Acht. I really hoped it was another of Europe`s leading Ryder Cup players that had withdrawn from the Turkish Airlines Event this week instead of Rory McIlroy, because I was desperate to start this week's newsletter with the headline....
"Poulter Pulls Out Of Turkey Because He`s A Bit Chicken"
Yes, news that the World No.2, Rory McIlroy won`t be playing in the 1st of 3 final events in the Race To Dubai because of security fears in that region of Turkey bring about the second major disappointment for the Tournament Organisers and Sponsors. This comes a few weeks after they had their hopes dashed that Tiger Woods would also be pegging it up in Antalya, when he decided that he was more afraid that he`d suffer an attack of the nerves never mind any rocket attack.
That leaves Danny Willett as the highest ranked player in the Tournament. Let`s hope the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons are misfiring as badly as Danny Willett's game is just now then.
Willett will be keen to regain Pole Position in the Race To Dubai having been toppled for the first time since climbing to the number 1 spot with his Masters win in April. It`s quite apt that the man taking his place at the top of the summit is definitely something you`d expect to see at the peak. The Ice Man - Henrik Stenson. His joint 2nd Place at last week`s HSBC Champions tournament was good enough to leapfrog Danny in the standings.
Despite shooting 16 under par the cool Swede couldn`t turnip the heat on runaway winner who closed out the tournament a whopping 7 strokes clear of the field. On 23 under par was the 24 year old Japanese superstar, Matsuyama…who we all know as Hideki. Now, this is the bit that made my Head Ache-y. The HSBC event was also a WGC event which essentially is a World event where the money/points up for grabs qualify for both European & PGA Tour Order of Merit lists. So essentially if you were a Member of the European Tour your points would go towards the Race To Dubai, if you were a Member of the PGA Tour your points would go towards the FedEx Cup, and if you were on both Tours then you`d get those points on both. You still with me? I told you it gives you a head ache-y….but I`ve not even got to the confusing part yet.
The FedEx Cup for 2016 finished in September. Remember, when Rory didn`t get scared of the Zika Virus or Rocket raids and won in a Playoff. So Matsuyama`s points go towards the 2017 Fed Ex Cup while Henrik Stenson`s have taken him to the top of the 2016 Race To Dubai. In fact Stenson, who is also a Member of the PGA Tour now sits 1st on the 2016 Race To Dubai and 7th on the 2017 Fed Ex Cup list thanks to his performance in the same event.
Perhaps the only thing more confusing than that is the final 'Sprint' in the Race To Dubai that goes from China to Turkey, then South Africa before ending up in Dubai. That`s a bit like your friend asking you to give them a lift home because 'it`s on your way' when in fact it`s essentially a three-times-as-long detour and they don`t offer you any petrol money..
In fact the journey to Dubai for these golfers looks like it`s got more twists and turns than the US Presidential Election, which got right into the Halloween Spirit by digging up a few more skeletons from either sides pasts to try and blacken one another`s credentials for the White House job. I doubt it could turn into any more of a soap opera if Pat Butcher, Pauline Fowler and Ken Barlow all turned up claiming that Trumps 'barnet' was in fact their illegitimate lovechild, or `hair to the throne..` (See what I did th-hair?)
I`m sure when Hilary found out she was going to be investigated by the FBI she hit the roof. But not like the Players in Turkey will have to do on their 16th Hole. They literally have to hit the roof, or at least from it, as the Tour extended the 16th Hole meaning the Tee had to be constructed on the Roof of the Villa that was directly behind the Hole.
Click here to see what I'm on about...
I bet the players thought it was a Trick but it turned out a Treat.
Something I couldn`t decide if it was a trick or if it was just a treat, was the weather last weekend. It was as out of place for the time of year as Mr T will be if he gets into the Oval Office. (Incidentally, I mean Donald Trump not BA Baracus/Clubber Lang……….but I do pity the fool that makes him President).
While Saturday was pleasant, Sunday was sublime. For a moment I thought I`d managed to put my Clock back to July 1984 the conditions were so idyllic.
All of which justified our decision to extend the Competition Season a few more weeks. What that did was encourage 122 golfers to play, some of whom might have tucked the Clubs away in storage for the winter.
We ran the last two events as a single 'All-In' Division, but the scoring was as good as the weather and course conditions. In total there were 18 players who broke their handicap that day.
The best of which was Eduardo Correa who top scored with a 65. Keith MacGregor finished the injury interrupted season on a high with a 67 while Cameron Grant scored a joint best gross of the day (69 with Clark Brechin) to finish 3rd on 68. He topped a group of Alistair Fergus and Tony Lee on countback.
Division 1(All)
1st - Eduardo Correa - 84(19) - 65, 2nd - Keith McGregor - 84(17) - 67, 3rd = Cameron Grant - 69(1) - 68, 3rd = Alistair Fergus - 84(16) - 68, 3rd = Tony Lee - 75(7) - 68
On Sunday it was a smaller field playing in even nicer conditions. The scoring was even lower albeit on the shorter Yellow Course.
Gary Masson finished the handicap year in style and put those new Callaway Steelhead Irons and end of season lessons to good use with a tremendous 63. It was only good enough by 1 from Rob Kerrison on 64 where he took 2nd spot by a comfortable 2 strokes. Leading the chasing pack on 66 was Dino Becci who won the countback battle over Alistair Coutts and Stuart McLaughlin respectively.
Division 1
1st - Gary Masson - 74(11) - 63, 2nd - Robert Kerrison - 90(26) - 64, 3rd = Dino Becci - 78(12) - 66, 3rd = Alistair Coutts - 82(16) - 66, 3rd = Stuart Mclaughlin - 75(8) - 67
Now, that might be the lights out on the Golf Season but it`s not lights out for Golf Events…………well, actually it is and it isn`t.
That`s because later this month we will be holding a Golf Event when the lights ARE out.
You may have already received and read my e-mail earlier this week promoting my Night Golf Event on Friday, 25 November.
It`s part of a bigger event that I`ve called:
Friday, 25 November
Drop, Shop & Bop!
'You Don`t Want To Be Left In The Dark On This Night.'
DROP - Your shots close to the pin
Night Golf. - £15 Per Person** Tee Times From 6pm - 8pm
Come along for a great fun event.
- Glowing Balls
- Fluorescent Flags
- Flashing Fairways
Test your skills & senses over our shortened course under the cover of darkness.
- Crazy Night Putting Challenge
- Friends & Family Most Welcome
- Refreshments Included - Warm, Cold, Soft or Hard……You Choose.
- Prizes & Presentation in Clubhouse after Golf.
SHOP - And take advantage of my 'Weekend ONLY Offers'
'Black Friday' In Store Savings. From 6pm
Great Reductions On Many Items*
*Selected & Stock Items ONLY. Full Payment Purchases - No Shop Credit.
BOP - 'Til You Stop
3D Disco - 'Drinking, Dancing & Darkness' - £5 Per Person from 8.30pm
Unwind after your working week and socialise with your fellow Members.
**Includes Post Round Refreshment & Disco Entry
To Book in for Night Golf &/Or Disco click here.
Another really good night at the Golf Club is only days away. With the Golf Season over it`s now time to hand out all the Prizes at the Annual Presentation. This year`s prize giving is this Saturday, 5 November.
If you haven't been fortunate enough to be one of this year`s prize winners we're sure that you'd want to come along and support your fellow members.
Dinner will be available on the night from 5.30pm - with last orders being at 7pm, all welcome.
Please contact Margaret on 01224 781090 if you wish to reserve a table.
The prize giving will commence at 7.30pm prompt and will be followed by a disco.
Remember if you don`t want to wait until my Black Friday Promotion we still have loads of great in store offers available RIGHT NOW. So if you are hoping to beat the Christmas rush then come and check out the plethora of potential presents that we have under our roof.
Whether it`s a Stocking Filler or Knik-Nak all the way up to the 'Main Prezzie.' we have something for everyone and every pocket.
We`ve just taken delivery of some brilliant Box Sets (which make wrapping even easier.)
Or there`s still time to 'make it personal'.
Either to their Club - Portlethen Crested Clothing and Accessories
Whether it is a new Lambswool Sweater or some Shirts to freshen up your wardrobe, we can get the garment you choose with the Club Crest on it. For Christmas these will all come in a nice display box as shown.
Simply click here to flick through the Online Catalogue then let me know:
- The Style Name/Number
- The Colour/s
- The Size
- The Club Logo You Prefer (Full Colour or Outline)
- The Logo Position (Chest or Sleeve)
If you would like to 'Place a Clothing Order' - Click Here
If however you would firstly like to know Prices before you place an order simply email the Style Name to 'Request A Clothing Quote' - Click Here
Or our vast selection of Club Crested Accessories.
Or something more substantial for the Golf Geek in your midst
This could be a real game changer....
Another gadget for a gift that is always a popular addition to a golfers arsenal is the GPS Device. These come in many shapes and sizes from Watches, to small Clip Units to Handheld Full Colour Touchscreen Displays.
Again we keep a comprehensive range of these products in store. My preference is to stock GolfBuddy and here are my reasons for that:
All their Units come Pre-Loaded with 30 000 Courses Worldwide
They have NO ADDITIONAL FEES
They are the only 'No Added Fees' Company who have also MAPPED the course from GROUND LEVEL (Many other GPS Units use only Satellite Imagery)
And another good reason to choose my Golfbuddy`s right now is that I am also offering a FREE Accessory with every Unit.
These range from:
Leather Case (Handheld Units Only)
Bag Attachment (Clip Unit Only)
Magnetic Ball Marker (Ladies Watches Only)
Or FREE Gapping Session with ANY Unit (Learn how far you hit each Club so 'Knowing the Yardage' is worthwhile)
However, if your preference is another brand I can supply both:
SkyCaddie - Click here to find out more
Garmin - Click here to find out more
Simply click here to send me the Product Name/Code you would like and your Colour preference.
Have a Garmin Christmas
If you are looking for that perfect gift for the golfers in your life, we have a Christmas special that is not to be missed.
I have 2 Garmin S2 watches that are available for just £119.99 , giving you £20 OFF the full retail price.
These are due to sell quicker than a fresh batch of hot cakes, so drop into the pro shop and grab a bargain while stocks last.
Click here to find out more.
We also still have the great promotion running on the 'Exclusive ProQuip Pro-Flex Range.
These feature, Jackets, Playing Tops, Lined Merino Sweaters & Performance Fleece Jackets all of which come at fantastic price on top of which I am offering the following amazing deals.
Buy a ProQuip Waterproof Suit - And receive a FREE ProQuip Umbrella (Worth £35 )
Buy a ProQuip Lined Sweater - And receive FREE ProQuip Mitts (Worth £20 )
Buy a ProQuip Performance Fleece - And receive a FREE ProQuip Beanie (Worth £15 )
Click here to find out more about our superb ProQuip ranges.
Just another quick reminder that the Professional Shop Winter Opening Hours are as follows:
Winter Opening Hours
Mon - Fri - 8.30am - 4.00pm
Sat & Sun - 8.00am - 4.00pm
Another thing worth reminding people of, especially as the Competitions are finished. These are the winter conditions that will be played.
When the Course is play to the:
Summer Greens =
- Play FROM Fairway (Preferred Lies)
- Play IN Bunkers (Lift, Rake & Replace)
Winter Greens =
- Lift OFF Fairway (Place In Semi Rough)
- Lift OUT Bunkers (Free Lift Out)
Last week I was away at Montrose for the North East Alliance. The course was in awesome condition and it was like a summer's day. The golf however was pretty inconsistent. There were some great shots and also some shots where I thought; have I played this game before? But anyway I finished with a 74 (+3) which was a little disappointing as I had a chance to be top 5 at least, but bogeyed the last 3 holes. However if you have played Montrose before you'll know it's not exactly an easy finish, especially 16 and 17 when it's straight into the wind.
Paul Lawrie won by 5 shots at Montrose with a 65 (-6) and it was no surprise really after his good finish in the Portugal Masters the week before.
This week coming the Alliance heads to Cruden Bay, where we will playing from mats even out the semi rough? There is no point hitting the fairway then huh?
