Easter, Golf & Zimbabwe

I thought I would do a short little blog update as there are a few things happening over the next week or so.

First off all I can’t write this blog without mentioning the outstanding weather the UK and Ireland seems to be in for over the Easter break. BBQ season has well and truly landed and I for one have dusted mine of and used it twice in the last two days!

When we are lucky enough to get this great weather we start thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to be able to live & eat outside all the time!’ I for one am a massive fan of the outdoor living so long may this weather continue. Who knows, might even develop a nice tan :)

A lot of golf to be played over the next week and it kicks of today with a mini office challenge at my home club, Holywood! I am at Holywood 3 times over the next 3 days and by my recent form the more golf I can get in the better!

Next week Stuart and I travel down to Greenore in Meath to play in the TGI golf day and from all the reports Greenore is a super trek so I am really looking forward to it!

Finally Mark and Jen from the office are heading off to Zimbabwe next week on a educational visit so keep an eye for a blog and info on what is meant to be a wonderful country.

May I wish everyone a very happy Easter and take it easy on the chocolate eggs :)

Warmest regards

Gerard

Rory and The 2011 Masters

Hi everyone, here is my follow up blog as promised.

Well, the 2011 Masters is over and it delivered everything it promised to!

For 3 days, 54 holes and numerous ups and downs a 21 year old Northern Irish man hailing from Holywood County Down lit up Augusta!

Rory McIlroy played some magnificent golf and handled himself both professionally and admirably at all times.

Unfortunately though most of that is not what will be forged in most people’s memories.

Rory went into the final round with an impressive 4 shot lead but after bogeying the first hole the writing was on the wall. His round deteriorated in front of everyone watching live and it was so hard to watch even the BBC directed their programme coverage elsewhere on the course.

I have heard some ridiculous stories circulating today that the young man bottled it and was never mentally strong enough to cope in the last round. Well, all I have to say on that is it is absolute nonsense!

This young man is just about to turn 22 next month and he has already achieved what most people could only ever dream off. Rory McIlroy was winning titles from a very young age and he will continue to win titles for a very long time.

At nearly 22 we could say he has another 20 years at the highest level so in my calculations that is another 80 majors to compete for!

After unravelling in front of everyone on the Sunday he gave what I thought was a brilliant press conference and showed maturity well beyond his years!

Rory can leave Augusta with his head held high knowing he left a mark on the course to return one day and get that ‘Green Jacket’.

As a fellow member of Holywood County Down where Rory hails from I can categorically state that we are all proud of you Rory and you are an absolute credit to your home club, Northern Ireland and Golf in general.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Charl Schwartzel on what was a magnificent final round and I bet he loved the feeling of slipping that green jacket on.

That’s me for now and please feel free to comment on any of the above.

Warmest regards

Gerard

New Website & The Masters 2011

Hi guys, I trust you are all well and enjoying the lovely Spring weather that we have been lucky to land upon.

Well, in my last blog I told you guys about the wonderful educational trip I had in South Africa where I was accompanied by our ‘Bandit’ MD Mark Marais 

Since our excellent and informative trip we have been working hard on our www.golfholidaysinsouthafrica website. We have been getting it updated with some new packages and also adding the new hotels and resorts we were lucky enough to visit.

We have also worked hard to personalise the website, telling our customers of our own experiences in South Africa. Our customers will hopefully read our reviews and comments and get a sense of what this wonderful country has to offer!

Having been to South Africa, played many rounds of golf there, visited/stayed at some beautiful hotels & guesthouses I believe we are well equipped and have an excellent depth of knowledge to create any package our customers demand.

The Masters 2011 is upon us and the tension has been building up for what promises to be one of the best tournaments ever.

The traditional fun-filled par 3 competition was won by Englishman Luke Donald after he finished his round early with 5 under par. Now those of you who are aware will know that this is not a good omen, anyone who has won the par 3 competition on the Wednesday has NEVER gone on to win the Masters outright!

Many players have had a quick look at the leader board on the 8th/9th hole of the par 3 and, if they see their name close to the top they would suddenly end up with a double bogey or worse! This is how strong this omen hangs over Augusta!

So the question is, can Luke Donald (who has been in superb form) break the hoodoo and win both tournaments?

The par 3 is great to watch especially for the relaxed family atmosphere it creates and it’s not unfamiliar to see caddies, no bigger than the clubs they are carrying walking on this wonderful course.

It was great to see Ian Poulters mum caddying for her famous son, a nice touch if I don’t say so myself!

Now that we are on Mr Poulter, has he finally stoked the fire in Tiger Woods that we have all been waiting for? His pre tournament comment saying that ‘Tiger’ would likely NOT finish in the top 5 at the Masters was picked up quick by the media and it made headline stories on the Augusta coverage.

At Tigers press conference, he was asked what he thought about Poulters comment and he sarcastically replied, “Isn’t Poulter always right!”

All that aside this promises to be a truly memorable 4 days at Augusta and I for one will be following it avidly on Sky Sports (well, if Mrs Watson allows me of course!)

I will follow up this blog with a short one next week on the trials and tribulations of what the weekend brings.

Anyways, bye for now and I hope you have enjoyed reading.

Warmest regards

Gerard