This week's Portugal Masters was subject to a few weather delays which makes me realise how lucky we have been with our weather over the last few weeks. Well done to Englishman Andy Sullivan on his third win of the season. Over the pond on the PGA Tour the 2016 season has kicked off and on his debut, Emilliano Grillo won the Frys.com Open. 

How about this for news. Alan Thompson has been working hard with Lee Slattery over the last few months and here's the result:

European Tour Golfer of the Month
Lee Slattery
3 events played - 1 win
339,333 euro won
75% driving accuracy
78% greens in regulation
67.3 scoring average
120th in the Race to Dubai to 49th

 

Weather permitting I will be running another Short Game Clinic on Tuesday, 3 November between 10.00am and 1:00pm. We will focus on all aspects of chipping and putting. Please register your interest in the pro shop now to avoid disappointment. If you can't get down to the shop then please get in touch here. 

Please don't forget that the most important place to play your best golf and make the most important decisions it out on the course. Those who have taken me up on a 6, 9 or even 18-hole playing lesson have seen immediate results. Come and speak to me in-store.

Fact of the Week - All of your golf shots should peak at the same height. The tour average is 30 yards high whether it be a 3-wood or a PW. This is a good way to make sure your spin rates are correct and you're finding the middle of the club consistently.


  

Thank you to everyone who came down for our FootJoy Shoe Fitting Day on Saturday, it was certainty an eye opener. Only two people were actually wearing the right size shoes, as a result in most cases that equates to a 12% loss of power in the swing. The biggest size change was from a 10 medium to an 8.5 extra wide. Remarkable really. I have a FootJoy fitting device in the shop and now have a bit more knowledge about how to do a more comprehensive fitting so come and speak to me if you want to know if you're wearing the right size shoe!

A number of you have realised the importance of having insurance out on the golf course. If you sign up for a policy with Golf Care today you will be covered for that stray ball and also receive a sleeve of Srixon AD333 for free! Please visit my website here to register.

I still have a number of summer items out on the sale rail. You may not need an extra pair of pants or a polo shirt now but you probably will do soon so grab a bargain while it's still there.


 

Last week we ran both the Seniors' Winter Stableford and a Midweek Stableford. In the seniors' event, Brian Edwards carded a superb 39 points to scoop top prize, runner-up on countback was Trevor Starkey Jones, third after another countback was Phil Taylor. Brian's 39 was also the winner in the Midweek as he beat Ian Archer by a shot, Martin Higby was third with 37.

Saturday saw us play the first comp off the winter tees since April. The course is still in excellent condition, firm under foot and the greens are recovering nicely from the graden work, the high scores are testament to that. In Division One Lee Pennington was the winner with 41, runner-up with 40 was Rick Austin, third was Ryan Hanna with 39. Peter Walsh was the overall winner with 42 in Division Two, Allan Speechly pipped Trevor Starkey Jones into second after they both carded 40 points.

Tuesday's Ladies Stableford was also a well-contested event, the shorter course played a shot or two easier than the summer course and this was reflected in the scores. In Division One Clare Palmer romped to victory with 41 points, runner-up with 38 was Sue Totty, third with 37 was Barbara Jamieson. In Division Two, last to tee off Chris Lloyd was the best in with 39, one ahead of Christina Hornsby in second, third on 37 was Alka Tank. The top three in Division Three had to be settled on countback as Margaret Nicholas pipped Brenda Dooney and Ala Lloyd after they all scored 36. Jaqueline Walker topped Division Four not for the first time this year with 38, again on countback from Ann Scriven and Anne Chadwick. Congratulations to the ladies on a day where all 12 of the winning scores were par or better.