Hi everyone,

As I write, we are basking in glorious Sunday sunshine, so happy weekend. There's lots to tell you about so here we go.

 

Last Tuesday Ladies played in the Qualifying Medal and LGU Breakthrough Brooch competition. The winner of the two was (drum roll please)….Karen Smith, with Rose Hargreaves and Mary Clifford in second and third places respectively, and Jane Bell in fourth place. Many congratulations to you all Ladies.

On a particularly miserable Saturday, the Sea Captain's Trophy took place with 83 competitors playing in the rain and wind. This didn't deter the awesome might of Richard Woolston who scored a massive 41 points to take home the trophy. In second place was Jack Davies with 39 points and in third place Andy Robertson with 38 points. Great golf guys. 

Last Sunday three little Junior stars played together in a three ball, competing to be the Junior Club Champion. Tom Sproull, Harry Kennedy and Finnian Smith played beautifully but there could only be one winner…….many congratulations to Tom Sproull, Bristol & Clifton's Junior Club Champion. Finnian Smith also took the nett cup so many congrats to you Finnian.

   

  

The Veteran's Cup was played last week and the overall winner was Terry Beauchamp, many congratulations to you Terry. In second place was Nigel Edwards and in third Danny Savage. Brilliant golf guys.

  

The President's Putter was also played for on Sunday. Chris Rowe and Laurence Roper battled it out and took it to the fifth extra hole (wow). The ultimate victor was Chris Rowe - well played Chris.


Last Friday's Seniors' Stableford saw one lovely man, Gordon Sanderson, take the victory from David Pearce with 34 points. In third place came Julian Dawes with 33 points. Fantastic news and well done to you all.


It's also been great to hear that after a putting lesson, Clive Pulteney has had three top three finishes in competitions over the past month. Great stuff Clive, well done!

If you are interested in arranging a lesson or fitting here at B&C, click here to get in touch, or come and have a chat with us in the pro shop.



 

- Saturday, 17 September - Club Captain's Day - online booking 
- Sunday, 18 Septebmer - BDGL finals Day - course closed to members 8-4 
- Tuesday, 20 September - Ladies' Daily Mail foursomes - online booking 
- Wednesday, 21 September - Midweek Medal - no need to book 
- Friday, 23 September - Seniors' Stableford - no need to book 
- Saturday, 24 September - Reverse Course competition - online booking

Now we move on to Academy News with some great promotions on the way.


 

This week I signed the forms of engagement to start the process of Charitable Incorporation. Ooh scary stuff but so exciting. I am trying to come up with good names for the charitable part of our Academy - so far we have settled on GolferGoodGuys, as I think this sums up who we are and what we do. However if anyone has a better idea, please do get in touch or click here to let us know your thoughts. I am always open to suggestions. 

I am also interested in getting a separate logo done for this part of our work, to feature on our clothing alongside our Academy Logo. Does anyone have any design/marketing knowledge they would be interested in helping or sponsoring? We would be happy to wear your company logo in return for our charity logo being designed. Please let me know if you are interested.

Nick has departed on annual leave and is headed for Gouves in Crete so he will be back in ten days or so. Andy returns from annual leave in Scotland on Thursday so it will be back to normal very soon.

We have been busy barcoding and hangering our new items. It's really odd putting prices on pompom hats when it is 25 degrees outside. However I am sure winter will soon be catching up with us and I wanted to show you all a sneak preview of some of the great things we have in store for Winter 2016, so here's some lovely new things in the pro shop.

  

  

We have also received our Glenmuir winter cotton cashmere boxed sweaters, which make gorgeous presents. These are limited edition and so easy to wrap.

  

Our new range of Sunderland Waterproofs are now in store, including the ever popular Vancouver Jacket and Chamonix mid layers - there's no reason to look yucky just because you're getting rained on. It's of reds and cobalt blue feature in this range, or orchid for the Ladies. All come with a three year waterproof warranty.
 
Click here to find out more about this range.


I have been working on our promotions for the end of the year and we will be doing our Halloween week of spooky sales - look out for that starting Monday, 31 October until Bonfire night 5th November. There will be lots of creepy capers afoot in the shop.


Nick has been busy this week writing his bit of our website - I thought, as we have not properly introduced him, that you would all be interested in hearing what Nick has achieved. Here is his write up for the website:

Nick joined the team in the professional shop at Bristol and Clifton Golf Club in June 2016, having previously worked in the shop during the Summer of 2015 and more recently in the professional shop at Minchinhampton Golf Club.

Prior to joining us, Nick completed his Level 3 Extended BTEC Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence in Golf) at Hartpury College in Gloucester in May 2016, achieving the top grade of triple Distinction*. During his time at Hartpury College, he was a member of the Elite golf squad and was awarded a scholarship for golf in 2014 and 2015. He represented the 1st team and played in both the Intercollegiate Tour National Finals and the British Schools and Colleges finals.

Nick also represented Gloucestershire County initially at U16, and then progressed to U18 and the Men's 2nd team. Whilst an U16, he was selected for the South West England coaching squad, and was twice awarded county medals for outstanding effort and personal improvement. As well as team successes, Nick's notable personal achievements as a junior golfer included finishing 2nd in the U16 South West Counties Championship and finishing 9th in the South West (U18) Boys Championship. Nick's final season as a junior in 2015, culminated in winning both the Gloucestershire County U18 Jeff Hall Order of Merit and the Bristol and District Junior League Gross Order of Merit. Having got down to a handicap of 1, Nick will now be starting his PGA training in October 2016


 Andy has also prepared an Instructional, so have a cuppa and a Chocolate Digestive and enjoy.




Get ready for better impact 

This week I'd like to share with you a quick tip on how to achieve better impact with your irons. Next time you're practicing try thinking about the shaft at impact and not the ball. This may sound strange and can be difficult for many amateurs to grasp, but if you want to strike those fizzing iron shots like the pros, the bottom of your swing needs to be just in front of the ball. This means your shaft needs to be leaning towards the target as you strike the ball and your divot should be on the target side of the ball. If your focus is on hitting the ball then your wrists are more likely to break down as you try to scoop the ball in the air.

To help focus on this try putting a pencil or small stick in the top of the grip. As you approach impact you want to focus on the pencil pointing ahead of your body (past your left hip) so the shaft is leaning toward the target. Try this first with short pitch and chip shots and then progress onto full swings as you become more competent. You should notice the ball coming off the club face a bit quicker as you start to compress the ball and strike it properly instead of flicking it clean off the ground.

Work hard on this and I'm sure you'll improve your ball striking or at worst you'll strike your pitch and chip shots better! 

Andy

So we are getting ever nearer to Hazeltine. How exciting. When Paul gets back from the Ryder Cup there will be a full report on the week. Good luck Team Europe. 

On that note, see you next week,

Caren, Paul, Andy and Nick