Tee Times Golf Magazine, December 2018

ISSUE 211 | Dec 2018 | Tel: 01329 834360 | Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com | www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com

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• 9 holes practice on arrival • 3 rounds of competition golf: Day 1: Royal Tara Golf Club Day 2: County Meath Golf Club Day 3: Knightsbrook Golf Club • Welcome reception & evening meal • Daily and overall prizes Return Stena Line Ferry, Car + 2pax EARLY BOOKING PRICE

• 3 rounds of competition golf: Day 1: Mount Wolseley Golf Club Day 2: Carlow Golf Club Day 3: Gowran Park Golf Club • 1 Evening meal • Horse Racing at Gowran Park incl. race book & return coach transfers • Daily and overall prizes • Return Stena Line Ferry, Car + 4pax EARLY BOOKING PRICE

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2 TEE TIMES | December 2018

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Great Golf, Great Food, Great Fun… it’s got to be the Club Choice Ireland 2019 Golf Events! details can be found at; https://www.clubchoiceireland. com/seniors-gents-open/ The unique Gourmet Golf Classic will be taking place from the 8th – 12th September from it’s usual host venue, The Clayton Whites Hotel in the centre of Wexford Town in Irelands Sunny South East. Each day you’ll tee off at a different golf course, all within a short distance of the hotel. This gorgeous part of Ireland has courses ranging from classic links to traditional parkland with Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club, Wexford Golf Club and Rosslare Golf Links all set to test your skills.

With so many options available when it comes to amateur ‘golf events’, standing out from the crowd is important. The Club Choice Ireland events manage to do this year on year with their Senior Mixed Pairs, Senior Gents Open and the now legendary Gourmet Golf Classic becoming a set fixture in golfers diaries.

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one thing that makes the Club Choice events so special. It’s more a combination of things; great value pricing, personal attention, professionally run and their emphasis on enjoyment.

Their first event of the year is the Senior Mixed Pairs which takes place from the 28th April to the 2nd May. This is a ‘team of two’ with each team consisting of 1 lady & 1 gent, both over the age of 55. The 4-Star Knightsbrook Hotel Spa and Golf Resort will provide the luxurious accommodation for all 4 nights.

Knightsbrook is located in the tranquil heritage town of Trim, Co. Meath and

is easily accessed from Holyhead, Fishguard or Cairnryan Ports.

On arrival at Knightsbrook, you’ll enjoy a 9 hole practice round on the resort’s own golf course followed by a Welcome Reception & Dinner.

There are 3 rounds of competition golf on different courses with the final round at Knightsbrook itself.

The 2018 winners were Gill & Rob Tudor from North Wales, “First Class Golfing Experience. Great accommodation. Good Food.

Fabulous Courses and very well organised by Club Choice Ireland.

Looking forward to coming back again in 2019.”

The 4 Night package incl. return ferry starts from just €450pps* and more details can be found on; https:// www.clubchoiceireland.com/ senior-mixed-pairs/ Beautiful Kilkenny City plays host to the Senior Gents Open from 26th to 30th May. This unique and popular event lets you test your skills on some of the region’s most challenging golf courses and enjoy a night at the horses as well.

This event consists of 4 Nights at the stunning Hotel Kilkenny with 3 rounds of competition golf (Mount Wolseley GC, Carlow GC & Gowran Park GC), an evening meal for your team and a night at the races to round the whole trip off!

Don’t miss out on this sell out event, book early to avoid disappointment.

The 4 Night package incl. return ferry starts from just €385pps* and more

For the ‘Gourmet’ part of this package, you’ll be treated to three different dining experiences in some of Wexford’s finest award-winning restaurants. This will include a special four course Prize Presentation Dinner at Clayton Whites Hotel on your final night.

This is a ‘Team Event’ with a social twist… each team will consist of 4 players, male or female, in any combination. Each day your team will be split into pairs and then play in consecutive tee times opposite another pair from a different team.

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Pat Courtney of Rathsallagh GC was part of the 2018 winning team; “Talking amongst ourselves after the 3 days in Wexford we all agreed it was the most enjoyable and worthwhile golf trip we’ve ever been on. The food was top class, the company was very entertaining and the courses a good strong test.

We can’t wait for 2019.”

The 4 Night package including return ferry starts from €490pps* and more details can be found on; https://www.clubchoiceireland. com/gourmet-golf-classic/ To book your place at any of the above events freephone: 0800 285 1490

TEE TIMES | December 2018 3

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Golf is A Target for Robbers and ‘Wild West ANDLouts THEinWINNER IS.UK’ ..

Reflecting on a marvellous Masters: Justin Rose, Hampshire’s favourite golfing son, made us so proud as he played his role in one of the tightest but most gentlemanly showdowns in the history of the event

GOLF SPORTSMANSHIP

Headlines proclaiming rising crime and falling police numbers have led to the country being labelled “Wild West UK”. And golf is not immune.

clubs are seen as tempting targets for those who still jealously see golf as a pastime for the privileged and wealthy.

NORTH Hantsexamples Golf Club of in Fleet will have From the humble local club in Two recent serious to find some more space in its Justin crime and low-life loutishness England, where golfers have been Rose Room to record the continuing demonstrate how vulnerable golf terrorised off their own course, exploits of the county’s favourite

to the historic and venerable Gleneagles in Scotland, where organised criminals stole £500,000 in jewels from the hotel, golf managers are having to review security and keep the crime wave from lapping at their doors – again.

golfing son.

Play at Your Gleneagles hit Own Risk… by Rolex Gang Room will be found for mementoes of the 2017 Masters to be placed alongside those of Rose’s U.S. Open triumph in 2013 and his Olympic Golf Gold.

But while Rose was pipped at Augusta by Sergio Garcia, the inevitable disappointment for his fans was counterbalanced by a Headlines proclaiming display of skill and sportsmanship which was rising a creditcrime to bothand men,falling and to a sport which police numbers still prides itself on have honesty and fairness.

led to the country being Yes, the final round between labelled “Wild West UK”.these two Ryder Cup titans was bound to be emotional. Rose Course damage made by quad bikes And notwayimmune. was golf edgingishis towards a second Major, and recent Garcia was trying to secure first on have been Two examples of hisgolfers the very day which would have been the terrorised off their own serious crimeof and low-life 60th birthday his hero, Seve Ballesteros. course, to the historic loutishness demonstrate and venerable Gleneagles But the overriding golf emotion for spectators of how vulnerable clubs the seen final round was the way these two in Scotland, where are as tempting Europeans fought the fight. targets for those who still organised criminals stole £500,000 in jewels from jealously golf aswere a toe-to-toe In the finalsee round, they rivals the hotel, golf managers pastime for the privileged but not opponents, supremely competitive areother’s having to review yet gentlemanly, and wealthy. acknowledging each skills with a knuckle-touch or a nod. security and keep the From the humble local crime wave from lapping club in England, where at their doors – again.

• Turn to Page 4

There were 51 Rolex watches on display at the luxury Gleneagles Hotel boutique when a gang of three men burst in and smashed open the cabinets.

When thee men sped off in a stolen Audi sports car after a two-minute smash and grab raid, there was just one expensive timepiece left behind.

The watches, worth a total £500,000, have never been recovered, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.

Career criminals Richard Fleming, 42, and Liam Richardson, 30, were part ofWell a three-man gang that played, Masters mate: At the end and the course, Rose and Garcia were attacked the Mappin & Webbon boutique.Fleming was sporting gentlemen jailed for 18 years and Richardson d for 11 years.

The trial heard that staff thought the masked gang were carrying out a “terrorist attack”.

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INSIDE

Who wants Rory: My Green Jacket Grandad’s wedding wish – Page 4 clipped ear for We meet the 10th tee hell Christmas? hound Pass6 -Bus Page Golfer – Page 16

Philip’s second spell An inspired return as Hants PGA skipper for Luke Donald – Page 16 - Page 6 Hampshire Jenny’s lifetime Turkish accolade – Page 16

delight for No 1 Was this Justin Rosegolf’s worst - Page 8 injustice

ever?

– Page 24

Major one-two for PLUS our Laura 2 Course Reviews this month!

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If you would like to advertise in Tee Times, or would like to submit any editorial copy for publication, please call us on: 01329 834360, email us at: peter.teetimes@gmail.com, or write to us at: PGL Services Limited, Shedfield House Dairy, If you would like to advertise in TeeSO32 Times, would anyin editorial copy for publication, publication, please call usaccept on: 01329 us at: Unit 3, Shedfield, Southampton, Hampshire, 2HQ.or Whilst everylike careto hassubmit been taken the preparation of this the publishers cannot liability 834360, for errors oremail omissions.

All peter.teetimes@gmail.com, articles published herein are without responsibility write uspublishers, at: PGL in Services Limited, Shedfield Dairy, Unit 3, Shedfield, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2HQ. Whilst every care has been taken in thereserved. preparation onorthe part oftothe the occasion of loss or damage toHouse any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any views published in Tee Times Golf Publications.

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

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TEE TIMES | December 2018 5

OUR FAVOURITE GOLFING SENIOR HOPES FOR GIFTS THAT DON’T INCLUDE A DREADED PLASTIC PUTTER On my Christmas tree this year, I can personally guarantee that you will not find an ornament in the shape of a girl golfer carrying a bag of clubs.

Neither will you find a key-ring bearing the slogan: “Born to golf, forced to work.”

And if any of my grand-children should be foolish enough to give me a mini-bag of golf tees inscribed “Grandad’s Tees”, then I may well revive the ancient custom known as Grandad’s Clipped Ear. The only advice I can offer is to suggest that round about December 18, you should lock the doors, close all the curtains, switch off the lights, and go to bed until around midJanuary. This is Christmas: a time for golfers when good taste flies out of the window as our friends and families exploit our enthusiasm for the dimpled ball, in the relentless search for presents.

It’s understandable. The problem with choosing presents for men over

Who’s getting Grandad’s Clipped Ear for Christmas?

I remember once tearing off the wrapping paper to discover a ball marker bearing the words “One Putt”. The first time I placed it on the green, I was still there four putts later. Another marker, stamped with the boast “Dad’s Ball Woz ‘Ere”, simply vanished. Probably stolen by a spelling pedant. the age of 30 is that there is nothing they either want or need. After three decades, you’ve got everything you’re likely to need.

The water bottle bearing my initials and the year I started playing is buried in the attic. I found it depressing to be reminded of all those wasted years.

But if you have a hobby, a sport or a passion, the commercial world will rapidly produce a range of trash presents to delight/horrify you.

There is one gift, however, which I kept and which, unlikely as it sounds, I use every day.

It’s a larger-than-life golf ball made from plaster and equipped with a large nose. It’s a specs holder. I’m always losing my specs, so this sits happily and usefully on my desk.

Now my grandson Archie tells me he has found a golf-ish gift which will – his words – provide hours of entertainment.

It is a Bathroom Golf Set… A putting matt with two plastic balls and a plastic putter for “the most private room in your house”.

It is shaped to fit around the base of a lavatory. That’s right, while you are “on the porcelain”, as the makers say, you can practise your putting.

The correct title is the Piddle, Poop ‘n’ Putt set.

And if you’ve got the courage to ask for that in your pro shop, I’d like to be there.

Inspired Luke eyes a happy return Luke Donald says being a Ryder Cup vice-captain was “inspiring” as he set about returning from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Helping Thomas Bjorn’s team to victory made him realise how much he missed the game while unable to play because of a back problem.

“It was a great team atmosphere - our team came together as one,” he said.

Former world number one Donald, 40, has since played in his first tournaments since April - missing the cut at both the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and British Masters.

He told the BBC’s podcast: “I see two missed cuts and, as a competitor, you are kind of annoyed at that and feel like you want to do better.

Luke Donald: “I think there is more to come”

“But these weeks weren’t really about chasing victories; it was more about getting competitive rounds under my belt and seeing how my back dealt with some cold weather and some difficult conditions.

“It was pretty positive. A lot of my long game was pretty decent - what I’ve really struggled with is around the greens.”

6 TEE TIMES | December 2018

But it was a huge positive for a golfer who has played on four winning Ryder Cup teams.

“It was inspiring,” he said. “It made me realise how much I did miss being away from the game over the last four or five months.”

Donald knows it is a long way back.

A ranking of 430th is a far cry from 2011, when was world number one and led the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Florida-based Englishman is now weighing up when to return to the PGA Tour.

“I could still feel it (my back) now and again a little bit. I have to do a lot of work on it. But to get through these two weeks and feel pretty good

and pretty much pain-free is very encouraging.

“I think I’m on the way back to being able to put in lots of work on the range and get back to where I need to be.

“I feel like I was reasonably patient but there is always that worry. Will it ever go away? Will it get better? How’s my game going to be?

“I think I have a consistent enough game and someone who has a pretty good short game and putting is going to have some longevity in this game.

“Obviously I need to find that back again because it kind of disappeared.

If it is the end, I’ve had a pretty good career, but I think there is more to come.”

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Brentwood Teen is off to US Masters A teenage golfer from Brentwood is the envy of his friends after securing a place in the Million Dollar Hole in One (MDHIO) grand final and a visit to next year’s US Masters.

James Jensen, 17, took part in the popular competition on the seventh hole on Vale do Lobo’s Royal course in the Algarve, and he aced the 138-yard hole with a pitching wedge.

And his success earned him a trip to the USA, next April, where he will compete in a shootout for $1m and take in a day’s play at the 2019 US Masters.

Jensen said: “I couldn’t believe it when it happened - I’ve never been this lucky before. I have been to the USA once before - we went to Florida when I was a bit younger.

“I’m excited about making the trip and hoping we can stop off in New York and Florida as well … although I haven’t decided who to take with me yet,” he smiled.

Although not a member, Jensen, a student, plays regularly at Brentwood Golf Club. He will participate in the grand final in Augusta during the Masters weekend, in April 2019.

MDHIO’s popular par-three challenge allows competitors to win a selection of golf-related prizes: from balls to pitch-mark repairers for landing on the green, while a hole-in-one at one of the 40 associated courses across Europe earns the chance to shoot for a $1m jackpot.

MDHIO, which has been running since 1990 in the USA and since 2000 in Europe, has steadily grown in popularity with more than 50,000 people each year trying their luck at the various par-three holes at courses across Portugal, mainland Spain, Mallorca and the UK. More than 50 golfers have achieved their ace while playing MDHIO in Europe, while more than twice that number missed out by not entering and, subsequently, acing the hole.

To discover where MDHIO can be played visit www.mdhio.net/golf-courses

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15/11/2018 TEE TIMES | December 2018 7

14

Turkish delight as Rose regains top world rank Justin Rose: Trophy in hand for a “double winning reeling”

Hampshire’s Justin Rose has reclaimed his world number one ranking after winning the Turkish Airlines Open.

The 38-year-old Ryder Cup hero, long associated with North Hants Golf Club, beat Li Haotong of China, in a play-off.

Rose’s 19th career win came after he posted a final round 68 to tie on 17 under par and Li, who had led by three going into the final day, bogeyed the first play-off hole.

The former U.S. Open Champion first topped the rankings –

“a boyhood dream” – in September before American Brooks Koepka replaced him.

His first taste of the thin air at the top of the world was as a result of season’s rankings, but this second summit was achieved as champion of another event and being handed a trophy.

“I’m sure we’ll re-toast getting to number one and this time we have some silverware,” he said.

“Last time it was muted because I was still so mad about not winning (the BMW Championship) but this time I have that double

HEY PRESTO! The highly successful British Masters event failed to appear in the European Tour calendar for the new season.

Since returning to the calendar in 2015 with the support of Sky Sports, it has been held with Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and this year Justin Rose as tournament hosts.

Eyebrows were raised when it failed to appear again, and Hampshire’s Rose was among the first to comment: “Dare I say

winning feeling, so it might be a bit more fun now.”

Rose’s victory in Turkey was his first successful defence of a European Tour title, and rounded off a superlative season in which he recorded five victories and top-10 finishes in 24 of his last 31 tournaments.

Rose was part of the triumphant European Ryder Cup team, who beat the United States by 17½ points to 10½ in Paris, and his performance was marked out by one observer as “that of a Trojan”.

The British Masters disappears Justin Rose speaks The Masters reappears

it, there are so many events on the European tour that shouldn’t be there.

“These events with history are the ones that should be.”

Within days it was announced that Tommy Fleetwood will host event at Hillside, near his home town of Southport in 2019 as part of a schedule featuring 47 tournaments in 31 different countries. It will be moved to the second week of May after always being played in the autumn.

“I can’t wait to host the British Masters in my hometown,” said Fleetwood. “It will be such an honour and I’m so grateful to have been asked.

“I’m extremely proud to follow the great ambassadors of our game who have hosted this tournament.

“I am very confident that Southport will make everyone welcome and the north west of England, and its love of golf, will embrace this opportunity and show support to us all.”

Clubs given touch-screen grants offer Golf clubs in England are being offered the chance to apply for a grant to help them gain touch-screen access to a new handicap system.

England Golf has has welcomed Club Systems International, owners of the HowDidiDo.com website, as a Preferred Partner to help small clubs prepare for the new World Handicap System (WHS).

The new partnership will make grants available to help clubs purchase a PSiTouch screen, which normally costs £695 plus VAT. The screen will enable players to input their scores themselves.

Clubs will have to meet at least one of three criteria to qualify for a grant: • Total number of members is under 300 • Total club revenue is below 250k per year • Club has less the three full time paid staff Clubs which qualify will receive either 25%, 50% or 75% off the cost price of the unit.

Club Systems is helping clubs prepare for the introduction of the WHS and recently attended each of the 40+ workshops run

by England Golf for club administrators and committee members.

Gemma Hunter, England Golf Handicap and Course Rating Manager, commented: “This partnership brings us the opportunity to give back to clubs and make a positive contribution to the costs of introducing the WHS.” For more details, email clubsupport@englandgolf.org

Sergios hat-trick storm Golf club owner arrested Sergio Garcia won his third Valderrama Masters in a row after the storm-hit event was reduced to 54 holes and completed on the fifth day because of bad weather.

The 2017 Masters champion, 38, was three clear on 10 under with 11 holes remaining going into day five and finished on 12 under after a 69.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry was second after a round of 66 left

him on eight under. Lowry got to within a shot of Garcia with three consecutive birdies after the turn but the Spaniard held on.

England’s Lee Westwood made four birdies on Sunday to move up to second but eventually finished in a share of fifth after shooting a 70.

Scot Richie Ramsay secured his playing privileges for 2019 after finishing in a share of 11th.

8 TEE TIMES | December 2018

A golf club owner who spent £16m at Harrods and became the subject of the UK’s first Unexplained Wealth Order has been arrested and facing extradition.

Zamira Hajiyeva, 55, is the wife of an ex-state banker who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for embezzlement in their home country of Azerbaijan.

Mrs Hajiyeva, who bought Mill Ride Golf Club in Ascot for 10.5 million

and who lives in a £15m house near the London store - became the first person to be served a UWO by the National Crime Agency last month.

Her lawyers say she is no raudster.

The UWO means she has to explain the origin of her fortune.

Mrs Hajiyeva was arrested by Metropolitan Police officers acting on an extradition request from the authorities in the Azerbaijan capital, Baku.

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Master Greenkeeper Takes New Course At Slaley Hall Greenkeeper Neil Smith has become Slaley Hall’s latest appointment after being named as the new course manager at the awardwinning golf resort.

Smith, 44, will bring a wealth of experience to his new role having previously spent 14 years on the greenkeeping staff at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, and the last six years as golf courses and estates manager at Oulton Hall near Leeds.

Slaley Hall head of golf, Jonny Mould, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Neil to the team; he brings invaluable experience with him gained from his time at The Belfry and our group’s Oulton Hall. Neil will be responsible for anything and everything that happens on a 36-hole golf course from drainage and bunker construction to grass maintenance.”

Smith, who will lead a team of nine greenkeepers at Slaley Hall, said: “I’m thrilled to join Slaley Hall as its new course manager and am looking forward to working closely with Jonny and the team as we put our ambitious plans to work. We have two stunning championship courses with unrivalled views to maintain – I’m very excited for the changes and challenge ahead.”

Managed by RBH, the UK’s leading independent hotel management company, Slaley Hall was voted ‘best golf hotel/resort in the north of England’ for the fourth successive year in the 2018 Today’s Golfer Travel Awards.

10 TEE TIMES | December 2018

Neil Smith (left) with Slaley Hall head of golf Jonny Mould

It is set in 1,000 acres of Northumberland moorland and forest. It is a magnificent four-star hotel in an elegant Edwardian mansion, with two challenging championship courses – the Hunting and the Priestman – which have played host to no fewer than 18 European Tour and European Senior Tour events.

The 7,000-yard, par-72 Hunting, designed by Dave Thomas, has lush sweeping fairways,

streams, lakes, towering trees and banks of rhododendrons – but, aesthetics aside, it will catch out the unwary. Well-placed bunkers and tricky greens make this USGA standard course a real challenge. The quality of Slaley Hall’s elder layout is illustrated by the fact the course is often dubbed ‘The Augusta of the North’.

It recently swapped over front and back nines so members and visitors get to play the course in the same order as the professionals during championships. The former 10th hole now provides the start of the round which means the potentially card-wrecking ninth hole is now the last, in order to provide golfers with a more enjoyable and smoother start.

The Priestman course was designed by Neil Coles and opened in 1999. Beautifully maintained, the course has matured magnificently. It sits on the west side of the estate, with panoramic views of the Tyne Valley and some daunting water features, and wind can be a factor on a course which hosts regularly European seniors’ events.

As the largest golf resort operator in the UK, RBH manages nine championship and tournament golf courses across the UK, hosting events from the European Tour, European Seniors Tour, Ladies European Tour and the PGA. www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/slaley-hall

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Could Golf be offered on Prescription?

Golfers are known to be fitter and live longer than people who are inactive but Professor Maria Stokes, a physiotherapy researcher at the University of Southampton, decided to obtain further evidence of this and has been applying the skills of her team to establish additional proof.

As a golfer herself, she set out to understand whether golf was associated with better muscle strength and balance, as these are two key elements needed to meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity in older people, about which little is known in golf.

The first step undertaken was to compare function in people of various ages who were active golfers and non-active people. This helped to identify which aspects of health and function were most useful to include in future studies and further test the beneficial effects of playing golf.

The initial study was undertaken on older females, demonstrating it was feasible to carry out accurate, reliable testing in a community setting, such as a golf club, with minimal disruption to the club; an important factor if a larger scale study was to be undertaken.

The initial findings indicated that playing golf was associated with better physical function and health in older women, although this didn’t necessarily prove golf caused good health. After all, golfers could just be naturally fit and healthy.

Also, it’s unknown whether males show the same relationships as females between physical function and golf, particularly above the age of 80 years when maintaining physical independence becomes even more important. The diagram shows how hand grip strength was higher in female golfers than inactive non-golfers.

What this preliminary study did was to identify which tests were relevant and practical to use in further research and which tests were not so useful and could be excluded. It also highlighted that additional tests would be needed to capture a more complete picture of strength and balance. As a result, the next step was to broaden the study to include males, comparing golfers of various ages with inactive non golfers, so consistent with the above, with a more detailed focus on strength and balance. This work feeds into plans for a larger international study of people taking up golf to be tested over a period of time, to examine the true effects of playing golf.

12 TEE TIMES | December 2018

Access to some types of physical activity, such as exercise classes and gyms, can be obtained on prescription from your GP. The ultimate aim of the golf research programme is to see if there is sufficient evidence to enable golf to qualify for ‘exercise on prescription’ as part of the Government’s goal to improve the health of the nation. The research is designed to: • Demonstrate the benefits of golf on physical health, mental health and well being • Provide data for clinical assessment after injury or illness, so golfers can be compared with relevant norms rather than standard data from inactive people. This means that treatment for injured golfers can be based on relevant, scientific information rather than the average expected level of function for their biological age.

• Understand other important aspects such as: -W hat motivates people to keep playing golf in later life so they can stay physically independent for as long as possible - F inding effective ways to motivate people to take up golf.

The ongoing project forms part of the Golf and Health Project, which is sponsored by the World Golf Foundation and the Ryder Cup Development Trust, and directed by Dr Roger Hawkes, a Medical Advisor to the European Tour. Support from the R&A has enabled a Research Fellow, Dr David Wilson, to join the strength and balance project at the University of Southampton, and he leads the recruitment and testing of participants.

Recently, the Golf and Health Project team organised the First International Congress on Golf and Health sponsored by the R&A, which included a Golf Session held at the Houses of Parliament on 17th October 2018. This unique event aimed to increase participation in golf for all ages and included the golf industry, MPs, World Health Organisation, and international researchers. The Congress proved extremely productive, helping to make new collaborations. The Southampton project team took part in the Congress and brought some local recreational golfers (pictured) with them to the Parliamentary Session. These golfers have been supporting the Southampton project by promoting it and actively recruiting participants. Their valued input ensures the project remains relevant to real life.

Annika Sorenstam, a 10 times champion, was an inspirational guest at the Congress and continues to actively encourage the public, particularly women and girls, to take up the game as well as supporting the R&A’s Women into Golf Charter. https://www.randa.org/TheRandA/ Initiatives/WomenAndGirls/Widgets/ WomenInGolfCharter

Delegates meeting Annika at the Parliamentary session: L-R: Dr Roger Hawkes, Joyce Warburton, Moira Hoath, Annika Sorenstam, Dr. Susie Wilkinson, Paul Muckelt, Claire Kane, Irene Reed.

Prof Maria Stokes says “The ultimate goal is for golf to be made more accessible and affordable for people of all ages and backgrounds. The R&A’s initiatives will go a long way to achieving this aim”.

The University of Southampton team continue to test at local golf clubs with a variety of portable testing techniques, measuring different aspects of function, such as muscle strength, muscle size (using ultrasound imaging), lung function plus various techniques to assess an individual’s balance.

Testing has now finished on male and female golfers aged 65-79 years and the recruitment continues for male and female golfers aged 80+, as well as non-golfers.

So, if you are over 80 years, playing 18 holes at least once a week or two rounds of 9 holes (walking the course) and interested in taking part in the study, please contact Dr David Wilson email: D.A.Wilson@soton.ac.uk The research team is based in the Active Living and Rehabilitation Research Group in the School of Health Sciences and led by Professor Maria Stokes. The main researcher who carries out the tests is Dr David Wilson, a Research Fellow and Senior Physiotherapist, supported by funding from the R&A. Other golf projects in the Southampton Research Programme involve Research Fellow, Paul Muckelt, who is based in the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis.

By Claire Kane

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TEE TIMES | December 2018 13

Lee (with an amorous caddie!) ends a four-year title drought It was not a slight you see every day on the 18th green.

As the winning putt dropped, the caddie raced across with a winning whoop and jumped straddle style into the player’s arms.

Unusual but understandable when the player is your boyfriend and he has just won his first European Tour tournament in four years.

Former world number one and Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood and girlfriend Helen Storey celebrated in style after the 45-year-old shot a stunning eight-under 64 to win the Nedbank Challenge - his first victory on the European Tour since 2014.

Westwood and 38-uear-old fitness fanatic Helen have been together since 2015 and she first caddied for him in January.

“I’m a bit emotional to be honest,” said a tearful Westwood. “You’re never sure whether you’re going to be able to do it again.

“Until now my emotions felt really under control all day, which is what I’ve been working hard on. I was just trying to hit fairways, stick to my game-plan and hit it in the right places.

“I’ve got a bit of a process I’m going through with my golf swing, I’m starting to see better shots; the seven iron into 17 is probably one of the best shots I’ve ever hit and it all just worked.”

I’m a bit emotional to be honest. You’re never sure whether you’re going to be able to do it again Lee Westwood

The former world number one took the outright lead from Louis Oosthuizen with a birdie at 17, completing the back nine in 31 to finish on 15 under

Rolling back the years was all the sweeter, as the likes of Ross Fisher and Rory McIlroy were left in his wake.

His round included six birdies and an eagle. The victory was his career it 24th on the European Tour and his third at the Nedbank.

Major One-Two For Our Laura Laura Davies won her second senior Major of the year with a four-shot victory at the Senior LPGA Championship in Indiana.

The 55-year-old Brit, who won four Majors on the regular LPGA Tour, began the final day of the three-round event at French Lick with a two-stroke advantage.

She carded a two-under 70 for an eight-under total, having won the US Senior Women’s Open by 10 shots in July.

Fellow Englishwoman Trish Johnson finished sixth.

Only four players finished with an under par total at the Pete Dye course, with Davies the only player to shoot below par for all three rounds. She finished in style at the 500-yard 18th by rolling in a six-foot putt for her fourth birdie of the day.

Laura Davies won her second senior Major of the year with a four-shot victory at the Senior LPGA Championship in Indiana.

Welsh Star Becky Morgan secured her first professional title with a two-shot win at the Hero Women’s Indian Open.

Morgan, 44, had shared the overnight lead with England’s Ellie Givens and Nicole Broch Larsen of Denmark.

She shot a three-under 69 in Sunday’s final round to finish on seven under, ahead of Broch Larsen, Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall, Austrian Christine Wolf and Felicity Johnson of England. It was her 119th tournament on the Ladies European Tour.

14 TEE TIMES | December 2018

She had tied for second at the Indian Open in 2015, one of 22 top-10 finishes.

“It’s taken me 18 years and it’s a mixture of excitement and relief that finally I have done it,” Morgan said.

“I didn’t look at the scoreboard until the 18th green because I knew anything could happen.

“I knew I was doing fairly well because I was playing well - but I kept to myself and let it happen.”

Meanwhile, England’s Bronte Law finished in a tie for ninth at the inaugural LPGA Shanghai.

News in brief Surgery for injured Jamie

Wales’ Jamie Donaldson has undergone surgery on his left wrist and expects to return to action in February. The injury forced Donaldson, who holed the winning putt for Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup, to miss the last two tournaments of the year.

The 43-year-old has won three times on the European Tour and once on the Asian Tour.

In 2016 he was sidelined with another hand injury following an accident with a chainsaw.

Dan’s the man

BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker has been confirmed as the host of the England Golf Awards 2019.

Dan was a huge hit when he presented the 2018 Awards for 500 guests at the Royal Lancaster London.

The journalist and broadcaster is a keen golfer and commented: “I loved hosting the England Golf Awards last year so it’s an absolute pleasure to be invited back again. I look forward to another wonderful night of celebration.”

He’ll be doing the honours on Thursday 21 March when the England Golf Awards 2019 will again take place at the Royal Lancaster London.

Putt for luck

Giuseppe Licata made it back-to-back wins when he snatched the Oake Manor pro-am prize by one shot after reverting to his old putter.

The Chipping Sodbury teaching professional said: ”I have been playing well recently but not holing any putts so three weeks ago I looked in the garage for the putter I used ten years ago and it seems to be working.”

He tied at the top at Exeter and relegated earlier starters Michael Watson (Weymouth), Chris Gill (Newquay) and Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) to second place.

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TEE TIMES | December 2018 15

TT APRIL 2017 Issue 191_Layout 1 20/03/2017 18:40 Page 12

12 TEE TIMES

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APRIL 2017

ROMSEY JUNIORS ARE RUNNERS UP in the World of Ladies Golf IN HOME NATIONS FINAL, PORTUGAL!

WHATS HOT OR NOT Your Monthly Blog by

Claire Kane

Tackling Tricky Shots Golf through

the Ages

miserable partner. They consider it far more

over long courses, through soggy meadows

© Claire Kane Follow my tales on twitter@golfsnippets

16 TEE TIMES | December 2018

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They were drawn with England Home nations Tel: 01597 822 champions Cuddington, Bothwell Castle from247 Scotland and Pyle & Kenfig from Wales.

When she recovered from the hilarity ofimportant the situation, sense differences between someone starting to have common a good day out with mates prevailed settled for a on penalty drop. out playingand golfshe andsensibly an experienced a pleasant but forgiving course. golfer their twilight golfing is years.

As the inaverage golf course over 100 acres, it’s not surprising we’ve all Beginners can sometimes with had our fair share of bad bounces, unlucky lies, hacking out ofstruggle knee high For instance, newbies are hanging keen to play long of carries and dog-legs to grass, or precariously onasthe edge a bunker tryingdue to perform a much golftrick as possible so they’ll play inofany inexperience misjudgement.

Sadly, miracle shot with the back a club.

Anythingand to score that extra point! conditions. Whereas, older golfers are some elderly golfers also fail to cope with I reluctant once watched ball a treeasbefore it finally became to venturemy onto the‘ping coursepong’ if the through long carries they lose their muscle wedged two branches.

Unlike power Berhard weather’sbetween looking a bit dodgy and are more and Langer distance.who scrambled up an Ash Treeto in 1981 hit his ball, I recognised my child-hood tree climbing than happy while awaytotime in the clubhouse thegone cloudsand passstruggled by.

New golfers pretty naïve when it comes skills wereuntil long to even climb are high enough to recover to course management but they gradually the ball.

When beginners initially enter competitions learn where to place the ball, nevertheless, Nature can sometimes add to the dramathey when it comes to tricky shots such they realise they need more lessons to tend to remain bullish and optimistic as whentheir a friend mine once with hit her ball, missing that suddenly improve scores.ofThe difference evenjust when they areainfox deep trouble. cut over the fairway.

Clearly miffed, it immediately changed direction, older golfers is they’ve already developed However, senior golfers know precisely followed the line of the eventually squatting andthe defecating to the techniques but it’s just aball, question of where to place ball, even ifover they itcan’t mark itstheir territory.

Thankfully we were a 4BBB I was well placed whether hips, knees or shoulders will playing always reach it, orand see it!

They’re tocope score, impediment’ and ballenough wouldto have with otherwise the challenge.this particular ‘looseexperienced and realistic know if had to be played! they’ve just played a lousy shot it’s as a beginner, it can be difficult and the chance of I Initially, remember striking my poor caddy withprobably my ballunrecoverable in a club competition – trying to remember how many shots you’ve scoring is pretty remote. she’d bravely gone ahead to help spot for me!

Not only did it hit her but taken – let’s face it, multi-tasking is tricky itwhen thenyou’re bounced off into my golf bag - thankfully she was okay. We joked so focused on striking and Beginners soon understand a good part of whether theball. rules allowedit’s hernotto nip up the to the green andistip thefriendship ball out near tracking the Interestingly, pleasure of golf about but the pin butfor sadly it didn’t! uncommon elderly golfers to also it’s the senior golfer who appreciates the ‘mislay’ the odd shot due to short term partner‘good feel’ factor of the constant cracks Playing Foursomes with a mixed definitely increases the odds of memory loss. with a bunch of fellow golfers, regardless having to tackle difficult shots, usually in places where you’ve probably of how direterritory they play.(frequently in the never been before! Hitting from such uncharted When you’re fresh into golf, you’re keen to rough as well as 90 degrees off course) is feasible but generally results in sign up for any games, even if you don’t It just shows you that regardless of your age, yet another bad lie. have a clue what you’re entering, or who the benefits of golf are huge for everyone.

Of course, usuallythethe option you’re playingthere’s with. Whereas wiser, older to go back and replay the shot but golfer chooses carefully to avoid slogging where’s the fun in that! © Claire Kane or having to climb cardiac hills with a

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After 2 practice rounds the wait was over and Romsey found out who they would be facing in their group stages.

When Pauline Davies from Royal Winchester, recently played in the Foursomes Championship at Hayling, she had no idea her partner’s drive would run out of fairway on the 9th hole and their ball would end up sitting on top of dense gorse.

It’s interesting to compare the

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Day 1 of main tournament saw Romsey V Cuddington in a 6 person Matchplay format on the Morgado course. It was a tough match with some fantastic golf. Romsey triumphed with a 4-2 win.

Day 2 saw Romsey v Bothwell Castle in a thrilling match on the Alamos course.

Romsey once again win 4-2, and now go top of their group! This meant that they only needed a draw in the final group match to qualify for the final.

Tee Times

Day 3, Romsey v Pyle & Kenfig was to be Romsey's finest performance with a 5-1 victory! They make the final against the other group winners Beadlow Manor from England.

into the team at the last minute. There was not a lot Romsey's Josh Hannam could do and the match went to Beadlow Manor to halve the match 3-3.

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So it was to be an all England affair with neither team expected to make it past the group stage.

The final was held on the Morgado course and Beadlow Manor took an early lead on the front 9. Things changed on the back nine with Romsey's Owen Grimes bringing in the first win, followed by George NicholsonJack with a nail biting win on the last, Romsey 2up.

Unfortunately the tournaments rules state that if a Match is halved then the winner will be decided on the number of holes won.

Beadlow Manor were to crowned champions as they won 10-7 on countback. Romsey were gutted as they lost on a technicality.

Call: 07870 631040

Beadlow Manor came back with winning the next two matches with some stunning golf, now all square. It was down to the last two matches, and Romseys Aaron Danson took the next match making a draw most likely.

The last match saw Beadlow Manors junior have a hole in one after only being brought

This was a great match and Romsey did themselves proud as runners up. They never lost a match the whole week, the only team to achieve this.

No one expected a small club to do so well and to be the second best team in the Uk is quite an achievement. This has been an experience that the whole team will never forget. Well done Romsey Juniors.

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Individuals and groups can take advantage of an array of savings and other benefits when staying at the top luxury lifestyle resort in the Algarve from now until December 12, with three nights’ bed-andbreakfast including two rounds of golf bookable from €342 per person.

Accommodation is provided in Quinta do Lago’s boutique Magnolia Hotel with prices including golf

on any of the resort’s three 18-hole championship courses. One hotel dinner is also included while nongolfers can exchange their golf for spa vouchers to be used in the Magnolia’s Wellness Centre.

Five-night bed-and-breakfast packages, which feature three rounds of golf and two hotel dinners, are available to book from €509 per person. while golfers looking for an extended holiday can enjoy a seven-night, five-round stay including three dinners from €797 per person. All prices are based on two people sharing a room.

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For more information on the latest golf packages available at Quinta do Lago before December, please visit - https://themagnoliahotelqdl.com/ offers-category/stay-play/ www.quintadolago.com

TEE TIMES | December 2018 17

Bramshaw brothers win inaugural Pairs Open A fantastic sunny Autumn day greeted 76 competitions in the Bramshaw inaugural pairs open. With 22 clubs represented and entries from Kent to Berkshire to Shropshire, the field comprised of a number of local professionals and amateurs with handicaps ranging from +3 to 34.

With the first shot hit at sunrise and the last putt holed in the dark, not even 20 minutes of rolling fog on the Forest Course could stop play and we just about made it.

A huge congratulations therefore, to Bramshaw brothers James & Luke Wills for winning the inaugural pairs open, and the first holders of the Sir Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre trophy. James & Luke fought off stiff competition from a number of teams to triumph with 88 points over 2 rounds, 1 clear of the pairing of Mark Beckett (Bramshaw) and Tracy Nicoll (Royal Winchester).

Luke Wills commented “I left myself 3 feet above the hole on the 18th [Forest]... a slider that I just didn’t feel

comfortable over. Luckily it caught the hole and it looks as though that final putt won it for us”.

This also tops a superb year for brother James individually, his 5th trophy of the year. There was also an added bonus of Luke scoring the only 2 of the day on the Manor Course on the par 4 12th... and receiving a special 2’s pot prize to boot. The boys walk away with vouchers for £200 each and the glory of being the first ever winners of this very special trophy.

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Seve’s Scottish Course Is Now A Hilton Brand

The home of Scotland’s only Seve Ballesteros-designed golf course has joined one of Hilton’s 14 market-leading brands and will be known as DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort.

At its relaunch, Tom Castles, North Lanarkshire’s Depute Provost, cut the ribbon to declare the hotel - formerly the Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort - officially open under its new name. Cllr Castles then joined the hotel’s general manager, Bill Burnett, for a tour of the hotel, which has benefitted from a £1.3m refurbishment as part of the rebrand.

The refurbishment includes a completely redeveloped wing of bedrooms and the creation of four new luxury suites within the hotel. In addition, every bedroom received a new luxury Hilton bed with new bedding and pillows, the latest

20 TEE TIMES | December 2018

50’’ LG TV, and the inclusion of mini safes and refrigerators.

The property joins 50 other hotels within the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio in the UK, but, the only one in Scotland with a golf course attached.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort - managed by RBH, the UK’s leading independent hotel management company - is situated in acres of spectacular grounds.

The resort’s stunning 18-hole golf course - codesigned by Ballesteros and Dave Thomas - is as challenging as it is beautiful, as it meanders through silver birches, firs and heather, offering stunning views towards the picturesque Campsie Hills.

The signature hole, the par-three 15th - created

by Ballesteros and known as the Waterfall hole - requires a tee-shot from an elevated tee to a green surrounded by a 60ft rock face. It’s not for the faint hearted and nor are the undulating moorland greens which test one’s mettle when standing over those nervy four-foot putts.

The 148-guest room resort offers 10 treatment rooms in the area’s largest award-winning spa, including superior leisure and fitness facilities.

Guests also have the choice of two restaurants and bars - Flemings Restaurant & Bar, which

offers a hearty breakfast and modern European cuisine for dinner, and the Grill Restaurant, which offers relaxed European cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Bill Burnett, general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort, said: “We’re pleased to officially call the hotel part of the DoubleTree by Hilton family. The brand is globally recognised, and reiterates to guests the exceptional standards of service they should expect when they visit us.

“It was wonderful to welcome Cllr Castles here to officially open the hotel under its new name, and to have the opportunity to show him around the hotel and introduce the team. We look forward to welcoming guests and offering them best possible experience.”

DoubleTree by Hilton is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 14 distinct hotel brands. Book direct at Hilton. com, through the Hilton Honors app, or through other official Hilton channels for more perks.

As the largest golf resort operator in the UK, RBH manages eight championship and tournament golf courses across the UK, hosting events from the European Tour, European Seniors Tour, Ladies European Tour and the PGA.

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Monthlytotuition to on gettop youofonyour top game of yourbygame by onthly tuition get you Advanced PGA Lady Professional, Katie Dawkins dvanced PGA Lady Professional, Katie Dawkins

Keep your game together

this festive season!

Have you ever found your long game completely falling apart in the middle of a round or even –heaven forbid- for a rather longer period of time.

You begin to try and work out what it is you are doing and everything gets worse still, so you try harder and harder until you are literally lunging at the ball from the top of your swing in an attempt to get it airborne! Now you are using way too much body movement to go at the ball and wasting valuable energy. Chill out this Christmas and use some of your festive holiday time to tape your game back together.

You shouldn’t be in a rush to hit the ball from the top of your back swing, all sorts of problems can happen if the transition from the back swing to the downswing is a bit of a rat race; resulting in a poorly struck, inaccurate shot.

Use this drill to help regain smooth rhythm and allow your swing to once again become effortless.

Using a 7 iron, tee the ball up and set up with your feet together. Swing the club back smoothly to about three quarters then let the club drop back through the ball and finish in balance. You will feel it if you lunge at the ball in any way, as you have no balance or stability with such a narrow stance. If you do go at the ball you will fall over so be warned!

Use this drill to regain a sense of smooth rhythm, to help eliminate a slice or a pull and to just feel the club swinging rather than you thumping at the ball. It can be used in practice -or before teeing off- as a warm up drill or to help slow you down when things go a bit crazy. You can also use it as a practice swing especially with your woods (if you are prone to getting a wood in your hand and trying to kill the ball) as this will smooth and shallow out your swing.

Just a thought - This drill will get you hitting slight draws.

Be warned that if your hands tend to get a bit overactive anyway this may make that worse! So if you hook the ball this may not be the drill for you! Ask me for anti-hook drills.

If you feel you start to hit at the ball in any way or that your swing is coming over the top (swinging at the ball with your body) then give this a try. It will help get the body and arms working together resulting in well timed and struck shots.

This is a brilliant drill to improve your timing. It gets your arms swinging freely and eliminates forced effort from your swing. You will end up with a beautifully synchronised swing that feels effortless.

Good Luck! If you are having trouble with any part of your game e-mail me katie@katiedawkinsgolf.co.uk. My website will soon be up and running packed full of hints and tips. Go to www.katiedawkinsgolf.co.uk I’m still on maternity leave but am taking emails. If you are serious about improving and making 2019 the best golfing year yet then send me a message and perhaps we can hatch a plan. Happy Christmas everyone

22 TEE TIMES | December 2018

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

The Worst Piece of Advice Ever.

There is one piece of advice that will ensure you’ll never hit the ball very well. That advice is “keep your head still and eyes on the ball”.

Before explaining the reasons why this little gem will completely screw you up, let’s have a little reminder of the dynamics of a golf swing.

The golf swing is similar to all throwing sports in the way that power is developed. Just think how you throw a ball.

You will most probably start the motion by moving your weight from the left foot to the right foot, (that’s if you are right handed), and swing your arm back as the torso turns.

Before the arm finishes going back the weight shifts back to the left foot. The step forward adds a little stretch to the abdominal muscles and they fire. In turn, the muscles of the shoulder and wrist are stretched and they fire also.

This chain of actions culminates in the ball being thrown.

That is exactly how the power is sequenced in the golf swing. The swing is initiated with a shift to the right foot; this subtle movement can be seen in all swings. To see an exaggerated form of this, look at the picture of Henrik Stenson just before he swings away from the ball. After the swing is initiated the body turns as the arms swing back. As in the throw, before the end of the backswing the weight then begins to shift to the left foot. The power sequence is then the same as throwing a ball, with muscles being stretched and then firing in sequence.

So what does trying to keep the head still do? It basically prevents the natural power sequence from happening.

To start with, the turn of the shoulders will be restricted.

Also, when trying to keep the head absolutely still, the weight will more than likely stay on the left foot as the swing is initiated, making the correct power sequence on the downswing difficult to achieve. The probable outcome of such an action would be a feeling of lifting up, falling backwards when coming into the ball and hitting any number of bad shots.

In addition to the picture of Stenson, I have included a couple of the late great Ben Hogan. Notice in Hogan’s swing how his head has turned during the backswing to allow his shoulders to move freely to a full coil. Also take note that as his coil completes he is already moving onto the left side. If you are one of those golfers who lacks power, falls back and slices, I hope this will help!

Happy Christmas to all Tee Times readers.

Wishing you the very best for 2019.

Mob: 07787 887578 Email: martin.butcher@aim.com Web: mbtourcoach.com

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