Duncan digs deep to deliver dramatic disabled double

Surrey’s Duncan Hamilton-Martin, above, recovered from an opening hole quadruple bogey eight to win the 2011 Disabled British Open, at East Sussex National, with 35 holes of outstanding golf.

The 54-year-old independent financial advisor, from Esher, plays off a three-handicap and fought back to record a remarkable first round gross 74, two over par. And his title-clinching second round one-under-par 71 was enough to give him the championship by an impressive nine shots from second-placed Robert Paul, from Kent.

It is the second time Hamilton-Martin, a member at St George’s Hill, Weybridge, has won the title, following his success at Old Thorns, in Hampshire, in 2009. And his poor start did not prey too long on his mind, as he explained.

“My daughter got into university on the Thursday and that was such a stressful period that I said to myself ‘if I take 100, 100 at the weekend, it’s not a problem’,” he said.

“On the first I hit a pretty good drive, a bit left; I hit a good second shot at the pin but it was just a bit short and spun back into the hazard. Then I hit it a bit long and it was impossible in the long grass. I eventually hacked it out, chipped and two-putted and it was an eight – but I hadn’t played really badly.

“I thought I would just aim to break 80 and ended up two under for the rest of the first round. Nothing fazes me on the golf course. I adopted the pros’ approach: I played it one shot at a time, not getting too excited or depressed about it – it’s gone. It’s about the next shot. I also had my wife, Frances, on the bag on the final round which was very calming.

“I was emotional at the end though. I struggled to get through the speeches without a bit of a break-up. When it comes to the end and you’ve won it, it is a bit of a relief.”

Hamilton-Martin, who aims to have a crack at next year’s “able-bodied” English seniors’ title, was full of praise for both the golf course and the overall event.

He said: “It was great. The course was set up superbly; the greens were quick, but not scarily quick, which made it very playable. They still put the pins in some tasty places though… It was absolutely magnificent.

“On that course a five shot-lead with three to play is not something you feel comfortable about. I dropped 10 shots there last year – it’s a fantastic golf course and the last four holes can really get into your head.

“The Disabled British Open is a brilliant all-inclusive event. The guy who came over from America, Jason Faircloth – he has cerebral palsy, a lovely bloke – he can’t play in the championships in the USA because he’s not an amputee. How crazy is that?

“I’ve only lost a leg, below the knee; I don’t consider myself disabled – it’s only a scratch in disabled terms. But this is a brilliant all-inclusive event; everyone can play and everybody has a great time.

“I watched a bit of the junior event too – it was fantastic. That’s the future. Hopefully that will be bigger and bigger.

“I’ll certainly be back next year, if, as Henry Longhurst used to say, ‘I should be spared…’.”

The tournament is also divided into three golfing handicap categories: up to 12, in category one; 13-20 in category two; and 21 to 28 in category three, with prizes awarded to the winners of each category.

The inaugural Junior Disabled British Open, also played over two days, was won by 13-year-old Frankie Jones, from Welshpool, pictured below, who has cerebral palsy. The 28-handicapper recorded Stableford scores of 42 and 41 points for a two-round total of 83, one point ahead of his nearest rival, Kent’s Jack Holland, aged 12.

Sue Saville, managing director of Tourism South East, owner of the event, said: “It was a fantastic three days of golf and we’d like to thank Accentuate, for supporting the event; East Sussex National, for its professionalism, support and outstanding infrastructure; all our sponsors; the players; and the volunteers – who acted as caddies, marshals, ball spotters and everything else. Without all of these people this outstanding event would not be possible.

“It goes from strength to strength every year and to be able to launch the Junior Disabled British Open this year was a great thrill for everybody involved. I’m sure that when other youngsters see they have nothing to fear we will soon have a field for the junior event as large as the adult version.”

Andy Barwell, a director of event organiser the Azalea Group, added: “There aren’t many things in sport that bring a lump to the throat, but seeing 13-year-old Frankie Jones take the microphone after the presentation and deliver a thank-you speech that would not have been out of place at an Open Championship award ceremony, certainly had that effect on many of us.”

This year the DBO received support from far and wide including the UK Government – both the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, and the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, praised it for its inclusivity and legacy – the sport’s governing body, the R&A, the European Tour and Wealden District Council.

And, for the second successive year, the championship received sponsorship support from IMSM, the leading ISO standard implementation consultant.

The Sky Sports-broadcast event is delivered through Tourism South East, and is part of Accentuate, a transformational programme of 15 projects, inspired by the Paralympic Movement, which seeks to change perceptions and offer opportunities to showcase the talents of deaf and disabled people. Accentuate is funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK, SEEDA and the regional cultural agencies.

■ For further information, or to enquire about participating in the 2012 Disabled British Open contact championship organiser Andy Barwell on 07961 315520 or visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/.

■ Results: 1, Duncan Hamilton-Martin (St George’s Hill), 145; 2, Robert Paul (Westgate & Birchington) 154; =3, Alasdair Berry (Irvine Ravenspark), Jeremy Freeman (Newark & Seacroft) 155; =5, Mark Smith (Littlestone), Stefan Mörkholt (Gyttegaard, Denmark) 156; 7, Kevin Harmison (Newbiggin) 159; 8, Andy Gardiner (Banbury) 160; 9, Saleem Raza (Gujranwala, Pakistan) 161; 10, John Eakin (Royal Ashdown Forest) 162; 11, Alan Jackson (Romford) 165; =12, Nick Champness (Royal Ashdown Forest), Pieta Le Roux (Potters Bar) 170; 14, Steve Haxton (Craigie Hill) 173; 15, Tony Lloyd (Horsehay Village) 175; 16, Darren Grey (Darlington) 176; 17, Mike Lincoln (unnatt) 177; =18, Peter Light (Whitchurch), Johnny Reay (Stoneleigh Deer Park) 178; =20, Ian Dixon (Bishopswood), Anthony Forster (Long Ashton), Brendon Slavin (Seaford Head) 180; =23, Ian White (Dullator), Ben Bowen (Trethorne) 181; 25, George Hutchings (Feldon Valley) 182; 26, Mark Helm (Minchinhapton Old Course) 183; 27, Martin Jelley (Pyrford), 184; =29, Derek Rogers (Goodwood), Richard Saunders (Hintlesham) 187; =31, Xavi Rubio Alcantara (unnatt, Spain), James Jowett (Parkstone) 188; 33, Roger Hurcombe (Boars Head) 189; =34, Colin Brock (Balbirnie Park), Jason Faircloth (unnatt, USA) 190; =36, Kevin Reed (Priors Hill), Ben Whitlock (Bramshaw), Chris Foster (Great Hadham) 192; 39, Andrew Sellars (Normaton) 194; =40, Kevin Barby (Shrivenham Park), Gary Gardiner (Marriott Dalmahoy) 197; =42, Paul Cunningham (Thames Ditton & Esher), Steve Bramwell (Cochrane Castle) 199; 44, Kevin Cook (Llanwern) 201; 45, William Savage (Orchardleigh) 203; =46, Gareth Williams (Woodlake Park), Nigel Davis (Deanwood Park) 206; 48, Simon Wilcock (Cottingham Parks) 209; 49, Ian Halliwell (Standish) 212; William Hennessey (Highlands) 223.

Category 1: 1, Andy Gardiner (Banbury); 2, Duncan Hamilton-Martin (St George’s Hill); 3, Robert Paul (Westgate & Birchington). Category 2: 1, Alan Jackson (Romford); 2, Tony Lloyd (Horsehay Village); 3, Steve Haxton (Craigie Hill). Category 3: 1, David Walker (Westgate & Birchington); 2, Keith Wallace (Forest Hills); 3, Scott Richardson (Stockwood).

Junior Disabled British Open result: 1, Frankie Jones (Welshpool) 83 points; 2, Jack Holland (Prince’s) 82; 3, Ben Jones (Welshpool) 71; 4, Joseph Vanaman (Hollingwell) 70; 5, Alfie Neenan (Prince’s) 69; 6, Matthew Tyne (Ramsdale / Millfield) 68; 7, Rupert Preston (West Sussex) 65; 8, James Gallagher (unatt) 55; 9, Richard Warren (Mill Ride) 55; 10, Leo Millar (Knighton Heath) 48; 10, Jack Hibbert (Eastbourne Golfing Park) 43.

Swedish title-holder heads international field in Sussex

Stefan Mörkholt, left, with the 2009 DBO champion, Duncan Hamilton-Martin 

The recently crowned Swedish Invitational champion, Denmark’s Stefan Mörkholt, will look to make it two wins in as many weeks when he lines up in the Disabled British Open (DBO) golf championship, which begins tomorrow (Saturday) at East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa.

Mörkholt triumphed at the renowned Bokskogen GC, near Malmö, last weekend with the 2009 DBO champion, Duncan Hamilton-Martin, finishing third. Both golfers now head to Sussex where they will be among a capacity field for the third outing of the largest and most inclusive tournament in the country for disabled golfers.

Playing off 0.7, Mörkholt will have the lowest golf handicap in a field that will include players from as far afield as the USA – as 32-year-old Jason Faircloth becomes the first US player to compete in the event – and Pakistan. Other countries to be represented include South Africa, Spain, Ireland, Germany and Austria, in addition to a strong UK contingent.

The tournament is divided into three golfing handicap categories: up to 12, in category one; 13-20 in category two; and 21 to 28 in category three. Prizes are awarded in each category with an overall champion’s title up for grabs as well.

This year the DBO has received support from far and wide including the UK Government – both the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, and the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, praised it for its inclusivity and legacy – the sport’s governing body, the R&A, the European Tour and Wealden District Council.

And, for the second successive year, the championship has received sponsorship support from IMSM, the leading ISO standard implementation consultant.

The Sky Sports-broadcast event is delivered through Tourism South East, and is part of Accentuate, a transformational programme of 15 projects, inspired by the Paralympic Movement, which seeks to change perceptions and offer opportunities to showcase the talents of deaf and disabled people. Accentuate is funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK, SEEDA and the regional cultural agencies.

Friday also sees the first day of the inaugural Junior Disabled British Open for young golfers – with a few places still available in the field.

As always, spectators will be afforded free entry to the event where there will also be a huge army of volunteers participating as marshals, ball-spotters, buggy drivers and caddies.

The 2011 Disabled British Open takes place at East Sussex National on August 20-21, with the Junior Disabled British Open starting a day earlier. For further information contact championship organiser Andy Barwell on 07961 315520 or visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/.

'Coconut' not shy when it comes to his clothes

Thai teenager Panuphol ‘Coconut’ Pittayarat, above, is attracting a lot of attention on the Asian golf scene – and not just for his driving. For the bespectacled 18-year-old, from Bangkok – who was nicknamed Coconut by his parents – is also receiving plaudits for his sartorial elegance.

Pittayarat, ranked fourth on tour for his driving distance, has sprung from nowhere to become one of the hottest talents in Asia and cuts quite a dash in his golf gear, designed and supplied by UK-based Sub70 – and, like ‘Coconut’, it is much talked about on tour.

After three missed cuts and a tied-37th finish, last month Pittayarat claimed his biggest purse, finishing second in the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters, at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, Shah Alam, while wowing onlookers with his classy appearance.

The victory shot him up to 32nd in the Asian order of merit and earmarked him as a star of the future.

Like most teenagers Pittayarat is very conscious of his appearance and likes the stylish look of the Sub70 apparel.

He said: “I love the way the shirts and trousers are designed for fashion. I am always confident that I will look smart on the course when I am wearing Sub70 clothes.”

Pittayarat started playing aged six and was winning junior events in Thailand two years later. He also competed in five World Junior Golf Championships, finishing runner-up in the nine to 10 age-group, before leaving school and turning professional at 14 – “I wasn’t a fan of studying and golf is the only job I can do” – and playing on the domestic Thai circuit.

He served notice of his potential by capturing the 12th card at qualifying school in Thailand earlier this year but failed to make an impact in his first five starts. However, a cheque for $41,690 will go a long way to securing his card for 2012.
http://www.subseventy.co.uk/

Owner of Lough Erne hits out at bank

The owner of the Lough Erne Golf Resort near Enniskillen has hit out at the bank which placed it into administration last week.

Jim Treacy owes the Bank of Scotland Ireland (BoSI) £25m. On Tuesday night Mr Treacy met the Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to discuss the situation...

For full story see BBC website

Golf courses favour coastal regions in China - report

Development of golf industry is geographically unbalanced on the Chinese mainland, favoring China's coastal regions, according to a report by the Forward Group, one of China's largest golf management companies.

At the end of 2010, China had 490 18-hole golf courses, including 97 courses in Guangdong Province, 70 courses in Beijing and 51 in Shandong Province. In contrast, Sichuan Province and Chongqing had fewer than 1/7 the number of courses of Beijing...

For full story see Global Times

Killerig golf resort goes into receivership

The Killerig Resort, a high-end hotel and golf development near Tullow, in Co Carlow, Ireland, has gone into receivership with multimillion-euro debts.

Aiden Murphy, a partner in accountancy firm Horwath Bastow Charleton, was appointed receiver last week and has appointed a new operating company, Westpro Management Solutions, to run the 42-bedroom, four-star hotel. David Hennessy, founder of Westpro, said that the Killerig hotel was "a victim of circumstance", but had a strong pipeline of bookings...

For full story see Sunday Business Post

Cocktail relives moment the royal couple first met

The venue which acted as the starting point for Prince William and Kate Middleton's impending marriage is relaunching the cocktail the future king used to drink during his regular visits there.

In 2001 Fairmont St Andrews hosted the charity fashion show in which Miss Middleton appeared in a sheer black lace dress while the Prince watched from a front row seat – widely reported to be the first time his head was turned by his future fiancée.

Prince William was a regular visitor to Fairmont St Andrews during his time studying at St Andrews University, becoming an active member of the resort’s gym and spa and could be seen regularly enjoying a fruit cocktail in the Atrium and Kittocks Den at the resort.

His favoured drink comprised orange juice, grapefruit juice, passion-fruit juice, mango juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and kiwi syrup.

The cocktail - now named the Royal Cocktail in commemoration of Friday's nuptials - can now be enjoyed again at the venue where the second-in-line to the throne sipped happily while (possibly) thinking of his future bride...

It costs just £5 - which is significantly cheaper than a Royal Wedding but just as refreshing.

Kingsbarns launches new website

Kingsbarns Golf Links launches a new website today which will enable golfers to make last-minute online bookings at the renowned Scottish links.

Fresh from celebrating its 10th anniversary season, Kingsbarns is aiming to improve the experience for visiting golfers with a new online presence which will offer an array of enhanced features...

Visit www.kingsbarns.com

Golfer launches iPhone app

Golfer Steve McGuinness is hoping to make players very “appy” after inventing an application to turn iPhones into golf clubs.

The 29-year-old former pro has made use of the gyroscope in the popular touchscreen mobile phone to help putters improve that vital final shot...

For full story see Oxford Mail

Clubstohire.com offers the drive of your life...

Golfers using the burgeoning ClubstoHire.com service at Dublin, Faro and Malaga airports are now able to try out golf’s most talked-about new driver: the TaylorMade R11, pictured above.

The R11 has been a major buzzword since it was launched in late 2010 with glowing praise from tour professionals and amateurs and strong recognition from the golf industry. There is plenty of substance and technology lurking beneath the driver’s stylish white crown with options for the player to adjust loft and face-angle for maximum flight control.

Accompanying the iconic driver, a full set of R11 Burner woods and irons – complete with pristine white R11 stand-bag – are available for hire at all locations for only €55 for a full week.

With ClubstoHire.com experiencing its busiest month to date in March, the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ is sure to be a popular draw.

Irish Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley is a partner in the company, which offers travelling golfers a massive saving on airline golf bag charges – and complete peace of mind.

In a further development, all stores will soon be stocking Wilson Golf equipment, giving consumers an increased choice of leading brands with Callaway and MD Golf sets also available. Rentals start from as little as €35 per set, per week.

Golfers are already voting with their feet with more than 7,000 hiring sets in the past six months at Dublin, Faro and Malaga – a combined saving of €200,000 – and the company is on course to be established in several more European golf destination hubs by the end of 2011.

■ Bookings for Dublin, Malaga and Faro can be made online at www.clubstohire.com.

Life goes full circle for golfer Graeme

Life has gone full circle for a Knaresborough golf professional who is now teaching youngsters the same coaching programme which developed his passion for the sport.

Graeme Steven, 21, an assistant pro at Knaresborough GC, joined the Young Masters Golf (YMG) programme at Knaresborough aged just 14. And last Saturday, almost seven years to the day that he joined, he relaunched YMG at the club in the hope of instilling the same passion for the game into today’s youngsters, that he discovered back in 2004.

Steven turned pro only in October last year, although he has worked in the club shop for some time and is already a familiar face to members and regular visitors.

He said: “I still have my original YMG folder. It was a good, enjoyable course and I did quite well in the national competitions. I really enjoyed my golf as a result of the programme and got into coaching through that.

“It’s a very good system for coaching youngsters, but what I also like about it is that it teaches you the rules, etiquette and golf knowledge – as well as the skills – which I believe is very important. And what’s more it’s fun – and that’s the main factor for the youngsters. It keeps them interested.”

Developed by a team of highly experienced PGA professionals, the YMG programme is the ultimate solution for boys and girls from the ages of six to 14-years-old who want to start playing golf or, if they already play, to improve.

The programme has recently been overhauled and improved to offer a focused approach to golf development, but its ethos is as it always was: to encourage youngsters to participate in golf and to teach them the basics, rules and etiquette of the sport, through the auspices of PGA-trained professionals.

Chris Smith PGA, sales director for YMG in the UK, said: “The YMG programme has been utilised at Knaresborough previously but, sadly, when the pro moved on it stopped. Many of the youngsters followed him to his new club which is one of the benefits of the YMG system as it is transferable.

“But that did not help the youngsters who remained. So we are delighted that one of our own students has progressed to the stage where he wants to impart the same knowledge on to another generation. We wish him well and look forward to hearing about the exploits of Knaresborough’s newest generation of golfers.”

Places are still available on Graeme Steven’s YMG courses at Knaresborough and anybody interested in learning more or signing up should contact him on 01423 864865 or by email at knaresboroughproshop@hotmail.co.uk.


■ To discover more about delivering the Young Masters Golf programme to juniors or for information on clubs providing the scheme in your area visit www.ymg-golf.com

Five-star resort planned for Romania

Austrian investor Kurt Neuschitzer plans to create a five-star resort in the mountain city of Busteni, in Romania.

The project, named Zamora Golf, Ski and Holiday Resort will include the Cantacuzino Castle that will be revamped and integrated in the luxury leisure resort...

For full story see Romania Business Insider

Action group investigates possible mis-selling

An action group has been set by property investors from the UK who believe they were mis-sold apartments and villas in and around the proposed Larnaca Golf course in Tersefanou, Cyprus.

The Larnaca Golf Property Action Group (LGPAG) is investigating whether its members have been victims of ‘overselling’...

For full story see fly-2let.co.uk

Take a picture, win an outfit ... with Sub70

Sub70, the UK-based funky golf clothing brand, is inviting customers to send in pictures of themselves wearing items from the range to stand a chance of winning a complete new outfit.

The designer range offers nearly 1,000 options for bespoke trousers alone ensuring style and individuality in equal measure. The competition runs throughout April and a spokesman for the company insisted creativity was actively encouraged.

He said: “The more entertaining the picture the better really. There are no rules as to where the picture must be taken so as long as the subject is wearing Sub70 gear, the pictures are only limited by the imagination of those involved.

“We’re really looking forward to judging this competition and the winner will receive a complete new Sub70 outfit – trousers, shirt, belt and cap – from the new 2011 range. We’re also going to give two runners-up the chance to choose a shirt of their choice from the same range.”

The company is also currently offering a special US Masters deal with 20 per cent of everything purchased through the website right up until the moment the final putt is holed in Augusta.

■ For further details on either the competition or the special Masters discount visit http://www.subseventy.co.uk/ or email your pictures to info@subseventy.co.uk.

Entry open for sixth annual Banks and Brokers Championship

Teams are now able to enter the sixth annual Banks and Brokers Golf Championship which will culminate in a grand final in Spain in October.

The event – sponsored by Extrabet, the sports betting specialist – provides golfers from the financial services sector with the chance to battle for golfing supremacy among their peers.

A maximum of 18 teams of four will scrap it out in two qualifying events – at Brocket Hall on June 6 and East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa on July 1 – for the right to jet off to Antequera Golf, near Malaga, during October, for a two-day final.

Unlike similar events where only the winning teams make it to the final, in the Banks and Brokers Golf Championship the winning team and the runners-up from both regional events qualify for the final in Spain.

And the captain of the first winning team, in 2006, is determined to be there to once again to capture the title his colleagues fought so hard to secure in the inaugural event.

David Heffer, from Tradition UK, said: “It’s a brilliant event – well organised, with a good buzz about it, and a great atmosphere among the teams. And it’s getting better year on year. We’ve played in every one and we’ve certainly got an eye on being on that plane down to Spain.”

With a one-in-nine chance of being on the plane for the complimentary grand final, and with a number of other fantastic prizes on offer – including golf holidays and the latest equipment – tournament organisers are banking on entries filling up fast. Teams can even enter both events to increase their chances of success.

Those lucky enough to win through to the Spanish final on October 16/17 will enjoy free flights and transfers; two rounds of golf; five-star accommodation at the impressive Hotel La Magdelena, a former convent; tapas lunches on both days and a three-course gala dinner in the Hotel La Magdelena.

The event also helps to raise funds for STAR4Africa, a UK-based charity dedicated to providing opportunities and support for children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Plus, title sponsor Extrabet will be running a number of exclusive spread-betting promotions for competitors starting with one for next week’s US Masters. A spokesman confirmed: “Sell a player on finishing position and if your player wins, we’ll double your profits!”

Event organiser Jim Nicholson said: “This is a unique opportunity for people working in a high-pressure sector to unwind and take on their contemporaries in a friendly, yet competitive environment, while helping to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause. And of course there’s a great break to be had if you qualify for the final.”

The Banks and Brokers Golf Championship is open to all companies and individuals but is aimed primarily at corporations, individuals and other bodies operating in financial services and other related sectors such as energy, commodities and precious metals.

■ To find out more about the Banks and Brokers Golf Championship, visit http://www.banksandbrokersgolf.com/

Teenager hailed as catalyst for inaugural Junior Disabled British Open

The first youngster to sign up for August’s inaugural Junior Disabled British Open will be a 16-year-old with cerebral palsy, for whom the event will be the culmination of a year’s lobbying.

Richard Warren, a 28-handicapper from, Ascot, in Berkshire, (pictured above) was so enthused with last year’s Disabled British Open golf championship that he immediately contacted organisers to enquire why there wasn’t a junior event.

And the event’s organisers were so impressed with the teenager’s enthusiasm and dynamism that they worked with him to launch this year’s inaugural Junior Disabled British Open.

Warren has been playing golf for eight years after his mother thought the game might prove physically beneficial.

He said: “I have a real passion for golf despite the cerebral palsy which affects all of my limbs. I first started playing at the age of eight when my mother thought it might be a good way of improving my hand-eye coordination.

“Although I was initially apprehensive when she took me to have an introductory lesson at the local driving range, from that moment on I was well and truly hooked on the sport.”

In 2005 Mill Ride GC, in Ascot, launched a competition among local schools to offer three junior golf scholarships. The determined Warren applied and, following an interview and golf assessment, proved successful in attaining one of the three places on offer.

He continued: “I am extremely grateful to Mill Ride GC as the scholarship not only improved my game but also boosted my confidence. I am now quite well known around the club and have been supported throughout by many members and, in particular, the staff.

“My only frustration with golf is that the nature of my disability is such that each golfing day is different. One day my game can be exceptionally good; on another extremely bad – however, this has never taken away from the enjoyment.

“What became apparent to me over a number of years was that there were seemingly very few junior disabled golfers, either male or female. And that motivated me to explore opportunities to bring young disabled golfers together so they can play and be inspired by their peer group.”

It was this determination – and a series of meetings with event organiser Andy Barwell – that led to the launch of the Junior Disabled British Open and, moreover, Warren’s participation in it.

“While taking part in various events I have met with some high-profile golfers, including Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie, who have expressed a keen interest in my endeavours,” added Warren.

“With the possibility of golf entering the Paralympics in the future I feel it is the right time to introduce disabled junior golf into the public domain and to encourage more disabled young people to enjoy the sport.

“Through the development of the first Junior Disabled British Open, I hope to inspire and encourage other young disabled juniors to pursue their passion and realise their potential.”

The event, for disabled youngsters aged between 12 and 18, will run alongside the third annual Disabled British Open at East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa, from August 20-21 – the largest and most inclusive tournament in the country for disabled golfers. And Barwell, a director of organiser the Azalea Group, said enormous credit should go to the teenager for helping to get the event off the ground.

He said: “Richard is an inspirational young man. He’s very driven and determined and is destined for great things I’m sure. If at 16 he can persuade us that there is a need for a Junior Disabled British Open I’m sure he can be even more influential as he gets older.

“When we first met he stated his case convincingly and backed it up with facts and figures. I can’t imagine another occasion when a company would join with a 16-year-old to launch a new product. That’s testament to him as an individual and should prove a huge fillip to young people with disabilities.”

The senior event has received Government backing from both the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, and the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, who praised it for its inclusivity and legacy.

Hunt said: “The Disabled British Open golf championship is a fantastic example of how Britain can stage a world-class event for disabled athletes competing at the highest level. As a nation we should be very proud of the awareness this event has created, and the legacy of opportunities within sport for disabled people.”

And his parliamentary colleague added: “To hear that the Disabled British Open golf championships has encouraged disabled people to start playing golf for the first time is a wonderful achievement – and testament to the spirit of the competitors and will of the organisers.”

The 2010 event – the first to be played at the current venue – attracted a full field of 72 disabled athletes, with ages ranging from 16-71, from as far afield as South Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Ireland and Germany, in addition to a strong UK contingent.

The Sky Sports-broadcast event is delivered through Tourism South East as one of the projects of the Accentuate programme, which is funded by SEEDA and Legacy Trust UK – an independent charity set up to create a cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and set up as part of the south-east’s drive to create a cultural shift in the way disabled people are perceived by celebrating excellence and showcasing talent.

John Williams, chairman of Tourism South East, said: “The Disabled British Open is one of many excellent projects we have delivered over the past few years. It has a burgeoning reputation and seems likely to go from strength to strength. We wish it continued success.”

The 2011 Disabled British Open and Junior Disabled British Open take place on August 20-21. A range of bespoke sponsorship and partnership packages for both events can be made available including title and headline sponsorship.

Entries will open in April. For further information contact championship organiser Andy Barwell on 07961 315520 or visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/

Award-winning resort fined £120,000

An award-winning Scottish golf resort has been fined £120,000 after a guest died who contracted deadly Legionnaires’ disease during a stay there.

Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort was found to have breached health and safety legislation, which led to the death of the guest after he caught the fatal infection which was present in a hot tub.

For full story see STV 

Irish golf club goes bust owing €2.5m

A company part-owned by the Shannon Airport Authority chairman has gone bust after running up debts of over €2.5m.

Accounts filed at the Companies Office show that Brian O'Connell, the authority's chairman, is a shareholder in Limerick County Golf & Country Club...

For full story see Belfast Telegraph

Irvine golf legend Jack Cannon dies

Jack Cannon, the oldest man to win the Scottish Amateur Golf Championship and the last surviving member of the legendary Bartonholm Trio, died on Tuesday, aged 94.
Jack, along with Jimmy Walker and Hammy McInally, was one of the three sons of the tiny miners’ row on the outskirts of Irvine who won Scottish amateur golf’s greatest crown, but although he was widely regarded as the quietest of the trio, he was not afraid to do his talking on the course...

For full story see the Irvine Herald

Three years with no new golf course approval in Andalucía

The new law which controls new golf courses in Andalucía has now been in operation in the region for three years, and over that time not a single new golf development has been authorised.

The so-called ‘Golf courses of tourist interest’ mix new sporting facilities with new residential developments...

For full story see TypicallySpanish.com

Emergency meeting will seek to reopen Letham Grange golf courses

An emergency general meeting will be held in Arbroath this month as the rescue bid to save famous fairways at a collapsed Angus resort hotel picks up pace.

The captain of Letham Grange Golf Club has revealed the club committee hope to gain acceptance for a plan that would see the two 18-hole courses — the 6632-yard par-73 Old and the par-65 Glens — quickly playing again...

For full story see The Courier

Travel agent takes golf tour to North Korea

A Wigan travel agent is organising the first international amateur golf tournament ever to be held in North Korea...

For the full story see the Manchester Evening News

Celtic Manor Wales Open boosts local economy

Spectators attending the 2010 Celtic Manor Wales Open spent more than £1.5m in Newport and south Wales, according to an economic impact study.

The substantial boost to the local economy came as visiting golf fans spent the money on accommodation, food, travel, tournament tickets and associated costs while attending the European Tour event last June 3-6...

For full story see EuropeanTour.com 

Foresight's GC2 is all right on the flight

European golfers are about to discover what Titleist and other major manufacturers have known for around 12 months – Foresight Sports’ GC2 is the future of ball-flight analysis.

The GC2 has dominated the US market since its launch last year and is now available in Europe. It revolutionised club-fitting and teaching Stateside because of its unique design, which offers unrivalled launch stats accuracy; unprecedented data speed; true portability – the unit weighs just 1.7kg and takes just 40 seconds to set up; an eight-hour battery life and a simple plug-and-play operation.

The system has been adopted by many of the world’s leading club manufacturers including Titleist, Cleveland/Srixon, Cobra/Puma, PING and TaylorMade – and it’s easy to see why.

The unique ultra-high-speed dual camera design of the GC2 records the most accurate ball flight statistics on the market today. It doesn’t rely on any backward extrapolation to generate ball-flight data but, instead, directly measures ball flight and spin at club impact and launch, recording precise ball speed, spin (side, back and total), direction and launch angle, and calculates carry and total distance in a split-second, to the tightest tolerances in the industry.

Richard Temple, Titleist Golf Clubs’ product and fitting manager (EMEA), explained why his company is recommending using the revolutionary equipment.

He said: “We are recommending GC2 because of the quality of the numbers it puts out. Our US research and development team has worked very closely with Foresight Sports approving the system in terms of its performance, relating to launch angles, spin rate and ball speed.

“The feeling is it provides numbers consistent with our own launch monitors to the point where we feel this is the great option for accounts which are looking for an accurate launch monitor at a more reasonable cost. The team in the US is happy to put the Titleist name alongside it and we have done the same for Europe.”

Distributed in UK&I exclusively by Foresight Sports UK, the GC2 has been quick to win admirers this side of the Atlantic – among them one of Britain’s most respected golf coaches.

The GC2 is light, compact, quick to set up,

but above all very accurate

PGA master professional Luther Blacklock, the head pro at Woburn GC and a Golf International teaching panellist, is an enthusiastic advocate of the system – having agreed to purchase one within minutes of seeing it in operation.

Blacklock said: “As soon as I saw the unit’s immediacy and ease of use I was sold. I bought one on the spot and it’s already paid for itself in terms of benefits to my pupils.

“It’s more accurate than other products on the market; it’s truly portable – so tuition is not affected by adverse weather conditions; it takes a fraction of the time other products take to set up and it’s around a fifth of the cost of some of its rivals. When you see it in action it’s easy to see why so many of the world’s leading manufacturers are using it as the standard launch monitor for club-fitting and testing.

“I was hugely impressed by the ‘real time’ nature of the shot, powered as it is by exceptional software. The practice ground setting is even better than hitting shots on the range in teaching terms, as the ‘vapour trail’ left on the screen as you practice, is a ‘video’ of the last shot – which is even more beneficial than a video of the last swing.

“It’s made a massive difference to the pupil analysis I can offer as a golf coach as the information is more accurate and easily demonstrable.”

Another convert is Tim Mickelson – brother of four-time Major-winner Phil – who is the head golf coach at the University of San Diego.

He said: “I was blown away by the GC2’s portability, ease of use and, above all, accuracy. It’s not only an incredible tool for college golf programs, but for any player looking to get to the next level – it’s that good.”

The fact that the GC2 has a price-point around 80 per cent cheaper than existing competitors with comparable data is not lost on the industry’s leading professionals.

Titleist’s Temple added: “GC2 came along with comparable results but is pitched at a much more affordable price. Our sales force in the USA now uses GC2 for its fitting days and we’re going to provide it, not just to some of our sales force, for some tech reps and future Fitting Centres across Europe, but also to our FittingWorks accounts – of which we have about 800 across Europe – as their suggested launch monitor technology.”

Connected to a PC, real-time ball flight and statistics are available immediately and the data can be recorded to a spreadsheet and emailed to a customer in an instant. There is even the ability to instantly deliver data, via Bluetooth, to an Android-based mobile or hand-held device.

The flexibility and test-proven accuracy of the GC2 also allows it to be upgraded to provide a simulator experience, whether with a simple net and PC or as a full-size, bespoke studio experience.

Rob Thöle, sales manager for Foresight Sports UK, said: “The GC2 really has it all: it’s totally portable; it’s the most accurate system on the market; it’s self-levelling; requires no calibration; is up and running in 40 seconds; works perfectly indoors or out; can work as a standalone unit or with a computer and can be upgraded to provide the full simulator experience. It is the ultimate in ball-flight analysis.”

■ The Foresight Sports GC2 costs just £4,995 (+ vat). For further information call 0845 644 3870 or email info@foresightsports.co.uk.

http://www.foresightsports.co.uk/

Second bid for homes on golf club site

The owner of a golf club fighting for survival has launched a second bid to transform part of the site into housing.

Robin Day said Bolton Open Golf Club in Longsight Lane, Harwood, needed a cash boost to secure its future, but Bolton Council threw out his controversial plan to build 13 homes on greenbelt land last July...

For full story see Bolton News

Kilkea Castle & Golf Resort brought to market by receivers

Kilkea Castle & Golf Resort in Ireland will be brought to the market by BDO, the receiver of Arnosford.

CBRE Hotels has been appointed to market the resort with a guide price of €6m. The 12th century Kilkea Castle, in County Kildare, includes an 18-hole golf course and golf clubhouse. In total 27 of the 33 three-bedroom lodges are included in the sale. Of the 27 lodges up for sale, 18 are partially constructed. The resort sits on 140 acres of land...

For full story see Property Week

Your Golf Travel.com launches new brochure

Europe’s largest golf travel company, Your Golf Travel.com, has introduced an increased range of worldwide destinations and additional savings in its new 2011 brochure.

With the company having booked services for more than 150,000 UK golfers last year and increased sales by 70 per cent, consumers have been eagerly awaiting their copy of the 2011 golf travel bible...

For full story see Golf International

Braemar Golf to manage Oman golf club

Scotland-based Braemar Golf has secured a two-year management agreement to operate the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club in Oman.

The company has completed a successful six-month technical advice period and will now be responsible for overseeing the business performance of the club...

For full story see AMEinfo.com 

Two men charged after golf club drug raid

A historic golf club was among premises raided as part of a police operation that netted £500,000 worth of cocaine.

Two men were arrested and charged following raids on the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in East Lothian - which was founded more than 200 years ago and is the fifth oldest club in the world - and a children's dance school in nearby Prestonpans...

For full story see The Scotsman

Inchmarlo golf resort plan wins backing

Councillors have supported plans for a £100m golf and tourist resort on Deeside that will feature a cookery school run by top chef Nick Nairn...

For full story see Press & Journal

Angus golfers aim to take over courses

Golf club members at an Angus resort hotel which has closed down are formulating a survival plan so they can take to the courses again.

The Letham Grange Hotel closed last month after the contract to operate the estate, which has two 18-hole golf courses, was terminated...

For full story see the Press and Journal

Golf course future in doubt

The future of a Staffordshire golf course is in doubt after the firm running it was kicked off the site because of unpaid rent.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has reclaimed Goldenhill Golf Course from Jack Barker's Golf Company, which has also been accused of fly-tipping on the course...

For full story see the Stoke Sentinel.

McGinley backs Malaga's unique new service

A revolutionary new service for travelling golfers is coming to Malaga in March.

ClubstoHire.com is a unique concept which offers travelling golfers a massive saving on airline golf bag charges – and complete peace of mind.

More than 5,000 golfers have already taken advantage of the first ClubstoHire.com store at Faro airport, saving them an estimated £125,000 into the bargain.

Now, the service is set to expand with a shop opening at one of Europe’s busiest golfing hubs, Malaga airport, in March. It promises the very latest equipment from big-name manufacturers such as TaylorMade and Callaway with prices from as little as €35 per set per week.

With budget airlines charging up to £80 return for club transit, the service offers considerable savings and, what’s more, there is peace of mind that clubs won’t be stolen, lost or damaged and you won’t be left standing by the oversized baggage carousel unnecessarily.

Ryder Cup hero and recent vice captain Paul McGinley, who holed the winning putt at The Belfry in 2002, is a partner in the company.

“It just makes so much sense to use this service and our seamless online booking process. The airlines are pushing everybody – even me. I mean, I’m business class and I’m being charged to take my clubs,” smiled McGinley. “I think it’s a great idea.”

All clubs are available – left or right-handed, ladies and men’s – and hire is available from just one day to a full four weeks. The store has even attracted the attention of McGinley’s contemporaries on the professional circuit.

He added: “The reaction to the concept has been overwhelmingly positive. Quite often now people speak to me about ClubstoHire.com and how they have found it cuts out all the hassle and makes golf travel more appealing and cost-effective.

“All the guys on the European Tour are very positive about it as it provides the golfing public with an opportunity to try out the new clubs on the market in the best place possible: the golf course. What better way to see if a specific set of clubs suits your game?”

ClubstoHire.com is on course to be established in eight key European golf destination hubs by the end of 2011. The company’s own customer feedback indicates that rising carriage costs are likely to increase further the number of people flying without their own clubs and the concept surely has an outstanding future.

■ Bookings for Malaga and Faro can be made online at http://www.clubstohire.com/.

Yourgolftravel.com is London's - and golf's - fastest-growing business

Your Golf Travel.com, widely regarded as Europe’s fastest-growing golf travel company, has had its achievements officially recognised as London’s finest with a first-placed ranking in The Sunday Times Virgin 2010 Fast Track 100 guide.

Described by Sir Richard Branson as the ‘definitive barometer of private company growth’, The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s fastest-growing private companies, based on sales growth over three years and is compiled and published each December.

Your Golf Travel.com underlined its continued strong trading history by improving its position in the 2010 ranking to sixth (from 15th in 2009). Better-still, it was recognised as the capital’s number-one growing business.

Golf may be considered a niche sport but the table ranks Your Golf Travel.com above many High Street brands and household names, trading everyday consumer goods. Furthermore, the company is the golf industry’s only representative in the prestigious league table.

Founders Ross Marshall and Andrew Harding ‘maxed out’ their credit cards to fund the start-up of the company in 2005. Today, the business offers domestic, European and long-haul golf holiday packages to 3,000 courses in 20 countries and books more than 150,000 travellers each year.

“The momentum is well and truly with us.” said chief executive Ross Marshall.

“We are absolutely delighted to once again be recognised by The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 for our outstanding sales performance and to have improved our position again this year.

“While our customers come from across the UK, we are extremely proud of our London roots and being named the fastest-growing company in the capital is a great honour.

“2010 will see another significant rise in turnover and we look forward to continuing to grow the business in 2011.”

The performance of Your Golf Travel.com, since its inception in 2005, is remarkable and its lofty position in the prestigious guide is due to annual sales growth of 158 per cent over the past three years.

Sales increased to £16.4m from an annualised £541,000 in 2005.

The business also offers spa breaks through its sister company Spabreaks.com and recently launched fairwaytofurlong.com, a niche concept that combines golf and horse-racing breaks at the UK’s premier meetings.

Award-winning results for Azalea

International PR and marketing agency the Azalea Group is hoping two forthcoming client award nominations will add to what has been an outstanding run of accolades in 2010 for its burgeoning client portfolio.

Both the five-star Legend Golf & Safari Resort, in South Africa, and Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, in Devon, have been nominated for upcoming awards and, if successful, will take the total for Azalea’s stable of clients to eight in recent months.

Only this month the five-star Fairmont St Andrews, at the ‘Home of Golf’, was named Resort Hotel of the Year at Golf Tourism Scotland’s Gold Standard awards. It is the second time the resort has won the award, having also received it in 2008, and comes hot on the heels of being declared Scotland’s best golf resort and spa by the World Travel Awards.

And Fairmont St Andrews’ leisure sales executive, Angus Watson, was personally recognised as Young Industry Person of the Year.

Another client celebrating success in the World Travel Awards was Legend Golf & Safari Resort which was named Africa’s Leading Sports Resort and South Africa’s Leading Golf Resort, while its Signature Golf Course was named the Best Golf Course in Africa at the World Property Awards in association with Bloomberg.

The resort, based in the Limpopo province, is now in the running for the award for World’s Best Course at the International Commercial Property Awards, to be decided in London later this month.

The five-star La Manga Club, in Spain’s Murcia region – long regarded as one of the continent’s finest sports and lifestyle destination resorts – has recently received recognition for its outstanding corporate appeal after it scooped a silver honour in the Best Overseas Conference Hotel category at the 2010 C&IT Hot List awards, voted for by readers of Conference & Incentive Travel magazine.

Meanwhile, domestically, the South Devon Golf Tour’s success in attracting golfers to the south-west is on the shortlist for the South Devon Excellence Awards.

The tour – an initiative from Dartmouth Golf & Country Club – reached the final stages of the ‘Best Sales and Marketing Award’ category, testament to the work done in bringing together seven of the region’s top golf venues in order to attract travelling golfers.

And, still at home, Weston-Super-Mare-based Masters Golf – Europe’s most-purchased golf brand – was awarded the title of ‘most profitable supplier’ by members of the Foremost Golf group, the largest buyer and seller of golf product in the UK, managing more than £125m-worth of buying relationships for around 1,000 PGA pros.

Sean Noble, Azalea’s UK managing director, said: “We must congratulate many of our clients on their excellence over the past year. These awards are well-deserved recognition for expertise, enterprise and endeavour in their specialist fields and we have been delighted to play our part.”

HowDidiDo Media appoints Azalea

HowDidiDo.com is Europe's largest golfing community

Europe’s largest golfing community, HowDidiDo, has engaged Hampshire-based PR and marketing specialist Azalea to handle its communications.

More than 250,000 golfers have registered with the website, which also contains the results of more than 21 million rounds along with the handicaps and scores of in excess of 1.1m golfers.

Standard membership is free and the plethora of statistics available allows any golfer to analyse and compare performance with other players at their own club or across the 1.1 m golfers.

The service is also available free to any golf club – and consequently its members – which uses the market-leading CLUB2000 software from Club Systems International, used by more than 1,500 clubs already.

Azalea will take immediate responsibility for raising the profile of HowDidiDo through both consumer and trade channels and Barry Dyett, managing director of HowDidiDo Media, said: “We have been very careful in selecting a communications partner that will deliver the reach and relationships we desire.

“Azalea has been well-known to us for some time and we are delighted to have them on board.”

Azalea’s UK managing director, Sean Noble, looks forward to furthering what has already been exponential growth for HowDidiDo. He added: “Our aim will be to elevate the HowDidiDo brand and services to their rightful place at the very heart of the UK golf community.”

Azalea’s portfolio already includes some outstanding golf resorts and courses – La Manga Club, in Murcia, Spain; Son Gual, Mallorca; Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland; and Legend Golf & Safari Resort, in South Africa – the Irish national tourist authority, Fáilte Ireland; and Europe’s most purchased golf brand, Masters Golf.

www.howdidido.com | www.theazaleagroup.com

Masters Golf is "most profitable" supplier

It's always good when a client receives an award...

Andy Steele, right, receives the award from Foremost's Andy Martin

MASTERS GOLF IS “MOST PROFITABLE” SUPPLIER

Members of the Foremost Golf group, the largest buyer and seller of golf product in the UK, have voted Masters Golf the most profitable supplier in the company’s 2010 supplier awards.

The award was announced at The Golf Show 2010 – a joint venture trade show between the PGA, TGI Golf and Foremost – at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Foremost Golf manages more than £125m-worth of buying relationships for around 1,000 PGA pros – an estimated 25 per cent of all UK golf sales.

And for Somerset-based Masters Golf, recognition as the group’s most profitable supplier is testament to the relationships it builds with its customers and the point-of-sale and stock management systems it employs in pro shops – often at no expense to the retailer.

European sales manager Andy Steele said: “We were delighted to receive this accolade which means so much as it was voted for by huge numbers of members.

“And the fact the accolade goes to the supplier with whom the professionals feel they are generating the most profit just illustrates how the Masters Golf brand helps golf retailers generate the best possible return on their investment.

“Much of this success may be attributed to the use of XPos and Stock Trac which, together, simplifies the whole ordering and stocking procedure, enabling the retailer to maximise profitability while reducing capital expenditure and dead stock.

“We’ve always known it made business easier and more profitable and now the pros can see it for themselves.”

The award was presented by Foremost Golf’s director of supplier management, Andy Martin, who said: “Masters has been a long standing supplier to the Foremost Group and the ‘most profitable supplier 2010’ award is well deserved.

“Not only does the Masters range of products return high margins for our member professionals but the replenishment service the company provides ensures the stock turns our members can generate are exceptionally high – delivering profit to their businesses.”

■ For more information on Masters Golf’s extensive range, XPos or Stock Trac visit http://www.mastersgolf.co.uk/.

Defending champion in pole position after day one of Disabled British Open

Last year’s winner, Duncan Hamilton-Martin, was the joint leader after the first day of the Disabled British Open (DBO) at East Sussex National.

Three-handicapper Hamilton Martin shared the lead with Robert Paul, who plays off seven – both of whom shot an impressive first-round gross 78.

The DBO also has three handicap categories, with Martin Jelley and William West, both 12-handicappers, leading category one (handicaps 0-13.4) with nett 70s; Tony Lloyd (15) heading category two (13.4-20.4), after also shooting a nett 70; and, in the category three (>20.5) Stableford competition, Paul Cunningham (27.6) leads with 39 points.

by our man in Havana ... well East Sussex anyway

Marriott bookings take off with GolfSwitch portal

The UK Marriott organisation has seen an “exponential” rise in its tee-time bookings since launching a new golf specific portal site with GolfSwitch, the world’s largest online, real-time, tee-time distribution network.

Marriottgolf.co.uk was launched in mid-June to enable golfers to book real-time tee-times at the hotel chain’s 11 Marriott Golf Hotels & Country Clubs 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

And Alison Ainsworth, Marriott’s senior director of golf, leisure and spa operations Europe, predicts that it will continue to drive an increase in the number of on-line tee-time bookings received by the resort specialist.

She said: “Since we launched our portal site (www.marriottgolf.co.uk) with GolfSwitch, just over two months ago, we have seen many new golfers finding their way to our courses.

“The online booking engine has exceeded all our expectations with more than 1,000 bookings since the launch and growing exponentially. Not only does this bring in extra revenue but it will also allow us to market to these golfers in the future with the many promotional offers we will be able to put on at short notice.

“GolfSwitch has been instrumental in giving us the confidence and the proof to expect to fulfil a considerable amount of Marriott's UK tee-time business online within the next year.”

GolfSwitch, the largest real-time, online golf reservation network in the world, powers around 1,500 courses worldwide and drives more than four-million tee times to the courses.

Jo Maes, European director for GolfSwitch, added: “We’re obviously delighted that Marriott is having such success with the portal – but not surprised. Marriott has a varied range of top-quality courses and resorts and enabling real-time access to tee-times was always going to prove popular with golfers searching for a simple way to book tee-times at top venues.

“GolfSwitch is continuing to cement its reputation as the most sought-after solution in the online tee-time marketplace today. Word of the success of the Marriott portal has already got around so we are increasingly being asked to discuss similar solutions for a range of top-end clients across Europe.”

www.golfswitch.com | www.marriottgolf.co.uk

Wilson backs Disabled British Open

Competitors in the second annual Disabled British Open (DBO) golf championship, which began today at East Sussex Golf Resort & Spa, have been given a timely boost from world number 68 Oliver Wilson.

The Surrey-based professional, who finished last season ranked ninth in Europe, took time out for his preparations for the forthcoming Dunhill Links Championship to send his best wishes to all 72 disabled athletes participating in the two-day event, which has been hailed as ‘the most inclusive pan-disability event in the country’.

Wilson, currently England’s seventh-highest ranked professional, said: “I would like to wish all the athletes taking part in the Disabled British Open this week the very best of luck.

“As a resident of the south-east, it is great to see this event come back to the region for the second year running. It is truly an inspiration to me to see all 72 participants compete for this coveted title.

“I hope I am able to draw upon some that inspiration when I compete in next year’s Open Championship at Royal St George’s.”

Competitors aged between 16 and 71have travelled to Sussex from as far afield as South Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Ireland and Germany to line up against their UK contemporaries.

■ To find out more about the 2010 Disabled British Open visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/, or contact Andy Barwell on 07961 315520.

Online partnership offers unique real-time tee-time booking option

One Golf Network, the marketing and tee time initiative endorsed by the English and Welsh Golf Unions, has partnered with GolfHub – the only multi-resort, real-time, online tee-time booking system in Europe – to offer UK golfers unprecedented tee-time access across Europe.

One Golf Network has been developed to allow every UK and Irish golf club the ability to market available tee-times and green fees to the largest possible audience of online golfers whilst staying in full control of their tee times and their price.

GolfHub, the community platform for GolfSwitch, the world’s largest online real time tee-time distribution network, already covered a large swathe of continental Europe and will now offer UK-based golfers the same extensive booking facility. The partnership means golfers can now book tee-times on more than 200 courses in Europe and 1,400 US courses at one visit.

Jo Maes, GolfHub’s director of European development, said: “Initially around 350 UK courses will be accessible through GolfHub, but this figure will grow as more golf clubs utilise One Golf Network.

“There are around 3,000 courses in the UK and Ireland and while, naturally, they won’t all sign up, many of them are expected to, which will benefit golfers and GolfHub members enormously.

“The partnership with One Golf Network is mutually hugely beneficial. One Golf Network effectively acts as GolfHub within the UK and Ireland, while access to the GolfSwitch network affords their users, the English and Welsh golfers, access to more than 1,600 courses across the globe.

“This partnership will also allow GolfSwitch to connect more and more courses in the tourism hot spots as it brings more golfers to our offering – and every course down south desperately wants access to these golfers.”

Jane Carter, managing director of Gemini Network Media, operator of One Golf Network, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside GolfSwitch to bring the largest tee-time booking service to golfers in the UK and Ireland. Working with our network of partner websites, One Golf Network will now offer the most comprehensive tee-time booking service to a growing online audience.”

With more than 1,600 connected courses and four-million transactions processed per year, GolfSwitch has become the go-to organisation to market available tee-times. And its community platform, Golfhub, is steadily becoming Europe’s largest online golf community.

Maes added: “GolfSwitch is undoubtedly the most sought-after solution in the online tee-time marketplace today. It is immediate, flexible and – crucially for the consumer – up-to-the-moment. Yet, with GolfSwitch it is always the course which determines the business rules regarding availability and rate, allowing them full control over their own inventory.”

The partnership with One Golf Network continues GolfHub’s expansion which only recently added the St Andrews Old Course Hotel and the complete portfolio of UK Marriott golf courses, including Forest of Arden, Hollins Hall, Dalmahoy and Marriott St Pierre.

www.golfhub.com | www.onegolfnetwork.co.uk