Wow, what a week it has been. As my regular blog readers will know, my last blog post was being written at the same time as the tragic news from Boston was hitting our screens and i didn't feel much like writing about golf too much. As I was due to take part in the London marathon on April 21st I decided that I would split any sponsorship between the amazing Leonard Cheshire Disability and the Bostonone fund. I am pleased to say that I did indeed complete the London Marathon in my everyday wheelchair setting a new PB time of 4hr 22m 57s !
The support on the streets of London was nothing short of spectacular as usual and the feeling of determination among the runners was so thick you could almost taste it. The people of London and the Marathon Runners alike were more than happy to show the world that terrorism was not going to stop us enjoying the event and it in fact had the opposite effect with an estimated 500k coming out and cheering us all on. Until you actually get on the runners side of the marathon, it truly is impossible to explain the atmosphere and the almost physical waves of cheers and clapping that drive you on to the finish. To everyone that cheered for me on Sunday and called my name ( it was on my vest ) as I was struggling up the hills and pushing through my own wall, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, the marathon would be nothing without the people of London embracing it and getting involved.
The support on the streets of London was nothing short of spectacular as usual and the feeling of determination among the runners was so thick you could almost taste it. The people of London and the Marathon Runners alike were more than happy to show the world that terrorism was not going to stop us enjoying the event and it in fact had the opposite effect with an estimated 500k coming out and cheering us all on. Until you actually get on the runners side of the marathon, it truly is impossible to explain the atmosphere and the almost physical waves of cheers and clapping that drive you on to the finish. To everyone that cheered for me on Sunday and called my name ( it was on my vest ) as I was struggling up the hills and pushing through my own wall, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, the marathon would be nothing without the people of London embracing it and getting involved.
Anyways, after taking Monday off to recuperate and just chill in the spa at my home course of Bicester Golf and Country club.( I must admit I was in the Jaccuzi for at least 2 hours :-) ) , I got myself back on the course and got into the nets to work through some swing fundamentals with the MySp Swingaid.
Thanks to the marathon I was stupidly stiff but after working the shoulders for a good hour in the nets with the MySp I was starting to get some good movement back and I was striking the ball nice and crisply so I decided to go and play a few holes and see what state the game is in.
I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised with the results. I was able to take the practice swing and ball striking onto the course and was able to shoot some nice numbers.
What was most pleasing was the GIR that I was achieving, I only missed 4-5 greens in the last 4 rounds and as a consequence I have been shooting lower scores.
Oh and a quick update on "Dunkles the wonder caddy ", his knee op has been a success and although he is bored out of his skull he is recovering nicely :-)
So with a good winter training period behind me and some good solid scores and a little bit of consistency coming through, I'm really feeling good about the season opener, which for me is an international match against a French National team at the Saint Omer Club in France this weekend ( 26-27-28 April ). Obviously I'm immensly proud to be able to represent my country against our old foes from across the channel and it will be great to catch up with a few of my Team England team mates, especially a very very very talented young golfer called Chris Foster. He, like the well known Manuel De Los Santos plays on only one leg as the other is missing from the hip and like Manuel, he is one hell of a player and is not far from joining me in the amputee professional ranks. Mark my words, you will most certainly hear his name in the future !
I will also get to spend some time with the legend that is Tony Lloyd as we are travelling down to saint Omer together and we will certainly have a great laugh just like we did last year on our road trip to play in the French open. Tony is yet another inspirational disabled golfer and to see someone with next to no arms smash the ball dead straight 200+ yards down the fairway and easily play to a 12 handicap is amazing.
Hopefully with the depth of quality we have in the team we should be able to come back from France with a good result.
Once back from playing for England I will be trying to get in the mindset of competitive strokeplay golf ready for the EDGA Opener in may at Beltin Woods in Lincolnshire. As this is the first Order of Merit event of the year, a good start is imperative if I want to retain my OoM Title.
So, with Tony aiming to arrive at my house at around 3am tomorrow morning so we can head off to France, I had better bring my ramblings to an end but as always, during a comp, I will be updating regularly and will get as many pics as I can and hopefully news of an English Victory.
Thanks to the marathon I was stupidly stiff but after working the shoulders for a good hour in the nets with the MySp I was starting to get some good movement back and I was striking the ball nice and crisply so I decided to go and play a few holes and see what state the game is in.
I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised with the results. I was able to take the practice swing and ball striking onto the course and was able to shoot some nice numbers.
What was most pleasing was the GIR that I was achieving, I only missed 4-5 greens in the last 4 rounds and as a consequence I have been shooting lower scores.
Oh and a quick update on "Dunkles the wonder caddy ", his knee op has been a success and although he is bored out of his skull he is recovering nicely :-)
So with a good winter training period behind me and some good solid scores and a little bit of consistency coming through, I'm really feeling good about the season opener, which for me is an international match against a French National team at the Saint Omer Club in France this weekend ( 26-27-28 April ). Obviously I'm immensly proud to be able to represent my country against our old foes from across the channel and it will be great to catch up with a few of my Team England team mates, especially a very very very talented young golfer called Chris Foster. He, like the well known Manuel De Los Santos plays on only one leg as the other is missing from the hip and like Manuel, he is one hell of a player and is not far from joining me in the amputee professional ranks. Mark my words, you will most certainly hear his name in the future !
I will also get to spend some time with the legend that is Tony Lloyd as we are travelling down to saint Omer together and we will certainly have a great laugh just like we did last year on our road trip to play in the French open. Tony is yet another inspirational disabled golfer and to see someone with next to no arms smash the ball dead straight 200+ yards down the fairway and easily play to a 12 handicap is amazing.
Hopefully with the depth of quality we have in the team we should be able to come back from France with a good result.
Once back from playing for England I will be trying to get in the mindset of competitive strokeplay golf ready for the EDGA Opener in may at Beltin Woods in Lincolnshire. As this is the first Order of Merit event of the year, a good start is imperative if I want to retain my OoM Title.
So, with Tony aiming to arrive at my house at around 3am tomorrow morning so we can head off to France, I had better bring my ramblings to an end but as always, during a comp, I will be updating regularly and will get as many pics as I can and hopefully news of an English Victory.