The Players Championship

Last week the PGA Tour headed to Florida for what is considered the fifth major, The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. As usual the tournament didn't fail to disappoint with a reported 69 balls being lost in the water at the infamous island 17th hole, a 137 yard par 3 and nowhere to bail out.

Although Si-Woo Kim had a flawless 69 on Sunday afternoon to claim a 3 shot victory from his playing partner Louis Oosthuizen and Ian Poulter, most of the attention was on Europe's Ryder Cup postman, Ian Poulter.

Ian missed the last Ryder Cup due to a foot injury which also severely disrupted his PGA Tour schedule meaning when he returned to action this season he was playing on a medical exemption. But after missing his first two cuts, he was in danger of losing his full playing privileges. Ian needed to win just $30,639 at the Texas Open to retain his card but unfortunately he missed the cut.

After revision from the PGA Tour, there was a change in the rules to medical exemption meaning Ian now has the rest of the season to make up the shortfall on points or prize money. Ian hit the ground running this week at the Players Championship finishing in a tie for second place, posting a very good effort considering not only his lack of match practice but also not being in contention for a long time. 

During Sunday's round it was clear to see what it meant to him with his customary fist pumps. With the most passionate ones coming on the par 5 9th hole after holing a snakey double breaking 10 foot putt for par and on the 18th after hitting his approach from the trees to within a foot.

Ian's next adventure will be at Wentworth in the BMW PGA Championship, a tournament he hasn't played since 2014, but a new-look West Course has got him excited to make his return. 

All European golfers will be hoping for a well-deserved return to the winner's circle for Ian and hope to see him back in the Ryder Cup fold in time to get our trophy back next year!


  

The 2nd Major

The second major championship, the US Open, will be underway in just 4 weeks at Erin Hills GC in Wisconsin. But that's not the ground-breaking news we are so accustomed to delivering. The US Open means the return of the R&CPGC Par 3 Championship!

This is one of our most popular additions to the blue tee series since its introduction 2 years ago. In past events we have had 50 R&CPGC members join in the fun and we are hoping for more of the same this year.

For one evening a year we manufacture some very intriguing par 3's across the front 9 which are bound to test even the most solid of nerves, yet the yardages don't exceed 130 yards. Once all the fun has been had on the golf course we head back into the clubhouse to settle down in front of the big screen to watch the action unfold with some delicious dinner.

There's also a presentation to the winner with some American themed prizes up for grabs for the best team score and best individual too. All this fabulous fun will be taking place on Friday 16th June on a 5:30pm shotgun start. So make sure you book the afternoon off work and book your place now!

US Open Lessons Offer

Why not give your golf game a little mid-season check up utilising Rob's and mine's superb offer where you can get 3 for 2 on any individual lessons, whether that be 1/2 hour, 1 hour or even playing lessons! 

You will get full use of the GC2 Launch monitor so that we have data to compare before and after the lessons. You will also get to see your swing on camera with our Coaches Eye video analysis software which can slow the video down to make pin pointing the areas to work easier to see.


 

Champions of Champions Trophy

Earlier this week Jenny Colquhoun was flying the flag for R&CPGC in the Champions of Champions Trophy at Littlestone GC. We got an exclusive interview with her caddie Karen Sinden and here's what she had to say: 

26 Club Champions battled the elements for the Champion of Champions Trophy on Sunday 14 May at a very windy Littlestone Golf Club. Despite some very testing conditions and very tricky pin positions, the players were able to experience the superb greens, numerous bunkers and the rough which was much kinder than usual having been cut back in the early Spring. 

Jennifer Colquhoun was representing R&CPGC and playing off 11 handicap claimed the nett prize by 3 shots. 

Jennifer's round started well playing the front nine in two over and holding on to the lead by maintaining a steady back nine in very windy conditions. Two pars and two bogeys in the last four ensured a clear lead. 

Great golf!


 

Lady Captain's Report

Summer is approaching and life is emerging from under the duvets! The ladies section has just enjoyed their Spring Meeting and although the sun was not going to show itself the weather stayed dry albeit somewhat chilly in the afternoon particularly. Some brilliant scores came in along with a lot of sand!

The crows also enjoyed their day filling their stomachs with the odd breakfast bar or banana either stolen from out of a hungry lady's hand or persistence in pecking at a golf bag until retrieving their reward.

The evening meal was, as always, excellent and the company to match. A glass of Pimms before the meal along with a glass of wine with the meal was thoroughly deserved and enjoyed.

Jenny Colquhoun with her caddy (Karen Sinden) had a fantastic day at Littlestone representing the Club for the Champion of Champions competition. Although she did not win her final score was two over gross on the front nine and a final score of 85 and placed in the top five off scratch. This gave her a nett score of 74 and winner of the nett prize on a very windy day!

We have the final of the Pearson Trophy for Kent Clubs on June 15th which we are looking forward to - unfortunately R&C will not be one of the clubs playing but we came very close to it and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Lynn Dawson for all her efforts over the last few years in being Captain of the Pearson Team.

We have a few injuries within the ladies section at the moment but hopefully those injured will be back playing soon. On this note I would like to mention that Sheila Grant is back playing now on a regular basis and I wish her well in her recovery - she has been a very brave lady.

Regards 
Mandy Ellis, Lady Captain


 

Callaway Experience Day

If you are thinking about changing the armoury in your golf bag, we have booked out the Callaway National Fitting Centre in Chessington especially for R&CPGC members on Thursday 29th June. Callaway use the most state of the art technology to find the clubs best suited to your game. If you would like to take one of these fantastic slots, please contact the Pro Shop here.

Pro-Am

We also have the cream of the crop of PGA Professionals in the South Region coming to R&CPGC on Thursday 29th June all competing in what is regarded as one of the best Pro-Ams in the region. 

If you want to enter a team or just enter by yourself then click here to download the entry form.