I know I`m `nae Stephen Hawins, Stephen Fry or even Steven Segal and I certainly wouldn`t rank Geography as my Specialist Subject, (although I would hope that was slightly better than Big Brothers Jade Goodie who thought East Anglia was a place abroad and Joey Essex who`s answer to the question "Which Country Borders Wales?" was London) but I would bet all the tea in Ghana (that`s the saying, right?) that Australia is not in Europe! Just when you thought Eurovision had reached it`s bizarre peak (literally) with Dana International, the Israeli transgender, and Conchita the Bearded ladyboy who was possibly the Wurst thing to come from Austria since Hitler, has opened its doors to Antipodeans seeking lunatic asylum!
Ironic in a way, seeing as Australia has one of the strictest immigration policies of any country, but regardless of their global inappropriateness they took their place in the Eurovision Grand Final, basically because they`d been televising Eurovision for over 30 years and seeing as this was the 60th Anniversary of Eurovision they thought `What the hell, lets invite Australia!!`. That`s like having to invite the Aunty & Uncle you NEVER see to your Wedding just because they send you a Christmas Card every year!! Struth!
Although, it`s not the first time an Aussie has performed in the show now is it! Who can forget the year that the UK put their faint hopes in the hands of Gina G! And did it help? Ooh aah Just a little bit, Ooh aah A little bit more, Ooh aah Just a little bit, A few more votes we`re looking for!! In more recent years the phrase `Clutching at straws` springs to mind mainly because most countries couldn`t give a Castlemain XXXX who we had representing us! We`ve had everybody from X Factors Busking Binman, Andy Abraham to Bonnie Tyler! Think it`s fair to say we need more than a Hero. Even Engleburt Humperdinck was dusted down and dragged out of cryosleep! And on the subject of old fossils I see Terry Wogan also said "Please release me let me gooooo! `coz I can`t take it anymore!" and is now snuggly tucked up next to Engleburt, Brucey and Angela Rippon!
There was someone else rippon it this weekend. The fairly unknown 23 year old Korean, Byeong-Hun An who is the brother of the more famous Ayeum-Batm An (which translates into English as Bruce Wayne!!) won the European Tours flagship event, the PGA Championship at Wentworth, with a record breaking 21 Under Par. It was a special event for a number of reasons. And like a bad version of Sesame Street those numbers were 1 & 4 and the letters A, C, & E! Quite incredibly for one Championship it had FOUR Holes In One! Two came on the Par 3 2nd, while 2 more came at the Par 3 14th! I guess the guys who got lucky at the 2nd will be a little miffed that they got no more than a large bar bill and maybe scooped the 2`s Sweep, whilst the other two Pinseekers get to roar off in a shiney new BMW i8.
But there is now an undisputed Hole-In-Juan King! Miguel Angel Jimenez not only got his 2nd hole in one in consecutive tournaments but in doing so leapfrogged dear old Monty to become the European Tour`s Ace-In-The-Pack with TEN Holes-In-One! (His record sounds like a pair of my socks!!) I think holding that title deserves quite a noble prize.
From a noble Prize to the Nobel Prize, it was the Marie Curie Stableford that took centre stage last Saturday for the gents. Played as a Stableford format there were a few players who weren`t quite radioactive but certainly caught fire as all but 2 of the 9 Sweep Winners scored 40 points or more!
In Division 1 a 3, 3 (birdie, eagle) finish was the difference as Ben Murray followed last week's gross 66 with a stableford equivalent 68 to edge 1st place on the count back. To say Ben made an eagle 3 at the last because he took the powerline off the Tee is an understatement! His tee shot was sailing out of bounds at 18 when it struck the overhanging power cables, this meant Ben, fortunately, had to replay the shot. A better second serve allowed him to hit just short of the par 5 green in 2 where he proceeded to chip in for 3. So despite killing Busby with his first ball he made an eagle with his second!!
MARIE CURIE STABLEFORD, Saturday 23rd May`15
Division 1 (10 & BELOW)
1st: Ben Murray = 41 Points ACB
2nd: Gary Esson = 41 Points ACB
3rd: Steven Wallace = 39 Points ACB
Division 2 (11-15)
1st: Jim Cruickshank = 41 Points ACB
2nd: Gary Lloyd = 41 Points ACB
3rd: John A Legge = 41 Points ACB
Division 3 (16 & ABOVE)
1st: John Mulvany = 42 Points
2nd: Mark Dalglish - 40 Points
3rd: Kevin Moir = 39 Points
On the Wednesday prior Robbie Murdoch continued is excellent recent form buy leading the way again with a brilliant 5 under, 67.
WALK ON MEDAL/ECLECTIC WK4, Wednesday 20th May `15
Division 1 (10 & BELOW)
1st: Robbie Murdoch = 67 (1) - 66
2nd: Craig Will = 76 (6) - 69
3rd: Allan Towler = 80 (10) - 70
Division 2 (11-15)
1st: Mark McDonald = 79 (11) - 68
2nd: Scott Livingstone = 81 (12) - 69
3rd: David Spence = 83 (12) - 71
Division 3 (16 & ABOVE)
1st: John Telfer = 87 (17) - 70 ACB
2nd: William Wood = 87 (17) - 70 ACB
3rd: John Paterson = 89 (19) - 70 ACB
Sunday was again Competition time but of a different sort. Portlethen played host as it put on the first of 2 Texas Scramble Opens, and we were blessed with a pleasant day and a healthy turn out. 39 Teams in total played and the scoring was quite simply ridiculous!!
And like a Hollywood Movie script it was the last match of the day that swept in and claimed top spot in the Handicap Section. And it was nice to see that ¾`s of the Team were all Portlethen Members. The Quartette of Ian Logie, Rob Anderson, Grant Chalmers & R Beaton(Kemnay GC) came in with a Nett 53.3 to oust the team of Bill Flett(Portlethen) P Milne, B Riley(Both Nigg Bay) & G Ritchie(Carnwarth) who had score 54.7. In 3rd place was an all Porty ensemble comprising of Graham Innes, Stephen Robertson, Malcolm Thomson & Steve Lawrie who scored 55.4.
The best scratch of the day went to the Banchory Boys, A. Ramage, R.Black, A.Lindsay & C.Lindsay who posted an impressive 17 Under Par gross 55! They also cleaned up on the On Course Challenges too with A.Lindsay winning the Longest Drive @ 13 and R.Black taking the Nearest The Pin @ 5.
It was good to again see lots of my pupils feature in the prizes over the weekend. Part of the winning Scramble Team, Rob Anderson, had a memorable birthday weekend as he followed his Friday Lesson with a healthy celebration and then victory in the Scramble Open. But on the Saturday there were more good individual successes from players who have taking the time to invest in their game and are reaping the rewards.
Steven Wallace has continued to build on his change in form and is now making serious inroads into his handicap. Tony Lee, who`s scores have been threatening a really low one has not only stemmed the tide of his form but has also cut his handicap back down to 7. In Division 2, Gary Lloyd, who has been working hard on his game claimed 2nd place in the Sweep and took a stroke off of his Handicap in the process. Whilst in Div 3 Mark Dalglish also pick up some second place money and shaved a stroke form his handicap too.
A few members have joked in conversation that I`m "some sales man!", but the truth is I`m not! I`d go as far to say that I`m a terrible sales man because on far too many occasions to remember I have given out such honest and professional advice that I`ve ended up talking people out of spending any money, and in most cases I`ve encouraged them to spend a lot less money. The reason being that while, yes, I am a businessman my job is not a Salesman, my skills are not in sales techniques. My integrity and purpose is to get golfers improving, enjoying, smiling and having fun. So the only thing I can say I "sell" is SOLUTIONS & RESULTS!
I`m a big believer that actions speak louder than words, but I`m just using a few words to highlight how other peoples actions are showcasing the effect I can have on your game and your enjoyment.
All I ask in return is that you show me and the business I`m trying to run a little respect. I know the world of the internet is out there and the lure of online bargain shopping exists. I don`t need reminded of it, and certainly not with boastful reports of your latest purchase from some obscure website. Have you ever walked into to your local restaurant just to tell the head chef that you got a cracking deal ordering a takeaway online?
Probably not, because you realise they are extremely different services and more importantly EXPERIENCES. It`s that Service & On Site Experience that separates what we do from the basic `Product Picture & Price` proposition you find Online.
Another reason to steer clear of the internet is that you just never know what you`re going to get until you`ve got it! There is a typical rule of thumb, if the price seems too good to be true it probably is! We only sell the very best and 100% genuine products, at extremely competitive prices that reflect the service we can provide.
These days those imitation products aren`t just clubs either. Recently we had a Member come in to get some clubs re-gripped. He had only resorted to getting us to re-grip them (we fit grips for FREE which also saves you the hassle of wrestling to try and get the old grips off, re-tape them, them fit the new ones) because he saw the grips he wanted online at a fraction of the cost of the same grips we had in stock. It was only once he received them, and could actually feel them in his hands that he realised something wasn`t quite right.
They looked similar but not the same, they felt plasticy and cheap. And when compared to a genuine equivalent it was obvious that they were like night & day. Check out the picture below to see for yourself, but when it comes to thinking that Online is best all I`ll say is, GET A GRIP!!
"All the Golfing Gossip from the Powder Room" by Aileen McVey - The Pro Shops 1st Lady
Last weekend had a strange feeling at the golf club as 16 of our Ladies enjoyed their annual weekend away to the Station Hotel at Portsoy. Playing golf at Huntly, Cullen and Duff House Royal. All games were played stableford, thank goodness as Cullen was a crazy and interesting course to say the least, especially the climb up the 2nd hole and the 7th tee was daunting for the ladies who were afraid of heights.
The weekend winners were:
Huntly - Wendy Plevey - Points 32
Cullen - Linda Craik - Points 33
Duff House - Wendy Plevey - Points 35
So the overall winner of our weekend away quaich was Wendy Plevey. Well done Wendy. ???? Alison Bruce celebrated her 60th birthday during our weekend away. We all enjoyed the celebrations and the ice cream cupcake from the renowned Portsoy ice cream shop. Alison led the way on the tee at Duff House on the Sunday and got her round off with a bang with the help of an exploding golf ball.
On Tuesday back at the club her round again got off with a bang as she birdie the first hole but I think the weekends frivolities eventually took its toll! That couldn`t be said of Heather McCabe who I`m sure Stuart will be delighted with. After her recent lessons she led the way in the Silver Division with a nett 70 and took a stroke off of her handicap in the process.
Tuesday Walk On, Results
Silver
1st: Heather McCabe = 87(17) - 70
2nd: Wendy Plevey = 92(15) - 77
3rd: Catherine Craig = 90(13) - 77
Bronze
1st: Anne MacLeod = 95(25) - 70
2nd: Pat Penfold = 102(27) - 75
3rd: Liz Groves = 101(26) - 75
In the Juniors I think the girls are ganging up on the boys as Louise, Ashley & Katie claimed 3 of the top 4 spots on Saturdays Medal. Fortunately for the boys Lewis Sinclair flew the flag with the lowest score of the day.
Allison Pairs Qualifier
1st: Lewis Sinclair = 81(14) - 67
2nd: Lousie Cook = 90(22) - 68
3rd: Ashley Wallace = 94(22) - 72
4th: Katie Robson = 85(11) - 74
Katie also got a taste of life in the Pro Shop this week as she did her School Work Placement.
The "Get Golfing Gang" go from strength to strength and I have been working more closely with the development of the kids who have progressed to playing 18 holes but have not quite reduced their handicaps low enough to be recognised as Congu Handicaps. I`m looking forward to seeing how they progress over the coming weeks.
One Junior who got some instant progression was Brandon Simpson, who had a Lesson with Stuart on the Friday afternoon then went to Turriff on Sunday and won the Paul Lawrie Series Event with 77(14) - 63 and also reduced his handicap to 13!
Neils endeavours to get our greens back on track you could say `peaked` my interest! Like a lot of things it seems you can stimulate just about anything these days! And whilst not quite a little blue pill, a blue dye`d spray which is the grass equivalent of Viagra was applied to the greens to try and `get their pecker up` and literally make their leaf stand taller and stronger (and probably for longer!). So the good news is that wherever your ball lands on the green now it`ll be lying stiff!
The greenstaff also got a boost! No, they weren`t drinking the blue dye`d spray at teabreak! I mean the Team got another new addition who goes by the name of Graeme Beattie. Graeme is a Portlethen `Loon` but has spent some time away from the area learning his trade at Pumpherston Golf Club in the Lothians. I`m sure you all wish Graeme a warm welcome to Portlethen and I`m sure with the new staff additions and the liquid life application the only way is up for the golf course now!
Viagra Falls The Grass Is Always Bluer
Stuart is going to be unbearable this week! The Top 3 on Thursday had another of his pupils getting his handicap reduced!
Gordon Wallace shot a Nett 66 and took a stroke off of his handicap along the way. He actually only finished 3rd with that score however he did have a high scoring that needed stableford adjusted which might have seen him finish higher up.
Charlie Myles had also just purchased a new Driver from Stuart and I know from speaking to him it has given him a huge amount of confidence which reflected in his super Nett 65 to claim 2nd.
No doubt Stuart will be claiming that the new putter grip that he fitted to Walter Burness`s putter was what made the difference to Walters score! But I`m sure any Nett 63 would`ve had lots of good putts holed.
Senior Medal, Thursday 21st May
1st: Walter Burness = 82(19) - 63
2nd: Charlie Myles = 80(15) - 65
3rd: Gordon Wallace = 93(27) - 66
There are lots of players benefitting from the solid, expert and professional advice that is available to you all on your doorstep. So don`t get left behind, and as I mentioned last week some of the key things to playing well and scoring better on the course could come down to just having more confidence in your distance awareness. Why not take advantage of a couple of my services that you simply can`t get ANYWHERE ELSE and definitely can`t get from any online supplier!
Knowing YOUR Yardage:
As I`ve constantly mentioned in previous Newsletters I have the Technology to give you this info. in the form of my Flightscope Radar. But the truth of the matter is it wasn`t really portable or practical enough for the logistics of the Portlethen Driving Range. But have no fear because I have invested in the very latest Camera driven Launch Monitor. The GC2 with HMT (Head Measuring Technology) now gives me, but more importantly you, the best kit to get the best feedback. It will be a big part of my Club Fitting and Tuition Sessions but right now I`m offering you guess the chance to get your game "Dialled In" starting wioth knowing how far you hit each club. This `Distance Gapping` Session does two distinct things for you. It gives you peace of mind that you know how far you hit each club, and it also highlights if there are any significant GAPS or CLUSTERS in your Set.
Book You Gapping Session Today - ONLY £20!
Knowing THE Yardage
Knowing how far you hit each club is a start, now all you need to know is the ACTUAL Distance you have left to hit. For that there are many forms of Measuring Device on the market. There are Lasers which accurately pin point the target you are shooting at with a very easy `Point & Press` function. Then there are handheld Units that give you a visual arial display of the hole, all is hazards and features as well as the front, middle and back distances of the green. Then finally the most convenient and popular just now is the watch/wrist mounted device. The information is more basic due to the size of the display but it is every bit as accurate and you know how far you are away from the front middle or in most cases the best yardage to use is the back edge of the green from anywhere on the course just by having a quick glance at your wrist!
We have just taken delivery of all the latest models of laser, unit & watch styles from Golfbuddy, Garmin & Nikon. So why not take one for a test drive and see the confidence that KNOWING THE EXACT YARDAGE can have on your game. I`ll put money on most of the good players will be relying on something like that in this week`s Champ Qualifiers.
Book you Golfbuddy Test Drive Today - FOC!
Although have a quick peek at this week`s video and you might see that knowing your lay up yardage better might have help! But good players can escape from any awkward situation!.....can`t they!?
As I`m sure many of you will know by now a large part of what I am trying to offer is the ability to make you perform better. We have the very best Green Grass Trial & Fitting Service you`ll find in the area. To reinforce that Service for the next Month I will be adding some incredible value to that service by offering not only FREE Fitting on Equipment* Purchases but also a Performance Enhancing Lesson ABSOLUTELY FREE as well! For more details of my Complete Equipment Solution then keep reading!
*On Featured Brands/Products
But I`m confident that I can help you guys Improve so much so that I`m going to introduce the following Promotion.
My search is on to find the "GAME IMPROVEMENT CHAMPION!"
Here`s how you qualify to be I the running for this Award.
For the Months of May & June I will be offering this exclusive Lesson Package.
"The Game Changer" - 4 x 45 Minute Lessons
Lesson 1 - Full Swing Analysis
Lesson 2 - Pitching & Chipping
Lesson 3 - Bunkers
Lesson 4 - Putting
ONLY £120! (That`s A £20 Saving!)**
**Top Up Lessons will be given at the equivalent reduced individual price!
Everyone who signs up for this Package will have their Handicap Progress recorded until the end of August (Lessons are recommended to be taken over the maximum of 2 week intervals and are only Valid until the end of this period) The Player who achieves the BIGGEST PERCENTAGE IMPROVEMENT on their Handicap will be crowned my "GAME IMPROVEMENT CHAMPION" and receive a Commemorative Sweater, Certificate and an All-Expenses Paid Away Golf Day with myself. (If the Promotion attracts enough interest I will offer 2 Runners-Up Prizes to join the All-Expenses Paid Away Golf Day with myself)
That lasting improvement to your Golf Game is just one Click away! Book your first session up today!
"Upcoming Trial/Fitting Days"
- Wilson - Tuesday 9th June 1pm - 5pm
- Callaway - Thursday 3pm - 7pm
- PING - Friday 3rd July 1pm - 6pm
Book your appointment slot (30 Minutes) today by clicking here.
I love the atmosphere that`s in and around the shop these days, it`s a lot of fun and makes coming to work and the long hours very enjoyable but Ive taken some steps to get the Members to `Belt Up`!! Firstly with the addition of some excellent and extremely popular Dru Belts (Click here to have a look!). And secondly, by popular request by all those caffeine addicts, by introducing a LARGE Cup to keep you quiet with your early morning coffee!! These basically holed 2 of the original cups so a Large Cup costs £2! (Just remember to put your cup under before you start pouring your drink! It`s CUP, COIN, COFFEE!!! Otherwise I might need to up the price of a cup to cover the cost of my carpet cleaning bill!!)