It’s that time of year when the magnificent Wentworth Golf Club stages it’s second big tournament around the West ‘Burma Road’ course. This time its the World Match Play, an event that was the brainchild of the late Mark McCormack, undoubtedly one of the most influential men the game of golf has ever known. It started in 1964 as the Piccadilly World Matchplay, and as McCormack’s company managed the ‘Big Three’, the event boasted the attendance of Nicklaus, Palmer and Player with each winning the event regularly.

The public loved the head to head duels between the sports superstars, and quickly the event became established as a permanent fixture on the calendar. More sponsors followed; Colgate, Suntory, Toyota, Cisco and the current encumbants, HSBC.

The event has had its detractors; it is mainly an event designed to showcase IMG players, it is not a true ‘World’ event as it only has a limited field and they enter as a result of invitation. The fields in recent years have not always been the most impressive either, and when Tiger got knocked out last year in the first round it was a big blow, despite Paul Casey performing brilliantly to secure a popular win. What cannot be argued though is that the list of previous winners must be the most impressive and consistent list of golfing greats. In 1979 a little known (in Europe certainly) American called Bill Rogers took the title, but even he went on to win an Open Championship a couple of years later.

However, HSBC have come to the end of there stint as the Title sponsor, and it will be interesting to see whether the event can be maintained to the same level in the future, given that the Accenture World Championship is surely the premier matchplay event in the world now, and it is getting increasingly hard to attract the very best fields.

The Bug suspects that the combination of one of the finest golfing venues in the World, and an event which has delivered some of the most dramatic matchplay confrontations the sport has ever seen will win through again.

Let’s hope so!!

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When you are located only a few miles away from many of the world’s most revered golf courses in Surrey, England, such as Wentworth, Sunningdale and St Georges Hill, it is difficult to build a reputation as a golfing heavyweight, but that is exactly what Silvermere Golf Club has achieved.

There are many reasons why Silvermere has become one of the most popular pay and play venues in the region; it has 18 challenging holes, a well equipped driving range with an army of top teaching pros, and an Aladdins cave of all the latest golf equipment on the market.

But what really sets Silvermere apart is the last two holes, which curve around a big lake. The 17th off the back tees is a nerve racking 180 yards carry over water, and is an excellent par three. Hit your tee shot in any way poorly and your round will begin to crumble, but such is the beauty of the hole you are more likely to be inspired and hit a decent shot into a generous green that slopes from back to front inviting a well struck shot.

However, there is nothing inviting about the 18th. The tee shot runs along the far side of the lake, which is concealed by a line of trees running for about 200 yards. Once you have hit your tee shot down a narrow funnel, the trees stop and your next shot, a sharp dog leg, is revealed. Depending on the accuracy of your drive you will be left with a shot of anything between 70 and 100 yards. Not a problem in normal circumstances but again the lake comes into play and your second shot is directly over water, this time to an island green with no reprieve right or left for an errant shot.  If this wasn’t already a particularly intimidating way to finish your round, Silvermere has positioned its very busy restuarant (Inn on the Lake, click here to visit the site) complete with open air terrace just yards away from the green thereby ensuring that you will be playing a half wedge shot in front of an expectant gallery!!

The Bug arranged a club testing day at Silvermere recently with some local golfers and we used the two finishing holes for our filming, so you can see the holes for yourself on www.golfbug.tv . They look very pretty, but the Bug would recommend that you give the course a try and once you have experienced the excitement of the last two holes, settle down to see how everybody else does! Its amazing what some water can do to a golfers mind!!

The Bug

PS    Please let us know about any other scary (not long) shots you encounter at your course.

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