Inside Golf Sept 2014

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InsideGolf Issue 110 September 2014

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Instruction

Travel Insert

Why your spine angle is key off the tee

Golf on the Mornington Peninsula, Toowoomba, Canada and more!

Club of the month

Less practice, more fun:

Pacific Golf Club on the rise

GEAR

We “Skate” our way around the course

How Geoff Ogilvy lifted his game by changing his mindset

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The ultimate PGA ‘Insider’ Experience

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Playing by the (relaxed) rules

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IN THIS ISSUE:

6 14 20 22

NEWS The latest golf buzz INDUSTRY The inner-workings of golf GENERAL MANAGERS The people behind the scenes COVER STORY We chat with Geoff Ogilvy

24 25 30 32 34 38 46 49 52 58 60

ON TOUR News and stories from the Pros PEOPLE Inspirational Individuals CLUBS Club of the month: Pacific GC TOUR TALK With Steven Jeffress AMATEURS ACGC news NEW GEAR The latest and greatest gear JUNIORS Future stars of the game RULES Marking your ball INSTRUCTION Top tips to play better STATE GOLF Golf NSW and Golf Qld SENIOR AMATEURS Results and events

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ecently, there has been a huge surge in the media about new, non-traditional formats of golf. From Big Hole/Hack Golf (which features 8- or 15-inch cups) to Light It Up Golf (playing with glow-in-thedark balls) to Project Flogton (a set of “improved playability” guidelines and rules), to suggestions about 6-hole layouts, etc., it seems that this great game of ours may be on the eve of a renaissance of sorts for the modern social player.

A few years back, TaylorMade Adidas CEO (now President) Mark King caused a ruckus when he called for the game’s rules to be ‘bifurcated’; one set for “serious” professional players and another set for recreational players (with relaxed technology restrictions, tees placed halfway down the fairway to shorten up everlengthening courses, etc.)

Last month, the Golf Channel threw their hat into the ring, with their “modified rules” aimed for social golfers. Their proposition: “For all who play golf just to have fun, we offer 7 rules to govern all play.

1. MAXIMUM SCORE: Double par (i.e., 6 on par-3s, 8 on par-4s, 10 on par-5s).

2. PENALTIES: All are one stroke, including out-of-bounds, water and lateral hazards, lost balls and unplayable lies. Drop a ball near where the original was lost and play on.

3. SEARCH TIME: Two minutes to look for your ball. If lost, proceed under Rule 2.

4. UNFORTUNATE LIES: With your playing partners’ consent, balls may be dropped out of divots or

relaxed set of rules, with preferred lies, Irish Drops, conceded putts, mulligans and the like.

Let’s face it, the rules of golf can be ridiculous at the best of times.

Every week there seems to be news of someone on the PGA Tour being penalised for something that is both ludicrous and head-shakingly bizarre.

From brushing away a divot (Camilo Villegas, Hyundai TOC) to a tiddlywinks ball-marker move (Padraig Harrington, HSBC) to the “what defines a sand trap” debacle (Dustin Johnson, PGA Championship), the rules seem to be getting more and more difficult for even the pros to decipher.

And the rule book is only getting thicker, with more revisions and Decisions being added every few years. A game that is based on honesty and integrity, yet it has more rules governing play than many other sports.

Golf is not alone in its modernday struggles. Cricket, for example, endured the Twenty/20 cricket debate not too long ago. When it was first introduced, the naysayers fought tooth and nail against it. But now, the colourful and exciting quick-play format is an integral part of the world game, drawing juniors, locals and an entirely new audience to the pitch, with the once-solid One-Day version now being questioned regarding its relevance.

So is the standard 18-hole, traditional golf format on its way out?

Or is it just in need of a shorter, more exciting version on the side? What does golf need to do to stay relevant in the modern world?

We’d love to hear your thoughts.

No.1 †

Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au @insidegolf

footprints, away from tree roots and any other dangerous lies.

5. CONCEDED PUTTS: Putts may be conceded with your playing partners’ consent.

6. EQUIPMENT: No restrictions, including number of clubs.

7. COMMON SENSE: When in doubt, use common sense and fairness.”

It’s been well documented that golf is struggling in the modern world. With costs going up, rounds taking longer, and the game just as challenging as ever, cash-strapped and time-poor golfers are quietly walking away from the game, while getting new players to replace them is even harder.

So, is a “relaxed” set of rules the answer? Should professionals and recreational players play by different rules?

Traditionalists (as well as the USGA, R&A, etc) argue that golf’s strict rules give the game its unique identity, creating the integrity that sets our game apart from all others. One set of rules allows a social golfer to compete under the same conditions and restrictions as, say, Rory McIlroy – whether at a local course or at an Open Championship venue. It’s a clean and clear arrangement that has been a fundamental part of the game throughout its history.

Conversely, many modern golfers retort that the game is already bifurcated to a point. Equipment has made the ball go much further, causing courses to be longer and harder, which makes some layouts only playable (or enjoyable) by the big-hitting professionals. When an average golfer plays the monster tracks, they lose more balls, it takes them longer to play, and they generally walk away frustrated. So when they play socially with their mates, they often agree to a more

LF

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Richard Fellner

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news

Rory glory amid Valhalla drama

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N one of the most exciting and competitive major tournaments of 2014, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy capped off an epic Summer of Golf at the PGA Championship, firing an impressive 16-under-par 268 to take the title by one shot over Phil Mickelson, with Henrik Stenson and Rickie Fowler another shot behind.

With three victories from three consecutive events (including the Open Championship and WGC Bridgestone) the 25 year-old firmly stamped his name in the history books, becoming the third-youngest player since 1900 to win four majors, behind only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

After a few early bogies on day four—which was delayed due to inclement weather— McIlroy showed composure and skill as he worked his way around the soft and receptive greens of Valhalla, yet Mickelson, Fowler and Stenson kept the pressure on.

The drama increased near the end of the round, as encroaching darkness and an approaching storm threatened to halt play and take the championship to a fifth day. In an attempt to finish things on the Sunday, the final two groups of Mickelson/Fowler and McIlroy/Wiesberger played the final hole essentially as a fourball, with Mickelson’s group allowing McIlroy’s group to “play up” off the tee and for their approach shots.

The tournament could have ended very

Huh’s missed opportunity AMERICAN John Huh, the first alternate for the PGA Championship, made it into the field when Matt Kuchar withdrew, citing back pain.

Huh, whose only win on the PGA Tour came when he defeated Aussie Robert Allenby in a sudden-death playoff for the Mayakoba Golf Classic, didn’t make the most of his good fortune.

He carded rounds of 78-73 – nine-overpar – to miss the cut.

differently on the par-5 18th, with McIlroy’s tee shot narrowly avoiding a hazard, while Mickelson nearly holed out for eagle from off the green.

Following his victory, McIlroy acknowledged the gesture of Mickelson and Fowler to allow his group to hit up.

“It was a classy move for those guys to do that. They could have had us standing and wait on the 18th tee while it was getting dark.

It was great sportsmanship and shows the great character of those two guys and I’m glad they did it.”

With such incredible talent—and a quickly-growing trophy case—the inevitable comparisons are being made between McIlroy and Woods/ Nicklaus. But for Rory, it’s not an issue.

“I try and put all this talk aside every time it comes up, but Tiger and Jack are two of the most successful players in our sport of all time. I’m on a nice track at the minute and I’m on a nice path. I’ve still got a long way to go, but to be in their company at this age is very special.”

Among the Australians, Adam Scott and

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Jason Day finished the highest with T15 finishes. Marc Leishman, Matt Jones and Geoff Ogilvy and tied for 47th at -1, while John Senden and Steven Bowditch missed the cut.

Three up, four down Four of the seven over-50 players in the US PGA Championship field missed the cut.

Tom Watson, 64, Miguel Angel Jimenez, 50, Mark Brooks, 53, and Davis Love III, 50, had the weekend off.

Watson carded rounds of 72-73, Jimenez (72-77), Brooks (78-79) and Love III (72-73).

Brooks and Love III qualified as past winners – 1996 and 1997 respectively.

Watson and Jimenez received special exemptions from the PGA of America.

mizuno.com.au/golf 6

Rory McIlroy with his second Wanamaker Cup. Photo: PGA of America

The others – Vijay Singh, 51, Kenny Perry, 54, and Colin Montgomerie, 51, progressed to the weekend.

Perry fired rounds of 72-69-69-68, Singh (71-68-73-69) and Montgomerie (70-72-7275).

Vijay, who finished in a tie for 36th, qualified as a past winner (1998, 2004), Perry (tied 27th) received a special exemption and Montgomerie (tied 70th) as Senior US PGA champion.

Win the ultimate PGA ‘Insider’ Experience

Australia’s top PGA professionals will light up the Gold Coast during the Australian PGA Championship, held at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 11-14 December. One of the most anticipated events fn the Australian Summer of Golf calendar, the Australian PGA Championship is revered for its action, excitement and fun-filled atmosphere, not to mention the glorious Queensland sunshine.

This year, Inside Golf and Flight Centre are offering one lucky reader the chance to win an ultimate “inside the ropes” experience.

Enter the Ultimate PGA ‘Insider’ Experience” giveaway, and you and a friend could win an “Inside the Ropes” experience on Day One of the Tournament (Thursday, 11 December), giving you the chance to see the stars of golf up close as they battle for glory. You’ll also win two nights 5-star twin-share accommodation (including breakfast), plus two oneday General Admission passes to the tournament. You’ll even get a pair of tournament polos. Total value of the prize = $3000.

To enter the Ultimate PGA ‘Insider’ Experience” giveaway, visit www.insidegolf.com.au/competitions and fill out the entry form.

As the Official Travel Partner of the Australian PGA Championship, Flight Centre are offering golfing fans exclusive event and accommodation packages for the Australian PGA Championship. Flight Centre event packages feature a selection of twin-share and family packages as well as must-see attractions to ensure travelers experience the best the Gold Coast has to offer. Golf fans can watch the action unfold at Royal Pines and enjoy time with family and friends experiencing the Gold Coast’s golden beaches, exhilarating theme parks and world-class shopping and dining.

For more information, visit www.flightcentre.com.au/golf or call 1300 778 433.

news

Jeffress makes history with win in Fiji

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However, the wheels started to come off for the young Australian when he bogeyed the 10th and the 13th.

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“It was kind of just meant to be in some ways.

This is always going to have a special place in my heart and I think this is my new favourite golf course.”

Jeffress and Higginbottom had started the day sharing the lead but at the turn it was Higginbottom who held a two shot advantage.

S

Design & Layout: Stacey Fortescue, Rhys Martin, Rob Kirk

“I’ve done the hard yards out here, I’ve been a Pro for a lot of years so it was nice to hit the first tee shot and the last putt and be the winner,” said Jeffress who finished with a tournament total of 10-under 278.

“It has been years of hard work and family support so it feels very special. I just hit it in the right places this week.”

’

Chief Writer: David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

Hitting the very first tee shot of the event, Jeffress went on to sink the last putt of the tournament as he birdied the 18th hole to claim the title by four shots from fellow Australian Jake Higginbottom.

“This is the number one win of my career without a doubt and it is special. I am over the moon and a bit surprised,” added Jeffress.

U S T R A L I A

Editor: Richard Fellner P: 0407 000 440 richard@insidegolf.com.au

nside Golf columnist, and tour veteran Steven Jeffress made history last month by becoming the inaugural winner of the Fiji International played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.

With a career spanning 15 years this is the 38-year-old’s most significant win to date and earned him a prize cheque of US$180,000.

A

Read Steven Jeffress’ monthly column, Tour Talk, on page 32

The turning point proved to be the par-3 15th, where the two frontrunners, arrived tied on seven under for the tournament.

Higginbottom dumped a poor tee shot into a hazard well short of the green and although he was able to rescue a bogey with a remarkable chip in with his provisional from behind the green, Jeffress made birdie for a crucial two shot swing.

A bogey on the ensuing hole by Higginbottom virtually handed the title to Jeffress, who had the comfort of a three-shot lead with two to play. It was a lead he did not

relinquish and which he embellished with a birdie on 18.

“If you’d have said I would finish second at the start of the week I would have taken it. I played nice but Jeffro played unbelievable,” said Higginbottom, who won the 2012 New Zealand Open as an amateur.

Terry Pilkadaris and Andrew Dodt tied for third, after rounds of 71 and 76 respectively.

Fiji’s Vijay Singh, who designed the Natadola Bay course, finished off with a 73 to end in 10th place, on 2-over the card.

More: www.fijiinternational.com •

NSW/ACT Sales: Robbie O’Donnell M: 0439 144 256 | E: robbie@insidegolf.com.au VIC/TAS/SA Sales: Jon Perrett M: 0402 852 637 | E: jon@insidegolf.com.au Advertising Sales: Lisa Coleman E: lisa@insidegolf.com.au | M:0406 031 344 National Agency Sales (non golf) Marc Wilson | M: 0419 107 143 New Zealand Sales: Daniel Sim M: 0439 856 752 | E: daniel@insidegolf.com.au Accounts: Sheridan Murphy M: 0404 075 823 E: accounts@insidegolf.com.au Cover Photo: Courtesy of USGA It’s official: 43,575 Inside Golf Magazines distributed each month for the period: October 2013 - March 2014

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

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news

Rory to defend in Sydney

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resh from victories at the PGA Championship at Valhalla, the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio and The Open Championship at Hoylake, world number one Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will return to Sydney to defend his Emirates Australian Open title.

The $1.25 million tournament will be played at The Australian Golf Club from November 27 to 30 and is jointly sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.

The 25 year-old, four-time Major champion from Northern Ireland won the 2013 Emirates Australian Open by a stroke over Australia’s Adam Scott in front of huge crowds at Royal Sydney Golf Club.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Sydney in November to defend my Emirates Australian Open title,” McIlroy said.

“I had a terrific experience last year in front of great crowds. They really loved the showdown between myself and Adam. And it proved to be a really important win for me. I believe my return to form was given real momentum in Australia last year. I’ve heard great things about The Australian Golf Club since the Jack Nicklaus redesign and I look forward to competing in front of the Aussie fans again later in the year.”

McIlroy won the 2012 US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and the 2011 U.S Open at Congressional among seven PGA Tour victories to date.

With his win at Valhalla, he joined the record books with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only three players to have won four Major championships by the age of 25.

New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner said, “Following his recent success, McIlroy is in career best form and this will be the only opportunity for sporting fans in Australia to see him in action against some of the world’s best golfers.”

Mr Stoner said, “The NSW Government has worked hard to secure the best available talent for the Emirates Australian Open of Golf in Sydney in order to ensure this event remains the best in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“In Sydney and NSW we are fortunate to be able to access many stunning, world-class golf courses and with the 2014 Australian Open set to be held at The Australian Golf Club, players and fans alike are in for a treat. With a bumper winter of sport currently on offer in this State, this announcement reinforces Sydney’s position as Australia’s premier home of the most exciting major sporting events.”

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said the Emirates Australian Open was fast shaping as an unmissable event with McIlroy’s confirmation.

“We are thrilled that Rory is able to return to Sydney in November. His commanding wins at the Open Championship and the Bridgestone Invitational were another demonstration of his extraordinary talent which has made him the household name that he is,” Pitt said.

“As the defending champion and based on the volume of responses we had from

Melbourne’s public golf facilities focus of new report

Rory McIlroy at last year’s Emirates Australian Open (Photo: Bruce Young) the fans, sponsors and TV viewers, we were obviously very keen to have Rory come back to Australia. We’re excited about the potential of Rory rekindling the final round battle from 2013 and the stage is set for a huge week at The Australian Golf Club.”

The Emirates Australian Open will be broadcast live on the Seven Network across all four days.

Tickets for the championship go on sale via Ticketek on 1 September.

The Championship is owned by Golf Australia and is managed by World Sport Group with the assistance of TRP Sports. www.emiratesaustralianopen.com.au Twitter: @ausopengolf Facebook.com/AusOpenGolf

$35 8

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

OPEN GREEN FEE

The Australian Golf Industry Council has released the 2013 Melbourne Public Course Rounds Report, the first of a number of planned reports that focus on current public golf trends in Australia’s major metropolitan cities.

In January this year a survey was sent to 38 of the major public golf facilities in the Melbourne market. It sought to establish current rounds and pricing trends.

With metropolitan Melbourne having a high number of public courses within its boundaries, this market is one of the key and most competitive public course markets in Australia.

For the 12 months to December 2013, when assessed on an individual facility basis, the number of rounds played across the public courses surveyed averaged around 38,600 for the year.

Green fees averaged approximately $23.00 (ex GST) across the facilities with the range including fees of $12.00 through to $40.00.

Operators noted a restrained performance over the period, particularly regarding rounds demand but have a positive outlook on the year to come.

All surveyed operators are expecting to at least maintain demand levels with more than a third expecting at least 2% to 4% growth.

The most common constraint to further rounds growth noted by respondents was the demand for mid-week rounds.

A copy of the report is available at www.agic.org.au

news

A major lesson from the two Rs David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

O

H boy, if the standard of golf played at the 96th US PGA Championship is an indication of what’s to come in the years ahead then the game is going to be exciting and fun to watch.

Forget education’s three Rs, in golf circles right now it’s about the two Rs – Rory and Rickie.

The 25 year-olds certainly gave their rivals a golfing education in the majors this year.

While everyone expected Rory McIlroy to be the runaway scoring winner at the completion of the year’s final major, it was Rickie Fowler atop the leaderboard after 16 major tournament rounds.

Rickie finished on a total of 1108 (32-underpar) for the honour of lowest score in the majors.

In fact, the young American, who opened a lunchbox midway through the US PGA’s final round to munch on a sandwich his mum might have packed, finished five shots clear of the Northern Irishman (1113).

Commentator Ian Baker-Finch even suggested it was a peanut butter sandwich.

That’s gold, IBF. Sure, Rory might have won the year’s final two majors, the Open Championship and US PGA Championship, but Rickie posted five impressive top-5 finishes.

He finished in a tie for fifth place at the US Masters, tied second at the US Open and Open Championship and tied third at the US PGA. Rickie’s stroke average after 16 rounds was 69.25.

Rory tied eighth at the Masters, tied 23rd at the US Open and won the Open and US PGA. After 16 rounds, Rory’s average was 69.56.

Jim Furyk, the 44-year-old American, was third on 1119 – three shots behind McIlroy while Adam Scott, last year’s joint winner with Jason Day, came in fourth on 1122.

Phil Mickelson, runner-up at the US PGA, didn’t qualify courtesy of missing the cut at the US Masters.

Masters champion Bubba Watson missed the cut at the US Open and Open Championship and finished in a tie for 65th at the US PGA. US Open champion Martin Kaymer was in the mix, but dropped out of contention after missing the cut at the US PGA. Five other players – Jordan Spieth, Chris Kirk, Stewart Cink, Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar – were eliminated during the US PGA Championship.

Kuchar withdrew with back pain while the others missed the cut.

The race for the low scoring title in the majors started with 51 players, but only 13 players were left standing.

The money list, a breakdown of the players who made the cut in all four majors, shows that Rory, courtesy of two wins, was way out in front with a staggering $US3,779,775.

The world number one averaged more than $US940,000 for each major.

Rock-solid Rickie banked $US2,497,243 while Furyk’s good, honest shifts in the majors earned

him $US1,151,059.

Former world number one Adam Scott tied 14th, tied ninth, tied fifth and tied 15 at the Masters, US Open, Open and US PGA respectively and took home $US847,742.

Jason Day (T20, T4, T55 and T15) earned $578,166 for making all four cuts. • THE MAJORS SCOREBOARD 2014

Total

Name

Four major scores

Money (US$)

1108 Rickie Fowler

286-279-273-270

2,497,243

1113 Rory McIlroy

288-286-271-268

3,779,755

1119 Jim Furyk

289-283-275-272

1,151,059

1122 Adam Scott

289-282-276-275

847,742

1127 Jimmy Walker

288-282-284-273

774,065

1127 Henrik Stenson

289-281-287-270

1,091,060

1131 Justin Rose

289-283-283-276

467,718

1137 Jason Day

290-281-291-275

578,166

1141 Louis Oosthuizen

291-289-286-275

291,113

1142 Brandt Snedeker

295-282-291-274

476,023

1145 Bill Haas

290-288-289-278

243,992

1149 Francesco Molinari 299-286-280-284

238,570

1160 Kevin Stadler

309,727

288-298-287-287

A first for Oatlands Masters A JUBILANT Oatlands Masters Pennant team recorded a solid 5/2 victory over Cronulla in the pennant final at Carnarvon Golf Club.

The champions certainly put to rest 2010 and 2012 final appearances when they lost to Castle Hill and Monash respectively.

Led by Robert Payne, who remained undefeated throughout the 2014 series, Oatlands played exceptional golf and were undefeated throughout their division matches and finals playoffs.

Cronulla were similarly strong throughout the series with only one close away loss leading into the final.

All its players gave their best, especially in recording an excellent 4½-2½ win over the highly fancied Bankstown team in the semi-final.

Still, Oatlands proved worthy winners.

This year 98 clubs from throughout the Sydney metropolitan area, Illawarra, Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter regions competed across 24 divisions.

Although Carnarvon’s golf course was relatively dry, the slick greens remained a true and genuine playing challenge.

It’s been a long time between drinks for Oatlands Golf Club.

The last time they enjoyed a pennant victory was in 1962 when the club’s juniors edged out Cronulla.

Masters Pennant president Ray Calnan welcomed all the guests and thanked the Honourable Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti MP for representing the NSW State Minister for Sport Graham Annesley.

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

9

news

Holden Scramble Finals draw near

Doak to design a ‘reversible golf course’ Tom Doak is set to create a course at Forest Dunes Golf Club in northern Michigan that legendary golf architects could only dream of doing.

Doak and his team will design and build a ‘reversible’ course – two distinct layouts using the same greens but playing clockwise one way and anti-clockwise the other way.

“This is a concept I have thought about for 30 years,” Doak said. “You need the right site and the right client to understand the appeal of it. At Forest Dunes we finally have both.”

Doak said the Forest Dunes site is perfect for the double dip course because the land has small undulations and is not hilly.

T

he Holden Scramble season is drawing to a close for 2014. September presents golfers with their last chance to qualify through a local event to join nearly 2,500 players in October who will battle it out at the Holden Scramble Regional Finals.

These golfers will have qualified by beating over 35,000 players at their local events in Australia’s largest participated golf event.

The teams of four amateurs will team up with their PGA Club Professional to make a team of five at the Regional Finals.

A highlight of the season is the addition of a Women’s State Final in every state. Neither Tasmania nor South Australia has been represented in Women’s Championship Finals since 2007 and 2006 respectively, however

Jason Shine and his team competing for the 2013 Holden Scramble Championship. both states are now guaranteed to have a team competing at Twin Waters.

In the Mixed event players will enjoy competing at clubs across Australia such as Bonville, Pelican Waters and The Vintage.

The winning team from each Regional Final will take the trip of a lifetime to the Holden Scramble Championship Final at Twin Waters Golf Club in December. The leading teams heading into the final round will team up with a Tour Professional and compete for the title.

The leading gross team from the combined Mixed and Women’s Finals will then represent Australia in an international match against China in 2015 in both a home match on the Sunshine Coast and an away match in China.

PGA Professional, Jason Shine, played with the winning team in 2013 and believes the Holden Scramble tournament is unlike any other. “It’s an event that gives players of all skill levels an opportunity to play in pressure-cooker environments alongside Professional players and with championship-standard organisation”.

“The Holden Scramble is the only time golfers of this handicap level will feel the pressure of an absolute championship – the course is set up like a tournament course, people walking around with you… it’s all serious, it’s high stakes”.

The Holden Scramble is open to all golfers with a current Golf Australia Handicap. Get your team together now for your last chance to compete in the 2014 Holden Scramble.

Are you a young professional with a young family?

“It is not a super dramatic site, but that’s better for this concept,” he said. “If you were playing over ravines in one direction, you’d probably have to play blindly out of them the other way around. You can’t have woods behind the green, or you’d have to play over the trees from the other direction.”

Doak said the most difficult part of designing the reversible course is thinking about the greens.

“They have to work from both directions,” he said. “You can’t have severe greens.

Crowned greens or ones that fall away can work, as can tiered greens that go side to side”, he said.

The idea of reversible course is not revolutionary. Many Scottish links, including The Old Course at St. Andrews, were played in reverse in winter to spread out the wear and tear of divots.

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news

Juniors the winners at Glenelg Read Inside Golf

FREE on iPads

Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

G

lenelg Golf Club’s junior members will have reason to cheer following the club’s latest Foundation Day. Close to $25,000 was raised at the annual fundraiser on August 15 and the club says the entire fund purse will be put towards developing Glenelg’s junior programs.

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“We raised $18,000 last year, so to raise $25,000 this year is a fantastic result,” says Glenelg’s Membership and Marketing Manager Anthony Olsen.

One hundred and twenty-eight golfers comprising Glenelg members and corporate guests teed it up in the event. Prizes were auctioned on the day including holiday packages, hotel stays, guitars and sporting memorabilia signed by athletes including hurdler Sally Pearson and Formula One legend Michael Schumacher.

“Every dollar goes into the junior foundation, which is registered with the Australian Sports Foundation and that money is then committed to our junior development program,” Olsen says.

Funds from the Foundation Day will help cover international and domestic tournament entries, coaching fees and general development. Glenelg member and Australia’s fifth-ranked amateur Jenny Lee is one who will reap the benefits of the Foundation Day kitty as the club looks to propel her onto success in top-ranking international amateur events.

The 18-year-old finished runner-up to West Australian prodigy Minjee Lee at last year’s

12

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

If you love your monthly fix of Inside Golf, but can’t always get your copy before they’re all snapped up, then we’ve got some great news: our new and improved Inside Golf Digital iPad app is now available on the App Store... and it’s absolutely FREE. The team from Pope & Toro Australia; Major Partners 2014 Glenelg Golf Club Foundation Day, raising money for junior golfers Australian Amateur Championship and Olsen says Jenny needs more international exposure. “I think, given the lack of depth in South Australia at the moment, she probably really needs to get overseas a little bit more to really test her game and take herself to that next level.”

Olsen admits the decision to prioritise the club’s junior members is part of Glenelg’s strategy to retain and grow the membership.

He predicts the junior pool of golfers at the club could more than double in the next three years. “We just had a large group progress out of junior membership. They’ve just all turned 18 over the last six to 18 months. We’re down to about 20 juniors at

the moment but we’re just starting to get a new influx so we expect it’ll get up to 40 or 50 in the next two to three years.”

Glenelg’s intermediate class of members – aged 18 to 22 – are also set to benefit from the club’s new ‘Ambassadors’ program, which is aimed at helping golfers strive for the professional ranks after they turn 18.

“When they reach those more important stages of their golf, those that are looking to progress into the professional ranks, or very (elite) amateur ranks, that’s when they really need the funding most, when they’re 18 to 22. That’s only just been introduced so we’re pretty excited about that.” •

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news

Moylan drives his way to Mesquite

A

ustralia’s Brendan Moylan will tee it up with the world’s longest hitters this month in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships, held in Mesquite, Nevada.

Having competed in the Australian Finals of the RE/MAX Long Drive Tournament in May, Moylan qualified for the Mesquite event via eye-popping drives like his early-round 321m blast, which could have been even longer had the tournament not been affected by head winds, cool temperatures and soft ground.

Brendan now has an intensive period of training before the World Champs, which will involve gym fitness and technical work at the range.

“I am getting the power and strength up in my legs and lower back mostly, but still training the whole body,” he says. “Hitting lots of balls at Golf Central BNE, a state-of-theart driving range that mirrors the long-drive fairways I will be facing, will take place in the final month before I go.”

Brendan will travel to Mesquite Nevada, a 50-minute drive NNE from Las Vegas. The small town of Mesquite is home to a purpose-built, $13 million dollar venue with the RE/MAX Longdrive tour in mind. Some of the factors that make this the longest grid in the world are its location 600m above sea level, low humidity, hot air as well as dry firm grass on the grid and gusty winds. Drives are regularly in the 350 to 380m range, with these distances capable due to a combination of the environmental factors and club head speeds over 144 mph.

the world, competing over three days, to make the top-8 final. A one in 16 chance to take the win is pretty good odds.”

Brendan states, “I just recently invested more money into new shafts that are designed to help me hit it higher and further, specifically suited just for the Las Vegas event. I will be one of 128 guys from all over

The top eight players will return to Vegas in October for the final shoot out, to be held at Paiute Golf Club. The winner will take home $250,000 in an all-or-nothing final that will be aired on the Golf Channel worldwide.

Mesquite, Nevada, is home to the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships “I plan on flying out to Vegas on Sept 17th, a full 6 days before hitting,” says Moylan.

“This will be the longest lead up I’ve had to a World Championship, and hope it is just another of the small things that will aid my performance.”

For more information on Golf Central BNE:

www.golfcentralbne.com.au

Watson to play St Andrews in 2015 The R&A has announced that the exemption of five-time Open Champion Tom Watson will be extended to enable him to make his 40th anniversary appearance in the 2015 Open Championship at St Andrews.

The 64-year-old, who came close to winning the 2009 Open at Turnberry, will play once again at the home of golf next year and make a remarkable 37th appearance in golf’s oldest and most international Major Championship.

The R&A presented Watson with a special commemorative solid silver Players’ Badge to recognise his 40 years in The Open Championship.

Watson is one of a select group of players to win The Open on five occasions along with James Braid, JH Taylor and Peter Thomson. Only Harry Vardon has won more Championships with six victories.

Watson, who has also won the Masters on two occasions and the US Open 1982 in a hugely successful career, spoke of his delight at having the opportunity to play at St Andrews next year.

“Some of my finest memories in golf have come from playing in The Open Championship,” he said. “I am very proud and honoured to be given this opportunity to play once again in St Andrews next year. It is a special place for everyone in golf and I am very much looking forward to playing there again in front of the wonderful Scottish galleries.

“The Open Championship is unlike any other event in golf and to be part of its history is a privilege.”

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

13

from the ceo

Qantas Golf Club tees off Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

I

t’s hard to imagine that the last few months could have gone any better for the Emirates Australian Open which will be held at The Australian from 27-30 November.

The confirmation that World Number 1 and winner of the last two major titles Rory McIlroy will defend his title in Sydney is fantastic news for golf fans both in New South Wales and those that will travel from interstate and overseas.

There will of course be a number of other player announcements that will ensure the Emirates Australian Open field is one of the best ever.

In other major news for Australian golf, Qantas and Golf Australia recently announced a major national golf participation program which we believe will have a positive impact on the landscape of golf in Australia.

Endorsed and supported by Golf Australia, the Qantas Golf Club is a new online golf initiative that will benefit both golfers and golf clubs Australia-wide. The Qantas Golf Club is a product offering for Qantas Frequent Flyer members and is planned for launch in summer 2014, with a date to be confirmed nearer the time.

We believe the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, with its membership exceeding 10 million members, is a wonderful vehicle to increase participation in golf. Golf Australia and Qantas are united in our aim to encourage more people to play golf and create a new generation of golfers by making

golf more accessible to all players, which will translate into more revenue and opportunities for golf clubs and a healthier industry.

The Qantas Golf Club will offer different tiers and member benefits with the highest tier allowing members to have access to an official Golf Australia Handicap. I want to assure all golfers and golf clubs that from the very first discussion between Golf Australia and Qantas, both parties clearly understood the need to positively impact the health of Australian golf clubs. Quite simply Golf Australia must ensure this concept creates opportunities for clubs and does not diminish membership of Australian golf clubs.

We have taken extensive steps in the preparation of this program with Qantas to ensure that it is not to the detriment of existing Australian golf clubs or their membership and we will be monitoring the membership data on an ongoing basis to ensure it is having a positive impact on club health.

We see this initiative, which offers a range of new golf benefits to a substantial percentage of the Australian population, as a key step in the national pathway to golf club membership in Australia.

Golf clubs which choose to become a partner of the Qantas Golf Club will have access to a range of attractive benefits which will be outlined in upcoming announcements.

We are committed to working with Australian golf clubs, Australian golfers and with Qantas Golf Club to further enhance the opportunities that this exciting new program provides for our industry.

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Baker-Finch a golden choice for Rio

14/06/12 5:04 PM

Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

W

ith golf’s return to the Olympics now less than two years away, the PGA was incredibly pleased to share the news regarding the appointment of PGA Life Member Ian Baker-Finch to the role of Captain for the 2016 Olympic Golf Team. While his record on the golf course is impressive enough, Ian continues to be both active and well respected within the Australian and international golf communities and will be a valuable asset to work alongside our players in the lead up to and during the Rio Olympics.

While inevitably over the last few years there have been questions asked as to whether golf ‘belongs’ in the Olympic Games, regardless of your view one thing is certain: It’s an opportunity for our game; an opportunity we need to embrace. Ian subscribes to this view and unquestionably will represent our game, the PGA of Australia and of course our country with unwavering class. On behalf of the PGA and his fellow Members, I sincerely congratulate him on this new role and we look forward to working with him towards Rio. Later this month the PGA is preparing to host our Srixon PGA Coaching Summit at RACV Royal Pines Resort. For many years, the Summit has been our Association’s

Ian-Baker-Finch pinnacle coaching development opportunity and we’re again looking forward to strong attendance from across the Membership. In addition to a line-up of speakers from within our own Membership, we’re also looking forward to hearing the expertise of our guest presenters including former Australian cricket

from the ceo coach John Buchanan, influential Canadian golf coach Henry Brunton and international ball flight analysis expert James Leitz. The Summit is one of many ongoing education opportunities our PGA Members have to learn and develop their skills throughout any given year, and we’re looking forward to yet another successful Summit.

Finally, early last month we also had yet another Australian winner on the PGA TOUR, this time Geoff Ogilvy.

With a win at the Tour’s only modified strokeplay event, the Barracuda Championship, Geoff claimed his eighth career PGA TOUR title; his first in more than four years. On behalf of the PGA and his fellow Members I cannot congratulate Geoff enough.

A loyal supporter of Australian golf it’s been a challenging few years for the Victorian, but we’re so pleased to see him back in the winner’s circle where he belongs. We look forward to welcoming Geoff back to Australia at the end of the year and celebrating what has been an incredibly successful year for our Professionals abroad.

Aussie ladies impress overseas Karen Lunn

Executive Director – ALPG

J

uly and August are some of the most exciting months in the Women’s game, with the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters (LEM), The Ricoh Women’s British Open and, a new event in 2015, the International Crown (which I will get to in next month’s issue)! This year, I was fortunate enough to spend a few weeks out on the road, attending various meetings with stakeholders and, of course, supporting our players.

The ISPS Handa LEM saw 13 ALPG members plus Minjee Lee and Su Hyun Oh playing in the event, which from my memory is one of the largest antipodean contingents at a Women’s event anywhere outside our territory.

Our ladies had a great week and many of them featured on the leaderboard at different stages of the tournament. Nikki Campbell had her best finish on the Ladies European Tour, finishing 2nd to Korean star IK Kim. In the end we had 7 Australians in the top 25 which was a great result for our contingent. On the Friday evening we held an “ALPG” night for our members and their partners plus a couple of special invitations in Minjee and Su who had been given sponsor invites into the tournament. It was great to see our players get together in a relaxed atmosphere and fun to watch our younger members (as well as Minjee and Su) listen as Karrie and the other more senior players reminisced about the “old days”. Karrie does so much for our younger players on tour which goes mostly unrecognised, including playing practice rounds with them and giving advice on and off the course.

The tournament, which was held at the home of the LET, the beautiful Buckinghamshire Golf Club just outside London was a huge success with massive galleries turning out to watch the star-studded field which included “Dame” Laura Davies and rising English star Charley Hull. It would be remiss of me not to mention

Nikki Campbell and In Kyung Kim at the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters (Photo: LPGA) ISPS Handa, the title sponsor, for their support of Women’s golf. The Ladies European Masters will always be a very special event to me since its inception in 2012, and I would like to very sincerely thank Dr Haruda Handa for ISPS’s support of the this event along with their title sponsorship of both the Women’s Australian Open and NZ Open.

From London I headed up the M6 to the Ricoh Women’s British Open, first stop was to Southport and Ainsdale GC to support our players going through the rigours of final qualifying. There were 67 players competing for 15 places in the 3rd major championship of 2014. It proved to be another great day for the Aussies as Stacey Keating, Steph Na, Su Hyun Oh and Kiwi Cathryn Bristow all qualified while Bree Arthur needed birdie at the first hole of a seven way playoff to ensure her place in the field.

The Royal Birkdale course was setup much tougher than I had experienced in the British Opens I had competed in previously in 1986, 2000, 2005 and 2010. It is one of the toughest links courses in the world and with the fairways narrowed in and the rough extremely punishing, it proved too tough of a test for most

of our girls. Links golf in tough conditions takes time to learn, and I am sure all of our girls who played will be better equipped next time they face a test such as this. Unfortunately Nikki Campbell and Sarah Kemp were the only Australians to make it to the weekend.

The winner of the tournament, 31 year-old American Mo Martin is one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Coming into the tournament Mo was the straightest driver on the LPGA tour in 2014 and the course set up perfectly for her. It was somewhat of a fairytale win for Martin, considering that she had never held the lead in an LPGA tournament in her 3 years on tour, and coming after 9 years as a professional golfer. The win was an extremely popular one, and many players and caddies stayed to the end congratulate her after an agonising wait to see if Inbee Park, Suzann Pettersen or Shanshan Feng could match her clubhouse score.

I am sure that there are many journeymen/women professionals out there who have been inspired

by Martin’s win hoping that they can be the next Mo!

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

15

industry news

Goggin’s Golf Preserve gains momentum Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

T

asmanian touring pro Mathew Goggin has revealed construction of his proposed multi-million dollar Golf Preserve development at Hobart’s Seven Mile Beach could begin before the end of this year. The proponent’s push for two 18-hole courses, a five-hole children’s course and fivestar accommodation has gained momentum in recent months, receiving Clarence City Council’s approval to build the golf course component.

At the time of writing, Goggin was awaiting a local planning commission hearing to gain building approval for a residential component.

“In an ideal world, we would begin the first stage of the project late this year or January of next,” Goggin said. “The first stage will be the Seven Mile Beach course.

We have council approval for an 18-hole golf course and associated buildings, which encompasses the maintenance area, arrival facility and two toilets and shelters out on the course.”

Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead Golf Course Design has already drawn up design plans for the first course amongst sand dunes off Seven Mile Beach, just a few minutes’ drive from Hobart International Airport.

“It’s very exciting; the land for the permitted area is spectacular and I’m looking forward to seeing what Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead come up with. The initial routing looks great,” Goggin stated.

The 40-year-old said the Five Mile Beach

Mike Clayton of Ogilvy Clayton Cocking and Mead, with Mathew Goggin on the site of the Golf Preserve development. course would go ahead if the Seven Mile Beach layout proves popular and there is demand for a second course. “Without (residential rezoning), I’d imagine we would wait and make sure there is a strong business case for a second course. We obviously believe there is.”

Goggin spoke of an “arms race” in golf that has seen courses become longer and golf developments include more amenities than ever before, which he argues is making the game more costly, time-consuming and less enjoyable. Goggin said children will be able to play the five-hole course free of charge.

“In the spirit of North Berwick, you need to accompany a child. I’m also thinking that, if you bring your dog, you can play for free.

I want to create an area that embraces the spirit of fun and is built to the same quality as the ‘big’ course. This is an important point as

lots of par-three courses or ‘executive’ courses don’t have holes like seven west at Royal Melbourne or 10 at Riviera (in Los Angeles). If we can create a loop of holes inspired by the great short threes and fours, I think everyone will want to play the kids course.”

Goggin highlighted Hobart’s need to establish itself as a golf destination that can feed off the success of Barnbougle Dunes in the state’s north.

“The current courses in Hobart aren’t going to encourage golfers to get in a car and leave Barnbougle Dunes. With Seven Mile Beach, you will see people looking to start in Hobart and finish in Bridport or vice versa. With a great course in the south, it will also open up opportunities for a course on the east and west coast. Throw in a trip to King Island and you have a golf tourism experience that can compete with anything in the world.” •

Parslow new SAGCA President Ted Parslow a founding member of the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects (SAGCA) and a Principal of Parslow & Winter Golf Design was recently elected as the new President of the SAGCA. Ted replaces Graham Papworth, who stepped down after serving the SAGCA for 22 years in the roles of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and for the last four and a half years as President.

“I would like to thank Pappy (Graham Papworth) for his incredible service to the SAGCA. And I would also like to acknowledge his recent efforts representing SAGCA in the inaugural years of the Australian Golf Industry Council AGIC. I look forward to taking on the role as President and steering a sound path for the SAGCA over the next few years,” Parslow said.

Ted has been based in Kuala Lumpur for over 20 years where he is partnered with SAGCA member Jason Winter and his brother Geoff a former tour professional in their design business.

Stepping into the role of SAGCA Vice-President is Harley Kruse of Harrison+Kruse. Paul Reeves of Pacific Coast Design was re-elected as the Secretary/Treasurer of the SAGCA, a role he has excelled in over the past 4 years.

The SAGCA is the representative body of practicing Australian Golf Course Architects. Their long serving Patron is Australian golfing legend and course designer Peter Thomson AO CBE who won his first of five Open Championships at Royal Birkdale GC in 1954.

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industry news

GSM to manage Rosebud Park G

olf Services Management Pty Ltd has secured the management contract for the Rosebud Park Public Golf Course on the Mornington Peninsula, with Rosebud Park & Recreation Chairperson Elaine Bertotto and Golf Services Management Director Ian Denny, signing off on the long-term lease.

Golf Services Management will undertake responsibility for the provision of golf management and course maintenance services at the picturesque facility. The course is renowned for its panoramic views of the Port Phillip Bay along with its challenging layout and couch fairways and has been popular for many social clubs and local golfers.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring 30 years of industry experience and

I

expertise to Rosebud Park Public Golf Course and further enhancing the visitor experience in all aspects of the operation. There will immediately be significant increases to the maintenance team and golf shop offerings, with substantial improvements to the clubhouse over the coming year.

“Golf Services Management prides itself on delivering innovative and high quality offerings at every level - all aimed at ensuring every golfer enjoys a memorable experience.”

Rosebud Park joins Morack Public Golf Course & Driving Range and the highlyranked St Andrews Beach Golf Course under the professional management of Golf Services Management Pty Ltd. They also provide golf and retail services at Amstel Golf Club’s Park Course and its member course, Ranfurlie.

Rosebud Park & Recreation Chairperson Elaine Bertotto with Golf Services Management Director Ian Denny

Olympic qualification system confirmed

nternational Golf Federation officials have confirmed the qualification system that will be used for golf in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

In both the women’s and men’s events a field of 60 players will compete in a 72hole stroke play format competition for the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The 60 positions available in each event will be allocated through an Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) list published on the IGF website, based on the player’s respective

official world golf ranking as follows: Players within the top-15 on the respective women’s and men’s official world golf rankings as of 11 July 2016 will be eligible, except that there will be no more than four players from any one country eligible within the top-15.

The balance of the field will be selected in order from 16th place onwards on the respective women’s and men’s official world golf rankings as of as of 11 July 2016, up to a maximum of 2 players per country for those

countries not already having more than 2 players within the top-15.

A provision has been included for the host country, Brazil, which will guarantee that at least one Brazilian female and male golfer will compete in the Games if not otherwise eligible, based on position within the respective official world golf rankings.

Another provision has also been included that each of the five continents of the Olympic Movement (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania) will be guaranteed at least one athlete in each of the men’s and

women’s events, if not otherwise eligible, based on position within the respective official world golf rankings. These provisions will not increase the field size beyond 60 athletes in each of the women’s and men’s competitions.

The two-year qualification period for the Olympic Golf Ranking runs from 14 July 2014 to 11 July 2016. Throughout that time, an OGR list will be published each week using the current women’s and men’s official world golf rankings at internationalgolffederation.org.

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industry news Lienhart new EVP at TaylorMade-adidas Golf TaylorMade-adidas Golf announced last month that Jeff Lienhart has been appointed as Executive Vice President of adidas Golf and Ashworth, reporting to recently-appointed CEO Ben Sharpe.

In his new role, Lienhart will oversee the strategic direction and operation of both adidas Golf and Ashworth footwear, apparel and accessory business units at company headquarters in Carlsbad, California.

In his preceding role, Lienhart served as Vice President of Global Business Development at Hillerich & Bradsby, in which he is credited with helping reinvent the Louisville Slugger brand, a 130-year-old company and one of the most authentic and iconic brands in the sporting goods industry.

Prior to his tenure at Hillerich & Bradsby, Lienhart spent fifteen years building his career in the golf industry, holding leadership positions in a variety of functions including sales & operations as well as category go-to-market and product launch strategy for a notable golf equipment and apparel manufacturer.

Omega, PGA extend partnership OMEGA, the Official Timekeeper of the PGA of America and the 2014 PGA Championship, has extended its partnership agreement with the PGA of America through 2022.

The new agreement will see the Swiss maker of prestige watches continue to serve as Official Patron and Official Timekeeper of the PGA of America for another eight years beginning in 2015.

Teenager Kota named new touring pro for Links Hope Island

L

inks Hope Island recently announced the appointment of Kota Kagasaki as their Touring Professional.

Kota has been a member of Links Hope Island since 2007 and the 17-year-old golfing protégé has an extremely bright future ahead of him.

He has played an exhibition match at age 13 against Tiger Woods, turned professional at age 15 and remarkably has already gained his Canadian PGA Tour card.

In 2013 Kota was given a Sponsor’s Invite to play in the 2013 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines which saw Adam Scott take out the title. This year sees Kota play on the Australian PGA Tour and also the OneAsia Tour, which sees him compete in numerous events in the next few months with his goal in the next two years of gaining a PGA Tour Card in the USA. Kota is currently contracted to both Callaway and Under Armour.

Executive General Manager, Mark Holland said that the Club was thrilled to have Kota as the Touring Professional for Links Hope Island. “Links Hope Island is internationally known as a top rated course and with our affiliation with Kota awareness levels of Links Hope Island will further increase,” said Mr Holland.

“He is a fine young man, a great golfer and we look forward to watching his progress in the years ahead,” Holland added.

For more information on these and other SuperStroke grips, go to: www.superstrokeusa.com CHRIS JONES | 0407 173 332 | tigersharkgolf@bigpond.com Super Stroke Golf Australia | Find us on Facebook www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

19

general managers

From prisons to club management David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

A

S a nightclub bouncer, prison officer and pub manager, Aaron Muirhead knew a thing or two about keeping people in check.

But having spent close to a decade in irksome jobs he decided to change careers and now works as the general manager at Nudgee Golf Club in Brisbane.

The prison system and the pub game’s loss was, however, the golf industry’s gain.

I ask Muirhead, who started his working life as an auto-electrician and later owned and operated a concrete truck, how he landed a job in golf club management.

“After getting out of prisons, I went into managing hotels in the pub game,” said Muirhead, who earlier worked at the maximum security Sir David Longlands and Arthur Gorrie prisons and later at the Curtin Immigration Detention Centre.

“A friend asked me to manage a pub for him and it progressed into a few different pubs.

“The club industry became an interest and when the Carbrook Golf Club job came up I applied and the club’s then president Trevor White offered me the job,” he explained. “I accepted and haven’t really looked back.”

Muirhead, president of GMA (Qld), is not your run-of-the-mill metropolitan golf club manager as I found out when I turned up to interview him.

An enthusiastic and energetic man, Muirhead emerged from behind shrubbery carrying secateurs.

“I’m just helping the ground staff clean up some of the gardens in readiness for a big three-day event (AMITEE) on the weekend,” he explained.

A day earlier, he was painting to ensure the club and surrounds looked a picture.

Attention to detail is everything to Muirhead, who is currently working his way through the land resumption of eight holes to make way for the improved Gateway Arterial Road.

Part of the process is to seek compensation and have the lost holes 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.

When it comes to club management, Muirhead’s mantra is to ensure small issues don’t escalate into major issues.

“If you concentrate on the smaller issues and get them right they won’t end up becoming big issues,” he said.

Since arriving at Nudgee 18 months ago, Muirhead has opened up the communication channels between management and the membership.

“It’s important to communicate with the members and keep them informed,” said the 2011 Queensland club manager of the year.

“Making the members feel special is important.”

And when it comes to managing the club’s staff, Muirhead has an open door policy.

“People management can be a massive challenge because you have different demographics, differing opinions and styles in each person,” he said.

“And I’m hands-on and don’t mind doing some gardening and painting to make sure a big event goes off the way I want it to, the way the board and membership expects it to.”

A father of three, Muirhead also jumps in feet first when it comes to helping the less fortunate.

During Queensland’s big wet, Muirhead organised clean-up teams and the collection of tables and chairs and other items some clubs had lost in the flood.

The Aaron Muirhead file Family: Wife Kim and three children Where did you grow up? I was born in Ipswich and went to Ipswich Grammar.

What sort of golfer are you: Average is being a little complimentary.

Handicap: 12.

Strength: Hitting the ball long, but not necessarily where it should go.

Best shot: My 190-200m second shot using a five-wood that dropped in for an albatross on the 18th at Royal Pines.

Best sports memories: Playing under-15 for southeast Queensland rugby league and being a member of the First XI cricket team at Ipswich Grammar.

Favourite course other than Nudgee: NSW is the most picturesque, but I lost that many balls and I reckon David Burton (GM) owns me about two dozen.

Favourite sport other than golf: rugby league.

Favourite team/s: Broncos and the Titans because I live on the Gold Coast

HANDS-ON: No job is too big or small for Nudgee Golf Club’s general manager Aaron Muirhead.

And he organised a golf day with the proceeds shared among people who were housed in the tent city in Bundaberg and the evacuation centre in the Lockyer Valley.

In July, Muirhead, for the second successive year, attended the Vinnies CEO sleepout.

“Approximately 160 executives attended,” he said. “The Queensland sleepout raised $755,000 and the national tally was $5.3 million.

“It was a very humbling experience to meet some of the homeless that Vinnies support.”

Muirhead was the only Queensland club manager to support the event. •

Favourite holiday destination: When I went to GMA conference in the US we went down to Puerto Rico afterwards and it was sensational.

What are you good at?

I reckon I’m alright on a barbeque.

Not sure what other people think.

What are you no good at? Keeping my garden shed clean and tidy.

When I was a child, I wanted to be … a PE teacher The book I’m reading is … Meetings, Procedures, Chairmen and Secretaries.

Name five people you’d like to invite to dinner: Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Greg Norman, Adam Scott and Oprah Winfrey.

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

cover story

Less practice, more fun How Geoff Ogilvy lifted his game by changing his mindset Inside Golf sits down with Geoff Ogilvy to discuss his renewed love of the game, how he battles through slumps, what’s wrong (and right) with golf, and how to boost the game in Australia. just played a few fun rounds of golf, stayed away from the range and the putting green and just tried to hit good shots again, if that makes sense, without actually getting too technical about it.

Garrett Johnston

@johnstongarrett

How did you feel about your game before the win (Barracuda Championship), and what had you been working on?

When you are struggling as you were before your win, how do you mentally combat that?

The best thing I did was take three weeks off after Congressional (Quicken Loans National, June). I mean, I hit the ball so well at Congressional it’s incredible. But I couldn’t touch the hole from three feet all week. It was really frustrating. I took three weeks off. I just wanted to come back out here again, which was good. I’ve been working on not working on it too much, if you know what I mean.

Around the time of the US Open I was just over it. You’re banging your head against the wall after a while and you just start getting nowhere, even if you’re working on all the right things. You feel stale, you just stop.

Something just isn’t working. Stopping was the only thing I hadn’t tried, being that I was never really a very hard practicer, wasn’t really a big grinder. It doesn’t mean I didn’t spend all day everyday at the golf course, but I’d play holes then I’d mess around. But the last two or three years I’ve stepped it up and really practiced pretty hard and, funnily enough, that’s the period that I haven’t really played

I think about stuff a bit too much when I start. I camp on the range, on the putting green. I start analyzing a little bit too much.

And I definitely play better when I don’t analyze it. I think most people probably do.

I took a bit of time off and refreshed and

During this year’s US Open, Geoff Ogilvy’s struggles had him feeling “stale” and “over it”.

(Photo: USGA/Michael Cohen) quite as well. I guess it took me a while to kind of realise that perhaps that’s not my tack and maybe I should just go out and enjoy it. Play golf with my friends, have a bit of fun, and not really make it an obsession because the range is such an addiction for a lot of us. You go there for ten minutes or you go there for a week or two and you hit a lot of balls and you get so into it because you see improvement rapidly. Then you just assume that it’s going to keep improving and improving, that’s how it is for me anyway. Everyone is different, everyone has different tactics.

But the range is a good tool though, right?

It’s obviously a great tool for a lot of guys, but for me it obviously doesn’t translate to better

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cover story scores. I mean I hit the ball better on the range the more I hit but it doesn’t translate to better scores on the course.

So the tactic, around the US Open time, was just “Stop!” Take the clubs home and just don’t open them up for two weeks and see what happens.

Not playing golf for two or three weeks in the middle of the season is probably not perfect all the time but I think I need to get better at recognizing earlier when I’m over it, when I’ve had enough, and taking the break a little bit earlier because I was playing quite well in the spring.

And when you’re nearly there you just gotta keep grinding and grinding and it wears you out and you see it amongst half the tour guys. You’re just so worn out because you just get so tunnel-vision obsessed with hitting balls and hitting as many putts as you can, and hitting as many bunker shots as you can, and leaving the course late, and going to the gym, and doing all the right things. But none of us got great doing that. We all got great just because we loved to play a lot of golf.

What do you at home in Scottsdale, Arizona to take your mind off the game?

We spend the summer in San Diego.

I’ve got three kids so I’ve got plenty of stuff to keep me busy at home.

Obviously fun stuff. I go surfing a lot at home in San Diego. In Scottsdale I really just enjoy kid’s stuff. They are 7, 6, and 4. The boys are getting into baseball and tee-ball. My daughter is doing gymnastics and they’re doing a few other things. It’s a pretty fulltime job with three kids at that age.

And it’s fun, it’s so removed from this world (golf ) so it’s really good.

Are you still cycling?

A little bit. I run a bit more than I ride.

It’s a kid thing. It’s easier to go out for a 40-minute run than it is to go out for a 3-hour ride. After you ride for a while it’s hard to ride for less than three hours and be satisfied. It’s a bit annoying to go for an hour-ride. It sounds weird but it’s pretty addictive riding. So that’s why I’ve been running a bit.

How long do you run?

Anywhere between four and seven miles. Mostly about five miles.

Going back to golf, what are your thoughts on the R&A preparing to vote on women’s admittance into their clubs?

It’s probably a long time too late but I guess it seems like it’s the trendy time to do that. Augusta kind of did it at their own pace. They obviously knew that around 20 years ago. They weren’t going to be told to do it. They were going to do it when they were ready and they did. It’s the right thing for sure. It’s pretty archaic because I think a massive percentage of golfers in the world are women so they should be represented. All of those ruling bodies should have votes. It’s the right move, maybe it’s too late.

But they got there so there we have it.

What’s needed to boost golf in Australia and globally?

Cheaper, more accessible, and play a bit faster. The argument that golf is too difficult is complete nonsense.

A new attitude towards practising has paid great dividends for Geoff Ogilvy, helping him get over the line at the Barracuda Championship (Photo: Getty).

Golf has never really been easier. The equipment has never been better, the grass has never been better, the greens have never run smoother. There’s never been more instruction, video analysis, or coaches. Golf has never theoretically been easier, and yet perhaps less people are playing so the ‘golf is too hard’ argument is complete crap I think.

That being said, more accessibility for people and especially for kids, and cheaper rates are key. Maybe more nine-hole courses, more par-3’s. I know people say they’ve tried them but no one has ever really built great ones.

Great golf clubs had more junior-type setups and more accommodating to juniors. And maybe having sensible dress codes for people. It’s all pretty basic, like putting golf in school programs. It’s really cost and time, especially in America but everywhere really. Who’s got seven hours to kill on a Saturday morning after you’ve worked all week and you leave the house at 7:00 am, you’re not getting home until 2:00 pm after you’ve played a five-hour round and had lunch or a beer with your buddies. Who’s got that kind of time? And it’s very expensive.

Do you see anything in the US that could be adopted in Australia?

To be fair, I think we do a better job in Australia. I think golf gets very expensive in the United States because there’s a lot of stuff that’s become expected that isn’t really necessary, like all the facilities. The over-the-top service, and the bag-drops, and the valet, the bottles of water on every tee, and the piles of tees on every tee, and the Prov1’s on the range. It’s nice but it doesn’t need to be there and it all adds to the expense and the crazy maintenance standards.

The maintenance budgets are off the charts. It doesn’t need to be that way. The UK has had it right forever.

They don’t put many chemicals in their courses, they don’t water them very much. Obviously golf is played in places in the US where you need to throw a lot of water and chemicals like in Arizona, Nevada, you’ve got to have a larger maintenance budget than you would in North Berwick in Scotland for example but it’s still a little bit over the top.

The expectation of perfect white sand and striped green fairways is something where people think they want that but the reality is they

would prefer to play golf for fifty dollars with normal grass than 100 dollars with striped, green grass and white sand. It’s become an unrealistic expectation I think. We do better at that in Australia. We’ve got more sensible maintenance budgets and golf is a lot cheaper in Australia than it is in the US. But it still takes a long time. Nine holes seems to be a more acceptable way to play. Par3 courses or little courses, formats that encourage faster play. They used to play US Open rounds in three hours 50-60 years ago, and they were harder courses, so you can’t tell me that golf takes a long time because it’s hard. It’s no harder than it was before and it’s arguably easier.

Let’s talk equipment. Have you added anything to your bag recently?

I’ve got a new Titleist driver that I put in the bag at Congressional.

Equipment usually evolves quite nicely so it’s usually easier to transition into the new stuff. It’s the 915. But I don’t change equipment too much, I’m not a tinkerer really. Only with my putter but I need to stop doing that. I’ve had about 500 putters in the last two years. I travel with fifteen clubs. I have a 5-wood and a 2-iron and it depends on the course and the conditions whether I carry one or the other. If it’s windy and/or firm I’ll go with the 2-iron; If it’s going to be still and soft with some rough then I go with the 5-wood.

Who do you feel is the most underrated player on Tour?

Marc Leishman. He was right up there in the Masters, he had a top 4 or 5 in the Open, he contended at Firestone. He’s starting to produce at really big tournaments. He’s a bit more on the leaderboards with all the other big name players hanging around. I think we rate all the other Australians like Adam (Scott) and Jason (Day) pretty strongly. Maybe Leishman goes under the radar a little bit because of his personality. That’s just the way he is. He’s probably happy to be under the radar. • Garrett Johnston is a golf journalist based in California. He covers the game on an international level for Inside Golf, New Zealand Golf Magazine, Today’s Golfer UK, and Golf World UK.

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

23

Ryder Cup

USA vs Europe – take your pick David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

G

OLF doesn’t get any better than the Ryder Cup, does it?

Arguably more exciting than the majors, the biennial tournament, first staged in 1927, is a not-to-be-missed spectacle.

Sold out months ago, the Ryder Cup has it all – colour, excitement, tension, fear, drama, team tactics, panic, nervous players, captains and assistant captains not to mention rowdy fans.

Then there’s the fashion, glitz and glamour led by the players’ wives and partners.

Yes, from September 25-28 at Gleneagles in Scotland golf becomes a team sport as the heavyweights of world team golf – America and Europe – do battle for the prestigious Ryder Cup. With nine players from each side locking up automatic berths, the battle lines are drawn.

All we need now is for captains Tom Watson (US) and Paul McGinley (Europe) to announce their three captain’s pick.

This is crucial.

One wrong pick and it could be goodbye Ryder Cup. Watson no longer has to agonise over whether or not to pick Tiger Woods, who has been battling health issues. Tiger told his captain he was unavailable.

Another, Dustin Johnson, secured his place on the team prior to the US PGA Championship, but is taking an indefinite break from golf.

Still, Watson will be pleased five-time major winner Phil Mickelson found form at the US PGA and leapfrogged his way into the team.

The Americans clinching a spot on the team after the US PGA Championship were Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker and Patrick Reed.

Among those players Watson will be considering for his three captain’s picks are Keegan Bradley, Brandt Snedeker, Webb

European Ryder Cup Team captain Paul McGinley at Gleneagles Simpson, Steve Stricker, Ryan Moore, Brendon Todd, Jason Dufner and Chris Kirk.

There was a suggestion at the Open Championship that Watson, a winner of five Open Championships, should pick himself after another strong showing at the Open.

The 64-year-old finished tied 51st alongside Dufner and ahead of Kuchar (T54), Snedeker (T58) and Reed (missed cut).

Still, Mickelson and Fowler are in good form, but European Rory McIlroy is red hot.

After Rory won the Open Championship, Watson commented: “Rory, go easy on us in the Ryder Cup.” Wouldn’t it be great to see Rory and Phil or Rory and Rickie duel down the stretch in Sunday’s singles—especially if the Cup is still in the balance?

Europeans Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, Victor Dubuisson, Justin Rose, Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson and Graeme McDowell, too, have locked up an automatic berth.

When it comes to his picks, McGinley might have a few sleepless nights.

He has to pick from players like Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Stephen Gallacher and Francesco Molinari.

Who knows, he might opt for experience and pick Miguel Angel Jimenez, Bernhard Langer or Colin Montgomerie.

All have plenty of Ryder Cup experience and are in form with Langer winning five times on the Champions Tour this year, Monty twice and Miguel once.

Steeped in history, America dominated the first 25 biennial

Ryder Cup matches, winning 21 and tying one.

In 1979, a constitutional change widened the Great Britain and Ireland team selection to embrace Europe and it’s been nail-biting drama ever since although Europe has redressed the balance winning seven of the past 10 clashes.

Mind you, it’s been close with Europe narrowly winning the past two battles 14½-13½. It’s shaping up as another close encounter.

Many players rate the Ryder Cup as the fifth major and all say it’s the most emotionally charged experience of their careers.

Watson, a respected veteran who played on four Ryder Cup teams, will no doubt tell his players to believe in themselves and play their own games.

That’s not easy in a stressful environment.

McGinley just might fire up his troops by reminding them what American Tom Kite said.

Kite, who won the 1992 US Open, once described the Ryder Cup as “a couple of cocktail parties, then we’d kick some butts and go home”.

Whatever happens, the 40th Ryder Cup promises to be another classic with the Jack Nicklaus-created PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles offering the perfect stage for the stars of America and Europe. • Comparison of the United States and Europe between 1985-2012 United States

Europe

Wins

4

9

Tied

1

1

Matches won

155

188

Points won

184½

207½

Foursomes points won

53½

58½

Fourball points won

46½

65½

Single points won

84½

83½

Rookies’ record

72 wins, 84 losses, 27 halves 54 wins, 58 losses, 30 halves

Captain’s picks

48 wins, 39 losses, 19 halves 59 wins, 52 losses, 12 halves

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T

O his Indonesian golf students and their parents, Australian teaching professional Tony Blacker is a diamond in the rough.

For the past eight years, the former Brisbane club pro has taught golf in Indonesia and now calls Jakarta home.

It’s where Blacker, the head coach at the Aserra Golf Academy at the Senayan Golf Driving Range in the heart of Jakarta, teaches more than 100 children, some as young as two, not only the correct grip and swing plane but discipline, respect and honour.

At each session, Blacker drills the students on etiquette.

“No fighting”, “no kicking” and “behave well” are some of the answers students give when to Blacker asks, “What are our basic rules?”

Teaching pro Tony Blacker poses with a group of his young golfing students.

“Overall we had some success, but it’s more about learning to play the game in the traditional spirit,” Blacker said.

“I love the spirit of the children and the way they cherish the old-fashioned traditions of golf and what golf stands for. They follow the rules of golf and play the game in the correct manner.”

The 42-year-old said the academy’s focus was to develop future stars of the game.

Star student Kelly Marutani made the most of her recent trip when finishing runner-up in one event and winning the long drive contest at the Titleist Winter Classic.

“Students like 17-year-old Kelly are the future of our academy,” he said. “She has played golf for less than four years and is on a single figure handicap.

Each year Blacker brings a group of his more advanced young protégés, aged between 9 and 17, to Queensland to gain experience playing in competitions and on vastly different golf courses.

During the recent mid-year school break, seven young Indonesian students competed in three important junior events in Queensland.

Kelly Marutani, Aurel Grace, Alyssa Tarigan, John Muntu, Hayden Suhasim, Gio Suharianto and Brian Suharianto all took part in the Greg Norman Golf Foundation’s 36-hole Titleist Winter Classic at Keperra Country Golf Club, a junior event at Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast and the Bargara Junior Classic.

“As a trainee, I was ranked number one in Queensland and had a few victories on the Sunshine Tour,” he said. “I also was two-time Queensland Club Pro champion.

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“I left Keperra in 2000 to buy into a golf driving range at Deception Bay (near Brisbane),” he said.

Aside from golf, Blacker has an unusual hobby – sprint-car racing.

“Ah, mate, I love it,” he said.

“My passion is golf, but my other passion is sprint-car (speedway) racing.

“After that I stepped up into the sprint-car division, but technically I didn’t perform that well.”

“Learning the rules and code of conduct is a positive influence on the children,” he said.

Of course, with improvement and success comes reward.

In 1996, Blacker became the club’s head professional.

“I did it for many years and became Australian champion in East Coast A-grade sedans.

Then “Mr Tony”, as he is affectionately known by students, allows the youngsters to warm-up and hit balls under his watchful eye.

“Teaching children to play golf has its challenges, but it’s very rewarding when you see them laughing and enjoying themselves and having success.”

“I did that for 12 months and then accepted a position at Senayan,” said Blacker, who was a junior at Keperra Country Golf Club before becoming a trainee professional at the club.

Still, he stuck with it even after a serious crash dented his pride.

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“That was nasty,” he said. “My mum nearly ‘died’, but I was okay.

Tony Blacker tears up the race track.

“Then there’s nine-year-old Hayden who has been playing golf for 10 months. He played off the blue markers at all three events and is showing a lot of promise.”

“I was coming out of corner four and went a little high and was on the gas. My right rear wheel clipped the fence and the car somersaulted endto-end seven times.

“I wasn’t hurt, but my car and pride was. I was very lucky.”

I ask Blacker, who is married and has two young children, how he ended up living and working in Indonesia.

Then there was the time he failed to leave the starting grid, which was somewhat embarrassing.

“I actually went over there to reestablish my playing career and prepare for the Asian Tour qualifying school,” he explained.

“I was a little nervous,” he explained.

“The guys were pushing me away at the start, but the engine wasn’t turning over.

“While I was there I met a lot of good people and was asked to open a golf business in Indonesia so I opened a big golf shop.

“So they gave up on me and Graham, one of the crew, said ‘you bloody idiot, you didn’t turn on the fuel tap’.

“Then I was asked to become head coach of a golf academy in Jakarta, which I accepted.

“It was extremely embarrassing, but I just put it down to nerves,” he laughed. •

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10,000 hours of golf,The Dan Plan in Australia Michael Green

ed@insidegolf.com.au @AussieGolfer

I

t was no surprise to hear that my playing partner for the day had arrived at the course early and was spending his time practicing. For my playing partner was none other than Dan McLaughlin, and Dan has a plan to spend 10,000 hours on his golf game in an attempt to become one of the world’s best golfers.

The 10,000 hours theory was originally proposed in 1993 by Swedish psychologist K. Anders Ericsson, a world leading researcher in the field of expertise.

Anders’ theory was later made popular through Malcolm Gladwell’s book ‘Outliers’ and Geoff Colvin’s ‘Talent is Overrated’, and deals with the premise that talent has very little to do with success. The research of Anders led him to propose that roughly 10,000 hours of deliberate practice is what it takes to excel in a particular field.

The project was intricately planned for nine months. Dan quit his job as a professional photographer in 2010, delved into his five years of savings and headed to his local golf course where in a severe rain storm, Dan spent four hours practising his putting from no more than one foot away.

Dan built this swing from scratch, after nearly five months of exclusively putting, he progressed to chips shots and then slowly increased the distance from the from the hole, moving to a full swing almost a year into the project.

“I worked my way up through the bag and I didn’t hit a driver for 18 months.”

When I asked him why, Dan replied “Because I didn’t own one!”

Dan clocked through the halfway mark of the challenge a few months before arriving in Australia. At the time of our meeting, he has

roughly 4600 hours left, had recently broken par for the first time and was hovering between a handicap of three and four.

“Deliberate practice for me is when I’m highly focused working with a golf club and a golf ball.

So I could be at a course for eight hours a day but only get in four hours of training.” Dan said.

When you consider where his game was at before he began the challenge you could argue it’s already been somewhat of a success.

At the age of 30, Dan had never played a full round of golf before he began the game.

In fact he had only ever swung the golf club on a handful of occasions.

“My brother and I discussed what activity you could apply the theory to and golf kept on coming back to me. There is no age limit, particular body shape needed and it has an international handicap system which can track your progress.” Dan said.

“My parents thought I was going through a ‘phase’, which would soon pass. I think they realise now that I’m serious about the whole thing.”

At 5’9”, Dan is by all appearances just an average bloke. He has an unassuming appearance that is complemented with a calm, assured demeanour and a great sense of humour. Certainly not someone I would have expected to attempt such a momentous challenge and I wonder if this subtle projection plays a part in the skepticism towards his lofty goal - to be competitive in the professional golf ranks.

Following his progress through his website, it was obvious that Dan’s swing was a mechanical, rigid one. Robotic, full of purpose, like someone had copied a golf swing straight from a golf instruction manual, this wasn’t far away from the truth.

While an awkward golf swing doesn’t necessarily preclude someone from playing great golf (think Jim Furyk) I wondered if the mechanical nature of it was evidence that Dan was missing some natural talent that may disprove the theory.

Dan McLaughlin plays Bonnie Doon Golf Club during his time in Australia (Photo: Rus Kirchner) Impressively, Dan’s swing has changed.

It’s still mechanically very sound with great tempo and balance but the rigidity has gone.

In its place is a fluid golf swing with a big shoulder turn that produces consistently great contact with the golf ball - he looks like he’s been playing golf his whole life.

“I can assure you I don’t always make great contact. Like everyone else I have good and bad days but I’m having fewer bad days than when I first started playing”.

Dan spends almost every day at the golf course practising his golf game and I wondered what he says to people who ask what he does for a living.

“I now just say I’m a golfer. I wrote that down as my profession as I entered Australia and the woman at customs asked if she knew me. Ummm, maybe!”

The attention that the project has garnered from the media and golfers around the world appears to have taken Dan by surprise. He has been mentioned in numerous of the world’s leading media outlets including Time magazine and the primary reason for his Australian adventure was to appear on SBS’ Insight program which discussed the 10,000 hours theory with other elite athletes and coaches.

Just as he did on the show, Dan has encountered a large amount of skepticism which usually leads to one question.

“Everyone asks me what I’m going to do after I reach the 10,000 hour mark, but to me this is how I’m living right now. I barely know what I’m doing tomorrow let alone in three year’s time.”

Aside from completing the 10,000 hours of deliberate golf practice, Dan does hope to complete the journey by teeing it up in a professional golf tournament.

“I’d like to play in a PGA Tour event. It’d be great to get a sponsor’s exemption and not just compete, but make the cut.”

This isn’t a project to prove that the 10,000 hours theory works, it’s a project to see if it works when applied to golf by a determined, unassuming, good bloke. It’s a fascinating experiment and after meeting Dan, I’m even more excited to see how this pans out.

Dan clearly doesn’t fear failure. As he said, this is just a way of living. We all have our goals in life and right now, this is Dan’s.

Ideally, he’ll make the cut in a PGA Tour event as his countdown to 10,000 hours of practice finishes but if not, Dan will have accomplished a journey few of us will ever have the determination to attempt, let alone complete. • Michael Green is an avid golf fanatic, and the author/blogger of the Aussie Golfer blog (www.aussiegolfer.net) one of Australia’s most popular golf blogging sites. Follow him on Twitter (@AussieGolfer) or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AussieGolfer

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people

Aussie veterans ‘Soldier On’ in Scotland Henry Peters

at five-am and experienced the calm.”

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

According to Soldier On, of an estimated 60,000 veterans of recent conflicts, as many as 6,000 are expected to suffer debilitating effects of operational stress injuries or post traumatic stress disorder. “Soldier On is using Golf as a means of rehabilitation for wounded veterans,” says Soldier On Victoria’s Adam Evans. “We are establishing community golfing days as a means of building community, growing the sport and ensuring we have the best generation of reintegrated veterans we have known.”

A

n Australian group of wounded war veterans are proving that golf can be their means for positive reintegration into the community. With the help of national charity Soldier On, a small band of Aussie veterans made the pilgrimage to the home of golf, St Andrews, in Scotland for a global veterans charity event in July to play alongside wounded soldiers from the UK, USA and Canada.

The St Andrews Legacy trip had both a profound and enlightening impact on some of them. Aaron McKinnon is a former leading Seaman and Boatswain’s Mate who spent 12 years serving the Australian Navy in South East Asia and Iraq. He was injured in 2006, discharged in 2010 and now coaches golf in Cairns.

“The feeling here in unbelievable, almost uncanny,” McKinnon said during his visit to St Andrews. “There’s an eerie feeling of peacefulness that really does clear your mind.

To have this opportunity and experience, to play golf in Scotland, is the biggest part of my rehabilitation.”

A close friend of McKinnon’s told him about Soldier On and it prompted him to apply for the St Andrews Legacy trip. “I had so many emotions when I found out I was going, it was almost like I was standing beside myself.

I have a passion for golf. It’s been keeping me together.”

Aaron joined fellow Aussies Sam Bush, Nick O’Brien and Matt Searle on the golfing adventure-of-a-lifetime and met up with a

(R-L) Matt Searle, Aaron McKinnon, Sam Bush, Nick O’Brien group of Canadians – Norm Proulx, Bruno Turcotte, Will Parkes and Vincent Mancini.

First stop on the St Andrews Legacy trip was the Crail Golfing Society’s Balcomie Links but the journey also included a visit to Kingsbarns Golf Links and finally The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

“I’ve seen certain people change in front of my eyes in a couple of days,” veteran Sam Bush said referring to the affirmative impact of the Scottish adventure. “Golf has more meaning now than it did before and if I can help someone else to be in the position I am, I’d love to do that,” said Bush, who served in

countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and Singapore.

Thirty-three-year-old Bush is an accomplished golfer, boasting a sound handicap of five and a vast appreciation for the intricacies of Scottish links golf. “I love the differences. There was the history at Crail, the beauty of Kingsbarns; the Duke’s was very, very tough, though it was amazing. My 75 on the New (Course at St Andrews) was the most complete round of golf I’ve ever played and the Old (Course) was a dream. St Andrews is so different to anywhere else. The first day I could do it, I went down to the Old Course

The charity insists community networks built through events like the St Andrews Legacy trip can often mean the difference between life and death. “Suffering the debilitating effects of PTSD, some of these guys are lucky to be alive. The sad fact is that we are losing more veterans to suicide than to combat action,” Evans said. Soldier On also empowers veterans to re-enter meaningful employment and aims to inspire the wounded to realise their potential.

“Our golfing strategy does this on many levels,” Evans said. “At the community level, we are able to provide safe and supportive networks to keep our veterans engaged. We build on those networks in local partnerships to provide access to employment and mentoring opportunities in the golf profession and in the various business networks that it opens for our participants.”

Soldier On is currently seeking support from golf clubs and associations around Australia to provide more assistance in the reintegration of veterans. It conducts monthly business golf days in Sydney and is establishing extra events in Adelaide. •

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people

Scottish Bob scores rare cards Ocean halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

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“They go out on tractors and snowploughs and mark out a makeshift golf course around the huts,” he said.

HERE are golf scorecard collectors and then there is “Scottish Bob”, aka Bob Davies.

Bob, who first became interested in collecting scorecards at Coffs Harbour in NSW in 2005, boasts scorecards from countries not even recognised as golfing nations.

“Ships used to call in there and the local sheep farmer built a golf course,” he explained.

“So I thought I would try and get scorecards from the top-3 golf courses from each country, but that idea changed because course rankings change regularly.

Born in Glasgow, Scottish Bob is close to achieving his goal.

“I need a scorecard from Azerbaijan,” he said. “I have been informed that a scorecard will be sent to me from the Quba Golf Club this summer.

“As far as I know, that will complete this particular collection.”

Bob has 252 scorecards from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe and everywhere in between.

“I think it was the Poms who spread that rumour that Scots are careful with their money.”

“My best card is from the Angola State Prison golf course in Louisiana,” he said. “The prisoners built the golf course, but they are not allowed to play the course although the general public is.”

For the record, Bob only took up playing the game in 2005 and at the age of 55.

OF MEMBE

SH IPS

“In fact, the damage was so widespread in places that additional bent grass was shipped up from Tasmania to replace the most damaged areas on five of the greens.

“Without the golfing fraternity my scorecard collection would be nothing,” he said. “I have made lot of friends through scorecard collecting and send gifts to people overseas.” •

Amateurs play a single stableford event and compete for a share of a $3000 prize pool across three (3) divisions.

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A failing irrigation system coupled with hot, dry winds over the same periods and you could say the weather virtually “cooked the greens”.

The field for the Friday, September 5 pro-am includes three of the top-5 Queensland Sunshine Tour players and at the time of writing 15 of the top-30 tour players.

KENNEDY BAY

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“The highest temperature ever on record was reached on January 3 with 16 more days over 30 degrees before February 28,” he said.

“I’m just a hacker who plays B grade golf,” said Bob, who moved from Coffs Harbour in NSW to Emerald, Victoria a few years ago to be closer to his grandchildren.

The Links

GE

Club general manager Steve Owen said the course suffered from the “perfect storm” – a combination of Toowoomba’s “summer of heat” in January and February.

“Club superintendent Tony Jonas and his team have worked tirelessly to nurse the greens back to health.

Still, Bob says his most unusual scorecard is one he obtained from the United States of America.

N LLE

A R AN

I ask Scottish Bob if he has ever had to pay for a scorecard.

“He kept the first one, sent me the second and made me an honorary member.”

“Sometimes it takes months and even years,” he said. “I have one from France where they play golf in the nude and cards from courses that have floating greens.

Bob has a scorecard from the Antarctica and Macquarie Island, a speck in the Pacific

“I have a scorecard from Toberua Island (Fiji) where you can only play when the tide is out. When the tide goes out it reveals a golf course. Ken Done, the artist, designed the card.”

“Only once,” he said. “I had to pay £2 for a scorecard from Stornoway in Scotland and, being a Scot, I’m ashamed to say it.

Finding rare scorecards, including one from a nudist colony, takes time and effort.

Included in his collection are cards from Mongolia, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Ukraine, Chad, Cuba, Iran, Yemen and Venezuela.

O

Bob Davies shows off some of his rare scorecard collection.

“They used to write their scores down on piece of paper so I recommended they design a scorecard. The guy went back to Cape Town (South Africa) and designed a card.

“Most collectors try to get as many as they can. A friend in the US has 140,000 cards, another Scot has 50,000 and another 60,000.

A guy at Coffs Harbour has 50,000 in his collection.”

E

This provides the PGA professional winner with a 12-month qualifying exemption on the Australian PGA Tour.

“Instead of making holes that might injure the sheep, he puts a white rock where the hole should be. If the ball hits the rock, it’s considered ‘in the hole’.

“Then I thought I would try and obtain one scorecard from every country in the world because nobody else was doing that.

G

This is the fifth year that the local dealership of the German marquee brand has supported the tournament and the third year that the event has been ranked as a “divisional” event of $27,500 prize money.

Bob even has a scorecard from Tristan da Cunha, a volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean.

“At first I tried to get every scorecard I could, but everybody was doing the same thing so after six years I thought I’d do something different,” he told Inside Golf.

A CH Y T A N RE RY D E F E DIF EV

The Middle Ridge Golf Club is busy preparing for its annual Toowoomba BMW-sponsored pro-am.

“Liechtenstein doesn’t have a golf course, but they hold a cross-country Alpine golf event in the mountains at a place called Melba. They sent me a scorecard.”

While most scorecard collectors happily add stock-standard cards to their collection, Scottish Bob seeks out rare scorecards.

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Middle Ridge pro-am attracts strong field

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AVAILA

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Proudly managed by:

Email info@kennedybay.com.au • www.kennedybay.com.au • Tel 08 9524 5991 28

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

clubs

CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Pacific Golf Club just gets better

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

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ACIFIC Golf Club in Brisbane’s southeast is one of those feel-good stories.

“Things have been on the up-and-up ever since we put in place better processes,” said the club’s general manager Cameron Harvey.

A new course superintendent, course improvements and renovations, a beautification program and changes to the catering department have given the popular club a new lease of life.

“We are back in the game,” Harvey enthused.

“Our golf course is sensational, the clubhouse is warm and friendly and our membership is growing.”

Harvey gives new course superintendent Shaun O’Leary much of the credit for the resurgence of Pacific.

“Shaun was second in charge for the last couple of years and before that he spent 20 years at Bribie Island. He has taken the golf course to a new level.

“Our renovation practices have been better in the last two years and the greens are the healthiest they have been for 15-20 years.

The greens are back to a good quick speed.

“Now we are concentrating on beautifying the golf course again.

“Life member Tom Hogan is starting to do more work on the Augusta National-styled bridges around the golf course.”

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The gardens and native shrubbery around the fifth hole resemble Augusta’s gardens and the par-5 11th is strikingly similar to Augusta’s 13th hole.

WATER FEATURE: The picturesque 16th hole is just one of the many challenges at Pacific Golf Club.

It seems Pacific is addressing all areas of the facility to make it even more special for members and visitors.

Pacific Golf Club, home of the Gary Player Classic, is a traditional golf club with a difference.

“We are a community club, but we have strong traditions for golf,” Harvey said.

“There are 3600 social members, many of whom enjoy our dining experience seven days a week as well as the gaming and entertainment.

“Pacific is a family-friendly club with a kids’ club on Friday and Saturday nights, which allows parents to dine in comfort.

“We have a professional team in the kitchen and the food is very good so a lot of families dine here.”

The club has 1100 golfing members with more than 65,000 rounds played in a calendar year.

Surprisingly, membership is open in most categories although that could change because there is a steady influx of new members arriving regularly.

“Anyone who joins the club has the chance to win a new Yamaha golf cart and members who introduce a new member are also in the draw,” Harvey said.

Pacific’s championship layout has always been a challenge, but it’s become even more of a challenge since the introduction of the Black Snake Challenge.

SHORT AND SWEET: The short par-4 12th hole will reward a well-placed tee shot.

The Blake Snake Challenge is open to members and visitors and is on the last Friday of every month.

“It’s when we set up the golf course at its hardest. Two holes, the seventh and the 11th, have a back tee that haven’t been used for years so we’ve started using them again for Black Snake Challenge.

“This is the course at its hardest, which is exactly what golfers want – a challenge. We are getting plenty of visitors coming along to take up the challenge.

have to concentrate.”

What adds to the test is Bulimba Creek, which meanders through the golf course.

“It makes you think and you can’t just blaze away,” Harvey said.

“The course is extremely picturesque, but it will bite you if you keep gazing at the beauty of the place.

“We add to the natural beauty by making features out of the waterways and ponds and the wildlife love it.”

“The course is already a demanding test from the normal tee position, but if you really want a challenge come along and play in the Black Snake Challenge,” Harvey said.

The 403m, par-4 fifth hole is arguably the toughest hole on the course, but the 529m opening hole is a bit of a knee-knocker, according to Harvey.

“You always have to think your way around Pacific, but on Black Snake days you really

“It’s a cracker, especially if you haven’t warmed up properly,” he said.

clubs

Pacific – what’s in a name?

HOW did Pacific Golf Club get its name and where is the club located?

Well, Pacific Golf Club has had two homes – the first bordered Kessels and Logan roads at Mt Gravatt now the site of Garden City Shopping Complex, and its current home on Pine Mountain Road, Carindale in Brisbane’s southeast.

When the club first opened in 1937, the Pacific Highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast virtually went past the original clubhouse and the consensus is that’s how Pacific Golf Club derived its name.

I DO: a happy couple stroll across one of Pacific’s iconic bridges.

“It’s got length, a hill, a water carry, is tight on the second half of fairway and bunkers guard the left side of the narrow green. The hole will let you know you’ve arrived.”

In fact, all the par-5s (1st, 9th, 11th and 18th) are risk-and-reward holes.

The 130m par-3 13th hole offers the best chance at a birdie.

Visitors green fees range from $35-40 midweek and $48 on weekends.

“Most days there is a window of opportunity to play, but Mondays and Fridays are best for groups and visitors,” Harvey said.

The course is open to social players and social clubs on Sundays.

the best junior program in the country.

Led by club pro Paul Hazlett and teaching pro Mark Victorsen, Pacific is rich in talented juniors aged from six to 18.

Pacific moved to its present site in 1964 – 50 years ago.

The old Pacific was the brainchild of Leo McIntyre, who almost single-handedly transformed heavily wooded acreage into a nine-hole layout.

He practically did everything – the mowing, greenkeeping, business operation, bartending, secretarial duties and organising the fields.

It’s not uncommon for parents to travel long distances to ensure their children receive the expert tuition. A good indicator is the success of the club’s excellent pennant and individual results in recent years.

It wasn’t uncommon to see Leo and his draught horse Darkie “mowing” the fairways, pulling out trees, pulling over fences and hauling debris away.

As a corporate and wedding venue, Pacific Golf Club’s reputation is right up there with the best, especially after finishing runnerup in club reception for wedding venues category at the ABIA (Australian Bridal Industry Academy) awards.

A Pacific Golf Club stalwart, Kennedy was also the Queensland Golf Union’s (now Golf Queensland) long-serving executive director in the 1970-’80s.

What he didn’t know about golf in Queensland wasn’t worth knowing.

In 1985, he received an Order of Australia Medal for services to golf and was Pacific’s guiding light during a 14year reign as club president.

Today Pacific Golf Club remains a progressive and thriving club thanks to the foresight of men like Kennedy and the club’s original founder Leo McIntyre, who put the club on the map in 1937.

Those who followed the McIntyres and Kennedys have continued the good work and today the international standard golf course is as picturesque as it is challenging.

Pacific hosted its first State Open in 1972 and it has been the venue of the popular Gary Player Classic since 1975.

Kennedy was the chief architect of these achievements.

Somehow, Leo still found time to be club champion.

As an aside, Kennedy, who never professed to be a good golfer, did lay claim to the longest drive seen on the course.

The late Bill Kennedy, aka Mr Golf, joined the club in 1958 and was instrumental in the sale of the old course and the purchase of land for the new course.

Hitting off the first tee, his ball landed in a groundsman’s truck that was passing and finished up at the machinery shed at the third hole.

BRISBANE’S

Pacific has excellent facilities including a chipping and putting green, a practice fairway and a nine-hole par-3 course.

So, like a good red wine, 77-year-old Pacific Golf Club just gets better with age. Little wonder the members are proud of their wonderful club.

Pacific Golf Club’s highly experienced pro shop staff are friendly and oversee arguably

For more information, call the club on (07) 3343-0888 or visit www.pacificgolf.com.au

Rumour has it he even paid the deposit for the land out of his own pocket.

Premier Corporate Golf Venu

Premier Corporate golf Venue on the Southside Situated just 15mins south of the Brisbane CBD, Pacific Golf Club provides a challenging golfing experience for your next corporate event.

There is no better way to entertain your clients, build new and strengthen old relationships or provide incentives for your staff than a corporate golf day at Pacific Golf Club.

To make certain that your corporate day is a success our highly professional teamCBD, will take careGolf of every aspect a challenging Situated just 15mins south of the Brisbane Pacific Club provides of the day while also ensuring yourcorporate tailoredevent. corporate golfing experience for your next suits your needs.

There is no better package way to entertain yourbusiness clients, build new and strengthen old relationships o

provide incentives for your staff than a corporate golf day at Pacific Golf Club. To make certa andour information, see the club’s website email that your corporateFor day details is a success highly professional team will take or care of every aspect the day while golfmanager@pacificgolf.com.au also ensuring your tailored corporate package suits your business needs.

For details and information, see the club’s website or email golfmanager@pacificgolf.com.au 430 Pine Mountain Road, 430 Pine Mountain Road, CARINDALE QLD4152 4152 CARINDALE QLD Ph: (07) 3343 0888 Ph: (07) 3343 0888 www.pacificgolf.com.au www.pacificgolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

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tour talk

Tour Talk With Steven Jeffress

Fiji fun, and nuclear charades I

am writing to you following the second round of the Fiji International where I currently sit in second position behind Jake Higginbottom. With this being said the last few weeks have certainly been busy.

Steven Jeffress in action at the inaugural Fiji International (photo: OneAsia)

After landing in Australia from Japan, I only had 2 days before I was heading off to the Mackay Open. I won the event in 2004 where I holed a bunker shot to win n a playoff, so I went there looking for a good finish to build some confidence. If you’ve never played Mackay Golf Club and you are heading through Central QLD, you should get the clubs out of the car. It’s a great test of golf.

When you play on tour you meet some great people and I’ve been lucky enough to keep in contact with some great friends, Kevin and Jenny Giles who I stay with when I am in Mackay. They are keen golfers and look after me well during the week.

I jumped out of the blocks in the 1st round with a 5 under-par 66, which had me sitting 3rd. I thought to myself, where has this form been in Japan? I then shot 70, 71, and 70 in my last 3 rounds to finish 8th which I was really happy with, especially after my last few events in Japan.

When I arrived back on the Gold Coast, I took a couple of days off to catch my breath.

I had plenty of house duties to do—which is often a side of our profession that is forgotten: we are real people. I enjoyed getting back to reality as it took my mind off the grind over the past few months. By mid-week I realised that I needed to get back out to Southport GC and work on the improvements that I made in Mackay.

One of the great things about the Japanese Tour is that whatever you want in the way of equipment, you can get. I played several events over there and before I had time to put my golf shoes on, I had a new driver in my hand. I can hear most of you saying “how good is that?”, but it is easy to get caught up in all the new equipment, instead of what works. I worked out that the best club for me was the one that got me on the tour in the first place. I know with my old driver that the ball is going to be flying down the middle, which hasn’t been happening this year. This by itself has given me a lot of confidence.

During my practice I stumbled over a couple of small things that I had been doing over the past few months. The main one was my equipment, in particular my driver.

My next stop was beautiful Yeppoon. I love this place because it reminds me of where I grew up, Port Macquarie. The first event was the Pines Yeppoon Pro-Am, at Yeppoon

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Golf Club. What a great hidden gem. Tight fairways with fast, smooth greens. I shot 7-under and tied for the win. It was just one of those days that things felt easy, and I played with a great group of guys.

The next event was the Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate Pro-Am at the Mercure Capricorn Resort. If you’ve never played either of their 18-hole courses, you should. They are both in excellent condition and very memorable.

Had had rounds of 70, 75, 72 and 69, which had me placed in tied 44th position. Even though the scores were not great, there was a lot of really good stuff happening especially off the tee, I just struggled on the greens.

I flew back in the Gold Coast on Sunday night and was on a plane to Japan at 8am the next morning for the Fukushima Open.

This was a new event and was not far from the 2011Nuclear Power plant disaster site (honestly, I thought a little radiation may give me a few more yards off the tee!). The golf course was unbelievable, with bent greens and fairways. Some of the greens had 10 to 12ft slopes in them. After shooting 72 in the first round, later that night, fellow professional Matt Guyatt came to my room at around 11pm with kidney stones. I’ve never had them but if the pain he was in is anything to go by, I never want them! I went down to reception to order an ambulance, though unfortunately had to try act out what I needed, as they didn’t speak any English.

After about two minutes, the clerk raised his hand and smiled. I thought ‘finally he knows what I want”. He then turned around and handed me an internet package! At this point I was unsure who was in the most pain, Matt or me. We eventually came to an understanding, and Matt was looked after (Matt later told me that I would be no good in a game of Charades!) I finished with rounds of 69, 69 and 74 to finish in a tie for 48th. The last round was disappointing as I had worked my way into a great position for a high finish on Sunday. But there has been one trend over the past 4 weeks, my game is coming back and really starting to feel good.

So here I sit at one of my favourite parts of the world for the inaugural Fiji International.

Natodala Bay Golf Club is certainly one of the top 5 courses I have ever played and should be on every golfer’s bucket list. I hope that everyone will be reading this knowing that I have had a high finish this week and, who knows, it could be a groundbreaking week in what has been a very up and down 2014 Editor’s note: Inside Golf is proud to congratulate Steven on his spectacular win in Fiji. For a full recap, see news story on page 7. •

events

Every dollar counts I T’S no secret important research organisations like the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) rely heavily on donations and fundraising events.

While large donations are always welcome, it’s the smaller amounts raised by locally organised charity events that make a huge difference when it comes to the important research and training performed by GMRF. Just last month $1420 was added to GMRF’s coffers courtesy of the third Col Shields Memorial Day at Keperra Country Golf Club in Brisbane.

Event organiser and Keperra stalwart Roy Ryan said the aim was to exceed the fundraising target of $1365 raised in 2013.

“We exceeded our fundraising target by raising $1420 this year,” Roy said.

Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation CEO Miriam Dwyer told the players the money would go towards the many varied and worthwhile projects in the pursuit of a cure for many cancers.

She outlined the work of the foundation and the successes that had been forthcoming from funds raised by events like the Col Shields Memorial Day. Major sponsor Asset Fire and Security provided the trophies, prizes (wine packages) and golf balls for nearest-the-pin shots.

CHEQUE IT OUT: Marlene Shields (left) hands over a “sizeable” cheque to Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation CEO Miriam Dwyer. group started its round from the 27th hole and instead of going from the 27th green to the 19th tee they decided to explore the first few holes of the course’s first nine holes.

Fortunately, event organiser Roy Ryan’s search party (himself) located the group and pointed them in the right direction.

There was a delay to the presentation ceremony when one group, unfamiliar with the layout, went missing in action.

The ambrose event was won by Russell Maxwell, Rob Bliss, Steve Adams and Murray Clarke who edged out Daniel Dzufer, Shaun Horn and Russell Hall.

In the nine-hole shotgun start event, the

Local knowledge didn’t help tournament

favourites Geoff Bennion, Perry Morgan, Graham Parker and David Newbery who finished third.

Perry Morgan and Daniel Dzufer won the nearest the pins.

Harry Davies and Deanne Koops admitted to losing the most golf balls (five each) and the Bradman trophy went to Brian Davies, Harry Davies, Fraser Davies and Jeremy Aitken.

Still, everyone who played was a winner although the biggest winner on the day was the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation. •

Tickets on sale for Perth International Tickets to the Perth International, are now on sale, with prices starting from just $22, free entry for kids under 16 years old, and some exiting new ticketing options.

The only international golf event in Western Australia, the event is likely to deliver its strongest field yet when golfing champions from around the world hit the greens at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 23 to 26 October.

A new addition to this year’s options is the Advantage Ticket, which is packed with added value. Benefits include a free Birdie Club Membership providing the ticket holder with access to discount green fees in WA and around the country through Tee OFF Australia, as well as access to a registered handicap and lesson from Golftec, providing more than $200 worth of savings. The Advantage Ticket is available for day tickets, weekend passes and season passes.

In addition to providing free entry for kids under 16 who are with a paying adult, there will be kids’ viewing areas, allowing them nearer the star players. Plus, the Public Village will offer fun activities and catering options throughout the week.

Another new addition for 2014 is Half Price Thursday. The first day of the tournament will give those new to the event a great taste of the days of play ahead. Pay just $22 to see the full field in action on WA’s premier golf course. If you’re buying a season pass the discount is already built in.

More information: www.perthinternational.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

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ACGC

Husband and wife a perfect pairing in Darwin

T

he first of over 85 regional tournaments across Australia on the 2014/15 ACGC calendar was held at the Darwin Golf Club on August 3rd. Hosted by the AANT the event took place on the famed Darwin Cup weekend and attracted a keen crowd of 50 golfers which included a group of RACV members from Torquay who headed up to the top end for the Cup and used the opportunity to maximise their chance of securing a place in the Championship Final.

Inside Golf joins the team from ACGC in congratulating the first winning pair of the series, husband and wife pairing Lyn and Jeff Heap with 75 combined stableford points.

Both Lyn and Jeff have secured the first spot in the 2014/15 Championship Final, which will be held at the stunning RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast in May 2015.

With Australia’s largest amateur pairs event now off and running there are plenty of opportunities to take on the challenge at the many qualifying events being held between August 2014 and March 2015, so jump online and register for one or more of the qualifying events near you. Or perhaps like the keen competitors who travelled from Torquay to Darwin you may wish to take the opportunity to do some sightseeing and venture out to one of the regional events in wonderful destinations across the country.

Not only could you find yourselves enjoying a sensational trip to Queensland’s home of Championship Golf in 2015. It could be you

and your friend, partner or family member, who has the honour of being crowned the 2014/15 ACGC Australian Amateur Golf Pair.

Register your pair at: www.acgc.com.au

ould you be part C of Australia’s Best Amateur Golf Pair?

Why is this event causing such a stir? Well it’s pretty simple. The winning pair from every one of the ACGC 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 RACV Royal Pines Resort. It’s a great deal apart from the sensational prizes on offer, every player in the 2014/15 series also receives six golf balls courtesy of TaylorMade and enjoys complimentary arrival refreshments kindly supplied by Coca-Cola Amatil just for showing up and having a go.

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. This tournament is truly 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.

ACGC winning pair Lyn and Jeff Heap

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ACGC CALENDAR STATE WA WA NSW NSW WA SA QLD SA NSW VIC QLD NSW NT WA NSW VIC SA TAS VIC NSW NSW WA QLD VIC VIC SA VIC NSW TAS VIC QLD VIC TAS VIC SA WA SA NSW WA TAS NSW TAS VIC QLD NSW NSW SA VIC VIC

GOLF CLUB Goomalling Narrogin Thurgoona Shelly Beach Mundaring Berri Golf Club Rowes Bay GC Port Augusta Corowa Kingston Links Half Moon Bay Wauchope Alice Springs Golf Club Kalgoorlie/Goldfields St Michaels Rosebud Thaxted Park Kingston Beach Lang Lang #1 Casino Deniliquin Lakelands Gailes Kooringal Long Island McLaren Vale Leongatha Narrandera Royal Hobart Cardina Beacon Hills Rockhampton RACV Torquay Launceston GC Kingston Links #2 Mount Gambier Hillview North Adelaide Cronulla Meadow Springs Devonport Fairfield Golf Club Greens Beach Maryborough RACV Royal Pines #1 Eden Golf Club Bathurst West Lakes RACV Cape Schanck Gisborne

DATE 3/09/2014 5/09/2014 6/09/2014 6/09/2014 10/09/2014 13/09/2014 20/09/2014 20/09/2014 21/09/2014 25/09/2014 27/09/2014 28/09/2014 28/09/2014 4/10/2014 13/10/2014 17/10/2014 19/10/2014 24/10/2014 24/10/2014 26/10/2014 26/10/2014 28/10/2014 31/10/2014 31/10/2014 31/10/2014 1/11/2014 2/11/2014 8/11/2014 8/11/2014 8/11/2014 9/11/2014 9/11/2014 9/11/2014 15/11/2014 16/11/2014 19/11/2014 23/11/2014 24/11/2014 27/11/2014 29/11/2014 30/11/2014 30/11/2014 30/11/2014 5/12/2014 7/12/2014 7/12/2014 7/12/2014 9/12/2014 20/12/2014

Australian designed.

Solid construction Light weight Electric suspension lithium range

Independent suspension LITHIUM Batteries as standard 18 hole lithium model $1095.00 36 hole lithium model $1195.00

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Sales Enquiries & Orders sales@championsports.com.au Phone: (08) 8239 1122 www.championsports.com.au

ARE YOU AUSTRALIA’S BEST AMATEUR GOLF PAIR? ONLY $33 PER PLAYER Enter as a men’s, women’s or mixed pair

WIN A TRIP TO THE GOLD COAST

Every finalist receives a trip to the National Final at RACV Royal Pines

RECEIVE A DOZEN GOLF BALLS

A dozen TaylorMade for every pair

WIN A SUZUKI S-CROSS

A Suzuki S-Cross will be given away in the hole in one competition

85 Events across Australia 170 Finalists Register online now!

www.acgc.com.au OFFI CI A L E V E NT

For full terms and conditions please refer to www.acgc.com.au This tournament is approved for the payment of expenses Rule 4-2g/GA/1/2015

PGA of Australia

Griffin committed to continual improvement T

our Professional Matthew Griffin has never been one to rest on his laurels, so less than a week after winning the US$1million KPGA Championship in Korea he was visiting the PGA Centre for Learning and Performance.

A world-class facility, the PGA Centre for Learning and Performance provides a range of tools including TrackMan, SAM Puttlab, SAM Balanace Lab, high speed video and complete gym to provide a comprehensive high performance experience.

As highlighted by Williams, the PGA Centre for Learning and Performance is of most benefit when the golfer, PGA Professional and trainer work together taking a holistic approach to training.

“Today we worked on lower body strength, Matt hurt his ankle about a month ago so we did some rehabilitation. Then we moved into a more golf-specific based work,” said Williams who works with a number of Tour Professionals.

“With other players we have used the force plate but when players bring their golf Griffin visited the PGA Centre for Learning coach in as well and Performance and we can do with his Exercise “If you are hitting 20 metres behind an integrated Physiologist Scott your opponent all day long, it’s session, that is the Williams to work ultimate.” on golf specific going to catch up eventually. We just conditioning. want players to be at their genetic While the potential, that’s the goal and you technical side “Whilst I‘m back of the swing is home, having a can’t reach that without training.” important the week off from Exercise Physiologist Scott Williams PGA Centre for tournament golf, I Learning and like to get back into Performance also highlights the importance the gym to keep my body fresh,” said Griffin. of physical fitness, a key factor for Tour “It’s good to get in and see my trainer. The Professionals.

PGA Centre for Learning and Performance “When you’re playing a lot of golf you need has all the equipment to be able to fit in a the body that holds up to the rigours of good golf-specific work out.” professional tournaments,” added Griffin.

Only utilising the gym section of the PGA “Getting into the gym is one thing all the Centre for Learning and Performance, Griffin top golfers do. To be the best, you have to try can see the benefits of the facility. and do that.”

“Today it was more about training; there are Williams expanded on that notion, a lot of bands and golf specific things that you highlighting the key reasons a gym routine is can’t find in a regular gym. It’s handy to be a tool for elite golfers around the world. able to have a more golf-specific work out.”

“But with all the other equipment here like the SAM Puttlab and the force plates for the golf swing I think I will be coming back to try it out some more.”

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“Pros hit a lot of balls so there is a lot of endurance required and there is a lot of force that goes through the body when they hit the driver hard. They need to have good

endurance and need to be able to cope with the force of the swing.”

“Most of the good players hit it a long way so if you are hitting 20 metres behind your opponent all day long, it’s going to catch up eventually. We just want players to be at their genetic potential, that’s the goal and you can’t reach that without training.”

But training and the PGA Centre for Learning and Performance isn’t just for Tour Professionals; club golfers will benefit even more.

“The higher the handicap the more impact this type of training has,” added Williams “With Matt, if we do a really good job and he averages half a stroke better per round that obviously makes him a lot more money but it’s

a lot more noticeable to the club golfer.

“Club golfers add distance and notice improvement really quickly possibly because they are starting from a lower base.”

The PGA Centre for Learning and Performance is open to the general public who can visit the facility with their PGA Professional.

Alternatively the in-house PGA Professionals can run a session and provide a detailed report back to the preferred PGA Professional for further development.

For further information please contact Nick Bielawski on nbielawski@pga.org.au or 03 8320 1911 or pgaclp.com.au.

MyGolf is Australia’s national junior golf program for kids between the ages of 5-12. A fun, healthy and safe way to start learning the basics of the game, MyGolf is a 10 week program with three levels depending on your age and skill level.

All participants wILL receive a f a n ta s t i c M y G o l f g i v e aw ay p a c k • Drawstring bag • PVC golf ball

register AT

mygolf.org.au

• MyGolf cap • Your own golf club

new gear

WE TRIED IT! >

Surfing the turf with the Golf Skate Caddy

Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

A

s golf clubs and courses around the world scramble to lure younger golfers to the fairways, many new products are hitting the market which aim to target this demographic while also revolutionising the game.

One of the products taking the golf industry by storm is the ultra-cool Golf Skate Caddy, a purpose-built, single-person golf transport device which adds a unique dimension to a round of golf. With the Golf Skate Caddy, getting to your ball is half the fun as you “skate” your way around the course.

I took the GSC for a test-ride last month at Sandhurst Club’s Champions Course in Melbourne. Sandhurst Club is one of a growing number of Australian clubs/courses (including Monash Country Club in Sydney, Pelican Waters in Queensland, etc) who are actively considering adding the GSC to their rental fleets.

Right off the bat, I could tell that the GSC was different from your average golf transport, with no steering wheel or gas/brake pedals.

Instead, the unit is operated by a pistol-grip controller (like you’d find with a video game or RC hobby cars, etc). Simply squeeze the trigger, and you’re off. Steering is similar to being on a skateboard or surfboard: as you hold on to the ergonomic ball/handle, simply lean back or forward and let the GSC do the work.

9

embership Months M * 9 9 4 $ m fro

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

A rippa ride: The Golf Skate Caddy is the most fun you can have getting to your ball.

As a kid, I was never much of a skateboarder or surfer (growing up in the mountains can have that effect), so it took me a couple of holes to get the feel for riding the Golf Skate Caddy, especially around curvy cart paths and hills. But once I got the hang of it, I had an absolute blast.

It was extremely easy to manoeuvre, and every bit as fast as a golf cart (though half the size and considerably quieter.) With four “drive speeds”, the GSC was able to handle every bit of terrain I encountered, from the fairways to the rough to everything in between.

And it was a heap of fun: the most fun I’ve ever had between golf shots.

Interestingly, it also gave me a bit of a workout.

While you might think that there is very little exercise required with this device, I was surprised at how much I used my core muscles, hamstrings and thighs (though any regular surfer or skateboarder would know that already.)

Even a novice can be up and skating in no time.

The GSC comes with many clever additions, including a “chill box”, USB charging port and more.

The GSC is fully decked out with everything you need for a round of golf: a storage compartment for balls and tees, a sand divot pourer, scorecard holder and a padded seat (which can’t be used when riding, but is great for sitting down to enjoy a cold beverage).

There are also a heap of clever additions, including a 5V USB Charger (for a mobile phone, GPS device, etc), rear chill box which can hold three cans or two bottles of your favourite beverage, front drink holder and more. It even has a very clever wind-resistant umbrella which can be attached when needed.

swales during our test), 30ah lithium battery, 10 inch all-terrain tyres, twin LED driving lights and a smooth ABS braking system. The synthetic grass base is great for soft spiked golf shoes and allows maximum grip in wet or dry weather. The GSC is also compact, it folds down easily and can be packed away in an SUV, 4WD station wagon or hatchback.

As for the technical stuff: the GSC comes with Dual 1000w brushless motors (which were more than strong enough to tackle the hills and

The RRP for the Golf Skate Caddy is $4350. For those who just want a ride at a club, we expect the rental to be around $22-$25 for 18-holes.

The Golf Skate Caddy is destined to find its way to many courses across the globe, and it surely will lead the way in helping draw the younger players (as well as those who are “young at heart”) back out onto our fairways.

More information: 1300 55 69 79, www.golfskatecaddy.com.au, sales@golfskatecaddy.com Fleet enquiries: salesfleetau@golfskatecaddy.com. There is also a GSC “Group” which meets monthly: www.Facebook.com/groups/GolfskatecaddyVIC.

technology

WE GolfZon TRIED IT! > Robbie O’Donnell ed@insidegolf.com.au

V

irtual golf is not a new concept in Australia, with facilities rapidly popping up all over the country.

Being able to fine-tune your swing at any time of day or night, in any weather conditions is an attractive proposition for those who are time-poor.

In Sydney, a new player has entered the market, and in the process has lifted the bar in their field. The GolfZon Virtual Golf Centre, in Sydney’s inner west, has taken the traditional virtual golf concept to the next level. Inside Golf headed out to Strathfield to see what sets GolfZon apart.

The first thing you notice when you step inside the private room is the size. A group of 6 or 8 people would comfortably fit in the room, with grandstand-style seating (complete with synthetic grass) and a small area for food and drink. As our host set up the driving range function, we noticed the set of the latest model golf clubs available for use, free of charge, which is great for those slipping in after a hard day at the office.

Once the setup was completed, we were away. After a few swings, it became apparent that the accuracy of the system was spoton, with all participants commenting on how close the distance was compared to their actual game.

A huge range of statistics is available after each swing—face angle, launch angle, spin rate and carry distance and video recording for swing analysis—making it the perfect training tool. In fact, in Asia (where GolfZon’s head office is based) many Japanese and Korean Tour players use GolfZon facilities for training purposes.

Next, it was time for a round of golf. We were faced with a tough decision – are we heading to Scotland to play a round at the Old Course at St Andrews or to Hawaii to take on the Plantation Course at Kapalua?

Perhaps Mission Hills in China would be fun, or maybe Pebble Beach? There are over 200 golf courses to choose from, with more being added regularly, including some Australian courses on the way.

The Old Course got the nod, and we were staring down the wide fairway on the first hole. The automatic tee pops up at your

preset, preferred height and once the ball leaves the clubface, a high-definition screen shows my ball travelling down the right side of the fairway, with my usual slice. For my second shot, I am around 90m out, on what appears on the screen to be a slight side slope – at which point the floor of the simulator raises and tilts to simulate that very situation! A couple of swings later, I land on the green and am faced with a 10-foot putt. In my experience, putting is generally where virtual golf disappoints. However, the feel and accuracy of the putting at GolfZon is extraordinary, due to the laser beam focussing on an area just past the hitting zone – meaning the pace of the ball is measured more accurately and able to replicate a far more accurate putting experience.

Throughout our round, we play a variety of shots, from the rough and bunker mats, from uphill/downhill lies, all the while competing in a live tournament against other GolfZon

customers in other rooms simultaneously, and those who have played earlier in the day.

The live tournament function will soon allow play against players of similar GolfZonissued handicaps around the world in real time, competing for prizes and vouchers and global bragging rights!

Overall, the accuracy, life-like features and fun factor of GolfZon’s setup makes this one of Sydney’s best alternatives to physically hitting the fairways, and is a great training tool. GolfZon also have great value offers for driving range and course play, with a yearly membership option that provides even greater bang for your buck.

GolfZon is located at Tenancy 4, Building G, 3 George Street, North Strathfield, NSW. Call 02 9746 8858 to book or head to www.golfzon.com.au . Or visit www.facebook.com/GolfZonAustralia

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43

new gear

>NEW GEAR

Golf Poker Chips

The Vegas Poker Chip set adds a new level of fun and competition to your next round.

Tired of the same old “round of drinks” bet with friends?

Simply assign an agreed value to each chip before you start, and let the games begin.

Take the Water Chip for example. First player to dump his ball in the drink gets the chip, and holds onto it until one of his playing partners finds the water. Then, he gets it.

Whoever is holding that chip at the end of the round pays the other players the assigned value.

There are a range of chips, including Bunker, 3-Putt, Trees and Water; plus positive chips, such as One-Putt, Nearest the Pin, Birdie etc.

A couple of Wild Card chips can be assigned either way, perhaps for a “Wipe” or a “Chip In”.

We highlight the latest products to hit the market Callaway CHEV LITE Shoes The new Spikeless Callaway CHEV LITE Series revolutionizes the fit, feel and shape of Callaway Footwear. The grippy minimalist outsole provides solid traction in wet or soft conditions, while the Poron Cushioning insoles (accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association) provide even pressure distribution across the foot and have been. The CHEV LITE also has a super lightweight and envirofriendly upper material that ensures the foot stays snug, comfortable and in control during the golf swing.

A one-year waterproof warranty offers security from any workmanship flaws that result in leaking within one year of purchase.

Available in November.

There are endless options, and the banter is as much fun as the betting. But always gamble responsibly. www.vegasgolfthegame.com.au

Bridgestone Golf’s Ball Selection Guide RRP $129.99

When it comes to selecting a golf ball, the options are endless. So how do you know which ball is the best for your game?

Bridgestone Golf’s Ball Selection Guide is a sophisticated online tool that can help you narrow it down.

By answering a few questions about your game style (average score, shot shape, distance, trajectory, etc) or simply entering your own launch monitor data (swing speed, launch angle, ball speed, etc), the Ball Selection Guide analyses Bridgestone’s database of over 250,000 live launch monitor fittings to help you determine the best Bridgestone ball for your game. www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/ ball-fitting/ball-selection-guide

Rainy Day golf car trailers and accessories Rainy Day offers high-quality, hot-dipped galvanised trailers built to last, with a tilting action for ease of loading your golf car. Once on the course, they also offer custom golf car clears and folding rear bag covers to keep you and your clubs dry should a shower beat you to the 19th. Plus, they offer plenty of accessories for your golf car: Split screens, ball and club washers, eskys, hub caps, dust covers and seat covers. Pickup available for trailers available from Yatala Qld or Kilsyth Victoria. www.rainy-day.com.au Brisbane - Yatala (07) 33826062 Melbourne - Kilsyth (03) 97288300

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

new gear

SuperStroke, the leader in oversized grip technology and the most popular oversized putter grips on tour is releasing its much anticipated Midnight Series grips featuring darker colours.

The new grips are designed using SuperStroke’s patented parallel technology and feature the same profiles and sizes as the original grips. SuperStoke’s 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 sizes are now available in a new black-based or silver-based scheme.

> Callaway 2014 Spring/Summer Apparel MEN’S

New SuperStroke Midnight series

NEW

Chev Pinstripe (White) Made of 96% Polyester and 6% Lycra, this short sleeve, three-button polo features complex striping and a Callaway logo on the front left chest. Available in three different colour combinations, each model features a yarn collar and sleeve armband. A heat press logo on the back of the collar adds subtle styling.

RRP $79

Chev Static Stripe (Royal Blue)

SuperStoke’s unique parallel shape allows for even pressure in both hands, while eliminating added tension in the wrist and forearms. This helps golfers arms swing more freely, which further enhances a pendulumputting stroke.

Make a statement in this three-button, striped short sleeve polo with a Callaway logo on the front left chest. The contrasting coloured collar features an accent stripe around the entire base. The collar colour matches an elastic sleeve armband. Made of 94% Polyester and 6% Lycra for great moisture wicking ability on warm days.

Phone (0407173 332): tigersharkgolf@bigpond.com

RRP $79

Chev Flat Front Short Flat-fronted, technically engineered shorts with a mechanical stretch fabric for superior performance in warm weather.

Features twin pockets at the back and front. Made of polyester, moisture-wicking microfiber with built-in stainresistance and UV-protection.

RRP $69

Introducing

BORON

Forged.

After 6 years of development - the introduction of Boron to Mizuno’s Grain Flow Forging process enables the JPX850 to overcome the distance limitations of traditional forged irons.

Mizuno’s new material is 30% stronger than its traditional 1025E steel billets – allowing for a thinner face and extreme ball speeds. The result is an incredible iron that combines Grain Flow Forged precision and feel with the ball speeds of a modern distance iron - unachievable before BORON. The thinner BORON face is strategically reinforced by a Power Frame cavity – allowing it to flex over a wider area. A shorter top edge to the frame helps maintain the recognisably solid Mizuno feel. www.mizuno.com.au

WOMEN’S

JPX850 Forged Iron

Short Sleeve Polo w/Chev Stripe Print (Bachelor Button) This short sleeve polo features a stripe logo print front panel. Epaulettes at the sleeve opening, logo snaps, a rib knit collar and contrast neck tape give it a stylish, yet classy look.

RRP $79

Chev II Bermuda Short This 21-inch performance Bermuda short is made of a comfort stretch fabric and features as a belt loop, tee holder and side vents. The signature Chev belt loop at the centre back and tonal embroidered logo above the right back pocket add styling.

RRP $69

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

45

juniors

Juniors go for gold in WA J

uniors in WA will strike gold again this year at the 2014 Smarter than Smoking - Goldfields Junior Desert Open. The Goldfields Golf Club of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will be staging the event for the third time on the 1st and 2nd October. The STS-GJDO is a WA state junior ranking event over 36 holes of stroke. The club continues to receive great support from GolfWA, whom have confirmed the attendance of the State Development Squad players, to ensure a high quality field for what is shaping as one of WA’s largest junior golf tournaments.

One great change this year; The MyGolf section of the competition has been included as a 2014 MyGolf Tour event, with players awarded points to the season-long Order of Merit. The MyGolf event will be run in conjunction with the STS-GJDO each day to allow younger players and siblings to participate. This event has a total of 18 prizes over the two days of competition and there is a division for all skill levels.

The Junior Jug is an annual Inter District Match Play Tournament played between junior girls of the districts of Queensland – Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Central Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett, Downs and South Western, Brisbane and District and Gold Coast.

This year the Junior Jug was hosted by Golf North Queensland and played at Sarina Golf Club near Mackay. The Brisbane and District team of Kirsty Hodgkins (Redcliffe) Kimberley Ikin (Pacific) and Tahlia Condon (Sandy Gallop) travelled to Mackay accompanied by Jo Gregory (BDLGA Junior Coordinator and Team Captain), Margaret Bailey (BDLGA President and Team Manager) and Judy Shelton (BDLGA Tournament Coordinator). The girls played great golf all week in cold and windy conditions to bring home the trophy. The girls represented their district with great honour with Kirsty winning every match with Tahlia and Kimberley playing very well in their matches.

The event has exclusive access to the course for the two days, allowing junior golfers an opportunity to play on the Graham Marshdesigned Kalgoorlie Golf Course, which offers a high standard of playing surface, set in the unique setting of natural bush land and rich red desert sands.

With sponsorship at capacity, the tournament continues to enjoy great support both locally and state-wide which enables a prize pool of six divisions with 24 prizes.

The Gross Champion Girl and Boy will each receive a Kalgoorlie Gold Nugget valued at $500.00. In addition, each divisional gross winner will also receive a smaller nugget.

Brisbane & District juniors win 2014 Junior Jug

Each entrant will receive an event backpack containing a number of gifts. The club is intent on encouraging players to come and play with every participant taking something home. To complement the formal prizes, there will be 28 novelty prizes over the two days.

In July the club took nine junior representatives to play a week of open competition in Perth and to promote the Smarter than Smoking – Goldfields Junior Desert Open. The buzz around the

tournaments the group attended was very positive, with many players and parents indicating their intention to make the trip to Kalgoorlie in October.

The Goldfields Golf Club is looking forward to a successful event again in 2014 and for years to come. For further information contact Mark Baroni, Junior Golf Coordinator on markbaroni@westnet.com.au or visit the tournament’s facebook page: www.facebook. com\GoldfieldsJuniorDesertOpen

The tournament went down to the final game on the last day when the Brisbane & District team had to play Downs and South West team for the honour of winning the Junior Jug. Kirsty won her match gaining Brisbane & District’s much needed 2 points to secure the win.

More information: www.bdlga.com.au/ content/2014-junior-jug The next BDLGA junior event on this year’s calendar is the Sarah Jane Kenyon Challenge, a 4BBB Inter District matchplay event held annually between Brisbane District and Wide Bay Burnett District which will be held at Ashgrove Golf Club on 26th October 2014.

Last chance to find your nearest Holden Scramble

MIXED EVENTS NSW Kiama Golf Club NSW Belmont Golf Club NSW Newcastle Golf Club NSW Tura Beach Country Club NSW Worrigee Links Golf Club NSW Hunter Valley Golf And CC NSW Chatswood Golf Club NSW Catalina Golf Club NSW Dungog Golf Club NSW Eden Gardens CC NSW Gunnedah Golf Club NSW Harden Golf Club NSW Moss Vale Golf Club NSW Charlestown Golf Club NSW Coonamble Golf Club NSW Cowra Golf Club NSW Leonay Golf Club NSW Dubbo Golf Club NSW Dunedoo Golf Club NSW Parramatta Golf Club NSW Wentworth Falls CC NSW Werris Creek Golf Club NSW Georges River Golf Club NSW Morisset Golf Club NSW Coolamatong CC NSW Georges River Golf Club NSW Highlands Golf Club

5-Sep 7-Sep 7-Sep 7-Sep 7-Sep 9-Sep 13-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 20-Sep 20-Sep 20-Sep 20-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 24-Sep 24-Sep 27-Sep 27-Sep 28-Sep

NSW Pacific Dunes Golf Club 28-Sep NSW Royal Military College GC 28-Sep NSW Yamba Golf And CC 28-Sep NSW Gold Creek Country Club 3-Oct NT Palmerston Golf Club QLD Borneo Barracks Golf Club QLD Bowen Golf Club QLD Emerald Golf Club QLD Palmer Coolum Resort QLD Casino Golf Club QLD Townsville Golf Club QLD Mackay Golf Club QLD Helensvale Golf Club QLD Yeppoon Golf Club QLD Biloela Golf Club QLD Bribie Island Golf Club QLD Capricorn Resort QLD Kingaroy Golf Club QLD Brookwater Golf & CC QLD Atherton Golf Club QLD Calliope Country Club QLD Laidley Golf Club QLD Mystic Sands Golf & CC QLD Oxley Golf Club QLD Wolston Park Golf Club QLD Gympie Pines Golf Club

4-Oct 6-Sep 6-Sep 6-Sep 6-Sep 7-Sep 7-Sep 11-Sep 13-Sep 19-Sep 20-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 25-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 5-Oct

SA Mt Osmond Golf Club SA The Vines Of Reynella GC SA Clare Golf Club SA Flagstaff Hill Golf Club SA McCracken Country Club SA Mt Gambier Golf Club SA Murray Bridge Golf Club SA Naracoorte Golf Club SA Blackwood Golf Club SA Links Lady Bay Golf Club SA Highercombe Golf & CC SA Mt Barker Golf Club

14-Sep 14-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 5-Oct 5-Oct

TAS Mowbray Golf Club TAS Port Sorell Golf Club TAS Claremont Golf Club

21-Sep 21-Sep 5-Oct

VIC Flinders Golf Club VIC Spring Valley Golf Club VIC Rich River Golf Club VIC Waverley Golf Club VIC Wodonga Golf Club VIC Eynesbury Golf Course VIC Bacchus Marsh Golf Club VIC Drouin Golf Club VIC Kilmore Golf Club VIC Anglesea Golf Club VIC Eastwood Golf Club VIC Riverside Golf & TC

3-Sep 5-Sep 7-Sep 7-Sep 7-Sep 9-Sep 13-Sep 13-Sep 13-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep

VIC Wangaratta Golf Club VIC Warragul Golf Club VIC Amstel - Parks Course VIC Yarra Valley CC VIC Burnley Golf Club VIC Howlong Country Golf Club VIC Leongatha Golf Club VIC Safety Beach Country Club VIC Warrnambool Golf Club VIC Whittlesea Golf Club VIC Churchill Park Golf Club VIC Goonawarra Golf Club VIC Pakenham & District GC VIC Bendigo Golf Club VIC Murray Downs Golf & CC VIC South Pines Golf Club VIC Devilbend Golf Club VIC Aussie Golf Ranch VIC Hill Top Golf & Country Club VIC Horsham Golf Club VIC Traralgon Golf Club

14-Sep 14-Sep 20-Sep 20-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 26-Sep 26-Sep 27-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 3-Oct 5-Oct 5-Oct 5-Oct 5-Oct

WOMEN’S EVENTS NSW Gosford Golf Club NSW Muswellbrook Golf Club NSW Tamworth Golf Club

18-Sep 24-Sep 26-Sep

QLD Hervey Bay Golf & CC QLD Bundaberg Golf Club QLD Pelican Waters Golf Club QLD Laidley Golf Club

10-Sep 14-Sep 23-Sep 24-Sep

SA Barossa Valley Golf Club SA Lucindale Golf Club

12-Sep 19-Sep

TAS Claremont Golf Club TAS Tasmania Golf Club

11-Sep 21-Sep

VIC Brighton Public Golf Course VIC Wodonga Golf Club VIC Warragul Golf Club VIC Anglesea Golf Club VIC Rich River Golf Club WA Mountain View Sporting Club 7-Sep VIC Horsham Golf Club WA The Links Kennedy Bay 12-Sep WA Lake King Golf Club 13-Sep WA Gosnells Golf Club WA Collie Golf Club 14-Sep WA Moora Lake View Golf Club 17-Sep WA Narrogin Golf Club 20-Sep WA Sanctuary Golf Resort 28-Sep

5-Sep 5-Sep 12-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 22-Sep 5-Sep

* These are the Open Holden Scramble event dates currently listed for the remainder of 2014. For further event dates please check the Holden Scramble website

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

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au 46HS_InsideGolf_Ad_255x135mmSept14.indd 3

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8/08/14 1:26 PM

juniors

Inaugural JNJG Junior AM raises $10,000

J

ack Newton Junior Golf and Golf NSW were pleased to be able to hand over $10,000 to Golf Illawarra for the development of junior golf in the region. The inaugural JNJG Junior AM took place early July at The Grange Golf Club with 26 groups getting involved in the initiative developed to support junior golf. In breezy and testing conditions sponsors, club members and junior golfers took part in a fun Ambrose event with the goal of raising funds for the host region of the Subaru State Championships. It is hoped that this Junior AM will become a regular part of the State Championships and junior golf can continue to develop all across NSW. There were a number of major sponsors who got involved in the event, including Titleist, Subaru, Gerard Malouf and Partners, Fenton and Associates and Wests Illawarra. Other corporate partners who took part in the event

MDGA magnificent in matchplay

The Murray District Golf Association has sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition with an emphatic victory over Canberra in the latest round of the NSW State Junior Pennant competition held at Wagga Country Club in July.

Murray was ruthless, flying to 6up after 9 holes. Heading the handicap competition Liam Gransden and Jake Eisenhauer were equally impressive with Gransden winning 3 & 1 on the 17th and Eisenhauer 4 & 2 on the 16th hole.

The MDGA got off to a great start with number one and two scratch players, Zach Murray and Bailey Stewart, winning their matches 6 and 5 respectively.

Thurgoona’s Zach O’Collins and Corowa’s Andrew Love completed a clean sweep for the MDGA who now head to Newcastle for the next round of the Championships.

were Bass Electrical Engineering, Illawarra Academy of Sport, Rapid Cool, Pendle Inn, Golf NSW, Golf Illawarra, MM Electrical Merchandising, AHA, Wollongong Golf Club and Dapto Leagues Club.

Golf Clubs from across the Illawarra also took part in the tournament and brought along one of their juniors to play. These clubs included Russell Vale, The Links Shell Cove, Wollongong, Port Kembla, Mt Broughton, Moss Vale, The Grange, Highlands and Shoalhaven Heads.

Titleist sponsored prizes for a raffle which included a full set of custom fit Titleist irons, woods, wedges, a Scotty Cameron putter and plenty of Pro-V golf balls. Illawarra Golf Clubs sold tickets for the raffle and all of the money they collected they were able to keep and put towards their club junior program. Over 2000 tickets were sold and 10 lucky winners were selected.

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World Class Golf in the Outback www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

47

juniors

NSW junior champs crowned

D

espite a tough final round in the 2014 Subaru State Championships, Victorian David Mucheluzzi held his nerve to take the highly-coveted Junior title. Micheluzzi’s rounds of 68, 66, 67 and 77 saw him finish the tournament at 3-under par, just enough to hold off Queenslander Liam Andersen, who finished with a fourround total of even par 281. Victorian’s Matias Sanchez and Konrad Ciupek rounded out the top four at +3 and +4 respectively.

JNJG star Shelly Shin flew the flag for NSW and comfortably strolled home to victory with rounds of 65, 74, 75 and 74 to finish at +4 and seven shots ahead of Stacey White from Queensland. The Queensland trio of Robyn Choi, Becky Kay and Eunice Kim rounded out the Girls top five on +14, +15 and +19.

Over 290 juniors participated in this year’s championship. In addition to the JNJG members from across the state, players came from far and wide, including Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand. There was even a contingent of 8 players who made the journey from New Caledonia. There were many other juniors who did not qualify for this year’s championship but are waiting in the wings ready to have a crack at next year’s event.

A testament to the calibre of junior golfers playing in the event is reflected in the fact that there were four hole-in-ones and two albatrosses recorded during the week, as well as 38 under-par rounds.

There were a number of other events held in conjunction with this year’s State Championship, including the NSW Boys and Girls Country Junior Championships, the NSW Boys and Girls Champion of Champions

Plate winners at the 2014 Subaru State Championships and the NSW Inter-District Teams event. All three of these competitions were played over the first two rounds of the event.

Amelia Mehmet-Grohn (Coffs Harbour) took out the Country Girls Championship with a two-round total of 143 while Port Kembla’s Jack Kessell won the Boys Country Junior Championship with a total of two-underpar 139. Jack also took out the NSW Boys Champion of Champions alongside Concord’s Shelly Shin. Both recorded two round totals of 139. The Newcastle District team of Chloe Pearce, Luke Ferrier, Blake Windred and Isaiah Melia were too good for the competition in the Inter-District Teams Events and won with a two round score of 442.

Jack Newton Junior Golf would like to thank the major sponsors for the event—Subaru, Titleist and Golf NSW—for their generous support of junior golf. Also many thanks to the host courses for the week; Wollongong and The Links Shell Cove. It is always a challenge

to find courses willing to host a weeklong event and JNJG appreciate the help by General Managers Leigh Hingston and Robby Stephenson as well as all of their staff and volunteers. The tournament would not be a success without the help of the volunteers.

Thanks also to regular rules officials; they are an integral part of all JNJG events and organisers appreciate them giving up their time to help.

Lastly thanks must go to all of the parents, grandparents, family and friends who brought the juniors to the Illawarra for the tournament. Without their constant support, the tournaments would not be a success.

Jack Newton Junior Golf would like to thank all of the juniors for a great week of golf, and they would like to remind you to remember to get your entries in for the Srixon International in October.

More: www.jnjg.com.au

STAY & PLAY IN THE BEAUTIFUL HUNTER VALLEY

ALPG National Women’s Clinic launch The ALPG has announced the launch of the Bing Lee Breville ALPG National Women’s Clinic, which will be held on the 16th September at Oatlands Golf Club in Sydney. The Clinic aims to be the first of many for the ALPG. “This is a landmark occasion for the ALPG Tour,” explains Executive Director Karen Lunn. “We have a large group of incredibly skilled and enthusiastic Teaching Members scattered all over the country, and our plan is to engage them to conduct this pilot Clinic in Sydney, with a view to holding a minimum of six Clinics in major cities around Australia in 2015.”

“We see these clinics as a way that the ALPG can play its part in getting more women and girls around the country to participate in golf, something that we have identified as a priority for our organisation.”

The Clinic at Oatlands will boast a star-studded field of ALPG teaching professionals, including Rachel Hetherington, Shani Waugh, Dennise Hutton and Anne Rollo. ALPG professionals will spend the day coaching and mentoring sixty women golfers from the Sydney area. They will spend time on the golf course, the driving range and short game areas, learning from some of the best and most credentialed teaching professionals in the country.

For more information about the Bing Lee Breville ALPG National Women’s Clinic please visit www.alpg.com.au or contact Jennifer Johnson on 07 5669 9706 or jenj@alpg.com.au

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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rules

Make your mark and never hit the wrong ball again W

e’ve all heard the cry on the golf course “Hey, I think that’s my ball”.

Unfortunately we can’t just think that it’s our ball. We need to be certain.

A number of years ago Tiger Woods hit a driver into a clump of very tall, thick grass at the British Open. When the officials looked into the grass, they saw three golf balls - two were obviously lost during previous play by other golfers. Fortunately, Tiger had marked his Nike ball with his own mark and could identify which one of the three balls was his. If he had not been able to identify his ball, it would have been deemed “lost” and he would have had to go back to where he last hit the ball - in this case the tee - and hit again with both a stroke and distance penalty. Instead, Tiger deemed his ball “unplayable” and was allowed to drop the ball within two club lengths from where it originally lay, but no closer to the hole - with one penalty stroke but without the distance penalty.

Lost balls are costly mistakes, and the “lost ball rule” is the one of the most frequently ignored. Golfers, in general, are optimists.

They hit a ball into trouble and say, “I think I’ll find that.” And, then when they can’t, they decide it will take too long to go back and re-hit the shot so they just drop a new ball on the edge of the trees and take a penalty. This may be ok for a social round, but certainly not in competition.

In addition to lost balls, another costly error which can turn a dream round into a golfer’s nightmare is playing the wrong ball, which is exactly what happened to Caroline Streeter’s father, John.

Part-way through a near-perfect round, John mistakenly hit his playing partner’s golf ball. Not only did John incur a two-stroke

Whether your ball is in the deep rough or high in the trees, it’s your responsibility to be able to identify your ball. A distinct mark can help you be certain. a pair of hot lips, just to name a few,” says Caroline.

That’s My Ball uses a fast-drying, waterproof ink which has superior durability to that of most permanent marker pens.

That’s My Ball ID stamps retail at $14.95 and there are over 80 stock motifs to choose from, or you can create your own custom stamp. penalty, his concentration levels faltered and the rest of the round was a write-off. A perfect round no more!

John relayed his horror round to Caroline, who is also a keen golfer. Caroline said that her father’s story, and her own experience on the course, prompted her to develop a simple solution.

identification mark on their ball.” – Rule 12.2.

On the PGA Tour, players do not have to mark their ball but if they fail to be able to identify it, the PGA will enforce a penalty on a player if they cannot identify their ball.

In other words, it just makes sense to mark your ball.

“Often the people you play with use the same brand of ball and you can only identify your golf ball by the number on the ball.”

So, knowing the importance of marking your ball, Caroline founded That’s My Ball, offering a quick, simple and permanent golf ball ID stamp. That’s My Ball ID stamps enable you (and other golfers on the course) to easily identify the golf ball, whether it’s on the fairway, green or even in the rough!

Not only is it important to know your ball, the Rules of Golf also state that “the responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each player should put an

“Rather than trying to draw your own identifier, That’s My Ball ID stamps allow you to stamp your golf balls with motifs such as a Kangaroo, Skull and Crossbones or even

“Having seen other players make the same mistake, I know that hitting the wrong golf ball is something that’s relatively easy to do.”

For more ball marking tools and great golf accessories and gifts, see www.thatsmyball. com.au or call 1300 445 054. •

MoSS Vale Golf club iS a Golfer’S paraDiSe

2 Day Golf School at MoSS Vale Golf club

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Receive expert tuition from club professional Robert Kennedy in all facets of the game, while staying on course at the beautiful Dormie House.

$220 per night for 2 people

Package Includes: • 3 Nights accommodation • 3 Dinners • Professional Tuition

includes daily: 4 course dinner, breakfast, Accommodation, 18 holes* *Offer based on 2 persons per room in a standard room. Minimum 2 night stay, mid-week only.

Valid 1st December to 28th February. Not valid 24th December 2014 to 3rd January 2015.

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Cost: $599 p/p twin share, $699 single Bookings through Dormie House phone: (02) 4868 1800

*Group sizes are limited to 8 people

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

49

pga igi

Seize a career in golf through the PGA IGI David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

A

NYONE contemplating a career in the golf industry after finishing school has the opportunity to seize the moment and take up the learning outcomes provided by the PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI).

The PGA IGI delivers Australia’s only Diploma of Golf Management, allowing students to combine university study with the sport they love, golf.

“It is a unique program,” said the PGA IGI’s marketing and student recruitment manager Luke Bryden.

“The program allows students to continue playing in weekly golf competitions and receive regular golf coaching from certified members of the PGA of Australia, while studying towards the PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management and Bachelor of Business degree.

“Every week, students work closely with some of Australia’s leading PGA Professionals.

“They can choose to work with PGA Professionals who work with leading amateur golfers and Tour Professionals throughout Australia and overseas.

“The aim is to provide students with an ideal learning experience on and off the golf course.”

During the three years of study, practical golf elements include: • Course access membership at Sanctuary Cove – The Palms (Gold Coast) or Monash Country Club (Sydney); • 2 x 2-hour weekly group coaching sessions; • 2 x 30-minute private golf lessons (per term);

PGA IGI students hit the practice range as they go about furthering their careers. INSET: PGA IGI university partners, Griffith University and the International College of Management (Sydney).

• Weekly golf competitions every Monday (during term): and • Driving range passes.

“After completing the one-year PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management, students have the opportunity to further their business and management knowledge by choosing to study for a bachelor degree with a PGA IGI University Partner,” Bryden said.

Students can choose from a variety of degrees majoring in areas such as Event Management, Sport Management or Hospitality Management.

Furthermore, the PGA IGI offers two campus locations – the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) and Griffith University on the Gold Coast.

Throughout the PGA IGI course, students have access to industry experts – week in, week out. The PGA IGI’s academic lecturers are leaders in their specific golf industry fields.

“We have golf course superintendents deliver

our lectures on golf course maintenance, golf course architects deliver lectures on course design, golf club managers from Golf Management Australia deliver classes on golf club management and so on,” Bryden explained.

“By utilising these golf industry experts, PGA IGI students receive the best learning experience from those who are involved in the industry on a daily basis.

“After studying the specifics of golf club management, PGA IGI graduates progress to studying the foundations of business and management at university,” Bryden added.

“That further prepares them for graduate success working within the golf industry.”

The Diploma of Golf Management and Bachelor of Business, majoring in a category of choice, will take up to three years to complete.

“These qualifications open up a variety of doors with opportunities in golf all over the world.

“Students who have completed the PGA IGI and university studies can apply to complete their Professional Year and become a full Member of the PGA of Australia.

“The programs are ideal for golfers who have a passion for golf and the golf industry, and want to take the first steps to working within the game they love.

“Who wouldn’t want to combine education and golf all in one?”

PGA IGI enrolments for 2015 (Sydney and Gold Coast campuses) are now open.

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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50

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

instruction

Get more power with a proper spine angle Randall Hollands Smith rhs_golfpro@hotmail.com

T

he topic for this month’s article is how to produce more power in your golf swing while at the same time not affecting your accuracy. There have been many different articles written regarding how to produce extra power in the golf swing. Unfortunately most of them are tips that promise a lot and deliver very little. The advice that we are giving you is the same advice that we have given to even better players to assist them in gaining those few extra yards, especially with the driver.

In Picture 1 you see a typical set up position for a player using the driver. You can see that Rachel has her weight evenly distributed on both of her feet, roughly 50-50. While this is acceptable you will notice that Rachel does not have enough of a spine angle formed between her hips and shoulders. From this position at address it makes it difficult to position the body correctly behind the ball at impact ensuring that all of your body weight is driven through the ball, creating maximum power. Also, this lack of spine tilt will cause you to swing the golf club back into the ball on too steep an angle resulting in mis-timed shots, therefore losing power.

Picture 2 shows you the results of not having enough spine angle in your upper body in your address position. Notice that

1

2

3

4

Rachel has difficulty in positioning her head and body behind the ball at impact and as a result will not be able to get her weight through into her left side, therefore affecting her distance.

Looking closely at Picture 3, you will notice that the Rachel has now positioned her upper body more behind the ball. This means that she has now created more spine angle away from the target in her address position.

Positioning your body here at address will place slightly more weight on your right foot assisting you in generating a flatter angle of attack or a longer flat spot into the ball creating a better launch angle and longer drives. The second benefit of creating more spine angle at address is that it will assist you in getting your body more behind the ball at impact, resulting in more power.

You can really see the benefit of giving yourself more spine angle at address in Picture 4. Notice how Rachel has turned her hips though the ball correctly shifting her weight into her left side, while at the same time positioning her upper body behind the ball for maximum power. This is the type of position needed at impact to ensure that you drive the ball long and straight.

Try giving yourself more spine angle in your address position and I am confident that you will not only create more power but also hit the ball higher and longer.

Good Golfing!

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 04 0838 1924, or the Golf Range on 07 5590 7686 or email rhs_golfpro@hotmail.com for further information.

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5 nights 5-Star accommodation at Mirage Casino & Resort Return airfares Ex Brisbane Las Vegas return 4 rounds of golf which includes: Palm Valley, TPC, Tuscany & Revere Concord 1 cart per 2 golfers at each course All airport and golf transfers by VIP coach Owner escourted to all rounds, check-in and transfers Welcome souvenir bag worth $500 Includes all taxes and service charges Our registered Australian PGA Professional Escourts every tour Event scoring and daily prizes Entry to casino’s and excursions

Information and Reservations www.golfgetaways.net.au Email: info@golfgetaways.net.au | Phone: +61 424 606 334 52

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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instruction

Key to Golf Lesson #4: Building a repeatable backswing Peter Croker

0415 292 549 www.crokergolfsystem.com

To all students of the golf swing: we have arrived at what I believe is the single most misunderstood and misapplied segment of the golf swing – building a repeatable backswing!

With that said, without a “consistent backswing”, you are never going to bring consistent CONTROL to your golf shots.

The aim of this lesson is to share with you the alignment (relationship) of the hand and arm to the body pivot throughout the backward swinging motion of the golf club.

Our focus is on the “pushing action of the hands” to maintain the alignment of the hands, arms, and club to the trunk of the body while swinging in a backward direction. To do this we stabilize the body, and train-in the “PUSH” action of the hands to move the hands, arms, and club up in front of the body.

When done with pure alignment, there is minimum upward motion of the arms and good structure is maintained.

Besides doing a minimum of 3 x 10 repetitions of this drill daily on a consistent basis, do the drill slowly, and if keen, please create a YouTube video of you doing the drill and send me the link for quality control. We are here to help you play great golf and you can!

Also please email me on crokergolfsystem@gmail.com and we will send you a “Free” Module from our keytogolf.com Silver/ Gold Program to help you build your backswing.

PUSH YOUR RIGHT HAND BENT EXERCISE Training Emphasis Learn how to build the feel of your right hand pushing out in front of your body in the backswing. Feel the elbows work together and point down at their respective hips. You do not pull your hands “up” or “across” your body. When working on

the backswing do the drill 3 – 5 times and then hit the ball. Hit at least 60 shots repeating this process.

Exercise Assume the three-point set stance with a club. Pushing your right hand bent will provide the momentum to reach the following aligned position (do not allow your hips or shoulders to turn): 1) Your hands will reach just under right shoulder height and to the inside of your right shoulder.

2) There is no right wrist cock up. The right wrist will be pushed bent and will rotate clockwise slightly. This causes the right elbow to point down and in front of the right hip.

3) The clubshaft is in a vertical plane and leaning away from the target about 45 degrees.

4) The left wrist is cocked and pushed bent.

5) The left wrist is rotated clockwise and wound into the right hand.

VIDEO Drill: http://keytogolf.com/KTG-Push-Right-Hand-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: 0415 292 549

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

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The home of Sarah Kemp 54

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

reSULTS 8th Aug 2014 Winner - A. Lamsam Runner Up - M. Clarke Next Best - L. Stone Best Gross - A. Brandon N.T.P 3rd - B. Tween-Cain N.T.P 6th - C. Rogers N.T.P 12th - L. Newbigging Approach 11th - P. Bowen Approach 17th - P. Stewart

Hold for three seconds Glenn Whittle glenn@whittlegolf.com | (02) 9541 4960

I know this is going to come across as too simple and due to the fact that the ball has already been struck, you may even think that what I am about to say doesn’t even matter, but from the hundreds of putting lessons I give every month I can assure you it’s a very helpful tip.

Next time you are having a practice putt on the putting green prior to your round, have a few practice strokes (not practice putts but strokes without a ball) but make individual strokes with a pause between each stroke. Now at the end of each stroke hold your putter and hands in position and count out aloud to three.

There should be no rebound back after you hit a putt because you should be committing to a pre- determined length of stroke with the same backswing and through swing length. This is the length of stroke that will send the ball the required distance without having to increase your grip pressure and “hit” the ball.

I do not like the word “hit” when discussing or coaching putting; in my view, the ball simply gets in the way of the putting stroke.

This is kind of related to the last article I wrote for Inside Golf, in that keeping your eyes looking down and holding your finished stroke for three seconds fit nicely together For more tips and drills please start following me on Instagram (whittlegolf) or Facebook www.facebook.com/whittlegolf

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

fitness

Your mum was right: posture is principal

Male menopause and grumpy old man syndrome are terms used to describe the phenomenon being experienced by millions worldwide. The Australian medical profession has recently accepted this as a real problem amongst ageing men.

Richard Nizielski richard@golffitsolutions.com 0438 027 768

P

osture for golf is an important requirement if you want to execute the golf swing efficiently.

Many golf swing faults can be attributed to poor posture.

However, bad posture may be affecting you in other ways.

A 21st century phenomenon contributing to poor posture and chronic back and neck pain is the typical position adopted when using electronic devices. The head forward and down, hunch backed posture, which is all too common, is sparking a wave of back and neck problems. One study of 6000 adolescents found a strong association with frequent use of computers, hand held devices and watching television with lower back and neck pain.

Optimal spine function is critical for both fitness and health.

As you are all aware, the nerves in our body all emanate from the spinal cord, which is connected to our brain. Any impingement or disruptions caused by postural problems may affect movement, bodily functions such as digestion and even influence our mood.

One recent study showed the influence of posture over mood to be significant, suggesting activities that help with aligning and maintaining good posture may help raise a person’s mood and improve outlook.

Typically, when we sit for long periods of time in a car or in front of the computer, we shorten particular muscles and lengthen others. If not addressed, this may eventually become our adopted posture and interfere with the golf swing movement.

Generally, the chest, hamstring and hip flexor muscles will become shorter in the seated position. Many health professionals suggest taking a few minutes to stretch these areas throughout the day.

On the other side, muscles, which become elongated and weak, such as those between the shoulders and the muscles of the glutes are the ones that help develop a powerful golf swing.

So it’s a good idea to work on strengthening these in your gym program, if you want to improve your golf swing movement.

Specialist doctors from the University of Washington have completed a study which found that men over 40 with low levels of testosterone were more at risk of health problems.

Some areas which can help you improve posture on a daily basis, are: • Be mindful of your posture: Have someone take a photo from the front, back and side view. This can help you assess what your normal posture is and see if any correction is needed.

• Incorporate stretching into your daily routine: (Hey, just like you, I know what a “pain in the proverbial” stretching can be. But the benefits are worth it.)

• Try a Yoga, Tai Chi or Pilates class: Getting regular functional movement in your routine can help with understanding your body, where you need to develop more flexibility and stability.

• Speak with a medical and allied health professional (physiotherapist, masseur, chiropractor etc.): Having your posture assessed and getting some professional advice can help fast-track your postural correction and improve your golf function.

If you’re interested in instantly improving your posture, then have a look at the video I have put together, which describes neutral posture: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5USqizTE2Xw 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

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

Help on hand for grumpy old men

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.

Fortunately, there are treatment programs available in Australia to combat low testosterone. The treatment, offered by The Institute of Men’s Health, boosts flagging energy levels, improves mood and can even treat erectile dysfunction. The daily treatment program could revolutionise life for the thousands of Australians suffering health problems associated with low levels of testosterone. Symptoms linked to low testosterone levels include decreased sex drive, poor or no erections, irritability, fatigue, trouble concentrating and a depressed mood.

Some estimates suggest that over 50 per cent of men in their 50s will have testosterone levels low enough to be causing symptoms or putting them at risk. Stress, alcohol, injuries or surgery, overtraining, medications, obesity and infections can contribute to its onset.

The revolutionary treatment program from IMH has also been found to increase muscle mass and lower fat levels, as well as improving sexual function and quality of life.

As well as their testosterone treatments, IMH also provides treatment for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, with two months treatment free for the first 50 callers, and a money back guarantee for their ED and PE programs.

For more information, call the Institute of Men’s Health on 1300 792 862 or visit www.imh.com.au •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

55

game improvement

Is the swing plane the ‘Holy Grail’ of golf?

Tony Clark

CEO/Managing Director PlaneSWING Golf

F

or many golfers, the swing can feel like the most complicated and complex process in all of sport.

Why does it seem so confusing? One of the reasons is due to the fact that there are thousands of articles, videos, blogs and websites proclaiming that they’ll deliver you to the golfing Promised Land. While they all mean well—and many know exactly what they’re talking about—much of it is unnecessarily complex.

Of course, you need good grip, posture and alignment, etc. But one of the keys to great golf is swinging on plane.

Swinging on YOUR ideal plane is essential to consistent golf, and to be honest, it is not complicated!

I hear people say things like “I’m OK until I try to hit it hard”.

Well, the fact is that you can hit it as hard as you like and it will go where you want it to, so long as you are on plane. Just remember, you’re hitting the ball on the downswing, not the backswing.

Even if you have great fundamentals, an off-plane swing can lead to slicing, hooking, coming “over the top”, fat shots, thin shots and even the nasty “S” word...shanking. These can all be avoided by simply staying on plane.

A proper swing plane features a solid correlation between the butt of the club, the sternum and the ball. In the image of Adam Scott, we can see a good example of this correlation.

It doesn’t matter if the golfer is tall or short, has long or short arms, etc. The relationship between the butt of the club, the sternum and the ball should be consistent at the top of the back swing and often the follow-through (depending on the shape of shot you are playing).

We can debate a plethora of planes (shaft plane, elbow plane, shoulder plane etc...) but what’s important is the understanding of the relationship between the hands, the clubhead and the ball in relation to the sternum, the crossing point of the human wheel.

So how can you ensure you are swinging on plane?

Working with a product like our PlaneSWING® at the correct setting, and using the PowerSLIDER, can help you build a powerful and repeatable motion. PlaneSWING® is designed to give you an instant feel for the perfect golf swing and to ingrain a repetitive motion. With regular use you will increase upper body rotation, improve balance and fitness and find improved accuracy and added length that you thought was lost forever.

$105

There’s a good golfer in every one of us and PlaneSWING® can help you find it, whether a PGA Tour player or a beginner, left or right handed, male or female, senior or junior. Whether or not you invest in a PlaneSWING® and your golfing life, we are here to help. Feel free to email us a video of your swing for free analysis at onplane@planeswing.com.

For more information, visit: www.planeswing.com, or ring 0414 967 345. •

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56

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Pro-Ams

Howeston – a dream come true we are treated nicely. We are always made to feel welcome and that’s why we keep going back.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

“I am only a social player, but I enjoy playing in the pro-am.

I

N 1970, Bill and Lynn Weston, along with Lynn’s parents Jack and Kath Howard, had a dream – to turn the family-owned strawberry farm at Birkdale in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs into a golf course.

“The pros are fantastic and treat the amateurs with respect.

“I have played with Terry Price and some of the other pros and they are always helpful and have a beer with their amateur partners after the round.

That was long before that wonderful movie Field of Dreams in which Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) hears a voice whispering, “if you build it, he will come”, which inspires him to construct a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield.

“They also love playing at Howeston, which is a magic place.

“You couldn’t ask for better people than the Westons.”

The Westons and Howards, too, built their “field of dreams” despite sceptics criticising the idea.

More than 820 different professionals have teed it up in the Howeston pro-am over the past 35 years.

Today the Bill and Lynn proudly point to a 27-hole layout enjoyed by amateurs and professionals alike.

The picturesque and popular Howeston Golf Course is primed for its 35th successive pro-am.

The deprecators have had to eat their words.

They are quick to heap praise on those who shared their vision.

SGC connections, the Kinman and Greentree families, have volunteered their time to ensure the pros and amateurs enjoy the event and are fed and hydrated.

“There were people who thought we’d never be able to do it, but that just inspired us,” Lynn said.

“A lot of pro-am sponsors have stuck with us through the years and that has helped us keep going,” Lynn said.

“Monica and Ron Greentree tend the barbeque every year and they are now in their 80s,” Lynn said.

“What keeps us going is our love of the place,” Lynn said.

“Our major sponsor BMD has been a big pro-am supporter for a long time, but going back even further are local supporters like Wellington Point Hotel, Yellow Cabs and Capalaba Social Golf Club.

Capalaba SGC president Paul Kinman told Inside Golf his family has always made sure there were enough cold beverages to go around.

Almost every day Howeston has three long lines of cars in the car park as testimony to the course’s ongoing popularity.

Howeston truly is a family business with Bill and Lynn’s son, daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and grandsons all chipping in to keep the place running smoothly.

This month (Tuesday, September 30) Howeston will host its 35th consecutive proam, second only to Dysart Golf Club (36).

That’s a significant milestone, but quiet

achievers Bill and Lynn refuse to take all the credit for Howeston’s success.

“They (Capalaba SGC) helped us get it upand-running and have been marvellous.

“They play here regularly and keep up their pro-am sponsorship.”

Since the pro-am’s inception, the Capalaba

“When the pro-am first started my mum Julie and Robin Weir ran the bar and Ron and Monica Greenhouse have done the cooking and are still doing it,” he said.

“Howeston Golf Course is a special place because the green fees are reasonable and

John Senden and Steven Bowditch, both winners on the US PGA Tour this year, regularly played in the pro-am along with Rod Pampling, Peter Senior and others.

Howeston usually runs a raffle after the proam with some sensational prizes, thanks to the generosity of local sponsors.

One of the highlights of the Howeston proam is the long drive competition at the end of day’s play.

Bowditch once held the record with a booming 341m drive, but last year little known, big-hitting pro Nicholas Russell smashed that mark with a 359m swat.

Conducted on the first fairway, the long drive always creates plenty of interest from players and fans alike.

Golf at Howeston is great value with green fees $16 on weekdays and $20 on weekends.

For more information, call (07) 3207-2452. • Major Sponsor

Presents its 35th annual $11,000 one-day pro-am | Tuesday, 30th September 2014 W. Weston, L. Weston and families wish to thank the sponsors who have made this event possible BMD Group major sponsor Yellow Cabs Wellington Point Hotel Chris Raggett Constructions Millar’s Plumbing Services Betabord National Australia Bank

Howeston Golf Course Wednesday Club Shand Taylor Lawyers Allshots Ken Churchill Ray White Wynnum-Manly Birkdale Saturday Club Jenny Thomas

Q Tech Linings Capalaba Social Golf Club Club Car Kyreka Trading Pty Ltd Birkdale Tuesday Club D&A Bain Lew Noyes

Dawn Breakers OzDogs Covering Australia Brisbane Pools & Landscapes The Tyre Professional - Brent Smail

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

57

golf nsw

Pymble win 2014 Women’s Pewter Plate

T

he 2014 Women’s Pewter Plate was played at Woollahra Golf Club on Monday 21 July, with perfect weather for golf greeting the players, who came from all around NSW to participate.

Clubs were represented by teams of two players on handicaps 33 to 40, with their aggregate stableford scores counting for the trophy. With Woollahra being a 9-hole course the teams went around the layout twice.

Winners were the Pymble Golf Club team of Soraya Diks and Lois Van Heerden with an aggregate fourball score of 58 points. The pair were ecstatic with their victory and as per the tradition of the event, look forward to their club hosting the event next year.

GOLF NSW – SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date 01-Sep 02-Sep 04-Sep 09-12 Sep 15-Sep 18-Sep

Trish Gillett (Bayview) took out the individual prize with a score of 31 points with Lindsay Eccles (New South Wales) taking out second place with 30 points.

Full results, prize winners, images are available at www.golfnsw.org

Hall, Armstrong take NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship

T

The best dressed prize was hotly contested with NSW pairing of Prescila Keogh and

Date 06-Sep 06-Sep 07-Sep 14-Sep 20-Sep 20-21 Sep 27-Sep

Event South Coast Amateur Lynwood and Bungool Cups Killara Cup Shelly Beach Open Amateur Stonecutters Cup Armidale Open Liverpool Cup

Venue Wollongong GC Lynwood Country Club Killara GC Shelly Beach GC Stonecutters Ridge GC Armidale GC Liverpool GC

Women’s Jean Derrin / Senior Order of Merit Events Date 01-Sep 05-Sep 13-14 Sep 15-18 Sep 18-Sep 20-Sep 20-21 Sep 30-Sep

Event Blue Water Classic St. Michael’s Bowl & Salver Bermagui Ladies Open Nelson Bay Ladies Classic Bankstown Salver Pennant Hills Cup Armidale Open Wakehurst Silver Salver

Venue Shelly Beach GC St. Michael’s GC Bermagui CC Nelson Bay GC Bankstown GC Pennant Hills GC Armidale GC Wakehurst GC

Men’s Senior Order of Merit Events Date 14-Sep 18-Sep 22-Sep

Stefanie Hall (St. Michael’s) and Joshua Armstrong (Gold Creek) had an exceptional round of even par 72 to win the event by a convincing five shots from mother-son duo Jacqui and Spencer Morgan (Monash). Taking out the third prize as well as 2014 NSW Mixed Foursomes Champion of Champions was Terry Roser and Louise Mullard (Morisset) with a scratch score of 83.

In the nett section of this event, Wakehurst pairing of Sachiko Cathcart and Andrew Brown were the winners with a great nett score of 74.5. Missing out on top spot by a mere half of a shot was Warwick Boys and Susan McNally (Moore Park) with 75 nett. Coming in third place was Kooindah Waters locals Robery Kelly and Holly McDarmont with 78.5 nett.

Venue Bardwell Valley Ryde-Parramatta GC Beverly Park GC Bonville Golf Resort Concord GC & Bayview Wakehurst GC & Monash CC

Men’s Vardon Events

Runners up were the pairing of Kylie Wade and Jane Jordan from St. Michael’s Golf Club who had a combined score of 55 points. Just one shot further behind on 54 points were the New South Wales team of Lindsay Eccles and Melinda Hayton.

he 2014 NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship was setting up for some great competition between a number of pairings and the scores that were posted reflected this.

Event Women's Country Meeting - 1st Round Women's Country Meeting - 2nd Round Women's Country Foursomes Keno NSW Mixed Fourball Championship - STATE FINAL Women's Coronation Medal Women's Bronze Medallion

Event

Venue Shelly Beach GC Port Kembla GC Camden GC

Event Eric Apperly Shield (& Junior Pennant) Metropolitan - FINAL Warren and Gibson Trophies - Rd 6 Warren and Gibson Trophies Elimination Finals Warren and Gibson Trophies – Quarter Finals

Venue New South Wales GC Various Various Various

Shelly Beach Seniors Port Kembla Seniors Camden Seniors

Pennants / Grade Date 14-Sep 14-Sep 21-Sep 28-Sep

Johnathan Mok looking great, but it was Diane Ind (Terrigal) and Robert Ind (Tally Valley) who were matched all the way from their hats to their socks.

Kooindah Waters Golf Club was an exceptional venue for the Championship with all reports from players being that the course was in magnificent condition.

Full results, reports and images are available at www.golfnsw.org

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

Congratulations to the latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers: Ashleigh Arnold, Michael Boyce, Jan Crook, Jim Dickie, Richard Fellows, Brian Grandi, Kathleen, ullifer Gregory Hanson, Tony Lane, Jason Magoci, Roger McConville, Tony McIntosh, Rob Moore, Len Robinson, Stephen Robinson, Martin Sweeney and Bruce Watson.

You’re invited to join a Distinguished Wine Club golfnsw3DvertTransparent.HR Golf NSW brings you Distinguished Vineyards (‘DV’).

An invitation only wine club for members of all Golf Clubs in NSW, allowing registered members online access to purchase more than 300 well known wines from around the world.

To register, simply go to:

www.d-v.com.au/nswgolf Complete the registration form to create an account and login to access the website and great offers.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: contactus@d-v.com.au

58

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

We are confident that Distinguished Vineyards has something for every taste and budget.

Delivery is direct to your door and the website provides in depth tasting notes, reviews and wine content to help members maximise your enjoyment and appreciation of wine.

golf qld

Nominate your volunteers Golf Queensland recognises that volunteers provide the industry with a valuable asset and have therefore introduced an initiative assisting Districts and Clubs in recognising their volunteers.

Preserving Queensland golf clubs’ history

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the golfing industry. They spend countless hours mowing fairways, gardening, running competitions, promoting their club and more importantly assisting the industry in attracting people to the game.

Meyer’s main focus was to prepare the athletes for competition, including coaching, practice, warm-ups, nutrition as well as the mental aspects of competitive sport.

Let’s acknowledge all the volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our local golf clubs and those who make a difference in the lives of others through support and encouragement, often with self-sacrifice and without personal gain.

“This was a great opportunity for Australian players to compete in the Youth Olympic Games which is now incorporating golf,” Mr Meyer said.

“It is an exciting time for golf, with the sport making an entrance into not only the Youth Olympic Games, but also the Rio Olympic Games in two years.

Recognising the work of volunteers is crucial. It’s all about letting them know you appreciate them and the work they do at your club. So why not reward their efforts? Nominate your volunteers now at www.golfqueensland.org.au

“The selected athletes plus coaches stayed in the athlete’s village with other sports which created another opportunity to learn and experience the Olympic atmosphere.”

A

fter celebrating its centenary in May, Golf Queensland has been working with the State Library of Queensland to deliver a range of digital activities.

To catch the highlights of the 2014 Isuzu Queensland Open, tune into Channel 9 on Sunday 21 September, 1.30pm – 2.30pm (Eastern time.)

The Youth Olympic Games were held 1628 August in Nanjing, China, with this year marking the first time the sport of golf has participated in the Youth Olympic Games.

The two highest-ranked available juniors were selected from each country to compete in the Games, with Elizabeth Elmassian (NSW) and Brett Coletta (VIC) representing Australia, while Golf Queensland Head Coach Tony Meyer travelled as the Australian Team Coach/ Official with the players to Nanjing.

All nominations throughout the year will receive a certificate of appreciation at the District AGM’s and will also be considered for the Volunteer of the Year award at the Queensland Golf Industry Awards held in March.

Isuzu Queensland Open on NINE

Meyer named Youth Olympic Games team official

These activities included a digital golfing in Queensland exhibition in Flickr, an interactive digital experience of current and past golf clubs through Historypin, an online presence to golf clubs in Wikipedia and a series of blogs in the John Oxley Blog.

Following on from these activities, a key outcome of this project is for every member Queensland golf club to collect, digitise and describe its memorabilia for golfing generations to come.

Keperra Country Golf Club To achieve this goal, Golf Queensland has produced an online toolkit which will provide golf clubs with instructions to collect and digitise memorabilia and create their own Wikipedia page.

Golf Queensland has scheduled a workshop to be held at the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane on Tuesday 21 October 2014. Golf club representatives are invited to attend this full-day workshop to gain practical, hands-on experience to implement the toolkit and ultimately learn the basics to be able to preserve their club’s history.

Other workshop dates and venues to be announced. To find out more and to register for the history workshops, go to www.golfqueensland.org.au

Over 3,800 athletes represented 204 countries over the 13 days, with golf joining 27 other sports including popular Olympic competitions athletics, hockey, swimming and cycling.

The golf competitions began on 19 August at Zhongshan International Golf Club with the Men’s and Women’s Singles event, followed by the Mixed Teams event on 24 August.

Results were not available at press time.

Katherine Kirk Classic 21-23 September Horton Park Golf Club Entries close Friday 12 September

Gary Player Classic 23-26 September Pacific Golf Club Entries close Wednesday 10 September www.facebook.com/GolfQueensland

@GolfQueensland

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

59

seniors

NATIONAL

Close battle in Australian rankings Denis Dale

ed@insidegolf.com.au

F

ollowing the two events held recently in Queensland there is a close battle at the top of the Australian Senior Ranking System. Stefan Albinski (NSW) maintains his top spot in the rankings with an average of 98.69 points from 10 events but his lead is a narrow one.

Fellow NSW seniors Paul Maslen (97.67) and Denis Dale (94.46) are in second and third place with three more senior golfers averaging over 80 points. These include Roy Vandersluis (NSW), David Limbach (NSW) and Peter King (QLD).

With five more events still to be played this year there is time for any of these golfers to make a late charge to claim the prestigious medals awarded to the top three seniors.

Queensland Senior Amateur Championship: The 2014 Queensland Seniors was played at Carbrook Golf Club and produced a thrilling finish. NSW senior Brian Sams had begun the tournament in spectacular form with rounds of 69 and 71 to be two under par and four strokes ahead of his nearest challengers that included New Zealander Michael Barltrop (71-73), Victorian Gordon Claney (73-72) and defending champion Victorian Alan Bullas (71-74).

After two days of pleasant weather the final day was to be a real test with strong winds and fast greens making the Carbrook course a challenge for all competitors. Leader Sams struggled on the front nine and his 8 over par 44 meant he had lost his four stroke lead as the field entered the homeward nine.

The current New Zealand Senior Amateur Champion, Michael Barltrop, had taken the lead and looking the most comfortable in the windy weather was poised to claim his first Australian Senior title as he.

Barltrop continued to play well but surprisingly bogied the final three holes to lose the lead he had held for most of the day.

Queenslander Sam Christie had started the final round seven shots behind but his round of 74, the best of the day, moved him into the clubhouse lead.

Victorian Gordon Claney played his usual consistent golf and was close to the lead all day. He looked a winning chance over the closing holes but a few vital putts refused to drop when needed and after signing for a round of 77 he had finished the tournament one stroke behind Christie.

Playing alongside Barltrop, the experienced Brian Sams was fighting back after his disastrous front nine and when he birdied the long seventeenth he had regained a one stroke lead. With a large crowd watching Sams made a solid par on the final hole for an even par back nine and a closing round of 80

(44-36) and a one stroke victory.

Leading Scores: 220 Brian Sams (NSW) 69-71-80 221 Samuel Christie (Qld) 72-75-74 222 Gordon Claney (Vic) 73-72-77, Michael Barltrop (NZ) 71-73-78 225 Alan Bullas (Vic) 71-74-80 Gold Coast Senior Amateur Championship: Newcomer Steve Toyne (Queensland) won his first Australian Senior Ranking event with a one-stroke victory in the 2014 Gold Coast Senior Amateur Championship played at the RACV Royal Pines and Palmer Gold Coast Robina courses.

Toyne had entered the final round trailing overnight leader Denis Dale by a stroke but Dale’s triple bogey, bogey start soon had him well out of the lead. Toyne played beautiful golf for his closing 36 holes with rounds of 72 and 73 to edge out visiting Kiwi Michael Barltrop by a stroke.

NSW veteran Vince Clark again played well and showed his linking for the Royal Pines course with rounds of 72 and 75 at that venue.

His 54-hole total of 225 saw him finish one stroke behind Barltrop in third place. After leading entering the final day NSW senior Denis Dale slipped back to finish fourth while Queenslander Greg Duguid finished in fifth place. Duguid had two par rounds of 72 at Royal Pines and can only wonder what

VICTORIA

Top quality field at Coomealla Doug Bachli Order of Merit: After the Coomealla Seniors Ian Frost (Bendigo) has taken over the lead in the Doug Bachli Trophy with a total of 2053 points. Previous leader Gordon Chaney (Kingston Heath) has slipped to second on 1987 points with Barry Tippett now some distance away in third place on 1708 points.

Paul Lulofs Order of Merit: In the Paul Lulofs Handicap competition Yarram senior Ignatius Duivenvoorden has increased his lead and with a total of 1497 points he is more than 100 points ahead of Trafalgar’s John Hoare on 1382. These two should s

st

31

e t rs es ig alia Cou D r lf st lic Go Au ub th olf ia P 5 5 t G ral t s 71 us fA l Go

fight out the competition this year as third placegetter Ken O’Brien (Rossdale) is more than 400 points away with a total of 918 points.

Coomealla Seniors: The 54-hole Coomealla Senior Amateur is one of the most prestigious events on the Victorian Senior calendar and always attracts a high quality field.

This year was no different with close to 70 senior golfers enjoying the challenge of the Coomealla Golf Club nestled on the banks of the Murray River.

The round one leader was Buninyong’s Chris

Tatt with a good score of 73. He led Yarra Yarra’s Guy Krall by a stroke with Kingston Heath’s Gordon Claney next on75. There was a group on 77 that included Bendigo’s Ian Frost and Cobram-Barooga’s Ross Percy.

Round two saw Ian Frost move into a share of the lead. His round of 72 gave him a 36 hole total of 149 and equal top position with Chris Tatt (73-76). Coomealla member Greg Rhodes (78-73) was a couple of strokes behind and it was this trio that would fight out the tournament on the final day.

Playing great golf Ian Frost (77-72-72)

60

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

happened with his round of 86 at Robina.

The annual competition between NSW and Queensland for the State of Origin Trophy was won by the Queensland team, 3-0. NSW captain Chris Collins was gracious in defeat but has warned the Queenslanders that things will be different in 2015. Queensland captain Joe Long reported that he was confident the golfing Queenslanders would match the Rugby League boys in winning 8 straight!

Leading Scores: 223 Steve Toyne (QLD) 78-72-73 224 Michael Barltrop (NZ) 76-77-71 225 Vince Clark (NSW) 72-78-75 228 Denis Dale (NSW) 77-72-79 230 Greg Duguid (QLD) 72-86-72 More: www.ausoom.com

recorded a last round score of 71 to win the title by four strokes from Greg Rhodes (78-7373) with early leader Chris Tatt (73-76-76) one stroke away in third place.

Frost was most impressive in the last two rounds and the plus-1 handicapper’s final 36-hole score of 143 would have beaten most golfers of any age. Ignatius Duivenvoorden (Yarram) successfully defended his 2013 title to win the nett event by two from Trafalgar’s John Hoare.

Leading Scores: 220 Ian Frost 77-72-71 224 Greg Rhodes 78-73-73 225 Chris Tatt 73-76-76 229 Gordon Claney 75-78-76 230 Ross Percy 77-78-75 More: www.golfvic.org.au

GOLF MEMBERSHIP There’s no better time to become a member of the region’s best conditioned golf course Full membership includes: ✓ No green fees ✓ Unlimited golf ✓ Preferred members’ competition times

Couples memberships now available

Brian Sams – winner 2014 Queensland Senior Amateur Championship.

✓ Members’ guests rates ✓ Members’ discounts ✓ Honour board events ✓ Reciprocal clubs

Contact the Director of Golf & Membership on 02 4916 0500 or email kurtlinde@pacificdunesgolf.com.au

NO JOINI NG FEE

Open to the public 7 days Championship Drive, Medowie www.pacificdunesgolf.com.au

“closer than you think”

seniors

NSW

Senior Order of Merit Coffs Coast Senior Classic: 52 seniors teed it up for the second playing of the 2014 Coffs Coast Senior Classic at two of the toughest courses in NSW - Coffs Harbour (slope rating of 140) and Bonville (144). Both courses were well presented with the tees just a little forward and the pins accessible and receptive to a well-played shot.

Round one was at Coffs Harbour and RAE senior Gary Wells showed everyone how to play this tough course with a great round of one over par 71. Wells drove straight all day and holed some tricky putts to open a two stroke lead over Denis Dale (73 - Twin Creeks) with a big gap of six strokes to a group of players tied for third on 79 that included Brian Baker (Cronulla), Martin Jolly (Tanilda Bay), Geoff Shute (Dunheved) and Greg McKay (Cabramatta).

The final round was at Bonville from the challenging blue tees with a morning hit off. The best round belonged to Greg McKay who putted beautifully for a score of one over par 73. Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) and Cameron Fraser (Shoalhaven) were next best on 74.

The overall 36-hole winner was the defending champion Denis Dale who again showed his liking for these courses with his rounds of 73 at Coffs and 74 at Bonville for a 36hole total of 147. Joint runner ups were Gary Wells (7181=152) and Greg McKay (79-73=152).

Cabramatta Seniors: Mona Vale senior Greg Stanford continued in his dominant fashion with another convincing win in the 2014 Cabramatta Senior Cup. Once again the Cabramatta course was presented in excellent condition with well grassed fairways and the greens smooth and running at a good pace. To add to the challenge the pins were in their toughest spots.

Cabramatta is considered one of the hardest courses on the NSW Senior Order of Merit circuit and the scores this year once again proved it to be true for all but Stanford. A double bogey on his final hole was his only real blemish however a round of two over par 72 still gave him a four-

QUEENSLAND

Toyne tops OOM In the 2014 Women’s Senior Order of Merit North Lakes senior and the 2013 Order of Merit Champion Wendy O’Connell has moved into the lead with a total of 1285 points from 7 events. Rosie Glasson is in second place on 1065 with the recent Queensland Senior Women’s Champion Josie Ryan close up on 1040 points.

Nudgee Seniors: Local member Mario La Chiusa recorded a good win with rounds of 75 and 72 in this 36-hole event. The 2013 Order of Merit champion Trevor Box (76-75) was the runner-up with another Nudgee local Steve Toyne (80-73) recovering from a poor opening round to finish in third place.

The handicap section saw Paul Fink (RACV Cape Schanck) defeat Nudgee member Peter Rafferty on a countback after both had recorded net scores of 141 for the 36 holes.

Queensland Women’s Senior Amateur: 67 women golfers played 36 holes at Horton Park Golf Club as the qualifying rounds for the 2014 Queensland Senior Women’s Championship. Following these qualifying rounds the tournament continued with matchplay golf.

The results of each division are below.

Championship: Josie Ryan d. Rosie Glasson 1 up 55-64yrs Div. 1: Jill Blenkey d. Annabel Harris 3&2 55-64yrs Div. 2: Helen Fraser d. Janice Olley 22nd 65+ yrs Div. 1: Carmel Smith d. Sandra Collingwood 4&3 65+ yrs Div. 2: Maree Christensen d. Gita Smith 5&3 Ocean Shores Senior Amateur: 75 starters including strong contingents from Sydney, Victoria, the Gold Coast plus a couple of visiting Kiwis teed it up on a beautiful day for the third running of the Ocean Shores Men’s Senior Amateur. Sponsored by the Northern Rivers District Golf

Matt Dagger (Bonville GC) Gary Wells, Denis Dale, Greg McKay – 2014 Coffs Coast Senior Classic

Save with the Over 50’s Insurance specialist.

stroke margin over local members Bryan Murray and Greg McKay who returned scores of 76.

Runner-up Bryan Murray recovered from a quadruple bogey 8 on his first hole and his round of 76 was one of determination to do well on his home course. Stanford’s easy win made it six NSW Senior Order of Merit victories this year and he has maintained his lead in the 2014 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition.

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Seaside Senior Classic: Local member David Bagust won the 2014 Seaside Senior Classic at Port Macquarie Golf Club. Bagust followed his opening round of 81 with an excellent final round of 75 for a 36-hole total of 156.

This tied the score of Merewether’s Garry Barber (76-80) with the trophy going to Bagust on a countback.

There was a tie for third place between Cabramatta senior Greg McKay (80-78) and Port Macquarie’s Brian Davison (79-79) with both golfers on a total of 158.

10%

More: www.golfnsw.org

2014 NSW Senior Order of Merit 1 2 3 4 5

Player

Club

Events

Best 14

Greg Stanford Denis Dale Dale Tapper Paul Day Tom Yates

Mona Vale Twin Creeks Bayview Kooindah Waters Bexley

18 17 14 14 13

1469 1431 1392 1217 1114

Association this is a co sanctioned senior event for both the NSW and Queensland Senior Orders of Merit.

The course was set up fairly for the senior’s field and the firm fairways meant players could approach the hard fast greens with shorter irons. The scores were overall a bit higher than expected but Lismore’s John Rixon, a leading Northern Rivers golfer for many years, showed that turning 55 recently would not be slowing him down. Rixon shot a 2 over 74 to win the championship by one stroke from Queensland player Ray Geary and Mollymook’s Graham Beasley.

In the over 65’s another local player and a long-time supporter of senior golf, Monte Fairhall from Ballina, defeated The Lake’s Vince Clark on a count back after both recorded rounds of 78. Chatswood’s ageless senior John Benn finished in third place.

Coral Cove Seniors: New Zealand visitor Josef Begej made the trip from the Waitikiri Club in Christchurch a rewarding one with a fantastic round of one over par 72 from his 9 handicap. Begej won by four strokes from Caloundra members David Sheridan and Ian Broom on 76.

Twin Waters member Annie Llewellyn won the women’s section with a score of 90.

More: www.golfqueensland.org.au 2014 Queensland PresCare Senior Order of Merit Men’s Scratch Player 1

Steve Toyne

2

Trevor Box

3

Mario La Chiusa

3

Dave Morrison

4

Lindsay Brown

Club

Events

Best 8

Nudgee Windaroo Lakes Nudgee Coolangatta TH Keperra

10

1515

9

1300

14

1215

11

1115

13

1090

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

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calendar

CALENDAR >

Tamborine Mountain Open

WHEN: 10, 11 and 12 October WHERE: Tamborine Mountain Golf Club

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.

Alison Seib from Orange Ex-Services’ Country Club take out the Men’s and Ladies City of Orange Golf Championship respectively.

Robert and Alison, as defending champions, had the services for the entire October Long Weekend, of a brand new Land Rover, courtesy of major sponsor Tony Leahey Land Rover.

All grades play each course once over the 3-day event.

Places are limited to 200, so get in early. Registration forms, information and Stay and Play Packages are available via the Events section at: www.golforange.com.au

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.

It’s anticipated that 240 amateur golfers will converge on the Mountain for this year’s annual Tamborine Mountain Open.

After last year’s positive experience sponsoring the Hole-inOne competition, Rod Stehr and the Ray White Rural team has announced their naming rights sponsorship of this year’s event, together with support by the Scenic Rim Regional Council. Registration is open with an entry fee of $60, includes meals and play in qualifying rounds on either October 10 or 11. Qualifiers play the Sunday final at no extra cost. Last year’s winner was Liz Howard, the Clubs’ Ladies Captain. For details on the event and the Play & Stay packages please call the Club Pro shop on 07 5545 1788

Victorian Seniors Festival / Veterans Golf Classic Tobin Brothers Golf Tournament

Men’s NSW Sand Greens Championship

SEPTEMBER 2014 Women’s Coronation Medal

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 Nicole Bessant at Golf NSW on 9505 9105 or email nicole.bessant@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.

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

For further information about the 2014 Women’s Bronze Medallion contact Nicole Bessant at Golf NSW on 9505 9105 or email nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org

OCTOBER City of Orange Golf Championship

WHEN: 4-6 October WHERE: Duntryleague Golf Club, Wenworth Golf Club and Orange Ex-Services’ Country Club With three fabulous golf courses, majestic landscapes, astonishing attractions, fabulous food and wine and a unique style and energy, Orange is the perfect destination for a golf getaway. Just 3 ½ hours from Sydney and within easy reach of the Blue Mountains, Orange offers a welcoming city, rich in local history, a flourishing cultural scene, fruitful landscapes, historical buildings, art and culture to surprise you and some of the best food and wine in Australia.

This year’s event is open to both men and women with prizes for each grade up for grabs daily and the 5- hole events. With $6,000 in prizes, a $90 entry fee for three days of golf over Orange’s three golf courses, this represents outstanding value.

Last year’s City of Orange Golf Championships saw defending champions Robert Payne from Duntryleague Golf Club and

WHEN: 6-7 October WHERE: Rosebud Park Golf Club Rosebud Park Golf Club is running two golf tournaments for Seniors (55 and over) on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th October.

This is part of a statewide festival run by the Victorian Government through Seniors Victoria for the benefit of seniors and to promote the well-being of seniors in the general community.

The tournament will only cost Seniors $26 per day to enter and includes 18 holes of golf, prizes, a showbag and a light lunch each day.

MONDAY’S EVENT is individual Stableford for Men & Women.

TUESDAY’S EVENT is a 4BBB for Men, Women & Mixed.

A NON-HANDICAP COMPETITION will also be held each day for the less serious golfer.

Each day will begin with registration from 8 a.m for a shotgun start at 9 a.m, with lunch afterwards at 1.15 p.m and presentations at approximately 1.45 p.m. **Winners from each Veterans Golf Classic event will be invited to attend the Veteran Golf Classic Champions Day. This will be the final day of the VGC and will be held at the Novotel Forest Resort Creswick on a date to be confirmed. **The winners of the Veterans Golf Classic Champions will be awarded a position in the 2015 Victorian Open Pro-Am field to be played at 13th Beach Golf Links in late February.

More Details & Entry Forms are available at www.rosebudpark.com.au, Rosebud Park Pro Shop, Elizabeth Drive, Rosebud, or e-mail rosebudpark@bigpond.com

NSW Men’s Fourball Championship

WHEN: 8-9 October WHERE: Bonville Golf Resort The 2014 NSW Men’s Fourball Championship is about to reach its pinnacle – the State Final. The year-long event will culminate with 40 golfing pairs from around NSW, playing 36-holes over two days.

This year there were 174 Clubs across NSW that participated and 3896 pairs. There are 20 Men’s Country Districts, and from this, the winning pair in each Country District playoff qualify for the State Final.

The Metropolitan playoff encompasses all Clubs in the Metropolitan District. The leading 20 pairs qualify for the State Final, taking the total number of pairs at the State Final to 40. www.golfnsw.org

WHEN: 18-19 October WHERE: Nyngan Golf Club

The 2014 Men’s NSW Sand Greens Championship, incorporating the 2014 NSW Junior Boy’s Sand Greens Championship and the 2014 NSW Sand Greens Teams Event, is open to male amateur golfers with a Golf Australia handicap of 27.4 or under, and will be played over two rounds of 18-holes.

The Championship includes the popular team’s event whereby teams of three compete, with the two best nett scores each day counting towards the team total.

Online entry is just $70 at www.golfnsw.org , while all other forms of entry are $80. Entries close: Friday 3 October at 5.00pm For further information regarding this event please contact Olivia Wilson on olivia.wilson@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

2014 Women’s Mountain Meeting

WHEN: 20-23 October WHERE: Lithgow, Blackheath, Leura and Wentworth Falls Golf Clubs This event is one of the longest running and most popular tournaments on the Golf NSW women’s calendar. The format begins on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 with 36-hole stroke play for Divisions one and two with 36-hole stableford for Division 3. On Wednesday 23 the Foursomes are held in two divisions and on the final day, Thursday 24, a four person Teams V Par Event completes the tournament. Players can nominate to play in all four days of play or play in individual days of their choice.

Golf NSW is happy to assist competitors to find a partner for the foursomes or complete a team of four for the Teams event.

The ever popular Trophy Presentation this year will be held on the evening of Tuesday 21 October at Wentworth Falls Golf Club.

Entries for this event are now open. Entries are One Day $45 one day ($35 online). $80 two days ($70 online), $115 three days ($105 online) or $120 four days ($110 online).

Entries close: Friday 26 September 2014 at 5.00pm.

Full event details are available at www.golfnsw.org For further information regarding this event please contact Nicole Bessant on nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

A u s t r a l i

a ’ s

G o l f

N e w s

Queensland Sunshine Tour Proud Sponsors 62

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

L e a d e r

calendar Fast on the Fairways Charity Golf Day WHEN: Wednesday, October 22 WHERE: The Glades GC, Robina, Qld

SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS September 1

Kooyonga Seniors

SA

September 4-5

* Grange Senior Open at The Grange GC

SA

September 8-10

* South Australian Senior Amateur at Fleurieu GC

SA

September 8-11

Capricorn Senior Amateur

QLD

September 14

Shelly Beach Seniors

NSW

September 18

Port Kembla Seniors

NSW

Entry Fee includes: Green fees, motorised cart & driving range, Lunch and post-golf meal, golf clinic, V8 Ute Driver meet & greet, plus a special Q&A session,

September 18

Keperra Seniors

NSW

September 22

Camden Seniors

NSW

September 22

Headland Seniors

QLD

entry into the silent auction. http://seqbusinessgolf.com.au/about-seqbgg/ v8utesgolfday/

Sept 29-30

Northern GC Seniors

VIC

Sept 30-Oct 2

*Australian Senior Amateur at Mandurah GC

WA

October 1

Brookwater Seniors

QLD

2014 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship

October 3

Gailes Seniors

QLD

October 6

Liverpool Seniors

NSW

October 9

Windsor Seniors

NSW

October 9-10

Hidden Valley Seniors

October 13

Merewether Seniors

NSW

October 14

Toronto Seniors

NSW

October 15

Waratah Seniors

NSW

October 20-22

* Victorian Senior Amateur at Rosebud GC

VIC

October 20-21

Warwick Seniors

QLD

October 23

Toowoomba City Seniors

QLD

October 24

Toowoomba Seniors

QLD

October 27-29

*Australian Senior Matchplay at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads GC *Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System

QLD

The Australian V8 Ute Racing Series and SEQ Business Golf, have teamed to host the2nd Annual Australian V8 Ute Racing’s Charity Golf Day. Powered by V8 Superfest and raising much needed funds for Ronald McDonald House (SEQ), this promises to be an adrenalin fueled afternoon on the fairway.

WHEN: October 23 - 26 WHERE: The Royal Melbourne Golf Club WEBSITE: www.aacgolf.com The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (ACC), one of the world’s premier amateur golf tournaments, will this year be staged at the internationally acclaimed Royal Melbourne Golf Club from October 23-26.

With entry into the 2015 Masters Tournament and places in the 2015 Open Championship Qualifying Series up for grabs, competition between the 120 amateurs from 38 countries will be fierce.

Played on the composite course at Royal Melbourne, home of the 1998 and 2011 Presidents Cup. The AAC is conducted in partnership with the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation.

The sixth Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be played in Australia for the first time and boasts PGA Tour winner Hideki Matsuyama (2010, 2011) and teenage phenomenon Guan Tianlang (2012) as past champions.

NOVEMBER Men’s NSW Country Championship

WHEN: 1-2 November WHERE: Parkes Golf Club The Championship will be played over 36-holes stroke play, with shotgun starts on both days. The Championship also incorporates the Inter-District Teams Challenge between teams from District Golf Associations throughout NSW. The field is always strong, and features representatives from the NSW Open and Junior State Teams, along with talented youngsters and experienced players from the country areas of NSW. An added incentive for the winner of the Championship is automatic entry into the 2014 Men’s NSW Open.

Entry is $100 and includes a two-course meal at Parkes Golf Club on the Saturday evening. Entries close: 5pm Friday 17 October.

For further information, www.golfnsw.org or contact Olivia Wilson on 02 9505 9105 or olivia.wilson@golfnsw.org.

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.

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

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

VIC

Parkinson’s NSW Golf Classic 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.

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.

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

2014 Australian Masters

WHEN: 20-23 November 2014 WHERE: The Metropolitan Golf Club, Golf Road, Oakleigh South Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au Free entry for kids under 16 with a paying adult The Metropolitan Golf Club will play host to the 36th Australian Masters for the first time with the nation’s best golfers set to converge on the illustrious Sandbelt course from 20-23 November.

An event steeped in tradition, Adam Scott created Masters’ history in 2013 when he successfully defended his 2012 title, the first player to do so since Greg Norman in 1990.

Played on the par 72 Championship Course, the 6556 metre long layout will test players accuracy off the tee with tree lined fairways and putting on deceptively tricky greens.

For more information go to www.australianmasters.com.au or follow the Masters on Twitter @aussiemasters or Facebook at www.facebook.com/australianmasters.

Handiskins

When: Various Where: Various Info: www.handiskins.com.au Handiskins the ultimate game of skins for club golfers.

Handiskins is a five-qualifying-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: Nelson Bay Golf Club Dowling Street, Nelson Bay NSW 2315 3rd Qualifying Round 17th September 2014 4th Qualifying Round 29th October 2014 5th Qualifying Round 12th November 2014 Final 26th November 2014 Lynwood Country Club 253 Pitt Town Bottoms Road, Pitt Town NSW 2756 2nd Qualifying Round 20th September 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 4th October 2014 4th Qualifying Round 11th October 2014 5th Qualifying Round 15th November 2014 Final 30th November 2014 Moss Vale Golf Club 38-48 Arthur Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577 1st Qualifying Round 30th August 2014 2nd Qualifying Round 6th September 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 13th September 2014 4th Qualifying Round 20th September 2014 5th Qualifying Round 27th September 2014 Final 19th October 2014 Orange Ex-Services Country Club 231-243 Anson Street, Orange NSW 2800 1st Qualifying Round 13th September 2014 2nd Qualifying Round 20th September 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 4th October 2014 4th Qualifying Round 11th October 2014 5th Qualifying Round 18th October 2014 Final 2nd November 2014 Northbridge Golf Club Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge NSW 2063 1st Qualifying Round 13th September 2014 2nd Qualifying Round 20th September 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 8th November 2014 4th Qualifying Round 15th November 2014 5th Qualifying Round 22nd November 2014 Final 29th November 2014 Singleton Golf Club 51 Boundary Street, Singleton NSW 2330 1st Qualifying Round 20th September 2014 2nd Qualifying Round 27th September 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 8th November 2014 4th Qualifying Round 22nd November 2014 5th Qualifying Round 13th December 2014 Final 14th December 2014 Sandhurst Golf Club 75 Sandhurst Blvd, Sandhurst VIC 3977 1st Qualifying Round 2nd October 2014 2nd Qualifying Round 9th October 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 16th October 2014 4th Qualifying Round 23rd October 2014 5th Qualifying Round 30th October 2014 Final 6th November 2014 Wentworth Golf Club 130 Ploughmans Lane, Orange NSW 2800 1st Qualifying Round 11th October 2014 2nd Qualifying Round 18th October 2014 3rd Qualifying Round 1st November 2014 4th Qualifying Round 8th November 2014 5th Qualifying Round 15th November 2014 Final 23rd November 2014

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

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calendar 2014 NSW Women’s Fourball Championship WHEN: 26 -27 November WHERE: Bonville Golf Resort

The year-long event will culminate with 30 golfing pairs from around NSW, playing 36-holes over two days. The winners will be crowned the 2014 NSW Women’s Fourball Champions.

The exciting aspect of this event is the sheer volume of entrants that start at Club level, and eventually whittle down to 30 pairs for the State Final. This year there were 214 Clubs across NSW that participated and 6,996 individual participants. Therefore to make it to the Final, and beat that many people to get there is an incredible achievement.

There are 13 Women’s Country Districts, and from this, the winning pair in each Country District playoff qualify for the State Final. The five Districts with the highest number of participants at Club level receive a second pair to qualify into the State Final, taking the total number of qualifiers from the Country Districts to 18.

The Metropolitan playoff encompasses all Clubs in the Metropolitan District. The leading 12 pairs qualify for the State Final, taking the total number of pairs at the State Final to 30.

State Finalists will be treated to a welcome BBQ on the Tuesday evening, followed by 18-holes on Wednesday and 18-holes on Thursday. A formal presentation function will be held on the Thursday evening.

More: www.golfnsw.org or contact Christy Collier on christy. collier@golfnsw.org or 02 9505 9105.

2014 Women’s NSW Medal Playoffs To be eligible to compete in the Golf NSW Women’s Gold, Silver or Bronze Medal play-offs a player must have entered the 2014 Golf NSW Women’s Medal Competition at club level and won Division One (Gold), Two (Silver) or Three (Bronze).

The Divisional winner at club level is the player returning the lowest nett aggregate of three scores at the end of six specified club stroke rounds. These six rounds are administered by club committees and results are submitted to Golf NSW, who then conduct the Playoffs.

The Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals have the following GA Handicap limits: Gold Medal (Division 1) - plus to 22.4 Silver Medal (Division 2) – 22.5 to 32.4 Bronze Medal (Division 3) – 32.5 to 45.4 Dates and venues for the three Playoffs are: Gold Medal Playoff – Mona Vale Golf Club – 2 December Silver Medal Playoff – Wakehurst Golf Club – 11 November Bronze Medal Playoff – Bayview Golf Club – 3 November For details of the Medal Competition qualification, contact your club’s Women’s Committee or contact Olivia Wilson on olivia.wilson@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Rachel’s classic call to women

F

ORMER Australian touring professional Rachel Hetherington has put on her promotional hat as patron of the 54-hole South Pacific Ladies Classic – an event she won as an amateur in 1991 and ’92.

As patron, Rachel is urging women golfers within the handicap range of scratch to 33 to enter the tournament.

“As you know, the South Pacific Ladies Classic is a favourite event of mine,” Hetherington told Inside Golf.

The 42nd South Pacific Ladies Classic is at Surfers Paradise Golf Club from October 13-15 with a foursomes event played on Sunday, October 12.

PATRON: Rachel Hetherington is calling on women of all levels to play in the long-running South Pacific Ladies Classic.

Event organiser and Surfers Paradise GC associates president Dot Petrie said the tournament was open to players in a number of divisions – Open Classic (elite players – handicaps scratch to 18), Mid Amateur (30-54 years – handicaps 0-33) and seniors (55-plus years – handicaps 0-33).

“We will put in a super seniors division (65-plus years) if we receive enough nominations,” she said.

The South Pacific Ladies Open Classic has seen many notable players achieve greatness, however, winning the classic doesn’t guarantee a player will go on to become a successful professional.

But it is definitely a stepping stone to the next level.

Since its inception in 1973, the South Pacific Ladies Classic has attracted the cream of amateur golf.

“We are expecting a good group of golfers from Fiji and New Zealand,” Dot Petrie said.

The Classic’s first winner, Anne Alletson-Brown, went on to represent Australia at the centenary British Ladies Championship at St Andrews, the World Cup in Portugal and the Trans-Tasman clashes with New Zealand.

Played in a friendly environment, the Classic is the perfect event to mix and meet players from all parts of Australia and the Pacific region.

In 2001, Alletson-Brown was inducted into the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame.

In 2008, 18-year-old Courtney Massey captured the classic and successfully defended the title and in 2011 became the first player to win the event three times.

The talented Ali Orchard won in 2012 and last year Ashley Ona was the champion. Unfortunately, she won’t defend her title as she has joined the play-for-pay ranks.

So if you are an elite player, a mid amateur, senior or super senior golfer, enter one of the most popular and fun-filled events on the golfing calendar.

The cost is $70 ($50 for Surfers Paradise members) and there are plenty of prizes of for grabs.

Registration forms and conditions of play are available on the Surfers Paradise Golf Club website www. surfersparadisegolfclub.com.au or by emailing Jennifer Read at surfersparadiseassociates@gmail.com •

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19th hole

Just call me Iron Man Canning sensors placed on my body including my feet and I’m hitting 6-irons into a giant screen.

With the help of the six high speed cameras placed all around the room, up pops Larry Canning on the computer, (I’ve since given up carbohydrates). Sure, my swing speed was more akin to Hoost’s than Martin’s but with a few changes to the club, suddenly I was a potential US Open winner!

Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

A

s part of my plan to self-educate my way to some kind of level of middleaged competence in the field of “Golf Technology”, I recently booked a session at the TaylorMade Performance Lab in Brisbane.

The driver was almost a sexual experience.

Since I first drew the head cover off my Dad’s Bruce Devlin 1 ½ wood and left a filthy big sky mark on the top, I’ve struggled with too much spin on my driver. My ball has always spiralled up in the air like a shuttlecock in a head wind and for years I’ve been attempting to battle this dreadful affliction by using drivers with less and less loft.

I have to say, it was nothing short of mind blowing.

Here’s a diary of my day: It was my first sortie at one of these facilities so when the morning of 23rd July 2014 came along, I was filled with a mixture of excitement, anticipation and the overwhelming urge to trim my nasal hairs (it’s a Senior Tour thing.)

12 o’clock and I arrived at the TaylorMade Performance Lab at the Golf Central Brisbane Airport. Waiting in the car park was Manager and Master Club Fitter Luke Arnott. Luke is a fit, enthusiastic and athletic looking Golf Professional who represents the new-age Member of the Australian PGA. It was clear we had a lot in common.

Eight years ago, Luke joined the team at TaylorMade and has embraced the challenge of converting the latest in golf technology into an easy-to-understand formula for us real people. He now spends most of his day making sure no-one leaves his facility without a club that will not only work better for their particular swings but actually embrace their swing issues and turn them into a strength. In

other words, Luke is a God! My clubfitting session started with me being led to the entrance of the Performance Lab by Luke, or “Taylor Madeus” as I know knew him.

I was impressed even before I walked into the facility by the door. It could have easily been something out of a Marvel Superhero movie.

A giant vault-like door which looked like it should have been housing the latest Iron Man suit. I was a little nervous to enter but Luke assured me he wouldn’t be replacing my right arm with a missile launcher.

He showed me a computer image of Jason Day, Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose hitting

an iron on a large screen and said, “That’s them actually hitting a 6-iron. The computer converts them into a 3D figure and I can zoom in and rotate it to any angle I need. It will also give me a bunch of readings which I’ll use to change a player’s ball flight. What we’re going to do is put yours up on the screen and see how I can improve your flight characteristics.”

I asked if he had any images of Martin Kaymer’s Father, Hoost, just in case mine doesn’t stack up the 29-year-old US Open Winner.

With the new SLDR Driver, instantly the spin is now lower by about half, which meant my new penetrating flight, had to be launched higher. 11 degrees of loft was a bit of a shock but it worked an absolute treat! I now have one of these bad boys in my bag and am seriously considering playing golf with one of my sons again.

1.30 PM and I’m driving out of the TaylorMade Performance Lab waving to Taylor Madeus and wondering how many golfers out there are unknowingly working too hard for their golf clubs instead of having them work for them. Isn’t the game hard enough already?

I think the more I learn about golf technology the more I realise how bloody important it is…. How little I know!!... and how much I now respect Hoost Kaymer’s golf swing. •

Next thing I know I’m having all these

Play on the Gold Coast in 2014!

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1 - 9 November 2014 66

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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19th hole

Playing golf with a reputation @AussieGolfer

I

t had been some time since I’d played golf with someone with a reputation. But in this particular case, I wasn’t sure what the golfer’s reputation was.

On a recent wintery, mid-week afternoon, things had fallen into place to allow me the opportunity to sneak out for 18 holes.

It’s rare the planets align for me to do this and despite the threatening storm, the opportunity was too good to pass up.

Spontaneous decisions such as this one aren’t always great for potential playing partners at such short notice, so I began the round on my own.

Slightly disappointed to not be sharing the round with anyone else, playing on your own does offer up the tantalising prospect of scooting around 18 holes in three hours or less - with perhaps a little less concentration than you would normally apply when playing with other golfers.

No sooner had I rattled off two opening double-bogeys than the spectre of a slow foursome appeared in front of me. To be fair, this foursome wasn’t particularly slow but all foursomes seem slow when you’re playing in a group of one.

After a few holes of waiting, a group of two soon caught me and rather than awkwardly playing shots in front of these strangers it was obvious we should form a group of three. Pleasantries were exchanged and while one of my new playing partners teed off on the next hole, the other whispered into my ear.

“You may not have played with anyone like him before”, he said. “Not many people want to play with him - but I think he’s ok so I do. You’ll soon see what I mean”.

The quick nine quiz (Ryder Cup Edition) THERE are 20 “stableford” points up for grabs.

How many points will you accumulate?

With David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

And that was it.

It was now my turn to hit the golf ball but it was hard not to wonder what he meant. Was this bloke going to shout in the middle of my backswing? Was he going to start snapping golf clubs over his knee, or worse still, reveal the plotline to the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie?

This golfer obviously had some sort of reputation. Usually this means the golfer is either a slow player or an angry one. Both types make for an offensive playing partner and one that is avoided by fellow golfers.

After a few holes on edge, I realised this golfer was neither slow or angry - but someone that simply played golf as if he was playing on his own.

Apart from standing by and watching everyone’s tee shot, this guy would then go hit his ball, put the club back in his bag, walk towards his next shot and play again. All without the slightest regard for us playing partners and with no regard for playing in turn.

It felt like I was back playing on my own, waiting for the group in front of me - except now I was waiting on my own playing partner to clear the way.

Strangely though, I didn’t mind so much. This bloke was fast. One of the fastest golfers I’d ever played alongside. Several times he’d putted out before my ball had touched the green and waited patiently at the tee for us to finish the last hole before teeing off on the next one.

The way this bloke played golf comes across as rude to other golfers. But maybe it was because I was forewarned, or maybe it was because he played quickly but it seemed ok to me.

Maybe this was the way more people should be playing golf. We would all be getting around the golf course much faster - just at the expense of etiquette, common courtesy and fun.

If you don’t mind the idea of playing on your own each week, maybe this is the type of golf for you. I guarantee you’ll play a lot more rounds in three hours or less. •

1. Who will host this year’s Ryder Cup – Troon, St Andrews, Gleneagles or Pebble Beach? (2 pts) 2. Who are the Ryder Cup defending champions? (2 pts) 3. H ow many players represent each team in the Ryder Cup? (2 pts) 4. Tom Watson will captain Team USA at the Ryder Cup. Who will captain Team Europe? (2 pts) 5. I n what year was the inaugural Ryder Cup – 1921, 1927, 1931 or 1937? (3 pts) 6. Why did the Ryder Cup governing bodies postpone the 2001 tournament for a year? (2 pts) 7. What’s the format for day 1 and day 2 of the Ryder Cup? (2 pts) 8. H ow many player picks does each team captain have in the Ryder Cup? (2 pts) 9. The first 19 Ryder Cup contests were between the US and Great Britain. Whom did the US play in the next three? (3 pts) ANSWERS: (1). Gleneagles, Scotland; (2). Europe; (3). 12 players; (4). Paul McGinley; (5). 1927; (6). The tragic events in New York and Washington DC on September 11; (7).

Foursomes (alternate shots) and fourball (better ball) matches; (8). Three; (9). Great Britain and Ireland.

Michael Green

HUA HIN GOLF TOUR 19 - 26 October 2014

THAILAND

7 nights Deluxe room accommodation at Springfield @Sea Resort & Spa with daily breakfast Return airfares and charges to Bangkok, Thailand (ex Brisbane) 4 rounds of competition golf (Majestic, Black Mountain, Springfield Royal & Banyan) 1 caddy per golfer at each course 1 cart per 2 golfers at each course 1 private day tour on rest day included for golfers (River Kwai Bridge, Floating markets & Elephant camp) All airport and golf transfers by VIP coach Owner escourted to all rounds, check-in and transfers SINGLE GOLFER FROM Welcome souvenir bag worth $500 SINGLE GOLFER FROM Welcome Cocktail dinner Event scoring and daily prizes totalling $5,000 NON GOLFER Includes all taxes and service charges Information and Reservations Gala dinner & prize giving at Banyan Golf Club www.golfgetaways.net.au Email: info@golfgetaways.net.au | Phone: +61 424 606 334

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68

September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

chips and shanks

Long Island goes PINK

A pair of Aces at Murrumbidgee

K

evin Phelan and Phil Greer, good mates and longstanding playing partners, last month posted their first ever aces -- in the same round!

During their early morning round at Murrumbidgee Country Club (ACT), Kevin scored the rare Ace on the 4th hole. Not to be upstaged, Phil later drained his tee shot on the 9th in front of an audience of seniors.

Congratulations to both!

Everyone was seeing pink last month at Melbourne’s Long Island Country Club, with their annual Ladies ‘Pink Day’ in full swing. Now in its third year, this Member event is part of their regular Wednesday Club Competition, and its aim is to help raise awareness and funds for cancer.

Every year, the ladies get right into the theme, dressing in creative pink attire. There were also pink tee markers, pink holes, pink flags and a pinkthemed dining room for the lunch after golf Brown Brothers was a supporter of the event, with great prizes and a special Wine tasting over lunch.

Juniors excel at Mt Coolum JUNIOR golf is alive and well on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Last month more than 70 juniors, many from as far away as Coolangatta Tweed Heads, took part in the popular Mount Coolum Junior Open.

For the record the event of the day was a special fourplayer teams event, with Paula Gompertz, Maggie Stevens, Jenny Thorkildsen and Sandy Brooks taking home the victory.

“The Hills Golf Academy from Beaudesert also brought a contingent of Taiwanese juniors to test their mettle against some great Aussie juniors,” said club golf operations manager Nathanial Fuller.

“TJ King, a local lad, continued his dominance of junior events in the Coolum area by winning the Junior Open crown just as he did in the Palmer Coolum Junior Open a month earlier.”

He said local knowledge also helped Mt Coolum juniors Jared Barr and Wilson Foster, who were victorious in Division 2 and Division 3 respectively.

“The most exciting news to come out of the Junior Open is the emergence of the first Mount Coolum junior female member in many years,” Fuller said.

“Lauren Herrmann entered her first ever competition after spending the past five years in the club’s cadet program and came away with the nine-hole competition title beating her male adversaries in the process.

“Lauren will team up with her father Gary Herrmann in the upcoming club Mixed Foursomes competition.”

NSW captures first Trans-Murray Matchplay NSW have beaten Victoria in the inaugural SGA Tour Trans-Murray Match Play, contested in July at Cobram Barooga Golf Club. The event, which was played in a Ryder Cup format of singles matches, saw Victoria leading for most of the day, only to bear witness to the NSW team charge home in the final few holes to edge the Vics by a slim 9 matches to 8.

Rest assured, the Vics will be looking for revenge next year!

The NSW and Victorian teams celebrate the inaugural Trans-Murray Matchplay

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www.shotstohole.com www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

69

your voice

Crossword >

Talkback on countback I am glad that Bruce Ferrall (Your Voice, August issue) brought up the coin toss of the countback system. This system has bothered me for many years. The inequity of the current system does not seem to bother most of the members of my club; probably because that’s how it has always been.

Most of us don’t like change. I would like to suggest a solution, which would take out the chance and reward the better golfer. If two golfers tie, then the winner is the player with the lower handicap.

If handicaps are the same, you can either continue with the coin toss or have a tie. I believe that this system is fairer. The lower handicap player is disadvantaged in club competitions as their scores tend to be more consistent while the higher handicapper can have a day out and blitz the field. By the way, I am not a low handicapper (16).

Graham Howarth, SA

Oh give me a home...

I refer to your news piece “Industry unites to build a new home of golf” (August issue), and its report of a $32m price tag for a “new” home of golf.

Has golf gone mad? $32 million? Remember the “old” failed home of golf, Moonah Links?

I refer to second-last paragraph, listing a vast range of bodies and players putting their support to this idea. Interestingly, there was no reference to whom Golf Australia and Golf Victoria really work for, their member clubs.

Doug Perry, Vic

Major disappointment Another major season gone, and almost no “free to air” television coverage. I am not prepared to pay $800+ dollars just to watch golf on Foxtel. However, at a minimum, free to air should at least show a one hour highlight of the golf. At the end of the day, how is golf to be promoted in this country if, at a minimum, the majors (or part thereof ) are not shown on TV? A couple of years ago we had Golf Show and the OneAsia Tour, the British the US Opens. Now we have a poor golf program as substitute.

Geoff McDonald

ACROSS

1 Junior players (6) 4 The winner of The Open Championship is presented with the ______ Jug (6) 9 UK club that hosts BMW PGA Championship (9) 11 Homeland of the 2005 Volvo Masters of Asia winner, Shiv Kapur (5) 12 Someone who is under the protection or friendly patronage of another (7) 13 A golf cart, for example (7) 14 Winner of The Open Championship in 2014, ____ McIlroy (4) 15 Great left-handed NZ golfer (3,7) 18 Oz winner, in a play-off, of the 2004 Ford Open (5,5) 22 Outstanding (4) 25 Responded (7) 26 Swedish winner of the 2011 Travelers Championship, _______ Jacobson (7)

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28 Golf tournament (5) 29 One who constantly meets expectations (9) 30 Pace (6) 31 Stun with noise (6)

DOWN

1 Openness (7) 2 Depressing experience (6) 3 Underwater missile (7) 5 High-finishing Aussie at the Open Championship in 2014, Marc ________ (8) 6 Innovative (7) 7 Travelled across (9) 8 Exchange; trade (4)

10 Mayhem (5) 14 Scorekeepers (9) 16 The nineteenth hole usually (3) 17 Unsettled (8) 19 Golfer who doesn’t play for money (7) 20 Compute a total, like at the end of a round (3,2) 21 Sports official (7) 23 Manual labourer, generally (7) 24 Start a round or hole (3,3) 27 Best-placed Aussie at the 2014 Marathon Classic, Katherine ____ (4) Answers: page 73

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Location

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Demo Days New South Wales/ACT Drummond Casula Moore Park Driving Range Queensland Mackay Golf Club ≠ Mackay Golf Club ≠ Parkwood International Horton Park Golf Club Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club Indooroopilly Golf Club Palm Meadows Driving Range Victoria/Tasmania Melbourne Golf Academy (MGA) Victoria Golf Club ** Morack Golf Course Sandringham Driving Range ∞ Western Australia Carramar Golf Course Melville Glades Golf Club South Australia House of Golf - Sunraysia Golf Range Fitting Days Queensland Paul King Golf *

Mizuno

Date

Time

Thursday Thursday

September 04 September 18

4 - 7.30pm 4 - 7.30pm

Friday Sunday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday

September 05 September 07 September 18 September 19 September 19 September 24 September 26

8am - 4pm 8am - 1pm 3.30 - 5.30pm 2 - 5pm 3 - 5pm 10am - 12.30pm 2 - 5pm

Wednesday Thursday Thursday Wednesday

September 03 September 04 September 11 September 17

4 - 7pm 10am - 1pm 3 - 6pm 5 - 7.30pm

Friday Saturday

September 12 September 13

11am - 3pm 10am - 1pm

Tuesday

September 02

4 - 7pm

Thursday

September 11

2 - 5pm

mizuno.com.au

Location New South Wales / Act Thornleigh G.C. * Royal Canberra G.C. * ** Belconnen G.C. * ** The Lakes G.C. * ** Ballina G.C. * Cromer G.C. * Queanbeyan G.C. * Drummond Golf - North Mead * Pymble G.C. * ** The Ridge G.C. * Drummond Golf - Casula * Moore Park G.C. * Queensland Emerald Lakes G.C. * Brisbane G.C. * ** Tewantin Noosa G.C. * Victoria Park G.C. * Mt Coolum G.C. * Gripped On Golf * Southport G.C. * Parkwood G.C. * Pacific G.C. * Golf King Mackay - Black Springs G.C. Palm Meadows G.C. Cairns G.C. * South Australia Grange Golf Club Flagstaff Hill Golf Club Western Australia Albany G.C. Glen Iris G.C. Sun City G.C. Pinjarra G.C. Albany G.C. Wembley G.C. Fremantle Public G.C. Victoria Kingston Heath Gc @ Mizuno Mga Driving Range Neanger Park G.C. The National G.C. * ** Sandringham Driving Range

Day

Date

Time

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

September 02 September 03 September 04 September 05 September 10 September 11 September 17 September 18 September 23 September 24 September 25 September 30

4 - 7pm 10am - 3pm 12.30 - 5pm 12.30 - 5pm 10am - 1pm 1 - 4pm 11am - 3pm 4 - 7pm 11am - 3pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm

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

September 04 September 05 September 09 September 10 September 11 September 12 September 12 September 18 September 19 September 19 September 26 September 26

2 - 5pm 1.30 - 5pm 9.30am - 1pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 2 - 5pm 12 - 4pm 1 - 4pm 4 - 6.30pm 10am - 12pm 11am - 3pm 1 - 4pm 2 - 5pm

Wednesday Wednesday

September 17 September 24

10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm

Friday Saturdday Monday Wednesday Friday Saturdday Friday

September 05 September 13 September 15 September 17 September 19 September 20 September 26

10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 12 - 4pm

Wednesday Wednesday Friday Saturdday Wednesday

September 03 September 03 September 05 September 06 September 17

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

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

Day

Date

New South Wales Moss Vale Golf Club ◊ * Monday September 01 Tuesday September 02 Kurri Kurri Golf Club ◊ * Belmont Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 03 Merewether Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 04 Friday September 05 The Lakes Golf Club ◊ * Illiwarra Golf Complex ◊ * Monday September 08 Tuesday September 09 Forster Tuncurry Golf Club ◊ * Nambucca Heads Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 10 Kew Country Club ◊ * Thursday September 11 Port Macquarie Driving Range ◊ * Friday September 12 Bayview Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 16 Wednesday September 17 The Australian Golf Club ◊ * Griffith Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 18 Yass Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 19 Muswellbrook Golf Club ◊ * Monday September 22 Narrabri Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 23 Moree Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 24 Armidale Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 25 Bathurst Driving Range ◊ * Tuesday September 30 Queensland Victoria Park Driving Range ◊ * Tuesday September 02 Royal Queensland ◊ ** Wednesday September 03 Mackay Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 05 Mackay Golf Club ° Saturday September 06 Mackay Golf Club ° Sunday September 07 Noosa Tewantin Golf Club ° Tuesday September 09 Caloundra Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 09 McLeod Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 18 Parkwood International ◊ * Thursday September 18 Horton Park Golf Club ° Friday September 19 Pelican Waters Golf Club ° Wednesday September 24 Oxley Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 26 Yamba Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 30 Victoria Metropolitan Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 03 Melbourne Golf Academy ° Wednesday September 03 Sands Torquay ◊ * Friday September 05 September 06 Barham Golf Club ° Saturday Kooringal Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 09 Heidelberg Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 10 Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range ° * Thursday September 11 National Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 12 Barwon Heads Golf Club ◊ * Saturday September 13 Medway Golf Club ◊ * Monday September 15 Kingston Heath Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 17 Sandringham Golf Driving Range ° * Wednesday September 17 Warrnambool Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 18 Horsham Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 19 Murray Downs Resort ◊ * Saturday September 20 Eastwood Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 24 Sanctuary Lakes Club ◊ * Thursday September 25 Ballarat Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 26 Western Australia Wanneroo Golf Club ° Wednesday September 03 Pinjarra Golf Club ° Wednesday September 24 September 26 Lakleands Golf Club ° Wednesday South Australia The Links Lady Bay ◊ * Friday September 12 Kooyonga Golf Club ° Wednesday September 17 Naracoorte Golf Club ◊ * Sunday September 27 Royal Adelaide Golf Club ◊ * Monay September 29 Victor Harbor Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 30

Time 12 - 4pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 2pm 1 - 5pm 11am - 4pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 11am - 3pm 11am - 4pm 11am - 5pm 11am - 4pm 10am - 3pm 9 - 11.30am 1 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 8am - 4pm 8am - 12pm 9am - 12pm 1.30 - 4.30pm 9am - 12pm 2 - 6.30pm 2 - 5pm 9am - 11.30am 10am - 4pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 12 - 4pm 10am - 2pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 2pm 5 - 7.30pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 3pm 12 - 5pm 9.30am - 2pm 9.30am - 12.30pm 11am - 3pm 3 - 6pm 10.30am - 1.30pm 9am - 1pm 7.30am - 1pm 9am - 3pm

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

71

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Mike McGuire & Yumi Yoshida 1-7 Oceanview Ave, Merimbula NSW P: M: E: W:

02 6495 2366 0437 801 270 info@pacificheights.com.au www.pacificheights.com.au

•All golf courses within 20 minute drive •Heated year round pool •Free BBQ area •500m walk to restaurants •FSC Apartments & Munn Tower House •Sensational views of Village, Lake & Ocean

Great Golf Packages

“Once you have stayed you’ll come back again”

LET US QUOTE YOUR OWN PACKAGE 4 NIGHTS ACCOM. 5 NIGHTS ACCOM. 3 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day

$455 P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

4 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day

FROM

Sapphire Coast Merimbula

210

pp twin share

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.

FROM

Spectacular

$

$525 P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

Pambula Merimbula GC • Eden Gardens GC • Bega Country Club • Tura Beach Country Club

MELVIEW GREENS

Phone 02 6362 0955 Studio & Family Apartments, Ploughmans Lane Orange NSW 2800 www.melviewgreens.com.au

Just landed in the water?

Take the water chip.

A new exciting way to bet during your next round with friends and guaranteed to get the banter up to new levels.

100% Premium Leather

$24

• All weather glove • Exceptional grip and feel • All sizes, left and right hand • Unique Australian gift

95

www.vegasgolfthegame.com.au

+P&H

Gift Packs available

Order online www.kakadugolfglove.com

Phone (07) 5450 7578

Crossword Answers C S A W E N A D P R O U R O R E C R A O M R E A D T E V E R U S T R

For more information visit

A D O T W N T E R Y A I G I C T A N T E I D

E T S C L A O E O R T H I N P A S G E V E H I D O M B O B C H A R A N P A R R Y O D E T E D F R E D U E E P E R F O R E F E D E A F E

R A D I C A L

E T R I A V L E R E S E W E D O R I K K I M E R A K N

Fellow GolFers

Want to live in golf paradise?

We have for 20 years but now in our 80’s we regretfully offer our 330m2 home with 3 bedrooms and 3 ensuites and with absolute frontage to beautiful Bargara golf course for private sale @ $540k

To view our home just Google.....

27 Fairway Drive, Bargara or contact owner on

(07) 4159 2028 or 0409 592 228

For advertising call 1300 465 300

or email john.warmington@bigpond.com www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

73

golf directory

TRUEMANS COTTAGES Mornington Peninsula In the heart of Mornington Peninsula golf country, 3 spacious self contained houses accommodating groups of 2 – 12 people with Foxtel and BBQ area.

Golf Packages tailored to suit.

Stay 7 nights play 5 rounds

from

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

$575p/p

Choose from: The Dunes, Moonah Links, St Andrews, Portsea, Cape Schanck, Flinders, Sorrento or Rosebud CC.

P: (03) 5988 6540 | M: 0419 365 142 | www.truemanscottage.com.au

*Spring 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 *

$

100A Creek Road, Birkdale, Qld | Phone (07) 3207-2452

“you give up things when you buy a Kahma Golf Bag”

www.lemontreemotel.com.au *prices include GST

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

IS YOUR GOLF CART SLOWING DOWN? OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERIES?

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 30 DAY increase the life of SATISFACTION your batteries.

Patented Softgrip Technology

GUARANTEE OR YOUR MONEY BACK

From the inventors oF the CaddyraCk

GET ORGANISED WITH

www.kahmagolf.com

Aquarius E

S

O

R

MAGIC MERIMBULA This is the most popular package on the Sapphire Coast, it gets booked out early - don't miss out

T

• 4 days golf playing at the beautiful Sapphire Coast courses of Pambula/ Merimbula, Tathra Beach, Eden, Bega, and Tura Beach. All courses are only 5 to 20 mins drive from the Resort.

• 6 FREE fully cooked poolside breakfasts, buffet style.

Play & Stay for $120 *

per person

Packages starting from:

• Large Groups Welcome

Phone Toll Free 1800 688 881 September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

$489*pp / 2 Share $399*pp / 3 Share $379*pp / 4 Share

Package includes: • 2 games of golf • Meal • 1 night accommodation with continental breakfast

bersh em fro m

$220 va

A

• Free use of resort facilities, indoor gas heated pool, sauna & spa, full size tennis court, BBQ area and outdoor pool.

74

*

ips

• 6 nights accommodation in a 2 & 3 bedroom fully self contained apartment (linen supplied).

Ring toll free for free brochure

www.batteryreviver.com.au

Patent # 7374839

M

R

For more information, pricing and to order Phone 1300 852 433 or visit our website

1300 738 557

ila ble *Conditions apply

*Conditions apply

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

www.casinogolfclub.com.au

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

Packages

To suit your individual needs HOLES $ * 18 On our championship course.

49 $ 131* p/person

Includes Twin Share electric cart hire and lunch.

PLAY & STAY

• Twin Share Accomm • Continental Breakfast p/person • 18 holes golf To book accomm • Two Course Dinner call 02 6680 2222 • Twin Share electric cart hire

BLUE MARKER CHALLENGE Played last Friday of each month.

Play to your handicap or better & receive a dozen Pro V’s.

30*

$

Only 30 minutes south of Coolangatta and 15 minutes north of Byron Bay

Visitors

*Conditions apply.

Orana Rd, Ocean Shores NSW 2483 | P (02)6680 1008 info@oceanshorescc.com.au www.oceanshorescc.com.au FOLLOW US

BEERWAH GOLF CLUB At the base of the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains…

Visitors pay only $25 to play in our competitions

A family run business for 18 years Best Service & Best Value Guaranteed

(Wed, Sat & Sun) • Timeless Tuesday - Unlimited* Golf for ONLY $25 • Golf Equipment for Hire & Sale • Fully Licensed Clubhouse • Social Clubs & Corporate Days • No JoiNiNg Fees

More social playing times now on a Monday & Thursday

Join now and receive 13 months membership for the price of 12 & NO Nomination Fee!!

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

Ph (03) 5873 4477 Fax (03) 5873 4511

Golf Course Rd, Barooga NSW Contact michael@murrayrivergolf.com.au or visit our website

www.murrayrivergolf.com.au

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

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2014

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golf directory

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September 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 465 300

GOLF FACTORY PENRITH 269 High St, Penrith (near Officeworks) (02) 4722 8640 - Mail Order - 7 Days penrith_golf@iprimus.com.au

Srixon Z-Star or Srixon Z-Star XV

$26

Dozen

Not individually boxed

CURRENT MODEL

URETHANE COVER TOUR BALL

TopFlite Gamer V2 TaylorMade 3 piece ball Spider S Putter HALF Long and soft 3 piece quality PRICE! $144 for 144 Individually boxed balls

$12

$149

DZ

TaylorMade Jetspeed Rescue

Callaway X-Hot 7 Irons 2 Hybrids Rescues 1 Fairway Metalwood 1 Titanium Driver 1 14-way Bag Various Bag Colours

Hybrid Number 6 28° Loft Ladies Flex Also available Mens & Ladies 3, 4, 5 Mens Left Hand 3 and 4

Ping Grips

Not fitted HALF PRICE

iD8 model fitted

SAVE $210

$990 Includes covers (4)

TaylorMade Lethal Balls

$59

Cleveland Hybrid Iron 588 Altitude Regular or Seniors Graphite Shafts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 pitching & sand wedges

$89

$7

Each

$20 Dozen Balls Individually boxed

Callaway HX Diablo

TaylorMade RBZ Rescue Hybrid

12 foot long 4x3 foot extendable Lightweight

22° loft Regualr graphite Number 4 Replaces 3 iron Includes cover

HALF PRICE

Great for ball competitions Bulk Qty

$156

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed

$14

Cleveland Classic XL

Rescue Hybrid $79 Fairway Metalwood $89 Titanium Head Driver $139 Including covers

19° (5) Regualr 15° (3) Stiff 19° & 15° Ladies Right hand only Includes cover

$135

TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2

$189

$109

TaylorMade Yellow Burner Balls

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

$249

$149

Maxfli Tempo White balls $10/ Dozen

$10 Doz

Callaway Hex Balls Urethane cover tour quality ball

Optima TS+

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

$139 SAVE $50

Taylormade Burner (sleeves) Srixon Soft Feel (sleeves) Srixon Q Star (indiviually boxed) Bridgestone E6 (old model sleeves) Srixon Z-Star XV & SL (sleeves)

Srixon Distance Balls Distance ball with great feel

Includes cover

Maxfli Ball Scoop TaylorMade RBZ Fairway (Creek Stick)

Cleveland Deluxe 14 Way Bag Yellow Ball Sale Horizontal and vertical full length dividers Putter holder Cooler pocket Black, Blue, Red, Green & Charcoal

$124

White, Yellow or Pink

Doz

Callaway Sunday Bag

SAVE $50

$49

$30

Doz

Each

$1200

Holds approx 10-12 clubs Black/Blue only

Individually boxed

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

Callaway Set & Bag Package

$299

38 compression for moderate swing speeds

$5

Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted $7 NSW, $9 VIC & QLD, $10 SA, TAS, NT & WA Postage and handling any quantity

Face balanced Right & Left Hand 35” Standard length Includes cover

Callaway Super Soft Balls

$22

NEW WEBSITE GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN www.penrithgolffactory.com.au Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

Rubber grips Mens Black Srixon or Cleveland Ladies Tour Special Minimum qty 10

$2 Plus postage

$10 DOZ $15 DOZ $18 DOZ $18 DOZ $28 DOZ

TaylorMade Jetspeed each

Rescue Hybrid Fairway Metalwood Adjustable Driver Including covers

$129 $149 $199