Overseas Winter Coaching 2009

In mid-March, whilst many RAF golfing hopefuls teed up a cold golf ball on a bitter-cold and wet Sunday morning, 18 others were en-route to the inaugural warm-weather overseas coaching week at Costa Ballena in Spain. Having traded Gatwick for Malaga, a long coach transfer took the group to the Cadiz coastline and a balmy, pleasant evening at their venue for four days of fantastic golf tuition made possible by the sponsorship of Chemring and Fujitsu and additionally subsidised through an RAF Sports Lottery grant to each player - all recipients were extremely grateful for the generosity they received from the respective benefactors.

The facilities at the Costa Ballena resort, designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, included three 9-hole sets of differing styles, a range with space for almost 100 golfers, two short-game areas and a large but tricky putting green. Additionally, a gem of a 9-hole Par Three course was available to hone those all-important scoring zone skills. Add to that some pleasant food at the clubhouse, good quality accommodation and warm Spanish hospitality, and you can see why every player thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to participate! It was exactly as the organisers had hoped for: a terrific venue for provision of coaching under conditions where everyone could focus entirely on golf, more golf and yet more golf.

Over the four days, our friendly RAFGA PGA Professional, Al Currie from Brampton Park, had devised a series of intensive activities to ensure that each and every player received advice and guidance tailored specifically to their requirements. Each morning was spent on the practice areas and culminated in a highly-pressurised competition comprising some form of ludicrous scheme invented by our Pro. Interestingly, Al was able to prove his major point about the short-game importance, especially after he cleaned-up with the first challenge - it certainly helped his PGA credentials! Each afternoon was filled with on-course competition and advice with every round devised to sustain pressure on individuals such that they maintained focus throughout, in an attempt to recreate nerve-racking demands likely to be faced in the Inter-Services fixture.

The Inter-Services event is indeed the focal point for which the RAFGA has re-evaluated its entire season; as part of a building-block approach, warm-weather winter coaching has been an aspiration for quite some time, but the unsettling last two years of RAF transformation meant that 2009 was the first opportunity that arose to finally establish the schedule where overseas training would fit. The hope is that ‘fringe’ Representative players will use the UK winter for their own programme and hone their pre-season skills during the overseas week to create a solid foundation for the pending season. This way, we should develop a bigger Squad and encourage greater competition amongst our own throughout the year. As we go to press, the RAF Representative Team is just forming with a few of the Spain attendees having already earned opportunities within the RAF team and having acquitted themselves well against county opposition.

Back in Spain and the final afternoon took the players to a former venue of the European Volvo Masters at Montecastillo, Jerez, adjacent to the former F1 Grand Prix racing circuit. The 7,500yd Jack Nicklaus golf course looked quite magnificent and the only disturbing noise that could be heard was the prevailing gusty wind which, unfortunately, made the undulating 18 holes very difficult and less appealing as time went on. Ultimately, the winning score was a hard-graft of a mere 26 points from scratch stableford, but those that suffered that day will testify how punishing the wind was and how much they now respect European PGA Tour professionals! Ultimately, with swing changes aplenty, the course was found utterly uncompromising and made many of our grown men shed a tear – not quite what we were aiming for – it was meant to be a treat! Perhaps a review of next year’s format will be required, having witnessed some severely flagging swings on that final day!

For the entire week, the RAF Team Captain, Deano Lewis, had ordered a running-tote to record any golfing faux-pas throughout all events; contributions landed in a welfare fund and made for a blurred last night. Unfortunately for the poor guy running it, 99 Sqn co-pilot Alex Stones, he contributed as much as anyone due to his poor maths and paperwork – better luck with the imprests Alex! John Duke contributed a fair bit too as he argued more than Paddy Mournian, unbelievably. Furthermore, if Mal Wray had managed to recover his camera’s memory card, I may have been able to share the whole experience photographically. Note to self – don’t put an engineer in charge of technical matters.

With their remaining energy, a number of plucky souls were determined to trade any remaining euros over the par-three course via a very early start on the Friday travel day. Lest it be said, yet more tears were shed by some, once again, as their last-chance hopes were dashed in a variety of lakes, three-putts and quite dreadful bunker play……Liam.

Before I wrap up, I expect the obvious burning questions need addressing:

How do I get on the coaching?

The bottom line is that if you want to get on the next Winter Coaching, you need to make your mark in one of the various competitive events such as the Regionals, the Inter-Regional Matchplay, the Inter-Station finals or, most importantly, the RAF Championships. We can only select players that we know about, so if you’re not playing in competitive events and showing your mettle, we just won’t know that you’re out there! This year we had the 2008 RAF Champ, who plays off +1, all the way through to an 8 handicapper; contrary to rumour, we don’t just focus on the big-guns.

What did it cost?

As you’d expect, an activity like this doesn’t come for free but there was a significant subsidy to all concerned which made it affordable to all. This year’s personal contribution was £227 but everyone needed their own travel and medical insurance (plus a European Health Insurance Card – free from the NHS but it takes a few weeks to obtain – so get one soonest, just in case you get a call from us!) and individual funding to the UK departure point. We were extremely fortunate to receive Sports Lottery grants (for Members!) and our gratitude goes very much to our sponsors, namely Chemring and Fujitsu, whose generosity was quite magnificent, particularly during these difficult financial times for all businesses.

Overall, I am delighted to declare the coaching week a resounding success and we look forward to arranging the next instalment. All that remains is for me to congratulate Deano Lewis for his continued Captaincy, all the participants for their fabulous company and commitment, and to encourage you all out onto the course over what remains of our UK summer. I trust that you have success and can hopefully experience next year’s eagerly awaited opportunity.

Richie Matthews

Wg Cdr

Director RAF Coaching