For all those lucky Online Betters and Pocket Gamblers out there, I`m sure there are some who now have the following little tune in their heads? 'There was something that he always want to do, that one thing that he always wanted to. Now he`s done it, Jim has fixed it for you, and you and you and bah-bah,bahh'...


 

That Jim was a certain Jimmy Walker. The New USPGA Champion. I`m pretty sure that the Oklahoma native, woke up on Monday thinking "Oh, what a beautiful mornin'. Oh, what a beautiful day. I've got a beautiful feelin' Ev'rythin's goin' my way."

In landing his maiden Major win, Jimmy Walker made it a quartet of 1st time Major Winners this season after Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson & Henrik Stenson, but there is nothing `Rookie` about that fantastic four as they are all seasoned, established, multiple Tour Winners. So if anything these Grand Slammers are thoroughly deserving.

The same can be said of the standard on show at the season ending Major. Coming hard on the heels of one, if not the best Major, The Open Championship at Royal Troon was always going to be a tough act to follow, but Baltusrol stood its ground well. The Course was a fair mixture of challenging but scoreable conditions, and score they did. Electrical Storms and the subsequent rain both interrupted the play and took the sting out of the course, but in no way did it dampen the excitement.

Jimmy Walker turned into Jimmy Sprinter as he came out the blocks fast to lead after Day 1. A position that he never gave up as he led from `tape-to-tape` as they say in Athletics. But a procession to the finish it wasn`t, and thanks to a fantastic final lap by Jason Day, Jimmy had to dip for the line to avoid a photo finish.

It turns out that Jimmy Walker is a keen photographer himself. He likes nothing better than gazing at the stars at night with his telescope and long lensed camera so I`m wondering, does that make him a 'Like Sky' Walker?

One thing`s for sure, his USPGA Win has ensured he takes his place in the Stars & Stripes Wars next month as the Dark Side (USA) hope their Empire Can Strike Back in the Ryder Cup.

The sides, at present, look the most evenly matched for many a year and with 2 Major winners a piece there is certainly much balance to their force. Although when it comes to this year`s match and especially looking at the current top 12`s in the words of Han Solo 'I have a bad feeling about this.'

I think that for Europe to win this time out it is imperative that Captain Clarke gets his Pairings & Chemistry spot on.

Team USA (Top 8 Automatic) 
Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson, JB Holmes, Brandt Snedeker, Brooks Koepka 
(Players 9-12) Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Matt Kuchar & Ricky Fowler 

Team Europe (Top 9 Automatic) 
Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Chris Wood, Justin Rose, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan & Matthew Fitzpatrick 
(Players 10-12) Soren Kjeldson, Martin Kaymer & Lee Westwood

But there is something inspiring about representing your Country or Continent that seems to bring the best out in people. Many of the European & American golfers are heading to Rio for the Olympics next week as Golf makes its debut in the quadrennial sporting showpiece. I`m curious to see the course conditions, how the players get on, and what type of spectators go to support it. Will they be golf fans or just Olympic fanatics? If the Olympics really is an opportunity to 'Grow The Game' and attract new blood to the sport, I really hope the Tournament Officials and Players will be making every effort to ensure there is a decent, watchable and enjoyable Pace Of Play.

When you consider that the biggest viewing audience and the highest value tickets for the Olympics all centre around a 10 second event, I`m sure a 5 hour snooze fest isn`t going to inspire the next generation to grip a golf club instead of a smartphone. Ironically there definitely won`t be any Russian in the golf or many other events for that matter. Or perhaps their diminutive President can intervene which might get them into the short Putin.


 

Thankfully there was no doping scandal that influenced the results of the USPGA Sweepstake, but I`m sure the winnings were a real shot in the arm for the lucky few. 

Bruce Johnston was the biggest winner as he pulled Jimmy Walker which meant not only did he get the £100 Top Prize, but also picked up an extra £15 for Jimmy`s Low Round on Day 1.

Here are the full results:

USPGA Sweepstake 
1st: Jimmy Walker - Bruce Johnston = £100 
2nd: Jason Day - Nick Mackie = £80 
3rd: Daniel Summerhays - Neil Marr = £60 
=4th: Branden Grace - Gordon Gibb = £20
=4th: Hideki Matsuyama - Paul Robertson = £20 
=4th: Brooks Koepka - Mark Roberston = £20 

RD1: Best: Jimmy Walker - Bruce Johnston = £15, Worst: Brad Lardon - Lewis Shand = £15 
RD2: Best: Robert Streb - Lewis Shand = £15, Worst: Omar Uresti - Mark Will = £15 
RD3: Best: Padraig Harrington - Brian Ward = £7.50, Best: Kevin Kisner - Peter Will = £7.50, Worst: Cameron Tringale - Rab Dickson = £15 
RD4: Best: Joost Luiten - Grant Munro = £7.50, Best: Soren Kjeldsen - Neil Marr = £7.50, Worst: Lee Westwood - Peter Will = £15




There were more winners using skill in last week`s Competitions. 

Wednesday was just a Walk On Medal, but I`m sure the top performers were pleased with their performances even if there wasn`t a Trophy up for grabs. 

Cameron Grant lead the way in Division 1 with a superb 67 which came courtesy of a gross 69 (3 under par). Duncan Livingstone topped his Division 2 with a 68 while in Division 3 the lowest score of the day was posted by Ross Leslie with 65.

Division 1 
1st - Cameron Grant - 69 (2) - 67, 2nd = Lee Stewart - 78 (9) - 69, 2nd = Jack Stewart - 75(6) - 69 

Division 2 
1st - Duncan Livingstone - 82 (14) - 68, 2nd - Barry Watson - 81 (12) - 69, 3rd - Peter Will - 83(12) - 71 

Division 3 
1st - Ross Leslie - 83 (18) - 65, 2nd - Paul Smith - 88 (20) - 68, 3rd - Sandy Duff - 87 (17) - 70 

   

    

On Saturday we had the strange anomaly of playing the August Medal in July. It was also the 3rd round of the Strokeplay Championship.

Ryan Donaldson had the round of the day in both Gross & Nett categories. His 68 was good enough on the countback to top Division 1. Ryan Sheikh had a 69 which was good enough in Division 2 while in Division 3 Atholl Menzies made it on to the podium.

Division 1 
1st = Ryan Donaldson - 70 (2) - 68, 1st = Jamie Ironside - 73 (5) - 68, 1st = Derek Forbes - 76 (8) - 68 

Division 2 
1st - Ryan Sheikh - 81 (12) - 69, 2nd = Gerald Philip - 82 (12) - 70, 2nd = Mark Wallace - 84 (14) - 70 

Division 3 
1st - Atholl Menzies - 84 (16) - 68, 2nd = Alistair Coutts - 87 (16) - 71, 2nd = Rob Anderson - 87(16) - 71

   

      

 

I`m going to take this opportunity mention someone who has come to me for a few lessons. A fact that hadn`t gone unnoticed by his 'friends' and regular golfing cohorts. And when I say hadn`t gone unnoticed, what I meant was that every time he played (and he plays very infrequently due to workload and family life) his buddies would rib him, his scores and his swing with taunts of "…haven`t seen Stuart talking about your performances and lessons in his Newsletter?"...

Well, after your score in last Saturdays Competition, here`s your moment in the sun. Step forward and take a bow Atholl Menzies.

Your golfing compadres might think you`ve got a backswing that makes John Daly look like he`s playing a chip & run, and footwork that Bubba Watson and Kevin Bacon (in Footloose.) would be proud of, but I`m glad to see this week you`ve got a £30 smile on your face.

So the next time they try and mock you, remember, you`ve been a "Student of the Week."

Atholl wasn`t the only pupil making it into the Roll Of Honour this week. There were no fewer than 8 players who have had lessons featuring in the winner's enclosure again this week. Sandy Duff has worked hard on his game in between various Lessons, and is now down to his lowest handicap in 2 years, while Cameron Grant has broken par twice in as many weeks to get his handicap back down to 1.

     

  

Why not take advantage of my latest Lesson Offer

"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.  




With the Ryder Cup on the horizon, and the USPGA now a fading memory, the season is definitely winding down. To help kick off my wind down to the Winter, I am launching my End Of Summer Sale with some great promotions.

- This time I want the Shirt off your back. But in return I`ll give you £10 OFF any piece of clothing worth £30 or more.

  

- Shoe Trade In - It`s back. - Give me any old pair of shoes and get money off new ones. Up To £20 OFF Any FootJoy or adidas shoes.

- Bag Trade In - Also returning. - Hand in your Old Golf Bag and receive £20 OFF any Cart, Carry or Waterproof Bag in Store.

  

- 3 For 2 On Srixon Z Star Balls - 3 Dozen For Only £76. Click here to find out more.



- GolfBuddy GPS + FREE Gift - Buy ANY GolfBuddy GPS Unit and you will receive either a FREE Carry Case or Swarowski Ball Marker Set.

PLUS we will give you a FREE Distance Gapping Session (So not only will you know the Yardage you need to hit, but you`ll know what Club you need to hit that Yardage)

Click here to find out more about our brilliant GolfBuddy GPS line up.




The Ladies had their Marie Curie Stableford on Saturday and it was Rowena Keith who was all aglow as she won with 32 Points. 

Division 1 
1st - Rowena Keith - 32 Points, 2nd = Wendy Plevey - 29 Points, 2nd = Heather McCabe - 29 Points




Well last week I had my mum's husband's family up from Norway staying with us, so any time off work I had was spent showing our tourists beautiful Scotland. We took them to some castles which they loved; Crathes, Glamis, Balmoral and even Stirling. Due to this I had blocked off any coaching last week and was not up with the Development Gang on Saturday afternoon, but with that being said, I would just like to remind everyone that the Development Gang IS still running every Saturday until the kids go back to school, as there was a few parents who thought it was finished last week.

There is still plenty to report on from the summer medal competitions though, and as I said last week we have our top two juniors back from their holidays, and they didn't take too long to get back to some form.

Tuesday - Summer Eclectic Medal 
1st - Brandon Simpson - 76 (10) - 66, 2nd - Ewan Brown - 75 (8) - 67, 3rd - Finlay Wallace - 83 (14) - 69 


Thursday - Summer Eclectic Medal 
1st = Finlay Wallace - 78 (14) - 64, 1st = Daniel Pritchard - 86 (22) - 64, 3rd - Matthew Davie - 86 (20) - 66 


Saturday - Junior Medal 
1st - Murray Sinclair - 88 (17) - 71, 2nd - Matthew Davie - 92 (20) - 72, 3rd - Brandon Simpson - 84 (10) - 74


A few of the boys also played in the Deeside Junior Open on Monday. Here are some of the better scores. Unfortunately nett 59 won the event. Nevertheless, well done to Brandon on his nett 64 and reducing his handicap to 8.7.

Deeside Junior Open - CSS 70, Par 70 

1st - Brandon Simpson - 74 (10) - 64, 2nd - Ewan Brown - 76 (7) - 69


Exam Preparation - Lesson Promo 

I would also like to inform all the members that I am having another lesson promotion in order to get as many people on Wednesday, 10 August in preparation for my PGA Final Coaching exam on the 19th August. 

Similar to last time, a PGA Examiner will be present at all the lessons and will give me feedback after each one. He is there for my benefit and learning, and the time allocated after each lesson is purely for reflection and a chat with him, the student will be free to go after their lesson.

All lessons are Half Price - £10 

Wednesday, 10 August - The available times are as follows: 
AM - 9.00 - 9.30, 10.00 - 10.30, 11.00 - 11.30 
PM - 13.30 - 14.00, 14.30 - 15.00