It doesn`t happen often these days but last Sunday I felt like I was 17 again!
In that I had a long lie that didn`t require an alarm clock to be set, I enjoyed a game of golf (and played reasonably well!), I sat in a darkened room and watched scantily clad women for a few hours and I also got to watch a Comic Book Super Hero Movie! (The last 2 were the same thing incidentally!)
Yes, if Carlsberg did Sunday`s then they would definitely involve spending the evening with Gal Gadot!
If you`re not sure who that is then you`re probably of a vintage that might be better imagining Linda Carter! Because of course I`m talking about Wonder Woman. Although judging by the amount of rustling and 'squirrel nibble crisp crunching' coming from behind me at the cinema I think that guy thought he was coming to watch Golden Wonder Woman!! (But don`t get me started on Cinema Etiquette...or lack of it!)
What this Country would give for a strong heroic female leader right now! Slightly worrying that a fantasy comic book super hero`s origin story which is set during a World War as they battle a deadly toxic regime that is threatening to wipe out humanity sounds all too real right now!
After more shocking scenes on Saturday night taking place far too close to home I wish someone would snare some of our leading Politicians in the Lasso Of Truth because with the General Election looming there are a lot of unanswered questions, like Theresa May-or-May not be telling the truth, will the opposition just be another Jeremy Corbyn-Copy of the last Labour Government and will a vote for Nicola Sturgeon just be taking the SNP!
But moving on swiftly from Punch-A-Tory...
...and it was refreshing to see a European Tour win for Renato Paratore!
The 20 year old Italian clinched the Nordea Masters by 1 stroke. His first Tour win came courtesy of a 72nd hole collapse by the final player, so when a Chris Wood 3-wood found wood, Renato knew he would come good!
FUN FACT: The young Italian is also the only player ever to record a round made entirely from the same score on every hole, which is even more apt given that Paratore is Italian for Level 4`s (Ok, I made the last bit up but Renato did post a round at the 2015 French Open that contained 18 fours!!)
One thing you have to love about the way Paratore plays the game is his no nonsense pace of play. He just gets up and hits it.
The same might not be said of the this week`s winner on the PGA Tour, in fact there is a good chance that Paratore could hit just about as many shots as Jason Dufner has waggles. The American with the distinctive pre-swing ritual certainly had an eventful journey en route to winning the Memorial Tournament at the Jack Nicklaus designed Muirfield Village.
Dufner spread-eagled the field with 2 flawless 65`s to lead by 5 Shots on 14 Under Par, but unfortunately he made that fateful journey that every golfer dreads, the one that takes you from World-Beater to Panel-Beater overnight! His 3rd round 77 brought him tumbling back to the field helped largely by his decision to putt with a live electric eel! The last time I witness so many unconvincing 'yips' was when I kept asking my girlfriend if she was sure she didn`t mind if I went to watch the Champions League Final instead of spending the evening with her!!
But much like Jason Dufner by the Sunday things were back on track!!
One of the traditions at the Memorial Tournament is that the winner is greeted at the 18th Green by Jack Nicklaus and I thought it would`ve summed Dufner`s week up if when he went to shake the Golden Bears hand he twitched, missed and ripped the sleeve of Jack`s blazer!
What I thought was quite good was that both winners on either side of the pond were both Titleist Staff Players. In a season that has seen TaylorMade & Callaway dominate the winners circle it was great to show that all the manufacturers are making great product just now.
Titleist always have great presence in the Ball & Wedge Categories but their irons and new 917 Woods are excellent too.
You guys have the opportunity to take advantage of the all these products at the upcoming Titleist Demo Day here at Portlethen.
PING Demo Day
Thursday, 15 June - 2pm until 6pm
The day before we have the same Fitting Day Experience from PING here too.
Titleist Demo Day
Friday, 16 June - 3pm until 7pm
Remember if these Dates don`t suit you then I offer one of the most Comprehensive Fitting Range & Experiences you can find, plus right now I also still have my 'Complete Equipment Solution' Promotion which has still got a few more weeks to run.
Along with (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
Many players who feature regularly in the Results & Prize Lists have already taken the plunge with correctly fitted equipment. No reason why it couldn`t be you?
It was Trophy time on Wednesday with the field all trying to get their hands on the Rover Vase. In the end it was a standout winner with Sandy Moultrie`s 65 good enough by 2 strokes.
Wed - Rover Vase
Division 1
1 Graham Smith 76(8) - 68
2 Martin Shand 72(4) - 68
3 Alan Fulton 77(8) - 69
Division 2
1 David Farmery 82(15) - 67
2 Mark Wallace 80(12) - 68
3 Peter Will 81(12) - 69
Division 3
1 Sandy Moultrie 91(26) - 65
2 Christopher Dellanzo 85(18) - 67
3 Jonathan Russell 84(16) - 68
Saturday saw some Monthly Medalling with some great scores being returned on a great day for golf. None more so than Alan Fulton who returned a fabulous 1 under par 71 playing off 8 Handicap!
Sat - June Medal
Division 1
1 Alan Fulton 71(8) - 63
2 Jack Douglas 71(5) - 66
3 Paul Morrison 73(6) - 67
Division 2
1 Michael Cameron 76(11) - 65
2 Jonathan Russell 83(15) - 68
3 Harry McBain 82(13) - 69
Division 3
1 Grant Turnbull 85(16) - 69
2 Ian Riach 87(18) - 69
3 Robert Kerrison 95(25) - 70
Despite more good weather on Sunday the scoring wasn`t quite so good. Gordon Gibb, Grant Chalmers & John Goate top scoring with a trio of 68`s.
Sun - Walk On Medal
Division 1
1 Ian Alasdair Logie 80 (7) - 73
2 Alex Handsley Jnr 83(10) - 73
3 Gary Thomson 85(10) - 75
Division 2
1 Grant Chalmers 81(13) - 68
2 John Goate 83(15) - 68
3 Jake Legge 83(13) - 70
Division 3
1 Gordon Gibb 88(20) - 68
2 Bruce Fraser 87(18) - 69
3 Mark Ingram 86(16) - 70
Saturday was a Cappro Cup Qualifier so there were some movers & shakers in this week`s Standings.
Click here to view the current Points List
The weather took a bit of a turn for the worse at the beginning of the week which saw Course Closures on both Tuesday & Wednesday.
However as you can see from the pictures the extensive and important work (especially aeration) that Neil and his Team have done on the greens ensured that they drained superbly throughout the downpour and remained free from any standing water despite nearly 4 inches of rain falling.
I`m pleased to say the 'outlook' from the Shop is much brighter. We finally received and installed our 'Magical' new Contravision Window Vinyls. From day 1 of my arrival I have always disliked the obtrusiveness and uninviting look that the security bars on the shop windows created. We managed to mask off the bottom half of these bars with signage but the top half was always an issue as we needed to be able to see out, meaning that you could see in and see those bars.
But thanks to this new material I can do both.
I hope you`ll agree the Shop both inside and out looks much more Professional and inviting.
We also 'spruced' up the displays in-store as well with the addition of some fresh new colours in or Clothing Ranges. The even better news is I am including these in my Father's Day Special Offer so you have a little over a week to take advantage of:
All Under Armour & adidas Clothing is Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price*
(T`s&C`s: *Full Payment Purchases ONLY - No Shop Credit/Vouchers)
Ultimate Star Wars Collection Package - ONLY £35
- Pom Pom Driver Headcover (Worth - £29)
- Putter Headcover (Worth £22)
- Valuables Pouch (Worth £16)
Portlethen Package
- Buy any Crested Sweater & Get a Crested Shirt FREE*
(*Offer Ends Sunday, 18 June - On Stock Items Only)
Remember we also do Shop & Lesson Gift Vouchers if you want a stress free solution to Father`s Day!
It wasn`t just the Shop getting a final facelift this week either. I`m not sure whether to think 'Rome wasn`t built in a day' or 'Good things come to those who wait,' but I can now say that the Under Cover Bays at the Driving Range have finally taken shape into again, what I feel, is a much more pleasant environment.
We have our Mat Bases, Bay Dividers and Company Signage in place.
One disappointing thing is that in a little over a year since we upgraded the Range Balls & Baskets we have had 25% of our baskets go missing!! Just staggering to think that people are keeping the baskets! Why!? Is it so they can sneak up and hit range balls without paying!? Otherwise I see no benefit for having a basket. If it is Members at fault it`s even more staggering because I`m sure you`ve all noticed in your subscriptions but the Club isn`t exactly cash rich.
That`s another area I`m trying to help with.
On Wednesday I started the 1st of my 4 week FREE Taster Classes for Ladies. We had a great uptake from the advertising we did via Social Media and started with 10 ladies on Wednesday night with a further 13 coming to the Sunday Classes.
Strengthening the short term & long term future of a Golf Club is where the real benefit of having a good Professional Team kicks in. We have the skillset and passion to help get more people enjoying the game, whether that is making Members play better or introducing new people to the game and the Club.
You need look no further than the Junior Development Gang & Competition Section for evidence of that. The great work of Terry Kennedy and organisation of Scott Sinclair over the years is now being supported by Kamran and myself. With Saturday numbers swelling in the region of 40 kids coming for Development Coaching and a further 24 playing either 9 Holes or 18 Holes on the Course, Portlethen really can be proud of their contribution to Junior Golf.
The Junior Development doesn`t stop at a Saturday either. Terry hosts Club Golf Sessions on a Monday & Friday Night, while Kamran offers more advanced Coaching Classes on a Tuesday & Thursday nights, as well as being available for any kid preferring One-On-One Instruction.
Whilst it`s easy to look back with rose tinted glasses at 'Golden Generations' of Junior Golf it is important to realise and appreciate the good that we are doing compared to many other Golf Clubs where their Junior Sections are dwindling or dying off completely.
There was certainly no shortage of skill on show this Saturday when Aidan Fulton showed his 'Auld man' anything you can do I can do too! With both Alan & Aidan posting nett 63`s!! Must`ve been some in that Coffee!?
June Monthly Medal
1st - Aidan Fulton - 81(18) - 63
2nd - Ritchie Smart - 86(18) - 68
3rd - Finlay Wallace - 80(11) - 69
Again I`m delighted to be able to put 2 names forward into the spotlight for their performance this week as it highlights best the 2 most effective ways I can make your games better.
One through improving your Technique, the other through complimenting your technique with more suitable technology.
So first up after a 3rd place in the June Medal and reducing his handicap by 1 Stroke is Rob Kerrison. Rob has had lessons previously and responded well to them, however he continued to struggle off the Tee. During our sessions I would always comment on the fact that Rob was using a driver that did not suit his swing. However Rob had a lot of sentimental attachment to that particular club as it was a Driver used by Ryo Ishikawa that had been given to him as a gift. But a supple, powerful 25 year old tour player Rob `aint!!
As his Driving struggles continued this season, Rob admitted defeat and asked me to fit him for a new driver. The upshot was Rob had been battling against a Club that was too long, too stiff in the shaft and had too little loft on the face. He couldn`t flight it well enough, often losing it with a slice right. Once we established the ideal Spec. for him courtesy of the data supplied from my GC Quad Launch monitor we found the PING G Series with 11.5* of Loft and a Regular Flex Shaft shortened by ½ " gave Rob a much more repeatable and optimal flight…oh, and a shot off his handicap too!!
Rob was good enough to admit that the Driver had made all the difference.
Next up was Mark Brake who only missed out on a Placing on Sunday because of the Countback. However following Mark`s mid-week Lesson I know he was more than happy to swap a few pounds sweep money for the Stroke he reduced his handicap by. Again Mark and I have worked on his game previously, but he hadn`t been for a little while and wanted a check-up as he knew he wasn`t playing as well as he had been. He had slipped into some bad habits but once highlighted they were easily fixed. Largely posture at Set Up, so after a few uncomfortable shots he soon found the feeling he had been missing. And following his round he was even good enough to send me this message!
"Hi Stuart, Many thanks for the swing lesson last Friday evening. I continued to work on my swing thru the weekend and played much better in the Sunday medal. Another handicap reduction, thanks in large part to the improvements we made to my swing on Friday evening. I am sure I will see you around the Pro Shop this week, but wanted to take a moment to send you a message expressing my gratitude."
No, thank you Mark!
