Logos on Tour at St Andrews

Dunhill Links Championship – St Andrews Sept 30 – Oct 02

Nick Faldo at the second Old Course St Andrews

Well, we had both our Logos meetings over these two weeks in Scotland, and I’m pleased to say they went really well

Wednesday 24 Sept – Logos Scotland at Easterhouse Glasgow

This was our launch meeting of “Logos Scotland” and as with all things we are dreaming big and starting small … Seventeen good folks turned up and we had a Ryder Cup themed evening hosted by PGA pro Vincent Brown, we also had a putting competition which was won by the only lady taking part, but we won’t mention that … Things look promising for the future ministry there both among the pros and amateurs with five eager people all ready to organise a variety of activities in the golf world …

Wednesday 01 October – Question & Answer night at the New Golf Club St Andrews

Logos on Tour at the Dunhill Championship St Andrews

The organisation of this was done through our Logos supporters in St Andrews and we had an excellent venue, hospitality and welcome …. Around 45 turned up and the panel was made of Hennie Otto, Mike Vlismas [SA media man] and myself, our good Logos friend Lindsay Glasgow chaired the panel [that means he kept us all in check] … We had a golfing Q&A to start as many there were keen to hear what goes on in the inner sanctums of big golf events and of course this led to the Christian testimony of us all … We had several people who “turned up” on the night and were unaware of just what they were getting into, always good when you know that God will bring people to something that they didn’t know they were going to be at!!! We had a number of non-believers and one atheist who introduced himself at the end by saying, he had no intention of being there, but he was, and found it all “very interesting.”

So a good couple of weeks, and the prospect of more to follow …

Next Week; the final European based event of the Tour, in Portugal … Always a popular week and normally plenty sunshine ….

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

www.logosogolfministries.com

“ .. They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.  Mark 16:20

 

Logos on Tour at the Welsh Open at Celtic Manor

Wales Open – Celtic Manor Resort – Sept 17 to 19

Jaidee at the Open Wales

One of those weeks where I was bumping into everyone one after the other, which was terrific …. I’d love to say all the chats were God-centred but they covered a wide range; Scottish vote [which was much on the mind of many there], the last few weeks of the season and the job prospects for those on the cut line [players and caddies], new babies on the way and recently arrived, the lamenting of what appears to be the last Wales Open as it isn’t on next year’s schedule and with others how they were being treated by their employers in a variety of roles within the Tour Circus …

In amongst it all one always has the opportunity to point to God in some way or other ….

Did meet our old fiend, Andy Gorman, the putting coach and believer who is doing well with his business but has a few tricky situations in home life, do remember him …

Hennie Otto withdrew after one round, but thankfully not with any recurrence of back trouble, just feeling unwell …

There was more buzz than usual at the event due to four Ryder Cup players taking part and speaking of the Ryder Cup do please pray for the “Logos Scotland” meeting in Glasgow on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm (at Easterhouse Baptist Church) and the following week for the “Panel” answering questions at the Dunhill evening on the 1^st of October …

Off to Scotland for the next two weeks and with the vote outcome, no visa required!

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

More on www.logosgolfministries.com website

“But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a FIRE, a FIRE shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I CANNOT.”  Jeremiah 20:9 ….

If Jeremiah couldn’t keep quiet about God, with all that he had to endure, than neither should we …

 

 

Logos on Tour at the Seniors, Travis Perkins Masters at Woburn

TRAVIS PERKINS SENIOR MASTERS – WOBURN 2014

Colin Montgomerie successfully defended his Senior Masters title at the immaculate Woburn Golf Club, destroying the field by 10 clear shots. I’m not one to lavish superlatives on players, but his performance was imperious, leading from start (he birdied his first hole) to finish.

Woburn is a venue that traditionally attracts large crowds – its location in the Home Counties is a major factor – and the galleries this year were again big and enthusiastic. The players appreciate the knowledgeable support they get as they look to overcome the considerable challenges offered by the Duke’s course – only 6 of the 72 players broke par.

Many of you receiving my tournament reports have asked how I go about my work as chaplain. Perhaps if I outline my modus operandi at Woburn, it will give you as better understanding:

I arrived on Wednesday pm, the final free practice day. My first port of call was the Championship office to let the officials there know that I’ve arrived. They willingly posted a notice for me on the players’ noticeboard. That afternoon I visited the practice facilities and struck up conversations with a number of players and caddies  – mainly about golf, their form, etc but also to let them know of my general availability. On Wednesday evening I held the Bible study, continuing the series on the ‘I am’ statements of Jesus, and focussing on Him being the Good Shepherd.

Thursday was the day of the Pro-Am, where corporate executives get their opportunity to play with the pros. It’s quite a hectic day with only a few chances to get quality time with individuals. The players ended their day with dinner at Woburn Abbey with the Duke of Bedford – I retreated to my rather modest B&B in Leighton Buzzard!

Friday was the first day of competition, with players teeing off from 8.00am onwards.  I was adjacent to the first tee at 7.45am and then spent the rest of the morning fluctuating from the first tee to the practice putting green. I made a point of being at the first tee to greet those players that I know best (it’s inevitable that I get to chat to some more than others as some are more supportive of my work than others!) and to be visible to them as their round progressed. I left the course to travel home on Friday afternoon.

Please pray for:

 Steve who is on a journey which, God willing, will lead to faith;

 Hendrik who returns to the tour next week in Moscow after being below the qualifying line for a number of weeks;

Steve VV who again misses out and whose future on the Senior Tour becomes increasingly uncertain.

I’m in the process of working out when my next tournament will be – possibly Amsterdam (involving just a day visit) or Nice. Thank you again for your ongoing support.

Allan Gray, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Seniors Tour

www.logosgolfministries.com

The Open at Hoylake

The Open – Royal Liverpool GC Hoylake July 15 – 17

As ever the Open was a mass of activity, very little of which involved anything on the Logos scene … We had arranged a bible study aimed at the players from the USA and those who play their golf there, at a local Hoylake church.  The point was that at least they would be aware Logos were still around and available.  As we thought, due to the amount of functions and events these players are “expected” to attend on such a week, the study never happened … At least they know we are still around.

This is always a busy week for the SMS team, with three separate surveys, the hosting of the industry lunch at the Open, endless meetings with current and potential clients and there was the PGA function on the Wednesday evening which one of the Logos board members, Keith McIntosh attended with me …. A great networking place is the Open.

There has been a good deal of follow up chats from the memorial talk, some brief, some longer so do keep that in your prayers for the upcoming stretch of events … There is now a little gap until early August when Denmark kicks off another series of 6 tournaments ….

Let us continue to; “ .. Walk by the Spirit ..” and so “ .. Walk in the way of love ..”  [Gal 5:16 & Eph 5:2]

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

See more from Logos on www.logosgolfministries.com

BMW German Masters Cologne June 23 – 26

In Cologne this week …. “To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life …”  (2 Cor 2:16)

Tuesday was one of those days when every corner I turned, every time I looked around and wherever I went I bumped into someone who was ready to talk … Those days are rare and treasured and an assurance of your prayers that both go ahead and follow me …

Those of you who have been praying for; a Scottish golfer, two caddies, a photographer and the pending memorial service for the caddie who died, “Mac,” then know that all these were in amongst this week’s Godincidences ….

Topics for prayer;

Hennie; he is considering surgery for his ongoing back situation …

Memorial Service; looks to be going ahead on the Tuesday July 8 at 5pm in Aberdeen

Scottish Open; for the meeting on the Wednesday evening at the church of Lee Vannet, a club pro in Aberdeen

One of the SMS personnel that I do the survey with each Thursday and he was in agony this week with what looks like symptoms of kidney stones, if you’ve ever had this you’ll know what I mean by agony …

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

See more @ http://www.logosgolfministries.com/lgmontour.html

 

PS …. Date for your diary, Friday August 8 is the Logos Charity Day at Ballymena GC where the cost is only £10 [all going to Logos] and you can play at whatever time suits you as the tee is available from 7am to 7pm …..

Irish Open Fota Island GC Cork June 17 – 19

Bible Bookshops – Belligerent Buggies – Bad Backs and Ballymena’s Best

Baking sunshine for the week came as a pleasant and welcome surprise when the Tour reached the British Isles … 28 Degrees on Wednesday!!!!

Bible Bookshops

I received a text message from Hennie [Otto] when on the way to Cork looking for a bold print NIV bible for one of the caddies,  … I had an interesting time seeking out a Christian bookshop in Cork and duly found a small second hand one that was owned by a Believing gentleman, Billy O’Mahoney who was in the priesthood before hearing of being born-again and finding Jesus as his personal saviour.  It was good too meet him and he was equally delighted too find out that there was a presence on the Tour …. Pray for Dean that he will read the word and find Jesus …

Belligerent Buggies

Jake Roos got a very late entry and we met up … Jake always reminds me of the verse “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “ [Matt 5:6] which describes him … I had noticed he’d had a really poor event in St Omer the previous week, +12 then withdrawing and he told me the story … On the Challenge Tour you are not compelled to have a caddie and Jake was going down one of the many hills on the course with his three wheeled buggy and thought he’d just let it run down to the bottom of the hill, well the front wheel was out of alignment and the buggy headed toward the lake followed by a galloping Jake, who didn’t catch it and into deep water it went … clubs ruined, phone destroyed, Jake soaked in the rescue .. He didn’t see the funny side, but everyone else did …

Bad Backs

Hennie returned after three weeks out with a bad back, played round one and had a one under 70, then had to withdraw before the second round, back troubles again and has since gone home to SA for further treatment …. He is very happy and thankful for all to pray for healing, so I’d ask you to do this ….

Ballymena’s Best

Our own Dermot McElroy was playing his fourth Irish Open and it looks as if he shall be leaving the amateur ranks at the end of the year … Good too meet up with him and his family during the week … He didn’t make the cut, mind you neither did the other McIlroy ….

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

More from the tour: http://www.logosgolfministries.com/lgmontour.html

ISPS HANDA Senior PGA Championship

ISPS HANDA Senior PGA Championship 5^th to 8^th June 2014

Being in the heart of Gainsborough and Constable country, it is quite appropriate that the  courses at Stoke By Nayland, situated between Colchester and Sudbury, are named in honour of those two great artists. It was the undulating Gainsborough that hosted the PGA Senior Championship, involving 150 golfers and the longer 72 hole format. The higher than usual number of players meant that I encountered a sea of relatively new faces although it was comforting to be able to recognise many of the more familiar faces.

To the untrained eye (ie mine) the course appeared in excellent condition, but many of the players thought otherwise and the implementation of ‘Winter rules’ (in June!!) was testimony to the soft underfoot conditions. leadership of the tournament early on was shared between Des Smyth, Mark James and Steen Tinning, but it was Spaniard Santiago Luna who eventually took the top prize.

The Bible study was held in the hotel lounge – 3 of the players were able to attend. We began a new series focussing on the ‘I am’ claims of Jesus as recorded in John’s gospel, looking at the conversation that Jesus had with the Samaritan woman in which He declared himself to be the Messiah. We examined the significance of Jesus the anointed one being prophet, priest and king. Please pray that the players (and indeed myself) might have a deeper appreciation of who Jesus is.

Other matters for prayer please:

1          There are fewer events on the 2014 Senior Tour. This is causing those players who           travel the longest distances to be particularly concerned about their ability to cover their travel expenses.

2          Steve Van Vuuren, who is a regular faithful attendee at the study times, finds himself      lower down the pecking order for entry into tournaments (he missed out by one     place last week) and is considering his future participation on the Tour.

3          Hendrik Buhrmann missed the cut last week and so also missed out on any earnings.

4          Steve Cipa continues to attend – his son was caddying last week and I managed a             short chat with him.

My next visit takes me to Bad Ragaz in Switzerland and I’ll report back after that event.

Thank you for your support – if for any reason you wish to unsubscribe then just let me know.

Allan Gray, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the Senior Tour

www.logosgolfministries.com

Austrian Open Atzenbrugg Vienna

Austrian Open Atzenbrugg Vienna June 03-06

I asked last week that you pray for the memorial service for the caddie, Iain MacGregor [Mac], who collapsed and died on the course in the Madeira Open and that the Tour were looking to hold this occasion at Aberdeen prior to the Scottish Open … Well, this is going ahead on the Tuesday [July 8] of that week at 5pm at the local cricket club where they hold the annual charity cricket match between the Tour [players, caddies etc] and a local cricket side … I have been asked to say a few words at this service … I would reckon practically every player, caddy and all those connected with the tour in its many facets will attend …. Ask God to provide the appropriate words for this, and that the arrangements will be in His hands …

As for this week past, once again I had a chat with the caddy who with the ongoing success of his player is employed at the weekends and the tug of home and business is continuing to perturb him …

It was good to meet up with the SAs; Jake, James and JBe and have a chat separately and a time together as one  ….

This coming week is the US Open so no travel for me, a welcome week at the homestead and then the Irish open to follow at Cork the week after

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.  The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.”  (Rev 8:3-4)

If I could describe the meaningfulness of your prayers for me and Logos I would, but they are beyond words and value …

Thank you

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

http://www.logosgolfministries.com/lgmontour.html

 

Logos on tour at the Nordea Masters in Malmo

Nordea Masters Malmo Sweden May 20 – 23

Have to say it was a bit of a quiet one this week … Also freezing cold!  All players and caddies and anyone else who could lay there hands on a woolly hat and warm clothing had them layered on all day on Wednesday, 8 degrees and a gale blowing … Thankfully it heated up after that ..

The Madeira fall-out continues and the Tour had a monthly meeting where how they handled this was the main topic … The caddies and others from the Tour are looking to have a memorial service at the Scottish Open in early July [Iain was Zimbabwean but lived in Scotland] so maybe we’ll be invited to say something there … do pray for this …

A few names for you to remember before God from this week;

– I came across our old caddy fiend, who was on rare form and has signed up on the Tour_Chaplain twitter account we have and loves the tweets …

– Had a chat with a playeragain whom I mentioned recently and who is worthy of your prayers for further involved chats …

– a caddy informed me that Thursday was a public holiday in Sweden for Ascension Day!  He knows everything … So that was a good lead in > and that happened at the same time I was talking to another caddy who is getting pangs of neglect and guilt as he now has two young kids [2 and 4yrs] and feels he is not at home anywhere as much as he should be … do remember him

– I asked you to pray for “the photographer” and we duly had another conversation, again sincere and genuine … He is next back at the Irish Open in three weeks  … Pray on >

The week finished on Friday at our Logos Golf Day at Warrenpoint where the local Pro Nigel Shaw, a Believer, was very generous to us and we had golfers from Dublin to Ballymena driving up and down to take part in the day, 24 played … all went well and a few more contacts were made, and who knows where they will lead?

“ … no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”  1 Cor 2:11

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

Catch up previous Logos on Tour Ministry http://www.logosgolfministries.com/lgmontour.html

PGA Championship Wentworth

PGA Championship Wentworth May 21-22

 As always, with this event and the Open, there is much going on in the networking world of golf and the buzz is all around; players galas, various presentations and never ending marketing meetings amongst all the golf business fraternity …. It is always amusing when at the range on the Wednesday, the competition could be “spot the player” for on the range are so many; sponsors, friends, families, management teams etc it can be a little dangerous for the players to swing a club!

There were a couple of little positives; Mark [Pinney] went to the tournament office to attain some passes and at that very moment the official he was looking for was on a call from a pastor from the Liverpool area, where the Open is this year, who was wanting to organise a service/meeting on Open week and so he duly passed this info to Mark, he was glad to hand it over and Mark glad to have it, and who knows!

We also had a visit from an Australian minister who is over in the UK for a busman’s holiday, who got in touch with Logos through our website; and is praying over doing something similar in his home country on their Tour … Mark spent Thursday with him and he is coming over to the Ballymena Strong Towers Society golf day at Portrush later next month where I’ll meet up with him … Possibilities!

Some disappointing news for Hennie [Otto] was that his back went early in his first round and he is out for three weeks … even so, we have a get together arranged for next week in Sweden with the photographer, I talked of in the Madeira update, so I’d appreciate your prayer support there …

“Look at the nations and watch– and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

Habakkuk 1:5

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

www.logosgolfministries.com