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March 2020
ELIZABETH THE FIRST
Wakefield appoin t lady as th eir 2 0 2 0 clu b captain
WEST END MUSICAL IN HALIFAX New pros Bailey and Hague both off the mark
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March 2020 Yorkshire Golfer is published by League Weekly Ltd, 31 Branch Road, Batley, W. Yorks WF17 5SB Tel 01924 470296 for subscriptions & deliveries
IN THIS ISSUE BULLET’S PROOF Marcus Armitage talks about his encouraging upturn in fortunes after earning a place at this year’s Open with a superb performance in the South African Open...p4 HEATH ON FIRE Huddersfield Golf Club’s Charlotte Heath has been named in England Golf’s women’s squad for 2020...p5 WEST END MUSICAL Former footballer Dean Windass was treated to an impressive vocal display from members at Halifax West End’s annual dinner...p6
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visit our website: www.yorkshiregolfer.net QUICK TO FIND THEIR FEET Lindrick’s Bailey Gill and Malton & Norton’s David Hague have wasted no time in making an impression in the professional ranks with both claiming impressive tournament victories...p10
MOVING AHEAD Share a visit to historical Brough 12/13
GANTON ALL GEARED UP The highly prestigious North Yorkshire course has invested in an impressive new set of mowers ahead of a hectic schedule for the former Ryder Cup venue...p14
YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE A DREAM And Chris Hanson recalls how David Pitts’s support helped him achieve his dream of playing the European Tour...p17 NORTHERN LIGHTS Yorkshire Golfer gives you a guide to some of the top courses in North Yorkshire, an area rich in history and with layouts offering some spectacular views...p19/20
PLANE AND SIMPLE Tony Howarth, of Scarthingwell Golf Academy, tackles the often perplexing subject of swing plane and provides a drill for you to get things moving the right way...p22
Spread your club's good news... email your results, open events, photographs and news items to us on: mike@yorkshire-golfer.com and follow us on Twitter @yorkshiregolfer THE NEXT ISSUE OF YORKSHIRE GOLFER WILL BE DELIVERED TO CLUBS ON TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020
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March 2020
HISTORY MAKER Stalwart Elizabeth becomes first lady to captain Wakefield Golf Club after years of service
Newton gravitates to top role WAKEFIELD Golf Club is about to break a long-held tradition by appointing a lady as the club captain for the first time in its 120-year history. Elizabeth Newton will drive into office on Sunday, March 15 having served the last 12 months as vice-captain. Captain of the Ladies Section in 2000, this will not be the first time Elizabeth has broken new ground at Wakefield GC, which was founded in 1891. She was the first lady to be elected to the committee of management in 2002 and the first to be appointed club secretary in 2004, a position she held for 14 years before her retirement in 2017. She presided over 14 Annual General Meetings and 160 committee or management meetings so feels she knows a little about what makes the club and its members tick. Elizabeth said: “While Wakefield Golf Club is very proud of its history and traditions, it is also acutely aware of the need to move forward. “I’ve never encountered any problems with the male/female divide in golf despite what appears in the media. “I hope my appointment helps to dispel the perception of golf being an elitist sport played by men in Argyle sweaters, a thought so far from the truth in today’s game. “I am thrilled and honoured to be invited by the club’s past captains to take up the office of club captain this year and very much look forward to a busy 12
months ahead. I see my role very much as a figurehead for the club and look forward to representing members both on and off the course. “We have a wonderful course here, being established for well over a century, and the committee of management work incredibly hard to keep the club both up to date and to improve what we offer to members and visitors. I am proud to be a part of that”. Elizabeth is a born-and-bred Wakefield girl, having been educated at Wakefield Girls’ High School, Bradford College and London Refraction Hospital. She pursued a career in optics and had a contact lens practice in Wakefield for over 30 years. She will be very well supported by her husband Jim Newton, a Past President of Leeds & District Union Golf Club who has a long history of involvement in junior golf and is currently England Golf Yorkshire Region Coaching Manager for Under-18s. The talk in the Newton household this year may well revolve around golf! Elizabeth currently plays off a handicap of 19, which she says continually rises with age, and knows what this year might bring. Away from the club she enjoys foreign holidays, gardening and of course supporting both Wakefield and Yorkshire’s golf teams around the region and beyond.
Elizabeth Newton will drive in as Wakefield Golf Club’s club captain on March 15
Berry shines in Spanish sun FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Josh Berry is one of Yorkshire’s brightest young talents and underlined his promise with a third-place finish in a professional tournament in Spain. Berry, who plays out of Doncaster Golf Club, carded rounds of 72,72 and 71 to finish five shots behind Spain’s Alvaro Arizabaleta at the Gecko Tour event in Los Arqueros in Marbella. The developmental Gecko Tour is in its ninth season and attracts professional and elite amateurs from across Europe to compete in events at some of the top courses in Malaga, Marbella and Sotogrande during the winter months. It was an encouraging start to the year for Berry who has set his sights on moving up the World Amateur Golf Rankings as well as challenging for a place in the England Under-18
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squad. He is also looking forward to representing Yorkshire and performing consistently in the big amateur events starting with the Fairhaven Trophy on May 1. The England Under-16 international will also be defending the English Schools’ National Championship following his five-shot win at Sherwood Forest last year. Moortown Golf Club will host one of eight qualifying tournaments open to members of the England Golf Captains’ programme. The leading players (subject to field size) from the 18-hole stableford competition, to be played on June 30, will go forward to the national final at England Golf Week. The England Golf Captains’ Programme recognises the efforts of existing and past captains and aims to continue their
Josh Berry with Gecko winner Alvaro Arizabaleta experience of captaincy beyond their special year. For information on joining the programme visit: englandgolf.org.
South Yorkshire golf marketing agency Magic Hour Media has been appointed by awardwinning German luxury golf trolley brand JuCad to spearhead its UK launch this Spring. JuCad started in 1988 and is already a leading name on mainland Europe, known for its distinctive-looking, ultra-light and ultra-compact electric and manual golf trolleys, each hand-made in Germany. Magic Hour Media will be helping JuCad to find, appoint and support new retailers in selected areas of the country, as well as promoting the brand using UK media channels. JuCad’s Rebecca Schenk said: “Magic Hour Media was recommended to us, and we knew that Andy Hiseman had already successfully supported other premium brands. He is a real JuCad fan with a great network in the golf business.”
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March 2020
BOUND FOR THE OPEN Armitage displays bulldog spirit – but not the logo – to ride high in South African Open
‘Bullet’ proof how quickly things change MARCUS ARMITAGE’S golfing odyssey has seen more than its fair share of ups and downs Towards the end of last year, the Howley Hall man was facing bankruptcy with Challenge Tour earnings of less than £15,000 and the daunting prospect, if an all too familiar journey, back to Tour School. A spot in the final stage looked a distant prospect when he was outside of the top 60 going into the last round in stage two at Las Colinas with only 20 players to progress. But a best-of-the-day last round three-under-par 68 in strong winds dragged him up to ninth place on a day when only eight players in the field shot 70 or better. He went on to get the 16th card in the Final Qualifying despite bogeying two of his last four holes and found himself
back on the European Tour. Known on Tour as ‘The Bullet’, he was in contention in the Alfred Dunhill at Leopard Creek before closing with a calamitous 83. Undeterred, he bounced back two weeks later by holing a 12ft clutch putt on the final hole to win a cheque for over 82,000 euros for a thirdplace finish in the South African Open – and with it and an automatic berth to the 2020 Open Championship. There is not much conventional about the 33-year-old who has never had a golf lesson in his life. Even the way he got his nickname has a story. Fellow player Matt Nixon told him he needed a nickname so when he was offered a free travel cover by Club Glove, he asked for it to be embroidered with ‘The Bulldog’,
Marcus Armitage is all smiles after a great display at the South African Open given his love of dogs. It came back with ‘The Bullet’ and it stuck. Armitage takes up the story. “When it arrived, I was so excited that I decided to make a video, but when I pulled it out of the box and saw Bullet not Bulldog, I said what I thought, which included a few expletives. Well, Matt couldn’t stop laughing when I sent it to him, and he put it all over social media and everybody started calling me ‘Bullet’ after that.” His apparel sponsor Druids Golf like it so much that they have designed a Bullet shirt in his honour. “I was in denial at first telling everybody that I was still ‘The Bulldog’, but it stuck, and people seem to like it and now I have my own clothing line. “Hopefully Druids Golf will produce it in a few colours so I can make it my last-day outfit.” Now he’s off to Royal St George’s for his second Open appearance and with him will be girlfriend Lucy.
During an emotional interview after his final round in Randpark, Joburg, he said: “This one’s for Lucy. I can tell her that she doesn’t have to do any nails that week, she can book it off and we can go and enjoy the Open. “Where I was a few months ago, I was off the cliff. I’ve turned it around. A few people have given me a few keys to change my life and that’s proof you can do it; you can do it in months. I’m a product of the hard work that I’ve put in.” Those around him include swing coach Anthony Sheehy and his performance coach Duncan McCarthy, and Armitage will often, unprompted, point his thanks their way. He has had two practice rounds and plans to make two further visits to Royal St George’s before July. “I went down in the middle of February. The wind was howling and to be fair it beat me up,” he said. “Some of the greens are brutal. I will make more trips down there in
April and June when I should be able to get a better feel for how it may play during the event. I last played there 13 years go in the English Amateur, which Danny Willett won.” As for his chances at Sandwich, the 31-year-old isn’t going just to make up the numbers. He said: “I’m looking to win it. It’s the best championship on the planet for me, it’s everything. That is the dream. People say to you, ‘You’re on the European Tour, you’re living the dream’. No – the dream is when I’ve got a Claret Jug in my pocket and I’m off to find the other three (majors).” Silsden is the latest Yorkshire golf club to close its doors and will cease to operate at the end of March. In a letter to the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs, club chairman Martyn Twigg said: “It is with great sadness that I must inform the Union of our intention to close Silsden Golf Club at the end of March 2020. “You will not necessarily be aware of our difficulties at various times in the 110-year history of the club, although I’m sure we are not on our own in that regard, and the previous 12 months have been no different. Falling membership has resulted in a lack of necessary investment, and when the facility begins to suffer, I’m afraid the situation can easily snowball.” The news comes on the back of the recent demise of South Leeds and Lofthouse Hill, while members of Temple Newsam are fighting Leeds City Council who want to turn their 90year-old facility which has 27 holes into a family cycling centre.
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March 2020
INTERNATIONAL DUTY Huddersfield Golf Club star beats stiff competition to earn her place in women’s squad
England call for Heath HUDDERSFIELD GOLF CLUB’S Charlotte Heath has been named in the England Golf’s Women’s squad for 2020. Heath,18, who started this year by winning the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship, is joined by the 2019 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Masters winner Mimi Rhodes, reigning Women’s Amateur champion Emily Toy and Curtis Cup player Lily May Humphreys. Women’s performance manager Rebecca Hembrough insists the job of selecting the squad for 2020 was trickier than ever due to the quality of players at all levels of the women’s and girls’ games. “We are very excited to finally announce the national squad for 2020,” said Hembrough. “They are a strong and dedi-
cated group of young women that have been challenging themselves and one another with the support of the coaching programme since October. “There were some extremely tough decisions to make, but the squad sizes were reduced to provide more individualised coaching support with an eye on a big year at the Europeans, Home Internationals and World Amateur Team Championships.” The Club de Golf Escorpion in Valencia, Spain will stage the European Ladies’ Team Championships between July 711. The Home Internationals will take place at Royal St David’s Golf Club in Harlech, Wales between August 5-7. England’s women and girls will defend titles won last year at a rain-soaked Downfield Golf Club in Dundee. The 2020 World Amateur
Huddersfield Golf Club’s Charlotte Heath pictured at the Vic Open at 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads, Australia. She also played in the Australian Open Team championships will be held at the Tanah Merah Country Club in Singapore between October 14-17 after organisers switched the event from its original venue in Hong Kong. In January Heath became the first Briton in 24 years and
only the fifth in the 126-year history to win the Australian Women’s Amateur – and she did it in spectacular style. Heath was unstoppable against Indonesia’s Mela Putri, 22, on her way to a 7&6 victory in the 36-hole final at Royal Queensland Golf Club.
Heath’s progress has been rapid. She was ranked 226th in the world going into the event she won Down Under, which was her first in a national championship and just her third anywhere in the world, following two previous wins back home in the Sir Henry Cotton
Junior Masters and the Pleasington Putter. With the Aussie victory came invitations to play in two professional events and her mum had to negotiate time off school for her daughter to compete in the Vic Open at 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads and the Women’s Australian Open at Royal Adelaide. With aspirations to turn pro after college, starts at two of the country’s largest professional women’s events, both sanctioned by the LPGA tour, gave her a taste of what the future may hold. She missed the cut in the Vic Open after rounds of 71 and 78, but made it right on the mark in the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Seaton, South Australia, carding rounds of 76, 70, 74 and 79 for a seven-over-par total. It was also a good week for Northallerton-born Jodi Ewart Shadoff who has amassed over $3m in prize money on the LPGA Tour. She finished in a tie for 10th and led after round one with a 66 before falling away with rounds of 70, 77 and 72. Her family live in Middleham where dad Harvey, a former jockey, is now a groom-rider for one of the country’s leading trainers Mark Johnston. Horse racing is very much a part of the family as mum Zoe is a former yard manager for the Scot who has sent out more winners than any other trainer in Great Britain.
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March 2020
TALENTED SHOW Ex-footballer Windass discovers his audience in Halifax are in fine voice
YUGC’s sad farewell to Hardman FORMER Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs President Neil Hardman, above has died, aged 84. Neil served as President in 2008 having been elected to the Yorkshire executive in 1997 and was President of York Union of Golf Clubs in 1996 when they won the Inter District Championship. He was a very active member of Kirkbymoorside Golf Club as a past chairman, captain and treasurer, and was directly involved with the acquisition of land that enabled the club to extend from 9 holes to 18, an actuality recalled with a great deal of pride at his funeral. He also ran schools golf in Yorkshire before handing over to current YUGC secretary Jonathan Plaxton two years ago.
West End’s musical talents on display FORMER Hull City, Middlesbrough, Bradford City and Sheffield United footballer Dean Windass was used to hearing a crowd singing loudly and lustily during his playing career. But he will have been taken aback by the noise created by fellow diners when he was guest speaker at Halifax West End Golf Club’s presentation night. For West End have a tradition of singing for their supper – or rather during it – with song books distributed at all tables, including the top one on which Windass was sat. The members might have needed a prompt for some of the songs, such as Tom Jones’s Delilah or Bring Me Sunshine, made famous by Morecambe and Wise. But none needed any help to give three hearty renditions of the club’s anthem, The Road to Mandalay. Gerald Smith, the MC for the night, did some digging at Yorkshire Golfer’s request to see if he could find the origins for this rather unusual format to presentation night, which at some clubs has been known to
Dean Windass, fourth left back row, at the Halifax West End presentation dinner be stuffy and formal. Mike Berry, a member who joined West End in 1965, told Gerald that he remembers going to his first dinners in the 1970s, and that singing took place at that time. But his father recalled the tradition decades earlier. “Mike’s father, Frank, joined in October 1942 and
became Captain in 1964 and was elected a Life Member at the AGM in 2009,” said Gerald. “When Mike spoke to his father about the singing, he said he remembered singing at dinners in the late 1940s, early 1950s, and that The Road To Mandalay was the club’s signature song at that time, obviously to do with the end of the
Second World war, I should imagine. “In September 1969 Brian R Thomas joined the club. Brian was a singer, and enjoyed singing. He was Captain in 1978, and became Hon. Secretary of the club, some time probably in the 1970s, early 1980s, which meant he eventually took on the duties of
MC at the club dinners, of which there were two – the men’s and the Rabbits’ – and were both filled to a capacity 120. Brian brought a certain amount of gusto to the singing and in particular The Road to Mandalay, which I hope I was able to emulate to some degree at the recent dinner. “The pianist who used to play when I first attended the Rabbits’ Dinner was a gentleman named Roger Ray, I believe, who just sat there and played all evening without any music. When he passed away, Brian asked me what we could do about a replacement. I remember quite clearly saying to Brian that I didn’t really know, surely he was more of an expert than me, and he said, ‘I think I might know someone’, and we came up with John Wilson, who had been voted Pub Pianist of the Year previously in the Halifax Courier. “John has been playing for us ever since 2005 apart from a couple of years when he was not available for personal reasons.”
March 2020
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Sand Moor stars on the rise IN THE early 1990s Sand Moor Golf Club was unrivalled in producing talent in a golden generation that saw players like Iain Pyman, Stuart Cage and the Pullan twins scale the heights of amateur golf. Pyman won the 1993 Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush and just a few weeks later collected the Silver Medal as leading amateur at the Open Championship. Mark Pullan had set the ball rolling in 1991 when he won the Brabazon Trophy, and a year later Cage won the prestigious Lytham Trophy and was crowned English amateur champion. Cage and Pyman both went on to represent GB&I in the Walker Cup at Interlachen, Minnesota in 1993 before going on to compete on the European Tour. At the same time the Leeds & District and Yorkshire scene was being dominated by the likes of Stephen Pullan, Gary Harland, Gary Day and Adam Gay. That dynasty inspired the next breed that included future European Tour players Ben Mason and Simon Dyson, who like Cage went on to win on one of Europe’s biggest stages
when he landed the Irish Open in 2011. This gilt-edged time at the club is still a regular topic of conversation with the members as they survey the impressive honours boards in the clubhouse, and they may soon be toasting the next crop of champions thanks to a joint initiative between the North Leeds club and the Golf Foundation. Assistant professional Glen Lent is the driving force behind creating the next group of youngsters who could follow in the footsteps of Pyman and Cage et al. Under his guidance Sand Moor has created a development squad of six players from the pool of junior players in the club. Selection is not confined solely to ability, with a commitment to the squad and selfmotivation equally important attributes, and they benefit from free coaching funded by Sand Moor plus team kit and meals when representing the club. Members have raised over £1,500 so far to help fund the enterprise, which has also led to the number of junior members increasing by 30%. The investment in its future
Leeds club’s new generation of top players growing with aid of Golf Foundation
Pictured after winning the Leeds & District Division Three title last year, from the left, are Tai Naylor (junior vice-captain), Lily Dunn (junior captain), Amaan Iqbal and Glen Lent stars is starting to pay off as last year they secured promotion to Division Two of the Leeds & District junior league, along with many notable individual performances. Tai Naylor, 12, has been selected for Yorkshire Under-16 training and the five-handicapper has also represented the Leeds & District Union. Fourteen-year-old Lily Dunn reduced her handicap in 2019 from 31-17 and was unbeaten in the league. Amaan Iqbal has only been playing the game for two years and is now playing off four. His gross 64 recorded in a members’ competition set a new junior course record and
was just one shot shy of Cage’s course record, while Jesse Gordon,11, secured an impressive nine points in the league to help secure elevation to the next tier. Lent, who has also taken the game to over 500 children in local primary schools with the help of the Golf Foundation, said: “It made me very proud to see so many juniors from Sand Moor succeed last year. “Thanks to Stacey Mitchell from the Golf Foundation for all her efforts and our fantastic Junior Committee consisting of volunteers who help and support the section in their free time. Paul Dunn (volun-
teer), Cath Blakeman (junior chair) help out endlessly and we couldn’t do this without them and without all the support from Sand Moor members and the club. We now have a promising junior section and I am excited for what 2020 holds.”
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March 2020
BIGGA show gets bigger and better ALMOST four and a half thousand turf industry professionals converged on Harrogate Convention Centre for BIGGA’s annual exhibition. One hundred and fiftyfive turf industry companies packed into 4,880 square metres of exhibition space and showcased the latest technology and product developments, while more than 250 hours of education helped to prepare British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association members for what lies ahead in their careers and out on the course. “It’s been a fantastic few days,” said York-based BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton. “Massive thanks to all the exhibitors for supporting it and all the visitors for coming and I’m looking forward to seeing everybody next year.” More than 100 delegates and trade representatives attended the BTME Early Bird 5K Run, with BIGGA staff being joined by members of the mental health charity CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably. The run raised more than £1,000 for BIGGA’s charity, which supports members who encounter difficulties in their personal lives.
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March 2020
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March 2020
Hague and Gill quick off the mark YORKSHIRE’S Bailey Gill and David Hague are celebrating their first professional wins after the pair claimed back to back titles on the MENA Tour. Lindrick’s Gill made two stunning birdies from almost impossible positions in his last two holes to claim his maiden victory in the paid ranks at the Ghala Open, in Oman. Just a week later Hague, from Malton & Norton, also finished strongly to win the $75,000 Royal Golf Club Bahrain Open in only his fourth start in a professional event. Former England amateur international Gill beat roommate and Journey to Jordan No 1 champion David Langley by one shot in the Omani capital Muscat. Gill was one behind leader Scot Craig Ross stood on the 16th tee, but finished with three birdies in a row, including spectacular chips on the 17th and 18th holes to within a couple of feet for a 16-under par finish.
The left hander, who along with Langley was a member of England’s Raymond Trophy winning team in Lahinch last September, was one shot behind the leader going into the final round of the previous event on the MENA Tour, the inaugural NewGiza Open, in Cairo, before finishing tied 12th. But Gill was not to be denied in Muscat as he compiled a bogey-free round that included five birdies in the last six holes to earn the first prize of $13,500 and a place in the European Tour’s Oman Open at nearby Al Mouj. His two closing birdies came thanks to a razor-sharp short game. On the penultimate hole the southpaw pushed his drive and was faced with a difficult chip shot over the bunker with very little space to stop the ball. On the 18th, he hit his tee shot left again and could barely see the flag from the desert area. But on both occasions, the 2016
Bailey Gill receives his trophy from Ziyad Al Zubair after winning the MENA Tour’s Ghala Open. Inset, reigning Yorkshire amateur champion David Hague, now a professional, on his way to winning in Bahrain Welsh Open Youths Strokeplay Champion hit his chips stone dead. “This is fantastic,” said Gill. “I have been waiting for some time now for this to happen. It did not happen in Cairo, but I am glad I could hang on and win here in Oman. “Those two were tough shots on the last two holes. I hit a horrible tee shot on the 18th hole and there was a lot of pressure when David holed his putt for a birdie on the last. “David really played great despite the poor start he had, especially on that back nine. “I was disappointed [the previous week], but I came here
knowing I was playing solid. “I have been playing good golf for some time now, just struggling to get everything together and I am glad I managed to do that.” Hague, 24, put all the days of self-doubting behind him as he compiled a brilliant back nine on another very windy day to shoot a one-under par 71 to tally nine-under par 207 for the three days. He started the final round as leader by one shot, but was trailing at the turn after making a double bogey on the seventh hole, which allowed Scotland’s Ryan Lumsden to surge ahead with an eagle on the par-5 ninth
hole. At that stage, Hague was seven under. But the Yorkshire champion made three birdies on the back nine as against a solitary bogey on the 12th hole, including a crucial birdie on the par-4 15th hole, which was playing very tough into the headwind. It was a two-shot swing against both Lumsden and former European Tour star Victor Riu, his closest rivals, who dropped shots on the same hole. Hague said: “This is amazing and very satisfying. I have been thinking of turning professional for more than a year now and always had my doubts about it.
“I felt I was on a good run when I played the MENA Tour Qualifying School, and thought it was a good time to make the decision. This win definitely validates it. “I drove consistently well this whole week and that really was the key to my winning. I struggled with my putter from inside six feet and made several three-putts – something I need to work on. “When I was trailing at the turn I knew I needed to be patient because the back nine of this golf course has been pretty good to me. And yes, that birdie on the 15th was a key moment for me.”
Matthew Kettlewell was elected Golf Development Committee Chairman for a further three-year term and Kevin Rayner was made Competitions’ Secretary. Stephen Livesey won’t have to worry about getting
a parking spot as he won the car park draw that secures him a reserved space for the year. Pictured are Dave Hall and Patricia Knox with retiring captains Moira Hinkles and Hubert Van-Huet, right.
Bedale name new captains at their AGM DAVE HILL and Patricia Knox were confirmed as Captain and Lady Captain at Bedale Golf Club’s Annual General Meeting. Janice Walker was elected Lady Vice-Captain and has also agreed to take on the role of Marketing Chair, succeeding Stewart Winship. Peter Carrotte was elected Vice Captain while David Brown was elected Chairman and Graham Lilley assumed the role of Treasurer.
Westwood is the master of Masters ceremonies again LEE WESTWOOD is looking forward to becoming the first player to host the Betfred British Masters on two occasions when the European Tour returns to the North-East in July. Lindrick member Westwood has enjoyed an impressive start to 2020, winning the season’s first Rolex Series event, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA last month, to claim his 25th European Tour title. The former world No 1 is back inside the top 30 on the Official World Golf Ranking and currently leads the
European Tour’s Race to Dubai. He is also eyeing an 11th Ryder Cup appearance at Whistling Straits in September. Westwood previously hosted the British Masters at Close House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 2017, when nearly 70,000 fans came out to support the event and tickets are now on sale for the event, which will return there from July 30-August 2. Westwood said: “I think we got it pretty much right last time. We had a great turnout. Obviously it is earlier in the year this time so hopefully the weather will be better in July/August time.”
Becki on duty HOWLEY HALL’S Becki O’Grady has been selected to play for the Ladies National Police Scratch Team against the Army at Wyboston Lakes, Bedford, in July. In 2017 O’Grady became Howley Hall’s first female director in their 117-yearhistory and had served as lady captain a year earlier. She is a long hitter, twice reaching the UK final of the American Golf-backed long driving competition. In August 2017 a drive of 302 yards smashed her personal best and earned her third place at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.
High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HT | 0191 236 2498 | E:admin@thengc.co.uk | W: www.thengc.co.uk
2 minutes from the A1, ideal for a game in the area or a stop off travelling North or South The Harry Colt & James Braid designed heathland course was established in 1898 to provide a challenging test of golf. Renowned for its firm, fast greens and strategic bunkering, the Club has hosted many major championships over the years recently including Open Championship Regional Qualifying. From the simple looking but often tricky first hole uniquely the course plays both inside and outside Newcastle Racecourse. The undulating greens combined with closely mown run off areas provide a stern test of the short game and though the course can be testing from the medal tees for even the low handicap golfer, it is a pleasure to play all year round
whatever your handicap. Whether you are just finishing your round or about to go out there is always a warm welcome in the elegant clubhouse. Guests will find a traditional feel with a modern outlook on making everyone welcome. We have excellent practice facilities including a Range with a ball dispenser. Whether you are visiting the area, travelling North to Scotland or travelling South back home to Yorkshire, we are perfectly situated to break your journey and play one of the premier courses in the North. To book, please call Julie on: 0191 236 2498 or email: admin@thengc.co.uk
FEATURES Championship Course for all abilities Premier Golf Club Elegant clubhouse with stunning views Excellent practice range Fantastic greens Brittania Grand Hotel 100 yards Travelodge 200 yards
SPECIAL OFFER
NORTHUMBERLAND GOLF CLUB 4 BALL ÂŁ45 pp Inc: Coffee, bacon sandwich and a basket of range balls each
Please contact Julie on 0191 236 2498 to book a Tee Time or email admin@thengc.co.uk and quote YG2020 Offer expires 31/12/20
Subject to availability weekdays and sundays
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March 2020
Yorkshire Golfer publisher DANNY LOCKWOOD recounts his visit to one of Yorkshire’s oldest clubs
F
OR A club that prides itself on a long and distinguished history, and its status as a traditional golf establishment, there is a hint of change in the air at Brough Golf Club. The club doesn’t go back quite as far as Brough itself, located on the north bank of the Humber estuary, 12 miles west of Hull. In Roman times it was the base of Celtic tribe the Parisi, although it wasn’t given the name Brough is an ‘Brough’ and made a town by the easy-walking Archbishop of York until 1239. par 68 parkAnd it was some centuries later land course – in 1891 – that founder member and is Mr Maxwell Jackson reported how bisected by a one Leonard West “returned from stream that Scotland with a cleek and a golf features on ball”. many holes Having convinced a Dr R.A. Mossman to try hitting the ball from Mrs West’s garden onto what is now the second fairway, the future club’s fates were decided when the good doctor succeeded. Following a meeting of fellow enthusiasts at the Ferry Inn, the original 9-hole layout was created the same year, making Brough one of Yorkshire’s early adopters of the sport – Beverley and East Riding, up the A164, began two years earlier – although it would be 1893 before the Royal & Ancient formally recognised the new club. Like many clubs, the passing decades brought land and building acquisitions, although Brough has remained very much true to its original footprint while expanding to 18 Gordon was an active playing pro holes in 1905, buying its huge, imposincluding regular appearances on the ing, clubhouse in 1925, and further European Senior Tour, but his replacegrowing and improving in both 1933 ment, Oliver Cross, very much has his and 1955. eyes on the future of the club’s memVery much the end of an era came bership. at the club towards the end of 2018 Oliver qualified as a professional in when veteran professional Gordon 2013, got his AA status in 2016 and is Townhill called time on his 40-year currently studying towards his Level 3 tenure as Brough’s resident PGA pro. status while balancing his services to
Brough is moving swiftly with times Brough’s members with his enthusiastic development of young talent. SNAG – Starting New At Golf – is a programme being rolled out in schools across the region, while Junior Academy sessions take place in summer holidays. Oliver is a member of the Snainton Golf group. Another relatively new face at Brough GC is General Manager Richard Jagger, who joined the club 18 months ago from the Malton & Norton club in North Yorkshire. One of the initiatives Richard has overseen is the club’s membership of PMG, the PlayMore Golf organisation, which gives time-pressured golfers the chance to join one of more than 170 clubs across the country on a pointsThe layout of Brough Golf Club, its imposing clubhouse and one of the greens under the care of Master Greenkeeper Rob Clare
based membership system. How successful? “In the space of a year it’s attracted 85 new golfers to the club,” said Richard. “It’s a whole new dynamic for traditional clubs, because these new members have an average age of 47, as opposed to about 60.” Brough is an easy-walking course, with a par of 68 owing to just one par5 hole, the 10th, but it has hosted many championship and representative matches and the two-day Brough Classic Pro Am has been a major date in the PGA calendar since 1978. The Forte PGA Seniors Championship was hosted in 1990, while The Players Tour came to Brough in 1999 and the British Girls’ Championship in 2001. Despite being housed on light, well-drained land, the club has made a six-figure investment in a state-of-theart irrigation system and a five-year course development plan in recent years. In that respect, anyone golfing
at Brough couldn’t have a course in better hands than Irishman Rob Clare, who joined the club from Skipton 10 years ago. Last May Rob became only the 77th British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association member to be honoured with the accolade of Master Greenkeeper. Despite one of the wettest winters in most golf clubs’ recent memories, Rob is confident of having Brough at its attractive best well before the Classic rolls around on June 1 and 2. The club has a range of offers for guests and visiting societies, which are welcome on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday, Fridays and Sundays, with hospitality provided by stewards and caterers Westley and Judith Botha. With easy access from the nearby A63 just after it meets the M62, Brough makes for an ideal golf destination.
March 2020
Brough Golf Club – Yellow Tees 1 – 354yds, par 4 An inviting opening drive, which narrows towards a dip and slight dogleg left into a back-to-front sloping green with front left and right bunkers. Just try not to get blocked out by the trees. 2 – 255yds, par 4 A driveable short par 4, but watch for the diagonal stream that runs from short right to front left. The more you bite off, the higher the danger. The large, flattish green has a front right trap and falls away slightly to the left. 3 – 193 yards, par 3 Longest of the five par 3s and tricky if into the breeze. There’s a bunker short right, then front left and right, plus mounding. Par’s a good score. 4 – 414yds, par 4 All straight on as you see it, but there’s a mounded fairway bunker up the left that’s all of 35 yards long. The fairway narrows towards the green and don’t spray your approach right towards the stream. The big, kidney-shaped green has sand all down its left. 5 – 372yds, par 4 Not straightforward on the eye. Slightly uphill from the tee to a ridge and bunker before the fairway drops away. You’re coming in uphill again, but to a very tricky green with all kinds of undulations and run-offs. 6 – 139yds, par 3 Only a duffed tee shot will bring the pond into play on this short par 3, a long, quite narrow green with plenty of protection
13 from traps and mounding. 7 – 450yds, par 4 Index 1, driving over the 6th green. Favour the left, otherwise your long second could be blocked out by trees encroaching from the right. There’s a fairway bunker 50 yards short, plus traps protecting a very large green. 8 – 430yds, par 4 Straight on, tree-lined, with a fairway trap on the right, before coming into another large, sloping green, protected by a bunker front left, with mounding on the right. 9 – 178yds, par 3 A very nice looking hole, with a small green sitting down in a hollow. The mounds on three sides should throw any ball slightly off line onto the putting surface – if the greenkeeping staff keep the grass short enough, that is. 10 – 526yds, par 5 The only par 5, with an early dogleg left defined by the stream. Big hitters could bite too much off and flirt with OB left, so right side is safe, even if meaning it’s a full three-shotter. There’s a fairway bunker threatening your second, then a well protected green that’s at 45 degrees to your approach, sloping slightly back to front. 11 – 383yds, par 4 Pay attention, because this hole is very distinctive, a steep uphill, 90-degree dogleg left. Avoid the big trees on the elbow at all costs. Uphill all the way, over an access road, to a well-bunkered green that will throw anything short back towards you.
12 – 367yds, par 4 A sweeping, downhill right-to-lefter – favour the right side – before a downhill approach over the stream to a green sloping slightly back right to front left, and bunkered on the right, with three more from front to back left. 13 – 162yds, par 3 Slightly downhill, with a bunker 20 yards short, plus others left and right of a gently undulating green. 14 – 287yds, par 4 Index 18, over a pond and the stream to a large-ish landing area. Your short approach is to a tricky, ‘upturned’ green that slopes off on three sides. Don’t take par for granted. 15 – 371yds, par 4 A blind, uphill tee shot, favouring the left side or you’ll be blocked out by the trees as there’s a slight dogleg right. It’s a narrow green entrance too, thanks to steepfaced front traps. 16 – 460yds, par 4 You’d happily walk away from this with a 5 on most days. Trouble if you spray wide either side. The second half falls away to the left, and there’s sand all up the left side of a green that slopes slightly away to the right. 17 - 173yds, par 3 You can barely focus on the target because the stream that weaves from tee to green, which will influence many cards – especially as the green slopes away from you and anything missing it will bring the stream into play on your second.
18 – 373yds, par 4 A closing dogleg left with a tight driving area, a bunker on the corner and trees both sides being the threat. Your approach to a back-to-front sloping green needs to be short rather than long.
BROUGH GOLF CLUB
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March 2020
TOP GRASS Prestigious North Yorkshire club has invested in new set of mowers ahead of hectic schedule
Ganton geared up for busy spell GANTON GOLF CLUB has in invested in a new set of mowers in preparation for a busy couple of years that will see the North Yorkshire club host a series of high-profile events. One of the world’s top 80 courses, Ganton ranks among the very best of Britain’s inland courses and has staged many amateur and professional tourna-
ments, including the Walker Cup in 2003 – so joining Royal Birkdale, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield and Royal Lytham & St Annes as one of only four venues to have also staged the Curtis Cup and Ryder Cup matches. Ganton will also be holding an England v France international in
May this year and is scheduled to host the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy and also the R&A Women’s and Girls’ Home Internationals in 2021. The sandy, gently undulating site was Ganton Golf Club’s greenkeeping team, left to right: Tom Todd, deputy head greenkeeper once a North Sea inlet, Mathew Wormald, head greenkeeper Andrew West, Ray Johnson, Adam Mayren, so it has all the characAndrew Jennett, Jonathan Priestley and Ben Sixsmith teristics of both a links and a heathland course. encouraged us to consider following hectares of aprons and collars altogethAnother striking feature is over 100 Royal Birkdale’s example, noting er, which really can’t be managed with bunkers, some huge in size. improvements to the course presentatriples,” Andrew explains. Head greenkeeper Andrew West tion and finish and complimenting the “But with quite a low height of cut says he has always had a vision of contribution John Deere’s 8000AE required at 7mm on these areas during opening up more areas of the course to PrecisionCut fairway mower had made the playing season, this was proving give it more of a links feel, and he is there.” difficult to achieve with our previous now beginning to achieve this more Ganton’s new hybrid mower fleet five-gang mowers and we were always effectively since the club invested in a now includes two 8000AEs as well as struggling to hold the cuts. new set of John Deere hybrid electric two 2500E triplex and three 220E walk“However, I always felt we could E-Cut mowers. These were supplied behind greens mowers. These were do this job better and in a reasonable by dealer F G Adamson & Son on a joined by a 4049R compact tractor with time frame with the right machine, so five-year finance lease deal with annufront loader, two HPX diesel and two we spoke to our course consultant al repayments from John Deere TE electric Gator utility vehicles, as Gordon Irvine and he really influenced Financial. well as a Charterhouse Verti-Drain our thinking. Both he and the STRI’s “We’ve got some very challenging 7416 aerator and top dresser. head of agronomy Alistair Beggs undulations here and around two Got a story that needs telling in next month’s Yorkshire Golfer? Send your story and photos to mike@yorkshire-golfer.com
March 2020
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March 2020
KIRKBY LONSDALE GOLF CLUB Summer Opens 2020 All £16 per player
Festival Week - 14th to 18th June Sunday 14th June Underley Salver – 36 holes, Medal-Scratch & Net, max handicap 18 Monday 15th June Mixed 4BBB Tuesday 16th June Seniors 4BBB Wednesday 17th June Texas Scramble Gents/Ladies 4 person team Thursday 18th June Gents team of 4 - 2 scores to count Seniors Mixed Team Open - teams of 4 Thursday 5th July Seniors AmAm - teams of 4 Tuesday 14th July Gents Pairs Open – Betterball Stableford Saturday 25th July Ladies Tea Party Open – teams of 4 Saturday 8th August
All Opens £16 per player See website for details of all Spring Opens Book online: www.kirkbylonsdalegolfclub.com or ring: 01524 276365 or 276366 to book your tee time
www.kirkbylonsdalegolfclub.com • info@kirkbylonsdalegolfclub.com Scaleber Lane, Barbon, Kirkby Lonsdale. LA6 2LJ T: 01524 276 365 / 276 366
PACKAGE 1 Coffee/Tea & Bacon Roll 18 Holes of Golf
Bingley St. Ives welcomes Visiting Parties
£32 pp
PACKAGE 2 Coffee/Tea & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes of Golf & Light Lunch
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For more information call our Club Pro on: PACKAGE 3 01274 562436 (line 1) or Coffee/Tea E: secretary@bingleystivesgc.com & Bacon Roll, W: www.bingleystivesgc.com 18 Holes of Golf +2 course meal Bingley St. Ives Golf Club, St. Ives Estate, Harden, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1AT
£44pp
Morris earns partial LET playing rights A TOP-60 place in the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School earned Woodsome Hall’s Rochelle Morris partial playing rights for the 2020 season. Morris had to contend with both strong winds that uprooted trees at La Manga and illness, but can now look forward to playing up to 11 events on the LET as well as 6 LET Access Series tournaments. She said: “It’s the worst week on the golfing calendar, even if you gain full playing rights, an emotional rollercoaster and incredibly draining five rounds of golf under the most pressure to determine which events you will play in the coming season. “My prep running up to the week wasn’t fantastic as I had a cold and a bad chest, so a lot of short and productive practice had to be done with lots of rest, sleep, Vick and paracetamol!
That setback wasn’t going to stop me or put a dampener on the week though. “I made the top 60 so overall it was not a bad week at La Manga. My game is so much better than last year, which is the most encouraging thing. I’m hitting the ball further; my ball striking is better and mentally I am feeling better under pressure. All good stuff going in to the 2020 season.” In association with Underpin Sports, she will be hosting an ‘Evening with Rochelle Morris’ at the Woodman Inn at Thunderbridge, Kirkburton on March 12 (6.00pm). “I really hope as many people as possible can join us on the evening,” she said. “The night will include a Q&A with myself, tips and advice for your own golf game and we will also cover different topics such as the mental and
physical sides of the game, plus an insight into life on Tour “It’s free to attend and I will be talking to you about my amateur and professional career so you will also gain tips and advice from myself and Duncan McCarthy, my performance coach, on how to improve your own golf game. “The main goal of the evening is to raise funds for my upcoming season on Tour. The cost of a season is around £20,000 and this is without giving myself a wage. I work two jobs on top of practice and training to try and help towards these costs and unfortunately I missed a few tournaments last year purely down to me not being able to afford the trip. “If you intend on coming then please RSVP to the event by sending me a quick email – Roch_Morris@hotmail.co.uk – so we have an idea of numbers on the night.”
YUGC inviting clubs to annual meeting at Pannal YORKSHIRE Union of Golf Clubs’ secretary Jonathan Plaxton is hoping for a strong attendance by clubs at the Annual Meeting of the Council, which will be held at Pannal Golf Club on Wednesday March 18 and includes two free seminars. The meeting starts with coffee being served at 9.30 am before the R&A’s senior agronomist Adam Newton delivers his speech on the impact of climate change, pesticide regulations and resource constraints on golf course management. This will be followed at 11.15am by a seminar on the important initiative of Safe Golf by Will Evans, who is Head of Delivery for England Golf. Clubs may send delegates to the Council meeting at least one of whom should be either a member of the club committee or the club secretary/manager.
Those attending both the seminars and the afternoon Council Meeting are invited to be guests of the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs at a buffet lunch from 12.30pm before the Council meeting begins at 2.00pm. Plaxton said: “I’m keen to engage directly with all clubs in Yorkshire and as we had 15 more clubs attend last year compared to 2018 and to make sure we can accommodate everybody, I’m asking all attendees to confirm their plans with me ahead of the meeting and to indicate morning/afternoon or all day.” He can be contacted by email – secretary@yugc.co.uk – and clubs are asked to confirm names and the golf club, or by telephone on 01904 468442 or 07484 730349. Further details are available at www.yugc.co.uk.
Rocking back with interest GIRLS GOLF ROCKS is back with a bang thanks to an unprecedented number of club applications for the 2020 programme. Four clubs in Yorkshire – Hessle, Abbeydale, Filey and Sand Moor – have already been selected to deliver the programme with more to be announced. Up to 200 clubs across the country will be tasked with staging two six-week coaching sessions for beginner girls predominantly, but not exclusively, in the 7-14 age bracket. To receive notice of when sessions are available to book
online, register your email address at girlsgolfrocks@englandgolf.org. Four greenkeepers from Yorkshire have been named in the volunteer support team to assist with course maintenance during the Open Championship at Royal St George’s in July. James Dawson from Oulton Hall, Ryan Fiander of Lees Hall GC, Scott Thomson from Wetherby GC and Rotherham’s Jeremy Ward will be given unprecedented access to golf’s greatest championship by supporting every match with bunker-raking duties.
Quinta do Lago’s new Yorkshire-born golf course superintendent Mark Tupling
Tupling is in new role on the Algarve MARK TUPLING, Quinta do Lago’s new Yorkshire-born golf course superintendent, has switched to the Algarve as he targets an environmentally responsible approach to the new role. After nine years as agronomy manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai – where the Earth Course hosts the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship – Tupling is determined to focus his efforts on sustainability to maintain Quinta do Lago’s position as one of Europe’s leading resorts. Rockliffe Hall has been named in two leading magazines’ Top Golf Resort rankings. National Club Golfer has featured Rockliffe in its Top 10 UK Golf Resorts, alongside Gleneagles and The Belfry, and it ranked 37th in Golf World’s Top 100 UK Golf Resorts.
March 2020
CHRIS HANSON
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YORKSHIRE GOLFER COLUMNIST
David Pitts helped me reach my dream I
REMEMBER it well – it was late 2013 pre-season and I was hitting balls above the pro shop at Woodsome Hall on John Eyre’s launch monitor getting ready for the upcoming season. I had just had an okay year on the Challenge Tour and managed to retain my playing rights for the next season. But the only thing I didn’t retain was my sponsor. I was just finishing off hitting balls before John’s next lesson with Mr David Pitts about to be in the hot seat. I didn’t know him from Adam; John introduced me briefly and David said: “Go on then, show me how it’s done”. Thankfully it went straight; that was maybe the selling point, along with a bit of John Eyre’s magic sweet talk too. On leaving, David asked about sponsorship and, finding out I had recently lost a sponsor, without hesitation said: “I’ll do something, come and have a chat with me”. And that was the start of a
Rory McIlroy won at Hoylake. David and a group of members chartered a helicopter to the Open, which landed on the first fairway at Woodsome and then flew them John Eyre, Chris Hanson and David Pitts over to the Wirral to cheer me on. great six-year friendship and That year I had another okay golf partnership. year on the Challenge Tour, just I went to meet David at his treading water really, but kept house with my sponsorship pro- my card again for the 2015 seaposal and I think he was son. impressed with the effort I had Throughout that season put into it and my ambition to nothing really went to plan, but succeed, but his big question a sixth place in China got me to was: “How on earth do you the Grand Final in Oman and a afford to do it?” ticket straight to the final stage My reply: “I don’t know, we of Q-School. just do!” Somehow I found the We struck a deal there and strength to get my card for the then, and David kept me playEuropean Tour after six rounds ing golf from that moment. – that’s possibly the highlight Over the next few years we of my career along with retainshared some incredible highing my card the following sealights including qualifying for son. I certainly wouldn’t have the Open for the first time when got to that point without the
support from David. So much off-course pressure was taken away with the financial support. As an avid golf fan David certainly knew the ins and outs, and knew what to say over a text when things went good or bad on the course. Normally it was ‘Just go have a beer’, but he knew me too well and that wasn’t ever the case. One memory that certainly stands out was the KLM Dutch Open in 2016. I was in contention after three rounds and was drawn to play with Bernd Wiesberger in the last round, who went on to finish second. David was in Spain on the Saturday afternoon and by the back nine Sunday had appeared to watch me complete the tournament and finish eighth. To keep my card was amazing, especially from the category and limited playing opportunities I had, so come the Portugal Masters at the end of 2016 I had everyone cheering me home. I made the cut and a final-round 67 made certain that I kept my card for the next season.
Over the following two seasons there were some memorable highlights including another top-5 in in Morocco to go with the T4th in 2016, finishing joint 11th in the British Masters after leading through 54 holes, a sixth place in the 2018 Dubai Desert Classic and climbing to 288 in the World Rankings. But keeping my card, this time comfortably by the end of 2017 at Valderrama, was a huge achievement and having family and friends, including the Pitts family, there watching the season conclude was fantastic. Over the past few seasons on the 2018 European Tour and 2019 Challenge Tour my golf has been somewhat mixed. There have been many on- and off-course factors that have created some hurdles along the way. I will be the first to say that I’ve never dealt particularly well with anything that has unsettled me or the family and I’m sure that must have had some effect subconsciously on the golf course.
It’s probably taken 12 months to really get settled again, but unfortunately in that time my golf went into reverse, but even while that was happening it certainly didn’t stop me from learning more about the game, myself and what I need to do to get back to competing against some of the best players in the world. I’m now really looking ahead again and excited to build a strong team around me and I would love to share the next chapter of my golfing career with a sponsor/partner who is equally as ambitious to achieve their dreams. As it stands, I’m starting the 2020 season with no partners or sponsors in place, so I have lots of options and ideas for any interested parties. I really hope you have enjoyed a little insight into the last six years of an amazing partnership and appreciate how truly thankful I am to David Pitts for helping me achieve so many of my golfing dreams.
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March 2020
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March 2020
ADVERTORIAL Yorkshire Golfer takes a look at some of the many superb courses to be found in North Yorkshire
Northern lights are so bright F
ROM challenging links courses with stunning cliff tops views to championship layouts carved out of picturesque moorland and parkland settings, the North York Moors and Yorkshire coastline has everything a golfer could wish for. Now one of the most sought after destinations for a golf break or society day away, the jewel in the crown is the ancient city of York, where Romans, Angles and Vikings have been replaced by tourists from all over the world including golfers who travel from far afield to enjoy the array of courses within easy reach of the walls that still surround the old fort and city of Eboracum. A short trip out of the city and adjacent to the convenient A64 is Pike Hills Golf Club, which was formed in 1904 as the Knavesmire Golf Club and moved to Hob Moor in 1922. They moved again to the current site in 1946 and during the past 60 years Pike Hills has developed into one of the finest parkland courses in the York area. The delightful 18-hole course featuring tree-lined fairways is built around Askham Nature Reserve, an area which has been designated a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). As you make the short walk from the 6th green to the 7th tee you will suddenly find yourself immersed in a little wilderness, and it is not uncommon to see deer roaming across the course with many squirrels, rabbits and a large variety of birds – Mother Nature at her best! The course measures 6,199 yards, with an SSS of 70 and par of 71, and has a challenging variety of holes, from neatly designed par-4s to challenging par-5s. It has a blend of long and short holes that require good course management and where careful shot-making decisions have to be made. A couple of ponds come into play and you are never far away from a dyke that runs from Askham Bog.
When the fairways have been negotiated some of the trickiest greens in the north of England await to test even the best of putting strokes. Visitors and members always receive a warm welcome at Pike Hills and leave with long lasting memories of a great day out. The Oaks lies half an hour to the south west and boasts a championship parkland golf course that sits in perfect harmony with the natural woodland setting close to the Lower Derwent Ings. The lush fairways blend and bend to the gentle rolling landscape and the eight lakes will challenge some of the best talent in amateur golf when The Oaks stage the Northern Qualifier for the Brabazon Trophy in May 2021. Since opening in 1996 the par-72 course, which measures 6,849 yards from the tips, has matured into one of the best courses in Yorkshire and features greens built to USGA specification with substantial mounding. Yellow and red tees offer a good but fair test of golf, perfect for casual members’ golf as well as society, corporate and visitor play. The clubhouse is renowned for its welcoming and friendly atmosphere as well as the fare on offer. Two large screen TVs show Sky Sports in a very laidback atmosphere, while the large patio is the perfect place to enjoy a cold drink after golf while watching the sun set over the golf course. For more formal or private parties, there is the dining room that will seat up to 50 people and offers stunning views overlooking the lake on the 10th, which is also a popular stopping off place during a round of golf as it also overlooks the log cabin that serves as a halfway house. The Oaks is also a great place to work on your game, being fully equipped with a driving range, practice ground, putting green, practice bunker and an excellent short game area. The floodlit driving range has 10 bays and is home to the
A view of the clubhouse at Pike Hills Golf Club, a delightful parkland course built around Askham Nature Reserve renowned Walker’s Golf Academy, where three top professionals are based including England Golf Coach of the Year Graham Walker The golf shop is the hub of activity and stocks a large selection of golf equipment from easily forgotten essentials to the latest golfing attire and clubs from leading manufacturers that can be custom fitted. The Oaks also has a luxury health spa and fitness suite, as well as offering lakeside wedding ceremonies and parties making it one of the premier golf facilities in North Yorkshire. Take the A64 out of York towards Leeds to head for Scarthingwell, which has earned a terrific reputation for introducing people to the game through its golf academy that is under the direction of esteemed professional Tony Howarth. Located just outside Towton and just ten minutes from the A1M and M1 motorways, it also offers an easy-walking 18hole course set in tranquil rural surroundings and now well-furnished since opening in 1990, It delivers a fair test for golfers of all abilities and has forged a reputation for offering a friendly and informal atmosphere, which is enjoyed every year by a number of parties and societies and there are a range of packages including free golf for the organiser of 20 or more and a green fee voucher for future use for each player. The fleet of single seater buggies has proved a popular
A view from the 4th tee at Oakdale, designed by the worldrenowned golf course architect Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1914
introduction to travel the 6,642yard par-72 layout that features some of the best putting surfaces in the area as well as terrific views. The academy is at the forefront of promoting golf to new players and has devised initiatives including free taster sessions, Get into Golf pro-
grammes and team building days. Academy Director Howarth won the Sinclair Award in 2004 and has over 25 years PGA experience teaching all levels of golfers from European Tour and Ladies European Tour players to complete beginners. He also works alongside the PGAs of
Europe implementing coaching and development programmes across the world including Europe, Africa and Asia. Skipton Golf Club, one of the most scenic and tranquil golf courses in the North of England, was founded in 1893 on the outskirts of this popular
Continued on page 20
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March 2020
ADVERTORIAL Yorkshire Golfer takes a look at some of the many superb courses to be found in North Yorkshire Continued from page 19
and historic market town, nestled among the stunningly beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Golfers are captivated by the magnificent views of Sharphaw, Crookrise and Embsay Crag, while Eller Beck provides a superb backdrop as it meanders through the back nine holes, three of which provide Skipton with its very own ‘Amen Corner’. The 125th anniversary in 2018 was marked with the launch of a revised layout, which includes three new, professionally designed and built holes, enhancing what was already a magnificent and challenging course. Additional improvements include new tee beds, bunkers and, on the 15th hole, a green raised by five feet. It is a truly enjoyable challenge for both members and visitors alike and these forward-looking changes only serve to enhance the excellent reputation enjoyed by the club where everyone is guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome. These are very exciting times in the history of Skipton Golf Club and there are various categories and value-added membership packages available. Scarborough has been a favourite destination with golfers for many a year. The town is rich in history and is thought to have been the world’s first seaside resort back in the 1600s when the healthgiving properties of the spa waters were discovered.
With a great choice of courses in and around Scarborough – and a little further afield into the North Yorkshire Moors The 7th hole at Ripon – along with a Golf Club, variety of where accommodation visitors can to suit all tastes be assured and budgets, the of the area continues to friendliest of be popular with golfing nomads. welcomes, Scarborough wonderfully South Cliff reguchallenging larly stages top holes, regional, county and an and national excellently events and jointprepared ly hosted the golf course English Amateur that is Championship in great with Ganton in condition all July 2016 when year round Masham’s Dan Brown became the third successive Yorkshireman to win the title. Eleven holes are played through rolling parkland and seven are true ‘links style’, played on the cliff tops with stunning coastal views across Scarborough, delivering a truly memorable golfing experience. The course falls into two parts, divided by the main road from Scarborough to Filey. On the seaward side of the road lie the fourth to tenth holes. On the landward side the first three holes, and the last eight are laid out along the bottom of the rolling valley stretching south-
wards into the hills and on the slope of the ridge to the east. The greatest charm of the course is the glorious positioning of the holes on the cliff, looking down on the South Bay and Scarborough town on the one side and along the bold and rugged coastline towards Filey on the other. The two parts of the course make a pleasant contrast, and both provide some excellent golf. The turf, even on the cliffs, is of the downland rather than seaside type and provides excellent lies even for those challenging fairway wood shots.
OPENS 2020 Ladies: 15th May • Mixed: 10th June • Classic: 4th & 5th July Seniors: 12th August • Scarborough Golf Week: 6th-11th September EGGS Open: 1st October
A great attraction to visitors is the inspiring view of shore and sea. An exhilarating fresh breeze is never wholly absent even on the calmest of days, which can add a new hazard to the testing quality of the layout that regularly hosts regional, county and national events. The hospitality team in the ‘19th’ are on hand with a selection of ales and fine wines to quench parched throats after a round, and the catering staff will prepare everything from snacks to a three-course meal. Societies are always welcome with group discounts available and bookings can be made online on the website or by telephone. As a seaside golf setting Flamborough Head takes some beating and playing golf here on a glorious summer day is an unforgettable experience. Bed and breakfast accommodation are available in the clubhouse, but advance booking is advised especially during the very popular Open events that have become stuff of golfing legend in these parts. Founded in 1931, Flamborough Head is rightfully proud of its motto as ‘The Friendliest Club on the Coast’. The 18-hole cliff top links course has been carefully crafted around the contours of the famous headland from which the club takes its name. The course and clubhouse are surrounded by magnificent and panoramic views of the North Sea including two lighthouses, the original of which, known as the Old Beacon, was built circa 1674, and is the only known example in England and can be found on the course next to the 5th tee. The golf course provides both a good test of golfing
An overhead view of spectacular South Cliff, Scarborough
skills and an enjoyable experience for members and visitors of all abilities throughout the year. Societies are expertly handled, and full details can be found on the club’s website. These two enterprising clubs along with Hornsea, Bridlington, Filey and Bridlington Links have come together to create a new and innovative golf pass that enables both individual and group visitors to Bridlington and the East and North Yorkshire area the opportunity to play all six fantastic courses and at the same time enjoy incredible savings of up to half the normal green fees. You can now apply for the ‘Golf Coast Passport’ and get your hands on a unique opportunity to play three courses for £63, pay £80 for four or just £93 for five rounds. History lovers will also love Ripon where the golf club more than matches the aura of the city. Three things are a given here: the friendliest of welcomes, wonderfully challenging holes with challenging greens, and an excellently prepared golf course that is in great condition all year round. The spectacular setting provides a fabulous golfing experience, with panoramic views of the nearby Yorkshire hills, Ripon Cathedral, and the surrounding countryside and the newly redesigned 1st and 18th will be fully in play for the coming season. New members are always welcome, and for anybody joining this spring the club is offering free lessons. There are weekend and midweek qualifying competitions throughout the year, and very active ladies, seniors, and rabbits sections which along with a strong rollup culture make it easy for new
members to integrate. And reciprocal arrangements with three other fine Yorkshire clubs, and regular free exchange days, deliver additional value for members. Ripon is a popular destination for visiting parties, who can take advantage of great value packages that can be tailored to your own special requirements. The modern clubhouse offers a wonderful panorama of four greens, and the new balcony is now open, providing the perfect place to relax for post golf refreshments. Ripon is increasingly becoming the golf club of choice in the area and offers visitors and new members of all ages and standards a great golfing experience. The spa town of Harrogate is only a 30-minute drive south and home to Oakdale Golf Club and described last month by Yorkshire Golfer publisher Danny Lockwood in his course review as a “beautiful course for a beautiful town”. Designed by the worldrenowned golf course architect Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1914, the course has two loops of nine holes with a white course of 6,477 yards and a par of 71 and a red course of 5,513 yards with a par of 72. Set in 130 acres of gentle valley, the course combines elements of both parkland and moorland with varied interest from the first hole to the last. Its main feature is the local Oak Beck, which meanders alongside the 10th fairway and in front of the 9th and 18th greens, ensuring a high level of concentration when playing approaches and tee shots. The elevated view from the clubhouse centenary balcony takes in the 18th, 1st, 9th, and 10th fairways in turn, bordered by trees, and each one cut through by Oak Beck to trap the unwary. The course is economical, with minimal walking times between greens and tees. While the course can be quite forgiving, it still commands respect with its fair share of bunkers, water hazards, rough and spinneys lying in wait for a careless shot. Visitors and members alike regularly praise the quality of the course and the greens, and a friendly welcome awaits all who enjoy playing golf in a delightful setting. The closing hole found favour with non-other than Peter Alliss reportedly describing the 313-yard par-4 as one of the finest finishing holes in Britain. Praise indeed.
March 2020
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March 2020
TONY HOWARTH, Academy Director at Scarthingwell Golf Academy
Keeping it plane and simple
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Here is a drill to help you tackle the intimidating concept of swing plane
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N MY opinion, the swing plane is one of the most important concepts in golf. Swing plane directly relates to how straight, high and far a golfer can hit the ball. At the same time, swing plane is one of the most intimidating terms for beginners and high-handicappers, simply because they do not understand the principles and concept of the swing plane. To put it simply, the swing plane is the angle of your swing arc in relation to the ground. If you could stand directly above the ball and make a perfectly upright swing, the club would travel on an arc perpendicular to the ground, just like a big wheel. If your swing plane were perfectly flat, the club would swing around your body horizontal to the ground like a roundabout. Your individual swing plane is influenced by your height, build, posture and how you swing your arms and turn your body. The swing plane also differs from club to club, because of the lie angle of the club. This means that the shorter the club, the more upright your swing plane will be. Also, if the ball is on a sidehill lie where the ball is above your feet, your swing plane will naturally be flatter. For an image of an ideal swing
plane, imagine a line drawn from the ball, along the clubshaft and up past the grip (Picture 1). This is your personal swing plane line. As you execute your takeaway, the club should remain on the same plane angle as your imaginary dotted line until your forearm is parallel to the ground, a position that is about half way through the backswing (Picture 2). At this point the shaft should still be travelling along your swing plane line. he direction of your downswing should allow the club to travel back down parallel to the line so the clubhead approaches the ball on the same plane as it was at address (Picture 3). As you reach impact, the shaft will once again be parallel to your line (Picture 4) with the natural rotation of your arms keeping the club on the line well into the finish. A consistent swing plane will help you not just to maintain your balance throughout your swing, but will also allow you to swing confidently through the ball (Picture 5).
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COMMON SWING PLANE ERRORS
GIVE THIS SWING PLANE DRILL A TRY
Many golfers begin their swings by using their hands incorrectly and this produces a rolling motion of the clubhead on the takeaway. This immediately puts the club under the player’s swing plane. Very often from this position, the player will then lift the club to the top of the backswing and loop the club over the top. This then brings the club above the swing plane on the downswing, causing the player to hit the ball from an outside path, a major cause of slices and pull shots.
Start by establishing a fixed position where the ball will sit, perhaps on a tee, a mark on the ground, or both. It’s important that the ball’s position does not move once we’ve set up this drill. I personally suggest teeing the ball up. It is possible to hit full shots using this drill, but I would recommend starting with very small swings and progressing to larger swings very slowly. Establish a target line by laying a club or dowel in front of the ball and behind the ball pointing in the same direction. Set up a parallel toe line as well, ensuring that your setup will be square and aligned.
TONY HOWARTH, 2004 Sinclair Award Winner, Academy Director and Golf and Marketing Manager at Scarthingwell Golf Course, has over 25 years PGA experience and has taught all levels of golfers. This experience ranges from European Tour, Ladies European Tour and County players through to club golfers and complete beginners. Tony has appeared as guest speaker at many events including the Junior Golf Partnership seminar held at the Belfry, as Key Note Speaker at the inaugural Golf Careers Convention at the University of Northumbria,
My suggestion would be to use a 7-iron for this drill. From the ball, move along the target line one club-length away from the target. From there, move 6 to 8 inches at a right angle away from your stance side of the target line. At this point, push a shaft or dowel into the ground at an angle parallel to your seven iron in the address position. If you imagine the plane of your golf swing, we have now set up an aid that is parallel to your intended swing plane, but safely above the plane. If your golf swing remains on plane, the dowel should not affect anything, but if you come over the top, you will hit the dowel on the downswing, thus giving immediate feedback that the swing plane was incorrect.
guest speaker at the UK Golf Show, the Turkish Golf Federation 1st Annual Coaching Conference and most recently at the GolfEurope Show in Augsburg, Germany. In his role as SNAG Master Trainer, Tony works with International Golf Development implementing first touch coaching and development programmes across the world including Europe, Africa and Asia. Tony’s simplistic style of coaching has been his road to success and he has become known as an expert not just on the golf swing but especially on the short game and putting.
Scarthingwell Golf Course
MARCH 2020 GREEN FEE OFFER BACON SANDWICH AND A ROUND ONLY £20 Offer available 7 days a week throughout March. Food served from 10am-3pm every day. Must be booked in advance quoting Yorkshire Golfer offer This offer may be amended or withdrawn at any time To book telephone reception
01937 557878 For details on our 2020 MEMBERSHIP OFFERS contact Ellie Northam
01937 557878
Scarthingwell Lane, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, LS24 9PF T: 01937 557878
tony.howarth@scarthingwellgolfcourse.co.uk www.scarthingwellgolfcourse.co.uk @ScarthingwellGA
ScarthingwellGolfCourse
One of Yorkshire's Friendliest Golfing Venues
GOLF SOCIETY PACKAGES
BOOK YOUR 2020 SOCIETY DAY NOW! Organisers go free if numbers reach over 20 players on the day each player will receive a green fee voucher for use on their next visit
Summer society packages from 1st April 2020 until 31st October 2020 Monday — Friday Packages 18 Holes of golf £17.50 per person 12 or more players £15.00 / person Coffee and bacon sandwich on arrival 18 Holes of golf £25.00 per person 12 or more players £23.00 / person Coffee and a bacon sandwich on arrival 18 Holes of golf Sandwiches and Chips on completion £30.00 per person 12 or more players £28.00 / person Coffee and bacon sandwich on arrival 18 Holes of golf 2 course meal — Main Course and Dessert £40.00 per person 12 or more players £37.00 / person
THE SUNDAY PACKAGE Tee times available from 12:00 onwards Coffee and bacon sandwich 18 Holes of golf £30.00 per person Tee times available from 12:00 onwards Coffee and bacon sandwich 18 Holes of golf Sandwiches and Chips on completion £35.00 per person
Please visit our website for further details for our Winter packages
