Girls golf will be a the forefront of the Golf Foundation and England’s Golf’s work with The R&A during the Road to the Open initiative in Kent before the 149th Open at Royal St George’s Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

THE Road to The Open will see 125 schools and 25 golf clubs across Kent take part in a string of events aimed at celebrating Royal St George’s hosting the 149th Open at Sandwich this summer.

The R&A’s Road to The Open will encourage young people to join the journey as golf’s oldest championship heads to Sandwich, in July.

As part of England Golf and the Golf Foundation’s pledge to work closely to increase participation numbers, the host county will be putting everything into the Claret Jug’s return to Royal St George’s for the first time since 2011.

The Golf Foundation charity and England Golf – the country’s governing body – will work closely with schools and clubs over the coming months.

The Road to The Open will involve fun events at adventure golf courses, four StreetGolf clubs, 15 school games events and 18 clubs playing in three GolfSixes Leagues.

Taking golf into new locations, supported by the famous Claret Jug on tour, the joint initiative aims to reach out to 10,000 children and young people and spark an interest in golf that can last a lifetime.

Golf Foundation chief executive Brendon Pyle said: “England Golf is one of our most popular, important, strategic partners and we collaborate well on several different initiatives that ensure an effective player pathway from school to club to membership.

“The Road to The Open is a perfect example of how the two organisations work well together for the benefit of growing the game in England.

“Based on trust and a recognition of each partner’s strengths, we look forward to a new era of joint working in England for the benefit of young people in golf and the future of our sport.”

“There is already a huge buzz around The Open heading back to Royal St George’s for the first time since 2011,” said an England Golf spokesman.

Now the 2020 Road to the Open will seek to involve communities across Kent and help create a lasting legacy for golf throughout the county, he added.

The scale of the project around an Open Championship is unprecedented.

Jeremy Tomlinson, England Golf’s new chief executive, is backing work with the Golf Foundation and The R&A to attract more young people into golf

England Golf’s chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “England Golf and the Golf Foundation share a vision for the future of golf with young people at the very heart of our sport.

“At England Golf we are passionate about what we do and The R&A’s Road to The Open project allows us to showcase golf to the next generation.

“We now look forward to developing our relationship with the Golf Foundation in a way that helps encourage more and more young people to enjoy the social, sporting and health benefits associated with this wonderful game.”

The R&A has committed £2 million to the Golf Foundation over a four-year period to support its drive to inspire more young people to play golf and to encourage them to stay within the sport to boost membership.

R&A golf development director Duncan Weir said: “We are pleased to support the Golf Foundation and England Golf in their development efforts and the ‘Road to The Open’ project which aims to introduce golf to a new audience.

“Attracting new golfers is pivotal to the long-term success of the sport and The 149th Open provides the perfect setting for young people to learn about, try and experience golf.”

Wrag Barn junior Ellie Webster was named November’s Hero Handsake winner after spreading the word about junior golf via her golfing_girls_journey Instagram account

Pathway from schools to golf clubs

THE Road to the Open follows on from a number of existing, key initiatives which sees England Golf partner with the Golf Foundation to ensure a player pathway from school through to club.

GolfSixes League has become a major project in growing junior memberships at golf clubs, supported by The R&A and the European Tour.

This year’s events will be enjoyed by 6,400 boys and girls at 475 clubs across the UK, having been introduced in the last three years.

Since 2015, Girls Golf Rocks has helped more than 5,000 beginners learn that golf can be a fun, sociable, cool and athletic sport.

With PGA professional coaching support at each club and the Foundation training existing girl players as ambassadors, the programme will be rolled out by England Golf and the Golf Foundation to 200 clubs across 35 counties in 2020.

Another collaboration involves a dedicated group of Young Ambassadors.

The team of 17 young people has also created the Hero’s Handshake project which recognises juniors who have made a positive impact at their golf club.

Wrag Barn’s Ellie Webster was the winner in November – the 12-year-old Wiltshire golfer used her Instagram account to spread the word about her club’s junior programme including Girls Golf Rocks and her dream to become a golf pro.

England Golf and the Golf Foundation work to create a safe environment for youngsters to enjoy the game at clubs and HSBC Grassroots Golf Centres. Picture by MATT GREAVES

How golf is putting children’s welfare first

SAFEGUARDING issues are at the heart of all work carried out by England Golf and the Golf Foundation.

At HSBC Golf Roots Centres, the Golf Foundation carries out criminal record checks, safeguarding training and child protection policies.

England Golf’s network of club support officers are helping clubs and counties work to achieve SafeGolf status ahead of it becoming a mandatory part of the affiliation process from January 2021.

Together, England Golf and the Golf Foundation aim to ensure a vibrant and successful future for golf.

England Golf is the governing body for the amateur game promoting the sport as a fun and fully inclusive activity for all ages through its work with over 1,800 golf clubs, 630,000 golf club members and the wider golfing community.

National children’s charity the Golf Foundation changes the lives of young people by introducing them to golf.  It provides opportunities for them to keep playing and developing the skills for life that the sport teaches them.

Learn more about their work at www.englandgolf.org and www.golf-foundation.org

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Marcus Armitage gets his pin flag and bag tag from deputy chairman of The R&A Open Championships committee Anne O’Sullivan. Picture by The R&A

MARCUS Armitage thanked his partner Lucy after sealing his place at this summer’s 148th Open Championship Royal St George’s Golf Club.

The Yorkshire pro birdied the last at the South African Open to seal solo third at Randpark Golf Club – and punch his ticket for the oldest Major Championship after walking off the green with his head held high.

Armitage will be joined at Sandwich by tournament winner Branden Grace and South African Jaco Ahlers – who finished a shot behind Armitage.

The 32-year-old from Huddersfield revealed in the European Tour’s latest Player Blog how 2019 had been a tough year for him and Lucy.

He relied on credit cards while earning less than 15,000 euros in European Challenge Tour prize money after buying a house.

That third place finish not only secured him a place at The Open – but also pocketed him more time five times last season’s winnings.

A clearly emotional Armitage – who played his way on to the European Challenge Tour with three wins on the PGA Europro Tour between 2013 and 2015 – was quick to pay tribute to the love of his life.

“It’s hard for her,” said Armitage, who only finished 89th on the Road to Mallorca in 2019.

“She’s working – we’ve got a house and we just don’t get the quality time. This one’s for Lucy.

“I can tell Lucy that she doesn’t have to do any nails that week. she can book it off and we can go and enjoy The Open.

And even though he has just one Challenge Tour victory to his name – after his win in the 2016 Foshan Open – Armitage is not intending to make up the numbers on the Kent coast.

“I’m looking to win it,” said the Salford-born pro whose win in China earned him his rookie season on the 2018 European Tour.

“It’s the best championship on the planet for me, it’s everything.

Marcus Armitage made a birdie three at the last at Randpark to qualify for the 2020 Open Championship at Royal St George’s. Picture by GETTY IMAGES00

“That is the dream. People say to you, ‘you’re on the European Tour, you’re living the dream’. No – the dream is when I’ve got a Claret Jug in my pocket and I’m off to find the other three.”

Armitage probably wishes he could play Randpark every week.

The Howley Hall member finished fifth – his best European Tour finish of his career before Sunday – in the 2018 Joburg Open, which was played in December 2017.

And after making his way through the European Tour Qualifying School (ETQS) at Lumine, in Spain, in November, the 2016 Foshan Open winner could not have made a better start to the season.

The prize cheque of €82,063 will ensure that when the ETQS category is reranked for the first time later in the season, he will be among the top earners – giving him a better chance of some starts in the bigger events.

Armitage was certainly a very relieved man after that three on the 18th lifted ahead of Lancastrian Jack Senior, who saw his Open dream dashed.

“Where I was a few months ago, I was off the cliff,” added Armtage. “I’ve turned it around.

“A few people have given me a few keys to change my life and that’s proof you can do it, you can do it in months.

“I’m a product of the hard work I’ve put in,” said the Lancashire lad who lost his mum Jean to cancer when he was 13 – he took up golf to cope with his grief, playing at Oldham Golf Club, before moving to Huddersfield, when he was 18.

It will be Armitage’s second time in the field for The Open after he qualified in 2018. But his chances of contending at Carnoustie were hampered by a freak injury suffered the week before he travelled to Scotland.

The Qualifying School graduate went indoor skydiving and dislocated his shoulder 10 days before he was set to hit his opening tee shot at Carnoustie on Thursday.

Despite being advised not to play, Armitage was determined to play – even though, not surprisingly, he did not make the weekend.

“It was quite pointless really because I’ve already done a tandem skydive from 12,000 feet” added Marcus, “so I don’t know why I went in a wind tunnel,” writing in his blog this week.

“I ripped my shoulder clean out of the socket and it was out for two hours.

“I went to see Poora Singh, one of the physios on the Challenge Tour, and he said, ‘you’re not playing in The Open next week’ and I responded, ‘yes I am, you watch me. I’ll go with half a swing’.

“And that’s exactly what I did. I played The Open with half a swing and missed the cut. I shot 69 on the second day with half a swing. I was gutted.”

Armitage – known as The Bullet – now has a second bite of the cherry and could not hide his delight after walking off the 18th.

“I knew if I birdied I’d be undoubtedly in next week and in The Open so it was some buzz to hole that putt,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to pegging it up against the players that I want to be pegging it up against every week and being in that environment of The Open.

“It’s just another opportunity to go in there and showcase my talents,” added Armitage.

South African Open winner Branden Grace shot the first ever 62 in the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale and his now heading to Royal St George’s after his victory at Randpark GC. Picture by THE R&A

Grace is happy to be heading to Sandwich

BRANDEN Grace will be playing in his 10th Open with a previous best finish of sixth in 2017 – when the South African made history by shooting the first 62 in a Major Championship at Royal Birkdale.

“I’ve got great memories there from the 62,” said Grace. “I was a little bit sour at the end of last year not knowing I’d secured my spot.

“But after this week, knowing I’ve done it, it’s a great highlight so far and something great to look forward to.

“It’s a dream and if you ask me which Major I think I would win, it’s probably that one. It suits me the most,” added Grace, who has a penetrating low ball flight.

“I played in my first Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s. It didn’t treat me too well, but it’s a great golf course.

“It’s a ball-striker’s golf course, you have to be on top of your game.

“Any Open you play, you have to be on top of your game but I am just stoked to go back – and what a day it has been.”

Ahlers qualified to play in his second Open, 11 years after making it through international qualifying only to miss the cut – at Turnberry, where Stewart Cink prevented Tom Watson from rewriting Open history as the oldest winner of the Claret Jug.

“I’m excited,” said Ahlers. “I haven’t done it in 11 years so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I play the Alfred Dunhill Links every year and I just really love links golf.

“What I hear from St George’s is it’s a pretty tough golf course, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

•For the final results in the South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg, click here.

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BERNHARD Langer continued his historic dominance of over-50s golf by winning The Senior Open for a record fourth time.

The German set a new benchmark for Senior Major Championship victories – with 10 – when he last won The Senior Open in 2017 at Royal Porthcawl,

And with his win at Royal Lytham & St Annes he became the oldest Senior Open champion as he collected his 11th Senior Major – and his 41st professional title since turning 50.

A delighted Langer, who also led Europe to victory in the 2004 Ryder Cup, said: “It’s always special to walk down 18 in a Major, but especially over here.

“The people are so knowledgeable about golf, and it’s tremendous how they even came out in these conditions and cheered us on in the rain.

“It feels very special, whether it’s The Open or The Senior Open, to walk down 18 is always a wonderful feeling.

“Now having won 11 Senior Majors, it means a great deal. Nobody has won more than nine if I’m correct – not even the great Jack Nicklaus or Gary Player or Tom Watson, who retired from this championship today.

“There’s a lot of great players who have played this game and have played Majors, and I’ve been blessed to have won more than any of them.”

Despite heavy rainfall, which suspended play for over five-and-a-half-hours on the final day – and then returned for the final nine holes of the championship – Langer remained unphased.

He put on a masterclass as he took control of the tournament with back-to-back birdies on the inward nine, ultimately carding a four-under par 66 to turn a three-shot deficit into a two-shot victory from 2016 champion Paul Broadhurst, who is attached to Northamptonshire County.

The final round of The Senior Open will also be remembered as Tom Watson’s farewell to competitive links golf.

The five-time Champion Golfer of the Year and three-time Senior Open winner announced after his third round that he would be bowing out at the conclusion of his 18^th Senior Open appearance.

The American never missed a cut in The Senior Open and remains one of only three men—along with Gary Player and Bob Charles—to win both The Open and The Senior Open.

Watson bows out being considered by many to be the greatest links golfer of all time.

Watson, whose five Open wins all came in Scotland, said: “The crowds on 18 were very warm and appreciative. The crowd that ended at the ninth hole, which was the farthest point on the golf course, that went all the way out there to watch my final hole, that was very, very special.

“There will be other people who will take the reins and they will do what I did. Life is full of passages, and I’ve passed through my career here, starting in 1975 to here in 2019. It’s amazing.

“I’ll always respect the way the game is played over here. The game of golf is played here with a passion, unequalled, and it’s part of the fabric of life that people have when they play golf here in the UK

“That’s what I’ve always appreciated,” added an emotional Watson who famously beat Nicklaus in the Duel in the Sun at Turnberry, in 1977, and almost won a sixth Claret Jug in 2009, aged 59 – but lost to Stewart Cink in a play-off, also over Ayrshire’s Ailsa course.

Europe’s only Senior Major will head to Sunningdale Golf Club, on the Berkshire-Surrey border, when The Senior Open returns in 2020.

For full results in the 2019 Senior Open click here

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Chartam Park’s Tom Thurloway is looking forward to adding his Open debut to the England Amateur Championship and Walton Heath Open Amateur he won last year. Picture by SUSSEX COUNTY GOLF UNION

SUSSEX reigning English Amateur champion Thomas Thurloway was another amateur to have a great day at Final Qualfying for the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush, later this month, finishing in the top three at Notts Golf Club’s Holinwell.

The England international, from Crawley, who carded two rounds of 69 to finish one shot behind Darlington’s former England international Andrew Wilson on six-under after carding a total of 138.

Thurloway, who is about to go into his senior year at the University of Toledo, had what can only be described as a rollercoaster finish to his second round during which he drove the green on the 346-yard par-four 16th – but then left his eagle putt in the jaws of the hole.

He then watched as his drive on the long 17th clip a tree and drop into the rough no more than 100 yards from the tee. From there he did well to escape with a par-five before completing the job with his fifth birdie of the round on the closing hole.

“It was pretty crazy finish but I’m just glad I did enough to get the job down. I still can’t quite believe it. It’s been a strange sort of year for me after winning the English Amateur. I did win the Seminole Intercollegiate in the States, but I haven’t done quite as well as I thought I would.

“This makes up for all of it though. I’ve always dreamt of playing in The Open and to do it while I’m still am amateur makes it even more special. I’ve never played Portrush but I know a couple of guys who live there so I will have to get on the phone to them. I can’t wait to get there and experience the atmosphere.”

Wilson carded rounds of 69 and 67 to take top spot at on seven-under-par after posting a total of 137. He was five-under through 17 holes of his morning round before carding a double-bogey six on the 18th – but then bounced back in the second round with five birdies in an opening nine half of 31.

The 25-year-old former English international went on to birdie the 14th but then dropped his first shots of the round on the 15th and 16th before regaining his composure to bag two closing pars.

Wilson, who is attached to Rockliffe Hall, the same club as Web.com player Callum Tarren, said: “It means the world to me to play in The Open. It’s awesome. I’ve only been a pro for six months so it’s a big achievement for me and something I’m sure I’m going to get a lot from.

“I felt pretty confident until I bogeyed 15 and 16 and after that I was just praying for two pars. I’m buzzing now but I’ve got to drive home tonight and then go to the next EuroPro Tour event tomorrow.”

The third player to qualify at Notts was former England international Ashton Turner, from Derbyshire. The young Lincolnshire EuroPro player led Final Qualifying last year to earn his spot at Carnoustie.

But this time Turner had to do it the hard way by carding rounds of 67 and 72 and then beating David Coupland at the third hole of a tense play-off with a bogey five after both players had driven into a fairway bunker off the tee.

Turner. who overcame being diagnosed with cerebal palsy at an early age, to become an England junior and Daily Telegraph Junior Champion in 2013, said: “I am very relieved. It was stressful second round. I left myself quite a few testers but fortunately I managed to get most of them in.

“It’s a shame the play-off ended the way it did but I can’t wait to get to get to The Open and give it another go. I’m sure I will learn from my experience last year. It was a bit surreal but now I know what to expect.”

Essex teenager Curtis Knipes tops Prince’s qualifiers with Callum Shinkwin

Lancastrian Jack Senior also made it to The Open for the second year in a row when he finished alongside former Amateur Champions Garrick Porteous at St Annes Old Links on 10-under after carding a total of 134, with Matthew Baldwin, a former England Boys captain, the third qualifier a stroke behind.

Senior, from Heysham just up the Lancashire coast, added his second 67 of the day to finish alongside Newcastle-on-Tyne’s Porteous, who had earlier set the mark of 134, also with a matching pair of 67s.

Senior – the winner of the Hampshire Hog at North Hants in 2011 – bagged five birdies in a row from the second to move to 10-under then birdied the 10th and 12th to storm clear only to drop shots at the 13th and 15th holes before parring home.

“I just like the golf courses round this area and it’s great to make it through for the third time having qualified at Hillside and now here for the last two years,” said Senior who has played on the EuroPro, Alps and Challenge Tours after turning pro eight years ago.

“It’s a dream to play another Open Championship. I missed the cut last year but hopefully I can do the business at Portrush,” added the 30-year-old who beat Jordan Spieth in the 2011 Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen, when Great Britain and Ireland beat the USA.

Porteous, The Amateur champion in 2013 at Kent’s Royal Cinque Ports, in Deal, had a mixed bag of eight birdies and three bogeys, clinching his place with birdies at the two closing par fives. He said “It means the world to make it. It’s everyone’s dream and it’s such a special year being in Ireland. I’m sure the crowds will be something else.”

Baldwin, from Southport, led after an opening 65 then added an afternoon 70, breaking away from the pack on eight-under with a birdie at the par-five 18th, when he got up and down from 40 feet from just off the green to seal the final qualifying place.

Baldwin, who has been to Qualifying School six times since 2007 and has played five full seasons on the European Tour, said: “I played as good as I’ve played all year this morning. Not so good in the afternoon.

“But it’s incredible to get to Portrush. I’ve played the Irish Open there before. It’s a great course and I’m really excited to be going back,” added the former England Boys captain.

Jack Senior, who won the Hampshire Hog back in 2011. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

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