Special guest Sophie Walker of SkySports (U.K.), joins the show as a co-host for this episode as they welcome John Glenn, co-owner of Colour Path Golf Concepts. John shares his revolutionary new teaching method and how it improves golfer's swings and short games through the use of colour coded "swing paths". It is quickly growing in popularity in Europe, but also now in North America. Colour Path Golf Concepts has partnered with the LPGA - Ladies Professional Golf Association Foundation to provide both LPGA Professionals and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Site Directors with fun and engaging educational content.
In our second segment, the ever-engaging Sophie Walker shares some of the big news coming out of Europe and the Ladies European Tour, including exciting new events such as the ISPS Handa "mixed event" hosted by Niall Horan in Northern Ireland with the LET, LPGA and the men's European Tour. She also discusses the new team event that will be played throughout the season in venues ranging from New York and London to Singapore.
Special guest Sophie Walker of SkySports (U.K.), joins the show as a co-host for this episode as they welcome John Glenn, co-owner of Colour Path Golf Concepts. John shares his revolutionary new teaching method and how it improves golfer's swings and short games through the use of colour coded "swing paths". It is quickly growing in popularity in Europe, but also now in North America. Colour Path Golf Concepts has partnered with the LPGA - Ladies Professional Golf Association Foundation to provide both LPGA Professionals and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Site Directors with fun and engaging educational content.
In our second segment, the ever-engaging Sophie Walker shares some of the big news coming out of Europe and the Ladies European Tour, including exciting new events such as the ISPS Handa "mixed event" hosted by Niall Horan in Northern Ireland with the LET, LPGA and the men's European Tour. She also discusses the new team event that will be played throughout the season in venues ranging from New York and London to Singapore.
Good afternoon and welcome to our show. We're talking golf. My name is Douglas made it and I'm your host for this show. Today we have a very special co host joining us from Manchester, England. So a big world of golf. Welcome to Sophie Walker. How are you, Sophie?
Sophie Walker:Oh, very well, thank you in rainy Manchester, but nothing changes there.
Douglas Maida:But you must be getting excited closer to spring.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I mean, normally, we all say that the golf season in the UK starts at the masters. And if ever there was a sentence true, because we are still locked down in England. So March, the 29th Golf Course is open following week, the Masters doesn't get any better than that.
Douglas Maida:terrific, terrific. So most of you will know Sophie from her Playing career on the European ladies tour, or from her work with Sky Sports as a analyst, and we're very delighted to have her here with us. Today's show is being recorded from our studio in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. were produced by the world of golf. And you can find us on the worldwide web at www dot world of golf.org, or on our social media channels of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And now on LinkedIn. For those of you who are in Asia or elsewhere, you can also follow us on Weibo, and WeChat. Now before we get into today's show, I would like to welcome our listeners and followers from around the world. For without you and your support, we would not be able to deliver this show. So thank you for listening. Joining us today will be John Glenn. He's the co- owner of Colour Path Golf Concepts. And then afterwards, Sophie and I will be discussing some of the news coming out of Europe and the ladies European tour. But before we get to our guest, we will take a break for a message from our producers.
Amy (Studio):You're listening to our podcast show, we're talking golf, we're proud to announce that our podcast show was named one of the top 40 podcasts covering the PGA and the LPGA. Our show is produced by the world of golf. The world of golf is an independent digital media company. You can find our podcast show on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google podcasts, and I Heart Radio. Now back to our show. Here are your co hosts, Douglas and Sophie Walker with their special guest.
Douglas Maida:We're back. Thank you for staying with us. Now our guest today hails from Watford in the UK. He is one of the co founders of a unique golf training system called the color path golf concepts. He's joining us today to share his golf training system with us. Welcome to the show, john.
John Glenn:Thanks. Thanks very much for having me.
Douglas Maida:Pleasure. Pleasure. So john, why don't we start a little bit with your background and how you came to be with training system?
John Glenn:Yeah, sure. Yeah. Background many years of teaching, PGA pro spent many my career at the grove in Hartfordshire. Many people knows where Tiger won back in oh six, the Amex and really kind of having a passion for helping people like to claim that had a passion for teaching and develop the system. As we were working with my partner, Kevin Merry, business partner, we thought how could we simplify the teaching process of the game, and use color as colors always around us. And we thought being very creative, we thought, let's use a system that's try for primary colors, and really kind of stemmed from their back end of 2016--17 beginning of 17 is when we started to develop the prototypes, and then start teaching language of color. And it's been amazing ever since really, the feedback, the results and quite a unique way to communicate instruction.
Douglas Maida:Right. Right. And so, very briefly, how did it come to be that you have now rolled out the system? Can you share a couple of words with us about how it's grown and and how you've taken it to where it is today?
John Glenn:Sure, Yeah, I mean, a lot of it comes down to community that we're promoting. It's like something to create something but it takes a team to help grow it quite simply. And I think we've got a simple process. We got something that works and we're trying to roll it out some you know, make more coaches aware globally, which we're making a good job of. But it's following a specific system. And that's the key thing. It's not a matter of just throwing colors down. It's using the color specific within the golf swing. So we will use yellow brightest color in the spectrum is the target lines, grab your attention and blue most popular color for men, it's a cool and calm color. So takeaway transition, obvious colorful area, you've got green as relaxed and go go as a traffic light, go where you need the clubhead to go. So that was a good phase and applying power. And then you've got ready to speed, power and control, and also a danger zone of a no go area. And if you stick tightly to that with your students, that's when we see the fast track results of people seeing the sequence and saying, Oh, I get it now. And and really how this sort of come about was that we felt there was a big disconnect between the coach and student, whilst the coach is there, and the coach is doing fantastic work and knows what you sign in. And the students there, there's the Naughty Dog, you know that the head goes. And we thought actually, how do you know what your student knows? And when you get them to build what we call the most powerful five minutes in the game? It's an eye opener, and you go, Well, I've taught you for six years, Joe, that's amazing. he perceived the information that I've just given you, and then extends from there, but you're on the same page.
Douglas Maida:So how would you describe describe the the problem, if you will, in terms of how your system, and your concept overcomes some of those challenges? I mean, you're a golf instructor, you've worked with students and you know, one of the more difficult aspects of it all is repetition and being able to get the mental knowledge and translate it into how the body starts to move so that your students become a little more familiar with it so that it almost becomes where it does become second nature by the time you get to somebody like Sophie's level.
John Glenn:Yeah, absolutely. I think the big part is our system is all about external focus. So for many people, not familiar external focus is referencing cues, in our instances, visual cues. You know, many people using some great stuff, alignment sticks, that's how we've created a system where you're using the visual cues where you're hardly mentioned in about body parts, meaning traditional instruction is turn your left shoulder, bring your left wrist down here, turn your left hip, all valid information. But if you can communicate through more the subconscious of cues, then the movement becomes more automatic through our findings have been processing. And really the kind of problem that stems from us which again, what the coach knows exactly what he's saying. It's the spoken words, and when you can show them through the language of color. They they get that clarity of where to swing the club or where where to move things. And that piece I mentioned there, when if I was to say to you though, this you know, what sort of shop Do you want to play, and you're in front of me and you say, I just want to hit it straight. I'll get you to build out the kit of what a straight shot is. And I'll watch you put down the blue ruler is the downswing path. I watched you put down the green rulers the exit path, and I watched you put down the red clubface ruler which made many people look and go, what do you mean the clubface I thought you meant where I was swinging, they don't differentiate the two. And then when I see the representation of what you put down on the ground, I stand back and go, Well, now you could have had many lessons. And I go, that's amazing that that's how you perceive a straight shot. And what we find is 95% of people build out their thought, which is exciting for us, because people are building out what they think they should be doing. So you're doing a great job, they're not slicing the ball. Let me just show you what right looks like. And now you're on the right pathway to success. So it's once you experience it, you get to know how powerful it is basically,
Douglas Maida:Yes, yes, I could see that. JOHN, where do you plan to take the the system? Is it mostly aimed at coaches? Or are you aiming it towards students? Or is it just a two way track doing both?
John Glenn:A good question. I mean, as a product and a concept. It's it's for everyone. The pathways that we have is obviously getting this in the front of coaches helps them create multiple packages and ideas and creativity. That's a big passion for mine to help coaches with more creativity with games, drills, skills. And then there's the feed there for a student pathway that can then understand it, and then start to be working in a self learning environment, which is something we feel needs to happen more for students away from lessons so you can create that environment away from the lesson whilst doing a lesson, and many people on this you know, listening in here, acute learning has gone on but the chronic state learning hasn't existed like it should have when the door shuts great when the coach is there, but when you've been on your own, you've got to replicate that environments and then come back and to speed up the learning process. So it absolutely helps juniors we've done so Great work with children with learning difficulties and adults, children with autism is everyone then it's it's not. You know, we get pigeonholed as the bright colors, oh, this is good for kids helps everyone you know, it's to simplify the journey. And as we get older, we need to be that big kid again and simplify, simplify how we're, you know, absorbing information. So, yeah, it can make an impact to all levels of golfer.
Douglas Maida:If I understand what you're saying correctly, john, you're saying that your training concepts really reinforce the learning that you're doing as a teaching professional, basically teaching the students your swing paths, your takeaways, but with the color path, system or concept, they're able to quickly bypass all that thinking, and just follow the path that you set down with them.
John Glenn:It's just the avoiding in the overload of information that can exist in lessons. And, you know, as I say, there's there's quality stuff going on out there from a lesson environment. But what we found is a little bit of the missing link to add some more clarity to the journey between the coach and student relationship. And that could be from swing pass, as we've talked about, it can be from building out shipping stations, party stations, it's for whatever you want it to be really, I say to coaches, your only limitation is your imagination, get creative with it, which then stems from the community. And we're very passionate about building a ladies community at the moment, bringing more ladies into the game through a pathway of a fast track way to to actually get a qualification in becoming a coach that bridges the gap to PGA qualifications, etc. And so, yeah, we want to create pathways community, and it's whatever you want to do with your students, you can create a fast track learning environment for them, using the language of color. Very interesting.
Douglas Maida:Sophie, I don't mean to put you on the spot. But have you had a look at the system? And have you tried credit a little bit? Or do you have something to share about about the concept and how it can help golfers improve their swings?
Sophie Walker:No, nah I'm only kidding, I am actually a level one certified coach now. So what I would say about color path from a coaching perspective, is that when you're a good golfer, you do the basics, or when you've done golf your entire life, your basics are kind of set in stone. And whereas if you're new to golf, you haven't got basics. So I think the color path puts that, like john said that subconsciousness down. So for instance, I was working with a player. And we were on a mat, a square mat. And he was lining up way, right? And I'm like, No, no, you want to be parallel to the mat. And he couldn't get his head around it. So I'm thinking if you can't be parallel to this square map, why don't put you on a big golf course, what's that going to do? Also, with ball position, for position kept sneaking further and further and further back. And if I can just set him out where his feet need to be where his ball needs to be, every time bearing in mind is on a map. So he doesn't need to move around cause a divots, I don't have to worry about saying that every single time. Now think about this, I'm saying to him every single time you've closed with your stance, your ball position needs to be far forward. What happens when he leaves me, and he doesn't pick up a clog for five days, six days is gonna go straight back to that. Whereas at least there's a little bit of a kit that you can actually like you can give to them, where they can just put it out. So it just there's so many people that come back to lessons with me that I'm teaching the same thing every single time. Now, is it because I'm not translating it properly? Or is it that they're just not retaining it, whereas with the visual, it's there, it's there all the time. It's like a template. That's the best way to describe it. This is your golf template, go and put it down and trace the club or line your feet up to this, then I can move you forward, because you're not getting this bit right. I can't move you forward.
Douglas Maida:So it sounds like it's a excellent tool to reinforce the learning. I mean, we've learned, at least in the professional (business) world, when we do our training seminars and whatnot, we've always tried to strive when we're teaching or coaching in the that environment about reinforcing the audio, you know, the speaking and the visuals with kinesthetic so when they're learning and they can see where your parts are setting up. And they're actually practicing it. I mean, you're getting all three learning avenues working together and firing together so that it really seems to enforce or reinforce the learning concepts really strongly. And I take it that's exactly what you're finding with the system for me person
Sophie Walker:Yeah, like I listened to a podcast with Robert rock the other day. And he said that if you are trying to change your sweat, you need to record every single swing that you take out, she could spend, like he said, when he was younger spent hours almost practicing the wrong thing. And with golf, unless you video it, you can't see what you're doing. It's not like Johnson, it's very internal. I just find with these visual aids, it does become slightly more external, and you almost don't know you're doing it, you see that? That red desk, as if to say, don't go there. Like you see the green do go there. You're used to that it's a traffic light system. And it becomes slightly more subconscious. And it's, it's like, yeah, yeah, I get it. So I use it with trackman as well. So it's all right, me saying to somebody, right, getting your path into out, for instance, they like I like, now they can see it, they can build it, they can trace it with their club. And then we can reference as soon as they hit the shot, right track man says this, whereas before I didn't have that begin in the middle, I just kind of had the end in track, man. So I think you can use it, sometimes I find it quite hilarious that I'm using this piece of equipment with an 18 Grand piece of launch monitor. And so it and like people go through, I've got alignment sticks. And you're like, Yeah, great. This is just everyone's got alignment sticks. This is just the next level for me in alignment sticks. And then the fact that there's a color there just concentrates your mind.
Douglas Maida:So it sounds like that's going to be an important part of your teaching going forward.
Sophie Walker:Yes, and no, I've got some people that they come into me if I put anything near them, object wise, they don't learn well with it. So it's like, no, I went, it's like I had a guy come in, I went to see this coach, he had a stick up here, he had, you know, all that type of stuff. And straight away, I'm like, there's no chance I'm putting colo path in front of him because he doesn't work that way. And whereas I've been speaking to or when I taught when I was allowed to teach a couple of school teachers (covid break). And the school teachers love it, because that's the kind of way they're taught to teach. And so I think this is a way of, it's communicating to teach somebody, I'm still gonna teach the way I teach, but the way I communicate to the person is going to be hopefully a lot clearer. Because now like, I openly ask the question of what are you trying to do? Whereas before probably didn't, okay, the guy the other day, I'm trying to keep my left arm really straight through impact. And, and after. And I'm like, God, that's why he's got the chicken way. Because he's trying to hold it that straight. That's right, then it gives way. Whereas I think if I didn't use color path, maybe I wouldn't be asking them questions like that. I just be assuming they knew what to do. Because I do, why don't they?
Douglas Maida:It makes a lot of sense. Excellent. So you can tailor it to the learning styles of your of your students. And I think that's fantastic.
John Glenn:There's an interesting point. So I had some great, great information. You've just said that. So can I like the fact that you said about the template. That's really, really good, you know, the template is swaying and, you know, adding to what you said there a student that, you know, you couldn't put the kids out. It's amazing. I had a situation I just want to share. Back at the grove, I had a guy come to me for a session. And I had the color path kit. The early days on the my arm, he said to me, I'm not here for a kid's lesson. They saw this kit and I had a kids group beforehand. So I get him up to the right up to the top of the range. He says, I need you to help me with this slice. And I need it now I need it sorted. So I get it to set up. And like you said, Sophie, Amy miles, right. I gradually get bits of the kit out. So I get a couple of rulers out for the target and a ball position. I said just come back and have a look. He says no way I'm aiming now so but I've all I've done is added a bit of kit involved there. Then I got him we gradually get some bits out and we help him out. And he wants to get the drive round, stop the drive slice and say let's get a seven iron out. And it's really interesting. He dismissed it of because it's so simple. It needed to be technical. He was an accountant. He wanted numbers. He was a technical person. Is it just me here the end of he said, Can I apologize? I say go on. He says one of the best lessons I had, but I didn't give it a chance i saw it as a kids thing I said exactly. You try to get overclogged up upstairs where a few simple visuals and the cues and so that day he then became regular and it's like where's my color five kids so it shows you sometimes students can go all that's not for me and it's not going to be for everyone. But as a cue and a reference, it can really make make an impact. But I love what you said there. So I think there's some really, really valid points and the template. I really like that
Sophie Walker:you can have that one John. But from my point of view, john, ... what I've so for everybody that I've just recently passed my level one. And what I like about john, is the fact that he's always it that you're always on the message, aren't you? It's a very good, it's a community that that always like, is everything. All right? You speak to them? How are you feeling about this? And, and, yeah, it's not like are you just you just pass and that's it. And you get people that will also say, you know what, I tried this, and that really worked. So it's not, right, you've passed on you go, that's it. They're quite keen to work out where to go next with it. Which I think as a coach is a good thing. Back in the day, no one told their secrets. And I think now you look at social media, and it's like, you can get so much for free. It's incredible. But there needs to be a bit of back and forth where a quite like from a coaching perspective, I quite like having a community that I can ask if I if I'm not sure. And so that's really, really going to help me I think, brilliant, brilliant.
Douglas Maida:Excellent. JOHN, so if a player like me is interested, how would I go about finding a kit?
John Glenn:Yeah, so there's, there's a couple of pathways our pathway at the moment and our kind of roadmap of our business. And what we've created is, is via our certified coaches, you know, you there are a selection of products from our site that you can buy. Because we're now opening up, you know, a number of conversations and coaches globally. And it's changing the journey logistics of the business of color path golf, but at the moment that the pathways through the coach, the coach, then we're really trying to help the coach. Now, if you're a student of a certified coach, for instance, that there's a pathway that coaches can buy student training kits that we've got, that comes with resources, and we want to do that to help the coach to help his business. But there is equally where a student can come to us directly color path us and learn. We're just in the process of building a student certification, which is a very sort of, you know, scaled down version, but it helps them understand the kit. But our main piece is that we want to continue the journey into the coaches, because of the coaches is where as Sophie said, that's where we want the community. And the more we can spread coaches globally, we can join coaches up. And it would bring me you know, great delight to be having, you know, Sophie and lots of other ladies on a on a group zoom call that we can bounce ideas off. You know, look what Sophie just mentioned today here, about a template, this sharing that with other coaches helps or sharing giving value. I think that is the number one objective and passion for us to grow.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, john, you mentioned bringing the concept and the learning to getting it out into women's golf. You recently, Color Path Golf Concept recently partnered with an organization to just to do something quite similar to that. Do you mind sharing a little bit about that?
John Glenn:Yeah, so kind of in the first lockdown, you know, was we're looking at different ways of how we could, you know, get involved with LPGA and, you know, le T and different routes, and I thought, I'm just going to call up the LPGA and give it a go. So I called up, managed to connect with a meeting with Nancy, the CEO. And again, something I pride myself is relationships connected, share the passion of what we've done and and here we are now as approved education partners of the LPGA and the girls golf site directors, which was creating a complete new pathway through these coaches with games resources, and that obviously by association really helps you know, put you on the map if you like were off the back of that it was amazing people contacting to say oh Colour Path Golf must be good. You know, because by name people associate which we know it is, but it's nice when you get a rubber stamp or something from someone that they they take interest and it's been great, you know, on calls, we're growing, you know, it's early days, and you know, we're building the relationships I'm jumping on calls but it's spreading word of mouth now. So we've got a really good and I want to share on this product is really again In Miami, she's just won an award through LPGA. Stephanie, she won one of the Rolex Awards, and she's doing some fantastic stuff for the kid last weekend, all these posts are these kids that kids are loving it. It's just lovely to see, and the impact that the kids had. So spreading the stories, I think that's what I'm trying to get to is spreading the stories of what other coaches are doing, is what it's all about for us. And that would obviously help through members helping members through the latest community, the LPGA. And as Sophie said, you know, helping each other out and bringing that community together is very important. So yeah, it's been exciting. And we look forward to the future.
Sophie Walker:So So John, sorry, John. So John, you know, the kit, like we just spoke about, like full swings? Is the kit just for full swings? Or does it does it go all the way through that the game,
John Glenn:Anything you want to do -- every aspect of the game pattern ship in pitching sampler, you name it, I say to coaches, the only limitation is your imagination. It's not the end product. So you can actually, you know, there's tons of games that we're building at the moment that we're turning into resources, you know, the the knockoff challenge with the disk at the discs up, you land the ball on the disk, you do a landing zone, you there's so many different ways putting, we've got a make or putting set up. And that's the bit that excites me. So you know, when we get back out, you know, towards the end of this month, and I'm sure you'll see using it in short game, you'll come up with a drill, and it'll be like, look at this drug now. Great. How good is that? So you can absolutely use it in, you know, it's a multi training system training aid, if you like that doesn't have one use. But once you know how to use it, you know why we created it is our little message.
Douglas Maida:Do you have any, anything else you'd like to add about the concept, John?
John Glenn:And it's, well, I think pretty much in a nutshell, we've gone through there. And the feedback and input from Sophie has been great. It's a fast track, visual way to coach learn and play. And if you stick to the four colors, it's very different. We get many eyebrows raised of how you teach people through color. But if you apply it to certain aspects to the swing, we're just excited of the experiences that people have. And and we just we love again, building the same and, and creating a platform. But the one thing I would say that I want to share as well. And it's been touched on this call. It's like stopping by the side of the road and asking someone, you know where so and so Golf Club is, and you wind your window down and they say yeah, if you just go up there, second exit turn right third roundabout, you wind the window up, and guess what you get lost, you're not pulling home to a petrol station or gas station. But if you follow the Sat Nav, if you follow the roadmap, which is what we're doing, you get there every time. And that's really the the objective and the concept of Colour Path. Golf is what you know how you know why, once you follow the system, the color coded system, you'll start to improve and fast track your learning process.
Douglas Maida:Very true. So what's next for color path golf concepts, business wise, growth wise as a business company.
John Glenn:Excited about opening up somewhere, our first Academy is on the agenda. There's lots going on at the moment, we're very small team at the moment and emerging very fast. So there's lots to deal with. But having an academy having a HQ you walk in it's a ColourPop Academy and rolling that out where it's a training sensor. Is is the next step. And growing the certified coaches and community. I think it's as simple as that, really, with the library of resources that we bring to the certification. That's really the third thing that excites coaches, because I asked a lot of coaches, what is it you want in your coaching? I need more content, I need more help in building programs. And that's what we did. We stepped away from full time jobs. And we've been behind a computer desk, building that to help coaches so that the future looks colorful,
Douglas Maida:Every pun intended. Good. Well, thank you very much for taking time to join us today. JOHN, that was very interesting. And I look forward to seeing your color path golf concept system coming out here in Canada as it gets a little more popular and rolls out more worldwide. Pleasure. Great grateful to be on appreciate you let me share the journey. Obviously having Sophie on board, very exposed play, you know, coming from it from a player's top players perspective and a respected coaches. It's great to hear views and share ideas. And that's how we all grow. Well, thank you very much, john, and we'll be looking for color path golf concepts shortly in our area. Great stuff. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks, john. Okay, we're gonna take a break right now and when we come back, we'll be talking with Sophie about all things Ladies European tour, and all of the wonderful things they have planned for 2021.
Amy (Studio):Did you know that our podcast show we're talking golf was recognized as one of the top 40 podcasts to follow in 2021 for coverage of the PGA and LPGA. Our show is produced by the world of golf. The world of golf is an independent digital media company. You can find our podcast show on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google podcasts, and I Heart Radio. Now back to our show, here are your co hosts, Douglas and Sophie Walker.
Douglas Maida:Welcome back. Thank you. And we are going to have our next little segment dealing with or talking about the ladies European tour and some of the exciting developments that have been taking place in the last month. And Sophie will be taking the lead on that and sharing her wonderful knowledge of the game and all things golf. And so you must be excited as a former LET player rep to see all the changes coming down for this season and whatnot.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, obviously a very quiet start to the year shooter to COVID. How would normally go down to Australia? That's out of the question. South Africa got put back, but from May onwards is a really good and it's condensed schedule. And I think, as a European player, that's all they've ever wanted. You don't want to play one week, two weeks off two weeks in a row four weeks off. So with a more condensed schedule, you can get a nice run going. Now, obviously, jumping from country to country is going to prove to be quite difficult. So we need these vaccinations to come good in many a country. But yeah, it's looking great. And it's looking like good money as well, which is vitally important because these girls are really good at golf, and they deserve to be paid in that way.
Douglas Maida:What would you attribute? Which events? Or is there something in particular that you would attribute to the purse increases or the prize money increases?
Sophie Walker:Well, we've had a great investment from Saudi Gulf that Aramco team championships, which will be four events. So for those of you that follow that le T, we had the Saudi international and the Saudi international team at the end of last year. This year, it's going to be very much the team format. And the countries which are on the schedule, while cities as well. So we've got New York, Singapore, London, and then they finished in Saudi Arabia. So that's a massive injection of, you know, serious, multi million dollar prize funds, slightly different format. There'll be three professionals and one amateur. So potentially, you could have amateurs having puts for the best part of $100,000. So that could be quite interesting. But yeah, that's significant. And then we have the, the event that Niall Horan is backing over over in Northern Ireland, which was on the schedule last year, but unfortunately, due to COVID. It couldn't it wasn't answered that I SPS have got back involved with that as of now. And yeah, that's gonna be a really, really good event just at the prime just before like the Olympics and the open and the Scottish. So that's, that's gonna be a good event. Also. Good format with that one. Do you know the format for that one?
Douglas Maida:No, I was just digging into it a little bit. But why don't you share it with us?
Sophie Walker:Yeah. So like, I think with the Ladies European tour, they can, they can, and they need to be like adaptive to think so you can see with that team competition. It's not just a straightforward 72 hole individual. It's only 54 holes, and it's team. similar type of different concepts. With the ISPS Handa event. It's it's a tri-sanctioned event. So it's European tour. LPGA , LET. There's 144 players, men, and 144 players, women, so it's very similar to those of you that know the Vic open. So the prize funds exactly the same. But the men and women don't compete against each other. So there's two separate competitions running, bought. What's quite cool is that they can mix they can put an le T and LPGA and the European tour player together in the same group, or they can decide to do a men's group at nine o'clock. A women's group at 10 past nine so they get a really good mix. Hopefully if crowds can be there. It'll be great because you know, you can take your son and your daughter, and you can show them right there. Men and women right next to each other playing. And also, if you're watching it on TV, the final groups, they're next to each other. So you're watching two tournaments in one. And which, you know, if you're a follower of tennis, it's going to be quite similar to the majors at TELUS, the US opens, Wimbledon, or played on the same venue. But there are, you know, that the men play against the men and women play against the women, which I think is the best format for equity in the game.
Douglas Maida:On the team format, the Saudi team format, Sophie, is it going to be completely with the LTP players? Is that correct? Is my understanding correct? Or is it a it's not the mixed event? Is it?
Sophie Walker:No, there's no co sanction into it at all? It's a it's an le t events? I would assume there'd be a few obviously sponsors in bytes, be it solid, uncooked. Yeah, there'll be a few of the Europeans that play LPGA. Looking to tee it up. I know Anna Nordqvist. And van down. They Georgia Hall, Charlie Hall, they all were in the Saudi events last year. So I assume they'll play in that. And then then you might see the likes of Bronte Law, Carlota Ciganda, people like that, that might need to come and play in that to build up their, to their rankings to get into the Solheim cup.
Douglas Maida:I think it's actually quite exciting in the fact that it's almost like a WCG WGC event where they're going to be playing in these different locations throughout the year. So I think that's a very interesting and exciting prospect.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, we do and and what you've, you've got to say about the investment from the Saudis is that they've done it properly. You know, they've picked four incredible destinations. And it's got players really quite excited. And it's probably the most excitement I've seen from Le t players about a schedule. Well, probably ever, I've got to say, so. Yeah, let's, let's hope that these can all go ahead. Obviously, there'll be a lot of bubbles, like there was last year. And I think it's quite easy to look at LPGA PGA Tour and just think, Wow, the stands back. So things would be getting quite back to normal. But with a lot of, you know, a lot of our players are from a different country. And we've almost got to keep the tour together and move from week to week to week, we can't have these gaps in between, because that's ultimately where players tend to get COVID when they leave the bubble.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, that's true. We saw a little bit of that happening last year, where you had a little bit of getting out of the bubble a little bit. And then next thing, you know, a player or a caddy was was exposed. So let's hope the vaccinations come in for everybody and in a fairly timely order, and that the bubble system,. Are you hearing it the bubble system is going to continue out for the calendar year or?
Sophie Walker:Yes.
Douglas Maida:Okay, that's good. Are you aware of how that's playing out in the LPGA? Are they continuing with the bubble system do?
Sophie Walker:Um, yeah, I think I think so. But that they're they're a little bit more lenient, I would say. It's like the PGA Tour is a bit more lenient. I did notice last year, some of the players were staying in self catering, which I assume they're still doing this year.
Unknown:But yeah, the European tour and the LET tour do seem to be a little bit more stricter with it. For instance, at the moment, they The guys are in Qatar, and the players actually have a have a SIM card that they that they got in Qatar so they can get tracked and traced. They have to put that in their phone. So yeah, I think because you're going to different countries with different laws. And the government's are ultimately setting these laws that you kind of had to abide by, by what they feel comfortable with doing.
Douglas Maida:That makes a lot of sense. So what about the Swedish event that's being co hosted by Annika? And Henrik, is there a lot of excitement for that? starting to build?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I mean, just shows you that I didn't mention it that he had how good our schedule is, but that one got announced last year. And everybody was pumped for that I really were and then obviously wasn't on. And especially in Sweden, you get really good fans in Sweden. And Annika is our hero. Most of us, you know, it's our hero, but in Sweden, she is massive. And then you've got Henrik Stenson and he's just like, well, he's The Iceman Isn't he? Open champion. Very well liked on tour from the men's side, but also very well lights from a Scandinavian le t as player perspective. So when he used to live in Dubai, he actually used to offer to put up the Scandinavian players in his house for that week was very his son was always they're quite, quite involved with the event used to come and watch, as did his wife. So he was very supportive of the Scandinavian female players. And I think that that's just, it's just going to be amazing. I know, Sweden, they're going to get right behind it. It's a really good time in the schedule, as well, like summer in Sweden, it doesn't get dark there. It's a great place to go in the summer. And yeah, once again, a mixed event. And, and it's nice, you know, that players are stepping up, isn't it? Like we noticed Justin Rose last year with the Rose Ladies Series. And throughout time, we, you know, we've just had Arnold Palmer, who's like his event, we have Memorial with jack, we've got Tiger as well with the Genesis. So I think players now they've got a bit of time. Like, Anika is really great that she's that she's getting involved with this. And to have Henrik next to it. I mean, that is a force to be reckoned with.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, that's the Swedish dynamic duo. For sure, for sure. So Sophie, we have the, what's the first event? Is it the South African Women's Open that will be coming up in? What is it three, four weeks? Five weeks?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, it'll be May. So wherever I have no idea about time at the minute, we're still in lockdown. Like somebody told me today, it was March. And I was like, Really? I didn't know that. So yeah, so I think it's kind of second week in May. So this all kind of got put back to the south, there's a sunshine tour in South Africa for the men and women. And it's their own South African tour. And this all got put back. So the South African open is the sixth tournament out of the sunshine tall. So it's the final tournament. So what you might find is a few players going over to South Africa, and playing in the sunshine tour kind of building their way up to then finish with an le t event. So it's very similar to what happens on the men's tour as well. But yeah, that that will be the first one. And actually it's kind of better that it's been pushed back because of due to COVID. That's why it's been pushed back. But then it gives it where it was in kind of in March, it was kind of in the middle of nothing. If you were just a true le t player, it fitted in with the sunshine tour schedule, whereas now being pushed back. You can it's a really nice start to a season I used to go down to South Africa, as preparation for the LA tea foods greats quite cheap to beat on their courses are excellent weather is unbelievable. And it's a good place to get into golf of the year.
Douglas Maida:Fantastic. Do you know the course they're playing at this year? Or does it rotate? Or do they hosted at a specific event on a regular basis?
Sophie Walker:No, they rotate it because it's it's an open, you know, so it's their home? So they rotate it I'm not sure to be honest, where where it is this year. So I mean, the defending champion is Alice Hewson, which Alice was a rookie last year. Her first event was a South African open, she wanted and then she didn't play again once a month. So that must have been quite a weird thing. Because that finished as COVID hit and they all had to get back and that was it locked down. So it's very fortunate that South African event went ahead, so she will be defending champion and hoping that her second year on tour isn't quite as dramatic as her opening season until
Douglas Maida:So who are some of the players that you're thinking will have good years or players to watch on the LETthis year?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, well, I'm thinking Julia Engstrom, who was I mean, not much of a newcomer to the LET stalwarts I suppose but she's she's only young, she's early 20s and she's won a couple of times. Second on the money list last year, and tee to green is a phenomenal golfer can struggle a little bit with a putting, which is really working hard, but just like a bit of a baby faced assassin, I would call her. Yeah, multiple winner last year. So if it wasn't for Emily Pederson would, you know, would have arguably have won the money list quite easily. Another one is someone which everyone will know. Everyone knows Megan McLaren through the way she writes very articulate. And, but she's gone into. I mean, I described it as the Bryson effect. She described it as the wanting to get better effect. So she is added a bit of speed. So Megan, I would say would be slightly below average, in hitting, and has now gained four or five mile an hour swing speed, which equates to kind of 15 yards. So that'd be interesting, because normally, you know, steady Eddie beggin let's see if she can keep hitting the fairways, but gain that bit of distance. So that's someone that I'm I'm looking forward to seeing because I was always a little bit skeptical of could you add power without losing accuracy. And I think you know, Bryson proved that and Morgan Pressel proved as well. She added a good few yards over the last few years. So let's see if Megan can do the same.
Douglas Maida:Well, she's definitely a talented individual. I mean, she's known not just for the golf, but for her being such an articulate individual and speaking to a lot of issues as well. So any other players out there that might be fun to watch her? Well, let me ask you this one. Do you think with a busier schedule this year, do you think there'll be some of the women on the LPGA will be coming over a little more frequently now for the European tour?
Sophie Walker:I mean, you always find Solheim cup here. They'll come over more, because, you know, you've got to got to try and get in the team somehow. And I think you will. It all it really does depend on how easy it is to fly around. I know that's I'm sorry, we're talking COVID. But it's it's Yeah, it's how easy it is to fly around and how things fit into their schedule. I can see them coming over for Northern Ireland. And there's an Olympic issue there. So it goes Northern Ireland, then there's a Saudi event in England, then we go open champ there Scottish open championships, that lap roll of four weeks. What I'm hoping that we'll get not only European LPGA players, but we'll get we'll get some of the Americans, some of the Thai players, Korean players that come over and do as well. The Olympics if the Olympics kind of isn't on, that's gonna be great for the LET. I know that sounds like but yeah, if the Olympics is on, then I think you'll see that a normal schedule as such, but then the LPGA is stacked this year, isn't it? They're probably going to want some time off. But they're the four weeks and Evian as well that I can possibly see people coming over and then almost wanting to carry on playing like we were saying we're over here. Now. Let's stay in the bubble. And let's let's play them all.
Douglas Maida:Well, it looks like it's shaping up to be a golden summer for European. Women's European golf for sure. So
Sophie Walker:Well. Yeah, I mean, they can all get the practice in all stop playing really well. And then in September we can we can beat the Americans.
Douglas Maida:Ah, Sophie, how big I mean, we touched on it. But how big is this HANDA event going to be in Northern Ireland?
Sophie Walker:Oh, yeah. Like it's it's, it's not only the format that is gonna make it really exciting is the place I don't know if you've ever been to Northern Ireland. It's awesome. Like, it's, the people are amazing. They love that golf. I mean, look at the open when Shane Lowry won like that. Now, people that was there was incredible. So if we can get crowds in, this is going to be amazing. You've got the first time ... Well, yeah ... I suppose the Vic Open as well. So that format really works down in Australia. But it's in Australia. So trying to get the players to go all the way down there for kinda, one or two weeks can be quite sounds weird, a tough sell once you're there, Australia is amazing. It's the getting there that puts you off, whereas this doesn't have that problem. So you've got that. And then you've just got your biggest boy band in the world. He was a member of Niall Horan. I mean, I can imagine him now getting his little black book out and basically calling all his mates. So I reckon, yeah, there's probably going to be a concert. The program's going to be full of Who's Who? And yeah, I mean, as I say, he did a concert when when it was on there a couple of years ago. The Bulls he will bring the non golfer bulls is significant. And I think for women, women's golfer is as well because there'll be plenty of girls that listen to his music, that just want to go for a chance of seeing Niall Horan. Now if we can then go, Hey, Niall's here but there's golf as well. Fancy a go, there's this look cool. We can just grab a couple of them. And, you know, he's done his job and the fact that he's so passionate about golf. I mean, I think Niall loves golf more than he loves his guitar. And that's saying something
Douglas Maida:Yeah, for sure, for sure. No, I like your points. Those are excellent points. Kind of reminds me it's a little reminiscent I guess of back in the day, when you had the Crosby clambake and things of that nature on the PGA tour's early days, I used to have the celebrities out in the Hollywood area, organizing tournaments and getting the people up and, and out in the player. So yeah, I hope that turns out to be a great event, and really starts to raise the game, especially with, as you say, that important demographic of getting younger women and younger, older girls looking at it and wanting to look at golf as possibly being something to get into. For sure. So Sophie, all in all, super excited about the LET.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, in one word, like, honestly, normal. So I want to say I want to say normally, it's like, what will the schedule look like? Now the schedules out, and everyone just can't wait to get going?
Douglas Maida:It must. I mean, for somebody like yourself, who's been on the player's Council and, or, you know, representing the players on the council, you're surely got to be feeling good about the way things have started to pan out and the direction that women's golf in Europe is taking and, and building on and moving things forward.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I mean, when you're on the player's Council, like all you ever get from players is, we just want somewhere to play, we just want somewhere to play. And you know what they're gonna get somewhere to play, but they're gonna get the added bonus of getting some cash as well. So that's going to be a huge thing. But just to get back into countries that, you know, when I first started on tour, we were in Scandinavia quite a lot, we'd be maybe five or six times a year in Scandinavia. And then we would go one year when we weren't there at all. So just to get back into those like Belgium, Finland, places like that, that that's just that's, that's really important to, to keep growing the game in all different countries. And then obviously, if you can get more money on the back of that amazing.
Douglas Maida:Well, sounds like it's going to be a fantastic year for women's golf all around, regardless of which continent you're playing on. I know you have taken a little bit of your time to join us today, what's really, really appreciated Sophie, always a wonderful perspective and very knowledgeable with the women's game in particular. So thank you so much for joining us. It's a big A big thank you, and we hope to have you back really soon.
Sophie Walker:No problem. Thank you very much for having me.
Douglas Maida:And that ladies and gentlemen wraps up our show for today. We're very happy that you can join us and thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to listen to our podcast or to download it. On behalf of Sophia and myself. Thank you and have a great day or a great evening wherever you may be. And remember, keep the ball on the short grass
Amy (Studio):You are listening to we're talking golf produced by the world of golf. This episode was recorded on March 10 2021. If you have an idea for a future show, please send us an
email to:info@worldofgolf.org please include podcast show in the subject line. This show is the copyright of the world of golf. Thank you for listening