GOLF CLUB - Northern Golfer

FREE
AT GOLF CLUBS IN THE NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE - ISSUE
NORTHERN
33
INSIDE
MAY 2015
56
PAGES
OF GOLF FACES,
PLACES AND ACES
www.northerngolfer.co.uk
LEGENDS LINE UP.
TORRANCE &
JAMES HEAD
UP NORTH
HISTORIC HAT-TRICK.
DYKE HOUSE
CLEAN SWEEP
REVIEWED.
ALLENDALE GC
& ROTHBURY GC
MATT
FINISH
LAMB DETERMINED TO TURN TEEN PROMISE INTO A CAREER
WIN FOURBALLS AT DUNSTANBURGH GC & EAGLESCLIFFE GC
TIM JENKINS GOLF STORES
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NOR THERN
EDITOR
Paul Robertson
[email protected]
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EDITOR’S NOTE AND CONTENTS
It is starting to feel like we are back in full swing
following Jordan Speith’s romp to victory in the
Masters Tournament.
His incredible performance to take the Green Jacket at such a tender
age is sure to inspire many a young golfer on both sides of the pond as
part of a new generation of great players.
Away from the stellar world of the professionals it is great to see
something of a resurgence in grassroots sport with England Golf
reporting a significant increase in participation.
Certainly the North East and Yorkshire region seems to be thriving
thanks to some great initiatives encouraging more ladies and juniors
into the game as well as more flexible membership schemes and
attractive offers for visitors.
Many are featured in this issue of Northern Golfer alongside our
usual diet of news, views and reviews.
Our cover features Matty Lamb as he builds on an impressive junior
career with his sights firmly set on being the next one from the region
to join the big time.
He will find inspiration from some of those in these pages who have
enjoyed glittering careers - Sam Torrance and Mark James, both of
whom will be playing in the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at
Close House, and Nick Faldo, who has announced that this year’s Open
Championship at St Andrews will be his last.
The young boys of Dyke House have certainly been inspired by their
local pro Graeme Storm to complete a remarkable hat-trick, which you
can read about on page 15.
Our two course reviews concentrate on beautiful Northumberland,
we preview the county season, and we feature courses throughout our
region under going improvements or preparing to host high profile
tournaments this summer.
Plus we have news of charity events you can enjoy while raising
money for great causes at the same time.
Good luck to all golfers young and old - let the weather be kind and
your handicaps come down.
Published by:
04-15 TEEING OFF
Torrance and James on their
way to Close House, aces
galore, county season build-up,
and a histroic treble for the boys
from Dyke House
16 CHARITY FOCUS
Golf days across the region for
some great causes
20 TOUR LIFE
Chris Paisley’s tour diary
32-39 GOLFER NEWS
Robinson’s Junior Solheim
Cup call, new driving range
for George Washington,
Greenwatch, and the EuroPro is
on its way to Longhirst
Paul Robertson, editor
[email protected]
Publishers:
Jane Pikett & Gary Ramsay
Address: Offstone Publishing
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Northumberland, NE43 7AL
Tel: 01661 844 115
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Facebook: /offstonepublishing
FRONT COVER
43-45 REGION FOCUS
England international teenager
Matty Lamb on his plans to
make the game a career
We take a trip to
North Yorkshire
Pages 28-31
46 TIPS
Junior tips focus
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18 ALLENDALE
GOLF CLUB
40 ROTHBURY
GOLF CLUB
48 COMPETITIONS
Win fourballs at Dunstanburgh
GC and Eaglescliffe GC
50 MATCH PLAY PAIRS
Preliminary round draw
51 LADIES GREENSOMES
Entry deadline extended for our
new competition
62 FROM THE BUNKER
Readers’ news and views
NORTHERN GOLFER 03
TEEINGOFF
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04 NORTHERN GOLFER
Visitors & Societies
welcome 7 Days
Saturdays &
Sundays Available
Adam Chapman, North of England Open Amateur
Strokeplay Champion 2014
Entries open
for amateurs
Strokeplay Championship will attract the best
T
he UK’s top golfers are
expected to compete in
the North of England
Open Amateur Strokeplay
Championship, which will be staged
for the third time in Yorkshire
this September.
A World Amateur Golf Ranking
event, and the final fixture of
the Titliest Footjoy England
Order of Merit, the event is now
firmly cemented on the calendar
of the country’s top amateur
championships.
With a field restricted to
117 competitors due to shorter
daylight hours, and with a
maximum prize pot of £1,800,
a top field is anticipated when
the event takes place at Open
Championship qualifying venue
Pannal in West Yorkshire from
September 29-October 1.
Open to players with a handicap
of 1.4 or less, the Championship
attracted top golfers from across
the UK last year and was won by
Windermere’s Adam Chapman.
The 19-year-old said after his
victory that his target for 2015 was
Walker Cup selection, an honour
he is close to achieving after being
confirmed among the squad.
The championship attracted
another Walker Cup player in
Callum Shinkwin of Moor Park, who
competed at Pannal in 2013 shortly
after representing the GB & I team
in Southampton, New Jersey.
The event is organised by the
Northern Counties Golf Union
made up of the unions of Cheshire,
Cumbria, Durham, Isle of Man,
Lancashire, Northumberland and
Yorkshire but is open to players
from all over the UK and beyond.
Northern Counties secretary
Dennis Trickett said: “After some
disappointing weather in the first
year the championship is now going
from strength to strength. It was
keenly contested in 2014 and we are
anticipating an even better event
this year.”
Entry forms and competition rules and conditions can be downloaded from
www.englandgolf.com and ncgu.co.uk
TEEINGOFF
OutstANNEding
achievement
Northumberland stalwart honoured
N
orthumberland’s Anne
Herbert has won
England Golf ’s Lifetime
Service Award for
her outstanding contribution to
the game.
Anne, who has just retired as
president of the Northumberland
County Ladies Golf Association,
was recognised for her work with
her club, county, region and county
vets association.
She was nominated for the
award by the NCLGA, which
wrote: “the sustained leadership,
enthusiasm and sheer hard work
of Anne Herbert has made a major
and very positive impact.”
She received the award from
England Golf president Nigel Evans
at a gala dinner at the England
Golf annual conference at Hinckley
Island Hotel in Leicestershire.
Anne said: “I’m thrilled and
honoured. I am also very lucky
because I enjoy volunteering and
never expected to be thanked.”
Anne is renowned for her
organisational skills and the
encouragement she offers
to players.
Her legacy to the county
includes a trophy for an adult/
junior foursomes competition to
encourage female golfers.
Anne took up golf as a young
girl and has been a keen player for
70 years and has represented the
A team at her home club Gosforth
Park Ladies for four decades.
At club level she’s been captain,
handicap secretary, treasurer and
Anne receives her award from England president Nigel Evans
(Image courtesy of Leaderboard Photography)
president. She became involved
with the county in the 1990s
and has been county handicap
adviser, county captain and
president. She has also been
captain and president of the
county vets association.
In addition, Anne has
represented Northumberland on
regional committees.
Anne is a great advocate of
competitive golf. “I’m a great
believer that it’s important to
enter as many competitions as
possible, to be involved in
county competitions and to
meet up with people from
other clubs,” she said.
Championship Golf Midweek
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the course remains in fantastic condition all year round - come rain or shine!
For groups of 8 to 16 golfers
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Hurworth-on-Tees Darlington County Durham DL2 2DU +44 (0)1325 729999 [email protected]
NORTHERN GOLFER 05
TEEINGOFF
Junior tour
back again
Young golfers in Durham will have
the opportunity to play on a mini
tour of their own again this year.
Entries are now open for the
Cleveland/Srixon Junior Golf Tour - a
series of nine-hole events designed
to give the next generation of players
competitive experience over a series
of different courses.
The competition, which is now
in its seventh year, is open to boys
aged 8-12 and girls aged 8-13.
Each round is split into different
age and ability categories, with
novice players using forward
tees and adapted rules. The Tour
culminates with a regional final –
involving junior tour players from
Northumberland and Cumbria.
Each of the four rounds costs
£6, although if all four are entered
together the entrance fee is
just £20.
Last year more than 70 boys and
girls took part in the competition,
with Durham going on to win the
inter-county regional final for the
second successive year.
The qualifying events are:
Sunday May 10 - South Moor
Sunday June 14 - George Washington
Sunday July 26 - Hartlepool
Sunday August 16 - Durham City
For more information go to the
Junior Tour page at
www.durhamgolfpartnership.com
30 not out
Abbeydale’s Mary Muhley won her
club’s Scratch Trophy for the 30th
time at the end last year.
She first won the event in 1973
and would have probably had a
better record had she not missed
the event a few times when her two
sons were younger!
06 NORTHERN GOLFER
Sam
Torrance
(courtesy
Getty Images)
Torrance tees up
for seniors
Ryder cup winner set to head field for the ISPS Handa
PGA Seniors Championship, June 11-14 at Close House
R
yder Cup-winning captain Sam
Torrance will be among the star
names teeing up at this year’s ISPS
Handa PGA Seniors Championship
at Close House, which takes place June 11-14.
Torrance, who won the event in 2005 and
2006, will return to the championship, which
takes place over the Lee Westwood Colt Course
at the Northumberland club.
The 61-year-old Scot, who has won 11 Senior
and 21 European Tour titles will be one of the
players to watch at the four-day championship
which this year boasts a £260,000 prize fund.
“The PGA Championship is one of our
biggest events on the schedule so I look forward
to playing in it,” said Torrance. “It’s a new venue
which comes very highly rated and it would
be great to win the title for a third time at a
third venue.”
Close House, which has agreed to stage the
tournament for three years, is looking forward
to hosting the prestigious event.
“To stage a top-ranking tournament of
this magnitude for the first time confirms an
exciting period in our development and is
testament to everyone connected with Close
House and shows how far we have come since
opening less than four years ago,” said owner
Graham Wylie.
“The decision to stage the championship
here at Close House gives us an excellent
opportunity to showcase our facilities and
will allow golf fans in the Newcastle area
an exclusive opportunity to see top class
professional golf at close quarters.
“We have already had 12,000 golf fans
register for tickets, which are complimentary,
and we are looking forward to hosting
them as well as welcoming all the leading
European Senior Tour players to the
North East.”
The championship, which is the longestrunning event on the European Senior Tour, will
be defended by Santiago Luna.
To register for your free ticket go to www.closehouse.com/pgaseniors
TEEINGOFF
surgery followed and Lilly has now undergone
eight operations.
The news is now better and David said: “Lilly
just takes it all in her stride, she’s incredible. Her
hair is starting to grow back now and the tumour
is beginning to shrink.”
David - and Lilly - joined other fundraisers
at Slaley Hall at the golf tournament to raise
money for the Toma Fund, and Newcastle United
player Ryan Taylor was among those attending
the event, which was organised by Andrea
Thompson, who set up the fund in memory of her
son Jordan who lost his battle with acute myeloid
leukaemia in September 2007.
Lilly’s lifesaver
Slaley Hall pro’s fundraiser as daughter battles brain tumour
D
avid Hartley handed over nearly
£7,000 to the Toma Fund thanks to a
golf day at Slaley Hall.
The cheque was a big thank you
from David for the help his family has received
while his five-year-old daughter Lilly has been
receiving chemotherapy.
“Lilly is eight months into an 18-month course
of treatment and is doing well,” said David.
“I named the event after my two children
- Lilly and my son Sonny who has spent
every milestone of his three years in hospital
supporting his big sister.” David, 28, who is based
at Slaley Hall as a professional and membership
advisor, added: “Lilly is such an incredibly happy
little girl and thinks what is happening to her is
just normal.”
Lilly was just two when she was diagnosed
with a brain tumour and underwent a 10-hour
operation at Newcastle’s RVI.
After several days in intensive care and weeks
in hospital, she was finally allowed to return
home, but in October 2013, scans revealed
the tumour was growing again and more
Golf Discount
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An event which has grown year-on-year, the
TOMA Fund golf day at Gosforth Golf Club takes
place on May 29.
The event, now in its fourth year, is organised
by Walbottle Campus and raises money for the
Toma Fund. To find out more about the Toma
Fund or to donate go to www.tomafund.org
For more information, and to enter, email
[email protected]
Unit 3 Strand Business Centre, Locomotion Way, Camperdown
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NORTHERN GOLFER 07
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Billy Dunmore and Rob King (inset)
ENGLISH CLUB CHAMPION HOSTS 2015
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MENS OPEN COMPETITIONS
Sunday 24th May
Spring Open - 4BBB Stableford - £30 pair
Saturday 4th July Crawley Dickinson Cup - 4BBB Bogey - £30 pair
Monday 6th July
Team of 4 Stableford - £60 team
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The Clubhouse, Brancepeth, Durham, DH7 8EA
The Clubhouse, Brancepeth, Durham DH78EA
08 NORTHERN GOLFER
Whitburn and
Eaglescliffe aces
I
t’s been a long time coming but
Billy Dunmore finally scored his
second hole-in-one in 48 years
at Whitburn Golf Club.
His first ace came in 1995 at the
Lizard Lane club’s 14th, a tricky
sloping par three with a semi-blind
tee shot of about 180 yards from the
back tee.
This time around, it was at the
iconic 16th, a tough 186-yard par
three, although it was playing about
175 from the yellow markers when
Billy, playing with Bill Robinson and
Ronnie Pude, used a four iron.
“It was a good hole-in-one,’ said
75-year-old Billy who plays off a
handicap of 16. “I creamed the tee
shot and it carried the right hand
bunker and rolled in. I was stunned.”
It was one of his better moments
of playing golf which includes his
first ace and being a member of
the Whitburn team which won the
Durham County Teams Handicap
Championship a few years ago at
Throston Grange.
Meanwhile, if you want to have an
ace - Eaglescliffe looks a good bet.
There’s been a flurry of holes-in
one early this year with Rob King
acing the 13th in February, followed
by Sam Donald at the same hole in
March and Di Nutter acing the 17th
in April.
Rob obviously likes his course, it
was his second hole-in-one at 13 in
18 months and his third at the club
having also aced the 17th…he now
has five aces in 24 years playing golf,
20 of them at the Yarm Road club
where he plays off 12.
TEEINGOFF
Mark of class
Golfing legend James on a trip back up North
M
ark James has
never been short of
forthright opinions,
some of which were
willingly shared at a clinic sponsored
by Bibby Financial Services and
Patrick McLaughlin at Sunderland
Golf Centre in April.
Members of Chris Pope’s forwardthinking operation on Newcastle
Road attended the event, at which
the former Ryder Cup captain and
European Seniors Tour player was in
top form - at one point hitting drives
while on his knees in the style of the
late Seve Ballesteros.
James, 61, has always had a
strong connection with the North
East with business partner Andrew
Mair specialising in course design
and management, and he will be at
Close House next month for the ISPS
Handa PGA Seniors Championship
which will possibly be one of his last
competitive tournaments.
“This will probably be my last year
on the Seniors Tour,” he said. “I’m
looking to do a bit more TV
commentary and maybe a bit
more corporate stuff,” he said.
“This year I hope to
play about 10 events and,
hopefully, do commentary
for the BBC at the Open. I will
be playing at Close House in
June, absolutely.”
Much wringing of hands
followed the BBC’s loss of exclusive
coverage of the Open - but the view
is not shared by James. “It’s a fact of
life that the coverage of the Open
on TV is changing. The fact is an
awful lot of people have access to
Sky so I’m not so sure it’s going to
be a situation where a lot of people
are not going to see the Open, and
the BBC will be doing a two-hour
highlights programme.”
Mark
James with
Chris Pope
(courtesy
of Richard
Hannam)
There’s no doubt golf faces difficulties and
has to change, something which the old guard
may not like, but James insists it has to be more accessible.
“I think there is a big argument for 27-hole complexes
where you can play one 18-hole course and one shorter
nine-hole course, but then trying to get planning
permission for new courses is difficult.
“It was, frankly, a load of rubbish when we were told
several years ago that we needed 700 new courses. Maybe
there will be closures and amalgamations.
“We should be looking at complexes with golf courses,
a gym, nice clubhouse with a thriving social membership that has to be the way forward. It’s a no-brainer.”
NORTHERN GOLFER 09
TEEINGOFF
Derby day
is crucial for
county rivals
Northumberland and Durham captains
look ahead to season-opening derby
N
orth East derby games are
always important, whether
you’re playing football, golf or
tiddlywinks, and this year’s
Northern Counties League kicks off on
May 9 with a Northumberland-Durham
clash at Blyth Golf Club.
Northumberland captain Andrew
Minnikin is feeling confident going into the
season, following a successful winter with
some 70 players taking part in a series of
order of merit events.
“We often go into the county season
cold with very little competitive golf
ahead of the first match of the year,” says
Minnikin. “Last year we decided to give
players the opportunity to play a series of
five winter events to give them the chance
to play a little bit of competitive golf while
giving us the chance to have a look at
Blyth GC
Andrew
Minnikin
(inset)
Westfield Lane, Ryton, Tyne & Wear, NE40 3QE
Club Sponsor 2015 – Harrow Ltd
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places 100 GOLF POINTS on your membership swipe card. Each time you
play points are simply deducted from your account (fewer points are required
to play at quiet times on the course and more points at busier times)
For FURTHER DETAILS please contact Club Manager Alastair Greenfield
on 0191 4132742 or [email protected]
www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk
10 NORTHERN GOLFER
fringe players and new players.
“The series was a great success, we had a
great turnout for the events and identified a
number of new faces who we’ll be following
throughout the year.”
Having opened the season with the
traditional friendly against the Lothians,
Minnikin is looking forward to getting
underway, “We’ve got a lot of events in May
and I hope to see a lot of guys find their
TEEINGOFF
GolfWorking / www.golfworking.co.uk
form early and give us a good start to
the year.
“As always, a big challenge will be
getting our strongest possible team
together regularly; I’ve worked hard
with the players on stressing how
important it is to build consistency
in our team. Last season we used 26
players in six games, this year I’m
aiming to use somewhere around 16.”
Following a disappointing
campaign in 2014, Minnikin’s aim for
this season is to set a platform for the
future. “We have to set a foundation.
From there we can look to build the
team and climb the league. I want to
reward players who are committed to
county golf and are proving themselves
week-in-week-out.”
DURHAM
The new season often brings with it
new challenges. John Kirk, the man
leading Durham this season, is facing a
bigger challenge than most.
Kirk, who takes over from Bryan
Ross, has had to get to grips with his
new role quickly, but he’s ready and
looking forward to a season-opening
derby match against Northumberland.
“The senior members of the side
have been incredibly helpful in getting
to grips with things and their advice is
invaluable. I think we’re in good shape
going into the season and we’re ready
to take on Northumberland in the first
game,” says Kirk.
A number of Durham players had
successful campaigns in 2014, and Kirk
is hoping to see them in the side as
often as possible this season: “Players
like Andrew Wilson can’t be ignored,
he’s a supreme talent and we know
that he can compete with the best
players in the league. But, we have a
number of strong players in the squad
and my job is to ensure all the players
in the squad remain enthusiastic about
playing for the county and that I pick
the best team I can for each game.”
Having started the year with a
friendly against the Teesside Union,
which saw a number of Durham
players on both sides, Kirk is confident
he has a strong side which can
have success in this year’s Northern
Counties League.
“The Durham-Northumberland
match is always important to us, both
for the derby feel of it, and for deciding
where we finish at the end of the year
with just five games each season. Our
pre-season games have given us a
chance to have a look at some of the
young guys stepping up to the senior
side this year and we’re very happy to
see the young guys giving the senior
players a good challenge.
“To have a good crop of young
players is vital to continuing to
compete every year and we’ll be
developing them throughout the
season with our coaching programmes
and bringing them into the senior side.”
Look out for the June edition of
Northern Golfer for a report on the
match and round up of county events
in Northumberland and Durham.
Northumberland take on Durham at Blyth Golf Club on Saturday May 9. For
Northumberland fixtures, results and more information go to www.nugc.org.uk
For Durham fixtures, results and more information go to
www. durhamcountygolfunion.co.uk
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* Terms & conditions apply, minimum 2 guest per booking, playing at Flamborough Head Golf Course which
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NORTHERN GOLFER 11
TEEINGOFF
Whitley Bay captain Duncan Keady
Bay watch
Seaside course revamp is on track
W
hitley Bay has
never been afraid
of change, but
more than a few
must have had doubts when the
club revealed plans to completely
remodel four holes in the middle of
a recession.
However, the ambitious plans
to improve the sixth, seventh,
eighth and ninth are now bearing
fruit with the ninth completed and
the rest of the work scheduled to
be finished in the next two years.
Jonathan Gaunt was responsible for
the design and Nathan Stone, who
worked on the construction of the
Cathedral Course at Ramside, has
also been involved in the project
which has been overseen by course
manager Simon Olver and the club’s
management board.
Olver describes the new holes as
“seamless and free flowing” and has
been keen to make sure disruption
for members is kept to a minimum.
The club has not allowed the project
to overshadow other course work
and improvements and innovations
which includes engaging ecology
consultant James Hutchinson.
The remodelling work on the
four holes has involved building two
new greens, bunkering and tees,
extensive mounding and planting
of trees of gorse and a significant
outlay on new machinery.
None of the work would
have been possible without
the generosity of club member
Alan Anderson.
“I started playing golf here as a
junior,” said Alan, “and I just felt I
wanted to give something back for
all the great times I’ve had here.”
As the club celebrates its 125th
anniversary, it has moved with the
times, active in initiatives such as
Cafe Golf to boost the ladies section
plus promotional activities with
local schools and coaching which
has led to the award of GolfMark.
Meanwhile, the club’s new
captain Duncan Keady drove into
office watched by members.
Bishop open
new greens
Jessica Hall
Bishop Auckland has officially
opened its 15th and 16th greens
following a major re-design.
The project, which has taken
almost five months to complete, saw
a complete overhaul by designer
Jonathan Gaunt and sports surface
specialist Marc Kerr.
Bishop captain Andy Graham
said: “We are all excited to be
members of a club that is investing
for the future.”
England Under 18 cap and the
reigning Durham County Ladies
Champion Jessica Hall was invited
to become the first golfer to try out
two new greens at her club and she
gave them the thumbs up.
CATTERICK
GOLF CLUB
Leyburn Road, Catterick Garrison, DL9 3QE
MEMBERSHIPS FROM
£175
SOCIETIES WELCOME
7 DAYS A WEEK
Telephone 01748 833268
Email: [email protected]
Visit our website www.catterickgolfclub.co.uk
12 NORTHERN GOLFER
TEEINGOFF
Agony for
Andrew
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INTEREST
APR
Wilson shoots new course
record but can’t cling on
A
ndrew Wilson just
missed out on the
British Universities
Championship at the
Dukes Course in St Andrews.
The England squad golfer from
Darlington and Northumbria
University led by three shots going
into the final round after shooting
rounds of 71 and 68 - a new course
record - to add to his opening 76.
But he couldn’t maintain his
form and slipped to a 78 in the final
round to be overtaken by defending
champion Cormac Sharvin (Stirling/
Ardglass) who followed his round
of 74 on Tuesday with a double of
73 and 72 for 219 and then closed
with 73.
Wilson, a former winner of the
North of England Youths Open and
the Durham County Order of Merit,
led the pack until the final stages,
managing to stay ahead of Chris
Andrew Wilson
MacLean (Stirling/ Balmore), Marco
Iten (Stirling/Switzerland) and a
charging Sharvin. A critical late birdie by Sharvin
and a bogey at the last by Wilson
let in the Irish international to
retain the crown he won last year at
Machynys in South Wales. Meanwhile, Hartlepool student
Matthew Davison claimed a
credible second spot in a 70-strong
field at the AOC Sport Open
Golf Championships, also in
St Andrews.
Davison, from Hartlepool
College of Further Education, was
bang in form over the Fairmont St
Andrews resort.
He was nicely placed after an
opening 74, two shots behind and
on day two posted a 76 in tough
conditions on the Torrance Course
to finish one shot behind Balby Carr
Academy’s Dan Mould.
Gary Butler, right, shows a selection of his watches to PGA
North secretary Graham Maly
North pros play for time
The clock’s ticking for the start of
the season.
And tee time will take on a
different meaning when PGA
in England & Wales (North)
professionals peg up in five
ranking tournaments spread over
the campaign.
This year the winners of each
one, plus the player who tops
the Order of Merit for the coveted
Michael Slater Memorial Trophy,
will be presented with a must-have
ETIQUS watch.
They have been created by
Gary Butler, the founder and
managing director of the Cheshirebased company.’
He said: “I realised a lot of
watches are made for various
sports so I designed one for golfers
which features a bezel inspired by
Pace of Play guidelines, originally
published by the R&A, that can
indicate how long it takes to
complete a hole.
“It’s a distinguishing feature that
identifies the wearer as a golfer.”
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CHESTER-LE-STREET
GOLF CLUB
Open Competitions 2015
SUNDAY 31ST MAY
GENTS 4 BALL BETTERBALL £18 PAIR
Membership 2015
Prices REDUCED for all age groups under 30
Other categories available - Ring the Secretary for details
Visitors & Societies always welcome for packages ring the Secretary
Contact: Secretary 019 3883218 or
email [email protected]
Professional 0191 3882333
Chester le Street Golf Club, Lumley Park, County Durham, DH3 4NS
NORTHERN GOLFER 13
TEEINGOFF
Dunstanburgh Castle
Golf Club
Scenic 18 hole seaside links course designed by the famous
James Braid, adjacent to spectacular Embleton Bay
VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME INCLUDING WEEKENDS
Summer Special
Coffee & bacon roll on arrival,
round of golf followed by soup, large filled roll & chips
£28 per person Mon-Fri • £32 per person weekends
TWILIGHT GOLF FROM 4 PM - ONLY £15 PP
FOOD SERVED UNTIL 8PM BAR OPEN TILL LATE
Our free draining links course means we hardly
ever close due to bad weather!
GOLFAS
2014
Greens Team of the
Year Winners!
Embleton, Northumberland, NE66 3XQ
Tel: 01665 576562
email: [email protected]
www.dunstanburgh.com
The new par three Yearling Course at Close House
Close
encounter of
the Third kind
New Yearling par three course at Close House
proves a big hit with young golfers
EAGLESCLIFFE
GOLF CLUB
Founded 1914
Nestled beside the River Tees with the Cleveland Hills as a backdrop,
the course has been described by Golf Monthly magazine as a
‘hidden gem’ of English golf.
This 6289 yard James Braid course is both picturesque and demanding due
to the nature of the rolling terrain and sloping greens which provides a
challenge for both novice and experienced golfers alike.
Golf Societies, Corporate Golf Days and
Captain’s Away Days..............We will tailor packages to your requirements.
Lifetsyle Membership available from £250
Check our website for reduced Green Fee Dates
For all enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact Martin Ball
on 01642 780238 or email [email protected]
2015 Opens
• Senior Gents Team
• Ladies
• Gents
• Senior Gents 4BBB
• Mixed Team
Wednesday 13th May
Friday 15th May
Sunday 2nd August
Wednesday 12th August
Sunday 30th August
Please Book online on our website www.eaglescliffegolfclub.co.uk
14 NORTHERN GOLFER
T
he Masters tournament
marks the beginning
of every golf season
and this year the event
brought with it a new addition to
Close House with the opening of
the Yearling par three course at the
Northumberland club.
The launch event coincided
with the traditional par three
tournament in Augusta, won this
year by American Kevin Streelman
following a playoff with Camilo
Villegas, and saw more than
100 Close House members and
corporate partners take on the
par-27 course which features holes
ranging from 35-70 yards.
Speaking following the launch,
Close House owner Graham Wylie,
who caddied for the club’s attached
professional Lee Westwood during
the par three contest in Georgia
said: “The addition of the Yearling
Course is a real asset to us at Close
House, and will be an environment
in which those new to the game
can learn the rules and etiquette
of golf.
“It presents an enjoyable way
for juniors to experience every
element of the game, while more
accomplished players will find it a
great way to fine tune their game.”
The par-27 course is open to
members, guests and residents and
features the same high standard of
presentation as the Lee Westwood
Colt and Filly courses at Close
House, the former one of the UK &
Ireland’s top 100 courses.
Club captain Nigel Brown added:
“Playing the course for the first
time was a great experience and
seeing so many members there on
the day was fantastic. The course
was beautifully presented and
has been designed to test players
as well as offer shorter holes for
juniors to get to grips with. Anyone
who plays it under-par is doing
very well.”
For more information go to www.closehouse.com
TEEINGOFF
Team Dyke’s
historic treble
Teesside school takes championship by Storm
H
artlepool’s Dyke House
is celebrating a historic
hat-trick in the Durham
County Schools
Championships – with help from
local pro Graeme Storm.
For the first time in the
competition’s 44-year history Dyke
House Sports and Technology
College landed the team trophy
to sit proudly alongside individual
honours at both Under 18 and
Under 16 level.
Cameron Wallace, who won
the younger prize 12 months ago,
turned on the style to equal the
best score ever recorded in the
tournament to land the Under 18
title, while Will Skipp finished five
shots ahead of his nearest rival to
claim the Under 16 crown.
Combined with the score of
scratch player Jack Ainscough,
who had also recently finished
seventh in the Hawkstone Boys
national tournament, Dyke House
were crowned Durham Schools
Champions for the first time.
Danny Evans, the director of
Dyke House’s Elite Development
Squad sports scholarship
programme, said: “When we
started the Elite scheme and
brought the golf strand in it was
always our ambition to claim this
prestigious title. However, we didn’t
think success would arrive so
quickly, but thanks to the input of
our golf consultant Graeme Storm
and the dedication of the three
talented youngsters, it has been a
remarkable spell for Dyke House.”
Jack Ainscough, Cameron Wallace and Will Skipp with the
team trophy
Fifteen-year-old Wallace,
playing off three, posted a brilliant
68 at Beamish Park Golf Club to
finish four shots clear of Durham
Sixth Form’s Aaron McManus
equalling the best score posted by
Lanchester’s Tom Rowland five
years ago.
Skipp, 13, finished ninth in the
overall competition along with
Ainscough after their 77s and for
Skipp that proved enough to win
the Under 16s.
English Martyrs’ Shannon
O’Dwyer retained the girls crown
she won 12 months ago with a 79
to finish a shot clear of Belmont’s
Kitana Hollins.
NORTHERN GOLFER 15
CHARITYGOLF
Hospice
target
Hornsea members are taking on
the challenge of playing 100 holes
in a single day to raise at least
£3,000 for Barnardos and Dove
House Hospice.
The marathon event takes place
at the Yorkshire club on June 26
and means some players will walk
more than 30 miles. The players’
target is to have a combined medal
score of under 1,800 shots.
Legends
golf day
Two members of Sunderland’s
1973 FA Cup winning team, Micky Horswill and Ritchie Pitt,
are organising a Hope4Kidz
celebrity golf day at the Houghtonle-Spring club on Monday May 11.
Horswill and Pitt are among
the patrons of the charity which
supports special needs youngsters
in the North East.
There are a few spots left for
the event, with teams costing
£150 for three golfers to play a
round alongside former Black
Cats footballers. The price includes a
bacon sandwich before the golf plus
a meal and prizes afterwards.
Anybody interested can contact
Ritchie Pitt on 07840 671 454
or [email protected]
Have a
Heart 2015
A host of celebrities are set
to join Lee Westwood at Close
House for this year’s Have a
Heart Trophy on May 18 in aid of
the Children’s Heart Unit at the
Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.
Westwood will be joined by CHUF
patrons Ant & Dec, Alan Shearer
and Graham Wylie, as well as
sportspeople and celebrities from
across the country including AP
McCoy and Jeremy Kyle.
For more information go to
www.closehouse.com
Celebrities
at the
Steve Cram
Celebrity
Golf Day at
Slaley Hall
Cramming them
in for COCO
Celebrities lining up for their annual trip to Slaley Hall to
support Steve Cram’s charity
T
he Steve Cram Celebrity Golf Day
returns to Slaley Hall this summer
with a host of sportspeople and
celebrities joining the Jarrow Arrow
in aid of COCO on July 2.
Now in its 12th year, the golf
day raised more than £25,000
for COCO in 2014 and this
year it returns to the
Priestman and Hunting
courses at Slaley in
Northumberland.
Celebrities
confirmed for this
year’s event include Andy
Buist, Vicki Adams, Steve
Parry, Rory Underwood, Phil
Mustard, Eve Muirhead (left)
and Cram, and more than
30 teams will take part in
the event.
Cram, who setup COCO in 2000 to raise
money for projects across the developing world,
said: “We’re delighted to be back at Slaley Hall
for another Steve Cram Celebrity Golf Day in
aid of children’s charity COCO.
“The event is so important to our annual
fundraising and is a fantastic opportunity to
tell people about the charity and projects we
support worldwide. Every year we welcome
back supporters and friends and to have the
support of so many of my friends in the likes
of Daley Thompson, Willie Thorne and Eve
Muirhead, as well as those who have worked
with us for a number of years from across the
North East is amazing.
“It’s been 11 years and I’ve still not made the
podium of my own golf day, perhaps I’ll make it
up there this year.”
The event will be followed by a presentation
dinner . Teams of three plus a celebrity are £800.
Teams of four without a celebrity are £500.
Contact Lucy Bewley [email protected] or call 01434 689 040
For more on COCO’s work visit www.coco.org.uk
16 NORTHERN GOLFER
CHARITYGOLF
CENTURION PARK
SOCIETIES
Fantastic offers available to suit your requirements.
All parties receive FREE driving range balls.
Parties over 20 receive 3 FREE buggies
PAY & PLAY
18 Holes £12 pp Mon - Fri £14 pp weekends
4 Ball £40 Mon - Sun
Loyalty Cards - Play 4 rounds at green fee rate
& get the 5th round FREE (inc 4 Balls)
DRIVING RANGE
24 Floodlit Bays
50 balls £3.00 - 100 Balls £5.00
Buy a discount card and save ££’s
MEMBERSHIPS
Telephone 0191 3701757
LEDA GOLF
FOOT GOLF COMING SOON !!!
THE NORTH’S PREMIUM POWAKADDY &
HILL BILLY SERVICE & REPAIR CENTRE
Full range of electric trolleys, accessories,
golf equipment and clothing in stock
Full Membership £275
Under 18’s £50
Golf, Gym & Swim Membership £595
Green fees from £10
Play & Stay Packages from £79 p.p
Society Packages from £20 p.p
PING DEMO DAY
Good Course – Good Value For the whole family
Tuesday 12th May
Coatham Mundeville,
Darlington, DL1 3LU
Tel: 01325 379710
www.hallgarthdarlington.co.uk
WE’VE TURNED THIS AD UPSIDE DOWN, JUST LIKE OUR PRICES!
12 noon - 4 pm
Ring for appointment
Players can register with [email protected] or
tel 07941 438 572 or 01642 505 459
Tel: 0191 262 4231
Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend, NE28 8SU
www.centurionpark.com
Full range of G30 products in stock
and it seemed very appropriate to
support a local children’s charity.
“We are delighted to achieve this
amount and express thanks to all
who made contributions.”
Meanwhile Saltburn is staging
a team event on Saturday, July 18
to raise money for the MacMillan
Nurses Charity Appeal.
Open to teams of four golfers
with two scores to count on all holes
except 12 and 18 where all four
scores will count.
Teams are £60 and this includes
a sandwich and hot drink on arrival.
There are also prizes for nearest the
pin on all par threes.
Find us at Roseberry Grange
Golf Club, Grange Villa,
Chester le Street,DH2 3NF
Saltburn’s outgoing club captain
John Dunn and ladies captain Carol
Loughran handed over a cheque for
more then £3,000 to Zoe’s Place
Baby Hospice.
Elaine Dunning was delighted to
receive the cheque on behalf of Zoe’s
Place, which provides palliative,
respite and end-of-life care to babies
and infants aged from birth to fiveyears-old suffering from life-limiting
or life-threatening conditions.
Both captains had agreed to join
forces in supporting Zoe’s Place
throughout 2014, John saying:
“Both Carol’s family and my own
had our first grandchildren this year
OPEN
7 DAYS
9AM - 5PM
Saltburn host fundraisers
CLUBHOUSE
After your round enjoy food and drink in Happy
Gilmores. Live Sport shown
0191 370 1757
Elaine Dunning (centre) receiving the cheque from John Dunn
and Carol Loughran
All categories available Under 16 FREE with a full paying adult
Trial Membership - 3 months £150
Join afterwards on a pro-rata basis for the
remainder of the year
NORTHERN GOLFER 17
COURSEREVIEW
Golf in the wild
at Allendale
Travel west from Hexham and an enjoyable day awaits
at a super nine-hole course as Paul Corney discovers
S
et high in the Allen Valley, Allendale’s
golf course is a truly spectacular
location to play the game.
The clubhouse sits at 1,077 feet above
sea level on the west-facing side of Green Hill,
which peaks at 1,374 feet.
Although Allendale Golf Club celebrated
its centenary in 2006, the course has only been
sited at High Studdon since 1992 and is short by
modern standards but don’t let that lull you into a
false sense of security.
In the club’s centenary year, three local
professionals were invited to challenge the course
and break par, something which had never been
18 NORTHERN GOLFER
achieved before. Two out of the three hit their
tee shots from the first out of bounds into the
adjacent field, and all failed to break par.
Despite this, they soon appreciated the
pleasures of this course on the side of a hill,
prompting the winner on the day, PGA European
Seniors player John Harrison to state: “It can be
a bit of a shock getting the ball in the hole. Being
short, the course has to protect itself and it does
that very well. The course is a great antidote to
every 7,000-yard course being designed for slambang hitters and with the scenery, it’s a perfect
place to come and play golf.”
The treasurer at Allendale Golf Club is author
Robin Down. He commented: “If you are lucky,
there will be a soft breeze and the turbine will
spin gently against a deep blue sky. Sheep will
be grazing on the fells; the lonesome call of the
curlew will fill the silent air and a hare will be seen
scurrying down the first. From the clubhouse,
the high moors will be lit by a clean bright light,
framed by the clubhouse windows and your heart
will lift – this is surely golf heaven – Allendale is
the perfect introduction to golf in the wild.”
Aptly named Long Reach, the first hole
measures 417 yards and is the longest par four on
the course. Beware of the out of bounds on the left
so aim for the right side of the fairway. Don’t be
long with your approach to the green, the rough at
the back of the green is punishing. When played as
the 10th, it maybe a few yards shorter but it is just
as tough into the prevailing wind.
COURSEREVIEW
Allendale Golf Club is set in the beautiful
Allen Valley in Northumberland
Only 118 yards, the second has a shallow
green and all the danger at the back. The best
place to be here if you miss the green is short.
Again the hole is shorter the second time
around, but the premium remains accuracy
rather than power.
The third at Allendale is a downhill par
three, and at 187 yards, it’s a hole fraught with
danger. There is out of bounds on the left, trees
to the right and if you go over the back be
prepared to take a lesson in mountaineering should you be lucky enough to find your ball.
Played as the 12th, the hole is much shorter
and easier but the dangers are still there.
The next two holes are both shortish par
fours and good birdie chances should you be
able to read the severe slopes on the greens.
The sixth is a par five with a frightening tee
shot between a line of trees, finding the centre
of the fairway here is a must. On the back
nine, this hole is played as a par four and is
considered as the hardest hole on the course.
Another straightforward par four follows,
before the eighth, which is played as a simple
par four on the outward half and is the
signature hole as the 17th (see factfile).
Finally the ninth and 18th, 149 yards and
222 yards respectively, where many players
fall short of the green because of the uphill
tee shot.
FACT FILE
Allendale Golf Cub was
one of the first Dark Sky
Discovery Sites in the
North Pennines Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty
to be designated. It has been
recognised as a great place
for amateur and professional
astronomers to stargaze and
during organised stargazing
events, the clubhouse is the
perfect place to get warm and
discuss the latest astronomical
news and sightings
CONTACT
Allendale Golf Club
High Studdon, Allendale
Northumberland, NE47 9DH
Tel 07005 808 246
Email [email protected]
Web www.allendale-golf.co.uk
GREEN FEES
Adults - £15 a day
Juniors - £5 a day
Groups by arrangement
TOTAL DISTANCE
White tees – 4,681 yards Par 67
Yellow tees – 4,501 yards Par 66
Red tees – 4,369 yards Par 68
FEATURES
Nine-hole moorland course with 16 tees
Practice net
Putting green
Bar and catering – available on Sundays
and all open days (by arrangement for
other days)
Changing rooms
Coffee machine
Ample car parking
CADDY’S TIP
Consider leaving the driver in the bag here
- accuracy is key here
SIGNATURE HOLE
One of the most challenging short holes in
the region, the 17th measures 147 yards
and the green is partially hidden behind
a deep, tree-lined ravine. A carry of some
125 yards will just clear the top of the
trees - a fantastic par three - if you find
the green!
PAUL CORNEY’S VERDICT
Allendale is great fun to play and
by no means a pushover. The views
are fantastic and the layout is well
manicured, a credit to greenkeepers
Michael Keen and Ian Robinson
NORTHERN GOLFER 19
CHRISPAISLEY
Picturesque 18 hole course in
the heart of Northumberland
Chris
Paisley
visiting parties
Great value packages available to suit
everyone. Excellent discounts for larger
parties. Casual and Individual visiting golfers
are very welcome
clubhouse
Stunning views of the Simonside Hills and the
Cheviots. Full catering served daily including
Sunday Carvery. Available for Wedding
Receptions, Birthday Parties, Business
Meetings, Clubs, Societies etc. Non-Golfers,
Walkers and Bikers always welcome
open competitions 2015
Nine Open Competitions to enter - Ladies, Men’s and Seniors
Visit our website for full details www.rothburygolfclub.com
ALLENDALE GOLF
For further details of all our offers telephone the Secretary
on 01669 621271 or email: [email protected]
www.rothburygolfclub.com
Whitton Bank Road, Rothbury, Northumberland, NE65 7RX
@rothburygolf
Annual Membership: £280
Junior Membership: £45
Second Club membership
(non-competition):
£99
Green Fees: £15 all day
Home of Golf in the Wild
www.allendale-golf.co.uk
www.golfinthewild.co.uk
[email protected]
07005 808246
Society bookings:
01434 683438
Scan for access to the full list
of 2015 Open competitions.
20 NORTHERN GOLFER
BRAIN PAIN
OUR EUROPEAN TOUR PROFESSIONAL
ON THE POWER OF GOOD PRACTICE
So far this season has been a very positive one.
Although it has been slightly frustrating with a
limited number of starts on the European Tour, some
invaluable lessons have really hit home.
By nature I am a perfectionist; I pay close attention
to detail which can be one of my strengths, but a lot of
the time, it is my greatest weakness. This is because
when things aren’t perfect my confidence takes a hit. I
have realised that seeking perfection is admirable but
reckless, at least in my world.
I began working with a sports psychologist named
Dan Abrahams last year. I felt as though I needed to
improve how I was thinking on and off the course. I
often used to feel as though there were not enough
hours in the day for me to practise. With the help of
Dan, Andrew Nicholson (my coach), and Andy Paisley
(my brother and putting coach) I have transformed my
practice sessions.
Dan calls it “Brain Pain”. I now practise in short,
intense bursts, setting myself increasingly difficult
tasks which force me to engage my brain rather
than senselessly beat balls. This leads to true skill
development, rather than learning to make my golf
swing look pretty!
I can already feel the benefits of this change
in mindset. Beating balls can often be tiring and
deflating. I used to be physically exhausted after a day
of practice. Now I feel invigorated.
Brain Pain is mentally exhausting but because I am
constantly testing myself and often actually succeeding
at a task, it provides me with a boost of confidence.
I am now buzzing to get some starts on the main
tour. I am playing in Mauritius and Spain in coming
weeks. Hopefully a run of tournaments will allow me
to transfer all of the Brain Pain into great performances
and I can find a rich run of fun this summer.
In the meantime, back to practising...
TEEINGOFF
Ladies end 40
years of hurt
Knaresborough finally take the league title
T
here were jubilant
scenes when
Knaresborough ladies
finally put to rest a 40year jinx by lifting the Harrogate
Union’s winter league salver at
Thirsk and Northallerton.
Not even dismal weather
conditions - sleet, freezing winds,
occasional snow flurries and
flashes of March sunshine - could
dampen their enthusiasm as they
secured the title.
When they went into the final,
the Knaresborough ladies held a
one-point lead over Oakdale. But
they produced a total on the day of
77 points, beating the host club by
two and earning them a season’s
haul of 546 points, a victory
margin of nine points.
A delighted Knaresborough
ladies’ captain, Sue Ibbotson, said:
“I’m thrilled for our team and the
club. It’s been a long wait but I was
very proud of the determination
of our players. There was a strong
and rising team atmosphere
throughout the matches, and
it was great to see how they all
rooted for each other.”
The big turning point in the
season came at Masham in
February when Pam Dawson and
The winning team
Sharon Braithwaite shot a brilliant
43 points in the foursomes,
helping to catapult Knaresborough
from fourth to first place in the
final league placings.
Club chairman Gee Fisher
commented: “We have some gutsy
fighters in the ladies’ ranks.”
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NORTHERN GOLFER 21
TEEINGOFF
Family golf at
Matfen Hall
Matfen Hall in Northumberland is inviting families
and beginners of all ages to take their first steps in the
game on its EasyGolf course.
The course has been designed to appeal to beginners
and younger players and features nine, extra large holes
making the game easier and quicker for all the family.
“The new course is ideal, not just for beginners,
but for those who are short of time and want a shorter,
quicker round than that offered by our 27-hole course,”
said golf club manager Peter Smith.
“And, because the holes are twice the normal size,
players of all ages can enjoy a game – making it a great
family day out.”
A round on the EasyGolf course is £7.50 for adults
and £4 for players aged 16 and under. For more
information go to www.matfenhall.com
22 NORTHERN GOLFER
Coach’s
Walker
success
E
ngland head coach Graham
Walker has helped the York
Union of Golf Clubs map out
a plan to put juniors at the
forefront of their 2015 season.
York had seven wins out of seven in the
Yorkshire Inter-District Union last year
- but they aren’t resting on their laurels
and with the The Oaks pro they have put
together a plan for players from the age
of seven to 17 to make sure they have a
steady stream of players coming through
to the senior team.
Graham Walker
Around 40 players were at a training
session at Pike Hills and president Martin
Greaves said: “We’ve had success with the
senior team and now we are building the
juniors up.”
Walker picked up the coaching
achievement of the year trophy at
England Golf Awards.
“This is a massive achievement for me
and I’m immensely proud,” said Walker. “I
love working with the players and getting
them to improve to become the best they
can be.”
Hurry!
Last few tic
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please speak with a member of the golf team, call 01661 85 22 55
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TEEINGOFF
Bold
endeavour
Duo clinch title on home soil
B
oldon’s Rhys Thompson
and Gavin Nesbitt made
home advantage count
when they clinched the
Northumberland and Durham InterCounty Foursomes title.
Thompson and Nesbitt got the
better of Whitley Bay’s Paul Taylor
and Seton Wakenshaw 6&5 in the
final having seen off Whickham in the
first round and Bishop Auckland on
the 19th, both at Houghton.
Brancepeth Castle were
comfortably beaten 5&4 at Seaham in
the next round before the Boldon duo
repeated that scoreline to knock out
South Moor.
They then beat Eaglescliffe 4&2
in the morning semi-finals at Boldon
before eventually cruising home
against Whitley Bay in the final. There
were only a couple of holes in it on
the front nine before Thompson and
Nesbitt pulled away.
It’s only the second time Boldon
has won the inter-county foursomes
title, the first time was in 1991 the
year that Nesbitt, 35, joined the Dipe
Lane club and he and 19-year-old
Thompson took their chances on the
back nine to win comfortably.
“Home advantage definitely
proved to be helpful,” said club
manager Chris Brown, “but the event
and venue is planned two years in
advance so no-one can complain
about it being unfair.
“It sounds like the final was an
easy victory, but it was hard-fought on
the front nine and our pair were only
Northumberland and Durham Inter-County Foursomes
Champions Gavin Nesbitt (left) and Rhys Thompson
two up, before a couple of breaks on
the back nine helped them pull away.”
■ New Durham County captain John
Kirk watched his team cruise to a
14-4 warm-up win over the Teesside
Golf Union at Billingham.
Boldon’s Rhys Thompson,
Chris Handy (South Moor), Stuart
Brown (Castle Eden), Imran Aziz
(George Washington), Kris Rae
New Members Welcome at
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All enquiries: Tel: 0191 488 1576
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A Great Deal for Great Golf in a Great Place
24 NORTHERN GOLFER
(Tyneside), Sam Robinson (Tyneside),
Jordan Betts and Joe Fraser (both
Ravensworth) and Jack Richardson
(Durham City) all won their singles.
Billingham’s Brad Hildreth and
Blackwell Grange’s Adam Bates
got on the scoresheet for Teesside
while Boldon’s Gavin Nesbitt and
Eaglescliffe’s Sam Donald halved
their match.
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TEEINGOFF
Driving
force
Club captains perform
under pressure
D
urham club Whickham
is one of the few clubs
who make their captains’
drive-in a real showcase.
While many clubs content
themselves with subjecting only
their new captain to the paralysing
fear of being watched by most of
the club as they hit off the first tee,
Whickham like to extend that to all
their captains.
This year they also managed to
arrange cold and wet weather for the
day but that didn’t deter the members
from turning up to support captains
Ray Thew, Fran Bell, David Robinson
Whickham’s club captains: seniors captain David Robinson, ladies captain Fran Bell, bagpiper
Darren Tench, men’s captain Ray Thew and Sam Hedley, standing in for brother Ben, junior captain
and Sam Hedley, who lined up behind
bagpiper Darren Tench for the short
march up to the first tee.
Acting course director John
Greenwood welcomed everyone
before inviting ladies captain
Fran Bell to tee off followed by
men’s captain Ray Thew, seniors
captain David Robinson and finally
Sam Hedley, who was standing in for
brother Ben.
If there was any nerves, they
didn’t show as each struck good shots
straight up the fairway.
We’re Open
A combined total of 663 yards
for all four drives meant a bonus for
sweep winner John Greenwood who
had entered 666 yards. Formalities
completed, members and captains
returned to the clubhouse to enjoy a
Geordie Tapas Buffet.
T: 0191 2702362
www.zflgolf.co.uk
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Opposite ASDA Benton. Two minutes from A19 Whitley Bay Exit on A191 Old Coast Road
NORTHERN GOLFER 25
TEEINGOFF
Wear going
places
Sunderland club opens its doors to attract
new members
W
earside is rising
to the challenge
of attracting new
members while
retaining the traditions and heritage
which is important to many clubs.
Like many clubs, Wearside has a
history of achievement and success
stretching back to when the course
was built in 1892 and that is set to
continue.
Recently, they moved 75
established trees - some of them
25ft in height - planted during its
centenary in 1992 to new positions to
transform several fairways.
At the same time, areas were set
aside for the planting of whips to
26 NORTHERN GOLFER
have established trees to replace the
current crop.
Newly reshaped bunkers to the
first, seventh and 18th holes have also
contributed towards a revamping
of the Coxgreen course and further
improvement projects are in
the pipeline.
Wearside held its first open day on
the Friday of the Masters with help
from England Golf, the Durham Golf
Partnership, Sunderland Golf Centre
and Swing Solutions.
It resulted in a very enjoyable day
for all who attended - especially the
youngsters - with face painting and
golf ball decoration in the clubhouse,
plus a bouncy castle, ice cream
Some of the participants at
Wearside’s Open Day
van and Karen’s Hamburger stand in
the grounds.
The practice areas were open to
all-comers to experience Footgolf,
Trigolf and Urban Golf with free lessons
available from professionals Steve
McNally and Ryan all day long.
The event was also supported by
Sunderland Mayor and Mayoress Stuart
and Marie Porthouse, who provided a
formal opening which was followed by
a walk around and trying the different
types of golf on offer.
Moving the trees at
Wearside
TEEINGOFF
Race is
on again
Rockliffe Hall junior tournament
is up and running
D
urham’s successful junior
golf order of merit, the
Mizuno Race 2 Rockliffe,
is up and running with
young players from across the region
chasing a place in the Grand Final.
Last year more than 120 boys and
girls played more than 800 rounds of
golf in a bid to be one of finalists at
Rockliffe Hall.
This year sees the 11 qualifying
events, which started with the
Durham County Junior Golf Society
Spring Meeting last month and the
DJGS’s Green and Crombie Trophy
at Darlington earlier this month,
building up to the Grand Final on
October 18. The remaining qualifying
events are: May 25 Billingham Junior
Open, 27 Ramside Junior Open,
July 5 Brancepeth Junior Open, July
20 Houghton Junior Open, Aug 4 DCJGS Jack Golightly Trophy (South
Moor), Aug 10 Boldon Junior Open,
Aug 14 Bishop Auckland Junior
Open, Aug 17 Beamish Junior
Open, Aug 31 Durham City Junior
Open, October 18 Grand Final
(Rockliffe Hall).
The Mizuno Race 2 Rockliffe is
now in its fifth year and is proving an
ideal environment in which young
Last year’s winner, Jessica Hall
golfers can develop their skills
by playing competitively against
those of a similar ability on a
variety of courses.
Last year saw Jessica Hall
from Bishop Auckland crowned
Mizuno R2R champion after
beating Lily Downs (Eaglescliffe)
in an exciting three-hole play-off
to win the £500 Mizuno voucher.
Matthew Watson (Beamish Park)
won the nett prize.
Phil Graham, county
development officer for
the Durham County Golf
Partnership, said: “We are
delighted with the way the Race
2 Rockliffe continues to develop
as one of the country’s premier
order of merit competitions
for juniors.
“Competing on different
courses against players of a
similar ability is a great way for
the young players to develop
their golfing skills and test
themselves against their peers.”
Players can find further information, registration details and rules by visiting the Durham County Golf Partnership website www.durhamgolfpartnership.com
Registrations will close at the fifth event on the schedule while those registered must compete in a minimum of five events to be eligible for the final
Parklands
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NORTHERN GOLFER 27
MATTYLAMB
From boy
to man
Matty Lamb is growing fast as a person and golfer
with ambitions to reach the very top of the game.
Dean Bailey reports
28 NORTHERN GOLFER
MATTYLAMB
I
t’s been five years since I first met Matty
Lamb, and little has changed at our meeting
place, Hexham Golf Club in Northumberland.
At that time Lamb was 12 and had just
competed in his first national event, the Scottish
under-14 championship.
As every young golfer did, he wanted to be the
next Tiger Woods. He was ambitious, but only time
would tell if he could make it to the top.
Though little has changed at Hexham in those
five years, you can still hear balls crashing into
the trees from the first tee as you walk across the
car park, the young man sitting opposite me has
changed a great deal.
Lamb is taller, leaner and stronger too, and
missing his mop of Rory McIlroy-esque hair. His
determination to be a professional golfer remains
however, as does his ever-present father Darren, who
has dropped him off this morning.
Five years on, Lamb’s progression has been
exactly as he wanted. He’s gone from competing in
his first national event at 12 to winning the same
event as a 13-year-old.
As a 15-year-old he won the Henry Cooper Junior
Masters, as well as becoming the youngest player
to win the Northumberland 72-hole Strokeplay
Championship, while last season he represented
England for the third successive year.
This year’s he’s decided to step up to competing
alongside some of the best amateurs in the world in
men’s events, starting with the Lytham Trophy the
day before we meet.
“For my first taste of a men’s event I was really
happy with the experience,” says Lamb, who missed
the cut at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s. “It’s one of
the toughest courses I’ve played; if you hit the wrong
shot at the wrong time it was nearly impossible to
make bogey.
“This year is all about building experience at the
highest level of the amateur game and getting to
grips with playing course at their toughest against
the strongest fields.”
Lamb’s mature approach to missing the cut at
Lytham speaks volumes. At 17, he has a clear career
path in mind but he’s also aware of the level of
commitment required.
“I’ve never been forced into anything in golf,
it’s always been about what I want and where I
want to go. I’ve spoken to Andy [Paisley, his coach]
about where I want to be and how I get there. We’ve
decided that playing men’s events will give me the
chance to progress more than another year of boy’s
events.
“Last year I played great in the boy’s events and
had a lot of good results, but it’s not all about results.
If you’re playing on the European Tour and golf is
your only income then results are important, but
I just want to concentrate on getting better and
pushing myself as much as I can.”
Despite missing the cut, Lamb is feeling
motivated and ready for a season filled with top
events, including the British and English Amateurs
this summer. “I’ve come back a lot more motivated
from Lytham than I did from the McEvoy Trophy [an
under-18 event where Lamb finished fourth earlier
this season]. The new level is exciting.”
As part of preparing for the 2015 season, Lamb
has continued to work with his coach for the last
seven years, Hexham’s Andy Paisley. “I’m really happy
with the way I’m swinging the club going into this
season. I’m a much better golfer than I was last year,
I can get it around without playing my absolute best
now.
“I finished fourth in the McEvoy and didn’t play
great. Boys’ events used to feel really tough, but I feel
really comfortable in them now and I feel like I can
contend in them even when I’m not at my absolute
best – a lot of that is down to the big improvement in
my chipping and putting - the ability to save pars.
“I suppose I’m also more mature and bad shots
don’t affect me like they used to.”
“I worked with Andy a lot during the winter and
I’ll aim to see him a couple of times a week through
the summer. It’s great working with Andy because
I can have 15 minutes or a few holes in the evening
- he’s really good at making time for his students.
I talk to him most days and we have a fantastic
working relationship.”
With a year of big events to come, as well as
exams this summer, it’s impressive to find that Lamb
has put a lot of thought into his future and how he
sees himself progressing in the game. “I’d like to be a
top amateur when I finish my A Levels,” he explains.
“If that was the case, I’d think about turning pro
rather than going to college in the US. But, if I feel
like I haven’t reached that level and I’m not ready, I
know that going to study in the US would give me
more opportunities to improve and develop.
NORTHERN GOLFER 29
MATTYLAMB
“I want to work as hard as I can for
the next year and a half and come out of
my A Levels ready to turn pro.
“I suppose the dream is to then
play a year of top amateur events as a
19-year-old and make the Walker Cup
team that year. Playing in that would
open so many doors and I’d aim to
make my card through invites, or by
going to Q-School.”
As for this season, Lamb is
looking forward to the return of his
Northumberland junior teammates Jake
Storey and Jack Hermeston, who have
been studying in the US.
“This year’s county events will be
a great chance to measure where my
game is at. We’ll have Tom [Rowland],
Jake and Jack back from college and I
can’t wait to play with those guys again.
I get on really well with Jake and Jack,
having played so much golf with them
as a junior, and it’ll be great to catch up
with them about life in the US.”
Lamb is the youngest in a string
of top players from Northumberland
which includes European Tour
player Chris Paisley, British Amateur
champion Garrick Porteous and US
college players Tom Rowland, Jake
Storey and Jack Hermeston.
“I think I am the luckiest of them all
because I’m the youngest and have the
chance to learn from them and gain so
much experience from each of them.
“I know Chris really well and seeing
him playing on the European Tour then
catching up with him at Hexham is
fantastic as it gives me a chance to see
where I am compared to a European
Tour player.
“It gives me a lot of motivation to
see Chris and be able to measure myself
against him. I’m not miles and miles
away from him and I know where he’s
much stronger than me, and where I
need to get to.
“He doesn’t give me any shots round
here anymore!”
Longhirst Hall
G O L F
C L U B
DRIVING RANGE AND ACADEMY
NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
TWO COURSES, DRIVING RANGE AND ACADEMY
FULL COMPETITION PROGRAM - WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED
IDEAL VENUE FOR VISITING PARTIES BOOKABLE ANY DAY FROM £15 PER PERSON
PGA EUROPRO TOUR VENUE, AND HIGHLY RANKED ON GOLFSHAKE.COM
MEMBERSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE NOW ON A MONTHLY DIRECT DEBIT
EUROPRO TOUR JUNE 2015
LONGHIRST HALL GOLF COURSE, LONGHIRST, MORPETH, NORTHUMBERLAND, NE61 3LL
Telephone 01670 791562 or email: [email protected]
visit us online at: www.longhirstgolf.co.uk
30 NORTHERN GOLFER
With that, all that’s left to find out
is, where did that iconic hair-do go? “It
was time for a change…and there was a
girl involved too,” he tells me.
“I miss the hair when it’s cold,
and it doesn’t look as good now when
I’m wearing a cap, but it did get a bit
ridiculous by the time I had it cut off,”
he jokes as he collects his bag and
heads out for a few holes.
DYNAMIC INDOOR GOLF
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We are the North Easts only True Temper
Fitting Centre
We are also a Vega & United Fitting Centre
We have taken over the Pro Shop at Newbiggin Golf Club appointing
Colin Ferguson as the Professional
Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 10.30am - 8.30pm, Sat: 10.30am - 5pm, Sun: 11am - 4pm
Unit 1-4, Brunswick Industrial Estate, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE13 7BA
Tel: 0191 4813590 • email: [email protected] • www.dynamicindoorgolf.com
GOLFERNEWS
Steve in select
company
Robinson given a key role in choosing the
European Junior Solheim Cup team
S
andburn Hall
head professional Steve
Robinson will be keeping
a close eye on some of
Europe’s best young golfing talent
after being appointed a Junior
Solheim Cup selector.
Robinson, based at the Flaxton
club near York, is one of four experts
who will decide the make up of the
European outfit taking on the United
States at St Leon-Rot in Germany
in September.
Six players will qualify to represent
Europe at the event, which mimics
the senior competition held just days
later, but the other half of the team
will be selected through captain’s
picks. Robinson, whose England
girls team excelled at St Leon-Rot
in qualifiers for the European girls’
team championship three years ago,
is delighted to have been chosen to
play a part.
“I am pleased with it,” he said. “It
comes with its own obligations. There
are four of us in Europe so we will be
looking to select a team prior to the
Solheim Cup, which this year is in
Germany. I was a selector two years
ago and this is the third time that I’ve
been a selector.
“It is good to see some of the best
young talents in Europe. It obviously
helps with my work with England
and I meet up with the other guys
Summer Society Golf Packages
Valid until 31st October 2015
Par 70
Bacon bap & coffee & 18 holes
From £23 pp*
Par 71
Sandburn Hall head professional Steve Robinson
four times a year. It came about when
we won at St Leon-Rot with England
girls and won by 20 shots. I had set
the game plan round there for the
team. It’s a very technical course and
I have got a number of players who,
over previous years, have gone on and
done well at a very young age.”
Robinson is relishing the
opportunity to learn from the best
as he continues to plot England’s
domination in the future.
Flamborough
Head Golf Club
‘The Friendliest Club on the Coast......’
Golf Society Packages
House Favourite
Clubhouse Special
Bacon Bap & coffee on arrival
18 holes + 2 course meal
From £33 pp*
Ancient Mariner
18 holes Lunch,
18/9 holes & 2 course meal
From £39 pp*
Paul Jones
Bacon Bap & coffee on arrival,
18 holes, lunch
18/9 holes & 2 course meal
From £44 pp*
Full details of golf packages can be found on
www.flamboroughheadgolfclub.co.uk
*Mon-Thurs, minimum 8 golfers
32 NORTHERN GOLFER
Open Golf Competitions 2015
Sunday 24th May
Thornwick & Sea Farm Open
Gents 4BBB Stableford.
£25 per card
Tuesday 9th June
Seniors Open AM AM
Gents & Ladies, Mixed Stableford.
£50 team
English Breakfast, 18 holes
From £26 pp*
18 holes & 2 course meal
From £30 pp*
He added: “Europe are still in front
of us - physically and mentally. They
have an honesty about their work rate
and where they are with their games.
They don’t hide. They don’t make
excuses and there are some hugely
talented players out there.
“It’s great because it allows me
to benchmark better what I feel we
need to develop. We have still got
a bit of catching up to do. It will
be interesting.”
Saturday 27th June
Stay
& Play
On the Course
B&B
& unlimited*
golf from
£49
p.p.
GOLF COAST
PASSPORT
TWO NIGHT B&B, 3 ROUNDS OF GOLF
CHOOSING FROM 5 LOCAL COURSES
Open Golf Competitions
To book our B&B,
discuss a Golf Day,
or enter our
Open Competitions
01262 850333
Green acres Classic Open AM AM
Gents & Ladies or Mixed, Stableford.
£50 team
Friday 17th July
Glenn McHale Open
Gents AM AM Stableford,
Corporate/individual teams. £100 team
Saturday 8th August
Inter Club Trophy Open AM AM
Gents & Ladies, Mixed Stableford. £50 team
Friday 21st August
Junior Individual Open
£10 entry fee (inc meal & soft drink after playing
Saturday 5th September
Bridlington Free Press Masters Open
Individual Medal £16 entry fee
Friday 19th September
Seniors Open AM
Gents Stableford £50 team
Full details of golf packages can be found on
www.flamboroughheadgolfclub.co.uk
GOLFERNEWS
GREENLAY (Grass Machinery) LIMITED
Specialists in horticultural machinery
TOGETHER WE
CAN MAKE THE
DIFFERENCE
Telephone 01670 733330
Fax 01670 700067
Email: [email protected]
www.greenlayco.uk
Baker Road, Nelson Park West, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 1WL
Pike Hills
Gotts saved, Pike revamp
It seems municipal course Gotts
Park in Leeds has been saved
from closure. The course is to be operated by
a social enterprise group after an
agreement was reached in principle
with Leeds City Council.
Gotts Park, in Armley, could
be managed by the community
interest company Gotts Park Golf
Club after the council’s executive
board approved the possibility of a
new management agreement being
reached with the club to stop the
course closing. Meanwhile, Pike Hills is looking
at a redesign of their 18-hole
Tadcaster Road course.
The York club has re-submitted
a planning application for a
change of use of 7.7 hectares of
agricultural land.
Meanwhile, Swan Golf Designs
has been appointed by Huddersfield
Golf Club to advise on making
improvements to their golf course.
NO INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP
FEES FOR 2015
3 MONTH TRIAL
MEMBERSHIP £150
Visiting Parties welcome - Packages tailored
to suit your needs!
Telephone the Secretary on 0191 2867636 or 0191 2860594
Email: [email protected]
WESTERHOPE GOLF CLUB
Whorlton Grange, Westerhope, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE5 1PP
www.westerhopegolfclub.com
Bellingham Golf Club
No1 Choice for Captain’s Trips and Away Days
2014 GolfMark Club Of The Year Winners
VISITING PARTIES WELCOME EVERY DAY - GREAT DEALS
ON OFFER BUGGIES & CATERING AVAILABLE
MAKE BELLINGHAM YOUR
SECOND CLUB IN 2015
TWO GREAT OFFERS
EITHER: 6 Day Patrons Membership 1st May - 31st Oct
(Mon - Sat, Gents/Sun - Fri, Ladies)
£100 includes 2 FREE 4 Ball vouchers (Mon - Sat)
OR: 7 Day Second Club Membership
To 31st October 2015
£195 includes 2 FREE 4 Ball Vouchers (Mon - Sat)
OFFER EXCLUSIVE
to Northern Golfer Readers
18 Holes of Golf followed by Steak Pie & Chips £26.00
Minimum 8 players, Tee Times subject to availability
Coffee & Bacon Sandwiches, 18 Holes of Golf
2 Course Meal £32.00
Please quote Northern Golfer at time of booking.
Valid April 1 - Oct 31 2015
You must be a current full member of another club to qualify for this GREAT deal
May 2015 Online Green Fee
£20 per player Weekdays - £22.50 Saturday/Sunday
Telephone 01434 220530 or email [email protected]
Bellingham Golf Club, Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT
www.bellinghamgolfclub.com
Tel: 0113 230 0641 www.cookridgehall.co.uk
Cookridge Hall Golf Club, Cookridge Lane, Leeds, LS16 7NL
NORTHERN GOLFER 33
GOLFERNEWS
Double date
Sand Moor couple John and
Shelagh Stephenson believe in
keeping up with each other. They both had a hole-in-one on
the club’s 17th hole within a week
of each other in club competitions.
John was playing with John
Scouller and Tim Dickinson in a
men’s stableford competition on
April 18 when he aced the hole with
a four iron for his second hole-inone.
Shelagh followed five days later
with a five wood - her first ace while playing with Debbie Howarth
and Karen Hogarth in the ladies
stableford competition.
On the range
New driving range and academy for George Washington
G
eorge Washington Golf Club will open
the North East’s newest driving range in
May, adding to the resorts championship
and par three golf courses.
The £500k state-of-the-art driving range and
academy will be open to the general public and
features 14 heated bays including six bays with
power tee automation. The new facility also features
internal and external golf teaching and custom fit
facilities with the latest Flightscope technology as
well as a new halfway house.
The club will be offering a loyalty discount card
and expects golfers of all ages and abilities to benefit
from access to the new facility.
For more information go to www.georgewashington.co.uk/golf
Wilton Golf Club
18-hole Parkland Course
Situated close to the A19 it is ideally located
for visitors from the north and south
NEW SEASON OFFERS
4 Ball £60.00 - Round of Golf after 12pm
£15.00
MIDDLESBROUGH GC PRO-AM
WITH NE/NW PGA
5th JUNE 2015
£240.00 per Team
18 Holes of Golf
8 or more people Bacon Sandwich & Coffee
followed by 1 Course Meal
£22.00pp
PING - THURSDAY 18TH
For Ladies that Lunch
MIZUNO - FRIDAY 19TH
we are now serving Afternoon Teas
please phone for details
Telephone the Secretary, Claire Harvey
on 01642 465265 or email [email protected]
Wilton Castle
Redcar TS10 4QY • www.wiltongolfclub.co.uk
JUNE DEMO DAYS
11 AM - 3 PM
12 PM - 4 PM
TELEPHONE THE
PROFESSIONAL TO BOOK
YOUR APPOINTMENT
2015 OPENS
Gents Open
31st May
£30.00 per pair
Mixed Team Open
4th Oct
£60 per team
Junior Open
Friday 24th July £5 entry
Telephone Gordon Cattrell, Club
Professional, on 01642 311766
• Email: [email protected]
Web: www.middlesbroughgolfclub.co.uk
34 NORTHERN GOLFER
FOLLOW US
ON TWITTER
- @MGC1908
GOLFERNEWS
SEAHAM GOLF CLUB
Shrewsbury Street, Seaham, Co. Durham SR7 7RD
With 5 par 3’s and 3 par 5’s - a great test of golf
Golf Societies welcome • Great value options for golf + food
Contact Andrew, for details 0191 5811268 or
[email protected] • www.seahamgolfclub.co.uk
Slaley Hall Priestman course fourth hole
and Kris Gray (inset)
Gray take
his Q
Kris backs Slaley Hall’s offering for juniors
Top North East player Kris Gray
has hailed Slaley Hall’s junior
golf programme.
The award-winning golf resort
near Hexham in Northumberland
has been Gray’s home club for the
last 15 years ever since he first
began a series of weekly Saturday
morning golf lessons at the age
of 10.
Having returned to the North East
last autumn after six years studying
at Gardner-Webb University, North
Carolina, and playing and coaching
on the American college circuit,
Gray is keen to get behind Slaley’s
new drive to unearth golf’s next
generation of stars.
Available to children aged
15 and under as part of its new
QFairway flexible golf membership,
all juniors are being offered the
chance to enjoy a free membership
when they sign up to the scheme at
Slaley Hall, providing their parent or
guardian also has adult membership
at the same time. They will also get
a complimentary seven iron thanks
to The Masters Golf Company.
Gray, who is planning to spend
much of this summer playing on the
EuroPro Tour, said: “Slaley Hall is
the perfect golf venue for juniors to
learn and play. I would recommend
it to any youngster, and offering free
memberships to youngsters is a
fantastic new initiative.
“Facilities-wise, the resort is
second to none. It has two great golf
courses and the great thing about
Slaley is the way that juniors are
treated - they are equals and there
are no restrictions on times that they
can play.”
Jeff Mills, Slaley Hall’s head of
golf, added: “Juniors are the lifeblood
of the game and it’s vital for the
long-term future of golf that they are
given the best chance possible to
play and develop.
“It’s our aim at QHotels to
encourage as many people as
possible to play, whatever their
age, and it would be lovely to think
that in 20 years’ time, someone is
in contention to win a major as a
direct result of the new QFairway
membership initiative.”
Launched this spring, QHotels
QFairway club offers golfers the
chance to enjoy up to 50 rounds
of golf from as little as £375 and
is based on a flexible points-based
membership.
To discover more about Slaley Hall and QHotel’s new QFairway club, visit
www.QHotels.co.uk/Qfairway or call 01434 676 587
NEW AND USED TROLLEYS AVAILABLE TO BUY
Caddy Cell Lithium
batteries now in
stock! With full 3
years guarantee
www.5thtee.co.uk
• Batteries & Chargers always in stock
• Free Battery Testing
(including Lithium)
Telephone: 07737 963 881
Email:
[email protected]
Find us:
5th Tee, Garesfield Golf Club
Chopwell, NE17 7AP
Golf Trolley Repair
& Service Centre
Recommended by
Slaley Hall
Hetton LeGolf
Hill
Club
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Adult 7 Day £400.00
Seniors 7 Day £300.00
Intermediate up to 21 years £120
Junior up to 18 years £50
Visitors welcome
Discounts for Golf Parties
Telephone 0191 5173061 or email [email protected]
Hetton le Hill Golf Club
Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QT
NORTHERN GOLFER 35
GOLFERNEWS
Mitch Gunn / Shutterstock.com
Captain’s
pep talk
Darren Clarke
Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke
is considering asking Liverpool’s
Steven Gerrard to address his
European side when they play the
United States in 2016.
Europe will face the US at
Hazeltine in Minnesota when
Gerrard is set to be playing in
the US with LA Galaxy.
Clarke’s predecessor Paul
McGinley asked ex-Manchester
United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson to speak to his players
during their 2014 success.
“If I did something like that,
he’d be someone I’d consider,”
said Clarke.
The 46-year-old Clarke is a
Liverpool fan and called Gerrard a
“real legend”.
Golf grows
in popularity
The number of people taking up
Get into Golf opportunities grew
rapidly over the summer months
according to a new report on grass
roots activity across England. More than 24,000 people
aged 14-plus, were encouraged
by counties to take structured
coaching courses and to become
regular, once-a-week golfers
in the six months from April to
September 2014.
That’s up by 59% on the
same period in 2013, says the
latest impact report on county
activity prepared by England Golf’s
Participation & Club Support team.
The figures reflect a new focus
by counties on delivering structured
coaching and regular playing
opportunities, rather than one-off
taster sessions.
36 NORTHERN GOLFER
Sir Nick Faldo competing in the first round of the PGA European Tour Barclays
Scottish Open in Loch Lomond, Scotland
Faldo bows out
Nick Faldo
and Rory
McIlroy
Legend announces 2015 will be his last Open
N
ick Faldo will play in his last Open
at St Andrews this summer on the
25th anniversary of his victory at
the home of golf.
The six-time Major champion plans to make
a farewell on the famous Swilcan Bridge after
a long and hugely-successful career which saw
him win at St Andrews in 1990 and at Muirfield
in 1987 and 1992.
He also achieved 10 top 10 finishes in The
Open between 1978 and 2003.
Faldo, who will celebrate his 58th birthday
during The Open, will join five-time Open
Champion Tom Watson in making a final
appearance in the championship in July.
“The Open and St Andrews will forever hold
a significant place in my heart. My fondest
moments on my journey with this great sport
are woven with pictures and emotions in this
setting. It all means a huge amount to me,”
said Faldo.
“I look forward to celebrating all that golf
has given me as I cross that storied bridge and
the wonderful memories I share with many
people. I am grateful for it all and grateful
to golf.”
Faldo will be among a cast of golf ’s greatest
players who will take part in the Champion
Golfers Challenge on the Wednesday ahead of
The Open. He will join five-time Champions
Peter Thomson, who is celebrating the 60th
anniversary of his triumph at St Andrews in
1955, and Watson, on the 40th anniversary of
his win in his debut appearance at Carnoustie
in 1975.
In a glittering career, Faldo won the Masters
Tournament on three occasions, played in 11
European Ryder Cup teams, becoming the
leading points-scorer in the competition’s
history, before captaining the team in 2008.
He was also runner-up in both the US
Open and the USPGA Championship, won 24
European Tour events and led the money list in
1983 and 1992. He also won three events on the
PGA Tour.
Faldo established The Faldo Series in 1996
Open Champion Rory McIlroy is among those
to have played in the series.
Padraig’s honour Triple major champion Padraig Harrington
was the 2014 recipient of the PGA
Recognition Award for his outstanding
contribution to golf.
Away from the fairways he has been equally
dedicated, establishing the Padraig Harrington
Charitable Foundation, becoming an ambassador for both the R&A and
Special Olympics and supporting a
number of charities.
Harrington with PGA
“It’s a real honour to receive the
captain Neil Selwyn-Smith
PGA Recognition Award,” he said.
(photograph courtesy Getty
Images)
GREENWATCH
GREEN
WATCH
NORTHUMBRIA GOLF BREAKS
FOR THE BEST GOLFING HOLIDAYS UNDER THE SUN
With JON WYER, ROCKLIFFE HALL
SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER IN SPAIN
As with many golf courses, plans
are underway to begin our annual
spring renovation of the greens.
Many golfers know this as a time
where the putting surfaces will be
intensively disrupted as it usually
involves some form of aeration, be
it hollow-coring or solid-tinning,
various forms of aggressive verticutting, then refilling these tine holes
or grooves with sand.
The course management team
here at Rockliffe Hall has opted to
use solid tines followed by a sand
injection graden.
This machine in simplest terms
is a scarification machine that
cuts into the green removing the
thatch layer while backfilling the
grooves left behind with sand and
seed, combining three operations
in one to maximise efficiency.
The surface will then be brushed
or blown clear of any debris and
further dressing will be applied
and worked into the turf sward
if required.
This operation, although
disruptive, will be completed within
two days and require us to close
half of the course on either the front
or the back nine while we carry out
the operation.
The putting surface with the
right weather conditions should
then recover within a week or two
with complete grass density.
It is vital to understand the
necessity of this work, as this
renovation period is an essential
part of managing consistently firm
and fast greens with true ball roll.
ISLA CANELA 4* HOTEL
5* LA FINCA GOLF HOTEL
7 nights half board
5 rounds of golf only
£325pp, sharing
All months available
7 nights x 5 golf only
£375pp, sharing
Available in May, June,
July, August , early
September, November
MANY OTHER GREAT OFFERS AVAILABLE
Telephone: 01207 562 322
or Mobile: 07889 943 753
Email: [email protected]
www.golfnorthumbria.com
Northumbria Golf Breaks, The Office, Ravenside Farm
Hedley, Stocksfield NE43 7SX
Newcastle United Golf Club
Est.1892
Membership Offers
Full - £594.00 (£49.50 per month)
5 Day - £492.00 (£41.00 per month)
Associate - £150.00 (£10 per game)
4 Join for the PRICE of 3
NEXT MONTH
Surface Performance
Management
Play the Jewel in the
Q Hotels Crown
(Payment up Front Deal)
SUMMER GREEN FEE
OFFERS
Weekday Round £15.00 pp
Weekday 4 ball £50.00
Weekend Round £18.00 pp
Weekend 4 Ball £60.00
---
Sunday 14th June
Saturday 12th September
Open Team Event (4 players)
Open Texas Scramble
Hunting Course
(4 players)
NEWCASTLE UNTIED GOLF
CLUB Course
Hunting
60 Ponteland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3JW
entry
£80 per team per event
www.newcastleunitedgolfclub.co.uk
Entries/further information to Doug Ellison –
[email protected] or
Telephone 07745753000
ATOL PROTECTED
ATOL 6253
2015 GOLF SOCIETY PACKAGES
(Weekdays & Weekends)
Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes £20.00 per head
Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes,
Soup & Sandwich
£23.00 per head
Coffee & Bacon Roll, 18 Holes, 2
Course Meal - £27.00 per head
ITPS MONDAY OPEN SERIES
Weekly 18 Holes Stableford
Running every Monday
Entry - £3 Members / £7 Visitors
September Grand Final
Prizes Paid Out Weekly
To Enter Please Call 0191 2869998
Ext. 2
---
For any further information,
please contact Liam McNulty on
(0191 2869998 Ext.2)
Email: [email protected]
Web:
[email protected]
60 Ponteland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3JW
NORTHERN GOLFER 37
EUROPROTOUR
Young guns
T
EuroPro Tour set for return to Longhirst June 4-6
he HotelPlanner.com PGA
EuroPro Tour once again
brings the UK’s best young
golfers and the Sky Sports
cameras to the North East this summer,
with the first stop a visit to Longhirst Hall
Golf Club for the Dawson and Sanderson
Travel Classic, June 4-6.
The tour gets up and running for 2015
at Celtic Manor in May. Prize funds have
been increased by 25% this year and the
tour will stage its first 72-hole event at
Moor Allerton Golf Club in Leeds this
August. Northumberland’s Close House is
among the new additions joining regular
hosts such as Prince’s, The Carrick on
Loch Lomond and Slaley Hall.
Last year’s Dawson and Sanderson
Travel Classic was the first EuroPro Tour
event to be staged on Longhirst’s Dawson
Course after several successful years
on the Lakes Course. William Harrold
claimed a play-off victory over European
Tour regular Bradley Dredge and went on
to win on the Challenge Tour.
The Dawson Course hosts again as
156 of Europe’s top young pros compete
for their share of a £50,000 prize fund. The
Sky Sports cameras will film the action
for a two-hour highlights package which
premieres on June 16.
The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro
Tour is offering free entry to spectators
for all three days of this and every event,
which comprises 54 holes with a cut to
the leading 50 players and ties after the
second round. The final round, played on
Friday, June 6 this year, always provides a
gripping day. Among the players hoping
to take home the £10,000 winner’s prize
will be Middlesbrough Golf Club’s Michael
Skelton, who finished inside the top ten
at EuroPro Qualifying School to earn full
playing privileges on the tour.
Michael Skelton
For the full schedule and more information go to www.europrotour.com
The
GEOrge washington golf club
GW GOLF
DRIViNG RANGE
TheNorth East’s nEWEST Range
OPENING 7TH MAY 2015
Come along and experience our fantastic new
state of the art driving range...
- 6 Power Tee Bays and 16 heated bays
- Relaxing Half Way House - Custom Fit
FREEET
16 heated Bays
BASKLLS
- Flight Scope Training Bays
- FREE warm up basket on us
- FREE loyalty discount card, value £20
*when topping up with £10 of range balls. 1 per person. (Offer expires 30th June 2015 and T&Cs apply)
OFBA
Call the Pro Shop on 0191 417 8346
[email protected]
38 NORTHERN GOLFER
•
www.georgewashington.co.uk
•
NE37 1PH UK
GOLFERNEWS
James
the first
I
Freeman triumphs at Cookridge Hall
t was not quite seventh
heaven for James Freeman
when he won the PGA in
England and Wales (North)
Druh Belts Assistants’ Shoot-out at
Cookridge Hall.
But the second year trainee
professional at Doncaster club
Owston Hall was clearly delighted
to pick up a £500 cheque and crystal
glass trophy from sponsor Simon
Hurd – nearly six months after the
original date was washed out.
The 32-year-old former England
amateur international birdied the
final green when he pitched from 42
yards to two feet in a competition
format which could be best described
as “different” as it was played out over
seven holes. The format was decided
by ex-European Tour player Hurd who
was keen to add a “bit for excitement”
to the event.
There was certainly plenty of
that when all eight finalists teed off
together from the first.
Those who failed to make a par
were eliminated. And if the remaining
players were level over the ensuing
holes a sudden death pitch and
putt or a bunker splash-out decided
their fate.
Last man standing was
Freeman, winner of five events
since turning professional, who has
set his sights on a playing career,
or coaching, once he finishes his
PGA training.
James Freeman
THE HOTELPLANNER.COM PGA EUROPRO TOUR RETURNS TO LONGHIRST HALL GC
JUNE 4-6
FREE SPECTATOR ENTRY THROUGHOUT
NORTHERN GOLFER 39
COURSEREVIEW
Rothbury’s a
thoroughbred
Paul Corney travels north and experiences a golfing gem
on an old racecourse in the heart of Northumberland
N
estling in the Coquet Valley and
surrounded by the Cheviot Hills, it is
easy to see why Rothbury Golf Club
is so popular with both members
and visitors.
Having begun life as a nine-hole course in
1892, Rothbury has undergone many changes at
different locations.
In July 2007 members celebrated the official
opening of their new clubhouse and
18-hole course on the old Rothbury racecourse
with his Grace, the Duke of Northumberland as
guest of honour.
Under the watchful eye of head-greenkeeper
40 NORTHERN GOLFER
Graham Stephenson, the course is presented to
a very high standard and is maturing into a very
good test of golf.
The first is a short par four and at 327 yards,
and very good birdie chance to get your round
off to a flying start. The sensible shot for the big
hitters is to lay-up at the top of the hill, leaving
an approach of just under 150 yards. If you want
to have a go at the green, a drive with a slight
left to right shape over the marker post will get
you close.
Next is a tough par three measuring 179 yards
and usually played into the prevailing wind. There
are hedges at the rear of the sloping green to
worry about - it’s better to be short than long.
The third is 423 yards and a tough par four. The
drive needs to be to the right side of the fairway to
avoid being blocked out by a huge oak tree on the
left, For many, the approach will be a long iron or
fairway wood to a sloping green.
Two par fives follow and the signature seventh
hole (see factfile) before the par three eighth.
Aim to the left side of the flag as the ball will
be gathered to the right by the contours onto the
green. Don’t miss short right as the bunker shot
from well below the pin can be tricky.
The final hole on the front nine is a 392-yard
par four, played back to the clubhouse. The drive
is over a valley to a generous fairway with bunkers
left and right. Find the top of the hill and you will
be left with a shortish approach down to the green.
There are a number of really good holes on the
COURSEREVIEW
FACT FILE
Rothbury is a well-presented course
with great facilities and stunning views of
the Coquet Valley
back nine, the first of which is the par four 11th
aptly named The Ponds. With thick woodland
to the right, ponds left and a ditch crossing the
fairway to take into account, accuracy from the
tee is at a premium.
The 15th is a 525-yard par five, often played
into the prevailing westerly wind. Three good
shots are required to get anywhere near the
green but watch out for the fairway bunkers
left and right along with wooded copses.
Next is an excellent par four and at 441
yards from the medal tee, the hole is a tough
proposition. The River Coquet flows along the
left so try and keep your shots right of centre.
The fairway is quite wide and bunkerless
but watch out for the trees on the right, they
come into play if you hit any errant shots
towards them.
The 17th is a 175 yard par three and a real
tester. The tee-shot is played over a burn and
the old racecourse water jump to an elevated
green bunkered at the front and to the left.
The closing hole is a sharp dog-leg left
where the big hitters maybe tempted to cut the
corner and risk the out of bounds on the left. A
sensible shot up the centre of the fairway to the
corner of the dog-leg will leave only a shortish
pitch to an elevated green banked at the back
and right.
CONTACT
Rothbury Golf Club
Whitton Bank Road, Rothbury
Northumberland, NE65 7RX
Tel 01669 621 271
Email [email protected]
Website www.rothburygolfclub.com
GREEN FEES
Mon Adults £10 a round
Juniors £10 a round
Tue-Fri Adults £15 a round, £26 a day
Juniors £10 a round, £13 a day
Sat-Sun Adults £18 a round
Juniors £13 a round
Buggy hire £15 a round
Golf trolley hire £3 a round
Club hire £10 a round
The building of the new
clubhouse and extra nine
holes at Rothbury proved
a long term project. Talks
with the course owners,
Northumberland Estates
began in 1998 with building
beginning at the end of
2004. Finance came from a
number of sources including
Alnwick District Council,
Rothbury Parish Council and
the Community Foundation.
The members raised more
than £20,000
TOTAL DISTANCE
White tees – 6,168 yards Par 71
Yellow tees – 5,569 yards Par 71
Red tees – 5,200 yards Par 73
FEATURES
18-hole parkland course
Easy walking
Ample car parking
Putting green
Short game practice area
GolfMark accredited
Clubhouse with outside decking area
Well-stocked bar serving real ale
Restaurant (no catering on Mondays)
Pool table
CADDY’S TIP
The greens at Rothbury can be difficult to
read so have a good look at the slopes and
make use of the practice putting green.
SIGNATURE HOLE
The seventh has superb views along the
Coquet Valley. A long iron to the bottom
of the hill, followed by a short pitch to a
sloping green or a higher risk drive over
the hedge could get you there but avoid
the bunkers at the back – either way, this
hole is a good birdie chance.
PAUL CORNEY’S VERDICT
The lovely market town of Rothbury
is well worth a visit and the members
at the golf club can be proud of what
they have now achieved – it’s a very
good course and a great test of golf for
players of all abilities.
NORTHERN GOLFER 41
MAGDALENE FIELDS
GOLF CLUB
MINDGAMES
Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1NE
1ST TIME MEMBER SPECIAL
£100 OFF your 2015 /16 Golf Fees
(all categories)
I.E - Full Adult £400 - £100 = £300
Excellent Visiting Party Packages ring for details
For further details telephone
the Secretary on 01289 306130
e: [email protected]
www.magdalene-fields.co.uk
With
DAVID CHARLTON
Golf in the Scottish Borders
Traditional country inn ideally situated
for playing MINTO, THE HIRSEL,plus
many more. 12 en-suite bedrooms with tv,
wi-fi, tea/coffee making facililties, Sky tv.
Restaurant and bar serving excellent home
cooked food and cask ales (good pub guide)
The Auld
Cross Keys Inn
STAY & PLAY - £75 per night -on
two people sharing
(2 course evening meal, B&B, 18
holes at Minto Golf Club)
Tel: Karen or Dave on 01450 870305
[email protected]
www.crosskeysenholm.co.uk
Five Star Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
The Green, Denholm, Scottish Borders, TD9 8NU
WE’RE LOOKING FOR A...
MEDIA
SALES
PERSON
PERFECT GOLF IS DANGEROUS
A lot golfers I have come across
struggle with perfectionism
when practising and playing
competitively. Perfectionist golfers
demand a lot from themselves and
often have high and sometimes
unrealistic expectations.
This can then lead to self-doubt
and uncertainty when they do not
perform to the standards that they
set themselves. These golfers often
focus too much on the perfect
swing or strike, the score or their
handicap targets.
The good news for perfectionists
is that they are driven, determined
and motivated to improve.
The downside is that they:
Quickly lose confidence, expect to
make no errors, are very hard on
themselves, often lose their temper,
dwell on bad swings or mistakes,
get stuck in a practise mindset.
HOW CAN I FIX MY
PERFECTIONIST TENDENCIES?
Perfectionist golfers lack knowledge
on how to deal with the problem or
deny that it damages their game.
The solution isn’t an easy one,
however it is possible to achieve
and the rewards can be fantastic!
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR
GOLF IN 2015
I work with golfers of all abilities
on a one on one basis. Also, your
club may wish to host a Hole
Out in Less Shots seminar, Golf
Performance Café workshops or
a Golf Performance Psychology
Programme. All of these events are
organised in a fun and educational
way so that any golfer can take
away tools to help them overcome
golfing challenges. Our website has
more details. Please get in touch!
To work for Cheers North East - selling advertising in print and online.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT GETS TO
SPEND EVERY DAY DOWN THE PUB!
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Closing date Friday, May 22, 2015
Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield,
Northumberland, NE43 7AL
t: 01661 844 115
www.offstonepublishing.co.uk
42 NORTHERN GOLFER
Northern Golfer Performance Enhancement Specialist David Charlton
tel 07734 697 769 • email [email protected]
www.golf-excellence.co.uk
NEXT MONTH
The Early Season Blues
REGIONFOCUS
The last six holes include five par
fours, including a quartet exceeding
400 yards, while the 179-yard 12th
is the signature hole and is played
from a raised tee to a tricky green.
The next is a long par four of 469
yards with out of bounds on the right
and Belmont Wood left.
One of the virtues of Harrogate
is that the condition of the course
is generally first class and it
promises to be a busy year for the
club once again as they stage the
Vardon Grip Trophy again and at
the beginning of September, the
club will also welcome England Golf
for its senior men’s and women’s
North Tournament.
A very visitor friendly club,
Harrogate has also introduced fiveday and flexible memberships and
the creation of a new 18-hole short
green course has helped to attract
junior and beginner golfer.
Harrogate Golf Club, Forest Lane
Head, Harrogate, HG2 7TF
www.harrogate-gc.co.uk
Golfing in
Harrogate
Alan Hedley takes a trip around some of
North Yorkshire’s most beautiful courses
RUDDING PARK HOTEL,
SPA AND GOLF CLUB
Harrogate Golf Club
N
orth Yorkshire
is famous for its
stunning natural
beauty and it’s
golf courses especially in and
around Harrogate.
For those who love shopping
and eating, this elegant spa town
boasts a wide choice of shops
from independents to high
street names and restaurants
offering food from every corner
of the world.
Its parks, gardens and
stunning architecture make it a
delightful destination to simply
relax and enjoy while there is
plenty to do in the evenings and not just in Harrogate - after
that game of golf.
Not surprisingly, it’s a
designated Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty with wetland
nature reserves, deer parks and
open moorland and, of course,
quality golf courses.
Harrogate
Golf Club
HARROGATE
GOLF CLUB
The oldest club in Harrogate where
European Tour player John Parry
learned his golf, Harrogate is well
worth a visit.
A fairly flat tree-lined course
of 6,250 yards, Harrogate has
strategically placed bunkers and
copses to catch the unwary and
the many mature trees makes
the course more difficult than its
length suggests.
Recognised for the quality of its
four-star hotel and spa with a
Grade I-listed Regency house as
its centrepiece and a top quality
restaurant, golfers also know it for
its excellent championship course
and its truly exceptional six-hole
Repton Short Course.
Add to that a golf academy
and floodlit 18-bay driving range
staffed with PGA professionals,
indoor swing studios with video
teaching technology, golf shop with
custom club fitting and you’re in
golfing heaven.
Designed by Martin Hawtree
the course can be a real test off the
back tees, but is very playable off
Summer Visitor
Packages Available
Special offers after 1.30pm on Monday, Tuesday &
Thursday
We can offer nearest the pin and longest drive
competitions to add to your away day
Quote ‘Northern Golfer May’ and book for over
16 players and the organiser plays for free!
Contact Ruth or Judi on 01423 862999
email: [email protected] or visit our website
www.harrogate-gc.co.uk
Forest Lane Head, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7TF
NORTHERN GOLFER 43
REGIONFOCUS
the yellows and red markers. Water
comes into play on several holes
and there are more than a couple
vying for the title of signature hole,
including the fourth, fifth, 14th and
15th and there is an excellent finish
with a short par five at 16, a lovely
driving hole at 17 and a strong par
four of 414 yards at 18.
The Repton short course has
one parkland hole, two woodland
and two water holes and an island
signature hole - a replica of the
notorious 17th at Sawgrass. It can
be played in only an hour and it’s
huge fun.
Play and stay is an option worth
considering with golf packages
available and the Clocktower
Restaurant is not to be missed.
Rudding Park Hotel Spa and Golf
Club, Rudding Park, Follifoot
North Yorkshire, HG3 1JH
www.ruddingpark.co.uk
PANNAL GOLF CLUB
Pannal is the only course in
Harrogate and North Yorkshire
recognised by the R&A as
an Open Championship
Qualifying venue.
this day a venue to test your golf.
But it is perhaps the special 17th
that attracts most attention, and
not merely for the finest views on
the course. The approach is well
guarded and the long, narrow, left to
right sloping green is cunningly cut
into the side of a hill and going left
or right is not an option!
It is well worth the wait and par
here will be as welcome as your
celebration drink on the Centenary
Terrace just one hole later.
The Pannal Golf Club, Follifoot
Road, Pannal, Harrogate, HG3 1ES
www.pannalgolfclub.co.uk
Rudding Park Golf Club
So it’s a test, but a most
enjoyable one. At 6,614 yards and
set in woodland and heathland with
outstanding views of Harrogate and
surrounding areas, it’s a joy to play.
The signature 17th hole provides
the most stunning view of all, but it’s
most certainly worth taking in the
16 holes that precede it and the one
that ends which should be a great
day with superb views of Almscliffe
Crag to the west, the Crimple Valley
and viaduct to the north and the
rolling plains of York to the east.
Situated in the middle of the famous spa town of Harrogate
This MacKenzie designed 18 hole course winds its way through the
majestic Oakdale woodland and its charismatic clubhouse offers
both members and visitors the perfect opportunity to experience an
unforgettable Harrogate golfing experience.
This July, Pannal will be
co-hosting the English Amateur
Championship and in September
will stage the Northern Counties
Strokeplay Championship for
the third consecutive year - an
indication of the quality of the course
which started in 1906 as a ninehole layout.
It was soon expanded to 18 holes
with help from Open Champion
Sandy Herd, but it was in the 1930s
that the Pannal course took on its
championship layout and remains to
OAKDALE GOLF CLUB
Oakdale is one of North Yorkshire’s
premier layouts.
Designed by Dr Alister
MacKenzie, of Masters Augusta
fame, this 18 hole 6,484 course
(off the back tees) offers a mix
of moorland and parkland golf to
be savoured.
Oakdale is proud of its flora and
fauna with many varieties of wildlife,
including grey squirrel, roe deer
and foxes plus kingfishers, dippers
and jays and the club has fostered
FREE Basket of
Driving Range balls
for all bookings
STAY AND PLAY
at the Best Golf Hotel in the UK
Over the next century Oakdale want to encourage growth in junior golf
With any new or existing adult membership, Oakdale is offering
complimentary junior memberships for children or grandchild, aged up
to 18 years old.
Societies from £20pp (incentives available)
Bed and Yorkshire Breakfast from £82.50pp
Please contact Alan W Purdie with any enquireries to manager@
oakdalegolfclub.co.uk or 01423 567162
Call 01423 871350 and mention Northern Golfer
as voted by LateRooms.com
RUDDING PARK FOLLIFOOT
HARROGATE
NORTH YORKSHIRE
www.ruddingpark.co.uk/golf
44 NORTHERN GOLFER
HG3 1JH
REGIONFOCUS
wild flowers into the certain areas
of the course. The Oak Beck comes
into play on four holes. Water is
also found near the 11th and the
12th where two lakes have been
constructed while the 10th and 14th
are particularly memorable but then
so are the par threes.
The sixth is a 207-yard hole of
great character and the ninth is the
signature hole, despite being just
153 yards, as it is played across a
water hazard to a shallow green.
MacKenzie designed Oakdale in
1914. Although modified over the
years, much of the original design
remains unaltered.
Visitors are guaranteed a warm
welcome at a club which holds the
Yorkshire Order of Merit award.
Oakdale Golf Club, Oakdale Glen
Harrogate, HG1 2LN
www.oakdale-golfclub.com
KNARESBOROUGH
GOLF CLUB
Pannel Park Golf Club
Knaresborough is a real gem of a
golf course located just outside the
market town.
Set in undulating parkland
with mature wooded areas and
Knaresborough Golf Club
surrounded by open countryside, it
has developed into one of the finest
golf courses in the North despite
being one of the “newer” kids on the
block after being founded in 1920.
Continuous investment in both
the course and clubhouse facilities
ensures visitors and members enjoy
their golf and all that goes with it.
With the clubhouse being
refurbished and the course having
been further developed to a par 72,
measuring 6,780 yards from the
competition tees and 6,553 yards
from yellows, it’s one not to miss.
Friendship is the cornerstone of
Knaresborough’s success over the
years and visitors are particularly
welcome. Highlights include the par
five eighth with an exhilarating drive
from an elevated tee while the dogleg 13th demands an accurate tee
shot and the 14th is a strong par
four with a testing, undulating green.
Knaresborough is now recognised
as one of the leading courses in
the region as proven by hosting last
year’s England Senior Women’s
Championship and will be the venue
for this year’s Yorkshire Seniors
Championship for the first time in
the club’s history.
Knaresborough Golf Club
Boroughbridge Road
Knaresborough, HG5 0QQ
www.knaresboroughgolfclub.co.uk
Knaresborough Golf Club
Host to the Yorkshire Seniors’ Championship 2015
2015 OPEN COMPETITIONS
Mon 11th May - Seniors Open
Saturday 23rd May - Rabbits Open
Sunday 7th June - Castle Trophy (36 Hole Scratch Open)
Friday 24th July - Ladies Open Texas Scramble
Sunday 2nd August - Mixed Open
Thursday 20th August - Seniors Open
Thursday 3rd September - Ladies Am-Am
Friday 2nd October - Men’s Open
Please visit our website or contact the Club Office for future
details or an entry form
Visiting Party
Summer Packages
from £30pp
please contact the club
office for further details
Knaresborough Golf Club
Boroughbridge Road,
Knaresborough,
North Yorkshire HG5 0QQ
Tel: 01423 862690
www.knaresboroughgolfclub.co.uk
email: [email protected]
We promise our Visitors a very warm welcome and the
opportunity to play a real championship golf course in
the year we are co-hosting the Men’s English Amateur
Championship.
Why not consider our Spring and Summer packages or
Twighlight Offers, by visiting
www.pannalgolfclub.co.uk or contacting Managing
Secretary, Neil Douglas on 01423 872628
Whether you visit as an individual or part of a society we
can offer a complete package to suit your budget and
ensure you will be determined to play Pannal again.
Come over to Pannal – Yorkshire Golf at its best!
Follifoot Road, Pannal, Harrogate, HG3 1ES
NORTHERN GOLFER 45
LEEDS GOLF CENTRE - THE LEADBETTER ACADEMY
START THEM YOUNG
AND MAKE IT FUN
Why do kids play sport? They do it
because they get to socialise, develop
skills, compete and let off steam all at the
same time. The danger with golf is to over
complicate things.
Of course at Leeds Golf Centre’s Junior Golf
Academy we teach good technique, that’s a
given. But with a class of six-year-olds, how
long are they going to be able to concentrate
on technique for? I can tell you the answer is
about 10 minutes.
They love challenges and improvement.
You give them achievable tasks, rewards
and monitored progression and improvement,
and you’ve got a great chance of producing
talented, happy little golfers.
JUNIOR DRILLS
When it comes to technique, here are
just a couple of examples of ways to
improve their understanding of their
fundamentals and technique.
BALANCE DRILL
I use this all the time with the
juniors to help them understand the
importance of balance during the
golf swing (most amateur golfers
also benefit from this drill). The drill
involves simply getting them to stand
on the balance cushion and swing the
club, maintaining their balance while
doing so. It is a fun drill for them to
do, and teaches them great balance,
rhythm and helps develop their hand
eye co-ordination.
THROW IT FURTHER HIT
IT FURTHER
Golf, as with most explosive actions
rely on rotation, weight transfer,
and good timing to create speed
and distance. This drill gives juniors
an understanding early on in their
golfing life of how to generate power
and speed.
FUNDAMENTALS ARE EVERYTHING
Juniors form habits very quickly Teach them
a perfect grip, perfect posture, and perfect
setup. If they develop the habit of setting up
to the shot perfectly every time at a young
age, these fundamentals will last them a
life time and give them the best chance of
hitting great golf shots from the start.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD PLEASE: CALL 0113 288 6000 email: Joe Feather, Junior Academy Manager [email protected]
46 NORTHERN GOLFER
Firstly get them to stand facing the
target, both feet planted, and to throw
the ball as far as they can. Let them
acknowledge how far the ball has
travelled. Then, get them to adopt the
Usain Bolt stance, standing side on
to the target with a wide stance, with
the weight on their trailing foot. Get
them to launch their body weight and
rotate their body towards the target
as they throw the ball. Juniors will
often throw the ball two or three times
further. (I’ve seen some pretty amusing
attempts to throw a ball prior to gaining
some understanding).
In short, get the basics right, keep
them balanced, give them an
understanding of how to generate
power, and you will be amazed at how
well they can swing the club with very
little technical information.
A BETTER PLACE TO PLAY
UK’S
LEADING
GOLF
ACADEMY
UNRIVALLED
V
VALLED
FACILITIES
& THE NORTH’S PREMIER
GOLF SHOP
SUMMER
SOCIETY
PACKAGES
FROM JUST
£18.50PP
- 18 HOLE
CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLF COURSE
- 12 HOLE PAR 3
COURSE
- FLOODLIT
DRIVING RANGE
DISCOUNT
DEALS WITH
LOCAL
HOTELS
BOOK TO PLAY ONLINE AT LEEDSGOLFCENTRE.COM
OR CALL 0113 288 6000
win
GOLFERCOMPETITIONS
Enter
online
Lo
northe g on to
rngolfe
r.co.uk
Northern Golfer
competitions are also
listed on our website
www.northerngolfer.co.uk/competitions,
Alternatively, you can enter via email at
[email protected] (mark the
competition name in the subject field) or post your entry to:
Competitions, Northern Golfer, Unit One, Bearl Farm,
Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL
Please include your contact details and telephone number.
Closing date May 28. Usual competition rules apply – available on request.
Winners will be published in our next edition.
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT
.EAGLESCLIFFE GOLF CLUB
One of Teesside’s best courses, Eaglescliffe presents a
tough test for all golfers and remains a firm favourite
in its 101st year.
Measuring 6,289 yards from the back tees, the course
at Eaglescliffe was designed by James Braid, while
Henry Cotton undertook the design of four new holes
in 1968.
Image credit: photogolfer / Shutterstock.com
For your chance to win answer this question:
Who won the 2015 Masters Tournament?
WIN £100 A GIFT VOUCHER FOR
.PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY AND
.FITNESS SERVICES
WIN GOLF FOR FOUR AT
.DUNSTANBURGH GC
Inspiring Excellence in Golf owner and Northern Golfer columnist David Charlton
helps motivated golfers to get the most from their golf by applying tools from Sport
Psychology and Sport Science.
The methods are used by elite professionals and can make a huge difference to
players of all abilities and ages.
The Dunstanburgh Golf Club links, at Embleton Bay
in North Northumberland is one of the region’s finest
examples of coastline golf. Laid out along the clifftop
in the shadow of the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, the
course examines every part of your game on a calm
day, and tests the very best when the wind blows.
For your chance to win answer the following question:
Where will this year’s ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship be played?
For your chance to win answer this question:
Who won the 2014 Race to Dubai?
We had another great response to our April competitions, with more than 600 entries. Congratulations to the winners: Allendale Jason Sockett of
Chesterfield • Garesfield Anthony Lambert of Newton Hall • George Washington Gordon Taylor of Bishop Auckland
MONDAY OPEN SERIES EVENTS
£9 per player - first five from each
qualify for the final
Monday 1st June
Monday 3rd August
Monday 7th September
Grand Final Monday 5th October
TRIAL MEMBERSHIP
12 Months only £395
18 Rounds of golf including 3 with a
Club Member to obtain a handicap
12 x 1 Hour group coaching sessions
Complimentary use of the Clubhouse
for functions with 15% DISCOUNT
on food and beverage purchases
Telephone 0191 5342518 | email: [email protected] | www.wearsidegolfclub.co.uk
48 NORTHERN GOLFER
1/2 PRICE GOLF LESSON
With PGA Professional Steven Fawcitt
at Slaley Hall - Individual 60 Minutes
only £25.00 (normally £50)
Flight Scope Launch Monitor, Video Analysis
Telepho
ne Steve
n
07584 6
51083 to on
book
your ap
po
MUST Q intment
uote NG
33
(Offer v
alid
31st July until
2015)
Get your game up to scratch this season!
Summer Sizzler Golf
Packages at Slaley Hall
£25
Tea, coffee and bacon rolls | 18 holes of championship Golf | Longest drive | Nearest pin
from
*
PP
To enquire
call the team
01434 676525
Slaley Hall, Slaley, Hexham, Nr. Newcastle, Northumberland, NE47 0BX
*Terms and conditions apply. Based on a minimum of 12 people. Book before the end of May to receive 1 in 12 goes free offer. Subject to availability. New bookings only.
1
golfein 12
rs go
es
free
Book
be
quotfore end of May
e: NSS
G15
MATCHPLAYPAIRS
Top venues
MATCH PLAY PAIRS
Preliminary Round
13.Graeme Robson (6) &
Phil Swann (15)
(Ramside Hall)
V
Steve Bell (13) &
Chris Walton (8)
(Hobson)
Some of Britain’s finest golf
courses will be venues for
the 2017 major amateur
championships and
international matches.
Royal St George’s, where Darren
Clarke won The Open in 2011, will
host the Amateur Championship for
the 14th time, with the qualifying
strokeplay rounds also being played
at nearby Prince’s.
The Boys Amateur Championship
will be played at The Nairn Golf
Club and nearby Nairn Dunbar.
The Boys Home Internationals
will be played at St Annes Old Links
and the Jacques Leglise Trophy will
be held at Ballybunion’s Old Course
for the first time.
The Seniors Amateur
Championship, meanwhile, will
make its first visit to Sunningdale’s
Old Course.
Meanwhile, Martin Slumbers
will succeed Peter Dawson as chief
executive and also as Secretary of
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of
St Andrews later this year.
Dawson, a member of the
Northumberland Club, retires in
September after 16 years leading
the body which organises The
Open Championship and governs
golf worldwide.
Entries open
Richmond is holding an individual
stableford competition with a
maximum 24 handicap with a
10.30 shotgun start on June 23 as
part of their captain’s week.
Cost is £25 which includes
coffee and bacon roll on arrival and
one course meal after the golf plus
prizes for the top five.
All are welcome please contact
Dave Redford on d.redford67@sky.
com or 07791 524 906
50 NORTHERN GOLFER
Last year’s winners Peter Gallagher and Neil Walmsley
Champions to defend title
Last year’s winners are
among those competing
in our fourth Match Play
Pairs tournament.
Peter Gallagher and
Neil Walmsley have
a home draw against
Beamish Park’s Rodney
Martin and Brian Jones in
the first steps to defending
their title and a return to
the NE/NW PGA Overseas
Pro-Am in Portugal
organised by Kevin Batty
of Golfing Holidays.
Also making a return
is former England cricket
star Steve Harmison
with Newbiggin partner
Billy Bennet.
This season’s semifinals are at Wynyard Golf
Club and the final is at
Ramside Hall Golf Club.
1. Peter Newman (20) &
Jason Green (16)
(Brancepeth Castle)
V
Stewart Jones (10) &
Alec Jones (3)
(Bellingham)
5. Griffin (14) &
Scott Williamson (12)
(Stocksfield)
V
Robert Ellison (17) &
J. Jamfrey (16)
(Roseberry Grange)
9. Howard Wooton (11)
& Colin Grieve (8)
(Goswick)
V
Ken Bell (9) &
Alan Heslop (16)
(Hexham)
2. Graeme Bailey (10) &
Rick Longmire (9)
(Darlington)
V
Jamie McPhillips (8)
& Craig Beadling (10)
(Romanby)
6. Andrew Sharp (15) &
Paul Chapman (10)
(Garesfield)
V
Anthony Kelly (13)
& David Jenkinson (14)
(Roseberry Grange)
10.Martin Crossland (6) &
Patrick Ward (21)
(Whitley Bay / Matfen
Hall)
V
Brendan Murphy (13) &
Adam Murphy (13)
(Tynedale)
3. Billy Bennett (4) &
Stephen Harmison (6)
(Newbiggin-by-the-Sea)
V
Ben King (2) &
Michael King (2)
(Bellingham)
7. David Lillico (5) &
Dean Hope (6) (Alnmouth-Foxton)
V
Richard Wallhead (12)
& Richard Lindsay (16)
(Rothbury)
4. Peter Gallagher (11) &
Neil Walmsley (18)
(Durham City)
V
Rodney Martin (12) &
Brian Jones (18)
(Beamish Park)
8. John Barnes (16) &
David Wailes (5)
(Bedlingtonshire)
V
David McColl (5) &
Alan Walton (6)
(Durham City)
14.Stuart McIntosh (18) &
Craig Watts (7)
(Wilton)
v
Clive Harbron (7) &
Neil Ashby (14)
(Hartlepol)
15.Ian Irving (12) &
Gary Foxwell (2)
(Arcot Hall)
V
Dave Braddick (17)
& Paul Howe (7)
(Ravensworth)
16.Russell Hunter (10) &
Joe Hunter (14)
(Alnmouth)
V
Len Eyre (6) &
Alan Scambler (10)
(Magdalene Fields)
17.Steve Slater (2) &
Gary Wright (12)
(City of Newcastle /
Backworth)
V
Karl Nolan (10) &
Brian Ord (18)
(Whitburn)
11.Ted Cromar (13) &
Graham Dodds (13)
(Morpeth)
V
Neil Baker (10) &
Carl Hunter (5)
(Hobson)
12Jeff Lightle (7) &
Steve Gray (6)
(Slaley Hall)
V
Peter Basford (5) &
Peter Boyle (11)
(Burgham Park)
All remaining
competitors have a
bye into Round 1
MATCHES TO BE
PLAYED BY SUNDAY
MAY 24 2015
LADIESGREENSOMES
LADIES GREENSOMES APPLICATION FORM
For your chance to win a golf break to Matfen Hall, simply fill in
this application form and send it to:
Tournament Organiser, Northern Golfer, Offstone Publishing
Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: SUNDAY MAY 31, 2015
LEAD PLAYER
PLAYER
NAME
HANDICAP
GOLF
CLUB
ADDRESS
POSTCODE
TEL (DAY)
TEL (EVE)
EMAIL
ENTRY FEE
£10
Ladies
Greensomes 2015
C
alling all ladies from
Northumberland, Durham,
Teesside and North
Yorkshire. Why not take
the opportunity to compete in a
pairs knock out event.?
So far 17 pairs have entered The
Northern Golfer Ladies Greensomes
Championship, sponsored by
Matfen Hall, which will be played
throughout the season.
Entries have been extended to
May 31 to give as many women as
possible the chance to enter - so why
not join them for only £10?
The event will see pairs of ladies,
who are active members of golf clubs
with a handicap of 36 or less and
aged over 18, compete in knockout
matchplay rounds at courses
around the region ahead of the
semi finals and final at Matfen Hall,
Northumberland in September.
The winning pair will receive a
two-night stay for four people at
Matfen Hall, which includes dinner,
bed and breakfast, use of the spa
facilities and two rounds of golf as
well as the championship trophy.
Peter Smith, golf club manager at
Matfen Hall, says: “We are delighted
to be working with Northern Golfer
to launch an event specifically for
the region’s lady golfers.
“We are working hard to promote
participation in ladies golf, both to
beginners and active club members;
with the number of active players
decreasing nationally, we think it is
vital to grow the game in any way
we can.
“The prize includes two nights in
our award-winning hotel, use of the
excellent new spa facilities and golf
on our 27-hole championship layout.
“It is worth in excess of £500 and
I am sure our inaugural winners
will be very happy to win the prize.”
For more information, including rules for the event, go to
www.northerngolfer.co.uk
To enter, simply fill in the application form and send it to: Tournament
Organiser, Northern Golfer Ladies Greensomes, Offstone Publishing
Unit 1, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL
PARTNER
HANDICAP
PLAYER
NAME
GOLF
CLUB
ADDRESS
POSTCODE
TEL (DAY)
TEL (EVE)
EMAIL
PAYMENT:
ENTRY FEE
I have enclosed a cheque made payable to
Offstone Publishing for £10 
Or I authorise Offstone Publishing to debit my
Mastercard/Visa/Maestro/Delta card by £10 only

£10
Card Number
Issue No:
Valid from:
(Maestro only)
Exp date:
CSC: (3 digits on the
back of your card)
Cardholders
Signature:
Please fill in the name and address the card is registered to:
Title
Inital
Surname
Address
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NORTHERN GOLFER 51
directory
NOR THERN
NOR THERN
directory
Pick up a copy of Northern Golfer at any of these venues
COUNTY DURHAM
Barnard Castle Golf Club
Harmire Rd, Barnard Castle, DL12 8QN
01833 638 355
To be listed or to advertise please call 01661 844115 or email [email protected]
Beamish Park Golf Club
Beamish Park, Stanley, DH9 0RH
0191 370 1382
Birtley Golf Club
Portobello Road, Birtley,
Chester-le-Street, DH3 2LR
0191 410 2207
Bishop Auckland Golf Club
High Plains, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8DL
01388 661 618
Blackwell Grange Golf Club
Snipe Lane, Darlington, DL2 2SA
01325 464 458
Brancepeth Castle Golf Club
Brancepeth Castle, DH7 8EA
0191 378 0075
Castle Eden Golf Club
Castle Eden, TS27 4SS
01429 836 510
Chester le Street Golf Club
Lumley Pk, Chester le Street, DH3 4NS
0191 388 3218
Cocken Lodge Golf
Cocken Lodge Farm, Leamside, DH4 6QP
0191 584 1053
Consett & District Golf Club
Elmfield Road, Consett, DH8 5NN
01207 505 060
Crook Golf Club
Low Jobs Hill, Crook DL15 9AA
01388 762 429
Darlington Golf Club
Haughton Road, Darlington, DL1 3JD
01325 355 324
Dinsdale Spa Golf Club
Middleton St George, Darlington, DL2 1DW
01325 332 297
Durham City Golf Club
Littleburn, Langley Moor, DH7 8HL
0191 378 0029
Hallgarth Hotel Golf & Country Club
Coatham Munderville, Darlington,
DL1 3LU 01325 300 400
Hobson Golf Club
Hobson, Near Burnopfield, NE16 6BZ
01207 270 941
Ineos Golf Club
School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe,
DL5 6EA.
Sec: Patrick Montgomery,
07974 742 679
52 NORTHERN GOLFER
Oak Leaf Golf Club
School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe,
DL5 4EF
01325 310 820
Ramside Hall Golf Club
Ramside Hall Hotel, Carville,
Durham, DH1 1TD
0191 386 9514
Rockliffe Hall Golf Club
Hurworth-on-Tees,Darlington, DL2 2DU
01325 729 980
Bamburgh Castle Golf Club
The Wynding, Bamburgh, NE69 7DE
01668 214 321
Seahouses Golf Club
Beadnell Road, Seahouses, NE68 7XT
01665 720 794
Saltburn by the Sea Golf Club
Hob Hill, Saltburn by the Sea, TS12 1NJ
01287 622 812
Bedlingtonshire Golf Club
Acorn Bank, Bedlington, NE22 6AA
01670 822 457
Slaley Hall
Slaley, Hexham, NE47 0BX
01434 673 350
Seaton Carew Golf Club
Tees Road, Seaton Carew, TS25 1DE
01429 266 249
Belford Golf Club
South Road, Belford, NE70 7DP
01668 213 232
Stocksfield Golf Club
New Ridley Rd,Stocksfield, NE43 7RE
01661 843 041
Bellingham Golf Club
Boggle Hole, Bellingham, NE48 2DT
01434 220 152
Tynedale Golf Club
Tyne Green, Hexham, NE46 3HQ
01434 608 154
Teesside Golf Club
Acklam Road, Thornaby
Stockton on Tees TS17 7JS
01642 616 516
Blyth Golf Club
New Delaval, Blyth, NE24 4DB
01670 540 110
Warkworth Golf Club
The Links, Warkworth, NE65 OSW
01665 711 596
Burgham Park Golf Club
Near Felton, Morpeth, NE65 8QP
01670 787 898
Wooler Golf Club
Dod Law, Doddington, Wooler, NE71 6AN
01668 282 135
Close House
Heddon-on-the-Wall, NE15 0HT
01661 852 953
Dunstanburgh Golf Club
Embleton, NE66 3XQ
01665 576 562
Roseberry Grange Community
Golf Club
Grange Villa, Chester le Street, DH2 3NF
0191 370 0660
Goswick Golf Club
Goswick Beal, TD15 2RW
01289 387 256
Seaham Golf Club
Shrewsbury Street, Seaham, SR7 7RD
0191 581 1268
Gubeon Golf Centre
Walton Road, Morpeth, NE61 3YJ
01670 519 090
Sharpley Golf
Seaton, Seaham, Co Durham, SR7 0NP
0191 513 1100
Haltwhistle Golf Club
Banktop, Greenhead, NE49 9JR
01697 747367
South Moor Golf Cub
The Middles, Craghead, Stanley, DH9 6AG
01207 232 848
Hexham Golf Club
Spital Lane, Hexham, NE46 3RZ
01434 603 072
Woodham Golf & Country Club
Burnhill Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4PN
01325 319977
Longhirst Hall Golf Club
Longhirst Hall, Morpeth, NE61 3LL
01670 791 562
CUMBRIA
Brampton Golf Club
Talkin Tarn, Brampton, CA8 1HN
01697 72255
Seascale Golf Club
The Banks, Seascale, CA20 1QL
019467 28202
NORTHUMBERLAND
Allendale Golf Club
High Studden, Allenheads Road
Allendale, NE47 9QL
01434 683 926
Alnmouth Golf Club
Foxton Hall, Alnmouth,
NE66 3BE
01665 830 231
Alnmouth Village Golf Club
Marine Road,
Alnmouth, NE66 2RZ
01665 830 370
Alnwick Castle Golf Club
Swansfield Park,
Alnwick,
NE66 2AB
01665 602 632
Arcot Hall Golf Club
Dudley, Cramlington NE23 7QP
0191 236 2794
Macdonald Linden Hall Golf
and Country Club
Longhorsley, Morpeth, NE65 8XF
01670 500 011
Matfen Hall Golf Club
Matfen, NE20 0RH
01661 886 400
Magdalene Fields Golf Club
Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1NE
01289 306 130
Morpeth Golf club
Loansdean, Morpeth,
NE61 2BT
01670 504 942
Newbiggin Golf Club
Newbiggin NE64 3DW
01670 817 344
Percy Wood Golf Club
Coast View, Swarland, Felton,
NE65 9JG
01670 787 010
Ponteland Golf Club
53 Bell Villas, Ponteland, NE20 9BD
01661 822 689
Prudhoe Golf Club
Eastwood Park, Prudhoe, NE42 5DX
01661 832 466
Rothbury Golf Club
Whitton Bank Rd, Rothbury, NE65 7RX
01669 621 271
Wilton Golf Club
Wilton,Near Redcar, TS10 4QY
01642 465 265
Wynyard Hall Golf Club
Wellington Drive, Wynyard Park
Billingham, TS22 5NQ
01740 644 399
TYNE AND WEAR
SCOTTISH BORDERS
Eyemouth Golf Club
Gunsgreenhill, Eyemouth, D14 5SF
01890 750 004
Hirsel Golf Club
Kelso Road, Coldstream TD12 4NJ
01890 882 678
Roxburghe Golf Club
Kelso, Roxburghshire, TD5 8JZ
01573 450 333
TEESSIDE
Billingham Golf Club
Sandy Lane, Billingham, TS22 5NA
01642 533 816
Cleveland Golf Club
Majuba Road, Redcar, Cleveland
TS10 5BJ
01642 471 798
Eaglescliffe & District Golf Club
Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, TS16 0DQ
01642 780 238
Hartlepool Golf Club
Hart Warren, Hartlepool, TS24 9QF
01429 274 398
High Throston Golf Club
Hart Lane, Hartlepool,
TS26 0UG
01429 268 071
Hunley Hotel & Golf Club
Brotton, By Saltburn, TS12 2QN
01287 677 444
Ingleby Barwick Golf Club
Lullingstone Crescent, Ingleby Barwick,
Stockton on Tees, TS17 5GJ
01642 765 000
Knotty Hill Golf Centre
Sedgefield, Stockton on Tees, TS21 2BB
01740 620 320
Middlesbrough Golf Club
Brass Castle Lane, Middlesbrough
TS8 9EE
01642 311 515
Backworth Golf Club
The Hall, Backworth, NE27 0AH
0191 268 4247
Beamish Park Hotel
Golf & Driving Range, Marley Hill,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE16 5EG
01207 230666
Boldon Golf Club
Dipe Lane, East Boldon, NE36 0PQ
0191 536 5360
Centurion Park Golf Club
Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend, NE28 8SU
0191 263 0041
City of Newcastle Golf Club
Three Mile Bridge, Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2DR
0191 285 1775
Garesfield Golf Club
Chopwell, NE17 7AP
01207 561 309
George Washington Golf Club
Stone Cellars Road, Concorde
Washington, NE37 1PH
0191 417 8346
Gosforth Golf Club
Broadway East, Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5ER
0191 285 3495
Heworth Golf Club
Gingling Gate, Heworth, Gateshead,
NE10 8XY
0191 469 9832
Hetton le Hill Golf Club
Elemore Vale, Easington Lane, DH5 0QR
0191 517 3061
Houghton le Spring Golf Club
Copt Hill, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8LU
0191 584 7421
Newcastle United Golf Club
60 Ponteland Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE5 3JW
0191 286 9998
Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Club
Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough,
TS5 7YZ
01642 315 533
Northumberland Golf Club
High Gosforth Park,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE3 5HT
0191 236 2009
Norton Golf Club
Blakestone Lane, Norton
Stockton on Tees, TS20 3LQ
01642 676 385
Parklands Golf Club
High Gosforth Park,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HQ
0191 236 4480
Ryton Golf Club
Clara Vale, Ryton, NE40 3TD
0191 413 3253
Filey Golf Club
Skelton Lane, Wigginton,York
01904 769400
South Shields Golf Club
Cleadon Hills, South Shields, NE34 8EG
0191 456 8942
Forest of Galtres Golf Club
Flaxby, Knaresborough, HG5 0RR
01423 863 444
Tynemouth Golf Club
Spital Dene, Tynemouth, NE30 2ER
0191 257 4578
Forest Park Golf Club
Stockton-on-Forest, York, YO32 9HF
01904 400 425
Tyneside Golf Club
Westfield Lane, Ryton, NE40 3QE
0191 413 2742
Fulford Golf Club
Heslington Lane, York, YO10 5DY
01904 413 579
Wearside Golf Club
Cox Green, Sunderland, SR4 9JT
0191 534 2518
Ganton Golf Club
Station Road, Ganton, Scarborough,
YO12 4PA
01944 710 329
Harrogate Golf Club
Forest Lane Head, Harrogate, HG2 7TF
01423 862 999
Whickham Golf Club
Hollinside Park, Fellside Road
Whickham, NE16 5BA
0191 488 1576
Heworth Golf Club
Muncaster House, Muncastergate,
YO31 9JY
01904 426 156
Whitburn Golf Club
Lizard Lane, South Shields, NE34 7AF
0191 529 4210
Kirkbymoorside Golf Club
Manor Vale, Kirkbymoorside, YO62 6EG
01751 431 525
Whitley Bay Golf Club
Claremont Rd, Whitley Bay, NE26 3UF
0191 252 0180
Knaresborough Golf Club
Boroughbridge Road,
Knaresborough, HG5 0QQ
01423 862 690
YORKSHIRE (EAST)
Malton & Norton Golf Club
Welham Park, Welham Road,
Norton,Malton, YO17 9QE
01653 697 912
Beverley and East Riding Golf Club
Anti Mill, Westwood, Beverley, HU17 8RG
01482 868757
Bridlington Golf Club
Belvedere Road, Bridlington, YO15 3NA
01262 606 367
Bridlington Links Golf Club
Flamborough Road, Marton, Bridlington,
YO15 1DW
01262 401 584
Driffield Golf Club
Sunderlandwick, Driffield, YO25 9AD
01377 253 116
Flamborough Head Golf Club
Lighthouse Road, Flamborough,
Bridlington, YO15 1AR
01262 850 333
Hornsea Golf Club
Rolston Rd, Hornsea, HU18 1XG
01964 534989
Masham Golf Club
Burnholme, Swinton Road,
Masham, Ripon, HG4 4NS
01765 688 054
Oakdale Golf Club
Oakdale, Harrogate, HG1 2LN
01423 567 162
Pannal Golf CLub
Follifoot Road, Pannal, HG3 1ES
01423 872 628
Pike Hills Golf Club
Tadcaster Road, Askham Bryan,
YO23 3UW
01904 700 797
Richmond Golf Club
Bend Hagg, Richmond, DL10 5EX
01748 823 231
Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club
Deepdale Avenue, off Filey Road,
YO11 2UE
01723 360 522
Moortown Golf Club
Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS17 7DB
0113 268 6521
Selby Golf Club
Mill Lane, Brayton, YO8 9LD
01757 228 622
Otley Golf Club
West Busk Lane, Otley, Leeds, LS21 3NG
01943 465 329
Skipton Golf Club
Short Lee Lane, Skipton, BD23 3LF
01756 795 657
Oulton Hall
Rothwell Lane, Oulton,
Leeds, Yorkshire,
LS26 8HN
0871 222 4690
The Oaks Golf Club
Aughton Common, Aughton, YO42 4PW
01757 288 577
Thirsk & Northallerton Golf Club
Thornton le Street, Thirsk, YO7 4AB
01845 525 115
Pontefact & District Golf Club
Park Lane, Pontefract, WF8 4QS
01977 792241
Whitby Golf Club
Low Straggleton, Whitby, YO21 3SR
01947 600 660
Rawdon Golf and Lawn Tennis Club
Buckstone Drive,
Rawdon, Leeds,
LS19 6BB
0113 2506040
York Golf Club
Lords Moor Lane, Strensall, YO32 5XF
01904 491 840
Sand Moor Golf Club
Alwoodley Lane, Leeds, LS17 7DJ
0113 268 5180
YORKSHIRE (WEST)
Scarcroft Golf Club
Syke Lane, Leeds, LS14 3BQ
0113 289 2263
Bradford Golf Club
Hawksworth Lane, Guiseley, LS20 8NP
01943 875570
Cookridge Golf Club
Cookridge Lane, Cookridge, Leeds,
LS16 7NL
0113 230 0641
Wakefield Golf Club
28 Woodthorpe Lane, WF2 6JH
01924 258778
Woodhall Hills Golf Club
Woodhall Road, Calverley, Pudsey, LS28 5UN
0113 255 4594
Dewsbury District Golf Club
The Pinnacle, Sands Lane, Mirfield,
WF14 8HJ
01924 492399
Wetherby Golf Club
Linton Lane, Linton, Wetherby, LS22 4JF
01937 580 089
Garforth Driving Range
Barwick Road, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 2DN
0113 287 1111
OTHER GOLF OUTLETS
Garforth Golf Club
Long Lane, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 2DS
0113 286 2021
Headlingly Golf Club
Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds, LS16 8DW
0113 267 9573
Ripon Golf Club
Palace Road, Ripon, HG4 3HH
01765 603 640
YORKSHIRE (NORTH)
Romanby Golf Club
Yafforth Road, Northallerton, DL7 0PE
01609 778 855
Horsforth Golf Club
Layton Rise, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5EX
0113 258 6819
Aldwark Manor Golf Club
Aldwark Alne,YO61 1UF
01347 838 146
Rudding Park Golf Club
Rudding Park, Harrogate, HG3 1JH
01423 872 100
Huddersfield Golf Club
Fixby Hall, Lightridge Rd, HD2 2EP
01484 426203
Bedale Golf Club
Leyburn Road, Bedale,
DL8 1EZ
01677 422 451
Sandburn Hall Golf Club
Flaxton, York, YO60 7RB
01904 469 929
Leeds Golf Club
Elmete Lane, Leeds, LS8 2LJ
0113 265 9203
Scalm Park Golf Club
Bishop Wood, Wistow Common, Selby,
YO8 3RD
01757 210 846
Leeds Golf Centre
Wike Ridge Lane, Shadwell, Leeds
LS17 9JW
0113 288 6000
Catterick Golf Club
Leyburn Road, Catterick Garrison, DL9 3QE
01748 833 268
Moor Allerton Golf Club
Coal Road, Wike,
Leeds, LS17 9NH
0113 266 1154
Scarthingwell Golf Club
The Scarthingwell Centre, Scarthingwell,
Tadcaster, LS24 9PF
01937 557 878
Hollins Hall
Hollins Hill, Baildon,
Shipley, Bradford,
BD17 7QW
01274 530 053
The KP Golf Club
Pocklington, York, YO42 1UF
01759 303 090
Mid Yorkshire Golf Club
Havercroft Lane,
Pontefract, Darrington,
WF8 3BP
01977 704522
Dynamic Indoor Golf
Wideopen, Newcastle,
NE13 7BA
0191 481 3590
Eureka
Copt Hill, Houghton le Spring,
DH5 8LU
0191 584 1198
George Paylor 5th Tee
5th Tee,Garesfield Golf Club
Chopwell, NE17 7AP
07737 963881
Jeffrey Musgrove Golf Shop
Garesfield Golf Club
Chopwell, NE17 7AP
01207 563082
Leda Discount Golf Centre
Grange Villa, Chester le Street,
DH2 3NF
0191 370 1757
Marshalls Golf
Heworth Golf Club,
Gingling Gate, Heworth,
NE10 8HY
0191 4384223
Gordon Catterill Golf Shop
Middlesbrough Golf Club,
Brass Castle Lane,
TS8 9EE
01642 311766
Philips Golf Discount
Unit 3 Strand Business Centre
Locomotion Way,
Camperdown Ind Est
Killingworth,
NE12 5UJ
0191 268 0008
Riverdale Hotel
Bellingham NE48 2JT
01434 220 254
Snainton Golf Direct
Coast View, Swarland, Felton,
NE65 9JG
01670 787 010
Stokesley Driving Range
Broughton Road, Stokesley, TS9 5JJ
AB Golf
Middlesbrough Driving Range,
Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, TS5 7YZ
01642 300 720
Andy Paisley Golf Centre,
Hexham Golf Club, Spittal Lane,
Hexham, NE46 3RZ
01434 603 072
Aslan Golf
Lizard Lane, Whitburn, NE34 7AF
0191 5294210
Bargain Golf
Seaham Golf Club, Shrewsbury Street,
Seaham, SR7 7RD
0191 5130837
& Hobson Golf Club
Burnopfield, Newcastle, NE16 6BZ
01207 271605
Custom Fit Golf
South Moor Golf Club Superstore
Craghead, Stanley DH9 6AG
01207 283 525
Direct Golf
Lullingstone Crescent
Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland,
TS17 5GJ
01642 765 000
The Hobson Golf Range
Hobson Golf Club, Burnopfield,
NE16 6BZ
Tim Jenkins Golf
Cleveland Golf Club, Majuba Road,
Redcar,
TS10 5BJ
01642 471 798
also at Castle Eden Golf Club, Castle
Eden, TS27 4SS
01429 836689
ZFL Golf
Unit 8d,
North Tyne Ind. Estate,
NE12 9SZ
0191 270 2362
SELECTED TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRES
ALNWICK, BELLINGHAM,
BERWICK, CORBRIDGE,
HALTWHISTLE, HEXHAM
MORPETH, NEWCASTLE,
ROYAL QUAYS, SALTBURN,
SEAHOUSES WHITLEY
BAY AND SELECTED GOLF
CLUBS IN THE BORDERS
AND CUMBRIA
NORTHERN GOLFER 53
To be listed or to advertise please call 01661 844115 or email [email protected]
Westerhope Golf Club
Whorlton Grange, Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE5 1PP
0191 286 9125
Scarborough North Cliff Golf Club
North Cliff Avenue, Scarborough,
YO12 6PP
01723 355 397
directory
Easingwold Golf Club
Stillington Road, Easingwold, YO61 3ET
01347 822 474
NOR THERN
Ravensworth Golf Club
Angel View, Longbank, Gateshead, NE9 7UU
0191 487 6014
from the
bunker
Welcome to your reader feedback page. We want to
hear your likes, dislikes and funny golfing stories, and
if you’d like to make suggestions about Northern Golfer,
let us know. We want to hear from you!
NG: The new season at Prudhoe Golf Club kicked off in
traditional style earlier this year with a past captain’s dinner and
captain’s drive in. New captain Paul Potts was joined by past
captains and fellow members to see in the new year with some
questionable attire on show. Our good friend Richard Hannam
wrote: “Helped by a stiff back wind, heckling from the members, a
ship’s Captain’s hat, some dodgy trousers and a slight hangover from
the previous evening, Paul launched his drive 233 yards.
Thanks Richard, and good luck Paul.
Thanks to Stocksfield Golf Club’s Roger Jones for the above picture of this
year’s captains following their respective drive-ins in April. They are, left to
right, junior captain Sam Wilkinson, seniors’ captain Denis Noble, ladies’
captain Angela Stubbs, and club captain Mick Byerley.
NG: Thanks Roger, and good luck to all
NG: Following Paul’s drive-in, Vets captain Dave Smith took to
the tee to welcome in the new year at Prudhoe. Below, left to
right, are: John McKillup (vets vice captain), Dave Smith vets
captain), Larry Hindmarsh and Brian Hedley (vets captain 2014)
You’re never too old for golf!
Malton and Norton members Frank
Lownsbrough and Roy Stenton
proved that when they celebrated
their 90th birthdays with nine holes
and a breakfast celebration in
the clubhouse.
Frank and Roy are the oldest playing
members at the club and still play
Roy (left) and Frank
nine holes three times a week.
A number of golfing friends joined them for nine holes of birthday golf
followed by that breakfast celebration and there was plenty of reminiscing.
Roy joined Malton and Norton in 1985 and Frank in 1995. Both are
veterans of the Second World War - Roy was an RAF pilot while Frank
served in the Royal Artillery. Now that is worth raising a glass too.
Send your feedback, news and photos (inc contact
details) via email to [email protected], tweet us
@negolfer or find us on facebook.com/northerngolferuk
BEAMISH PARK GOLF CLUB
Providing Golfing Excellence for over 100 Years
“Be Challenged and Enjoy the Experience”
Love Golf....
Love Beamish Park
Special offer on 2015 Membership
Reduced Membership Rates for age groups 25 and under
Junior Membership (up to 19) Only £49.00
Visitors & Societies always welcome
Book your Society Outing Now Party of 16 or more
Organiser goes Free
Green fees – from £20.00
Contact us for more information- 0191 370 1984
www.beamishgolf.co.uk
54 NORTHERN GOLFER
Beamish Park Golf Club, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 ORH
MASSIVE STOCK CLEARANCE NOW ON
(ALL EXISTING STOCK SLASHED IN PRICE TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW ARRIVALS HURRY!)
NEW FOOTJOY
HYPERFLEX
SHOES IN STOCK
NEW SKETCHERS
QUALITY
PERFORMANCE SHOES
IN STOCK
AS WORN BY MATT KUCHAR
NEW EXTENSIVE RANGE
OF GALVIN GREEN
CLOTHING IN STOCK
NEW CALLAWAY XR
WOODS & IRONS
INTRODUCTORY OFFERS!!
NEW COBRA 2015
WOODS & IRONS IN
STOCK LOWEST PRICES
MANY ITEMS
FROM LAST
SEASON IN OUR
SALE SAVE £££’S
OVER 100 SETS IN STOCK - BEST PRICE GUARANTEE + FREE FITTING WITH OUR NEW FLIGHT SCOPE XI - THE LATEST ON THE MARKET
TAYLORMADE
SPECIAL OFFER
NEW MIZUNO WOODS
SALE ON
WE HAVE A MASSIVE
GHOST -TOUR PUTTERS
& IRONS
MIZUNO MP H5, JPX
ON GOLF
SELECTION OF SECOND
WERE £129
850 & MP 15 IRONS
LOWEST PRICES
GLOVES
HAND SETS OF IRONS,
NOW £59.99
CALL IN TODAY AND TRY
1
X
GLOVE
£8.99
WOODS, WEDGES &
THEM
OUT
ON
OUR
SPECIAL
FLIGHTSCOPE
NOW £5.99,
DRIVERS IN STOCK.
OFFERS ON
OR ON THE
ODYSSEY
2
X
GLOVES
£10,
CALL IN AND SEE FOR
PRACTICE
PUTTERS
RANGE
3 X GLOVES £12
YOURSELF
GOLF SHOE GREAT DEALS ON
SHIRTS
CLEARANCE GOLF
1/2 price or less
Stuburt Urban 2 was £49.99
NOW £29.99, Puma was
£115 NOW £59.99 - inc 2
year waterproof guarantee
Many pairs of Footjoy
shoes in OUR SALE PRICES
FROM £39.99 - inc 1 year
waterproof guarantee
CLEARANCE ON
WILSON
FG Tour Drivers
were £219
NOW £99
FG Fairways were
£149 NOW £79
FG Tour Hybrid
were £129
NOW £69
were £29.99
NOW £14.99
OR 2 FOR £25.00
ALSO CLEARANCE ON
CALLAWAY, GALVIN GREEN,
OAKLEY AND MORE!
CLEARANCE MIZUNO
MP-T4 WEDGES
WERE £99 NOW £69.99
TO CLEAR
MANY DRIVERS &
FAIRWAY WOODS
IE MD GOLF ICON
DRIVER £99 NOW
£49.99 RESCUES
£79.99 NOW £39.99
CLEARANCE ON
MCGREGOR VIP
Drivers were
£99 NOW £49
Fairways
were £69
NOW £39.99
Hybrids
were £49.99
NOW £34.99
RANGE OF
OVER 100 GOLF EXTENSIVE
WATERPROOF SUITS
BAGS TO CLEAR FROM ONLY
7" STAND BAGS WAS £59.99
NOW £44.99
30% OFF CALLAWAY, WILSON,
MIZUNO, TAYLORMADE CART
BAGS WITH 14 WAY CLUB
DIVIDER FROM ONLY £59.99
£69.99
30 - 40% OFF
TAYLORMADE
DRIVERS,
RESCUES &
FAIRWAYS
2014 RANGE PRICES TO LOW
TO PRINT!
NEW LYNX IRONS &
WOODS IN STOCK
EXCEPTIONALLY LONG
DISTANCE
Pro-Quip, Stuburt,
Cross, Sunice, Galvin
Green, Adidas
LOWEST PRICES
GUARANTEED
Discounted golf equipment & clothing
All staff P.G.A. qualified. Over 35 years
experience. Friendly honest advice
Price Beat policy - includes online
External practice area for long game and new
short game area next to shop
Fully stocked store - all major brands
We have thousands of happy repeat customers
We must be doing something right
In-store Flightscope Xi & golf simulator for
accurate custom fitting & tuition
Authorised stockists for Callaway, Mizuno
TaylorMade, Cobra etc. We have heads &
shaft options for a complete custom fit
Part Exchange welcome - top prices given
Next day delivery available for mail orders
Gift vouchers available for shop or tuition
How to find our
superstore
Leave A1 (m) at junction 63
Chester-le-Street and follow
B693 to Stanley, turn left onto
B6532 (Asda roundabout), follow
road to to end and turn right, pass
Blomfomtein School and follow
sign to South Moor Golf Club
Your No 1 Discount Golf Store
Shaun Cowell PGA Golf Professional - Tel: 01207 283 525
South Moor Golf Club Superstore, Craghead, Stanley, DH9 6AG
Open Mon - Sun
9am - 6pm
Early opening
at weekends
All major credit
cards accepted