Welcome to this week’s newsletter. As you will see it’s been a busy and successful week for the clubs teams. The ladies and men’s greensomes teams started the ball rolling with comprehensive victories in their respective matches on Sunday and the scratch team quickly got over their narrow loss to Ely the previous week with a thumping victory over Newmarket.
This Sunday will be Ben’s last day here before he goes off to his new venture at Royal Worlington and Newmarket. Obviously the pace was too hectic for him here and he wants a quieter life. As a leaving gift I was tempted to get a whip round for a Labrador for the shop but he informs me he's already got a dog!
Ben has only been back here for just short of 9 months but I'd like to thank him for all of his help, especially with the juniors and wish him all the best at Worlington. Having known him for the best part of ten years (yes Ben you really are that old) I'm sure Worlington have made a terrific appointment and that he will love the role there.
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Kris Aves Golf Day Thursday this week I played in the Kris Aves Golf Day at The Shire Golf Course. I was invited by Kris who is a Paragolfer, he has a specialised wheelchair that will allow him to stand and move around the golf course to play shots. Kris Aves was left paralysed after he was hit by the van used in the West Minister Bridge attack in 2017, as an off duty police officer, that day changed his life.
As you may know I have worked closed with the Blesma Golf Team (ex-serviceman with loss of limbs or sight), so it was great to play with Kris who brings another insight to the game of golf! |
It was great to be invited by Kris, who contacted me through social media and play alongside my dad and Kris's best friend. The Shire was in fantastic condition and going round, not having played the course before is always a tough one when you’re not used to so much water!! (14 out of 18 holes!) |
The day was fantastic and raised just over £1000 for The Golf Trust. |
CAGU Scratch League Match Saffron Walden have won their first match of the 2019 Scratch League season with a fabulous win at home against Newmarket Links. On a lovely spring evening, the Saffron Walden team went up against a strong Newmarket team. The first pairing of Spencer and Tuck took on Newmarket’s Allen and Knight. They went behind early, but fought back strongly in a closely fought affair, eventually winning 2&1 with a strong display from the Walden stalwart pairing over the back nine. In the second match, Goodman and Parnell played Crisp and Hall. Goodman and Parnell
went 1up early on, however an eagle by Crisp and Hall on 9 leveled the match. The match continued in a tight battle with both teams being up over the back nine. Going into the 18th the match was all square. Goodman hit a strong 4 four iron to the back of the green and Parnell’s putt to an inch secured the match 1up. In the final match, Southall and Brooke took on Hartley and Puttock. Southall and Brooke were in superb form, gaining a 5up advantage after 10 holes, having birdied all the par 5’s! Over the back 9, Hartley and Puttock fought back strongly to reduce the deficit to 2 down, however Southall and Brooke were too strong and took the match out, 3&2. |
All in all, a great result.
Results:
Foursomes
Spencer and Tuck beat Allen and Knight 2&1
Goodman and Parnell beat Crisp and Hall 1up
Southall and Brooke beat Hartley and Puttock 3&2 Overall Result
Saffron Walden 6 Newmarket Links 0
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CAGU Greensomes League Saffron Walden played the second of their league fixtures at home against Lakeside Lodge on Sunday. In superb weather the four Walden pairs were all conceding shots to their opponents but the powerful hitting and accuracy of the Saffron Walden players was too much for their opponents. All four pairs came out comfortable winners in a match played in a competitive but excellent spirit. Each game is played in Hambro format with two points for a win and one for a half.
Results:
Hambro
Chris Davey and Tim Davey won 3up
Andy White and Chris Reynolds won 7up
Tony Brown and Matthew Fagan won 4up
James Haupt and James Sheairs won 9up Overall Result
Saffron Walden 8 Lakeside Lodge 0 This win makes it four wins from four across all competitions so far this season. The next Greensomes match is in the Derek Burridge Knockout quarter final away at Ely.
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Ladies County Match Our Ladies Team played the first match of the league stage in the Cambs & Hunts Jean Wilkinson Trophy on Sunday 12th May at Saffron Walden (singles match play off scratch). Lynda Minton, Jaine Fieldhouse, Deb Bowler, Janina Jones, Helen Porter, Caroline Peat and Sue Ward, ably assisted by Caddies Barbara Nicoll, Linda Kelsey, Delia Roberts, Vivienne Dondi, Melissa Jones and Eileen Farrow set off in fine weather to play against the ladies of Old Nene. |
Deb Bowler and Caroline Peat had substantial victories both winning 6&5 with the remaining matches going to ‘the wire’, finishing on either the 17th or 18th greens.
Overall Result
Saffron Walden 9 points Old Nene 5 Many thanks to supporters Jean Bradley and Rita Craig for being out on the course to cheer the team on. The return match at Old Nene takes place on Saturday 8th June. |
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PING Demo Day
We're delighted to announce that PING will be coming to Saffron Walden on Friday 31st May giving you the chance to try out and get fitted for their fantastic G410 range. Here are the key details:
Friday 31st May - 11am-3pm - FREE Click here to book your slot or let us know in the pro shop. |
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| Friday’s free swing advice |
Running Late? Keeping things quick and simple this week. Are you the one running to the tee after a mad Friday night out? Here’s one for you...! If you haven’t left time to have a proper practice up the range before you go out, here’s a quick swing thought for the couple of ‘wacks’ in the net before you jump onto the tee. Take your normal set up but hover the club above the ball, then from there, a slight push forwards then back into your normal back swing - making contact with the ball on your swing through! |
This exercise will ease tension, get the analytical part of the brain switching off so it becomes more instinctive and you’re not having to think about swinging the golf club! |
'Putting The Practice - Into A Round!'
@ Great Chesterford Research Park, Par 3 Course - ONLY 3 SPACES LEFT!
Saturday 8th June 1:30-2:30pm |
The Get Into Golf afternoons at Chesterford's Par 3 course is back for 2019! This hour will be a coached short game session ran by PGA Professional Sarah Smith, aimed to improve your chipping, putting & approach shots onto the green. The group is aimed for those wanting to improve their short game or who may be a little newer to golf & wanting to start somewhere easy! After the hour is complete, you will be allowed to continue at the Par 3 Course, playing as many holes as you like! It's a fun afternoon meeting new people and you will be refreshed on the skills of improving your golf game.
ONLY £15 For The Hour
(Optional free play after the coaching, equipment & balls provided)
Book now to secure your place, maximum of 8 in a group:
Email: sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk
Telephone: 07766 727491 |
2019 Junior Programme
Sundays - 10am-11am or 11-12 noon
16th, 23rd, 30th June, 7th, 14th & 21st July
OR a 4 week programme on Wednesdays 4-5pm (£36.00)
12th, 26th June, 3rd & 10th July |
Par:
- Video analysis during coaching sessions and monthly reports back to parents.
- Life skills such a learning golf etiquette.
- Skills, challenges and games during the coaching sessions to improve team bonding.
Birdie:
- Video analysis during all coaching sessions, monthly reports back to parents.
- Par 3 course access at Great Chesterford to practice April – Sept for £5pp.
- Coaching on all parts of the game.
Eagle:
- Junior competitions are held monthly to introduce you to a real golf course, blue tees at the 150 yards markers allows a shortened version of a golf hole. Juniors who are ready to adventure out on the course, can play twice in the junior competition for £1 before being invited to junior membership.
- Half price range balls.
- Coaching on all parts of the game, includes more advance subjects such as playing off slopes and hills.
Junior Academy and Membership:
- Half price range balls, bar and restaurant discount as a junior member.
- A chance to play for the Junior Squad and Development Team and to represent the club in matches.
- Crash courses during the Junior Squad and Development sessions on keeping fit for golf.
- Away trips to other Golf Club and coaching days out.
- The programme will run over the six weeks of term time for the price of £48.00.
- There will be limited spaces in each group, spaces must be booked in advance.
- During summer months, there will be an option of an evening time as well.
- During school holidays, Junior camps will be run for all levels, competition days at the par 3 course and we will encourage you to play in as many Junior Roll Up’s and competitions as possible!
Please contact Sarah Smith for more information or further questions.
Telephone: 07766 727491
Email: sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk |
Aaron Howard - Junior Summer Camp 2019
August 14th &15th (10am - 3pm) A 2 day junior course covering all aspects of the golf swing from start to finish. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced junior player come along and improve your game. There are fun practice drills and games combined with structured teaching to help you progress individually while enjoying a group environment.
Lunch is included to break up the informative yet fun experience. If you want to hit it longer, strike it straighter, pitch and chip it close, and have lots of putting success then book your place. Finally an on-course session (subject to availability) practicing all the new skills you have learnt rounds the camp off with prizes at the finish line. |
£65 per person
Please contact Aaron Howard on 07768 686865 or aahgolf@googlemail.com to reserve your booking. Places available on a first come first served basis, book now to avoid disappointment. |
What would you say if we could show you a way of achieving greater accuracy and longer distance from the tee? You would say yes, right? Well, here’s your answer… |
 | Have you been custom fitted?
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First things first, the easiest way to achieve the holy grail of long, straight drives is to find the middle of the clubface every time, which is easier said than done for most of us. Following that, it’s all about launching your drives high with a good spin rate. Simple, right? It doesn’t matter how fast or smoothly you swing, if the clubhead and shaft are a bad match for the way you play, your chances of sending a perfect drive into the air will be seriously hampered. |
 | TaylorMade M5/M6 drivers
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So, the very first thing we need to do is get you fitted correctly. During the process, we will chat about your game, watch you hit some balls, and assess what you have told us in order to find the right shaft/head combination for your game. Two clubs that we will definitely try are TaylorMade’s M5 and M6 drivers. These drivers come with speed injected Twist Face, which offers remarkable ball speeds and distance gains when fitted correctly. So, rather than going for the easy online purchase, come down to the club for an enjoyable custom fit session with a member of the team. |
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