Big scoring week.

72 people played in my pro's Stableford on Sunday. There were 27 in the 7.30 am school alone! It's no wonder this school is so popular as anyone can turn up and join in and everybody gets a game. Not only is it good fun and banter, but it also allows you to return home in time to fulfil duties later in the day.

In glorious conditions, and on super rapid (freshly ironed) greens Tim Crampton won the stableford with 37 points. Tim has been taking the odd lesson over the winter period and he continues to improve. With a little work on sharpening up his short game, I am certain that Tim will score better and lower his handicap this year. Graham Warburton was second, also with 37 points but just missing out on countback. Dave Flanagan just pipped his playing partner Mark Watkins on a card play-off both with 35 points. Prizes went down to 6th this week, click here to see the full comp results.

Saturday's 3 Man Bogey competition was won by Paddy Weadick, Alan Finney & Paul Wade with a massive 14 up. Paddy thanked Alan, and son Paul, and said he did very little except put the flag back in! The result has left Paddy and Alan as joint leaders at the top of the order of merit. To view the leading contenders of the order of merit with three events to go, please click here.

Paul Kerrigan, Phil Frankland and Mike Warburton finished 13 up having been clubhouse leaders for some time, just pipped by the last but one card of the day. John Ford, Chris Logue and Mike Short finished third for the second week running with 9 up beating John Schofield, Gareth Jones and Pete McDonald on a card play-off.

Alan Bell won Wednesday's Pro's Stableford with an incredible 44 pts, 2 over par gross off his 10 handicap. Curtis Brokenbrow finished second also with a 2 under par gross for 39 points. Third with 35 points was Zube Aziz; Zube was delighted at scoring his very first 2 of his golfing career with a well struck 5 iron followed by a 10 footer that disappeared on the 12th.

Loads of 2's though, so worth only £3.87 each. Click here for full results.

Seniors

In the final round of the Seniors' Winter Stableford Geoff Loughlin won with 38 points, with Colin Farrow second on 37. Geoff and Colin jointly head the leader board so will have to play off to decide this year's champion. Geoff Loughlin is having an excellent year, also being in the final of the Seniors Knock out to be played against Graham Warburton.

Four years ago Geoff had a 20 handicap and hit most shots high and right with little power. A weak left hand position was the problem, so a change to Geoff's grip was the key to long term improvement. Geoff usually comes back for a couple of lessons a year or so, and he keeps getting lower, now playing off 12. In Geoff's last lesson we worked on improved body rotation, and I am hopeful that Geoff will soon play off single figures.

Presentation

Just a reminder that it's Captain Ian Doyle's final presentation on Saturday 22nd March. If you have outstanding vouchers or have won a comp recently then please come and collect your vouchers. Click here to see a list of unclaimed vouchers.

Would you like a new golf bag?

Always good to start the season feeling smart, organised and well prepared so I want to tell you about golf bags for 2014.

This year's golf bags are better than previous years. They are more attractive and better designed. Carry bags are stronger and lighter, and trolley bags are becoming lighter and more compact. They secure on trolleys better than ever and the material being used is generally stronger than in previous years.

Examine a PING golf bag. Feel the strength of the material. Feel the weight. You get what you pay for.

The bags you will see in your Pro Shop this year include PING, Titleist, Motocaddy, Cleveland, Benross and others. The new Titleist range of bags arrived this week. The new Titleist Tour stand bag is different - combining the style and waterproofing of a Tour bag with the practicality of a stand bag.

New Titleist Vokey SM5 Wedges

You will notice the difference with these new Vokeys. With a choice of nine loft options, three finishes (including a new raw black finish) and an improved range of bounce options you should find a wedge to do the job, whatever it is.

Talk to me about bounce angles on wedges - many golfers still don't fully understand how the different designs benefit differing swing types and ultimately how these can lower your scores.

If you want more spin and control, replace those old wedges with new, and also talk to me about what ball?

These wedges are in your Pro Shop now, and as always demo's are available.

We've had amazing weather this week, and the course has really begun to dry out, with the greens feeling firmer again. Some more trees have gone this week, including a big one that was behind the 18th tee, both over hanging the river and shading the tee.

It is amazing what a huge difference it makes removing some quite prominent trees.

Have a look at this picture. It shows how quickly golf courses can change in a relatively short space of time. The picture has been copied and scanned a couple of times so click on the image to see a bigger verion and see the detail. It shows Alan Stott (Vaughan's Dad and Adam's Grandad!) playing from the 9th tee, on Captains Day in 1972.

Behind Alan is the barn which fell into disrepair and has since been demolished. If you look to the left of the picture you can see players on the 11th green. If you look behind the 11th green there are no trees there, only a tall white marker post which I believe is still there, now obscured by trees. In fact if you look up to the top five you can see holes 4 and 5 clearly, and even the bank has virtually no trees on it. By the way Jack Cooper tells me the Vauxhall Viva contained the booze!

I am very interested to see any pictures of the golf course that you may have tucked away somewhere, particularly older ones like this. If you can dig any out to share with the rest of the club please bring them into The Pro Shop where I can quickly scan them and give them straight back.

Are you prepared for the season?

Well done to all those who have booked golf lessons recently as my diary has really filled up. Set yourself a target for this year, and make the time to come and see me to improve your game and lower your scores.

You only have to ring the shop or call in to book a lesson. I can also do lessons in the evenings now it's lighter if that suits you. Help is available on any aspect of the game from putting to driving and everything else in between. I use an iPad to record your technique, so combined with my analysis you will be able to see and understand.

Finally

As you are aware I have a new newsletter and website and would be really interested in hearing your feedback on it. Please send me an email by clicking here to let me know your opinions on the new style.