`We asked 100 People: "Should Vernon Kay be anywhere near the Presenting/Commentating Team for a Professional Golf Event?"
Our Survey said!
Yes, the European Tour decided they needed to do something different and radical to help take the game to a new audience! So the 'GolfSixes' was spawned from the culmination and combination of ideas from someone, no doubt on a pay grade akin to Zlatan Ibrahimovic`s Friday Wage Packet, but what ultimately was The Old Dunhill Cup meets The Premier League Of Darts!
Sky Sports and ALL their Presenters did a fantastic job of trying reeeeeeeeeally hard (aka too hard) to convince everyone watching that 'this was such a good thing for the sport', 'this could be the future of golf' (PFFT, PLEEEEASE Nick Dougherty, shame on you!), 'this could change the face of golf forever' etc, etc.
We even had the, (what`s the opposite of regular again?), irregular Presenters claiming 'We are making history today!', Eh, but sorry! Other than, come tomorrow it will be resigned to the past, and that the tournament will produce the first ever GolfSixes winners no more 'History' will be made!
The event saw 16 Two-Man Teams take part, each one representing their Country. Day 1 of the two Day event saw 8 Groups of 4 Teams play Round Robin 6 Hole Greensomes Matchplay. Each Match completed the 6 Hole Sprint and recorded the Number of Holes Won or Lost in a Football Score Format (EG: 6 Halved Holes = 0-0, 2 Holes Won apiece = 2-2, 4 Holes won by 1 Team versus 2 Holes won by the other = 4-2, you get the jist!) A Win was worth 3 Points, 1 for a Tie and zip for a gubbing. However the 'Hole-Difference' would be used in the event of Teams ending on the same number of points.
After the Round Robin the Top 2 Teams from each Group progressed to the Quarter-Finals which took place on Day 2. Again it was a 6 Hole Greensomes Matchplay. This was swiftly followed by the same in the Semi`s and Final.
For the sake of 'History' being made the history books will show that Denmark beat Australia in Sudden Death where they used a specially created Playoff Hole. Essentially a Winter Mat thrown down in the rough to make the Par 5 final Hole now play as a 165 Yard Par 3. Not a bad idea to be honest.
Especially when you compare it to some of the other ones!
So here are my GolfSix observations (I bet you can`t wait!)
1. The Walk On`s: Apparently this event format was to attract a new audience to the game. What the TV managed to portray at the Dart-esque Walk On`s was that it was great for kids or men getting drunk & drunk men getting drunker! Brilliant! That`s exactly what Golf & Children need!
Absolutely, make it fun & exciting, but in my opinion what inspires kids is them seeing things that are awesome. Let the standard of golf on show do that. One thing you can guarantee about kids, if they are inspired they will imitate to emulate. Expose them to loutish behaviour and they will become the next generation of louts! Ever wonder where this generations worth of football bigots & racists have come from!? 'Monkey see, Monkey do!'
2. The On Course 'Cheerleaders' (although actual Cheerleaders would`ve probably been a welcome attraction!): Guys whose sole purpose was to gee up the crowds when the Golfers were around! The tactic they used 'to state the bleedin obviousssssss, in the most annoying voicesssssssssss!' (I bet you`re even doing the tone of voice now!) This, combined with the beer induced bravado, lead to the oh-so-American-spine-cringing shouts of 'YOU`RE THE MAN!' and 'GET IN THE HOLE!'…Dude, he`s hitting a Driver and it`s a 600 Yard Par 5, perhaps you should 'get in a hole'…maybe the one you crawled out of!
3. The Shot Clock: Proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that these players can prepare and produce well within the recommended time and much, much quicker than they do at regular Tour Events. But with the Shot Clock only featuring at 1 Tee box and 1 Green what you found was they slipped in to the same elongated habits over most other shots.
4. Shot Clock & On Course Cheerleaders: I`m not going over old ground here, but both of these 'features' hammered home 1 thing to me. You can try and create a faster, more exciting and fun environment but ultimately Golf and the playing of golf holes is a mundane activity. Unlike what they`ve tried to do with Darts, Cricket and perhaps even Snooker with the adapted, faster formats for these sports. Once you whip the crowd into a frenzy then watch 4 players smash a drive 300+ Yards away...it is therefore going to be at least 3 minutes before you`ll see another shot hit, and if you`ve chosen to remain seated at the Tee then you`ll be 300+ Yards away watching that shot or have to wait even longer before the next group come along before you can get whipped up to that frenzy again!
Darts, Cricket & Snooker are arena sports. You buy a ticket, sit in your seat, watch the action...and the action is constant, and right in front of you. Especially with Cricket & Snooker these sports, in their original format, suffered from the action (or lack of) being dragged out over a long period, with sometimes very little happening. So they made it more dynamic. Similarly with the darts, when they introduce the League and Sprint Matches. But these were much more to make the 'events' commercially more appealing rather than boost participation. Look at the crowds at the Darts, all they have boosted is Fancy Dress Sales and Sick Day Absence!
5. Celebrity Commentators: Ok, so Vinnie Jones was a Member at the Course it was being held at, but other than that how inspirational to the non-golfer could he be? Especially a Junior! 'Dad, Dad, who`s Vinnie Jones?'...'Well, he played for Wimbledon FC'...'Who are Wimbledon Dad?'...'Well, they won the FA Cup in 1988!'...'Was that in black & white? I`m 11 and was born in 2006!'...'Ok, well that year he played a mutant in an X-Men Film! You like the X-Men don`t you?'...'Yeah, but I thought you said he was a Footballer?'...'Doesn`t matter...he`s a Member here so he knows the Course really well!'...'Yeah, but he just said this is a really long Par 5 and the Danish guy has just flicked a wedge on!' - That decision was almost as inspired as Nick Faldo naming his Son and DJ Spooney as important Members of his 2008 Ryder Cup Backroom Team!
6. That Mascot!!!
If Golf really wanted to attract a new audience here`s what I think the Tour should`ve done:
- Put the Tournament on BBC on a Monday & Tuesday of the School Easter Holidays which would`ve guaranteed a bigger audience.
- Made all the Players wear microphones and 'Cap-Cam`s' to give a much more personal insight into the shots.
- Given each Player a Junior Mascot - Their job would be to fetch the divots, tend the flags, rake the bunkers and shout out the 10-to-1 Countdown on the shot clock.
- Then get all the Pro`s who were knocked out on Day 1 to play three 6 Hole Pro-Am`s on the 2nd Day alongside Teams of Juniors.
Everyone is saying that Golf takes too long and that 6 Holes in a short time is what people want. As far as I can see, no one is stopping people playing 6 Holes then coming off! What I hear more, is the length of time it takes to complete 18 is too long. If we could guarantee that 9 Holes would take 90 minutes I think golf would be more appealing to many. Plus, if there were more fun events for Families to participate together then I think that would also be a step in the right direction.
Another interesting observation from here at the Club is that, from a Junior perspective, typically our 'Shorter Format' competitions are supported the least, and all the kids in the Development Gang are desperate to play 18 Holes so they can join 'the big boys!'
Speaking of the 'Big Boys' I`m glad that The Players Championship has brought a return of some of the games top players to Tour action.
Much of the talk is once again about the Players Championship, at the iconic TPC Sawgrass Course, having the credentials to become the 5th Major. One of those credentials is it boasts perhaps the strongest field in any golf event, with all of the Top players in the World taking part.
One of those players is Sergio Garcia making his return to Tournament play and first as Masters Champion. Interestingly if they were to make The Players Championship a Major they might then backdate the previous winners which would mean Sergio now would have 2!
And if Sergio is making his first playing outing sporting his newly acquired Green Jacket then Rory McIlroy is making his bow sporting a whole new bag of spanners. And these ones look tailor made for him!
Like most other weeks in the Newsletter where I was able to report big success stories for the TaylorMade Staff Players using the new M-Family of Clubs it seems Master McIlroy has been quite taken by them too. Check out what he has to say in this short video by clicking here.
And I`m absolutely sure that Rory took the time to get his TaylorMade`s tailor made to exactly the Spec his game needed.
That`s exactly what Ken McCombie did at the end of last season when he came to me on the back of the promotion of both the benefits of the TaylorMade M2 Range and Club Fitting.
Ken had 2 very distinct requirements he was looking for from his new equipment. Height & Distance.
Following the most consistent run of scores he has ever had he capped that by shooting his lowest score ever last Wednesday which prompted him to do 2 things.
Firstly, thank me and tell me that his new Clubs were 'The best thing he has ever done!' and secondly, book himself in for a Gapping Session as he wanted to know exactly what kind of gains he is now achieving so he can be more confident in his Clubbing.
'Knowledge Is Power' and knowing that your equipment is suitable, fits the requirements of your swing and how far each club goes is a powerful asset for your confidence.
Why not book an Equipment Analysis or Gapping Session today - Click Here
Remember I also still have my 'Complete Equipment Solution' Promotion running just now too.
So with all the above in mind there is no better time to make you aware of my latest Promotion.
In association with the Companies I stock (Callaway, PING, TaylorMade & Wilson) I am offering what I would call 'The Complete Performance Solution' but they have named 'The Complete Equipment Solution'
Take advantage of my FREE Custom Fit Session & FREE Lesson Offer*
This applies to any Driver, Iron or multiple Wedge Fit.
(T`s&C`s: *Free Lesson only applies to Single Brand Fittings - 1Hour session comprises 30 Minute Club Fit & 30 Minute Lesson. All Multi Brand Fits are still FREE but require the full 1 Hour slot)
We have one of the most comprehensive Fitting Selections you`ll find anywhere, but especially at a Green Grass facility and when you add to that my newly acquired GC Quad Launch Monitor not only are you getting a fantastic level of service but you are also getting it absolutely FREE!
Why not Book your Custom Fit Session today - Click Here
Ken`s low score started a week`s worth of Competition Results. All of which were posted on extremely difficult scoring days.
Wed
Division 1
1 Mark Ryan 75(6) - 69
2 Andrew Tremain 79(8) - 71
3 Keith Horne 73(1) - 72
Division 2
1 Ken McCombie 79(13) - 66
2 Michael Smith 82(12) - 70
3 Ian Brown 83(13) - 70
Division 3
1 James Chissell 91(21) - 70
2 Robert Horne 89(17) - 72
3 Ian Redpath 88(16) - 72
Saturday proved the most challenging with the CSS for the Black Tee Course rising to a Season`s high of 74. But that didn`t stop a few guys posting some really impressive rounds. Stephen Cook's level Par 72 was best gross by some distance while Mark Wallace & Alex Legge posted the day`s 2 lowest scores to secure their spots in the Belhaven Trophy later this year.
Sat
Division 1
1 Stephen Cook 72(4) - 68
2 Martin Downie 79(6) - 73
3 Ian Logie 80(7) - 73
Division 2
1 Mark Wallace 82(15) - 67
2 Scott Livingstone 80(12) - 68
3 Barry Watson 81(12) - 69
Division 3
1 Alex Legge 87(21) - 66
2 Ian Paterson 88(16) - 72
3 Eduardo Correa 89(17) - 72
Sun
Division 1
1 Graham David Smith 36 Points
2 Gary Esson 36 Points
3 Robbie Murdoch 34 Points
Division 2
1 Mark Benson 39 Points
2 Robert Dickson 37 Points
3 James Harper 33 Points
Division 3
1 Stanley Lenort 38 Points
2 Alex Legge 37 Points
3 Brian Ward 36 Points
Saturday was the 2nd Qualifier for the Cappro Cup. Remember there are still 8 more Qualifiers left and plenty of Points up for grabs so you can still sign up to the Cappro Cup anytime and have a good chance of making the Team.
Click here to view the current standings.
The player worthy of mention this week is without doubt Stephen Cook. His 72 Gross and 68 Nett in really tough conditions should be all the reassurance he needs that the hard work that he has put in on his technique, ball striking and putting is paying off.
I know he`ll keep working hard on his game but hopefully successes like this will sprinkle the extra confidence that can see him really kick on from here.
Portlethen GC will soon be hosting a Golf Day for a worthwhile local cause. Parents of the new Hillside Primary School are holding a Fundraising Day with one of their events being a Golf Day.
There are still some spaces left for any Member wishing to take part where they can treat friends, colleagues or a guest to a fun day out.
If interested contact: hillsideprimarygolf@gmail.com
This photo contains all the details of the day, click here to enlarge.
More Dates for your Diary, and I have secured a few more Demo Days for the upcoming months.
Wilson Fitting Day
Thursday, 18 May - 2pm until 6pm
Callaway Fitting Day
Wednesday, 31 May - 2pm until 6pm
PING Demo Day
Thursday, 15 June - 2pm until 6pm
Titleist Demo Day
Friday, 16 June - 3pm until 7pm
Portlethen made their debut in the Deeside League on Sunday when we played host to Torphins. Similar to the Pennant Scratch League the Teams do battle in pair's better ball matchplay. The main difference in the Deeside League is this gives players of all handicaps an opportunity to play.
The guys got off to a winning start courtesy of a 4.5 - 1.5 victory.
We also played host on Monday to the Senior Alliance, and much like the Deeside Match, home advantage paid off as 5 of the Top 6 spots went to Portlethen Members.
Seniors Alliance
1 David Stuart 43 Points
2 Stanley Lenort 38 Points
3 Harry McBain 38 Points
4 A Crichton 37 Points AWAY
5 Phil Dear 36 Points
6 George Donaldson 36 Points
Last weekend there was a lot of junior activity at the club yet again.
The Development Gang went ahead as usual and we saw another 4 totally new faces joining the fun up on the hill and swelled the numbers well over 30. It`s great to see many of last year's kids now progressing on to the course and freeing up spots for newcomers to get their foot on the ladder. While Scott was organising all the 18 & 9 Hole Golfers Terry had the newly joined/beginner group set up on the Driving Range.
I took my group of 14 and focussed more on the putting green for some distance control. I thought this was important for them to practice and get a feel for as I've often seen kids take just 3/4 shots to get to the green and the walk off with an 8 or 9.
Putting doesn't require any strength or even great technique, just feel and being able to read the greens. All the kids improved from their first test and it's something I hope to do quite a lot of this season as they will see their scores come shooting down.
As far as coaching goes I have come up with a 5 session course for the juniors who have either; got handicaps (18 or 9 hole) or are just getting started on the course.
All the details are below. Don't hesitate to contact me for any more information.
Junior Golf Development:
Portlethen Golf Club
Structured 5 session course
Looking at every aspect of the game (Long game, Short game, bunkers & putting)
Mini tournament on the course to finish
Cost - £40 or £10 a session
Groups: 4 - 6 juniors
Class dates/times:
Tuesday Classes - Alternate weeks beginning Tuesday, 23 May
Times: 18.00-19.00 / 19.15-20.15
Thursday - Alternate weeks beginning Thursday, 18 May
Time: 19.00-20.00
For more information or to book up contact: Kamran - kamranzeno1992@yahoo.co.uk
