The Professionals Day for ladies was played in lovely conditions this week and the day for men is on Saturday with an equally good forecast.
The format is three ball Texas scramble which is great fun, if you need fixing up just let me know. There'll be free refreshments in the halfway house and we'll be hosting the popular 'DOUBLE YOUR MONEY' challenge on the 9th tee. It's simple, bet £10 or £20 and if you hit the green we'll double your stake as credit on your account, miss the green and we'll put your original stake on your account. I usually lose 20% of the time, by a mixture of lucky, skillful and downright outrageous shots!
Then, on Saturday night we've got the Professionals Day Night! We'll be announcing the prize winners from both days, before tucking into a hot buffet of curry and chilli with all the accompaniments and partying with the band 'This Way Up'.
Tickets are still available from the shop if you fancy a good night out, £15 per person with a 7pm for 7:30pm start. It's a fun night with smart casual dress code and you're welcome to come along even if you've not played.
The PGA invited me to write a blog about the Ryder Cup this week, for a series on their website, an analysis of the players in the European team. Here it is:
Rory McIlroy
Undisputed world number 1 and recently referred to as having 'the Tiger effect' by his fellow competitors - already 1 or 2 up on the first tee due to his reputation for destroying par fives. Look to see him bring on one of the rookies in the four balls.
Henrik Stenson
Incredible form since missing out on Medinah in 2012, reaching number 3 in the world. A big hitter and big stage performer who will keep the team spirits high in the European camp with his penchant for practical jokes!
Victor Dubuisson
Only 12 months since his first European Tour win but the dark horse of the European team - long hitting, well liked and with great 'it's never over until it's over' match play credentials in his amateur career and the World Matchplay in Arizona early this year.
Jamie Donaldson
Once a good European Tour journeyman, now with three wins in the past three years and many top 10's, Jamie has shown his skills on many course styles and high pressure situations. Captain Paul McGinley could pair him with anyone in the team with confidence as he becomes the first Welshman to make the team since 2002.
Sergio Garcia
The 2010 Vice Captain has played 28 Ryder Cup matches at age 36 and is one of the in-form players of 2014 getting back up to number 4 in the world. Bringing some Spanish flair and escapology makes him a mean competitor in Matchplay if the weather is tough.
Justin Rose
Another top 5 world ranking Player, Justin's consistency is the key to his game and his prowess with long approach shots stands him in good stead for the lengthy PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles, totalling over 7,200 yards.
Martin Kaymer
Back to his best in 2014 reverting to his dependable fade shot off the tee and winning the Players Championship and US Open. Kaymers ability under pressure will never be under question after sinking the winning 10 footer at Medinah.
Thomas Bjorn
Another resurgent player of late, bringing experience from previous years coupled with his Vice Captains roles in 2010 and 2012. Bjorn would make a good anchorman in the singles for McGinley, if one were needed!
Graeme McDowell
Hanging onto the final automatic qualifying spot, Graeme epitomises the Ryder Cup with his team spirit, Matchplay fire and ability to hole crucial putts like his famous win at Celtic Manor in 2010.
Ian Poulter
Mr Ryder Cup. I think everyone knew that Paul McGinley only had two wildcard picks as one was always going to be given to the English talisman. Even though he resides at 36 in the World Rankings, he won 8 out of 9 matches the last time he was a wildcard pick and was responsible for the European turn around on Saturday afternoon at Medinah.
Lee Westwood
If you need someone to guarantee hitting fairways and greens, Lee is your man. Only requires 4 points to equal Sir Nick Faldo's record of 25 and certainly won't give any holes away. A safe but sensible Captains pick.
Stephen Gallacher
A heroic effort in the last qualifying tournament saw Gallagher miss out on automatic qualification by the narrowest margin. Must surely be like a kid at Christmas as he'll be playing on home turf and in the form of his life - expect him to be put into bat early on.
It promises to be a good one!
Our junior coaching has restarted with 4 hours of instruction every Saturday. In the CONGU session at 3:30, I took out the FlightScope launch monitor and challenged Ethan, Holly and Marcus to land the ball 100 yards away. After some practice Holly managed 99.5 yards, Marcus for 99.6 and Ethan almost perfected it with 99.9 yards, that's about a golf balls width away!!
Here they are on the practice tee
PowaKaddy promotion - only 2 weeks left of the FREE bag promo with the purchase of a Powakaddy FW7 trolley, £399 for the trolley and you can claim a FREE £120 Sport model bag.
The fantastic FootJoy autumn clothing is gradually coming into the shop - check out our new displays!