So, how many of you went to bed when Jordan Spieth holed his putt for birdie on the 9th to go 5 clear? I'm guessing it was quite a lot of you who gave up as Spieth looked certain to retain The Masters title. But what happened next was unbelievable as the last 9 holes produced what only the last 9 at Augusta can. Spieth's capitulation meant that Englishman Danny Willet could card a final round 67 to win the green jacket. It has been 20 years since we last saw an Englishman put on the green jacket, and it so happens that Faldo also hit a final round 67 to win it all those years ago. Willet's caddy was wearing the number 89, a special caddy number at the masters as it is the same number that the great Jack Nicklaus' caddy was wearing the final time he won it in 1986. But what we think is the best thing about it all is that Danny Willet's new born son was due on Masters Sunday but decided to arrive 11 days early. This meant Dad was able to go to Augusta. What a special 2 weeks it has been for the young man.

Please find the Sweepstake results below.

   

 

We would like to start the club competitions section by apologising to David Lees, as we forgot to mentions that along with Nick Hargreaves, he won the winter league plate a couple of weeks ago. David mentioned that it was the first piece of silverware he has won in 9 years of membership, so definitely worthy of a mention in the newsletter. 

Moving on, last Tuesday 5th April the ladies played in a stableford competition. In Division 1, Jane Campaigne came in 3rd with 29 points, Nicky Markland came in 2nd with 31 points, with Jill Morris winning division 1 with a very good score of 34 points. In Division 2, Caroline Harrison-Croft came in 3rd place with 33 points. This was just beaten on a card play-off by Margaret Simons who came in 2nd place. However, Janet Higson scored an unbelievable 41 points to win Division 2 and overall by an absolute mile, here is a picture of Janet looking very happy with her score. Not sure she will be as happy next week when her handicap is 3 shots lower! 

The following Saturday the men also played in a Stableford. We had some good scores on Saturday. In division 2, Richard Johnson came scored 37 which was good enough for 3rd place. This was narrowly beaten by Chris Adams who scored 38 points. Nigel Speake, however, was one shot further ahead with a great score of 39 points to win Division 2. In Division 1 we had some equally good scores, William Atherton came in 3rd with 37 points. Garry Titchen ahead with 38 points and Elliot Kirton was the winner with a great score of 39 points. 

Well done to all our winners in last week's competitions!

Halfway House 

Every Saturday from now until October, Richard, the chef, will manning the half-way house. He will be serving bacon baps and that sort of thing. If you have any requests about what you might want he is happy to do it, just let the bar/kitchen staff know.

 

Fitting Days 

We have a couple fitting days for your diary. 

There are only a couple spots left so get your name down quickly before you miss out! 

Cobra - 22nd April 
Callaway - 23rd April

 

Our tip for this week is bringing the course to the practice ground. This is when you are on the practice ground and you hit a shot, imagining that you are doing a particular shot on the course.

   

Above we have a picture of the practice ground and a picture of the 15th tee. Now what I am doing on the practice ground is imagining im am on the 15th tee. So the tree on the left is the line of trees down the left of the fairway, the 200 yard sign is the tree on the right and the white house in the middle is the green. 

Here is a video of me putting it into action.

Doing this on the practice ground will help a lot when you actually get on the course. As you have hit the shot a bunch of times previously you will feel a lot more comfortable on the tee.

 

Product Spotlight - Willet's Bag 

For the product spot light this week we think it would be very relevant to do the Callaway XR16 Driver that Danny Willet uses, which we have in the shop! 

The XR 16 Pro Driver is built with the best in aerodynamics, a deeper face and a redesigned Speed Step for better players. They have worked with the experts at Boeing to reach new levels of ball speed. With lower spin and a more neutral CG bias, XR Pro 16 is built for the distance and workability that low-handicap players are looking for. This driver has the forgiveness that better players can use to their advantage, and that's what happens when you add MOI, stretch out the crown with a bigger footprint, and put in a Centre of Gravity that's lower and deeper. All this forgiveness leads to more ball speed at every impact location, which can add more distance for all golfers. 

Willet also uses XR16 fairway woods, apex pro irons, mac daddy 2 wedge and odyssey versa wide putter. We were very pleased to see a Callaway player win as have all these clubs available in shop. Come down and have a go and see if you hit them anything like Willet!