Rory glory in Homeland... Tournament host Rory McIlroy, entertained his beloved Irish community and legions of golf fans with a win in last week's Irish Open. The world no 3 hit 2 amazing shots to leapfrog a disappointed Russell Knox and win. No one had gone for the par 5, 16th green in two all day but Rory just pounded two shots onto the hallowed turf and two putted to take the lead from playing partner Knox who 3 putted from the same area. Rors followed it up with a majestic 5 wood to 3 feet on the last to rub it in. 

Just as big a moment was for local Tour player and friend. Matt Southgate who had his best ever finish in 4th. Matt, last year was diagnosed with testicular cancer and overcame this problem to win back his playing rights at Tour School late last year and as they say, the rest is a great story. Congratulations to him even more so, Rory doesn`t need the adulation or money but Matt undoubtedly does. Keep a watch for him as he`s a streaky player and when he`s on he goes low. Wentworth this week, wouldn`t surprise me if he isn`t in the mix again.


 

Will I am ready… 

Will Percival has been making a name for himself in County golf this season. 

The Orsett teenager has put a recent string of impressive results together and eclipsed everything so far this season with a win in the recent County Colts Championship at Southgate's home club Thorpe Hall. 

He finished 5th in the main Michael Bonnallack event but a win in the Colts has helped him build towards that first big County title. 

With the Essex Championships just around the corner the Orsett man could be a real threat; 

Let's hope so.




Cadets win again… 

Orsett Cadets solidified their hold of the Youth Shield trophy with a 3-2 win at rivals Boyce Hill recently. Matches were close but enough was done and an away win was extremely important to Cadet Organiser, Mark White. "great win for the team, two new players on the day, so delighted for them. We have to keep the momentum up now and win our next two home games" 

If you can spare a couple of hours this Sunday, the Orsett Thornton Cup team would love your support. They are away at Stockbrook Manor in the second round. A friendly face is always welcome. 


 

Barry clean sweeps at the weekend… 

Barry Sutton recently had a playing lesson and his reason was why do I waste shots all the time? Having watched him play a couple of holes it became apparent his concentration switched on and off at the wrong time. Now no one can focus for 4 hours but 15 seconds, probably? 

This was instilled in the rest of the time along with a few club decisions around the green. With this in mind Barry won both his Saturday and Sunday sweeps with 36 points from a 5 handicap. His Club handicap is 11! 

If this is something that you constantly do, waste shots, perhaps I can help you in the same vein. It doesn`t always have to be technical to improve. 

Get in touch the usual ways and let's see how many shots I can save you in one round.




Muirfield loses the Open… 

Always rated in Britain's top 3 courses, Muirfield or the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (or not so Honourable) voted to remain an all-men bastion. So happy to stay as they were and rightly the R&A removed them from the Open rota where the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Ernie Els and Phil Mickleson have all won in days gone by. 

When will these "Elite" places learn they are not bigger than the game itself and are doing more harm with this type of promotion? I've had the chance to play there (only just) as we were only a three ball on the day and not the expected 4 ball due to ill health. It took 25 minutes to decide if "they" would let us on the course! Thankfully they did, we were among all 16 people out there that day and could have stopped a little lads dream of playing Jack Nicklaus` favourite British venue at the time. So their attitude hasn`t changed for over 35 years or more. 

Should we care too much about this antiquated Club too much? Wouldn't surprise me if too many of the members have ever washed a dish or cleaned a window for their wives either! Muirfield …get with the 21st Century and let the ladies in.