SEPTEMBER ARTICLE WHISTLING WHILE YOU WORK

IN THE BUNKER WITH MICK THE GRIP

The Straits Course

WHISTLING STRAITS in Wisconsin, designed by Pete Dye to resemble links courses in the West of Ireland, was constructed on a former military airbase. With two miles of undulating shoreline and countless bunkers, golfers say the wind coming off Lake Michigan makes for an 'interesting game.' Most links courses offer the option of running a shot up along the sloping turf, especially if it’s played out of high fescue. Justin Rose says: “Whistling Straits is more target golf than links, the ball doesn't run there.”

Steve Stricker has had some fairways widened, to the advantage of the Americans. Fair enough, in 2018 at Le Golf National the fairways were narrowed, forcing the Americans into playing a throttled-down, precision-focused game. But a secret weapon at Whistling Straits may be the bald eagle which lives on the course. The Yanks have probably trained it to perch on the grandstand glowering down on the opposition, or soar over them dropping a greeting as they tee off. 

“PEACOCK OF THE FARWAYS” Doug Sanders, who has died aged 86, was known for his smart dressing. “Everything is co-ordinated,” he would say. “My shirts, slacks, socks, even my underwear. I take six suitcases to every tournament.” Remembered in particular for missing a short putt to win The Open at St Andrews in 1970, he lost out to Jack Nicklaus in a play-off the following day. “I might have been a very rich man if I'd sunk that putt,” he would sigh. Even so, he'd come a long way from Georgia, picking cotton as a boy during the Depression. Aged 10, he caddied at a local course, attended University on a golf scholarship and turned professional in 1956. having already won the Canadian Open. 

Sanders won a further 19 times on the PGA Tour and played on the 1967 US Ryder Cup team in Houston when the USA won by (cough) a rather large margin. 

JUSTIN ROSE, asked about his memories of previous Ryder Cups: “The gala dinner can be nice if you're sitting with the right people – they mix the teams, so it's the calm before the storm when everyone is still quite jovial.” After more than five minutes of Patrick Reed's “joviality” one would probably be tempted to empty one's soup on his head.

Justin is to receive the 2021 PGA Tour's Payne Stewart Award, given in honour of the 11-time PGA Tour winner who died in a plane crash in 1999. The award is presented to the golfer who exemplifies character, charity and sportsmanship. The Kate and Justin Rose Foundation which provides food and books for deprived schoolchildren will receive the $300.000 donation. In 2020 Justin and his wife Kate launched the Rose Ladies Series in the UK and for many years Justin has sponsored the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship. The second English player to receive the award after Sir Nick Faldo in 2014, Justin recently gave a very diplomatic interview in Today's Golfer regarding previous Ryder Cup teams. Sir Nick is justly praised for a lot of things but probably not diplomacy.

A HOST OF HOME HOPEFULS will try to make it three English victories in a row at the BMW PGA Championship from the 9-12th September. Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton will be joined at Wentworth by 2020 Race to Dubai Champion Lee Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter in the 3rd Rolex Series event of the 2021 Race to Dubai. Along with The Two Matts (Fitzpatrick and Wallace) they will be hoping to delight the fans and impress Padraig Harrington in the final Ryder Cup countdown. 

SOME REVIEWS recommend cavity irons filled with air, some prefer foam. To please everyone Taylor Made have injected their “All New” P790 irons with “Speedfoam Air” which is 69% less dense than the Speedfoam in their previous two models, apparently giving increased speed. A mere $1.299 for a 7-piece set. Will T. Made's customers go for it? If they do the Speedfoam won't be the only thing that's dense.

AUGUST ARTICLE- THE GOOD OLD DAYS

 

IN THE BUNKER WITH MICK THE GRIP

Golf Tournament 1960's style.

SHELL'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF GOLF was a televised series of golf matches which ran from the 1960s until 2003 with a 20-year break from 1971.  It kept up the tradition of "challenge matches" which were the earliest form of professional golf competition, and the list of players in these 18-hole stroke play matches reads like a roll call of golf legends. The first was played between Billy Casper and Mario Gonzalez in Rio de Janeiro in 1961. The first two matches of the series’ 1994 revival were Greg Norman vs. Nick Faldo at Sunningdale, followed by Arnold Palmer vs. Jack Nicklaus at Pinehurst No. 2.

Played on the world's finest courses, and sometimes in exotic locations, a fun aspect of these pre-recorded one hour television matches (the early ones narrated, when he wasn't playing, by Gene Sarazen) was that the golfers would interact with the on-course reporters, with off-the-cuff comments and jokes allowing viewers to feel they were walking with the competitors. Filmed during the “Silly Season” of the winter when nothing much happened, and shown in America on Sunday afternoons, the matches reflected a bygone era, with the spectators in their Sunday best, the ladies in dresses and the men in coats and ties. And definitely no shouts of “In the hole!”

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, five-star general, 34th president of the United States, was golf-mad. Ike's popularity was at an all-time high in post-war America, and the U.S. decided that “If Ike likes golf that's good enough for me.” More leisure time for the American family meant more time for sport, and golf in particular. The number of golfers approximately doubled during Eisenhower’s two terms as president (1953-1960). 

Eisenhower, who shot around the mid-80s, had a practice net erected in the White House basement, and used the South Lawn as a practice range. A personal putting green was built outside the Oval Office, and he would take practice swings with a club kept behind his desk while dictating letters to his secretary. He considered his first and only hole-in-one, at the age of 77, “the thrill of a lifetime.”

Eisenhower's 1953 State of the Union Address was written at Augusta National, in a “cabin” constructed for his use. However, even Ike couldn't get the 65ft pine tree he often came in contact with removed from the course. Clifford Roberts flatly refused, saying his request was 'Out of Order.' In 1966 the president turned up on Arnold Palmer's front porch clutching an overnight bag. “Say, you wouldn’t have room to put up an old man for the night, would you?” Ike asked. Palmer's wife, Winnie, had sent their private plane to fly the president to Pennsylvania for a surprise 37^thbirthday present for Arnie. Needless to say, they played golf. 

Eisenhower saw the golf course as a place to build relationships and a way to foster goodwill and understanding among the international community. What a pity Xi Xinping and V. Putin don't play golf.

Ike's tree, alongside the 17th hole was cut down  in 2014 after it was damaged in an ice storm.  Gary Player commented: “It was there when I played nearly 60 years ago, and Sam Snead said he used to just “cream it over that tree.” When asked how it was possible he said, "It was only 12-foot high when I did it."

WALES'S STEPHEN DODD certainly deserved a welcome in the hillsides after sinking a birdie putt to win the Senior Open at Sunningdale. He managed to look delighted, without capering round the 18^th green or falling to his knees, while Miguel Angel Jimenez, waiting to see whether there would be a playoff, came out smiling to congratulate him. Ah, golf as it used to be.

DAVID HOWELL and Glen Hoddle's playing partner in the BMW PGA Pro Am at Wentworth next month will be Anton du Beke, so if they win we will expect to see a celebratory Viennese waltz.

MAY-JUNE AND JULY ARTICLES KEEPING GOLFERS ON THE COSTAS ENTERTAINED AND INFORMED

MAY

 IN THE BUNKER WITH MICK THE GRIP

THE WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME at St. Augustine, Florida is a favourite with golfing enthusiasts.  Visitors can wander round the museum, learn about the legends (male and female) and view their memorabilia, good luck trinkets and clubs. Afterwards they can try the island green Challenge Hole,or play over 165 courses on a simulator. One round on the 18-hole, natural-grass putting course is included in admission. The Hall of Fame’s Member Locker Room looks like a posh clubhouse. The Trophy Tower holds some of golf’s most historic and unusual trophies. 

The qualifications required for election to the World Golf Hall of Fame are: minimum of 40 years old, or five years retired from "active competition," 15 or more wins on 'approved tours' or 2 Majors. The veterans category is for amateurs or pros who retired before 1980. The "lifetime achievement" category honours major contributors to the sport, eg. Bob Hope.

The World Golf Village features luxurious accommodation and two championship golf courses, the King & Bear (Palmer and Nicklaus) and Slammer & Squire (Snead and Sarazen.) The blurb says: “After an exciting day relax with your pals at Champions Grille over beers and a 'Bear Burger' or 'King Melt' with stacked slices of prime steak on ciabatta.” Worth the trip on it's own.

THE BETFRED BRITISH MASTERS hosted by Danny Willett, takes place at the Belfry from 10^th - 15^th May. The world-class Brabazon course has a rich golfing history, including hosting four Ryder Cups and seventeen European Tour events. Consisting of three courses, The Belfry is one of Britain’s most popular venues. Originally Known as Moxhull Hall,and dating back to the time of Edward the Confessor, it was also a manor for the Knights Templar. It became the headquarters of the European PGA in 1977 and the Brabazon Course hosted the Hennessey Cognac Cup in 1978 between Gt. Britain and Ireland and Europe. It was on the par 4 10^th hole that Seve Ballesteros hit a shot the course designers had never envisaged. Nick Faldo found the fairway but Seve hit his persimmon-headed driver a massive 280 yds to the right over the trees to land 8ft from the pin for a birdie putt. A plaque now marks the spot. At the 1985 Ryder Cup he was paired with Manuel Pinero in the morning foursomes, they were 2 up at the 10^th hole. Once again Seve took his driver, and this time his ball soared left over the water, landing on the green for a birdie putt. He and Pinero won 2&1. Europe went on to win the Cup 16.5-11.5, the first U.S. loss since 1957.

IF JON RAHM or Sergio Garcia triumph over the Americans at The PGA on Kiawah Island this month don't be surprised if a resounding Spanish cheer is heard from above. Remembering the “War on the Shore” it'll be Seve.

A PLEASURE TO WATCH a traditional foursomes at the Zurich Classic, instead of the Longest Drive competition pro golf seems to be these days. A neck and neck battle down the back nine between the two leading teams, finally a well deserved win for Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith on the first playoff hole. Amusing to hear the commentators explaining to bemused viewers the meaning of “alternate holes.” Hopefully at the Ryder Cup Europe can demonstrate further. Graeme McDowell celebrated his first ace on the PGA tour by providing a cooler of beer for the press tent. Lucky he owns a bar.

The first recorded hole in one was made by Tom Morris in the 1868 British Open.

The record for most PGA tour aces is 10. Phil Mickelson has recorded five.

Art Wall Jr., the 1959 Masters champion had more than 40 holes in one during his career.

Tiger Woods has shot 20 aces, his first at the age of 6.

The odds against a pro golfer getting a hole in one: 3,000 to one.

The odds against an average golfer getting a hole in one: 12,000 to one.

Even so, I haven't given up hope.

JUNE

IN THE BUNKER WITH MICK THE GRIP

WEST CORNWALL GOLF CLUB, established in 1889, is the oldest golf course in Cornwall. The local vicar is credited with it's design, and the graveyard of little Lelant Church borders the fairway on the right of the 4^thhole (The graveyard is OB.) Moulded around the dunes of the Hayle Estuary on the Lands End peninsula, WCGC is a classic links course, where both the conditions and the views on this magical 5,900 yd. Par 69 course change daily due to the sea conditions and the famous light. Local veteran Neil Hodding says: “It's a tough challenge, if you can break 70 around here on a calm day, you're a player."

World Golf Hall of Famer Jim Barnes grew up in Lelant and caddied and played at West Cornwall. 'Long' Jim Barnes emigrated to America in 1906 and won the first two PGA Championships in 1916 and 1919, the U.S. Open in 1921 and the 1925 Open Championship at Prestwick. During a return visit to his home club in 1955 Barnes played a round in par using just a three iron.

With stunning views of St. Ives harbour and beaches and the Hayle estuary, WCGC is a perfect course to walk as the distances between greens and tees are minimal. As it's close to the Carbis Bay Hotel, it will be surprising if a few of the delegates who come over for Boris Johnson's G7 climate summit this month don't sneak off for a few holes (and a Cornish Cream Tea!)

THE OLYMPIC GOLF TOURNAMENT (If it's played at all) will be held on the East Course at the Kasumigaseki Country Club NW of Tokyo. One of Japan's most exclusive clubs, opened in 1929, it was briefly taken over by American forces after WW2. The course has been lengthened to 7,466 yards — including the 640-yard fifth hole.

Rory McIlroy, asked whether he would be watching the Olympics said: “I'll probably watch the events that matter, like swimming and track and field.” Pro golfers are divided on the subject of Olympic golf, it's not that big a deal to American players in particular, although that may change when the 2028 Games are held in Los Angeles. The mens golf tournaments, due to be held July 29^th – August 1st come smack in the middle of their busiest time of the year. Will Justin Thomas, a top US Olympic pick, want to travel back through 12 time zones to defend his WGC-Fedex St Jude Invitational title in Memphis on August 5th? The Olympics come just before the Fedex Cup Playoffs, (Northern Trust won last year by Dustin Johnson) the BMW (Dustin just pipped by Jon Rahm) and the Tour Championship in September (Dustin Johnson again) who says he won't be giving up his chance of winning another Fedex Cup $15 million to wave a gong in Tokyo. 

DUSTIN JOHNSON is also finding it difficult to squeeze in a wedding with the mother of his two sons Paulina Gretzky. When asked whether the date is getting closer, 36 yr. old Dustin responded, “Yeah” with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm.  Paulina, who has been engaged to Johnson since 2013, has posted videos of herself shopping for wedding dresses in New York. We all remember Waity Katy, if Dustin doesn't bite the bullet soon it will be a case of very Upsetsky Gretsky.

BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU, who increased his weight by 45lbs with a revolutionary training programme, admits he has reached his limit as regards driving distance. The 2020 Open champion, who's maximum ball speed has risen from 174mph to over 200mph in little over a year, says: "I've reached a physical limitation that I don't know how to get past. I''m getting stronger, but somehow it doesn't produce swing speed.” He was philosophical when his driver snapped at the PGA when he leant on it, saying: “It's lasted over a year with my ball speeds, I'd say it's done pretty dang well." As Charlie Brown would say: “Good Grief.”

JULY

IN THE BUNKER WITH MICK THE GRIP

INSTANTLY RECOGNISABLE - the 495-yard par-four (par five for members) fourth hole at Royal St. Georges, Sandwich. The 40ft deep bunker has a carry of 239 yards and can be murder when the south coast gales make a nonsense of yardages.  Members tend to play out backwards. In the 1979 English Amateur Championship Reg Glading's ball lodged itself near the top under the lip of the bunker. He swung his club and tumbled head over heels (putting it politely) back down the slope.

The last round of the 1938 Open was perhaps the worst in the championship’s history, the exhibition tent was shredded and flattened, its contents blown to the sea. Only seven players broke 80. At the 140^th Open in 2011 the rain and wind caused turmoil, although Darren Clarke, unfazed, romped home for his first major and a celebratory Guinness.  Today's Golfer says: ' Royal St. George’s is a magnificent golf course, not despite it's unpredictability but because of it. This is links golf at its finest. If you don’t like it, then, by George, you don’t like golf.'

THE 2^nd ROSE Ladies Series involves 11 one-day events across the UK coinciding with gaps in the LET schedule. In 2020 Justin and Kate Rose contributed £35.000 in prize money and other UK sponsors matched it. Venues offered their facilities for free. 

This year the Series heads to Scotland for the first time on August 7 at Scotscraig. North Hants on September 20 and Buckinghamshire GC on September 23 will be followed by the Grand Final at Bearwood Lakes on September 25, with a £20,000 prize for the winner.

Justin will also be hosting and sponsoring the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship in October at Walton Heath, where he hosted the 2018 British Masters. The news that the competition was being relocated from Portugal's Quinto do Lago course received a raspberry from the young competitors, who had been hoping for a few days in the sun. 

The 2018 British Masters was washed out, and last year's Ladies Series was cut short after a fire, so let's hope a plague of locusts doesn't descend on Justin at Walton Heath.

PHIL MICKELSON (49) puts his recent success down to exercise, healthy eating and – coffee! He and performance coach Dave Phillips came up with 'Coffee for Wellness' - a gourmet blend which consists of beans ethically sourced from Africa and South America and roasted to preserve coffee’s natural antioxidants. It is then combined with ‘The Good Stuff’— Phil & Dave's special invention made in powder form and poured directly into a cup of their special blend. The Good Stuff contains: MCT powder, to boost metabolism; L-Theanine, to sharpen focus; Collagen for skin health; Cinnamon for joint health; and Himalayan pink salt, which supplies electrolytes to the system. “Coffee for Wellness reduces stress and fatigue and improves golfers' cognitive function.” says the blurb. Clever old Phil, another million dollars towards his pension.

THE BIG BERTHA DRIVER celebrates it's 30^th anniversary this year. Ely Callaway, a textile magnate with a passion for golf, and Richard Helmstetter a billiard cue designer, made golfing history with their driver, named after the WW1 howitzer gun which could launch 3000lb shells 30 miles behind enemy lines. The Big Bertha driver looked out of this world and performed like it; offering the promise of forgiveness to the golfer who until now had stood trembling on the tee attempting to hit the ball with a miniscule sliver of wood. Although the head volume was only 190cc compared with the 460cc beasts of today, it's perimeter weighted thin-face construction enabled it to launch the ball a long distance, and its sleek design proved an instant hit. Followed in due course by bigger and better Big Berthas, and the current range of Big Bertha B21 drivers and irons, it literally changed the face of the game. Happy Birthday to the BB, you gave us the opportunity to hit a bad one and still get away with it.

Until next time: Happy Golfing.

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