Yorkshire Golfer August 2018

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August 2018

BANK ON BARCLAY Hallamshire’s young star carries off Carris Trohy SIZZLING SUMMER FOR YORKSHIRE’S GIRLS IN FOCUS: WORTLEY, CROW NEST PARK & TEMPLE NEWSAM

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August 2018 Yorkshire Golfer is published by League Weekly Ltd, 31 Branch Road, Batley, W. Yorks WF17 5SB Tel 01924 470296 for subscriptions & deliveries Contents are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced wholly or in part without permission of the publishers

IN THIS ISSUE LOOKING GOOD Joe Dean has put himself in prime position to earn a place on next year’s Challenge Tour p4 CLOSE CALL Howley Hall’s Dan Gavins left his charge just a little too late but bagged second in the EuroPro Tour event at Moor Alerton p5 OPEN DIARY Yorkshire Golfer’s Mike Smith takes us inside the ropes at Carnoustie during July’s Open Championship p6

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Sandra Kirton 07771 885757 sandra@yorkshire-golfer.com mike@yorkshire-golfer.com @yorkshiregolfer

find us online: www.yorkshiregolfer.net BEN DENIED Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt, the Yorkshire Boys’ champion, was just pipped for the McGregor Trophy for the English under 16s Boys’ Championship 8

TOP CLASS Evie Cooke of Rudding Park bagged a national title with the English Schools Golf Association under 16 Girls’ title p19

BIG BIRTHDAY Skipton members are celebrating a new look as they celebrate 125 years p13

HIDDEN GEM Wortley GC offers best of both worlds 14/15

HOT STUFF Nicola Slater of Lindrick is in sizzling form and lifted the English Women’s Open Matchplay Championship – among other recent achievements p20

YOUNG GUN Despite being years younger than many competitors, Josh Berry finished a creditable 12th in the Junior British Open at St Andrews p18

PATIENCE PAYS It did for Beverley pro Richard Pace, as he won the Yorkshire Open at Howley Hall p25 SWING MAESTRO This month with Adrian Newboult of the Leeds Golf Club p26

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3

August 2018

HALLAMSHIRE HERO Yorkshire player puts his name on silverware alongside that of Olympic champion Rose

Brown shows his magical touch to lift Carris Trophy HALLAMSHIRE’S Barclay Brown birdied the last two holes to snatch a dramatic oneshot victory in the Carris Trophy at Fulford Golf Club.

The York track has witnessed some memorable finishes in the past, including two eagles from Ryder Cup player Peter Baker at the last hole 30 years ago in the Benson & Hedges tournament. The first tied Nick Faldo and he repeated the feat in the play-off.

Brown’s fantastic finish came after a three-and-a-half hour delay due to a thunderstorm and evoked those memories as he found the last-gasp push required to finish on eight under par and get past the longtime leader, Italy’s Gregorio De Leo. It was Brown’s first major win and, even better, his triumph in the English Under-18 boys’ open championship came in his home county.

The 17-year-old boy international worked hard for his win.

His tee shots went hither and thither during the final round, but with the touch of a magician he pulled off outrageous shots from thick rough, under trees and in the bushes to keep himself in the running.

The 7th was a great example. His tee shot went into the trees on the right; he escaped from that only to send his third shot over the green and on to the 8th tee. From there he simply chipped in for par.

“I knew I had a good chance,” said Brown, after pulling off his win. “But I completely lost my game today. I just got up and down from all over the place and my putter saved me.

“I aimed to stay in it as long as I could and hope it would come good at the end, which it did.”

For all but two holes de Leo kept ahead. He started the round with a two-shot lead, which, at times, he extended to three. But on the 15th the gap was narrowed to one when Brown got up and down – again – for par, while de Leo took his turn to visit the trees and bogeyed the hole.

The 17th was the turning point for Brown. He rammed home a 35-footer for birdie and into a tie for the lead after de Leo was unable to follow him

Barclay Brown drives, surveys a putt and celebrates during his Carris Trophy victory at Fulford Pictures: Leaderboard Photograpghy and Chris Stratford in on the same line. A few putts had just slipped by because I hadn’t hit them hard enough,” said Brown.

“On that one I thought it was time and I gave it a bit more pace. I knew Gregorio was right on my line and I would give him a good read, so I knew I needed to hole it.”

On the last Brown put himself in a great position off the tee and his second finished pin high, just off the green. De Leo, meanwhile, hit his drive into a bunker and reached the green in three.

Brown chipped dead for a certain birdie and the Italian’s

attempt to force a play-off slid by.

“I was nervous over that chip,” said Brown. “Definitely.”

He’s been seeking that big win for a while and commented: “I’ve been playing well this year, but just hadn’t quite got over the line, so it’s nice to do it, especially here in Yorkshire in an England Golf event.”

Victory looked an unlikely outcome after Brown found himself three over through nine holes of the first round. He eventually signed for 73 on day one, which included six penalty shots, and joked: “I only actual-

‘I’ve been playing well this year, but just hadn’t quite got over the line’

ly hit 67 shots that day.”

But he recovered with a 68 on day two and really made ground on day three when he repeated that score despite a cold putter.

Italy’s de Leo also made his big move in the penultimate round to lead on nine under par with Brown just two behind.

The Italian boys’ champion shot a seven-under 65 to set up an intriguing finale.

The difference between them was probably the putter.

De Leo had 26 putts and came off the course commenting: “My putter was so good.”

Brown had contrasting fortunes, remarking: “I didn’t hole any putts. A 6ft putt was the longest I made.” But he certainly wasn’t dismayed. “I’m happy with

the result. I knew someone would shoot a good score and I just wanted to keep myself in it, to stay as close as I could to the lead.”

Brown collected more silverware for his trophy cupboard. He also helped England win the Nations Cup, teaming up with Harrison Arnold (Castle Royle) and Enrique Dimayuga (Walton Heath). Their team total over 36 holes was eight under par and they finished six shots ahead of Italy.

He also won the Malcolm Reid Salver for the best aggregate score in the Carris and Peter McEvoy Trophies.

Fulford’s junior captain George Robson got in the tournament from the reserve list and took advantage of the

opportunity. His opening 71 included a birdie on the 10th and an eagle three on the 11th and he followed suit on the 11th on day two en route to finishing 58th.

And there was a notable top 10 finish for Yorkshire boys’ champion Ben Schmidt (Rotherham), who had been runner-up in the McGregor Trophy the week earlier.

His 67 on day two moved him up 66 places into a tie for 10th on one under and was his first bogey free round.

“The McGegor was massive for my confidence, especially with my second round of five under. Coming into this I knew I had done it and there wasn’t so much pressure trying to make the cut,” said Schmidt.

Poppleton falls in English Am quarters WATH’S Nick Poppleton was beaten in the quarter finals of the English amateur championship at Formby Golf Club, Lancashire.

It was Gloucestershire’s Joe Long (Lansdown) who ended the run of Brabazon Trophy winner Poppleton, signing off with a 14th hole birdie to win 5/4.

Long had led throughout the match, getting off to a quick start by winning two

of the first three holes.

Yorkshiremen filled three of the top four places in the 36-hole qualifying event with Lindrick’s Sam Rook earning top seeding on 5 under, a score equalled by Sam Bairstow of Hallowes with Poppleton a shot further back.

The final was won by Thomas Thurloway of Chartham Park in Sussex, who beat Joe Long 6/5.

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4

August 2018

Dean up to the Challenge Former English amateur winner is looking well set to graduate from this year’s EuroPro Tour YORKSHIRE’S Joe Dean is once again in prime position to earn a spot on next year’s Challenge Tour thanks to some very steady play on the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour.

A top-five placing in the Order of Merit on Europe’s leading development tour will

give the Hillsborough golfer an automatic passage to the European Tour’s satellite circuit, and he currently lies second with just over £18,000 from ten events.

Dean reckons he needs to win one of the remaining events and get his money tally over £25k to secure a berth. He is a

little over £5,000 behind Order of Merit leader Mark Young, of Longridge Golf Club, with five events left to play plus the Tour Championship, which will once again be held at Desert Springs Resort, Spain, at the end of October.

He said: “It’s going to be tough as the standard is getting better and better and I feel I need a victory to make sure. A handful of second-place finishes might also do it, but a win will make it a lot easier.”

Consistency has been his watchword so far with six top-

five finishes, but he doesn’t put that down to improvement in any specific department of his game although he has adopted a somewhat quirky warm-up routine when competing in events.

“Now I just hit a couple of shots before each round in a net rather than hitting 60 or 70 balls on the range. I do some chipping and putting as well, but this new routine was something I picked up from Sergio Garcia.

“I like to work the ball a lot and would go on the range and try to hit a full array of shots and if I didn’t execute them I became frustrated and started taking that on to the course with me. In the three rounds at Longhirst, where I finished second, I only hit a total of six shots before I played.

“If I hit into a net I can’t see the flight and it seems to be working for me, so I will stick to it. As for the rest of my game, yes, I look at the stats from last year, but its more about me learning how to manage my own game .A one per cent improvement in every aspect of your game can make all the difference, although I am working more on course management with Graham Walker.”

At the Tour Championship in 2016 at Desert Springs Dean saw a Challenge Tour place slip through his fingers when he led by three shots going into the last round. He needed to finish first or second, but a double bogey on 15 where he went out of bounds crushed his hopes as he eventually finished in a fourway tie for hird. “ Looking back that experience felt quite alien. I had won the English and a couple of other big amateur events like the Westwood Trophy, and I thought that winning was winning. But that back nine became very difficult for me .I just hadn’t been in a pressure situation like that before and I didn’t have the right focus.

“I was too concerned about what was happening to the players around me rather than concentrating on my own game. I never settled and never got in the zone, but there’s no question that I learnt a big lesson on that final day.”

Last year Dean played all four rounds of the Open

Joe Dean’s consistency has him in second place in the EuroPro Tour’s Order of Merit with a handful of events to play Championship at Royal Birkdale, which he described as a “surreal” experience and another from which he took great store .

“I have been getting too impatient this year on the EuroPro, getting ahead of myself too much by waiting to get to the scoring holes and then getting down on myself if I don’t birdie them, but the Open was the opposite.

“Every hole was playing tough, which meant I had to stay in the present, so the difficulty of the course helped me, and it was another great learning experience.

“I do show my emotions when I’m out on the course and I’m trying to be more patient and Emily (Dean’s long-term girlfriend and caddie) is helping me to achieve that.”

After winning the English amateur at Alwoodley in 2015 he turned pro the following March and immediately set himself a target of winning three times on the EuroPro Tour. He fell short and admitted having to “eat his words” after underestimating the standard of play on a circuit from which Yorkshire’s Chris Hanson and

Marcus Armitage have graduated to the main Tour.

“The quality of golf on the EuroPro is very, very underrated,” added Dean, 24. “I have played a few Challenge Tour events and I didn’t notice much of a difference other than the obvious things like the travel.

The scoring is very similar. “ A recent change in management companies to Fire Start has opened opportunities including the chance to compete again on the Challenge Tour, but Dean will be concentrating on hanging on to one of those coveted top-five spots.

“I have made the mistake of swapping and changing from one to the other in the past, and I don’t want to make that mistake again,” he said.

“Jordan Smith is also a graduate from the EuroPro and just look at what he has achieved (Smith won the 2017 Porsche European Open). As good an opportunity as Tour school is for top amateurs I feel it can be too much of a jump up. I had grown a little stale with amateur golf and wanted to do my own thing and looking back it was definitely the right time to have a go.”

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5

August 2018

BEST YET Howley Hall pro lays claim to £4,500 runner-up cheque at Moor Allerton

Gavins’ run comes just a little too late HOWLEY HALL’S Dan Gavins enjoyed his best finish of the season on the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour when he tied for second in the Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton Golf Club.

Gavins finished on ten under par after rounds of 66, 69 and 68, three shots behind the tournament winner Craig Ross, from Kirkhill Golf Club.

Ross started the day as co-leader on ten under par with rookie Josh Hilleard, but they were soon put under pressure by Gavins who turned in 32 after birdies at 5, 7 and 9.

He added two more birdies at 12 and 15, but could not close the gap although Gavins did have the consolation of picking up a cheque for £4,500.

Friday the 13th is unlucky for some and early in the round it looked to have claimed Ross as one of its victims.

A bogey on the 3rd before a big eagle miss on the seventh could have led to disaster for the Scotsman.

But he put any notion of that to

“It helped a lot having Hilleard out there as my playing partner.

We’ve known each other for a long time through the amateur ranks, so it was good that we were able to spur each other on at times. To get a professional win so quickly into my career will help my confidence and game improve; the £10,000 cheque is a nice little bonus too.”

The win saw Ross rocket up the Order of Merit to third in the overall standings, with the top five spots at the end of the season earning Challenge Tour cards for the 2019 season.

Gavins moved up to 17th, three places ahead of Moortown’s Nick McCarthy while Hillsborough’s Joe Dean currently holds one of the coveted top spots sitting second after a string of consistent performances.

Howley Hall’s Dan Gavins watches the flight of one of his drives during the Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton bed with a superb run at the turn, collecting three birdies in four holes.

“It feels amazing; I’m so thankful that I won,” said Ross, who now has a win to his name as a professional on the EuroPro Tour, adding to his amateur victory back in 2014

at Mar Hall Golf Club.

He added: “I felt like I had the tournament in my control for the most part. I was hitting it really well and just kept plugging away at my own game as I knew the scoring opportunities would appear.

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Ten proves far from perfect on Fitz bow YORKSHIRE champion Alex Fitzpatrick, above, missed the cut on his European Tour debut at the Porsche European Open.

Playing on a sponsor’s invitation he finished on 14 over par after rounds of 78 and 80 on the Green Eagle North course in Hamburg.

A ten on the 398-yard par-4 third hole of his opening round – his 12th hole having started at the 10th – put him under pressure and wrecked what was otherwise a level-par round.

A flyer saw his ball finish in a bush by the green and he had to take two drops under penalty from unplayable lies.

Fitzpatrick starts a golf scholarship at Wake Forest in North Carolina in September and before that will try to emulate brother Matt’s victory in the US Amateur Championship when he travels to Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Alister MacKenzie designed Spyglass Hill later this month (August 13-19).

Few would bet against Matt and Alex being a future Ryder Cup pairing, following in the footsteps of the Molinari brothers, part of Europe’s victorious team at Celtic Manor in 2010, and Bernard and Geoffrey Hunt, who represented GB&I in Atlanta in 1963.

6

August 2018

the Open diary

with MIKE SMITH

Molinari praises Roe for his help

Don’t look now Oh no, another missed fairway. Simon Hurd can’t watch as his boss unleashes a drive at the Old Course at St Andrews during the British Seniors Open

SIMON HURD, founder of Leedsbased Druh Belts and Buckles, did not have the most enjoyable time at Carnoustie.

The former European and Asian Tour player handles the European business affairs of his close pal John Daly and was due to caddie for the 1995 champion before he withdrew due to injury.

But they were re-united a week later at St Andrews for the Senior Open Championship after Daly had undergone treatment on his

troublesome left knee, which included taking bone marrow from his hip to transfer to his troublesome left knee.

Hurd said: “It sounded pretty painful and John said the needle they put in was 20 inches long. So, he did well to play and he is still a really impressive striker of the ball, he just needs to manage himself better on the course.”

Daly missed the final round cut after rounds of 69, 74 and 72, and Hurdy will be back on the bag

when Daly plays in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland next month.

Also at St Andrews was Shipley’s Steven Bottomley who was making a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

He shouldered the bag of Jonathan Lomas and was able to relive his greatest moment in golf when he finished third behind Daly and Molinari’s boyhood hero Costantino Rocco in the Open over the Old Course in 1995.

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SHEFFIELD’S Mark Roe was the first to toast Open champion Francesco Molinari after his gritty win at Carnoustie.

The Sky Sports pundit, who started playing the game at Hallowes before competing in over 600 events – and winning three times – on the European Tour, was Molinari’s short game coach between 2010 and 2014 and only stopped working with the Italian due to problems in his personal life.

“Frankie and I are still the best of friends and his game has really improved this year,” said Roe. “Through working with Denis Pugh he is now 15 yards longer, but his work with performance coach Dave Alred has made a massive difference and that’s all based about making practice feel like a tournament where you have the same pressures and stress, making his preparation for an event more about quality than quantity.

“He’s working with Phil Kenyon now on his putting to improve his quality of strike and pace, because he used to leave a lot of putts short. I watched his pitch shot on 16 and saw a lot what we had worked on together so that was very rewarding.

“He sent me a lovely text just after midnight on the Sunday telling me how I had been an important part of the journey. He’s a class guy and I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Also raising a glass was Danny Denison, who was forced to retire from professional golf with a wrist injury after recovering from a serious car crash he suffered in a courtesy car at a Challenge Tour event in Austria.

The Howley Hall honorary life member now

Lindrick trio triumphant LINDRICK trio Louie Hinchliffe, Joe Wright and Loui Platts, pictured left to right, came out on top in the Yorkshire Inter-District Union unior Team Championship at Hull Golf Club where they represented the Sheffield Union.

Their team score of 70 points based on two from three scores to count was equalled by the team from the Bradford Union, but the title went to the boys from Sheffield by virtue of having a better three-player total.

They will go on to represent the Yorkshire Union at the England Golf Junior Champion Club Tournament which will be played at Frilford Heath Golf Club from August 16-17.

works for Nike and his job is to make sure their sponsored players have everything they need by way of clothing, footwear, hats and gloves and he attends most European Tour events in his role.

Champion golfer Molinari was one of 25 Nike sponsored players at Carnoustie as the swoosh enjoyed huge exposure over the four rounds.

Fellow Howley honorary member Marcus Armitage has revealed that he will need to undergo surgery this winter to repair damage to his right shoulder, which he dislocated less than two weeks before playing his first Open Championship.

His preparation for the biggest week of his life was

‘He sent me a text telling me I had been an important part of his journey’. somewhat foolhardy when he agreed to go indoor skydiving as part of a birthday present from his fiancée Lucy. He said: “I have a weak shoulder and when it popped out during the dive I knew I shouldn’t have done it. It was not the smartest decision, but it is a lesson learned.”

It was two hours before the shoulder could be put back in place and meant he could not move the ball much more than 100 yards in the days before Carnoustie.

Despite some improvement he was only able to operate at half power during his first two rounds of 80 and 69, but to his credit did not use this as an excuse as only close family and friends knew about his injury.

Yorkshire Golfer caught up with Armitage just before he boarded a plane to Sweden for a Challenge Tour event and his first outing since the Open.

He added : “I have been doing a lot of rehab and played nine holes yesterday and hit a few balls this morning and my coach Anthony Sheehy was pretty happy with the way I was moving.

“I have been doing a series of exercises that will strengthen the muscles around the damaged area, but I will need keyhole surgery at the end of the season.

“The medical people have suggested it might take three to six months to get fully fit again, but I’m hoping it won’t take that long.

They also said that I wouldn’t be able to play in the Open, but I did.

“I’m playing three in a row on the Challenge Tour starting with Sweden and I also hope to get in the Rolex Trophy in Geneva.

The Czech Open counts for both Tours so we will see how we get on there, but my goal is to get my card from the Challenge Tour and if not then it will be back to Tour School.

“So, I can’t really set a date for when I will have the operation, we will just have to see how the rest of the year goes.”

Harrogate’s Thomas Curtis, who like Armitage came through the final qualifying rounds, also saw a dramatic improvement to his first-round score of 82 when he was bringing the flags in with him after teeing off 4.15 pm.

The former Grey Goose World Par-3 champion is now a familiar face at his home club of Pannal after moving back to Harrogate in April, and his 68 on day two was only bettered by four players.

7

August 2018

Euro silver lining for Yorkshire duo YORKSHIRE’S David Hague and Nick Poppleton helped England claim a silver medal for the second year in a row at the men’s European amateur team championship.

The team, who were aiming for a record 12th title, missed out on the gold medal when they lost 5-2 to Finland in the final in Germany.

England were put on the back foot when they lost both morning foursomes, which included Hague partnering Poppleton, but the eventual scoreline disguises an intensely close battle in the singles in which Hague halved his game.

Staffordshire’s Gian-Marco Petrozzi was ahead throughout his game, but the others were all tight, and pegged at all square for much of the afternoon. However, the Finnish team – playing in their first final – finished strongly and captured the points they needed.

England had qualified for the match play in second place, losing out on the top spot on countback to Sweden. In the quarter finals, the team trounced France 6-1, but then had to pull out all the stops to defeat Denmark 4-3. Gloucestershire’s Mitch Waite took them through to the final when he won his singles on the 19th.

Yorkshire county team-mates Hague and Poppleton played together in the morning foursomes in the 4-3 semi-final defeat of Denmark at the Nick Faldo-designed Golf Club Bad Saarow and won, as they had in the quarter-final tie with France.

But whereas they defeated their French adversaries 3&1 Wath’s Poppleton, 24, the English stroke play champion, and North of England champion David Hague, (Malton & Norton) had to hold their nerve to win at the 19th against the Danes. It enabled England to win the foursomes 2-0, which David Hague, third left, and Nick Poppleton, second right, pictured with the rest of the proved crucial as they England team at the European men’s team, championship were beaten 3-2 in the singles, in which 3 in the quarters, but also went on to in the side in Hallamshire’s Barclay Poppleton went down 4&3 while win their remaining matches. They Brown and Sheffield-born Joe Hague was rested. defeated Ireland 4.5-0.5 and the Pagdin, who now resides in Lake Elsewhere, the England boys’ Czech Republic 3.5-1.5. Spain won Nona Florida. Playing in the Czech team also had two Yorkshire players the championship.

Republic they lost to Switzerland 4-

Faldo Series North Championship winner James Wilson, of Tyneside Golf Club

North just misses out on Faldo Final place HOWLEY HALL’S Tom North fell just short in his quest to qualify for the Faldo Series Grand Final.

North opened with a 70 to lead the Under-21 category in the Faldo Series North Championship at Moortown before slipping back to the pack with a 76, but a closing 68 saw him push the winner James Wilson (Tyneside GC) all the way.

Wilson’s putter got hot on the back nine and three consecutive birdies from the 15th saw him edge out North by three shots.

There was also disappointment for home club member James Trant who lost out by a solitary shot in the U-16 division to Owen Watts after carding rounds of 74,73 and 76.

Overall champion Wilson qualified for his first Grand Final, which will be played at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club (AESGC) in the United Arab Emirates.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching thousands of golfers each year.

Past winners include major champions Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy.

8

August 2018

Bobcats bouncing as Tour hits Darrington Golf Club

Garforth’s Angus Lovett

Garforth’s Grace Gill

THE inaugural Bobcats Junior Tour is now in full swing and the latest event, at Darrington Golf Club, once again produced some great golf from the youngsters taking part.

Garforth’s Angus Lovett is in fine form and made it back to back wins in the handicap division with a nett score of 26 over 9 holes.

Club-mate Grace Gill

Silkstone’s Jade Pinder

DENIED AT THE LAST McGregor Trophy success goes to Gough after his late birdie burst

Schmidt so close to lifting top title YORKSHIRE boys’ champion Ben Schmidt was denied victory in the McGregor Trophy when Stoke Park’s Conor Gough holed from 25ft on the last green at Kedleston Park, Derbyshire.

Rotherham’s Schmidt looked destined to join a list of illustrious names on a trophy that is awarded to the winner of the English Under-16 boys’ open championship.

He led by three shots with nine holes to play before Gough bagged four birdies in the last six holes.

Ahead by three going into the last of four rounds, Schmidt played the front nine in twounder 34 thanks to four birdies, which took his tally on the front nine for the week to 13.

However, he dropped shots at 12, 14 and 15 and suddenly had company at the top of the leaderboard in the shape of Gough.

He showed real Yorkshire grit by birdieing both 16 and 17, but once again the last hole

proved to be his nemesis and his third bogey in four rounds opened the door for Gough to put his name on the trophy alongside the likes of Olympic champion Justin Rose and former Ryder Cup player Eduardo Molinari .

Schmidt carded rounds of 71, 67, 72 and 72, and his second-round score was his bestever competitive round.

His five-under 67 – the joint low score of the day – was good enough to give him the halfway lead on six under and the 16-year-old remarked: “It’s the best score I’ve ever shot in competition and a big achievement for myself.”

The omens were good from the start. His drive on the par-5 first found trouble and he had to chip out – but got up and down for birdie from 165 yards.

“I thought, ‘that’s not a bad start’,” he said.

“Then I followed up with another birdie on the next hole where I holed from about 15ft.

That’s what got it going.”

took the honours in the 69 age group with a gross 37, which gave her a maiden victory on the tour.

Jade Pinder has been a model of consistency all year and her nett 26 also gave the Silkstone youngster her first win in the 1014 flight and she will be looking to repeat that performance when the next event is played over her home course on August 18.

Eaton’s chip-in leads to Bradford triumph SKIPTON Golf Club’s Lucy Eaton is the new Bradford & District Ladies champion.

In an event played over three days at Northcliffe Golf Club, Shipley, 22-year-old Eaton shot the best gross and nett scores on the first day en route to a top-eight finish and a place in the matchplay stages.

And with sister Hannah on the bag for the final, Eaton beat defending champion and Northcliffe member Hannah Choudray at the first extra hole when she chipped in for a two.

It was the latest in a long line of golfing accolades for Eaton, who joined Skipton Golf Club as a junior in 2006 aged ten.

She is a former junior captain and has just returned to the United States to complete her fourth and final year of a golf scholarship at Florida Tech.

Eaton is pictured below receiving the Bradford & District Ladies Golf Championship trophies from Northcliffe Golf Club’s lady captain Lesley Eccles.

Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt finished runner-up at Kedleston Park

Picture: Chris Stratford

Abbeydale just get the better of Fulford

Walsh impresses in IMG World competition

ABBEYDALE Golf Club came out on top in the Yorkshire Union Team Championship, which was played this year at Rotherham Golf Club.

Their team of Jack Leversidge, Tim Brind and Josh Wright, pictured l-r, finished one shot clear of Fulford on 424, who edged Middlesbrough into third position, again by a single shot.

The best 36-hole total on the day went to Middlesbrough’s James Swash following rounds of 70 and 66.

Fulford’s Charlie Thornton was the low man in round one on 67, a score matched in the afternoon by James Edwards, from Huddersfield.

CROW Nest Park’s Louie Walsh claimed a top-15 place at the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in the USA. Walsh,12, finished strongly with two birdies in the last five holes to finish in 13th place in a field of 145 players who contested the Boys’ 11-12 category at the Morgan Run Club & Resort in Santa Fe, Southern California.

The Brighouse High pupil was a model of consistency in compiling

scores of 72, 71 and 72 for a one-under-par aggregate of 214,and finished nine shots behind the winner, Joshua Bai from New Zealand.

He said: “I had a great experience and made some new friends from all over world. Thanks to my mum and dad for working hard to get me here.”

A lesson from putting coach Lee Sullivan just before he left also paid off when he finished runner-up in the Callaway World Putting competition, which was held prior to the main event.

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August 2018

T

HERE can’t be many Yorkshire golf clubs that have ranked in a British top 10 of any category.

None spring to my mind, as magnificent and varied as so many of our great county’s clubs and courses are.

Neither can there be many clubs with as colourful and textured – pun intended – a history as Crow Nest Park, on the hills above Brighouse, with its background as a weekend retreat for the great industrialist and philanthropist Sir Titus Salt.

The stunning par 3, 5th hole at Crow Nest is over the boating lake the creator of the model village of Saltaire, 10 miles to the north, used to punt back in his 19th century heyday.

In fact the estate pre-dates even Sir Titus, with records back to 1592 and the first grand house built in 1775.

The rolling landscape would have been perfect for golf even then, but it was as recently as 1995 that former owner Richard Harrison laid out the course – not that you’d know it from the abundance of mature woodland and sumptuous greens.

In fact it took only 14 years for Crow Nest Park to be named as one of Britain’s top 10 9-hole courses by National Club Golfer, and among the best shorter tracks in the world by no less than Golf World the year after.

Those are some plaudits. And they are well deserved.

But Crow Nest Park is a club very much with its eye on the future and a modern outlook. It’s members are a sociable lot. As Director of Golf Shaun Higgins said: “There’s never a shortage of volunteers when some labour intensive work needs doing”, as happened with a recently felled mature tree. Sean and Head Greenkeeper Mark Widdop are currently trying to get some remedial drainage work done before winter, although the course is proud of its year-round playability, courtesy of USGA-standard greens.

With a spacious club room perfect for a wide variety of public events and celebrations, a welcoming clubhouse and a dedicated restaurant that’s open to the public, Crow Nest Park very much embodies the modern club.

Sunday roast lunches are a staple in the clubhouse and there’s a busy diary of weekend events.

And with a covered eight-bay driving range that’s open to the public, it ticks pretty much every box.

In an age when time pressures are regularly cited as damaging the take up of golf, never should 9-hole course be more popular.

And although many 9-holers basically play off the same tee box twice, with maybe five or 10 yards difference, that is decidedly not the case here. Such is the striking and varied landscape, that quite a few of the holes provide a very diffferent test the second time around. Most courses are better for having been played once anyway, which makes Crow Nest Park perfect for both visitors and societies.

Gone are the days when Sir Titus’s alpacas and llamas wandered the fairways – or indeed Italian prisoners of war from World War II – and golfers visiting this superb club are all the luckier for it.

certain 3-shotter up the hill. There’s another bunker short right of the elevated green, one front greenside, but if you hit the steep left hand run off, you could be gone. Pretty, and pretty tough.

3rd - Coach Road, par 4 (5 for ladies) A hole that’s better for having played it once. A long, sweeping left-to-righter, much more straightforward off the advanced 12th tees. The tiger line is a must if you want to reach in two, but lots of balls will be amongst the copse in the gully. Downhill to an inviting, flat green.

IN FOCUS: Danny Lockwood visits one of the very best 9-hole layouts – CROW NEST PARK GC

1st - St Giles, par 4 Uphill par 4, slight dogleg left to right, OB both sides. Two fairway bunkers, which are quite flat, then an undulating, big green with a bunker sitting in its left hand elbow. From the 10th, it’s shorter but offering a bigger dogleg.

2nd - The Spire, par 4 Index 1 and very tight up the left – with a dogleg left – but if you go too wide right, there are bunkers and it’s a

4th - The Bats Belfry, par 4 A gorgeous short par 4, but don’t be tempted to take the driver out.

From the tee you’re aiming down a rifle barrel almost – it’s different again from the 13th – so play for position to a narrow, angled green sitting atop a sizeable wall. Miss left and your lob wedge skills will really be tested.

5th - The Old Boat House, p3 A lovely par 3 over the boating lake, to a big, welcoming round target, but with a devilish horizontal bunker to the back catching anything long, and a steep front run off towards the water.

6th - Mansion House, par 4 Just a slight left to righter, so favour the left side of the fairway to avoid being blocked out, to a green again with a dogleg shape and a bunker nestled in its elbow.

7th – Salts Drive, par 4 A blind tee shot over a brow onto a plateau, and a legitimate dogleg as well when played from the 16th tee.

Favour the left, although there are three of these typically flat fairway traps. Another big, undulating green with two bunkers lying in wait below the putting surface to the right.

8th – Wills Pearls par 3 A long par 3 but all downhill, so club selection is key. If you take too much and go left, you could run off 50 or 60 yards and face real trouble. Itís a narrow, sand-guarded entrance to the green, but opens up and thankfully slopes back to front for those confident enough to go right at it.

9th – Stable Way, par 5 A cracking par 5, albeit daunting from the tee box, because the trees in the distance look like sentinels you have to thread between. In reality thereís more room than first appears, before the fairway drops down and away, a lovely vista towards an elevated green and the clubhouse beyond.

The green is MacKenzie like, angled at 45 degrees and two tier. Thankfully the banking at the rear is a friendly backstop.

Mind the gap – the 4th (right) Room with a view – the restaurant and terrace overlook the course and driving range (below)

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August 2018

US hero offers true inspiration THE annual match between Pannal Golf Club and a team of wounded servicemen from the Battleback organisation also provided an inspirational moment for the son of the club’s bar manager.

Eighteen-year-old Chris Collington has been struggling to enter service with the British Army due to a rare medical condition called hyperhidrosis, which causes sweating palms.

The condition is treatable, but hadn’t been identified until Chris attended his induction medical in Edinburgh. His dreams of joining up and going to the Royal Engineers were dashed at a stroke.

When Pannal club member Adrian Law heard about Chris’s plight he contacted a long-time friend from the United States Army Special Forces about the condition.

That friend was a Special Forces medic, Captain Mike Gary Rose, a US Army Vietnam veteran and Green Beret recipient. Mike, now 70 and resident in Huntsville, Alabama, quickly understood the problem and urged Chris to persevere.

To encourage Chris he

promised to send him some Special Forces badges and memorabilia. However, another special surprise was on the way.

Capt. Rose decided that a gift of the actual Green Beret he wore on more formal occasions during his Vietnam tours would be the perfect fillip for disappointed Chris.

Mike, who had been active in some very special operations

Green Beret provides perfect fillip for Chris during the Vietnam conflict, had been awarded the second highest award for bravery on a clandestine mission in Laos in the summer of 1970.

The mission saw a crack team of troops helicopter in, miles behind enemy lines ,to act as a diversionary force to aid efforts in the conflict against the North Vietnamese troops.

Many men in the Hatchet Force team were injured during the explosive encounter – and Capt. Rose risked his life on numerous occasions to rescue

and protect some 50 of his comrades in an outstanding act of bravery.

Due to the secrecy of the mission, Mike was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.

However, that medal was later upgraded to the highest award of all – the cherished Medal of Honour – for his courage and valour on the battlefield.

The MOH – the top military award in the US – was presented to Capt. Rose in a special ceremony by President Donald Trump in October.

And when the Battleback Team visited Pannal for their annual encounter their leader Bernie Broad made the presentation on Capt. Rose’s behalf.

Major (ret) Bernie Broad is also the captain of the British Invictus Games team, and it was a touching moment and one of great pride for young Chris.

With a little more perseverance, it is hoped the medication can fix the condition and he can fulfil his long-held military dream, with the ultimate backing of a US army legend.

The Battleback team with, l to r at front, Major (ret) Bernie Broad, Chris Collington, and Adrian Law Picture: David Hickes Photography

Hazlewood savouring Snainton hole in one CONGRATULATIONS go to John Hazlewood on his hole in one on the 180-yard 4th hole at Snainton Golf. He is pictured, right, with Snainton owner John Hinchcliffe.

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August 2018

ANNIVERSARY PRESENCE Work complete on taking picturesque North Yorkshire club to an even higher level

Skipton has new look for 125th year SKIPTON Golf Club has unveiled its newly remodelled 18-hole course in what is a milestone year for the North Yorkshire course.

The club is this year celebrating its 125th anniversary and the opening of the newlook course represents one of the single most important landmarks in Skipton’s long and proud history.

A celebratory opening event for members was held on August 3, and the President’s Day took place the following day. An open event for visitors will follow shortly at a date to be determined.

Work is now complete on two brand-new par-4 holes, which will significantly add to the appeal of the well-known golf course, which stands in an area of outstanding scenic beauty just off the A59 on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales market town.

The new course continues to offer challenges to all standards of golfers. It becomes a par-71 with three par-3s, 13 par-4s and two par-5s. In addition, the planned introduction of genderfree tees will allow players of all abilities to challenge themselves at their own level.

Major redevelopment work, involving significant investment, has been necessitated by the Environment Agency’s Flood Alleviation Scheme for

Skipton. It has been funded by the Agency’s compensation agreement.

Already in place and well established are a remodelled and enhanced 15th green and an extended 9th hole, now a par-5 following the construction of a new tee.

Further work has been completed to improve sight lines on the signature par-3 16th green, which, along with the enhanced 15th, represents Skipton’s very own ‘Amen Corner’– two holes running alongside Eller Beck demanding both accuracy and a steady nerve.

Other improvements include a brand-new raised 17th green, which significantly extends the current hole to make it one of the most challenging par-4s on the entire course, requiring two good hits to make the green. An adjoining new elevated championship tee for the final hole will make this a real test of skill too.

When the new holes initially come into play the current first hole will be converted to a short game practice area, with the 2nd hole, a demanding par5, becoming the new 1st.

Many more upgrades have also been put in place around what is considered one of the most picturesque golf courses in Yorkshire, including the replacement of bunkers, four new bridges, improved pathways and drainage, sensitive

Pictured on what will become the new 11th green at Skipton are, from left, Alex Topper, a member of the junior development programme, club chairman Michael Hirst, president Jonathan White, lady president Bridget Edwards, lady captain Pat Eaton and club captain Gerald Corrigan. Holding the flag is Lucy Eaton, a Skipton member and former junior captain. tree felling and new planting.

Club chairman Michael Hirst said: “This has been a major project, which will improve the enjoyment and challenge of playing Skipton for both members and visitors alike. Not only is the new course fantastic, but the recent clubhouse refurbishments and quality of food and beverages now make Skipton Golf Club an all-purpose venue.

“The decision to employ David Jones, a renowned course architect, and leading course constructors, MJ Abbott, has paid immense dividends, with our own team of greens’ staff, led by Ian Brown, working in partnership with them to produce what must surely be regarded as one of the finest courses around.

“Great thanks go to all involved in the project and to

our loyal members, who have shown support and understanding throughout. We couldn’t wait to start playing it – and openly invite others to come along soon and experience it themselves.”

Ahead of the new course launch there was widespread external interest from potential new members and the club has put in place a number of valueadded membership packages,

both full and flexible, for allcomers – from complete beginners through to improvers and seasoned golfers.

Tuition from the club’s long-standing and popular professional Peter Robinson is an option on many of the ‘Get into Golf ‘packages.

Visitors and societies are also showing increased interest in putting their skills to the test on the remodelled course.

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August 2018

Wortley – the best of both worlds C

ONFESSION time. If it had not been for an occasion when I was pressed into service delivering Yorkshire Golfers around South Yorkshire, I would not have had the foggiest idea where Wortley – or its fabulous golf club – was located.

Golfing aside, if you ever want an idyllic Yorkshire village to retire to, with fantastic road links to pretty much all points of the compass, Wortley could be it. Not that you would know the M1 is just minutes away, once you are lost in the green and pleasant pastures and wandering wildlife of the historic Wharncliffe Estate, which Wortley’s golf course is nestled within. You could be hours from ‘civilisation’ once you’ve teed off the first, with just the occasional distant view of some of Barnsley’s southern villages beyond the thick woodland that encloses you.

When you talk of ‘hidden gems’ this particular club ticks all the boxes, tucked away as it is up the wonderfully named Hermit Hill Lane, just off the A629 that takes Sheffield folk over the top into Manchester.

The village teems with history and the golf club too, founded as it was by the 2nd Earl of Wharncliffe in 1894 (the village is recorded in the Domesday Book) who was President until 1926 and was succeeded by the 3rd and 4th Earls right up to 1988.

Yorkshire Golfer publisher DANNY LOCKWOOD finds a hidden gem with a foot both in the past and the future...

No wonder then, that Wortley likes to regard itself as a traditional club, but one with a thoroughly modern outlook. The 19th century very much aligned with the 21st as I discovered with delight when downloading the Wortley Golf Club app onto my iPhone.

Impressive indeed, whether you’re a member or just a fan of golf clubs that are quite literally on the ball.

Wortley started life as a 9-hole course, which was extended to 18 when a converted hunting lodge became the new clubhouse which opened in 1911.

The club itself believes, without being able to establish proof, that the layout was the work of the Harry Colt Association – Colt designed nearby Hallamshire – and certainly it bears the hallmarks of a top quality design ethos.

Clever doglegs, excellent crafting of a very undulating natural terrain, and large, sculpted greens with subtle but devilish breaks in them, make for a proper test of golf.

With a par of 68 thanks to the five par 3s – all of them absolutely terrific on the eye – and a single par 5 on the back nine, Wortley comes in at just over 6,000 yards.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a short course however. Long uphill par 4s will bring the best out of any low handicapper and

the finishing 18th is as good as any you will find in the county.

I asked professional Richard Crawshaw why some holes weren’t lengthened – there is scope – to make particularly the 18th a par five, and he admitted they’d looked at changes, but resisted them. It is sure to settle a few matches and cards, for certain.

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HE club’s Membership and Marketing chair, Kevin Mooney, doesn’t miss many tricks making sure the club is at the forefront of both technological and social trends. His work is ably assisted by relatively new stewards, Andy and Andrea Connor, who are happy to welcome any guests, golfers or not, with food served daytime Monday, then 11am to 9pm Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday 12-4pm.

“We’re always changing and adapting our menus to reflect what customers want, members and passing guests alike,” said Andrea.

As Kevin Mooney added: “We want people to see us as much more than just a golf club. This is a place we want people to drop into, to come see friends, to make a part of their lives.”

Indeed, with an enthusiastic Bridge club at play in the adjacent lounge, and a Social Secretary who is an accomplished artist – and

A steep run off at the back of the 2nd hole

runs art classes within the club – there’s a lot more to Wortley than browsing the pro shop, or having Richard Crawshaw assess your game on the latest Flightscope technology.

A handsome, comfortable, traditional clubhouse means Wortley’s perfect for events like current Captain Michael Ward’s

A birdie chance at the Ring O’Bells 7th – if you carry the dogleg and OOB with your drive and catch the sweeping downslope!

upcoming 60s night, while Lady Captain Val Bellamy leads a thriving section too.

Historically, Wortley has always restricted full membership to 300 and there are currently a limited number of openings.

Like most clubs, developing the youth section is always a challenge but they run the Junior Passport Scheme with fun Saturday morning coaching sessions, while Richard Crawshaw is planning ‘street golf’ visits once school starts again in September.

In addition, there are free taster sessions for novices and an attractive beginners package with eight lessons (including an oncourse lesson), temporary house membership and use of the practice ground and putting green.

I suspect that people taking up that tempting offer tend to stick around, whether they just love the history – or are very much looking to the future.

August 2018

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A great finish – looking back down the 18th from the Ladies’ 1st tee 1: The Vista, 344yds par 4 A lovely, gentle opening hole. A dogleg swinging to the left with OOB all the way down the left and behind the green which slopes back to front.

Just left of the bunker is a great line off the tee. Ideally you don’t want to go past the pin, so try and play to be below the hole to leave an easier putt.

2: Windy Ridge, 420yds par 4 A testing ‘up and over’ the ridge with an accurate tee shot needed due to OOB down the left.

From the top of the ridge the large green lies downhill before you. The green slopes front to back and falls away over a deep bank at the back. A tough hole early in the round.

3: Putters Folly, 185yds par 3 A really tricky long par 3. A narrow tee shot through a channel of trees left and right, a ditch to carry and a green guarded by bunkers makes this tee shot one of the most intimidating.

A great hole and a par will be well earned!

4: Field Side, 402yds par 4 Downhill most of the way the 4th looks well on the eye from the tee. Another hole with OOB down the left, a brave tee shot down that side will be rewarded with a simpler approach.

A safer shot down the right can bounce towards the trees and leave a more awkward approach. A large green with subtle borrows awaits.

5: Farm View, 152yds par 3 A straightforward par 3 with a green that slopes right to

Wortley Golf Club Hermit Hill Lane, Wortley, Sheffield S35 7DF Tel: 0114 288 8469 www.wortleygolfclub.co.uk

left. Bunkers front and right and a slope below the green on the left mean that there is nothing really easy here.

Try to leave an uphill putt if you can.

6: Woodside, 328yds par 4 All uphill and played back over the 5th green, this par 4 has OOB into the woods on the left.

The 2nd shot into a raised green plays longer than it looks so take a club more.

Look back down and beyond the 6th fairway for a great view.

7: Ring 0’Bells, 428yds par 4 A testing downhiller with a semi blind tee shot over the corner with trouble left again, so don’t take too much of the corner.

The downhill 2nd can be landed short and run onto the large green but beware there is OOB at the back! A possible birdie chance.

8: The Climb, 415yds par 4 Stroke index 1 and you can see why. A long par 4 up the hill needs an accurate tee shot to avoid the trees and rhododendrons.

That leaves a tough uphill 2nd across the grass mounds to a green just above your eye line. You definitely need to club up here.

9: Pagoda, 127yds par 3 The shortest hole on the course and in theory one of the easiest – but don’t be fooled, this good looking hole can trip you very easily.

The green slopes right to left with a bunker lurking on the right. Missing left leaves a chip up a steep bank. There are no straight putts eitherl. If the Pagoda is open enjoy a break – you will need it!

10: Worsborough View, 511yds par 5 Enjoy the view over the fairway before taking on the only par 5. A tee shot down the

left is important as the fairway slopes left to right early on.

Next is a challenging approach shot between fairway bunkers to a flat green that slopes severely over the sides and back.

11: The Oaks, 357yds par 4 The start of a run of five tough holes. Two oaks dominate the fairway and give you a perfect target. The undulating fairway slopes from right to left.

Unless you can pass the trees off the tee it is better to be shorter and not blocked out.

Any 2nd shot to the right of the green should kick left towards it.

12: Ravine, 177yds par 3 The Wortley signature hole. A feature par 3 over the ravine and restored barn, this stunning hole has an elevated, undulating green protected by bunkers left and right.

Beware the OOB left of the green.

Everything you could want in a par 3!

13: Arthur’s Rest, 368yds par 4 A tricky hole with a sharply left to right sloping fairway. Up the left leaves the best view of the green if you avoid the foliage.

Any drive centre right will leave you in a deep hollow with the right of the green almost blocked out.

The green is well bunkered and has a large left to right slope so don’t miss left.

Two putts or less is a bonus.

14: The Dip, 434yds par 4 A long, tough par 4 with a large dip in the fairway. There is nowhere to hide from the tee, you just need to hit a good shot down the middle.

There is trouble down the right hand side on the approach so keep left into another sloping back to front/left to right green.

15: Spectacles, 397yds par 4 The hole gets its name from the two bunkers in the distance from the tee. There is plenty of tree trouble up the right off the tee – left centre is the line.

The second shot plays to a raised green with a large slope to the right hand side.

Definitely more club than you think it is!

16: Hall View, 178yds par 3 Wortley Hall used to be in view but then the trees grew! From the elevated tee this final par 3 looks really inviting.

However with bunkers all around the green that slopes back to front you should try to stay straight and below the hole. More subtle borrows on this green.

17: Rhododendrons, 363yds par 4 A short par 4 with a fairway that slopes to the left. The 2nd shot is over two fairway bunkers to another gently sloping green.

A birdie opportunity with a good drive.

18: Wharncliffe Side, 431yds par 4 One of the toughest finishing holes around. You need a long and accurate tee shot to leave any chance of making the green in regulation.

There is OOB left of the green which has serious back to front and right to left slope.

Anyone standing above you on the first tee will admire a golfer who gets a par.

From mature oaks to sentinal confiers Wortley’s setting in the Wharncliffe Estate is second to none

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August 2018

SPECIAL FEATURE Yorkshire Golfer visits two clubs in South Yorkshire that encapsulate beauty of Braod Acres

Delights of Hallowes and Doncaster Town Moor T

The historic clubhouse at Hallowes Golf Club that dates back to 1657

HIS MONTH we throw the spotlight on two South Yorkshire clubs that, in their own and unique way, epitomise the rich variety on offer to golfers in this part of the Broad Acres Many golfers who visit Hallowes for the first time describe it as a ‘hidden gem’, wishing they had discovered it many years ago.

They have been particularly impressed with the variety of holes and the fact that no two look the same, which is the hallmark of a memorable layout.

The course, although situated at the top of the hill overlooking Dronfield on the border with Derbyshire, is very

easy walking without any steep hills to negotiate.

The club is well established, having been founded in 1892, and possesses a historic clubhouse dating back to 1657.

Over the last two years extensive work has been done to the bunkers with the help of a world-renowned architect and a specialist bunker construction company, which has brought the course in line with modern trends.

Hallowes prides itself on its equality policy, with the lady members playing without restriction at any time, plus a flourishing junior section.

Indeed, the current President of the club, Mrs Jacqui Lomas, is one of the first Lady Club Presidents in the

Never miss the very best of golf in Yorkshire – check out our website at www.yorkshiregolfer.net

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August 2018

SPECIAL FEATURE History abounds at both Hallowes and Doncaster Town Moor A view from a green at Doncaster Town Moor Golf Club looking towards the racecourse.

Sheffield and North Derbyshire area.

Visitors to Hallowes are always welcome, and a few vacancies in all membership categories are available to join a club that not only has a flourishing playing section, but also provides many different social events for its members. he St Leger is the oldest of the horse racing classics, having been run over the Town Moor for the first time in 1776.

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This piece of historic land is also the home to Doncaster Town Moor Golf Club with the course enjoying a distinctive location inside the famous racecourse and less than a mile from Doncaster’s busy town centre.

This superb parkland layout benefits from extremely good drainage, which allows members and visitors alike the chance to play on full greens year-round.

The course is more difficult than the yardage may suggest and is one

of the best winter courses inYorkshire.

It is an easy walking stroll with very few gradient changes and suitable for golfers of all standards.

And make no mistake, anyone matching or bettering the par of 69 over those deceptive 6,139 yards can feel justifiably proud.

Town Moor is a very friendly social club, but very competitive. The trusted AA Golf Course Guide acknowledges the fact that it is easy walking, but a

testing heathland course with good and true running greens.

The guide also highlights some of the memorable holes, which include the 11th, a par-4 stretching 464 yards and requiring two very good knocks to get home in regulation.

Hotel accommodation is readily available nearby and can be found to suit all budgets, and with the busy night life of Doncaster town centre it’s a perfect choice for a weekend of golf and fun.

Got a story that needs telling in next month’s Yorkshire Golfer? Send your story and photos to mike@yorkshire-golfer.com

Chance to play with RL legends THERE’S still time to enter a team and play with a Rugby League legend in the Whitwood Golf Club charity golf day on September 2.

Teams of three for the shotgun start cost just £60, which includes a meal after play, and each team will be joined by a celebrity from the sport to make up a fourball.

Former British Lions Malcolm Reilly, Brian Lockwood, Paul Dixon and Peter Small will be joined on the day by the likes of ex-Hull stalwarts Chris Davidson and Charlie Birdsall.

Proceeds from the day will go towards Rugby League Cares, an independent charity that plays a key role in the field of player welfare by helping players at the end of their careers to make the transition to life after rugby, providing education and training grants that equip them with the skills and qualifications they need for the next stage of their lives.

The charity is also there for current and former players who are enduring poor health or hardship by offering practical and financial support.

Team places are limited and can be booked by contacting Brian Lockwood on 07944 414686.

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August 2018

UP AGAINST IT But Doncaster’s rising star gives fine account of himself as one of youngest players at St Andrews

Berry impressive in Open battle

Josh Berry in action at St Andrews and, inset, taking a selfie with hero Jordan Spieth. Main picture: Leaderboard Photography

DONCASTER’S Josh Berry finished a creditable 12th despite being one of the youngest competitors in the R&A’s Junior British Open over the Eden course at St Andrews.

He was selected by England Golf to represent his country, along with Rosie Belsham, 16, of Whitley Bay Golf Club, in the 54-hole championship that is closely linked to The Open and features leading Under-16 golfers from around the world.

Past winners include Masters champion Patrick Reed.

Unlike horse racing there is no weight for age allowance in golf,and the 13-year old’s rounds of 68, 72 and 74 in a field of 144 players left him nine shots adrift of the winner Martin Vorster, 16, of South Africa.

But it was very much a case of what could have been as poor form on the greens cost him a chance of the title, taking 35, 34 and 38 putts respectively in each round. Compare that to Champion Golfer of the Year Francesco Molinari who had

28, 27, 27 and 29 putts on his way to winning the Claret Jug at Carnoustie.

Berry, who plays off a handicap of 1.3, became the first English winner of French Under-14 championship when he lifted the title earlier this year. Both Belsham and Berry train with England Golf regional squads.

Berry’s father Scott said: “To be selected at just turned 13 for an event where each country is encouraged to send their best player under 16 is an achievement in itself. Before the tournament to finish 12th out of 144, having looked at the field,

would have been a dream, but in reality it could have been much higher.

“The R&A set it up like a proper Open, with competitor marquees and shuttle buses making the players feel like superstars the whole week.”

And Berry had the chance to meet his idol Jordan Spieth when the defending champion made a surprise appearance with the famous trophy to open the event on the Sunday night .

Berry’s opening round was a day spent “grinding, fighting and scrambling”, which included a couple of outrageous sand saves. After spurning a few good opportunities he closed out in style with two birdies.

Despite not bettering his first round 68 Berry played his most impressive golf of the tournament with superb play

from tee to green setting up 10 chances inside 12ft for birdie, but as on the other days he struggled to hole out and threeputted on three holes to finish on 72 and stand at level par .

Difficult conditions greeted the players on the final day and he turned in one under on the tougher of the two nines. After burning the hole with three birdie putts and following a bogey on ten from a bad lie in a trap he decided to go on the attack before a couple of bad bounces cost him dearly.

Berry senior added: “Josh played with three of the players that finished in the top five and didn’t look out of place at all.

But the whole week was an amazing experience and one that he has learned so much from. A bit more experience and he would have been right up there.”

He now stands second in the European Under-14 rankings and is the only player in the top 25 to be born in 2005. It looks like the only way is up for master Berry.

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August 2018

Cooke is top in her class Yorkshire keep Northern crown firmly in grasp YORKSHIRE won the Northern Counties Boys’ County Qualifying Championship for a third successive year and will head to the county finals at Rockliffe Hall at the end of August to defend their crown.

Hallamshire’s Barclay Brown was the county’s leading scorer and low man of the day on 140 after rounds of 67 and 73 followed by reigning Yorkshire boys’ champion Ben Schmidt (Rotherham) on 148. The other members of the successful team, pictured above, were George Heath (149), Michael Hay (154), Charlie Daughtrey (157) and Callum Macfie (158).

Cheshire finished runners-up 17 shots adrift at Pleasington GC near Blackburn.

RUDDING PARK’S Evie Cooke has a national title to her name after winning the English Schools’ Golf Association Under-16 girls’ championship.

Fearlessness, frustration and fortitude were well to the fore – and there was even a new course record – when golfing prodigies gathered for their national NASUWT-sponsored championships at Thetford Golf Club in Norfolk.

With no rain for weeks, the tree and gorse-lined course had scorched brown fairways baked hard by the sun and the thermometer climbed past 30 degrees during the 36-hole event.

But with receptive greens the cream of England’s youngsters rose to the top as Hampshire’s Sam West took the boys’ title and Yorkshire’s Cooke produced some similarly excellent golf to wrap up the girls’ title, both by just one shot.

West returned a frustrating

three-over par 75 in the morning, but stormed back after lunch with an excellent 69 to pip Dorset’s Jacob Tidswell, who shot two excellent rounds of 73 and 72, with Yorkshire’s Jack Whaley three shots back in third place.

Meanwhile, Cooke was just one of three girls to shoot a level-par 74 in the morning, and in the afternoon she kept her nerve to return a fine 73 to finish one under par overall, one shot ahead of the two rounds of 74 shot by Surrey’s Lottie Woad.

After a disappointing 81 in the morning Northumberland’s Rachel Gourley stormed back with a new ladies’ course record of 69 to clinch third place.

After receiving the winners’ trophies, West and Cooke – who were both making their debuts in the event – agreed that the conditions had been tricky, but they had enjoyed the course and challenge.

St Aidan’s School pupil Evie Cooke pictured with the trophy after her win in the English Schools’ Golf Association’s championship.

Cooke, a pupil at St Aidan’s School, Harrogate, said: “The fairways were tough to hold, but the greens held up really well. When I got on the back nines I gave myself more chances.”

During the presentation ceremony England Schools’ Golf Association President John Quinby paid tribute to the Thetford clubhouse and greens staff for all their hard work plus the fortitude of all

TEN-YEAR-OLD Tyler Sharpe had a memorable two days in Whitwood’s club championship.

Young Tyler, left, stormed to a win with nett rounds of 60 and 67 and reduced his handicap by five to 23. The gross prize went to Daniel Birkin who

has also enjoyed a dramatic improvement in his game. He only took up the game six months ago and his rounds of 78 and 73 helped reduce his handicap from 8 to 7 having tumbled previously from 15 in the last 3 months.

Club manager Kevin

the competitors who performed so well in very challenging conditions.

Prizes were then handed out by Thetford’s men’s club captain Bob Pearson and ladies’ captain Margaret Hayward.

Cooke will now join Huddersfield’s Charlotte Heath in the ESGA international team to play against Wales at Llanwern Golf Club in Gwent on Monday, August 27.

Moore said: “I can only hope with Tyler doing so well that this will rub of and encourage more juniors to take up the sport .

And Daniel’s win and reduction in handicap is again a fantastic achievement in such a short space of time.”

20

August 2018

SIZZLING SUMMER Leading light at Lindrick claims England match play title and goes close to national double

Super Slater is enjoying hot streak THE summer is hot and so is the form of Lindrick’s Nicola Slater who landed the biggest win of her career so far with victory in the English women’s open matchplay championship at Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire.

Slater’s sizzling stretch started with her equalling the course record of 66 at the Old Course in June and included a fourth-place finish in the English women’s amateur championship at The Wilmslow.

Her magical round at St Andrews included eight birdies and an eagle and she said: “That really started it all off for me, and the five days at the matchplay were the biggest and best of my golfing life so far.”

The Yorkshire teenager credits a big improvement in her putting as the game changer this year after her dad Mark spotted a flaw in her stroke.

“My dad introduced me to golf and coached me in my early days, so he knows my game well and he spotted that I had the face of my putter closed at impact,” said Slater.

She headed over to Formby Hall for a series of putting lessons with Mike Hansky during the winter months, and with the problem fixed hasn’t looked back since.

She clinched the trophy with a 3/2 win in the final over Surrey’s Sammy Fuller (Roehampton) and said: “This means a lot.”

It was the first individual national title for Barnsley based Slater who is also a member at Hickleton and Woodsome Hall, and she added it to the prestigious Bridget Jackson Bowl which she won by five shots earlier in the week.

From there it was straight into the match play championship and the 18-year-old carried her great form with her.

She tied second in qualifying and steadily worked her way through the knockout stages.

Slater, a member of the England Golf national girls’ squad, defeated Lois Lau of France in the first round, before taking on her toughest match of the week, against the host club’s Jessica Bailey where she

Nicola Slater with the English match play trophy, above, and with Lindrick club-mate Mia Eales-Smith after edging her in the Yorkshire girls’ title. won through on the last hole.

In the semi-final against Trentham’s Emily Brennan she was down early on, but battled back to all square after 10, only to again drop two behind. Yet again she fought back, helped by a birdie on the 15th, and won the game on the 17th.

In the final against Fuller, she set off at a blistering pace – to her own surprise. “I don’t usually get off to a good start in matchplay, I tend to be down to start with,” quipped Slater who is now playing of a handicap of +3. Not on finals day.

Slater was three under par and six up after 12 holes, before withstanding a fightback from Fuller, who won three holes in a row. But Slater settled herself with a winning birdie on the 16th to claim her title.

Just two weeks later her summer in the sun continued when she made a bold run at completing an English championship double, but came up just short at The Wilmslow. She was in a four-way lead at the top of the English women’s amateur championship with two holes to play before

Chelmsford’s Georgina Blackman made a decisive birdie at 17 to clinch the title.

Slater bogeyed that hole to finish fourth behind joint runnersup Sophie Lamb (Clitheroe) and Annabell Fuller (Roehampton).

Three birdies in five holes from the third in Slater’s final round were followed by bogeys at eight and nine, but she remained in strong contention, just one back of the lead on six under. She stayed in that position after offsetting a bogey at 10 with a birdie at 12. Three

pars followed before another birdie at 16 and she was among those jostling at the top only to be denied right at the finish.

But she soon returned to winning ways with a victory over her Lindrick club-mate Mia Eales-Smith by two shots to win the Yorkshire junior championship at Pontefract.

Slater, who was in Yorkshire’s winning team at last year’s English Women’s County Finals and is the current Northern Ladies champion, starts a golf scholarship at Stirling University in September and has her sights set on the Curtis Cup in June 2020 when GB&I face the USA at Conwy Golf Club in Wales.

“To get picked for the Curtis Cup would be amazing, but before that I would like to make the England team for the Ladies ‘ Home Internationals at Ballybunion later this month (August 8-10).”

Rounds of 71 and 69 saw Slater triumph at Pontefract by two shots from Eales-Smith, who returned two 71s.

Cookridge Hall and Sand Moor dual member Toni-Louise Naylor was third (73 78).

Scarborough South Cliff Amy Staveley’s brilliant secondround 63 saw her win the net competition on 132.

Melodie Goodall, of Romanby, was runner-up on 140. Bronze Division winner was Cherry Marley (The Oaks) with 40pts, which saw her edge out Romanby’s Lizzie Edson by one point.

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21

August 2018

YLCGA Challenge Bowl winner Enid Spencer, right, with runner-up Liz Burkill, left.In the centre is YLCGA President Ann McMullen who is also a member at Cobble and is a past President and Captain of the club.

Thomas claims Bradford Open DAN THOMAS came from five strokes behind to win the Bradford Open over his home course of Shipley.

Rounds of 70 and 69 were good enough to hold of firstround leader Richard Wheatley (Bradford Golf Club) by one shot.

Wheatley had scorched round in 65 in the morning, but could not sustain his momentum in

the afternoon and finished with a 75.

Thomas and Wheatley were the only players to finish under par at -3 and -2 respectively.

Terry Brushwood (Bingley St Ives) was the next best player at +2.

Pictured are Bradford Union President Graeme Anderson, of East Bierley Golf Club, left, with Bradford Open winner Thomas.

Spencer triumphs in the duel of Leeds duo TWO home club members battled it out in the final of the prestigious Yorkshire Challenge Bowl at Leeds Golf Club.

The all-Leeds clash saw Enid Spencer gain a 4&3 win against club-mate Liz Burkill to lift the prestigious Bowl and Silver Quaiche, while Burkill claimed the Pontefract Ladies Trophy as well as the Victory Bowl for shooting the lowest net score of the 16 qualifiers in the stroke play stage.

Spencer had won her morning semi-final by two holes against Oakdale’s Lindsey Holt while Burkill defeated Moortown’s Christine Mannion 4&3, in what is one of the Yorkshire Ladies County Golf Association’s flagship events.

Oakdale claimed the team championship, for the Helen Drake Salver and gold medals, when Patsy Rochester, Joyce Slater and Mary Gray-Smith combined for a total of 251.

Oakdale completed a treble as they also – through Jane Henderson, Olivia Lambert and Lindsey Holt – lifted the Hamilton Trophy and silver medals for the lowest nett score of 220, and the greensomes Ilkley Trophy thanks to Anne Birtles and Ronnie Hague.

It was a memorable week for the host club Leeds, who enjoyed more success during the three-day festival of golf at Cobble Hall when Fiona Barber, Karen Short and Joan

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Bairstow feels right at home WEST Bradford’s Dane Bairstow put in a stirring finish around his home course to claim the prestigious Bradford Amateur Strokeplay title.

The former professional collected the trophy for the second time thanks to a second round one-under 68, which featured four birdies in the last 10 holes. His previous win in the event came seven years ago.

The only under-par Cooke claimed the Everard Trophy in the tri-am competition.

They edged out home club duo Bette Firth and Marlene Vinegrad who also amassed 80 points, which was a fine effort as their third player could not make it meaning both of their scores counted on every hole in the best two from three format.

Secretary Paul Mawman said: “It was a great coup for us

round of the tournament saw him come from the pack after an opening 73 to head Shipley’s Dan Thomas and Northcliffe’s Mark Cook by one shot on three over.

Bairstow is seen, right, with West Bradford captain Richard King and the silverware. to host such a prestigious event and to be able to showcase the course and facilities here, and the week went very well.

“The course was in terrific condition given the hot and dry spell we have had and although some of the competitors found the greens very challenging there were some fantastic scores retuned including from our own Liz Burkill who shot 66 to lead the qualifying round.”

Farrar and Whitfield enjoy McGill success WOODSOME Hall’s prestigious McGill Trophy went to home club member Simon Farrar and his partner Andrew Whitfield, of Bradley Hall, after a card play-off on 43 points.

Th trophy was presented to the club by past captain Mr T D McGill in 1949 and is played for annually as an invitational competition, a fourball better ball stroke stableford at 90 per cent handicap, and each pairing must include a Woodsome member.

Paul McGill, grandson of the founder, visited from the south to present the

prizes. Also present was Ray McGill, son of Mr T D McGill.

Pictured, l-r, are Ray McGill, Paul McGill, Simon

Farrar and Woodsome Hall captain Steve Armitage Andrew Whitfield was unable to attend the prize presentation.

22

I

T IS considered a privilege in many golfing circles to be able to boast about being ‘a MacKenzie member’.

In the city where the good doctor made his name however, it is a treat that any golfer, from absolute novice to scratch man, can take for granted. – and at incredibly unbelievable value.

Alderman Alf Masser and A. G. (Bert) Baker, golf correspondent at the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper, campaigned long and hard for the introduction of municipal golf in Leeds.

Their efforts were rewarded when Temple Newsam opened in 1923, designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie (of Augusta and Alwoodley fame among many others), with the huge public works programme overseen by his brother, Charles MacKenzie.

Due to the popularity of the Temple Newsam course, 25,000 rounds were played there during the first two years, and a second 9-hole course was opened in 1925. The Leeds public have been able to enjoy the gem ever since – and for Active Leeds card members, there Those marvellous MacKenzie greens, perched at angles on devilish ‘shelves’

August 2018

Yorkshire Golfer’s Danny Lockwood rolls up at TEMPLE NEWSAM GC and enjoys a pay-and-play 27-hole gem are some terrific deals to play not just the 27 holes of Temple Newsam, but the equally celebrated 9-hole Roundhay Golf Course to the north of the city.

Both clubs are fabulously accessible for casual golfers and beginners, while offering committed players an oasis in the scenic Temple Newsam estate, with stunning views over the booming city of Leeds, yet shielded by thick woodland from the bustle of the nearby M1.

The Lord Irwin 1) 384 yds par 4 A straightaway starter, downhill between an avenue of trees. There’s a

swale front and left of a narrow, undulating green with a bunker down the left.

2) 394 yds par 4 A slight right to left dogleg again downhill. Stay right but not too much – there’s OB. A diagonal dyke is 30 yards short of a well bunkered figure-8 shaped green just five yards wide at the waist.

3) 419 yds par 4 Only index 6, really? A tough drive through a corridor of mature trees, with fairway bunkers. Once in the fairway the approach isn’t bad.

4) 163 yds par 3 An elevated short hole, all you see

from the tee is sand and the top of the flag. Thankfully it’s a bigger green and flat, so trust your iron in.

5) 381 yds par 4 A straight-on par 4, the bunkers round a small green the main danger.

This Lady is a champ...

THE 9-hole Lady Dorothy course needs some careful first time navigation, because a couple of the tee crossovers can be a tad confusing, the entire layout lying as it does within the 18 holes of the Lord Irwin.

That said, the holes are all very distinctive in themselves and at no time does it feel like a course within a course.

The first runs downhill parallel to the finishing 18th on the Irwin, and the 9th comes back uphill adjacent to the downhill 1st of the Irwin.

It is testament to the ample acreage of the Temple Newsam footprint that at times you lose all sense of your geographical bearings, until you face a tee shot with Leeds city centre facing you.

At the very bottom of the course there’s a distant rumble and just a couple of glimpses of the passing M1.

Some of the overall chal-

lenges of the 27 holes are encapsulated on the 1st of the Lady Dorothy, a testing drive which if struck too far can run away down towards the stream on the left, leaving you with an awkward lie, over the hazard to one of the many typical MacKenzie greens.

If you miss top left, it’s a very tough chip onto the putting surface.

Run-offs abound and most of the greens are small targets, many of them in the favoured style of the good Doctor, perched on shelves, at angles to the approach. There’s enough greenside sand to re-stock Filey.

The 6th is a fine, sweeping uphill dogleg right, a long par 4 to a raised green with both bunkers and run-offs; the 7th brings you the first of those views over Leeds city centre, a par 5 all downhill and especially at this time of year reachable in two.

August 2018

23 The split level 18th green at Temple Newsam’s Lord Irwin course, with the handsome clubhouse in the background

‘The public can just turn up and play a genuine MacKenzie original...’

Temple Newsam Golf Club Temple Newsam Road, Leeds LS15 0LN Tel: 0113 264 5624 www.templenewsamgolf.co.uk

LORD IRWIN COURSE

6) 400 yds par 4 Straight on, plenty of fairway but the trees get thicker on the right the further you go. A bunker front right but watch the run-offs to the right and rear.

hole, the fairway sloping the other way from the previous par 5, but the green is tucked away up to the left and is a challenge, sitting at 45-degrees behind a sand trap. That belies the stroke 15 rating.

7) 310 yds par 4 Leave the driver in the bag for a short, downhill hole with a bunker 60 yards short left. It’s all about the approach with sand and runoffs protecting a green sloped front right to back left.

15) 205 yds par 3 They like their downhill par 3s here and this is a beauty, way below you, with front bunkers and rear run-offs.

8) 424 yds par 4 All uphill, long par 4, so thankfully a broad fairway.

Still it might be your 3rd going into a flat green perched above you with sand front left and a run off front and right. Mounds at the back of the green will help stop anything long.

9) 136 yds par 3 A pretty downhill par 3, but lots of green protection – if you miss the putting surface it’s pretty much a bogey.

10) 389 yds par 4 A blind tee shot over a brow. Anything too far right is dead, but the hole opens up over the ridge. Downhill approach to a tricky green, again with sand and run-offs.

LADY DOROTHY COURSE

16) 429 yds par 4 Index 1 and with good reason. A daunting uphill drive on a sharp dogleg left – anything too left is dead. Once on the plateau, you’ve a bunker short, then traps encircling another Mackenzie, split-level green.

17) 391 yds par 4 The Temple Newsam road to your right shouldn’t feature.

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12) 472 yds par 5 Open your shoulders on a wide and handsome par 5.

There’s a front right bunker 40 yards short, before a raised green behind a big front left bunker.

14) 481 yds par 5 Another inviting driving

18) 422 yds par 4 A tough finish and tight driving hole. Snaky, to the right first, then uphill bending left to another well protected split level green.

You can Pay & Play Golf Go Pitch & lf Pu at Temple Newsam & N OW OPEtt Roundhay Golf Course for Sum N mer from £8.35 for 9 Holes and £13.90 for 18 Holes.

11) 372 yds par 4 A nice hole on the eye, sweeping down then up, over a ditch 50 yards short, to a shelved green with sand above and below it.

13) 198 yds par 3 A tough short hole, with sand either side of a narrow entrance which looks like the eye of a needle from the tee.

tance your target and unleash one downhill – the first time I’ve negotiated 400 yards with a driver and wedge!

Mind the steep run-offs back and right.

TEMPLE NEWSAM GC

T: 0113 264 7362

E: Allan.cooper@leeds.gov.uk W: www.leeds.gov.uk/golf

ROUNDHAY GC T: 0113 266 1686

24

August 2018

CHRIS HANSON THE EUROPEAN TOUR BLOG

It’s proving to be purgatory in paradise on Tour at the moment

Paris National will be a great venue for the Ryder Cup in September.

F

RIDAY, June 22 was my wife Laura’s birthday. I spent it strolling slowly down the streets of Cologne trying to find the nearest supermarket to treat myself to a disposable razor and maybe some sort of food to consume in the room that evening, I’m 100 per cent living the dream.

I know, before anyone says they would swap places, I’ve always wanted to be a pro golfer and nothing else. In fact, I have no idea what I would do if I wasn’t – I have no other job experience, no CV and have never had an interview.

But there are parts of this dream that I never dreamt about.

After a windswept and tiresome second-round 82 in the BMW International at Gut Laerchenhorf that morning, and off the back of what felt like a decent round one, it meant only one thing – another missed cut, which made it five in a row.

I went through the same frustrating spell at this time last year, but I only know one way back and that’s to knuckle down, work hard and build confidence through believing in what I’m doing.

Sometimes it’s hard not to think about the reality of the situation – and realise that you are not playing well enough and

have spent over £10,000 in the process.

There is definitely no easy route in this game, but I feel I’m getting some direction back and clearing up some off-course issues.

It’s certainly not just as easy as playing golf despite all the ‘good’ advice you sometimes get along the way.

I can certainly admit that I’ve been ‘away with the fairies’ on the course over the last few months and that’s no way to play golf, especially when you haven’t got a smile on your face.

That’s why in round one in tough conditions I felt I had really made some positive steps, improved my focus and reaped a few rewards in the process.

But round two brought it home to me that it is still very much a work in process!

But as I’ve said numerous times, with golf when you feel you’ve got it, it certainly bites you in the bum … and at that point – even though you’re closer – it can feel even worse.

So, it was a Saturday of practice and then a Sunday road trip with fellow European Tour players Bradley Neil and Adrian Otaegui, his caddie Ian, Alex Björk’s caddie Oli and my caddie Steve.

We hired a 9-seater between

us and headed six hours down the road to Versailles near Paris for the French Open around the amazing Paris National, home of this year’s Ryder Cup. Everyone was excited to see how the course would be set up and it didn’t disappoint. It will be a perfect test for the clash.

The definition was outstanding, the LONG knee-deep wispy grass was back and looked so intimidating. You pretty much know if you hit it in there you won’t see it again, it’s so thick.

The fairways are pure, there was a fair first cut of rough, and then a deep second cut before the FPS (Fo***ng Pink Stuff).

It doesn’t need to be windy to make this place a challenge, and the strong winds for the first round on Thursday automatically made the course two shots harder.

Overall I played nicely in round one, bar the double on the 5th from the FPS. I was +4 through 17 and nowhere near out of the tournament.

But the 18th has to be one of the most demanding holes in golf and, looking at the scores through the week on there, it

proved it. I wasn’t the only person to take eight there, but doing so left me with an eight over par round of 79 and a lot of work to do on Friday.

I actually played some of my best golf of the year, and it’s always positive when you shoot under par around this track, but that nightmare finish in round one had given me too much to do and I missed the cut by three. o, the torrid spell continued, but we battled on. I did some practice Saturday and then was lucky enough to get a ride with some good friends back to the UK where I crashed out at Gatwick Airport before a really early flight to Belfast on the Monday for the Irish Open at Ballyliffen.

There’s not much to say at all about the week. By the time Thursday came around I couldn’t keep off the toilet and out of nowhere had also picked up a sore knee.

I limped my way around the course, but after hitting my tee shot on 14 and immediately throwing up in a bush, I was done.

It was my first-ever with-

S

‘One question you constantly get asked is ‘are you still enjoying it?’

drawal from an event and I felt sad about it, but it was the right thing to do as playing those last four holes would not have done anybody any favours.

So, it was then all about trying to get fit for the Scottish Open at Gullane the following week.

I managed to get back to Huddersfield for a few days to rest up with family before heading north for some battered Mars Bar washed down with a can of Irn-Bru. I played nine holes Monday afternoon and was shattered, but after a good sleep and some comfort food I felt fresh and ready to get going again Tuesday.

It was great to have support up there through the week and you can always hear the volume of the claps or cheers is slightly raised when you have some of #TeamHanson the other side of the ropes.

On the opening day I battled with my swing off the tee, but some clutch putts meant I hung around and ended the day on +1.

I got it under par for a bit of the round, and it would have been great to close that out, but I guess from where I was off the tee one over par was a pretty fair reflection.

I knew that I had to go low in the second round, so we set a

target of three birdies front nine and three on the back nine.

Of course, no bogeys was also part of the plan, but that didn’t happen, and in the end I rolled in a 30ft birdie putt on the last to have another great day on the greens in a sevenbirdie 67 (-3). t was a valiant effort and I was a different player off the tee, but the game sure isn’t going my way regarding results at the moment, and my two-round total of minus two was not good enough to get me through to the weekend – by three shots in what was the third $7m event in succession.

It’s been tough and one question you constantly get asked is: are you still enjoying it?

The travel? Not really; when you’re scoring poorly the journeys sure feel a lot longer.

The practice? I always enjoy trying to become a better player and asking questions of myself.

The competition? I think it’s the competition that keeps me going, the buzz of pegging it up, the battle against the course, yourself and other players.

Being away from home?

Nothing to enjoy about that when you don’t get the reward for the sacrifice.

But one thing for sure is that success always tastes sweeter after a spell of failure.

I

25

August 2018

YORKSHIRE OPEN: Howley Hall hosts latest running of prestigious trophy

Patience pays for Pace RICHARD Pace put the biggest win of his career down to patience after lifting the prestigious Yorkshire Open trophy and joining an illustrious list of winners.

The Beverley & East Riding professional’s back to back rounds of one over par 72 saw him triumph by one shot from Knaresborough’s Andy Turner, former European Tour player Ben Mason (iGolf Studio), Renishaw Park’s Michael Ramsden and former winner Richard Law (Bradley Park).

A record field of 41 professionals and 34 amateurs faced hard baked fairways and a tricky set up in a bid to win a title that was first played for in 1927, but Pace was able to outstay his rivals with a measured display.

And the win came as something of a surprise to the 34-year-old who earlier in the season tied for the Brough Classic. “I have played okay this year but no more than that. I stayed very patient and if I hit a bad shot or got a bad bounce I accepted it because I know it would be happening to plenty of others.

“The set up here in the past has always been tricky and the hard and bouncy conditions didn’t make it easy at all. I tried to leave myself in safe spots and did not take on some of the flags. I suppose you could describe it as steady, boring golf but sometimes that is what it takes.

“But I’m massively honoured to have won such a prestigious event against a very strong field. This is definitely the biggest win of my life and

From left, Yorkshire PGA secretary Aran Wainwright, John Winn (sponsor) Richard Pace, Bill Henderson (sponsor) Ben Hutchinson, Darryl Burrows (sponsor) and club captain David Jones

to have my name etched in history alongside some very famous previous winners is very special.”

In the preceding day’s pro-am Abbeydale’s Gareth Davies shot a new professional course record of 66 which contained six birdies and an eagle. But the winning team was brought home by home club professional Ryan Rastall who was partnered by Howley Hall captain David Jones, Jamie Poyner and Dave Richmond.

The Howley Hall Scratch Trophy, which is run in tandem with the Yorkshire Open, went to Ben Hutchinson for a third year in succession. Somewhat jaded after returning from the European Amateur in Holland and the Open Championship qualifying event at St Annes Old Links, where he finished top amateur on three

under par, ‘Hutch’ was in the running for the main event after an opening level par 71.

As fatigue began to tell he looked in danger of losing his title and at 6 over for the tournament stood on the 17th tee was tied for the lead in the amateur contest. But he rolled one in on 17 for birdie before safely negotiating the tricky 190-yard par three closing hole to retain his title by a shot in what was the first outing on his home track for six weeks.

And it was a good afternoon for Tom Rastall, brother and assistant professional to Ryan, who took the spoils for the best afternoon round with a 71.

He finished in a tie for eighth with Hutchinson.

The event, sponsored by D and B in association with Service Metals, has

a rich history and a lengthy list of renowned winners. Arthur Lees may be best known for serving Sunningdale as their professional for 30 years until he reached the age of 70, but the Sheffield born golfer was at Dore & Totley when he won the first of his three Yorkshire Open titles in 1935.

Another Sheffield born professional who also represented GB&I in four Ryder Cups was Percy Alliss, who collected back to back titles in 1936 and 37, before yet another Ryder Cup stalwart in Johnny Fallon recorded a hattrick of wins in 1947, 51 and 58.

Sam Brough made history in 1955 when the 22-year-old from Sand Moor added the Yorkshire Open to his Yorkshire Amateur crown and so became the first amateur to win the event. Moortown professional Bryon

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w w w. i l k l e y g o l f c l u b . c o . u k o r C a l l 0 1 9 4 3 6 0 0 2 1 4 Vi s i t o r O n l i n e B o o k i n g Av a i l a b l e

Hutchinson won five times in 12 years and legendary Roundhay professional Hedley Muscroft also showed remarkable longevity.

He won for the first time in 1965 and collected his third trophy 18 years later, before great friend and gambling cohort Lionel Platts, the ex-Pannal professional, followed up in 1968.

Hollinwell professional Brian Waites, another to pull on a Ryder Cup jersey, won in 1966, as did Cleckheaton professional Alex Caygill in 1971, two years after he had also faced the Americans at Royal Birkdale.

In 1975 Mike Kelley smacked another blow for the amateurs. An imperious striker of a golf ball, Kelley would undoubtedly have made it in the paid ranks having made the Walker Cup team in both 1977 and 79 and it was a path his son Frazer would take.

The Cleckheaton connection was restored in 1978 when long serving professional Mike Ingham was victorious. Ingham won every professional title in Yorkshire and the PGA North region as well as holding every top office. Shipley’s Steve Bottomley also picked up the handsome silver cup in 1994, and Gordon Brand, who like Bottomley can claim to have finished in the top 3 in our Open Championship, won back to back in 2000-2001.

August 2018

26

Let’s make short work of short game cares

ADRIAN NEWBOULT, Head Golf Professional at Leeds Golf Club, offers help with your chipping and bunker play Taking your time – clockface can help with standard bunker shots BUNKER shots are best played using an open club face, so turn the butt end of the club to open the face and then place your hands on the grip.

You now have an open face and should be able to retain that loft through impact. This will encourage the use of the bounce of the sand wedge.

Having opened the face of your wedge, if you sit it down behind the ball you will notice that it points to the right of the target.

If you think about a clockface, the target line is at 12 o’clock, the face of your wedge should be pointing at one o’clock, as illustrated in the picture left.

Now take your stance and your feet should be aiming at 11 o’clock with a slightly open body position – swing the club along the line of your body.

When it comes to playing bunker shots, this will help you find the loft and direction you are looking for.

Your heart shouldn’t sink with plugged bunker shots THIS ISN’T a shot many golfers practice, myself included, so it is important you lower your expectations from this situation. Your first goal is to make sure you get the ball out to give yourself a chance at a par and take double bogey out of the equation.

You obviously need to get the club through the sand and under the ball, but it is more difficult from this lie. I would try to use the heel of the club a little more. It is risky, but seems to work better for me. More often than not the ball just pops out and you should have a putt to save your par at least.

Stand 2-3 inches further away from the ball than you would for a standard bunker shot. This lowers the handle, which helps the heel dig into the sand first.

The swing needs to feel much steeper than a normal bunker shot, a bit like you’re chopping down on a piece of wood.

Keep the club face slightly squarer than for a standard bunker shot and try to hit the sand about an inch behind the ball, holding the clubface open through impact. With the heel coming into contact with the sand first the club will naturally want to close down. A tighter grip pressure will help resist this.

About Adrian Newboult...

Sound of sole on chip shot will tell you you’re in the groove

Adrian Newboult is the Head Golf Professional at Leeds Golf Club and has been coaching golf for 25 years at all levels, from beginners and club golfers to top amateurs and Tour players. Adrian has also coached celebrities on Sky Sports.

His dedication to coaching the short game comes

No mystery using this triangle for chip and runs A BASIC chip and run shot requires something like your 9-iron, looking to land your ball on a flat part of the green.

The ball should be placed in the middle to back of your stance so that the angle of attack is steeper, the loft is less and it rolls more on landing.

Feet and hips should be slightly open, and weight should be about 65 per cent on the front foot, putting your hands and sternum slightly ahead of the ball.

From here retain the triangle created between arms and shoulders and simply rock them back and through without breaking the wrists.

Master this and you’ll not only get a consistent strike, but also know how the ball is likely to react and spin on landing.

I BELIEVE the short game is the key to getting your handicap down, regardless of how far you hit the ball.

Being able to chip it close and give yourself a good chance of par will increase your confidence in all parts of the game.

Use a narrow stance to promote feel and reduce power. I favour the weight to be on the lead side for a standard chip or pitch shot with mid trajectory.

Through impact keep your

from his passion to help players succeed from within 100 yards of the green.

Adrian’s tuition ís easy to understand and his technique and practice drills make him the go-to short game coach in the county.

Tel: 07590920730 / 01132659203 ext 2

wrists quiet and allow your body to accelerate the club smoothly. Listen for the nice sound of the sole of the club hitting the turf.

Develop distance control by focusing on how far back the handle (grip) will travel: knee to knee, thigh to thigh and hip to hip with smooth acceleration.

Turn fully towards the target, still using the body and not wrists or hands. The ball will pop up softly off the clubface.

Twitter: @ADYGOLF Instagram: adgolf12 Email: adriannewboult@gmail.com www.adriannewboult.co.uk Special Offer: 3 x 60 min short game lessons £90 saving £45. Valid until end Dec 2018.

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For more information contact: Secretary - Paul Mawman or Professional - Adrian Newboult

T: 0113 265 9203 or email: secretary@leedsgolfclub.co.uk