Year: 2012

EGTF Pro Am – 8 July 2012 – Darenth Valley Golf Course

The fifth EGTF Pro Am at Darenth Valley Golf Course was a rather soggy affair, with the British weather playing havoc with the preparation and execution of a game of golf.  Heavy rain overnight and during the round, made for testing conditions, but the EGTF members and their guests braved the weather to complete another great day.

The Team competition was taken by EGTF stalwart, Joe Smith and his team of Gary Gilbert and Roy Thomas with an excellent score of 79 Stableford points.  They just pipped the charging Team led by Ryan West into second place.

Joe Smith's Team

 

Ryan West’s Team

The Amateur competition was keenly contested with players off 3/4 handicap, but Mick Clegg came through to claim the title with a good score of 35 points.

Mick Clegg – Amateur Winner

The EGTF Pro prize was once again taken by Joe Smith who triumphed in the first running of the Pro Am five years ago.  Joe played solid golf all day for a round of Level par 72, defeating Pete Stopford who was round in 73.

Results – Pro Competition

Joe Smith – 72

Pete Stopford – 73

Bill Abbott – 75

Joe Smith – EGTF Professional Winner

Thanks to everyone at Darenth Valley GC for their usual excellent hospitality and to the EGTF members who turned up with their guests.

Also a big thank you to the Sponsors, Alex Comben at Orka Golf; Paul Hurrion at Gel Putters; and Stewart Craig at ProStance for their generous donations for the Prize Table.

I hope to see everyone back next year at Darenth Valley GC for another Pro Am.

 

 

Michael Cernohuby

Already from my childhood I’ve felt sport is my destiny.  I was playing icehockey and tennis at top level for quite a long time.  I stopped when I had finished University and continued playing just for fun.  I started to play golf quite late, when I was 33.  In former Czechoslovakia it was almost impossible to be active in this beautiful game.  My time came after changes in 1989.

In 1991 I took a golf club in my hands for the first time.  It was in the days when we had only 1500 golf players and some 7 golf courses in the Czech Republic.  Today we have 65,000 players and some 70 golf courses!!  The first year I spent 5 – 6 days a week, 3 – 4 hours a day on the driving range and was lucky I met a very good golf teacher.  In fact I have to say I spent all my free time on golf.  When I got some good results and thought about further steps, a car accident stopped me for two years in 1999.  From that time I couldn’t play as much as I had wished.  I was practising and playing less but still spent a lot of time in resorts, watching others play and talking to ‘golf’ people. 

In 2005 I passed some courses to become a ‘Golf Teaching Assistant’.  In 2007 they were opening a new, beautiful golf resort in Kuneticka Hora (designed by Graham Marsh) and my friend was responsible for kickstarting it.  He asked me if I could try to bring some good golf coaches and establish the Golf Academy.  I didn’t hesitate for a second, finished my consultancy business and brought Simon Holmes to the Czech Republic.  I helped him to establish his Golf Academy in Kuneticka Hora and stayed there as the Manager for one year.  I have been working with Simon for three years and thanks to him I have discovered the fantastic Arcos Gardens Resort in Spain where you can meet and see a lot of Tour players practising, or English and Swedish National squads.  All the time I’ve spent there was not only great but also very interesting and important.  To find friends like Joakim Haeggman or Freddy Andersson-Hed and have the possibility to talk to them, watch them practice and play with them is a gift which you don’t find every day.  Particularly the time I’ve spent with Joakim in Arcos has helped me to get a lot of knowledge about golf at top level.

In 2010 I met Clive Tucker, working with him for some time and I organised for him to become Head Pro in a new golf resort in Prague (Black Bridge Golf Resort).  Clive helped me to understand a lot of golf technical details.  But I was still looking for a teaching system which could suit most of my clients.  80% of my clients play golf twice a week because they don’t have more time, and I discovered the EGTF with the possibility to pass their golf teaching diploma course which I completed in February 2012.  During the course in Spain I met Bill Abbott and Paul Tolley and realised I had found exactly what I was looking for.  Simple teaching methods, top Professionals and great people.  I have appreciated what and how they taught us and particularly they gave us a lot of arguments as to why this or this method works.

I’m happy I could become a member of the EGTF family and now I’m working as an independent golf teacher at four different places (2 Resorts and 2 Driving Ranges).  I coach a few single handicap players and a couple of scratch ones, but I feel my most important role is to help to establish golf as a game, sport, fun and life philosophy, also in smaller cities and particularly to kids.  So, Bill and Paul, once again thanks a lot, you have helped me to understand so much.

    

Why did you become a golf teaching professional?

It’s simple, I love it and I’m happy I could put together my hobby and profession.

Where do you work?

Right now I’m working at four different places.  Two Golf Resorts (Golf Karlstejn and Golf Botanica) which are both close to my house.  Two Driving Ranges (Prague and Jicin).  During the winter season I work in two different indoor facilities.

Where do you play golf?

When I find some free time I usually play Karlstejn Golf Course which is one of the most beautiful in the Czech Republic and quite challenging.

What is the best thing about being a golf teaching professional?

I think to have my office under the sky with fresh air and shower.  I love and appreciate to communicate with people and help them to be better in their activity, which means for most of them to have fun and relax.  I think it’s a great feeling if you can try to help people to solve also their other difficulties brought on by daily life.  I’m sure golf was born exactly for this reason.

What is the worst thing about being a golf teaching professional?

I had to think quite a long time to find something.  Probably when you can’t find a communicating connection.  Thank God it happens very rarely.

How many lessons do you give in the Summer and the Winter?

In the Summer between 100 and 120 hours and Winter between 60 and 70 hours per month, but I do a lot of travelling during the Summer.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

I think it’s not the technical but mental one.  I always tell people when they go on a golf course or play a tournament – “you don’t have to play, it’s fun, just go and play”.

What is your favourite drill and why?

My favourite drill is the one I got from a Coach of one of the top Tour players.  It’s simple, works for everyone and helps to avoid more basic troubles.  You don’t even need a golf club and you can do it anywhere.  Stay in the basic golf posture against the wall and lean head on the wall (forehead).  Cross arms on your chest with plams on shoulders and slowly turn shoulders like in backswing, forwardswing, impact, followthrough and impact.  It’s great for head position, shoulder turn and angles, and weight transfer.

Who is your favourite player and why?

I can’t say I have only one favourite player.  I like Padraig Harrington, for me he is still the best ball striker.  Lee Westwood because of his approach and personality, and also Rickie Fowler because he does a lot for kids.  He reminds me of a young Freddy Couples who is probably my most favourite player.

Who would be in your ideal fourball and why?

Padraig Harrington, Freddy Couples and Rickie Fowler.  Why?  I like these players, no other special reason.  It could be a lot of fun.

Which is the best golf course you have played and why?

Arcos Gardens Resort.  It is on 160 hectares under olive trees.  You feel like you are playing golf in Eden.  Great architecture, a linkup of holes makes sense and playing is like reading a perfect book.  Big and tricky greens bring fun and emotions to the game.  On top of that, excellent practice area and nice people so I think it’s enough for one Resort.

What is the best and worst experience you have had in golf?

Actually I have two best ones.  The first one – when I played in Sir Nick Faldo’s team against Tony Jacklin’s team at Wentworth.  The other one was when my 11 year old pupil Ondra halved match play with Joakim Haeggman during our camp in Arcos Gardens.

The worst one (I wouldn’t say as worst but regrettable).  I was playing Arcos Gardens back nine, four ball with Freddy Andersson-Hed against Joakim Haeggman and Simon Holmes.  After six holes we were 6 points in the lead and my game was so good, but…………….last 3 holes total collapse and we halved the match.  But we really had a lot of fun.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

For all of them, not looking as a fact which level they want to reach in golf.  Use golf as a means to be a good person, play fair and be honest in your life.

What’s in the bag?

Driver (9.5) Titleist 910 D2 and 3W (15) Titleist 910 Fd, using Graphite design YS+ stiff shafts

3I – PW Mizuno MP60 on Project X 5.5

Wedges (52, 56 and 60) MP T Series, standard shafts

Putter Scotty Cameron

Balls Bridgestone B330S

Small plush leo for good luck

Quintic Ball Roll Software

I have been lucky enough to witness the new Quintic Ball Roll Software up close and see the benefits of the kind of information that it produces, which has not been available to golf coaches before.

Quintic Ball Roll was designed by Dr Paul Hurrion, European Tour Coach and biomechanics expert, to allow us to see what the ball was doing when struck by the putter.  Obviously the naked eye doesn’t give anywhere near the full picture, so Paul developed the analysis software to help improve the mechanics of the stroke through the information it produces and also to help fit putters properly.

Quintic Ball Roll is currently being used on Tour by most of the major putter manufacturers to test their putters in the hands of the Tour Pro’s and trying to find the optimum  balance of stroke mechanics and putter to create the best roll possible.

The system can calculate initial launch angle of the ball, hook and cut spin, when true roll occurs, whether the ball will go in the hole at certain lengths of putt through the push/pull data and much more.  Although the cost is around £5,000, the package includes everything you would need to start a Putting Academy and set yourself above others in the golf teaching field.  I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to take teaching putting to the highest level.

A recent trip to Germany for the Masters Course allowed me to put the EGTF students through the ball roll system and allow them to see what actually needs to be changed to ensure they make more putts.  EGTF Pro, Marvin Buschmann brought his system along for the guys to try, and after speaking to Marvin it was clear that the purchase of the Quintic Ball Roll Software has really helped him create a niche market that most Pro’s don’t seem interested in. 

The results were as always, quite eye opening and with a better understanding of what is actually going on at impact when putting, along with some excellent high speed video from the Casio EX-F1, we were able to put the guys onto the correct path to holing more putts.

For more information on the Quintic Ball Roll Software, take a look on http://www.quinticballroll.com/ or contact the Quintic Head Office on 01676 535 666

 

Rory McIlroy using Quintic Ball Roll

Dr Paul Hurrion and his Quintic Analysis Software

Quintic in action at the EGTF Masters Course in Germany

 

Putting fitting at the Masters Course

A summary of each putt can be viewed

Push/Pull Data

ON COURSE FOUNDATION

GOLF SONPARC MENORCA S.L.

EGTF golf teaching Professional, Danny Duffain, recently arranged for 10 ex-soldiers to come out for a week’s golf instruction and competitions at Golf Son Parc in Menorca.  All the guys had either lost limbs or been wounded in some way, and they were all part of the On Course Foundation which has been formed simply to give something back to our injured soldiers. 

For more information on the Foundation, please go to http://www.oncoursefoundation.com/   It is truly inspiring.

EGTF Pro Am Spain 2012

Murcia – 20-24 February 2012

The annual EGTF Pro Am took place down in sunny Murcia at the end of February this year and it was another lovely affair, with golf, good weather and great people.

For many, being able to play golf at this time of year is a real bonus, and probably the reason we see the same faces each year, all desperate to get out onto the fairways.

This year we chose to play mainly on Las Collinas Golf Course, which was voted best new course in Europe last year, and it always lives up to its billing, being a firm but fair test.

On the Tuesday we played a Texas Scramble, which is always a great way to start any golf week.  You can make some birdies and play from some areas not normally associated with many peoples’ games!!

My team scored a very respectable 61 (10 under par gross), which we thought was great.  Unfortunately we came second from bottom with this score!!  I knew it was going to be a tough school this week!  The winning team was lead by EGTF Pro Joe Smith, whose team scored a magnificent 53.5 (17.5 under par).

The main competition was held over three days and always provides a true test of who is playing the best golf.  We had an EGTF Pro’s tournament, an Amateur tournament and a Team event, to keep everyone in with a chance of winning something.

Day 1 witnessed some excellent golf in all competitions, with Ryan Boal shooting a level par round of 71, followed by Stewart Craig with a 72 to top the Pro’s board.  There were also a number of good scores in the Amateur section, with Willie Stewart leading after the first round with 40 points.  The Team title had Montrose LK just edging things on Day 1 with a score of 119 points.

     

  

Scenes from Las Collinas Golf Course

Day 2 was held at the lovely Mar Menor Golf Resort, designed by Jack Nicklaus.  As they say on tour it was moving day, with Stewart Craig getting himself into the lead of the Pro event with another solid round of level par 72, along with Martin Park who posted an excellent -1 under par score of 71.  Ryman Smith shot a fantastic best of the week round of -4 under par 68 to take the lead in the Amateur event (Ryman was playing off 3 handicap).  Montrose LK continued their lead with more solid play and a score of 108 points.

    

Scenes from Mar Menor Golf Course

Day 3 – The final day of excitement, with a superb last day charge from Ryan Boal coming through with a fantastic round of -3 under par 68 at Las Collinas, taking the Pro event by 3 shots from Martin Park in second place.  Ryman Smith continued to shine in the Amateur event shooting 36 points, and taking the Amateur event by 5 points from Mike Boyle in second.  La Manga team, lead by Ryan Boal came through the rails and pinched the title from Montrose LK, with a last round of 122 points.

   

    

    

 Pre and Post Game Scenes from Las Collinas on Day 3

The presentation evening was again a lovely affair, with the players all winding down at the end of an excellent week of golf, with a few drinks and stories.

Congratulations to the winners and a huge thankyou to everyone who turned up and made the week so entertaining.

The Winners

Wyke Green – Texas Scramble Winners

 

Ryan Boal - EGTF Pro Winner

 

Ryman Smith - Amateur Winner

 

Team Winners - La Manga

My final thanks go to Gavin and Paula, who once again combined to run the tournament to their usual high standards and make sure everyone had an enjoyable time in Murcia.

 A Small Selection of the Teams

Bill Abbott's Team

 

Stewart Craig's Team

 

Pete Stopford's Team

 

Mark Miller's Team

EGTF China

The EGTF have been exploring new Countries for many years, making it a truly global golf teaching organisation.

China is a developing golf nation and we were asked to go there two years ago and help create golf teaching professionals for the new emerging golf population.

We have delivered three courses so far, all with great success, and as the golf boom takes off, we will continue to go back and help provide top quality golf teachers there.

We have some good partnerships forming in China with companies looking to get involved at the initial stages in the teaching and training aspects of golf.  There are many potential new golfers looking for help, so it is inevitable that China will become the next major golf nation to emerge, obviously as long as there are enough golf teaching professionals to help at the grass roots level.

I look forward to continuing my association with the golfing people of China.

Gallery from our first few Courses in China

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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