Month: June 2021

Last week it was golf in the sun down in Leeds – I even had my legs out in the practice rounds.

We had a great week at the Gordon Brand Memorial Tournament over Wikeridge and Moortown. I was swinging it good and managed a top 20, 17th place and I’m glad to say a cheque – so earnings increasing too.

It was then across country to Lytham for The Open Pre Qualifying on Sunday where my son, Gav, and I were both trying to qualify for the next stage. I won’t say who won the family spoils but see who’s smiling most when you meet us next! A highlight was the genuine Blackpool experience we had on Saturday night, fish and chips with bread and butter at Pablo’s on the seafront – dinner of champions!

I was 5 too many shots for the playoff, where 19 players on 1 under par vied for 7 spots in final qualifying. However regardless of the outcome, the experience and being part of it has moved me on a little bit further, showing me that I can “fit in” and compete at that level. Another step along the way.

I have a couple of weeks’ practice and play before the next event down at Donnington Grove, Newbury and then qualifying for the Senior Open at Bearwood Lakes.

Watch this space

All the best

Calum

How cool is it to be playing golf in the sun again? I had a great few days last week with three friends up at the Fairmont St Andrews, we played Dumbarnie and the two Fairmont courses, which were all in great shape. In the evening we did what golfers do – eat, drink and talk each other through our “great” shots from the day.

I would have been playing in Lisbon this week but had to pull out with the changing travel restrictions. I was looking forward to it, as the resort course on the coast would be windy – so like a warm St Andrews was my thinking.

On another matter, Stephen from The Edinburgh Golf Podcast contacted me a few weeks back, interested in my story of turning pro at 57. I was pleasantly surprised and we recorded the episode last week which is now live on his site. So if you fancy listening to me share it all with Stephen jump onto the site and have a listen at :-

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvNDM0Mzk5Ny9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk

Also at The Edinburgh Golf Podcast on Facebook and Twitter.

Stephen also has some great interviews on the site worth a listen – why not follow The Edinburgh Podcast on Facebook and Twitter for up to date releases.

Next week I’m off down to Leeds for the Gordon Brand Memorial over Wikeridge and Moortown then to the Open pre qualifying at St Annes Old down in Lytham St Annes. I was down this week with my son for a practice round – great links course with brown fairways, lots of bunkers and thick rough. Very scoreable so looking forward to it. It’s fun that both my son and I have ended up with the same pre qualifying course.

Will let you know how we go.

Cheers

Calum

Okay. So my plan of following Richard Bland and Phil Mickelson into the “experienced” golfers’ winning enclosure didn’t quite happen. But overall I did okay on the Masters Pro Lakes Swing this week over Kirkby Lonsdale and Carus Green.

Monday at Kirkby Lonsdale was challenging. I was like my old Ford Escort – firing on three cylinders, and not able to fix it during the round. No matter what I did I couldn’t put a decent strike on my irons. You can only imagine how disappointed I was and how confidence goes so quickly in that situation – particularly as my hopes were high after my 2 under at Pollok the previous week. An hour spent at the range and I managed to sort it out after going through my list of what it could be (I was standing a fraction close to the ball and leaving no space to swing). I was quietly pleased with myself for sorting it on my own. Only possible due to the knowledge that Coach Pete has given me over the last few months. A great confidence builder.

Tuesday was better but I made one or two errors in shot prep and execution. Result was a big 11 over for the two rounds over Kirkby Lonsdale.

Then on to Carus which starts with a 9 iron par 3 and finishes with a 6 iron par 3 – over water. I can tell you it focuses the mind on that first tee having been introduced and with a nine iron in your hand. I felt nerves in places in my body I didn’t even know I had places. Give me a driver on the first tee any day of the week!

I struck my irons real good and gave myself lots of birdie chances, however a few errors resulted in me carding 3 over for the two days. Finished 14th and just outside the money which goes up to 13th place. But it was my highest finish on the Masters Pro Tour, so really pleased and something to build on for the next event. Confidence renewed I can’t wait to get out there again.

Relaxing weekend planned and back on it next week.

All the best

Calum