1807hkgolfer

2018 U.S. Open Championship Review

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION VOTED THE REGION’S NO 1 GOLF MAGAZINE

ISSUE 137

HKGOLFER.COM JULY 2018

$50

+

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

BROOKS KOEPKA HISTORY MAKER DISPLAY UNTIL 15 AUG

KENYA TRAVEL: FAIRMONT FAIRWAYS

Live and play where it all began

Revel in your own private view of the Old Course, the birthplace of golf, when you call Hamilton Grand home. Meticulously restored to its original elegance, Hamilton Grand stands just off the shore of the North Sea, bordered by the historic town of St. Andrews, Scotland, and overlooking the 18th green and fairway of the Old Course.

If you love the game of golf, there isn’t a more coveted address to call your own.

For a unique opportunity to live and play where it all began, contact the Hamilton Grand.

International Inquiries + 44 (0) 13 3 4 4 74 3 7 1 Kingdom of Fife, Scotland K Y 16 9SP

Hamilton Grand Sales @ Kohler. com HamiltonGrand.co.uk

Refer to HamiltonGrand.co.uk for complete terms and conditions.

| CONTENTS

HK Golfer Issue 137

July 2018

28 On the Cover:

Brooks Koepka became the first player to successfully defend his U.S. Open Championship title in 29 years. ©Rolex/Chris Turvey

Features

Plus…

24 | Pace of Play

10 | Divots

HKGA’s Chairman of Rules suggests readers of some ways to improve pace of play in golf.

By Dr Brian Choa

News and events from Hong Kong and the region.

By The Editors

28 | 2018 U.S. Open

A pictorial review of the last 30 days from around the world.

By The Editors

Championship Review A final-round 68 on Sunday was good enough for Brooks Koepka to win his back to back U.S. Open title.

By Louie Chan

36 | The Open Championship Preview This year will be a rollercoaster ride as a dozen of world stars seek to get their hands on the Claret Jug.

By Mike Wilson

© USGA/Ben Solomon

42 | Asian Angle

42 6

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

12 | In Focus

19 | Tee Time TAG Heuer released a brand new limited edition chronograph of 155 pieces to celebrate 55 years since the Heuer Carrera was created.

By The Editors

62 | New Destination

Justin Thomas has proven himself to be truly a worthy No. 1 in every sense of the way.

By Chuah Choo Chiang

HK Golfer attends the grand opening of Saudi Arabia’s first championship golfing destination, Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

By Louie Chan

48 | What a Complete Shinnecock

68 | Interview

USGA’s ruling on Phil Mickelson’s ‘putting gate’ was another highlight of this year’s U.S. Open.

By The Kilted Caddie

Four-time Major winner and President ’s Cup Captain Ernie Els talks exclusively to HK Golfer.

By Louie Chan

52 | Golf Travel

74 | Events

Renowned as one of t he world’s foremost safari destinations, Kenya also offers some world- class golfing experiences.

By Charles McLaughlin

The HKSPC organised its 12t h Golf Day at HKGC, which was a resounding success.

By Robin Hammond

HKGOLFER.COM

HK Golfer

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION JULY 2018 • Issue 137

Managing Editor: Louie Chan louie.chan@hkgolfer.com Contributing Editors: Dr Milton Wayne, Faye Glasgow, John Bruce, Nathan Goulding, Keith McLaren, Paul Jansen, Evan Rast, Mike Wilson, Robin Lynam.

Art Director: Derek Hannah Photo Editor: Daniel Wong Administration Manager Cindy Kwok Publisher: Charles McLaughlin Published by:

TIMES INTERNATIONAL CREATION

Carnoustie Golf Links, hosting venue of 2018 Open Championship

Times International Creation Limited 10B Lockhart Centre 301-307 Lockhart Road Hong Kong Phone: +852 3590-4153 Fax: +852 3590-4533

D E PA R T M E N T S 10 Divots 12 Global Focus 14 Asia Focus 16 China Focus 19 Clubhouse 23 Around the HKGA 42 Asian Angle 48 The Kilted Caddie 52 Golf Travel

Image courtesy of Carnoustie Links Trust

68 Interview

In association with: thymedesign.hk Advertising: For advertising information, please contact: ads@hkgolfer.com For purchasing information contact: sales@hkgolfer.com For subscription information contact: subs@hkgolfer.com Hong Kong Golf Association Suite 2003, Olympic House 1 Stadium Path, So Kon Po Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Phone (General): +852 2504-8659 Fax: +852 2845-1553 Phone (Handicaps): +852 2504-8197 Fax: +852 2504-8198 Email: info@hkga.com handicaps@hkga.com

HK GOLFER is published by Times International Creation, 10B Lockhart Centre, 301-307 Lockhart Road, Hong Kong.

HK GOLFER is published monthly © 2018 by Times International Creation. Published in Hong Kong. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. PRINTED IN HONG KONG. 8

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

HKGOLFER.COM

| DIVOTS

D’Souza Wins Individual Title at U.S. National Junior College Tournament Leon D’Souza, the Top Placed Amateur Trophy winner at the UBS HK Open last December, won the individual title with a total score of 280 (-8) at the NJCA A Division II Championship hosted by the Glen Lakes Golf Club in Alabama.

The HK amateur star has committed to play for the University of Nevada on an athletic scholarship. To prepare for his college career, D’Souza is playing for the South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. His teammate Jeffrey M i l ler f i n i she d one st roke b eh i nd to ea rn t he 2nd place. T he SMC C Men’s golf team finished 4th, only lost by four strokes as the top 4 teams were very tight to finish.

Leon D’Souza (centre) and the South Mountain Community College Men’s golf team

Discovery-PGA TOUR Create US2 Billion Partnership

PGA TOUR

Di scover y a nd t he PG A T OU R to d ay a n nou nced pla ns to form a pioneeri ng strategic alliance to create a new global home for golf, delivering the sport’s most exciting moments, players and championships to passionate fans around the world on every screen and device. The alliance will seek to benefit the game worldwide, helping to drive golf ’s global fan base and grow the sport around the world.

The unprecedented 12-year relationship, to begin in 2019, would include global multiplatform live rights, outside the United States, to all PGA TOUR media properties, including the six Tours operating under the PGA TOUR umbrella and more than 140 tournaments annually, including THE PLAYERS Championship, the FedExCup Playoffs, and the Presidents Cup. Besides, to live linear rights in 219 markets and territories, the alliance will include the creation of a dedicated, PGA TOUR-branded, OTT video streaming service, which will capitalise on Discovery’s direct-to-consumer experience as home to the Eurosport Player.

Discover y expects to invest more t ha n $2 billion over the course of the alliance, including licensing of the PGA TOUR’s international media rights and building a global OTT platform available outside the 10

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Left to right: David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery, Jay Monahan, Commissioner of PGA TOUR United States, with a gradual increase of annual investment during the term.

Building on a heritage of world-class coverage, Discovery and the PGA TOUR will work with leading broadcasters and distribution platforms to deliver PGA TOUR content to viewers around the world. Opportunities will also be explored within Discovery’s portfolio of pay-TV and free-toair channels, and digital and short-form platforms, to best utilise the PGA TOUR’s extensive non-live and library rights for all media platforms.

HKGOLFER.COM

| DIVOTS

‘HSBC Insurance Hour’ Offers Free Golf Lessons to the Community

HSBC Insurance teams up with Hong Kong Golf Association to bring the “HSBC Insurance Hour” initiative to local primary schools and the broader community by offering free golf lessons, in support of HSBC’s commitment to promoting and enhancing access to the sport.

Sp on sore d a nd orga n i se d by HSBC Insurance in collaboration with HKGA, the five-day ‘HSBC Insurance Hour’ initiative drove into action at Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Primary School with more than 100 students

who are new to the sport of golf. Ms Agnes Chan, Chief Customer Officer Hong Kong of HSBC Insurance and Mr Danny Lai, CEO of HKGA joined the students at the “HSBC Insurance Hour” launch to tee off the initiative with the “HSBC Golf for Schools Week”. Throughout the week, more than 1,000 students from 15 primary schools were given ShortGolf training – a new and unique ‘first touch’ training system which makes it fun and easy to teach and learn golf at school.

The HKGA Junior Squad members Isabella Leung, Michelle Cheung, Jonathan Lai and Arianna Lau also joined the launch event to pass on their learnings and experience to the participants. HSBC Golf For Schools initiative is currently active in 28 local primary schools.

Global Focus Putting Poses as DJ’s Biggest Shortcoming Dustin Johnson led the U.S. Open after every day but the one that counts. He shot an even-par 70 on Sunday to fail in his quest for a second major championship victory. He watched from feet away as playing partner Brooks Koepka leapfrogged him with a one-over tournament to become the first repeat winner of the U.S. Open since Curtis Strange did it in 1988 and ’89.

While Johnson had needed only 53 putts to tour Shinnecock Hills’ undulating greens in the first two rounds, on Saturday it took him 38 putts to complete his round.

On Sunday, he had birdie putts at the 3rd and 6th but missed both.

And then had par putts at the 7th, 11th, 14th and 17th but missed them all. The USGA calculates that he conceded 2.24 putting strokes.

He lost the U.S. Open by two.

‘I played fine, I just didn’t hole the putts,’ Johnson said at his locker. ‘That was kind of the difference of me winning, or really at least having a chance to win.’

Photo by Copyright USGA/ Darren Carroll

Asia Focus Home Hero Claims Thailand Open Victory Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand claimed a special victory at the Thailand Open after closing with an even-par 70 at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event on Sunday.

The bubbly Thai became the fifth local player to lift the prestigious Thailand Open trophy after holding off the strong challenge from countryman Poom Saksansin at the Thai Country Club.

The 25-year-old Panuphol battled nerves heading into the final six holes where he bogeyed 13 and 18, and almost found the water hazard with his third shot on the par-five 17th hole. He held on to victory after signing for a 13-under-par 267 total.

The baby-faced Poom, who represented Asia at the EurAsia Cup earlier this year, overtook the lead early in the round but struggled to maintain his title charge following bogeys on 10 and 12.

He ended his campaign on a 70 to settle for second place, one shot back of the champion Panuphol while 20-year-old Sarit Suwannarut enjoyed his best result on the Asian Tour after securing third place.

Photo by Asian Tour

China Focus HK’s Motin Yeung Wins Kunming Championship Motin Yeung became the first HK player to win a PGA TOUR SeriesChina title when he triumphed in a three-way playoff at the RMB 1.5 million Kunming Championship.

Yeung, 24, sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole to deny Callum Tarren and American Joseph Gunerman, the joint 54-hole leader with Canada’s Richard Jung.

The ex-HK national player was thrilled to win with his girlfriend and friends in the stands, having secured his place in the playoff with a third successive 65. After failing to record a birdie in his first 12 holes on Thursday, he birdied 27 of his last 60 holes in regulation – plus the first extra hole.

Yeung has helped the HK team to win a silver medal in the 2013 National Games of China.

The Florida-based Yeung, who was born and raised in Beijing before moving to the U.S.A. in 2006, is now another contender for a Web.com Tour card after earning full status on the PGA TOUR Series-China through 2019 with his victory.

Photo by PGA TOUR Series-China/ Zhuang Liu

Read HK Golfer anytime, on PressReader

CLUB

Away from the Fairways | TEE TIME

THE VIPER’S HEAD THE FIRST TAG HEUER CHRONOGRAPH TO BEAR THE PRESTIGIOUS ‘TÊTE DE VIPÈRE’ STAMP OF EXCELLENCE, AWARDED

BY THE BESANÇON OBSERVATORY. SINCE 2006, ONLY 500 WATCHES HAVE RECEIVED THIS HIGHLY EXCLUSIVE CERTIFICATION. A BRAND NEW LIMITED EDITION OF 155 PIECES RELEASED TO CELEBRATE 55 YEARS SINCE THE HEUER CARRERA WAS CREATED

TAG Heuer Carrera ‘Tête de Vipère’ Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer HKGOLFER.COM

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

19

S A highly modern version of its TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer with a contemporary design and featuring two of traditional watchmaking’s most famous complications: a tourbillon and a chronograph 20

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

wiss watchmaker TAG Heuer has the 1970s, then relaunched in 2007, the ‘Tête been redefining its signature look de Vipère’ stamp has since been awarded in recent years. The company’s to just 500 pieces. To obtain this certificate CEO Jean- Claude Biver has an of excellence, each fully assembled watch illustrious history of resurrecting undergoes a protocol involving 16 days of and modernising old watchmakers, testing, in five different positions at three starting with Blancpain, then Omega, and most different temperatures.

The Besançon Observatory, operating on recently Hublot. The bulky, avant-garde looks of Hublot are indeed beginning to filter down behalf of the International Bureau of Weights to TAG Heuer under his leadership, especially and Measures, is the only independent/public in the Carrera collection which is celebrating organisation able to inspect chronometers.

More than its 55th anniversary this m e re l y p ro o f year. The brand’s latest ‘The Besançon Observatory, operating o f q u a l i t y pinnacle creation, the on behalf of the International Bureau and accurac y, TAG Heuer Carrera ‘Tête t h is s t a m p is de Vipère’ Chronograph of Weights and Measures, is the only co n f i r m a t i o n Tourbillon Chronometer independent/public organisation of technical exemplifies this new able to inspect chronometers.’ expertise which st yle and features a borders on r are ‘ V ip er ’s H ea d ’ chronometer certification from the Besançon perfection. The stamp certifies the watch as a whole, not just the movement.

Observatory in eastern France.

TAG Heuer unveils a new, highly modern The ‘Tête de Vipère’ stamp, which means ‘Viper’s Head’, was applied to a chronometer version of its TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph for the first time by the Besançon Observatory Tourbillon Chronometer with a contemporary in 1897. This high- qualit y metrological design and featuring two of traditional guarantee is a mark of the unrivalled precision watchmaking’s most essential complications: and excellence of a watch. Abandoned in a tourbillon and a chronograph. This new HKGOLFER.COM

Heuer-02T movement, a calibre that preceded the Heuer 02 chronograph movement that has seen widespread use at TAG Heuer of late

watch comes in a 45mm blue ceramic case. It features the Heuer-02T movement, a calibre that preceded the Heuer 02 chronograph movement that has seen widespread use at TAG Heuer of late, most notably in the company’s Autavia range.

The movement is housed in a magnificent midnight blue ceramic case, complemented by a ceramic bezel and lugs. Elegant touches of blue can also be seen in the weight and movement barrel. With its polished, brushed and bead-blasted finishes, the result is a sophisticated, modern piece, ref lecting the highest qualit y Swiss watchmaking technology. The ‘Tête de Vipère’ stamp has been applied to the bridge, visible through the sapphire crystal of the case back.

In keeping with the brand’s recent trend towards big, wrist-engulfing men’s watches, the case and bezel are made of blue ceramic, which offers superior scratch resistance to steel but is also brittle and prone to shattering if struck hard enough. The case back, pushers and crown are all made of stainless steel that has been PVD-coated black, to match the

HKGOLFER.COM

included matte black alligator strap which features a black rubber lining and blue contrast stitching. Water resistance is rated at a very respectable 100m, which makes this a watch that you could wear while swimming.

Advanced technology, high quality, high performance and exceptional manufacture expertise, combined with perfect mastery of industrial processes and production costs, make the TAG Heuer Carrera ‘Tête de Vipère’ Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer a perfect addition to the brand’s range, enriching the design codes and DNA of TAG Heuer, Avant-Garde since 1860.

The ‘Tête de Vipère’ stamp has been applied to the bridge, visible through the sapphire crystal of the case back

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

21

HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION

HK Team Prepares for 2018 Asian Games

B

HKGOLFER.COM

Ben Wong playing in the final round of match play at the 2017 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship

Top: ©USGA/Chris Keane; Below: Photo Courtesy of Fresno State Women’s Golf Team

uilding on the recent success of World Un iver sit y G ol f Championship, Hong Kong will send Men’s (4 players) and Women’s (3 players) team to participate the 2018 Asian Games golf competition, from 23-26 August at the Pondok Indah Golf Club, Indonesia.

This year, the HK Men’s team consists of Matthew Cheung, Terrence Ng, Jonathan Lai and Ben Wong; while Isabella Leung, Michelle Cheung and Mimi Ho will form the HK Women’s team.

“For the men’s side, we got the same three players from the World University Golf Championship. I know the team chemistry will be great because they all got along well.

We also have Ben Wong, who’s our highest ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. I want them to try their best and hopefully bring back a medal,” explained Tim Tang, High-Performance Manager of HKGA. Wong has claimed the 2017 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship with playing partner Frankie Capan. He was born in HK and joined the HKGA junior programme at an early age. He has just started playing for the Southern Methodist University this year.

“We got our three highest ranked female players according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Mimi, Isabella and Michelle, they've been playing together since junior golf, so the team chemistry is great as well. They’ve been playing well this year so I believe we will have a strong Women’s team,” added Tang.

Ho has just graduated from the California State University, Fresno with a Degree in Child Development. She has been named the MVP of Fresno State Women’s Golf Team for her performances in the 2017-18 season.

“I believe we have a strong team, and if everyone plays to his or her ability, I think we will have a good chance to win some meda ls in t he A sia n Ga mes t h is yea r,” concluded Tang.

For more information about t h e 2 018 A s i a n G a m e s , p l e a s e v i s i t www.asiangames2018.id/.

Mimi Ho has been named the MVP of Bulldog for her performances in the 2017-18 season HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

23

Pace of Play - Some Hints

H

aving officiated in a recent professional tournament where the pace of play with some groups was appa l l ing, Dr Bria n Choa, HKGA’s Chairman of Rules, reminds readers of some ways to avoid this.

One of the main themes of the new (2019) Rules of Golf is to improve pace of play in golf. The new changes will include reducing the time allowed for a ball search from five minutes to three, encouraging ready golf whenever necessary and more draconian penalties for offenders.

The usual advice to move smartly between shots, be ready to play and to be situationally aware, that is to say, to be aware of your group’s position in relation to the group in front, are points that apply to all golfers.

However, three problems are mainly seen among elite players, both professional and amateur. Often the slowest players are among the best golfers, despite their taking far fewer shots during a round.

The first is poor co-operation within the group. Far too often we see professionals, particularly, standing around doing nothing until anot her player has completed his/ her stroke. For example, player A takes 50 seconds (the maximum allowed for the first to putt) to assess and execute a putt. Players B and C should, at the same time, be starting to assess theirs as far as possible without affecting A. When it is their turn to play, they can complete the rest of their preparation.

This way, B and C can usually execute their putts in around 20 seconds. Failure to do this for putts and fairway shots can easily add up to 2 minutes to the play of each hole, which means adding 36 minutes to a round.

T he second fau lt I ca l l i n for mat ion overload. Good players often want excessively precise information, especially on putts, that they cannot really use. For putts of 12 feet and above, we know that even putting machines cannot hole out 100% of t he time. Spending an excessive amount of time

24

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Dr Brian Choa, HKGA’s Chairman of Rules reading putts not only slows play but probably takes away feel for the shot.

Observe the way players like Tom Watson, Rory McIlroy, Brandt Snedeker and other top putters go about their business. They are not slow, and they do not overload their brains with unnecessary information.

The third fault is taking too much time over routine shots, such as a tee shot on a par-4 or par-5 holes. If you use your maximum allotted time for a routine shot, then any extra time taken over a difficult shot will immediately put you over your prescribed pace of play.

What players should aim to do is to work on taking just 10 seconds off each shot. Multiply this by 72 as a representative score for a round and multiply by three again for a three-ball, and 36 minutes will be taken off a round without the player having to rush anything.

HKGOLFER.COM

Lau Beats Full Field in Mid-Summer Classic

T

LEADING FINAL SCORES: Mid-Summer Classic Tournament. Men’s G ross Strokeplay: 71 – Timothy Lau; 73 – Tang Kei Hin; 74 – Stuar t McK innon. Men’s Net t Strokeplay: 66 – Derik Leung; 67 – Liu Hing Tong; 68 – Henry Wu. Men’s Gross Stableford: 29 – Chan Wai Keung; 28 – Matthew Lam; 26 – Cheng Ka Po. Men’s Nett Stableford: 46 – Cheng Ka Po, Jeff Wu; 45 – Lawrence Lee, Gordon Mak. Ladies’ Gross Stableford: 30 – Helen Cheung, Charlene Chung, Vicky Tong. Ladies’ Nett Stableford: 44 – Helen Cheung; 43 – Vicky Tong; 39 – Leong Kuo Wa, Charlene Chung.

HKGA June Stableford Tournament. Men’s Gross: 15 – Daniel Wan, Norton Chan; 14 – Eastwood Elliott, Nicky Au, Kwok Luke Liang, Wong Sai Man. Men’s Nett: 23 – Gordon Mak; 20 – Jean-Paul Cuvelier, Norton Chan, Wong Sai Man. Ladies G ross: 16 – Stephanie Wong Lok-yin; 15 – Wong Pui Ying; 13 – Lun Hau Yee, Annie To. Ladies’ Nett: 22 – Annie To; 20 – Lun Hau Yee, Wong Pui Ying, Joyce Chow.

HKGOLFER.COM

Timothy Lau wins the 2018 Mid-Summer Classic with a round of 71

Daniel Wan in action at the HKGA June Stableford Tournament

Stephanie Wong claims the Ladies’ Gross division title at the HKGA June Stableford Tournament

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Daniel Wong

i mot hy Lau kept h is cool i n h igh temperatures to win the 2018 MidSu m mer Classic Tou rna ment wit h a rou nd of 7 1. More t ha n 19 0 competitors took part in the two-day event for Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA) subscribers at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. Leung finished on one over par around the New Course to beat Tang Kei Hin by just two shots.

The Ladies’ Gross Stableford division saw a threeway tied at 30 points. Vicky Tong, Charlene Chung and Helen Cheung shared the title. Cheung also won the Ladies’ Nett Stableford division with 44 points. Chan Wai Keung won the Men’s Gross Stableford division with 29 points, one better than Matthew Lam. Elsewhere, the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club wa s t he venue for t he 2 018 H KG A Ju ne Stableford Tournament where Daniel Wan and Norton Chan shared the Men’s Gross division title tied at 15 points over 9 holes. Stephanie Wong won the Ladies’ Gross division on 16. The Nett divisions were claimed

by Gordon Mak (23 points) and Annie To (22).

Further tournaments will take place for HKGA subscribers in July, including the July Stableford Tournament at Clearwater Bay and the Albert KW Lai Junior Tournament at Fanling.

25

2018 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

Koepka Goes Back to Back in

U.S. Open

© USGA/J.D. Cuban

The U.S. Open finally has another repeat champion. Brooks Koepka, who won last year at Erin Hills, finished 17 strokes higher at Shinnecock Hills. But a final-round 68 on Sunday was good enough for a one-stroke victory over Tommy Fleetwood, writes Louie Chan.

Brooks Koepka poses with the trophy after winning the 2018 U.S. Open 28

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Dustin Johnson reacts to a shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open

B © USGA/Jeff Haynes

rooks Koepka is the first Eventual winner Koepka player to successfully defend plays alongside his good his crown since Curtis Strange friend Dustin Johnson 29 years ago (1988-89). For in the final round only the third time in the post-World War II era – and seventh time in 118 stagings – the U.S. Open has a repeat champion.

World No. 1 and 2016 champion Dustin Johnson, who along with Koepka was one of four players who started the final round tied for the lead at 3 over par, mustered an even-par 70 playing alongside his good friend Koepka to finish third at 3-over 283.

Reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed made an early run with a first-nine 31 but came home in 37 to finish fourth at 284.

Tony Finau followed up Saturday’s 66 with a 2-over 72 for a fifth-place showing, four behind Koepka.

A day after an extremely challenging setup humbled most of the 67 players who survived the 36-hole cut; the USGA set up the iconic William Flynn design a bit more conservatively. The result: the scoring average dipped a little more than three strokes, from 75.33 to 72.18.

Tommy Fleetwood started his final round more than 2 hours before the final pairing

30

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

HKGOLFER.COM

Reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed finished fourth

HKGOLFER.COM

of Finau and Daniel Berger teed off. On a day when he converted eight birdie putts totalling 161 feet, his 63 was the sixth in U.S. Open history and just the second in a final round. Johnny Miller famously posted that score 45 years ago at Oakmont Country Club to complete a six-stroke rally for the title.

When Fleetwood posted his score, Koepka and the rest of Sunday’s contenders still had nine holes left. Shinnecock’s inward nine had not treated the former Florida State University All-American kindly over the first three rounds. Koepka was 6 over par, with just three birdies. And at the par-3 11th, he could have easily lost control of the steering wheel. Converting a 13-footer for bogey portended a stretch of clutch putts. He made a 6-footer for par on 12th, and after hacking out of deep rough on the par-4 14th hole, he got up and down from 62 yards out, holing an 8½-footer for par to maintain his onestroke edge.

The coup de grâce was the 16th hole, a par5 that none of the other players who finished in the top 10 managed to birdie, including Fleetwood. Koepka stuffed his wedge approach from 122 yards to 4 feet, which he converted for a two-stroke lead. Even a 72nd-hole bogey couldn’t prevent him from hoisting the trophy.

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

© USGA/Michael Cohen; © USGA/Chris Keane

Tony Finau followed up Saturday’s 66 with a 2-over 72 for a fifthplace showing

31

Brooks Koepka kisses his girlfriend after winning the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

© USGA/Darren Carroll; © USGA/Ben Solomon

‘It’s a fun week,’ said Koepka. ‘I enjoy the test. I enjoy being pushed to the limit.

Sometimes you feel like you are about to break mentally, but that’s what I enjoy. I enjoy hard golf courses. I enjoy playing about the toughest in golf you are ever going to play.’

Fleetwood got almost everything right on Sunday in the final round, including what he needed to win it. The Englishman equalled the championship record with a closing 7-under-par 63, and while he was reminded that he was only the second man to finish with that score in the final round of the U.S. Open, he quickly noted, ‘Yeah, but I wanted to shoot 62.’

Of course, a 62 would have set the U.S. Open record. It also would have tied the major championship scoring record Branden Grace set last year in the final round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

But most importantly, it would have earned him a tie with eventual winner Brooks Koepka. Instead, he had to settle for a solo second place, as he completed 72 holes in 2-over 282.

Building on his T-4 finish last year at Erin Hills, Fleetwood played an impeccable round that featured eight birdies – including four in a row starting on the 12th hole – against one 32

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Tommy Fleetwood hitting on the 16th fairway during the final round of the U.S. Open HKGOLFER.COM

Fleetwood waves to the crowd on the 18th green during the final round of the U.S. Open bogey. He hit 13 fairways and 16 greens in regulation. And he gave himself great birdie looks on the final three holes, only to see his putter go cold at the wrong time.

He missed from 13 feet on 16th and 19 feet on 17th. But the putt he wants back is the 8-footer on 18th after a clutch 6-iron approach from 196 yards left him a putt almost straight up the slope. But it wasn’t straight, however. The putt veered right at the very end, inches from history.

‘I wanted more for the 62 at the time.

That was the putt that will play on your mind because that’s the last shot you hit. Your score is your score.

‘Getting that close to winning a major again is what I’ll take from it.’

LEADING FINAL SCORES 1

Brooks Koepka

United States

75 66 72 68

281

2

Tommy Fleetwood

England

75 66 78 63

282

3

Dustin Johnson

United States

69 67 77 70

283

4

Patrick Reed

United States

73 72 71 68

284

5

Tony Finau

United States

75 72 66 72

6=

Xander Schauffele

United States

72 74 72 72

Tyrrell Hatton

England

75 70 72 69

286

Henrik Stenson

Sweden

71 70 74 71

286

Daniel Berger

United States

76 71 66 74

286

United States

76 71 71 69

287

England

71 70 73 73

Justin Rose

HKGOLFER.COM

285

© USGA/Chris Keane; © USGA/J.D. Cuban

10= Webb Simpson

286

287

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

33

Never stop improving.

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Open

Hopefuls

Set Forth Up North With this month’s Open Championship heading for Carnoustie, the most northerly venue on the R&A roster, and with Tiger Woods in the field for the first time since 2015, Mike Wilson predicts a rollercoaster ride as any one of a dozen world stars seek to get their hands on the Claret Jug.

T

h i s y e a r ’s e v e n t w i l l b e t h e e i g h t h t i me Ca r nou st ie ha s hosted t he Open Cha mpionsh ip. T he l i n k s, n ick na med , ‘C a r na st y ’ when t he w i nd blows a nd , ‘Ca rn icet y,’ when cond it ions a re more benign has proved what many modernday players believe, that the Old Tom Morris, James Braid, Allan Robertson-designed course is the most challenging of all the Open venues.

Tommy Armour, the so-called, ‘Silver Scot,’ won the inaugural Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1931 with a score of 12-over-par. The weather, according to records, all-but rendering the links unplayable, and it is said to have been not a great deal better six years later when Englishman Henry Cotton won the second of his three Open Championships, carding plussix for his72-hole aggregate.

Carnoustie has invariably thrown up pedigree Open champions, Armour, Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Pádraig Harrington and its unlikely to be any makeweight or journeyman pro who will lift the Claret Jug there this month.

The 147th Open Championship enjoyed a huge shot-in-thearm recently with the news that Tiger Woods is to play in search of a 15th Major, which, if successful would be his first in a decade and a fourth Claret Jug. ‘I won two of my Open Championships in Scotland, so let’s try and add in another one there,’ said Woods, who first experienced Carnoustie as a rookie 20-year-old at the 1995 Scottish Open. ‘I got introduced to links golf by playing the 36

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

hardest links golf course there is – Carnoustie.’

The 42-year-old is getting back to his best following three years of injury, surgery and controversy, contending again in regular PGA TOUR events. But winning a 15th Major, especially over a course as tough as Carnoustie will require a Herculean effort, greater accuracy off the tee, hitting as many bunkers as he did in winning record style at St. Andrews in 2000 and getting his putter not just hot, but red hot.

But his more recent utterances on Carnoustie could be interpreted as him being in awe of the golf course and its fearsome reputation, saying, ‘there are so many holes where you’re forced to hit long irons into the greens. Obviously, if you miss the ball in any of the pot bunkers off the tee, you have to go sideways, if you can. You can’t advance it forward.

‘Yes, it’s extremely fair, it’s probably a little more difficult than it was in the Scottish Opens I played and if we have wind, any kind of wind on this golf course, it just becomes a lot more difficult than you think.

‘You really do have to hit the ball well [and] the greens are extremely subtle, just like all links courses, they’re hard to read,’ could it be that the Great Man has talked himself out of contention by viewing golf courses nowadays as threats rather than opportunities?

Defending champion Jordan Spieth has the game – and crucially the game management skills to mount a successful defence. But he got lucky – very lucky going down the stretch at Royal Birkdale last year, and, with only six successful defences in the post-war era, especially if he faces ‘Carnasty,’ a back-to-back HKGOLFER.COM

AFP/Getty Images

Who will claim the Claret Jug at Carnoustie this year?

HKGOLFER.COM

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

37

Tiger Woods first became Champion Golfer of the Year in 2000 at St Andrews and did so again, at the Home of Golf, in 2005

AFP/Adrian Dennis

win for the world number-five is unlikely.

Of the world’s Top-10, Justin Rose looks to have a decent chance of adding a British Open to his 2013 U.S. Open triumph. Although, intriguingly, 20-yearson from announcing himself on the world stage with a fourth-place finish as an amateur on debut at Royal Birkdale in 2008.

World number-two Dustin Johnson certainly has the brawn – if not the brain – to overpower Carnoustie should the event become a ‘slugfest.’ But his game, one suspects does not have the subtlety to cope with the intrigue and intricacies of a golf course much more strategic than it is credited. Question marks remain over DJ’s temperament when under the extremes of pressure Open Championships exert on both mind and body.

Rory McIlroy’s single Open Championship title to date is scant return for the man who was the natural heir-apparent to Tiger Woods. A commanding threestroke halfway lead at the recent BMW PGA Championship, which he failed to convert into that all-important ‘W,’ a third round 64 at the Memorial only good enough for a Top-10 finish, victory in the Arnold Palmer evidence however that the Irishman still knows how to win.

But Carnoustie is an unforgiving place. His record in the Dunhill Links Championship is patchy, at best, and with a tendency to be wayward off the tee, ‘Carnasty’ is not the place to be. With that said, tied fifth and fourth at Troon in 2016 and Birkdale last year would suggest he’s still a realistic contender, of not a champion-in-waiting.

Henrik Stenson and Alex Norén offer a small country like Sweden a dual cause for hope. Stenson having broken the Scandinavian duck at Royal Troon in 2016. Whilst, at 4th and 14th respectively on the OWGR, Sergio García and John Rahm could point to a first Spanish victory in the Open Championship since the late, great Seve’s last of three titles at Royal Lytham two-score-year ago.

38

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

García, however, who never plays the Dunhill Links event due to a tax dispute with the UK authorities and therefore has never had the opportunity to exorcise his demons after snatching defeat from the jaws of Open Championship victory there 11 years ago. Despite the Major monkey off his back following his 2016 Masters win, be considered second to compatriot Rahm, who has the game to contend with – if not tame, Carnoustie.

Once again, the brunt of the Asian challenge will come from Japanese youngster Hideki Matsuyama. But after a fine tied-sixth place on debut at Muirfield in 2013 has flattered to deceive when playing links golf. Whilst, Chinese protégé, Li Haotong, whose final round 63 brought him just short at Birkdale last year, a creditable third place. But, despite two prestigious European Tour titles to his name in a fledgeling career, will lightning strike twice in the space of 12 months?

But, if you are looking for a steer after a golfing equivalent of reading the tea-leaves, for that fragment of synergy, a single spark of inspiration, then look no further than charismat ic you ng English ma n Tommy Fleetwood.

87 years have passed since another Tommy, Tommy Armour, won the Open Championship at Carnoustie. 43 years since ‘Tommy’ Watson lifted the Claret Jug there in 1975, and, don’t forget, Fleetwood smashed the 23-year-old Carnoustie course record at last year’s Dunhill Links Championship. A flawless nine-under-par 63, beating the previous record held by, amongst others, eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie, 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie and the ever-dangerous Norén. ‘’Carnoustie course record holder – it sounds good, doesn’t it? It was a good day’s work by any standards.’ asked the 2017 Race to Dubai winner.

‘When you consider all the great players who have played here, in Opens and this tournament, it is very special to have the lowest score ever recorded on this course,’ reflected the 27-yearold, admitting.

W hichever Carnoustie, ‘Carnasty,’ or ‘Carnicety’ turn up for the 147th Open Championship this month is likely to determine which of 20-plus credible candidates will have the game to cope with this most punishing of links layouts. But one thing is for certain, hold onto your hats for a rollercoaster ride, and, if history is to believe, it will be a true thoroughbred who will claim the Claret Jug, the approximate US$2m champion’s cheque and the most coveted crown in world golf.

HKGOLFER.COM

The links, nicknamed, ‘Carnasty’ when the wind blows and, ‘Carnicety,’ when conditions are more benign is the most challenging of all the Open Championship venues

CARNOUSTIE’S HOLY TRINITY

1. ‘Hogan’s Alley’, a 578-yards Par-5, invariably played into the teeth of the wind, boasts one of the narrowest fairways in Open Championship golf. A mere 25-yards in the landing area, squeezed between the out-of-bounds fence running ominously down the left and a clutch of deep, dangerous bunkers set to the right.

The hole is where Carnoustie starts to turn up the heat - the optimum line is between the bunkers and the out of bounds fence. But it requires a brave player to aim for that narrow piece of fairway. The second shot is no less perilous with a ditch angling across the fairway, and the out of bounds is continuing to be a threat.

‘Hogan’s Alley’ was christened after the American star flighted his ball well to the left, beyond the outof-bounds fence, before drawing it back into safety on all four rounds of his epic Open Championship victory there in 1953.

2. ‘Spectacles’, the 14th hole, a 514-yards Par-5, named after a pair of deep, dangerous pot bunkers lying sideby-side in wait just 65-yards short of the green. Any miscued or over-ambitious attempt to reach the green in two can end up in a sandy grave, bunkers with sheet,

HKGOLFER.COM

12ft-high revetted faces from which the only escape is sideways or backwards.

Gary Player struck what he considers having been the finest shot of his life en route to his famous Open Championship victory in 1968. Making Eagle-3 by successfully navigating the ‘Spectacles’ to just a few feet, driving a lethal dagger into the hearts of his two chasing rivals, Jack Nicklaus and Bob Charles to win by two.

3. ‘Home’, the 18th at Carnoustie, one-yard short of 500, Par-4, one of the most demanding finishing holes in Major championship golf.

The infamous Barry Burn is in play for the drive to the right and left of the hole and also short, with fairway bunkers cut into the right-hand side and it was here that Johnny Miller lost the 1975 Championship when he took two shots to get out of the bunker.

It was here that the hopes of Jean Van De Velde inexplicably capitulated in 1999. Losing a 3-shot lead on the final tee, putting his drive in a watery grave he took three to extricate himself from, leaving the door ajar for local hero Paul Lawrie slip through to take the title.

And history almost repeated itself in 2007 when Irishman Pádraig Harrington twice dumped his ball into the Barry Burn on the 72nd hole when locked in battle with Spaniard Sergio García. But a superb pitch by the Irishman to five feet saved a double bogey, got him into a playoff which he subsequently won to lift his first Major title.

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Image courtesy of Carnoustie Links Trust

Stretched to almost 7,500 yards, Par 72, Carnoustie is and of itself, one of the great tests of world golf and worldclass golfers, but there it boasts three momentous challenges which must be overcome by the man who will ultimately claim the Claret Jug this month.

39

This four double bedroom townhouse has been rebuilt behind the front façade to create open plan reception floors, good sized bedrooms as well as two terraces and a patio garden.The house is located in a quiet one way street just to the south of Kings Road.

Radnor Walk, Chelsea, London, UK • Guide price - £4,050,000

• • •

4 bedrooms Terrace 3 bathrooms

• •

2 patios 2 reception rooms

• •

Kitchen Freehold

Jason NORTH

Sebastian NEWALL

M: + 44 (0) 7977 036 397

M: + 44 (0) 7716 860 571

T: + 44 (0) 20 7935 5797

T: + 44 (0) 20 7935 5797

E: a.newall@barnes-international.com

E: s.newall@barnes-international.com

www.barnes-privateoffice.com

Arguably the best apartment in The Heron, the leading residential building in the City of London.

The Heron, Moor Lane, Moorgate, London, UK • Guide price - £4,750,000

• • • •

3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms 2 receptions Duplex apartment

• • • •

Air conditioning Private Residents Club Gym 3 secure parking spaces

Alex NEWALL

Sebastian NEWALL

M: + 44 (0) 7884 262 774

M: + 44 (0) 7716 860 571

T: + 44 (0) 20 7935 5797

T: + 44 (0) 20 7935 5797

E: a.newall@barnes-international.com

E: s.newall@barnes-international.com

www.barnes-privateoffice.com

©Rolex/Chris Turvey

ASIAN ANGLE

Justin Thomas on the 10th tee during the third round of 2018 U.S. Open Championship 42

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

HKGOLFER.COM

Thomas on His Way to Second Reign

Even though his stint atop the summit of the Official World Golf Ranking lasted only a month, Justin Thomas has proven himself to be truly a worthy No. 1 in every sense of the way, writes Chuah Choo Chiang.

HKGOLFER.COM

HK GOLFERăƒťJUL 2018

43

A

AFP/Getty Images

Justin Thomas and his father and caddie Mike Thomas prepare to play from the second tee during the third round of the Sentry Tournament 44

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

t 25, Thomas is the reigning FedExCup champion, an eig ht-t i me PG A T OU R winner, holder of one major title and counting. He’s shot the magical 59 once plus he is a firm fan favourite – in May, and he helped make a fan’s wedding proposal become a Twitter sensation and headline news on CNN world sports.

Sporting and entertainment celebrities including Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, Tiger Woods, Kid Rock, Tom Brady and Justin Timberland are amongst some of Thomas’ buddies. He hangs out with Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Smylie Kaufman during their now-famous spring breaks and he has also played golf with American President Donald Trump.

Despite his rise to fame and accumulation of wealth – Thomas has earned over US$22 million in prize winnings in a little over three years – he has kept both his feet firmly on the ground, which ironically is in sharp contrast to his dynamic golf swing which sees him almost tip-toeing on his right foot at the point of impact. The power he generates propels the ball to incredible distances for a

guy who stands at merely 1.77 meters and is a lightweight 65kg.

The son of a PGA teaching professional, Thomas became the fourth youngest world No. 1 after Woods, Rory McIlroy and Spieth in mid-May, thanks to an 11th place finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, the PGA TOUR’s flagship tournament.

Such was the thrill that he stayed up late into the evening, waiting eagerly for the world ranking’s official website to refresh with his name perched at the top. “I waited to refresh it and saw it, and it was pretty cool. Seeing every other golfer in the world behind my name was a pretty fun thing,” said Thomas, who screenshot the page for safe keeping.

“It means a lot, but it's something I want to have for a long time, it's not something I just want to have once. To have it for a week and then be done with – like D.J. has and like Tiger did and other guys who have had it for a long time, that's more of a goal of mine as opposed to just having it. I would much rather play well for another eight to 10 years and see how long I can have it."

Power-hitter Johnson swiftly regained his top ranking with an 18th PGA TOUR victory at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in June, HKGOLFER.COM

Justin Thomas celebrates with the trophy on the 18th green after winning the FedExCup and second in the TOUR Championship last year

but it is very certain that Thomas will be fired up to challenge for the mantle throughout the remainder of the 2017-18 season and beyond.

Asian golf fans, in particular, those in Malaysia, have been fortunate to witness Thomas announce his arrival on the big stage.

He claimed his breakthrough PGA TOUR title at the CI MB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur in 2015 and returned 12 months later to repeat successfully as champion.

His second title in Malaysia provided t he lau nch pad to a st u n n i ng 2016 -17 PG A TOU R ca mpa ign wh ich saw h i m winning four other tournaments including a f irst Major at the PGA Championship and culminating with the season-long and prestigious FedExCup crown and the Player of the Year award. “To win two in a row (in Malaysia) ranks right up there with my accomplishments,” said Thomas last year.

From initially displaying raw talent and tenacity – he’d bounced back from a double bogey with three straight birdies on the back nine to win by one from Adam Scott in Malaysia in 2015 – to soak up advice from golf great Jack Nicklaus who told him it pays to play conservatively when he does not have his ‘A’ game on given weeks. Thomas has become HKGOLFER.COM

a complete golfer in his drive to become the best golfer on the planet.

His triumph at the inaugural CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in South Korea last October was another huge rubber stamp to his growing credentials and character. Battling fatigue, he dug deep into his reserves and ran on gas fumes to pip Marc Leishman in a playoff.

Thomas’ current season form is already impressive with a victory at the Honda Classic in February, four top-10s, four other top-20s and not a single missed cut from 11 starts at the time of writing. He is also intent on chasing a small slice of history as no FedExCup champion has repeated, not even Woods during his dominant years. “It's something I would like to do,” he said.

Woods, a 14-time major winner, spent a 683-week record atop the world ranking before being dethroned in 2014 with Johnson's reign lasting 64 weeks. As seen, Thomas’ first reign was short-lived, but the world ranking is so bunched up that it can change quickly. And Thomas certainly has the fire in the belly to stay in the dogfight.

His father, Mike, told the Sports Illustrated in June that his son was always determined to win. "He wasn't afraid to succeed. A lot of people are.

They like it back in fourth or fifth place. It's comfortable. Justin, he was pissed when he was second. That's stuff you just can't teach," said Mike.

Ultimately, it is clear that Thomas is unfazed to become one of the greats in the game. Despite his celebrity status, he remains as the guy next door – humble, approachable and respectful. Otherwise, why would he respond to a fan’s request via Instagram to help in a marriage proposal marriage? “It all worked out great,” Thomas said.

Whether he is inside the ropes or outside, Thomas has undoubtedly proven he is No. 1 no matter which way you look at him.

Chuah Choo Chiang is Senior Director, Communications of the PGA TOUR and is based in TPC Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

45

THE KILTED CADDIE

Phil Mickelson watches a shot from the rough on the ninth hole during the third round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

What a Complete Shinnecock

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

© USGA/J.D. Cuban

The Kilted Caddie comments on USGA’s ruling after Phil Mickelson hit a moving ball on the 13th hole during the third round of the U.S. Open.

49

O AFP/Getty Images

Even the live TV commentators were shocked by what Mickelson has done

50

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

h Phil, oh Phil, oh Phil!

W hat on ear t h was going through your mind on the 13th at Shinnecock H i l l s t o m a ke yo u j o g across the green and putt back that moving ball? It is the US Open not a kid’s holiday camp golf outing.

Yes strict ly, according to t he narrow confines of rule 14.5 you can (and did!) get away with this and take a 2-shot penalty.

But let ’s ref lect upon this. Imagine this behaviour becoming the norm so that golf would go down the sad road of soccer and their professional foul nonsense? No, my man. We are an honourable game played by honourable gentlemen (well apart from an aforementioned biffing in the Muirfield locker room of course). St utter, st utter move on quickly.

But imagine the can of worms it would open up? I mean take Sergio for example.

He may have well decided to have dashed a nd sca le t he water on t he 15t h in h is first round at Augusta and so stop his ball spinning back off that somewhat slippery green. It’s basically what Phil Mickelson d id . A lb eit S erg io wou ld have had to have shifted pretty adroitly and made an Olympian leap. However, you take my point.

The imagination goes wild with what the came would become. But I feel that they shall definitely reside in the imagination after Phil’s dauntingly embarrassing faux pas and extreme rush of blood. And thank goodness for that.

It is nothing short of a disgrace that the golfing authorities, here the USGA, did not immediately disqualify him. I am indeed f labbergasted by the comments made by John Bodenhamer, the most senior bod at the USGA. Firstly, he astonishingly claimed that it was not an ‘extreme’ situation. Of course, it was. It’s never before occurred in the history of professional golf. Maybe, sir, we have differing understandings of the word ‘extreme’, but I don’t reckon it’s a word with that subtle nuance.

I loved the shocked response of the live TV commentators who were obviously so taken aback they came out with the following rather prosaic reaction ‘Wo, wo, wow! That’s stunning,’ said one of the commentators who was followed by a short silence when the other amazingly added ‘that’s stunning’. Well, guys, I suppose indeed it was ‘stunning’ as Phil rather adeptly stunned his ball like a good reverse screw snooker shot. However, I think I would have come out with something a bit more acerbic like ‘Bloody hell Phil, Are yee

HKGOLFER.COM

HKGOLFER.COM

abuse and breach of golf etiquette and should have been shown the red card (No VAR required). Steve Elkington, a previous U.S. Open winner, thinks so and I’m definitely with him on this.

Phil’s playing partner, A ndrew ‘Beef ’ Johnston (I suppose he had to be playing with him!), didn’t provide an awful lot of objectivity or serious gravitas to the situation either I’m afraid when he later tweeted, ‘It’s so hard out there. He didn’t mean it. It just happened. End of story. Ha ha.’

Well, who needs to go to a circus when you have such insights f lying around the world golf stage? Yes, Beef I do appreciate that it was rather tough out there. However, I’m betting that Phil did mean it as he’d been thinking about doing that sort of thing for years. And ‘it just happened’? Well yes, it sure did Beef. Goodness gracious I hope I wouldn’t be relying upon you as an expert witness in any major trial.

A f ter a few d ay s , Ph i l d id , i n fac t , apologise for his behaviour, and I think that the USGA should consider one also.

And Beef, you should possibly and most probably leave your thoughts elsewhere.

That’s drunken hamburger queue stuff.

Please go to thekiltedcaddie.com to find out more about The Kilted Caddie.

© USGA/Darren Carroll

aff ye’r heed? Whit are yee playing at?’ Yes, ‘stunning’ somewhat downplays the magnitude of what Phil did. It was undoubtedly the most bizarre and outlandish thing ever to have occurred on live golf TV coverage.

However, we t hen come to t he of f icia l reac t ion to t he i ncident. Joh n Bodenhamer incredibly stated that ‘Phil d id n’t purposef u l ly def lect or stop t he ball which is talked about in rule 14.5. He played a moving ball.’ And so as such Mr Bodenhamer intimates that Phil didn’t incur a serious breach of the rule which would have entailed disqualification. What John?

‘Gods my life’ (shouted rather irritably and volubly) is all I can say to that comment, sir.

That’s complete drivel in the wider context of a l l t his. A nd l isten, I a m no A lber t Einstein, but if we are going down that road for Phil’s ball to have reversed direction it means that he did technically and physically stop it, albeit he imparted it with such a force and skill that it travelled back towards the hole and just missed it. It was, in fact, a most artful golf stoke. But this is not a circus, and I’m afraid that John Bodenhamer has behaved like a sycophantic clown here.

So please, let ’s not get caught up in semantics and the nitty gritty of the golf rules. It was a blatant and indeed flagrant

Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston was the major witness to Mickelson’s ‘putt-gate’

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

51

GOLF TRAVEL

52

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

HKGOLFER.COM

Fairmont Fairways:

Kenya Where The “Game of Kings” meets the “Kings of Game”

Renowned as one of the world’s foremost safari destinations, Kenya also offers some world- class golfing experiences. Fairmont Hotels are focusing on bringing golfers to this vibrant tech-savvy African nation to sample the golf and game. As Charles McLaughlin writes, you are invited to come to Kenya for the Big Five and stay for the Par Fives!

Photography by Charles McLaughlin

HKGOLFER.COM

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

53

The 2nd hole of Muthaiga Golf Club

M

ention golf in Africa and people naturally focus on the South. As we’ve related several times in these very pages, destinations like Capetown, George and Sun City offer fantastic golf in beautiful surroundings, in the home of legends like Ernie Els and Gary Player.

However, as with South Africa, Kenya is another destination where the reminders of a colonial past include some wonderful golf courses, especially in and around the capital Nairobi.

Of course, golf isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of Kenya. It is home to some of the most spectacular safari experiences on earth, with the Maasai Mara National Reserve deservedly hailed as one of the world’s finest.

Drive off on a golf course or take off on a game drive? Decisions, decisions! Luckily, you don’t have to choose one over the other.

54

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

On a recent trip to Kenya, HK Golfer was invited to visit three destinations: Nairobi, Mount Kenya and the Maasai Mara to experience the amazing range of experiences this beautiful destination has to offer.

We were hosted by Fairmont Hotels who own iconic properties in each of the three locations we visited. Perhaps more relevant is their desire to attract visitors who want to include golf in their itinerary. As a part of this, the Fairmont provides brand new top of the range TaylorMade clubs free of charge to guests.

In addition, should you bring your own clubs to Nairobi, they will store these for you whilst you head up country, where very strict, low baggage allowances make taking your own clubs a challenge.

FAIRMONT THE NORFOLK

After an entertaining ride through the bustle of the city coming from the airport, entering Fairmont The Norfolk was like putting on noise cancelling headphones on a long flight!

Dating back to 1904, it’s hard to convey the serenity of this oasis, set in 4 acres of gardens. Instant relaxation. Fairmont correctly sees The Norfolk as the centre for a trip around Kenya, a “home base” as it were. Starting and ending a tour with a night or two here makes perfect sense. An ideal trip would entail arriving with everything you need and play a couple of rounds in Nairobi. Then travel on by small local aircraft with a sub-set of your luggage to Mount Kenya and the Maasai Mara, then return to your “base” where another round plus visits to local attractions awaits.

HKGOLFER.COM

NAIROBI

Undoubtedly the home of golf in Northern Africa, and home to the second-oldest national championship, Kenya boasts the largest GDP in central Africa. Whilst still producing the tea and coffee that were the traditional backbone of the economy, thanks to improved air links the country has seen massive growth in supplying fresh flowers to Europe. In addition, the country has seen a huge expansion in the technology sector and has gained a reputation as the “Silicon Valley” of the continent, with many high-tech companies like Google, IBM and others having their regional headquarters in Nairobi.

It is immediately clear how advanced the take up of technology has been locally.

Everywhere one looks there are signs for M-PESA, which is a mobile phone-based money transfer, financing and microfinancing service. More simply put, everyone pays for goods and services using his or her mobile phones and cash usage is plummeting.

Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that a growing middle class are taking to golf and Nairobi has several great tracks to choose from. Most clubs are “members only”, but the Fairmont concierge will be able to sort you out.

In general, weekends are obviously trickier and also every club, it seems, holds competitions on a Wednesday afternoon, so avoid if you can.

KENYA OPEN

The Kenya Open was first held over 50 years ago, in 1967. The list of past champions includes any number of European Ryder Cup players, but remarkably also boasts three Major winners - all Masters champions - in Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam and most recently Trevor Immelman.

Throughout its distinguished history, the event has been held at Muthaiga Golf Club over forty times with Karen Golf Club hosting for another ten. Obviously, these were the tracks to play first.

greens, in particular, are renowned and didn’t disappoint. With several tricky doglegs and tough tee shots, a good caddie is essential. Ideally, try to get more than one round in, and leverage your hard-won experience of where to position yourself off the tee!

The clubhouse isn’t as charming as one might expect of such an old club, and the walk over a footbridge to the driving range and starters hut is a bit disorientating. However, once past all that, this is a super course, with plenty of wildlife around, including monkeys and even maribou storks lining the fairways.

Standout holes include the 442yd sharp dogleg 1st to a plateau green with water a danger throughout; the daunting 2nd, an uphill 220yd beast to a tricky tiered green; the exhausting 616yd 7th and the signature 13th, a beauty of a par three over water with the clubhouse behind.

Overall, an excellent venue for the national championship and a true test for golfers of all standards. The terrace provides a great spot to watch plenty of action, from tee shots on the 10th to water shots on the 13th and daring approaches on the 18th. A delightful surprise, especially so close to the city centre.

KAREN COUNTRY CLUB (*****)

www.karencountryclub.org To the south-west of the city lies the suburb of Karen, named after Karen Blixen, of “Out Of Africa” fame. Not as central as Muthaiga and somewhat in the shadow of its older sibling, nevertheless the Karen Country Club is every bit the equal in terms of conditions and challenge. The clubhouse, in particular, is more welcoming, and certainly more extensive. It is largely due to a devastating fire in 1977 which required a complete rebuild.

It’s hard to believe the club is only 10 years younger than Muthaiga, opening in 1937 and celebrating its eightieth anniversary in 2017. It has hosted the Kenya Open ten times, most recently in 2016, and, to be frank, looks and plays more like a national Open course than Muthaiga. Often hailed as “Kenya’s prettiest golf course”, the delightful surroundings disguise what underneath is a truly challenging track.

The lawn terrace is a delightful spot for a glass or two of the local Tusker brew, The 13th hole of Muthaiga Golf Club

MUTHAIGA GOLF CLUB (**** ½)

www.muthaigagolfclub.com We visited Muthaiga on Monday before the 50th Kenya Open was being played there and final qualifying was taking place the same day.

Needless to say, the course was in great shape.

The club as we know it today was opened in 1927 and celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2017, but the first holes on the site were a 9-hole course dating back to 1912. With some justification, the club calls itself “The Home of Golf” – in Kenya, at least!

Situated on the edge of the Karura forest, the abundant trees and shrubs make this a beautiful track as well as a challenging one. The HKGOLFER.COM

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

55

just don’t stop there halfway through your round as we did! It can take time for your food to arrive, so best to order as you move to the 10th and have it brought to you out on the course.

What a course! Beautiful and brutal in turns, this is a truly enjoyable challenge and, like many great courses, the crescendo builds as you approach the finishing four holes. The 15th through 17th are known locally as “Killer Corner”, and it’s easy to see why so many matches and tournaments are won and lost on this stretch. The par five 15th is a long swinging dogleg, requiring pinpoint placement to avoid being blocked by the trees or finding the stream running up the right before crossing the fairway 100 yards from a daunting green. No respite on the next hole, a 195yd par three where being on the wrong spot on the green is a near-certain three-putt. Finally, the 17th supplies the coup de grâce. Anything other than two very long laserstraight blows on this narrow 450yd beast will be blocked by the overhanging trees running all along both sides of the fairway and mars many a fine scorecard. A superb stretch.

The 18th is a wonderful finishing hole. No picnic at over 550yds but treat it with respect as a true three-shotter and don’t take on the carry over the water, running across the fairway 80yds short of the green. Stop for a photograph on the “Swilken Bridge” equivalent with the clubhouse behind, then go and bag a deserved final birdie of the day and get back on that lawn terrace!

Over the years, it was inevitable that some members decided to build themselves a golf course and result is the quirky and tricky 9-hole par three track in the hotel grounds. A small clubhouse was added, and although now largely unused, still has much of the old decorations inside. It is situated to the right of the first tee, and a perhaps somewhat bruised previous member had a fence erected, complete with engraved plaque, to stop slices shattering the peace of the “Members Bar”!

With internal OB’s, large trees that surely weren’t part of the original design and tricky greens, this is a lot of fun to play. Watch out for the sneaky OB

The 18th hole of Karen Country Club

MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB

Image Courtesy of Karen Country Club

Wilson Airport is situated in the heart of the city and is the kick off point for all of the small internal flights around Kenya. From there it’s a short one-hour hop to Nanyuki and onto Fairmont’s Mount Kenya Safari Club for a part-golf, part-game experience. Situated in the foothills of the eponymous mountain, this historic gem was founded in 1959 as a private club and has included royalty, business magnates and movie legends among its membership.

Winston Churchill, Conrad Hilton, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby were all members.

Under the ownership of Hollywood heartthrob William Holden – famed for “Sunset Boulevard”, “Bridge Over the River Kwai” and of course our own “The World of Suzie Wong” – the palatial hunting lodge transitioned into a conservation reserve and animal orphanage.

An interesting quirk is that the Equator – or zero degrees latitude – runs right through the centre of the property. Guests in the aptly named “Equator Suite” wake up in the Northern Hemisphere and cross to the Southern Hemisphere to visit the bathroom!

56

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

The clubhouse of Karen Country Club

HKGOLFER.COM

on the 2nd and check out the bunker shaped like Africa on the downhill 4th. Playing the 7th also involves crossing the Equator, teeing off in the North to a green in the South. All good fun. The closing hole is a highlight, uphill over a pretty pond back towards the clubhouse. There is a large bunker right across the front of the green, so take an extra club and swing easy. Fairmont has stocked the club with brand-new TaylorMade clubs, and there is no shortage of caddies with character to make each round a blast. With each hole having two tees, a quick 18 is a breeze.

Out with the central property, much of the accommodation is in delightful cottages where, in a nod to the lovely cool evenings here, a log fire will be roaring when you return at night.

The hotel is spread over 100 acres of gardens and forests and borders a game reserve.

Peacocks, Maribou storks and other large birds roam freely throughout the premises.

In particular, the Wildlife Conservancy and Animal Orphanage is a must-see. When strolling amidst the animals, many uncaged, don’t miss the opportunity to meet and feed “Speedy Gonzales”, a giant tortoise which is more than 160 years old. With its own stables, the hotel also offers leisurely trips on horseback up towards Mount Kenya, or memorable (if nervously), through the local game reserve!

The nearby town of Nanyuki has been home to a British Army training camp for decades and has several lively nightlife venues. As one might expect, the Nanyuki Country Club features a perfectly respectable 9-hole course for its members and guests. The Fairmont can arrange tee times and supply clubs and transfers. With a distinctly old colonial air, this is exactly what one might expect. No airs or pretentious, just a spot to get a quick nine in after work with a lawn terrace being the perfect spot for a couple of “cleansing ales” after your round.

The local name for Mount Kenya is “Mawingo”, and when you find out it means “the clouds”, you realise why it’s rare to see the top of it! Patience was rewarded on the morning of our final day when the sharktooth-like peak was revealed, and it was worth the wait. The Mount Kenya Safari Club now has its own airstrip and with 5-minute “airport transfers” this is a fantastic facility, and we were soon off on the short flight to the Maasai Mara.

and there is it’s distinctly upmarket relative: glamping! At the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, the “tents” are bigger inside than most hotel rooms, with a fourposter bed, shower, wardrobes, work desk and even a room safe! However, the canvas nature of the surrounds allows the external noises to be heard and the best alarm clock in the world is the sound of hippos grunting in the Mara River, yards from your front “door”!

The routine is delightfully simple: leave around 5:30am to be on the plains as the sun rises and be on a game drive until returning to have breakfast The 9th hole and clubhouse of Mount Kenya Safari Club

Mount Kenya Safari Club, Founded in 1959

MARA SAFARI CLUB

As old safari hands know, one must be prepared for life in the raw while on a game visit, often staying in tents. However, as more recent safari hands know, there is camping,

HKGOLFER.COM

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

57

The 9th hole and clubhouse of Nanyuki Country Club

around 9:30 or so. A must-do is to have a “bush breakfast” out on the plains, complete with an armed guard keeping the lookout to make sure you aren’t the breakfast! Spend the day snoozing, at the spa or by the pool, then head out again around 3:30pm to see the game, watch the sunset from the Aitong Hills (with sundowners, of course), then have fun on a “night safari” return to base for dinner. Repeat!

The game drives themselves are mesmerising.

Be prepared for some genuine 4-wheeldrive action manoeuvring over streams, dry river beds and mud banks and getting into remarkable proximity to the local big game.

It’s exhilarating and nerve-racking in equal measure, but truly unforgettable.

In the nearby hills is a local conservation project hosted by the Club, featuring two of the few remaining white rhinos. Walking a few yards freely from well over 2 tonnes of wild rhinoceros makes for an unforgettable experience.

There is also ample opportunity to interact with the local Maasai people, from the cultural dances on arrival at the Ngrende airstrip to visiting a local village and market.

A two-night stay means at least four game drives, and dare I say it, you won’t miss the golf!

The return to Nairobi is another easy hop on local planes. There is something magical about leaving one’s hotel at 9:45am for a 10am flight!

WINDSOR GOLF HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB (****)

Fairmont Mara Safari Club Tent

58

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

www.windsorgolfresort.com Safely back to base in The Norfolk, there was time to take in perhaps the #3 ranked course in Nairobi, the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club. It looks like the oldest club in the area but is, in fact, one of the newest, opening in 1992.

Designed to look like an old English manor house, the hotel/clubhouse and surrounding cottages wouldn’t look amiss in an episode of Downton Abbey. The facilities themselves are decidedly more modern, with a well-stocked pro-shop and a well-maintained course. The club even has its own free app where you can book tee times, use the GPS, and has a scorecard and course guide. I wish more courses did this!

As to be expected, this is more of a resort course than a championship track, but nothing wrong with that. With a central location, knowledgeable caddies and great facilities, this was the perfect relaxing end to a great tour.

Relaxing, but thanks to strategic challenges and severe elevation change, by no means easy.

Take your time on your first shot of the day, as the water in front of the green isn’t always visible from the tee but is eminently reachable.

The second is a beauty, requiring an accurate tee HKGOLFER.COM

shot over the lake to the corner of a very sharp dogleg right. Find the sweet spot on the fairway, and you’ll be treated to spectacular views and a huge 120-foot drop to the green 200 yards away.

It’s a fantastic par four.

The signature par three 13th is challenging from the tips, at over 190yds into the prevailing wind. There is OB right, and the drop off to the left of the green is truly precipitous. This softens you up for the 432yd 14th, one of most memorable holes of the trip. Continuing the steep drop towards a river on the right, the tee shot needs to be long and accurate to set up a stomach-churning approach through a gap in the trees to a green down by the river.

If short, or too far left, this hole becomes a three-shotter, but even then, the approach is a knee-knocking flip with a lob wedge straight downhill to a small green with water beyond. It may lose some of its fear factor with familiarity, but a show-stopper nevertheless.

The 18th looks fearsome with an approach to an island green in front of the clubhouse, but the green complex is enormous, so aim for the middle of the green and stroll on admiring the view of the clubhouse reflected in the pond.

Retire to a table on the terrace overlooking the 1st and 18th and over a Tusker reflect that there is no disgrace in being third behind Nairobi’s two pre-eminent gems.

ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE & GIRAFFE CENTRE

Before leaving, be sure to visit these two facilities in Nairobi. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a world-famous conservation organisation and whilst particularly noted for their Orphans Project with elephants and rhinos, also run anti-poaching, surveillance and sky vet programs. The Elephant Orphanage visit is scheduled around the daily milk feeding time and is delightful if deliberately aimed to tug at the heartstrings and generate “adoptions” and donations to the Trust. No problem with that and more power to them!

Having just returned from interacting with the giraffes on the Maasai Mara, it is a bit of a muted experience seeing them in this centre.

However, it’s certainly fun to be this close to such beautiful animals. Again, you are helping an animal charity, in this case, the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife.

Time to go. Allow plenty of time to get to and from Jomo Kenyatta Airport. The traffic can be extremely heavy at times. Best to check with The Norfolk. In addition, security and processes around the airport aren’t the smoothest. Allow plenty of time and avoid stress!

HKGOLFER.COM

The 14th hole of Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club

WHERE TO STAY FAIRMONT THE NORFOLK Harry Thuku Rd, Nairobi 00200 + 254 20 2265000 fairmont.com/norfolk-hotel-nairobi FAIRMONT MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB Nanyuki Town, Nanyuki Municipality 10400 +254 62 203 6000 fairmont.com/mount-kenya-safari FAIRMONT MARA SAFARI CLUB C14, Keekorok, Maasai Mara National Reserve + 254 20 2265000 fairmont.com/masai-mara-safari

HOW TO HELP MOUNT KENYA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY animalorphanagekenya.org THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST sheldrickwildlifetrust.org AFRICAN FUND FOR ENDANGERED WILDLIFE giraffecenter.org

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

59

NEW DESTINATION

Royal Greens on the

Sand

Kevin Murray

Ernie Els, Andrew ‘Beef ’ Johnston and stars of the Ladies European Tour on hand for a historic weekend at Saudi Arabia’s first championship golfing destination, Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, writes Louie Chan.

62

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

The 1st hole of Royal Greens Golf and Country Club

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

63

W

Paul Severn

Ernie Els with His Excellency Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan during the Grand Opening Ceremonial Tee Shot 64

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

o rld gol f ’s newe st championship venue, Roya l Greens Golf and Country Club, celebrated its official Grand Opening over an action-packed weekend, as golfing stars, celebrities and senior members of the Saudi Government congregated to mark the historic occasion.

Four-time Major winner and President’s Cup Captain, Ernie Els, was joined by Europea n Tour wi n ner, A nd rew ‘ Beef ’ Johnston, to witness the first tee shot over the spectacular European Golf Design, par72 layout, struck by His Excellency Yasir Bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, President of the Saudi Golf Federation.

He was closely followed by European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, Els and Johnston themselves, and Ladies European To u r p l ay e r s A m y B o u l d e n , C a m i l l a Lennarth and Maha Haddioui in taking to the first tee for the very first time.

During an action-packed weekend, the

pros were joined by Othman A lmulla, a prominent member of the Saudi National Team and Claude Harmon III, one of the world’s leading coaches. Together, the group delivered clinics for beginner golfers and were treated to a taste of both traditional and modern Saudi culture at a grand gala dinner, where they were greeted by Saudi ardha dancers.

A fter the Grand Opening Ex hibition Match, in which Ernie Els and Haddioui were narrowly defeated by A lmulla and Boulden in a fun three-hole scramble, the South African Hall-of-Famer, said: “The opening of Royal Greens Golf and Country Club is a landmark moment for golf in Saudi Arabia. This golf course is spectacular and, with its setting upon a stretch of pristine Red Sea coastline, I’m sure it will quickly b e come one of t he mo st re cog n i sable a nd most popu la r dest i nat ions on a ny worldwide tour.”

Royal Greens has been chosen by the Saudi Golf Federation to host Saudi Arabia’s first ever European Tour event, which will HKGOLFER.COM

The 18th hole of Royal Greens Golf and Country Club

HKGOLFER.COM

Arabia and we are delighted to introduce it to the world,’ said Fahd AlRasheed, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Emaar the Economic City (EEC), the master developer of King Abdullah Economic City in which the club is located. ‘This facility will be regarded amongst golf ’s very best and will become a launch pad for the next generation of Saudi golfers looking to make their mark in the game.’

Ma naged by Troon , Roya l Green s G ol f a nd C ou nt r y Club is undoubtedly one of the most impressive facilities in golf, both on and off the course, boasting an impressive 9,820m sq. clubhouse, including ballroom, health club and award-winning spa, as well as fine dining restaurants and an elegant tea room.

Please go to www.royalgreens.net for more information.

ABOUT KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is the largest privately-funded new city in the world. Situated on the west coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KAEC covers an area of 181km sq. of land, approximately the size of Washington DC. KAEC comprises King Abdullah Port, the Coastal Communities residential districts, the Haramain Railway district and the Industrial Valley. The city is under development by Emaar, The Economic City, a publicly listed Saudi joint-stock company established in 2006.

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Kevin Murray

welcome the great and good of the game in January 2019. The Federation announced t h e e ve nt at t h e G r a n d O p e n i n g a n d confirmed the participation of top players, including World No.1, Dustin Johnson; Masters Champion, Patrick Reed; Ryder Cup Captain, Thomas Bjorn; and World No.13, Paul Casey.

Home to a state-of-the-art Golf Academy and extensive long and short-game practice areas, Royal Greens also cemented its status as a pillar of the sport’s development in the country with the signing of an MOU with the Saudi Arabian Golf Federation.

This agreement will see Royal Greens and master developer Emaar the Economic City work with the Federation to attract more novice players to the game, support the elite National Team via access to its outstanding f a c i l i t i e s a s S a u d i ’s f l a g s h i p g o l f i n g destination and consult on the development of new golfing facilities in The Kingdom.

‘The Grand Opening of Royal Greens Gol f a nd C ou nt r y Club signa ls t he beginning of a new era for golf in Saudi

65

INTERVIEW

Talking

Paul Severn

with

68

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Big Easy

Ernie Els gives a golfing demonstration to local school children at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club

Louie Chan talks to the Four-time Major winner and President’s Cup Captain at the Grand Opening of Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia.

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

69

The stunning 16th hole of Royal Greens Golf and Country Club Louie Chan: How are you enjoying your first time in Saudi Arabia?

Ernie Els: Yeah, my first time to Saudi Arabia. I was really excited to get the call to come here. I’ve heard of King Abdulla Economic City through the years now, and I was keen to come and see what they have done. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, but I’m delighted I came because I really think they got it right. The golf course is really good. They have a great facility here at Royal Greens. It’s a wonderful spot. I’m glad I came.

LC: Tell us a little bit about what you think of some of the signature holes, the 15th and 16th.

EE: You start out here at the clubhouse, and you play a bit of desert golf, so to speak, with quite a few water hazards. They have a great balance through the course – right to lefts and left to rights – but the real treat is when you get out to 16. The beautiful 16th hole on the Red Sea. You think you’re on some island somewhere in the Caribbean with the watercolour and the contrast. It’s wonderful, and it’s a pretty tricky hole. So, the back nine is really picturesque but so is the whole of golf course. You don’t see too many holes where you go out to the ocean, so I thought that [the 16th] was a great addition to the course.

Paul Severn

LC: You have obviously experienced a lot of excellent championship golf courses around the world, how do you feel this will stack up against other European Tour venues next year?

EE: Well, I think this one will be one of the best in the Middle East. I’ve played most of the courses in the Middle East from Dubai to Qatar to

70

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Abu Dhabi. I haven’t played Oman, but this golf course will be one of the players’ favourites. The greens can be quite tricky, as you can see here, the wind picks up in the afternoon which will make the scoring quite tough. But it is a fun golf course. If you play properly, I think you can make some birdies and there are enough elements out there that will keep the guys honest.

Your wind play will have to be there, and your course management has to be there.

Wonderful golf course, I’m looking forward to playing it.

LC: How important is it for the game of golf for new regions, like Saudi Arabia, to embrace the sport and help it to grow?

EE: This event is not only going to be great for the European Tour, but it will great for world golf. We need places where we can grow the game, where we can start from grass root levels and introduce the game to new markets, and t his is an entirely untouched market through the history of Saudi Arabia. This will be the inaugural

HKGOLFER.COM

From left to right: Fahd Al-Rasheed, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Emaar the Economic City (EEC), Ernie Els, His Excellency Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan and Majed Sorour, CEO of Saudi Golf Federation

LC : Yo u r p e r f o r m a n c e ac a d e my i s a n essential part of your brand. The national team will have access to t hese facilities as part of the agreement between Royal Greens and the Saudi Golf Federation. How important is it for that young talent coming through to give them access to a facility like this.

EE: I’ve always said, we’re a small country in Sout h A frica, but we have produced outstanding golfers for a very long time.

W hen you have facilities, and you have

HKGOLFER.COM

weather, you are already ahead of the game in a lot of areas. You just have to look at Europe; you can only play in some places there for only 4-6 months of the year. So here you have year-round weather, you have an unbelievable facility here at Royal Greens, at this academy, and if you have more of these facilities go up around this area, with the schooling in place here - before golf or after golf the kids can come and play and practice golf – it is just the perfect environment to produce world-class golfers.

LC: We’re looking forward to a marquee, a landmark, Presidents Cup with yourself and Tiger as captains. Do you think that will bring an added element, given both of your profiles, to the Presidents Cup? EE: I don’t know. I have always enjoyed the Presidents Cup, competing in it. I feel I want to make some changes from the run up into the cup.

Already I can get four picks going into the week. We’ve made some changes already, and I want to try and have a blueprint going forward for the next guys, really change things up and put things in place where the next captain can keep following the blueprint. It’s a crucial time for myself and the team to change things up, to be really competitive and win this Presidents Cup in Australia, which is a great venue for us. But Tiger’s got an unbelievable team, and he’s been an unbelievable player, and I think the two of us, we’ve had a bit of history in the Presidents Cup. I think we will bring an extra element to the matches and hopefully make it really exciting.

HK GOLFER・JUL 2018

Kevin Murray

event a nd to bri ng world- cla ss players here, to Royal Greens in Saudi A rabia, is just going to be a game-changer. This facility is wonderful, and they are going build schools here, they’re going to build housing facilities, hotels – it’s going to be an absolute unbelievable city and having golf as your main sport here. For the kids to grow up around the game, is going to be so important and I won’t be surprised when we see some world class players in the near-future.

71

A two bedroom lateral apartment, overlooking the prestigious Cadogan Square.

Cadogan Square, Knightsbridge, London, UK • Guide price - £6,250,000

• • • •

2 bedrooms Shower room Reception room Kitchen

• • • •

2 Guest WCs Studio/utility room 2 terraces Lift

Jason NORTH

Sebastian NEWALL

M: + 44 (0) 7977 036 397

M: + 44 (0) 7716 860 571

T: + 44 (0) 20 7935 5797

T: + 44 (0) 20 7935 5797

E: j.north@barnes-international.com

E: s.newall@barnes-international.com

www.barnes-privateoffice.com

Award Winning Wentworth mansion.

Wellington Lodge, Wentworth, Surrey, UK • Guide price - £3,250,000

• • • •

6 bedrooms suites Swimming pool Gym 3 car garage

• • • •

Garden Freehold Studio flat / home office GIA - 961 sq m / (10,344 sq ft)

Jason NORTH

Sebastian NEWALL

M: + 44 (0) 7977 036 397

M: + 44 (0) 7716 860 571

T: + 44 (0) 20 7935 5797

T: + 44 (0) 20 7935 5797

E: j.north@barnes-international.com

E: s.newall@barnes-international.com

www.barnes-privateoffice.com

EVENTS

HKSPC Charity Golf Day 2018 The Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, one of Hong Kong’s oldest charities, organised its 12th Golf Day on 4th May at the Hong Kong Golf Club. As Robin Hammond writes, the event, organised by the society’s Golf Day Sub-Committee, was a resounding success.

Photography by Patrick Leung and CY

With 100 participants enthusiastically crisscrossing the Fanling Eden course, a New New Peoria format meant that the players never gave up and could even congratulate the odd eight or nine as potentially raising the collective handicap of the team.

The Hong Kong Golf Club did a magnificent job as hosts – the event could not have taken place without their most generous support – presenting the course in excellent condition. The staff and management ensured we all had a most enjoyable afternoon, with the course itself in excellent condition. Their support for the society, and for the general golfing community was very much appreciated.

The society and club were delighted to have three players from the HKGA junior golf development programme joining us on the day. These young players showed maturity, in their golf, their obvious pleasure in participating, and general conduct, and we look forward to seeing their progress in coming years.

33 students from the HKSPC Operation Santa Claus Fanling Nursery School were also there to receive a complimentary golf clinic offered by the club. It was an unusual opportunity for them that they enjoyed massively.

The event started with a lunch buffet and opening ceremony which included thanking our major sponsors C C Land Holdings Limited, Keck Seng Investments (HK) Ltd and Mrs Purviz R. Shroff, and the late Mr Rusy M. Shroff, BBS, MBE, followed by a shotgun start. After the fun and (sometimes) competitive afternoon on the links, we did the 19th hole proud before a buffet dinner and prize giving. The prizes were beyond generous, thanks to our very supportive sponsors, as were the players who contributed either through raffle tickets or direct donations to the society. One lucky chap, playing with HK Golfer Magazine’s Publisher, found himself the winner of three golf bags in the raffle.

Fred Ma and Joyce Fung won the Individual prizes. The Team prize went to Fred Ma, Kenneth Lau, Neill Callan, and Chad Schofield, who also picked up Mens’ Longest Drive.

Ladies’ Longest Drive went to Ma Jia, while Nearest to the Pin was picked up by William Chan.

Overall it was a wonderful day and a very successful fundraiser for the HKSPC. The money raised will enable us to continue to provide caring and welfare for the needy children of Hong Kong. Our thanks once again to all who participated.

If you would like to participate in any way next spring, we welcome players, sponsors and donors. Please contact Corinna Pang at corinnapang@hkspc.org for details.

The HKSPC Charity Golf Day 2018 has over 100 participants

Fred Ma, Men’s Individual & Team Champion

ABOUT HKSPC

Since 1926, the society has been committed to nurturing children in their early childhood development. The society operates 27 centres, serving 3,000 children and their families daily, supporting working and single parents, low-income families, CSSA families, new arrivals and ethnic minorities.

33 students from the HKSPC Operation Santa Claus Fanling Nursery School were also there to receive a complimentary golf clinic offered by HKGC