November 2023

Lucrative Lee and the Founding of the DP World Tour Championship

2023-11-15T13:12:10+00:00November 15th, 2023|Blog, CJG Ramblings, Tour Takes|

With the news that Rory McIlroy has claimed his fifth Race to Dubai title ahead of this year’s Tour Championship, despite only playing four non-major or non-WGC counting events this season, it begs the question of what the DP World Tour (DPWT) Order of Merit stands for anymore. Jon Rahm, sitting in 2nd behind his Ryder Cup teammate, has similarly only played two ‘regular’ events on the DPWT this season. Spare a thought for Adrian Meronk, who has won three times in a season where he has already notched up 23 starts. The young Pole needed to finish third [...]

October 2023

Urban Golf x Cookie Jar: A Christmas Party

2023-10-31T11:14:01+00:00October 31st, 2023|Blog|

With Christmas once again fast approaching we're proud to be hosting our third Christmas Party with Urban Golf for some festive fun in London! An evening of music, refreshments and a bit of fun and games in the simulators with our good friends at Urban Golf. This event is a big thank you for all of your support throughout the year, and we’d really like it if you can attend. If you are interested in attending please fill in the form below. We expect the event to be fully subscribed, so if you later realise you are unable to make [...]

Top Hat Tens

2023-10-24T10:47:43+00:00October 24th, 2023|Blog, CJG Ramblings, Golf Course Architecture, Golf History|

Tom Simpson used to say the best holes were the ones that caused the tiger (scratch man) pain and the rabbit (bogey golfer) pleasure. I play my golf at Portmarnock Golf Club (PGC) in Dublin and when I play alone, I often start on the 10th, my favourite hole on the course. Royal St. George’s (RSG) 10th hole has often been my starting hole in matches at RSG. Walking up the 10th at RSG I remember admiring the magnificence of the green with my opponent Dr. Alistair Wells (uncle of Nicola - 5* podcast guest) which falls off mostly on [...]

Portstewart Golf Club and a Dance with Dunes

2023-10-17T09:04:47+00:00October 17th, 2023|Blog|

“I think the golf course is amazing. It’s probably one of the most beautiful golf courses I’ve ever seen, if not the most.” – Jon Rahm I’ve often heard that Portstewart Golf Club is a ‘hidden gem’. Yet having had the privilege to play at this magnificent golf course twice this year, there is absolutely nothing ‘hidden’ about it. Sam’s feeling that it was miles away from Portrush may be a common misconception, however in reality it is a mere 10 minute drive up the road. Indeed, it’s one vertex of the colloquially known ‘Triangle’ – made up of Portrush, [...]

Premium Inclusive: The Family Experience at Sunningdale Heath

2023-10-12T11:17:34+00:00October 12th, 2023|Blog, Golf History|

Since 2018, when Wentworth professionals Kristian Baker and Tom Reid had a bright idea to revitalise and transform this charming plot of land adjacent to Sunningdale Golf Club, I have often heard about its remarkable inclusivity and warm atmosphere. Such an image, for many, might seem surprising considering its proximity to its revered and distinguished neighbour. Yet, originally formed in 1902 as Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club, this Harry Colt design has been providing golf in a shorter format for over a century. A couple of weeks ago, I spent some time up at Sunningdale Heath for the very first time, [...]

Portmarnock Golf Club: 5 Things You Should Know About Dublin’s Masterpiece

2023-10-06T10:18:05+00:00October 6th, 2023|Blog, Tour Takes|

Today, the news was officially announced that Portmarnock Golf Club, the historic Dublin links, is seeking government support to host the AIG Women's Open and The Open in the coming years. It would be the first time the trophies are taken outside of the United Kingdom and to the Emerald Isle. Yet, golfing purists would not be surprised by the decision to go to Portmarnock. It is an elite championship links with a rich history and is already due to host the Women’s Amateur Championship next year. (Image Credit: Portmarnock Golf Club) In light of the news, [...]

Five Meditations on Rome’s Ryder Cup

2023-10-05T11:35:50+00:00October 5th, 2023|Blog|

Ahead of this year’s staging of the biggest celebration in golf, I must admit to being apprehensive about the on-the-ground experience on offer at Marco Simone for The Ryder Cup. Hearing of the Herculean crowd to be expected (250,000) and with the relative lack of groups on the course, I was not optimistic about being able to witness much golf. Having experienced the crowds at last year’s Open at St Andrews and once again this year at Hoylake, the type of fan within me that just wants to watch loads of golf shots has been left underwhelmed. Et Romae, this [...]

September 2023

On-Call, on the Course.

2023-09-20T09:19:23+00:00September 20th, 2023|Blog, CJG Ramblings|

Alister MacKenzie gained the nickname ‘The Good Doctor’- he served as a field surgeon in the Boer War not long after graduating from Cambridge, then it was time to ply his trade around Leeds, his hometown.  He traded the scalpel for topography maps and golf course design after World War One. Harry Colt gave up his Law career after a couple of years to design courses, while MacKenzie saw out nearly twenty (intermittently) as a Doctor. I suspect the Good Doctor was less-than-full time at the Doctoring during these years; he [...]

Les Bordes: The New Course – Gil Hanse

2023-09-12T09:19:44+00:00September 12th, 2023|Blog, Uncategorized|

As part of the recent development work at Les Bordes under the stewardship of the Private Equity group RoundShield who acquired the estate in 2018, a second 18 has been built on the higher sandy ground nearer the entrance to the 1,400 acre estate (the second largest privately owned estate in France... the largest being Disneyland in Paris). Gil Hanse was commissioned to design and layout the course with one simple brief; ‘This is a members club, a second club for almost everyone and as such it was important to create a course which was walkable and enjoyed short transitions [...]

Les Bordes: The Old Course – Robert Von Hagge

2023-09-12T08:43:00+00:00September 12th, 2023|Blog, Uncategorized|

An honours board commemorating those that have broken 80, or kept the same ball in play all the way round. A course that is famed for its difficulty and an obscenely small membership (as low as 3 if some rumours are to be believed), Les Bordes has been the stuff of legend and mystique for many years. More recently however with events like The Bridges Cup and the addition of a second course (The New) by Gil Hanse, this club is creating a fresh history of its own.  Not surprisingly then, when an invitation came through to visit and see [...]

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