for the biggest events at Ganton and the intensity of our work will change three months ahead of the event. At this stage, we’ll be tailoring our applications and top dressing, and highlighting areas which need greater attention or preventative action to survive the stressful period ahead. We’ll also be using techniques such as verti-cutting and brushing to improve the playing surfaces, while ensuring such practices at this stage minimise any potential plant stress.

In the 2-3 weeks ahead of an event, we’ll begin working longer hours and move to split shifts in order to cut more areas of fine turf, use our greens rollers at night to ensure we have full control of green speeds during morning setups when only the greens mowers will be used to

22 NORTHERN GOLFER

manipulate speeds, and begin the final processes of tournament setup. At this time, the team will be working longer than a standard week and communication between the greenkeeping team, ensuring they are motivated and physically and mentally healthy, is vital.

Having built to a healthy, unstressed level for both the team and grass plants, the final days of preparation are when the work all comes together. Green speeds will be carefully monitored and controlled through multiple cuts and rolls across split shifts and we’ll turn the switch to full tournament preparation with the full team on the golf course and shorter playing windows for members to allow us to work on the course, and make the final few marginal gains. From here, if our longterm preparation has been good, the golf course will be at its very best when the first tee shot is hit.

However, it’s important to understand why golf courses cannot be presented at this level year-round and while we’d love to showcase our golf course at its absolute pinnacle right though the playing season, clubs must strike a balance between peak conditioning and long-term health.

For example, working split shifts and

overtime is unsustainable for staff, both physically and mentally, and not viable financially for clubs.

You must also consider the stress increased mowing and rolling creates in grass plants. While robust, coarse grasses can thrive when treated harshly, the fine grasses we want on greens require consistency and less invasive practices. If plants do become stressed, they can play well for short periods, but in the longterm will be weaker and more susceptible to disease. They will also require more chemical and fertiliser input to stay alive.

Think of cutting and rolling grass like scratching your arm - if done too much and too intensely over any period of time, it will cause long-term damage.

Overall, golf course presentation throughout a season is about balance.

We can create tournament conditions for highlights in the calendar, but we must also ensure we work within our means financially and from a staffing perspective.

We must also accept that better longterm health of the golf course allows us to create more sustained progress and longer peak periods than any one-off, extreme change can achieve.

TOURTIPS

Chris Simmons

Major moment Chris Simmons, who caddies for DP World Tour player Matt Jordan, reflects on his experience at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews

B

eing part of the 150th Open at St Andrews was a huge honour, and it being Matt’s first major made it even more special.

Making it to St Andrews was a bit hectic. We flew from Munich to St Annes Old Links for the 36-hole qualifying on Tuesday. After making it into The Open with a second-place finish on seven under-par, it was straight across to the Irish Open for four rounds before jumping across to The Renaissance for The Scottish Open, where we played another four rounds in strong winds before heading up to St Andrews. Quite a three-week run!

I’ve been lucky to be part of four Opens now - at Troon, Carnoustie, Portrush and St Andrews - and I got all my excitement out the way at the first one with Brandon Stone in 2016. I’ll admit, I got a bit too excited at Troon, but by the time we got to the end of our tournament all I wanted to do was get out of there. It was a great reminder to be careful what you wish for.

This year, it was very much business as usual. I was lucky to be staying with a friend just outside of town, which helped keep things relaxed all week.

When it comes to caddying at a major, the first thing you notice is the people on practice days - being clapped onto a tee box on a Sunday can be a bit of a shock some weeks, never mind on a Tuesday.

The range was a lot busier too and it was great to be alongside all the best players in the world. We had a one-off tour bag for the week from Callaway too, but other than that, our aim was just to stick to the same process as any other tournament.

Matt didn’t take his normal Monday off as he wanted to acclimatise to his first major, get his credentials and check things out. From Tuesday, we were into our routine. Matt practised as normal and played nine holes both days, and while we acknowledged what was going on, we were totally in work mode in practice and when playing on Thursday and Friday.

That’s a great lesson for any amateurs out there preparing for a big golf day or a club championship. Come the week of the event, your hard work needs to be done. There’s not a lot you can achieve a couple of days out. Instead, think about your long-term preparation. In the last few days, stick to the routine which you will have learned works for you.

When you’re on the course, routine is also vital. This allows you to focus on a shot rather than if there’s more spectators than normal or something else going on. If you can work through each shot the same, whether it’s on the first tee or the 18th green, that’s a great sign you’re mentally ready to compete.

While we didn’t get the result we were looking for at St Andrews, being part of the 150th Open was so special. Once our week was over, it was amazing to see the crowds and be at the Home of Golf for such a special week. Here’s to many more to come.

NORTHERN GOLFER 23

24 NORTHERN GOLFER

COVERINTERVIEW

On top of the world Jess Baker, the 119th Women’s Amateur champion, looks back at the most important week of her golfing career to-date, and reflects on golf ’s ability to take you from the lowest of lows to the top of the world

W

hen Jess Baker boarded her flight home from a busy spring semester of college golf in the US, she was expecting to play a couple of tournaments and relax after a tough few months. A couple of weeks and eight rounds at Hunstanton Golf Club later, her summer plans, and her golfing future, have changed a great deal.

“All my plans for a chilled summer have gone out of the window, but for the best possible reason,” says Jess, the 119th winner of the Women’s Amateur Championship - one of the biggest prizes in women’s amateur golf globally.

Having started the week ranked 518th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, and coming off a tumultuous spell in the US which included being dropped from the University of Central Florida women’s golf team, Jess had few expectations ahead of her return to the event, though she did reach the quarter-finals in 2021.

“I think every golfer goes through a period when golf is a grind,” says Jess, who has completed the first two years of her four-year golf scholarship, during which she’ll major in psychology. “I went through that in February. I was working harder than ever and still wasn’t meeting my expectations. Despite working so hard, I couldn’t make it into the team. I spent time talking to Andy [Paisley] and managed to eventually get through it.

“Going through that period and working my butt off made me a stronger person and a better version of yourself.

Being able to look back on those hard times will allow me to appreciate the good times so much more.”

With her dad, Steve, caddying - now a long-term position - Jess just made it through the 36-hole strokeplay qualifying, holing a 25ft putt to reach the matchplay stages as one of the top-64.

“My goal for the week was to make the cut as I know matchplay is such an

NORTHERN GOLFER 25

COVERINTERVIEW unpredictable format,” says Jess.

“From that point, I was the underdog in every match. This year’s field, post-Covid, was much stronger than in 2021 but I knew it wasn’t about numbers, it was about momentum and if I could get up early I’d have a chance.”

As the week progressed, Jess built momentum. She beat Spain’s Lucia Lopez Ortega 4&3 in the round of 64 before overcoming Ireland’s Beth Coulter 2&1. Wins over Germany’s Charlotte Back (3&2) and Italy’s Emilie Alba Paltrinieri followed, setting up a semi-final with one of the tournament favourites, Scotland’s Hannah Darling, which Jess won 2&1.

On the eve of the final, Jess took time to speak to her coach, Hexhambased Andy Paisley, and record her thoughts - a technique she has learned from Andy and one which she uses regularly.

“I’ll admit, I didn’t sleep well before the final,” she says. “I knew it was going to be the biggest day of my golfing life, regardless of what happened. I managed to ground

26 NORTHERN GOLFER

Jess and Steve Baker © Kevin Gibson, KG Photography Jess with the Women’s Amateur trophy © Harriet Lander, The R&A via Getty Images

myself through some self-reflection and journaling after having a great chat with Andy on the phone. Getting into journaling has been huge and I have to give so much credit to Andy for his help on the mental side as well as the technical. Getting my thoughts down on paper and having something to reflect on when things are going poorly, and when they’re going well, has been so good for my game.

“All the work we’ve done made the final manageable. Being able to stay in my bubble and control my breathing was really important. I was working so hard on my breathing over the final putt and I’m proud that I did everything to the best of my attention in the final.”

In the 36-hole final, Jess won the closing four holes in a row to lead the 143rdranked player in the world, Sweden’s Louise Rydqvist, 3up at lunchtime. After her lead was extended to 5up through 28 holes, Louise won the 29th and 30th holes following bogeys from Jess, who bounced back at the 31st. A 22ft birdie putt at the par three 14th saw the Swede reply once more, but Jess held her nerve and rolled in a winning 5ft putt for birdie to earn the rich rewards which come with being the amateur champion.

With the win, Jess earned places in the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship, 2022 AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield, 2023 US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach and, by tradition, an invitation to the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

“In terms of golf, everything has changed.

I hadn’t won anything near this scale before... though winning the Women’s Amateur would change anyone’s plans.

“Deep down, I’m still the same person.

I still practice and work as hard as I did before. The only thing that will change is the people I’m competing against in some of the tournaments I’ll play. All I need to do is keep my concentration levels high, stick to the processes which I know work, and go out there and play golf.

“The big prize from Hunstanton is the doors that are now open for me. I’m going to take all the opportunities with both hands and see how things go. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get a trial go at tournaments like the Women’s British Open, US Open and Evian, and it’s a chance to make some memories, have some adventures and play with no pressure.

“It’s going to be so cool to play the biggest events in the world on the most iconic courses.”

Following her win, Jess was also invited to the Celebration of Champions as part of the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews, where she played four holes alongside major champion Anna Nordqvist, a past winner of the Women’s Amateur; defending Open champion Collin Morikawa; and men’s world number one amateur Keita Nakajima.

“It was so incredible,” she says of her trip to St Andrews. “Being on The Old Course with all the fans and playing with some of the best golfers on the planet is something I could never have dreamt of. Collin was lovely, he’s so down to earth and offered me loads of advice about college. Anna made me feel so welcome too and gave me loads of help ahead of the Evian.”

As well as crediting Andy, Jess credits the support of her mum and dad, and family dog Gunner

with her win, as well as the support she received from members of Hunstanton, which she was made an honorary member of after the event.

“My dad was amazing all week.

He’s not a professional caddy, but he’s exactly who I need by my side.

He knows when I need picking up and when to tell me off. It will be great to share all the experiences coming up with him. Having spent all day with my dad, it was so nice to get back and get a hug from my mum too. The moment we had on the green after I holed the winning putt is something I’ll never forget. As for Gunner, he’s definitely become a star in his own right!”

On the support she received throughout the week, Jess added: “We only had accommodation booked until Thursday and a member of Hunstanton let us stay in her holiday cottage ahead of the final, which was so amazingly

generous. Things like that went on all week, for lots of the girls, and support like that makes amateur tournaments so special. Hunstanton will definitely have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life.”

One of the first girls to go through the North of England Futures programme before progressing into the England regional squad – both coached by JJ Vallely - and then into the national system, Jess says she is proud to be blazing a trail for female golfers in the North East.

“It’s amazing to look at the pictures in the sunshine at Hunstanton with my UCF uniform on and think back to the winter training sessions at Matfen Hall with JJ,” she says. “It makes those sessions, some of which I really didn’t want to be part of, so worth it. Seeing what the girls following Rosie [Belsham] and I are doing now is lovely and it’s a real honour to be one of the first

to come through what’s become such a successful system. The girls are all smashing it and I know we’ll see more girls winning big events for years to come.”

While it wasn’t quite the summer she had planned, Jess has certainly made the most of her time off.

Shortly after we met, she competed in her first-ever major championship at Evian before celebrating her 20th birthday. By the time you read this, she’ll be taking part in the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield before returning to the US – where she’ll be welcomed into UCF’s Bounce House stadium by 45,000 fans during halftime in a football game. Then it’s off to Canada to take up an LPGA Tour invite, and before long there’s trips to Augusta and Pebble Beach - all of which goes to show how quickly golf can take you from the lowest of lows to the very top of the world.

NORTHERN GOLFER 27

INTRODUCING Gary Hunter and Steven Presho, both low handicappers from County Durham, have launched comparegolfprices.co.uk and their innovative GoLowPro option, which links golfers shopping online to local pro shops

A couple of successful sport-mad friends are the brains behind a new price comparison site for golf equipment aiming to help local golf club professionals.

“We have our own algorithm to do this. It is based on a multitude of factors: customer service, distance, location, if it is in stock, if it isn’t, custom fitting, etc.

Gary Hunter and Steven Presho, both low handicappers from County Durham, have secured significant investment to drive Compare Golf Prices (comparegolfprices.co.uk) forward.

“From a pro’s perspective it provides an opportunity to get someone in the shop and build a relationship.”

The co-founders - who have combined their business, technical and digital experience to create the platform - believe golfers and pros will benefit from the site.

Gary said: “It is like the RightMove for local golf club pros. It is a central focal point nationwide where the aim will be to drive people to the point of intent of buying a club from the site.

“We are providing a portal for every golf selling site online, displaying the best prices for each bit of equipment. We want to give the consumers the best price and then help the club pro too.”

Where Compare Golf Prices is even more unique is that as well as displaying the best prices for each piece of equipment at the larger online stores, it then invites the local pros to bid for the sale via its GoLowPro option, which will be easy for club pros to use and not overly technical.

Gary said: “We are giving local pros an opportunity to push for some of that business that they would normally not see – for the local people in that area who would go online and not straight to a pro shop.

Appreciate Group in a deal worth £3.5m.

Steven has played a significant role in those companies from a digital, design and marketing perspective with a wide-ranging technical skillset.

The decision makers behind this website believe it will eliminate the fear some golfers have of a pro shop; those who don’t feel confident enough to talk about their swing speed or shaft and might feel embarrassed or under pressure to buy something.

Gary said: “The business is led by us, with our investment added to by local angel investors. We also have Sam on board in a non-exec role. Look at the history of what we have done before, we have proven we can go into a retail environment, sell millions of pounds worth of items for some huge companies and we are now replicating that in the golf industry.

Compare Golf Prices plans to have alerts, reviews and weekly competitions as it provides somewhere to examine the different prices for clubs, accessories, bags, balls and more.

“We are not touching the product, we are using the knowledge: how to drive traffic, the traffic with intent to buy products, into an industry we love, into an environment to help this industry out.

The club pros will be charged a low monthly fee to be part of the GoLowPro section, and the business has got an extremely successful business team behind it.

“We make our money from online sales by affiliate commission and media sales.

We don’t touch the transactional product from the pros.

Gary created and then sold Lease Cars Direct to Vertu Motors PLC in 2011 and three years later launched Redu. Redu, the specialist marketing company which helps online retailers such as John Lewis, Very and M&S record £35-40m in product sales.

He was also the co-owner of MBL Solutions, a gift card provider for the likes of Greggs, B&M and Caffé Nero, from October 2020 along with business partner Sam Morton before that was recently acquired by

“It’s helping the fight back of the local pros - closing the gap to the big online retailers for those pros. This is still shopping online but it presents the pro with an opportunity to bid and then pull customers into the pro shops.

“There are big online golf sites, you can buy online, but nowhere that compares sites. We have no competition for this, especially the GoLowPro side of things.

There is not one site that has ever tried to help the pro shops, but we will change this.”

WANT TO WIN £10,000 WORTH OF GOLF EQUIPMENT? Compare Golf Prices’ free to enter, weekly SuperFores competition offers the chance to transform your look around the green.

All you have to do is predict the four scores that two selected players shoot from PGA Tour or European Tour events. The lucky tipster who successfully matches all eight scores will win an incredible £10,000 bundle of golf gear – and the winner gets to choose what they want!

The fantastic prize will roll over to the next week if there is no winner, while the highest scorer each week will receive a Payntr bundle worth £139.99.

For more information and to enter the free SuperFores competition visit comparegolfprices.co.uk/superfores

19THHOLE

Dean Bailey

New system, same old problems

I

It’s time to root out the bandits, sandbaggers and handicap manipulators

t’s a sad fact of being a club golfer, but we all know a bandit, a sandbagger or a handicap manipulator.

Some are very hard to spot - nipping in the odd doubles win or top prize at a big golf day - while others are some of the most talked about people in a golf club (some are even among the most talked about golfers in the region!).

“He used to play off seven,” comes the cry as another winner with 47 points leaves the room. Sadly, after the fact there’s very little we can do about it. The race is run, as they say.

Any handicap system, WHS or otherwise, will always be open to manipulation. Holding an active handicap used to require playing in competitions, but today it only requires a login and

someone willing to verify a scorecard. If an attester is of an equally unscrupulous disposition as those looking to game the system, we’re in the Wild West out here – horses, masks and all.

So, what can we do to improve things?

Handicap committees have access to tools to challenge players and apply penalty scores to those found to be manipulating the system. Meanwhile, the worst offenders can be banned from using it all together. In practice, this requires a great deal of evidence and a strong committee.

It’s also incumbent on all of us to root out and challenge these cheats whenever we find one, upholding the rules and standards we all play by to ensure golf remains competitive and fair for everyone.

It’s no longer good enough to allow a

small number of individuals who have no honour or respect for the traditions of the game to play it from such an unfair starting position. I for one have always endeavoured to play off the lowest handicap possible and I think the vast majority of golfers out there play the game in the same spirit. When the handicap system can be manipulated so easily by so few, we the players must be the ones who ensure every field, in every event, plays from as fair and even a starting point as possible. We cannot simply complain about it after the fact anymore or wait for an uncompromisable handicap system to magically appear. Much like calling out someone who kicks their ball into a better lie, it’s time to stand up and take it upon ourselves to protect the integrity of the game.

NORTHERN GOLFER 29

COURSEPROFILE

More, more, Morpeth Dean Bailey pays a visit to the Harry Vardon-designed course at Morpeth Golf Club

G

olfers in and around Morpeth are blessed with some of Northumberland’s best golf courses on their doorstep. While links enthusiasts head to the coast and those who enjoy modern design head to new courses, those who relish the traditional English parkland style head to Morpeth Golf Club.

Designed by six-time Open champion Harry Vardon, who picked some fascinating pieces of ground to layout his golf courses in our region, today the course presents an exacting test of ball striking with its tree-lined fairways leading to a set of 18 unique greens.

Lengthened in recent years to a total of 6,341 yards from the white tees, continued refinements ensure the course stands up to the modern game.

Measuring just 253 yards, the first is a good place to pick up an early birdie, but be warned, the overly aggressive can tangle with the out of bounds lines, which border both sides of the fairway. Instead, lay up short of the two bunkers on the right and leave a 90-yard pitch to one of the smallest greens on the course.

Having crossed the bridlepath, the 400-yardplus second provides a stern test. The fairway is generous between the trees and the green is guarded by two bunkers cut well short of the putting surface, from which bogeys are almost unavoidable.

30 NORTHERN GOLFER

One great shot is required at the par five third.

Those who hit driver must beware the penalty area to the left side, which the fairway feeds towards. Those who play short must hit a long second shot to get a look at the green, while those who manage to hit the narrow right side from the tee can be aggressive and leave a short approach over four deep bunkers which guard a long, reverse-P-shaped green.

Tee shots at the 190-yard fourth must carry a deceptively short bunker while navigating between a pair of greenside traps to find a safe spot on a generous putting surface.

The rolling hills of the 454-yard par four fifth present a real test. There’s a bunker hidden by the hill on the right side of the landing area 200 yards from the green, and you must challenge this to leave a manageable second shot. The green is generous and has no bunkers, but steer clear of the slope leading to a penalty area on the left.

Another brilliantly contoured hole follows at the par five sixth. Tee shots directly over the marker post on the brow of the hill will find another generous fairway flanked by tall trees with out of bounds right, and give a view down to the green. Those taking aim at the green in two must avoid a narrow trench some 60 yards short of the green. Beyond this lie two bunkers which pinch the front third of a wide green.

The 391-yard seventh hole can yield birdies to

those who make the most of this wide fairway and stay clear of the fairway bunker on the left. Three bunkers on the right side en-route to the green, including one set well short, can cause trouble for those who approach from too far back.

The par three eighth is just 156 yards but can cause problems as the wind tends to swirl among the trees. The cavernous bunkers on both sides of the raised green are card-wreckers.

The straightaway par four ninth can be stretched to 425 yards and those who tangle with the trees will find themselves in trouble. The green is large and designed to welcome shots hit with long irons or fairway woods.

At the 587-yard par five 10th, caution is advised with out of bounds posts on the right and a bunker waiting for those who bail out left. The boundary is close by en-route to the green too, though the fairway is generous when you play short of the two bunkers around 120 yards from the green. Steer well clear of the deep bunker on the left of the green and you should escape with a par.

Players who hit driver up and over the hill at the 376-yard 11th hole can be richly rewarded with a run down the slope and a wedge shot to a wellguarded, two-tier green featuring three steeply faced bunkers.

The relatively short par four 12th can be played in two ways - either lay up short of the bunker some 140 yards from the green on the right to

COURSEPROFILE

FACT FILE CONTACT Morpeth Golf Club, Morpeth NE61 2BT, tel 01670 504 942 www.morpethgolf.co.uk

leave a long approach over a pair of daunting greenside bunkers, or shape a drive around the trees into the wider section of the fairway and leave a much simpler wedge shot in.

At 312 yards, the 13th should be one of the simplest par fours at Morpeth, and it would be if it weren’t played up a near-vertical slope.

A long iron to the the foot of the hill gives you the opportunity to play your approach with some air in your lungs before climbing the hill to the green, which features a cruelly positioned bunker some 15 yards short on the left and two more at the front right and back left corners.

Played back down the hill, the 14th got our pick for signature hole (see fact file).

A pair of incredibly tight driving holes featuring well-bunkered greens follow. You must have a straight look at both greens to have an unobstructed route. At the 16th, lay up short of the two bunkers on the left around 60 yards short of the green as beyond these lies a penalty area.

Making the carry to the green at the 151yard par three 17th is essential with a burn and deep bunker short. A further three bunkers complete a ring of traps which guard one of the most undulating greens on the course.

The near-400-yard 18th is the stuff of nightmares. An enormous fairway should be easy to find, but out of bounds on both sides can cause havoc on the final tee shot of the round. The hole turns gently to the right with a deep bunker on the left corner some 30 yards short of a large green surrounded by trees which can be very tough to find from the right half of the fairway.

GREEN FEES Full range of options available including group bookings – contact the club by phone or visit the website for further information TOTAL DISTANCE White tees 6,341 yards (Par 71) Yellow tees 5,966 yards (Par 71) Red tees 5,725 yards (Par 73)

While the golf course has benefitted from continued investment in recent years, the clubhouse has not been left behind. The upstairs dining room welcomes some 100 diners for Sunday lunch weekly, while investment has also been made in the locker rooms, swing room and snooker room. Meanwhile, a visit to David Clark’s pro shop is always highly recommended

FEATURES Welcoming clubhouse with superb food, particularly the burgers Pro shop Buggy hire Trolley hire Large practice area with grass tee and mats, and putting green CADDY’S TIP While the fairways are generous, they’re bordered by tall trees - and worse - so those who spray the ball with driver should play cautiously from the tee SIGNATURE HOLE Having made it to the top of the hill, take a moment to enjoy the view from the 14th tee... and catch your breath. A spectacular downhill par three, this 184-yard hole plays a lot shorter than its yardage and can be particularly tricky when the wind blows across the hillside.

The bunkers on the right side are popular landing spots, while shots which carry beyond these are rewarded with a simple chip or a chance for a birdie two

OUR VERDICT

Harry Vardon’s golf courses in our region are a treat and Morpeth’s tree-lined fairways laid out across a great piece of land make it one of the best NORTHERN GOLFER 31

ROUNDWITH A ROUND WITH...

Shola Ameobi The Newcastle United legend and Longhirst Hall Golf Club member shares stories from his golfing career and picks three people to join his dream fourball

F

or Newcastle United fans, Shola Ameobi needs no introduction. The Nigerian-born striker, who moved to Newcastle at the age of five, enjoyed a 15-year career with the Magpies, scoring 53 goals in 312 appearances in all competitions.

Following a spell in Europe and with several clubs in England, Shola retired from professional football in 2018 and returned to Newcastle United in 2019 to manage the club’s loanees, a role he combines with his work as a trustee of the Newcastle United Foundation. A golfer since his early 20s, we caught up with him for 18 holes at Longhirst Hall Golf Club…

1 How much golf do you get to play?

Golf has been a big part of my life and while I play a little less since I retired from football, I still try and play two or three times a week.

2 How did you get into golf?

Golf was a big thing at Newcastle United, especially under Sir Bobby Robson, and I started playing just after I got into the first team. One of the first events I played in was Gary Speed’s golf day at Longhirst and I must have lost about 50 balls in the lakes. I loved the camaraderie though and got the bug. I played a couple of times a week straight after training at Newcastle United Golf Club and got a lot out of working to improve my handicap, which is now down to one. Golf is a great escape and I loved having that release from the pressure of football throughout my career.

3 Which is your favourite course in the North East?

I love playing at Longhirst. The members are fantastic, down to earth people and I can be myself here. I like the modern club environment too, the rules are relaxed but people take their golf seriously, and the two golf courses have come on amazingly in the years I’ve been coming here.

32 NORTHERN GOLFER

4 And further afield?

I always enjoy golf around North Berwick – the courses up there are spectacular. If I had to pick one club to visit, it would have to be Archerfield.

5 What’s your best score?

I shot it this summer, a one under-par 72 on the Dawson Course at Longhirst.

6 Which is your favourite golfing memory?

Once a year, I get together with three mates and we play for a little trophy. One year, at Yas Links in Dubai, one of the guys managed to hit a yacht! I have no idea how he hit it that far out over the water, but it’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.

7 What about your own embarrassing moments on the course?

Playing at Parklands [now High Gosforth Park], I managed to let go of a club midswing and it flew further than the ball into a lake. I’m still not sure how I managed it...

8 Do you have any golfing superstitions?

I don’t think so, though I do have to put my left shoe on first. I’ve done that right through my life though, not just with my golf shoes.

9 What are your strengths on the course?

I drive it long and when I drive it straight, I tend to score well.

10 And your weaknesses?

Being long, I can give myself a lot of good scoring opportunities on my day, but the putter lets me down at times.

11 Which is your favourite club in the bag?

My five iron - it feels like the perfect length for me and there’s nothing better than a properly hit long iron.

12 Who is your best golfing friend?

It’s hard to choose one person as I get so much out of being a social golfer and playing with lots of different people. Back in the day, I played a lot of golf with Alan Smith and brought him on when he was first starting out. .

13 What would you be doing if you hadn’t had a career in football?

I’d always wanted to go to university and I thought I’d study law, but football was always my first love and when I got into the Newcastle system I didn’t look back.

14 Who is your favourite golfer?

Adam Scott – he’s a tall guy too and his swing is so good to watch.

15 Which golf event do you enjoy most?

The Sir Bobby Robson Tournament at Villa Sol in Portugal is so special to be a part of. Seeing the guys he mentored and impacted come together every single year shows just how important Sir Bobby was to the people who were lucky to spend time with him. The money raised by that tournament has also done fantastic things and I’m very proud to still be a part of it.

16 Who do you admire?

From golf, I’d choose Jack Nicklaus. The concession in the Ryder Cup, the way he carried himself while competing and the way he’s become an elder statesman of the sport are inspiring things for every sportsperson.

17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball?

I’d have to go for Denzel Washington, Tiger Woods and Condoleezza Rice.

18 If you could have one mulligan, when would you have used it?

You can keep it, golf’s all about the next shot.

ROUNDWITH

NORTHERN GOLFER 33

Come And Play One Of The Best Links Golf Courses In Britain And Ireland

Undulating fairways, firm fast greens and views across the Solway Firth on one side and the Lake District on the other make Silloth on Solway Golf Club the perfect destination to visit. Book now for 2023. Summer midweek green fees £80 and Weekends £90. Come and play one of the finest links golf courses in the UK.

Silloth on Solway Golf Club Station Road, Silloth Cumbria, CA7 4BL

bookings@sillothgolfclub.co.uk

016973 31304 @sillothonsolwaygolfclub @sillothonsolwaygolfclub @sillothgolfclub

SPECIALFOCUS

Cumbrian caper This month, we head west to Cumbria and visit four of the North West’s best golf clubs

Silloth on Solway Golf Club The Cumbrian coast is blessed with an excellent landscape for golf and Silloth on Solway Golf Club makes stunning use of the natural terrain to present one of England’s finest courses. Designed in 1892 by David Grant and developed by a number of architects throughout its history including Dr Alister MacKenzie and Willie Park Junior, the course is framed by impressive dunes strewn with gorse. Featuring all the hallmarks of a great links, the views across the Firth are spectacular while the sunken dell greens and hazardous bunkering are brought together in a fascinating golf course which is a real pleasure to play. A stalwart among the top 100 golf courses in the UK, regardless of which list you use, Silloth has to be on every golfer’s must-play list.

Silloth on Solway Golf Club, Station Road, Silloth, CA7 4AE, tel 016973 31304, www.sillothgolfclub.co.uk

NORTHERN GOLFER 35

SPECIALFOCUS

Penrith Golf Club Set between the Lake District and the Eden Valley, Penrith Golf Club was formed in 1890 on rolling moorland with views of Blencathra and Helvellyn. The course is laid out on Beacon Hill above Penrith with its mature parkland aesthetics and spectacular views offering the perfect backdrop to a fascinating test of accuracy and green reading skills. Measuring between 6,148 yards from the blue tees and 5,402 yards from the red tees, the challenge here leans more towards ball striking and control rather than driving distance, while a superb set of undulating greens ensure the course is far from a pushover. Meanwhile, the town of Penrith is an ideal hub for a golfing holiday, with accommodation and a number of golf courses nearby. Penrith Golf Club, Salkeld Road, Penrith, CA11 8SG, tel 01768 891 919, www.penrithgolfclub.co.uk

Appleby Golf Club Situated just off the A66 - making access from the east simple – the golf course at Appleby best-described as inland links. Designed by Open champion Willie Fernie, the course makes excellent use of the dramatic landforms and undulations throughout its 5,986 yards, with heather and bracken tightening the layout and providing a stern test of accuracy from the tee and when approaching the greens.

Positioned atop sandstone, which creates firm turf conditions, the course is free-draining and remains playable year-round – a rare trait in the land of the lakes!

The signature hole at Appleby, the 15th, was voted 98th in GB&I’s best golf holes and has Hilton Beck, out of bounds and a concealed green to contend with. Best of luck in your endeavour to make a two.

Appleby Golf Club, Brackenber Moor, Appleby, CA16 6LP tel 017683 51432, www.applebygolfclub.co.uk

APPLEBY GOLF CLUB VOTED 98 IN THE TOP 100 IN GB&I 2022 TH

REMAINING OPENS 2022 LADIES OPEN - Thursday 25th August £12.50 per person CORONATION OPEN - Sunday 4th September £15.00 Per person MIXED OPEN - Saturday 8th October 12.50 per person TELEPHONE: 017683 51432 EMAIL: enquiries@applebygolfclub.co.uk WEBSITE: www.applebygolfclub.co.uk

Appleby Golf Club, Brackenber, Appleby, Cumbria, CA16 6LP 36 NORTHERN GOLFER

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Bank Holiday weekend Opens Spaces available.

SATURDAY, Q Cup, Singles stableford SUNDAY, Rutherford Bowl 4bbb Stableford MONDAY, Toby Cup 36 hole medal SPECIAL 4 BALL RATE FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER £100 four ball when booked via the professional shop and paid for in full, subject to availability.

Contact, Penrith Golf Club, 01768 891919 opt 1 or email professional@penrithgolf.org

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PenrithGolfClubUK

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Penrith Golf Club, Salkeld Road, Penrith, Cumbria CA118SG

NORTHERN GOLFER 37

SPECIALFOCUS

Brampton Golf Club Brampton offers many things - an incredible variety of holes; a heathland course which is playable all year round; spectacular scenery with views to the Pennine fells, Lake District peaks and all the way to Scotland; and a particularly friendly welcome.

Designed by five-time Open champion James Braid, the course remains a challenging test today.

The panoramic views from the clubhouse, which include the par three first hole, are stunning and serve as a perfect backdrop for pre- or post-round food. The first is one of nine holes on the clubhouse side of the road which have given Brampton the label of “mini Gleneagles”, while the other side of the road features the more rugged, quirky and spectacular holes.

The eighth is the standout hole for many with its elevated tee offering views for miles around and a great look at the driveable, short par four.

Meanwhile, the glacial lake of Talkin Tarn provides a beautiful backdrop to a number of holes.

The last three holes are particularly thrilling with the chance to take on another par four and five before a perfect bookend to the course.

Brampton Golf Club, Tarn Road, Brampton, CA8 1HN, tel 016977 2255, www.bramptongolfclub.com

“The Jewel of Cumbria” as described by Golf World

Brampton Golf Club, Cumbria is situated in a beautiful area where you are presented with stunning panoramic views.

Sandy free-draining soil provides fantastic turf for year round Golf.

Founded in 1909, the course was originally designed by James Braid. Golf World has described Brampton Golf Club as ‘The Jewel of Cumbria’.

Telephone 016977 2255 or email golf@bramptongolfclub.com

2023 Bookings now being taken for Visiting Parties and Green Fees 38 NORTHERN GOLFER

www.bramptongolfclub.com Brampton Golf Club, Tarn Road, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 1HN

MATCHPLAYPAIRS2022

Finals countdown J ust eight teams remain in the 2022 edition of Northern Golfer’s Match Play Pairs tournament.

The 21st year of the event has seen pairs of golfers from across the region drawn in knock out matches throughout the season.

These matches have taken place at some of the North East and North Yorkshire’s best venues.

This year’s semi-finals and final will take place in September at George Washington

Round three results Match 49 Luke Allen & David Whalen (Beamish Park) BEAT Stewart Jones & Michael Davison (Bellingham) SCORE: Third extra hole Match 50 Mel Surtees & Doug Cairns (Woodham) BEAT Gary Atkinson & Stephen Carter (Durham City) SCORE: 3&2 Match 51 Steve Garbutt & Mick Purcifer (Billingham) BEAT Colin Arthur & Ralph Brown (Oakleaf) SCORE: 3&2 Match 52 George Armitage & Colin Sampson (Bedlington) BEAT Paul Davison & Ryan Woottton (South Moor) SCORE: 5&4

- with the winners receiving prize vouchers worth £600, while the runners up will receive prize vouchers worth £100. As well as receiving their £600 prize, the tournament winners will appear in Northern Golfer and earn a place in the region’s golfing history books.

For more information, including the rules and the latest results from each round, go to www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ match-play-pairs-2022

Match 53 James Ogden & Kev Nixon (Tynemouth) LOST TO Steve Weldon & David Billham (Whitley Bay) SCORE: 4&3 Match 54 Simon Watson & Russell Taylor (Burgham) BEAT Glen Henderson & Colin Mackay (Newbiggin/City of Newcastle) SCORE: 3&1 Match 55 Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby) BEAT Peter Newman & Michael Robins (Durham City/Hartlepool) SCORE: 2up Match 56 Steven Dodds & Neville Wanless (Durham City/South Moor) BEAT Paul Scott & Jai Scott (Newbiggin) SCORE: 5&4

Quarter-final draw Matches to be played by Sun Aug 21 Match 57 Simon Watson & Russell Taylor (Burgham) VS Steve Garbutt & Mick Purcifer (Billingham) Match 58 George Armitage & Colin Sampson (Bedlington) VS Steve Weldon & David Billham (Whitley Bay) Match 59 Craig Beadling & Jamie McPhillips (Romanby) VS Luke Allen & David Whalen (Beamish Park) Match 60 Steven Dodds & Neville Wanless (Durham City/South Moor) VS Mel Surtees & Doug Cairns (Woodham)

2022 schedule Round one - Matches to be played by Sunday May 29 Round two - Matches to be played by Sunday June 26 Round three - Matches to be played by Sunday July 24 Quarter-finals - Matches to be played by Sunday August 21 The semi-finals and final will take place at George Washington in September 2022

For more information go to the Northern Golfer website and click on Match Play Pairs NORTHERN GOLFER 39

GEARNEWS

Summer must-haves This month we have an innovative short game club from PING as well as a stunning limited-edition set of irons from Mizuno, and new wedge options from Callaway. There are also exciting new rangefinders from Blue Tees, an innovative watch option from SkyCaddie, new clothing from Stromberg, and the return of the iconic Zebra putter brand…

FEELING CHIPR

PING ChipR RRP: £160 (steel), £170 (graphite) ping.com PING has introduced the innovative ChipR - a short game solution that combines elements of a putter and wedge to help golfers improve performance around the greens - to the market.

The investment-cast, 431 stainless steel club is inspired by the PING Chipo, introduced by PING founder Karsten Solheim in the late 1970s for golfers who lacked confidence with a traditional wedge.

With the length of a putter (35ins) and a loft closer to a 9-iron (38.5°), the ChipR is designed to be used on shots of 40 yards or less around the green with a putting-like stroke, resulting in bump-andrun style shots that ensure the distance control and consistency that leads to shorter putts.

The ChipR’s compact size and shallow face combine with the cambered sole to optimize performance and provide versatility from the rough and fringe. The precision milled MicroMax grooves deliver consistent and predictable trajectories for improved control.

LASER FOCUS

Blue Tees Golf Series 3 Max and Series 2 Pro rangefinders RRP: Series 3 Max £199, Series 2 Pro with slope £159 (£149 without slope) www.skymaxsport.com

Blue Tees Golf has launched two rangefinders in the UK – the Series 3 Max and Series 2 Pro. Founded in 2019, Blue Tees’ rangefinders are packed with state-ofthe-art technology. The Series 3 Max features 7x magnification and has a 900-yard range, while the Auto-Ambient Display automatically adjusts colour to ensure the display is clear in all conditions while its Active Slope function can be turned off for tournament play.

Meanwhile, the Series 2 Pro is available in two versions – with or without Active Slope. Both models share an HD optical display and Active Flag Lock technology with pulse vibration to confirm a target is locked. The Series 2 Pro is accurate to 800 yards (+/-1yd).

40 NORTHERN GOLFER

RAW TALENT

Callaway Jaws Raw wedges RRP: £169 (steel), £179 (graphite) eu.callawaygolf.com

Callaway’s new Jaws Raw wedges, created by legendary wedge designer Roger Cleveland, bring together artistry and craftsmanship with cutting edge innovation.

They feature razor-sharp grooves with a 37° wall angle to elevate the groove-edge sharpness with a raw face finish that promotes maximum spin. For the first time, Callaway has also brought tungsten technology to a wedge in order to offer new levels of feel and control.

The Jaws Raw wedges are available in 17 loft and bounce combinations, including the new Z-grind.

GEARNEWS

SOMETHING BLUE

Mizuno Pro 221 in blue IP finish RRP: €2,300 (4-PW) mizunogolf.com Mizuno has announced the global release of 1,221 sets of the Pro 221 muscleback irons in a limited-edition blue IP finish.

The irons, available Autumn 2022, come in a smoky blue plating and feature exclusive ferrules, MCC Teams blue/white grips, and a custom-labelled DG Tour Issue S400 shaft. The plating is softer than chrome and is combined with a copper underlay for improved feel - should you decide to play them instead of displaying them.

ON-TREND

Stromberg SS22 collection RRP: Various stromberggolf.com The Stromberg SS22 collection is available now – providing male, female and junior golfers with stylish seasonal wardrobe additions for the summer.

Featuring both traditional and bolder on-trend designs, there’s a choice of affordable and attractive pieces to suit every style.

Each new polo shirt design features UPF 50 protection and can be combined with colour coordinated mid- and base-layers, hoodies and zip-up tops for cooler days and evening rounds.

The new line-up includes the contemporary Sophie Skort and Salas Leggings for women along with a new waterproof jacket design. Meanwhile, the men’s range features the striking Etna Print Polo and Cerro Mid-layer.

WATCH THIS SPACE

SkyCaddie LX2 GPS Smart Watch RRP: £199.99 www.skycaddie.co.uk

SkyCaddie’s new wearable technology, the LX2 GPS Smart Watch, is the simplest, most powerful watch yet from the brand.

The LX2 comes with SkyCaddie’s no-annual-fees Go Play plan and is pre-loaded with more than 35,000 ground-verified maps. It provides distances to the front, centre and back of every green and also features the new always-on JDI 1.28ins touchscreen display and a Li-polymer battery for up to two rounds on a single charge.

RETURN OF AN ICON

Zebra putters RRP: From £159.99 www.zebragolf.co.uk

Iconic brand Zebra has made a comeback with four new putters.

First introduced in 1976, the Zebra putter was ahead of its time with its mallet-shaped head, adjustable weight system and unique black-and-white stripe alignment aid. Ray Floyd used one of the very first Zebra putters to win the Masters in 1976, while 18 years later Zimbabwe’s Nick Price captured the Claret Jug at Turnberry with a Zebra putter in his bag.

The four new head shapes - a rounded mallet (AIT 1), a fang (AIT 2), high-MOI flange (AIT 3), and a wide-bodied blade (AIT 4) - aim to provide a reliable setup for every putting stroke and every type of golfer. In addition to the striped alignment system, each model also features a grooved face insert and adjustable weights.

NORTHERN GOLFER 41

TIPS

AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL Doug Brolls PGA Profe ssio

nal

A great visualisation to improve your driving accuracy is to pick very specific targets to aim at. By being incredibly specific with your target line, you leave yourself the maximum margin for error.

When faced with a difficult tee shot or a narrow fairway, focus your attention on a single

point – the top branch of a tree or the chimney on a house in the distance – you have to be specific and commit to hitting the ball on that line before you get into your setup. From there, fairways are usually wide, up to 50-plus yards on some courses, so committing to a small target leaves you a lot of room to play with.

Jon Rahm © Arturo Baldasano/Shutterstock.com 42 NORTHERN GOLFER

Thank you to our partners for their continued support of Northern Golfer magazine and its online platforms Retail and brand partners

electricGOLFtrolleysNE Gold club partners Seaton Carew Golf Club

Silver club partners

Bronze club partners

Northern Golfer - The voice of golf in the North East and beyond To join the Northern Golfer partners club and learn more about how we can work together to promote your business or golf club, contact Doug Brolls (Durham and wider region) on 07721 031482, doug@offstonepublishing.co.uk or Gillian Corney (Northumberland) on 07903 500401, gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk

READERCOMPETITIONS

win Northern Golfer competitions are also listed on our website www.northerngolfer.co.uk/ competitions Alternatively, you can post your entry to: Competitions, Northern Golfer, Unit 5b, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL

Please include your contact details and telephone number. Closing date Thursday September 1, 2022. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT STOCKSFIELD GOLF CLUB Set in the stunning Tyne Valley landscape, Stocksfield Golf Club is a challenging parkland layout featuring tree-line fairways winding up the valley and high-quality greens.

For your chance to win answer the following question: In which year did Sandy Lyle win The Masters?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT DARLINGTON GOLF CLUB Laid out by Dr Alister MacKenzie, the course at Darlington Golf Club is a fine example of the good doctor’s design philosophy with its large, rolling greens blending naturally into their surroundings.

Tree-lined fairways demand accuracy from the tee while a unique set of short holes are a treat to play.

For your chance to win answer the following question: Who won the 2022 Evian Championship?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT BRAMPTON GOLF CLUB Situated in a beautiful area of north Cumbria, Brampton features panoramic views of the mountains, the North Pennines and the Southern Uplands of South West Scotland as well as one of the region’s best heathland golf courses, which was designed by the legendary James Braid.

For your chance to win answer the following question: Which golf course will host the 2023 Open Championship?

Congratulations to last month’s competition winners: Whitley Bay - Carol Turnbull of Eyemouth Whitby - Trevor Swann of Ponteland • Dunstanburgh Castle - Mark Howard of Whitley Bay 44 NORTHERN GOLFER

GEORGE WASHINGTON

GOLF CLUB

BOOK YOUR 2023 GOLF SOCIETY TRIP NOW FANTASTIC OFFERS AVAILABLE

For more information call: Bill Michie on 0191 417 8346, e-mail: gsd@georgewashington.co.uk for more details Come along and join us at one of the most improved Courses in the County.

NORTHERN GOLFER 45

from the

bunker

Welcome to your reader feedback page. We want to hear your likes, dislikes and funny golfing stories, and if you’d like to make suggestions about Northern Golfer, let us know. We want to hear from you!

The Aced Academy Tour Championship at Blackwell Grange saw 21 kids play two rounds on the club’s six-hole academy course in sunny, but windy conditions.

The first round saw six players finish within two shots of the lead, which was held by Olivia H with a nett score of 17. The second round saw more great scoring, with Beth C leading the way with a nett score of 16, but the day was all about Olivia H, who shot a nett score of 18 to win by two shots.

The event was part of the season-long order of merit at the Aced Academy, which is run by PGA professional Aaron Cox.

Heworth-based junior James Russell recorded a rare golfing feat by making an albatross at his home club’s ninth hole.

James, 12, started the junior competition with a handicap of 19 and hit a driver from the tee before holing his second shot, also played with a driver, at the par five. The albatross helped him to a score of 47 points in the event.

David Clark and Steve Redpath Congratulations to Morpeth Golf Club professional David Clark and club captain Steve Redpath, who won their SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge regional qualifier and will head to Argentario Golf Resort in Italy October 9-13 to compete for the national title.

© Peter Barron Media James Lusk with ESGA president David Rickaby and Lindsey Bellis, lady captain of Gog Magog

Charlotte Naughton

Best of luck to Chester-le-Street’s James Lusk and Ponteland’s Charlotte Naughton, who will be part of the English Schools team taking on Wales at Chesterfield on August 29.

James earned his place in the 14-strong team of boys and girls with his third-place finish in the English Schools National Championships at Gog Magog with rounds of 76 and 72, finishing four shots behind winner Jake Sowden. He will be joined in the team by Northumberland Ladies county champion Charlotte, who is also the 2022 English Girls’ Under 14 champion.

46 NORTHERN GOLFER

Blackwell Grange Golf Club has continued its tree-planting programme thanks to the support of charity fundraisers.

A £1,200 donation from Darlington Lions Club enabled 19 trees to be planted along the border of the 10th fairway, with a plaque unveiled to commemorate the charity’s generosity.

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Designed to optimise friction for the high spin and control you need to save strokes and lower your scores.

©PING 2022