Hi everyone,
Seniors' Captain Steve Tilley had some good weather for his Captain's Day a couple of weeks ago. Winners of the Bowmaker competition was Gordon Sanderson, Peter Bell and John Gilbert with Gordon winning the David Stoate Cup for the best stableford score of the day of 40 points.
Congratulations also to Robert Dooley who scored 41 points at the Seniors Open and picked up the John Hutchins Trophy. Well done Robert and Gordon!
Last Friday I made the long journey up to Royal Birkdale to meet Chris Wood, his putting coach Phil Kenyon, swing Coach Mike Walker and his management team for a group meet up before The Open Championships in just a few weeks' time.
Chris has always eyeballed The Open as the Major Championship that suits him, and for us the day was like travelling down memory lane. When The Open was last held at Royal Birkdale, Chris was an amateur competitor and for me, the week was one of the highlights of my coaching career so far. To wander down the club driveway once again with the grandstands peering over the tees and greens, it flooded back some great memories into both of our minds.
Chris' fifth place performance was the catalyst to his rise up the professional ranks and I know for a fact that Birkdale's blood runs rabidly through his veins. It would surprise me if Chris' return didn't have a contending performance and last Friday was another great step in preparation for future success.
Chris had been really struggling with his golf swing over the past month or so, and had spent six hours the previous day on the Birkdale range with his swing coach. Phil Kenyon was also at hand to locate previous Open pin positions and read greens with a spirit level to produce green maps for Chris to use. This kind of detail sounds a bit far fetched but at the top level, when you're playing against the likes of Dustin Johnson, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth, you need any advantage you can get your hands on.
After spending the week there back in 2008, I feel as if I know the course like the back of my hand. Besides the odd lengthened tee box, the course was almost unchanged and the strategy very similar. Chris and I discussed each tee shot, shot required into the greens, potential problems, important short game shots and strategies.
It was great preparation for Chris and with France, Ireland and Scotland between now and The Open, his swing should greatly benefit. Come the big week, I'm sure he will be firing on all cylinders.
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Quick Mentions
Thanks so much to Andy McGreevy, who not only runs the inclusion sessions but puts so much time, love and passion into such a worthy cause. It was great to see our biggest attendance ever last Saturday and to see the children have so much fun.
It's great news to hear that Noah Hessey has qualified as second reserve at Regional Qualifying for The Open. He shot a one under par 71 at Remedy Oak and finished in tied fifth position, but with only seven places available he had to compete in a four man playoff. He was the last man to be knocked out of the playoff but as second reserve, he has almost certainly gained a place in Final Qualifying. Well done Noah and good luck at the Final Stage.
Have a great week everyone,
Paul, Caren, Andy and Nick
