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The 2019 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2019), the 13th in the series, has opted to adopt “A 5G Mindset For Golf’s Future” as its overarching platform. The Summit’s proceedings will all be viewed and discussed in the context of the anticipated changes that are coming.
12
To inspire the golf industry to be proactive towards change, a good example was needed on how change can be adopted, managed and put to the use of the betterment of the industry. For the first time in its thirteen-year history as the premier golf business summit in the Asia Pacific, APGS 2019 has reached beyond the golf industry to seek an inspirational keynote speaker. She is Meagan Fallone, the Chief Executive Officer, of an exceptional organisation called The Barefoot College. Ms. Fallone is an exceptional lady, a dedicated social entrepreneur and bold mountaineer with a very impressive list of global achievements and recognitions. From her office in the desert town of Tilonia in India, she directs The Barefoot College’s global programmes to support poor and illiterate women to connect rural communities to solar, water, education, professions and advocacy.
EQUIPMENT FOCUS 30 THE DEADLY POWER OF THE PHANTOM X! Scotty Cameron has created his most technically advanced putter line to date with the 2019 Phantom X family – a collection of nine new modern mallets engineered to take putting performance to the next level.
24 IS THERE A PRICING REVOLUTION COMING? Titleist has launched the new CNCPT CP-01 and CP-02 irons. How much is the cost? A cool US$500 per club and US$4,000 for the complete set. What do we think? Hurray, finally golfers can lay their hands on premium clubs built with quality materials and produced under the best manufacturing processes available.
38 WANT TO EXPERIENCE A SET OF TW IRONS? READ ON … Tagged as the P•7TW, the TaylorMade iron set has been designed and crafted in collaboration with Tiger Woods. If you want to experience what it feels like to play with irons that only Tiger would use be prepared to dip into your pocket and part with US$1,999.99!
SPECIAL FEATURE 44 THE GOLFING GODS CANONISE TIGER! For what Tiger Woods did at Augusta National, the one and only absolute tribute that he deserves is to be canonised as “St. Tiger” by the golfing gods who were looking down on him with celestial approval.
44
48
48 DISCOUNTS ON GREEN FEES – BEGONE! Golf Surprize Pty Ltd has pioneered and patented a ‘rewards’ method to guarantee golf clubs higher revenue, even without needing to increase their prices. The company has ingeniously patched together a deal which shows clubs that Full Price green fees + Golf Surprize adds more value to a customer than some 50% discounts available in the market.
54 GOLF’S GREAT FOR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH!
54
60
A recent research project has discovered that when a person’s parasympathetic nervous system kicks in – the system that’s associated with relaxation – stress physiology actually changes. You literally manage stress more efficiently when you are around green space. And this is why golf is perfect for good mental health.
60 TIGER HEADS TO GOD’S COUNTRY! Pacific Links International has commissioned Tiger Woods and Gil Hanse, the architect who designed the golf course for the Rio Olympic Games to craft the natural beauty of the Mākaha Valley (Hawaii) and create one of golf’s finest and most sought-after golf destinations.
66 PGA TOUR: TIGER – HE’S THE KING!
66
74 8
There is no doubt about the stature of Tiger Woods especially amongst his peers. Champions of the U.S. Masters, past and recent assembled at the 18th hole of the hallowed Augusta National Golf Club to pay homage to the “Great One” as he jubilantly walked up the pathway leading to the scoring booth the stake his claim to the 2019 winner’s green jacket. ASIAN GOLF re-lives that historic moment through a special report from the PGA TOUR’s Mike McAllister.
74 PGA TOUR: DUEL IN THE SOUTH – TEAM TIGER VS TEAM BIG EASY The 2019 Presidents Cup, at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club will be played from December 9 to 15. Tiger Woods will lead the United States Team against the International Team captained by South African legend, Ernie Els, over four days of match play drama and intrigue. Book your tickets now!
Q REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM
|
8 SHARED THOUGHTS: FROM PUBLISHER | APGS CRUISES ONTO THE SMART APP HIGHWAY!
Mike Sebastian
INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR
Editor/Chief Executive Officer [mike@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Alan Campbell (China/Middle East) Correspondent
GLOBAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL
Angela Raymond
President [angela@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Gregg Patterson President, Tribal Magic Inc.
Andrew Wood Founder/President, Legendary Marketing
James Prusa
Raquel Arcega
Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
President, James Graham Prusa Associates
James Cronk President, Cronk Group
Digital Services
Alice Ho
Tech-Know Integrators
Business Executive [alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Tony Meechai (Black Hat Golf Tips -Thailand Myra Paras
INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Accounts Executive [myra@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Alice Ho Email: alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com
ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP(2014) PTE LTD Singapore Post Centre Post Office, P.O. Box 532, Singapore 914018 Tel: +65 6323 2800 | Fax: +65 6323 2838 Company Registration No.: 201405689G
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of Asian Golf may be reproduced in any other publications, printed or published without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions in Asian Golf are the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by Asian Golf. Asian Golf accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage.
One of the cornerstones of the Asia PaciÀc Golf Summit (APGS) has been the revelation of new technologies and the adoption of these technologies by the golf industry – speciÀcally the golf club industry.
W
hile most new technologies are aimed at making the operation of a business more efficient and profitable, the actual acceptance and implementation has
invariably been slow. Like the prophet who preaches change, APGS has played the role of the messenger and has always kept moving on. It is for others to pick up the baton and work with golf clubs to install new and dynamic technologies to help the industry stay current and abreast with an ever-changing business environment. Since 2015, APGS has placed the spotlight on SMART APPS driven by SMART PHONES. For 2019, we will not only continue to address Smart Apps but will engage with this technology to keep in touch with our base of supporters. As many of our readers already know, Smart Apps are innovative systems that gather tremendous amounts of data from sensors and other sources, using machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics to make this information actionable for users and to improve experiences.
That said, the brand new APGS Smart App will reach out to the user versus the other way around, leveraging
The beauty of the APGS Smart App is that you do not have to check via the Summit’s web site to obtain details. The App
push notifications, chat bots and messaging services to
will push notifications out as and when these activities break,
proactively interact with users and give them smart recom-
and it will alert delegates on their Smart Phones/devices
mendations of what to do and when. The APGS Smart App has been expertly designed to keep all delegates informed at all points in time with what’s happening with APGS 2019. Delegates can download the App, handle actions like
All news relating to APGS will be shuffled out before, during and after the event. At no point in time will a registered delegate be left out of the loop. This is technology at its best. APGS is not preaching about Smart Apps – it is now actively engaging with the
delegate registration, hotel booking, ground transport, diet
technology to deliver an all-round better experience for
requirements, book a slot in the delegate golf tourna-
APGS delegates.
ment and a host of other Summit related activities. All in a dynamic, real-time mode!
Act now – there’s no cost involved and live the APGS experience from the get-go!
THE BRAND NEW APGS SMART APP WILL REACH OUT TO THE USER VERSUS THE OTHER WAY AROUND, LEVERAGING PUSH NOTIFICATIONS, CHAT BOTS AND MESSAGING SERVICES TO PROACTIVELY INTERACT WITH USERS AND GIVE THEM SMART RECOMMENDATIONS OF WHAT TO DO AND WHEN!
GET THE APP
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This sounds like a bamboozler …. far from it! The intention is not to trick anyone but to draw one’s attention to the stupendous change that 5G technology is going to herald and how this is going to impact so many fields of human endeavour in the short and medium term. 5G is the next generation wireless technology that provides higher speed and lower latencies and as an example, just imagine that with such high speeds, one should be able to download a HD movie in a fraction of a second. This incredible technology which has already rolled out in a select number of advanced countries will impact the game of golf and how the industry is run. In golf, it would not be wrong to state that we’ve always been slow to change, and this consensus is based on the belief that something’s “always been that way” and thus it doesn’t mean that it must be carried into the future. What was, doesn’t have to be what is. As an industry, golf needs to step out of its comfort zone and embrace newness. 5G is an allencompassing game changer and like all disruptive forces, the golf industry needs to look at this impending force of change with a positive mindset, embrace the power that it is set to unleash and put it to good use to revolutionise many aspects of the game and the business, to be in concert with change. Given this prelude, the 2019 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2019), the 13th in the series, has opted to adopt “A 5G Mindset For Golf’s Future” as its overarching platform. The Summit’s proceedings will all be viewed and discussed in the context of the anticipated changes that are coming.
W
hile the pace of change unleased by
global search for a role model for change, it discovered a
the onset of 5G technology is going to
phenomenal organisation which operates from one of the
be ultra-hyper and difficult for some
poorest and most disadvantaged regions of the world. Its ori-
to understand and grasp, what is most
gin was humble and till today, it retains this essential quality
important is for all of us to see how
driven by the motto “built by the poor, for the poor”. The
best we can be empowered to put the change to good and
dream was started in 1972 by a brilliant young post graduate
effective use.
student known as Sanjit “Bunker” Roy, who volunteered to
To inspire the golf industry to be proactive towards change, a good example was needed on how change can be
live and work in one of India’s poorest states. Roy became friends with a farmer known as Merghai
adopted, managed and put to the use of the betterment of
from the small village of Tilonia, in impoverished Rajasthan
the industry. For this, the Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS
and together, they transformed a dream of grafting formal
2019) decided to look beyond the golf industry and in its
urban knowledge on rural wisdom to create a world without
RURAL WOMEN BEING TAUGHT SOLAR ENGINEERING
want. They launched their dream from a leased abandoned tuberculosis sanatorium from the Government for one Rupee a month in Tilonia, marking the historic birth of The Barefoot College. “We believe in the endless potential of the rural poor. The Barefoot College forges a first-of-its-kind, women-centred, global network dedicated to sustainable development in every community where poverty existed,” stated Dr. Roy. Today, more than 40 years later, The Barefoot College has designed new ways to nurture and support a journey to empowerment, one village at a time, one woman at a time. It demystifies and decentralises technology and puts new tools DR. SANJIT BUNKER ROY – THE FOUNDER OF THE COLLEGE
WE BELIEVE IN THE ENDLESS POTENTIAL OF THE RURAL POOR.
THE BAREFOOT COLLEGE FORGES A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND, WOMENCENTRED, GLOBAL NETWORK DEDICATED TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN EVERY COMMUNITY WHERE POVERTY EXISTED.
– DR. SANJIT “BUNKER” ROY
EVERY DAY, THROUGH OUR SOLAR ENGINEERING TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT ENTERPRISE PROGRAMMES, RURAL WOMEN ACROSS 96 COUNTRIES ARE DISCOVERING THEIR CONFIDENCE, COMPETENCE AND POWER TO LEAD. – MEAGAN FALLONE
in the hands of the rural poor with a singular objective of spreading self-sufficiency and sustainability. With a geographic focus on the least developed countries, The Barefoot College trains rural women worldwide as solar engineers, innovators and educators, who then return to their villages to bring light and learning to their community. The Barefoot College is an astounding agent of change on a global scale and for his work, Dr. Roy has received numerous awards and was selected as one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Personalities” in 2010 for his work in educating illiterate and semi- literate rural Indians. For the first time in its thirteen-year history as the premier golf business summit in the Asia Pacific, APGS 2019 is looking beyond the golf industry to seek an inspirational keynote speaker. We approached Dr. Roy, but being the humble man that he is, he directed us to his Chief Executive Officer, Meagan Fallone, an exceptional lady, a dedicated social
entrepreneur and bold mountaineer with a very impressive list of global achievements and recognitions.
bring about significant change for progress. Since taking over as CEO, she has tripled the size of The
From her office in the desert town of Tilonia, Ms Fallone,
Barefoot College footprint beyond its foundation in Rajasthan
who hails from New Zealand, directs The Barefoot College to
and developed a sustainability movement led by rural women
support women to connect rural communities to solar, water,
across the Global South.
education, professions and advocacy. The Barefoot College operates wherever there is the
Guiding field operations in 96 countries, she and her team have set an example of positive impact through ground-
greatest need. There is a huge demand for the college and
breaking partnerships with governments, corporations and a
Ms Fallone’s transformational leadership has ensured it can
network of civil society and multilateral organisations.
reach the communities and individuals it was created for and
Ms Fallone has led the evolution of The Barefoot College
PHOTO CREDIT: BENETTON & BEKKERING
THE BAREFOOT COLLEGE HAS DESIGNED NEW WAYS TO NURTURE AND SUPPORT A JOURNEY TO EMPOWERMENT, ONE VILLAGE AT A TIME, ONE WOMAN AT A TIME. IT DEMYSTIFIES AND DECENTRALISES TECHNOLOGY AND PUTS NEW TOOLS IN THE HANDS OF THE RURAL POOR WITH A SINGULAR OBJECTIVE OF SPREADING SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY.
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT AND SUPPORTER OF THE COLLEGE
into a profitable hybrid social enterprise which today fosters
individual’s education, gender, caste or class does not make
and supports a host of rural innovation, digital and financial
her or him any less or more valuable.
technology, solar R&D and rural enterprises by attracting
It is this powerful commitment that has seen the Bare-
formally educated young people to work side by side with
foot Approach spread to more than 96 countries, with re-
non-formally educated rural innovators.
gional facilities in Africa, Latin America and Southern Asia.
Her pupils and supporters are illiterate and semi-literate women living on less than US$2 a day. It is a powerful
Ms. Fallone has fostered an unparalleled eco system of entrepreneurial action at The Barefoot College such that
testament to the Barefoot approach, adopted from the
environmentally sustainable, ‘for profit’ enterprises have
principles of the legendary Mahatma Gandhi.
been launched under the brand name B. Barefoot. Coffee
Her work has touched the lives of more than 500,000
and Honey are now active in three countries, Solar Hardware
people — an incredible achievement. Ms. Fallone’s tenacious
in 30 countries and the production of a Nutritional Supple-
commitment to redefining education in the rural context,
ment called Super 5, across 5 states in India with the highest
and her resilient belief in communities developing their own
rates of malnutrition.
capacity to meet their own challenges within the developing world, is at the heart of every Barefoot Solution. Educated in the USA and UK, she holds a BFA, an MA
Global collaborations with companies such as Apple, Credit Suisse, Oracle, Goldman Sachs, and ENEL together with Multilateral partnerships for impact have proven the
and an MBA. In her role as CEO at The Barefoot College she
far-reaching impact Social Enterprise can have in building
is steering the establishment of a further seven Barefoot
out ‘templates for scale’, able to be adopted by National and
Women’s Vocational Training Centres throughout Sub
Local Government.
Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Pacific, focusing on
She has managed organisational change and transfor-
the mastery of renewable energy technology, enterprise and
mation in mission driven organisations through human-cen-
holistic empowerment skills.
tric design, inclusive strategic planning processes, visionary
Equality is at the heart of Ms Fallone’s work. Every member of the team is equally important and respected. An
partnerships and an exceptionally dynamic management and leadership style.
SOLAR PANELS AT THE COLLEGE CAMPUS
PHOTO CREDIT: BAREFOOT COLLEGE
Ms. Fallone is recognised globally for all her work and achievements. She is the recipient of the Mother Theresa Award, Social Justice presented by the Harmony Foundation International, Inc; The Hillary Laureate for 2018 was conferred on her by the Sir Edmund Hillary Institute for Global Leadership for her work involving climate change, peace, social justice and poverty alleviation. She is a technical climber, extreme skier, rescue diver and expedition leader, and has explored some of the most remote and pristine landscapes on the planet. She has travelled to and lived amongst rural communities in the most under threat and climate affected regions and has covered more than 8000 kilometres on foot over the last 15 years. APGS 2019 is fortunate to have such an illustrious and forward-looking entrepreneur to set the stage and tone for the Summit. The Summit will be staged on November 4 – 6 in the futuristic Indian city of Gurugram and the venue will be the multi-award winning DLF Golf and Country Club.
THE TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION WE WANT, AND NEED IS WITHIN THEIR POWER TO TRANSFORM. THEY ARE CREATING A WORLD IN WHICH BOTH COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT THRIVE.
– MEAGAN FALLONE
Explaining the mission of The Barefoot College, she said, “Every day, through our Solar Engineering Training and Enrichment Enterprise programmes, rural women across 96 countries are discovering their confidence, competence and power to lead.” “The technology revolution we want, and need is within their power to transform. They are creating a world in which both communities and the environment thrive.” For the pioneering work that it does, The Barefoot College was ranked #15 by NGO Advisor’s Top 500 NGOs: World. It was cited for its outstanding impact, innovation and governance for the outstanding work that it conducts in the poorest and most marginalized rural communities in the world.
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It was not too long ago when one had to fork out a thousand bucks (Yankee Dollars) for a driver. In fact, most of the drivers that this writer purchased between 1995 and 2005 were high-priced and it was the days when manufacturers were minting cash. A full set of clubs easily burnt a hole in one’s pocket for about four thousand greenbacks. Those were the glory days for the golf business but after those days of milk and honey, the industry went into a downward spiral and has not really come out of the woods. Amongst the numerous manufacturers of golf clubs, only a few remain while most of the others have simply withered away. Against this backdrop, one wonders if the price of golf clubs will pick up to get anyway close to the halcyon days.
W
ell, one entrepreneur certainly felt that way when he basically told the golf world to screw it and went out to manufacture high-priced, quality golf clubs. That maverick was Robert Parsons, the founder and chairman of PXG Golf, the newest
kid on the equipment block. He turned the industry on its head in 2015 when he stunned golf pundits and naysayers alike by selling PXG golf sets costing close to US$5,000. This was an eye-popper and Parsons was not planning to stop after the launch of his first set of clubs. Instead he declared, “We’re working on a process that has never been done before and is incredibly expensive,” Parsons added, “Our next set of clubs are going to cost a lot more.”
HURRAY, FINALLY GOLFERS CAN LAY THEIR HANDS ON PREMIUM CLUBS BUILT WITH QUALITY MATERIALS AND PRODUCED UNDER THE BEST MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AVAILABLE.
THIS SHOULD BE
LAUDED AS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE PREMIUM QUALITY HAS A PRICE ALL ITS OWN.
AND TITLEIST HAS DELIVERED ON A PROMISE TO OFFER THE BEST!
With that declaration, Parsons opened the market to high priced golf clubs. “We’re the only company that ever puts a disclaimer in advertising, a warning that our clubs are amazing but expensive,” Parsons has been quoted as saying. “I don’t know anybody else who does
And two years later, the trend continues and in fact, has picked up a huge head of steam. Titleist, emboldened by the Concept C16’s success has sneaked out the next phase - two unprecedented iron designs – engineered to be the finest irons a golfer has ever played. Tagged as the CNCPT by Titleist, the new clubs are
that. But it’s true. We make a top-end golf club the way Fer-
said to represent a challenge to redefine what’s possible.
rari makes a top-end car. In other words when we release a
CNCPT is about removing obstacles, providing the com-
set of clubs, you’re not going to find anything better.”
pany’s Advanced Research team the freedom to pursue
Now, here’s the kicker. Something had to happen after Parsons blew the price of golf clubs sky high. Something
manufacturing and material technologies the game has never seen – regardless of cost.
did happen – the critics were all over PXG and predicted the brand’s doom although they were all full of acclaim and
“CNCPT is an idea, a promise. It’s our answer to
praise for the quality and performance of Parsons’s golf
‘What if?’” said Kelley Moser Jr., Brand Manager, CNCPT
clubs.
Clubs. “What if our R&D engineers could bring their
Nearly two years after Parsons’ bold move, Titleist,
dreams to reality, using materials and processes never
normally very conservative, decided to tip its toes into the
before used in golf? We promise to provide them all the
realms of pricey clubs with its limited-run of Concept C16
resources they need, so that CNCPT will always deliver
irons. It was handled in a very low-profile manner, but it
the ‘wow.’”
was apparently successful enough for the company to offer
Now, how much is Titleist asking for the new CNCPT
a second tranche of the limited edition. Back then in 2017,
CP-01 and CP-02 irons? A cool US$500 per club and
Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing said,
US$4,000 for the complete set.
“The demand has been significantly greater than we ever
What do we think? Hurray, finally golfers can lay
thought it would be because of the performance … It’s just a
their hands on premium clubs built with quality materials
‘wow’ product. It’s our opportunity to show off.”
and produced under the best manufacturing processes
One thousand sets were released in the U.S., and a
available. This should be lauded as a positive development
limited number made available in select global markets at
because premium quality has a price all its own. And Title-
premium prices - US$2,700, steel; US$3,000, graphite. Sold
ist has delivered on a promise to offer the best! Kudos to Titleist and thanks to Bob Parsons to take
out! The age of high-priced golf clubs had arrived, thanks to Bob Parsons!
the risk that only entrepreneurs dare to take. The risk to hike prices that’s justified by quality and performance!
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Whenever the legendary and amateur alike and th spectacular majesty and naming of a brand-new s to strike awe at ďŹ rst sig and built to perform to w
y Scotty Cameron rolls out a line of new putters, the entire golf playing public, both professional hey just can’t wait to get their hands on it. Well, the maestro of the flat-stick is back in all his d power with a line of new putters that should send his legions of fans into ecstasy. Like the super-car, the new family of putters from Cameron’s studio have been given a name designed ht. Typical of anything associated with the famous designer, the latest putters look stealthy win!
T
he new roll-out involves nine new models un-
entirely new level to bring this brand-new line to life. Phan-
der the Phantom X range. Cameron declared
tom X is the ultimate line-up for mallet players.”
that these newbies are his most technically
The Phantom X line presents players with a variety of
advanced putter line to date. These putters
new mallet setups built around a cohesive mix of five head
according to the master craftsman have been
styles, with multiple shaft bend and alignment options.
engineered to take putting performance to the next level. “This product is so much faster looking, and taken to
To maximize MOI, each Phantom X model incorporates multi-material construction featuring precision milled solid
the next level, that it needed a new name,” Cameron said.
aluminium faces integrated with 303 stainless steel heads
“It’s a major leap in performance - we’ve designed a variety
with enhanced vibration dampening technology.
of flange setups, alignment options and shaft bends to offer
The Phantom X line comprises nine modern mallets
mallet players more models to choose from.” He explained,
based on five new, refined and streamlined head shapes
“I was inspired by Tour players who’ve asked for slightly
– featuring low-bend, mid-bend and straight shaft setups,
smaller profiles with more alignment options and solid face
in addition to a variety of flange orientations and improved
construction and the engineering has been ramped up to an
alignment cues.
Here’s an up-close look at each Phantom X model: Q
Phantom X 5:
The evolution of this Tour-proven wingback mallet with a single mid-bend shaft continues with a solid aluminium face anodized in black that extends back into the stepped down flange, framed by misted stainless steel. Three milled topline sight dots painted neon yellow and framed with polished aluminium provide simple but effective alignment to the sweet spot.
Q
Phantom X 5.5:
Identical in shape to the Phantom X 5, the 5.5 has a lower shaft bend that provides enhanced toe flow for players seeking stability while still creating an arc in the stroke. This bend was inspired by Justin Thomas’ Tour prototype setup and combines some of the feel of a blade putter with the forgiveness benefits of a mallet.
Q
Phantom X 6:
A face balanced mallet with a single mid-bend shaft provides distinct alignment cues, with two long neon yellow sight lines milled into the stepped down flange, framing three milled sight dots on the misted black anodized topline. Customizable sole weights increase MOI and stability through the stroke.
Q
Phantom X 6STR:
Constructed without a spud and with zero offset, the straight shafted 6STR produces face balanced performance with a clean and minimalist look at address. The topline sight dots of the Phantom X 6STR are painted neon yellow for easy alignment in conjunction with the extended neon yellow sight lines in the stepped down flange.
THIS PRODUCT IS SO MUCH FASTER LOOKING, AND TAKEN TO THE NEXT LEVEL, THAT IT NEEDED A NEW NAME. IT’S A MAJOR LEAP IN PERFORMANCE - WE’VE DESIGNED A VARIETY OF FLANGE SETUPS, ALIGNMENT OPTIONS AND SHAFT BENDS TO OFFER MALLET PLAYERS MORE MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM.
– SCOTTY CAMERON
Q
Phantom X 7:
A single mid-bend-shafted, near-face balanced setup, Phantom X 7 features a heel-to-toe tapered aluminium face that is sculpted into a raised centre flange for a continuous, connected surface from the leading edge all the way back. Framed by stepped down, angular stainless-steel components, the Phantom X7 combines the benefits of long flange sight lines with a semi-traditional topline for easy horizontal and vertical alignment at setup. Also available in a left-handed model.
Q
Phantom X 7.5:
With a single low-bend shaft crafted to promote enhanced toe flow with forgiveness, the Phantom X 7.5 employs a raised centre flange offering a continuous, connected surface accented with neon yellow alignment cues from the leading edge through the back flange. Also available in a left-handed model.
Q
Phantom X 8:
Inspired by touring professionals seeking a putter with simple visual cues and a continuous transition from leading edge through the back flange, the Phantom X 8 is a sleek, near-face balanced mallet with a single mid-bend shaft. Milled sight dots and neon yellow sight lines perfectly frame the golf ball for seamless alignment without distractions.
Q
Phantom X 8.5:
Differing from the Phantom X 8 only in shaft bend length and increased toe hang, the Phantom X 8.5 offers players an unbroken, sculpted flange from the putter’s leading edge through the back flange with a single low-bend shaft to promote a slightly arced putting stroke. Alignment is easy with bright visual cues.
Q
Phantom X 12:
With swept-back wings precision milled from 303 stainless steel, this near-face balanced, high-MOI mallet with a single mid-bend shaft employs the continuous alignment features of the Phantom X line’s full leadingedge-to-flange construction – crafted from aircraft grade aluminium, anodized black and accented with neon yellow sight cues. The ultimate in technology, stability and forgiveness. The new Phantom X putters are now available at all quality golf outlets in Asia.
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Wonder how many of you out there in golf-land have noticed that all of a sudden a trend has started where some of the big name brands in golf equipment have started jacking up prices on some exclusive new clubs. These clubs are no ordinary run-of-the-mill products. They are invariably creations that use advanced materials and cuttingedge production technologies. This is basically the justification for the high price tags. The latest to climb up the price ladder with “super clubs” is Taylormade.
T
he brand that has powered many big names
been told that Tiger uses precise amounts of tungsten
in the professional game has now partnered
weighting behind the sweet spot of his irons to improve their
with free-agent Tiger Woods to hit the market
feel and performance.
with a very exclusive set of premium clubs that come with beefed up technology. Tagged
In golf, tungsten is typically used to achieve a specific CG location—however, Tiger Woods is no typical player. Instead,
as the P•7TW, the iron set has been designed and crafted
by optimally placing tungsten within the head of each P•7TW
in collaboration with Tiger and in endorsing the iron set, the
iron, they deliver a unique blend of feel, flight and control for
“Great One” said, “Consumers have never had the oppor-
Tiger to play his best.
tunity to play irons like mine …. until now.” If you want to
So, what are you waiting for? You can begin your journey
experience what it feels like to play with irons that only Tiger
with P•7TW -constructed from carefully selected materials,
would use be prepared to dip into your pocket and part with
every detail of the P•7TW box has been carefully considered
US$1,999.99!
to unveil these irons in a way that pays tribute to the heartfelt
In launching the new set of irons, TaylorMade explained its collaboration with Tiger with this statement: “No player on
collaboration of Tiger Woods and TaylorMade Golf! The price for the full set is US$1,999.99.
the planet scrutinizes golf equipment quite like Tiger Woods so the design and creation of his irons presented a significant challenge for the design team. With Tiger’s keen discernment top of mind, TaylorMade’s team spent countless hours unpacking decades of learnings from Tiger and Mike Taylor’s previous design experiences, all of which have led Tiger to the high level of performance and craftsmanship he demands today. Utilizing this critical information, the team spent hundreds of hours testing, relentlessly fine-tuning and creating nine design iterations through years of development to create the perfect set of irons for Tiger. When players look down at each individual iron, they’re looking at the culmination of every range session, event, victory and major championship from Tiger’s illustrious career.” Wow! That’s impressive! TaylorMade has gone to great lengths to stress that each head of the new irons has been individually and meticulously engineered to meet the highest of performance demands under the watchful eye of Tiger to refine every sole, every contour and every groove. With an emphasis on precise trajectory control, incredible workability and smooth turf interaction, each iron has been meticulously shaped to meet Tiger’s discerning requirements. The “Great One” pitched in to explain: “It’s no longer necessary to try and blend a set together from 50 different clubs; we’re able to replicate each one with consistency, from club to club, set to set, every single time.” Real, advanced, precision technology!” Wait, we’re not done with the technology spin! We’ve
IT’S NO LONGER NECESSARY TO TRY A GETHER FROM 50 DIFFERENT CLUBS; CATE EACH ONE WITH CONSISTENCY, FROM CLU EVERY SINGLE TIME.” REAL, ADVANCED, PRECIS
AND BLEND A SET TO; WE’RE ABLE TO REPLIUB TO CLUB, SET TO SET, SION TECHNOLOGY!
STS SPORTS TURF SOLUTIONS CO., LTD
290 Jareonpattana Rd, Bangchan, Klongsamwa, Bangkok, Thailand, 10510 Tel: +66 2-540-3180 | Fax: +66 2-540-3181 | e-mail: Brad@sportsturfsolutions.com | www.sport
tsturfsolutions.com
There are simply no adjectives or superlatives to capture the electricity that was generated by a 43-year old man who set his sights on beating a treacherous golf course and a ravenous hoard of huffing and puffing top guns at the 2019 U.S. Masters.
T
he mind-blowing win was more than epic. It was more than historic. It was an achievement that stacks up at the pinnacle of human achievement! For an athlete who was given up for dead by naysayers, the jubilant victory validates the faith that the believers had while the doubting Thomases had to simply eat crow! For what Tiger Woods did at Augusta National, the one and only absolute trib-
ute that he deserves is to be canonised as “St. Tiger” by the golfing gods who were looking down on his with celestial approval. Perhaps Tiger’s major sponsor, Nike said it best in a Twitter message: “Never stop chasing your crazy dream.” Another touching tribute came from the 83-old legend Gary Player who sent a message to Tiger in which he said, “It has been a long and uncertain journey of 14 years since your last Green Jacket. A monumental challenge. For most an impossible task. But not for you. Congratulations Tiger. So special for you and your family. So great for the game of golf. Simply unbeatable!” With this win, Tiger has added a fifth green jacket to his wardrobe which comes after an 11year drought and multiple surgeries which would have ended the career of other mortals. While the current titans of golf like Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Francesco Molinari among others fell victim to the challenges of Augusta National, Tiger slayed the course with a final score of 13-under par for his first major win since the 2008 U.S. Open, 15th of his career and first at Augusta National since 2005. At a post tournament press conference, Tiger said, “To have my kids there, it’s come full circle. My dad was here in 1997 and now I’m the dad with two kids there. But it’s just unreal for me to experience this. My mom was here, she was there in 97 as well. So I just couldn’t be more happy and more excited and I’m kind of at a loss for words, really.” ……. And the journey for Tiger continues!
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It’s no secret that golf clubs are struggling to fill up their tee sheets every day. Never does a day go by when playing slots are left unsold. What happens to these slots? You don’t have to be a genius to figure this out – what would be optimum cash generators for golf clubs are literally pushed down to the bargain basement and sold at DISCOUNTED PRICES. Sometimes, the discounts on tee-times come complete with lunch or dinner and a drink. This is sad because all that lost revenue should right fully accrue to golf clubs and not to the discount trade. Discounted tee-times either sold through a golf club or through third-party agents with no floor as to what they can charge for a round of golf is ultimately going to prove to be a real danger. How many golf clubs know that over one billion individual rounds of golf are played each year and that a good number of these rounds are offered at discounts. When we bring the threat of discounted tee times closer to home in Asia, the problem takes on a very threatening posture. In Asia last year, it was reported that over 475 million rounds of golf were played. That is over US$2.2 billion dollars that should be in club bank accounts right now. But that’s not the case as a percentage of the revenue has been siphoned off through discounts. When set against a real backdrop of revenues for many golf clubs in Asia being challenged, something must be done to find a lasting solution.
I
s there a solution? This is the classical $64,000 question! There is a solution and in fact it comes from the Asia Pacific geography – to be more specific, the solution has evolved from Australia. A golf-loving entrepreneur, Anthony Robinson, the founder of Golf Surprize Pty Ltd has pioneered and patented a ‘rewards’ method to guarantee golf clubs higher revenue, even without needing to increase their prices. He has ingeniously patched together a deal which shows clubs that Full Price green fees + Golf Surprize adds more value to a customer than some 50% discounts available in the market. Puzzled? There’s really no need to be. Golf Surprize is a no-brainer – put simply it’s a customer loyalty/reward programme that works! Like all entrepreneurs working on a start-up, Robinson is ebullient about his programme and provides this explanation as to how Golf Surprize works: “A discount on your green fee costs the club more than money. You attract customers who only like discounts, you don’t attract the next generation of members and players and you
don’t fill tee times with customers who spend in the club.” OK we get it! Makes a lot of good business sense – let’s move on: “Golf Surprize has pioneered a common sense method to squeeze more revenue from green fees thus allowing your golf club to reinvest back into the club and facilities,” Robinson explained. “Golf Surprize has a proven track record of driving more revenue and more full fee-paying customers to golf clubs, allowing clubs to take back control of green fee prices and discount sellers,” he added. Here’s a very graphic rationale for the adoption of the Golf Surprize programme: If you offer a DISCOUNT to entice customers, all you are guaranteed is a customer who likes discounts. If you offer a REWARD, you guarantee more sales and give customers ‘permission’ to explore your brand and club to spend their credit. What sounds better to a customer A or B? A Today’s Green Fee is $25 with a 15% discount. B Today’s Green Fee is $30 and includes rewards of up to $500 credit to spend
in the club plus chances to win valuable prizes offered under the loyalty reward programme. The answer – in all probabilities will be “B” as it offers real VALUE to the customer! Continuing, Robinson pointed out, “Green fees are a profit centre of the club. By including ‘rewards’ for scores and experiences playing your course, you showcase all club benefits and increase revenue without needing to increase rounds played or green fee prices. We guarantee it.” According to Robinson, Golf Surprize “can generate a minimum extra US$4.80 per round on average (and more) for any golf club.” And all this is done without having to bow down to the scourge of discounts! The company is taking its task very seriously. “We are in discussions with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) in the USA to spread the word to their 14,000 club owners to use our product.” Golf Surprize is simple and easy to implement with nothing out of pocket expense. Your green fee represents everything unique, enticing and intrigu-
GOLF SURPRIZE HAS PIONEERED A COMMON SENSE METHOD TO SQUEEZE MORE REVENUE FROM GREEN FEES THUS ALLOWING YOUR GOLF CLUB TO REINVEST BACK INTO THE CLUB AND FACILITIES.
– ANTHONY ROBINSON ing at your club. All these traits are what owners, directors, and the GM of the club work so hard to showcase for members and guests. Now, you can fill up your tee-sheets and make your bottom-line glow with increased revenue!
FOOTNOTE: Anthony Robinson will be one of the featured speakers at the 2019 Asia Pacific Golf Summit. You can reach him at e-mail: AnthonyR anthony@golfsurprize.com; Tel: +61 400 600 293
Last year, the world celebrated World Mental Health Day. Many people, including golfers didn’t immediately connect the dots between mental health and golf. While most golfers accept that golf is a “mental game” but most never think of golf being perfect for being mentally healthy. ASIAN GOLF discovered a recent research report on golf and mental health that was conducted by Professor Jenny Roe, an environmental psychologist. The following is a special report on her work.
R
esearch from the UK reveals that every week one in six adults suffer from common mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, and global reports demonstrate that poor mental health is one of the main causes of the overall disease burden
worldwide.
More concerning still is that mental health issues are on the rise, especially among young people. While this is due in part to people feeling more able to report their mental health concerns, it remains clear that modern life is taking a toll on the population psychologically. Professor Roe says, “I think the modern mental health crisis is a problem with many different facets and angles to it. One of which is certainly the digital revolution. We are being inundated with digital media, meaning people today are always multitasking, always doing two or three things at the same time.” Studies demonstrate that this kind of multitasking not only lowers productivity, but also generates physiological stress responses and negative emotions which impact our mental health, our work, and even our family relationships. Prof. Roe highlights social media, the most prevalent digital distraction, the use of which is now regularly linked to wider mental health issues. “Social media plays a big part in this, of course,” continues Professor Roe. “I’m not completely anti-social media by any means; I think it can definitely help to connect people. But at the same time we have developed a loneliness epidemic in the UK and in the USA, along with increasing chronic mental health problems in terms of anxiety and depression. If you look at the increase of mental health problems among our teenagers and young people in particular, who tend to use social media the most, it’s truly shocking.
“Another really important facet to this crisis, though, is that we are all living more sedentary lifestyles. We are simply all sitting in front of screens for too long, for too many hours of the day. It’s at a point that people now say sedentary living is the new smoking. Technology can help us in extraordinary ways, of course, but the flip side is that we are not moving. And the association between physical activity and mental wellbeing is very well known.” Against this landscape of new challenges to our mental wellbeing, Professor Roe believes firmly in our ability to create a healthier mental lifestyle, and that the environments we expose ourselves to can play a huge role in that process. As the global conversation about mental health continues to grow, with it grows a recognition of the need for methods and tools to maintain our mental health, comparable to the way many already maintain their physical health though healthy diets and exercise regimes. In response to this trend, an entire self-care industry has blossomed to meet the demand, with new books, apps and online channels focusing on ideas like mindfulness and wellness. But in
I THINK THE MODERN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY DIFFERENT FACETS AND ANGLES TO IT.
ONE OF
WHICH IS CERTAINLY THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION.
WE ARE BEING INUNDATED WITH DIGITAL MEDIA, MEANING PEOPLE TODAY ARE ALWAYS MULTITASKING, ALWAYS DOING TWO OR THREE THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.
YOUR PARASYMPATHETIC
a hectic modern lifestyle, Professor Roe suggests that interacting with nature can actually be one of the easiest ways to support good mental health. “Simply exposing yourself to the outdoors and green space is
NERVOUS SYSTEM KICKS IN
– THE SYSTEM THAT’S ASSOCIATED WITH RELAXATION – AND YOUR STRESS PHYSIOLOGY ACTUALLY
sometimes much more feasible
CHANGES.
than it is to follow a mindfulness
STRESS MORE EFFICIENTLY WHEN
practice.”
YOU ARE AROUND GREEN SPACE.
“When you step into a green space, there’s a number of things that happen with both your physiology and your psychology. “Your parasympathetic nervous system kicks in – the system that’s associated with relaxation – and your stress
YOU LITERALLY MANAGE
– PROFESSOR JENNY ROE “We know it helps relieve depression, anxiety and anger. We know it helps performance, relieving brain fog and mental fatigue. “And when it comes to exercise, which is great
physiology actually changes. You literally manage stress
for mental health in itself, there’s a huge wealth of
more efficiently when you are around green space.
evidence, using robust, scientific methods, to show the
“Your mood improves. And when your mood improves
benefits of ‘green exercise’ – exercise in the natural
that allows space for other things to improve, including
outdoors – as compared to, say, exercise in the gym or
your creativity, your cognitive flexibility and your ability to
indoors.”
strategize.
So, play more golf and stay mentally fit and healthy!
Afirst class Tradition 1997
1998
Tiger Woods
2005
2006
2007
2008
Vijay Singh
2017
2018
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
Shiv Kapur
Thongchai Jaidee
Prayad Marksaeng
Lam Chih Bing
Rattanon Wannasrichan
Panuphol Pittayarat
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Thai Country Club Tel: +66 (38) 562-700
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TIGER WOODS
GIL HANSE
TIGER WITH THE COURSE PLAN
DU SHA
The great Tiger Woods is back in the mainstream spotlight. While his game is on the up and up, his golf course design business is also firing on all cylinders. His latest project is inspired by the pristine setting on the island of Oahu’s Leeward Coast in Hawaii. Makaha North Course as it is called, will offer a unique island golfing experience to be enjoyed by all levels of players at Hawaii’s premiere golfing destination spearhead by Pacific Links International.
P
acific Links International has commissioned
in order to score well. Large, tightly mown green sur-
Tiger and Gil Hanse, the architect who
rounds and intricate internal greens contours will further
designed the golf course for the Rio Olympic
emphasize the highly strategic nature of the golf course,
Games to craft the natural beauty of the
which also boasts variety in hole direction, elevation, shot
Mākaha Valley and create one of golf’s finest
shape, and distance.
and most sought-after golf destinations. TGR Design (Tiger’s design company) will lead the
The majestic ridges that define the Mākaha Valley create a backdrop that cannot be replicated. This bold
development of the Mākaha North Course, while Hanse
canvas provides depth to a course which has been created
will develop the Mākaha South Course.
to consider the environment and sustainability at every
Together, these world-class, tournament-quality
turn and exhibits a design concept that focusses on a
layouts will become the centre pieces of the Mākaha Val-
unique and memorable golf experience for players of all
ley Resort, a 644-acre mixed-use property developed in
levels.
conjunction with community leaders and native cultural practitioners on Hawaii’s third-largest island. Nestled high above the Pacific and meandering
During the unveiling of this massive multi-million dollar development, Mr. Du Sha, owner and founder of Pacific Links International, said: “Through the creativity
through lush, rolling terrain, the North Course lies in the
and ingenuity of both Tiger Woods and Gil Hanse, and the
shadows of the Waianae Mountain Range, where players
natural beauty of the Mākaha Valley, we will create one of
will encounter stunning scenes of Mt. Ka’ala (an ancient
golf’s finest and most sought-after destinations, and we
volcano and the highest peak on Oahu) and expansive
look forward to sharing further details with the golfing
ocean views that contrast strikingly with the imposing
world as the project develops.”
emerald mountains. The open nature of the course will provide count-
Tiger, the 14-time Major Championship winner and one of the most successful sportsmen of all time, said:
less opportunities to bask in this beautiful setting, while
“The Mākaha Valley on the west coast of Oahu is truly one
the vast fairways, speckled with bunkering, will promote
of these unique and special locations. The cathedral-like
strategic choices and different routes of play. The natural
setting of the property is framed with big ocean views
layout will require golfers to navigate a myriad of options
to the west and towering mountains to the east. We are
IT IS ALSO AN HONOUR TO BE PART OF THE DESIGN TEAM AT MÃKAHA
designing a golf course that will take advantage of this spectacular setting yet still be fun and playable for golfers of all abilities.” Hanse, also responsible for the renowned
VALLEY WHERE WE WILL BE BUILDING SIDE
Streamsong Resort – Black Course and Pinehurst
BY SIDE WITH THE GREATEST GOLFER OF
Resort & Country Club No.4, said: “With the sloping
ALL TIME,
nature of the land, several natural washes, and a few
TIGER WOODS AND HIS DESIGN
significant elevation changes to work with, we know
GROUP.
that the course will have a great deal of variety and
THESE TWO DESIGN GROUPS TOGETHER FOR
will flow wonderfully across the topography.
THE FIRST TIME ANYWHERE IS THE VISION
“It is also an honour to be part of the design team
THE COMMITMENT TO BRINGING
PACIFIC LINKS INTERNATIONAL, AND WE
at Mākaha Valley where we will be building side by
OF
side with the greatest golfer of all time, Tiger Woods
COULD NOT BE HAPPIER TO BE WORKING
and his design group. The commitment to bringing
WITH THEM AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR
these two design groups together for the first time anywhere is the vision of Pacific Links International, and we could not be happier to be working with them
PURSUIT OF BUILDING THE FINEST GOLF FACILITIES IN THE WORLD.
THE MAKAHA VALLEY LANDSCAPE
THROUGH THE CREATIVITY AND INGENUITY OF BOTH
TIGER WOODS AND GIL HANSE, AND THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE MÃKAHA VALLEY, WE WILL CREATE ONE OF GOLF’S FINEST AND MOST SOUGHTAFTER DESTINATIONS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING FURTHER DE-
as they continue their pursuit of building the finest golf facilities in the world.” These two courses will be an addition to Pacific Links which provides golfers with a premium golf experience through an innovative international membership structure focused on the Chinese golfer. Pacific Links offers them access to the finest collection of high-quality golf clubs in the world. Since 2012, the Pacific Links Network of Affiliated and Reciprocal clubs has grown to over 400 properties located in more than 37 countries around the world. Its membership roster in China is now in excess of
TAILS WITH THE GOLFING WORLD AS
17,000, as well as an aggregated population of over 125,000
THE PROJECT DEVELOPS.
network golfers from participating network clubs.
– MR. DU SHA
GIL HANSE WITH THE TRUMPS
TIGER WOODS WITH MR. DU SHA
The World’s Premier Golf Network Pacific Links International is now the single largest portal to the travelling Chinese golfer.
•
Generate revenue from controlledΐ inbound play
•
No enrollment fees for the club orΐ your members
•
Your members receive access to ˜˘˘Ϋΐ private and resort golf destinations
•
Over 1˟,000 Pacific Links Members
•
130,000+ Participating Network Golfers
•
P8)ΐGroup Travelΐĸŏ 2018 achieved ˠˡ˛ trips for ˡ͍˚˟˞ travellers, representingΐ ŖƃĨť 50,000 rounds of golf
To find out more about how you can be part of the world’s premier golf network visit www.pacificlinks.com
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There is no doubt about the stature of Tiger Woods especially amongst his peers. Champions of the U.S. Masters, past and recent assembled at the 18th hole of the hallowed Augusta National Golf Club to pay homage to the “Great One” as he jubilantly walked up the pathway leading to the scoring booth to stake his claim to the 2019 winner’s green jacket. ASIAN GOLF re-lives that historic moment through a special report from the PGA TOUR’s Mike McAllister:
Nicklaus rolled back time to win his last major, his 4-iron into the par-5 15th making an indelible impact on a 10-year-old Tiger watching from afar in California. “I had never seen anybody celebrate an iron shot into a green before,” Woods said. “That’s a moment that stuck with me.” It was Jack’s 18th major. In 2008, Tiger won his 14th major on one leg, going 91 holes before finally subduing Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines. Woods was just 32 years old at the time, and it seemed like a fait accompli that he would one day pass Nicklaus on the all-time major wins list. But then the bottom fell out, and the injuries mounted up. Four surgeries on his knee. Four surgeries on his back. The years passed and the questions grew. Would Tiger ever win another Masters? Another major? Then, would Tiger
They stood in front of the scoring area, some wearing their green jackets, others still hoping to one day experience a sense of this victory. A seemingly endless tunnel of fans stretched out before them – 10, maybe 15 deep on either side, thousands in all, each just hoping for a glimpse. Each just thankful to have witnessed something we all worried might never happen again.
S
ome players he had just conquered – Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele, among them – offered up warm hugs. Bubba Watson, one of the past champs in green, couldn’t stop talking when Tiger approached. Ian Poulter was close to the door leading into the room where Tiger would sign his winning scorecard. He waited patiently, then in a show of respect, took his cap off as he shook Tiger’s hand. Among the past champs welcoming Tiger back into the fold, Zach Johnson struggled to offer a perspective. The moment was still raw, still fresh. “Hard to put into words right now because of the history,” Johnson said. Another Masters champ, Trevor Immelman, simply added, “It’s the greatest comeback in the history of sports.” Comeback. That seemed to be the operative word Sunday as Woods – after 11 long, frustrating, challenging years that took him to the depths of professional and personal despair – resumed his career as a major winner. That he did it for the first time as a 54-hole chaser rather than a leader also hammered home the point. That he did it at Augusta National – where he shocked the golf world with a 12-stroke win for his first major in 1997 – also seemed fitting. It was in 1986 that a 46-year-old Jack
ever win again? Finally, would Tiger ever play again? It didn’t seem likely back in 2017 when he arrived at Augusta National for the Champions Dinner held each Tuesday of Masters week. He needed a nerve blocker just to walk into the clubhouse and sit upright for a few hours. The banter was light, as usual, but Tiger was physically uncomfortable. That night, he hopped on a plane to England and met some specialists, who examined his back and came up with a solution: Spinal fusion surgery. Hard news to swallow but the right call. Tiger flew to Texas for the procedure, worried more about the ability to play with his kids than to play with his peers. He just wanted to drive them to school, take them to practice, watch their games. His career wasn’t just at a crossroads. It was over. “I was
done at that particular time,” he said. “… Golf was not in my near future – or even the distant future.” Surgery, though, gave him his life back. Then he got his golf back. He started putting. Started chipping. Started hitting drivers. The first one went 90 yards. He was apprehensive about just how hard he could swing, but this is Tiger. His level of determination, of hard work, would not be denied. Champions simply do not quit. Golf’s best simply does not quit. The competitive fires started to burn at the 2017 Presidents Cup. He was one of the assistant captains on the winning U.S. team at Liberty National. He was hanging out with the kids who wanted to step into the throne he had vacated. Sorry, he silently thought. Not so fast. Then the 2018 TOUR Championship, his first PGA TOUR
win in five years and the 80th of his career. It wasn’t just victory, though. It was vindication. He could still compete. He could still win. He was not done. That was in September. A month later, he began focusing on the Masters. “East Lake was a big step for me,” he said. “… That gave me a lot of confidence going into this year, and I said, you know, just keep building on it and let’s try to get the mind and body peaking towards Augusta.” And so he arrived here supremely confidence in his chances. Though he can no longer overpower his opponents like he did in 1997, he can outthink them. That’s how he won this week. He managed and fulfilled his game plan better than anybody else. He took advantage of opportunities provided by good shots, and he avoided disaster on holes that offered no upside. There were no double-bogeys, no crippling shots like the ones hit by his competitors on Sunday. Francesco Molinari was in control until he found the water at the par-3 12th; Tiger, meanwhile, took the Nicklaus approach of aiming above the bunker, making sure he stayed dry. The door was now wide-open. In prior major wins, Tiger would intimidate his opponents as the leader. Now he leaned on the advantage of attrition. There was a five-way tie for the lead as Tiger stood on the 15th fairway. Beads of sweat dotted his face, but the demeanour was cool. As long as he matched anybody else’s heroics, he’d win. “Whatever they do,” he told himself, “I’ll just birdie the same holes, then it’s a moot point.” A birdie at the par-5 15th gave him the outright lead, as Molinari – so stoic, so solid, so unflinching for the first 65 holes of this tournament – found more water. Then he “almost whooped it” at 16 for another birdie. “That gave me the cush,”
he said in typical Tiger prose. In other words, he was two up with two to play. That’s when the inevitable finally seemed to make its way through the towering pines at Augusta National. Was he really going to do this? This was Nicklaus in 1986 all over again. Yes, sir. And now the chase resumes. Tiger is only one win away from tying Sam Snead’s 82 for most wins on the PGA TOUR. He’s just three majors away from tying Nicklaus. What once seemed obtainable, then seemed forgettable, now seems reachable. “81, 15,” said Koepka, reciting Tiger’s win totals. “I think 18 is a whole lot closer than people think.” It won’t be easy. The youngsters who took up golf because of Tiger are now his top competitors. They are not easily intimidated. They will not go away quietly. They want the challenge of preventing him from rewriting history. “Hope I can do something to stop it,” said Justin Thomas, who otherwise reveled in the Tiger win almost like it was his own. But for one glorious week at Augusta National, on a day
BUT FOR ONE GLORIOUS WEEK AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL, ON A DAY THAT ENDED HOURS EARLIER THAN THE USUAL
SUNDAY BUT REWARDED US WITH THE
RE-EMERGENCE OF AN ICON, NOBODY COULD STOP THE MAN IN THE RED SHIRT. that ended hours earlier than the usual Sunday but rewarded us with the re-emergence of an icon, nobody could stop the man in the red shirt. We hoped we’d see it again. Dreamed about it, really. “We just witnessed history,” said Schauffele. He tied for second, one shot behind Tiger, but wasn’t the least bit sad. “This situation is very unique.” So one day, you’ll be asked: Where were you when Tiger won the 2019 Masters? “Well, I know where I was,” Tiger said, that celebration smile finally emerging in full. “I had a little one-foot tap-in.”
It’s that time again when some of the world’s best golfers get primed and ready to do battle at The Presidents Cup. This prestigious event is a series of men’s golf matches between a team representing the United States and an International Team representing the rest of the world minus Europe. Europe competes against the United States in a similar but considerably older event, the Ryder Cup. The PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang reports on the upcoming clash of the Titans!
THE ROYAL MELBOURNE GOLF CLUB
ERNIE ELS AT BRIGHTON BEAC
I
t is apt and indeed worthy that a city many consider as a global sports mecca boasting some of the world’s greatest Sandbelt golf courses will host one of the PGA TOUR’s crown jewels, the 2019 Presidents Cup, at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club
from December 9 to 15. Amongst its allure, Melbourne is famed for being sports-crazy, and the magnificent city of close to five million people will prove to be the ideal host when a Tiger Woodsled United States Team goes head-to-head with the International Team captained by South African legend, Ernie Els, over four days of match play drama and intrigue. Royal Melbourne stands out imperiously as the pride of the Melbourne Sandbelt where it will become the only international golf venue to host the Presidents Cup for an unprecedented third time. Els hopes it will deliver what will only be the International Team’s second victory since the event’s inception in 1994. The International’s lone triumph was achieved at Royal Melbourne in 1998, which also hosted the premier team event in 2001. Designed by acclaimed British golf architect Alistair McKenzie, whose other masterpieces include gems such as Augusta National Golf Club and Cypress Point Club in the U.S., Royal Melbourne’s Composite Course will present a true test of golf to 24 of the finest American and International golfers (excluding Europe).
CH
PHOTO CREDIT PGA TOUR
The best 12 holes from Royal Melbourne’s West course and six of the finest from its East course make up the Composite course which has since stood the test of time where its firm and fast conditions, coupled with large and dramatically-shaped bunkers and lightning-quick greens, contribute to keep Royal Melbourne consistently amongst the best top-10 golf courses in the world. Els, who has won previously at Royal Melbourne and holds the course record with a stunning 60 shot in 2004, is excited ahead of the Presidents Cup. “You know, it felt like my own golf course, to be honest with you. It is one of my favourite courses and cities in the world,” said the World Golf Hall of Famer. When Woods visited Melbourne last December for a captain’s visit, he enthused: “We are in probably one of the greatest sporting countries, cities in the world. Playing here in the Sandbelt golf courses, it’s just heaven.”
With tickets for the Presidents Cup now on sale and travel packages readily available on www.presidentscup.com, international sports fans and golf lovers from around the world will have every reason to travel to Melbourne to witness a truly premier team golf competition while experiencing everything that the vibrant city has to offer. International visitors and travellers to Melbourne will be spoilt for choice when
MELBOURNE’S SA
CLASS GOLF DEST PROUD TO BE WELCOMING ACROSS THE GLOBE TO
VIC
they seek a round of golf as apart from Royal Melbourne, other acclaimed courses
PRESIDENTS CUP. ONE OF
along the Sandbelt include Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Huntingdale, Commonwealth
PRESTIGIOUS GOLF EVENTS
and Peninsula Kingswood. Melbourne has to offer. The city is home to many of the best-known cultural institu-
CUP WILL MAINTAIN VICTO AUSTRALIA’S SPORTING CA
tions in Australia, including the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Gallery
VISITORS FILLING OUR HOT
of Victoria and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building. It plays host to
RANTS TO DELIVER JOBS AN
The great Royal and Ancient sport is amongst a myriad of unique experiences that
other sporting spectacles including the Australian Grand Prix, tennis Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup.
THE PEOPLE OF
VICTORIA.
MINISTER FOR TOURISM, SPORT AND
PHOTO CREDIT: WALLPAPERWEB.ORG
FLINDERS STREET STATION MELBOURNE CITY, VICTORIA AUSTRALIA
As a vibrant city which continues to evolve, innovate and excite, Melbourne is renowned as well for its culinary and fashion scene, inspired laneways, art spaces and boutiques, iconic Australian experiences and destinations including the wine regions plus the stunning Great Ocean Road, its 12 Apostles and native wildlife. Players currently in the running to qualify for the U.S Team include Dustin Johnson, three-time major winner Brooks Koepka, along with Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau. Add in Phil Mickelson and Woods, who looks to become the first playing captain since Hale Irwin in 1994, and the U.S. Team has a unique mix of established stars and young talent. International Team fans will be relying on a host of Australian players with home advantage including the likes of Adam Scott, Jason Day, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith plus the likes of reigning Australian Open champion Abraham Ancer of Mexico, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and China’s Haotong Li being in contention to win places in Els’ team. With two legendary captains leading their respective teams in front of enthusiastic and loyal sports fans, the 2019 Presidents Cup will prove to be one of the most historic events in Australia’s golfing history.
ANDBELT IS A WORLD-
12 APOSTLES
TINATION, AND WE’RE TOP PLAYERS FROM
2019
THE WORLD’S MOST , THE PRESIDENTS ORIA’S POSITION AS APITAL – AND WILL SEE TELS AND RESTAU-
ND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
– MARTIN PAKULA, MAJOR EVENTS
PHOTO CREDIT: VISIT VICTORIA
CTORIA FOR THE
WITH TWO LEGENDARY CAPTAINS LEADING THEIR RESPECTIVE TEAMS IN FRONT OF ENTHUSIASTIC AND LOYAL SPORTS FANS, THE
2019 PRESIDENTS CUP
WILL PROVE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC EVENTS IN
AUSTRALIA’S GOLFING HISTORY.
“Melbourne’s Sandbelt is a world-class golf destina-
week-long festival environment that will include culinary
tion, and we’re proud to be welcoming top players from
options from around the world as well as hospitality ven-
across the globe to Victoria for the 2019 Presidents Cup.
ues to match all levels of spectating and socializing. Fans
One of the world’s most prestigious golf events, the Presi-
will enjoy a week-long schedule of events, both in the city
dents Cup will maintain Victoria’s position as Australia’s
and on course so it’s much more than a golf tournament,”
sporting capital – and will see visitors filling our hotels
Kamienski added.
and restaurants to deliver jobs and opportunities for the
With activities commencing with a free Melbourne
people of Victoria,” said Martin Pakula, Minister for Tour-
city-centre takeover on Monday 9th December featuring
ism, Sport and Major Events.
players and celebrities, ticket options include practice
The Presidents Cup will offer golf and sports fans an
rounds and competition days with daily, weekend and
unmatched fan experience, says tournament Executive
weekly ticket options, which start at AUD$45.
Director Matt Kamienski. “It will be a sporting, social
Fans can also enjoy a variety of VIP experiences at the
and business gathering that takes golf to a new level,”
various hospitality suites available at the 2019 Presidents
he said.
Cup, with full details available on www.presidentscup.com.
“Outside of the competition, the Presidents Cup will
The Presidents Cup promises to deliver a magical
bring all backgrounds and interests together to enjoy a
week in Melbourne.
PRESIDENTS CUP TROPHY WITH THE MELBOURNE SKYLINE
PHOTO CREDIT: PGA TOUR
PRESIDENTS CUP AT BRIGHTON BEACH IN MELBOURNE
#LIVEUNDERPAR © 2018 PGATOUR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Player appearance subject to change.
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