Hello everyone, 

Dare we dream? It's 39 years since a British lady reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, so could Johanna Konta make the final? What an amazing feat that would be. Hold your breath, keep everything crossed, it's got to happen one day, why not this afternoon?

The inform golfer

It's just so difficult to keep the Spanish sensation Jon Rahm out of the limelight. His first real go in Europe and hey presto the Spanish wonder boy laps the field with a fantastic display in the Irish Open at Port Stewart, Northern Ireland. Boyd on by a huge crowd and the presence of Rory alongside him for, well part of the event, Rahm took the course by the scruff of the neck and sauntered round in 24 under par! How good is he going to be?

Up to 8th in world already, playing the most consistent golf of all the "big players", which he must now be included into, could he do the same at Birkdale in a couple of weeks? Of course he could! With the possession of a howitzer for a driver and a putter more accurate than Phil Taylor in his prime and a little "edge" to his attitude, it makes for a heck of a golfer.

What of Rory? He just can't buy a putt at the moment and that just adds to the frustration for the World No 4. No doubting the star quality but he needs some leprechaun luck it seems if he is going to be a factor in the Open.

Our local stars

The week was completed for us Essex golfers with the runner up spot of Thorpe Halls, Matt Southgate. His play has been a little scratchy all season after such a brilliant 2016. His runner up finish and over £500 has reduced any doubts that might have been rising in his mind of not retaining his tour privileges. After qualifying for The Open at Royal Cinque Ports on the Tuesday, preparation in Ireland was limited but with confidence high, that momentum, like last year gives Matt a chance to build toward his best ever season on Tour. Nice going Pro.

Not quite the same heights but a wins a win. Another Essex standout, Richie McEvoy won the recent Scottish Challenge Tour event. Any Professional win is tough so congratulations Richie hopefully a stepping stone to bigger things too.

Lions make a little history...

So an exciting draw in the third and final test last week in fortress Eden Park wasn't quite what Lions Captain, Sam Warburton wanted to end with a drawn series. On reflection the World Champions had the measure of the Lions side but their clinical finishing disappeared when least expected. Allied to Beauden Barrett's inconsistent penalty kicking, the Lions will happy to have got out of there even.

None the less some of the players will have travelled back with reputations escalated and some unfortunately deflated.

Winners on Tour..Maro Itoje, Lions standout performer. Captain Sam Warburton, who kept his council when not selected for the first test, but like the whole back row of Sean O'Brien and Talupe Falateau were incredible. All the test team were brilliant but they were the stars for me.

Rules is surely rules...

Ok I waxed lyrical about Jon Rahms outstanding victory and incredible golf but I can't not mention the decision and even worse explanation Andy McFee gave for not penalising Rahm for an incorrect ball replacement on the 6th green in the last round. Andy is a top referee with over 30 years experience. His reasoning for no penalty was that Rahm was not seeking to gain an advantage!

Could he have been protecting the event and its sponsors from a hugely embarrassing episode which meant the event would be remembered for all the wrong reasons? Only he really knows. To say on TV it was "tricky to see as his hand and putter were in the way and it looked not quite on the spot but no advantage was gained" was awkward at best. He replaced it nowhere near (in golf terms). I know the rules are a little more tolerant these days but NOT replacing your ball in the same place on the green? Lexi Thompson lost a Major because of something similar, where's the consistency? He either did or didn't replace it correctly? Surely that's part of the reason we play golf?

Youth Shield Trophy

Orsett cadets lost in their quest to win back the Youth Shield Trophy this season. In another thriller of a match they lost 3-2 with the 5th match going to extra holes at Stock Brook Manor. Great for the winning team but tough on the losers. This was the second time the team had lost in the same manner by 3-2 and sudden death away from home.

Thornton Cup

Orsett`s Thornton Cup team play Boyce Hill Sunday at neutral Muswell Hill for a place in the semi-final. Steve Rooney’s team are looking forward to the challenge with the Benfleet Club. Their will be plenty of outstanding golf played so if you can get along to support, the team will be only too pleased to see a friendly face on the way round.

An apology

To anyone who considered part of my newsletter to be insulting toward the Merseyside community. It was not meant to be anything of the sort and I apologise for any distress caused.

A FREE Titleist hybrid...

Considering new clubs and want even better value than ever? How about this? Buy a set of 7 Titleist irons from stock, off the shelf, and receive a Titleist hybrid from stock worth £179.99 absolutely FREE! This can be either AP1 or AP2 model we carry, but it does need to be from the shop stock, so a custom fit set does not count.

Pro's day

The entry sheet for Pros day on August 19th is available in the Clubhouse, make up your own 4 ball teams and join in the fun set up on the day. Entry is £50.00 a team with giveaways and great prizes food and drinks as always from yours truly.

Let's hope just for some kinder weather for a change!

Open sweepstake

The Open sweepstake is now complete. The draw for players will be known, on the Tuesday before The Open takes place (July18).