DMAS (David Merriman Appreciation Society) Steve Parish, Jason Dougherty and a blow up kangaroo, affectionately named Danny La “Roo” decked out in their green shirts, with Aussie cork hats.
Australian David Merriman provides an insight into the life of a touring Pro – “My week at Woburn”.
For those of you that have ever thought about venturing onto tour. Here is a week in the life of a touring professional.
The Travis Perkins Senior Masters has been held at Woburn Golf Club for several years. It’s the home of Ian Poulter and is one of the busiest and most popular events of the European Senior Tour.
Woburn Golf Club is like playing in middle of Sherwood Forest. Its fairways are heavily flanked with trees and the undergrowth is so dense that Eamon Darcy claims a lost ball could be wrapped in bacon and Lassie wouldn’t be able to find it.
Team European Tour are hard at work setting up the course for the event, erecting score boards, signage on the course, hospitality and marketing tents, porta loos and the many food stalls for the spectators. They also have a great children’s area with SNAG golf equipment to keep the children entertained for the day.
Tuesday: Practice round. After purchasing our yardage books we all head off for a practice round to make notes. The Aussies practice together and share news of the football and cricket results.
Wednesday: The first of the Pro-Ams is running today. For those players not in the Pro-Am it’s a day on the range and the putting green, fine tuning the swing. Geoff Waddington our UK Ping representative is on the range today assisting us with our club requirements and getting feedback on the latest releases. Amazingly the fitting vans provided by the various golf companies at tournaments take a massive $1,800 worth of petrol to fill the tank.
Thursday: Pro-Am day for me followed by an Awards Night Dinner with the Duke of Bedford. Sam Torrance scoops the pool on the awards front winning Order of Merit and Player of the Year. Mike Harwood takes out Rookie of Year – well done Mike. There is a great deal of discussion about the Ryder Cup with Sam explaining the difficulties involved in team selection.
Friday: Day one of the tournament. It’s a good weather day, nice sunshine and the air is still. I start on the putting green where all the professionals practice their stroke. A lot of banter happens on the putting green. It's well known that best practice occurs when our jaws are moving.
I hear a shout of “shot Dave” from the edge of the green only to be confronted by the boys from DMAS (David Merriman Appreciation Society, www.facebook.co.uk) decked out in their green shirts, but this year with Aussie cork hats and a blow up kangaroo, affectionately named Danny La “Roo”.
Steve Parish and Jason Dougherty the instigators of DMAS have even perfected a “G’day mate” and you just know they are going to be Aussie ambassadors for the day. Kelsey and I have developed a strong friendship with DMAS and they have even ventured a game of golf with us!
After putting, its down to the range for fining tuning the shots you will need for Woburn Golf Course. Then onto the first tee and were off. I played my usual steady golf on day one, unable to capitalise on a few opportunities and finishing with a Par round.
Players, Martin Poxon and DJ Russell made hole in ones. Martin followed his up with an eagle. Follards winemakers, one of the sponsors of the tournaments celebrated the momentous event shouting champagne all round.
After completing my round I head to the range to conduct a children’s clinic.
This year the children come from the local school and are very keen participants – an afternoon away from the classroom! They are a great group as I take them through the paces of putting and provide them with some simple drills for their swing. In closing I demonstrate a couple of my trick shots and they boys are suitable amazed, even though one of them ducked in case I missed the shot.
Saturday: Day two of the tournament and players know its “moving day” with a chance to move up the leader board.
DMAS have turned up again and now have quite a following in the crowd with spectators wanting their photo taken with Danny La Roo. He is even asked to attend the medical tent to have his photo taken with the staff.
The weather isn’t as grand today and its overcast with a slight breeze. I am playing with Eamon Darcy and Jeff Hall. I played another steady game and was one under par playing the 7th hole, when I pulled my T-Shot into the undergrowth. I had to reload leading to a double bogey on that hole. It was then a case of grinding it out to finish with a 72.
Then it’s back to the range to polish up the swing for the next day.
Sunday: It’s make or break day and the weather is not looking good, with a lot of cloud coverage, some light rain and strong winds. The course is set up with tight pins today. It’s playing tough. Players are struggling with the conditions and the scores are falling. A solid and steady round will move you up the leaderboard. I am currently in 27th spot and manage another steady 72 finishing 17th for the tournament.
The tournament is neck to neck between course favourite Carl Mason and Irish professional, Des Smyth. The winds get stronger as the day proceeds and Carl gets some bad breaks coming down the last holes. Des keeps playing strong and finishes with a three shot lead and the winner of the tournament.
Peter Fowler was the leading Aussie on one under par finishing in 13th spot.
I leave the tournament having dropped to 22nd in the order of merit, but happy to have pulled of a solid round on the last day.