What an amazing few days it's been in the world of sport. Firstly, Wales produced one of the performances of the European Championship to see off the second best team in the world (if you believe in the rankings) and then back home our Club Championship was won by Michael Wilson by a mere nine shots.

Last week I talked about the fear that seemed to grip the England team. Wales showed exactly what can be done by a team that is confident and is also in a place where they had no fear of what might happen if things didn't go well. I would immediately say that is easier if you are a smaller team, like Iceland, and therefore have nothing to lose, but I do not believe that is the case with this Welsh side.

They have a plan and they think they can win with it.

They were not scared to commit men forward and this could not have been more beautifully illustrated by their second goal. Hal Robson-Kanu doesn't even have a contract to play next season, although I have a feeling that might be about to change as the club he was with last season, Reading, finished a lowly 17th in the Championship. So where on earth did that turn come from? He's not even a full-time striker, often playing as a winger, but if Suarez had done that we'd all be purring about his genius for months.

It comes from freedom and a positive mind-set:
Go for it, if it doesn't come off it's ok

That one move underlined why Wales deserve to be in the position they're in and also why, even without Ramsey, they can certainly take down a spluttering Portugal with an undoubtedly unfit Ronaldo. In sharp contrast to why I have to blame Roy Hodgson for many of England's woes, you have to look to Chris Coleman and his team for why they have performed so admirably. It is abundantly clear they are a team that has a wonderful atmosphere. When you see a superstar like Gareth Bale reacting as just one of the boys within the team, you can see why it is working. I, for one, will be an honorary Welshman on Wednesday night.

Michael's win in the Club Championship on Saturday was truly exceptional. Conditions were tough with strong winds, beautifully fast greens that are hard to control the ball on and killer rough if you go badly off line. So to shoot 73 and 72 (with a lost ball in the first round) is very impressive. Phil Hughes matched Michael's 73 in the first round but couldn't keep it going as a number of very good players racked up high numbers in the conditions.

I know I'm a little biased but I would also like to mention the three juniors who played, and who performed exceptionally well. Sam Robertson recovered from a bad first round (maybe a bit of that mental pressure of wanting to win?) to shoot a superb 73 in the afternoon. Sam Menzies, playing in his first Club Championship, returned two good rounds close to his handicap. The other debutant, 13-year-old Kieran Stubbs, just narrowly missed out on winning the nett competition by just one shot after rounds of 83 and a fantastic 77.

More evidence that our junior section is growing and flourishing was a ten man field on Sunday in the junior competition. A wonderful effort by all of them and I hope you will all continue your support of the junior section as it grows.




Is it the 'Big Three' or the 'Big Four'?

Just when you thought Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy were all set to divvy up golf's biggest prizes, along comes big-hitting Dustin Johnson. The US champion is now number two in the world and looks to be finally fulfilling his potential after another fine win at the weekend - and a big one too at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. For years Johnson seemed destined to be the bridesmaid, now he's one of the favourites to go back-to-back in Majors and take the Claret Jug back across the Atlantic.

Next week's Open at Royal Troon could be a classic

Which leads us on to a new section of our website - our regular poll, and we want your votes. Tell us who you think will win the Open Championship next week; will it be Day, Johnson, Spieth, McIlroy or A.N. Other?

Have your say by clicking through to our homepage here...




With The Open looming, we have a special offer from Titleist in the shop, and it's one that everyone in the shop really likes so it must be good! We only have a limited number but for the price of a discounted two dozen, you will receive two dozen Pro V1\xs, a Titleist cap PLUS a limited edition Titleist ball marker. It is the poker chip type with the removable smaller marker in the middle. We have these in the shop for just £79.95 and as I said we only have so many. They also come in a beautiful gift box so this is also a lovely present for someone.

Talking of The Open, we will also be doing a sweepstake starting this weekend. As usual it will be £5 to enter for a chance to win a great prize. 

Lastly, a quick appeal for more golf balls for our junior lessons. They seem to eat them so if anyone has any spare practise balls we would really appreciate it if you could donate them.