Inside Golf July 2014 by Inside Golf

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InsideGolf Issue 108 July 2014

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WIN! A dozen Callaway balls every month for the rest of 2014! A pro-Am spot in the Isuzu Qld Open

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OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

PREVIEW

Hoylake to test the world’s best

Tackling slow play from the ‘inside and out’

HOT WHEELS

The latest and greatest buggies and carts

INSTRUCTION

What TrackMan has taught us about driving

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Sand saves: how Balgowlah escaped the bunker Richard Fellner

n! o o s g n mi o C INTRODUCING A NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY

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The Board and club then introduced some major changes which eventually saw the club return to cash-positive in 2013. “We changed from employing greens staff to maintaining the golf course through contract management by Landscape Solutions,” says Tom Bourke, President of Balgowlah Golf Club. “This has produced excellent results in course presentation and cost savings, both in staff management overheads, less administration work and management of environmental and occupational health and safety issues.” “The Professional and Pro-shop activity at Balgowlah Golf Club is now run by an experienced team lead by Head Professional, Andrew Webster, who also manages golf at Wakehurst Golf Club. This has resulted in significant cost savings to the Club, a very well-stocked, presented and maintained Pro-shop and regular golf clinics for children of all ages,” he adds. Additionally, the Golf Club appointed an experienced club manager and an experienced finance administrator to replace the previous full-time and part-time staff. The club also replaced their in-house catering operation with an experienced local catering firm to establish a consistent and viable catering operation which provides good food at competitive prices. The club is also determined to be innovative. Balgowlah opens all club competitions to all players (though they admit few men are yet brave enough to play on the traditional Tuesday/Thursday “Ladies days”!). The 9-hole configuration of Balgowlah Golf course lends itself

well to the modern requirements of today’s “family-oriented” golfers, so nine-hole competitions are managed side-by-side with the standard 18hole format. The Club has embraced the Handiskins initiative (see Event Calendar on page 73), and, in conjunction with Lite It Up Golf, staged the first Night Golf event in northern Sydney in May this year. “Over the course of two years, we have pared operating costs by almost $300,000 – all areas of operations, course, clubhouse and administration, have been vigorously examined and rationalised,” explains Bill Colwell, Treasurer. “The initiatives taken during 2013 will have a more beneficial impact on the results for 2014 and following years.” The club is now concentrating on rebuilding its membership base with particular emphasis on young/junior members. The Club’s membership fees are set to be competitive but also to encourage member retention. Junior membership rates are set to cover the statutory golf affiliation and insurance costs (and equates to less than $1 per week for full access to the course). “Was it easy to turn the Club around?” ponders Bourke. “Of course not. But, thanks to a tremendous effort from members, we’re well on the path. Nothing is more powerful than a group of people with a purpose and a love for something that, for many, has been a part of their life for over 30 years. Our Club is an egalitarian mix of keen golfers that see Balgowlah Golf Club as a haven from the norm and want it to continue. We may not be Royal Balgowlah but we’re certainly LOYAL Balgowlah Golf Club!” It’s stories like this that give us all hope for the future of the game. See you on the fairways.

GOLD COAST’S

No.1 †

The new Board determined that costs had to be rationalised to ensure a viable future for the club. Realistic plans were drawn up, and members raised sufficient funds for the Club to be released from Administration in April 2013.

Like many (or most) golf clubs and businesses these days, Balgowlah had experienced years of declining returns. This, combined with a poorlymanaged water retention project, forced the club into Administration in March 2012.

TED THE VO

Balgowlah Golf Club

COUR

Central to both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Links Hope Island sets the standard offering one of Australia’s finest resort courses and is currently rated ‘Number 1 Course on the Gold Coast’.† Membership includes; • 7 Day course access without payment of Green Fees • Access to full clubhouse facilities and locker rooms • Use of Aquatic Driving Range and practice facilities • Entry into all daily competitions and Honour Board events • Preferred Green Fee for accompanied guests • Full access to extensive reciprocal club network • Administration of Golf Australia handicap • Comprehensive insurance coverage

Plus! Members will enjoy preferred rates at sister clubs Noosa Springs Golf & Country Club and Dragon Lake Resort in Guangzhou, China.

Further details are available on linkshopeisland.com.au or contact Mark Holland, Executive General Manager on 07 5530 9000 or email: golfmail@linkshopeisland.com.au Hope Island Road, Hope Island, QLD 4212

Richard Fellner–Group Editor

www.linkshopeisland.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

y recent “Kodak or Fuji?” article (May issue) generated a heap of great feedback and stories from clubs and readers across the country. This month, I’d like to share a success/ turnaround story about one club in particular, Balgowlah Golf Club, near Sydney. By studying the ups and downs of clubs like this, we can all learn a thing or two to ensure the long-term future of our own clubs.

*Conditions apply. Please contact Links Hope Island for further details. † Golf Digest Magazine - 2013 Australia’s Top 100 Courses

news

Kaymer captures US Open

IN THIS ISSUE:

14 20 22 26 28 34 36 42 47 61 68 70 72 74 78 79 80

INDUSTRY The inner-workings of golf GENERAL MANAGERS News from the GMA COVER STORY Open Championship Preview ON TOUR News and stories from the Pros CLUBS Club news AMATEURS ACGC news SLOW PLAY Tips to speed up the game NEW GEAR The latest and greatest gear

INSTRUCTION Top tips to play better

ermany’s Martin Kaymer captured his second career Major last month, taking the top spot at the US Open by a massive eight shots in a dominant wire-to-wire

SENIOR AMATEURS Results and events

victory.

STATE GOLF Golf NSW and Golf Qld

Kaymer’s opening rounds of 65-65 set a new 36-hole record for a US Open, and proved to be too much for the field to

CALENDAR Results, news and tournaments

YOUR VOICE Your letters and comments

US OPEN SCORES - TOP 10

WIN

19TH HOLE The best parts of golf

CTRY

Qld Pro-Am Spot Page 71

DEMO DATES Test-drive the latest gear GOLF DIRECTORY Great deals around Australia

Golf Travel LIFT-OUT: Great golf in Western Australia

WIN

HOT WHEELS The latest buggies and carts

6-Dozen Callaway Balls Page 42

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Adam Scott

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2014

Aussies T23

MC: Rod Pampling (73, 73), Matt Jones (74, 72), John Senden (71, 76), Geoff Ogilvy (73, 74), Brady Watt (77, 74), Steven Alker (76, 76), Robert Allenby (79, 73), Aron Price (78, 74), Oliver Goss (71, 83)

overcome. In the end, only Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton were anywhere close to 29-year-old Kaymer, both finishing at -1, the only other players to finish in red figures. To many, the tournament outcome appeared imminent from Friday, with Kaymer playing solid, near-error-free golf throughout. Only a late bogey on 16 on Sunday prevented Kaymer from joining Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as the only players to finish a US Open in double digits under par. The victory gives Kaymer his second Major (PGA Championship, 2010) and he joins Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Woods and McIlroy as the only players to win two majors and be No. 1 in the world before turning 30 since the world ranking began in 1986. Brutally slick greens (teetering near “unplayable” in the words of Matt Kuchar) proved to be the undoing for many on the revamped Pinehurst No. 2 course, despite the muchhyped elimination of the standard “US Open Rough”, which was replaced in favour of equally penal waste areas and wire grass. Phil Mickelson, who has been runner-up six times in the event and was aiming to complete his career Grand Slam, finished T28 at 7-over. Of the Australians, Jason Day was best placed, finishing T4 at +1. Adam Scott also cracked the Top10, with a T9 finish at +2. Aaron Baddeley was the only other Aussie to make the cut, with a respectable T23 at +6. •

news Good US Open bets HERE’S a few good U.S. Open bets any bookmaker would have laid.  Martin Kaymer will set a course record 65 in the first and second rounds and take a six-shot lead into the weekend.  Kaymer will make only one bogey in the first 36 holes and win the tournament by eight shots.  Kaymer will complete a “Parental Double”; victory at the Players Championship (in June on Mother’s Day) will parlay into a US Open victory (Father’s Day in the US). He will become the first player to win on both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day since Tom Kite in 1992. The odds would have been generous. A few more:  Hunter Mahan and Jamie Donaldson will be penalised two shots for hitting each other’s ball during the second round. They will both miss the cut, with Mahan missing by one shot.  Jeff Maggert, who twice finished third in the US Open, will score a 10 on the par5 fifth hole.  Australian amateur Oliver Goss will be two shots ahead of Adam Scott and Jason Day after round one.  US Masters champion Bubba Watson and Lee Westwood will miss the cut. On the other side of the coin, the greens were predictably brutal. Charl Schwartzel missed a three-metre putt at the 12th and watched in disbelief as his ball rolled more than 10 metres past the hole and off the green. Phil Mickelson, too, couldn’t keep the ball on the green—while simply attempting to mark it! He had to move it two metres to the right, no nearer the hole, to find “grip” on the slick putting surface.

Groundhog day for Fox in Tahiti

yan Fox has successfully defended his Tahiti Open title with a dramatic one-shot victory over fellow New Zealander Kieran Muir. Fox fired a final round three-under-par 69 to finish the championship at 20-under-par (268). The big hitting Kiwi began the day with a three-shot lead but was quickly back with the chasing group mid-way through the front nine after three early bogies. Muir started well with four early birdies and went on to finish with two birdies on 17 and 18 to post a seven-under-par 65 and take outright second. Australian Edward Stedman carded the low round of the week with a final round of nineunder-par 63 to finish in solo third and the best placed Australian behind Kiwis Fox and Muir. Fox battled back from his disappointing start, recording two birdies on his back nine and avoided a bogey on his final 13 holes. It came down to a 35-ft putt on the 72nd green which Fox needed to two-putt for par to claim victory. “I knew it was pretty close coming up the last but knew that a par would win it and that is just what I managed to do” said the 27-year-old Fox. “I played well all week and absolutely love coming to Tahiti. “It is one of the best events we play all year and I am thrilled to win this event again” he added. Local professional Vaita Guillaume carded a superb seven-under 65 on the final day to

move into the top-15 and highlight the local golfing talent in Tahiti. This year’s event marks the 30th Anniversary of the championship and past champions include Brett Ogle (Aus) and Steve Alker (NZ). Fox adds his name to a select list as a multiple winner of the Tahiti Open and reaffirms him as one of the

best young prospects to come out of New Zealand in many years along with runner-up Muir. The Tahiti Open is part of the Australian Choice Hotels PGA Pro-Am Circuit with players competing for a share in one of the richest prize-purses on the circuit. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

news

Inland golf for Shipwreck Coast? Henry Peters

land, in winter, it’s covered in water for a start so to turn that into an 18-hole golf course that you can use all year round, there’d have to be an awful lot of work done.”

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

Corangamite Shire councillor Peter Harkin forecasts any changes under the master plan could be several decades away from being implemented.

eterborough Golf Club in coastal western Victoria could be extended from nine holes to 18 if local councils completing a draft master plan for the Shipwreck Coast choose to move on discussions around building another nine holes inland.

“The master plan is all very long-term,” Harkin says. “I don’t reckon I’ll live to see a lot of it myself. It’s just a proposal. A lot of the things on the master plan are put on as extras.”

The Corangamite Shire and Moyne Shire Councils are preparing a master plan in conjunction with Parks Victoria, which will include a range of proposals aimed at bolstering Peterborough’s appeal as a Great Ocean Road tourist stop.

Harkin agrees with Hesketh and Irvine that drainage at the proposed location would be a major issue for any new set of holes. “I wonder how they’ll ever get it out there in a wetland. I would say it’s a long way off.”

“Part of that submission had factored in an extension to the Peterborough Golf Club, which is on the north side of the Peterborough township,” says local Ron Irvine who, along with his sisters, owns the property being considered. Irvine – president of the Peterborough Residents Group – understands an idea had been floated to add nine new holes to the town’s current course, close to a kilometre away on land he owns along with his family. The concept – while only in a preliminary phase – was unanimously rejected by all seven members of the Peterborough Residents Group at a meeting in late May. Irvine says any golf development on his family’s land is highly unlikely. “It’s not been within the planning of the residents and it’s not been within the

Irvine says too much focus on boosting tourist visitation numbers along the Shipwreck Coast will damage Peterborough’s appeal as a quiet town. planning of the golf club. If (councils) wanted to plan a new golf course for the area, they should designate an area for an 18-hole course that’s separate to the Peterborough course. People like it just the way it is. It’s really, from my point of view, impractical,” Irvine says. Although, Irvine admits that, for the right price, he would consider selling his land, which is bordered to the east and north by Curdies Inlet and to the west by Halladale Road. “If they want to pay a lot of money for it, they can have it,” he says.

“There possibly is enough room for a small nine holes there but it is subject to flooding and that would be a major drawback.” Peterborough Golf Club secretary Bob Hesketh has revealed that communication between the club and council on the issue has been limited but he would entertain the idea of an inland nine to complement its coastal links offering. “If something was put to us, we’d certainly look at it,” Hesketh says. “Obviously there are a number of financial considerations. The

“We don’t want it to be another town that is based solely on tourism. It’s always been a bit of a sleepy hollow and that’s the way that people like it.” Peterborough’s golf course is best known for its stunning coastal views and Irvine suggests there are other sites west of Peterborough where a layout with no association to the town’s golf club could be built. “There are several areas along towards the Bay of Islands that would be excellent for a future golf course.” •

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July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

news

Moore Park Golf a leader in disability sport

oore Park Golf has become the first public golf course in Australia to enable people with severe physical disability to enjoy a round of golf.

Now in its fifth year, the Mornington Peninsula Golf classic is one of the most popular annual golf events in the Melbourne area, representing world-class golf with all the excitement and fun that only the Mornington Peninsula can offer.

Last month, the club announced the availability of The Paragolfer, a Germandesigned golf cart that was purchased through funds from the Centennial Parklands Foundation, which allows people with hemiplegia and quadriplegia the opportunity to experience this previously inaccessible sport.

The event has become one of the “Must Play” tournaments on the Victorian golf calendar, and this year will be no exception.

The Paragolfer was purchased through a $45,000 grant from the Centennial Parklands Foundation, and complements the more than $1 million of refurbishments and accessibility upgrades at the course and its facilities. “We are the first public golf course in Australia with this equipment – and are delighted that we can help golfers with disabilities the opportunity to come to Moore Park Golf, partake in the sport,” said Kim Ellis, Executive Director of Sydney Parklands and Botanic Gardens. “The Paragolfer is a state-of-the-art piece of machinery that has extremely positive therapeutic effects of golf for people with physical limitations. It lifts people from a sitting to standing position and enables upright posture with unrestricted shoulder movement to enable someone to swing a golf club.” “To further improve users’ experience, we have installed two automated tees on the adjacent driving range to automatically dispense balls.” In addition, Centennial Parklands recently invested over $1M on refurbishment and accessibility upgrades to the Moore Park Golf House, which includes a new accessibility

Tee it up at the Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic

Hon. Rob Stokes MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage, Kim Ellis and James Gribble demonstrate the Paragolfer at Moore Park Golf. ramp and a unisex disabled toilet. Moore Park Golf Accessibility Ambassador, Empower Golf Australia founder and quadriplegic, James Gribble (pictured), said “After breaking my neck four years ago not knowing if I’d even survive, words can’t express how amazing it felt to be upright and swinging a golf club for the first time. I can only imagine how incredible it will be playing against my golfing buddies again.” “With the combination of automated tees and the Paragolfer, Moore Park Golf is set to become one of the most accessible and accommodating public golf facilities in Australia for golfers with disabilities.” Centennial Parklands with the support of the NSW Government has invested $3M in

upgrades across the Golf House, driving range, golf course and signage around the precinct over the last four years. Moore Park Golf is a public access course, open 7 days a week, with one of the largest driving ranges in the southern hemisphere. For more information, visit www.mooreparkgolf.com.au, or watch a video at youtu.be/7X7J16xANjg. FOOTNOTE: James Gribble (pictured) is the founder of Empower Golf Australia, which is a new organisation committed to facilitating and promoting golf for less able Australians. James is also a motivational speaker for corporates and other organisations. For more information on James’ story and his speaking, please visit www.puffinmagic.org.au. •

This year will see players experience tournament play on four exceptional Mornington Peninsula courses: Portsea, The National, The Dunes and Flinders. There are also two optional golf days at Sorrento and Mornington golf clubs. Three of the tournament courses are among the top 40 in Australia and all are among Inside Golf’s favourites in the area. The event dates have been moved to 5-10 October this year, allowing for the potential of warmer weather as well as longer days courtesy of Daylight Saving. The online entry price of $495 includes Welcome Party at Sorrento Golf club, four days of golf (morning and afternoon fields), carts at The National and the Dunes, lunches, Presentation Dinner at The National Golf Club, daily and overall prizes as well as a show bag. Partner’s tickets are also available as well as optional golf and social extras (at additional costs). More information: www. golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au, email info@golfmorningtonpeninsula. com.au or phone 0409 112 070.

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

news

Aussie deaf team’s sound preparation

he Australian deaf golf team had the ideal preparation before departing for the 10th World Deaf Golf Championship in the US later this month. The six-strong deaf team of Jack McLeod, Jack Besley, Luke Ellis, Mark Aird, Andrew Honeysett and Craig Douglas took on a classy Pymble Golf Club’s pennant team. It was a hard-fought contest with Pymble, courtesy of local knowledge, winning 5-1. The result might appear lopsided, but the matches were close and keenly contested.

In another hard-fought match, D’Arcy (PGC) defeated Honeysett (DGA). The fourth match between two Pymble members, Corey Jones (PGC) and the Australian deaf team captain Luke Ellis, was billed as a tough one. Jones, a young up-and-coming star for Pymble, edged out Ellis. The fifth match saw Streichler (PGC) and Douglas (DGA) was close until Streichler donned the earmuffs.

The Australian deaf team, with handicaps ranging from plus-two to six and with 113 years of golfing experience between them, certainly took the challenge up to the lads from Pymble.

He said he loved the focus it gave him and helped him deliver a win.

Current Australian and world deaf champion Jack McLeod (+2) took on Pymble’s club championship Guy Wall, also off +2.

McLeod said the team was “feeling really good” heading into the World Championship.

Also representing Pymble Golf Club were their current junior champion Harry Waddington (+1), Corey Jones (+1), Jono Streichler (1.5), Joe D’Arcy (scratch) and Scott Mattheson (4). The Pymble players had the challenge of wearing earmuffs on the back nine so they could appreciate the difficulty of playing golf with a hearing impairment. In the number one match, McLeod (DGA) birdied the 18th hole to edge out Wall (PGC) one-up. There was some outstanding golf played in the second match between Waddington (PGC) and Besley (DGA) with Waddington taking the match after holing a bunker shot on 16.

The final match was between Matheson (PGC) and Aird (DGA) resulted in a win to Matheson.

“They (team) they have been practising hard and are well-prepared,” he said. “It’s a great bunch of guys and should be a lot of fun.” Meanwhile, Pymble club champion Guy Wall said it was interesting playing golf with earmuffs. “It was easier to focus without sound but it was very, very difficult not hearing the shot and having to ‘feel’ it,” he said. “The feeling of isolation and loneliness was unexpected and contributed to the degree of difficulty.” Australian deaf team captain Luke Ellis said the golf course was in perfect condition. “It’s a magnificent course and we had a great time,” he said.

Pymble Golf Club pennant team members and the Australian Deaf Golf team. “We have a strong team and are looking forward to the World Championship. We are hoping to defend our team championship and Jack McLeod is hoping to defend his singles championship.” The 10th World Deaf Golf Championship tees

off on the Bear and Wolverine courses at Grand Traverse Resort, Michigan from July 12-18. To find out more about Deaf Golf Australia visit the website www.deafgolfaustralia.com.au

Australian Father & Son Tournament *Daughters, grandchildren and siblings also welcome 28 NOVEMBER – 2 Ball Ambrose at Launceston Golf Club 29 NOVEMBER – Canadian Foursome at Prospect Vale Golf Club 30 NOVEMBER – Aggregate stableford at Riverside Golf Club

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For more information call Ian Brown 0418132229 or email ianbrownfencing@bigpond.com or go to www.australianfatherandson.com Entry open till 30.9.14 or until full. Enter before 15 August to go in to the draw to get your entry fee back

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

news

A ‘hole’ new ball game Hamel believes that new comers to the game could create the future.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

“Think about it – it wasn’t the record labels that invented iTunes, it wasn’t the movie studios that gave us Net flicks, it wasn’t the telecom giants that gave us Skype, it wasn’t the banking industry that came up with PayPal,” he said.

AVING a hole larger than a dinner plate could be the answer to golf’s growth problems, according to TaylorMade CEO Mark King. King said golf was been in a state of decline because “the game lacks innovation”.

“What really matters is not resources, not how big you are, it’s resourcefulness. Innovation is always a numbers game.

So convinced is King the 15-inch (38.1cm) cup is a way to attract new players that TaylorMade has committed $US5m to fund the experiment over five years.

“It’s hard to invent the future unless you have a way of creating thousands of new strategic options.

Golf purists reading this will no doubt be loosening their club ties and trying not to spill their gin and tonics. Still, King is pushing on and has even created a website, hackgolf.org, to generate ideas about how to get more people playing golf and make the game more fun. “We need to come together not through the same lens that we have all been looking at this game for the past 30 years,” he said. “We need to create a new lens – a lens that allows us to see a game maybe we can’t picture. “We need new ideas, new innovations and new reasons for people to get off the couch and start playing again.

“Maybe we could use a global community to generate ideas.

Sergio Garcia and Hack Golf show how a 15-inch cup may represent the future of golf. millions of people who play traditional golf,” he said.

So, can traditional golf and new innovations co-exist?

“But what harm is there in offering an alternative?”

Gary Hamel, a world-renowned business strategist, thinks they can.

The oversized hole would be ideal for corporate and charity event, which often attract novice golfers.

“My gosh, can golf be tough,” he said.

PGA of America president Ted Bishop said time-poor golfers needed a new product.

“Every single person has their story of when golf captured their imagination … when it captured their heart.

“We need to come up with something that is a golf experience – something that is 30, 45, 60 or 90 minutes.”

“Our role is to ensure that generations to come have the same opportunity to enjoy and love the game we all love.”

In the US, 25 per cent of golfers who played at least eight rounds a year, have quit the game.

King has the support of the PGA of America and the National Golf Foundation.

“That’s one out of four,” said National Golf Foundation CEO Joe Beditz.

Right after the Masters, King invited Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose to a round where 15inch cups were in play.

“We’ve lost five million out of 30 million golfers over the last 10 years.

The bigger holes were added at a US country club and King found they reduced the length of an 18-hole round by 45 minutes. “No one is trying to drive away the many

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Those core golfers are responsible for over 90 per cent of spending and rounds played in golf. “The research tells us the answer is very simple – they are just not having fun.”

“There’s so many rules, all those intimidating rituals, the puzzling kind of etiquette and the stuffy elitism. “The goal for Hack Golf is to identify and address those barriers that are keeping millions from enjoying the game and that are keeping millions more from even giving it a try. “Here and there you see some notable efforts on the way to accelerate the pace of play, to experiment with new course layouts, with new competitive formats to try to expand the demographic reach of the sport, but clearly there is scope for a lot more. “That’s why we are launching Hack Golf.” King says the same industry people are looking at the same problems and coming up with the same solutions. “It’s time to open ourselves up to new ideas.”

“In Hack Golf we want to share the challenge of reinvigorating this game with anybody who cares and make sure that 10, 20, 50, 100 years from now golf will forever be the greatest game.” The PGA of America believes team golf is the way forward when it comes to attracting juniors. In 2012, the PGA of America backed the Junior League Golf (JLG) concept, which has seen a participation increase of more than 350 per cent. JLG is a team format designed to attract kids to the game. The concept features team jerseys with names and numbers on the back and allows for player substitutions. “It’s the Little League Baseball version of golf,” Bishop said. “We have reached a point where we have to get as far out of the box and get as innovated as we possibly can to try to bring new players into the game.” FOOTNOTE: Late last year PGA professional Grant Garrison launched a Junior Golf League pilot program on the Gold Coast with positive results. In addition, Australian PGA Pro Murray Blair, at Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club, ACT, has launched Big Hole Golf, featuring kits and events across the country. Visit: www.bigholegolf. com/aus-trade/W •

news

Elliott wins International Blind Golf World Championships Gary McInnes www.blindgolf.com.au

he 2014 ISPS HANDA International Blind Golf World Championships were held at the Nelson Bay Golf Club in New South Wales on 15 & 16 May 2014. This event was preceded by the 2014 ISPS HANDA Australian Blind Golf Open Championships. Both events were net events with trophies being awarded to the gross and net winners and runners-up in each of the three sight categories. Malcolm Elliott (B2 – 45 handicap) from Western Australia with Neville Walker as his caddie won the ISPS Handa World Championship with a 36-hole net score of 150. Malcolm was leading by one stroke from Englishman Paul Appleyard (B3 – 14 handicap) after an impressive first round score of net 71 on the par 72 course. On day two Malcolm held his great form to come home with a net 79 to win the title by three strokes over Paul Appleyard. Zohar Sharon from Israel won the B1 title, while Malcolm and Paul won the B2 and B3 titles respectively. Jenny McCallum (B2 – 34 handicap) from Western Australia with her husband Ian won the Ladies title with net scores of 84 and 79.

An international stableford competition was held on the final two days for those players who did not qualify for the world championships. The event was won by Kerry Vidler from New South Wales with his wife Sue as his caddie. Winner of the ISPS HANDA Australian Open was Kris Adams (B2 - 39 handicap) from Scotland with his caddie Ken Mackenzie on a net 36-hole score of 162. Kris was equal leader with Paul Appleyard, and local Kerry Vidler from New South Wales, on net 73s after the first round. Paul Appleyard played solid golf in the second round to be runner-up. Brian McLeod from Canada won the B1 net title and Kris Adam and Paul Appleyard took out the B2 and B3 titles. Jenny McCallum won the Ladies title with net scores of 82 and 77. A field of 49 players including 7 women took part in the World Championships representing Australia, Canada, England, Japan, Rep. of Korea, Italy, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, South Africa, The Netherlands and the USA. Australia had 26 entrants while there were 5 from Canada, and Japan and England each had 4. 52 players including 9 women participated in the Australian Open. Full praise goes to the organising committee and the Nelson Bay Golf Club committee for supporting and hosting the events. Praise also goes to the huge number of volunteers who became involved in the

2014 ISPS HANDA International Blind Golf World Champion Malcolm Elliott (L) with caddie Neville Walker events as scorers, spotters, and arranging golf bags and golf carts and lunches etc. The next Blind Golf World Championships will be held in Japan in 2016. Blind golf has 3 sight categories; B1, B2 and B3 depending on how much sight a player has. B1 players are totally blind.

Anyone wishing to learn more about either playing blind golf or caddying for a blind golfer may contact Gary McInnes on 0417 055 731. They may also go to the Blind Golf Australia website www.blindgolf.com.au or see www.internationalblindgolf.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

from the ceo

National Playgolf program to tee off in November Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

This November, Golf Australia, in partnership with State Associations and with the support of the PGA of Australia and Golf Management Australia, will coordinate the first national Playgolf WEEK campaign from 17-23 November 2014. At the time of going to print, more than 160 golf clubs around the country have signed up to be part of the fun. Playgolf WEEK is a Golf Australia-led participation initiative using a national engagement campaign to raise awareness and involvement in golf. Its purpose is to raise the profile of golf to new, social and future players, leading to increased participation (club memberships, participation program enrolment, golf lessons, rounds of golf, golf facility visits and more). State Associations will conduct various public awareness activities in each capital city. These activities are designed to generate interest in the concept and drive potential players to various activities to be held at golf facilities in your state during the week. The national campaign is based on a successful pilot conducted in South Australia in late 2013. Being involved in Playgolf WEEK provides golf clubs with an opportunity to leverage off a national campaign. Rather than each club invest in their individual promotion and recruitment campaigns, a national approach is more cost effective, with potentially more reach. It also allows for the promotion of one consistent message to avoid consumer confusion.

The 2013 Playgolf campaign in South Australia proved to be a successful pilot to this year’s national program community. Each club may have different objectives or ideas for their Day based on available facilities, time, etc.

being involved in Playgolf WEEK. We’d certainly like to have your support in the week of national activities.

Without doubt, the support and participation of golf clubs will be a major factor in the success of Playgolf WEEK. This event is a great place to start in turning around membership trends, but club support is critical to its success.

Come and Try Days could be a clinic, a 3, 6 or 9-hole competition, a putting competition, discounted range balls, etc. The possibilities are endless. For those clubs lucky enough to have membership waiting lists, you may like to promote the services of your Club Professional, or promote your clubhouse facilities for functions.

If you have not received initial Playgolf WEEK communications from your State Association or Golf Australia and would like to be involved in the 2014 campaign, please contact us as soon as possible via info@playgolf.com.au or (03) 9626 5000.

The Come and Try Day on Sunday 23 November is a way for involved clubs to promote your club’s facilities to the local

Golf Australia, the State Associations and the industry bodies have sent out communications to all golf clubs about

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We look forward to seeing you in a big week of golf across Australia in November. Visit www.playgolf.com.au for more information. •

from the ceo

Ladies leading by example

A united front for golf

Karen Lunn

Brian Thorburn

Executive Director – ALPG

CEO – PGA of Australia

What a year 2014 has been so far for our guys on the PGA Tour! Five individual winners, currently 4 Australians in the top 35 of the Fedex Cup Standings, and of course to top it off Adam Scott has become the first Australian become the No. 1 golfer on the planet since Greg Norman held that mantle some sixteen years ago.

At this time each year the PGA puts the call out to find the next breed of Professionals to commence in the PGA Trainee Program the following year. Delivering multiple career paths within the Australian and international industries, the PGA Trainee Program is a highly respected and sought after golf-specific education program. The three-year program covers subject matter including coaching, game development, small business and management and boasts a graduate employee rate above 90 per cent. Applications for the 2015 program close at the end of August.

Meanwhile on the LPGA Tour their counterparts have also had a strong start to the LPGA tour, led of course by Karrie Webb who won twice in the early part of the season. Looking from the outside in, this year has a slightly different feel to past years, when we have had the stalwarts of the Australian game, of course Webb, along with Katherine Kirk (nee Hull), Lindsey Wright, Sarah Jane Smith and Sarah Kemp competing.

Last month I travelled to Parliament House alongside industry delegates including Stephen Pitt and one of our PGA Member Directors, Peter O’Malley. Over the course of the day we had the opportunity to meet with numerous portfolio representatives in some way aligned to golf, telling many a positive story about our industry’s recent past, present and future. As I’ve mentioned previously ongoing collaboration and the presentation of a strong united front to all levels of Government is in the greater interest of the entire golf industry. Working alongside Golf Australia and other industry bodies I’m confident that this will deliver tangible benefits in months and years to come.

In 2014, whether Webb’s incredible start to the season has been a motivating factor who knows, but we seem to have a more focused and determined group of players who all seem to be feeding off their colleagues, of course led by the still incredibly determined world number 5 Karrie Webb. Katherine Hull, who became Mrs Tom Kirk in 2012, has had a promising start to 2014 and looks to have regained some of the form that has seen her earn more than US$3.7 million and record two LPGA wins. Katherine has been a regular on LPGA leaderboards so far in 2014 and while she has not converted any of those surely it is only a matter of time until a player of her class finds her way back into the winner’s circle. Fellow Queenslander Sarah Jane Smith’s best finish in her 8 year LPGA career was 6th place until her 2nd place finish a few weeks back at the Kingsmill Championship. For Sarah Jane who travels on tour with her husband Duane who also acts as her caddy, 2nd place is not the win she covets but it certainly does make her plans for the rest of 2014 a lot easier! Apart from the $90,000 cheque, she will now most likely qualify for all of the remaining majors as well as the limited field events at the end of 2014 and early 2015, by virtue of her position on the LPGA money list. This could really be the break “SJ” has been working so hard for and she now has the opportunity to establish herself in the upper echelon of women’s golf. Sarah Kemp decided over Christmas that it was time to get the whip cracking and along with her close friend French professional Joanna Klatten, put in some tough gym time and long hours on the practice ground and putting green. “Kempy” has long been touted as one of the game’s next stars and while she has had some degree of success has never reached the heights many had hoped. The bar has been raised so much in terms of professionalism and work ethic in the women’s game over the past 10 years it is easy to get left behind unless you are prepared to grind and make the necessary sacrifices. Kempy’s early season form on the LPGA

Karrie Webb leads a more focused and determined group of players on tour has been solid and if she keeps it up should be good enough to open up some exciting playing opportunities later in the year. Stacey Keating is one of the most focused and dedicated players on tour, and has spent the past 3 years playing on the Ladies European Tour. Stacey felt that it was the right time to head to the LPGA with wins (and a two-year exemption!) under her belt in Europe and was bitterly disappointed not to get through qualifying school with her full card. So far in 2014 she has made the most of the opportunities she has had and courtesy of a re-rank of her category will get a start in all of the full field events she enters for the next 3 months. She also played in the US Women’s Open at Pinehurst, having been the medallist in a 36-hole qualifier in North Carolina. It is great to see our girls putting in the hard yards in search of their dreams. There are no short cuts to success in professional golf and sometimes it can be a lonely road! Our young players on the LPGA are so fortunate to have such an amazing role model and mentor in Karrie Webb. If you see one of our young players having success on any tour you can guarantee that Karrie will be following the results and she will be the first one to pat them on the back and say well done. •

WHAT’S YOUR

It would be remiss of me not to mention the recent election of South Australian PGA Member Peter Ormsby to Life Membership of our Association. Peter is incredibly well respected across our industry and is highly deserving of this accolade. I’m sure those who have crossed paths with Peter will join me in extending congratulations. On the tournament front, the PGA Tour of Australasia is only weeks away from recommencing with the inaugural Fiji International set to tee off from August 14-17 at Natadola Bay. With a prizepurse of US$1 million and co-sanctioned by OneAsia, a number of our Professionals are headed back to our region for the event which will be broadcast live over four days on Fox Sports. The Fiji International is one of 11 PGA Tour of Australasia events to be contested before the end of the year; the season set to conclude with our own Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort from December 11-14. Be sure to visit www. pga.org.au for full tournament details – there’s no better opportunity to get out and support Australian Professional golf. •

TURn TO PAge 79 fOR deTAilS www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

industry news

Burgled balls beset Tassie range Henry Peters

In March, the The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews announced that they will be voting on a motion to admit women as members.

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

driving range near Hobart has fallen victim to a major theft of its golf balls for the second time this year.

A spokesperson said, “The Club’s committees are strongly in favour of the rule change and are asking members to support it. The vote is scheduled to take place in September of this year.”

Close to 6,000 golf balls were stolen from Golf Park Hobart on Cranston Parade in Cambridge on Friday May 31 and taken away in bright-coloured plastic tubs.

As a separate entity from the R&A, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews remains a private golf club with a world-wide membership of 2,400.

Police suspect at least two people were involved in the burglary before lifting the containers over a 2.5 metre-high fence and loading them into a car parked beside the Tasman Highway. “I don’t know why people think they can just help themselves to other people’s property,” says range owner Dianne Reynolds. “There’s resale value for golf balls, so I guess if they advertise them and sell them, that’s a good night’s work for them. It’s very annoying, very frustrating and just disruptive to everything.” No CCTV vision of the theft was captured and it has forced Reynolds to install a new security system at the range, which she says will ensure almost the entire facility is under surveillance. “We’ve put in more cameras and more censor lights.” Close to 6,000 second-hand golf balls were stolen earlier this year in a separate robbery. “They’re old balls that are too warn to use on the driving range. What we do is we spray them pink and we use them for school groups. A few months ago, there was a number of those that disappeared but that doesn’t impact on our daily earnings.” Reynolds – who has managed the driving

R&A to (finally) allow women?

However, it’s understood Muirfield, Sandwich and Troon golf clubs will continue to have a male-only membership.

range for more than 18 months with her husband David – admits that the facility’s relatively isolated location has left it vulnerable to burglaries. “We are in the middle of a paddock so I guess it makes it an easy target even though we have really high fences and our gate’s padlocked and chained and they have barbwire across them. They still have to make a fairly big effort to get in here but it is secluded.” Reynolds says business has been allowed to operate as normal since the golf ball theft in late May due to a reserve stock of golf balls that were stored at the range. At any given time, Cambridge’s Golf Park has an estimated 7,000 balls on the driving range and close to 3,000 in storage.

“It would have had a huge impact had I not had a spare supply of balls to put out. If I hadn’t have had those, I would have closed the business because we wouldn’t have had enough balls to get through. It’s very fortunate that I’d just ordered those in. It’s fortunate that it’s winter and it’s not as busy as it is in the summer months.” The financial toll the stolen golf balls have taken on the range owners extends beyond the cost of installing new security. Reynolds says she had to order a new stock of balls much earlier than expected at a cost of around $1,900. “But as far as impact to daily takings for the driving range, it didn’t because I had the balls in stock to bring out,” Reynolds says. •

Troon, according to UK correspondent James Corrigan, sought to distance itself from the debate by stating, “although we are a single gender club, some 370 members of the Ladies Golf Club Troon do, in fact, share our on-course facilities”. Apparently, “share” doesn’t actually mean share, according to young Connie Jaffrey, who is a member of the Ladies Golf Club. The Scottish girls’ champion, one of the top junior golfers in Britain, seldom gets to play on the club’s hallowed turf. “They’re quite tight on the rules so I only get to play it a couple of times a year,” she told The Scotsman. “I don’t even get to use the practice putting green, which is unfortunate.”

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industry news

Gold Coast to host World Scientific Congress of Golf F

or the first time since its inception in 1990, the World Scientific Congress of Golf (WSCG) will be held on Australian shores, landing on the Gold Coast from the 5-7 of September this year. The conference has previously only been held at St. Andrews (UK) and Phoenix, Arizona (US) so gaining the rights to host the event from the WSCG Board in 2012 was a major coup for Griffith University and for Australia.

The WSCG started as a means of bringing together academics and coaches to discuss the way in which the science of golf could be more meaningfully translated into practice. As one golf coach said “It’s the boffins explaining what they do in their labs in a way that means something to me on the range”. One of the key themes is the practical application of the science rather than science for science’s sake. The conference brings together a broad range of delegates including biomechanists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, psychologists, coaches, industry leaders –anyone interested in, and passionate about, the development of the game. A comprehensive program is being developed around this year’s themes of ‘The Golfer, Technology & Equipment and Golf Business & Education’. Improving performance and preventing injury is one of the key themes of the conference. WSCG organisers have secured David Darbyshire as a keynote speaker. Darbyshire is Adam Scott’s Physical Preparation Coach and will be discussing some of the key elements of

Perth International to deliver strongest ever field Reigning US PGA Champion Jason Dufner has confirmed his return to Western Australia for the 2014 Perth International at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 23 to 26 October. Dufner won his first Major Championship last August at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY and will return to Perth after finishing second in the inaugural event in 2012. He will be joined in the field by 24-yearold Frenchman, Victor Dubuisson. Dubuisson has enjoyed a terrific past year winning his maiden European Tour title in Turkey last October and reached the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February.

designing holistic programs for athletes with high expectations and busy schedules. Darbyshire has worked with the likes of Nick Watney, KJ Choi, Aaron Baddeley and Ernie Els, and will be a highlight of the conference. Seven internationally recognised academics have also been signed as Keynote Speakers –Professors Mario LaFortune, Director of Innovation at NIKE; Eric Wallace from Ulster University; Senshi Fukashiro, Director of Biomechanics from the University of Tokyo; Mark Broadie, Vice Dean from Columbia Business School; Australia’s Sandy Gordon, Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Western Australia; Sean O’Leary, Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist from the University of Queensland; and Dr. Debbie Crews, Director of the WSCG Board and renowned golf psychologist.

With this much academic clout, one could be concerned that the conference is only for the boffins. However, Canadian PGA Professional, Henry Brunton, will also be on hand to ensure that the science is translated into practice and that those coaches and lovers of the game of golf in attendance keep the academics focussed on the practical application of their data. Not only will Brunton keep the academics on their toes, but the always highly competitive Internationals vs Home Golf Tournament, which will be held at the beautiful The Palms at Sanctuary Cove, provides the opportunity for great debate about the place of science in golf when one finds themselves 25 strokes over par! More information: http://wscg2014.com. au, or www.facebook.com/golfscience. congress. Phone: 02 9265 0700.

“I had a great time in Perth two years ago. I loved the city, the hospitality and the terrific golf course at Lake Karrinyup. I had a terrific battle to the end in 2012, closing as runner-up, and I am hoping to go one better and take home the trophy,” Dufner said. Korean born, Australian based Jin Jeong will return to defend his title and will be joined in the field by five-time European Tour champion and local favourite Brett Rumford, along with Steven Bowditch who won his maiden PGA TOUR title in April at the Texas Open. The Perth International is now in its third year and is the only Australian tournament to be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia. www.perthinternational.com •

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

industry news

GMA announces 2015 conference venue David Allen

GMA Executive Officer eo@gma.org.au

he Board of Golf Management Australia (GMA) has confirmed the next GMA National Conference will be held on the Gold Coast from Monday 31st August to Thursday 3rd September 2015, at Jupiters Gold Coast. GMA President Damon Lonnie said “The 2015 Conference follows on from a very successful educational programme delivered at the 2013 Conference in Sydney. “The conference featured an impressive list of local and international speakers presenting a range of industry topics, and providing golf club managers with valuable information and management tools to take back to their Clubs. We look forward to 2015 with great excitement.” GMA continues to receive wonderful support from its Conference Partner, Schweppes Australia. National Account Manager – Retail for Schweppes, Daniel Christie said “Schweppes and GMA have forged a long-term relationship and we have been very pleased to have been their Conference Partner since GMA began conducting biennial conferences under their own banner in 2009. “Since that time, there is no doubt that the bar has been lifted and the quality of speakers engaged have played a major part in the success of these conferences. We look forward to working with GMA to make the 2015 Conference something special for all delegates.”

The planning process for the next biennial GMA National Conference in 2015 commenced almost immediately, with Lonnie and GMA Executive Officer David Allen attending the 2014 CMAA World Conference & Club Business Expo in Orlando, Florida. A healthy contingent of Australian Club Managers also made the trip to Orlando to take advantage of the world-class educational programme on offer. A feature of the CMAA Conference is the International Breakfast which provides a forum for International representatives from visiting countries to speak about the state of the game and the club industry in their part of the world. At the event, Damon spoke about the challenges facing Clubs in Australia in an increasingly competitive leisure market, but also reported on a number of initiatives GMA has delivered in the last 12 months including “The Green Book – The Essential Guide to Strategic planning for Golf Clubs”, a National benchmarking tool for golf clubs - launched at the 2013 Sydney Conference and the recent series of travelling roadshows in each state to promote these initiatives in addition to a presentation from Golf Australia on strategic initiatives to increase participation in golf. A major reason the biennial GMA National Conference has been so successful in recent years has been the corporate partnerships GMA has fostered with a number of companies, including a long standing relationship with Conference Partner – Schweppes since 2009, and an impressive list of major sponsors including Host Plus, Club Car, Toro, Nexus Insurance, John Deere Golf, Greg Norman Golf Course Design and MiClub.

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In addition to providing valuable exposure for these brands and numerous networking opportunities during Conference week – the GMA board works very hard to foster these important relationships during the year with various opportunities available to network with club managers at numerous industry and social events in addition to direct marketing opportunities to club managers in each state. GMA offers a range of opportunities for companies to become involved, from a major sponsorship association, through to an exhibitor package to showcase your products and services during Conference week. A very popular feature of the GMA Conference is the 2-day Club Business Expo featuring the

full range of products and the full range of services available in the club industry, and an invaluable opportunity for sponsors and exhibitors to network with over 200 golf club managers, management staff and industry people during conference week. GMA has some exciting plans for the Club Business Expo at Jupiters Gold Coast in 2015, and a number of companies have already registered their interest in securing an exhibition booth at the next Conference. For further information about the 2015 Conference or Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities, please contact David Allen at eo@gma.org.au •

industry news

Top trainees to battle in Ballarat Henry Peters

The PGA of Australia has announced the appointment of accomplished Tournament Professional Michael Long to its Board of Directors.

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

allarat can expect an allencompassing assault on the golfing senses when it hosts what the PGA of Australia is touting as the unofficial trainee world championship in October.

Long replaces fellow Tournament Professional Craig Parry, who stepped down after serving on the PGA Board for the past four years.

More than 100 of the nation’s and the world’s best trainee professionals will tee it up in the $55,000 PGA National Futures Championship at the Peter Thomsondesigned Ballarat Golf Club from October 2124.

Hailing from New Zealand, Long has been a much-respected Member of the PGA Tour of Australasia since 1990. Throughout his career Long has competed all over the world, highlights including wins at the 1996 New Zealand Open and the 1999 Greg Norman Holden International. Long’s victories also include the 2001 Boise Open and 2003 VB Open on the now Web.com Tour.

Event organisers are set to hit the city’s streets and schools to stage major golf promotions throughout the week. The golf tournament itself will run that week from Tuesday until Friday but with players expected to arrive in town on the Sunday beforehand, golf fans and beginners will be involved the entire week.

“The trainees who are playing in the afternoon Pro-Am will head off in the morning and the trainees who are playing in the morning will head off in the afternoon to do the school clinics. We’re trying to maximise the time that we spend in Ballarat with the trainees for community engagement.”

Adult and junior clinics will be run on the Sunday, followed by a longest drive contest for amateurs, allowing them to vie for prizes and compete alongside big-hitting trainees. “It will be a demonstration on how far the young trainees hit it and the punter can come along and have a go,” says the PGA’s Executive Officer of Training and Education, Geoff Stewart. “Trainee professionals are virtually all young males so they tend to hit it virtually as far as touring professionals in the States so it’s a good opportunity for amateurs to see how they track against them.” Local school children are also likely to benefit from the week’s festivities with trainees visiting several schools during a busy Pro-Am day on the Monday. “We (are) happy to make two or three groups of trainees available for the morning and for the afternoon so between four and six schools should be visited. They might be seeing 20 or 30 kids at each school,” Stewart says.

AGUERO

Michael Long joins PGA Board

Anyone in Ballarat during that week could also get a taste for the game with tournament organisers setting up a blow-up hitting bay at Ballarat’s Bridge Mall shopping district on the Tuesday and Wednesday during the 72-hole strokeplay event. “We’re planning on getting that into the shopping centre to promote the fact that there’s a PGA event in town and that PGA members are available to the public for coaching or advice and just that concept of PGA members being experts in the game of golf,” Stewart says. The PGA of Australia has predicted it will be a breakthrough week for Ballarat as it looks for greater recognition as a golf destination. It’s anticipated that Ballarat’s regional location will bring a far greater level of media exposure to the event than if it were held in Melbourne where it would be forced to

Now residing in Western Australia, Long continues to support the PGA Tour of Australasia as both a competitor and a representative on the Tournament Players Council.

compete against other mainstream sports for the week. “It becomes a major event when it’s held in that major regional hub,” Stewart admits. “I’m hoping it’s the event in Ballarat for that week. You essentially do have the next generation of golfers in town. I’m just hoping the Ballarat Courier or WIN News up there really pick it up all week.” The PGA of Australia has revealed the event will have an international flair with players from the US, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and England expected to tee it up. “It’s the most prizemoney for any trainee event in the world so with trainees from other countries playing in it, it’s essentially an unofficial trainee world championship,” Stewart says. •

He is also the General Manager of Hillview Golf Course, a 27-hole facility located in the Perth foothills. “It’s an exciting time for Australian golf and I’m looking forward to this new chapter,” said Long. “I’ve had some great opportunities afforded to me over the years and hopefully as part of the Board I can give a little back and contribute to a positive future for both PGA Members and the wider industry.” Long joins fellow Member Directors Mark Gibson (Chairman), Peter O’Malley (Deputy Chairman), and Len Beck, while James Erskine, Richard Lazar, Richard Allely and Brad Gale serve as Independent Directors.

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general managers

GM Matt Day goes public head down working on a $10m-plus development. (See related story in this month’s Travel Insert).

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

One of Day’s major challenges is to ensure Wembley Golf Course returns a profit to the council.

OULD more dialogue between the game’s governing bodies and public golf course operators be a solution to growing the game? It’s a view put forward by Matt Day.

“Next year it will be $1.63m,” he said. “If the rates go up three per cent it ends up being another $40,000-plus annually.” Day said the complex’s power bill had almost doubled in the past five years putting further strain on the bottom line.

The general manager of Perth’s Wembley Golf Course says the attitude towards public golf courses needs addressing and sees an opportunity for Golf Australia and the PGA to work more closely with public golf courses.

“In Perth, golf is a competitive green fees market so you haven’t got a great deal of room to move there,” he added.

“It’s important the public golf market remains strong,” Day said. “We have seen Burswood shut and Rosehill is about to close.

“But our aim is to provide a quality product within a tough environment.

“It becomes a worrying trend when you see public golf courses owned by councils or the state government closing because it puts more pressure on other courses.

“Having a very good operations manager in Jim Heron, course superintendent Darren Wilson and great staff makes that task a lot easier.”

“Golf Australia needs to recognise that 1.2 million rounds on Perth’s public courses is a significant and important number.”

Born in England, Day, 43, has lived in Perth since arriving as a nine-year-old. His father David, Joondalup Golf Club’s first secretarymanager, introduced him to golf.

Still, Day concedes private clubs, through capitation fees, primarily fund Golf Australia and that must remain their focus. However, he argues most golfers learn to play golf on public courses. “People generally don’t learn to play at clubs like Lake Karrinyup – they learn to play at public courses,” he said. “What we are saying to GA is how do we, as an industry, convert those people into longerterm golfers? How do we convert the young people that use the driving range, but don’t play golf?” Day said private clubs would be the big winners if there were more focus on assisting public courses. “If we have the players, train them properly and get them interested they will join a private club,” he said. “There is room for Golf Australia, the PGA and other peak bodies to have a conversation on a more frequent basis with public courses.

Matt Day This is how we can assist each other to grow the game. “It’s GA’s challenge to convert them into club golfers as much as it is ours.” That said, Day, who has been at the helm of the Town of Cambridge Council-owned Wembley Golf Course for the past 12 years, says there is never a dull moment when it comes to his work. “With public golf there is a new challenge every day and I look forward to coming to work to see what the day is going to present,” he said. “We run a 36-hole golf course, 80-bay driving range, teaching and practice facilities, retail shop and a fleet of 70 golf carts. “It’s a great place to work and I have a good view out of my office window.” Mind you, Day doesn’t have much time to gaze out over the course as he has his

He has a Bachelor of Business degree majoring in marketing from Edith Cowan University and says his management style is “open and inclusive”. “Because I am based at the pro shop, staff have the opportunity to talk to me whenever there is a need,” he said. Prior to his job at Wembley, Day worked in management roles at Baileys Fertilisers, CJD Equipment (John Deere’s Perth golf and turf distributors) and Nuturf – one of the biggest turf chemical and fertiliser companies. He has a certificate in turf management. Due to work and family commitments, Day, who is a member at Joondalup, seldom finds time to play golf. “I play off 11. As far as driving the ball I’m probably an eight-marker and a 38-handicapper when it comes to the short game,” he laughed. “I only play seven or eight times a year.” •

European Tour and FootJoy extend partnership The European Tour has extended its partnership with FootJoy as its Official Footwear Supplier until 2018. Richard Fryer, FootJoy’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We are immensely proud of the relationship we have developed with The European Tour over the past seven years, so naturally we are delighted to extend this association. “We are certainly looking forward to working closely alongside their team over the next five years, as both organisations continue to lead from the forefront of the industry.” This agreement with The European Tour follows FootJoy’s agreement with Ryder Cup Europe to become an Official Licensee of the biennial tournament, which this year takes place from September 27-29 at The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland. Fryer added: “As the clear number one shoe brand of choice week in week out amongst competitors on The European Tour, we also wanted to extend our support to everyone on the Tour from the agronomy and event staff to the referees and officials, all of whom play crucial roles in enhancing the all-round appeal and credibility of the FJ brand.” FootJoy has long been synonymous with the winners’ circle on The European Tour and 2013 was no different, with an impressive tally of wins from FootJoy ambassadors including Major winners Adam Scott (Masters Tournament) and Jason Dufner (US PGA Championship) as well as Henrik Stenson, whose runaway victory in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai saw him crowned European Tour Number One for 2013. Tim Shaw, Sales Director for The European Tour, said: “Our relationship with FootJoy as an Official Supplier has been overwhelmingly positive. I think the fact that both parties have agreed to extend the partnership says everything about the level of satisfaction with our agreement, which we hope will continue long into the future.”

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cover story

Open Championship preview: Reflections on Royal Liverpool

We chat with Major Champions Peter Thomson and Gary Player about their memories of Royal Liverpool, and see what’s in store for the Aussies in the field at Hoylake this month.

By Andrew Crockett

he 2014 Open Championship returns to Hoylake - Royal Liverpool Golf Club – a club steeped in history. The club hosted the inaugural Men’s Amateur championship in 1885, hosted the first international match between Scotland and England in 1902 and the first transatlantic between Great Britain, Ireland and the USA in 1921, an event that became known as The Walker Cup. Hoylake’s contribution to Amateur golf was permanently enshrined in golf folklore when Bobby Jones won the Amateur and Open Championships in 1930 – and then went on to win golf’s Grand Slam, the only player to do so in one calendar year. Royal Liverpool and The Open Championship connection has provided an impressive resume of champions. First played in 1897, Royal Liverpool has hosted the Open 11 times and adorned champions of the caliber of Walter Hagen (USA) 1924, Bobby Jones (a USA) 1930, Fred Daly (Northern Ireland) 1947, Peter Thomson (Australia) 1956, Roberto de Vicenzo (Argentina) 1967 and of course, most recently, Tiger Woods (USA) 2006.

Winding the clock back to 1956, Thomson won The Open for the third consecutive year, a feat that no other player has matched in the modern era. Thomson shot 70, 70, 72, 74 and won by three from Flory Van Donck (Belgium) four from de Vicenzo and five better than a young Gary Player (South Africa). “Well I wasn’t confident, but I was my usual self and giving myself a chance. When the end came and I was the winner I was really a bit shocked,” Thomson says. 22

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Royal Liverpool, courtesy of Royal Liverpool Golf Club 1956 was the first year that Player contested the Open, he won it three years later to claim his first of nine major victories. “The Open at Hoylake in 1956 was my very first Open Championship,” Player says. “I was just 20 years old! What an amazing experience. I remember the weather was really awful on the first couple of days, but I remember how impressed I was with the atmosphere, the crowds and the tradition. I played well, finishing with a 71 to end up in 4th, although I was some five shots behind Peter Thomson, whose win that year brought

him the only hat-trick of wins in the 20th century,” Player adds. De Vicenzo was a prolific winner of professional golf tournaments winning over 200 tournaments, but majors eluded him, until the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in 1967. De Vicenzo had a liking for Royal Liverpool, having nearly won The Open eleven years earlier but for a disastrous third round of 79, all but handing the claret jug to Thomson. 1967 was his year, though, in more ways than one. He held off Jack Nicklaus by two shots and playing partner Gary Player

by six shots to win his first and only major title but he also won £7000 with a local bookmaker who had him at 70:1 to win the tournament. £7000 in 1967 could buy you a very nice house….or two. Thomson finished tied for 8th. “Actually I drove him [de Vicenzo] to the tournament from London,” recalls Thomson. “He played for Dunlop (just about everybody did in those days) and they said ‘you might be able to give him a lift up to Hoylake.’ So I picked him up at the Dunlop office and chatted to him all the way up to Hoylake.

cover story I might have been instrumental in giving him a bit of a pat on the back. I am not sure about that, but I gave him some confidence that he could win. That was his last chance really, he had been the favourite to win for almost twenty years and he hadn’t done it. 1967 felt like his last chance, he was in good humor and he did it. He really gave it a big bash, the way he played. A big hitter.” Player, too, has fond memories of the event. “I remember that in the 1967 Open at Hoylake it was particularly dry that year, which made scoring conditions a little easier, other than the hard bumpy fairways which could feed the ball off into the rough,” he says. “I’d had a successful campaign in South Africa that year, winning the Open and the SA Masters, but hadn’t won anything in the States or Europe, so I was keen to do well in the Open. I kept in touch well with the leaders for the first two rounds and then, in the third, despite struggling a bit with my putting, I scored 67, which was the course record. About 30 minutes later Roberto also scored 67, so I remained two shots behind going into the last round. “During the final round—I was in the last group with Roberto—I started disastrously with a bogey on the first hole, which forced me to play the rest of the round aggressively to catch up. Unfortunately this kind of strategy seldom works in a major tournament and less often in an Open so, by the time Roberto was sinking his winning putt, I was just an interested, disappointed spectator six shots behind in third spot behind my old rival Jack Nicklaus,” Player says. It was a long time between drinks for Royal Liverpool from de Vicenzo’s victory in 1967 to the next time it hosted the Open Championship in 2006. Tiger Woods was at the peak of his powers when he shot 18-under around an oven-baked Hoylake (67, 65, 71, 67) to beat Chris DiMarco by two shots, Ernie Els by five, Jim Furyk by six and Sergio Garcia by seven shots to claim his 11th major golf title. Woods was a ball-striking machine in 2006, only missing one green in regulation during his final round 67. Woods declared it ‘probably one of the best ball striking weeks I have ever had’ and few will forget the 4-iron he holed on the par-4 14th for an eagle on the Friday. During his practice round at Hoylake Woods quickly realized the penalties for hitting tee shots into the hazardous bunkers and he famously hit long irons short of the bunkers and often had approach shots up to 80 yards longer than his playing partners. The strategy worked; Woods fought off a brave attack from Chris DiMarco and on the 72nd hole he broke into tears, a rare sign of emotion from Woods, three months after his father Earl had died. Adam Scott had his first top ten at that Open Championship in 2006

with rounds of 68, 69, 70, 72, nine shots behind Woods. He is, again, one of the favourites this year to win the tournament and given his experiences on the back-nine on Sunday, Adam is well poised at a course he has previously done well at. “I have fond memories of Royal Liverpool, it was my first top-ten at The Open and I hope this year I am again in the hunt on Sunday,” says Scott. Jason Day leads a pack of other Australians chasing their first major title. John Senden, coming off a strong performance at the US Masters will tee it up in his 8th British Open with his best result T34th (2012). Who knows, maybe young Bryden Macpherson will rekindle the form that won him the 2011 Amateur Championship (in Britain) becoming the first Australian since Doug Bachli to win the prestigious trophy. Brett Rumford, after his outstanding 2013 result in the Race to Dubai will be a chance around Royal Liverpool, he played the weekend once at The Open, finishing T16th in 2006 at Hoylake. Matt Jones may be a bit of a mystery bag as he has never played in The Open Championship and has spent his entire golfing career in the United States. England will be new to Jones, but you never know, he may take to the running style of golf that the British Open demands. “Hoylake is a great Open venue and I’m looking forward to seeing how today’s top pros deal with the course,” adds Player. “As for pros who I think have a great chance at Claret Jug? I think that Adam Scott is playing with such confidence and strength right now. He is certainly living up to his new World No. 1 status. For him to go out and win his first tournament as World No. 1 was incredible and showed a great deal of determination. Adam will be looking to recover from his 2012 Open collapse at Royal Lytham & St Annes. This could be his year. “Rory McIlroy is also in top form. I am not sure that you could find a much better swing than Rory’s and his putter has been on fire. Following his victory at the BMW PGA Championship, Rory seems to be in the right mindset playing with great poise and determination,” Player adds. 2006 is our most recent form guide at Royal Liverpool. Notables to finish in the top 25 were Angel Cabrera (7th), Retief Goosen (T14th), Robert Allenby, Peter Lonard, Robert Rock, Brett Rumford and Geoff Ogilvy (T 16th), Phil Mickelson and Charl Schwartzel (T22nd). Cabrera seems to have a habit of popping up in big events and while he might be 44 years old let’s not forget that his childhood hero (and

Gary Player (1956 -aged 20) courtesy of Black Knight International. countryman) World Golf Hall of Fame member Roberto de Vicenzo won his one and only Major at the 1967 staging of the Open at Hoylake…he was 44. Sergio Garcia was tipped to be a threat at this year’s US Masters but failed to make the cut. The Open Championship is historically Garcia’s most successful major with 7 top tens, including tied 5th at Hoylake in 2006. Garcia was well in contention alongside Woods in 2006, but fell off the leaderboard with a disappointing final round 73 to Tiger’s 67. Many will remember a year later at Carnousitie where Garcia was in a similar position, leading the Open by two shots heading into the final round. Again Garcia closed with a disappointing final round 73 to fall into a playoff with Padraig Harrington (Ireland) who went on to win his first major. 2014 and The Open Championship is wide open; will Tiger Woods who was so dominating in 2006 be physically strong/able and tuned-up to compete against the in-form younger players, or could we see one of the older golfers like Miguel Angel Jimenez, Angel Cabrera or even Tom Watson claim golf’s oldest major? Perhaps Phil Mickleson will go back-to-back, or stranger still perhaps an amateur can rekindle the magic of Bobby Jones who won at the same course 84 years ago. The Open is often dictated by the weather, with British weather as unpredictable as an ageing golfer’s back, so anything can happen. • Andrew Crockett is the author of Bump & Run: At The Feet Of The Masters. Available from: www. bumpandrun.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

cover story

Open Championship preview: Close, but no cigar... A long list of players have had one hand on the Claret Jug, but let it slip. A number of Australians are among the players denied by human error or a cruel twist of fate, writes DAVID NEWBERY

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

N 2012, Adam Scott lost the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

In the first round, Adam fired a brilliant sixunder par 64 to equal the course record and it was virtually error-free golf for the next 50 holes. Entering the final round, he led Graeme McDowell and Brandt Snedeker by four and eventual winner Ernie Els by six.

With four holes to play, Scott had a fourshot cushion and looked home. But on the 15th he pulled his approach shot into a greenside bunker and made bogey. On 16, he over-hit his approach shot to the back of the green and three-putted for bogey. From the centre of the 17th fairway, Scott again over-hit his approach, which landed in thick rough. He pitched out to seven metres, missed the par putt to record his third successive bogey. Meanwhile, Ernie had birdied the final hole to take the clubhouse lead at seven-under par.

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cover story Adam needed a birdie at the last to win or a par to force a playoff. He found a bunker off the tee and was only able to pitch out sideways. His third shot was brilliant and left him with an eight-footer to force the playoff. He narrowly missed and Ernie grabbed the Claret Jug. “I can’t justify anything I did out there today,” Scott said at the time. “I let a great chance slip through my fingers today, and I know it.” Others have had the Open within reach, but faltered and had the title ripped from their grasp.

These are some of the other near misses. Sergio Garcia – 2007 At Carnoustie, Garcia held the lead after each of the first three rounds and carried a three-shot lead over Steve Stricker and a six-shot lead over the rest of the field going into the final round. He extended his lead to four shots, but bogeys at the fifth, seventh and eighth proved costly. On the final hole, he needed a par to win, but failed to get up and down from the greenside trap. Padraig Harrington edged out the Spaniard by one stroke in the four-hole playoff.

Thomas Bjorn – 2003 Bjorn led Ben Curtis, playing in his first major, by three with four to play at St George’s. The Dane bogeyed the 15th and then took three to get out of a deep greenside bunker on 16. He then bogeyed the 17th to gift the American victory.

Jean van de Velde – 1999 The Frenchman only needed to double-bogey the final hole at Carnoustie, but he had a major meltdown. He held a three-shot lead, drove right of the burn and instead of laying up he went for glory. His approach shot hit the grandstand and ricocheted backwards landing in knee-deep rough. On his third shot, van de Velde’s club tangled in the rough on his downswing and his ball flew into the Barry Burn. He took off his shoes and contemplated playing out of the water, but sanity prevailed and he took a drop. His approach finished two metres from the cup. He made the putt for a triple bogey, which put him in a playoff with Scot Paul Lawrie and Justin Leonard. Lawrie won the playoff.

Wayne Grady – 1989 At Royal Troon, Grady opened with rounds of 68-67 to lead by two and after a third round 69 entered the final round one shot ahead of Tom Watson and eventual winner Mark Calcavecchia by three. Grady carded a respectable 71, but Calcavecchia’s 68 and Greg Norman’s 63 resulted in a three-man playoff. It was the first playoff at the Open in 14 years and the first use off the four-hole aggregate playoff adopted in 1985. Going to the final playoff hole, Calcavecchia and Norman led Grady by two. Calcavecchia sliced his drive, but the ball was playable. Norman hit a super drive down the middle, but the ball bounced to the right and into a bunker. After Calcavecchia hit his approach to five feet, Norman gambled from the bunker and the ball smashed into the bunker’s face and limped into another. Norman thinned his next shot and the ball careered out of bounds and Calcavecchia took home the title

Paul Azinger – 1987 “Zinger” let the 1987 Open at Muirfield slip through his fingers.

On the par-5 14th, Jack was stone dead for a birdie but Watson chipped in for eagle. Both hit good drives on the last, but Newton hooked his approach in a front bunker. Watson was on the green and rolled his putt stone dead. Jack’s sand shot left him with too much to do and Tom won his first of five Open Championships.

Doug Sanders – 1970 In gusty winds during the final round at the Old Course at St Andrews, Sanders saved par from the Road Hole bunker and led by one going to the 72nd hole. After a lengthy drive on the short par-4, he took four shots from just 68 metres and missed a downhill putt for par from one metre to win. He missed and went into an 18-hole playoff against Jack Nicklaus, which he lost by a stroke.

David Thomas – 1958 Dave Thomas couldn’t stop Peter Thomson winning his fourth Open at Lytham. Still, the Welshman did have opportunities on the final day but blew it with three putts at the 10th, 11th and 12th. He took a one-stroke lead on 15. At the par-5 17th, Thomas had a seven-iron in, but pulled it into deep rough and took a five.

He led Nick Faldo and David Frost by a shot going into the final round and was three ahead of the field after eight holes.

He parred the last to tie with Thomson, but he was no match for the Aussie in the playoff.

On the back nine, he missed a few makeable putts, but his biggest error was taking driver on 17.

Dai Rees – 1946, 1950, 1954 and 1961

He found the fairway bunker, had to chip out sideways and made six. Then on the last, he took an iron for safety and missed the green with a five-iron. Azinger finished in a tie for second with Rodger Davis. Faldo parred all 18 holes to win by one stroke.

Jack Newton – 1975 At Carnoustie, Jack started with steady rounds of 69-71 and then equalled the Open record with a 65.

Three times the Welshman finished second at the Open (1953, 1954 and 1961). In 1950, he finished third and in 1946 was fourth.

Christy O’Connor – 1958 Poor crowd control at Lytham in 1958 might have cost the Irishman victory. Fans were crowding the 18th and, after a lengthy wait, O’Connor decided to take a three-wood rather than driver.

That put him one behind South African Bobby Cole entering the final round.

He felt the hole was driver and wedge, but he took three-wood, hit it in a trap, made five and finished runner-up.

On the final day, the wind arrived and at the 16th, a tough 207m par-3, Jack failed to make par.

Bobby Clampett – 1982

He misjudged the wind on 17 and dropped another shot. Newton needed a par on the last to tie Tom Watson. Jack made the putt and the 18-hole playoff. After three holes, Watson led by two but Jack got back to level and went ahead at the 12th.

The American held a five-shot lead going into the third round at Royal Troon. Despite shooting a third round 78, which included taking three to get out of the bunker on the sixth, he held a one shot lead at the start of day four. His final round 77 wasn’t good enough and Tom Watson won his fourth Open. • www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

on tour

‘Major’ Monty still beat himself up career I could take again – and have taken again a million times in my mind’s eye – it would be my seven-iron from the 18th fairway in the fourth round.”

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

The media loves Monty because, whether he’s in contention or not, there’s a headline waiting to be written.

Y winning the recent Senior PGA Championship, Scot Colin Montgomerie has finally put to bed the “one of the best players never to win a major” tag.

That’s because the five-time runner-up in majors (three US Opens and once each at the US PGA and Open Championship) has always been vocal.

Okay, it’s not a major on the regular tour but that’s not stopping the 51-year-old claiming it as a major breakthrough.

He would talk about losing weight, blowing a US Open, slam the design of a hole or chat about splitting with his coach.

“I’m a major champion and will treat it as such,” he said. “It might have a ‘senior’ connotation to it, but it is a major.”

One mis-hit shot on the course or question in the media centre could change his mood from charming and smiling Monty to grumpy Monty.

Montgomerie’s career is littered with highlights … and the odd disappointment. In him prime, he was a dominant figure in Europe winning eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, 42 professional tournaments (31 on the European Tour) and a Ryder Cup record any player would be proud. He reached number two in the world and his European Tour earnings are more than €24 million ($A36m) with only Lee Westwood and Ernie Els ahead of him. Majors aside, Montgomerie is a Ryder Cup legend. As a player, he represented Europe eight times and helped win the contest five times. For Monty, majors were secondary against the Ryder Cup. “Were I to win the Open, or any one of the majors, I’d be thrilled,” he wrote in his autobiography MONTY.

Oftentimes, he would turn up to the media centre uninvited just to make a statement. Once, mid-round, he stormed into the tournament office to express dissatisfaction at the course condition. Colin Montgomerie rates winning the Ryder Cup above all other tournaments (Photo: Montana Pritchard) “The US Open at Winged Foot is the major near-miss which can still wake me up in the middle of the night,” he said. In the final round, he stood in the middle of the 18th fairway joint leader with Phil Mickelson. That’s when things started to go awry.

“But it wouldn’t come close to how I felt when I was presented with the Ryder Cup in 2010 at Celtic Manor (Wales). “If I tell you that I can remember every shot I have hit in a Ryder Cup, it will go some way towards explaining how much this biennial contest means to me.” On the other hand, Monty continues to beat himself up over the lost opportunity at the 2006 US Open won by Australian Geoff Ogilvy.

His playing partner Vijay Singh hit his drive in the trees and among the hospitality tents and required a lengthy ruling. “The referee was called and it must have been 15 minutes later that Vijay finally played his second,” Monty explained. “In hindsight, I shouldn’t have waited. I should just have played my shot. “Throughout this delay, I had been standing over my ball and thinking. I was beginning to second-guess myself. Was it a

seven-iron? Was it not a six? Did I detect a touch of wind?” Montgomerie decided on a seven-iron and hit his approach shot poorly, short and right and in thick rough. He hacked it out, leaving himself a 10-metre downhill putt. “I don’t know how it rolled 12 feet past,” said Monty of his first putt. “The return for a five would have put me in a playoff. Instead, I walked off with a double-bogey six. “In the four other majors in which I was runner-up, I had been beaten. In such circumstances, you shake hands with the opposition and say, ‘Well played’. “This time around, I beat myself. I was good enough to win and I blew it. “To this day, if there was one shot in my

But at regular intervals, there was victorious Monty. Now the Senior PGA champion believes he can win a major on the PGA Tour. Monty is targeting the US PGA Championship at Valhalla in August. “Yes it’s a long course, but at the same time the emphasis there will be hitting the fairways and greens,” he said. “If I can hit 17 greens in regulation around Harbour Shores, like I did in that last round of 65, I can compete at that level again. I will do my utmost to put up a good showing as a Senior PGA champion.” Did we mention competitive Monty? FOOTNOTE: Before turning pro, Montgomerie, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013, considered a career in sports management, utilising his degree in business management and law. The firm he applied to convinced him to become a client rather than an employee. •

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life on tour

The Insperity Invitational - A Champions Tour event David Merriman ed@insidegolf.com.au

he year was 1975. I was a trainee at the Australian Golf Club. Kerry Packer, who was instrumental in bringing great golfers to Australia, had arranged for Jack Nicklaus to play in the Australian Open at the Australian Golf Club. I was tasked to show Mr Nicklaus around the Aussie and introduce him to the staff. During the week of the tournament I decided to be a bit brave and ask Mr Nicklaus if I would be able to have his golf bag at the end of the tournament. Mr Nicklaus said “fine by me”. Nicklaus won the Australian Open that year, and at the end of the week, I was presented with Nicklaus’ golf bag along with a practice bag full of balls. I was truly delighted and hoped that I would be able to get Mr Nicklaus to sign the bag some day. Fast forward to May 2014: After winning the 2013 Australian Legends Order of Merit, I received an invitation from the Champions Tour to attend the Insperity Invitational at Woodlands Country Club, Houston Texas. Imagine my delight. It was a truly great week and an honour to be able to attend. I took my good friend Shaun O’Toole who caddied for me at the event and was a great support during the week. As we arrived well before the tournament began Shaun was able to play a round with me at Woodlands. He held his own until he saw the spectators stands around the 16th 17th and 18th holes! I played in two pro-ams and in the first round of the tournament was drawn with Order of Merit winners for Europe and Asia. During the week I was lucky enough to draw with Corey Pavin, Hal Sutton and Morris Hatalsky. They were very supportive of my attendance at the event. The

Fuzzy Zoeller’s “loud” truck at the 2014 Insperity Invitational course was tough and played hard with a lot of water, but I played well during the tournament. Fuzzy Zoeller brings his own truck to this event and Shaun and I were lucky enough to have a good look over it. The entire rear of the truck was composed of speakers, from which Zoeller would blast music from outside the restaurant where the players were eating. We always knew when he arrived! The highlight of the week was the attendance at the event by golf greats Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd, Johnny Miller, Don January, Tony Jacklin, David Graham and Doug Sanders. There was a special dinner for Arnold Palmer on the Thursday night. It was held at the Marriott Hotel and the greats all occupied the head tables and entertained the players with stories about each other. It was an exceptional evening. On the Saturday of the tournament all except Mr Palmer played in an exhibition event. At the end of their round they left the course through

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FOOTNOTE: A bit of trivia: Mr Nicklaus played with a 1.68 inch golf ball in the USA but when he played in Australia he played with a 1.62. The 1.68 golf ball was introduced to Australia in the mid 70s. • David Merriman is an Australian PGA Tour Player and Teaching Professional at Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast. Contact him on 0412 44 22 05.

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a specially designated area where they signed autographs and spoke to the crowd. Nicklaus and Trevino took an hour to walk just 20 metres along this roped off area, their popularity and commitment to the game so great. I was in the clubhouse waiting patiently with a photo of myself standing next to the bag that Jack Nicklaus gave to me in 1975. As Jack came into the club house I took courage once again and told him the story about the golf bag. With a twinkle in his eye and grin of delight he autographed the photo of me with the golf bag he gave me in 1975.

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www.mcleodgolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

clubs

Golf in a small, NSW rural village Inside Golf’s DAVID NEWBERY ventured off-the-beatentrack and discovered a nine-hole golf course where serenity rules even at Death Valley, Pinball Alley and the Bermuda Triangle

T’S 8.25 on a heavenly Wednesday morning when I drive into Tabulam Golf Club’s car park and pull into a parking spot just metres from the “clubhouse”. Well, truth be told, there isn’t really a clubhouse – it’s actually a shed with a few tables and benches, a local rules chalk board and a section where machinery and few old golf clubs are stored. I’m hoping the parking spot isn’t reserved for club president Chris Beasley, whom I’ve arranged to meet. Unlike most clubs in the “big smoke”, Tabulam Golf Club doesn’t reserve parking spots for its committee members. In this picturesque rural village (population around 500) in the far northeast of New South Wales it is first in, best dressed. I’ve always wondered why committee members are allocated parking at the entrance to the clubhouse ahead of paying customers, members and the disabled. But I digress. Tabulam Golf Club member Brian Godden is first to arrive. Brian, along with playing partners Arthur

Ramsay and Irishman Denis O’Rourke, play golf three times a week. Today they are the only players on the golf course, but come Saturday there’ll be around 20 playing. That’s 80 per cent of the membership.

Tabulam golf course’s infamous seventh hole. INSET: Club president Chris Beasley and secretary Steve Symonds.

I reintroduced myself to Brian, whom I’d met a day earlier in the middle of the shopping precinct’s main road outside the Hungry Gecko Café and diagonally opposite the pub. The café is where Brian, Denis and Arthur rendezvous for coffee and a bite to eat after a round. While waiting for president Chris to arrive, Brian gives me a brief tour of the course. He tells me he is a musician who played in a number of bands in the 1960s before taking his talents to America where he spent 40 years in the music scene. “I played guitar for the Raiders, the Daily Planet and a few other bands in Sydney and Melbourne before going to America,” he said.

“We call it Death Valley … for obvious reasons,” Brian laughs.

1960s were a great time to be in the music business.” We reach the seventh hole and Brian points out a small, disused cemetery. One headstone reveals a local policeman was lost in a flood 150 years ago. This month, the club will hold a memorial golf day to remember him.

“Arthur (Ramsay), who you’ll meet later, managed one of the bands.

Out on the golf course, it’s dead quiet. There’s no passing traffic, no houses encroaching on the fairways, no mobile phones ringing and no worries. Brilliant.

“I had my first gig when I was 14 years old and turned professional when I was 15. The

To reach the fairway from the seventh tee, players have to hit over water.

The short nine-hole course is without bunkers, but does have out of bounds on five holes – the first, second, third, seventh and ninth. Other hazards include Pinball Alley (between the third and fourth holes) and the Bermuda Triangle (fourth, fifth and sixth). “If you drive it into the trees between the third and fourth holes, your ball could bounce around in the trees until you get out,” Brian said. Back at the shed, secretary Steve Symonds, the local weather man, arrives and tells me Tabulam Golf Club first opened in 1992 when a keen band of potential golfers leased land from the local real estate agent.

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Club member Brian Godden checks out the disused cemetery beside the seventh fairway. The club purchased the land and a bit more in 1996 and redesigned the course.

arrives and tells me he has been president “on and off” for 20 years.

The 25 loyal members pay an annual fee of $60 and $6 to play in the Saturday competition. Visitors’ green fees are $6.

“We have been blessed with good rain so the golf course is in good condition,” he said.

“If you intend having a game, bring your own clubs,” Steve advised. “We used to have a good collection of clubs, but unfortunately the shed was broken into a few times and the clubs were nicked.” Just after 9am, volunteer Allen Bell, who helped redesign the course, turns up with his loyal dog Sally in tow. Where 88-year-old Allen goes, Sally follows. He’s here to mow the fairways and kill the weeds. “The club doesn’t have any paid staff,” Steve said. “Allen does most of the mowing now. I did the greens for three years, but now Denis (O’Rourke) and Peter Smith help out.” In years past, prison farm inmates would arrive to whipper-snipper around the course before playing nine holes. “They loved it,” Steve said. President Chris, who drives the school bus,

Steve says the secret to a good score is to “hit the ball straight”. “Usually, I get around using only one ball because mostly I hit them straight. “Mind you, I have the record for losing seven balls and racking up a score of 23 on the seventh hole,” he laughed. “The dam across the seventh fairway is a ball magnet and so is the tree in the fairway. “Once I played with my nephew and one of his friends and we started with seven balls and came back with five – none of them were the balls we started with.” The club’s biggest event is the Father’s Day Ambrose, which helps raise money for the Fire Brigade.

Brian Godden, Denis O’Rourke and Arthur Ramsay pose at the 19th hole with a copy of Inside Golf. The members decide when they want to play eight nine-hole rounds as long as it’s during the month of May and they are with another member.

“Whenever you hit a good shot the people you are playing with always congratulate you.”

And once a year, Tabulam members take on golfers from Bonalbo – 26 kilometres away.

Chris says there is a warm, clubby atmosphere on Saturdays.

For golfers seeking an 18-hole golfing experience, Casino and Tenterfield golf clubs are 40 and 50 minutes away respectively.

“After the game, we have a few beers, a barbeque and a laugh.”

Long before the arrival of Tabulam golf course, there was a makeshift golf course at nearby Drake – 20kms down the road. Drake’s oldest resident, raconteur and belesprit Edna Lawrence, 94, told me she had a golf course on her vast property just off the Bruxner Highway. Cows now graze on the grass where golfers once took divots.

“We get 50 or 60 play and people who don’t even play golf come along to support the event,” Chris said.

I ask Steve and Chris what’s the best thing about Tabulam Golf Club.

Then there’s the Tabulam Golf Club’s 72-hole club championship, which is like no other.

“No one cares how good or bad you are at golf,” adds Steve.

“The friendliness,” both say, almost in unison.

The 19th hole might be a small shed, but the camaraderie around the club is fantastic.

The members would love a traditional clubhouse, but that’s not going to happen any time soon unless Steve wins Lotto. “I have said that if I win Lotto the club can have my house, move it over here and I’ll build a new one,” Steve laughed. FOOTNOTE: Tabulam is in the throes of organising the Dick Smith 21st anniversary. “When Dick Smith flew across Australia in his hotair balloon 21 years ago he landed at Tabulam just up the road from the golf course,” Steve said. “So we are having a commemorative event. It’s going to be big.” •

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clubs

Spotlight on Ashgrove volunteers David Newbery

Col the age breaker

david@insidegolf.com.au

VERY Wednesday morning, a 30-strong band of faithful Ashgrove Golf Club members turn up to do voluntary work around their beloved golf course. For all of them, it’s a labour of love. Some volunteers are rookies while others like 84-year-old Col Welch have been chipping in for decades.

STALWART: Age doesn’t stop Col Welch from chipping in on the course.

“I have been volunteering at the club for 35 years – ever since I joined as a member,” Col said. “I have only missed three working bees in 35 years.”

HE’S 84 years old, but Col Welch is showing no signs of slowing down.

The club’s operations manager Michael Ronan said the volunteers were involved in a range of activities including major works.

DIG IN: A group of Ashgrove Golf Club members at work on the club’s beautification program.

“One day they will be working on irrigation and other days it’s mowing, brush-cutting or laying new turf,” he said.

There’s great camaraderie among the volunteers, who come from all walks of life.

“They do a lot of the project work like cart paths and things like that. In fact, we have volunteers right across the whole operation, including behind the bar. “The amount of work they do around the place is unbelievable. It’s in excess of 900 hours a month. “We are very lucky we have such generous members. Through our volunteers, we were able to get superintendent Darren Allan a Bayer environmental award.” Recently Inside Golf caught up with the loyal, cheery band of volunteers as they worked on course presentation by laying new turf and spreading bark as part of the club’s beautification program. The adage “many hands make light work” certainly applied here.

There are air traffic controllers, lawyers, engineers, stockbrokers, company directors, carpenters, a former school principal, a builder, a truckie and a chef to name a few. They might come from varying backgrounds, but they have one thing in common – golf. “We do it to make the golf course better for everyone,” Col said. “Instead of complaining you come out and do something about it. “And you can contribute to ideas and what needs to be done next.” Former school principal Pat Franks said there was a great social atmosphere around the group. “It’s our men’s shed,” he said. “We get a lot of satisfaction seeing the course looking so good. “Everyone has noticed the difference.”

As soon as the tip truck dumped the bark, the pile was spread evenly across bare patches within minutes.

At 10am, the club provides morning tea and the volunteers sit around discussing their morning’s work and the next assignment.

Then it was back to jovial banter and friendly chatter until the next truckload arrived.

Some, like Bruce Gill, stay on to assist in other areas.

“Three or four of these blokes go out and mow after they have finished here,” said superintendent Darren. “Guys like Bruce Gill and a few other regulars will finish the working bee, having morning tea and come back out and give me another three hours on a rough mower. “Then there are others that put in up to eight hours on a Tuesday and a Friday. “These guys make a huge difference. The place would not present as well as it does without them.” The women members, too, make a valuable contribution. “They do a lot of the gardening work around the clubhouse,” Ronan said. “One lady brought in plants from her home garden and did a big garden around the fourth tee. “They also are heavily involved in doing the raffles and fundraising for the club.” FOOTNOTE: Ashgrove Golf Club recently received a $150,000 state government grant for revegetation and stabilisation of the creek that runs through the golf course. •

Over the past 35 years, the Ashgrove Golf Club stalwart has missed just three working bees. When he’s not doing voluntary work, Col is working on trying to break his handicap and age. In the past six years the 17 marker has managed to break his age 30 times. “I have just gone out to 17, but in about 1990 I played off 12,” he said. “I have always been in B grade.” Col first broke his age six years ago when he fired an immaculate 76 off the stick. “I had a 77 off the stick earlier this year – that was seven-under my handicap. I average breaking my age about five times a year. “I’m up to 30 now and I’m going to try and keep going,” he said. It takes hard work, but Col, a builder by trade, is used to it. Only last year he reroofed his house. “The roof was 54 years old and rusting so I pulled it off and put on a Colorbond roof,” he said. “I even built the house on my own on weekends. “I used to ride my pushbike from Bardon to Arana Hills (13kms), start work on the house at dawn and finish in the dark.”

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And the winner is … Nudgee David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

t takes a collective effort to be an award-winning golf club.

And that, according to Nudgee Golf Club general manager Aaron Muirhead, is exactly why the popular club close to the Brisbane Airport was awarded the coveted title of Queensland Golf Club of the Year recently. It’s the second time in eight years Nudgee has received the accolade. When it came to judging, Nudgee scored well in all areas – course presentation, financial performance, membership growth and overall performance (development and improvement of the club). “This award is testament to the dedication of the club’s board of directors and the staff who make the club what it is,” Muirhead said. “In fact, it is an award for the entire club that also recognises the contribution of all of the current members and all past board members and past staff who have built not only the course but the social and friendly culture that Nudgee is famous for.

A view of Nudgee Golf Club’s 18th green (South Course) and the clubhouse. INSET: Left to right: Club director Vern Smerdon, general manager Aaron Muirhead, assistant general manager, Rick Anderson and club finance director Greg Dunne with the Qld golf club of the year award.

“This award is really a Nudgee Golf Club Members Award because without the continual support of our 1300 members, this club would not be in the strong position it is currently.”

require – good practice facilities, two golf courses, comfortable clubhouse, bar and function area and comfortable locker rooms.

Nudgee Golf Club is a popular corporate venue hosting around 60 events annually. It also caters for some 30 weddings and its membership has jumped by more than four per cent.

“The North Course is more of a parkland-style course while the South Course is a links-style layout,” Muirhead said.

“The golf club’s culture is fantastic,” Muirhead said. “The members are so friendly, welcoming and accommodating.

One of the attractions for interstate visitors is they can leave Brisbane Airport and be on the first tee at Nudgee Golf Club in less than 10 minutes.

“I have noticed how welcoming they are to new members and how they promote Nudgee to new members and visitors. “And because we have two 18-hole courses (North Course and South Course), people can get a game at short notice – especially mid-week.” Nudgee, too, has all the facilities members and visitors

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“The par-3s are a feature on both courses and challenge all levels of golfers.”

And more than 50,000 vehicles a day pass the golf club as they travel north and south on the Gateway Motorway. Still, the club has a massive few years ahead of it with the pending land resumption of eight holes to make way for the improved Gateway Arterial Road.

Muirhead said the club is currently working through the compensation aspect, which will allow the holes lost to be replaced. “This is possibly the biggest thing to happen to the club and there will be significant challenges over the next few years,” he said. “The courses will be impressive in a few years time to be enjoyed by the whole community. The product will be as good, if not vastly improved, as the current fantastic golf courses we have now.” •

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acgc

Clubs lining up to host You two could be pairs competition number one

Berri Golf Club has been a proud host to ACGC events.

ustralian Golf Clubs have been lining up to host a regional qualifying event of The Auto Club Golf Championship (ACGC) since the PGA announced they were officially endorsing the event. The ACGC began in 2012 with 45 events and in a short two years has expanded significantly with an expected 85 events being held in the 2014/15 series.

of the ongoing calendar.

Tournament Director John Harriss has confirmed that the long-term plan allows for yet another 15 events to be held in the future series when the schedule will be locked at 100 qualifying events spread around Australia. With the event going from strength to strength, clubs are frantically trying to secure one of the coveted spots to ensure they fix their event as part

So make sure your local club seizes the opportunity to host an event. Not only could you find yourselves enjoying a sensational trip to Queensland’s home of Championship Golf in 2015, but it also could be you who has the honour of being crowned the 2014/15 ACGC Australian Amateur Golf Pair.

Like in the first two series, the winning pair from every one of the regional events will receive travel and accommodation, plus three days of Championship golf, social functions and frivolity during the 2014/15 Championship Final being held at Australia’s home of Championship Golf, RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland.

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Stacey Keating representing RACV Resorts at the ACGC Championship Final

wice the fun and double the glory in the search for Australia’s best Amateur Golf Pair of 2014/15. The Auto Club Golf Championship (ACGC) now in its third series is Australia’s largest amateur golf pairs competition. The ACGC is open to all amateur golfers with an official Golf Link Handicap. All you need to register is for one of your team of two players to have a valid Australian Auto Club Membership. With the bonus

registration gift of a dozen golf balls per pair and complimentary arrival refreshments, this tournament is the best value amateur event of its kind at only $33.00 per player. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned club golfer, grab yourself a playing partner and jump online to register for an event near you today. To find an event date in your region and register your pair visit: www.acgc.com.au

ACGC Dates NT Darwin Golf Club 03/08/2014 QLD Palm Meadows 14/08/2014 WA Capel 04/08/2014 31/08/2014 WA Albany WA Goomalling 03/09/2014 WA Narrogin 05/09/2014 NSW Shelly Beach 06/09/2014 NSW Thurgoona 06/09/2014 WA Mundaring 10/09/2014 SA Berri Golf Club 13/09/2014 SA Port Augusta 20/09/2014 QLD Rowes Bay GC 20/09/2014 NSW Corowa 21/09/2014 25/09/2014 VIC Kingston Links QLD Half Moon Bay 27/09/2014 NSW Wauchope 28/09/2014 NT Alice Springs Golf Club 28/09/2014 WA Kalgoorlie/Goldfields 04/10/2014 NSW St Michaels 13/10/2014 TAS Kingston Beach 24/10/2014 VIC Lang Lang 24/10/2014 WA Lakelands Country Club 28/10/2014 VIC Kooringal 31/10/2014 VIC Long Island 31/10/2014 SA McLaren Vale 01/11/2014 VIC Leongatha 02/11/2014 TAS Royal Hobart 08/11/2014 NSW Narrandera 08/11/2014 08/11/2014 VIC Cardina Beacon Hills VIC RACV Torquay 09/11/2014 QLD Rockhampton 09/11/2014 SA Mount Gambier 16/11/2014 SA North Adelaide 23/11/2014 NSW Cronulla 24/11/2014 TAS Devonport 29/11/2014 TAS Greens Beach 30/11/2014 NSW Fairfield Golf Club 30/11/2014 VIC Maryborough 30/11/2014 SA West Lakes 07/12/2014 TAS Launceston GC 07/12/2014 NSW Eden Golf Club 07/12/2014 NSW Bathurst 07/12/2014 VIC RACV Cape Schanck 09/12/2014 10/01/2015 VIC Cohuna VIC Box Hill 16/01/2015 SA Blackwood 18/01/2015 VIC Yallourn 18/01/2015 VIC Stawell 25/01/2015 31/01/2015 VIC RACV Healesville NSW Fairfield Golf Club 08/02/2015 VIC Lakes Entrance 08/02/2015

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slow play

Making quick work of slow play (from the inside and out)

low play has become a major issue in the golfing industry, and it represents a significant threat to the long-term health of the game. With five-hour rounds becoming the norm, golfers are abandoning the game in droves, and new players are hesitant to start out. This month, we present a complete “Inside and Out” strategy to tackle slow play, both from a course management (“inside”) perspective, and a player/member (“outside”) perspective.

“OUTSIDE” - Quick tips FOR THE PLAYER Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

Here are some of the more game-speeding rules of course etiquette for players:  Watch ALL balls until they stop Searching for lost balls is one of the most time-consuming aspects of the game. After every shot keep an eye on the ball (yours and your playing partners’) until it comes to rest—even if it is in the fairway. If it has wandered into the deep rough or trees/ bushes, identify a marker or reference – a specific tree, bush, distant house…anything. As you leave the tee, keep a line of sight onto that marker.  Hit a provisional If there is even the slightest chance that a wayward ball could go walkabout, play a provisional — resist the rarely-accurate urge to say “Nah, we’ll probably find it.”  If it’s lost, it’s lost When your five minutes is up, it’s up. Declare it lost and move on. (You DID play a provisional on the tee, right?)  Do your pre-shot stuff BEFORE it’s your turn Get prepared for your shot while riding or walking to your ball. Get the distance, check the wind, do a pre-shot routine ahead of time

(while others are playing their shot) so that you’re ready to go IMMEDIATELY after your playing partner’s ball has finished moving. (Don’t use the PGA TOUR professionals as a guide here, as they are often the worst offenders.)  Play “Ready Golf” Unless you are playing in a major competition or in a matchplay scenario, play “ready golf” at every opportunity. If a player in your group isn’t ready to hit, then (with their permission) play your shot. If a player in your group cannot hit the ball far, and isn’t in danger of hitting into the group ahead, then let them hit first while the “longer” hitters wait for the fairway to clear. When on or around the green, if a player is delayed (i.e. raking a bunker, etc) and you are ready to putt, then (with permission) have a go.  Go directly to your ball Move quickly to your own ball. Avoid travelling in a group from one ball to the other. When sharing a cart, drop off one player and then proceed to your own ball while he/she does their pre-shot routine.  Take Multiple Clubs If you need to leave your bag/buggy/cart away from where your ball is positioned, take a couple of clubs with you. This will save you from having to go back and forth. If you are hitting from a greenside bunker, for example, then take both your wedge AND your putter.

 Know the distance A recent study has shown that GPS units and Laser rangefinders speed up play. If possible, invest in one of these devices. Alternately, get a course yardage book, or look out for sprinkler heads/yard-markers as you approach the ball (not after you get there.)  Keep the conversations in the carts Save the jokes/stories until after everyone has hit off, and you are walking/driving to the next shot. Too often, we see people engaged in conversation with a wide open green or fairway ahead.  Always think ahead As you approach the green, determine where the next tee is, and then park your cart/buggy/bag between the hole and the next tee. That way, when you are done with the hole, you can clear the green quickly. If you’ve brought multiple clubs to the green, then place them on the green in an exit area leading towards your buggy/bag. This way, after putting out, you will be able to quickly collect them on your way to the cart. Also, the first player to putt out should aim to help collect all extra clubs while the other players putt out.  Read the green while others are putting As you approach the green, check the contours, high/low points and overall slope of the entire green. While others are putting,

you can then take the opportunity to read your particular break and determine your pace, etc. Watch others’ putts to get further information about speed and break. Once your partner has putted out, you should be immediately ready to hit your own ball.  Clear the green quickly Don’t loiter around the green discussing the scores. Clear the green for the group behind and then record your scores at the next tee or en route. If your foursome have fallen behind, the first two players to putt out should immediately head over to the next Tee and hit off.  Pick up If playing Par, Stableford or other non-stroke formats, if you are out of the hole (Wipe, minus, etc), and you are falling behind the group ahead, then pick up your ball and move on.  Look around Remember: “Keep behind the group in front, not in front of the group behind”. If the group in front of you is more than one shot ahead (i.e. if they are on the green of a par-4 before you even tee off ) you need to speed it up. Conversely, if there is no one ahead of you, but the group behind is constantly waiting for you to hit, either pick up the pace or let them hit up/play through. •

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July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

slow play

“INSIDE” – TIPS FOR THE CLUB/COURSE Mike Orloff

 Communicate constantly with golf staff throughout the day to help identify trouble spots quickly and to make sure groups are properly paired.

ed@insidegolf.com.au

We continue to read and hear the endless stories of players complaining about “slow play” at our facilities. “We did not see a Marshall” is a common complaint, along with “we called the pro shop to tell them about the slow group ahead of us, but they never came out to help”, or “the group ahead of us were beginners and were really slow,” etc.

Manage the expectation  Educate players - Set the time expectation for players before they tee off and inform players of any unusual course conditions. If you are tracking a 5-hour round for that particular day, let them know before they start. If their expectation is changed before they tee off, you could circumvent any potential blow-ups.  Player perception - many players don’t know exactly what time they teed off. In many cases they went off later than the tee time booked, which may result in them thinking it took longer than it actually did. Write the start time on a card and give it to each group.

So who is to blame, the golfer or the facility? In most cases, this is a management issue more than a player issue. At the end of the day it is up to management to ensure that everyone has a respectable pace during their golf round. The strategy lies in three key areas: education of golfers and staff, management of golfers, and general course set-up. The two concepts that you must also fully understand to properly manage this issue are Pace and Flow. Pace basically is the measurement of time it takes you to play your round. I.e. “it took you four hours to play”. Pace issues are primarily caused due to lack of player education and improper course setup. Flow has to do with the consistency of the time it took to play. I.e. it took you four hours to play, but with delays due to a group ahead of you. Flow issues are primarily caused by improper course setup and overall lack of management of the process. It’s critical to proactively manage a large number of players, most importantly starting with the first groups out each morning. Envisage the 18-hole round like two spinning wheels, with each nine being a separate wheel. Try to get the early groups to get the front wheel spinning at a great pace, which ultimately will get the second wheel spinning at a greater pace. One group can slow the pace of either wheel, so the quicker you

identify this group, the better you will keep the wheels spinning. Here are some strategies: Manage the course  Par 5’s -Extend the length as long as possible, so people are not waiting for the green to clear to try and reach in two shots.  Par 4’s – Set to 330-350 metres maximum, so most players can reach or get close in two shots.  Par 3’s – Keep at a maximum length of 150160 metres, so the majority of players can reach the green in one hit.  Green speed – keep at 9-10 on the Stimpmeter, so players are not regularly 3 and 4 putting or generally spending too much time on the green.  Rough – lower height, so the majority of players can fully advance the ball if hitting from the rough.  Pin positions - put in the easiest green position on busy days.  Competitions - Set up the course to accommodate the format of the day. i.e.

Don’t have the course play the longest and toughest if you’re conducting a stroke play club championship. Manage the process  Use a first tee starter on busy days to regulate the time between each group teeing off. Space the groups accordingly. If groups go off too quickly you risk them bottlenecking on a future hole, especially if you have a Par-3 early in the round.  Use a more “experienced” staff member for marshalling duties. Ideally find someone who is very friendly and helpful to players, but who can also be assertive when necessary.  Have policy and procedures (approved by member committee if at a private club) on how to identify and handle issues, and in extreme cases, how to kick someone off the course, or penalise their competition score.  Educate your staff. Most facilities do not have proper training of marshalling staff, or have really thought of the best person to put in the position of course Marshall.

To better understand where your issues really exist, start out by tracking every group that tees off over the next four Saturdays. Start with your first group off and have someone write down what time the group actually started (not when they checked in or what their tee time was supposed to be), then again when they finish nine holes, and finally when they finish 18 holes. You will most likely see a couple of groups in the morning (many times the same players each week) that are creating the slow play for the rest of the day. The next slowest group off the tee always sets the pace for all players behind them. If you get off to a slow start in the morning, you will spend the entire day trying to recover. If you are having a slow pace day, leave the first tee open for as long as you can and this will at least give the later groups some relief on overall time taken to play by freeing up any bottlenecks on course. The entire process must be controlled through a series of pre-emptive management strategies, otherwise you risk letting the players self-manage the process which is a potential for disaster. •

Take us for a Test Drive!

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

Holden Scramble

Aussies draw closer to China

othing could separate Team Australia and Team China following 36 holes in the International Champions Tour, played at the prestigious Agile Mickleson International Golf Club on the outskirts of Shanghai, China.

Richmond to host Seniors Championship The Australian PGA Seniors Championship will be played for the second year at the Richmond Golf Club from the 29th October to 1st November 2014. A part of the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour the Australian PGA Seniors Championship is expected to attract a strong field as the competitors vie for a prize purse of AU$70,000.

Travelling to China, representing Australia were the 2013 Holden Scramble Championship Final Champions who were joined by a further seven PGA Professionals from across the country teeing it up against the top three teams from China’s respective China Golf Club League.

“We are pleased to be returning to the Richmond Golf Club for one of the most prestigious events on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA.

After failing to record a victory in the event’s three-year history, Australia came agonisingly close at Pelican Waters Golf Club, losing by six stableford points when the PGA hosted the first round back in March, and were determined to turn the tables on foreign soil.

Being played at the Richmond Golf Club for the second time in the Championship’s 28 year history, the Club is looking forward to welcoming some of Australia’s best over 50’s tournament Professionals back to their course.

The format for the competition was a modified stableford, much like the PGA Tour’s Reno-Tahoe Open, whereby there was even greater risk-reward for players either playing aggressively or conservatively on each hole with points deducted from the scorecard if a hole is wiped.

The Chinese and Australian teams share in the spoils “Although the Australian team did not win, all 12 players felt like champions having made it to this competition and celebrated with the Chinese team following the event,” said Michael Chard, National Events Manager, for the PGA of Australia

The Australians started strongly in the 4BBB combining well in the opening round to hold an early six-point lead heading into the final single stableford round.

“This event is a fantastic way for the PGA to continue to strengthen the existing relationship with the China Golf Association and provides great playing opportunities for amateurs and PGA Professionals involved in the Holden Scramble and as a result we are committed to working with the CGA to ensure its continued success.”

With the best 10 out of the 12 scores in the single stableford final round counting towards the overall team’s total, the event came down to the final group to determine the champions. A victory, however, did not eventuate with the final scorecards resulting in a drawn competition after both teams finished on a combined total of 306 points each.

The Australians’ overall adventure will be something they will remember for a lifetime, experiencing a world-class golf course

including caddies which something that the amateur players in particular could only dream of.

Defending Champion Daryl Purchase is expected to return along with Australian greats such as Rodger Davis, Mike Harwood and Mike Clayton. “The Richmond Golf Club, together with the entire Hawkesbury region, is very excited to again play host to the Australian PGA Seniors Championship,” said Brenden Ellam, General Manager of Golf for Richmond Golf Club.

Adding to the overall experience the Australians sampled local cuisines, and learnt a word sure to be remembered by all: ‘Gaan bay‘; which is ‘cheers’ in Chinese. It could be heard throughout the room at official functions shots of rice wine were consumed.

In the tournament’s second successive year at the Richmond Golf Club, the local community can again experience the opportunity to get up close with some of their golfing heroes.

The PGA is now on the hunt for the 2015 Australian team, which will be determined when the final putt is sunk at the 2014 Holden Scramble Championship Final. For more information on the Holden Scramble, contact the PGA Events Division on 03 8320 1999. •

For the full 2014 E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour schedule visit pga.org.au/ pgalegendstour •

Find your nearest Holden Scramble

MIXED EVENTS NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW

Northbridge Golf Club Moruya Golf Club The Vintage Golf Club Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club Muswellbrook Golf Club Riverside Oaks Golf Club Bermagui Country Club Kew Country Club Bega Country Club Vincentia Golf Club Wentworth Golf Club

VIC Corowa Golf Club VIC Bairnsdale Golf Club

05-Jul 06-Jul 07-Jul 10-Jul 12-Jul 13-Jul 13-Jul 20-Jul 27-Jul 27-Jul 27-Jul 20-Jul 27-Jul

QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD

Burrum District Golf Club Peregian Springs Golf Club Sandgate Golf Club Palmer Coolum Resort Gordonvale Golf Club Twin Waters Golf Club Karana Downs Country Club Moranbah Golf Club Dalby Golf Club Palmer Sea Reef Pacific Harbour G&CC Biggenden Golf Club Laidley Golf Club Mt Isa Golf Club Wynnum Golf Club

WOMEN’S EVENTS 06-Jul 06-Jul 06-Jul 11-Jul 12-Jul 12-Jul 13-Jul 19-Jul 20-Jul 20-Jul 20-Jul 20-Jul 27-Jul 27-Jul 27-Jul

SA Tanunda Pines Golf Club SA Loxton Golf Club

06-Jul 06-Jul

TAS Devonport Golf Club TAS Penguin Golf Club

20-Jul 26-Jul

WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA

06-Jul 12-Jul 13-Jul 19-Jul 19-Jul 23-Jul 27-Jul 27-Jul

Hopetoun Golf Club Jurien Bay Golf Club Geraldton Golf Club Kalbarri Golf Club Karratha Country Club Northam Golf Club Spalding Park Golf Club Kalgoorlie Golf Course

NSW Wakehurst Golf Club NSW Moree Golf Club NSW Kooindah Waters Golf Club NSW Muswellbrook Golf Club QLD Mullumbimby Golf Club QLD Mt Warren Park Golf Club QLD Keperra Country Golf Club QLD Laidley Golf Club QLD Wynnum Golf Club TAS Devonport Golf Club WA Secret Harbour Golf Links WA Katanning Country Club

08-Jul 16-Jul 28-Jul 30-Jul 10-Jul 11-Jul 17-Jul 23-Jul 27-Jul 18-Jul 15-Jul 27-Jul

* These are the Open Holden Scramble Event dates currently listed for July. For further event dates please check the Holden Scramble website

PGA Events Division on 03 8320 1999 holdenscramble.com.au

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July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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pga igi

PGA IGI opens Sydney campus David Newbery

traineeship with the PGA of Australia.

david@insidegolf.com.au

“This is a great next step for those players maintaining a handicap of less than three,” O’Brien said. “With the right playing standard, the pathway through to the PGA Professional Year Program takes four years”.

NYONE contemplating a career in the golf industry now has the chance to study in Sydney.

The PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI), based on the Gold Coast for the past 20 years, recently entered a partnership with International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) to establish a combined curriculum of golf and business courses. The Sydney campus is only in its infancy, but six students started the program in May – four from Australia and one each from Vietnam and Turkey. PGA IGI Dean and Executive Officer Dominic O’Brien said the Sydney campus was identical to the Gold Coast campus, which delivers golf and business courses and practical golf skills to its 60 first-, second- and third-year students. “It (Sydney) is set up in the same model as the Gold Coast,” he said. “We went to Sydney because when we looked at our (Gold Coast) student numbers we found that the majority of our domestic students came from southeast Queensland. “Even though we had a lot of interest, the interstate students weren’t necessarily travelling to join the program so we decided to open a Sydney campus to meet the market demand.” O’Brien said the Sydney students first partake in a Diploma of Golf Management over two trimesters with options to go on and complete a Bachelor of Business

PGA IGI Sydney campus students with Dean and Executive Officer Dominic O’Brien (second from right) and PGA IGI Sydney coordinator Anna Booth (far right). Management with International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS).

or HELP), meaning no upfront payment is required to enter the program.

The academic classes are at ICMS, which is located at Manly atop the hill overlooking the Northern Beaches, provides a stunning backdrop.

“During each trimester of the Diploma of Golf Management, students are involved in weekly PGA IGI golf competitions and weekly group skills classes with PGA professionals (two per week), which are held at Monash Country Club.”

O’Brien said PGA IGI was strongly linked with its education partner ICMS, which shares the PGA IGI’s focus on post-study employment. “As part of their bachelor degree studies with ICMS, students complete an industry work placement. This prepares students for the workplace following completion of their university degree.

Slightly differing from the Gold Coast campus, Sydney students will have the opportunity to complete their degree in less time than their northern counterparts.

“It also helps set up links and relationships with those within the industry.”

Studies at the PGA IGI Sydney campus are fast-tracked, so students can complete the Diploma of Golf Management and Bachelor degree with ICMS in just over two-and-a-half years.

Industry professionals and PGA members deliver the PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management, which is the only one of its kind in Australia.

Like the Gold Coast, students who complete their studies in Sydney are eligible to apply to enter the PGA of Australia Professional Year Program.

For domestic students, the program is available on VET FEE-HELP (similar to HECS

The Diploma and Bachelor of Business earn a student two years credit into his or her PGA

In that time, students will earn a degree, Diploma of Golf Management and upon successful completion of the PGA Professional Year Program achieve Full Vocational Membership of the PGA of Australia. Sydney student Gultekin Akyurek, from Turkey, said his goal was to complete the course and PGA Trainee Program. “I am doing the course to become a better player and would like to work towards becoming a teaching professional,” said the 30-year-old, who currently plays off five. “I want to share the experience from the course with the next generation. “Also, the golf industry is always changing so I will need all the management, communication and organisational skills in the future. “The course is great. I have great classmates, great lecturers and I am enjoying it a lot. I am looking forward to learning more and more every day.” PGA IGI Sydney campus has enrolments open now for September 2014 intake. Enrolments for 2015 (Sydney and Gold Coast campuses) are now open also. For more information about the PGA IGI programs and how they are delivered, visit the www. pgaigi.com or contact Luke Bryden on (07) 5657-6109 or email lbryden@pga.org.au •

Your Career in Golf Starts Here. visit www.pgaigi.com

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

PGA of Australia

Tiger’s former coach praises Australian PGA T

iger Woods’ former coach American Hank Haney is under no illusion as to why Australian golf is booming.

In short, the quality of Australian coaches is second to none. So far this season the world has watched on as Jason Day, John Senden and Steven Bowditch, Matt Jones and World Number 1 Adam Scott have achieved standout PGA TOUR victories while Karrie Webb continues to dominate on the women’s circuit. And there has been plenty of other international success for the Australian Touring contingent; Brett Drewitt and David McKenzie have notched wins on the PGA TOUR China and Marcus Both was victorious on the Asian Tour. Closer to home Matthew Griffin, Dimitrios Papadatos and Anthony Summers have all won on the PGA Tour of Australasia. While much has been rightfully made of Adam Scott’s ‘green jacket’ influence, Haney was forthright in his opinion of why Australian golf is going from strength to strength. Regarded as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the elite game, Haney took to Twitter following Australian Steven Bowditch’s PGA TOUR win tweeting; “I’ve said it before, no PGA does teaching better than the Australian PGA, they just have a lot of great teachers and the results keep coming.” That’s high praise from the man who guided Tiger Woods to 31 PGA TOUR titles and six Majors; but warranted according to the PGA. “Australia is spoilt when it comes to quality PGA Professionals, so much so that our Members are in increasingly high-demand in international industries,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia.

Jason Day with his coach/caddy Col Swatton, a PGA Pro 40

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“An Australian PGA Professional’s skills, knowledge and training is second to no other PGA in the world. In fact the PGA’s education and training staff have even been engaged by international associations to assist with the development of their own coaches and industry personnel.” After completing the PGA’s threeyear Trainee Program, Australian PGA Professionals graduate with Vocational (Level 3) Golf Coach accreditation, recognised by the Australian Sports Commission as the highest level of golf coaching accreditation available in the sport. In addition, Trainees graduate with the nationally recognised qualification of Diploma of Sport Coaching, achieved by completing industry-based training and assessment across the program’s four subject areas of Coaching, Game Development, Small Business and Management. Just as Touring Professionals are driven to improve their performance and continue to succeed so too are their coaches. Education and learning doesn’t stop for Australian PGA Professionals once they graduate from the Trainee Program. The PGA of Australia offers one of the best continuing education programs in the world highlighted by the upcoming Srixon PGA Coaching Summit. PGA Professionals will gather on the Gold Coast in September to learn from industry leaders on a range of topics including swing techniques, motor learning principles, ball flight, positive coaching and self improvement. The Srixon PGA Coaching Summit brings together some of Australia and the World’s leading sporting authorities including Graham DeLaet’s coach Henry Brunton, Australian Teaching Professional of the Year Denis McDade and Adam Scott’s movement

PGA Pro of the Year Denis McDade, who coaches PGA TOUR player Matt Griffin

Adam Scott with his father, PGA Pro Phil Scott after winning the Australian PGA specialist David Darbyshire in a week-long networking and learning opportunity that is the envy of PGAs around the world. That’s a lot to take in for those not familiar with the PGA’s extensive education and training programs, but a far cry from the general perception that PGA Professionals are qualified merely because of their love of the game. Thorburn says that whilst PGA Professionals aren’t in the job for the recognition, any one of them will tell you that seeing their students succeed at any level is motivation enough. “And if it means that they might just help develop the next Adam Scott, Jason Day, John Senden or Steven Bowditch, well that’s just icing on the cake,” he said. But most importantly it means the next time you visit your local PGA Professional you

PGA Professional Lorien Scott

will be receiving the best and most current golf coaching available in the world. • To find your local PGA Professional please visit www.findaPGAPro.com.au

Quick Facts: • The PGA’s Membership includes over 2000 Vocational PGA Professionals • The PGA Traineeship is open to both men and women • F ormer PGA Trainees include Greg Norman, John Senden, Rod Pampling and most recently up and coming Professional Jack Wilson •A dam Scott was introduced to the game by his father Phil, a PGA Professional •A pplications are now open for the 2015 PGA Trainee Program. Please visit www.pga.org.au for more information

PGA TOUR winner John Senden completed the PGA Trainee Program

Golf Cars International is proud to be associated with one of Queenslandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier golf courses, with Pelican Waters Golf Club receiving their brand new fleet of Club Cars, bringing two great brands together.

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new gear

NEW

Select Newport 2 Dual Balance

GoLo 7 Dual Balance

GEAR> We highlight the latest products to hit the market ureshotgps Launch S Monitor Know your exact swing speed, shot distance, ball speed and smash factor with the new portable Sureshotgps Launch Monitor, and put the fun back into the driving range.

Futura X, Cameron’s original Dual Balance design, is a high-MOI mallet with advanced perimeter stability weighting and T-shaped sight lines. www.titleist.com.au

N I W

The Launch Monitor comes with two game modes. In game mode one, you tell your Launch Monitor what distance you want to hit and then it will add or deduct a point depending if you reach the desired distance. In game mode two, the Launch Monitor selects a random club to use and the desired distance; it will add or deduct a point depending if you reach the desired distance.

www.scottycameron.com

A six-month’s supply of Callaway Speed Regime Golf Balls

Inside Golf and Callaway are giving away six dozen Callaway Speed Regime Golf Balls to one lucky reader – enough to (hopefully!) get you through the rest of 2014! With Speed Regime, the unique HEX Aerodynamics profile and overall construction of each golf ball maximizes its performance based on what each swing speed range needs to achieve the most distance and the best performance. The HEX pattern is specifically engineered to optimize lift with long, stable, penetrating ball flights, while the soft urethane cover delivers Tour-level control on shots into and around the green. The soft inner core with low spin off the driver gives long distance, while a firmer outer core with higher spin rates for more spin and control, and aggressive stopping power on short irons and wedges. The SR2 and SR3 balls also include thin inner and outer mantles that increase ball speed and reduce driver spin to maximize distance.

The lightweight device is powered with AAA batteries. It easily fits in your golf bag and comes with a remote control, four inch LCD screen and durable casing. www.sureshotgps.com 1300 644 523

allaway Mack Daddy C 2 Tour Grind Wedges Expertly crafted by legendary club designer Roger Cleveland and inspired by the major-winning performance of the Mack Daddy 2 Wedges, Callaway’s new Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind Wedges feature a Tour-validated shape to deliver more precision, greater spin and pinpoint control. These premium forged wedges are made from 1020 Carbon steel for an ultra soft feel and feature a straighter leading edge that creates better turf interaction through the ground. The higher toe is a favourite of Tour players, creating a shape that inspires the confidence you need to go after delicate shots. The forged Mack Daddy 2 Groove Pattern offers 39 percent larger grooves for 25 percent more spin out of the rough, while the increased surface roughness of the face provides added spin and control.

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Scotty Cameron Dual Balance putters are counterbalanced designs—developed through extensive research and testing in the Putter Studio and on the PGA Tour—that provide unmatched stability for golfers that struggle to make a consistent stroke with a conventional length putter.

GoLo 7 is an elegant yet modern, easy-to-align mallet, with a single black sightline that helps square the face. The putter has a rounded profile and racy soleplate design with a curved back that flows into the ground.

Using a Doppler radar sensor, the unit follows the ball trajectory to measure ball distance and speed within a range of 30-300m. The radar also tracks swing speed for further analysis and improvement. Gain a greater understanding of your potential by reviewing a record of your average stats for each club for the last 100 shots or average for the day.

ew Scotty Cameron Dual Balance N Putters

Select Newport 2, is a modern blade with crisp back angles and a single black sight line for refined precision.

The Sureshotgps Launch Monitor provides golfers with instant information and feedback. Make small adjustments to grip pressure, stance or even tee height and watch the difference it could make to your stats on ball distance, swing speed and smash factor. Sureshotgps puts accuracy, portability and affordability into your most productive practise sessions yet.

(coming late July) Lofts available: 52°, 54°, 56°, 58° and 60° www.callawaygolf.com/au

SRP $549.00

The Dual Balance lineup now includes a shape from each of Cameron’s three tour validated putter families: Select, GoLo and Futura X.

RRP $349.00

Offered in two finish Options: • Chrome finish for a rich, muted look that reduces glare; and • Slate finish is pre-oxidized for a Tour preferred distinctive, non-glare look over time

Futura X Dual Balance

RRP $179.99 EACH

The Callaway Speed Regime 1 is for swing speeds of 90mph and below. The Callaway Speed Regime 2 is for swing speeds between 90mph and 105mph. The Callaway Speed Regime 3 is for swing speeds of 105 mph and above. RRP: $59.99 per dozen www.callawaygolf.com/au

To enter, simply visit www.insidegolf.com.au/competitions

(See terms and conditions on our website)

HOT WHEELS

From buggies to motorised golf cars and full-service utility/ fleet vehicles, we give you the comprehensive guide to the hottest “wheels” in town.

OLF cars and buggies have come a long way over the years. Gone are the noisy and bulky three-wheeled, handle-steered, petrol-hungry cars of yesterday. Today’s vehicles and push carts are sleek, feature-packed machines that make getting your gear around the course simple and fun. This month, we look at the top golf vehicles and buggies to help you get around the course, whether as a single purchase for an individual golfer, or for an entire fleet for a club/course. First, here are a few general tips to buying a buggy or golf car: 1. Push, Electric or Petrol? You have many more choices these days when it comes to cars and buggies. The pushbuggy – long the workhorse of the links – offers manual and battery-powered options that suit nearly any need. They are light and compact, and generally very affordable. Golf cars and ride-ons are also highly advanced, but before you buy one you should ask yourself a few questions. How long, for example, will the unit/vehicle last on a single charge/fill? How and where will you source the power/petrol? Where will you plug it in to charge it? If petrol-powered, then consider the process (and costs) for

filling it up. When debating petrol vs electric cars, also consider which type of unit will have fewer repairs and/or maintenance necessary. 2. Your course If you play most of your golf at one course, then remember that some clubs restrict the use of certain buggies/cars, so before you purchase anything, ring up the club and make sure that there are no potential problems. Even some push-buggies can be subject to restrictions (wide wheels/slicks are often preferred for protecting the greens, etc). Also, make sure that your vehicle/unit is suited to your course (whether it is hilly, or muddy in winter, etc). 3. Dealers and Warranties When buying anything that has a motor/ battery (etc) it is always best to go through a dealer (where possible) or a trusted retail outlet/pro-shop. Ensure the unit comes with a warranty. Also, before you buy, investigate the availability and ease (and potential costs) of getting the vehicle serviced or repaired in the future. 4. Storage and transportation Today’s push-carts and battery-operated buggies are light, sleek and ultra compact, making transportation and storage a breeze. As you get to the bigger units, however, things are a bit different. So while a club may

have room for a fleet of large vehicles, a lone golfer purchasing a golf car should weigh a few options. Can you store the vehicle at your club? Is there a place for it at home? Is it under cover/protected and secure? How will you get it to/from the course? What is the cost for a trailer? Do you have room for a trailer at home? 5. Test drive the vehicle (for ride-ons) Treat a golf car as you would an automobile. Always ask for a test drive, as there is no better way to evaluate the suitability of the vehicle. Regardless of if it is a new or used vehicle, check that there is enough oomph to get up hills, and enough braking power to slow it down in a hurry. Check the steering for slipping/response, and (for a used vehicle) make sure the wheels, motor and all aspects of the vehicle are in good condition. Make sure that the batteries are new/good, with clean connectors and a good charger. Also, check all wiring, hoses and all moving parts to make sure they are in good condition. Remember, the more research, time and care you take up front, the better your overall experience will be, and the longer your vehicle/unit will last. That all said, let’s look at the top products on offer in Australia.

BUGGIES Riksha R-3000 The Riksha R-3000 is the original Big Wheel push cart for golf. Featuring signature 20” diameter rear wheels, this golf cart is designed to be pushed and glides smoothly over wet areas leaving only the lightest of footprints. The Riksha golf cart is made with a 1” anodized, rust-resistant aluminium frame and created with a higher handle for more comfort and less arm and back strain. The clubs also sit upright creating ergonomic access to your bag. Engineered for the individual, the wheels and handle are easily removed for flat storage in the car and can be optioned up with a drink holder, sand/seed bottle and mesh basket. RRP $329 www.rikshagolf.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

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Triumph Golf Buggies The latest range of innovative buggies from Triumph Golf feature state-of-the-art design characteristics developed by golfers who understand and listen to what customers want. Both the Endeavour buggy and the Discovery buggy feature a rotating front wheel allowing golfers to manoeuvre effortlessly through any terrain with absolute freedom.

Discovery

> Oversized organiser panel > Light weight > Rotating front wheel > Umbrella attachment > Low profile wheels > Easy fold mechanism > Foot brake

Endeavour

> Oversized organiser panel > Light weight > Rotating front wheel > Umbrella attachment > Low profile wheels > Easy fold mechanism > Foot brake > Suspension > Padded seat > Storage tray Available only at Drummond Golf stores

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

BigMax Golf Buggies TUltra-Slim and Ultra-compact, two great new technologies from Europe’s awardwinning buggy brand.

BLADE Buggy

When considering what move to make next, most businesses look at how to improve their last offering. Big Max Golf does things slightly differently. By focusing on the problems that golfers face and using its wealth of experience in innovation, Big Max sees past what has been done and wonders what can be done. It’s this process that’s led to the development of two fantastic new technologies in 2014. The first innovation is the utra-slim BLADE buggy. An awardwinner for innovation throughout Europe, the BLADE buggy folds down perfectly flat without the need to remove the wheels. At just 12.5cm deep when folded, the BLADE buggy will sit comfortably flat at the bottom of most car boots or even on a parcel shelf while kept clean and tidy by its own carry bag.

IQ+

The name says it all. With a simple hand movement you can collapse this spacesaving marvel from the European market leaders into a tiny package. The IQ+ has all of the usual features of the well-known IQ Push and more, including a scorecard and organizer panel, two Quick-Lok connections to fit the BigMax accessories such as the bottle and towel holder or the quick fix umbrella holder. In addition the scorecard compartment opens not just to keep the score card safe and dry, but with enough space for other golfing essentials like your mobile phone and GPS. The large and practical mesh pocket underneath the panel offers not only space for the important things you need during a round of golf but also serves as storage for the QF umbrella holder. The new IQ+ comes in 3 new exciting colour combinations making it an eye catching addition to any golf course. Available only at Drummond Golf stores

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*Valid until 31st August 2014

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

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E L K Golf GT Lithium Golf Buggy •

•

E•L•K Golf, innovators in golf equipment design, are leading the way by developing the GT Lithium Golf Buggy, designed and engineered specifically for Australian golf courses, delivering the benefits of a super light-weight, powerful lithium battery with an ultra-strong, contemporary design. Drawing on their personal golfing experiences and comprehensive market research, E•L•K Golf determined the motorised golf buggy category has great opportunity to improve in the areas of reliability, weight and functionality. This has been achieved by the introduction of affordable lithium powered motorised buggies. The GT Lithium weighs in at a feather-weight 9.5kgs, using a ‘Power-On’ lithium battery pack weighing 2.25kgs yet providing 200 watts of power with a ‘Super-fast’ charge which uses less energy. The frame, made from aircraft-grade aluminium, easily folds to fit in the boot of small and compact cars. Simple to operate with three distance control settings, the buggy comes complete with lithium battery and charger, seat, umbrella holder and sand bucket holder, all at no additional cost. E•L•K Golf also produce a stylish and light-weight cart bag to fit most buggies as well as providing a range of lithium powered batteries to suit all motorised buggies. The GT Lithium Buggy and Power-On batteries are supported by E•L•K Golf’s 24 month warranty via their National Service Network, ensuring their commitment to ongoing customer care. RRP $989 Phone (03) 5973 5598 info@elkgolf.com www.elkgolf.com

MGI Ryder R75 Lithium Take your game to the next level with the MGI Ryder R75 Lithium. With a 12-volt digital electronic system, lithium ion battery, LED screen with digital speed display and variable speed control it will make getting around the course easy. Support your passion all year round as MGI has included quick release rear wheels with all-weather tread and an umbrella holder for those beautiful summer days and wet winters. Available in black and silver. RRP $1,395 www.mgigolf.com

Bag Boy C3

MGI Navigator G800 The MGI Navigator G800 continues to revolutionize golf as you know it with the ultimate addition to your game - a full directional remote control and Eco Electronic System. The remote control allows for forward, left, right and reverses with speed control to your walking speed. With StraightTracker™ technology you can set your buggy in the right direction and it will auto correct to track straight every time no matter the terrain. The lithium ion battery-powered buggy is tackling eco-challenges through the groundbreaking addition of a 24volt electronic system. The Eco Electronic System achieves greater efficiency in power consumption by reducing power loss. The result means the motor works less to produce the same amount of power and increased longevity of your buggy with less wear on the motor. The Navigator G800 features a full colour interactive screen, a rotating front wheel with suspension, and includes Integrated Sureshotgps™ software to ensure you’ll never lose track of the green again. As well as a retractable fourth wheel for added stability and extra ease gliding around the course. The seat contains storage and extra padding for your convenience. With a height adjustable rubber ergonomic T-bar handle, a sleek one piece folding design, and weighing 10.4kgs (without wheels) your new buggy will provide luxury and practicality for every game. RRP $2,295

IS YOUR GOLF CART SLOWING DOWN?

OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERIES?

www.mgigolf.com

The new Bag Boy C3 Push Cart will transport your golf bag with ease around the green. It folds easily with a simple three-step fold for compact storage and ease when travelling. With a strong aluminium and weather resistant frame the Bag Boy C3 Push Cart will hold from season to season to last you your golfing life. The rounded handle and all weather grip will keep the C3 in tow throughout rain or shine. The extra deep scorecard holder includes golf ball storage and a smart phone holder. The upper bag bracket is cart and stand bag compatible, designed to lock in stand bags. The Bag Boy C3 Push Cart will make for the perfect travel companion as its extremely light weight (6.8kgs) and folds easily into a compact bundle. Available in silver/black, white/ yellow and black. RRP $279 Available from MGI 1300 644 523

Need new batteries? Don’t replace them, restore them with the Battery Reviver > Cleans the damaging sulphure build up on the lead plates. > Restores the voltage of the batteries. > Restores the sulphuric acid strength. > Restores the performance of the batteries.

Want to triple the life of your good batteries? Increase the life of your batteries by up to three times by eliminating the main reasons the batteries fail, SULPHATION. If you eliminate the main reason your batteries fail, it must increase the life of your batteries.

30 DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE OR YOUR MONEY BACK

Clean your clubs while you walk. This simple, brilliantly designed brush attaches to your golf buggy’s wheel. It uses the natural rotation to remove dirt and debris from your club face and grooves.

Easy to install. Universal fit. No more dirty towels.

For more information, pricing and to order

Phone 1300 852 433 or visit our website Patent # 7374839

www.batteryreviver.com.au

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

www.wheelycleangolf.com

hot wheels

Bag Boy Quad The Bag Boy Quad was constructed with a lightweight aluminium frame and built on a reinforced four-wheel platform, promoting superior stability, while offering a simple two-step folding process, making it easy to transport and allowing for compact storage. The Quad is equipped with maintenance free, oversized wheels that roll through the fairways and rough with ease, enabling golfers to effortlessly manoeuvre the cart on all terrains and in all weather conditions. RRP $299

The Shark Cube Compact 3 Wheel Buggy

The Motocaddy M1 PRO Electric Trolley

With a compact folding dimension of only 49 x 44 x 37cm, The CUBE has the smallest folding size of any cart available in the Sporte Leisure range. Weighing an unbelievable 6.6kg, traveling to and from the course has never been this easy. With a simple fold and unfold system, three adjustable handle height positions and a track width of 72cm the CUBE is a solid cart, built for all terrains. Cart Features: Easy folding and unfolding, Minimal folding dimension, Solid track width, Robust parking brake, 3-step adjustable handle height, Storage box, Drink holder, Scorecard holder, Ball holder, Ball marker, Score counter.

The newest member of the Motocaddy family, the compact folding M1 PRO electric trolley has been designed to transform your journey to and from the golf course. The new style frame and three-point folding system have been developed to make the folded M1 PRO trolley over 40% smaller than its S-Series counterparts. Boasting a sporty look and eye-catching colour, the twintube frame not only allows an 18-hole Leadacid or 18-hole Lithium battery to remain in its tray when folded, but also features an integrated Accessory Station, an easy-touse handle height adjuster, plus an inbuilt device cradle, accommodating a wide range of GPS devices which can also be powered from the patented USB charging port. IDEAL FOR : Space conscious golfers looking for a compact folding trolley with great features.

This buggy is the easiest folding and most compact buggy you are going to lay your hands on.

The new generation Shark Qwik-Fold Neon buggy arrives in July 2014. The SHARK Qwik-Fold neon buggy uses a patented push button technology to fold or unfold in one second with one press! The elastic bag straps with their adjustable quick lock system also make it quicker and easier to attach or detach your bag. The three-wheeled sturdy construction is easy to move around the course with its fully adjustable handle so your grip on the buggy is always at a comfortable height. The low profile wide tyre wheels are also fitted with precision bearings. If you have to stop on a hill it has a push on, push off foot brake system to make sure it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get away. Add the other features like the drink and card holder with a built in storage compartment and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready for the course.

Colours Available: Black / Green, Black / Red, Silver / Red, White / White.

Available in Black and White. RRP from $1059

RRP $249.95

The Qwik-Fold Neon comes in four stylish colours so there is one to match every bag. Black/White/Red, Blue/White/Blue, Charcoal/ Orange/Orange, White/Blue/Blue.

For your nearest Stockist please contact Sporte Leisure (02) 9693 5777

ATTACK THE COURSE with Qwik Fold Neon and now from only $199

Umbrella holder and carry bag also available.

Available from MGI 1300 644 523.

SHARK QWIK-FOLD NEON GOLF BUGGY

www.sharkgolf.com.au

www.motocaddy.com/au

www.sharkgolf.com.au

All Cart Parts Parts and accessories for all makes of golf carts

24 years industry experience

Unit 2/16 Ereton Drive, Labrador 4215 Mobile: 0414 375 027 | Phone: 07 5537 5033 | Fax: 07 55377015 | eMail: allcartparts1@optusnet.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

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PARMAKER

QOD Winner of the prestigious Golf Europe Product Award for Trolleys 2013, the Australian owned and designed QOD is the world’s smallest electronic golf trolley. QOD takes only a few seconds to assemble, and measures an amazing 27cm x 30cm x 42cm. Powered by the lightest lithium-ion batteries of its kind, QOD is a single piece of modular construction, which has been designed with three key factors in mind – simplicity, compactability and reliability. The use of high-tech components including telescopic designed wheels and body, a whisper-quiet motor and continuous pace control has also given it a unique edge over other trolleys in the market. This leading-edge electronic trolley continues to capture the attention and interests of golfers from around the world since it was released into the market. Currently, golfers in more than 10 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia are enjoying the benefits of the QOD innovation. For more information, visit www.qodgolf.com.au

Established in 1979, Parmaker have built their buggies 100% from the ground up in their Melbourne factory. No imported or inferior foreign parts; no snaptogether or flimsy components. Just longlasting, sturdy products that are completely “Australian made” and built to last. Parmaker are so confident in the quality and reliability of their products that they offer a five-year extended warranty on all their buggies. For the average golf fanatic, a fiveyear warranty can mean almost 1,000 games of trouble-free golf (well, trouble-free as far as the buggy is concerned – that wicked banana-slice of yours is another story!) Parmaker offers a variety of motorised buggies and walkers, from the powerful Scout/SE walker models, to the ride-on Spirit/ Ghia (three-wheel) and Explorer (four-wheel) vehicles. You can purchase a Parmaker either from their factory or on the internet, and the product range includes a large range of optional extras to make your golf even more enjoyable. A five-year warranty is as low as $69 on a Scout SE, $99 on a Scout and $299 on a ride-on. The warranty covers all parts and labour for units purchased directly from

the Parmaker factory (or from parmaker.com). And the warranty itself is as reliable as the buggy itself. Unlike some warranties that are full of loopholes or escape clauses, if you have an issue with your Parmaker you can either ring the company (small technical issues can often be identified and fixed over the phone) or bring/send it to the factory. If you bring it in person, most problems are rectified ‘while you wait’. If you aren’t able to visit in person, then simply send it to Parmaker; they will fix it and return it to you ASAP, often within 72 hours. To ensure their products are constantly scrutinised and that research and development opportunities are grasped at every turn, Parmaker has eployed a team

of industry experts for each step of the manufacturing cycle. In recent years this level of expertise has led to overall improvements in electronics, lightweight materials and mechanics as well as specific advancements such as downhill brakes on walkers and electronic brakes for ride-ons. They also develop innovations as a result of customer feedback, which has led to improvements like custom-built handles for left or righthanders, electronic controllers that inform you how your Parmaker is ‘feeling’, solid rubber wheels that can’t be punctured and front wheel suspension for rough terrain. www.parmaker.com or call the factory on 03 9580 7166.

ACE Golf Cars opens new warehouse and show room in Bendigo! This is the largest golf car facility in Regional Victoria with full work shop, showroom and stock of accessories and parts for all major brand of golf cars.

Opening hOurs Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 11 phillips Drive Kangaroo Flat Vic 3555 e: sales@acegolfcars.com.au phone: (03) 9938 7720

SALES / SEVICE / RENTAL

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

www.acegolfcars.com.au

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

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Ride-On Buggies Scorpion Golf Cruiser The stylish single-seater electric Scorpion Golf Cruiser has a new exclusive distributor in Chatswood, Sydney: Electric Vehicles Oceania, EVO, a division of Lordco (Australia) Pty Ltd. EVO-Lordco have electric vehicle sub-distributors and dealers throughout Australia who provide sales and service and a range of accessories and spare parts.

Golf Skate Caddy Officially launched in January at the PGA’s 2014 Merchandise Show in Orlando Florida, golfers and clubs around the globe have been clamoring to get their feet on the totally unique Golf Skate Caddy, a purposebuilt, single-person golf transport device.

The Scorpion Golf Cruiser has proven to be very popular with golfers who prefer using a single-seat golf cart. Older golfers also appreciate them, as they allow their ongoing involvement in the game when physical health issues otherwise may prevent them from continuing. An option is a double golf bag holder, so that two users can share and enjoy some walking and some riding, or one less able player to ride, and the other to walk but not carry a bag of clubs. The Scorpion can cover 36 holes of golf on a single battery charge and be recharged overnight, costing less than 50 cents. It creates zero pollution and can climb steep hills, go at walking pace for being sociable, or 15 km/h to speed things up. It can reverse too. EVO-Lordco are also introducing a car towbar-mounted tilting carry-rack for the Cruiser, which allows loading and off-loading in seconds, and which will stow out of the

way vertically against the vehicle’s boot or tailgate when not in use. Many Golf Clubs prefer the Scorpions to heavier carts due to less course damage because of their lighter weight and large tyres. And there’s a golf club model on the way with Lithium Ion batteries and a high efficiency motor for continuous usage. RRP $2495 Electric Vehicles Oceania 220/354 Eastern Valley Way Chatswood NSW 2067 02 9417 1547 info@lordco.net.au www.electricvehiclesoceania.com.au

Literally feeling like you’re surfing the turf, the Golf Skate Caddy adds a new dimension to the game of golf, where the mode of transport becomes part of the joy of the game as you glide to your ball. The Golf Skate Caddy is great for people who are time-poor as they can get in a game faster, helping to attract a fresher younger set of players with the added benefit of extra revenue for any course. The Golf Skate Caddy is finished off with a customised bespoke synthetic grass surface, which is the ideal medium for soft spiked golf shoes and allows maximum grip in wet or dry weather and is easily cleaned with a stiff brush. Every detail has been covered to create a unique and specialised personal transporter that is super fun to ride, reliable, lightweight, compact and poised to change the future of golf.’

FEATURES • Dual 1000w brushless motors • 10 inch all-terrain tyres • 30ah lithium battery • Five volt weather-proof USB charger • Two LED driving lights • Storage compartment for four balls, a selection of tees and a sand divot pourer • Rear chill box capable of carrying three cans or two bottles of water • Quick release spring seat (cannot be used while moving) • Score card holder • Front drink holder • High wind resistant umbrella • Smooth ABS braking system For commercial and fleet enquiries please contact Douglas Mizzi Ph: 1300 556 979 Email: salesfleetau@golfskatecaddy.com Phone: 1300 55 69 79 / (07) 3208 3208 sales@golfskatecaddy.com www.golfskatecaddy.com.au

The Scorpion Golf Cruiser

www.ClubWhizz.com

REVOLUTIONARY! FITS YOUR CART TO CLEAN...

F e at u r e s

GOLF CLUB, SHOE AND CART T YRE CLEANER

• Zero pollution • Low maintenance • Powerful electric motor: 1000w, 36V, low noise • Forward and reverse with 2 speed shift • Foldable for car storage and transport • Recharging time: 8-10 hours • Driving time: 5-6 hours after a full charge or approximately 36 holes of golf • Extremely economical operation • Wide wheels/tires, no golf course or lawn damage • Maximum speed 15 km/h • Maximum load of rider 150kg • Front & rear shock absorbers for extra comfort • Rear hydraulic disc brake and handbrake • Battery: 36V 6pcs of 12V 20AH battery. Latest sealed gel lead acid type • 12 months warranty • Available in a variety of colours: Black, Blue, White, Red, Green, Orange, Silver • Umbrella, Windscreen, Rain Cover, Sun Awning, Solar Charger, Front Fairings, Panniers not included, but available as an optional extra • EVO stocks a full range of spare parts and optional extras, and can provide all servicing and maintenance requirements

Electric Vehicles Oceania (EVO) offer vehicles that use 100% electric operation, meaning the Scorpion is clean and green, and kind to the environment. Simple to use and easy to master, the Scorpion makes getting around the golf course much easier, faster, and it is fun too! This is the latest Scorpion Golf Cruiser available and it incorporates many new upgrades over past models. Contact us for your nearest authorised retail Dealer and Service Agent, who can supply accessories, spare parts and regular serving and maintenance.

See our website at www.ElectricVehiclesOceania.com.au for the genuine Scorpion Golf Cruiser.

Phone Toby on 0401 500 440 or John on 0417 679 398

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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The future of golf is here F E AT U R E S

• Dual 1000w brushless motors • 10 inch all-terrain tyres • 30ah lithium battery (2+ rounds of 18 holes) • Five volt weather-proof USB charger • Ergonomic mono handle

• Quick release spring seat (cannot be used while moving) • Score card holder • Front drink holder • High wind resistant umbrella

• Storage compartment for four balls, a selection of tees and a sand divot pourer

• Customised bespoke synthetic grass surface

• Rear chill box capable of carrying three cans or two bottles of water

• Two LED driving lights

• Smooth ABS braking system

The Golf Skate Caddy offers a significant point of difference to your golf club and the ability to generate extra income through a number of different avenues. Fleet and leasing sales available now, call today!

International Golf Skate Caddy Headquarters Unit 2/3366 Pacific Highway, Springwood, QLD. Australia 4127 +61 (7) 3208 3208 sales@golfskatecaddy.com For commercial and fleet enquiries please contact Douglas Mizzi 1300 55 69 79 salesfleetau@golfskatecaddy.com

www.golfskatecaddy.com www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

hot wheels

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

hot wheels

Club Car’s New Precedent i3

GOLF CARS

Club Car, the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles, has unveiled the third generation of the company’s flagship line of Precedent vehicles and the first golf car equipped with built-in ‘connected’ technology – the Precedent i3.

ECar ECar Australasia Pty Ltd is the Australasian distributor for ECar by LVTONG, One of South East Asia’s largest manufacturers of premium quality electric golf cars, people transporters and utility vehicles.

The latest version of Club Car’s Precedent golf car offers, as standard, a fitted screen that connects the vehicle to the golf operation – including the golf shop and maintenance facility – communicating fleet performance information and diagnostics, which an operator can now access via smartphone, tablet and computer.

Based on the Gold Coast, with a growing network of Dealers dedicated to servicing the key markets in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, ECar’s range of products compares very favourably with the higher profile name brands. And with pricing generally at 30%40% below major competitors, ECars enjoy a reputation as the best “value for money proposition” in the electric vehicle business.

• Industrial welded, fully anodized tubular steel chassis • Automotive standard P.P. body panels fully infused automotive paint finish • Full light kit, indicators & horn so that the vehicle is compliant for conditional registration. • On board Intelligent charger

Based on advanced German engineering and design, ECars feature industry leading U.S. and European brand electrical and mechanical components:

ECars feature a 3-Year Warranty on all mechanical and electrical components, a 10Year warranty on the chassis and a 2-year warranty on batteries

• U.S. ADC 48 volt shunt wound motor • Genuine U.S. T875 Trojan Deep Cycle Batteries • Italian Graziano Spline-less Transaxle • USA Curtis Solid State Controller • Automotive style independent suspension with coil springs over hydraulic struts • Automotive style Dual Rack and Pinion Steering

E-CAR’s range has now further expanded with a range of Electric buses, heavy duty Utility vehicles, security vehicles, low speed electric cars with doors. This new vehicle range has been enthusiastically adopted in a wide variety of countries and for a wide variety of applications. www.ecaraustralasia.com.au

The new car builds on the technology Club Car pioneered with the Visage Mobile Information System in 2004, enabling operators to receive, in real time, enhanced information on battery status, service notifications and detailed diagnostics that can mitigate and prevent maintenance issues. The system also enables golfers to receive overview displays of each hole, electronic scorecards and hole-by-hole information, as well as weather alerts and other messages from the golf shop. Other feature and design enhancements delivered by the new golf car’s ‘connected’ technology include: • Enhanced Mapping – interactive Google maps with 3D view and rotation • 3G cellular communication – upgraded from 2G/GPRS communication • Dynamic Info Holder – enhanced welcome screen with ability to communicate important daily course information to golfers electronically

• Enhanced Vehicle Information • Odometer – total miles driven and/or battery amp hours consumed • Vehicle Grouping – ability to view vehicles by groups to better manage a fleet: vehicles in use, vehicles on-charge or by vehicle type (Golf Car/Beverage Cart/etc.) • Messaging and Alerts Console – easy viewing of vehicle diagnostics, battery status, geo-fence and other alerts, sorted by severity • Enhanced Tracking Application – upgraded “Find Car” feature, which allows live onand off-course tracking. (Previously, the application only provided last known location.) • Improved F&B Reporting – graphical F&B and usage reports with convenient monthly, quarterly and yearly displays • Enhanced Pace Reporting – real-time pace update and course management tool with graphical usage reports for managing total course pace and improving customer experience As an Official Sponsor of The European Tour, Club Car is also the Official Supplier of Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles to The 2014 Ryder Cup and will be in action later this year at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.

The worlds most portable full size electric golf trolley

www.golfcarsinternational.com.au

Order by 31st J uly an

d claim a free Carry All Ba worth g $ 4 4 from Sales@ qodgo lf.com .au

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

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Ace Golf Cars Bendigo Ace Golf Cars Bendigo is now the Largest Regional Golf Cars dealer in Victoria. The new warehouse is located in Kangaroo Flat (Bendigo) with a showroom, workshop, spare parts and accessories and plenty of new and used golf cars in stock. The business started in 2012 when Adrian Eiffert started servicing and selling Golf Cars more as a hobby. Adrian has 20+ years experience working on different types of vehicles from motorcycles, to trucks to boats but has a passion for golf and golf cars. What started as a hobby has now grown to a large business and two additional mechanics have now joined the team. Adrian and his team are covering the Bendigo, Central Victoria and along the Murray from Swan Hill to Albury. The service van also travels down to the Grampians, Kilmore, Kyenton and around the Goulburn Valley to the goldfields of Ballarat. With over 800 private clients on the books the boys are keeping busy servicing and repairing all major brands of golf cars and commercial vehicles. A new fully fitted out service van is now on the road providing service to private golf cars owners and fleet owners in Country Victoria. Ace Golf Cars is also the Authorised dealer for E-Z-GO, Cushman and Bad Boy buggies. The new showroom has a range of new and latest model cars for inspection. Opening hours: 8am-5pm Monday to Friday 11 Phillips Drive Kangaroo Flat Vic 3555 email: sales@acegolfcars.com.au www.acegolfcars.com.au

ACCESSORIES Trojan batteries

One of the most important features of a golf car—and probably one of the most ignored— is the battery. Selecting the right battery and committing to a regular maintenance schedule will ensure that your golf car will carry you through 18 or 36 holes when required. With today’s tight economy, the trend when buying batteries is to go cheap. However, cheaper never equals better so investing in a quality battery is your best choice. Not only will you benefit from reliable performance for your golf car you will also get the best return on your investment because a quality made battery will have a longer lifespan. In the long run, the cheaper battery will cost you more because you have to replace them more often. Deep-cycle flooded batteries are the most appealing due to their low initial cost and long life; however they require periodic “watering” to ensure the health and longevity of the battery. This can be a time consuming and sometimes messy job. For these reasons, it is important that you are willing to commit to a regular maintenance schedule before purchasing flooded batteries. To lessen the hassle of watering flooded batteries, watering systems are available that make this process easier. One such system is the HydroLink™ watering system from Trojan Batteries. Over 65% of new golf cars are now sold or leased with watering systems pre-installed on the batteries.

convenience, AGM and gel batteries are other options. Both AGM and gel batteries are considered ‘recombinant’ which means that sealed pressure relief valves force the recombination of oxygen and hydrogen back into water during recharge so that almost no electrolyte is lost, so watering is unnecessary. However, since most golf cars initially come with flooded batteries from the manufacturer, it is important to note that if customers choose to move from flooded to AGM or gel batteries, it will be necessary to replace their golf car’s charger system because AGM and gel batteries require a different charge algorithm than flooded batteries. It’s also important to note that AGM and gel batteries are less “forgiving” then flooded batteries when improperly charged which can lead to reduced battery life. When used in similar applications, and when properly maintained, flooded batteries will outlast AGM and gel technologies. For a free comprehensive Golf Car Battery owners guide email Trojan@alcobatt.com.au

Mini Miser Lithium PO4 Compared to a traditional lead acid golf battery, the Mini Miser lithium is less than 1/4 of the weight, and only 1/3 of the size. Over 10 years the Mini Miser will save you 50% of the costs of a lead acid battery and charger combination. At only 2.2kg, the Mini Miser is easy to handle for golfers of all ages including ladies and juniors. In addition, it places no additional strain on the trolley—whereas the weight of heavy lead acid batteries increases wear and tear on your golf trolley – particularly on axle shafts, motors, gears and frames. Mini Miser is designed and built for over 2,000 charges and discharges, compared to only 200 for lead acid. Over 10 years you would replace your traditional golf battery five times to give an average of 1,000 discharges. Compatible with almost all 12V golf trolleys, Mini Miser orders come complete with a Mini Miser 18- or 36-hole battery charger, protective battery carry case, 24 months comprehensive warranty on the battery and the charger and 3 additional years’ limited warranty. This equates to five years of protection. RRP From $299 including charger and battery 1300 787 924 info@mini-miser.com www.mini-miser.com

If customers would rather not worry about watering batteries and are willing to spend more money for maintenance-free

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July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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The Club Whizz® With an award-winning design, the reliable Club Whizz is effective and a great new talking point on the fairway. The Club Whizz attaches to the wheel of any golf buggy and rotates as you walk the course, cleaning dirt and debris as it goes. Simply hold a club against the specially designed brush for a few paces and the Club Whizz cleans the grooves and removes dirt, safely depositing it in front of the wheel away from the golfer while also keeping mud and dirt well away from hands, clothes and bag. It brushes dirt from a club’s grooves in a way a traditional towel would struggle. In addition, the Club Whizz easily clips off its wheel mounting so golfers can clean their clubs, shoes, wheels and buggy before packing their gear away.

Battery Reviver Golf cart owners all over Australia and New Zealand are fitting the Battery Reviver device to their electric golf carts. The reason? The device not only brings your old sulphated batteries back to life, it preserves new or near new batteries, almost tripling the life of the batteries by eliminating the main reason the batteries fail, sulphation. Sulphation is the build-up of sulphur crystals on the lead plates. This reduces the voltage the battery can achieve by virtually suffocating the lead plates, while it also weakens the sulphuric acid. Both of these result in the reduced performance of the golf cart and eventually being told the batteries need to be replaced.

For golfers who don’t use a buggy the Club Whizz can also be attached to a bag and clipped on/off the docking base during play. Winner of an Australian Design Award the Club Whizz can be installed in just a few minutes yet enjoyed round after round on the course. After a successful launch at the 2013 PGA Golf Merchandise show in Florida the Club Whizz is now sold in over 20 countries. RRP $39.95 info@clubwhizz.com.au Available at Drummond Golf, Golf Box & Golf Clearance Outlet

Patented in the USA, The Battery Reviver solves these problems by sending a square wave transmission through the batteries, dissolving the sulphur crystals that are suffocating the plates, and in turn restoring the sulphuric acid back to its original strength. By fitting the device to new or near-new batteries, it will prevent the sulphation process from occurring, thus increasing the life of the batteries significantly. Powered by the golf cart batteries, the new model has a voltage sensor built into the device. This turns the device off when the battery charge gets low, eliminating the need to disconnect the device if the cart is not charged for an extended period. With badly sulphated batteries the device will only operate whilst being charged, as the batteries improve the device will stay operational longer. Once connected, there is nothing else to do, just connect, forget and watch the batteries improve. www.batteryreviver.com.au or 1300 852 433

www.clubwhizz.com

Highland Golf Cars Highland Golf Cars ship golf cart batteries Australia wide. US batteries, as the name would suggest, are manufactured in the United States and have a name second to none in the golfing world. Highland Golf Cars are Authorised Distributors and as such can offer special deals for this month: 6x6-Volts: $1195 Delivered anywhere Australia-wide. 6 x 8- Volts: $1195 Delivered anywhere Australia-wide. 4 x 12- Volts: $1195 Delivered anywhere Australia-wide. Ph 1300 90 60 80 www.highlandgolfcars.com.au

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July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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instruction

Can you truly hit a straight shot? Randall Hollands Smith rhs_golfpro@hotmail.com

his month we would like to discuss a topic most commonly asked by golfers: “How do I hit the ball straight?”

The answer to this question is simple. It is virtually impossible to hit the ball dead straight. In actual fact, the ball has what is referred to as a “Start Line” and a “Finish Point” and even for the best golfers, these two points are never the same, no matter how skilful you are. What we would like to discuss this month is how you can improve your overall game and scores on the golf course simply by varying your set up position and alignment to reflect the shape of shot you are trying to execute. By this we mean that we see a lot of players out there trying to hit the ball straight, however they are taking a series of practice swings that “do not match” the intended shot that they are trying to produce. Our advice to you is to forget that the “Straight Shot” exists. Focus your attention particularly with your practice swings, on creating the type of shot that you require. Picture in your mind either a small draw (right to left shape) or small fade (left to right shape) by creating the correct sequence of movements with your body and hands to assist you in achieving the shot. In the photos, we have Rachel in three separate set up positions, each one producing a different shot type and shot shape. There is a Fade alignment (open and to the left

Target Target Straight alignment

Draw alignment

Fade alignment

of target), a Straight alignment and a Draw alignment (closed and to the right of target).

of producing a square clubface alignment that would hit a “straight shot”.

Don’t get us wrong, there are certainly times when a “straight shot” is required, however the straight shot that we refer to would be from distances within 100 metres of the putting green. Elite players refer to “green light” and “red light” pin positions. Given the right conditions a player will go straight at the pin rather than trying to shape the ball. It must be pointed out that the elite player has by definition very good technique and fundamentals, and has a greater chance

In conclusion we want to emphasise how important it is to make your practice swings a rehearsal of the actual movement pattern and type of swing that you are trying to produce. In other words, why have an out-toin practice swing if you are trying to hit a low draw? These two swings are totally different in both the feel and swing shapes and, of course, produce different results.

confident that it won’t be long before you are hitting the types of shots you want on a more regular basis. •

Good luck and good golfing, try this exercise at the driving range first and I am

Randall is an Instructor at the Rachel Hetherington Golf Range, 425 Piggabeen Road, Cobaki Lakes, 2486, and is available for lessons specialising in video analysis and launch monitor. Please contact Randall on 0408381924, or the Golf Range on 07 55907686 or email rhs_golfpro@hotmail.com for further information. www.rhgolfrange.com.au

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instruction

What TrackMan has taught us about driving the ball Jason Wood

Thornleigh Golf Centre www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

see many golfers on the driving range who try and set up to the ball with driver in a ‘square’ position much the same as they would do when playing an iron off the ground. In recent years however, we Professionals who teach with TrackMan have developed a greater understanding of the differences between the swings players need to make from off the tee to the grass. “Angle of Attack” (AoA) is a new number we can measure on TrackMan and it has a massive effect on your ability to hit fairways. For a right-hand player to hit a long and straight drive the “Base Plane” needs to be to the right of target and the AoA on the up. Picture 1 shows a common problem, because the ball position is forwards towards the left heel, many amateurs I see have a very ‘level’ look in their shoulders at address. It comes from wanting to feel ‘over the ball’ as you would with, say, a 7-iron. The desire to feel in the same position leads club players to lean their head and chest to the left in order to ‘feel comfortable’ this is a killer position if you are trying to get AoA on the up as you should with driver. Picture 2 shows the second issue we see frequently on the range. A player tries to stand “square” or parallel to their intended target line, this makes it very difficult to make your “Base Plane” swing to the right, the majority

of golfers who stand in this position will have a club path to the left, and from there the dreaded slice is never going to be far away. Picture 3 shows the correct address position with the upper body favouring the right side. The right shoulder is a little lower than the left for two reasons, the first is that our right hand is further down the club shaft and if our arms are the same length this must give a little lower position for the right shoulder. The second is that if we add a little “right side bend” we increase our chances significantly of hitting upwards with our driver, a key element in maximising your distance Picture 4 shows the stance pointing a little to the right of our intended target. This should allow our “Base swing plane” to be moving to the right which when combined with our “upwards” AoA should produce and straight club path and long and accurate drives if the club face is square to our target when we make contact. For the vast majority of golfers, a feeling of “swinging to the right” with driver is the only way to avoid the slice, and that is the opposite of what the majority of golfers reading this article will be trying to do! In summary, the golf swing and your set up with driver need to feel different to your 7-iron off the grass. If you don’t try to change the stance and feel of swing, this answers why you may hit some good shots with your middle irons but struggle to replicate the same with your driver. A lesson on TrackMan will confirm what your numbers are, it is then my job to help you improve them. •

Jason Wood can be contacted at Thornleigh Golf Centre. Brickpit Park, 142-178 Pennant Hills Road (Cnr Dartford Road) Thornleigh NSW 2120. Tel 02 9875 5445. Mobile 0407 418 231. www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

Desigrn you own

reSULTS 13th June 2014 Winner - D. Harvey Runner Up - A. Cameron Next Best - A. Toohey Best Gross - A. Brandon N.T.P 3rd - R. Marsh N.T.P 6th - C. Woods N.T.P 12th - G. Fraser Approach 11th - C. Connolly

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

instruction

Getting a grip on putting Glenn Whittle glenn@whittlegolf.com (02) 9541 4960

f you are having a lot of trouble missing way too many short putts, then please take five minutes to read this article and seriously consider what I am proposing. Over the past few weeks, two new clients have phoned me with the good news that the grip I have suggested they use (combined with fundamental technical drills as homework) has worked a treat and they have a lot more confidence over short putts, something they both said they have not had for a long time. Let me share one of the key changes I made with both clients. They both had one hand that dominated the stroke, rather than have equal pressure in both hands and their hands placed on the grip so they can ensure that one hand does not twist, turn or twitch under pressure. Have a look at the two photos here and notice that in Photo 1, using a standard putter grip, the right hand is placed slightly more to the left (the centre of the hand is above the plane of the golf shaft), the left hand is correctly placed (basically the centre of the hand is on the shaft plane). Now have a look at the Photo 2, it is a new Superstroke wider top grip which allows the player to place both hands side by side on the grip,

I know it looks a bit different and actually feels funny when you first use it, but trust me it really works, ensuring that neither hand dominates and allows them to share the workload. Next time you are having a practice putt before you tee off, take a few minutes to check your grip and see if either hand is positioned too much on top or underneath the grip in relation to the other hand, if you notice something that concerns you, do yourself a favour and book a lesson with your local PGA Pro. Don’t forget my favourite saying with my clients “if it’s not broken don’t fix it”, in other words, who cares how you hold the putter if you have been doing it for a long time and you are happy with the way you putt. Only change if change is necessary and will result in fewer putts and more confidence. If you too are missing too many short putts or you would generally like to putt more consistently, please visit phone 02 9541 4960 to book a session with me one on one. For more info visit www.sydneyputtingstudio.com.au or www.whittlegolf.com •

The 2008 NSW PGA Teacher of the Year, Glenn Whittle is an AAA PGA Member and is also an official iseekgolf.com teaching Panelist. He can be contacted via The Sydney Putting Studio (www.sydneyputtingstudio.com), at The Ridge on (02) 9541 4960 or visit www.whittlegolf.com

Upcoming Annual Events DUNTRYLEAGUE ORANGE

CITY OF ORANGE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

4-6 OCTOBER 2014

ANNUAL VETERANS’ TOURNAMENT

7-9 OCTOBER 2014

Enjoy a long weekend of golf in NSW’s premier food and wine district and play on each of Orange’s magnificent golf courses - Duntryleague Golf Club, Orange Ex-Services Country Club and Wentworth Golf Club. The three courses are played over three days, with $6,000 worth of prizes to be won. This is a championship event not to missed! Further information is available from Golf Orange Website www.golforange.com.au This longstanding and popular Tournament includes three days of golf at Duntryleague and a Presentation dinner on the Wednesday night. Accommodation is available on site in our famous 14 room mansion. Numbers are limited to 216 players. Further information is available from our Tournament Director - Beryl Pearce – 0428 622 300 - beejaber@gmail.com.

LADIES’ OPEN TOURNAMENT

27-31 OCTOBER 2014

HAHN GOLF OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

8-9 NOVEMBER 2014

STEVE CONRAN JUNIOR TOURNAMENT

23 NOVEMBER 2014

The Ladies’ Open Tournament is a much anticipated Tournament on the Duntryleague calendar. The Tournament will include golfing events each day and some great social events as well. Accommodation is available on site in our famous 14 room mansion. Further information is available from our Ladies Captain - Pat Bradford – 0429 685 004 - johnpatbradford@y7mail.com.

(Golf NSW Vardon Event & Senior Event in conjunction) These two days of golf are not to be missed. Saturday and Sunday Championship with individual daily events in conjunction. Test yourself against some of the best players in Australia. Accommodation is also available on site in our famous 14 room mansion. Please contact the Golf Shop on (02) 6362 4072 for further enquiries. A chance for up and coming juniors to experience one of Australia’s best regional courses. The Tournament is a must in every junior’s golfing calendar. Parents can relax and enjoy the hospitality and beauty of Duntryleague or take the opportunity to enjoy all that Orange has to offer. Accommodation is also available on site in our famous 14 room mansion.

MERCEDES BENZ DUNTRYLEAGUE CLASSIC

USING TRACKMAN 7 DAYS A WEEK NOW

17-20 JANUARY 2015

This 54 hole Individual Stableford Tournament continues to grow and is limited to 180 players to ensure comfortable play for everyone. It is open to anyone with a Golf Australia handicap. Duntryleague is one of the best regional golf courses in Australia and is constantly in the top 100 courses each year. Entry fees for the Tournament are excellent value at $285 which includes golf, welcome cocktail party, Monday BBQ and Gala presentation dinner. Magnificent local wines, beer and soft drinks are included for the welcome cocktail party and Gala dinner.

Only 3½ hours from Sydney | Ph: 02 6362 3466 | www.duntryleague.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

instruction

Key to Golf full swing basics Peter Croker www.keytofgolf.com

he Fundamentals of stance and grip are key to the building of a consistent and controlled swing. The Address Routine here is the entrance to a swing that requires less and less thinking, the more you apply it. We have designed a way to consistently be at the “right” distance from the ball with correct posture and balance shot after shot, no matter the slope you find the ball resting on. Take the time to study the video and you too will become a natural at setting up to the ball time after time. Enjoy the process and you will be setting up a swing that delivers “effortless power” - not “powerless effort!”

Purpose To set up a stable and aligned base to hit from

Training Emphasis Feel comfortable in an athletic and balanced stance; hands, arms and shoulders relaxed - Feet heavy in the ground and springy in the legs. Practice on the golf

Part 2:

The Stance range or at home in the mirror and window reflections for feedback. Repeat steps 1 to 4 below about 60 times daily for one month.

Exercise Stand erect with feet about shoulder width apart and turned out 15 to 20 degrees: Step 1 Bend at the hips (not waist) then Step 2 Unlock the knees, then Step 3 A) Slide the hips slightly left B) Tilt backbone (not just shoulders) slightly right Step 4 Arms hang relaxed, hands mid-body. To view Stance Drills to help you get set up correctly go to http://keytogolf.com/Stance-Exercise Peter Croker has been a PGA member since 1971 and has given lessons with his Croker Golf System to professionals including Vijay Singh, Arnold Palmer, Rocco Mediate, Fred Funk, Olin Browne, and Bob Charles. Based on the Mornington Peninsula, he delivers school instruction, individual lessons, and has an Online Lesson Program. www.keytofgolf.com Phone: 0415292549

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July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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fitness

For golf, fitness is fundamental Richard Nizielski www.golffitsolutions.com

caught a re-run of The Karate Kid (the 1984 original) movie on TV a few days ago.

If you’ve seen it, then you know the line “Wax on, wax off”. There are other lines which, back when the movie first came out, everyone was repeating. “Paint the fence”, and “Sand the floor”, all relate to basic movement patterns, that Mr Miyagi uses to teach Karate to Daniel-san. I don’t think with those basic movements anyone can learn a complete martial art, but the message behind learning the basic fundamentals hold true. For the golfer it’s the same. Addressing the fundamentals and building a movement vocabulary will build a foundation that then supports future skill development. Movement development is just like learning anything else: 1) It needs to be done at a level which is achievable for the participant 2) It needs to be done consistently in order to keep progressing 3) It must identify and complement areas where movement is efficient, while developing the areas which require extra focus 4) It must be applicable to the athlete’s current level, not a level that was previously achieved and is no longer there; i.e: If you stop using it, you WILL lose it!

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

These basics apply universally, whatever the athlete’s age or experience. Like the “wax on, wax off” fundamentals of Mr Miyagi, seemingly ‘meaningless’, menial tasks can be an important part of the process to achieving a desired outcome. To quote one of my mentors, Kelvin Giles, “Start with ‘general’, move to ‘related’ and finally you have earned the right to do ‘specific’.” To simplify that quote even further, “learn to walk, before you run”. To give yourself every opportunity to improve in your golf fitness and ultimately your golf, it may be necessary to start with the most basic of movements, drills and stretches and build from there. The elements of balance, coordination, strength, posture and flexibility are all requirements of the golf swing, which we take for granted will be at our beck and call. However, when assessed, many players of all ages and abilities struggle to meet basic requirements. This can then lead to injuries, poor technique and frustration. Older golfers may suffer from a case of, “if you stop using it, you will lose it”, while junior golfer, may have never had exposure to the range of movements that underpin technical improvement. To get an idea of what needs working on, it’s best to have a physical screening and golf specific fitness assessment done.

A golf fitness specialist or sports physiotherapist can help with this and, will be able to accurately assess what elements need addressing. Once established, a level of training can be determined, applied and monitored. Often improving golf can be as simple as addressing the fundamentals of the fitness elements, rather than increasing the complexity of the training. Happy Golfing • Richard Nizielski is a Brisbane-based golf fitness expert and the Director of Golf Fit Solutions. A three-time Olympian and medallist in the sport of short track speed skating, Richard is a qualified sports and personal trainer designing individual fitness and nutrition programs for both professional and amateur golfers here in Australia and overseas. www.golffitsolutions.com

health

Does knee arthritis stop you walking the golf course? Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

part from the emotional pain of missing an important putt or spraying your drives into the trees, few things can hurt a golfer more than physical pain when on the course. When our bodies limit our movements to a point that we struggle to just walk the course or make a decent swing, it can deal a serious blow to our enjoyment of the game.

On a scale of zero to ten, where ten is the worst pain possible, Stephen’s pain was at a nine. He was told he needed a knee replacement, but chose instead to get treatment via Knee Institute Australia, which consists of a five-week program of weekly injections under anaesthetic and ultrasound to help relieve the pain. And while some people can get a bit hesitant around needles, Stephen reports that there was no pain from the injection.

Arthritis is one of those niggling pains that wreak havoc with a golf swing. And when it is in the knees, walking a course is rarely an option, let alone just getting in and out of a golf cart.

“It was just like pricking your little finger was a little pin,” he says. “There was no pain at all. And I had no pain that night, which I couldn’t believe. I could sleep with my foot in the bed instead of out of the bed!”

There are some options to help relieve the pain. While a full knee replacement is one route for some, others are choosing alternative methods.

After five treatments Stephen now reports that he is at a “one” on the pain scale, with relatively no pain.

Keen golfer Stephen Hanson, responding to an advertisement for Melbourne-based Knee Institute Australia, is one such golfer who has had a remarkable turnaround via a series of simple knee injections. Stephen, 65, is a Fencing contractor from the bush who has suffered knee pain for 18 months. Getting in and out of tractors all day has taken a toll on his knees, and all but destroyed his ability to play golf. The pain was so bad that medications were ineffective. “Nothing was helping,” Stephen says. “Even lying in bed I’d have both legs out of the bed because the doona was too heavy on them.”

“I climb off and on the tractor about 300 times a day and there’s no pain there! And I really haven’t taken painkillers,” he says. Importantly for Stephen, he was now able to get back on the golf course, which he had avoided for the previous 18 months. “I went to golf this week, the golf cart wouldn’t go so I said well, I’ll give it a go walking. I walked 18 holes with no pain. Even the next day was perfect! It was magic, just magic!” To find out if you qualify for this five-week program, call Knee Institute Australia on 1300 133 422 for your free Action Guide, or visit www.KneeInstituteAustralia.com

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LAUNCH OFFER!

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Keen golfer Stephen Hanson (middle) with Dr Gary Eldridge and assistant, Stephanie

To celebrate the launch of Green Tee, Urban Golf Gear Will offer $0.75c trade-in on unopened packets of wooden or plastic tees. This offer is only available to golf clubs and driving ranges. contact us: marius@urbangolfgear.com.au

Green Tee’s are much stronger than ‘normal wooden’ tees, so you are likely to start & finish with the same tee. Green Tees just break less. PLA Green Tee‘s (polyactide polymer) are made of materials derived from corn starch...ultimately if the tee is lost or breaks, it will BIODEGRADE within 30 days. Green Tee’s are easy on the golf course and don’t cause any damage to expensive mowers. Once the mower blades cut over them, the Green Tee sheers into the grass, which then acts as soil base or fertiliser.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

seniors

Senior Circuit NATIONAL Australian seniors enjoy Australia’s best courses The 2014 Northern Territory Senior Amateur Championship was recently played at Darwin Golf Club in conjunction with the Northern Territory Amateur Open. While some of Australia’s best young amateur golfers were fighting out the overall championship there were 50 seniors competing for the NT Senior Amateur Championship. After 72 holes the 2014 NT senior champion was Trevor Osborne from the Darwin Golf Club. Osborne had rounds of 81-73-80-79= 313 for an eight stroke victory over Queensland visitor Mike Peeck 79-80-84-78=321 and another visitor, Mick Asami from Victoria 81-77-84-79=321. Defending champion Tom Harold started well with rounds of 76-79 but faded on the final two days to eventually finish in fourth place. During July there will be two national events – the Queensland Senior Amateur at Carbrook Golf Club and the 54 hole Gold Coast Senior Championship at Royal Pines (first and final rounds) and Palmer Robina (middle 18 holes). Then there is a wait until early September when the two South Australian events (Grange Senior Open and South Australian Senior Amateur Championship) will be played. Following the South Australian Senior Championship the six-man team to represent Australia at the 2014 Asia Pacific Senior Amateur Championship will be announced. This year the championship will be held in Hong Kong at the Discover Bay Golf Club. With competition always keen for this representative honour performances in the final qualifying events will be very important. Currently Stefan Albinski (NSW) remains on top of the 2014 Australian Senior Ranking table with 102.16 points, Paul Maslen (NSW) is now second (97.67 points) with Denis Dale (NSW) (95.65 points) in third place. Paul Maslen holds a big lead in the year-long Australian Senior Handicap rankings. With an average of 72 points per event he comfortably leads NSW seniors Chris Gordon (53 points) and Roy Vandersluis (52 points). More information: www.ausoom. com

2014 Australian Senior Rankings Player

State

Events

Ave.

Stefan Albinski

NSW

102.16

Paul Maslen

NSW

97.67

Denis Dale

NSW

95.65

Roy Vandersluis

NSW

88.02

Peter King

QLD

85.99

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

QUEENSLAND

Denis Dale

ed@insidegolf.com.au

New leader in PresCare Senior Order of Merit

NSW

May was a busy month for the 2014 Queensland PresCare Senior Order of Merit with six events for the state’s senior men and women being held.

Stanford on top in Senior Order of Merit Mona Vale senior Greg Stanford has taken the lead in the 2014 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition. Stanford has been in sensational form this year and has already claimed 5 titles.

Greg Stanford – leading the NSW Senior Order of Merit.

Stanford’s run started in March with victory in the Pennant Hills Seniors where he defeated a strong field with a very good round of 72. The prestigious Monash Senior Masters was next with his score of 75 on this challenging course being good enough to claim his second title for the year. Stanford moved his game to a new level in the month of May where he claimed three senior titles. The first was at Penrith Golf Club where he birdied the final three holes for a par equalling round of 72 and a one stroke victory. The Wollongong Seniors has been a favourite of Stanford for several years and another par round gave him the 2014 title and the amazing record of four Wollongong Senior titles in the last five years. The final victory in May was at Stanford’s home club, Mona Vale. Definitely one of the favourites to win when the field of 80 players teed off, Stanford played solid golf on a beautifully presented course to edge out a strong field with a score of 76 and another one stroke victory from a group of five players on 77. Currently Stanford holds a comfortable lead in the 2014 NSW Senior Order of Merit. He leads the defending Order of Merit champion Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) with Bayview senior Dale Tapper in third place. Tapper has won three titles this year (Concord, Bonnie Doon and Strathfield) and his consistent top level golf is sure to see him challenge Stanford as the year continues. Penrith senior Sal Ballard claimed his first title of the year with a dominant victory in the 2014 Manly Seniors. Most of the seniors were playing the new Manly layout for the first time and with the course

Sal Ballard – winner of the 2014 Manly Seniors with a great round of 69. presented in A1 condition the feedback on the major course renovation was very favourable. Ballard was one of the “first timers” and he began with a missed 3 foot birdie putt at the first followed by another birdie putt resting on the lip at the second. From there he continued to play immaculate golf in a round that included no dropped shots and two birdies for a score of two under par 69. Runner-up was the evergreen Jack Parker from Wyong GC who was just a single shot from shooting his age with his score of 74. A further stroke away on 75 was Paul Harvey-Walker from Long Reef GC. 70 year old John Benn from Chatswood took out the over 65’s scratch with a fine score of 78. More information:www.golfnsw.org.

2014 NSW Senior Order of Merit Player

Club

Events

Best 14

Greg Stanford

Mona Vale

1460

Denis Dale

Twin Creeks

1304

Dale Tapper

Bayview

1264

Paul Day

Kooindah Waters

1217

Darryl Hearsch

Manly

712

1098

McPherson wins Senior Order of Merit

The final event of the 2013-14 season was the Mandurah Senior Open that attracted a large field of 124 and included nearly every leading WA senior golfer. Once again National Life Style Villages were the generous sponsors. The Mandurah course was in terrific condition with the greens very smooth and fast. It all bodes well for the Australian Senior Amateur Championships to be held there in September. The winner of the 2014 Mandurah Senior Open was Trevor Hughes with a good round of 74. In second place on 75 were Brendon Curtin and Harry Crosby. At the end of the 2013-14 selection season the three players with the highest number of ranking points along with the leading WA player from the 2014 State Seniors Championship are selected in

A large field of over 80 ladies teed off in the 36-hole Horton Park Ladies Classic. With many of the state’s best women competing the top placings were taken out by perhaps the best two players in the field – Wendy O’Connell (Wantima 77-82 ) finishing three strokes ahead of Josie Ryan (Headland 80-82). Horton Park member Ruth Nettle was the leading handicap player with an excellent total of 147 for the two rounds. One of the state’s best tests of golf, the Indooroopilly club, was the next venue for the Order of Merit competition. Finishing in a tie for the top spot were Redcliffe’s Mogens Andersen and host club member Ian Read with scores of 77. Amanda Scott (Oxley) was the leading woman player. The Half Moon Bay Golf Club was very well represented in the Paradise Palms Senior for women and the winner was a member of the Half Moon Bay club – Pam McGowan with a round of 86. She edged out fellow Half Moon Bay member, Pam Shay by two strokes. Then next PresCare Senior Order of Merit event was held at Mount Coolum Golf Club. The home club played host to a good field and after an enjoyable day the winner was Nudgee senior Mario La Chiusa with a round of five over par on this testing course. Caloundra member Ian Brown was next at nine over. Cairns golfer Ruth Yelland was the winner of the women’s section with a good round of 82. The month of May was wrapped up with the 18-hole Pelican Waters Seniors. Nudgee visitor Philip Green was the winner with a scratch score of 80. He defeated Ian Read (Indooroopilly) and Ian Broom (Caloundra) who tied for the runner up position with scores of 81.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Joondalup senior Ian McPherson has finished the season on top of the 2013-13 West Australian Senior Order of Merit. McPherson has been a leading WA senior for several years and recently represented Australia in the Sanctuary Cove Trophy series against New Zealand. He was also the winner of the 2013 Australian Senior Match Play Championship.

The month began at The Hills Golf Club and the winner was Gailes member Leigh Madsen. The Hills is a very long course and a real test for senior golfers and Madsen’s score of 78 was one of only two to break 80. Trevor Box (Windaroo Lakes) was second with 79.

Ian McPherson – winner of the 2013-14 WA Senior Order of Merit. the WA team to compete in the 2014 Australian Seniors Championship. The WA team to represent in 2014 is Ian McPherson, Harry Crosby, Trevor Hughes and Robin Dybeck. With the Australian Seniors to be played at Mandurah Golf Club the local team definitely has their best chance for the first ever WA team win in the Interstate Teams competition. More information: www.golfwa.org.au

The 2014 Queensland Senior Amateur Championship will be played at Carbrook Golf Club from July 16-18 at the Carbrook Golf Club. Carbrook is a great test of golf and will attract a large field of local and interstate golfers. Immediately following the Queensland Senior Amateur is the 2014 Gold Coast Seniors Championship to be played over 53 holes at the Royal Pines and Palmer Robina Woods courses. Again, a strong field is expected for this event. The current leader of the 2014 Queensland PresCare Senior Order of Merit competition is Nudgee senior Mario La Chiusa. He has a good lead over Keperra’s Lindsay Brown and Nudgee’s Steve Rowley. Ian Read is the new leader in the Over 65 section.

2014 Queensland PresCare Senior Order of Merit - Men’s Scratch

2014 WA Senior Order of Merit Player

Club

Events

Points

Player

State

Events

Best 8

Ian McPherson

Joondalup

220.00

Harry Crosby

Wanneroo

197.50

Mario La Chiusa

Nudgee

1095

Lindsay Brown

Keperra

Trevor Hughes

Hartfield

955

196.25

Stephen Rowley

Nudgee

Robin Dybeck

Mt Lawley

845

187.50

Neil King

Gailes

815

Mal Roberts

The Vines

182.50

Mogens Andersen

Redcliffe

810

seniors

NSW SUPER SENIORS Tuncurry wins exciting final

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2014 NSW Super Senior Pennant Champions – Forster-Tuncurry Golf Club The Forster-Tuncurry club has won their first ever inter-district competition with victory in the final of the 2014 NSW Super Senior Pennant.

Kennings and Geoff Calvert still playing great golf for the ForsterTuncurry club they are certainly the early favourites to claim the 2015 Supper Senior Pennant.

in the final which was played at Horizons Golf Club (Nelson Bay).

The final series was played between teams from the following clubs who were the divisional winners - The Lakes, Cronulla, Forster-Tuncurry, Gosford, Wyong, Castle Hill, Penrith and Newcastle. Forster-Tuncurry had competed in Zone 8 which included the Port Macquarie, Hawks Nest and Maitland clubs.

This is only the second year ForsterTuncurry has competed in the Super Senior Pennant. In 2013 they were defeated in the semi-finals by Newcastle so the team greatly appreciated this win in the return match. Newcastle lost their 2013 final to The Lakes Golf Club meaning they have now been runners-up in successive years although it is worth noting they have won the pennant on three previous occasions.

On the way to the title ForsterTuncurry defeated Castle Hill in the quarter finals, Wyong in the semifinals and then Newcastle Golf Club

No doubt the Newcastle Super Seniors team will again be looking to go one better next year but with highly rated senior players like Tony

The NSW Super Senior Pennant is a competition for golfers aged 65 and older. It was introduced in 2001 and this year 52 clubs from Wollongong to Port Macquarie competed. It is an open matchplay event (no handicaps) with each match comprising of 8 individual matchplay games (seven players and a reserve). New clubs are always welcome in the NSW Super Senior competition. More information: superseniorpennant.com.

VICTORIA Kingston Heath senior Gordon Claney has taken the lead in the 2014 Doug Bachli Trophy. A recent win in the 54-hole Cobram-Barooga Senior Open gave Claney a 300 point boost and he now holds a comfortable lead over Tony Hyde from the Rossdale club. Hyde is continuing in his role as the iron man having played in all sixteen events held to date. The previous Order of Merit leader Barry Tippett missed the Cobram event and has slipped back to third place overall.

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Claney has played seven events this year and consistency has been the hallmark of his success in reaching the top of the Order of Merit. He has won three 36 hole events - the Sorrento Seniors, the Bendigo Seniors and the Cobram-Barooga Seniors and finished second in the 54-hole National Senior Masters.

A reminder to all that the famous “Sandbelt Week” is on again in August with senior events at Yarra Yarra, Kingston Heath, Victoria, Royal

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Claney takes the lead in Bachli Trophy

In the Paul Lulofs Trophy for the best handicap player Ignatius Duivenvoorden maintains his lead with Metropolitan’s Paul Bray in second and the ageless Pat Giles close up in third place.

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Gordon Claney – leading the Victorian Senior Order of Merit. Melbourne and Metropolitan golf clubs. All these events are on in the same seven days – surely a week of golf that would be hard to beat

2014 Victorian Senior Order of Merit Doug Bachli Trophy - Scratch Player

Club

Events

Points

Gordon Claney

Kingston Heath

1616

Tony Hyde

Rossdale

1451

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2014 Victorian Senior Order of Merit Paul Lulofs Trophy - Handicap Player

Club

Events

Points

I. Duivenvoorden

Yarram

1042

Paul Bray

Metropolitan

832

Barry Tippett

Thirteenth Beach

1398

Pat Giles

Goonawarra

769

Ken O’Brien

Rossdale

1375

Tony Hyde

Rossdale

743

Ray Walker

Chirnside Park

1327

Wayne Aigner

Brighton

724

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

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golf nsw

Stubbs successfully defends her title at the 2014 Women’s Autumn Meeting

he 2014 Women’s Autumn Meeting was played on Monday 5, Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 May at various courses in the ACT. The event is open to female amateurs who hold a current Australian or overseas equivalent handicap. The courses are Belconnen, Capital, Fairbairn, Federal, Gold Creek, Murrumbidgee, Gungahlin Lakes and Yowani Golf Clubs.

(Campbelltown) with 78.5 nett. The last day of the 2014 Women’s Autumn Meeting is a four person teams event v par played at Yowani and Gold Creek Golf Clubs. Four consecutive days of sunshine contributed to the enjoyment of the event for all participants.

At Yowani, Britta Lamborn, the winner of the division two individual event The format is stroke play over 36-holes, on Monday and Tuesday, teamed 18-holes on day one and 18-holes on day up with fellow Wakehurst members two (played in two divisions), followed Lorraine Sullivan, Tanya Hoyle and by 18-holes foursomes on day three and Robyn Thomas. They had the winning best ball teams event v par on day four. score of eight up. Runners up were the Paige Stubbs (Pennant Hills) Pambula Merimbula ladies, Heather clinched her second consecutive ACT Anne York, Sarina Garrett, Margaret Division 1 Winner Paige Stubbs Championship Cup, winning Division 1 Gaunson and Michele Gaye Martin in the 2014 Women’s Autumn Meeting. who had a score of 7 up. Kathleen Stubbs had rounds of 82 and 79 for a total of 161, Bull, Dirkje Kingma, Suzanne Walsh and Maria De Jong winning by just one shot from Jocelyn MacKay (Moss (Camden) finished in third place with a score of 6 up. Vale) who finished with 84 and 78 for a total 162. Kathryn At Gold Creek Robyn Mason and Carolyn Morgan Fetterplace (Maitland) was the winner of the nett with (Bayview) teamed up with Dilys Geddes (Asquith) and a total of 150. Margaret Hancock (Mornington) finished Helen Egan (Killara). Their score of 8 up was the winning runner up with a total score of 152 nett won on a score of the day at Gold Creek. Runners up were Carol countback from Lisa Jane McBean (Pambula Merimbula). Foster (Campbelltown), Genevieve Slattery (Concord In division two Britta Lamborn (Wakehurst) had scores of Golf Club), Helen Hobbs (North Ryde) and Robyn Hall 99 and 102 to finish on a total of 201, five shots ahead of (Sanctuary Cove) with a score of 7 up. the field. Judy Barrett (The Coast) finished in runner-up The event was a great success enjoyed by all position on a total of 207. Jennifer Turnbull (Kareela) had participants. Each of the host venues were praised for the the best division two nett score with 153 nett. hospitality extended to the participants and the excellent The presentation dinner took place at Yowani Golf condition of the courses. and Country Club following the first two days of For results, reports and images visit www.golfnsw.org • play. Over one hundred participants attended along with representatives from the Central Southern Golf Association who assisted Golf NSW in running the event. Congratulations to the In the foursomes event, local knowledge won out in division one at Fairbairn Golf Club where Marian Hinds and Melita Zielonco (Belconnen) had a score of 74 nett to win. Runners up were sisters Di Johnson and Pat Bowden (Nelson Bay) just half a shot behind the winners on 74.5 nett. Third place went to Liz Smyth and Ning Hanson (Royal Canberra) with 75 nett. Dilys Geddes (Asquith) and Helen Egan (Killara) had the best nett score of the day at Capital Golf Club. Their score of 73.5 nett was the best score by five shots. In runner-up position Judy Dind (Toukley) and Margaret Stobo had a score of 77.5 nett followed, by Brownyn Krawze and Maurice Scott

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers: Michael Moore, Emmanuel Vassalio, Mim Vidler, Ian McKenzie, Bill Mitchell, Gregory Matthews, David Nagle, Sven Jervis, Wayne Meadth, John McCormack, Anthony Salkeld, Thomas Choi, Sharon Stokes, Susan Pearsall, Denis Gallagher, Katsuhiro Tato, Steve Giles, Alan Patience, Daniel Dreyfus, Cheryl McKee, Graham Weekly, Patricia Young, Adrian Lee, Kevin Franklin, and Alex Wiffin.

Jordan & Dooley take out the NSW MidAmateur Championship It was a contrast between the Men’s and Women’s Champions for the 2014 NSW Mid-Amateur Championship with Gemma Dooley (NSW/Moore Park) coasting to victory by a massive ten shots, while Damien Jordan (Coolangatta/Tweed Heads) winning by a mere shot. Jordan played consistently over the three days posting scores of 72-74-70 to post a +3 total. Jordan’s victory came when he made a late run in the last four holes to come from behind to win the Championship narrowly from John McMiles (Liverpool) who posted a total 217 (+4). In third place was the overnight leader, Josh Campbell (Mudgee) who had a 54-hole total of 218 and was ecstatic to place as well as he did. There were many Mudgee locals who came out on the day to support Campbell and although their local favourite didn’t quite get over the line, they certainly saw some great golf. McMiles posted the best round of the tournament today with a two-under-par 69 in the final round and was the only person to break 70 throughout the Championship. In the Women’s Championship, Dooley was the overnight leader after posting 80 in Round 1 but was far too strong in Round 2 for any other competitor shooting a great score of 76. Dooley was defending Champion and made it two in a row and her fourth

Men’s Winner – Damien Jordan

Women’s Winner – Gemma Dooley since the introduction of the event in 2007. Karen Lasky (The Lakes) had consistent rounds of 83-83 to take out the runner up trophy on a countback from Sharon Nott (Dunedoo). In the nett competition, Louise Stevenson (Killara) had a total score of 155 to beat Karen Burton (Gold Creek) who was runner up on a countback. For results, reports and images visit www.golfnsw.org •

golf queensland

Amateurs to take on Brookwater in Isuzu Queensland Open Aaron Wilkin at the Isuzu Qld Open in 2013 With the countdown to the 2014 Isuzu Queensland Open now on, it’s not just the professionals gearing up to take on the challenging Brookwater Golf and Country Club layout. The amateur component has long been an important part of the Queensland Open, with Sydney amateur Harry Sinclair the first winner in 1925, and a number of amateurs also claiming the T.B. Hunter Cup since. In 2014, a selection of amateurs will take to the course against an impressive field of professional golfers from 28-31 August. Current top notable Queensland amateurs such as Taylor Macdonald, Aaron Wilkin, Jake McLeod and Cory Crawford will be teeing it up. Queensland Head Coach Tony Meyer, said the Isuzu Queensland Open is an important part of the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Squad members development. “The opportunity to play in a professional event is a great experience for the QAS players, to access and compare their games against some of the best,” Mr Meyer said “As all the QAS players are planning to go on and play professionally, this event is an important step in their development.” In addition to the 10 exempt amateur players who automatically qualify for this year’s event, amateurs can also attempt to gain a start to the Isuzu Queensland open through the prequalifying. A minimum of 10 positions will be available at this year’s pre-qualifying on Monday 25th August at Virginia Golf Club and Keperra Golf and Country Club. Entries are open now at www.golfqueensland.org.au •

Sinclair wins Women’s Country championship City and Toowoomba Golf Clubs played host to the 2014 Women’s Country Week Championships from Monday 19 May - Wednesday 21 May.

away with the Silver Championship with a final round 80 securing an eight-shot victory over Paige Large from Gatton and Foley finishing in third place.

Almost 350 players from 50 clubs made their way to Toowoomba for a great week of golf, starting with the Foursomes Championship on Monday and concluding with the individual Championships on alternating courses on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On the demanding City layout, Mount Coolum visitor Sue Douglass returned 26 points to snatch the Bronze II Championship on countback from overnight leader and fellow Mount Coolum member Munro. Round two of the Bronze I Championship concluded at Toowoomba, where City members Gail Weedon and Cheryl Francis quinnelled the placings with Weedon a two-shot victor after rounds of 102 and 96. In Division 2 of Bronze I, Jenny Jenner (City) finished on a two round total of 209 and claim a three-shot win over Lesley Brady (Tamborine Mountain).

Toowoomba hosted the first round of the Silver and Bronze II Championships, with 2013 champion Samantha Foley (RACV Royal Pines) leading the way with a 77 to set up a 2-shot lead over her nearest rival, Hollie Sinclair from Beerwah.

In the Bronze II Championship, Karen Munro (Mount Hollie Sinclair Two Aces were recorded throughout the tournament Coolum) set the early pace as she was the only player - Jean Bury-Porter on the 15th at City Golf Club on Wednesday and to break handicap on the demanding Toowoomba layout with 38 Cathy Roberts on the 14th at Toowoomba on Tuesday. points.

Congratulations must go to City and Toowoomba Golf Clubs who hosted a fantastic event, with special mention to both clubs’ ladies committees who put in hours of work to coordinate the smooth running of another successful Women’s Country Week.

At City Golf Club, Pacific Harbour member Nance Flohr (99) led a large field of 165 players, with local Cheryl Francie (City) only two shots behind. Perfect conditions greeted the players for the second round, with Silver and Bronze II heading to City and Bronze I players to Toowoomba.

In 2015 the Women’s Country Week heads north to Far North Queensland, with Cairns and Half Moon Bay Golf Clubs looking forward to hosting the tournament.

Sinclair placed early pressure on overnight leader Foley and ran

Ladies, Let’s Golf! In 2014, over 150 ladies have been introduced to the game through Golf Queensland’s Ladies, Let’s Golf program. Ladies Let’s Golf encourages ladies of all ages to experience golf either for the first time or as returning golfer looking to relearn their skills. Ladies, Let’s Golf delivers golf instruction in a fun, creative, interactive and friendly environment. The emphasis on participation and fun rather than technique and rules sets this program apart from the others. Host venues Redland Bay, Oxley, Nudgee, Brisbane, Keperra, Virginia, Indooroopilly, Toowoomba, Gailes and City Golf Clubs will be delivering free introduction sessions during July and August. Golf Queensland is engaging three new clubs each quarter to join the Ladies, Let’s Golf program. Golf Queensland is committed to inspiring women and girls to be involved in sport and creating a solid future to retain them within our game. To influence, and inspire women and girls to get in the game and most importantly to keep them there is a priority and a challenge. More information: www.golfqueensland.org.au or contact Virginia Irwin at the Golf Queensland office on (07) 3252 8155.

A Pro-Am spot in the ! N I W Isuzu Queensland Open Golf Queensland is providing a unique opportunity to play in the Isuzu Queensland Open Pro-Am on Wednesday, 27 August 2013 at Brookwater Golf and Country Club. To enter, simply complete the Isuzu Queensland Open Competition Form located at www.golfqueensland.org.au. The winner will receive: 1. An 18-hole round of golf in the Isuzu Queensland Open Pro Am on Wednesday, 27 August 2013 2. Return economy airfares to Brisbane from your nearest Australian capital city 3. One night’s studio accommodation on Tuesday, 26 August 2013 4. Transfers from the Brisbane Airport to accommodation, accommodation to Brookwater Golf and Country Club, Brookwater Golf and Country Club to the Brisbane Airport *Terms and Conditions apply Entries close on 15 August 2014. Good Luck!

Queensland Men’s Country Week Championships 11-12 August - Stroke Play Championship - Indooroopilly and Redcliffe Golf Clubs 14 August - Foursomes Championship - Nudgee Golf Club 15 August - Fourball Championship - Virginia Golf Club Proud sponsors: www.facebook.com/GolfQueensland

@GolfQueensland

www.golfqueensland.org.au T: (07) 3252 8155 www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

calendar

CALENDAR > NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship

2014

JULY

When: Sunday 13 July 2014 Where: Kooindah Waters Golf Club

The NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship is open to men and women, with a Golf Australia handicap limit of 18 for men, and 36 for women. It is played as foursomes stroke play over 18-holes. Entries close on Friday 29 June 2014. For further information or to enter this event visit www.golfnsw.org

by Country District Associations. The event is played over 36-holes stroke play in two or three divisions (depending on entries). Prizes are awarded for:

DIVISION 1 - NSWLGU Sand Greens Championship Salver – 36hole scratch DIVISION 2 - NSWLGU Bronze Salver – 36-hole scratch DIVISION 3 - Bronze Bowl – 36-hole scratch (if player numbers allow) The Women’s RLGA Jug (handicap teams event) and Women’s SLWGA Bowl (scratch teams event) are played concurrently with the Championship. www.golfnsw.org

Golf NSW Womens’ Pewter Plate When: Monday 21 July 2014 Where: Woollahra Golf Club

The Golf NSW Women’s Pewter Plate is an 18-hole aggregate stableford competition for club teams of two competitors on handicaps from 33 to 42. As Woollahra won the 2013 event they host the Pewter Plate this year. Each Club entering the competition nominates two players as representatives and The Pewter Plate is awarded to the team with the best aggregate stableford of the two scores. Entries close on Friday 4 July 2014. For further information or to enter this event visit www.golfnsw.org

2014 Women’s Weekend Tournament

2014

ST AUGU

When: August 24-25 Where: The Vintage Golf Club

The 2014 Women’s Weekend Tournament event is open to female amateurs who hold a current Australian or overseas equivalent handicap. It is played over two days, with shotgun starts on both days. The format is 18-holes singles stableford on the first day and 18-holes best ball team event V-Par on the second day. This event is the most popular participation event on the Golf NSW calendar attracting players from all across the state. Entries open on 8 June. The entry fee is $160 per player (online). www.golfnsw.org

2014 Women’s NSW Sand Greens Championship

2014 MBER

SEPTE

2014 Women’s Coronation Medal

Parkinson’s NSW Golf Classic

2014 R

BE NOVEM

When: Thursday 13th November Where: Monash Country Club, Ingleside

Cromwell Property Group presents the 8th Anniversary Parkinson’s NSW Golf Classic. The fun-filled day will include on-course competitions including NTP, LD and the famous putting competition. Afterwards enjoy a delicious buffet dinner in the dining room overlooking the golf course and live entertainment. As usual there will be heaps of golf prizes and amazing auction items. Your support will assist in raising awareness and money to fund essential research and support services for people living with Parkinson’s, their families and carers. Proceeds go to the Parkinson’s Counselling Service; a vital program that helps take away much of the initial anxiety and uncertainty that confronts people with the disease. People with Parkinson’s disease their families and carers can access a counsellor by ringing 1800 644 189 for an appointment.

When: 15 September Where: Concord and Bayview Golf Clubs

The Coronation Medal has become a most prestigious event. The Medal was donated by the English Ladies Golf Union to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII. The format is an 18-holes stroke handicap competition for teams of four players on handicaps from plus to 22, played over two courses which are determined by the previous year’s competition. Each club entering the competition nominates the players to represent it and the courses on which each pair will compete. For further information about the 2014 Women’s Coronation Medal contact Fiona Carroll at Golf NSW on 9505 9105 or email fiona.carroll@golfnsw.org

2014 Women’s Bronze Medallion

When: 18 September Where: Wakehurst and Monash Golf Clubs

The 2014 Women’s Bronze Medallion is an 18-holes stroke handicap competition for teams of four players on handicaps from 23 to 32. Each club entering the competition nominates the players to represent and the courses on which each pair will compete. The Bronze Medallion is awarded to the team with the best aggregate of four nett scores.

When: August 9-10 Where: Barraba

Wakehurst will be bidding for a third title in a row having won the event two years running.

The Women’s NSW Sand Greens Championship is open to female amateur golfers who hold a current Golf Australian or overseas equivalent handicap. It is hosted in rotation

For further information about the 2014 Women’s Bronze Medallion contact Fiona Carroll at Golf NSW on 9505 9105 or email fiona.carroll@golfnsw.org

In Australia every hour of every day someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s does not discriminate. It can attack anyone and has - Pope John Paul II, the great Mohammed Ali, Michael J Fox, former Governor General Zelman Cowan, NRL St George & Cronulla great Peter Proven, former Penrith Panthers star Brett Lobb and Mike Leyland of the Leyland Brothers have all been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. To participate please complete the registration form at http://pnswgolfclassic.gofundraise.com.au, or contact the Events & Fundraising department on 02 8875 8900 or email pnsw@parkinsonsnsw.org.au SCHEDULE 10.00am

Free Golf Clinic - Conducted by club professional Glenn Phillips, one of Australia's 50 Top Golf coaches.

11.00am

Registration & BBQ brunch on the green

12.00pm

18 holes, Ambrose, Shotgun start. Highlights include nearest the pin, longest drives, putting competition, dinghy, buy a shot, on course drinks & refreshments.

05.30pm

Dining

06.00pm

Entertainment, presentations & prizes

A u s t r a l i

a ’ s

G o l f

N e w s

Queensland Sunshine Tour Proud Sponsors 72

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

L e a d e r

calendar Special Olympics 54 hole Tag Team Golf tournament When: 17th November Where: Riverside Oaks Golf Resort

Tee off for charity, and help athletes with an intellectual disability. Each team of 2 plays Ambrose for 18 holes, then one player plays the next 9 holes as stroke, then players change for the following 9 holes. Lunch will be served during the two 9-hole stroke play. The final 18 holes will see both players again play Ambrose and partnered with another team of 2 to play 4 ball Ambrose. Registration is a non-refundable $300.00pp deposit and fundraise a minimum of $1200.00pp. Includes breakfast, snacks and drinks on course, sit down dinner and plenty of prizes.

Lady golfers tee up for Youngcare

ast month Bankstown Golf Club Ladies Committee held their annual charity day and raised around $7000 to support Youngcare, an organisation that works to provide housing for young people in need of special care. The golf course was abuzz with excitement as 120 ladies from golf clubs all over Sydney took part in the charity event. Club President, Penny Brewster, commented “We have been supporting Youngcare for quite some years now. They do some really important work with providing age appropriate housing for young people with high care needs.”

Every player will receive a players gift pack from Srixon valued at approx $150.00, including one dozen Srixon Golf Balls.

Youngcare also offer financial assistance through At Home Care Grants and provide information and advice via the Youngcare Connect hotline.

For more information about sponsorship or to register, contact David Streichler on 0428 038 311 or email davids@specialolympics.com.au

Major sponsor of the event was Bankstown Sports Club and other supporters included TFE Hotels, Blanco Appliances, Ledlin Partners and Bugstop.

From Left: Marie Kanaan (Sports Adminstrator, Bankstown Sports Club), Penny Brewster (President BGC), Barbara Williams (Captain BGC), Roslyn Plant (Partnership Manager, Youngcare) “We are fortunate to have such generous sponsors and a wonderful group of ladies who make this day a truly memorable event. Thank you to our sponsors and

everyone who helps make this fundraiser so successful”, Penny added. For further information please contact Penny Brewster on 0433 205 790

GOLF NSW – JUly CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date

Event

Venue

13-July

NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship

Kooindah Waters GC

21-July

Women's Pewter Plate

Woollahra GC

Date

Event

Venue

06-July

Muirfield Open Amateur

Muirfield

Men’s Vardon Event

19-July

Cabramatta Cup

Cabramatta GC

20-July

Pacific Dunes Cup

Pacific Dunes GC

26-July

Liverpool Cup

Liverpool GC

Women’s Jean Derrin / Senior Order of Merit Events Date

Event

Venue

05-06-July

Pambula Merimbula Open

Pambula / Merimbula GC

08-July

Ryde-Parramatta Cup and Salver

Ryde-Parramatta GC

14-July

Mona Vale Silver Salver

Mona Vale GC

24-July

Bayview Silver Salver

Bayview GC

29-30-July

Seaside Classic

Port Macquarie GC

Men’s Senior Order of Merit Events Date

Event

Venue

18-19-July

Coffs Coast Seniors

Coffs Harbour & Bonville

20-July

Ocean Shores Seniors

Ocean Shores Country Club

28-July

Cabramatta Seniors

Cabramatta GC

Date

Event

Venue

20-July

Eric Apperly Shield Metropolitan Rd 1

Various

27-July

Eric Apperly Shield Metropolitan Rd 2

Various

Pennants / Grade

For information on any of the above events, or for a full list of fixtures go to: www.golfnsw.org

SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS July 3-4 Nudgee Senior Masters (QLD) July 16-18 * Queensland Senior Amateur Championship – Carbrook GC July 18-19 Coffs Coast Seniors – Bonville & Coffs Harbour (NSW) July 20 Ocean Shores Seniors (NSW and QLD) July 21-23 * Gold Coast Senior Championship – Royal Pines & Robina Woods July 21-23 Coomealla Seniors (VIC) July 27-28 Bargara Seniors (QLD) July 28 Cabramatta Seniors (NSW) July 30 Coral Cove Seniors (QLD) August 1 Hervey Bay Seniors (QLD) August 2-3 Seaside Classic at Port Macquarie (NSW)

August 11 Carnarvon Seniors (NSW) August 11 Palmer Gold Coast Seniors (QLD) August 11 Yarra Yarra Senior Amateur (VIC) August 12 Kingston Heath Seniors (VIC) August 13 Victoria GC Seniors (VIC) August 15 Royal Melbourne Seniors (VIC) August 18 Metropolitan Senior Plate (VIC) August 18 Kooindah Waters Seniors (NSW) August 18 Pacific Harbour Seniors (QLD) August 19 Wyong Seniors (NSW) August 25 Newcastle Seniors (NSW) August 28 Maryborough Seniors (QLD) August 29 Tin Can Bay Seniors (QLD) * Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System

Handiskins

When: Various Where: Various Info: www.handiskins.com.au Handiskins the ultimate game of skins for club golfers. Handiskins is a fivequalifying-round stableford competition. A player’s best three rounds count towards their final score. Players don’t have to play all five qualifying rounds if their scores are good enough. The top four players with the best scores at the end of the qualifying rounds go into the ‘skins’ format final and have the opportunity to play for $1,200 in club or pro shop vouchers.

UPCOMING HANDISKINS EVENTS: Parkes Golf Club London Road, Parkes NSW 2870 4th Qualifying Round 12th July 2014 5th Qualifying Round 9th August 2014 Final 31st August 2014 Beverley Park Golf Club 87 Jubilee Avenue, Beverley Park NSW 2217 4th Qualifying Round 12th July 2014 5th Qualifying Round 19th July 2014 Final 26th July 2014 Hurstville Golf Club Lorraine Street, Peakhurst NSW 2210 5th Qualifying Round 12th July 2014 Final 9th August 2014 Thurgoona Golf Club 1 Evesham Place, Thurgoona NSW 2640 3rd Qualifying Round 12th July 2014 4th Qualifying Round 26th July 2014 5th Qualifying Round 9th August 2014 Final 16th August 2014

Bayview Golf Club 1825 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale NSW 2103 3rd Qualifying Round 12th July 2014 4th Qualifying Round 26th July 2014 5th Qualifying Round 9th August 2014 Final 16th August 2014 Nelson Bay Golf Club Dowling Street, Nelson Bay NSW 2315 2nd Qualifying Round 23rd July 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 27th August 2014 4th Qualifying Round 17th September 2014 5th Qualifying Round 29th October 2014 Final 26th November 2014 Pacific Dunes Golf Club Championship Drive, Medowie NSW 2318 2nd Qualifying Round: 5th July 2014 3rd Qualifying Round: 12th July 2014 4th Qualifying Round: 26th July 2014 5th Qualifying Round: 9th August 2014 Final: 30th August 2014 The Links Shell Cove Golf Club Corner Southern Cross Boulevarde and Shellharbour Road, Shell Cove NSW 2529 1st Qualifying Round 12th July 2014 2nd Qualifying Round 19th July 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 26th July 2014 4th Qualifying Round 9th August 2014 5th Qualifying Round 23rd August 2014 Final 30th August 2014 Branxton Golf Club 25 Cessnock Road, Branxton NSW 2335 1st Qualifying Round 19th July 2014 2nd Qualifying Round 26th July 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 16th August 2014 4th Qualifying Round 23rd August 2014 5th Qualifying Round 13th September 2014 Final 20th September 2014

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

the 19th hole

8 things that non-golfers find mystifying about golf Michael Green

ed@insidegolf.com.au @AussieGolfer

t’s not until I introduce some new golfers to the game that I remember how intimidating a golf club can be. The game of golf itself is difficult enough but it comes with a mind-bogglingly complicated rule book and a bizarre set of extra quirks that very few of us dare to question, if we even notice them at all. To those poor people who look at golf like it’s some sort of alien invention, its a bewildering activity. They’re more likely to want to understand quantum physics or the thought processes of Clive Palmer than the nuances of golf. And when you step back and break down the aspects of the game that the golf-less find puzzling, you can start to see why.

Etiquette Don’t walk on the line of the putt, don’t stand behind someone who is hitting, get the flag-stick if you’re closest to the hole, watch your shadow. Few sports (and games) have such a long list of rules that have no direct bearing on the score. The golf-less can barely comprehend the long and complicated rule book, let alone these extra ones that aren’t even in there.

Proper attire

Quiet

The requirement to wear a collared shirt is just one from the long list of dress regulations needed to step foot on (most) golf courses, and it baffles a non-golfer. It sits alongside white socks (of specific lengths), no cargo shorts, no sneakers, no jeans and the tucked in shirt. Adhering to these rules not only gets us a game at the posh golf club down the road, but it makes it bleedingly obvious what you’ve been doing all day as you stand in line to pay for your petrol on the way home.

Non-golfers will occasionally ponder why you need to keep quiet while someone is playing a golf shot. Tennis is often mentioned in the next breath. It’s tempting to explain that we could all happily play with noise, but it’s the unexpected noise that may lead to more twitches. But these are non-golfers we’re talking about here.

Crazy clothing Despite all these regulations, there is a full range of clothing that is still somehow par for the course, so to speak. Ironically, what can pass as golf clothing around the club, you wouldn’t dare don anywhere other than on a golf course. Golf-less folk are surprised to find plaid pants, loud shirts, fancy shoes and white belts at the opp shop, let alone a golf course.

Handicaps Some non-golfers seem to have some idea that lower is better when it comes to handicaps but conversations usually go like this; “What’s your handicap?”, someone might ask as you arrive late for the party after a long Saturday round. “Uh, 15”, you reply. “Oh, ok. Is that good?”

Acceptable attire on the course - like Rickie Fowler’s US Open tribute to Payne Stewart - is one aspect that can utterly baffle the nongolfer. (Photo: USGA/John Mummert)

Thank goodness very few non-golfers heard about the Stableford scoring system.

The addiction

Watching golf

In a world featuring such myriad of sports, games and hobbies (that are often far less time consuming), why is it that someone can get so addicted to it? Why do you have so much trouble getting out of bed at 7am to go to work, but will happily don the plaid pants to go play golf at 6am? The problem with answering the question is that it’s impossible to answer. You simply must have played the game, played that sweet shot or sunk the big putt to truly understand why we buy the new driver, wear the crazy clothes, get so infuriated and do it all again a week later.

I can almost understand this one. Without ever experiencing the game it all appears quiet, dull, and boring. Add Renton Laidlaw’s, soothing, avuncular tones over the top of a golf broadcast and it’s likely the uninitiated will fall asleep if the remote control is not with arm’s reach. And if you’re keen to keep a group of non-golfing friends, it’s wise to refrain from inviting them along to watch a golf tournament. This strange behaviour from golfers cannot be explained nor rationalised

and is the most mystifying trait in us all.

What’s the point? I’ve heard this one many times. What’s the point of the game? You hit a ball, walk after it and do it again. Over and over. For a seemingly random, 18 holes? Expressed with the right tone and in the right accent it makes great comedy material. Upon reflection it does seem absurd, but there are few pointless things I’ve done that are as much fun as golf. •

Tuncurr y Course rate Australi d in a’s Top 100 Pu blic Acc Course ess s

Where else can you get the choice of 2 beautiful courses?

Nowhere else but the Forster Tuncurry golf courses on the majestic mid north coast – less than 3 hours drive from Hornsby. • Social golfers most welcome • Stay and play packages are available Ring the Club on 02 6554 6799 for your booking. • All weather courses that test the abilities of all levels of golfers • Enjoy a drink at the club after the game overlooking the picturesque Pacific Ocean. Forster Course Tuncurry Golf Course Strand Street, Forster Northern Parkway, Tuncurry (02) 6554 6167 (02) 6554 7622

YOUR BLUE MOUNTAINS PARMAKER OUTLET

For Parmaker after-sales repairs, service & spares in the Blue Mountains Area (Blacktown to Lithgow & beyond) contact Mike Budden. We conduct warranty repairs on all models and have most walker and ride-on models available for demo. Collection & delivery is available. Phone & fax: 02 4751 8226 Email: wesden@dodo.com.au www.bluemountainsgolfbuggies.com Sales • Repairs • Service • Spares

www.forstertuncurrygolf.com.au

The home of Sarah Kemp 74

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

AUSTRALIAN MADE • BUILT TO LAST

BOYLE’S GOLF SHED

GOLF BALLS:

COME CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE AMAZING SPECIALS

www.boylesgolfshed.com.au

STOCKTAKE CLEARANCE PHONE ORDERS WELCOME

GOLF BUGGIES:

MGI RYDER R75 MOTORISED $760 MGI HUNTER R200 MOTORISED $950 MGI VENTURER G400 MOTORISED $1195 MGI COASTER R300 MOTORISED $1395 (Lithium Battery) MGI NAVIGATOR G800 MOTORISED - CALL FOR BEST PRICE! PILGRIM MODENA FOLD DOWN $49 PILGRIM DEVIL (Ideal for Holidays) $25 PILGRIM LIFT OFF SEAT $59 PILGRIM CLASSIC TILT SEAT $79 PILGRIM CLASSIC TILT SEAT WITH 3RD WHEEL $99 SMOOTHY VELOCITY FOLD DOWN $99 SMOOTHY ROVIC $219 SHARK QWIK FOLD $185

HYBRIDS:

ADAMS IDEA SUPER LS 17 & 19 DEGREES $149 (Mens Right Hand, Stiff & Reg) ADAMS IDEA SUPER S NO’S 3 & 4 $99 (Mens Right Hand, Reg) CALLAWAY XF NO’S 3 & 4 $97 (Mens L & R Hand, Ladies RH, Reg & Stiff) MAXFLI REVOLUTION (Mens RH - No’s 2, $19 3 & 6 Reg, Mens LH - No’s 3 & 4 Reg) TAYLORMADE RBZ STAGE 1 $99 (Mens RH - No 4 Reg, Mens LH - No 3 Reg, Ladies RH - No’s 4 & 5) TAYLORMADE RBZ STAGE 2 $129 (Mens Right Hand - No’s 3 & 4 Reg & Mature, No 3 Stiff, No 5 Mature)

DRIVERS:

ADAMS SPEEDLINE SUPER LS (Mens Right Hand, 10.5 Stiff & Reg) BRIDGESTONE J38 460 (Mens Right Hand, 9.5 Stiff, 8.5 Stiff & X Stiff) CALLAWAY RAZR X WHITE DRIVER (Mens Right Hand, 10.5 Reg, 9.5 Stiff & 10.5 Ladies flex) NIKE VR PRO STR8-FIT (Mens Right Hand 8.5 Stiff & X Stiff) TAYLORMADE RBZ STAGE 2 $179 (Mens RH, 9.5 Stiff, HL Stiff) TAYLORMADE RBZ STAGE 1 $149 (Ladies Right Hand HL)

$199 $99 $149 $99

GOLF BAGS: CART BAGS: CALLAWAY FORRESTER ‘14 CLEVELAND DELUXE CART MAXFLI ELITE MAXFLI MAXIMA MAXFLI SUPREME TAYLORMADE T4

$219 $139 $119 $99 $129 $199

STAFF BAGS: CLEVELAND TOUR BAG TAYLORMADE R1 STAFF BAG WILSON STAFF PRO TOUR BAG

$198 $198 $198

STAND BAGS: CALLAWAY HYPER LITE SUN MOUNTAIN FOUR 5 TAYLORMADE R1 TMX

$99 $149 $149

FOR THE LEFT HAND GOLFER: PGF STATUS PRO (S) SRIXON ALL WEATHER (S, M, L, XL) WILSON STAFF GRIP PLUS (S, M, L, XL)

$1 $8 $8

GOLF SHOES:

MAXFLI LADY LILY MAXFLI M SERIES MAXFLI REVOLUTION MAXFLI A1 MAXFLI BLACK MAX NIBLICK KINGSTON LEATHER NIBLICK WATERFORD NIKE AIR ACADEMY

CLEVELAND 588 RTX $99 (all lofts) SHARK BITE $29 (56 & 60 degrees) TAYLORMADE ATV $92 (50, 52, 56 & 60 degrees)

GOLF ACCESSORIES:

GOLF TEES: WEDGE TEES 7CM: 100 FOR $12, 200 FOR $16.95, 1000 FOR $69 RUBBER TOP TEES 7CM: 100 FOR $20 UNBREAKABLE TEES 7CM: 100 FOR $12, 200 FOR $18, 1000 FOR $79 WOODEN TEES: 1000 5.4CM $30, 1000 7.0CM $30, 1000 8.0CM $30

$13 (Size 6 - 10) $13 (Size 7 - 9.5) $49 (Size 7 - 9.5) $39 (Size 7 - 9.5) $29 (Size 7 & 7.5) $49 (Size 7 - 9) $39 (Size 7 - 10) $79 (Size 7.5 - 9.5)

ELECTRONIC GPS: BUSHNELL NEO PLUS BUSHNELL TOUR V3 SURESHOT MICRO 300X SURESHOT LASER SURESHOT MICRO 700X SURESHOT SS9500X

ADAMS SPEEDLINE SUPER S $129 (Mens Right Hand 3 & 5 wood Reg) BRIDGESTONE J38 $99 (Mens Right Hand 5 wood Reg & Stiff) CALLAWAY RAZR X WHITE $109 (Mens Right Hand, 3 wood Reg & Stiff) NIKE VR PRO $49 (Mens Right Hand, 5 wood Reg & Stiff) TAYLORMADE RBZ STAGE 1 $119 (Mens RH - 5 wood Reg, Mens LH 3 wood Reg, Ladies RH - 3 wood) TAYLORMADE RBZ STAGE 2 $139 (Mens RH - 3 wood Reg & Mature, 5 wood Stiff, Mens LH - 5 wood Reg)

WEDGES:

GLOVES: FOR THE RIGHT HAND GOLFER: BRIDGESTONE INNER EDGE (XXL) $8 CALLAWAY ALL WEATHER (L, XL) $8 CALLAWAY TECH SERIES (M/L, L, XL) $8 CALLAWAY CHEV (L) $8 MAXFLI TOUR ALL WEATHER (S) $3 PRECEPT GRIP ALL WEATHER (S, XL, XXL) $3 SLAZENGER WEATHER SELECT (XL) $3 SRIXON ALL WEATHER (S, M, M/L, L, XL) $8 WILSON FEEL PLUS (S, L, XL) $7 WILSON STAFF GRIP PLUS (S, M, L, XL & LADIES S, M, L) $8

FAIRWAY WOODS:

$149 $298 $154 $199 $225 $255

CLEVELAND GOLF TOWEL $15 CALLAWAY CORPORATE GOLF TOWEL $20 GREG NORMAN GOLF TOWEL $8 MAXFLI GOLF TOWEL $7 DUNLOP GOLF HITTING NET $39 GOLF BALL PICK UP ‘FLICK N PICK’ $8.50 MAXFLI GOLF CAP $10 PRESIDENTS CUP SS DRINK BOTTLE $5 SLX UMBRELLA HOLDER $19

SETS:

APPAREL: MENS: GREG NORMANS POLO SHIRTS 3 FOR $100 GREG NORMAN PANTS $39 super seeded GREG NORMAN SHORTS $29 super seeded NIKE TIGER WOODS COLLECTION POLO SHIRTS 2 FOR $95 LADIES: GREG NORMAN POLO SHIRTS GREG NORMAN ZIP JACKETS SPORTE LEISURE POLO SHIRTS SPORTE LEISURE PANTS

BRIDGESTONE E7 2012 $19 DZ BRIDGESTONE LADY PRECEPT $26 DZ BRIDGESTONE 330 2013 $30 DZ BRIDGESTONE 330S 2013 $30 DZ BRIDGESTONE 330RX YELLOW 2013 $30 DZ BRIDGESTONE 330 RX 2014 $45 DZ BRIDGESTONE 330 RXS 2014 $45 DZ CALLAWAY HX DIABLO $19 DZ CALLAWAY HX BITE $17 DZ CALLAWAY HEX CHROME $28 DZ CALLAWAY HEX CHROME PLUS $30 DZ CALLAWAY SR1, SR2, SR3 $45 DZ CALLAWAY SUPERSOFT $25 DZ CALLAWAY X2 HOT $29 DZ CALLAWAY X2 HOT PLUS $29 DZ DUNLOP DDH 500 24 PACK $12 DUNLOP DDH DISTANCE 18 PK $8 MAXFLI REVOLUTION URETHANE $20 DZ MAXFLI REVOLUTION 3D $13 DZ MAXFLI ROYAL URETHANE $20 DZ NIKE 20XI S TOUR LEVEL $25 DZ NIKE MOJO 24 BALL PACK $30 NIKE POWER DISTANCE SOFT $20 DZ NIKE POWER DISTANCE LONG $20 DZ NIKE NDX TURBO $17 DZ OPTIMA TS PREMIUM $25 DZ OPTIMA LADY $25 DZ SRIXON Z STAR $35 DZ SRIXON Z STAR XV $35 DZ SRIXON DISTANCE $13 DZ SRIXON SOFT FEEL $15.50 DZ TAYLORMADE SUPERDEEP $20 DZ TAYLORMADE BURNER $16 DZ TAYLORMADE ROCKETBALLZ $25 DZ TAYLORMADE TOUR PREFERRED $38 DZ TAYLORMADE TOUR PREFERRED X $38 DZ VISION (white, yellow, clear, pink) $24.95 DZ VISION PRO SOFT 808 $29.95 DZ VISION FANTOM TOUR LADY $19 DZ VISION X3 (white, yellow) $24.95 DZ

$39 $39 $29 $39

CALLAWAY RAZR X 4-SI (8 Irons) $499 Ladies Left Hand Graphite - 1 set only CALLAWAY X22 4-SI (8 Irons) $450 Mens Right Hand Stiff Graphite - 1 set only CALLAWAY X24 HOT 4-SI (8 Irons) $499 Mens RH Reg Graphite - 1 set only MAXFLI REVOLUTION V90 4-SI (8 Irons) $109 Mens Right Hand Reg Steel MAXFLI A10 (8 Irons, 1 Hybrid & 3 Woods) $199 Mens Left Hand Reg Steel TAYLORMADE BURNER 2.0 5-SI (7 Irons) $350 Mens Left Hand Reg Steel - 1 set only TAYLORMADE SPEEDBLADE 4-SI (8 Irons) $799 Mens Right Hand Reg & Stiff Steel TAYLORMADE R11 4-SI (8 Irons) $499 Mens RH Reg Graphite - 1 set only

59 MATTHEWS AVE, AIRPORT WEST 3042 • PHONE (03) 9310 5011 www.boylesgolfshed.com.au • golfshed@alphalink.com.au Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/boylesgolf

the 19th hole

Gearing up...and down ed@insidegolf.com.au

hen I was a young trainee golf professional, being asked for advice on golf equipment required little more than offering a choice of “B51 or Hot Dot ball” or selecting one of the three different types of clubs on display. My advice was based on my estimation of the customer’s previous year’s earnings and whatever golf bag the boss had in stock. Club fitting didn’t mean determining the player’s launch angle, spin rate and the distance between his armpit and buttock. All I did was to ring my mate Simmo and ask “When you played with Roy last week, did he hit it past you?...No?… Ok, that means he’s regular flex”. The putter usually came with the set and if he needed shoes it was a choice of Niblicks in black or Niblicks in white. It’s pretty clear, golf has become a little more scientific now but I’ve tried my level best to stay up with all the modern equipment and technology. You know… just in case some poor person comes into the shop at Mount Broughton and asks me for some advice on a shaft or something. For an old bloke I thought I was doing OK and often surprised myself when I could explain the green shaft with the yellow dots has a high kick point which takes the spin off but the red and white one that looks like it should be hanging outside a Barber Shop is a low kicker. Well that was until I walked into a huge retail outlet the other day and became so emotional, I finished up sitting in the golf shoes section in a foetal position. When you see all the choices of gear under one roof, it is absolutely terrifying!

The quick nine quiz David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

He turned out to be perfectly normal looking kid... except for the haircut which looked like a divot I took in last Saturday’s single stableford. To correctly fit me out with a tee he asked what kind of ball I use. Silly old me responded with “I’ve actually been thinking of changing to another ball but I think I know which one its going to be”. Next thing I know, I’m standing in front of a giant wall of golf balls. The first thought that came to mind was, I hope my final choice isn’t anywhere near the bottom of this construction. If Divot-Head pulls one out to show me, the whole building could collapse! “What swing speed are you, sir?” he asked. I always find this question a little invasive. Like something I should only be telling my doctor—hopefully when he isn’t wearing a glove on one hand. My standard response is always “aaah, it was 108 mph but it hasn’t been checked for a while.” (actually it was 1996). After some more interrogation, FescueFringe suggested a ball which has been designed to have the best aerodynamic performance for Tour-level swing speeds. (I knew I could trade them in back at Mount Broughton for ones designed for “senior” Tour-level swing speeds). The dimple pattern is specifically engineered to reduce distancerobbing drag at high speeds to produce long, stable, penetrating ball flight while offering spin on short irons and check with pitch and chip shots as well as soft feel for putting….

And it was near the top of the wall! “But it all depends on what type of driver you use, sir...” he threw in at the end. By this point I’m wondering if there’s a driver big enough for my wife and I to live in because I would have to mortgage the house before I leave the store. I took one more look at Turf Top and thought it was time to look at my watch and fake an impending appointment. I left the shop with a dozen balls and a packet of tees which came with a free first aid kit and let Sandra drive home because I was still suffering chronic bewilderment. I have now tucked myself away in the back of the Pro-Shop for the next few weeks while I study up on new golf technology. If you need some advice on golf equipment at Mount Broughton just ask one of the friendly staff with a funny haircut. •

1. Which Open Championship winner fired the lowest final round – Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Greg Norman or Tiger Woods? 2. Which French golfer led the 1999 Open Championship by five strokes going into the final round and lost? 3. Which golfer won the Open on debut in 2003 – David Duval, Justin Leonard or Ben Curtis? 4. Which course has hosted the Open Championship more than any other? 5. Which competitor has made the most Open Championship appearances – Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson or Old Tom Morris? 6. Which champion had made the most Open Championship appearances before his first victory – Mark Calcavecchia, Darren Clarke, Sandy Lyle or Paul Lawrie? 7. Who holds the record for the lowest first round at an Open Championship – Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els or Ian Baker-Finch? 8. Which Open Championship competitor has made the most final day appearances since 1892 – Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo or Nick Price? 9. Who was the last amateur to win the Open Championship? Clue: the American won three Opens (1926-’27-’30) and he helped design Augusta National. ANSWERS: (1). Greg Norman, a 64 in 1993; (2). Jean van de Velde; (3). Ben Curtis; (4). St Andrews – 27; (5). Gary Player – 46 appearances; (6). Darren Clarke – 19; (7). Rory McIlroy 63 in 2010; (8). Jack Nicklaus – 32; (9). Bobby Jones.

Larry Canning

The first display I saw was a giant accessory stand consisting of nothing but tees. It really is scary to see just how bloody enormous and evil looking the common tee has become. When a shop assistant spoke to me from behind asking if I needed any advice, I expected to turn around and see a bloke wearing a pair of black leather underpants with a whip in his hand.

Nelson Bay Golf Club

Design your own

PO BOX 33 Nelson Bay NSW 2315 (02) 4981 1132 www.nelsonbaygolf.com

★ Host of 2014 ISPS Handa World & Australian Blind Golf Championships ★ Host of 2013 NSW Men’s and Ladies Mid Amateur ★ Rated Top 50 Courses in Australia for Under $50

Membership Available • Full Golfing Membership $750 • Country Membership $400 • Mid Week Membership $400 • Conditions Apply

Social play available 7 days per week

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

the 19th hole

Three aces all in a day’s work

T’S not the first time it’s happened and it won’t be the last, but it is an extraordinary feat when three golfers playing in different groups on the same day score a hole-in-one on the same hole.

The eight marker’s ball landed a metre past the hole and spun back into the cup.

Ian Leech, Stephen Wright and Daryl Docherty defied the odds when they aced the 122m par3 eighth hole at City Golf Club, Toowoomba during a recent Saturday competition.

The eight-handicapper used a nine-iron to score his hole-in-one.

hief ‘addicted T to golf’ WHAT do you call a man or woman who steals almost $10,000 worth of golf clubs and other golfing paraphernalia from a pro shop?

Not to be outdone Daryl, who was in the afternoon field, made it ace number three for the day.

The short eighth hole doesn’t have a lot of protection although players have to hit over a creek to a two-tiered green, which has a bunker short right.

Playing in the morning field, Ian, who plays off a 17 handicap, got the ball rolling when his well-struck six-iron found the cup, which was on the front of the green.

City Golf Club golf operations manager Andrew Webb said a tree on the right could come into play.

“The ball went past the pin up the hill, then rolled back down the hill and kept rolling and rolling slowly then went in,” he said.

“The best shot for right-handers is to hit a fade on this hole,” he said.

Stephen Wright, also in the morning field, used his trusty eight-iron to score his ace.

In addition to bragging rights, the golfers received a bottle of Scotch and a $50 club

Give up? A golf addict. Seriously. Police in the US state of Washington arrested a suspect who stole $US9200 worth of clubs and other gear from Gold Mountain Golf Club.

ACES: Ian Leech, Stephen Wright and Daryl Docherty scored a hole-in-one at the same hole on the same day.

Detectives nabbed him after he was trying to sell the equipment online.

voucher and will have their names added to the honourboard.

According to the local police chief Steve Strachan, robberies of this nature were often the result of addictions.

There were 220 players in the field. FOOTNOTE: City Golf Club is home to the Queensland PGA Championship.

However, this was the first one police had seen “that looks like golf addiction”. What next? Someone picks up your golf ball and when confronted says, “Sorry mate, I’m a golf addict addicted to golf balls”.

Top shot lands Ryley victory

His next shot was through a small gap in the trees.

HE late Seve Ballesteros, a master at playing miracle shots from difficult positions, would have been proud of a pressure shot Ryley Martin (Buderim) played to help him win the Central Queensland 54hole Junior Open Championship at Capricorn Resort in Central Queensland.

oms dressing P down

It didn’t faze him and he executed it perfectly and watched as the ball finished within tap-in range of the hole. As they say, fortune favours the brave.

THE Poms have finally twigged.

Meanwhile, Blake, who was in the centre of the fairway off the tee, saw his approach shot finish up in light rough.

In a sudden-death playoff with Childers Golf Club’s Blake Dowling, Ryley was in trouble on the third extra hole and needed to conjure up a miracle shot.

England Golf told www.golfclubmanagementnet.com that one of the reasons for a 13 per cent fall in membership across the country in the last decade have been the strict dress codes.

He was unable to get it close to the pin and missed the par putt.

Ryley hooked his tee shot into the trees and tried to play a low hook shot back onto the fairway towards the green. Unfortunately, the ball failed to hook and stopped just short of the water hazard on the opposite side of the fairway.

Ryley, who lost a playoff against Connor Reeves at the Yeppoon Junior Open, stepped up to sink the short putt for victory.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Champions Kiera King and Ryley Martin with the spoils of victory.

In the girls’ championship, Kiera King (240) was victorious winning by eight shots from Gladstone Golf Club’s Morgan Lewis.

Morgan turned the tables on Kiera at the Yeppoon Open winning by three strokes from her nearest rival.

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Anyway, now England Golf is urging clubs to relax the dress regulations in the drive for new members.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

your voice

Why have a countback? In my opinion the countback system to determine a winner in golf is very strange and most unfair. Why? Because it is the only sport in the world that determines a winner by the equivalent of tossing a coin. Two, three or more golfers finish on 36 stableford points but the winner is decided by who gets the most points on the back nine. Why? They played equally good golf and thus should be equally rewarded. Imagine if Tiger Woods returns home and his wife/girlfriend asks “Darling, how did you go in the Masters today?” ... “Oh, I played great,” he says, “but I lost on a countback. But hey, that’s golf.” What if two horses are in a dead heat to win the Melbourne Cup, and the trainers are called together by the stewards and told that the winner was the horse that ran the fastest second half of the race? Or what if two teams are tied when the siren sounds in the AFL Grand Final, and the AFL decides that the team that kicked the highest score in the second half wins the flag? These scenarios are the equivalent of determining a golf comp by the countback process.

Letter of the Month I am unaware of any other sport that decides a result on the equivalent of a coin toss. Cricket, Soccer, Rugby, Baseball, Gridiron (and on and on) all either play off to determine a winner, or declare a draw (and thus split the prize/points). I believe that most members play for the self satisfaction and kudos that result in triumphing over their foes and mates rather than the small cash amount allocated for winning. I would personally like to see a club get on the front foot and show the way to other golf clubs in the interest of fair play. I think it would be appropriate to put a question to the members along the lines of: “If you tied for first in a club comp (Club Championship excepted, which would be played off ) would you prefer the result be determined via the countback process or would you prefer to be declared an equal winner?” Imagine the angst if the Club Champion was decided by countback! Bruce Ferrall

An Owlbatross? The golf club at Charlestown, NSW, has the third hole as a Par-5 with a protected nature area to the left side well before you reach the fairway. From the tee this is reachable only with a fierce duck-hook travelling a very short distance. One of our members in a recent Saturday comp scored a fair dinkum OWLBATROSS with his tee shoot by bringing down to ground a native owl by waking it up from its slumber in the trees.

A closed US Open Once again those of us who cannot afford or refuse to pay for Foxtel were deprived of seeing this year’s US Open. We have the world number one golfer and many other good Australian golfers playing in one of the world’s best competitions yet we’re not be able to watch it. Instead we have to put up with repeats of repeats of the usual rubbish from the states. No wonder TV stations are laying off staff and reducing the number of programmes.

Mr. Owl was looked after by other members of the group and after making sure it was not seriously injured, he was released back in that nature area. We are not sure if Mr. Owl will want to change his place of residence, but our club member is most welcome to try and score a proper Albatross in the future. In the meantime we hope he is the only one to score an Owlbatross.

Stuart Watkins

Teji Khaira

Crossword > 1

YOUR VOICE

Have you got something to say? Then tell us! Write to us via email at ed@insidegolf.com.au or mail a letter to: The Editor, Inside Golf, PO Box 360 Nunawading, Vic 3131. Tell an interesting story or something funny about golf and you could WIN a prize like this month’s GolfBuddy Voice GPS unit!

I was hoping for a bit of clarification on a rule. I was playing at my local course on the weekend. I had a tap-in putt on the first hole. After making the putt, as I bent down to retrieve my ball from the hole, it bounced out off the bottom of the cup and landed about 100mm from the hole again. So I putted it in again and took that score, but obviously had us talking for the next 17 holes about whether or not it should count, as it went in the hole on the first putt. Lee Smith

Dear Lee

Escaping bunkers

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Game of golf between a pair of players (7) 5 Delay (3,4) 9 Golf, cricket, football etc (5) 10 Not permanent (9) 11 Australian winner of the 2004 Michelin Championship at Las Vegas (5,5) 12 Land surrounded by water (4) 14 Top lady golfer, _____ Park (5) 16 Surround entirely (7) 19 Cricket fielding position (4,3) 20 A person or thing of enormous size, strength, etc. (5) 23 Open; back out (4) 24 2011 PGA Tour Player of the Year (4,6) 27 Financial position and management (9) 28 Runner-up at The Players Championship in 2014, Jim _____ (5) 29 & 26-down Winner of the 2014 Byron Nelson Championship (7,4) 30 Golfing buddy (7)

1 State that’s home to Australia’s oldest golf course, the Ratho Golf Links (8) 2 Egg-shaped (5) 3 Fair place to have a practice green maybe? (2,3,5) 4 A property consisting of an extensive area of land usually with a large house (6) 5 Aussie who tied for second at the 2014 WNB Golf Classic, Rod ________ (8) 6 A rake, for example (4) 7 Australian No. 1 golfer (4,5) 8 Winner of The Players Championship in 2014, Martin ______ (6) 13 Overshot (4,3,3) 15 Part of a course where a green cannot be seen by the approaching golfer (5,4) 17 A false belief or impression (8) 18 Winner of the 2013 Canadian Open, Brandt ________ (8) 21 Impressively splendid (6) 22 Gets ready to drive (4,2) 25 Australian who won the 2011 Northern Trust Open, _____ Baddeley (5) 26 See 29-across

Answers: page 81 78

My problem is bunker accessibility. Hitting a ball out of a bunker is no drama for me, it’s getting me in and out of traps that have no access points which costs me strokes. In matchplay, I have been known to concede a hole simply because a bunker was impossible for me to exit... that is if I could enter it in the first place!

18 20

I myself have severe osteoarthritis and need a cart to play a reasonable game off 13 handicap.

Sue Hazell

Watch the Video here: http://youtu.be/x12zQAqA_a0

Richard

A similar thing recently happened to Padraig Harrington. His approach (for eagle) went in the hole, then bounced out. Unlucky!

15 17

With the inclusion of all levels of talent, age, and disability, golf is able to played by all.

Hope this helps.

Since your ball wasn’t “at rest” before bouncing out (as far as we can tell from the letter), it wasn’t considered “holed” in the first putt.

I also see the elderly risking life and limb when they find themselves in a bunker. I am not advocating the removal of bunkers—they are an integral part of our game—however surely course supers/ greens committees should be mindful of their membership and visitors and without damaging the integrity of their course traps, make access points at the lowest spot while keeping any difficulty, which I personally enjoy, still there. After all, there must be some penalty for finding yourself in one, but there should not be a penalty for physically not being able to remove yourself from it.

According to the Rule Book: A ball is “holed” when it is at rest within the circumference of the hole and all of it is below the level of the lip of the hole.

In and out... and in the hole

demo dates Callaway

Ping Ph: (02) 9524 8233 or visit www.ping.com

www.callawaygolf.com

Location Demo Days New South Wales/ACT Drummond Casula Royal Sydney Golf Club (members only) Links @ Shell Cove Eastlake Golf Club Queensland Peregian Springs Golf Club Drummond Golf Underwood Victoria/Tasmania MGA Driving Range Sandringham Driving Range Western Australia Cottesloe Golf Club ≠ Kalgoorlie Golf Club ≠ Fitting Days New South Wales/ACT Royal Sydney Golf Club ** Links @ Shell Cove Eastlake Golf Club Victoria/Tasmania Royal Melbourne Golf Club **

Day

Date

Time

Thursday Tuesday Wednesday Friday

July 03 July 22 July 23 July 25

4 - 7pm 9am - 2pm 10am - 3pm 12 - 5pm

Sunday Tuesday

July 13 July 31

9.30am - 12pm 3 - 5pm

Wednesday Wednesday

July 02 July 16

4 - 7pm 4.30 - 7.30pm

Thursday Saturday

July 03 July 12

12 - 3pm 11am - 3pm

Tuesday Wednesday Friday

July 22 July 23 July 25

9am - 2pm 10am - 3pm 12 - 5pm

Saturday

July 26

10am - 2pm

Ping Ph: (02) 9524 8233 or visit www.ping.com Location New South Wales Queanbeyan Golf Club ◊ * Royal Canberra Golf Club ◊ * Canberra Int Driving Range ° Yowani Golf Club ◊ * Gold Creek Golf Club ◊ * Randwick Golf Club ◊ * Bayview Golf Club ◊ * Manly Golf Club ◊ * Morisset Golf Club ◊ * Illawarra Golf Complex ◊ * Canterbury Golf Club ◊ * Castle Hill Country Club ° Cumberland Country Club ◊ * The Lakes Golf Club ◊ * Pymble Golf Club ◊ * Monash Country Club ◊ * St Michaels Golf Club ◊ * Moss Vale Golf Club ◊ * Oatlands Golf Club ◊ * Concord Golf Club ◊ * Royal Sydney Golf Club ◊ * Avondale Golf Club ◊ * Power Golf (Alexandria) ◊ * Queensland Victoria Park Golf Complex ◊ * Perigian Springs Golf Club ◊ * Drummond Golf @ Perigian Springs ° Parkwood International ° Horton Park ° Noosa Tewantin Golf Club ° Caloundra Golf Club ◊ * Wantima Golf Club ◊ * McLeod Golf Club ◊ * Palm Meadows Driving Range ° Oxley Golf Club ◊ * Middle Ridge GC Toowoomba ◊ * Pelican Waters ° Nudgee Golf Club ◊ *

Day

Date

Time

Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday

July 01 July 02 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 07 July 08 July 09 July 11 July 14 July 15 July 16 July 17 July 18 July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 July 31

11am - 3pm 9am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 3pm 9am - 2pm 12 - 3pm 9am - 2pm 8am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 2pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 8am - 1pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 1 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 8am - 4pm 8am - 1pm 3 - 6pm

Tuesday Saturday Sunday Thursday Friday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Friday Saturday Wednesday Thursday

July 01 July 12 July 13 July 17 July 18 July 22 July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 25 July 26 July 30 July 31

5.30 - 7.30pm 10am - 3pm 9am - 12pm 4 - 7pm 2 - 5pm 9am - 12pm 1.30 - 5pm 1 - 5am 9am - 12.30pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 12pm 9.30am - 12pm 9am - 12pm

Location

Day

Date

Victoria Melbourne Golf Academy ° Wednesday July 02 Thursday July 03 Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club ◊ * Friday July 04 Sunshine Golf Club ◊ * July 05 National Golf Club ◊ ** Saturday July 09 Kingswood Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range ° Thursday July 10 Rossdale Golf Club ◊ * Saturday July 12 Sandringham Golf Driving Range ° Wednesday July 16 Victoria Golf Club ◊ ** Thursday July 24 Western Australia Maylands Golf Club ° Friday July 04 Friday July 11 Collier Park Golf Club ° July 30 Wembley Golf Club ° Wednesday

Mizuno

Time 4 - 7pm 1 - 5pm 2 - 6pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 9am - 2pm 5 - 7.30pm 10am - 2pm 12 - 4pm 12 - 4pm 6 - 8pm

mizuno.com.au

Location New South Wales Thornleigh G. C. * Royal Sydney G. C. * ** The Lakes G.C. * ** Mona Vale G. C. * Newcastle G. C. * ** Everglades G. C. * Drummond Golf - North Mead * Ryde Parramatta G.C. * ** The Ridge G.C. * Drummond Golf - Casula * Strathfield G. C. * ** Moore Park G. C. * Liverpool G. C. * Queensland Calliope C.C. ** Emerald G.C. ** Victoria Park G.C. * Drummond Maroochydore At Perigian Spring ** Parkwood International G.C. * Oxley G.C. * Golf Central ** Emerald Lakes G. C. * Noosa Springs G. C. ** Palm Meadows G.C Horton Park G.C. ** Golf Central * ** Victoria Mga Driving Range Eastern G.C. - Held At Mizuno Head Office * ** Sunshine G. C. * Patterson River G. C. * ** Sandringham Driving Range Beacon Hills G.C * Warragul G.C. * Morack G. C * Rotal Melbourne G. C. * ** Western Australia Wembley G.C. Maylands G. C. Pinjarra G.C. Kennedy Bay G.C. South Australia Blackwood G.C. Grange G.C. Glenelg G.C. Tea Tree Gully G.C.

Day

Date

Time

Tuesday Wednesday Friday Wednesday Friday Saturday Thursday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Monday Tuesday Thursday

July 01 July 02 July 04 July 09 July 11 July 12 July 17 July 22 July 23 July 24 July 28 July 29 July 31

4 - 7pm 11am - 3pm 11am - 4pm 8 - 11.30am 11am - 3pm 9am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 1 - 4pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 1 - 4pm 4 - 7pm 9am - 1pm

Saturday Sunday Tuesday Sunday Thursday Friday Tuesday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Thursday

July 05 July 06 July 08 July 13 July 17 July 18 July 22 July 24 July 24 July 25 July 25 July 31

8am - 12pm 9 - 5pm 5.30am - 7.30pm 9 - 11am 4 - 6.30pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 6pm 2.30 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 4 - 6pm

Wednesday Sunday Friday Saturday Wednesday Thursday Tuesday Thursday Saturday

July 02 July 13 July 11 July 12 July 16 July 17 July 22 July 24 July 26

4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 3 - 6pm 10am - 3pm 5 - 7.30pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 3 - 6pm 10am - 2pm

Saturday Saturday Wednesday Saturday

July 12 July 19 July 23 July 26

10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm

Wednesday Thursday Wednesday Thursday

July 02 July 03 July 09 July 17

9am - 12.30pm 12 - 4pm 9.30am - 1.30pm 10am - 2pm

* Appointment Only. ** Members Only. °Ping Demo day. ◊ Ping Fitting. ≠ Callaway Ball Fitting Demo dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending.

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

golf directory

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Your choice of resort and club courses. • Noosa Springs • Twin Waters • Club Pelican • Coolum Golf & Spa • Mt Coolum • Tewantin Noosa • Horton Park • Headland • Caloundra • Peregian Springs

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Crossword Answers T A S M A N I A S U P E R B

W O S O M V N P O R T I H N D R E S L N B E E L V F I N E L N L N D O L H T C O N O M L D R E N D O

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C K A R Y M L E R P S A N E L D E Y K E E R

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There is nothing like golfing in the high country of Orange only 3 hours drive from Sydney. Orange has three wonderful courses where visitors are most welcome. All courses are minutes from Melview Greens which is a chip away from Wentworth Golf Course and owned by a keen golfing family. All apartments are fully appointed with undercover parking at the door.

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MELVIEW GREENS

For advertising call 1300 465 300

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

golf directory

Play • Horizons • Kooindah Waters (Wyong) • Pacific Dunes • Cypress Lakes • Nelson Bay • Tanilba Bay • Hawks Nest • The Vintage

*WINTER SPECIAL*

Play anytime - No waiting

• 3 Games Golf - Horizons, Nelson Bay and Tanilba Bay • 3 x $20 Dinner Vouchers • 3 Cooked Breakfasts • 3 Nights Accomodation (twin share) • Total Cost per person $300 (Arriving Sunday, Monday or Tuesday)

Howeston Golf Course Enquiries welcome

16 Weekdays

20 Weekends & Public Holidays *

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Established 1972 • Full length 27-hole course • Excellent greens • Professional tuition available • Clubs for hire • Open seven days - BYO • Electric golf carts available

• clanging clubs • damaged irons • worn graphite shafts • frustration finding the right iron

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July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

fro m

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aquariusresort@netspeed.com.au Crn Dunns Lane & Arthur Kaine Drv, MERIMBULA NSW www.aquarius-resort.com.au

Casino Golf Club - West St, Casino NSW 2470 P: (02) 6662 1259 | E: admin@casinogolfclub.com.au

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For advertising call 1300 465 300

golf directory Nudgee Golf Club

The Pill™ is the only practice device designed to be played all the way to the hole

BLACK TEE CHALLENGE 3rd Friday of each month “Bay Golf Day”

The Pill™ is a putting aid that will only roll when struck with a square face. This modified golf ball is designed to give you immediate feedback on the quality of your putting stroke. If hit improperly the ball will either lean to one side and roll off line, or tumble wildly. Try it around the green with your pitching wedge and watch it roll if hit correctly or drop it in the bunker and try hitting it out of the sand.

Members & Bay Golf Memberships $15 Visitors $25

Includes competition fee and after golf platter for 4 Phone: (07) 3267 7744

peter@thepillgolf.com.au | 0408 330 800 | www.thepillgolf.com.au

Golf Packages

Not available during competition or Saturday play or Sunday before 12pm and Peak Periods

• 18 hole championship course with enormous greens • Twin Share electric cart hire • Lunch

Play & Stay Packages

Great Course Great Deal

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Play to your handicap or better and receive a dozen Pro-V’s Challenge Winner (best nett score) wins a shirt, a Blue Marker Challenge ball marker and a dozen Pro-V’s Best nett score by a visitor or wins a dozen Pro-V’s 6 NTP’s - win 3 Pro-V’s each • Break 80 nett and win a Pro-V

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More social playing times now on a Monday & Thursday

Contact michael@murrayrivergolf.com.au or visit our website

Biondi Crescent, Beerwah admin@beerwahgolfclub.com.au www.beerwahgolfclub.com.au

www.murrayrivergolf.com.au

Ph: (07) 5494 0630 Golf Shop (07) 5494 6611 For advertising call 1300 465 300

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2014

golf directory

00 6 O rv i isi n ct t: P ob w w riz er w . g es ol | 20 fo $ r a 90 14 ng En e. c o tr m y .

July 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 465 300

December 2013 | INSIDE TRAVEL

GOLF FACTORY PENRITH 269 High St, Penrith (near Officeworks) (02) 4722 8640 - Mail Order - 6 Days penrith_golf@iprimus.com.au

NEW WEBSITE GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN www.penrithgolffactory.com.au Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted $7 NSW, $9 VIC & QLD, $10 SA, TAS, NT & WA Postage and handling any quantity

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 6 Days

Srixon Z-Star or CURRENT MODEL Srixon Z-Star XV or $300 for 12 dozen

$26

Dozen

Not individually boxed

Smoothly Micro Suspension Folding Buggy Includes Seat Umbrella holder Sand Dispenser 3 Wheel Push

URETHANE COVER TOUR BALL

$299 Black Only

Callaway Hex Balls Urethane cover tour quality ball

Chrome (3 piece) $26/doz Chrome + (4 piece) $29/doz Black Tour (5 piece) $32/doz

White, Yellow or Pink

TaylorMade Jetspeed Rescue Hybrid $129 Fairway Metalwood $149 Adjustable Driver $199

Srixon Q Star Balls Pure white or Tour Yellow $216 for 144 Individually boxed

TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 $249

$149 Rubber grips $2 $156 $18

Fairway 3HL 17° (4 Wood loft) RIGHT HAND ONLY Includes cover Also available in 15° loft

Doz

Srixon Distance Balls Distance ball with great feel Great for ball competitions Bulk Qty

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed

$20 Dozen Balls

Mens Black Srixon or Cleveland Ladies Tour Special Minimum qty 10

Plus postage

TaylorMade Yellow Burner Balls Eagles & Birdies Cypress Point bag

Individually boxed

14 Full length dividers Magnetic pockets Cooler pocket Lots of colours Callaway HX Diablo

each

SAVE$60

$199

$10

Doz

Maxfli Tempo White balls $10/Dozen

Optima TS+

Cleveland 588 RTX Wedges Lob, Sand, Gap and Pitching Black Pearl or Satin

Titleist Balls and Beanies

TaylorMade RBZ Graphite Irons

ProV1 and ProV1x NXT Tour and NXT Tour-S Velocity and DT Solo White Balls Only

4-SW 8 irons Long Distance irons Regular flex Graphite Shafts Right Hand

$799

$490

SAVE $30

$79

TaylorMade RBZ Adjustable Stage 2 Driver 8º to 11º Loft SAVE $100 Adjustable 50grm Firm 60grm Stiff TP Shafts Includes Cover and Wrench

$199