The last few weeks have been spent back in cold wet Newcastle practising, but it was great to get home. The 3 week trip to the middle east was well worth it, it gave me piece of mind that the change of clubs and swing changes I made over the winter break were the right things to be doing. People don't always realise that the score you shoot does't always reflect how you play, although my results were a little disappointing my golf was first class and this gives me great hope for the rest of the coming season.

Besides practising I've managed to get to St James to watch Newcastle United play a couple of times and has been great to watch them play good team football, the 2 -1 against Liverpool was a great result and had 52,000 Geordies seeming to agree with me. I travelled with the team over to Belgium for the 1st leg of the Uefa Cup and enjoyed watching the boys against SV Zulte-Wareg, not sure I could have handled having my shirt off for the full length of the game like most of the toon fans but fair play for the great support they always show. The return leg wasn't quite as exciting but a goal from Martins was enough to see us through safely, fingers crossed for the next round.

As well as watching the guys I went to watch Newcastle United Women's Football team play in their County Cup match against Whitley Bay. I sponsor their Captain Melanie Reay, and she didn't disappoint adding 4 goals to the teams tally in an impressive 10-0 win, her first goal only took her 42 seconds after dribbling past three defenders, this could put her in the record books for fastest goal scored.

I was asked a while ago if I would do the junior presentation night at Tynemouth Golf Club, last week I went along and was pleased to see a great attendance of juniors and parents supporting all the great work done by the organisers over the past year. I had a good time meeting them all and as well as handing out the prizes they put me under pressure with a putting competition and Q&A session, a four footer to win a tournament has nothing on being grilled by a bunch of juniors!

By the time you read this I will be in sunny Augusta practicing for the upcoming Masters. I have been told by everyone that has played the tournament that local knowledge is the key and the more you play the course, the more you learn. So when I received my invite from the masters committee, which is framed pride of place on my wall of frame, and a letter offering use of the course I thought it was a great opportunity to go out and prepare for the tournament. My caddy Dave is coming with me as well as it's just as important for him to know where to go as it is for me. I am having a week in Augusta then am flying over to San Diego to visit Scotty Cameron in his putting studio, this is something else that I am hugely looking forward to. So hopefully by the time I leave he will have performed his magic and I wont be able to miss a putt!

On a sad note, I attended the funeral of Peter Howliston, who was the English Schools Golf Association President and the Northumberland Schools Golf Association Secretary. Peter worked tirelessly for junior golfers and played an important role in my golfing development and of many others locally and nationally. Without people like Peter many sports people could never realise their ambitions as the help and support they provide to youngsters is invaluable. Sadly we don't say thank you enough to these people and I hope he knew what a difference he made. He will be sadly missed.

I have had loads of questions about the what's in the bag section, sorry for the delay but I have been waiting till I made a final decision on what I am playing...this has been added now so go have a look.

Check back next week for a round up of my trip to Augusta and to visit Scotty's studio...