Tweet
Review of The First GTO UK Open
On a blustery August morning in the midlands on one of the UK’s finest golf courses eleven players gathered to make history...
This was no other ordinary golf event, these players were playing in the first GTO golf day at The Forest of Arden...
happy days J
As with any of these events organised for an online community everyone is always quite apprehensive as to what the other people will actually be like... much to the relief of all, everyone turned up and yes all were normal, two arms, two legs and looking for a game of golf and a fun day. What a fun day it was to.
A few set off for the event on the Friday afternoon and met up at the now famous Bull’s Head... Apparently this was essential preparation for the golf on Saturday morning. Mark, Ian (Slats), and Keith tested the local brew and after a few agreed that it would suffice.
The Saturday morning was an early start for those that travelled that day. I, myself set the alarm for 3.45am...
Coffee/Tea and bacon rolls were served prior to the golf, which really set us up for the game. The first tee time was 0726 and the buggy with on course navigation (great invention) was ready to roll...
The course itself was in good condition, with the greens playing true and looking slightly faster than they actually were. We were extremely lucky with the rain staying off, but this likely due to the blustery wind, which made club selection very difficult.
Following a two course lunch and a couple of drinks there was a brief history of GTO and the presentation of prizes.
The final results of the day were as follows:
1. Qassim (Mohammed) - 32 points
2. Ian Hancock - 28 points
3. David Delve - 24 points
4. Ian Slater - 18 points
5. Mark Caldwell - 13 points
6. Keith Lawson - 8 points (for four holes)
Following the presentation of prizes, we had talk from PGA Professional and “3SkillsGolf” instructor Kevin McDonald. 3Skills golf is new approach to improving your golf and is featured in this month’s golf punk magazine and on Setanta Sports. Kevin gave an excellent insight into the philosophy behind the 3Skills with the use of laptop and swing comparisons between some of the World’s top touring professionals everyone was eager to get out onto the driving range to put what they had learnt into practice.
After some coaching and some good ball striking from all, smiles started to appear and the confidence that the Arden course had shattered earlier in the day was re-built. Kevin also gave us an insight into his prowess of playing golf from his knees. The first and probably last time we will all see a driver hit 260 yards with a slight draw from a player standing on his knees... Great show Kevin... “Nail it”.
It was now time to put the clubs to bed and make our way back to the hotel. With six of us staying in the Manor just ten minutes up the road, we were able to fit in a quick power knap before freshening up for dinner.
With the hotel being busy with two weddings that evening we made our way down to the Bulls Head for dinner and refreshments. A fantastic place to eat and drink with its oak beamed and lowly lit interior. It would have been a shame to end the day, after having so much fun so far. We decided to make our way back to the hotel and sample some of the local brew in the hotel bar, which of course was swamped by wedding goers. After several more we were officially wedding crashers. What a great end to a great day.
The first GTO event was a great success... Happy Days... The next one will be just round the corner and I know that each one will go from strength to strength.
Well done to all you guys for coming and making the day such a great success.
Ian (slats), Mark, Ian (Hancock), Keith, Mohammed, Graham, Nigel, Kevin (Nail It), Chris, David (DoubleD), Greg
See you on the next one guys...
I have uploaded photos from the day to our gallery HERE
Enjoy & see you at the next one guys
...
On a blustery August morning in the midlands on one of the UK’s finest golf courses eleven players gathered to make history...
This was no other ordinary golf event, these players were playing in the first GTO golf day at The Forest of Arden...
happy days J
As with any of these events organised for an online community everyone is always quite apprehensive as to what the other people will actually be like... much to the relief of all, everyone turned up and yes all were normal, two arms, two legs and looking for a game of golf and a fun day. What a fun day it was to.
A few set off for the event on the Friday afternoon and met up at the now famous Bull’s Head... Apparently this was essential preparation for the golf on Saturday morning. Mark, Ian (Slats), and Keith tested the local brew and after a few agreed that it would suffice.
The Saturday morning was an early start for those that travelled that day. I, myself set the alarm for 3.45am...
Coffee/Tea and bacon rolls were served prior to the golf, which really set us up for the game. The first tee time was 0726 and the buggy with on course navigation (great invention) was ready to roll...
The course itself was in good condition, with the greens playing true and looking slightly faster than they actually were. We were extremely lucky with the rain staying off, but this likely due to the blustery wind, which made club selection very difficult.
Following a two course lunch and a couple of drinks there was a brief history of GTO and the presentation of prizes.
The final results of the day were as follows:
1. Qassim (Mohammed) - 32 points
2. Ian Hancock - 28 points
3. David Delve - 24 points
4. Ian Slater - 18 points
5. Mark Caldwell - 13 points
6. Keith Lawson - 8 points (for four holes)
Following the presentation of prizes, we had talk from PGA Professional and “3SkillsGolf” instructor Kevin McDonald. 3Skills golf is new approach to improving your golf and is featured in this month’s golf punk magazine and on Setanta Sports. Kevin gave an excellent insight into the philosophy behind the 3Skills with the use of laptop and swing comparisons between some of the World’s top touring professionals everyone was eager to get out onto the driving range to put what they had learnt into practice.
After some coaching and some good ball striking from all, smiles started to appear and the confidence that the Arden course had shattered earlier in the day was re-built. Kevin also gave us an insight into his prowess of playing golf from his knees. The first and probably last time we will all see a driver hit 260 yards with a slight draw from a player standing on his knees... Great show Kevin... “Nail it”.
It was now time to put the clubs to bed and make our way back to the hotel. With six of us staying in the Manor just ten minutes up the road, we were able to fit in a quick power knap before freshening up for dinner.
With the hotel being busy with two weddings that evening we made our way down to the Bulls Head for dinner and refreshments. A fantastic place to eat and drink with its oak beamed and lowly lit interior. It would have been a shame to end the day, after having so much fun so far. We decided to make our way back to the hotel and sample some of the local brew in the hotel bar, which of course was swamped by wedding goers. After several more we were officially wedding crashers. What a great end to a great day.
The first GTO event was a great success... Happy Days... The next one will be just round the corner and I know that each one will go from strength to strength.
Well done to all you guys for coming and making the day such a great success.
Ian (slats), Mark, Ian (Hancock), Keith, Mohammed, Graham, Nigel, Kevin (Nail It), Chris, David (DoubleD), Greg
See you on the next one guys...
I have uploaded photos from the day to our gallery HERE
Enjoy & see you at the next one guys
...
) and pure enjoyment.
)
"
Comment