Northern Golfer #99 February/March 2023

A LIFE IN GOLF

Northumberland legend David Moffat shares stories from seven decades in golf

EDITOR

Dean Bailey 01661 844 115 dean@offstonepublishing.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS

Alan Hedley 07570 797 566 ahedley@northerngolfer.co.uk

Shawn O’Neil

Simon Olver

Chris Paisley

Sean Russell

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

ADVERTISING

01661 844 115

Getting back into the swing of things after an extended break over the festive period is never easy, but it has been helped a great deal this year by some of the people I’ve had the chance to spend time with.

Each of our columnists add so much to the magazine and I’ve enjoyed catching up with them and reading their thoughts.

I also had the pleasure of visiting Wilton Golf Club for the first time in January. While winter course walks aren’t high on even my to-do list, the team and members at Wilton couldn’t have made the day more fun. Having watched Rory McIlroy see off Patrick Reed in Dubai, we spent a few hours walking the course, talking about the club’s unique history and putting together this month’s profile. Thank you to Allison, John, Maurice and James for being so welcoming and reminding me that, no matter when or where, working in golf in the North East is hard to beat.

Having visited Wilton, I then got the chance to spend a day with one of the people I’ve wanted to interview longer than just about anyone else. I first met David Moffat as a teenager at Philips Golf in Burradon and since then I’ve been lucky to chat with him, draw on his knowledge and learn so much from him about golf in our region. His encyclopedic knowledge has been a great help for such a long time and I’m delighted he agreed to share some of his stories in these pages. While he’d never want to be placed in the top tier of golfers from our region, he truly deserves a place among them.

On top of all that, there’s a very busy start to 2023 on the equipment side of the game to catch up on and plenty of news in Teeing Offincluding a brilliant win over in Portugal for Rhys Thompson. There’s also lots of events to look forward to, including the return of our Match Play Pairs tournaments for its 22nd year.

In theory, there shouldn’t be a lot to get excited about in golf in the North East in January, but writing this note as I put the finishing touches to this edition, I’m as enthused as ever - even if the wind is howling. There’s just a few more weeks to wait until the season begins and I’m writing the welcome to a rather special April edition of Northern Golfer - our 100th. I best get to work!

Dean Bailey, editor editor@northerngolfer.co.uk

Publisher: Gary Ramsay

Address: Offstone Publishing Unit 5b. Bearl Farm, Stocksfield Northumberland, NE43 7AL

Tel: 01661 844 115

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FRONT

COVER

Northumberland golf legend

David Moffat shares stories from seven decades in golf

Pages 24-27

©Offstone Publishing 2023. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All information contained in this magazine is as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Offstone Publishing cannot accept responsibility for errors of inaccuracies in such information. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Offstone Publishing a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine. All material is sent at your own risk and although every care is taken, neither Offstone Publishing nor it’s employees, agents or subcontractors shall be held liable resulting for loss or damage. Offstone Publishing endeavors to respect the intellectual property of owners of copyrighted material reproduced herein. If you identify yourself as the copyright holder of material we have wrongly attributed, please contact the office. Offstone Publishing do not guarantee the insertion of any particular advertisement on a specified date or at all.

04 MATCH PLAY PAIRS

Our annual fourball betterball tournament is back

05-13 TEEING OFF

Early wins, invitations, looking ahead to an exciting year, and lots more in our news pages

14 SAVE THE DATE

All the key events to look forward to in 2023

19 TOUR LIFE

With Chris Paisley

20 TOUR TIPS

With Sean Russell

23 ON COURSE

With Simon Olver

30 COURSE PROFILE

Wilton Golf Club

32 GEAR

The latest equipment news

36 SPECIAL FOCUS

Take a break in 2023

42 TIPS

Power plays

43 FITNESS

With Shawn O’Neil

45 COMPETITIONS

Win rounds for four at Gosforth and Wynyard, plus Toptracer sessions at High Gosforth Park’s driving range

46 FROM THE BUNKER

Readers’ tales from around the region

The cold and windy British winter is coming to an end and before we know it Augusta National will be back on our TV screens.

Could you be our next champions ?

Northern Golfer’s Match Play Pairs tournament returns for its 22nd year

Entries are now open online for the 22nd Northern Golfer’s Match Play Pairs tournament.

The 2023 edition of the event will once again see pairs of golfers from across the region compete in fourball betterball knock out matches throughout the season at some of the region’s best venues.

The entry fee remains £30 per pair. The final, at a neutral venue to be confirmed later this season, will take place in September/ October 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 winners will appear in Northern Golfer magazine and earn a place in the region’s golfing history books.

The 2022 tournament saw 62 matches take place over six months with Beamish Park’s Luke Allen and David Whalen crowned champions following their victory in the final at George Washington.

Luke, who plays off a handicap of 17 and 18-handicapper David overcame Whitley Bay-based pair David Billham and Steve Weldon in the final to add their names to the trophy.

“It’s fantastic to be the champions,” said David after the Beamish pair secured a 4&3 victory.

“Having signed up just to give an inter-club event a go, we never expected to make it through a couple of stages, let alone win the whole thing.

“The fourball betterball format suited us really well. Some weeks, I’d play well and others Luke would

Golf in the Scottish Borders

do a lot of the work – we definitely gelled well together and had a fantastic time all the way through the tournament.”

“It’s been an unbelievable experience, right from the first round, and I’m over the moon to put my name on the trophy beside

David,” said Luke. “I was keen to be part of the event so I could see other courses and play competitive golf against some new players. While I was always looking forward to the away draws, David was wanting to play at home as it’s such a big advantage to know the course. The format is something a bit different for me, getting out to other clubs and not having to solely rely on my own shots all the time.”

Northern Golfer editor Dean Bailey added: “The Match Play Pairs tournament is a huge part of the Northern Golfer calendar and brings together golfers from right across the region every season. Our list of past champions shows the diversity of players and venues involved over more than two decades and I look forward to finding out who will add their names to the trophy at the end of the season.”

Cross

2022 Match Play Pairs champions David Whalen and Luke Allen receiving the trophy from George Washington’s Bill Michie

Rhys Thompson starts year with a win

Boldon-based Rhys Thompson got his 2023 season off to a superb start with a runaway victory in Portugal.

The former Durham County Matchplay Champion, who is attached to Slaley Hall, was in Portugal for a three-week run of events to kick off 2023.

He hit top form in his third and final event of the trip, the Palmares Open IV, posting scores of 67 and 66 in the opening two rounds. He then cruised to victory with a comfortable closing two under-par round of 70 - finishing on 13 under-par and leading the field by six shots.

“I teed off in the final round with a six-shot lead and I wanted to maintain that,” said Rhys. “The pressure was on and I didn’t want

to take my foot off the gas and think about the lead too much.

“A change of wind direction made the course a little tougher, but I played really solid in the first two

MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE - ALL CATERGORIES

OPENS

Wednesday 19th April - Ladies Open (Team of 4) - £48 per team

rounds, especially over the back nine and the par fives. I played great over the three days, and quite well leading up to the event too, so it was nice to finish the trip with a win.”

Work continues at Whitburn

A major course development programme at Whitburn Golf Club is well underway.

Contractors are now onsite, with work being carried out on the eighth, 10th and 13th holes - with further work planned - after the club received a £250,000 loan from one of its members.

Outlined by architect Jonathan Gaunt, the programme includes a number of new tees and improvements to bunkering across the course. It is hoped the work will be completed by 2024.

Sunday 7th May - Mens Open Texas Scramble (Team of 4) - £48 per team

Thursday 25th May - Seniors Pairs - 4BBB - £20 pair

Sunday 4th June - Mens Open - 4BBB - £24 pair

Sunday 2nd July - Mens Open Texas Scramble (Team of 4) - £48 per team

Sunday 16th July - Mixed Open - 4BBB - £24 pair

Sunday 6th August - Mens Open - 4BBB - £24 pair

Friday 8th September - Ladies Open Waltz - (Team of 4) - £48 per team

Book online www.gosforthgolfclub.co.uk and on golf empire or Telephone 0191 2853495 (opt 2)

VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME

Telephone Grahame Garland 0191 2853495 (opt 2) to book or for further details.

Clubhouse open to members and non members

Private functions catered for - ring for details

Jess shares experience with next generation

Having enjoyed an incredible year in 2022, Women’s Amateur champion Jess Baker returned home to the North East for the Christmas break and took time to share some of her experiences with next generation of female golfers.

Jess swapped the sunshine of Florida for the snow of Northumberland to meet with girls in the North of England Futures and Regional squads – both coached by JJ Vallely - at Matfen Hall.

Jess was part of the programme from the age of 12 and returned from her third year of a four-year scholarship at the University of Central Florida.

She said: “It’s great to be back and have the chance to experience winter at home. It’s also lovely to spend some time back at Matfen Hall. I remember sitting in the presentations – maybe questioning why we were up here in the snow through the winter at times – but

having done it, I know how valuable all your time in the developmental system is.”

Jess discussed winning the world’s biggest women’s amateur event and being part of major championships alongside the best female golfers in the world. She also shared her experiences of winter training at Matfen, how the friendships built in those sessions have endured into national squads and beyond, and how those experiences played a

part in her reaching the top of the women’s amateur game. She also discussed how they continue to shape her work ethic and training, and how they helped her progress from a 28-handicapper to the Amateur champion in eight years.

“I didn’t have a clearly defined golf role model growing up,” she added. “I think part of that is how I think about the game and the journey I want to take, but there also weren’t girls who’d come through the squads.

To be at the forefront of that for the girls starting their journey is so special. It’s a real honour to give something back to this system.”

Jess also visited England Golf’s HQ at Woodhall Spa to collect her 2022 women’s order of merit title alongside girls’ order of merit winner Lottie Woad before returning to Florida - where she received her invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which takes places ahead of The Masters. Jess will also compete in the first women’s major of 2023, The Chevron Championship, and the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach later this season.

Jess Baker with the Futures and Regional squads

Harper kicks off PGA season with win Charity champions

Wynyard-based professional James Harper picked up a win to kick off a packed year of professional tournaments and pro ams on the North East & North West PGA circuit in 2023.

James topped the leaderboard in the January Pairs Pro Am at Dunstanburgh Castle with 36 points as Tyneside’s James Wilson finished a shot behind in second place.

Middlesbrough’s Gordon Cattrell and Richard Bowden won the team event with 39 points.

This year’s schedule is set to be another exciting one, with six professional tournaments - including the new Dunstanburgh Classic in September – and the six-event Pro Series in the Mizuno Order of Merit.

Meanwhile, the region’s best PGA professional will have the opportunity to compete in 31 pro ams. As well as club pro ams across the region, there’s two overseas events – Turkey in February and

Portugal in November – plus two trips to Scotland for the Turnberry Pro Am in aid of the Alan Shearer Foundation in March and a new Carnoustie Pro Am in October.

NE/NW PGA secretary Steve Harrison said: “2023 is shaping up to be another fantastic year for our association. We have so many fantastic venues to visit - from the best of the best in the North

of England to visits to two Open Championship host venues. As ever, the clubs in the region continue to welcome the association’s events and pro ams brilliantly and I can’t thank all 31 of our 2023 hosts, as well as all of our sponsors and partners, enough for their ongoing support.”

For the full 2023 NE/NW PGA schedule visit www.nenwpga.co.uk

South Moor Golf Club will host a charity golf day in aid of NewstrAid, a charity which supports people who work or have worked in the sale and distribution of newspapers and magazines.

The event will take place on Thursday May 11, with teams of four priced at £100 (or £25 for an individual player).

Anyone interested in taking part in the golf day should visit www.southmoorgc.co.uk to book their place. The day will include bacon rolls on arrival, with tee times from 8am-1pm. There are prizes for the top teams and nearest the pins. www.newstraid.org.uk

for

2023 OPENS

Gents 4BBB Stableford - Saturday 20th May - £30 per pair

Gents 4 Man Team Stableford - Sunday 21st May - £60 per team

Mixed Open Team Stableford - Saturday 27th May - £60 per team

Seniors Open 1 - 4BBB over 55s - ursday 8th June - £30 per pair

Ladies Team American Scramble - Friday 16th June - £48

Senior Open 4-man team over 55s - ursday 20th July - £60

Ladies Team Open - Tuesday 29th August - £48

Seniors Open 2 - 4BBB over 55s - ursday 31st August - £30 per pair

Senior Open 4-man Scramble over 55s - ursday 28th Sept - £60

James Harper

Alfie’s ready to build on strong 2022

Wilton’s Alfie Baldwin is looking to build on a successful 2022 season as he makes the move up to under-18 level.

Runner-up in the Northern Golfer Junior Champion of Champions at Longhirst Hall, 16-year-old Alfie had a string of top finishes last term, including topping qualifying for the Junior European Open at Middlesbrough Golf Club, finishing sixth in the Yorkshire Boys Amateur Championship, and finishing in the top-20 at the North of England under-16s.

“I was really happy with a lot of my performances in 2022,” said Alfie. “It was great to play in the biggest national events, including the Scottish Boys and McGregor Trophy, and have some top finishes.

“I’m also really proud of my record for Teesside and Yorkshire last year, losing just one game and being top points scorer in the Northern Counties Boys’ final at Arcot Hall.”

One of the highlights of the year came at the finals of the 30th Junior European Open in Spain, Alfie’s first tournament outside the UK.

“The trip to Spain was a great experience. My dad was on the bag, and while I didn’t get the result I

wanted, I learned a lot and will use all that experience moving forward.”

Part of England Golf’s Yorkshire Regional Squad, which is coached by Steve Robinson, +1.4-handicapper Alfie has set his sights on building on his performances for Teesside

and Yorkshire in 2023. He will also be continuing his work with coach James Kraus at Wilton, where he also supports the development of fellow juniors alongside James.

“I’m looking forward to the step up to under-18 level and continuing to reduce my handicap,” added Alfie, who achieved a scratch handicap at the age of 14 having picked up the game at the age of seven.

“I’d like to keep advancing with Yorkshire and England too after some good work this winter - then we’ll see what happens at tournaments once the season is underway.

“I have to add a huge thank you to all the people who’ve helped me on my journey so far – from James and the coaches at Yorkshire and England to the Woodsmith Foundation, John Paul Hairdressing, and all the members at Wilton Golf Club who have supported me and fundraised to help me make it over to Spain last season.”

Wilton president Maurice Downing, Alfie Baldwin, and club captain John Buxton

Junior Tour set for exciting 2023

The Northern Junior Golf Tour has announced exciting changes to its packed schedule for 2023 – with each date in the schedule now incorporating both the 18-hole Masters and nine-hole Rookies tours.

A total of 17 events will take place across the north this season – starting at Brancepeth Castle in April before visiting clubs in Northumberland, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire and – for the first time – Scotland. The leading players on both tours will then take part in the Grand Final at Thonock Park on September 1.

Since 2008, the Northern Junior Golf Tour – which became the first junior golf tour to become a signatory of The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter in December 2022 - has welcomed thousands of young golfers to its events.

Founder Jason Budd said: “We felt now was the time to restructure our events to provide the best experience for each junior golfer - with high quality events, professional setups and a welcoming environment which they can thrive in. To-date, we’ve filled our 125 places for tour members in 2023 and we're already reaching capacity for some events as we prepare to welcome hundreds of juniors of all ages to tournaments throughout the season once again.

“We’re delighted to be heading to Scotland and the fantastic Lundin Links for the very first time this year too as we travel right across the North, building up to another exciting Grand Final at Thonock Park.”

The tour will also be hosting its first Adult & Junior Pairs event at Blackwell Grange Golf Club this year. The event takes place on Friday June 2 with tee times from 2pm.

For all the information on this year’s Northern Junior Golf Tour events visit www.northernjuniorgolftour.co.uk

North East Area Committee Charity Golf Day

Thursday 11th May 2023

South Moor Golf Club, The Middles, Craghead Stanley, Co Durham DH9 6AG

£100 for a team of four or £25 per individual Book via club website: www.southmoorgc.co.uk/ golf/book-a-tee-time/ and click on Open Days/Competitions

All proceeds will go to support charity NewstrAid www.newstraid.org.uk

BOOK

MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE - CURRENTLY NO JOINING FEE

Further details telephone Brian Rumney on 01661 822689 (option 3) or email:generalmanager@thepontelandgolfclub.co.uk

OPENS 2023

Sunday 7th May & Sunday 30th July - Mens 4BBB Stableford

Tuesday 9th May & Tuesday 1st August - Seniors 4BBB Stableford

Friday 9th June - Ladies 4 person Texas Scramble

Thursday 7th September - Ladies 3 person team Waltz

Sunday 27th August - Mixed Pairs

Book online www.thepontelandgolfclub.co.uk

Ponteland Golf Club, Ponteland, NE209BD

JULIE LAPPING – SECRETARY

Billingham Golf Club, Sandy Lane, Billingham, TS22 5NA

Email: billinghamgc@btconnect.com

Tel: 01642 533816 – Option 1

MIKE URE - PROFESSIONAL

Billingham Golf Club, Sandy Lane, Billingham, TS22 5NA

Email: uregolfman@aol.com

Tel: 01642 557060

BETH COLLICT – (BAR AND FACILITIES MANAGER)

Billingham Golf Club, Sandy Lane, Billingham, TS22 5NA

Email: billinghamgc@btconnect.com

Tel: 01642 533816 – Option 1

2023 Opens

18/03/2023: Team Open

@ Billingham Golf Club£30.00 per team (3)

17/05/2023: Mixed Pairs Open

@ Billingham Golf Club£25.00 per couple

14/06/2023: Gents Senior Pairs Open

@ Billingham Golf Club£20.00 per pair

29/07/2023: Gents Team Open

@ Billingham Golf Club£40.00 per team (4)

14/08/2023: Ladies Team Open

@ Billingham Golf Club£36.00 per team (3)

23/08/2023: Team Open

@ Billingham Golf Club£40.00 per team (4)

07/10/2023: Team Open

@ Billingham Golf Club£30.00 per team (3)

TEEINGOFF

Coultas takes up county role

Simon Coultas has been appointed secretary of the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs.

As the first point of contact for men’s golf in the countywhich is made up of 39 clubs between the rivers Tweed and Tyne - Simon will steer the union’s delivery of annual tournaments and team matches for men and boys, and support clubs on a range of matters from course rating and handicapping to hosting championships.

“I’m delighted to have taken on the role of county secretary,” said Simon, a former chairman and captain of City of Newcastle Golf Club. “Having moved from the executive into the secretary’s job, I understood part of what went on, but I’ve learned a great deal already and I’m looking forward to an exciting year of golf across the county.”

Part of the team – alongside Phil Ridden, Mark Laverick and Graham Forrest – which has transformed the boys’ system in Northumberland and supported them in winning a national title in 2021 and back-to-back Northern Counties league titles, Simon is keen to continue developing talented youngsters.

“The success of the boys’ programme in recent years has been phenomenal,” he added. “One of our key priorities is identifying and nurturing the next generation of elite boys, moving them through our squads and ultimately into the men’s team and beyond.”

As well as elite golf, Simon will be working with clubs and golfers right across Northumberland. “Although we have a relatively small number of clubs, ours is an incredibly diverse county. One of the challenges will be ensuring every club is part of what we do - whether it’s reaching out for support, hosting an event or playing in our tournaments from the elite level to the County Salver and Forster Cup for mid and high handicap golfers.”

R&A Community Golf programme launched in GB&I

England Golf and partners across Great Britain and Ireland are collaborating on a pioneering R&A-backed Community Golf Instructor Programme which will create a new workforce to help develop the game.

The programme will deliver introductory group golf sessions,

with the training developed and piloted in 2023 before being rolled out in 2024.

A collaboration between the Home Nation Associations (Scottish Golf, Wales Golf, Golf Ireland & England Golf), the Golf Foundation and the PGA, it has the full backing and financial support of The R&A.

Rumney settling in Partnering up

Brian Rumney has settled into his role as general manager at Ponteland Golf Club having made the switch from Eaglescliffe at the end of the 2022 season.

Having spent four years in Teesside, Brian - who joined the PGA in 1984 - moved to Ponteland following the retirement of Nigel Mills. Since then, he has hit the ground running after teaming up with long-time friends Craig Kilgour, the club’s head greenkeeper, and club professional Alan Crosby.

“While it was a difficult decision to leave Eaglescliffe, a club which I’m very fond of and had a great time managing. I think I’ve left the club in a strong position and in very good hands,” said Brian, who lives just a few minutes from Ponteland.

“It’s been a comfortable transition, helped greatly by my long-term relationships with fellow PGA pro Alan, and Craig.”

The professional course record holder at Ponteland - a nine under-par 63 to win a pro am in 1994 - Brian is looking forward to supporting the club’s development.

“As always in a new job, and a new club, there’s a lot to learn. This is a career where you’ll be at your very best on the day you retire as there’s so much to experience in every club.

There is a lot Ponteland does very well and I’d like to see it continue in those areas while lending my experience to the committee and supporting their ambition to enhance revenue streams on- and off-course. At the heart of the club is the members’ experience, and I look forward to supporting the delivery and improvement of that as well.”

MEMBERSHIP FEES 2023

WEEKDAY SOCIETIES

2023 MEMBERSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL CATEGORIES

Membership year runs from 1st January until 31st December

7 DAY £685 • 5 DAY £580

FLEXIBLE EZ4U £150

Contact us for full detail or visit our website

For further information contact us on the email below subscriptions@ravensworthgolfclub.co.uk

£20 discount to be applied when paying in full for 7/5 day memberships

Monthly payment options available

• Reduces rates for those aged 18 to 25

• Twilight and Country £290

RAVENSWORTH GOLF CLUB

The next generation of PGA professionals will have access to the latest golf coaching technology for putting and swing education thanks to a new partnership between The PGA and Zen Green Stage.

The partnership builds on a worldwide shift towards active playing surfaces indoors, enhancing golf instruction and entertainment, and allowing the next generation of PGA coaches to learn to teach on moving floors. PGA members visiting The PGA’s National Training Academy at The Belfry - as well as traineeswill have access to a variety of Zen moving floors for putting and full swing coaching.

WEEKDAY SOCIETIES GOLF ONLY£22

Discounts available if 16 or more players. Each booking receives a 4-ball voucher.

PAR - Bacon roll & co ee. Followed by 18 holes. £26.00

BIRDIE - Bacon roll & co ee. 18 holes followed by a 1 course meal. £32.95

EAGLE - Bacon roll & co ee. 18 holes, followed by a 2 course meal. £35.95

All packages can be tailored to suit individual requirements including the options of Soup & Sandwiches or a light bu et.

Nearest the pin & longest drive markers available if needed.

PUSH TROLLEY HIRE: £3.50 • ELECTRIC BUGGY HIRE: £22

Weekend options available please contact us for further information.

Faldo to host British Masters

Six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo has been named as the host of the Betfred British Masters, which will take place at The Belfry until 2026.

The Englishman, who received a knighthood in 2009, won the Masters Tournament three times and claimed three Open Championship titles. He won 30 times on the European Tour and represented Europe in 11 consecutive Ryder Cups from 1977 to 1997 before captaining the team in 2008. He will host the 2023 Betfred British Masters at The Belfry June 29-July 2.

Golf lounge proving a success

The Tyne Valley Golf Lounge, which officially opened at Prudhoe Golf Club in December, has proved a huge success in its first weeks of operation with elite golfers, youngsters, local businesses and complete beginners taking the opportunity to play indoor golf.

Launched following a successful crowdfunding campaign, the facility is home to industry-leading TrackMan technology - allowing golfers to practise and play with accurate data while youngsters and beginners can try fun games.

Having raised more than £23,500 through crowdfunding, donations and support from Sport England’s Places and Spaces fund, the new studio is also a base for year-round coaching, junior development programmes, pre- and post-round entertainment. It has also opened new revenue streams for the club while enhancing existing ones.

Andrew Scrimshaw, Prudhoe’s director of golf, said: “Thanks to the

Wynyard Golf Club

generous support of our members, the public and local businesses, and Sport England, we’ve been able to transform an underutilised part of the clubhouse into a thriving new part of the business.

“We’ve welcomed members of all ages as well as youngsters and people from the local community, local businesses, elite teams from clubs and counties, and hundreds of individuals to Prudhoe in the middle of the winter.

“There are games and tools for golfers at every level – from players competing around the globe to those picking up a golf club for the first time. It’s also been a huge addition to my coaching too.

“We couldn’t be happier with the response we’ve had since launching and we’re looking forward to seeing more golfers visit us.”

Follow Tyne Valley Golf Lounge on social media. For bookings visit tinyurl.com/5d7wuvfp

An exceptional golf experience

SUMMER SOCIETY & GREEN FEE PACKAGES

1ST MAY 23 – 31ST OCTOBER 23

SOCIETY PACKAGE - £60 PER HEAD

Includes Coffee & Bacon Rolls on arrival, 18 Holes of Golf on The Championship Wellington Course, Followed by a 1 Course Meal. (Minimum of 12 golfers required).

WYNYARD 4 BALL - £220 PER 4 BALL (£55 EACH)

Includes Coffee & Bacon Rolls on arrival followed by 18 Holes of Golf on The Championship Wellington Course.

WYNYARD 2 BALL - £130 PER 2 BALL (£65 EACH)

Includes Coffee & Bacon Rolls on arrival followed by 18 Holes of Golf on The Championship Wellington Course.

Please contact The Professional Shop on 01740 644399 option 1 or email enquiries@wynyardgolfclub.co.uk to make your booking.

BIGGA hosts UK's greatest show on turf

More than 4,000 greenkeepers and golf industry figures were part of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate as the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association celebrated the best of the profession with awards and announced new initiatives.

Some 800 staff representing 120 exhibitors took part in the threeday trade show at the Harrogate Convention Centre, while BIGGA’s Continue to Learn education conference, which took place in the same week, also welcomed thousands of greenkeepers.

On the opening night, David Golding’s work in supporting the education of greenkeepers was recognised with the Outstanding Contribution Award. David, whose career spanned more than 50 years, moved from greenkeeping to become BIGGA’s first education officer in 1989. In 1993 he became education director of the

Greenkeepers Training Committee, a position he held until his retirement. There were also wins for Abridge Golf Club in Essex (Championship Greenkeeping Performance) and Strathaven Golf Club in South Lanarkshire (Greenkeeping Project).

BIGGA and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) also launched a

THE DRIVING RANGE AT HIGH GOSFORTH PARK

collaboration which will see BIGGA exclusively present GCSAA’s First Green STEM education programme in the UK.

Founded in 1997, First Green is the only STEM education and environmental outreach programme which uses golf courses as learning labs. Using STEM concepts connected to golf course

management and conservation, students find new inspiration in their schoolwork and learn about the possibility of a career in golf or a STEM-related field. First Green also gives students a first-hand look at the important role of greenkeepers.

Jim Croxton, CEO of BIGGA, said: “It’s hard to put into words how proud I am of what our team achieved in the last 10 months. To see buzzing halls and so many smiling faces, and receive the excellent feedback we have, is testament to the outstanding work of the BIGGA team and wider community to put on this wonderful trade show and education programme. BTME also gave us the opportunity to unveil some of the hugely important work we’ve been doing behind the scenes, with initiatives like First Green set to shape the industry moving forwards. We’re excited for what the year ahead has in store, but rest assured we’ve begun planning BTME 2024 in Harrogate next January too.”

Bookings are recommended, a bay is not guaranteed without one.

With Toptracer Range, you can compete against friends, play virtual courses, see your shot trace, and receive instant stats. The worlds best players use it - now you can too.

David Golding

Save the date –2023 diary

The 2023 season is just a few weeks away, which means it’s time to prepare for this year’s key events locally, nationally and internationally

Mar 7-10 Sunningdale Foursomes at Sunningdale

Mar 9-12 The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass

Mar 29-Apr 1 Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Augusta National

Apr 1-2 Northumberland Inter County Foursomes Rounds 1-4 at Magdalene Fields and Alnmouth Village

Apr 6-9 The Masters Tournament at Augusta National

May 7 Northumberland North & South Trophy at Seahouses

May 12-14 Yorkshire Ladies County Championship at Belford

May 15-19 English Senior Women’s Amateur at Stoneham

May 16 Brabazon Trophy North Qualifier at Delamere Forest

May 18-21 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club

May 20

Northumberland U18 Strokeplay

Championship at Bellingham

May 27-29

Durham Ladies Championship at Bishop Auckland

Apr 20-23

Chevron Championship at The Club at Carlton Woods

Apr 28-30 The Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship at Enville

May 20-21

Northumberland Strokeplay

Championship at Bellingham

Brabazon Trophy at Sunningdale

May 25-28

Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham & St Annes

Apr 28-30

May 27-29

Durham Ladies

Championship at Bishop Auckland

May 20-21 Northumberland Strokeplay at Bellingham

Sept 17 The Northern Golfer Champion of Champions returns to Longhirst Hall

May 27-Jun 4 Durham County Matchplay Championship at Darlington

May 28-30

Northumberland County Ladies’ and Junior Girls’ Championships at Hexham

May 28-30 Cumbria Ladies County Championships at Brampton

May 31-Jun 1 The Lagonda at Gog Magog

Jun 1 Yorkshire Boys Championship at Moor Allerton

Jun 3 Northumberland Teams Championship at Blyth

Jun 6 England Senior Series Northern Masters at Seaton Carew

Jun 7 England Captains Northern Masters at Seaton Carew

Jun 7-9 English Senior Men’s Strokeplay at Alwoodley and Pannal

Jun 9-11 St Andrews Links Trophy at St Andrews

Jun 10 Northumberland Captains & Vicecaptains at Longhirst Hall

Jun 13-18 The Women’s Amateur Championship at Prince’s

Jun 14-15 Northumberland Seniors

Championship at Arcot Hall

Jun 15-18 US Open at Los Angeles Country Club

Jun 19-21 Northern Counties Ladies Match Week at Eden

Jun 19-24 The Amateur Championship at Hillside and Southport & Ainsdale

Jun 22-25 KPMG Women’s PGA at Baltusrol

Jun 24 Cumbria County Championship at Brampton

Jun 25 Durham Boys Championship at Consett

Jun 25-Jul 2 Northumberland County Championship at Ponteland

Jun 26 The Open Regional Qualifying

Jun 27-28 English Open for Golfers with a Disability at Kings Norton

Jun 29-Jul 2 Betfred British Masters at The Belfry

Jun 30-Jul 2 English U18 Amateur Championship at Effingham

Jun 26 The Open Regional Qualifying

Jul 11-15 European Team Champs

Jul 4 The Open Final Qualifying

Jul 5 Northern Counties Boys Qualifying

(AKA The Little Six) at The Tytherington

Jul 5 English Schools Team Championship at Woodhall Spa

Jul 6-9 US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach

Jul 7-9 Logan Trophy at Enville

Jul 11-14 Senior Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships at Woodhall Spa

Jul 11-15 European Team Championships at various venues

Jun 13-18 Jess Baker defends The Women’s Amateur Championship at Prince’s

Jul 13-16 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance

Jul 14-16 Durham County Strokeplay

Championship at Whickham

Jul 15 Durham Ladies Junior Championship at Billingham

Jul 15 Northumberland County Salver at Longhirst Hall

Jul 17 NE/NW PGA Sunderland of Scotland

Masters at Westerhope

Jul 18-20 English U25 Championship at Woburn

Jul 18-20 McGregor Trophy at Hunstanton

Jul 19-20 Durham County Seniors Championship at Eaglescliffe

Jul 20-23 The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool

Jul 22 Durham Clubs Championship at Consett

Jul 25-26 Northern Counties Seniors

Championship at Furness

Jul 25-27 English Girls Open Championship at The Caversham

Jul 25-28 Carris Trophy at Moor Park

Jul 26-28 North of England U14 Junior Strokeplay

Championship at Beamish Park

Jul 27-30 The Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl

Jul 27-30 Evian Championship at Evian

Jul 29 Durham Second Division Championship at Durham City

Jul 30 Northumberland Fenwick Smith Trophy at Dunstanburgh Castle

Jul 31 NE/NW PGA Championship at Tyneside

Jul 31 NE/NW PGA Championship at Tyneside

Aug 1 North Region Close at Hexham

Aug 1-3 English Girls U16 & U14 Open Championship at Shifnal

Aug 1-6 English Amateur Championship at Ferndown and Broadstone

Aug 3-6 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links

Aug 5 Durham Third & Fourth Division Championships at Blackwell Grange

Aug 8-10 Girls’ and Boys’ Home Ints. at Lindrick

Aug 8-10 Reid Trophy at Sandiway

Aug 9 Northern Counties Men’s Qualifying (AKA The Big Six) at Mount Murray

Aug 9-11 Women’s and Men’s Home Internationals at Machynys

Aug 10 Northern Counties Seniors’ Qualifying at Castletown

Aug 10-13 AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath

Aug 13 Northumberland Forster Cup at Bamburgh Castle

Aug 14-18 English Senior Men’s Amateur Championship at Luffenham Heath

Aug 15 Yorkshire U16 and U14 Boys Championships at Middlesbrough

Aug 15-17 Junior Champion Club at Woodhall Spa

Aug 15-20 The Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championships at Ganton and Fulford

Aug 22-24 Yorkshire Amateur Championship at Moortown

Aug 24-26 English Women’s Open Strokeplay Championship at Manchester

Aug 24-27 PGA Tour Tour Championship at East Lake

Aug 29-31 English Boys’ County Finals at John O’Gaunt

Aug 30 NE/NW PGA Tour Championship at Brancepeth Castle

Sept TBC Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs final

Sept 1 Northern Junior Golf Tour Grand Final at Thonock Park

Sept 2-3 The Walker Cup at St Andrews

Sept 2-3 English Women’s Champion Club at St Ives

Sept 3 Durham Clark Cup Final (Venue TBD)

Sept 9-10 England Golf Girls’, Women’s and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions at Woodhall Spa

Sept 12 NE/NW PGA Dunstanburgh Classic at Dunstanburgh Castle

Sept 14-17 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth

Northern Golfer Offer

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2023 OPEN COMPETITIONS

SENIOR MEN’S BETTER BALL

Wednesday 31st May 2023 £40 per pair

LADIES TEAM OF 4

Monday 3rd July 2023 £50 per team

SENIOR MEN’S TEAM OF 4

Wednesday 6th Sept 2023 £80 per team

BOOKINGS

To book green fees or the opens scan the QR code or go to www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/golf and select book.

Sept 16-17 – England Golf Boys’, Men’s and Senior Men’s Champion of Champions at Woodhall Spa

Sept 17 Northern Golfer Champion of Champions for Men, Women and Juniors at Longhirst Hall

Sept 17 Northumberland & Durham Inter-County

Foursomes Final at South Shields

Sept 20-27 NE/NW PGA Matchplay

Championship at Slaley Hall

Sept 22-24 The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin

Sept 22-24 English Women’s County Finals at King’s Lynn

Sept 23-24 English Men’s Champion Club at Ealing

Sept 29-Oct 1 English Men’s County Finals at Southport & Ainsdale

Sept 29-Oct 1 The Ryder Cup at Marco Simone

Oct 1 NERGA Rabbits Finals Day at Romanby

Oct 3-5 North of England Amateur Championship at Seaton Carew

Oct 5-8 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns

Oct 8 NERGA Inter Finals Day at Ramside Hall

Oct 10-12 English Senior Men’s County Finals at Thorpeness

Nov 16-19 DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates

Nov 16-19 CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburón

RAMSIDE GOLF CLUB

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Sept 22-24 The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin (©Tristan Jones/LET)

Sept 2-3 The Walker Cup at St Andrews

Sept 29-Oct 1 The Ryder Cup at Marco Simone

All categories of membership are AVAILABLE NOW Fees held for 2023/2024

Full membership £664.50. Other categories on request. Groups joining fees can be discounted.

MEMBERSHIP FUNCTIONS

Room hire available for all events.

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VISITING PARTIES OPENS

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Weekdays coffee/bacon roll +18 holes £26.00

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LADIES

Saturday 22nd April 2023 Team of 3 Stableford £37.50p/team.

Saturday 9th September 2023 team of 4 American Texas Scramble £50.00p/team.

SENIORS (55 YEARS AND OVER)

Monday 8th May 2023 Team of 4 £50.00p/team

Thursday 13th July 2023 4BBB Stableford £25.00p/team

Tuesday 12th September 2023 Team of 4 Texas Scramble £50.00p/team

Chris Paisley

Fresh start

Chris Paisley discusses the changes in his game and life at home as he heads into 2023 on the Challenge Tour

As we start 2023, a lot of things have changed. My golf swing has improved, I rarely hit a snap hook, I’m physically stronger, and I’ve got a full tank of energy to take into the new season. Oh, and we had a baby!

Annie Kate Paisley was born on January 2. All is well with her and mummy. Ella has really taken to being a big sister too, despite being disappointed that Annie can’t actually play with her yet. Life now feels 100 times more chaotic, but we’re loving it.

This latest 10-week break has been the longest I’ve taken from tournament golf in my career. The way things went in the last 18 months forced me to look internally and externally, and make a plan going forward.

I knew I needed to do some things differently to get back to where I feel I can be. Fortunately, the main issue was already being taken care of. My golf swing has been getting back

on track for a while now and I feel it is better than it has ever been. It looks and feels great, and seems to be functioning much more efficiently. I have not played any tournaments, but I feel like a real golfer again.

I had lost some speed these last years too, which I have managed to get back. There is of course some way to go. I need to transfer that work into scores and results, but at the very least I feel like my old self.

I haven’t necessarily worked harder this winter, but I have certainly worked smarter. I’m doing a great job of analysing my sessions and feeding back to my team. This keeps me on track and makes work easier for my coaches. I feed back to them every few weeks, so they know what I’m up to, how I feel

about things, and how I’m performing in practice. I haven’t made any sweeping lifestyle changes, but I’ve implemented plenty of tweaks and improvements. I’m eating better, training harder and more consistently, and managing my time better. I also started doing ice baths three times a week since that’s all the rage now. I am currently in Cape Town, about to start the 2023 Challenge Tour season. It was odd not heading off to the Middle East in January, but that gave me another boost of determination to make sure I’m back there next season. I’m excited for the challenge this year will bring. It’s going to be a tough road, but I’m enthused by where my game and head are. I wouldn’t say I’m full of confidence, but I am definitely a lot more competent than I was in 2022. One thing I have come to learn is that competence is a lot more important than confidence.

Behind the scenes

Retired DP World Tour caddy Sean Russell on what caddies get up to between events

Every Thursday we watch the DP World Tour on TV, but have you ever wondered what the caddies get up to between the last putt on Sunday and the first tee shot?

First off, we pack our player’s travel bag – in goes the giant tour bag; three pairs of shoes; any boxes of balls we haven’t snaffled for ourselves; and all their training aids - of which there are many weird and wonderful ones on tour (perhaps a topic for the future). The first time you do it, it takes ages. After a few months, you’re like a Formula 1 pit crew.

Then it’s off for one of the 60-80 flights we take every year. You’ll always find trainers and spare shirts in a seasoned caddy’s hand luggage just in case the bags go missing - an inevitability at some point during a long season.

Assuming all goes well, you’ll end up at the next venue on Sunday night or

Monday morning. The first thing you do Monday morning is collect the yardage book. These aren’t the average books you’ll find in the club shop, they’re specifically created for that week’s tournament by Dion Stephens, an Australian lad.

The Book is the caddy’s bible. The level of detail - run outs, carries, lines off tees etc - has to be seen to be believed. Some caddies buy their own book and one for their player, while some players buy them. Caddies prefer to work for players in the latter category.

Then it’s off to your brand’s tour truckpart workshop, part equipment store, part lounge. Here we’ll pick up three dozen balls, four gloves, and any new shoes or clubs our player has ordered.

These all go straight in the locker ahead of the player’s arrival. That’s also a topic for another time - some players are very, very particular about how these are organised. I can’t stress it enough just how particular some guys are!

Ideally, your player turns up and wants to play nine holes. That means they’ll play the other nine on Tuesday so you don’t have to get there at silly

o’clock to get out before the snails who play their interminable practice rounds mid-morning.

Practice rounds are so important for player and caddy. A lot of time is spent around the greens. Here we’re looking at where the best misses are; where they are likely to put the flags; and where we want to play to certain pin positions30ft short might be better than 10ft long for example.

While that work is still done, more and more decisions are being made based on stats, using systems like Eduardo Molinari’s StatisticGolf or Scott Fawcett’s DECADE system.

Wednesday is pro am day. Personally, I always liked them - mainly because they were preferable to divot-watching on the range. They’re also an extra practice round and you get some great groups, though your player never wants to win one as that means having to go to the prize giving!

Then all of a sudden, it’s Thursday and you’re teeing it up again - though there’s always a little voice reminding you it’s only four days until you pack up and start all over.

Sean Russell

BE PART OF THE CLOSE HOUSE TEAM

Close House is so much more than a golf club - it’s a place our staff call home and one where no two days are the same

With a dozen departments and a team of more than 100 people, we have roles to suit all skillsets. As we head into the 2023 golf season, we’re recruiting additional staff across a number of temporary positions – from seasonal greenkeepers to restaurant servers and refreshment buggy attendants.

Our Golf Services team, which is also recruiting for the 2023 season, is a key part of the Close House experience. They’re the first people who greet golfers, help them prepare for the round, and keep the whole golf operation moving – from day-to-day member rounds and supporting our biggest events to preparing clubs, trolleys and buggies for players. Schedules are flexible, with the roles suiting keen golfers and those looking for part-time working patterns this summer.

With the Lee Westwood Colt Course, a two-time host of the DP World Tour’s British Masters, Filly Course and Yearling par-three course there are lots of options for golfers to take to the course at Close House. We’re also home to the North East’s only PGA Academy, while the No19 clubhouse and Courtyard, Pavilion and Lodge accommodation offer unrivalled luxury after a round.

GETTING TO KNOW DAVID THREADGILL, GOLF SERVICES TEAM MEMBER

What did you do before you worked at Close House?

I was a Police Officer in the Durham Constabulary for more than 30 years before retiring and pursuing my passion for catering. I owned various catering establishments before working at Barnard Castle Golf Club until start of the Covid pandemic.

What are your main responsibilities at Close House? Working in the Golf Services department, I make sure everything is clean and tidy as well as helping our members and visitors with any problems or questions they may have before and after rounds. The main job is to enhance their overall experience here.

What do you enjoy most about the job? Being outside in the fresh air and working in golf.

Being an avid golf fan, I really enjoy this part of the job, especially in the summer. The flexibility of the job is also a huge benefit and allows me to plan my weeks around my other interests.

What are some of the benefits of working at Close House? Having access to the facilities is huge, but more than anything else, working with such nice people makes a real difference and sets this place apart. Working in close proximity with golf professionals who can help me improve my game is brilliant, while being able to watch Lee Westwood practise is a true pleasure.

Would you recommend a job at Close House this summer? Definitely! During the summer, Close House is such a stunning place to work. With roles available in many areas of the business, there is something for everyone. If you’re golf-orientated, even better!

Roles at Close House include a range of benefits, including access to the golf courses and PGA Academy. For further information on seasonal vacancies, please email Jonathan Greenwood, jonathan.greenwood@closehouse.co.uk with a copy of your CV and a brief outline of the role/roles you are interested in.

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Simon Olver

Tournament ready

Simon Olver, course manager at Ganton, on preparing for tournament golf and what goes into hosting international championships

In 2023, Ganton has the honour of hosting The R&A Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championships alongside Fulford. With that in mind, it’s a great time to look ahead to the course being at its absolute best, despite the wind and rain currently hitting the shed roof. Tournament weeks are when we’ll see the course at its peak – the hours of hard work in the months and, at times, years leading up to these championships will pay off as we cut the centre stripe on the 18th green, rake the bunkers for the final time and play gets underway.

To present the golf course at this level, greenkeeping practises are increased, ramping up as we get closer to the first shots being hit. Planning begins as early as is feasible for the biggest events, with the intensity of our work changing 10-12 weeks out.

Throughout the build-up, we assess and highlight areas which need greater attention or preventative action to survive the stressful period ahead. We’ll be working hard on the turf, but at all times understanding we must minimise any potential plant stress as we get closer to

the tournament and begin to cut lower, roll more and hit the course a little harder than normal.

This work is supported by The R&A’s agronomy team, which is a fantastic resource to have year-round as a longstanding tournament venue.

While we have an ongoing relationship with the agronomy team, we’ll also work with the tournament director from The R&A over a period of up to a year before a championship. They’ll visit regularly to discuss everything from green speeds and fairway lines to rough height, tee box locations and pin positions as well as where temporary structures, scoreboards and signage will go. They’re then on-site a week ahead of the tournament and we’ll work together daily to set the course up to their needs, all in-line with the long-term plan put in place between the golf club and The R&A.

Fine turf preparation moves into the final stage around a fortnight out. We have many techniques unique to this time in our calendar – from working at night to ensure we can control green speed with the following morning’s cut to

communicating all the time with the team to ensure they remain motivated and physically and mentally healthy during this short period of intense work.

In a healthy, unstressed position for both the team and turf, the final days are when the work all comes together.

From here, if our long-term preparation has been good, the golf course will be at its very best when the first tee shot is hit.

After a tournament, it’s essential to assess the work carried out, take notes on what’s gone well and what can be improved, and work holistically to get the course back to its best combination of playing conditions and long-term health for our members and guests.

Overall, golf course presentation is about balance. We can create tournament conditions for highlights in the calendar, but we must ensure we work within our means agronomically, financially and from a staffing perspective throughout the year.

Ultimately, a long-term outlook ensures year-round health and gives you the opportunity to make shortterm marginal gains for your most important tournaments.

A life in golf

Dean Bailey meets Northumberland golf legend David Moffat to talk about his career, playing with Open champions and Ryder Cup players, and being part of a golden age for golf in the county

There are people in golf who play the game, talk about it, and live it the right way. David Moffat is one of the finest examples of that ideal. Not one to boast of his achievements, at 86 he exudes total passion for the sport and tells the stories of his contemporaries and the players who’ve followed in his footsteps with vigour and encyclopaedic knowledge.

David, or Moff as so many know him, had a long and successful playing career himself too. While once tempted to turn professional in his late teens, he remained an amateur throughout his playing career. He would combine golf with work - first in the family business, a menswear shop in Old Eldon Square, before becoming an agent for brands including John Letters and later working in retail –first at Parklands with Andrew Mair, then finally with Philips Golf until his retirement at the age of 79.

Having picked up the game as a boy, following in the footsteps of his father - a county player and winner of the Inter-County Foursomes [then the Chronicle Cup] in 1927 and 1939 - David joined Benton Park before the club’s move to Arcot Hall. He then settled at the City of Newcastle in 1951.

He began to focus on golf at the age of 12 and got his first handicap of eight - not quite as low as his great friend Jimmy Hayes, whose first handicap was one, David recalls.

“My earliest days on the course were with my father, a good player himself,” says David. “I had a few lessons with Herbert Jolly [who played in the first Ryder Cup] before moving across to the City at 13. I was coached by the fantastic Jack Armitage, who did a lot for me throughout our friendship.”

For many years, David would cycle to the practice ground early in the morning before work - hitting as many balls as he had in the bag as often as he could.

“The professionals who coached me as a youngster gave me a great deal and I’m forever grateful for that. As a boy, I worked a lot on my game, hitting balls and copying good players. The great Jimmy Snowdon was someone I looked up to. When I first played against him in the County Championship, he made sure to only beat me 4&3 when he could have thrashed a young lad.”

Having shown promise, David continued to reduce his handicap and won the first of his eight club championships at the City as a

17-year-old in 1954. That year also saw him play for England Boys. He would represent England multiple times between then and 1967, playing in international matches and in two European Teams Championships in Belgium and Sweden – winning the latter with a team including Michael Bonallack, Rodney Foster and Northumberland’s Alan Thirlwell.

“The European Championships were brilliant for a young lad from Newcastle who hadn’t travelled a lot for golf. We got a super win in Sweden with Frank Pennink taking one hell of a team over.”

In the 1960s, Northumberland experienced a golden age of golf. Players including Amateur champion and Walker Cup player Gordon Clark, two-time English Amateur champion and Walker Cup player Alan Thirlwell, Jimmy Hayes, Neville Dunn and Peter Davidson shone locally and nationally. The county team also won a lot – including the English Counties Championship in 1960, 1962, 1964 and 1965. David played in all four of those wins, and two more losses in the national final, while amassing a winning record in his 67 matches for the county.

“There were so many truly great players in Northumberland at that time, many of whom won on far bigger stages than I ever did,” says David.

“My great friend and foursomes partner Gordon Clark was formidable and we shared a great partnership in county colours - though we were keen rivals locally. He got the absolute most out his game and never stopped tryingeven winning the Scottish Seniors after recovering from a heart attack.

“Jimmy Hayes was a tremendous player as well, while Peter Deeble - who came in a little later on - was one of the best ever with two appearances in The Walker Cup and a pair of English Amateur wins.

“During the time when we went to six national finals, we were some team. Thirlwell and Hayes, myself and Clark, Davidson and Keith Tate - those pairings didn’t lose many matches in the foursomes. The camaraderie was fantastic too - we were a band of brothers.”

Individual honours - a subject David isn’t one to linger on - were also racking up at the same time. He won five Northumberland County Championships (1958, 59, 61, 67, 69) and led qualifying four times, including in 1955, 56 and 57 while winning the double in 1967. A hattrick of 72-hole strokeplay titles (1963, 64 and 76) added to his impressive CV, which he capped with back-to-back Seniors’

Championships in 1997 and 98.

“There wasn’t a great deal to play in those days with just three county events, including the foursomes, but the competition was fierce.

“My first County Championship win in 1958 was a memorable one. I’d been knocked out of The Amateur in the early rounds and caddied for Thirlwell, who got all the way to the final after beating the legendary Bob Charles. I came home, practised that week, made it all the way through at the City and beat Neville Dunn in the final.

“I made it to seven finals in total –including a great one I lost to Jimmy Hayes. The greatest joy however was defending a title, which I did once in each tournament, proving, at least to myself, that they weren’t flukes.”

In 1972, David also won the Champion of Champions at Arcot Hall. “It’s just over 50 years ago now, but I still remember the day - a blustery one. I played with Harry Ashby, shot rounds of 73 and 66, and beat Harry to the title. Winning an event like the Champion of Champions was a tremendous honour because of the quality of the field. There were some hellishly good players in the 1960s and 1970s from Northumberland and Durham, so that win meant a great deal.”

With success on the golf course and a flexible work schedule came

Photographs and newspaper cuttings from David Moffat’s career

Bobby Locke (third from left) with David and his playing partners at Dinsdale Spa in 1958

Northumberland’s Big Six team on the Isle of Man l-r David Faulder, Jimmy Hayes, Peter Deeble, David Curry, John Metcalfe, Graham Pickup, David Beardall, Gordon Clark and David Moffat (capt.)

l-r Alec Shepperson, Peter Alliss, David Moffat and Bernard Hunt

England with the European Teams Championship trophy in 1963

l-r Dave Thomas, David Moffat and Christy O’Connor Snr and Dai Rees

opportunities to play in tournaments and exhibitions when the game’s biggest stars visited the North East - a regular occurrence as they looked to supplement their modest incomes at the time.

David played with [and outscored, though he’ll not tell you that himself] four-time Open champion Bobby Locke in an exhibition at Dinsdale Spa in 1958.

“Playing with Locke was an honour,” he says. “I was incredibly nervous and couldn’t hit my hat in the six-hole warm up. Over lunch, he put his arm around me and said ‘I’m just a man you know’ which was incredibly kind. He was a charming man to play with.”

David played with three more Open champions – Tony Jacklin, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo – who he met in the matchplay stages of The Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool.

“A teenager at the time, Faldo had won everything in 1975,” says David. “I was in my late 30s by this time and was very quickly 2dn. I got a couple of birdies and was back to square with a three at the 16th. We halved the last two, Faldo knocked it out of bounds at the 19th, and that was that. Gerald Micklem [who played in four Walker Cups] told me to buy every paper I could tomorrow as this boy was going to be one of the best we’ve ever seen. I got knocked out the next day and headed home - and Gerald was right.”

David also had the opportunity to play with long-time friend and tour pro Dave Thomas multiple times in exhibitions, as well as Ryder Cup stars Dai Rees, Christy O’Connor Snr and Peter Alliss to name just a few.

While golf is one cornerstone of David’s life, the other is his wife of more than 60 years, Nancy. “We would travel together sometimes, including to the European Teams in Belgium, and she has been the most fantastic supporter of my golf.

“Marrying Nancy was my only achievement to move me from the sport pages at the back of the paper onto the front, which says a great deal.”

Having achieved so much on the course, as big a part of David’s life in the game has been supporting multiple generations which followed him - from serving two terms as county captain in 1977-78 and 1985-86 to continuing to attend county events and team matches.

“Northumberland has a great record of producing golfers – from David Curry and Shaun Philipson from Prudhoe to probably the best of them all, Kenneth Ferrie. That legacy continues today with national champions like Andrew Minnikin and Walker Cup players including Chris Paisley and Matty Lamb. That said, I think you’d walk many miles to find a better golfer than Sandy Twynholm. All these players have added, and continue to add,

Main image on page 24 and cover © Kevin

Gibson, KG Photography

so much to the county’s great history in the game, along with our PGA professionals, including my friend Steve McKenna at The City.”

Though his rounds of golf are limited these days - David played four times in Portugal in 2022 - he still swings a club regularly at home and can be found chipping and putting in the summer.

“I’m still always thinking about golf and the swing,” he says. “I swing the driver I used for 30 years at home - though the game has changed a lot since those days.”

While golf has moved forward - for better and worse - David says there’s one element all the great players still share. “The same thread runs through them all. There’s a little voice in your head which makes winning difficult and every golfer fights that. The very best overcome it. For them, brilliant is simply ordinary.”

A gifted storyteller with an incredible ability to recall not only his own golf career, but that of his peers, mentors and those who followed him, David Moffat undoubtedly deserves his seat at the top table of Northumberland golf - even if he’d never claim it for himself.

l-r David Moffat, Jack Hermeston and John May at the County Championship at City of Newcastle in 2015

David at The Boys’ Championship in 1952

The victorious Northumberland team at the 1960 English Counties Championship at Skegness. Back row l-r Bob Gill, Keith Tate, Stanley Lunt, Alan Thirlwell, Leslie Jones and David Moffat. Front row Jimmy Hayes, Peter Davidson and Gordon Clark

David (right) with American Richard Marks at The Boys’ Championship at Formby in 1952

David at the City of Newcastle in 1957

David at Parklands in 1993

Dean Bailey

A global golf dream

Could 2024 be the year we see golf’s biggest names play a truly global schedule?

The PGA Tour’s latest initiative to bring the game’s mostmarketable players together more often – its programme of 17 designated events – is underway.

For those who follow tour golf weekto-week, it’s a great enhancement to the packed men’s schedule. Instead of having a handful of big names at any one tournament, we now know the biggest stars will be teeing it up together at 13 non-major tournaments in 2023 (or at least 12 of them as each player has the option to skip one event).

I’m really looking forward to seeing how this develops. We’ll be seeing Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler and all the very best tee it up at the same time more often. This undoubtedly elevates the spectacle of these events above the weekto-week on the PGA Tour. They’re being compensated well for the more restrictive schedule too, with these tournaments

now offering purses of at least $20 million (or $15 million for the smaller field at the Tournament of Champions in January).

It was however disappointing to see the Scottish Open - co-sanctioned by the PGA and DP World tours - wasn’t included in the list in the first year of these events.

Guaranteeing an increase of the star power in just a small number of events on European soil would be a massive boost for the DP World Tour, and the fans on this side of the pond. It would also demonstrate what strength is in the strategic alliance between the two circuits.

It is undeniable that the PGA Tour is the major partner in that alliance, but the benefits to golf globally are huge if they share just two or three of these events.

Could you imagine the spectacle of seeing Thomas, Spieth, Morikawa, Scheffler and the best US-based players teeing it up alongside Europe’s best in events like a French Open at Le Golf National, an Irish Open at The K Club, a British Masters at The Belfry or a

Dunhill Links in Scotland?

They could move these to different events each year too, elevating other tournaments and venues in places like Italy, Sweden or further afield in Africa, the Middle East or Australia.

While such events would support the top players on the DP World Tour, the alternate tournaments – played in the same week over in the US during a cosanctioned event, such as the Barbasol Championship in the week of the Scottish Open this year – give the next tier of DP World Tour players an opportunity to compete in the US, with all the perks which come with top finishes and potentially wins over there.

There is a great deal of speculation about what the 2024 PGA Tour schedule will look like, with no news on the number or status of co-sanctioned events yet. While I won’t be holding my breath, I do hope we’ll see more of the game’s very best on our shores a little more often in the years to come.

The wonder of Wilton

Dean Bailey visits Teesside to take in the history of Wilton Golf Club and tackle a relatively short, yet incredibly tricky, golf course

Teesside is blessed with great golf courses within just a few miles of one another. From coastal links and modern championship tests to parkland courses hidden close to the industrial heartbeat of region, there’s a lot on offer.

Wilton Golf Club falls perfectly into the latter category. Formed in 1952 as part of ICI Wilton’s Recreation Club to play matches locally, the club’s nine-hole course opened in 1956. By 1963, membership was more than 600, and a year later the course was extended to 18 holes. With the opening of a clubhouse in May 1967, popularity continued to rise and membership grew to more than 1,000 in 1974.

A new clubhouse followed in 1979 and in 1999 the club was purchased by its members - who continue to develop and enjoy it.

The course, which measures 6,220 yards from the white tees, opens with a series of relatively newer holes. The sub-300-yard first plays uphill to a green which is considerably wider than it is deep. Long hitters should aim right to leave the best angle in while avoiding the out of bounds fence to the left - and all players must stay out of the three bunkers which guard the front edge and sit well below the putting surface.

A pair of par fours - 360 and 328 yards respectively - played at the foot of the Eston Hills follow. Both fairways slope from left to right, with players required to drive close to the out of bounds fence on the left in order to hold the short

grass. At the second, the approach is uphill to a small green featuring three grass bunkers. At the third, a large bunker protects the front right of the green, particularly against those who have bailed out to the right with their tee shot.

The first of two steeply downhill par threes on the front nine, the fourth plays considerably shorter than its 204 yards. Short is always best here, with firm bounces carrying the ball between the two front bunkers with a little luck. The green is 40 yards long, and anything left will bounce towards the boundary fence with little to stop it.

The longest hole on the course, the 519-yard fifth is often downwind and is always a good birdie chance. Two bunkers guard the inside corner of the right-to-left dogleg from overly aggressive tee shots while approaches must favour the right side to avoid a cross bunker and get a helpful bounce to the left onto a small green which is guarded by a single deep bunker on its left side and multiple runoff areas.

A birdie on five often comes in handy as you turn back into the wind to tackle the 441-yard par four sixth. Favour the left side from the tee to use the slope and stay clear of the bunker on the right. From here, the hole turns slightly right to a green which is cut into the slope and can be tough to hold, particularly when playing into a narrower target from the left side of the fairway.

The 140-yard seventh hole also plays much shorter than its yardage. The slopes around the green are steep, particularly at the front, and a

shot which lands in the heart of the green always leaves a good look at birdie.

The small, elevated green at the par four eighth can be hard to find, particularly if you stray into the trees or the fairway bunker on the right side of this right-to-left dogleg. A bunker left and tree overhanging the right of this incredibly narrow green make for a tough approach.

Crossing onto the older half of the course, the 403-yard ninth is one of the trickiest driving holes. With out of bounds left and the tee pointing straight at the fence, a left to right shape is required to find this rig and furrow fairway. The boundary is tight en-route to the green too, where you’ll find a bunker with a tall front edge on the left side - though there is room out to the right.

A 157-yard par three follows, with a narrow entrance to the green guarded by a pair of bunkers. The green is more generous than it may appear.

The signature hole follows (see fact file).

Two more tricky holes follow in Wilton’s back nine stretch of potential card-wreckers.

At the 452-yard 12th, a well-positioned tee shot is key as a ditch runs diagonally across the fairway from left to right. Left of the oak tree is the tighter line, while longer hitters can go over the tree to the right side and minimise the risk of running into the ditch. The elevated green is more receptive to shots from the left, though its only bunker will gather anything a little too short and left.

A short par five of 493 yards, the 13th can be tricky. Tee shots with driver from the back tee

must move left-to-right to find the fairway between the trees while avoiding the out of bounds left. From here, the hole turns again, this time right to left around ancient trees and a large bunker 90 yards from the green. The hole then rises steeply to a plateau green set in front of Wilton Castle.

A 400-yard par four with out of bounds left follows. The fairway bunker is 230 yards from the tee and can catch players out, particularly when playing into the wind. The right side is safer, though you’re then faced with a tiny target for your second shot with out of bounds just a few paces beyond the green on the left and a steep drop on the right side which leaves a perilous pitch up to a putting surface which slopes from back to front.

If the 14th fairway is generous, the 15th is anything but. Having found it, you’re faced with the best-defended green at Wilton with bunkers short left, middle left and back right.

The final par three, the 158-yard 16th is played to another small target with a large tree and grass bunker left while a trio of bunkers guard the right side.

At the 17th, aim for the right half of the narrow fairway to leave the best angle to a two-tier green which is wrapped around the left bunker and slopes steeply from back left to the right side - where a second bunker awaits.

Tee shots at the 390-yard par four 18th must navigate around an oak tree in the centre of the fairway - which can be difficult given its size. Play left for a better angle to a tiny elevated green with a bunker on its left side which has a huge catchment area, including the left side of the green itself. There is however plenty of room out to the right.

FACT FILE

CONTACT

Wilton Golf Club

Wilton, Redcar, TS10 4QY Tel 01642 465 265 www.wiltongolfclub.co.uk

GREEN FEES

For green fees, including group packages, special offers and upcoming opens visit the website. To book your tee time call 01642 452 730

TOTAL DISTANCE

6,220 white tees

5,995 yellow tees

5,425 red tees

FEATURES

Spacious clubhouse with food served daily Pro shop

Buggy and trolley hire Two large practice areas

CADDY’S TIP

This is very much a second shot golf course – the greens are small and well-guarded by bunkers, false fronts and many slopes. Good wedge players will score well here

SIGNATURE HOLE

The 395-yard 11th is a demanding par four with risk at every turn.

The fairway turns 90 degrees from right to left, with a tee shot of at least 240 yards required to reach the corner – Sheila’s Tree just right of centre is a good line. A pond guards the right side at around 200 yards, while dense trees guard the left side. The green, which sits above the fairway, is protected by a pair of large bunkers at its sides and slopes significantly from back to front

Not a club to stand still, the course and facilities continue to be developed at Wilton with bunker changes carried out during recent winters and the clubhouse undergoing a refurbishment ahead of the 2023 season. Junior coaching is delivered by PGA professional James Kraus, a former junior at Wilton himself, with some 20 youngsters currently in membership - including 16-year-old Teesside and Yorkshire team player Alfie Baldwin

A wonderful club to spend time at, in the clubhouse and on the course, a visit to Wilton this summer is highly recommended

OUR VERDICT

New year, new gear

It has been an incredibly busy start to the year for the game’s biggest brands – with headline driver launches backed up by iron, wedge and putter releases. We’ve picked out as many of the highlights as possible here, with even more of the latest gear featured on the Northern Golfer website at www.northerngolfer.co.uk/category/news/gear

UNLOCKING SPEED

PING G430 FAMILY

RRP: DRIVERS £525-£575, FAIRWAY £350, HYBRID £295, IRONS £150 PER CLUB EU.PING.COM/EN-GB

PING has introduced the G430 family following work by engineers to unlock more speed and distance without sacrificing the brand’s industry-leading forgiveness

The line-up consists of three drivers - MAX, LST and SFT - two fairway wood designsMAX and SFT, six hybrid choices, and an iron set. For slower swing speed golfers, all the clubs except the LST driver can be custom built in lighter specifications during custom fitting. For the new drivers, PING’s engineering team has developed several new technologies which are common to all three models, while applying specific advancements to each individual head. Added ball speed is attributed to a shallower and thinner VFT forged face engineered with Spinsistency, a variable roll radius technology. The MAX model (RRP £525) is the most forgiving and fits the widest range of golfers. In the LST (Low Spin Technology) driver (RRP £575) lightweight composite Carbonfly Wrap technology covers the crown and wraps into the heel/toe to save weight and lower the centre of gravity for more ball speed and higher MOI. The 460cc SFT (Straight Flight Technology) head (RRP £525) features a 22g two-setting, moveable tungsten backweight which can boost right-to-left shape.

NUMBER 1

TITLEIST PRO V1 AND PRO V1X GOLF BALLS

RRP: £50 PER DOZEN

WWW.TITLEIST.CO.UK

The new Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x have been unveiled, featuring high-gradient core designs which are built to be firmer on the outside and progressively softer on the inside to help golfers hit the ball longer and straighter while maintaining greenside control. When combined with the continued advancement of Titleist’s processes, this produces more consistent spin and speed.

The models remain true to their unique play styles - Pro V1 offering the best combination of distance, spin and feel while delivering a penetrating ball flight as Pro V1x flies higher and spins more on iron shots and in the short game while still offering low spin on longer shots.

The 2023 Pro V1x also features a dual core design, with the inner core increasing centre volume by 44% to drive down long game spin and increase stability through the air.

Finally, soft cast urethane covers feature Tetrahedral Dimple Designs to optimise aerodynamics.

DYNAMIC DESIGN

COBRA AEROJET METALWOODS AND IRONS

RRP: DRIVERS £429, HYBRID £219, IRONS £799

WWW.COBRAGOLF.COM

Cobra’s new driver line-up aims to build on the LTDx design with the debut of a new aerodynamic shape in all three models - AEROJET LS, AEROJET, AND AEROJET MAX - to deliver faster clubhead and ball speed.

Each of the three new drivers features PWR-BRIDGE Weighting Technology, a suspended weight design which utilises a 13g internal bridge structure elevated above the sole to achieve a low, forward centre of gravity. This structure also makes room for the PWRSHELL Face Insert, which delivers a larger Sweet Zone for faster ball speed across the face. The insert features a new H.O.T Face variable thickness pattern, designed using artificial intelligence to deliver more efficient speed and spin. A thin ply carbon fibre structure in the crown and sole meanwhile allow more discretionary weight to be positioned lower in the clubhead for improved launch and spin.

NEW DIMENSION

CALLAWAY PARADYM FAMILY

RRP: DRIVERS £599, FAIRWAY £379, HYBRID £299, IRONS £1,199

EU.CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

Callaway has launched the Paradym family of woods and irons – led by a new suite of drivers featuring an industry-first 360 Carbon Chassis, which eliminates titanium from the body. The drivers feature a Triaxial Carbon crown and Forged Carbon sole which are 44% lighter than titanium.

To further increase ball speeds, an artificial intelligencedesigned Jailbreak system boosts stability, while a new AIoptimised face enhances speed, launch, spin and downrange dispersion. Three driver models are available – Paradym, which is suited to a wide range of players; Paradym X for players who want additional forgiveness and a slight draw bias; and Paradym Triple Diamond for those who want to reduce spin and work the ball.

NEW YEAR, NEW SPIDERS

TAYLORMADE SPIDER GTX AND SPIDER GT MAX PUTTERS

RRP: GTX £299, GTX MAX £379

WWW.TAYLORMADEGOLF.CO.UK

TaylorMade has unveiled two new putters - Spider GTX and Spider GT Max.

Spider GTX combines the best features of the iconic Spider Tour and Spider X models while offering a colour option to suit every player’s style and preference – from classic shades to bold hues. Key features include True Path Alignment and PureRoll² for consistent end-over-end roll. The design includes a deep centre of gravity created by a 154g stability bar at the rear of the putterwhich accounts for 45% of the total weight.

Spider GT Max introduces a new level of adjustability and performance to the franchise. Two 40g sliding tungsten weights can be positioned to influence centre of gravity, toe hang and face rotation.

FINAL CHAPTER

TITLEIST TSR1 METALS

RRP: DRIVER £529, FAIRWAY £289, HYBRID £259

WWW.TITLEIST.CO.UK

Titleist has unveiled the final instalments in the TSR range - the TSR1 driver, fairway woods and hybrids.

Engineered for the moderate swing speed player - those with driver swing speeds less than 90mph - TSR1 promotes optimal launch conditions through an ultra-lightweight design, enhanced aerodynamics and a strategically placed centre of gravity. The line is designed to bring these players effortless speed, distance and high launch without sacrificing forgiveness, looks or feel.

The 460cc driver head is roughly 40g lighter than TSR2, with weight savings coming from a lighter headweight, 40g shaft and lightweight grip. Meanwhile, the TSR1 fairway is Titleist’s lightest and highest launching option, and the new hybrids achieve more speed and higher MOI through a larger wood-type clubhead.

PROVEN FORMULA

WILSON DYNAPOWER LINE-UP

RRP: CARDON DRIVER £420, TITANIUM DRIVER £370, FAIRWAY £220, HYBRID £195

WWW.WILSON.COM/EN-GB/GOLF

Nearly 70 years after Wilson redefined expectations around power and distance in the iron category, the company has announced the relaunch of its Dynapower franchise.

In 1956, Wilson introduced the original Dynapower iron and its patented bore-through hosel design, which revolutionised weight distribution for more power. The 2023 irons build on this, using AI modelling to identify the perfect variable thickness for each section of the face to make more of the clubface hot - especially centre-totoe where approximately 85% of shots are hit.

Meanwhile, the Dynapower drivers are available in two options - Carbon and Titanium – with each offering thousands of custom fit settings. The adjustable Dynapower Carbon driver was designed for tour calibre performance, while the Titanium driver focuses on forgiveness with a neutral-to-draw bias.

TAYLORMADE STEALTH 2 FAMILY

RRP: DRIVERS FROM £499, FAIRWAY FROM £299, HYBRID FROM £239

WWW.TAYLORMADEGOLF.CO.UK

Following in the footsteps of the ground-breaking Stealth carbonwoods, TaylorMade has launched the Stealth 2 family. The new line-up of drivers - Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2, Stealth 2 HD and Stealth 2 HD Women’s - combine the speed of Stealth with technological advancements that create a new level of forgiveness. Stealth 2 Plus (RRP £529) is the lowest spinning driver in the family with a 15g sliding weight track to dial in shot shape. The Stealth 2 (RRP £499) delivers high MOI performance with a heavy 25g tungsten weight positioned on the Inertia Generator, while Stealth 2 HD (RRP £499) shifts the Inertia Generator closer to the heel to create a high launch and draw-bias. Finally, the Stealth 2 HD Women’s driver (RRP £499) features a lighter head weight than the HD model and a unique colourway.

PLAYERS’ SELECTION

SCOTTY CAMERON SUPER SELECT PUTTERS

RRP: $449

WWW.SCOTTYCAMERON.COM

Scotty Cameron is aiming to build on the success of 2020’s Special Select line with the introduction of 10 new Super Select models in 2023.

Scotty has pushed his blade and mid-mallet designs even further with new milling techniques, refined shapes, improved multi-material construction and cutting-edge weight distribution. Based on feedback from the game’s best players, Scotty has created new blade and mid-mallet models, refined milling methods, revamped neck styles, developed better multi-material construction and engineered weight distribution for the range. Meanwhile, the new Plus models deliver mallet-like forgiveness and stability in slim shapes.

THE MISSING PIECE

MIZUNO ST-230 METALWOODS

RRP: DRIVERS £499, FAIRWAY £299, HYBRID £279

WWW.MIZUNOGOLF.COM/UK

The 2023 Mizuno metalwoods feature a new energy source - the CORTECH Chamber.

After multiple developments for stability, sound and spin, Mizuno has identified the missing piece to its ball speed equation - the CORTECH Chamber - which encases a stainless-steel weight with elastomeric TPU, taking stress from the clubface and creating an additional source of energy. At the same time, it locates weight closer to the clubface to reduce spin rates while contributing to a more solid, powerful sensation at impact.

Three driver models are complemented by mid-low spinning, high launching, adjustable fairway woods and hybrids boosted by the same CORTECH Chamber technology.

SECOND COMING

SRIXON ZX MK II WOODS

RRP: DRIVERS £499, FAIRWAY £279, HYBRID £239

EU.DUNLOPSPORTS.COM/SRIXON

Srixon’s 2023 line-up is headlined by the ZX7 Mk II driver, which features a Variable Thickness Face which is thinner in the centre and thicker at the perimeter to boost forgiveness and ball speed. The design also allows players more control over launch thanks to 4g and 8g adjustable sole weights in the heel and toe.

There’s also a ZX5 Mk II driver, which has a larger footprint, flattened shape and more weight low and deep, while the ZX5 LS Mk II driver moves the 8g sole weight forward to reduce spin. The drivers each feature a redesigned Rebound Frame to increase energy transfer from the clubface to the golf ball.

The range also includes fairways and hybrids which offer increased ball speed and distance compared to previous metals.

WILTON GOLF CLUB

OPEN COMPETITIONS

18/05/2023: Gents Seniors Team Open £40.00 per team (4)

14/07/2023: Ladies Team Open £48.00 per team (4)

15/07/2023: Individual Open £10.00 per person

16/07/2023: Gents Pairs Open £24.00 per pair

07/09/2023: Gents Seniors Team Open £40.00 per team (4)

FULL RANGE OF MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

Our membership runs from 1st May 2023 to 30th April 2024

Details on all amateur open golf tournaments due to be held at Wilton Golf Club can be found on Golf Empire www.golfempire.co.uk Alternatively, to book your place contact our Professional Shop on 01642 452730

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO WILTON GOLF CLUB.

VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME

For more information visit our website www.wiltongolfclub.co.uk or contact secretary@wiltongolfclub.co.uk Contact 01642 452730 to book tee time.

Take a break

Whether you’re planning a short break close to home, a society trip, captain’s away day or setting up your next golf holiday, we have a destination for you…

Alnmouth Golf Club

A trip to the Northumberland coast and Alnmouth - England’s fourth oldest golf club - is a must. Overlooking Foxton Bay, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the course around Foxton Hall was designed by Harry Colt. Renowned for its overall presentation –which has been further enhanced ahead of the 2023 season with the remodelling of several key bunkers across the course in-line with Colt’s design principles - Alnmouth is also home to first-class practice facilities and a driving range. Only 40 minutes’ drive from Newcastle, visitors are always given a warm welcome here and the 26-bed Dormy House within the clubhouse is designed to accommodate golfers with twin or single rooms and en-suite facilities.

Alnmouth Golf Club, Foxton Hall, Alnmouth, NE66 3BE tel 01665 830 231, www.alnmouthgolfclub.com

Bellingham Golf Club & Riverdale Hall Country House Hotel

Set in the spectacular Northumberland National Park in the North Tyne Valley, Bellingham offers some of the best golfing views in the region. Founded in 1893, the par 70 course features a mix of birdie chances and challenging holes – particularly on the back nine, where you’ll find the signature par four 12th, Dormouse, one of the best short par fours in the North East.

The club has close ties to the Riverdale Hall Country House Hotel, which means societies get a great deal on stay and play golf too. For those playing golf along the Tyne Valley, a stay here is highly recommended. The relaxed feel and hearty food are perfect for those setting out for a day on the course or returning to unwind and recharge to go again tomorrow.

Bellingham Golf Club, Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT tel 01434 220 530, www,bellinghamgolfclub.com

Riverdale Hall Hotel, Bellingham, NE48 2JT, tel 01434 220 254 www.riverdalehallhotel.co.uk

Seahouses Golf Club

To book or for further details on all the above call 01665 720794 or Email: secretary@seahousesgolf.co.uk www.seahousesgolf.co.uk

WINTER GOLF DAYS - Available until 31st March 2023

18 Holes – Mon-Fri £20.00pp - Sat & Sun £25.00pp

Co�ee/Bacon Bap & 18 holes

Mon-Fri £24.00pp - Sat & Sun £29.00pp

Co�ee/Bacon Bap, 18 Holes followed by a One Course Winter Warmer Meal

Mon-Fri £32.00pp - Sat & Sun £37.00pp

2023 Memberships availableFull Membership 2023/24 £445

Visiting Parties Welcome

George Washington Hotel, Golf and Spa

Resort courses can vary a lot – from merely acceptable to the fantastic – and from your first steps into the clubhouse at George Washington Hotel, Golf and Spa you know you’re in for a fantastic experience. The modern clubhouse is close to the 16-bay driving range, complete with heated bays and six power tees, while the excellent bar/lounge and pro shop are staffed by a welcoming team. The luxury continues in the hotel – which features the Carter & Fitch restaurant, a spa and leisure club. At the heart of the resort is the par 73 golf course, which can be stretched to 6,625 yards from the back tees. Opened in 1979, the treelined fairways are reasonably generous, though beware wandering off into the trees as it can be tough to recover.

George Washington, Stone Cellar Road, Washington, NE37 1PH tel 0191 402 9988, www.georgewashington.co.uk/golf

CLUB

Golf Escapes

For those in search of their next weekend away in the UK and Ireland, or some much needed sunshine and golf a little further afield, Golf Escapes offers a wide range of tailored golfing holidays for people and groups of all golfing abilities. Celebrating it’s 20th anniversary, Golf Escapes continues to offer the very best in value and service with a wide range of destinations on offer, including the best golfing resorts in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and across Europe; some deals closer to home in the UK & Ireland; and long-haul options including South Africa, Mauritius, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Golf Escapes team pride themselves on first-hand experience and inside knowledge – ensuring they provide the very best golfing getaways time after time. For those looking for some winter golf in the sun or early booking discount for your 2023 group, the team are ready to help. All this and much more can be found on www.golf-escapes.com, then get in touch on 01342 811 777 or send an enquiry to info@golf-escapes.com and the team of platinum-accredited experts will be happy to help you on your way.

Newbiggin Golf Club

The links and moorland at Newbiggin have stood the test of time and remain a great example of Northumberland’s links golf. Designed by Willie Park Junior – and featured in Today’s Golfer’s Top 200 courses in England in 2023 - the links-style bunkering, sand dunes and North Sea wind make for a difficult test. Big hitting is an advantage here, particularly on the opening holes, while good long-range putting is also a key to good scoring – particularly if you happen to find the wrong side of one of the double greens. More than 6,800 yards off the back tees, Newbiggin is certainly no pushover.

Newbiggin Golf Club, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, NE64 6DW tel 01670 817 344, www.newbiggingolfclub.co.uk

Prudhoe Golf Club

Play Prudhoe in the height of summer and you’ll understand why the club has produced some of the region’s finest golfers. From British Amateur champion and tour player David Curry and British Ladies Amateur Strokeplay champion Janet Soulsby to British Mid Amateur champion Shaun Philipson and a number of county players through its near-100 year history, the Northumberland club’s short but tactically challenging layout and fast, undulating greens make it a stern test.

Visitors are always sure to receive a warm welcome to Prudhoe Golf Club, with societies and group booking catered for on weekdays and weekends. Groups can also make use of the club’s state-of-the-art studio with TrackMan 4 technology before or after their rounds – with every group booking for 12 or more in 2023 having the option to add a free nearest the pin competition in the studio to their day.

Prudhoe Golf Club, Eastwood Park, Prudhoe, NE42 5DX tel 01661 832 466, www.prudhoegolfclub.co.uk

Sand Moor Golf Club

In the heart of the north Leeds golf belt, this 1926 Alister MacKenzie classic has stunning views over Eccup reservoir, with fast-draining fairways and four of the good Doctor’s trademark par-3’s. Societies welcome.

Sand Moor Golf Club

The Dr Alister MacKenzie-designed course at Sand Moor Golf Club, laid out in 1926, is just five miles from Leeds city centre, making it an ideal location for a one-day trip or part of a longer visit to north Leeds and its incredible golf courses.

With stunning views over Eccup reservoir, the course has not stood still in its near-100 years, with Henry Cotton advising on changes in the 1960s and Andy Watson Golf Design currently ensuring the course maintains its unique character and challenge as it nears its centenary.

Measuring 6,446 yards, the success of rounds at Sand Moor often hinge on the four challenging par threes - each still true to the Good Doctor’s designs. Sand Moor Golf Club, Alwoodley Lane, Leeds LS17 7DJ, tel 0113 268 5180, www.sandmoorgolf.co.uk

Seahouses Golf Club

Home to one of the finest par threes in the UK, if not the world, Seahouses Golf Club has to be on everyone’s must-play list. Set on clifftops above the North Sea, the course is a tricky test with a number of demanding tee shots and birdie opportunities on both nines. The 15th is recognised internationally as one of the finest short holes in golf. Played over an inlet with the North Sea crashing below, this 124yard hole can be anything from a wedge to a long iron depending on the wind. The clubhouse and veranda, with its views across the course to the sea, are as perfect a spot as we’ve found to recount the tales of your round. Seahouses Golf Club, Beadnell Road, Seahouses NE68 7XT, tel 01665 720 794, www.seahousesgolf.co.uk

APRIL VISITING PARTY RATES FROM JUST £23PP INC COFFEE & BACON ROLL MAY FROM £30

FREE

NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTION RATE 2023

FULL - £315 • SECOND CLUB - £228

COUNTRY (OVER 25MILES)- £228

NOTHING TO PAY UNTIL 01.11.23

Bellingham Golf Club

Book

The ideal location to stay and play some of the most beautiful courses across the region including Bellingham, Hexham plus many more!!

Luxury hotel or self catering accommodation available that can be tailored to your needs.

Les Routiers Gold Plate Award Winning Restaurant using locally sourced food alongside a well stocked bar serving a selection of real ales, wines and spirits. 1 night B&B plus a round of golf at Bellingham and full use of the swimming pool and sauna from £94 per person.

For further information or to book telephone 01434 220254 or email: reservations@riverdalehallhotel.co.uk

Bellingham, Northumberland, NE48 2JT

Escape to The Algarve

The home of holiday golf...

Book

The Algarve has everything you could possibly need; being easily accessible, with friendly, English-speaking staff, a warm climate all year round, and a wide variety of golf courses, tours & packages to choose from.

Its array of options makes it a great destination for any golf or non-golfer holiday. With so many incredible golf courses, hotels, nightlife, gastronomy and so much more, The Algarve is, without doubt, for a golfing and cultural experience not to be missed.

The Algarve has budget and luxury packages available (and everything in between!), so why not plan a trip to the Algarve now?

ABTA

No.Y1665

For more information or to discuss your next golf-escape to The Algarve email: info@golf-escapes.com, call: 01342 811777 or visit our new website > golf-escapes.com

POWER PLAYS

A key to increasing power off the tee is flexibility. Poor flexibility creates a shorter, steeper swing, which isn’t conducive to good driving. To facilitate a better turn, try turning your left foot in towards the centre of your stance a little at address. This will free up your hips, allowing for more rotation on the backswing and creating a more powerful, and shallower, swing.

Meanwhile, when you’re practising, a great drill to get the feeling of generating more speed is to turn the club upside down and swing the grip-end as fast as you can. As there is no weight to hold you back, this gives a great feeling of releasing the club.

Combine this with a better hip position and rotation, and the speed will build naturally.

Doug Brolls

PGA Professional

Playing your best golf

Personal trainer and fitness columnist Shawn O’Neil on playing better golf, for longer, by training to prevent injuries

There are two sides to golf fitness – performance (which I covered in my last column, available on the Northern Golfer website) and injury prevention, which is the focus of this one.

How many of you - or your regular playing partners - have recognised injuries to your backs, knees or elbows? How many of you are also familiar with the unfortunate, but not infrequent, message: ‘sorry not for me today, back is playing up’.

Statistics gathered by UK Sport showed that 67% of amateur golfers sustain an injury at some point in their playing career, and 40% sustain an injury which keeps them off the course at least once per season. The survey also showed golfers suffer more injuries per 1,000 participants than rugby players.

Many golfers still believe the game and physical training don’t mix. But, if I told you the golf swing engages more than

200 muscles in under 0.2 seconds while placing a rotational force of several times your body weight through some of your joints, does that change your thinking?

The stresses of the golf swing are something you should be physically prepared for. Of all the injuries suffered by golfers, two thirds of them are lower back or elbow related according to Titleist Performance Institute research. We know this is primarily caused by physical limitations requiring compensatory movement, which in turn puts more stress on areas of the body which are not designed for what’s being asked - such as rotation of the lumber spine.

Being mobile in the right places - the hips and thoracic spine are two very important areas for example - is a key to preventing injury and playing better golf.

For a player with these issues, we would build a programme to reduce movement limitations and build a level of strength where they can effectively decelerate - as

opposed to your ligaments and tendons slowing your swing down when you run out of range of movement – in order to reduce the amount of stress on the body and the risk of injury.

This would also allow the player to make a better motion, improving their ability to hit good shots.

Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and Natalie Gulbis are just three of the world-class players who started training to overcome back pain. All did so by increasing mobility, stability and strength – and went on to increase clubhead speed as a result.

So, training isn’t just about strength and hitting the ball further. It also makes getting out on the course easier in the morning, reduces pain during and after a round, and helps you make better, repeatable swings more often. That’s quite a lot of benefits for an assessment and a couple of hours per week at home or in the gym.

Shawn O’Neil

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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@o stonepublishing.co.uk or Gillian Corney (Northumberland) on 07903 500401, gillian@o stonepublishing.co.uk

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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 March 30, 2023. Usual competition rules apply – available on request. Winners will be published in our next edition.

WIN 1,000 BALLS FOR THE TOPTRACER RANGE AT HIGH GOSFORTH PARK

For your chance to win answer the following question: Who won the 2010 men’s US Open at Pebble Beach?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT WYNYARD GOLF CLUB

Set in more than 200 acres of mature parkland on the Wynyard Estate near Teesside, The Wellington Course at Wynyard Golf Club stretches to 7,000 yards and is a true championship golf course. A host venue of the Seve Trophy on the European Tour, it is one of the region’s very best modern courses.

For your chance to win answer the following question: In which year did Wynyard host the Seve Trophy?

WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT GOSFORTH GOLF CLUB

Gosforth Golf Club, less than five minutes from the heart of Newcastle, is home to a tranquil parkland course. The course, divided by the Ouseburn and a bridlepath which gives the club its nickname, has produced some of Northumberland’s best golfers and today its ancient trees and demanding finishing hole - played alongside the burncontinue to test golfers of all abilities.

For your chance to win answer the following question:

Who will captain the European Ryder Cup team in 2023?

The floodlit driving range at High Gosforth Park features 28 bays, each with high quality mats and Srixon golf balls, with multiple targets on the range to practise every element of your game. Meanwhile, 10 bays feature Toptracer Range technology, which tracks every shot hit and allows golfers to hone their game, take on nearest the pin and longest drive challenges, and play some of the best courses in the world – from the Old Course at St Andrews to Pebble Beach.

Congratulations to our competition winners from the December/January edition: Billingham - Graham Sheldon of Bishop Auckland City of Newcastle - Keith Nelson of Bedlington • Tyne Valley Golf Lounge - Lee Henderson of Cramlington

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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!

A quick addition to our year review in the December/January edition. We neglected to include Northumberland’s Harrison Sewell making his England debut in the Reply Italian International Under 16 Championship at Biella Golf Club. Harrison, who had a sixth place finish in the McGregor Trophy at Sherwood Forest Golf Club in 2022, narrowly missed the cut by a single shot in the event with rounds of 80 and a level-par 73, but is aiming to build on the international experience in 2023 as he moves into the under-18s age category. Our apologies Harrison, we hope to see you star in the 2023 review at the end of this year.

Congratulations to Alnmouth Golf Club, who won the Northumberland Ladies County Golf Association’s Shield in 2022.

The team, captained by Anthea Allanson, featured Gill Dixon, Joan Wheeler, Val Robson, Mandy Turner, Morag Robertson, Angela Scott, Cath Debbage, Su Cumming, Gemma Duxfield, Kathryn Archibald, Liz Ross, Pauline Daymont, Christine Oliver and Sue Brierley – who all contributed during a closely fought season.

Congratulations to Tyneside Golf Club’s ladies’ section, which won the 2022 Sivewright Shield.

Led by team captain Sue Scott, they won the North Durham division of the competition before overcoming South division winners Blackwell Grange 4-1 at Seaham Golf Club. The team featured Sue Carter, Lilian Middlemiss, Anne Ingham, Liz Giles, Judith Campbell, Sue Shaw, Louise Ward, Joyce Wood, Alison Carver and Veena Duggal.

Well done to Carole Story and the members of Silloth on Solway Golf Club, who raised £2,044 for Eden Valley Hospice during 2022.

The money was raised throughout Carole’s year as lady captain, with various events, competitions and a captain’s charity bunker.

A charity auction run by Glenn Blaney has raised more than £3,475 for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation during December and January.

Glenn’s second fourball auction for the charity featured rounds at 51 golf clubs in the North East and beyond – with golfers from across the region bidding for the chance to play courses in Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and Scotland.

Thank you to Gilbert Golightly for his kind email following our course profile of his home club, South Moor, and for sharing his knowledge of the history of the [incredibly] tricky 16th hole.

“I enjoyed reading your enthusiastic and excellent article on my home club South Moor, at which I have been a member since 1958. The tricky 16th hole in current layout is a superb short par five, which usually plays much longer than the yardage suggests thanks to the tightness of the dogleg. However, this hole from the dogleg up to the green was not a MacKenzie design. The original hole actually went straight up to what is now a temporary green - 16a. In fact, head greenkeeper/professional W. (Billy) Woodend carved out the route and built the hole and green from the ditch up the hill to where it still is today. The current 16th was in existence when I first joined South Moor and I suspect Billy Woodend’s work on this hole started in the early 50s. Keep up the good work, I always look forward to reading your cracking magazine.”

Brancepeth Castle’s 2022 lady captain, Carol Rae, handed over a cheque for £1,578 to St Cuthbert’s Hospice as her captaincy came to its end.

Well done Carol and all the members at Brancepeth Castle.

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