Inside Golf May 2015

Australia’s

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InsideGolf Issue 118 May 2015

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GOLF TRAVEL LIFTOUT

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Great Australian Golf Getaways

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Offensive defense Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au @insidegolf

T

here’s an interesting trend quietly occurring in Australian golf at the moment. It seems that more and more courses are beginning to (finally) tune-in to the fact that the majority of golfers out there (i.e. the middle-to-highhandicap club golfers, who are the bread and butter of the industry) are no longer actively seeking out the most punishing, difficult or feetnumbingly-long golf courses.

The trend—which I’m noticing increasingly in editorial and advertisements across a variety of media—sees many clubs steering clear of the once-touted highlights like high Slope/Course Ratings or extreme length from the “Tiger Tees”.

Instead, we are now seeing more phrases like “member-friendly layout” and “a very playable course” and “enjoyable for golfers of all levels.”

This is a quantum shift from only a few decades ago, when a tough course was seemingly the Holy Grail.

Back then, landowners approached golf course architects and asked for a course that was, for example “as challenging as a US Open venue”.

They wanted their new course to be full of hazards, booby traps and pitfalls to bring players to their knees.

They asked for their own versions of the “Snake Pit”, or the “Bear Trap” or other fear-inducing monikers to label their course as a brutal monster.

These owners may have had visions of hosting national championships, and seeing their club’s name atop the list of “Most difficult/challenging” layouts.

Smaller or already-established clubs (and committees) wanted in on the action, with some embarking on a mission to litter their own courses with extra bunkers, water hazards, foliage, forced carries, Tiger Tees, ultra-slick greens, wrist-straining

rough and the like.

this trend towards playability, and make your club as appealing to as many people as possible. Some clubs (see this month’s Club of the Month feature, for example) have introduced “forward tees” for juniors, beginners, seniors or other distance-challenged players. These teeboxes, usually positioned well past a major hazard or forced carry, greatly reduce the length of the hole, and thus help the shorter hitters to play closer to their handicap, or simply enjoy the game more.

The problem with this approach, we have found over the years, is that the majority of golfers will play these types of courses once or twice. But after that, they (generally) return to a course or club that is more manageable for their game. And as we all know, it’s very difficult in this day and age for the average golf course to survive without a constant stream of repeat players or members.

Other clubs are beginning to create more bail-out areas off the tee. This is done by either expanding a fairway, or even eliminating teeshot-grabbing fairway bunkers. And some clubs are heavily reducing thick rough, making pin placements more reasonable on a regular basis or even adjusting/reducing green speeds to limit the number of three-putts, etc.

...You don’t need a brand-new course to make your club more attractive to the golfing masses.

In fact, there are a few very simple things you can do to capitalise on this trend towards playability....

These days—as we are seeing with forward-thinking courses/ developments like Melbourne’s new Eastern Golf Club and Gardiners Run—clubs are asking for more “member-friendly” layouts. This doesn’t necessarily translate to an “easy” course, but rather aims for a layout that remains playable by a large number of golfers, every day.

This can include large bail-out areas, very few (if any) forced carries, and a variety of teeboxes to allow all golfers to play a course that is comfortable to them and their game.

But you don’t need a brand-new course to make your club more attractive to the golfing masses.

In fact, there are a few very simple things you can do to capitalise on

Of course, these clubs can (and will) trick-up the course all they like for annual Club Championships, Monthly Medals or major events. But for the other 50 weeks of the year, these “member-friendly” clubs will have a course that creates more joy than misery. And I’m all in favour of that.

Golf itself is difficult enough without having to contend with additional traps, pits, monsters and other hazards.

I’m not advocating that we make all golf courses ultra-easy. On the contrary, I love a good challenge (every now and then) and each course certainly needs their own “defense”; whether it’s fast greens or narrow fairways. But keep in mind that a course’s defense is there to protect par. Not to develop doublebogeys.

See you on the fairways,

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news

Pan wins inaugural Australia Classic

IN THIS ISSUE:

10 INDUSTRY 18 GENERAL MANAGERS 22 COVER STORY 24 ON TOUR 26 AMATEURS 30 CLUBS 38 CLUB OF THE MONTH 40 PEOPLE 46 GEAR 48 INSTRUCTION 52 GOLF NSW AND GOLF QLD 54 SENIOR AMATEURS 58 19TH HOLE 62 YOUR VOICE 63 EVENTS CALENDAR 64 DEMO DATES 65 GOLF

Great Aussie Golf Getaways

Getaways

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MAY 2015

ustralia’s Rebecca Artis came agonisingly close to winning on home soil, but a birdie on the last by China’s Yanhong Pan saw her capture the inaugural Australia Classic, played at Sydney’s Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club last month.

On a day when the lead changed several times, Artis came to the 18th in the box seat, holding the outright lead at 14-under-par. A poor tee shot on the tough 18th, however, left her with a long approach in. Pan responded with a solid tee shot, followed by a great approach to 12-feet.

A missed par putt by Artis left the door open for Pan to capture the title with a birdie, and thus avoid a potential playoff. The four-time winner on the CLPGA held her nerve and sank the putt to secure the win, finishing at 14-under-par after rounds of 68, 65 and 69.

Artis finished runner-up at 13-under-par, while China’s, Zipi Ye finished outright third a further three shots back. First round co-leader Sarah Oh was fourth, while Nikki Campbell shared fifth place with Malaysia’s Michelle Koh. For Artis, coming so close to winning on home soil was a bittersweet result.

Contributors: Larry Canning, Denis Dale, Peter Croker, Michael Green, Karen Lunn, Stephen Pitt, Mat Howe, Brian Thorburn, Henry Peters, Richard Nizielski

“I played pretty solid golf all day today. I hit some great shots coming down the stretch. I birdied 15 and 17... hit a great one into 17 to give me a one-shot lead. I just hit a poor tee shot on the 18th and left myself too far in and it was a great birdie by her [Pan]. That was one of the toughest holes on the golf course. That was an awesome birdie,” she said.

“I have done some pretty hard work with Gaz (Gary Edwin) and Luke Edwin leading into this week and felt my game was pretty good leading in. I putted solid all week, holed some good putts today and all week. That was the main thing.”

Artis took home a cheque for over $15,000 and left with a great deal of confidence in her game.

“Absolutely gives me confidence. It is all about putting yourself in contention, week-in and week-out and hopefully one day I can finish it off. But I am looking forward to China and Turkey. I had a great Aussie summer so I can’t be disappointed at all.”

The Australia Classic was the first cosanctioned event between the CLPGA and ALPG in Australia. •

Redcliffe Golf Club “Queensland Golf Club of the Year 2014” “Home to Taylor Macdonald - Amateur of the Year 2014 and Doug Klein - Junior Amateur of the Year 2014”

National Sales: Sam Arthur P: 1300 4653 00 | F: (07) 5535 4922 M: 0410 575 303 | E: sam@insidegolf.com.au QLD Sales: David Ross M: 0439 612 458 E: david.ross@insidegolf.com.au NSW/ACT Sales: Scott Barsby M: 0424 779 199 | E: scott@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: AFP/AAP/Don Emmert It’s official: 41,750 Inside Golf Magazines distributed each month for the period: April 2014 - September 2014

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Yering Meadows GC proposes asset sell-off Y

ering Meadows Golf Club, in Melbourne’s outer east, is the latest club to fall victim to increasing debt and falling memberships.

The drop in membership, some have speculated, is likely due to not only a changing golf landscape (as more club golfers are turning to social golf models or other sports altogether) but also as a result of golfers choosing to join newer courses/clubs

Golf Australia last month announced that The 2015 Emirates Australian Open will be played from November 26-29, and will be contested again at the record-setting host club, The Australian Golf Club.

“We’re really excited to be heading back to a club that will host our national championship for an unprecedented 19th time,” Golf Australia chief executive officer Stephen Pitt said.

In a letter to members last month, the club proposed selling its freehold interests in the land, golf course and buildings in order to address a $3.5 million debt to the National Australia Bank. The club, however, would retain golf operations, the hospitality business and ownership of the 15ha walnut plantation and equipment.

The club, like many golf clubs across Australia, has suffered from falling memberships in recent years, with member numbers reportedly falling in half to 615 since the Club (formerly the Croydon Golf Club) relocated to the current site in 2008. The club has reportedly lost 134 playing members over the 2015-renewal period, which according to the member letter was the “tipping point” for the club’s problems.

Dates set for Emirates Australian Open

“It’s the same week on the golf calendar as last year which was a resounding success and a great time of the year to bring a world-class field to Sydney.”

Pitt said The Australian’s redesigned course had been “superbly prepared and well received by both players and fans” in 2014 as American Jordan Spieth lifted the Stonehaven Cup with one of the storied event’s greatest rounds.

“The overwhelming feedback we’ve had from players and sponsors is that they’ll be delighted to go back in 2015, so we’re thrilled to be able to make that happen,” Pitt said.

in the area, notably the recently-opened Gardiners Run (former Chirnside Park Golf Club), and the new Eastern Golf Club, which is set to open in July, across the street from Yering Meadows.

Yering’s woes come during a turbulent time for the area, as neighbouring Heritage Golf and Country Club is reportedly under

investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman, following several management sackings and legal action over an unpaid bill.

The club was to hold a general meeting on April 28 to seek members’ approval for the sale. Updates to this story may be found on our website. •

The Emirates Australian Open is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia, a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours, and the OneAsia Tour. The flagship tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Emirates Australian Open winner will receive a minimum of 32 Official World Golf Rankings points.

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news

Shark circles new Eastern layout

W

ith only two short months remaining until the opening of Victoria’s most talked about new course development, The Eastern Golf Club in the Yarra Valley, all eyes are firmly focussed on watching the spectacular facility take shape.

THE Hervey Bay RSL and Services Memorial Club will lease Hervey Bay Golf Club’s clubhouse for the next 20 years.

One pair of eyes that are giving the layout an extremely detailed and meticulous look are none other than those of the Great White Shark himself, course designer Greg Norman, who flew into the site last month to inspect the remaining nine holes and 9-hole par-3 course under construction. The first 18 holes of the facility are already grassed and growing in.

The two parties signed off on the agreement earlier this year.

The lease arrangement means a $1 million clubhouse makeover, which will be unveiled this month.

Part of the refurbishment includes new flooring, a paint makeover, gaming machines, restaurant, furniture and bar.

Norman spent over 3 hours on the course with head designer Ryan Van Der Veen and his Greg Norman Golf Course Design team analysing what is set to be a superb layout.

Eastern Golf Club General Manager, Ben Telley noted that “Greg’s hands-on involvement from day one has been outstanding. His ability to ensure the land forms and siting of each hole work seamlessly with the stunning landscape around the site in addition to creating a very strategic, yet playable layout is what we believe will be the

It will be known as The Club House Hervey Bay.

key to ensuring high levels of enjoyment for all levels of golfers.”

Inside Golf visited the site last month and we were extremely impressed with the quality of the entire facility.

The first 18 holes opens 1st July, 2015 with the remaining nine holes and 9-hole par-3 course due to open in April 2016. For more information visit www.easterngolfclub. com.au •

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Ms Tarte said dual membership benefits between the two clubs would be available.

“The clubhouse is a vast improvement on what we could make available for the members,” she said.

The trio, like Peter Senior and John Senden, honed their skills at Keperra Golf and Country Club in Brisbane.

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Hervey Bay GCC secretary Shirley Tarte said the golf club’s 700 members and members of the public would now be able to dine in the new 160-seat restaurant and enjoy the other facilities available.

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual in the pro shop and on the gently undulating 18-hole golf course.

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Golf club leases clubhouse

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New housing, clubhouse planned for Wangaratta GC Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

W

angaratta Golf Club’s outdated clubhouse could soon be a thing of the past if the club is granted council approval to allow developers to subdivide part of its current golf course.

The 300-member club revealed that – if its land is successfully rezoned, it will use the sale proceeds to finance building a new clubhouse and strengthening its financial future.

“The intention is to sell three holes to the developers and they will build a 60-lot housing development and then we will build a new clubhouse adjacent to the housing development and it will overlook the golf course,” said club secretary Barbara Thomas.

Under the plan, which the club hopes will be put to council in May, Wangaratta intends to allow development on its current short parfour seventh hole, the par-three 12th and the 390-metre dogleg left par-four 13th.

President Rob Holloway said the club has enough internal land to build three new holes, which is likely to necessitate changes to other parts of the course.

“We’re looking at probably three new greens and probably four or five new tees and the redesign of a few other holes,” Holloway admitted.

“I actually think it’s going to be better because the holes that will be redone are

The lovely, but impractical, clubhouse at Wangaratta Golf Club. going to be a bit more interesting. It won’t just be ‘bomb it and chip it’ type holes, it’s going to be more designed around position play and risk and reward.”

Holloway revealed a pair of dams used for storm water run-off in the internal part of the course could be enlarged to bring them into play for golfers.

The club said it would need to wait at least 12 months after any land rezoning before its clubhouse could be put up for sale.

Thomas would not speculate on how much money the planned subdivision could free up for the club but is confident excess funds will remain for future course and facilities upgrades.

The club admitted its two-storey clubhouse – a late Victorian farmhouse built in the late 1800s – has long been impractical as a golf clubhouse because of its series of small rooms and absence of large function space.

“We’ve got a budget and we hope to stick to it,” Thomas added.

“It’s really not satisfactory for our members because it isn’t big enough. I wouldn’t say it will be far superior but it will be more practical, user-friendly clubhouse,” Thomas said.

In December 2013, council rejected the club’s proposal to rezone part of its golf course but Thomas said the club is well aware of how to avoid a similar fate for its current plan.

“It’s going to cost an enormous amount of money to renovate it and it’s not cost-effective so it’s much better for us to sell off some of the land and build a new clubhouse and also sell this house as well.”

“What we’ve looked at now is a different parcel of land and the developers are working with the council so that process doesn’t happen again.” •

This isn’t the first time Wangaratta has attempted to sow up its long-term financial viability with land development.

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The Open to move from BBC to Sky Sports The R&A has announced new five-year broadcast agreements with the UK’s two largest sports broadcasters, running from 2017 – 2021. The Open Championship will, for the first time, be shown live on Sky Sports with prime-time TV highlights and live radio coverage delivered by the BBC. The new five-year agreement, which commences at the 146th Open Championship, being played at Royal Birkdale from 16 - 23 July 2017, will also allow The R&A to provide significantly increased financial support to golf participation initiatives in the UK and Ireland. Additionally, The R&A will undertake a comprehensive strategic review on the subject of golf participation in the UK and Ireland and will ensure that golf feels the full benefit of the enhanced resources available.

Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We believe this is the best result for The Open and for golf. The way people consume live sport is changing significantly and this new agreement ensures fans have a range of options for enjoying the Championship on television, on radio and through digital channels.

Sky Sports has an excellent track record in covering golf across its platforms and has become the home of live golf coverage over recent years. We are very much looking forward to working with them to develop and enhance the coverage of The Open.

The BBC has been awarded the right to broadcast prime-time highlights of The Open and has renewed its live radio rights.

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industry news

Peterborough club, community take safety to heart Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

F

uture lives in Victoria’s west could be saved after three generous golfers at Peterborough Golf Club helped raise funds to ensure the town and nearby Port Campbell will each have their own defibrillators.

Michael Beer, Lachie Beer, Glen McGorlick and Andrew McQuinn set out to raise the crucial funds for the automated external defibrillator (AED) by playing 100 holes in a day during January this year.

“With amazing support from the members of Peterborough Golf Club and the local community along with support from generous friends, the money for our community defibrillator was raised,” said Peterborough Golf Club secretary Bob Hesketh.

“To manage to buy an AED for Peterborough with a secure wall unit, some consumables and an AED for Port Campbell police, we raised $6,000 as a result of the amazing generosity of many people. We will have the ongoing challenge of raising money for consumables.”

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in Australia and 90 people a day in Australia are affected by the heart condition.

Defibrillation vastly improves a person’s chance of surviving SCA and Hesketh

10

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Yamaha continues partnership with Golf Mornington Peninsula Yamaha Golf Cars has again joined forces with Mornington Peninsula Golf Tourism to help market the Mornington Peninsula as Australia’s #1 golf destination. Yamaha, as Premier Partner, actively supports the Mornington Peninsula Golf Trail as well as the annual Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic, to be held in October this year.

As part of the sponsorship, Yamaha branding will appear on all Mornington Peninsula Golf Trail “Reward” polo shirts and caps. These “reward” items are given to any golfer who plays seven different courses on the Mornington Peninsula Golf Trail.

admitted Peterborough’s isolated location made it imperative for the town to have its own defibrillator.

in an emergency, we believe it is in our community’s interest for them to have an AED.”

“Peterborough is a small community with a population of about 140 people,” Hesketh said. “The estimated time for an ambulance to arrive in the case of emergency is 30 minutes as the closest ambulance is at Timboon. If this ambulance is away from their station, it takes about an hour for an ambulance to arrive from Warrnambool.”

Two ambulances turned out for the March workshop and offered training along with local nurses. Twenty-five members of the community were present and they are now fully adept at offering CPR and using the defibrillator, according to Hesketh.

McGorlick, McQuinn and the Beers also contributed their own money to organise an Ambulance Victoria-run workshop in March to educate the community on the importance of CPR and how it is administered.

“Ambulance Victoria trainer Rod Crole and others (came) to teach as many of our local community to administer CPR and use the AED,” Hesketh stated. “As the police are usually the first on the scene at Peterborough

“The event was successful for the chosen charity, Peter’s Project, which is now happening and details can be accessed online. Interestingly, since the local ‘defib’ has been installed, it has been called into action twice, but fortunately was not put into use.”

McGorlick, McQuinn and the Beers also played 100 holes in a day in January last year and raised more than $1,500 for Peter’s Project, which is a community bid to raise $5 million for an integrated Cancer Care Centre in Warrnambool. •

Wayne Trefoni, National Sales Manager for Yamaha, a self-admitted a golf tragic, is well on his way to qualifying for his own free polo shirt and cap as his reward for playing the Mornington Peninsula Golf Trail.

There are also a number of co-branded Yamaha fuel injected golf cars that golfers can hire when they play the MP Golf Trail.

Yamaha branding will also be front and centre during this year’s Sixth Annual Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic, a popular tournament in which amateur golfers can compete on some of Australia’s highest-rated golf courses, including The National, The Dunes, St Andrews Beach and Rosebud. For more information on the event, visit our website, www.insidegolf.com.au, or visit: www.golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au

industry news

Gawler Golf Club – what a laugh

Gawler Golf Club vice-president Laurie Chiappetta, volunteer Rose Pain and committee member Graham Brown.

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OUTH Australia’s Gawler Golf Club promoted the game recently by participating in two Adelaide Fringe events.

In March, four comedians entertained more than 70 people at the golf club.

For two hours, the comedians had the audience in fits of laughter. The comedians also pulled the audience into their act with quick wit and frivolity.

The club’s public officer Matthew Moate said it was the second year the club had engaged with the Fringe Festival.

“It was great to provide the opportunity to bring it to the Gawler Barossa region,” he said.

“Our facilities are the perfect size to accommodate a good crowd yet intimate enough for interaction between the audience and the comedians.”

Gawler Golf Club public officer Matthew Moate (right) congratulates hole-in-one winner Kurt Sewell.

The comedy showcase was hosted

by Melbourne comedian Terry North and included Adelaide-based comedians Ben Darsow and Fabien Clark along with Gordon Southern from the UK. “The talent this year was a step up from last year and it well overdelivered on the $28 ticket price,” Moate said. “We can’t wait to do it again next year.” The club continued with its Fringe involvement by participating at the Winemakers versus Comedians T20 Cricket Match at Lyndoch Oval.

“The club is pleased to get out there and show the community what we have to offer,” Moate added. “As members of the hosting association, Southern Barossa Alliance, we wanted to get involved in this great cause that was raising money for the CFS (Country Fire Service).”

Gawler Golf Club offered a putting

challenge for visitors.

The challenge was to try to get a “hole-in-one” to win a round of golf at the Gawler Golf Club.

Participants paid $5 for two shots to get a hole-in-one with 100 per cent of the money raised going to the local CFS stations.

“There was plenty of support on the day for the CFS,” Moate said.

“Our putting challenge raised more than $150 for the CFS and it also helped us expose the game to the community with particular interest from a number of juniors.

“While it was a busy weekend being involved with two Fringe events we’ve relished the opportunity and it is great that the festival has expanded beyond its Adelaide home and people in our region can easily access some of the world-class talent on offer.” •

Clark ‘cool’ with anchor ban ONE leading long-putter exponent not losing any sleep over next year’s outlawing of putters anchored to the body is South African Tim Clark.

The 2008 Australian Open champion will happily put his Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball broomstick putter in the broom cupboard when the controversial Rule 14-1b comes in effect on January 1, 2016.

Clark told Compleat Golfer he would continue using the long putter for the rest of 2015 and who can blame him.

After all, he’s been using it for 17 years and has banked more than $25 million on the US PGA Tour.

Still, Clark is already starting to think about what he’ll do next year,

but he won’t reveal his plans yet “in case they (authorities) try to ban those”.

“I’m not concerned because I think I’ve figured something out now and I’ll be fine,” Clark said.

“But I’m not going to spend my time practicing it now while I’m trying to play tournaments this year with what I’ve used.

“Once they tell me it’s done, then it’s done. Then it will be easier to change.”

When it was announced putters anchored to the body would be outlawed Clark became one of the most outspoken professionals.

But he says he stopped worrying about it after winning the Canadian Open last year and finishing runner-up in the WGC-HSBC

Championship.

“Eventually, I realised you’ve got to stop worrying about it and just go out and play golf,” he said.

“And I did that, and that’s probably why I was able to win in Canada. I didn’t have that worry.

“Like I say, my thought is to come out and be a better putter. Stop worrying about what’s happened and what’s going to happen and come out and be a better putter.”

Clark, who turned professional in 1998, has 14 professional victories.

His best results in the majors include finishing runner-up to Phil Mickelson at the 2006 US Masters, third at the US Open in 2005, third at the US PGA Championship in 2003 and 23rd at The Open in 2005.

www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

11

industry news

Ladbrokes Go Golfing for club golfers

L

ADBROKES, the world’s leading online bookmaker, is expanding its golf horizons and that’s good news for club golfers.

Recently Ladbrokes agreed to form a broad collaboration with award-winning tour operator Go Golfing as title sponsor of the hugely popular World Masters Golf Championship, which is Australia’s biggest and richest tournament for club golfers.

But wait, there’s more.

Ladbrokes is also offering a free golf tipping competition with $65,000 in guaranteed prizes.

We’ll whet your appetite about how you can win big further down the page, but first let’s highlight the Ladbrokes World Masters.

It’s open to all male and female golfers over the age of 35 and is played in 15 divisions based on age and handicap from October 25-31.

The Ladbrokes World Masters Golf Championship is organised by Gold Coastbased Go Golfing, who were named “Oceania’s Best Golf Tour Operator” at the World Golf Awards in Portugal.

Tournament director Peter McCarthy said the Ladbrokes partnership would significantly upgrade the World Masters player experience.

“Ladbrokes investment has allowed Go Golfing to secure the Gold Coast’s very best golf courses,” he said.

“For the first time in the tournament’s 20year history, the exclusive, members-only The Pines at Sanctuary Cove, will feature as a host course. “The Pines was home to Australia’s Skins tournament where Norman, Nicklaus, Palmer and Player competed for riches.

“Sanctuary Cove is also home to 2013 US Masters champion Adam Scott.”

The Thomson and Wolveridge-designed Links Hope Island, the only Australian course

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

selected to host the Johnnie Walker Classic, is also on the circuit this year.

The re-designed RACV Royal Pines Resort, venue for the Australian PGA Championship and Ladies Masters, together with the Greg Normandesigned Glades, make up the four courses that will host the 72-hole tournament in 2015.

Away from the golf courses, the Ladbrokes 19th Hole Party at Mercure Resort will feature live entertainment, daily golf presentations and loads of giveaways.

Sporting a different theme each night – beach party, country and western and comedy – the Ladbrokes 19th Hole will be party central.

“Golfers can win big at the Ladbrokes World Masters,” McCarthy said.

“In the past 20 years, more than $1.5 million in golf and lucky draw prizes have been presented at the World Masters including eight brand-new cars, tours to the US Masters, international golf holidays and more.”

But back to the tipping competition.

The Ladbrokes golf tipping competition runs across golf’s four majors and the Players Championship.

Tippers select five players per event and score points based on the finishing order of their selected players.

Each tipper’s two best scoring tournaments will determine their overall position on the leaderboard.

First prize is a $40,000 VIP tour to the 2016 British Open and golf at Open rota courses.

Each of the five tipping tournaments also carries a prize of a trip for two to the Ladbrokes World Masters on the Gold Coast.

Ladbrokes CEO Dean Shannon said it was a thrilling time for golfers.

“It’s exciting to give golfers the chance to

The Ladbrokes golf tipping competition runs across golf’s four majors and the Players Championship. back their tipping skills,” he said.

“Standing on the tee, it is among golf’s traditions to play your partners for a round of drinks, a lotto ticket or much higher stakes,” he said.

“Ladbrokes golf tipping is another exciting way for golfers to back themselves.

“The British Open tour with Ladbrokes VIP hospitality will be an amazing experience.

Better still – it’s free to enter.”

With four tournaments remaining, it’s not too late to start tipping.

It’s FREE to play. Register at www.ladbrokestipping.com.au/golf/

THE WORLD’S FIRST GOLF WATCH WITH SWING TRAINING. The Approach S6 provides a hi-res colour touchscreen GPS golf watch with built-in swing training features, including SwingStrengthTM calibration which helps you immediately know how hard you hit each club so you can train yourself to swing more consistently.

Swing features also include SwingTempo and TempoTraining to help you fine-tune your timing. Full colour CourseView maps for over 30,000 international courses, touch targeting, PinPointer and dedicated CourseView button with manual pin positioning. The Smart Notification feature lets you receive emails, texts and alerts from your iPhone® or iPad®. Perfect as an everyday watch, there’s no golf watch smarter than the Approach S6.

Approach S6 ®

from the ceo

ALPG National Clinic launches A day at an ALPG Clinic includes:

Karen Lunn

Executive Director – ALPG

A

s the dust settles on what has so far been a hugely successful 2014/15 ALPG Tour, many of our ALPG Teaching Professionals are gearing up for the start of our ALPG National Women’s Clinics in 2015. This program is aimed at providing an opportunity for women golfers of all levels to experience the expertise of our fantastic ALPG Professional coaches. The ALPG National Clinics provide opportunities for local women golfers to engage with leading local ALPG coaches along with two of Australia’s most successful players and now coaches, Rachel Hetherington and Shani Waugh.

Nine clinics are planned for 2015, the first of which was held last month in Bunbury WA. Each clinic will run from 7.45am – 4.30pm and include over 5 hours of tuition and on-course play. Instructional sessions will be held on the driving range, putting green and short game areas, and throughout the day participants will get to spend time with both Rachel and Shani, listening to some great stories over lunch, having fun with them at skills sessions and enjoying these two greats of Australian women’s golf on the course.

The clinics are suited to all female golfers of all skill levels. Each attendee will be matched with players of similar ability to make the experience both comfortable and challenging.

• Personalised instruction: full swing, putting, and short game • On-course playing lesson • Breakfast, lunch and networking reception • Complimentary gift bag The objectives of the clinic are: • to provide a social, challenging and extremely enjoyable learning opportunity delivered by ALPG members: • Promoting the fun, social and health aspects of golf.

• Skills tuition stations delivered by women for women; creating challenges, success and engagement for all participants at each skill station.

• Changing the face of golf for women by showcasing our elite coaches around Australia.

• Engagement on the golf course.

In 2015, we are expecting 60 – 90 participants at each clinic.

2015 National Clinics Venues:

I am sure the ladies who attended our pilot clinic in Sydney last September would agree how much fun the clinics are and how much they learned in one day from these wonderful ladies!

DATE

VENUE LOCATION

Tuesday 5th May

Cumberland Golf Club Sydney, NSW

Thursday 7th May

Bonnie Doon Golf Club Sydney, NSW

Monday 11th May

Royal Adelaide Golf Club

Adelaide, South Australia

Monday 1st June

Victoria Park Golf Club

Brisbane, Queensland

Wednesday 9th September

Victorian Golf Club

Melbourne, Victoria

Monday 1st December

Blackwood Golf Club

Adelaide, South Australia

TBC

Windsor Golf Club Sydney, NSW

TBC

Many Golf Club Sydney Sydney, NSW

I would like to very sincerely thank Lionel Lee and Bing Lee for their support of our National Clinics, along with their sponsorship of both the Women’s NSW Open and the ALPG YouTube site. Lionel is a tremendous supporter of women’s golf and as a result the ALPG’s 2015 Sydney clinics are being cosponsored by Delonghi and Bing Lee. To register for any of the Clinics visit http://alpg.com.au/clinics

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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from the ceo

Qantas GC members catch The Shark Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

W

hen the Qantas Golf Club advertised to its members the chance to take part in a clinic with Greg Norman, the event booked out in two hours.

It’s not that surprising, really.

One of our greatest ever golfers in an intimate group at the impeccable New South Wales Golf Club on a beautiful autumn day – it’s an opportunity that just doesn’t happen very often.

As a partner of the revolutionary Qantas Golf Club, Golf Australia was invited along and I have to tell you, as an unabashed Shark fan, I jumped at the chance to play my part.

It was great to see Greg hold court with the media who always flock for his thoughts; lovely to see him continue his ambassadorial role with Qantas, with whom he has a link enduring almost 40 years; and brilliant to see the almost instant bond he forged with GA national squad member Antonio Murdaca just days before he jetted off to Augusta for the Masters.

But this event was about the lucky Qantas Golf Club members who got to share some of Norman’s accumulated wisdom.

He was forthright, as ever, in answering the questions from those lucky enough to have been on the range as he warmed up to play a hole with each group.

He told them how his hand had recovered from his chainsaw accident, his trick for hitting punched shots into the wind, and his one secret to crisp ball striking.

US Masters 2016 Tours

But I’ll take bets that not one thing will live longer in their memories than watching the ball flight as the Shark launched into a few gentle irons.

There’s still something magical about it, after all these years and no matter how many times you’ve been fortunate enough to have witnessed it.

The noise, the rhythmical swing, the trajectory – it was pure Norman. Still.

The Qantas Golf Club can’t bring Norman along to a function each week. We all understand that.

But what it has done is set the tone that experience within the club will be special and classy.

Not all golfers can arrange traditional club memberships.

But if you’ve ever wanted to have a handicap so you can play competitively when you can, I urge you to check out the Qantas Golf Club as an affordable, practical pathway into our great game.

Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

A

ustralian PGA Professionals are considered some of the best in the world and can be found servicing the game in Australia and throughout the world.

A PGA Professional holds advanced knowledge and expertise gained through rigorous industry training, education, game development, coaching and golf operations experience. The PGA of Australia is committed to promoting the high value and skills of a PGA Professional; believing they should be the first point of call for golf coaching, game development, retail and guidance in the Australian golf industry. Involved across all areas of the industry, PGA Professionals can be found working in various roles including Head Professionals, Golf Club Managers, Assistant Professionals, Teaching Professionals and Retail Assistants.

Whether you are just starting out and need to know the basics, or an experienced golfer looking to enjoy your game more, every golfer can benefit from working with a PGA Professional to help Silence their Scorecards. To locate your nearest PGA Professional, please visit our

If you attended any of the big three Tournaments during the summer of golf you may have noticed a number of junior golf clinics being conducted as part of the PGA’s joint venture with Golf Australia to promote MyGolf, Australia’s national junior golf program. Designed specifically for five to 12 year-olds, MyGolf provides the foundation, skills and confidence required for children to migrate to the golf course through a fun, accessible and rewarding introduction to the game. Successful concepts from the school curriculum and various junior programs have been adopted to create a sustainable program that gives industry a product for juniors and supports their learning of the game.

A junior golf participation strategy is imperative to the future sustainability of our game and the PGA is delighted to be investing in a single national junior golf brand. I encourage clubs and facilities to support MyGolf to safeguard the future of our great game. To register as a MyGolf centre or to find your nearest club who runs the MyGolf program, please visit www.mygolf.org.au

Packages from USD $5,500!

And if you ever get to meet the Great White Shark, grab it!

You won’t regret either decision.

PGA pathways, pros and junior programs Find a PGA Pro website www.findapgapro.com.au . If you would like to know more about employing a PGA Professional at your club or facility, please contact a PGA Member Services Coordinator in your state or visit www.pga.org.au

Escorted and private tours – your choice of tournament days, accommodation types and holiday extension packages

Golf globally is a varied industry offering a variety of employment opportunities and the PGA works hard to support and develop individuals who have a passion for a career in golf. To ensure the Australian golf industry maintains its position as one of the best in the world, the PGA provides industryspecific training and education opportunities for those seeking to start, advance or consolidate their career in the golf industry.

Many young golfers set their sights on playing on Tour, but the truth is a variety of other career opportunities exist within Professional golf, such as Teaching Professional, Head Professional, Retail Assistant, Administration, Director of Golf or General Manager. The PGA owns and runs three education divisions: PGA Academy, PGA International Golf Institute and PGA Centre for Learning and Performance. Collectively, these divisions offer traineeships, tertiary education and performance coaching to PGA Members, Tour Professionals and the public, both domestic and international. To learn more about how you can gain a career in golf, information evenings will be running from late May and through June across various states.

To attend, please register your interest at www.pga.org.au/education www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

15

Information on Tours to the 2015 & 2016 British Open also available!

Holiday extension packages include golf on world-class courses, in locations like Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, Kiawah Island, Las Vegas and more! p: (02) 9555 5195 e: info@exclusivesports.com.au

www.exclusivesports.com.au

industry people

Macca lets his work do the talking to give back because we are all the custodians of the game.”

David Newbery

McWhinney certainly put in as a player capturing 40 Troppo Tour pro-am titles, the 1983 Queensland PGA Championship and the 1996 Tsuruya Open on the Japan Tour.

david@insidegolf.com.au

I

T’S not often Peter McWhinney is lost for words, but he was, albeit briefly, when the Queensland Golf Industry presented him with the Services to Golf Award at the golf industry’s awards night at Jupiters on the Gold Coast.

He was twice an Australian Open runner-up to Steve Elkington (1992) and Greg Norman (1995).

While those achievements gave him a lot of satisfaction, it’s been the friendships that have given him the most joy.

Mind you, once he gathered his thoughts he fired up and gave a wonderful acceptance speech.

“Looking back on my career I met some good people and that is what makes me happy,” McWhinney said.

It’s no secret “Big Macca” loves a chat and will happily chat with anyone, anywhere and anytime.

“I might have stayed at their house or I played with them in a mining town pro-am. These people are a part of my life.

Players on the Australian, European and Japan tours would often hear him coming long before he arrived and introduced himself on the first tee.

“I have had these people turn up in Europe and Japan when I was playing there. I stayed with people in Asia and suddenly they turn up in Brisbane.”

And when he wasn’t in the ear of fellow pros he was entertaining the caddies, gallery and media.

A bit of friendly banter is also part of his make-up, but it’s always good-natured and that’s why he’s such a popular figure within the golf industry.

As a touring pro, McWhinney went toe-to-toe with the best players in the world including upwards of 25 major winners, but it has been his work as PGA (Qld) committeeman and tournament chairman that has impressed the golf industry.

“When all of the golf industry (PGA, Golf Queensland, Superintendents, Golf Club Managers) recognise you it’s humbling and an honour,” he said.

“These people have been a part of my life for a long time.

“They have let me into their lives and I do appreciate the support I have had over the years.

“I got involved in the early days to try and make a difference and get recognition for the golf industry.

“I only ever wanted to put back into the game,” he added.

“I’m a firm believer that you have to put back because if we PM InsideGolfAd_PTSEvolution.pdf 1 4/6/15 4:05 don’t the industry dies.”

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Macca has left an indelible impression simply because he loves a chat and telling stories about his experiences after four decades in the golf industry.

WHO ME? Peter McWhinney was humbled when presented with the Services to Golf Award by PGA general manager – member services Gavin Kirkman.

McWhinney, 58, believes the Sunshine Tour, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, remains a success story because “we’ve always had people who have looked after it”.

“It’s a cliché, but we are the custodians of the game and we have to think of all the guys in the 100 years of the PGA of Australia that looked after it so that we have had the opportunity to enjoy the benefits.”

Mind you, rumour has it that it’s been 18 years since Macca was lost for words.

That was the day his wife Pam organised a surprise “This is Your Life” party for his 40th birthday, which was attended by Peter Senior, Ian Baker-Finch, Mike Ferguson, Norman von Nida, Sir James Killen and others.

“The most notable part of the evening was the fact that Peter, well-known for his talkative and gregarious nature, was completely and absolutely stuck for words upon discovering the surprise,” Pam said.

Macca remembers it well.

Now Macca wants to see others fill the roles he has enjoyed over many years although he is a little apprehensive.

“It was a nice surprise and I was a little lost for words at the time,” he said.

“The Me, Myself and I generation that we have today want everything without putting back in,” he said. “If they continue down that path, it will dry up.

“Jim Killen, who was one of my sponsors, said if he had known Pam was around when he was Minister for Defence (1975-’82) he would have put her in charge of the secret service.

“That’s why I keep telling the younger guys that they need

“How she kept it a secret from me I’ll never know.” •

Pure bentgrass greens and bunkers lined with USGA-graded sand are just some of what you can expect across all 6403 metres of this par 72 championship course.

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Visit pacificdunes.com.au or phone 02 4916 0500

general managers

Manager Ben learns from the best David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

H

EADLAND Golf Club general manager Ben Dobson has returned from his fact-finding mission to Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club armed with a plethora of good ideas.

Dobson, who has been at the helm at Headland for seven years, spent three valuable days at Kingston Heath shadowing general manager Gregg Chapple.

There, he was able to pick Chapple’s brains and observe how a major metropolitan golf club operates.

“Going to Kingston Heath took me out of my comfort zone, but it gave me a really good insight into how a major club operates,” Dobson said.

“Gregg was amazing and happy to tell me anything I wanted to know.

“I also spent time in the golf shop, with the house manager and the course superintendent to find out how they do things differently.”

One thing Dobson discovered was that Headland was not that dissimilar to Kingston Heath in many areas of operation and that pleased him.

“We are doing okay,” Dobson said. “There are a lot of things we do well and a lot of things we do similar to Kingston Heath – things like the machinery replacement program, a strong emphasis on strategic planning and good member communication.”

One thing Dobson would like to implement is what Kingston Heath calls an “hour of power” or “go zone”.

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“It’s where key staff put on ear muffs and turn off phones and emails,” he explained.

“They set themselves some goals for work that has to be done and there are no interruptions for that period.

update them on strategic and board matters, ideally the morning after a board meeting.

It keeps the flow of information open and streamlined.

“Gregg has policies and procedures for everything and it’s very detailed.

“That is something we can implement here because the amount of work that doesn’t get done due to phones and emails is incredible.

“They do succession planning for their board to make sure they are moving in same direction.

“But you have to know what you want to do in that time and use it properly.”

“The Kingston Heath staff and department heads are heavily involved in strategic planning and it’s something I would like to introduce for our next set of plans.

Another initiative Dobson is keen to implement is relieving the course superintendent of some of his administration duties (accounts and budgeting).

“If we have more input from the staff then they take more interest and ownership of the plans and can happily move forward and attain all the outcomes.”

“The amount of work that doesn’t get done due to phones and emails is incredible.”

“This allows the superintendent to spend more time working on the golf course where his experience is needed,” he said. “It may mean sending an admin staff member to the maintenance shed for a few hours a week.”

Better staff communication is something all clubs can improve on and Dobson is keen to follow Kingston Heath’s lead.

“Gregg is very open, gives his staff freedom and is not constantly looking over their shoulder,” he said. “That allows them to flourish, but he does have the ability to rein them in if necessary.

“I got a few good tips on how we should

They might seem minor, but clubs like Kingston Heath value-add by giving nonmembers a memento to remind them of their Kingston Heath experience.

Members who are approaching a milestone birthday receive a personal hand-written card. It’s a nice touch and something members appreciate.

Headland Golf Club general manager Ben Dobson and Kingston Heath general manager Gregg Chapple share ideas. communicate more effectively.

“Currently, I have a weekly meeting with all department heads on an individual basis, which is essential but takes time.

“I can keep these meetings operationsbased and efficient by introducing a monthly meeting of all the department heads to

Dobson has spent 11 years at Headland, the first four years as assistant manager and the past seven years as general manager.

“It was my first club after finishing university so I inherited ways of doing things from people before me,” he said.

“So, it was good for me to go out and see how they do things at Kingston Heath.

“It was an amazing opportunity and I recommend other managers do the same.” • FOOTNOTE: Ben Dobson was invited to Kingston Heath after winning an Inside Golf bursary.

golf managers

Workshops return for GMA National Conference 2015 Australia’s first new car company in over 30 years (www.tomcar.com.au).

Executive Officer, Golf Management Australia (GMA) eo@gma.org.au

He lectures part time at Melbourne University, and recently got a book deal with Wiley, discussing the digital revolution and what it means for business.

he GMA National Conference 2015 will be held at Jupiters Gold Coast from Sunday 30th August to Thursday 3rd September.

Steve is involved in the venture capital industry and invests in business and new technology. His blog also has over 30,000 readers a month (Startup Blog) and is the biggest in its category. It’s been in Australia’s top 10 the past 5 years.

David Allen

T

One of the highlights of this and previous conferences are the sessions provided in concurrent workshop format, where delegates have the opportunity to select two of four key subjects.

With the encouraged attendance of operational support staff on 2nd September, it is the ideal opportunity to spread staff among the most relevant subjects and have all four subjects covered with experts talking to the right people at their golf clubs.

The first of four concurrent presenters is Steve Sammartino, who will be presenting on the subject “Marketing Is Dead... Or Is It?: Rules Of Marketing In This Technological Age”.

Steve is a business person (Marketing) - a rare kind who has worked in the largest of companies, including the world’s biggest advertising agency and the world’s biggest Consumer Goods Company (both at Director level) as well as startups he’s founded and sold.

He’s also done a lot of crazy projects including putting a Lego space shuttle into actual earth orbit, and is a Director at

The second speaker choice will be Ian Curley, presenting “Maximising your Income Potential (from your Food & Beverage Operations)” Born in Coventry, England, Ian attended the Hendley College of Catering Studies and Further Education before moving to London to begin training as a chef. One of his first positions in a kitchen was as Chef de Partie and First Commis Chef at the Hyatt Carlton Towers Hotel in London. He spent several years training in England, including stints at Sutherlands Restaurant in Soho, before moving to Australia in 1988.

Ian is considered one of Australia’s first class chefs, having worked as Head Chef in a number of Melbourne’s top restaurants. He is frequently quoted by The Age, The Australian and the Sun newspapers on all matters culinary, and radio listeners would be familiar with him from his guest appearances on radio 3RRR. Ian’s most recent public foray was appearing

as a guest chef on Channel 10’s “Masterchef” program, and on the morning show “The Circle”. Ian became even more popular and well known in the public sphere when Channel 7’s reality TV show, “Conviction Kitchen” went to air with Ian teaching life skills to recent inmates.

The third speaker is Steve Herzberg, who will discuss “Presenting with Confidence”.

Steve played state cricket for WA and Tasmania in the 1990’s. His golf game needs work, currently playing off 12 at Bonnie Doon Golf Club. He is regarded as one of Australia’s most dynamic business coaches and conference speakers because he takes the time to understand his audiences and pitches his content appropriately. He founded his own corporate training company, NRG Solutions in 2005. For the past 10 years he has worked closely with some of the leading companies and sporting groups in the world. They continue to engage his services because he knows how to get results and appreciates the importance of follow up.

The fourth and final speaker is one of the Conference’s favourite presenters, Gregg Patterson, who will present on “Creating a WOW factor in your service operation”.

Due to popular demand, Gregg is returning for his third consecutive conference and is a must see for any delegates attending their first conference.

Gregg Patterson became the General Manager of The Beach Club in 1982. Since that time, he has worked with his members,

Ian Curley: from Conviction Kitchen to GMA Conference Boards, and committees to enhance the value and reputation of The Beach Club in the Los Angeles community.

Building on his experience as a club manager, Gregg has been a featured presenter at various club management seminars, assistant manager conferences and hospitality forums around the world. Patterson specializes in the analysis of “club culture,” the development of the “Wow Factor” service experience, the strengthening of club governance and the creation of “Tribal Magic” to attract and retain club members.

Gregg also writes a monthly column for Board Room magazine and is the author of Reflections on the Club Experience, an anthology of essays on club cultures and operations. In acknowledgement of his efforts as an educator in both the university and the corporate worlds, he was awarded the 2002 Gary Player Private Club Educator of the Year Award by Board Room magazine.

Conference registration is currently open via www.gma.org.au. Non-member and sponsorship enquiries can be directed to GMA’s Executive Officer, David Allen at eo@ gma.org.au or phone 0410 225 545. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

19

industry people

Nothing but the best will do A day in the life of superintendent Phil Soegaard What part of your job do members not understand?

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

I

For me, what they wouldn’t recognise is the HR (human resources) side of things and realising a happy team is a productive team. You have to keep staff morale high through all the wet days, windy days, cold days and hot days. And managing your crew.

We have 10 full-time staff and one parttimer and one is generally on holiday and one at college so trying to maximise the performance of the team you have available on any giving day. There is a lot of planning around keeping a work program going. I have been here since 2002 and I think the majority of members appreciate what the team does.

F golf course superintendent Phil Soegaard had a magic wand he would use it to predict the weather.

Mother Nature, he says, is a superintendent’s biggest challenge.

Of course, the weather is just of one the many challenges a superintendent faces in the day-to-day management of a golf course members expect to be in pristine conditions 365 days a year.

Soegaard, 40, has been the course superintendent at Lakelands Golf Club on the Gold Coast since 2006 and was one of the first Queensland greenkeepers to complete the Diploma in Turf Management (2001).

Inside Golf caught up with Soegaard, a former Australian representative player and current Golf Course Superintendents’ Association (Qld) committee member, to find out more about his work.

What are you trying to achieve when setting up a course for events?

Superintendent Phil Soegaard has a passion for his profession.

What attracted you to greenkeeping?

I always had a passion for it ever since hitting golf balls at age 11. In 1994, I was working in golf operations at Royal Pines and I continually hounded superintendent Frank Paul for an apprenticeship. He didn’t think I was serious and thought I should have been playing golf, but he gave me a start.

Is the weather your biggest challenge?

Being able to control the weather would be the greatest thing. If you could forecast future weather events, even to some degree, it would be helpful. As we speak, I am going through plans of ‘what will I do if we get 400mm of rain over the weekend’. We are already servicing pumps, getting products to apply that need washing in and putting growth inhibitors out.

What significant changes have you made to Lakelands in recent times?

In the past two years, we have resurfaced two greens – 11 and 14. I have adopted more of a biological program by using far less chemicals. It’s the way of the future, trying to get away from traditional heavy fertiliser applications and chemicals and those things.

Tidiness, smooth surfaces and aesthetics is the goal. The detailing of the bunkers and making sure the greens are cut-and-rolled. I won’t try and push green speeds too much.

Lakelands has won best condition public access course seven times, so we try to make condition our strength.

Do you go for difficult pin placements?

Why would I give myself headaches by putting pins in difficult positions? It’s not worth the complaints – I think I am smarter than that. I prefer the course set up easy. You want people to enjoy the game. You don’t want someone hitting a great shot in and having a four-putt.

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industry people time management. But where else would you want to be on a beautiful day and the course is looking great?

What don’t you enjoy?

Nothing really. I could be here from dark to dark and still think I could do things better and achieve more. It’s a job where you are never finished. You can never sit back and say it’s all done because there is always the next challenge … the next project.

You once represented Australia. What sort of a golfer are you these days?

Pretty terrible – not good at all. I only play two or three times a year and play in superintendents’ days. Sometimes I have a good day, but mostly I don’t.

What would you do if you weren’t a superintendent?

A motor mechanic. I have an old Ford Escort I tinker around with at home. •

Phil’s sliding doors moment SUPERINTENDENT Phil Soegaard’s career could have been very different had he heeded the advice of his one-time coach Charlie Earp.

“For me, the AIS was a bit of a disaster,” Soegaard said.

“I went down there as a natural player with not a lot of technical tuition and probably suffered from paralysis by analysis through getting too complicated.

In the late 1980s, Soegaard was an elite amateur who represented Australia and played alongside Robert Allenby, Greg Chalmers, Stephen Leaney and others.

Phil Soegaard (fourth from the right) and his team at Lakelands.

What is the most time consuming area of preparing a golf course?

Bunkers. We have 99 bunkers and lot of them are big. In recent times, we have had to pump water out of the bunkers and repair our bunkers that have been washed out. It’s about a 70 to 80-hour process and we have done that five times this season.

What’s one thing you’d like to see golfers do more of?

Simple etiquette – things like filling in divots and repairing pitch marks on the greens and leaving the bunker as they found it. Because we are a golf cart course, the golfers mostly use the same exit points and that leaves worn areas. The course suffers when there is non-active growth in winter and cart damage takes longer to recover.

What is the hardest thing about being a super?

Time management. A superintendent is a turf practitioner, a HR manager, has to do the payroll, purchasing, invoicing and work programs.

How many hours do you work in a typical week?

Around 45-50 hours.

What part of your job do you most enjoy?

I enjoy the physical side of greenkeeper.

I am out there every morning fertilising, changing holes. I feel I am responsible for the course and need to be out there and set the standard. I think my team appreciate me being out there getting my hands dirty. I love being out on the tools, but it does affect my

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At 15, he was the youngest person, at the time, to have an AGU scratch handicap.

He played off +3 at Southport Golf Club and between 1989 and 1992 won more than 50 tournaments.

Some of Soegaard’s successes include winning the Australian schoolboys’ championship, the Australian sub-junior, the Queensland amateur matchplay championship, the Queensland country championship and the Queensland schoolboys’ title.

“My coach at the time, Charlie Earp, wanted me to stick with my natural talent, but when you are 17 you think you know better.”

Soegaard has no regrets although he does sometimes wonder how differently life could have been.

By the age of 17, he held nine course records and went on to represent Australia in an under-23 team.

His extraordinary talent was recognised and he was offered an AIS golf scholarship, but things didn’t pan out the way he had hoped.

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“I remember beating Greg Chalmers 7/6 in the Australia schoolboys’ championship,” he said. “He’s doing very well as a professional.

“But I got to represent my country and in more recent times I won a State title in triathlon.

“In 2009, I won the Queensland triathlon for my age group and in 2010 I was duathlon champion so I’m happy.”

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www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

21

on tour

Jordan Spieth: The future of world golf?

Garrett Johnston

@johnstongarrett

J

ordan Spieth seized his first major title at the 2015 Masters with stellar golf from start to finish. The 21-year-old boy wonder took the first round lead with an emphatic 8-under 64 and never looked back, tying or breaking many US Masters scoring records in the process, and becoming the first wire-to-wire winner at Augusta since 1976.

Perhaps it was fitting during the pretournament press conferences that Tiger Woods mentioned that, during his first Masters win in 1997, “Spieth was likely still in diapers”.

Of all the young players in the field that week, Woods picked Spieth as an example. When asked later about Tiger’s statement, Spieth said he didn’t remember (after all, he was not yet three years-old.) However Spieth then joked that he’s only just recently gotten out of diapers. The man has humor.

When you talk with the humble yet confident Texas native, you hear a big picture perspective coming out in words like “ultimately” and “all in all.” He’s also openly honest.

This kid may very well be the future of American golf—and perhaps world golf— and his current number 2 world golf ranking leaves only Rory McIlroy ahead of him.

Spieth chatted with Inside Golf’s Garrett Johnston recently about his recent Masters win, his team, and how he views the future.

You have so many peers in the Masters field who have been coming to Augusta National for years yet have not yet solved the riddle. Why do you think you were able to do it in your second try?

I think imagination. I think being very feelbased. I grew up playing a lot more than I did hitting balls on the range and just hitting the same thing over and over again.

I like to see—kind of like Bubba—I like to see lines. I like to see shapes, and especially on the greens, I like putts that break. I like being able to cast something out and let it feed in and be very speed-based. I feel like that’s been a strength of mine in the past, growing up until now.

And that’s what this course gives. From the first time I played it I was very excited because I felt like it really suited my game.

I’m really happy that this major comes here every year (laughs), to have a course like that.

But ultimately, I think it just comes down to imagination and casting things out and seeing lines. You’re never hitting off a flat slope unless it’s a tee shot or a par-3. Every other shot is significantly above your feet, downslope, below your feet or whatever, and you’ve just got to adapt to it.

If you play golf, it’s time you played here, for the rest of your life.

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Jordan Spieth at last year’s Australian Open (Photo: Golf Australia, Dave Tease).

Talk about the influential people in your young golf career My dad (Shawn) has been the biggest influence. He keeps me grounded and focused on my goals, my whole family does.

Probably number one, there’s a lot of guys along the road, my trainer (Damon Goodard) and swing coach (Cameron McCormick).

I’ve been with him for almost seven years now. He’s seen it all and helped me through it. There’s so many people but those guys specially for golf have helped me.

I’ve trusted Cameron since I was 12, turning 13, so eight or nine years. I have complete trust in anything he says. He’s my swing coach, putting coach, short game coach, mental coach, everything. He’s the one that knows what I’m thinking out there more than anybody else and how to adapt to the situation. I owe everything on the course to him, and you know, he’s a very special teacher, somebody who I think is just going to get bigger and bigger, and you’re going to see him with a lot of tour players in the future.

Can you speak about Cameron McCormick and his importance in getting you to where you are now?

How do you feel that your low-ball flight will serve you in your Open Championship career?

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on tour I think at the Open Championship it’s definitely an advantage, no doubt about it. Over there anytime it’s windy, it should help. I’m trying to hit the higher ball a little more (in the States). But the low ball, the low draw is always going to be my goto, natural shot for me. It’s a shot you need to have. But you need to have every shot to win on Tour I believe… to win anywhere.

I still underestimated how firm it would be in the Open Championships and that’s what kind of hurt me there.

Talk about the majors and how important they are Golf is such a challenge, and the majors are the biggest challenges.

That’s what’s great about them is they can sometimes leave you feeling like you just started playing golf yesterday.

The US Open at Merion made me feel that way. It’s interesting, crazy actually.

The majors are what I prioritize my schedule around. They are the key.

Do you know the major venues well for the rest of this year?

The majors are all at incredible venues this year. I haven’t played Whistling Straits (USPGA), but I have played the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay (US Open) and I have played St. Andrews a couple of times. It’s going to be a really, really fun rest of the year at the majors.

If you look at your first two years as a pro, 2013 and 2014, which was more important to you?

I think last year (2014) was an improvement on 2013 and more valuable. It’s tough to say, though, because 2013 I started with no status and went down to South America.

The crazy stretch to get a Tour card and then the John Deere (first win), so many different levels were hit. But as far as coming closer to my goal of winning a major championship and, you know, getting the No. 1 in the world that’s ultimately the goal I have.

Last year was more valuable being in contention at the Masters and playing a Ryder Cup. The feeling of playing a Ryder Cup is almost like each nine holes is the back nine Sunday of a

Photo: AFP/ AAP/Don Emmert major. It’s like you’ve got contention of five majors, six majors. Apart from the Ryder Cup, it may have been a little harder to control the environment in Japan, Australia, and Tiger’s event. I think that was a huge step you know?

I gained a lot of experience there.

How do you view your winning potential on Tour?

If I’m in contention, my skills are there, I’m capable of winning. It’s just a matter of controlling the environment and really feeding off the environment and hitting good shots. Each tournament that I go to I want to win and I believe that I can.

You seem to play well when paired with Tiger, why is that?

I don’t know. I don’t think there is anything specifically to him. I just happen to play well in those rounds.

Couple rounds with Phil I have played well. I think it’s just random.

You carry yourself so well. Could you explain why that is?

Well, it’s how the game was founded. It’s a game of integrity.

There’s no referees out there. We all respect each other. I don’t think in any other sport do you see two opposing teams that are complimenting after each shot or touchdown or whatever it is.

The top players in the world, and really everybody that I’ve played with on the PGA TOUR, are Class A guys.

I have a great time. It makes the transition to this step out into the real world a lot easier. I think it’s not just me. I learn from example and I have great examples set before me.

What are your main goals now that you have that first major?

The ultimate goal is to try to become the No. 1 player in the world.

I don’t think I am with this (Masters win). I’m still chasing that goal. It’s going to be very difficult, but to be a large step closer is huge.

I don’t know what necessarily to expect. I don’t expect to change the way I’m playing, just try and get enough rest and enjoy this season and this whole year now with being Masters Champion. •

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Jordan Spieth’s Masters records:

54-16 Lowest hole score

birdies in Tied for the lowest 28 Most one tournament -18 72-hole score 36-hole First wire-to-wire -14 Lowest score champion since 1976

Spieth to return down under

Following his US Masters victory, Jordan Spieth announced that he intends to return to Australia in November to defend his 2014 Australian Open victory.

“But what the Australian Open did was, in a period where I had some struggles towards the top of the leaderboard on Sundays, it brought a level of patience.

“I fully plan on making the trip back to Australia,” Spieth said. “It was a special week for me and obviously did a lot for my career.

Without it, I may not be here right now.”

“It was trial and error for a couple of times and we had not found the solution as a team but we found the solution in Australia against a world-class field including the world number one (McIlroy) and number two (Scott) at the time.

“That (Australia) could arguably be one of the best wins that I’ve ever had but I would obviously call this one (Masters victory) the greatest win I’ve ever had - no offence,” he said with a laugh.

“Closing out that tournament and seeing what that meant in the history of that tournament and understanding who won there, it meant a lot.”

1300 GOLFADE

Garrett Johnston is a golf journalist based in California. He covers the game on an international level for IG. His work also extends to PGA Tour Sirius XM Radio where he is an “Insider” in several shows. www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

23

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on tour

Team up for a winning formula David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

G

OLF is not a team sport, but if you want to be a successful player you need to surround yourself with a team, says two-time US PGA Tour winner John Senden.

The former Australian Open champion told Inside Golf he was able to reach the highest level (US PGA Tour) because he surrounded himself with a good support team, who made sure he didn’t waste his talent and had few distractions.

“When I first started out the team was my mum and dad, Triggsy (coach Ian Triggs), my wife Jacki and a few others,” he said.

“Now, there’s a good team of only six people that surround me and give me 100 per cent support.

“Triggsy is always there, I have my physical manager Michael Dalgleish (physio) and a couple of others – a massage therapist and a trainer in the US. “I had support from the club (Keperra Country Golf Club), but it’s those people that give me direct support and are involved with me on a regular basis that has made the difference.

“I feel that is needed to be a successful player.”

Senden says he has seen many talented pros fall by the wayside through lack of “professional” support and distractions.

“I grew up with some fantastic players in Introducing AGM C-Max the 1990s thatReliant haven’t made it towith the top level,” he said.

“Maybe there were a few issues on the sidelines that haven’t allowed them to continue.

“Golf is not the easiest game to play and any distraction can make it more difficult.

“When I started in the early 1990s there were 100 trainees and I am the only one still playing.

“Rod Pampling is still playing, but he was a year or two behind me.

“There were loads of guys that were very good, but you need discipline and the support to succeed.

“If you have that there is a chance you will make it, but there are no guarantees.”

Tiger Woods’ former coach Hank Haney also recommends players employ a good team and work hard.

“You have to have the right work ethic, mentality and the right team around you,” he said.

Of course, today’s elite young Australian players are fortunate they have the support of the national and state bodies.

For many players like John Senden, shown here with coach Ian Triggs, building a solid support team is critical.

Effectively, today’s young guns are dealt a couple of aces to help kick-start their careers unlike their counterparts from the 1980s and 1990s.

These days the amateur bodies bend over backwards to ensure elite amateurs have a smooth transition from the amateur to the play-for-pay ranks through its High Performance and Rookie programs.

Back then, players were terrified to mention they were considering turning professional.

If they did, the system virtually froze them out.

I lost count of the number of top amateurs from that era who asked (no... begged) me not to mention they were considering turning pro.

Technology How times have changed.

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The High Performance Program provides coaching, support service, sports science services and competition opportunities.

It gives Australia’s most talented golfers the best possible opportunities and world-class resources to fully develop their potential on and off the course prior to turning professional.

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Rookie pros have access to coaching, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, sports psychology, physiotherapy and nutritionist.

Then there is the financial support that takes care of travel expenses, accommodation, entry fees, caddie fees and more.

Top young pro Cameron Smith, who has surrounded himself with a good team of people, said he valued the support of Golf Australia’s High Performance and Rookie programs.

“I don’t think I could have done it without them,” he said. • TRJN_AlcoBattery2012_P3.pdf

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

on tour

Jet lag, Jordan Spieth and Pro-Am journeys I with Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

arrived at my hotel in beautiful Queenstown about 5pm, on the eve of the New Zealand Open which was being played at The Hills and Milbrook golf courses. This was always going to be a tough week, for a couple of reasons. Firstly I had just come from two awesome weeks in the States, playing Augusta and then teeing it up head-to-head with the top 50 players in the world at the WGC event. Secondly as some of you may know it’s a long trip from Florida to Queenstown. From the time I arrived at Florida International airport, it was about a 33-hour trip to my hotel in New Zealand and then I had a 7:20am tee time on Thursday morning which meant I had a 5.30am pick up.

The great thing about travelling from the other side of the world is when I arrived at the golf course Thursday morning, I felt ok due to the fact that I wasn’t sure what time it was in Florida. When I arrived I had to register for the tournament, purchase my yardage books and collect my balls from Titleist as I had given all my balls away at Doral.

I bogeyed the first three holes at the Hills and, to be honest, I felt a little flat, I think the jet lag had caught up with me. But after a few pars in a row I started to move in the right direction and had 7 birdies in my last 10 holes to shoot 4 under. I thought to myself, how did that happen?

I had a late tee off the next day so it was a good chance to have a sleep in and recover from the long trip. But as some of you that have travelled to the other side of the world know, it can be hard to get back into the time zone where you are. At 4am I was awake and ready to go. I was playing Milbrook today and there was 9 holes of this course that I hadn’t played so it was always going to be a challenge. I played very average.

I couldn’t hole a putt or hit it close and that’s not a good combination! I signed for a 75, 3-over and despite being 1-under for the tournament, I missed the cut by 2 – an amazingly low cut and shows the quality of the field. I was disappointed having the weekend off but on the other hand it was always going to be hard to perform well after travelling so far, something I guess I will have to get used to.

I flew back Monday and only had one day at home as I was going down to Wagga Wagga to play in their Pro-Am. I have played it quite a few times and always love going back down. They have a great golf course but most of all the people are friendly and you always feel welcome. After shooting 4-over on the first day, I thought to myself maybe I should have stayed at home and cut the lawn! I changed putters to a TaylorMade spider that I picked up at Doral the second day and actually holed a few putts. I shot 70 and finished 2-over for the two days but unfortunately still missed making any money.

I still enjoyed the trip because it was a good mate of mine’s birthday. Neil Sarkies turned, well, we will say 40, so all the boys went out for dinner to celebrate. Because I have been playing in other countries over the past few years, it was good to catch up, have a beer and a joke as I’ve known most of these boys for about 20 years.

We then headed back to Sydney for the Castle Hill Pro-Am. Once again it is a Pro-Am that I really enjoy. The golf course is great and the event always has a great atmosphere.

I also got a chance to stay with my sister Joanne, her partner Mark and her kids Flynn and Jessie. But unfortunately the golf was very average again.

A 3-over 75 the first day had me a long way back in the pack and needing a low one the

second day. A 3-under the second day had me back in the money until a storm came over in the afternoon and the day was cancelled.

When this happens in a two-day Pro-Am, the results merely go back to use the first day scores, so my 3-over wasn’t in the money.

I flew back that afternoon and I must admit I was happy to be at home for a couple of days. It wears on you when you are not only playing non-stop, but travelling as much as I was. I really enjoy coming home and just doing basic household choirs, believe it or not they are relaxing!

While I was playing in Doral I was lucky enough to have lunch with Jordan Spieth, who just won the US Masters. I can tell you

that all the talk of him being a nice guy is true. He was great to talk to and really down to earth. I will look forward to seeing him at this year’s Australian Open and congratulating him on an amazing victory.

In my next stint away, I’m playing Goulburn and Yowani Pro-Ams before heading to China for the Volvo China Open. This is a European Tour event and they always get a great field and play for around 3 million Australian dollars. I then fly back into Australia for about 24 hours before heading to Papua New Guinea, which is always an interesting trip.

Hopefully the next article I write I can be telling you the story about another win!

Good golfing. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

25

amateurs

Red Cliffs members US-bound Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

R

ed Cliffs Golf Club in Victoria’s far northwest may only have close to 200 members but it is batting well above its weight because, in just a few months, it will have three of its young members playing intercollegiate golf in the United States.

In August, Sunraysia golfers Tom Holmes (20 years old) and Dom Vartulis (19) will both jet off to America, where they will follow in the footsteps of fellow Red Cliffs member Tim Walker, who is now 21 years old and deep into his third year in the US college system at Mississippi State University.

“I can’t wait. The time starts dragging along the closer you get,” said Holmes, who is still deciding whether to commit to the NCAA Division 2 athletics program at Nyack College in New York State or pursue other offers.

“I’ve been speaking to Nyack for a while but also I’ve been talking to my friend Tim Walker, he’s sending my stuff to a few other places as well. I was pretty much locked on Nyack until Tim said there might be a spot for me down near him (in Mississippi).”

Vartulis will join the Northwood University Seahawks in West Palm Beach, Florida, which is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Red Cliffs secretary Leigh Bowring says having three members compete in the US college system will be a remarkable achievement for the club.

“We’ve got some very prestigious clubs up here like Mildura and Coomealla and

Red Cliffs Golf Club member Tim Walker.

INSET: Tom Holmes and Dom Vartulis here’s little Red Cliffs that’s got three young fellows that are going to America and we’ve nurtured them and they’ve come up through our junior ranks. For us it’s a real coup and we’re very proud,” Bowring stated.

Walker was recruited to Central Alabama Community College where he spent two seasons including his breakout year in 20132014 when he recorded three wins.

In just 12 starts that season, Walker was also runner-up three times, recorded 10 top tens and never finished worse than 14th.

in America, we hope, which is great for Red Cliffs in terms of, that’s where he started,” Bowring said.

In June last year, Walker’s consistency earned him the National Junior College Athletic Association’s 2014 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award.

Past winners of the Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year Award for NCAA Division 1 include Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Walker’s award-winning season ensured he was recruited to the NCAA Division 1 program at Mississippi State University.

“It seems to me like Timmy is going to stay in America and become a professional golfer

Holmes admitted Walker is struggling to adjust to the top level of college golf at MSU. Walked has been a regular member of the MSU team in 2014-2015 but has only broken par in three of 26 rounds.

“The competition’s gone up a bar but I think he’s still going alright for his team,” Holmes said. •

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Simply Energy powers a competition for Auto Club Golf Championship

Warming up for a Power Drive

Simply Energy Power Drive winner Janet Cattell from Fairfield Golf Club

Lauren McGregor Champion Events

T

he regional qualifying events of the 2014-2015 Auto Club Golf Championship series have ended and now it’s time to gear up for the third annual Championship Final at RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland.

Before the excitement of the Championship Final begins, there is one more competition to be settled amongst some of Australia’s most powerful hitters.

In a new addition to the series this year, Simply Energy sponsored a power drive competition that added another level of excitement to the events.

Simply Energy is one of Australia’s fastestgrowing energy retailers who are powering

Ready to compete at Griffith Golf Club.

the lives and businesses of almost 500,000 customer accounts across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

Simply Energy gives their customers the power to control their energy costs, so the competition was appropriately named the Simply Energy Power Drive competition.

At each event after being introduced in November, a hole was chosen to be the designated Simply Energy hole. One male and one female golfer per event were crowned the Simply Energy Power Drivers.

The Power Drivers from each event are featured on the ACGC Simply Energy Honour Board at www.acgc.com.au and were entered into a draw to win a Kingcaddy Electric Lithium Buggy valued at $1,195. The draw took place on Tuesday 14 April at the Simply Energy headquarters.

Male and female winners were chosen from

Simply Energy Power Drive winner Keith Stockdale from Lang Lang Golf Club

Two of the Simply Energy Power Drive winners Megan Symington and Russell Dennis at RACV Royal Pines.

Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, and a combined pool of South Australia, Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Tasmania.

Congratulations to the draw winners!

Representing RACV and Lang Lang Golf Club, the Victoria male winner is Keith Stockdale. From Yallourn Golf Club the female winner is Lyn McAlister.

From Queensland, our two RACQ winners both came from RACV Royal Pines.

Congratulations Russell Dennis and Megan Symington.

Representing NRMA and Magenta Shores Golf Club, Daniel George is our male winner for New South Wales. Female winner Janet Cattell represents Fairfield Golf Club.

The combined group of regions produced a winner from South Australia’s Mount Gambier Golf Club and Western Australia’s

West Lakes Golf Club. Congratulations to Richard Kuhn from RAA and Young Kim from RAC. The ACGC Championship Final will also feature a Simply Energy Power Drive hole, where all the finalists will get their chance to show off their power. One male and one female competitor will walk away with a Kingcaddy Electric Buggy after the Gala Presentation Dinner.

Best of luck to all the golfers competing in the 2014-2015 Auto Club Golf Championship!

After a year of exciting regional events all over the country, we are all looking forward to crowning this year’s ACGC Champion.

The 2014-2015 ACGC qualifying series may be over, but it won’t be long until the 20152016 series begins! Events will be held from August 2015 through March 2016.

More information: www.acgc.com.au •

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Avondale a shining benchmark Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

A

VONDALE , the immaculate private members club nestled in the quiet tree-lined streets of Pymble on Sydney’s North Shore for almost 90 years, can rightly claim to be a constant quiet achiever of Australian golf.

Despite a string of impressive media ratings, which sees it listed in the top 65 across the nation, in the top 15 in NSW and the top 10 in Sydney, Avondale is not a club to shout about its attributes to the golf public at large.

It certainly ticks all of the boxes for its enthusiastic membership with excellent playing, practice and clubhouse facilities.

And those players fortunate to be members’ guests or corporate-day golfers appreciate a special experience from the quaint heritage-listed clubhouse and proshop service to the challenge of the beautiful par-71 layout -- hewn from the bush by Australian designer Eric Apperly in 1926 and refreshed by Queensland’s Ross Watson.

The club’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Paterson says Avondale members are justifiably proud of their beautiful and challenging course.

“At Avondale we are intent on taking the club to a new level and in that respect we are addressing all aspects,” he said.

“Whether it be the golf course, the clubhouse or the always-important Member Services we provide – we are striving to take them all to new standards of excellence.

Benchmark: The impressive Avondale Golf Club’s clubhouse, putting green and pro shop.

“Our overall ‘Next Level Project’ – which is all about taking Avondale up to the next level—will manifest itself in a variety of ways.

“Already we have completed one important aspect – the greenside and fairway bunkering on the course – some of which (in regard to fairways) we believe will add a more risk/reward strategic golf challenge.

“We also have redone all of our greenside bunkering and believe we are the first course in the world to have irrigation in all greenside bunkering.

“This involves adding drip line irrigation under the surface of the bunker lip and adds water to the sand on the face at programmed intervals to ensure that the sand is firm.

“This means that ball-plugging is greatly reduced and that the playing surface is more consistent. We also have been busy completing some upgrades to our practice range, which is adjacent to our clubhouse.”

While most categories of membership at Avondale statistically are fully subscribed, Inside Golf understands that applications are considered – especially from women beginner golfers.

“We offer 12-month series of beginner classes for Ladies Members applicants and this has proved popular,” Paterson said.

So it would seem that a confident outlook of “onward and upward” applies at Avondale, which is a very healthy attitude

Bunker challenges: Avondale has made their bunkers more challenging yet fairer. at a golf club widely considered to be one of Sydney’s most successful for almost a century. •

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Pambula-Merimbula golf club moves forward

N

estled between Merimbula and Pambula on the beautiful Sapphire Coast of southern NSW, the 27-hole Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club is the premier golf club in the region, as well as the Golf Centre of Excellence for the Bega Valley.

Troon®, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, has been selected to manage Peregian Springs Golf Club. Further diversifying the choice for international golfers travelling down under, golfers now have five Troon-managed facilities to choose from in Australia as they look to play on the finest playing surfaces, experience incredible guest service and enjoy unmatched amenities by Troon.

Last year, the forward-thinking club successfully introduced two new playing options in Big Hole Golf on the Club’s front nine holes as well as a nine-hole Short Course.

In addition, the club has installed a new, modern three-bay practice nets facility. These additional playing options will be useful for a wide variety of coaching and instructional uses such as the club’s junior golf programs. They are also aimed at attracting new members, including the young, the elderly, the time-poor and the less-than-fully-able-bodied.

Many Pambula Merimbula GC members and countless visitors alike have praised both the standard and presentation of this impressive Pambula Merimbula Golf Club’s hard-working ground staff . (From left to right) are golf course – “equal to the standards achieved Dylan Cook (second year apprentice), Scott Doubleday (mechanic), Jason Small, Michael by high-grade Melbourne and Sydney courses”, Twigg (2IC), Pat Wilson (Course Superintendent), Daryl Cook (Dylan Cook’s father), Colin or “a city standard golf course in the country Badrock and Ben Dawson. and at country prices” were two recent compliments. This exemplary standard has been produced by PMGC’s surfaces to help protect and reduce damage to the mower Course Superintendent Pat Wilson and his hard-working “A-team” of cutting units; a Toro Multipro 1750 Sprayer for spraying seven permanent ground staff aided by a supportive team of several various pesticides on all surfaces to help keep playing Club volunteers. conditions to a high standard; Two Toro Workman MDX-D During calendar year 2014 the Club acquired eight additional items of ground equipment (both vehicles and specialist mowing equipment) for use on the course to help Pat and his team maintain the impressive course standard and presentation that both Club members and visitors have come to expect.

This modernisation of PMGC’s equipment holding includes two Toro Sidewinder 3100D (cylinder and rotary) for mowing greens surrounds and aprons, bunkers, mounds and second cut surrounds around greens; a New Holland Boomer 50 Tractor offering multiple uses such as towing trailers, articulator rough cutter, blower and fairway sprayer; an Agrimetal Three Point Linkage Blower for blowing debris off playing

Troon to manage Peregian Springs

utility vehicles used for every day jobs; Tru-Turf Greens Roller for rolling greens surfaces after verti-draining operations and to obtain a true putting surface; and a Holden Colorado Utility–the Course Superintendent’s work utility.

Inside Golf played this magnificent gem last month and we can attest to the fact that the entire course—from tee boxes to greens and everything in-between—were in spectacular condition. We tip our caps to the ground crew, management and the friendly staff throughout for presenting a beautiful, playable and highly enjoyable facility. •

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Noosa and the Beachfront of Hastings St., Queensland, and within easy reach of the Sunshine Coast Airport, the stunning 18-hole championship course forms the focal point of the Peregian Springs residential estate. Opened in 2003 and designed by Phil Scott, father to golfing superstar and 2013 Masters Champion, Adam Scott, the parkland layout represents a superb daily fee and membership option for the local and international golfer. A spectacular native bushland setting with relatively flat fairways, the course is a pleasure for golfers of all ages and abilities, protected by strategic water features and bunkering with four teeing options on every hole.

“Under the stewardship of Troon, Peregian Springs’ members and visitors are safe in the knowledge that our development will continue as we strive for the highest possible quality and consistent delivery of memorable experiences to them all,” commented Declan McCollam, CEO, Peregian Springs Golf Club. “The course has already come on leaps and bounds, readily acknowledged by our ownership group and our thanks go to our committed team who have flourished under Troon’s guidance. We are committed to forging an even stronger working partnership with the experts at Troon to develop the venue even further, growing our daily fee and membership options to become the premier course in the area.”

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

clubs

Redcliffe Golf Club wins top award occasional koala or kangaroo.”

David Newbery

Ms Newsome said the club was always looking to improve the facility for the benefit of members and social players.

david@insidegolf.com.au

I

N all honesty, Redcliffe Golf Club didn’t give itself much chance of winning the Queensland Golf Industry’s GMAQ Golf Club of the Year Award, but they surprised themselves and came up trumps.

“Planning is well underway to droughtproof the course and replace the aging sprinkler system,” she said.

This will be done in three stages at a cost of around $1 million, but that’s something the club is prepared to do to keep up with progress.

“We were very surprised when we won as the other clubs nominated were of a very high calibre,” said Redcliffe Golf Club general manager Kerry Newsome.

“But the team at Redcliffe has worked extremely vigorously and unified the club during the last couple of years.

“The club’s vigorous management committee and multi-skilled staff members ensure the club keeps moving forward.”

Redcliffe Golf Club, who won the same award in 2007, is popular with members and visitors alike with more than 50,000 rounds a year played on the picturesque 18-hole championship golf course.

Located in the suburb of Clontarf, just a 35-minute drive north of Brisbane, the club offers a full range of golf facilities and services.

“The modern clubhouse has sweeping views across the course and is an ideal location for functions or special events,” Ms Newsome said.

“Visitors are welcome to experience a round of golf or a quiet drink on our outdoor deck, which overlooks the course.”

The club’s 1000 members (750 male, 160 female and 90 juniors) certainly take advantage of the idyllic setting.

“With a single hit-off point adjacent to the clubhouse and the 18th green in full view of

Redcliffe golf course. (INSET): GMAQ president Aaron Muirhead presents Redcliffe Golf Club manager Kerry Newsome and club president Doug Smith with the Club of the Year Award. the clubhouse deck, players can enjoy a social atmosphere while absorbing the ambience of the course and observing the golf in progress,” Ms Newsome said.

“The course continues to grow in popularity with social players and is on the ‘must play’ list for many club golfers in south-east Queensland and interstate visitors.

“That’s because the golf course superintendent (Mark Gahan) is continually implementing minor works programs around the course to enhance the layout,” Ms Newsome added.

Club pro Freddy Hay described the golf course as “testing” especially when the sea breeze picks up.

The three finishing holes (16, 17 and 18), which are flanked by the Hays Inlet in the right, are particularly strong holes.

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The home of Sarah Kemp 34

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Another awards highlight for Redcliffe was two of its members, Taylor Macdonald and Doug Klein, took out the Male Amateur Golfer of the Year and Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year awards respectively.

The club has a thriving junior program and have even had kids as young as three frontup to the sub-junior golf clinics.

Oftentimes the holes are played into the prevailing wind, which makes them a worthy challenge.

Membership is open and social players are always welcome, however, it’s best to book a tee time.

“The course, which is maintained in a park-like environment with the abundantly grassed and contoured fairways bordered by mature stands of native eucalypts, is a pleasure to play and complements the seaside lifestyle of the Redcliffe Peninsula,” Ms Newsome said.

“A progressive maintenance program and a supply of recycled water from Unity Water ensure superb year-round greens and fairways.

“There is an abundance of bird life around the course and it’s not unusual to spot the

“On a weekly basis, the club conducts golf clinics to the Cerebral Palsy League of Redcliffe with between 4-6 participants attending with assistance from their carers,” Ms Newsome added.

“Athletes from the Special Olympics Moreton North Region actively participate in weekly golf lessons and three of our members were selected into the Queensland team and competed at the Special Olympic National Games in Melbourne last year.”

Redcliffe’s fully-stocked pro shop gives members and visitors an array of major brands to choose from and offers club-fitting, repairs and alterations and lessons.

GMAQ president Aaron Muirhead said Redcliffe was recognised for its achievements of being a focal point of the community and keen supporter of the golf industry. •

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clubs

CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Rossdale Golf Club W

idely regarded as “Melbourne’s Friendliest Golf Club”, Rossdale Golf Club is located in the bayside suburb of Aspendale. The course sits firmly within the hearts of its members, who adore its open and friendly atmosphere.

The bayside course weaves through corridors of pines, eucalyptus and coastal banksias that make finding the fairway more difficult than it sounds. It’s easy to see why the course twice hosted The Australian PGA Championship. It’s picturesque, challenging and deceptively long.

Inside Golf played this lovely and scenic course last month, and we were extremely impressed with the playability and condition of the facility.

A true “member-friendly” layout, Rossdale is an easy-walking, tranquil course that is enjoyable and challenging for all levels of golfer. Hitting a straight ball is key here, as the many trees and bushes that line the fairways can easily grab a wayward ball, and interrupt a good score.

As many of the holes aren’t punishingly long, the average golfer whose driver is less than dependable on the day can safely hit iron or 3-wood off the tee and be left with a comfortable mid-iron approach. In many cases, this is preferable, as proper course management is critical to shooting a good score. If you’re on the wrong side of a dogleg, for example, you will really struggle to get into a good position for the following shots.

This is no more evident than the par-5 first hole. Though shortish by most standards, it’s imperative that you avoid the pine trees on the left, lest you be completely blocked for your second shot (and thus be forced to “take your medicine” with a recovery punch shot, thereby creating a tricky third shot for approach.)

That said, the opening three holes give golfers a good chance to start the round on a positive note, with shortish holes and relatively benign routing. The 405-metre par4 fourth, however, is more what Rossdale is about. Not only does it require a long and accurate drive to negotiate the slight dogleg, but players also need to avoid the large greenside bunker on their second shot, and a large slope when they eventually make the green. A par here is definitely well earned.

The hole is the leader of a quality group of par-4s at Rossdale – with special mention to holes 6 and 7, which play directly into the wind and place a premium on position off the tee. Ask the members and they will tell

38

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

you that finding the green from behind a tree is not an option.

The back nine starts with a pair of contrasting holes. The 242-metre, par-4 10th is a genuine birdie (or eagle) hole if you find the fairway (we didn’t, and took an immediate wipe on the scorecard). The green is driveable by the longer hitters, but the risk/reward must be carefully calculated, as missing the green can land you in a heap of trouble. In contrast to this hole, however, the ensuing 535-metre par-5 11th needs three quality shots to beat the dogleg and make the green.

As is the case on many of the holes; one mistake could prove to be the catalyst for a big number, as we found out time and time again.

The course concludes like it starts: with players having multiple options on the tee.

“What club do I use into the breeze on 16?”, and “Can I cut the dogleg on 17?”. Or “Can I find the fairway with the driver on 18?”.

It’s just one of the many trademarks of a fantastic course.

According to the club professional, Alan Patterson, Rossdale is a much more difficult course than it appears: “The Rossdale layout is a lot like a Blue Ringed Octopus. Doesn’t look too intimidating at first glance but dangerous if not treated correctly. The trick to playing this course is to keep the ball in play off the tee and to aim for the front half of most of the greens. It’s not a long course but it plays longer than the distance indicates with very little run

clubs

available. It pays to take less club off the tee as accuracy is often more important than distance. The putting surfaces are often slick with all greens sloping from back to front.

Players are faced with difficult putts if the ball is hit above the hole and chipping from over the back is treacherous. Rossdale is a challenge for players of all abilities without being physically demanding but very enjoyable at the same time.”

The overall condition of Rossdale was top notch, due in part to the hard-working ground staff and the many renovations currently being undertaken. Most of the fairways were quite lush, while the greens were true (and tricky to read—as the many “three-putts” on our scorecard will attest.)

And the entire course is teeming with birdlife,

giving your round a relaxing feel and serene setting.

One feature of the course that is quite clever is the yellow “forward tees”, which are placed well down the fairways. These are great for juniors, women or the “distance-challenged” senior golfers who need a bit of help on the longer holes. Though a simple solution to making the course more enjoyable to a larger set of golfers, it is no doubt a clever offering that more clubs should emulate.

Following our round, we retired to the comfortable and relaxing clubhouse and patio area. The facility, which was refurbished/renovated a few years back, has a modern and welcoming feel, and is wellsuited to events and group functions.

The fully-stocked pro-shop has everything on hand to help you get through your round, and is captained by Alan Patterson and (long-time Inside Golf contributor) David Williams. We have long believed that Williams is one of the best instructors around, so if your game is in need of a tweak (or major overhaul) then pop into Rossdale for some quality instruction.

We found the members at Rossdale to be a genuinely warm and welcoming bunch.

Our playing partners on the day, Wes and Trev, were an absolute delight, and all of the people we met—from fellow players to the office staff, Pro-shop and hospitality team-have definitely earned their club’s reputation as “Melbourne’s Friendliest Golf Club”. •

CLUB DETAILS PAR: 72 LENGTH: 5991 metres EMAIL: rgc@rossdalegolf.com.au MEMBERSHIP: Mates Rates offer (for new members only): Three full 7-day memberships for the price of 2! Only $1890 per person and includes $100 bar credit.

WEBSITE: rossdalegolf.com.au CONTACT NUMBER: 03 9580 1008

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39

people

Ageless Octobirds flying high had about 20 years in it as a volunteer radio operator.”

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

A life member of the Ballina women’s veterans, Elva helped organise the first twoday open tournament for veterans at the club.

T

HE Octobirds, a rare group of colourful “birds”, have occupied their local golf course for many decades and have become part of the landscape.

“We had 160 golfers turn up from all over the place,” she said.

Elva told Inside Golf there had been many amusing moments on the golf course.

They thrive on a healthy diet of companionship, friendship and the odd tipple.

“I remember when Unie Thompson, along with her buggy, went straight into the dam,” she recalled.

Located at Ballina Golf and Sports Club in northern New South Wales, the Octobirds are a proactive group of women in their 80s – hence the name.

“They had to fish her out because she had broken her leg and couldn’t get out of the water.

Yes, octogenarians they may be, but when it comes to golf there is no slowing them down.

“She was on a rock so they pulled her out.

Unie was okay – she’s as tough as nails.

Collectively they have more than 1000 years of experience and nothing seems to faze them.

They turn up twice each week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) to play in the local competition, socialise and tell a few tales and jokes – clean, of course.

The “Queen” of the Octobirds is Elva Colledge, who is 88 years young.

“I have had a wonderful golfing life and will keep going with the wonderful Octobirds,” said Elva.

“You can’t beat the friendships and the camaraderie of the Octobirds.”

The Octobirds (back row left to right) Aud Puren, Leonie Heynatz, Marie Myers, Judy Ross, Daphne Sidney, Betty O’Connor, Marj Kelly, Margaret Wright, Judy Carroll and Elva Colledge. Seated: Betty Ellem, Carmel Enright and Unie Thompson. Absent: Alice Williams.

Elva says the great thing about golf is “it brings everyone down to the same level”.

and play the pokies on the way.”

“We have a lot of fun together and have a lot in common,” she said.

I ask Elva if the Octobirds indulge in beverages stronger than coffee.

“Travelling is often a topic of conversation, but so is telling stories about our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“For me it’s XXXX Gold,” she laughs. “For some of the others it’s wine from the grapes.”

“After I lost my husband in 1987 I reckon golf saved me and got me back on track, which it has for most of the Octobirds,” she said.

From Warwick in Queensland originally, Elva moved to Ballina and joined the club in mid1980s.

“My husband was only 60 when he died and I thought I might go back to Warwick but I stayed here.

“We have all been around a long time so there are some tales to tell.

“After golf, we come up and have a cup of coffee and catch up with the latest scandal

But not long after arriving at Ballina her

husband passed away prematurely and she considered returning to Warwick.

“I kept playing golf and then joined the Marine Coast Guard (now Marine Rescue) and

There’s even been a poem penned by Barbara Smith about the plight of the Octobirds.

It’s a lengthy poem, but here’s a few lines to whet your appetite.

They have records beyond compare and monthly medals everywhere; And friendly games with everyone they play; They love to joke and laugh – enjoy a wine or half-and-half; And welcome newcomers to the golfing fray; Oh yes, they’re 80-plus but Octobirds don’t fuss; Or flap their wings to try and have their way. •

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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people

A round to remember North Island – in 12 days.”

David Newbery

From Victoria originally, sport has been an enduring part of Ian’s life.

david@insidegolf.com.au

S

Golf might be his favourite sport, but Ian was a crack athlete who represented Victoria at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth with the likes of John Landy.

ATURDAY, March 28 is a day Yamba Golf Club member Ian Brockwell will never forget

“I did pole vault, high hurdles and discus,” he said.

That’s the day the 83-year-old, who plays off a 19 handicap, broke his age for the first time.

“I also played a couple of AFL games with Collingwood Seconds, but I was bashed up and decided to take up the wonderful game of golf when I was 19 or 20 and have been a golf tragic ever since.”

What’s remarkable is he didn’t just get over the line – he smashed his age by an incredible seven shots.

His 76 off the stick (51 Stableford points) was more than enough to win the B grade event.

I ask Ian how he ended up working in the US. “I worked for Swedish company Alfa Laval managing their dairy division where I developed a method to make cheddar cheese in a continuous manner,” he explained.

Ian, a left-handed golfer, carded a two-over par on each nine thanks to two birdies – one on each nine.

He told Inside Golf he thought he had blown his chances on the 18th hole.

“It worked out so well Murray Goulburn in Australia put the first one in and then the English, Irish, Scottish milk boards and everybody in the world wanted them to make cheddar cheese.

“When I reached the 18th, a par-5, I hit a good drive and thought I was in the go position, but using a three-wood I hit my ball into the creek.

“The company asked me to go to America for two years and I stayed 25,” Ian said.

“I thought I’d blown it because I still had 170 metres to go.”

Ian need not have worried.

He pulled out his rescue club, hit the ball to within eight centimetres of the hole and had a simple tap-in for a par and three points.

“I was a happy guy after that,” said Ian, who relied on his normal accuracy off the tee and a good mid- to short-iron game.

“I’m also quite a good chipper, but my putting is ordinary,” he said.

It seems putting has been Ian’s Achilles heel ever since he took up the game.

In fact, he has a cupboard full of flat-sticks – 63 to be precise.

“I got the jitters (yips) three or four years after I went to America to work,” he explained.

At one stage, Ian’s putting was so bad he reverted to

Age-breaker Ian Brockwell the toast of Yamba putting with one hand on the club – hence the tinkering and experimenting with different putters.

“It’s taken 30 or 40 years of experience to feel confident about putting,” he said.

Wife Robyn, who plays off 18, was quick to comment.

“David, we could eat very well if he didn’t have so many putters,” she joked.

Ian and Robyn say they are “golf tragics”.

“I play three or four times a week and every other day I am out there doing something on the golf courses,” Ian said.

“I lived in Minneapolis where you can only play golf six months of the year because you are snowed-in the rest of the time.”

Still, Ian did manage to get down to a handicap of 4.3 Long retired, Ian and Robyn live in the seaside town of Yamba in northern NSW, but escape the summer heat and humidity by spending three or four months each year at Aspendale in Victoria – just a short par-5 from Rossdale Golf Club’s front gate.

“We enjoy going down there in summer and playing golf,” he said.

“I love my golf. If I didn’t have golf to keep me enthusiastic I’m sure I wouldn’t be here today.

“Recently we went to New Zealand for two weeks and played 10 games – five on the South Island and five on the

“I think it keeps you healthy, fit and stimulates your mind.

“It certainly gets me going.” •

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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pro-ams

Two big events for Capricorn Coast T HERE are exciting times ahead for Capricorn Coast golf fans.

Yeppoon Golf Club will host two important events – one in May and another in July.

Club professional Graham Sheppard said there was a pro-am scheduling change this year.

“The pro-am time slots have changed a little,” he said.

“Since taking over as club professional at Yeppoon Golf Club in November last year, I noticed the Yeppoon Pro-Am had previously become a little lost in the series as it was a one-day event between the Rockhampton and Capricorn Classic Pro-Ams – both fourround events.

“I decided to move the pro-am, rebrand it and have it as a final at the end of the Polyweld Mining Town Series of Pro-Ams. “The leading 25 professionals (plus seven invited professionals) at the end of the Mining Town Series will be invited to compete in the inaugural Pines Yeppoon – Capricorn Coast Invitational (CCI).

“Professionals will compete for $35,000 in prizemoney.”

The event will be played from May 26-28.

“Tuesday, May 26 will be the sponsors/ corporate golf day before the two-day tournament on Wednesday and Thursday May 27-28,” Sheppard said.

“The tournament will conclude with a large gala dinner presented by CoalTrain at the Yeppoon Town Hall on Thursday evening.”

Graham Sheppard.

Meanwhile, Mercure Capricorn Resort has opted to withdraw its tournament, the Capricorn Classic, from the Sunshine Tour Series for 2015 due to the resort’s multimillion dollar refurbishment.

Sheppard said Yeppoon Golf Club, with the support of local businesses, would fill the void with a brand-new tournament.

“The JRT/Tropical Auto Group – Southern Great Barrier Reef Golf Championship will be played from July 28 to August 1,” he said.

“The pro-am will be conducted over five days starting July 28 with a sponsors’ day before the four-round tournament begins on Wednesday, July 29 and concludes on Saturday, August 1.”

Seventy-two professionals and more than

Yeppoon golf course.

200 amateurs will take part.

“The professional prize purse is yet to be confirmed but will be a minimum of $55,000,” Sheppard said.

“The event will be a huge week of entertainment around the golf with a sponsors/ corporate golf day to start on the Tuesday.

“There’ll be a cocktail party on Thursday night, a luncheon on the lawns of the picturesque Yeppoon Golf Club on Friday and the presentation gala dinner on Saturday.

“We have had a lot of support from local businesses, council and Capricorn Enterprise to ensure a tournament fills the gap previously held by the Capricorn Classic.”

Capricorn Enterprise (Local Tourism body) CEO Mary Carrol said the Capricorn Classic

Golf and Game Tour 2015 September 17th – October 3rd 2015

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“Amateurs keen on playing in the tournament are advised to get in early as spots will fill fast,” Sheppard said.

Justin Maker, tournament coordinator for the PGA of Australia (Qld Division), said the popular Capricorn Classic hosted by Mecure Capricorn Resort was earmarked to return in 2016.

“The four-round tournament at Yeppoon Golf Club this year is a new event and hopefully in 2016 we will have two tournaments on the Capricorn Coast,” he said.

For more information, contact Graham Sheppard at Yeppoon Golf Club on (07) 4939 3664 or email gs@golfandevents.com.au

African Adventures THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOLF AND GAME SPECIALISTS

THE TOUR (excerpt) Australian golfing legend Bob Stanton and wife Lucy specialise in South African golf tours and after sold out 2013 and 2014 tours are pleased to present this 2015 tour for a small group of 12 couples / 24 guests.

injected around $2m into the local economy each year.

•

•

• • • •

1 Night D’Oreale Grande at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg and welcome cocktail party.

3 Nights at both &Beyond Phinda and &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp – 12 Game drives.

2 Nights at Fairmont Zimbali Resort.

3 Nights at Fancourt Resort.

4 Nights at the Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town.

5 Games of golf at Zimbali, Fancourt – Links and Montagu, Pezula and Pearl Valley.

16 NIGHTS / 17 DAyS ALL INCLUSIVE

A$ 12,260 per person sharing ex Johannesburg Single Supplement on request.

BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION Lucy: 0411 592 300 | Bob: 0411 706 840 lucy@lucystanton.com.au www.lucystanton.com.au/2015

new gear

>NEW

Garmin Approach S6 The Garmin Approach S6 is a featurepacked hi-res colour touchscreen GPS golf watch with first-of-its-kind swing metrics built right in. SwingStrengthTM calibration helps you immediately know how hard you swing, so you can train yourself to swing more consistently. Plus, SwingTempo (and TempoTraining) helps you fine-tune your swing timing.

GEAR

www.garmin.com.au

We highlight the latest products to hit the market adidas BOOST Golfade The conception of Golfade™ resulted one afternoon after playing 18 holes of golf at a very poor level. Philip O’Keeffe, CEO of Golfade™ decided it was time to research ways to improve his golf through nutrition. After many months of discussions and investigation into the nutritional beverage ingredients industry, Philip found that it was the need for constant slowrelease energy, hydration, focus and concentration which would best assist him in improving his golf game. The finished product was Golfade™.

On an average golf course, you are expected to walk approximately 8-12 kms burning somewhere between 1400-1500 calories. Carrying clubs throughout the course also increases your chance of early fatigue, decreasing your fine motor skills and increasing your golf score. Golfade™ has been developed to help decrease these issues and improve your enjoyment of golf through a three-stage energy release system throughout 18 holes of golf. Golfade™ is also a low GI drink with only 135 calories per bottle.

Golfade™ contains an excellent source of potassium and sodium, essential for hydration, which is progressively released throughout the consumption of the drink.

Other Golfade™ natural extract ingredients also stimulate focus and concentration. Golfade™ has been scientifically formulated for 18 holes of golf to keep you focused, improve concentration, and keep you relaxed, hydrated and energised for up to 6 hours.

Philip, and the Golfade™ team are extremely proud of this product, proving to be one of the only Australian made and owned beverages specifically made for golfers on the market. www.golfade.com.au 1300 GOLFADE for sales and enquiries.

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

sockliner, adipower Boost delivers a more precise, comfortable fit for all golfers. Taking everything learned from BOOST technology’s remarkable success in running, basketball and baseball, designers have created the most comfortable footwear in adidas Golf history.

adidas Golf has announced that their revolutionary BOOST™ cushioning technology is now available in golf footwear for the first time, highlighted by the all-new adipower Boost for both men and women. An industry-changing innovation, BOOST technology is designed to deliver maximum energy return, responsiveness and unparalleled comfort.

storing and releasing energy efficiently throughout the swing and delivering maximum energy return as athletes perform.

adidas’ innovative BOOST foam cushioning is comprised of thousands of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) energy capsules fused together by way of a proprietary high pressure steam moulding process. At their core, these capsules are the essence of the innovation; its function,

While traditional EVA foam hardens and softens dramatically when temperatures fluctuate, BOOST foam retains consistent cushioning and is incredibly responsive in both hot and cold conditions. Combined with a lace-in saddle, fitsleeve tongue wrapping, external heel counter and a fitfoam® PU

MGI Tri Series Designed by the leaders of golf gear in Australia, MGI introduce their new MGI Tri Series range of motorised buggies, the MGI Terrain Tri Brake and MGI Ryder Tri Compact. The Tri Series range features a new adjustable and ergonomic T-bar handle that provides added comfort with improved access to the dual-operation speed contract.

With simplicity and storability in mind, these buggies fold down using a two-step process enabling you to easily stow them away in the boot of your car. For a supreme and smooth operation on the green, the Tri Series buggies contain a whisper-quiet 230w motor, and with the MGI Terrain Tri Brake also featuring a differential gearbox, downhill speed control and Electronic Park Brake.

MGI Terrain Tri Brake | RRP from $1,295 MGI Ryder Tri Compact | RRP from $1,095 For Stockists: www.mgigolf.com | 1300 644 523

The women’s adipower Boost features many of the same design properties and technologies as the men’s model, including BOOST midsole foam in the heel for endless energy return and a lace in saddle. Also similar to the men’s model, the external heel counter adds even more lateral stability and support of the foot and gripmore technology is placed in the same location on the outsole for instantly recognizable traction. www.adidas.com.au/golf

WE TRIED IT!>

Callaway Golf Chrome Soft Golf Ball Boasting Callaway’s softest core with low compression and a Tour Urethane cover, the new Chrome Soft Golf Ball by Callaway has been making plenty of headlines recently, with players of all levels flocking to give these little gems a bash.

Last month, Inside Golf’s review team took the Chrome Soft Golf Balls onto the course for a ‘Test Drive’ of our own, with low, midand high-handicappers all putting them into play.

True to its name, the first thing we noticed about the ball is just how soft it feels, especially around the green. With a low 65 compression, we could easily compress the ball on iron shots, leading to some amazing spin (and control) on approach shots. For those of us who can remember the old Balata golf ball days, these Chrome Soft balls brought back a flood of great memories when chipping and putting, as they managed to get some great “grip” on the clubface.

However, unlike the old Balatas (which were prone to being cut quite easily), the cover on the Chrome Soft balls is extremely durable. After a full round (with a few trees and cart paths hit along the way) they were still in great shape. A nice surprise.

With a driver, the ball’s SoftFast Core (designed to reduce spin and retain energy off the driver to maximize ball speed and distance) really helped launch the ball into the air. In truth, the Chrome Soft felt a lot like a Tour ball off the tee.

RRP

$44.99 AUD

So what level of player is this ball best suited for?

To be honest, it’s difficult to categorise this ball specifically by handicap, as it offers so much to players of all levels.

Our low handicapper loved the spin and control, as well as the feel around the greens.

The mid-handicapper gained huge accuracy advantages off the tee (through the reduction of sidespin), while our high marker saw massive distance gains off the tee.

We don’t know how the Callaway engineers have done it, but they may have managed to create a sort of “Super Ball” which is both soft and durable at the same time, suitable for different swing speeds and skill levels.

Either way, we can honestly say that Chrome Soft are definitely worth a hit if you’re looking to improve your game, no matter what your skill level. www.callawaygolf.com/au

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instruction

To video or not to video?

Randall Hollands Smith randall@rhgolfrange.com.au

T

his month we are showcasing a golfer who has recently become a new client at Rachel Hetherington Golf Range. Brendan has used the benefits of video analysis to receive advice and has undertaken two lessons from our resident swing instructor Randall Hollands-Smith.

Brendan first received some 1 advice about his golf swing after sending Randall some footage of his swing. After a brief consultation, Brendan started lessons with Randall and has made some significant improvement in just a short period of time.

Photo 1 is the original swing sent to Randall.

The red triangle in this photo represents the plane in which all instructors like the player’s hands, club shaft and club head to remain throughout the entire swing. You can clearly see in this photo that Brendan’s club shaft and club head is clearly underneath the original shaft plane and that his hands are almost underneath the bottom plane line also.

Photo 2 shows that the club head, shaft and hands are now in the middle of the triangle.

2

This helped to improve Brendan’s shoulder rotation to the top of his backswing and will definitely help him set the club correctly for the transition into the downswing.

Photo 3 shows how short Brendan’s back swing was with the height or level of his hands being quite low. You can clearly see that his right shoulder is exposed above the level of his left arm.

In photo 4 you can see a considerable difference to the position of his hands and elbows and also to the height or level of his hands. The most notable difference to

3

Brendan’s improvement has been to the directional control and also the increased consistency of his ball striking.

Brendan has made some considerable changes in just a few lessons and has improved his scores from an average of around 50 for nine holes to an average of approximately 43.

4

Having never before seen his golf swing on video and having no preconceived ideas of his swing he was very open to the advice offered with some fantastic results.

If you have a similar swing issue or questions and would like for Randall or Rachel to run their eye over your golf swing please contact us at the range. •

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 0408 381 924, or the Golf Range on 07 5590 7686 or email randall@rhgolfrange.com.au for further information. www.rhgolfrange.com.au

Educated Hands Steven Aisbett www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

W

ithout doubt, the most important position in golf is impact. The only thing the ball reacts to is where the clubhead is at the point of impact. The result of the shot whether it is good, bad or indifferent is totally programmed into the ball during the brief time the clubhead remains in contact with the ball - just 4/10,000 of a second.

For more consistent programming, the hands have to adopt a particular position known as “Educated Hands”. The number one imperative for the right hander is to have a “Flat” back of left wrist at impact and into the follow through. Golf as a two-handed game, requires the right wrist to be “Bent” to accommodate the “Flat” left wrist. Therefore, the “Flat” left and “Bent” right wrist at impact constitutes “Educated Hands”.

When “Educated Hands” are achieved, you will note that the shaft will have a forward lean so that your hands are closer to the target than the clubhead and your weight moved more onto your left side. At impact the shaft and left arm should form a straight line from a “face on” perspective. With your irons, this should create ball impact first before ground contact, thus creating a divot.

Let’s now discuss the divot. Many new 48

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

golfers believe to get the ball airborne they must get the clubhead under the ball and scoop it into the air. This is completely wrong.

To achieve proper impact with an iron, hybrid or fairway metal when hit off the ground, the ball must be struck a descending blow, NOT ascending. The downward force will squeeze the ball between the clubface and the ground, compressing the ball into the air with correct spin creating the required trajectory. Because the golf swing is based on the geometry of the circle there is only one ground “low point”.

A well-struck iron will create a divot starting after the ball is struck and not before. As the divot progresses it may measure 20cm or more in length. The “low point” or deepest part of the divot is approximately 10cm past the ball for the very best ball strikers.

Unfortunately, the divot for the average amateur commences before the ball is struck causing loss of power and accuracy. For that reason many golfers are reluctant to take a divot because they have no understanding of the correct compression concept. Without true compression there little chance of major improvement.

As mentioned earlier, to achieve compression, you must create a forward leaning shaft at impact. When this occurs, you automatically achieve “Educated Hands” with “Flat” left and “Bent” right wrist. The longer you sustain these conditions through impact, the better you will be able to create a long, thin divot and sustain your line of compression.

The divot depth should be like a rasher of bacon, NOT a pork chop. If your divot is too deep and chunky, your angle of attack is too steep. If the divot is heading too far left across the intending line of flight, you are swinging “outside to in” across the target line causing a slice OR pull depending on clubface angle.

I will discuss these matters in subsequent articles.

Many drills can be practiced to train your “Educated Hands”.

PUTTING: Focus on “Flat” left or “Bent” right wrist keeping thumbs pointing down.

IMPACT FIX: Go from address with “hands opposite body centre, weight even” to “hands opposite left leg and weight more left side”.

IMPACT BAG: Used to simulate impact by striking the bag with forward leaning shaft so that clubhead and shaft make contact with thumbs pointing down. •

Steve Aisbett is a AAA PGA member at Thornleigh Golf Centre. For further information or tuition contact Ian Passwell at Thornleigh Golf Centre on 02 9875 5445 / 0413 538 560. www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

instruction

Club fitting with technology David Merriman

Golf Professional, Australian PGA 0412 44 2205

O

ne of my students recently asked me the age-old question – what do I need to know when purchasing golf clubs.

With the advent of technology in the golf industry it’s much easier for golf equipment to be demonstrated and trialled at an indoor lab or launch monitor before purchase. If you are going to purchase some new equipment and will be testing it using a technologybased programme here are some key points to consider.

Shaft: Shafts come in different flexes and weights. Fitting technology can measure your clubhead speed to help with your shaft selection. Players with a low clubhead speed usually require a more flexible and lighter shaft. Those with a faster clubhead speed usually require a stiffer and heavier shaft.

There are a lot of variations from the lightest to the heaviest but as a general guide if your club head speed is around 95 to 100 miles per hour (145 to 160 km per hour) you should be looking at a stiff shaft.

The swing weight of your club is the balance between the length of the golf club and the head weight. Some golfers like a lighter swing weight than normal to get more clubhead speed, however you should note that if the

golf club is too light you will lose control with your swing. Conversely, if the club head is too heavy you will have good feel but less distance.

As a guide a regular men’s recommended swing weight is around d2 and for women it’s around c6.

Lie angle: The lie angle is the angle from the centre of the shaft to the sole of the club and is measured when the groove lines on the club face are parallel to the ground at address. In other words, you want the middle of the sole of the golf club hitting the ground instead of the toe or heel. If a club is too upright you will have a tendency to hook the ball. If a club is too flat you will have a tendency to fade the ball. Technology can be useful to let you know whether the heel or toe is hitting the ground at impact. As a general guide if you are tall and you stand closer to the ball you probably need more upright clubs, if you are on the shorter side and you stand away from the ball you will have a tendency to need a flatter lie.

Loft. The loft of a golf club is the angle of the club face that controls trajectory and affects distance. A lot of modern golf clubs are designed with a stronger loft and a lower centre of gravity. The stronger loft allows you to hit the ball further and the lower centre of gravity allows you to get the ball higher into the air. If you are hitting the ball too low you may need more loft to get more distance through the air. Technology such as launch monitors can assist by telling you the optimum trajectory you should hit each club for maximum distance.

Length: The length of the shaft is very important. If you simply lengthen a particular club to get more distance it sometimes has the reverse effect by making the shaft whippier and the head heavier, which may not be the best result. If you shorten a club you make the shaft stiffer and the head lighter which means again you are going to lose distance and feel.

Most people are standard length with some variations due to height and arm length. The way to check is to measure from the tip of your fingers to the ground wearing normal shoes.

Approximately 28.5 inches (72 cms) is close to men’s standard.

Grip: The size of your grip will depend on the size of your hand. If you have the grip too thick you will have a tendency to fade the ball as it will be more difficult to release the club.

If the grip is too thin you will have tendency to hook the ball or lose control with your release. You can use your glove size as a basic guide. People that wear a small to medium size glove with be best suited to a standard size grip. Those that wear large or extra large gloves usually require a thicker grip. This can be achieved by requesting two or three papers be added under your grip prior to purchasing your clubs.

Remember that when you’re testing clubs in a controlled environment your swing will be more relaxed and free flowing. You may hit the ball a little better than in normal

Back and low for better reads

Body follows the hands Peter Croker www.keytofgolf.com

C

oordination is a major factor in playing any sport – especially golf.

To coordinate hands, arms, and body to work as a team combines both science and art (alignment and feel). Just like an architect in creating the plans for a building that combines both grace and beauty in lines and structure in design with materials that can withstand high winds and earthquakes, the golfer will be best advised to approach understanding the design and alignments that create a golf swing that delivers “effortless power” and “consistent control” and then know how to build it for themselves. This drill delivers a fundamental concept in this process.

Conceptual awareness starts with the acceptance that “the hands are the source of motion”. This lesson will help you “buy in” to this most powerful understanding when it comes

BODY FOLLOWS HANDS EXERCISE Purpose To demonstrate how your body will naturally follow the lead of your hands.

Exercise Stand at address without a club, but with your palms facing each other. Now move your left hand to the top of the backswing position.

Then move your right hand to the top of the backswing position.

Then do the same – left and then right motion to move your hands back to the impact position and then left hand followed by right hand to the finish position.

The above is a rough guide to help you break down the information given to you by the seller when purchasing your clubs.

Requirements will vary between players. You can also ask your club professional for a demo club to try on course or attend club fitting days held by the various manufacturers and retailers. •

A three-time winner of the Queensland PGA Legends championship held at Redland Bay Golf Club, David Merriman is an Australian PGA Tour Player and Teaching Professional at Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast. Contact him on 0412 442 205. www.davidmerrimangolf.com.au

golf lesson #10 to both learning and playing this game of a lifetime.

Ultimately it requires “educated hands” to control and coordinate hands, arms, and body to deliver the clubhead solidly on the golf ball.

In the following drill you can simply discover that with a “pushing” action with the hands, the body follows the hands from start to finish in a coordinated and orthodox golf swing.

play. Technology will show you facets of your swing that it has been programmed to detect; it cannot pick up idiosyncrasies that you have developed over a lifetime.

For example, most senior golfers have a low ball flight that has been developed over many years. If in doubt, speak with your local golf professional for the best advice.

Glenn Whittle glenn@whittlegolf.com (02) 9541 4960

source of motion drill Watch the video of this drill here: http://vimeo.com/ user14583831/ review/53806714/ dbbb83437f Peter Croker has been a PGA Member since 1971. He has given lessons using the Key to Golf Program to many students from beginners to Major Championship winners including Arnold Palmer, Vijay Singh, Rocco Mediate, Fred Funk, Bob Charles, and Olin Brown. You can sign up for a Free Webinar on “How to make Golf Simple to Learn”, book an internet or individual lesson or test drive a Module from www.keytogolf.com. Phone: 0415292549 or email: crokergolfsystem@gmail to book a School or lesson.

W

hen I meet someone new who wants me to help them with their putting, the first two things I always do is A) have a chat to get to know them and their golfing history and concerns, goals, etc., and B) watch them putt using only one ball out on the practice putting green. This gives me a chance to see them as closely as possible to playing in a club comp.

One thing I often notice is the majority of club level golfers do not stand back behind the ball very far when reading putts. My advice here is very simple, but is likely to make a big difference—especially if you have difficulty normally reading putts.

during your next two games: stand back further than you normally would and crouch down low and look wider left then wider right. Broaden your perspective and notice the difference

Have a look at the photo. Unlike many golfers who stand a metre or so behind the ball, I’m standing much further back and bending down low.

This gives me a much broader view of the green in general and the slopes etc. This is what I want you to do

Keep an eye out for the firstever Sydney putting Studio threehour putting school coming up in Sydney in the middle of the year. If you are interested email me glenn@ whittlegolf.com and I will send you some info.

The 2008 NSW PGA Teacher of the Year, Glenn Whittle is an AAA PGA Member.

He can be contacted via The Sydney Putting Studio (www.sydneyputtingstudio. com), at The Ridge on (02) 9541 4960 or visit www.whittlegolf.com www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

49

mental tips

How to finish off a solid round Mathew Howe

Golf Mind Coach mindyourgolf@yahoo.com.au

W

e all know someone like this: They get a good round going and then, as sure as the sun comes up, they start throwing in bogeys, double bogeys and many others.

I think at some stage most of us have thrown away a great round. The situation becomes unbearable, though, when you keep doing it round after round.

There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel. Some simple mental keys can unlock this golfing mystery.

Let’s get clear on what the mental challenge is: you start mentally feeling uncomfortable with the score you have.

Your score seems too good to be true in your mind. Your mind, being the good Samaritan that it is, wants you to avoid pain, so it tries to help you get back into a comfortable situation. This can be triggered off from a simple comment from your playing partner like “Gee, did you realize you are 5 under your handicap? Keep this up and you are going to win today”.

Here is the good news. The problem is not so much finding out that you are going

great. It’s more with what you do with this information. What happens to most people mentally in this situation is they start looking ahead and then lose what great focus that they had.

The Solution Your best approach is to focus on one shot at a time all day long.

Step 1 - The moment you become aware that you are starting to tighten up and play some below-quality movements, you need to stop and take time out for a few seconds. This gives you a chance to stop the old mental pattern from continuing to run.

Step 2 - Remind yourself that you are getting tight because you really want to do well today.

In order to get back to some neutral emotions you need to convince yourself that if you have any chance of playing well today you need to loosen up immediately and start caring less about where your next shot ends up.

Step 3 - From here you can now do a great job of focusing on your routine of playing the next shot. Stick to your rhythm and normal pace. If people start talking up your situation just says thanks and mentally make a note that this is a reminder to start caring even less and becoming even more loose. How tightly you grip the club should let you know whether you are loose mentally and physically. If you don’t have a definite simple repeatable shot routine

you will be in trouble at this point. The routine makes you able to put your mind somewhere productive rather than it just going anywhere and probably being destructive.

Here are some tips to polishing off a great round.

Ignore your past chokes/failures The past does not equal the future. Keep that in your mind. If you really are having a hard time you can use a mental technique developed by Victor Frankl (Logotherapy) which prescribes that you tell yourself that if you are going to stuff it up again and choke, that this time you are going to actually try and do the biggest choke of all time. It sounds silly, but try it and see how hard it is to feel anxious about your shots when you are actually trying to be a choker.

When you’re going great, slow down and relax One of the best ways to calm yourself down is to get into a meaningful conversation with a playing partner. This automatically takes care of a lot of things because your mind will be busy attending

to the needs of the conversation and not worrying about how tense you are. Physically letting your arms be free and loose is also a great way to get the tension flowing out of your system. If you can have a genuine laugh at your situation you are well on your way to free-flowing golf.

Focus The golden rule of overcoming the choke is to keep your focus solid regardless of the feelings you experience. Keep your mind on the job if things do not feel right. For example, over a putt, focus on judging the distance on your practice swings as you normally would, rather than have your thoughts focus on how your hands are trembling.

Looking for an extra challenge in your next game?

Play attacking, carefree, confident golf right from the first hole and get yourself off to a spectacular start, look forward to getting yourself into the situation of having one of your best rounds and seeing how you can deal with it. •

Mat Howe is a Golf Mind Coach with a degree in Sport Psychology and has mentally coached and caddied for golfers from the international professional playing standard through to beginners.

Mat is based in Wollongong on the South Coast of NSW and can be contacted on 0410 695 605 or email at mindyourgolf@yahoo.com.au. www.mathowemindgolf.weebly.com

Improving hip mobility

fitness

a

Richard Nizielski www.golffitsolutions.com

A

n integral component of executing a full golf swing is hip mobility.

Without it, your rotation is limited.

This means your power development is limited, and thus your distance will be limited.

Not only does limited hip mobility mean a loss of power and distance, it’s been shown to cause over-activation in the lower spine, which is not designed to rotate or move like the hips do. This is going to put an increased amount of pressure on the lower spine, increasing the risk of lower back injuries.

Hip mobility is key when developing power in the golf movement.

Seated Glute

Hip rotation stretch

Regular stretching is one of the ways you can improve hip mobility. A few simple stretches that you can do by yourself and with little or no equipment are:

The seated glutes stretch

Stretch a) Focuses on the hip and gluteal Stretch b) Focuses on the internal rotators of the hip Stretch c) Focuses on the external rotators of the hip

Take a seat and place one foot over the other leg. Grab hold of the knee with both hands and pull the knee towards the chest and the opposite shoulder. Rotate the torso towards the leg.

Hold each of the stretches for between 10-60 seconds. Switch legs and repeat the stretch. If needed, repeat again before moving on to the next stretch.

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Assume a kneeling position, placing one foot in front of you and the other foot out behind you.

Find a bench or table top to place the leg on, in the position shown.

Lean forward from the hips, keeping the torso long and tall.

Hip Flexor stretch

Hip flexor stretch

Be sure to keep both sit-bones on the seat as you execute this stretch. Hold for between 10-30 seconds. Switch sides and repeat the stretch. If needed, repeat again before moving on to the next stretch.

Long periods of sitting at an office desk or in the car can create tightness in the hips, so it’s important to do something that will improve the freedom of movement in this area and allow the hips to work correctly.

50

b

c

Begin to sink the hip towards the floor, generating a stretch in the front area of the hip.

Flex the front knee to increase the stretch.

Hold for between 10-60 seconds. Switch feet and repeat the stretch.

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

Augusta at first sight Garrett Johnston @johnstongarrett

W

alking through Augusta National’s green gates and setting foot on its hallowed grounds for the first time is an experience to tell your grandkids about.

The thrill of standing by the Masters jumbo scoreboard along the first hole and taking a snap with the overhead flags blowing in the breeze is invigorating.

But so too is the entire Masters experience.

The idea that you can’t have a phone on the course at first seems tough to deal with, but it helps you focus on the course and appreciate its history.

According to the Augusta Chronicle’s sports editor John Boyette, Augusta National was the first stadium course. When you walk the grounds, you can see why in the course’s intricate details. Many greens are elevated, making the players appear almost larger than life. Even on a hole like the par-5 second, when you stand near the left part of the green and look toward the third tee, however many people surround that box, the players stand just above the masses and pop out to the eye. It’s brilliant.

The course itself is so pristine and lush that it’s almost hard to believe your eyes.

For Harvey Norman Retail Developer Claude Antonucci of Sydney, he wasn’t sure what to make of Augusta’s initial beauty.

“The first time I got here I thought the course looked fake,” Antonucci said. “So I rubbed my hands all over the ground and had to feel the grass.”

Antonucci is a member of Muirfield at North Rocks and attended the 2015 Masters with five other Aussie buddies. The crew wore blue pants with the Aussie flag, white belts, blue polos that read “2015 US Masters Tour,” and a black hat with ‘Aussie’ on the front inset a visage of Australia with the flag on the bill.

Each had their nicknames on the backs of their shirts.

The six were Peter (Antonucci), Al, Guvo, Macca, Pluv, and Coxy.

Antonucci’s mates call him ‘Peter Perfect’ because everything needs to be perfect when he’s on the golf course.

“I love my golf and that’s how I am on the golf course,” Antonucci said.

“Growing up as a kid you always want to see Augusta National. You just love it so much and it does not disappoint.”

The course often looks like a slow-moving painting. Each hole is distinctly its own.

Bubba Watson’s caddie Ted Scott says that’s the reason why Watson loves the course and plays so well, because each hole is well defined. On the par-5 8th you can gaze down its spectacular and elevated fairway and see its yellow pin moving calmly in the distance.

The other three par-5s have such severe doglegs or elevation changes that you cannot see the pin from their tee boxes. But it doesn’t matter. Number two is a gem that starts narrow and whose fairway widens out into the most expansive on the course.

And, of course, numbers 13 and 15 provide that daring risk and reward with water in play on both reachable holes.

Everything at Augusta is green. From the entrance walking gates to the rubbish bins and food houses, Augusta National paints literally everything green. They provide their unique hue of green paint for use on the broadcast sets on the driving range. All must follow suit.

The telephone booths, ATM booth, merchandise buildings, and food signs are all colored green. The crosswalks and wet areas on the course are often covered over with green pebbles. Last year Jordan Spieth’s father Shawn told me that “It didn’t make sense for them to be any other color.”

The Par-3 course is stunning as well. It’s a charming, undulating course with large lakes and plenty of trouble to enhance the challenge. Some holes measure less than 100 yards and the course is filled with Azaleas as well.

Tom Styles from Nottingham, England brought his father, David and brother Pete to the Masters in 2015 for the first time. It was Frank’s 70th birthday and Tom wanted to bring him for a gift.

The three and their families took in the sights and sounds of Tuesday’s practice rounds, watching Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood, and other stars up close.

The aesthetic appeal of Augusta made a strong impression on this family who, like most of us, were used to watching the Masters on television.

“The scenery at Amen Corner was iconic,” Tom Styles said. “I’ve been watching the Masters for 30 years and I had a painting in my head with my eyes closed. The real thing was so beautiful.”

Indeed, that famous stretch is a sight to behold at first look.

but obviously it’s the greens that are the challenge.”

There were surprises for the Styles clan as well as they realized how steep the fairways were to walk. But they also stumbled upon their favourite views.

McNamarra’s friend Brian Fitzgerald, also from Sydney and a member at Terry Hills, believes Augusta is much different first-hand than what we see on TV.

“The best view on the course to me was behind the 16th green,” David Styles said. “It’s like a revelation to see how much of a theater that hole is with patrons on the back, left, and right.”

“The course is nothing like what we see on TV,” Fitzgerald said. “When you watch it on TV you don’t understand how hilly it is and how the stance is uneven for players all the way through and you just don’t see any of these hills. But when you see them it’s just magnificent.”

The low, collective points of the course are 16, Amen Corner, 13 green, and 14 tee—which allow for wonderful theatrical atmospheres with the dense trees in those outdoor arenas. One of the higher points on Augusta is above the seventh green.

This vantage position presents the view of six fairways with the 8th on the far right, 2’s dramatic descent adjacent, 3 going straight out, 7 below you, 17, and then 14.

If you want to watch the drama unfold, this is your spot to see the most at one time.

The reality of Amen Corner is it’s so beautiful and a joy to take in but you are quite far from the action, especially the 12th green and 13th tee. It’s hard to absorb the detail. When I watched Rory McIlroy’s collapse in 2011, it took a trained eye to keep McIlroy’s distant body in focus when he buried his face in his arm after his tee shot on 13.

Bob McNamarra is an Australian from Sydney who enjoys visiting Augusta National.

“You see Augusta on TV and you think ‘it’s great’ but in person it’s magnificent,” McNamarra said. “It’s fabulous, there’s nothing like it in the world.”

“The one thing I’m a little surprised at is I thought the course was narrower. A couple of the fairways are reasonably forgiving

Indeed some of the hills, and round mounds in 8 fairway and 18 fairway are almost like termite mounds covered in pristine grass.

Another aspect of Augusta to keep in mind is how its holes are laid out.

“One of my favourite things was getting a feel for how the holes were laid out in relation to each other,” Tom Styles said. “That is something that is very difficult to get a feel of when watching the television.”

Indeed the second hole, a downhill par 5 dogleg left, is awesome to look at but the fairway is 40-45 yards wide. There are trees on each side but they only come into play on an errant shot.

Food Another aspect that patrons rave about at The Masters is the food. The food prices at Augusta are quite friendly. Sandwiches are $2.00 and Soda $1.50.

In other words, a much different experience than at the Ryder Cup. “At the Ryder Cup, it was a 50 minute ordeal of queuing for the toilet then having to pay $15 for a luke-warm salmon pasta,” Tom Styles said. “$15 at the Masters could feed a family of 4, brilliant.” • www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

51

golf nsw

Cobar pairing take Sand Greens Fourball Championship

Women’s Summer Meeting a success

Srixon Major Metropolitan Pennant season comes to an end

T

he first of three meetings of 2015 was played in the Southern Highlands on 2-5 March over four courses. Bowral, Highlands, Moss Vale and Mt Broughton Golf Clubs were enjoyed by the 250 participants in this annual event.

Michael and Jacob Ryan Michael and Jacob Ryan of Cobar Bowling and Golf Club held on to win the 2015 Men’s NSW Sand Greens Fourball Championship at Narromine Golf Club, finishing with an impressive scratch score of 87 (15-under-par). The Championship came down to the wire with the Walcha pairing of Wayne and Andrew Brennan finishing only a stroke further back on a score of 86 (14-under-par). In third place were Narromine locals Tony Mann and Robert Williams, who finished with a score of 84 (12-under-par).

Coonamble’s Thuens Jackobs (32) and Joseph Goldsmith (22) finished with an astonishing 117 points to claim victory in the nett competition. Ron Fuller (21) and Gareth Bullock (25) of Walgett Golf Club finished runner-up with a score of 111, while Dubbo’s Dudley (13) and Anthony Beetson (20) claimed third place on a score of 104.

The participants heaped praise on Narromine Golf Club and its hard working membership for the exceptional condition of the course (given the regions recent dry spell).

Debbie Nunn claimed the Open Summer Cup for 2015, winning by six strokes. Debbie had rounds of 91 at Highlands and a four-overpar, 75 at Mt Broughton, a total of 166. Local member Elizabeth White (Highlands) was in form throughout the tournament to secure her win for the overall 36-hole nett prize.

White had consecutive rounds of 74 nett at Highlands and 71 nett at Mt Broughton, a total score of 145, a nine shot lead from Wakehurst’s Geraldine Anderson (20) who had rounds of 78 nett at Highlands and 76 nett at Mt Broughton, a total of 154 nett.

Wakehurst’s Tanya Hoyle had consistent rounds of 103 at Moss Vale and 103 at Bowral for a total of 206 to win the Division Two Kathleen Armstrong Bowl. Lyn Stump (Wakehurst, 33) won the overall 36-hole Nett with a total nett 152, rounds of 77 and 75.

Runner-up was Jennifer Brown (Nowra GC, 28) with rounds of 75 and 80, a total nett 155.

Foursomes were played on the third day of the Meeting with Division One at Mt Broughton and Division Two at Highlands for the 18-hole foursomes stroke. Jane Davey (Russell Vale) and Jill Blenkey (Newcastle) shot an 85 off the stick to win the scratch for Division One. Nett winners were Asquith’s Ivy Cheong and Christine Baines (24) with a great score of 71 nett. Runners-up were Camden’s Yvonne Day and Margaret Poulton (21 ½) with 73 ½ nett.

Division 1 winners (Men): St. Michael’s

Division 1 Winner - Debbie Nunn (Wakehurst GC) At Highlands for Division Two Anne Bissaker (Killara) and Lisa Deakin (Monash) had a score of 108 to win the scratch prize. Wakehurst’s Diana Jefferson and Helen Shrivell (32 ½) won the nett with a 77 ½ nett. Local girls Lyle Kite and Tracee Magrath (Highlands, 28) pulled through to win nett runner up with 79 nett.

The final round of the Summer Meeting was the Teams V Par event with players competing at Moss Vale and Bowral Golf Clubs.

A score of +13 won the event at Moss Vale, players were Helen Egan (Killara, 21), Dilys Geddes (Asquith, 26), Sally Bailey (Moss Vale GC, 17) and Jane Shirlow (Moss Vale, 13).

Runners-up were three points behind on +10, Mary Streeter (27), Ruth Chuter (25), Linda Meakins (20) and Anne Martin (28) from Wakehurst Golf Club.

At Bowral it was a close call with Wakehurst’s Helen Shrivell (29), Christine Carolyn (24), Lyn Stump (31) and Judy Gailey (30) having +10 c/b from local Bowral team Anne Geddes (19), Jane Whittaker (30), Anne Vitou (37) and Pamela Barker (22) also having a +10.

Congratulations to the latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers:

Division 1 Winners (Women) - Pennant Hills The Finals Series for 2015 began with the 20 Men’s and 8 Women’s divisional qualifying teams fighting it out in semifinals for a place in their respective Final. There looked to be some great individual match-ups in the Final and the matches certainly did not disappoint the many spectators that were on course throughout the Final day. A host of the state’s leading amateur golfers went head-to-head to contest what is the pinnacle in club representation. Ninety competitors (70 men and 20 women) went head-to-head in the team match play format with the following teams coming out on top: MEN: Division 1: St. Michael’s defeated The Australian 5 – 2 Division 2: Ryde-Parramatta defeated Liverpool 5.5 – 1.5 Division 3: Killara defeated Macquarie Links 4.5 – 2.5 Division 4: Penrith defeated Glenmore Heritage 5 – 2 Division 5: Riverside Oaks defeated Cammeray 6 – 1 WOMEN: Division 1: Pennant Hills defeated St. Michael’s 3 – 2 Division 2: Cabramatta defeated Penrith 3.5 – 1.5

Michael Carter, Elizabeth Cullen, John Furneaux, Ron Gibbs, Michael Hunt, Anna Mace, Leslee Maddinson, Les Szkirpan, Wayne Wickens and Jan Wood.

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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golf qld

Winners are grinners for Qld Golf Industry

T

he Queensland golf industry capped off a stellar year in March at the 2014 QGI Awards on the Gold Coast.

The evening recognised the achievements of those from the Queensland Division of the PGA of Australia, Golf Managers Association Queensland (GMAQ), Golf Queensland as well as the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland (GCSAQ).

With 25 awards presented and over 450 attendees, it was a strong representation of the positive direction of the Queensland golf industry.

Notable award winners included: QGI Junior Program of the Year Award, Victoria Park Golf Complex; Golf Queensland Club Super Volunteer of the Year, Laurel Opray; GMAQ Golf Club of the Year Award, Redcliffe Golf Club; GMAQ Manager of the Year Award, Gavin Lawrence; GMAQ Board Member of the Year Award, Arthur Dixon; GMAQ Staff Member of the Year Award, Sue Briese; PGA Qld Club Professional of the Year, David Delahunty (Emerald GC); PGA Qld Teaching Professional of the Year, Chris Gibson; PGA Qld Trainee of the Year, Matthew Douglas; PGA Qld Tournament of the Year, Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro-Am; PGA Qld Metropolitan Tournament of the Year, Southport Pro-Am; PGA Qld Regional Tournament of the Year, City of Mackay Open; PGA Qld Legends Tournament of the Year, Bargara Legends Pro-Am; GCSAQ Toro Superintendents Apprentice of the Year, Graeme Eaton (Lismore GC); GCSAQ Living Turf Superintendents Achievement Award, John Halter (City GC); QGI Supplier of the Year Award, Coca-Cola Amatil; 2014 PGA IGI Excellence in Education Award, Shane Heath; Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year, Doug Klein; Female and Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year, Karis Davidson; Male Amateur Golfer of the Year, Taylor Macdonald.

Winners Background: Laurel Opray - Club Super Volunteer of the Year Laurel has volunteered an enormous amount of her time and energy into instigating an introductory ladies program at Headland Golf Club over the past two years. Laurel has over 60 ladies on her database, with 24 of these ladies progressing into club membership at Headland Golf Club.

The financial gain of Laurel’s program to Headland Golf Club has been very significant and in late 2014, Laurel secured a $9,000 grant from the State Government’s “Get Going” funding program.

With this grant, Laurel has been able to advertise extensively and purchase golf equipment to be used during the clinics.

Doug Klein - Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Doug had a fantastic year, finishing as the winner of the Bill Kennedy Junior Averages Trophy.

Doug had a number of top-10 finishes throughout the year including runner-up at the Gary Player Classic, 3rd placings at the Greg Norman Junior Masters, Queensland Boys Amateur, Aaron Baddeley International and South Australian Junior Masters, as well as 5th at the South Australian Junior Amateur.

Karis Davidson - Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year, Female Amateur Golfer of the Year Karis excelled in both junior and open company, consistently achieving top results at just 16-years-old and finishing as the second ranked player on the Australian Girls Ranking System.

As a result of her dedication to the game, Karis won the Greg Norman Junior Masters and the Queensland Girls’ Amateur and finished 3rd in the Katherine Kirk Classic.

Another highlight was her runner-up finish at the Australian Junior Championships. She was also a strong member of the Queensland Girls Junior Team, helping the State to be crowned champions in the Australian Girls’ Interstate Team Matches.

Juniors enjoy Pee Wee Pennants experience

Doug Klein, Laurel Opray, Karis Davidson, Taylor Macdonald.

Taylor Macdonald - Male Amateur Golfer of the Year This is the second successive year that Taylor has won this award after an exceptional 2014, consistently finishing with top results. Taylor represented Australia at a number of events including the Asia Pacific Amateur, Asia Pacific Bonnallack Trophy and US Amateur. In February he finished as Leading Amateur at the Queensland PGA Championships.

He is current Australian Men’s Foursomes champion, teaming up with Aaron Wilkin to win for the second straight year.

Taylor won the Federal Amateur and finished as runner up at the Keperra Bowl. He also had a number of top ten finishes throughout the year including the Riversdale Cup, Lake Macquarie Amateur and Australian Master of the Amateurs.

Golf Queensland Development Officer and Pee Wee Pennants Coordinator, Lee Harrington, said the juniors embraced the experience.

“This is the second series we have done on the Gold Coast and we are thrilled with the support received from the juniors, parents and clubs,” Ms Harrington said.

The Pee Wee Pennants Gold Coast Summer Series concluded at CoolangattaTweed Heads Golf Club in March, with the team from Emerald Lakes winning the final.

Teams from Coolangatta-Tweed, Emerald Lakes, Royal Pines, Surfers Paradise, Palm Meadows, Tamborine Mountain, Tally Valley and Burleigh competed over the five weeks of Sunday competition.

Pee Wee Pennants is an initiative of Golf Queensland developed as a pathway program for clubs engaging juniors in the MyGolf program. The juniors play off a modified 9-hole course of par 3s, 4s and 5s.

“The Pee Wee Pennants program is a fun and friendly competition designed to engage juniors in a pennant style format.

Clubs play a team of six juniors under a twoperson Ambrose matchplay competition.

Both boys and girls are eligible and all of them have a caddy. The caddy is usually a parent or grandparent, although some teams have utilised other juniors to caddy for their mates.

“Every experience is about the juniors and what they learn from these events as young golfers, it’s not all about winning and scores.”

It is planned that the Pee Wee Pennants program will be expanded to other districts in 2015.

Queensland Mixed Foursomes Championship Sunday 14th June 2015 McLeod Country Golf Club Entries close Wednesday 3rd June Best dressed and novelty prizes to be won! www.facebook.com/GolfQueensland

@GolfQueensland

www.golfqueensland.org.au T: (07) 3252 8155 www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

53

seniors

NATIONAL SENIOR RANKINGS With Denis Dale ed@insidegolf.com.au

T

he 2015 Australian Senior Ranking competition is well underway with six of the year’s 16 events now complete.

The most recent were the two events that make up the “West Australian Double” – The Lake Karrinyup Seniors and the West Australian Senior Amateur Championship.

West Australian Double

The winner of the 2015 Lake Karrinyup Senior Classic was the defending 2014 champion Nigel Goodall and he now has the rare honour of successfully defending a major event on the Australian Senior Order of Merit calendar.

A local member at Lake Karrinyup, Goodall led after the first round with a score of 73 and then followed this with a very steady round of 74. Goodall also led all the way in his 2014 win and clearly he is the golfer to beat on the Lake Karrinyup course. His 147 total gave him a two stroke margin over West Australian John Banting (77-72=149) and Victorian visitor Barry Tippett (74-75=149).

Tied for equal fourth place were a trio of West Australians, Neville Delane (79-72=151), Ian McPherson (77-74=151) and Trevor Hughes (77-74=151).

The second place ranking points earned by Barry Tippett saw him move up the overall Australian Senior Rankings table as did Ian McPherson. John Banting’s second place cemented his place inside the national Top 10.

Next was the 2015 West Australian Senior Amateur Championship at Royal Fremantle Golf Club.

The winner was a relative newcomer to senior golf, Martin Minogue from the Lakelands club in Perth.

Minogue was playing in his first WA senior title and started the final round a stroke behind overnight leader Trevor Hughes, and in equal second place with the emerging Victorian star, Barry Tippett.

Leader Hughes began the day with two holes he would love to forget - a quadruple bogey 8 on the first followed by a triple bogey 8 on the second. A front nine of 46 was followed by an even par 36 on the final nine to finish with a round of 82. The horrendous start had put paid to his chances and he did well to finish in third place with rounds of 75-75-82=232.

Teams in the 2015 Golf Australia vs Australian Defence Forces match at The National Golf Club. the prestigious title belonged to Minogue.

Tippett had to be satisfied with another major placing in an Australian Senior Ranking event. Tippett’s second place, and the ranking points earned, moved him into third place on the national ranking table.

West Australian’s Ian McPherson and Michael Dunsmore made up the top five.

NSW senior Stefan Albinski started with a poor first round and failed to make it seven WA titles in a row.

Each year, a Golf Australia Senior Team contests a match against an Australian Defence Forces team. The “Ryder Cup” event is played over two days, with foursomes and four-ball matches on day one, and singles matches on day two. The event was first played in 2007 and this year the event was again hosted by The National Golf Club.

The younger Defence Forces team is always a strong one and they had recorded comfortable wins over the senior team in

2015 Australian Senior Rankings Player

State

Events

Ave.

1

Gordon Claney

VIC

9

114.94

2

Stefan Albinski

NSW

7

112.19

3

Roy Vandersluis

NSW

7

86.12

4

Vince Clark

NSW

8

81.15

5

Ian McPherson

WA

7

78.49

Nigel Goodall accepts the winner’s prize in the 2015 Lake Karrinyup Senior Classic. the four previous years. However, this year the top class and very determined 2015 Golf Australia Senior Team played outstanding golf and finished the tournament with a convincing win over the ADF team.

After winning both the morning foursomes and afternoon fourball matches on Monday by 4 matches to 2 the Golf Australia team entered the all-important individual matches with an 8-4 lead. On the final day the weather was a major factor with very strong and cold winds making it a very difficult day for all players.

After playing some great golf in the individual matches the result was again a good one for the GA team winning 8 of the 12 matches. This gave them a commanding overall winning margin of 16-8. The Old Course at The National was presented in the immaculate condition that the club is famous for.

This event is a must do for those who get the opportunity to play. The ADF golfers are always a great bunch of our finest Aussies and the senior players always feel fortunate to spend some time with them.

In a dramatic contrast, both Minogue and Tippett played the first nine very well.

Minogue was under par until the eighth where he had a triple bogey on the par three to turn in 38, the same score as Tippett who had fought back well after an opening double bogey.

Results of the Individual Matches:

The tense battle between these two continued and they remained all square standing on the fifteenth tee. Tippett then bogied to allow Minogue to move one ahead and it became two when Tippett also bogied sixteen. On the seventeenth Minogue slipped with a double bogey and Tippettt picked one back. Minogue led by a single stroke playing the final hole.

In very tense and exciting play both players safely parred the par five eighteenth and 54

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Martin Minogue winner of the 2015 West Australian Senior Amateur.

Greg Rhodes lost to Chris Sarquis

2/1

Trevor Hughes lost to Andrei Azergailis

2/1

Mike Peek lost to Tony Greenwood

2/1

Mick Asami def Rod Smylie

2/1

Steve Toyne lost to Kim Johansen

3/2

John Banting def Kurte Lampe

3/1

Norm Cordina def Dave Salerman

5/4

Tom Harold def Joel Standring

5/3

Daryl Hearsch def Todd Wareing

3/2

Tony Kennings def Andrew Adams

5/4

Chris Gordon def Lewis Coyle

3/1

Ken Brown def Matt Klohs

3/1

www.ausoom.com

seniors

NSW SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT The 2015 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition continues with fourteen of the 47 scheduled events now complete.

the year-long Order of Merit competition.

The 2015 winner was Avondale and Magenta Shores golfer Richard Greville. The very talented senior handled the demanding layout from the championship tees better than the entire field and his round of 73 saw him finish with a two stroke margin over Penrith’s David Limbach.

Both Greville and Limbach have represented Australia in major senior tournaments in recent years.

The Monash Senior Masters has a long history as a major event being one of the events included on the NSW Senior Order of Merit calendar in the inaugural year of 2006. Over the ensuing years it has grown to become a much anticipated and prestigious event. This year a strong field attended a beautifully presented course with several new greens to welcome and challenge the golfers.

Vince Clark from The Lakes Golf Club played his usual consistent “down the middle and on the green” golf and his score of 76 was enough to edge out the defending champion and multiple winner of this title, Bill Banks (Royal Canberra) by two strokes. Next

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Mollymook’s Graham Beasley made the trip up the coast worthwhile with the third best score of 77.

The best scores belonged to Mona Vale’s Mark Pearson and Bayview’s Dale Tapper with both shooting par equalling rounds of 71. With such good scores both deserved a major title but it was Pearson who was awarded the first place trophy using a countback. Next best were Newcastle’s Russell Bunn and Mona Vale’s Greg Stanford on 77. Local member Mark Meares showed a glimpse of his golfing talent winning the handicap prize with 38 Stableford points.

Gungahlin Lakes is one of the best courses in Canberra and their annual senior tournament regularly attracts a good field of golfers from the local area and those who make the trip down from Sydney. The 2015 Gungahlin Lakes Senior Amateur was no different with 70 starters doing battle on a well prepared course.

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Easter Monday is traditionally the date for the Bonnie Doon Senior Medal and once again a good sized field of senior golfers was ready to challenge the recently remodelled course.

Denis Dale (Twin Creeks Golf Club) Winner of the 2015 Bonnie Doon Senior Amateur Cup best were Bruce Lovett and Braco Zec on 79. Lovett, from a handicap of 12, was the clear winner of the handicap section with 41 points.

The Royal Sydney Senior Medal is the only invitational event on the NSW Senior Order of Merit calendar with the field comprised of the top forty players from the previous NSW Senior Order of Merit plus invitees.

As such, a start in the field is keenly sought and this is often the main aim of many senior golfers throughout

The winner with a par round of 72 was the defending 2014 Order of Merit champion Denis Dale from the Twin Creeks club. It was Dale’s first win this year and he still faces a difficult task in catching the leaders if he is to claim another title. Long Reef’s Ross Bockman and The Lakes’ Vince Clark finished in second and third place with rounds of 75 and 76 to earn more good Order of Merit points.

After 14 events in the NSW Senior Order of Merit competition Long Reef’s Ross Bockman has taken over the lead. He has played well in every event contested this year and currently leads Bayview senior Dale Tapper with quite a gap to Mona Vale’s Greg Stanford in third place.

Kooindah Waters senior Paul Day leads in the Over 65 section. www.golfnsw.org

The 2015 Blackwood Seniors was the first event for 2015 and an excellent field of 80 senior golfers enjoyed a great day at the Blackwood course. Major prize winners are listed below:

Senior nett Winner: Senior nett Runner Up:

John Short (Blackwood) 72 Keith Parry-Jones (Blackwood) 72

Super Seniors gross Winner: Super Seniors gross Runner Up:

Chris Claxton (Blackwood) 78 Mike Hogben (Blackwood) 80

Super Seniors nett Winner: Super Seniors nett Runner Up:

Gary Duperouzel North Adelaide) 67 John Gilleade (Blackwood) 74

Nigel Turner (Blackwood) 73 Rod Phillips (Royal Adelaide) 74

Senior nett Winner: Senior nett Runner Up:

John Madden (Tea Tree Gully)69 Craig Pearson (Blackwood) 69

Super Seniors gross Winner: Super Seniors gross Runner Up:

Jim Richards (Tea Tree Gully)71 Tony Timmins (Kooyonga) 76

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Rusticana Wines were the sponsors of a big day ay the Tea Tree Gully Golf Club and they were rewarded with an excellent field. The best score of the day belonged to local member Jim Richards with an outstanding score of 71.

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The South Australian Senior Order of Merit competition continues to develop and this year there will be events played at Blackwood, Tea Tree Gully, Mt Osmond, Flagstaff Hill, Glenelg, The Grange, Kooyonga and Links Lady Bay Golf Clubs.

Norm Cordina (Tea Tre Gully) 77 Chris Everett (Tea Tree Gully) 78

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT

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seniors

VICTORIAN SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT conditions saw the best round of the day being a score of 80 from Wayne Phillips from the Heritage club.

In the nett section, Adrian Harris of Glen Waverley showed some solid form over 36-holes to record a pair of nett 72s for a total of 144. A mere shot behind was Paul Fink (RACV) on 145.

Bitterly cold and windy conditions also greeted the players in the annual Golf Victoria Seniors versus the ADFGA team played at the wonderful Sorrento Golf Club.

The Golf Victoria Seniors started the event strongly and ended the first day of fourballs and foursomes with a seven points to five lead. Needing a good start the Golf Victoria team were out of the blocks quickly on day two and were soon ahead in nine of the twelve singles matches.

Just when it looked like the Golf Victorian team would record an easy win the ADF men, true to their nature, staged a fightback and as players neared the end of their matches the ADF had one match already in and were either square or within one hole in six matches.

However, the Golf Victoria team members steeled themselves and all finished very strongly that saw them claim victory in nine matches. This gave the Golf Victoria seniors an overall result of sixteen matches to eight.

Ross Percy and Stan Davis – winners at the 2015 Alpine Senior Masters.

The 2015 competition for Victoria’s coveted Doug Bachli Trophy (scratch) and Paul Lulof Trophy (handicap) is well underway with twelve of the 31 events now completed.

There were some excellent individual performances on the day highlighted by the John Wheeler defeating his opponent 9 and 7 after a marvelous display of golf in the very difficult conditions.

The 2015 Alpine Senior Masters tournament was played at the Bright Country Golf Club nestled in the foothills of the Victorian Alps. Players were treated to a superb opening day for golf, with beautiful sunny conditions and just a light breeze to take the sting off the heat.

The “veteran’s veteran” Pat Giles won his match 4 and 3 and Greg Welsh added a 5 and 4 win to his two wins on day one to be the only player from either team to pick up the maximum three points. For his efforts Welsh was awarded the prestigious Paul Lulofs Medal as the most outstanding player over the two days.

Ross Percy (Cobram Barooga) fired a solid one over the card 73 to be the outright overnight leader. Following closely behind were the Bendigo duo of Ian Frost and Stan Davis who had carded 74s.

Once again this was a most successful event with strong and determined efforts from all players and golf that was played in a spirit that all golf should be played. A Credit to both teams and all team members!

Some late afternoon thunderstorms and steady rain overnight left the course in a damp condition for the second round and with a bunched leaderboard the stage was set for a nail biting finish.

Using all his experience that had made him a regular in the Australian team just a few years ago overnight leader Ross Percy was able to produce a second round of 76 to give him a 36-hole total of 152 and the championship by just a single stroke.

Second place was decided on a countback between friendly rivals Gordon Claney (Kingson Heath) and Ian Frost (Bendigo) with Claney declared the winner. Both golfers had finished just one stroke behind Percy. Stan Davis (Bendigo) won the handicap title three strokes clear of runner up Cardinia Beaconhills’ senior, Norman Wilson.

The Mornington Peninsula Senior Amateur Championship was played with a new format that saw the merging of the Flinders Senior Amateur and the Portsea Senior Amateur into one championship played over 36 holes at the Flinders and Portsea Golf Clubs. Although there were daily winners for gross and net sections; the main draw card was to be crowned the Mornington Peninsula Senior Amateur Champion.

Round one was at the picturesque Flinders GC and after threatening skies for the most part of the morning, the weather cleared up to a sunny but blustery afternoon for the 61 players.

At the end of round one leading the men’s field were Ken O’Brien (Rossdale) and Allan Bullas (Commonwealth) with both carding strong scores of three over par 72. Following two strokes away were Ian Frost (Bendigo) and Gary House (Sanctuary Lakes) with a pair of 74s.

The weather changed for the final round and it was an icy day for players at Portsea. The winter-like conditions added to the ever-present challenge of the undulating slopes and this difficulty was reflected in the overall high scores for the day.

Alan Bullas (Commonwealth/Portsea) hung onto his shared lead after the opening round to claim the 2015 Men’s title.

Bullas, a sixteen time club champion at Portsea, carded an 83 for a two shot victory over Ian Frost of Bendigo. The tough 56

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

2015 Victorian Senior Order of Merit

Alan Bullas winner of the 2015 Mornington Peninsula Senior Amateur.

Stableford points total of 69 points. In second place was another local Beryl Drake with 63 points while Tricia Sullivan rounded out a Warrnambool treble finishing in third place with 62 points.

The 2015 Box Hill Senior Amateur was contested in perfect golfing conditions and brilliant sunshine marking the events second year on the Victorian Senior events calendar.

Taking top honours in the scratch section was Jeff Hasthorpe from Trafalgar Golf Club with a three over par round of 74. Just one stroke away on 75 was Andrew Hansen from Eastern Golf Club with another single stroke to third place getter, Brian Lynch from Medway Golf Club.

Gordon Brooker from Golf Access Club clinched the net prize with a 68 off a handicap of 15. There was a three way tie for second place that included Trafalgar’s John Hoare, Box Hill’s Mario Valenti and Bobby Smith all on 69.

This year saw the first ladies’ event and although the field was small it was high quality. In the Stableford division the local ladies made a clean sweep, Heather Barwick coming out victorious with a score of 34 points, two ahead of Jenny Long on 32 points. In the Scratch Stableford division, Heather Harley was a standout winner with a fantastic 23 points with Lorraine Argall the runner up. www.golfvic.org.au

Player

Club

Events Best 15

1

Ian Frost

Bendigo

6

1158

2

Ken O’Brien

Rossdale

8

1142

3

Alan Bullas

Commonwealth

7

960

4

Gordon Claney

Kingston Heath

6

870

Recent results from the 2015 Queensland PresCare Senior Order of Merit:

5

Tony Hyde

Rossdale

12

860

Redcliffe Seniors

The 2015 Warrnambool Senior Amateur got underway with fifty seven players consisting of thirty nine men and eighteen women enjoying perfect autumn conditions as they took to the course.

Leading the way in the men’s championship after round one was Ross McFarlane (Barwon Valley) who opened with a solid score of four over par 76. He led the field by two shots.

In hot pursuit were four players all with scores of 78 - Peter Thompson (Barwon Valley), David Mallett (The Sands) and the Chirnside Park duo of Paul Gooley and Ray Walker.

Both leaderboards were tight at the top heading into the final round, with only two shots separating the top five men and two Stableford points separating the top five women.

In the men’s championship, Ross McFarlane repeated his quality golf from round one and led from start to finish to claim this year’s title with a two round total of 156. He finished two strokes ahaead of fellow Barwon Valley member Peter Thompson on a two round total of 158. David Mallett (The Sands Torquay) and Ray Walker (Chirnside Park) shared third place on 160.

In the nett event, Warrnambool had another winner in Robert Smyth who took this year’s nett title by four shots finishing on a two round nett total of 143 from a handicap of 16 with Paul Fink (RACV Cape Schanck) finishing second on a nett score of 147.

In the women’s event, it was Warrnambool local Rosemary Walters who took this year’s title finishing with a two round

QUEENSLAND SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT

Winner Men’s Scratch: Steve Toyne 69 Runner Up Men’s Scratch: Michael Peeck 73 Winner Men’s Nett: Tin Deakin 38 points ocb Runner Up Men’s Nett: Jon Russell 38 points Winner Men’s Super Seniors: Ian Read 75 Runner Up Men’s Super Seniors: Tim Dillon 76 Winner Women’s Scratch: Cheryl Sternberg 74 Runner Up Women’s Scratch: Rosie Glasson 86 Winner Women’s Nett: Gwen Clutterbuck 38 points Runner Up Women’s Nett: Helen Chittock 36 points Bribie Island Seniors Winner Men’s Scratch: Mario LsChiusa (Nudgee) 73 Runner Up Men’s Scratch: Peter Duncan (Oxley 74 Winner Men’s Nett: Monty Soilleux (Windaroo) 40 points Runner Up Men’s Nett: Malcolm Wykes (pine Rivers) 38 points www.golfqueensland.org.au 2015 Queensland Prescare Senior Order of Merit Player 1 Phillip Towle

Club Coolangatta TH

Events Best 8 6

645

2 Mogens Andersen Redcliffe

6

599

3 Leigh Madsen

Gailes

5

510

4 Anthony Haijar

Palmer Colonial

6

494

5 Timothy Deakin

Mcleod

4

450

veterans

Longevity on show at NSW Veteran Strokeplay Championship Association) was delighted with the record field of some 130 golfers over the three rounds.

“We were really, really happy with it,” Knox said. “We had an excellent field, it was the first year it has been a Senior Order of Merit event with Golf NSW and we were very pleased to get entrants like Sal Ballard (Penrith GC) off a handicap of one, and that was the first time he’d played in it.”

Brian O’Hare

editor@australianseniorgolfer.com.au

I

F any further proof of the longevity of the golfing life were required it was certainly on show at the 2015 NSW Veteran Strokeplay Championship in western Sydney recently.

“Overall the weather wasn’t as good as it could have been but we were very pleased with the tournament.”

Winning the 54-hole championship for an impressive fourth occasion was 66 year-old Kiama golfer Col Kenning.

After a golfing career of some 48 years the Kiama Golf Club member entered the tournament on a handicap of 1.4 and promptly shot rounds of 70, 72, 72 at Richmond Golf Club, Glenmore Heritage Valley and the Greg Norman-designed Stonecutters Ridge respectively to take the title by five strokes from Leonay’s Laurie Cupples.

Kenning won the championship – open to male amateur golfers aged 55 and over – in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and was runner-up last year.

“I put three good rounds together,” Kenning said after being presented with the Des Coady Shield. “Three over for the tournament, you’ve got to be happy with that.”

A talented sportsman generally as a youngster, Kenning joined Kiama Golf Club in 1966 as an 18 year-old in what was has become a lifelong pursuit.

80 year old participants Lance Berry (left) and Fred Croyston.

“I always liked it. It was always such a challenge,” he said. “I’d played a lot of cricket, played football, played soccer. I just stuck with golf. I get more enjoyment out of golf than any other.”

Kenning, who was runner-up at the National Veterans Championship in Port Macquarie in 2010 and has won a swag of club and pennant titles, usually plays at least twice a week.

“I enjoy it now more than ever,” he said.

“The handicap is back to below one [after the championship rounds] and that is pretty good.”

Tournament director Les Knox from the Western Sydney Region Veteran Golfers Association (the tournament is run under the auspices of the NSW Veteran Golfers

Knox was particularly enthused by the fact the tournament had attracted six golfers aged between 80 and 84.

Championship winner Col Kenning.

“It is just an incredible effort people of that age can put themselves around for three rounds of stroke on these courses … and two of those six walked every round,” he said.

day, still plays golf three days a week.

“We decided this year to recognise the six entrants over 80 by giving two special trophies to encourage people of that age to continue playing championship golf. I think that was very well accepted.”

“Plus the fact that you can start playing when you are about four years old … and until you die.”

The special trophy recipients were scratch winner 80 year old 12 handicapper Lance Berry from Charlestown Golf Club and fellow 80 year old Ray Hughes (Howlong) off an 18 handicap who won the nett title.

Not far behind them was another 80 year old 18 handicapper from Stonecutters Ridge in Fred Croyston.

Croyston, who got a cart the first two rounds but walked his home course the third

“I started about 65 years ago and it’s still good stuff,” he said. “For a social game there is nothing like it.”

The championship will be played in western Sydney or the third consecutive year in 2016 and Knox said it will likely be played at Stonecutters Ridge along with two clubs to be decided from Richmond, Glenmore, Penrith and Dunheved golf clubs. • Brian O’Hare is the founder and editor of Australian Senior Golfer, an online magazine providing news, information, entertainment and resources for golfers aged 45 plus. www.australianseniorgolfer.com.au

Members $20.00, non Members $30.00 reSULTS 10th April 2015 Winner - r. Bennett Runner Up - R. Papas Next Best - G. Marshall N.T.P 6th - N. Kazich N.T.P 12th - G. Marshall Approach 11th - P. Lowe Approach 17th - S. Han

www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

57

19th hole

Our peculiar obsession with watching golf on TV Michael Green

@AussieGolfer

W

e golfers are right in the middle of a beautiful time of year for watching golf on TV. We’re smack bang in the middle of the majors. The first major of the year, The Masters has come and gone, and given us a taste of early mornings on the couch that we all know so well.

We now look forward to the early mornings watching the US Open in June, the late, late nights in front of The Open Championship in July, and the US PGA Championship in August. And with The Open back at St. Andrews in 2015 it’s going to be as good, if not better than every other year before it.

We’ll all gladly forfeit sleep in the comfort of our own bed, swapping it for four sleepless nights on the couch - and depending on who is in contention; much of the final round will be spent on the edge of it. Low lighting, low noise and with coffee close by, it’s a familiar place for us all and a time we cherish each year.

So why is watching golf so loathed among those who don’t play golf? Why is it one of the few sports where it seems that having some experience in playing the game is a requirement to enjoying it on TV? I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard or read that golf is one of the most

disliked sports to watch on TV. Indeed I’m sure that if you were to ask people for their most preferred sport to watch on TV, golf would feature very high on the list for those people that play golf and very low on the list for people who don’t. God bless them.

You only have to do a quick search of Twitter for ‘golf’ and ‘watch’ to find that someone, somewhere in the last 24 hours has said that golf is the most boring sport to watch on TV. And it’s hard to argue with.

It’s slow, tedious, and utterly pointless (aren’t all sports or games in some way pointless?). Commentators sound dull, often there is no noise at all and golfers aren’t exactly dressed like athletes. They look more likely to be off to compete on the stock market rather than in a sporting arena. And the whole thing goes on for a very long time.

If you were flipping channels and waiting to see what program is coming on next, you may have to wait many hours, perhaps even days before the golf coverage ends.

But all the reasons that non-golfers find the sport incomprehensible and loathsome to watch on TV, are all the reasons we love to watch it. And I think we can all agree it’s definitely not boring.

So why the disparity?

When I tell people I get more nervous watching golf than I do any other sport - very few believe me. It’s hard explaining this to people who have never played the sport. In fact, I chose not to try anymore.

Photo: USGA We love the epic drives, the incredible recovery shots and the long snaking putts that can drop in to rescue a round.

putt to win a major golf championship is somewhat unimaginable, yet tantalisingly tangible.

But as a golfer it’s the familiarity with the nervousness that can envelop us while standing over a three-foot putt to win the hole, a career best round or to win $10.

If you’ve never played golf where something, anything is at stake, and you’ve never experienced the need to suppress the adrenaline that is such a hindrance on the putting green, you will never understand the enthusiasm by which we vicariously watch golf on TV. •

The thought of the same enveloping nervousness while standing over the same

Forums…. schmorums! one of those bag covers that fold up like a road map. There will be a number of side and front pockets which have exactly the right size for wallet, watch, scorecard, that old lolly tin you keep your equally old tees, pencils and sharpeners in and an external piece of technology where you store three golf balls and some spare tees. This bag can be parked on a motorised cart as the name would suggest or a three-wheel chrome buggy which may or may not have suspension. Cart Bagger’s irons will all have covers on them and will start at 5 with 3- and 4-hybrids. If you want to start a fight with a Cart Bagger, move all his clubs around so they are out of order.

Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

I

’ve just been on one of those golf forums sites. The topic of conversation was a new model of iron soon to be released by one of the biggest golf manufacturers in the world.

There was an extraordinary amount of conflicting opinions and I found it really difficult to fully understand where they were coming from. I really need the person in front of me to get a handle on what they are trying to explain and what’s behind their opinions.

Remember that old saying – Opinions are like backsides… everyone has one? I guess you can’t argue with it but it doesn’t really give us much of an insight into their character or what they may prefer in golf equipment, does it?

That’s unless a bloke enters the Pro-Shop, crawling backwards, naked. “Aaahh yes Roy, I see you prefer a club with a large sweet-spot.”

Or maybe “Wow! Cyril, you clearly would love a new set but you’re not willing to pay much, are you?”

I reckon golf opinions are more closely 58

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

associated to the person’s golf equipment and more specifically, the golf bag.

There’s the classic “Cart bag” you see organised, over-thirty-year-old’s using because it has all the essential, practical issues addressed perfectly. There will be a large pocket on the side for … aaah… large items.

Like the woollen jumper with the club logo on the front just above the left nipple and

Then you have the young, or if you’re me (and assuming you’re going to reach the age of 110), “middle-aged” golfer who is looking for something a little smaller so Jetstar won’t fine you $100 for excess baggage. You also want to look cool (and not middle-aged), which makes the “Stand bag” the bag of choice. Particularly the one I have which looks very classy! Plus it has the facility to be carried over your shoulder if there are no buggies left. My wife and caddy really appreciates this.

She hasn’t actually told me this to my face but when you’ve shared as many wonderful experiences as we both have, sometimes you don’t need to use words at all. It’s like a

beautiful form of romantic mental telepathy.

In fact, after one round in Queensland when she had to carry the bag for 18 holes, she didn’t feel the need to speak to me for three days. The Stand bagger quite often uses semiblade clubs with very few hybrids and often a driver that doesn’t match and a funky putter cover (because we’re cool).

The third option is the “Staff Bag”. This bad boy is the epitome of “I’m here and take a gander at my gear!” It’s not written anywhere but it’s understood you need to be a singlefigure handicapper to own one. This one also needs to be cashed up because he can’t wheel one of these around without a golf cart. The biggest advantage of this baby is the room in the big pocket. You can hide up to 12 stubbies in there for those private golf club rounds where you’re not supposed to drink on the course. You also should have clubs matching the brand name emblazoned over the bag or the whole look loses credibility. The typical Staff Bagger will usually have the matching woods as well, mainly because the wood covers match the colour scheme of the bag which he will store back into the boot of his handsome four-wheel-drive car.

Yes, readers, personalities and opinions are way more like golf bags than parts of the anatomy. And damn easier to read. •

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19th hole

Chips and shanks > with David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

The Bakers

go green

T

he Bakers Social GC were resplendent in green for their recent St. Patrick’s Day 3 Stick Event”. The club was established in 1986 by a group of friends who were involved in the bread industry in Sydney. For nearly 30 years they have continuously teed off at 10.30 every Wednesday at Massey Park GC, Concord NSW. Although only a couple of the originals are left, the club continues on. Camaraderie, fun and a love of the game keeps the club going. Members range from 25-75 years of age with handicaps from 6-40. New members are always welcome. Contact 0418.994430

This photo, submitted by Wazza Gray, gave us quite a chuckle in the Inside Golf office.

The more things change THE world of golf rapidly changes at least in the way of finance.

Run of the mill tournaments in the US are now skiting purses of $US6-7 million.

Last month Matt Every banked a cheque for $US1,134,000 for winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

When Greg Norman finished atop the money list in 1995, he collected $US1,654,959. He played 16 events, won three times, finished runner-up twice and had a third place finish.

Badds teases his fans His biggest cheque was $US360,000 courtesy of winning the World Series of Golf.

When Jordan Spieth won the US Masters last month he picked up a cool $US1.8 million.

The quick nine quiz THERE are 23 stableford points up for grabs on the front nine. How many can you get?

with David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

1. Who was the first round leader at the 2015 US Masters? (2 pts) 2. Who won the 2015 ANA Inspiration – a major on the US LPGA Tour? Was it Stacey Lewis, Sei Young Kim, Brittany Lincicome or Michelle Wie? (3 pts) 3. What nationality is LPGA Tour Christina Kim? (2 pts) 4. Who was the first Australian to finish runner-up in the US Masters? (4 pts) 5. In what year did Jack Newton have a near-fatal accident when he walked into a spinning propeller – 1982, 1983, 1984 or 1985? (3 pts) 6. During play of a hole, a player plays a stroke with a plastic ball before playing his ball in play. Is he in breach of Rule 7-2? (1 pt) 7. Who said: “My doctor asked me how many golf balls I had hit in my career. I’m lying there in bed calculating somewhere between four and five million golf balls I had hit to do that on my body.” Was it Greg Norman, Rodger Davis, Nick Faldo or Peter Senior? (3 pts) 8. Explain the following term – a sclaff shot. (3 pts) 9. Which Australian amateur golfer competed in the 2015 US Masters? (2 pts) ANSWERS: (1). Jordan Speith; (2). Brittany Lincicome 3; (3). American; (4). Jim Ferrier in 1950; (5). 1983; (6). Yes; (7). Greg Norman; (8). Hitting the ground before the ball; (9). Antonio Murdaca.

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May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

AARON Baddeley teased his golf fans at the recent Valero Texas Open.

Badds.com was looking the goods as he moved into second place after two rounds thanks to rounds of 68-71, but he faded over the weekend with rounds of 76-77.

Still, he did finish in a tie for 20th and banked a cheque for $US67,000.

The 33-year-old remains one of the game’s best putters and his ball-striking is improving under instructor Chris Como – who also works with Tiger Woods.

Baddeley, who has three US PGA Tour victories, the last being the Northern Trust in 2011, could start contending again if he can improve his ball-striking ever-so-slightly.

It’s easy to forget that Badds.com was once a world top-20 player. Sadly, Baddeley is currently ranked 241st in the world behind Aussies like Andrew Dodt (123rd), Wade Ormsby (155th) and Cameron Smith (177th).

Fans of Baddeley should not lose faith.

He’s too good a player (and putter) to not win again.

Queenslanders love sand greens IT didn’t take organisers long to fill the field for the 2015 Queensland Men’s Sand Green Championship at Barcaldine Golf Club from June 5-7.

Central West District Golf Association secretary and tournament coordinator John Miller said a capacity field of 176 had nominated to play more than two months before the scheduled event.

There’s still six weeks to go before nominations close and we already have a reserve list of players,” he said.

And how will the town (population 1800) accommodate more than 200 golfers and officials?

“It won’t be a problem,” Miller said. “We have five motels and six pubs.”

Away from the golf course, visitors can follow the tourist trail and visit the Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre – the main tourist attraction.

For the uninitiated, Miller advises players to hit the ball a little harder when putting on sand greens.

Among other things you will see in Barcaldine, known as the Garden City of the West, is the Historical Museum, the old world Radio Theatre and the Tree of Knowledge that led to the start of the Australian Labor Party following the Great Shearers’ Strike in 1891.

It will be a new experience for golfers coming from grass courses,” he said.

Barcy, as it is affectionately known, certainly hides tumultuous tales of a controversial past.

“Some ‘greens’ have subtle breaks so you have to read those.”

What did you want, the Gold Coast Glitter Strip?

19th hole

Big Tony’s on target AT the start of the year, I predicted US PGA Tour rookie Tony Finau would be worth following and I haven’t changed my mind.

Most attractive body of water In 1979, the pond was filled in and the clubhouse bulldozed by an irate member, who was later discovered to have been responsible for 1200 of those golf balls landing in the drink.

THE Atlantic Ocean has consumed more golf balls than any other body of water.

However, the most attractive water hazard ever recorded was a small pond in front of the 15th green at Sky View Golf Club, Michigan, from which local frogman Archibald Tent retrieved 1239 golf balls in just one week.

Okay, he didn’t get a US Masters start, but he is making steady progress in his first full season on the PGA Tour and well on the way to securing his card for 2016 and possibly the rookie of the year title.

I know, because I discovered this in the library The Daredevil Book for Golfers – Cunning Strategies to Tee up your Game penned by Tim Glynne-Jones.

So far, big-hitting Big Tony, who is 6’4” (1.93m) and weighs in at 210 pounds (95 kilos), has played 15 tournaments and made the cut in 10 of those.

Finau has two top-10 finishes.

He was tied seventh at the Shriners Hospitals tournament pocketing $US193,233 and tied seventh in the OHL Classic for a $US196,725 payday.

Currently he is 49th on the money list with $793,032 or just over $1 million in our currency.

Crossword > Tony Finau Big Tony’s average driving distance is 308.7 yards (282m) and is third on the longdrive list just behind Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson.

Hastings Ladies Social Golf celebrates 25 years

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ACROSS

By Marie Horan

R

ecently, Hastings Ladies Social Golf (HLSG) at Port Macquarie on the MidNorth Coast of NSW celebrated 25 continuous years of Ladies’ Social golf. The group began as an affiliate of Port Macquarie RSL Club in 1990 (playing at Wauchope Golf Club) and later Port Macquarie Panthers Club, but since 2008 has been run independently by a committee elected by members. There are approximately 60 current members, with 25-30 ladies playing each week at either Emerald Downs Public Golf Course or Port Macquarie Golf Club. Two of their current players have 20 years’ continuous membership.

The Ladies who range in age from 50 to 80+ (but open to all ages) enjoy 9 holes of golf followed by a presentation in the clubhouse with a coffee or glass of wine. Prizes are awarded in three divisions and handicaps are reviewed weekly. They have great support from trophy donors including Emerald Downs Golf Course, the Pro-shop at Port Macquarie Golf Club and Drummond Golf in Port Macquarie.

Port Macquarie with its ideal climate and beautiful golf courses is a mecca for retirees, and HLSG provides an ideal means to take up golf or just to keep your hand in if golf club membership no longer suits your lifestyle.

The group caters for novices who may have had a few lessons or played socially, who may be new to town and looking to make a new circle of friends, or ladies who simply need a few hours of fun and break from house and hubby!

Each year members choose from numerous other courses within a 2 hour drive for their 2 ‘away’ coach trips and once a year members drive to nearby towns to enjoy a game and lunch at a less familiar course.

Local golf clubs have benefited from HLSG as many ladies have gone onto full club memberships with great success. Currently seventeen ladies are also playing members at Port Macquarie and Wauchope Golf Clubs.

For more information please call Chris on 02 6582 1188 or Gaylene on 02 6584 7010.

Email: chrisandlucy@bigpond.com

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1 American, Ben, who won the 1984 and 1995 US Masters (8) 5 Contorts the body during a swing, perhaps (6) 10 Argentinian golfer, Cabrera (5) 11 Fulfilled an undertaking (9) 12 Winner of the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational (4,5) 13 How many times Rodger Davis won the Australian Open (4) 15 Start playing again after a storm, maybe (6) 17 Those who play hooky (7) 19 Sudden urge (7) 21 With steady force (6) 24 Adam Scott’s hook will end up on this side (4) 25 Winner of the 2015 Puerto Rico Open (4,5) 28 Club used primarily to get out of a bunker (4,5) 29 Golf course (5) 30 Stoppages caused by slow play (6) 31 Keeps going despite setbacks (8) Answers: page 66

DOWN

1 Winner of the 2014 Australian PGA Championship, Greg ________ (8) 2 Triple-bogey score on a par five (5) 3 Team golf tournament between Europe and the US (7,3) 4 Winner of the 2008 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, ______ Romero (6) 6 Acknowledge the crowd, say (4) 7 Leading lady golfer who retired from professional golf in 2008 (9) 8 Location of The Australian Golf Club (6) 9 Great South African golfer, Gary ______ (6) 14 Australian winner of the NZ PGA Championship in 2004 (5,5) 16 Play-off game in a matchplay event (4-5) 17 Golf ball support (3) 18 Goes round (8) 20 Structures built for spectators (6) 22 Not open (6) 23 American winner of the 1988 Victorian Open, Jim ______ (6) 26 Aussie high finisher at the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational, Matt _____ (5) 27 Winner of the 1986 PGA Championship, Bob ____ (4) www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

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your say

Joining fees outdated I take issue with Ian Cottle (General Managers, March issue) and his thoughts on joining fees for golf clubs. These are a relic of when there were waiting lists at golf clubs and business-savvy people saw this as a method to boost the coffers.

Only a couple of truly elite clubs can now demand a joining fee, as they are the only ones with waiting lists. It is a ‘supply and demand’ situation. There is clearly no incentive to join a club that has a joining fee, when so many pay-forplay clubs are available for social golfers.

These clubs generally have comparable facilities to traditional clubs and some are even superior. I know of clubs who have dropped their joining fee for particular applicants (family-based, business-based, special offers etc.) and their member numbers have increased markedly.

By maintaining joining fees, clubs are effectively pushing golfers to the social model and away from the club model. Is this what we want? I personally know of many potential members who would join a club, but baulk at the joining fee. It is, in essence, a non-refundable deposit that provides no benefit once someone has joined the club.

I know golf administrators will say that to drop Joining fees short-changes those members who have previously joined the club and paid their joining fee. But

Letter of the Month

why not recompense these members by giving some value-added benefits such as 10 guest passes per year for the next five years, to be used for family and friends.

It would be another way of introducing prospective members to the club at no real cost to the current member. It also comes at negligible cost to the golf club.

There is an argument that Joining fees ensure longevity of membership and avoid the opting-in and opting-out that may occur should the fee not be in place.

However, if golf clubs worked together and gave some additional advantages such as wider choice of reciprocal clubs, particularly locally, then members may be more likely to stay involved. This will give an incentive for previously purely social golfers to join a club and enjoy the benefits we all know exist. In addition, clubs need to offer more than just golf for older members of society and have more youth/femaleorientated initiatives, and not just golfbased. Golf clubs need to appeal to a wider demographic. The old model golf culture no longer appeals to enough people to encourage widespread participation.

Mick Roberts

YOUR SAY

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

Golf HAS changed You are correct (Is golf really broken, March issue) in that there have been complaints about slow play for as long as I can remember, even when the average time was much lower. However, I strongly disagree with you that golf has not changed for centuries apart from changes associated with the equipment and the condition of the courses.

The original Caulfield Course was 4,750 yards, (4,323 metres) with a Bogey rating of 87. Anyone breaking 100 was a relatively good player. Indeed in September 12th 1891 Australasian newspaper weekend scores are recorded: Mr Turnbull off scratch was the only one to break 100 having the best gross and best nett of 97; David Conacher, a professional from St Andrews, who helped lay out the course had 102. Clearly in those days there was a lot of golf, with not much walking.

The first Sandringham Course was 5,129 yards (4,667 metres); Hon. Michael Scott’s Course Record 71. It was 74 one year earlier (the Haskell ball was introduced 1898, common use started early 1900s). The second Sandringham Course was 6,166 62

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

yards (5,584 metres) and Par was 80; Alex Russell’s Course Record 68 in 1924 remained unbeaten seven years later, when the Sandringham Course ceased to exist in 1931 due to the opening of the West Course. At just over 6,000 metres our current courses are regarded as short, but still great courses, with the average golfer shooting around 90.

Overseas there are courses of 7,000 metres; a lot of walking without as much golf as before.

Indeed, now there are suggestions for people to play nine holes to save time. The length of the nines at RMGC is roughly 3,000 m., i.e.

70% of the full Caulfield course. In order to “protect par” against modern equipment, the rough is vastly different to what it was. So longer courses means more walking, deeper rough means more time looking for balls, so the time taken to play is longer.

50 – 60 years ago a round took three to three-and-a-half hours. Apart from the extra walking, pre-shot routines by less-thanaverage golfers often take up a lot of time for little benefit. I remember playing with Ossie Pickworth one evening, we would have taken little over two hours but there was no sense of hurrying. One assessed one’s shot as

Also lost in the forest It seems when I read your editorial column—and it is my first port of call every issue—I think you must live in my head!

Your latest, (See the forest for the trees, April issue) is absolutely correct. What you left out about the ever-towering and spreading trees was the root systems that also encroach. My course also has added poorly-placed bunkers and trees just as your article stated so, in summary, I totally agree with your story. (Don’t get me started on poor upkeep of bunkers and not thinking about leaving rough just that bit longer to avoid an errant ball from keeping rolling into water or OOB!) I am a female 14-handicapper, a capable player one might say, with a little bit of knowledge. I play on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula at a terrific club, however the men’s and ladies pars are 2 strokes different; women being a 74. It is always a men’s course set up—reasons being it’s too easy for them.

However, how do clear-thinking committees not understand that by doing that, the course is then seriously difficult for 75% of its women members?

Anyway, thanks for your great insight and I look forward to every month reading your/ my thoughts.

Sue, via email Just read your article re unmanaged trees making some golf holes very difficult to play. I agree with you 100%.

The course I play has this exact problem on several holes. This is not such a big issue on shorter par-4 holes but when it occurs on long par-4s it becomes very frustrating. The holes are hard enough without the trees claiming half the fairway.

Ken Procter, via email

you walked up to it, took out a stick and hit it. As for lining up putts, Ossie walked onto the green and strode towards the mid-point between the ball and the hole; a quick glance from behind the ball and then hit it.

I am sorry, but the game has changed, much of the luck with the bounce of the ball has gone, indifferent shots are penalised, not just disadvantaged – so-called strategic options are for the single-figure golfer only, and difficulty is rated as more important than enjoyment, i.e. courses are designed for good players and give the beginner or even the average player very little enjoyment. New courses are not genuinely strategic, they are all about shot making. Golf is becoming more and more a game for the elite singlefigure golfer, or those who think they can achieve that level. To a certain extent, the manufacturers have killed the goose that laid the golden egg.

Of course, I am a pre-senile nostalgic 85-yearold, who has broken his age only once (and one that does not count); I would love to go back to dry, hard, bouncy fairways, hardfast greens, small ball, blades and wooden drivers. Then I would have to think every time I was about to play my shot, with the following shot in mind.

John Green

Best 9-hole course I read Jeff Jones’ letter (Your Voice, issue 117) regarding Quamby in Tasmania being the best 9-hole course in his opinion. Less than 50kms away is Greens Beach. A magical 9-hole course. Links “feel” and “look” to the fairways. Errant drives punished with mature tree lines. Well-positioned greenside bunkers.

Beautiful greens. Adjacent to the beach.

Just awesome. I regularly play both courses, Quamby fairways don’t punish errant drives as much and Greens Beach is more pleasing on the eye, especially late afternoon with the setting sun. You have to give it a go.

Greg Ingham, via email

No juniors = no future I have read your article about Foot Golf (News, January issue). This would be a great advantage to any golf club struggling to survive. But we do have some golf clubs who are losing money and have falling membership who would rather close than accept new ideas or new people With the reports of Australian golf clubs struggling, the question these clubs need to ask themselves is what percentage of their membership are juniors and how many hours a week do they allow young people on their course free to allow them to learn to play? Any club that has more seniors than juniors have only themselves to blame if they close.

One way to get more young people into golf would be to include two junior memberships with every full member and allow them to play at times the course is not busy. For members who do not have children of that age they could nominate two other children (or perhaps they could ask a local junior organisation like Jack Newton Junior Golf to suggest some children in their area.)

Philip Herring

I can’t drive 55 I am a playing member of Forster Turncurry Golf Club. A good club with some very good players. I often hear and read about the problem of slow play. It’s refreshing that a group that plays on Wednesday and Saturday morning Comps at the Forster course got chided by the captain for going too fast! They usually finish about 10am, and I understand the greens staff may not have enough time for mowing of the greens on Wednesday, as players go off the 1st and 10th tees.

But as they say, a fast game is a good game.

Mark Hennessy,NSW

calendar

CALENDAR > Mallacoota 4Ball Challenge

MAY

Canteen Australia Charity Golf Day

WHERE: Nudgee Golf Club WHEN: May 1 CONTACT: Troy Scott - 0420 370 211 canteengolf@hotmail.com Tee it up in this Ambrose event, with all proceeds donated to Canteen Australia for assistance in continuing their support of kids affected by cancer. Proudly sponsored

by Perrier Ryan Accountants and Landsdale property Group. Ryan Harris will be a guest for the day. Major prizes include accommodation at Sheraton Noosa, 2 nights at Couran Cove as well as a stack of exceptional prizes. No handicap required.

Corporate ($750) and individual ($90) sponsorship available. Huge sporting auction including a signed Broncos jersey signed by Bennett, Lewis and Lockyer as well as great raffle prizes following the round.

WHEN: May 16th & 17th WHERE: Mallacoota Golf & Country Club (East Gippsland) INFO: Alf Bowerman, 03 5158 0250, 0416 006 706, atbow@bigpond.com The popular tournament is a two man aggregate team event which features a modified point scoring system where both team member’s individual point scores are added together on each of the two days.

However, in a somewhat unique twist is the possible adjustment of players’ handicaps to apply after Day 1, depending on how many points they may have scored that day.

There is a set Handicap Adjustment Table (which all players are given a copy of ) and which could see a player gaining or perhaps losing a number of strokes for play on Day 2, depending on how poorly, or how well, they played in the first round.

The tournament has some good prizes to be presented to the successful placegetters, with the winning pair award alone valued in

excess of $1000. A separate Women’s event (featuring a similar scoring format) will be held on the Sunday (17th).

There are a number of prizes awarded for the Championships, including scratch and nett winners.

2015 Men’s and Women’s NSW Mid Amateur Championships

Entries for this event will be open shortly. To enter, or for more information, go to www.golfnsw.org

WHEN: Sunday 17 May to Tuesday 19 May 2015 WHERE: Mollymook Golf Club

Mollymook will be a great venue for this event with a fantastic course on offer and the local coastal setting will have the perfect feel for the Mid Amateur contestants.

The Men’s event is a 54-hole event with 18 holes being played each day for the three days. The Women’s event is a 36-hole event with 18 holes per day being played on Sunday and Monday. This is open to any male or female amateur, between the ages of 30 and 54 who has a GA handicap below 9.4 for men and below 18.4 for women.

The Championship will be hotly contested, with a contingent of the best in the state

GOLF NSW MAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date 04-07 May-15 17-19 May-15

Event Women's Autumn Meeting SRIXON Men's and Women’s NSW Mid Amateur Championship

Venue ACT - Various Mollymook GC

Men’s Vardon Events Date 03-May-15 09-May-15 16-May-15 17-May-15 23-May-15 23-May-15 31-May-15

Event Autumn Record Woolooware Cup St. Michael’s Cup Manly Cup Camden Cup Wyong Open Amateur Castle Hill Cup

Venue Newcastle GC Woolooware GC St. Michael's GC Manly GC Camden GC Wyong GC Castle Hill CC

Women’s Jean Derrin / Senior Order of Merit Events Date 04-06 May-15 14-May-15 18-May-15 19-May-15 21-22 May-15 25-May-15

Event Women's Bathurst Open Fern Bay Trophy Rose Bay Cup Bonnie Doon Bowl and Salver Women's NHDLGA Annual Tournament Pymble Cup

Venue Bathurst GC Newcastle GC Royal Sydney GC Bonnie Doon GC Newcastle & Waratah GC’s Pymble GC

Women’s Senior Order of Merit Events Date 14-May-15 18-May-15 21-22 May-15 26-May-15

Event

Fern Bay Trophy Rose Bay Cup Women's NHDLGA Annual Tournament Mona Vale Seniors (Women)

Venue Newcastle GC Royal Sydney GC Newcastle & Waratah GC’s Mona Vale GC

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

COMING SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS May 4-7 Cobram-Barooga Seniors VIC May 4 Penrith Seniors NSW May 7 Hills International Seniors QLD May 12 Strathfield Seniors NSW May 14-17 * Northern Territory Seniors at Alice Springs GC May 15 Mandurah Seniors WA May 18-19 Leongatha Seniors VIC May 18 Indooroopilly Seniors QLD May 21-22 Warragul Seniors VIC May 26 Mona Vale Seniors NSW May 28-29 Hepburn Springs VIC May 29 Pelican Waters Seniors QLD

June 11 Manly Seniors NSW June 12 Oatlands Seniors NSW June 12 Araluen Seniors WA June 14 Heathcote Seniors VIC June 15-17 * Australian Senior Matchplay at Coolangatta Tweed Heads June 15-16 Shepparton Seniors VIC June 15 Caloundra Seniors QLD June 18-19 Tocumwal Seniors VIC June 22 Pymble Seniors NSW June 29 Coolangatta Tweed Heads Seniors QLD

* Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System

turning out this year to play. In 2014 there was some great scoring by QLD’s Damien Jordan taking out the Men’s Championship by a mere shot from Liverpool’s John McMiles, while Gemma Dooley took out her fourth Mid Amateur Championship by a massive ten shots from Karen Lasky.

Handiskins

When: Various Where: Various Info: www.handiskins.com.au Handiskins the ultimate game of skins for club golfers. Handiskins is a fivequalifying-round stableford competition.

A player’s best three rounds count towards their final score. Players don’t have to play all five qualifying rounds if their scores are good enough.

The top four players with the best scores at the end of the qualifying rounds go into the ‘skins’ format final and have the opportunity to play for $1,200 in club or pro shop vouchers.

UPCOMING HANDISKINS EVENTS: Balgowlah Golf Club Sydney Road, Balgowlah NSW 2093 Final 3rd May 2015 Devilbend Golf Club Loders Road, Moorooduc VIC 3933 5th Qualifying Round 2nd May 2015 Final 10th May 2015 Cowra Golf Club Mees Road, Cowra NSW 2794 1st Qualifying Round 2nd May 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 13th June 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 20th June 2015 4th Qualifying Round 11th July 2015 5th Qualifying Round 15th August 2015 Final 23rd August 2015 Wakehurst Golf Club Ladies Handiskins Upper Clontarf Street, Seaforth NSW 2092 2nd Qualifying Round 12th May 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 19th May 2015 4th Qualifying Round 9th June 2015 5th Qualifying Round 16th June 2015 Final 23rd June 2015

JUNE Golf Victoria Heart Open

WHEN: Monday 1 June 2015 WHERE: Royal Melbourne Golf Club INFO: events.golfvic.org.au/content. aspx?file=40155|25223c Newly renamed in 2015 to the Golf Victoria Heart Open, this 18-hole stableford event is in its 25th year and is open to all men and women (amateurs and professionals) with an Australian handicap who have undergone a heart procedure.

Entry Fee: $95 (includes 2 course dinner & all trophies). Entries Close: 5:00pm on Friday 15 May or prior if a capacity field is reached.

Penrith Golf & Recreation Club 1939 The Northern Road, Penrith NSW 2750 1st Qualifying Round 9th May 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 16th May 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 23rd May 2015 4th Qualifying Round 30th May 2015 5th Qualifying Round 6th June 2015 Final 13th June 2015 The Links Shell Cove Cnr Southern Cross Blvd & Shellharbour Road, Shell Cove NSW 2529 1st Qualifying Round 9th May 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 16th May 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 23rd May 2015 4th Qualifying Round 13th June 2015 5th Qualifying Round 20th June 2015 Final 11th July 2015 Parkes Golf Club London Road, Parkes NSW 2870 1st Qualifying Round 23rd May 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 27th June 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 11th July 2015 4th Qualifying Round 18th July 2015 5th Qualifying Round 15th August 2015 Final 30th August 2015 Wakehurst Golf Club Mens Handiskins Upper Clontarf Street, Seaforth NSW 2092 1st Qualifying Round 23rd May 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 30th May 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 13th June 2015 4th Qualifying Round 20th June 2015 5th Qualifying Round 27th June 2015 Final 11th July 2015 Charlestown Golf Club Baker Avenue, Hillsborough NSW 2282 1st Qualifying Round 23rd May 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 20th June 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 27th June 2015 4th Qualifying Round 11th July 2015 5th Qualifying Round 25th July 2015 Final 8th August 2015 Thurgoona Golf Club 1 Evesham Place, Thurgoona NSW 2640 1st Qualifying Round 30th May 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 20th June 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 11th July 2015 4th Qualifying Round 25th July 2015 5th Qualifying Round 8th August 2015 Final 15th August 2015 www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

63

demo dates MIZUNO

mizuno.com.au

Location

Day Date Time

New South Wales / ACT Kurri Golf G.C * Belmont G.C * Power Golf - Castle Hill * Thornleigh Driving Range * Lismore * Royal Sydney G.C * ** Manly G.C * ** Drummond Golf - North Mead * Pambula Merimbula GC * The Lakes G.C * ** Moore Park Driving Range * Golf Paradise * Queanbeyan G.C * Pittwater Golf Centre Wagga City G.C * Queensland Brisbane GC * Drummond Maroochydore at Twin Waters Victoria Park GC * Surfers Paradise GC * Rockhampton Golf Club * HOG Hervey Bay Pacific GC * Wantima Country Club * Wynnum GC * Oxley GC * Palm Meadows GC Golf Central * Western Australia Gosnells G.C Albany Golf Club Wembley G.C Marangaroo G.C Albany Golf Club Victoria MGA Driving Range Murray Downs GC * Beaconhills (Mizuno Fitting Centre) * Peninsula GC * ** Kew (Mizuno Fitting Centre) * ** Kingston Heath (Mizuno Fitting Centre) * **

COBRA PUMA Location

New South Wales / ACT Toronto Golf Club Forster Tuncurry Golf Club Hawks Nest Golf Club Maitland Golf Club Kurri Golf Club Queensland Bribie Island Golf Club Surfers Paradise Golf Club Headland Golf Club Western Australia Gosnells Golf Club Victoria Melbourne Golf Academy

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www.callawaygolf.com.au | callawaygolf.com/demo-days

Location

New South Wales / ACT Royal Canberra Golf Club ≠ / √ Belconnen Golf Shop Queanbeyan Pro Shop ≠ / √ Drummond Golf Northmead Mollymook Golf Club Ltd ≠ / √ * The Australian Golf Club Ltd ≠ / √ * Pennant Hills Golf Club ≠ / √ * Gold Creek Country Club (legacy) ≠ Strathfield GC ≠ / √ * Tree Valley Driving Range ∑ ≠ / √ * Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club Ltd ≠ Bexley Pro Shop ≠ / √ * Nelson Bay Golf Club Pro Shop ≠ / √ * Moore Park Golf House ≠ The Royal Sydney Golf Club ≠ / √ * St Michaels Golf Shop ≠ / √ * Queensland House Of Golf Hervey Bay (driving range) * Twin Waters Golf Club Grafton Golf Club ≠ Bonville International Golf Resort ≠ * Vicogolf Pty Ltd Atf ≠ Burleigh Golf Club Club ≠ / √ Drummond Golf Woolloongabba Victoria Park Golf Complex ≠ Wranglewood Pty Ltd Trustee ** Southport Golf Club √ McLeod Country Golf Club ≠ / √ * Golf Central Pty Ltd √ * Oxley Golf Club ≠ / √ Club Pelican Golf Pty Ltd ≠ / √ Gailes Golf Club ≠ Palm Meadows Driving Range ≠ Victoria/Tasmania Melbourne Golf Academy Pty Ltd The Metropolitan Golf Club Inc ≠ ** Victoria Golf Club Limited ** The Peninsula Country Golf Club (Trade day) ** Western Australia Collier Park Golf Course ≠ Melville Glades Golf Club Hartfield Golf Club ≠

Day Date Time Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Wednesday Thursday Friday Friday Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Wednesday Thursday

May 06 May 07 May 07 May 07 May 08 May 13 May 14 May 15 May 15 May 17 May 19 May 20 May 21 May 21 May 27 May 28

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

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

May 01 May 03 May 06 May 07 May 08 May 08 May 08 May 12 May 15 May 15 May 16 May 21 May 22 May 27 May 27 May 29

11am - 2pm 9.30 - 11.30apm 12 - 3pm 10am - 1pm 9 - 11.30am 11am - 3pm 1 - 5pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 11.30am - 5pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 12pm 4 - 7pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 12pm 10am - 1pm 2 - 4.30pm

Monday Saturday Thursday Wednesday

May 04 May 09 May 14 May 20

4 - 7pm 11am - 1pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 2pm

Thursday Saturday Thursday

May 07 10am - 4pm May 16 10am - 2pm May 21 10am - 1pm

* Appointment Only. ** Members Only. » TaylorMade Demo day. † TaylorMade Fitting. °Ping Demo day. ◊ Ping Fitting. √ Callaway Fitting Day ≠ Callaway Demo Day. ∑ Callaway - Drummond Golf Casula EXPO @ Tree Valley Driving Range. Dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending.

64

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

PING

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

Location

Day Date Time

New South Wales Moss Vale Golf Club ◊ * Friday May 01 Asquith Golf Club ◊ * Monday May 04 Bayview Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday May 05 Castle Hill Country Club ◊ * Wednesday May 06 The Ridge Driving Range ◊ * Wednesday May 06 Killara Golf Club ◊ * Thursday May 07 Terrey Hills Country Club ◊ * Friday May 08 Illawarra Golf Complex ◊ * Tuesday May 12 May 13 Shortland Waters Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday Merewether Golf Club ◊ * Thursday May 14 Belmont Golf Club ◊ * Friday May 15 May 16 Thornleigh Golf Centre ◊ * Saturday Tree Valley Golf Club (Drummond Casula) ◊ * Sunday May 17 Pambula Merimbula Golf Club ◊ * Monday May 18 Eden Gardens Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday May 19 Tura Beach Country Club ◊ * Wednesday May 20 Narooma Golf Club ◊ * Thursday May 21 Mouyra Golf Club ◊ * Thursday May 21 Mollymook Golf Club ◊ * Friday May 22 Golf Paradise Driving Range ◊ * Monday May 25 Concord Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday May 26 Moore Park Driving Range ◊ * Wednesday May 27 Thornleigh Golf Centre ◊ * Thursday May 28 Mona Vale Golf Club ◊ * Friday May 29 Queensland Redcliffe Golf Club ◊ * Friday May 01 May 01 Brisbane Golf Club ◊ * Friday Twin Waters Resort ° Sunday May 03 Victoria Park Driving Range ° Tuesday May 05 Wednesday May 06 Golf Central ◊ * Drummond Golf Underwood ◊ * Thursday May 07 Royal Queensland Golf Club ◊ * ** Friday May 08 May 12 Virginia Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday Noosa Tewantin Golf Club ° Tuesday May 12 Nudgee Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday May 13 May 14 Wynnum Golf Club ◊ * Thursday Peregian Springs ◊ * Friday May 15 Gailes Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday May 20 May 21 Mcleod Golf Club ◊ * Thursday Indooroopilly Golf Club ◊ * Friday May 22 Oxley Golf Club ◊ * Friday May 22 Wednesday May 27 Bribie Island Golf Club ◊ * Noosa Springs ° Thursday May 28 Burleigh Golf Club ◊ * Thursday May 28 May 29 Palm Meadows Golf Club ° Friday Victoria Warragul Country Club ◊ * Friday May 01 Saturday May 02 Barwon Heads Golf Club ◊ * Metropolitan Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday May 06 Melbourne Golf Academy ° Wednesday May 06 Victoria Golf Club ◊ ** Thursday May 07 Commonwealth Golf Club ◊ * Saturday May 09 Heidelberg Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday May 13 Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range ° ◊ * Thursday May 14 Sorrento Golf Club ◊ * Saturday May 16 Peninsula Country Golf Club ◊ ** Wednesday May 20 National Golf Club ◊ ** Saturday May 23 Cranbourne Golf Club ◊ ** Wednesday May 27 Rossdale Golf Club ◊ * Thursday May 28 Green Acres Golf Club ◊ ** Friday May 29 South Australia Victor Harbour Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday May 06 Flagstaff Hill Gof Club ◊ * Wednesday May 13 Port Lincoln Gof Club ◊ * Sunday May 17 Western Australia Thursday May 07 Gosnells Golf Club ° Marangaroo Golf Club ° Friday May 08 Wanneroo Golf Club ° Wednesday May 13 Mount Lawley Golf Club ° Wednesday May 20

TaylorMade Location

New South Wales / ACT Toronto GC † * Royal Sydney GC † * Ryde-Parramatta GC † * Monash GC (short game) DG Northmead † * Thornleigh Golf Centre » / † * DG Casula-Tree Valley GC » / † Mudgee GC » / † The Vintage GC † * Muswellbrook GC » / † Thornleigh Golf Centre » / † * Kilara GC † * Elanora GC † * Belmont GC † Queensland Drummond Golf Gabba † * Twin Waters for Drummond Maroochydore » Woodford GC » Royal Queensland ** † * Nudgee GC » Virginia GC » Pine Rivers GC » Caboolture GC » Coolangatta Tweed Heads GC » Palm Meadows GC » House of Golf Bundall † * Brookwater GC † * Victoria Park » Golf Central » Victoria / Tasmania Southern GC † Melbourne Golf Academy † Commonwealth GC † Eastern GC † Sandringham DR † Patterson River † Settlers Run GC †

9am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 8am - 1pm 11am - 4pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 2pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 4pm 11am - 4pm 10am - 4pm 10am - 3pm 8am - 12pm 1.30 - 4.30pm 9am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 1 - 5pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 8am - 1pm 1 - 4.30pm 2 - 5pm 9am - 11.30pm 5 - 7.30pm 4 - 7pm 2 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 1pm 2 - 5pm 10am - 1pm 9.30am - 2pm 9am - 12pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 1pm 2 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 3pm 1 - 5pm 1.30 - 4pm 10.30am - 2.30pm 9am - 4pm 3.30 - 6pm 1 - 5pm 9.30am - 1.30pm 9.30am - 1.30pm

www.taylormadegolf.com.au | 1800 700 011

Day Date Time Friday Wednesday Monday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

May 01 May 06 May 11 May 13 May 14 May 16 May 17 May 19 May 20 May 21 May 27 May 28 May 29 May 30

1 - 4pm 9am - 2pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 4pm 1.30 - 5.30pm 11am - 4pm 12 - 5pm 6 - 8.30pm 8am - 2pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 1pm

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

May 01 May 03 May 07 May 08 May 09 May 12 May 13 May 14 May 15 May 20 May 22 May 23 May 26 May 28

1 - 5pm 9.30-11.30am 12.30 - 2.30pm 12 - 5pm 9am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 1 - 4.30pm 3 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 4 - 7pm

Saturday Wednesday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Friday Saturday

May 02 May 06 May 12 May 13 May 20 May 22 May 23

9am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 6.30am - 1pm 5 - 7.30pm 10am - 4pm 10am - 3pm

golf directory

Port Stephens Golfing Holidays Golf & Accommodation from only $70 per day 9 16 Golf courses including Horizons, Nelson Bay, Newcastle, Muree, Tanilba, Cypress Lakes, Pacific Dunes, The Vintage, by boat to Hawks Nest & others 9 Play any day & with any number of people 9 Golf & accommodation from a choice of motels, hotels, units & resorts

www.facebook.com/golfpsgh

T: 02 4984 9618 | M: 0428 820 477 | info@psgh.com.au | www.psgh.com.au

pp $215 From share twin eek w mid

Benalla Golf Club

Three Day / Two Night Golf Package Includes: Unlimited golf, two nights accommodation, breakfast each morning, 2 x evening meals (vouchers up to the value of $20) • Fully Irrigated Greens & Fairways • Full Bar & Bistro Facilities • Abundant Wildlife including Kangaroos

www.benallagolfclub.com.au (03) 5762 1920 | benagolf@bigpond.net.au

Big or small groups...we’ve got you covered!

• Stylish fully self-contained houses & apartments • East Beach, Moyne River, Central or South Beach • Packages tailored to your group • Reduced green fees for Port Fairy & Warrnambool Call us to help plan your next golfing adventure *Conditions apply. Valid May-October 2015.

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AustrAliA’s Most reAd Golf MAGAzine

3 Great Courses and a Great Place to Stay in Orange The Original Golf Package Specialist in Orange 2 Night Accommodation and 2 Rounds of Golf (Duntryleague and Wentworth)

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210

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There is nothing like golfing in the high country of Orange only 3 hours drive from Sydney.

Orange has three wonderful courses where visitors are most welcome. All courses are minutes from Melview Greens which is a chip away from Wentworth Golf Course and owned by a keen golfing family. All apartments are fully appointed with undercover parking at the door.

“Once you have stayed you’ll come back again”

MELVIEW GREENS For advertising call 1300 465 300

Phone 02 6362 0955 Studio & Family Apartments, Ploughmans Lane Orange NSW 2800 www.melviewgreens.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

65

golf directory Beautiful Accommodation Fantastic Courses

GOLFING GETAWAYS Mornington Peninsula

3BR Home in Blairgowrie perfectly accommodates 4 singles or 3 couples in style.

We will customize a golf package for your group and arrange everything.

You just stay, play and relax.

7 nights - 5 rounds from $550p/p 4 nights - 3 rounds from $350p/p

Every course on the Peninsula available, including the private courses and some hidden gems!

As a special bonus, we can offer you Metropolitan Golf Club and/or Kew Golf Club on your way through Melbourne – extra cost.

Call Robyn 0409 504 858 or email robyn_of_locksley@hotmail.com www.mornpengolfinggetaways.com.au

4 NIGHTS ACCOM. 5 NIGHTS ACCOM.

$475

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

4 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day FROM

FROM

3 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day

$545

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

“you give up things when you buy a Kahma Golf Bag”

HAVE YOUR PRECIOUS ANTIQUE GOLF CLUBS EXPERTLY AND AUTHENTICALLY RESTORED AT REASONABLE PRICES Tom Moore 52 Becky Ave, North Rocks, NSW 2151 | (02) 9871 2798

STAY WITH A VIEW

PLAY WITH A VIEW

• clanging clubs • damaged irons • worn graphite shafts • frustration finding the right iron From the inventors oF the CaddyraCk

GET ORGANISED WITH

• $120 per person per night for 2 in Twin or Queen room • Full buffet breakfast • Only 5 mins from the course • Includes 18 holes plus cart • Rated in Sydney’s top 10 courses with water views • Valid Friday-Saturday-Sunday • We can also tailor packages to suit

Patented Softgrip Technology

Conditions apply until December 2015

17 Blue Street, North Sydney NSW 2060 Contact John Spencer (02) 9955 0499 johns@viewhotels.com.au www.northbridgegolfclub.com.au

1300 738 557

www.kahmagolf.com

US Masters 2016 with the 3 Nights US$3,590 6 Nights US$7,190 From 5,390 Golfers Tour* US$ • Masters tix • Hotel • Merchandise • Tour host *Play Torrey Pines Prices twin share and valid at the time of publication

www.thefanatics.com | 1300 326 284 66

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Crossword Answers C H A L M E R S C L O S E D

For advertising call 1300 465 300

R E N S H I O N G E L H H A T T E V I E S U M E E C I M P U L I P E F T I T A N D W E A A E L A Y S

A W T W I S N P A O D E L I V E R R A E E E R Y O N S E G S T R U A N T E V A S E F I R M T B N A L E X C E J N N O O D G E L I N S P E E P E R S I S

T S Y E D N C E Y S B L Y P K A S K S E T S

golf directory

Aquarius R

E

S

O

R

MAGIC MERIMBULA

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

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 nights accommodation in a 2 & 3 bedroom fully self contained apartment (linen supplied).

• 6 FREE fully cooked poolside breakfasts, buffet style.

Packages starting from:

• Free use of resort facilities, indoor gas heated pool, sauna & spa, full size tennis court, BBQ area and outdoor pool.

• Large Groups Welcome

Phone Toll Free 1800 688 881 Ring toll free for free brochure

$499*pp / 2 Share $415*pp / 3 Share $395*pp / 4 Share

*AUTUMN SPECIAL*

Other packages alsO available

• 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)

www.lemontreemotel.com.au

*Conditions apply

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

InsideGolf

Packages

AustrAliA’s Most reAd Golf MAGAzine

If your golf club needs more copIes of AustrAlIA’s most reAd golf mAgAzIne then pleAse cAll InsIde golf on 1300 465 300

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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 • Dinner at Meraki Bistro 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

IS YOUR GOLF CART SLOWING DOWN? OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERIES?

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For advertising call 1300 465 300

www.batteryreviver.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2015

67

golf directory

Play anytime - No waiting

TRUEMANS COTTAGES

Howeston Golf Course Enquiries welcome

$

16 Weekdays

20 Weekends & Public Holidays *

$

100A Creek Road, Birkdale, Qld | Phone (07) 3207-2452

Mornington Peninsula *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

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

$599p/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

Nudgee Golf Club

BEERWAH GOLF CLUB

BLACK TEE CHALLENGE

At the base of the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains…

3rd Friday of each month “Bay Golf Day”

Members & Bay Golf Memberships $15 Visitors $25

• Timeless Tuesday - Unlimited* Golf for ONLY $25 • Golf Equipment for Hire & Sale • Fully Licensed Clubhouse • Social Clubs & Corporate Days • No JoiNiNg Fees

Visitors pay only $25 to play in our competitions

More social playing times now on a Monday & Thursday

(Wed, Sat & Sun)

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

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

Ph: (07) 5494 0630 Golf Shop (07) 5494 6611

Clearwater Noosa Genuine All Inclusive:

• On Course accommodation all on ground level.

Central to all Murray Courses • Self-serve, eat as much as you like, Buffet Continental Breakfast • Club evening dinner vouchers • Group organisers free of charge (groups of 12 or more) • Unlimited golf each day (conditions apply at some clubs) • Non golfers deduct $30 per day • Single Supplement $20 extra per day • Upgrade to Spa Room or cooked breakfast only $7.50 per person per day!

• FREE Golf Prizes - min. group of 12 • WEEKENDS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS $10 extra per person per day • FREE Wifi

Your choice of resort and club courses.

• Noosa Springs • Twin Waters • Club Pelican • Coolum Golf & Spa • Mt Coolum • Noosa Golf Club • Horton Park • Headland • Caloundra • Peregian Springs Some conditions apply

68

May 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

WINTER SPECIAL!

3 Day 2 Nights Just $177 PP Includes 2 days of golf, quad share accomm, Cooked and Continental Breakfast and Dinner Vouchers.

Dates: June 1st - August 31st 2015.

Midweek Price. Twin Share Just $207!

Weekend add $20.

For advertising call 1300 465 300

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Bu

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Bla

‘MAY 2015 SPECIAL OFFER’

Call us right now at 1300 13 51 38

is a registered trademark of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation USA.

Go to www.pinGapparel.com.au to view the 2015 pinG apparel line available in australia or contact american Golf supplies on 02 9524 8233 for pinG apparel stockist information.

GOLF FACTORY PENRITH 269 High St, Penrith (near Officeworks) (02) 4722 8640 - Mail Order - 6 ½ Days penrith_golf@iprimus.com.au

Callaway Set & Bag Package

$899

2014 model

$20

Srixon Z-Star or Srixon Z-Star XV

$26

Doz

2014 model

Not individually boxed

Dozen

URETHANE COVER TOUR BALL

Cleveland Classic XL

Callaway Black Tour

$29 dozen

TaylorMade Lethal

$30 dozen

Srixon Z-Star

$39 dozen

$24

Dozen

Individually Boxed

Optima TS+

Srixon Lady Soft Feel

Srixon Q Star

Pinnacle Dimension

Callaway HX Diablo

Optima Lady

TaylorMade Rocketballs (not individual - sleeves (3))

FOOTJOY SHOE SALE

SUPERSEDED IN-STORE ONLY

HOT PRICES

Ping Grips

$5

HALF PRICE Each

iD8 model fitted

$7

Srixon Soft Feel Ball Sale White or Yellow Balls Superseded 144 Balls for $216

12 Foot Ball Scoop Solar Dual Canopy Umbrella

$20 $29

Bridgestone E6 Balls Individually Boxed

Individually boxed balls

$24

$169

(Approach Putters)

Dozen

$29 MORE SPECIALS ON OUR WEBSITE $49

Left Hand Only Odyssey XG 2.0 Putter Model

$59

HALF PRICE!

Includes cover

TaylorMade 3 Fairway

Wood 15º Loft, RBZ Stage 2, Regular Flex

Wood 15º Loft, Burner, Superfast 2.0, Regular Flex

LEFT HAND

$89

RIGHT HAND

Includes Cover

Ghost Tour Corza 72 Face Balanced 35” Including Cover

$189

$139

TaylorMade Tour Preferred Balls Standard or X Version Urethane Cover

$45

Dozen

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

72 Srixon Soft Feel Balls

$72

New (Loose) Balls 6 DOZEN (not boxed) FOR 2015 Model Also available in 288 or 144 cartons Brand New Green Number Srixon Soft Feel

Eagles & Birdies Lightweight Bags 3.2kg Muirfield

Tour Special Right Hand Mens or Ladies Lengths Infiniti Left Hand Stainless Steel Head

TaylorMade 3 Fairway

$18 $36 Per Dozen

Number 2 Wood Loft 13.5º Adjustable Closed, Standard or Open X-Hot Driver Regular Flex only Includes Cover

(Classic Anser shape)

TaylorMade Putter

Not fitted

Callaway Driver

Maxfli Gear Chippers

$390

Callaway Hex Chrome Moderate Swing Speed Urethane Cover Tour Quality Ball

$20 Dozen Balls

$199

Range Finder

Graphite Irons x 6 5 to Pitching Wedge Graphite Regular Flex Shafts

Including covers

$25 dozen

$259

Cleveland 588 MT

Rescue Hybrid $79 Fairway Metalwood $89 Titanium Head Driver $139 Callaway Chrome +

Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted $7 NSW, $9 VIC & QLD, $10 SA, TAS, NT & WA Postage and handling any quantity

Golf Buddy Laser

Callaway X-Hot $1199 7 Irons SAVE $300 2 Hybrids Rescues 1 Fairway Metalwood 1 Titanium Driver 1 14-way Bag Various Bag Colours Includes covers (4) Callaway Lady Solair Package Set & Bag $899

Srixon Q-Star Individually Boxed

NEW WEBSITE GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN www.penrithgolffactory.com.au Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

$89 Includes Cover

PING G25 SALE

Irons & Fairway Metalwoods

Callaway X Hot Pro 18º Hybrid 15º or 13.5º 3 Fairway 9.5º Adjustable Driver Project X Stiff Shafts Including Covers

$79 ea $79 ea $149 ea

$249

Blue/Red

3kg Dominator

14 full length dividers Cooler Pocket Putter Holder

$199

$149 $109

Yellow/Black/White

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

$156

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed

TaylorMade ATV Wedge Responsive face for shot stopping Long Grip for grip down shots 60º Loft Lob 56º Loft Sand 52º Loft Gap Right or Left hand $129 (Except 60º Left Hand)

Cleveland Hybrid Iron 588 Altitude Right & Left Mens Altitude Sale Steel

Right Hand - Mens, Ladies Seniors Graphite

$69

Each

Left Mens Graph + Steel

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. PW + SW

Graphite Shaft Not all versions of each club available

$49

Each

Lightweight Steel Shaft

TaylorMade Rescue Hybrid RBZ Stage 2 No. 5 - 25º Regular Right No. 4 - 22º Stiff Right No. 3 - 19º Seniors Right No. 3 - 19º Regular Left Includes Cover

$179

$119

Cleveland Deluxe 14 Way Bag Horizontal and vertical full length dividers Putter holder Cooler pocket Red or Charcoal Only

$129 SAVE $60