ISSUE 213 | Feb 2019 | Tel: 01329 834360 | Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com | www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com
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Girls Golf Rocks AND THE WINNER IS. . . in Hampshire GOLF SPORTSMANSHIP
MAY 2017
INSIDE
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
Hampshire is joining the Girls Golf Rocks movement. This season, the county is lining up alongside four other new county members of the programme which aims to involve more girls in the sport. NORTH Hants Golf Club in Fleet will have The arrival ofmore Hampshire, to find some space inCornwall its Justin Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Rose Room to record Worcestershire bringsthetocontinuing 26 the number of counties running Girls Golf Rocks. exploits of the county’s favourite Clubs in these counties will offer free taster sessions, starting in May, golfing son. followed by coaching courses with PGA professionals. Club and county girl players will bemementoes trained asofambassadors to inspire the new girls coming Room will be again found for the 2017 Masters into the game.to be placed alongside those of Rose’s U.S. Open triumph in 2013 and his Last year, Olympic Golfmore Gold.than 1,650 girls attended Girls Golf Rocks taster sessions and 1,200 enjoyed it so much they went on to take coaching courses with PGA professionals. But while Rose was pipped at Augusta by Sergio Garcia, the inevitable disappointment Girls Golf Rocks is a joint programme from England Golf and the Golf for his fans was counterbalanced by a Foundation, by thewhich women’s display of skillsupported and sportsmanship was county associations. It aims to increase players a credit tothe bothnumber men, andoftogirl a sport whichfrom an average of just two per club. prides on honesty and fairness. Tostillfind outitself more visit www.englandgolf.org/girls-golf-rocks
Vow: Bjorn promised a Ryder victory tattoo
Hampshire Jenny’s lifetime accolade – Page 16
Close-up: The image which only girlfriend Grace was supposed to see
Victorious European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn pledged to get a tattoo if his side beat the Americans. When his side duly did the business in Paris, Bjorn Well played, Masters mate: At the end and on the course, Rose and Garcia were pondered for weeks over sporting gentlemen his promise and decided to proceed– but only if the inking was somewhere that only his girlfriend Grace would see.
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We meet the 10th tee hell hound Bus Pass GolferThe–snatched Page social 16 media image Snapped: Philip’s second spell as Hants PGA skipper – Page 16
wasBaker-Finch, edging his waywho towards a second Major, Ian enjoyed a memorable triumph at The Open Garcia trying atodonation secure his to firstGirls on Golf Rocks after returning inand 1991, iswas making the very day which would have been the his Gold Medal to The R&A. 60th birthday of his hero, Seve Ballesteros. The former Champion Golfer’s medal will go on display in the clubhouse at Butscene the overriding spectators of the of his emotion famousforvictory at Royal Birkdale, with the proceeds from The the final round was the to waycharitable these two programmes and golf initiatives which the R&A being donated Europeans fought the fight. popular Australian supports. In the final round,Gold they Medal were toe-to-toe rivals Baker-Finch’s will now be showcased alongside other prestigious but not opponents, memorabilia fromsupremely the ten competitive Championships which have been played at the yet gentlemanly, acknowledging renowned North West links each sinceother’s 1954. skills with a knuckle-touch or a nod. Martin Slumbers, the R&A’s chief executive, added: “One of Ian’s most enduring qualities is his unstinting acts of kindness and we were delighted to • Turn tothese Page charitable 4 support activities which clearly mean a lot to him.”
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Thomas puts his Ryder triumph behind him…
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TEE TIMES | January 2019 3
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Europe’s a stepping stone. My life is in America
Rory McIlroy: “Honestly, I enjoy it here more. The way of life is easier. The weather. The convenience.”
Rory McIlroy has described the European Tour as “a stepping stone” as he confirmed his intention to concentrate on the PGA Tour this year. The 29-year-old wants to reduce his European Tour
Tour victory number two for Charley England’s Charley Hull has tasted her second big success on the Ladies European Tour – and she has her sights set on many more. The 22-year-old won a wire-to-wire victory in the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi. Hull, 22, took a one-shot lead into the final round and a three-under 69 saw her finish a shot ahead of Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord on eight under. “ I’ve practised really hard over winter and it feels great to win,” said Hull. “ Hopefully I can get a few more wins. I’m very happy with my round so it shows my hard work is paying off.” Hull clinched the victory when she splashed out of a bunker on the 18th and saved par with a solid putt. “ I left a lot of putts out there today, but it’s hard to putt when it’s windy like this,” she said. Skarpnord shot a final round of 68 at Saadiyat Beach to finish on seven under, with the duo well clear of the chasing pack.
commitments in an effort to add to his four Major titles. “ My life’s here. I have an American wife. I live in America,” said McIlroy. “ Honestly, I enjoy it here more. The way of life is easier. The weather. The convenience,” he added. The Northern Irishman has so far only committed to playing two events on his home tour this season, and needs to play a minimum of four tournaments outside of the Majors and the World Golf Championships to retain his European Tour membership. “ The ultimate goal is here [the US]. The European Tour is a
stepping stone. That’s the truth. The European Tour is a stepping stone. That’s the way it is,” he said. “ It’s tough. I still want to support the European Tour, and I talk about this loyalty thing with Europe. [But] it’s not as though I’m just starting out and jumping ship. “ I’ve done my time. I’ve done everything I feel like I need to do to say OK, I’m going to make my own decisions and do what I want.” McIlroy was criticised in some quarters for “abandoning” Europe, but others countered that he owes the tour nothing at this stage, having been a longtime supporter and one of its
biggest attractions for longer than he might have done. He could still add a further two European tournaments to his 2019 schedule but admits the PGA Tour offers much greater incentives for the world’s top players: “ It’s so one-sided. You can talk all you want about these bigger events in Europe, but you can go to America and play for more money and more ranking points. “ I think as well with the world ranking points, everyone out here, all of their contracts with sponsors, it’s all about world ranking points. If players are getting paid more and earning more world ranking points, why would you play over there?”
HARRINGTON NAMED EURO SKIPPER FOR NEXT RYDER CUP Padraig Harrington will captain Europe when they defend the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in the US in 2020. The Irishman, 47, was a vicecaptain when Europe won the trophy back under the leadership of Thomas Bjorn in France in September. Harrington played in six successive Ryder Cups from 1999 and was on the winning team on four occasions. “ I’ve won three Majors in my career but taking the Ryder Cup captaincy is a different level,” he told BBC Sport. “ I want to find an edge to get the players to perform to best of their abilities and hopefully get a win. “ I’m really conscious that I have to find the edge and add to it. It’s going to take a great deal of my time over the next two years to do it.” Players including Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose backed Harrington to lead Europe at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin. Harrington, who won the Open Championship in 2007 and 2008
4 TEE TIMES | January 2019
Time is right for me, says Padraig Harrington: Hopes high. Lawrie: “Hopes gone”
and the US PGA Championship in 2008, has experience of the course, although he missed the cut when the PGA Championship was played there in 2010 and 2015. The likes of former world number ones Luke Donald and Lee Westwood were mooted as potential captains, though Westwood - who was also a vice-captain under Bjorn - has indicated a preference for taking the role on at the 2022 event in Rome. “ It seems to be a natural progression and it feels like the right time in my career,” added Harrington. “But just because it seems like the right time I didn’t think I should just come in and do it. I thought long and hard about it.
“ I have the support of the players, then it really came down to whether I wanted to be in the hat. “ I’m putting it on the line - we know when you’re a successful Ryder Cup captain it’s great and a losing captain - it’s his fault.” Paul Lawrie believes his own prospects of leading Europe’s Ryder Cup team have “gone” but says Padraig Harrington will be a “phenomenal captain” in 2020. The Scot, 50, played twice in the biennial event and was one of Darren Clarke’s five vice-captains in 2016. But as he prepares to make his comeback from injury on the Seniors Tour, Lawrie holds little hope of the captaincy. “ Everyone who has ever played in the Ryder Cup wants to be the captain and I am no different,” he said.
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WATERLOOVILLE GOLF CLUB Up to 3 months FREE Join today and receive up to three months free and a reduced joining fee There has never been a better time to join Waterlooville GC. Following recent approval by the members, the club is due to undertake some significant projects in the course which will take the course to another level As a member you will be able to enjoy the 18-hole Championship golf course, fantastic social atmosphere, discounted food and beverage and reciprocal golf at 15 other golf clubs. With regular roll-ups, competitions and social events you will make many life-long friends which is why it really is a Club for Life To join Waterlooville Golf Club, call 023 9266 3388 or email secretary@waterloovillegolfclub.co.uk
Membership Green Fees Golf Days Functions Weddings waterloovillegolfclub.com 023TIMES 9266| January 3388 2019 TEE
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Orizonte Golf Set To Fly High With New Irish Flights Golfers across Ireland have more reason than ever to discover the bestvalue golf in Portugal following the announcement of two new flight routes to Lisbon this month. The popularity of ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf, the largest golf course management company in Portugal, and its seven courses in the Emerald Isle is set to soar with TAP Air Portugal and Aer Lingus both operating new services into the Portuguese capital in 2019. From March, TAP is launching a twice-daily service from Dublin to Lisbon airport, while it is giving golfers added incentive to book by offering free golf club carriage on the flights – worth €80 when booking a return flight. Meanwhile, Aer Lingus is expanding the number of services it operates into Lisbon from this month by launching a new twice-weekly route from Cork to add to the nine flights per week that it already runs from Dublin. ORIZONTE commercial director, José Maria Cazal-Ribeiro, said: “Irish golfers are renowned for their love of the game and their desire to play new, different courses. “ We’re very proud at ORIZONTE to be able to offer a varied golf product which appeals to golfers of all abilities. The launch of the new flights means that our venues are now more accessible than ever before, and we’re looking forward to welcoming a new Irish golfing audience over the coming months.” ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf’s portfolio offers the chance to play six of the leading courses in close proximity to Portugal’s capital in the beautiful Costa Azul region, together with exceptional value for money on a wide range of accommodation options.
Included among its courses are Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club, Ribagolfe – regarded as one of the finest in the Lisbon region and was once described as the ‘Valderrama of Portugal’ – and Aroeira, twice the venue for the Portuguese Open and recently included in a list of Continental Europe’s Top 100 Golf Resorts. For more details about ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf and its 2019 golf packages, please e-mail info@orizontegolf.com or visit www.orizontegolf.com
Romsey Golf Club
New Year Membership Joining Offer Join in February or March 2019 and Receive until 1st April FREE
JOINING FEE SUSPENDED UNTIL 15th MARCH 2019 Full year Sub to be Paid at the time of Joining (DD Options Available) For more information contact Romsey Golf Club on 02380 734637 ext. 3 or Email: secretary@romseyglfclub.co.uk Romsey Golf Club, Romsey Rd, Nursling, Southampton, Hants, SO16 0XW
6 TEE TIMES | January 2019
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Alcanada Bang on Course with Renovation Project Club de Golf Alcanada is laying the foundations for a successful 2019 as their green renovation project gathers pace. The ambitious renovation project is part of a €600,000 investment to further improve what is already considered by many to be Mallorca’s premier golf course. The diggers and experts moved in at the start of December to relay all 18 greens with new bentgrass T1, a superior variety of seed used at famous clubs such as Valderrama and Golf National, in Paris, which hosted last year’s Ryder Cup. Anticipation is now growing at the prospect of playing some of the finest new greens in Europe, which will see the Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed course scale new heights when it reopens in March. With the progress on schedule, the project is approaching the midway point. New irrigation and re-shaping has already been completed on some of the greens and the first batch of fresh turf – which has been grown and nurtured in Arévalo near Madrid – will arrive at Alcanada this week. Director of golf at Club de Golf Alcanada, Kristoff Both said: “A lot of great work has been going on since the start of December and it is really taking shape now. “ It’s exciting and stressful at the same time. But we have a superb team of experts working on this and we are positive everyone will notice a huge improvement when the works are completed.” Porsche-owned Alcanada, a member of the prestigious World of Leading Golf collection, is home to a centuries-old Mallorca clubhouse, which offers guests the opportunity to sample regional specialties in its first-class dining facilities on a sun-baked terrace that enjoys spectacular views.
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TEE TIMES | January 2019 7
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Creigiau Men’s Team Bring Annodata Trophy Home Creigiau Men’s team continued their journey in the Annodata Men’s Matchplay with a convincing victory in the sixth round against Llanhydrock on 14th October at Creigiau. The day did not get off to the best of starts with heavy overnight rain resulting in the course being closed in the morning. Thanks, however, to club volunteers helping to remove standing water from the greens, the competition got underway at 12.30pm. Our team comprising Jorge Randall, Lloyd Forward, Neil Ford, Owain Lewis and Nick Volenick were keen to get off to a good start; and they did, with all five winning their first hole. Jorge, at seventeen years old had been paired with Llanhydrock’s oldest and more experienced player, but managed to overpower his opponent with some truly excellent golf and was five up after eight holes. A solid front nine by the Creigiau quintet was making the likelihood of victory ever more possible helped by a twenty five yard pitch shot into the hole by Neil on the ninth for a birdie to win the hole despite having to give a shot to his opponent. Into the back nine and Creigiau’s first win came on hole thirteen when Jorge made par to win the hole and his match six and five. Lloyd was two up going down seventeen with Neil two up going down sixteen, both of them closed out their matches on those hole to secure the team’s victory. Not to be forgotten and following up , Owain was two up on fifteen with Nick three up on fourteen and in true golfing spirit the respective team captains agreed to call these final two matches a half resulting in a four to one victory for Creigiau.
8 TEE TIMES | January 2019
On 19th November they travelled to Spain to Barcelo Montecastillo golf resort in Cadiz for the grand finals play off where they were initially drawn against Malton & Norton G.C. from N.Yorkshire. The game went down to the wire with Nick Volenick having to play two holes in a sudden death play off, but coming out on top. The following day Creigiau played Wentworth for the championship and the match proved to be a real David versus Goliath event. After being up in one ,down in three and all square in one match at halfway the Creigiau team dug deep to come back and win 3 to 2. This was an excellent achievement for this village club which was celebrated with gusto on their return.
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BROADSTONE BROADSTONE Golf Club GOLF CLUB We are very proud to announce that our new state of the art indoor golf studio is open for business at Broadstone Golf Club and is already proving to be very popular among our membership and from the wider local community.
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TEE TIMES | January 2019 9
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Welcome to Golf, Buddy! Golf club volunteers are buddying-up to get more people to love the game. Research shows that volunteer buddies are vital in creating a friendly atmosphere to welcome new members. Two English clubs are among those providing the evidence. Royal Norwich Golf Club and the Links, at Newmarket, have both enlisted volunteer buddies – and they’re reaping the rewards, by attracting and retaining members. Their success is underlined by research at Manchester Metropolitan University and England Golf will reinforce the message this year, with additional support to help clubs recruit buddies. The Links launched Balls and Bubbles, a three-stage programme for women beginners, supported by an amazing 39 buddies. They’ve helped and supported the newcomers and introduced them to club life, with the result that 50 women have signed up for a six-month Academy membership. At Royal Norwich the club identified the reasons why people play golf – such as the social side, being outdoors and having fun – and they made sure their programmes fitted. The club now has a reputation for being friendly, has encouraged lots of
new people to join the club and best of all, is keeping them. England Golf Volunteer Manager Matt Bloor commented: “We are now seeing more and more volunteers supporting beginners to learn the game and integrating new members into the golf club. “Golf can be a challenging game to learn and feeling part of a big sports club isn’t easy, especially if you don’t know anyone. However, there are some fantastic examples of volunteers making new people feel welcome, ensuring they have an enjoyable experience and feel comfortable at the club.” “Having a team of buddies at a golf club is a great option if you are encouraging people to take up golf and are keen to retain new members.” At Manchester Metropolitan University, PhD researcher Chris Mills comments on his initial findings: “Volunteers can play an important role in creating a positive atmosphere within golf clubs. They can really help a club develop a reputation for being friendly and welcoming.” For buddy guidance, role descriptions and further support on recruiting, retaining and recognising volunteers please visit the volunteer pages at www.englandgolf.org/ supportingvolunteers
Padraig’s Pain Padraig Harrington has been forced out of action by a broken bone in his wrist. The 47-year-old three-time Major winner missed two European Tour events but hoped to play at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am later this month. Harrison said on his website: “Over the Christmas period I discovered that I had broken a bone in my wrist. I slipped whilst walking down the stairs at home.” He is odds-on favourite to be Europe’s 2020 Ryder Cup captain at Whistling Straits.
10 TEE TIMES | January 2019
BRONTE’S RECORD BIRDIE BONANZA Nine in a row on way to 26-under England’s Bronte Law broke a European Tour record by holing nine birdies in a row in the Lalla Aicha Tour School event in Morocco. The 23-year-old from Stockport posted a course record-equalling 10-under-par 62 in the third round at the Amelkis Golf Club. She followed that with a bogey-free 64 in the fourth round – and then put the icing on the cake with a new record for the event with a 26-under total for five rounds. “It was nice to feel confident over the ball,” she said, immediately crediting new caddie Jeff Brighton for his contribution. “It’s the first time we’ve worked together, but he’s going to be working for me this year. “We were bouncing off each other, he joked around, which always makes it easier out there. “He said to me for every three birdies in a row I get $40, then he said ‘if we get to seven, we’ll start talking real money’. “I would have made a quite a lot of money in a skins game.” Law’s round began in stuttering fashion with bogeys on the third and fourth holes.
“From there, it kick started. I made a birdie on the next hole and started hitting some really close ones. I had three tap-ins, which makes a difference.”
Flying high: England’s Bronte Law scorched through the Ladies’ European Tour school, breaking two records
Gift of Kit to Encourage Youngsters Somerset is one of a group of counties where golf clubs are being supplied with equipment to encourage young people into the sport. England Golf is working with new partner Factory Eleven to reach out to communities and create opportunities for more young people to play, learn and volunteer in golf. The sports business, based in North Yorkshire, is supplying GolfParc equipment to clubs in four counties which are involved in a project to grow
participation among young people and their families. GolfParc equipment can transform spaces such as sports facilities, parks, school halls and playgrounds into mini golf courses.. Lee Dolby, England Golf Young People Manager, commented: “If we are going to create a meaningful impact on the participation of young people we need to work with a greater number of partners who can innovate and educate.
“ We cannot do it alone and that is why I am so pleased to be working in this way and using Factory Eleven’s GolfParc concept.”
County clubs are being supplied with equipment to encourage children into golf
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A good mix of competitive and friendly competitions for all A good mix of competitive and friendly competitions for all abilities; abilities;
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Warm, friendly atmosphere with popular social events and Warm, friendly atmosphere with popular social events and excellent catering; excellent catering;
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Competitive membership rates with concessions for junCompetitive with80s concessions forpersonjuniors, golfers membership up to age 29, rates the over and military iors, golfers up to age 29, the over 80s and military personnel; nel;
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A dedicated respected professional available to give indiA dedicated respected professional available Pro-Shop to give individual or group lessons, and a well equipped to vidual or group lessons, and a well equipped Pro-Shop to meet all your golfing needs. meet all your golfing needs.
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY GOLF VENUE GOLF VENUE
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For more details, please call For more details, please call Richard or Vivienne on Richard or Vivienne on 01252 337272 01252 337272 or visit or visit www.armygolfclub.com www.armygolfclub.com - and apply online - and apply online
HAMPSHIRE HAMPSHIRE LADIES COUNTY LADIES COUNTY GOLF VENUE GOLF VENUE Army Golf Club, Laffans Road, Aldershot, Hampshire. GU11 2HF Army Golf Club, Laffans Road, Hampshire. GU11 2HF 01252Aldershot, 337272 TEE TIMES | January 2019 11 01252 337272 003 or visit www.shs-ltd.com www.armygolfclub.com www.armygolfclub.com
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It is not all sun, sea and sand in Barbados, as well as golf there’s a compelling range of scenic surprises, fascinating historic tales and rich architecture to discover. Thos small idyllic island, not much bigger than the Isle of Wight, has two contrasting coastlines - the west side is where the seas are calm and sandy beaches endless, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and sailing, and where also four of the island’s popular golf courses can be found in contrast to the east’s more rugged and less populated side featuring wild Atlantic winds and choppy seas. For such a small island Barbados is blessed with fantastic golfing opportunities. The south side of the west coastline is where the well established Barbados Golf Club can be found and has two courses, one an 18 hole Championship course and the other a compact 9 hole course; both open to the public. However, it is the west side that is essentially a golfing paradise and where three other golf courses can be found all in close proximity of each other. Highly rated amongst visitors and locals is the 18 hole par 72 Royal Westmoreland championship course and one of the Caribbean’s top courses. Designed by renowned international golf architect Robert Trent Jones, several of its natural features have been skilfully incorporated into the course’s overall desig. Apart from the astonishing number of bunkers carved out of the lush green fairways, I found the course a delight to play and definitely a ‘thinking man’s course’ where the use of every club in the bag is needed.
definitely needed if you want to avoid the many strategically placed bunkers and keep scores low. Throughout our round the only spectators were black faced monkeys who would peer curiously at us for a short while before disappearing into the nearby dense vegetation. Barbados’s most famous hotel, Sandy Lane also boasts two superb golf courses mostly for the exclusive use of hotel guests but non-guests can book a tee times but only between nine and ten in the morning. The fifteen minute break between tee times means that only four tee times are available each day. The mystical and famous Green Monkey course is designed by Tom Fazio and regarded as a ‘millionaire golfing experience’. The other course now called the Country Club was originally a nine hole course that meander through the estate. It is a tight 18 hole with vastly smaller greens and narrower fairways. If you’re dreaming of blue skies and deliciously warm seas, Barbados is an idyllic destination for a winter golf break. This quintessentially Caribbean island has gone through several major changes since my last visit and my worst dread, that the island had succumbed to the blight experienced by many other holiday destinations of rampant modernisation resulting in ghastly convoluted mazes of concrete monstrosities, has thankfully been avoided. In my eyes little has changed. Even the enlarged and vastly improved Grantley Adams airport retains much of its former old fashioned charm. No wonder so many keen golfers return to this little piece of paradise! April Tod
With the club’s director of golf, Roger Beale as my partner, it was doubtless his intimate knowledge that helped by pointing out hidden challenges and idiosyncrasies on the undulating greens and fairways not withstanding his many important pointers. The scenery surrounding the course is stunning scenery with views on some holes stretching as far as the ocean. The nearby Apes Hill Club is an 18 hole par 72 and named after the many black faced monkeys living nearby and often seen scampering around the fairways. The club’s head pro, Ben Hatch took time off to accompany me on my early morning tee time. Ben’s intimate knowledge of the course helped enormously, particularly on the 12th par 4 which I pared but only after being advised to aim for the right side of the course. My second shot simply bounced off a small hump by the green and neatly rolled within four feet of the hole which I finished with a perfect putt. Sadly the only spectators to watch my amazing feat were two shy, black faced monkeys who no soon had we finished playing the hole, scampered off into nearby undergrowth. Ben, as it turned out managed to hole in 5! After my par on the 12th, my confidence soared and I finished the round well my handicap. This is another delightful course to play, fairways are generous and greens in good condition but considerable accuracy is
12 TEE TIMES | January 2019
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TEE TIMES | January 2019 13
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Finca Cortesin Reveals Long-Term Benefits of New Eco-Friendly Greens
Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa is at the forefront of European golf’s drive to become more eco-sustainable after revealing that it is using up to 30 per cent less water since becoming the first course in Spain to feature a new, environmentally-friendly, variety of Bermuda grass on all its greens. The deluxe resort has experienced a number of wide-reaching benefits since installing a more eco-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable greens’ system. As part of the comprehensive upgrade on Finca Cortesin’s 18-hole championship course in July 2017 – which also featured the reconstruction of all bunkers using the renowned ‘Better Billy Bunker’ system – each putting surface was replaced with a new type of variety of Ultra Dwarf Bermuda grass. As well as needing less irrigation, the greens require fewer pesticides and staff hours to maintain optimum condition all-year-round, with the new, improved, uniform putting surfaces earning widespread praise from both players and the golf industry alike – including Finca Cortesin winning the 2018 IAGTO Sustainability Award for Resource Efficiency. Ignacio Soto, head greenkeeper at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa and who supervised the greens conversion programme, said: “The change to this new type of Bermuda grass has surpassed all our expectations and we have received some great feedback from our members and guests who like firm and uniform greens. “ The greens are already in better condition than they have been in previous years and we expect them to get even better in 2019.” Finca Cortesin began the programme to upgrade its greens in June 2016 at a nursery 600 kilometres away, with Soto and his team taking painstaking care and attention to seed the grass by hand. Having spent 12 months nurturing the new turf under supervised growing conditions, it was transported to the course where the resort’s greenkeeping staff began the meticulous process of relaying all 18 greens and the practice putting green.
14 TEE TIMES | January 2019
But, with the grass having been grown at the nursery, disruption for golfers was kept to a minimum with the course reopening barely a month after work began. Soto added: “We have experienced numerous advantages since upgrading our greens. The turf was obviously very young but, as we grew it ourselves, it was also, importantly, very clean of weeds which has had several knockon effects. “ Irrigation has been reduced as much as 30% on the greens’ surface. Apart from water consumption, hand watering in summer time has been reduced to a minimum so, as a result, we are able to save on a lot of labour. “ In general, we are using fewer pesticides. Each green needs very little fertilisation since it uses the nutrients from our regenerated irrigation water in a much more efficient way, while Bermuda grass actively grows for nine months of the year which has helped improve the year-round playability of the course.” Opened in March 2006 and set across a vast 532-acre estate, Finca Cortesin – a member of the prestigious European Tour Properties Network – is regarded as one of Europe’s most exclusive modern golf and lifestyle destination resorts. Designed by American Cabell Robinson, the par-72 layout has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments including the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Complementing the world-class golf course are outstanding practice facilities including a state-of-the-art Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy. Located in the rolling hills of southern Spain, between Marbella and Sotogrande, with the Mediterranean to one side and the tranquil Casares Mountains to the other, Finca Cortesin’s other world-class facilities include an elegant 67-suite hotel, Hotel Cortesin; a 6,000sqm Beach Club; an award-winning spa featuring Spain’s only snow cave; and the choice of four restaurants. www.fincacortesin.com
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Olazábal Honoured with PGAs of Europe Lifetime Achievement Award Ryder Cup legend and two-time Masters Champion José María Olazábal has become the latest recipient of the PGAs of Europe Lifetime Achievement Award.
matches in ‘08, ‘10 and ‘14, was also the orchestrator of the previously mentioned ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012 as European Captain, producing one of the greatest comebacks not only in golf, but in all of sport.
Olazábal won the award in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contribution to golf across his career, becoming a recognised ambassador for golf in his native country of Spain, in Europe and across the world.
Many forget, however, that Olazábal’s career has been one that often saw triumph overcome adversity. On multiple occasions his determination and attitude were relied upon to pull him through difficult times of injury.
“It is a true honour for me to receive this award, especially coming from the PGAs of Europe,” said Olazábal. The award was presented as part of the 2018 Annual Congress Gala Awards Supported By Rolex at Costa Navarino in Greece, and given to him at a hugely well-received Q&A session with PGAs of Europe Board Director, Ken Schofield.
Notably in 1995/96 when intense pain in his feet caused by back problems meant he thought he may never compete at a high level again, making his green jacket win in 1999 and return to the top of the sport even more impressive.
“I am humbled by this experience - all I tried to do in my career was to play golf the best I could, to respect the rules of golf, my peers, and my opponents, and to be fair and honest - and hopefully this was the result of that.” The Spaniard is widely known for his major victories, Professional wins around the world, as well as for his incredible Ryder Cup record as a player, with the most successful pairs partnership with friend Seve Ballesteros, and his captaincy of the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012. His golf career began at a young age in northern Spain where his father, a greenkeeper at Real Golf Club de San Sebastian, taught him to play with a cut down three-iron. He went on to win The Amateur Championship at the age of 18, and then turned professional on the European Tour earning the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award in 1986 after finishing second in the order of merit. Olazábal formed part of a generation of golfers that made an impact not only in Europe but also in the United States, and his consistent finishes spanning a decade ensured he was in the world top-10 for over 300 weeks between 1989 and 1995. This was helped in part by his break-through major win at The Masters in 1994, becoming the sixth European to win the tournament in seven years. 1999 saw him repeat his victory at Augusta National, securing his place in a list of legends who have multiple Masters wins and major victories, as well as a further 21 European Tour wins, four PGA Tour wins and a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
“Unfortunately, I had to go through tough times with my health,” added Olazábal. “I had some serious physical issues from playing golf, but not just that - I was in such pain I could not walk for weeks and could not do anything at all…at one point I thought my career was over. “That puts things in perspective, when you overcome a situation like that… you see not so much the game in a different way, but from a different perspective, you realise golf is not everything. There are other things in life, friendship, family…sometimes even when you are on the golf course and things don’t go your way there is a split second where you go back and say ‘yes I made a double-bogey but there are worse things’.” Competitive golf has not left the Spaniard just yet with aims to play on the Champions Tour in the USA in the future, as well as continue to play in European Tour events. Off the course the Olazábal Design business continues to grow, now with the inclusion of the latest two golf courses at Costa Navarino: “In Costa Navarino we are in a very special place and the Navarino Hills site is beautiful with wonderful scenery of the Bay of Navarino and the mountains, it will be a fantastic place to come and play golf. When you design a course, you want people to have fun and enjoy it, all whilst challenging them, and the feedback is very important from the people that play them - if they are happy then I am happy.”
“As a golf player I believe that winning major events is key for us,” said Olazábal. “Those are the ones that determine your career and, in that regard, obviously those are my most important, or highest achievements as a player. “But I cannot forget the special moments in my career, being Ryder Cup Captain in 2012 was the happiest and most special - it was the first time Seve wasn’t with us and being able to really feel the joy of so many people, the spectators, family members, the team with their wives and girlfriends, children, parents…that is the beauty of the event. I think it reached a lot of people and that is why it is so special to me.” This Ryder Cup role is what Olazábal is perhaps most known for - as a player he formed one half of the ‘Spanish Armada’ with Ballesteros, the most successful Ryder Cup pairing in history with 12 points from 15 matches together. Olazábal played in seven Ryder Cups between 1987 and 2006, and was victorious in ‘87, ‘97 and ‘06 with a total of 20.5 points to his name; the seventh highest points tally in the European Team’s history. Having become a Ryder Cup legend, his experience and knowledge has proven to be hugely valuable as he took the role of Vice Captain for three
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TEE TIMES | January 2019 15
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briefly
AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE FOR PROFITS The enduring attraction for golf fans of The Open Championship is again recognised by its hefty contribution to the Scottish economy. The Open at Carnoustie in July contributed no less than a remarkable £69million, according to an independent study. Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University found the Angus area alone received a £21m cash injection from hosting the 147th Open, which attracted a record 172,000 fans. Nearly half of the spectators (49.8%) travelled from outside Scotland, while most of the golf-loving Scots (84.8%) came from outside Angus. The study, commissioned by golf’s governing body the R&A, VisitScotland and Angus Council, also suggested the global TV marketing value to Scotland was £51m. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said The Open had “once again showcased Scotland internationally as the perfect stage for major events”.
Oostie’s tears
The Open magic: Padraig Harrington won the Claret Jug in 2007 and 2008, and the event continues to be a big money-spinner
She added: “The figures also demonstrate the economic benefits of hosting major events and I’m pleased the 147th Open generated significant income for both the local Angus area and for the wider Scottish economy.” David Fairweather, leader of Angus Council, said the event had attracted global interest and attention, “as well as immediate and longlasting economic benefits to local and regional communities and business”. He added: “Twenty-one million pounds of new money into the local economy is great news for Angus, its people, hotels, B&Bs, shops and restaurants.” The R&A’s chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “The Open has a proven track record of generating substantial economic benefit for the host country in which it is staged thanks to the tens of thousands of spectators who attend each year.”
Get a grip on new rules England Golf has issued a new set of useful guidelines for amateur players to give us all a reminder of the new rules which apply from this new season. The rules have been updated as a result of a worldwide consultation and are aimed at both speeding up the game and removing some of the anomalies of the old rules. A summary
What’s new In 2019, players will continue to drop a ball when taking relief, but the dropping procedure will be changed in several ways: The ball must be let go from knee height so that it falls through the air The focus of the dropping procedure will be to drop the ball in a specific “relief area” No re-drop is required if the
dropped ball accidentally hits a person or object after hitting the ground but before coming to rest in the “relief area”. If the dropped ball comes to rest outside the relief area, it will be dropped a second time; if it comes to rest outside the relief area after being dropped a second time it will be placed where it first touched the ground If the placed ball will not come to rest on that spot after two attempts, the player will then place the ball on the nearest spot (not nearer the hole) where it will come to rest
Reasons for change The new procedure lowers the height from which the ball is dropped to increase the chance that it stays within the relief area. Requiring the player to drop a
16 TEE TIMES | January 2019
Louis Oosthuizen was reduced to tears after winning his first South African Open in Johannesburg. And he did it in emphatic style with a record-equalling six shots. The South African, who won the 2010 Open, had an eagle and five birdies in a four-under 67 to win on 18 under. England’s Matt Wallace began the final round in joint second, three shots adrift of overnight leader Oosthuizen, but dropped away with a three-over 74.
FedEx fortunes Prize money for the season-ending FedEx Cup winner will rise to $15m (£11.4m), the PGA Tour has announced. Hampshire’s Justin Rose collected more than £7million for winning the event in 2018, but this season’s victor will pick up a cheque for a staggering dollar amount that translates to £11.4million. A new handicap system at the Tour Championship will also mean the overall leader starts on 10 under par, with second place two shots behind.
ball (as opposed to placing it) will retain a desired randomness about where the ball will end up: The player has no guarantee that the ball will come to rest on a desired spot or in a good lie. This is especially the case when a ball is dropped in more difficult conditions such as thick rough or longer grass. The new procedure avoids giving players more relief than necessary: No longer able to roll up to two club-lengths from where it hits the ground. More likely now that the ball will be played from close to where it originally came to rest. Allowing the player to drop a ball from knee height will help to limit the extent to which a ball will embed in sand in a bunker. The new procedure will mean there will be greater consistency across all relief procedures,
making it simpler for players to know where and how to drop a ball: Now avoid questions about whether it was dropped near enough to a specific spot. Now simply drop a ball anywhere in a relief area measured one or two club-lengths from (but not nearer the hole than) than a given spot. It will be simpler for players to know when to re-drop a ball: A player currently needs to know the nine re-dropping scenarios; these are difficult to understand and apply and this is a widely misunderstood Rule. Under the new Rule, the player will only need to know that the ball must be re-dropped if it comes to rest outside the relief area. For more in-depth explanations and illustrations, visit the England Golf website.
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Corhampton Golf Club Challenging and free draining course set in the heart of the South Downs National Park
Society packages start from £32.20 pp and we can tailor a golf package to suit your individual requirements. To enquire or make a booking contact 01489 877279 or visit www.corhamptongc.co.uk
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TEE TIMES | January 2019 17
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PALMARES FEELS THE NEED FOR SPEED Palmares Beach & Golf Resort, in the Algarve, is hitting the accelerator in the war against slow golf as 2019 gets off to a turbo-charged start. The stunning five-star resort in Lagos, which boasts 27 holes, believes the time has come to make a stand and attempt to “save the golf planet” ahead of its new tournament: Eradicate Slow Play. It’s seen as the perfect opportunity to introduce the new R&A rules and recommendations, which are designed to speed up play, but it is all part of the philosophy which is aimed at adding more enjoyment to golf and reducing the frustrations of waiting around.
The event is expected to become a monthly fixture at Palmares with more radical “local rules” set to be introduced for future tournaments at the multi award-winning course, which was extensively redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Jnr in 2011. www.onyriaresorts.com www.onyriapalmares.com www onyriabeachhousehotel.com
Aside from the new R&A rules, Palmares is adding a few of its own extras in its slowdown takedown with a Texas Scramble format and a nine-hole dash expected to be completed in just 90 minutes on January 24 with members and guests set to put the new event through its paces. One-shot penalties will be handed out for: searching for lost balls, practice swings, hitting provisional balls or reading greens from both sides. But as an added incentive, Palmares will replace any lost balls with new balls to ensure no extra time is lost. The resort’s operations director, António Pinto Coelho, said: “So many of us think that slow play is the number one enemy to an enjoyable golf experience. “ Slow play is killing golf so we felt obliged to do something. It’s not acceptable for a round of golf to take five hours so we need to change the mentality of some golfers. We also need to do what we can to encourage this so we wanted to do something more extreme and show that it can be a lot of fun at the same time.”
18 TEE TIMES | January 2019
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TT APRIL 2017 Issue 191_Layout 1 20/03/2017 18:40 Page 12
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12 TEE TIMES
APRIL 2017
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AREon RUNNERS UP ShaneJUNIORS Lowry a High WHATS HOT OR NOT ROMSEY IN HOME NATIONS FINAL, PORTUGAL! in the World of Ladies Golf
Your Monthly Blog by
Claire Kane
Who’d a Captain? Golf be through
the Ages
We’ve reach that time of the year when new captains begin stepping up to take the helm and outgoing captains breathe a sigh of relief as they no longer have to organise yet another event.
Volunteering as a captain can sometimes seem like putting your head above the parapet because despite all the long hours of planning, organising and turning up on the day there are usually some folk who are quick to criticise. Developing a thick skin probably goes with the job but I did smile recently when a newly appointed captain explained she was going to do her very best but accepted it could well be an 80/20 year. Basically she sensibly recognised she’s only likely to please 80% of the members! Of course, there’s always the ‘harsh but fair’ approach that Karen Brady does so effectively on The Apprentice Show. Now that would definitely sort out the moaners! Regardless of however good a captain is, they still rely on the support of It’s interesting to compare the miserable partner. They consider it far more their committee and thankfully technology hasto greatly assisted the mates roles differences between someone starting important have a good day out with overplaying the past of decades: out golf couple and an experienced on a pleasant but forgiving course. golfer in their Secretaries twilight golfing • Handicap noyears. longer have to sharpen their pencil and refer Beginners can sometimes struggle with to pages and pages of ready reckoners to manually adjust handicaps, For instance, newbies are keen to play as long carries and dog-legs due to or spend hours recording scores onto ledgers much golf as possible so they’ll play in any inexperience and misjudgement. Sadly, conditions. Whereas, golfers elderly golfersover also fail to cope with • Secretaries no older longer haveareto spendsome hours stooped typewriters, reluctant to venture onto the course if the long carries as they lose their muscle battling with carbon copies and erasers, to churn out club notices, sign weather’s looking a bit dodgy and are more power and distance. uphappy lists toorwhile correspondence than away time in the clubhouse until the clouds passmore by. and more Newgolf golfers are pretty naïve when ittocomes Despite the automation, clubs are struggling to course management but theyMay gradually recruit members to take on the captaincy or committee roles. be it’s When beginners initially enter competitions learn where to place the ball, nevertheless, because the number of club members are declining and the average age they realise they need more lessons to they tend to remain bullish and optimistic increasing? Perhaps having done bit when on committees, members improve their scores. The difference with theireven they are in deep trouble. now opt for a hassle free life and the opportunity regular outings to sunnier older golfers is they’ve already developed However,of senior golfers know precisely the techniques but it’s justsitting a question where to place theinball, even ifendless they can’t climates rather than on ofuncomfortable seats seemly whether their hips, knees or shoulders will always reach it, or see it! They’re committee meetings. cope with the challenge. experienced and realistic enough to know if Even with the new technology, clubs up andjust down thea lousy country they’ve played shot still it’s spend Initially, a beginner, can be difficult unrecoverable andwhich the chance hours as debating theit same subjects andprobably organising activities is of trying to remember how many shots you’ve scoring is pretty remote. an awful lot of hours nationwide bearing in mind most club have two taken – let’s face it, multi-tasking is tricky or three committees (men, ladies & seniors). Thankfully the R&A and when you’re so focused on striking and Beginners soon understand a good part of Congu the define the rules and regulationstheofpleasure the game, goodness tracking ball. Interestingly, it’s not of golfotherwise is about friendship but knows how resource each clubit’s would needgolfer to run sections. uncommon for much elderly golfers to also the senior whotheir appreciates the ‘mislay’ the tradition odd shot due shortcaptains term feel’ factor of thecharity constantand cracks A worthy fortonew is‘good to choose a new raise memory loss. with a bunch of fellow golfers, regardless as much money as possible through competitions and events. Some of how dire they play. clubsyou’re also fresh nominate water When into golf,charity you’re keen to hazards (whoops, new 2019 rules!) to boost thegames, funds,even something very of every timeage, sign up for any if you don’tI’m personally It just shows youaware that regardless of your have who Mind the you, benefits of golf are huge forthe everyone. I playa clue the what 18thyou’re holeentering, on my orcourse! having watched local you’re with.lake Whereas the wiser, diver playing clear the of balls andolder seen the thousands of balls pulled golfer chooses carefully to avoid slogging out, I’m clearly not the only one who can’t hit the green and©isClaire givingKane over long courses, through soggy meadows generously to the Captains Charity! or having to climb cardiac hills with a Follow my tales on twitter@golfsnippets © Claire Kane
Shane Lowry took a three-shot lead into the final round of the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship but found himself tariling Richard Sterne by four shots with seven holes to play. He played the remaining holes in three under with an 18th hole birdie giving him a one-shot victory. It was the ultimate redemption, after Lowry crumbled the last time he had a 54-hole lead, in the 2016 US Open he blew a four-shot advantage to let Dsutin Johnson in. Lowry carded a one-under-par 71 that lifted him to 18 under with him picking up a cheque for £905,000 for his fourth professional win. That includes an Irish Open victory when he was 22 and still an amateur and a World Golf title at the Bridgestone Invitational in 2015.
After 2 practice rounds the wait was over and Romsey found out who they would be facing in their group stages. They were drawn with England Home nations champions Cuddington, Bothwell Castle from Scotland and Pyle & Kenfig from Wales. 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.
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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.
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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. So it was to be an all England affair with neither team expected to make it past the group stage.
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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. 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.
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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
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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.
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.
GOLF CLUB TEEBLACKMOOR TIMES | January 2019 19
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Team USA vs Team Europe Celebrity Golf Cup for the Ryder Cup Trust Heads to St. Moritz for the First Time in 2019 St Moritz, Switzerland, January 2019: The Team USA vs. Team Europe Celebrity Golf Cup for the Ryder Cup Trust is heading to St. Moritz, Switzerland, for the first time this year from 22 to 25 July. The Engadine Golf Club will host the third edition of this unique Invitational Celebrity Pro Am event, to be known this year as the St. Moritz U.S. Celebrity Golf Cup (www.stmoritzcelebritycup.com), over its two courses, Samedan and Zuoz, located in the heart of the Engadine Valley.
“It is indeed a special honour to be able to host the prestigious Team USA vs. Team Europe Celebrity Golf Cup at our two golf courses in the Engadine Valley,” said Ramun Ratti, Managing Director, Golf Engadin St. Moritz AG which manages both courses at Zuoz and Samedan. “We are very much looking forward to welcoming both the celebrities and the amateurs in the summer to play our courses and enjoy our mountain scenery and Alpine hospitality.”
The St Moritz U.S. Celebrity Golf Cup sees celebrities matching up against each other in two teams of 12 representing Europe and the USA, reflecting the format of the professional Ryder Cup, which is regarded as one of sport’s most spectacular and enthralling team competitions.
As part of the programme, the Ryder Cup Trust’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to David Leadbetter at a Gala Dinner at the luxury Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, the official hotel for the tournament. The Ryder Cup trophy will also make a special appearance at the Awards Gala.
The celebrities lining up for Europe will include internationally-renowned golf coach, David Leadbetter, the World’s Longest Drive Champion, Joe Miller, and Italian Marco Simone, former professional footballer at AC Milan, whilst the US team will feature American jazz star, Kenny G, former Quarterback for the Washington Redskins, Joe Theismann, and the Chicago Bears’ Jay Feely, +2 handicapper and former NFL player Josh Schobee and Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald who was the winner of the 2018 Pebble Beach Pro Am.
To request an invitation for this unique Celebrity Pro Am event, visit www.stmoritzrydercup.com/en/program#thursday-25-july For more information on Golf Engadin St Moritz, go to www.engadin-golf.ch
A host of invitation-only amateurs - a total of 72 starting slots are available - will play alongside the various superstars as each celebrity will lead a team for the much sought-after trophy. “With St. Moritz we have once again opted for an extraordinary venue for the Ryder Cup Trust Celebrity Golf Cup as the courses in the Engadine are among the most beautiful in Europe,” said Chairman Susan Feaster recently at the Yacht Club of Monaco to kick off the 2019 edition of the tournament. Under the patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the first two Team USA vs. Team Europe Celebrity Golf Cups for the Ryder Cup Trust took place in Monaco in 2016 and 2018. H.S.H. Prince Albert II served as the Honorary Captain of Team USA and launched the event by chipping fish balls off the stern of a Fraser Super Yacht.
20 TEE TIMES | January 2019
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TEE TIMES | January 2019 21
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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
Smile and your Golf will Smile with you So applying this theory to your golf game is a no brainer. Take LPGA tour player Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand. She has a wonderful way of smiling as she starts her pre-shot routine. It’s a brilliant anchor and something that will help to erase any negativity from previous shots or negative energy surrounding a situation she may be in. I love it, and have no doubt that she won last years US Open as well as Player of the year and the money list with the help of that smile.
Based at Ampfield Golf Club and Meon Valley Based at Ampfield Golf Club and Meon Valley Golf and Country Club Golf and Country Club
Graham makes good Some weeks ago I received a phone call from Graham Lynch, one of the members at Ampfield Golf Club. He was very excited and thanked me for all the help I’ve given him. I was, initially, slightly bemused as I’ve never given Graham a golf lesson! The reason for his joy was that he had just had his handicap lowered again. I subsequently found out that he had, in fact, lowered his handicap from fourteen to five in the past two years. I’m not talking about a teenager here. Graham is retired and plays mainly at Ampfield Golf Club, where I do some of my coaching. He went onto explain that his improvement was purely through reading and implementing the tips I give in Tee Times. So in a roundabout way, I guess, I’ve been giving him lessons for the last couple of years. I was intrigued to know which tips had helped him the most, so we met up and had a chat. Graham has been a really good table tennis player in his time and he still coaches now. He said that to play table tennis well you have to have good technique. He realizes that golf is just the same. He likes the articles because I explain and show various techniques.
So how can you apply this to your game? Simple. Give your pre-shot routines a bit of a once over. Keeping your routine to a short yet precise collection of habits is a wise decision indeed. But fling a deep breath and a smile into the equation. I like to stand behind my ball and do my practice swing ensuring I make positive contact with the world (brushing the turf) and finish my swing. Then I will breathe in through my nose standing tall, smile as if I’m about to hit the best shot ever, I will then point my club to my target (or a spot up on the horizon beyond) and pull that target line down over the ball picking a spot about 6inches in front of my ball to aim over. As I walk to line up my club face I will slowly breathe out. Set my self up and freely execute the shot. It won’t always be the best shot in the world but something I’ve learnt over the years is if it doesn’t go to plan it isn’t the end of the world. I smile and usually laugh out loud when a shot goes completely wrong. It’s happened I can’t change it so I laugh to get it out of my system in a positive way. I chase the ball and rise to the challenge and play the best shot I can from wherever I have stuffed it. It makes the game so much more fun. At the end of the day you are out on that course to enjoy the game. Try to take some positives from every round you have. If you would like a lesson in how you control yourself on the golf course I will be teaching as of 5th February at Highpost Golf Club. I’m really excited to be working there, the course is in exceptional condition all year round and I’m really excited for Mark Searle as he sets of on his new journey as the head professional there. Head up and check out the newly fitted and bright proshop, stocked with everything you need to make 2019 the best golfing season you’ve ever had. Contact me via my website for lessons in all areas of your game www.katiedawkinsgolf.co.uk or email katiedawkinsgolf@hotmail.co.uk
22 TEE TIMES | January 2019
I asked him which ones he liked in particular. He said that he tries to implement them all, from the grip to the breathing. The tips that have helped him most are the ones that involve the set up. When he plays he pays particular attention to lowering his right side slightly at address. The tip on the action of the right foot has had a real positive effect too. He says that since doing that he rarely comes out of a shot. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, in my article I show how the right foot rolls off the instep and ends up on the toe. A feeling that the heal of the foot is being pulled towards the target helps many to get the right sensation. This action of the foot is, of course, caused by the hip action. Thinking of the movement of the foot helps to create the slide\rotation action of the hips, which is the bedrock of any good golf swing. Seeing Graham’s enthusiasm and determination to improve is very inspiring. It’s no wonder he reached such a high level in table tennis – number 10 in Europe! Take heed from Graham’s dedication. Mob: 07787 887578 | Email: martin.butcher@aim.com | Web: mbtourcoach.com
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• 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
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