2012 Opens at Wrexham

Ten fantastic open competitions will take place at Wrexham Golf Club during 2012.

The season opener is a Senior Pairs Open. This is the first of three Betterball Stableford competitions during the year for golfers aged 55 or over with a handicap of 24 or less. Entry is £45 per pair for each tournament and includes a meal. Unsurprisingly places in these events usually fill up very quickly.

Three events also take place for Lady golfers. The first two are 3-Ball Am-Am's with an entry-fee of just £36 per team. The third competition is the annual Ladies Pairs Open, a 13 hole Greensomes played in October, with a cost of only £15 per pair. A handicap of 36 or less is required for entry into any of the tournaments.

There are also two Team Am-Am's that are open to men (max handicap 20) and ladies (max handicap 30). Entry to both of these are £90 per team of four and includes a meal.

Meanwhile a Mixed Team Open is held in June and also costs £90 per team (two men and two ladies) which includes a meal.

A Pairs Open for men and ladies is scheduled for September. This is a Betterball Stableford with an entry-fee of £50 per pair including a meal.

Full details and entry-forms can be found by clicking the links below:

19/04/2012: Senior Pairs Open - £45 per pair

07/06/2012: Ladies Team Open - £36 per team

20/06/2012: Mixed Team Open - £90 per team

21/06/2012: Senior Pairs Open - £45 per pair

22/06/2012: Team Open - £90 per team

31/07/2012: Ladies Team Open - £36 per team

19/08/2012: Team Open - £90 per team

08/09/2012: Pairs Open - £50 per pair

13/09/2012: Senior Pairs Open - £45 per pair

09/10/2012: Ladies Pairs Open - £15 per pair

About Wrexham

Wrexham is one of the premier clubs in Wales giving pleasure to countless golfers through its friendly atmosphere, excellent course and modernised clubhouse.

The Club celebrated its Centenary in 2006 and has had a complete interior refurbishment. The golf course is of championship standard and well worth a visit. Numerous golfers return each year to play in the popular open events.

2012 Wessex Amateur Golf Tour

The Wessex Amateur Golf Tour is a series of events throughout Central Southern England. 

Each tournament has its own prize fund, plus there will be an order of merit champion with the five best scores out of all the events.

The intention of the tour is to provide good affordable and friendly competition on some of the best course in the area, ensuring that everyone has FUN! The format for each competition is 18 holes of Individual Stableford followed by a prize-giving. Start times are from mid-morning onwards.

Coffee & bacon rolls are provided on arrival and whilst post game meals are not included in the prices all venues will have menus available for whatever you fancy on the day.

Wessex is a region of Southern England that in truth has no real boundaries, and whilst there are many variations of a map, many choose to follow Thomas Hardy’s version in his scribes, as follows:

• Lower Wessex: Devon
• Mid Wessex: Wiltshire
• North Wessex: Berkshire
• Outer Wessex: Somerset
• South Wessex: Dorset
• Upper Wessex: Hampshire

These then are the counties that the Wessex Amateur Golf Tour will be visiting.

2012 Opens at Skidby Lakes

The three open events at Skidby Lakes offer excellent value for money at a venue that is quickly establishing itself as a really enjoyable and challenging course to play.

The first competition is the annual Senior Pairs Open on Thursday 17th May. Entry into this Betterball Stableford event is £22 per pair. Golfers must be aged 55 or over with a 3/4 handicap allowance in operation on the day. Tee times are available from 9am but are usually taken quickly.

The second tournament takes place on Tuesday 26th June and is a Ladies Team Open. Entry is just £48 per team of four and includes the two's club. The format is an Am-Am Stableford with the best two scores to count on each hole. There are also nearest-the-pin prizes on every par three! The maximum handicap is 36 (3/4 allowance) and an active handicap is required.

The third and final event is the popular Mixed Pairs Open. It's a Betterball Stableford and costs £22 per couple. Places are at a premium so early booking is required for the competition on Thursday 19th July. Again a 3/4 handicap allowance is applied with times currently available from 9.30am.

About Skidby Lakes

Opened in 2000, Skidby Lakes is situated just a short distance from the A164, close to the historic town of Beverley.

This 18 hole championship parkland course has scenic views and a challenging variety of watery holes!

The open events at the East Yorkshire course have now established themselves as popular events in the county offering excellent value with a high number of repeat visitors.

Your Job Golf Comps National Matchplay Competition

The aim of Your Job Golf Comps is to get the fun back into golf as well as adding a competitive edge.

The competition is based on a knock out round tournament, with competitors playing knockout rounds within their own county. The format of play will be Stableford match play, with a maximum handicap of 20 for men and 30 for women.

Upon registering, each successful player will go into their county draw and will then be drawn either home or away. You will be notified by email as to who you are playing in each round. It is then down to each individual to contact each other so that they can arrange to play their match, with the winner going through to the next round.

Each county will have around six knockout rounds of competition with the last round being the County final.

After the County final there will be UK final qualifying rounds where;

• England will have 38 county champions who will play for 4 places in the UK final at four venues throughout England.
• Scotland will have 28 county champions who will play for 3 places in the UK final at three venues in Scotland.
• Wales will have 8 County champions who will play for 2 places in the UK final at two venues in Wales.
• N. Ireland will have 6 County champions who will play for 1 place in the UK final at one venue.

Each job sector will then have ten finalists who will compete at Woodhall Spa to become the UK champion of their job.

Each UK sector champion will then qualify to play in an all expenses trip of a life time at the fantastic La Manga Golf resort. There he or she will become the overall “Your Job Golf Comps UK Champion”. Flights, golf and accommodation will be provided for the overall final which will be played in November 2012.

Your Job Golf Comps is recognized by the R&A, EGU, SGU, Golf Union of Wales and Ireland, as well as being supported by PGA Professionals.

Adams is big winner at Test Valley

Richard Adams (South Winchester) was the big winner at yesterday's Hampshire Alliance Christmas Bash at Test Valley Golf Club.

On a cold and windy day Adams had the best pro score with 38 points, two ahead of Shaun Hall (Botley Park), Kevin Saunders (Brokenhurst Manor) and James Willmott.

Hall and his amateur partner Dan Green won the Uniroyal Quaich with 45 points, two ahead of Jon Barnes & Andy Doswell with Graham Cowley & Neil Iacobucci in third. David Wheeler and Henry Jones were the best all-amateur combo.

Many thanks to Ali Briggs and his team at Test Valley for their hospitality.

The Hampshire Alliance next meets on Wednesday 11th January at Royal Winchester Golf Club. If you'd like to play please contact the Hampshire PGA Office today.

Men's Open at Arscott

Arscott Golf Club will host their Men's Pairs Open on Sunday 1st July 2012 with early booking essential.

This popular 4BBB Stableford competition is an absolute bargain at just £20 per pair entry for visitors. A handicap of 28 or less is required.

The entry-sheet has just opened with tee-times allocated on a first-come, first served basis. Don't delay if you want to secure a place in this excellent tournament. Enter now.

About Arscott

Arscott Golf Club overlooks the outstanding and unspoiled natural beauty of the Shropshire borders providing a stunning backdrop that few golf clubs in Shropshire can emulate.

But it's not just the sumptuous scenery, the club offers a magnificent 18 hole parkland golf course with a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Massive old oak and beech trees grace the course along with the remains of long forgotten mining and brick making industries.

The clubhouse at Arscott is a most attractive timber framed building with a perfectly positioned balcony to relax with a drink surrounded by stunning scenery.

Skipton Golf Club 2012 Opens

Eleven open events will take place at the delightful Skipton Golf Club during 2012. Entries have just opened with early booking essential.

Entry-forms for all the below events can be found here.

Gents Opens

On Sunday 27th May a Gents Team Open is one of the most popular tournaments at Skipton. This Stableford takes the best two scores on each hole except on par 3's where all four players must score. Entry is £52 per team and open to men with a handicap of 24 or less.

A similar competition will be played on Sunday 22nd July for those that miss out on the first event.

Meanwhile a Gents Pairs Open will be held on Saturday 23rd June. The format is 4BBB Stableford and costs £26 per pair.

Ladies Opens

Three ladies team competitions take place at Skipton every year with each one always becoming oversubscribed quickly.

The first event is a team of four competition with an entry-fee of £44 per team. It takes place on Monday 21st May and has a handicap limit of 36.

The second competition on Friday 22nd June is also a team of four Stableford costing £52 per team with a handicap limit of 35.

The third and final ladies open is a Turkey Trot on Tuesday 9th October. Entry is £30 per team of three with the best two scores to count except on the fifth hole where all scores count.

Mixed Opens

Skipton is a popular venue for mixed couples with three events held throughout the year.

The first competition is a Greensome Stableford on Sunday 15th April with an entry-fee of just £26 per couple. Handicap limits are 24 (men) and 35 (ladies) with times available between 8am & 3pm.

For those that don't secure a place in the season opener there is an identical event on Sunday 24th June.

A Mixed Team Open is also held on Saturday 15th September. The best two scores count in this Stableford event except on par 3's when all scores count. Entry is £52 per team.

Seniors Opens

Senior golfers also flock to Skipton on an annual basis.

A 4BBB Stableford will take place on Thursday 21st June at £26 per pair.

Whilst a Team of Four Stableford is scheduled for Wednesday 5th September. Entry is £52 per team.

Both events are open to male golfers aged 55+ with a handicap of 24 or less.

More about Skipton

Skipton Golf Club is set amidst the Yorkshire Dales between Airedale and Wharfedale.

Playing the course, you are treated to magnificent views of Sharphaw, Crookrise and Embsay Crag. Eller Beck, a superb feature of the course descends from the surrounding fells and meanders through the back nine holes, providing an interesting water hazard.

Visitors are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome and will enjoy challenging golf in the natural surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales. Many return on an annual basis to play in the Club's very popular open events.

Since the move to the present site in 1896, Skipton has matured into one of the finest courses in the North of England and continues to improve.

Visitors never fail to be impressed by the beauty of Skipton’s setting and the challenge that the course presents. From the seemingly innocuous opening Par 3 1st Hole to the challenge of Skipton’s very own “Amen Corner” comprising 13, 14 and 15, the course offers golfers of every standard a test of their golfing skills.

Once you have played Skipton for the first time, you will join the many hundreds of golfers who return year after year.

Faldo Series to create new opportunity in Austria

Sir Nick Faldo has announced that his global golf development programme will bring new opportunity to young Austrian golfers in 2012.

The inaugural Faldo Series Austria Championship will take place on July 13-15 at Waidhofen Golf Resort in Waidhofen an der Thaya.

“With the Faldo Series providing opportunity for more than 5,000 young people in 27 countries worldwide, I am delighted that golfers in Austria will also benefit from our programme in 2012,” commented Faldo, a six-time Major Champion.

“I thank CZ Golf for its continued commitment to the Series in the Czech Republic and now its sister company AT Golf for helping to bring the Series to Austria. The support of the Austrian Golf Association is also appreciated.”

“After the success of the 2011 Faldo Series at our Telc Golf Resort in the Czech Republic, and the extent to which Czech golfers benefitted, we felt strongly that our resort in Waidhofen could help bring similar opportunity to Austria,” said Dr. Petr Svrcek, Chairman of CZ Golf Group, which includes AT Golf and AT Hotel and operates six resorts across Austria and the Czech Republic.

“We fully support Sir Nick in his vision to create access to golf for as many young people as possible.”

“I am happy to welcome a Faldo Series tournament to Austria,” added Niky Zitny, Head of Sport at the Austrian Golf Association. “It is very important for young players to play high class tournaments with a lot of strong competition. I wish everybody lots of success with this event.”

Supported by The R&A, the European Tour and Lough Erne Resort, talented young golfers aged 12 to 21 will compete over 54 holes for the first Austria Championship at Waidhofen in northern Austria on July 13-15.

The field, which will also receive expert advice from guest speakers during the week, will be divided into five age-groups. The winner of each division – three boys and two girls – will qualify for the 16th Faldo Series Grand Final, to be hosted by Faldo at Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September 2012.

In a bid to create access to golf for a younger audience as well, a programme of grass-roots activities will be introduced during the tournament for children from the local community.

More Faldo Series tournaments will be added to the European schedule for 2012. Eight UK Championships across England, Scotland and Wales have been announced and dates are set to be confirmed for events in Ireland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Greece, The Netherlands, Chile, Brazil, Germany and Slovakia.

Established in 1996, 37 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 27 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 golfers participating each year. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

Golfers born in 1991 or later wishing to enter the Faldo Series Austria Championship at Waidhofen Golf Resort on July 13-15, 2012 should email address-waidhofen@atgolf.at or visit www.golfresort-waidhofen.at.

For more information on the Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com. You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faldoseries.

The perfect gift - a golf improvement solution

Golf Authority launches a fantastic gift voucher offering that ensures any golfer will be delighted with their present as they can exchange it for their choice of latest golf equipment and apparel, or even lessons from a PGA qualified coach.

All vouchers can be purchased directly from www.golfauthority.co.uk.

Paper vouchers are beautifully presented with a promotional card and personalised gift envelope, which are included in the price of the voucher.

The purchaser can buy on-line, and the physical vouchers can either be sent directly to the intended recipient or back to the purchaser to handover in person.

The recipient can redeem on-line by using the security code, and products can be shipped to anywhere, and so there are no geographical boundaries.

Electronic vouchers deliver an instant present, by creating a credit balance for the recipient on the Golf Authority website and notification via e-mail. This balance is immediately available to redeem on equipment and lessons as desired.

Even on Christmas Day morning, it’s therefore not too late to purchase a fantastic present for any golfer.

Anyone registering now will be sent a reminder on Christmas Eve, and so act now, and you’ll always have a back-up plan!

Brands stocked at Golf Authority include; Ping, Taylor Made, Titleist, Callaway, Top Flite, Footjoy, Pinnacle, SkyCaddie, Motocaddy, Calvin Klein, Golf Pride, and more.

For any further details contact: Keith Robinson, info@golfauthority.co.uk

Haydock Park 2012 Opens

Six open tournaments have just been announced at the excellent Haydock Park Golf Club, one of the North-West's premier golf courses.

The first event will take place on Friday 11th May and is a Senior Pairs Open for golfers aged 55 and over. The format is 4BBB Stableford and entry is just £30 per pair. Tee-times are usually snapped up very quickly so don't delay in sending off your entry-form.

If you don't manage to secure a place in the above competition there is an identical Seniors event played in the Autumn on Friday 14th September. Again early booking is essential.

The annual Mixed Pairs Open will be held on Sunday 3rd June. This tournament is a Betterball Stableford for mixed couples of men (max handicap 24) and ladies (max handicap 36). Entry is only £24 per couple which is undoubtedly one of the best value in the North-West. Early entry is required.

A Charity Mixed Pairs Open is also held on Sunday 26th August at £30 per couple with the same entry requirements. This is a 4BBB Stableford and provides a fantastic day of golf.

A Team Open is scheduled for Friday 29th June and also represents fabulous value for money at £48 per team of four. The best two scores count in this event which is open to both men and ladies. Teams are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

A Ladies Team Open will take place on Thursday 9th August. Entry is £48 per team of four with the best two scores to count at each hole. A 7/8 handicap allowance will be applied with a limit of 34 required to enter.

About Haydock Park

Founded in 1877, Haydock Park Golf Club is a well-established golf course situated near Haydock Park Racecourse. It is a mature parkland course of just over 6,000 yards. The course was designed by the famous golf course architect James Braid.

Haydock Park is one of the North West's top golf clubs; it's tree-lined fairways and well bunkered greens make scoring well a real challenge, for both high and low handicappers.

Membership

Membership is currently available for both Gentlemen and Ladies at Haydock Park. More information on subscriptions and the application procedure can be obtained by contacting the club directly.

Fairways 2012 Mixed Golfing Events & Holidays

Fairways specialise in events and holidays with mixed golfing holidays abroad at five star resorts, plus two and three day mixed golfing breaks at some of the UK’s finest golfing hotels.

You will play with your partner and be paired with other mixed couples or may choose to play with friends.

Fairways aim is to promote social mixed golf and friendly competition at first class golfing hotels where you can enjoy private group dinners with fine food in good company and play friendly mixed competitions over wonderful golf courses.

See a full schedule of their 2012 events.

New Mid-Amateur golf tournament announced for 2012

Wyncanton Marketing Services Ltd (Whitstable, Kent. UK) are pleased to announce a new golf championship for Mid Amateur golfers in the UK.

The North of England Mid Amateur Stroke Play Championship will take place at the impressive De Vere Slaley Hall Golf Club, Northumberland on Friday 27th July 2012.

The tournament will be held over 36 holes in one day, with the winner being the player who returns the lowest gross score for the 36 holes. Prizes will be given for the first 4 places in the scratch event and the first 3 places in the handicap event and there is an expected prize fund of over £1,000. There is also a prize for the leading player over 50 years of age. The event will be open to all male golfers over the age of 35 and who are in possession of an active CONGU handicap of 12 or less.

“Following on from the success of our first events this year, we decided to add another event for 2012. The feedback was so positive from the players that it cemented our belief that there is a huge gap in the market for new tournaments aimed at golfers aged over 35 years of age.” said Jason Morris, Golf Director of Wyncanton Marketing Services. “The Slaley Hall event will be part of the new Mid Amateur Golf Order of Merit which will run throughout the season with prizes for the leading players and will add an extra incentive for the players to do well in each event.”

“These are exciting time for us and the new web is attracting visitors from all over the world. We currently have 5 events for next year and have resurrected The Welsh Mid Amateur Championship and The Scottish Mid Amateur.”

Sponsors are also being sought for next year’s events, the Order of Merit and the web site www.midamgolf.co.uk.

Wyncanton Marketing Services are an event management company who specialise in arranging golf events, corporate golf events and society days.

Gorstyhill 2012 Opens

Five open tournaments have just been announced at the wonderful Gorstyhill Golf Club near Crewe.

The first event will take place on Thursday 24th May and is the annual Seniors Team Open. It's an Am-Am Stableford format with the best two scores to count. Entry is open to golfers aged 55 and over with maximum handicaps of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies). Entry is £52 per team of four.

The next event is an exciting PowerPlay Open. This 9 Hole Stableford costs just £10 per person and includes light refreshments after play. PowerPlay rules will apply (ie: two flags). It will be played on Saturday 26th May and is an excellent opportunity to try this new format.

A Ladies Team Open will be held on Thursday 6th September. Entry is £50 per team of four in this event where two scores count. The maximum handicap is 36. Last year places filled up very quickly so don't delay if you wish to take part.

Another event in which tee-times will be snapped up quickly is the Mixed Pairs Open on Thursday 13th September. This popular Greensome Stableford costs £27 per couple and is open to men (max handicap 24) and ladies (max handicap 36) playing as a mixed pair.

Finally another Seniors Open will take place on Monday 24th September. It's a Betterball Stableford for both sexes aged 55 and over. Entry is £28 per pair.

Tee times are available between 9am and 2.30pm for each competition with food available to purchase from 8am on the day.

About Gorstyhill

Gorstyhill Golf Club boasts a spacious Hawtree designed 18 hole course on the Cheshire and Staffordshire border at Wychwood Village, Weston, near Crewe.

Over 6400 yards off the competition tees with a combination of beautifully contoured USGA greens, tricky manicured bunkers and a variety of ponds provide a superb course for all levels of golfer.

There is a wonderful blend of attractive and interesting terrain despite the age of the course. It has matured rapidly and the greens have earned the Club a great reputation over the last 18 months.

Change of entry format for Mid-Am golf tournaments

Wyncanton Marketing Services Ltd (Whitstable, Kent. UK) are pleased to announce that they have launched a ground breaking initiative to help UK golfers enter their events in these trying times.

“Now that we have announced a full schedule of events for 2012, we have had many enquiries from players who want to enter but are finding funding these events challenging” commented Jason Morris, Golf Director at Mid-Amateur Golf. “We are trying to attract as many players from as far afield as possible so we have decided to give people the option of paying their tournament entry fees over a longer period by way of standing order so that they do not have to come up with a lump sum in one hit.”

The initiative is being offered solely for events run my Mid Amateur Golf and Wyncanton Marketing Services Limited and is the first scheme of its kind in the UK. The service is FREE to use with no additional premium for paying over a longer period of time. (Other conditions do apply – see www.midamgolf.co.uk for more details)

“We hope that many people will use the service so that they can guarantee their place in an event whilst not having to worry about finding the money in one lump sum when the closing date approaches” added Jason.

“These are exciting time for us and the new web site www.midamgolf.co.uk is attracting visitors from all over the world and we have events scheduled now at Dundonald Links, Royal St David’s, Chart Hills and The Players Club with additional Order of Merit events played at Sunningdale, Hankley Common, Berkhamsted and many more.”

Anyone who would like to register their interest to play in these events is asked to visit www.midamgolf.co.uk and email their details to the Tournament Secretary.

Golf Plus Direct launch golf fees funding facility

Golf Plus Direct Limited is a division of Zebra Finance Limited, a leading provider of funding for sports season tickets, with many clients in football, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic and Rangers, and Rugby Union, including Leicester Tigers, Wasps, Harlequins and Ospreys.

Now through Golf Plus Direct – ‘ Golf Fees Made Easy’, they are extending such facilities to UK golfers and golf clubs for the funding of annual golf subscriptions.

Funding facilities are now immediately available, providing UK club golfers with an affordable monthly solution to annual renewals and entry fees whilst enabling clubs to improve their cash flow with subscriptions received upfront in full.

UK golf club secretaries/managers and their members are invited to contact Golf Plus Direct for full details at www.golfplusdirect.co.uk or call 0844 248 4700.

Emphasising their support of UK club golfers, Golf Plus Direct are continuing their partnership with the Four Nations Golf Challenge , the unique tournament that provides the opportunity for club golfers of all standards to win an ‘International Cap’.

Peter Fletcher, Director of Golf Plus Direct Limited, said; “Having been involved with the Four Nations Golf Challenge throughout 2011, culminating in the hugely successful Grand Final broadcast on Sky Sports, we can think of no better way to demonstrate our commitment to club golfers than through our continued support of this unique event.”