Use SWOT to Help Define your Goals

SWOT Analysis is a useful technique for understanding your Strengths and Weaknesses, and for identifying both the Opportunities open to you and the Threats you face.

Used in a golf context, a SWOT Analysis helps you understand more about your golf game be it your swing, long game, short game, putting or mental attitude. Used in a personal context, it helps you develop your career in a way that takes best advantage of your talents, abilities and opportunities.

What makes SWOT especially powerful is that, with a little thought, it can help you uncover opportunities that you would not otherwise have spotted. And by understanding your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate threats that might otherwise hurt your ability to move forward.

If you look at yourself using the SWOT framework, you can start to separate yourself from your peers, and further develop the specialised talents and abilities you need to advance your career.

Strengths

• What advantages do you have that others don’t have (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections) outside of golf?
• What do you do better than anyone else in golf?
• What personal resources can you access?
• What do other people see as your strengths?
• Which of your achievements are you most proud of both inside and outside of golf?
• What values do you believe in that others fail to show at your club?
• Are you part of a network that no one else is involved in? If so, what connections do you have with influential people who can help you with your goals?
• Consider this from your own perspective, and from the point of view of the people around you. Don’t be modest or shy – be as objective as you can.

Weaknesses

• What tasks do you usually avoid because you don’t feel confident doing them?
• What will the people around you see as your weaknesses i.e. retail, teaching, playing?
• Are you completely confident in your education and skills training? If not, where are you weakest, accounting, presenting, and teaching?
• What are your negative work habits (for example, are you often late, are you disorganised, do you have a short temper, or are you poor at handling stress?
• Do you have personality traits that hold you back in your field? For instance, if you have to conduct meetings on a regular basis, a fear of public speaking would be a major weakness.

Opportunities

• What new Golf technology can help you stand out from the crowd i.e. Sam Putt lab or Trackman.
• The golf industry is growing in certain parts of the world i.e. China? How can you take advantage of the current market?
• Do you have a network of strategic contacts to help you, or offer good advice?
• Can you create something new for the golf industry
• Do your customers or suppliers complain about something in your club or driving range? If so, could you create an opportunity by offering a solution?
• You might find useful opportunities in the following:
  • Networking events, PGA educational classes, or conferences, webinars.
  • Is a fellow professional going on an extended leave? Could you take on some of this person’s duties to gain experience?
  • A new role or project that forces you to learn new skills, like event management, trick shot shows.
  • Do you have specific skills (like a second language) that could help you travel?
  • Also, importantly, look at your strengths, and ask yourself whether these open up any opportunities – and look at your weaknesses, and ask yourself whether you could open up opportunities by eliminating those weaknesses.

Threats

• What obstacles do you currently face?
• Are any of your colleagues competing with you for projects or roles?
• Is your job (or the demand for the things you do) changing?
• Does changing technology threaten your position?
• Does the club believe they don’t need to pay a retainer to a club professional?
• Performing this analysis will often provide key information – it can point out what needs to be done and put problems into perspective.

A SWOT matrix is a framework for analysing your strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats that you face. This helps you focus on your strengths, minimise your weaknesses, and take the greatest possible advantage of opportunities available to you.

Remember it might feel like you have little control over where your career is heading. By calling Club Inc. you will find it really doesn’t have to be that way.

If you want to know more then listen to the webinar or feel free to contact Club Inc. Remember if you become a friend of Club Inc by simply clicking on our website www.clubincorporated.com you get a free coaching session providing you sign up by the end of our four session webinar series.

Putting: 3 Steps to Help Players Overcome the Dreaded ‘Yips’

Hugely feared, and  rarely discussed, the ‘Yips’ is a putting affliction which results in extreme technical, physical and mental difficulties for a player that can often lead to quitting the game.  Players who have experienced the yips  have reported uncontrollable shaking, trembling, involuntary movments, an  inability to move the putter back or forward, detached feelings, excessive anxiety, embarrassment and paranoia.

Try these 3 steps to get a player back on course:

1.  Work with the player to fully ‘reconstruct’ his/her stroke.  Bernhard Langer (right), who has overcome the yips twice, felt he had to change his stroke completely to feel he was executing a new skill.

2.  Start with the least stressful first (i.e. on your own on the practice putting green) and gradually move up to more stressful situations over time (i.e. competition play) as the fear of missing/making a ‘jabby/yippy’ stroke begins to lessen.   My experience shows that players realise it is largely a mental problem when they realise they can putt well when nobody else is around.

3.  The yips are about fears and  panic.  Help your player begin to challenge those fears.  What players begin to fear is the fear itself, not the missing of putts.  Get your player to stay with it and keep practising; withdrawal from golf will only feed the fear!

Dr. Brian Hemmings has been lead psychologist to England golf for over a decade. During this time he has helped develop the mental skills of the best emerging English golfers including the likes of recent BMW International Open champion Danny Willett, Ross Fisher, Richard Finch, Tom Lewis, David Horsey and Chris Wood. Brian is author of the book ‘Mental Toughness for Golf: The Minds of Winners’ and is also a regular presenter on the PGA CPD programme.

Brian has released a fully online Golf Psychology Coaching Certificate course that carries 100 PGA CPD points and has been completed with great reviews by PGA professionals.  Go to www.golfpsychologycoaching.co.uk  for full details.  The course is full of practical activities for the PGA professional to guide players through improving their mental game, and is endorsed by some of England’s best coaches.  You can complete the course at home so you will have no travel costs or time away from your work.  All you need is a player to work with and the time to complete the course activities.   For a price reduction type in the promotional code 2012 to reduce the price from £295 to £219.

As the pursuit of a coveted Passport to Pravets hots up, the senior of the golfing brothers 33-year-old Hugo, who is based at Vilamoura Laguna, gets his entry as the inaugural winner, after a play-off against Ben Collier, in 2011.

To back up his bid to successfully defend the title of PGA Professional Champion of Europe, Hugo now has the valued tournament experience of having represented Portugal, alongside brother Ricardo, in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China last November (right).

The PGA Professional Championship of Europe has already established itself as a ‘must play’ event for the elite of club and teaching professionals who include tournament play in their varied list of activities and the pursuit of places is now underway in earnest as players at national championships and other leading events across the Confederation of Professional Golf member countries jostle for the chance to win the title of individual champion of Europe.

Several countries have already staged their qualifiers, as the list below indicates, and soon more names of qualifiers will be announced as others compete to join them for a shot at the prestigious European crown currently held by Santos.

Israel’s Oren Geri (left), a professional who will have benefited from the Golf Development Programme staged by The R&A and the Confederation of Professional Golf, is among the growing list of qualifiers. Aged 37 from Tel Aviv, Geri earned his place while competing at the Caesarea club championships in trials for the country’s Maccabi Games which takes place every four years there, and will be held next in 2015, one year before the return of the sport’s eagerly-anticipated return to the Olympics, in Brazil.

Though initially a leading amateur, golfing progress was not straightforward for him in his teenage years due to the obligatory three-year military service but he persevered to eventually become the pro at Herzelia where he works to service the golfing requirements of its members in terms of lessons and club fitting.

Geri, who played in the Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed BlackSeaRama Pro-Am in Bulgaria in July, said: “My goal in participating in the event at Pravets is to represent the relatively young PGA of Israel in the true spirit of the game, network with our colleagues from Europe who are so kindly helping us develop our organisation and skill level…and create awareness to our existence.”

UNICREDIT PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP of EUROPE
(Confirmed Qualifers to date)

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Hugo Santos

AUSTRIA: Christopher Bausek, Stephanus Waltman
CROATIA: Marin Stahan
FINLAND: Sakari Aho, Joonas Paananen
FRANCE: Bertrand Cornut, Frederic Cupillard, Benjamin Nicolay
ISRAEL: Oren Geri
SLOVENIA: Janez Grilc
SWEDEN: Peter Grimfjord, Frederic Almskoug

In a GOLF EUROPE facelift taking place under Messe Augsburg’s philosophy of New venue, New look, New attractions, the welcoming hosts are staging a DEMO DAY, for the first time ever in this, its 19th year.

This will take place at GolfRange Augsburg on September 15, 2012 (10am – 4pm) in collaboration between Messe Augsburg and its partners GolfRange Augsburg, the Confederation of Professional Golf, PGA of Germany and GMVD.

“It offers a great opportunity for the golf industry to present their latest products in front of experts and the golfing public,” say the organisers. “The pleasant ambience of GolfRange Augsburg offers exhibitors, visitors and press the perfect environment for presenting products.

“Several hitting bays, putting greens and pitching areas have been reserved for the GOLF EUROPE 2012 DEMO Day offering the chance to present yourself and your products to potential purchasers. The GolfRange will be divided into two zones: a public zone and an expert zone. ”

The public zone can be freely accessed by all visitors where they can be taught the rudiments of golf and where there will be ‘taster courses’ offered by the PGA Pros. Only industry professionals will have access to the expert zone, so exhibitors can present their products while also networking in suitable surroundings.

GolfRange Augsburg is a very short drive from the trade fair centre, though a bus shuttle service will be available to bring the professional visitors from the trade fair.

Enter PRODUCT AWARD scheme to showcase your wares
Until the beginning of September, exhibitors from the categories golf clubs, caddies, clothing, shoes, accessories and training aids are invited to enter their innovative products for the award. The products must have been on the market for less than two years and will be presented to a carefully selected jury of experts from trade, media and professionals. The title is not only tempting, though. The award show will take place during the exhibitors’ evening at the end of the first fair day, giving the winners of the award significant media exposure as all members of the international trade press are invited to attend.

Sample Perfect Putting Greens
The team of GOLF EUROPE is very happy to announce the participation of two putting green specialists: Southwest Greens from the Netherlands will install one of the two artificial greens. Another large putting green will be produced by the German company Private Greens & FiberGrass especially for the trade-fair. On both greens visitors can expect an entertaining and interactive programme.

Messe Augburg’s ‘Amazing Dedication’
Thomas Roiser, CEO of KOMPERDELL, confirmed the trade fair’s importance for the golf industry: ‘We are delighted that GOLF EUROPE will continue to take place, and about its new location in Augsburg. We really appreciate the amazing dedication shown by the Messe Augsburg team. It is an excellent opportunity for KOMPERDELL Golf to present the coming season’s new products to a trade and professional audience. The trade fair is vital for Europe’s golf market.’

‘The Entire Industry Profits…” say PGA of Germany
For Rainer Goldrian, chief executive of PGA of Germany, the continuation of GOLF EUROPE is of fundamental significance for the entire European golf market: ‘We are very happy indeed about the fact that GOLF EUROPE has found a new and extremely attractive home in Augsburg after a break of only one year,” he said.

” It was hugely important that the leading golf trade fair was resurrected as soon as possible as the market needs this fair, and calls for it. We are looking forward to supporting this event together with the Confederation of Professional Golf in the role of co-operative partner and conceptual promoter.

“The entire golf industry profits from the fact that this established platform is maintained; particularly also our members, the PGA golf professionals, who welcome the return of GOLF EUROPE as an informative event, a place to meet other like-minded people from trade and industry, and as an event where a number of business relationships are forged.

” The lay-out of the Augsburg exhibition grounds is simply perfect for this event, and I am sure that we can look forward to an Augsburg première for GOLF EUROPE in September which will be successful in every respect.’

More Info visit www.golf-europe.com

The survey, conducted by global aviation research organisation SKYTRAX,  polled over 18 million business and leisure air travellers from 100 countries  and the winners of these passengers’ choice awards were announced at the Farnborough Airshow, UK on 12th July.

“For the third time in four years, customers have ensured that Aegean Airlines achieves its deserved recognition by winning the award for the Best Regional Airline in Europe,” said Edward Plaisted, SKYTRAX chief executive.

“This repeat result is an excellent achievement and Aegean Airlines should be proud of this customer recognition of quality consistency. Aegean Airlines continues to be a favourite amongst passengers and it is very noteworthy that it has also maintained its place in the top-25 global airlines,”

Dimitris Gerogiannis, Aegean Airlines chief executive commented: “…this award is the best recognition of the high standards Greek tourism can provide especially during these times and that is something that fills us with pride. I would like to thank everyone at Aegean for their everyday efforts and of course our passengers for their continued trust and support.

” It is more important than ever to prove that Greece, its companies and its people deserve such awards.”

Air travellers were surveyed by telephone, questionnaires and online about their experiences with airlines on the ground and in the air during a 10-month period. The survey measured passenger satisfaction across more than 38 key performance indicators of airline front-line product and service, including check-in, boarding, onboard seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and staff service.

The Survey covered 246 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.

The Aegean Airlines Pro-am has been endorsed by the Confederation of Professional Golf for the past seven years with huge success and popularity and has showcased golf in Greece, its islands and Cyprus at a variety of excellent resorts in making a huge contribution to growing the game.

With a safe regulation par on the first hole of a sudden death play-off, Shane McHenry claimed the  Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed, 4th BlackSeaRama VIVACOM Pro-Am in Bulgaria as his last challenger, Gary Birch Jnr, failed at the final hurdle by pushing his tee shot out of bounds.

The pair had survived all the varied hazards of the ‘triple treat’ tournament played over 54-holes on three different and demanding golf courses on one-under-par 214, McHenry having caught overnight leader Birch with a 69 against a 70…leaving one last drama to unfold.

Designer Gary Player no doubt had the notion of possible golfing theatre with his signature hole in the shape of sudden death play-offs when he fashioned the 212-metre par three 18th  located between the clubhouse and the threatening cliffs on the BlackSeaRama course.

A cliff-hanger of a finish it certainly provided with the pair being confronted by the  challenging tee shot that offered ‘sudden death’ for all who miss the green, a trap that McHenry avoided…but Birch didn’t !

Austria-based, Australia-born McHenry (pictured) was left to merely get down in two putts for the top prize.

Although they had finished tied on 214 the head-to-head final day leaders arrived there by a vastly different route….Birch Jnr on a golfing version of a switchback ride and McHenry with a rather less eventful eighteen holes.

The excellent BlackSeaRama course was to prove something of a relief from Friday’s gale-tossed lottery at Thracian Cliffs. Beginning as it does with the opportunity of an opening birdie four, it also offers further such chances on its par five holes.

Birch, however, sprinkled his front nine with an erratic mixture of four birdies, two pars, two bogeys and a double bogey to be level-par for the day at the turn. It was only then that he settled down as a possible winner with a run of seven pars topped by birdies on the final two holes…quite a journey!

McHenry, in contrast, birdied the first, parred the next nine, added another birdie and three pars and reached the 15th before leaking a shot.  His birdie-birdie-par finish took him safely into the play-off.

These two apart, the ‘triple treat’ proved to be a triple battle for the field of professionals and their amateur partners. In third place for the pro prize money was Morgon Olofsson…seven strokes behind the other two on plus six.

Results – CLICK HERE

Day 2 – Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort

Gary Birch Jnr Survives Windswept day for Final-Day Lead in Bulgaria
Take a stretch of cliff-face terrain, ask Gary Player to create a golf course to attract all but the faint hearted, turn up the wind volume to something like gale-force off the Black Sea and what do you get? Thracian Cliffs on Day Two of the BlackSeaRama VIVACOM Pro-am!

Bulgaria’s Cape Kaliakra region, where golf is becoming established as a ‘must visit’ attraction for the sport’s travelling new-experience seekers, continued to showcase its many and varied features at the half-way stage of the Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed tournament.

If the first round on the Lighthouse course was tough enough – only four of the assembled professionals breaking par – the second round, as scores were blown off-par by gusts from the sea,  was described by more than one of the participants as ‘brutal’.

A clue to the  overall difficulty was provided by overnight leader Shane McHenry whose three under became two over despite a promising start of a birdie at the third in the middle of two pars each side…but, after that, six bogeys from the sixth reflected a struggling, windswept day for all.

This bogey run opened the way for Gary Birch Jnr to inch into a one-stroke lead going into the third and final day on the back of an heroic three-over par 75, one of the best round of a day of high scoring and one ahead of McHenry.

Son of a golf pro, British-born, reared mainly in Germany and currently resident in Abu Dhabi in the PGA of the United Arab Emirates, 34-year old Birch was able to call on the experience of having learned his trade in the European, the European Challenge, the South African  Sunshire and the EPD Tours.

Martin Dewhurst was another to hang in there after a decent first day, also with a battling 75 for a four-over-par 36 hole total and his deserved place among the final day front runners. Based at the Costa Navarino Resort in Greece, Dewhurst moved to within two shots of his Austrian compatriot, McHenry for third place.

Among the opening leaders to hold on well was Neil Turley, Bulgarian-based but occupied mainly with off-course matters these days, whose plus-7 for plus-6 overall, was commendable in the conditions and would have been better but for the ugliest of nines on the par-five third.

As for those whose scores suffered most, Ulas Karatas could have been excused for feeling  as though he had fallen off the cliff as his challenging first round two under par 69 plummeted  to  a heart-lurching 85, thirteen over par, ‘helped’ by three double bogeys and a triple for an eight at the par five tenth.

Israeli Oren Geri, another of the first-round hares, suffered similarly as he handed in an 80, eight over par…though they were not the only ones to suffer on a day when the elements combined with the toughest of golf courses to ensure that bridies were outnumbered by bogeys, or worse, on a ratio of three to one.

 Day 1 – Lighthouse Golf & SPA Resort

Shane, the Aussie from Austria, Leads BlackSeaRama VIVACOM Pro-Am
Clifftop golf, against a spectacular Black Sea backdrop, proved a tough challenge for the fourth Confederation of Professional GolfBlackSeaRama Pro-Am field – but a quartet of players, Shane McHenry, Gary Birch, Ulas Karatas and Neil Turley, managed to beat the par of 71 in helping to showcase golf in Bulgaria.

Of this leading threesome, Austria-based Australian Shane McHenry cashed in on the experience of a top four finish in last year’s event with an opening three-under-par 68 on the Ian Woosnam signature Lighthouse Course as those around him struggled to make it into red figures.

The 38-year-old opened with a birdie three, carved further shots off par at the sixth, tenth and 16th and was heading for a four-under-par finish until he tangled with the long,  testing 18th for the only blemish on a splendid opening salvo.

In his spasmodic breaks from his Alpine located day job, McHenry clearly finds that  visits to the scenically spectacular Cape Kaliakra Resorts bring the best out of him. In forging his top-four finish last year he succeeded in setting a course record 68 on the superb but scary Thracian Cliffs course, perched perilously above the Black Sea.

Gary Birch was the first to make a meaningful challenge for the pacemaker role but though he carded birdies at the third, tenth and 15th, a bogey at the short but tricky par-three 11th, where correct club selection is crucial but not easy to decide, restricted him to two-under 69.

Birch was joined on two under by  Ulas Karatas, the Turkish player who has previously graced leaderboards of Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed tournamants, including this years Kempinski ‘The Dome’ event at Antalya.

It was perhaps no coincidence that his opening round was marred by the same holes that prevented McHenry and Birch enjoying a trouble-free 18-holes. Like the first round leader he claimed four birdies but dropped shots at the 11th and 18th, where problem obviously lurked for all.

As the day’s statistics were to show, these were the most difficult holes on the day while the 16th was the least difficult. The day ended on a satisfying note for Neil Turley, one of the pioneers of professional golf in Bulgaria and instigator of the BSR pro-am, when he claimed fourth place with a one-under-par 70.

In this year’s ‘triple treat’ , three-course format the professionals and their three-man teams of amateurs now move from the Lighthouse Course to two Gary Player designs,  the Thracian Cliffs for the second round before the final bid for a share of the pro prize fund and amateur prizes at the stylish BlackSeaRama Resort.

Leaderboard – CLICK HERE

The fourth annual Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed VIVACOM BlackSeaRama Pro-Am, Bulgaria, offers a new and unique triple treat for contestants on July 10-15, this year in the shape of the 54-hole tournament being staged across three of Europe’s newest and most dramatically exciting challenges.

In its previous three years the BlackSeaRama Pro-Am has made a significant contribution to golf in Bulgaria with its events at the luxury Resort on the superb Gary Player-designed golf course.

Now a whole dimension has been added for the four-man teams of PGA pro and three amateurs in the addition of the ‘Lighthouse’ (right) and ‘Thracian Cliffs’ (below) courses ingeniously threaded, as they are, along the ruggedly beautiful high-rise coastline in the North East , Varna region of the country.

Breathtaking sea views towards the magnificent and extremely diverse bay from Cape

Kaliakra to Cape Galata of the Black Sea are the backdrop to a region that is being described in the travel industry as among Europe’s most attractive for sport, leisure and general tourism.

BlackSeaRama is ‘the first championship signature golf course in Bulgaria – 18 holes, par 72,  6,648 metres in length – and the first completed project of Gary Player in Eastern Europe. But it doesn’t end there. “This year we decided to make the tournament even more challenging by including our neighbouring courses – Lighthouse – an Ian Woosnam Signature Golf Course and Thracian Cliffs – a Gary Player Signature Golf Course, “ declare the organisers.

A prize fund of €20,000 (based 20 teams competing) will be available to professionals while enjoying the experience of playing three courses that will inevitably become an increasing target for golfing explorers intrigued by the reports of their splendour emanating from Bulgaria.

Golf World magazine, for example, included Thracian Cliffs in their ‘Golf Escapes’ Collection for 2012-13 and described this  region of Bulgaria as boasting  ‘three terrific new course’.  “With seemingly endless views…this truly is a special place.”

It adds: “…Thracian Cliffs is one of the most dramatic golf courses on earth…”

With a safe regulation par on the first hole of a sudden death play-off, Shane McHenry claimed the  Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed, 4th BlackSeaRama VIVACOM Pro-Am in Bulgaria as his last challenger, Gary Birch Jnr, failed at the final hurdle by pushing his tee shot out of bounds.

The pair had survived all the varied hazards of the ‘triple treat’ tournament played over 54-holes on three different and demanding golf courses on one-under-par 214, McHenry having caught overnight leader Birch with a 69 against a 70…leaving one last drama to unfold.

Designer Gary Player no doubt had the notion of possible golfing theatre with his signature hole in the shape of sudden death play-offs when he fashioned the 212-metre par three 18th  located between the clubhouse and the threatening cliffs on the BlackSeaRama course.

A cliff-hanger of a finish it certainly provided with the pair being confronted by the  challenging tee shot that offered ‘sudden death’ for all who miss the green, a trap that McHenry avoided…but Birch didn’t !

Austria-based, Australia-born McHenry (pictured) was left to merely get down in two putts for the top prize.

Although they had finished tied on 214 the head-to-head final day leaders arrived there by a vastly different route….Birch Jnr on a golfing version of a switchback ride and McHenry with a rather less eventful eighteen holes.

The excellent BlackSeaRama course was to prove something of a relief from Friday’s gale-tossed lottery at Thracian Cliffs. Beginning as it does with the opportunity of an opening birdie four, it also offers further such chances on its par five holes.

Birch, however, sprinkled his front nine with an erratic mixture of four birdies, two pars, two bogeys and a double bogey to be level-par for the day at the turn. It was only then that he settled down as a possible winner with a run of seven pars topped by birdies on the final two holes…quite a journey!

McHenry, in contrast, birdied the first, parred the next nine, added another birdie and three pars and reached the 15th before leaking a shot.  His birdie-birdie-par finish took him safely into the play-off.

These two apart, the ‘triple treat’ proved to be a triple battle for the field of professionals and their amateur partners. In third place for the pro prize money was Morgon Olofsson…seven strokes behind the other two on plus six.

Results – CLICK HERE

Day 2 – BIRCH Jnr SURVIVES WINDSWEPT  TEST IN BULGARIA

Take a stretch of cliff-face terrain, ask Gary Player to create a golf course to attract all but the faint hearted, turn up the wind volume to something like gale-force off the Black Sea and what do you get? Thracian Cliffs on Day Two of the BlackSeaRama VIVACOM Pro-am!

Bulgaria’s Cape Kaliakra region, where golf is becoming established as a ‘must visit’ attraction for the sport’s travelling new-experience seekers, continued to showcase its many and varied features at the half-way stage of the Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed tournament.

If the first round on the Lighthouse course was tough enough – only four of the assembled professionals breaking par – the second round, as scores were blown off-par by gusts from the sea,  was described by more than one of the participants as ‘brutal’.

A clue to the  overall difficulty was provided by overnight leader Shane McHenry whose three under became two over despite a promising start of a birdie at the third in the middle of two pars each side…but, after that, six bogeys from the sixth reflected a struggling, windswept day for all.

This bogey run opened the way for Gary Birch Jnr to inch into a one-stroke lead going into the third and final day on the back of an heroic three-over par 75, one of the best round of a day of high scoring and one ahead of McHenry.

Son of a golf pro, British-born, reared mainly in Germany and currently resident in Abu Dhabi in the PGA of the United Arab Emirates, 34-year old Birch was able to call on the experience of having learned his trade in the European, the European Challenge, the South African  Sunshire and the EPD Tours.

Martin Dewhurst was another to hang in there after a decent first day, also with a battling 75 for a four-over-par 36 hole total and his deserved place among the final day front runners. Based at the Costa Navarino Resort in Greece, Dewhurst moved to within two shots of his Austrian compatriot, McHenry for third place.

Among the opening leaders to hold on well was Neil Turley, Bulgarian-based but occupied mainly with off-course matters these days, whose plus-7 for plus-6 overall, was commendable in the conditions and would have been better but for the ugliest of nines on the par-five third.

As for those whose scores suffered most, Ulas Karatas could have been excused for feeling  as though he had fallen off the cliff as his challenging first round two under par 69 plummeted  to  a heart-lurching 85, thirteen over par, ‘helped’ by three double bogeys and a triple for an eight at the par five tenth.

Israeli Oren Geri, another of the first-round hares, suffered similarly as he handed in an 80, eight over par…though they were not the only ones to suffer on a day when the elements combined with the toughest of golf courses to ensure that bridies were outnumbered by bogeys, or worse, on a ratio of three to one.

Day 1 – Shane, the Aussie from Austria, Leads BlackSeaRama VIVACOM Pro-Am

Clifftop golf, against a spectacular Black Sea backdrop, proved a tough challenge for the fourth Confederation of Professional GolfBlackSeaRama Pro-Am field – but a quartet of players, Shane McHenry, Gary Birch, Ulas Karatas and Neil Turley, managed to beat the par of 71 in helping to showcase golf in Bulgaria.

Of this leading foursome, Austria-based Australian Shane McHenry cashed in on the experience of a top four finish in last year’s event with an opening three-under-par 68 on the Ian Woosnam signature Lighthouse Course as those around him struggled to make it into red figures.

The 38-year-old opened with a birdie three, carved further shots off par at the sixth, tenth and 16th and was heading for a four-under-par finish until he tangled with the long,  testing 18th for the only blemish on a splendid opening salvo.

In his spasmodic breaks from his Alpine located day job, McHenry clearly finds that  visits to the scenically spectacular Cape Kaliakra Resorts bring the best out of him. In forging his top-four finish last year he succeeded in setting a course record 68 on the superb but scary Thracian Cliffs course, perched perilously above the Black Sea.

Gary Birch Jr was the first to make a meaningful challenge for the pacemaker role but though he carded birdies at the third, tenth and 15th, a bogey at the short but tricky par-three 11th, where correct club selection is crucial but not easy to decide, restricted him to two-under 69.

Birch was joined on two under by  Ulas Karatas, the Turkish player who has previously graced leaderboards of Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed tournamants, including this years Kempinski ‘The Dome’ event at Antalya.

It was perhaps no coincidence that his opening round was marred by the same holes that prevented McHenry and Birch enjoying a trouble-free 18-holes. Like the first round leader he claimed four birdies but dropped shots at the 11th and 18th, where problem obviously lurked for all.

As the day’s statistics were to show, these were the most difficult holes on the day while the 16th was the least difficult. The day ended on a satisfying note for Neil Turley, one of the pioneers of professional golf in Bulgaria and instigator of the BSR pro-am, when he claimed fourth place with a one-under-par 70.

In this year’s ‘triple treat’ , three-course format the professionals and their three-man teams of amateurs now move from the Lighthouse Course to two Gary Player designs,  the Thracian Cliffs for the second round before the final bid for a share of the pro prize fund and amateur prizes at the stylish BlackSeaRama Resort.

There is still time to register for the €20,000, 54-hole BlackSeaRama VIVACOM Pro-Am, Bulgaria on July 10-15…but time is fast running out to be sure of experiencing the fabulous ‘triple treat’ offered on a trio of superb golf courses.

The message is clear and simple: REGISTER NOW – For further information and details of reserving one of the few remaining places PGA pros and their teams should CLICK HERE.

Among the entries is one of golf’s most courageous practitioners, David Carter, the South Africa-born Englishman who, in 1997, collapsed in his hotel in Dubai and was saved by emergency brain surgery, and subsequently fought his way back into the sport to win honours.

Carter, one of his country’s most promising players, recovered to become a winner of the Irish Open on the European Tour in 1998 and is best remembered the same year as Nick Faldo’s winning partner in England’s first ever triumph in the World Cup of Golf (left). For the last four years he has specialised in coaching in the Czech Republic.

In its previous three years the BlackSeaRama Pro-Am has been staged solely and successfully at the luxury Resort on the superb Gary Player-designed golf course.

Now a unique facelift has been provided  for the four-man teams of PGA pro and three amateurs by adding the ‘Lighthouse’ (Ian Woosnam signature)  and ‘Thracian Cliffs’ (Player signature) courses that have been cleverly created along the ruggedly beautiful high-rise coastline.

Wonderful sea views are the backdrop to a region that is being described in the travel industry as among Europe’s most attractive for sport, leisure and general tourism.

More about our hosts:
BlackSeaRama – Click HERE
Thracian Cliffs – Click HERE
Lighthouse – Click HERE

The pursuit for a coveted Passport to Pravets is now underway in earnest at national PGAs across Europe as the list of qualifiers for the Confederation of Professional Golf’s 72-hole stroke-play championship begins to take shape with more scheduled for staging in the coming weeks.

Objective for Passport to Pravets seekers is a place in the UNICREDIT PGA Professional Championship of Europe, at the PRAVETS Golf & Spa, Bulgaria, on September 17-20, and the honour of representing their country in the bid for the individual European crown.

Some ten countries have already staged their qualifiers,  or are about to – Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia – and soon the names of these early qualifiers will be announced as others jostle to join them for a shot at the European title currently held by Portugal’s Hugo Santos.

With more qualifiers emerging in the coming weeks it is a positive indication that the championship has already established itself as a ‘must play’ event for the elite of club and teaching professionals who include tournament play in their varied list of activities.

Past Champ Paul Wesselingh Shines…

One indelible sign of the quality of entry over the years of the championship’s history can be found in the recent PGA Seniors Tour victory by Paul Wesselingh, who was one of the winners of the Confederation of Professional Golf 72-hole stroke-play championship when it was staged for several years at Pevero on the island of Sardinia.

Wesselingh had already established himself firmly as one of the Confederation of Professional Golf’s most successful campaigners with the remarkable start to his European Seniors Tour career in having previously tied second and tied seventh in his early events.

Another past participant in the strokeplay championship is Zeke Martinez, the Italy-based Californian who recently won the Confederation of Professional Golf-endorsed Aegean Airlines Pro-Am and who, like Wesselingh, is starting out on a European Seniors Tour career.

Pravets Golfing Passport for the Juniors, Too!

The incalculable benefit to its nation’s golf engendered by the Pravets initiative is not confined to established players.

HUNDREDS OF BULGARIAN CHILDREN ARE BEING INTRODUCED TO THE SPORT IN THE PRAVETS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AS A DIRECT OUTCOME OF THE ANNUAL STAGING OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE FABULOUS FACILITY NOT FAR FROM THE COUNTRY’S CAPITAL, SOFIA.

As an important side-effect of the collaboration between the Pravets Golf and Spa Resort and the Confederation of Professional Golf, development funding has been provided to enable junior golf coaching to be embraced into the country’s school curriculum and as an activity for children during the summer holidays.

Launched and underway already for 2012, and with planned growth for 2013, demand for the junior  golf coaching has substantially exceeded expectations – and judging by reaction to it in the vicinity of the capital – is expected to spread throughout Bulgaria as boys and girls are bitten by the golf bug.

Described by Pravets as ‘designed to grow golf from grass roots level and provide opportunities for children in areas where golf would not normally be accessible’ the programme is being presented in two phases, namely the Schools Programme and a Summer Development Programme.

‘This possibility has become a reality through generous funding by the Confederation of Professional Golf,” Pravets add.

During April and May, in the schools programme, 180 children took part in the eighteen, one-hour introductory sessions for ten children each while the summer activities  are open to all-comers up to the age of 18 and are proving a big attraction.

Having been widely publicised, inviting children to take part in golf coaching and activities at Pravets  and with an additional incentive of fully-paid, one-year junior memberships and a set of golf clubs each, for the two most promising participants, children and parents have responded eagerly.

Much of this enthusiasm for golf in Bulgaria was inspired by the staging of inaugural PGA Professional Championship of Europe at Pravets last year, an event that prompted tremendous national interest at many levels.

“This is further evidence that tournament activity can act as a fantastic catalyst for the development of golf in showcasing the sport in emerging territories to politicians, media and the public at large” said Ian Randell, the Confederation of Professional Golf chief executive.

“Our collaboration with Pravets, and the way in which it is developing, matches exactly so many of the core principles of our operation and acts as a great template for other venues and regions to follow”.

While home golf fans will hope that the predominant colour on the scoreboards of The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles will be European blue, an exciting initiative is already underway to ensure that the contest on The PGA Centenary Course from September 26-28, 2014, will also celebrate green.

The 2014 Ryder Cup Green Drive – coordinated by Ryder Cup Europe (RCE) and the Golf Environment Organization (GEO) – and featuring a steering group that also includes EventScotland, Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, the Scottish Golf Union, Perth and Kinross Council and Scottish Natural Heritage – sets out to integrate sustainability into all aspects of event planning, staging and legacy.

Building on the previous Green Drive initiative that was undertaken at The 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, the 2014 programme will continue The Ryder Cup’s leadership by setting out even more ambitious plans for one of the world’s most visible sporting events.

Speaking at the announcement of the initiative at The Gleneagles Hotel, Edward Kitson, Ryder Cup Match Director, said: “After the success in Wales we are genuinely excited by the prospect of what we and our partners can achieve as the event returns to the home of golf in 2014.

“We are delighted to extend our long-standing partnership with the Golf Environment Organization – and their knowledge and experience has helped us greatly in integrating sustainability across all aspects of staging.

“We are currently putting in place the building blocks that will enable us to minimize and mitigate the event’s unavoidable impacts, and also look at many new ways to maximize positive opportunities to outreach, advocate and engage for a lasting legacy.”

Sports Minister Shona Robison added: “2014 is a huge year for sport in Scotland and the Scottish Government is delighted to support the 2014 Ryder Cup Green Drive. This is an opportunity to connect our policies on sustainable development, green energy, biodiversity and waste with a global sporting event that can raise awareness domestically and internationally.”

Robbie Clyde, Ryder Cup Project Director for EventScotland added his support: “Sustainability is an important pillar of EventScotland’s work, and is the reason we supported the development of the Sustainable Sport Event Toolkit (SSET),” he said. “To see the practical application of that here in Scotland, at such a significant world renowned event, is incredibly rewarding.”

Jonathan Smith, GEO Chief Executive, commented: “We’ve got top level backing, a really solid plan, plenty of experience and creative ideas around the table, lots of solutions to apply and a wonderful vehicle to communicate all our collective and individual efforts.  We relish the prospect as a flagship project amongst our wider dedicated work to support and promote sustainability in golf, and we look forward to sharing the outcomes with the ever growing number of people and organisations that are Driving the Green in and through golf.”

Scott Fenwick, Gleneagles’ Golf Courses and Estate Manager said: “This initiative fits very well with our proven track record of environmental management and community engagement.  Having employed professional sustainability and environmental managers for over a decade we feel well placed to contribute.  We look forward to identifying new opportunities across the Resort’s operations, and raising our own performance further in line with the Green Drive.”

Hamish Grey, Chief Executive of the Scottish Golf Union, said: “Ever since the mid 1990‘s when we became the first Golf Union in the world to employ a full time Environmental Adviser, the SGU has continuously promoted sustainable practices in golf club and course management.  We’re delighted to be inputting our knowledge and experience, and look forward to carrying the messages out to the 580 clubs across the country.”

This steering group offers an example of good practice in waste minimisation and waste management which can be replicated throughout the industry to reduce waste generated by golfing events in the long term, and ultimately help us move towards our goal of zero waste in Scotland.”

For further information, contact:

European Tour Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 840400
Email: media@europeantour.com
Website: www.europeantour.com

Golf Environment Organization
Tel: +44 (0) 1620 895100
Email: jonathan@golfenvironment.org                                     Website: www.golfenvironment.org

While, at the nearby soccer stadium, football was the name of the game, in a city centre square of Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, introductory lessons in GOLF were on offer to all-comers, courtesy of the European Development Roadshow (EDR).

The Ryder Cup European Development Trust (RCEDT) has extended its support of free coaching at European Tour events by joining The R&A, the European Tour and Nike Golf in funding this ground-breaking initiative allowing mums, dads and the kids, to undertake a one-to-one lesson on how to get started in this intriguing new sport.

The EDR visit was part of a comprehensive sweep of the region, being carried out between April and September, and taking in the nearby states of Bulgaria, Poland, and Slovenia, areas where the potential for golf growth is incalculable. Ukraine, alone, is second only to Russia in its territorial size.

And how those Eastern European family folk responded to this free opportunity to try out the sport in the specially-designed, blow-up facility, delivered by Provision Golf, after advice by experts on how to go about it!

When the schedule teed off in Bulgaria between April 20th and 22nd 473 free five-to-ten minute lessons were given in three days, 30% of them to children. In a country that is increasingly recognising the attractions of the sport on the back of the staging of the Confederation of Professional Golf UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe at the Pravets Golf Resort and the BlackSeaRama Pro-Am, more than 90% of the people who received lessons had never tried golf before!

Such is the appreciation of golf there now that ‘The National Sports Panorama’ in Sofia, where the EDR was staged, attracted more than 20,000 people over the three days.

Then came Ukraine in mid-June when hundreds more benefitted from the chance to grip it and rip it. Such was its appeal that one little girl, keen to try her hand at giving the ball a swipe, cried and cried until she got her turn.

Next on this Eastern European ‘tour’ comes Poland’s road show, to be staged during their Festival of Stars event on July 6-8 and finally, Slovenia in the Supernova Shopping Mall on September 28-30.

And a clear hint that Ukraine is taking a similar, if longer term route towards adopting a golfing culture as the other European countries before them, came in a typical tribute to the road show from Sergey Kozyrenko, General Secretary of the Ukrainian Golf Federation.

“It was the first, true experience of public teaching for our amateurs who, at this event worked alongside the PGA Professional, our National Team coach, Russell Aden,” he enthused. “Their first reaction after two days was ‘it’s  hard work!’– they were exhausted physically as well as mentally, but happy at the same time.

“I personally believe that it’s invaluable experience for them, so they could get a feel of the core elements of a golf professional’s life. They are the ones who might become the first Ukrainian golf professionals when the time comes.

“After nets were deflated at 9 pm, one young girl couldn’t help crying. She wanted to try it so badly, but couldn’t get to the nets before time ran out, one of the staff worked with her without the net. A couple of balls got lost in Dnieper river… but everybody around were so happy for the girl – nice, emotional happy-ending of the day – great job, everyone concerned.”

The aim of the European Golf Development Roadshow, which was successfully launched at a series of European Tour events, by Provision Golf, is to take golf to well attended family shows to introduce golf to non golfers in a fun , non intimidating environment  and in a memorable way.

The free 5 -10 minute introductory lessons are given by local golf professionals of each country and the facility  acts as platform for the national PGA / Golf Association / Federation to offer initiatives on how people can take up golf.

NEW venue….NEW format….NEW ideas…OLD-established tradition as Europe’s No.1 Golf Show:  GOLF EUROPE 2012, formerly in Munich, now re-located to the attractive location of Augsburg, starts with a Première, namely a DEMO DAY on the eve of the exhibition proper.

For the first time in its 19-year history the GOLF EUROPE international trade exhibition will tee off, (on September 15), with a chance for exhibitors to introduce their new products by inviting potential buyers to sample the goods for themselves at Golf Range Augsburg before the three-day show takes place.

The golf range is described as ‘an attractive nine-hole golf course’, easily accessible on Demo Day by road or, for those flying into Munich Airport, by two regular shuttle bus journeys, first to the fairground and then to the range.

As Messe Augsburg explain in their publicity poster: “Located directly next to your competitors, you can present, or let visitors test, your latest products…there will be Tee Boxes, Putting Greens and a Pitching Green.” Available on the day for product testing purposes will be 80 tees, 13 of them indoors.

They add “Surrounded by a delightful atmosphere you can acquire new customers and persuade them of your product’s quality.” Exhibitors can register immediately for the Demo Day by completing an application form to use this excellent new facility (10am- 4pm, Sep15).

Also, at the show proper, exhibitors are invited to ‘join the popular GOLF EUROPE PRODUCT AWARD’ scheme in order to showcase their innovations and maybe rewarded with an accolade, courtesy of the expert judging panel.

“Take this chance to present your company for free and to win this award as a sign of identity for an innovative entrepreneurial spirit,” adds Messe Augsburg. The Exhibitor‘s Manual containing order forms for services will be available shortly.

For further information: www.golf-europe.com

The former long-driving tournament player has been chairman of The PGA (of GB&I) since 1989, was joint chairman of the Ryder Cup Committee between 1989 and 2005 and continues to shape the success of the Ryder Cup as a member of the Ryder Cup Stakeholder and Policy Board.

But, in his typically self-effacing manner he said, when the honour was announced:

“Naturally I am very flattered to be honoured and very humbled, though I am not sure why I got it particularly.  I am sure there are more people deserving in golf but I am absolutely delighted and thrilled.”

His long association with Coventry began in 1966 when he became senior assistant to head pro Norman Roffe whom he succeeded in 1979. As head  pro and course manager and heled the way in making the club one of the most environmentally friendly in the UK.

As a player he was on the European Tour in the mid-70s, and represented Great Britain & Ireland in two PGA Cups including the victorious side of 1983 at Muirfield.

In 2006 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by University College Dublin.

Dealing with Pressure Shots and Moments on the Course

Golfers who stand up best to the pressures of the game face the same fear and doubt as you and me; the difference is they have learned mechanisms to deal with it.  Here are seven ways to help coach your players in anticipation of when the pressure starts to mount.

1. COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

There is a phrase in psychology called the ‘ironic’ process: it means we think about the things we fear most at the times when we least want to think about them.  It is important to realise this process is a natural one.  Golfers often think thoughts and feelings of doubt represent frailty in them in pressure moments; that they are not mentally tough enough.  That is not the case.  These processes are natural.  Accepting this is the first step to dealing with being out of a comfort zone.  Start to feel comfortable being uncomfortable.

2. EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE

Courses are often demanding in length and setup.  Accordingly, with sometimes adverse weather to deal with too, courses are mentally challenging and pressure is an integral part of the game.  In fact, these so-called ‘pressure’ shots and moments are what draws players to the game and are the focus of the post-round debrief.   Golf would be very dull if it were played across flat, open fields.  So instead of trying to play without fear, embrace it as an aspect of golf’s challenge, and one they can have enjoyment trying to meet.

3. REFOCUS ON THE PROCESS

Players who deal well with pressure experience the same doubts as those who do not; the difference is their focus then shifts to what the shot demands.  Even a Tour professional may think about how poor they would look if they missed a short putt – but they will then go through the process of what they need to do to hole it. Refocusing on the process can lead you from feelings of discomfort. So to cope with fear, stay with the shot at hand and not the consequences of what may go wrong.

4. CHOOSE REALISTIC SHOTS

Pressure builds when players’ develop unrealistic expectations about what they might be able to achieve.  Get players to make shots as simple as they can when in ‘pressure’ situations by choosing a realistic shot they know is within their grasp.  If Annika Sorenstram could not play a shot sixty percent of the time in practice, she would not even consider it on the course when under pressure.  Get your players to not try to play perfect golf.

5. SHORT SHOTS: KEEP EYES STILL

On tough shots where the target is near, anxiety can cause golfers to ‘peek’ early at the target.  But early shifting of vision toward the target generally causes head movement, which contributes to shoulder movement, which generally causes technical problems and a poor strike/inaccuracy.  In pressure situations where players may be anxious about the shot outcome, get them to keep their eyes still, and the head will take care of itself and also stay still.  Focusing on one point on the ball – a dimple or part of the logo – is a great way to practise steadying the eyes.  Steady eyes mean a calm mind.

6. TAKE THE GUN FROM THEIR HEAD

Many golfers think the 1st tee shot sets the tone for the round.  This cranks up the pressure on them.  Others do it by saying such things as “I need to be no worse than four over after six” to themselves.  This is very rigid thinking and is counterproductive.  Players need to be more flexible in their thinking and shift from “this must happen” to “I’d prefer it to happen”.  Tell them they can deal with a range of outcomes and situations. This thinking will improve their performance, their emotional state and also helps them recognise situations where they are getting on top of themselves and to take the gun away from their head.

7.  SLOW DOWN

Most people who do not handle pressure have an image of failure.  Because of this they rush to get the shot over with to get out of the situation as soon as they can.  The rushing is what typically causes problems.  Get them to think in advance of pressure shots and situations, and help them come to terms with these situations by staying with those images.  Get them to imagine looking around, developing a sense of the situation they are in, and gradually seeing themselves as more calm.  Tell them to see that even though they might feel uncomfortable, they are okay with it and they can slow down their thoughts and actions.

Dr. Brian Hemmings has been lead psychologist to England golf for over a decade. During this time he has helped develop the mental skills of the best emerging English golfers including the likes of recent BMW International Open champion Danny Willett (pictured), Ross Fisher, Richard Finch, Tom Lewis, David Horsey and Chris Wood. Brian is author of the book ‘Mental Toughness for Golf: The Minds of Winners’ and is also a regular presenter on the PGA CPD programme.

Brian has released a fully online Golf Psychology Coaching Certificate course that carries 100 PGA CPD points and has been completed with great reviews by PGA professionals.  Go to www.golfpsychologycoaching.co.uk  for full details.  The course is full of practical activities for the PGA professional to guide players through improving their mental game, and is endorsed by some of England’s best coaches.  You can complete the course at home so you will have no travel costs or time away from your work.  All you need is a player to work with and the time to complete the course activities.   For a price reduction type in the promotional code 2012 to reduce the price from £295 to £219.

Below is an Introductory video from SNAG® Europe Ambassador Scott Cranfield – simply click the screen or press pause to interact with this video and see more Videos available from SNAG® Golf Europe.

SNAG® Europe (Starting New At Golf) have been busy rolling out training of the leading first touch golf coaching system. SNAG® equipment provides the perfect introduction to golf, helping to build transferable skills and confidence before playing the full game.

The game has its own simplified terminology that adds fun to the learning and the playing experience. SNAG® includes full shots, pitching, chipping, and putting and is easy to learn, and it’s easy to teach. It’s a comprehensive system that has been developed through years of research and field experience.

SNAG® is being embraced by anyone wanting to learn, develop and teach golf from single PGA Professionals to complete federations SNAG has been adopted as the 1st touch product and teaching methodologies of choice.

Programming and training is being implemented across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East by SNAG® Europe where the response over the past few months has been fantastic. Training programmes have continued under European rollout in Hungary, Czech Republic and Greece to name but a few.

Guy Higton Director of SNAG® Europe reports: ‘2012 has been a fantastic year for SNAG®, the Confederation of Professional Golf have supported us rolling out training programmes for individual PGA Professionals, Associations and Federations within Europe.

In June SNAG® Europe trained golf professionals for the Greek and Cypriot PGA’s at the Athens Golf Club, resulting in Aegean airlines now sponsoring a school curriculum programme and a further training development programme for the Professional’s within their country.’

‘In June again 26 PGA Pros including the Director of Education were trained over 2 days around the same accreditation process in Czech Republic funded by the Czech federation’

President of the Hungarian Golf Federation, András Sugár said, “We have had the intention to launch and develop a nationwide School Golf Program for a long time and a lot of effort is invested into this project. We are confident that with the help of the 30 SNAG® sets and in co-operation with the enthusiastic clubs many young children will have the opportunity to play golf and the most talented players may be our future hopes for the Olympic Games one day.”

The new SNAG® Europe coaching website www.i-KANgc.com/golf-coaching has online video content explaining product, coaching and methodology.  SNAG® Europe are actively rolling out training across Europe to PGA Professionals, they have also partnered Smartpro Coaching in the UK.

For further information on SNAG® product, training and programmes please contact  SNAG® Europe sales@i-KANGC.com +44 (0) 1482 333 123 www.snageurope.com

“The procurement process for any upscale golf facility is a challenging task, however, more so in Russia. As an official supplier to the PGA, we have tried our utmost to build on the excellent relationships the PGA has with a broad range of suppliers and where possible we have procured from them” said Braemar Golf’s Operations Director Michael Braidwood, who is responsible for the PGA National Russia project.

In place are deals with PGA Partners Club Car, Glenmuir, PING and Titleist, along with Official Suppliers Sigma Golf (PGA Collection) and Powakaddy.

“We are delighted that Braemar Golf have taken this approach and we hope over time that the PGA can introduce more of our Partners and Official Suppliers to PGA National Russia” commented Roger Butler, Property and Development Executive of the PGA.

PGA National Russia is the only facility in Russia to carry the prestigious PGA National brand; the 7,400 yard course has had a soft opening and is due to open in September 2012 and looks set to become the number one facility in Russia.

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