Here is a practice shot today while practising for the 17th Island green at Sawgrass.
Nearly holed it!
I'm there next week for the Players Championship for a Pro Am event.
Cant Wait.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Saturday, 7 May 2011
RIP Seve - The Legend
My Golfing Hero has Passed.
What a very sad day, Seve who had fought brain cancer for 3 years sadly lost his battle today.
I have added the link to the official news broke on his website earlier today.
www.seveballesteros.com
I'm sure we all have stories of Seve, personally he was the reason that golf was appealing, like many I played a number of sports growing up to varying levels of success but it was that wining putt at St Andrews in 1984 that got me hooked.
The passion, the flamboyance, the artist, the legend........you will be sadly missed.
You lead European golf into the modern era and transformed the Ryder Cup.....never will we forget.
I was lucky enough to have met Seve in and around 1998 at Wentworth for the PGA Championship, my coach Glenn Ralph had gained access for us on the practice range and whilst he spoke with Pete Cowen I noticed Seve quietly practising on his own.....I couldn't resist, when would I get another chance to met my golfing "god". I approached and asked if I could watch him hit some balls to have a chat, the true gent that he was he said of course, for the next 30 minutes I watched in ore as he hit wedge after wedge on the range, the balls were dancing around the flag and his ability to repeat such control was memorizing. I will never forget that day for the rest of my life, thank you Seve.
At the academy, above my desk sits a series of images as he celebrates holing that winning putt in 84, in our lounge sits proudly a signed picture from Oak Hill Ryder Cup.
Thank you for the inspiration, the entertainment, the great moments that golf will never forget and for helping our great game develop into a force to be reckoned with.
Severiano "Seve" Ballesteros Sota (9 April 1957 – 7 May 2011)
What a very sad day, Seve who had fought brain cancer for 3 years sadly lost his battle today.
I have added the link to the official news broke on his website earlier today.
www.seveballesteros.com
I'm sure we all have stories of Seve, personally he was the reason that golf was appealing, like many I played a number of sports growing up to varying levels of success but it was that wining putt at St Andrews in 1984 that got me hooked.
The passion, the flamboyance, the artist, the legend........you will be sadly missed.
You lead European golf into the modern era and transformed the Ryder Cup.....never will we forget.
I was lucky enough to have met Seve in and around 1998 at Wentworth for the PGA Championship, my coach Glenn Ralph had gained access for us on the practice range and whilst he spoke with Pete Cowen I noticed Seve quietly practising on his own.....I couldn't resist, when would I get another chance to met my golfing "god". I approached and asked if I could watch him hit some balls to have a chat, the true gent that he was he said of course, for the next 30 minutes I watched in ore as he hit wedge after wedge on the range, the balls were dancing around the flag and his ability to repeat such control was memorizing. I will never forget that day for the rest of my life, thank you Seve.
At the academy, above my desk sits a series of images as he celebrates holing that winning putt in 84, in our lounge sits proudly a signed picture from Oak Hill Ryder Cup.
Thank you for the inspiration, the entertainment, the great moments that golf will never forget and for helping our great game develop into a force to be reckoned with.
"The world is not as great now as when you walked among us"
(Darren Bragg 7/5/2011)
Friday, 6 May 2011
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
GTB - Celtic Manor Mini Break Overview
Last Monday and Tuesday Adrian and I took some clients down to Celtic Manor for a 2 day 2 round Golf Tuition Breaks mini break.
Monday
An early start for me, left the girls at home at 6am!
Adrian and I set of from London at around 7am and made our way to Wales, a quick coffee stop was needed on route where we met Andy and Matt (AT wearing his smoking jacket and slippers to suit the Jag........no comment :)). We arrived at the 2010 clubhouse just before 10am and the Ryder Cup experience began.
For those who have not been to CM 2010, once you arrive you provide the staff there your clubs and keys, whilst you are shown around the clubhouse including being shown to your personal locker for the day your car is parked.
After a bite to eat we are chauffeured to the range where we all met. After working on our games we were taken to the first tee and the round began.
A very cold drink (beer) was needed after the round, our clubs were again taken by the CM staff to be cleaned ready for another day, we all received a 2010 bag tag with date, tee time and name engraved as a memento of the day.
After checking into the hotel we gathered for a drink and lovely dinner in the Olive restaurant.
A great day!
Tues
Adrian was up early and decided to go down for an coffee before breakfast, to his surprise Colin Montgomerie appeared and it wasn't long before Adrian was sitting with Colin having a chat. They discussed dealing with pressure/nerves on the golf course and Ryder Cup's, Colin was very insightful and happy to discuss his views on the subject, interestingly he was of the opinion that "experience" is the best way to learn to deal with pressure and he mentioned that he believed that Rory would win a major for sure soon.
After a very big "welsh" breakfast we hit the range and short game area for some more work with our clients and prepared ourselves for the Monty course, for those that haven't played it you really should use a buggy, it is a touch hilly to say the least. Of course we walked!!
It was great to spend the time with our clients and we thoroughly enjoyed the two days in the sun.
Thanks to all that came with us.
Cheers
Darren
Monday
An early start for me, left the girls at home at 6am!
Adrian and I set of from London at around 7am and made our way to Wales, a quick coffee stop was needed on route where we met Andy and Matt (AT wearing his smoking jacket and slippers to suit the Jag........no comment :)). We arrived at the 2010 clubhouse just before 10am and the Ryder Cup experience began.
For those who have not been to CM 2010, once you arrive you provide the staff there your clubs and keys, whilst you are shown around the clubhouse including being shown to your personal locker for the day your car is parked.
After a bite to eat we are chauffeured to the range where we all met. After working on our games we were taken to the first tee and the round began.
My 1st tee shot 2010
Adrian's 1st drive 2010
A very cold drink (beer) was needed after the round, our clubs were again taken by the CM staff to be cleaned ready for another day, we all received a 2010 bag tag with date, tee time and name engraved as a memento of the day.
After checking into the hotel we gathered for a drink and lovely dinner in the Olive restaurant.
A great day!
Tues
Adrian was up early and decided to go down for an coffee before breakfast, to his surprise Colin Montgomerie appeared and it wasn't long before Adrian was sitting with Colin having a chat. They discussed dealing with pressure/nerves on the golf course and Ryder Cup's, Colin was very insightful and happy to discuss his views on the subject, interestingly he was of the opinion that "experience" is the best way to learn to deal with pressure and he mentioned that he believed that Rory would win a major for sure soon.
After a very big "welsh" breakfast we hit the range and short game area for some more work with our clients and prepared ourselves for the Monty course, for those that haven't played it you really should use a buggy, it is a touch hilly to say the least. Of course we walked!!
It was great to spend the time with our clients and we thoroughly enjoyed the two days in the sun.
Thanks to all that came with us.
Cheers
Darren
Saturday, 30 April 2011
2011 So far
Where has the year gone, nearly May and this year has already been jam packed!
I have tried to sum up the first 4 months of 2011 below.
Where do I start?
Golf Tuition Breaks
2011 has already been a busy time for GTB, so far I have visited Dubai, Iran, Morocco, South Africa and Wales......and in 2 weeks I shall we competing in the Sawgrass Pro Am in Florida!!
What do we offer?
We have created this brand to offer 'play with the pro' golf experiences in luxurious locations. In addition to playing golf with the pro it will be possible to learn better technique as there will be time set aside for golf coaching on a daily basis. The coaching is all incorporated in the holiday price and there will be no extra cost, resulting in a truly great golf tuition break.
We can also tailor a golf tuition break to your exact requirements, please use the contact us page and provide us with full details and we will do our utmost to provide the service you desire.
We offer tuition holidays and mini breaks to luxurious destinations all over the world (USA, South Africa, Dubai, Morocco, Egypt, Portugal and Spain etc), join us for some winter sun or experience some incredible UK based courses on our mini breaks (including; Celtic Manor 2010, The Belfry - Brabazon, etc).
A big thank you to all that have joined us on a GTB break/holiday over the last 3 years.
GTB News:
Whilst in Celtic Manor earlier this week, Adrian managed to have a breakfast coffee with Colin Montgomerie, now that doesn't happen every day! In their brief conversation they discussed dealing with nerves under pressure and the Ryder Cup.
Look out for a brand new destination in our portfolio of great 5 star destinations in October 2011. Mazagan Beach Resort in Casablanca, Morocco will be hosting our first GTB break this winter. Gary Player signature design links style course situated on the coast with an exceptional 5 star hotel offering "everything and more".
The Academy
The North London Golf Academy (NLGA) moved to David Lloyd Sudbury Hill after nearly two years at Kodak Sports Ground. My business partner Adrian did a great job getting the academy off the ground in 2009 and we are now really enjoying the challenge of growing the business into 2011 and beyond.
We spent ten days transforming the old day nursery into our state of the art golf academy. I personally built the 2 Sports Coach systems with help and guidance from our supplier. Learning how all aspects of a golf academy is put together was an amazing experience and one I shall never forget.
Recent additions, last week Adrian, Giulio and I started work on the short game area, digging the bunker and building the 4 foot lip to shape it with. The bunker is now open and ready for use. Over the coming weeks the area will really take shape, we cant wait to share it with our clients.
Lesson Offer - We are currently offering a FREE 20 minute golf lesson to all David Lloyd Sudbury Hill members and your first 20 minute lesson for £10 to all.
Why choose our academy:
Enthusiastic PGA Qualified staff, We strive on personal service to you the client, Very competitive prices, Good weather guaranteed (Indoor and outdoor facilities), 3 top of the range golf simulators (2 x Sports Coach Golf Simulators), Record your golf swing on USB stick FREE OF CHARGE, Short game area exclusive for lessons and not open to the public, We use the latest technology for swing and putting analysis (CSwing and Tomi), Repairs workshop, FREE parking, Small class sizes for junior golf talent development and Golf tuition break trips organised.
I have tried to sum up the first 4 months of 2011 below.
Where do I start?
Golf Tuition Breaks
2011 has already been a busy time for GTB, so far I have visited Dubai, Iran, Morocco, South Africa and Wales......and in 2 weeks I shall we competing in the Sawgrass Pro Am in Florida!!
What do we offer?
We have created this brand to offer 'play with the pro' golf experiences in luxurious locations. In addition to playing golf with the pro it will be possible to learn better technique as there will be time set aside for golf coaching on a daily basis. The coaching is all incorporated in the holiday price and there will be no extra cost, resulting in a truly great golf tuition break.
We can also tailor a golf tuition break to your exact requirements, please use the contact us page and provide us with full details and we will do our utmost to provide the service you desire.
We offer tuition holidays and mini breaks to luxurious destinations all over the world (USA, South Africa, Dubai, Morocco, Egypt, Portugal and Spain etc), join us for some winter sun or experience some incredible UK based courses on our mini breaks (including; Celtic Manor 2010, The Belfry - Brabazon, etc).
 |
| GTB's Founders Adrian Cafaro and Darren Bragg PGA Professionals |
GTB News:
Whilst in Celtic Manor earlier this week, Adrian managed to have a breakfast coffee with Colin Montgomerie, now that doesn't happen every day! In their brief conversation they discussed dealing with nerves under pressure and the Ryder Cup.
 |
| Earth Course Dubai, Sepehr, Az and I. Watch out Sawgrass! |
 |
| Extreme 19th , Legends GC, SA..WOW!! |
 |
| 1st tee at Legends SA, What a course. |
 |
| Helicopter ride to "Extreme 19th" SA |
 |
| Mazagan Beach Resort, Morocco. 18th Hole. |
The North London Golf Academy (NLGA) moved to David Lloyd Sudbury Hill after nearly two years at Kodak Sports Ground. My business partner Adrian did a great job getting the academy off the ground in 2009 and we are now really enjoying the challenge of growing the business into 2011 and beyond.
We spent ten days transforming the old day nursery into our state of the art golf academy. I personally built the 2 Sports Coach systems with help and guidance from our supplier. Learning how all aspects of a golf academy is put together was an amazing experience and one I shall never forget.
Recent additions, last week Adrian, Giulio and I started work on the short game area, digging the bunker and building the 4 foot lip to shape it with. The bunker is now open and ready for use. Over the coming weeks the area will really take shape, we cant wait to share it with our clients.
Lesson Offer - We are currently offering a FREE 20 minute golf lesson to all David Lloyd Sudbury Hill members and your first 20 minute lesson for £10 to all.
Why choose our academy:
Enthusiastic PGA Qualified staff, We strive on personal service to you the client, Very competitive prices, Good weather guaranteed (Indoor and outdoor facilities), 3 top of the range golf simulators (2 x Sports Coach Golf Simulators), Record your golf swing on USB stick FREE OF CHARGE, Short game area exclusive for lessons and not open to the public, We use the latest technology for swing and putting analysis (CSwing and Tomi), Repairs workshop, FREE parking, Small class sizes for junior golf talent development and Golf tuition break trips organised.
Friday, 29 April 2011
Darren Bragg's Golf Blog Created!
Hi All,
I have created this blog so that I can keep you up to date with my world.
As a Head Teaching Professional at London's newest indoor golf academy, co founder of a golf coaching holiday business, husband and father of a beautiful daughter I feel there is plenty to keep you posted on.
Stay here for weekly updates,
Cheers
Darren
I have created this blog so that I can keep you up to date with my world.
As a Head Teaching Professional at London's newest indoor golf academy, co founder of a golf coaching holiday business, husband and father of a beautiful daughter I feel there is plenty to keep you posted on.
Stay here for weekly updates,
Cheers
Darren
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)