It's a busy time of year for brands releasing new product and you'll hopefully have noticed the online content in 'My Shop' that contains some must-see equipment videos, including interviews with the big manufacturers at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show.
If you haven't had the chance, go to 'My Shop' and you'll find insightful interviews from the Show - an annual gathering in Orlando to showcase new equipment - that take you through some exciting new releases and provide custom-fitting advice for you should you be wishing to invest in new gear, whether it be woods and irons, or wedges and balls.
So, with a few signs of the weather improving and the prospect of more golf being played, start with a trip to 'My Shop' for some helpful tips and peeks at some fantastic new equipment. Click here to visit my site.
We now have two events to put in your diary:
I gave you notice about an upcoming event, the FootJoy shoe fitting day on the 21st of June, and now I am happy to announce that we have the famous mind coach Karl Morris who, to name just a few - lists Four Major Winners:
US Open Champion Graeme McDowell,
British Open Champions Darren Clarke and Louis Oosthuizen,
US Masters Charl Schwartzel,
amongst his clients - will be coming to our club on Tuesday 27th May to present his 'five shots lower without changing your swing' seminar. We will be taking bookings from the middle of next week for Karl's seminar, I will let you know asap for bookings for the FootJoy day, I expect high demand for both events, so keep your eyes peeled for up to date information.
With all the demands on her time, it was great to see our Captain of the Ladies Section Helen Kennedy win the Medal just edging out Ingrid Long on countback, both having shot nett 75's in the Silver section. In the Bronze section it was Gilly Ashley who was the runaway winner with a nett 72 with Barbara Scott the runner-up with a nett 78.
Liz Martinez-Gray and Janet Alldread are Sundridge Park's representatives in this year's Daily Mail Foursomes Knockout Competition.
This competition should not be confused with the Mail on Sunday team KO; but it works in a similar fashion - as a National Knockout, running from February to October, with approximately 8 rounds before the final 16 pairs are invited to a finals Competition (this year) in Scotland.
In this year's 1st round, Liz and Janet played away at Birchwood Park on Saturday 8 March and beat their opponents by 2 and 1. They had an enjoyable, close game on a course in very good condition (especially considering the winter rains of this year) against opponents they had played in their first round when similarly representing the Club in 2012!
We wish them the best of luck in the second round.
The European Tour heads to North Africa this week for the Trophée Hassan II at the Golf du Palais Royal in Agadir, Morocco, where Germany's Marcel Siem is the defending champion.
A strong field has assembled to contest this event. Defending champion Siem is joined on the start sheet by recent European Tour winners Pablo Larrazabal, Ross Fisher and George Coetzee as well as 2008 European Tour Number 1 Robert Karlsson.
The Trophée Hassan II is Morocco's longest running sports event. It was first contested in 1971 and has been won by nine different Major champions over the years, including Lee Trevino, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Padraig Harrington.
Despite its heritage, this is only the fifth season the event has been part of the official European Tour schedule. Rhys Davies of Wales won in 2010, then David Horsey and Michael Hoey, before Marcel Siem triumphed last season. The German led from gun to tape, opening with a 64 and never looking back. He ended the week three clear of David Horsey and Mikko Ilonen.
The Golf du Palais Royal is located within the walls of the Royal Palace of Agadir. Outside of the tournament week it's only used by King Mohammed VI and his guests.
Marcel Siem is looking forward to returning to the exclusive venue
"Playing inside the palace walls gives it a special feel to the week, so when you put all that together you can see why the players love the event so much," he said. "It feels like a real privilege to play the king's course. Usually when you're that close to the ocean, you would expect the course to be links-like, so it's got to be one of the very few tree-lined courses in the world which is right on the coastline. Every hole is a different challenge, so I love thinking my way round the course."
Besides a cheque for €250,000, the winner of this tournament is presented with a jewel-encrusted gold dagger - A prize that's extremely valuable in its own right. The weather forecast for the week looks set fair, with temperatures in the mid to high 20's.
Click here to keep up to date with all the action.
Player Watch:
David Horsey - The planets are surely aligning for Horsey this week. He won this tournament in 2011 and was tied second last season. He was tied third on his last European Tour start, the Africa Open.
Mikko Ilonen - Joint runner-up in this event last year, he was second in Qatar and tied fifth in Dubai.
Rafa Cabrera-Bello - He was tied fourth in Abu Dhabi, then tied third in Qatar. He's not played on the European Tour since the Dubai Desert Classic so will be looking to hit the circuit with a bang this week.