Brocket Hall predicts who will the 145th Open

This Thursday the 145^th Open will begin at Royal Troon, and once again promises to be a stern test for golfers of the highest ability.  Here are our tips for the week!

Ben Talbot

Dustin Johnson is my pick for the week. It might seem an obvious choice on the back of his recent U.S Open victory last month at Oakmont but the form book points very strongly in his favour. Golfers have to adapt their game in testing links conditions which is why The Open asks so much of players to go all the way. With this in mind, some golfers are able to adapt better to the conditions.

Back in 2012, Dustin Johnson came 2^nd at Royal St. Georges and should have won. He has the form; length and accuracy off the tee and a dominant golf game that can overcome Royal Troon this week.

Sam Flannery

The ranking might not say it, but Dustin Johnson is probably the best player in the world right now. He has won the last two tournaments he has played in which don’t come much bigger than the U.S Open and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. There’s no such thing as a sure thing in golf, but I expect Dustin Johnson to be there or thereabouts come Sunday evening…

Scott Cove

There are so many players who you wouldn’t be surprised to see win this week, just one look at the top 10 and you can see a whole list of possible winners in a really competitive Open. My choice is slightly outside of the box; I think Louis Oosthuizen will have a strong week. Although not in the greatest of form, he is a former Claret Jug holder and can clearly adapt to the conditions. He is also very solid under pressure and very little does his swing fail him; I think the fact that he is out of the spotlight this week can help him fly under the radar to challenge for a second Open victory.

George Ackerman

I called the winner of the U.S Open last month in Dustin Johnson but this time around I’m predicting Branden Grace to successfully battle the testing conditions. He hasn’t got fantastic Open form (his highest finish is T20th) but he has proven he can contend with the wind so I’m optimistic.

Tom Phillpotts

On the back of his victory at the Scottish Open which is ideal preparation for the coming week, Alex Noren is clearly in great form and has given everyone a very recent reminder of his ability to play links golf. Matthew Fitzpatrick is also someone who I think will perform well this week. He hits it straight which will be vital with the rough and wind he and the rest of the golfers will have to contend with.

Top tips to help you plan your perfect summer wedding

If you dream of a summer wedding you may already have your own idea of how the day will look; perfect sunny weather, warm evenings with friends and family and a beautiful outdoor setting that will create memories to last a lifetime. However, if you are looking for some inspiration we have come up with a few tips to help you plan your wedding.


1) Provide plenty of food and drink for your guests

 
We recommend that your drinks reception does not last more than two hours before you feed your guests; they will be hungry and drinking a lot on an empty stomach! Our team of chefs will always create a selection of canapés for each guest to help fill the gap before you sit down to eat. A balance between alcoholic and non alcoholic drink is also vital, especially on a hot day!
 
2) Transform your venue 

We’re extremely fortunate that our wedding reception venues across the Estate are complemented by a stunning backdrop. The Estate comes alive in summer and this is one of the major draws when our brides decide to spend their special day here.







However, there is so much you can do to transform a plain outdoor space into something spectacular. Evening lighting is really important; hang some fairy lights and lanterns so when the sun sets, your outdoor space comes alive in a really intimate and fun way.


3) Choose an outdoor/indoor venue 

We all know that English weather can be very unpredictable, so it is important to have a contingency plan if the heavens open. Importantly, this can also have multiple uses- equally it can provide an area for guests to shelter from the sun if they need to cool down.

4) Plan when to eat carefully 

You don’t want to keep your guests hungry all day, but you also need to think about pests such as wasps that will disturb you when you eat. Eating later in the day will help to avoid this issue; it will also be much more comfortable sitting down to eat in the slightly cooler temperatures!







 5) Anyone for a cocktail?
 
Everyone loves a cocktail in summer, so why not have a drinks station manned by a mixologist who can serve a host of refreshing creations? Set out different stations so that everyone isn’t queuing at once.  Pimm’s is also a really popular drink with everyone on a warm summer’s day because it is refreshing and light.















6) Outdoor Entertainment

This can be done in so many ways such as a live band, DJ, or even more alternative ideas such as magicians, photo booths for guests, singing waiters and Marryoke. Get creative and do something fun and different- it will help to make lasting memories of the day.

   7) Comfortable seating

Spare a thought for those that don’t want to dance the night away, and for those who do- but want a break from it! Comfortable seating is so important because it provides a place for people to rest and it is also a great way for people to socialise later on in the evening.

 
8) Citronella Candles  

Set up Citronella candles in the evening; not only do candles add to the setting and atmosphere, but it will help to deter any unwanted insects in the evening.

 


 





9) Keep your guests cool

Provide umbrellas so your guests have access to shade if they wish. For those guests that are dancing, they will want to be kept as cool as possible if it’s hot. Ask the staff to serve small, iced towels so that they can cool off- this way your guests have one less excuse to enjoy join you on the dance floor!









10) Choose flowers that will hold up in the heat

It’s something so simple, but we find it’s really important to decorate your outdoor space with flowers, not just indoors. It makes everything more vibrant and helps create a positive atmosphere for you and your guests.

Talk to your florist about choosing flowers that won’t wilt in high temperatures; they will be able to put together an amazing arrangement and give you peace of mind that they will look perfect for the whole day.

Have an amazing day!