"Just send them home, just send them home, just send them, boot all hooligans home! Three lying in the dirt, plenty more just like them, blood stains on their shirt, they`re only there to fight `em!"

 

It`s all things Red, White & Blue this week. Let`s start with the Red shall we. I`m not sure if it was the red mist, the Red Bull or, as the English Media are trying to convince us, the Big Red Machine, but the antics of some of the `supporters` at football's Euro `16 Championships in France are quite simply embarrassing. The streets of Marseille overflowed with sounds of a full scale riot and rivers of thug blood, the likes of which most locals had never Seine before.

It`s a good job the Scots weren`t there as we would be the ones `Roamin in the Haemoglobin`.

So far the fan clashes at the football seem to have been exclusively between the England & Russian supporters, and the trouble continued in the stadium when the 2 teams met in their opening group match. This time it was the Russian Boot that was Putin first. As a consequence the Russian FA have been given a suspended suspension, and warned that any more trouble and they themselves will be given the boot from the Tournament. So basically that now means the Russian Team walking a tightrope which is held at either end by their supporters.

Now, I get rivalry in sport. It`s healthy. There`s always some Team, Country or Person you`d love to beat, and it can acted as a real catalyst or motivator. But it shouldn`t ever be more than something to inspire you to perform better. Can you ever imagine things like that kicking off at the Ryder Cup?

"Gwendoline. Hold my good lamora V-neck sweater. I think it`s about time I gave this boisterous Uncle Sam a piece of my mind and a damn good thrashing", "Ok dear, but try not to spill any G&T on your new Yak Skin shoes. I know they`re guaranteed waterproof, but it makes them go all sticky which is a rotter to get off. Good luck darling..........but remember….it`s only a fight."

I honestly can`t get my head round why these football supporter, who have paid lots of money to travel to, and stay in France would want to get involved in fights, or worse still, end up in prison. The mind boggles. And on the subject of craniums, is anyone else amazed by the monumental size difference between Thierry Henry and Vincent Kompany`s heids? You could quite easily fit Henry`s and Alan Shearers heads inside the Big Belgium`s Brain Box......which means it`s definitely a case of two`s Kompany.

And speaking of uninvited company, I`m sure the red, white and blue of the Tricolor are thinking `sacre bleu` and definitely hoping the red, white and blue of the Union Flag either choose to `Remain` or at the very least just visit Spain. Next week`s EU Referendum will decide whether the UK remains or leaves the EU with the government adamant that `we` would be better off on our own. But what happened to all that "Better Together" baloney when Scotland was looking for independence? Is David Cameron basically that dad that tries to tell his children to eat their vegetables and drink water while he`s washing down his Sausage Supper with a can of Irn Bru?


 

And from a fat laden banger to the Star Spangled Banner and it`s all Red, White & Blue on the golf front too as the golfing spotlight focuses in on Oakmont for the US Open. All the reports so far suggest that the course is playing ridiculously tough. So much so that they reckon that going off the fairway at Oakmont is like a side street in Marseille, if you`re in it too long you`ll definitely get beaten up.

With rough that looks like Marouine Fellaini`s hairdo and greens faster than Rachel Riley`s long division the best way to describe the 4 rounds that face the ensemble cast is….BRUTAL.

If you haven`t seen them yet, take a look at some of the video clips the players have been posting from their practice rounds, it looks like Bubba has got the right idea.

Link 1 
Link 2

Oakmont originally had a Par of 80.. This included 8 Par 5`s and a Par SIX 

• Oakmont has more bunkers (Proper bunkers, not these sand filled skiffs at the likes of Whistling Straits) than the Old Course at St Andrews. 210 to St Andrews 112. 
• It again features the longest Par 3 in US Open History measuring 288 Yds which apparently they can stretch to 300. That`s like playing the 10th Hole….but having to Tee off on the 18th Green.. 
• The 9th Green is also the Putting Green with the crossover only being distinguished by 2 blue posts. 
• And on the subject of greens, it was only after the 1935 US Open at Oakmont, which saw the greens run so fast for that era of golf that many of the players that week were putting off the greens, that a device was invented to measure and calculate the speed that greens were running at. The inventor was a man called Edward Stimpson, a 31 year old former College Team Golfer, who designed a tool that allowed Greenkeepers and Tournament Officials to record the speed the greens were running at. The straightforward metal track is now the main method used and is simply known as `The Stimp Meter`.

I caught up with Neil when he was doing a Stimp reading of our Greens. The device is a very basic length of metal, with a V groove running down the centre and there is a notch for the ball to sit in 30 inches from the end. With the end furthest away from the ball on the ground the track is raised up to 20 degrees which causes the ball to roll out of its notch. How far the ball runs from the end of the track gives you a reading in feet & inches of how fast the green is running in that direction. This method is repeated 3 times each in opposite directions then the average of the readings is calculated. So when you hear the commentators talking about `the greens are running at about 10 today` that means from the Stimpmeter the ball (on average) would run 10 feet.

  

While the greens here at Portlethen are definitely running quicker and quicker, I can confirm that they are nowhere near the 14 feet that they have them at Oakmont for this week.

Click here to check out Justin Thomas`s video clip.

One other really interesting piece of equipment Neil was using which I hadn`t seen before was a Grass Height Prism. By placing the Prism Gauge on the green, it would reflect the height of the grass leaf onto a chart so you could check the height of the grass and ultimately the height the grass will be cut at.

 

With the 1st round draw now announced, we have been able to allocate those of you who have entered my Pro Shop US Open Sweepstake with your player. If you would like to know who you have, pop in to the Shop or give us a call 01224 782571, and we will let you know who you`re rooting for.

There are still some squares left if you would like to get involved.

£5 Per Square - Pick A Number

Your Number will relate to a player in the 1st Round Draw.

There will be pay outs for the following:

1st: £100
2nd: £80
3rd: £60
4th: £40
5th: £20

Best & Worst Score Each Day: £15
Top Amateur: £20
Top Brit: £20

  

So as it`s both the US Open & Father's Day this weekend, I`ve decided to give you guys a Red, White & Blue double bonus. 

Not only am I continuing my "Dress to Impress" Promotion (Details Below), but I have decided to include my brand new mid season clothing ranges in it too. 

We have just taken delivery of new colours and styles in adidas, Under Armour & Galvin Green and for this Father`s Day Weekend ONLY you can take advantage of the following fantastic savings:


Dress To Impress Promotion 

Here`s how it works:

Buy any 2 Tops* (Shirts, Sweaters, Fleeces & Insulas) at FULL PRICE and take advantage of the following SAVINGS. 

• FREE Cap Of Your Choice. 
•   HALF PRICE Trousers 
• 30% OFF Any Belt 
• 20% OFF Any Pair Of Shoes.

*To a value of £50 or More
(T`s & C`s: Account Credit & Vouchers can only be used on Full Price Items - All Discounted Items MUST be paid for in either Cash/Card/Cheque) 

So at least if you can`t guarantee you play like a golfer, you can at the very least look like a golfer. 


 

The real golfers were out in force again last week as the scoring in the gents medals was excellent. 

On Wednesday Malcolm Thomson produced a stunning 69 gross for a 64 nett to take Division 1 by 2 strokes, helped in no small measure by a 2 at the 9th Hole. That`s one way to tackle the hardest hole on the course. Another unusual Magic 2 @ the 7th helped Martin Downie to a 66 and 2nd place, just edging out Imran Sheikh on the countback.

In Division 2, Mark Will posted the 2nd best score of the day, 65, to take top spot by 3 strokes. Tom Boyle was also 4 strokes clear from 3rd with 68 leaving Dino Becci to grab some sweep money with the best of the rest 72. 

Division 3 was a closer affair with Grant Turnbull, 71 beating Steve Marwick only on the countback who in turn edged Dave Allan by a stroke. 

Division 1 
1st - Malcolm Thomson - 69 (5) - 64, 2nd = Martin Downie - 72 (6) - 66, 2nd = Imran Sheikh - 74 (8) - 66 

Division 2 
1st - Mark Will - 79 (14) - 65, 2nd - Tom Boyle - 79 (11) - 68, 3rd - Dino Becci - 83 (11) - 72 

Division 3 
1st = Grant Turnbull - 86 (16) - 70, 1st = Steven Marwick - 91 (21) - 70, 3rd - David Allan - 88 (17) - 71

   

   

On Saturday it was back to Stableford action in the 1st round of the Belmar Stableford 36 Holer. 

Not sure if it was my words of endorsement or his old clubs trying harder because they know they might be getting replaced soon, but Graham Murray has hit a bit of form of late, and that continued with an excellent 44 Points to lead the way in the Belmar Comp, and also win Division 1. Stuart McLaughlin took 2nd spot on 42 Points with Graham Smith 3rd on 40 Points.

Another name regularly mentioned of late was back at it again. Paul Singer can do no wrong at the moment and lead Division 2 with 42 Points. Chasing him down was Russell Prosser on 41 Points with Stephen Kelly 3rd on 39 Points.

Division 3 saw Neil Marr take pole position in Division 3 with 41 Points a point ahead of Mark Clubb on 40 with Don Keith 3rd on 38 Points.

Division 1 
1st - Graham Murray - 44 Points, 2nd - Stuart Mclaughlin - 42 Points, 3rd - Graham Smith - 40 Points 

Division 2 
1st - Paul Singer - 42 Points, 2nd - Russell Prosser - 41 Points, 3rd - Stephen Kelly - 39 Points 

Division 3 
1st - Neil Marr - 41 Points, 2nd - Mark Clubb - 40 Points, 3rd - Donald Keith - 38 Points

   

   

It`s no coincidence that many of the names that appear and re-appear in the winners section have had or are having instruction, so here`s your chance to get involved. 

Last year 35 players lowered their Playing Handicap after having instruction from me. At roughly this time last year I also ran a promotion looking for my:

Game Improvement Champion

Those of you with a good memory will see that, with a 3rd place on Wednesday, Imran Sheikh is still winning Prize Money and lowering his handicap, and he was last year`s `Game Improvement Champion`

So here`s how the Promotion works.

From now until August I will be offering this exclusive Lesson Package.

"The Game Changer" - 4 x 45 Minute Lessons

Lesson 1 - Full Swing Analysis 
Lesson 2 - Pitching & Chipping 
Lesson 3 - Bunkers 
Lesson 4 - Putting 

ONLY £120. (That`s A £20 Saving)**

**Top Up Lessons will be given at the equivalent reduced individual price. 

Everyone who signs up for this Package will have their handicap progress recorded until the end of September (Lessons are recommended to be taken over the maximum of 2 week intervals, and are only Valid until the end of this period).

The Player who achieves the BIGGEST PERCENTAGE IMPROVEMENT on their Handicap will be crowned my "GAME IMPROVEMENT CHAMPION" and receive a Commemorative Sweater, Certificate and an All-Expenses Paid Away Golf Day with myself. 

Note - If the Promotion attracts enough interest I will offer 2 Runners-Up Prizes to join the All-Expenses Paid Away Golf Day with myself.

That lasting improvement to your Golf Game is just one Click away. Book your first session up today.

 

Lessons are worthwhile but you only really get the benefit when you practice what you have been shown. 

So on that note I have some good and bad, I`d say even sad news. 

The good news is that the Driving Range Project got another shot in the arm last weekend when we took delivery of our brand new Srixon Range Balls and new Baskets. Couple that with the newly prepared and specifically designated and segregated Grass Tee, then we now have the makings of a really good Practice Facility. 



We are awaiting delivery of all new signage and Yardage Boards which will allow us to create some eye catching targets from 40 Yards up to 250 Yards. There will also soon be new Mats, Dividers and Signage in the covered bays too.

So that`s the good news, now for the Bad/Sad. 

Now, I`m not afraid to say this but I am very disappointed to have to. We have had these new balls and baskets in circulation for less than a week, and already I`ve caught our own Members stealing the balls, a basket has gone missing too and I`ve also seen Members using balls on the Driving Range that they haven`t paid for. It`s really disheartening to think that our own Members want to steal from their own Club.

We are trying really hard to improve the facility and quality of product you receive for your Subscription, but when you see things like this happening you feel very let down.

The Driving Range facility, done correctly, can be a great revenue generator for the club which will go a long way to help keep your subscriptions down. It can also play a great part in upselling the Club to future Members, which is also vital to keep the cost to the individual down. That means we all benefit in the long run so please use the Range as it is intended.

This also means that you can no longer just wander up to the Members Practice area, dump some of your own balls down and whack them in to the Driving Range Area for someone else to collect (as I also saw a member do). 

If you want to hit your own balls then there is still an area for you to do that….but you hit and COLLECT your own.




The Ladies had the 2nd Round of their Club Championship on Saturday. 

Wendy Plevey top scored with 72 on the countback from Angie Craig. In the Bronze Division Morag Cammack was the best of the bunch on 78. 

Division 1 
1st = Wendy Plevey - 86 (14) - 72, 1st = Angela Craig - 87 (15) - 72, 3rd - Elaine Stoddart - 93 (19) - 74 

Division 2 
1st - Morag Cammack - 105 (27) - 78, 2nd - Sylvia Revell - 107 (28) - 79, 3rd - Jenny Selbie - 102 (22) - 80

    

Following on from last weeks news about the new Golphin clubs for kids arriving, I just want to say it's amazing how much they have been used, and the delight on some of the kids' faces when they see how easy they are to use. Like I said before, quite a number of kids, especially those who have started not long ago have cut down steel clubs which are; 1 - too heavy and 2 - not forgiving at all. So I am very pleased for the club and the kids that we have clubs to offer them to make the game easier and more enjoyable.

Well I think I spoke too soon about the summer finally arriving as the weather completely turned on Saturday, and that yellow bright thing has not been in sight for us here the last few days. Fog, mist, rain and some more fog. The only positive we can take is that at least the temperature wasn't too low.

So all the action went ahead nonetheless. The Junior Development Gang had a better turnout than I expected which shows how keen the kids are to learn new skills and have fun, even if it means leaving their gamer chair for a couple of hours. With a couple of our volunteers and level 1 coaches being away, I had more kids to deal with which meant I couldn't give each kid a lot of one-to-one time, so they were put in little groups and each group was working on a different skill. This worked well and we then finished with a chipping basket challenge which they all seemed to enjoy as I couldn't get them to stop trying and go for their chips.

Saturday saw the first round of the Moggach Junior Trophy being played. Continuing his great form (I'm getting serious Déjà vu!) Ewan Brown is leading after round 1 with his best scratch score ever. He is 5 shots ahead with his nett score of 66. With that he has reduced his handicap by another shot - now off 7. The second round is next week, and it's all to play for as the best junior of the club are in the top 4 right behind Ewan.

Competition Results: 

Junior Moggach Trophy 1st Round (CSS: Men 72 Ladies 73)

1st - Ewan Brown - 74 (8) 66 (Lowest Gross)
2nd - William Cameron Lloyd - 83 (12) 71 
3rd = Finlay Wallace - 87 (15) 72 
3rd = Brandon Simpson - 82 (10c) 72


On Sunday we had a Greensomes Trophy for the members. In this event, both players drive then choose the best one and play alternate shots from there. The handicap allowance was half of the combined total. There wasn't too many entries, but then again I think the weather contributed to that. 

The winners though were a father & son pairing - Brian and Matthew Davie with a terrific nett score of 64.5. It was great to hear from Brian that his son played well after his first lesson with me just a few days before, as it can always be difficult to make the changes and stick to them the first time you get back on the course after a lesson. Matthew has seen me again this week to have a closer look at his woods and I am impressed how well he understands and commits to making changes. He is a pleasure to work with and I can't wait to see that handicap come tumbling down.