After a glorious week of weather, the Saturday curse struck again last week, with over an inch of rain over night Friday and Saturday morning a few greens were unplayable for competition golf. So I made the decision to postpone the Hutchinson Salver until the 26th September replacing the September Stableford.
Roger Calvert surprised himself by winning the Lawrence Batley Over 80's competition a week last Monday - Roger told me "he had only thought he might win the over 90's" but with a sparkling 86 - beating his age by 6 shots, beat the whole field by 4 shots. As well as being chuffed to emulate wife Margaret's victory a few years ago, Roger seemed most pleased with his kiss from The Lady Captain!
Jubilee Trophy on Saturday morning 9am shot gun. Chef Stuart will have the grills on from 8am so why not get down and have a bacon sandwich with your guest.
We have taken delivery of a new range of waterproof and windproof garments from ProQuip this week. The waterproof suit is the same one that the 2014 European Ryder Cup wore up at Gleneagles, as are the wind tops. Also within the range are some fantastic water repellent, lined sweaters. When you are next in the shop ask for a demonstration on how a merino wool sweater can be water repellent. We also have the ladies range of ProFlex waterproofs in stock and at under £170 for a three year guaranteed waterproof suit is great value.
The new Great Big Bertha woods are in stock now after their launch last week. I had some spare time on Monday and did a fitting for myself. I am normally fitted into the lower spinning head but with the new Great Big Bertha the difference over my own driver was quite remarkable. Using the same shaft out of my current driver I saw an increase in club head speed of 1 to 2 mph, which I couldn't really explain, but the speed off the face was even greater and I averaged 9 yards further carry over 20 shots compared to my original Big Bertha Alpha!! I then took it down to the range and the launch and flight were consistent to in the studio. Needless to say it has gone straight into the bag and will be tested on Friday in the Ilkley match.
The Ilkley match will see the end of another era when John Hammond (Hammo) plays his final Moortown/Ilkley match after 38 years at Ilkley. Those of you who know Hammo, will know he is a legend, a more enthusiastic golf pro you will never meet. My lasting memory of him will be sprinting 100 yards from another fairway to clean his Captain's golf ball, place it on a better lie (we were playing preferred lies at Ilkley) saying "Now then Captain, I think you can get a little 3 wood at that Captain, just a little draw Captain will get you right by that flag Captain." The only way Captain would draw a ball was with a pencil, but ever the optimist Hammo nearly made him hit a draw!! Ilkley matches won't quite be the same, but I'm sure you will all join me in wishing Hammo a great retirement.
Just incase you all haven't seen enough press about our wonderful ladies and their achievements this year, Lady Captain Sue gave a great interview with Chris Stamford of the Yorkshire Evening Post. Click here to read.
It was Moortown all over the golf section with Stephen East featuring too: Click here to read.
The Moortown Masters on Sunday brings the Yorkshire Order of Merit to a close. Ben Firth closed the gap on Phil Tomkinson by winning the rearrange York Rose Bowl at York Golf Club. Unfortunately for Ben, Phil finished second so he only made up 30 points, and Andy Jones made it a 1,2,3 for Moortown.
Click here for full results.
Click here for Yorkshire Order of Merit.
As promised last week HERE are the details of our winter coaching package for this year- following on from the great success last year it remains exactly the same. Places are limited and are on a first come first serve basis. So email me back (click here) to ensure 2016 is your best golfing year ever.
