As you will have read in previous weeks, I was looking forward to open qualifying. For once in my life I knew where the ball was going before I hit it! Quite something for someone who can be a little inconsistent off the tee.

Anyway I've done my preparation. I specifically practiced all parts of my game. Driving, fairway wood, hybrid, long irons, medium irons, shorts irons, pitching, chipping, bunker shots and of course putting. I even practiced going round in my head shooting 68.

I went on to the practice ground at 8am Sunday morning. Hit a few looseners. Something felt a little strange I hit 3 inches behind the ball. I did it again and again and again. Somehow I've bruised my ribs, I've no idea how I did it. The most likely scenario is I pulled a muscle either hitting balls (I've hit plenty in my life so that seems unlikely) or I've done it pulling up the shop shutters. 

Anyway back to Sunday. Experience told me to rest up for the rest of the day and see what it would be like in the morning. I did however use my time wisely and practice some more on the putting green.

Monday morning arrived, what would it be like? Would I be able to hit it forwards? Extra strong pain killers and anti inflammatory tablets all taken and I'm ready to see what it would be like. In truth it hurt. My set up felt great, my backswing was good -- for once! Halfway through the downswing that's when it hurt. I hit about 50 balls trying to convince myself that it would be alright. I then practiced my putting.

At this point I found my glamorous caddie Tom. I explained the situation and decided I would hit a few more balls ready to walk onto the first tee at least having hit a ball within the last 10 minutes.

It's funny how fate has it hand in your round. My tee off was 11.04 . At 11.03 it started lashing it down! I walked to the tee shot and didn't have a practice swing to loosen up because of the rain. I pulled out of the shot half way down because it hurt. 

The ball ended up at the bottom of the grass bunker on the left, right at the bottom, I nearly took an unplayable lie it was so difficult. I chopped it forward, level with the cross bunkers. It should have been a regulation 40 yard pitch to 15 foot and take my chances from there. I never made the green i hit so far behind it!

I started 5,4,4 but in truth as I dropped a shot on 4 and made quite a hash of 5 although it was a par I knew it hurt and I couldn't convince myself enough to turn through the shots. Highlights were I birdied 13 with a chip in and finished with a 4 but the rest was not so good.

I would like to say some huge thank yous. Firstly to you all for showing such Interest through the year and all your well wishes in the lead up to Monday. My caddie, who begged to caddie for me free of charge simply because he loves me so much. Tom you really were a star out there on Monday. Thank you.

If you didn't see it I made him carry my tour bag. Well if you want to caddie for me that's the type of dedication I'm looking for. Neil Wedge has taken some photos which were superb, thank you Neil. There are a couple which really capture the moment.

At the risk of sounding cliché Monday does not happen by accident. The club staff are very proud of what has been produced for the R & A, although the they won't crow about it too much. Nick the head Greenkeeper slept for 19 hours straight Monday night! 

You all can guess how long Tim spent here of the last 10 days or so. Everyone who works here wants it to be a success. I'm convinced the R & A think Luffenham Reqional Qualifier is the best that's ever been. That level of day also only happens with the will of you the members. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Who knows, without all those ball spotters we might have taken 6 hours to get round and the scores will have been much higher.

Thank you all so much. Next year I'll be in cotton wool from May onwards. 



Ancaster Course Officially Open

Tuesday marked the opening of The Ancaster Course, which is a shortened golf course measuring just over 5000 yards, combining new tees with the existing green tees. 

This meant there was a chance to set a new course record for both gents and ladies. Karen Haynes posted a gross 75 to set the ladies course record with Steve Carr shooting a gross 70 for the gents record. 

Over 100 golfers played on Tuesday, which was a fantastic turn out and hopefully you all had fun playing something slightly different and very challenging in its own right. 

Tuesday Time Changes 

This Tuesday, 30 June will be a little different this week. The ladies have their 36 hole qualifying for their club championship, so therefore the Tee is booked out until 2:30. For this week only, there will be no space between the finish of the ladies and the start of the Tuesday Night Stableford. This means no 3 or 4 balls are allowed to play this week, 2 balls only. 

So, just to clarify. Golf course booked until 2:30, which will be the start of TNS, in 2 balls only. Normal service resumes next week. 



Ladies Ancaster Course Medal - Tuesday, 23 June 

Best Gross - Karen Haynes 75 Best Nett - Lois Oldfield 90 - 24 = 66 

Gents Ancaster Course Medal - Tuesday, 23 June 

Best Gross - Steve Carr 70 Best Nett - 76 - 13 = 63 



Cleveland Wedge Deal

Have a quick look in your golf bag, and in particular, your wedges. Just think how many times in a round you use your wedges. Especially, your favourite wedge, whether it is a 54, 56, 58 degree etc it will start to deteriorate over time. Bunker shots for example, is one way that will smooth off the edges of the groove, which consequently reduces the spin imparted on to the golf ball.

Over the lifetime of a wedge, the lower grooves will begin to round off, which reduces the friction between club and ball as the ball moves up the clubface through impact. Therefore, a sharper set of grooves icreases friction on the ball, creating more spin and greater control of your wedge play. Have a look at the difference between the two clubs below and you will understand what I mean. 

  

Well, now is the perfect time to change your wedges and get the consistency of your scoring game back. You will start to notice a huge difference in the playability.

Cleveland are promoting their new Rotex 2.0 wedges with Buy one and get the second one at half price!! As you are also aware, we can have these wedges custom fitted exactly to suit you. We have a complete fitting cart for demo wedges in both gents and ladies shaft options. Know your distances and spin rates with a custom fit using our GC2 launch monitor. 

If you would like to have a fitting for these wedges, please let one us in the shop know and we will book an hour of your time to complete the fitting.