Welcome to another exciting edition to Saffron Walden Golf Club's weeklty newsletter. We hope that you're having a good week on and off the golf course. Enjoy the read. |
PGA National Fourball Betterball Monday saw Aaron and me attempt to qualify for the PGA National Fourball Betterball at the new venue of Crews Hill in Enfield. We had previously qualified twice at Bush Hill Park and with both our games in good shape, we felt confident on Monday. On the front nine, I hit lots of greens but gave up three to four really good birdie chances and only picked up one shot with a two putt birdie on the par-5 sixth. To make matters worse, we both bogeyed the second and both had three putts on the seventh and we made the turn plus one. After a couple of good up and downs at the start of the back nine, I chipped in for a birdie on 13 and Aaron followed with another on 14. We missed chances at the following three holes but Aaron did manage to close with a birdie on the last after I just missed another ten footer.
We didn't expect our score of -2 to get through but to make matters worse we just missed out by one shot. It just proves that you don't need to make a course long to make it tough, it just needs to have firm undulating fairways coupled with hard greens and it's a test to get it close and to score well. I think the most disappointed man was our very own Stuart Hall who is working for the East Region PGA. After a long day officiating he was hoping Aaron and me would come in at -4 as there was a back log of players on -3. As we missed this target it meant he had to preside over a 20 man sudden death playoff! Imagine getting a flyer from work, beating the London rush hour traffic for a quick nine holes before the football, only to see a twenty ball teeing up on the first. Hopefully they've finished now so Stuart can play in Captains weekend. |
Essendon Pro-Am Earlier this month I played in the Essendon Pro-Am with Saffron Walden members Gary Bower, Spencer Burlingham and Peter Flowers.
The course was playing hard and fast but fair. There were some difficult flags to get close to as well. In the individual pros tournament I played really well shooting an even par round to finish in the prize money. In the team event we combined to score eleven under. All of the team played well, we just needed a few more putts to drop. It was a super day and although we were six shots from the prize table it was a lot of fun in lovely company. |
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Saffron Walden vs Ramsey - Report from Mike Nuthall
Saffron Walden had another disappointing loss in their Scratch League match against Ramsey this past Wednesday. The first pairing of Brookes and Adair took on Ramsey’s Arthur and Wright. The match was initially a tight one, with Adair and Brookes playing solid golf against the Ramsey pairing, albeit finishing the first nine down. On the back nine, the Ramsey pairing went on a tear, birdying three holes on the trot to take the match out 4&3.
In the second match, Burlingham and Martin took on Cripps and Holland. The Ramsey pairing took an early lead, eventually coming to the turn three up. Burlingham and Martin then went on a run, winning three of the next four holes to bring the match back to all square. Coming to the last the match was still in the balance; however, Walden tugged their tee shot leading to a lost hole and a result of 1 down. |
In the final match, Southall and Brown, a team that had never lost a scratch match, took on a very strong Ramsey pairing of Hodgkin and Gear.
The Walden pair started off with a lost ball, but quickly got back in the match with great approach work from both players and some superb putting by Brown. The Walden pairing were too strong throughout the match, taking it out 4&2, keeping their unbeaten record intact. All in all, another disappointing result, with Walden missing an opportunity to take a much needed home win.
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Many thanks go to the Walden‘s green staff, for setting up the course so well, and their catering staff for the much excellent meal at the end.
Results: Foursomes Adair & Brookes lost to Arthur & Wright - 4&3 Burlingham & Martin lost to Cripps & Holland - 1 down Southall & Martin beat Hodgkin & Gear - 4&2
Overall - SWGC 2 Ramsey 4
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Mixed Matches - Report from Colin Murrant
Sunday, 17th June was overcast with gusty winds when 16 members played against a team from Gog Magog Golf Club, in our latest of the series of mixed matches. Expertly lead by our Lady Captain Justine partnered by Tony Brown we proceeded to an emphatic winning result of 7 ½ to ½, many of our teams winning by a significant margin.
Play was followed by a superb carvery meal of Turkey and Pork served to us by Alex [his first day overseeing an event] and Jeffery who both must be commended for their attention and pleasant demeanour, mentioned by many. Well done to both, and all the catering staff on duty on Sunday.
If you feel you have missed out watch the foyer notice board for the next match availability lists, you will not be disappointed. We have four more matches this year and then close with the Sheila Rand Trophy and the Gatward Cup on Sunday, 14th October.
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Cambridgeshire Captains
On Thursday, 14 June the Captains Society played for the Nicholls Salver at Brampton Park Golf Club in breezy conditions. The winner was Peter Taylor with a stableford score of 40 points. The last Saffron Walden member to win the Salver was John Latham, 32 years ago in 1986. A huge congratulations Peter for your fantastic achievement from everyone at SWGC.
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Golf Sixes League You may have heard of the Golf Sixes League from the professionals version which was played at Centurion Golf Club last month. It’s been advertised on social media and tv coverage was also filmed at the event which we saw the professionals such as Charlie Hull and Beef Johnson playing in. Golf Sixes is a junior initiative ran by The Golf Foundation, with a team of 12, six players are chosen for each match playing a Texas Scramble format in pairs. It’s played over six holes, only around 100-150yards for each hole, to encourage our new Juniors without a handicap to spend time on a golf course alongside their time during lessons at the range! Scores are ran by points then put into a league and two matches are played at each club taking part. |
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We are very excited to announce that Saffron Walden Golf Club will be part of the Golf Sixes League for Cambridgeshire! We will be playing our matches against Bourn, Kingsway and Royston Golf Clu, the first match is this Sunday at Kingsway Golf Centre. We are wishing our junior team the best of luck! Results will be in next week’s newsletter. |
Father’s Day Special Competition
This Sunday I took my Sunday Junior Class to Chesterford Science Park Par 3 Course for a Father’s Day Special comp. We had nine pairs of Dads and Grandads joining up with their son or daughter to play the seven holes in a foursomes competition.
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It was nice to see some of the juniors ‘carrying’ their folks too for some holes! Well done to everyone who took part, our winners were Igor and Dad with a great score of 30. |
Pitch Like a Pro
Sarah’s next article in the Women & Golf Magazine was released Friday!
Have a read and you will be taking less shots around the green immediately. Also, if your struggling hitting fairways, click here to take a look at this quick 30 second drill that will help you drive straighter. |
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Summer golf throws up different requirements and skill sets to that of winter golf, and you’ll often find yourself in positions or playing shots that you wouldn’t necessarily face at the other times of the year. The checklist below highlights the main performance differences you’ll notice between seasons, with an emphasis on distance in the winter and control in the summer. |
A great option all-year round These factors can make settling on one ball confusing, so here are our thoughts on why the TaylorMade Project (s) could be your perfect option. Not only does its large inner core deliver faster ball speeds for winter distance, but it also boasts a low compression that helps slower swinging players generate the high spin needed on firm summer greens. | |
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