Bad lies
In South Africa we always either seem to have too much or too little.
At the moment, in many areas across the country, including Gauteng, we desperately need rain. With the excessive heat being experienced, our courses are burning up. It feels like we’ve had hardly any rain since April. So if I’m right, we will probably have flooding soon. Even with the lack of rain I’ve seen pictures of Maccauvlei, and I was at Bloemfontein Golf Club recently and was amazed at how lush and lovely their entire course was.
How many of you remember staying up until all hours of the night and morning to watch Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson play in the first made for TV Skins game in Arizona?
For many, it was the first time we had seen a modern desert course, and the contrast between the desert areas and the bright green fairways, tees and greens was stunning.
Although all four of the players were past their best, the golf and the entire “show” made for captivating viewing.
We have more of that happening in Japan today with “The MGM Resorts Challenge: Japan Skins” pitting Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama against each other. Tiger has never won a skins event and he's played in six before this one.
They are playing for $350,000 where Holes 1-6 are worth $10,000 per skin; Holes 7-12 are worth $15,000 per skin; Holes 13-17 are worth $20,000 per skin and Hole 18 is a $100,000 super skin. The event will also have some extra "challenge holes" with money going to the event's charities.
These matches are controversial with some thinking that they are purely money making events for the four already rich professionals. Hard to argue with that, but I do think they are good entertainment and get good viewership numbers all around the World.
So I believe they are good for golf, especially ones that are played in venues where we do not see golf played often. I’d like to see an event like this played in Vietnam, South America or any of the courses in Africa.
Supersport won’t have live coverage of the event, but a highlights package will be available on Catchup and on Supersport from Wednesday.
Check out this fun promo video here.
When the ball hits back...
Know your rules…
Lee Ann Walker was given 58 penalty strokes after it was found that she had violated Rule 10.2b several times over the first two rounds of the Senior LPGA Championship last week. The rule is the one prohibiting caddies from lining up golfers and there is no limit to how many penalty strokes a player can be given. In fact 42 of the 58 were added to her first round score. She was only made aware of her mistake by players during her second round. She wasn’t disqualified for signing an incorrect card in round one because she was unaware that she had broken a rule. On the “plus side” she was wasn’t going to make the second round cut anyway and she looked at it pragmatically; “What can you do at that point? It was my fault for not knowing the rules. I don’t have anyone to blame but myself. Big lesson learned…I may have made the Guinness Book of World Records.”
The Denis Hutchinson Tribute Tour with Dale Hayes
Join the “Voice of Golf” Denis Hutchinson and I, for a Tribute Evening in your area, where we discuss our very long involvement in this wonderful game.
Clubs can contact Paul Adams on 072-333-1886 / paul@golfnotions.co.za if they are interested in hosting an event.
Here are the dates for events that are “open” to the public to attend: -
Club
| Date | Contact person | Contact details | | Polokwane | 08/11 | Jean Sadie | 072-2071139
Email | | Swaziland | 23/11 | Steve Senekal | 083-2820352
Email | | St Francis Links | 04/01 | *Note date change! | 042 200 4500
Email
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Sun International packages for their event in Swaziland: -
Royal Swazi Sun – 22nd to 24th November from R 2 881 per golfer sharing which includes welcome drink & snacks; 2 night’s accommodation & breakfast; golf and golf cart (on sharing basis) on Saturday & the Tribute dinner on Saturday evening.
Lugogo Sun – 22nd to 24th November from R 2 555 per golfer sharing which includes welcome drink & snacks; 2 night’s accommodation & breakfast; golf and golf cart (on sharing basis) on Saturday & the Tribute dinner on Saturday evening.
*There are rates available for non-golfers too.
Accommodation bookings must be made through Sun International Head Office – (011)780-7855 / crobook@suninternational.com
Then please contact Steve Senekal (details above) confirming your booking to ensure you are catered for, for both dinner and golf.
Royal Swazi - Booking code: HUTSWAZ
Legogo Sun - Booking code: HTGG1911
Golfer: HTGOLFER
Non-Golfer: HTNONGOLFER
Non-Resident Golfer: HTNONRESGOLFER
Non-Resident, Non-Golfer: HTNONRESNONGOLFER
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Around the world…
• Justin Thomas won his eleventh PGA tour title at The CJ CUP @ Nine Bridges. It’s the second time in three years that he won at Nine Bridges on Jeju Island in Korea. He and Danny Lee were tied entering the final round and he shot a 5-under 67 to hold off Lee by two shots, winning on 20-under 268. Hideki Matsuyama and Gary Woodland tied for third at 15-under.
• The players made a meal of the last few holes at the Amundi Open de France at Le Golf National. Nicolas Colsaerts started the final round with a three-shot lead and extended it to five-shots before things became really interesting. With Colsaerts making a 6 at the 15th, Coetzee making a 7 and Joachim B Hansen making a 6 at the 17th, the lead was constantly changing hands. Colsaerts regained composure to sign for a 72 that saw him win by one over Hansen on 12-under, his first European Tour title in seven years. George Coetzee, finished third on 10-under. Trevor Immelman tied for 23rd on 2-under and Brandon Stone tied for 26th on 1-under.
• Danielle Kang successfully defended her title at the Buick LPGA Shanghai at Qizhong Garden GC in China. Jessica Korda and Kang both shot third round 6-under 66’s and entered the final round at 15-under and 14-under respectively. In an about-turn, Kang shot a 2-under 70 to win on 16-under 272, one clear of Korda. Yu Liu, Nasa Hataoka and Kristen Gillman tied for third at 13-under.
• The final round of the Champions Tour’s Dominion Energy Charity Classic at The Country Club of Virginia has been delayed to today after heavy rain postponed the start of play. is This is the first of three Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs events. Tommy Tolles and Scott Parel are tied at the top at 12-under, while Colin Montgomerie in third at 11-under. Retief Goosen is tied for fourth at 9-under.
• Helen Alfredsson battled severe final round weather to win the Senior LPGA Championship presented by Old National Bank at the French Lick Resort in Indiana. She was the only player to finish the tournament under par, shooting a final round 70 to finish at 2-under 214. It’s her second senior major of the season after winning the 2019 U.S. Senior Women’s Open. Julie Inkster finished second at +1 after shooting a 76 while Trish Johnson and Moira Dunn-Bohls tied for third at 2-over.
• Italy’s Francesco Laporta won his first Challenge Tour title at the Hainan Open at Sanya Luhuitou Golf Club in China. He started the final round with a two-shot lead thanks to a third round 8-under 64, and added a final round 2-under 70 to win on 14-under 274. He’s moved to the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings with just two events remaining in the season. Holland’s Robin Roussel finished second on 13-under.
• Argentina’s Leandro Marelli came from five shots off the lead of Justin Suh to win his first PGA TOUR Latinoamérica title at the Diners Club Peru Open presented by Volvo. He shot a final round 5-under 67 at Los Inkas Golf Club to win on 19-under 269, beating America’s John Somers by one.
• Jaco Ahlers won his second Sunshine Tour title of the season at the Vodacom Origins of Golf tournament at Selborne Golf Estate. His final round 5-under 67 saw him win by two over Ockie Strydom (who shot a 64), on 15-under 201. James Hart du Preez shot 66, while Jacques Blaauw shot 69, to tie for third on 11-under. Nobuhle Dlamini won the Women’s Competition on Wednesday. She finished on 1-under 143, three clear of England’s Lauren Taylor. Lejan Lewthwaite and Scotland’s Jane Turner tied for third on 7-over.
• Amateur Xander Basson won the IGT’s Chase to # 7 Services at Services Golf Club. He shot rounds of 68-67-73 to tie with Leon Visser at 8-under 208. Ruan Groenewald was third at 6-under.
• Chan Kim came from 8 shots off the lead to win the Japan Open Golf Championship at Koga GC. His birdie on the 18th sealed his 4-under 68 and saw him win on 1-over 289. Another good week for Shaun Norris who tied for second alongside Mikumu Horikawa on 2-over. Scott Vincent finished 4th on 3-over. Koki Shiomi, who had a 4-shot lead entering the final round, fell apart on the back nine and tied for 10th on 5-over.
• Sadly both Paula Reto and Stacy Bregman failed to make it past Stage II of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament at Plantation Golf & Country Club in Florida. There were 185-players trying to make the top-30 players and ties who advanced to the LPGA Q-Series which gets underway this week, but only the top 36 and ties advanced. Bregman tied for 51st and Reto tied for 83rd.
• Morgan Phillips successfully defended his title at the SA Senior Amateur Championship at Durban CC and becomes only the second golfer to have won both senior amateur flagship events – the SA Senior Amateur and the Senior Players Championships. He started the final round two off the lead of William Skinner and shot a 73 to win by one on 4-over 220. Skinner finished second on 5-over after being unable to force a play-off on the final green. Stephen Johnston was third on 6-over. Phillips also won the Presidents Trophy for the best player in the 55-years and older division.
• In stifling heat, Casey Jarvis won the Gauteng North Golf Union’s Silver Salver at Irene CC. He won by six on 18-under 270 after rounds of 67-71-63-69 . Christiaan Maas and Samuel Simpson tied for second on 12-under.
• Erinvale’s Vicki Traut won the 39th Ackerman Championship at Strand GC. She shot rounds of 74-71-72 to finish on 1-over 217 winning by two over Kaylah Williams. Kiera Floyd finished third on 5-over.
• Jeongeun Lee6, the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open champion, has built up enough of a lead to be announced as the LPGA’s 2019 Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year. That makes it five consecutive years that Korean golfers have won this award.
• Congrats to Rickie Fowler who got married last weekend to long-time girlfriend Allison Stokke.
• The last time Phil Mickelson wasn’t in the Top 50 of the World was 27th November 1993 - 1,351 weeks. He entered the CJ Cup in South Korea ranked 47th & after his tie for 31st place he hangs on for another week at least at 50th. That’s almost 26 years of golf as a Top 50 player. Amazing longevity. The next longest run belongs to Ernie Els – 965. Ernie’s run was for 18½ years, which is also pretty amazing.
• World Number 1 Brooks Koepka withdrew from the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges before the third round because of his knee injury. He says he slipped and aggravated his knee during the second round and has now also withdrawn from this week’s Zozo Championship in Japan. I hope this isn’t a start of injuries that will plague his career.
• The European Tour and Ladies European Tour have announced a new co-sanctioned tournament called The Scandinavian Mixed, which will be played in June at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club in Sweden. Hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam, 78 men and 78 women will tee it up in the same tournament and play for the same prize money (1.5 million euros). World-ranking points for both tours will be up for grabs and they have signed a three-year deal to host this event.
• Tiger Woods is about to write his own biography, called: "Back". According to Tiger; “I’ve been in the spotlight for a long time, and because of that, there have been books and articles and TV shows about me, most filled with errors, speculative and wrong. This book is my definitive story. It’s in my words and expresses my thoughts. It describes how I feel and what’s happened in my life. I’ve been working at it steadily, and I’m looking forward to continuing the process and creating a book that people will want to read."
• Great news for South Africans is that Ernie Els and Branden Grace have been added to the field of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. They join Louis Oosthuizen, Padraig Harrington, Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood, to name just a few.
• Tickets for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits sold out in just under 50 minutes when the online bookings opened last Wednesday. Overwhelming interest caused havoc with the booking system and many people were left in a holding pool for hours and were unable to secure tickets. Over 200,000 people attended the 2016 Ryder Cup in Minnesota in 2016.
Who’s up this week?
Please note that this is the entry list as at Monday & is subject to change.
• PGA Tour - The ZOZO Championship – Dylan Frittelli; Shaun Norris; Louis Oosthuizen
• European Tour – Portugal Masters – Trevor Immelman; Dean Burmester; Haydn Porteous; Darren Fichardt; Brandon Stone; George Coetzee; Thomas Aiken; Jacques Kruyswijk; Justin Walters; Louis de Jager
Book Review
Last week I told you about – Final Rounds by James Dodson; The Greatest Game Ever Played by Mark Frost; The Bogey Man by George Plimpton; American Triumvirate: Sam Snead, Byron Nelson & Ben Hogan by James Dodson and Little Red Book by Harvey Penick.
Here are the next five books on my Top 15 List…
1. A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein
One of the greats of modern sports writing. He shows us that the frustrations of golf apply to us all – good and bad golfers.
2. A Golfers Life by Arnold Palmer & James Dodson
When Palmer read Final Rounds, he called Dodson and asked him if he would write his biography. Of course Dodson agreed because Palmer was The King. It’s a must-read.
3. Golf by Alistair Cooke
This is a superb collection of columns from a Brit who lived in America.
4. Dead Solid Perfect by Dan Jenkins
This is a fictitious look at the Pro Tour which is written in Jenkins’ inimitable way. It’s a fun read.
5. The Essential Henry Longhurst edited by Chris Plumridge
This is a compilation of 130 columns that Longhurst wrote for Golf Illustrated. It takes us back to another period of the great game of golf.
Frankly Golf
Frank Thomas is a South African and former technical director of the USGA, inventor of the Frankly Frog Putter and the author of “Just Hit It”.
This week Frank talks about the Performance of Scuffed Golf Balls
Dear Frank,
I know the pros change balls often during a round. I cannot afford to buy balls every month, so I play scuffed balls until they are lost or in the water. Does playing scuffed balls affect my game that much? I’m a 17 handicap.
Ralph
Ralph,
You will certainly see the difference in performance between scuffed golf balls and new, clean, unblemished golf balls.
This obviously depends on how badly they have been scuffed. Many times on the driving range you come across a ball which has been through the ball washer about as many times as we have been misled by politicians. This causes the surface to be less than perfect with worn down dimples. The aerodynamics are completely ruined and the ball’s trajectory is erratic and the distance is significantly shorter than the newer range balls.
A scuffed ball affects the air flow over the ball and it will not perform as designed. In fact if some dimples – five or six on one side of the ball — are shallower than the others, by as little as 0.002 of an inch (the width of a human hair) the ball flight may be affected by as much as 3 to 5 yards off line on a 225 yard drive — a long par three.
For most of us 3 to 5 yards off line will not make too much difference and we may not even notice it, except for that one time when everything comes together and we make absolutely perfect contact. Three to five yards may be the difference between buying drinks for those in the club house or not. This may save you some money but deprive you of one of the most wonderful experiences in golf. As an aside, the odds of making a hole in one are significantly better than winning the lottery.
For the reason above I suggest that you clean your golf ball ‘gently’ and as often as you can without wearing down the surface — mud in a few dimples will affect the ball flight – and if the ball is scuffed badly then find a place for it in the shag bag.
Normally a hard Surlyn® cover will resist scuffing from a cart path or vicious sand shot but will also reduce your potential to spin the ball on a wedge shot from just off the green.
Frank
On Tour with Dale
You can be a part of the event with this very, very special 6-night and 7-day Tour Package that’s been offered by Premier Excursions. It’s a 6-Star Tour with 7-Star treatment. Treat yourself to this once in a lifetime experience!
Click on the gold block in the image below for more details...
Dale Hayes Golf appreciates the ongoing support of City Lodge.
Golf Management Campus Make golf your Major at the Golf Management Campus
Check out this video in which Dale challenges you to take up a career in golf.
Is it your dream to…Play on the Tour? Manage a Golf Club? Be a Golf Director? Be a Club Professional? Be a Golf Course Superintendent?
We are starting to recruit students for 2020 for the following courses: -
• 3-year Internationally recognised PGA Diploma Course
• Game Improvement Programme (Part Time or Full Time)
• Preparation for a Career as a Tour Player
• Sports Turf Maintenance
We have a host of extremely experienced lecturers and coaches from the guru’s in the golf business, including: Dale Hayes & Dennis Bruyns - PGA Master Professionals; Elsabe Hefer - PGA Top 25 Teacher & Fellow PGA Member; Francois Viljoen - PGA Fellow Professional & Programme Director; Theo Bezuidenhout Consulting - Sports Psychologists & Dwayne Coetzee - Golf Equipment Technology Specialist.
Contact Francois Viljoen for more information or a Tour of the facilities on (012) 654-1144 / 072 224 2456 / mentor@golfmanagementcampus.co.za or visit www.golfmanagementcampus.co.za.  | Tour news
Take a look at all the tour events coming up soon.
The Driving Range
This month Elsabe Hefer discusses the power and accuracy of a correct right arm and elbow move in the swing.
This week she looks at the wrist cock to get your swing consistently on plane.
Elsabe Hefer is a Fellow Member of the PGA; a former Gauteng North PGA Teacher of the Year and PGA Top 20 Teacher. She is the Head Teaching Professional at Zwartkop Country Club.
And to finish off… The rare hole-in-one, the most perfect fluke ever, it’s the best feeling in golf. Celebrate – get the certificate and have bragging rights forever! For further information and to join, contact Margaret on (012) 654-1144 or click here to send an email.
Choking….
“I wish they would come up with another word for it, because it has no similarity to having a piece of prime rib stuck in your throat. Now that’s choking!” Peter Jacobsen
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