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September 2019
BACK TO HIS BEST
Trophy-hunting Haigh in imperious form 99 not out – Irene celebrates in style Walker Cup - Fitz in but Schmidt omitted
Photo: Cameron Thomson
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September 2019 Yorkshire Golfer is published by League Weekly Ltd, 31 Branch Road, Batley, W. Yorks WF17 5SB Tel 01924 470296 for subscriptions & deliveries Contents are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced wholly or in part without permission of the publishers
IN THIS ISSUE COVER STORY Malton & Norton’s David Haigh had a stunning few weeks, lifting the Yorkshire Amateur, the Westwood Trophy and York Open p4 and p5 MIXED FORTUNES Alex Fitzpatrick gets Walker Cup call-up but there’s disappointment for world-ranked Ben Schmidt p6 CAPTAIN’S PICK Jodi Ewart Shadoff (right) got the nod from Team Europe captain Catriona Matthew for the looming Solheim Cup battle with the USA p8
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Sandra Kirton 07771 885757 sandra@yorkshire-golfer.com mike@yorkshire-golfer.com @yorkshiregolfer
find us online: www.yorkshiregolfer.net LEEDS CUP Abbeydale professional Gareth Davies came from two shots back to win golf’s oldest pro tournament at Cobble Hall p9
HOLLY JUST HOLDS ON Sheffield pro lifts PGA 1-day Order of Merit BEST FROM THE WEST Three Halifax-Huddersfield Union juniors were in the silverware with a unique treble of victories p12
GOLFING INSPIRATION Garforth assistant Aidan Healey channels his magic meeting with Ian Poulter to help kids p16/17
PLAY IT AGAIN SKIP Hallamshire’s Barclay Brown will captain GB & Ireland against the cream of Europe – with two fellow Tykes in the team p24 JUST ACE 21-year-old Matt Morrison bagged not just one, but two holes-in-one in the space of three holes at Shipley Golf Club p25
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, OCTOBER 8, 2019
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September 2019
EXAMPLE TO US ALL Doncaster Town Moor member is still going strong after 59 years at South Yorkshire club
Irene marks her 99th birthday in style with regular round of golf THERE’S no puttering around for Irene Chesterton, who celebrated her 99th birthday with her usual round of golf at Doncaster Town Moor “Chessy”, as she is known around the club, has been a member at Town Moor for 59 years and was chauffeured in her suitably birthday-adorned golf buggy around nine holes that she played in the company of her regular playing partners. Her round was followed by a celebration in the clubhouse, which was attended by more friends and club cap-
tain Ricky Brentnall. Having thoroughly enjoyed her day she stood up to thank everyone profusely and regaled guests with stories from her past. Over her time at Town Moor Golf Club, situated in the middle of Doncaster Racecourse, she has twice been ladies champion and remains a very active member, still well known for her straight shots down the fairway and her fine putting, as well as for putting on a bit of a show at Christmas. The retired local government work-
99-year-old Irene Chesterton tees off during her birthday round
er used to come down to play after work, along with her husband George, who died around 10 years ago. They both took up the game after George retired from playing cricket. Club trustee Juliet Swinbourne, who says members are amazed by Irene, commented: “We’ve never had anyone else playing at 99, and I’ve never heard of it anywhere else either. “She says her eyesight is not what it was, and that she sometimes sees two balls, but she still hits the ball really straight. She goes around the course with a buggy now too rather than walking the whole course. “She’s had three holes in one over the years and is still really fit and active. As a golf club we are very proud of our oldest, longest-standing member” Irene’s daughter, Sheila Sanderson, said: “I’ve been for a round of golf with her and she still beats me. She has had great health. “I know she’d love to still be playing when she’s 100, and we will see how she goes – she’s really quite an inspiration.” The event was filmed by Paul Ogden for BBC Look North and televised later that evening.
Hornsea rise all way to the top at Fixby HORNSEA exceeded their own expectations when they won the YUGC Team Championship at Huddersfield Golf Club. Hornsea Director of Golf Stretton Wright said: “To stay in Division One was the primary goal and a top-six finish was probably the height of our expectations, but to win it was a fantastic achievement, especially for a little golf club like Hornsea.” Wright believes that consistently good greens are a big help in developing talent, but feels the competition for places and the spirit within the club are even more compelling reasons for Hornsea’s triumph. “There are a lot of good players here now and three lads who didn’t play went along to caddie, which shows what a great team spirit we have, and our scratch team organiser Sam Middletown is very much at the heart of that,” he added “The three players who won for us – Luke Robinson and Matty and Nick Raybould – have played for Yorkshire and are all good golfers. “Luke was a junior member here and the Rayboulds have been a big part of this club for a few years now.” Their combined winning
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Hornsea’s triumphant team, left to right, Nick Raybould, Matthew Raybould and Luke Robinson score of 440 was three clear of host club Huddersfield and Phoenix Golf Club. Malton & Norton’s David Hague had the best combined score over 36 holes following rounds of 70 and 67. Oliver Sullivan from Phoenix won the prize for the best first round with a 69, a score matched in the afternoon by Cleckheaton & District’s
Chris Green. Hornsea go on to compete in the English Champion Club tournament at Romford on September 21. Bedale’s Andy Jamieson, left, is feeling just ace following his first hole in one after playing for 49 years. Andy holed a crisply-struck 8-iron tee shot on Bedale’s 16th hole while playing in a friendly fourball.
Doncaster Town Moor’s Irene Chesterton cuts her cake during the clubhouse celebrations staged for her 99th birthday
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September 2019
YORKSHIRE AMATEUR Otley’s Tomkinson battles hard but Malton & Norton man-of-the-moment too good
Hague just imperious as he adds the county crown England international’s appetite for success sees him feast on three wins in month of August
Malton & Norton’s David Hague gets his final round underway en route to winning the Yorkshire amateur championship at Pannal Golf Club Pictures: Chris Stratford
DAVID HAGUE’S purple patch continued with a two-shot victory in the Yorkshire Amateur Championship at Pannal. Malton & Norton’s Hague won’t forget the month of August in a hurry as it saw him win the York Open, pick up the Westwood Trophy and triumph at Pannal over Otley’s Phil Tomkinson, who had led after 36 and 54 holes. England international Hague was in constant pursuit of former Yorkshire Order of Merit winner Tomkinson, who led by four after opening with rounds of 70 68, and the two were already ‘course and distance’ winners having collected the Pannal Rose Bowl in the past. That advantage was halved in the final morning when Hague added a 71 to his opening rounds of 72 70 when the Otley man carded 73. With the two well clear of the rest of the field the final round became a matchplay contest with Hague eventually prevailing. Hague missed from 12ft for birdie at the first in an attempt to reduce the margin immediately, but just one hole later they were level. Tomkinson finally found his errant tee shot with seconds to spare and had to hack out and failed to save par. Hague’s pitch to 3ft set up an easy birdie and they went to the third tee level on four under par. The pendulum swung in Tomkinson’s favour again at the shorth third when he got up and down from a greenside trap and Hague bogeyed. But the Malton & Norton man bounced back to birdie the next and followed that with another birdie from 6ft to lead by two. Tomkinson countered with a birdie at the seventh, but Hague’s tee shot at the 344 yard eighth almost found the short stuff and set up a birdie. So at the turn Hague led by two on six under and that advantage was doubled at the 11th when Hague’s exquisite pitch to 3ft set up another birdie and Tomkinson missed from 6ft for par.
Otley’s Phil Tomkinson with the runner-up trophy Hague’s first serious error of the round followed on the next hole when he failed to get out of a greenside trap at the first attempt and had to stomach a double bogey. Both birdied the next to keep the margin at two in favour of Hague and then Tomkinson closed to within one at the 15th when he got it up and down and Hague did not. But Hague was unlucky not
to eagle the par-5 16th when his greenside chip shaved the hole and a tap-in birdie returned his lead to two. A rare show of emotion showed the significance of that passage of play as Hague sensed he had an advantage. Neither could salvage par at the short 17th, and with a twoshot cushion Hague pulled out a long iron for his tee shot at the downhill 345-yard closing hole. Tomkinson had little option but to take driver and hit a cracker, but Hague hit his approach to 20ft for a comfortable closing par and a two-shot win. Three players finished three back of Tomkinson. Rotherham’s Charlie Daughtrey closed with an excellent 68, after scores of 73 73 74, to finish level par with first-round leader Tom Broxup, of Cookridge Hall) (69 76 73 70) and Hornsea’s Jack Maxey (71 76 70 71). Hague now has two important dates in his diary this month that start at Frilford Heath on September 15 when he will represent Yorkshire in the Men’s County Champion of Champions . And just two days later he is expected to tee it up at Stoke by Nayland in the first stage of the European Tour qualifying school.
Phil Tomkinson launches into a drive as he put eventual winner David Hague under constant pressure in the final round
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September 2019
SO CLOSE Battling Hollingsworth just unable to emulate Schmidt to keep Westwood Trophy in Rotherham hands
Hague has vital say at the last MALTON & NORTON’S David Hague dashed local hopes with a final-hole birdie to win the prestigious Lee Westwood Trophy at Rotherham Golf Club. The England squad player was in the mix for a Walker Cup place later this month, but struggled with a virus at the start of the season that seriously curtailed his golf. However, he bounced back in dramatic fashion to pip local hero and Rotherham member Lewis Hollingsworth. Spurred on by family, friends and Rotherham members, Hollingsworth was bidding to become the second home winner in consecutive years following Ben Schmidt’s victory last year and had a oneshot lead over the field playing the 72nd and final hole. But his drive found the trees to the right of the fairway leaving him with no shot to the
green on the long par-4. Hague saw his opportunity and hit an arrow-like long iron to the heart of the green leaving a tap-in for birdie and the championship. Hague said: “I played steadily from tee to green all week, but struggled on the greens,” which, he said, were the best he had encountered all season. “It has been a tough week for everybody with the wind being so gusty.” Hague’s timely win lifted a cloud on a difficult year. “I hadn’t played competitive golf until May and this was only my fifth WAGR event all year. But I’m fully fit again now and very happy to have won this event,” he said. Losing on the last was a bitter pill for Hollingworth who had performed well all week in very difficult conditions that saw none of the players in the field of 108 finish the World
England international David Hague, of Malton & Norton, receives the prestigious Lee Westwood Trophy from the former world No 1’s mum Trish at Rotherham Golf Club Amateur Golf Ranking event under par. Westwood’s mum, Trish, presented the prizes as Hague joined an illustrious list of winners that includes the names of European Tour player David Horsey, Walker Cup legend Gary Wolstenholme, Rotherham’s Sam Haywood
and Wath’s Nick Poppleton. Wath’s Nick Poppleton was unable to hold on to a two-shot lead and eventually finished third in the HotelPlanner.com Championship at Frilford Heath Golf Club. Poppleton was in great form at the start of the week with rounds of 65 and 67, but closed
with a 72 following a disappointing back nine and ended up three shots behind Bradley Moore from Kedleston Park, which earned him a cheque for £3,000. It was Moore’s first win as a professional, and in an emotional post round interview he said: “I thought it was going to
be a grind. Me and Nick (Poppleton) had a two- and three-shot lead most of the round so it was just one of them where, if I kept doing what I was doing all week, I was in a good position to do that more easier than Nick possibly. I almost snuck in the backdoor really in the last six holes there.” Rockliffe Hall’s Chief Executive, Eamonn Elliott, recently successfully completed an Olympic triathlon at Castle Howard, the first stage of his bid to raise £5,000 for the family of a former colleague who died in March. Next, Eamonn will host a special golf day at the five-star resort on Tuesday, September 3, to raise further funds for the family of Laura Cafferty. Eamonn worked with Laura at two other hotels during his career, most recently at The Grand Jersey Hotel, where Laura was Spa Manager. In 2017, at the age of just 34, doctors found a cancerous tumour on Laura’s leg and she was later diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Leiomyosarcoma. Laura travelled from her home on Jersey to Southampton for intensive chemotherapy and continued to search for alternative treatments abroad, including Mexico. Sadly, the treatment didn’t work and the cancer metastasised to her pelvis and back. Laura died on March 25 this year, leaving her husband, Karl, and their two-yearold daughter, Maya.
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September 2019
MIXED FORTUNES Hallamshire player makes GB&I Walker Cup team but in-form Rotherham ace is overlooked
Fitzpatrick is in but Schmidt misses out
Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt
Picture: Leaderboard Photography
BEN SCHMIDT’S omission from the ten-man 2019 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team to face America at Royal Liverpool has drawn mixed reactions. Danny Willett’s caddie Sam Haywood, a fellow member of Schmidt’s at Rotherham Golf Club, hit out at the “baffling” decision by selectors to leave out one of the rising stars of English golf. Haywood took to social media after the side was confirmed for the match, which will be played over the weekend of September 7 and 8. Haywood’s message read: ‘Nothing quite like some Walker Cup drama every time it comes round it just baffles everyone cheers to the old boys that know their golf.” The decision rather overshadowed the inclusion of Hallamshire’s Alex Fitzpatrick in the side, and how proud a moment it could have been to have two Yorkshire players walk out together to take on the Yanks. When the team was named on August 19 Schmidt was the second highest GB&I player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, sitting in eighth place, and the 17-year-old has had a hugely impressive season. In June, while still 16, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Brabazon Trophy. He
also won the Carris Trophy and Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, finished third in the Fairhaven Trophy, and represented England in the European Boys’ Team Championship. However, none of that was enough to earn a nod from Walker Cup selectors who, instead, picked him as first reserve, much to the disappointment of many. He failed to make the matchplay stages of the US Amateur by a shot where Fitzpatrick made it through to the last 16, but some shrewd observers thought his name had already been inked on the team sheet by then. And the word from Pinehurst during America’s most prestigious amateur event from the US team members was that they fully expected to be facing the precocious Rotherham youngster when they arrived in the UK. GB&I captain Craig Watson said: “It has been a very difficult decision to select ten players for Great Britain and Ireland from a strong squad, but we have been very impressed with the results of those we have picked and we believe they will give us the best
chance of regaining the Walker Cup against a strong American team.” The ten chosen include The Amateur champion James Sugrue, the English Amateur champion Conor Gough, and Conor Purcell, who won the Australian Amateur Championship earlier this year. Fitzpatrick, younger brother of Ryder Cup star Matt, was selected alongside Scotland’s Euan Walker, who finished runner-up in both The Amateur Championship and European Amateur Championship. The side is completed by Harry Hall, Thomas Plumb and Caolan Rafferty, as well as Tom Sloman and Sandy Scott. One man who can offer a unique perspective is Yorkshire Union secretary Jonathan Plaxton. He narrowly missed out on a place in the 1982 team at the same venue Royal Liverpool and then went on to become Chairman of selectors for the Walker Cup from 20112105. “I’m sure that if you asked Ben that he would be realistic about the decision and pleased to have been recognised by being named first reserve and don’t forget that first reserve
‘There are some weaknesses in the WAGR rankings’
Ewen Furguson was called up when Sam Horsfield pulled out in 2015,” he said. “I can sympathise with the selectors who have a very difficult job to do. Ben has achieved an awful lot in a very short space of time whilst the others have done it over a longer period. “Some have drawn conclusions from Ben’s world ranking, but those who really understand the way the World Amateur Golf Rankings work know there are some weaknesses, and these may have been shown up.” The R&A have already acknowledged that they plan to make “fundamental” changes to the way the WAGR is compiled from 2020. “That’s why the R&A employ three individuals to watch a number of players over a long period of time and they have not had much time to watch Ben simply because of the short period of time his impressive wins and performances have come over. “My understanding is that there has been some criticism because Ben did not go to the last squad get together at Royal Liverpool, but from what I know the R&A encouraged him to play in the Carris instead, which was at the same time, as it was felt he would benefit more from playing there.”
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September 2019
CAPTAIN’S PICK Europe leader Matthew shows faith in Yorkshire star’s Solheim Cup credentials
Jodi excited to face USA on home soil NORTH Yorkshire’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff will line up for Europe in this month’s Solheim Cup at Gleneagles after being named as one of four captain’s picks for the match against the USA. European captain Catriona Matthew also chose France’s Celine Boutier, English star Bronte Law and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen for the biennial contest, which will be played from September 13-15. Middleham-born Ewart Shadoff has played in two Solheim Cups, 2013 and 2017, and has had four top-ten finishes this season. Scotland’s Matthew, who has played in nine Solheim Cups, explained the reasoning behind her four selections, said: “Bronte’s and Celine’s excellent recent form speaks for itself in terms of why I selected them, and I think they are both going to have fantastic Solheim Cup debuts. “I chose Jodi and Suzann for their vast experience, their recent good form and because I know exactly what they bring to the European team room.”
Three of the captain’s picks were in the room at Gleneagles on August 14 when Matthew announced her final line-up, but Ewart Shadoff was not able to attend after having had a minor procedure the week before. Ewart Shadoff said: “I am really excited to be part of Catriona’s team. I think the team looks incredibly strong, probably the strongest team I’ve been a part of, and I’m honoured to have been chose by the captain to be part of it. This will be my first Solheim Cup in Europe and just to experience the home crowd will be amazing and a big advantage for us.” She revealed back in February that her main target for this season was to make the Solheim Cup team and decided to play more events in Europe rather than continue to compete on the LPGA Tour from her base in Florida. She said: “Being on Team Europe for The Solheim Cup is my number one goal. I haven’t won yet, on the LPGA or LET, but I feel ready.” Her family still live in
Middleham-born Jodi Ewart Shadoff, right, pictured with Solheim Cup team-mate Charley Hull during celebrations that followed Europe’s 2013 triumph in Denver 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. But Jodi was never interested in horses. “We put her on a pony when she was about five and when it started to walk, she started crying. I don’t think she ever went near a horse after that, “recalled Zoe.
Dougherty at YUGC dinner THE Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs has announced Investec Wealth & Investment as a corporate supporter for the 125th Annual Dinner. Investec specialise in investing for individual clients, charities and trusts and have managed YUGC’s investments for over 10 years. Kevin Tucker, President, said that he was delighted to make the announcement in
YUGC’s 125th anniversary year and said Investec’s support had made it possible to engage Nick Dougherty, the Sky TV presenter, as the principal speaker at the annual dinner. It will be held at York Racecourse on November 1 and will also be attended by Clive Edgington the Captain of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club and Jenny Clink, the President of England Golf.
September Quiz 1. Established in 1891, which Yorkshire golf club started in the village of Heath and relocated two miles away to Woodthorpe in 1911? 2. Which Yorkshire golfer won the British Masters at Woburn in 2015? 3. Founded in 1900, Cleckheaton Golf Club was designed by which Yorkshire-born golf architect? 4. Which Yorkshire golf course is closest to the Battle of Towton (1416), the most infamous and bloodiest conflict of the War of the Roses? 5. The English men’s amateur 72-hole stroke-play championship for the Brabazon Trophy was held at which Yorkshire golf club this year? 6. At which Yorkshire golf course would you cross a footbridge over the River Ure to play holes 5-13? 7. Bernard Gallagher OBE, three-time Ryder Cup captain, opened the new clubhouse at which North Yorkshire golf club in 1998? 8. Golf was played for the first time on April 8, 1933 at which golf club, located on parkland three miles to the west of Leeds city centre? 9. Bingley St Ives Golf Club is the home club to which Yorkshireman who has caddied for Seve Ballesteros, Darren Clarke, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods and Matthew Fitzpatrick? 10. Open Champions James Braid and Harry Vardon were commissioned to create an additional nine holes at which West Yorkshire golf club in 1922? ANSWERS ON PAGE 26
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September 2019
IN GOOD COMPANY Abbeydale man’s name etched alongside the likes of Vardon
Davies savours ‘surreal’ Leeds Cup win ABBEYDALE’S Gareth Davies prevailed in tough conditions to claim the Leeds Cup and add his name to an illustrious list of winners. In its 104th edition the Leeds Cup, golf’s oldest professional trophy, returned to its original home of Leeds Golf Club where it was first played for in 1902 and won by one of the founding fathers of the modern game, Harry Vardon. While much has changed from Vardon’s days, the course remains one of the toughest tests in the Leeds area and provides worthy champions year on year. 2019 was no exception with Davies, who started the final round two back of overnight leader Christopher Crowder, claiming the spoils by virtue of a birdie on the 17th
Gareth Davies, of Abbeydale, proudly displays the Leeds Cup after victory at Leeds Golf Club hole. Crowder had suffered a calamitous start to his front nine that allowed Davies the opportunity to hold a three-shot lead over his playing partner with twice Leeds Cup champion Garry Houston a shot behind. The back nine became a topsy turvy affair with the final three holes providing late drama, Davies losing his slender lead on the 15th hole with a bogey 5. With news filtering back that his nearest challenger was safely in the clubhouse on two under, Davies made the bold decision to take driver at the challenging yet driveable par-4 17th.
His ball settled in a greenside bunker, but a superbly executed sand shot helped Davies set up a short birdie putt that he duly holed to lead the championship heading up the last. Greeted on the final hole by the waiting gallery, Davies tapped in for a final par to claim the title by a single stroke and add his name to the oldest trophy in professional golf. Davies said: “It’s a fantastic achievement and one I feel very proud to have accomplished. To have my name sit alongside some of the greats of the game is a truly surreal feeling. “This is only my second time com-
peting in the Leeds Cup and you get a sense of the history of the tournament at this fantastic venue. The changes in the course from 2018 are here for everyone to see and I look forward to coming back and trying to defend my title in 2020. The club have been fantastic and working alongside the PGA to reinvigorate this championship is something I am looking forward to seeing and being a part of.” Round of the championship went to Peter Finch (Quest Golf Academy) who shot a magnificent five under in the second round to vault up the leader board into a tie for fourth.
Bairstow bested by Bolton’s birdie at closing hole ENGLAND’S Jake Bolton birdied his final hole for a last round of 64 to pip Yorkshire’s Sam Bairstow by a shot in the 2019 Scottish Men’s Open Championship at The Duke’s in St Andrews. Bairstow, from Hallowes Golf Club, fired rounds of 70, 67, 66 and 70 for an 11-under-par total of 273 to just miss out to Bolton, who had led the tournament after 36 holes. Bolton’s win sees the English player join an illustrious list of Champions including European Tour winners Tommy Fleetwood, Andy Sullivan, Richie Ramsay, Alistair Forsyth, Stephen Gallacher, Andrew Coltart and eight-time European Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie. The Ogbourne Downs member admitted it is special to see his name on the same trophy with some of the biggest names in golf, saying: “This is a really nice way to end the season and to win it in such an iconic place like St Andrews is special.” Speaking about his final putt on the 18th hole that would close out Bairstow, he added: “I hit a really good shot in at the last, which ended on the right side of the hole. I am sure if it had landed on the other side it would have been a completely different scenario. Howley Hall’s Ben Hutchinson has been a model of consistency so far this year and rounds of 64, 71, 75 and 67 saw him finish alone in fourth place. Fulford’s Charlie Thornton tied for 12th on level par.
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September 2019
With spectacular views over both golf course and the sea, Flamborough Head’s appeal is clear to see...
G
OLFERS wanting to experience the game in its original links glory don’t need to trek all the way to remote stretches of Scottish coastline – some of the best and friendliest, and most affordable links golf courses are right here on our doorstep. Flamborough Head Golf Club styles itself as ‘the friendliest club on the coast’ and is already a regular and popular destination for many golfers who come back year after year. And it’s easy to see why. A traditional members’ club Flamborough may well be, but its open-arms approach to visitors has cemented its place in the finest Yorkshire traditions as a great destination. It’s generally an easy walking 18 holes – although the club does have buggies for hire (make sure to call ahead and book) – sitting atop the spectacular cliff top, between the imposing headland lighthouse and the fabulous bird preserve of Bempton Cliffs to the north. Clifftop walkers are a feature of the external holes like the 10th and 16th, pausing to take in not just the magnificent North Sea scenery, but the rolling acres of the adjacent golf course. And it is those views which make the decision to house the handsome clubhouse bar and restaurant on the upstairs such a wise one, as golfers either relax and look out over the scenery after their round, or over coffee and a bacon buttie before heading out. One distinctive feature of Flamborough is the original the original ‘Old modation in the clubhouse, overlooking the Beacon’ lighthouse which was built around course and coast beyond. With two bed1674 and is the only known example of its rooms and a modern kitchen and lounge, kind in the country. It is an integral part of visitors can enjoy bed, breakfast and unlimthe course, sitting beside the 5th tee as it ited golf for just £60 per night, and nondoes. golfers are welcome too at a reduced barAn increasingly popular way to enjoy a gain rate of £35 per night. visit to Flamborough Head Golf Club is via the Golf Coast Passport, a collaboration of six neighbouring clubs. HE club is proud of its reputation as Along with Brindlington Belvedere, a ‘year-round’ course with excellent, Bridlington Links, Hornsea, Filey and distinctive and challenging greens. Scarborough South Cliff, golfers can opt to Although not over-long in total yardage, play three, four or five rounds of golf at don’t be misled into thinking this isn’t a any of the clubs with terrific savings meangood test of your golf. ing a round costs from just £18 to £21 per The par 3s are fairly short by compariround – and for that, Passport holders are son to some, but don’t think they’re easy, honorary club members for the day, enjoywith fiendishly placed sand traps on the ing all the super facilities on offer. The 3rd, a water hazard on the 6th, Trinity, offer includes weekends and bank holidays, while the feature short hole the 10th, Signal with golfers having seven days to play their House, is an absolute delight on the eye, rounds. but a challenging tee shot. Playing from a One superb facility unique to highly elevated tee, it’s a sizeable target if Flamborough is its stay-and-play accomyou can avoid the ring of traps. But that’s
The friendliest club on our ‘golf coast’ T
only half your job done. This steeply tiered, back-to-front MacKenzie-style green must see more three putts than virtually any hole in Yorkshire. Wherever the pin, you must be below the hole – but if it’s on the top tier and you’re on the bottom, then good luck getting the pace right! And if it’s a long par 4 you want to open your shoulders to, try the 452 yard 4th which swings down and up to another fiendishly sloping green, or the very difficult 420 yard 14th, Lighthouse View, where you have to contend with out of bounds left on another hole that dips steeply away before climbing back up to a plateau green. All three par 5s are on the back 9 and are distinct in their different challenges, from a blind ‘up and over’ tee shot on the 11th, a sweeping down and up dogleg on the 15th, and finally the ever-rising march for home up the 18th, adjacent to the club’s practice area. Top – the signature 10th hole, a great view to a testing short hole Left, driving up the long par 4 4th hole
Left - the lounge in the clubhouse’s stay-and-play accommodation; above, the old and the new – the ancient lighthouse behind the 4th green, with the new one in the background
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September 2019
IMPRESSIVE RUN Hallamshire assistant claims two victories on way to series triumph
Holly holds on and seals overall win SHEFFIELD professional Holly Morgan sealed her meteoric dominance of the Women’s PGA One-Day Series at Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club by winning the 2019 Order of Merit – but only just. The margin separating the PGA Assistant, from Hallamshire Golf Club, and Marie Martindale, an experienced campaigner from Hampstead Golf Club, was the narrowest possible – half-apoint. However, the 22-year-old’s accumulation of sufficient points to top the Order of Merit from playing in the last three of the seven-event series is testament to the quality of her golf. Likewise her achievement in posting sub-par scores in all three. Two of those resulted in victory – at Kedleston Park and Chestfield Golf Clubs – but her hopes of completing a hat-trick of wins were dashed at Salisbury and South Wilts. Martindale, who won the first event in this year’s series at Little
shots clear of Morgan. In doing so, she gatecrashed the anticipated headto-head showdown between Ormskirk Golf Club’s Ali Gray and Morgan, who had shared pole position in the Order of Merit at the start of play. Gray, a member of the team that will represent Great Britain & Ireland in the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup in Texas in October, was plagued with an unresponsive putter and finished third in the Order of Merit. Morgan was also less than Hallamshire’s Holly Morgan pictured in action enamoured with Picture: Adrian Milledge/PGA her putting and Aston, saw to that by opening with said: “I could have putted a bit betan eagle en route to posting a fiveter – I hit the ball well, but the putts didn’t drop.” Another imponderable under-par round of 68 to finish three
is whether her margin of victory in the Order of Merit would have been more comfortable had she played in more events. “The dates of the early ones didn’t fall well for me,” explained Morgan, who spent two years on a golf scholarship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before embarking on her PGA training. “But I’m glad I started playing when I did. I’m surprised I’ve done so well, but I’ve enjoyed my golf and that’s helped me play better.” All of which has rekindled her appetite for tournament golf. “I loved it in America and, initially, the plan when I came back was to coach, but because I’ve had a quite a good year I’d like to have the option to play.” To that end Hallamshire, the club where PGA Master Professionals and renowned coaches Pete Cowen and the late John Jacobs began their careers and Matt Fitzpatrick is a member, is fully supportive. “They’re encouraging me to do that. It’s a great golf club and very successful so I’m following in some famous footsteps.”
Wilkinson Sword hoisted by Iqbal SAND MOOR’S Amaan Iqbal took a short trip across the city to win the Wilkinson Sword Trophy at Leeds Golf Club. A strong wind tested the competitors and Iqbal’s gross 74 was good enough to lift the famous trophy, which was first played for back in the 1970’s. After an absence of five years it was reintroduced to the Cobble Hall calendar back in 2016 and has become one of the highlights of the year. Previous winners include former European Tour players Simon Hurd, Ben Mason and Patrick Hall. A fine 68 from Ripon City’s William Hixon saw him take home the shield for the best nett score. Pictured above are Hixon, left, and Iqbal with Sand Moor captain Geoff Short.
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September 2019
THREE’S ALLOWED Crosland Heath, Woodsome Hall and Huddersfield players all claim Yorkshire trophies
Halifax-Huddersfield trio top in county THE Halifax, Huddersfield & District Union of Golf Clubs is celebrating a unique treble by its juniors. Crosland Heath’s Oliver Caton took the Yorkshire Boys’ title before Woodsome Hall’s Lily Hirst captured the Yorkshire Ladies’ County Golf Association Junior Championship. Making up the triumvirate was Dylan ShawRadford, from Huddersfield Golf Club, who won the Yorkshire Under-14s title. Caton’s rounds of 71 and 70 at Selby saw him triumph and he will now go on to represent Yorkshire at the English Boys’ County Champion of Champions, won last year by Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt. Lily set the course record at Hessle with her opening round of 70, which she followed with a 71, and will also go on to represent Yorkshire in the girls’ equivalent at Woodhall Spa later this month. Shaw-Radford was just off the pace at Wortley when he opened with a 73, but he improved that by two shots in his second round to win by four from Hessle’s Luke Thornton. Bob Hazelden of Outlane Golf Club, who is the junior organiser for the Union said: “These three players from our Union have completed a treble landmark which may not be
beaten, and the future looks bright for them in the world of golf.” Three players from Yorkshire will line up for England Golf in defence of its title at the Men’s Home Internationals, to be played at Lahinch in Ireland later this month. Howley Hall’s Ben Hutchinson and Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt will make their debuts and join Lindrick’s Bailey Gill, who was part of the 2018 English Men’s Home International team that beat this year’s hosts Ireland in the deciding match 12 months ago at Conwy Golf Club in Wales. The team for the annual event, which takes place from September 11-13, includes Harry Hall, Tom Sloman and Tom Plumb, who were all among the five Englishmen selected for the GB&I team for the forthcoming Walker Cup match at Royal Liverpool, as well as Schmidt and Ben Jones, who were listed as first and second reserves respectively for the biennial transatlantic fixture against the USA. Malton &Norton’s David Hague was only named second reserve. His purple patch in August included winning the York Open, the Westwood Trophy and the Yorkshire Amateur.
Halifax, Huddersfield & District players Lily Hirst, Oliver Caton, centre, and Dylan Shaw-Radford with their county trophies
Waterfront Golf lived up to their tag as favourites to land the inaugural championship for 9-hole Golf Clubs at Crow Nest Golf Club. They fielded a heavyweight team that included joint Brabazon and Carris winner, and eighthranked amateur in the world, Ben Schmidt alongside Richard Jones, who has represented Yorkshire over 100 times, and the in-form Luca Houlgate. Their combined score of 218 was three shots clear of South Bradford Golf Club with the host club Crow Nest Park third on 224.
Always a warm welcome...
Yorkshire Union secretary Jonathan Plaxton is hopeful the event will become a permanent fixture on the county calendar. “We are already discussing possible venues to host the event next year and I’m optimistic that this will become an annual event,” he said. “Shorter formats of the game are important in attracting new players and we must continue to recognise that.” The champions, with the trophy, left to right, Ben Schmidt, Richard Jones and Luca Houlgate.
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September 2019
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September 2019
Destination Yorkshire Dales or Lake District – Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club has something for everyone, as Yorkshire Golfer publisher DANNY LOCKWOOD discovered
M
ANY people have been attributed over the years with the hackneyed old saying that ‘golf is a good walk spoiled’, most popularly American writer Mark Twain (and it almost certainly wasn’t). Well, whoever is next tempted to use it should first enjoy a walk around Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club, club in hand or otherwise. The fact is, with the English summer sun in the sky, however good – or not – your golf game is, a few hours spent perambulating round the Hawtree-designed layout is good for the soul. Kirkby Lonsdale is in Cumbria, at its southern edge, amidst the rolling landscape of the Lune valley between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. For most Tykes it’s pretty much a straight run up the A65. This is a
beautiful part of the world and it’s an asset that the golf club is both proud of and understandably keen to take advantage of. “We’re never going to be a golf club with 600 members,” says Jon Parsons, the Kirkby Lonsdale’s board member responsible for marketing, “there just aren’t enough chimney pots for that.” As pretty and welcoming as the nearby market town is, it’s still only home to under 2,000 souls. That notwithstanding, the club has a healthy 350 members, thriving sections across all categories including a ladies section that competes on both Wednesdays and Saturdays – good for working ladies, as Jon points out – a buzzing social calendar and, importantly, an abundance of nearby accommodation. The club partners with several local
A great walk – and fabulous golf hotels and inns with a variety of stay and play options to suit pretty much all tastes, from a simple B&B to a luxury stay with facilities including a swimming pool, sauna and spa – and as Jon stresses, a visit to this part of the world doesn’t have to be all about the golf. “Obviously we’re very proud of our golf course and our hospitality, but we recognise that as a ‘destination’ there’s so much more for people. This is a wonderful place for walking and cycling, sight-seeing and just getting
away from the madding crowds.” Although Kirkby Lonsdale as a golf club traces its roots back to 1906, the current location a couple of miles north of the town is its fourth home – the nearby Casterton 9-hole course was one former base. It’s safe to say ‘home’ is here to stay because Martin Hawtree, who numbers clubs like Portmarnock, Sunningdale and Royal Birkdale amongst layouts he’s worked on, clearly delighted in the natural contours this site provided him.
The course consists of two anticlockwise loops of 9-holes, both coming back to the clubhouse and both making the most of the picturesque Barbon Beck as it meanders down to the nearby river Lune. The fairways are generally broad and inviting, and the few out of bounds just require sensible navigation. Some of the green positioning is immensely pleasing on the eye – and challenging for your approach – and the two double dogleg par 5s on the
A warm welcome at Kirkby Lonsdale – and some of the most stunning views
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outward nine are honest risk and reward holes. A pronounced ridge is a marked feature of your drives on holes 1, 9 and 18, in between which are some simply stunning holes and views. Taking in the surrounding landscapes over the Howgill Fells as you make your way up to the 15th green – the course’s high point – is something it’s hard to imagine tiring of. Kirkby Lonsdale is by no means a difficult walking course, but the club has buggies available (be sure to book ahead). It’s almost 6,600 yards off the tips, a par 72 with a traditional split of two par 5s, two par 3s and four par 4s on each loop, set in 160 acres of parkland which has matured nicely over its 28 years. It’s highly thought of enough that the club has hosted plenty of county events, and compliments from visiting guests are never in short supply. In addition the club boasts a 10-bay driving range and short game chipping area, with the full provision of PGA professional services from Sam Lockwood. There is also a 6-hole Academy course for juniors and beginner golfers. Forward blue tees also constitute the shorter Lune course, which has its own reduced green fees and indeed membership. Good golf and a great walk – what’s not to love?
Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club (Yellow tees) Hole 1 - 333 yards - Par 4 An early introduction to the stepped ridges. A good drive favouring the left side leaves a short approach to a green with a ditch 30 yards in front of it, a shorter tee-shot will see you on the plateau with a full shot to the green. Hole 2 - 372 yards - Par 4 If the wind is against this is a tough, sweeping dogleg right, guarded by a corner bunker and with the second half of the hole all uphill to one of many elevated greens, this one sitting at an angle to your approach. Hole 3 - 154 yards - Par 3 A straightforward medium-length par 3 although there is a distinct slope from the right. Be lucky with the pin position! Hole 4 - 476 yards - Par 5 A decision to make from the elevated tee. The fairway is well bunkered on this double dogleg – left, then right – but catch the downslope and you’re in position to go over the trouble and hit the green in two, as the landscape rises to a big, tiered green. Hole 5 - 190 yards - Par 3 You’re onto the start of the ‘Lune
Loop’ with beautiful views towards the River Lune as its backdrop, from a ridge of side-by-side tees. The green is about 30 feet below you and slopes away at the back too, with out of bounds right. You can see the front sand traps, but there’s a hidden one at the rear too. Hole 6 - 381 yards - Par 4 I couldn’t fathom the prevailing wind but this stroke index 1 hole is generally into it. The wind was helping when I played, and a good carry makes it reachable for mid to high handicappers. Stay left, with the Lune running parallel. The green has a narrow, bunkered entrance. Hole 7 - 347 yards - Par 4 Position is key, avoiding the large tree, and it would have helped to note the pin position when on the 5th, as the last third of the hole is a steep rise to a green tucked above you. Hole 8 - 498 yards - Par 5 The second double dogleg with a temptation to try cut the corner. For big hitters willing to flirt with three off the tee, the reward is the chance to go for it. More sensible is a fairway wood and a couple of mid-irons, as the green is hidden down in a dip and is also guarded at the front with two bunkers.
Hole 9 - 357 yards - Par 4 If you don’t manage the 200 yard carry from the tee, the ball can pitch into the plateau banking and head back towards you. Once on the second level you have a view of the flag in front of the clubhouse. Hole 10 - 484 yards - Par 5 Over water but not really in play, the 10th doglegs right and down a slope at 260 or so yards. Only the really big hitters will benefit from that. The long, undulating green has a trap – and water – to the left. Hole 11 - 353 yards - Par 4 A dogleg left, with trouble right, although that’s the side you need to favour. The tiered Mackenzie-green is protected by two front bunkers, and a deep rear left bunker. Hole 12 - 370 yards - Par 4 Up and over a marker post is your line. A good drive is rewarded by an inviting iron down to a ‘target’ of a green although the front bunkers are a good threat. Hole 13 - 157 yards - Par 3 An uphill par 3, in the shadow of an impressive old oak tree. Club selection is vital particularly if the prevailing wind is against you.
Hole 14 - 554 yards - Par 5 Time to open your shoulders and rip a drive over the crown of the hill. Only the bigger hitters will get there in two. Hole 15 - 337 yards - Par 4 Drive down the left to leave an iron onto the green. A ball landing too far to the right side of the green can ‘gather’ into the bunker below it. Hole 16 - 366 yards - Par 4 Soak up the panoramic views before hitting from your final elevated tee around a sweeping dogleg right, to a pretty, sheltered green. A lovely hole. Hole 17 - 138 yards - Par 3 The signature hole, your tee shot can be risky unless you take the Barbon Beck out of play with plenty of club. It runs away left to right and will gather any ball that’s fading or pushed right. Get your distance right and it should provide a birdie chance. Hole 18 - 377 yards - Par 4 A very testing closing hole. The tee shot favours a touch of draw between the two large trees to the top of the ridge, before an approach to a green that sits along the bank of the lake, with the members watching on. Favour the right side of the flag, avoiding the bunker.
KIRKBY LONSDALE GOLF CLUB Scaleber Lane, Barbon, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2LJ 015242 76365 www.kirkbylonsdalegolfclub.com Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
White 344 388 168 501 190 429 362 507 372 543 368 396 172 560 349 395 159 391 3333 36 3261 36 6 5 9 4 yards P ar 7 2
Yellow 333 372 154 476 190 381 347 498 357 484 353 370 157 554 337 366 138 377
P ar 4 4 3 5 3 4 4 5 4 5 4 4 3 5 4 4 3 4
SI 13 3 17 15 7 1 5 9 11 12 8 4 16 2 14 6 18 10 3136 36 3108 36 6 2 4 4 yards P ar 7 2
Red 325 305 149 441 190 374 315 494 310 478 304 342 123 446 308 351 105 374
P ar 4 4 3 5 3 4 4 5 4 5 4 4 3 5 4 4 3 5
SI 11 15 17 7 11 1 5 9 3 2 8 12 16 14 4 6 18 10
2831 37 2903 36 5 7 3 4 yards P ar 7 3
A summer afternoon on landscape between the Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales – perfect!
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September 2019
INSPIRED AND INSPIRATIONAL Aidan Healey became pals with Ian Poulter on a trip with Dreamflight and now the
Making dreams come true G
ARFORTH Golf Club assistant professional Aidan Healey is helping to make dreams come true for children with serious illnesses or disabilities Aidan is an ambassador for children’s charity Dreamflight, which take hundreds of children to Orlando every year for a once-in-a-lifetime break. He knows better than anybody just how life changing the experience can be. At just ten years of age he was struck down with a rare autoimmune disease, Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM), that affects just one in a million. Symptoms are joint pain, weak muscles, rashes, tiredness, irritability and fever. At the time he was a top sportsman representing Yorkshire at tennis and was being scouted by top football teams. He had also just started
playing golf with his dad Andrew. Aidan said: “The illness robbed me of my mobility and I ended up having to use a wheelchair for almost three years. I endured nine months of chemotherapy, countless tablets and many different forms of treatment and was in and out of hospital more than 100 times.” As a recipient of a Dreamflight holiday in 2004, Aidan found that it wasn’t just a fun adventure, but that being away from family, friends and familiar surroundings gave him a sense of independence and a new-found confidence. Now 24 years old, he continued: “Being with other sick and disabled children made me realise I wasn’t alone and there were others worse off than me. I came back from the trip a different person. Dreamflight really did change my life.”
Garforth Golf Club assistant professional Aidan Healey Founder Patricia Pearce MBE, who started the charity 29 years ago, found out that Aidan was a golfer and arranged for patron Ian Poulter to board the plane to greet
Aidan when the chartered Jumbo 747 landed in Orlando. That initial meeting has turned into a lifelong friendship. Aidan is invited every year to play in pro-ams Poulter
hosts in the UK and USA and was his guest at the Ryder Cup in Hazeltine in 2016. “To meet him initially was incredible and the fact that he stayed in touch with me and my
family shows you what kind of person he is. He even mentioned me during a TV interview in the USA after my first hole-in-one. “He was my idol right from the day I watched him hole from 18ft to finish runner up in the Open at Royal Birkdale in 2008.” The two have plenty in common. Aidan was a promising goalkeeper and scouted by Leeds United, Huddersfield and Middlesbrough. Arsenal fan Poulter also wanted to be a professional footballer before golf got in the way But Aidan had to give up all contact sports and was playing golf at his home course of Oulton Hall in a specially adapted scooter paid for with money raised by neighbours and friends from his home village of Swillington. “Going from a wheelchair playing off 24 to being a professional golfer was beyond my wildest dreams back then,” he said. Poulter fudged his handicap from five to four as that was the limit to turn pro. He has since become a Ryder Cup legend and amassed a fortune and owns a collection of Ferraris, at his home in Lake Nona worth over $30m. “Everything changed for me after that trip. I came off medication and didn’t need my wheelchair,” recalled Aidan. “Over the next few years I worked really hard on my golf, won the Oulton club
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Garforth assistant pro is devoted to helping the children’s charity take other kids on a trip of a lifetime to Florida
Young Aidan Healey on his first meeting with Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter and swimming with dolphins on a trip organised by children’s charity Dreamflight from p16
championship three times and got down to 0.6 before turning pro. “ Ian was my inspiration. I had seen what he had achieved through sheer hard work and I wanted to so the same. “He invited me over to stay at his house when I was 20. We went to Bay Hill in his Ferrari
where he was playing in the Arnold Palmer. He took me in the locker room and introduced me to all the players. “It was the most amazing trip especially when he asked me to do the after-dinner speech at the Pro-Am he runs for Dreamflight, which incidentally raised $750,000 last year.
“My motto is never give up, never give in, but I couldn’t have done it without Dreamflight and I want to give them something back. I’m grateful to all the people in golf who have supported the charity, like Fulford’s Paul Hemlin. “He made Dreamflight his charity for his captain’s year in
2018 and raised over £17,5000, which was an incredible effort, and there are many more like him.” Dreamflight has now taken over 5,000 children to Orlando at a cost of £3,500 each and later this year Aidan will act as an escort for two children from Yorkshire on the trip. Fittingly he runs all the jun-
ior coaching at Garforth and is “loving” life at the club after joining head professionals Gareth Johnson and Lee Morrisroe last November. He has been in remission twice and lives with the knowledge that the condition could come back at any time. But just like his friend ‘Postman Poulter’, Healey con-
tinues to deliver on his promises to those less fortunate. “So, to anyone out there who may think it is just a trip to Disneyworld, going on some rides and swimming with dolphins, please believe me it isn’t. It really is a life changing experience for the children – and I can vouch for that!”
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NEAR MISS White Rose youngsters perform admirably to claim runner-up placing
Yorkshire girls are edged out for title YORKSHIRE girls went agonisingly close to landing the Northern Counties junior title, losing out to Cheshire by a single point at York Golf Club. The White Rose team got off to a quick start in the stableford format on day one thanks to the Thirsk & Northallerton trio of Isabel Stirk, Hope Williams and Isabella Knowles. Stirk, playing off 26, scored 43 points and was backed up by Williams (15 handicap) who notched 38 before Knowles (17) added 34. Ilkley’s Evie Graves (18) then carded 35 points, Hessle’s Grace Lambert (21) added an impressive 37 and South Yorkshire’s representative from Lindrick, Lucia Maturi (24) finished with 39 points as day one ended with Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire all tied for the lead. Day two saw the Yorkshire girls, all aged between 11 and 15, in matchplay action. Yorkshire faced an early setback when both Williams and Knowles suffered very narrow defeats, but a 4 & 3 win for Graves inspired the comeback.
Yorkshire’s Northern Counties girls team, pictured left to right, Evie Graves, Lucia Maturi, Grace Lambert, Isabel Stirk, Izabella Knowles and Hope Williams. Stirk kept momentum going with a 3 & 2 victory and the girls were back in the race as the tension mounted. The final two matches went the full distance, with the youngest team members both needing victories. Twelve-year-old Lambert fired Yorkshire into contention by getting up and down from a bunker to win her game on the 18th green before the spotlight fell on 11-year-old Maturi, with Yorkshire needing to win their final game and hope Cheshire were unable to win their last match.
Matthew Dolling, left, and Dylan ShawRadford with Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs Boys’ chairman Phillip Woodcock
Despite being one down with three to play Maturi rose to the occasion and won all three of the remaining holes to win two up, only for Cheshire to hold firm in their last match to lift the trophy by just one point. Team Manager Jo Pease said: “We had six young players, all playing in their first junior team event. They bonded beautifully, playing their hearts out in every game – for themselves, each other and the team. With some fantastic results from all players the team missed out on win-
ning the whole event by just one point. I am very proud of them all and they should be very proud of themselves. The future looks very good for Yorkshire.” York Golf Club’s Matthew Dolling and Dylan Shaw-Radford from Huddersfield came out on top in the YUGC’s 2019 Under-16 & Under-14 Championships, which were held at Wortley Golf Club. The Under-16 championship was won by Dolling with a score of 145, while Shaw-Radford claimed the Under-14 event on 144.
Macfie maintains England’s grip LINDRICK’S Callum Macfie delivered the winning point in England’s victory in the Boys’ Home Internationals at Ashburnham in Wales. It was England’s fourth triumph in a row in the annual event, but it required a battling performance to come from behind and beat a formidable Irish side. The England team lost the morning foursomes 3.5-1.5, but then stemmed the tide when Conor Gough halved the first singles against Tom McKibbin before Sheffieldborn Joe Pagdin, Robin Williams, Max Hopkins, Enrique Dimayuga and Habebul Islam put five further points on the board to take their side to within touching distance of winning the match. Islam’s match proved key to England’s success. He had a one-hole lead playing the last, but needed to get up and down from 80 yards to make a par before seeing his opponent Simon Walker miss from 20feet for a birdie. That win set up Macfie to provide the winning point and he duly did so when he birdied the 17th to beat Max Kennedy 2 & 1 and ensure that England will retain the trophy for another year. England’s triumphant team are pictured above.
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September 2019
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ADVERTORIAL If you’re planning to head north of the border to play
There is nothing quite like a trip ‘Home’ to Scotland S
COTLAND is well known across the globe as the ‘Home of Golf’, and tourism linked to the game is a major contributor to Scotland’s economy and estimated to be worth close to £220m annually. Cross the border in the west and let everything go as you discover Dumfries & Galloway. The first thing you’ll notice is just how beautiful this part of lowland Scotland is, with an undulating coastline of rocky shores and sandy beaches, while inland there are acres of forest and green spaces. With lots of good courses dotted around, Dumfries & Galloway is pretty much one big golfing playground. The picturesque village of Thornhill lies in the Nithsdale Valley along the main A76 and is home to a golf club of the same name and the place where former European Tour player turned Sky Andrew Coltart commentator took his first golfing steps. Established back in 1893, members initially honed their skills on a 9-hole
Thornhill Golf Club, below, is in the picturesque village of the same name, and lies in the Nithsdale Valley. It is the club at which Sky Sports on-course commentator Andrew Coltart took his first steps in the game of golf
course after it was reported in the St Andrews Citizen on October 20, 1894 that Old Tom Morris would travel to Edinburgh to lay out a course at the Barnton Estate, followed by a journey to Tayport to extend the course at Scotscraig, before heading to the south of Scotland the following week “for the purpose of laying out courses at Thornhill and Lockerbie”. When extra land became available from Buccleuch Estates in the mid1970s, a small committee was set up – including professional Marshall Douglas and Greens Convener Jim Boyle – to steer the club through the process of doubling the size of the course. Original holes 1 to 5 on the old course became holes 10 to 14 on the new course and the old 9th hole became the closing hole on the new layout, with greens from old holes 6, 7 and 8 incorporated into the new set up at holes 2, 16 and 17. Once completed in 1979, the new layout offered an easily walkable fine blend of heathland and parkland holes. The course measures 6,102 yards these days and it plays to a par of 71, with three par-5s on the card at holes 2, 15 and 18. A round at Thornhill starts with a 153-yard par-3 hole then there’s quite a gap until the next short hole is encountered at the 156-yard 8th. The toughest hole on the outward half is the 450-yard 4th, “Orra Green,” where out of bounds runs along the right and a ditch cuts across at an angle 100 yards before the raised, two-tiered putting surface. On the back nine, where most of the older moorland holes are situated, the 148-yard 14th is a delightful par-3, with its three-tiered green located behind a low stone dyke, It’s followed by the signature hole at Thornhill, “Peat Sheugh,” a testing par-5 requiring a long carry across a pond and wetland area to a narrow fairway that dog-legs sharply left.
Named in Scotland’s top 200 courses by Golf World magazine, facilities include a bar and restaurant – which is open every day– a practice area and putting green and buggies and trolleys are also available to hire. The bungalow adjacent to the golf course is part of a stay-and-play package and also provides an ideal base for touring or exploring other courses in the region. Step back to a time of period style and elegance while enjoying all the modern comforts of a four-star golf resort at Cally Palace. The hotel’s 56 bedrooms combine spacious accommodation with views of the estate grounds and the Dumfries & Galloway countryside beyond. Available exclusively for hotel guests, the course is sculpted into the parkland surrounding the hotel with wonderful views of Cardoness Castle. It has a maturity beyond its age, with the natural contours of the land and the magnificent trees, hidden burns and the Cally Lake making for an interesting challenge. In October Yorkshire Golfer readers can enjoy a special offer that includes a four-course dinner, bed and breakfast and two rounds of golf on the Cally course from just £172 per person. Cally Palace is part of the familyrun McMillan Hotels group, and another fine example of their portfolio of properties is the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer. The hotel is conveniently located opposite the harbour in Stranraer, which is the main ferry port between Scotland and Ireland, and many rooms boast wonderful views over the harbour and Loch Ryan beyond. The North West Hotel is an excellent base for taking in the abundance of golf courses in the area, and offers spacious and comfortable accommodation, including 72 en-suite bedrooms, two restaurants, and full leisure facilities. The McMillan family extends
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let Yorkshire Golfer act as your guide for the Dumfries & Galloway region that abounds with fabulous courses
Cally Palace Hotel is reflected in a pond guarding one of its course’s greends; inset, a green at Stranraer Golf Club, and gorse on the course at The Irvine Golf Club from page 20
another warm welcome to guests at their Fernhill Hotel in Portpatrick, and golf breaks at Fernhill combine beautiful accommodation and exquisite food with inclusive rounds of golf at selected courses in Scotland. All three hotels offer two-night golf breaks, which offer tremendous value for money, and large groups and societies are welcomed. At Cally Palace there’s golf available on the complex, and at the Fernhill and North West
Castle Hotels visitors can take their pick from golf at Stranraer, Portpatrick, Glenluce or Cally. Stranraer Golf Club was the last course to be designed by five-time Open champion James Braid, and welcomes visitors seven days a week. Nestled on the shores of Loch Ryan, the 6,308yard parkland course is set on gently undulating ground, with exceptional views over the loch to Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and beyond. The warm wash of the Gulf Stream provides the region with a mild climate making play pos-
sible on all but a handful of days, and it is certainly one to add to the list for any golfing homage. Braid’s handiwork and trademark use of the nature’s assets are also in evidence at The Irvine Golf Club, where those seeking a true links experience will find themselves in golfing heaven. Beautifully crafted using the natural terrain, the course is held in high regard by the R&A, having hosted final qualifying for the Open and
co-hosted high-profile events including the Amateur championship, the British Senior Open and the Ladies Home Internationals. Subtle changes in direction ensure that no two holes are the same and this truly is one of Scotland’s hidden gems, measuring 6,415 from the white tees with a par of 71. Set in a seaside location, the neighbouring Gulf Stream ensures year-round golf, while the romantic peaks of Arran present a stunning backdrop to the landscape.
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Yorkshire duo go close Carrigill almost marks return to action with win alongside his old pal McCarthy in PGA Super 60s PAUL CARRIGILL was pipped at the post in his return to competitive golf after a nine-year absence. The son of Dewsbury bookmaker George Carrigill, Paul and his amateur partner Dave McCarthy from Moortown lost on a card countback in the PGA Super 60s Championship at Leeds Golf Centre. The tournament is contested by a PGA pro and amateur partner, both of whom must be 60 or over, and was won by Lincolnshire professional Stephen Bennett played alongside Eric Davis from Bennett’s club Waltham Windmill. Ironically, Carrigill and Bennett last went head to head in the matchplay stages of the Amateur Championship at Royal Troon in 1978 when the Yorkshireman triumphed before both went on to compete on the European Tour where they became firm friends. Davis, a ten-handicapper, was a late call-up for the tournament and Bennett explained: “My original partner dropped out because of injury a couple of days ago and Eric kindly agreed to play. “Which is just as well as his
putting in the first round effectively kept us in the tournament.” That red-hot putter, which fashioned a nett birdie on the par-4 18th, resulted in the pair posting a three-under-par 69 to be five shots off the lead. With four duos on five under and Tony Price and his amateur partner Derek Sanders leading the chase for the £1,250 winner’s cheque on eight under, the odds on Bennett claiming a second tournament triumph in quick succession were long. Their response was emphatic, however. A better-ball tenunder-par round of 62 was the best posted in the tournament and their 13-under-par total of 131 was only matched by Carrigill and McCarthy, who carded rounds of 67 and 64. This time Bennett proved the pair’s trump card in a round that featured eight birdies and an eagle at the par-5 15th. Former Yorkshire Amateur champion Carrigill, who is now employed by the European Tour as a referee and tournament director, was full of praise for his partner. The pair regularly lined up together in the foursomes for Yorkshire and
Stephen Bennett, left, with Paul Carrigill after the PGA Super 60s event at Wike Ridge Moortown, and McCarthy is now playing off a useful handicap of eight. “He played brilliantly and used his shots to great effect,” said Carrigill. “This was my first event since trying to qualify for the Senior Open in 2010 and I was a bit rusty and pretty negative with my golf, but we slotted in well and I managed to salvage pars when he was out of the hole. “I played the short holes well and managed one birdie in the first round, but that wasn’t good enough to get on the card as
Dave holed a wedge shot for an eagle. “It was my first time at Wike Ridge, and it was in great condition, and although we were disappointed to go so close I really did enjoy watching my partner play so well. “We went to Scotland a few months ago and he was useless, so bad in fact that we had to play matches over six holes not 18 and even when we gave him five shots over the six holes he struggled to win one of the games. So, I was surprised and delighted to see such an improvement in his game.”
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Moor Allerton’s status is elevated Moor Allerton assistant professional Lewis Clarke
MOOR ALLERTON Golf Club in Leeds has been awarded ‘Official HSBC Golf Roots Centre’ status. Assistant professional Lewis Clarke said: “It’s fantastic news. “The Golf Foundation has a strategic aim of helping young people to start, learn and stay in the sport. We’re proud to play a small part of that.” At the heart of the operation is the Yorkshire Golf Academy, run by head professional Jonathan Pearson. It was opened last year by Sky Sports’ Nick Dougherty.
September 2019
England call comes for Norton and Jones ENGLAND has named two players from Yorkshire in its teams for both the European Senior Men’s Team Championship in Denmark and the Senior Men’s Home Internationals at Alnmouth in Northumberland. Richard Norton from Beverley & East Riding, and Rotherham’s Richard Jones will join Ian Attoe (Worplesdon, Surrey), Paul Wharton (Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire), Rupert Kellock (Sunningdale, Surrey), and Alan Mew (Stoneham, Hampshire) in representing their country at the European Senior Men’s Team Championship at Rungsted Golf Club on September 3-7. The last time England lifted the trophy was on home soil at Fairhaven Golf Club back in 2010 having also won the previous year at Ascona Golf Club in Switzerland. The same six players have also been named in the English team for the Men’s Home Internationals at Alnmouth on September 1719 where they will be joined by Tim Whittaker (Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire). Norton has amassed a trio of victories this season at the East of England Seniors, the West of England Seniors and the North Group Seniors. He was also second behind Attoe at the English Senior Men’s Open Amateur Championship and tied second at the Frank Stableford Trophy. Jones lost in a play-off to Wharton in the Welsh Senior Open in Wrexham and also finished tied-fourth in the English Senior Men’s Open and in a share of fifth place at the Frank Stableford Trophy.
September 2019
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September 2019
Brown captain once again
Walker Cup team. Also making their debut in the Jacques Léglise Trophy are Joshua It could have been a few Hill, the 2019 McGregor shots better had he found the Trophy champion, Aaron putting surfaces rather than the Marshall, the Irish Boys’ surrounds with blind shots in Amateur champion and to two par-5s with a 9 iron and Luke O’Neill, the German a 7 iron. His ‘exhibition’ shot Boys’ Open champion. with a wedge on the 172-yard The Continent of closing par-3 found a greenEurope last won the side bunker and led to a bogey. match in 2017 at Thirkill said: “When I knew Ballybunion in Ireland Michael was coming to the UK after successfully defendI wanted to bring him to Leeds ing the title they won in Golf Club and I was delighted 2016 at Prince’s. when he agreed to do so.” Since the Jacques Thirkill is pictured left with Léglise Trophy was first Campbell at Leeds GC. contested in 1958, GB&I have won 29 matches Schmidt who is ranked No .8 in overall with the Continent of the WAGR™ and was named as Europe claiming 12 victories the first reserve for the GB&I with one match tied.
Leeds hosts major winner Campbell FORMER US Open champion Michael Campbell made a surprise visit to Leeds Golf Club recently. Cobble Hall member Andrew Thirkill is a friend of Campbell’s and invited the Kiwi to play 18 holes on what turned out to be a very wet and windy afternoon However, Campbell, who has 15 professional wins to his name including the 2005 HSBC Matchplay where he picked up a first prize of £1m, handled the conditions well and knocked it round in 65. team-mate Pagdin, who was born in Yorkshire but now resides in Lake Nona, Florida,
in the fourth round of matchplay. Among the newcomers is
We’re getting out onto the course in greater numbers NEW data suggests that the number of rounds of golf played at UK golf courses in the first half of 2019 was up significantly compared to the same six months in 2018. The number of rounds played is widely considered to be the best indication of the strength of the golf industry,
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playing captain Brown who won three of the four matches he was involved in last year. “It’s a really good week and a tough team to make so it’s always nice to get picked,” said Brown. “There are nine great players competing, so I think we have a great chance of winning. We have a really strong team. “It’s a great honour to be the captain again this year. We won last year so hopefully we will be able to defend.” In good form, Brown advanced through to the semi-finals at the 93rd R&A Boys Amateur Championship at Saunton after defeating his
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HALLAMSHIRE’S Barclay Brown will captain Great Britain & Ireland for a second time when they play against the Continent of Europe in the Jacques Léglise Trophy. The GB&I team for the match at Aldeburgh Golf Club includes Brown’s fellow Yorkshiremen Ben Schmidt and Sheffield-born Joseph Pagdin. The team, which will be managed for the third time by Stuart Wilson, who won The Amateur Championship in 2004, will be looking to defend the Jacques Léglise Trophy after they won 15.5 -9.5 at Kytäjä Golf in Finland last year. Wilson has assembled a strong GB&I team with five players returning from the 2018 winning line-up, including
and, according to SMS INC’s director, sports accounts, Richard Payne, the figures from the first quarter are up by a huge amount – more than 30 per cent on the previous year and the highest figure for seven years. “Our usual barometer for ongoing performance is our ‘Rounds Played Monitor’ – basically the ‘bums-onseat’ measurement for courses around the country,” he said, “and I can report that Q1 2019 saw the best average rounds played for seven years; an increase of over 30 per cent against what was quite a catastrophic Q1 in 2018. Early indications would suggest that we are about eight per cent up in Q2. “Our 2018 ‘GB Golf’ participation research also saw a resurgence in numbers following six years of continual decline with numbers returning to the levels seen back in 2016 and closing back to the three million mark of fulllength course users. “Importantly, core golfers have also increased with the number of avid golfers, those who play at least weekly, actually having grown to pre-2015 levels of over 450,000. “What does this mean? Well in our view this shows that there is real momentum in our sport at the moment
and with initiatives such as the GolfSixes linking the professional game through the European Tour and the amateur game with England Golf and the Golf Foundation or the R&A’s Women In Golf Charter – or even enhancing and gamifying the range experience with technology such as TopTracer, there is a genuine opportunity to widen golf’s appeal and ensure its continued health now and in the future.” John Bushell, managing director of SMS INC, added that the number of people in Great Britain and Ireland who had some sort of involvement with golf, including playing on 18-hole, nine-hole, pitch-and-putt, adventure golf and footgolf courses, and driving range usage is now 12.2 million adults per year, a figure that is also going upwards. “An important measure, and an opportunity, when asked ‘who have you introduced to golf?’ – male golfers introducing their daughter to golf were 13 per cent,” he said, “whereas male golfers introducing their sons was 11 percentage points more at 24 per cent. We need male golfers to introduce their daughters to the game in the same percentage levels for us to really achieve the aims of ‘family golf’.”
Berry and Whaley win for England DONCASTER’S Josh Berry captained England Schools to victory over Wales at Luffenham Heath Golf Club in Rutland. The Campsmount scholar was one of three Yorkshire players representing England in the English Schools’ Golf Association mixed event. Berry halved his foursomes match before closing out his singles 2&1 with a two-under-par performance. Rotherham Golf Club’s Jack Whaley (Ridgewood School) also chipped in
England boys’ captain Josh Berry and girls’ captain Ellie Farwell of Hertfordshire with Luffenham Heath captain Dermot O’Neill with a singles point following a 4&3 win. One of the most impressive performances came from Prince Henry’s
Grammar School, Otley, pupil Abigail Taylor who defeated full Welsh international and one-handicapper Karumi Tran 2&1.
September 2019
More reasons for Morrison to smile – two aces in a day THE average wait for a hole-in-one is 24 years, but not for Shipley golfer Matt Morrison. He had two in the space of three holes in an eight-hole challenge match with club professional Nathan Stead, and they were the ninth and tenth aces of his tender 21 years. It started out on the 11th where he holed his 9-iron tee shot and he was at it again two holes later when his 8-iron strike went straight into the cup on the 147-yard par-3. Morrison, who is back for the summer break from Newcastle University where he is studying, also played the three short holes on Shipley’s back nine in just four shots after hitting his nine iron again on 17, this time to 8ft which he duly holed. Stead has taught Morrison since he started out at Shipley aged 11. A bemused Stead said: “If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I had six pars and two birdies and got absolutely battered.” Morrison did throw in a 6 on the par-5 15th, but – hey – he’s human.
Matt Morrison pictured after his amazing feat at Shipley New golf rules came into force at the beginning of this year. One of the changes affects putting – the flag may now be left in the hole when putting. However, this has led to controversy as to whether the flagstick is a help or a hindrance to holing the ball.
In a short video, the international rules official Yves C Ton-That (author of the global bestseller Golf Rules Quick Reference) provides the answer to what is currently golf’s most debated topic. His answer is based on an empirical study of 1,000 standardized putts; 500 with and 500 without the flagstick. And the findings were clearcut – leaving the flag in the hole almost always helps to hole putts. Furthermore, a positive side effect has also been identified – balls that are not holed come to rest significantly nearer to the hole if the flag has not been removed. Hallamshire’s Barclay Brown was beaten in the semi-finals of the 93rd R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship at Saunton by the eventual winner Tom Gueant of France. He became the first Frenchman to lift the trophy since Patrick Cros’s victory at Olton in 1960. Gueant will play in the 125thAmateur Championship at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire and gains an exemption into Final Qualifying for The 149th Open, at Royal St Georges, as a result of his victory.
Bradford bullish with some help from Toro BRADFORD Golf Club’s latest investment in its course has come in the form of a new fleet of Toro machines. Darrell Crowley re-joined the club as course manager in 2018, and one of his first big decisions was to choose the supplier from which he would source his new fleet, as part of the club’s commitment to continually investing in the facility Crowley said: “There have been Toro machines, among Course manager Darrell Crowley, seated right, with Russell Groundcare’s Paul Nichols, left, and Reesink’s Mike Turnbull other brands, at the club since the millennium, latest machinery advancements when he came back to the club but it wasn’t until 2006 that the and make it more self-suffias course manager, and seeing first package deal arrived. cient, the first Toro fleet deal the long-term benefit, that this “I had recently started as an was a big part of that. really hit home for him. assistant greenkeeper at the “It’s been so successful and Crowley said: “The course time and the club wanted to made such a positive improveis looking better than ever. It move away from updating indiment to the course since that goes without saying each individual machines to getting a we have continued our relavidual machine makes a differbulk amount of new kit from tionship with Toro, and this is ence, but of course only to its one brand to see what differnow our third lease agreeparticular area such as the ence that made, and if that ment.” greens or tees, so to get a fleet approach further improved the In recent years Bradford of new machines to cover all course.” Golf Club has restructured sevareas of the course, well the And while Crowley could eral holes and undergone tree collective improvement is simsee the immediate improveremoval to help return the ply striking. ments the switch to a Toro fleet course back to its traditional “The board has been workdeal with Reesink Turfcare moorland roots, coupled with a ing tirelessly for the last 20 made to the overall quality and major refurbishment of the years to keep the club in the condition of the course, it was clubhouse. modern era, keep up with the
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Charity buys Burghley Park A PRIVATE members’ golf club in Lincolnshire has been sold to a charity that preserves land and buildings of national importance. Burghley Park Golf Club was founded in 1890 when the Marquis of Exeter granted permission to 30 people to use Burghley High Park to pursue their golfing hobby. In 2015 the club celebrated its 125th anniversary and now has almost 600 members. However, the club has faced challenging times and its management committee and members have reached agreement with Burghley House Preservation Trust to take it over. The charitable trust has said it intends to continue to offer golf at the venue but it will also diversify into additional revenue streams.
Spokesman David Pennell said: “Over recent years the club has faced increasing competition from the many other clubs within the region, which provide facilities with which Burghley Park can’t compete. “As a consequence the club in its current format has become financially unsustainable, and so the estate has stepped in to safeguard its future.” He added: “Our immediate goal is to stabilise the club financially and to grow the membership. However, we are also looking to the future and see great opportunities to create a first-class venue, still with golf at its heart, but with facilities which would appeal not just to golfers but those seeking a broader leisure experience.”
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CHRIS HANSON
September 2019
THE EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR BLOG
Czech list is all positive despite last day W
AS IT the right or the wrong decision to play the Czech Masters on the European Tour last month? Some say yes, some say no…. The original plan was to commit to the Challenge Tour all year, so in that breath I should have been in Ireland trying to push up the OOM. But after an average campaign on the Challenge Tour so far this year I felt, why not? ... let’s play the Czech and see how it feels to play on the main tour again, get the juices flowing and try win some money. At the end of the day it is needed and it is my job, I’m still trying to pay the bills. Also, what happens if you go out there and win or finish in the top few is doors do then open and other opportunities arise. I had played nicely in Denmark the week before, so the game was trending slightly in the right direction, but 16 under and tied 18th on the Challenge Tour doesn’t get you much to show for it, so I decided to give the main tour a go – I miss it! So, it was back to Prague for the third time this season, but this time with my good mate Adam Walker on the bag, and it was actually this time last year we named him the ‘shovel’ for digging me out of a streak of eight missed cuts, with decent weeks in Sweden and Czech. I’d played the Czech Masters four times prior to this year and made the cut every time. It’s a fun track and you have to drive it well as if you don’t get the driver in play it plays pretty long, and they tend to get the rough pretty juicy around the greens and down the side of the fairways. As I knew the course very well, I was happy to get a Tuesday afternoon flight out and arrive at the course around 5pm. That meant some extra time at home Monday, and I wasn’t rushing off Tuesday morning before the kids got up. So, a few hours’ practice on Tuesday night was followed by a full day on Wednesday getting set for the week. I didn’t actually even see the course; Adam walked a few holes Wednesday while I had some TLC on the physio truck making sure the back was up to it. We also had a pretty decent draw: Eduardo De La Riva and Liam Robinson, both good guys and decent company, that always helps, plus we all played steady too. For three rounds I putted amazingly well for possibly my best three rounds in a row, and I holed out well and dropped a few bombs too. It just felt
Chris Hanson doubles up on his supply of energy bars ahead of playing in the Czech Masters last month
that if I started to hit it a little closer I was looking at a really low score sometime soon. In round one I dropped just one shot when going for the par-5 12th green in two, and other than that it was a pretty flawless performance shooting 69, three under. But scoring, as expected, was good; it’s long, but it’s soft and that makes any course accessible, especially when there are plenty good players in the field. Both Adam and I knew we had to press on Friday to make birdies, keep looking forward and push on up the leaderboard. Again, I played solidly and whenever I was slightly off, my short game was on fire and saved my bacon, and through ten holes I was two under and
very comfortable. Down my 11th (the second) I hit a pull hook into the left rough and I found it under the overhanging branches of a solo tree. I thought I could have a swipe at it and move it somewhere towards the front of the green…. Swoosh…that’s one fresh air!!!! Adam: “Are you going to chip it out now?” Me: “Can’t believe I’ve missed it; I’m having another go.” Swish…that was two fresh airs, and half the tree snapped off on the ground. Me “S**t.” Adam laughs. I then chipped it out and got up and down from 80 yards for a double bogey and I quickly dropped back to
three under and quickly found myself on the cut line. A world class up-and -down on the next, then the power play on the sixth came off and I made birdie to give me a little cushion with a few holes to go.
September quiz answers 1.Wakefield; 2. Matt Fitzpatrick; 3. Dr Alister MacKenzie; 4. Scarthingwell; 5. Alwoodley; 6. Aldwark Manor; 7. Kirkbymoorside; 8. Gotts Park; 9. Billy Foster; 10. Northcliffe.
The eighth is a demanding hole – if you watched it on TV, I’m sure many guys found the fairway trap down the left, which I did, and I had actually found it in round one as well. After a great shot in round one I was positive I could repeat the feat, but I didn’t. I hit the lip and it skipped out 15 yards ahead of the trap, still 180 yards to go – that’s not good. From there I hit a 7 iron to the perfect three-putt range, 65ft down the hill. One of the key things I’ve been trying to focus on at the moment is to stay positive whatever the situation, and I sure did. All credit to Adam, he’s the best at this, so positive whatever is going on, wants to win, wants to make birdies, save par, beat everyone, whatever it is, he’s positive. We discussed holing the putt was possible, so then to see it drop was great and made playing the ninth a lot easier, which then led to holing a 15ft putt for birdie to close the day on two under and five under for the tournament. Cut safely made. A couple of good saves came on Saturday in what was mostly a flawless performance and zero bogeys on the card.That’s always a great feeling and in three rounds I’d only made one bogey and one double, not bad golf and some certain progress from where my game was at a few months ago. So, -4 and up to -9 for the tournament, I was in with a real chance of a good finish and playing well. But as ever golf kicks you where it hurts and a miserable day on the course Sunday (five over) meant I fell well down the leaderboard to T58th. So, in all was it a good week or not? Did I enjoy playing on the European Tour? Yes. Did it spark my desire to get back to the European Tour? Yes? Were there more positives throughout the week? Yes. Do I know the key areas that let me down? Yes. Am I disappointed and want to make up for my finish? Yes. Do I believe I can get my card back? Yes. Did I break even for the week for the first time in a while? Yes. So, I would safely say it was a pretty positive week and I will look forward to my next event in a few weeks, which will most likely be France or Portugal on the Challenge Tour. I’ve got a few weeks off at home now and I missed Belgium as we welcomed Isabel Sarah Hanson to the world on August 24.
Fitzpatrick’s pin-sharp approach shot costs him dear RARELY does a near-perfect shot result in a bogey, especially when struck by a Tour professional, but it happened to Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick at the European Tour’s Scandinavian Invitational. Hallamshire member Fitzpatrick was five under through 13 holes of his final round, bogey-free and poised to claim his sixth European Tour victory. At the par-4 14th at Hills Golf &
Sports Club in Gothenburg, Fitzpatrick flushed his 164-yard approach shot. He loved it so much he gave it the club twirl/“be right” combination that usually signals that the ball is headed directly at the pin. Then, something terrible happened, the worst thing that can happen to a shot that’s hit too well from one of the best players in the world. It hit the flagstick on the fly, ricocheting off the green and finishing 40
yards from the flag in a collection area. “Not that right,” Fitzpatrick, pictured right, could be heard saying as he buried his head in his hands. If it doesn’t hit the pin it more than likely lands softly near the hole because of the ball’s trajectory, setting up a short birdie putt that could have got Fitzpatrick to six under on his round and 18 under for the tournament. But the brutal break led to a bogey
and essentially a two- shot swing. Even a par would have been enough eventually to get him in a playoff with Erik van Rooyen, the South African who won the tournament at 19 under par. Fitzpatrick was able to recover from the bogey by going birdie-bogeybirdie-birdie to finish his round, but his six-under 64 was only enough to get him to 18 under overall, one shot out of a playoff.