Lion at Heart...

Hello Golfers, The weather has been awesome of late, has spring already sprung? Im sure we will have some more cool weather at some stage. Did you see that news article last week about a Chinese zoo parading a dressed up dog as an African Lion, apparently it gave itself away when it stared barking... This leads me onto the subject of forged golf clubs, at Golf Traders we have seen the odd fake over the years and we don't like them. Therefore we only sell genuine products, we value our name and more importantly our customers too much to let that happen. Back in Oz Rory McIlroy will end his season contesting the Australian Open in Sydney. McIlroy confirmed his appearance Down Under after finishing in a share of eighth place in the defence of his PGA Championship title at Oak Hill. The Australian Open* will be staged at the Royal Sydney course from November 28 to December 1.* "It is pretty much locked in place I will be playing the Australian Open in Sydney," he said. "It's been a couple of years since I last competed in an Australian Open. I competed in 2006 when I was still an amateur and then a year later after just turning pro. "Both were in Sydney and I've always enjoyed myself in Sydney so I am very much looking forward to returning to Royal Sydney." On his last Australian Open appearance in 2007 McIlroy finished well down the field in a share of 59th with scores of 74, 74, 76 and 77. McIlroy is no stranger to Sydney as earlier this year his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki contested the APIA International and the pair were photographed atop Sydney Tower. There had been suggestions McIlroy was all set to compete in last year's Australian Open for a reported$1 million appearance fee. However, both Golf Australia and his Dublin-based Horizon Sports manager, Conor Ridge, denied the rumour. McIlroy said he has also accepted an invitation a week later to play in the Tiger Woods hosted World Challenge from December 5-8 at the Sherwood Country Club course in suburban Los Angeles. "It will be a great two weeks to finish up my year so I'm looking forward to competing in both events," he said. Organisers in Australia are really working hard to get the big names out here, we look forward to seeing Rory play later on this year. Dufnering! Jason Dufner claimed the PGA Championship, transforming the 36-year-old cult figure into a major winner. Dufner, who is not prone to displays of emotion, allowed himself a sheepish smile and a hesitant double fist bump following a two-shot victory over Jim Furyk. But he left the real celebrations to the galleries packed around Oak Hill Country Club's 18th green that watched him clinch the season's final major two days after he shot a 63, matching the lowest round in any major. Until Dufner planted a shy kiss on the shiny Wanamaker trophy in the fading sunlight, he was best known as a social media sensation - the inspiration behind the 'Dufnering' craze which went viral. Despite being a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, it was not until last April when golf fans began to take notice of Dufner when he was photographed apparently nodding off as he lay with his back to a wall, arms by his sides and legs stretched out in front of him while visiting grade schoolers to help promote a tournament in Dallas. Since then, multiple versions of 'Dufnering' have been posted by golfers, golf fans and the general public on social media. "Got some notoriety for maybe something that was probably trying to hurt me a little bit and ran with it and it helped me a lot," said Dufner. "I got a lot of fans because of it and people identified me through it and that was good." "I come across as a pretty cool customer I guess, but there are definitely some nerves out there, especially when you're trying to win a major championship." What's in the bag Name: Matteo Manassero Age: 20 Professional Wins: 4 Clubs: Titleist Driver: 913D2 Fairway Wood: 913F Wedge: Vokey Design SM4 Putter: Scotty Cameron GoLo Matteo Manassero won the BMW PGA Championship in England earlier this year, becoming the youngest champion of that event as a 20-year-old. Manassero has aspirations beyond winning individual tournaments. He has only won $50,000 on the PGA Tour this year, but it is clear he has the ability to compete consistently. Hear no Evil! AN old man was about to tee off on the golf course when he felt a tap on his shoulder. A young man handed him a card that read: I am mute. I am not able to speak. May I play through, please? The old man angrily pulled out his pen and wrote on the card. No, you may not play through and your handicap does not give you such a right. The old man gave the card back to the young man and prepared to tee off. After he whacked the ball on to the green up ahead, he marched off to finish the hole. Just as the old man was about to putt the ball into the hole, he was hit on the head with a golf ball, laying him out cold. When he came to a few minutes later, he looked around and saw the young man sternly looking at him,holding up four fingers. We just had to share this one with you. Old clubs? We'll buy them from you... Golf Traders offer our customers a fantastic service whereby we can purchase, part exchange or swap your equipment. With the golf season in full swing, we all have clubs lying around that are basically redundant. Instead of letting them collect dust in the garage, turn them into cash... or at least let them go some way to buying the new clubs you so desperately want. View all of our stock here or come in store and have a hit in our brand new practice net and try before you buy! Golf Traders 02 9517 3471 33 Nelson Street Annandale, NSW 2038 Australia Golf Traders PRO TIP: How well am I Playing? There is one sure-fire way to find out how well you are swinging the golf club, pay attention to your divots. From the image opposite your divot(s) should look like the picture on the right, nice and square to the target line with a nice even slice taken out of the ground. The picture on the left represents a poor swing, get into the habit of checking your divots as they are great indicators to how well you are playing. Happy golfing David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders