Hi everyone,

It's been a week of ups and ups in the academy this week. Chris Wood competed in the biggest golfing event in the world, this week. The Open championship took place at Hoylake Golf Club and saw Woody suffer through three rounds, only to pull off what can only be described as an outstanding display of golf to shoot a final round of 65, moving him into his final position of 23rd. Peter Alliss' comments about Chris' final round were recorded as "golf doesn't get much better than this". The eventual winner was Rory McIlroy, after a tight battle with Sergio and Rickie Fowler, and Rory walked away with the Claret Jug and the £975,000 winner's cheque. Woo Hoo! What a lot of dosh.

Over to Paul for his write up on the Open:

A Roller Coaster Week At The Open

Chris went to Hoylake after his worst experience ever on a golf course, the previous week at Royal Aberdeen in the Scottish Open. Although he was in seventh position after the front nine of his second round, he was seriously struggling with his long game and didn't have a clue where the ball was going to go from one shot to the next. This sounds like a usual thought for 99% of the golfing population but for a top class professional like Chris, it was crushing his confidence.

After a six over back nine, to miss the cut, he flew back to Bristol to have a session with me. When I turned up, after Chris had been smashing balls hopelessly for an hour on the grass practice area, I could see he was in a horrendous state. For his standards I would say that he actually couldn't hit the ball. After watching him for two shots, I assured him, I could fix him straight away. His ball position had moved two inches forward in his stance, his left hand grip had changed and his hands had drifted back behind the ball. An old fault from years ago as an amateur. Why? I don't know. All I know is that Chris is a high maintenance player who isn't necessarily a natural like say Rory McIlroy but can and wants to be just as good. It just makes things a whole lot tougher for Chris.

After three practice rounds at Hoylake, Chris had been hitting the ball as well as he usually does and I had visited the betting websites thinking he was going to have a good week. Not to be. The first three rounds were depressing. He couldn't hit the shots he wanted to but had putted and chipped his way to making the cut and after his third round had basically, well, lost the plot. It was an awkward conversation in the players lounge, he was the most frustrated I had ever seen. We went to the range and practised in torrential rain. All I wanted him to do was to get his left hand back to a firm position on the club. It had been moving around like a ferret in a bird cage. We had a good chat, he calmed down and we left the range in good spirits after watching Henrick Stenson throw a huge bucket of water over his head. Obviously he was frustrated with his Open performance. It just shows how much these guys want to win the big major events. They certainly put more pressure on themselves and they are definitely harder to win.

That evening we sat in the dark on the sofa in the lounge of the house we were renting, discussing his left hand grip. I had been searching the house for all sorts of sizes of objects to get Chris' left hand to feel a solid grip. Umbrellas, broom handles, pepper pots, thicker, narrower, I tried the lot. I just needed to wake up his left hand.

On the range the next day. Chris gripped the club and said straight away 'wow, my left hand feels so different, I've actually got hold of the club'. The rest is history and a top 25 finish with a round of seven under sixty five. On to the US PGA Championships at Valhalla in three weeks' time.

Click here to view a great article about Chris.

   

So what's been happening this week at the academy?

We held session two of our disabled and special needs golf coaching groups last Tuesday. Andi Moore, the junior organiser at Long Ashton Golf Club, kindly took Cameron along on my behalf alongside a little lad who she provides respite for. The group was managed by Kris and Luke, and nine participated including children from a local special school with autism, an elder gentleman who had a stroke and little Kane who has Down syndrome. They all had a great session and I was thrilled to hear how many will be coming back to our weekend groups later in the year. The sessions we are holding in September are already fully booked, and there are a few vacancies for October so if you know of anyone who could benefit from coming along, please do book a place as they are going fast.

Club Results round up!

The Wednesday Medal on 16th July was won by Matt Windo, who shot level par gross, followed by Tony John, recovering from a nasty bout of gout, in second place. Well played guys!

The Ladies Club Championships, held over the weekend, were won by Karen Rix, with a combined gross score of 164. In second place came Karen Price with a combined gross score of 166, and in third place was Su Worthington with a combined gross score of 168. Great scoring Ladies, congratulations to you all.

Now here's a report on the Ladies Section by Liz Hale, Ladies Captain

Alison Brooks and Helen Wilson are through to the regional competition of the Peugeot 4bbb, they are playing at The Monmouthshire on 31st July- best of luck to them!

If they win, the final round would be at St Andrews, the LGU headquarters.

Jenny Radcliffe, Julie Knox and a friend from Wedmore, won our Open Bowmaker last week on count back, beating Paula Crabtree, Jane Bell and Gwen Spears [from Long Ashton] into second place - well done to all.

Su Worthington [substituting for Jane Bell] and Alex Saunders played in the Watson Williams against Minchinhampton, but unfortunately lost against two very good opponents.

Anne Archer and Paula Keaney defeated Painswick in the county foursomes - well done to both and they are now through to the quater finals!

 

Finally I would like to remind you all of our sale. We are having a big bag trade, where you bring in an old bag and get £20 OFF one of our selected new models.

We also have a Nike lambswool and Glenmuir cotton sweater sale, with reductions of up to 50% OFF selected styles.

Ladies Fashion Show

Last but not least, the Ladies Fashion Show sign up sheet with be going up on 1st August in the Ladies Changing Rooms, in readiness for the show on September 23rd. There will also be a sign up sheet if you wish to stay for a one course supper. Our show is FREE to all members, but the supper will be £8 payable to Tracy if you would like to dine after the show.

Please sign up for the show, and also on the separate sheet should you wish to eat. There will also be a vegetarian option, so everyone will be catered for.

As with last time, you are welcome to bring a friend. Just sign up on the board so we know how many small gifts we need to prepare, how many discount vouchers to print and how many FREE cocktails to make!

If there are any male models who feel they would like to model for me, I will of course keep you a mankini and some fake tan.....if you're game, we are!

Have a smashing week peeps!