It wasn`t that long ago Henrik Stenson fell off the face of World Golf. The jovial Swede completely "lost his game" and couldn`t find the golf course let alone the right fairway.

Look at him now, one of the power houses of not just European Golf but World golf and with a stunning performance at Troon last week in The Open, Stenson has reignited Swedish golf. To watch his titanic battle with Phil Mickleson on Sunday took everyone back to Turnberry and the duel in the sun between Nicklaus and Watson. This was of the same level. Birdie after birdie, blow for blow with lefty blinking first and finally submitting to the Swede on the 17th when Stenson crushed a tee shot to just 10 foot. Stenson's final round of 63 with 2 bogies deserved the Claret Jug and the title of Champion golfer.

Mickleson left the green smiling as did Nicklaus but rueing his misfortune at times. Yet when has Mickleson played a Major and been bogey free for 36 holes , opened with 63, then 65 in the last round and not won? I did say left to right ball players would do well and they proved me right.

All week the golf was brilliant, "Beef" Johnston got the crowds into it, Mickleson and Stenson low fived everyone in the gallery from green to tee box.

Other Brits showed, but the likes of Rory just couldn`t hole those clutch putts this time. One other thing to mention, well done Matt Southgate, 12th place! Another great finish from the Essex man.

The Shop sweepstake draw winner this year was Martin Lilley. As you can see from the photo Martin has enjoyed the win and all the banter from his regular playing partners who were SOOOH pleased he won, listening to how he is going to spend his money. 

  

Other podium places were Steve Faithful and Paul North. Martin's son, Michael was also a winner but only in the "duffer of the day" section. I would imagine Martin has been sat at home explaining to Michael how to pick out a "proper" winning ticket this week.




Orsett and another semi-final

Our Thornton Cup side cruised into the semi-finals with a solid 10.5 - 4.5 win over Woolston Manor last weekend. Despite the heat the team played outstanding golf and never lifted the foot off the accelerator pedal. 

They now have a semi-final against West Essex at Thorndon Park on August 21st. The other semi-final is between Rochford Hundred and Maylands to be held at Boyce Hill. For me an Orsett v Rochford final would be a great match up, two Clubs that have been deep in my golfing life. Well done team keep it going, Club Captain, John Charlick is loving it, really loving it! 

Sam makes Wee wonders National final

Sam Wilson, 6, is off to St Andrews shortly. He qualified by winning a regional final last weekend at The Celtic Manor resort in Wales by 4 shots. His sister Erin, 9, was also hoping to get through but she finished 5th in an under 11 group, so Erin and the family are off this weekend to try again. I have been helping them both recently with some course management and it is obviously starting to see improvements. Well done Sam and good luck Erin this weekend! 




Sign up, sign up . . . 

Now available is entry into my Annual Pros day on August 20th. Shot gun start at 10. 30 with all sorts of prizes to be won, 1st tee giveaways, food and drinks. So get your 4 ball signed up. £12. 50 per person only 36 teams can play, snooze you lose!




Seniors Open this week at Carnoustie, probably the toughest Open venue on the rota. I did try to qualify but a 76 got me an early drive home. It's a fantastic golfing area and Montrose was an excellent course to play. 7 day membership for Royal Montrose. . . £90.00 per year and £20.00 for a locker. 

Next year its back in Wales, I`m looking forward to it already. 

Just a few thoughts , with Ladies dominating Europe's leading powers for now, could Prime Minister May and Chancellor Merkel's first conversations this week not be on Britain's removal from the European Union but have included talks on holiday venues or what's been happening on TOWIE? Depending who wins the US Presidential race, perhaps which of them will be first to invite Hilary Clinton for a boozy river boat cruise on the Thames or the Spree? Or have they dared the other to mess up Donald Trump's famous boufon on live TV? 

Should you have an idea please forward it, a prize for the best answer.