Welcome to this week’s newsletter. Firstly apologies to Elaine Purcell, after checking last weeks ladies results in the Seniors club championship I forgot to look at the gross winner and as you will see Elaine did rather well!
I'm sure you were all glued to the telly last weekend watching the golf from Scotland. Despite some of the reservations the pundits had of how tough Carnoustie is I think it was one of the best Opens for many a year. I think the course played tough but fair and going into the last hour it was still anyone’s to win. The added extra is also Tigers comeback into the sport, love him or loathe him he does bring something extra to the game.
I was delighted for Molinari to be crowned champion, I think his style of play can sometimes go under the radar when potential winners are being mentioned but the round he had on Sunday was flawless. It goes to show you don't need to dominate a course with sheer power but you can still win majors by hitting it straight, having good course management and holing putts.
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WPGA Lombard Trophy - Sarah Smith
Monday this week myself and Lady Member Janina Jones, took the trip up to Manchester to play Dunham Forest Golf Club in the WPGA Lombard Trophy.
We had a very hot round and the course played very dry and bouncy, although greens and tee boxes were still lovely and green! If you've ever played the course before, you’ll remember it's quite quirky and different... it's not the longest course but full of dog-leg holes with tree lined curvy fairways.
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We had a really steady round between us and played well as a team, I made a few pars leaving Janina quite a few 'free' putts for nett birdies to have a go at. Janina putted really well even making a birdie, nett eagle on one of the par 5's! We finished 2 under as a team which put us just three away from getting a place to go to Portugal for the grand finale.
We are both feeling all set for Saffron Walden's Pro-Am next week, even though we are in different teams!
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Golf Sixes Good Luck to our Junior Golf Sixes team this Sunday who are playing at Kingsway Golf Club. You will see the results in next week's newsletter.
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Elaine triumphs in Seniors Championship A delighted Elaine Purcell lifted the senior ladies trophy at Saffron Walden Golf Club last Tuesday. Her gross 86, nett 73, 2 under, left her 2 shots clear of runner up Sue Amiss, gross 88. After erratic recent rounds, she left her driver in the car and played the course more conservatively; no birdies, but very steady. She appeared to have missed her chance when, on the par 5 9th, having found a bunker with her second shot, she again found the sand with her third. Her fourth shot stayed in the sand, but she miraculously managed to hole the 5th from the bunker to secure a par. She continued to capitalise on her luck.
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Sue Bowler carried off the Holwood Bowl for the best nett score with an excellent nett 69 with Jane Wagstaff runner up with a gross 71.
The Nicholson Bowl is awarded to the best gross score in the 21-30 handicap band; here the order was reversed with Jane winning (gross 92) and Sue runner up (gross 93). |
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Seniors Captains Away Day The last two weeks have been very busy with high activity in the ranks of the Saffron Walden Seniors. The Seniors Committee might need to look at this for next year.
This started with the Seniors Captains Away Day at Welwyn Garden City Golf Club on Thursday 12th July. Captain Bill had chosen an excellent venue for his away day. This as usual takes the form of a mixed match between Bill's Team v Past Captain Peter Still. The course was very brown and burnt leading to amazing bounces. Making us all think more about each shot!
The Ladies nearest the pin was won by Jane Wagstaff and the men’s was won by Patrick Lavelle. Overall the match was won by Peter Still's Team. This was followed by an enjoyable meal. I would strongly recommend a visit to this very good course
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Inaugural Away Match vs Brickendon Grange
Monday 16th saw the Team Captained by Peter Still arrive at Brickenden Grange Golf Club for our inaugural away match and as ever this summer the weather was dry and hot just tipping over the 30 degree mark.
But I can safely say those playing thoroughly enjoyed the course and we very much look forward to next year. Having won at home, away was as difficult as expected. So congratulations to Chris Martin and Kit Balal on their win and to Tony Gomes and Tony Collett on securing a half.
The welcome menu said that we were going to have pan fried Salmon with Saffron & Confit Fennel Risotto. We actually had an excellent Turkey & Ham carvery!!!
I would like to add to Peter's report that I was playing with Colin Bailey and we arrived at the 17th voted the most difficult Par 4 in Herts. Colin drove to the edge of the left hand fairway bunker, took out his 3 wood to fly over the dip, over a pond and up the slope to finish 4 foot from the pin. He then proceeded to sink his putt for a well-deserved birdie - we still lost!
The match was lost.
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Match vs Stowmarket
On Tuesday 17th, sixteen of our Senior Golfers led by Captain Clive Walker met for coffee and a bacon roll at 8:30 in the Stowmarket clubhouse. Ten of our team had played the previous day in our match at Brickendon Grange and looked somewhat weary! Anthony Gold had broken his driver in that match and was now sporting an old wooden PING driver, does this bode well? After a warm welcome and the normal introductions from Bill Morrison, the Stowmarket Club Captain, we moved to the first tee.
Clive Walker and Derek Green were our first pairing and both hit good drives on the opening par 5. The balls ran so far that we both passed the bell and very nearly finished in the pond. Roy Rogers who was playing with Bill Morrison succeeded in hitting the bell with his second shot. Local rules meant he had to replace his ball and play again with no penalty. This time he found the fairway and with his next shot a green side bunker. Clive was on the green in regulation and making par would normally win the hole. However, Roy chipped out of the bunker and into the hole for an unexpected birdie. The next two holes were halved and we won the next three holes to be 2 up at the turn. We kept up the pressure to move to dormie 4 without losing another hole, before a lapse of concentration; Clive's trolley rolled into a shallow pond. This allowed our opponents back into the game winning the 15th and 16th holes. We refocussed and Derek won the 17th to give us a win of 3&1.
Our second pairing of Peter Still and Alf Magona went two down early on. Peter had captained the team at yesterday's match with Brickendon Grange and despite playing to three under his handicap had lost by one hole. There was to be no repeat today and him and Alf, reeled in their opponents to win 2&1.
Colin Murrant and Patrick Lavelle managed an honourable draw. Stowmarket were triumphant in the remaining 5 matches to give them an overall win 5 1/2 to 2 1/2. Anthony Gold managed to out drive his playing partners with his old wooden driver, on one hole. However, he will be calling in to Rob's pro shop to establish if his broken driver can be repaired or if he needs to buy some new technology.
We enjoyed a lunch of lamb shanks and old fashioned sherry trifle with lively conversation. We look forward to returning next year.
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Refreshers Short Game Session
Great Chesterford Science Park Par 3 Course
Saturday 18th August, 1:30-2:30pm
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This hour will be coached short game session ran by PGA Professional Sarah Smith, followed by a few holes supervised on the par 3 course at Great Chesterford.
After the hour is complete, you will be allowed to continue around the par 3 course on your own!
It’s a fun afternoon, meeting new people, improving your game and you will be refreshed on the skills of improving your golf game.
Only £15 for an hour, optional free play after the coaching.
Book now to secure your place, maximum of 8 in a group:
Sarah Smith, PGA Professional Email- sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk | Telephone- 01799 52278
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Are you the type of golfer who considers the danger ahead of you and plans accordingly, or do you pull a driver from the bag on every par-4 and par-5 without a blink? If you’re the latter then you need to read on. |
Consider the danger
You hear pros talk a lot about the ‘smart shot’ in their post-round interviews. If you’re on the tee and there’s a bunker, ditch or other hazard around the distance that your driver or fairway wood normally flies, then make sure you change club to one that takes the trouble out of play, as displayed in this graphic. While you’ll have a slightly longer shot to the green, you’ll greatly reduce the chance of a big number. |  |
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Know your numbers
Of course, key to all of this is knowing how far each of your woods carries. If you’re looking to add more distance and control to your game, come and test the TaylorMade M4 driver, M4 fairway and M4 hybrid. If you have a fitting we can hit all three in a range of different specifications until we find your ideal set-up for the course. |
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