Barney's April 2026 Newsletter
- Barney
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Hi Everyone,
We've reached the week of the most eagerly anticipated golf tournament of the year The Masters. After a long winter this amazing spectacle of incredible golf in a superbly manicured setting is a jump start to golf around the world.
Being on the same course each year means we've become accustomed to the layout which in turn adds to our enjoyment of this phenomenal spectacle. This is the 90th Masters and I reckon I have watched over half of them! Last year will take some beating as seeing Rory complete the Grand Slam at this iconic venue was absolute box office.
Another fun tradition for all of us is predicting a winner (I last got that right in 1988 when Sandy Lyle won!) and this year is no different in difficulty of selecting one as the field is so strong. From a European point of view, certainly Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick have been in tremendous form and Matt's terrific putting ability along with his unique cross handed chipping method, makes him a serious contender. The American's best bets seem to be Cameron Young and the ever experimental Bryson DeChambeau. It's often an event that past Champions and their incredible knowledge of the course defy the years and have a run at the title. In this category keep an eye out for Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama. Famously Jack Nicklaus at age 46 won the 1986 Masters with a back nine charge using said skill and a putter that had a head the size of a house brick.
For this year as it is the anniversary of big Jack's win and after several near misses I'm predicting another famous victory for 40 something in the shape of Justin Rose. Like many I feel this event owes him a victory to make up for his two agonising play off losses. Justin's form this season has been excellent and he is comfortably in the top ten in the World Ranking, so I am hoping that Rose will blooming amongst the Azaleas.
Another golfing milestone takes place this year as it marks the 125th anniversary of the Professional Golfers Association. Since 1901 PGA Members have been fortunate to be at the heart of golf, coaching, mentoring, managing and elevating the experience of golfers around the globe. In 1901 when the great triumvirate of Harry Vardon, James Braid and J H Taylor formed the Association with less than 100 members to an organisation that now has 8,500 members working in 80 countries across a wide range of roles from Club Professionals and Coaches to Directors of Golf.
Going back to Vardon, Braid and Taylor it shows how the game has changed. Between them they had won 16 Open Championships but they still needed a Club Professionals job and of course Harry Vardon was Pro at South Herts GC, just up the road for many years.
Clearly in the past 125 years the sheer scale of golf has transformed and I am of the opinion that PGA members are a key part of helping to move our wonderful game onwards and upwards. I want to share this short video from the PGA to celebrate the Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RzGKw8FMeQ
On the PGA front and closer to home I am so glad to welcome Shaun Collins to Mid Herts as our Club Professional. I've been fortunate to have known Shaun for several years and our Club is blessed indeed to have such a first class, innovative, hard working and good humoured person as our Club Professional. https://shauncollinsgolfcoaching.com/
Enjoy The Masters this week and if you pick up any cash on Justin Rose, I wouldn't be averse to being bought a drink on the proceeds!
Play well and enjoy your golf.
All the best
Barney
Fellow of the PGA
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