26/08/2026
A GRAND DAY OUT from Member Simon Shrouder
Golf is a strange game. It teases, frustrates and delights. But always draws you back. Earlier this summer, courtesy of The Golf Foundation, I was lucky enough to have the most amazing day of golf at one of the top courses in the Country – The Grove in Hertfordshire.
How so? I’ll tell you. It was through my lovely local Club, the Southport Golf Academy – run by Gail and Richard Carpenter – two of the nicest people in the sport you are likely to meet.
Gail and Richard have created a Golf Academy which is friendly, accessible to all – and which always provides a warm welcome. No airs and graces, no pomp, just an honest love of sport and a real passion to bring young people into it – and let us oldies see out our days playing with as much or as little support as we would like.
And so, one day, earlier this year, I found myself entering a little competition at the Club called ‘Unleash Your Drive’. As someone who loves doing this, but who invariably ends up on the wrong fairway, I naturally seized the moment, paid my £5 entry fee and had a go.
I genuinely have no idea how this happened, but I won the competition, went home happy, and thought no more about it. Then earlier this Summer, I got a message from Jimmy, one of the three Pros at SGA, saying why hadn’t I replied to the invitation from The Golf Foundation to play in the National Finals of the Unleash Your Drive Competition at the famous Grove Golf Course in Hertfordshire?
I rummaged through my e-mails and found that there had indeed been an invitation, but I had missed it in the flood of rubbish that invades my inbox thanks to ticking free competition entries! Oh, the irony.
And that’s how, on a sunny day in August this year, I found myself approaching one of the finest Country Golf Club courses in the Country in my little electric car after a 200-mile drive south into a different world.
Let me tell you now – if you ever get the chance to enter this competition – go for it. If you win your heat – you are in for a fantastic golf experience that will live with you forever.
The Grove does not do things by halves.
Arriving there reminded me of the scenes we see when the world’s best players arrive at Augusta. Sweeping drives, beautiful buildings, immaculate landscaping – so, so many good-looking well-dressed people – a plethora of Porsche – and, oh yes me in my little electric car from the North – wondering where to park!
I needn’t have worried. No sooner had I stopped the car, than a very polite valet asked how he could help. He immediately put me at my ease – explained the layout of the venue, showed me where to park – and took my Clubs ready for loading onto my buggy for the day.
‘Is there somewhere I can put some clothes?’ I asked. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘you’ll find your locker in the player’s changing rooms with your name on it. Tee-off for you is at 2.40 and you will start from hole 10.’
Bananas, apples and drinks were on offer in the player’s area and the practice putting area and driving range and short game practice areas were all accessible.
The grass on the putting area was snooker-smooth and rich and dense allowing balls to glide with real precision. The driving area was laid out exactly as at the Open, with valets constantly re-stocking pyramids of balls as a long line of hopefuls swung hopes on the cradles of dreams of what might be to come.
The course looked beautiful and inviting, not intimidating as I had feared. The fairways were generous and, against the backdrop of a drought ravaged south east of England – somehow they were still green and immaculate.
I had been told, if you wear shorts, then you must wear white socks. I didn’t wear shorts. But I was re-assured that, had I done so – any colour of sock would have been fine.
It didn’t matter that I had a handicap of over 24 either – I was treated as if I was one of the top players – as everyone was that day – whether they were in their teens of the Seventies – as in my case!
And then, the dreaded tee-off time came. A crowd stood around the 10th tee and a golf course official was announcing the names of those teeing off on the tannoy system.
The hole was a dog-leg left or around 350 yards surrounded by magnificent trees which looked like they could swallow a million balls. My first shot, amazingly went straight, and my second landed, within regulation, on the green. I was off to the races. It felt fantastic.
While nerves got the better of my partner on the first hole, overall, he outplayed me – and we both really enjoyed the course. My long game held up well – but my short game – especially on the greens – cost me dear – as it often does. But what an experience!
Each buggy had an ice-bucket in it – and half way round a mobile bar arrived on the scene offering a very welcome drink. The holes, I would say, were fairly forgiving and, despite the fact that I went out in 54 and came back in 53, I think some of my fellow members could have put in a respectable score on this course.
At the end of the round someone even offered to clean my clubs – and there was a dinner and it was wonderful to see some of the real youngsters - 10 and 11 year olds – taking home good prizes.
I had a ball at the Grove – and I came home with the same one I set out with – which, for me is almost unheard of – but, true to form, I lost it on the first drive on my home course straight into a ditch!
Normal service has been resumed.
I really did have a ball at the Grove though – it was a fantastic experience – one I never thought I would have – and that’s thanks to the vision of not just The Golf Foundation which provided wonderful grass-roots support for golfers of all ages and abilities – but also to the generous spirits of Gail and Richard who make sure local members like me have the chance to enjoy the most special of moments.
Thank you to all – and please support your local Club and The Golf Foundation – you never know what doing so might mean to you or others.
https://www.golf-foundation.org/
https://www.southport-golf.co.uk/
Southport Golf Academy | 9 Hole Course | United Kingdom
Established in 2010, Southport Golf Academy is a friendly local 9-hole golf course, open to new players and pros alike. Visit our course, covered and floodlit driving range, fully stocked pro shop with golf club fitting and repair workshop, indoor simulator rooms and cafe today!
26/08/2026
13/08/2026
05/07/2026
17/06/2026
13/06/2026
12/06/2026