I know that Sky Sports have flexed their financial muscles and offered a lucrative treasure chest to obtain the screening rights for the Open Championship come 2017, which will no doubt mean coverage littered with commercial breaks but I honestly thought that the R&A had sold the soul of this year`s Championship and had it sponsored by Johnson & Johnson! Dustin Johnson lazily glided through the opening 2 rounds like baby oil of a toddlers toosh only to serve up a bought of diarrhoea over the weekend that even Imodium Plus couldn`t hault! Fortunately for those rooting for a Yanky Johnson victory they had another one to come to their Band-Aid in the form of the Joachim Pheonix look-a-like! And it was a case of `cometh the hour Commodus the man!` as it was the Johnson Jnr (In size not age) was the Talc of the town and you could say in ex-zachary the right place at the right time! Zach Johnson may not be the flashiest of players, may have a quirky looking swing and an unusual putting style but boy does he know how to Compeed! He`s now collected his second Major after winning the 2007 US Masters and with 12 PGA Tour Wins, 4 Ryder Cup appearances and, with the help of his winner`s check at St Andrews, has a near $40 Million in Career earnings so is worth a Listermint!
There was definitely a breath of fresh air throughout the Open Championship. Namely in the shape of all the amazing Amateur exploits! A record 10 Amateurs made it to the final 2 Days and at one stage I`m sure the R&A thought they might be handing out Silver Medals like "Jim`ll Fix It" Badges. The race to finish Low Amateur was just about as exciting as the clamour for the Claret Jug with the Cinderella story of young Irishman, Paul Dunne, grabbing the 3rd round headlines as he topped the leaderboard and was in the final group going into the delayed Monday sprint. It was always going to be interesting to see how he would handle the situation but given that he looked like every inch a jockey you might have expected him to be a good front runner! But perhaps the enormity of the situation he found himself in and the overwhelming media attention that that brought with it I guess it was always going to be a big ask. If you missed it here is one of the dozens of TV Interviews he had to do in the build up to the final round! Click here to watch.
But as the diminutive Dunne fell at the final hurdle it was another American who burst through to take it by a nose! And I think it is fair to say that compared to the 5`8" Irishman that Jordan Niebrugge (6`4") was head and shoulders above all the Amateurs that week.
Unfortunately that breath of fresh air had turned to a blast of cold air on Saturday which saw the whole 3rd round having to be delayed until the Sunday because ferocious high winds had made conditions earlier that day unplayable. To make matters worse the tournament officials were already trying to play catch up from Fridays 2nd Round rain delays which not only had soften the course but kinda dampened the mood too. It was Tom Watsons swansong and farewell to The Open Championship and I`m sure many of the paying public scheduled to go that day were there to say their goodbyes to one of the games true gentlemen and certainly one of its best Champions! A walk that so many of the games greats have done on their last hurrah over the Swilken Bridge with a pause and a wave then up the Hallway of the Home Of Golf to the applause of the packed stands and thousands more standing was , for Tom, a little bit of a let-down. Perhaps it was more symbolic though, as darkness fell over the Championship that day the light was diming on Tom`s Open adventures. I wonder if the game will ever see a player with the same longevity of ability and class? This was non more evident than when he presented Ivor Robson, the Championships Official Starter for the past 40 years, with a gift as Ivor also brought down the curtain on his own Championship career.
Something tells me that a certain Master Spieth might well be the man to be the games modern day Watson. An all-round game that is unflappable, a swing that can stand the test of time, a demeanour and media persona is measured and typically on point, a respect for his peers but a passion to succeed. A passion that is there for all to see that bubbles close to boiling point to be a motivation, but keeps the lid on enough to never over step the mark. Jordan came within a whisker of adding to his history breaking career as he attempted to claim the third of three Majors this year. A four putt double at the 8th will undoubtedly be replayed over and over in the young maestros head, and I`m sure not playing the last 2 holes in level par when he was in the mix will rankle with him too but to go so close with so much at stake speaks volumes for the substance of the man.
The Old Course provided us once again with an entertaining and exciting Championship and showed that you don`t need incomprehensively long holes, ridiculously penal rough or stupid green creations & pin placements to test the best golfers in the world! How much drama did we get out of a handful of holes (1, 17 & 18) that have 1 bunker (in play) a whispy slither of rough, a tiny wee winding burn and huge greens? Next up its off to Whistling Straits where the Americans once again try to `do links!` And if Dustin Johnsons confidence isn`t fragile enough after losing the US Open and his collapse during the Open then I`m sure a return to the scene of his brainstorm in a bunker wont exactly fill him full of optimism! No wonder he turned to, ahem, alternative stimulants!!
Now I know there are 10 Pros very happy that 10 Amateurs made the cut at St Andrews as their wage packets just got bigger than their play merited but there were a few Amateurs that were quite profitable following last week`s results. Namely those who got lucky in my Open Championship Sweepstake.
Here is a list of the lucky lads:
OPEN SWEEPSTAKE RESULTS
1st: Iain Flett (Zach Johnson) = £80
2nd: Jim Galvin (Louis Oosthuizen) = £50
2nd: Ian Logie (Mark Leishman) = £50
Best Score Rd1: Ian Anderson (Dustin Johnson 65) = £15
Worst Score Rd1: Aynslie Wallace (Nick Faldo 83) = £15
Best Score Rd2: Norman McBain (Hideki Matsuyama 66) = £7.50
Best Score Rd2: Aynslie Wallace (Russell Henley 66) = £7.50
Worst Score Rd2: Greg Donaldson (Gary Boyd 80) = £7.50
Worst Score Rd2: Steven Christie (Tom Watson 80) = £7.50
Best Score Rd3: Ian Logie (Mark Leishman 64) = £15
Worst Score Rd3: Rab Dickson (Ryan Fox 76) = £15
Best Score Rd4: Iain Flett (Zach Johnson 66) = £3.75
Best Score Rd4: Ian Logie (Mark Leishman 66) = £3.75
Best Score Rd4: Ian Logie (Scott Arnold 66) = £3.75
Best Score Rd4: Bob Inkster (Brendon Todd 66) = £3.75
Worst Score Rd4: Drew Tremain (Charl Schwartzel) = £15
Low Amateur: Jeff Capstick (Jordan Niebrugge) = £15
Well done guys!
Again we were back to a full quota of Competitions last week starting with the Wednesday Midweek Medal. This was Round 2 of the Rainbow Taxis Trophy awarded for the best 2 Nett Score Rounds. Typically Handicap Trophies tend to favour the slightly higher handicaps but it`s great to see this Competituon being won by Clark Brechin who plays off +2! Clark beat Imran Sheikh on a countback after they had both score 141 (72 & 69)
RAINBOW TAXIS RD2 Wednesday 15th July `15
Division 1 (10 & BELOW)
1st: Steven Christie = 74(8) - 66
2nd: Clark Brechin = 67(+2) - 69
1st Sweep: Ryan Donaldson = 71(2) - 69
2nd Sweep: Graeme Innes = 70(0) - 70 ACB
3rd Sweep: Imran Sheikh = 78(8) - 70 ACB
Division 2 (11-15)
1st: Glen Emslie = 81(12) - 69 ACB
2nd: Ryan Sheikh = 81(12) - 69
3rd: Lee Stewart = 81(11) - 70
Division 3 (16 & ABOVE)
1st: Paul Bain = 84(18) - 66
2nd: Alex Legge = 85(18) - 67
3rd: Chris Stoddart = 87(17) - 70
3rd Sweep: George Fenton = 87(17) - 70
Photos from left to right- Clark Brechin, Graeme Innes, Imran Sheikh, Glen Emslie, Ryan Sheikh, Lee Stewart, Alex Legge and George Fenton
GALVIN CUP/SHIELD 1st ROUND Saturday 18th July`15
Division 1 (10 & BELOW)
1st: Nick Mackie = 74(5) - 69
2nd: Derek Forbes = 80(9) - 71 ACB
3rd: Scott Kranzke = 80(9) - 71 ACB
Division 2 (11-15)
1st: Brian Mitchell = 81(11) - 70
2nd: Brian Wood = 84(13) - 71
3rd: Bruce Raffell = 83(12) - 71
Division 3 (16 & ABOVE)
1st: Chris Stoddart = 87(17) - 70
1st Sweep: Peter Somerville = 96(25) - 71
2nd Sweep: James Miller SNR = 95(21) - 74 ACB
3rd Sweep: Brian Alves = 91(17) - 74 ACB
Photos from left to right: Nick Mackie, Derek Forbes, Scott Kranzke, Brian Mitchell, Brian Wood and Peter Somerville
WALK ON STABLEFORD Sunday 19th JULY `15
Division 1 (10 & BELOW)
1st: Scott Kranzke = 41 Points
2nd: George R Smith = 37 Points ACB
3rd: Greg Donaldson = 37 Points ACB
Division 2 (11-15)
1st: Craig Morrison = 40 Points
2nd: Ryan Sheikh = 38 Points
3rd: Lee Stewart = 32 Points
Division 3 (16 & ABOVE)
1st: David Allan = 37 Points
2nd: Duncan MacMillan = 35 Points
3rd: Brian Ward = 35 Points ACB
Photos from left to right: Greg Donaldson and Brian Ward
Again it was really pleasing to see more of my pupils performing well and reaping some benefits from the time they have invested in their games with a helping hand from my advice. Nick Mackie`s good round on Saturday was nearly a great round, but despite a closing few holes that I`m sure Nick would like to play again his score was still the best of the day. Imran Sheikh continued his good run of form and is making a serious dent in his handicap, and following his first lesson Brian Ward also had his 1st Handicap hold since last season as he took 3rd place on Sunday.
Saturdays Galvin Cup 1st Round was also event 7 on the Race To The Cappro Cup! We now have only 3 counting events remaining so things are hotting up and again there were changes in the Top 4 Automatic Qualifying Places (Below). To see where you are in the Full Standings or to see where everyone is placed click here.
"All the Golfing Gossip from the Powder Room" by Aileen McVey The Pro Shops 1st Lady
Well it was an interesting weekend for me. Having been scheduled to go to watch the golf in St Andrews on Saturday the news of the high winds and delays was enough to put me off going, a sensible decision some might say. So instead of getting blown away wrapped up in waterproofs I thought it`d would be better to head out in the gales on my bike!! Perhaps not so sensible a decision! However I`ve lived to tell the tale..just, so I know it will stand me in good stead when I do my Charity Cycle for real in a few weeks' time.
LADIES ECLECTIC Sat 18th July `15
1st: Heather McCabe = 91(16) - 75
2nd: Silvia Revell = 104(29) - 75
3rd: Barbara Tait = 97(21) - 76
LADIES WALK ON Tues 21st July `15
1st: Silvia Revell = 105(29) - 76
2nd: Barbara Watt = 95(19) - 76
3rd: Di Driver = 102(25) - 77
Photos from left to right: Silvia Revell and Barbara Tait
With the Kids being on holiday there have been 9 & 18 Hole Competitions every other day here at the Club so way too many Results to post, but there also seems to be quite a few of the kids away on holiday so there have been quite small turnouts for each one. But all in all it`s great to see the boys and girls up much more regularly than usual and you can see they are all benefitting from the extra on course time.
I mentioned last week about my end of holidays Junior Camp but I would like to highlight that I`ve tweaked the Timings a little. They are now 9-11am & 11-1pm.
Junior Development Camp
Date: Monday 10th August - Friday 14th August
Time: Group 1 - 9-11am Group 2 - 11-1pm
A fun engaging week of Professional coaching for children aged 8-14 (or 9 hole handicap) to help develop their skills and get them excited about progressing further and for some kids getting ready for the 18 holes. Each day will consist of learning a new
technical skill, fun warm up activities, skill tests and challenges. £40 per person for the week.
Spaces are limited. To book please call the Professional Shop on 01224 782571 or email kamranzeno1992@yahoo.co.uk
We were Ace`s again in the CADS last week at Kintore. Well, I say we but it was more `he`! The he in particular was Bill Bothwell who scored his first ever Hole In 1 at their Par 3 17th! Other than that highlight there was not much else to report, and the same could be said of our "Friendly" Match away to Newburgh. I wouldn`t say they were very friendly hosts as they thumped us 6-2!!
The Course has once again taken the odd day of pounding in the last week. Friday in particular when play at St Andrews was delayed due to a deluge we were closed all day as the place was virtually submerged. Some incredible scenes at the 5th & 15th ponds highlight how much water the course has had to deal with in a short period of time. But testament to how good the course drains and more importantly how good Neil and the guys have conditioned the Greens is that we were back open and particularly firm & dry come first thing on Saturday morning in time for the 6am Competition start!
These closures really hinder the guys getting through the constant and perpetual maintenance tasks so Course Closures do know one any favours and are the last thing the Greenstaff want to do so these decisions are never made lightly or on a whim.
For once in my Retailing Life I`m going to turn the tables on you, but it`ll still be you that gets the better deal - But for now it`s me that wants " THE SHIRT OFF YOUR BACK!!" Yes, for a short period of time I am running my `Shirt Amnesty` where you can Trade-In any scabby, shabby and even grubby old shirt and get £10 OFF the cost of a new one! This offer is running on all the In Store Shirts.