WOOSIE'S NEW ALL-WEATHER GREEN HELPS RYDER CUP PLANS

Ian Woosnam, winner of the US Masters at ugusta in 1991 when he topped the World Rankings and was universally accepted as the World's Best Golfer, is aiming for a ninth Ryder Cup appearance at The Belfry as well as winning another Major.

Hoping to improve his putting, Woosie called in Huxley Golf, from Alresford in Hampshire, to install a 1500 sq ft all-weather practice green at his home so he can work on perfecting his short game.

Recalling how he had to get down in two from off the green at the last hole to win the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta, beating Tom Watson and Jose-Maria Olazabel, the 42 year old Welshman explained: "I know I can win more tournaments and make the Ryder Cup team if I can get my short game back to what it was. I've been striking the ball pretty well from tee to green, but my putting's let me down most of the time. Now that I've got a really good surface to practice on at home, I can spend the time I need to get my putting stroke back".

The Huxley Golf installation team, led by Director Barry Huxley, took about a week to complete the unique all-weather green construction. "Our special base system allows for drainage through the turf and for rapid dispersal of rain off the green", said Barry. "We can incorporate borrows and undulations, and we carefully integrate our Turfill^® Two filler into the crush-resistant nylon turf to provide the required constant green speed. After that, maintenance is minimal, and the green should provide a superb putting surface playable all-year round".

Woosie was initially amazed at the speed of his Huxley green and the true roll of the ball." It's great", he said. "It's about 9 on the stimpmeter, which is typical European Tour speed, and it looks and plays just like a really top-class tournament green. Practising for The Masters at Augusta, I'd like the green as fast as possible, and Barry has shown me how I can increase or decrease the speed if I want to. It'll be a huge benefit to be able to practise at home and not have to worry about maintenance."

Will Woosie's Huxley all-weather green help him win The US Masters again or maybe The Open, another favourite Major? "We'll have to see", said the ever-popular Welshman who has already won over forty professional titles and twice been leading money winner on the European Tour. "I'm really looking forward to working on improving my short game on the Huxley green. In fact, I think a lot of golf clubs, Touring Professionals and keen amateur golfers would benefit from one because, with the weather conditions in the UK, it's almost impossible to produce good natural grass greens to practice on all year round."