I'm sure you all enjoyed the Open this week. Sky do a great job with sport but it makes the Open special when everyone gets a chance to watch it.
Rory was majestic, he took chances with the driver and they paid off and when needed, the 2 iron was very straight.
I need a word with Robert Karlson who I had each way at 80-1 and, for a minute, I was getting ready to collect, but it just shows you how everything can change in a moment, a poor shot or a nasty lie and, there it is, a triple bogey.
It links me on nicely to this week's video because it is about course management.
The basic message is really just to play one shot at a time which is always a mental challenge.
You will have noticed on lots of putters on the tour, players using the superstroke grip.
It's been a phenomena in golf I have about a dozen in stock, the company are constantly out of stock the grips are lovely if a little pricy but to shake a few off the score is priceless!
I think most of you get James' email but it's worth me attaching them to mine as the boss gives it to you and very honestly:
Dear Members,
Please see the bullet points below which outline this week’s completed projects and next week’s goals:
Achieved this week:
We’ve increased the width and slightly amended the shape of fairways on holes 3, 10 and 13, Greenwood course.
The huge Ash tree behind the 17th green on Greenwood was found to be in terrible condition and full of rot, so it’s had a brutal ‘hair-cut.’ The tree should now continue to grow healthily and with a great shape.
Continued to tidy the ditch lines on Parkland.
Began strimming the ditch lines on Greenwood.
Bunker drainage is going well. We should have the 2 fairway bunkers on hole 9 Greenwood, back in play by next weekend.
Continued clearing piles of brushwood which had been left from our winter tree work.
Filling and seeding worn areas. We’ve focussed on areas which are greenside and covered by the irrigation, so we get successful results. It’s almost pointless to be seeding at the moment in un-watered areas.
We’ve eased up on weed spraying as it hasn’t been very successful. We need to wait for more optimum weather conditions which will probably be in September.
Miles has re-introduced a local rule on holes 2 and 4 on Greenwood using drop zones along the stream. Please see the pro-shop for a full explanation and a copy of the local rules.
Planned for next week:
Continue with bunker drainage.
We’ve purchased a new tractor mounted rough mower which should arrive Monday. This will allow us to re-visit the deep-rough issue and begin tidying some of the already cut areas.
We will do some handwork and seed behind the 3rd green on Greenwood.
Continue to increase the width of fairways which need it.
We will continue to chase the contractors who are scheduled to cut the ditch lines on Greenwood.
Still waiting for ball washers to arrive.
On-going:
Have a great weekend.
With warm regards,
Jim Bastian
Our Seniors section held their annual Ladies evening on Thursday 18th July. On a warm, barmy evening 11 couples played the Marwell course with the men playing all strokes from the tee to the green where the ladies putted into the hole.
Prices where awarded to the couple with the least overall strokes and the lady with the least putts. Doug and Jan Chancellor won the pairs competition with 32 strokes and Cynthia Machin won the least number of putts with 13 strokes.
The event was completed with a social gathering in the garden room with food and drinks served by Trevor and his bar and restaurant staff.
Tom Carr
Seniors Section Vice Captain
