JUNE 2024 EVENTS
DOGS WERE NOT POPULAR at my old golf club, Barton on Sea in Hampshire. Having heard some hair-raising anecdotes I can understand why. One chap used to tie his fox terrier Harry to the trolley. Harry always behaved impeccably until one day on reaching the 14th hole near the clifftop car park a car door opened and out jumped the Hound of the Baskervilles. It made straight for Harry, and Harry, neither up for a fight nor a romantic encounter, took off. Fear lent wings to his little ginger legs and the trolley swayed behind him, shedding clubs over the fairway, with Harry’s owner and partner both running behind waving their irons and the Hound’s owner bringing up the rear in a scene reminiscent of a Benny Hill chase. On another occasion, an excitable pup on an extending lead promptly ran round and round a foursomes, tying them up in a neat, almost oven-ready parcel. Never a dull minute.
Suggestions before taking Fido for a round:
1) No barking. An ill-timed bark at the top of your opponent's backswing could result in Rover's immediate demise. 2) Teach him to understand “drop it”, especially your opponent's ball. 3) Don't forget the poo bag.
THE U.S. OPEN will be played on Pinehurst No. 2 course, Nth. Carolina, June 13-16th. Designed in 1907 by Donald Ross, Pinehurst has 9 18 hole courses, each named simply by a number. Pinehurst 2 is said to be fiendishly difficult. Many of the greens are crowned and short shots tend to roll off, leaving a difficult chip shot. Johnny Miller once compared trying to land a ball on a Pinehurst green to trying to land it on top of a VW Beetle. Payne Stewart, who's statue is behind the 18th green, won the US Open there in 1999 after holing a 15ft par putt for a one-stroke victory before losing his life in October of that year. Pinehurst had no long rough in 1907 but in 1974 thick Bermuda rough was introduced throughout the course. In 2010 it was removed and fairways and bunkers were restored to the original Ross design with fine sand and native scrub. The good news is it’s very difficult to lose a ball on No. 2. course, there’s just one water hazard and OB rarely comes into play. Defending champion Wyndham Clark's putting last year was said to be outstanding. Perhaps he'd bought a VW Beetle.
A BRAND NEW GOLF CLUB is set to open "Within sight of central London.” The Inspiration Club is located just 10 miles from the West End and about seven miles from Heathrow airport. The third golf course owned by the Bridgedown Golf Group, following on from The Shire London and The West London Golf Centre, the 6,610-yard course is opening on 1stJune. Director Tony Menai-Davis said: "The Inspiration Club is unlike anything London has ever seen - a modern style links, featuring run-offs familiar to coastal layouts. To experience what we have designed here you would normally have to travel to the coast. The club will be perfectly positioned for golf enthusiasts looking to indulge in a round after work in the City." Oh yeah! Just try getting out to Northolt at 5.00pm.
PING SAY the G430 MAX 10K is their most forgiving driver yet, overtaking last year's G430 MAX. It practically comes with an automatic pardon from the pope. In addition, the lower spin rate of the G430 Max 10K leads to a vastly improved carry distance. The fixed Tungsten back weight drives mass down and back to increase forgiveness and optimise the centre of gravity position.
Even more noticeable, apparently, is the consistency. On more wayward strikes direction, speed and spin stay remarkably solid. The driver's large confidence-inspiring head helps square the golfer to the target.
It's a tad expensive, coming in at a whopping £599. I'd better start saving up. Like Bob Hope I've got a great short game, unfortunately it’s off the tee.
