Sixes and Sevens...

Hello Golfers, We all just had a huge weekend of Footy, no matter who you support I'm sure there was a good game to watch on T.V. across three codes of Footy, played over 3 days. The Cowboys will feel hard done by, given that terrible decision, but it goes to show with all the technology we have at our fingertips there is always room for error, this time human error! Referees are clearly under pressure to perform as well. Last not least, be careful of what you wish for. We had a huge deluge of rain today, given the state of some local courses, it was very well received indeed. The Nearly Open Championship Courses to Never Host an Open Championship Muirfield is one of the nine golf courses that presently host the Open Championship. But there are more than 2,500 courses in Great Britain and surely some of the others are good enough to host the event? Cruden Bay (above) is not merely a gorgeous golf course, albeit relatively unknown in the British Isles, but is it capable of hosting an Open Championship? Cruden Bay is arguably the most magical golf course in the world that somehow remains almost totally unfamiliar to even the most ardent golfer. It's anonymity results not from its newness, as golf was played in the village of the same name as early as 1791, and the links was originally designed by Old Tom Morris and opened in 1899. Instead, part of Cruden Bay’s charm comes from its secluded locale 37 twisting kilometres from Aberdeen near a sleepy town called Aberdeenshire that is nearly as challenging to reach as it is to say aloud. Those who make the homage discover a masterpiece that quietly meanders in a figure eight along the North Sea through massive sand dunes veiling one brilliant hole from the next. Only there can one really appreciate how the distant outline of Slains Castle provided Bram Stoker’s inspiration for “Dracula;” and why Pete Dye calls Cruden Bay, along with Prestwick, his favorite in Scotland. We will feature more great courses from this neck of the woods in the coming weeks ahead. Blazing a Trail Luke Guthrie Luke Guthrie blazed a trail as soon as he joined the Web.com Tour in 2012 when he finished in the Top 10 in four of the 10 events he entered. Guthrie graduated to the PGA tour this year and he has won more than $973,000. His best performance was a third-place finish in the Honda Classic that earned him$408,000. Guthrie is not a big hitter, he is averaging 284.7 yards per drive, but has an excellent short game. Guthrie is hitting the green on 93.39 percent of his wedge shots from 75 yards or less, a figure that ranks 15th on the tour. Guthrie also ranks 15th in total birdies on the tour. Luke is proof to all youngsters out there that a good short game is paramount in elite golf! What's in the bag Name: Henrik Stenson Age: 37 Professional Wins: 14 Clubs: Taylor Made, Callaway Driver: Taylor Made R1 3 Wood: Callaway Diablo Octane Wedge: 51-Degree Cleveland 588 RTX In the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield, Stenson finished as the runner-up, three strokes behind Phil Mickelson, with a total of 284(Level) for the tournament. He shot a final round of 70 and held the lead for brief moments during the round, but was beaten by Mickelson's four birdie finish. In the year's next major championship, the 2013 PGA Championship, Stenson contended again on Sunday, teeing off in the penultimate group two strokes behind the leader Jim Furyk. Despite an eagleon the par-5 fourth hole, that moved him to within one stroke of the leaders, Stenson was never quite able to build any momentum in an even-par round that included four bogeys. He finished alone in third place. Stenson's good form continued into the 2013 FedEx Cup Playoffs, when he won the Deutsche Bank Championship by two strokes over runner-up, Steve Stricker. Flying Dutchman Congratulations to Joost Luiten on winning his native Dutch Open Championship with a hard fought victory over Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez in a play-off. The 27-year-old Luiten grabbed his second win of the season and third European Tour title in all, and is the first home winner for a decade. Luiten began the day with a one-shot lead over Jimenez but the Spaniard, who broke his leg in a skiing accident this winter, made four birdies in his first six holes to edge in front. Jimenez led by two after 13 but a Luiten birdie at the 14th to Jimenez's dropped shot at 15 brought them level before both bogeyed the 17th and parred the last to force the play-off. "I don't know what it means for Dutch golf but I think it's pretty big," Luiten said. "Maarten Lafeber won it in 2003 and that was huge, and to have another Dutch winner now I think it will help the game here and hopefully we can create more Dutch winners for this tournament". "I can't believe it yet, it's unbelievable. I think tonight it will hit me." 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 into our store and have a hit in our brand new practice facility and try before you buy! Golf Traders 02 9517 3471 33 Nelson Street Annandale, NSW 2038 Australia Golf Traders PRO TIP: Target Golf We have more than likely mentioned this topic before but it holds true for every golfer at all levels. Whenever you are addressing the ballthink about nothing else but your target. It could be a window in the far distance, a tree near the green or a blade of grass right in front of your feet. Thinking about nothing else but the intended target focuses the mind and body in unison to create a better outcome with no distractions holding you back (i.e. negative thoughts). Happy golfing David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders