Stuart Wilson

Hello Golfers,

Tensions were running high at the Trump-Kim Summit when it was discovered that Donald didn`t bring a Peace Offering because he wouldn`t pay 5p for a Korea Bag!!

Pro's News

It`s compelling TV watching fake tanned narcissists making stupid comments.... whether that be Donald Trump or Love Island!!

Kim Jong-Un has vowed to get rid of his Nuclear Weapons! Perhaps he can do us all a favour and dispose of his first one on Mallorca, the location of the Love Island Villa....kinda like killing 8 birds with one stone!!?

Joking aside, let`s hope we never have to stress about dealing with that countdown!

Tour News

Almost as stressful as a countdown as it was in Austria at the ‘Shot Clock’ Masters! (Yes, I really did just type those opening lines of drivel to set up a tenuous link so I could talk about last week`s European Tour Event!)

The event in Austria was going so well before Thunder & Lightening put a temporary halt to the final day’s play (you just knew that an event designed to get play completed faster was going to run late!!)

But to say they eventually got the Tournament finished was a bit of an understatement, because the victory was pretty much Finnished the moment Mikko Korhonen got out in front. The 37 Year Old Fin strolled to his maiden Tour win by some 6 shots!

It was 2nd Place that I was more interested in, especially when young Connor Syme tram-lined a 60 foot birdie putt on the final hole to secure outright second, and with it a huge chunk of cash towards keeping his Tour Card. I really hope that performance and placing give Connor the springboard to bigger and better things this season.

But wasn`t it refreshing (although a little bit disappointing) to see modern day Tour Players get around in good scores and even better times!? I said ‘disappointingly’ because it shows that they are capable of playing faster, so when they don`t they are effectively conning the paying and viewing public, and more importantly setting an unacceptable example.

Club News

An example, unfortunately, that it seems we seem to be slipping into here at Portlethen! With Medal round times on these last few Saturdays slipping out to a painful 4 hours and 45 minutes for periods of the day!

You need to be more ready to play, more conscientious of your actions and more aware of how you (and your group) are impacting on others!

The Course is probably playing as short and fair as it ever will so there really isn`t any reason the Course should be holding up play. Yes, sometimes you can`t just walk straight on to your ball when it is in either grade of rough, but again it is the Players responsibility to react accordingly in these situations. If you hit a ball off the fairway anywhere, but especially on holes where you cannot see the ball land or finish (IE: Over the crest of a hill) then just take the few seconds to hit a Provisional Ball rather than thinking ‘aye, I`m sure it`ll be alright!?’

If it`s obvious that the ball won`t instantly be found, but especially if you know you need to walk back to hit another ball, then (In the best points of View style) PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE can you wave the group behind and allow them to play!

US Open

And trust me when I say….our rough is not that bad!

Have you seen some of the stuff the Players might end up in at Shinnecock Hills!? Check out this short video by clicking here!

I know that Tigers have stripes to camouflage themselves in long grass so they can sneak up on their prey before they pounce, but I`m afraid to say that if Tiger finds himself knee deep in this stuff the only creeping he`ll be doing is back home on Friday night!

Although despite the incredibly heavy rough, reports suggest that the Fairways are actually about twice as wide as they were the last time Shinnecock Hills held the US Open in 2004.

Now that the Official Tee Times have been release I have also been able to allocate the Players Names to the US Open Sweepstake. If you have bought a Square you can check which Player you should be cheering on in the Professional Shop. There are still a few Squares left so you are still able to get your hands on one if you wish.

Applying The Pro`s Advice

Speaking of getting your hands on one I was pleased to hear that Keith Allan followed my ‘Sure Fire’ 3 point plan to a Hole-In-One when he Aced the 8th Hole on Saturday! Well done Keith!

He wasn`t the only Portlethen Member to visit ‘Room In-In-One!’ with Ray Cowan also dunking his Tee Shot whilst playing a Match away from home.

Competition News

Judging by the scores from last week`s Competitions there was obviously plenty of great golf and better putting on show!

Saturday – Belmar Stableford Rd1
Division 1

1 Bruce Harrold 43 Points

2 Steven Rutherford 41 Points

3 Martin Shand 41 Points

Division 2

1 Colin South 43 Points

2 Steven Jackson 42 Points

3 Gary Thomson 40 Points

Division 3

1 David Kernahan 41 Points

2 William Brechin 41 Points

3 Rama Maganti 40 Points

Wednesday
Division 1

1 Mark Leslie 74(9) - 65

2 Ian Greig 75 8c (8) - 67

3 Donald Smith 72(4) - 68

Division 2

1 Colin South 81(12) - 69

2 Christopher Forbes 82(13) - 69

3 Neil Anderson 82(13) - 69

Division 3

1 Connor Leslie 85(18) - 67
2 Robert McCabe 91(23) - 68
3 David Christie 97(28) - 69

Success Stories - Role Of Honour

We had another successful week of achievement from Members who have recently invested in their Games. Whether that was Personalised Instruction or Customised Equipment, these folks have seen some instant reward.

Rama Maganti & Dave Christie – Lessons with the Driver.

Mark Leslie, Donald Smith, Chris Forbes & Bob McCabe – New Equipment.

I want to highlight Bob McCabe in particular because not only did Bob play & score well on Wednesday with his newly Fitted PING G400 Irons, but he also went out on Monday and smashed the field with a Nett 62(44 Stableford Points) in the Seniors Open. Apart from the obvious financial reward that he`ll get with his Winners Voucher, Bob has reduced his Handicap by 3 strokes in less than 2 weeks since he has started playing with his new equipment!

Complete Equipment Solution

Remember, you still have time to take advantage of my CES Promotion and get even more value out of expert Custom Fitting!

*Offer Available on Purchases £299 or Over – Single Wood, Hybrid or Wedge Fits DO NOT QUALIFY!

And trust me when I say we offer you one of the very best Greengrass Fitting Experiences anywhere. And here`s why:

• One of the most extensive Club Fitting Matrix you`ll find out with the Brands own Fitting Centres – Drivers, F/Ways, Hybrids, Irons AND Wedges
• The Market Leader in Club, Ball & Swing Analysis Technology in the shape of the Foresight GC Quad.
• Greengrass, Outdoor & On Course Fitting & Trial conditions – Test Before You Invest!
• Full Trial Sets
• Over 25 Years experience with annual ‘Continuous Professional Development’ to understand & improve my knowledge of both Technology & Technique and how these factors influence and effect Performance.
• Extremely Competitive Pricing & Service.
• Convenient Handover & Aftercare
• Multiple Payment methods and Trade In Facility.

And I`ll reiterate the most important thing to remember – I DO NOT carry Floor Stock, so I`m not pressured into ‘Offloading what I have In Store!’ by convincing you it ‘Fits’ you - I DON’T Sell Equipment: I Provide IMPROVEMENT! If I can`t find Equipment that gives you a better Performance I won`t try to Sell you it!....but I will educate you into how to Improve.

Book your Complete Equipment Solution Appointment today – Click Here

World Cup Windfall

I`m constantly trying to add value to the services I provide for you so with the World Cup starting this week I`m giving you all the chance to ‘Dress For Less` with my World Cup Clothing Promotion.

Simply Spend £50 or More on any Clothing, Outerwear or Shoes and you could be in line for a £50 Windfall!

• Make your Clothing, Outerwear or Shoe Purchase
• Choose and Sign a World Cup Envelope
• The Customer with the Envelope that contains the Winning Country of the 2018 World Cup will receive a £50 Shop Credit.

T`s & C`s: Must be a Full Payment Purchase (Not Shop Credit) – In Store Purchases Only – Winning Credit must be redeemed against a Full Ticket Price Item

Junior Section

We had 35 children up the hill this week-it's good to see how many are turning up on a regular basis as it is the only way to get better.

The winners this week were Ethan Cowe and Jaymie Garioch. Due to the consistent good scoring we decided to make the course a little bit harder this week but the players rose to the challenge well with some great scores in particular from Lewis Hughes who finished in 18 shots. After their chips Callum and Lewis came out on the big course for their first 4 holes and I am sure will be all the better for the experience.

On the nine holer we had a new winner in Ethan West who returned a gross 56 net 31 despite running up a 12 at the 4th hole! Rio scored 52 - another good performance and Conan continued his progress with a fine 62. It was very gratifying to see 2 players who have come through our coaching system play so well in last week's Junior Monthly Medal for the 18 holders. Well done to Sam Leslie(1st) and Ross Burns(2nd)!

Terry and I will be running a Summer Camp the week before the Open Championship, which is the week of the 9th July to the 13th July. This is a week long summer camp for golfers of all abilities which will be run similar to the Easter Camps that we done earlier in the year.

I will also be running day camps for Juniors throughout the holidays. For more information or to book please contact myself via email on Rosscofgc@gmail.com or Terry at tkennedy784@btinternet.com

Which 50% are you in?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the key to unlocking lower scores lies in improving your short game. Having the correct technique is one part of the journey to achieving this. The other is making sure your wedges are the correct grind and bounce for your swing, as well as having a set of wedges that are evenly gapped to cater for any distance.

Poorly gapped wedge system

Correctly gapped wedge system

50% of you are like the first graphic
If you’re working hard to get your handicap down to single figures, it really will pay off to dedicate more of your practice time to your short game and the shots you need to improve in the scoring zone. As you can see with the graphics above, the wrong wedge set-up can lead to an awkward 35-yard gap and more difficult half shots, which is why we always recommend a gapping session or fitting.

With PING you have plenty of options, including this popular Glide 2.0 Stealth wedge, which comes in seven different lofts between 46° and 60°. It means whether you’re looking for a two, three or four wedge set-up in your bag, we can get your yardages gapped perfectly.

watch our video >

Pick it up and go

Longer days and better weather are resulting in more and more of you playing a quick nine holes in the evenings. With time of the essence, it’s well worth considering a lightweight carry bag to help you get round faster.

Park your trolley
Some of you reading this will be avid trolley users, whether that’s due to their ease of use or the many health benefits, but a lightweight carry bag can be the perfect twilight companion, allowing you to move faster and take shortcuts where trolleys can’t go. Take this DRI LITE 7 bag from BIG MAX for example. It weighs just 1.7kg, yet it still boasts waterproof zips and fabric to keep everything dry, plus a spacious four-way top and four practical pockets.

learn more >

I hope you have enjoyed this week's update.
We hope to see you soon
Stuart

Portlethen Golf Club
Badentoy Road
Portlethen
AB12 4YA

Phone: 01224 782571

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