Southport Visiter - Lee Slattery - Southport and European Tour Golfer

Back in South Africa after a snowy christmas period!

2010-01-06T16:04:39Z

Afternoon all,

I understand that it is snowing back home!

I am out in South Africa for the next two weeks and I will be playing in the Africa Open and Joburg Open. I am really excited about these two weeks and I know that if I can play well in both these events I could guarantee myself a start at the first of the Middle East tournaments in Abu Dhabi.

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year. I spent my Christmas with my family and friends and managed to fit in some practice despite the weather!

To keep you up to date with my plans, I will be playing the next couple of events at the Africa Open in the Eastern Cape and the Joburg Open in Joburg. After that I will be relying on invites and should secure places at some European Tour tournaments through my ranking. My main focus will be the Challenge Tour where I am hoping to gain my Tour card back. I have been in this situation before so I know what is required. I believe I can learn a lot from the past year and there is no doubt I will give this coming year my all.

Hopefully there will be a number of events in the UK on the Challenge Tour schedule which is set to be announced in the next couple of weeks. This leads me on to your comments - I really appreciate the comments that some of you have left me throughout the past year and let's hope we can have a successful 2010.

Until next time,
Slatts

Now to South Africa and the Alfred Dunhill before a christmas break

2009-12-09T14:17:10Z

Hi all,

Well, sadly and unfortunately, I lost my card at European Tour Qualifying School. I came up 1 shot short of the mark! Obviously this was extremely hard to swallow... and still is.

I am currently in South Africa for the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek as I managed to receive an invite for the event. I have fond memories of this place as in 2008 I played in the final pairing with Ernie Els. Whilst I outscored Ernie on the day, unfortunately John Bickerton went one shot better than me and I finished in 2nd place. I am looking to go one better this week. The course is in great condition and I am ready for a good week.

I am hopeful of playing the SA Open next week and to do this I will need an invite to the event or have a top 10 finish - I am hopeful of either! If not, I will play an 18 hole qualifying on Tuesday at Pearl Valley where the top 5 players will make it into the field. I will keep you updated with my progress.

In the meantime, I hope that you are all well and looking forward to the Christmas break. Thank you for all your messages of support recently. I am clearly disappointed about the fact that I will not be on the main Tour next season, but I am confident that I can bounce back. Who knows, a win this week could change everything around! And who knows what 2010 will bring. New year, new beginning.

Until next time,

Slatts

Off to Tour School Finals

2009-11-19T10:05:44Z

Afternoon all,

I am back in England after a disappointing few weeks. I suppose that is how you would sum up my season.

I played reasonably well in Australia but I made too many mistakes. I knew I had to finish in the top 5 to have a chance of retaining my card and avoid going to Qualifying School. That wasn't to be and I am off next week to Spain for Final Stage of Q school.

The JB Were Masters was a great event and the crowds were simply amazing! To be honest it felt like the Open Championship with the crowds and the type of golf course. Also, having Tiger Woods playing was a huge bonus for the European Tour. I was also drawn with Australians for every round and thoroughly enjoyed playing with every one of them -great people!

So looking ahead, I have one last shot at keeping my card for next year and I am confident I will do it. I have been in this position before and I know what I have to do. Of course it is not going to be easy and you have to be mentally and physically fit to last the gruelling slog of 6 days competitive golf. I am ready for it and looking forward to it but before then I will continue to practice hard.

Until next time,
Slatts

JB Were Masters in Australia with Tiger Woods

2009-11-06T15:04:22Z

G'day to you all from a sunny OZ!

I am down in Melbourne for the JBWere Masters at the glorious Kingston Heath Golf Club where Tiger Woods will be joining us this week.

This will be my last tournament of the year and depending on how I play I may have to go to European Tour Qualifying School at the end of the month down in Spain.

I am well rested after the disappointment of the Barclays Singapore. I didn't feel that I played that badly in Singapore, but I didn't play well enough! The weather meant that I had the wrong side of the draw - of course this is not an excuse as you have to play well in every type of condition to succeed in this game.

I am looking forward to next week and realise how important this week is to my year. If I can get a top 5 performance, I could avoid going to Q school. Of course my aim is to win this week and I am ready to give it everything.

Thanks for your continued support and it is time to dig deep! (That goes for the boys in Red as well!)

Until next time,
Slatts

I'm on my way to the Barclays Singapore Open

2009-10-26T14:40:52Z

Afternoon everyone!

Last week I was in Spain at the Castello Masters. After an average level par first round I was pretty frustrated but hopeful that I could pull it back in the second round and make the cut. Unfortunately I made too many mistakes on the front nine that I couldn't recover from.

I came back on Saturday to see my coach to work on a few things and get my swing back on track. Last week wasn't all bad news ...I managed to get an invite to the Barclays Singapore Open! With a 5 million euro prize fund it's a great chance to boost my ranking and retain my card for next year. I've been practising hard this weekend in preparation but still managed to find time to watch the Reds destroy Man Utd!

After Singapore it's more travelling! Hopefully I'll get into the Hong Kong Open but if not I'll be off to Melbourne, Australia for the JBWere Masters.

Right, I've got a plane to catch and I'm really looking forward to this week!

Until next time,

Slatts

A rather important week at the Castello Masters

2009-10-20T16:10:45Z

Afternoon all!

This weeks we head to Castellon, Valencia for the Castello Masters.

Last week was once again a disappointing week in Portugal. My first round left me too much to do and the second round 69 wasn't enough to make the cut. I was planning on staying in Portugal over the weekend to practice and then travel to Valencia on Monday. However, I decided to go home and practice before an important week in Castello.

This may well be my last chance of avoiding going to Q school if I do not get into the Hong Kong Open. Therefore, I am ready for a good week and hopefully I can be in the mix come Sunday.

I have been in this position before and done whats required and I am willing to do whatever I have to do to retain my card for next year. Therefore before I rant anymore, I suppose I should get back to the golf and sort everything out before a rather important week.

Hopefully I will catch the Liverpool match tonight and I reckon we have a good chance a) because Stevie Gerrard is back and b) because there won't be (or shouldn't be) any beach balls on the pitch!

Have a good week and until next time,

Slatts

It's the Portugal Masters next on the European Tour Race to Dubai

2009-10-14T11:55:02Z

Afternoon all from a sunny Portugal!

Last week was once again incredibly frustrating. I produced two solid rounds of 68 and then followed this with a terrible round of 76. It was a couple of poor holes again that cost me. When I was teeing off in the first group out on Sunday with Jeff Lucquin I had nothing to lose and shot a 67. What makes last week more frustrating was the fact that I was playing good enough golf as rounds 1,2 and 4 show, but I could not produce it over 4 rounds.

However, there is still a couple of tournaments left which means that I still have enough time to get into the top 115 on the European Tour Race to Dubai and secure my card for next year. If I play like I did last week and cut out one or two poor shots that I produced on Saturday's round in Madrid, I could have a good chance this week in a very strong field with some good prize money on offer.

I am off to get some practice and get ready for the start of the Portugal Masters tomorrow. I will be teeing off at 13 40 with two good friends Simon Khan and Benn Barham. I am sure that I will find enough time to talk to Simon about his beloved Gunners! Our tee off time is 09 20 on Friday and hopefully by Friday afternoon I will be at the top of the leaderboard ready for a good performance over the weekend.

Until next time,

Slatts

A frustrating week at St Andrews but looking to bounce back at the Madrid Masters

2009-10-07T13:02:26Z

Afternoon all,

I am on my way to Madrid after a frustrating week up in Scotland. Having grown up playing links golf I knew exactly what was required last week but failed to deliver what I know I am capable of.

I started the tournament off well with a four under par round of 68 which proved to be the best round of my week! By the last round on Monday I was looking to advance as many places up the leaderboard but when I reached my 7th hole of the day, the famous St Andrews 17th Road Hole, my ball pitched on the road and leaped out of bounds. I ended up with a 7. I tried to push on from that but was unable to find the birdies that I desperately needed.

There is no doubt it was a frustrating week as there was a lot of prize money on offer which would have helped me climb up the Race to Dubai Rankings and move closer to securing my card for next season.

In relation to my wrist, which is still causing me some pain, I am gradually beginning to hit shots harder as I was having to hold back before. It affects you mentally when you know you cannot attack the ball the full 100%.

I was supposed to fly to Madrid yesterday (Tuesday) but I changed my flight to fly today (Wednesday). I realised that a little rest after last week and some practice would do no harm. Also, I already know the Centro Nacional de Golf course where the Madrid Masters is this week.

I am looking forward to a good week and if the putts start to fall and I can avoid a couple of silly errors I know I can be in contention come Sunday. I am ready for this week and I am feeling extremely focused.

Thanks for your support and until next time,

Slatts

Raring to go as European golf tour reaches St Andrews

2009-09-29T15:02:34Z

Afternoon to you all from Scotland!

I drove up this afternoon and I am excited about this week at the Alfred Dunhill links.

There is a huge prize fund on offer which means that a good week here not will secure my card for next year but I can propel myself up the Race to Dubai rankings.

Last week I have worked hard in the gym as I realise that your physical condition is extremely important this week.

The weather often makes it hard work as well as playing over three different courses.

It is fun playing with an amateur as well but this also makes the round a lot slower. It is great being able to play these wonderful links courses and it is hard to ignore and forget the tradition and history behind holes such as the 18th at St Andrews on the Old Course.

This is one of my favourite all time golf holes... It would be great to hear about some of your favourite golf holes in the comment section below!

I managed to see part of the Liverpool game on Saturday and it was great to see the boys destroy Hull. Sorry any Hull fans out there!

It was also a pleasant surprise to see Chelsea lose against Wigan which means Petr Cech will be missing the game against us at the weekend.

Feel free to read my interview about Liverpool FC on the Liverpool Banter site that I did last week.

Anyways, I feel well rested and fresh after a week off and I am ready for a good tournament. I am off to get in some practice before a long week ahead and I will speak to you all next week.

Until next time,

Slatts

Alfred Dunhill Links beckon - but only after a week off and answering your questions!

2009-09-22T14:29:57Z

Afternoon all,

I am back home for the week before I go up to Scotland next week for the Alfred Dunhill.

I wasn't sure last week whether I was going to get into Dunhill but I am really pleased that I am now!

Last week was relatively frustrating in Austria. I started with a four under round 67 on Thursday and followed that with rounds of 73, 70 and 72. I had 16 birdies and one eagle over the four days which makes it even more annoying to finish only on two under par.

This week I will be practicing hard and will catch up with some family and friends before I have a crucial stretch of four tournaments in a row including the Dunhill Links, Madrid Masters, Portugal Masters and Castello Masters.

I would like to thank many of you for your comments on my Blog recently which I promised I would respond to.

First of all I would like to say well done to Phil Coll from Glasgow who successfully answered my question in a recent Blog with a signed glove as a prize:

Question - Which venue did I enjoy my best British Open finish?

Answer - Royal Liverpool

I will get the signed glove off in the post to you.

So here are my responses to some of your comments and questions (please don't be offended if I have forgotten any!)

Alan Kayll - another good week Lee, well done. Hope you're close to securing your card for next year now.

Thanks for your message of support. I am confident that I will have a number of good performances over the next few events and will secure my card for next year.

Tom Kayll - Thanks for the glove, ball and tees at Loch Lomond. I'm the boy with the Liverpool kit. Well done in SAS Masters and good luck in further tournaments. Its brilliant for Liverpool to have a great player with a great attitude, well done.

Thanks Tom. I think it is always important to remember where you have come from and seeing as you are a fellow Red you should check out an interview I have done on our beloved club on the Liverpool Banter website - click here to read it.

Sylvia - Hi Lee, I hope that you enjoyed the tournament here in Czech! You were the most likeable player and looked that you really enjoyed your game. I have to thank you for your ball, brought me luck .... : ) Good game in Fontana and in rest of the season and good luck on the greens : ) Quite late, but happy birthday!!!

Hi Sylvia I remember you walking round and thank you for your support. I always have a smile on my face because I appreciate how lucky I am to have the job that I have. Your support is very much appreciated and thank you for the late birthday wishes!

Matt - Hi Lee, I saw you play at Wentworth in the PGA and was impressed with your swing. I was just wondering f you have any tips you can pass on to me?

Thanks Matt. You were lucky to see me at Wentworth as I was really ill on Saturday and Sunday. I was really struggling and on Sunday evening I was on a drip in hospital! I had to miss the US Open qualifying as a result.

In terms of swing tips, it is very hard without seeing your swing but I suggest you remember the importance of rhythm. Rhythm and fluidity to the swing are two key aspects that I try to focus on. Also, I know it sounds simple but never forget the basics such as the grip and remaining square to the ball at address. Let me know how you get on and remember RHYTHM!

Ian Henry - Hope you enjoyed the Coldplay concert last Saturday, saw you pushing through the crowds. Anyway my question: Before you made the big time did you ever doubt you could make it? Was the Europro a good experience and would you recommend it? Finally, I'm trying to find sponsorship to help me fund 2010, any tips from when you started out? Look forward to your reply, rip it up in Austria! Ian from Worcester

Hi Ian. Yeah I loved the Coldplay concert - I was hoping nobody would see me pushing my way through the crowds! In response to your question, I never doubted I could make it.

Positive belief and confidence is essential to success whether it be golf or any other sport. In regards to the Europro tour I think it is a great way to start out. You learn a lot about yourself and your golf. I remember playing in some Europro events and working out how we would budget for the week.

I would travel with some friends in the car and we would split the petrol. It was all about saving as much money as possible! We would even pack a toaster in the car so we could buy some bread to make our lunch for the day! What a great experience and one I will never forget!

In terms of sponsorship Ian, as I am sure you appreciate the world is in a difficult economic place right now. I suggest you crack on with your golf and see how far you can get. Should you make it on Tour, sponsorship opportunities will arise. However, there is nothing stopping you trying to get a family friend or business to cover your expenses and in return offer them a patch on your clothing or golf bag. Hope this info helps!

Neil Burnip - Hello Lee, The free Colgate samples are still waiting for you. Perhaps they will help you brush up on your swing and give the others a pasting. Get in touch. Neil Southport/Colgate

Neil, my teeth are as white as ever and I would love those Colgate samples!

Paul Hillary - Hey Lee, its Paul from Danny's Coldplay gig. Happy to see you made the cut, how was it out there? Hope you're well.

Hi Paul, good to hear from you! Thanks for the good wishes. As I said on my previous blog and this entry, I really like Austria as a venue and especially this course. That is why I was surprised and a bit disappointed not to have done better last week. See you soon!

That's all for now - keep the comments and questions coming and I'll do my best to answer them. And let me know too if there is anything you want to see on the blog that isn't on at the moment.

Anyways I am off to practice and enjoy my week off.

Speak soon.

Slatts

Austrian Golf Open is next for me (with pictures!)

2009-09-16T14:02:58Z

Afternoon all and welcome from a sunny afternoon in Austria, where I'm playing in the Golf Open in Vienna.

I arrived on Tuesday afternoon and managed to fit in nine holes.

Today I have spent the day practising my short game (check out the picture of me brushing up on my putting!)

I have been taking it relatively easy this week on my wrist but I am very excited about playing here.

As I previously mentioned I have fond memories of Austria. I finished runner up in a Challenge Tour tournament at this venue in 2004 and enjoyed playing here on the European Tour a couple of years ago.

The course is in great condition and the weather has been really nice.

I have had some really good comments and questions over the last week or so from you all and when I have my week off next week I will answer them all for you.

In the mean time have a look at the clubhouse and the 18th green here in Austria!

Until next time,
Slatts

Putting practise on agenda before Austrian Golf Open - plus win a signed golf glove

2009-09-08T17:12:36Z

I AM enjoying my week off after a tough week in Switzerland. I injured my wrist and was only able to hit shots to 70% of my physical capability.

This meant I couldn't attack the ball and hit it as hard as I wanted or needed to. Therefore, this made the course a lot longer, which was relatively frustrating.

However, I realised there was nothing I could do but try and find as many greens as possible! I missed the cut by one shot again which is frustrating at this time of the season, however, I do not like to think of it like that. I know that my game is there and I am not going to get easily frustrated.

It is great to have this week off and rest my wrist but it also gives me time to work on some putting. Putting is one of the strongest parts of my game but it is an area you can always improve.

I also wanted to try something different, so how about a competition? I'll give away one of my golf gloves - signed by me - if you can answer the following question:

At which venue did I enjoy my best British Open finish?

Got it? Then email your answer to neil.macdonald@liverpool.com

Back to the golf! After my rest, Iam looking forward to Austria next week.

I played at the same course on the Challenge Tour a few years ago and I came runner up. It is a nice course where I am really looking to do well on.

I will speak to you all in a week's time and I really do appreciate the comments you leave me. John and Irene that was a really nice message of support last week!

Until next time,

Slatts

Aiming to bounce back at Omega European Masters in Switzerland after missing the cut at Gleneagles

2009-09-02T17:26:43Z

After a disappointing result last week I am looking to bounce straight back this week in Switzerland. I thought I was going to make the cut at Gleneagles when I finished my second round at one over but I missed it by one place! However, I did not play well enough to make the cut.

I look forward to this week and I have fond memories of Omega European Masters here at Crans Sur Sierre. This place is really stunning - just picture a magnificent golf course up in the mountains of Switzerland. It is always a treat to play at this event.

I have worked hard on my game since Johnnie Walker and I am ready for a good week. I know that if I can put four good rounds together I will be in with a shout come Sunday afternoon. There is no better feeling than being in the mix come Sunday!

I am sorry for such a short Blog this week, but next week is my week off and I will be sure to write a longer entry. Feel free to leave any questions or comments as I really appreciate your support.

Until next time,

Slatts

Aiming high at the Johnnie Walker Championships after missing the cut at KLM Open

2009-08-26T12:18:34Z

I am back from KLM after missing the cut and would like to put last week down as a week to forget!
I never really got going and the first round 71 was not ideal. In the second round I finished with four bogeys out of the last five holes which was extremely disappointing!

If I had stuck in there and made a couple of birdies you never know. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I got back on Friday evening and have been to see my coach and I am ready for a good week at the Johnnie Walker, up in Gleneagles. This place is stunning and last year I finished in 38th place. I am ready to put in an even better performance this time round. The trick to this course is keeping the ball on the fairway and finding the greens. Of course this is easier said than done and typical to most golf courses but is especially true at Gleneagles.

As we now approach the end of the season I am looking for a strong finish and hopefully I can put myself in contention in a number of tournaments. I thought I would share with you my schedule for the rest of the year. I am looking at playing Omega European Masters, Austrian Open, Madrid Masters, Portugal Masters, Castello Masters and possibly Barclays Singapore Open. There may be one or two more to play but this will depend on how I play in the next couple of tournaments.

Anyways it's time for some more practice and I will catch up with you next week.

Until next time,

Slatts

Hoping for some Dutch courage at the KLM Open

2009-08-18T16:39:21Z

Afternoon all.

I have arrived in the Netherlands for the KLM Open and went for a practice round this morning. I am hitting the ball well and I feel really comfortable with my game at the moment.

Last year I finished 4th here at the Kennemer Golf Club and this year I am looking to go even better. It seems like more than two and a half weeks ago that we had a European Tour tournament and I am looking to build on my performance at the SAS Masters and Moravia Silesia Open. In my time off I have put in some quality and efficient practice - I think it is important with the stretch of tournaments that we have coming up not to burn myself out. Therefore, my tip for the day, would be to practice efficiently and to make it effective, you should know before the session what you intend to work on.

I managed to catch the two last days of the USPGA and I must admit that I was shocked to see Tiger not add another Major to his impressive tally. I can't help thinking that had Tiger managed to hole a couple more significant putts then the outcome may have been different - he was clearly struggling on the greens. However, I must admit that I was extremely impressed with Y.E. Yang. He handled the pressure of not only playing with Tiger extremely well, but finishing the job. His shot into 18 was truly magnificent! I am sure that this victory will also do wonders for Asian golf. I also felt sorry for Padraig Harrington who blew his chances on the Par 3 eighth hole. It was reminiscent of his disaster at the 16th the week before!

Anyways, I am off to eat some dinner and relax before another day of practice tomorrow and I will try and catch the football later, Celtic v Arsenal in that mouth watering Champions League qualifier!

Have a great week and I look forward to updating you with events next week.

Until next time.