GOLFING IN PARADISE

By JOSE CALLEJA
General Manager, Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

International Golf Professionals play for $10,000
The Fiji Sun Natadola Bay Pro-am will be played on Fiji’s premier golf course this Monday.  The event has attracted a quality field of amateurs and professionals from Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.
The Professionals will play for a prize purse of $10,000 while the amateurs will via for their share of great prizes.  
The Fiji Sun Natadola Bay Pro-am is a great addition to Fiji’s growing calendar of events.
On behalf of Natadola Bay and the events competitors, I would like to thank the sponsors who include the Fiji Sun, Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Yatule Beach Resort, Fiji Development Bank, Tappoo, Fosters Group, Coastal, FMF, TTF, Total, DHL, Sigatoka Electric and Motiram.
There are limited spots still available should you wish to play at the Natadola Bay in championship conditions and can be reserved by calling 673 3500 or play@natadolabay.com

This week’s tip covers selecting the correct irons for your game.
The ideal irons: Selecting your ideal irons can be difficult especially if you are new to the game of golf. The variety of iron designs on the market, the different materials manufactures utilize, the overall aesthetics of the iron and the price can be a little confusing. However you need to know which club best suits your game, so please consider the following before buying.
Types of irons: The two main types of golf irons are cavity backs and blades. Cavity backs are made from cast iron and are cheaper because they are mass produced. Blades are made from a combination of metals to give the player a better feel and are usually forged thus more expensive. Many Tour players are playing with hybrid irons, so now many sets are being sold with hybrid clubs as an option.
Cavity back: A cavity back iron has the back of the club head hollowed out. This creates an effect known as “perimeter weighting”. Perimeter weighting distributes the weight away from the centre of the clubface. This creates a larger sweet spot thus giving greater forgiveness on off-centre shots. Manufactures have moved the weight towards the bottom of the club head thus creating a lower centre of gravity allowing you to get the golf ball airborne more easily. This type of club ideally suits mid to high handicap golfers.
Blades: Blades require a well grooved swing for a golfer to benefit from the soft metal. The grooved swing will allow consistent striking in the centre of the rather smaller head when compare to an oversized cavity back. Blades have a full back and no special weight distribution. This club is suited to a more skilled golfer.
Sizes: The standard cavity-backs and blades are similar and offer better control for an advanced player. Midsize clubs suit low handicap players who prefer sacrifice feel and control for forgiveness. Oversized clubs have larger cavities and are more forgiving and are ideal for mid to high handicap golfers.
Offset: Offset is the space between an imaginary line down the centre of the shaft and the leading edge of the blade. This type of club head is ideal for players who find it difficult to have their hands in front of the ball at impact.
Shafts: Having the right shaft is just as important as getting the right club head design. I covered choosing the right shaft in a previous edition of golfing in paradise. You may recall the shat types, Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff and Extra Stiff.
A set of irons: A typical set of irons will include a 3-iron through to a pitching wedge. Many players are opting for a different sand wedge and a loft wedge such as the Titleist Vokey wedges.  Clubs are identified by a number or “PW” or “SW”    (Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge) on the sole of each club.
Irons have 3 categories
1.    Long irons: 1, 2, 3 and 4-irons
2.    Mid-irons: 5,6 and 7-irons
3.    Short irons: 8, 9, PW and SW.
The 1 iron brings back memories of Sandy Lyle who was capable of driving the ball further with a 1 iron than many Professional with a driver during his glory days. Beginners please stay well away from the 1 iron it will bring more frustration than enjoyment.
How I play the 18th at Natadola Bay
The 18th hole measures 384 meters from the blue tees however it plays like 410 meters because it’s uphill. I play my driver from the tee aiming at right fairway bunker and I hit as hard as I can with one thought in my mind, “Balance”. My second shot is usually from 145 meters and I play a solid 7 iron. Finding the front part of the green I am very happy with a two putt for Par. This brings an end to the 18 holes of play at Natadola Bay Golf Course and next week I hope to begin providing you an insight to a new course in Fiji.
This week we provide a review on the Callaway Tour Authentic RAZR Fit Driver.
The following are the features of the Callaway Tour Authentic RAZR Fit Driver.

• The Driver has a Black PVD finish and has a distinctive look for awe-inspiring confidence.
• Its OptiFit tour hosel offers a higher level of adjustability with three sub positions within the square, closed and open face angles.
• The Project X Black Shaft used provides explosive power and optimized trajectory for maximum carry.
• The driver has a large sweet spot thus more forgiving on missed shots.
• Compared to the RAZR Hawk driver, this driver creates higher impact speeds for added distance.

If you are looking for a Driver with the above features then please contact the Natadola Bay Golf shop on 6733500 and we will order one for you.
PGA Tour events update  
Last week’s Crowne Plaza Invitational Tournament played at the Colonial Golf Course was won by Zach Johnson. Johnson fired a 2 over par 72 in the final round to win tournament with a total score of 12 under par. Johnson had to make a five foot putt to win by one shot over Jason Dufner as he was penalized 2 strokes for failing to replace his ball to his original position after marking it on the 18th green.  This win was Johnson’s 8th PGA Tour victory and he collected 500 Fedex Cup points and has moved to No.3.
This week’s event:
This week on the PGA Tour heads to Ohio for the Memorial Tournament. It is scheduled from May 31 to June 3 and will be played at the Murifield Village Golf Course, Dublin. The total prize purse for the tournament is $6.2 million and the winner will collect $1.116m and 500 Fedex cup points. The defending champion is Steve Stricker who won on a total score of 16 under par.
LPGA Tour
Last week’s UniCredit Ladies German Open played at the Golf Park Gut Hausern, Munich course was won by Anne-Lise Caudal. Caudal and Laura Davies who began the final round two shots behind a trio of leaders carded rounds of 5 under par 67 each with a total score of 13 under par. This led to a play off between the two players and Caudal defeated Davies with a birdie at the second extra play off hole to capture the double first prize of €52,500 and an Audi A5 Cabriolet car. This week’s event:
This week the LPGA Tour heads off to New Jersy for the ShopRite LPGA Classic. It is scheduled from June 1 to 3 and will be played at the par 71, 6155 yard Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club. This event will be held over 54 holes and has a total prize purse of $1.5m. The defending champion is Brittany Lincicome.

NATADOLA BAY COMPETITION RESULTS:
Last Saturday’s Monthly Medal Competition results are as follows:
Winner: Mr Rossco Greenville – Nett 70
Runner up: Mr Neil Stokes – Nett 74
NTP 7th: Mr Kingsley McGarriele
NEXT WEEKS COMPETITIONS AT NATADOLA BAY GOLF COURSE
The following competitions are scheduled for next week:

• 06/06/12 Wednesday Mixed Competition V/Par (9am tee off)
• 08/06/12 Bula Friday Competition -Stableford (2pm tee off).
• 09/06/12 Open Competition – Stableford.

GOLF COURSE UPDATES

• We are delighted to inform Members and guests the Professional Golfing Calendar in Fiji begins with the Fiji Sun Natadola Bay Pro-am on the 4th of June at Natadola Bay Golf Course. Followed by the Starwood Classic from the 13th to the 16th of June. For golf bookings and availability of tee times on these days, please call the Golf Shop on 6733500.

PLAYER REVIEW

Mr. Waylon Seaman

This week’s between shots is Mr. Waylon Seaman.
What clubs do you use? I use Callaway clubs.
Where is your home club? He is a member of Craigieburn Golf Club, Australia.
Who is your favourite player? Tiger Woods.
What course do you love to play? Yarrumbat, Victoria, Australia.
What is your favourite hole? The 6th at Natadola.
What shot will you always remember? 3rd shot of the 17th hole at Natadola.
Who are your dream playing partners? Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson.

This was what Mr. Cassie had to say about Natadola Bay Golf Course: “Great course, amazing views, beautiful and very hard”.