Dear Industry Colleague,

The season is now in full swing and despite the fervour for golf not being quite at the same level as it was during the pandemic, when so many other leisure options were unavailable, trade is brisk across the country.

The Masters showcased golf at its glorious best with the highly impressive Scottie Scheffler showing a clean pair of heels throughout the first 71 1/2 holes before endearing himself to hackers and yippers across the world by missing repeatedly from short range on the last hole. Luckily he had plenty of shots in hand. He is a huge talent for the future. 

So great to see a resurgent Rory McIlroy, who genuinely seems to be enjoying his golf more now. He will surely win more majors.

What do you say about Tiger Woods? The man is remarkable and refuses to be beaten.  I think it is highly likely that he will feature strongly at the Open at St Andrews and could win his 16th major at the home of golf this July. 

When it comes to all the players making a comeback, for some inexplicable reason I have personally entered the Open Championship despite approaching my 60th birthday and not having played competitively for over 20 years. Some windmills are just too irresistible for old golfers to tilt at. Perhaps Greg Norman at 67 has a similar thought in mind, however at least he’s got a pedigree of winning the great event on two prior occasions. What a great way to embrace old age, shame he’s still swinging for the horrid Saudis!

The Golf Foundation pay tribute on page 36 to their past Chairman, Charles Harrison, who has sadly passed on at the age of 73. Charles was a great ambasador for the Foundation’s work with young people in golf and will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues.

Happy retirement wishes to John Slinger from Bowlee Golf Range and also to Bob Barnes from Cambridge Lakes - both have run great operations for many years and shepherded thousands of new golfers into the game. 

Good luck and good golfing to everyone.

Best wishes, Colin Jenkins