Now three in ... and the first by car for two days.
The car park is no longer purely virgin snow. :o(
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Latest from snowbound Petersfield - #4
Two in this morning. Others working from home.
All credit to our managing director, Sean Noble, who made a detour on his two-mile yomp through the snow to ensure we had coffee, milk and sugar.
That's why we have such a happy team at Azalea, sated, as we are, on consistent supplies of instant coffee!
All credit to our managing director, Sean Noble, who made a detour on his two-mile yomp through the snow to ensure we had coffee, milk and sugar.
That's why we have such a happy team at Azalea, sated, as we are, on consistent supplies of instant coffee!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Latest from snowbound Petersfield - #3
Still three people in.
We have milk, but no coffee or sugar. Curse you whoever you are...
This is how it looks currently - we reckon we've got about eight inches here, which is unheard of in Petersfield.
We have milk, but no coffee or sugar. Curse you whoever you are...
This is how it looks currently - we reckon we've got about eight inches here, which is unheard of in Petersfield.
The view from the office door
The office at 1.30pm
The view across the empty car park towards the Downs
Don't suppose anybody fancies airlifting in three curries?
Latest from snowbound Petersfield - #2
9.41am third member of staff arrives ... with milk! Gold star for the gold top.
Three working from home. Or that's what they claim...
Three working from home. Or that's what they claim...
Latest from snowbound Petersfield
Staff count at 8.53am: two.
Number expected: three.
Serves them right for living within walking distance...
Number expected: three.
Serves them right for living within walking distance...
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
NSS #1
We've just had some marketing material through which gave us our first 'No sh*t Sherlock!' moment of 2010.
It came from Golf Digest Ireland and stated: "Golf Digest Ireland is the biggest selling and only monthly Irish golf magazine in Ireland."
It came from Golf Digest Ireland and stated: "Golf Digest Ireland is the biggest selling and only monthly Irish golf magazine in Ireland."
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Toddy - that's 10 points!
Lunchtimes are now often spent playing Scrabble on Facebook.
Toddy (Lee Todd - lee@theazaleagroup.com for all single women!) is very good and consistently finds seven-letter words.
I think it's going to his head, however, as he keeps saying "I invented Scrabble ya know". Anybody would think he was Harry Redknapp.
Toddy (Lee Todd - lee@theazaleagroup.com for all single women!) is very good and consistently finds seven-letter words.
I think it's going to his head, however, as he keeps saying "I invented Scrabble ya know". Anybody would think he was Harry Redknapp.
BUNKY
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The ideal gift for Christmas?
Received a pleasant email this morning about a new golf book which I must purchase.
I've included the letter below.
Dear golfing friends,
You may not know it, but I have been very busy over the last couple of years putting my thoughts and ideas together into a book. I am very proud of the results and, in order to market the publication, I am asking friends and family to assist.
The book is on golf. I believe it gives the reader valuable playing tips and insider information that I have gained through my years of experience. The book is only £6.95 and can be ordered by simply replying to this email with the appropriate credit card info.
Check one: ___ VISA ___ Master Card ___ Discover __ American Express
Card # __________________________ Exp. Date _______________
Last chance to get the book at this price. __________________________________________________________________
Highlights include;
Chapter 1 - How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt
Chapter 2 - How to Hit a Maxfli from the Rough When You Hit a Titleist from the Tee
Chapter 3 - How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a Bunker (also seeChapter 8)
Chapter 4 - How to Get More Distance off the Shank
Chapter 5 - When to Give the Ranger the Finger
Chapter 6 - Using Your Shadow on the Greens to Maximize Earnings
Chapter 7 - When to Implement Handicap Management
Chapter 8 - Proper Excuses for Drinking Beer Before 9:00 a.m.
Chapter 10 - How to Find That Ball That Everyone Else Saw Go in the Water
Chapter 13 - How to Relax When You Are Hitting Three off the Tee
Chapter 14 - When to Suggest Major Swing Corrections to Your Opponent
Chapter 16 - When to Re-grip Your Ball Retriever
I've included the letter below.
Dear golfing friends,
You may not know it, but I have been very busy over the last couple of years putting my thoughts and ideas together into a book. I am very proud of the results and, in order to market the publication, I am asking friends and family to assist.
The book is on golf. I believe it gives the reader valuable playing tips and insider information that I have gained through my years of experience. The book is only £6.95 and can be ordered by simply replying to this email with the appropriate credit card info.
Check one: ___ VISA ___ Master Card ___ Discover __ American Express
Card # __________________________ Exp. Date _______________
Last chance to get the book at this price. __________________________________________________________________
Highlights include;
Chapter 1 - How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt
Chapter 2 - How to Hit a Maxfli from the Rough When You Hit a Titleist from the Tee
Chapter 3 - How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a Bunker (also seeChapter 8)
Chapter 4 - How to Get More Distance off the Shank
Chapter 5 - When to Give the Ranger the Finger
Chapter 6 - Using Your Shadow on the Greens to Maximize Earnings
Chapter 7 - When to Implement Handicap Management
Chapter 8 - Proper Excuses for Drinking Beer Before 9:00 a.m.
Chapter 10 - How to Find That Ball That Everyone Else Saw Go in the Water
Chapter 13 - How to Relax When You Are Hitting Three off the Tee
Chapter 14 - When to Suggest Major Swing Corrections to Your Opponent
Chapter 16 - When to Re-grip Your Ball Retriever
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Ding dong!
A couple of Azalea guys were helping out a client at an exhibition last Friday – and the first person to stroll past the stand was none other than super-model Claudia Schiffer.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A waste of time and money...
The public relations industry is wasting huge amounts of time and money by failing to communicate its message to the media in the right way, says a new survey http://tinyurl.com/yj4sjvz
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Let me be your fantasy
We're all playing the European Tour's fantasy Race to Dubai game in the office.
Not surprisingly, as it has the word 'race' in the title, Bunky was lacking interest and lagging way behind.
He claims to be much more interested in the Azalea fantasy football league we constructed for this season ... in which he is also lagging way behind. That'll teach him to include Pompey players in his starting XI.
He quite oftens enters 'fantasy' into Google during his lunch-hours and when we heard some 'ooing' and 'ahing' from his corner of the office we weren't too sure if we should ask him what he'd found.
He'd actually visited the blog of one of our clients, Yourgolftravel.com, Europe's fastest growing golf travel company. And they had a fantasy of their own: a fantasy 18 holes which explained the longing sighs from the fat one.
So we've decided to lift the piece in its entirety and use it here. Bunky's only complaint was that it didn't feature any from his favourite course: the 12-hole pay-and-play just over the road here in Petersfield.
YGT could take umbrage at us using their piece of course, but Bunky's bigger than them - all of them put together in truth, so they're not likely to complain.
Read on, and enjoy...
If you could build a golf course of your own taking the holes from existing courses which holes would you choose?
We have compiled our very own Fantasy Golf course, the only stipulation being that the holes must fill the actual position they do on their home course.
Our course turns out to be a par 73 and is 7,562 yards from the back tees! Why not tell us which holes you think should be in your Fantasy Golf Course (to do this visit the YGT site here)
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Hole 1: Doonbeg, Ireland - 540 yard Par 5
This could be deemed among the best starting holes in golf; the view of the beach and massive dunes from the tee is breathtaking. Pitching your drive onto the downhill fairway you then need to avoid a small pot bunker with your second, leaving an approach to a green protected on three sides by an enormous dune.
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Hole 2 – Walton Heath (Old), England
- 475 yard Par 4
The glorious par 4 oozes history from every blade of grass. Hitting the perfect tee-shot is important for giving a clear view to the green. The first pro at Walton Heath, five-time Open Champion James Braid, was said to be so accurate on this hole that a shelf located 250 yards off the tee is named the “James Braid Shelf”. The approach shot leaves little room for error with heather right and left and an elevated green which is exposed to the elements.
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Hole 3 – The Belfry (Brabazon), England
- 538 yard Par 5
This hole requires a drive down the left side of the fairway to try and reach the green in two, if not you will have to lay up short of the lake leaving an approach shot that requires the correct club selection, anything near the front of the green will come back off it.
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Hole 4 - Royal Portrush (Dunluce), Northern Ireland - 457 yard Par 4
This hole gives you the first glimpses of the ocean in the background although take care with your tee shot since pot bunkers await any stray drives to the left-hand side right of the fairway. A raised green runs deep into the Dunes inviting you to pitch on softly and run up to the main part of the hole.
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Hole 5 - Bethpage (Black), USA - 478 yard Par 4
This is a tough par 4, the downhill tee shot is played to a fairway that sits at a slight left-to-right diagonal. Large overhanging oaks will block your approach to the green if you stray too far left so you need to hug the right-side cross bunker with your drive. The approach is to a relatively small green that slopes from back to front.
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Hole 6 - Carnoustie (Championship), Scotland
- 520 yard Par 5
Officially renamed in 2003 as Hogan’s Alley to commemorate Ben Hogan’s Open Championship win in 1953, this hole is where Carnoustie starts to turn up the heat. Often played into the prevailing wind this hole can be a severe par 5. Bunkers and out of bounds await the miss-cued drive and it requires a brave player to drive to that narrow piece of fairway. Care must also be taken with your second shot as once again Jockey’s burn bites deeply into the right side of the fairway.
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Hole 7 - Pebble Beach, USA - 106 yard Par 3
Playing from an elevated tee, you have to hit straight out towards the Pacific into the ocean winds coming straight back at you. Miss the green and you are either in one of the pit-like bunkers or on the rocks amongst the crashing waves.
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Hole 8 - Royal Troon (Old), Scotland
- 123 yard Par 3
The hole, originally called “Ailsa” because of the perfect view of the rocky islet of that name from the tee, was changed when Willie Park said of the tiny green, “A pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a Postage Stamp”. There is no safe way to play this hole, the ball must find the green, two bunkers protect the left side of the green while a large crater bunker shields the approach, any mistake on the right will find one of the two deep bunkers with near vertical faces.
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Hole 9 - Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
- 486 yard Par 4
This long par 4 is perhaps one of the most photographed holes in world golf. A blind tee shot is played down the left to a sweeping fairway some eighty feet below to set up the best approach to the green. Too far left and you will find a dense gorse covered dune, more room is available on the right for the shorter hitter, although not providing the best approach.
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Hole 10 - Turnberry (Ailsa), Scotland
- 457 yard Par 4
Dinna Fouter ‘Don’t Mess About’ is a fantastic hole that rewards a brave tee shot down the left to shorten the hole, stray too far left however and the Firth of Clyde awaits. More trouble can be found in the middle of the fairway in the shape of two pot bunkers, while the famous island bunker protects the approach to the green.
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Hole 11 - Ballybunion (Old), Ireland
- 451 yard Par 4
Perched high on the cliffs and flanked by an impressive half-moon bay it’s no wonder Tom Watson once described this as one of the toughest holes in golf. Anything going right will disappear into the crashing waves of the Atlantic while anything left will find a terrain of brown and purple dunes.
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Hole 12 - Kingsbarns, Scotland - 606 yard Par 5
This long par 5 hugs the coast line with its dogleg right to left shape, tempting many shortcut shots, although the ever changing wind makes it very risky to put your ball out over the sea. Set up an approach from the right to provide a good angle for the third shot down to the middle of the long narrow green, taking the large greenside bunker out of play.
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Hole 13 - Pacific Dunes, USA - 444 yard Par 4
Regularly playing into the wind this hole often plays longer than its yardage suggests. Aim right with your tee shot as there is much more room than is visible from the tee. The very deep and slightly elevated green is mostly hidden for your approach so it will be difficult to tell where the hole is located.
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Hole 14 - Royal Dornoch, Scotland - 445 yard Par 4
Named ‘Foxy’ this is the only hole on the course without a bunker. The left side of the fairway is full of mounds, while the right side has many grassy peninsulas protruding out towards the fairway and defending the right of the elevated green, which has a steep rise of about 5ft at the front with a 10ft drop left and right.
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Hole 15 - Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
- 650 yard Par 5
Make sure you stay on the fairway with your drive as there is a 140-metre cliff on the left and a 20-metre drop on the right. The key to this hole is to keep it simple, three or four straight shots and you are safely on the green.
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Hole 16 - Sandy Lane (Green Monkey), Barbados
- 226 yard Par 3
The bunker with the green monkey inside it makes this one of the most unique and grandest holes in golf. The long right to left green is nestled into a large quarry lake at the foot of a colossal quarry wall.
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Hole 17 - TPC Sawgrass (Stadium), USA
- 137 yard Par 3
What can be said about this hole? Get it on the land, accomplish that and you may just manage to two putt, assuming you get it on the right level.
![]()
Hole 18 – Sunningdale (Old), England
- 423 yard Par 4
This is a tough uphill finishing hole with bunkers in the fairway waiting to swallow an errant tee-shot. You are left with a short iron approach towards a green that is back dropped with the clubhouse and a stunning old oak tree, mishit your approach and a less than welcoming bunker awaits.
Not surprisingly, as it has the word 'race' in the title, Bunky was lacking interest and lagging way behind.
He claims to be much more interested in the Azalea fantasy football league we constructed for this season ... in which he is also lagging way behind. That'll teach him to include Pompey players in his starting XI.
He quite oftens enters 'fantasy' into Google during his lunch-hours and when we heard some 'ooing' and 'ahing' from his corner of the office we weren't too sure if we should ask him what he'd found.
He'd actually visited the blog of one of our clients, Yourgolftravel.com, Europe's fastest growing golf travel company. And they had a fantasy of their own: a fantasy 18 holes which explained the longing sighs from the fat one.
So we've decided to lift the piece in its entirety and use it here. Bunky's only complaint was that it didn't feature any from his favourite course: the 12-hole pay-and-play just over the road here in Petersfield.
YGT could take umbrage at us using their piece of course, but Bunky's bigger than them - all of them put together in truth, so they're not likely to complain.
Read on, and enjoy...
If you could build a golf course of your own taking the holes from existing courses which holes would you choose?
We have compiled our very own Fantasy Golf course, the only stipulation being that the holes must fill the actual position they do on their home course.
Our course turns out to be a par 73 and is 7,562 yards from the back tees! Why not tell us which holes you think should be in your Fantasy Golf Course (to do this visit the YGT site here)
Hole 1: Doonbeg, Ireland - 540 yard Par 5
This could be deemed among the best starting holes in golf; the view of the beach and massive dunes from the tee is breathtaking. Pitching your drive onto the downhill fairway you then need to avoid a small pot bunker with your second, leaving an approach to a green protected on three sides by an enormous dune.
- 475 yard Par 4
The glorious par 4 oozes history from every blade of grass. Hitting the perfect tee-shot is important for giving a clear view to the green. The first pro at Walton Heath, five-time Open Champion James Braid, was said to be so accurate on this hole that a shelf located 250 yards off the tee is named the “James Braid Shelf”. The approach shot leaves little room for error with heather right and left and an elevated green which is exposed to the elements.
- 538 yard Par 5
This hole requires a drive down the left side of the fairway to try and reach the green in two, if not you will have to lay up short of the lake leaving an approach shot that requires the correct club selection, anything near the front of the green will come back off it.
This hole gives you the first glimpses of the ocean in the background although take care with your tee shot since pot bunkers await any stray drives to the left-hand side right of the fairway. A raised green runs deep into the Dunes inviting you to pitch on softly and run up to the main part of the hole.
This is a tough par 4, the downhill tee shot is played to a fairway that sits at a slight left-to-right diagonal. Large overhanging oaks will block your approach to the green if you stray too far left so you need to hug the right-side cross bunker with your drive. The approach is to a relatively small green that slopes from back to front.
- 520 yard Par 5
Officially renamed in 2003 as Hogan’s Alley to commemorate Ben Hogan’s Open Championship win in 1953, this hole is where Carnoustie starts to turn up the heat. Often played into the prevailing wind this hole can be a severe par 5. Bunkers and out of bounds await the miss-cued drive and it requires a brave player to drive to that narrow piece of fairway. Care must also be taken with your second shot as once again Jockey’s burn bites deeply into the right side of the fairway.
Playing from an elevated tee, you have to hit straight out towards the Pacific into the ocean winds coming straight back at you. Miss the green and you are either in one of the pit-like bunkers or on the rocks amongst the crashing waves.
- 123 yard Par 3
The hole, originally called “Ailsa” because of the perfect view of the rocky islet of that name from the tee, was changed when Willie Park said of the tiny green, “A pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a Postage Stamp”. There is no safe way to play this hole, the ball must find the green, two bunkers protect the left side of the green while a large crater bunker shields the approach, any mistake on the right will find one of the two deep bunkers with near vertical faces.
- 486 yard Par 4
This long par 4 is perhaps one of the most photographed holes in world golf. A blind tee shot is played down the left to a sweeping fairway some eighty feet below to set up the best approach to the green. Too far left and you will find a dense gorse covered dune, more room is available on the right for the shorter hitter, although not providing the best approach.
- 457 yard Par 4
Dinna Fouter ‘Don’t Mess About’ is a fantastic hole that rewards a brave tee shot down the left to shorten the hole, stray too far left however and the Firth of Clyde awaits. More trouble can be found in the middle of the fairway in the shape of two pot bunkers, while the famous island bunker protects the approach to the green.
- 451 yard Par 4
Perched high on the cliffs and flanked by an impressive half-moon bay it’s no wonder Tom Watson once described this as one of the toughest holes in golf. Anything going right will disappear into the crashing waves of the Atlantic while anything left will find a terrain of brown and purple dunes.
This long par 5 hugs the coast line with its dogleg right to left shape, tempting many shortcut shots, although the ever changing wind makes it very risky to put your ball out over the sea. Set up an approach from the right to provide a good angle for the third shot down to the middle of the long narrow green, taking the large greenside bunker out of play.
Regularly playing into the wind this hole often plays longer than its yardage suggests. Aim right with your tee shot as there is much more room than is visible from the tee. The very deep and slightly elevated green is mostly hidden for your approach so it will be difficult to tell where the hole is located.
Named ‘Foxy’ this is the only hole on the course without a bunker. The left side of the fairway is full of mounds, while the right side has many grassy peninsulas protruding out towards the fairway and defending the right of the elevated green, which has a steep rise of about 5ft at the front with a 10ft drop left and right.
- 650 yard Par 5
Make sure you stay on the fairway with your drive as there is a 140-metre cliff on the left and a 20-metre drop on the right. The key to this hole is to keep it simple, three or four straight shots and you are safely on the green.
- 226 yard Par 3
The bunker with the green monkey inside it makes this one of the most unique and grandest holes in golf. The long right to left green is nestled into a large quarry lake at the foot of a colossal quarry wall.
- 137 yard Par 3
What can be said about this hole? Get it on the land, accomplish that and you may just manage to two putt, assuming you get it on the right level.
- 423 yard Par 4
This is a tough uphill finishing hole with bunkers in the fairway waiting to swallow an errant tee-shot. You are left with a short iron approach towards a green that is back dropped with the clubhouse and a stunning old oak tree, mishit your approach and a less than welcoming bunker awaits.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Size 42 sir? Ooooooh! Looks the business, that sir ...
Here, take the weight off your bunions...Such is the life of a hard-working golf PR and marketing agent.
Representing Portuguese-based golf shoe brand Lambda, Azalea had its work cut out at Golf Europe this week, with a steady stream of buyers from all over the continent coming on to the stand and getting very excited by the latest entrant to the "classic" golf shoe market.
The Imperia range, featuring national flags on the shoes, caused most heads to turn, with the Bavarians, Bulgarians and Belgians getting particularly excited. And countries whose residents don't begin with the letter B were equally entranced.
Armed also with the BLACKTEE 2010 diary, and the innovative on-course game GolfMission, Azalea barely had time to stop for any light refreshments. Apart from when we did stop for light refreshments. Which we did.
Except being German they weren't light. They were pretty heavy, contained about a litre, and were being enjoyed by several thousand Bavarian revellers singing to the most dreadful music.
Now where did I put my lederhosen...
ANDY
Dream On - the golf book of the year
To achieve his goal John Richardson read more than 60 books … All you have to do is read his…
DREAM ON
Dream On chronicles the attempts of a golf hacker to break par within one calendar year.
Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance provided author John Richardson with the inspiration for his book title when he told him to “dream on”.
Irish golfing legend Darren Clarke told Richardson three years was a much more achievable aim. Fortunately for lovers of golf and books Richardson went his own way and achieved his goal with just 72 hours to spare.
Dream On is the story of that achievement.
“I’m heartily recommending Dream On to anybody who plays golf off any sort of handicap from 10 upwards.”
John Inverdale, BBC Radio5live
Learn how, despite having no discernible natural talent, precious little time and a lack of fitness, a man in his late 30s knocked 33 shots of his golf score.
Dream On will INSPIRE, ENTERTAIN and ASTONISH in equal measure; it is a story of disbelief and determination, trauma and triumph. But above all it’s a story of golf and what the human spirit can achieve if it really wants to.
IN FIGURES
• 363 days
• 60+ coaching books
• 70,000+ range balls hit
• 7 golf gloves
• 2 pairs of golf shoes
• 500+ miles walked
Dream On has attained the #1 spot in ‘golf books’ at online bookseller Amazon – yet most people are unaware of it. That is because it hasn’t garnered its popularity through the traditional methods of book marketing.
Instead it used the power of social networking – Richardson’s Facebook and Twitter following exceeds 8,000 and that has established the book through viral ‘word of mouth’.
Richardson said: “I became fascinated by the opportunity that Twitter offers for its users to interact with authors. In the past, if you read and enjoyed a book, it was almost impossible to contact the author to let him or her know. Twitter provides a way for authors and readers to interact in a very contained and interesting way.
“You can’t come on and sell on Twitter, that’s not how it works. You have to be helpful and it has to be a two-way street. It is easy to look at it sceptically and ask where the money is in people tweeting about making a cup of tea. But there are strong communities on Twitter and it is a good way to get hold of people and improve a brand.”
And Richardson has expanded his profile as a sought-after motivational speaker and golf ‘coach’.
So now, Dream On is going ‘mainstream’ and will be available in High St bookshops. A second print run means the book can be sent out to ‘real’ journalists – not just the virtual kind – for book reviews and interviews, to present it to a new and wider audience.
Richardson has even had his hair trimmed and updated his Facebook picture.
To arrange an interview with inspirational author John Richardson, or to request a review copy of Dream On, please contact Dave Bowers, at the Azalea Group, on 0044 1730 711920 or email dave@theazaleagroup.com.
About the author
John Richardson, 42, from Bangor, Northern Ireland, spent more than 15 successful years in the coffee bar and catering industries, at one time running the largest sandwich business in Ireland.
He also wrote the definitive Wake Up and Smell the Profit: 52 Guaranteed Ways to Make More Money in your Coffee Business.
And then he found golf…
Follow John Richardson
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/tjohnrrichardson
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BreakParGolf
About the publisher
Belfast-based Blackstaff Press has been one of Ireland’s foremost publishers for nearly 40 years. In 1992 it was named UK Small Publisher of the Year by the Sunday Times and also won the AIB Better Ireland Communication Award.
Blackstaff Press is a member of the W&G Baird Group.
www.blackstaffpress.com
Dream On – One Hacker’s Challenge to Break Par in a Year
by John Richardson
Paperback £9.99
978-0-85640-841-0
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Catch it while you can
It's Wednesday; it's 5pm ... and while Crackerjack may be just a distant memory, there's something much better on Sky Sports Extra tonight.
The hour-long 2009 Disabled British Open (DBO) highlights programme is being aired tonight on Sky Sports Extra (channel 404), from 5pm.
The DBO was an event organised wholly by Azalea and we are immensely proud of our colleagues who were involved with it.
Here is a link to the DBO website, but if you don't want to know the score, look away now... LINK
The hour-long 2009 Disabled British Open (DBO) highlights programme is being aired tonight on Sky Sports Extra (channel 404), from 5pm.
The DBO was an event organised wholly by Azalea and we are immensely proud of our colleagues who were involved with it.
Here is a link to the DBO website, but if you don't want to know the score, look away now... LINK
BUNKY
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
We're movin on up now...
And the good news just keeps on coming out of Azalea Towers...
Just two years after opening, Son Gual, Mallorca’s top golf course, is celebrating after making it into Golf World’s prestigious top 100 European courses list.
The 7,240-yard, Thomas Himmel-designed course is a new entry into the list at 91, a position which delighted managing director Andreas Pamer.
He said: “We have worked very hard to elevate Son Gual to be the best golf course on the island and one of the best in Spain. To achieve this recognition from such an influential magazine in such a short space of time is testament to the work put in by everybody here.
“But we will not sit back and congratulate ourselves; we will continue to offer the best golf possible and it is our intention to be regarded as the best course in Spain in time, and to continually improve our ranking within Golf World’s significant ratings.”
Son Gual was quickly recognised as a top course and was awarded the Mallorca Senior Open which it hosted for the first time in May, when former Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam compared the greens to those at Augusta National.
The 1991 Masters winner said: “It’s a bit like Augusta. There are a lot of slopes on the greens. You’ve got to get the ball on the right side of the hole – if you don’t you’ll be struggling. Miss it on the wrong side and you’re dead.”
Golf World’s description of the course said: “The course is laid out in two very distinctive halves, the front nine running along the extremity of the estate, with the second encompassed within its centre … making it one of the more spectacular courses in the Mediterranean region.”
The course’s reputation has been spreading far and wide with many celebrities taking time out to visit when on the island.
Liverpool winger Albert Riera, who used to live just down the road from the course, has gone on record to say it is his favourite course, and his fellow Mallorquine, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, is also a regular visitor.
Golden Balls presenter Jasper Carrott and Sky Sports’ pundits Jamie Redknapp, Andy Gray, Alan McInally and Alan Smith are just some of the British celebrities to have been seen walking Son Gual’s pristine fairways in the last few months.
www.son-gual.com
ENDS
Information for journalists.
• Pictures of Golf Son Gual are available upon request
For further information on Golf Son Gual please contact Dave Bowers at the Azalea Group on 08700 330550, or email dave@theazaleagroup.com.
RECOGNITION FOR MALLORCA'S 'AUGUSTA'
Just two years after opening, Son Gual, Mallorca’s top golf course, is celebrating after making it into Golf World’s prestigious top 100 European courses list.The 7,240-yard, Thomas Himmel-designed course is a new entry into the list at 91, a position which delighted managing director Andreas Pamer.
He said: “We have worked very hard to elevate Son Gual to be the best golf course on the island and one of the best in Spain. To achieve this recognition from such an influential magazine in such a short space of time is testament to the work put in by everybody here.
“But we will not sit back and congratulate ourselves; we will continue to offer the best golf possible and it is our intention to be regarded as the best course in Spain in time, and to continually improve our ranking within Golf World’s significant ratings.”
Son Gual was quickly recognised as a top course and was awarded the Mallorca Senior Open which it hosted for the first time in May, when former Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam compared the greens to those at Augusta National.
The 1991 Masters winner said: “It’s a bit like Augusta. There are a lot of slopes on the greens. You’ve got to get the ball on the right side of the hole – if you don’t you’ll be struggling. Miss it on the wrong side and you’re dead.”
Golf World’s description of the course said: “The course is laid out in two very distinctive halves, the front nine running along the extremity of the estate, with the second encompassed within its centre … making it one of the more spectacular courses in the Mediterranean region.”
The course’s reputation has been spreading far and wide with many celebrities taking time out to visit when on the island.
Liverpool winger Albert Riera, who used to live just down the road from the course, has gone on record to say it is his favourite course, and his fellow Mallorquine, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, is also a regular visitor.
Golden Balls presenter Jasper Carrott and Sky Sports’ pundits Jamie Redknapp, Andy Gray, Alan McInally and Alan Smith are just some of the British celebrities to have been seen walking Son Gual’s pristine fairways in the last few months.
www.son-gual.com
ENDS
Information for journalists.
• Pictures of Golf Son Gual are available upon request
For further information on Golf Son Gual please contact Dave Bowers at the Azalea Group on 08700 330550, or email dave@theazaleagroup.com.
Lambda's international recognition
It's always great to be part of a new product and here at Azalea Towers we're delighted to be involved with Lambda & Omega, a Portuguese company launching a new range of golf shoes at Golf Europe, next week.
The Imperia – shown above carrying the Union Flag – is available in six different flag versions – and what’s more it’s environmentally friendly.
Lambda & Omega’s managing director, Paulo Freitas, said: “There is now a fashion in golf for national pride to be displayed at every opportunity. Naturally Britain’s Ian Poulter has been at the forefront of this with his Union Flag trousers, but you can also now get golf bags, pitchmark repairers and all manner of accessories carrying your national flag.
“Now, with the addition of the Lambda Imperia shoe, you can complete the ensemble. We currently offer a choice of six different flags – with more planned – which could make for some interesting fourballs…”
Combining the finest quality materials with the latest, innovative technology, Lambda’s classic-look golf shoes are functional and reliable, while remaining comfortable and fashionable – and are manufactured ethically.
While many big-name shoe brands outsource manufacture to Third World countries, all Lambda shoes are manufactured in Portugal, with materials sourced from within the European Union.
Freitas added: “Sourcing from within the EU enables us to manage the entire production process and ensure the highest quality from start to finish.
“At a time when we are all increasingly conscious of the need to cut down on the planet’s carbon footprint, we felt sourcing local materials and reducing the need for long-distance transportation of manufacturing materials and the finished product was essential.
“Hence the whole manufacturing process takes place here in Portugal.”
Such attention to detail is also reflected in the finished product which demonstrates the combination of tradition and innovation.
The hand-made Lambda range has a classic golf-shoe appearance, with fully treated water-repellent, Portuguese leather, but a special membrane inlay sole absorbs force to reduce the impact on knees, hips and back to make the game more enjoyable.
A unique treatment provides temperature-responsive waterproof protection and breathability, while the full leather lining produces superior comfort and an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) insert and leather sock-liner provides shock absorption and cushioning.
Information for journalists Issued by the Azalea Group on behalf of Lambda & Omega.
For more information or hi-res imagery contact Dave Bowers on 08700 330550 or email dave@theazaleagroup.com
LAMBDA'S INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
With Lambda’s new Imperia golf shoe, your playing partners will be left in no doubt as to your nationality.
The Imperia – shown above carrying the Union Flag – is available in six different flag versions – and what’s more it’s environmentally friendly.Lambda & Omega’s managing director, Paulo Freitas, said: “There is now a fashion in golf for national pride to be displayed at every opportunity. Naturally Britain’s Ian Poulter has been at the forefront of this with his Union Flag trousers, but you can also now get golf bags, pitchmark repairers and all manner of accessories carrying your national flag.
“Now, with the addition of the Lambda Imperia shoe, you can complete the ensemble. We currently offer a choice of six different flags – with more planned – which could make for some interesting fourballs…”
Combining the finest quality materials with the latest, innovative technology, Lambda’s classic-look golf shoes are functional and reliable, while remaining comfortable and fashionable – and are manufactured ethically.
While many big-name shoe brands outsource manufacture to Third World countries, all Lambda shoes are manufactured in Portugal, with materials sourced from within the European Union.
Freitas added: “Sourcing from within the EU enables us to manage the entire production process and ensure the highest quality from start to finish.
“At a time when we are all increasingly conscious of the need to cut down on the planet’s carbon footprint, we felt sourcing local materials and reducing the need for long-distance transportation of manufacturing materials and the finished product was essential.
“Hence the whole manufacturing process takes place here in Portugal.”
Such attention to detail is also reflected in the finished product which demonstrates the combination of tradition and innovation.
The hand-made Lambda range has a classic golf-shoe appearance, with fully treated water-repellent, Portuguese leather, but a special membrane inlay sole absorbs force to reduce the impact on knees, hips and back to make the game more enjoyable.
A unique treatment provides temperature-responsive waterproof protection and breathability, while the full leather lining produces superior comfort and an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) insert and leather sock-liner provides shock absorption and cushioning.
- Prices for the Lambda golf shoe range start at €119 and the brand is on display at Golf Europe in Munich, September 27-29 in Hall 2, Booth A28.
Information for journalists Issued by the Azalea Group on behalf of Lambda & Omega.
For more information or hi-res imagery contact Dave Bowers on 08700 330550 or email dave@theazaleagroup.com
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Swiss. Hole. Big cheese. Compose your own headline here
The 2010 Guinness Book of World Records comes out today apparently. I say apparently because we haven't been sent an advance copy or anything. We just know these things.
But it's still 2009 and we were interested to see in this year's edition about the oldest person in the world ever to record a hole-in-one.
Amazingly, at the age of 99 years and 244 days, Otto Bucher, from Switzerland, aced the 119m, 12th hole on La Manga's South course on January 13, 1985.
Which begs the question, at that age, why wasn't he still sleeping off his Christmas dinner...?
But it's still 2009 and we were interested to see in this year's edition about the oldest person in the world ever to record a hole-in-one.
Amazingly, at the age of 99 years and 244 days, Otto Bucher, from Switzerland, aced the 119m, 12th hole on La Manga's South course on January 13, 1985.
Which begs the question, at that age, why wasn't he still sleeping off his Christmas dinner...?
BUNKY
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sole traders
Every week the two of them go head to head - and every week they both claim top spot.
No not Man Utd and Chelsea; not even Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. That would be at least mildly interesting.
No, this constant battle for top spot is between two golf shoe plastic cleat manufacturers.
No not Man Utd and Chelsea; not even Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. That would be at least mildly interesting.
No, this constant battle for top spot is between two golf shoe plastic cleat manufacturers.
Softspikes and Champ go head-to-head again . . .
and again . . . and again
Every week, after the weekend's tournaments are complete the PR machines of the two rival manufacturers go into overdrive hoping that one day, somebody will be minutely interested in what they had to say. And every week, The Wire, bless it, tells us all about it.
I mean, come on, we're all in favour of a bit of positive PR but when do you finally accept you need a new hook for a release . . .?
BUNKY
Friday, September 11, 2009
Is it me?
I can’t be alone in finding the timbre and inflection of Robert Peston’s voice irritating.
The BBC’s business editor pops up on all forms of the corporation’s digital platform – web, radio and TV – and on each occasion he comes on I find I lose interest in the subject matter because I’m constantly bewildered by the apparent arbitrary nature of his vocal chords.
I detest the rising inflection so beloved of teenagers because of their over-exposure to Aussie soap operas at an early age? I’m at a loss to understand why every sentence they utter should sound like a question?
You know what I mean – admittedly it doesn’t become too apparent in a blog, but we’ve all heard it?
But at least that’s only at the end of a sentence. Peston’s delivery pauses at inappropriate times, stresses words seemingly at random and never gives the impression he’s actually imparting a serious piece of news.
This morning for instance he was talking about the bosses of MG Rover, who awarded themselves an obscene £42m in salaries and bonuses before taking the company down the tubes with the loss of 6,500 jobs.
I know this because I saw it on the BBC website and not because of Peston. When he spoke on Radio 4 on the subject earlier today I once again found myself mesmerised my his erratic speech patterns while remaining largely ill-informed.
I wonder is there a society out there for like-minded Peston sufferers?
The BBC’s business editor pops up on all forms of the corporation’s digital platform – web, radio and TV – and on each occasion he comes on I find I lose interest in the subject matter because I’m constantly bewildered by the apparent arbitrary nature of his vocal chords.
I detest the rising inflection so beloved of teenagers because of their over-exposure to Aussie soap operas at an early age? I’m at a loss to understand why every sentence they utter should sound like a question?
You know what I mean – admittedly it doesn’t become too apparent in a blog, but we’ve all heard it?
But at least that’s only at the end of a sentence. Peston’s delivery pauses at inappropriate times, stresses words seemingly at random and never gives the impression he’s actually imparting a serious piece of news.
This morning for instance he was talking about the bosses of MG Rover, who awarded themselves an obscene £42m in salaries and bonuses before taking the company down the tubes with the loss of 6,500 jobs.
I know this because I saw it on the BBC website and not because of Peston. When he spoke on Radio 4 on the subject earlier today I once again found myself mesmerised my his erratic speech patterns while remaining largely ill-informed.
I wonder is there a society out there for like-minded Peston sufferers?
BUNKY
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