Compleat Golfer’s playing editor tells us why this is such a great time of year for him – and he introduces his new caddie.
While I was writing this month’s column I was heading to Europe for the official Super Summer on the DP World Tour. Events like the BMW Championship, Italian Open, French Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship all follow each other over September. This makes for some thrilling golf entertainment.
This is by far and away my favourite time of the year. All four of those events are in the top 10 I play, so my excitement is certainly predictable.
The BMW Championship started us off. It’s the DP World Tour’s flagship event. Hosted by Wentworth Country Club, the glitz and glamour of the UK’s elite can be found everywhere you look. And that’s the entire week, not just the pro-am, which is unique. The course is always immaculate, the weather unpredictable and the spectators turn out in the thousands. It always has all the makings of a top event.
Following that, we found ourselves in the ancient city of Rome. The Italian capital and 2023 Ryder Cup host venue once again made use of the Marco Simone Country Club for the event. The course being quite new, specifically created for the Ryder Cup, always makes for an interesting week. With the Ryder Cup coming up next year, many of those players who could be in the squads were playing, thereby raising the overall profile of the event. That makes it another fantastic part of the Tour.
Next up was the land of love. The French Open needs no introduction. Being back at Le Golf National in Paris is something special too. It is without a doubt one of my favourite courses to play in the world.
After a couple of weeks of sunshine in Europe, we find ourselves going back to the UK, to the Home of Golf, St Andrews.
The Alfred Dunhill Links week is unlike anything else. Apart from playing some incredible courses (the Old Course, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns), the tournament atmosphere can’t be matched. There’s such relaxed energy around the event, which could be down to the pro-am format, but I think it’s down to the town of St Andrews. It’s the best golfing town in the world, fact. Be sure to read the special feature on St Andrews in this month’s issue – it encapsulates everything I am saying.
This year I’ve got an entirely new factor to deal with – my caddie. I am introducing a new one … a freshly retired cricketer, a certain Mr Chris Morris. Anyone who knows the man knows that there will be plenty of laughs to be had. So I know Chris, the families and I will have the time of our lives.
All in all, I can’t wait to get going. Some time away from the Tour has made me fresh and energetic heading into the last section of the regular season. So let’s go get some trophies!
– This column first appeared in the October 2022 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine.
