Month: November 2021

Last week saw me competing out in Portugal at the end-of-season San Lorenzo Invitational with the Masters Pro Tour.

It was a great event, with substantial sponsorship.  I finished tied 13th over a challenging, but beautiful golf course.  I encountered greens with grain, meaning that on a couple of putts the ball seemed to break uphill – wow it blew my mind!!

We had a few days after the tournament finished before being transported home by Ryanair, so I can vouch for the apres golf in Portugal too which most of us tried!!

I had four days in the build up to the tournament just along the coast at Penina, where I spent my time practising, mainly my short game.  In fact I wore out a patch of grass just trying different techniques and slight tweaks on essentially the same chip for 5 hours each day.  I suspect the locals and green staff thought I’d lost my marbles a bit!!! It has paid off though in terms of building up some trust and confidence for me.  

I proudly was letting Coach Pete see what I’d been working yesterday until my fingers went numb in the freezing cold, back in Fife.   As I have long suspected, I think I am a warm weather golfer!!!

In case anyone’s wondering, the Covid travel requirements went really smoothly.  Full vaccinations, a locator form and two day testing once back here was all that was needed.  Despite some stories to the contrary, the border control at both ends was really smooth and straightforward.

Next is out to Marbella on Sunday for the Marbella Senior Open with the Senior Golf Tour Europe.   It’s played over two courses at Villa Padierna which looks real good with lots water involved.

Will let you know how we go.
Cheers
Calum

Lat week it was the end-of-season Masters Pro Tour Championship over both links courses at Saunton Golf Club, North Devon.  It was a great event played in big winds and rain – a great challenge and some real shot making was required which I’m happy to say I pulled off most of the time.  You know it’s a tough gig when you can’t get up to some par fours!

Anyway I posted a score on the Wednesday of level par, which left me sitting eighth, but dropped a bit on the Thursday to 11th – a reasonable result and a cheque banked!

My mate made the journey from Newmarket to caddy for me which was fun and a great experience.  I used to think caddying was just about carrying the bag, which of course it is, but the big learning for me was it buys the player so much time to think through options and assess shots – the result being increased commitment levels on each shot, vital for a good outcome.  I have to say that support like that in rainy conditions makes staying dry – or drier – much easier too.I like it and now need to work on him for caddying duties next year!

So in terms of the Masters Pro Tour, I finished the year 22nd on the Order of Merit.  I would have liked to be in the top 20 but still very pleased with my result after my first full year on tour……and now looking forward to next year.

So now it’s off to Portugal for a tournament over San Lorenzo and on to Marbella later in the month.  My game’s been good for the last few weeks and feels like scores are coming…….I’m in that place where I can’t wait for the next competitive round.

Catch up soon
Calum