Welcome to this week’s newsletter. As you may know the Saffron Walden Pro-Am is currently in acction so look out for the full report next week. What we do already know though by the sound of the Captain's Bell, David Sparke has had a hole in one on the 11th. What a day to do it!
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Centenary Club Championships
Last weekend saw the club champs take place at the club. Saturday proved the most testing of the days for both the players and the green staff as the weather got ugly. Play came close to being suspended at one point but thanks to the hard work of Scott Parnell who happened to be here in-between working and playing we managed to get most of the lying water off the greens.
This didn't seem to bother Louis Martin or Alex Sparrow as they both had good knocks. Louis in particular shooting 70 in those conditions was some achievement.
Day two and the wind replaced the rain. I caught up with play on the back 9 and watched Callum have successive birdies on 15 and 16 then have two good up and downs for pars to finish with a superb 69. That gave him a total of plus 3 which Louis matched having followed up day ones 70 with a 77. This meant a play-off which defending champion Richard Southall was inches away from joining after nearly holing his bunker shot on the last.
Louis got into a two shot lead over the four hole playoff as Callum failed to find his rhythm. Then on the last Louis over hit the green and Callum hit a lovely wedge to 10 foot. Louis didn't get up and down Callum slotted in the birdie to take it to sudden death. Louis over shot the fairway and then the green as Callum hit both in regulation and two putted. Unfortunately Louis couldn't get up and down so Callum was the winner. |
A tremendous display from both of them, with both breaking par in one of their rounds over the weekend. It was difficult to pick a winner and shame to see either lose. Hopefully both can use this as a stepping stone in their respective golfing lives and move forward.
On a personal note having coached Callum as a junior and employed him for a couple of years it was a pleasure to watch him play those final few holes on the Sunday under pressure but attacking the course the way he can. Well done to him and well done to Louis for winning the Summer Cup. |
The ladies also have a new champion in Alex Sparrow. She may only just be a teenager but she showed the way forward with two constant rounds over the weekend. I feel she may be there for some time! |
Congratulations to Kevin Hayes for defending his senior's title. Hopefully, this means we get to give the Staysure another shot next year. |
Junior Team
On Saturday 20th July Saffron Walden hosted Ely for their division 1 match. Ely was only able to field a reduced team and had to start the match 3 games behind. Saffron Walden took this forward and managed to comfortably win at the end of the day. |
The next Division 1 fixture was hosted by Girton on Wednesday 31st July. What was forecast to be a light breeze turned out to be very strong winds and both teams’ players found conditions hard right from the first tee. All the matches were tight but Saffron Walden finished with a comfortable victory.
Special mention goes to Jack Sparrow and Mathew Nichols who are both new to the division 1 team this season and managed to both win their games. Well done.
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Aaron Howard - The Grove Pro-Am
Last Monday I was accompanied by Tony Brown, Colin McDonald and Mark Harvey to play in the Grove Pro-Am. They played everyone from the silver tees which are just marginally down from the Championship black tees.
It’s a lovely day out with amazing practice facilities, complimentary gifts and manicured course conditions. We were very well looked after despite the steep bar prices! The course plays very long and tough due to both deep bunkers and heavy rough around the greens.
Individually, I played really well ending up on a 4 over a score of 76 to finish eighth but missed a few shortish putts which would have easily moved me up to second place on a tight leaderboard. Our team finished on six under which was quite good around such a difficult course. |
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Get Out Of Trouble!
Stuck in the trees and need a quick way out? Have a look at the following advice to play a low controlled punch shot!
Club selection is important for this shot, don’t take on to much of a risk of tree branches & be stuck in another position under the trees. I’d play a 6 iron as with the new set up rules below - this will change the loft into a 5 iron.
- Ball position back in the stance, this promotes a ‘hitting down action’ keeping the ball flight low.
- Weight on your front foot & hands forwards, this de-lofts the club increasing the chances of the ball coming out low.
- Swing, stick to a half back and half through swing, always keeping your weight on your front foot.
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By following these simple swing thoughts, your ball should come out like a punch shot, low and running! Good Luck! |
Centenary Junior Coaching Programme
Sundays; 9-10am, 10-11am 0r 11-12noon
8th, 15th, 29th September, 6th, 13th & 20th October
(Please be aware no coaching on Sunday 22nd September) |
Par:
9-10am 3 SPACES LEFT
10-11am NOW FULL
- 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:
11-12noon NOW FULL
- 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.
Other Info:
- 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 |
Short Game & Slope Practice
At Great Chesterford Science Park Par 3 Course - ONLY 6 SPACES LEFT!
Saturday 17th August, 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 and also increased your knowledge on how to play shots on slopes. The practice on slopes is a NEW objective for this group!
After the hour is complete, you will be allowed to continue around the par 3 course, playing as many holes as you wish, 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, equipment & balls provided.)
Book now to secure your place, a maximum of 8 in a group:
Email - sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk OR Telephone - 01799 522786
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| 1 gap, 2 gap, 3 gap, FORE! |
How confident are you hitting your long irons? The lack of forgiveness can lead to inconsistent strikes and less distance. This is when filling the gaps at the top end of your bag with utility irons or hybrids could be the smartest decision you ever make – but which is right for you? |
Titleist’s brand-new utility irons and hybrids are really special, and you’ll be able to get your hands on them through us in no time at all. Why do we like them so much? Well, they are seriously easy to hit and offer unbeatable performance, but there are some things you should know… |
U-500 and U-510 utility irons Quite simply, these offer more distance than a standard iron but less spin than a hybrid. Both come loaded with tungsten for incredible forgiveness, with the U-500 offering workability and precise distances whilst the U-510 boasts a high launch and increased carry from a larger head.
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TS2 and TS3 hybrids It's time to stop thinking of these hybrids as rescue clubs and begin referring to them as scoring clubs. Both offer plenty of distance and an easy to hit nature, with the TS2 providing a higher launch from a wider head and the TS3 giving us more adjustability in an iron-like profile. |
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So, which route should you go down? Hybrid or utility iron? Let’s give all four a go in a custom fitting session and find the one that offers you the best performance. |
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