SURREY GOLF AUTUMN 2021

Page 1

ISSUE 26

AUTUMN 2021

SURREY GOLF T H E

M A G A Z I N E

F O R

S U R R E Y

C O U N T Y

COUNTY NEWS

G O L F E R S

PRO TALK

News and events from around Surrey

All terrain practice with Sam Truman

GOLF BREAKS

David Boote’s challenging year

Las Colinas Golf & Country Club – award-winning Spanish resort

WIN A NIKON

COOLSHOT 50I

GOLF SHOPPER The latest exciting new products for 2021

PLUS... Sam Heffer – 6 lessons from a week at The Open Visualise your way to winning with Jamie Burrows


1

2

5

3 4 6

7


Welcome... I don’t know if it’s being in lock down for most of 2020 or the lack of sunshine, but this summer has seemed to pass us very quickly. That said, the courses have been extremely busy and many new champions have been crowned. In particular, congratulations to Surrey Ladies who claimed the title of English Women’s County champions by beating closest challengers Somerset and finishing finals week with a 100 per cent winning record.

PUBLISHED BY Abstract Media Services Ltd Tel: 01883 370308 Editorial: Jo Habgood E: jo.habgood@abstractmediaservices.com Advertising: Justin King E: justin.king@abstractmediaservices.com Design: Mandy Boosey E: mandyboosey@yahoo.com SURREY COUNTY GOLF CONTACTS Tel: 01483 788788/www.surreygolf.org

In this edition of Surrey Golf Magazine...

Knockout results, competitions, admin and accounts: Sue Henderson

We tee off with County Secretary, Steve McNeill and unveil the County Championship results. Sam Truman illustrates all terrain practice; David Boote shares his experience of navigating professional golf through the covid minefield and Jamie Burrows shares how visualise your way to winning.

COUNTY OFFICERS

If you fancy a change of scene, Weybrook Park is now a 27 hole venue or you could play a round at East Anglia’s finest – Woodbridge Golf Club. If you’re yearning for some sunshine Las Colinas Golf & Country Club is definitely worth a visit. Check out all the latest products on offer and your chance to win a Nikon Coolshot 50i.

County Secretary: Steve McNeill Assistant County Secretary: Caroline Hardy-Evans Treasurer: Colin Barr President: Terry Casey Chairman: Alan Page EG Voting Member: Steve McNeill TEAM CAPTAINS/MANAGER 1st Team Captain: Kieran Lovelock Seniors Manager: Pat Cunningham Junior U18/U17 Manager: Brian Woodham Junior U16/U15 Manager: Peter Millham

Editor

Junior U14/U13 Manager: Marc Prince Junior U12 Manager: Colin Moody Rookie Tour Manager: Bob Lacey Head County Coach: John Noble SURREY LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION

@surreygolfmag

Tel: 01483 751622/www.slcga.org President: Val Howard Ladies Secretary: Sarah Brown

We want to hear from you! Send us your news big or small, individual or clubs.

Ladies Captain: Sue Wild

Email editor@surreygolfmag.com NEXT ISSUE – 1st January 2022

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

ABSTRACT MEDIA SERVICES LIMITED

Surrey Golf 3


THE UK’S

BEST

INDOOR GOLF CENTRE The UK’S largest indoor golf venue, with 9 simulator bays, all with Trackman 4 technology – over 120 courses to play on. More effective practice than your local driving range, with unlimited premium balls per hour and special rates for solo practice.

One of the most advanced teaching studios in europe with Gears 3D and swing catalyst 3D motion plate 4 in-house teaching professionals and custom fitting experts Online retailer price-beat promise

Putting green with Puttview technology: Professional practice modes, green reading data and popular games such as putt pong. Junior coaching and memberships available.

VIP room with private simulator bay, 85" tv, large sofa and pool table for groups of up to 12 people. All major sporting events shown live on 21 large screens across the venue. Food and drink served all day.

Shuffleboard and pool tables for hire.

To book visit www.kingsperformance.co.uk The Atrium, King Street, East Grinstead, RH19 3DJ 01342 779 999 info@kingsperformance.co.uk

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @kingsgolfstudio


WHAT’S INSIDE...  GOLF SHOPPER 16 Specialist performance and custom club fitting by Elite Performance Golf Studios 36 The latest exciting new products for 2021 38 Golf clothing by Kjus

 COUNTY COURSE 18 Purley Downs unveils new par-3 8th hole

 COUNTY TALK

 PRO TALK

6 Tee off with County Secretary Steve McNeill

20 All terrain practice with Sam Truman

 COUNTY NEWS

24 Challenging times for David Boote

10 County Championship results

 GOLF AWAY

 COUNTY JUNIORS

22 The Caversham – Reading Golf Club’s new home

12 Oscar Lent is one to watch 14 Surrey Schools Golf 2021 15 Surrey crowned English Women’s County champions and hole in one for Gerry Pearson

32 Weybrook Park – now a 27 hole venue 29 Woodbridge Golf Club – East Anglia’s finest

n GOLF FITNESS 26 Sam Heffer – 6 lessons from a week at The Open

 PSYCHOLOGY 28 Visualise your way to winning with Jamie Burrows

 COMPETITION 33 WIN a Nikon Coolshot 50i

 GOLF SIMULATION 30 Meet the UK’s newest indoor golf centre

 GOLF BREAKS 34 Las Colinas Golf & Country Club – award-winning Spanish resort

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

5


COUNTY TALK

ON THE

TEE with County Secretary STEVE MCNEILL

Well from not having many events in the early part of the year due to the Covid restrictions, I certainly can’t say the same for the months of June, July and August...

N

ormally the window for county championships and inter county matches, plus all the national and regional events being played is during a six-month period between April and September. However, in 2021 all these have had to be squeezed into a threemonth period. The Surrey office team with the various team managers worked tirelessly to get them organised and played, it felt like an avalanche of golf, I’ve never known such a high number

Kris Kim

6

of top events clashing, it created many issues but we somehow got through it. The county championships were all played and my congratulations to each of the 2021 County Champions. It would be amiss of me not to highlight the outstanding year one of our younger players has had – Kris Kim – who won three different county junior age group championships, as well as becoming the youngest player ever to reach the last 16 in the County Amateur Championship. He also won the prestigious Douglas Johns U15 event, which by many is regarded as the National U15 Championship. Kris then played in the Reid Trophy, a 54-hole event for the National U14 Open Championship run by England Golf, he led from the first round and won by 7 shots! From all the years I have been involved with junior golf, I’d absolutely say this young man is definitely one to watch. Chris has also been selected to play for the Surrey Mens 1st team in the final of the Southeast League, another milestone of which I’m sure there will be many. Our U14 team have also done brilliantly by reaching the final of their Southeast Group League, of which Kris Kim is also a part of. May your drives be straight, your approaches be close, and your putts holed.

Cheers, Steve

County Champion: Aadam Syed (Foxhills) Club Champions: Sunningdale Mid-Age Champion: Ian Slater (North Downs) Seniors Champion: Ian Barker (Burhill) Colts Champion: Charlie Crockett (Addington Palace) Club Foursomes Champions: Mike Ducker & Ben Palmer (Reigate Hill) U18 Champion: Edward Dimayuga (Walton Heath) U17 Champion: Edward Dimayuga (Walton Heath) U16 Champion: Kris Kim (Walton Heath) U15 Champion: Kris Kim (Walton Heath) U14 Champion: Kris Kim (Walton Heath) U13 Champion: Aaron Moody (Burhill) U12 Champion: Matthew Kim (Walton Heath)

If you would like any further information on any of the above, please visit the Surrey County Golf website www.surreygolf.org, or give the office a ring 01483 755788

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


Give your game an edge.

N I KO N S P O RT O P T I C S

Choose a Nikon COOLSHOT Laser Rangefinder as your partner on the course. The STABILIZED models steady your view by counteracting hand shake and environmental factors. Finding your target is easy - just lock on and play. They are competition ready but, when playing for leisure, you can also choose slope-adjustment which helps you choose the right club and tame the course like never before. Discover how our NEW Nikon COOLSHOT Laser Rangefinders can improve your game at www.nikon.co.uk/golf


Is poor sight affecting your golf game? Cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are the most likely conditions to affect vision. The Nuffield Health Guildford and Woking Hospitals shed some light on these conditions and how they can help get you back on the golf course. Cataracts Cataract, a clouding of the natural lens of the eye, is the biggest cause of reversible blindness worldwide. Early signs include blurry vision, glare from car headlights and difficulty reading. Blindness caused by cataracts is reversible with safe and effective surgery (the most common procedure carried out in the UK).

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) AMD is the most common reason behind blind registration in the UK. In AMD there is death of light-sensitive receptors in the retina. Signs of AMD include distortion, blurred vision and being unable to focus on your central vision. In some cases, we can treat AMD and may be able to improve your vision.

It’s usually done under local anaesthetic and completed within 20 minutes. An ultrasonic probe is inserted through a tiny incision in the cornea (outer layer) of the eye. This breaks down the lens so it can be easily removed before a synthetic lens is inserted to replace it.

Glaucoma Glaucoma often develops with no pain and no symptoms until it’s very advanced. Glaucoma often runs in families so it’s important to get regular eye health checks if you have a family history. Blindness caused by glaucoma is permanent but we can help to preserve your remaining vision.

How we can help

We offer rapid access to treatment with no waiting lists so you can be back playing golf sooner than you think. Our specialist eye clinics are run by highly experienced ophthalmologists, well known both locally and nationally for their excellent patient outcomes. Our extensive knowledge and access to the latest medical technology means we can offer advice, diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions.

Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital Call 01483 378 509 Visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/guildford

Nuffield Health Woking Hospital Call 01483 355 772 Visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/woking


Your guide to accessing private health treatment at Nuffield Health Hospitals

Accessing hospital treatment is easier than you may think. Pay for yourself, use private medical insurance or apply for a personal medical loan. We’re here to help guide you through the process. 1. Self-funding

2. Private Insurance

3. Loan

At our hospitals we have no waiting lists meaning you can pay for yourself and have your appointment quickly.

We work with many main insurers to help get you the treatment you need.

Chrysalis Finance offers you a way to pay back the cost of your medical treatment over 6 or 10 interest-free monthly instalments at representative 0% APR**. Longer term payment options are also available at an increased APR rate with no added costs, deposits or admin fees.

We know that concerns about your health can be worrying and we’ll give you the one-to-one care that you deserve. If you require treatment, we’ll support you every step of the way through the Nuffield Health Promise where you receive a transparent price with no limits on your care*.

If you are paying for your procedure with medical insurance, then you need to liaise closely with your insurance provider throughout your treatment. You should be aware of the terms and conditions of your policy.

*The Nuffield Health Promise means we will provide you with follow up advice, treatment or care that is clinically required if you experience a complication of your treatment/surgery. Your treating consultant will determine what is clinically required as a direct result of your procedure. The Nuffield Health Promise does not cover situations where the surgery fails to achieve the desired outcome due to known risks or complications of that procedure. Where a prosthesis or implants is/are required for your procedure, any problems that occur with a prosthesis or implants will be covered by the manufacturer’s own guarantee. The Nuffield Health Promise applies only to self-pay patients (including by way of our interest-free medical loans) but excludes treatment paid for through private medical insurance and fertility services. Find out more at nuffieldhealth.com/promise **Loans subject to status, terms and conditions apply.


COUNTY NEWS RESULTS

County Championships U13/U14 CC (18 holes, Surbiton)

U16 County championship – Stevens Cup

U13 County Champion – Usmar Salver

1st with a gross 69 – Kris Kim (Walton Heath)

1st also with a Gross 77 winning via playoff – Aaron Moody (Burhill)

2nd with a gross 70 – Monty Holcombe (Walton Heath).

2nd with a Gross 77 – Nikolai Wilding (Windlesham)

3rd with a gross 71 – Luke Rice (Addington Palace) & Brahma Patel (Farleigh). These players could not be split on countback.

3rd with a Gross 78 – Lewis Dimayuga (Walton Heath)

U17/U18 CC (18 holes, Farleigh)

Colt Championship (36 holes, Cuddington) 1st with a combined gross score of 137 Charlie Crockett (Addington Palace) 2nd with a combined gross score of 139 Jack Kurzberg (Wentworth) 3rd with a combined gross score of 142 Killian McGinley (Sunningdale)

Handicap Competition – U13

U17 CC – The Millard Quaich

1st winning on count back also with a Nett 70 – Henry Bale (Cuddington)

1st with a gross 72 Edward Dimayuga (Walton Heath)

Seniors Championship (18 holes, Clandon Regis)

2nd with a Nett 70 – Joshua Thompson (Windlesham)

2nd with a gross 73 on county back Jasper Cox (Wentworth)

An extremely close championship resulting in a 3-man play-off all shooting a gross 77.

U14 County Championship – Olga Mills Cup

3rd with a gross 73 Aidan Millham (Windlesham)

1st winning the play-off – Ian Barker (Burhill)

1st with a Gross 73 – Kris Kim (Walton Heath) 2nd with a Gross 74 – Oscar Lent (Walton Heath) 3rd with a Gross 76 – James Brash (Foxhills) – on count back from Luke Jones (Cuddington) Handicap Competition – U14 1st with a Nett 67 – Ben Lovell (Windlesham) 2nd with a Nett 70 beating Aryan Patel (Surbiton)on countback – Joshua Thompson (Windlesham)

U18 CC – The Mac Trophy 1st with a gross 72 Edward Dimayuga (Walton Heath)

Foursomes Championship (18 holes , Reigate Hill)

3rd with a gross 73 Ben Goodrich (Wentworth)

Four teams qualified for the knock out stages

Mid-Age Championship (18 holes, The Drift)

Leyton Hardwick & Harry Hobday-Uzzell (Wentworth)

1st with a gross Ian Slater (North Downs Golf Club) 2nd with a gross 73 on count back Andrew Inglis (Chobham)

U15 County Championship – James Heath Trophy

3rd with a gross 73 Nigel Ayling (New Zealand Artisans)

2nd with a gross 70 – Monty Holcombe (Walton Heath). 3rd with a gross 71 – Luke Rice (Addington Palace) & Brahma Patel (Farleigh). These players could not be split on countback.

10

3rd decided by play-off – James Weigall (Banstead Downs)

2nd with a gross 73 on county back Jasper Cox (Wentworth)

U15/U16 CC (18 holes, Epsom)

1st with a gross 69 – Kris Kim (Walton Heath)

2nd decided by play-off – Stephen Russell (Banstead Downs)

Mid-Age Team Event Winners were the Reigate Hill Golf Club duo of Ben Palmer & Will Dugdale with an impressive, combined score of 150. 2nd went to the New Zealand Artisans team of Dean Weguelin and Nigel Ayling on 157

Mike Ducker & Ben Palmer (Reigate Hill) Archie Wells & Sam Wood (Bramley) Graham Powell & Neil Whyte (Banstead Downs) – qualified having won a play-off against Ross Buchanan & David Primrose (Sutton Green) Semi finalists: Leyton Hardwick & Harry Hobday-Uzzell (Wentworth) Mike Ducker & Ben Palmer (Reigate Hill) Winners: Mike Ducker & Ben Palmer (Reigate Hill)

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


ADVERTORIAL

PLAY FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT WITH CBD On fairways across the world, golfers use CBD supplements in the battle against sore knees, shoulders and elbows. CBD has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect, making it a perfect natural remedy. In the UK, Swiss Original Cannabis leads the way in the CBD-market by having a local office and exclusively offering next day delivery to the whole of the UK. According to Jan Bo Timming, founder and owner of Swiss Original Cannabis, CBD is a gift to all golfers: “For example, CBD helps against chronic pains in muscles and joints, it counteracts stiffness in the body and most importantly, it reduces time for restitution, which means you can practice and play for longer. “ CBD is a natural pain remedy It was a car accident in 2016 that started Jan Bo Timming’s interest in CBD.

US Golfers are keen on CBD CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and is a natural supplement, that helps maintain balance in the body. As a result, CBD has taken the world of golf by storm. Especially in the US, it is a major hit among professionals. American Billy Horschel is the latest of a growing number of professionals, who use CBD. Among the most prominent are for example Bubba Watson, two-time winner of the Masters Champion, and Scott McCarron, winner of the Charles Schwab Cup. CBDs popularity among prominent golfers is contributing to the growing acceptance of CBD in sports. CBD has been legal since the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2018 removed CBD from its list of forbidden supplements. Bubba Watson uses CBD because it is antiinflammatory and helps him sleep better, he has told US media TheStreet. Scott McCarron has had a similar experience and has told ESPN that CBD also helps him sleep and perform better.

“I experienced a severe whiplash and found out I was allergic to the doctor’s morphine preparation. Therefore, I started searching for another natural remedy with less side effects. That’s when I found CBD” explains Jan, who found the natural alternative to painkillers he had been looking for in CBD-oil. “From there on my interest only grew. I bought books on CBD and medical cannabis and spend countless days and nights studying videos on YouTube” explains Jan and continues:

“Then I realised that Switzerland is Europe’s new centre for CBD. Consequently, I decided to move to Switzerland and start a cannabis company, to create a unique, transparent and high-quality product.” Your body decides when and how much Getting started with CBD is all about trying it out and feeling your way forward. What and how much fits you depends solely on your body and your needs. In America, CBD-oil in particular is a hit among golfers. At Swiss Original Cannabis, however, Original CBD Capsules, too, are popular among athletes, because they are easy to ingest and provide golfers with their daily dose of both CBD and B12 vitamin in just one capsule.

A good rule of thumb is to begin with a low dose and gradually increase until you find your personal balance. It is important to feel your way to the right amount that suits your body and need,” says Jan. Mother Earth’s natural remedy Swiss Original Cannabis is exclusively sold on swissoriginalcannabis.com to keep a close relationship with all customers. “It motivates me immensely to hear stories from customers, who have gotten their joy of life back, transitioning to a medicine free life. I am thrilled to take part in this experience with so many people,” Jan says, rounding off. Read more on swissoriginalcannabis.com


COUNTY JUNIORS

PLAYER PROFILE Name: Oscar Lent Age: 14 Club: Walton Heath Handicap: +1 Competition wins/titles/ placements: c 2019 Surrey County Champ U14 & 13 c 2020 Surrey County Champ U13 c 2019 Surrey U18 matchplay Champ c 2021 4th place in Scottish Boys U16 c 2021 6th place in Eng U14

Is finding time to play whilst managing school/work etc. difficult? Not so far, but I guess that will become more challenging as I approach my GCSE’s and A Levels.

ONE TO WATCH

OSCAR LENT

Are there specific areas of your game that you work on and how do you monitor your results to try and identify any concerns you have? My long game is pretty strong but the area I need to improve on is my short game, particularly pitching from 60 to 100 yards. I put all of my data from my rounds into Spider Golf App which I share with my coach and that helps me look at what I need to improve on.

When did you start playing golf and who was your inspiration?

What have been your career highlights so far?

When I was 4, my Dad played and he used to take me to practice with him. I first played for the County team U12 when I was 8. But my inspiration was definetely my Dad .

Aside from my county achievements, I won the summer medal at my club when I was 13, which was fantastic given I was playing against adults. Also I came 6th in the club championship which was played off the purple tees (7300 yards ).

What advice would you give to young players starting on their journey in golf?

How often do you play/practice?

Finally, what are your other interests when you are not playing golf?

Do you have a favourite player and who would be in your dream fourball? Justin Thomas, I love his attitude and determination to win. My dream four ball would be Tiger, Rory and Jack.

12

In the season I play and practice nearly every day, but practice more on my swing in the autumn and winter.

My advice would be to practice your short game more than you think but above all the most important thing as a young golfer is to enjoy the game and not take it to seriously.

I like other sports like rugby, football and tennis and chilling out with my friends.

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


WIDE RANGE OF GARDEN MACHINERY

Model shown: STIHL BGA 57 (£107.10 inc. VAT)

AVAILABLE

MACHINERY FROM STIHL, HUSQVARNA, BILLY GOAT, ELIET, KARCHER AND MORE!

Explore the range online at

farolmowers.co.uk


COUNTY JUNIORS

Thomas and Matthew Hawke

SURREY SCHOOLS GOLF 2021 In spite of the restrictions forced by the Pandemic on schools and golf, Surrey Schools Golf have managed to return after last year’s washout to run a limited programme of events.

I

nitially having to cancel the Handicap Championship (12-24 for boys, 10-36 for girls) held annually at Chipstead in the Spring and Covid denying the possibility of playing the County Schools matches against Berkshire, Middlesex and Kent, they were able to participate in the representative events organised by the English Schools’ Golf Association. A team of five boys and four girls was sent to the South of England Schools’ Championships at Mill Ride, Berkshire on 1st June (reduced from the normal 36 holes to 18). Thomas Hawke of

Reed’s School won this event and his twin brother Matthew was third. Evie Kircher of Gordon’s School was second in the girls’ event, being pipped on countback for the title. The boys’ team of the Hawke brothers and Rocky Chapman won the team event and all three were selected to go on to the National Schools’ Championship at Belton Park, Lincs. The girls’ team of Evie Kircher, Alex Phelps and Alex Jakins tied for first place but lost on countback. Evie was selected to compete at the Nationals. At the Nationals, Thomas Hawke won the boys’ title. In a further success for Surrey Schools, Luke Metcalf won the ESGA National U-16 Championship held at Walsall G.C. As a result of these victories, Surrey have two internationals this year. Thomas captained the England Schools’ Boys’ team in the international against Wales Schools at Rolls of Monmouth G.C. on 30th August and Luke joined him on the team. They played together in the foursomes and won, with each also winning their own singles match. A comfortable England victory. Monty Holcombe

Caleb Strauss

14

Surrey Schools’ Championship was held at Guildford on 28th June. This year’s championship attracted the best quality field ever seen. Of the 50 boys entered, four had plus handicaps, and of the 13 girls, two were in the plus category. The champions were Monty Holcombe (Wallington County G.S.) with a one-under gross of 68 and Alex Phelps with a two-under 70. The handicap winners were Caleb Strauss (Weydon) (15) 65 and Jess Stoffberg (Woking H.S.) (23) 64.

Alex Phelps

Luke and Thomas Hawke

Jess Stofberg

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


COUNTY NEWS

SURREY CROWNED ENGLISH WOMEN’S COUNTY CHAMPIONS Surrey today claimed the title of English Women’s County Champions by beating closest challengers Somerset and finishing finals week with a 100 per cent winning record.

A

hard-fought 3.5-1.5 win against the only county which could have pipped them to the crown allowed Surrey to come out on top in the sixteam round robin event also featuring Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. It was the first time since 1997 that Surrey’s women had managed to emerge as England’s top county to claim the Lady Katherine Cairns Trophy. Speaking after the victory at Denham Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, playing captain Nicola Taylor said of the five out of five performance: “I’m a bit speechless at the moment…it’s amazing. “We’ve been trying to do this for a while now and the team has all played their hearts out and contributed on and off the course. It’s not just these three days, it’s back to lockdown with Zoom calls and the whole works. “We finally did it after a really close South region qualifier back in June when we only got through on countback, so we are thrilled. “I’m the only one in the team that was alive the last time we won this – but I wasn’t playing as I’m not quite that old!

“We’ve had lots and lots of very good teams that have come and haven’t managed to win it so we’ve done it for us, for them and for everyone who came and cheered us on over the last three days.” On Friday morning, Surrey opened the finals by beating Hertfordshire 3-51.5. Surrey then took down Yorkshire by 3-2 and followed that up with Saturday wins against Buckinghamshire (3.5-1.5) and Lincolnshire (4-1). Going into Sunday morning’s final encounter against Somerset, the odds were heavily stacked in Surrey’s favour. Somerset – with three wins from their four matches – knew that they had to win and restrict Surrey to just half a point from the two foursomes and three singles games in order to win their first ever county title.

53 YR WAIT FOR A HOLE IN ONE IS OVER! Gerry Pearson, who has been a member of Purley Downs Golf Club in Surrey for 53 years, had a very special day on Monday 26th July when he recorded his first ever hole in one. Gerry, aged 87, used his driver at the stunning first hole at Purley Downs, a 161 yrd par 3. Recalling the shot, Gerry said. “it looked good all the way, it pitched 2 or 3 ft on the green and rolled up to hit the pin dead centre before dropping in, I am absolutely thrilled.” The shot was witnessed by quite a few members and guests with roars of excitement and congratulations for Gerry on his achievement. Well done Gerry!

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

Surrey, though, ultimately proved too strong for their nearest rivals. Olivia Horsford – playing in her final match as an amateur before beginning her PGA training at Wentworth – teamed up with Hyun-Ji Kim to deliver the foursomes point which secured the win. A half point delivered by Taylor and Ellie Monk – who ended the week unbeaten with four and a half points from five – was then followed by final hole singles wins for Ellen Yates and Lottie Woad. Monk said: “We have gelled so well, always laughing, but also able to focus. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to go through the week with.” It is the eighth time Surrey’s women have been crowned English county champions. It was a particularly successful week for Farnham’s Woad who won all five of her singles matches – including a final day encounter with England girls’ squad colleague Patience Rhodes that was laced with real quality from start to finish. In Sunday’s other matches, Yorkshire edged out Lincolnshire 3-2 and Buckinghamshire earned a 3.5-1.5 over Hertfordshire. Yorkshire took third spot in the table on a countback of game points having finished level on match points alongside Lincolnshire and Buckinghamshire.

15


GOLF SHOPPER

BUILD YOUR BAG WITH EP GOLF STUDIOS

E

lite Performance Golf Studios, based in Newbury is a specialist performance and custom club fitting studio, with a passion for building the best performing equipment for you and your game. Their curated blend of club fitting and 1-to-1 performance assessments fuel the data driven philosophy

of improving all aspects of your preparation for the golf course. Offering an extensive range of the biggest brands enables over 4,000 combinations of heads and shafts to guarantee they build the best clubs for your game. Whether you are starting out, a handicap bandit or a clubhouse

legend, their latest technology enables them to capture every bit of data possible and pinpoint the specific variables that can improve your game – be that accuracy, distance or general trust in your clubs (everyone has that one club in the bag they never touch!).

SPECIAL OFFER EP Golf Studio is offering all readers of Surrey Golf Magazine 50% off fitting services. Please visit www.epgolfstudios.co.uk and use code: SURREY21 at the checkout.* *Discount code only valid until 31st December 2021.

info@epgolfstudios.co.uk www.epgolfstudios.co.uk Unit 1, Shaw Farm Road Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 2HY

One of the best of its kind anywhere in the country...

A WARM WELCOME TO ALL GOLFERS

simply stunning

Ranked 14th best course in Wales by Top100courses.com

Society/group for Society/group bookings for Spring/Summer from£20pp £30pp Autumn/Winter from HARRY VARDON & JAMES BRAID DESIGNED Golf Manager & Pro-Shop Tel: 01597 822247 Club Office & Catering Tel: 01597 823873 Email: info@lwgc.co.uk

The peace and tranquillity of Stover Golf Club, located on the edge of Newton Abbot is a convenient treat for golfers in the south west, with easy access from the A38 and M5. The course is one of the best parkland courses in the south west and features a wide variety of holes, elevation change, mature trees, streams and picturesque ponds

A James Braid Golf Course

Bovey Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6QQ T: 01626 352460 E: secretary@stovergolfclub.co.uk www.stovergolfclub.co.uk

16

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


THE PERFECT FIT

Elite Performance Golf Studios is a specialist performance and custom fit studio with an undeniable passion for finding the best performing equipment for you. We are independent and completely brand agnostic, and with over 4,000 combinations of heads and shafts, we are guaranteed to find you the best clubs for your game. info@epgolfstudios.co.uk | www.epgolfstudios.co.uk Unit 1, Shaw Farm Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 2HY @epgolfstudios


COUNTY COURSE

PURLEY DOWNS UNVEILS NEW PAR-3 8th HOLE If you haven’t played Purley Downs in a while then you might want to take a look at the club’s magnificent new par-3 8th hole. The hole, which has been five years in the making, opened to a fanfare from members at the club on Friday, August 27.

18

A

round 100 members looked on as this year’s men’s Captain Bill Barclay and Ladies’ Captain Lesley Merrick took the honour of being the first to play the hole followed by the club professionals, club manager and head green keeper. They were followed by club members who had each donated £5 to the captains’ charities for the privilege of pitting their golfing skills against this very challenging par 3. The hole calls for accuracy. Although it looks inviting with a wide

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


apron at the front if you fail to hit a straight shot you can find yourself in one of its three green-side bunkers or rolling off the challenging green which has run-offs on all sides. The hole was designed by golf course architect James Edwards of Edwards Design International and the construction was carried out by 1st Golf Construction Ltd – the firm brought in by Royal Portrush to create new holes for the 2019 open. The new hole is the most significant change to the course in more than 90 years. The decision to build it was taken after a large 1920s detached house adjacent to the old 8th was pulled down and replaced with a development of new luxury executive houses whose gardens were yards from the old hole.

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

The Board at Purley Downs took the decision to create the new hole 50 yards to the west of the old one and sink it into the slope facing the tee. Designs were drawn up and planning permission sought from Croydon Council and the construction was finally able to start in November 2020. Head greenkeeper Richard Webber takes up the story: “The lockdown in November actually provided us with a very good opportunity to make a good start with the construction. With planning delays and contractor availability it was not possible to complete the project in one go as we had missed the seed germination season and we would have risked having washouts and damage to the top soil layer if we had seasonal winter storms. “With this in mind and a need for a start to the project we decided to construct in two phases, phase one being the site clearance, sub base earth movements, construction of green to a gravel layer carpet, including drainage and irrigation install. “At the end of this phase we were left with the main contours, bunker shapes and this was left to the subbase which on our location is chalk. “This phase of work took four weeks to complete and we were left with finishing off the irrigation install over the winter months. We chose to install the majority of the irrigation in-house with some help from Lakes and Greens Irrigation. “The contractors then returned at the start of March to finish off the project, this included importing the

root zone for the green surface, top soiling the approach and surrounds, constructing the bunkers and seeding the surrounds and approach area. “At the end of March once the green was ready for our harvested cores we transported, spread, levelled and seeded the green surface, in all we used cores from approximately fifteen of our greens. The approach, collars and surrounds were seeded with a Dwarf Rye/Fescue seed mix and the banks with a Fescue seed mix this was completed using a Hydroseeding method that helps to speed up germination. “We started to see the first shoots of grass within about three weeks and from then on it was all about nurturing the young grass plants, with regular feeding, watering and top dressing. We had full grass coverage by approximately the end of June and then we could start refining the turf into a playable surface. “The very cold and dry April did not help with germination and I would say it delayed the opening of the hole by around three weeks. In all it took around five months to fully grow in the green and now we are very happy with the performance of the green.”

JOIN US! There are currently limited spaces available for membership. For further information: www.purleydowns.co.uk, email info@purleydowns.co.uk or call 0208 657 8347

19


PRO TALK

ALL TERRAIN PRACTICE

PGA Professional, Sam Truman... Working on your game using nothing more than the slopes you’ll find on the golf course

W

e often rely on training aids and swing videos to try and make changes to our golf swings. We often forget that certain scenarios on the golf course can help us work on different parts of our golf game and help you overcome some annoying tendencies in your long game and your short game. In the following section I’m going to take you through two long game drills and two short game drills. LONG GAME DRILLS Ball above the feet drill: To do this drill you either need to venture onto the golf course and hit some shots off of a ball above the feet lie or use a high tee (orange castle tee). This drill is great to work on the following; if you come down too steep

20

on the golf ball and/or if you struggle with your posture at set up and during the swing (too bent over). With the ball being above your feet it helps you naturally swing the club on a flatter plane on the way back and on the way down helping you to come into the ball in a shallower fashion. Be aware of what it feels like to achieve that motion and then try to replicate it on a flat lie. If you struggle to maintain height at set up and during the swing; hitting a ball from a ball above the feet lie will encourage better retention of posture, otherwise if you lose height at any stage there’s a good chance of striking the ground behind the ball. Ball below the feet: Find a sloping lie where the ball sits below the level of your

Ball below feet

feet. If you struggle with early extension this is a great one for you to try. To maintain solid contact with the ball below the feet you have to stay nicely in posture on the way down into

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


PRO TALK

Ball below feet

Ball above feet

Ball above feet

Upslopes

Upslopes

Upslopes

Down slopes

Down slopes

impact. If your hips thrust forwards and your rise upwards out of posture you’ll find yourself thinning it too often. SHORT GAME DRILLS Downslopes: Find yourself a lie on your practice ground or on the golf course whereby your body will be sloping towards the target. Because the ground behind the ball is higher than in front of the golf ball it forces you to keep weight on your lead leg through the chip shot. A lot of golfers will try to help the ball into the air with their chip shots leading to both thin and fat shots. If the golfer tries to help the ball in the air they will almost certainly miss strike it more severely on a downslope lie. See how high you can hit it on a downslope lie? Upslopes: Find a lie on the practice ground or on the course where your body will be sloping away from the target.

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

If you struggle with hitting chip shots too low and getting the leading edge of the wedge digging too severely into the floor try this drill. The aim when hitting a ball on an upslope is too see how high you can

hit the ball without the club digging into the slope. If you allow the shaft to release into the ball and you are able to strike under the golf ball first you’ll be able to softly bruise the grass whilst hitting a controlled lob shot.

Sam Truman is a PGA Professional based at The Surrey Golf Lab, Reigate Hill Golf Club and is regarded as one of the best young performance coaches in the region.

Sam is able to provide clients with access to the most up to date golf coaching technology at one of the best practice facilities in the UK

Current roles include: • Performance Coach – Hugh Marr Golf • Surrey Boys (U12’s & U14’s) and Girls (U18’s) County Coach • Elite Academy Coach for Whitgift School

Clients are exposed to Trackman club and ball tracking and also the SAM Putt Lab Analysis System in the new indoor putting studio. For more information follow Sam on:

@SamTrumanGolf Under the tutorship of European Tour Coach @SamTrumanGolf Hugh Marr, Sam prides himself in providing the best holistic coaching experiences for his E: SamTrumanGolf@gmail.com players. Sam works with all levels of golfers from the young aspiring junior all the way up to European tour professionals.

21


GOLF AWAY

THE CAVERSHAM

Reading Golf Club’s new home From April 2021, Reading Golf Club has proudly been occupying its new home at The Caversham – a world class venue that will put the Eyston course on the international golfing map as one of the best courses in the South of England.

T

he Caversham will be offering the golfer and non-golfer alike an enviable range of new leisure and event facilities’ – Pilates, yoga

and sports massage, a golf-orientated gym and fitness suite, along with a restaurant and bar incorporating a superb 37m long balcony and outside seating area. Golf can be enjoyed all year round on the magnificent championship course, measuring between 5,519 to 7,265 yards. Built to USGA standards, the course has been fully redesigned over the last two years by the world class Canadian course architect, Tom McBroom – his first UK project. The new layout has opened to fantastic reviews with clever and subtle changes to some existing holes that sit well with this stunning new 1st and 18 holes. The course benefits from exceptional drainage, with the fairways remaining in pristine condition even after heavy rain, throughout the year. The breathtaking new clubhouse

will open in early spring 2023 (artist’s impression below left). It will provide an ideal venue for corporate and society days, including a purpose-built function room capable of holding up to 200 people. The Caversham enjoys an enviable reputation for quality food and beverage service, and we look forward to welcoming you soon. To experience The Caversham please contact one of the team: membership@thecaversham.co.uk events@thecaversham.co.uk

Looking for a fantastic experience on your next society or away day? Why not come and play Waterlooville Golf Club, home of the 2016 English Women’s County Finals and Southern Counties Seniors Foursomes in 2021? We welcome groups from 12 to 100+ players. Waterlooville Golf Club is one of Hampshire’s friendliest clubs and you are sure to have a great experience, from the warm welcome, to the fantastic championship course right through to the great food after your game. If you haven’t played it, put it on your bucket list! The friendliness of the welcome, the presentation of the course and the quality of the greens were all outstanding. Andra, Gloucestershire Team Captain

GOLF DA YS FROM A S LITTLE AS £35.7 5

To book your day at Waterlooville Golf Club please call 023 9226 3388 or email admin@waterloovillegolfclub.co.uk


“Something special has been created by Canadian designer, Tom McBroom here... an inland links with the ageing of a classic malt.”

To experience The Caversham, call Matthew Millard

0118 947 8600 www.thecaversham.co.uk


PRO TALK

Challenging

TIMES

David Boote shares his experience of navigating professional golf through the COVID minefield...

This year I have had over 70 negative PCR ‘fit to fly’ tests and even more lateral flows when home!

As I wait at Heathrow Airport before flying to Marseille for the final stretch of events in Challenge Tour season I’m thinking about how fast this year has flown by. After the lockdowns of 2020 and the lack of winter golf, there were times when we wondered if the tour would ever get back to normal. Somehow we are now already 20 events into a 26 event season and, given the restrictions

24

imposed by the pandemic, the players have been incredibly lucky to continue to travel and play around Europe. The Tour set us a demanding and impressive schedule and has been very efficient in ensuring we meet quarantine regulations, helping with travel exemptions, coming back from red list countries like South Africa and creating tournament ‘bubbles’ whenever possible with thorough

covid testing regimes. This year I have had over 70 negative PCR ‘fit to fly’ tests and even more lateral flows when home. You get used to it being part of the lifestyle. but hopefully it will not continue too much longer and we can all get back to normal. It’s definitely been an extra worry, particularly when we get home to see family and friends, but with the majority of players now having been vaccinated it is the hope

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


PRO TALK

that the testing and bubble rules will ease slightly towards the end of 2021. I am now in my fourth year as a professional and still thoroughly enjoying the journey. It sometimes feels shorter than that, but the past two seasons have clearly been shortened by the pandemic. It is a tough transition from the top end of the amateur game to the professional ranks. I am pushing up the tour and world rankings, dealing

with the financial pressures and managing my own expectations as best as possible. All of these were a factor in the amateur game but come into more sharp focus when the game becomes your career. I am gradually getting better at managing my schedule and keeping the batteries fully charged with the occasional week off. Back to back tournaments and the hectic travel involved can be a big grind on your ‘A-game’ and you need to be able to take advantage of your good weeks when they come! I am looking forward to the final push at the end of the season and feel that my game has been pretty consistent of late. I had a pleasing T7th finish in the British Challenge at The Belfry last time out (thank you to all those who came out to support me!) and have had other strong results in Ireland (8th) Denmark (T5). My 7 top 25 finishes so far this year have been enough to sit in 46th position on the

Race to Majorca and I am hoping to have a strong finish to the year to push towards the Top 20 to gain my full European Tour card. Once again there is no Qualifying School this year and so the year end Challenge Tour rank is very important. Thanks again to everyone for their ongoing support – it means a lot!

@davidboote123

Membership at

Chobham Golf Club

5 DAY MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE WITH NO JOINING FEES... ● Full social club membership giving access to the club house 5-days-a-week ● A levy card granting 15% discount on food and drinks ● Gain a WHS handicap and access to competitions, including social golfing events ● Reciprocal tee times at 8 other golf clubs ... and many more fantastic benefits for you and your family

£20 TRIAL ROUND available throughout October and November just quote ‘SurreyGolf’ Please contact the General Manager to book your trial round or for further information email Sarah@chobhamgolfclub.co.uk, call 01276 855584 or visit our website Terms & conditions apply

To find out about this fantastic offer, get in touch today...

01276 855584 | info@chobhamgolfclub.co.uk | www.chobhamgolfclub.co.uk


COUNTY GOLF FITNESS COURSE

6

LESSONS FROM MY WEEK AT THE OPEN

The world of fitness within the game of golf is changing and at this year’s Open Championship I got to experience up close and personal just how much, as I spent the week mixing with the best in the world in their incredible gym set up.

By Sam Heffer

T

he players loved the gym and it was clear that the modern day golfer is indeed now very much an athlete. I’m sure we’ll continue to see this side of the sport develop on both the professional and amateur scenes as golfers of all standards realise the impact that keeping fit has on their body and the way they play the game. Here are the six biggest lessons I took from the week that amateur golfers can apply to their game straight away to start improving their scores:

1

Career longevity is the most important reason for keeping fit Whilst the pros need to be competing as long as possible to keep earning dollar bills, amateurs get the benefit of exercising a couple times a week plus quality time with good mates and family (picking up the occasional win in the weekly roll up doesn’t hurt either!)

2

Emphasis is on training smart rather than hard Leave your ego behind, know your limits and train with the intent to get a little bit better each time rather than

26

try (and fail) to do it all in one hit. The four key areas are strength, power, stability and mobility. Focussing on these areas will help flush out any doubt and ‘paralysis by analysis’ about what you need to do and help to get you started on the right track.

3

Someone’s full workout could be someone else’s warm up routine Even at the very top level there are big differences in fitness levels. However, everyone in there is working on getting better for themselves. Comparing yourself against others because you’re not ‘fit enough’ will only move you further away from where you want to be.

4

Time is precious so a lot of exercises take care of two things at once Pro golfers have to balance competition, practice, travel and family time, whereas amateurs have the challenge of fitting it all in around working hours. Pairing up exercises or using exercises that cover a couple of the four main areas at one is a great time saver.

5

A lot of time is spent maintaining what they are already good at Pro golfers are blessed with incredible flexibility and elasticity in their joints however they continue to work on stretching so they don’t lose it later. In short, if you’re ‘not using you’re losing’ and as an amateur golfer who probably isn’t that flexible you can still get better in that department regardless of your start points.

6

If you’re not looking after yourself somehow then you’ll probably be left behind For a pro, the risk of not looking after themselves off the course is reduced amount of competition and a loss of earnings. For amateurs, we run the risk of not playing golf at all as we lose out to aches, pains, low energy and low mood. Sam is a golf fitness professional who’s been helping amateur golfers improve their game for a number of years. For more on strength training and how Sam can help you with your game visit: www.samgolffitness.com

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


The Tru-Mark golf ball marker is a new and innovative design to help improve golfer accuracy when marking the ball on the green. The Tru-Mark marker is designed to help golfers eliminate unintentional errors when marking a ball on the green. The R&A has confirmed that the design of the Tru-Mark marker does not infringe the rules of golf.

"Absolutely fantastic in every way. Stayed with 7 friends for a golf weekend, course was in superb condition and the food and service was first class. Will definitely be returning at some future date." October 2020

Buy a standard or personalised Tru-Mark marker at www.tru-mark.co.uk – also available for clubs and companies to badge or logo via Paterson Golf at www.patersongolf.com

info@tru-mark.co.uk www.tru-mark.co.uk

golf@lanhydrockhotel.com 01208 262571 www.lanhydrockhotel.com Lanhydrock Hotel & Golf Club, Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 5AQ

2021 09 Surrey Golfer Golf Breaks.qxp_90mm w x 125mm h 14/09/2021 12:54 Page 1

Wish you were here...

Set in the heart of Suffolk and located just off the A12, our 18 hole, par 71 course is ideal for all abilities. Visit the on-site AmericanGolf superstore and practice your swing on our 2 tier floodlit driving range, all before you even set foot on our award-winning, top winter course.

THE LITHIUM SPECIALISTS

Golf Breaks from as little as £130.00* per person Our Golf Breaks include dinner, full English breakfast, and complimentary access to our gym and swimming pool. * Terms and conditions apply.

t 01394 382836 w www.uffordpark.co.uk

topcaddy@btconnect.com | topcaddy.co.uk | 01236879815

Yarmouth Road | Woodbridge | Suffolk | IP12 1QW

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

27


PSYCHOLOGY

MENTAL REHEARSAL visualise your way to winning By Jamie Burrows

T

he unconscious mind doesn’t know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. That sounds strange doesn’t it? Have you ever woken up from a dream wondering whether it really happened? Well this is the same thing in reverse. Creating vivid images in your mind of what you’d like to have happen tricks your mind in to believing that it has already been achieved. This means that we can work on our game during the winter months (or any time of year) by using mental rehearsal. If your brain has already practiced what you need to do on the golf course, it will be better prepared for your actual round. Whether you’re preparing for a big presentation at work, a best man speech or your club championship, you’ll undoubtedly perform better if you’ve prepared. If you had a best man speech

coming up, you’d probably rehearse it a few times before the real thing – making sure that you’re as well prepared as possible. In the same way, you can get even more prepared for a round of golf by rehearsing it in your mind. Functional equivalence is a theory that proves that imagined actions have the similar ‘internal representation’ as actual experiences. This was demonstrated in the work of by Dr. Richard Suinn, who conducted a study with Olympic Skiers at the University of Colorado. As part of a research experiment, Dr. Suinn had a group of Olympic Skiers close their eyes and imagine going down a specific down-hill ski run. After performing the exercise several times, he attached electrodes to the bodies of the skiers and had them repeat the exercise. What he discovered, was that the muscles that

I think that mental rehearsal is every bit as important as physical rehearsal. Phil Mickelson

28

would be used for real were ‘firing’ at the same time as the skiers imagined turning to go through gates on the ski slope. In other words, they were stimulating the same muscles they would use on a real run, by simply imagining it! This works exactly the same way for golf! Give it a go for yourself: c Find somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed. This might be a home the night before a round or could even be on the car park when you arrive at the course. c Relax, slow down your breathing and close your eyes. c Visualise as many shots as you can, starting with a great first tee shot on the first hole. See each shot exactly as you would see your best shot on the course. c Introduce the other senses; what are you feeling (the ground beneath your feet, the breeze on your face, etc), what are you hearing (the sound of the wind, birdsong, etc). The more vivid you can make this experience the more impactful it will be. c Feel the physical movements of the swing that you need to make to produce these shots. c See the ball flight as you hot these shots just as you want them. Start by trying this process for just the first few shots of the day until you get used to it. Before you know it, you’ll be playing a full round before you even get to the course! Would you like to improve your golf without changing your swing? Check out my online courses at jamieburrowsgolf.com

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


GOLF AWAY

WOODBRIDGE GOLF CLUB N estled near to the Suffolk coast, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Woodbridge Golf Club is the perfect place to enjoy your golf at a top 100 club. Boasting 27 magnificent heathland holes, the club welcomes visitors to experience all that it has to offer.

Over the past six years, the courses have been transformed with a full renovation of all bunkers, tree and gorse removal, plus the encouragement of extending the heather profile. Restoring the heathland beauty to its former glory has been carried out under the

watchful eye of Head Greenkeeper, Paul Lawrence and in association with renowned course architect, Martin Hawtree. The playing surfaces are a joy to behold, with beautifully manicured fescue fairways and greens, which are the envy of many clubs. Well respected for its warm welcome, this is a must visit club and a top destination in East Anglia, so don’t miss the opportunity to play. For more information, please contact the club: golf@woodbridgegolfclub.co.uk 01394 382038 https://woodbridge.intelligentgolf.co.uk

East Anglia’s Finest...

Woodbridge provides two exciting courses set in spectacular surroundings with quick draining conditions enabling all year round golf at your leisure... HEATH COURSE: A golfing challenge of the highest standard, this 6299 yard course requires accuracy and strategic skill to manoeuvre around.

FOREST COURSE: A full length 9 hole course (6382 yards over 18 holes). Probably the best 9 hole course in the county and no handicap certificate required to play.

Woodbridge Golf Club, Bromeswell Heath Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2PF golf@woodbridgegolfclub.co.uk 01394 382038 https://woodbridge.intelligentgolf.co.uk


GOLF SIMULATION

MEET THE UK’S BEST NEW INDOOR GOLF CENTRE When it comes to golfing paradise, the sweet smell of Azaleas at Augusta springs to mind, or perhaps the fresh sea breeze whipping in off St Andrews Bay as the Swilcan Bridge appears beneath the fog on the Old Course. How about a musty carpet scent wafting under your nose from Wetherspoons as you climb the staircase to Kings Golf Studio in East Grinstead? Okay, maybe not, but welcome to the indoor version of golfing heaven.

O

pened for business in May this year and located in the town centre, co-founders Joe Favata and European Tour pro Gary King set out with a vision to create the UK’s most comprehensive indoor golf centre. From the moment you reach the entrance, you are immediately presented with a monolithic print of a pristine driving range dwarfing the front doors and covering the surrounding walls. The mountain backdrop and clear blue skies suggests you are about to enter somewhere special. As you step into the venue, you then notice little orange boxes scattered across the turf-like flooring that every serious golfer will instantly recognise. TRACKMAN; THE HEARTBEAT OF KINGS GOLF STUDIO. The orange box that is synonymous with the world’s best players, powers

30

nine simulator bays, allowing you to play some of the world’s best golf courses, whilst spitting out continuous streams of data; angle of attack, path, face angle, dynamic loft and the holy grail for Bryson DeChambeau fans... clubhead speed and ball speed. In fact, Trackman is only just the beginning. Perched just above the main floor (where seven of the bays are located) in its own amphitheatre, lies the ‘PuttView’ green where a light projection beams the exact break of any putt to hone your green reading skills. Some would say it’s cheating, others would argue it’s the ideal practice environment providing real-time feedback on start line, break and pace. Throw in a session with one of the resident professionals who will fit your putter with Capto, a high accuracy sensor to deliver immediate feedback on the iPad, and you have the complete package to optimise your stroke. Now if you want the really juicy stuff, enter the Elite Performance Studio. Situated in its own little cave off the main floor, access can only be granted with the swipe of a special key card. Golf ’s version of MI6, this secret laboratory is the Studio’s piece de resistance. The Elite Performance Studio houses hundreds of clubheads and shafts from premium manufacturers, creating its own fully stocked custom fit centre. If you class yourself as bit of a golf geek, then this is the room for you. In the private simulator bay,

Trackman joins forces with Swing Catalyst 3D Motion Plate to measure a players’ weight distribution and ground force. In addition, the bay is the only publicly-accessible facility in the UK installed with GEARS – a full body 3D motion capture system allowing for an entirely new dimension of golf analytics. You can even compare your golf swing to the likes of Dustin Johnson & Rory McIlroy, frame by frame. Powered by eight 240fps cameras, GEARS places Kings Golf Studio as the ultimate playground for serious golfers and coaches alike; who by the way, are encouraged to use the facility with their own students, which is a refreshing approach to collaborative golf tuition.

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


Whilst we all love a bit of tech, some people don’t want to know how slow their swing is, how off balance they are, and how unflattering their 3D body projection looks on a computer screen, but this is where Kings has gone beyond purely a golf centre. Instead of using the putting green for practice, there is the option to set the projector to ‘Putt Pong’ (more commonly known as Beer Pong on a traditional table tennis table) or jump on the Shuffleboards and American pool tables, bringing a whole new competitive edge to the venue that doesn’t involve golf. Then comes the VIP room nestled away in the far corner of the studio which allows up to 12 guests to enjoy a private bay, an 85-inch TV, a huge

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

sofa, waitered service and a pool table, with the ability to control music and lighting. The social scene at Kings is supported by a fully-stocked premium bar including fine wines and cocktails, and seating for up to 120 people. Whilst seated, it is physically impossible to face any direction without being able to see 1 of 21 screens on a continuous loop of live sports. Many social events are held such as bottomless brunches, quiz nights and late night DJ sets when the floor transforms from funky golf swings to even funkier dance moves. All of this plus weekly kids clubs, a cinema/ meeting room and the opportunity to develop partnerships with local businesses, shows that Kings Golf

Studio is very much opening its doors to everyone. This is just the beginning of the journey for Joe, Gary and their team. Whilst becoming a social hub for the local community, golfers are travelling far and wide to sharpen their skills at the Studio. As the dark nights draw in and with winter looming, it begs the question... does anyone fancy a knock at Pebble Beach? We’ll order the beers! For further information or to book visit www.kingsperformance.co.uk 01342 779 999 info@kingsperformance.co.uk

31


GOLF AWAY

WEYBROOK PARK NEW 9 HOLES NOW OPEN MAKING US A 27 HOLE VENUE

F

ounded in 1997, we pride ourselves on being a friendly and welcoming members’ club for all our visitors and society days. Situated on the Hampshire Downs, our new 9 holes, recently opened on 1st May 2021, complete our 27-hole golf course where stunning views can be seen for miles around. The rolling landscape, superb layout and naturally free-draining soil makes Weybrook Park one of the finest all-weather courses in the South of

England. Our 27 holes will always be in play, with no temporary greens and no trolley bans, thanks to our chalkbased course providing all year-round golf on well-tended fairways and manicured greens. The 18 hole West Course is a downland style course, located on an attractive undulating landscape with magnificent external views, features open grassland interspersed by newly planted clumps of indigenous woodland. Although a dry, fast running course, water will be a significant feature on The West Course with a series of four lakes located in natural valleys built into the course layout. The lakes are linked by a natural looking chalk stream which meanders through a valley, crossing the 14th fairway twice, before running into the small lake

which wraps around the left-hand side and rear of the green. A feature of particular note is the new 8th green and the lake as inspired by the iconic 10th hole at The Belfry, which should provide a risk and reward challenge for members and visitors alike. Weybrook Park Golf Club 01256 632079 lee@weybrookpark.co.uk www.weybrookpark.co.uk

O N E O F H AM P S H I R E’ S F I N E S T WINT ER G OLF COURS ES Book any midweek golf day and receive: • Organiser plays FREE plus • 4 ball voucher to use as a prize • Plus a 4 ball practice round before your day (minimum 16 players)

01256 320347 | info@weybrookpark.co.uk | www.weybrookpark.co.uk Weybrook Park Golf Club, Rooksdown Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NT


PICK UP AND PLAY One lucky reader can take home a Coolshot 50i. To enter: Send your name and contact details to nikon@surreygolfmag.com

Introducing the COOLSHOT 50i, Nikon’s first rangefinder with a built-in mounting magnet. Designed to bring your game to the next level, the innovative product features Nikon’s superior optics, slope adjustment, DUAL LOCKED ON QUAKE for flagstick confirmation and continuous measurement. RRP £359

Winner will be picked at random. Only one entry per person. Full terms and conditions @ www.surreygolfmag.com Competition closes December 31st 2021

www.nikon.co.uk SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

33


GOLF BREAKS

WELCOME to a world apart A

lready a four-time winner of Spain’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards, golfers using the resort’s acclaimed 18-hole championship course will now be able to enjoy an enhanced experience following a course redesign to increase sustainability. At the heart of the resort is its 18-hole golf course which, designed by acclaimed American architect Cabell B. Robinson, is ranked among Europe’s Top 100 Courses and is a regular host of Stage Two of the European Tour Qualifying School. Working in association with Golf Environment Organisation’s OnCourse programme, the changes not only reduce the amount of water, fertiliser and maintenance needed, but also create new natural wildlife habitats for animals that live on the course to thrive. Complementing the golf course are outstanding practice facilities while a

34

wealth of luxury sports and lifestyle amenities are available to owners and guests. These include a racquet club, tennis and padel academy, a sports and health club, wellness area, a minimarket and a range of dining options. Under the guidance of the resort’s new executive chef, Alfonso Lillo and building on the immediate success of the Italian restaurant il Palco, which has become a firm favourite with members and visitors since opening in 2020, unik restaurant – which is located within the golf clubhouse – now serves sophisticated international cuisine with a Mediterranean influence and locally-sourced ingredients to satisfy different tastes. The new umawa restaurant offers guests a fresh dining concept that fuses Nikkei cuisine with the best Mediterranean produce. Visitors to Las Colinas’ popular Beach Club are also in for a treat, with

The 10th anniversary of Las Colinas Golf & Country Club is shaping up to be a year to remember, with the awardwinning Spanish resort having unveiled multiple new and improved five-star facilities to celebrate the landmark.

the venue being rebranded as WOW Beach and unveiling a stylish new look as part of the resorts enhancements. Just a 50-minute drive from Alicante airport, nestled in a 330-hectare valley south of Alicante, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has made a name for itself as one of the continent’s most sought-after golf, residential and real estate destinations. Named Europe’s Leading Resort Villas and Spain’s Leading Villa Resort at the 2020’s World Travel Awards and Best Iberian Golf Resort in 2020’s Luxlife Travel & Tourism Awards. Las Colinas offers the perfect solution to golfers, couples and families seeking time away in natural surroundings – either as a second home or on a short or extended break. For further information and to book, please visit: www.aworldapart.es

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


Spain’s Best Golf Course Welcome to a world apart

Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has made a name for itself as one of the continent’s most sought-after golf, residential and real estate destinations. The award-winning Spanish resort has unveiled multiple new and improved five-star facilities to celebrate their 10th anniversary this year. Already a four-time winner of ‘Spain’s Best Golf Course’ at the World Golf Awards, golfers using the resort’s acclaimed 18-hole championship course will now be able to enjoy an enhanced experience following a course redesign to increase sustainability. Las Colinas Golf & Country Club offers the perfect solution to golfers, couples and families seeking time away in natural surroundings, next to the Mediterranean Sea.

CONTACT DETAILS t: +34 965 324 004 | e: info@lascolinasgolf.es | w: www.aworldapart.es LasColinasGolf

Las Colinas Golf & Country Club

LasColinasGolf


GOLF SHOPPER

WHAT’S

HELP WHERE YOU NEED IT

HOT 4

With a confidence inspiring profile, high MOI design, shallow face design and specially engineered sole, the V FOIL SPEED Fairway offers every help launching the ball from the fairway while providing superb distance and control off the tee. This stainless steel fairway wood is available in 15° and 18° options and features custom matched lightweight regular flex graphite shaft and a soft compound MacGregor grip that is perfectly set up to deliver a combination of comfort and secure connection to the club. Luxury headcover included. SRP: £89.99 www.macgregor-golf.co.uk

HELLO STYLE & COLOUR Innovative golf glove brand is bringing an extra dose of style to the course this autumn with a new line up of colour options in its one size Zoom Weather Style line.

PERFORMANCE WITH EVERY STEP YOU TAKE

The new colourful options are based around ZOOM’s unique FLEXX-FIT technology that uses an ingenious mix of lycra flex zones to fit the contours of a golfer’s hand and feel like a second skin whatever the player’s usual size. Combined with a honeycomb nylon pattern on the palm for enhanced grip, the ZOOM Weather Style is the perfect solution for golfers that want to play with a touch of Style and have a great connection to their club whatever the weather. RRP E14.90 www.zoomgolf.net

Global golf footwear innovators, ECCO GOLF, have taken another step in the hybrid performance phenomenon with the introduction of a BOA® option in the ECCO BIOM® H4 collection. The latest development in the hugely successful BIOM® HYBRID performance series, BIOM® H4 allows golfers to walk more comfortably from tee to green, as well as experiencing advanced motion control throughout the swing. RRP £170 www.ecco.com

36

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


GOLF SHOPPER

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

NO COMPROMISE WITH BIG MAX Europe’s #1 golf bag brand BIG MAX is set to bring a splash of colour to the fairways with the release of two new models inspired by modern sport shoe designs. The Aqua Sport 3 cart bag, and the Dri Lite Hybrid Tour hybrid bag. The Dri Lite Hybrid Tour is the water-resistant next generation of BIG MAX’s hugely successful Hybrid line. With its spacious interior and modern styling , this ingenious bag sits perfectly square on a trolley thanks to its flat, footless trolley compatible

base, leg lock feature and the clever positioning of the stand mechanism low on the body of the bag. Its 14-way divider and 5 spacious water-repellent pockets – including spacious cooler and 100% waterproof valuables pocket - give it superb cart bag capacity, while its ultra light weight of just 2kg and practical features such as padded straps and air channel for breathability when carrying mean it excels as a stand bag too. SRP: £179.99 The Aqua Sport 3 is the latest 100% waterproof addition to BIG MAX’s Sport series, adding new styling and enhanced features to this best-selling cart bag. Boasting 14 full length dividers, a carry weight of just 2.4 kg, dedicated putter well, dual umbrella holder, glove holder and a host of neat practical features, the Aqua Sport 3

is the most practical of bags. Add in 9 spacious pockets including a 100% waterproof valuables pocket and an XL cooler pocket big enough for several drinks, and the Aqua Sport 3 has all the cart bag capacity that even the best equipped golfer could need. Styled to perfection and designed with the golfer in mind, this is truly a fantastic cart bag for any golfer. SRP: £239.99 www.bigmaxgolf.com

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY Clutch Golf headcovers brighten up your game with unique, colourful designs inspired by fun golf games and phrases. Made of a water-resistant leatherette material with a soft inner lining, they are perfect for you or as a gift for any golf lover you know. All headcovers come with a reusable cotton drawstring perfect for storing tees, pencils ball markers and everything else that always seems to disappear in your golf bag! RRP £27-30 www.clutchgolf.co.uk

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE

37


GOLF SHOPPER

GOLF CLOTHING ENGINEERED TO MOVE WITH YOU Designed by golfers for golfers, the Autumn Golf and Lifestyle collection offers everything you need to build, or add to, your perfect, premium wardrobe. KJUS golf clothes for men are anatomically and ergonomically designed for a flawless wearing experience.

DEXTER JACKET • Very lightweight waterproof, the lightest jacket on the golf market • Ultra-compact design that packs in to its pocket, ideal for stowing in your golf bag so you’re not ever caught out by a sudden downpour • Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment so water beads off the jacket

IKE WARM PANT (regular pant) • Chino style trouser with a warm brushed fleece lining for cold weather • Double-weave stretch in a straight leg • DWR Treatment that is both water and stain repellent

• 4-Way stretch across the jacket for maximum range of motion

• Anti-slide scorecard pocket

• Highly breathable

• Inner waist band with silicon tape to ensure shirt doesn’t become untucked

RRP £229

RRP £159

SOREN TWILL POLO • Ultra-stretch, super soft, technical fabric • High levels of moisture wicking to ensure temperature regulation.

SQUALL MIDLAYER

• UV Protection (UPF 50+)

• Windproof and warm midlayer

• Antibacterial finish

• Engineered with a soft, Italian wool with a brushed, fleecy interior. Within the fabric is a membrane to provide wind protection, without sacrificing freedom of motion thanks to the membrane having four way stretch.

• 76% Polyester, 24% Elastane RRP £79

• Quiet • 58% Polyester, 30% Wool, 10% Polyamide RRP £199

www.kjus.com

38

SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE


The new benchmark in golf trolleys the world over The all new Golfstream Vision has been developed to provide the very best user experience available in an electric golf trolley today. We looked at all of the frustrations and faults reported to us regarding other trolley brands and have solved them with Vision. Golfers also told us that they were fed up with screens that couldn’t be seen clearly in full sun so we included a screen that can be seen in even the brightest of sunshine. Our one touch folding mechanism makes the Vision the quickest assembling golf trolley in the world. *Available with or without a battery for those who already have one.

Telephone: 01843 594213


ALUMICORE TM TECHNOLOGY FORGED 1025 CARBON STEEL BODY MICROMAX TM MILLED GROOVES

On the surface, it’s an elegantly designed, precisioncrafted forged blade. Inside, it’s another story—a story that makes it different from any iron ever engineered. With AlumiCore™ Technology, we’ve elevated forgiveness in a clean, impactful way. You may not need it on every shot, but it’s always there for you.


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.