After the snow melted on Friday, a wet winter has hit us hard and caused the course to close for a few days, but at least the course gets a rest at this time of year. So, Luke went for a practice round at Formby Hall Golf Club on Monday and myself and a couple of members went with him. I'd never played it but always regarded Formby Hall as a resort course and a poor relation to the magnificent courses around Southport and especially to the renowned Formby golf club.
How wrong I was - it was an awesome layout! A parkland course built on partially links terrain with water coming into play on nearly every hole, and we played it at 6,800 yards and it cost just £25 for the amateurs on the winter rate. I'd recommend a day there to include playing the 9 hole par 3 course, partaking in the £5 Steak and Ale pie special and maybe playing off the yellow tees!
As the course was still closed on Tuesday I played in the PGA Winter Series event around the Brabazon course at the Belfry. It was a shotgun start and my first hole was the 10th - as the others were discussing whether to lay up or go for the green, my driver was already having the head cover removed,
"I last played here 25 years ago and I've not got up early and paid an entry fee to whiff an iron down there for safety!" I said.
For the record, I missed the green off the tee but made par. It was presented in very good condition but it probably should have been closed due to being so wet - I guess the steep green fee stops it from getting worn in the winter. It did however, make Formby Hall seem short as the Brabazon measured 7,200 yards as we played right off the back and most drives were plugging. I was driving it great and still the last five par 4's on the front half required a wood or hybrid to reach the green - as an example, when driving like that, the only time I need anything longer than an iron to reach the green is the 6th at Brocton into the wind! That's been a great couple of days of workout for my longer clubs in the winter.
I'm looking forward to the Captains Swansong this Saturday, the forecast is for no more rain now for a week or so, hopefully the skipper Steve Bloxham will have a good golfing send-off.
We had a great night at the club on Sunday at the Jam Night along with nearly 100 other members and non-members, well done to Dave Robertson for organising another popular event. Keep a look out for the next one of these - they are amazing value at just £5 to listen to a range of musical artists perform for 2 1/2 hours. We had some food from the special menu and I have to commend Justin and the team - it was absolutely beautiful - I had king prawns and sea bass and Katie had whitebait and chicken & mushroom tagliatelle.
On the same day we had the first wedding fair organised in-house with a lot of input from Emma Taylor in the office. By all accounts the attendance and feedback was excellent so well done to all involved. It just goes to show that even though the course may be closed, the clubhouse and staff are still busy, not to mention the committee who are still meeting and have been busy preparing for the AGM at the end of this month.
If you've not been playing golf lately, how about the scoring that's been conducted on the men's tours lately?!? Justin Thomas set an all-time scoring record at the Sony Open following an opening round 59 which included a bogey, Woody Austin also shot a 59 on the Champions Tour, and the best story of the winter - Graeme Storm won the South African Open in a playoff against Rory McIlroy, just 84 days after he missed out on keeping his tour card by €100!
We're keeping busy in the shop as well, latest developments include:
- New grips from PURE golf grips - 100% rubber, super tacky, very long lasting and available in really bright colours. I've had one on my wedge for a year and it's just about as good as when I first got it!
- Shoe Wall, we've updated our shoe wall and made room for the new ECCO and Skechers shoes which are due in. The new FootJoy range is already in so come and have a look at both men's and ladies options.
- Mizuno new woods - There's been a lot of talk about new drivers lately and following on from TaylorMade's M1 & M2 and Callaway's EPIC, everyone's awaiting the final model to be launched for 2017, the Mizuno JPX900. We have been fortunate enough to have Mizuno's demo kit so we can pre-fit your for the new 'course shorteners' before their release in February.
After the success of their last 2 models, they've pulled out all the stops and have every adjustable gadget possible included and only use premium shafts - plus we have our own shaft options to try out. Click here if you'd like to book in for a driver optimiser session - it's just £30 to check out your current driver and assess your technique, tee height and ball of use.
Remember, if you have any second-hand clubs that could find a new home, please bring them into the shop. We can either sell them online for you and credit your account, place them for sale in the shop, or if they're no longer of any value I'm hoping to help out a charity with them as a bulk donation.