So it's the last newsletter of 2014 - where has that gone? It's been a good year for golf with 3 of the majors being won by European players and four of the top six players in the world being European. Then of course there was the Ryder Cup, which just seems to grow and grow every two years. That said it was disappointing to see that Rory didn't win Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday demonstrating the disconnection between the British public and golf with very little golf now on terrestrial TV. Not sure what the answer is, but I really believe if The Ryder Cup had been on terrestrial TV, Rory would have won SPOTY and the game would be in a much better place.

It has been a great year at Moortown, with the course improving year on year under the guidance of Steve Robinson and his team. Stuart and Cath bring us a level of catering excellence that is the envy of all golf clubs. Phil and Mark look after everyone's needs behind the bar, and Peter and Lynn ensure that the bookings and administration run smoothly. All in all you really are hard pushed to find a better all round club anywhere in the country, never mind the county, and the reason for that is not just the staff but all you the members that make Moortown what it is - A very special place. I would like to thank Eddie, Jo and Tom for helping me in my goal to provide the best professional service to you all - we might fail the odd time and if we do please let us know, but I can ensure you we are always trying our best.

I can't believe that it is coming up to three years since I built the swing studio. I can't really remember life before the studio. It has not only kept us at the forefront of technology at Moortown, but it has transformed the way I teach and hopefully has helped many of you not only improve but understand why things happen to your golf ball. This winter I have been busier than ever with people on my winter packages and doing more custom fit sessions than ever before in a November/December period. I received a lovely acknowledgement from Dave Aitken recently following a fitting process for some new irons.

"Hi Martin, Just a note to say how pleased I am with my new irons. From the initial chats with Jo and Eddie, through to the final fitting with you, the whole process couldn't have been any better. I'm a believer in the technology anyway, but add to that the interest shown by you all in what I was trying to achieve and having the practice ground to back up the studio numbers, well, all I can say is I'm delighted with the outcome, and by all means use me as a reference." Dave

This week I did a fitting for a member from another club who was not only blown away with the technology, but also said "Why would anyone buy a set of clubs without being fitted? - I wish our pro offered such a service". With so many of the manufacturers releasing product earlier and earlier - now really is the time to get that new set of irons before the season so that you can play them in before the first medal of the season.

The Lady Captain emailed me with this unusually occurrence on Tuesday - "The ladies have realised how important it is to mark your ball clearly following an incident during the Annual 9 hole Xmas Competition on Tuesday. After Beryl Pickering drove off from the third tee she claimed she had seen a crow pick up her ball and fly over to the rough. When her group walked forward it became clear her ball was not where her drive had finished. The Lady Captain then walked over to the area where Beryl claimed the crow had taken her ball and low and behold there was a ball there with Beryl's identifying mark on it!

Please note that this incident occurred before the traditional swig of Baileys at the Half Way House and the substantial Xmas Lunch that all the Ladies enjoy!"

That crow is now officially off the payroll!!

The greenkeepers have been busy this week sorting one of the main drains across the 18th, 1st and practice ground that takes all the surface water from the car park. Tree roots had got in to the drains rendering them useless and the backlog of water causing problems right the way across. Once the blocked pipe was cleared I understand there was quite a surge of water!

The draw for the Christmas Shotgun has been done, and with such a huge field this year I apologise now for those that have drawn the far reaches of the course, but with just shy of 120 people playing it means we are fully loaded all over the course. I am presuming that all pairs are as they appear on the sheet i.e. Player 1 playing with player 2, let me know ASAP if not so that all the cards can be done in plenty of time as it is always very hectic, with everyone checking in at the same time. Stuart and Cath are being very festive and kitted out in their Christmas Jumpers are going to be outside the shop offering FREE bacon rolls and coffee, so make sure you get to the club nice and early as they will be on parade from 8am, with the first groups (the A's) going off at 8.55 and the shot gun being at 9am. After the golf there will the prize presentations for all the Christmas competition winners and Stuart's fabulous Christmas Turkey Roll and roasties. Entry is £20 per pair to include everything - food, entry, sweep and twos. Finger crossed for a nice bit of weather.

 Don't forget the Pro Shop Christmas Draw, which we will also draw on Saturday lunchtime.

That's it folks for 2014 - Hopefully see many of you over the festive season, but if not I hope you all have a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Keep Saturday 24th January free in your diary as I've got an extra special 50th Birthday celebration competition with some fantastic prizes - hope you will be able to join me.

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