Yorkshire Golfer - May 2021 by Yorkshire Golfer

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Twitter: @yorkshiregolfer Yorkshire’s Barclay Brown and Alex Fitzpatrick were in the thick of GB&I’s Walker Cup battle with USA – report, p3

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May 2021

MAGIC MARCUS

Amazing World Record ‘drive’ p5

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IN THIS ISSUE

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WHS PROGRESS Yorkshire Union secretary Jonathan Plaxton reviews the new handicapping system p4 MAGIC MARCUS In pictures, see Howley’s Marcus Armitage set a crazy new long-driving record – into a speeding car, on an airfield! p5 2020PROTOUR Chris Hanson and Adam Walker’s ground-breaking tour returns for the 2021 campaign, with some familiar faces prevailing p8 COUNTY CARD YUGC offer can help clubs and golfers across the county p9

DAN THE MAN Wakefield’s Dan Bradbury completes a stellar collegiate career in Tennessee p17

MEMBERS’ DELIGHT Good times for all at Doncaster GC 10/11

SWING MAESTRO Tony Howarth on why yoga can make a big difference to your golfing fortunes

Send your stories and photos to news@yorkshire-golfer.com

Golf

The Oaks

Victory for Nicola LINDRICK’S Nicola Slater justified her no.1 seeding after 36 holes of strokeplay, to lift the Ladies Yorkshire Championship at Ilkley Golf Club. Nicola’s -4 total was six shots better than Huddersfield’s Hannah Holden, with her Lindrick clubmate Mia Eales-Smith a further shot back, but the top two met in the final on Sunday May 9th. Nicola’s -4 second round equalled the amateur ladies’ record at the club. She saw off Emma Mysiuk and Emma Brown 2&1, then Lily Hirst 1-up, to reach the final. Meanwhile Hannah got the better of Deb Henery, Rachel Taylor and Mia Eales-Smith by identical margins. It was tense in the final also, with another 2&1 margin cementing Nicola’s place on the county honours board. The Yorkshire Championship Seniors, which was also held at Ilkley on Friday May 7th, was won by Richmond golfer Karen Jobling.

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May 2021

THE WALKER CUP Three Yorkshiremen at forefront of battle to upset the odds at Seminole

Gallant GB&I fall just short

IN THE end it was just one battle too many for a valiant Great Britain and Ireland team in the 48th Walker Cup at Seminole in Florida. The odds had been stacked against Stuart Wilson’s travelling team from the off, with the various Covid restrictions hampering the type of usual preparation the GB&I skipper would hope for. He’d already lost his team’s top-ranked player Sandy Scott to a wrist injury before both Walker Cup squads were ravaged by a stomach bug that literally ran through the camps in the days before tee-off on Saturday May 8. Fourteen of the 24 players plus both captains were stricken, with many needing hospital attention. It meant that one of GB&I’s remaining two top-30 world ranked players, Amateur Champion Joe Long, was restricted to just one appearance out of an expected four – the Sunday singles.

The Wake Forest college golfer, seemingly forever destined to be known as “Alex, the younger brother of multiple pro winner Matthew Fitzpatrick” won’t care if he never sees Seminole’s ridiculous 17th hole again. As deep as he dug, when the matches were on the line Alex just couldn’t find the magic and both losses to Pierceson were confirmed at the virtually unplayable Seminole 17th, 2-up and 3&1. Playing over 180 yards on Sunday afternoon, with a stiff sideways breeze coming off the Atlantic, the upturned bowl-like 17th green, ringed by seven bunkers, was running (like the rest) at over 14 on the stimpmeter. Phil Mickelson’s former caddy Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay called them the fastest greens he had ever seen. What looked like great shots even on landing, could end up 30 yards away in rough or, more likely, sand. When Alex finally went bunker-to-bunkerto-bunker, with it being impossible to hold the green, his race was run. His foursomes partner Barclay Brown had far better fortunes in the singles, by contrast. On Saturday he was up against John Pak, world no.4 and no.1 in the NCAA Division 1 rankings. Brown, who looked throughout as laid back as if he Ireland’s was playing a John Murphy monthly medal, tees it up on the holed some clutch ultra-difficult putts to see him off 17th at Seminole 2&1.

By contrast, nine of the USA’s starting team of 10 were ranked in the world top 20. The 14-12 final score gives testament to the wholehearted effort of the overwhelming underdogs, who battled for every possible point. On average, they were 55world ranking places lower than their opponents. With three Yorkshiremen in the line-up, expectations were heavy on the shoulders of Hallamshire’s Alex Fitzpatrick, at 12 the highest ranked Brit. Skipper Wilson sent him out first in the Saturday foursomes alongside Hallamshire pal Barclay Brown, and second in the Sunday foursomes. The pair’s fortunes ebbed and flowed and in both games they took their match to the 18th hole, but on both occasions came up just short. Likewise in the singles, Fitzpatrick was twice matched against top-ranked Pierceson Cody, who only recently lost his world no.1 ranking.

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On Sunday afternoon, with GB&I up against it after Irish opener Mark Power and Fitzpatrick had both lost, Brown took a half-point off Quade Cummins, as GB&I took three-and-a-half out of the next four points to stay alive. Ultimately it was the strength in depth for US captain Nathaniel Crosby that made its mark. He had Walker Cup veterans in 30-year-old Stewart Hagestad and Cole Hammer – who qualified for the US Open aged 15 – anchoring his side. Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt had gone down 5&3 to unbeaten Ricky Castillo on Saturday afternoon, but he and Angus Flanagan had stolen an excellent half point from Hammer and world no.3 Davis Thompson in the foursomes. But GB&I’s last two men out Schmidt (4&3) and Ben Jones (4&2) couldn’t master their opponents Hammer and Hagestad, as USA held on 1412 to retain The Walker Cup.

Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt – at 18, the youngest player in either Walker Cup squad

Masters trip to win in MacKenzie Challenge TWO golfers will win a trip to the Masters in 2022 at the inaugural MacKenzie Challenge which will be played at Horsforth Golf Club on July 9. Welcome To Yorkshire will support the better ball pairs event as part of their new initiative to attract more golfers to the biggest golfing county in the country with over 180 courses ranging from stunning clifftop layouts to Ryder Cup hosts. The first prize for the winning pair, donated by Leeds-based SGH Sporting Events, includes flights, four nights accommodation, a hire car, two rounds of golf and tickets to the last day of the Masters at Augusta National which, like Horsforth, was designed by Yorkshire-born architect Dr Alister MacKenzie. The entry fee is £95 per player and includes coffee and a bacon sandwich on arrival and oncourse refreshments. There’s also the chance to win £5,000 for a hole-in-one and prizes will also go to the runners-up and third-placed teams. To enter call SGH Events on 0800 1707077 or email: enquiries@sgh.events

May 2021

WHS: Navigating path to a fairer system will be worthwhile, says Plaxton

Volunteers making WHS a success NO ONE ever said adjusting to the new World Handicap System (WHS) was going to be easy. And if you’re one of those head-scratching types who has been struggling to work out 95% of a 15.1 WHS index on a course with a slope rating of E=MC2, adjusted for white, yellow or red tees (or blue, black, green …) then worry not. The Secretary of the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs has a very simple tip to assist your return to golf within the vagaries of the WHS. “Fill in your card details, record your gross score, and the software will do the rest,” says Jonathan Plaxton, for whom the advent of WHS last November has brought a plethora of – ahem – “challenges”. It hasn’t been as though club officials haven’t been keen to learn the ins and outs of the new handicapping system. Some 250 people partook in webinars headed up by Mr Plaxton’s right-hand WHS expert, Ruth

calling time on their roles as handicap secretary, but also brought plenty of fresh new volunteers to the table – and they’re getting there. “I think it will be 18 months to two years before it’s fully bedded in,” Mr Plaxton added, saying it was a necessary journey if the handicapping system is to become robustly fit for purpose, and fair to all competitive golfers. Meanwhile, in the background, a team of 35-40 doughty volunteers, led by Ripon City’s Bruce Light and York GC’s Joy Hunter have been patrolling the fairways of the Broad Acres, rangefinders in hand, measuring carries from tee to fairway or hazard, hazard proximity to green, YUGC Secretary Jonathan Plaxton Goodwin of the Hessle club, trying to guide them through the scoring minefield. Ruth is the Regional Handicap Adviser. It resulted in some club diehards

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overall course lengths, bunkering, and more, in order that courses get the correct course rating. “It’s not quite rocket science, but you get the picture,” the YUGC secretary said. “So far they’ve done about 160 of the county’s courses, with 20 or so to go. It’s not just Yorkshire because every county has to do the same – but no other county has the number of courses we have.” Mr Plaxton believes clubs need to keep the pressure on golfers to keep returning cards – your index is based on the best eight of your 20 most recent cards – and the number of golfers falling below this number has led to some short-term anomalies.

“Just keep putting cards in, that has to be the message,” he added. And further change is on the way. Expected in summer is England Golf’s new initiative to allow ‘casual’ golfers – non-members – to sign up with them directly and submit scores via a new app to get their own WHS handicap. Asked if this might deter golfers from taking up membership, as they would be allowed to compete in Opens and other formal competitions, Mr Plaxton saw the positive side instead. “If we’re bringing them into the competitive fold, then the opportunity is there to convert them into club memberships,” he added.

World-leading software hailed as Genius idea WHERE Yorkshire leads, the rest follow … that seems to be the case at least regarding the stateof-the-art Golf Genius tournament management system that will feature at all the county’s Championship events this summer. Golf Genius, an American system developed by Mike Zisman, the man behind the Lotus computer software business, is now used by over 10,000 clubs and golf associations in 60 countries. YUGC secretary Jonathan Plaxton said it was “head and shoulders” above the other bidders when the Union was looking to invest in software to augment County tournaments and Championships. Yorkshire was the first English county to sign up. Indeed it must have been good – because shortly afterwards England Golf ditched their existing software partner and jumped aboard the Golf Genius buggy.

“Apart from really adding to the live experience, it also means that family members who can’t attend an event, for instance, can follow the scores as they happen.” Mr Plaxton confirmed that YUGC exec meetings had continued reasonably successfully through lockdown with his colleagues mastering the Microsoft Teams concept. “I can confirm that we’ve had a few ‘you’re on mute!’ moments,” he said, “though thankfully none of the Parish Council fisticuffs some people seem to have experienced.”

Clubs survive the Covid storm YORKSHIRE golf clubs appear to have weathered the Covid-19 storm in promising economic shape, with a higher proportion of members renewing on time than usual, according to YUGC secretary Jonathan Plaxton. After the first lockdown, when the introduction of furlough and home-working saw a nationwide rush to join golf clubs, Mr Plaxton admitted to feeling somewhat nervous regarding what lay ahead. “The demand on tee-times and people wanting to play led to a big influx of new members.

“We also saw a lot of lapsed members rejoining or going to new clubs,” he said. Mr Plaxton praised the approach of many clubs who reacted to the last lockdown by ‘giving back’ to members with a variety of initiatives, from putting money on their bar cards to partial refunds. Indeed the YUGC itself reduced the fee each club member pays in affiliation from £3.95 to £3.20. “The feedback I’ve had is that clubs have been seeing 90-95% of members renewing on time, which is better than usual.”

But he did acknowledge it hasn’t all been good news. “There has been pain in the clubhouses, with catering staff being laid off. On a wider scale though, golf club balance sheets have been bolstered.” Such as there is a challenge ahead, the furlough scheme doesn’t end until September and many people are still working from home. “I’m not saying it will stay the same forever,” he said. With the prospect of job losses and an uncertain economic outlook, he added “that’s the worry for next year”.

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May 2021

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Record-breaker Marcus HOWLEY Hall tour pro Marcus Armitage sensationally set a new Guinness World Record for the farthest golf shot caught in a moving car, with a 303-yard blast into a speeding BMW convertible. The European Tour and Official Partner Callaway challenged Marcus and BMW Touring Car Driver Paul O’Neill to take on the existing world record of 273 yards, set in 2012 by F1 driver David Coulthard and golf professional Jake Shepherd. Early in April the team arrived at Elvington Airfield, near York, which has one of the longest runways in Europe and has been the site for many speed-record attempts. The attempt wasn’t entirely plain sailing, with near misses, a smashed windscreen, and a successful ‘catch’ which didn’t quite break the record – but the pair got there eventually. O’Neill accelerated after the drive and attempted to intercept the ball on its descent.

Marcus used a Callaway Epic driver to hit the record-breaking drive 303 yards down the runway into the front passenger seat of the BMW M8 convertible, which was travelling at 71mph at the moment of catching the ball. The video of the stunt can be found on a number of social media platforms including Youtube.

1) Marcus launches the record-breaking shot ... 2) and watches on hopefully (the video shows him saying ‘money ... money!’) 3) Driver Paul O’Neill races in front of the ball and looks for it in his mirrors ... 4) the pink ball plummets into the passenger side footwell ... 5) Marcus does his best football star impression as he jumps for joy ... 6) joined by a delighted driver!

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Team championships back in action THE men from Bracken Ghyll and Hillsborough were first in the winners circle as competitive golf got underway in the YUGC Team Championships. The Bracken Ghyll trio lifted the 7th Division title at Wakefield, played over a foreshortened 18-holes, with a combined score of 224 – edging out Keighley by two shots with Doncaster a further 9-shots back. Pictured (right) with County President Cameron Thomson are (from left) Henry Croft, Jack Lampkin and Jonathan Reynolds. Lampkin carded the lowest score on the day with a -1. The 6th Division Championship played at Cobble Hall went to

Hillsborough, again by a two shot margin (total 221) ahead of The Oaks with Headingley a further three back. YUGC President Thomson is pictured above with Neil Bromley, John Berrisford and Shaun Tarplett.

Trilby Tour returning THE owners of the KP Club in Pocklington have rescued the popular Trilby Tour after the event’s owners got into financial difficulties. Darwin Escapes, who also own Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland and The Springs in Oxfordshire, have resurrected the tournament launched by William Hunt in 2007. A curtailed 2021 season will see three events before a bigger programme is rolled out for 2022, in a tournament open to both male and female golfers.

Ashley Pheasant, head of golf for Darwin Escapes, said: “The Trilby Tour is instantly recognisable as one of the most iconic brands in UK golf. It has a very loyal following and to have the chance to create the next chapter in the event’s history is something that we’re relishing. “Having hosted a number of the events at our golf courses in recent years, our team have developed lots of exciting concepts to take the tour forward, while still retaining its unique identity. We want to make the event bigger and better than ever.”

HALLAMSHIRE’S 72-HOLE HEROES IT’S an epic challenge – and the start is very early! Four golfers from Hallamshire will hit the fairways at 3.30am on June 28 with the aim of playing four rounds in a single day. They are raising money for the fantastic Macmillan Cancer Support charity. Hallamshire GC Heroes captain Tom Sadowski said: “We are proud to be sponsored for the day by IFM Insurance, White House Physiotherapy and etiCloud IT Support.” The foursome of Tom, Luke Fillingham, Jamie Shepherd and Jim Tasker have already surpassed their initial £2,000 target but are keen to raise as much as possible for the charity. People can search online for Macmillan HGC Heroes or follow this link – https://longestdaygolf.macmillan.org.uk/Team/hgcheroes

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May 2021

2020protour Second running of Yorkshire-based series attracts bumper numbers

Watson and Wilson in winners’ circle THERE was something of a storming of the Yorkshire ramparts as the 2020protour got its 2021 programme underway at Headingley Golf Club on Monday April 26th. Stoke Rochford’s Nick Watson, who finished the 2020 championship event at Fixby strongly back in October, was back on top form in Leeds where his -6 return was good enough to lift the purse of nearly £1,500. Another challenger for the 2020 tour title, Wath’s Nick Poppleton, was also out of the blocks early but his -5 was only enough to earn a joint second place alongside George Woolgar (Chesterfield) and Ashton Turner (Kenwick Park). Tying Bondhay’s Reece Samson in 5th place at -4 however was precocious Doncaster talent Josh Berry, the teenager finishing two strokes clear of his nearest amateur challenger. Peterborough Milton professional Thalia Martin carded an impressive -3 for a tie of 6th place and finish atop the ladies’ ladder, managing to come home in front of such eminent names as Graeme Storm, last year’s tour champion Nick McCarthy and 2020protour founder Chris Hanson, all on -2. Joe Dean, John Parry and Iain

2020 Order of Merit recap – McCarthy prevails, p16 Pyman were all in a group a further shot back. A bumper field of 102 golfers teed it up at Headingley, with six lady professionals and three lady amateurs, including Victoria Craig of the Royal Belfast club who travelled from Northern Ireland to compete. There was more of a Tyke flavour at the top of the amateur division where Josh Berry was two strokes ahead of home-club golfer, Headingley’s Ben Rhodes. Behind them Sam Bairstow (Hallowes) and Nicola Slater (Lindrick) shared joint third a further shot back alongside Prestbury’s Charlie Ward. Behind them on even par were George Mason (Wath), Stuart Easton (The Irvine GC), Formby’s Tom Hall and Max Baxendale of Manchester GC. ROUND TWO of the 2020protour stopped off at Romanby on Bank Holiday Monday – but the weather gods were not smiling on this occasion. In short, the heavy rain and

winds were a nightmare to contend with and in the event only 66 competitors carded scores, with 20 golfers having no return, including some of the traditional contenders. Andrew Wilson of Rockliffe Hall signed for an admirable -3 to tie at the top alongside Order of Merit 2020 champion Nick McCarthy. A play-off is in place for tied finishes, but Moortown’s McCarthy may well have been taking a turn in a tumble drier after the soaking most golfers got. He wasn’t available for the playoff so Wilson lifted the £1152 first prize. The pair were three shots ahead of a group of three golfers which included Wilson’s fellow Rockliffe pro, Eleanor Givens, alongside Kealan McAleer (Wheatley) and Wil Marklew (Furness GC). Top amateur was the consistent Headingley golfer Ben Rhodes on a commendable +1, a shot ahead of Cookridge Hall’s Harry Hunter-Mapp.

Romanby winner was Rockliffe Hall pro Andrew WIlson (left) Below – round 1 at Headingley was won by Nick Watson

The first ‘Major’ of the 2020protour season was Monday May 10 at Moortown Golf Club. Forthcoming events are: May 17 Wheatley (GTP Trio) May 24 Marriott Worsley Park June 3 Cleckheaton (4BBB) June 7 Crosland Heath June 14 Rockliffe (Major) June 21 Moor Allerton June 28 Howley Hall. For more details visit www.2020protour.co.uk

Better late than never, for Leeds & District’s 100th YOU wait 100 years for your big birthday ... and along comes a pandemic to spoil all your best laid plans. It will take more than Covid-19 however to stop the doughty members of the Leeds & District Union of Golf Clubs from celebrating their centenary in style. A delayed return to golf in 2021 means some plans are still being formulated but a full programme of events is already in the diaries of the 28 affiliated LDUGC member clubs. The actual centenary of the organisation which grew from a meeting of representatives of nine clubs at the Metropole Hotel in Leeds, was September last year. Centenary President Geoff Mortimer (pictured) said: “The executive intend to celebrate the Centenary throughout the playing season of 2021, culminating in a Grand Centenary Dinner in March 2022.” Meanwhile Hon Secretary John Grimbleby is on the lookout for historical memorabilia members or clubs may have tucked away, which could be used to illustrate a commemorative brochure. John can be reached for that – and any other Centenary inquiries – on email at johngrimbleby@hotmail.com

May 2021

Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs & The Yorkshire Ladies County Golf Association

County Card

Have you got yours? If not you’re missing out on a great opportunity to play discounted golf across the Broad Acres and throughout England

The County Card Scheme and Its Benefits The County Card is a Yorkshire-wide benefit available to any affiliated golf club member whose club has signed up to the scheme – and there are over 1,350 clubs in England who are participating members. What does it do? Having a County Card allows holders to play golf at a discounted rate at any other participating club. Each club can set its own discounted rate, but for golfers who like to get out and about, experiencing a variety of courses and clubs, it is what is popularly known as “a no-brainer!” So how much does the County Card cost? Here’s the bit that even the most thrifty Yorkshire man or woman will appreciate – right now, the County Card costs nothing. It is free! Because of last year’s extremely difficult Covid-19 situation the Yorkshire Union of Golf

Clubs with the cooperation of The Yorkshire Ladies County Golf Association made the decision to provide subscriber clubs with 30 free County Cards to distribute as they saw fit amongst members. The idea was to promote club membership as that is a condition of owning a County Card, which would normally cost just £10 for a year, which runs from April 1 to March 31. Affiliated clubs can use the issuing of County Cards as an incentive for members to renew subscriptions on time, or even ‘loan’ them out for single use for individuals or small groups of golfers to visit participating clubs. What’s the situation now? With the latest lockdown running through most of the first four months of the year, the YUGC and YLCGA took the decision to improve the offer this year to 50 County Cards free to affiliated clubs who wish to participate.

Yorkshire Gears up for Full Season of County & Championship Action After a 2020 season when most competitive and tournament golf at club, district and County level was at best curtailed or at worst abandoned, YUGC officials have been busy preparing a full programme for both Men’s and Boys’ participants in the months ahead. Contestants for the blue riband Yorkshire Amateur Championship will tee it up at Alwoodley Golf Club on Tuesday August 31st, but first to battle for a place on the County honours board will be the Boys Championships, staged at Bradford Golf Club on Thursday June 3rd. The Seniors Championship follows on Monday/Tuesday June 14/15 at Doncaster Golf Club. The Yorkshire Team Championship travels to Ganton on Wednesday July 21st while a week later the 9-hole Club Championship is hosted by Waterfront Golf. The last big title will be fought for at Rotherham Golf Club between Friday 17th and Sunday 19th of September when the Yorkshire Match Play is decided. For a full diary of County fixtures, stay up to date by visiting the YUGC website.

And how do I obtain a County Card? Simple – just go see your club secretary/manager and request one. Administration of them goes through the responsible person at your golf club. How can I check if my club is eligible to participate in the County Card scheme? It is easy to check whether your club is affiliated by visiting the website. The link is at www.yugc.co.uk/participating-clubs-yorkshire/ indeed everything relative to the County Card can be found there. There’s also an index, county by county, of every club currently signed up to the County Card scheme across England, detailing where you can use it. Just call the club, book your tee-time, check the discounted fee and off you go. What if my club isn’t a registered member of the County Card scheme? Then now might be a good time to speak to your club committee members or board directors to encourage participation. Apart from being a bonus to golfers using one, the scheme helps bring in revenue from other County Card holders. Great – anything else I should know? You may only be able to use your card once per club visited each year, and sometimes in a group of no more than four, but just ring and check. Enjoy!

Grants for clubs still available The Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs still has funding available for member clubs with a wide range of ideas for developing their businesses. Grants will typically range from £250 to £1,000 for anything from encouraging new golfers or developing juniors, to training and attracting more volunteers to work on different schemes and projects. In addition the YUGC still has £150 grants to help clubs with signage to support the introduction of the new World Handicap System which began in November 2020. Although many golf clubs have already taken up the offer, there are still those who have yet to take advantage of it. For more detailed information about the schemes and to find out more about YUGC activities visit the website, www.yugc.co.uk

Keep up with what’s happening by visiting www.yugc.co.uk

May 2021

A Yorkshire Golfer Club Feature

HERE’S only really one thing I need to tell you about the rude good health of Doncaster Golf Club – they have a waiting list for membership. In fact, if I recall Honorary Secretary Duncan Macphee’s exact words, they may even be contemplating a waiting list for the waiting list. The club is clearly doing something very much right, especially by its members. Like any and every golf club they can always find room for more lady golfers – and juniors too, youngsters who are keen to follow in the footsteps of Yorkshire golfing wunderkind Josh Berry, a Doncaster member. Many golf clubs have understandably taken the opportunity to throw open their doors to new members during the various open/closed stages of the past year. For many it was a welcome, indeed necessary, financial boon. Doncaster however has kept its eyes very much on the long game. While significant work has continued both on and off the golf course, they put their solid core of members very much at the heart of the club’s focus. Dating back to 1894, the original Doncaster club moved to its current site in 1909 and during work to extend it to the 18 holes which opened in 1914, no less than the great Doctor himself, Alister MacKenzie, heaped praise on its natural advantages. He writes of “the Doncaster Links at Rossington” as “having more the character of the real seaside Links among the sand dunes than any inland Course I am acquainted with. The Links are of even a sandier nature than Ganton.” That sandy base provides for Doncaster’s sturdy year-round resilience and although today the majority of the course is more heathland in nature than links, it’s a geological heritage the committee have focussed on keenly. Tree-thinning and the encouragement of heathers, together with a progressive bunkering project overseen by Jonathan Gaunt, have all complemented the Doncaster experience. Not without reason is the course accessible for trolleys and buggies year-round, with the requirement for temporary winter greens a rarity. Many of MacKenzie’s observations of more

Run-offs on the impressive ‘new’ 11th hole, stay true to the clever moundings on the oroginal holes

Doncaster GC – in high demand than a century ago are still in evidence today. “I would suggest … that large bold hollows, varying in size and shape be cut out of the approach of several of your greens which are on the flat … this will have the effect of making a green appear as if it were on a plateau … The sand taken out of the green should be utilized for making large hummocks … at the back and sides of the greens.” It is indeed a feature of Doncaster’s large greens that swales and run-offs abound, providing a proper test of not just your short game but your imagination. Unless your tee-to-green game is immaculate, you will have to ‘see’ a variety of shots. It’s also quite refreshing to see grass bunkers feature, although going into the monster off the tee on the right side of the 8th

fairway is best avoided. MacKenzie’s 1913 view “that it is only a question of time and labour on the same lines to make the Doncaster Golf Course the equal, if not superior to any Links in Yorkshire” has certainly stood the test of time. Doncaster is an easy walking round of golf, with the character of the course changing slightly from holes 11-to-15 which were necessary additions in the 1970s. The construction of the nearby M18 motorway led to the enforced changes, but the layout still flows seamlessly to and from the stunning clubhouse with its panoramic views of tees and greens. Speaking of greens – and you could socially distance quite a crowd of people on some of these beasts – it’s probably advisable for mem-

bers not to overly upset head greenkeeper Roger Myatt late of a Friday afternoon. He could mischievously contrive pin positions for the Saturday monthly medal that would reduce grown men to tears. Back to the clubhouse and the imposing building sports various rooms and bars, just off the upstairs outdoor balcony, plus a function room that can accommodate 120 guests. The club is happy to host special events and functions, while there’s a warm welcome for societies and visiting groups – so long as Saturday is avoided, which is considered sacrosanct for members. There’s a reason the Doncaster golfing fraternity have been patiently waiting for membership opportunities to avail themselves.

HERE have been changes and progress off the course too, and members returned after lockdown to find Head PGA Professional Dan Hood and his fellow pro Danny Cowley showing off their newly completed driving range and teaching studio. The Trackman 4-fitted indoor studio can be quickly opened onto the driving range and has rapidly become a popular feature. The return to golf has seen a welcome dose of normality for ‘new’ pro Dan Hood, who arrived in post last April after seven years as an assistant pro at Fulford GC, before a stint as head pro at Richmond. Ahead of reopening, Doncaster was recognised with SafeGolf accreditation by England Golf in February, marking the club’s commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, as well as at-risk adults. In addition the club has signed up to the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, a commitment to promote and encourage women and girls’ participation in the sport. It’s fitting that Secretary Mr Macphee should speak with pride about the club’s commitment to building an ‘academy’ culture, looking firmly to its future, because Doncaster is very much in his blood. His father, Duncan Macphee Snr was recruited as head greenkeeper as long ago as 1938 from Lochgilphead GC in Scotland and

May 2021

11 Danny Cowley (left) and Dan Hood with their superb new studio and practice facility A view from the clubhouse balcony down the 1st hole at Doncaster

was still prepping it when Bing Crosby visited for a knock during the town’s Race Week in 1966. One of Macphee Snr’s latter tasks was to oversee the construction of the new holes with the advent of the M18 project and, job done, he retired in 1978 after a magnificent 40 years of service. A Pro-Am event to mark the reopening was appropriately won by Yorkshireman Howard Clark shooting 66, with no less than Sir Nick Faldo carding a modest 72 on a course with a par of 69 thanks to just one par 5 and four par 3s. Ancient and modern, Doncaster Golf Club still embodies everything that is great about the sport in Yorkshire.

DONCASTER GOLF CLUB 278 Bawtry Rd, Bessacarr, Doncaster South Yorkshire DN4 7PD (SATNAV USE DN4 7NY) Tel: 01302 865632 (pro shop) 868404 (office)

DONCASTER GOLF CLUB Yellow Tees 1 — 388yds par 4 An inviting, wide open drive for starters with plenty of room left of a bunker complex. A characteristic back-tofront, slightly raised green awaits with left and rear mounding of a nature you’ll quickly get used to. 2 — 379yds par 4 There are a good few doglegs on the course and this poses questions off the tee. There’s no need for driver if you stay right and find the slope on the corner that descends left towards the green. Bigger hitters can cut the corner and if they’re willing to take their chances, can get the ball very close. 3 — 381yds par 4 Favour the left side again on a handsome, open drive, because you can get blocked out on the right. Finding the big green is one thing, avoiding a three-putt is another. 4 — 167yds par 3 Slightly downhill and very pleasing on the eye. The mounding provides a backstop on a back-to-front sloping green with a distinct drop-off at the front. Sand and swales will gather anything wide of the mark. 5 — 420yds par 4 Stroke index 1 looks a narrower drive than it is, because it opens up beyond the trees in your line of sight. The hole gently rises towards another big putting surface with a false front and plenty of bunkering punishing anything short. 6 — 131yds par 3 A very pretty short hole, downhill into a basin of a green only slightly sloping towards you, inviting a shot right at the pin. There’s sand short, but also a novel elevated trap above the green on the left. Mounding at the rear acts as a backstop. 7 — 366yds par 4 A straight-on drive with fairway bunkers to both sides. The hole rises

towards a green with traps to left and right and a slope which if anything is back right to front left. 8 — 407yds par 4 A rising par 4 with everything looking straight-forward from the tee – but stay left because if you find the huge grass bunker on the right (that looks like a bomb crater) you’re not getting home in two. The bunkers all around the course are beautifully sculpted, although this hole has sand on the left but a devilish grass bunker on the right if you land on the wrong side of it. 9 — 368yds par 4 Back towards home, again the drive looks narrower than it is. The fairway bunker is well up the hole before the fairway rises to the closing green. 10 — 348yds par 4 A shorter par 4, again rising to a green just above you and protected by a combination of sand and grassy hollow. 11 — 194yds par 3 Onto the first of Doncaster’s ‘new’ holes and this is a super-inviting tee shot from an elevated tee down to a huge expanse of green, ringed by bunkers and mounds. A cracking par 3. 12 — 530yds par 4 The only par 5 on the course and a hole which requires careful navigating. First up are fairway bunkers and mounding, plus a ditch. More fairway sand awaits before your approach considers a ditch running at 45-degrees, from about 80 yards to 30 yards short of the green. No bunkers this time, but a pond lurks to the right. 13 — 413yds par 4 Stroke index two, a slight dogleg right to left with a fairway bunker marking the corner and mounding and trees protecting the right side. 14 — 359yds par 4 Dogleg left to right this time, again with a trap on the elbow where it’s easy to get blocked out. The hole again rises

to a well-protected green which if anything falls away left to right. 15 — 395yds par 4 Your drive is between two large sentinel trees on a hole a little bit up and over, with just a slight left-to-right hinge. Right side will leave you battling for position. The green must be nearly 40 yards front to back. 16 — 284yds par 4 Back on the original course footprint and this short hole is a potential cardwrecker. It can be reached off the tee, particularly when the ground is firm and if the breeze is following. But however well you hit it, the farther you go, the more you’re in the lap of the gods. A bumpy fairway can throw you into the trees short left, or bunker on the right, and you’re into an angled green with all the characteristic Doncaster defences. 17 — 144yds par 3 An uphill shortish par 3, so you won’t see the base of the flag. Just trust your yardage. 18 — 344yds par 4 All eyes will be on you from the clubhouse balcony as you head straight for home, down and then up from the tee. Fairway bunkers keep you honest, with both a large trap and pot bunker by possibly the largest green on the course. A super finish.

GOLFING AT WATERFRONT

2021 AT WATERFRONT GOLF

Waterfront Golf has gone through some huge changes in recent years, and our membership numbers continues to rise to the point that we have very limited spaces for 7 day members but still have spaces available for 5 day members. Annual subscriptions of £435 for 5 day and £535 for 7 day offer fantastic value for our 12 month full tees and greens course. We do not have any temporary tees or greens .... ever! Our nine hole course has eighteen different tees and our members have the option of 9 or 18 hole comps throughout the season. Our comps are open to all members gents and ladies alike. We have a thriving senior and mixed section at the club who play every week socially and in competitions.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES PLEASE CALL FRANK ON: 01709 877616 Our floodlit driving range has had a brand new makeover and our new putting and indoor studio which features Capto putting lab and Trackman 4 simulator is now open and ready for use. Our three coaches Frank Houlgate, Danny Walsh and Chris Dennis our European tour putting coach all have private studios for you to learn comfortably in. Frank and Danny both use TrackMan radar and video on all lessons and Chris uses Capto putting lab so you can learn everything you need at Waterfront Golf. The brand new Trackman 4 golf simulator is available to rent and is amazing when the weather is bad! Our fitting centre has Callaway, Ping, Taylor Made and Cobra available to try and we will match any genuine quote.

WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN ON PRICE!

SPECIAL OFFERS - LESSON PACKAGES All 3 of our coaches have special offers on this winter:Frank £160 for 4 hours Danny £150 for 4 hours Chris £180 for 2 one hour sessions, plus a 9 hole course lesson Call: 01709 877616 or visit www.waterfrontgolf.co.uk FOR INFO ON ANY OFFERS OR MEMBERSHIP. AND REMEMBER YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO USE ANY OF OUR FACILITIES AND OUR CLUBHOUSE IS MODERN RELAXED PLACE WITH NO DRESS CODE SO COME ALONG AND ENJOY A VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE

Our extensive menu is available every day, cooked fresh by one of our 3 chefs

May 2021

It’s all happening at the Waterfront

aterfront Golf have certainly been busy over the last winter lockdown period with developments at the facility. The family-owned business have pushed forward with another round of investment starting a clubhouse extension that should be ready for use once clubhouses are ready to welcome members and guests back inside. The patio area will be tripled in size around the putting green which offers stunning views over the course. The modern clubhouse which offers great food and drink will see the dining area double in size which is much needed as Nigel Thomson’s food went down a storm when they opened for the month of October in between lockdowns. Nigel has a huge following already especially for his renowned Sunday lunches! Another huge addition to the facility is Trackman range which sees every bay fitted with Trackman radar tracking technology. Trackman are the leaders in golf ball and golf club tracking in the world of golf. Owner and PGA Professional Frank Houlgate has been blown away by the accuracy of the system and Danny and Chris – Waterfront Golf’s other PGA teaching Professionals – are equally impressed. Danny said “It’s a real game changer for the driving range as people feel they have a real purpose to actually visit the range and see some tangible fact-based practice with numbers.” Chris is Waterfront’s stat man and tour putting coach. He said: “The numbers side is awesome but I am really looking forward to the golf courses coming online imminently, which sees players able to rent a bay by the hour including balls and a large screen and being able to play with pals around one of the hundreds of courses Trackman offer.” He added: “We have even had our very own Waterfront golf course mapped which should be fun if snow ever closes the course as we will still be able to hold comps through the course on the range – it is just amazing.”

Richard Jones, who is Waterfront’s head green keeper, has had his team boosted with the addition of Yorkshire champion Charlie Daughtrey. While still working on his golf, Charlie has started “keeping green” as he says. “Charlie’s wealth of golf course knowledge at a high level is great to have and is very keen to learn and improve the condition of the course,” Richard said. The par 3 course which has experienced issues with the stop-start nature that the pandemic brought to everything, is back in action and moving forward now and Waterfront hope to have the course laid out and ready for seeding later in the year. Frank added: “We had to keep ourselves busy with plans for the future and make as many improvements as we could just to keep our sanity over the bleak winter months. “We even had tour pro Jigger Thomson down offering his services as a volunteer, lifting patios and carpets and decorating as part of his winter fitness program! “It was great to see a young lad so keen to help out rather than do nothing. He is a great

Every bay at the Waterfront driving range is now equipped with state-of-the-art Trackman technology

golfer and as good a tradesman although I think he will be happier playing out in South Africa at the moment.” Waterfront Golf has lots to offer and welcomes all and is a great place to start and continue to enjoy golf or just socialising and enjoying some great company and lovely food and drink in a relaxed environment.

Nigel Thomson’s famous Sunday lunches are just one reason to visit Waterfront Golf

May 2021

HE days of golf practice being basically hitting cheap, rock-hard balls down a field with a few flags scattered about truly are a thing of the past – and nowhere moreso than at East Yorkshire’s premier golfing academy. The Matt Daley Golf Academy at Burstwick Country Golf has two large private air conditioned golf studios and the services of two PGA professionals in Matt Daley and Luke Bell. Whether golfers want expert tuition, club fitting or prefer to hire either one – or both – studios for their own competitive entertainment, their every need is guaranteed to be catered for. Both studios have Trackman 4 with indoor and outdoor radar tracking and in days when the customer doesn’t want to be at the whim of the unpredictable English weather, both studios are indoor and outdoor, with electric roller shutter and a pull screen across for indoor golf. For outdoor play, visitors to the Matt Daley Golf Academy hit premium 2piece golf balls onto a 300 yard driving range – so pull out that big stick and stretch yourself to the limit! The indoor simulators features 6-metre x 3-metre

screens with over 40 golf courses from around the world to choose from. Alternatively, guests can try their hands at nearest the pin or long drive challenges. Parties of up to four people can be accommodated in each studio, with a sliding glass door in between, so that larger parties can open up the facility and have eight players on two Trackmans playing together. Both studios are also equipped with comfortable sofas for golfers and their friends to sit on while using the studios. To enhance the overall experience, a state-of-the-art Sonos Sound system is installed in both studios and guests have the use of a free wifi service. In addition both studios are equipped with two 50inch screens in addition to the projector screens. The Matt Daley Academy is an authorised Premium custom fitter for Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping, Cleveland. Powerful floodlights make the studios perfect for evening hire. Coaching sessions by Matt Daley and Luke Bell can be booked online. Visit: http://lessons.burstwick.golf

Midnight golf? Nothing’s out of the question

May 2021

2020 RECAP How inaugural 2020protour went down to the wire at Huddersfield GC Peter has a way with words....

McCarthy lands Merit title THE climax of the inaugural 2020protour provided thrills all the way, as some of the county’s top golfers went toe-to-toe at Huddersfield Golf Club. The Fixby layout provided a stern test on the first Monday of October, with the last trio out, the three ‘Nicks’– McCarthy, Marsh and Poppleton – all in the running for a shot at the Order of Merit title. Beating par was a tough ask and the early starters got the best of the conditions, with finals day winner George Bloor (Cavendish) being one of the first out and coming home with -6. OOM leader McCarthy was never in the running for the prize in the final event, but home golfer Marsh, who won the early-season running at Fixby, had a real chance going down the last. Marsh had made the turn at -4, but couldn’t improve until he drained a rapid, sliding birdie putt on 17 to stand at -5 with the par 5 18th to come. But a poor tee shot left him a long blind shot over the top, and when he pulled his second into heavy rough, and had to hack out into another bad lie, the resulting bogey dropped him into a tie for second. The fact that his playing partner, Wath’s Nick Poppleton, birdied the

SELBY GC member Peter Rickaby, 80years-young, was so frustrated by the absence of golfing action this past year that it brought out the poet in him. Thanks to his daughter Rachel for sharing it with YG readers. Our car park is empty, a vast open space Parking bays desperate to hear The sound of car engines And members with gear Trees alone guarding fairways Rakes in bunkers asleep Members not allowed near Not even for a peep

The ‘three Nicks’ (McCarthy, Poppleton and Marsh) depart the 18th at Fixby, but the winner was Moortown’s McCarthy

last, was cold comfort for the man who went into finals day needing six birdies to hit 100 for the 2020protour and land the huge £20,000 bonus. Poppleton had bagged four of the required six heading to the 16th green, but despite giving himself birdie putts both there and at the par-

3 17th, he saw his efforts just miss, meaning the consolation 4 at the last left him on an agonising 99 birdies. The last group’s results of -4 for Marsh, -1 for Poppleton and level par for Moortown’s McCarthy left the Leeds golfer hanging on as tour champion. A win at Huddersfield would have given John Parry a £10,000 bonus but the Harrogate man fell just shy on -4, tied for 2nd with Marsh and home amateur Dylan

Shaw-Radford, Howley Hall’s Ben Hutchinson and Nick Watson of Stoke Rochford GC. Brogan Townend of Pleasington GC was top lady on the day with -2 for a tie in 8th. It was a day when there was drama from the start. A late entrant but multi-tour winner in 2020 Andrew Wilson (Rockliffe) was off early with Sam Rook, but when the pair drove from the wrong tee on the 3rd hole they were disqualified. In the post-tournament nearestthe-pin shootout, using a modified tee on Fixby’s 11th, Humza Rafique of Cookridge Hall came through the field to win the prize.

Greens are immaculate Courtesy of loving care Spike marks not to be seen, anywhere, Squirrels still abound Fairway and rough Their happy playground When the Club House reopens Social division no more Members will re-engage in frolic and fun Whilst imbibing good beer And devouring a caterer’s bun Covid is over The sun shining bright On the first tee members will quickly recall The mood swings of a golf ball Some go left Many to the right A ball down the middle A beautiful sight!

Helping the community at heart of club’s return to golf Kirkby Lonsdale golf club is busy helping the local area bounce back following the coronavirus pandemic. The club is keen to increase its membership but also wants to help boost the local economy by attracting visitors to the area. It has set up a range of ‘Stay and Play’ offers with local hotels. The staycation packages include accommodation, meals and rounds of golf at the picturesque club, which nestles in the lovely Lune Valley between Casterton and Barbon. “The idea is to attract golfers with their partners and families for ‘stay and play’ visits to the area,” said club member Robin Ree. “We are in South Lakeland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park and close to the Lake District. This is fabulous walking country and the town of Kirkby Lonsdale has such a lot to offer.” There was a resurgent interest in golf, locally and nationally, said golf club secretary and manager David Towers. “We enjoyed the best first week in April for five years – there is a real hunger for golf,” he said. Membership is on the increase and stands at around 380 members, including an active and growing group of lady members. The club has various initiatives planned to attract even more. PGA Trainee Professional Ellie Broome has boosted the number of juniors to around 60 by running regular Saturday classes and golfing camps when Covid restrictions allowed. The club has a six-hole Academy course and Ellie and Head PGA professional John Twissell are running two ‘Get into Golf’ beginners’ classes – a ladies group and a mixed group, while the club has applied

to Golf England to help its Girls Golf Rocks initiative. During the lockdowns the greenkeeping team has been busy on the course and covers for four of the ten driving range bays have been added. Kirkby Lonsdale was established in 1906 and has been at its present site since 1991. The 18-hole course measures 6,594 yards and is laid out in more than 160 acres of spectacular countryside. The layout provides two nine-hole loops out and back to the clubhouse. The River Lune and Barbon Beck both run through the course, which offers amazing views of Barbon Fell and the Howgills. The course is also a haven for wildlife, including roe deer, rabbits, hares, stoats and weasels. There is a heronry and nesting swans, ducks and geese on the lake. The club runs various local charity initiatives. Lady captain Kate Hampshire has chosen Cumbria Wildlife Trust as her charity and with help from members has been able to put up bird boxes and plant wildflower seeds to increase the biodiversity around the course. Other facilities include a swing room with launch monitor and short game chipping area. A variety of membership deals are available but people can book to play even if they are not members. “We just want people to come to the club to play a game of golf and hopefully they will be impressed and want to play again or join the club,” said club vice-captain Graham Bywater. To book a round or inquire about membership contact the Pro Shop on 015242 76366 or book a tee time at www.kirkbylonsdalegolfclub.com

May 2021

Bradbury’s record breaking US career WAKEFIELD-born Dan Bradbury wrapped up a stellar four-year US collegiate career with an impressive third place in the South/Southeast NCAA Division 2 Championships. The former Kettlethorpe High School pupil has been re-writing the record books at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee, including finishing the no.1 ranked golfer in NCAA Division II colleges. The US Collegiate system ranks universities by division, largely reflecting the size and resources of organisations which might have 40,000-plus students, to others with just a few hundred. In Division 1, Alex Fitzpatrick of Wake Forest University was ranked 3 in the USA with John Pak of Florida State no.1. Pak was defeated by our own Barclay Brown in day 1 of the Walker Cup singles. In April Bradbury led the LMU ‘Railsplitters’ to the South

Atlantic Conference title for only the 4th time in its history, setting a championship record in the process. He also became the most successful golfer in LMU’s history picking up his 9th individual title. Indeed, when Bradbury carried off the Conference Championship with a -20 total

he was a full 10 shots ahead of fellow LMU golfer and Welshman Luke Harries in second place on -10. Lincoln Memorial University is based in Harrogate, Tennessee, and it seems the Yorkshireman has felt very much at home. Amongst his other accolades in 2020 he was the South Atlantic Conference Golfer of the Year, in 2018/19 as a sophomore student he won the Myrtle Beach Intercollegiate and Bearcat Classics, and in his first year in 2017/18 he was named South Atlantic Conference Freshman Golfer of the Year and won the Tennessee River Rumble tournament. Following his third place finish in the regional championships, the former Yorkshire Boys captain was named the South Atlantic Conference’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

‘I’ll be back’ says Woosie after inaugural event

Ilkley President Nigel Jenkinson, Ian Woosnam, winner Liam Bond and WtY’s James Mason

THE inaugural Welcome to Yorkshire Ian Woosnam Senior Classic was hailed a success by all concerned in September 2020 – and hopes are high that a repeat event could feature in 2021. Liam Bond won the tournament at Ilkley Golf Club after a stunning first round 65. The two day event began with a pro-am featuring football stars Ryan Giggs, Robbie Fowler, and former Leeds player Tony Dorigo, playing alongside Yorkshire cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, former Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos player Danny McGuire and BBC TV presenter Dan Walker. Woosie, the 1991 Masters champion, said he would love to return for a future event. He was joined for an entertaining Q&A session by Ilkley member and for-

mer Ryder Cup captain Mark James, plus Catriona Matthew OBE, who captained Team Europe to victory at the 2019 Solheim Cup in Gleneagles, Scotland. Matthew will again serve as the European captain for the 2021 Solheim Cup. Commenting on the event team, Welcome to Yorkshire’s Chief Executive James Mason said: “Wow, what a great two days with the backdrop of some stunning Yorkshire scenery. “The success of the event has given us just a taster of the kind of things we might see here in Yorkshire in the future and a hint of the boost this could be for tourism. “There are so many amazing golf courses in the county with spectacular countryside and coastal backdrops and we want to make sure everyone knows about them.”

May 2021

TONY HOWARTH,

Academy Director at Scarthingwell Golf Academy

Pilates great for warm-ups Staying fit and flexible is a key element of getting the best out of your golf game, whatever your age. As we all get back into golf, here are some handy tips for keeping yourself in the best shape... GOLF typically doesn’t find itself associated with the physical pounding and taxing of the body as other sports such as football, basketball or rugby. Nevertheless, you may be quite astonished to uncover the amount of strain that the physique of a golfer truly endures. At each turn of a drive and with each bend of the knees, golfers put themselves in jeopardy of overusing particular muscles. A great way of helping your body cope with this strain is to do some simple Pilates exercises that can be a fabulous addition to your golf. In fact, payback associated with this style of exercise has ranged from advanced core strength to enhanced flexibility to greater body balance. Besides injury prevention, the totality of these benefits has been linked to positively impacting the golf swing. The way that Pilates assists the golf swing begins with posture. Extraordinary attention is given to the position of the spine. This stimulates the reduction of lower back tension for players. As a result, the swing becomes more precise since enhanced posture eases other portions of the body such as the shoulders and wrists. Developed mechanics make for a greater probability that a swing can become more powerful and accurate. Regardless of age, this basic Pilates exercise will help you create a better turn on your backswing and increased flexibility.

exhale as you rotate your shoulders smoothly to a full turn. Hold for a second, take a deep breath in as you return to the centre. Fig 3: Take a deep breath in and then exhale as you rotate your shoulders smoothly to a full turn in the opposite direction. Hold for a second, take a deep breath in as you return to the centre. Repeat this process six times, ensuring the arms stay level with the shoulders and the palms remain facing upwards This exercise can also be repeated whilst seated (Fig 4) and also by introducing a golf club whilst rotating (Fig 5) Take advantage of your time away from the course to work on your flexibility and core strength and you will see the benefit when you return to play!

hip turn for greater power through rotation. Create a smoother and more powerful swing due to evenly conditioned back muscles. Maximize balance and alignment while rotating. Decrease fatigue because of less strain on the body. Play without pain!

The performance benefits for golfers are as follows: Attain an optimal backswing and follow-through with increased range of motion in shoulders and trunk (Fig 6 and Fig 7). Get more distance and power because of added hip and torso flexibility. Have a stronger and bigger

BOTH Pilates and golf share the same basic principles. The golf swing principles are fluid motion, precision, accuracy and power, and Pilates principles focus on control, concentration, centring, precision, flow of motion and correct breathing techniques. You can try these exercises anywhere.

Fig 1: Start standing upright with your arms out to the sides at shoulder high, palms facing upwards Fig 2: Take a deep breath in and then 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, 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

GREEN FEE OFFER £20 PER PERSON Monday-Friday

£25 PER PERSON

Saturday-Sunday To book telephone reception

01937 557878

For details on our 2021 MEMBERSHIP OFFERS contact TONY HOWARTH

01937 557878

Scarthingwell Lane, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, LS24 9PF T: 01937 557878 tony.howarth@scarthingwellgolfcourse.co.uk www.scarthingwellgolfcourse.co.uk @GolfPick

ScarthingwellGolfCourse

One of Yorkshire’s Friendliest Golfing Venues

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY... “I was excited about playing a course with a reputation for a friendly atmosphere. It did not disappoint – I was met with a very professional and cheerful welcome.” “York is blessed with some really good courses and you can put this one right up near the top!” “Thanks again for another great day’s golfing, yet again the course was in immaculate condition.”

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FILEY GOLF CLUB

West Avenue, Filey t: 01723 513293 www.fileygolfclub.com

THE BRIDLINGTON LINKS

Flamborough Road, Bridlington t: 01262 401584 www.bridlington-links.co.uk

SCARBOROUGH SOUTH CLIFF Deepdale Avenue, Scarborough t: 01723 360522 www.southcliffgolfclub.com

Bridlington and the surrounding coastline proudly boasts six of Yorkshire’s finest golf courses all located within a short distance of each other, offering golfers of all abilities an excellent test of golf on six very different and contrasting courses Working together the six participating golf clubs continue to offer the hugely popular East Coast Golf Passport scheme which offers visitors to the area the opportunity to play at the courses and enjoy savings on the normal Green Fees of up to 50%.

How to apply for this great deal? Simple, just contact the office at Bridlington Golf Club, tel. 01262 606367 seven days a week or e-mail enquiries@bridlingtongolfclub.co.uk and let us take care of the arrangements for you.**

The Special reduced cost of your passport is:

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*Terms and conditions apply **Dates subject to availability ***Offer is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

The Belvedere Hotel

In conjunction with the East Coast Golf Passport

Three Day Golf Break £165 Inc. 3 rounds of golf & 2 nights b&b

Four Day Golf Break £230 Inc. 4 rounds of golf & 3 nights b&b

Five Day Golf Break £295 Inc. 5 rounds of golf & 4 nights b&b

Please contact us on 01262 606367 e: info@belvederehotelandgolf.co.uk