Seniors brought welcome change of pace at Mottram Hall
Although there is no major football tournament this season, and 99.999998 per cent of pro footballers are in Marbella/Caribbean/Vegas, the beautiful game still dominates the sporting agenda.
Mourinho today, Pellegrini expected later this week, so it goes.
But at least at this time of year other sports do get more of a look in.
I spent three days last week at the PGA Seniors Championship at Mottram Hall, where some big golfing names took in the south Manchester sunshine.
I guess in sporting terms you could hardly get further away from the frenetic action of the Premier League. It was all done at a gentle pace, summed up when, after striking his tee-shot at the par three 16th on Thursday, Sam Torrance joined a member of the crowd on a nearby bench, sparked up a cigarette before watching his playing partners hit.
Another phlegmatic moment came when Frenchman Roger Sabarros strolled up to find his ball directly behind a tree on the 14th. “Ah. Pas de chance,” he sighed before knocking it back out onto the fairway and carrying on.
This not to say the tournament wasn’t competitively fought. Ian Woosnam was battling his game all week and was rewarded with a fine final round 65. On Saturday, after threading his approach through a five yard gap between trees to about 12 feet, he was upset that it hadn’t taken the borrow and gone closer.
Incidentally Woosie’s was one of several fine walks on display around Mottram Hall over the week. At just over five ft four in, the Welshman’s short stride and forward tilt makes him distinguishable from well over a hundred yards. But he can still strike the ball superbly and is a true champion of the game.
I played in Wednesday’s pro-am with affable Irishman Des Smyth, who eventually tied eighth after fading in the last two rounds. It was a great experience and an education to watch such a top operator at close quarters.
Again, he was extremely easy going but, you sensed, with a steely determination lurking underneath. All very enjoyable, let’s hope the tournament returns to Mottram next year.
:: On the subject of golf, the US Open goes to Merion this week. A top track and relatively short, which is why many are backing Graeme McDowell. For a similar reason maybe Luke Donald will go well.
