THE CHURCH COURSE at St. Enodoc Golf Club, Cornwall, takes it’s name from the tiny 13th century church that stands to the right of the 10th green (Peter Alliss’s favourite.)
The 6th green involves a blind second shot over the “Himalayas,” a towering, 75ft high bunker. The church itself, which can only be reached by a footpath crossing the fairway, was abandoned for many years, covered by drifting sand, and in the early 18th century the vicar had to be lowered through a hole in the roof to perform the rites necessary to keep it sanctified. Jolly Poet Laureate and keen golfer Sir John Betjeman, who holidayed in the area as a child, loved the Church Course, and is buried in St. Enodoc churchyard.
Doubtless he composed “Seaside Golf” after a blissful game, safe in the assurance that neither wife nor girlfriend would suddenly appear over the sand dunes after him.
Seaside Golf: ”A glorious sailing bounding drive, that made me glad I was alive.”
Unforgettable, as is the parody penned by Lord Butler: “ I hit the damn thing on the head, it made me wish that I were dead.” Check it on Google if you want a good chuckle.
AFTER COMPETING IN THE British Masters at chilly, soggy Walton Heath, Sergio Garcia hosted the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama, expecting to defend his title in warm sunshine. Unfortunately, poor Sergio was cold and wet again, but did manage to complete his hat trick of Andalucia Masters victories with a 4 shot victory over Shane Lowry, who is no stranger to soggy weather either.
TO MAKE THE AMERICANS feel at home in Paris the French Ryder Cup organisers dished up burgers and French fries. Very thoughtful of them; after the U.S. team’s disastrous weekend being confronted by escargots would have been the last straw.
PATRICK REED contradicted Jim Furyk’s explanation of why he wasn’t paired with Jordan Spieth, complaining: “Jordan doesn’t like me.” I can’t imagine how that could be, such a likeable chap is Patrick.
RORY, DJ, AND JUSTIN ROSE play the P730s. Jon Rahm and Francesco Molinari play P750’s. The P790’s are hugely popular with Amateurs. Now, due to the rising popularity of forged irons, Taylor Made have introduced the P760 range.
Apparently, the P760 short irons are compact and precise while the long irons have a hollow construction. Revolutionary SpeedFoam is injected into the club head in liquid form and expands within the club, generating ball speed while dampening vibrations. Taylor Made says: “With P760, we have designed a players iron for tour-level competition, combining the most desirable elements for the better golfer.” They won’t be on my Christmas list then.
HAVING WON THE BMW International Open to record his third victory this year, England’s Matt Wallace was philosophical at being left out of Thomas Bjorn’s Ryder Cup team. ‘”Obviously I was disappointed, I thought I’d done enough to get the pick,” he says, “but I’ve had a lot of disappointment in my career and always used it as fire to get better, so watch this space.” Obviously an ex- member of the boy scouts, commanded by Sir Robert Baden-Powell to “smile and whistle under all circumstances.”
AMERICANS ARE UNDERWHELMED by the much-hyped Duel in the Desert between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson which takes place at the 7,560 yd. Shadow Creek Golf Club, Las Vegas on 23rd November, not least because they will have to pay to watch it. Seen as a cynical exercise in money grabbing, the 18 hole match play duel is not generating the enthusiasm the organisers hoped for, despite the players plugging it for all it’s worth, and agreeing to wear microphones to please the specially invited crowd. There will be side bets in aid of charity, for NTP or longest drive.
Odds-on favourite Tiger (42) who has won 14 majors to 48 yr. old Mickelson’s 5, and has $116M to Mickelson’s paltry $88M, will probably pop the $9million winnings in his Piggy bank. If ‘Phil The Flutter’ wins the casinos will hang the flags out.
Until next time: Happy golfing.
Contact Mick for your regripping and repairs. 638 859 475.
