Round Town News

HAVING BEEN hit by a golf ball in the last few days I felt compelled to ask why so many golfers no longer shout “Fore!” when it is possible that their golf ball could hit someone?

Luckily I was hit on the leg. Had the ball been a few feet higher it is highly likely that I would not be writing this article and you would be wondering why I had not made this week’s contribution to the best newspaper on the Costa Blanca!

The really sad thing is that there was not even a hint of a shout from the player whose ball hit me and even less of an apology. Now I am relatively fit but if the ball had hit someone older the consequences could have been very much worse.

Just why we have seen the demise in etiquette in such serious and dangerous circumstances defies belief. Sadly I see the professional tour players as the root cause of this problem. For them it is much better that their ball hits someone than goes out of bounds or into deep trouble where they can run up double figures and possibly miss a cut. This situation on tour will not change until the people running the top tours of The World start to penalise those whose balls hit spectators without warning by such measures as penalty shots. Money alone will not be enough bearing in mind the money these players earn.

Maybe when we get the top players setting the proper examples we will see the everyday amateur golfer follow the correct procedures. Believe me getting hit by a golf ball is no fun; I have been hit on numerous occasions and got away with only bruises. A close friend of mine was not so lucky when I played with him in a charity golf day and he was hit by a ball that hospitalised him for five days with a head wound that they could not stop bleeding for over twenty four hours: the trauma his wife suffered was something I would not wish upon my worst enemy while she waited for news that he would recover.

The word ‘fore’ was chosen to use to warn golfers of an errant shot because it is the most piercing word known to man. Remember what you can do to someone else if you do not use it when you really know you should.

WIN A ROUND OF GOLF FOR 2 INCLUDING BUGGY AT THE BEAUTIFUL EL PLANTIO RESORT IN ALICANTE
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QUESTION FOR 25TH MAY 2012
There is now only one European Tour event held in England. Where is it staged?

A.    The Belfry
B.    Wentworth
C.    Hanbury Manor

All answers must be received no later than 5pm on 31st May 2012 to be entered into May’s draw, to be made on 1st June. The winner will be announced in RTN on 8th June 2012.

The Professional Scene
THE VOLVO World Matchplay Championship last weekend is an event steeped in history and almost all the top golfers have won the event in their time. The names engraved on the trophy means that any golfer with ambition will want to add his name, therefore the European Tour have a duty to find a place in the schedule where the event can attract the top players again. The top six missed out this year because they were playing in America last week or at Wentworth this week.

For the sake of the sponsors The Tour have to find a place in the calendar that will suit the World’s best. After that they have to find a venue where spectators can see more of the golf and not have to walk the best part of one kilometer from one green to the next tee whilst the players are whisked away in buggies. Finca Cortesin is a great golf course but as Retief Goosen will agree the course is not suitable for an event as prestigious as this.

Sunday’s final proved to many that matchplay golf is where all the excitement is and why we should see more of it during the season. In really severe conditions Graeme McDowell and Nicolas Colsaerts provided some wonderful entertainment for those lucky enough to see it. In winds that made it difficult to just stand up some of the shots played were on a stunningly high quality and in the end neither player really deserved to lose but the overwhelming length of Colsaerts proved too much in the end and he went on to secure a two and one victory and pick up the biggest cheque of his career and virtually seal a Ryder Cup spot.

This weekend we will undoubtedly be thrilled by what happens at Wentworth before the Tour moves to Celtic Manor for The Wales Open where Ryder Cup Captain Jose Maria Olazabal will make his debut in the event. Miguel Angel Jimenez will also be appearing; no doubt hoping for a turnaround in form after recent disappointing performances in Spain. Two weeks later we see Rory McIllroy attempt to retain his US Open crown in San Francisco as the high quality and important run of tournaments reaches mid-June.

GOLFING TIP OF THE WEEK
The correct length putter shaft is vital to help you get into the correct position to putt well. Seek advice from someone who knows about this and you will see dramatic improvements.

NOEL EASTWELL GOLF ACADEMY AT EL PLANTIO
Quality coaching at reduced rates for RTN Golf Club members: contact Noel on 639 730 891.