Did it help people "Get Inspired" or did we miss a trick?
In the weeks and months leading up to Rio, and with golf ready to retake its place in The Olympics, all the headlines surrounded the World`s leading Golfers withdrawing because they didn't want to catch THE BUG.
But now that it has had its "moment in the sun" (all 4 days of it) the big question is 'have any of the non-golfing spectators caught the bug?'
GB claimed Gold in the event when Justin proved that a Rose can blossom in the South American heat. His fabulous 2 stroke victory over Henrik Stenson and their final round head to head tussle for the title certainly produced the type of Gold Medal showdown and high calibre showcase that I'm sure the Olympic Committee were praying for. It was also fitting that Justin scored the Olympics' first ever Hole In 1 too… I mean 'as well` and not as in `buckle my shoe`.
Like the threat of the Zika virus, I don't want to be the fly in the ointment here, but I really feel that Golf missed a trick if we truly wanted to inspire a generation, inject new blood into the game and win people over to a game they possibly weren't interested in before.
I think the golf fans liked it. I certainly enjoyed the last round coverage, but much like the Equestrian Dressage, unless you're already a golf or horsey person anyway, the chances of kids asking their parents for a set of Clubs or a Moonwalking Pony are slim.
A bike, swimming goggles or some uber quick trainers, now that's a different story.
For me the Games Governing Bodies should've been working with the Olympic Committee to try and introduce/re-package the game in a more dynamic and diverse format.
Perhaps taking a look at the Boxing blueprint. Short bouts and a Knockout (not literally) format. 6 Hole or 9 Hole head to head sprints. Match play `Holes Up`, but with every stroke counted, tied matches decided on the Medal score, if still tied then most birdies wins or sudden death extra holes. Make it more dynamic, challenge the players ability to birdie (land worthwhile punches) rather than their simply not making bogey (hands up and defend).
In the later rounds you play more holes. Then you'd definitely end up with a Gold Medal Match.
The Ladies would have the same event. Then the following week there could've been a Mixed Team Tournament to integrate both genders. 1 Round Best Ball, 1 Round Alternate Shots and 1 Round both Scores to count.
Ultimately the Golf got its ideal finale which I'm pleased about, but if Rose and Stenson (arguably 2 of the best players in the field) hadn't played well it could've been a bit meh.
I`ve read articles that have really tried to put some amazingly positive spin on how much a success it was with statements like "...with both NBC and The Golf Channel showing coverage of the final round in America, their viewing figures reached 8.8 million.....for the final 90 minutes."
The final 90 minutes? I rest my case Your Honour.. That's like tuning in for the final 3 seconds of the 100 Metres or the last bend of the 400 metres. (And that's me being generous comparing them to only the 4th and Final round).
Essentially what this article has said is that people tuned in when it got exciting and they would see who won. That`s what Olympic viewers are interested in….the race for the line. How many of us watch the cycling and enjoy the bit in the pursuit when they creep round the top of the track like a prowling cat who`s spotted the shiny light reflecting off your watch face? But we all love it when they go hell for leather for the line in the last few seconds….a technique we all honed as youngsters when you were still playing footy at the park when the lampposts came on and you realized you were told to be home before it got dark.. "sorry boys, it`s ma baw and I`ve gotta get hame"...
The Olympic Golf was effectively a tournament with only 3 prizes and no cut. For 3 days 60% of the players were playing for no reason other than to be a part of it.
The Olympic psychology does interest me though. These sportsmen and women have dedicated themselves at their chosen discipline for 4 years, building up for an occasion where only performance and achievement is the motivation to perform and achieve. Whereas Professional Golf has the added motivation, which encourages people to sometimes underachieve, MONEY. Many top Tour Players see a big juicy cheque as achievement.....but they might have finished 9th. Better than finishing 10th is what they'll tell you.
So Golf in the Olympics is here to stay and the way things are going it won't be long before Pokemon Go is in there too. If the Olympics really is about marking Sporting Achievement then let`s get them all in there. Darts, Snooker, Quoits, Kerbie, Tig, Hide & Seek…….actually, maybe that is already in the Olympics and the Gold Medal Winner is that good they`ve never been able to present his medal for the last 12 years?
I`m sure many of you feel like you`ve been in hiding last week with the Course being out of action for Members over the weekend. This was due to Portlethen hosting the North East District 72 Hole Open. This was a Scratch event for the best players in the District and beyond. It wasn`t quite the internationally eclectic field of the Olympic Games, but it did attract players from as far afield as South Africa and Australia. We had 8 home players representing Portlethen, 4 of which made the 36 hole cut and played in the last 2 rounds. Ben Murray placed highest with a 4th place finish, but unlike Matt Kuchar I`m sure he was disappointed with that. He was joint leader at the halfway mark but a 3rd round 78 saw him drop out of contention before he redeemed a bit of the damage with a closing round 69 for a 1 Under Par total.
The runaway winner was Stephen Rogers from Cruden Bay who burst away from the chasing pack on Sunday with rounds of 68 & 66.
That meant the only Competition golf for Members last week was the Wednesday Walk On which was a Yellow Tee Medal.
Thomas Boyle set the pace early on when his 64 was one of the first few scores to be posted. This turned out to be the best score of the day and took the Division 1 spoils. Another Thomas, this time Stoddart, topped Division 2 with a 66 so I guess TomTom knew the quickest route to the hole that day.
It was All Gold for Terry in Division 3 when Mr Taylor climbed to the top of the podium in Division 3 with a 67.
Division 1
1st - Thomas Boyle - 74(10) - 64, 2nd = Stephen Cook - 69(4) - 65, 2nd = Keith Allan - 70(5) - 65
Division 2
1st - Thomas Stoddart - 81(15) - 66, 2nd = Ken McCombie - 81(13) - 68, 2nd = Craig Hay - 83(15) - 68
Division 3
1st - Terry Taylor - 83(16) - 67, 2nd = Charles Myles - 84(16) - 68, 2nd = Gordon Mackintosh - 84(16) - 68
Unfortunately this Saturday sees another non-Club Competition taking place. The Bill Lamb Memorial Pro-Am does however have quite a few Members taking part as they support a Golf Day that I`m sure Bill himself would`ve been proud of. There will be 47 of Scotland`s top Tartan Tour Professionals taking to the Portlethen Fairways so it is a great reason to pop up to the Club to see them all in action.
If however you are needing your Portlethen Golfing Fix then why not be part of my own fun tournament on the Sunday?
My first Pro`s Day Tournament is coming around fast but we still have only a few slots left to fill, the day will also be used as a Fundraiser with all proceeds going to National Autistic Society Scotland. So not only will it be a great day out, it will be for an extremely good cause.
Here are the details.
Professional's Fun Day Competition - Sunday, 21 August
Morning Shotgun Start @ 8am
Morning:
Registration
Welcome Pack
Better Ball - Teams of 4
Extra Yellow Ball Challenge
Lots Of On Course Challenges
Beat The Pro @ 12
Halfway House Refreshments
Great Prizes up for grabs - Prize Giving immediately after AM Round
Entry = £40 Per Team (£10 Per Person) or £70 To Play Both morning & afternoon.
(This includes welcome pack and Halfway House Refreshments - With proceeds going to the chosen Charity - Any Guests will be charged the £15 Greenfee)
I will have a limited number of Sponsor Team slots available - £65 Per Team
These include:
Securing Prime Tee Off Hole (Holes 1/1A , Hole 7, Hole 10/10A, Hole 16) Advertising Space On Your Tee, Goody Bags, Post Round Food
There will be lots going on Off Course too, with Putting, Shortgame & Skills Challenges as well as HUGE In Store SAVINGS & Promotions available to Pro`s Day Competitors ONLY.* (Each Player will be given a Special On Day Voucher entitling them to extra big Discounts for that day only)
To Sign Up for this event simply call the Shop: 01224 782571
Entry Fee needs to be paid to secure your place which can be done any time before the event.
Another reason to be part of Sunday would be to take advantage of my EXCLUSIVE On Day Deals in my Summer Sale, for one day only there will be:
- Buy 1 Get 1 FREE on ALL Galvin Green Clothing* (*Does not include Insulas or Waterproofs - These have a separate Special Offer)
- £10 OFF all adidas, Under Armour & Stromberg Clothing
- Up to 30% OFF All Shoes
- 25% OFF All Golf Bags
- Up to 50% OFF All Galvin Green Waterproof Jackets & Insulas* (*Cannot be included in the Galvin Green Clothing Offer)
- 25% OFF All Ladies Waterproofs
- Titleist 915 Drivers: NOW ONLY £259 + Receive a Matching Fairway for ONLY £79.
We also have amazing offers on the following:
- 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.
One final Shop Special I`m very pleased and excited to bring you is from TaylorMade.
I have been selected by TaylorMade as one of a select and limited few Accounts that are entitled to run this following Promotion.
And it basically allows me to DOUBLE YOUR MONEY.
So, here's the deal:
1. Bring in any old hybrid, fairway wood and/or driver and we'll give it a value*.
2. We'll then DOUBLE that value as cash against any new Hybrid, Fairway Wood and/or Driver from the M Range purchased in our shop.
Opportunities like this don't come along every day.
What's more, you can take advantage of our expertise by getting fit for the right club/clubs for your game. Not only will we help you make a tidy saving, but we'll ensure you have the right M fitted for your own golf swing.
*Please Note the MAXIMUM Trade In Value for the DOUBLE UP will be £75. Any club valued more than £75 will only qualify for £150 Credit - Unless Valued at more than £150 obviously.
Click here to find out more about this great offer, or click here to get in touch to arrange your fitting session here at Portlethen.
Like the men, the Ladies were resigned to Midweek Medals only last week. On Tuesday we saw Barbara Watt and Alison Bruce with 73 and 77 win their respective Divisions.
Division 1
1st - Barbara Watt - 93(20) - 73, 2nd - Angela Craig - 89(15) - 74, 3rd - Heather McCabe - 93(13) - 80
Division 2
1st - Alison Bruce - 101(24) - 77, 2nd - Clarissa Kelly - 108(29) - 79, 3rd - Lesley Findlay - 112(30) - 82
As most of you already know this past weekend we had a big amateur event on - The North East District Open. This meant there were no club competitions at all at the weekend. The Junior Gang also had a break as the driving range was used by all of the amateurs during the two days.
I do hope and encourage any juniors to walk round with some of the players at these kind of events as they can learn a lot from watching them. My friend, Ben Murray who I used to play a lot of junior golf with was one of 5 players to finish the tournament under par and came 4th. The scoring proved that Portlethen is not an easy course, especially off the black tees.
While this event was going on, I was back down to Shotts GC for the Young Pros OOM played over Sunday-Monday. This is an annual event where the first day is a Pro-Am and the second day the Pro plays a further 36 holes to see who wins the championship. As some of you know from speaking to me, Shotts is not my favourite place to say the least but I tried my best to change my feelings about it and I was on the right track after round 1.
In the first round I shot a 68(-2) to finish T2 and 3 shots back of the leader - Paul O'Hara. My team score for the Pro-Am was 60 - that was counting just the one best nett score a hole. That saw us being 18th and 6 shots back of the winning team. There was also some on course prizes such as nearest the pin and longest drive for both the pros and the amateurs. I managed to scoop a bottle of scotch whisky for being the closest to the pin on the 220 yard par 3 16th where I put my 2 iron to 10ft.
On the morning round of the second day I shot 77 (+7) after having a terrible front 9 with a couple of lost balls. The back 9 I settled down and was ready for round 3 where I would have needed to shoot a new course record if I was to be anywhere near the leaders as they were now on -6.
Again I played very well tee to green but couldn't drop in the birdie putts. I signed for a round of 72(+2) to finish the tournament on +7 which was 6th in the leaderboard. All and all it was a good two days with a blip in the middle but a lot of positives to take away. And I'll be back one last time next year to see if I can finally say I like Shotts.
This Saturday coming I will be playing in the Bill Lamb Memorial Pro-Am which I am really looking forward to. It will be nice to play on some proper greens that your fit don't sink into. I'm out second at 7.10 and my team members are - Duncan Bonner, Alan Simpson and Ian Elmslie and we are called - From Russia with Zeynalov.
Although there is no club competitions for gents or ladies on Saturday, the juniors still have their Borland Bogey competition as scheduled.
The Junior Gang will also be on as normal and will finish in the October Holidays.
