Hello golfers,

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly newsletter. This week's email has an exclusive interview with World Long Drive champion Joe Miller as he looks to defend the crown he won in 2016, aswell as the latest competition results. Enjoy the read.

Sarah Smith - My Final Round & Some of this Year’s Season!

A hard day of golf in the wind & rain today (after the sunny week we have had!) at South Herts Golf Club. The course was in good condition, with greens playing a little harder than normal with some tough pin positions. My mum worked the hardest she's worked whilst caddying as I think I found what I felt like to be every bunker on the course! After a couple birdies and a few higher scores on the card I finished +7, not too bad in the tough, testing conditions.

I’ve had the best season so far in my 3 & 1/2 years of being a professional. I have become a Yonex Ambassador this year and changed my woods and irons to the brand - this has made a real change and improvement to my game and my average scoring has been a lot lower than previous years! Also with the help from Rob, I'm sure you've seen my swing changed this year, it's definitely neatened it up from the 'John Daily backswing' I used to have!

A huge THANK YOU to all the support I've had throughout the season, whether it's from you popping in the shop, seeing me at work to all the social media comments too! An even bigger thank you to my sponsorship team CF Corporate.

After the last event on Wednesday, I have finished in 3rd position for the LETAS Qualifying Order Of Merit, just 1 point behind joint 1st place! Great work to my foursomes partner Katie Rule (Mullion GC) for coming joint 1st with Lydia Hall (Ladies European Professional). It's great to finish top 10 only 1 point behind a Tour Professional but finishing in front of Alison Nicholas!

Finishing 3rd puts me through to the LETAS International Challenge Tournament played on the last week of September at Stoke By Nayland GC. This tournament is part of the Ladies European Tour Access Series, the next level up from WPGA. If anyone would like to come and watch the tournament it is on Thursday, 28 & Friday, 29 September with a cut going through to Saturday, 30 September.

Thank you again,
Sarah

Junior Open

The bank holiday weekend saw a busy schedule in the club diary kicked off with the Junior Open on Friday. The day saw the best turn out for a number of years, the round of the day was a 73 by Matthew Green from Bishops Stortford with our very own Jamie Price coming second with a 75. The nett competition was won by Saffron Walden’s emerging talent Will McKernon with a nett 67. This is just reward for Will who has worked hard at his game all year and improved all aspects of his game.

The team competition winners were Bishop Stortford by one point from Saffron Walden. They get a trip to Northants County for their endeavors.

5 Under Secures the Gold Medallion for Brookes

Sunday was the final 36 hole competition of the year, The Autumn Cup. This is normally keenly fought between the scratch team players and this year was no different with Callum Brookes shooting a superb morning 67 to open a four shot lead over Olly Tuck. He got over the line in the afternoon with a 76 to win by 6 shots from Olly and get his handicap down to plus one. This should ensure that he gets a few more starts next season in higher ranking national amateur events.

Olly continued his form the following day in the shot maker’s championships, The Domonic Cup with a 71. Not bad with only a handful of spanners in your bag!

The best nett round of the day went to Ossie Esterhuizen. Playing off a handicap of 9, Esterhuizen got off to a good start with a couple of birdies and ended the first round 3 under, nett 69. Despite a couple of back to back bogeys in the afternoon he held his round together to finish level par, nett 72 to finish nett 141, 3 under to claim the Autumn Cup, 2 better than Brookes in second place. Gary Bower, playing off 6 had two very consistent rounds of 78 to finish with a nett 144, level par, in 3rd place. Esterhuizen attributes his success to taking on board the advice of Bob Rotella in "Golf is not a Game of Perfect" which helped him keep his focus in a very slow round.

In the Ladies Autumn Cup competition Linda Kelsey and Lynda Minton, both playing off 10 handicaps, were neck and neck after the first round, as both recorded the same 93 gross. However Kelsey had a better round in the afternoon, ending up with a nett 181. Charlotte Pienaar pipped Minton to 2nd with a nett 165.

A Message of Thanks

Many thanks to all the members of the golf club who very kindly signed a card and gave so generously for a leaving collection/wedding present.

We had a fabulous wedding in London and a reception at the Savoy Grill with family and friends. We are now in 42C heat of Abu Dhabi in an apartment overlooking the Grand Mosque, quite a change! All best wishes to Saffron members for the future and the forthcoming centenary celebrations which we hope to attend.

Best wishes

Gavin & Jackie Greenaway

Junior Coaching Programme

Sundays 10:00 & 11:00am
1st, 8th, 22nd, 29th October | 5th, 12th November

6 Week Programme At Saffron Walden Golf Club

The first 5 weeks will involve learning, long game, short game, putting & skills based challenges. The final week includes an exciting competition!

Only £40 For 6 Weeks! £8 per session for roll up on the day.

Book Now To Secure Your Place, Maximum Of 10 In A Group:

Rob McNicholas, Aaron Howard & Sarah Smith, PGA Professional’s Email- rob@swgc.com | sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk | Telephone- 01799 522786

'Final Afternoon at the Par 3 Course Before it shuts for the Winter!'

Do You Know Someone Who Wants To Try Golf?

Saturday, 16 September 1:30-3:30pm

Great Chesterford Research Park Par 3 Course Or Saffron Walden Golf Club - Numbers Dependant

During the afternoon you will learn basic techniques for getting you started in learning golf or practice with a coach for those starting out who want to improve their game. The afternoon covers long game, chipping & putting or short game, putting & on course experience.

It’s a fun afternoon, meeting new people, discovering new skills and you will be refreshed on the skills of learning golf.

Only £20 for the afternoon. Equipment & balls provided. Maximum of 10 in a group.

Book now to secure your place by Email- sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk or Telephone- 01799 522786