West Midlands Golfer Magazine by Fairway Media Ltd

elcome to issue two of West Midlands Golfer magazine, now incorporating Staffordshire as well for the first time. We trust our golfers out there have lately been taking advantage of the well deserved Autumnal improvement in the weather, its been a long summer for our review teams out there battling the elements at times, late relief during September and October was most welcome as we’re sure it was for our regions golf clubs.

Editor:

Phil Nicholas

Euan Stubbs

Managing Director editor@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk T: 07772086951

Phillip Nicholas

Managing Editor editor@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk T: 07929613199

This months issue has an impressive line up of golfing locations we’ve been privileged to visit, West Midlands Golfer is spreading its wings a bit, travel features are to be playing a big part in this and future issues. However we keep a strong regional feel with 6 reviews from the region on these pages including on page 38 how two of our societies got on at their ultimate challenge of taking on The Brabazon course at the Belfry. Quite a reward for just agreeing to take part in the last issue, our magazine realises the importance of having a strong society involvement in our plans, if you are a golfing group organiser we would be only too happy to hear from you and feature

your society in our publications. We can no longer though ignore the colder temperatures and longer nights indicating the start of the dreaded winter golf season. It doesn’t have to be this way though, many clubs in our region have put in a lot of work to ensure they can offer golfers all year round good value and playability, some are featured in this issue and our next magazine due out Mid-December will have a large section devoted to winter golf facilities from all over The West Midlands, we assure you there’s no need to let those clubs of yours gather mothballs in the garage. Our publication has grown so large this year that it has had the one downside of out-growing the website we had set up to go alongside it. A brand new one featuring exciting and highly interactive features will be ready by the new year giving our regions golfers further chances to play their part in promoting The West Midlands as England’s true heart of golf. Thanks for reading and please feel free to contact us, your feedback is always gratefully received.

Jane Stubbs

Business Development Director editor@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk

Ange Cooke

Photographer editor@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk

Bill Eagles

Competition and Marketing manager editor@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk

Alexander Baras

Art Director editor@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk

The Golfer Magazine St James House Webberley Lane Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ST3 1RJ T: 01782 597033

November • 2009

OUR GOLF DAY

Magazine Launch Goes Down a Treat Staffordshire Golfer Magazine held its first ever golf day at The Chase Golf Club in August. 16 fourballs from all over the region and beyond took part in ‘The Staffordshire Masters’ our tournament organised by us as our way of thanks to all the county’s golf clubs and businesses who have helped and supported our publication this year.

Wolstanton GC celebrating their 3rd place

It was more of a fun social occasion than a formal golf event, we wanted our day to reflect our magazines ideals, handicap certificates we didn’t want to see and golfers of all abilities were welcomed. Nevertheless there were fine prizes on offer and once out on the course some serious golf took place, undeterred by some early drizzle participants relished the superb condition of the course and carded some good scores. It all concluded in the early evening sunshine and a good time was had by all in the clubhouse afterwards, it was great for us to see the majority of our guests stay way beyond the end of their rounds to enjoy the hospitality and our presentation, it turned out to be just the fun and social occasion we had envisaged.

Mr Rudell and staff with their fine display

Special thanks go to The Chase Golf Club, The Pritchard Group for the Aston Martins, European Golf and Rudells the Jewellers for their display and great staff. We would also like to reserve a special mention and our gratitude to Whiston, Wolstanton, Beau Desert, Ingestre, Stafford Castle and Bloxwich Golf Clubs for sending teams to our event. Staffordshire and West Midlands Golfer is currently planning a series of events more serious in nature that will form into a order of merit series next year, however we will also reserve space for more occasions like ‘The Staffordshire Masters’ and look forward to similarly enjoyable events like at The Chase. If you would like more details on our plans for next year’s events, register your interest by emailing us at events@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk and we’ll keep you posted. THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

The Pro-Shot solution team posing with the 007 car

NEWS The Chase welcomes new owners This July The Chase Golf Club near Penkridge was purchased by the Simmons family from Stafford. New owners Chris and Lesley aim to run the club as a long running family concern with the help of their three daughters Harriet, Roxanne and Kimberley. They have no immediate plans for wholesale changes to a club and course that already has a lot going for it, a few minor tweaks involving tee boxes and fairway bunkers may happen over the winter time but for now the new owners are concentrating on member satisfaction and building up The Chases media profile. They are also intending on developing the lower floor of the large clubhouse for a protection fitness and leisure suite that will give The Chase all round appeal and something for all the family to make use of.

The dates for the Midland PGA Titleist Winter Series have been announced as follows: FOREST OF ARDEN (ARDEN COURSE) – Tuesday 24th November 2009 LITTLE ASTON GOLF CLUB – Tuesday 8th December 2009 BRABAZON COURSE (The Belfry) – Tuesday 26th January 2010 PGA NATIONAL COURSE (The Belfry) – Tuesday 9th February 2010 FOREST OF ARDEN (ARDEN COURSE) – Monday 24th March 2010 FOREST PINES GOLF CLUB – Tuesday 6th April 2010

• • • • • •

Shirley comes up to

The events comprise shotgun starts with breakfast included prior to play and the professionals taking part will be fighting for the Winter Series Order of merit title, with the support of Titleist & Bridgestone Golf, during the season. Teams will comprise three amateurs and one professional and cost £240 (incl. VAT) per team.

With the first event at Forest of Arden fast approaching, please book your team place with the PGA Midland Region office on 01455 824393.

Memorial Match E

very early August a group of guys gather together at one of Stoke-on-Trent’s golfing establishments for an annual tournament dedicated to a couple of their old golfing buddies. The Pete Shaw/Billy Koller trophy is annually contested for in honour of two great work colleagues and never to be forgotten golfing characters whom sadly both passed away before their time in recent years. This years event was held at Greenaway Hall Golf Club and won by Paul Duckers (pictured with the trophy) in a tight stableford affair. The event which means so much to its participants will be held at Wolstanton Golf Club next year.

Shirley Golf Club in Solihull has been elevated into the higher echelons of Midland golf courses after having its Standard Scratch Score – the formula by which a course’s difficulty is measured – reassessed.The re-measurement of the course puts the distance off the white tees at 6,501 yards par 72, while off the yellow tees the course is 6,265 yards par 71. Steve Wilkins, Shirley Golf Club’s general manager, said: “The new measure with its Standard Scratch score of 72 in line with it being a par 72 marks the course as a truly championship standard golf course.”

If you are reading this and take part in a similar memorial tournament yourselves we’d love to feature them, email us at editor@ Staffordshiregolfer.co.uk

The club is well on the way to completing its five-year development plan to improve the course under the guidance of Alison Nicholas, Europe’s most recent Solheim Cup captain who is now turning her attention to course design and the development of the game.

Shirley is renowned throughout the Midlands for its fast but true greens which in the height of summer reach an average of 9.6 to 10 on the stimpmeter.“Last year we were averaging 8.5 but this year it has been much quicker,” added Steve. “Players like our greens because, while they might be quick, the ball runs very true on them which is good for both accomplished players and higher handicappers. “With play possible all year round on fast and true greens – there are no temporary greens used – Shirley Golf Club provides an excellent golfing experience for all.” For more information and membership availability, visit www.shirleygolfclub.co.uk or telephone Steve Wilkins on 0121 744 6001. A full course review of Shirley Golf Club will appear in the December edition of this publication. NOVEMBER • 2009

WOODHALL SPA

Keel - Felder Classic Don Felder (second from right) and friends on the tee

n early September morning at Carden Park saw stars of stage and screen, musicians and sporting idols gather for the 24th annual, Howard Keel/ Don Felder charity golf classic. The Championship Nicklaus course was in pristine early Autumn condition, participants were blessed with a calm day and spectators were out in force to watch the likes of Tony Christie, Gordon Banks, Willie Thorne and Dennis Taylor take part in a pro-am four-ball, 18 hole tournament on one of Cheshire’s finest layouts. The Manchester based Cancer Charity, Christies were the days beneficiaries and staff spent the day manning the Nicklaus’s welcoming halfway hut adjacent to the infamous lake surrounded 6th green. Christies are an incredibly busy charity, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to fund new developments and care in Manchester which THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

has recently been awarded the No.1 spot in Britain for Cancer research. Ex-Eagles guitarist Don Felder who now fronts the event after the death of original host Howard Keel from cancer in 2005 is a stalwart in many worldwide charity golf events and spoke to us of his special love for this occasion, praising the Cheshire venue which has hosted the event for the last three years. “It’s a great place to come and play golf, the course is always in fine shape, we don’t have too many problems getting the guys to come and play at Carden Park”.

Wille Thorne is a regular at the event

Following a post round gala dinner, Felder joined friends on stage including Tony Christie for the traditional after event concert. The day raised over £30,000 for Christies and will return next year for a special 25th anniversary tournament.

The West Midlands area is blessed with an enviable array of young stars achieving great things in the world of golf. We aim to feature as many as we can in the magazine, trouble is there’s far too many of them to fit into one issue, so we’ll split it up into counties, this issue we focus on the rising stars of Staffordshire.

harry fearn We spotted Harry`s talent straingt away April edition 09

ictured above in an article we ran in our very first issue of Staffordshire Golfer, the subsequent achievements of 8 year old Harry Fearn from Leek GC proves beyond any doubt that we know how to pick a star when we see one! Harry had already triumphed in 2 British Junior Tour events before taking on the cream of his age group at the HSBC Wee Wonders Championship. Two qualifying victories later he lined up at St Andrews for the final in late August. At a windy Balgrove course Harry’s consistency over the three rounds of nine holes saw him march down the final hole with a two shot lead over 30 other juniors. Saving the best till last Harry fired a nine iron approach to six feet away and holed the putt to become the Wee Wonder for 2009. His ability to shape the ball around the swirling wind and his excellent putting set him apart from the rest. Harry’s ultimate prize is to represent GB and Ireland in the under 9 World Championships at Pinehurst in America next year. His exploits this year have seen his handicap shrink from 34 to 25.9, we sense there is much more to come.

NOVEMBER • 2009

THE FUTURES BRIGHT

neil wain O

n Saturday August 22nd the 1st round of Trentham Parks club championship was illuminated by the achievement of 20 year old Neil Wain who broke the course record with a stunning 65. Neil, who plays off a +1 handicap carded 7 birdies and just 1 bogey to beat the existing record by a single shot. Neil’s second round 73 was enough to win him the championship by two shots and make it one memorable weekend. With mentors such as Trentham Park regulars Simon Wakefield and David Lynn to help him along Neil is now eyeing a progression into the pro ranks, having played in a few pro-ams alongside us it was clear that unlike us he didn’t look out of place. His aim next year is to play and practice hard through the winter months and hopefully reach +3 by the spring. Staffordshire and West Midlands Golfer Magazine will be supporting Neil’s career in the future in the form of sponsorship and we hope to follow his golfing progress all the way to the European Tour.

will johnson W

illiam began golfing at the age of 13 after signing up for a golfing day after seeing it advertised on the notice board at school, when the go-karting and paintballing slots had been filled…. A days golfing was the only option..

Craig Thomas (head pro) from The Chase was deemed to be the man for the job, along with Graham Spring (based in Ireland). Graham concentrating on his short-game Will has now competed in his first couple of professional competitions, and admits to ‘butterflies in his stomach’. But he will no doubt quickly settle in to the ‘Tour’.

He immediately fell in love with the game and became a junior member at the Chase Golf Club near Cannock… and before long his handicap began to tumble, taking part and winning many junior competitions… Within two years Will was already taking part in County competitions, representing Staffordshire, being part of their many team successes.. Individual competition didn’t phase him either, and more events were won. Upon leaving school at 16 Will became a full time student at the EGPI Golf Academy at St Thomas’ Priory Rugeley where his game went from strength to strength under the supervision of Paul Darby and Mike Beaumont. THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

After a fifteen month spell at the academy, it was decision time…. Continue as an amateur? Or break the mould and become a playing ‘pro’ at the age of just 17….

Paddy Power Bookmakers, Staffsmart Uk, Bibby Financial Services, Blue Arrow Finance and Corporate Togs….. the decision was made…

With an enviable group of National sponsors, such as:-

With Will turning pro, more one to one coaching was needed and

Will is currently spending his weekends in Ireland at Ballybunion working on a few slight swing changes with Graham before embarking on a pre Xmas trip to Thailand to accliamitise himself to Far Eastern conditions in preparation for the Asian Qualifying school in January. Future plans are to play on The Euro Pro Tour………. Watch this space… West Midlands Golfer will be reporting on Will’s progress in future issues.

Sat in a peaceful spot amongst the urban sprawl on the northern edge of the Black Country Bloxwich is a well established member owned club with a traditional feel and features as its heart an attractive varied challenge of a golf course. At just 6,296 yards off the white tees it’s no monster in length but there’s enough trickery and hazards out there to ensure a far from easy ride.

Black Country

NOVEMBER • 2009

BLOXWICH The club was founded in the 1920’s and its reputation has steadily increased over the years. The members bought Bloxwich in 1988 and have since constructed a new Pro shop and locker rooms. The club still inhabits its original clubhouse giving it an imposing and grand feel as you drive up to the car park. Some well appointed practice facilities by the side of the first tee, driving and pitching nets, chipping and bunker areas plus a putting green are all on hand for an ideal warm up routine prior to your round.

Throughout the round Bloxwich has a quiet and peaceful on course atmosphere that doesn’t seem likely due to its urban setting. It’s a well matured parkland layout with tall trees dotting the landscape, occasional water features and tight rough to penalise the odd wayward drive.

A nice mixture of holes await starting with a gentle looking short Par 4 and taking you on a fluctuating journey of difficulty with straight ahead Par 5s, long undulating Par 4s and tight hazard packed short holes all part of the equation. Your driver will need to be on form to take advantage of the short Par 5s early doors at the 2nd and 4th holes. A good start is necessary for around the turn is a more difficult stretch, the uphill 9th and the 12th are two long Par 4s capable of spoiling a scorecard. The 12th is a lovely hole, a slight dog leg left with a pond on the corner to force you to aim right side off the tee. Then a long iron approach to a well guarded green where a cross-wind may just push your ball towards a second water hazard on the right side. Pleasing to the eye yet potentially deadly. The same could be said for the Par 3s which in our opinion give Bloxwich that bit of extra quality. Your iron play will need to be at its sharpest to stay out of the trouble stacked up around the greens. Tree lined affairs with many sand traps and raised tight targets offer stiff tests to even the lowest of handicappers. Holes like the sixth with its exposed high green surrounded by bunkers neatly carved into the undulating landscape make excellent photo opportunities yet birdie opportunities will be harder to achieve. Bloxwich is a course where clever design ensures that attractiveness and devilment go hand in hand, no two holes repeat themselves, there’s a decent challenge around every corner and it’s certainly not to be taken lightly. The club has a fine array of pre and post round facilities. Within its traditional setting lie top class modern amenities, a well stocked pro shop, large locker rooms and a spacious bar and restaurant with enough seating for the largest of visiting groups. Society and Corporate Day Packages are available, groups of more than 20 players can take advantage of discounted green fees, many different packages are available all year round with some optional extras, nice touches to make the occasion a little bit more special. We highly recommend a visit to Bloxwich, an irresistible combination of a true test of golf and a warm Black Country welcome.

THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

Midlands Pro Trophy

TOURNAMENT NEWS

The penultimate tournament in the Order of Merit calendar was the Fineturf Midlands Pro Trophy at De Vere Belton Woods GC near Lincoln. The windy conditions were the toughest of the season so far, keeping the scores on the high side and the leaderboard tightly packed. Only three players managed to beat par after 54 holes and in the end the consistency of Moor Hall’s Cameron Clark proved to be enough to edge out Ian Walley (Shirland GC) by two shots with Eddie Vernon (Burtonon-Trent) a further shot back. Clark’s win propelled him to second place in the Order of Merit behind leader Craig Shave who finished seventh. Victory guaranteed Cameron a chance to earn himself some lucrative European Tour starts in the PGA play offs at Little Aston where the top three in our Order of Merit compete against the six other PGA regions, success there could lead to big things.

The Tour Championship Shave turned down the chance to go to tour school in order to cement his Order of Merit title at the tour finale at Cold Ashby (Northants) in late September. With nearest rival Clark absent the 36 hole event proved to be no more than a walk in the park as his previous results proved more than enough to clinch a first title for Craig following a season full of consistent performances. As for the tournament itself veteran Paul Wesselingh capped his season off in fine style producing a dazzling putting display in the second round. His brilliant 63 gave him a comfortable three stroke victory over the rest of the field. The win elevated him to second spot in the Order of Merit with the reward of a coveted spot alongside Shave and Clark in the PGA play offs. Paul was delighted with the win and another chance to visit some old European Tour stomping grounds. “It still means a lot to me to make the play offs” he said, “to get into a few main tour events would be the icing on the cake”

Order of Merit

24th September 2009 following the COLD ASHBY TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

NOVEMBER • 2009

BLOXWICH Steve Carter We are pleased to announce that joining us from now on in our Midlands Tour section will be South Staffordshire Pro and tour regular Steve Carter who will be offering a players point of view of life on tour in our region. Steve (30) turned pro in 1997 and has played more Midland PGA Tournaments over the last 5 years than any other player. And this season the busiest player has also been one of the most successful. Steve won his first ever Order of Merit event, the Midland Masters in July and followed that up a month later with victory in The British Par Three championship at Nailcote Hall. That success over a field that included European Tour players convinced Steve to take on bigger challenges next season.

CRAIG SHAVE

“As well as competing in all the major Midlands Tour events I will be entering around 10 Europro tournaments too. Winning twice this season has been great and a real boost to my confidence” Steve feels that the extra quality on the Midlands Tour this season has helped in improving his game, with over £200,000 in prize money on offer between the 5 Order of Merit events and over 40 pro-ams the competition has never been greater. “We’ve all had to raise our standards, course records have been broken this year, even the run of the mill pro-ams are keenly contested, we as pros would like to thank the clubs who hold them and of course the amateurs for making them all special occasions.” Steve’s first full column next issue will focus on his round up of the end of season events and the upcoming Midlands Winter Series. His life on both the Midlands and the Europro tours will be documented throughout next year. THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

The 2009 Order of Merit champion hails from Whetstone GC in Leicestershire and is a late developer in golfing terms. At 28 years old his success this season has given him his first ever opportunities to rub shoulders with European Golf’s elite. The Order of Merit triumph has already qualified him for a place at the main tour’s flagship event The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next May but Craig will be competing hard at the PGA play offs at the end of October for even more places up for grabs on the European Tour. Confident Craig is now looking towards making the step up a full time ambition. “I think this will be a stepping stone towards the Tour. I certainly hope so,” he added. “The experience of playing at Wentworth in the BMW and other events will be crucial to me if I am to have a go at getting onto the Tour full-time.”

“I have never struggled for length off the tee and my short game is always improving.” If Craig can reproduce the same consistency in the big events he enters next season that he showed in winning the Midlands Order of Merit title he won’t look out of place alongside the European Tours golfing elite.

The play off winners can gain spots at not just the BMW but also at other prestigious events such as the Welsh, Scottish and European Opens as well as a few Challenge Tour invites, it’s a potential door opener to the sort of tournaments and fields that Craig feels his present game can live with. “It is true that the European Tour is totally different to the Midland Tour I have been used to,” he said. “The courses are quite a bit longer and the greens are trickier and quicker but that doesn’t worry me.”

NOVEMBER • 2009

TRENTHAM PARK S

ituated right at the scenic Southern edge of Stoke-on-Trent just five minutes from Junction 15 of the M6, Trentham Park Golf Club is a traditional member’s establishment with many impressive attributes in addition to its highly attractive woodland setting. First impressions are always important of course, Trentham Park’s has to rank as one of the finest we’ve come across. The Trentham Stag stands proudly to welcome visitors and presents a stunning profile of the course beyond. It looks like a well looked after parkland treat with mature tree lined lush fairways which is exactly what you get although there’s a daunting looking first tee shot in sight to set the nerves jangling even before you’ve tied up your golf shoes. Trentham Park has a good reputation for producing talented golfers, former Walker Cup players and also European Tour regulars like David Gilford and our very own Simon Wakefield who still retains close links with the club. There’s a current crop of youngsters here at the moment attracted to the club by the friendly atmosphere and excellent practise facilities some of who could follow in their footsteps. A fair bit of talent is needed and steely nerves required also to survive that opening tee shot. A lake and very attractive waterfall dominate the view and your thought processes from the tee, tempting it is to risk cutting the corner over the water on this dog leg Par 5 for a chance to reach the green in two, but it’s a risky strategy for a less confident higher handicapper.

THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

To reach the turn in good shape you will need a precise approach to the raised putting surface at the Par 4, 9th hole, anything over hit will perish down the steep tree lined bank at the back of the green, bogey territory if you are not careful. The greens are soft, even paced and very receptive throughout; some of the raised targets will need an extra club at times. The back nine starts with two long Par 5s in three holes that will test tee shot accuracy, the 10th has a large tree blocking half of the fairway and the 560 yard 12th tests your driving skills further with a well positioned fairway bunker and out of bounds on the right, with pretty much a blind approach to the hidden green this is a tough Par 5 and its about here you start to get the distinct impression that Trentham Park is becoming tougher by the hole. The final five holes are a tricky proposition for sure. By the time you’ve shook hands at the closing hole you will have hopefully successfully negotiated a dog leg 14th hole with a brook running through it, out of bounds on the right sit dangerously close to the raised green. A Par 3, 15th hole where the wind swirls around its exposed putting surface, a 16th where the trees encroach inwardly to make it an extremely narrow affair. Then a long sweeping Par 4 penultimate hole with another fairway tree, two bunkers from the tee plus a long narrow green with trouble at the back. Finally the 18th, a blind tee shot then a careful approach is required to a sand trap guarded green with yet more out of bounds for over hits.

The 1st green is nicely situated in the shadow of a large oak tree to the right, with greenside sand traps too you’re likely to be more than satisfied with an opening par on one of the finest opening holes in the county.

It is a closing stretch that Trentham Park members are quite proud of and is certainly capable of wrecking a card yet it’s no less enjoyable as the earlier more generous holes and completes a highly enjoyable trek around an exceptional golf course.

Trentham Park maintains that standard with ease on a picturesque front nine, smart design makes good use of the gently undulating landscape in producing an attractive mix of holes, wide fairways and a lack of water hazards will give optimism for some good scoring, There is always the ever present trees to provide a threat but a feature of the course throughout is that the rough around them is short and playable, you will always get a shot out, you will just need some luck in having a decent gap in the woods to play through.

The club is popular with visitors and societies drawn to Trentham Park by its good catering reputation and friendly Potteries hospitality. There’s a good variety of society packages and menus on offer and the committee has a pro-active approach to attracting extra golfers through its doors. There’s even a great offer at the moment on the course planner for visitors that’s well worth taking advantage of, if like us you’re of the opinion that at the very least a second visit to this fine welcoming establishment demands to be fitted into your golfing schedules.

Custom Fitting By Matt Roberts

PGA Qualified Senior Professional at The Belfry

What is Custom Fitting? It is the fastest way to change your ball flight and relatively painless apart from a few hundred balls that you might hit. Custom fitting is a process to ascertain the best equipment to suit you as an individual. Using various technology and under the watchful eye of a custom fit specialist, all of which are PGA Golf Professionals, we will be able to make improvements in both accuracy and distance. I don’t know anyone who would buy an ‘offthe-peg’ suit if it cost the same price to get

one perfectly tailored, so why do that with golf clubs?

Academy facts: • The Belfry contrary to common belief remains one of the most competitively priced retail establishments in the country; make sure you check out our prices for your new equipment. • It became the world’s ﬁrst PGA-branded Golf Academy when it opened in 2003; • There are ﬁve deluxe assessment suites, all equipped with the latest technology; • Over 6 million golf balls are hit every year at the facility; • A 34-bay driving range is complemented by a short game area including practise bunkers, and chipping and putting greens.

Cu fitting stom sess are each charged ions , a dedu but this t £50 a cte mo of an d from th unt is y e purc sets of c price hase lubs da Belfr t The y

From season to season all manufacturers produce an amazing amount of equipment and golfers are totally spoilt for choice. Most equipment can be custom fit to suit any golf swing: from shaft options to lie changes, variables in length, and grip design and thickness. Each one of these will impact on the outcome of your shot so it is important that you take the custom fit route rather than just buy the first clubs that feel nice when you give them a waggle. Your current golf equipment can be adjusted in a loft and lie machine, but essentially new equipment is best tailored to meet the needs of the individual at the time of production.

NOVEMBER • 2009

INSTRUCTION Custom fitting facts: • 70 custom ﬁts are undertaken at the National Custom Fit Centre every week; • Over 12,000 different golf club combinations are available; • More than 50 different iron models can be considered; • Four different types of launch monitor are in use at The Belfry: The Belfry has one of the 1st PING ‘N’ flight fitting systems in Europe which tracks the entirety of the ball flight and also creates a multitude of options. The Nike 360 Fitting System which has its very own launch monitor designed exclusively for Nike clubs; FlightScope uses radar tracking technology to determine carry distance, spin rate and launch angle; The Vector Pro takes two photographs of the ball, milliseconds apart, as it jumps off the club-face at impact.

What’s on offer at The Belfry’s PGA National Golf Academy? Who benefits the most from a good custom fitting session?

The resort’s National Custom Fit Centre is Europe’s largest dedicated custom fitting venue and contains the latest launch monitors which are manned by The Belfry’s team of custom fit specialists. The Academy boasts five specialist assessment suites and can fit the very latest equipment from nine leading brands: Callaway, Cobra, Titleist, Wilson Staff, Ping, TaylorMade,

In short, everyone! At The Belfry all of our custom fit team are PGA Qualified Golf Professionals and with their understanding of the golf swing they can match golf equipment to all styles and abilities of player.

doubts as to whether you are good enough to justify new golf clubs. Static fitting is an excellent way for this type of player to be fitted. Taking into account height and wrist-to-ﬂoor measurements, a fitter can produce a set of golf clubs which will promote a sound set-up and golf swing, aiding the development of the golfer. This is also the only type of golfer that we will advise slight posture and address changes if needed to aid their progression into golf. And with clubs of all price ranges now able to be fitted, these players don’t have to spend a fortune.

For example, if you are a beginner or early into your golfing career then your swing may not be established to produce a consistent repetitive movement, and this can create

Better players may also look to be fitted for their equipment to perform in a certain way, for example to create a high floating fairway wood flight for the firmer summer greens or lower

THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

Cleveland, Nike and Mizuno. Together, more than 12,000 different club and shaft combinations can be created by The Belfry’s custom fitting specialists. Irons, woods, wedges and putters can all be tested as part of the Academy’s ‘Ultimate Custom Fit Service’ to ﬁnd the perfect clubs for every player’s individual swing.

ball flights to keep the golf ball out of the wind on links courses. Both of these flights can be achieved with differing weights and shaft kick points, so if you know what you’re looking for a good fitter can create a club for you. Another common issue we come across is when a player hits a 3-wood better than a driver. These people often have the wrong driver, but for some reason will keep persevering with the driver that doesn’t work, thinking it is them and not the golf club. It may have been bought as part of the set of woods, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will perform. The real reason is that the driver is the wrong spec for the player, so they need to keep the 3-wood and get fitted for a new driver that works.

KNOW THE RULES WINTER SPECIAL

Ok so winter is officially upon us, as the hand warmers and winter mitts find their way back into our golf bags its worth reminding ourselves of the more common rules used during the adverse conditions of winter. By familiarising ourselves with these rules we can avoid incurring unwanted penalty shots.

Winter Rules Little known fact: “preferred lies” is not a rule of golf but a local rule set out by the committee. If adverse conditions affect the course during the summer months then preferred lies can be used if outlined by the committee. If one hole has been affected then a local rule can be put in place for this one hole Also known as preferred lies, these rules are set out by the committee at the start of the winter season for fair play and to allow the game to be enjoyed when the course is not up to its usual standard. Preferred lies are defined as “a ball lying on a closely mown area through the green may be lifted without penalty and cleaned” (R&A Rules of Golf). Remember the ball must be marked before lifting as not to incur a penalty. After this the ball must be placed no nearer the hole within a set distance from its original point, this distance will be different at each club as it is set by the committee and can be 6 inches, card length or club length. Obviously when replacing the ball find yourself a good lie. A note to take is that the phrase “through the green” means any area except the teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played and any hazard, also don’t forget once you`ve replaced your ball, its back in play.

12th Hole PGA National

By Chris Chamberlain PGA Qualified Senior Professional at The Belfry

Relief from standing water

Water in a bunker

With the winters usually being wet (even more than our summers!) courses can suffer from what is known as casual water. By the R&A this is defined as “the temporary accumulation of water on a course that is not in a water hazard and is visible before or after the player takes his stance” what this means is that the water can be under foot so if water reaches the surface through the weight of a player then relief can be taken.

When water accumulates in a bunker relief can be taken just as it can in the fairway. You have two options, firstly you can take a free drop again you must mark your ball and drop at the nearest point - add of full relief no nearer the hole, but this drop must be within the bunker. Be careful to only take relief if you really need it as the ball is likely to plug on landing.

To take relief you must mark your ball find the nearest point where you have full relief and drop within a club length no nearer the hole. Remember you cannot drop the ball onto a hazard but the nearest point may be in the rough! With this in mind take care when making your decision as you may be better playing the ball as it lies.

Your second option is to take a drop with a penalty of one stroke, the advantage of this is you can drop outside the bunker. As always you must mark the ball before lifting it, you can then drop the ball as far back as you wish keeping the bunker between you and the flag. As you can go back as far as you wish, choose a distance that you feel comfortable with and remember that a 60 yard pitch shot is often easier to play than a 10 yard lob shot over a bunker. NOVEMBER • 2009

INSTRUCTION

That Frosty Feeling How To Play Frozen Greens If you are a dedicated all year round golfer you may well ﬁnd yourself in situations where the greens are frozen or defrosting. The ﬁrst step to tackling these testing conditions is to understand exactly how the ball will react and how this differs from what we would class as ‘normal’ conditions.

With a how understa good ndin t h e th c g gam e differe onditions of n e affe t a a n re we c d an c lower e as of th ct o e xp go n cond lf in thestinue to eectation s find itions an e tough t njoy our that d, yo e s t i n th help u ma g yo e fros y your u produ ted fairw even ce so long a e m ys the yst drives e of ear! of

• Approach Shots – With a full shot to the green the ball with make no impression meaning a pitchfork will certainly not be needed. As a result the first bounce will be big, almost as if the ball has landed on a path or a sprinkler head. • Chip Shots – Similar to the approach shots the first bounce will be firm with the spin imparted on the ball having little or no effect. • Putting – The speed of the putt may not be all that different, however the roll of the ball will not be true due to the uneven surface that the frost creates.

By Chris Ryan PGA Qualified Golf Professional at The Belfry

So with this knowledge in mind just how do we adapt and adjust our game to ensure that we can conquer the testing conditions that winter brings. • Approach Shots – The problems that we are faced with are very similar to those that links golf presents, so we can use this comparison to give us some good ideas as to how to play these shots. When watching the best golfers in the world tackle some of the toughest conditions links golf can offer, we often see many shots played in short of the green allowing the ball to bounce and roll up onto the putting surface. We also see ½ shots as these tend to have a lower flight to them, meaning the bounce won’t be quite as severe as we would see from a high flighted short iron. Both of these tactics can be used to very similar effect in frosty conditions, with the 2 main points being to play the ball in low and short of the putting surface. This is often the only way to get the ball to come to rest on the green. Any pin therefore tucked behind a bunker or hazard should probably be avoided opting instead for the largest THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

area of the green. In these conditions we have to accept that we just can’t get close to some pin positions. • Chip Shots – As I have mentioned the main difference here is the first bounce. With any surface frost, spin on the ball will have no effect and the ball will not grab at all. As a result of this change your chip shots will take a firm first bounce and run on more than you would normally expect. Your intended landing zone therefore would need to reflect this and be closer to you than normal. Good touch and imagination here is key to the success of this shot and you may well hit a few wayward chips whilst you are adjusting to the conditions. • Putting – My first piece of advice here would be to ensure you lower your expectations on the green. The ground frost causes the surface to become uneven resulting in a ball which does not roll true across the top of it. Any break or slope on the green will still have the same effect but try to lag the ball as close to the hole as possible to take the pressure off your second putt, leaving you a simple tap in.

It is also extremely important to realise that if your are playing a full round, the ground conditions will more than likely be different on the 18th than they were on the 1st as the ground begins to thaw out, therefore your shot choices will again have to reflect these changing conditions, and the golfer who best adapts to these changes will most likely come out on top. Just how much success you have in these conditions can be influenced before you even step onto the 1st tee. Make sure you turn up prepared for the day ahead by considering some of the following additions to your normal days golfing: • Winter mitts • Hand warmers • Woolly hat • Flask of hot drink • Warm base clothing • Sunglasses (Frost often comes when the sky is clear and with the sun generally being low, you may find the above a useful addition!)

One final point to note would be that a golf ball generally performs better and more efficiently when it is kept at warmer temperatures so ensure its in your pocket at every opportunity, and if you have a hand warmer in there, even better.

Now that the winter months are upon us, it’s time to assess the past six months and see if you have achieved all goals that you have set yourself over the past season. • Have you reduced your handicap? • Are you happy with your ball striking? • Was your short game as good as you expected? • Did you hit more fairways from the tee? These are just some of the questions you could ask yourself. The winter is the ideal time to make improvements to your swing as competitions are finished and you are probably playing less frequently. You have time to learn from mistakes and set yourself clear targets. All the top pros make swing improvements out of season ready for the start of competitions - so you are no different!

SWING INTO WINTER

I recommend that you have your swing analysed by a Teaching Professional who will sit down and discuss your strength’s and weakness’s and set your personal goals. Are your fundamentals correct? If not then now is the time to sort them out over the winter period.

Practice session recommendation

By Derek Simpson PGA Qualified Senior Teaching Professional at The Belfry

We all want to be able to hit the ball like a tour pro but if you dont practice like one then you will never reach this target.

Try my practice routine described below and see how you get on! Five minutes warm up and stretches - This is designed to increase the body temperature and to mobilise your joints and muscles. This then helps you to make more fluid swings during your practice time. Technique - Hit approx 20-30 balls concentrating on your technique, at this stage you are best advised to utilise any practice drills or exercises that your professional has prescribed. Visualising success - Hit 10-15 shots whilst going through a mental routine of seeing your ball fly through the air and finish at your target (always have a positive result). I recommend that you spend a moment standing behind the ball on the tee visualising the shot that you want to achieve. For example, if you want to play a draw, imagine the ball starting at a specific

point and visualise the ball flight as it draws back towards your target, reaching the top of its flight and then descending to the ground.

• Look at your target and make sure that you can align yourself correctly with a small target about 2 feet in front of the ball.

Rhythm - Hit approx 10 shots within this section, solely concentrating on achieving a good rhythm on each swing. This means that your thoughts are not consumed with technicalities of your swing but on positive thoughts on making a smooth rhythmical swing. Ways of achieving this is to hit short shots about 80 yards with a 7 iron, increasing the distance with each shot whilst being aware of your rhythm whilst striking.

• Use your visualisation technique to get a positive image of what you want to achieve during your shot(eg punch shot, draw, fade etc).

Pre-shot routine - Hit approx 15 shots as if you were on the course. Place your ball on the mat and choose a target relative to the club that you are about to hit (eg 150 yards marker with a 7 iron). A good example follows.

• Make a couple of practice swings to feel the type of shot you are about to hit. • Set yourself up, have one more look at your target then swing. You can use a range of clubs for the exercises above.

Warm down Hit ten balls - With your favourite club in the bag so it promotes a positive feeling before you play or leave the range for home. NOVEMBER • 2009

COMPETITION We have teamed up with The Belfry to offer you the chance to become our golﬁng Guinea Pigs for 2010. The fabulous prize will be for 2 men and 2 ladies to win either 6 custom ﬁt sessions or 6 lessons. We will assess your game and at the end of the year we will be putting you to the ultimate test on none other than The Brabazon itself to see who has improved the most!

Custom vs Tuition Fit To enter this competition all you need to do is email us at editor@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk and explain in 40 words why you should have the chance to win this fantastic prize.

APRIL-MAY • 2009

Wolstanton

City Slicker S

ome areas don’t always give you confidence in envisaging them as golfing havens; usual ideal locations are unlikely to include housing estates and busy dual carriageways. However, Wolstanton Golf Club which has both as its borders bucks the trend right from the moment you enter its tree lined driveway, early pre-conceptions are soon laid to rest by a mature and well conditioned course full of nice surprises and a delightful clubhouse. Ideal for golfers of all abilities the course may only measure in around a modest 5,500 yards from the yellow tees yet there’s enough in the way of twists, turns, contours and hazardous spots to ensure you’ll take it lightly at your peril. As early as the second hole there’s a tricky Par 4 with a quarry to negotiate for your approach towards a steep banked green with trouble at the back. Around the turn the 10th and 11th holes are tight dog legs to demand spot on accuracy especially at the 10th, tree lined with a blind tee shot from the back tees and out of bounds on the right hand side. It’s the Par 3s however which stand out for us, six of them in total, two long affairs especially the 233 yard 7th; don’t be surprised if anything other than

THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

driver is enough to reach it. Then there are three more scenic challenges where the trees play their part in giving you no great margin for error. The 18th is one such short hole and a fitting climax to your round with a shrub lined pond leading to a bunker clad green with conifers, silver birches and mature trees all around, a lovely way to finish an enjoyable trip around Wolstanton. The course is maintained well throughout, the rough is cut fairly low yet can be tightly packed and a suitable nuisance for your wayward shots. The greens are in great condition, smooth and consistent and good putters will fancy their chances for good scoring. Wolstanton has a strong and loyal member base and has a good reputation for bringing juniors through; it’s a good place to develop a burgeoning golf game in a friendly environment where peer pressure seems non-existent. The clubhouse, refurbished in 2007 is bright and spacious with plenty of space for visitors and societies of all sizes to enjoy, the club also operates the 2-fore-1 voucher scheme making it a very affordable Potteries City Centre location that proves that great golf facilities don’t have to exclusively reside in the countryside.

PATSHULL PARK

Lake Superior

eep in the southernmost Shropshire countryside sits Patshull Park, a well established popular golf and leisure outpost with the distinct advantage of a tranquil and beautiful setting that’s still in well in reach of the main cities in the West Midlands golfing commuter belt. The course is set around the large sprawling fishing lake that dominates the landscape especially at the start and finish of your round. The 3rd tee sees you right out there by the lakeside in a fabulous setting yet the water doesn’t ever really threaten too much as a hazard. Tall impressively mature oaks and pines with long overhanging branches present themselves throughout as the biggest causes for concern here. It’s a layout full of variety, plenty of risk and reward type posers out there with 5 potentially driveable par fours, albeit well protected ones, the trees and some cleverly placed sand traps lurk menacingly around every corner and the fairways can be tight and narrow in places. It’s a thinking players course, one that will test your confidence with the driver mainly, a good day with the No1 wood could yield a good score. Unusually at Patshull there’s just three short holes, one of those, the 10th is no more than a flick with a wedge yet the other two are tricky affairs with small targets. Its likely to be those ever popular short par fours that will be the highlight. If you’re anything like us and ignore your driving frailties in favour of an unlikely dash at distant greens 300 yards away, downhill challenges like the 7th and 9th will be right up your street. The round finishes with a suitably tough uphill long par four 18th with probably the hardest fairway to hit on the course, a fitting end to a true tempter of a test that’s thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, good drainage ensures also that this is a fine all year round location. Facilities too are first class, Earl’s Brasserie has a great bar snack menu and space for large societies. It’s the play and stay option that’s the most impressive thing, an award winning 49 bedroom hotel backs onto the course boasting a restaurant with lakeside views and a full fitness, leisure and beauty package. For a more gentile option theres always the opportunity to re-visit the lake with a fishing rod in place of your golf clubs. Its the final compliment to a top-notch relaxing destination that offers everything you need for an ideal all year round break.

NOVEMBER • 2009

A course

WORTHY of its name

countryside give plenty of room too for the indigenous wildlife of the area to prosper, you may spot a deer or two during the five or ten minutes it takes to drive up the tree lined avenue from security gate to clubhouse. Along the route there are plenty of pre-round glimpses of the golf that lies in wait, the 17th at the Nicklaus Course presents itself as an awe-inspiring sight, more of that later. The Nicklaus Course was designed by Jack and son Steve and opened for play in 1998. A wide open parkland layout with water hazards of varying degrees of menace a factor on no less than 14 of its holes. Despite its infancy, the course has already hosted two Senior PGA Tour events.

arden Park is situated in some of Cheshire’s most beautiful countryside halfway between Nantwich and Wrexham. The history dates back to the early 17th Century when the Hall was built and the park landscaped and stocked with deer. A fire burnt down Carden Hall in 1912 and the site laid derelict for many years until the De Vere Group took it over, constructed both The Cheshire and The Nicklaus courses and invested £10 million in the new Hotel built around the features of the Old Hall. The Hotel has full fitness facilities, a health spa and a huge amount of other recreational pursuits for non-golfers to enjoy. Carden Park is a seriously big and impressive looking place. Pre-visit glances at the web site don’t quite give enough hints of the size of the estate and the grounds around both courses and hotel. Over 750 acres of prime Cheshire

It is a very buggy friendly location, a cart track runs around the whole length of the course and all of them feature GPS, very useful for spotting those hidden away bunkers. Not compulsory to use one though, it is a scenic and enjoyable walk without too much in the way of steep undulations with all levels of golfer in mind; here there are 5 different tee areas, the course measures from a lengthy 7,045 yards from the Championship Tees to a more leisurely 5,211 from the Reds. We chose a middle of the road trip from the White Tees yet wherever you start off from there’s a redoubtable array of hazards in true Nicklaus style facing you not to mention a few teasers too. The designer clearly relishes thought provoking holes and both of the Par 4, 7th and 15th holes contain double fairways giving golfers a decision to make on just how confident they’re feeling, not always though as we found does fortune favour the brave, and looks from the tee can be deceiving, the obvious route isn’t necessarily the best one. NOVEMBER • 2009

Carden Park Staffordshire Golfer makes its first foray into Leafy Cheshire this month for the first in a two-course and two-part review on one of its finest establishments.

Next Month we will be reviewing the superb Cheshire Course at De Vere Carden Park, be sure not to miss it as we will also be giving you an oppertunity to win a trip to Carden Pak aswell!

Nicklaus Design has also created a further two Par 4’s similar in design featuring dog legs around lakes, the 5th and the aforementioned 17th which must rank as the signature hole, situated as it is in front of the Hotel. At this one you have to flirt with danger on the left twice from drive and approach, not a good time for a hook or slice and there’s probably also some wind to contend with. The Nicklaus is quite an open layout compared to its sister course The Cheshire and does attract some stiff breezes adding to the element of risk and danger, good course management here will include knowing when and where to shape your shots to defeat the elements. In general the course plays fair and everything is more or less laid out in front of you, there are possibilities out there for good scoring, fairways are generously wide in the main and it’ll take some quite extreme waywardness to find yourself in serious trouble from the tee. Fairway bunkers are populous especially around the turn, your accuracy in avoiding them will be put to the test on holes such as the 11th and 13th.

they created The Nicklaus Course, the receptiveness of the greens will encourage confidence in performing those very shots. All in all a highly enjoyable experience at a superb venue and on a course that will only yield a good score if you are smart enough to make the right decisions and skilled enough to carry them out. With great views facilities to die for and an enticing challenge of a layout it is a great first half to our Carden Park review. In the next issue we will focus on the contrasting charms of The Cheshire Course and discover whether it compares favourably to its neighbour for an ideal all round 36 hole golfing odyssey. With a full facility guide in addition we’ll provide you with all you need to know about the whole complex that is Carden Park.

The water hazards play a significant part on the short holes notably on the lengthiest, the 12th, a left to right crosswind there could cause havoc. The exception to the rule is the 3rd hole, without water but it does present the challenge of putting across a steep ridge running across the green. The putting surfaces are smooth fast running affairs and pretty large in size. A few raised surfaces and elevations on the aprons increase the value of accuracy, the designers clearly had high spinning approach shots in mind when THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

The Cambrian

Coast

ur magazine’s ongoing quest to find North Wales’ finest links locations took us to its southernmost outpost on a pleasantly still October morning. Aberdovey is located on a straight line due west from the centre of our region, close enough for a fair few of its membership to hail from our counties.

wild and wonderful as in days gone by and the majority have been incorporated into the rough which has also been encouraged to grow and flourish again. The results have left Aberdovey a fittingly challenging but fair layout, ecologically sound as well as a seaside stunner in terms of looks.

The club is situated on a typically fitting links piece of land between the Cambrian mountain range and the Dyfi estuary that marks the border between North and South Wales. Tall sand dunes separate the course from the Irish Sea and a single track railway line runs along the opposite side.

First opened for play in 1892 Aberdovey’s design history has included the famous names of Colt, Braid and Fowler who together have produced a much admired track full of charm, variety and hidden hazards. Tight in places, wide open in others, on a normal day it will suit players of all abilities especially the ones who realise that this is a venue where good course management and positioning will win the day over a more aggressive approach.

This flat, often windswept land has undergone an award winning transformation in recent years. Many of the bunkers have been reconstructed and returned to their original and traditional links form. They now look as

Like all links challenges though your fate will rest mostly at the fickle hands of the elements.

After a run of wild weather fortune at other Welsh locations we were due a calm one and got just that at Aberdovey. Light winds blessed us throughout yet even through the stillness there were occasional reminders of its changeable and deceiving nature confirmed to us by course staff afterwards. A breezy day here is likely to stretch your golfing skills to the very limits. That’s not to say that a calm one is a walk in the park, some formidable challenges present themselves from the tees, plenty of thought and a little luck is required to put the ball in the right spots to attack tight pin positions frequently tucked away around classic links type greenside bumps and mounds. Putting is a true pleasure here, the well maintained surfaces are smooth running with some testing and fun undulations in places. NOVEMBER • 2009

ABER-GOLD

Favourite holes are hard to choose on such a consistently good course. However as you walk round the front nine there’s one flagstick in the distance that stands out as higher and closer to the sea than all the others. That flagstick belongs to the 12th hole, a par 3 reputed to be one of the hardest in British golf. As we thankfully found out thats only the case when the wind blows. The green is perched up at the highest point of the course in between the dunes with a sea view. Your tee shot must find the green or grief is inevitable, it’s a true Welsh `Postage Stamp’ with steep banking on the left and worse still either thick rough or the beach as hazards on the right side. No room at the back either for an overhit tee shot. Apparently a blustery day here may require you to take driver to this highly exposed green all of 149 yards away. We didn’t need to but its easy to see what an absolute terror this hole could potentially be. THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

Another par 3 `Cader’ gives you the challenge of an almost totally blind tee shot to a punchbowl green where club selection is crucial as the putting surface is surrounded by bumps and hollows that could bounce a good shot into undeserved thick rough. Perhaps even a harder green to hit at the 288 yard 16th hole, a highly risky tactic it would be to try driving this hole which is far too well protected by fairway undulations and the railway line is a little too close for comfort on the left hand side. Even a short pitch to this small narrow green requires precision. Two longish par fours complete the test of Aberdovey, and a really enjoyable one it is too. The clubhouse, rebuilt in 1998 has all a visiting group could wish for and more in

terms of comfort and space. Two rooms separated by the bar to suit either large or small societies complete with a varied menu, good home cooked food and differing packages. Aberdovey also has a unique room downstairs which to be honest is intended for the juniors, worth mentioning though as it contains an undulating indoor putting course and Nintendo Wiis for fun on rainy days. The club also has a modern dormy bungalow for an ideal play and stay option, 4 en suite twin rooms to suit smaller societies. In addition Aberdovey has very impressive short game practice facilities that compliment the challenge of the course. Its a fine place to make a trek westwards to, and not difficult to see why distance is no barrier to some of its membership, links golf in North Wales truly ends here in fine style.

SOCIETY

Na-Madrai Golf Society Formed

2001

Members

Favourite courses played

Stonebridge, Henley, Wishaw, The West Midlands, Lickey Hills, Bromsgrove

Ones they’d love to play

The Brabazon, The Welcombe Golf Club (Stratford-upon-Avon)

There is something more than a little Irish about our featured society this month. The name “Na-Madrai“ is Irish for “The Dogs“ and originates from “The Spotted Dog“ the pub in Digbeth, Birmingham where this group was born and has

its home base. The Na-Madrai are a tremendously sociable society, very well organised yet they don’t take themselves too seriously, the accent is all about fun times on golf courses every time they tee it up. However, there are comps and prizes

galore on offer; each season comprises 5 major tournaments at 5 regular West Midland’s venues so inevitably some sort of competitive edge has to creep in. The 39 members include ladies and juniors and there are no age or handicap restrictions, associate members and regular guests from around the world boost the numbers . To cement the Irish links further there are annual trips to the Emerald Isle for long weekend golfing breaks every May, we’re sure they prove to be memorable occasions!

The committee ensure all year round playing for the hardier NaMadrai members by organising a winter knock out series, there’s always something going on and in 2011 this likeable group will mark their 10th anniversary by organising some extra special golf events. They are already in talks with another one of our previously featured societies, The Caribbean GS about a future friendly tournament, not likely to be a dull moment in that event! For more information visit them at their web site: www.namadrai-golf.co.uk

CALLING ALL WEST MIDS SOCIETY ORGANISERS To be a part of the only golfing magazine dedicated to your region and to possibly feature yourselves in our society section give us a call below and we can offer in return for your membership.

“YOUR MAGAZINE NEEDS

YOU!

”

Regular e-bulletins on the latest society news and events in the magazine. • Free membership to our fully interactive society section on our new web site (ready early January) • Society offers from the golf clubs as soon as we hear them and before they are published in the magazine • Special discounts for WM Golfer member societies on all courses at The Belfry Page - has a fine example of what could happen to you in the future just by giving us a few free details on your golfing group and their exploits. Call our office on 01782 597033 for more details or e-mail the editor at editor@staffordshiregolfer.co.uk NOVEMBER • 2009

WOODHALL SPA

Fairway to Heaven The iconic Hotchkin Tower at the back of the 3rd green surrounded by cruelly placed and deep pot bunkers. For a favourite hole though, look no further than the Par 3 12th, an absolute classic featuring the deepest bunker on the course to the left of its long narrow green. The putting surfaces here are pure smooth running consistent quality throughout and will give you plenty of chances to improve your scorecard. The Hotchkin course at Woodhall Spa comes with a big reputation. Its currently ranked as the UKs finest inland course and is inside the World’s top 50 on a consistent basis. A bit of a step up required then for West Midlands Magazine’s mid-handicap standards but we had been eagerly waiting our visit not just to take on the Hotchkin challenge but to find out if the whole Woodhall Spa experience makes for an ideal year round society break. In addition to its award-winning layout this attractive area of Lincolnshire has a further 18 hole course (The Bracken), a highly regarded Teaching Academy and is the headquarters of the English Golf Union. Despite modernisation and impressive new office and conference facilities the golfing side has remained untouched over the years; clubhouse bar and locker rooms have a traditional feel about THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

them. Woodhall Spa has a homely and unassuming atmosphere that we appreciated prior to stepping onto the Hotchkin’s first tee. The trick here for a decent score is to stay out of the deep cavernous bunkers that this course is so well known for. No easy task at all, the lie of the land on many of these fast running fairways tends to suck fast running balls into undeserved sandy depths. Accuracy needs to be spot on too on approaches and very much so at the Par 3s at The Hotchkin, so plentiful and large are the sand traps around the greens it might just dishearten a lesser player if it weren’t for the stunning nature of his/her surroundings.

The Hotchkin more than lives up to expectations, Woodhall Spa’s commitment to the ecology of the area retains the courses unspoilt, natural state that’s been present for over 100 years. It’s simply a wonderfully designed layout in perfect unspoilt heath land surroundings, it may well do some damage to your scorecard, it’s far from easy but resentment won’t be an issue, for golf courses don’t come much better than this. A brief stroll around The Bracken was enough to see that this

newer course is already a suitable compliment to its illustrious relation. Very different too, a parkland challenge with wooded areas and water hazards. Green fee wise, The Hotchkin compares well with its nearest rivals in the UK rankings which goes for society bookings too, the natural sandy base gives a links type guarantee of fine winter playability. With comfort and varied menus guaranteed in the 60 seater restaurant and a roomy bar area to relate tales of great bunker escapes, it is hard to resist the all round charms of Woodhall Spa, not just a world class golf course. With golfer deals incorporating stays at some quality accommodation in the area even its slightly distant location need not be too much of a problem. Put quite simply, set the sat-nav pointing eastwards and it will be one of your better golfing decisions.

The heather naturally plays a major part in the defences and its presence increases the difficulty rating yet further. Even shorter Par 4s like the 15th prove to be a tricky challenge with a tight tree lined fairway and a short iron approach to a basin style green

NEFYN AND DISTRICT

Nefyn quite like

Nefyn and District Golf Club is no great secret. Chances are you will have taken a glance at the website or been told all about it in the clubhouse once or twice before visiting. Take it from us though, no amount of pre-visit revision or banter can possibly prepare you for your first view of its stunning profile. Quite simply it’s the most breathtaking, natural and sometimes outrageous golfing location we have ever visited. Being big fans of links golf like we are is an automatic plus mark admittedly and it wont be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who don’t relish the challenge there’s even a get out clause within Nefyn’s unique 26 hole layout. Perched right on the top edge of the Llyn Peninsula the course sits up high on cliff tops completely defenceless to the regular stiff breezes blown in from the Irish Sea. The wind speed is probably the defining factor in the success of your round, Nefyn doesn’t need too much else in the way of hazards, you simply take it as you find it. The 26 holes give you a choice of two 18s to play. The first ten stay the same, then there’s two closing eight hole stretches that could hardly be greater in contrast. The new course finishes with 8 holes that take you further inland, we didn’t play those, that’s the aforementioned get out clause for those who don’t fancy their golf on the wild side. We’re sure that almost every visitor and society who plays here must surely take on the other option as the old course takes you on to ‘the point’, the part of Nefyn on all the photos and even on a wild windy day its an amazing and unforgettable climax to a round of golf. This narrow peninsula that stretches out to sea somehow squeezes 8 holes of drama on to it, almost every shot carries the risk of blowing your ball down to a rocky watery grave, probably THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

no place to keep an eye on your handicap, instead marvel at the natural, raw and inspiring surroundings, holes like the 13th where risk and reward is at a premium, the further you aim towards the hole at this Par 4 the more sea and crashing waves you have to carry. Then there’s the Par 3 14th, the tee sits exposed high up next to the lighthouse at the furthest tip of the point. If you can hit a good tee shot through howling wind and stay stood up in the process you’ve gone a good job. The 17th too, a Par 5 presents a highly difficult narrow tee shot with the sea yet again a formidable hazard. The 18th hole takes you back naturally to the clubhouse and does give you a chance of getting one back with a closing tee shot finally devoid of the risk of a watery grave. If all that wasn’t impressive enough Nefyn’s 19th hole facilities go further in making this an all round ideal society venue. A large spacious lounge with panoramic views of the course, spike bar, snooker room and the restaurant which has menus for all occasions. Groups of up to 75 can be catered for all year round. Nefyn, which has been voted among the UKs top 100 golf courses by Golf World in each of the past five years, is an amazing and glorious golf location that demands to be visited. Nature lovers too will maybe witness seals in the bays below and share the fairways with the resident oyster catchers, truly magical and on a clear day you can witness the Wicklow Mountains of Southern Ireland to the West. We missed that sight for we had a wet and wild one but still loved Nefyn, which is probably the most important compliment of all.

CHIRK

hirk Golf Club has been designed to offer championship-standard facilities in an idyllic rural setting. Overlooked by the National Trust’s Chirk Castle, it features two superb courses set in 200 acres of rural countryside. Small wonder these outstanding facilities have been called the region’s best kept sporting secret.

and water hazards are abundant. The 9th hole at 664 yards, is one of the longest holes in the country and will test even the biggest of hitters. Set around the courses largest lake its quite a signature hole. Two other mammoth Par 5’s also lie in wait that you’re not likely to forget in a hurry.

Its par 3, 9 hole course has proved a particular favourite with less experienced players. Meanwhile the 18 hole championship lay out is designed to challenge everyone from the novice to the seasoned professional, the scenic charm is complimented by The Llangollen Canal that runs alongside.

Visiting golfers are made especially welcome at Chirk Golf Club. Already golf societies from throughout North Wales and the Border counties - and others from even further afield - have given their seal of approval to the facilities that Chirk has to offer and with some fantastic deals all year round it s hard to argue with them.

Blending with the area’s natural beauty, the course comprises of testing fairway bunkers

The Championship course has won acclaim for its fairness and flexibility, which can play

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as short as 5,757 yards or, for the really ambitious, as long as 7,281 yards. Superb facilities offer everything you need. The club’s floodlit driving range, with 15 spacious undercover bays and a practice bunker, is open from 8am until late evening. It is ideal for warming up before a game or ironing out faults after your round. Experienced and highly qualified PGA staff are always on hand to offer advice and guidance, no matter what your standard. Chirk has it all as a course, short par 3`s and monster Par 5`s and the facilities of the course are also of the highest standard and we found the club extremely welcoming and urge you to add this to your 2010 diaries.

he Belfry is the West Midlands’ most famous golfing location. Players from far and wide the world over make the pilgrimage to tread the same footsteps as the golfing elite whose exploits at The Brabazon course over four Ryder Cups gave us endless memorable TV highlights. However lately, the powers that be at The Belfry have been feeling that maybe they are victims of their own success, that their global success rather overshadows the reputation they have in their local area. Which is where we came in, they needed to know what was preventing West Midlands’ visitors and societies from flocking here in the same large numbers, despite its close proximity, and why? The very two original members of our society database who appeared in issue One of the magazine both stated The Belfry as their ultimate group destination, yet neither of them had ever booked it as a venue

before. One wave of our magic wand and they were arriving at the golf reception for a special Mid-Autumn match up at The Brabazon itself. The Herefordshire based Luctonians and West Midlands’ Caribbean Golf Society got themselves a special Belfry invite to experience the full society package.

THE MATCH

little hint of a belief that here was a place where a relaxing society atmosphere may prove hard to find. However it wasn’t easy for us to gauge much in the way of concerns as the guys were far too excited looking forward to their long awaited opportunities at pitching over the lake at 18th and the 10th green in one attempt. Couldn’t help but wonder listening to them that just playing those two historic shots is worth a few extra quid alone, if only for the memories.

A two ball better ball stableford team event with one team from WM Golfer and Adam Ward, senior pro from The Belfry also in attendance.

THE ROUND

PRE-ROUND CHAT Over coffee and bacon rolls The Belfry were keen to find out about our teams’ preconceptions and reluctance to visit before, there was no doubting their love of the place, the looks on their faces said it all on arrival. Unsurprisingly cost was the main issue, and a

The days weather sadly refused to match the special nature of the event but did little to dampen spirits. Yet conditions were tough, The Brabazon’s formidable collection of lakes, huge bunkers and the wet weather all played parts in keeping scores on the high side. Yet not as much as the putting surfaces, never had our guys come across anything like The Brabazon greens before, the wet conditions

THE BRABAZON CHALLENGE

THE TEAMS h/cap home club

LUCTONIANS Dennis Martin David Robin

16 15 15 25

Leominster The Worcestershire Kington Leominster

CARIBBEANS ‘Deano’ Roan Denny Senior ‘Jacko’

18 9 24 11

Wherever he lays his Taylor Made Cap Pype Hayes Too busy running the society to have time for one Hill Top

NOVEMBER • 2009

THE BRABAZON CHALLENGE did little to slow them down, they read 11 on the stimp meter before play and played just like it. The teams plumped for the famous short Par 4 10th as their favourite hole, sadly no-one managed the ultimate highlight of driving the green, as for the underrated classic, special praise was reserved for the wonderful lakeside 6th hole. There had to be a winner of course and it was Denny Senior and Roan from the CGS who prevailed in the end with a consistent display of team golf, proving that a power approach to this famous course isn’t always the best option (WM Golfer, take note!)

little extras they hadn’t come across before. Despite still confessing to cost issues they weren’t as serious as first thought especially when it came to winter deals and the prices on the other courses. They were all delighted to find out that the same package exists no matter which of the three lay outs is booked for the society round. As we too found when we first visited, The Belfry is far removed from the slightly pretentious image that a resort of its standing might sometimes have, those pre-conceptions in that sense soon proved unfounded for our guests.

THE VERDICT

General consensus was a big thumbs up and we left our teams debating over which one of their events next year should be held at The Belfry, The Luctonians considering starting their season with a bang at the PGA National, The CGS thinking seriously about an end of season finale at The Brabazon……….decisions, decisions.

Despite admittedly all being soundly beaten by The Brabazon challenge the teams to a man were exalted by their experiences on the famous lay out. Both the Luctonians and the CGS were impressed by the whole Belfry society package which all admitted included

QUOTES Robin Luctonians “I found it intimidating to start with, far too much water and very difficult….. but I can’t wait to have another go” Dennis Luctonians “ Very impressed with the all round package, especially as it applies to all of the courses” Denny Senior CGS “Playing here (The Brabazon) is like The Wembley Stadium of Golf” Deano CGS “It was the whole package that impressed me, from start to finish the experience was quality”

6th Hole The Brabazon

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Leading The Chase

NOVEMBER • 2009

THE CHASE

et deep in the heart of the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, The Chase Golf Club is a stunning parkland course in one of the most stunning settings. Located within 6 miles of the town of Stafford the course feels like you are miles from any urban areas, enjoying some of the best views across the Wrekin and Clee hills.

The course itself is presented to the highest of standards which in a summer of mixed weather is a testament to the course manger Simon White and his team. The course is mainly built on sand and gravel offering some of the best natural drainage around, so cancelled golf rounds are not a worry when planning your visit to The Chase Golf Club.

The main thing that strikes you as you drive into this impressive looking venue is the great facilities they have on site. On the drive to the clubhouse you pass the superb looking 20 bay driving range which includes a teaching studio. It also features one of the best looking putting greens the county has to offer as well as a chipping green so you have no excuses not to be warmed before you head for the 1st tee.

Now there are some mouth watering holes at The Chase and for those who enjoy getting the driver out you will relish some of the challenges that lie ahead. There is water and well placed hazards that offer a stiff challenge even for the biggest of hitters.

Perhaps the most impressive feature is the superb looking clubhouse which caters for your every need. It includes 2 functions rooms, The Cedar Suite and The Atrium which is a stunning room and can hold up to 200 people. Both rooms cater for all occasions from conferences to weddings. The clubhouse also has a well stocked Pro Shop, a Spike Bar which is ideally positioned as you walk off the 9th or 18th greens, a Club Custom Fitting Centre and The Chase Golf Academy where the 4 resident PGA professionals are available for lessons for all standards from the beginner to the advanced player. The course itself is a challenging 6641 yard par 73 and is set up in a way that presents a test for all levels of golfers. Too many times golf courses say â&#x20AC;&#x153;a challenge for all levels of golfersâ&#x20AC;? and the reality is that unless you are on top of your game then you won`t enjoy them, but The Chase really does cater for everybody and when we arrived it was refreshing to see a good mixture of men, women and juniors enjoying their golf here. THE GOLFER MAGAZINE

A mixture of impressive par 5`s and tricky Par 3`s ensure that accuracy is just as important as length on this course and with some testing rough in places for the wild shot, overconfidence can find you in real trouble. The Chase has some really memorable golf holes but it really does save the best till last. The 18th is the signature hole and it is not hard to see why. A 176 yard par 3 over water, this is not one for the faint hearted. Those of a nervous disposition will also find the fact that the clubhouse`s bar has a patio area next to the 18th a knee trembling experience especially on hot summer days. All in all this has to be one of our favourite golfing holes and is worth the green fee alone. After the 18th the likely hood is that you will need refreshment to either bask in the glory of finding the green or to console the balls lost in the water, but whatever your reason you will find the bar a warm and friendly place to relax. So if you are looking for your next course to visit or your next society venue then look no further than The Chase Golf Club and trust us, you won`t be disappointed!

End of Season Sales

We are at the end of the 2009 golfing season and what a year for golf! We saw the return of the world number 1 Tiger Woods and the emergence of future greats like Rory Mcllroy. As we all get ready to watch the Dudai World Championships there are some really good golfing offers to be had to maybe help us achieve our golfing goals for 2010. This year has been a tough one economy wise and like everyone I`m sure you have all cut down on spending. However the winter months are always good to grab a bargain. With the pending launches of all the 2010 clubs by the leading manufacturers retailers are offering some great deal on 2009 products. We have selected just a few bargains to be had this winter!

Best Price £195

Driver Nike SQ Dymo Square STR8-Fit Driver at the beginning of the year this was £360 and you can get it now for as low as £195

NOVEMBER • 2009

GEARED UP!

Best Price £219

Irons Wilson Staff - Di7 Irons – these fantastic game improvement irons are a snip at just £219. For More offer on all things golf simply email us at gearedup@westmidlandsgolfer.co.uk and we will send you exclusive offers!

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Pro Stance Training Aid Designed to help improve balance and posture. It goes without saying that an unbalanced swing leads to erratic ball striking, but it can be hard for the average golfer to understand how their weight shifts during the swing. The Pro stance is a clever contraption designed to help improve your weight transfer and posture to help you develop more power and consistency. For more information please visit www.pro-stance.com

Best Price £52.65

Sidaro

Mobile phone application Sidaro gives golfers on the move the perfect tool to keep up to date with the golfing world and improve your game. As one of the first devices on the market you can record and track all of your playing statistics, boost your knowledge of the rules and stay up to date with all the latest news, views and results from both the European and PGA tours. One of the Many aspects that sets sidaro apart from the competition is the interactive Rules of Golf quizzes that have been devised by Sidaro`s cofounder and European tour chief John Paramor. You can try Sidaro by downloading a Free 14 day trial and the application works on almost every handset as well as via the internet and WAP. Standard subscription £5 per month or £29.99 a year. For more information please visit www.sidaro.com

Best Price £29.99 a year

Best Price £329.95

Sky Caddie SG5 The SkyCaddie SG5 is the best of the SkyCaddie family with a brilliant colour display for easy outdoor readability with advanced course management features- including our 40 targets per hole, instant distances to hazards, fairway targets and layups. The SkyCaddie SG5 offers our powerful, patented IntelliGreen® technology to help you hit more greens and lower your score. For more information please visit www.skycaddie.co.uk

NOVEMBER • 2009

GEARED UP! Pro 1600

Tournament Edition More modes, fewer strokes and legal for tournament play. The new Pro 1600 Tournament Edition with PinSeeker® is the ultra-accurate laser rangefinder more pros trust their game to than any other. Our PinSeeker Technology allows for easy acquisition of the flag without inadvertently capturing background target distances.

Best Price £299

Pitchmark Repairer Best Price £5.95

The Pitchmark Repairer is the fast and easy solution to responsible golfing. We all know the consequences associated with pitch marks left not repaired; damage that can take weeks to recover can be easily avoided by golfers repairing their pitch marks immediately on reaching the green. The Pitchmark Repairer has a unique patented system allowing greens to be repaired without bending or stooping, Simply remove it from its bag attachment, slip it on over the putter grip and pitch marks can be easily and conveniently dealt with. With the very handy Pitchmark Repairer’s bag attachment, it now proves a valuable addition to any golf bag. It is an ideal gift for the keen golfer and makes great accessory for Corporate and Society events. For more information please visit www.pitchmarkrepairer.com

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LA MANGA

West Midlands Golfer took a brief trip recently to Murcia, Europe’s up and coming must visit golfing destination. Boasting Spain’s driest climate with 300 days on average of sunshine, great beaches and attractive mountain ranges, over 20 courses here offer year round playability for an ideal winter golfing destination. The long time Jewel in Murcia’s golfing crown is the La Manga Club, designed and constructed in an era prior to the rise of Spanish and European golf success. Situated in a spectacular valley setting between rolling pine clad hills and the warm waters and fabulous beaches of the Mar Menor just ten minutes drive away, La Manga’s location, sunny all year round climate and 1400 acres of all round sport and leisure facilities make it one of Europe’s top holiday resorts. As for the golf, La Manga has three differing 18 hole challenges that between them will offer something for all standards of player, 3,000 palm trees line these 54 stunning looking and exceptionally well maintained holes.

The South Course

6,499 metres (white tees), Par 73

Designed in 1971 this is La Manga’s championship course hosting five Spanish Opens in the 70s as well as many other tournaments. Recently refurbished in 2004 it’s a straight ahead of you type of course, the water hazards that play a part on no less than 15 holes and some strategically placed bunkers are its main defences in addition to its length. There are a fair few daunting looking approaches in store over water especially on the back nine, bring your ‘A’ game.

The North Course 5,753 metres, Par 71

A shorter challenge with the focus more about straight hitting and your putting skills on newly redesigned and large USPGA spec greens. Originally designed at the same time as the South Course it has a similar and an equally stunning mature look about it.

The West Course 5,971 metres, Par 72

Completed in 1996 this undulating hill side treat may well be the baby of the three but is a sure bet to be our favourite with its exciting profile, varied holes and regular breathtaking views of the resort and the Mediterranean. Standing on the 18th tee feels like you’re on top of the world. Course management skills are at a premium here with regular changes in elevation, narrow fairways and blind shots. La Manga also has Par 47, an 18 hole pitch and putt course for some valuable short game practice. With temperatures regularly hitting 20C in January and San Javier Airport a mere 20 minute drive away this resort’s all around appeal will prove hard to resist. In brief La Manga’s off course facilities include a 5 star hotel, self catering apartments, a luxury spa and more than 20 restaurants and bars. Too much to review in one page so we are to return for a four page feature on La Manga’s charms in detail in a forthcoming issue, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it!

NOVEMBER • 2009

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

Hacienda Del Alamo If La Manga still stands as the golfing Mecca in Murcia there are plenty of young pretenders to the throne around in this vibrant new hotspot for our game. Take a trip inland towards Murcia City and soon the Hacienda Del Alamo Golf Resort appears on the horizon.

The 18 hole championship course designed by Dave Thomas that opened for play just three years ago is set around the stylish new villas, apartments and townhouses that make up an attractive and luxurious 550 hectare estate. It’s the golf naturally that takes centre stage and how, the course is set over such a wide area it truly dominates the complex and gives as many villas and houses as possible a great view from their front gardens. Underneath the clubhouse is housed a large buggy garage which does a busy trade, it’s not an easy course by any means to walk but don’t let that put you off because it looks a real treat to play. At a lung bursting 6,724 metres (7,353 yards) in length from the White tees this is one of Spain’s longest courses so it can play very tough, however four tee locations and fairly wide fairways make it a challenge than can suit all abilities. It features typical Dave Thomas

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characteristics with large contoured fairway bunkers and elevated putting surfaces surrounded by mounds for that stadium feel.

Olive, Almond and of course palm trees decorate the fairway edges and 8 lakes with fountains and cascading waterfalls complete the stunning look of the course as well as adding a fair bit of danger to a couple of the Par 3s and the closing hole, a wonderful long Par 5 where the water dominates the left hand side. Hacienda Del Alamo also has a six hole academy course, a two tiered 36 bay driving range and putting and chipping greens. The clubhouse and lounge give you a suitably lavish post round setting to rest those aching limbs; the balcony offers big views of the surrounding Spanish countryside and of that fine closing hole. A superb new venue for an all year golfing break, Hacienda Del Alamo is a special place we hope to feature in more detail sometime soon, until then, visit www.clubdegolfhda.com for more information. The resort has luxury holiday villas for rental, details on those at www. hdagolfproperties.com.

he West Midlands area as I am sure we all know is a region rich in golfing establishments renowned far and wide, names that trip off the tongue, and some that are familiar all over the world. There are also however a few hidden treasures out there waiting to be discovered by golfers willing to stray away from the beaten track. Lesser known layouts secluded among narrow country lanes may well be a challenge to find without the use of a reliable sat-nav yet you might just get a pleasant surprise at journeys end. Uttoxeter, Staffs has a fine example on its doorstep; The Manor Golf Club, also known as Kingstone, designed in the 1970s on ex-farming land has a remote location but proves to be more than worth a visit.

THE MANOR

country life

The course is of average length and a fair chunk of that is taken up by two monster 570 yard Par 5s, one early doors at the 3rd and one to save some energy for at the 17th. In between there’s an attractive mix of holes, set in very pleasant rural surroundings with the courses focal point the River Blythe winding its way through The Manor’s heart providing beauty as well as hazard and one or two risk and reward type posers. Your faith in your talents will be tested at holes like the 8th and 14th over just how much river you’re prepared to attempt to cross in order to get closer to the green on these tempting short Par 4s. Overall The Manor has a friendly open look to it, good scoring looks a genuine possibility yet you need to keep it on the short stuff, for consistently throughout the course features tightly packed rough which can cling on to a ball and make escapes trickier propositions than they look. Throw in a few undulating holes with spot on club selection needed on approaches to raised greens and it’s fair to say that all in all this nice cosy looking layout possesses a redoubtable set of defences that you should ignore at your peril. The clubhouse and facilities are modest in size yet large in terms of comfort and friendliness. The top floor clubroom has a sun-kissed balcony with panoramic views of the course and the Staffordshire countryside beyond. Societies are warmly welcomed with varying packages to suit all pockets. Visitors too will benefit from two-for-one voucher schemes which make a trip to The Manor as good a value for money experience as its possible to find. Hard to find, probably, hidden gem, definitely

NOVEMBER • 2009

TOUR BANTER

? o h w y h c Tin I

t was felt lately that there was more than enough space in The West Midlands Golfer’s Golf-Mobile for another permanent occupant on review trips to make us a true four ball instead of the previous three plus guest routine we’d had before. It’s a big motor, our travelling vehicle, one of those big American things with sliding doors, plenty of room for four blokes, bags, trolleys and all. To liven up the place a bit we plumped for youth. Neil came upon us by accident by breaking the course record at Trentham Park (full story on page 9) yet immediately struck us as a nice, very enthusiastic funny young guy and most importantly a little on the gullible side. Neil immediately gained this editors respect on his very first review mission. One look at the pre-Nefyn forecast was enough for a plethora of reviewer sick notes to arrive at my desk. So much so than I thought I might be going on my own

but I reckoned without the new kid on the block who keenly accepted the challenge of the Llyn Peninsula on a brutal day. Neil’s review career was almost very short lived, nearly killed him on the very 1st fairway when our buggy (admittedly driven down the wrong side) took on an uncontrollable o 1080 spin at high speed at the bottom of the slippery steep bank. We clung on for dear life expecting a tip over at any point which thankfully never came. Talk about a baptism of fire, yet post spin Neil was unfazed, quite the opposite in fact, “cost ya £30 to have a ride like that at Alton towers my mate” was his excited assessment and further proved his distinct lack of trauma by knocking an 8 iron through the gale stiff for an opening birdie. You see that’s the other thing about our new recruit, he can play golf, and how. That round at Trentham Park was no fluke, his ball striking is awesome, we love to

watch him sending balls into orbit and admire his patience as rigamortis must nearly set in before it’s his turn again. He takes some fearful stick too, being the new guy, young and unwisely trusting plus being a much better golfer than us leads to a fair few wind ups that he never seems to see coming but always takes with a grin. There’s never a dull moment in the golfmobile these days but that does come with a downside. The age dynamic has changed and so too has the musical taste, so sadly for the two old guys in the front seats Motown Magic and U2 have been cruelly usurped as two younger and dafter guys in the rear wave their arms about manically to Jay-Z, Dizzie Rascal and Pinchy Striker or something like that. Company I-pods are currently on order, courtesy of the editor to save the front seaters more punishment, there’s a long journey to Ireland coming up.

NOVEMBER • 2009

TOUR BANTER

Sunny

Side

f ever a golfing day fortunes were destined to mirror the weather conditions assigned to it, our first foray into organised tournament life at The Chase Golf Club in late August was just that occasion. Our friendly four ball affair had an eclectic mix of teams in attendance, sponsors and business clients were joined by golf society members and teams from the Staffordshire clubs who’ve helped us establish the magazine. With handicap ranges at the furthest ends of each extreme it was hardly your average golf day attendance, which was fine, that was exactly what we wanted. A fun occasion with not too serious a competition in its midst, it was hoped a good social side would emerge and we showed off a bit with Aston Martins and Rudells, the jewellers. Hands up, there was some business done too, magazines can’t run on thin air you know. One glance in the lounge at the bacon butty stage suggested a sense of preround gloom. A muted atmosphere had descended over the place as our guests looked out to a grim and murky Chase landscape. Rudells, so impressive in looks reported little trade early doors. Outside the weather finally decided what to do as early starters including

ourselves were treated to a steady drizzle, the course which was so well prepared became a damp challenge that for a while had morale and scorecard at a low ebb, we needed a tonic to get us and the day going, and in a rather unexpected way fate decreed a change of fortune. Our hard work and enthusiasm wasn’t to go unrewarded. The turning point appropriately came at the turn as our quick toilet break turned into an impromptu meeting with the two generous and influential chaps who had provided the jewellery store and the Aston Martins and by some coincidence had both arrived at the same time. They waxed lyrically about our day and pledged support for future events, with their praise ringing in our ears we strode confidently to the 10th aiming for some serious golfing bouncebackability. The sun was winning its battle with the gloom, blue replaced grey, four well struck balls found fairway centre and up on the green there was more joy to be found. I can’t remember seeing much of them on the front nine, maybe they sneaked past us during our millionaire meet up at half time, but just as the weather changed this mixed sex four ball, dressed from head to toe all in matching blue and yellow presented themselves as the very epitome of our golf day. No matter how

good or bad their shots were nothing was taken too seriously, laughter and whoops of joy rang in the air, the blues and yellows had a ball, high-fiving their way around the back nine, high-handicappers having fun, and a great day out. Inspired and warmed by the sight ahead of us we did indeed mount a birdie blitz on the closing holes, it may well have been enough to get us in the prizes but we ripped our card up, well you can’t win your own tournament can you? The day finished in bright sunshine and the clubhouse was a happy and packed place post-round, Rudells did a roaring trade, everyone stayed for the prize giving and even after that those blues and yellows sat still laughing away with the other teams, swapping numbers for future games. The high-fives were all ours at the end, the day was a big success, future events of a similar ilk are guaranteed but we know it couldn’t have been done without the blues and yellows in the sky and on the ground. Fitting it was that our sunshine saviours walked off with the third prize and are pictured on page 5, as a bonus they also won a meal for 4 at a local Cannock Chinese buffet in the raffle. The restaurant owner and his staff have been warned what to expect. NOVEMBER • 2009