As we head towards another weekend in lockdown, we hope you and your family are well. There are plenty of ideas in this week’s email for you to give a go at home, including one that we’d like you to send us a video of you trying. Keep reading to find out what! Stay safe and enjoy the read.
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Thank you to all those who have sent me messages via WhatsApp, email and the newsletter, I've included a picture from John Fisher with his new hair cut, courtesy of his partner Mandy, looks pretty good John.
Black swans 'Social distancing' from the white swans on the Itchen river sent in by June Glasspell and from Paul Mantell his short game practice net! Note the greenhouse immediately adjacent to ensure concentration! Seating for spectators: Perfect lie every time!
I've had the pleasure of playing a lot of golf with Paul and those of you that have also played with him, will know he needs to stand a lot closer to that net.. |
| John's home hair cut |
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| Social Distancing Swans |
| Garden Short Game Practice |
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This next snippet was sent to Adrian Nicol from his brother who is a member at Wells GC in Somerset and written by their Head Greenkeeper. "So, I thought I’d invite you all into my world by giving you some classic scenarios on what I’ve seen since the lockdown. One of the Food and Beverage Team, spotted a family and two big husky type dogs relaxing, sitting on the 2nd green. I saw two men meandering, very casually, down the 3rd and 4th fairways who chose to ignore my diplomatic approach to move on. However, the best one to date and this week’s winner, by a mile, happened on Wednesday when I was about to finish for the day. I found a lady sitting on the fringe of the 13th green on a blanket having a picnic. Not only that, to top it all, her teenage daughter was standing on the green playing a violin! And playing it well. When I asked, “What are you doing? You can’t sit there.” She was most surprised and didn’t realise that she was trespassing. She together with her musician got up and moved on. I am sure she saw that I was not amused." |
This next snippet was sent to Adrian Nicol from his brother who is a member at Wells GC in Somerset and written by their Head Greenkeeper. "So, I thought I’d invite you all into my world by giving you some classic scenarios on what I’ve seen since the lockdown. One of the Food and Beverage Team, spotted a family and two big husky type dogs relaxing, sitting on the 2nd green. I saw two men meandering, very casually, down the 3rd and 4th fairways who chose to ignore my diplomatic approach to move on. However, the best one to date and this week’s winner, by a mile, happened on Wednesday when I was about to finish for the day. I found a lady sitting on the fringe of the 13th green on a blanket having a picnic. Not only that, to top it all, her teenage daughter was standing on the green playing a violin! And playing it well. When I asked, “What are you doing? You can’t sit there.” She was most surprised and didn’t realise that she was trespassing. She together with her musician got up and moved on. I am sure she saw that I was not amused." |
| Violinist |
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There remain many unknowns and uncertainties at this time, but we are encouraged by the news from some European Countries that they are slowly returning to work and golf. In anticipation of this Tracy and I along with Foremost and The PGA are looking into a Safe Return to Golf policy for the Pro shop, our members and visitors, which may include a sneeze screen, a one way system in the shop, perhaps one in and one out and card or account payments only. It is also expected that the situation will change for example it isn’t an unreasonable prediction that the policy on the wearing of ‘face masks’ may also change for the U.K. over the next 3 weeks. As our Chairman of the ManComm said in his recent communication 'social distancing' will still be required for some time afterwards,and large groups will not be allowed so the 'tee booking' facility that exists within the IG system will be introduced to provide a first tee management system. play is likely to be in no more than 2 balls to start with and at 10 minute intervals, and possibly only social golf, all this is necessary for everyones safety NB: it is emphasised that this is not intended to be a 'back door' way to introduce a tee booking system, it is driven out of potential necessity.
I am anticipating one to one 'social distance' lessons and fittings will be available, however I may need to delay the return of the weekend junior groups. Next week would have seen the start of the HPGA Pro-Am season, with the first one at Barton on Sea. I must thank the team who signed up to play with me, hopefully we can do another one later in the year? I'm not sure when the tournament season will begin as the Open and The Seniors have both been cancelled/postponed in July.
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Golf's greatest rivalries |
Woods vs Mickelson For those that go on stats, this barely constitutes a rivalry. However, when you consider they achieved their feats over the same period, then what both men have managed is mightily impressive. Tiger was the face of the game for almost two decades. He’s won 15 majors, racked up 109 worldwide professional victories, and even had the main golf video game named after him for several years. In that same time, Phil played second fiddle. A role that saw ‘lefty’ accumulate five major titles, 51 worldwide professional wins and represent the USA in 12 consecutive Ryder Cups. Sadly for Mickelson, he never reached the summit of the World Golf Rankings, albeit spending 26 consecutive years inside the Top 50. It’s scary to think what more either man could have achieved without the other standing in their way. Let us know which rivalry stands out for you the most and why by getting in touch here.
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In theory, this week's quiz is one that we should ALL do well on, so we've thrown a few curveballs in there to really test you! Fancy yourself as a Rules know-it-all? Are you the go-to Rules person in your roll-up? Put your knowledge to the test and see how you get on this week. You may have found yourself in a few of these scenarios before - the question is: did you do the right thing?
Good luck!
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