GOLFING IN PARADISE

JOSE CALLEJA General Manager, Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

By JOSE CALLEJA
General Manager, Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

This week’s tip covers how to get out of the “rut”.
The 2012 Eisenhower Trophy held in Antalya, Turkey was won by USA with a record-setting score of 24-under-par 404. The USA won the weather-shortened 2012 World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) by five strokes over Mexico at the par-71 Antalya Golf Club and claimed the Eisenhower Trophy for the 14th time. Mexico finished second and South Korea took 3rd place.
Our national side finished 53rd out of the 72 countries that participated. The Individual scores as follows;
Olaf Allen – 77,78,78 Vikrant Chandra – 80,75,78 Anuresh Chandra – 77,86,86 .
The boys played well taking into consideration the terrible weather and the focus is on improving on their performance for 2014 in Japan.
Golf is a game where we are continuously trying to improve. Some individuals go to the extent of analysing every single shot and breaking the swing down into a million pieces. This only leads to their game experiencing paralysis by analysis.
Often as golfers we get stuck in a rut and for some this can occur over the course of one round. Sometimes this can last over a period of several rounds and even weeks of attempting to produce some decent results. Golfers often point the finger at their swing or the mechanics of how they strike the ball. At times we take advice from fellow playing partners only because we desperately attempting to correct that terrible shot that continuously resurfaces. I think this is the normal course action for most golfers especially if you are not performing the way you want. They key thought is “Target” which redirect you mind away from mechanics to target golf.
Firstly before you embark on making any changes which at times are necessary, we need to realize that no matter how you swing your ultimate goal is to hit the ball to a target. The great Ben Hogan asked his caddie which would be his best line of a approach to a dogleg par 4 hole. The caddie responded by suggesting to aim for the palm trees. Ben Hogan then asked the caddie which one of the 4 palm trees are you referring to?. This clearly identifies the importance of selecting a target when playing and forgetting about swing mechanics. So the next time you venture out to play it would be ideal to clear the mind off all those swing changes you have worked on at the range and focus on the Target. In previous articles I have covered the importance of standing behind the ball and selecting a target. If you notice your mind wondering and unable to focus take a step back and start again. Your pre-shot routine will keep you on track to selecting and playing target golf.
Make sure that you are selecting a target before you take your swing. Happy golfing this week.

EQUIPMENT REVIEW AND TOUR UPDATES BYRAJNESH GOUNDON
DIRECTOR OF GOLFNATADOLA BAY GOLF CLUB

This week we provide a review on the Ping Anser forged irons.
The following are the features of the Ping Anser forged irons:

• Pings stabilising bar technology creates consistent ball flights out of these irons
• The stabilising bars support the streamlined face design and helps increase ball velocity for greater distance especially in longer irons.
• The progressive set design in this iron features larger heads and more offsets in the longer irons and progressively smaller heads with less offset through short irons

If you are looking for irons with the above features then please contact the Natadola Bay Golf shop on 6733500 and we will order a set for you

PGA Tour events update   
Last week’s Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open played on the par 71, 7223 yards, TPC Summerline course was won by Ryan Moore. Moore shot a final round 5 under par 66 to finish on a total score of 24 under par to win his first event of the year and second win on tour.  Brendon de Jonge finished runner-up on 23 under par.
This week’s event: This week on the PGA tour we have the Frys.Com Open. This event will be played on the par 71, 7368 yards, Corde Valle Golf Club, San Martin, California. The prize purse for the event is $5 million and the winners share being $900,000. The defending champion is Bryce Molder who won on a score of 17 under par.

LPGA Tour
Last week’s Lacoste Ladies French Open played on the par 72, Chantaco Golf Course was won by Felicity Johnson. Johnson defeated Italian Diana Luna on the first play- off hole to claim the title. This win has earned Johnson 37,500 Euros.
This week’s event: This week the LPGA Tour heads off to Malaysia for the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. This event is scheduled from October 11 to 14 and will be played on the par 71, 6208 Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.  The defending champion is Na Yeon Choi who won on a score of 15 under par. The prize purse for the event is $1,900,000.

NATADOLA BAY COMPETITION RESULTS:
Last week’s competition results are as follows:
Event:  Wednesday Open Competition – Stableford
Date:  October 3, 2012
Winner:  Bill Edwards – 34 points C/B
Runner-up: Katy Ward – 34 Points

Event:  Saturday Open Competition – Stroke
Date:  October 6, 2012
Winner:  Harrry Beck – Nett 70
Runner-up:  Natwar Patel – Nett 73

NEXT WEEKS COMPETITIONS AT NATADOLA BAY GOLF COURSE

• Wednesday October 10 – Stableford Competition
• Friday October 13 – Bingo-Bango-Bongo Competition
• Saturday October 17 – Stroke Competition (Club Championships)

NATADOLA BAY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Members are advised that the Natadola Bay Club Championship will be held on October 20 and 27, 2012. The event will be a stroke format played over 36 holes. Entry forms are available at the Natadola Bay Golf Shop. For further information please call the golf shop on 6733500. Please note registration is compulsory.

PLAYER REVIEW

This week’s between shots is Peter Lonard (Professional Golfer)

Peter Lonard (Professional Golfer)

What clubs do you use? I use Taylor made clubs.
Where is your home club? I am a member of The Lakes Golf Club.
Who is your favourite player? Seve Ballesteros.
What course do you love to play? I love to play at Miurfield Village in Ohio, USA.
What is your favourite hole? The 4th hole at Natadola Bay.
What shot will you always remember? My 2nd shot onto the last hole at the MCI Heritage Classic at Hilton Head.
Who are your dream playing partners? Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Seve Ballesteros.

This was what Mr Lonard had to say about Natadola Bay Golf Course: “Natadola is a fantastic course. Jose Calleja the General Manager who I know from The Lakes Golf Club when he was a trainee, Rajnesh Goundon the Director of Golf and Steve Lalor the Golf Course Superintendant maintain and run a fantastic facility”