New Bunkers

Captain Richard Toogood opened the first of the new bunkers on the West Course, playing a ceremonial sand wedge onto the 1st green.

Over the coming days all new bunkers will be filled with sand and opened.

Please be aware that the new bunkers will take time to settle down and for the sand to compact. During this period of settlement playing conditions will gradually improve.

Members are reminded that as bunkers are opened, the GUR white lines will still be visible around the new turf, these should be ignored as the turf surrounds will also be open.

 

Jack Frost Qualifier

It was the partnership of Pam & Pat Owen who won the Jack Frost Qualifier on Saturday with 35pts played over the East course. These type of foursomes events are always a challenge and the scoring reflected this. The runners-up were Jane Skynner & Richard Tomlin with 32pts with Liz Martinez-Gray & Julian Gray third on 31pts.


Ladies Medal, Winners Play-Off & 4 Seasons

The Ladies Medal, Winners Play-Off & 4 Seasons was played over the East course Sunday & Tuesday with Christine McGarry winning the Silver Division and Elaine Lopategui the Bronze. The Winners Play-Off was won by Christine McGarry in the Silver Division and Wendy Yuen in the Bronze.


 

Hero Indian Open

The European Tour heads for New Delhi this week and the Hero Indian Open. It's the third time the event has featured on the circuit and S.S.P Chawrasia is defending champion.

A strong field has assembled in New Delhi this week for the Hero Indian Open. The first two editions of the tournament, when it has been part of the European Tour, have been won by home players - Anirban Lahiri and S.S.P Chawrasia but a truly international cast list will be looking to prevent an Indian hat-trick.

Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello is on the start sheet as is Thai player Kiradech Aphibarnrat. Last week's Thswane Open winner Dean Burmester will tee it up, together with recent winner Brett Rumford, Belgian bomber Nicolas Colsaerts and Spaniards Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira.

Ryder Cup star Cabrera Bello is looking forward to the event. He played last week in the WGC-Mexico Championship finishing in a tie for 38th.

"It is going to be a long flight from Mexico to India, but I am looking forward to it," he said. "Modestly, I am going to say that I have good results all over world also, so why not in Asia? Sometimes I find it difficult to adapt to the greens. I particularly like softer grass, but I enjoy the challenge of playing on all surfaces, that makes you a better player and that is also one my goals."
 
The event is being played over a new course this year - the Gary Player layout at the DLF Golf and Country Club. It's a great championship track with some memorable holes. The 5th is a par-3 with an island green and the run for home is played around a quarry with a large lake threatening to gather errant shots. Water is a feature on seven holes.

The Indian Open was first played in 1964 at the Delhi Golf Club when Peter Thomson was the champion. Since then some famous names appear on the list of winners. Graham Marsh was twice champion, Payne Stewart won in 1981, Thongchai Jaidee and Arjun Atwal took the title and Jyoti Randhawa has been the winner three times.

Last year S.S.P Chawrasia took the title at Delhi Golf Club, displaying his skill and knowledge of the course to finish two clear of his fellow Indian Anirban Lahiri and Jeunghun Wang of South Korea.

Player watch:

Anirban Lahiri - Already a winner of this event, Lahiri is on decent form following a top-20 in Dubai and top-10 in Malaysia. He will raise his game for his home championship. 

Jorge Campillo - The Spaniard was tied second last week in South Africa and will look to continue that good play this week. 

Paul Dunne - The Irishman has enjoyed a steady start to 2017 with only one missed cut in his last eight starts. He was tied sixth last week and closed with rounds of 65 and 66.

Click here to keep an eye on this week's leaderboard.


 

Modernising Golf's Rules

Last week the R&A proposed some key changes to the Rules of Golf from 2019. Their Rules Modernisation initiative has been underway for a few years now and this is the next stage in that process. The aim is to not only make the Rules easier to understand, but also to address some of the game's current problems, such as speed of play, and ensure they fit the needs of today's game.

Please spare a couple of minutes to complete our survey, which gives you the chance to have your say on the proposed changes.

We've picked out some of the most significant Rules changes for you to digest in this survey, before giving you the chance to say whether you agree or disagree with each of them. It'll be great to know your thoughts.

Have your say here.