tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78342431926132180362015-05-27T09:51:22.068-07:00Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-55603654412648166002015-05-19T08:34:00.000-07:002015-05-19T08:34:03.273-07:00 Labels: Lancashire If you are aged 16-19 then the Golf Academy Scholarship & Education Programme based at Crompton & Royton Golf Club is the place to be for individuals who want to combine a full time further education with a high level of Golf coaching & competition. It is for both male and female players. Crompton and Royton’s Junior development team has achieved the prestigious Clubmark Award which is a national accreditation for sporting clubs that develop high quality, welcoming environments for Junior participants. Commencing in September 2013 individuals will study a full time 2 year BTEC Sports Course and receive up to 12 hours of professional Golf coaching and competition. The programme is fully funded and therefore free of charge (all education and coaching costs are covered, however learners will be expected to pay for Junior rates at the club and cover tournament costs & kit costs at a discounted rate). To apply for the Golf Academy Scholarship & Education Programme commencing in September 2013 please contact – Steven Mort, Programme Director on 07540 418599 or by email info@interactivecompany.co.uk, www.isportsgroup.co.uk. PARTICIPATION IN THE GOLF ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP & EDUCATION PROGRAMME HAS THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: · Provides individuals age 16-19 with the best opportunity to develop and excel their game while continuing their full-time education · Offers the expertise of experienced and highly qualified academic and coaching staff · Provides individuals with up to 12 hours per week of professional coaching & competition · Enables individuals to compete against other players from around the country · Provides competition in National and International tournaments · Provides excellent facilities · Offers opportunities to progress into Higher Education, USA Scholarships, Professional Sport and Employment.Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-52605588169106509942015-05-19T08:33:00.003-07:002015-05-19T08:33:24.024-07:00 Labels: True Links Golf There are more than 30,000 golf courses in the world, but only 246 of these are true links golf courses. That is the claim of esteemed authors George Peper and Malcolm Campbell in their excellent book True Links: An Illustrated Guide to the Glories of the World's 246 Links Courses- What's more, over 200 of these are located in the British Isles. Many people regard seaside links golf as the only real place to play golf. For some it is undoubtedly the superior form of the game whilst others simply enjoy their rare outing on a links course when the opportunity allows. Sadly, some players have never set foot on a links golf course. Although it wasn't love at first sight the eight-time major winner, Tom Watson who writes the forward to the book, says that he loves links golf... we tend to agree with him. A round of golf on these traditional, undulating, windswept courses will test every element of your game. And it is unequivocally where the game of golf has its roots and has great historical importance as well as significant influence in modern day golf. These type of courses, played over sandy, dune-like terrain attract golfers from all over the globe and our own Open Championship uses this type of course exclusively for its tournament. The term 'links golf' has an ambiguity to it. It is often over and incorrectly used but after reading the book it all became clear as to what constitutes a 'true links' golf course. The writers explain in detail what criteria they have used to come up with their list and also why. They also explain why some courses, which claim to be links courses, have been omitted from the final 246. Using the book as a basis we have compiled a section on our website listing all the open golf competitions at these true links golf course. We hope you find this section useful when planning your competitive golf and urge anyone who hasn't experienced the purest form of the game to book an event and enjoy the crème de la crème of golf. Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-39345985770073381102015-05-19T08:33:00.001-07:002015-05-19T08:33:05.444-07:00 Labels: Faldo Series Olivia Mehaffey won the sixth Faldo Series Ireland Championship by two shots with consecutive rounds of 72 over the Faldo Course at Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland. The Ireland girls’ squad member beat 134 competitors to the title, the largest ever field for the event. “I can’t wait to play in another final, it was a great experience last year and I had so much fun,” said a delighted Mehaffey who finished fifth in the Girls’ Under-16 division at the 2012 Grand Final. “I learnt a lot from Sir Nick during the week, hopefully I can take on even more advice this time.” 15-year-old Mehaffey from Royal County Down in Northern Ireland will be joined at the 17th Faldo Series Grand Final by Boys’ Under-18 winner Karl McCormack. McCormack from Portarlington won a three-way play-off to qualify for the 54-hole World Amateur Golf Ranking event, hosted by Faldo at the end of the season. Joint overnight boys’ leader Ross McKeever (Castle) won the Boys’ Under-16 category thanks to a second successive 73. Elsewhere Mary Doyle from Heath claimed the Girls’ Under-21 division and Kieran Shaw, a finalist back in 2010, won the Boys’ Under-21s. Supported by The R&A, ISPS Handa and the European Tour, the 2013 Faldo Series Europe schedule features a record 20 tournaments in 14 countries including six in England plus others in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Chile, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Wales, Brazil, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and Greece. Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng. In September 2013, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America. The first ever Faldo Series Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona is also home to the Faldo Series USA and marks the next significant step in the programme’s history. Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 151 – Kieran Lynch (Skibbereen) 76-75; 156 – David Shaw (Belvoir) 81-75, Declan Reidy (County Sligo) 78-78. Boys’ Under-18: 149 – Karl McCormack (Portarlington) 73-76, Conor Stone (Carlton House) 76-73, Jamie Fletcher (Warrenpoint) 77-72. Boys’ Under-16: 146 – Ross McKeever (Castle) 73-73; 148 – Marc Norton (Belvoir) 73-75; 154 – Declan Kelly (Hermitage) 79-75. Girls’ Under-21: 148 – Mary Doyle (Heath) 77-71, Ariana Coyles (Elm Park) 70-78. Girls’ Under-16: 144 – Olivia Mehaffey (Royal County Down) 72-72; 182 – Annabel Wilson (Lurgan) 89-93.Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-56640183198952402422015-05-19T08:32:00.003-07:002015-05-19T08:32:17.556-07:00 Labels: Faldo Series Local favourite Eoin Cunniffe triumphed in a play-off to win the Faldo Series Middle East Championship at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club (AESGC) in Abu Dhabi. The 16-year-old Al Ain resident will join Sir Nick Faldo at the season-ending Grand Final, along with players from Dubai and Qatar. “I was nervous during the last hole and the play-off so I’m proud of the way I held some crucial putts to win,” said a delighted Cunniffe. “Having home support made a big difference and now I can’t wait to meet Nick Faldo and play in the Grand Final.” Cunniffe of Ireland finished on level par after 36 holes on his home course before winning the first extra hole against 13-year-old Jakub Hrinda of Slovakia. Both players secured their age category to qualify for the seventeenth Grand Final. Qatar resident Hrinda will be joined at the World Amateur Golf Ranking event by his 14-year-old sister, Laila Hrindova who claimed the girls’ division. China’s Zi-Hao Su, who lives in Dubai, won the Boys’ Under-21s to take the other qualifying spot. Backed by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the fourth Faldo Series Middle East Championship was the first in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi following a new three-year agreement with AESGC. Local school-children from the city of Al Ain also attended the tournament for a free golf clinic, part of a drive to grow the game at the grass-roots level. Supported by The R&A, ISPS Handa and the European Tour, the 2013 Faldo Series Europe schedule features a record 20 tournaments in 14 countries including six in England plus others in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Chile, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Wales, Brazil, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and Greece. Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng. In September 2013, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America. The first ever Faldo Series Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona is also home to the Faldo Series USA and marks the next significant step in the programme’s history. Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 150 – Zi-Hao Su (CHN) 77-73; 160 – Ruairidh Mitchell (ENG) 80-80. Boys’ Under-18: 142 – Eoin Cunniffe (IRL) 70-72; 152 – Nooh Esbai (BAH) 73-79. Boys’ Under-16: 142 – Jakub Hrinda (SK) 72-70; 149 – Rayhan Thomas (IND) 78-71. Girls’ Under-21: 147 – Laila Hrindova (SK) 74-73; 150 – Alison Muirhead (SCO) 75-75.Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-16515135566956314372015-05-19T08:31:00.005-07:002015-05-19T08:31:45.979-07:00 Labels: Wales We are pleased to inform you about four open competitions that will be held at Hawarden Golf Club this year. The first event is fast approaching but there are still times available for the Senior Pairs Open on Tuesday 14th May. This tournament is a Betterball Stableford for senior golfers aged 55+ with a handicap of 24 or less. The entry-fee is just £25 per pair and includes the ball sweep and halfway house refreshments. For those who don't manage to get a time for the above event, or simply cannot play, a second Senior Pairs Open will be held later in the year on Tuesday 6th August. This follows a similar format and price but early booking will be required to reserve a place. A brand new competition on the schedule at Hawarden in 2013 is a Gents Team Open on Saturday 6th July. It's a 4-Man Team Medal (best 2 scores on each hole) with a maximum handicap limit of 24. Entry is excellent value for weekend golf at £60 per team. Finally, a Gents Pairs Open will be held on Saturday 3rd August. Entry is £24 per pair for this Betterball Stableford. It's open to players with a handicap of 24 or less and again offers true value for money. Entry-forms for the above can be found here. About Hawarden Hawarden Golf Club is North Wales friendliest golf club where you will always receive a warm welcome. Founded in 1911 Hawarden is an undulating 18 hole parkland course with many tricky holes. Once you have driven off on the dogleg par 4, you will enter into the beautiful tranquilly of the welsh countryside where you will witness many forms of wild life. Buggies are available for hire. The newly refurbished club house is ideal for your after round drink or bite to eat.Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-48252578633757839332015-05-19T08:31:00.003-07:002015-05-19T08:31:31.193-07:00 Labels: HSBC Wee Wonders Baillie Gifford & Golf Empire partner up with the Wee Wonders Open Golf Championship! “Wee Wonders just got bigger!” - The road to St Andrews opens in April with the launch of the 2013 ‘Wee Wonders Open Golf Championship’. 15 regional qualifying tournaments and one “major” Grand Final for 5-12 year olds. Baillie Gifford, the Edinburgh based investment management partnership, is pleased to announce that it will once again be the lead partner in the Wee Wonders Grand Final at St Andrews, while Golf Empire, golf’s No 1 search engine for Amateur Open Golf events, will help to promote a real major on the Junior Golfing calendar. The Wee Wonders British Championships are a series of junior golf tournaments across the UK during the month of June and July that gives boys and girls aged five to twelve years a way to progress from coaching programmes into competitive golf. Emerging Tour Pro’s Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and 2013 Open entrant Rhys Pugh plus the formidable and exciting talents of Northern Irish twins Lisa & Leona Maguire enjoyed the Wee Wonders series as Grand Finalists and Champions. 2013 sees the expansion of the regional qualifiers to 15 venues across Great Britain & Ireland, with the Grand Final returning to the homeland of golf at the legendary St Andrews Links; this really is a major not to be missed by our next generation of Golfers. The age group winners from each Regional Qualifier will progress to the Grand Final in St Andrews, taking place from 23rd to 25th August 2013. Regional Qualifiers for 2013: Scotland: Carnoustie (Angus), North Berwick GC (East Lothian) & Whitecraigs (Lanarkshire); England: Chester-le-Street GC (Durham), Leeds GC (Yorkshire), Upton by Chester GC (Cheshire), Branston GC (Staffordshire), Redbourne GC (Hertfordshire), Hoebridge GC (Surrey) Farrington GC (Somerset), Cambridge Lakes GC (Cambrige); Wales: Dewstow GC (Gwent), Rhondda GC; Ireland: Co Sligo GC & Blackwood Golf Centre (Co Down). Commenting on the launch of Wee Wonders, Duncan Weir, Director of Golf Development at the R&A said, “Wee Wonders is now firmly established as one of the leading competitions of its type in the world. It offers talented young boys and girls the opportunity to compete and thrive in a series of well organised events. Players who participate in Wee Wonders will receive the grounding they need to go far in golf.” Member of the victorious 2012 Ryder Cup Team and Open Champion Paul Lawrie said "I am a firm believer in encouraging children to take up and enjoy the game at every opportunity. The Wee Wonders Tournament is a brilliant way to give very young golfers throughout the UK and Ireland something to work towards which is fun as well as being competitive.” Tournament Director and Founder, Alasdair Good, welcomes Baillie Gifford and Golf Empire as partners to the Wee Wonders Championships. Baillie Gifford has kindly extended its association with the Championships for a second year by once again sponsoring the Grand Final at St Andrews. With their passion for expanding amateur and junior golf, and a unique internet and social media capability, the Wee Wonders Championships will be helped by Golf Empire’s expertise and connectivity. Ed Battye, Founder of Golf Empire, said: “It is a wonderful opportunity for Golf Empire to assist Alasdair Good in raising young golfers’ awareness of his long established and highly regarded development and competitive formats for talented girls and boys in the UK and Ireland.”Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-85108132676409976532015-05-19T08:31:00.001-07:002015-05-19T08:31:11.138-07:00 8-Time European #1 Colin Montgomerie and cricket legend Freddie Flintoff re-launch De Vere Mottram Hall in stunning fashion with a charity glass smash golfing challenge. Following a multi-million pound refurbishment, De Vere Mottram Hall in Cheshire, was re-launched in stunning fashion yesterday, as 2010 Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie and cricket legend Freddie Flintoff undertook a unique golfing shoot-out. The duo fired golf balls from a specially constructed tee area in-front of the luxury mansion hotel, attempting to smash glass panels and raise funds for Asthma UK, De Vere’s chosen charity. Notorious for his ball striking and shot shaping, Montgomerie wowed the on-looking crowd by successfully blasting through two targets whilst Freddie Flintoff, who remains a relative new-comer to golf, came close on a number of occasions and provided great entertainment for the on-looking crowd! Hitting alternate shots at the glass targets placed at twelve, fifteen and eighteen yards from the tee, both Monty and Freddie used their opening shots to ‘get their eye in’. Targets were assigned values of £100, £200 and £300 for Asthma UK, and it was Monty who first blasted through, hitting the middle target with his fourth shot. Despite his best efforts, Flintoff could only hit the frame of one target, but offered unique commentary for the gathering gallery who were hosted at De Vere Mottram Hall to celebrate the resort’s recent £6million pound refurbishment. “Colin and Freddie are fantastic ambassadors for De Vere Golf and we have had a great time with them at Mottram Hall today,” commented Daniel Hodson, De Vere’s Director of Golf. “There was great expectation before every shot and Colin proved his golfing talents with some fantastic shots! We’re looking forward to a busy and successful year at Mottram Hall, and the relaxed, fun atmosphere that we enjoyed today epitomises what De Vere Golf and the De Vere Club is all about.” Despite not managing to hit any of the glass targets, Freddie thoroughly enjoyed the challenge, “That’s the best fun I've ever had playing golf…it’s like organised vandalism! I couldn’t tell you what target I was aiming for, but it was great to watch Colin come so close and then smash through those targets.” The championship course at De Vere Mottram Hall will host the ISPS HANDA PGA Seniors Championship between the 6-9 June, welcoming some of the most decorated names in golf to Cheshire.Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-37642662816305067942015-05-19T08:30:00.003-07:002015-05-19T08:30:48.748-07:00 Labels: Wessex Amateur Golf Tour The start of the 2nd Wessex Amateur Golf Tour season is almost upon us and the first event has a bumper turnout with a cracking entry of 36 for the opening tournament at South Winchester on Wednesday. Dave Thomas, the founder of the tour, is trying to make it friendliest tour around. This year they are trying to ensure that players all have a fun, enjoyable and above all an affordable day, although in a competitive environment. He said, "Let's not forget one thing, we are all privileged to be able to do all this!" Bacon rolls and coffee are included in the price at South Winchester and these will be available from 10.00. They are now only the 2nd "Tour" in the UK to be awarded official CONGU status so this and all other tour events will be official qualifying meetings.Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834243192613218036.post-91820575105663570382015-05-19T08:30:00.001-07:002015-05-19T08:30:03.887-07:00 Srixon and Cleveland Golf staff player Graeme McDowell has registered his first victory of the season in the RBC Heritage tournament this weekend. The win moves McDowell up to 8th in the Official World Golf Rankings and 6th in this season’s FedEx Cup. The Northern Irishman beat Webb Simpson in a sudden death playoff to claim his first victory of the year, after both finished the tournament with a total of 9-under-par in regulation play. As the wind got up around the Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head, McDowell showed he had total control over his Srixon Z-STAR XV golf ball with a series of impressive iron shots. The 33-year-old has also recently added to his bag the new Cleveland 588 MT 3 and 4 Irons, as well as two new 588 RTX wedges* in 52 and 58 degree lofts. McDowell said of the victory: “This game kicks you more often than it gives you a pat on the back, it’s hard to win. I guess the weather was what the doctor ordered. I needed that to get close to the leaders. Bogeys were at every turn. You really had to control the ball well.” Graeme McDowell In the Bag: Driver: Cleveland Classic 290(Miyazaki Kusala Indigo 56X, 9 degrees) Fairway Wood: Cleveland Launcher FL (Miyazaki Kusala Indigo 72X, 14 degrees Irons: 588 MT #3-4, Srixon ZTX2 #5-9 Wedges: 588PF 48, 588 RTX 52, 58 Ball: Srixon Z-STAR XV *Golfers looking to upgrade to the new 588 RTX wedges have until 30th June to take advantage of the Cleveland Golf trade in promotion, which entitles anyone trading in any wedge, £25 or €30 off any new Cleveland Golf wedge. To find out more about the Cleveland Golf Trade In Promotion, please visit www.clevelandgolf588.co.uk. For more information on Cleveland Golf or Never Compromise please contact:- Ben Davis, at ben.davis@clevelandgolf-europe.com or +44 7825056433 or Jon Parsons at jonP91@aol.com or +44 7885327948 Take my poohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07012934673727524577noreply@blogger.com0