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ISSUE 13
SPIETH The greatest putter ever?
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ISSUE 13
News
The County
“Spieth may go down as the best anyone has ever seen”
GOLF MAGAZINE
countyzonegolfmag.co.uk
Ian Poulter
How to get in touch
J
ordan Spieth doesn’t bash the ball like Dustin Johnson, or flush every iron shot like Henrik Stenson, but he owns a short game that is the envy of every Tour pro. He ranks near the top of almost every statistical category on the greens, and he leads the PGA Tour in putting average (1.693), putts per round (27.88) and putts holed from 20-25 feet (28.85 percent). He is only second on Tour in lag putting (1 feet, 11 inches) and one-putt percentage (43.79 percent). Overall, Spieth is ranked sixth this season in strokes gained-putting; Jimmy Walker is No. 1. “Statistically he’s the best putter in the game,” Ian Poulter said of Spieth in an interview with Reuters, “and
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he may go down as the best anyone has ever seen.” It’s little wonder, then, that Spieth, who has just turned 22, has four wins this season (including two majors) and has earned nearly twice as much ($9.17M) as Bubba Watson ($4.72M), who is No. 2 on the money list. Poulter said it is Spieth’s proficiency from 20-25 feet that separates him from his peers. The world No. 2 has made 15 of his 52 attempts this season. “I don’t believe we’ve seen statistics on putting like we’ve seen from Jordan,” Poulter said. “If you look at the percentage of putts he holes from 25 feet, it’s remarkable. That’s generally the distance you hit it to when you are playing well. It’s an amazing percentage of putts that he holes and we all want that sort of putting stroke.”
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News
Scotland snatches victory at Rochester & Cobham
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uropean and Challenge Tour star Zane Scotland (Woodcote Park) provided a masterclass in subpar golf, shooting a seven-under-par 64 to snatch victory in the Rochester & Cobham Pro-Am. For his stellar performance Scotland picked up the winner’s cheque of £900. The two eagles and four birdies he made on the way to his winning score outclassed his rivals Jordan Godwin
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(Barnehurst) and Chris Gane (LefthandedGolf@ Silvermere), who both carded five-under-par 66s for second place and cheques for £650. Zane was in the mood to celebrate afterwards, saying: “Playing the big tour events is great, but it’s always makes for a terrific day out from the office when you’re asked to play in a PGA ProAm, especially at a course like Rochester & Cobham. The club puts on a great day for everyone and the course was immaculate. I’m certainly looking forward to another opportunity
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like this!” Scotland’s round got away to a good start when he eagle the par five third. He followed this with birdies at the fifth and the eighth to reach the turn in four-under-par. A birdie at the 10th got him to five-under, but an uncharacteristic dropped shot at the 15th didn’t help matters. Scotland then unleashed a fantastic finish with an eagle at the par four 17th and a birdie at the last that lifted him to a seven-underpar finish and two shots clear of the rest of the field.
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ISSUE 13
Club Feature
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ISSUE 13
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News
Richmond Park Golf Course, London
Festival Targets I
n August one of the country’s leading golf centre groups will use a vibrant, monthlong Golf Festival to forge links with local communities, and bring hundreds of firsttimers to golf. At seven Glendale Golf centres across the UK, from Portsmouth in the south to Chorley in the north, teams of golf centre staff will be encouraging local residents to visit their centre for the first time. Each centre’s goal is to interact with at least 100 absolute first-time
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visitors during August, whether for a golf lesson, a fun golf-themed event, or a session on the driving range. Each centre will also invite local community leaders to come and meet them, to discuss how golf can spread through the area – whether through schools, youth clubs, community centres or at the Glendale Golf centre itself. Golf Camps and free rounds of golf for youngsters, free beginner golf lessons, FootGolf events, Ladies’ Days, Fun Days for the family and more are being lined up at each golf centre.
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Older first-timers are not being forgotten, either, with each venue making a special effort to encourage senior citizens to discover how a golf centre can be a relaxing and sociable place – with how well you can play the game being of secondary importance. “100 people per golf centre may not sound like a large number, but think about it” said Tom Brooke, Operations Director of Glendale Golf. “If it’s a young person, then family members will probably help them get to the golf centre. Once they are there, there’s a good chance they will pop
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News
700 new golfers Tilgate Forest Golf Centre in West Sussex
“ We’re banishing the stereotypical stuffy image of the sport from our establishments.” in and perhaps get inspired to have a go themselves. Then there’s the word of mouth afterwards, whether on social media or in the pub with friends. “We believe that a golf centre should be a welcoming place, accessible to absolutely everyone, without snobbery or barriers. We’re banishing the stereotypical stuffy image of the sport from our establishments. And it’s ISSUE 13
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not just about inspiring an individual: ideally, we are setting out to change how our golf centres are viewed by the whole community”. As examples of next month’s activity, Tilgate Forest GC has partnered with Crawley Wellbeing, the Golf Foundation, UK FootGolf, Tilgate Park and Crawley Borough Council to put on a series of golfrelated activities for its local community.
Glendale Golf centres holding a Golf Festival in August: • Tilgate Forest Golf Centre in West Sussex • Richmond Park Golf Course and Beckenham Golf Course in London • Portsmouth Golf Course in Hampshire • Edwalton Golf Centre near Nottingham • Duxbury Park GC, Chorley • Castle Point Golf Course on Canvey Island in Essex.
To find out more about the Glendale Golf Festival, visit www.glendalegolf.co.uk www.countyzonegolfmag.co.uk
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Feature
Kings Hills Golf Club
The sky’s the limit for Golf Club promotions
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question for golf club committees: Is your club website looking a little tired and not helping to attract new members?
If that’s the case, why not try freshening it up by adding a professionally-produced short video to highlight more effectively just what your club has to offer. A Hythe based company, 10
Eagle Video Productions, have already produced videos for several clubs, including Faversham, Kent, Warley Park, Essex and the latest, Kings Hill, Kent. Eagle Video owner, Michael Jaques, says: “They are a fantastic promotional tool for golf clubs, whether they want to attract more members and societies, show off their clubhouse, or purely for prestige purposes.”
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Eagle specialise in aerial video, using a professional drone over the course. Their ‘pilot’ is Malcolm Beard, who won an Emmy for his work on the BBC Winged Planet series. Eagle Video were the first to be given permission to fly INSIDE Canterbury Cathedral for Eagle Video’s 40 minute film, Canterbury. The BBC followed two years later. Michael added: “Malcolm is just about the best around The County Zone SOUTH EAST
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Feature where drone pilots are concerned, there’s a lot of skill involved in piloting one, especially when you are trying to get shots close to the ground. Malcolm built the drone himself that we use, which is very much state of the art and would cost well over £15,000 to buy.” Michael, who grew up in south-east London, has been interested in film-making ever since he was a small boy. “ My dad gave me a cine camera when I was around 11 and I just loved it and have been making films ever since. I still have the films I made in my early teens. For some years I worked as an actor and have appeared in around 40 different TV shows but then, of course, I was on the other side of the camera, but it teach me a lot about technique” Now he is very much focussing on the production side and says: “When clubs first approach us about doing a video they often say, ‘We want is a film of every hole’, to which I reply, ‘Well, if it takes 30 seconds to view each hole, you are talking about an 9-minute video and nobody is going to sit at their computer for 9 minutes watching hole after hole. However, what you could do is to have 18 short videos that people can select ISSUE 13
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Michael Jaques
which hole they want to see, they can just dip in and out and get a view of each hole tee to green. This could be done for under £1,000.’ “A full production, including aerial, ground shots of the course, clubhouse, practice facilities etc etc edited into three short videos ready for their website or dvd for their prospectus, would cost around £2,000 and, as I said earlier, they are a highly effective way of promoting your club.” Glen Halsey, the general manager at Kings Hill GC, said: “The club decided that we needed a video,
including aerial footage for the new website and various other projects, so a friend put me in contact with Michael from Eagle Video. Eagle were highly recommended to me and I would highly recommend them to you. From start to finish Eagle have been professional and easy to deal with. The results are top drawer and we are looking forward to putting the footage in to action!’” For more information about Eagle Video Productions, and to see their latest video on Kings Hill Golf Club, go to their website at: www.eaglevideo.co.uk
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ISSUE 13
News
Wisley GC win Pearson Trophy
Rodgers adds Cuddington to his weekend collection
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hooting a fourunder-par 67*, Chris Rodgers boosted his growing winnings pot by winning the Cuddington Pro-Am outright. Rodgers was rewarded with a cheque for £1,111 and the satisfaction of an impressive round of golf that, having started at the 10th, saw him just one-under-par at his halfway point. Three birdies at the first, fifth and seventh left him in command, and despite some inspired golf from the pack, Rodgers stayed on top to take the money. Describing his round, Rodgers said, “It was a solid workmanISSUE 13
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like professional round in which I made the most of the few opportunities I made and played OK.” He continued, “The course was in great shape, and Paul Schunter, Cuddington’s new Director of Golf and Operations deserves a lot of credit both for getting this event back on the schedule, and for making it a really memorable day for everyone involved, judging by the feedback from the members at our table in the evening.” Schunter enjoyed second spot in the team event behind Torie Blakemore (Pine Ridge), which meant he too enjoyed some of the limelight when it came to the prizes.
The Pearson Trophy Surrey Cup final was fiercely contested at Bramley Golf Club on Wednesday 1st July. 69 clubs from Surrey had participated in this competition, starting the group stages in November 2014, with 7 ladies in the team playing singles handicap matchplay. The handicap range for this competition, founded in 1910, is 13-32. In the semi finals, Burhill beat Farnham and The Wisley beat Camberley Heath. In the afternoon final, the Wisley beat Camberley Heath with three of the matches being decided on the 19th Hole. Surrey will host the final in 2016.
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News
Wallis back on track in PGA Prince’s
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ichard Wallis (North Foreland) made a welcome return to winning ways with victory in the PGA Prince’s 27 with Tony Adams, his amateur partner from Prince’s. The local pair shot a nineunder-par 27-hole total over Prince’s three nines to claim a three-stroke victory, resulting in an £850 cheque for the four times Order of Merit champion, and three dozen Titleist Pro V1s and a GoKart trolley for three-handicapper Adams. The competition’s unique format exploits Prince’s three nines layout, with Round
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1 being foursomes over the Shore nine, Round 2 a greensomes over the Dunes nine, and the last round played as a four-ball betterball over the Himalayas nine. Wallis, for whom it was his second win of the season, said: “This is a terrific way to play Prince’s and enjoy every one of its testing holes to the max. It’s a refreshing change to the normal pro-am format, and with the foursomes and greensomes formats, it also made for some decently quick golf as well.” Wallis and Adams completed their nines in 34, 31 and 33, winning the first two rounds on their way to the overall team title. There was
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a three-way tie for second spot on 101 but Paul Nessling (Cooden Beach) and amateur partner Gary Begbe took the runners-up honours on countback from James Sharp (Waterhall) and Jake Williams in third, and fourth-placed Tom Reid (Wentworth) and Matthew Almond, with all players picking up prizes from Titleist and FootJoy. Wallis added: “The course was in its usual terrific condition and the greens were as fast as ever. This event is a great idea from Prince’s and The PGA and it’s growing every year. I’m also really looking forward to the PGA Kent Open Championship when it’s played here in mid-August.” The County Zone SOUTH EAST
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News
Croucher gives a masterclass
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he PGA in England (South) is delighted to announce that the top Canadian golf and leisure clothing company Longball Inc* has become the main supporter of its Assistants & Trainees Order of Merit events. Describing itself as ‘a Canadian-brewed company providing performance golf clothing, from the touring pro making a living on the weekends to the beauty teeing it up with his buddies for the good times.’, Longball Inc was created by three Canadians who were passionate about golf and the lifestyle that went with it. They saw a strong need for a young, fun brand developed by the player for the player, one that could break the mould and be an essential part of everyone’s lifestyle. PGA Regional Secretary Sam Smith added, “Longball Inc is an ideal fit with the aspirations of our younger PGA Professionals and Assistants, and I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with this mould-breaking designer ISSUE 13
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clothing company.” One of the first events to which the stylish Longball Inc clothing range made its introduction was The Golf College Challenge, and East Sussex National PGA Assistant Professional, Christopher Croucher, (pictured), gave the students and colleagues a masterclass, shooting a three-under-par total of 133 to win by six shots at Lindfield Golf Club. Croucher’s first round of 68 included four birdies that offsett the two bogeys and on the sixth, a double bogey, but he focused on the task in hand in the afternoon to shoot four more birdies and just the one bogey, again at the sixth. Taking home the winner’s cheque for £550, Croucher was delighted to be given some of the designer Longball Inc clothing as well.
Any Wych way but lose for Hinton Craig Hinton became the first player to win twice on the 2015 Jamega Pro Golf Tour with victory at The Wychwood Golf Club near Chipping Norton. It was just a short trip across Oxfordshire for the Thame golfer who produced consistent rounds of 68 and 69 to finish seven under par and one shot clear of Liam Crawford. Hinton had to be on top of his game to hold off the Foxhills Golf Club professional who did not drop a shot over the two days. Both finished with birdies at the par four final hole, but Crawford was left rueing a near miss to force a play-off. “A bogey-free week for second,” he said. “Had to make two down the last to put the pressure on but lipped out.” Having also won the season’s second Jamega Tour event at Dummer Golf Club in Hampshire in May, Hinton’s victory lifted him to third place in the Jamega order of merit behind James Ruebotham and David Dixon.
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News
Redhill Golf Centre set for busy summer Redhill Golf Centre are looking forward to the summer season following a major refurbishment programme at the club. Centre manager and PGA professional, Steve Furlonger and his team have been working hard behind the scenes to improve the facilities and greens at the club which can be found in the grounds of East Surrey Hospital. Steve said: “We are pleased to offer a newly renovated reception area for our golfers to sit and enjoy a snack or drink. On top of that we have invested over £10,000 on both our driving range, with brand new mats and balls, and on course we have upgraded our cutting machinery and improved our greens”. Now under new management the golf centre offers an excellent floodlit driving range and nine holefamily course, suitable for both beginners and established golfers looking to improve their game. Ample free parking is also provided on site. This year Steve is offering FREE adult coaching to anyone who wishes to take up the sport, contact Steve at the golf centre on 01737 770204. 16
Raitt wins Southern Open in fine style
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ormer Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit champion Andy Raitt (St. George’s Hill) delivered a spectacular eleven-under-par performance at East Sussex National* to win the PGA Southern Open Championship.
winner’s cheque of £2,500, and the admiration of all those who had battled around the former European Open venue for two days.
Blessed with ideal weather around the past European Open venue, Raitt shot a total of 205 for the three round event around the East course to take home the trophy, the
The leading amateur was Lindfield based The Golf College’s Piers Berrington on two-over-par, including two promising sub-par rounds of 71.
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In second place was Benn Barham on five-under-par and £1,500, while Tim Spence (The Golf College) one shot back in third place banked £1,225.
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News
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News
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News
Golfstream sponsors Kent Golf Veterans
Hunter wins Canterbury Pro-Am
olfstream, the leading manufacturer of all-British, precisionbuilt electric golf trolleys, has renewed it’s sponsorship of the Kent Golf Veterans League - for the second year running.
Prince’s assistant professional Alex Hunter shot a three-under-par 68 to win the inaugural Shepherd Neame South Region PGA Pro-Am at Canterbury.
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Golfstream will provide a range of substantial prizes for the KGVL’s two annual championships - the Singles Championship to be held this year at Walmer and Kingsdown Golf Club on Wednesday Monday 21st September and the Group Winners Championship, at Boughton Golf Club, on Thursday 1st October. The Singles Championship winner will receive a top of the range lithium powered Golfstream trolley and bag. Whilst the remaining 3 places will receive prizes ranging from a lithium battery, golf bag and golf bag cover. Eighty players from the top 8 clubs in Kent will compete in the Group Winners Championship to see who will be the outright winner for 2015. As an added bonus each member of the winning team will win an 18 hole ISSUE 13
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Derek Richford
CaddyCell lithium battery with the runners up receiving a top of the range Golfstream golf bag. Agreeing the sponsorship, KGVL Secretary, Barry Sweetman and John Hillier, Treasurer, thanked Derek Richford of Golfstream for the generous support. “We’re excited to have Golfstream continue their relationship with us, local golf companies supporting local golf clubs sends out such a positive message” Added Golfstream's Derek Richford: "We are delighted to renew our support for an important section of the golfing community in Kent. The KGVL is very successful and wide-reaching, with over 60 clubs in the county involved, so as a Ramsgatebased business we are delighted to continue our support."
In blustery conditions, Hunter made five birdies and two bogeys, shooting three-under over the first nine and level-par coming home. Hunter finished three strokes clear of joint runners-up Richard Neil-Jones, from Hilden Park Golf Centre near Tonbridge, and former European Tour pro Benn Barham, from Pedham Place, Swanley. One shot back in fourth place was PGA European Senior Tour player Bob Cameron, from Sundridge Park, with the leading Canterbury pro, Mike Bristow, a further stroke in arrears with a two-over 73 for joint fifth. Former Ryder Cup player and multi-European Tour winner Steve Richardson finished five-over on his first visit to Scotland Hills. Plans are now under way for the staging of the Kent PGA Championship at Canterbury next year.
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News
New members for Golf in Kent T he Golf in Kent brand has two new members in the form of Marriott Tudor Park Hotel & Country Club and Kings Hill GC after they joined the Visit Kent Golf Partners Programme.
Created to promote Kent as one of England’s finest golfing destinations, the group has now made the welcome addition of the Marriott Tudor Park complex at Bearsted, which boasts one of the county’s premier hotels and is home to a championship course designed by renowned architect Donald Steel. The addition of Kings 20
Hill GC (above) at West Malling also strengthens Kent’s golf offering. Characterised by its traditional links turf, as well as the carries over heather and rough to narrow, fast-running fairways, it is a real gem of a layout. The Visit Kent Golf Partners group was originally set up by Visit Kent in 2009 when it launched a three-year campaign to develop the county into a credible golfing destination. It currently boasts a distinguished group of golf partners with three Open Championship venues, Royal St George’s, Royal Cinque Ports and
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Prince’s plus Final Open Qualifying venues North Foreland and Littlestone, and the London Golf Club which last year hosted the Volvo World Matchplay Championship. “The game of golf goes back over 100 years in Kent and the county possesses an impressive array of championship links, notable lowland and parkland courses, and some relatively undiscovered tracks that make it one of England’s most varied and desirable golfing destinations,” said Cheryl Parker, head of development, partnerships and funding at Visit Kent who are behind the Golf in Kent brand. The County Zone SOUTH EAST
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News
Lowe and Gane duel for crown
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eatherheadbased Michael Lowe’s victory roll continued at the Kingswood Charity Pro-Am, shooting a four-under-par 68 to match the impressive card of Chris Gane. A very impressive £20,000 was also raised for charity on the day itself, adding to the lustre and profile of the event. Taking home cheques for £875 each, Gane and Lowe left the chasing pack of Peter Appleyard (Redlibbets), Scott Stevens (Staplehurst), Rob Gowers (Alresford) and Tom Fleming (Newbury & Crookham) three shots behind, after they all carded one-under-par 71s for £500 each. Stevens matched the winners’ with five birdies, but the challenging ISSUE 13
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Kingswood course caught him out with four bogeys. Gane has some form at Kingswood, winning the PGA Surrey Open here last year by six shots. After a string of top ten placings in the last few events, he was very satisfied with his first win of the 2015 season. “I’ve been close to winning a few times this year,” he said, “but there has usually been some phenomenal scoring that’s edged me out of pole position - until today!” A winner at the recent Betchworth Park and West Hill Pro-Ams, Lowe was not expecting to make three wins in a row within 10 days, but following the news that his back injury had completely healed, Lowe’s delight was clear, “I’m back playing some of my best golf and after all the time out with that injury, it feels great to be at the top of my game.”
£12k raised for charity at Gillingham GC The Kent County Playing Fields Association recently held their 58th annual Cecil Leitch Five Club Competition finals at Gillingham GC. Over 2140 competitors took part in the preliminary stages, with some 90 finalists taking part on the day, and over £12,000 was raised for the charity from this year’s event. The men’s winner was Scott Wilford (Marriott Tudor Park GC) with 37 points on countback from Tim Wilcox (Cherry Lodge GC), with third place going to Martin Salmon (Gillingham GC). The women’s winner was Sandra Stronach (Dartford GC) with 38 points on countback from Mary Bell (Nizels GC) and Hilary Sheilds (Wildernesse GC). In addition to their trophies and prizes, both winners received a week’s free accommodation at a luxury villa at Guadalmina GC in Marbella, to be taken at anytime in 2016. KCPFA secretary Paul Peacock said: “We would like to thank our hosts Gillingham Golf Club for making everyone welcome and for allowing us to use their course, with a special mention for club manager Karen Snow who assisted throughout to ensure the day passed smoothly. Next year’s final will be held at Sundridge Park GC on June 16, 2016. 21
News
Summer Junior Golf Camps at Tudor Park
Timeless Ace spans three generations
If you would like to get your children interested in golf then the Tudor Park Marriott Hotel &Country Club Junior Golf Camps would seem a pretty good place to start. The hotel in Bearsted, near Maidstone, will be running two of its popular camps for five to 16-year-olds during the school holidays. The first takes place from August 3-7 and the second from August 17-21. Older, more experienced, golfers will play nine holes each day with tuition followed by a competition. Younger, less experienced, golfers will have tuition on the range with a PGA golf professional and then take part in competitions on the course. At the end of each week a junior champion will be chosen and he or she will receive complimentary junior golf membership until February 2016. The camps cost ÂŁ15 per morning, 9am-12noon, or ÂŁ60 for each week. To book call the Tudor Park Golf Shop on 01622 739412. 22
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poignant round of golf for Chris Thomas became a day to treasure when he joined his son and late father with an ace on the same hole to leave a lasting legacy at their historic club. Thomas, 47, a member at St Augustine's Golf Club in his home town, Ramsgate, Kent, was competing in the June monthly Stableford at his home club when he found the missing piece to the jigsaw on the 156-yard, par-three 15th. The six-handicapper said: "On August 7th, 1961, my late father, Major John Thomas who played off a nine handicap - had a hole-in-one on the 15th at St Augustine's from 135 yards and I still have the
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ball mounted in a plaque as a memento. I was lucky to play with my dad about 30 times before he passed away. "On July 3rd, 2012, my son, Joe - aged 16 at the time and playing off five - amazingly achieved an ace on the very same hole. I was so proud to follow in the footsteps of my father and son to make it a family hat-trick, and, to make it extra special, I've received a BOSS watch as a permanent reminder." Joe added: "I was so excited when I couldn't find my ball but looked around anyway, as it often bounces through the green, which is very flat. I couldn't see it so I had a look in the hole, and there it was. I am delighted that my grandfather, dad and I can share this special moment." The County Zone SOUTH EAST
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LADIES ZONE
Keely shares honours A
It was also the first time that a lady PGA Professional has shared the podium with her male colleagues in a PGA South Regional ProAm, with each winner taking home a cheque for £633. Yet it was only a last minute call that led to Chiericato actually ISSUE 13
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playing in the event at all!” She explained: “After struggling with an injury last season, it was great to play some of my best golf to date, and to do that in a PGA Pro-Am was an added bonus. Everything was going well, driving, irons, and putting, particularly on my opening nine.” The Thanet-based PGA Professonal continued, “This win means a lot to me, and I hope it’s a good omen for me in the other LET Access series events that I’m playing in this
Picture: By Women&Golf
fter shooting a superb threeunder-par 68 Keely Chiericato (Manston Golf Centre) shared the honours in the Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Pro-Am with recent winners Jordan Godwin (Barnehurst) and Chris Croucher (East Sussex National).
Continued on page 27 >
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LADIES ZONE
Samantha adds Tour class to iPlay team
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our star Samantha Head has joined iPlayGolfUK to boost the indoor golf facility’s coaching and customfitting team. A familiar face on the Ladies European Tour for twenty years, the 42-year old Italian Open and South African Open champion also played for three seasons on the Japanese LPGA Tour. Head, who most recently won the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School in 2007, retired five years ago from Tour life to start a family.
She is seen frequently in golf magazines, is a Sky Sports golf pundit on TV, and currently contributes regular features and articles to Women & Golf magazine. “You will never truly master golf ” said Head, “but you should always enjoy the process of getting there. You find out pretty quickly on Tour that you learn far more from your bad rounds than your good rounds, so I 24
like to teach golfers how not to get down on themselves when the inevitable demons take over their golf swing! “If I can teach golfers how to laugh at misfortune on the course, and learn from it instead, I’ll have achieved something important “she went on.
“I love to teach highhandicappers and beginners, as they can make great strides very quickly. But I think I also have a lot to offer the better player, naturally, including those who are looking to find that extra few percent which takes them into Category 1 and beyond”. Samantha Head is the first female golf coach to join the team at iPlayGolfUK. She joins PGA professionals Greg Tilbury and Danny Poulter at the UK’s largest indoor golf experience, located close to Newport Pagnell just five minutes from M1 Junction 14. “Over the years Samantha has worked with amazing golf coaches such as David Leadbetter and Sean Foley”
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said Poulter, Director of Golf at iPlayGolfUK. “This factor, along with her long history of competing at the highest level on Tour, gives her an unbelievable amount of authority on how to reduce your score – regardless of your level of ability. “Samantha Head adds unquestionable Tour class and incredible experience to our coaching and customfitting setup, and we could not ask for a more exciting addition to the team here at iPlayGolfUK!” Simon Avery, General Manager of iPlayGolfUK, said: “Word is already spreading throughout the Midlands that Samantha is now working at iPlayGolfUK. A lot of people remember her and her sister, Johanna, from their days on Tour, and she adds that crucial female angle to the coaching staff here. “We’re becoming increasingly popular with families as an entertainment destination, whether they are golfers or not, and it was important for us to find the
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LADIES ZONE right woman to become the female face of iPlayGolfUK. With her fascinating Tour golf experience, her coaching skills and her exceptionally friendly personality I am sure that Samantha is going to become a firm favourite with all of our customers”. The Bedford-based Tour star is looking forward to working in the technologically-advanced environment at iPlayGolfUK. “Simulators give you so much useable information, whether you’re playing for fun or getting serious about your game” she said. “iPlayGolfUK is a fantastic place to play golf day or night, whatever the weather, and as one of the UK’s largest custom-fitting facilities offering almost all of the major brands, we have the ability to create your bestever set of golf clubs right here. “I believe that when you stop learning, you stop living, and that’s also my philosophy towards golf.
Picture: By Women&Golf
I’m looking forward to meeting and teaching people when they come to experience our wonderful playground for all golfers!” iPlayGolfUK is open from 9am until late, seven days a week. See www.iplaygolf. co.uk or call 01908 299366 for information. ISSUE 13
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Get into Golf with Felicity Dunderdale
This month we introduce our new guest columnist Felicity Dunderdale, founder of FORE!Women. Her passion is to encourage more women to take up the sport and to support golf clubs in changing their image to attract more female players.
In her first column, Felicity gives tips on taking those first steps:
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y mother and brother are keen golfers so you would think I found it easy to get into the sport. The opposite is true. When I finally decided I wanted to play in my late twenties, I drove around for an hour before I could bring myself to step into my local golf club. I would have welcomed a bit of handholding from fellow female players to give me the confidence to take that first step. I’ve just recently held four ladies’ taster session at North Foreland Golf Club in Broadstairs, Kent, and the comments from the participants had a familiar ring – many admitted they had always wanted to try golf but didn’t have anyone to go with them. Evidence shows we are more group-oriented in our activities than men, which is
why holding group sessions or taster days works to encourage ladies to take up golf. As well as a hand to hold, choosing the right golf club is key to keeping us interested in the game. Seek out golf clubs that offer beginner and group sessions, academy packages (so you can have lessons and play) putting and chipping greens, and a choice of being able to play a short course as well as 18 holes. Once you have done some research, give your club of choice a call to find out what they offer female beginners, such as ladies taster days and group sessions. Some of the more enlightened clubs operate a buddy system in which female members mentor new golfers.
Making sure I made the right golf club choice, and one that fitted into my lifestyle, has been the reason why I continue to enjoy playing even after 15 years. There is no denying that golf is still a male dominated sport, but some of the more progressive golf clubs now have up to 30% female membership. I believe there is a responsibility on all of us who enjoy the game to pass that pleasure on and encourage more women into the sport. So, the next time your friend, girlfriend, wife, partner or female neighbour sees you hauling your golf clubs into the car boot, and says “I’ve always fancied trying that” why not invite them along.” • Next month, Felicity gives her tips on how golf clubs can attract the female sex.
*Felicity Dunderdale, a PGA level 1 coach, has helped introduce more that 65 women to golf in the past year by organising taster sessions with progressive golf clubs. For more information, or to become part of the female golf community visit the FORE!Women website www.forewomen.co.uk Follow on Twitter @Fore_Women like the Fore!Women Facebook page or email info@forewomen.co.uk
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Keely shares honours
Sittingbourne ladies win at Kent Finals
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wenty years after their previous victory the Sittingbourne & Milton Regis ladies travelled to Faversham GC for the Kent Finals Day of the Pearson Trophy. The qualification process had involved winning a group of teams containing Wrotham Heath, Westerham and Faversham Golf Clubs. Five victories from the six ties set Sittingbourne up for the first knockout round against Etchinghill where a 9-5 victory win took them through to a home and away decider against West Malling. Wins at home and away then brought qualification for the Kent Finals day. The morning of the Finals Day ISSUE 13
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saw a semi-final match against Royal Cinque Ports. The front nine was evenly contested but the Sittingbourne ladies then moved into top gear and won four of the first five matches to clinch a place in the final. The second semi-final was a tightly-fought match between Lamberhurst and Nizels which was only decided on the 18th green of the final match, with Lamberhurst coming out on top 4-3. The Sittingbourne ladies were quick out of the blocks in the afternoon final and showed Lamberhurst no mercy, clinching the first four matches to be completed. The remaining games were brought off the course as the many supporters who had travelled with the Sittingbourne team celebrated a famous victory.
> from page 23 year in pursuit of my tour card. I’d like to thank the region for all their hard work to set up these events, and my coach, Steve Cardy (Regiment Way) as well.� While Godwin made four birdies for his 68, Croucher made two and an eagle at the second for his winning card. Keely did things rather more spectacularly, including driving two of the par fours. Starting on the ninth and playing right behind Godwin, she opened with a bogey but then went into overdrive with a barrage of birdies on the 11th, 12th and 14th to reach two-under-par. After bogeying the 15th she birdied the next three holes to be five-under-par and in the lead. Two more bogeys ensued on her way to the finish, but it all added up to a terrific 68 and probably one of the most exciting rounds her amateur partners had seen.
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Competition
Crown Golf is Europe’s largest golf club owner and operator. They have 24 golf clubs in London & the South and offer some of the best golf in the country. Their golf clubs and golf courses are spread across, Bristol, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Middlesex, Merseyside, Surrey
and West Sussex. They have an outstanding portfolio of golf clubs and golf courses in our estate, including St Mellion International Golf Resort, a Top 100 golf course. To enter simply answer the question below and send us your entry. Or you can enter via our website or Facebook. Good Luck!
CROWN GOLF COMPETITION ENTRY FORM How many Golf Clubs do Crown have in the uk?
ANSWER:
A). 24 B). 8 C). 40
ADDRESS:
Please complete this form and post to: The County Zone, 5 Tangle Oak, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2PG Competition runs unti August 18th, 2015.
NAME:
POSTCODE: CONTACT No. EMAIL:
Terms and conditions apply.
YOU CAN ALSO ENTER ONLINE AT WWW.COUNTYZONEGOLFMAG.CO.UK AND ON FACEBOOK 28
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EQUIPMENT ZONE SPONSORED BY GOLFSTREAM - The Golf Trolley Experts
SkyPro adds ‘gamechanging’ upgrade
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kyCaddie’s SkyPro golf swing training device has added a new Attack Angle feature in a new upgrade. Attack Angle measures whether the clubhead is moving up or down on the ball at impact. The upgrade is automatically added when golfers update the free SkyPro app on their smartphone or tablet, with Attack Angle appearing as a new parameter in the Impact area of every swing. SkyPro users will be delighted to discover that Attack Angle has also been applied retrospectively to every swing which they have ever recorded on their SkyPro. A golfer’s angle of attack into the ball plays a major part in optimising ball speed, the quality of strike, and total distance achieved. “It’s a game-changing update” said Carl Bianco, Head PGA Professional at Woking Golf Club. “Until now we’ve needed a £10,000 launch monitor to determine the angle of attack.
Nearly every bad driver of a golf ball I see has a downward attack angle, so this additional parameter is fantastic news for anyone who has a SkyPro. “Modern-day drivers are all about spin characteristics, so Attack Angle is especially important when you’re buying a new driver” he continued. “With many golfers also struggling to achieve the right downward angle of attack with their iron play, I can see Attack Angle being of massive benefit”. The new feature enables golf professionals to use SkyPro to custom-fit golfers for the perfect driver or new set of irons, and also enables golfers to groove their swings even more accurately – with lower scores and a more enjoyable round of golf the rewards.
Attack Angle is available now for SkyPro users with Apple iOS smartphones and tablets, with an announcement regarding the Android update expected soon.
THE GOLF TROLLEY EXPERTS Trolleys, Batteries, Spares and Repairs ISSUE 13
The County Zone SOUTH EAST www.golfstream.co.uk
www.countyzonegolfmag.co.uk Tel: 01843 594213
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Equipment
MIZUNO BLUE MAGIC M
izuno, the Japanese golf equipment manufacturer has unveiled its new S5 wedges in a striking Blue IP or White Satin finishes, offering unprecedented levels of greenside performance. Mizuno, founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1906, has long held an enviable industry for producing scoring clubs that look great, perform superbly and offer a great blend of feel, control and workability. The brand’s latest S5 wedges have been precision-engineered to spin a little #BlueMagic into your wedge game courtesy of a stunning new Blue IP finish that’s designed to wear over time without reducing the durability of the plating itself. The S5 wedges will also be available in Mizuno’s White Satin finish, which has proved extremely popular for many years now.
For a wedge to play right, it also has to look right, and the S5’s score so highly here that short-game maestro, Luke Donald, had no hesitation putting them in play almost immediately at this year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. The former World No.1 may currently top the PGA Tour’s stats for proximity from the sand, and feature in the Top 10 for scrambling from the fringe, but the S5’s performance benefits have been designed to meet the needs of everyone from top tour pros to mid-handicapper. For further information on the S5 wedges and Mizuno’s full range of golf equipment, apparel and accessories visit: golf.mizunoeurope.com 30
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