Unfortunately the job of keeping my website up to date has been proving very difficult with so much going on in the golfing season although it never really stops for me.
On a positive note all the instruction given and applied through diligent practice by many of my students is producing some great results especially at elite and aspiring pro levels. I must add, on top of this, the day to day achievements from beginners, club and handicap golfers winning club and local events, lowering handicaps, achieving personal milestones is equally rewarding for me as a coach especially given many of these people are balancing their lessons and practice with family and full time job commitments.
The early part of the season saw two of the Cheshire Girls and Ladies team players I coach win in fine style.
I was really pleased to see 18 year old Steph Farrar qualify and battle through the matchplay stages and win the 2007 Cheshire Ladies County Championship title. Steph is a very talented sportswoman and particularly powerful player. The work she did on her swing this winter has given her much more consistency and paved the way for her win in fine style beating many of the County’s leading players along the way. See her swing here.
Steph, like so many powerful hitters can get out of sync with her swing where her body ‘runs off’ leaving her arms behind, changes she is constantly working on have improved her release pattern and reduced wayward shots whilst still being able to outdrive most ladies and gents!
The Sandiway and Wallasey golfer is continuing her education with a golf scholarship at Stirling University and I am sure she will continue to flourish and perform well.
Wirral based twice Cheshire County Girls Junior Champion Laura Jones has continued to make great progress with her swing and golf. Earlier this season Laura captured the much-coveted Leverret Trophy at Formby Ladies Golf Club against a very experienced field. The 17 year old two handicapper shot rounds of 74-75 in difficult conditions to continue show her great potential. Laura, always a fine ball striker with a sound short game has just headed off to Oklahoma City University for a golf scholarship and I know she will continue to shine in the competitive environment of USA college golf. She has the technical ability to hold her own with the best and I’m confident she will make the most of the opportunity to prove her self in a bigger arena. See Laura’s swing here.
Although some of Cheshire’s leading lights are heading off to University and Scholarships, fear not, the growing band of ‘rookies’ are developing into great players ready to fill their shoes. One such golfer I have been coaching regularly is Caldy’s Harriet Wilson. Four handicap Harriet has worked extremely hard on all aspects of her game in between her demanding school studies. Although slim and ‘light weight’ Harriet’s swing packs a punch and she is fast becoming a fine ball striker. Learn from Harriet’s swing here. With her work ethic and improved shortgame I think it’s only a matter of time before we see Harriet’s name added onto the Trophies alongside previous winners like Natasha, Laura and Steph.
On the mens amateur front, plus two handicapper Gathhurst and Southport & Ainsdale ace James Robinson is continuing in the same vein that saw him sweep the scratch board at S&A.
A regular member of the Lancashire boy’s team, James has continued his impressive form with some great scoring in leading events plus course record 63 at Gathurst. Most recently James qualified for one of the most prestigious events in the land- The English Amateur Championship and romped through the matchplay stages dispatching County and England team members along the way into the semi final.(follow this link for full story) http://www.englishgolfunion.org/showpage.asp?code=00010002000100030002
James was beaten in the semis by the eventual winner and now Walker Cup selected player Daniel Wilett, but this commendable performance shows James’ great potential and how he has demonstrated he can compete alongside and even beat the best. This achievement reinforces my belief that James’ has all the attributes to become a World-class golfer. Watch and learn from James’ swing here.
Plus two handicap England U21’s player and former Cheshire Boys Champion Ian Winstanley recently regained some form in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit calendar. During a well-earned break from his Leeds University studies he captured back to back victories from the regions elite players at Fairhaven followed up quickly at Mere. A golf lesson the previous week and a change in his mental routine from sports psychologist Lee Crombleholme saw Ian birdie the last for a 5 under par victory in the Silver Pheasant at Fairhaven and again birdying the last for a 75 to add to his 68 for a one shot victory for the prestigious Mere Trophy. Click to see Ian’s swing here.
In between travelling to events, doing more swing research and coaching at European Tour Events (more on that soon) I have been fortunate to help many of the region’s up and coming professionals plus teach and exchange swing theory with many of the established club pro’s.
Former twice British National Assistants Champion Matt Tottey to date has had an up and down season with a mixture of highs and lows in scoring and emotions. The talented North Wales player has been frustrated by some swing changes that are now bedding in. He is a too talented and committed golfer to lie down easily and I think we will shortly see him shoot some low numbers again as his confidence is regained. Matt will be aiming to secure his Tour card this autumn and it’s only a matter of time before he does. This guy can go low once he’s on a birdie roll which takes a special talent only a handful of golfers’ posses. Look at Matt’s swing here.
For several months I’ve seen some very positive results from the work we’ve been doing with Warrington Golf Club’s Graham Cox. The big hitting former County player is a very good sportsman blessed with an easygoing nature. With some swing changes and much greater understanding of his technique Graham has consistently produced some outstanding scores and results in the region’s professional events. Winning frequently on the Excel, Tamsel and North Region PGA circuit is no surprise to Graham’s supporters who always new he had the talent and now he has his sights set firmly on securing a European Tour card and going all the way to the top. From my observations of the Tour at close range, Graham has all the ingredients to make it and (to) compete at this level, watch this space as he begins his assault at Tour School. Look at Graham’s swing here.
Another up and coming professional who has been working very hard on his game is Stand Golf Club’s ex assistant pro Mark Hancock. Changes in his technique (see video) have made him a much more consistent player with some respectable finishes in the region. With other improvements in his short game and mental approach, Mark is another promising player also chasing the goal of a European Tour card, his all round improvements now provide him with a realistic chance of fulfilling his dream.
I am so fortunate to work with so many passionate players at all levels and it gives me great job satisfaction when they perform well and achieve their dreams, lets hope they all continue to play well and win. I try to encourage them to believe it’s all about probability not so much luck, if you can stand to it and swing it well, with the right attitude and short game - the probability is the ball gets in the way of a better action = good results!
As Gary Player famously quoted when asked about luck ‘The more I practise, the luckier I get’ |
