World of Golf News

Jon Woodroffe Awarded Advanced Fellow Professional Status

Congratulations to Jon Woodroffe one of our Master Professionals at World of Golf, New Malden, who has been awarded the status of Advanced Fellow Professional by the board of the Professional Golfers Association. This is a real achievement as there are currently only 37 professionals to have been awarded this status within the British PGA. Well done Jon!
 
 

Smashing Seniors at Bletchingley

Although well into November, another glorious day met the seniors for the second running of the championship, this time over the beautiful 18 hole course at Bletchingley near Godstone.

We amassed 3 fourballs of players and at high noon the tournament began. Soon into the flow of things, the third, a fairly straightforward par 4 with a nasty sloping putting surface, became the graveyard of Hugh's 6 iron as he struck the ball extremely well from about 150 yards out and the ball soared into the middle of the green, rapidly followed by the iron head as it careered down the fairway after it. Undaunted, a couple of putts later and a par was recorded.

The changes in elevation of the course afford some gorgeous views of the Surrey countryside, and the changes in elevation of the players shots caused some variation in the scoring, some shots expertly hit low under the overhanging branches of trees, some shots hit very low under imaginary overhanging branches, or at least that is what I presume they were intending.

As the sun went down on a smashing winter's afternoon, sadly not all the groups managed to finish the course, but all thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing this pretty course and the scoring during the championship is definitely improving.

The winner of the tournament this time, with an excellent score of 23 points was Tony Michael.

The next Seniors golf game is planned for Thursday 26th January and is to be held at Epsom Golf Club, for anyone wishing to come along, please contact Jon Woodroffe on woodroffe17@btinternet.com

Fairways Golf Day at Chessington

The last Fairways golf day of the year mirrored the first in that it was held at Chessington Golf Centre and as ever we were tremendously lucky with the weather, to be wandering around a golf course in the middle of November in a tee shirt is quite remarkable and the 10 brave souls who joined us made the most of a lovely afternoon.

The second hole with it’s pond in front of the green caused its usual degree of trauma, although the sense of satisfaction it gives to see the ball soar over it and land on the green as I saw many do is fantastic.

I also witnessed a stunning approach shot by Ray at the third which I lost in flight as it soared over a tree from over 120 yards away, only to see it plummet to earth to within 2 feet of the pin, which was duly tapped into the hole for a birdie 3, and I hear tales of Isla chipping in at the fifth, the roar rivalling anything coming from Wembley that evening.

So this brings to an end a year of Fairways golf days where we have endeavoured to introduce as many Fairways members as possible to the joys of taking the skills we have taught them on the golf range out onto the golf course in a way that makes them feel comfortable and not under pressure, playing late afternoon on weekends so that the golf course is quiet, nothing worse as a beginner than being chased by players, puts you under pressure and makes the whole experience scary.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to my colleague Grant Guerin for all his help in the 9 Fairways golf days we have operated as well as my wife and other volunteers who have given up their time to make these days possible, and we look forward to starting the whole process off again in the new year, for dates of forthcoming Fairways golf days, please contact reception or look out for the Fairways newsletter coming soon

Latest Fairways Events

Fairways coaching holiday

The first Fairways golf coaching holiday took place from the 24th to 27th October 2011, and 12 brave souls had signed up to take on the challenge of 4 x 9 holes of golf at Vila Sol in Vilamourra in Portugal’s Algarve region.

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World of Golf Society Golf Day

Sutton Green Golf Course - 27th October 2011

The inaugural World of Golf Society Golf Day was held at Sutton Green Golf Club on Thursday 27th October and although the sun didn’t shine, the rain held off and 35 players took to the course along with 4 of the professional staff helping with tips and advice. 
Sutton Green offers a pleasant blend of golf holes from the cute 5th just over 100 yards long to the monster 520 yard 1st. The players had some very positive feedback for the condition and layout of the course and the scoring was of a very good standard.
                                

There was a stableford competition as well as some other fun competitions, like nearest the pin, longest drive and longest putt, as well as the recovery shot of the day which went to Milan as undaunted by being faced with a forest of 50 foot high trees on the 6th hole, he blasted his ball through all of them and somehow it managed to crawl through and end up on the putting surface, a shot that even Seve in his heyday would have thought twice about taking on.

The overall winner on a magnificent score of 40 points, but only winning on a count back on the back 9 was Jeff Walden. Second was Gary Parkinson. In third on 37 points again taking that position on a count back was Jordan Devaney from Barry Lilley in 4th.
The 18 holes of golf were preceded by coffee and bacon rolls on arrival and followed by a very pleasant bowl of soup and a plentiful supply of sandwiches which all the players enjoyed; here are one or two comments from the participants.
                    
“I had a great time and the organisation was excellent. I would definitely recommend it to my friends. Very friendly atmosphere”

” It was my first society golf day and I thought it was great. I would do it again in a heartbeat for me the day was spot on many thanks”

“ An excellent day of golf with some fun competitions as well. Yes would definitely recommend to friends”

 
For details of where and when the next World of Golf  Society Golf Day is taking place, please ask at reception 020 8949 9200
      
 

Seniors Golf Championship

Thames Ditton & Esher Golf Club 20th Sept 2011

The second seniors golf away day became the first seniors championship as the guys did battle at Thames Ditton and Esher 9 hole course for the trophy and bragging rights off top of the class, no excessive prize money in this event.

A total of 9 brave souls embarked, many on a journey of discovery, myself included as we had never played the course before and the tricky fairways and deep rough took their toll on the scoring, and the quantity of golf balls remaining in golf bags by the end. Although the longest hole is only 375 yards long the course is well protected by it’s narrowness and the slightly off putting appearance of members of the general public from the undergrowth just as the player is at the top of their backswing ready to unleash a missile drive. In spite of these distractions scores were good; although I am sure Mike will bemoan the lady playing with her dog and young baby in the middle of the 6th fairway for 5 minutes oblivious to the shouts and gesturing from him and his playing partners for her to take cover.

The results were as follows;

• Winner on 17 points for 9 holes Hugh
• Second on 16 points was Mike
• And bronze medal went to Phil on 15 points
• Worth a mention is Tony who missed the first couple of holes but still ended up with 10 points.

So thank you to all the guys and we now look forward to the next game, the date and venue for which are to be confirmed.

Jon Woodroffe
Master Professional World of Golf

Fairways Golf Day at Sutton Green Golf Club

Although the tail of hurricane Katya was wagging with vengeance on the afternoon of 11th September, the Fairways members went storming around Sutton Green Golf Club near Guildford.

This was the longest and toughest challenge that we have subjected the Fairways members to and they rose to the occasion, with one of them having a run of 3 pars in a row, and one of those was a whisker from being a birdie.

The Sutton Green golf course is a very interesting venue with a great mix of short holes, the 5th is just over 100 yards long, some long holes, the first is over 520 yards. Also some tricky dog legs and a sprinkling of water holes. The 9th proved to be an issue, a 320 yard par 4 with a large lake running the length of the right hand side, with one group blaming my advice for them losing half a dozen balls between them on that hole alone.

The weather produced a couple of batches of showery rain, but by and large the sun shone on the Fairways members again, the verdict seemed to be that this step up in venues was a hit and is something we will look to continue with in the new year when the schedule is set.

For me the shots of the day were the immense drive of Adam’s on hole 6 that went round the corner of the dog leg meaning his second shot was a mere flick with a wedge to claim his 3rd par in a row, and Neville’s drive at the last left him the wrong side of the lake, and rather than take the safe shot back across to the fairway, he took on the near 200 yard shot over the water to end up perfectly placed just in front of the green, that took some courage, or determined bloody mindedness not be beaten by the hole, either way I was impressed.

We are looking to sneak one more Fairways golf day in before the clocks go back, that will be at Thames Ditton and Esher golf club, the exact date to be confirmed soon.

Jon Woodroffe
Master Professional World of Golf

 

Fairways Golf Day at Pachesham Golf Centre -
August 2011

The 5th Fairways golf day was graced by fine weather in spite of the forecast and the 26 participants made the most of the lovely afternoon and the attractive Surrey course to have a great afternoon of fun.

The course had lots of tricky little ditches and ponds and collectively a fair quantity of golf balls were fed to the residing fish population, but there were many high points, including the monster 230 yard drive smacked by Jane at the 4th hole. Bob started with an arrow straight drive down the first and a superb approach shot into the final green and plenty of good things in between, and everybody had that gorgeous blend of flashes of inspiration followed by bouts of doom, despair and despondency, but all in all a hugely successful fun Fairways golf day. 

A huge thank you to the army of helpers that dished out advice and encouragement all the way round the golf course, saving many more shots and golf balls from going astray,.

“The opportunity to take what you had taught us at “Beginners” on to a proper and very picturesque course for 9 holes was not wasted on any of us and the chance to play with others of similar skill in an only slightly competitive way was brilliant.
 
As soon as the round started we settled in quickly and all enjoyed each others game and company in a very relaxed environment and with you “pros” dipping in and out, it gave the opportunity to get on under our own steam but also to ask questions and at the same time try our best, with the knowledge that tweaks and reminders on playing the shot correctly were always there if we wanted or needed them. I know it has already given me a lot more confidence than just whacking balls on a range would have done.
 
I can honestly say that it was one of the best afternoons I have spent in a long while and can’t wait for the “Improvers” and a chance to visit another course on your next Fairways jaunt."  Bob Harper

 

Fairways Golf Day at Moore Place

The next Fairways golf day is due to be on Sunday August 7th at Pachesham in Leatherhead, a slightly longer and more challenging test, for details of cost and availability ask at reception.
 

T-Rex is a smash hit with junior golfers
 

Ian Clark makes 3rd Annual 3Jack Top 50 Instructor List

Congratulations to Ian Clark one of our Master Professionals at World of Golf New Malden who has been listed in the 2011 3Jack Top 50 instructor List, read more

Become a Better Golfer With Fairways

World of Golf is fast earning a reputation as the best place to learn to play the game. No old fashioned attitudes - just a warm welcome, great advice and a friendly atmosphere.

With this in mind, we've created Fairways which is all about learning the game of golf, developing your skills and helping you on the road to becoming a competent golfer.

Benefits include:

• 50% free range card credit
• A 7 iron which is yours to keep
• £20 voucher off our Improvers Course
• 4 free group coaching sessions
• Member only clinics, social events and offers
• Plus more…

If you want to mix with like minded people who want to improve their game and have some fun - join today.

Find out more

Joey Carlisle - Awarded Advanced PGA Member

World of Golf is delighted to congratulate another of our top teaching professionals on becoming an Advanced member of the PGA of Great Britain.

Joey Carlisle has been with us at the Sidcup World of Golf for over 10 years now. He is always immensely busy with his golf coaching business but also finds time to persue a very successful playing career featuring in Europro Tour events seen regularly on Wednesdays on Sky Sports 3. But it is largely for his tireless work in helping the customers of World of Golf Sidcup improve their golf, particularly our junior golfers that has lead to the PGA bestowing this award on Joey.

If you would like to experience a golf lesson with this charismatic, enthusiastic Advanced PGA professional then please contact World of Golf Sidcup on 020 8301 0181 or go on line at www.worldofgolf.co.uk

David Young Awarded Advanced Professional Status

David Young is the latest in the growing World of Golf Teaching Professionals to be awarded the the status of Advanced Professional by the board of the Professional Golfers Association.

Read the full story here

Truly a World of Golf

PGA Proessional Jon Woodroffe visited the remote village of Vale De Custa on the island on Santiago, where he helped enthusastic youngsters enjoy their first shot at hitting a golf ball.

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World of Golf Awarded Rangemark Accreditation

World of Golf Sidcup, New Malden and Croydon have been awarded the Rangemark Accreditation.

For more information click here