Tee Times Golf Magazine, August 2017

ISSUE 195 | August 2017 | Tel: 01329 834360 | Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com | www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com

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Amazing Reflecting Grace still in favouriteMixed fortunes on a marvellousMcIlroy Masters: Justin Rose, Hampshire’s golfing son, made us so proud as INSIDEor he played his role in one of the tightest but most gentlemanly showdowns in the history of the event Passion cards record 62 the doldrums for Hants stars Rory: My Green Jacket

AND THE WINNER IS. . .

An Open and shut GOLF SPORTSMANSHIP case for America NORTH Hants Golf Club in Fleet will have to find some more space in its Justin When the going gets tough, the tough Rose Room to record the continuing get going. Thus it was with Jordan exploits of the county’s favourite Spieth, in trouble with bogeys on three golfing son. of the first four holes of his final round of The Open.

Room will be found for mementoes of the With hisalongside mind of the 2016 2017memories Masters tocrowding be placed those Masters, when he squandered a five-shot of Rose’s U.S. Open triumph in 2013 and his lead withGolf nineGold. holes remaining, Spieth beat his Olympic inner demons.

But while was pipped at Augusta With fellowRose American Matt Kuchar threeby Sergio Garcia, inevitable strokes behind,the Spieth made itdisappointment a U.S. onetwo knockout blow against the restby of athe for his fans was counterbalanced field, registering hissportsmanship third Major titlewhich in truewas display of skill and American rocket a credit tostyle: both true men,grit, andatosteely-eyed a sport which man with a putter in his hand. still prides itself on honesty and fairness.

Jordan Spieth with the coveted Claret Jug. The steely-eyed putting master’s victory gave him his third Major, And this month, he could be on the verge of a career Grand Slam

second player after Jack Nicklaus to win three legs of the Grand Slam before the age of 24.

And at Royal Birkdale he became the youngest champion of The Open since Seve Ballesteros in 1979.

The twenty-three-year old propelled himself Yes, some the final round between into illustrious companythese as onlytwo theRyder Cup titans was bound to be emotional. Rose was edging his way towards a second Major, and Garcia was trying to secure his first on the very day which would have been the Hampshire stars had mixed fortunes 60th birthdaygolf of his hero, Seve Ballesteros. at Royal Birkdale.

In the process he closed in on the personal record of four-time Major man Rory McIlroy,

Southampton amateur Ellis, 21 of But the overriding emotionHarry for spectators and fromround Meon Valley Golfthese Club,two was the final was the way flying highfought after the qualifying Europeans fight. for The Open by winning the British Amateur Championship.

In the final round, they were toe-to-toe rivals but not supremely competitive But on opponents, 12 over Ellis missed the cut – yet gentlemanly, acknowledging each although was in good company asother’s foul skills with a knuckle-touch or a nod. weather decimated the field. Stellar

Ellis practised with fellow Hampshire man Justin Rose, the Olympic Champion who burst onto the Open scene as a 17-year-old amateur at Royal Birkdale in 1998 and won his maiden Major at the 2013 U.S. Open. Three rounds in the 70s left him adrift on 4 over.

Harry finds the going tough

names such as Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Stuart Cink and Louis • Turn to Page 4 by the same wayside.

Oosthuizen all fell

The highest profile casualty: 2013 champion Phil Mickelson.

Southampton-based Richard Bland was within one of the lead during the second round, but the Stoneham star, 44, faded to finish equal 22nd.

The

whom he left trailing seven strokes behind and the Irishman still not able to shake off his long streak of mediocre golf.

And the future for Spieth seems to offer endless possibilities and even more records: at the US PGA Championship this month, he could become only the sixth man in history to win the career Grand Slam ( Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the US PGA) with victory at Quail Hollow.

He woulod be adding his name to a list of golfing superstars: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Earlier in The Open, South Africa’s Branden Grace, the world number 35,mate: became theandfirst Well played, Masters At the end thein course, Rose and Garcia were man to scoreon62 a Major. sporting gentlemen

Grace, 29, holed eight birdies in a bogey-free third round of The Open to beat the previous best of 63, which had been recorded 31 times.

South Korea’s Hyo-Joo Kim holds the record for the lowest round in any Major with 61 at the women’s Evian Championship in 2014.

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Ahell round of golf or a night of passion?

Your preference may be very hound personal, but experts say one is Bus Pass better than the other for burning off Golfer – Page 16 the calories to stay slim and fit. And it’s golf.

Philip’s spell Playing thesecond game burns more as Hants PGA skipper calories than sex, say fitness experts, – Page who 16 reckon than an hour on the course burns 236 calories compared to 200 calories for a man Hampshire during lovemaking and 138 for a Jenny’s woman.

lifetime By comparison, other waistline accolade – Page 16 (206 trimmers include gardening calories), sanding, sawing and painting (235) . Even horse riding, Was this table tennis and walking to work all use up slightly moregolf’s calories. worst

According to the study injustice commissioned by Forza ever?

Supplements, the very best sports to tackle your weight are boxing – Page 24 and squash, which both burn far more than 700 calories.

PLUS

John Brewer, Professor of Applied 2 Course Reviews this month!

Sports Science at St Mary’s Hospital Bird Hillssaid Golf Centre in London, it was harder to keep - page 14-15 up the pace during lovemaking.

‘Sex is not a valid way to lose weight,’ he Golf said, ‘because Romsey Club it is not possible to continue for long enough - page 19-22 at the intensity required.’

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Golfers and anglers ignore safety warnings as Jurassic Coast continues to crumble

Here’s a hole in one (in one cliff, that is) Golfers carried on playing regardless just metres from a crumbling Jurassic Coast clifftop.

A 2,000 tonne rockslide had hit the Dorset landmark for the second time in a week following days of heavy rain.

Carry on swinging: golfers defy warnings to stay away from the crumbling clifftop

Mickelson splits with caddie Jim

Golfers and local fishermen refused to be deterred by the huge hole created above

the beach which was used as a filming backdrop for ITV’s Broadchurch series.

Members of the public were urged to stay away from both the cliff and the beach amid warnings that another similar fall could take place, but one fisherman decided to pitch up for the day near to the blue police tape.

Golf toughens up drugs tests The PGA Tour is to introduce blood-testing for drugs later this year.

After a quarter of a century, Phil Mickelson has ended his partnership with caddie Jim Mackay.

The tour will still use urine testing as an anti-doping measure and will align its list of prohibited substances with that of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

Blood testing will detect substances such as human growth hormone.

The 47-year-old said the separation was ‘mutual’ and confirmed that Mickelson’s younger brother, Tim, will take over.

Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said the move would ‘better substantiate the integrity of golf as a clean sport’.

Mickelson won five Majors and 41 PGA Tour titles with Mackay, nicknamed ‘Bones’, carrying his bag. They are pictured above after winning The Open in 2013.

Suspensions handed out for recreational drug use will also now be reported – a big change in transparency: currently, misdemeanours related to recreational drugs are kept confidential but this will no longer be the case.

‘Our decision is not based on a single incident,’ said Mickelson. ‘We just feel it’s the right time for change. Bones is one of the most knowledgeable and dedicated caddies in the world.’

Mickelson earned more than $80million (£63million) in prize money working with Mackay.

In a statement Mackay, 52, said: ‘When Phil hired me in 1992, I had one dream: to caddie in a Ryder Cup. Last year, at Hazeltine, Phil played in his 11th straight Ryder Cup.’

But its banned list differed to the Wada code in three categories, relating to asthma medications, allergy and anti-inflammatory medications.

These sweeping changes in policy will come into effect for the 2017-18 season, starting later this year.

The PGA Tour provides the week-to-week competitions for many of the world’s top golfers who base themselves in the US, while the European Tour does so in Europe.

It has operated its own anti-doping programme since 2008 and consulted with both Wada and US Anti-Doping in putting it together.

Woods, 41, is recovering from his fourth back operation since April 2014.

The 14-time Major winner was breathalysed in Florida in May after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He denied alcohol was involved and said it was down to ‘an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication’.

On social media, Woods said: ‘I’m currently receiving professional

Our golfing customers to the fore Golf has been shown a vision of a bright future – for those prepared to grasp change and try new ideas which put the customer first.

England Golf’s first innovation conference, #MoreThanGolf, highlighted the way forward for clubs and golf centres which want to grow the game.

It turned the spotlight on new formats of golf, such as GolfSixes and Speedgolf, which offer shorter, faster – and fitter – ways to experience the game.

It looked at the importance of collecting and using data effectively, to understand customers and the best ways to appeal to them. It stressed the need to connect with customers in the online world. Fact: 16-24-year-olds are online 30 hours a week; 37% of their waking hours.

Unwanted headlines: Gary Player in 2007, claiming that players had confided in him that they were taking performanceenhancing drugs

Wada’s figures for 2015 showed that golf carried out the fewest drugs test - 417 - of any summer Olympics discipline.

The International Olympic Committee urged the PGA Tour to adopt fully Wada’s code before the sport’s return to the Olympics in 2016, where players were subject to blood testing.

TIGER IN PAIN: I’M GETTING PROFESSIONAL HELP Tiger Woods has completed a programme of ‘professional help’ to manage the medication he has been taking for pain and sleep loss as he tries to return to fitness.

The Jurassic Coast was hit by a rockslide twice in one week

help to manage my medications and the ways that I deal with back pain and a sleep disorder.

‘I want to thank everyone for the amazing outpouring of support and understanding, especially the fans and players on tour.; Woods has not won a tournament anywhere since 2013, and his title drought in major championships dates back nine years.

Last December, he came back after 15 months out injured but has not played since his back problems recurred in February.

Two months ago, he wrote that his latest surgery had relieved pain and he had not felt ‘this good in years’;

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Priorities Clubs were urged to respond to the drive to encourage more people to become more active and to show that golf is a fun, healthy and sociable game for all. They were also challenged to grow by becoming hubs for their communities, benefitting both the club and the local area.

England Golf Chief Executive Nick Pink welcomed delegates from across the golf industry to Villa Park and urged them to consider and share new ways to put customers’ needs first.

Customer-focus is the most important of the priorities in England Golf’s refreshed strategy for 2017-21 and Nick commented: ‘If we don’t consider the needs of the customer we won’t grow the game.

‘We need new ideas, creativity and innovation to drive this game on and one of the aims of this conference is to hear different ideas and approaches. Please do open your minds to some of the possibilities and ideas that we need to generate growth in golf.’

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Romsey Golf Club Junior wins Ladies Club Championship Katie Biddlecombe became one of the youngest ever players to win the Ladies Club Championship (1st/2nd July).

Still a junior she triumphed on the final day shooting a gross 78 making a total of 161 over the Championship weekend.

Other Prize Winners: Katie Biddlecome - Overall Champion Julie Cole - Overall Runner-Up Tracy Grimes - Overall Nett Champion Sally White - Silver Saturday Winner Sara Barnes - Silver Sunday Winner Jill Sparks - Bronze Scratch Cup Winner Anne Lovelock - Bronze Saturday Winner Neisha Beasley - Bronze Sunday Winner

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ROMSEY GOLF CLUB - THE ELIZABETHAN ERA In 1953 King George VI died and Queen Elizabeth came to the throne, it was an era of radical change, the sporting public became more aware of the game of golf, it had started with the emergence of Arnold Palmer, who revived the fortunes of the Open Championship by coming over to play. When television started to cover events, and the challenges of the Big Three, Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and the diminutive Gary Player captured the public imagination and the game expanded as never before.

With the coming of the sixties and seventies, the nation was beginning to really prosper, the nation had never had it so good, the politicians told everyone, and a positive and rapidly expanding interest in golf was evident.

The sudden interest in the game meant that there was a shortage of opportunities to play, and many member’s clubs suddenly found that they had waiting lists, a far cry from ten years before. One man in particular became the driving force in extending the existing facilities at Romsey, his name was Charlie Wills. As a result of his influence it was decided to extend the course to eighteen holes. The relative costs were huge for the club, so inevitably it had to be tackled as prudently as possible, the sum estimated was £36,000, so corners had to be cut, and as a consequence improvements had to be made over the years that have elapsed from that time, but the fundamental change had been made and an eighteen hole layout was the result.

Some members felt that the course would be diminished by the changes, as several good nine hole courses had been made into lesser quality eighteen hole courses, but the new layout was eventually opened in 1974, to much acclaim. The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Romsey and the club President Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma. The new course instantly attracted

more members, and the need for a larger clubhouse was the outcome. The old tin shed known by golfers throughout Hampshire was inadequate, so an extension was built. It was here above all that foresight was shown by the Committee, because they built the new bar and changing rooms with excellent foundations that would be able to support a second storey when the extended clubhouse was to be built many years in the future.

Although Romsey Golf Club had achieved a major change by adding an extra nine holes to complete the full eighteen, it was far from the rosy picture first anticipated. The new holes were suspect to stones lifting through the turf, and so the enterprising members used the problem as a cause for a social get together, when very successful stone picking evenings were organised. The course continued to settle and develop, and become recognised as a very good test of golf, to add to the first class reputation as a very friendly and homely members club.

Reg Horne

The heart of any association of sportsmen is the spirit generated by the characters who are members. The club was blessed with many during this time, times of sing song around the

piano with RAF war hero and artist Spike Harrison, events organised by club steward John Saunders, and when George Biles retired, the club was fortunate to recruit one of the best club secretaries in the country. Phil Hargreaves, who had been a professional soldier for many years, proved to be just what was required for a growing club.

In the early 1990’s there was an unexpected bonus for all private golf clubs, when a European ruling meant that private sports clubs could reclaim a substantial amount of the Vat that had been paid over the preceding years. It also resulted in heated debates at many clubs over how the money gleaned should be dissipated.

Some gave it back to the members, but at Romsey, after an Extraordinary General Meeting there was a positive support to use the money for the advancement of the club. At the time the existing lease with the Broadlands Estate was nearing the time for renewal. When the members voted that the substantial Vat refund could be used to extend the clubhouse and build upstairs offices and new changing rooms, the resulting capital enhancement helped convince the Trustees to agree another lease.

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With a new lease and support from the sale of a limited number of lease life memberships, plans were drawn to build the new clubhouse.

After the News Year’s Eve party in the clubhouse in 1993 the bulldozers came in, and the next morning work started on the demolition of the old veranda, and the project began in earnest.

Everything ran according to plan, and the new clubhouse duly opened in July of 1994. Fully constructed and furnished without borrowing one penny. The new clubhouse provided the perfect environment for the evolution of the club and to progress into the twenty first century.

The dawn of the year 2000 was celebrated universally, and with no more gusto than at the New Year’s Party at Romsey. For this was the start of the celebrations for the club’s Centenary Year.

That honour was shared with several other clubs in the United Kingdom, and the highlight of the year was the Celebration Week, during which all the members participated, a great way to recognise one hundred years of history.

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Heath Teschner and James Fairlie

THE 21st CENTURY Romsey Golf Club is situated just three miles from the centre of Romsey on the A3057 at Nursling, less than a mile from the M27 motorway. Nestling at the south eastern edge of Broadlands Estate, on a beautiful mature wooded parkland blessed with undulating contours, the course meanders through the trees, with its own version of Amen Corner on the front nine, the 5th, 6th and 7th, three holes that will provide a challenge for any golfer. The signature hole 6th, is a spectacular par four, with a tough par three before and after. For although the course is less than 6000 yards, the narrow wooded fairways, doglegs and strategically placed bunkers make it an examination of accuracy rather than length, rewarding good course management as well as good shot making.

The Club, which celebrated it’s Centenary in the year 2000, moved to the present site in 1924, it was originally a nine hole course, laid out by George Kirby, the professional from Stoneham. It was extended to an eighteen hole layout in 1974, and it is now a very tight par 69, which demands accuracy and patience to score well. It is a credit to the members of the day that their design has stood the test so well. Rightly described a

woodland gem, the colours of the trees change as the months pass, from the fresh green of spring to the autumn, which is a delight with the golds and warm browns of the leaves as they change from summer finery.

Romsey has long had the reputation of being a very friendly club, from the time you drive into the car park, expect a welcome both from the members and the staff in the clubhouse and the most importantly the professional’s shop.

It is said that first impressions are important and stay in the memory, and Heath Teschner who is the Head Professional and his assistant James Fairlie are always happy to help to make the visit an enjoyable one. Their shop is fully stocked to provide a comprehensive service to members and visitors alike. They have been recently joined by trainee

professional Elliot Groves, who will be starting his PGA qualifications in September. Elliott who was a junior member of the now defunct Dunwood Manor course in his youth, went to the USA on a golf scholarship and attended Western Texas College and then Oklahoma City University, where he represented the university in winning the NAIA National Championship in 2012, before returning home. He turned professional in 2013;.and with the encouragement of Heath and James he will be representing the club on the Hampshire PGA circuit as well as the Southern Region PGA Tour. He made a great start to his Hampshire career by winning the Hampshire Trainee Championship.

The club is always mindful of the fact that the golf course is the jewel in the crown of any club, and Romsey have a first class team lead by Head Greenkeeper Steve Gibbs. The programme of course maintenance and improvements is in capable hands, and during the recent year the

August 2017 | TEE TEETIMES TIMES 21 9 MAY 2017

Elliott Groves

ongoing installation of eco bunkers, which were invented by Richard Allen, has been in full cry.

Aesthetically good to look at, with neat riveting they are excellent in performance. On holes 5, 6 7 and 8 the bunkers have all been converted to the eco system, which ensures they are in the best possible condition year round. Part of the ongoing target designed to provide a course which is in prime condition throughout the year.

Particular attention will be concentrated on the provision of first class greens, and the club is currently in the throes of planning a major reinvestment in greens equipment, all part of the structured approach to deliver the very best results for members and visitors alike.

A good course promotes good golf, and the club has enjoyed considerable success over the last few years, in more recent times both the ladies and the juniors have had cause to celebrate. In 2016 the ladies again won the Stoneham Cup, but the junior’s team took the honours and came to national recognition when they qualified for the Home Nations Final held in Portugal. The six man team narrowly lost the final on countback after finishing level at three games all with Beadlow Manor, a great performance in which they won their first three rounds and were never defeated.

Leading members of the team, Owen Grimes and George Nicholson-Jack who both happen to be left handers, will both be crossing the Atlantic on golf scholarships with American universities this autumn.

• Turn over to read more..

boundarylakes ROMSEY GOLFboundarylakes CLUB - Book an afternoon |Golf Society for £25pp - Read our 4 page Course Review on pages 19-22

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10 TEE 2017 22 TEE TIMES TIMES | August MAY 2017

ROMSEY GOLF CLUB - HERE AND NOW Any potential member considering joining a golf club will have to examine the benefits of such membership, and the facilities available at the club are comprehensive. A simple look into the website of the club will yield the answers. They are numerous and all embracing.

In addition to the extensive work on the course, there has been a major refurbishment of the bar area in the clubhouse, the new layout give a bright and spacious dimension to the serving area, and makes the whole operation more efficient, and user friendly.

There are reciprocal facilities available at a number of clubs around the southern region and these give an added dimension to club membership. The foresight of two club Captains in the mid 1990’s started a trial with a few other clubs to have a reciprocal playing agreement. After the very successful initiation period, all enthusiastically endorsed the idea, and now there is a broad choice of clubs in the family. The motto is join one club and play at many, for there are now over twenty clubs in the reciprocal arrangement. So the variety of clubs within comfortable travelling time is excellent, stretching from Crowborough Beacon in the East, to Bridport & Dorset and Lyme Regis to the West and Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds to the North, a wonderful choice of golf courses just for the cost of a tiny booking fee.

Apart from a very good course, members enjoy a full social programme of social events throughout the year, each one is a sell out so tickets go quickly, staring early in the year with the Black Tie Supper, then Burns Night and Valentine’s Day, through the summer with a whole gambit of theme evenings ranging from gourmet to traditional fayre. The winter quiz league is exceedingly competitive and very well supported, and the year is always very well concluded with Christmas Parties and the New Year celebrations. The regular Sunday carvery is a focal point for members, family and friends as well as visitors, but reservations are advisable, (essential for non-members) and in such a pleasant atmosphere, the lunch may stretch into the late afternoon. Chef Paul Bascombe is on hand to ensure that everything is served with taste and quality.

Societies are welcomed on prescribed days of the week, and are well catered for. General

Manager Marc Cole and his team will be pleased to hear from interested organisers, as will the catering and bar staff, the hosts in the clubhouse. The club offers packages to accommodate a variety of arrangements that can be tailored to meet the needs of large or small groups, whether summer or winter. The many regular and repeat bookings are a true indicator of the quality of the golf and the ancillary services they receive at Romsey.

A recent addition to the benefits available is the accommodation in the clubhouse of sports physiotherapist James Kirkpatrick. He has sessions available by appointment three days each week, for the treatment of members and guest. A service that has already proved to be convenient and a very popular addition.

At the commencement of every financial year there are inevitably some vacancies for members following renewals, and a few exist at the present time. Unlike many other clubs in

Hampshire and the rest of the country, there is a small joining fee, which the club feels provides club loyalty and a sense of involvement.

Romsey offers the complete package, and the simplest way to sample the atmosphere is to go along and play there, for potential members it is the ideal introduction to a club environment that is just that little bit different.

So what does Romsey Golf Club offer to the discerning golfer?

• A fine course all year round • A comfortable clubhouse, with good food and TV entertainment.

• First class professional shop.

• Competitions throughout the year, both individual and club representation • Reciprocal arrangements with Twenty four golf clubs • Convenient location • A very good Social calendar

www.boundary-lakes.com Golf Academy

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• Responsive management team • Financial stability • Sports physiotherapy on site • Function rooms for hosting celebrations and parties.

This list is not exhaustive, but should be sufficient to tempt any golfer looking to join a progressive and rewarding club, whatever their gender or age group. General Manager Marc Cole will be happy to respond to any enquiry whether for membership, society golf or to celebrate that special occasion. In the words of Sir Henry Cotton, it is a good place to come and test your game.

For more information about any aspects of the Romsey Golf Club, visit the club website: www.romseygolfclub.com Or telephone the club on 02380 734637 Michael Rees

@boundarylakes

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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12 TEE TIMES | August 2017

PRAIA DEL REY – PEARL OF THE SILVER COAST Michael Rees

The region north of the River Tagus in Portugal abounds with spectacular golf courses, and they are the popular and regular choices of the many visiting golfers who travel every year from the United Kingdom. Convenient flights to Lisbon, and a plethora of first class hotels makes the selection of this area a guaranteed success.

A short drive from the capital of about one hour will take you to the Silver Coast, which runs along the spectacular Atlantic seaboard, a region abounding with dunes and pine forestry.

It is simply perfect country on which to build golf courses, and we have already featured the latest spectacular addition at West Cliffs, in the July issue of the magazine.

Travelling golfers will look for the opportunity to play a variety of courses when away, whichever course is the main attraction, and there is a superb alternative at Praia Del Rey Golf and Beach Resort, rated highly in the top 100 courses throughout Europe by all the golf pundits, and a links course of the very highest calibre. Pundits may feel that there is a parkland style about the opening few holes, but the latter holes which run through pine forests and along the sand dunes, make it is a true test of all aspects of the golf game, and those holes definitely leave the taste on links and dunes on the memory. The course was designed by noted American architect Cabell Robinson and opened in the late 1990’s, and the nearby five star hotel and resort offers a variety of styles accommodation. Add magnificent scenery, wonderful weather, and a round of golf becomes a real pleasure. The Praia del Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort has a range of sporting facilities, including a soccer pitch, the venue was base for the Portuguese and Swiss teams during the last European Cup. A truly first class venue that will unquestioningly satisfy the most discerning golf visitor, with the apt headline “Where the green meets the sea”.

Measuring 7100 yards from the tiger tees, this course is an examination of all the clubs in the bag, with a par of 73, and punctuated with deep bunkers and lush fairways, a good card

will be cause for celebration. Set out in two loops of nine, which start from the clubhouse, the test starts early, with a testing dogleg 2nd hole, where the drive is threatened by a lake, and water also comes into play on the short 8th hole. The back nine holes in particular will make an impression, the coastal scenery on the 12th and 14th holes , and the monster 17th at over 600 yards, the second longest par 5 in Portugal, all part of a fine golf course.

a salt water nature conservancy, the largest in Portugal, and the offshore islands are bird sanctuaries which can be visited. The historic medieval town of Obidos is a short drive away, once the wedding present for a queen, it has ramparts that can be walked, cobbled streets and views of the surrounding vineyards and windmills, it is like an open air museum.

Staying at Marriott Praia Del Rey Resort is the perfect way to enjoy the two golf courses

surrounding the square. Finally there is The Beachfront, just 100 meters from the waters edge, contemporary style with spectacular views from the picture windows of the apartments. Luxury and comfort and close to fine dining. Something for everyone.

For those less successful with the clubs, the scenary will be the ideal palliative to go with drinks on the terrace.

For those who like to take a rest from daily golf, and are interested in birds as well as birdies, the region just to the north of the capital city of Lisbon, the Silver Coast, is famed for the wild life and for picturesque walks, beaches, water sports and scuba diving, in addition to sites of major historical importance. The coastal Obidos Lagoon is

at Praia del Rey and West Cliffs , and there is a choice of three quite different types accommodation for a golf vacation. Firstly there is the hotel itself, five stars and fully justified, with excellent accommodation, first class dining in four restaurants with local and international menus, spa and fitness centre, and simply wonderful attentive and efficient staff. The next choice is The Village, a collection of homes, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with apartments and houses

www.boundary-lakes.com

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Michael Rees For more information on golf, accommodation and travel visit:

www.praia-del-rey.com www.westcliffs.com www.monarch.co.uk

@boundarylakes

August 2017 | TEE TIMES 13

Romsey Golf Club Join in July for 8 Months with No Joining Fee and Pro-Rata Membership Rates

7 Day - £700.00 5 Day - £565.00 Other membership categories are available

Romsey Golf Club, Romsey Road, Nursling, Southampton, SO16 0XW t: 023 8073 4637 w: www.romseygolfclub.com

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boundarylakes

14 TEE TIMES | August 2017

New golf club joins Hilton at the Ageas Bowl at home of Hampshire

Boundary Lakes Golf Course The Ageas Bowl Botley Road Southampton, SO30 3XH Phone: 023 8202 0909 Email: golf@ageasbowl.com

BOUNDARY LAKES GOLF IS Monday 10th July saw the brand new Boundary Lakes Golf Course open at the Ageas Bowl, the pictureperfect home of Hampshire Cricket, in Southampton.

The par 69 parkland course, complete with USGA standard greens, opened last month with former England and Hampshire cricketer, and Boundary Lakes’ inaugural captain, Tim Tremlett striking the first drive. The ceremonial tee-off marked the culmination five years’ meticulous preparation and planning.

The stunning course measures 5,600 yards off the back tees and is a typically clever Bruce Weller design, making the most of natural undulations, 54 bunkers and five lakes which give the course its name. ‘’You can open your shoulders on six or seven holes, but this is in the most part a strategic course, a thinker’s course.’’ (Shaun Hall, Head Professional) Boundary Lakes’ off-course facilities, including a brand new clubhouse and American Golf store, are all housed within the luxury Hilton at the Ageas Bowl. The Ageas Bowl’s hotel is also home to the country’s first eforea spa and a Sir Ian Botham-inspired brasserie restaurant and bar, BEEFY’S.

PAY & PLAY GREEN FEES FROM £20PP

CORPORATE GOLF DAYS FROM £60PP Boundary Lakes is now fully open to the public, with tee times available to book online at www.boundary-lakes.com or over the phone on 023 8202 0909.

However, the course’s team of seven greenkeepers will be kept busy over the next 18 months to two years, a period which will see the addition of two more holes, a par 4 and a par 5. Oh, and yes… another lake GREEN FEES Midweek green fees are available from £35 with weekend tee times beginning from £45.

Twilight rates start from just £20.

MEMBERSHIP The release of Boundary Lakes’ 5 and 7 Day Memberships was met with great enthusiasm and places were swiftly filled courtesy of a ballot. It’s not too late to join a Membership waiting list at www.boundary-lakes.com to make sure you’re at the top of the list should additional Memberships be released in 2018.

A number of Corporate and Junior (£95) and Student (£254) Memberships are still available with more information available online.

HOWZAT! Former England and Hampshire cricketer Tim Tremlett, appointed first club captain of Boundary Lakes, makes the opening official as he swings into the symbolic first drive on Monday 10th July

COACHING & LESSONS A number of coaching schools have been arranged for men, ladies and juniors and these complement an already extensive offering of lessons and tuition from Boundary Lakes’ team of professionals.

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SOCIETY & CORPORATE GOLF DAYS Boundary Lakes is the ideal setting to host a society or corporate golf day, with packages available from just £45pp. Typical packages include breakfast refreshments on arrival, 18 holes of golf and a two or three course lunch in Hilton at the Ageas Bowl and can be supplemented by a host of optional add-ons.

@boundarylakes

August 2017 | TEE TIMES 15

| Cricket toboundarylakes create unique sporting andboundarylakes leisure destination

Southampton’s landmark Ageas Bowl, where the luxury Hilton at the Ageas Bowl already offers an eforea spa and BEEFY’S fine dining restaurant, now has the added attraction of a splendid new golf course, Boundary Lakes.

LAUNCHED AT AGEAS BOWL We’re extremely proud to open Boundary Lakes Golf Course.

This was a major engineering achievement and we have been working hard on this project for a nu mber of years – Ageas Bowl Chief Executive David Mann

SOCIETY PACKAGES FROM £45PP

OVERNIGHT & WEEKEND HOTEL STAYS AVAILABLE HILTON AT THE AGEAS BOWL The luxury 171-bedroom hotel plays home to all of Boundary Lakes’ off-course facilities as well as a tranquil eforea spa and BEEFY’S brasserie restaurant, with the Ageas Bowl’s hotel offering a number of overnight and weekend residential golfing packages – so there’s no need to rush off!

EVENTS & MEETINGS The Ageas Bowl’s vast array of luxurious suites offer the perfect setting to host any number of meetings, weddings, conferences and other important events.

Any event can of course be combined with a whole host of leisure endeavours, be it; golf, spa or cricket.

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THE CRICKET The Ageas Bowl plays host to a vast array of Domestic and International cricket each year with Hampshire contesting four NatWest T20 Blast matches this August ahead of England’s return to face the West Indies in a potentially series-deciding Royal London ODI in September.

boundarylakes

For more information on the Ageas Bowl and Boundary Lakes visit www.ageasbowl.com

16 TEE TIMES | August 2017

Women who are chasing the dream Ten amateur golfers are one step closer to playing with a star of the European Tour after qualifying for the national final of Bridgestone’s Chase Your Dream Trophy, run in partnership with England Golf.

They came through the women’s South West regional qualifier at Tehidy Park Golf Club, Cornwall, where Tricia Folland led the way with a net score of two-over 75.

Tricia, from Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, Somerset, goes forward to the final in England Golf Week at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, this month alongside: Judy Ryder of West Cornwall Golf Club; Rebekah Hobell of Broadstone Golf Club, Dorset; Eileen Martin of Cotswold Hills Golf Club, Gloucestershire; Barbara Smyth of Cleeve Cloud Golf Club, Gloucestershire; Debbie Ricketts of Parkstone Golf Club, Dorset; Georgina Wrixon of Ashley Wood Golf Club, Dorset; Maureen Salome of Budock Vean Golf Club, Cornwall; Anne Woodger of Fingle Glen Golf Club, Devon; and Sue Williams of The Kendleshire Golf Club, Gloucestershire.

They will compete against qualifiers from five other regional finals and the overall winner will be England’s female Handicap Golfer of the Year.

The top nine players in the field will play in the pro-am of the Bridgestone Challenge, the English leg of The Challenge Tour, at Luton Hoo on 6 September.

SOCIAL MEDIA? STARS BACK AWAY AS IT BECOMES ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA

Rory: Why I’ve switched myself off from Twitter Social media can be a great force for good, but Rory McIlroy has become the latest global star to switch if off after being sucked into its darker side.

The constant online chatter often sinks into abuse and vitriol, and in the same week that superstar Ed Sheeran reportedly switched off his Twitter account because the site was ‘nothing but people saying mean things’, McIlroy also censored himself from using it.

The four-time Major champion regretted having been drawn into an online spat with former US PGA champion Steve Elkington after McIlroy missed the cut at the U.S. Open for the second year running.

The Australian said McIlroy, with ‘100mill in bank’ was bored playing without Tiger Woods. McIlroy responded with: ‘More like 200mill, not bad for a bored 28-year-old.

Plenty more where that came from.’

On the eve of his defence of the Irish Open at Portstewart, McIlroy revealed he regretted reacting to Elkington and was avoiding social media for the foreseeable future.

‘I must have wrote that tweet and deleted it about five times before I actually sent it,” McIlroy said. I sort of regret sending it at the end but I actually gave my wife, Erica, my phone and my Twitter and told her “Change my password to something else and don’t tell me what it is.”

‘ So as of the time being, I’m off social media. I don’t need to read it. It’s stuff that shouldn’t get to you and sometimes it does.’

Sheeran later denied he had left Twitter completely: ‘I’m just not reading anything, except Harry Potter.’

To those professions, you can now add champion tour golfers. For 14-year-old amateur Atthaya Thitikul has become the youngest known winner of a professional golf tour event with victory at the Ladies European Thailand Championship.

The teen Thai finished five under after a levelpar 72, two shots clear of Ana Menendez who carded a 75.

Because she is an amateur, Thitikul iwasnot eligible for the £42,000 prize money, which went to second-placed Menendez of Mexico.

Thitikul, who turned 14 on 20 February, said:

Atthaya Thitikul, 14: ‘My dad said I should play sport, and I liked golf on TV’

‘It makes me feel very happy and so proud of myself. This trophy, I give to Thailand and the Thai people.

‘My family do not play golf. When I was younger, aged six, my father told me to play sport and he offered tennis or golf and I watched golf on TV and I liked it.’

Chris Gill, pictured below, swept through the field to win the Dudsbury Masters in a play-off against Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) on a spectacular day of scoring at the Bournemouth course, writes Peter Godsiff.

This followed the Newquay club professional’s success in qualifying for the Lombard Trophy for the first time a week earlier at Burnham and Berrow.

And it marks a change in fortunes for Gill, 38, a past PGA Cup player and Order of Merit winner, as it was his first OOM win since he triumphed in the Forest Classic six years ago

Rory McIlroy:‘I’m off social media.

I don’t need to read it. It’s stuff that shouldn’t get to you and sometimes does.’

Ed Sheeran: ‘Twitter’s a platform for people saying mean things.

One comment ruins your day.’

The 26-year-old had told The Sun: ‘I’ve actually come off Twitter completely. I can’t read it. ‘ I go on it and there’s nothing but people saying mean things. Twitter’s a platform for that. One comment ruins your day.’

Thai teen is youngest to hit the top They say it’s a sign of ageing when you notice that all the policemen and doctors look too young.

Gill is Master after a day of fireworks

Canada’s Brooke Henderson had held the previous record, winning an event on the Canadian Women’s Tour in June 2012 aged 14 years, nine months and three days.

Henderson’s record for a male or female player came in a 36-hole event, bettering the mark by two days set by New Zealand’s Lydia Ko in January 2012 at the New South Wales Women’s Open.

Ko held the record on the Ladies European Tour, having won the 2013 New Zealand Open aged 15 years, nine months and 17 days.

Menendez had started the final round at Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya with a one-shot lead over Thitikul.

Wales’ Amy Boulden, 23, finished tied for fourth.

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Chris Gill: ‘This win is something special’

“ I’m chuffed as it’s nice to get back to competing after so long,” he said. “It was lovely just getting into contention so this win is something special. Club commitments mean I haven’t played or practised a lot. “ I felt a bit twitchy over the last few holes but it was great to get that feeling that I could win again.”

PGA West – Dudsbury Masters (at Dudsbury). Leading final scores: 133 Chris Gill (Newquay) 68 65, Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) 71 62, (Gill won at first extra hole), 134 Jon Bevan (Sherborne) 66 68, 136 Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) 74 62, Barry Austin (Downes Crediton) 72 64, Stuart Little (Minchinhampton New) 70 66, Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) 70 66, Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) 68 68, Kevin Harper (East Devon) 67 69, 137 Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) 69 68, Lydia Hall (Hensol Golf Academy) 69 68, Toby Hunt (St Mellons) 68 69, 138 Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) 69 69, Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) 65 73, 139 Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) 72 67, Dan Carter (Upavon) 71 68, Martin Stimson (Ashburnham) 70 69, Mark Searle (High Post) 69 70, Paul Jones (Ashley Wood) 69 70, Scott Drummond (Plymouth) 67 72, Max Billingsley (St Kew) 67 72, Adam Frayne (Yelverton) 66 73.

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August 2017 Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

| TEE TIMES 17 125th Annive

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WWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM - 01794 329 344

18 2017 18 TEE TEETIMES TIMES | August MAY 2017

ROEHAMPTON GOLD CUP HAYLING TROPHY WHATS HOT OR NOT in the World of Ladies Golf 2017 WINNERS Claire Kane HARTLEY WINTNEY It’s allITabout MIXING ALL UP HOW REFRESHING! the technology Your Monthly Blog by

I recently played in my first Mixed Invitation Day, where a large field shoot a long ball up theIt’s fairway ended I’vemen never feltladies very excited when it but competitive of and played a fun 4BBB. thebut first hittingamy usual shot comesI’ve to replacing goods, toup time ever hadhousehold the opportunity invite man toduff play inwhereby a Clubthe of the strike had been forced as I’ve always you don’t really Invitation andfelt I have to say it workedgreater reallypart well, despite suddenly underground.

As the law of physics get anything new, despite splashing realising (whilst I was changing for lunch) my guest didn’t have awill confirm,let thisalone is not the mostwhat effective the cash. clue where to find the men’s locker room, know thegolf strike bearing in mind earth is heavier entry code was.

Having said that, I was recently tempted to than air. purchase new powerful vacuum cleaner My SenioraSection holds weekly mixed competitions. regularly attracting over 100 entries camedays to the conclusion it was to aginginmodel.

I had andreplace usuallymy played a friendly ratiomyof 1 lady toI 3therefore men! These a few enlightened clubs to investigate the latest golfing doubts untilone thestep cleaner arrived have gone further and and nowIhold Coffeetime Mornings where both men and ladies are watched it in rev into action, complete with technology and I arranged for a fitting with welcomed. a Pro, who quickly established my current bright headlights, although I’m not sure Although most clubs play mixed matches and knock-outs it’s not unusual to see husbands/ off-set 3 wood was completely exactly why these are needed. It’s turbo wives or personal partners playing together rather than a genuine mixing of the sexes for my swing.

This member wasn’t charge swept the carpet so effectively the within the club. The majority of clubs also have inappropriate at least one game where a past a complete surprise as it confirmed why fluffy pile stood bolt upright and the dust has donated a cup for a special mixed annual event, although in my experience sign-up it had spent most of its life tucked away container was completely full within interest tends to diminish over time without a little prompting. in my bag as the odds were stacked minutes – so much for me thinking my The under-current of golf in the UK still remainsagainst very much it. a tradition of separate sexes carpets were relatively clean! and it would take a brave person to dare suggest the merging of the sections, as it would probably cold shudder through Nevertheless, our current world of It didn’t take long to convince me the clubs They say send a badaworkman blames their the membership. golf may well need to change to reflect reality and the future, taking into account: were right for me and I ended buying a 5 tools, but this was definite proof that new • Many clubs already to persuadewood, members stand on travels committees whichtosomehow 10 yards technology canare make a bigstruggling difference. further than my current 3 wood a to • The average age of a golfer who plays once a week in the UK rose from 48 inand 2009 lovely, forgiving rescue club which is nowI So,63when I went out to play golf next, I in 2014. The impact of an elderly golfing population was highlighted recently when known as my ‘get out of jail’ club. pulled out my temperamental 3 wood to learnt that 50 members of a local club sadly passed away over 12 month period!

• Younger golfers hesitate to join clubs due to demanding jobs and limited time.with I love a good gadget and I’mleisure delighted They simply don’t see the value of joining a club and also want informal, casual golf my new vacuum cleaner which manages to rather than restrictions, rules or traditions. A retirement age of 67++ could also mean scuff up even more rubbish. I’m also golf’s off the agenda until much later in life. Affiliated (Club) members are already down delighted with my new clubs which, from 665,103 in 2015 to 651,575 in 2016. thankfully, are the opposite as they no • Bank interest rates have been low for years but if thescuff predicted in rubbish interest on and longer up sohike much mortgage rates comes into effect and inflationthe continues to rise, then golf may well be a course! casualty as belts tighten. items ‘considered’ So, having depressed you with the potential doom andBoth gloom, wewere mustaremember golf’s but it’s fantastic no longer a fantastic game and if clubs take the time to createpurchase the right environment, thentothey will have to focus likewon’t a Jediincrease Knight due flourish for many years to come. Not to mention that our subscriptions trying to ‘feel the force’ just to lack of members! to control enough muscle, © Claire Kane 2017 posture and rhythm to lift the ball in the right direction.

Vacuuming may be tiring but then bad golf can be completely exhausting, so maybe in hindsight I should have employed a cleaner and spent more time practicing my swing on the golf course.

© Claire Kane Follow my tales on twitter@golfsnippets

Sponsored for the fourteenth year by Russell-Cooke Solicitors, the 90th Roehampton Ladies Open Gold Challenge Cup took place over the south-west London course in April.

From a very large entry, the cut was made at handicap 3.5 and sixty women golfers (21 Hayling Golf Club hosted the 14th final of the Hayling Trophy on Thursday 22 June. professionals & 49 amateurs) played in Windy weather and the threat of thunderstorms in the distance greeted the two perfect spring conditions. finalists… Hartley Wintney and Gosport & Stokes Bay. The thunderstorms did not materialise, but we weren’t so lucky with the wind Hayling’s familiar blustery The light south westerly breeze kept the conditions made for tricky conditions. players guessing and with the greens The Hayling Trophy a round robin matchplay competition for handicaps 25-36. There are 20 running at 10.5 on isthe Stimpmeter the teams of five competition, from South Hampshire. It’s a competition that is always pressure wasinonthefrom the start.mainly The wind played andafternoon enthusiasm. droppedin agreat littlespirit for the round and this was reflected in the better scores.

This year’s final was a stunner for the first time in 14 years, everyone was on tenterhooks as the deciding game had to go all the way to the 22nd hole to break the two-all tie.

But the course once again proved a stern The wasthe a win Hartley test result for even bestforwho wereWintney… fulsome intheir first win of this prestigious trophy. Gosport, previous winners 2006, had toofsettle for the Runner Up Salver their praise of theinpresentation the golf course so early in the year.

Those from Clubs in the North Hampshire have a newthe competition with the same format as the Hayling Trophy as well few from closer toAny home, -north, it’s called theas Maple Leaf Trophy. clubs in north Hampshire who are interested should had not North seen such greens all winter! contact Hantsperfect Golf Club for more information.West Byfleet (73,75) and Sharna Dutrieux from Wrotham Heath (78,71) both on total Lauren Hillier from Newport Gwent playing 149. These two had also featured among the off +2 set the early pace with a morning prizes in 2016. round of 72 with six others all playing par 74 or better.

Lauren Hillier had to settle for the best morning round and Kerry Smith from However, come the afternoon, professional Waterlooville the best afternoon round with a Sophie Walker from Lancashire and winner score of 73.Sophie Mills, playing off 2, from of the event in 2009, pulled away and added John O’Gaunt Golf Club had a hole in one at a 69 (a gold cup course record) to her the 14th which brightened up her morning morning 74 to win the handsome trophy. round of 85 and inspired her to a 77 in Total for 36 holes – 143. the afternoon.

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or email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com

Second was amateur Amelia Jane Williamson from Royal Cromer on 146 (73,73). Third, amateur Gemma Allman from Stanmore on 147 (73,74). In fourth place was the 2016 winner, professional Alex Peters from Shifnal, on 148 (77,71).

This event is now coupled with the Hampshire Rose taking place at North Hants Golf Club on April 9th. Those competitors who compete in the 72 hole Gold Rose will be eligible for World Amateur Golf Ranking Points.

She was closely followed by two up and coming amateurs – Katherine O’Connor from

In 2018 the Gold Cup will take place on Saturday April 14th.

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BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

August 2017 | TEE TIMES 19

LEGENDS OF THE GAME...

Jerome Travers 1915

JEROME TRAVERS - WHEN THE AMATEUR WAS KING In the period before the First World War, as far back as the Victorian Era in Great Britain, it was not unusual for the best golfers to remain as amateurs. There was little to be earned in prize money, and at that time it was usually the wealthier gentry who played golf. That was certainly so in the United States.

The British Amateur Championship and the United States Amateur, were considered at least the equal of, if not superior to, the Open Championships.

Indeed The Grand Slam of Golf was then considered to be the big four events, The British Amateur, The Open and the US Amateur and the US Open, and amateur Bobby Jones was the only golfer to ever hold that set of trophies, since professionals could never achieve that feat. He was feted on both sides of the Atlantic.

In 1915, the US Open was held at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey, and it was a few years since he had last

entered, Jerome Travers decided to play. His two previous appearances had been inconspicuous, finishing outside the top twenty on both occasions.

Travers was considered to be better at matchplay, and his record to that date would confirm that. It is not known why he played the event so infrequently, but it was rumoured he only played when he felt ready, but that is conjecture. It could be that he only played when he did not have to travel too far from his home on the eastern seaboard.

Travers was born on Long Island, and was taught by Alex Smith at Nassau Country Club. His rivalry with Walter J Travis, another Long Island resident was a feature of American golf at that period of time. In the 1915 US Open however, he surprised all the observers by playing four very steady rounds of stroke play, over a very tough venue, to win by one shot from Tom McNamara, and to become only the

second amateur to win the trophy, after Francis Ouimet had won it so famously in 1913. The surprising fact is that he never entered the event again, as he retired from competition immediately afterwards, at the age of 28 years, stating that “it wasn’t possible to both play championship golf and earn a living”. So he went off to Wall Street and a successful career in finance.

If his 1915 Open success was a surprise, then his amateur career was a very different story, for he was indeed a fearsome match-play competitor.

His record shows years of consistent success, and he became one of only two players to win at least four US Amateur Championship titles, (Bobby Jones, was the other, and he won five).

His rivalry with cigar chomping Walter J Travis began early, when Jerome was 17 years old he defeated Travis in the Nassau Invitational. Then he lost to him

in 1914 to Francis Ouimet. His resume reads: Four wins and two runners up in six years he played, an incredible record.

Despite being such a tough competitor and with such an amazing record, he was a wild driver of the ball and often resorted to using an iron off the tee, then relying on his excellent short game to pull him through. Ten years of first class golf, a decade when he dominated the amateur game, a period brought to an end when he simply walked away and gave it all up in order, as he said, to earn a living.

He was described as having the perfect temperament, with a composed and calm demeanour, and his instructor Alex Smith said he never could tell whether

Baltusrol Old 1915

when they next met in a big event, this time in the quarter final of the 1906 US Amateur, but after that he always had the edge, beating him five times over the following years in the US Amateur Championships.

His first two Amateur Championship wins record comfortable wins in the 36 hole finals, by 6 and 5 over Archibald Graham in 1907, then by 8 and 7 over Max Behr in 1908. Substantial margins when playing against the best players in the land. He lost in the final to renowned Englishman Harold Hilton in 1911, after missing the two intervening years. Then he returned to his inimitable best with victories over Chick Evans by 7&6 in 1912, then by 5&4 over John Anderson the following year.

Four Amateur Championship wins in the six years he entered between 1907 and 1914, and only losing in the final

Jerome Travers

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Tom McNamara Runner Up in 1915

he protégé was winning or losing, a trait that served him well throughout his brief but spectacular career in the game. Another legend who seems to have passed out of the recognition circle of those considered to be great players. In my book his record stands testimony to a great golfing decade and makes him a very worthy member of the exclusive list of Golf Legends.

Michael Rees

20 TEE TIMES | August 2017

LEGG IS LAST MAN STANDING

AT LA MANGA CLUB Former Birmingham and Wales defender Andy Legg held his nerve on the final day to beat defending champion Andy Morrison and claim a first victory in the 21st edition of the Footballers’ Golf Classic at Spain’s famous La Manga Club resort.

Legg was forced to settle for third place behind Morrison in 2016 but made no mistake 12 months later, holding off the Manchester City cult hero’s challenge to take the title under sunny skies at the popular sports and leisure resort in Murcia, south-east Spain.

The winner was never out of the first three in the 54-hole Stableford event, which was played on La Manga Club’s renowned South and North courses, clinching victory with a final total of 105 points, two ahead of Morrison, with former Aston Villa and England midfielder Lee Hendrie three points further back in third.

After playing to handicap and scoring 36 points in the opening round to sit two points behind early leader, ex-Liverpool, Tottenham and England striker Paul Walsh, Legg continued his good form on the second day, carding 34 points to lie one point behind Graham Roberts going into the final round.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham favourite Roberts surged into the lead in the second round with a best-of-the-week score of 43 points but was unable to repeat his heroics

on day three, allowing Legg, Morrison and Hendrie to overtake him as his challenge faltered and he dropped out of the top three.

This year’s Footballers’ Golf Classic was as popular as ever and attracted a stellar field from the footballing world including other previous winners, former Aston Villa and Scotland striker turned Sky Sports commentator Alan McInally, Kenny Hibbitt, Pat Jennings and Russell Osman.

Joining them at La Manga Club were the likes of ex-England internationals Darius Vassell, Mark Wright, Ray Clemence, Steve Bull and Dave Beasant; former Manchester United and Wales star Clayton Blackmore and Derby legends Roy McFarland and Roger Davies – both making their debuts in the event.

The golf classic featured four days of competitive golf: the one-day Alan Ball Trophy and the three-day main event – which was sponsored by The Four Amigos: Michael Dick, Alan Robinson, Martin Archer and Dave Harris – with competitors playing alongside a different footballer each day.

Entry included five nights in the five-star Hotel

La Manga Club Principe Felipe, breakfast, welcome and gala dinners and prize-giving with entertainment, with ‘A Shaw Thing’, whose team consisted of Mark Shaw, Greg Shaw and Tony Parish, finally taking victory in the overall team competition at the 15th time of asking having twice finished as runners-up.

The luxurious setting of La Manga Club is the ideal venue for the competition with its three 18-hole golf courses perfectly complemented by the rest of the resort’s wide-ranging

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facilities including a recently-rebranded Golf Training Center, a 28-court tennis centre and 2,000sqm spa complex.

The Footballers’ Golf Classic is organised by Mancini Events and the event will head back to the award-winning venue again next year.

For further information, please visit www. mancinievents.co.uk, call 07918 644900 or email: donna@mancinievents.co.uk For more details on La Manga Club and to book, please visit: www.lamangaclub.com

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August 2017 | TEE TIMES 21

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22 TEE TIMES | August 2017

A Better Way for Slower Swingers I am sure that the majority of readers can guess what the most common request is - “I need to hit the ball further”!! As most of my customers and golfers who are regular read my column will know that I normally counter this by proving that consistency with you irons is much more important that the actual distance and if you can hit the ball 150 yards you can definitely play to 18 handicap.

However, sometimes I agree with the golfer and I am able to help with that elusive extra distance. This article is going to concentrate on the largest group of golfers who tend to have the slowest swing speeds. That is the senior section. There are always exceptions to all rules, but as we are aware as we get older, our swing slows down and the majority of women do have slower swings that there equivalent make golfer.

As the swing slows down some of the things you might notice is all of your longer clubs go about the same distance, or your 3 wood goes further than your driver and my 7 iron goes further than your 5 iron.

These are symptoms of a common problem that causes many golfers to wonder if golf is still for them. The issue is slow or declining swing speed, and players who suffer from it can be easily frustrated. Some are at the point of giving up the game due to lack of or loss in distance.

In my experience, one of the biggest obstacles that older players face when dealing with declining swing speed is that often, their egos get in the way. None of us wants to admit that we are getting older (or more experienced in life, as I like to think of it). Many veteran golfers simply refuse to accept the reality that they do not swing as fast as they used to, but still expect to hit the ball the same distance.

For women golfers, a lack of swing speed, frequently compounded by ill-fitting “starter” sets or hand-me-down clubs, is the primary reason many give up the game in a short time. The clubs they often start with prohibit any type of success. Drivers with 11° of loft and 3-woods with only 15° are next to impossible to use by anyone with a swing speed below 80 mph — much less below 70 mph.

The answer for both categories is the same.

That answer will be a surprise to most – more loft. As one’s swing speed decreases, the force of gravity seems to be become exponentially stronger. In other words, the ball does not have enough velocity and

spin to stay airborne for very long. As club makers, we can recommend eliminating lower-lofted clubs, but many times the player’s pride will not permit the 3-wood to be removed from their bag.

A rule which I talk to my customers regularly is: “The longer the club, the lower the loft, the heavier the club and the stiffer the shaft, the harder it is to hit”. This applies to all golfers and is amplified as we lose our swing speed. Another statement which golfers often take is fact is the longer the club, the less the loft the further the ball will go. Sadly that statement is untrue on two accounts. Firstly the statement should read: “The longer the club, the less the loft the more potential for the ball to go further, provided the ball is hit on the sweet spot”. The second point, as I alluded to in the previous paragraph, is that as our swing speed reduces we do not generate enough elevation or spin to keep the ball in the air. Hence a statement that the vast majorities of golfers will have heard “I hit my 3 wood further than my driver”!

For all these reasons, to keep slow-swinging players in the game and to enhance their enjoyment, we need to open our minds and re-think what we assume what a set of golfs actually consist of. The driver either needs to be either higher loft or left out of the bag completely. In addition another option is to forgo the 3-wood in new sets for women and instead go to the 5-wood, due to its higher loft. The higher lofts will specifically benefit players whose swing speeds are less than 80 mph, so they can help many seniors and ladies see significant, measurable improvements. One of the additional benefits of extra loft, however, is intangible: the often overlooked confidence factor. If you feel you will be better, you will be better.

Another very common request that I receive is to either make a set of irons that go further than the existing set, or to alter their present set to get them to hit further. I can certainly undersatnd the request, but sadly with reducing swing speed, the golfer has to accept that an iron of certain loft and length if hit with a slower swing speed will

go a shorter distance. I have talked before of the the golf industry and their “wonderful” scheme of vanishing lofts. To put it into perspective a pitching wedge of today is almost a 7 iron of 20 years ago. Sadly, the majority of golfers are unaware of this believe that the fact that a pitching wedge goes further than a pitching wedge of yester year is down to technology. The simple answer is to accept the distance your short and middle

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irons go but to replace your long irons with hybrids which loft for loft will go further. But that is a topic of a future article, Should you have any questions on this or any equipment matter please feel free to call me at 01256 322007 or 07859 920055.

Alternatively, email me directly at dave@madetomeasuregolf.co.uk or visit www.madetomeasuregolf.co.uk

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Lad Success in this prestigious event, which dates back to 1885 at the 38th hole Perry found his drive in deep rough, and when stfrom off the green the trophy was his to Augu grants entry into The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, in two 28tgoth down pp –Harry £25 Tea on no ter Af & lf Go xed Mi The Masters and the United States Open in 2018, and his bring back to his home club Marriot Meon Valley in Hampshire. site

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name on a trophy that also bears the name of golfing legend Bobby Jones, following in the footsteps of his Hampshire County teammate Scott Gregory who won at Royal Porthcawl in 2016. The win at Royal St George’s Golf Club gave him possession of a fabulous amateur double, as he also won The English Amateur Championship at Seascale in 2012, and in doing so he became the youngest winner of the trophy in the history to date.

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24 TEE TIMES | August 2017

No darling, the seven iron is the right club here…

DAVID Drysdale says an important factor in his recent lift in form has been his caddie… who also happens to be his wife, Vicky.

confirm his place at The Open at Royal Birkdale.

The 42-year-old Scot finished joint fourth at the Irish Open , and he is not just being a good husband when he credits Vicky with his change in fortunes.

David Drysdale and wife/caddie Vicky: ‘She gives me a kick up the backside when I need it’

‘She is so positive and determined,’ said Drysdale. It’s been working well so I hope it continues.”

Following a top-20 finish at the French Open, Drysdale carded seven birdies in his final seven holes at Portstewart to

‘She gives me a kick up the backside when I need it,’ he said. ‘Maybe some guys (caddies) have been scared to do that in the past. She says it’s the only five hours of the day when I am the boss.

He says the different perspective offered by Vicky is playing a key role.

‘But even then I am not sure if I am or not.’

Plea to limit those soaraway golf balls One of the sport’s most respected commentators has urged that rule-makers and ball manufacturers put a brake on the growing trend of professional tournament balls that fly enormous distances.

With the pros regularly driving balls that soar far and away past the 300-yard mark and recently one who managed nearly 380 yards with a three wood, the BBC’s golf correspondent, Iain Carter, says: ‘It is time to act.’

Super-long driving: Pro golf faces a nightmare scenario, says BBC expert

If proof were needed that the golf ball is travelling too far, it was provided during Brooks Koepka’s U.S. Open triumph at 7,800-yard Erin Hills, said Carter in a recent blog. ‘ On the final tee on Sunday, Koepka with a subsiding wind at his back, tackled the 681yard par-five with a three wood and promptly dispatched it 379 yards.

Channel’s Brandel Chamblee are advocating courses that break the 8,000-yard barrier, but describes this as ‘an ill-affordable nightmare scenario’.

‘ In that last round, 50 of the 68 players averaged more than 300 yards off the tee.

Layouts would need more land, more resources for maintenance and more time to play. ‘The emphasis is all on power and the subtlety of shot-making and shaping is being lost.

‘ Professional golfers are, for the most part, gym-honed athletes trained to make the most of the powerful and generous sweet-spots of modern golf clubs. ‘ This takes nothing away from the undoubted skill they possess in channelling that power.

Koepka is the perfect example because it was not just his length from the tee but his accuracy that provided the platform for his win.’ Koepka averaged 322 yards with his drives, still only the seventh longest.

Carter added that pundits such as Golf

‘ Amazingly, the authorities insist the golf ball is not travelling any further. They claim to have put the brakes on technology, but the evidence of the U.S. Open - and most other professional tournaments - tells a different story. ‘ Something needs to be done to ensure courses remain relevant and the sport becomes more nuanced.’

Another sport faced a similar problem in the 90s, said Carter: ‘Tennis realised it had a problem: fans were being put off by too few rallies at tournaments such as Wimbledon.

His two-under-par 69 was the highest winning score within living memory at the course WHICH golfers share with livestock in the Gloucestershire countryside in view

Sion Bebb claimed his first Order of Merit trophy for 17 years after an angry swan threatened to derail his chances in the Total Triumph Classic at Oake Manor.

The 48-year-old Morlais Castle club professional beat Ladies European Tour player Lydia Hall (Hensol Golf Academy) and rising West star Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) with a birdie on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off.

After making a birdie at the par five 15th in the second round to take a one-shot lead into the final three holes, he was attacked by the swan as he was putting for a birdie at the short 16th beside a lake.

“The crazy swan put me off and I threeputted,” he said. His last OOM win was in the BMW Classic at Dudsbury in 2000.

Freddie Titcombe, a 15-year-old Broome Manor and Wiltshire county junior, won the Division 1 net prize on 66 playing off four while Ricky Selway (Oake Manor) won Division II on 66.

‘ What did they do? They slowed down the ball and transformed the sport. It was their ball and they had control. In golf it does not work that way because manufacturers hold sway. ‘ The time is long overdue for the rules-makers to assume proper control. The R&A and USGA have to come up with a blueprint for a tournament ball appropriate to whichever course is being used that week. ‘ Dictate the specifications and limits to the manufacturers and let them come up with the best ball they can. The emphasis would shift from raw length to feel and playability.’

A change in approach would not affect the weekend hackers: ‘We amateurs could still use balls that give us the sort of distance that makes the game more enjoyable for us. ‘ It might be possible to build monster courses such as Erin Hills in the wide open spaces of Wisconsin to accommodate the power of the modern game, but it is inconceivable for golf’s future to be based on such exceptional sites.

‘It is time to act.’

PRO-AM VICTORY FOR DIXON David Dixon called on all his experience of playing in strong winds and chilly weather to win the Carlsbergsponsored Minchinhampton Old course pro-am which attracted a record 55 teams.

ANGRY BIRD! But Bebb still flies to a win

of the conditions described as ‘brutal’ by tournament controller Tom Sheffield.

Enmore Park touring player Dixon, who is unlikely to play many events in the West this summer as he is concentrating on the Challenge Tour, was making his first appearance this year.

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Sion Bebb and sponsor Neil Mossman (Total Triumph) saddle up

Leading final scores 133 Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) 66 67, £1,800, beat Lydia Hall (Hensol Golf Academy) 69 64, £1,150, and Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) 68 65, £1,150 at second play-off hole, 134 Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) 70 64, Scott Drummond (Plymouth) 68 66, Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) 68 66, £541 each, 136 Adam Curtis (Bude & N. Cornwall) 67 69, Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) 66 70, £362 each, 137 Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest) 71 66.

Chris Gill (Newquay) 71 66, James Ruth (China Fleet) 70 67, Jon Bevan (Sherborne) 70 67, £287 each, 139 Toby Hunt (St Mellons) 70 69, Ian Brown (Newent) 69 70, George Ryall (Burnham & Berrow) 68 71, £203 each, 140 Barry Austin (Downes Crediton) 72 68, Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court) 71 69, Chris O’Neill (Cardiff) 70 70, Tom Hanson (Tiverton) 69 71, £160.00 each, 141 Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf) 71 70, £140.

Amateur Gross 67 Liam Copp (Farrington Park), Josh Martin (Oake Manor), Matt Turner (Burnham and Berrow), 68 Rob Parker (Taunton and Pickeridge), Peter Lawrence (Woodbury Park). Division I: 66 Freddie Titcombe (Broome Manor), Clive Thorne (Oake Manor), Simon Greaves (Oak Manor).

67 Jamie Short (Vivary Park), 68 Alex McHugh (Mullion), Mark Sumner (Oake Manor). Div II: 66 Ricky Selway (Oake Manor), Lee Davey (Tiverton), Matt Durbin (Vivary Park), 70 Sean Carter (Yelverton), Jim Greenhow (Oak Manor), 71 Brian Thomas (Oake Manor).

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26 TEE TIMES | August 2017

Monthly tuition to get you on top of your game by Advanced PGA Lady Professional, Katie Dawkins

Nail your landing spot If your course suffered with the heat this summer then I’m sure you’ve been on the end of a dirty bounce or two.

There’s nothing you can change about that bounce once it’s happened so getting irate about it is simply wasted energy.

What you can change is your approach to that shot.

Is the club in your hand the correct one? Flying the ball high up in the air is always risky when the ground gets solid. Look at the route into the green. Nothing in the way? How about running it in? Maybe with an 8 iron. Visualise how your roll the ball close if you had to throw it. If there isn’t anything between you and the front edge of the green your safest bet is to keep it low. Even then, an ability to land your ball on the spot you have visualised you need to land it on is pretty important.

Being able to pick exactly the right club to use in a situation is irrelevant when you land the ball 10ft further on than the landing spot.

So while we still cling onto summery evenings (just) how about turning your attention to these very spots. This practice can be done in your garden, chipping area, anywhere that’s safe really. So first things first, consistency. This is key if you’re going to have any idea about distance control. Stick a square of garden caves or an upturned umbrella on the lawn and using a short chipping action accelerate through (tick Tock) for 10 balls til you’re happy that you’ve got a decent strike.

Struggling with strike? Some golfers swing the club too far back then decelerate causing heavy shots and a lack of confidence and commitment.

54

TEE TIMES

J U LY 2 0 0 6

Based at Ampfield Golf Club and Meon Valley Golf and Country Club

Start right

stay right The title of this piece could also be, “start wrong stay wrong”.

In other words, habits that are created when you first start playing tend to stay with you and are very difficult to change.

The answer is to make those habits good habits! As I have explained in previous articles, once a habit is hard wired in and becomes subconscious, (a process which can happen quite quickly), it is there forever and you can’t get rid of it. You can, however, learn a new habit and make it automatic. This process takes a lot of concentration over a period of time. Often, as soon as you stop thinking about the new habit - even if you’ve practiced it quite a bit – a natural feeling movement can still be the old habit. This is why I guess that many golfers are looking for short solutions to long term problems all the time.

Rather than going through the lengthy process of change, it’s by far the better option to start right, and stay right! Often when starting to play, particularly for youngsters, paying attention to a few, seemingly minor details and doing them correctly, will lead to a lifetime of good golf. Ignoring those few basics can lead to a lifetime of frustration and falling well short of true potential.

Basic things like a good grip and a sound posture will lead to a powerful repeatable swing.

A good posture is basically aligning those muscles to act and react properly during the swing and produce a good, repeatable pivot motion. The correct pivot enables a golfer to deliver the club to the ball from an optimal angle which, in turn, leads to shots hit powerfully on a good flight. Even slight variations in the set up will have an effect on the outcome of the shot. Often golfers will get out of position without even knowing it. This fact was understood by Jack Nicklaus who, before the start of every season, would spend time with his coach in assessing and perfecting all his basic fundamentals. He would always start with his stance and grip.

So weight on the front foot, grip down the club and keep the wrists out of it. Swing it short, bruising the grass. Let the ball get in the way.

Once happy with your strike start aiming to bounce your ball on its first bounce on various targets with various clubs. The smaller your target the smaller your margins of error.

Have fun with this, challenge others.

Having honed your game at home, when you get out on the course you can REALLY focus on where you want to land the ball. This is especially useful when faced with an obstacle to go over. Visualise your upturned umbrella sat on the first available bit of green and commit.

Good luck with this and mix up practice at home and on the course.

If you need a lesson to boost your confidence and smash your scores contact me and come and play at Boundary Lakes Golf Club at the Ageas Bowl. The greens and approaches will make you think and up your game straight away. katie@katiedawkinsgolf.co.uk

The partner of the posture is the grip. This is another power and accuracy component.

A correct grip allows the wrists to hinge and unhinge freely whilst maintaining good control of the club. This is in contrast to a poor grip, which locks up the free movement of the wrist and loses control of the club. Added to a good pivot, the free hinging action of a good grip can really get the ball shifting out there with accuracy.

In the next couple of Tee Times articles I will be going into some depth on those basic fundamentals of golf.

If you are interested in some help with improving your game, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Mobile: 07787 887578 Email: martin.butcher@aim.com Website: mbtourcoach.com

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To join Waterlooville Golf Club, call 023 9226 3388 or email secretary@waterloovillegolfclub.co.uk

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