Stamford's "A" team 

Continuing their winning ways with a win in the play-off semi-final of the Oldham & District Golf league. After topping there group of the season long competition Stamford had earned a home draw against local rivals Denton the A Team came out on top after a very close match. 

The usual first match pairing of Iain Starkie and Chris Houfe carried out there postman duties with a 6&4 thrashing of the first Denton pairing. Next up was Kev Duffy and Phil Hudson who won on the last when both Denton's two ball failed to get up and down on the last to win 1 up. 

Only one more point needed and with Stamford up in one, level in one and well down in the last match. It was down to Martin Dwyer and James Woodcock to close out the tie. Standing 1 up on the last Martin hit a perfect tee shot that never left the flag only to see it land 6 feet short of the flag and run off the back of the green. James Woodcock nearly took out the watching spectators with his tee shot to leave him with a tricky up and down from the back of the green. Denton's guys both missed the green short and long. With Denton to go first a poor chip left them with a 15 foot putt to save par. James hit a great chip to 4 feet to put the pressure on Matt Merson who had to play his shot with his head in a conifer, where he proceeded to make bogey. This left Martin Dwyer with a long putt from just off the back of the green. He calmly rolled it up to 9 inches and the matched was won as Denton conceded. 

The last two matches were lost with Tony Hales and Chris Easter losing on the last and the usual solid pairing of Jamie Chadwick and Taylor Yates losing 3&2. Stamford now play in the final at a neutral course with the date yet to be arranged. 

Good Luck Boys. 




Captain's Weekend 

For those of you who need a gentle reminder, or for those of you who are totally unaware, this weekend is the pinnacle of the season. Our Club Captain celebrates his year in office putting on a fine display of prizes for those who wish to compete over the weekend. 

Saturday evening is the Captains meal which is a tradition that goes back for years and years at the club. Sunday however, is an open social event which starts with a presentation of the winners over the two competition days. That is shortly followed by entertainment from Tom Scott (Comedy & vocal entertainment) - all Free of Charge. This event is run on a first come first serve basis, so book early to avoid disappointment. 

From all at the Pro Shop, we hope the weather stays fine and you all have an amazing weekend, particularly the Captain Steve Lennon.

 


Physio Corner "Egg shaped" Hips? 

After I told you how important hip health is last week, a study this week has now found that professional golfers have deformities affecting their right hip joints. (I assume the study was done on right handed golfers, although it doesn't state this) They found that left hip joints were round, but right hips were egg shaped. 

To quote the researchers "What remains to be established is whether professional golfers develop these shapes because the way they are using their hips or whether players with these hip shapes are more likely to become professional." I'm not sure which way it is either. 

I wonder whether these qualities lead to the hips moving at different speeds, and therefore promote the "in to out" swing and good timing of most pro golfers. Ultimately however I suspect it is a case of "form follows function" - by using the hips in a unique way for years, they develop unique hips. The human body is remarkable. 

The main thing for me was that the study found that 20% of European tour golfers have hip problems. And that means next week I'll be revisiting the hip joint and giving you all some helpful tips. 

Original article here.

And the more technical, original article can be found here.




Golf Etiquette & Rulings 

Searching for a Lost Ball; 

Initially as a golfer you have an allowance of 5 minutes to search for a lost ball. This time begins when either you or your caddy begins to search for the ball. If the ball is found outside the five minute allowance, you must play another ball under penalty of one stroke from as near as possible to the place the last ball was played. 

Playing a provisional ball.
 
A player may play a provisional ball if his original ball maybe lost outside of a water hazard or it may be out of bounds. This ball can be struck as many times until it passes the place the original ball was lost. 

If you have any ruling queries, please do not hesitate to contact me and if I am not certain of the answer, I will find out and get back to you. Even I don't know all of the rules!