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ISSUE 165 FEBRUARY 2015 Tel: 01329 834360 Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com WWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM 01794 329344 - NEW VENUE OPEN SEE PAGES 12 & 13
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TT FEB 2015 Issue 165_Layout 1 17/01/2015 10:56 Page 3
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WE NEED GO-FASTER GOLF Gone are the days of spending six hours on a round, says McIlroy
The Ryder Cup vice-captain condemned Faldo’s comments in an interview with the golf magazine Bunkered. Let’s step up the pace: McIlroy has joined the calls for a quicker version of golf
‘
Rory McIlroy was responding after Sport England published figures showing that the number of 16 to 25-year-olds playing the game regularly dropped by almost a half in just three years.
McIlroy, current champion of both The Open and the USPGA, said: ‘The TV viewership in golf is up but the participation is down.
Torrance raps Faldo for his Garcia comment RYDER Cup vice-captain Sam Torrance has criticised Sir Nick Faldo for labelling Sergio Garcia as ‘useless’ shortly before the most recent tournament.
THE world’s number one golfer has joined calls for a faster version of golf to be found to attract young players to the game.
McIlroy told BBC Radio 4: ‘Everything’s so instant now, and everyone doesn’t have as much time as they used to. So you maybe try some way of speeding the game up.’
TEE TIMES 3
Everything’s so instant now and everyone doesn’t have as much time as they used to - Rory McIlroy
’
they’d be against it, especially if they wanted to get participation levels up.
‘I don’t think they need to alter tournament-play formats - I think that works very well. It’s the grass roots... definitely not at our level.’
‘People enjoy watching the game but gone are the days that you could spend five or six hours (playing) on a golf course.’
McIlroy famously appeared on TV at the age of nine, chipping golf balls into his mother’s washing machine, and wants young people to follow in his footsteps and take up golf early in life.
Golf’s ruling bodies have been slow to bring in changes in the past, for example with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews agreeing to admit women as members only last September.
‘I feel as though I’ve inspired a lot of kids back home in Northern Ireland to pick up the game and play,’ he said. ‘Hopefully I can continue to do that beyond Northern Ireland because it’s a great game.
But McIlroy believes the sport’s rulemakers are ready for new initiatives: I don’t think
‘It’s given me a lot and I’ve loved every minute of it. I know if more people pick up the game they’ll love it, too.’ BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter added: ‘Golf is undoubtedly failing to adapt to modern time pressures and needs to wake up to that fact. It’s increasingly difficult to justify the amount of time needed to play a round within the confines of modern family life.’ Initiatives are needed to speed up play, wrote Carter, with more severe penalties required in the pro game, which sets the example for the sport at large.
‘Courses need to be set up with less rough, meaning less time spent searching for balls. The golf ball travels too far; shorter courses mean shorter rounds. And clubs should encourage nine-hole golf in family-friendly environments. This is one of the few sports families can play together, from grandparents to grandchildren, yet there are too few initiatives to make the most of this.’
SO, HOW CAN WE SPEED IT UP? SEE PAGE 4
Faldo led Europe to defeat in the and felt Garcia had shown a bad attitude in that event. An angry Torrance, who captained Europe to victory in 2002 and served as vice-captain to Paul McGinley at Gleneagles, said: ‘To say that right in the middle of the Ryder Cup. What was he thinking? It was pathetic from Faldo.’ Faldo later softened his stance, and Spaniard Garcia, 34, said he was willing to forgive and forget - even though several of his European team-mates were less willing to do so. But Torrance remains exasperated by Faldo’s comments during the Gleneagles tournament, in which Europe beat the United Sates
‘It was beyond belief that one of our greatest ever players would come out with a comment like that. Garcia’s not a team player? Have a look in the mirror, pal. ‘Garcia’s one of the best team players we have. He’s an incredible kid, with the heart of a lion and he’s incredible in the team room. Really, I’ve just no idea where those comments came from.’
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FEBRUARY 2015
Shorter games? Or perhaps even a jet pack? THE number of people playing golf regularly is falling worryingly, and at grassroots level could reverse the trend. The BBC asked the public: What other initiatives could help golf widen its appeal? Tweets and online suggestions ranged from the obvious, such as lowering the cost of play, to the tongue-in-cheek. A selection from the BBC website: ONE major obstacle is money. It is an expensive hobby for youngsters. How about some of the mega millions earned at the top end of golf being used to subsidise struggling clubs and younger players? bigted MY son was a junior member at a prestigious London club until he was 18. Once he had been to university and returned home he would have had to become a full member which he can’t afford. Clubs should do more to provide a bridge from junior membership to full membership. Peter JOINING fees are the issue, to join a decent course near me I’d have to find £3,000 on top of membership. If I relocated again in a year’s time that’s a sunk cost. Not too appealing when trying to save for a house. Meanwhile, those most settled in life, the retiree who can play seven times a week,
From the wise to the wacky, some ideas on speedier golf doesn’t have these concerns - clubs will pay the ultimate price for pricing a generation out of the game in 20 years. AndyL MAKE it cheaper. Green fees, lessons, gear, balls, all too expensive. Golf clubs and manufacturers at fault. Dave Harrison MOST clubs offer payment plans and there has never been so much used golf equipment available as now. There’s no need to buy new kit and many would benefit from using a half set in a lightweight bag rather than the mobile homes on wheels that trundle round our courses making such a mess in the winter months. Chrisf SLOW play has nothing to do with the falling number of younger players playing golf. The primary reason is COST - to play one round; to be a member; to buy golf clubs et al. Gary R
SPORT England figures showing people playing golf once a week, every week, in England: • 16 to 25-year-olds DOWN from 95,700 in 2009-10 to 52,400 in 2012-13
SHORTER courses where more sensible club selection and ball accuracy with a difficult layout is the way. Nozzie
CLUBS need to widen the gap between groups on the time sheet, offer nine, 12, 14 and 18-hole competitions and subsequently offer specific memberships to match the competitions and the members’ needs.
THE player who is deemed first to putt on the green should putt out completely, saving oodles of time - marking the ball, cleaning the ball, lining up the ball etc. Lyle Hill
Also clubs should look at the concept of zone golf, pin positions ranging from easy, to medium and hard. The game needs to be 1. more affordable; 2. less stressful; 3. enjoyable. Christian Porter TO attract young golfers we need to show the fun side of golf and get rid of stupid dress codes to make it more accessible. Sam Hatton
Went to tennis. A game of nine holes got me back: Family fun. Ray Bundell
very encouraged by the results from this new approach and the closer partnerships which are being created between our county officers and clubs. We know there is enormous interest in playing golf and, by working together in this way, we can offer more opportunities for people to become regular golfers and club members.’
took part in structured activity (59per cent increase) and more than 13,700 people became regular, once a week players (83per cent increase). Of these, 39per cent are women, which the report describes as encouraging when compared to the overall number of female golfers in Great Britain (13per cent).
The figures are beating targets set by the England Golf Partnership (EGP), which invests in 32 counties to support grass roots golf and grow participation.
The Get Into Golf programme involves over 400 facilities offering opportunities for beginners, improvers and returners to the game. The Get Into Golf website continues to be developed and in 2015 all golf clubs will have an opportunity to promote their sessions and membership offers on the website www.getintogolf.org
Structured The figures reflect a new focus by counties on delivering structured coaching and regular playing opportunities, rather than one-off taster sessions. This approach is supported by the England Golf Strategic Plan for 2014-17 which sets out to inspire people of all ages to make golf a part of their life and aims to reverse the trend of declining club membership. Claire Roberts, England Golf’s Head of Participation, commented: ‘We have been
The report emphasises the club-centred approach adopted by counties and the additional support available through England Golf initiatives such as GolfMark and the Clubhouse online resource. The report details: More than 62,000 people, aged over 14, were involved in activity in the six months; a 16per cent increase in 2014. Over 24,000
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DESIGN or adapt courses to have three sixhole loops. So time-restricted people can play the first six, or the first twelve. Maybe have competitions where an 18-hole round score could be accumulated over, say, a week. Alan MAKE it a contact sport with players marking each other as in hockey....lots of running around the golf course!! Kennedy Maswaure
TIME stopped me playing golf at 11.
DESPITE reports of declining numbers of people playing golf regularly, reported above and on Page 3, there appears to be a groundswell of new players of all ages taking their place.
More than 24,000 people aged 14-plus were encouraged by counties to take structured coaching courses and to become regular, once-a-week golfers in the six months from April to September 2014. That’s up by 59per cent on the same period in 2013, says the latest Impact Report on county activity, prepared by England Golf’s Participation and Club Support department.
HAVE specific blocked out times for junior fourballs so three or four groups can play together and then speak about the game after. Electric Kid
• All ages (16+) in the same period DOWN from 860,900 to 751,900
NEWCOMERS REPLACING THE ‘LOST’ PLAYERS
The number of people taking up ‘Get Into Golf’ opportunities grew rapidly over the summer months, according to a new report on grass roots activity across England.
HOW about a timer? Players should have a set time to take their shot. This would add urgency and pressure. Christian
A total of 4,139 new club memberships were reported. These could include juniors but, based on an average full playing adult golf club membership fee of £846, could equal an investment of over £3.5 million over six months. Twenty-eight counties ran specific projects for disabled participants.
GOLFERS should use jet packs to move around the course instead of walking or using golf carts. Jay
Another Asian win for Lee LEE Westwood captured his 14th title in Asia with a one-shot victory at the Thailand Golf Championship. The 41-year-old began the day in third, two shots behind leader Marcus Fraser, but set the clubhouse target with seven birdies in a five-under-par 67. Westwood claimed the inaugural Thailand tournament in 2011 and last year won by 7 shots.‘It’s a fantastic place to come and play golf,’ he said.
First for Gwladys GWLADYS Nocera of France collected her first title of the season with a dominant display in the Hero Women’s Indian Open. With rounds of 64, 72 and 72, she finished with an 11-under total of 208 at Delhi Golf Club, five strokes clear of three other players. With her winnings of €36,478, she is now back in the hunt to take the order of merit for a second time, after last winning the title in 2008.
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FEBRUARY 2015
TEE TIMES 5
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MASTERS MEMORABLE MOMENTS The subject of the Legends of Golf recently was Alister MacKenzie, the designer of Augusta National, it seems appropriate to follow up the Masters theme, especially now that it is the focus of attention, especially as it will be the opportunity for Rory Michael Rees McIlroy to complete his career Grand Slam. Each year there are incidents which become the talking point, often a key element which results in victory, sometimes a single memorable shot, but not exclusively so, other times it is a sustained run of brilliant golf. I have trawled through my copies of the Masters Annual for each of the past few years and arrived at the following ten incidents that will be recalled and discussed in early Spring, in some preview or other before the Tournament gets under way. Everyone golfer will have a favourite, I present my ten, and make no apology for selecting the golden years of the late eighties early nineties as my most memorable, simply because of the regular successes of the top European golfers during that period, when they seemed to have dominance in the event that once seemed out of reach. That was until Seve Ballesteros broke the American domination, leading from wire to wire to win in 1980, a feat he repeated in 1983. Until his coming, only Gary Player had managed to disturb the parade of American winners with his first win in 1961, followed by two more successes in 1974 and 1978. Bernhard Langer pipped Seve on the final day of the event in 1985, to become the first and only German winner to date. Then came that magnificent period when Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal achieved Green Jacket supremacy. So to the memorable moments I have identified as those which I believe epitomise the appeal of The Masters. Sandy Lyle’s magnificent iron shot from the bunker on the 18th hole in 1988, following by the snaking downhill putt that gave him victory by a single shot over Mark Calcaveccia. A marvellous follow on from his Open Championship win at Sandwich in 1985. Nick Faldo earns my second choice, for the win in 1996. Not for a single shot, but for sustained pressure and resilience. Starting the day six shots behind runaway leader Greg Norman, he hounded him down over the front nine holes to eventually win by five shots. One of the greatest fightbacks of all time in the majors, and a fitting addition to his two play-off wins against Scott Hoch and Ray Floyd in 1989 and 1990. Ian Woosnam, that mighty Welsh Atom gets my third spot. Woosie was battling with Tom Watson and Jose Maria Olazabal coming up the 18th. Normally a marvellous iron approach player, he missed the green and finished in a tight spot. His recovery shot left him a sizeable putt, which he stroked into the hole. Followed by his classic crouched pose and then being bear hugged by his caddy Phil “Wobbly” Morbey .
Severiano Ballesteros was called “The Car Park Champion” by some derogatory American journalists after winning The Open Championship at Lytham in 1979. He put the record straight the following Spring by shattering the field over the first three rounds of The Masters, the major considered home property. He was leading by ten shots after rounds of 66,69.68 and when he teed off on Sunday, he could have cosied his route round Augusta, but that was not Seve style. He continued in his customary fashion, dropped shots on the way, but still won by four. In so doing he became the youngest winner of the event at that time. Three rounds of magic to set up the first of his Green Jacket wins. To be the first to do anything is that little bit special, 1961 was the year when Gary Player became the first non American to win The Masters. He built his success on three rounds in the sixties for a 54 hole total of 206, a cushion of four strokes over local hero Arnold Palmer. The weather prevented play on Sunday, and the final day was played on Monday, Player held his nerve to win by one shot to deprive defending Champion Arnie a second success. My own golf hero has always been Jack Nicklaus, in my view the greatest golfer ever, and certainly the best I have ever seen. Holder of the greatest number of major wins with seventeen titles, he came to Augusta in 1986 aged 46 years, without any major success since he had won both the US Open at Baltusrol and the USPGA at Oak Hill in 1980, six long years. It was to be the most popular win ever. Jack made a vintage charge which yielded a final round of 65, to snatch the Green Jacket from the eager hands of Tom Kite and Greg Norman. The striking pose as he holed another putt, on his way to his 18th major, with his putter held erect like the sword of a warrior. If Jack Nicklaus was the greatest, then Tiger Woods has been accepted in that role by the modern generation of fans. Since his first major success, within a few months of turning professional after several Amateur major wins, he was repeating the performances on the big stage. Tiger Woods became the youngest winner of The Masters, breaking records all along the way. A truly memorable performance, winning by twelve shots and leaving the best golfers in the world trailing in his wake. He was to re-write
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the record books and in the year 2000 he won the US Open, The Open Championship and the USPGA: he then won The Masters in 2001, to be the holder of all four major titles at the same time: The Tiger Slam. The period covering the successes of Tiger Woods was due evidence of his consistency, in particular his short game and putting ability, which for several seasons seemed to be infallible. One instance which probably won him his last Green Jacket, was at the 16th hole in the final round in 2005. Leading after 54 holes by three shots, his lead had shrunk. Chris De Marco was on the green 15 feet from the cup. Tiger was long and over the green, when he proceeded to chip high left on the green to allow the ball to filter down, it trundled down, seem to stop then fell into the hole for a brilliant birdie. That shot enable him to tie, and subsequently win the playoff. From the sublime to the outrageous, for my next shot definitely decided the player who receive the winners prize in 2012. After Bubba Watson had tied for the lead after four rounds with Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, the sudden death playoff was begun. They halved the 18th, then went to the downhill 10th hole. Bubba, left handed hooked his tee shot deep into the trees right of the fairway. He was 146 yards from the green, there was no direct shot, it seemed hopeless, the only option a chip out sideways. Bubba did not see it that way, and smashed a wedge shot that hooked fully forty yards around the trees and onto the green. It proved to be the winning strike and Bubba Watson had won his first Green Jacket. The Grand Finale The final selection is a story known by the majority of golfers round the world, too many years ago for any to have witnessed, though Errie Ball the last of the original players in the first event only died within the last year. It was the shot that established the reputation for The Masters and with it the fame of Gene Sarazen. Having read so much and studied the circumstances, it has attained a fairytale quality. Craig Wood had been pipped for the title in 1934, the very first time The Masters was played. The very next year he was leading in the final round when Sarazen who was trailing came to the 15th hole, he hit his four wood over the creek 235 yards and into the hole for an albatross. This enabled him to tie with Wood, and then comfortably win the 36 hole playoff the following day. One shot that was heard around the world and established both The Masters Tournament and “The Squire”, Gene Sarazen.
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TEE TIMES 7
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8
Winter Equipment Check-up Winter is now here and a lot of you will put your clubs away not to be seen until the first cuckoo of spring is heard to utter his first words! Before we get them out again it is a good time to give them an annual MOT. Even if your are one of the brave types who keep on playing regardless of the weather it is still a good idea to check your equipment. Golfers invest a significant amount of money in equipment these days but often neglect properly maintaining them leading to less than optimal performance on the course. Improve your game by inspecting your club's grips, heads, and shafts. Grips Check your grips and look for signs of wear. If the grips are in pretty good shape with minimal wear, then use a piece of fine steel wool with soap in it and scrub the grips. This will clean off dirt as well as roughen the grip renewing it's tacky feel. If the grips are hard or excessively worn, then you need to replace them. Pay attention to grip size when making the replacements. In general, the middle and ring finger of the left hand (for RH golfer) should barely touch the palm as it is placed in playing position. Heads Inspect the heads of your clubs. If there are signs of rust, treat them with WD-40 by applying and rubbing until the rust is removed. Clean the heads with a plastic brush and warm soapy water. Make sure to dry completely. Get the loft and lie checked. Clubs can get out of alignment during normal play. A two degree change in loft can result in as much as ten yards in distance. If your clubs have ferrules, take a look to ensure that there are no gaps between the head and the ferrule and that they are not loose. If the ferrules have lost their shine, applying a light coat of acetone will restore their lustre. Shake the club and listen for rattles in the head. Have repaired any rattles or loose heads. Shafts Take a close look at the shafts. Inspect for rust and use WD-40 to remove as mentioned above. Look for any dents and knocks in the shafts.
These will make the shaft weaker and should be replaced to avoid breakage during a swing. Check to see if any of the shafts are loose. Grab the clubhead in one hand and the grip with the other and then twist. Any movement or squeak indicates that the head is loose and needs to be repaired. Take a look and see if your shafts match. Check the flex and length. Irons generally have a half inch increment between clubs and woods usually have an inch increment between clubs. Inconsistent shaft lengths and flexes can affect the club's accuracy and distance. Any inconsistencies should be treated straight away.
Get rid of the clubs you can't hit - RIGHT NOW! All of us are faced with the decision of how to fill our bag with 14 clubs. Which should we carry and which should stay at home? In the case of amateur golfers, there is not one club that should stay home, but probably two or three‌ By far the most difficult clubs to hit for most players are long irons. The lower loft makes it difficult to get the ball airborne for most players - especially those with slower swing speeds. Plus, the less loft a club has, the less backspin on a shot. Backspin can help to reduce hooks and slices. Think about it - you certainly don't slice a wedge as much a #4 iron do you? Backspin from loft is one reason. Add in the fact that longer irons are just that - longer in length - making it more difficult for most amateurs to return them to impact consistently and it's easy to see why most players need not carry the #2, 3 & 4 irons! So what do you replace them with? Look to any number of utility woods on the market. These clubs have larger, more forgiving heads, are often shorter in length and have a centre of gravity designed to help get the ball airborne. Look for clubs of specific lofts rather than just looking for a specific number. Keep in mind that different manufacturers use different loft standards. So not all clubs stamped with a #7, for example, have the
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same loft or playing characteristics. This is something to bear in mind for all golf clubs. With woods and irons even within the same manufacturer, the numbers do not necessary match each other. Your pro or clubmaker can help in your decision-making. More and more touring professionals are going to utility clubs. If it's good enough for them, it should be good enough for you! For assistance with any of these checks, either phone or come and see me. During the visit I can check your clubs and advise on any necessary work that needs to be carried out. Get to know your clubs by performing an equipment check-up and see how properly maintained equipment can improve your game. Make sure this year the only handicap you have is your playing handicap and not the
clubs in your hand. Golf is hard enough at the best of times without making it even harder with equipment that needs adjustments and alterations. For more information or to receive the benefits listed above, contact David numbers below, to arrange an appointment. A copy of this and my previous articles for Doyle’s Dilemmas can be found online at http://www.servicetogolf.com/ doylesdilemmas.asp. Should you have any questions on this or any equipment matter please feel free to call me at 01256 322007 or 0785990055 Alternatively, email me directly at dave@madetomeasuregolf.co.uk or visit my web site at www.madetomeasuregolf.co.uk
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^inter ^armer
£30 Midweek | £35 Weekend Vaalid 01/11/2014 01/11/20 to 31/03/2015. Ter e ms and conditions applyy.
golf@oldthorns.com | 01428 725 880 | www w.o . ldthorns.com
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WWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM 01794 329344
FEBRUARY 2015
WHATS HOT OR NOT
in the World of Ladies Golf
Your Monthly Blog by
WALLSAUCE LAUNCHES NEW GOLF MURALS SERVICE
Claire Kane
THE HIDDEN COSTS OF GOLF L_Andy Hiseman, C_Matthew Harris, R_Colin Watson
A collection of stunning golf landscape photographs is now available for the first time as wall mural coverings, thanks to British firm Wallsauce.
When I joined my first golf club, I remember feeling astounded when it was pointed out that I still had to pay for competitions, despite having paid what seemed a fortune for my annual subscription. Okay, it’s only a few pounds to enter a comp but it all adds up if you play regularly, especially when you’re also a significant contributor to the catering and bar fund as well! I’ve come to the conclusion there are quite a few hidden costs in golf, one of them being lost golf balls. Some golfers seem to play with the same ball for months (at least they find as many as they lose) but I regularly have to top up. In fact, my golf Professional now makes a point of letting me know when there’s a special offer on! Then there’s the additional expense of playing in the various open competitions and outings to other courses, where you inevitably end up purchasing a few raffle tickets, enter the ‘twos’, tuck into a lovely meal and are tempted by the special offers in the Pro Shop. At least I don’t play with a group that have side bets otherwise I’d definitely be forking out a few more pounds every week. I gather that if you win, you have to buy the drinks in the clubhouse!
Golf may seem expensive but looking back at history it’s far more affordable today than when the game started. For instance, when The St. Andrews Golf Club was formed in 1843 a feather ball cost around 2 shillings (10p) whereas mine cost a mere 75p every time I thrash it out-of-sight. Bear in mind a labourer only earned about 1 shilling and 6d (7 1/2p) a day. If you still think golf’s expensive, then consider Japan with 12 million golfers, a mere 1,700 private and public courses and where membership can cost as much as 40 million yen (roughly £250,000). No wonder Japanese banks give loans for golf membership. In today’s economy, some golfers may think twice about being members of a club but it’s definitely worth it if you want to KEEP playing, reduce your handicap and make friends for life. Personally I think it’s worth every penny just for the banter and wit floating around in the clubhouse which is frequently far better entertainment than Saturday night TV.
© Claire Kane Follow my tales on twitter @golfsnippets
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The service, which includes mural-sized images from golf photographers Matthew Harris and Andy Hiseman available exclusively through Wallsauce, is being offered worldwide and is designed to appeal to golf clubs, company premises and individual golf-lovers seeking inspirational golfing images to cover large wall spaces. In his new Wallsauce mural collection, award-winning photographer Matthew Harris – described as ‘a master of his art’ by Seve Ballesteros – has included images of some of the world’s most iconic golfing scenes, including a photograph from a 2014 shoot to commemorate the forthcoming 400th anniversary at Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Harris, who has covered 112 Major championships, 14 Ryder Cups and countless Tour events in 57 countries, is initially offering scenes from eight other world-class golf courses on Wallsauce. These are Pebble Beach and Chambers Bay in the USA; Barnbougle Dunes in Australia: Royal County Down and Ballyliffin in Ireland; and Cruden Bay, Trump Links and St Andrews Old Course in Scotland. Wallsauce will shortly start to release additional Matthew Harris images on a monthly basis, including scenes from other classic golf courses around the world. A second golf photographer, Andy Hiseman, has also released a collection of serene golfing landscape photographs available as wallcoverings on Wallsauce. Hiseman’s aspirational images are generally taken at first or last light, in the ‘magic hour’ beloved of golfers everywhere, and show the inherent beauty of all golf courses.
Customers can place an order for the golf images directly through the Wallsauce website at www.wallsauce.com, or by calling a Helpline on 01772 284110. Spaces from 2 square metres up to 30 square metres can be covered, with installation lead times being a maximum of 7 working days. Colin Watson, Director at Wallsauce parent company Omega Sky, said: “Our new golf collection from Matthew and Andy sits brilliantly alongside our portfolio of Darren Heath F1 photographs, and proves our commitment to making the world’s leading sporting images available as wall mural coverings. I am sure that every golfer will agree that these photographs are stunning. They look extraordinary when offered at large size on a wall mural, and we are already taking orders from across the world.” Matthew Harris said: “Like every photographer I have always been proactive, and look for new ways in which to use my images. Quality standards have always been the issue with murals, but Wallsauce meet a very exacting set of standards. It’s very exciting to finally be able to offer this new way to see my photographs. Less is more, I think” he continued. “I have taken over four million photographs over the years, but I have carefully selected a very limited number of images from among my portfolio for this initial offering on Wallsauce. From Australia to Scotland, via the USA and Ireland, these first nine images offer a variety of scenes from iconic golf courses both old and new. I hope that golf lovers worldwide will enjoy seeing them on their walls”. Andy Hiseman said: “Forget any worries you have previously had about image quality, even for very large walls. The guys at Wallsauce ensure that the quality is superb, and they are experts at covering all spaces. The end result is incredibly striking. “
Through Wallsauce, golf clubs can commission an Andy Hiseman golf course photoshoot at discounted rates, for a limited period.
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Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club FOUNDED 1905
Friday and Sunday Night Special Golf Break Offer £50 PP 18 holes on day of arrival • 3 course dinner Overnight accommodation • Full English breakfast 18 holes on day of departure
Winter Special Golf Deal 4 Ball - £40
WINTER FOURBALL SPECIAL
(1st October 2014 -28th February 2015)
Valid Monday - Friday. Subject to availability
Why not come and join us for a hearty full English breakfast and 18 holes of golf £100 per fourball Please contact the office on 02392 551170 to make your reservation www.leegolf.co.uk
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WWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM 01794 329344
FEBRUARY 2015
NEW FOR 2015: THE 121GOLF EXPERIENCE IN HAMPSHIRE The team from Chandlers Ford are moving to brand new premises in Romsey and embracing the latest golf technology to offer a cutting-edge golf performance studio and retail store. 121Golf is moving to new premises this spring, in order to be able to offer Hampshire golfers state-of the-art simulation technology along with their customary no-nonsense value, premier customer service levels, innovative coaching packages and more. New retail premises, same oldfashioned value The team are thrilled to be opening two neighbouring units at Basepoint, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey. Their new offering will comprise of a brand new retail store, fully stocked with leading brands and all the new latest releases for 2015, plus a full selection of ex-demo and previous model equipment, all at money saving prices. But that’s not all: State of the art simulation In a neighbouring unit, just a few meters from the pro shop, the team are proud to present what is sure to become the number
one indoor performance studio in Hampshire; offering a true game changing experience. Fitted with a full simulator, GC2 launch monitor and the cSwing 2 camera video coaching system, the 121golf performance studio will be offering a range of bespoke coaching packages as well as a full custom fit service, unlike anything available locally before. The indoor performance studio will allow golfers of all abilities to practice, develop and enjoy their game in perfect conditions. With the freedom to experience playing some of world’s best courses, including Sunningdale
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Country Club and Carnoustie Golf Links Championship Course the full simulation package at 121golf promises an unforgettable golfing experience for Hampshire golfers. What is the simulation experience? The simulator is a state-of-the-art system designed to provide an outstandingly realistic, better than-life sized indoor golf environment - where you interact with the big screen using the latest golf and movement technology - for coaching, fitting, playing and practice. And in case you were wondering, you do hit real golf balls!
Simulation lets you avoid wind, rain, losing sight of the golf ball mid-flight and takes the guess work out of your performance. You will always receive great feedback from fully trained PGA pros on duty, so you can walk away having practised with purpose. GC2 Launch Monitor Every hit of the ball will be recorded and analysed using the Foresight Sports GC2 – a device which has revolutionised club-fitting and teaching. Its unique design offers unrivalled launch stats accuracy and unprecedented data speed in a system that has been adopted by many of the world's leading club manufacturers including Cobra/Puma, Titleist, Callaway, Adams, PING and TaylorMade. The ultra-high-speed dual camera design records the most accurate ball flight statistics, and is able to directly measure ball flight and spin at club impact and launch, recording precise ball speed, spin (side, back and total), direction and launch angle, calculating carry and total distance in a split-second.
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cSwing Furthermore, the cSwing is the most comprehensive swing video analysis system available. Experienced 121golf PGA instructors are available for coaching, incorporating on-screen drawing tools, action replay, slow motion facility and multi camera capture. The simplest way to improve. Head Pro Mark Amey explains that 121golf are proud to be able to offer a range of services featuring the new golf technology, making sure there is a way for everyone to get involved, no matter what their playing standard, age or experience. These include: Coaching Sessions 121 coaching is a key part of the package, bringing simulation technology to all ages and abilities, with training sessions to include: • Detailed feedback in all aspects of performance. • Comprehensive swing video analysis, club data and ball data, leaving nothing to chance. • The option for coaching sessions to be recorded, saved and transmitted electronically, for golfers to review their performance after their session in the comfort of their own home.
FEBRUARY 2015
calculating carry and total distance in a split-second. • A comparison of each club being tested – meaning golfers will be able to see on screen each club’s performance in their hands and check on length and lie. Private Practice Hire Golfers will also have the opportunity to book the performance studio for private practice sessions, incorporating: • Full feedback on their performance, for practise with purpose. • Yardage checks working out your average distance with each club so that you can start striking the ball with more confidence. • Each shot that you hit will be recorded to illustrate the consistency of your shot pattern; highlighting any faults and helping you to go down the correct path to change and improve your results. Experience World Class Courses It will even be possible to play complete rounds, from the first tee to the last green, with a playing time of under two hours for a 4-ball, with the benefit of receiving full data
feedback on each shot played. There is plenty of scope, with the chance to play one of 13 championship golf courses including: Brabazon Course, The Belfry, Warwickshire Carnoustie Golf Links Championship Course Cog Hill, Dubsdread Course Congressional Country Club Hazeltine National Golf Club Medinah Country Club, 2012 Ryder Cup Course Oakmont Country Club Royal Birkdale Royal Troon Sonoma Shores Sunningdale Country Club The Celtic Manor Resort 2010 Turnberry Resort, Ailsa Course Competitions Clients will have the opportunity to hire the swing studio to play simulated golf competitions with friends including: • Full rounds on one of the 13 Championship Golf Courses • Longest drive or nearest the pin • Unlimited players • DQ Shot for missed green or fairway • Overall leader board print out
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Corporate entertainment, team building and networking The performance studio will also be available for full private studio hire along with drinks and snacks, allowing patrons to play simulated golf competitions with customers, clients and colleagues, with events hosted by 121golf PGA professionals, incorporating free swing tips. The team will also be happy to discuss the possibility of full private studio hire to view a top sporting event in your own private group. Mark Amey and his team would like to warmly welcome Tee Times readers to the performance studio and retail store opening event, starting 31st January and running throughout February. A range of opening offers and events are planned, including a ‘nearest the pin’ competition with the chance to win a full custom fit set of new Cobra irons! For the latest information, hot opening offers and to be one of the first to try the new equipment, contact the 121 Golf Team on 01794 329 344. For the best deals daily, see www.121golfshop.com or check out our Ebay store.
A Full Custom Fit Service Golfers will benefit from a custom fit service which incorporates analysis intelligence including: • Precise ball speed, spin (side, back and total), direction and launch angle,
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WWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM 01794 329344
FEBRUARY 2015
MAJOR MILESTONE FOR TEEN GEORGIA BOURNEMOUTH-based Georgia Hall has ticked off a major milestone in her golfing career by securing her place on the Ladies European Tour. The 18-year-old, who is now attached to Parkstone Golf Club in Dorset, is also a former European number one amateur and has been ranked as high as fourth in the world. She earned her card by finishing second after five gruelling rounds at Tour School in Morocco. Georgia turned professional in the middle of last year, having won the British amateur title in June 2013.
‘I was just really happy it was over to be honest,’ she told BBC Radio Solent. ‘It was a long two weeks. Morocco was very hard and hot.’ She travelled to north Africa after recently finishing joint 38th at the Dubai Ladies Masters - where she achieved a hole in one which won her a sports car. Now Georgia can focus on the next stage of her career: ‘I don't need any Christmas presents now,’ she joked after completing Tour School with a final round of 71.
‘It means I play in every European event this year. I won't have to rely on invites and can qualify for the Majors. I'll have a busy year.’
Asked for her targets for 2015, she replied: ‘To win my first European Tour event and qualify for as many Majors as I can but also a consistent year with as many top 10s.’ Georgia delayed turning pro due because of a combination of funding concerns and wanting to play in the Curtis Cup.
‘It's very exciting. I've wanted to do this since I was seven,’ she added. Turning pro means a lot and I cannot wait for the future.’ Her career highlights so far include winning double gold at the 2013 Youth Olympic Festival and a good performance in the British Amateur Championship.
It’s double time for Andrew, 13 BURGEONING talent Andrew Mead, right, displayed perfect timing when he became the youngest golfer to win a second BOSS watch for scoring a holein-one in a qualifying club competition. While many golfers can go their whole lives without recording the elusive ace, 13-yearold Mead, from Newbury, has recorded two in 16 months - on different par-threes. The 10-handicapper, a member of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon county squad, achieved his second ace on the 125-yard sixth hole at Newbury & Crookham, after holing out in June 2013 on the 151-yard 14th at the Newbury Racecourse GC. Andrew, who has been playing since he was four, explained: ‘I hit a seven-iron because it was strongly into the wind, with the pin at
the front of the green. I was aiming to hit the ball into the middle of the green and struck it perfectly. We heard some shouting from the next tee, but had no idea what had happened because it’s a blind tee shot.’
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Interesting choice: Oliver Wilson
Frustrating time: Oliver Fisher
Early success: Matt Fitzpatrick
Young English players ready to make progress IT’S time to look forward to what will hopefully be another good season for English professionals. Here we look at three young English players and what we hope can happen for them in 2015. Oliver Wilson to continue comeback? Rarely is there more of a surprise in golf than when a sponsor’s invite wins one of the biggest events on the European Tour. Then again, it is also rare to see a Ryder Cup player of just six years ago being reduced to enter any tournament on a sponsor’s invite: such has been the fate of Oliver Wilson’s career in recent times. Wilson surprised everyone by beating world number one Rory McIlroy down the stretch at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in October, but the bigger question is now whether Wilson can sustain this form. Earlier on in his career, Wilson built his game on the ability to grind out a score and openly admits that his pursuit to be a purer ball striker has set his career back rather than take it forward. With a two-year exemption on tour it will now be interesting to see which way Wilson will go - will he take the opportunity to work on his game further or will he relax and just play knowing he has a guaranteed job for the first time in four years? This he will have to decide and we will wait and see. But one thing is for sure - Wilson is far too good to be playing on sponsor’s exemptions. Oliver Fisher ready to kick on? In 2005 aged sixteen, Oliver Fisher was made the youngest Walker Cup player of all time and was rightly labelled the best European junior golfer since Sergio Garcia. Since then however it has been a frustrating time for Fisher with just sixteen top-ten finishes in eight years. Despite starting last season with no playing rights it appears that a series of swing changes and differing fitness regimes have finally bore fruit. In 2014, Fisher had his best year yet in terms of money won and overall stroke average, proving that his all round game is in a much stronger position. Now it is time for the Essex man to simply concentrate on playing with the same level of confidence which he exuded effortlessly during a record breaking junior career and experience the same level of success in the professional game. Matt Fitzpatrick to prove potential? In the same mould as Oliver Fisher, Matthew Fitzpatrick had a highly successful amateur
By Kieran Lovelock, who worked at the 2011 Open Championship, in a memorable picture with Darren Clarke’s trophy
TEE Times readers may remember that last time I wrote for the magazine I was a ‘full time amateur’ trying in vain make it as a professional.
More traditional readers will no doubt nod wisely to learn that I have since been pursuing a fulltime business career and have completed an MBA, whilst somehow maintaining my plus two handicap at the weekends. Now my studies are complete I hope to become a regular contributor once again, writing about golf through the lens of a keen amateur. I hope you enjoy my observations.
career at a very young age. Having won the Silver Medal at the 2013 Open Championship and the U.S. Amateur Championship in the same year in the face of numerous lucrative sponsorship deals, Fitzpatrick admirably elected to pursue a golf scholarship in Chicago. However, he came home after just three months and turned pro seemingly against the advice of coaches and fellow competitors within the amateur game who believed that Fitzpatrick lacked the physical strength and distance off the tee to be successful in the professional ranks at such a young age. So far he has proved his doubters wrong by successfully gaining his European Tour card at qualifying school which followed some encouraging results on the Challenge Tour. Fitzpatrick’s situation is akin to that of Matteo Mannasero who has a similar kind of game and also won a major amateur championship whilst he was still a teenager despite a lack of power. Let’s hope Fitzpatrick plays to his strengths much like Mannasero does and progresses exactly the same way.
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GOLF from £19.95 Award Wining CUISINE eo OLF S IMULATORS FREE use off G GOLF SIMULATORS Golf BREAKS EAKS
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Cottrell Park Golf RESORT
Tel: 01446 - 781781 Email: events@cottrellpark.com www.cottrellpark.com Keep up to date with the latest news, offers and events.
@CottrellParkLtd
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WWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM 01794 329344
FEBRUARY 2015
LECKFORD GOLF CLUB T Running through some of the most beautiful parts of Hampshire, the River Test is world famous for the quality of the fly fishing, especially in late Spring when the mayfly appears in abundance. It is also home to one of the most unique and scenic nine hole courses in the land, one that is available all the year round. Whether on a cold winter morning, with a backdrop of deep blue sky and skittering clouds, or on a glorious summer day and a cloudless azure sky. There are in fact not one but two very individual nine hole courses at Leckford Golf Club, called not surprisingly The Old and The New , designed by two of the most famous and accomplished course architects of the era in which they plied their trade. The Old was the work of Harry Shapland Colt, a design that came to fruition in 1931, created at the behest of John Spedan Lewis, the founder of the John Lewis Partnership.
John Spedan Lewis on the 7th green in the 1930's
The Bramshaw Ladies
Colt must have been delighted when he first came and saw the landscape he had to work upon. An enchanting valley, lined with mature beech trees and other traditional hardwoods, rising to a chalk downland with spectacular views in all directions. A landscape he made full use of to create a golfing masterpiece. It is testimony to his design skills that the course has been little changed from that he laid down in the 1930’s.
The New course, just a short distance down the way, sits on top of the chalk downland looking down on the Test valley, it was designed by Donald Steel , very different but the ideal accompaniment; great for the short game and perfect for the more mature and less agile members. A modern style with water and bunkering adding to the test.
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In these highly competitive times it is important for clubs to identify the facets of their club that will appeal to both members and visitors alike, and the team at Leckford have found a successful formula that is ideally suited to both. The club is most unusual in that is has a full membership, and a waiting list, and that being so, it does not accommodate individual green fee visitors. Although Leckford currently enjoys a full membership, information on joining the club or going on the waiting list is available from Daniel Robinson, whose contact details are at the end of this article. Visitors who wish to play have two options by which they can enjoy the challenges set by Colt and Steel, either belong to a golf society with Leckford on the fixture list, or take part in one of the many charity events hosted by the club. Societies are accommodated on any weekday, for a day ticket fee of just ÂŁ19.50 per player, they can enjoy unlimited golf over the two courses, have access to the facilities in the new clubhouse, and even have buffet meals arranged. The clubs does not have full catering facilities but there are several very good pubs and eating establishments nearby. Suffice to say that very many of the Societies are regular clients, booking the next year as soon as the day is over. If you belong to a Society, make a point of ensuring that your Secretary is au
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B THE PERFECT COURSE catering to be provided, but use of the kitchen provides total flexibility for catering options, and there is ample space for an al fresco barbecue, which is used by several groups. The staff at the club provide the professional touch, setting up long drive contests, nearest the pin, sweepstakes, recording scores and prize giving. Leaving everyone else to savour the golf courses, playing as much as desired, allowing the charity to benefit to the maximum. Prompting the following testimonial from a very satisfied customer
fait with the delights of this club. I would defy any golfer to find me better value for money than a day at Leckford. The minimum number required for a Society day is eight players, a far from prohibitive requirement, and it would be well worth organising a group simply to enjoy the day. A glance through the responses from visiting societies shows perfectly the value of the day, this abbreviated email from the Ladies Committee at Bramshaw Golf Club puts the matter most succinctly:
“ I am the one in charge of the Ladies Section for this year and because we had, what everyone, but everyone declared was the best ever day out at Leckford, I’m getting in touch to see what we might be able to arrange for this year. We should all really like to do a repeat with the meal at the Farm Shop after. We would be twelve players as last year. Really looking forward to arranging a repeat visit one way or another” Sentiments which are very common amongst the very satisfied visiting Societies. That being said, the interests of the members are also fully addressed when societies are due. My personal experience tells me that this a situation that is far from common at clubs today, when financial pressures impinge on the benefits that were enjoyed by club
members in the not too distant past. The fixture list give clear and ample notice on the website, so that members are aware and can plan their games of golf to avoid clashing with the groups, and of course weekends are always free. No reservations or tee booking necessary, simply turn up, stroll over to the first tee and play away.
– FOR A GOOD CAUSE Golfing for a good cause. Charity Golf Days have been a part of the golfing scene for many years, from the huge national events in aid of Cancer Research, Children, Heart organisations and more recently Injured Servicemen, to more modest but equally important ventures in aid of local charities, which can so easily be overlooked. The generosity of the public, and golfers are certainly no exception, is always being tested. Charity Golf Days are the ideal way to make that important contribution and at the same time have an enjoyable time doing so. Leckford Golf Club has been proactive in offering excellent value to charitable causes, particularly those with a local connection, contributing to highly successful fund raising. For a fixed fee, just £500, organisers have the use of both golf courses, use of all the facilities at the club, including the kitchens and equipment. The club can arrange for the
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“The venue was perfect for our Charity Golf Day, the course was presented immaculately, and the use of the lounge and kitchen meant we could prepare food maximising profit for our charity. A big thank you to the team at Leckford” So what do the players find when they set out on The Old course, which has so many of the classic Colt features, echelon bunkers, elevated greens with run off areas, and false approaches. It is no surprise that his partner, Alister MacKenzie was an expert in camouflage during the Boar War, a skill the practice soon exploited. It also has some very unusual features, it starts with back to back par fives, then a great par three, before the signature hole, which is the dogleg fourth, justly considered stroke index one. Then a chance to improve the scorecard with a run of holes before the finishing two holes, which are my personal favourites. Drive off at the 8th from an elevated tee to a hole running parallel to the first, with the beeches standing sentry on the right, and having a magnetic pull down the sloping fairway. The green is long and narrow and well bunkered, sitting tightly into the hillside, it will be a well earned par here. The finishing hole is a par three, back to the clubhouse. A downhill shot to a large but very well bunkered green, with the cosy new clubhouse looking down on it, and the beautiful thatched cottage sat majestically behind it, a superb picture and a tough finishing hole. A demanding standard scratch
of 72, when the course is played twice, and a double treat to play, kept in very fine condition throughout the year by the dedicated green staff. The commitment to best ecological and environmental preservation is strong, two of the seven designated reserves around the estate are on the golf course and considerable effort is put into downland restoration to the benefit of flora and fauna. John Spedan Lewis was an enthusiastic naturalist, and created a Trust for the Advancement of Natural Sciences. Staff from the Trust provide assistance in the management and planning of work on the golf courses. In addition to the high quality golf, Leckford Village and the Estate abounds in things to do. Within a short distance there is the Longstock Park Nursery, a gardeners paradise, and the world famous and spectacular Longstock Park Water Gardens, which are open to the public on the first and third Sunday every month from April to September in aid of local charities. Last but certainly not least, there is superb fly fishing on stretches of the River Test and adjoining lakes, the second of my personal addictions adequately provided for. Many golf clubs and courses have a special persona, but in my experience, the club and the courses, The Old Course in particular, at Leckford are very special, well worth whatever effort it takes to get out for a day ticket to play golf there. Michael Rees For more information about Leckford Golf Club and the other attractions on the Leckford Estate visit the websites: www.leckfordgolfcourse.co.uk And: www.longstockpark.co.uk Or contact: Daniel Robinson at: Email: golf@leckfordestate.co.uk or telephone 07860 719814
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Lift-off for the golfer they call Spaceman ON a European Tour where many players have a nickname bestowed on them by their fellows, there was an obvious one for Englishman Andy Sullivan. The 28-year-old from Nuneaton nailed a hole in one last season which might have attracted the usual new car as reward.
Victory joy: England’s Andy Sullivan celebrates his maiden European Tour win
European Tour event, and he became only the second Englishman to win the South African Open after Tommy Horton in 1970.
bogeyed the first four holes on his way to a third-round 74 and started the final day seven shots off the lead.
Sullivan, who thereby gained a European Tour exemption until the end of next year, said: ‘It’s unbelievable. After Saturday I didn’t think I stood much of a chance with Charl getting ahead that far.
Schwartzel, homing in on his maiden home championship, failed to get up and down from a plugged lie in a greenside bunker on the 14th. He then three-putted the 16th en route to a double-bogey six, before an errant tee shot on the 17th led to another dropped shot.
And how appropriate that his career really really lifted off in style as he captured his first European Tour title with a play-off victory at the South African Open.
But the 2011 Masters champion dropped four shots in a 74 for an 11-under-par total, matched by Sullivan, who carded a five-under 67. The players returned to the 18th for a playoff - and Sullivan won with a birdie.
‘I didn’t want to give him a second chance to take the title away from me so I am delighted and I hope the guys at Nuneaton Golf Club are having a few beers for me. To just play on The European Tour is something I’ve wanted to do my whole life, so to win an event just caps it all off and to do it in South Africa where I have always enjoyed playing, it has just been an incredible week.’
Even the manner of victory had something of the other-world feel about it. South African
Victory at the Glendower Golf Club in Johannesburg came in Sullivan’s 84th
Sullivan had been one shot clear at the halfway stage of the tournament, but
But handy Andy’s ace earned him a unique prize from the sponsors: a trip into space. Since then, his mates have been calling him The Spaceman.
Charl Schwarztel began the final round with a five-stroke lead and was still four ahead with five holes to play.
Sullivan holed his second shot for an eagle at the 407-yard 12th and also rolled in four birdies. Both players missed the fairway in the play-off, but Sullivan produced a superb escape from the trees and holed from 12 feet for a birdie to seal his maiden win as a professional.
WEST PGA SEASON PEPPERED WITH QUALITY THE South West and Wales PGA has unveiled an exciting tournament line-up for 2015 at some of the region’s finest venues, writes Peter Godsiff. Highlights include visits to the Celtic Manor Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course, the championship links of Burnham & Berrow, Woodbury Park and a new event at former Europro host Bovey Castle in Devon. Three stops are made to the impressive Cumberwell Park complex in Wiltshire while the quartet of leading Dorset courses, Dudsbury, Remedy Oak, Ferndown and Parkstone, also feature. The April Cornish Festival, which is already selling fast, is played over stand-out links courses Trevose, St Enodoc and Newquay. The exciting schedule includes new events at Bristol and Clifton, Dainton Park and Broome Manor while Lansdown and Newquay return to the circuit. Glenn Ross, the West PGA secretary, said: ‘This year the emphasis is on great venues and high quality events. We are concentrating on these so we can help the
course earlier in the day.Four Order of Merit tournaments have been finalised and make up the ranking tournaments for the season, with Wessex Golf Centre’s Michael Watson defending his title.
Among highlights: Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten course
development of our county PGAs by facilitating their ability to run their own smaller local pro-ams this year.‘ In addition to a pro-am in September, Burnham & Berrow will celebrate its 125th anniversary by hosting the PGA Professional Championship alongside Regional qualifiers for both the championship and the Lombard Trophy.
The programme starts with the seventh Total Triumph Classic at Oake Manor in Somerset on May 13-14 and once again amateurs will have a chance to play alongside the finest PGA Professionals on the second day in their own strokeplay competition.
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The South West’s most prestigious and longest-running Order of Merit tournament returns to Chipping Sodbury Golf Club from August 17-19. Bristol’s Gordon Brand Jnr, one of 14 Ryder Cup players to have claimed the title, won his second championship when it was last held at the South Gloucestershire course in 2006.
The Dudsbury Masters, supported by Ringwood Brewery, follows on June 8-10. The PGA West Region Players Championship returns to Cumberwell Park for a fourth year on July 13-15.Marston’s, the UK’s market leading brewer of premium cask and bottled ales, will
Last year’s unique event embraced four championships. David Dixon (Enmore Park) took the major award while Tracy Loveys (Bigbury), Kelvin Aitken (Chippenham Golf Centre) and Toby Hunt (St Mellons) will defend the women’s, seniors’ and assistants’ titles respectively.
Three stops: impressive Cumberwell Park in Wiltshire
A pre-tournament pro-am is run on the first day of each 36-hole tournament.Young professionals under the age of 30 and club assistants will again feature the Pro’s Sprint League in association with Titleist and FootJoy, an early-season four-stage 18-hole strokeplay event at Weston-super-Mare, Cumberwell Park, Dawlish Warren and St Mellons.
The Celtic Manor Resort 2010 Ryder Cup Celebration Pro-Am is played on May 20 while the annual PGA dinner returns to the calendar after a long absence on November 2, also at the prestigious resort. The gala event features the annual prize presentations following a limited field shotgun start pro-am on the Twenty Ten
be the title sponsor of the PGA West Region Championship for the fifth successive year.
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Beverly’s BIG Secrets
Hampshire Ladies Golf
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2014
– Beverly Huke Following on from last month, if a training aid is good then it’s worth bringing to your attention more than once! he “Warm Up & Grip Trainer” is another simple, effective and inexpensive little tool to get your swing in good shape for 2015.
T
The moulded grip gets your hands holding the club nicely. Make sure you swing slowly, hinging and releasing your wrists as you rotate your torso back and through.
Hampshire ladies encourage and promote the interests of women and girls amateur golf at all levels. 2014 has been a great year for them in Hampshire, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. Here are some of the highlights:
Available online or in the best golf shops!
Let’s work on your perfect swing in 2015 please call me 07973 307880 or check out www.beverlyhukegolf.com
MEON VALLEY NEW 2015 CAPTAINS
Chris Quinn Chris won gold medal as a member of the English Seniors team that won the European Championships at Gut Altentann Golf club in Austria. She was also a member of the English Seniors team to win the Home Internationals at Huddersfield Golf club. Chris plays her golf at Hockley Golf club.
Shop O
Emma Allen Olympic hopeful and Hampshire Junior Champion Emma was a member of the England team which won the Girls’ Home Internationals at Donabate Golf club, Ireland. Emma meeting the Duchess of Cambridge, at an event hosted by GSK at its cutting-edge Human Performance Lab in London. Emma plays her golf at Meon Valley Golf club.
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Onward into 2015
This years 2015 golf captains for Meon Valley Golf Club are Phil Hayward and Liz Lewis. Phil and Liz have been members of Meon Valley for 20 and 8 years respectively. They
are both very actively involved in all interclub leagues and competitions as well as supporting all club comps. They are looking forward to a fantastic year, organizing more social events and most of all for some warm sunny golf.
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Golf B
54 Brid
Charlotte Barrow Hampshire Junior Captain Charlotte won the Hampshire Schools Championships for the third year running and was one of only 9 girls nationally to qualify for the Telegraph BMW Junior Golf Championship 2014 at Quinta do Lago in Portugal finishing in 4th place. Charlotte with Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley just after the Ryder Cup. Charlotte plays her golf at Brokenhurst Manor Golf club.
Pictured: Phil Hayward (Mens 2015 Captain) and Liz Lewis (Ladies 2015 Captain)
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English National County Champions Hampshire became the new English Women’s County Champions at Belton Park in Lincolnshire. They swept aside strong opposition from 5 other regional finalists over a gruelling 5 days at Belton Park Golf Club in Lincolnshire Hampshire County Champion Georgie Mundy was crowned Hampshire’s County Champion. Championship week at Stoneham Golf club. Georgie plays her golf at Corhampton Golf club.
GOLF WINTER SPECIALS
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Girls Academy With its success Hampshire Ladies have set up a third centre, Paultons Park, Nr Southampton for its programme in 2015.
Jane Shergold on 01428 717036 jane.shergold@btinternet.com or County Junior Organiser Elke Jackson on 01256 473049 jacksonElke@aol.com
A fun assessment day is being held on 28 March for girls keen to have a go and get interested in the game; have limited experience and have not joined a club or are currently members of a golf club with or without a handicap. For further details contact either lead coach, Kevin Flynn on 02392 462266, Academy Co-ordinator
Whether you just enjoy a round of golf with your friends or are a little more competitive Hampshire Ladies have a varied range of events in their programme for 2015. For further details visit www.hampshireladiesgolf.co.uk or follow us on Facebook (you do not need to be a member).
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One, two, three for England
THE YOUNG ONES CHOSEN FOR STARMAKING SCHEME
DANNY Willett started the new season in style as he won the second European Tour title of his career with victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
The 27-year-old, whose previous triumph came at the BMW International Open in 2012, carded a six under par 66 to win by four shots at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City. Willett, 84th in the world rankings, made his charge up the leaderboard on the Saturday and continued his progress in a final round that included half a dozen birdies, leaving him 18 under for the tournament.
OVER 100 youngsters – more than ever before – have been selected for a Dorset golf coaching scheme.
He said: ‘South Africa is a place that’s suited me in the past. I’ve played good golf down here, love the place, love the people, everything about it is great. It’s been a truly fun test of golf.’
Children aged as young as eight are taking part in the Dorset County Golf Academy sessions, which will run until May and prepare the young players for the season.
Fisher, who won the Tshwane Open in South Africa, recorded seven birdies and three bogeys to finish two ahead of Donald.
‘This is a real milestone for us,’ said Dee Wood, who runs the scheme for the Dorset Golf Partnership. ‘There are 105 children in the programme, which is the largest number since it started in 2009.
Donald said: ‘There were a lot of positives. It’s nice to put myself back in position. I could have played a bit better but I still would have had to shoot five under just to tie with Danny. He played really focused golf today and hats off, he’s a deserved winner.’
POPULAR BBC sports presenter Dan Walker will be the compere once again when the fifth annual 59Club service excellence awards take place later this month at Marriott Forest of Arden, Warwickshire. Regarded by many as the ‘Oscars’ of the golf service industry, the awards’ evening is the culmination of a day of seminars on the theme of customer relationships. The awards are designed to recognise excellence within the golf industry throughout 2014 and the evening will also see the presentation of 59Club’s coveted gold and silver flag designations.
The top three were all Englishmen, with Willett edging out playing partners Ross Fisher and Luke Donald.
Donald, former world number one, led by one overnight but failed to mark his 37th birthday with his first victory since the BMW PGA Championship in 2012 following a frustrating one over par 73.
Golf service industry set for ‘Oscars’
Record numbers: Youngsters at a Dorset Golf Academy coaching session
‘They’ve all had to go through a selection process to show their potential and enthusiasm for the game. Now, they are being nurtured by the specially selected PGA golf coaches, who take a great deal of pride in coaching and encouraging children to reach their highest potential.’
Over the years the Academy has produced players who have gone on to win events at both club and county level. Many have progressed to county squads run by the Dorset County Golf Union and the Dorset Ladies’ County Golf Association. The Academy programme was set up by England Golf and is run by the Dorset Golf Partnership, with coaching taking place at five golf clubs across the county: Canford Magna, Bridport & West Dorset, Dudsbury, Ferndown Forest and Sturminster Marshall. The head Academy coach is Dave Cooper of Canford Magna and the team is completed by: Dave Bartlett (Bulbury Woods), Mike Dodd (Sturminster Marshall), Craig Gale (Ferndown Forest), Fern Grimshaw (Wessex Golf Academy), Adrian Harris (Broadstone), Des Lochrie (Weymouth), Dave Parsons (Bridport & West Dorset), Darrel Ranson (Crane Valley), Adam Sawyer (Dudsbury), Darren Stratman (Ferndown Forest).
Speakers for the day’s seminars are market specialists, including the chief operating officer at Bellerive Country Club, Missouri, Jeffrey Kreafle. Awards to be made include the ultimate golf experience; golf group of the year; golf operations team of the year; sales team of the year; and best retail experience, plus a number of individual accolades. Previous award winners include four-time Ryder Cup venue The Belfry, 2010 Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor Resort, The Vale Resort, Marriott, De Vere, Wentworth, Stoke Park, Close House and Goodwood.
Promoting golf THE International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS HANDA) and the Ladies European Tour have extended their partnership to promote golf, especially blind and disabled golf. Already one of the biggest supporters of women’s golf, ISPS HANDA will become a strategic partner of the LET across the tour and charitable events. It is part of a two-year agreement, with the option to renew for a further year.
Ryder Cup: Will Paul’s pick be Captain Clarke? PAUL McGinley is playing his cards very close to his chest over who he will recommend for the 2016 European Ryder Cup captaincy. Darren Clarke remains the strong favourite to succeed McGinley as European skipper but the Dubliner insists that he is remaining neutral at this stage. One unknown factor is whether there is still a tinge of bad feeling between the two after Clarke withdrew his support for McGinley’s 2014 captaincy bid. McGinley said: ‘Would Clarke be a good captain? The one thing I cannot do is express an opinion on that.’ The successor to McGinley, who led Europe to their 2014 victory, is expected to be appointed in the next two months with Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn being mentioned as other possible candidates for the role at Hazeltine. The selection panel will also include former captains Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie, as well European Tour officials, but
McGinley’s opinion is likely to carry particular weight after his triumph at Gleneagles.
‘We’re still communicating, there are a number of people involved in making that decision - current players, potential players going forward, and people who are associated with the Ryder Cup,’ added McGinley. ‘I’m gathering information from everyone and I want to get a really solid view of what everybody thinks before I bring my ideas forward.’ Clarke, the 2011 Open champion, has strong credentials, having played in the Ryder Cup five times and helped lead the team as vicecaptain in 2010 and 2012.
Ryder Cup winning ways: McGinley and Clarke. Left: Contender Miguel Angel Jimenez
Clarke initially backed McGinley’s bid to be the 2014 captain, only to put himself forward and That led to strain in the relationship although McGinley insisted after his team’s 16½-11½ success last September that he would not let their differences influence his opinion on who should succeed him.
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Continuing the saga of a late-convert golfer’s search for glory on the greens. . . ANY minute now they’ll all be turning up on E-bay. I’m talking about those presents which friends (are we sure about that?) and family inflict on golfers whenever Christmas or a birthday looms. Now I understand how difficult it is buying presents for we bus-pass gents. Even so, that’s no excuse for the ‘hilarious butt putt game’ with its ‘bare-faced cheek.’ You get the drift, I imagine. Strike your ball towards what appears to be a plastic facsimile of the rear view of a 25stone man, and if you’re lucky, you are rewarded what they describe as a triumphant bout of gas. As if this isn’t enough to make you throw all your clubs into a fast-flowing river, they offer you a choice of six different sound effects to celebrate your triumph. Yes: I’m afraid that means what you think it means. The only good news is that batteries are not included so you can probably donate it to the club raffle before it explodes.
The gifts that keep on misgiving. . . DIARY OF A BUS-PASS GOLFER By Bob Evans What this does for your golf, I can’t imagine, although I think it could bring on a severe attack of the yips when faced with a can’t-miss hole-in-one. What we have here is the one serious drawback to our favourite sport. The nearand-dear, bored with buying us socks, are easily tempted by an array of amusing gimmicks that must surely have been dreamed up at the annual meeting of the Benny Hill Memorial Society.
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The designers seem to be irreversibly convinced that golf is somehow linked with the processes of either reproduction or things lavatorial. I must say that the second one does occasionally spring to mind when one of our group, under sudden pressure, vanishes into the bushes for a moment. But as for the former, I simply don’t see it. And I don’t think that having a tee in the approximate shape of a tiny, pink, plastic, naked lady would do anything for my fade.
Fortunately, very few of these astonishing creations reach the golf course. It’s just as well. Anyone who tries one of their exploding golf balls – ‘your pals will be doubled up with laughter’ – on my ex-para friend John will find himself doubled up, but not necessarily with laughter. The same goes for the wind-up golf ball equipped with two tiny legs which should come in useful when it scampers down the garden and hops into the dustbin. There’s one putting practice game which comes with a miniature green, cup, flag, putter and balls – by why with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign? Because, and you must excuse my weary sigh, you are meant to play it while seated on the lavatory. Of course, this could just be sour grapes. When I tried out my table-top golf present, I failed. I rather overdid my swing with the two-inch plastic club and it landed in what I can only categorise as a water hazard. And I’ve simply no idea how to get out of a cup of coffee.
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LEGENDS OF THE GAME... ...DR GOLF – JOHN JACOBS In the induction ceremony at the World Golf Hall of Fame in the year 2000, John Jacobs was inducted in the Lifetime Achievement Category; there could not have been a more fitting recognition for the golfer who has contributed so much to the game. As a player, sadly not fully appreciated, administrator, organiser, and most distinguished of all as a coach and instructor, his impact was enormous. Described by Ken Schofield as “the father of European Golf”, he engineered the evolution of the European Tour, despite obstructions from the PGA establishment of the day. John rightfully earned that distinctive title of Dr Golf in the 78’s and 80’s when he developed coaching strategy and coaching schools around the world, particularly in the United Kingdom and America, in the process training many of the young professionals who went on to spread his methods to all corners of the globe. He taught many of the world’s best professional and amateur players, national squads and talented individuals who all benefited from the skilled teaching of the master. The list of golfers who have sought his counsel is legendary. It includes such names as Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, Tom Watson and Tony Jacklin. There is a famous story told of his encounter with Jack Nicklaus during practice at The Open in 1969. After hitting two drives out of bounds, Jack turned to John and said, “You’re supposed to know about these things, what am I doing”. Thank God for that, Jacobs replied, I thought you would never ask! John Jacobs was born on Yorkshire in 1925, at Lindrick where his father was the professional. Sadly his father died in 1934, his life foreshortened by the ravages of the First World War. John turned professional after his service in the Royal Air Force, and had a creditable record recording two wins in 1957, when he won the Dutch Open and The South African Matchplay title, beating Gary Player in the final. His greatest achievement however was two years prior in the Ryder Cup in 1955; played at the Thunderbird
1955 Ryder Cup team
Country Club in California. The Great Britain and Ireland team, Captained by Dai Rees, were total underdogs, but John was the one whole stole the headlines, he had a 100% record in the match, won both his foursomes and then defeated reigning Masters Champion Cary Middlecoff in the singles. After retiring from tournament play, he applies himself to teaching, and rapidly earned himself a fine reputation, for both simplicity of his method, and his ability to impart the knowledge he had acquired. Establishing John Jacobs very successful teaching centres in both the United Kingdom and the USA. In 1971 he was approached about becoming Tournament Supremo of the European Tour,
but his earlier experience with the malignant politics years earlier made him reluctant to do so. However he was persuaded to take the job, and devoted four years of his time as Tournament Director General to establishing and laying the foundations of the Tour before handing over to Ken Schofield. During his time at the helm he had managed the transition to bring the controlling interests of the tournament professional to the fore, a task he was uniquely qualified to accomplish. Facing down the attempt to derail the new structure between 1973 and 1975 after Colin Snape took over as Secretary of the PGA. He had turned the vision into a reality, by the strength of his personal stature and is owed a debt by every successful European player since. Despite all his accomplishments, which also extended to golf course design, he will be primarily remembered as an instructor, the books he wrote are still sources of inspiration today. His book Practical Golf is still on the top ten list of best golf instruction books of all time. The man who wanted so much to be the best player realised that he could teach far better than he could play, perhaps influenced by his gentle, practical and considerate nature. Butch Harmon himself a teaching maestro said “John Jacobs wrote the book on coaching; there is
John with Desmond Haynes
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not a teacher out here who does not owe him something”. He was Captain of the Ryder Cup team in 1979 and 1981, and helped to usher in the new players when the rules were changed to include players from Europe for the first time. The start of the new era, and he was responsible for getting Seve Ballesteros to play in the team in 1981. John was awarded the OBE in the New Year’s Honours List in 1997, inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000, and made an Honorary Member of the European Tour, honours he so rightly deserved. Born into a golfing environment, he is a true countryman at heart, living with his dogs in a delightful converted coach house in Lyndhurst in the heart of the New Forest. He still enjoys his few holes of golf, and his game fishing, and as he approaches his nineties he still has that youthful smile that makes him so easy to approach and talk with, a privilege that anyone who has shared will fully recognise. One of nature’s gentlemen and one who has been a Titan in whatever sphere of the game in which he has been involved. He is a real Legend of the Game. Michael Rees
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TT FEB 2015 Issue 165_Layout 1 18/01/2015 11:35 Page 25
NEW VENUE OPEN SEE PAGES 12 & 13
FEBRUARY 2015
WATERLOOVILLE GOLF CLUB
TEE TIMES 25
Alresford Golf Club ‘enjoyable golf & a great deal more’
Lifestyle Membership £520 7 Day Playing Rights Handicap Management Access to Competitions Food and Beverage Discounts £50 bar levy included in price Designed by Sir Henry Cotton, Waterlooville Golf Club is a beautiful Parkland Course well known for its friendly social atmosphere.
F? WET WEATHER ALREADY EFFECTING YOUR GOL SHIP? R MEMBER DO YOU GET REAL VALUE FOR MONEY FROM YOU and play Come and see our facilities for yourself the area. one of the best free draining course in
JOIN IN FEBRUARY for ONLY £1108 (7 Day Membership) NOTHING more to pay until 01/01/2016 (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 6 other private members clubs
Call or e-mail us today for full details.
WATERLOOVILLE GOLF CLUB Cherry Tree Avenue, Cowplain, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO8 8AP.
Tel.No. 02392 263388 Email: secretary@waterloovillegolfclub.co.uk
Cheriton Road, Tichborne Down, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0PN Tel : 01962 733746 Email:secretary@alresfordgolf.co.uk
www.waterloovillegolfclub.co.uk
www.alresfordgolf.co.uk Golf Academy
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26 TEE TIMES
WWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM 01794 329344
FEBRUARY 2015
GOLF IN AUSTRIA’S BAD KLEINENKIRCHHEIM Golf and Austrian Hospitality It’s not all Slope Style skiing in Carinthia and once the thick snow melts, some of these undulating lower ski slopes metamorphose into verdant green meadows and re-emerge as excellent golf courses and where each year greens are tenderly re-sown and bunkers re-sanded. With golf clubs in tow I flew to Klagenfurt airport in early September. This is the region where former Olympic skiing ace Franz Klammer hails from and once retired from professional racing, learnt to play golf on local courses and now boasts a handicap of seven. Fortunately the day I arrived was perfect golf weather, cloudless blue skies, little wind and plenty of sun. It was during the hour’s taxi ride to the idyllic village of Bad Kleinenkirchheim where I was staying that I found time to quietly admire the local scenery only my reverie was rudely interrupted when a puzzled taxi driver with limited German suddenly pointed to the surrounding mountains, saying, ‘Kein schnee, kein schnee!’ It took several seconds for the penny to drop and realise he had mistaken my large golf bag for a bag containing skis. Assuring him that it was golf I had come to play and not to ski, he barely uttered another word for the rest of the journey. During the winter months Bad Kleinkirchheim, (or KKK as it is fondly referred as), is a popular ski resort and in the summer months a perfect holiday retreat. I was here to play golf and spend a few relaxing days staying at the family run Hotel Trattlerhof and on my arrival was immediately greeted by the owner’s son, Jacob Forstnig who kindly suggested tea in the hotel’s pretty garden overlooking a field of mooing cows and a nearby fast running mountain stream. The whole setting couldn’t have been more idyllic. My first round of golf was played on the 18 hole par 72 Championplaz Kaiserburg course with Jacob as my guide and playing companion. We drove to the course in the hotel's new electric Mercedes about a twenty
minute drive from the hotel and which guests can also hire for a small fee of 19 Euros for a half day and 39 Euros for a full day. At his insistence I drove back to the hotel just to experience how easy it is to drive. The Kaiserburg course is a typical mountain course with some very challenging holes and definitely calls for the use of a buggy particularly as the first nine holes are mostly uphill with sloping fairways. The back nine though, are thankfully a lot flatter. Several streams run alongside or across fairways and there’s a small lake or two but on the whole I found this a delightful Alpine course to play and mostly surrounded by the towering Nockberge mountain range. Fortunately I found Jacob’s intimate knowledge of the course very beneficial and extremely helpful particularly when negotiating blind up-hill terrains and doglegs. Each week the hotel has a wine tasting and gourmet evening in a small but delightfully rustic converted chalet called the Einkehr restaurant and where I spent my first evening. Rather than take modern transport to the restaurant we were driven there in brightly decorated open carriages attached to ancient 1950’s tractor which rumble their way up the hill for about half an hour (normally the journey would take less than ten minutes) but this sedate speed does give you opportunity to admire the beauty of the local scenery.
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Before playing my next round of golf, I spent a couple of hours at the local Romerbad Thermal Spa dipping in and out of special radon pools, a good antidote for tired muscles. This time it was Jacob’s mother, Elizabeth who accompanied me to the next golf course, the Millstatter Lake course and about an hour’s drive from the hotel. This is another challenging Alpine but differently designed course on a sunny plateau and surrounded by breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains and the deep blue Millsatter Lake directly below. Sadly after eight holes the heavens opened forcing us to abandoned play but I did manage a quick chat with the English club pro Paul Thompson, whose teaching methods I established, are legendry and much admired by members. As we still had time on our hands Elizabeth suggested driving over to the village where Franz Klammer was born and learnt to ski, a mountainous twenty minute drive from the Mittstater Lake. His former family house is now a popular restaurant and the walls inside are festooned with photographs of him winning races and receiving awards and several large glass cabinets filled with many of his famous trophies and medals. This was definitely one of the highlights of my short stay and a few weeks later when playing in his annual Franz Klammer Wooden Spoon event hosted by the Austrian Tourist Office we
discussed the courses I played and my golf experiences in Carinthia in general. Although I only managed to play a couple of courses, altogether there over 30 golf courses to choose from in the region and for any golf enthusiast buying a special Golf Pass is a must as this entitles you to play any of the courses including Lake Bled in Slovenia and Salzburgland at much reduced rates. April Tod
FACT FILE For further information The Trafflerhof Hotel www.trattlerhof.at Championsplatz Kaiserburg www.golfbkk.at Millstatter See Golf Course – www.golf-millstat.at For information on Franz Klammer – go to his website www.franzklammer.at www.golflust.at www.austrianairlines.com
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NEW VENUE OPEN SEE PAGES 12 & 13
FEBRUARY 2015
TEE TIMES 27
MEON VALLEY HOSTS THE TRILBY TOUR
MEON VALLEY HOSTS THE TRILBY TOUR
MEON VALLEY HOSTS THE TRILBY TOUR The prestigious Trilby Tour 2015 amateur golf tournament, now in it’s 9th year will be hosting series of Regional Championships REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF aHAMPSHIRE across the UK with Meon Valley chosen as the venue for the Hampshire Regional Final for the 2nd year running. Entry to the Trilby Tour is highly sought after and we will be hosting a number of qualifying rounds where the winner from each day will then secure a place at the Regional Championship hosted at Meon Valley on Tuesday 2nd June. Qualifying rounds will be charged at £18.00 per person to include coffee on arrival. These will be held on Friday 17th & 24th April with tee times between 10.30am and 12.00pm. The format for the event is 18 holes individual Stableford from the white tees with full handicap allowance. Please send a completed entry form to Christine keal at the address below along with payment by the 31st March 2015. MEON VALLEY HOSTS THE TRILBY TOUR
TRILBY TOUR QUALIFYING ROUND ENTRY FORM
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF HAMPSHIRE
Qualifying Rounds
TRILBY TOUR QUALIFYING ROUND ENTRY FORM Name:........................................................................................................................................................................................... Address: ....................................................................................................................................................................................... To register your interest please call the Golf Shop on 01329 836 868. Email:........................................................................................................................................................................................... Contact Telephone Number:......................................................................................................................................................... Qualifying Rounds CDH Handicap max 18:............................................................................................................................................................... A Marriott Hotel & Country Clubframe (not guaranteed): Tee times are betweenMeon 10.30Valley, & 12.00 please tick preferred time
10.30 – 11.00
11.00 – 11.30
11.30 - 12.00
Qualifying Round – Please requested date: please call the Golf Shop on 01329 836 868. Totick register your interest Friday 17th April 2015 £18.00 per person
Friday 24th April 2015 £18.00 per person
Please make cheques payable to ‘Meon Valley Marriott Hotel & Country Club’ Meon Valley Marriott Hotel & Country Club Sandy Lane, Shedfield, Hampshire, SO32 Meon 2HQ Valley, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club t: 01329 833 455 MarriottMeonValley.co.uk
Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. All bookings must be pre paid and are non refundable. Only one winner will receive a place from each of the qualifying rounds. The winner must be available on Tuesday 2nd June. All players must have a CDH Handicap max of 18.
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28 TEE TIMES
WWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM 01794 329344
FEBRUARY 2015
GET AROUND FOR YEARS TO COME
atterson roducts
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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. Proudly manufactured in the UK. We are so confident in the quality of our workmanship that we guarantee our chassis for as long as you own the buggy.
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A LIMITED NUMBER of Full Lady Memberships have been made available for only £235 Knighton Heath Golf Club, Bournemouth
Our much improved genuine heath land course, situated on 90 acres of high ground beside Canford Heath, is a great place to play golf. Join now and pay NO JOINING FEE Ladies who prefer to play at weekends have the opportunity to play either competitive and/or social golf and receive THREE complimentary green fee vouchers following the interview. and play at 17 reciprocal golf clubs for a nominal £5 per 4ball. To receive this special offer you would be required to pay, once your application has been approved, £235 (£47pm), upfront. This will secure your membership until 30 June 2015. A SAVING OF SOME £300. For more information please contact the Manager, Reunert Bauser, on 01202 572633 or email him at manager@khgc.co.uk. Knighton Heath Golf Club, Francis Avenue, Bournemouth BH11 8NX www.khgc.co.uk
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THE TEE TIMES BUSINESS DIRECTORY For all advertising enquiries and details of our unbeatable rates please contact: Advertising: Peter Llewellyn: 01329 834360 / 07870 631040 Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com
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FEBRUARY 2015
Monthly tuition to get you on top of your game by Advanced PGA Lady Professional, Katie Dawkins
T E E T I M E SWWW.121GOLFSHOP.COM J U LY 2 0 0 6
01794 329344
Based at Meon Valley Golf and Country Club
COWDRAY PARK GOLF CLUB Everywhere you want to be
Keep that spark alive for Golf this Valentines After a game of golf I hear so many players say, “Thank God that’s over”… they clearly haven’t played well and therefore have not enjoyed their round of golf. They begin to lose their love for the game. Too many players find that a disaster round follows just one poor hole. They are beginning to lose their enjoyment for the game, and they are less enthusiastic to get back out there. Here are a few helpful hints to ensure that your passion for the wonderful game of golf stays strong. Bad 1st tee shot? So many people fear that first shot of the round that they wind themselves up to the point where nerves take over. This doesn’t have to dictate what the rest of the round will do. Try to re enact your practice swing in your real shot. Focus on doing 2 practice swings, one without and then one with the ball. Forget about where the ball might end up and feel you get through to a full finish. Bad 1st hole? Snooker players always look at what they have got left on the table. So why is it that golfers write off the front nine due to a bad score on the 1st, waiting only until the 10th hole to try and improve? There are 18 holes in a round of golf, after a poor start see the back 17 as room for improvement and so on. See each hole as a fresh start and forget about the past.
Be you own Trackman
How do you react after a poor shot? Throwing clubs, swearing and shouting at yourself and generally getting angry will not undo the bad shot. Instead try and calm yourself down using deep breaths and positive self talk. Say “oh well never mind” and try to relax on your next shot. You will only waste energy getting angry and then this will affect the next shot and so on. Get wound up after a harsh bounce? Use your energy on only those things that you can control. You can’t control the weather, good or bad bounces, how your playing partner comments every time they out drive you. These things would just be a waste of energy getting het up about. So chill out and be glad when you do get some good luck and your ball bounces out of the trees. Take your medicine and accept you have to recover from any bad lies you end up in. See it as a challenge, rise to this challenge and hit an exciting recovery shot. Practice getting out of trouble to give you confidence in applying it on the course. You only have to watch Tiger during a tournament to realise he spends a lot of time recovering from sticky spots. He rises to the challenge and hits shots with that WOW factor. Really exciting to watch! If your game really is not working well and you find yourself no longer enjoying it. Then seek advice from a Professional. Usually it will just be that you have got into bad habits and you need tweaking. Golf is a game of confidence. As soon as you iron out any creases in your technique and see shots going well again your love for the game will flow back. If you are finding – as so many people do- that they hit the ball well on the practice ground yet struggle on the course. Book a playing lesson… Golfers do some interesting things out on the course; they also expect to get those pars every time. A playing lesson teaches you to play within yourself and enjoy the game again. I hope that love blossoms once more within your golf game this February. I am currently on maternity leave, having had a little boy called Callum Teddy Dawkins on 9th January, back in the Summertime. Visit my website for updates and hints and tips. www.katiedawkinsgolf.co.uk
Trackman, I guess most of you have heard of it. It’s a great piece of equipment that tracks the ball in flight. Immediately after the ball is hit it displays a great deal of information about the club face at impact. Three of the elements it measures are; the number of degrees the clubface is open or closed in relation to the target. The line that the club head is travelling in relation to the target. And last but not least, the angle of attack. All these elements combine to produce the ball flight. And if you’ve got twenty grand to spare it would be a good aid to your practice. The cheaper option would be to be your own Trackman. So how can you do this? Simply you have to do what many coaches do, you have to analyse the flight of the ball. Then of course you have to apply the fix, that’s the tricky part. To do this you have to take into account the three elements of impact that I’ve mentioned. The angle of the clubface, the line it’s taking and the angle of attack. There are a couple of things that I’ve missed out. They are, hitting from the toe and heel of the club. These are elements that even trick Trackman. When you hit off the toe or heel you bring in what is known as the Gear Effect, and even if the club is dead square when it first contacts the ball, the ball will hook or slice. Let me explain; for example, if the club when it makes contact with the ball and it is hit from the heel or toe, the face will twist. This twist
Golf Academy
will impart a side spin on the ball. For instance a ball hit from the toe with a driver will cause the face to open slightly and spin the ball to the left. The heel hit will have the opposite effect. The face will close and spin the ball to the right. Sounds wrong, but that’s what happens. A ball hit from the toe will also have less backspin. With less backspin the ball will go low and left. A heel hit will have more backspin, making the ball fly high right and short. Just to get the ball rolling, I’m going to give you some idea of how the flight of the ball is affected by the angle of attack. If you are a person that hits the short irons too high and is too low with the longer irons and fairway metal woods then your attack angle is to shallow. You may drive the ball OK but you will hit fat shots, thin shots, hooks, pushes and even shanks. On the other hand if your attack angle is too steep you may hit the too high with the driver. The tendency will be to pull, slice, hit from the toe. You will definitely be better with irons than woods. Next month, more on the ball flight. If you are a little confused about the gear effect I hope the picture will make it a bit clearer. If you need any help with any department of your game, please don't hesitate to contact me either through my website: www.mbtourcoach.com or by telephone M: 07787 887578.
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TT FEB 2015 Issue 165_Layout 1 18/01/2015 11:36 Page 31
Romsey Golf Club Welcomes you all
Romsey Golf Club is an oasis of beauty on the edge of Southampton. Described by a journalist as ‘A real woodland gem’ the course makes its way through undulating ground with tree lined fairways, raised greens and deep bunkers.
7 / 5 DAY MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE from £890 (7 Day) and £700 (5 Day) Members benefit from 27 reciprocal arrangements Successes for the club this year are: Ladies Stoneham Cup Winners Men's Kindred Club Winners for 3rd consecutive year National Junior Finalists of Men's Over 50's Carpet Barn Finalists
“We have had some of the best greens around over the past year and we continue to develop and improve the quality of the course” Romsey Golf Club, Romsey Road, Nursling, Southampton, SO16 0XW Telephone: 023 8073 4637 www.romseygolfclub.com
TT FEB 2015 Issue 165_Layout 1 18/01/2015 11:36 Page 32
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