Tee Times Golf Magazine, April 2017

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ISSUE 191 APRIL 2017 Tel: 01329 834360 Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com

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APRIL 2017

Golf Academy

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 3

Rory: Muirfield vote ‘still leaves a bad taste’ Years of frustration to end? The kind of Tee Times headlines which have highlighted rules controversies

RULES REVOLUTION Big overhaul to make golf simpler, faster and fairer WHOLESALE changes to the Rules of Golf have been drawn up to bring the ancient game into the twenty-first century.

The proposals, listed right, are aimed at making golf simpler and less time-consuming, without damaging the integrity and history of the sport.

Hailing the proposals as ‘the biggest transformation of the rules in a generation’, the Royal and Ancient and the United States Golf Association expect golfers at all levels to experience significant shifts in how they play.

Hidden rules

THE MAIN CHANGES Among the changes being considered are plans to: • Remove any penalty for accidentally moving your ball.

• Relax the protocols for taking free or penalty drops, with the ball dropped from only an inch above the ground, rather than shoulder height.

• Use fixed distances (20 or 80 inches) rather than club lengths to measure areas where a ball should be dropped.

• Cut the time allowed to search for a lost ball from five to three minutes.

• Allow putting on the green with the flagstick left in the hole.

• Let players repair spike marks and animal damage on greens.

• Sanction the use of distance measuring devices.

The two governing bodies want to make golf quicker and played under more simple, consistent and fair rules. The ideas have been published for a six-month public consultation and the new rulebook should operate from 2019.

• Ban caddies from lining up players preparing to make a stroke.

Officials have spent four years examining current rules in detail, and have listened to the views of the professional tours. The result is a fresh look at a game which at the moment is governed by a rulebook containing hundreds of regulations and sub-rules.

• Encourage players in strokeplay to implement ‘ready golf’ rather than wait until it is their turn.

• Turn to Page 4

• Recommend that no player takes more than 40 seconds to hit a shot.

• Empower committees to set a maximum score for a hole (such as double par or triple bogey) to allow a player to pick up and move to the next hole.

And talking of jazzing up our sport, how about Golfing Glastonbury? See Page 20

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McIlroy was very critical of the historic venue last year when it was removed as an Open venue after choosing to maintain the ban.

Following the new decision, McIlroy said: ‘I still think that it got to this stage is horrendous. We'll go back and play the Open because they'll let women members in, but every time I go I won't have a great taste in my mouth.’

In the second vote, members at the privately owned club voted 80 per cent in favour of updating its membership policy.

‘I mean, in this day and age, where you've got women that are leaders of certain industries and women that are heads of state and not be able to join a golf course - it's obscene.

‘It's ridiculous. So they sort of saw sense.’

On the one in five who voted to maintain the ban, McIlroy said: ‘It's horrendous. I mean, I just don't get it.

So anyway, we'll go back there for the Open Championship at some point and I won't be having many cups of tea with the members afterwards.’

Masters champion Danny Willett described the second vote as ‘a great thing. It shows how times have changed, how golf has changed.’

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If you would like to advertise in Tee Times, or would like to submit any editorial copy for publication, please call us on: 01329 834360, email us at: peter.teetimes@gmail.com, or write to us at: PGL Services Limited, Shedfield House Dairy, Unit 3, Shedfield, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2HQ. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, the publishers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. All articles published herein are without responsibility on the part of the publishers, in the occasion of loss or damage to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any views published in Tee Times Golf Publications. COPYRIGHT: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or recorded by any means whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the publishers. © PGL Services Limited 2006.

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APRIL 2017

THE NEW RULES TO BOOST FAIRER, FASTER GOLF ‘Golfers are expected to abide by the rules and by following through on all respects of that we can set the rules more simply and give greater guidance and make the game better to play.’

• From Page 3 Apart from that, there is a 500-page 'Decisions Book' filled with precedents and so-called hidden rules which attempt to deal with the uncountable eventualities during a round of golf. All this will be simplified.

David Rickman, R&A executive director of governance said: ‘This is the biggest set of changes in a generation.’

NEW RULE would remove need to drop ball from shoulder height

NEW RULE would ban caddies from lining up a player’s stroke

‘In recent history we had big changes in 1952 and then again in 1984, so we have done this sort of thing before.’

‘It seems that in the 30-odd-year range we need to step back and think on a broader perspective and bring the rules up to date.’

Mr Rickman said the current rulebook is difficult to understand, with players needing to be something of a ‘golfing lawyer’ to understand them.

‘I think that is a justifiable criticism,’ he said.‘I think the rulebook is very cleverly constructed - perhaps I would say that.

But if it is not readily understandable to golfers, then we've failed.

The working party examined every regulation in the book before drawing up its proposals, Mr Rickman added, and they were not afraid to consider fundamental change.

Examples: repairing spike marks; allowing the choice of leaving the flag in the hole for putts on the green; and banning caddies from lining up players’ shots.

Another which will be sure to raise discussion is how penalty or free drops can be made – allowing a player to release the ball not from shoulder height any more, but dropping from just an inch off the ground.

NEW RULE would cut the time allowed to search for a lost ball

‘We've ended up with a technical and complicated code, and that's not what we want, particularly as golf is largely self-regulating.

NEW RULE would dispense with club lengths to measure drops

‘So we needed to reduce that complexity, and one of the ways we can do that is by putting a greater emphasis on player integrity.

‘I suspect this will be an area of the rules that we will talk about for some time,’ Mr Rickman said. ‘We really want to get the ball back into play more quickly.’

Let's go golf the Glastonbury way: Page 20

RULES OK? Reaction from MIKE REES of Tee Times - Page 24

briefly Pledge on Open at Trump’s Turnberry

OLYMPIC WARNING - The International Olympic Committee has warned it will move the Tokyo 2020 golf event from its current venue if it does not admit women.

The Kasumigaseki Country Club does not allow women to become full members or to play on Sundays. International Olympic Committee vice president John Coates said: ‘I respect it's a private club but our position is clear. We will only go to a club that has non-discrimination.’

KENT’S OPEN AGAIN - The 2020 Open Championship, the 149th, will be staged at Royal St George's.

The Kent club has hosted The Open 14 times, most recently in 2011, when Darren Clarke won the event for the first time.

The club voted in March 2015 to admit female members for the first time in its history.

DUSTIN WINS AS NO 1 - American Dustin Johnson held off a strong European challenge to win his first tournament as world number one at the World Golf Championships in Mexico.

THE furore around the beginning of Donald Trump's U.S. Presidency will have no effect on his Turnberry course's chances of staging another Open, said R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers.

‘Turnberry remains absolutely as one of our nine golf courses,’ said Mr Slumbers. ‘I also said last year that it's clear 2020 and 2021 did not involve Turnberry in that discussion, and we will be thinking about 2022 not for at least another year.’

The R&A is keen to separate the sport from politics but suggested having the president of the United States so prominent in golf has changed the landscape: ‘For all of us in the game, we are in uncharted territory here with the president's family owning golf courses. But I think it's important for us that we understand where the game is and make sure we keep to that, without ignoring all the other factors that go around it.’

Like Rory McIlroy, the R&A boss would accept an invitation to play golf with the

Golf Academy

Donald Trump at Turnberry

President. ‘With all senior people in the world, I think it's polite and respectful to listen to them and work with them.’

• THE R&A might pay Open prize money in dollars following the post-Brexit collapse in the value of sterling.

Pressure is growing on the Championship purse at a time when the U.S. Open is offering a record prize fund of $12m (£9.6m).

Last year's Open was worth £6.5million - at current rates worth a fraction over $8million.

‘It's certainly an issue,’ said Mr Slumbers.

Four golfers die in plane tragedy IT began in an everyday kind of way: four guys on holiday fancied a game of golf while their wives went shopping. It ended in tragedy, and with the four wives widowed.

The American golfers, Greg De Haven, Russell Munsch, Glenn Garland and John Washburn, all from Austin, Texas, were on an Australian holiday when they chartered a light aircraft to take them from Melbourne to an offshore golf course on King Island, 160 miles to the south.

Moments after takeoff from a nearby runway, the twin-engine plane crashed into the roof of the Direct Factory Outlet in the district of Essendon. The pilot, 63-yearold Max Quartermain, also died. An official said that Quartermain radioed a distress call, shouting Mayday several times, but did not describe the nature of the emergency.

Quartermain was investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau after a near mid-air collision that happened in September 2015. He later passed tests to prove he could fly a plane by instruments alone.

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

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KE EK >/E t K

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THESE TROLLS ARE ‘RIDICULOUS’

HAMPSHIRE PGA REPORTS

Kevin beats the heat for victory Bad-mouthed on the internet: Rory McIlroy and President Trump

Rory defends a golf round with Trump RORY McIlroy was forced to defend himself against online trolls who accused him of being a ‘fascist’ and a ‘racist’ for playing a round of golf with Donald Trump.

The world number three was criticised on social media for accepting the American President’s invitation to play 18 holes at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida.

McIlroy insisted his motives for playing with the controversial Mr Trump were not political, and he declared that some of the unsavoury comments directed at him were ‘just ridiculous’.

After 18 holes on the Florida course, McIlroy said of his playing partner: ‘He probably shot around 80. He's a decent player for a guy in his 70s.’

But following a backlash on social media, McIlroy took to Twitter to defend his actions, saying he respects Mr Trump's office and ‘I don't agree with everything my friends or family say or do, but I still play golf with them. I was invited to play golf with the president of the United States. Whether you respect the person who holds the position or not, you respect the office that he holds. The game was not an endorsement, nor a political statement of any kind. It was, quite simply, a round of golf.’

‘

I don't agree with everything my friends or family say or do, but I still play golf with them. Whether you respect the person who holds the position or not, you respect the office that he holds. The game was not an endorsement, nor a political statement of any kind

’

After finishing on 141, one-under-par and a stroke ahead of runner up Jon Barnes (Lee-on-the-Solent) with first round leader Hickling in third spot three shots further back on 144, Saunders said: ‘It was an interesting day to say the least. I had a feeling I was catching Adam up but like a lot of others I was beginning to wilt in the heat. I also managed to get through three trolleys and the last one had only two plastic rims going up the last.’

Hickling, Stoneham’s head PGA Professional and winner of the Be Wiser Insurance PGA in Hampshire Strokeplay Championship in June, looked set for his second county major when he posted a record-breaking 65 in the first round.

That six-under-par super show saw him go into the afternoon session five strokes clear of his rivals, Saunders, Jon Barnes, Jack Coulbert and Jason McNiven.

However, he dropped three shots in the first four holes to go out in 38 and offer the chasing pack a glimmer of hope.

But it was the back nine that proved his undoing as he posted a couple of double bogeys for a 79 to finish in third place behind.

Yet it all looked so promising in the morning for him despite a bogey at the opening hole. He then went on a blistering run to chalk up five birdies and an eagle at the eighth to set a new best at Hartley Wintney.

Then, with Hickling struggling to get his game back on track, Saunders and Barnes (Lee-on-the Solent) took advantage.

They were neck and neck coming to the 160-yard 35th hole where Saunders effectively won the championship with a birdie.

His six-iron approach came to rest two feet from the hole for a tap in and he followed up with a par to consign Barnes to second place.

ELLIOT’S GOLDEN START

McIlroy added: ‘I've travelled all over the world and have been fortunate enough to befriend people from many different countries, beliefs and cultures.

‘To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone's company is just ridiculous. I hope, to some degree, this clarifies my decision to accept the invitation.’

HELEN THE ‘BAG LADY’ WHEN Lee Westwood’s regular caddie was unavailable for the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi, he drafted in his girlfriend.

ELLIOT Groves had the perfect start to life as an apprentice PGA professional – by winning the Hampshire Trainee Championship.

The Romsey pro – who made his name on the American college circuit and has competed on the PGA Europro tour – fired a 142 total at Waterlooville to clinch victory.

Rounds of 72 and 70 pushed him five shots clear of Royal Winchester’s Ben Wilkinson and Groves admitted: ‘I played really nicely.’

The 27-year-old, who won the prestigious 2012 NAIA national championship while at Oklahoma University, added: ‘The greens were a bit of a test and I missed less putts than the others.’

As well as his PGA training, Groves will be aiming to help more talented young golfers take advantage of the US college system.

Romsey has a strong history of sending juniors to America on scholarships and Groves – who was posted to Western Texas College in 2008 - is now on the Athletes USA UK scout team.

Helen Storey, 39, a personal trainer, said: ‘I managed to get round in one piece. He's very even-tempered all the time with me. It was good fun.'

Westwood, 43, who is split from his wife, said: ‘I wouldn't want to carry the golf bag around six miles in this kind of heat. Every credit for doing it.’

ADAM Hickling (Stoneham) endured the highs and lows the game can suddenly spring on you as Kevin Saunders (Brokenhurst ManoR) secured a dramatic one shot victory at Hartley Wintney in the Be Wiser Insurance PGA in Hampshire Masters.

Togetherness: Lee Westwood and Helen Storey

Golf Academy

The economics bachelor said: ‘It is something I am passionate about. You are working in a professional environment from 6am to 8pm with top coaches. It really is full on.’

Martin makes it first-time merit MARTIN Adams has won The PGA in Hampshire Order of Merit for the first time. The popular assistant pro at Swanmore Golf Centre finished ahead of 2015 winner Jon Barnes (Lee-on-theSolent) with Adam Hickling (Stoneham) in third spot.

Adams, 29, collected a prize fund of £6,383, having supported every one of the 28 events on the circuit.

He came third last season and said: ‘I have been knocking on the door for a while so to finally win it is very pleasing.’

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 7

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APRIL 2017

l e v a r T l l i W Have Clubs REAL CLUB DE GOLF DE TENERIFE The island of Tenerife emerged from the ocean due to a volcanic eruption over twelve million years ago. It is 83 kilometres in length and 54 kms wide, a total land area of some 2000 Michael Rees square metres, and located not far from the coast of Africa, so it enjoys a wonderful year round temperate climate, ideal for golf whatever time of year you travel.

Nestling in the north of the island , close to the Los Rodeos airport, is the second oldest golf club in Spain, Real Club de Golf de Tenerife (the Royal Club) and it is quite unique on the island. For this is an authentic members golf club as we know it, with one thousand members many of whom are nonresident on the island. Tenerife has a long history of links with Great Britain, at the beginning of the 20th Century there was a flourishing trade with the British Isles, and this gave rise to many established customs being extended to the Canary Islands. It is known that golf was played on Tenerife as early as 1896, not far distant from the club, indeed documents exist in the British Golf Museum at St Andrews which show that the Oratava Golf Club organised competitions well before the end of the 19th century. The present golf club dates back to 1932, and the course we play today was designed by four prestigious golfers , members of the club, Andres Alberto, Antonio Lucena, Joaquim Laynez and Aurelio Yanes, and their fine design has stood the test of time.

At 600 metres above sea level at the lowest point, it is lush and green, and the resultant course is the closest to an English parkland links that you will find outside the United Kingdom. The quality of the course has long been recognised, it has played host to the Spanish Open and numerous other national events both amateur and professional. The mention of professionalism instantly raises the profile of Tito Abreu who has served the club for many years. Tito was a renowned golfer in the 1970’s, winner of several

national championships in European countries when the professional tour was emerging. He was a great influence when he came to the Real Club, a service recognised when he was awarded the Golf Medal by the Spanish Golf Association. He was responsible for bringing some great and famous names to play at the club: Seve Ballesteros, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Manuel Pinero, Jose Maria Canizares and Antonio Garrido, all of whom have contributed to the success of the GB & I teams in the Ryder Cup since the inclusion of European golfers.

From a fascinating history has evolved a wonderful club and course, a par 71 of 5740 metres, and one where short par 4’s and long par fives still provide a challenge to the best of players. Short holes, which are as short as 126 metres, and stretch out to 206 metres – with water hazards to add a variety sufficient to make any round an experience to be savoured. Lush fairways, fast true greens and English style strategically placed bunkers, so different from the large tracts of sand typical of the American influence. Also very reminiscent of England is the half way refreshment house, where excellent coffee and biscuits are served with a smile, enjoyed during our pit stop in the sunshine, and fruit and soft drinks for the remainder of the round. The final holes are played back toward the clubhouse, from elevated tees to narrow tree lined fairways, changes in elevation and with views to store in the memory. Then it is time to change and enjoy refreshments on the terrace, served by very attentive clubhouse staff.

Golf Academy

Our visit was arranged by Club Manager Maria Gonzalez de Guzman Ochoa, and we were made most welcome by the staff in the professional shop, and the efficient caddy master, all facets indicative of a very well run members club. Our drive from the South took just over ninety minutes, with the modern motorway system serving the island, and our experience proved it was worth every mile, a cultural change from the courses of the south.

time made me realise what I have been missing for so many years. As we left the carpark, I vowed that gap would not be repeated and that we would return soon. I heartily recommend the experience to all golfers who visit the island of Tenerife, with advice to make the effort and seek out one of the real hidden treasures of Tenerife.

It had been over twenty seven years since my last game at the club, and my visit this

www.rcgt.es www.tenerifegolfclubhire.com

For more information visit the websites:

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 9

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The Myths and Misunderstanding of Marketing I have spoken many times on the benefits of custom made golf clubs. A common response is “I do not need to come and see you, as I have custom made clubs”. The golfer is under the impression that he has got custom made clubs but in the vast majority of cases, upon further investigation it becomes apparent that the golfer has in fact got a custom fitted set, often from a fitting trolley. I have also spoken on several occasions about the different types of custom fitting and have also discussed the fact that the golf industry does not have any agreed standard.

Sadly this is not an isolated example. I have even had the supposedly shorter wood having less loft than the longer wood. This does not just apply to woods, the situation with irons is identical, even with the company with 11 colour lie dots.

To re-cap there is no such thing as regular, no such thing as 2° up and there is no such thing as a 7 iron (or any other club to be precise)! This should make the alarm bells ring when you are given three 7 irons to try.

This is where a truly made custom made set has its benefits. Not only do I make clubs individually that match the golfer, I also only make the clubs that the golfer needs.

You need to be aware that you are not comparing apples against apples. The same applies with all the group tests in the magazines. If every iron head was fitted to the same shaft, at the same length with the same grip and adjusted to the same loft and lie – THEN you would be comparing the heads as the consumer tests imply.

One important point to bare in mind with these custom fitted sets is that it is a sad indictment that I have NEVER, and I do mean Never, come across a single set of club that match each other never mind the golfer.

The kick start behind this article was a customer who had what he thought was a matched set of woods from one of the perceived top three manufacturers.

He had a Driver, 3, 5 and 7 woods. Upon measuring them I found that the four woods had 4 different flexes which of course is not ideal!

But what was worse the difference in length between the 5 and 7 was only ⅛" and the lofts of the two woods were identical.

When I asked the golfer how he was getting on with his woods he did say he thought that there wasn’t much difference in distance between the 5 and 7 but as the clubs were still quite new he was still getting used to them. This is a common response.

The golfer has bought what he believes to be high end clubs, so it is always the golfers’ fault, it can’t be the clubs! So the golfer tries to manipulate his swing in an attempt to get the desired results.

On a recently measured set of these irons where they had been fitted at the companies headquarters, the golfer thought he had a set of irons fitted to 2° flat by their standard.

When these irons were measured, in his set he had every lie option covered between 2° flat and 2° up!

The final important benefit of custom made clubs is that the clubs made match each other.

will hit the ball further and straighter. And so the cycle goes on.

Golfers should be aware that the law of physics have not changed over the last few years and all the manufacturers are doing is tweaking a little here, changing a colour there but still producing clubs that do not match each other, or the golfer.

If I was to measure 3 identical drivers of any manufacturer, I can say with a high degree of certainty, that none of the drivers would match each other.

The lofts would be different and the flexes would not be identical.

Not quite the situation you would envisage if the adverts were believable. This is even true for £350+ drivers.

For more information or to receive the benefits listed above, contact David on one of the numbers below to arrange an appointment.

When you come to see me you will be sure to receive a friendly welcome.

A copy of this and my previous articles for Doyle’s Dilemmas can be found online at http://www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com Should you have any questions on this or any equipment matter please feel free to call me on 01256 322007 or 07859 920055.

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

Hopefully, golfers will now at least think before shelling out their hard earned cash, or better still ask me for advice.

This means that you will have consistent gaps between you woods and irons. I have always believed the “secret” of golf is that you have one swing – whether you have a wedge in your hand or a 6 iron or even your driver. But to get consistent results especially with you irons you need a matched set of irons with consistent gaps in your lofts.

Sadly though the average golfer isn't aware of this. He buys his latest issue of a golf magazine, flicks straight to the equipment tests and devours the words written as gospel. Like the vast majority of golfers he is being hoodwinked by the marketing hype.

Every month we see adverts for the latest driver which the manufacturers suggest that will hit the ball further.

For almost several years now the maximum Coefficient of Restitution has been fixed.

This means that all modern drivers have the maximum spring board effect. The other favourite is movable weight technology.

Again we are told all we have to do is move the weights around and he presto, your slice is magically eliminated.

If the mumbo jumbo used by the manufacturers was true, every drive would be long and straight down the middle.

We all know that this is not the case, yet every day the new super driver is being sold, only to be ditched within 6 months to be replaced by the newer, hotter driver which

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 11

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APRIL 2017

ROMSEY JUNIORS ARE RUNNERS UP WHATS HOT OR NOT IN HOME NATIONS FINAL, PORTUGAL! in the World of Ladies Golf Your Monthly Blog by

Claire Kane

Golf through the Ages

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.

It’s interesting to compare the differences between someone starting out playing golf and an experienced golfer in their twilight golfing years.

For instance, newbies are keen to play as much golf as possible so they’ll play in any conditions. Whereas, older golfers are reluctant to venture onto the course if the weather’s looking a bit dodgy and are more than happy to while away time in the clubhouse until the clouds pass by.

When beginners initially enter competitions they realise they need more lessons to improve their scores. The difference with older golfers is they’ve already developed the techniques but it’s just a question of whether their hips, knees or shoulders will cope with the challenge.

Initially, as a beginner, it can be difficult trying to remember how many shots you’ve taken – let’s face it, multi-tasking is tricky when you’re so focused on striking and tracking the ball. Interestingly, it’s not uncommon for elderly golfers to also ‘mislay’ the odd shot due to short term memory loss.

When you’re fresh into golf, you’re keen to sign up for any games, even if you don’t have a clue what you’re entering, or who you’re playing with. Whereas the wiser, older golfer chooses carefully to avoid slogging over long courses, through soggy meadows or having to climb cardiac hills with a

miserable partner. They consider it far more important to have a good day out with mates on a pleasant but forgiving course.

Beginners can sometimes struggle with long carries and dog-legs due to inexperience and misjudgement. Sadly, some elderly golfers also fail to cope with long carries as they lose their muscle power and distance.

New golfers are pretty naïve when it comes to course management but they gradually learn where to place the ball, nevertheless, they tend to remain bullish and optimistic even when they are in deep trouble.

However, senior golfers know precisely where to place the ball, even if they can’t always reach it, or see it! They’re experienced and realistic enough to know if they’ve just played a lousy shot it’s probably unrecoverable and the chance of scoring is pretty remote.

Beginners soon understand a good part of the pleasure of golf is about friendship but it’s the senior golfer who appreciates the ‘good feel’ factor of the constant cracks with a bunch of fellow golfers, regardless of how dire they play.

It just shows you that regardless of your age, the benefits of golf are huge for everyone.

© Claire Kane Follow my tales on twitter@golfsnippets

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 13

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14 TEE TIMES

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- CLUBS FOR SALE PUTTING FOR DOUGH !

1

A range of putters, part of the TeeTimes memorabilia collection assembled by proprietor Peter Llewellyn over the past fourteen years has just been made available for sale.

The clubs, all quality items are described and pictured on this page, are being made available due to the shortage of space to effectively display the clubs at the offices of the Company.

Potential buyers who are interested in purchasing either single items or the whole collection are advised to contact Peter, either by telephone or email to discuss the matter.

SCHEDULE OF CLUBS FOR SALE 1. A Hogan Sovereign Putter 2. Scottie Cameron California Sonoma Putter 3. Scottie Cameron Studio Select Squareback No1 Putter 4. Yes Sandy C Groove Putter 5. Yes Olivia MB Putter 6. Wilson 8885 Putter 7. Ping B60 Putter

2

Other clubs available for sale include: 8. Ping Berylium 1 Iron 9. Callaway 11 degree polished metal driver Big Bertha 10. Yonex Driving Utility Club Contact details for values and registering interest: Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com Telephone: 01329 834360 Mobile: 07870 631040

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

* 2 / ) ) 5 6800(5 6&25&+(5 5

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 15

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4* Golf Breaks in Wales from £79pp - see page 7

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16 TEE TIMES

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APRIL 2017

ROMSEY GC CHARITY HANDOVER Alliss Invitational at Ferndown Golf Club raises over £39,000 for charity

From left to right: Tilly Pletts, Ruth Williams, Sandra Day and Natasha Haji

On Monday 5th September Ferndown Golf Club hosted the Alliss Invitational Charity Golf Day sponsored by JM Scully Ltd. This event raised a staggering £39,500 for The Peter Alliss Wheelchair Charity and Ferndown Captain’s chosen charities. The auction was hosted by Mike Osman whose persuasive skills helped secure the outstanding total.

The monies raised though the generous support of golfers participating at the Peter Alliss Invitational and Ferndown Golf Club events was presented to the beneficiary charities including a presentation of powered wheelchairs to local disabled young people by Harry Redknapp.

Harry Redknapp said “I have played in the Alliss Invitational and previous Salterns Alliss Merlo for many years and it’s great this year to witness first-hand how the money goes to such deserving charities.”

Ian Walton, General Manager said “Previous in 2014 the Salterns Alliss Merlo Pro Celebrity competition which came to a close after 28 years broke

through the million pound barrier. It is fantastic to see that the new competition format, now in its second year, has already raised £77,000 to support life changing charities.”

Ladies Past Captain of a Romsey Golf Club Ruth Williams presenting a cheque for £1272.78 to Sandra Day, Clubs Support for Brendoncare.

Brendoncare Clubs Is a local charity with around 90 clubs for older people and Ruth's chosen charity for 2016.

Alongside Ruth is Tilly Pletts, organiser of the

raffles at the club during the year and Natasha Haji, Fundraising Officer for Brendoncare.

Below: 2016 Club Captain, Mr Terry Sharp presents a cheque to Alison Dyba (left) from Cancer Research UK for £3211.75 following Romsey Golf Clubs fundraising efforts throughout Terry’s Captaincy year, 2016.

Ferndown Golf Club – The South West’s Premier 27-hole heathland golf course.

Rolex rates Ferndown in the world’s top 3% of courses, while Golf Monthly recently voted Ferndown Golf Club as their highest new entry into their ‘Top 100 Golf Clubs in UK & Ireland, 201718’ at No. 90. Golfers of every standard can experience both the joy and challenge of our 18-hole Old Course and 9-hole Alliss Course.

For more information about Ferndown and the long association with the Alliss family and the Alliss Invitation Charity Golf Day please visit Ferndown Golf Club,119 Golf Links Road, Ferndown BH22 8BU Telephone: 01202 653950 E-mail: golf@ferndowngolfclub.co.uk www.ferndowngolfclub.co.uk

CLASSIFIEDS Sellyour yourused usedororunwanted unwantedgolf golfequipment equipmentononthisthis page FREE! Sell page forfor FREE! Simply fill out Simply fill out theand coupon andTimes post Classifieds, it to: Tee Times Classifieds, the coupon below post below it to: Tee Links Golf Publications, Hedge EndHouse Golf Centre, Road, Hedge End, Hampshire, SouthamptonSO32 SO302HQ. 4EA Shedfield Dairy,Upper Unit 3,Northam Shedfield, Southampton,

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 17

Greece, Gourmet, and Golf, Greece’s best kept golf secret Greece is an interesting country seeped in history and fascinating mythology and is the creator of the Olympic Games. Sport has always played an important role in Greek culture although golf less so and probably why my golfing buddies weren’t that impressed when I told them I was off to Greece to play golf.

“Greece is not a golf country,” they insisted and I had to agree but surprisingly Costa Navarino where I was headed boasts two superb courses and conveniently not far from Kalamata airport which has regular flights to and from the UK fly between the months of April to October.

My arrival in late April coincided with balmy warm spring weather and the drive from the Kalamata airport to Costa Narvarino took less than 45 minutes. In no time I was checking into the luxury five star Westin Hotel before being escorted to my room or rather large luxury suit.

From the moment I walked in my eyes were out on stalks as I first inspected the large airy sitting room with a dining area and small kitchenette next to a guest bathroom.

The sitting room floor to ceiling French windows opened out to a wide west facing terrace that extended to the large bedroom next door with its open plan trendily designed bathroom, seemingly all the rage these days.

During my stay I would always make a point of eating breakfast al fresco in the delightful Morias restaurant before dashing off to whatever tee time had been arranged.

The first day we played the nearby par 71 Dunes course designed by former US Masters Champions and Ryder Cup captain, Bernhard Langer and within walking distance of the hotel although there is a regular buggy service that takes you to and from the clubhouse where clubs can be left in safe keeping of the Caddy Master.

By the time I arrived my clubs had already been strapped onto an awaiting buggy, bottles of cold water placed in the cool box and course cards were neatly clipped onto the steering wheel. Buggies are necessary and included in green fees as there are several long, and in some cases uphill walks between greens and tees.

The course a delight to play and I enjoyed more than anything the surrounding views of natural landscapes and distant rugged mountains all part of the local archaeological and heritage that spans some 5,000 years.

Coastal fairways are mostly flat and similar to playing a links course although inland scenery reflects more on typical Greek landscapes of olive groves and citrus trees.

Some holes run alongside a small river where balls easily go astray and where a couple of mine were lost forever. Most greens are quite large but deceptively undulating and often surrounded by strategically placed steep faced bunkers.

A couple of the par fours are quite short and reachable in two but according to my playing companion this depends mostly on the strength and direction of the wind.

Fortunately on the day we played we only had a slight sea breeze to deal with.

My favourite and prettiest hole of the entire course is the second, a downhill par three where you drive from the top of a small hill about 100 yards from the green below which appears to be next to the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. The final hole is a challenging par 5 hole but beware it has a deceivingly sloping green. At least the club house is only a few yards away and where we were greeted with a cooling beer which doubtless helped revive flagging energies.

The next day we played Costa Navarino’s other course; the Bay course is about a twenty minute bus ride from the Dunes clubhouse where a regular service runs every fifteen minutes. The moment you arrive young helpers take your clubs and strap them onto the buggy displaying your name in large letters.

return to his birthplace and create a predominantly sustainable holiday destination that would not only put his birthplace on the world’s tourist map but also create a top sporting destination.

This, he definitely achieved. Costa Navarino is not only regarded as one of Greece’s top international golf destinations but it also offers all kinds of recreational activities and a place worth visiting.

APRIL TOD FACT BOX Westin Hotel Costa Navarino rates range from 220 euros.

Romanos Luxury Collection resort from 390 euros.

Visit: www.costanavarino.com.

Of the two courses, the Bay course is the prettier and as it turned out, my favourite. It meanders through three distinct natural landscapes passing several centuries-old olive trees. Most holes overlook the Bay where in 1827 the historic battle of the Bay of Navarino was won against the hugely powerful Ottoman army. To this day this historic date means a lot to locals and particularly Costa Navarino’s founder, Vassilis Constantakopoulos who vowed once he made his fortune he would

Prices are based on deluxe garden view room on bed and breakfast basis.

For information on Navarino Residences go to: www.costanavarino.com/residences Aegean Airlines off daily flights from London Heathrow to Athens. There are no extra charges for golf bags.

4* Golf Breaks in Wales from £79pp - see page 7

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APRIL 2017

LEGENDS OF THE GAME... ...LONG JIM BARNES Considered one of the forgotten legends of the game, James Martin Barnes was an Englishman, born and raised in the town of Lelant, Cornwall, who emigrated to America as a teenager in 1904. He travelled to San Francisco after he had served two years as an assistant professional from the age of 15, at a local golf club, and in his new domicile he was to become a leading figure in the game of golf both in the USA and in his native Britain.

Long Jim was six feet four inches tall, a giant of a man who towered over the majority of golfers of the day. Although he took up US citizenship he returned regularly to his homeland after the Great War to compete in The Open Championship. He became one of the very few golfers who won all the major championships available to them when they were playing. In his era there were three, since The Masters did not commence until 1934, after his serious playing career was over. He won The USPGA twice, the US Open and The Open Championship; the latter was highlight of his numerous visits to Great Britain, where he finished in the top eight seven times between 1920 and 1928.

Jim Barnes Open Prestwick

His win in The Open came at Prestwick in 1925, the last time it was to be played there, and sadly it was marred by controversy, though none of it to do with Big Jim. Barnes had been out early and posted a four round score of 300, the leader was Macdonald Smith who was followed by a huge horde of supporting

fans, who continually encroached onto the links, affecting the play of the man they were supporting, and he lost concentration and collapsed to a final round score of 82, to finish in fourth place and leaving Cornishman Long Jim Barnes as Champion Golfer of the Year and winner of the Claret Jug. He followed his victory with a 12&11 rout of Willie Macfarlane for the unofficial world championship played at the Colombia Country Club near Washington.

If there was doubt about his Open win, there was nothing to query about his US Open success in 1921. He had been making steady progress since he first played it in 1912, having posted four top ten finishes; word was that the era of Scots born champions was coming to an end. As if to destroy this theory Jim came to Colombia Country Club in Maryland in 1921 and won his third major trophy. He was totally dominant, increasing his lead every round to win by a final margin of nine shots ahead of Walter Hagen and Fred McLeod. The biggest margin of victory in the US Open for over a century. It is recorded that he was fan-fared up the 18th fairway by the Marine Band, and he is the only Open champion ever to receive the trophy from the President of the United States, with Warren Harding present to do the honours.

The same year 1921, Jim also reached the final of the USPGA Championship, where he lost by 3&2 to Walter Hagen, who gained revenge for being outshone in the US Open.

Despite his successes in the major championships of the era, Long Jim never achieved the status of his oft nemesis, the flamboyant Walter Hagen. Jim was a quiet man who did not seek publicity; he would lope along the fairways with a sprig of clover or grass clamped between his teeth, seemingly at peace with the world.

Jim Barnes and President Harding

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Jim was to lose again in the final of the USPGA to Walter Hagen in 1924, but whatever the

situation between them, he had one success that no one could ever take away from him, he was the winner of the very first USPGA Championship and the first name engraved as the holder of the Wannamaker Trophy. The year was 1916, after 36 holes of stroke play there were 32 qualifiers for the knockout stage of the event.where Barnes was to blast his way through the field. With two winning margins of 8&7 and one of 6&5 before beating fellow expat Jock Hutchinson by one hole in the final, holing a five foot putt on the last green to snatch the trophy. He won the Wannamaker Trophy the second time it was played in 1919 after the two year gap caused by the First World War in Europe. It was played at the Engineers Country Club on Long Island New York and once again he was in dominant form, winning his rounds comfortably and defeating Fred McLeod by 6&5 in the final. His second major victory, a total that would be added to with his wins in the US Open in 1921 and the Claret Jug in 1925, a total of four majors, and success in all three events on the calendar at that time.

In addition to his major successes, he also won twenty one times in the USA at a time when the tour was a few scattered events; he was leading money winner on four occasions. He won the Western Open three times when that tournament was considered the only other major tournament, winning in 1914, 1917 and again in 1919. His last tournament win came after a gap of seven years in 1937 at the Long Island Open. During his heyday, the regular tour was still waiting to be established, which did not begin seriously until the mid 1930â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, so his record of wins is a remarkable catalogue of victories that defined him as a true legend of the game. The Cornish American died in May1966 in New York, he had been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1989, due recognition for his considerable contribution to the game.

Michael Rees

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 19

Romsey Golf Club Welcomes you all BOOK AN AFTERNOON GOLF SOCIETY FOR £25PP TO INCLUDE 1 COURSE MEAL Available from 2pm Mon - Fri Apr - Oct *

Alternative packages and times on request Romsey Golf Club, Romsey Road, Nursling, Southampton, SO16 0XW Telephone: 023 8073 4637 www.romseygolfclub.com (* Offer expires 30th October 2017)

Alresford Golf Club

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Ladies, Mixed & Seniors Open – Limited spaces available h August Mixed Golf & Afternoon Tea £25pp – 28tsite All Opens Entry forms available via web

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Nothing more to pay until 01/01/2018 (terms and conditions apply) • Highly regarded and well presented free draining course • Friendly clubhouse • No booking system for tee times necessary • Superb practice facilities • Regular competitions and ‘roll up’s’ • Reciprocal golf at other private members clubs Cheriton Road, Tichborne Down, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0PN Tel : 01962 733746 Email:secretary@alresfordgolf.co.uk

www.alresfordgolf.co.uk

4* Golf Breaks in Wales from £79pp - see page 7

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20 TEE TIMES

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APRIL 2017

Gleneagles to stage first Euro team event GLENEAGLES is set to play host to the first European Golf Team Championships as part of the new multi-sport European Championships next year.

The event will see Europe's elite men and women competing together for the first time.

Glasgow and Berlin are jointly hosting the event, which will be staged every four years, from August 2 to 12. It will also combine the existing European Championships of athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon.

The Centenary course at Gleneagles

The European Golf Team Championships is the only new event in 2018 and will include a men's and women's event along with a mixed competition. Berlin will host the European Athletics Championships, while the aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon competitions will be in Glasgow.

The golf will be held 43 miles from the city in Perth and Kinross on the famous resort's PGA Centenary course.The PGA Centenary is the newest of Gleneagles' three outstanding courses and hosted the Ryder Cup in 2014.

Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety said: ‘The European Championships will be a new highlight on the global sporting calendar, set to be played out in front of a potential television audience of up to one billion people.’

Gleneagles managing director Bernard Murphy said the course was proud to be associated with what will be ‘a groundbreaking moment in sporting history’.

Melissa in a play-off win ENGLAND’S Melissa Reid won the Oates Vic Open in Australia after beating German Sandra Gal on the fourth play-off hole.

Reid, 29, won her sixth Ladies European Tour title after the pair were tied on 16 under after 72 holes. Reid and Gal made pars on their first three attempts at the 18th, but Reid finally broke the deadlock when she parred after Gal had bogeyed.

Let’s go golf the Glastonbury way THE purists may not like it, but golf around the world is shaking itself into the 21st century.

Here in Europe, a new team event called GolfSixes is planned, with amphitheatre stands, fireworks, music blaring across the course and players wearing microphones to interact with fans.

On the main tour in Abu Dhabi recently, stirring music was played as players walked to the first tee accompanied by the rhythmic sound of stewards clapping their wooden ‘quiet please’ signs.

Crazy golf? Above, Andrew 'Beef' Johnston handing out fries and, right, a fan hitches a ride

It was hardly as raucous as the Lakeside darts or professional wrestling’s stagemanaged theatrics, but still welcomed by many who are keen to breathe more life into golf by bringing in variations on an old and venerated theme.

Phoenix Open in Scottsdale is the one event on the USPGA Tour where informality rules and huge, raucous crowds turn up: no fewer than 204,904 on the final day.

Pundits argue that five-hour rounds are strangling interest in the game, with observers such as the BBC’s golf expert, Iain Carter, suggesting a second cut on a Saturday evening to leave only genuine contenders in play.

But we only need to look to America (as usual), for brash, fascinating and highly successful ways that golf can be showcased. The recent

COMMENT

Why? One of the organisers said: ‘It is more than a routine stop on the PGA Tour. This is a golfing Glastonbury.’

The folk who attend are fun-seekers. The whole event is party time, with beer running to excess and fans cheering and goodnaturedly booing shots.

The players love the change of atmosphere, chatting and joshing with the crowds through

microphones. Our own Andrew 'Beef' Johnston was seen dispensing foam curly fries and Irishman Shane Lowry hurled cans of Guinness to the thirsty hoards.

Nobody in their right mind is suggesting that golf should make this chaotic romp the norm, but cricket has pointed the way in recent years. For the social media masses, a grand, majestic and historic old sport had become boring. Enter one-day internationals and 20/20 cricket, alongside the long-haul test matches. A sport spawned offspring which nurtured the parent game.

Golf is starting late and has a lot of catching up to do. But at least it is starting.

- Peter Watson Editor, Tee Times

Mikes and fireworks for team event THE European Tour is launching a six-hole team event called GolfSixes as it continues the drive to modernise and broaden the appeal of golf.

Two-man teams from 16 nations will compete at St Albans' Centurion Club next month for a prize fund of one million euros, about £852,000.

Players will wear microphones and be encouraged to interact with fans gathered in amphitheatre-style stands around the tees. There will be accompanying music and pyrotechnics.

Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said the Tour was keen to emulate the Ryder Cup atmosphere: ‘We have said for some time that golf needs to modernise, and introducing innovative new formats is a major part of achieving that.’

Appeal ‘We want to broaden the appeal of our sport to the millennial demographic and I think this format will do that.’

The teams will be split into four groups of four teams on day one, with the top two from each group progressing to the knockout stages. Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, and a play-off for third place, will be contested on day two.

Golf Academy

In the spirit: Players will be encouraged to get into the swing with the crowds

Matches will be played in a greensomes, match-play format, with both players in a team hitting tee shots on each hole.

After selecting the best tee shot, the players take alternate shots until the hole is completed.

One point is awarded for each hole won, with the winner being the team with the most points after six holes.

Countries will be represented by their leading ranked and available European Tour member as of mid-March, who will be free to choose a team-mate.

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

24 HOURS TOO LATE!!

Rushmore member Alex Buck hit the shot of his life 24 hours too late on Sunday!!

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 21

2017 Golf Breaks from £85

Playing in the semi-final of a club knockout competition, Alex got a hole in one on the 162 yard 4th Hole on his home course.

Unfortunately for him there was a prize of a trip for 4 people for two nights to the Forest of Arden resort in Warwickshire for a hole in one on the exact same hole, just 24 hours previously as the club celebrated the 2017 Captains Drive In. Rushmore General Manager, Declan Healy who was playing with Alex when he hit the shot said, “As soon as the ball left his club we remarked that it looked really good!

It bounced about a foot away from the hole and spun in. It was great to watch! The 3 of us celebrated while Alex stood there in shock and disbelief!!”

It was Alex’s first Hole in One. Rushmore Golf Club Tollard Royal SP5 5QB

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22 TEE TIMES

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APRIL 2017

Hampshire Ladies Golf OVER 100 GOLFERS INTRODUCED TO THE GAME IN HAMPSHIRE Thanks to a new initiative launched by the Hampshire Golf Development group we are thrilled to announce that 100 new golfers are being introduced to the game at locations across the county. These new participants will go on to join over 100 more who participated last year at Hampshire’s Golf Academies.

Last month Hampshire Ladies County Golf Association (HLCGA) announced a new initiative to encourage junior girls across Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands to start playing golf by offering six week starter courses.

Aimed at girls aged between 6 and 18 years of age, the focus of the weekly sessions is on having fun and meeting other like-minded girls while learning to play the game in a sociable environment. The first sessions at most participating clubs took place in March with more sessions planned throughout April & May.

Know someone who would like to join in?

Aspiring golfers of all ages can find out more about how to get into golf and see the range of courses available at www.hampshire.golf

INCREDIBLE COINCIDENCE FOR LECKFORD’S PAUL GILES Thirty-one years ago, Leckford Golf Club played a friendly match, away against Corhampton. Paul Giles, popular, longtime Leckford greenkeeper was just seventeen at the time and played in the match alongside his father Dick.

The young Paul achieved his first ever hole in one on the 182 yard, par 3, 4th hole.

On February 17th this year Dick Giles organised an away day at Corhampton for 21 members of the Leckford, Tuesday morning Roll Up group.

Paul, now aged 48, played in this away day and, believe it or not achieved the second hole in one of his career, on the very same 4th hole. Neither Paul nor Dick had played at Corhampton in the intervening years.

...

On the first occasion, Paul was too young to be allowed to buy drinks at the bar so his dad had to get out his cheque book.

This time, despite his suggestion that dad might once again do the honours, Paul put his hand in his own pocket and treated the rest of the group.

INAUGURAL HAMPSHIRE MIXED COMPETITION TO BE HELD AT SANDFORD SPRINGS GOLF CLUB In 2017, Hampshire’s golf Association and Union are getting together to run a mixed pairs event for members.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01329 834360 OR

The 18 hole Greensomes Stableford will take place at Sandford Springs Golf Club on Wednesday 14th June.

Email peter.teetimes@gmail.com

More information and entry forms can be found online at www.hlcga.com

THE COUNTDOWN TO COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK IS ON With just over a month to go we’re looking forward to this year’s County Championship Week at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club. Will Kerry Smith retain her title? Who will contend for the Silver and Bronze titles?

ADGER BROWN ...for all your comedy needs

Introducing one of the South’s leading and most sort after mainstream comedians. A barker with The Variety Club of Great Britain and a proud member of the Grand Order of Water Rats. With over 20 years experience in the world of entertainment and comedy you need look no further for your event.

• Comedian • After Dinner Speaker • Charity Auctioneer • Compere • Events Co-ordinator

Remember, this event offers something for all handicaps and is open to all ladies with full county membership. Closing date for entries is 21st April and forms can be downloaded from www.hlcga.com

JUST CALL on local call: 01424 447867 or visit:

www.adgerbrown.co.uk Golf Academy

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

GET AROUND FOR YEARS TO COME The Eventer

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 23

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The Eventer and the TRIO Golf Cart help you enjoy a full 18 holed of golf a day. Sit back and relax in the sprung seat, as you drive between holes, conserving your energy for when you really need it - playing your shot.

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Forward and reverse gears give manoeuvrability. TRIO is stable, virtually maintenance free, and assembled in under 2 minutes.

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WATERLOOVILLE GOLF CLUB One of Hampshire's best courses RECEIVE UP TO 3 MONTHS FREE Join one of Hampshire's best clubs and make lifelong friends Waterlooville Golf Club is a truly unique private members' golf club where you will be made to feel very welcome from the moment you join. With a championship 18 hole golf course, regular roll-ups and competitions, and a variety of sell-out social events you really will be joining a club for life

Get ready for the season ahead and enquire today! Call 023 9226 3388 or email secretary@waterloovillegolfclub.co.uk

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24 TEE TIMES

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APRIL 2017

NEW INDOOR GOLF STUDIO AT THE RULES ROWLANDS CASTLE OPENS THEY ARE A CHANGING On the 1st March 2017 the R&A and the USGA the governing bodies in the golfing firmament published their proposals for the first major changes to the rule book for many years, changes that have taken five years to compile. Do not be put off by the timescale, the previous two major changes took place thirty years apart.

Now, instead of the annual tinkering exercise, which appeared to do little but add more complications to an already overloaded piece of sports legislation, there has been a major and impressive bundle of changes, which have, by and large, been welcomed by all branches of the sport. It was no surprise that the game of golf had been long been described as “ a simple game made complicated by the rules”.

Hopefully that will now begin to change as the ruling bodies face up to the difficulties and consequences of an outdated book of rules and its partner the book of Decisions, which together add up to hundreds of pages and tackle the problems piecemeal as they are identified. Remember the first code of rules in 1744 consisted of just 338 words written on one page. However, do not hold your breath, just ponder how many years it took both bodies to tackle the problem caused by allowing the broomstick putter, which should have been outlawed from the onset.

David Rickman , Executive Director of Governance at the R&A, stated that the aim is to make the rules easier to understand and apply for all golfers, a concept to be welcomed unreservedly. For over fifty years during which I have been involved in golf in numerous ways, as player, administrator, referee and tournament director, this problem has been a regular and repetitive source of conflict and distress in multiple forms.

Anything which goes to reducing that will be received with open arms.

The exact details of the changes are fully listed elsewhere in the magazine, but these are my personal observations which have been tempered by discussions with numerous participators both amateur and professional, but are essentially my own.

The first four, changes relating to accidental ball moving, relaxed putting green rules, penalty areas and relaxed bunker rules are sensible, justified and

totally beneficial to the game at all levels.

Had these rules been in place earlier, events such as the miscarriage of justice which affected Brian Davis at Hilton Head in 2010, or the chaotic treatment of Justin Johnson in last years US Open at Oakment would have been avoided.

The next three, relying on player integrity, pace of play and the simplification of taking relief, will all help to tackle the eternal problems of slow play, as will the reduction of time allowed to seek for lost balls from five to three minutes and have to be applauded.

There are some blaring omissions to the changes, that I feel could have been tackled at the same time. Firstly the question of equipment was outside the review, it states that The Status and Rules of Equipment were not part of the process. If there is one area that really needs to be tackled it is this, and as both Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have stated, there must be action on the golf ball, or the majority of golf courses will become extinct, even good amateur club players are now striking the ball well over three hundred yards. The second area which in my view is unjust and easy to amend, is the matter of scorecard errors.

Any deliberate misdemeanour should be punished and harshly, but inadvertent slips should be given more tolerance, too many players have not just penalised but in fact disqualified for errors that gained then no advantage whatsoever. Recall the incident at The Open at Sandwich in 2003 when present day Sky pundit Mark Rowe was disqualified when he failed to exchange cards with his playing partner Jesper Parnevik, despite the fact that they recorded the correct score at each hole.

With television coverage it is particularly apt for the professional game, when everyone has up to date and accurate information on tap.

So the majority of the proposed changes are being received and endorsed by the vast majority of golfers, but remember, these are only proposed alterations that will not be in force, if they are finally approved by both bodies, and adopted in 2019. In the meantime the existing rules apply. For that friendly fourball, it certainly would not do any harm to test the water and make the changes in advance, remembering always to revert on competition days. Good golfing.

Michael Rees

Golf Academy

Peter Klepacz the long standing PGA professional at Rowlands Castle has this month opened a new state of the art indoor golf studio, boasting the latest technology to enhance all aspects of his customer’s experience.

Peter has been the PGA professional at Rowlands Castle for 37 years, but he and his team have no plans on taking things easy as they strive to move the business forward and see the investment in this new facility as a vital way to improve the offering to their customers.

Peter’s shop at the club has seen great investment over recent years not only financially but also in terms of the time and effort that he and his son Jimmy have put in, and they can now boast one of the busiest and best stocked shops in the area, and it is hoped that the investment in the golf studio will enhance their custom fitting service further, with a vast array of fitting components on hand from all of the major manufacturers.

The new studio offers the latest in launch monitor technology, which gives them instant feedback on all of the aspects of swing and ball flight characteristics which are so important for a comprehensive and in depth custom club fitting.

The studio also offers indoor putting, and has been carpeted in the latest artificial turf which is equivocal to an 11 on the stint meter, with proper holes cut into the floor. No corners have been cut in building the studio, the strike mat is the closest experience to hitting from real grass that is available and there is high definition video cameras, swing trackers, projectors and TV screens for video lessons.

But the best thing about the facility is that it allows custom fittings to be undertaken in an environment that is conducive to delivering the best results, it’s quiet, warm, dry and everything is on hand to try with instant feedback.

Those of you who know Peter or follow his blogs and newsletters regularly know the importance that he places on custom fitting, he explains ‘we are all different and we all swing

the club differently, it is amazing how many people say to me that ‘I am quite normal spec’ for 95% of golfers this all-to-common statement is unlikely to be true. I could see three golfers who are all six foot tall, but each of their clubhead speeds, tempos, shaft kick points and club release characteristics would be different, meaning that they would all be recommended very different clubs during a professional club fitting.’

Why leave anything to chance, is Peters philosophy you need to take every advantage possible and making sure that your clubs are suited to your swing, and physical characteristics are a big part of this.

Peter goes onto explain that ‘All of the custom fitting that we offer at the club are free, there is never any obligation to buy, we refer to our customers and members as our community and we like to engage and interact with them at every opportunity possible. It’s all about building a relationship with local golfers, in the hope that we will be their retailer of choice when they decide to make a purchase.’

If you would like any more information on golf equipment, the golf studio, lessons or his shop, then Peter can be contacted on 023 92 412785, or his website is www.peterklepaczgolfshop.com, or why not follow him on twitter: @rowlandsproshop or facebook: rowlandsproshop.

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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Petersfield Golf Club, Liss, GU33 7QY

125th Anniversary Year 1892 - 2017

APRIL 2017

TEE TIMES 25

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OW S !

N IT EAR IN Y TH 17

Senior Men's 2017 Open Championship at Meon Valley Hotel & Country Club on Thursday 29th June 2017 Sponsored by

18 Hole Individual Stableford

Handicap – Full allowance off ‘Tee of the day’ – max. of 24 (25 Handicap and above may enter but will play off 24)

One of the South’s lead in and most so g after mainst rt ream comedians

• Live entertainment from Adger Brown • Extensive Prize Table • Entry ONLY £36 per player • Inclusive of coffee on arrival, buffet lunch and FREE use of the 9-hole Valley course (subject to availability on the day)

• Entrants must be 55 years of age or over on Thursday 29th June 2017

PLEASE SEND ALL ENTRIES TO: The Golf Secretary, Meon Valley Hotel & Country Club,Sandy Lane, Shedfield, Southampton, Hants, SO32 2HQ Telephone: 01329 836868 (Entries to be received no later than Monday June 1st 2017) Entry forms and other forthcoming events can be downloaded from www.golfempire.co.uk

E N T RY F O R M Please enter me for the

TEE TIMES SENIOR MEN’S 2017 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP at the Meon Valley Hotel & Country Club on Thursday 29th June 2017 Name:...………..………………………………………… Club:…………………………………………………. Tel No: ………………………………………….

Address:…………………………………………………………………....…………………………....…………………………....…………………………....…..… …………………....………………..…………………………....………………..………………....…………………………....…………………………....………… ………………....…………………………...………………....…………………………....…………………………....………… Postcode:……………….……...…

Email:…………...………….….………….………………………… Handicap: …………….......…. Age:.…………… Date of Birth:.……..……..………………

I enclose my £36 entry fee, Cheque made payable to: Marriott Meon Valley Hotel

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4* Golf Breaks in Wales from £79pp - see page 7

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APRIL 2017

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

HAMPTWORTH GOLF CLUB www.hamptworthgolf.co.uk

HANDY HOMEWORK gain yards at home with this garden based practice!!

T E E T I MWWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM ES J U LY 2 0 0 6

- 01794 329 344

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

The Eureka Moment It’s great when that eureka moment happens; that feeling of the light bulb turning on or a secret discovered that puts another piece into life’s jigsaw.

I’ve no doubt that everyone gets these moments from time to time. Due to the game’s complexities, I would imagine golfers get them more than most.

You don’t need to bash balls for hours on the range to really make an impact on your game.

Sometimes taking the impact (the Hitting of the ball) out of the equation makes your practice more effective. As the evenings get lighter and warmer get out in the garden and try some of these to give your game a Spring Clean...

• Take time to reflect: Checking your posture is hard when you can’t see yourself on the driving range. It is useful to have a look on YouTube at some players on the Tours to see if you can find someone of similar height to yourself. Then you will have a good model to copy! Now set yourself up where you can see your reflection in the garden and fine tune that position. The reflective surface should be adjacent to your right hip for right handers. Start by setting up to a bit of grass as if you are about to hit a shot. Once comfortable peek up at your reflection and see where it could improve.

Alter is whilst you are looking at yourself.

Your weight should be settled on the balls of your feet as if ready to return a serve in tennis. You should also be tipped over from the hips not stooped from the waist… You are looking for ANGLES here so no slouching!

• Two tee attack…. Many people suffer from poor weight transfer. Just imagine throwing a ball for a dog and not transferring your weight. If you are just swinging your arms in your golf swing this 2 tee drill will really highlight it. So to get some power into your shots try this… place 2 tees a club head apart. Set-up to the back on and hit them both. You will miss the front one if you are not getting your weight through the ball properly. By clicking both tee pegs you will really start to feel the move onto your front foot. If you are still “scooping” then the second tee will miss out. Make it tougher for yourself by placing the tees about 6-8” apart.

This will really get you working!

• Upside down - swish it all about. Hold a thick garden cane or your driver upside down holding it just like a golf club, slowly begin to make swings. As your swing through to your PHOTO FINISH the swishing noise should be happening through the impact zone. If it happens from the top of your swing or it is a low drone you are losing power. Chances are you will be casting the club. This means you throw all the angle your wrists create (along with your power) away from the top of the swing, rather than holding onto it until just before the ball where it should then go WHOOSH through the ball. With this drill you are at least getting feedback –the noise equals POWER, so go make some noise!!

A golfer’s eureka moment may be thinking they’ve discovered a magic movement that will dramatically improve the game.

• Photo Finish: practice your finish position on the lawn. Swish the grass or a tee peg and get through to a finish. Practicing just your finish position will help to make you aware of HOW you finish your swing. Start just at address and simply move your club (and body weight) through to your ideal finish position.

Balanced on your front foot and facing your imaginary target.

Many golfers come to me for lessons when they are at the end of their tethers. They have had many eureka moments, most of which have sent them down the wrong road.

Whip it!!! Sometimes it is really refreshing to find a gadget that helps you without you having to THINK. Thinking too much can really paralysed a golfers natural rhythm and they just forget to actually HIT the ball. The Orange whip training aid will add yards to your drive and elegance to your follow through. This aid lengthens your through swing adding power where it’s needed most. Use it to increase your turn and follow through as well as and build core stability For lessons in all areas of the game, especially on course tuition and the Mind Factor! Contact me on katie@katiedawkinsgolf.co.uk Happy Easter everyone, may all of your games spring into action this April.

Eureka moments often come when things are not going too well. Instead of making the most of the game on the day, using good course management etc., it is very easy to go on the search for that magic move which will sort it out.

This can work if the golfer has a good understanding of his or her swing and knows the fixes to apply when certain things start happening. However, it can prove disastrous if that kind of knowledge doesn’t exist.

In many cases the answer to their problem was completely opposite to what they thought it was.

So how do you avoid having too many eureka moments out on the course?

Well as I said, you can manage the game you have on that day. The trick is to play within your skill level on the day. Ignore that little man in your head who tells you to go for a shot that even Tiger in his prime would have to think about. If the Driver is off, drop down to something more manageable off the tee.

It’s difficult to score from the trees. Be crafty when you play to the green; don’t just hit towards the pin. Work out the place which will give the most chance of getting up and down, should you miss the shot slightly.

I remember seeing a classic example of this when I watched Jack Nicklaus play the second round of The Open at Royal St Georges in ’81. He was playing a long par three, which on the previous day had cost

Golf Academy

him a double bogey. On the day before he took two shots to get out of a deep greenside bunker which was situated half way up the green. On the day I watched him he played an iron shot which just crept onto the front edge. He was left with a long putt and made a three. The crowd weren’t too impressed by the tee shot, but I was.

Judging by the sound of the strike and the fact that every other iron shot that day was pin high, I realized that Jack had taken the bunkers out of play by keeping short. That was a valuable lesson given by one of the greatest players of all time.

Summing up, all I can say is that some days golf is easy and some days it’s much more of a challenge. That’s the nature of this great game.

The key is to remember, when all is said and done, it’s the score that counts. Like the saying goes ‘there are no pictures on the scorecard’!!

Martin Butcher email: butchersgolf@aol.com www.mbtourcoach.com

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

Tee Times July06.indd 54

TT APRIL 2017 Issue 191_Layout 1 20/03/2017 18:45 Page 27

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