With just one bogey in his last 42 holes of play, the PGA of GB&I Professional made it three consecutive sub-70 rounds with his Round 03 two-under par. But his nine-under total (201) is only holding the lead by a single shot ahead of fellow Brit, Chris Gane.

Gane equalled the low score of the week with a four-under par 66 for an eight-under par total (202) that will make for an exciting battle in the final round.

GB&I’s Mark Ridley is a further five shots back, closely followed by the PGA of Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson. Ridley’s early gains with a 69 and 66 in Rounds 01 and 02 respectively were reduced after a two-over 72 for his three-under total (207), whilst Gustavsson has had reversed fortunes with two consecutive 68s for her two-under total (208).

The 54-hole Team Pro-Am event results will be revealed following the culmination of the final Individual Professional round.

For Full Round 03 Scores Visit http://eur.pe/2018MercInt

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For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter search the Hashtag ‘#MercIntProAm’, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club visit www.aesgc.ae.

With a second consecutive day in the lead, and a bogey free round of 66 (-4), Wrigley shows no signs of giving up his 2017 Mercedes-Benz International title, and heads into the third round of the tournament at seven-under par (133) and with a two-shot lead over Mark Ridley.

Ridley (PGA of GB&I) sits in second place after scoring a second round of 66, leaving him at five-under par for the tournament, whilst another GB&I Professional, Chris Gane, lands himself in third place at four-under par (136).

Fourth place is shared by the PGA of Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson and the PGA of Italy’s Alessandro Tadini at level par (140).

The Team Pro-Am event saw GB&I’s Andrew Pilfold and his team of Richard Cuddihy, Mike Dunn and David Faulkner, share the lead after Round 02 with GB&I’s Gavin Hall and his team of Pyotr Lubyantsev, Alexandr Tsoy and Abzal Zhautikbayev on 167 points (-23).

Just four points behind in tied-third position are the teams lead by PGA of GB&I Professionals Darren Bragg, Alex Wrigley, and Richard Smith.

For Full Round 02 Scores Visit http://eur.pe/2018MercInt

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For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter search the Hashtag ‘#MercIntProAm’, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club visit www.aesgc.ae.

Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates is a course Wrigley knows well having been runner-up in 2015 and 2016, and winning in the 2017 edition.

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“The round was a little bit rusty in parts, but a little bit fortunate as well,” said Wrigley. “I managed to hole a few putts from 10 to 15 feet, but missed a few short ones too.

“But overall I’m really satisfied with the first round and with three more to go hopefully I can keep getting a little bit sharper as I go on.”

Wrigley’s fellow PGA of GB&I Professionals, Chris Gane and Mark Ridley, together with the PGA of Greece’s Henrik Engdahl, each share second place after their one-under par 69s ensured the leader did not get away with too much of an early lead.

The Team Pro-Am event sees the Professionals and their three amateur teammates compete across 54-holes for the team title, and it was GB&I’s Richard Smith and his team of Michael Arnold, Adam Share and Peter Taylor who lead through Round 01 on 86 points (-14).

Just three points behind in tied-second position are the teams lead by quartet of PGA of GB&I Professionals – Steven Munro, Alex Wrigley, Gavin Hall and Chris Gane.

For Full Round 01 Scores Visit http://eur.pe/2018MercInt

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For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter search the Hashtag ‘#MercIntProAm’, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club visit www.aesgc.ae.

The proprietary ALIGN Technology, which was first introduced in the flagship MCC and MCC Plus4 grip families last year, features a dedicated raised ridge that extends down the back of the grip for consistent hand placement allowing a golfer increased clubface awareness throughout the swing and at impact.  With the introduction of Tour Velvet ALIGN, the TOUR’s three most preferred grip models will all be available with ALIGN Technology.

Tour Velvet is the #1 grip played on all global Tours, with nearly 50% of the field in any given event choosing to rely on its proprietary feel and proven “plus-sign” texture performance.  Introducing ALIGN Technology to the Tour Velvet may appear straightforward on the surface; however, adding this innovative technology to the gold standard of tour performance grips proved to be more intricate. Golf Pride engineers answered the challenge through advancements in both material and process developments, while ensuring its same world-renowned feel and performance.

ALIGN Technology activates upon installation with a dedicated raised ridge on the back of the grip allowing for consistent hand placement and an enhanced clubface awareness. ALIGN Technology also features a unique micro-diamond texture and firmer material compared to the surrounding grip area to amplify its pronounced feel. A flex channel separates the ALIGN Technology ridge from the grip body to maximise elevation lift and lock the grip into the fingers, while conforming to the rules of golf.

“We received incredible feedback from TOUR players and amateurs last year about our MCC ALIGN and MCC Plus4 ALIGN grips, and we even saw a major victory in the first week the technology was put in play on the Champions Tour,” said Jonathan Neal, global head of marketing for Golf Pride Grips.  “Last year, we had a countless number of players request that we make ALIGN Technology available in other models. While this sounds easy, bringing the product to market required state-of-the-art material development along with innovations in our manufacturing processes to ensure premium performance and quality. Our R&D team worked rigorously in the lab to ensure that a player would keep the same feel and texture they have come to love in the Tour Velvet with the added benefit that ALIGN Technology delivers. With the addition of Tour Velvet ALIGN to this incredibly innovative family, we’ve ensured that ALIGN Technology is offered in a diverse range of feel and performance options.”

For more information on ALIGN Technology and the entire 2018 Golf Pride product offering, visit www.golfpride.com

The 44-year-old Englishman has 23 European Tour titles and 42 total career wins across five continents, the first coming in 1996. He reached world #1 in 2010, and is second on the list of England’s most prolific champions. He has 18 top 10s in majors (three runners-up), and has played on 10 consecutive Ryder Cup teams for Europe, earning 23 points, among the most on either side.

“Lee has been one of the steadiest, most recognisable players in the game for many years, certainly in Europe but also in the United States,” Solheim said. “His game has been so impressive and to have won 42 times is remarkable. On a personal level, the PING family has been close to Lee for decades, going all the way back to his earliest days playing golf as a boy in England. We look forward to watching him continue his prestigious career.”

Black-and-white photographs show Westwood as a teenager posing with an early set of PING clubs and a PING bag outside his boyhood home. “I can’t imagine a better working relationship than I’ve had with PING, to be honest,” Westwood said. “PING have always made a connection with me and I feel that their equipment is superior, from the drivers down to the wedges and putters. Also, the people are first-class, including the way they treat us out on tour. I’m ecstatic to continue working with a company that has played such a key role in my career success.”

As part of the multi-year agreement, Westwood will wear a PING hat, carry a PING staff bag and play a minimum of 11 PING clubs, including a PING driver and PING putter. Currently in his bag are a G400 LST driver, G400 fairway wood, G hybrid, i200 irons, Glide 2.0 wedges, and a PING Vault Bergen putter.

Reviewing your CV is something you should do every so often, thinking critically about what should be included and what is better left behind.

Here are our tip 8 CV errors to avoid this year:

1. The words “CV”

Avoid planting “CV” or “Curriculum Vitae” at the top of the page – at this stage, anyone reading it will have a clear idea of what it is they’re looking at. Include your name at the top instead.

2. Photos and personal information

Unless you’re an actor or model, there’s no need to include a photo of yourself. The same goes for personal information (other than your basic contact details).

3. Personal aims and objectives

Employers today don’t particularly care what you want – it’s all about their needs. If you do decide to reference what you’re looking for, make sure that it’s an exact match for what they want.

4. Jargon and buzzwords

Recruiters appreciate plain speaking, so there’s no need to litter the page with industry jargon, especially if it’s not relevant to the sector you’re hoping to work in. The same goes for “best-in-class”, “synergy” and all those other generic buzzwords – they’re not going to impress anyone.

5. Everyday hobbies

The fact you enjoy “reading, gardening and socialising” isn’t exactly going to make a recruiter swoon. The interests section can really make you stand out, but to do so it needs to add another dimension to who you are. This is a chance to show your passion, the diversity of your interests and skills. If you can’t think of anything besides going to the cinema consider skipping this section altogether.

6. Political affiliations

Avoid references to memberships or affiliations with polarising (or arguably any) political groups, unless these are specifically relevant to the job.

7. Fluff

Unless you’re going for a role as an artist or graphic designer it’s best to keep the frills – infographics, wacky fonts, fancy headers and footers etc. – to a minimum.

As eye-catching as they are, they’re also likely to distract from the real “meat” on your CV and may also confuse the applicant-tracking systems that many employers now use. Stick to a simple, modern font like Arial.

8. “References upon request.”

It’s clear you will provide references (otherwise you wouldn’t apply for the job), so either include the names and roles of your references or de-clutter your CV and remove it.

When it comes to your CV there’s one overarching rule to keep in mind: don’t include information that doesn’t directly pertain to landing the job. Less is always more – so before sending your CV out into the big wide world do a double take to make sure everything on there is relevant to the person who’ll be reading it.

This content appears courtesy of Abintegro, experts in career management, transition technology & e-learning for today’s modern, mobile and technology-savvy workforce – Find out more at www.abintegro.com

Credit: Huffington Post; National Centre for Biotechnical Information

Composite Graphic Credit: Flatart / Freepik

What this example demonstrates is the power – and danger – of negative thinking. Research into negative thoughts has shown how they lead us to dissociate from the outside world and turn our focus to one thing only: the thing that is making us feel angry, scared or bad about ourselves. As a result, we stagnate.

Positive thoughts have the opposite effect, opening our minds to see a whole range of possibilities and therefore welcoming new ideas and perceptions. Barbara Fredrickson, a professor at the University of North Carolina and researcher of positive emotions, believes thinking positively can even have long-term benefits. In her ‘broaden and build’ theory she describes how the broadening of our sense of what is possible generated by positive thoughts can lead us to develop new skills and so progress in life.

For some of us, looking at things from the bright side is something that comes easily; others find it harder. That doesn’t mean all hope is lost, though: thinking positively is something that you can train yourself to do.

First of all, you’ll need to start making a conscious effort to not give in to negative thoughts. Recognise when you start dwelling on the bleaker side of things and put a stop to it by asking yourself what you could do to make the situation better. Then start setting actionable goals for yourself – reaching them will empower you.

The next step is to foster positive thoughts. Easier said than done? Not necessarily. While positive thinking creates positive emotions, this process also works the other way around. This means that doing things you love, that bring you joy, can help you to think more positively. Think, for example, of a time where you engaged with something you are passionate about: perhaps you went to a concert or saw a film you really loved. Did you feel inspired afterwards? Perhaps it even led you to actively pursue a goal related to that passion?

Or you can try something new. Meditation has been proven to help cultivate positive thoughts, while a study published in the Journal of Research in Personality showed that writing about positive experiences can have the same effect.

Thinking positively means getting out of your head and looking for solutions. It’s something you may have to practise to get better at, but ultimately it can open doors that you may otherwise have walked right past.

This content appears courtesy of Abintegro, experts in career management, transition technology & e-learning for today’s modern, mobile and technology-savvy workforce – Find out more at www.abintegro.com

Credit: Huffington Post; National Centre for Biotechnical Information

Composite Graphic Credit: iconicbestiary / Freepik

Thursday 25th January 2018
5:00 – 7:00pm, Room W105B, Orange County Convention Center

Together with the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, the Confederation of Professional Golf will be hosting a European Drinks Reception at the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando on the Thursday 25th of the show from 5:00 – 7:00pm in Room W105B of the Orange County Convention Center.

The evening is an opportunity for European attendees of the Trade Show to meet for an informal drinks and networking evening supported by PGA Golf Exhibitions.

Please feel free to download the invitation below and distribute to colleagues/contacts.

For more information on the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show visit www.pgashow.com

“We’re on a mission to help golfers play better and we know that starts with clubs that deliver across-the-board performance gains,” said John K. Solheim, PING president. “The new G400 Max is engineered with the same technology as the original G400 but we’ve optimised the size to gain even more forgiveness, which leads to tighter dispersion and lower scores. With the addition of the Max to the G400 driver family, golfers now have four fitting options to ensure they’re getting the most out of their game. If you struggle finding the fairway with consistency, the Max is likely the best fit for you.”

G400 Max Driver

In the G400 Max driver, PING achieved its all-time high MOI measurements by optimising the crown and face design in the larger-profile, multi-material head. The forgiveness gains are attributable to the 460cc head and nearly four times the discretionary weight created by Dragonfly crown technology and the thin, forged face. Its high-density tungsten back weight wraps around the back of the sole to help bring the combined MOI (heel/toe and high/low) over 9,900 gram cm2. Its CG position is lower and further back than any current driver on the market to make it the most forgiving driver in golf – surpassing the current G400 driver.

“Our engineers focused on increasing the forgiveness of the driver while maintaining the distance gains and powerful sound of the original G400 driver,” said Solheim. “It’s remarkable how long and straight the G400 Max flies. The forgiveness is off the charts and leads to tighter dispersion, which reveals just how consistent your distance and accuracy results will be on the golf course. We encourage all golfers to get fit and look closely at their dispersion, not just their one best shot on a launch monitor.”

The added forgiveness has also appealed to a number of tour professionals, including PING Pros Aaron Baddeley and Seamus Power, who put the G400 Max in play at last week’s Sony Open in Hawaii.

The unique forging and patented heat-treatment process of the G400 Max’s T9S+ face powers a thinner, hotter impact area that is precision machined to elevate ball speed across the entire face. The forged face was also instrumental in producing the powerful feel of the driver.

Adding to the appeal of the G400 Max driver is the innovative colour-shifting paint technology of the Alta CB shaft. This premium copper shaft paint transitions to nearly black to reduce distractions as golfers address the ball. The counter-balanced design of the Alta CB allows for more mass in the head to increase energy transfer.

G400 Max Driver Technology and Specifications:

• Multi-material construction: Cast Ti 8-1-1 body, forged T9S+ face, high-density tungsten back weight, lightweight aluminium/thermoplastic adjustable hosel
• Loft options: 9⁰ & 10.5⁰
• Head weight: Std. (206g)
• Head volume: 460 cc
• Std. length: 45 3/4″ (Alta CB); 45 1/4″ (PING Tour and aftermarkets)
• Loft adjustability: Up to +-1⁰
• Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)
• RRP: £389
• Shaft options: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) 55 (SR, R, S, X), PING Tour 65, 75 (R, S, X), Alta Distanza 40
• Aftermarket shaft options (Upcharge): Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Dual-Core TiNi 60 (R, S, X), Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), Aldila X-Torsion Copper (50R, 60S)

Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges

The Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges’ 8620 carbon steel head and precision-milled grooves deliver a softer feel and higher-spinning shots for greater control. The tour-inspired Stealth finish, which yields less glare and makes the head appear smaller, is applied using a QPQ (Quench Polish Quench) process for added durability. This wedge fits the game and the eye of players for whom performance and appearance go hand in hand.

A patented precision wheel-cut half groove near the lead edge on the 56⁰, 58⁰ and 60⁰ improves engagement with the ball (specifically low on the face) to significantly increase spin and control from all conditions. The wheel-cut milling process was developed by PING’s engineering and manufacturing teams to enable grooves with a sharper edge radius, which increases interaction with the cover of the ball at impact, creating more friction for improved spin and trajectory control. The grooves in the lower-lofted wedges (46°, 50° & 52°) are milled with a 20° sidewall and a .005″ edge radius for optimal full-shot performance. The higher-lofted versions (54°, 56°, 58° & 60°) are milled to a .004″ edge radius and a 28° sidewall to impart more spin, especially around the greens.

“The tour player response has been exceptional,” said Solheim. “The players’ first comment about the Stealth finish, which not only looks cool, they like how it makes the head appear smaller and it limits reflections on bright days. Once they feel it and see how much spin and control the grooves provide, the wedges go straight in the bag.”

The patented design is offered in four sole grinds (SS, WS, ES and TS) to ensure Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges can be fit to a golfer’s divot depth or attack angle and most common turf conditions.

SS GRIND (46°/12°, 50°/12°, 52°/12°, 54°/12°, 56°/12°, 58°/10°, 60/10°)
An all-purpose mid-bounce sole with heel and trail edge relief to create versatility on touch shots around the green. Ideal for moderate attack angles and divots. Fits most golfers.

WS GRIND (54°/14°, 56°/14°, 58°/14°, 60/14°)
Full-sole design that provides turf security for players with a steep angle of attack. The reduced camber and added width prevent digging.

TS GRIND (58°/6°, 60°/6°)
A PING WRX-inspired design based on the Tour-proven half-moon grind. The TS grind facilitates shot making and precision from even the most difficult lies. The heel relief allows shots to be executed with an open face to difficult pins, or from firm lies without fear of the lead edge sitting too high.

ES GRIND (54°/8°, 56°/8°, 58°/8°, 60°/8°)
Eye 2-inspired sole design provides the ultimate in bunker performance, resulting from the classic dish profile and the tapered hosel. A refined lead edge upgrades all-around performance with the iconic ES grind.

Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges Technology and Specifications:

• Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)
• Shaft options: Stock steel shaft — PING AWT 2.0 Wedge; Stock graphite shaft — PING CFS 65/70/80 (Soft R, R, S)
• Aftermarket steel shaft options (no upcharge): True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100) Project X LZ (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5), True Temper XP95 (R, S,), Nippon NS Pro Modus 105 (S, X), KBS Tour (R, S, X)
• RRP: £130 per club w/steel shaft; £140 per club w/graphite shaft

G700 Irons

In the G700 iron, PING engineers put a high priority on creating an iron that offers power and forgiveness by leveraging the advantages of a hollow-body design and a thin, maraging steel face, creating PING’s longest, highest-flying iron to date.

“The desire for golfers to hit their irons further continues to grow,” said Solheim. “We want to provide options that greatly increase distance without sacrificing other performance attributes, such as consistency, forgiveness and feel. With the G700 iron, we’ve been able to accomplish all of that in a very appealing design with a sound that screams distance from the moment golfers hit it.”

The hollow-body construction of the 17-4 stainless steel head allows for an internal geometry design that positions weight away from the face, creating a frame for metal-wood-like flexing and high COR to greatly increase ball speed and produce launch results that will amaze golfers.
Maraging steel, which is also used in the G400 fairway woods, hybrids and crossovers, is one of the strongest alloys in the world and is commonly employed in the aerospace industry, where strength and flexibility are necessities. Those properties make it an ideal face material to deliver more flexing for faster ball speeds that launch shots further and higher.

“We’re seeing significant ball-speed increases in the G700, while maintaining the consistency and control golfers need to improve their iron play,” said Solheim. “It also has a great overall look, especially at address, and a premium finish. When golfers hit it, they’ll experience a sensation and sound that’s unlike any they’ve ever felt or heard.”

G700 Iron Technology and Specifications:

• Multi-material construction: Hollow-body 17-4 stainless steel head, C300 Maraging Steel face, HydroPearl finish
• Available 4-9, PW, UW, SW in 10 colour codes (lie angle). Black is standard.
  Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)
• Shaft options: Stock steel shaft — PING AWT 2.0 (R, S, X); Stock graphite shafts — Alta CB (counter-balanced) powered by AWT, UST Recoil 760 ES SMACWRAP (A), UST Recoil 780 ES SMACWRAP (R, S)
• Aftermarket steel shaft options (no upcharge): True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100) Project X LZ (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5), True Temper XP95 (R, S,), Nippon NS Pro Modus 105 (S, X), KBS Tour (R, S, X)
• RRP: £149 per iron w/steel shaft; £159 per iron w/graphite shaft

PING Vault 2.0 Putters

The next generation of PING’s 100%-milled putters are crafted and engineered to provide tour-calibre touch and performance through proven innovations like precision-milled, patented True Roll Technology (TR), plus a new custom-weighting system. The new system offers sole weight options in steel (standard weight head), tungsten (15 gms heavier than standard) and aluminium (15 gms lighter than standard) to match a golfer’s feel and balance preferences.

“The PING Vault 2.0 putters are luxurious works of art that are engineered to perform,” said Solheim. “The craftsmanship and materials used in our milling and finishing processes ensure premium, eye-catching designs that appeal to the most discerning golfers. The ability to customise the weights provides golfers a putter uniquely built to fit their game.”
Precision-milled TR technology ensures full-face forgiveness for consistent speed off the face. The individually milled face pattern varies in depth and pitch across the face, which speeds up off-centre impacts, improving consistency and ultimately leading to fewer three-putts.

“As we advance the technologies we apply in designing and manufacturing our putters, we’re able to offer more putter-fitting options than ever,” said Solheim. “The precision with which we mill the PING Vault 2.0 putters allows us to fine-tune the specifications that best match a golfer’s stroke and feel preference. With our new weighting system, we’re able to add or reduce the overall headweight to achieve the best balance for each player, which will lead to more consistency on the greens.”

Golfers can choose from three premium finishes (Stealth, Platinum or Copper) in five models precision-milled from 303 stainless steel, including the new Dale Anser, which is inspired by one of the original Anser putter moulds created by Allan Dale Solheim and detailed by his father, Karsten Solheim. The award-winning Ketsch mallet (Stealth or Slate finish) combines a fully-machined 6061 aerospace-grade aluminium body with a stainless steel sole plate for an extremely high MOI and offers exceptional alignment features. All the models are fit for stroke and designed with varying alignment aids to fit a golfer’s preferred look and alignment style. As part of the custom-building process that ensures optimal balance, putters between 34″ and 36″ in length are built with steel sole weights; models 34″ and shorter feature tungsten weighting; putters built 36″ and longer use aluminium weights.

Four proprietary PING Pistol tapered grips provide golfers with variances in shape and feel. The PP60 is a midsize, lightweight design with a foam under-listing and dominant flats for face awareness. The PP61 has an exaggerated pistol to fit the contour of the golfer’s hands and a rubber under-listing for a softer response. The PP62 is a lightweight, oversized grip with a rounded profile. The CB60 is standard on custom counter-balanced putters in the line.

PING Vault 2.0 Putter Technology and Specifications:

Dale Anser (Blade)

• 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel
• Available in Copper, Platinum or Stealth finish
• Slight Arc
• 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º
• RRP: £275

Voss (Blade)

• 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel
• Available in Stealth finish (Copper or Platinum available special order)
• Slight Arc
• 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º
• RRP: £275

B60 (Blade)

• 355g, fully machined 303 stainless steel
• Available in Stealth or Copper finish (Platinum available special order)
• Slight Arc
• 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º
• RRP: £275

ZB (Blade)

• 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel
• Available in Platinum (Copper or Stealth available special order)
• Slight Arc
• 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º
• RRP: £275

Piper (Mid-Mallet)

• 360g, fully machined 303 stainless steel
• Available in Stealth finish (Copper or Platinum available special order)
• Slight Arc or Straight
• 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-2º
• RRP: £275

Ketsch (Mallet)

• 365g, fully machined 6061 aluminium head, stainless steel sole plate
• Available in Stealth finish (Slate finish available special order)
• Slight Arc or Straight
• 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-2º
• RRP: £275

Following a successful first staging of Final Stage last season, a deal has been struck which guarantees the Spanish venue will host the climax of Q-School until the end of 2019.

Among the most unique and high stakes events in golf, Q-School has helped unearth some of golf’s greatest players, while also attracting the attention of a worldwide audience.

A popular venue among players and fans alike, Lumine Mediterránea Beach & Golf Community’s stunning Hills and Lakes Courses will once again pose a tough test for the European Tour hopefuls over six dramatic days in Tarragona.

“We are thrilled to be chosen by the European Tour as host venue for the Final Stage of Qualifying School in 2018 and 2019,” said Calle Carlsson, General Manager of Lumine Mediterránea Beach & Golf Community.

“The selection of Lumine for these prestigious events is another great milestone for everyone at the club and we are thoroughly looking forward to showcasing once again why Lumine has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations.”

Lumine Golf Club has been an integral part of Q-School since 2012, previously hosting the Second Stage of the three-stage competition on five occasions.

Led by José Tomas Agulló, the maintenance team are well-versed in tournament preparations, with the responsibility of hosting Final Stage for the first time in 2017 affording the team the opportunity to showcase the venue.

Mike Stewart, Qualifying School Director, said: “Lumine provided a terrific setting for Qualifying School Final Stage in 2017 and we are delighted to be able to confirm it will once again host what is one of the world’s most dramatic sporting events.

“The quality of both golf courses, coupled with Lumine’s outstanding practice facilities and service, resulted in wide praise from all competitors and we look forward to working with Calle and his team on delivering more highly successful events over the coming years.”

Like last year’s Final Stage, the Greg Norman-designed Lakes Course, and Lumine’s other 18-hole layout, the Hills Course, will set the stage for proceedings, offering a varied test across both challenging championship courses.

Find Out More About Lumine @ Lumine.com

After having only taken up golf at the age of 49, Ryder [pictured above, centre], etched his name in the history books after donating the gold trophy to the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland when the first official match took place in 1927; the same trophy that is still used today.

Ryder’s foresight in helping to create the matches has resulted in an enduring legacy that has impacted on golf around the world and specifically on the Confederation of Professional Golf as a partner in Ryder Cup Europe through the vehicle of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, which has enabled significant investment back into developing the game across the continent.

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The award was accepted by Ryder’s Great-Grandsons, Samuel and Tom Ryder-Smith, at the 2017 Annual Congress Gala Awards ceremony at Costa Navarino in Greece:

“I think our Great-Grandfather would be massively impressed with what’s gone on with the tournament,” said Tom [pictured below, centre right]. “I think he would recognise it instantly, being such a strong advocate of the honour and respect that golf draws upon.”

“I think the ethos behind the event would be beyond his wildest dreams…our ancestry is not something we take lightly, we understand how big a thing that is, it’s a real honour,” added Samuel [pictured below, centre left].

Ryder was born in Preston, UK, and after originally training as a teacher at what is now Manchester University, he went on to work in his father’s gardening supplies business where he gained his first experience with nurseries, floristry and in the seed trade.

However, after friction in his family, Ryder moved down south to St Albans, just outside of London, where he joined a rival seed merchant. He also understood that distribution costs would be cheaper in the south, meaning he could reach middle- and lower-class gardeners.

His own ‘penny packet’ seed business became hugely successful and made him a wealthy man, but also a very respected man due to his philanthropic, generous and community-focused efforts.

His role in community of St Albans involved a religious commitment that included being a Deacon at his local church, a councillor for St Albans from 1903 to 1916, Justice of the Peace, a charity fund-raiser, and a spell as town Mayor in 1905.

His origins in the seed business also led to the creation of ‘Heath & Heather’ with his brother, James; an organisation aiming to promote herbs as medicine and the use of natural and organic practices that still exists today.

But it was later in life when Ryder became involved with golf – together with his brother, he began sponsoring golf tournaments and matches with many taking place at his home club, Verulam, and in 1925 he employed PGA Professional, Abe Mitchell, as his coach.

Mitchell’s fellow professionals and friends such as Walter Hagen, combined with Ryder’s appreciation of the golf profession, ultimately led to his involvement with the first formalised Ryder Cup match between the USA and Great Britain & Ireland in 1927.

Ryder was able to create a deed of trust with the British PGA on 25^th July that set in motion the first matches that took place at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. Unfortunately his health prevented him travelling to the matches that were won by the Americans, but when the 1929 match moved to Great Britain, he was present to see them claim the trophy back.

Perhaps Ryder’s most recognisable involvement with the event was the 17-inch high trophy commissioned for £250 and created by the famous Sheffield silversmith firm of Mappin & Webb. In tribute and as a show of great respect, the golfer atop the trophy was created in the image of Abe Mitchell, highlighting Ryder’s respect and affinity to the PGA and PGA Professionals.

Today, the Ryder Cup is deemed to be one of the world’s largest sporting events having expanded the team selection in the late 70s to bring Europe together like no other major sporting event. 24 of the world’s best male golfers now battle it out every two years in matches that have been hosted across the USA and in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Spain, and is set to venture to new countries in the future with France hosting the 2018 matches and Italy hosting the 2022 matches.

The legacy of these matches is shown in the huge investment back into golf that the event brings both through the charitable and social responsibility activities that take place around the hosting of the matches, together with the ongoing work of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust that seeks to support golf at grass roots level throughout Europe to get more people starting to playing and succeeding in golf.

For More Information On All of 2017’s Award Winners Visit http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress

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For more information on the 2017 Annual Award Winners visit Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The Annual Congress Gala Awards are partnered by Rolex, Costa Navarino, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, BMW and Aegean Airlines, and are supported by The Botanist, The Blue Beetle, Bulldog, G’Vine gins, Marendry apperitivo, and Fever-Tree Premium Natural Mixers.

Images Courtesy of Getty Images

The Christer Lindberg Bowl is named after the Confederation of Professional Golf’s first Chairman, reflecting the importance and influence of its winners.  Di Ponziano’s worthy naming as this year’s recipient acknowledges the role he has played within golf, from grass roots level all the way to top-level elite performers.

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“It is a big privilege and I know what it means because it comes from Christer Lindberg who was a very special man,” said Di Ponziano after receiving the award at the 2017 Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner at Costa Navarino in Greece.

“I don’t know if I deserve it, but what I know for sure is that I have a lot of colleagues in Europe that helped me a lot…so I am very proud of it.”

The Italian has been instrumental in the development of the PGA of Italy and its education programme, ran the Men’s, Women’s and Seniors’ Italian Opens for a number of years and is currently Technical Director of the Performance Centre at ‘Royal Park I Roveri’ in Turin and a TV commentator for Sky Italia.

His influence has not just been limited to Italy, however, having worked extensively for golf in Europe as a Confederation of Professional Golf Board Member for over 20 years. He was then Confederation of Professional Golf Honorary President in 2014-15 recognising his service to the Association and the stature that he has had across the continent.

“At the beginning of my time with the Confederation of Professional Golf, it was not easy,” Di Ponziano added. “Different nationalities, characters, egos – but then golf helped everybody to be what Europe expected – a group of Professionals who worked together to achieve great results. Our role was not to be a genius, but to build bridges between knowledge and the people who don’t have the opportunity to be close to golf.

“I think the world of golf is better than it was before, and the Confederation of Professional Golf has been an important part of my life and I am very thankful to my colleagues from across this time.”

This was also shown with his role as a Ryder Cup Policy Board Member and his work as a Golf Developer in carrying missions much further afield than just Europe.

India has become particularly close to Di Ponziano’s heart having visited many times across 20 years, working to teach a large number of coaches and players and also having helped established the National Golf Academy of India (NGAI).

In 2015, in recognition of his efforts in India, he was given the honour of becoming India’s first ‘Master Teaching Professional’ by the Indian Golf Union (IGU).

He is also hugely well known for his role in developing the first European Teaching & Coaching Conference (TCC) in Milan, Italy, in 1990. The TCCs became a fixture on the Confederation of Professional Golf’s schedule with the hugely successful and ground-breaking events taking place in France, Switzerland Germany, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, with many led by Di Ponziano or featuring him as a speaker.

These TCC events were designed to help standardise and improve the development of educational knowledge and methods among the PGA Professionals across Europe and resulted in thousands of individuals gaining knowledge that at the time was unavailable to them elsewhere.

Di Ponziano’s impact on golf has been wide reaching in various elements of the sport making him a very worthy recipient of the Christer Lindberg Bowl.

For More Information On All of 2017’s Award Winners Visit http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress

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For more information on the 2017 Annual Award Winners visit Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The Annual Congress Gala Awards are partnered by Rolex, Costa Navarino, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, BMW and Aegean Airlines, and are supported by The Botanist, The Blue Beetle, Bulldog, G’Vine gins, Marendry apperitivo, and Fever-Tree Premium Natural Mixers.

Gough was nominated by his PGA in recognition of his outstanding work across 34 years as a PGA Member and coach, particularly with top-level players on the European Tour; 17 of which are tournament winners.

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“It’s a great honour to receive an award like this in the name of John Jacobs,” said Gough after receiving his award at the 2017 Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner at Costa Navarino in Greece.

“Any time you receive an award from your peers and an award for your teaching is brilliant. PGAs are great institutions – you can go anywhere in the world with your PGA credentials and everybody receives you with open arms, and I’m proud to be involved with it.”

The John Jacobs Award is the Confederation of Professional Golf’s highest coaching accolade and is presented to a PGA Professional who has excelled as a golf coach at all levels of the game, be it with elite or beginner players alike across a number of years.

Previous winners of the award have included Shane Lowry’s coach, Neil Manchip, along with Michael Bannon, coach of Rory McIlroy and Salvador Luna, coach of Sergio Garcia, and coach to seven of the 2016 Ryder Cup Europe Team, Mike Walker.

Gough is known in South Africa for having owned and operated the country’s largest and most successful chain of golf schools. On an international level, he has coached some of the world’s best players, both amateurs and professionals – notably the 2006 South African Eisenhower Team on home turf in Cape Town.

Since then he has worked as a full-time instructor on the European Tour, nurturing and developing players with an average of 30 events across the season including all four Major Championships, World Golf Championships, and the Ryder Cup.

His current squad of players include fellow countrymen, Brandon Stone and Richard Sterne, England’s Andy Sullivan who he worked with closely at the 2016 Ryder Cup Matches at Hazeltine National Golf Club, and China’s Number 1 player, Hao Tong Li, who finished third in the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

His work with these top-level players has earned him numerous accolades, including Golf Digest’s No. 1 teacher in South Africa, along with a career client list that has included the likes of Miguel Angel Jimenez, 2018 Ryder Cup Team Europe Captain, Thomas Bjorn, Alex Noren, Jose Maria Olazabal, Anders Hanson, David Howell, Charl Schwartzel, Brett Rumford, Haydn Porteous, George Coetzee and many more.

Gough understands the extreme requirements of tournament golf and as such has developed a method that involves understanding the basics and controlling ball flight to create a swing that repeats under high pressure and can stand the test of the highest level of competition.

“I am very much a structure teacher who believes that the basics of golf are as relevant to a top professional as they are to a beginner,” adds Gough. “Instructors must never lose sight of the fact that a good grip, setup and posture are imperative for all levels of golfer.

“John Jacobs was the first to be very observant of ball flight, and for modern day teachers, myself included, this is still so important. I am proud to be mentioned in the same breath as someone like him.”

For More Information On All of 2017’s Award Winners Visit http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress

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For more information on the 2017 Annual Award Winners visit Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The Annual Congress Gala Awards are partnered by Rolex, Costa Navarino, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, BMW and Aegean Airlines, and are supported by The Botanist, The Blue Beetle, Bulldog, G’Vine gins, Marendry apperitivo, and Fever-Tree Premium Natural Mixers.

Evans’ vast experience of working in some of the world’s best golf facilities, including creating the hugely successful Centurion Club, make him a worthy winner of the award that acknowledges those who show the highest standards and achievements in the areas of expertise and activity they have been involved with.

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“I am very honoured to receive this award – to be accepted and recognised by your peers and colleagues is everything you work towards,” said Evans in his acceptance speech video shown to guests of the 2017 Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner supported by Rolex at Costa Navarino in Greece.

“Receiving the award means so much to my family and I – there’s a lot of people to thank from throughout my career, young and old, past and present, who have been a huge help and support – I really accept this on their behalf as much as my own. It’s a tough business we’re in and I just wanted to be tougher than the rest…it comes from Scottish grit, determination and doing the best job that I can.”

Described as a great example for those working in golf management and a consummate professional, Evans joins the outstanding roll of honour that reflects the extreme merits, diversity and international nature of Confederation of Professional Golf 5-Star Professional Winners, which include Ryder Cup Captains and Open Champions since the award began in 1992.

Evans began his career training as a Civil Engineer and carried out his PGA training under the guidance of the much respected former PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Captain, Bill Watson, at Whitecraigs Golf Club until 1990.

He then moved on to work in the USA at the prestigious Tom Weiskopf-designed Troon Golf and Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, working alongside Weiskopf himself and also the creator of Troon Golf, Dana Garmany; a move that would prove to be the catalyst for his career in club management.

Evans worked in Arizona for two years, and by 1995 had also worked through the opening stages of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with Peter Downie, and Loch Lomond Golf Club with Paul Dellanzo.

In 1996 and at the age of 28 he moved onto Bearwood Lakes Golf Club in the UK where he was responsible for taking the project from the latter stages of construction through to the finished product. It was here he spent 10 years working under Ray Wilson of Southern Golf fame and seeing first hand the construction of some of Europe’s finest golf courses.

Adding another big name club to his CV, Evans moved on to the London Club as General Manager in 2005 where he was instrumental in turning around the fortunes of the club and creating an agreement with the European Tour that ultimately led to its hosting of two London Senior Masters, two European Opens and a World Matchplay Championship.

Moving back to Troon Golf in 2007, he then worked on many new European projects whilst becoming Managing Director of the La Quinta Resort in Marbella, overseeing its renovation whilst introducing the European Seniors Tour Benahavis Senior Masters.

In 2010, Evans continued his journey to where he is now with the development of the Centurion Club just outside London, where he recently received the award from Confederation of Professional Golf Chief Executive, Ian Randell [pictured above, right] and Confederation of Professional Golf Honorary President, George O’Grady CBE [pictured above, left].

Finding a piece of land just 30 minutes from central London was just the first step in a journey that, along with his Dutch business partners Bert Pronk and Andre Hendriks, has led to the creation of a club that is now famed for its forward-thinking approach, including an acclaimed golf course, a unique membership structure and, a modern club culture and facilities – such as a restaurant operated by the Michelin-starred chefs, the Galvin brothers – that are relaxing, comfortable and high quality in equal measure.

The club has also gained international recognition for becoming the venue of the innovative European Tour GolfSixes event that began earlier this year.  Centurion has been instrumental in the success of the revolutionary format of two-man teams from 16 different countries that brought over 9,000 spectators through the club’s gates, and also gave it huge exposure to millions of people around the world with its extensive TV coverage.

The development of the club is a great example of the dedication, drive and expertise that Evans has, having overcome many challenges, including the development of a successful and sustainable facility during one of the worst economic periods in our lifetime.

With this exceptional list of facilities and clubs that Evans has poured heart and soul into, he is more than worthy of being named a 5-Star Professional.

For More Information On All of 2017’s Award Winners Visit http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress

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For more information on the 2017 Annual Award Winners visit Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The Annual Congress Gala Awards are partnered by Rolex, Costa Navarino, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, BMW and Aegean Airlines, and are supported by The Botanist, The Blue Beetle, Bulldog, G’Vine gins, Marendry apperitivo, and Fever-Tree Premium Natural Mixers.

Over a period of six years, Liam created an extensive system for golf coaching in schools across Ireland. This allowed thousands of children to access golf that otherwise would not be able to, engaging in a number of projects that created playing opportunities for people of all ages and physical and mental capabilities, all whilst providing employment for many PGA Professionals.

In early 2017, Liam was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition and after a short period of treatment, passed away suddenly at the University Hospital Kerry aged just 37, leaving behind his much loved wife and two children.

Nominated by the PGA in Ireland, Liam was naturally a worthy recipient of the President’s Award for Golf Development, as it aims to acknowledge the work of an individual or specific project that has excelled in developing golf.

Liam began his PGA career in 2003 and graduated with distinction having finished third, first and second out of all the trainees in the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland training programme. After a short time in the United States at Kiawah Island, the global economic climate led to interviewing for dozens of jobs and work outside of the golf industry. With few opportunities within golf arising, he felt it necessary to make his own.

In April 2011, after realising that there was not enough of a focus on juniors within golf in Ireland, Liam founded LDgolf, a freelance coaching service offering tuition in Limerick & Kerry, with a primary focus on junior coaching and development.

Seeing a clear gap in the market, he focused on delivering golf in schools creating fun and safe learning environments and positive experiences and ensuring he taught the fundamentals of golf, life skills and cognitive and affective intelligence.

This opened the floodgates and after only a few years, the programmes were becoming incorporated into the curriculum and there was enough demand that he was able to create a revenue stream and take on two further PGA Professionals.

By the end of 2015, the ‘Rising Star’ programme had 24 PGA Professionals delivering instruction in over 225 schools, to more than 3,000 children each week on average, with pathways established to 32 golf clubs and coaching venues in the country.

The programme showed success with various high performing juniors coming through the system, but also in engaging PGA Professionals that gained the skills necessary to keep employment in the golf industry at a time when many were not able to.

Liam was then able to take his incredible work much further with the development of the CommuniTEE programme that focuses on bringing golf to the 90% of the population that do not have access to the sport, such as school children, the over 60s, those with special needs, and also families, with structured pathways to golf clubs to provide long-term playing opportunities.

He was then a natural fit to work with other organisations such as The First Tee Ireland and their one day “Primary Days” programmes, and with UNESCO Chair at Tralee IT and the co-developed “Let’s Inclusivize Golf” programme focusing on creating opportunities for people with disabilities in golf.

This work also led to engaging with The Els Foundation and the delivery of “Els for Autism” programmes with the Foundation placing a plaque at their headquarters in Florida in tribute to Liam and his work.

Liam’s wife, Catherine [pictured above], was present at the 2017 Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner at Costa Navarino in Greece to collect the award in recognition of the legacy for golf in Ireland that he has left. Confederation of Professional Golf Honorary President, George O’Grady CBE, presented Catherine with Liam’s award, receiving an emotional and a much-deserved reception from the attending guests.

For More Information On All of 2017’s Award Winners Visit http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress

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For more information on the 2017 Annual Award Winners visit Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The Annual Congress Gala Awards are partnered by Rolex, Costa Navarino, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, BMW and Aegean Airlines, and are supported by The Botanist, The Blue Beetle, Bulldog, G’Vine gins, Marendry apperitivo, and Fever-Tree Premium Natural Mixers.

The President’s Award for Golf Development acknowledges the work of an individual or specific project that has excelled in developing golf. Since 2003, Golf Éducatif has worked to use golf as an educational tool that promotes the values associated with the game – respect, etiquette, humility, environmental awareness, concentration, and citizenship – to French schoolchildren and adults regardless of their socio-economic background, or physical and mental capabilities.

The Project develops environmental and social awareness and helps people to take responsibility by getting them involved in the construction, development and up-keep of their own golf courses, with well over 20 courses being created across France.

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The Project is the brainchild of PGA of GB&I Professional, Bill Owens [pictured below, left], who has led it from its very beginning and received the award at the 2017 Annual Congress at Costa Navarino in Greece from Confederation of Professional Golf Honorary President, George O’Grady CBE [pictured below, right].

“I can’t wait to take this into all the golf courses we have built and I know the pupils are going to be so proud,” said Owens after receiving a standing ovation during the awards ceremony. “This could really help us to build more Golf Éducatif courses all over France. A lot of people said we couldn’t do this but I love that kind of challenge – this is a real rocket that will let an awful lot of people know what we’re going to do with golf and what Golf Éducatif is.

“I see Golf Éducatif as an important educational solution because we’re in a serious situation worrying about the environment. The philosophy that the project works on is that there is 82% of the world’s population living in 18% of the territory…so we have to have an education for children that shows how they get in contact with the environment and we believe they can only do this through a game, and that game is golf. They need the tools to do this and Golf Éducatif can be that tool, and is what education will be about in the future…we have a model that can set an example for the world.”

Owens’ specific teaching method called “Le Geste Naturel”, combined with the use of 30% distance golf balls, enable participants to play in a wide variety of environments such as sports grounds, educational facilities, public parks, derelict and un-used land and the grounds of psychological and physiological health units.

Courses are built so they are adapted to the 30% ball and participants are then able to learn using an “educational golf” teaching formula taught to teachers and educators that creates a multi-disciplinary experience including artistic and creative studies, mathematics, physics, sport, history, and civil instruction.

The programme’s strong environmental focus creates awareness and individual responsibility for the ever-increasing urban population through the re-use of existing, inner-city land, and recycling of golf equipment and any items that are available to participants, such as old tyres to build greens, leftover paint, old building materials and even clothing.

The project has worked tirelessly to place golf in the heart of the education system in France with around 50 teachers or educators being taught every year, each of which is working with around 30 pupils.

Owens presented an overview of the project during the 2017 Annual Congress sessions to representatives of Member Country PGAs showing how the model could be rolled out internationally allowing other countries to also see substantial social, physical and psychological benefits.

For More Information On All of 2017’s Award Winners Visit http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress

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For more information on the 2017 Annual Award Winners visit Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2017AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The Annual Congress Gala Awards are partnered by Rolex, Costa Navarino, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, BMW and Aegean Airlines, and are supported by The Botanist, The Blue Beetle, Bulldog, G’Vine gins, Marendry apperitivo, and Fever-Tree Premium Natural Mixers.