Sporting World ignites…
The Rugby World Cup is here and ready to start. England host and open the event with the tournament's first game against dangerous Fiji on Friday. They are the masters of 7 a side but have problems with more players on the pitch for some reason. England will be wanting to win the title again and become just the second northern hemisphere squad to do it since their dramatic extra time win 2003 against Australia. New Zealand are favourites for sure but who knows, injuries play a big part as well as luck. Someone will need that added bit of flair and skill in undoubted tight matches to succeed. Have the home nations got it? They have, but will they play a brand of rugby to show it off? Let's hope so and if a home nation has a kick for glory at the death let it be Wales!
The Fed Ex events are back this week. After a week off the last 70 are ready to get to the Tour Championship in Atlanta the following week to try for 10 million dollars! A great week's work even if you win the event and not that bonus money with more than a million coming their way. Rickie Fowler nipped past Henrik Stenson in the Deutsche Bank in Boston, creating more excitement to the season's finale'. Lots of questions to be answered though. Can Rory find top gear? Has Jason still got some Days left in him? Has Spieth finally hit the wall? Is Rickie making it a "Big 4" instead of 3? Stenson loves autumn, could the big Swede win everything in sight as he did a couple of years ago? Or will someone do a "Billy Horschel" and jump out the pack?
The Ladies last major was played last week in Switzerland at the Evian course. All the best players were there with the cream rising to the top just when it should, at the end. Lydia Ko, the New Zealand wonder kid became the youngest Major winner of modern times, man or woman. She just happened to play the last round in a bogey free 8 under, 63! Amazed? Not really she is already Ladies World No 2 and had been at 16, yes 16 the youngest to win on the LPGA Tour 2 years ago. Not bad really if you think about it, just old enough to drive and have an legal drink and World No 2.She`s been working on hitting the ball longer to help her further her career (what chance the rest when that happens? She's unbelievable with her hybrids something many club golfers might consider a little more. She never seems to hold the club at the end of the grip either, again control rather than power I suppose. Ladies golf is well worth watching at times unless you have make the mistake of watching one of the girls who had 15, yes 15 practice swings before playing. No wonder it gets deliberate!
This week is the Solheim Cup in Germany ,where Europe's Ladies hope to retain the trophy they won in Colorado, US for the first time in 2013.Being played at the Sankt Leon- Rot course let's hope its America and not Europe who do. We have sent some Orsett support out there to cheer the girls on, Ladies Captain, Ali Battle and past Captain Margaret Oliver will be enjoying, hopefully, a European victory come the weekend.
As the weather is cooling down our clothing is warming up, already some new lines for both ladies and gents from Glenmuir have arrived and look pretty good. So take a look next time you are here. There is nothing wrong with looking good on the course no matter how you play, some say it even helps.
We have also had new lines of bags from Mizuno. They now offer waterproof options in both stand and cart bags. They look great and will keep you clubs dry and with sensible price tags they are definitely worth considering.
Rainwear is about to hit too so watch this space, there is nothing worse than getting wet while playing (except getting wet when you`re playing badly).
Youth Shield final
Saturday 26th, 1pm start at Boyce Hill, our cadets play Chelmsford in the County under 18s Championship. Our team have played well this season and it would be fitting if they can finish it off with a little bit of Club history. We have never won the Youth Shield, so how about going along and to give them some support? It helped in the semi-final and to see even more people there would make it even more of a buzz for the team.
I`m off on a surf board this week for a few days.
See you all soon, David.
