Fab time at Kingswood / Silvermere

Doug McClelland & I played golf together as teenagers and I was lucky enough to be invited to his charity golf day this year. Around the time I got the invitation I had just read John Hoskison's book "No Hiding in the Open" and had e mailed him telling him how much I had enjoyed it, along with the follow up book "Inside". John is a some time contibutor to this Forum and, having been based in Surrey at one time, I felt sure that he'd know Doug, which he indeed did. One thing led to another and John finished up as the pro in the team I played in at the golf day at Kingswood last Friday.

What a great weekend it turned out to be. Having travelled down on the Thursday I had a fitting at Silvermere, which will see me next week with a shiny new set of Mizuno JPX 850 forged irons to replace the ageing MX 23s. It's the first fitting I've had and the effect of differing weights of shafts was educational.

The facilities at Kingswood are first class. The boutique hotel, "The Lodge", built 18 months ago is finished to the highest standard and the food is excellent. Although I didn't play too well I managed to get nearest the pin, 6", at the 7th and won a pair of design them yourself Footjoy golf shoes. Fully customisable, including different sized left & right shoes, which is handy for me with half a size difference between feet. And to top it off I went and won a Motocaddy M1 in the raffle!

The evening was topped of by a Q & A session with Paul Mcginley, who gave some excellent insights into the happenings at the 2014 Ryder cup.

It was something I'd been looking forward to for months and the experience didn't disappoint.

That's me, John & my two new friends Bruce & Gary (left) and me & the two main men (right)