Hello and welcome to this week's newsletter.

We've been treated to some slightly warmer temperatures this week and its starting to feel more like the golfing season is just about to start.

 

First Medal of the Year

Last weekend was the first medal of the year and the scoring was very good as was the turnout, 135 players. Andy White gave the Jock Stewart captain some headaches by moving bands after a fantastic 77 nett 66 to win the medal.

There were notable other winners including Josh Benjamin with a nett 68 in division 2 and John Izod with a nett 67 won division 3. Olly Tuck showed his recent call up to the county first team was well merited by winning the scratch prize with a 70.

Speaking of the county team well done to Callum Brookes, he was the only player from the Cambridgeshire Team to win in the morning foursomes and afternoon singles last Sunday when they played Essex in the David Hall Trophy match. For the record Essex won 91/2 to 61/2.

Match Report:

Last Sunday, 5 March saw the annual David Hall Memorial Trophy match take place between Essex golf Union and Cambridgeshire golf Union. Both teams represented by the county's top ten players.

In the morning foursomes the first match resulted in a tie after Essex won 3 of the last 4 against Danny Loveday and Davies. The 3 matches following all saw a 5&4 victory to Essex. In the final match young Callum Brookes and Oliver Rust produced steady golf with an eagle and 4 birdies to see them win the match 2&1. After the morning wave Essex were leading 3 1/2 - 1 ½.

In the afternoon we saw the sun come out for the final 10 singles matches. Out first for Cambridgeshire was Owen Davies who won his match 2&1. Next to win a point was Walden member Oliver Tuck who used his home advantage to defeat his opponent 5& 4. In the final match Brookes fought his way back in to what was a tight game with the match changing between all square and one down until a pair of birdies on 14 and 15 gave him a one up advantage. He would then proceed to win 16 and halve 17 to win 2&1.

The final result saw Essex defend the trophy winning 9 1/2 - 6 ½.


 

Sarah Smith - WPGA Foursomes The Berkshire

On Monday this week I played in the WPGA Foursomes at The Berkshire Golf Club, the course was in superb condition and the greens were soft from the rain Sunday evening! The Foursomes always marks the first tournament of the season for me, and with my new Yonex clubs in the bag I was looking forward to it.

Myself and partner Katie Rule (Mullion Golf Club) are defending winners of the competition so the pressure was on to keep our title!

We played a steady front half, staying level par after 9 holes - one bogey and one birdie double on the card. Dropped a shot on the par 5 13th after a little trouble off the tee but made it back up on the par 5 14th making a birdie. Unfortunately I think we got a bit nervous (or excited!) on the last hole as we stood on 18 level par and made a double! But we defended our title and finished first place.

A big thank you to Claire Richardson for caddying for me, she did a great job and said she learnt a lot from our golf on the way round! Also thank you to my sponsors this year, CF Corporate and Yonex.

The new Yonex golf clubs in the bag felt great, I'd really recommended trying the fairway woods and hybrids in particular as they feel so east to hit and go miles! Look out for the new Yonex equipment in the Pro Shop this month.


 

Modernising Golf's Rules

Last week the R&A proposed some key changes to the Rules of Golf from 2019. Their Rules Modernisation initiative has been underway for a few years now and this is the next stage in that process. The aim is to not only make the Rules easier to understand, but also to address some of the game's current problems, such as speed of play, and ensure they fit the needs of today's game.

Please spare a couple of minutes to complete our survey, which gives you the chance to have your say on the proposed changes.

We've picked out some of the most significant Rules changes for you to digest in this survey, before giving you the chance to say whether you agree or disagree with each of them. It'll be great to know your thoughts.

Have your say here.