MAY
IN THE BUNKER WITH MICK THE GRIP
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 10th - 15th 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 10th 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 10th 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 4thhole (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 29th – 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
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 140th 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 2nd 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 30th 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.
