major ambition

35 Pages·2015·5.58 MB·English

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T H E O F F I C I A L M AG A Z I N E
O F C LO S E H O U S E
MAJOR
AMBITION
LEE WESTWOOD LOOKS AHEAD
TO THE MAJORS AND A BIG YEAR
FOR CLOSE HOUSE
w
w INSIDE
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lo THE ISPS HANDA PGA SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
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h ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
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GOLF FASHION FROM J LINDEBERG
CLOSE HOUSE | Foreword
Wherever.
INSIDE
06 SENIORS SO CLOSE
Whenever. A look ahead to the
PGA Senior Championship
10 LEE WESTWOOD
Catching up with the Close
Whatever.
House attached professional
AN INCREDIBLE 18 LEE WESTWOOD COLT
A guide to the Lee Westwood
YEAR AHEAD... Colt, from the man himself
24 THE ACADEMY
W
elcome to the Summer my desk and my fridge in a Portakabin Practice makes perfect
2015 edition of Close to a team of 92 across golf, events
House magazine and and hospitality. I hope each of them is 34 IN FASHION
the start of a season of as proud as I am when they see Close Golf fashion from J Lindeberg
incredible events here House on the national and international
at Close House. stage, and when they see the recognition 40 GOLF DAYS
The highlight for many of our members we are recieving so early in our journey. Enjoy the Close House
and visitors is sure to be the ISPS Handa They are, without doubt, the best team I experience for a day
PGA Seniors Championship, which takes have ever worked with.
place June 11-14. I’m sure everyone who Looking further ahead, I hope this 44 NO.19
joins us for the event, for which tickets year’s events and the work we are doing
Relax and dine at Close House
are complimentary, and will enjoy seeing through the Academy inspire more young
Technology Services Group some of the greatest players who have people to take up the sport, and perhaps 50 THE YEARLING
Recommends ever swung a golf club take on the Lee one of them will one day emulate our
The latest addition to
Westwood Colt Course. attached professional Lee Westwood.
InfoTermHcNheaBenrt iwoyMo lcnAoaa gpjTesypest loctSeyhi en unTrtpovmhoilecoen engQ sTtyu y tGSeonereeonrvuipces ISO 9001 I arrived at Close House more than I hope all our members and our visitors Close House
10 years ago, and it’s incredible that the enjoy the Close House experience, and
62 HAVE A HEART
Lee Westwood Colt Course, which is only if this magazine is your introduction to us,
The Have a Heart Trophy in
It’s never been easier or cheaper
four years old, has already been named in welcome to our club.
aid of CHUF - May 18
the Top 100 courses in the
to move seamlessly to the cloud.
UK & Ireland and will host this prestigious
66 ON THE COURSE WITH...
European Senior Tour event.
Your office should revolve around your world, not solution, your move to the Cloud doesn’t have to be Durham CCC’s Graham Onions
It’s a privilege to lead the incredible John Glendinning
the other way round. That’s why an increasing all or nothing.
number of businesses are turning to Microsoft Thousands trust Technology Services Group to team here, which has grown from me, Managing Director
Office 365 to enable them to keep in touch, share help them make the most of their investment in ICT,
information and build efficient processes. so call 0845 11 11 888 or visit tsg.com/cloud Editor - Jane Pikett email [email protected] produced by publishing
Words - Dean Bailey & Liz Hands
With Office, Exchange, Lync, SharePoint and to book your FREE cloud review or speak to our
Close House - Ian Dinning email [email protected] Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AJ
OneDrive included, it’s the perfect platform for the experts about hybrid solutions today. tel [phone] • www.offstonepublishing.co.uk
Advertising - [email protected]
forward-thinking business. And as part of a hybrid ©Offstone Publishing 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine
may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the
Photography Kevin Gibson, www.kgphotography.co.uk
publisher. All information contained in this magazine is correct at the
Peter Skelton, www.peterskeltonphotography.co.uk • Critical Tortoise, www.criticaltortoise.com time of going to press.
www.closehouse.com 3
04791 TSG Close House Magazine.indd 1 17/04/2015 10:27
4357 Close House Advert_Layout 1 10/04/2015 13:51 Page 1
CLOSE HOUSE | Captain’s log
Inspirational Furniture
CAPTAIN’S
LOG
Close House captain Nigel Brown
looks ahead to a big year
It’s a great honour to be writing this column as captain
of Close House, following a fantastic year as vice
captain to Tim Price. I must thank Tim for choosing
me to be his vice captain and for his help and support
ahead of this year, which has already proved invaluable.
I am fortunate to be captain in 2015, a year which sees
a number of fantastic events at Close House including the
PGA Seniors Championship, a visit from the EuroPro Tour,
the return of the Have a Heart golf day in May, visits from
our attached professional Lee Westwood, and a number of
club events both on and off the course.
In the last 12 months, both the Lee Westwood Colt and
Lee Westwood Filly courses have improved immeasurably,
the former being named in the Top 100 golf courses in
the UK & Ireland, and credit goes to course manager
Brian Clark and his team. I am sure everyone, from the
world’s best professionals to members and visitors, will find
the courses in immaculate condition this year and enjoy
their golf at Close House.
I must also thank managing director John Glendinning
and all the members of the golf and hospitality teams who
work tirelessly to provide the best golf club membership
experience money can buy.
I look forward to leading the men’s golf team this year.
Last year saw us finish second in the Hadrian Golf League
LONDON KNUTSFORD for a third year in a row and we have the talent to go that
020 7731 4997 01565 754 547 one step further this year. I also wish the junior and ladies’
DATE
teams the best of luck. Representing Close House across Captain’s Day
FOR YOUR
NEWCASTLE EDINBURGH the North East and nationally at a number of events is a
August 1st
0191 257 6112 0131 523 0477 great privilege. The club’s reputation continues to grow DIARY
year on year and I am sure it will continue to do so in the
coming 12 months. I wish you a happy and successful
www.mowlemandco.com
2015 and look forward to seeing you at Close House.
www.closehouse.com 5
CLOSE HOUSE | PGA Seniors Championship
FLAGSHIP “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase Ryder Cup captains Mark James and Sam
our facilities and will allow golf fans in the North Torrance, plus 2013 and 2014
Sam Torrance Mark James
East an exclusive opportunity to see top-class English Senior Open winners Steen Tinning
CHAMPIONSHIP professional golf. and Cesar Monasterio.
“When we first came here more than 10 years Rob Maxfield, PGA chief operating officer,
ago, we never thought we would host an event says: “Graham and his team have created a
COMES TO like this. To have the PGA and the European world-class facility at Close House. Since my first
Senior Tour follow Lee Westwood in recognising visit five years ago I have wanted to bring our
the quality of our courses is fantastic. event back to Northumberland and in particular
CLOSE HOUSE “Having spent most of my life watching the to Close House.
likes of Mark James and Colin Montgomerie on “The Lee Westwood Colt Course is now in the
television, I can’t wait to welcome some of the Top 100 courses in the UK & Ireland and I know it
best players the world has seen to Close House
Some of golf’s biggest names are
this summer.”
heading to Close House in June for the The oldest event on the European Senior Tour, “I can’t wait to welcome some
ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship past winners of the PGA Seniors Championship of the best players the world
include Ryder Cup-winning player and captain
- and you can see it for free has seen to Close House
Sam Torrance, 25-time Senior Tour winner Carl
Mason, and 2010 PGA Seniors Championship this summer”
winner David J Russell.
Golfing legends from around the world Russell, chairman of the European Senior David J Russell, Graham Wylie GRAHAM WYLIE, CLOSE HOUSE
and Rob Maxfield
will compete for the ISPS Handa PGA Tour, is looking forward to returning to the North
Seniors Championship over Close East, playing the Lee Westwood Colt Course in will add to the already strong list of English clubs
House’s Lee Westwood Colt Course this championship conditions, and bringing the crowds to host this prestigious event. Our events in the
summer, with major champions, Ryder closer to the players. He says: “This is an exciting North East have always been incredibly popular
Cup captains and local favourites set to compete time for the tour to be coming back to the North with fans and I’m sure we’ll see another great
in a strong field. East with its flagship event. This year we’re going event at Close House this year.
The European Senior Tour’s flagship event, to be doing a lot more with the fans, including a “We also have a great opportunity to grow the
and the only one outside the majors to be played number of clinics at the Academy at Close House. game of golf here at Close House with the focal
over four rounds, the championship will be played “The Lee Westwood Colt Course is very point of the PGA Seniors Championship. The club
on June 11-14. impressive and I am sure all the players will is home to several PGA professionals who are
It’s free to attend and a fantastic opportunity enjoy their week here. It’s not the longest course, coaching new players, juniors and existing players.
to get closer to the players than any other but it will require players to move the ball around, We’ll be putting on a number of clinics throughout
top-level tour. You can also interact with players which is something the Senior Tour players are the week with some of the best players in the
during their practice rounds and clinics ahead of used to, and something which makes for very world, and we hope to continue the work of the
the tournament. entertaining viewing. team here, and PGA pros across the North East,
Close House owner Graham Wylie says: “To “The crowds in the North East are incredibly in supporting and growing the game.”
stage a top-ranking tournament of this magnitude passionate and knowledgeable, and I’m sure The ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship
for the first time confirms an exciting period in they’ll enjoy the week.” was inaugurated in 1957 and has been played at
our development and is testament to everyone Russell will likely be joined by a number of a number of the UK’s leading courses including
connected with Close House. Europe’s best players, including former Constantiono Rocca Royal Mid-Surrey, Gleneagles, North Berwick,
6 www.closehouse.com www.closehouse.com 7
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“The PGA Seniors Championship has utt
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a long history of being contested at er /
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prestigious venues and Close House is ot
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a worthy addition to that list” es:
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SANDY JONES, PGA CHIEF EXECUTIVE Barry
&
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Carl
Royal Dublin, Sunningdale (Old) and The Belfry.
Sandy Jones, PGA chief executive, says:
“The PGA Seniors Championship has a long
history of being contested at prestigious
venues and Close House is a worthy addition
to that list.
“The ISPS Handa PGA Seniors
Championship is the oldest event on the
Barry Lane
European Senior Tour calendar and will
hopefully feature many of your favourite
golfers including Sandy Lyle, Mark James, Sam
Torrance, Barry Lane, Ronan Rafferty, Gordon
Brand Jnr, Greg Turner, Costantino Rocca, Gary
Wolstenholme and more.”
The ISPS Handa PGA Seniors
Championship will be played over the
6,813-yard par-71 Lee Westwood Colt Course,
which was designed by Scott Macpherson and
officially opened in 2011. A pIlot’s wAtch should
The event was won in 2014 by Spanish
endure everythIng
former European Tour player Santiago Luna, Carl Mason
the pIlot does.
who closed with a superb seven under-par
round of 64 to claim a two shot victory over
the Bremont MBIII is not like other pilot’s watches. It’s built in
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At their test centre, the MBIII is strapped to the wrist of a crash-test
For more information, and to dummy and shot out of the cockpit. enduring forces of between 12g MBIII
download your complimentary ticket, go to and 30g in the process. then a vibration test simulates 30 years of
continuous flying.
www.closehouse.com/pgaseniors
But this doesn’t mean the MBIII is built for endurance at the expense
of performance. It’s a beautifully-engineered mechanical chronometer
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CLOSE HOUSE | Lee Westwood
be paired with Jamie Donaldson three times.
I hope I did my bit in helping him through his
first Ryder Cup.”
Donaldson hit the winning shot on the
Sunday at Gleneagles as Europe completed
GET CLOSER
a 16.5-11.5 win over the US. “We knew we
were close as we got into the final stretch
on Sunday, but there is still nothing like that
moment when you realise you’ve won it,” says
Close House attached professional Lee Westwood Westwood with a broad smile. “The team gets
looks ahead to another busy year on tour and at on so well, and that feeling when you get over
the line is one I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of.”
Close House - his UK home from home
Westwood won twice in 2014, taking his
professional wins to 41 with victories at the
W
hen Lee Westwood put his the bug after seeing some big-name players Maybank Malaysian Open in April and the
name to the Lee Westwood in the flesh.” Thailand Golf Championship in December. “It
Colt at Close House in 2011, The championship, which takes place June was an inconsistent year, even though there
the prospect of the course 11-14, brings together old adversaries from were wins at each end of it, but it was great to
making it into the Top 100 the European Tour and a number of former win in Thailand at the end and that gave me
courses in the UK & Ireland, and hosting the captains of the European Ryder Cup team, of something to build on for 2015,” he says.
European Senior Tour’s flagship championship, which Westwood has been a member for the “I’ve been fortunate enough to win quite
remained a way off still. last nine contests. They will be challenged by a few times during my career and each one
But with the Colt achieving both, the the Colt, says Westwood. gives you confidence. Coming from the pack
course Westwood fell in love with the first time “The Senior Tour players will face a to win late was brilliant and it was a great
he saw it is in the forefront of his mind. “The difficult test here,” he says. “The Colt offers feeling to take into my break.”
Colt being named in the Top 100 courses in quite a challenge and they will have to do The break was, he says, a great
the UK & Ireland just four years into its life their homework to score well. It can be quite opportunity to recharge his batteries prior to
was fantastic,” he says. “To follow that up with unsettling, even for the professionals, and I’m the 2015 season. “I’d never complain about
the PGA Seniors Championship played here sure there will be plenty of excitement coming the amount of travel I do, but when I’m not
tells you a lot about the growing reputation of down the stretch. playing it’s great to spend time with the family.
Close House in the UK and across Europe.” “It will be exciting for the spectators,
Hosting as many events as possible in the particularly come the Sunday afternoon,
“It’s crucial that we have as
UK is key in inspiring young people to pick up as there are plenty of big decisions for the
the game, he says, and to ensure that happens players to make. Knowing what I know about many top-class tournaments
he has teamed up with fellow Englishmen Ian Close House, I’m sure the fans will enjoy
in England as possible”
Poulter, Luke Donald and Justin Rose to host plenty of excitement.”
the British Masters on the European Tour - Moving on to the subject of the Ryder
the event returning in October 2015 after a Cup - an event which has been important to
seven-year hiatus. Westwood since he made his first appearance It’s so good to recharge and do normal things,
“It’s crucial that we have as many top- in 1997 at Valderrama - it’s clear the 2014 like walk the dogs and watch sport on TV.
class tournaments in England as possible, event at Gleneagles is still fresh in his mind. “We’re very settled in Florida now and
whether they’re European, European Senior or “It was another incredible week and I was loving life over there. The kids like the lifestyle
Ladies European tour events,” he says. “I hope pleased to help deliver another couple of and I think being there will help my game in
youngsters will join us for the PGA Seniors points for the team,” he says. “I’ve played in the long-term.”
Championship at Close House in June and get nine Ryder Cups now and it was great fun to
10 www.closehouse.com www.closehouse.com 11
CLOSE HOUSE | Advertorial
Following the break, Westwood returned to
practising at home in Florida and recorded two
top five finishes in February. “I’m fairly happy
with the start of the season, and I have the
sense there’s plenty more to come,” he says. “I
shot 65 in my first round of the year in Dubai
and you can’t ask for much more than that.
I was satisfied with my week there and I put
myself right in contention in Malaysia.
“I’m constantly working at all parts of my
game. Lots has been made of the work I’ve
LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY
been putting in at the gym and I’m grafting as
hard as ever on the range as well.”
When we catch up, Westwood’s focus is While often regarded as ‘one of those to the court is lengthy and expensive, and they will
set on the year’s first major, the Masters, at things that will never happen to probably review your dealings every year which incurs
Augusta National, where he has finished no me’, the risk of falling victim to a life further annual costs.
worse than tied-11th in the last six years. changing accident or serious illness applies to us In the absence of any family, and if no close
“I’m having a decent run at it and hopefully all. Whether you are 24 or 84, it is something you friends present themselves, the court could appoint a
I’ll hit form at the right time,” he says. “I can’t can never be completely certain will never occur. solicitor to act on your behalf. While they will of course
Paul Nickalls (pictured)
imagine ever not looking forward to going to is a Partner and Head If that did happen, and you were left unable to act in what they believe to be your best interests, this
Augusta and I’ve played well there over the of Wealth Management express your wishes, who would act on your behalf? may be a solicitor who has never met you, and has no
last five years or so. I’d never predict that it at Sintons. He has over Without having a lasting power of attorney, that role idea of your preferences or wishes.
17 years of experience may not fall to the person you think it would, and most While the possibility of losing the capacity to
could be my year, but I like to think I’ve got a
in wills, trusts, probate importantly, could be given to someone you do not make your own decisions is more likely for the older
decent chance of being there or thereabouts.” in May, for the Have Heart Trophy, which WESTWOOD HO:
Westwood will return to another course I’m really looking forward to; it’s sure to be Lee Westwood playing in the and wealth management want. generation, it is equally applicable to anyone of any
work in the North East.
Omega Dubai Desert Classic A lasting power of attorney is a legal document age. Unless you explicitly state through a lasting
he knows well when the Open Championship another brilliant day. Last year was certainly a
that can specify who you would like to make decisions power of attorney who you want to act on your behalf
returns to St Andrews. “It’s an iconic place with memorable one and as well as raising more
on your behalf, should you ever lose the capacity to should the worst happen – then you have no certainty
an amazing aura,” he says. “My experience will than £232,000, everyone involved had a great
do so. It can be one person, or several people, they as to who will do it.
do me no harm, though there’s no shortage of time. I thoroughly enjoyed playing alongside
can be family members, friends or trusted professional But by spending a modest amount of time and
guys who have played there very regularly over Ant and Dec.
advisors – but most importantly, people you trust money with a solicitor to prepare a lasting power of
the years. People have talked a lot about the “Every time I go to Close House I’m
enough to fulfi l such a role. attorney, you can have the peace of mind of knowing
changes, but the scoring was not actually that impressed, and I know that there are
While many people believe the role would naturally your wishes and best interests will be carried out,
low five years ago. And no-one ever wants to improvements going on all the time. I’ve been
fall to their spouse or child, that is not necessarily should you ever be unable to act for yourself.
be in the Road Hole bunker anyway, do they?” associated with the resort for a long time now
the case. In the absence of legal documentation
he laughs. and I love hearing great feedback from people
expressing your wishes, anyone can apply to the court
Westwood returns to home soil for the who’ve been here. I’ve got a lot of friends in
to be a deputy – estranged family members, former
BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and the North East and have always had a good
spouses, or friends you may no longer be close to
he is already looking forward to returning to time here. Yes, the weather’s a bit kinder in
could all theoretically be considered.
Close House. “The FedEx play-offs are so big Florida, but it’s always good to come back to The decision on who is appointed will be made
nowadays, but I think the English players look Close House.” by a court. It may be the case they appoint one of
forward to the BMW PGA Championship at *Following the year’s first major Westwood your close relatives who you would never want to act To speak to Paul, contact him on paul.nickalls@
Wentworth. It’s still the flagship event of the won the Indonesian Masters for a third on your behalf. Furthermore, the process of applying sintons.co.uk or on 0191 226 3640
tour and the one you’d always like to win. time, birdieing the first playoff hole to beat
Sintons LLP, The Cube, Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6DB, UK
“My first trip back to Close House is Chapchai Nirat
12 www.closehouse.com www.closehouse.com 13
CLOSE HOUSE | Membership
MEMBERS
BENEFITS
Come and join, everyone is welcome
Me mbership at Close House is a the Lee Westwood Filly to The Tiger Challenge
unique experience, offering far on the Lee Westwood Colt, which sees players
more than the chance to tee it up tested to the limit on the championship course.
on the world’s first Lee Westwood Combine two top courses with access to
golf courses. the world-class facilities at the Academy, the
The golf courses, the Lee Westwood Colt, new Yearling par-three course, and a fantastic
named in the Top 100 golf courses in the UK & range of added benefits including exclusive
Ireland by Golf Monthly, and the Lee Westwood competitions and discounts on Close House
Filly, are open to members year round, including facilities and goods, and you’re beginning to get
exclusive use of the Colt course on Saturdays an idea of the experience at Close House.
and Sundays. Close House is first and foremost a
Both courses are endorsed by former world members’ club, with a passion for delivering the
number one Westwood and offer something for best golf club membership package available in
every golfer - from nine holes in the evening on the UK. Enjoy it…and join the club.
“Our membership has always been at the heart
of everything we do here at Close House”
Graham Wylie, owner
MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES
Full membership £1,966 Junior membership (aged 13-17) £190
or £163.83 per month Includes regular competitions. All the golf facilities at
Close House are open to juniors and PGA pros work
Spouse membership £1,560 with all juniors on their Junior Golf Passport.
or £130 per month
Country membership (inclusive of rooms) £1,966 or
£163.84 per month
NEW ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP
Available to those who have their full-time residence
at least 75 miles from the club and are a member Adult £288 - includes access to practice facilities
of another golf club. Country membership includes including unlimited use of the new Yearling course, a
unlimited golf plus six nights accommodation. round on the Lee Westwood Filly, and two half hour
golf lessons with a PGA professional.
Intermediate membership (aged 18-25) £780
or £65 per month *All prices include VAT
To find out more about Close House membership, contact the golf membership team, tel [phone]
email [email protected]
14 www.closehouse.com www.closehouse.com 15
CLOSE HOUSE | Member interview
LADIES
WHO GOLF
We share an afternoon at No.19
with Close House members
Christine Nugent and Fiona Raglan
A
s anyone who has played here will tell you, the
moment you turn through the gates of Close
House towards No.19 and the Lee Westwood
Colt and Filly courses is generally one to
savour; a moment when you can shake off the
cares of everyday life and relax into your free time.
That’s exactly what Fiona Raglan and Christine
Nugent have just done when we meet in the Westwood
Suite in No.19 one sunny March afternoon.
“There’s nothing like the drive in,” Christine says
as we take a seat overlooking the Lee Westwood “As soon as we arrived we felt very
Filly Course. “Sometimes, when I drive in, I’m still
comfortable and very welcome.
thinking about something work-related, but that rapidly
We joined there and then. It was an
disappears. There’s nothing like the feeling when you
step onto the first tee and leave it all behind.” easy decision to make”
Christine, who has been playing golf for 10 years,
and Fiona, who joined Close House in April 2014, enjoy
the inclusive culture here, and, as business owners, the
flexibility they enjoy as members. “Being able to play For Christine and Fiona, the friendly atmosphere allow, time off the course at Close House is also key. meet more people and it’s an important step,” adds
golf when we like, through the week or at the weekend, was also key in making the decision to join. “It’s all down “It’s comfortable here. Everyone is so friendly, it’s very Christine. “At the moment we seem to talk more than
is fantastic,” Fiona says. “For me, getting into golf was to the people here,” Fiona says. “We were given a tour easy to get involved in things and chat to people,” Fiona we play competitively together, so we may need to play
about the lifestyle. I’ve got a very busy business, but I’m of the courses, the Academy and No.19, and as soon as says. “We came to a presentation night last year and with other people to get that competitive edge and
no longer as hands-on as I was and my boys are grown we arrived we felt very comfortable and very welcome. we had a great evening, we were made so welcome. really concentrate on improving.”
up, so I felt I was ready for some me time. Golf fits in We joined there and then. It was an easy decision.” Because we’re here every week, it feels a lot like home.” So, with all that going on, what makes Close House
with work and we can play whenever we like. Having The friendly atmosphere continues to be a big part Having played a few holes before we meet, special? Fiona says: “We wanted to finish playing golf
the chance to come as we please is really important.” of why they choose to spend their time here. “The golf Christine and Fiona are keen to get out and play at and be able to relax in a lovely space, have some nice
For Christine, flexibility was a big part of the her services team are always so lovely,” Christine adds. every opportunity. “We haven’t got our handicaps yet but food and a great cup of coffee – the whole package
decision to choose Close House. “I would be really “They’re more than happy to put your trolley up and look it’s our aim for this year. We will be doing that as soon was really important to us.”
disappointed if I’d made time to play golf and couldn’t. after you.” as the season starts,” Fiona says. The only hard bit seems to be heading the other
The relaxed style here is really important,” she says. As well as playing as often as their commitments “We’re keen to get involved in more events and way back up the drive and out of the gates again.
16 www.closehouse.com www.closehouse.com 17
CLOSE HOUSE | The Lee Westwood Colt
The seniors will face a difficult test on the
Colt this summer, and they will really have to
do their homework to score well; it can be
unsettling even for the professionals. Here is
my insight into the Lee Westwood Colt Course...
HOLE 1: 375 YARDS, PAR FOUR
Far from the easiest opening tee shot you’ll ever face,
IN ITS
the best line to the opening green is often from the left
side of the fairway. However, this is the most difficult
side of the fairway to hit.
PRIME 1
HOLE 4: 199 YARDS, PAR THREE
The par threes on the Colt course each have a
different profile and the fourth is widely regarded as
the toughest of them - it is certainly the longest. In my
The Lee Westwood Colt Course
experience, it plays half a club longer than you think
at Close House, as played by
and I advise avoiding the bunkers at the front.
the man himself
4
HOLE 9: 185 YARDS, PAR THREE
I
knew the first time I played the Lee Westwood Colt The ninth is an attractive but difficult hole. The green
Course at Close House that it was destined to become is narrow from front to back and this can make club
one of the UK’s best courses. From the stunning selection tough. However, there is lots of room on the
landscape in which it is set to the elements of risk and right half of the green, although when there’s $1m up
reward presented throughout the round, what Scott for grabs on May 18 I’m sure you won’t be thinking of
Macpherson has created is truly spectacular. playing safe!
The thing that came as a shock was how quickly it 9
gained that recognition. HOLE 13: 423 YARDS, PAR FOUR
I am proud to be associated with Close House and The 13th on the Colt course offers some of the best
it’s great to come back and see things improving year views. The fairway is generous, but there are lots of
after year. When I played the Colt Course last year it was bunkers to be avoided. When the flag is front right, play
brilliant. It offers a real test and it says a lot for a course as right. If not, it’s best to get as far left as you can. Watch
young as the Colt to be named in the UK & Ireland’s Top out for the stream to the right of the green.
100 courses.
13
There continue to be small tweaks and alterations, and HOLE 18: 363 YARDS, PAR FOUR
the course manager Brian Clark and his team are fine- The 18th on the Colt is a real favourite. A classic strong
tuning the course each year to ensure it remains a true finish, the ha-ha wall down the right side of the fairway
test. There are some testing holes and some demanding has to be avoided, as does the fairway bunker to the
shots – there’s a very good reason it is played at maximum left. The green is well guarded with the wall and a
difficulty just one day a year. bunker, while the old Ice Lake protects the right side.
I relish the prospect of playing it again, and I hope I’ll It’s a tough hole to finish on and I’m sure there will be
18
see you out there. great excitement there throughout the season.
18 www.closehouse.com www.closehouse.com 19