Hello golfers,

Welcome to the latest edition to Orsett GC weekly newsletter. We hope that you're having a good week on and off the golf course. 

Enjoy the read.

He has a Pro-Am planned in March to Royal St George's and Royal Cinque Ports, it would be amazing to do it again down there. As we know these things can be like buses, wait for ages and then two can come along together.

Justin Thomas - excellent player but golf manners? Nah! 

Justin Thomas won again last week around Florida’s PGA National course, with the dreaded corridor known as The Bear trap to win the Honda Classic. One of the tours toughest finishes and 12 holes with water hazards everywhere, Thomas won in a play off from Luke List. 

A fabulous wedge shot on the last, set him up for his 7th win in 31 starts, almost Tigeresque quality. Proving what a quality player he has become, unfortunately he did mistakenly use an expletive (and winning can get you caught up in the moment) just after holing his winning putt. Earlier in the week though he hit a spectator clean on the head from the tee - ouch that definitely hurt and of course the obligatory token signed glove was parted with. Hardly an apology is it? For one of the finest young talents on Tour, what sort of example did Justin Thomas set when NO shout of FORE was given? His PGA Professional Dad must be so proud, but he can still teach his son something to enhance his game - Some better etiquette.

This apart there is a lot to learn from Thomas. a slight man with massive club speed and right up there pound for pound long hitter. His wedge game has massively improved in two seasons; decision making, is another area we can learn from such as his decision to leave out a favourite long iron for a 5 wood for the week, knowing how firm the greens were going to play and that added height into par 5s, might and eventually did make a difference.

He should contend in 6 weeks’ time at Augusta, the occasion could be too much or knowing how the Masters Committee react with the unusual, they might just penalise him a couple of strokes or DQ him if he fails to maintain their high standards of Southern manners on the course. Others in the Honda field fared well as Tommy Fleetwood had a good look at winning his first US Tour title holding the lead at times on Sunday, as did the Swede, Alex Noren. Notably, a certain Mr Tiger Woods played all four rounds and hit plenty of encouraging shots, even with his metal woods. Woods’s short game was clearly close to some of his best. The demons around the green of duffel pitches and flubbed lob shots look a thing of the past.

Can he contend or win again? He believes he can so perhaps those who doubt him may need to review their thoughts.

Children golf classes

I mentioned the children's golf classes starting in March, again make a note of the date – Monday, 26th March from 4.15pm.The first three lessons are free and wouldn't it be fun to get your child or grandchild playing alongside you one day? If they are over 7 or under 14 bring them along. All we want is for the children to have fun learning, everything else is available to "have a go".

Keep your eye out...

Keep your eyes peeled at my website and keep reading the newsletters for information on the season opening 4 for 3 deal from Titleist. It's always very popular and a perfect way to load up your locker with even better value than ever.

With the winter season apparently coming to an end (somewhere), we are offering our Oscar Jacobson winter range discounted for March. With winter seemingly stretching out a little this season many of the members took advantage last weekend and now the secrets out why not do the same? Oscar Jacobson make fabulous clothing and really understand the need for quality and style to match its golfing suitability.

Just a quick pat on the back for two of my recent students, David Goldstone and Adrian Davies. Both played under their handicap in the Club event on Sunday, unofficially at the time of writing, placed first and third. Well done gents keep up the good work. Hopefully we will be out on the course this weekend if the forecasters are to be believed. Anything that feels above freezing will be lovely please.