Well this week it's the 114th US Open, this year it will be played at Pinehurst #2 in North Carolina. The par 70, 7495 yard layout will certainly be a challenging test for the players, featuring many tree lined holes and a number of fairways lined with bunkers and waste areas. Hitting the ball straight may prove more critical than other U.S. Open venues, as there is no rough however the waste areas and bunkers are surely more difficult to escape than the rough!

Who to look out for during the tournament? Well Nick's pick for the win is young Jordan Speith, who came close at The Masters and has had many good showing since then. Dan's pick for the win is Phil Mickelson, he has managed 6 runner up finishes in the U.S. Open since 1999, when he lost by 1 stroke to Payne Stewart at Pinehurst #2. I can't help but think he needs some luck soon, Mickelson also attended Arizona State University where he honed his skills from the waste areas and sandy lies. There are a number of outside picks this week, one of them is our own Jamie Donaldson and a good bet for top European. Others from Europe with a game to shape up to Pinehurst would be Sergio Garcia, Jonas Blixt, Victor Dubuisson, and Rory McIlroy.

Interestingly the Women's U.S. Open championship is also held at Pinehurst #2 this year just a week later than the Men's championship, let's hope they have a course to play on!!

Coronation Foursomes

This week's results start with the ladies who played their Coronation 4'somes competition on Tuesday and from the 36 pairs that played in 3rd place with 35 points were Val McGuigan and Carole Riley and Linda Worsley and Elaine Fawkes, in 2nd place were Linda Miller and Lynne Dicken with 36 points but leading the way with 41 points were Jude Durrant and Andrea Atherton.

Fullers Pride Medal

The gents played the Fullers Pride Medal on Saturday which was disrupted by the weather!!! Unfortunately I had to suspend play early in the morning due to thunder and lightning. After a 55 minute delay play was started again and eventually those who played managed to finish on time!! In 1st place was Matt Gardner with a net 67 beating Matt Sorrigan into 2nd place by a shot and tied 3rd were Tom Kirton, Nick Baglin, Dan Young and Glenn Marshall all with net 69's.

Gents

Buy a PING i25 driver and get a PING i25 fairway at half price or buy a driver and fairway at full price and get an i25 hybrid completely free.

  

Ladies

Buy a set of Lynx Elegance irons with graphite shafts and receive a Lynx trolley bag completely free.

Talking of Lynx, I have a fitting day with the Lynx technician in attendance on the 27th June on the practice ground between 12 and 4pm. This is a great way to try their full range and I would recommend booking an appointment to avoid disappointment by clicking here to send me an email.

As the putting green is now looking good I think it's about time we had some fun trying to make you all better putters! So on Thursday 26th June I will be holding a putting session on the practice green between 4pm and 6pm. If you would like to come along just let me know in advance by popping into the pro shop or by sending me an email by clicking here. I look forward to helping you all become better putters.

Finally this week I would like to wish my good friend, fellow Professional and member of Prestbury Golf Club Nigel Preston all the best on his bike ride from John O'Groats to Lands End(sounds painful). Nigel is doing the ride to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and if you would like to make a donation please go to his donation page at www.justgiving.com/simon-warburton. Also on his bike this week but going the other way is Peter Lowe a new member who is riding for East Cheshire Hospice so if you wish to donate to his charity I have his form in the shop.