Welcome to the latest edition of my newsletter. It has been another mixed week on the weather front with a few nice drying days and then more heavy rain to put things back again!


Product Testers Wanted

To start with this week I would like to thank the many members who have put their names forward to be Product Testers for me this coming season. This is a new initiative for me and will give many of you the chance to try out new product as it arrives in the pro-shop. Feedback will then be published in my weekly newsletter. 

Applications will remain open for the next few days, so if you fancy being involved please click here to get in touch.


I attended a Foremost Golf Spring Workshop at Woodbury Park earlier in the week as part of my Continuing Professional Development. The workshop covered a number of initiatives including retail, business, customer service, membership and retention. The day was both informative and thought provoking and I am looking forward to implementing as many of the ideas as possible throughout the coming season.


 

The Gentlemen finally got their 2016 playing season underway on Saturday when the January Medal went ahead. The vast majority of the field found playing conditions on the day far from easy, with strong winds and a very wet course. Only two players from the 87 strong field managed to break par, which was an incredible achievement in its own right. Jason Rowbotham and Phil Essex were tied for the best overall score on nett 69 and also led their respective divisions. Martyn Hailstone took the honours in Division 3 with a nett 72.

There was a modest turn out for the Ladies Stableford on Tuesday. The forecast for the day left a little to be desired, and a number of players decided to give it a miss or opt for the 9 hole option. Helen Chivers took the prize for the best overall score of the day and Anne Boyle topped the leaderboard for the 9 hole event with 19 points.

Congratulations to all of this week's winners.


 

How did you enjoy the first instalment of Rory versus Spieth? It's one-nil to Rory, but only in terms of scoring - Rickie Fowler picking up the first 'big' trophy of the season.

Both McIlroy and Spieth enjoyed top-5 finishes at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, but what was interesting to note, as well, was that four of the top six golfers were in the field and all four finished in the top six; well, 'cream rises to the top' as they say. It may only be January, but it's already looking like we could be in for a top season. Is it too early to start making predictions for who will win the Masters?

Back in the UK and we're not quite enjoying the kind of weather the pros had in the Middle East, even if fog did intervene at one stage, but there's lots of activity to look forward to - and one or two fantastic promotions coming up, news of which will follow. So, if you're suffering from the winter blues, fear not because we'll be brightening things up soon.