"The winner of the Gold Medal and the Champion Golfer of the Year for 2014 is Rory McIlroy!"
Another hugely entertaining Open Championship has drawn to a close and produced a more than worthy winner. So as we reflect on the events at Hoylake here are my marks out of ten!
10/10 - For Rory`s performance the whole week. Perhaps little signs of fortune that hinted it might be his week were things like the Tee Time scheduling meaning he dodged the poorer weather and conditions the past has shown he doesn`t care for too much. But that aside the golf he was able to play was immense and while others perhaps showed the course too much respect (especially from the tee) McIlroy grabbed it by the sc-rough of the neck with a masterclass in power hitting.
10/10 - To the R&A not only for staging another great event but for all their decision making. From the inclusion of On-Course Wi-Fi and electronic scoreboards, the willingness to break tradition for the betterment of the tournament with Saturdays 2 Tee start to beat the weather, but for me it was having the commonsense and respect to extend Tom Watson`s exemption a year to allow him to make his Open Championship farewell at St Andrews. A fitting tribute to an incredible man.
9/10 - The Hoylake Course provided a fair but challenging test of all the best a links course has to offer. The rough was penal in the right areas, the bunkers hazards that must be avoided and greens that were difficult but not unfair.
9/10 - Fowler & Garcia`s efforts to catch the seemingly runaway Rory. I personally was rooting for Sergio as I feel he deserves a major and also time is running out for him, whilst Rory definitely will win more and I`m sure Ricky will too given that they both have time on their sides. However in my opinion I think Sunday once again asked the question of Sergio`s ability to handle the big occasion for the big prize. Starting out at 7 shots back it was very much a case of nothing to lose! That`s when Sergio plays some of the most majestic golf, it`s loose, free flowing, creative and dynamic much like the great countryman who inspired him. But as soon as he got within 2 shots and it was clearly "Game On" his demeanour changed! His Pre-Shot Routine got longer and more deliberate, his irons shots in particular were all hit flat out trying to force clubs (and possibly relying on adrenalin) Point in case came at the short 15th, only a short iron for these guys, but rather than play the controlled 9 iron that 3 of the last 4 players hit, Sergio tried to muscle a wedge. And like his previous 3 iron shots (12 - short right, 13 - short right and lucky to stay out the bunker, 14 - wild right and even luckier to canon back of the stand) his tee shot at 15 (judging by the position of the divot to his tee peg) looked close to a semi-shank, that mistake was compounded with a very nervy attempt in the bunker. With Rory watching this all unfold whilst back on the Tee you could see with that bogey the tension that Rory was clearly showing almost evaporated. And that highlights the part that emotions, psychology and momentum can play at that level. Even with a regulation par the momentum could still have been with Sergio, always that one hole ahead, always with the chance to post a score first! Imagine how Rory would have been feeling if Sergio`s birdie at 16 meant he was only 1 stroke back!? Imagine if Sergio had that eagle putt to tie the lead!? And the same again at 18! "Ifs" and "Buts" because we all know that bogey blunder at the 15th created a 3 shot lead again and the rest as they say is history!
8/10 - The BBC still do the best golf coverage but I think some of their cameramen were still on their YTS Training! How many times did we end up looking at a random bit of fairway or sky when the ball was nowhere in view then the lenses would dart about frantically in all directions looking for it! Or more infuriating than that a player would hit a shot and the camera would stay on them way too long and all you got was their reaction and the noise from the crowd to work out what happened!
6/10 - The BBC Commentary Team are also still some of the best but their player recognition, knowledge and attention to detail is so bad it`s funny at times! Peter Alliss still comes away with some TV gold from time to time but he doesn`t exactly have his finger on the pulse when it comes to the modern players. His best one being "here awe are at the 1st green with Robbie Fowler!" (It was Ricky Fowler obviously, and for those of you who don`t know Robbie Fowler was the former Liverpool centre forward! He would have been as well saying "..and here`s Pauline Fowler!") Mark James also got in on the dumb act when he kept wondering what had caused Adam Scott to change his shirt "Phil, do you know why Adam had to change his shirt!? He had a Blue one on before!" All that had happened was Adam had taken his navy SWEATER off! And was it just me or did it sound like there was a huge fly in their commentary booth at times!?
4/10 - The Marshalling left a lot to be desired! How many players virtually walked all the way to their ball before finding out it was actually Out Of Bounds!? The crowd were just as bad at times, I`m no expert on Smartphones these days but I`m pretty sure they can all go on silent when you are using the camera function!
3/10 - All the entourages that seem to be with every group! I kind of sympathized with Bubba when he had his wee "toys oot the pram" hissy fit in the 1st Round. "There`s like a thousand people on the fairway! All I wanna do is play golf!" I think the wide openness of Links Golf courses highlights how many people (necessary or otherwise) are inside the ropes with every group during the Majors! 3 players, 3 caddies are the obvious ones, add to that the scoreboard carrier and walking scorer. I think there`s a rules official with each group and they definitely have a Greenkeeper each, several walking marshalls and with some groups even a policeman. So that`s the group on the tee taken care of, further up the fairway however there were On Course commentators and camera crew from ALL the different broadcasters, microphone men, ball spotters to chart the positions of the players tees shots for the on screen graphics, standing marshalls and paparazzi! I`m sure all the other majors and WGC events have a similar following but with most of these events played at inland, tree lined courses these people blend in to the background a lot more easily and only emerge from the leafy shadows once the players have hit. At a links course the barren horizon and look of a hole is just littered with a sea of people inside the ropes.
2/10 - Ernie Els back hand putting ability or any attempts to get the ball in the hole from anywhere inside 18 inches for that matter! Poor Ernie, he could hit a guys forehead from 280 yards away but not the cup from only a foot! The way his putter was twitching and wriggling about on those short putts makes me think we should call it Ernie`s Eels! If ever you needed proof that anchoring of putters DOES make putting easier than that was it right there!
So the Open wasn`t kind to Ernie this year but it was kind to a few other people. Gerry McIlroy (Rory`s dad) reaped the reward of a 10 year premonition when his bet that Rory would win the open by the age of 25 came to fruition, although I`m sure Rory has seen him alright since he hit the big time. But whilst it isn`t exactly £500,000 there were a few lucky winners from my Open Championship Sweepstake.
Andy Hutton proved once again that he`s got the knack of picking lucky envelopes by scooping £80 Shop Credit for having Rory McIlroy in his 3 ball. Perhaps the luckiest Runner Up ever was Chic McInnany who, courtesy of having the 3 ball of Fowler, Garcia and Luke Donald walked away with £120 Shop credit for having 2nd & 3rd place (= 2nd really!) plus they were also the Lowest Aggregate 3 Ball. Jim Crilley can be quite thankful that Bryden MacPherson shot 90 blows as that picked up £20 for Highest Round of the Week and Ronnie Taylor proved that coming last can sometimes pay with Rhein Gibson pocketing him £20 for being Dead Last after 72 Holes.
Davie March was also £49 richer and he had to only rely on 1 ball, the Bonus Ball.
There were a number of Members this week who created their own earnings! The July Medal produced some wonderful scoring that would even make the best at Hoylake jealous!
Division 1 saw Barry Keenan 71(5) - 66 lead the way with Ibby Hussain 73(6) - 67 hot on his heels despite being out in the self enforced "worse half of the draw" as he battled through the afternoon downpours. Ibby is again strengthening the steady progress he has made this season on my Junior Scholarship program and has now reduced his handicap by 3 strokes in 3 months to 5! Austen McDowall 70(2) - 68 has continued his good form from last week to finish 3rd but 2nd in the Sweep, I`m wondering if the little putting tip I gave him the other day has helped!? As Ibrahim is a Junior the 3rd placed Sweep went to Dave King 76(8) - 68 who edged out Robert Auld 74(6) - 68 on the countback. I`m sure Robert isn`t too disappointed as he had a productive week on the golf course. It started the previous Sunday with a win in the West Kilbride Open which pocket him a £100 Voucher then he followed that up with a handicap cut on Saturday! All of which came hot on the heels of 2 Lessons and some newly Fitted irons from myself. So again some instant reward and satisfaction from his investment.
Division 2 was where the real fireworks were though! David Wark 74(12) - 62 blew the field away with his 2nd uber low score of the year! (He previously shot 77(14) - 63 in the April Medal!) that meant Greg Walker 76(11) - 65 had to settle for 2nd. Mike Robinson 82(16) - 66 might feel a little aggrieved that his great score didn`t get him any higher than 3rd!
Division 3 saw Gary McKenzie 87(20) - 67 finally discover the secret to a lower score……play with someone else`s clubs! Gary borrowed a trial set from me that morning as work travel arrangements meant his had to stay in England over the weekend. However it didn`t seem to make much difference as Gary finally got some reward for all the hard work on his game he has put in over the last year. Phil Sherwood 86(18) - 68 had to settle for 2nd but again is chipping away at his handicap following a couple of Lessons and new fitted clubs from me. That left Barrie Smith 87(19) - 68 to finish off the prize winners for Saturdays July Medal
The July Medal signaled a return to Cappro Cup Qualifying for many of you. Here are the standings with only 3 Events to go.
Thursday Medal Results
Div 1:
1st: Greg Walker 77(12) - 65
2nd: Allan McGinness 74(4) - 70
3rd: David Donnelly 77(7) - 70
Div 2:
1st: John Hopkins 83(15) - 68
2nd: Gordon Hamilton 86(16) - 70
3rd: Stephen Scott 86(16) - 70
IMPORTANT NOTICE: For the next 6 weeks the Club are going to run Optional Sunday Medals starting this weekend. They will follow the exact same format as the Thursday Medal whereby you arrange your own groups/playing partners and book your own Tee Time using the Online Booking Service (Not HowDidIDo!!!) please remember to mark your Time with "Medal" to signify that you intend playing in the competition to allow single players to book in. Medal play can only be done in 3 Balls. There will be the usual optional Sweep & Magic Twos available when you sign up in the Professional Shop. This will start with one Division and depending on the popularity and number of entrants may split into 2 Divisions.
REMEMBER! This is an OPTIONAL COMPETITION and Casual Play continues as normal!
Our own Ryder Cup Match takes place the weekend before the Main Event. Remember you have a chance (2 in fact) to be part of that event yourself!
I am running a draw for an All Expenses Day Out (Including Travel) to one of the Official Practice Days! There will be 3 winners!
RYDER CUP DRAW
"WIN An All Expenses Trip To The Ryder Cup For ONLY £10!"
1 Lucky Winner will win an All Expenses day out to Gleneagles as my guest for the Final Practice Day and Opening Ceremony* at this years Ryder Cup!
There will also be 2 Runner Up Prizes of an All Expenses day out to Gleneagles as my guest for the 1st & 2nd Practice Day`s*.
There are 2 ways for you to enter.
OPTION 1: BUY Any piece of Clothing or Outerwear from my Glenmuir Ryder Cup Collection! (In Store or Ordered From Catalogue) and you will be automatically entered into the Ticket Draw. (Link To Glenmuir Catalogues)
OPTION 2: Simply Buy a Ticket for the Draw.
TICKETS COST £10!
Ryder Cup Final Practice & Opening Ceremony is Thursday 25th September and Practice Days are Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th September
*PRIZE Includes Travel to and from the event, food & refreshments and entry to the Tournament.
T&C`s: The Prize is for the Person named on the Winning tickets. If the date of the 1st Prize cannot be made it will be offered in exchange for either day in the Runners Up Prize, otherwise the Tickets are non-transferable and another winner will be selected from the previously "Unlucky" Tickets.
These are opportunities you don`t want to miss.!
Another event that you don`t want to miss is my "Professionals Day" Tournament. There are only a few spaces left for this so don`t leave it too late to enter as you could miss out! As it is 2 Shotgun Starts there are only so many Teams I can have playing in each one and it`s filling up fast!
PRO`S DAY @ EASTWOOD
Saturday 9th August - £60 Per Team (4 Balls) - "You Don`t Want To Miss Out On The Fun!"
Due to the tremendous success and feedback of last year I will be sticking with the Double Shotgun Start Format for my Pro`s Day! You have the choice of a Morning or Afternoon Shotgun Start. There is also a different format in the morning (Betterball) to the afternoon (Scramble) so you can choose either the time that suits or the format you prefer (Or like a few groups did last year and play BOTH!!) Below is the breakdown of the day.
This day is available to any Gent, Lady or Junior Member & Guests are most welcome too!
**Active Handicaps ARE NOT essential…..Having FUN IS essential!**
MORNING - 8am Shotgun (Check-In by 7.45am Latest!)
Betterball - Full Handicap
Top 4 Team Prizes + Yellow Ball Challenge
Plenty "FUN" On Course Challenges For Individual Prizes
Beat The Pro - Betting Hole @ 15
Halfway House BBQ & Bar
Goody Bag
Scorecard Draw Prize (You just need to turn up to have a chance of winning this!!)
Presentation @ 1.30pm
AFTERNOON - 1pm Shotgun (Check-In by 12.45 Latest!)
Scramble - 10% Of Combined Handicaps (Max 6)
Top 5 Team Prizes
Plenty "FUN" On Course Challenges For Individual Prizes
Beat The Pro - Betting Hole @ 15
Halfway House BBQ & Bar
Goody Bag
Scorecard Draw Prize (You just need to turn up to have a chance of winning this!!)
Presentation @ 6.30pm
To Book a Team Slot for this day contact us in the Pro Shop: 01355 500285 or Click Here. Places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis and full payment is required to confirm your place. Early payment will allow you to select your starting hole, again on a first come first serve basis. Cancellations will receive a refund if the vacated slot can be filled.
SPONSORSHIP
If you would like to promote your business, services or products there are several Advertising opportunities available.
EVENT SPONSOR: Advertise your brand on all Scorecards, Posters, Prize Table, Halfway House and 1st Tee. Guarantee Hole 1 starting point for both morning and afternoon events, Lunch &/or Dinner* and Deluxe Goody Bags. - £500
*If 2 different Teams AM to PM the morning group will get lunch while the afternoon group will get Dinner. If same group playing 36 holes they will receive both.
CHALLENGE HOLE SPONSORS: Advertise your brand on selected Hole (These holes will feature a fun challenge: Nearest the Pin, Beat The Pro, Long Drive, Straightest Drive, Etc) This will included your Team Entry, On-Tee Signage and Scorecard feature. - £100
To Book or for more information on either the Tournament Formats or Sponsorship Packages: Click here
In Store we still have some incredible Offers on all kinds of product categories:
SRIXON BALLS:
As well as the 4 For 3 on AD333 Balls I am also including the same 4 For 3 on the Ladies Soft-Feel too. That's ONLY £15 Per Dozen!
PING G25 RANGE
All PING G25 Products are down in Price!
GOLFBUDDY GPS
Golfbuddy Voice is NOW ONLY £79 - SAVE £80!
Golfbuddy VT3 is NOW ONLY £199 - SAVE £40!
Golfbuddy WT3 is NOW ONLY £139 - SAVE £20!
Individual LessonPrices
30 Minute Lesson - £30*
45 Minute Lesson - £35*
60 Minute Lesson - £40*
Development Plan Package: "The Game Changer" (4x 45 Minute Session) - £140*
This Package is the ideal way to make simple, effective and long lasting improvements to your game. Whether it is focusing on one particular aspect or gaining knowledge and adding improvement to every department of your golf game.
Complete Game Package: "Top To Toe Improvement" (3x 45 Minute Session) - £105*
This Package focuses on every aspect of your game where you will be given analysis and advice on how to improve your Tee To Green Game (Session 1 - Long Game), your Approach Play (Session 2 - Shortgame) and your Putting Prowess (Session 3 - Putting)
Scoring Zone: "The Ultimate Shortgame Session" (2 Hour Session) - £75* 2 People = £37.50 Each, 3 People = £25 Each, 4 People = £20 Each)
The ideal way to make significant and lasting improvements to the one area of the game that guarantees lower scores! This session contains a detailed assessment of your Shortgame "Strengths & Weaknesses", a skills test, Computerized Putter & Stroke Analysis, Green Reading & Pace Control as well as an overview of Pitching & Bunker technique, Chipping method and shot choices.
Playing Lesson: "Take It To The Course" (2 Hour Session) - £75* 2 People = £37.50 Each, 3 People = £25 Each, 4 People = £20 Each)
This On Course Session focuses predominantly on your ability to manage your game and the course, mental approach, visualisation, routine, green reading, rules, etiquette and shot execution. Whilst how to play certain types of shots will be covered technique and swing changes will kept for on the Practice Range.
Consultation "Performance Analysis & Overview" (2 Hour Session) - £ 75 2 People = £37.50 Each, 3 People = £25 Each, 4 People = £20 Each)
This session contains a detailed assessment of your game and your goals! Important performance data is recorded using Flightscope which alongside a comprehensive Skills Test and questionnaire allow a "Plan For Progress" to be created specifically for your game. *Anyone who takes this assessment automatically qualifies for a 10% Reduction on all future Lessons & Packages that season.
Group Tuition
2 People (1 Hour) - £30PP
3 People (1 Hour) - £20PP
4 People (1 Hour) - £15PP
To book, click here now.
Are your clubs 'Fit'for purpose?
Check out my latest video: (Click on video)
DRIVER FITTING
Specification Fitting & Set Up Only (Make & Model already established) FREE
*Includes Flightscope Radar Fitting - 30 Minutes
Full Fitting Experience (Requirements Unknown) - £30
*Includes Flightscope Radar Fitting, Analyse current Driver, Trial New Driver options, custom fit to players Spec. - 60 Minutes (£15 Comes off purchase price - £15 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)
IRON FITTING
Specification Fitting & Set Up Only (Make & Model already established) FREE
*Includes Flightscope Radar Fitting - 30 Minutes
Full Fitting Experience (Requirements Unknown) - £30
*Includes Flightscope Radar Fitting, Analyse current Irons, Trial New Iron options, custom fit to players Spec. - 60 Minutes (£15 Comes off purchase price - £15 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)
PUTTER FITTING
Specification Fitting & Set Up Only (Make & Model already established) FREE
*Includes Tomi Putting Analyser Fitting - 30 Minutes
Full Fitting Experience (Requirements Unknown) - £30
*Includes Tomi Putting Analyser Fitting, Analyse current Putter, Trial New Putter options, custom fit to players Spec. - 60 Minutes (£15 Comes off purchase price - £15 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)
FULL BAG FITTING
Specification Fitting & Set Up Only (Make & Model already established) - £30
*Includes Flightscope Radar & Tomi Putting Analyser Fitting - 60 Minutes
(£15 Comes off purchase price - £15 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)
Full Fitting Experience (Requirements Unknown) - £50 £50
*Includes Tomi Putting Analyser Fitting, Analyse current Putter, Trial New Putter options, custom fit to players Spec. - 120 Minutes (£30 Comes off purchase price - £20 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)
To book a lesson or fitting, click here
Remember you can keep up to speed with all Shop, Course and Club news by following me on either Facebook or Twitter. Simply follow the links below.
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Members Birthdays This Week
25th - Graham MacLean and Christopher Campbell
26th - Colin I McLeod and Charles Goodwin
27th - Norrie Reid, Elspeth Simpson and Ross McDonald
29th - Tom McGuire and Barry Keenan
30th - Stewart Gray
31st - Colin Farquhar, Alan Morton and Peter Ross
