Sunday 8 September 2013

ISPSHanda Wales Open ProAm 2013 at Celtic Manor.

I was so lucky to be invited by Craig Thomas to take part in the ISPSHanda Welsh Open Pro Am this year as a birthday present off the ISPSHanda Golf Academy. We arrived at The lodge and had our lockers and gifts...an Ashworth T-Shirt and Footjoy golf shoes :) Then we got taken down to the 2010 clubhouse in one of the Black transport vans. We had breakfast in the Samuel Ryder suite and thats were I saw Craig Thomas and also saw Robin Spring again (met him at the sponsors day in April). I also met some of the other disabled golfers and also some i'd already met. I then went down to the 2010 range and that was so weird walking into the range where the Pro's were playing, some of the older juniors from my club were there as they were caddying for others. I was a few places away from Darren Clarke! I did some practice then went to the chipping and putting area for a bit. ISPSHanda also had a clinic so Craig gave me a few tips for the day. Mike Tindall and his wife were there but I only follow golf so didn't really know who he was. It was a shotgun start and my starting hole was hole 18...bit of a biggy hole wise. I was really pleased when I found out my Pro was JBE Kruger, ive always liked him and he has a great routine before he tee's off. I put a lot of pressure on myself so my first four holes I kind of got stressed but didn't do too bad for the round, got 3 course pars and a few course bogeys. Hole 10 was the par 3 challenge to raise money for ISPSHanda...I got on the green in one. On hole 15 there was a back up so I was waiting on the tee the same time as Jimenez and tee'd off in front of him! Hole 17 was our finishing hole, it caused lots of problems in the Welsh Open but I got a course par on it the same as JBE Kruger. JBE Kruger also gave us a goody bag which was cool. We then went back to the 2010 clubhouse and I spoke to Phillip Price and had a photo with him. We had food sat on the balcony that Europe stood on to spray champagne when they won the Ryder Cup. Our group didn't win but it was an amazing experience and brilliant day. Just before leaving I had a photo with the 2014 Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley. We were transported back then to The Lodge and a famous Welsh rugby player gave up his seat for mam but again I didnt realise as I dont follow rugby. I cant thank ISPSHanda and Craig Thomas enough for the chances ive been given this year.


























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