'A thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface which obscures or restricts visibility - a state or cause of perplexity!'
If you haven`t got the 'foggiest' what I`m talking about then you`re on the right track!
Thanks to those tiny suspended water droplets the most important fixture of our season so far, the Club Championship Qualifier - 1st Rd, had to be abandoned thanks to zero visibility the whole day, and before you ask if it was Mr Fog, no, it was definitely just Fog!
(Fun Fact: Mist is the term used when visibility is obscured to a minimum of 1000 metres, whereas 'Fog' is when visibility is a maximum of 180 metres. So a bit like Putting in that if you can see it didn`t go in from a fair distance away you 'Mist' but if you see it miss from close up then you`ve obviously 'Fogged It Up Completely!')
Needless to say the remainder of that Saturday staring out into the gloom for 12 Hours was about as much fun, and even less inspiring, as Theresa May`s Tory Manifesto, but at least with the Fog you knew it would lift and you could see the light again!
But it did create many unanswered questions..., the Competition abandonment that is, not the Tory Manifesto! That`s a whole different can of worms.
As for the Club Championship, as I`m sure you all know now via the Club e-mail that has been circulated, the following has happened.
The Qualifying Round 1 was played on the Sunday in place of the scheduled 2nd Round. That Round 2 has subsequently been moved to the 'Back Up' Sunday Date of 28th May.
There has also been a contingency put in place that if, for whatever reason, play can`t be completed that day then Saturday, 3 June will become the 2nd Qulaifying Round as well as the June Medal. Also, if that date needs to be used then the deadline for the 1st round of Matchplay to be played by will moved accordingly.
So given the fact we didn`t get any golf on Saturday because we weren`t able to See Grass it was made up for in a small way by coverage from the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. I wasn`t able to watch the final round live so when I saw the headlines I did think at first it was an advert for the episode of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' where Simon Cowell tried to chat up Kanye West`s wife but it turns out 'Si Woo Kim' was the Korean wonderkid who romped to a 3 stroke victory.
With all four Rounds par or better and the only player to shoot 3 rounds in the 60`s Si Woo Kim was the worthy winner, but his final round push was helped in no small measure by some of the best players in the game capitulating badly. The worst being JB Holmes who thrashed & lashed his way to an 84! Newly crowned Masters Champion, Sergio Garcia, didn`t fare much better shooting 78 and when the likes of Ricky Fowler (79) and Jason Day (80) were posting numbers like that you knew it was a tough day. Which made the young Korean`s 69 to win even more impressive.
What wasn`t so impressive last weekend was the performance of the Players at Sawgrass`s signature hole 17th. The island green managed to claim 69 balls into its water grave. Which just proves that, despite today`s golf being a power game, you don`t have to make a hole long to make it testing! In fact I don`t think many of today`s Golfers are daunted by length...but water strikes fear into anyone! Basically because it`s so definitive...you`re in or you out....you`re wet or you`re dry...you`re playing it or you`re dropping it!
This short clip gives you a sense of their pain! Click here to watch.
There was more pain for Rory McIlroy who reported the need to get an MRI scan on more discomfort in his back. It looks like it was attributed to the Rib Injury he suffered earlier in the year but you just hope he`s not going to be dogged with the same sort of Back/Injury issues that Tiger is enduring...much of which may be linked backed to all the heavy lifting workouts these guys are putting themselves through.
I`m sure that was the last sort of news his new Equipment Sponsor wanted to hear. Maybe it`s the TaylorMade curse? Days after Tiger announced he had signed permanently with TaylorMade he played his last event that week for some time now.
Still it hasn`t derailed the M Family Juggernaut any, with Si Woo Kim collecting another prestigious Trophy using the TaylorMade M Series of Clubs, etc.
And if you add Mark Clubb topping Division 3 on Saturday and Jake Legge winning the Seniors Sweep on Thursday with both using their new M2 Irons & Hybrids then the brand have had a very successful week!
Remember TaylorMade are a big part of my 'Complete Equipment Solution' Promotion running just now too
Along with (Callaway, PING, & 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
Jake & Mark weren`t the only 2 posting good scores.
When the Club Champ Qualifier finally got underway on Sunday Charlie Watson didn`t hang around as he raced to a stunning 71 gross 63 NETT!
Division 1
1 Charles Watson 71(8) - 63
2 Stephen Campbell 77(10) - 67
3 Mark Leslie 77(10) - 67
Division 2
1 Mark Wallace 80(13) - 67
2 Greg Smart 79(11) - 68
3 Gary Thomson 79(11) - 68
Division 3
1 Mark Clubb 87(19) - 68
2 Ken Riddell 96(26) - 70
3 Ian Elmslie 89(19) - 70
Wednesday was Stableford time with again some marvellous scores being posted. Especially by some of the lower handicappers, with Martin Shand and Keith Horne both breaking par to post their scores.
Division 1
1 Martin Shand 42 Points
2 Keith Horne 41 Points
3 Jack Douglas 40 Points
Division 2
1 Stuart Winpenny 41 Points
2 Kevin Neish 39 Points
3 Iain Main 39 Points
Division 3
1 Allan Goodbrand 41 Points
2 James Chissell 41 Points
3 James Douglas 40 Points
It was great to see more pupils getting return on their investment and enjoying better play and scores following some guidance from myself. With the likes of Mark Wallace, Stuart Winpenny & Jim Douglas all having lessons recently. Even the group of Mark Leslie, Jack Douglas, Mark Clubb and Jim Chissell are all pupils of mine.
But there were two performances last week that gave me enormous satisfaction... and for 2 significantly different reasons.
My first 'Student of the Week' that I want to mention is Ian Elmslie who got some just reward for the incredible hard work he is putting into his game, all in an effort to get him through and out and difficult patch. So to see him post a great score, reduce that handicap of his and hopefully get some enjoyment is fantastic. If attitude and endeavour to improve were measurable Ian would be a Scratch Handicap.
The second 'Student of the Week' is perhaps at the opposite end of the spectrum and his performance last week, for him, carries much more significance. Sean Lawrie made a bold choice at the beginning of last year to take the plunge, join the 'paid ranks' and start his career as a Professional Golfer plying his trade on the EuroPro Tour. The step up from very good Amateur to even that level is not an easy one and when 'Making Cuts' is the only route to 'Making a living' then it`s a cut-throat one as well. Sean`s first season was definitely a learning curve, but one that ultimately didn`t bare much financial fruit.
At the beginning of this year Sean made another bold decision, and that was to come to me for Coaching. We had a couple of sessions working on a concept I felt was missing in Sean`s technique. After a few weeks of diligent practice I was delighted to see Sean went within a whisker of winning his first event, missing a putt when his playing partner birdied their final hole and Sean`s putt slipped agonisingly by. However that 2nd place not only bagged some much needed finance and confidence, but it also secured his playing rights for the season, a spot in their Tour Championship, but also opened a few unexpected doors. Namely final Qualifying for The Open and Scottish Open.
Well done gents. I`m proud as punch for you both as it`s thoroughly deserved. Let's hope it`s something to build on for you two.
Remember, you are only 1 Click away from making a significant change to your Game.
Why not Book yourself in for a Lesson today - Click Here
As I`ve also mentioned, better and more suitable equipment can play a huge part in you unlocking your potential also. On top of my comprehensive Fitting Service we have the following Companies visiting to provide their own Fitting Experience.
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
Another Date that you might want to note is that following Saturday`s Abandoned Club Champ Qualifier I have moved that Cappro Cup Qualifying week to be played alongside the Belmar 1st Round on Saturday, 10 June.
After the weather being decent most of last week, of course it wasn't going to stay like that for the weekend! As most of you will know there was no competition play at all on Saturday due to heavy fog. As well as no play on the course it was too unsafe for the Junior Development gang to go ahead.
Both the first round of the men's and junior club championship was scheduled for this date which means the first round will now be played on the 20th May. The kids that would normally play turned up anyway and done a bit of short game practice until about 4.30 pm - when the fog finally cleared and it turned out a beautiful evening - the ones that hung around went out to play the back 9.
The Junior Pennant Team played their first match on Sunday against Stonehaven which they won comfortably 4-1. Technically it was their second Match but the first Game versus Inverurie was forfeited as they couldn`t field a Team! An unfortunate, but not uncommon trend these days, and highlights once again how strong the Junior Development is here at Portlethen at the moment.
Here are the guys & gal in their Pennant Team Uniform for this Season.
Just a reminder about the Junior group coaching starting next week and that a couple of dates have changed from the first email that went out. Also note that Tuesday night is pretty full but there is still availability on the Thursday. The Saturday classes will not go ahead.
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
Times: 18.00-19.00 / 19.15-20.15
Breakdown:
Long game - 23rd May
Approach game - 30th May
Short game - 13th June Putting - 20th
June Final on course session - TBA (can be Saturday, 1 July; Tuesday, 4 or Thursday, 6 July)
Class dates/times:
Thursday Classes - Alternate weeks
Times: 19.00 - 20.00
Breakdown:
Long game - 25th May
Approach play - 1st June
Short game - 15th June Putting - 22nd
June Final on course session - TBA (can be Saturday, 1 July; Tuesday, 4 or Thursday, 6 July)
Although the weather has impacted the Competition schedule, the combination of some rain and a welcome boost of heat (albeit not much) has helped the course no end. The Fairways and Greens are a nice combo of firm but fair, whilst the putting surfaces are now getting a much better grass coverage to help both roll & pace.
The eagle-eyed of you will have noticed a couple subtle changes to the 4th Hole. The first coincides with the need to re-print the Scorecard (hence the Black & White temporary Cards of late) The Teeing Ground Disks have been moved. The Black is now at the front of the back Tee whilst the White Disk has now moved down a level to the first Tee over the pathway. This does not affect the Par or the Stroke Index but does require a re-measuring of the Hole.
The second alteration is the addition of Red Stakes to define a 'Lateral Hazard' in front of the overgrown area to the left of the left hand Bridge. This is to help speed up the Pace of Play. Any ball entering this area now gives you the relief option of '2 Club Lengths (Not Nearer The Hole) from the Point The Ball Last Crossed The Margin Of The Hazard'
This brings up an ideal opportunity to remind people that the area to the right of that bridge is a Yellow Staked 'Water Hazard' which requires a completely different relief procedure!
REGARDLESS of whether your ball bounces BACK into this Hazard from either the Trees or the Banking on the far side (Greenside) you MUST take relief on the Fairway side of the Water. You have 2 Options to Drop. 1) Keeping the Point the Ball Enter The Hazard and The Pin in a direct line and go back as far as you`d like. 2) Play the shot again from its original position. (*You do have a third option to play the ball from the hazard as it lies - this is NOT recommended!)
You CAN NOT however Drop the Ball on the Green side of the Water using 2 Club Lengths not nearer the hole. This relief option is for Red Staked Lateral Hazards only!
