Judging by the number of club golfers holding up trophies in this issue, the season is in full swing.
It may only be June but already county champions are basking in glory across our region with courses in great condition thanks to some long overdue sunshine.
Regular readers will know how we like to feature up-and-coming young golfers and this issue is no exception. Our cover star is Rebecca McGinley, officially one of the world’s longest drivers, and this month she shares her ambition to make it big on tour.
The county championships which have been held so far are also dominated by the young guns, showing the game is in good hands in the North East and Yorkshire.
It is great to see so many pros connected with the region doing so well after Danny Willett’s success in The Masters. Matt Fitzpatrick is making a concerted bid to be part of the Ryder Cup squad after another success on the European Tour.
Meanwhile, Ryder Cup veteran Lee Westwood has enjoyed a bright start to the season and will almost certainly be off to the US to represent Europe for a 10th time. He took time out of his busy schedule to tell us his thoughts about the event and hint at a future captaincy.
Westwood was joined at the Have a Heart Trophy charity golf day at Close House, which raised more than £500,000, by current European captain Darren Clarke. See how many famous faces you can spot on Page 29.
Finally, I want to pay tribute to someone many of our golf clubs know so well. Our advertising manager Gillian Corney, who has been with the magazine from the very start, is stepping down.
She is respected across the region having spent many years selling golf, bringing great deals and offers to our pages and enabling us to produce this magazine for you to pick up for free. Gillian can call many of those working in our golf clubs friends as well as customers. She has been fantastic to work with.
I and many others are going to miss her terribly but I am sure you will join me in wishing her health and happiness as she spends more quality time with her family.
