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Home , 1982 European Tour, 2008 Ryder Cup, Bernhard Langer, Bill Longmuir, Carl Mason, Costantino Rocca

A SPORT FOR ALL APRIL 23, 2007 A SPECIAL REPORT ABOUT , GOLFERS AND THE LATEST GOLFING KIT

AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET ABOUT GOLF,DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE TIMES 2 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET ABOUT GOLF,DISTRIBUTED IN THE TIMES

latest analysis of the game, 45 per cent of which are in the UK and Ireland. Choos- CONTENTS ing to stay closer to home and play at one of these 2,723 clubs is environmental- ly friendly as it cuts out travel. Read more on how to be a “green golfer” and how Tee off afresh clubs are doing their part in preserving our planet on page 11. At Leaderboard, Bring on the new gear 4 one of our main priorities has been investing in drainage of the . The Welcome to a new golfing season work we’ve carried out at our four clubs has paid dividends, each having come out of the wet winter about three weeks ahead of where they were this time last Swing the 4 and a supplement full of features year. Our private on-course reservoirs are full and ready to provide lush condi- and news, from the latest gear to tions all summer long without affecting domestic and commercial water supplies. The latest look 6 eco-golf. The Masters More people play golf in the UK than play football demonstrated that tough golf “ ” Fit for the fairway 6 courses, slick greens, a cold wind In membership numbers are growing slowly but it’s worth remind- ing people of the communal benefits of being a member. We must make new and the physiology of golf can members feel important to the foundation of the club and demonstrate the Meet golf’s famous five 7 still have a big effect on scoring value of joining up. At Leaderboard we are driving all categories of mem- bership, from juniors – ensuring they get involved in coaching – to traditional and showed it is not all about technology. and corporate membership. One of the best ways of checking if a membership Striving for the future 8 is buoyant is to view the number of member guest rounds played. We call this FOREWORD BY PAUL GIBBONS,CHAIRMAN OF LEADERBOARD “pride in membership”, because if the members weren’t happy they wouldn’t bring along a guest. On the playing side, the European Seniors Tour is increas- Delight as Seniors Open returns 10 For us mere mortals, the latest hi-tech equipment available is awesome. In a ing in popularity, with higher crowds watching the legendary names of golf’s recent four-ball match, one partner played so well with a new square-headed old – though not that old – guard. driver that all the others bought one immediately after coming off the course. Inside we salute three of Europe’s greatest golfers – , Seniors Classic Returns 10 Amazingly, more people play golf in the UK than football – largely because and – who all celebrate 50th birthdays this year and become eli- golf is a sport for all ages. gible to play on the European Seniors Tour. And we must not forget women. The As well as a generation of trendy young “punk” golfers, the sport is especially Ladies is hosted once again at Chart Hills, in Kent – a fabulous to launch comeback 10 popular with silver surfers and their elders. The golf boom has meant more cours- course, and a personal favourite of mine, designed by Faldo. These two tours real- es being developed around the world – there are more than 4.2 million golfers ly are worth a visit. They are relaxed, friendly and somehow easier to learn from. and 7,000 courses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to KPMG’s Enjoy your golf. Enjoy the scenery and most importantly enjoy yourself. Drive the green 11

Fresh ideas for corporate golf 11 There will be a 30-bay driving range where you can try the latest equip- Hamleys for geezers ment from major manufacturers Legal eagles 11 such as Nike, Wilson, Cleveland, hero will be one of the PING and Srixon, before having it custom-fitted at the American golf Tee-time at midnight 12 many visitors when the London Golf Show store, voted the No.1 UK retailer by returns to ExCeL in the city’s Docklands for its readers of both Today’s Golfer and Golf Punk magazines. Golf getaways 12 third outing on April 26-29. And if the previous From shades to shoes, there’s the chance to check out the latest in on- two shows are any benchmark he will certainly course design at the fashion show, All’s Well That’s Barwell 14 find plenty to keep him entertained. The 2006 and to win more than £7,000-worth of golf gear in the Ultimate Golf show was hailed by the rock musician Rick Prize and a round with Sam Tor- Sparks will be the benefiting char- Golf’s arms race 14 rance in just two of the many free ity for the third consecutive year, Wakeman as “like Hamleys for geezers”. draws and competitions taking place with the previous two shows yield- during the four days. ing more than £35,000 for the chil- dren’s medical charity. Adult tickets Exciting cost £15 on the door or £10 in The floating green has been advance. Up to two under-16s may A SPORT FOR ALL revamped to provide an even more go free with every paying adult. A TITLE FROM MEDIAPLANET exciting experience; there’s an opportunity to test your skills head- For ticket information visit Project Manager: Christine Lofberg to-head with celebrities on the chip- www.londongolfshow.com or call 020 7563 8875 ping green; a challenge to sink a Ticketmaster on 0870 1451205 Production Editor: Ulrika Fallenius 100ft putt, and dazzling displays of Design/Production: Jez MacBean trickery from participants in the Print: News International. World Golf Trickshot Championship. BBC London 94.9 will be broad- For more information about supplements in casting live from Europe’s largest the daily press, please contact Freddie consumer golf show. One of its pre- Ossberg on 020 7563 8878 senters, Danny Kelly, broadcast his show live from the 2006 event – and Mediaplanet is the leading European publish- clearly had a great time. er in providing high quality and in-depth He said: “There are amazing analysis on topical industry and market things here from buggies to simula- issues, in print, online and broadcast. tors. I love gadgets and have been round and tried everything. It’s a For more information, please visit brilliant event.” www.mediaplanetgroup.co.uk Upcoming supplements

Communicate core messages within a relevant editorial environment

Mediaplanet is the leading European publisher in providing high quality and in-depth analysis on topical industry and market issues. Upcoming titles include Nanotechnology, Robotics, Intelligent Transport Systems and Wealth Management.

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4 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET ABOUT GOLF, DISTRIBUTED IN THE TIMES Bring on the new gear Frithjof Age 69 Hcp 22 From nanoscience carbon graphite composite construction to shock absorbing Wearing: Ashworth gels, descriptions of the latest golf equipment can make it sound like the player is Polo from the Club- house collection RRP on a mission to outer space rather than going to the clubhouse. As golf has grown £44 and Ping Heritage trousers RRP £46 more competitive, players have wanted equipment that performs better. Below, are some of the products that should, in theory, help you avoid those hook and slice shots and finish a round under . We let seven amateur golfers (pictured right) read about the CH products, then hit the course and put them to the test... Age 33 Hcp 22 Callaway’s X Series is about giving serious golfers forgiveness for the ultimate in confidence. Wearing: Cross Quest The new X-20 irons deliver in every way by offering technology, innovation and playability that Polo, RRP £45 and will take your game to a new level. RRP £699/9 irons, www.callawaygolf.com Ecco World Class shoes (see page 6), CH, hcp 22, says – I need these. I haven’t played for years, but am starting again and want to lower RRP £250 my handicap quickly. Lars, hcp 11, says – Nice… I have never been disappointed with any Callaway irons, and these are no excep- tion. Very forgiving and nicely weighted.

It might be a square in the predominantly round world of golf but the The NIKE Unitized : Human Callaway Fusion FT-i square-headed driver has an extraordinarily high hands are most sensitive to vibra- Lars moment of inertia, or resistance to twisting on both its horizontal and tions from 100 Hz to 300 Hz – Age 61 vertical axes. This makes the club naturally want to hit straight shots an optimal range that al- Hcp 11 and, in this case, travel far, too. Described by Callaway as the “most lows for the most tactile Wearing: Ashworth potent weapon available in golf”, its engineers have moved discretionary feedback. Traditional bonded gener- EZ-Tech Rainbow weight to where it’s needed most, precisely positioning all the effective Engineer Polo RRP £46 weight to the extreme corners of the clubhead in a revolutionary ate a dominant vibra- geometric design. RRP £399, www.callawaygolf.com tion far outside the and Ashworth trousers optimal sensitivity RRP £50 Henrik, hcp 17 says: I was a bit range. Unitized construction sceptical about a square driver, creates a powerful and sustained but once I started hitting it felt response within the optimal range for pure feedback. Better feedback means better distance very natural. The sound is a bit control. RRP £189, www.nikegolf.com hollow, but the shots made up for it… Christine, hcp 23, says: I don’t know a thing about vibration feedback, but I like the feel of this. Henrik, hcp 3, says: Nice feel. Smooth and heavy enough to allow for control. Charlotte Age 59 Nike’s SasQuatch Sumo is voted best traditional driver by testers in Hcp 23 this month’s Today's Golfer magazine. The Sumo may look like a tra- Wearing: Cross Pure ditional persimmon club but its head shape has a higher mo- Argyle top and Bunker ment of inertia – the ultimate in driver design. All the hi-tech Mentality visor, stuff is crammed into a silver “PowerBow” at the back of RRP £20 NIKE ONE platinum the clubhead. This powerful club will set you back about Improved Feel + Total Performance £200 but it should make light work of 300 yards for a Inspired by the best players, engineered for every reasonable golfer. www.nikegolf.com player. Responsive to all swing types. The more responsive urethane cover and high Lars, hcp 11, says: I really like this club, a Christine coverage 336 dimple pattern work together to no-nonsense, forgiving club that is easy on the eye. Age 34 achieve the ideal feel, spin and ball flight for Hcp 23 every shot whilst the outer mantle works with Wearing: Bunker mid-irons to promote optimal spin and control. Mentality Queen of RRP £40, www.nikegolf.com the Green t-shirt, RRP £45 & Ecco New Classic Wing Buckle H X T O U R shoes (see page 6), The soft, thin urethane cover keeps spin low and speed high off the RRP £90 driver to maximise distance whilst providing the soft feel and control expected around the greens from a high performance golf ball. A new manufacturing technique results in six deeper depressions in the aerodynamic pattern – Sub-HEX design – cre- ating a thinner, more consistent cover and a precisely centred core for more stability, consistency and a tour-type trajectory. The 460cc PING Rapture driver features a visible, web-shaped RRP £40, www.callawaygolf.com titanium crown injected with lightweight composite. By using the Henrik composite in the low stress areas of the crown, PING engineers re-po- Age 33 sitioned 20 grams of mass inside the club for higher launch and lower spin. Hcp 17 The fully-machined variable thickness face increases ball speed for a hotter club face response. Available in 9, 10.5 and 12 degree lofts. UK RRP £329 Wearing: Ping Spike (graphite only), www.pingeurope.com polo, RRP and Ecco Flexor Hydromax Henrik, hcp 17, says: I want this club. shoes, RRP £120

Swing the Ping Manufactured from 100 per cent titanium, the large-headed PING Rapture Fairway Woods offer exceptional forgiveness. A 6-4 titanium face is machined to produce a thin, highly-re- sponsive face for maximum distance. An internal weight pad positioned directly below the centre of gravity increases the launch angle and reduces spin to produce high, penetrating shot characteristics. Available in 3, 5 and 7 woods. RRP £239 w/graphite shaft, www.pingeurope.com

Henrik, hcp 3 says: I love the 3 wood. I like the look of it – today’s clubheads are sometimes too extreme for my taste. The feel? Very nice! Lars, hcp 11, says: Great! It’s even better than my G5s…

6 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET ABOUT GOLF, DISTRIBUTED IN THE TIMES The latest look

Although golf is still a predominately male sport in the UK, you can always rely on Ashworth to design a superb collection for ladies. Check out their new designs at www.ashwortheurope.com

ECCO says: These cool t-shirts from To celebrate the 10th anniversary of winning his first Experience the well known comfort and quality of Bunker Mentality are major championship at The Masters in 1997, Nike Golf is introducing ECCO shoes on the golf course. ECCO develop golf great for people who limited edition SP 8 TW Tour footwear with a distinctive “TW shoes for discerning enthusiasts who want to give are passionate about 10” logo laser etched on the heel. The shoes, which Woods their feet a treat under all conditions. ECCO ladies' golf but who approach wore for the first time at Augusta earlier this month, golf shoes and men's golf shoes are each designed the game with a slightly feature Nike Golf’s Power Platform that comprises with the needs of golfing enthusiasts very much in different mentality to the four vital technologies, including the Nike mind. ageing club captain. The brand Power Channel; Forefoot Flex Chan- We say: reflects a golf lifestyle that is at nel; Medial (Inside) Push Plate and Comfort far beyond what we expected. Certainly home on and off the course, not the Lateral (Outside) Stability pricey, but worth every penny… and they look compromising golf etiquette but full Plate. RRP £140 good too. If you are going to buy golf shoes this on with its own style. www.nikegolf.com year, head to your closest ECCO retailer. www.bunker-mentality.com www.eccogolf.com

is through Pilates-style exercises that strengthen core stability. Fit for the fairway Finally, regardless of how fit you are, playing under par could depend on how things are at home. Sports Because of its absence of running, John McEnroe once psychologists from the Universities of Exeter in Devon and , Bangor, questioned whether golf is really a sport. In a similar vein have revealed that the emotional sup- port a golfer receives off the course is Mark Twain famously described it as “a good walk spoiled”. directly linked to the quality of his or her performance on it.

But with most modern 18-hole golf If golf was once seen as a game Support courses occupying as much as 150 played by old men in woolly jumpers, The research showed that that the acres (60 ha) of land, the average dis- the likes of , Tiger Woods performances of those with higher tance covered by a golfer playing a and ended that when levels of emotional support and round is about five miles, sometimes they started the whole golf fitness the gym is all part of the top-flight sports scientists. In a round of golf happy homes were better by up to 24 a lot more. trend. These guys, along with the game. From ’ Guide to Golf most amateur players will swing a per cent. Play twice a week and factor in the leading exponents of the women’s Fitness to yoga for golf DVDs and spa club up to 150 times. In a typical “The day-to-day quality of their re- several hours of fresh air, carrying of game, are models of good physical treatments that claim to improve your swing the spine can rotate at speeds lationships has far more of a bearing bags, pulling carts and using muscles health. swing, golf fitness is a massive indus- of 500 degrees per second. Poor on golfers’ games than I had antici- neglected in desk-based jobs and golf Today’s golfers are much stronger try in itself. warm-up routines and careless tech- pated,” said Dr Tim Rees of Exeter probably accrues the exact amount of and more athletic than they were 20 But with more people taking to the nique can cause damage to the lower University. To date the effect of a exercise required to stave off strokes, years ago. For them spending three fairways has come an “alarming in- back, elbows and shoulders. One of seething golf widow on her partner’s heart attacks and arthritis. days a week with a personal trainer in crease” in golf injuries according to the best ways to prevent spinal injury game has yet to be calculated. AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET ABOUT GOLF,DISTRIBUTED IN THE TIMES 7

̆ Pictured left to right: Nick Faldo, , , Bernhard Langer and Seve Ballesteros

Seve would go on to win two more Opens (1984 and 1988) and the Mas- ters in 1980 and 1983, and for a glo- Meet golf’s famous five rious period it appeared as though the Green Jacket was glued to Euro- pean shoulders. Langer triumphed at Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, tournament titles is certain to cap- ple reminisce. They make people Augusta in 1985 and 1993 and ture the imagination of the golfing utter those time-honoured words: Faldo captured his three Masters Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam – the ‘Big Five’ public, and in turn, should launch a The good old days. titles in 1989, 1990 and 1996 and new era in seniors golf. No one at Royal Lytham & St Lyle and Woosnam triumphed in who elevated European golf to dizzy new heights Annes on that July day in 1979, or 1988 and 1991 respectively. in the 1980s and early 1990s – are almost ready The good old days the millions watching on TV at home, The success continued at home Following closely behind on the new will forget the sight of a 22 year old with , Lyle to work their magic once again by launching a conveyor belt of Major Champions is Seve making birdie from a temporary winning in 1985 and Faldo register- new golden era on the European Seniors Tour. Langer, who turns 50 on August 27, car park near the 16th, en route to his ing another hat-trick (1987, 1990, while Lyle and Woosnam both reach first Open Championship title. 1992). Between them, Ballesteros, seniors eligibility in 2008. With The record books show that Faldo, Langer, Lyle and Woosnam Seve Ballesteros, the swashbuckling England’s greatest golfer turns 50 another Major winner in Ballesteros finished three strokes have won 264 professional tourna- Spaniard who blazed a path across on July 18 and is expected to make having already turned 50, the future ahead of and Ben ments across the globe as well as the landscape of international golf his seniors debut the following week of the European Seniors Tour, and Crenshaw, but what the bare statis- being pivotal figures in the revival of and into the hearts of galleries the in The , seniors golf in general, has never tics do not convey is the true signifi- Europe’s fortunes in The Ryder Cup. world over, became the first of the presented by Aberdeen Asset Man- looked rosier. cance of that win. It was the first by And now the ‘Fab Five’ are fast quintet to reach seniors eligibility agement, at in – Key to the senior tour’s attraction a European in The Open since Tony approaching their second careers when he celebrated his 50th birth- scene of two of his three Open is a public desire to hang on to the Jacklin ten years earlier and was the and with that comes a chance to see day on the Monday following the Championship victories. stars who first drew across-the- catalyst for a remarkably successful these hugely talented sportsmen on recent . The chance of watching these two board attention. Even at 50 and 60, period for European golf in the the European Seniors Tour. Form, as And Faldo, The giants of European golf going head- these golfers can still play great golf Major Championships and The they say, is temporary, but class is Captain, is not far behind. to-head once again in the pursuit of and, more uniquely, they make peo- Ryder Cup. most definitely permanent. Best wine under the sun for your next round.

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at the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off to capture the DGM Barba- dos Open at Royal Westmoreland Golf Club, Barbados, after both men European Seniors Tour: had finished the 54 holes locked at nine under par 207. Torrance also got into the winning act early on, closing with a faultless five under par 67 to capture the Striving for the future Sharp Italian Seniors Open by four strokes from , who was runner-up for a second succes- sive year. The Oxford English Dictionary, that esteemed Beaten in a play-off by French- man Gery Watine at Circolo Golf body of correctness, defines an era as ‘a period Venezia in 2005, this time around the Irishman faded in regulation marked by the prevalence of some particular state play and a final round 71 left him of things’. Apply this definition to the previous 15 four adrift of Torrance’s winning aggregate of 11 under par 205. years of the European Seniors Tour and two The following week saw 25 mem- distinct eras reveal themselves: the late 1990s bers of the European Seniors Tour cross the Atlantic for the 67th US dominated by ; and the rise to Senior PGA Championship, played in difficult windy conditions at Oak prominence of and in Tree Golf Club, Edmond, Oklahoma, the new century. USA. Rivero, Tomori and Torrance all featured prominently and, BY STEVEN FRANKLIN indeed, Tomori finished in seventh place after an impressive final round Mason topped the Order of Merit in win it again, especially as we have a 67, before went on to 2003 and 2004 and has finished run- number of good players reaching 50, defeat fellow American ner-up in both the following years. but I think I will be up for it. My in a play-off to secure the first prize. The reason he has not been able to swing will last forever and I still close on Horton’s record haul of five have a strong will to win, so it’s a Order of Merit wins is simple: the form question of my body holding up.” Three of European of one Samuel Robert Torrance OBE. Three of European golf’s greatest golf’s“ greatest players – In the space of 36 events spanning players – ’s Seve Ballesteros, three and a half years on the Euro- England’s Nick Faldo and Ger- Spain’s Seve Ballesteros, pean Seniors Tour, the 2002 winning many’s Bernhard Langer, who England’s Nick Faldo and Ryder Cup Captain has collected between them have won a total of 13 eight tournament victories and has Major Championships – all celebrate ’s Bernhard finished inside the top ten a further their 50th birthdays in 2007 and 19 times. become eligible to play on the Euro- Langer – celebrate their Three of the wins came in 2005 pean Seniors Tour, while Torrance is 50th birthdays in 2007 when Torrance collected his first also aware of the emerging chal- John Jacobs Trophy, courtesy of fin- lenge from within the current ranks, ” ishing €20,307 (£13,717) ahead of evidenced by the number of first- Torrance transported his form Mason. In 2006, he won four times time winners last year. straight back across the Atlantic and was confirmed as the 2006 Gordon J Brand of England, Ocean to capture the AIB Irish Number One with record earnings of of Chile, Juan Seniors Open, in association with €347,525 (£232,250) – €79,072 Quiros of Spain, American Loren Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland, follow- (£52,843) clear of Mason. Roberts, José Rivero of Spain and ing a four-man play-off at the Sher- “Winning back-to-back Order of Japan’s – six aton Fota Island Golf Resort and Spa Merits is a tremendous achievement men who also underline the interna- in Cork. and something Carl knows all about. tional nature of the Tour – all expe- Having won the on The It is something I strived for all year. rienced the joy of securing their European Tour in 1981 and 1995, the I played in nearly every event and maiden titles in 2006. Scot claimed the Seniors version in showed how much I wanted this,” In fact it was Rivero, a member of some style by hitting his 150 yard said Torrance. Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning Teams approach to within 14 feet of the “Tommy’s record of five is some- in 1985 and 1987, who got the sea- flag on the second extra hole and thing else to strive for and I would son off to an enthralling start by converting the eagle putt to defeat love to do it. It will be a challenge to defeating England’s David J Russell American , who could only manage a birdie four. Earlier, Australia’s ̇ England’s Gordon J Brand started the new European Seniors Tour season in exactly and Encina had dropped out on the the same manner as he finished the last – as a winner, after capturing the DGM Barba- first extra hole after failing to match dos Open title by a stroke from Doug Johnson of the United States. the birdies carded by the other two. Brand was crowned as the last champion of 2006 after staging a final day comeback The four had all finished the tourna- in Bahrain. It was a similar story at Royal Westmoreland as the former Ryder Cup play- ment locked at six under par 207. er entered his name as the first winner on a 2007 schedule which will comprise a min- Encina quickly made amends by imum of 19 events. producing a brilliant final round of

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six under par 66 to seal his maiden Seniors title at the Irvine Whitlock Seniors Classic. The smooth-swing- ing South American compiled a seven under par total of 209 to finish three clear of New Zealand’s and Americans Rex Caldwell and Alan Tapie at La Moye Golf Club, Jersey. The Tour then moved to Wales for the lucrative FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open at the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort near Cardiff and ulti- mately it was Rivero who coped best with the tricky, sun-baked Wales National Course. The Spaniard start- ed the final round six shots back but a birdie at the 54th hole saw him fin- ish on four under par 212 and snatch a dramatic one shot victory over Quiros, Russell, Torrance and Watine. However, the best come-from- behind victory of the season came from Giuseppe Cali, who made up a seven stroke deficit in the final round of the Bendinat London Seniors Masters at The , Kent, England. The Italian carded a five under par 67 to tie Delroy Cambridge on six under par 210, before defeating the Jamaican at the fifth play-off hole ̆ The magnificent Wentworth Club in lowest 18 hole score of the year with the performances of Carl Mason, included two-time Open Champion on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Her- Surrey is home to the European Seniors a nine under par second round 61 en who turned around an indifferent , to secure his maiden itage Course. Tour route to a 14 under par total 196 and season by winning the European Seniors title with a winning total of England’s produced a two stroke win over Mason. Senior Masters on the Duke’s Course, 13 under par 203. three successive under par rounds at , the 1982 Masters Tour- The following week, Tomori Woburn Golf Club, Bedfordshire, The in-form Mason was back on the tough Prairie Dunes Country nament Champion, in fourth place. joined the club of first-time winners England, The Midas Group English top in the Estoril Seniors Open of Por- Club in Hutchinson, Kansas, USA, The runners-up finish boosted with victory at Helsingør Golf Club, Seniors Open at St Mellion Interna- tugal the following week, where he the following week to go into the Romero’s confidence and the fol- , in the Scandinavian tional, Saltash, Cornwall, England, collected his third title in four events final round of the US Senior Open lowing week he hit top spot with a Senior Open, following in the foot- and the Estoril Senior Open of Portu- thanks to a brilliant final day display with a chance of victory. However, successful defence of the Wentworth steps of , Noboru Sugai gal at Quinta da Marinha Oitavos in atrocious weather conditions. The 1999 Ryder Cup Captain could Senior Masters at Wentworth Club, and Dragon Taki by becoming the Golfe, . After entering the back nine trail- only manage a 75 on Sunday to fin- Surrey, England, where he closed fourth Japanese winner in the histo- “The victory in the European ing by a stroke, Mason produced ish in 14th place, as of with a round of 70 for a winning ry of the European Seniors Tour. Senior Masters changed my year and three birdies in torrential rain to win the United States retained the title nine under par total of 207, two bet- Tomori closed with a brilliant 66 I became much more confident,” by four from Torrance and Ginn, the with a four round total of eight ter than of to complete a winning 54 hole total said the 53 year old, whose three latter achieving his eighth top ten of under 272. Argentina and Torrance in second of 14 under par 199, two clear of round total of seven under 209 was the year. Mason finished with a level Next up was the Tour’s biggest place. Rivero and Darcy, the latter register- two better than Horacio Carbonetti par 71 for a winning aggregate of event of the season and another ing his seventh runners-up finish as in second place. “Throughout my nine under par 204 and his 14th title Major Championship, The Senior his search for that elusive first win career I have always wanted to win in less than four years on the Euro- British Open Championship, pre- The best come-from- continued. at one of the great courses like pean Seniors Tour. sented by Aberdeen Asset Manage- “behind victory of the Back-to-back triumphs then fol- Woburn.” Then it was off to Riffa Views in ment. lowed for Torrance in the PGA At St Mellion, Mason carded a Bahrain for the traditional climax, the The spectacular Westin Turnberry season came from Seniors Championship at The Stoke battling final round 71 to hold off a Arcapita Seniors , Resort in Scotland hosted the Giuseppe Cali, who made By Nayland Golf Club, Suffolk, Eng- charging Ginn, the Australian clos- open to the leading 42 players on the world’s best senior golfers and after land, where he finished three ahead ing with a 67 to finish one adrift of Order of Merit. flew over four days of memorable competition up a seven stroke deficit of Argentine on 20 the Englishman’s four under par from America to defend the title, but – during which the legendary Gary under par 268, and the Charles total of 212. Mason’s win completed Gordon J Brand came through the Player beat his age with a first round in the final round of the Church Scottish Seniors Open at the a unique hat-trick in the event fol- field with a superb six under par last 69 and , one of four Bendinat London Seniors Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country lowing his triumphs at Hillside Golf round 66 then beat Adan Sowa, the Argentine members of the European Club, Midlothian, Scotland, where Club in 2003 and Formby Hall Golf overnight leader, at the third extra Seniors Tour, reeled off a scintillat- Masters his three under par total of 213 beat Club in 2004. It also thrust Mason hole. Brand’s win lifted him to fourth ing seven under par 63 – Loren fellow Scot by a shot. into contention for the Order of place in The European Seniors Tour Roberts captured the €231,225 From England the players” flew to Torrance made up seven shots in Merit, a position he improved the Order of Merit with €196,002 which (£157,799) first prize and the replica for the ever popular Bad 36 holes on Dalmahoy’s revamped following week with a runner-up meant that the final top four – Tor- after defeating Romero at Ragaz PGA Seniors Open at Golf East Course to capture his fourth finish behind Brand in the OKI rance, Mason, Rivero and Brand – had the first play-off hole. Club Bad Ragaz, where Quiros regis- title of the season and the 40th of his Castellón Open de España Senior at between them earned €1,045,353. Roberts and Romero had finished tered his maiden victory in only his professional career: yet another Sergio Garcia’s home course of Club Reproduced by kind permission the four rounds tied at six under par seventh start on the European landmark in a truly memorable sea- de Campo del Mediterráneo, Spain. of The European Tour Yearbook 274, one ahead of American Dick Seniors Tour. The Spaniard, aided by son for the man from Largs. Brand closed with a level par 72 to which can be purchased at Mast with his fellow countryman the altitude of the Alps, produced the The rest of the year was defined by hold off a star-studded field, which europeantourshop.com

17TH hole Dukes course

We look forward to welcoming you to Woburn – home to the European Senior Masters

Three Championship Golf Courses, each with its own individual characteristics, a friendly atmosphere and first (friday 31st august – sunday 2nd september 2007) class hospitality mean that any day spent on the Duke’s, Duchess’ or Marquess’ Course is a day to remember. 10 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET ABOUT GOLF,DISTRIBUTED IN THE TIMES

MASON DELIGHTED AS ENGLISH SENIORS OPEN RETURNS TO ST MELLION &VSPQFBO4FOJPST5PVS Carl Mason will be afforded the opportunity to extend his remarkable love affair with the English Seniors Open and also the Nicklaus Course at St Mellion International Hotel Golf & Country Club after Crown Golf, Europe’s largest golf owner/operator, announced that it will 5PVSOBNFOU4DIFEVMF continue to promote the event in 2007. The 2007 English Seniors Open will be played over 54 holes at St Mellion International Hotel Golf & Country Club, Saltash, near Plymouth, Cornwall, from August 17-19, with a min- imum prize fund of £150,000. %BUF &WFOU 7FOVF$PVOUSZ Among the new players eligible to compete in this year’s event is The 2008 European Ryder

Cup Captain Nick Faldo, winner of six Major Championships and a total of 39 professional '&#    'SJ  %(.#BSCBEPT0QFO 3PZBM8FTUNPSFMBOE3FTPSU #BSCBEPT titles worldwide. Mason, meanwhile, won the first two editions of the English Seniors Open in 2003 and    5IF(MPSJB$MBTTJD (MPSJB(PMG3FTPSU #FMFL 5VSLFZ 2004 (at Hillside GC and Formby Hall GC respectively) before extending his perfect record    4IBSQ*UBMJBO4FOJPST0QFO $JSDPMP(PMG7FOF[JB *UBMZ with a one stroke triumph over Stewart Ginn at St Mellion last year. .": By finishing with a winning 54 hole total of four under par 212, the Englishman became    644FOJPS1("$IBNQJPOTIJQ ,JBXBI*TMBOE3FTPSU 64" the first golfer to successfully win the same European Seniors Tour event three times in suc- cession.    "*#*SJTI4FOJPST0QFOJOBTTPDJBUJPO “Capturing the English Seniors Open for a third time in a row secured a little piece of histo- ry for myself and, as an Englishman, I am hugely proud of that achievement,” commented XJUI(SFFOTUBS'gJMUF*SFMBOE 1("/BUJPOBM*SFMBOE *SFMBOE Mason, the winner of 14 tournaments and two Order of Merit titles during a hugely success-    +FSTFZ4FOJPST$MBTTJD -B.PZF($ +FSTFZ

ful Seniors career. +6/&    3ZEFS$VQ8BMFT4FOJPST0QFO $POXZ $BFSOBSWPOTIJSF ($ 8BMFT    #FOEJOBU-POEPO4FOJPST.BTUFST 5IF-POEPO($ "TI ,FOU &OHMBOE JERSEY SENIORS CLASSIC RETURNS TO TV SCREENS  644FOJPS0QFO 8IJTUMJOH4USBJUT 64" The States of Jersey Government has entered into partnership with the European Seniors Tour to secure TV coverage for the Jersey Seniors Classic – a move that will showcase the    4BU 0QFOEF'SBODF4FOJPSEF%JWPOOF (PMGEV%PNBJOFEF%JWPOOF 'SBODF +6-: island to golf enthusiasts across the globe.    5IF4FOJPS0QFO$IBNQJPOTIJQ The 2007 Jersey Seniors Classic, which will be played over the picturesque links at La Moye QSFTFOUFECZ"CFSEFFO"TTFU.BOBHFNFOU .VJSGJFME 4DPUMBOE Golf Club from June 8-10, will be the 17th event on the 2007 European Seniors Tour to bene- fit from a worldwide TV highlights package. This is a significant new development for the Jersey Seniors Classic and came about thanks    8FOUXPSUI4FOJPS.BTUFST &EJOCVSHI$PVSTF 8FOUXPSUI$MVC &OHMBOE to a powerful public sector partnership between the Tour and the Jersey Economic Develop-    #BE3BHB[1("4FOJPST0QFO (PMG$MVC#BE3BHB[ 4XJU[FSMBOE ment Department and Jersey Tourism. In welcoming the deal, Mike King, the Chief Executive Officer of Jersey Tourism, said: “This "6(    &OHMJTI4FOJPST0QFO 4U.FMMJPO*OUFSOBUJPOBM)PUFM(PMG$PVOUSZ$MVC &OHMBOE support is a key element in our strategy to further develop the island as a destination for UK and European golfers. I’m sure that the professionals, spectators and the worldwide TV audi-    &VSPQFBO4FOJPS.BTUFST %VLFT$PVSTF 8PCVSO($ &OHMBOE ence will appreciate the quality of this world-class course and its location on Jersey’s spec- tacular west coast.”    TU1("4FOJPST$IBNQJPOTIJQ 5IF4UPLFCZ/BZMBOE($ &OHMBOE    4BU 4DBOEJOBWJBO4FOJPS0QFO 3PZBM$PQFOIBHFO($ %FONBSL 4&15 TONY JACKLIN TO LAUNCH COMEBACK AT    $IBSMFT$IVSDI4DPUUJTI4FOJPST0QFO .BSSJPUU%BMNBIPZ)PUFM$PVOUSZ$MVC 4DPUMBOE

BENDINAT LONDON SENIORS MASTERS 0$5    0,*$BTUFMMwO0QFOEF&TQBvB4FOJPS $MVCEF$BNQPEFM.FEJUFSSgOFP 4QBJO

The Bendinat Group, which recently agreed to extend its title sponsorship of the London    4BU 4FOJPST5PVS$IBNQJPOTIJQ 5#$ Seniors Masters for a third year, received an unexpected return on its investment with the    'SJ 2VBMJGZJOH4DIPPM4UBHF 1JOIFJSPT"MUPT(PMG$MVC 1PSUVHBM

announcement that Tony Jacklin, Europe’s most successful Ryder Cup Captain, will make his 07 golfing comeback in the event at The London Golf Club in Kent from June 22-24. /    'SJ 2VBMJGZJOH4DIPPM4UBHF 2VJOUBEF$JNB(PMG "MHBSWF 1PSUVHBM The inclusion in the field of the two-time Major Champion is guaranteed to generate con- siderable interest amongst spectators eager to see one of Britain’s greatest golfers in com-    5IVS 2VBMJGZJOH4DIPPM'JOBMT 1JOUB$PVSTF 1FTUBOB(PMG3FTPSU 1PSUVHBM petitive action for the first time since The Open Championship at St Andrews in 2005. /# %BUFT BOE FWFOUT BSF TVCKFDU UP DPOGJSNBUJPO &4547 Jacklin’s last appearance on the European Seniors Tour was some three years earlier and the 62 year old is looking forward to making his comeback in this year’s Bendinat London 5IF&VSPQFBO4FOJPST5PVS0SEFSPG.FSJUTUBSUTXJUIUIF%(.#BSCBEPT0QFO 'FCSVBSZ.BSDI BOE Seniors Masters, where he is expected to line-up against another former Ryder Cup Captain DPODMVEFTXJUIUIF4FOJPST5PVS$IBNQJPOTIJQ /PWFNCFS in Sam Torrance and Italian Ryder Cup golfer . Speaking from his home in , Jacklin said: “I recall opening The London Golf Club with "MM&VSPQFBO4FOJPST5PVS"QQSPWFE5PVSOBNFOUTDPVOUUPXBSETUIF0SEFSPG.FSJU Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros so it will be lovely to go back there and play the course in a competitive format for the Bendinat London Seniors Masters. I always look forward to .POFZXPOEPFTOPUDPVOUUPXBSETUIF&VSPQFBO4FOJPST5PVS0SEFSPG.FSJU returning to England as it is my home and very dear to my heart. I plan to come over for three tournaments this year – The Open, The Senior Open and London.” The Bendinat Group, which has a luxury property portfolio focusing on the magnificent Bendinat Estate in Majorca, is a keen supporter of golf both in Majorca at its own exclusive club, the Real Golf de Bendinat and in England through The London Golf Club, which the Group acquired in 2003. AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET ABOUT GOLF,DISTRIBUTED IN THE TIMES 11

ronmentally friendly” tag will be used to justify building golf courses Drive the green in ecologically sensitive zones. According to a report published in 2004 by the World Wide Fund for Nature, each of an estimated 200 With climate change firmly fixed as the key issue courses built around the Mediter- ranean consumes the same amount of the century ahead, scarcely an industry exists of fresh water as a town of 12,000 that’s not trying hard to reduce its carbon people. In the UK, annual water shortages footprint. The business of golf is no exception. and hosepipe bans have been giving club managers headaches in recent years. Some clubs in the South, such Golf courses, long criticised by envi- “green” credentials are encouraged as The London Club in Kent, have ronmentalists as a wasteful and to use electric or solar-powered golf found metered water very expensive destructive use of land, have been carts. Bio-degradable tees made to buy. In one month alone last sum- quietly cleaning up their act in from cornstarch are now available mer it spent £50,000 on water. To recent years. and there’s even a bio-degradable combat potential hosepipe bans For more information on the R&A’s on environmental projects Today’s so-called eco-golf courses golf ball on the market that dissolves many clubs are introducing water guidelines: www.bigga.org.uk. employ fewer pesticides, apply into fish food if a wayward shot ends storage tanks and creating their own www.bestcourseforgolf.org chemicals sparingly on weeds or use in the water. reservoirs, while others are seeking Golf Environment Europe is an non-toxic methods such as weed- Golf’s drive to be more environ- licences for water extraction from The British and International Golf independent organisation aiming to resistant grass. Computerised sprin- mentally-friendly is important given bore holes. Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) promote environmental kler systems are commonly used to that in many developed countries Last year the R&A, British golf’s runs a Golf Environment Competi- sustainability in golf: minimise water waste. golf courses cover almost as much governing body, called for more tion offering a cash prize to be used www.golfenvironmenteurope.org Courses are increasingly being land as national parks – in the US, “sustainable” courses that work with built not with chunky fairways but for example, there are more than and not against their natural sur- with large natural buffer zones 16,000 golf courses covering 1.5 roundings. It seems an uphill climb TOP TIPS FOR GREENER GOLF designed to be havens for wild ani- million acres. for greenkeepers to match many mals and plants. Some courses have While acknowledging that golf players’ expectations of sculpted • Walk the course instead of using a golf cart. even incorporated separate nature course designers are doing a better emerald courses such as Augusta. • If you do use a golf cart, keep to the designated path and urge your golf course trails within their boundaries. job of managing pollution and water But the R&A believes that the sus- to replace its carts with electric-powered ones. A golf course in Croatia has use, many environmentalists say tainable approach can bring about • If your course doesn’t have its own recycling programme, encourage them to stopped cutting fairways with lawn- developers are overstating advances better playing surfaces for more of start one. mowers, relying instead on a herd of in course construction. the year, lower costs and a cleaner • Accept the natural limitations and variations of turf-grass plants – for exam- deer to keep down the grass. The Campaigners argue that golf environmental footprint. ple, be willing to play on brown grass during periods of low rainfall. The natu- course on Veli Brijun island, off the courses are the domain of a few The Government’s Waste and ral characteristics of links and heathland courses are for them to be brown, dry Istria peninsula’s western coast, denying the land to the people, Resources Action Programme has and hard-running in the summer claims to be “the world’s first free- replacing land for housing, replac- found that bunker “sand” created • Reduce “golf-miles” by staying and playing in your own country. range eco-friendly golf course.” ing farms, and draining water from from recycled glass, and shredded • Pick an eco-golf club: Hankley Common, Ipswich and Thorpeness golf clubs Players disinclined to walk a more needy ecologies. Some conser- tyre-rubber used as a top-dressing have all won prizes for environmental action. round but still wishing to boost their vationists even fear that the “envi- have both had good results. Fresh ideas for Legal eagles corporate golf Onside Law was set up in 2004 by lawyers from It’s busy times for Nick Faldo who the global sports management company IMG and celebrates his 50th birthday this the City legal firm Clifford Chance. Oliver Hunt, a year. The Ryder Cup captain has founding partner, was formerly IMG’s golf lawyer launched Faldo Events, an events for five years and advised the likes of Tiger organisation and management Woods, , Padraig Harrington company tailored specifically to the and . golf market and the latest initiative “The key difference working for golf Onside Law advises clients stars [as opposed to ordinary clients] throughout the golf industry, in his business portfolio. is industry knowledge, knowing what including both equipment and sponsors will and won’t accept,” says clothing manufacturers such as Lyle The 49-year-old former Masters champion hopes to Hunt. “The same issues arise advising & Scott and Srixon, golf academies channel the knowledge that he has gained over 30 years on a Tiger deal as on the contract of and teaching institutions such as as a into creating and implementing an up-and-coming player, except Young Masters Golf, as well as many an innovative events programme. One intention is to there are more noughts and the bar- other industry businesses from golf launch The Nick Faldo Invitational in 2008. gaining position is different.” putter inventors to golf course man- Faldo and his team will act as a bridge between the cor- The position for Ryder Cup cap- agement companies. porate sector and the golf industry. He said: “We’ve put tains and any newly crowned Major Hunt is also responsible for all of together an experienced team at Faldo Events and their winner is slightly different, however. Nick Faldo’s legal affairs and has individual expertise, coupled with my own knowledge of “Having advised each of the last recently advised on his high profile the industry, will mean that we can offer our clients a three European Ryder Cup captains CBS and Maybach deals and his lat- professional and considered service. I’m confident that porate clients,” says Oliver Dury, a partner in Faldo (as well as Nick Faldo, the current est events business venture. Other the experiences that we can offer through Faldo Events Events. captain), the intricacies of players’ clients include , who fin- will be original, exciting and entirely tailored to each Faldo also has desire to be involved in a Seniors Tour commercial arrangements go up a ished in a tie for fifth place at the client’s individual goals.” event in the near future. “It would be a showcase event. notch. As well as the players’ indi- recent US Masters. One such initiative to make corporate golf a more Nick’s profile and credibility elevates us above the com- vidual arrangements you have to “Given our unique experience in “interesting proposition” is an alliance with K2 Perfor- petition. What he’s achieved in the game gives our team a consider the Ryder Cup’s arrange- the field, we feel that we are the mance Systems, sports performance experts who work tremendous platform,” says Ben Lambourne, a partner in ments and there is far more press leading law firm in the industry,” with high-profile stars. “At our events, the client will Faldo Events. scrutiny. Likewise a new Major win- says Hunt. learn clear, punchy tips from a golf-themed ‘seminar’ in For more information on Faldo Events: ner’s commercial life is turned the morning which he or she can apply at a later date in 020 7348 6180; www.nickfaldo.com or upside down – in a good way – in For more information: the office. This makes the event doubly attractive to cor- e-mail: [email protected] the aftermath of victory.” www.onsidelaw.co.uk 12 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET ABOUT GOLF,DISTRIBUTED IN THE TIMES

ing time. But it’s not just the amount established as a tribute to his of time you get to play golf north of immense contribution to the game the border. In Scotland a round is as both champion golfer and golf Tee-time at midnight never less than interesting, and course pioneer. sometimes downright spiritual. According to McCardie, a recent “Scotland is the spiritual home of survey found that the average green In Shetland, northern Scotland, there is a Because Scotland enjoys extensive golf,” says Mark McCardie, the fee in Scotland is under £40. “It’s daylight hours over the summer product manager for golf at Visit very reasonable considering that midsummer golf tournament which takes place months – from late May until early Scotland, the promotional arm of includes Open qualifying courses September it starts to get light at Scotland’s national tourism associ- and those designed by some of the every year during summer solstice. It tees off at 5am and does not get dark until ation. “There are over 550 courses, world’s leading golf architects.” midnight. 10pm – there’s no shortage of golf- varying from links to parkland, to If you prefer spectating, the suit all types of players.” More than Ladies' is making a 400 courses are within an hour of an return after an 11-year absence at airport. the Carrick this September and, before that on July 19-22, Carnoustie plays host to its seventh Scotland has the Open Championship. finest“ and most famous Carnoustie has a reputation as probably the most demanding links courses in the course in the world and has driven world – Turnberry, St some of the game's greatest players to distraction. Work has already Andrews, Royal Troon begun to remove trees from the rear of the 6th green to give the hole and Muirfield more of a links feel and some ” changes are being mooted for the The world’s first seaside links 17th. An ambitious scheme to courses were developed in Scotland, revamp Carnoustie’s bunkers has where golf originated 600 years ago. also been instigated, as has an inten- The word comes from the Scots lan- sive aeration programme designed guage and refers to an area of coastal specifically to produce classic firm, sand dunes “linking” the sea and fast playing conditions. farmland. Scotland has the finest If the tournament provides as and most famous links courses in the thrilling a final day as the three-way world – Turnberry, St Andrews, play-off at the last Open Champi- Royal Troon and Muirfield – and onship held there in 1999 it’ll be one Visit Scotland produces a guide to to remember. the Great Scottish Links Courses. For another historic theme to a For more information: golf break there are six Scottish golf www.visitscotland.com trails exploring the legacy of James For Open Championship tickets: Braid, one of golf's greatest course www.randa.org/bibitopentickets or designers. The trails have been www.opengolf.com

Valderrama, Andalucia, Spain with a mountain range backdrop and three naturally rolling courses have For guaranteed sunshine and spec- is ’s premier golf resort. hosted the Open Championships on tacular golf that can be reached by a www.fancourt.co.za numerous occasions and all the fun Golf getaways budget airline in a few hours then this Seven-night packages in August of the city of Melbourne is nearby. is an unrivalled course on the Costa from £1,249pp, based on two shar- Large greens and wide fairways are Del Sol. Valderrama is a 6356 metres ing, include accommodation at Fan- part of what make Royal Melbourne We’ve picked seven of the world’s best courses – par 71 designed by one of the leading court, flights and unlimited rounds. so compelling, giving all types of architects of his day, Robert Trent Lotus Super Travel 020 7208 7068, golfers plenty of options from the tee. four for a cost-effective weekend break and three Jones Snr. It has sophisticated water www.supertravel.co.uk. www.royalmelbourne.com.au hazards, views towards Gibraltar and A letter of recommendation from for a blow-the-budget long-haul week away. watch out for the “tiger” – the course Royal Melbourne West Course, a recognised UK club is needed, and keeps its own wildlife reserves. Australia book well in advance through the Ballybunion, Co.Kerry, Ireland ̈ www.valderrama.com Partly mapped out by the Scottish club 00 61 3 9598 6755. British With courses such as Old Head, Fota EasyJet 0905 821 0905, golfing architect Dr Alister Macken- Airways 0870 850 9850, Island, Tralee and Lahinch, South- www.easyjet.com flies to Malaga zie in 1926 and generally acknowl- www.ba.com flies London west Ireland has some of the most edged as the finest course in Oz. Its to Melbourne. scenic links golf in the world. Bally- Pinehurst Number Two, North bunion’s clifftop holes are flanked Carolina, USA by sandy dunes and the Atlantic and Donald Ross’s masterpiece and host rates among the best of them. Little of the 2005 US Open has more holes TRAVEL IN STYLE has changed on this course in the (144) than a Swiss cheese and some past 100 years yet it is consistently of the most challenging greens in Made of the lightest, most-versatile rated by pros in the world’s Top Ten. the world including a par four with a materials, the latest golf bags offer Ballybunion: 00353 68 27146; green that looks like an upturned unique and convenient solutions www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie saucer. The resort has excellent spa for carrying all of the necessary AerLingus www.aerlingus.com facilities and you can go kayaking essentials to the course, wherever flies from Heathrow to Cork and on Lake Pinewood. that may be. Your favourite set of Shannon www.pinehurstgolf.com clubs, golf shoes and apparel – and Seven-night packages to anything else needed for a trip - Evian Masters Golf Club, Pinehurst in August cost from can all be packed together in one Evian-les-Bains, £2,000 pp, including flights, half- efficient, ready-to-go bag. A scenic par-72 championship course Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland board at the Carolina Hotel, car hire Whether travelling for business set in a wooded park of 150 acres at This seasonal course on a Swiss and four rounds of golf. Eagle Golf or pleasure, struggling with the foot of the Alps overlooking Lake mountain is home to the European Tours 01273 749 661, heavy golf gear on the road Geneva. The Evian Royal Open is a Masters every year. It is laid out on www.eaglegolftours.com. has always been par for the three-day competition from June 28 what in winter are ski slopes at course. These bags from to July 1, where you can measure 5,000ft. The alpine scenery is breath- Fancourt, South Africa PUMA Travel Golf and Ping your performance against the world's taking and the air so fresh that the As well as fine parkland layouts, the ensure that bulky, leading female golfers. ball travels further, apparently. Fancourt hotel and country club has cumbersome clubs and bags For more information on golf 027 481 2168; ww.golfcrans.ch a splendid designed links overflowing with golf attire packages and stays at the Evian EasyJet 0905 821 0905, course added in 2000 with a nod to are a thing of the past. Royal Palace 33 (0)4 50 26 85 00 www.easyjet.com great British seaside courses. It lies in www.en.evianroyalresort.com flies to Geneva the heart of the lush Garden Route not legally binding – Photos :not legally - H. - Getty Images J.N.Reichel - D.R. Fouache ERETIC 483 526 570 RCS - Printed in France – Texts, – in France - Printed ERETIC 483 526 570 RCS Paris photos and illustrations

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The world of golf is being stretched to new limits. 7,445. In addition to the lengthening process, trees were added to the fair- From Fife to California, courses are being ways on Nos. 1, 7 and 11. Although collected lengthened in a bid to keep pace with super-fit the green jacket this year - John- players using designer clubs to hit balls further son's average driving distance in the tournament was 265 yards, which than ever before. put him 57th of the 60 players who survived the halfway cut – in recent Such alterations have caused brows Certainly players had to ponder years it’s been the big hitters in the to furrow in traditionally conserva- hard which clubs to select for this 300-yard plus brigade, such as Tiger tive clubhouses. It seems that golf year’s Masters at Augusta National Woods, that have fared well at has reached a threshold and ques- in Georgia. In 2006 the course Augusta. tions are being asked. Do fans really underwent several changes with six "I don't hit it far, I can't overpower want to see their sport go down the holes – Nos 1, 4, 7, 11, 15 and 17 – a course, but I think I am mentally power-game route that has stultified moved back anywhere from 10 to 40 tough. And I had a game plan that I ALL’S WELL THAT’S BARWELL tennis? And is it time to apply new yards, increasing the legendary stuck to," said Johnson after being limits to its high-tech equipment? course's yardage from 7,290 yards to helped into a green jacket by last “If a group wanted to go to Timbuktu I’d find the hotel and golf course and we’d year's winner . arrange it,” says Terry Mancini, ex-Arsenal and football star, criticised the and the head of corporate sporting events at Barwell Leisure. course for "asking questions to which there are no answers", but Established in 1970, Barwell Leisure has gained an international reputation for Johnson found them by tackling the quality travel solutions and innovative tour operating and corporate events. course with skill and guile. West- Having pioneered trips to the award-winning La Manga Club Resort, Spain, the wood also said the course was company has since added to its portfolio the Humber Valley Resort in New- organised so that only a handful of foundland, Canada, and luxury resorts in Mauritius, Dubai and South Africa. players could win. He did not say who, but his list is unlikely to have “People are looking for somewhere warm with a quality hotel, a first-class golf included Johnson. course and post-match entertainment that goes on late into the night,” says One result of the Masters was to Mancini, who has been organising events at Barwell for 15 years. explode the myths that Tiger Woods is invincible, and that you need to be From the players’ handicaps and score cards to the tee-times and team shirts, a power hitter to win at Augusta. every detail of the tournament is looked after. Mancini has taken the England Changes are afoot in the UK, too. squad away in 1998 and 2002 as well as most of the Premiership In preparation for its hosting of the teams. “They all like a bit of golf,” he says, “even the useless ones.” Open Championship in 2007, Carnoustie in Angus, Scotland, is He is now running three Footballers’ Golf Classics a year, each with about 40 due to undergo its own surgery. In corporate teams playing alongside big name former footballers such as Matt Le line with other Majors’ hosts, the Tissier and Liam Brady. The next one is at La Manga Club in early June. third hole has been redesigned into a more challenging dog-leg, bunkers “The competition brings everyone together and creates conversation. We’re sold have been added to the 6th, and out so we must be doing something right.” mounding to the right-hand side of the 17th. The tee at the 18th may be For more information: www.barwell.co.uk lengthened, too, making the course about 7,400 yards. “These changes have been made to encourage variety on the tee shot,” says Graeme Duncan, the gen- eral manager at Carnoustie. “My instinct is that this is not a course you over-power. If it’s a wet summer then a big hitter has an advantage, otherwise a straight hitter such as Zach Johnson could do well.” Change is not new to golf. David Rickman, the director of rules at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club (R&A), golf’s governing authority outside the US, says the game has been the game. That is what they’ve done you’re guaranteed a degree of success evolving successfully over 400 years at Augusta,” says Rickman. but miss out on the real thrill and and, despite technological advances Amid this current culture of “ath- respect of the club pro argue the tra- of equipment, it remains a challeng- lete” golfers pumping and the ditionalists. One Scottish club-maker ing sport. thwack of titanium on a tungsten- has recently tested a club with a dia- Unlike many other ball sports core golf ball, there are those who mond-face insert which, because of where the dimensions of the field of feel golf is in danger of being spoilt its hardness, propels the ball at a play are fixed, Rickman see golf as by the likes of 460cc square-headed great speed with minimum effort. an organic process. He points to drivers with foolproof sweet spots Players won’t be selecting such documentary evidence expressing and balls that can add 20-30 yards luxury clubs from their bags at concern about big hitters in the to a top players game off the tee. Carnoustie this July, which will no 1920s. But there is no doubt that the Although there may be some truth doubt prove to be the latest testing pace of change has quickened over in this regarding golf’s most gifted ground for the power hitters versus the past decade. players, at grassroots level players are the rest. The leading contenders will “The future is about striking a bal- still struggling regardless of the clubs need to be as ingenious as they are ance between healthy technological they play with. This makes it increas- prodigious from the tee to succeed advances in equipment – which may ingly difficult for the R&A to hold on on the largely unplayed new holes. facilitate the game for the 60 million to its ideal of “one set of rules for all”. Golf hasn’t radically reinvented golfers worldwide – and recognising But despite their space-age appear- itself and found its equivalent of that elite players are hitting the ball ance, arguably the least significant of cricket’s highly successful Twenty20 a long way. the main factors changing the face of game yet, but far from becoming a “Making changes to courses is an golf is its clubs. The latest clubs are as boring game like serve-and-smash attempt, in the face of stronger, fitter much about accuracy as distance tennis, golf during its current period and arguably better coached golfers, according to experts. With cavity of transition should offer some grip- ̆ Holes 17 (top) and 13 (above) at the magnificent to preserve the strategic challenge of backs, utility clubs and a belly putter ping sports viewing.