Tee Times Golf Magazine, February 2020 by Tee Times Golf Magazines

ISSUE 225 | February 2020 | Tel: 01329 834360 | Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com | www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com

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Rory’s Major gap: ‘Maybe I am just a victim of my own success?’

McIlroy’s rivalry withusAmerica’s Reflecting on a marvellous Masters: Justin Rose, Hampshire’s favourite golfing son, made so proud asworld number onehistory Brooks Koepka he played his role in one of the tightest but most gentlemanly showdowns in the of the eventwas highlighted last year as the Irishman surged from eighth to second in the world rankings.

AND THE WINNER IS. . . GOLF SPORTSMANSHIP NORTH Hants Golf Club in Fleet will have

Rory to findMcIlroy some morewas spacein in wistful its Justin Rose Room to record the continuing mood as he looked back and exploits of the county’s favourite tried make sense of five golfingto son. whole years without a Major will be found for mementoes of the toRoom add to the four he won as 2017 Masters to be placed alongside those Rose’s U.S. Open triumph in 2013 and his aofyounger man. Olympic Golf Gold.

Surveying a season in which he won four more Tourpipped titlesat–Augusta a big by But while Rose was Sergio Garcia, by themost inevitable disappointment achievement players’ standards was counterbalanced by a of –forhehisstillfans talked of feeling “a tinge display of skill and sportsmanship which was disappointment” about his performance. a credit to both men, and to a sport which still playing prides itself Still ononhishonesty mind and wasfairness. his failure to even make the cut at his home Yes, the final round between these two Ryder Open Championship Portrush, Cup titans was bound toat beRoyal emotional. Rose orwas sustain a challenge at any of edging his way towards a secondthe Major, and Garcia was trying to secure his first on other Majors. the very day which would have been the

“I’m bit ofSeve a victim of my 60thalmost birthdayaoflittle his hero, Ballesteros. own success,” said the 30-year-old. But theI overriding for spectators “What was ableemotion to do early in my of the final round was the way these career, by winning four Majors two by the Europeans fought the fight. age of 25, that’s not really the norm. final round, werewho toe-to-toe rivalsI “IfIn Ithe was any otherthey golfer did what but not opponents, supremely competitive did this last year, then I don’t think there yet gentlemanly, acknowledging each other’s would be that tinge of disappointment. skills with a knuckle-touch or a nod. “I feel like I am still young in terms of being a golfer and I have a good 10 or • Turn to Page 4 15 years ahead of me, but it is tough to

Rory McIlroy: “A tinge of disappointment”

sit through interviews and feel like you have had a great year but still there’s always a ‘but’.” Despite the five-year Majors gap, McIlroy still believes he has had a strong campaign and has improved as a player. The world number two won the Players Championship, Canadian Open, FedEx Cup and WGC-HSBC Champions and was named the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year. “I’ve been playing some of my best golf and I’ve been more consistent too. The four wins in there were fantastic,” he added. “If someone had of said to me on 1 January 2019 that I was going to have this kind of year, I probably would have taken it. “I feel that every aspect of my game got better this year, and if I can continue to improve on those little things then there is no reason why I can’t have success. “I’ve had a good year, and I’m happy with where my golf and my life is, and I think that sets me up to have an even better year next year.”

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INSIDE

Inside

Rory: My Green Jacket wedding wish – Page 4

Koepka, also a four-time Major winner, We meet the 10th tee has held the number one ranking hell since 2018 but McIlroy says he is hound determined to regain the top spot no Bus Pass matter who is leading the way: “It’s on Golfer – Page 16 the radar and definitely a goal of mine this year,” he told the BBC. Philip’s second spell “I want to get to world number one, it doesn’t matter to me who is occupying it.

as Hants PGA skipper – Page 16

Golf club owner ‘spent £4,000 a day for 10 years’

Hampshire “I started the year eighth in the world Jenny’s and made it up to number two, and at lifetime the start of the year I’m sure I will have accolade – Page 16 a chance to get there.”

McIlroy admits that it bugs him that he hasn’t won a major since doing a PGA Championship and Open Championship double in 2014, but says he knows that he has the quality to add to his tally. He said. “There are other things that are important to me other than major championships, and there are a lot of things in golf that I play for which aren’t those four weeks a year,”

Was this

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The cut that almost left him in tears Acting Tour chief exec Alexandra Armas: “An honour to be part of history” The Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Jeddah will host the first professional women’s golf tournament in Saudi Arabia

Saudi breakthrough for women’s golf Saudi Arabia, which only recently gave women the right to drive a car, is to host its first professional women’s golf tournament next month. The Ladies European Tour event will have a prize fund of $1million (£750,000) when it is staged at The Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Jeddah. “It is an honour for the Tour to be part of history,” said the LET’s acting chief executive Alexandra Armas. “This will be a fantastic experience.” British stars Carly Booth, Amy Boulden and Rachel Drummond

are among players named as ambassadors for the event. Three-time Tour winner Booth said: “I have visited Saudi Arabia on a number of occasions and been lucky enough to spend some time teaching local women and girls how to play. Morality “They have been so enthusiastic and I am sure that seeing professional golfers compete in their country will inspire them to take up the game and strive for their dreams.” Amnesty International describes the Saudi regime’s human rights records as “heinous” but the

ALAN’S TROPHY CHARGE DENIED Danish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman and being drunk on an aircraft. Mr Olesen, 29, of Chelsea, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on his return from a golf championship in Memphis last July. The Ryder Cup winner also denied a charge of assault by beating of a second person. The trial will begin in May.

Stoneham’s Alan Mew was presented with the John Nettell Trophy at Hampshire Golf’s AGM for his outstanding win in the Irish Seniors Championship. Brokenhurst Manor’s Martin Young won the Hampshire Golf Order of Merit. Stoneham’s Owen Grimes finished in second place. The meeting agreed to increase the Hampshire Golf Affiliation fee by 50 pence (to £6.80). This increase will take effect from November 2020. The AGM also voted to incorporate the body into a new “limited guarantee” company as Hampshire Golf 2019 Ltd.

Tee Times | February 2020

McIlroy says missing the cut in last year’s Open at Royal Portrush was a “turning point”. The home favourite was eight-over after a torrid opening round and was left by the wayside despite a spirited second-day rally.

In the driving seat: Women in Saudi Arabia were only recently legally allowed to get behind the wheel

country has been attempting to lure big sporting events to the kingdom, notably the world heavyweight boxing title fight between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr in Riyadh. Rory McIlroy has declined to compete in the second men’s Saudi International in January despite the offer of a lucrative appearance fee because the event “didn’t excite” him, adding that one hundred per cent, there’s a morality to it as well”. The Middle East country, is gradually relaxing some of its strict social rules. Recently it announced it was ending segregating restaurant entrances by sex.

“I think I was overwhelmed,” McIlroy told a recent BBC documentary. There were a couple of times during that (second) round when I had to stop myself from crying. It was as if the country had all got behind me and just gave me this massive hug. “I’ve never felt a level of support like that before and I think I forgot how much I meant to people here, but more so I forgot how much they meant to me.” “It was definitely a turning point. I don’t want to say I hit rock bottom, but if that’s the worst, most embarrassing thing tin my career, I think that says a lot about what that day did for me. It was the best experience on a golf course for me this year.”

Double Trouble The pairing of Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell lost their way in the QBE Shootout pairs event in Florida. They were just one stroke behind going into the final round, but slipped to disappear into the pack on four behind. The event was won by Slovakia’s Rory Sabbatini and American Kevin Tway,

two strokes better than the field. Twice runner-up Sabbatini, playing a luminous yellow ball, was in fine form with the putter and calmly brushed in an eight-footer at the last. Women’s world number 10 Lexi Thompson and Sean O’Hair finished at eight under to be last of the 12 teams.

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Golf club owner ‘spent £4,000 a day for 10 years’ A golf club is one of the high-value items at the centre of a landmark court case involving a woman who spent £16million in Harrods. The £10million Mill Ride Golf Club in Ascot is owned by Zamira Hajiyeva, who has been ordered not to sell it while she is investigated under new anti-corruption laws. The National Crime Agency moved to prevent Hajiyeva, 56, from selling the club or her £15million five-bedroom Knightsbridge home. The United Kingdom’s first Unexplained Wealth Order was issued by the High Court against the “fugitive wife of a fat cat banker”. Hajiyeva risks losing both the golf club and her house unless she can explain the source of her wealth. During earlier proceedings, the court was told that she spent an average of £4,000 a day in Harrods over 10 years up to 2016. It was said she spread the cost of jewellery and designer clothes over 54 credit cards, the majority issued by her husband’s bank. Her husband is in prison in their native Azerbaijan serving a 15-year term for stealing millions from a state-owned bank he once headed. Hajiyeva denies all allegations of wrongdoing or having illicit wealth,

Mill Ride Golf Club, Ascot: National Crime Agency in bid to block its sale

The wife with millions of ways to spend The scale of Zamira Hajiyeva’s spending was alleged in High Court documents released to the media. Transactions, linked to three loyalty cards and 35 credit cards issued by her husband’s bank, are detailed across 95 pages, claiming she spent:

Zamira Hajiyeva: Splashed out an alleged £16million in Harrods

and the Court of Appeal was told she had been unfairly targeted. James Lewis QC, who is representing Hajiyeva, said the National Crime Agency‘s entire case was based on unsupported claims that she had benefited from political corruption. In fresh papers disclosed at the Court of Appeal, the National Crime Agency revealed new details about its concerns over the family’s activities in London. The documents state that following Mrs Hajiyeva’s attempt last year to stop the ‘no sale’ order being imposed, her daughter, Leyla Mahmudova, took 49 items of jewellery worth £400,000 to the Christie’s auction house. “(Mrs Hajiyeva’s) daughter attempted to sell high-value jewellery (some

• £4million at luxury jewellers Boucheron • £1.75million at Cartier, famous for its watches and jewellery • £1million in the Harrods toy department, including a single purchase of £790,000 • £600,000 in a single day • £250,000 in the store’s perfumery • Hundreds of thousands of pounds on designer fashion brands, including £131,300 at Dennis Basso, £144,000 at Celine, £136,000 at Fendi and £143,000 at Christian Dior in single visits • £30,000 in one payment to gourmet Belgian chocolate chain Godiva • £2,400 on wine and spirits in a single purchase of which had been purchased by Mr Hajiyev), and that she is under investigation in Azerbaijan for fraudulently spending significant sums on air tickets, jewellery, tuition fees, beauty products, restaurants and hotels,” said the NCA. Jonathan Hall QC, for the agency, said its order simply required Mrs Hajiyeva to respond to reasonable suspicions - including why her home was owned by a company based in the British Virgin Islands.

Claims that her husband had made his money selling fridge-freezers were wholly implausible, he added. A date for the court’s judgement in the case has not been set. The result will give government lawyers a clear indication whether an Unexplained Wealth Order has a powerful enough legal punch to help seize billions of pounds worth of British property belonging to suspected corrupt foreign officials and their families.

Among seniors, the Price is right! Phillip Price has won the John Jacobs Trophy for the first time after topping the Staysure Tour Order of Merit. His end of season feat was a just reward for the 53-year-old Welshman, who was a model of consistency as he secured 12 top-10 finishes and won the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship. “To be number one after 19 tournaments is really important to me,” said the 2002 Ryder Cup hero.

“I’ve never won an Order of Merit of any type. I wanted to be number one, so I’m delighted.” Price finished second last year on the season-long rankings behind twotime John Jacobs Trophy winner Paul Broadhurst but his consistency helped him top the list this time around. He held off the challenge from South Africa’s James Kingston at the season-finale MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius, finishing

Tee Times | February 2020

tied third to top the Order of Merit on 2,888 points - 361.6 points ahead of Kingston. Price added: “I needed to play quite well today. I managed to make quite a few birdies early on and kept a buffer between myself and the players outside the top 10. “It was nice to birdie the last and celebrate. It’s always nice to make a nice putt and punch the air, realising I’m number one.”

Philip Price with the John Jacobs Trophy: “I’ve never won an Order of Merit of any type”

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Tee Times | February 2020

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New owners to transform historic

Sunningdale Heath Golf Club The new owners at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club have pledged to revitalise one of golf’s most intriguing and historic venues.

to boost the number of youngsters who play here. Sunningdale Heath is already well-established as one of the UK’s key venues for Schools golf.” Co-owner Kristian Baker said: “Because of the nature of our golf course, you can start a company golf day at Sunningdale Heath at 4pm, have a full event, and still be home by 10pm. You can still do a day’s work, and have a golf day too.

And their plans are designed to attract younger golfers from both sexes to a club which, for nearly 100 years, only admitted female members. Sunningdale Heath Golf Club, just off the A30 in Sunningdale, has changed hands after a consortium led by PGA Professionals Kristian Baker and Tom Reid put a takeover proposal to the members – and won a landslide victory in the subsequent vote. The new owners have immediately set about implementing their plans, including a new all-inclusive family membership and more focus on the social side of life at the club. The club’s new Head Chef, Greg Lewis – who has worked at multiple 3 Michelin Star restaurants – aims to turn the club into a popular destination for fine dining as well as for golf, matching the new owners’ drive to provide a more premium-quality experience. The club features, at its heart, one of the golfing world’s true hidden gems: an 18hole golf course like no other, designed by Harry Colt, one of the sport’s most illustrious course architects. Laid out on picturesque Surrey heathland, Sunningdale Heath’s fourteen Par Threes and four Par Fours form a short but memorable test of accuracy for all golfers. Despite its compact size the course is acknowledged as being a true test of golf. No hole is shorter than 138 yards, and – unusually in golf – both men and women play from the same tees. Its non-intimidating length also makes Sunningdale Heath the perfect starter golf course for beginners and children – as well as offering one of the quickestpossible 18-hole rounds of golf for people in a hurry, which is a key factor for companies having a golf day. Architects have already visited the club to discuss plans for upgrading the golf course, and an agronomist starts work in January to assist Head Greenkeeper

Tee Times | February 2020

“We are the only true 18-hole venue in the UK which can say that.” L to R: Kristian Baker and Tom Reid - Sunningdale Heath GC

Peter Tedder and his team in their goal to produce the club’s best-ever playing surfaces by summer 2020. The club also plans to create an international-class outdoor golf academy with a special focus on junior golf. The new facility will complement the club’s luxurious Ultimate Golf Studio indoor golf academy. Reid and Baker are a formidable team, recognised as two of the sport’s most celebrated coaches. Kristian Baker is a published author on the golf swing and frequent contributor to the UK’s top golf magazines. His pupils have earnt over 6 million Euros on Tour. Tom Reid is recognised as one of world’s top 50 junior golf coaches, and has trained under golf instruction superstar David Leadbetter. He hosts a golf radio show and is part of Sky Sports’ golf coaching team. They met while working at The Wentworth Club, one of the golfing world’s most prestigious venues, where both were based for many years. “Our target is to become known as the epitome of how golf clubs need to be in the future, with the best short golf course in the world” said Tom Reid, who was senior teaching professional at five-star venue Stoke Park immediately prior to his arrival at Sunningdale Heath. “But we also aim to carve a reputation as being one of golf’s most inclusive places, as well as being known for our amazing training facilities” he said. “People can play here whether or not they are a member, and as soon as we took over we lost no time in taking steps

The club began as Sunningdale Ladies in 1902, when the Captain of neighbouring Sunningdale Golf Club created a short course for lady golfers – his wife amongst them – on the beautiful heathland adjacent to the world-famous 36-hole club, home to many top tournaments. At first, only lady members’ husbands could join, and in 1932 the Queen Mother became the third female member of the royal family to become Captain of the club. After World War Two the club relaxed its rules a little, allowing men to join as Associate Members before admitting them as Full Members in 2010. Although nowadays Sunningdale Heath is as popular amongst men as it is with women, the club is still proud to have one of the UK’s strongest female memberships. “As we improve Sunningdale Heath Golf Club we also plan to carry on leading the charge for women’s golf, which is enjoying rapid growth across the world” said Tom Reid. On the golf course’s relative lack of length, Kristian Baker said: “People are always against the clock these days, so our unique golf course means that Sunningdale Heath becomes more relevant as each year goes by. “In fact, even though we are approaching our 120th anniversary, I would say that we are unusually well-placed to cater for how people live today.” Contact Sunningdale Heath Golf Club on 01344 620507 or see the club’s website at www.sunningdaleheathgolf.co.uk for all golf club details.

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Tee Times | February 2020

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Society Golf 1 in 12 get FOC golf, golf days from £25 per person weekdays and weekends - subject to availability. Donnington Grove estate is set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside and is the perfect location if you’re looking for the ultimate golf experience in Berkshire.

The course is immaculately maintained and open all year round, with no temporary greens and full of challenges, ensuring that you’ll enjoy your round of golf at Donnington Grove.

Whether you’re looking for golf club membership, a golf break, a day of golf, a driving range or simply a great round, look no further.

The excellent facilities add to the perfect golfing experience. As well as having a refurbished bar and restaurant with friendly staff, there is a wide range of accommodation in the 18thcentury house or spacious accommodation and lodges, all on- site.

Overlooked by the historic Donnington Castle, this exceptional golf course was designed by Ryder Cup legend Dave Thomas in 1993 and has since delighted and challenged thousands of visitors, from the enthusiastic amateur to the international travelling professional. It’s hardly surprising, then, that this Berkshire golf course has hosted the Challenge tour in 2004, European Pro Tour in 2001, as well as hosting the European Pro Tour and being featured on Sky Sports in 2019 and again in 2020.

The practice facilities boast a 10- bay floodlit driving range, which is also heated for those cold winter days of practice. Playing a round of golf at Donnington Grove could not be easier. Call in, email golf@donnington-grove.com or phone 01635 551975 for tee times and information on society packages and the helpful team will look after all of your golfing needs. www.donnington-grove.com

Donnington Grove offers a winning combination of excellent championship golf course to test golfers of all abilities, a superb clubhouse, tasty food and friendly hospitality. We are located only 4.8 miles from the M4 junction 13 & just off the A34 close to Newbury town centre. Our facilities in 18 hole championship, par 72 – measuring 7108 yards from the whites, driving range, 2 practice greens, buggies available from £30 each, fully stocked ProShop with registered PGA professionals and stunning views of Newbury and Donnington castle.

To book, please contact – Tom Fleming / Golf Manager 01635 581000 ext.220 or email golf@donnington-grove.com Packages can also be tailored to suit requirements, please contact our Golf Manager to discuss.

Tee Times | February 2020

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Clubs should boost the experience Smile for moment, for the players they already have aAustralia A number of recent apocalyptic articles have referred to the decrease in popularity of our beloved game.

I haven’t read any that have supported this assertion with hard data, although some cite the closure of some golf clubs.

TALKING POINT

By Steve

Whilst it’s true that some clubs have been forced to close, the ones referenced in the articles all reported thriving memberships with the implication that the closure was forced by bad management or other factors.

Banks-Smith

Running a golf club is an expensive undertaking and in the face of land prices and the constant demand for new land on which to build housing, a challenging one.

One of my four tips for better club management: Ensure a decent range of beers, sadly absent in most clubs

Every article I have read stated the need for golf to change to attract young people but in my view this is the wrong way to look at the issue.

people I know who took up the game as children or teenagers either had parents who played or were raised in Scotland.

Golf is a relatively-expensive sport to play and certainly a time-consuming one. Money and time are invariably in short supply for young people in education or starting a career or family.

This obsession with trying to attract young people to something they’re not intuitively drawn to is not the monopoly of golf. Other sports or institutions I’ve heard anguishing over the same challenge include the Conservative party, most of the radio stations on the BBC, the Church and Test Match cricket. All have spent a lot of hours exploring how to change their natural demography. I’d ask why?

It’s also not the obvious “go to” sport for most youngsters. I’d never considered it until my body wouldn’t let me play football or rugby any longer and most of my peers are the same. The only

“Attract young people into golf? I’d never considered it until my body wouldn’t let me play football or rugby any longer. Most of my peers are the same”

Surely the best thing to do is optimise the experience, in golf’s case, for those already playing whilst making it a welcome home for anyone wanting to try it for the first time or returning to it. Were I running a golf club, these, in no particular order, are some of the things I’d address: Ensure a decent range of beers, sadly absent in most clubs. Scrap gender-specific or agespecific tee slots at weekends. These prime slots should be open to all. Have more cross-gender and cross-age group club competitions to ensure everyone feels part of the same club not a member of one section of it. Have designated times where only two balls are allowed and the same for four balls. Tthis would allow players to better assess how long their round might take and plan accordingly.

Which U.S. team will turn up for the Ryder Cup? Tiger Woods has often been accused of not being a team player and his record in the Ryder Cup would appear to bear this out. His overall record is 13 wins, 21 losses and 3 halves, not great for a player who, for a lot of those games, was the best, or one the best, in the world. Within these figures, his record as a partner is even worse. Whilst he’s won 4 singles matches, losing 2 and halving 2, he’s lost 19 out of 29 matches in the 2 partnered formats.

The case is made, or is it? Tiger’s recently captained (and as a player) the U.S. to victory over the International team which is pretty much anyone not American or European. The match took place at Royal Melbourne and Tiger took his wins total overall to 27. This is a new record for the tournament and one better than Phil Mickleson, another not touted as the best team player in the Ryder Cup. The 27 wins are set against 15 losses and 1 half and interestingly of the 27 wins, 20

Tee Times | February 2020

have come as a partner in either the foursomes or fourball format. So why is Tiger Woods, and indeed Phil Mickleson, so much more of a success overall and specifically as a team player in the Presidents Cup than the Ryder Cup? Will the next American Ryder Cup captain include him and how will he get the best from him? I don’t know the answer but it will be fascinating to see how it all works out.

Cameron Smith cwon the PGA Tour’s Sony Open and said he hoped his victory would allowhis fellow Australians to “smile for a moment or two” during the bushfire crisis. Smith, 26, won the first play-off hole at Hawaii’s Waialae Country Club to beat American Brendan Steele. Smith, whose uncle Warren lost his home in the fire storms, said: “Australia is doing it tough right now and the focus is probably not on my golf, for good reason. “But hopefully it gave a few people reason to smile for a moment or two. Uncle Warren drove back to his place the other day and what he found was quite devastating. “I saw the photos and the only thing he had left was a little shed that him and his son built a few months back. “We’re a tight-knit family and it hit everyone pretty hard. It’s good to do something good, and hopefully puts a smile on their faces.” Smith fired a a two-under-par 68 including a crucial birdie putt on the final hole - to share the mark of 11-under for the tournament with Steele. On the first play-off hole Steele, who had led all day, was wayward off the tee, allowing Smith the chance to twoputt for par and victory. Smith and a host of other golfers at the event donated a portion of their prize money to the relief effort for the disaster.

Lucky me Justin Thomas said he “got very lucky” after beating Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele in a play-off to win the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. The 26-year-old American won his 12th US PGA Tour title despite bogeying two of the last three holes in regulation. The tournament only features players who won on the PGA Tour last year. He said: “For some reason I was supposed to win this week. I got very, very lucky.”

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Noemi Jiménez commits to new role at Finca Cortesin Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa has underlined its longterm commitment to growing women’s golf in Spain by extending its sponsorship contract with Ladies European Tour star Noemi Jiménez. The 2020 season will be the fifth year running that Spanish ace Jiménez has represented Finca Cortesin as its touring professional after first teaming up with the exclusive Andalucian resort shortly after turning professional in 2015. As well as representing the resort worldwide, the 26-yearold from Marbella will also play a leading role in helping to promote ladies golf in the Andalucia region, including hosting an exclusive clinic at Finca Cortesin on Global Women’s Golf Day 2020. Jiménez will be on hand to lead a fun-packed morning on and off the course on Tuesday, June 2, with players of all abilities set to enjoy nine holes on the resort’s 18-hole championship course followed by a golf clinic before having the chance to relax in style with a lunchtime cocktail at the golf clubhouse. Jiménez said: “Finca Cortesin has given me some wonderful backing since I turned professional, and I’m very proud to have extended our partnership. “With an outstanding golf course and world-class practice facilities, the resort is one of the best golfing venues I’ve played at anywhere in the world. Like me, Finca Cortesin is very passionate about increasing the number of women playing golf in the Andalucia region, and I’m looking forward to working with them again in 2020.” Vicente Rubio, president of Finca Cortesin, said: “We’re delighted to have finalised a new sponsorship agreement with Noemi. She is a fantastic role model for lady golfers, both locally and nationally, and we’re honoured that she has agreed to represent the resort for the coming season.” Opened in March 2006 and set across a vast 532-acre estate, Finca Cortesin – a member of the prestigious European Tour Destinations Network – is regarded among Europe’s most exclusive modern golf and lifestyle destination resorts. The deluxe golf and lifestyle resort has received a number of leading global accolades over the last 12 months including, most recently, its Hotel Cortesin being voted number one in the ‘Top 20 Hotels in Spain & Portugal’ category in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2019. Set 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 18hole championship course was designed by Cabell Robinson and has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments – including the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2009, 2011 and 2012. It is the first venue in Spain to feature a new, eco-friendly variety of Bermuda grass on all its greens.

Tee Times | February 2020

Complementing the par-72 layout are outstanding practice facilities including Finca Cortesin’s recently-upgraded Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy, which features the very latest golfswing technology as well as offering an exclusive five-star club-fitting experience using equipment from some of the game’s top golf club brands including Honma Golf – global leaders in the manufacture of premium golf equipment – and TaylorMade. Finca Cortesin’s other world-class facilities include an elegant 67-suite hotel; a 6,000sqm Beach Club; an award-winning spa featuring Spain’s only snow cave; and four restaurants. www.fincacortesin.com

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Pete Dye, legendary course designer, dies at the age of 94 Pete Dye, who designed some even the world’s greatest golfers. of golf’s most iconic courses, When Dye was laying out the course, he was unsure how to fill in sandy has died at the age of 94.

Pete Dye: Crafted more than 100 courses

Dye, who was often assisted in his designs by his wife Alice, who died aged 91 in February. The pair crafted one of the world’s most recognisable and photographed holes: the Island Green 17th at Sawgrass. The green is only some 135 yards from the tee. Surrounded by water and connected to the rest of the course by a slender land bridge, it has tormented

terrain he had hollowed out around the green for transfer to other spots on the course, Alice had a solution. Dye said: “Originally, the water was just supposed to come into play on the right side, but we just kept digging. And then one day Alice came out and said, ‘Why don’t you just go ahead and make it an island?’ So we did.” Dye designed more than 100 courses,

New skipper extends his senior service Hampshire’s Alan Mew has revealed his pride after being named the new England Senior Men’s team captain. The 66-year-old Stoneham star has been handed the reins after Cheshire’s Roy Smethurst retired at the end of a successful five years in the role. Mew, himself an England senior international of fine record, will skipper England’s defence of their Home International and European crowns won in thrilling fashion last September. The Hampshire golfer was part of the squad in Denmark which lifted their first European title in a decade. Mew and his team-mates then followed up that landmark victory by clinching the Home Internationals at Alnmouth Golf Club. “I understand there were a few candidates to replace Roy so, naturally, I’m delighted to have been given the role”, he said. “I’ve had individual success as a golfer down the years, but it is in team events where I feel I have excelled and experienced the biggest highs from an emotional point of view. “The 2019 England squad was without doubt the best group I have been involved with and it was a privilege to be a part of the success. “The team spirit was second to none. It is essential in any team event and something I will look to build on in 2020.”

Above: From player to England captain Hampshire’s Alan Mew (Photo: Leaderboard). Left, with the Irish Seniors Open trophy

Mew’s men will defend their European title in September at the Diamond CC in Austria. The Home International title will be contested at Aberdovey Golf Club in Wales later that month. Mew, whose wife Maureen has been his long-time caddie added: “England is at a slight disadvantage in the European event. “Most countries allow golfers to play at senior level after the age of 50 while our threshold is 55 so last year’s success was even more deserving of praise. “The Home International are always special too – the chance to beat Scotland, mainly, as well as Ireland and Wales always brings an edge.”

Tee Times | February 2020

and his layouts have hosted four Major championships, most recently at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, which will host the Ryder Cup this year. He also had several courses on the PGA Tour, most notably TPC Sawgrass where the Stadium Course has held the Players Championship since 1982. His courses were often described as “Dye-abolical” because of the penalties they could inflict with a bad shot. Dye’s response:“Golf is not a fair game, so why build a course fair?”

Tiger Woods, adding “team player and captain” to his CV, with his winning Presidents Cup squad

This time last year, even Tiger Woods’ most fervent fans were beginning to accept that his glory days were over. Apart from his well-documented fall from marital grace, his form deserted him and he was plagued with injury after injury. What a difference a year makes. The golfing world whooped for joy when he added another Masters to his 14 Major triumphs. And now, the 43-year-old has added another significant line to his legend with his triumphant playing captaincy of the United States at the Presidents Cup, says one of the sport’s most respected observers. BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter wrote: “The skipper inspired America’s comeback on the final day to condemn Ernie Els’ international team to an eighth successive defeat. “In the process, Woods started to provide answers to one of the biggest questions that has hovered over his playing career. “Despite his individual glories, he has never been seen as a team man. “Woods has only once been on the winning side, back in 1999 when he played his first home match in the infamous ‘Battle of Brookline’.

Who on earth is this? Can it really be Tiger Woods, team player? “Such a potentially talismanic figure has inhibited rather than inspired playing partners, while bringing the best out of opponents.” “Woods was a man possessed. He won all three of his matches at Royal Melbourne, a master at work on a masterpiece of a golf course. “Ryder Cup skipper Steve Stricker was an assistant in Australia and will have seen close hand how Woods likes to work in a team scenario.”

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Play the Rain Game, not the Blame Game. It has been such a wet Winter I’m surprised that the golfers of the south haven’t begun to grow webbing between their toes. But if your course remains open and is playable there’s no reason not to get out there in the wet and keep swinging throughout the winter. Don’t expect too much from your game when the weather is horrid. Firstly and foremost, remain positive in these conditions. Everyone is in the same and it is wasted energy blaming the weather for poor shots and scores. Remain calm and focus on taking every shot as it comes. If you have a shocker (and they happen to everyone in these conditions) then just laugh it off and wipe the mud off your face! This sort of weather makes us feel alive so try to breathe in that fresh wet air and chill out! Remember the state of our weather is completely uncontrollable so focus on the things you can control; your attitude, swing and general mood. Swing wise it is important to be conservative with both length of swing and amount of effort you put into each shot. It is easy to lose control when conditions become slippery. Aim to swing the club only ¾ of the way back and allow an extra club or two. What you lose in distance you should gain in accuracy so don’t try and force a shot. Ensure you keep your tempo smooth and swing at only 70% effort… Ensure you don’t change your pre-shot routine. Sometimes I find players tend to rush their shots in an attempt to get in out of the rain as soon as possible. Not a good move, this is when clubs slip and things go wrong! Maintain a smooth practice swing and make sure you recreate this onto the ball. Have a clear image in your head of the shot you want to hit before stepping up to the ball. Lastly preparation is everything! Ensure you have all you need to cope with these conditions. A decent set of waterproofs are essential. When it’s cold some thermal base layers are a seriously good idea, Under Armour do some amazing ones. A few gloves in a plastic bag will ensure that you are never too soggy in the grip department. Go one step better than this and invest in a Footjoy RainGrip glove… the wetter it gets the more secure your hold on the club becomes! I wouldn’t play in the rain without one. Dry hats help too, as your hat gets wet your head will get cold. Change your hat a few times in your round if you can. If you have an electric trolley then make the most of your umbrella holder. This will keep your equipment dry as a bone for the duration of your round. Hang your glove up inside the brolley between shots and hang a towel here too to dry your clubs before taking your hold and stepping into the rain. Playing in the rain doesn’t have to be wet and miserable… it can be wet and productive as long as you approach the game with a positive attitude and you are prepared. Good luck and get out there!!! Lastly take a thermos of hot soup or tea, it’s amazing what a warming effect this has on you. You will be very grateful for this come the turn. For more tips on fixing your faults visit www.katiedawkinsgolf.co.uk Happy Valentines everyone and let’s make golf enjoyable this year. Keep Smiling and feel the love for what is an amazing game. We are blessed to be able to play it, whatever the weather.

Tee Times | February 2020

Looking back When I was twelve, I was introduced to golf by my dear dad, who was just starting to play himself. I soon fell in love with the game and decided that I wanted to become a professional player some day and to that end I practiced endlessly. After some success as an amateur golfer, I decided to give it a go as a professional. I spent a brief spell at Brokenhurst Manor GC in Hampshire and then moved to Langley Park GC in Kent. This was certainly the start of a very enjoyable journey, which has taken me to some incredible places and allowed me to meet some wonderful and inspirational people. Some of these people have had a big impact on the way I teach golf. One of my most memorable golfing moments was an incident that happened when I played in the European Tournament Players Championship at Moor Park GC in 1979. My dad was caddying for me. Seve Ballesteros was in the group in front and Nick Faldo in the group behind, partnered with US Open Champion David Graham. It really felt like I’d hit the big time! While I was waiting to play, David came up onto the tee, said hello and started looking through my clubs and testing their flex. He said that they were a bit too whippy for his liking. He then took my putter out of the bag. This he really liked and asked me where I’d bought it. I told him I had found it in a barrel of old clubs in the shop at Langley Park GC. He wanted to buy it from me but, although very old, I liked my putter so declined his offer. It always amazed me that a great golfer like David Graham was interested in my old putter, which probably wouldn’t get a fiver in a second hand shop. He certainly was excited by it; perhaps he thought my old putter would give him that bit of magic! I held a European Tour Card for three seasons – each time having to go back to Tour School; the last time I went I finished joint fourth. At the end of that season I decided my career should take a different route and turned my attention towards golf coaching. As I said at the beginning, I have met and worked with some great and inspiring people during my career; people who have really influenced the way I think with regards to golf and golf instruction. These include David Leadbetter, who at one time coached and improved many of the very best players in the world. Players like Nick Faldo, Nick Price, Ernie Els - the list goes on. Paul Chek. I don’t suppose many if any of you have heard of Paul Chek. He is world renowned in the field of exercise and is the founder of the Chek Institute. The Chek Institute offer many certifications for exercise professionals. I met Paul when I attended his Golf Biomechanics course in Eastbourne. Jim Hardy, author of “Plane Truth for Golfers” amongst others. Many golf instructors have benefited greatly from the knowledge passed onto them by Jim. I have discovered many gems of information during my golfing journey and will continue to pass these onto my readers during 2020. I wish you all a very happy and successful golfing year.

M: 07787 887578 | E: martin.butcher@aim.com | W: mbtourcoach.com

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