Hello and welcome to this week's newsletter.

 

Sunningdale Foursomes

We've had a busy playing week this week from the pro shop staff. Sarah and I ventured down to Sunningdale on Monday for the foursomes. We were first off on the new course on Tuesday morning and drawn against George Parker and Jack Colegate.

Both players were full time touring pros and ex England internationals as amateurs, they hit the ball out of sight but what stood out was their short game. We hit every single fairway and not just hit them but flushed it down the middle. We were two down after four from a couple of unforced errors from the fairway but the next five holes we had a chance to win every hole but could only take one with a birdie on nine.

They rode their luck at times but got up and down on every occasion bar one and holed everything from inside fifteen feet. They eventually beat us 3&2 in typical fashion, missing the green, short siding themselves then playing a fantastic lob shot and holing a seven footer for par. All this after we missed another birdie putt to take it further.

Despite losing we did take heart that we had come up against a couple of quality players and given them a good match. We played well and if we'd holed half of our putts from 10feet and in we would have beaten them round a course we had never played before having been called up late into the tournament.

I would like to thank Kevin Diss for the pictures, it was nice to catch up with him and see a familiar face. We also played under par for the five holes he was there so probably could have done with him sticking round for a bit longer!


Sarah Smith - Women & Golf Magazine

On Monday this week I went to a studio near Stratford in London to work with the Women & Golf magazine. I was asked around Christmas time if I would like to become a Women & Golf magazine coach which involves a photoshoot and writing storyboards to cover coaching advice on different parts of the game.

I'm really happy to have the opportunity to work alongside the magazine and work with the editor Alison Root to make 6 different articles for the magazine which comes out every 2 months. As well as the photoshoot, I took part in making 12 different videos giving 1-2 minutes coaching tips for bad shots, these will be shown on the Women & Golf website, YouTube and social media - they may also help you with your game!

The Women & Golf magazine featuring the first article is due out in April, keep an eye out for it on the shelves!

Keep up to date on Social Media too by clicking here.


 

Slade

So as I wasn't able to make day two of Sunningdale I had the pleasure of making the March Slade meeting. Wednesday was a lovely and sunny day and I had the pleasure of playing middleman with Keith Fletcher and Andy Fisher. Keith knew the story of not coming first and not coming last and we managed a very steady 38 points. However Andy seems insistent on trying to win all of this year's Slade meetings.

We managed two birdies apiece and with Andy having a few shots we made the turn in 23 points. The back nine was steadier but Andy managed a number of three pointers and I managed to birdie 17 and we got round in 44 points.

We hoped someone would pip us but as the course was playing longer and the greens still recovering from their recent treatment we won comfortably by three points and treated everyone to a drink.

At the other end the PPPP was very keenly fought over. With 15 points on either side for two teams it went down to a poorer back 6, the worst of which belonged to Rafa and Viv Power who fully deserved their pot with a mere 30 points.


Seniors Report

Our "Virgin" Captain for the day as he called himself Roger Cowen lead a team of 16 players on Monday into the first match of the year against Haverhill. The course was looking good and the treated greens were a bit slower than normal. But the match was won by the Club 6 and a half to 1 and a half. 

Notables were Bryan Lewis as ever with Derek Green who won 6&5 and Geoff Mansfield and Malcolm Thorne who won 6&4. 

Malcolm Thorne


 

Junior Easter Camp 

- 2-day course covering the swing, driving, irons, pitching, chipping, putting and on-course skills. 

- Tuesday, 11 & Wednesday, 12 April 2017 10am-3pm (including lunch) 

- £50 per person or £55 with lunch included.

Please contact the pro-shop staff for further information (Limited spaces available on a first come first come basis, please book now to avoid disappointment).