Tee Times Golf Magazine, November 2015

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ISSUE 174 NOVEMBER 2015 Tel: 01329 834360 Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com Bre Ran 1 akf ge 00 ast Ba On lls ly ÂŁ & 7.7 5

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2 TEE TIMES

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LIVE TV COVERAGE TO END A YEAR EARLIER THAN ANNOUNCED

Fury at the British Broadcasting Cop-out on The Open

TEE TIMES 3

INSIDE JORDAN’S RIVER OF CASH - Page 4 What’s firing up Rory McIlroy?

- Page 4

NO SEX PLEASE, WE’RE GOLFERS! - Page 12

Westwood heads sadly back to Europe

How the Daily Mail reported the BBC’s decision to pull the plug a year sooner than previously announced

THE BBC sparked outrage after announcing that its coverage of The Open will switch from live to highlights, a year earlier than already planned and announced.

From 2016, the BBC will show extended TV highlights, offer live radio coverage and cover the tournament online. Alliss will remain part of the BBC team covering the oldest of golf’s four Majors.

Golf fans and the media lined up to pour scorn on the corporation, while veteran TV commentator Peter Alliss admitted he was embarrassed by the move.

BBC director of sport Barbara Slater said it was ‘critical the BBC targets its resources to provide maximum value for money for licence fee payers’.

- Page 18

The Open will now be broadcast live on Sky from 2016, rather than 2017, as was announced in February. Ms Slater added: ‘We know that many fans are unhappy with the loss of rights and in an ideal world the BBC would still be the home of live coverage of The Open. The BBC is faced with some challenging financial savings targets. Sport on the BBC is not immune to those pressures.’

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said: ‘The relationship between the R&A and the BBC spans more than 60 years and we understand the challenging circumstances that the BBC is currently presented with.’

No last hurrah on live BBC TV such as viewers saw when Open champion Zach Johnson greeted the fans

CADDIE ‘DIVORCES’ LUKE DONALD

- Page 26

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4 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

FURY AT BBC SURRENDER OF LIVE COVERAGE OF THE OPEN • From Page 3

‘Did we really expect anything else but an inglorious surrender and an abject retreat to the margins? Sixty years of live coverage of The Open and they give it up without so much as a last goodbye on screen, never mind a fabulous hurrah.

‘From the moment it was announced earlier this year that the BBC would be ending their live commitment with the 2016 edition at Royal Troon, the suspicion was they would try to weasel out of the final year. And so it has come to pass.

figures (Sky are thought to be paying about £15million a year, about a third more than the BBC deal).

Alliss: ‘Embarrassed’

Slater: ‘Pressures’

One TV viewer branded the BBC an ‘absolute disgrace’ over the surrender, questioning how it could justify the £145 annual licence fee.

‘The statement from Barbara Slater could hardly have sounded less sincere.’

On the BBC online message board, the fan wrote: ‘I’d like to cancel my BBC Sport subscription as you no longer cater to my interests. Oh, wait. I can’t.’

The good news, said Lawrenson, is that at least The Open is now in the hands of a broadcaster with a true commitment to the sport.

Peter Alliss admitted that he was ‘embarrassed’ by the announcement and saddened by the Royal and Ancient’s chasing of revenue at the cost of viewing

Alliss told The Times: ‘I month ago, I was told it was going to happen. I am embarrassed that an organisation the size of the BBC with its worldwide reputation is in this situation, but it is inevitable.

‘Whether we like it or not, golf is a minority sport, and covering The Open doesn’t come cheap. The R&A will end up with millions of pounds, we will have a daily package of highlights which will be very good and will be watched by between three and four million people.

‘Sky will struggle to get one million viewers. They have wonderful technology, every gizmo under the sun, but what they don’t have are viewers.’

Even the cartoonists had their say: Pugh in the Daily Mail

Jordan £7million river of money

Golfing Rocky bids to bounce off the ropes Jordan Spieth: Rivalry of the new generation

TRULY, an era of the battle of golf’s new generation of golfers has dawned.

One newspaper headline has already summed it up: Spieth has slammed the door shut on Tiger’s time.

America's Jordan Spieth made that absolutely certain as he hit a final-round 69 to win the Tour Championship in Atlanta, earning £7.5m by also securing victory in the FedEx Cup.

Australian Day replaced Rory McIlroy as world number one after winning the BMW Championship by six shots in Chicago. The Irishman finished a distant fourth. But it was 22-year-old Spieth who firmly put the battle lines in place with his Tour Championship victory., which gave him a cheque for £977,000 to add to his £6.5m bonus for winning the end-of-season play-off championship

At this time last year, Rory McIlroy sat atop the world rankings and was the man to beat. Spieth has taken over that slot after earning more than £14million this season. And with Jason Day bobbing in and out of the mix, himself temporarily replacing McIlroy at the top, the stage is set to find the successor to Tiger Woods.

‘This is one I cannot wait to celebrate,’ Spieth said.

‘This is incredible.’

Rory’s fired up, and not by the cash more. If I win, it will go in the bank and if I want to buy something nice, I will. It's nice to think that you could win $10 million this week, but that's not what excites me. It excites me to play well and to try and win.’

RORY McIlroy raised a few eyebrows when he said before the Tour Championship that the $10million on offer was not important to him.

But the glint in his eye as he surveyed the golfing scene was not reflecting dollar or pound signs – it was the promise of the battles to come.

Deposed as world number one after breaking his ankle, he says the exploits of rivals Jordan Spieth and Jason Day have given him back a sense of hunger again.

From the fortunate position of never having to worry about money again, the 26-year-old

‘Spieth and Day are motivating me’

Financial security for McIlroy and his family came early, and in just his fifth full year on tour, he has earned $28 million in prize money.

four-time Major champion said: ‘It's motivating to see what these guys are doing.

You want to work harder, hit more balls, and try to keep getting better.’

He has a five-year deal with Nike that is reportedly worth between $100million and $200million.

Referring to the Tour Championship prize money, McIlroy said: ‘Luckily, that amount of money doesn't sort of mean much to me any

He also has lucrative endorsement deals with Omega and Bose and regularly collects sixand seven-figure appearance fees.

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A FILM producer faces the daunting task of raising £400,000 to finish his latest movie called Dream On, which is being called the ‘Rocky of golf’.

The boxing version starred Rocky Balboa, the underdog pugilist who made the big time. Now former EastEnders star, producer Mark Pegg, has to finish the golf version, based on the best-selling book Dream On: One Hacker's Challenge to Break Par in a Year by John Richardson. Pegg is trying to raise the cash to finish the project after one of the original financiers went bankrupt half way through filming.

Dream On chronicles the true story of a regular guy from Northern Ireland on a quest to play a level-par round of golf within a year. The title comes from the line when he is told by Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance, who plays a cameo of himself in the film, to "dream on".

The film stars Richard Coyle, who costarred in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and has attracted support from leading golf brand Callaway and sports betting company Paddy Power.

Filming is taking place in the world renowned Elstree Studios where Star Wars and, more recently, The King's Speech were produced.

To discover more, visit: www.finishthegolfdream.com

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NOVEMBER 2015

TEE TIMES 5

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6 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

MAURITIUS GOLFING GARDEN OF EDEN Mauritius, the jewel of the Indian Ocean, located 1800 kilometres from the African mainland, it is a tropical paradise of golden white sandy beaches, beautiful inlets and mini island retreats. Home to fabulous hotels and golf courses, it has the air of hedonism that is apparent from the instant you arrive at the airport and drink in the atmosphere of island life abundant everywhere you go.

Mauritius is simply a magical island, emerald waters and azure blue skies, waving palm trees and glorious weather. It was once a Dutch colony, then French, (the language is till very prevalent to this day) then British before obtaining independence in 1992. It is an island of volcanic peaks and ridges, the highest point is Piton de la Riviere Noire which is 3000 feet high, with a coastline of inlets and lagoons.

The hotel Constance Belle Mare Plage is located on the east coast of the island, which sees stunning sunrises to start the day. It stands proudly on a two kilometre stretch of beautiful white sands, backed by acres of tropical gardens. It has the perfect setting with luxury accommodation with sea view standard rooms, exquisite beachside suites and luxury villas, the resort compromises on absolutely nothing. The décor is the work of leading design specialists from around the world, and guests can enjoy the natural architecture in the superbly equipped rooms.

The lagoon is protected by a coral reef, and is ideal for water sports, swimming, snorkelling windsurfing and kayaking, all of which are provided free of charge to guests.

There is a fully equipped gymnasium and table tennis and boules or petanque are both popular and relaxing activities. There are four excellent swimming pools and in the main hotel building there are boutique shops to browse at your leisure. For the golfer, Belle Mare Plage is paradise, with two excellent eighteen hole courses on hand.

The Legend Course designed by South African Hugh Baiocchi opened in 1994, set on the site of a former hunting reserve, it is well wooded with many water hazards and with tree lined fairways and with USGA standard greens to complete the picture. Keep your eyes open when playing The Legends to spot the deer which are abundant around the course. The toughest hole is the par four 5th hole, and the signature hole is the par thee 17th. It is played over an inlet on the seafront of Bras Requin Bay, and with bunkers surrounding the green, a hole to remember long after the round has been finished. This is a course where course management is a priority, in simple terms keep the ball in play and avoid the numerous water hazards. It is no surprise that the course has hosted the Mauritius Open for many years and also European Senior Tour events on many

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occasions. The clubhouse has the Deer Hunter Restaurant , and for those needing to sharpen up the game, there is the Marc Farry Golf Academy on site.

The Links Course was opened eight years later in 2002, was designed by Rodney Wright and Peter Alliss, Not quite as long as the Legend, and with a little less water, though five holes do have to be navigated without getting wet, it is still an excellent challenge for the holiday golfer, with volcanic black rock outcrops and craters evident around the course. The signature hole ifs the par 4 18th, a stunning hole defended by a natural lake, a classic but tough way to finish the round. The clubhouse has the aptly named The Swing Restaurant for refreshments after the game is over.

Two first class courses, similar but different that compliment each other well and provide ideal variety for the golfing residents at Constance Belle Mare Plage.

The visit can be summed up by the comments received from couples who made up the visiting party, they simply stated that it was “the best holiday that they had ever had”.

For those seeking a little variety whilst on holiday there are plenty of excursions to be taken over land or sea, and for the visiting golfer wishing to sample some of the other courses on the island, there are many to choose from. In the following months, I will be writing about some of the other spectacular courses on Mauritius, and at Tee Times we are also hoping to arrange a mixed group visit couples for the Spring of 2016.

We are often asked for advice about golfing destinations, especially when considering long haul destinations, there is always and a consistent response, select an experienced operator with in depth knowledge of the area and the hotels and golf courses.

Tee Times has a long and successful association with Chaka Travel and would unhesitatingly recommend the Company for arranging a trip to Mauritius. An island which is a golfing Garden of Eden for the travelling golfer.

For more information visit the website: www.constancehotels.com Peter Llewellyn

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NOVEMBER 2015

TEE TIMES 7

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8 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

Beverly’s BIG Secrets

Hampshire Ladies Golf GOSPORT & STOKES BAY TAKE THE TITLE IN A THRILLING STONEHAM CUP FINAL

– Beverly Huke If you are a regular reader you will know I am a Golf Training Aid fanatic!

I make no apologies for this – I know how hard it is to make changes to your swing. A good training aid helps you to feel what you should be doing better than anything I know.

As a coach and a player one of the most essential things to get right is TEMPO. For a coach it is one of the most difficult things to explain.

Stoneham Cup Winners - Gosport & Stokes Bay

After a summer of fantastic matches in the group stages and nail biting quarter final rounds, the final of this year’s Stoneham Cup promised some exciting golf.

So here is a little “machine” that could really help you to achieve good and consistent TEMPO with every club. You can get “The Swing Click” (see picture) from www.perfectmygolf.com.

Army, Petersfield, Hartley Wintney and Gosport & Stokes Bay all made it to this year’s final which was held at Rowlands Castle on 24th September. After some heavy early morning down pours we were lucky to have dry weather for all the matches played.

If you would like me to help you to achieve your perfect TEMPO, please text or call 07973 307880.

PING MIXED FOURSOMES TEAM CHALLENGE

Sadly Army and Petersfield wouldn’t advance to the afternoon’s final but they had provided some excellent individual matches to savour. Instead the final matches of this year’s competition would be between Gosport & Stokes Bay and

Stoneham Cup Runners Up - Hartley Wintney

Hartley Wintney. Whichever team won would be taking the trophy home for the first time.

To say that these final matches were too close to call was an understatement. One match went to the 19th, two the distance and another to the seventeenth. In the end though the numbers added up for Gosport & Stokes Bay – our 2015 Stoneham Cup winners.

Waterlooville retain Knight Cup A rather blustery and wet day lay in wait for this year’s Knight Cup finalists at Basingstoke Golf Club.

Highcliffe Castle, Royal Winchester, Stoneham and Waterlooville all qualified to play on finals day but after some superb semi-finals it would be Royal Winchester’s twosome Julie Newbold and Christina Pink who would face last year’s champions Kerry Smith and Bev Penneket from Waterlooville in the final of this year’s knockout. The match was tight and

In 2015, 63 teams from all over Wales entered the Ping-sponsored Inter-club challenge.

Last year, Cottrell Park Golf Resort reached finals day and finished fourth. The 2015 finals were held in Rhuddlan Golf Club on 5 October where the team finished runner up, narrowly losing the final to Haverfordwest.

Players were Bill Bryce and Lowri Roberts, Tony Parsons and Helen Evans, Simon Hawkins and Eleanor Lewis. Other players have also played in previous rounds - Adrian

Harding, Tony Williams, Jenny McGlyne, Tina Morgan and Jo Pateman.

About Cottrell Park Golf Resort Opened in 1996 and based within 400 acres of historical parkland, Cottrell Park Golf Resort offers golfing, business, wedding and leisure facilities including two championshipmaintained golf courses, event, conferencing and meeting rooms, team building and training activities, a restaurant and bar, a nature trail, and golf simulators.

Knight-Cup_Winners & RunnersUp_HR

impossible to call throughout, it wasn’t until the 17th hole that Waterlooville sunk a curler from the edge of the green to retain their title – 2015 Knight Cup champions.

AUTUMN MEETINGS PROVIDE EXCELLENT END TO A GREAT SEASON IN HANTS It’s been a fantastic season of golf in Hampshire and what better way to celebrate than with two brilliant Autumn meeting events for our Division 1 and Division 2 golfers. 140 ladies competed in the two events which were hosted by Oak Park and Alresford at the end of September. There were some fantastic scores in both events and lots of prizes on offer for competitors. In the Div 1 meeting, Kerry Smith from Waterlooville celebrated her first ever hole in one in a competition with a magnificent ace on Alresford’s 169 yard par 3 second.

For all the latest news from HLCGA visit our website hampshireladiesgolf.co.uk

Jenny McGlyne, Members Secretary

Golf Academy

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NOVEMBER 2015

TEE TIMES 9

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10 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

THE ASTBURY . . . ROCKING THE GOLF WORLD My visit to play The Astbury in 2014 was the result of publicity surrounding the owner and developer of the golf resort nestling in heart of the beautiful county of Shropshire, overlooking the River Severn near to Michael Rees Bridgnorth. The course has been designed not by a respected golf architect so I was fascinated to see at first hand the work of an uninitiated enthusiast, who also happened to be the lead guitarist of legendary British heavy metal band Judas Priest. KK (Ken) Downing has had his years in the spotlight, participated in many live tours and had numerous recording hits, with records sales of over 40 million, but the publicity surrounding his musical career rarely extended to his passion for golf, which he exercised whenever the opportunity arose. His experiences gained on many and varied courses around the world truly served him well, when he came to design his own layout.

Some five years ago Ken Downing started out with a vision; he purchased 300 acres of the Astbury Hall estate, including the Georgian style stately home which was originally built in the 13th century, in the reign of Henry III. It was formerly the home of the Mayor of the town, and whose portrait still hangs in the house, and it provides the perfect setting for the hub of a golf complex. Now the superb clubhouse is also home to the gold discs awarded to the current owner. Resident onsite, Ken is often seen around the course and the clubhouse, regularly welcoming and chatting with visitors.

As you drive through the impressive new entrance gates, there is an immediate reminder that Darren Clarke is now an important Ambassador for the resort, and the addition of Sky presenter Sarah Stirk further strengthens the public relations team, which is gearing up to continue the task of transforming the resort into the concept dreamt of by the former rock star and dedicated owner.

The approach to the club house sets the scene with the beautiful lily bedecked ornamental lake, which is a prominent feature on the finishing hole. The house stands on a high point, looking out like a citadel guarding the surrounding links, with the terrace providing great views of both the 10th tee and the finishing hole. A glance up the 10th will reveal an unusual bunker with an island pampas grass plantation in the middle, which seems to have a magnetic attraction for golf balls. It is an interesting walk through the walled gardens to the elevated first tee and starting point, providing the opportunity to take in the rolling countryside which has obviously been utilised to the full in the creation of this very impressive golf course. From the first tee, you can look out over the Shropshire countryside, and see plumes of white smoke and hear the train whistle of engines of the famous Severn Valley Steam Railway as it runs along the river valley below.

The course is a classic parkland layout, set out in two loops of nine holes, returning to the clubhouse at the turn. The most distinguishing

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feature is the quality of the greens, which are simply superb, fast and true, and built to USGA specifications, as are all the best courses these days.

Darren Clarke has also expressed a desire to design a course on the complex, and exactly what type has yet to be decided, but it could be a championship standard par three course.

The overall impression is one of great attention to details, the condition of the bunkers, the care of the tees and fairways, a total concept of quality and presentation, and most enjoyable to play.

With the enhanced facilities KK hopes to be able to host a European Tour event, the venue has already successfully held a EuroPro Tour event and the new hotel and facilities will make the location a very attractive proposition for an English based tournament when there is such a dearth of Tour events for the home fans to enjoy.

The resort has already won many accolades, but it is far from the finished article conceived by KK, he has plans to build a sixty three bedroom hotel and spa, as well as a new clubhouse which will be three times the size of the present one, and also some top quality chalets.

The multi million pound schemes are planned to be started next year, and will make the resort one of the best in the country and a major benefit to the local community. The plans include the construction of forty, three and four bedroom properties priced around three quarters of a million pounds each.

The Astbury is a dream that has been nurtured through the early years by a dedicated owner, and his plans and vison for the future is well in train. It will be fascinating to see how the developments come to fruition. If passion for the game is rewarded, the Midlands and Shropshire in particular will have a resort to be justly proud of.

If you would like more information on The Astbury, there is a very good website with all the relevant details and information about the venue - www.theastbury.co.uk

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NOVEMBER 2015

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TEE TIMES 11

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Came Down Golf Club Challenging Golf amidst Dorset’s Stunning coast and countryside Stunning views across Dorchester and Weymouth bay Ideal and memorable Society/Corporate Location

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Special Special society society offers offers for for 2016 2016 with with FREE FREE prizes. prizes.

Tel: 01722 742645 salisburygc Email: mail@salisburygolf.co.uk

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Contact Matthew Staveley on 01305 813494 Email: manager@camedowngolfclub.co.uk www.camedowngolfclub.co.uk

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12 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

Bickerton’s maiden West win FORMER European Tour player John Bickerton won his first PGA in England and Wales (South West) event with an impressive five-under-par 66 in the Burnham and Berrow 125th anniversary pro-am on a sunny, benign day over the famous Somerset links.

Bickerton, now representing Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club, dropped just one stroke on the par three ninth when his errant tee shot ended in a greenside bunker after making birdies at the second, fourth and eighth. He was back in three-under 32 picking up shots at the 11th, 16th and 17th.

Midlander Bickerton had to endure 19 operations in recent years on an elbow injury which curtailed his European Tour career although his ability to practice and play for any length of time is still severely restricted.

He is beginning to play a little more now and chalked up his first success in a Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal over his new home course in November.

He said: ‘I felt really good and the great Burnham course and weather couldn’t have been better. I missed a short putt early on then changed my grip and started to putt better.’

Phillip Price, another former Tour winner, set the early pace with a five-birdie round of 66 blemished by a solitary dropped shot at the seventh. Ed Goodwin (Cirencester) produced another impressive four-birdie round to share second with nines of 34 and 31 in a flawless display that would have certainly brought victory but for the form of the two ex-Tour players.

Tom Jessamine, the Woodbury Park assistant who has featured several times this season, was the only other player under par on 70.

Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) fresh from featuring in the historic PGA Cup win in California, shared fifth with Rob Butterworth (Churston) and Philip Brookes (The Point at Polzeath ), two occasional players who produced their best displays for a long time in carding par rounds of 71.

Bickerton also took the team prize alongside Bob Tye, Steve Lowe and Leigh Gibbs on countback from Price playing with Phil Coleman, Matt Durbin and Josh Martin on 86 points. Dom Narramore and his team from Dorset Golf & Country Club, Callum Ward, Mark Narramore and Mike Swift, were third on 84.

No sex please, we’re golfers!

Tragedy hits families of two golfers BILLY Hurley and Ryan Palmer, both regular players on the U.S. tour, suffered family losses in separate tragedies.

The traditional tee marker with colour codings

GOLF is heading towards being gender-free as a growing number of clubs abandon ladies’ and men’s tees, says England Golf.

They are replacing them with tees off which any member can play to suit their ability and inclination. It’s seen as the perfect way to encourage improving golfers, to retain ageing players and to promote social golf.

Golfers who are losing length can move to forward tees; improving players can gain an extra challenge by moving back and social golfers can choose to play together off the same tees.

Gender-free tees are common in the USA and the concept is attracting growing attention here. Gemma Hunter, England Golf’s Handicap & Course Rating Manager, said: ‘It is still very new here but I know of over 30 courses which have rated at least one course for both genders. This is all about making the best use of your golf course. You’re not building new holes or tees, you’re just rating what you already have.’

Sheringham Golf Club in Norfolk was among the first to introduce gender-free tees, while Trentham Park Golf Club in Staffordshire is the latest to join the trend.

Sheringham introduced a new set of forward tees to create an additional, short course. The club now has three sets of tees, all rated for men and women: from blue, the shortest, through to yellow and white. There is a further set of black tees rated only for men, on the advice of the ladies’ county association.

Secretary/manager Neal Milton said: ‘It’s been a great success, particularly with our

senior gentlemen and higher handicap ladies, who now have the opportunity to play a shorter course. We have increased participation in our competitions and I believe we have better retention of members. We want people to play and to be part of the club for as long as they can.’

Trentham Park has a black course (6390 yards), blue (6188), green (5255) – plus a composite blue/green course measuring 5694. Each of the four courses has been measured and rated for both men and women, who now have new scorecards, new tee furniture and new signage. There are also white tees, further down the fairways, for junior beginners. One advantage is that the whole club can play together, off all tees, in special competitions.

Club manager Jon Farmer said: ‘This is just fantastic. We can give longevity to the ageing player who might have left because they were losing length and didn’t feel competitive. The complete beginner, who feels embarrassed teeing off in front of the clubhouse, can use the forward tee which is about 100 yards away. As players improve and want a greater challenge they can move back.”

MAGIC 59 IS STILL ELUSIVE ENGLAND’S Matt Fitzpatrick came within inches of recording the first ever European Tour round of 59 in the KLM Open. The 21-year-old former U.S. Amateur champion from Sheffield needed to birdie the ninth, his final hole, to break the 60 barrier.

His 20ft putt came up a few inches short and to the right of the hole,

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giving him a round which included 10 birdies and no bogeys.

Even if Fitzpatrick's putt had gone in, his score would not have officially counted for record purposes preferred lies were in operation because of ‘rabbit damage’ on the course in Zandvoort.

Hurley’s father, 61-year-old Bill Hurley, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Billy Hurley had held a news conference at the Quicken Loans National PGA Tour event two weeks earlier to report that his father had been missing for more than a week. He asked for public help in finding him.

Three days later, his father was found in Texas after a citizen recognized him in a public library and notified police. He was reportedly watching his son play the Quicken Loans on a computer.

Police said Hurley’s father, a former police officer, said he was ‘simply travelling’ and did not wish to reveal his reasons for leaving.

Meanwhile in Texas, investigators said that alcohol and speed were factors in a traffic accident in the Texas Panhandle that killed the 71-year-old father of Ryan Palmer.

Charles Palmer died when his sport utility vehicle overturned on the outskirts of Amarillo. Mr Palmer was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from his SUV and killed when it flipped several times after skidding across the highway into a ditch.

Dane’s links win at St Andrews

THORBJORN Olesen claimed his third European Tour title with victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

The Dane, above,carded a one-under-par 71 to finish on 18 under, two strokes ahead of Brooks Koepka, with fellow American Chris Stroud a shot further back. Bristol's Chris Wood tied for fourth.

Olesen, 25, said: ‘To win it on St Andrews, it is something you dream of when you are a little kid.’

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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NOVEMBER 2015

TEE TIMES 13

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.

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14 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

CRADOC GOLF CLUB

Bramshaw Golf Club Brook, Nr Lyndhurst Hants, SO43 7HE T: 02380 813433 E: golf@bramshaw.co.uk www.bramshaw.co.uk

Stay & Play golf in The Fabulous New Forest

MAJOR CHANGE FOR BRAMSHAW GOLF CLUB After nearly 100 years, Bramshaw Golf Club is making a change to its Forest Course following planning approval from the New Forest National Parks Authority.

SOCIETIES OF ALL SIZES WELCOME AT ONE OF WALES’S TOP COURSES Packages available from £32 in full season, and just £20 October to March (all include coffee & bacon roll + 1 or 2 course meal options) Contact the office on 01874 623658 or secretary@cradoc.co.uk to make your reservation or for more details

CRADOC GOLF CLUB Cradoc Golf Club, Penoyre Park, Cradoc, Brecon LD3 9LP

Working closely with the Forestry Commission, the New Forest Verderers and Natural England over the past 18 months, General Manager Stuart James has received approval to allow for the construction of four new tees and a new green to enable a small redesign of the course to overcome some operational difficulties.

The Forest Course is the oldest golf course in Hampshire, dating back to the mid 1800’s and the course has not seen any major

General Manager Stuart James (left) with Course Manager Jason Buckmaster removing initial turf to allow green construction to start.

constructional changes since it became an 18 hole course in 1912. The construction of the new green has commenced and the club hope to have the new revisions in play in the spring of 2017.

DANNY HARRIS JOINS THE WELLOW TEAM

fro 2 m m Jc iles t2 M 27

Hampshire PGA Professional and Golf Coach Danny Harris has recently joined forces with resident Professional Neil Bratleyand his team at Wellow Golf Club. Danny has a wealth of experience as a golf coach, including several years spent spreading the word in the north of Thailand.

WELLOW GOLF CLUB FULL 27 HOLE COURSE

WINTER SPECIALS (WEEKDAYS) Coffee & Bacon Bap + 9 Holes - £14.00 pp Coffee & Bacon Bap + 18 Holes - £22.00 pp Coffee & 18 Holes + Main Course Meal - £26.00 pp WEEKEND OFFERS AVAILABLE From £25.00 PLEASE PHONE FOR DETAILS Phone 01794 323833 for bookings & enquiries 2016 GREAT VALUE SOCEITY PACKAGES FOR 18/27/36 HOLES Telephone 01794 322872 or visit website CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Coffee, 18 Holes of Golf, 2 Course Christmas Meal £32.00 per person Ryedown Lane, East Wellow, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6BD

www.wellowgolfclub.co.uk

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He established a Golf Academy high in the north east of the country in Udon Thani Province, where for almost three years he taught and coached a host of talented golfers, teaching local professionals and national amateur players, including several who have subsequently obtained scholarships at universities in the United States. In addition to teaching the top talent, he also introduced lots of newcomers to the game, including developing a junior development programme for the region. He has returned to the United Kingdom for the benefit of his children’s education, and has settled back into life in Hampshire, and at Wellow in particular.

Danny started his golf career at Dunwood Manor Golf Club, sadly no longer in existence, where he was encouraged by his father. He soon progressed gaining representative honours for his County at junior, boys, youths and full county representation. A comprehensive winner, it was no surprise that he began a PGA apprenticeship, under the auspices of Clive Bonner and Jonathan Simpson at Dunwood.

After he completed his studies, he became a regular winner on the Hampshire PGA Tour, winner the Order of Merit in 1995, and also

back to back Matchplay titles, the under 25’s Championship and numerous other Pro Am events. After a spell on the Hippo Tour, he became a founder staff member of the Hampshire County School of Excellence, concentrating on his teaching, which included a spell at Dibden Golf Club.

After a break from the game when he worked in the family business, he went with his wife to settle in Thailand, where he established his golf academy. On return to the United Kingdom he began to teach full time at Southampton Municipal, Hedge End and more recently at Chandlers Ford Academy. Now he has joined the Wellow Club as Golf Coach, and is welcoming members and many of his old clients to the first class practice facilities at the club.

TeeTimes magazine wished him every success on return to the club which is so near to Dunwood Manor and the locality where his career began and developed.

Michael Rees

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Stay & Play golf in The Fabulous New Forest

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Bramshaw Golf Club Brook, Nr Lyndhurst Hants, SO43 7HE T: 02380 813433 E: golf@bramshaw.co.uk www.bramshaw.co.uk

TEE TIMES 15

GOLF CLUBS AND DRIVING RANGES

JB Corrie & Co Ltd Frenchmans Road Petersfield Hampshire GU32 3AP 01730 237100 info@jbcorrie.co.uk www.jbcorrie.co.uk

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JB Corrie & Co Ltd Signal Box Road Blairgowrie Scotland PH10 6ER 01250 873989 jbcscotland@jbcorrie.co.uk www.jbcorrie.co.uk

VISUALLY APPEALING

Corrie Fore Golf Fencing The Oldest Golf Club in Hampshire Play our two excellent, very different courses. The mature parkland Manor Course and the heathland Forest Course (built in 1880).

VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME. “Winter Special” rates (minimum 4 players) are available from 2 November and start at £23 for coffee and bacon roll on arrival, 18 holes on the Forest Course and a dish of the day.

Other offers are available for both the Manor Course and the Forest Course.

Corrie Fore The Corrie Fore fencing system has been developed for golf clubs to protect their employees, members, guests and their vehicles. Comprising of hollow section posts braced with a top rail and clad with 25mm x 25mm golf ball netting.

• Cost effective • Installed by our experienced fitters • Golf ball stop netting • Hollow Section posts • Visually appealing • Protect people and cars from stray golf balls

We are also taking bookings for 2016 Society and Corporate days. Contact the office for full details or to make a booking.

Visit our website for full details of our membership options, our green fees and Society packages.

The Bell Inn is located in the New Forest National Park, ideally situated and easily found (just 1 mile from Junction 1/M27) • 1 hour from London • 27 bedroom hotel serving excellent food • AA Rosette Restaurant • Excellent bar meals with a modern culinary twist

STAY & PLAY Stay at the Bell Inn and play both courses. Golf Packages are available, contact the Hotel to find out more.

The Bell Inn, Brook, Nr Lyndhurst, Hants, SO43 7HE 023 8081 2214 E: bell@bramshaw.co.uk www.bellinnbramshaw.co.uk

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www.jbcorrie.co.uk BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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NOVEMBER 2015

THE LIONESSA CUP – RYDER STYLE Michael Rees

A visit to Italy in September, and Lake Garda in particular is always a delight, but to enhance the visit by making it a celebration and linked to competitive golf and all the boxes have been ticked.

Since my first visit to Italy, more than fifty years ago, there has been a fascinating attraction about the country, the contrast of the wealth of the past coupled with modern elegance and style.

Soaked in history, with innumerable centres of importance, it is rich in art, architecture and every facet of cultural life. Add fabulous food and wine, and you have a destination to savour, and for the travelling golfer something extra special, with numerous world class courses just waiting to be discovered.

The region of Brescia is in Lombardy, it is famed for the two lakes that dominate the region, Lake Iseo and Lake Garda. In Lombardy there are some thirty nine golf courses, and a welcome is waiting at each and every one. With Verona on the doorstep and Venice and Florence not too distant it is a magnificent part of the world to visit.

club. However, what started out as a relatively small affair, soon mushroomed into a full scale team event, which would be played between twenty golfers representing the Brescia region and twenty players representing the Rest of the World.

To add to the picture, there is also a nine hole course designed by Gary Player, not too long but technically challenging, with tight driving holes and with subtle bunker placement, a contrast and a most enjoyable alternative.

The players representing the Rest of the World team were from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Monaco and England, all travelling to Brescia to take on the might of the local team at the Palazzo Arzaga resort, for the Leonessa Cup.

After settling in to the hotel, and dinner at the lakeside marina it was time to turn in and be ready for the golf. The first morning to be spent in The Academy, under the watchful eye of three of the local professional golfers, ironing out the kinks in each individuals game, with the help of the latest electronic equipment. Then out onto the Player course for a nine hole practice round in preparation for the two day challenge.

The region of Brescia is nicknamed the Leonessa d’Italia, the lioness of Italy, which gives title to the weekend spent engaged to celebrate the birthday of Franceso Grana.

Franceso currently resides in Zurich with his family, but they return regularly to play golf, his partner and master organiser is Simona, whose family originate in Brescia, and where both are members of the Palazzo Arzaga Golf Club, which was to play host to the Leonessa “Ryder Cup” match. Graham Rowley of Old Sports Auctions Ltd and I were delighted to receive the invitation to participate and we travelled with our wives to be part of the team of challengers representing the Rest of the World.

The hotel is an imposing building, a fifteenth century mansion which has been harmoniously transformed into one of the finest resorts in Europe, here against the backdrop of the Dolomites and The Alps, Jack Nicklaus 11 has created a layout that blends superbly into the contours of the countryside. It is typical of the Nicklaus genre, wide fairways, huge undulating greens and vast plentiful bunkers, making full use of the changes in elevation.

As a very enthusiastic golfer, it seemed the natural way for him to celebrate a birthday, to have a small team challenge event at the golf

Typically the short holes are well designed and challenging, often enhanced with water hazards.

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The team colours had been set, blue shirts and white trousers and skirts for the home team, and red and white for the Rest of the World.

The first morning the home team inched ahead after the closely fought fourball matches only for the World team to storm back in the foursomes and level the result at the end of the first day. After a superb Gala Dinner in the hotel on the Saturday evening it

was down to the final round of singles matches on Sunday, a festive night was not the ideal preparation for final head to head combat.. Here the home team showed their strength, playing their big guns early they took a commanding lead early on and maintained it for a comprehensive victory.

Local knowledge helped to carry the winners home when it really mattered, and they received the trophy at the presentation during the final luncheon to enthusiastic applause from fans and families. A fitting end to a wonderful four days of golf and international entente cordiale, and a pleasure to have been able to share in such a unique event held in a marvellous venue.

The photograph shows the home team celebrating and showing off their hard earned trophy.

The journey was well worth while, to have enjoyed wonderful golf, made many new friends, and tasted the benefits that golf in all it’s forms can deliver.

For more information on Palazzo Arzaga Resort visit the website: www.palazzoarzaga.it

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High flier? Rory’s a very long flier too. . .

RORY McIlroy spent a fortnight in the air and touched down at almost 120 airports during the past year, it has been calculated.

McIlroy said of the flying stats: ‘There's a lot of not sleeping in my own bed, but that's the life of a golfer.

This curious statistic from interested number crunchers was among several which gave some indication of what goes into the travel and sporting commitments of a top golfer.

‘One hundred and eighteen different airports in a year - that's a lot. I didn't even realise I went to that many places in one year.

I think it was 287 nights in a hotel room. It's a lot.

They also revealed that in the last 12 months the Northern Irishman has hit 16,500 balls in training and competition; he has performed 6,800 press-ups in the gym; he signed more than 6,000 autographs; and he walked 932 miles around golf courses.

Casey set for more Ryder Cup heroics?

PAUL Casey, one of the European Ryder Cup team’s most energetic players in the past, would love to play in Europe again, said a top tour executive.

The 38-year-old Englishman fell down the rankings but has clawed back from 75 to 23 in the world standings since resigning from the European Tour to focus on the USA-based PGA Tour.

But Casey would not be eligible to play in next year’s Ryder Cup because he is not a member of the European Tour.

Casey would love to play in Europe again, according to new European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley.

‘I think Paul really would love to play on the Tour, but not just because of the Ryder Cup,’ Mr Pelley told BBC Sport.

‘We've had a discussion. We'll get together again soon. He's a great star who has been playing well. Hopefully he'll rejoin the Tour and be back with us for some events next year.’

Casey played in the teams that won the Ryder Cup for Europe in 2004 and 2006 and is currently the seventh-highest placed European in the world rankings.

‘But it just shows the world has become so small these days, playing different tours and having commitments either side of the Atlantic. It all adds up.’

Matthew the new young Brit Master TALENT watchers at Woburn got the feeling that they were watching a very promising young English star coming good as Matthew Fitzpatrick captured his maiden European Tour title in the British Masters.

Westwood is going through a divorce from his wife Laurae after 16 years and wants to live closer to his two children.

Before the event, Fitzpatrick, who turned pro only last year, was below the radar at number 111 in the world rankings.

He eclipsed Hampshire’s Justin Rose to become the youngest winner of the tournament, a feat which had him bubbling: ‘The fans were incredible and I can't thank them enough. My family have been incredible, I can never thank them enough.’

And now he has an eye on the fledgling points table for next September's European Ryder Cup team. He admitted: ‘I would love to be a part of that team. I was speaking to (captain) Darren (Clarke) the day before

FORMER world number one Westwood has returned to the European Tour after moving back to the UK from Florida for ‘personal reasons’.

The 42-year-old won the Indonesian Masters in April but has slipped to a world ranking of 44 and needs to stay in the top 50 to secure entry to Majors next season.

The baby-faced 21-year-old from Sheffield joined the illustrious ranks of Ballesteros, Rose, Westwood, Faldo and Lyle who have won the event, which returned to the tour schedule after a seven-year absence.

Now his two-stroke victory at Woburn took his earnings to about £1million in 12 months and he is just outside the magic top 50 which attracts invitations to the world’s glossiest tournaments.

Westwood heads home to Europe

He said his game has suffered because ‘mentally a lot has been going on which has affected me in the head’.

Matthew Fitzpatrick: ‘I’m trying!’

yesterday about it and he said, “you just need to get a little bit more money on the order of merit”.

‘I might have to send him a text later saying, I'm trying!’

Countries unite in drive for women's golf - Page 26

He added: ‘Living in the States, my game didn't really move in the direction I wanted it to, but obviously that's not the reason I'm doing all this.

‘I've always had priorities in life. I've always said that golf is not my main priority, but obviously the kids are.

There's no magic wand you can ever wave. I'm prepared to work hard. I'm in pretty good shape.’

EURASIA SKIPPERS ARE NAMED ALICE OFF TO A U.S. FLIER DARREN Clarke and Jeev Milkha Singh have been named as team captains for January's EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.

ENGLAND international Alice Hewson, right, made a superb start to her American university career with victory in her first tournament.

It means Northern Ireland's Clarke, 47, will get the chance to test his mettle as Europe captain before next September's Ryder Cup.

Hewson, 18, from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, is the first student at Clemson University, South Carolina, to win their first college event.

The second staging of the EurAsia Cup, which finished in a 10-10 draw in 2014, will take place at Kuala Lumpur's Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

She was six-under for the 54-hole Cougar Classic, with rounds of 71 65 74.

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NOVEMBER 2015

TEE TIMES 19

2016 Golf Breaks from ÂŁ83pp

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20 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

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TT NOV Issue 174_B_Layout 1 20/10/2015 20:47 Page 21

NOVEMBER 2015

TEE TIMES 21

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Valid Monday - Thursday* Minimum 12 players * Upgrade fee applies Friday - Sunday

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22 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

WHATS HOT OR NOT JAIDEE SURGES INTO RACE TO DUBAI in the World of Ladies Golf TOP 10 AFTER GERMAN TRIUMPH

Your Monthly Blog by

Claire Kane

IS YOUR GOLFING TERRAIN A TEST? Thongchai Jaidee’s one-stroke victory in the Porsche European Open in Germany has pushed the 45 year old into the top 10 of The Race to Dubai. .

I recently played on a course where the greens were more slippery than a soggy bar of soap in a bath-tub. All my shots onto the green constantly hit and bounced off wildly, whereas when it came to putting it was painfully slow and I was continually short. It wasn’t until the 5th hole I realised the ground was as hard as rocks because the greens were built on clay but the grass was thick, coarse and spikey, so it was like trying to push a ball over Velcro!

It made me realise how we constantly come up against different and tricky surfaces during a game of golf. So here’s my list of unchartered hazards we have to content with: • Putting greens can be compared to the texture of carpets. It’s just a question of whether you’re putting on a smooth Velvet Pile, bobbling on a Berber, floating on Felt (typical links) or ploughing your way through a Shag Pile • Undergrowth such as ivy and leaves have more vanishing powers than Houdini.

Even if you know exactly where your ball entered it’s likely to still be invisible because it was tucked under a 2” leaf • Sheep grass (the first cut) is the perfect grass length for sheep to sink their teeth into. Unfortunately, you could end up looking like ‘Little Bow Peep’ because it’s also the perfect height for your ball to hide in

• Cow Grass (rough grass) is long enough for cows to wrap their tongue around and munch on. If your ball lands in this part of the meadow the only thing you’re likely to move will be the daisies • Off-piste such as the outer perimeters of the course are typically full of thick bushes, trees, gorse or brambles, a zone that’s probably a no-go area even in the blackberry season.

Enter at your own risk as the thorny spikes can put more holes in your wet weather gear than the average sieve • Man-Made objects such as wooden fencing or hard edging are one of my pet hates and usually the green-keepers attempt to protect the course.

These objects tend be a magnet, where balls have been known to gain another 50 yards (sadly in the wrong direction) as they ricochet off at the speed of light Even if you manage to stick to the fairway, it’s still possible to come across hazards.

Take it from me, there’s no mention in the R&A hand-book about taking relief from deposits left by foxes, birds, cows or horses. Unfortunately you just have to play it as it lies!

© Claire Kane Follow my tales on twitter @golfsnippets

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The experienced Thai shot 17 under to win the event with Graeme Storm delivering a determined challenge. Jaidee’s seventh European Tour title has launched him up to eighth in The Race to Dubai rankings with 1,477,477 points as he claimed the €333,330 winner’s cheque.

“It’s been a very special week for me,” said Jaidee, who didn’t turn pro until he was 30.

“It is the third time I have won outside of Asia, so I’m very excited about that and I’m happy to win this tournament. I didn’t make many mistakes this week – only one bogey. I played very nicely and 17 under is some score for me.”

It has also been a satisfying weekend for the other top four finishers – Graeme Storm, Swede Pelle Edberg and Australian Scott Hend.

After their impressive scores they now all have a realistic chance of making the field for the DP World Tour Championship showdown, which is open to the top 60 players in The Race to Dubai rankings. The season-ending event takes place on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday November 19 to Sunday November 22.

37 year old Storm earned €222,220 after finishing one shot off the leader. This was the Englishman’s first top 10 finish of the season which has risen him up to 66th in The Race to Dubai rankings.

Edberg, who was runner-up just short of a month ago in the D+D REAL Czech Masters, maintained his fine form with a third-place 14-under finish. He has now surged into 59th in The Race to Dubai rankings with a total of 440,646 points.

Meanwhile, Australian Scott Hend moved into the much sought-after top 60 in the standings with a total of 429,043 points.

Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (3,012,000 points) still sits at the top of The Race to Dubai leaderboard with Englishman Danny Willett (2,706,105 points) just behind.

The DP World Tour Championship gets underway on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in just under two months.

General admission is FREE of charge and can be obtained by registering online at www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com. Those who register will also be placed into a prize draw with the chance to win a VIP Hospitality package for the Championship Chalet.

About the DP World Tour Championship The DP World Tour Championship is a world class sporting and social event and the final tournament of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai. Now celebrating its seventh year, the championship hosts the top 60 golfers on the European Tour on the 72 Par Greg Norman designed Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai. This year’s tournament will be held over four days from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November 2015.

The European Tour’s richest tournament offers a US$8million prize fund for the DP World Tour Championship plus a US$5million Bonus Pool for The Race to Dubai which is divided among the leading 15 players by earnings at the end of the season-long competition spanning 48 tournaments in 27 destinations across five continents on The 2015 European Tour International Schedule. www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com LIKE us on facebook.com/DPWorldTourChampionship FOLLOW us on twitter.com/DPWTC

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Alresford Golf Club

‘enjoyable golf and a great deal more’

ALRESFORD IS WINTER GOLF AT ITS BEST! PACKAGE 1 Coffee & Bacon Roll on arrival 18 holes of Golf £29 PER PERSON

PACKAGE 2 Coffee & Biscuits on arrival, 18 holes of Golf, Soup & Sandwiches after Golf £31 PER PERSON

PACKAGE 3 Full English Breakfast on arrival 18 holes of Golf £32 PER PERSON

Advanced bookings Only, minimum of 8 players for any of these packages.

Offers valid from November 2015 – end of February 2016 Not available over Christmas and New Year periods

DO NOT LET WET WEATHER RUIN YOUR GOLF THIS WINTER. Come and join us as a member, or just come and play on the best free draining course in the area.

Cheriton Road, Tichborne Down, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0PN Tel : 01962 733746 Email:secretary@alresfordgolf.co.uk

www.alresfordgolf.co.uk

119 GOLF LINKS ROAD

FERNDOWN BH22 8BU

AMPFIELD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

WINTER OFFERS Introductory Membership…

Ideal Christmas Present!

Two Months Membership – Only £80.00 Includes Full Benefits: Unlimited Golf 7 Days a Week 10% Discount on Goods from Pro-Shop 10% Discount on Food & Drink Obtain a Recognised CONGU Handicap Join the Club following the introductory two months and we will deduct £80.00 from the annual subscription To be activated by 31st March 2016

Winter Warmer Come and play Peter Allissʼs favourite course.

Winter Warmer £45pp or £160 4ball Coffee & bacon bap on arrival and 18 holes on our Championship Course.

Available Tuesday and Friday from 1 November 2015 to 31 March 2016.

Breakfast & 18 Holes of Golf* Or 18 Holes of Golf & One Course Lunch* £15 Tuesday – Friday, £17 Saturday Breakfast available until 12 noon - Lunch available between 12-3pm *Choice of any option from Breakfast or Lunch menu up to the value of £7.00 All food is best, locally sourced, seasonal produce – freshly prepared Advanced booking required - Offer available until 31st March 2016

For information on the above, please contact Club Secretary, Nikki Fowler, on 01794 368480 (Option 6) email: nikki@ampfieldgolf.com Ampfield Golf & Country Club Winchester Road Ampfield Nr Romsey Hants SO51 9BQ

www.ampfieldgolf.com

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24 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

GLORIA GOLF CLUB BELEK

BELEK TURKEY A superb challenge offering 54 holes of magnificent golf!

Gloria Golf Club is the chosen venue of the Sungolf Belek golf / competition weeks being held in Belek in Feb & March 2017

Full details can be found on the Sungolf Belek website: www.sungolfbelek.co.uk Email: sungolfinfo@btinternet.com Web: www.sungolfbelek.co.uk Tel: 0044 (0)115 9681007

Gloria Golf Club, designed by renowned French architect Michel Gayon, is the largest Golf Complex in Turkey; with 45 holes comprising of the 18 hole Old Course, the 18 hole New Course and the 9 hole Verde Course.

Gloria Old Course Disputably considered to be the best course this 18 holes is a Par 72 with a very respectable distance of 6,900 yards off the back tees, the Championship Old Course has been host to several European Tour Events becoming a firm favourite with golfers since it opened in 1997. The surroundings are quite stunning with swathes of Pine trees and seven fresh water lakes and the ever dominant Taurus Mountains as a constant back drop.

There are not so many bunkers as some of the other Belek courses but those that are there are well positioned and seem to have magnetic qualities every time my ball went anywhere near. The fairways are always in great condition but the first cut can be quite demanding, the lush Bermuda grass can soon snag your club so the philosophy is quite simple keep your ball on the fairway!

On all of the 54 holes at Gloria the greens are just superb, some say a little on the fast side but in my opinion just perfect, I can always find slow greens back in the UK. Gloria New Course Construction on the Gloria New Course, also 18 hole Par 72, started in December 2004, to be inaugurated in November 2005. The terrain is almost identical to that of its big sister the Old Course, but many differences soon become apparent, the fairways are wider and the course is much shorter, having said that the PGA were happy to use the Gloria New Course to host the European Seniors Tour Classic in 2007. Again the fairways are lined with Pine trees and 4 lakes regularly come into play, Gloria New Course is ideal for holiday golf, not too demanding

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but still a great challenge especially off the back tees.

The signature hole is the wonderful 17th, modelled on the 17th at Sawgrass, a picturesque par 3 that will stick in your memory for a good or bad reason that only you and your chosen golf club will determine.

Gloria Verde Course / Select Course The Verde Course is a very demanding 9 hole challenge of golf, being a Par 35 with a distance of just over 3,000 yards, Verde course opened in 2001 with the intention of being mainly a practice facility but soon gained a deserved reputation of being one of the best 9 hole courses in Europe.

To try and cover the ever-growing demand for more holes of golf in Belek the Verde course can now be played as the Select Course. This allows golfers to combine 9 holes on the Verde followed with 9 holes on either the Old or New course.

It is easy to understand why golfers who stay at either of the 3 Gloria Hotels tend to play local, why travel off site with 54 wonderful holes of golf on your door step.

Gloria Golf Resort Hotel has always been a major attraction for the many golfers who travel to Belek from all over Europe, so much so the Sungolf golf & competition weeks will be once again held there in February and March 2017.

Full details can be found on the Sungolf Belek website.

If you would like to stay or play Gloria Golf please contact Sungolf Belek 0115 9681007 www.sungolfbelek.co.uk /email sungolfinfo@btinternet.com

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NOVEMBER 2015

BELEK TURKEY Enjoy 7 wonderful nights of ultra all-inclusive accommodation at the luxurious Gloria Golf Resort 5*Hotel situated on the beautiful Mediterranean Coast of Turkey We still have just a few places left to attend our Golf weeks in Feb & March 2016 with 5 rounds of golf & private airport transfers, also includes a free excursion to Antalya Harbour.

From just *ÂŁ599.00 pp + flights for arrival date *26/02/16 & 27/02/16 Fully escorted holiday from your arrival at Antalya airport and the duration of your stay. _________________________________________________________________________ Gloria Golf Resort golf competition weeks are now confirmed for Feb / March 2017 full details can be found on the Sungolf Belek website: www.sungolfbelek.co.uk

Tel: 0044 (0)115 9681007

BELEK

Open 9am - 7pm 6 days Email: sungolfinfo@btinternet.com www.sungolfbelek.co.uk

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STEADY JULIE WRAPS UP BRITISH CROWN ENGLAND’S Julie Brown kept her nerve with pars over the last five holes to win the British senior women’s championship at Prestatyn Golf Club, Wales. She finished on three-over par with rounds of 72 75 78 and won by three strokes from Irish senior champion Gertie McMullen (The Island). Jane Rees (Minchinhampton), winner of the Welsh seniors, made ground on both the leaders with a closing 75 to finish third on 229.

champions and winners of the senior women’s Home Internationals. Brown is no stranger to success. She was an England international before turning professional and playing on the Ladies European Tour for seven years, where won the German Open. She returned to the amateur ranks in 2006 and has since captained several England girls’ teams.

Defending champion Catherine Rawthore (Sale) finished tied 11th on 233, saving her best to last with a 75 in the third round.

Laura Webb (East Berkshire), Caroline Berry (Bromborough) and Sue Dye (Cheshire) all won age group categories.

It’s the latest success in a short but sparkling career in senior ranks. Brown made her debut in 2014, winning the English senior championship and helping England to become European

Caddie in Luke 'divorce' IT is sometimes said that a professional golfer spends more time with his caddie than he does with his family.

From time to time, as in any partnership that appears to be going well, there is a ‘divorce’. Normally, it is the player who initiates the split, but in the case of Luke Donald, it is his long-time caddie who has just dumped him.

Why would Englishman John McLaren give up a plum job that is estimated to have earned him more than £2million in six years of success with the British star?

Is there a third party luring him away? ‘No,’ said McClaren, ‘I don’t have another bag to go to. There were a couple of things that stuck with me that I don’t want to talk about, but basically I just felt we’d run our course.

I’ve nothing bad to say about Luke. We had six great years. I guess Luke’s ego might

No longer shoulder to shoulder: Luke Donald and caddie John McLaren

feel slightly dented because it is not often a caddie leaves a player.’

Donald said he was ‘a little bit surprised’ at McLaren’s decision. ‘It was more his decision than mine.’

The former world No. 1's last victory came at the 2013 Dunlop but he has fallen to 66th in the world after spending 56 weeks at the top of the rankings between May 2011 and August 2012.

Earlier this year, McLaren wrote an online column in which he said: ‘The caddie’s role has increased dramatically. It is so much more intense. Modern players leave no stone unturned and Luke expects a lot from me. I know him better than anyone, including his team and family. Nobody is as close as a caddie in terms of being out there when it is actually happening. When the crunch comes it it just you two. You need to be confident in what you’re saying and that it is based on what you’ve learned of his personality.’

Thompson champion in the West DUDSBURY touring professional Lee Thompson has won the West Region PGA Order of Merit for the first time to qualify for the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey next month.

Thompson, 43, who made his debut on the historic 151-year-old links course, shot rounds of 69 and 71.

He said: ‘It grows on you. Although the course looks wide open it is certainly not when you play on it. I had two bogeys in the three rounds here so have to be pleased as it was never easy.

If he can repeat this season’s steady form there he will have the chance of playing in major European Tour events next year, including the flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May, writes Peter Godsiff.

Top of the Order: Lee Thompson driving the first play-off hole at Royal North Devon

And he came close to crowning a great year by winning the West of England Masters at Royal North Devon. He was the only player to better par on a windy second day to force himself into a three-man play-off against Welsh duo Phillip Price and Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle). They finished on four-under-

par 140 after a difficult second round in the strong seaside winds. But Thompson, 43, was the first man eliminated on the par five opening hole as Bebb and Price birdied.

When Bebb failed to make par on the 18th European Tour and Ryder Cup winner Price won the inaugural 36-hole tournament.

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‘Winning the Order of Merit was my target and I have played more consistently this year, helped by my coach Stuart Little from Minchinhampton.’

Michael Watson ( Wessex Golf Centre, Weymouth) was tenth on 144 (66 78), Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) 14th on 147 (72 75) and Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest) 24th on 150 (73 77).

Countries unite in drive for women’s golf A NATIONWIDE drive is under way to get more women and girls playing golf in Great Britain and Ireland.

Governing bodies in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, have announced a joint commitment to increase participation. The four countries together had just over 171,000 female golf club members last year, compared to 952,000 men. But evidence from England Golf’s ‘Get into Golf’ campaign shows significant interest from women who want to play the game.

Big drive to boost women’s golf

The joined-up approach will see each country take a lead in one aspect of growing the game and they will all share ideas and good practice. England will focus on marketing; Ireland will look at participation programmes; Scotland will consider governance and equality; and Wales will explore shorter, fun formats and competitive opportunities.

The combined efforts of the Home Unions will build on the success of the #ThisGirlGolfs video campaign. It was produced and funded by Sports Publications Ltd, England Golf and Scottish Golf and challenges the perception that golf is an exclusive, expensive game for men. Instead it shows women and girls from all backgrounds, fitting golf into their everyday lives and enjoying the game.

David Joy, Chief Executive of England Golf, commented: ‘The huge interest around the Solheim Cup helps us to further spread the message that golf really is a great game for women and girls - it’s healthy, sociable, fun and competitive. By working together we can do this very effectively across Great Britain and Ireland.’

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of Si f t tu A3 he A ate th 0 3 d j e T 57 03 us ow to on t n war th Ce d e nt s re

NOVEMBER 2015

TEE TIMES 27

HAVE YOUR XMAS PARTY HERE To book ring 01264 358040 or email secretary@andovergolfclub.co.uk

Merry Christmas Andover Golf Club, Winchester Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 2EF Tel: 01264 358040 Twitter: @andovergc www.andovergolfclub.co.uk

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TT NOV Issue 174_B_Layout 1 22/10/2015 19:22 Page 28

28 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

experience the best exotic golf in mauritius at the 5* belle mare plage

SSummer um mme mm mer er & Winter Wint Win Wi W nte ter ter

We We have been at the forefront forefront of developing gr great eat golf in M Mauritius auritius together with our friends at Constance Constance for nearly 20 years and are are proud proud to have been involved with making making M Mauritius auritius the best golf destination in the world.

With With recently recently being awarded awarded the Indian Indian Ocean’s Ocean’s Best Best Golf Golf Hotel, Hotel, and deservedly deservedly so, we are are delighted to see the resort resort continue to impress. impress.

Being Being situated directly directly on one of the islands finest beaches, the resort resort is perfect for swimming and water sports. Combine Combine this with excellent cuisine and regular regular live entertainment and dancing you’ll you’ll ’re in paradise. TTake ak a e the be excused for thinking thinking you you’re opportunity to try try new things, whether it’s it’s diving, diving, water skiing, skiing, kkite ite surfing or just pick picking ing up some gastronomic gastronomic tips fr from om their world-class chefs in cookery cookery classes.

Enjoy unlimited golf with all of our Belle Mare Plage holidays...

www.chakatravel.com E: enquiries@chakatravel.com - T:028 9023 2112

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TT NOV Issue 174_B_Layout 1 22/10/2015 19:23 Page 29

NOVEMBER 2015

TEE TIMES 29

travel

Chaka Travel

“Proud partners with Constance Hotels”

Voted Best Golf Hotteel in i the In Indian Ocean

It’s It’s great great to have a destination that offers world class hospitality, hospitality, golf and great great weather in both summer and winter seasons seasons!! C Contact ontact us for details of our winter and late summer golfing pack packages. ages.

Summer or Winter? Book Mauritius!

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from £2,395 pp 12 nights from

chaka travel are celebrating 20 years as the world’s leading mauritius golf holiday specialists

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30 TEE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2015

WHY CHOOSE PREMIER? We caught up with the MD at Premier Golf Promotions, Gary Wootton, and asked him what makes Premier Golf different from their competitors…

Gary explained: I have been in the industry supporting golf clubs for nearly 12 years. When setting up Premier Golf Promotions one of the first things I wanted to do was create a strong working relationship with clubs who needed our help and support. Over the years I have seen many golf clubs go out of business, which I believe is because they were either underfunded, under-utilised or just did not have experienced personnel in place to run their club. I remember a few years ago having a conversation with a Secretary who boldly told me he didn’t realise that running a golf club would be like running a business. It is a business!

We are not the largest tee signage company in the UK, but I truly believe we deliver a first class service that I would challenge any of our competitors to compete with.

I can proudly say that we now have our own Marketers, Designers, a fully qualified Drone Pilot and a small Telesales team supported by our Operations Manager and myself.

SEVENTH WONDER FOR ACE BARBARA

One of the most important factors for us is visiting the golf club and seeing the surrounding areas, as it allows us to evaluate the potential of the proposed partnership in terms of sponsorship opportunities and potential return on investment. Most clubs understand that it’s not easy to sell advertising, especially if their surrounding competition is high which inevitably makes the task even more challenging. That said, our Marketing and Sales Team are Thomson & Yellow Pages trained, so we fully understand that hard work and perseverance along with organisation is key when working with our partner clubs.

For clubs who partner with Premier Golf we also guarantee complimentary marketing across the entire term of the contract, including clubs who only require telesales support service as a result of owning their own signage.

I would challenge any of our competitors to offer such a comprehensive service and portfolio, especially on a complimentary basis when we enter into a partnership with golf clubs.

Ultimately, this is why we can confidently say that we are ‘Much more than just a Tee Signage company’.

MORE GOLF CLUBS THAN EVER ARE CHOOSING TO PARTNER WITH PREMIER GOLF PROMOTIONS, AND HERE'S WHY...

We supply a range of products and services on a 100% COMPLIMENTARY BASIS to build awareness, drive footfall and increase membership at UK golf clubs. These services include: Hand crafted tee signage and accompanying graphics 4K quality aerial flyover video Mobile app design and hosting Marketing activity including email design and data provision THE PREMIER GOLF PARTNERSHIP GUARANTEE We are proud that our services are 100% complimentary (with no hidden small print) and we guarantee that they will remain 100% complimentary across the entire term of the partnership.

WHAT DO WE REQUIRE IN RETURN? All we require is an allocation of annual 4-balls to pass on to local business sponsors who will visit your golf club, bring guests (who are potential members) and spend money in your bar, restaurant and on other secondary facilities.

The quantity of 4 balls can vary on the course and facilities also the location.

For clubs who have purchased their own course furniture but are looking for support, we offer a revenue share partnership where we sell the tee sponsorship on your behalf (and again not a single penny is required from your club).

To find out more call 0800 542 2133 email info@pgpl.co.uk or visit www.pgpl.co.uk

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According to American golf mathematician Francis Scheid (19202011), if a low-handicapper plays 1,000 rounds in their lifetime, they have a 20 per cent chance of making at least one hole-in-one.

But 18-handicapper Barbara Langdale, from Reading, has defied both Scheid and the odds an amazing seven times, with her latest ace also winning her a limited-edition BOSS watch. Langdale, 71, achieved her most recent hole-in-one on the 94-yard, par-three fourth at Hennerton GC, taking her tally to an astonishing seven.

She said: “I didn’t think it had gone in – I thought I’d hit it through to the back – and actually walked on to the green with my eight-iron and putter, thinking I’d have to chip it back on. The lady I was playing with has a single-figure handicap and has never achieved a hole-in-one, so she was over the moon – I was excited, but I’ve never seen someone quite as excited as she was.

“There was a lot of celebrating in the clubhouse afterwards. When I walked in, the club professional said: ‘here she comes again, our little star’; it was really lovely and I had a big grin on my face for the rest of the day. The funny thing was, for the first three holes, I wasn’t playing at all well, and the lady I was playing with said: ‘oh, just hit it straight like you usually do’ – so that’s what I did.”

Langdale, now retired, has been playing golf for 25 years and actually went 15 years before achieving her first hole-in-one, meaning she’s carded all seven of her aces in the last 10 years. She added: “I seem to get my aces in groups of two or three: my first and second were in 2005 and 2006, then I had three from 2010 to 2012, before achieving my sixth last year, followed by this one. I don’t really have a secret to getting a hole-in-one – I don’t tend to hit the ball very far, but my main strength is I can hit it straight. I think that’s all there is to it: don’t

over hit it and try to hit it straight – it won’t go in the hole if you aim away from it!”

The luxury German brand has once again pledged to reward club golfers with an exclusive watch for every hole-in-one recorded during a club competition in 2015, after giving away more than £1.5m-worth of limited-edition timepieces since its launch in 2013 – and Langdale is among the latest to achieve the feat this year.

The scheme is open to any golfer whose club uses HowDidiDo – a free-to-use, web-based social network for golfers – and anybody playing in official club competitions is eligible. Currently, more than 1,800 clubs use the website.

Stephen Brydon, commercial director for MGS Distribution, the official licenced UK distributor for BOSS Watches, said: “Well done to Barbara for accomplishing one of golf’s most elusive feats.

“For most amateur golfers, a hole-in-one is as memorable as winning The Masters would be to a professional. We want to ensure they have something tangible by which to remember the day, other than an expensive bar bill.

“The limited-edition BOSS timepiece is exclusively available to golfers who achieve a hole-in-one; it not only immortalises a oncein-a-lifetime feat, but also serves as a memento of their achievement.”

In addition to the limited-edition watch, Langdale joins more than 6,000 members in the BOSS Watches H1Club which offers access to exclusive benefits and merchandise. No extra registration is required to participate in the BOSS Watches promotion as all official club competitions are recorded on the HowDidiDo system, so holes-in-one are noted and automatically ratified by the golfer’s club. www.bosswatches.co.uk

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NOVEMBER 2015

LLANDRINDOD WELLS GOLF CLUB The best scenery and the best conditioned golf course in Mid Wales

TEE TIMES 31

HAYLING GOLF CLUB Links Lane, Hayling Island. PO11 0BX 02392 464446 www.haylinggolf.co.uk

Your perfect Spring / Summer day out

Society Packages from just £26pp Please call us on 01597 822247 or 07751 203949

Visit www.lwgc.co.uk or email: secretary@lwgc.co.uk

Play golf all winter on our fast draining course

WINTER SPECIAL OFFERS (1st November 2015 — 31st March 2016)

SOCIETIES BUILTH WELLS GOLF CLUB

(Minimum 12 players) From £49pp — Tuesday & Wednesday (coffee, 18 holes, meal) See website for further menu choices

Stunning 18 hole parkland golf course in the picturesque Mid Wales countryside “Once played never forgotten”

WINTER 4 BALL SPECIAL

VISITING GOLFERS & SOCIETIES WELCOME (Including Weekends)

(Max 8 players) 18 Holes — sandwiches & chips £51pp 18 Holes — Chef’s dish of the day £53pp

4 WINTER PACKAGES AVAILABLE FROM £14.00 per person - £21.00 per person (including food) For more details contact our PGA Professional & Secretary: Simon Edwards BUILTH WELLS GOLF CLUB Golf Links Road, Builth Wells, Powys. LD2 3NF Telephone: 01982 551155 E-mail: info@builthwellsgolf.co.uk www.builthwellsgolf.co.uk

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GREEN FEES 1st November 2015 — 31st March 2016 Monday — Thurs £50 Friday – Sun £55

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EXPERIENCE LA DOLCE VITA - GOLF ON LAKE GARDA With the rise in stature of the Italian golfers on the world scene, in particular the Molinari Brothers, Eduardo and Francesco, plus the latest rising young star Matteo Manassero, there has been added interest in the Italian golf scene, and courses have, until recent years have been sadly neglected by the British golfing community. A visit to Italy has been motivated by the appeal of trips to Venice, Tuscany, Rome, Naples, Florence or Verona, each and very one fully justified, with all the historic and artistic attractions, but equally rewarding will be a visit to play some of the best kept and uncrowded courses in Europe.

Having spent a wonderful few days at Palazzo Arzarga, it was a real pleasure to return so quickly to sample the delights of neighbouring Garda Golf, located just a short distance away. Garda Golf is a stunning twenty seven hole complex just a mile and a half from the western shore of Lake Garda in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions, and just forty minutes from Verona airport. It lies between the Unesco protected nature reserve at Rocca di Manerba and the 10th century Castle of Soiano. The valley , among the Valtenesi Hills was once the unique Omodeo family estate overlooking the lake and the beautiful countryside.

Until recently Garda Golf has been largely the privilege of the members, but now for the first time, it is targeting UK golfers after negotiating attractive packages with local hoteliers.

Garda Golf was the result of the vision and the investment skills of Riccardo Pisa and Giorgio Simonini, when in 1984 they planned the development of a golf resort and a real estate project. The first 18 holes, now called the Red and the White courses were designed by Golf & Gardens and the noted English firm of Cotton, Penninck, Steel & Partners and opened for play on 28th June 1986. A further nine holes designed by Italian Carlo Carozza, the Yellow course was added in 1990, the same year that the club hosted the Italian Ladies Open.

From that point on the club has hosted numerous main European Tour, Seniors Tour and Challenge Tour events, and has been home to the Italian Open on two occasions, in 1997 and again in 2003, plus many other international and national events, an indication of the quality of this fine complex.

The course record for the Red and White Championship course was set by Bernhard Langer, when he won in 1997, and the record score of 64 remains to this day.

The three loops of nine holes can be played individually or in combinations, they run through spectacular wooded parkland, with centuries old trees and lakes, undulating landscapes and views which simply demand that you spend a few seconds to take them in. The Red course sports a spectacular short hole, the 2nd, deemed the signature hole, and few would disagree. An elevated tee down to a wide but very narrow green across a lake, with a steep hill behind, this is one hole with little or no margin for error, but one at which it will be satisfying to mark down a par. Just one of the twenty seven first class challenges on a really beautiful complex.

Garda Golf Director Mr Giambattista Pisa explained “Lake Garda has traditionally been regarded as a lifestyle destination, a cultural haven, but there has been an increased demand from visiting golfers, so we felt it was time to roll out the red, white and green carpet and welcome UK visitors to our beautiful

Golf Academy

course. Add a first class clubhouse and restaurant, very efficient and attentive staff and you have the ideal golfing hideaway.

Piazza Bria and Piazza Erbe, the Verona Arena (originally an amphitheatre) now home to operatic and musical performances.

Getting there could not be simpler, for Monarch Airlines operates regular flights to Verona from Gatwick and some regional airports, and a visit to their website www.monarch.co.uk will provide full details.

We concluded our last evening enjoying the sites and sounds of Verona, dining al fresco at Il Banco Prosciutteria and sampling traditional Italian food.

Our stay was at the impressive Hotel Porta del Sole, just a short drive or walk up the hill from the golf club, it is sited next to the medieval castle. It has been family owned for three generations and enjoys panoramic views across the valley from the terrace, the perfect spot to enjoy an al fresco breakfast.

An elegant hotel with an informal but very friendly atmosphere in which to spend your golf break. As the brochure states, it is “A corner for relaxation”.

It is just forty minutes to Verona, the city of art famed for the Shakespearean tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, engulfed in history with some of the most famous palaces, squares and bridges, wonderful churches and the Teatro Romano.

It abounds with elegant cafes and restaurants shops and high couture salons, it is a city to fascinate visitors. Recognised in the year 2000 it was created a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with every justification, A simply magical city, home to

Il Banco uses only the best charcuteries, direct from the source, and is housed in a typical Veronese house with vaulted red brick ceilings, and spreads out onto the covered sidewalk of the city, to maintain the rustic charm and feel. A dining delight.

Brescia, nicknamed the Lioness of Italy, is home to the prestigious Mille Migliia race, it is a region that is perfect for that short (or long) golf break, which offers something very different and satisfying, a destination which demands to be revisited without too long a delay.

If you feel tempted, a glimpse at the websites will remove any lingering doubts, and rest assured a very warm welcome awaits.

Michael Rees

For more information visit the websites: www.gardagolf.it www.hotelportadelsole.it www.ilbancoristorante.it www.monarch.co.uk

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

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54

NOVEMBER 2015

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VARIETY IS THE SPICE A OF WINTER PRACTICE

Just recently I have had a number of clients who have dramatically improved their games by refining their grip. So, this month, I thought I would focus on the importance of an effective grip. I know there have been countless articles written about the grip and you are probably thinking that this one is going to be the “same old same old” and not worth reading. Believe me, there is a great deal more to the grip than many golfers appreciate! A good grip will help you maintain the width of your swing, which is great for driving the ball. Many golfers collapse the arms because the wrists don’t hinge properly. This causes the swing to be steep and choppy. A good grip makes the swing feel less of an effort, more powerful and easier to repeat. The club is controlled almost effortlessly at crucial parts of the swing.

For those feeling a bit low about the end of the golfing season and the winter rolling in upon us, don’t worry. There is plenty you can be working on throughout the cooler months. Over the next few months I’m going to attempt to inject some enthusiasm into your golf game even if the weather is hampering your monthly competitions.

Get into good practice habits NOW before the weather really starts to ebb your motivation.

Plan your Winter practice plans now and see yourself actually benefit from every session over the colder months. It is so easy if the wind is howling into the driving range and you can’t feel the ends of your fingers, to give up on your routine etc half way through a bucket of balls.

Many a golfer would shell the remaining balls at a manic rate and disappear into the warmth of Costa for a steaming cuppa.

You need to know WHAT are the most important areas in your game, the ones that will actually make a difference to your scores.

A playing lesson with a pro will help to highlight these as sometimes golfers aren’t aware of what actually loses them shots.

Heading to the range to work on your backswing might make you feel like a better golfer but if you are 3 putting every green it won’t change your score for the better.

Then get REAL. I think it is so important to be realistic about your session. What can you realistically achieve on a day like today? Having a variety of practice plans to choose from will help you to select the appropriate game plan and stick with it throughout your trip to the range or the course.

• Short sharp sessions with one drill that you do really well.

• Sessions working on one particular shot.

• A short practice session I’d give someone would be “Power of 5”. Working on 5 balls to one target, 5 balls to another target, repeating this 5 times. So only 25 shots but each one going through your routine as if you were on the course. You can mix it up with 5 balls with one club – say a driver aiming at a fairway on the range made up from two target bards. Give yourself a

key to success

First of all let’s look at what a grip needs to ideally be able to do if it is to function effectively.

We’ll start with the left hand grip – or the right if you are left handed. The club should be held in such a way that, with a secure grip, the wrist is able to effortlessly hinge to ninety degrees or more without changing the angle of the face or sending the shaft off plane.

score out of 5 and WRITE IT DOWN each time. This will give you an idea of how you are progressing.

Short sharp practice sessions are an important tool over the winter months. Little and often and you’ll maintain the feeling in your digits and actually walk away having achieved something. Practice with purpose this winter and see your golf improve by he time we come out of the darkness next spring.

Visit your PGA Professional now for a bit of a planning session. It is a really good idea to have some short lessons over the winter months either to formulate some good practice habits, to check that you are in fact practicing the correct things in the correct way and just to keep you motivated and your confidence in full flow. I am running an offer for 4x 30minute lessons including a FREE planning session for just £99.

Book now or give it as a voucher for a Christmas present. Available at both Cowdray Park Golf Club and Hamptworth Golf and Country Club. Email me for details katiedawkinsgolf@hotmail.co.uk

If you feel your grip slipping during your swing, you are tearing holes in your gloves or the swing feels like a great deal of effort for little reward, the culprit could be your grip. Try this simple test. Set up to the ball in your normal fashion.

Take your right hand off the club. Now, without loosening the grip, see if you can lift the club vertically up to a point where the shaft is parallel to the ground – you may need a little assistance from your right hand. If you can do that you could be onto a winner. Now check to see if the face of the club has remained square. In other words the toe of the club should now be pointing vertically up. If you can do that too you have an ideal left hand grip. Congratulations, you have a left hand grip that will allow you to hinge and unhinge your wrist powerfully while maintaining a square clubface during your swing.

If you don’t pass the test, here are a couple of things to look for. Firstly, that the butt end of the club is not held too far towards the wrist. The top of the grip should fit under the heel part of the hand. If the club is situated on top of the pad towards the wrist, either you won’t be able to get the club parallel to the ground or if you do the clubface will rotate clockwise as you lift it.

Instead of the toe of the club aiming at twelve o’clock it will be working its way towards three o’clock – the opposite if you are left handed.

Golf Academy

Make sure you are holding the club under the heel pad and into the little finger.

Another mistake might be that you have a left hand grip that has the back of the hand in line with the forearm with no visible kink at the wrist. If you are this person and the club is held in the hand correctly - not too far up towards the wrist - you probably need to lengthen your thumb. Take a look at Jordan Spieth’s grip; you will notice that his left hand is in a very weak position. The left hand is turned a bit anticlockwise and the back of the left hand is in line with the forearm. It functions well because his left thumb is pushed down the grip and he is able to hinge the wrist fully.

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.

Martin Butcher

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB

Tee Times July06.indd 54

TT NOV Issue 174_B_Layout 1 22/10/2015 19:24 Page 35

Romsey Golf Club Welcomes you all

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TT NOV Issue 174_B_Layout 1 22/10/2015 19:25 Page 36

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